Stanford Summer 2010

So...I haven't blogged in a while.

I think it's because I didn't really want to write in it everyday, since it's a bit troublesome.

I guess it's because it's not in my habits to do so.

I started attending Stanford for the summer at July 19th, 2010. It ends in several weeks, August 15th, 2010. I'm taking two classes, Bio 41S (Molecular Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry) and PoliSci 1Z (Introduction to International Relations).

So far, I'm doing well in my classes, so that's great.

I met so many people here. All of them are really nice and laid back. I'm not exactly sure if I would want to attend Stanford though, it seems so isolated. But that's probably because it's not part of the main school year, which apparently, becomes much more dense according to one of my mentors.

I also gained several lbs of muscle. I weigh 150 lbs now, since I've been hitting the gym almost everyday. However, I have yet to swim. I stopped swimming several weeks ago due to an injury to my leg, I got stitches from fountain hopping at night. How stupid is that? XD

Well, that's all for now.

I have much to do. A stack of AP homework is waiting for me after I finish this summer term at Stanford.

A New Era

I think my favorite class this year is AP English Language. A typical class period would go like this: our class talks for about five minutes waiting for Ms. Derdzinske to prepare her class, then we discuss a story and analyze how their rhetorical devices impact the author's purpose. It's really great, considering how I recently overcame my addiction to First Person Shooter Games (stuff like Counterstrike) and switched to reading books.
I have a feeling that I'm going to start blogging again. Perhaps I could consider making it private.

I have been inspired by the book The Perks of Being a Wallflower. It really is a good book.

Europe Trip

The Europe trip is in two weeks!!!
I can't wait until I start visiting the world renown landmarks of Rome and Paris.
Today I got my first credit card. I guess my parents view me as a responsible spender (for their sake, I hope it's true).

Footache

Today, I took the SAT II Biology M test at Los Angeles High School around 8:00 a.m. It was a piece of cake so I'm not worried about it. Good thing I was given candy by a friend, apparently, it reduces your nerves.
My feet hurt. Basketball for four hours straight, people stepping on my toes, and bad shoes (for basketball) are the reasons why my feet probably hurt. I think I played well. I met this guy named Johnathan who played extremely well. I was pretty dismayed at the fact that a C4 member was trash talking with him, saying he's a mexican when he is clearly flipino. He plays basketball well. I wish people would have more respect toward others.

The End of the School Year

It seems like yesterday when I first signed up for my classes...I've learned several things since. First of all, APs are pretty easy. Second, I need to stop procrastinating. Third, I need to continue to learn and develop my mind (which I'll do by reading books).
I've stopped swimming for two weeks now (due to reasons such as not qualifying for city finals and shoulder problems) but I'm thinking about starting again. I concentrate better and have a better sense of well being. Besides, today was my last visit to my physical therapist for my shoulder. Mixed feelings about that because I've met some great people while receiving treatment.
Lately, grades seem to not matter to me. Instead, I've taken up training my mind into thinking a certain way. Perhaps a logical method of thinking would be best.
Today, I played Scrabble in my AP Biology class with Sharifa, Laareb, Esther, Yulee, and Sarah. Sarah and Laareb seem to be the best at it.

I'm so excited about my summer plans! Right after school, I'm going to Europe (France, Italy) for 10 days, which is not much, but I know it'll be a eye opening experience. Two days after, I'm going to a summer program called COSMOS, a four month residential program at UCSD (which I receieved a full scholarship to). Maybe sneak in a few reads and do my AP homework for the rest of the summer, which brings to mind, a nagging concern. According to several of my teachers, the adminstrators are thinking of making the AP homework deadline a month earlier. It would make programming classes for students easier, but many students are taking summer programs and would not be able to turn in their work. So it's a give and take situation. Personally, I think they should keep it the way it is. The students that take APs are likely to participate in summer programs.

A New School Year

well, kind of.
technically, the school year isn't finished until two more weeks, when the twenty week grades come up (I'm hoping for A's in all my classes, which I currently have. Just two more weeks!).
wow, I am really tired from school, and winter break was a blast. I immensely enjoyed sleeping until twelve in the afternoon, alas, those days are long gone. Now I have to get up when it's cold.
But lately, Los Angeles has been having erratic weather these days...it's the middle of winter and it's 80 degrees in the afternoon. There is something wrong with that. And don't blame global warming, because the depleted ozone layer is over Antartica! (however, it may have gotten bigger...so, maybe it is)

whoop whoop, AP classes are conquerable!

The End of the School Year

Another school year has gone and passed. I really think I'm getting old. Everyday, I'm learning something new, it's just so amazing. I'm going to miss school for three weeks...On the other hand, I really need the break, and fix my sleep deprivation problem. So I'm grateful.
I can't wait for the Magic the Gathering Draft with my friends. It's coming up soon.
Today, I turned in my math test, and finished watching Pan's Labrinyth in AP Spanish. It was interesting. Esta pelicula era muy interesante. Sobre una chica que escapaba la realidad para yendo en el mundo del fauna. (Sorry for the lack of accents, if you want to know what I said, go learn some spanish).
I played some basketball during PE and studied for the AP World History test I mentioned yesterday. I think I missed one question out of 45. The class then watched America's Funniest Videos which were in fact, extremely hilarious.
Then, in AP Biology, I solved a puzzle (involving many shapes and arranging them to fit in a box) and helped clean up the recycleables with the teacher. It was a pretty easy day as I took many tests the day before.

Reflections:
I need to study for the AP tests in May. Let's review what I learned this year! (and do all the homework assigned! although i was surprised that my math teacher did not give me math homework).