Tag: Ojai

A Time for Change.

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Change is healthy.

Today, before I left the dorms for the Ojai Farmer’s Market, I made a spur of the moment decision to change my room around. My bed has been rearranged. My dresser once cluttered with various cosmetics and toiletries is now bare, my small pink and white refrigerator brandishing those same perfumes and toothbrushes.

It feels good.

I spent a large part of my day cleaning and reorganizing and reopening and removing. I usually feel a need for this sort of change at the end of the school year in the dormitories.

Today was different though.

As I am beginning to sum up my five years at Ojai Valley School, writing the last pages of my high school days, priming for the next chapter of my life, I am slowly growing more anxious, scared, and unsure.

What is undeniable is my insatiable desire to graduate. 

I don’t know what it is. A part of me does not want to leave, knowing how much I will miss this place, a part has been growing since September. I guess I am scared to leave this small hill that blessed me with so many happy, great memories but, I think I am too scared to leave the people I love so much behind.

But time is surely passing by faster this year…

I only wish that I make sure this year is great. I am happier than I ever was with my friends and the people I surround myself with. And I want to leave feeling elated and proud.

COLLEGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now that is what I cannot get off my mind. Where will I GO!? I find out the results of my Early Evaluation application to Wellesley College. But after that, I have another dreaded MONTH of waiting for results. Goodness gracious. The college process is absolutely dreadful. Hopefully, great news will unfold in the upcoming weeks!!

Wish Me Luck.

 

Life’s A Beach.

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Usually I have an undeniable, irresistible desire for Korean food or home.

But this time, it’s the beach.

The weather has been beautiful lately here in Ojai. I mean, how lucky are we to have summer weather in the end of January?

It started with the semi-annual sale at Victoria’s Secret.

Discounts on swimsuits and free shipping on orders over $25!!

So I bought one and it arrived last Monday but since I was unhappy with it, I sent it back. Now, I have to wait until February for the new one!

NOW ALL I NEED IS SOME SAND AND A LOT OF OCEAN.

But I must have patience because being at a boarding school, I don’t have many chances to leave and head to the beach whenever I want to.

I JUST WANT SUMMER!!

Sometimes life’s a beach.

Fat Sundays with Tom Cruise

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Huddled together.

Light cutting the darkness like blades

through the spaces between the blinds.

Our heads come closer to the screen,

our limbs intertwined.

A mess of blankets and

the overwhelming scent of Chinese food.

Golden Moon did it again.

Our stomachs are aching

but, we don’t mind.

Tom Cruise is almost dead,

Julia with a gun in her hand.

HE’S ALIVE!

We all let out a sigh of relief,

our hands let go of each others.

This is a good Sunday afternoon.

Surrounded by my friends,

just being fat and lazy.

I am so happy.

This is happiness.

“Friendship is a special kind of love.”

Camels & Ojai Day!

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Saturday. October 15, 2011.

I woke up early to go on a nice run on the Pi course at Ojai Valley School and went to the gym to do some core exercises.

At around 10:30, my good friend Anni walked in and we decided to take the day off and go celebrate Ojai Day.

We got on the bus at noon and arrived to a bustling scene. There were people everywhere and the air smelled of barbecue. Painters, jewelers, vendors, you name it.

The most memorable part of the trip was the camel ride. Anni and I waited for about 15 minutes behind a line of middle schoolers. I felt a little embarrassed knowing that we were both double their age but equally (if not more) excited to get our turn on the camel. Finally, it was our turn.

At first, it was very awkward for the both of us.

But after a while, we got used to it.


Overall, the camel ride was unforgettable. That ended my day on a perfect note. I had never ridden on a camel before (and Anni hadn’t either) so it was a new experience for the both of us. I can only hope to be able to come to next year’s Ojai Day.

Driving at Night.

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Driving

No this is not another driving disaster; in fact it is quite the opposite. Yes, surprisingly I have accomplished something successful in my driving career so far and that is driving in the dark.

I have driven in the dark before, but not a long distance.  So as I drove from Los Olivos to Ojai carrying my sleeping family in the car I enjoyed the sights.
As I smoothly traveled along the 101 highway I looked at the numerous lights that passed me by. Thinking about their similarities to the stars and how many reminded me of fireworks you may see on the 4th of July, I really wondered at their beauty.

Surrounded by wonder, the 101 had transformed from what I had previously seen in the day, The buildings that looked shabby and worn down in the day were now transformed into houses of wonder and light. Cat’s eyes that stood in the middle of the road glimmered like shining stars and the moon shone bright in the sky highlighting passing clouds and the land around me. It was really picturesque.

Drive in the dark if you ever want to see another light.

Finding Joe

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Today, I saw the documentary “Finding Joe” at the Ojai Playhouse. The film was all about the teachings of the mythologist and philosopher Joseph Campbell.

Basically, Campbell’s ideas about life come from his ideas about mythology. He says that there is only really one story in all stories of all time. That story is that there is a character that faces a problem, and then changes as a result of that problem. He put this idea into his philosophy.

He said that people will face problems, but eventually overcome them if they are strong enough, or try hard enough. Success, in his words, is obtainable by all.

In my opinion, success is not obtainable by all. Sadly, some people, no matter how hard they try, will never become what they really want to be. Some people are either luckier or just happen to do things at the right time.

Anyway, I got a free ticket to the screening of the movie and to the reception afterwards with the director since I’m part of the Ojai youth film society board.    The director was actually pretty cool, and I got a high five from him after I brought up that I was not allowed to show my most recent movie at my school.

“That’s how you know how you know that you are making better films.” He said, “If more people dislike it, then they are probably better. Until a certain point.”

I get the feeling that I’m going to remember those words for a while. I want to become a director and screenwriter when I’m older. Let’s hope I’m as lucky as Mr. Campbell.

Prom

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Tomorrow night I will be somewhere in Ventura living out the last hurrah of my senior year.

I honestly cannot wait. We’ve waited four years to finally have a dance dedicated to us and not have to ride on the bus to the site and back.

The juniors have spent weeks planning this event for us and have really tried to make us happy. I can’t see a reason why it wouldn’t be enjoyable.

It has all built up till the final moment. As seniors, it is out opportunity to enjoy what has been planned for us and to share the experience with others. We should honestly just have a good time and forget that some of us don’t get along.

I propose that tomorrow, we leave all of our preconceived assumption about prom and all our negativity behind. Let’s enjoy our last prom with class, please. It’d be lovely to thoroughly enjoy this moment.

I went on an adventure which took me from Ojai to Topanga and everywhere between. One of my best friends prom dress never came in the mail, so with my aunts help, we spent seven and a half hours in search of the perfect dress. It’s people like us that actually care about prom, where as most don’t. It’s supposed to be a memorable experience that is shared between classmates, and our adventure today really reminded me of that.

We are one class, sharing one experience that will forever be remembered. Let’s make it the best we can.

THIS IS WAR!

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02-10-2011;War has been declared in the Upper wings of the girls dorm in Ojai Valley School. All girl dormers, take note.

I am currently engaged in a war. A video war that is.

Last night, my friend Madisen Demery and her roommate Joanna Degroof pulled my roommate and I out of our room after study hall into their room. They opened their laptops to show us a video of them dancing to Hannah Montana‘s Party in the U.S.A (click to watch the actual music video). My roommate and I were not impressed. However, they were smiling, enjoying themselves. What they didn’t know was that they had informally declared war with their amateur video.

My roommate and I split from the two girls, and two crews had formed. A music video battle had begun. We ran into the rooms, dressed up as ridiculously as we could with huge necklaces, matching white hats, and nerd glasses, and danced to the song, I believe in Miracles by Hot Chocolate (click on link to watch the video).

We tore apart our dresser and found matching white tee’s (cuz we are so G dawg) and wrote on them. At this moment, I believe that we will win. We will make the best music videos and win this war.

Watch out Maddie and Joanna.

Ojai Day is just around the corner

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Ojai Day is coming up! It starts on October 16th. Ojai day always takes place on the third Waturday of October. The admission is free along with the parking. There are special areas for kids, teens and adults. The event recognizes that summer is over and it is time to celebrate a new change of season. “The event was originally conceived in 1917, took a hiatus in the 1920’s and has been back with a vengeance since 1991. It’s grown tremendously and has become one of the most popular events in Ojai,” states Jody James the event’s organizer. “The event itself celebrates life, culture and the arts.”
There are all kinds of stands that cover the down town area of Ojai ranging from art to clothing. The food and music are special highlights during this celebration. This day is full of leisure and appreciating spending time with your friends and family, it is also a good place to meet new people.

Equine Therapy- Reigns of Hope

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“Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is one of the most effective forms of experiential therapy,” according to the organization Reigns of Hope.

Reigns of Hope is an organization based in Ojai.  Julie Giove, a well-known therapist in Ojai and Ventura, is one of the leaders of this group. Equine therapy allows for a very powerful emotional relationship and connection to develop between the horse and the person.

The objective is to first establish a comfortable relationship with the horse, then proceed to touch it and lead it through an obstacle course created with objects you choose from a bucket. You then must use the objects to lead the horse through the set course without touching it with your hands. This requires a great deal of communication.

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