My First Rejection.

yrreskrap1 Comment

The small, white envelope lay limp in my hand. A paper fringe lined the top of the envelope, standing like the dendrites of a hairy neuron, signaling the haste I had in tearing open the envelope.

By its mere size, I knew that the envelope did not hold favorable information. The only question I had was whether or not, inside was letter of rejection or a letter of a waitlist.

“Dear Serry:

It is with genuine regret that I write to inform you that the Admissions Committee is unable to offer you admission to the class entering Pomona College this fall…”

It was fine. I didn’t feel the stereotypical emotions that follow a rejection letter. Perhaps it was because I never intended to go to Pomona College. But nevertheless, it was an interesting experience.

However, this makes me worried about the upcoming notifications this week. I hear from Brown, my number one college, this week. I am scared of receiving a rejection. I don’t want to know how a true rejection, a rejection to a school that I want to go to, will feel like.

SO SCARED…to be continued.

The hunger games

venturatreker2 Comments


Tonight I went to go see the Hunger Games movie.  I went with my girlfriend and her family and I was the only one that had read the book.

I have to say I am a little surprised about the criticism surrounding the movie.  I personally though it was spectacular and incredibly intense.

One criticism is that it shies away from some of the things that happen in the book.  I must disagree, the story is about 24 kids between 12 and 18 fighting to the death for a corrupt societies sport.  It’s hard to dumb that down. Obviously they do not show gory images of dead teenagers which is a good thing.  It shows enough and hits it right on the money about connecting with the audience.

There definitely was times when I myself was wondering what it would be like to be in her position or just to be in the games themselves.

Overall great film, and a must see.

That Song.

Yourcupatea1 Comment

Record Player.

I have recently become addicted to one song. When I say addicted I mean I have listened it on loop for over a week now. Believe me a song has to be pretty special for me not to get sick of it and  The Shins , “New Slang” is exactly that.

When I saw a Facebook status saying how excited my friend was for the new “Shins album” I thought I better give this band a listen and that’s exactly what I did. I logged on to Spotify, typed in The Shins and listened through their numerous albums. Little did I know that I had actually had listened to many of the songs before including “New Slang.”

It was so familiar to my ears and as I listened to it I recognized it strangely from the hit TV series Scrubs. It was one of those songs that you hear, love and search for, but can never find it on YouTube and other search tools.

So now that I know the title and band of  that song, I have not stopped listening and I am very excited to hear new material from this New Mexico indie group, The Shins.

Asante Samuel—The Sequel

backinphillyLeave a comment

I’m not sure how to say this, but as time goes by during the trade talks, I want Asante Samuel more and more out of Philadelphia. Now the Eagles have an even more pressing matter on the table. They need to find a way to replace All Pro left tackle Jason Peters, who ruptured his Achilles tendon while working out in Texas.

The Eagles have already been connected to two big name tackles, Demetrius Bell and Marcus McNeill. Both players are far superior than King Dunlap, Peters’ current backup.

I can only sit back and hope to Tebow (yes, tebow is a replacement for God) that the Eagles can sign either of these two players.

This has to be our year as Eagles fans. We have waited too frickin’ long for this to go down.

Let’s get this done.

null

Lacrosse

rangerthecat1 Comment

Out of my 4 years at the Ojai Valley School, I have played lacrosse for 3. At first, it wasn’t my favorite thing to do, but it has grown on me and I have truly began to love it.

I’m not an extremely athletic person, and when I first played lacrosse, it was hard for me to keep up with some of the drills and especially hard for me to play a game without becoming exhausted. But I started to love the game and build my skills. It became so much fun for me, and when it ended, I was already looking ahead and couldn’t wait for next year’s season.

The next year, unfortunately, we didn’t have enough girls to make a team. It was really upsetting at first, but we still practiced as a team and scrimmaged against each other, which gave me an opportunity to improve my skills a lot, along with some of my other team mates. I thought it would be a great way to really prepare myself for this year’s season.

But of course, as it always seems to happen, another issue arose, and after weeks of practices, followed by a small complication in numbers, we were unable to have a lacrosse team again this year. It really puts me off to know we physically had the number of girls that we needed, and that we had already scheduled all of our games with other schools.

I was extremely excited the first day of practice, knowing it was my senior year and that the team could really make this year a good one for the ladies lacrosse. We had a bunch of new players along with some returning, experienced players that would really be able to lead the team. As captain, I was determined to teach the girls to love the game like I once learned to. By the 2nd week, a lot of them were improving a great amount and I could tell that they were really enjoying themselves out there on the field.

There’s nothing that we can do to revive our team now. All of our games have been cancelled, and since it has, we have broken up as a team and filtered into other sports commitments. It really disappoints me to know that we could have had a really solid team and been tough competition if we had practiced hard and kept the team together. But unfortunately, it looks like I’m going to have to finish out my senior year on weak note, all of my effort for lacrosse being wasted away. That’s just life, I guess, but I really do wish there was something I could do to change this reality.

So long, lacrosse. It’s been a blast while it’s lasted.

Healthcare Hell

therightliberalLeave a comment

Unless you have been living under a rock, you will know that the Supreme Court is currently deciding if “Obamacare” is constitutional.

Now let me say this, I am not sure about the mandate. I get the point and I also see why people would be upset.

However, for those who say that the government is making a mistake by creating a healthcare system where people with pre-existing conditions can still get coverage, shut up.

Although young, I have seen exactly the problems behind our current system. Just yesterday I was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

But because my family’s coverage is about to run out, I could not schedule appointments because we will run out of coverage and chances are I won’t be able to be put on a plan. This worries my parents far more than me, but it is a valid concern.

I consider myself lucky, I do not have a disease that is life threatening or controls my life. But for those who do, who is to say that they do not deserve coverage?

They are citizens of our nation, just like a healthy person, and as part of our society they deserve care they can afford.

You can call it a socialist program or whatever you want, the fact of the matter is that it is what people need. People need coverage so they can survive without massive amounts of debt and massive fears every day.

It is worth the tax increase we could see, and it is worth being potentially mandated to have health care. And let’s be honest here, the people trying to get rid of the mandate feel as though they should be able to turn it down because they have health care.

Taxes happen and lead to the society we have today so stop complaining. You want to live in this great country? It will cost you. Just like living in Beverly Hills, there is a price. But there is also a reason people are willing to pay the price.

I have no idea what the Supreme Court will decide but I urge them to make the right choice. Rule what you want as far as the mandate but please see that we need to get rid of the rejections relating to pre-existing conditions.

Lets get this done and make a better country, giving people support that they need. Lets make a better and stronger society and keep building our country.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLARA AND CELESTE!!!

kirbyfullyloadedLeave a comment

It’s happened.

The unthinkable.

My sisters are coming into the end of their pre-teen years.

Or is that “tween” years…?

I really hate the word tween so let’s just stick with pre-teen.

Today my little sisters turned 12.

I met them 12 years ago in the San Diego International Airport, five minutes after they came off the plane from Guatemala.

They are twins.

Identical opposites.

One is right-handed and likes English.

The other is left-handed and likes Math.

One is an amazing artist.

The other is a technology whiz.

My little sisters, Clara and Celeste, are twelve years old today.

They were born in the year of the Dragon.  Personally, I think that’s the coolest Chinese Zodiac animal in our family (I’m a rat, so…).

I literally have the coolest sisters ever.

They know I love Doctor Who so they sent me a little email…

I'm a weeping angel give me your energy!!!!!! Rawwwwrrrr!!!!! Come and get me DOCTOR...........

For Christmas, they gave me lip gloss inside a plastic hamburger, a Pikachu t-shirt and a tiny dolphin pillow-pet.

For my birthday, they got me shea butter-infused fuzzy socks, Pink Chiffon and Paris Amour lotions from Bath and Body Works, and MADE ME A TARDIS!!!!

Love you little sises!

Variables.

yrreskrap1 Comment

If you think about it (and you don’t have to think too hard), you will be amazed by the variables that affect your life everyday.

These variables help life circulate. It keeps the cycle perpetuating. It’s what makes people cry, shout, laugh, scream, jump, and smile! It’s what makes people ponder, create, reminisce, nurture, grow, and forget. It does not matter where you are, what your background is, or what you are doing. Variables are there.

Now, variables come in many different forms. And as we grow older, these variables give rise to more and more variables, adding complexity to your daily functions (haha math pun) in life.

Family. Family is what brought you here in the first place. Without mom and dad, without grandmothers and grandfathers, we would not have a place on Earth. The chromosomes from both your parents have beautifully combined to create a unique you. These are your very first and most significant variables. Family.

 

But soon enough, friends will become much like family. Especially during adolescence when peer relationships are more likely to be stronger than parent-child relationships. These variables can influence much of what goes on in your head and your actions. Whether your friends hold the same mentality or opinions on different subjects, they will be impact you in some way. I know I can say that my friends have become so close to my heart and that they have helped me through good and bad. I don’t know what I’d do without them.

 

And then there’s school. There are expectations to be met, or not. There are emotions like jealousy and hate and greed. There is war. There are different motivations, different talents, different niches to fill. All of your variables that constitute who you are will eventually reveal to you the person you are and the person you want to be. There are various values that factor into your life, shaping the road you will ultimately walk.

So.
Many.
Damn.
Variables.

And these variables are precious. Why? Because they drive us to meet new people, run into old friends, see foreign places and perhaps be able to call them home. These variables are precious because they allow us to feel heartbreak and separation and appreciate compassion and closeness. These variables are precious because they allow us to age and mature. They are precious because you learn so much about yourself from what surrounds you.

So much to say about variables but.

Variables are beautiful.

Ojai Valley School continues to Relay

rangerthecat1 Comment

In the past two years, I have been one of the many students from Ojai Valley School to attend an amazing event called Relay for Life. It is sponsored by the American Cancer Society to raise people’s awareness and fight against cancer in a fun and community-oriented event.

When I first signed up to attend the Relay for Life event at Buena High school in Ventura, I had no idea what it was about. But within no time, there were hundreds of people and tents set up all around the track with different information, games, prizes, raffles, and live music as well. Everyone was walking or running around the track, and it was a great feeling to see all of these dedicated people in once place.

All of the teams, including the OVS team, raises money ahead of time to donate to the American Cancer Society to help research. Last year, our school raised over $5,000, earning us the Silver award, which means we donated in the middle category of high-level contributors. Although OVS is a little school, we are still mighty. Donating $5,000 is such an amazing contribution that I never could have even imagine for us.

This year, OVS is in the game once again – we even have our own Ojai Valley School page on the Relay for Life website where there is information and an opportunity to donate to this great cause. (Click on the link to go to the page)

Personally, I absolutely CANNOT WAIT for the Relay for Life event this year. It has been an amazing experience in the past, and I’m sure we can contribute just as much if not more this time. So far, we have $50 worth of donations, but I know how supportive our school will be and the donations will grow greatly over time. If money isn’t an option, anyone can contribute by attending the event and walking, running, or just being there to support. The first year was great, the second was even better, and I’m looking forward to a flat out amazing time this year.

I highly encourage everyone to check out the Relay for Life website and our school’s personal page and help support the fight against cancer!

My idol

thehungryrunnergirlLeave a comment

Jordan Hasay is an amazing runner who runs for University of Oregon, which has one of the best cross country and track teams in the nation.

She was born in Fontana, California and went to Mission College Prep school in Southern California. Her father used to play basketball in college, and her mother was a national swimmer in England. Jordan was selected 2008 Girls High School Athlete of the Year by Track&Field News and by Gatorade.

She has been unbelievably fast ever since her youth. She set the USA Track and Field Junior Olympics Youth record in the 1500m and 3000m run. Also, she could’ve ran World Junior Championship in 2006 to represent the US, but she was too young at the age of 14.

During her freshman year in high school, she won the Foot Locker Cross Country National Championships, becoming the second freshman to win in the history.

During her junior year, she ran the US Olympic Trials breaking the national high school record for 1500m and qualified for the finals.

She runs 6 to 8 miles per day along with swimming 3 to 5 times a week, weight lifting twice a week and biking twice a week. That’s incredible, and I don’t think many people can manage to continue this workout.

Go Jordan!!!