In US history Mr. Seidenstein was talking to us about college, and how he loved to research when he was a student. He said it was because he was a Virgo, and Virgo's apparently love to be obsessive about those things or something like that.
I was a definite skeptic about the whole concept of astrology, and told my coach about it when we were on that topic before. I didn't how the sun, the planets, and what not make up who we are as people. It didn't seem to make any sense because it didn't seem that those topics could be in any way related. In response to when I said this, she seemed a little upset. She told me she used to study astrology, and that I can't be a skeptic without putting some effort into researching about it. She made a good point, despite how ridiculous the whole astrology concept seemed to me. So today, I decided to look up my sign or whatever you call it. I am born on Feburary 21, which means I'm a pieces, the two little fishies. I didn't understand how someone came up with this sign as the sign for people born on Feb 20-Mar 20. I don't know how they came up with those exact dates either. What if you're born on Feb 19 11:59 in Hawaii, and then you fly over to the mainland where Feb 19 11:59 is actually Feb 20 3:59, does that make you a pieces or the sign that comes before it?
Anyway, I wanted to find out the traditional traits of a pieces to see whether those traits match my personality. According to this website, the 'astrology insight' I am supposed to be imaginitive, sensitive, compassionate, kind, selfless, unworldly, intuitive, sympathetic, an escapist, idealistic, secretive, vague, weak-willed, and easily led. Wow, that's a lot of words to descricbe me. Hm...let's see...I'm pretty sure I'm not imaginitive or intuitive, although I think I can be a little sensitive, compassionate, kind, selfless, sympathetic, and I'm definitely unworldly...Hah, I'm pretty sure I'm the most naive out of everyone I know. I'm pretty sure I'm not an escapist, even though I'm not quite sure what the exact definition is...I think I'm idealistic, or I was anyway. I am very sercretive according to my parents...Wow, and I'm definitely vague. My friends used to make fun of me because of that. In fact, someone gave me a keychain that says...'I used to be indecisive but now I'm not too sure.' Oh, and I'm pretty sure I'm weak-willed and definitely easily led because of my 'vagueness.' Hm...this profile was not 100% accurate, but it was pretty close. The accuracy could have been coincidence, but I can't conclude that unless I have a better data. Maybe one day when I have time, I'll figure out how many people 's astrology profile matches what kind of person they are.
But even though these astrology profiles happen to be accurate, I think I'll continue to be a skeptic because I don't understand how someone could come up with all of these profiles by just looking at space. But maybe I will understand the reasoning behind astrology if I do enough research...I don't know...(Ah...vagueness again...)
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Sustainability Fair
Surprisingly, the Sustainability Fair was a big hit last week Friday. Apparently, there were so many classes that wanted to come, that the Luke aunties, the ones who organized the fair, had to turn many teachers down. In Japanese class, our sensei wanted us to become involved in this event. She required us to make posters in order to promote the idea of conservation, and write a reflection about it. (Oh, that reminds me, I have to turn that in after this...) I think that it was a good idea that she required us to be involved with an event, especially since the Japanese value this idea so greatly. From the various different booths in the fair, we were able to attain information that we wouldn't have otherwise known. Like most people, I don't read newsletters and articles in the mail about the importance of sustainabilty, nor do I come across television shows where this is mentioned. I think this was a convenient, crowd attracting event that brought a lot of people together to learn about an important cause we had no idea of before.
I didn't get to look around much since I was working at a booth the whole time I was there, although I did get to see some of the booths around me. I was working at the computer booth where I was supposed to show people the many different environmentally educational websites. There was a website where you can click once a day, and sponsors would donate to help save 11 feet of rainforest, there was a website that allowed you to calculate the harmful effects you cause daily, and there were many other websites with fun games that taught you ways you can become more environmentally friendly.
One of the booths next to my station was a physics project, that showed the enormous amounts of waste that are being released when putting your computer to sleep rather than shutting it down. There was a booth that gave out free bags to use at the grocery store so that we don't have to use unecessary plastic bags, there was a booth that showed you how to recycle magazines, and there was a booth that showed us worm bins. These worms eat anything. Instead of throwing your leftover food away, you can put it in a worm bin, so that we can limit the amount of trash that is being dumped to our overfilled landfills.
Even though all of those booths were interesting, I felt as though the movie shown at the end was the highlight of the whole fair. The movie was called, 'The Inconvenient Truth,' a documenary done by the 'once next president,' Al Gore. This film was a big eye-opener to me, for I had never heard about how much harmful things America contributes to daily, and what the effects might be in the future. According to him, the Earth as we now know it won't be the same in the future. The melting icecaps will flood many lands, temperatures will rise, and many species of animals will die out. In fact, global warming could be the cause of the end of the world, which is really scary to think about. I just find it weird that I never heard about all of these statistics before until a week ago, especially since this has been known for many years. Maybe I'm very ignorant about world issues...I don't know...
I didn't get to look around much since I was working at a booth the whole time I was there, although I did get to see some of the booths around me. I was working at the computer booth where I was supposed to show people the many different environmentally educational websites. There was a website where you can click once a day, and sponsors would donate to help save 11 feet of rainforest, there was a website that allowed you to calculate the harmful effects you cause daily, and there were many other websites with fun games that taught you ways you can become more environmentally friendly.
One of the booths next to my station was a physics project, that showed the enormous amounts of waste that are being released when putting your computer to sleep rather than shutting it down. There was a booth that gave out free bags to use at the grocery store so that we don't have to use unecessary plastic bags, there was a booth that showed you how to recycle magazines, and there was a booth that showed us worm bins. These worms eat anything. Instead of throwing your leftover food away, you can put it in a worm bin, so that we can limit the amount of trash that is being dumped to our overfilled landfills.
Even though all of those booths were interesting, I felt as though the movie shown at the end was the highlight of the whole fair. The movie was called, 'The Inconvenient Truth,' a documenary done by the 'once next president,' Al Gore. This film was a big eye-opener to me, for I had never heard about how much harmful things America contributes to daily, and what the effects might be in the future. According to him, the Earth as we now know it won't be the same in the future. The melting icecaps will flood many lands, temperatures will rise, and many species of animals will die out. In fact, global warming could be the cause of the end of the world, which is really scary to think about. I just find it weird that I never heard about all of these statistics before until a week ago, especially since this has been known for many years. Maybe I'm very ignorant about world issues...I don't know...
School, Not Quite Over
Wow, there's only a month before my junior year is over. However, I don't think that the time will pass by quickly one bit. There is just so many tests to take, events to go to, projects to do, and things to be done. For the last few weeks, I have been staying up till at least 11:00 every night. Ok, I know most people don't think that 11:00 is very late, but for me it is. Especially since I have been going to sleep at 10 in the beginning of the school year. Last night alone, I had two papers to do and a test to study for. Ya, not very fun. Lately, I have been finding myself in the library more often, trying to finish my mountain load of homework. I would stay up late if I could, but I fall asleep in class whenever I do. And that of course, isn't good because then I won't be able to pay attention and my grades will drop even more. And to add more to my stress, I have competitions every Wednesday, right smack in the middle of every school week.
Most people are looking at the last month of school to be exciting, for they will soon be free of all the pain-staking work that is required. But as for me, I am not particularly excited for time to pass by faster, since there is so much stuff to be done.
My schedule is pretty much full till the end of next school year. This week is prom, the week after that is my SAT physics subject test, a week after that my big US paper is due, a week after that is my AP physics test, two weeks after that are finals, a week after that is the SAT reasoning test, the week after that is my ACTs, the week after that, summer school (Euro...), driver's ed, and diving season starts again, and probably by the end of that school will start once again. In the midst of all this, people are expecting me to be looking at colleges, having some 'friend time', starting to write my college essays, and finishing my required seven hours of community service for Japanese. Gosh, it seems as though I don't even have time to breathe. Although it is my fault that I made my schedule this way, and hopefully at the end, I won't regret all the work I've put into, as I would expect to happen.
Most people are looking at the last month of school to be exciting, for they will soon be free of all the pain-staking work that is required. But as for me, I am not particularly excited for time to pass by faster, since there is so much stuff to be done.
My schedule is pretty much full till the end of next school year. This week is prom, the week after that is my SAT physics subject test, a week after that my big US paper is due, a week after that is my AP physics test, two weeks after that are finals, a week after that is the SAT reasoning test, the week after that is my ACTs, the week after that, summer school (Euro...), driver's ed, and diving season starts again, and probably by the end of that school will start once again. In the midst of all this, people are expecting me to be looking at colleges, having some 'friend time', starting to write my college essays, and finishing my required seven hours of community service for Japanese. Gosh, it seems as though I don't even have time to breathe. Although it is my fault that I made my schedule this way, and hopefully at the end, I won't regret all the work I've put into, as I would expect to happen.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Lucky Phone?
I just got a new phone a few days ago because our two year warranty just expired. Actually, because I lost my phone in the bathroom and needed a new one was the real reason behind me getting a new phone. I was just lucky that I lost it now since I our plan expired anyway.
In the quest of finding a new (freee) phone, my family went to various different verizon locations. Ok, actually, my dad did all the looking, and my family just went with him when he found the best store. I'm not sure how many stores he went to, but he finally called us to the little store in Kahala Mall in the middle of macy's and jeans warehouse. We talked to one of the workers, and she showed us the various different types of phones we could get. At first, she showed us a phone similar to the one I lost. I was fine with that; I mean, I honestly didn't need a fancy one. I didn't think I deserved one in the first place, especially since I misplaced my old one.
While this salesperson went behind the counter to retrieve the boxes my soon to be new phone, I spotted a sleek black phone, similar to a razor. I just had to look at it, so I opened it; and I bet you that my jaw dropped. For this phone was like no other phone I've seen before. Even though it was looked like a razor at first, it didn't look like one when I flipped it open. For this phone had a *gasp* keyboard! I have never seen a phone with a keyboard before, except for the bulky sidekick some of my friends have. I'm pretty sure I was mesmerised by it, because the salesperson came back and said, "You like it don't you?" I nodded my head. "Oh ya, I almost forgot, this week is a special sale. You can get this phone for free if you renew your plan." I couldn't believe it. How could I be so lucky? She showed my family the new tricks this phone can do. With this phone, I would be able to go on the internet, text, and listen to music! (I have never been able to text on my other phones before.) I didn't think that my dad would let me have this, and actually reward me for my irresponsible deed. But he did, mainly because the salesperson talked him into it.
At first, I was excited with all of the special tricks this samsung could do, playing around with my new settings options, and my one month free trial of the internet. However, I was surprised to learn that I actually began to miss my new phone dispite the amazing gadget that now lies in my pocket. My free internet trial will soon expire, and I will no longer be able to use it anymore. My old phone had a two special charms on it I cannot replace. One was from Beijing and the other from Okinawa. My old phone showed the time in the front screen so that I didn't have to open my phone every time I wanted to check the time. And most of all, my old phone had all my contacts in it, that I can't get back, what's the point in texting when you don't know anyone's phone number? With my terrible memory, I'm not able to contact my friends and family who I don't see often anymore. I never would think that I would say this but I think losing that phone wasn't so lucky after all.
In the quest of finding a new (freee) phone, my family went to various different verizon locations. Ok, actually, my dad did all the looking, and my family just went with him when he found the best store. I'm not sure how many stores he went to, but he finally called us to the little store in Kahala Mall in the middle of macy's and jeans warehouse. We talked to one of the workers, and she showed us the various different types of phones we could get. At first, she showed us a phone similar to the one I lost. I was fine with that; I mean, I honestly didn't need a fancy one. I didn't think I deserved one in the first place, especially since I misplaced my old one.
While this salesperson went behind the counter to retrieve the boxes my soon to be new phone, I spotted a sleek black phone, similar to a razor. I just had to look at it, so I opened it; and I bet you that my jaw dropped. For this phone was like no other phone I've seen before. Even though it was looked like a razor at first, it didn't look like one when I flipped it open. For this phone had a *gasp* keyboard! I have never seen a phone with a keyboard before, except for the bulky sidekick some of my friends have. I'm pretty sure I was mesmerised by it, because the salesperson came back and said, "You like it don't you?" I nodded my head. "Oh ya, I almost forgot, this week is a special sale. You can get this phone for free if you renew your plan." I couldn't believe it. How could I be so lucky? She showed my family the new tricks this phone can do. With this phone, I would be able to go on the internet, text, and listen to music! (I have never been able to text on my other phones before.) I didn't think that my dad would let me have this, and actually reward me for my irresponsible deed. But he did, mainly because the salesperson talked him into it.
At first, I was excited with all of the special tricks this samsung could do, playing around with my new settings options, and my one month free trial of the internet. However, I was surprised to learn that I actually began to miss my new phone dispite the amazing gadget that now lies in my pocket. My free internet trial will soon expire, and I will no longer be able to use it anymore. My old phone had a two special charms on it I cannot replace. One was from Beijing and the other from Okinawa. My old phone showed the time in the front screen so that I didn't have to open my phone every time I wanted to check the time. And most of all, my old phone had all my contacts in it, that I can't get back, what's the point in texting when you don't know anyone's phone number? With my terrible memory, I'm not able to contact my friends and family who I don't see often anymore. I never would think that I would say this but I think losing that phone wasn't so lucky after all.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Around Campus
Before the Easter vacation I just wrote about, I was working at the Luke Center, in which the Luke aunties wanted me to put Sustainability Fair notices in all the teacher's boxes. I had to walk from office to office in four different buildings and deliver all of those notices. I actually enjoyed doing this because there were so much of the campus to see. It seemed as though it has been so long ever since I have been an Elementary/Middle School student going to classes in Winnie, Castle, and Bishop. I don't remember too much about Winnie since I only spent one year as a student there. But I do remember the little swinging door to the Winnie office that was once up to chest and is now to my hips. It's kind of weird because when I was in fourth grade, I remember thinking that everyone in Castle were old smart giants. And when I think of the sixth graders now, I only think of them as one of those little kids. As a little kid, I remember thinking the world was just a big place, with big people walking around, rather than realizing that I was just a small kid against a bunch of average sized people.
The next stop on my list was Castle and Case. Castle looked exactly the same as I remembered it, it didn't seem to have had any renovations or anything like that. The only thing is that everything looked smaller because I am now bigger. There was also an unfamiliar face behind the office desk, instead of that haole lady with the bob haircut. As I entered Case, I was reminded of the time of when I first had to deliver something to the teachers boxes. I was amazed with the size and cleanliness of the place, and had gotten lost, going around in circles trying to find the office. I remember passing by the mural of Punahou. There was a bench along a wall with a tile mural of the whole school, with every single building on that tile map of Punahou. As I was wandering around, becoming more lost, I decided to go to the bathroom. And inside the girls bathroom was so nice, it looked like it could be in some nice restraunt. There were extra sanitary pads along with body spray, lotion, and flowers in a pretty basket by the sinks and a note that said 'use whatever you need' or something like that. I was just blown away by this bathroom and wondered why the academy, the rulers of the campus, didn't get such nice treatment. After that I wandered some more, looking into the different classrooms, and every single one of the classrooms were doing something high tech. In one classroom, I saw all of the students with their laptops open working so diligently, none of them were even talking to each other. In another classroom, I saw the students with their laptops open, starring at a screen in which the teacher was using the elmo to do some sort of math problem. I know we have elmos in academy, but still. I couldn't believe that there wasn't one classroom that wasn't doing somehing high tech; it was pretty crazy. I'm not sure if it's coincidence or what, but I could really understand what Mr. Watson was telling us in class that the students in Case are the start of a whole new learning style. Hm, that just gave me another idea for my public interest paper.
The next stop on my list was Castle and Case. Castle looked exactly the same as I remembered it, it didn't seem to have had any renovations or anything like that. The only thing is that everything looked smaller because I am now bigger. There was also an unfamiliar face behind the office desk, instead of that haole lady with the bob haircut. As I entered Case, I was reminded of the time of when I first had to deliver something to the teachers boxes. I was amazed with the size and cleanliness of the place, and had gotten lost, going around in circles trying to find the office. I remember passing by the mural of Punahou. There was a bench along a wall with a tile mural of the whole school, with every single building on that tile map of Punahou. As I was wandering around, becoming more lost, I decided to go to the bathroom. And inside the girls bathroom was so nice, it looked like it could be in some nice restraunt. There were extra sanitary pads along with body spray, lotion, and flowers in a pretty basket by the sinks and a note that said 'use whatever you need' or something like that. I was just blown away by this bathroom and wondered why the academy, the rulers of the campus, didn't get such nice treatment. After that I wandered some more, looking into the different classrooms, and every single one of the classrooms were doing something high tech. In one classroom, I saw all of the students with their laptops open working so diligently, none of them were even talking to each other. In another classroom, I saw the students with their laptops open, starring at a screen in which the teacher was using the elmo to do some sort of math problem. I know we have elmos in academy, but still. I couldn't believe that there wasn't one classroom that wasn't doing somehing high tech; it was pretty crazy. I'm not sure if it's coincidence or what, but I could really understand what Mr. Watson was telling us in class that the students in Case are the start of a whole new learning style. Hm, that just gave me another idea for my public interest paper.
Easter Vacation
Sad, our last break until the end of the school year is over. At least I felt like this vacation wasn't too bad. Throughout the day before a break like this one, I am always really excited about the long weekend ahead of me. However, I often find myself at the last day of break, feeling like I wasted my whole weekend, rushing to do all my homework due to my procrastination and sleeping in. This weekend was different, and am proud of my prolific (SAT word!) self. On Friday, I woke up at 9:00, which is early for me, did my homework and went to my SAT tutor at 1:15 and spent a very productive hour doing SAT prep. After my class was over, I was planning to spend half an hour of my day waiting for the bus to go to my grandma's house where my friend was going to pick me up. Luckily, when I was looking for the bus stop, I heard a "NIKKI!" It just so happened to be my cousin and aunty driving from Costco, heading to my grandma's house. I was able to save an hour of my time just by pure luck. At my grandma's house, I was able to help my aunty carry in some groceries, and was spend that hour saved watching quality television with my grandma. There, my friend picked me up and drove me all the way to Pearl City to my gym. There, even at practice, I am proud to say was very prolific (is that even how you use the word?). I learned a back 1 1/2 aand a toe hect, and went through 10 beam routines. After practice, my dad picked me up, and went to a food court I have never been in before. I'm not quite sure what it's called; all I know is that it is in some shopping center by Walmart. There, I discovered a new food I like from Blimpie, the chicken ceasar wrap.
Saturday was the next day of my very productive break. This Saturday, I spent some many productive hours of window shopping at Ala Moana with my friend. We were able to go to all the stores and get ideas of what I wanted. Sadly however, due to my indecisiveness, I wasn't able to get anything (except for a book I was supposed to get). The plus side to all of this was that I was able to have a good time, and able to know what kind of stores have what. After that long day of shopping, I went home and had a family dinner with my two grandmas of Panda Express food. Family dinners are very rare at my house by the way, due to our family's weird schedules.
Sunday was Easter, which was when I woke up at 5:30 so I could go to an Easter sunrise service at 6 on the beach. I really liked the service, the sunrise was especially nice behind the speakers. But by the end of the service, the sun was too bright and none of us could look at the pastor. Someone was even baptised during this service. It was kind of funny because the tide was low and the pastor and the lady had to walk really far out. And when the pastor baptised her, she screamed. I'm assuming she screamed due to the cold ocean water. Nevertheless, the service in all was really good. When I got home, I finished my sleeping until 10:00. My friend then came to my house, and studied for our AP test for three hours. When she left, I went running around my block with my dad, since I am totally out of shape. Hopefully I can keep this running up every week. After this, we had yet another family dinner for Easter, with delicious food my mom had made, served on our nice plates and placemats. That was the best meal we had in a long time. I didn't even feel the pressure to finish my homework that night for everything was done earlier.
Sadly here I am back at school, my productive last long weekend ended. The only thing breaks we can look forward to now is the end of school.
Saturday was the next day of my very productive break. This Saturday, I spent some many productive hours of window shopping at Ala Moana with my friend. We were able to go to all the stores and get ideas of what I wanted. Sadly however, due to my indecisiveness, I wasn't able to get anything (except for a book I was supposed to get). The plus side to all of this was that I was able to have a good time, and able to know what kind of stores have what. After that long day of shopping, I went home and had a family dinner with my two grandmas of Panda Express food. Family dinners are very rare at my house by the way, due to our family's weird schedules.
Sunday was Easter, which was when I woke up at 5:30 so I could go to an Easter sunrise service at 6 on the beach. I really liked the service, the sunrise was especially nice behind the speakers. But by the end of the service, the sun was too bright and none of us could look at the pastor. Someone was even baptised during this service. It was kind of funny because the tide was low and the pastor and the lady had to walk really far out. And when the pastor baptised her, she screamed. I'm assuming she screamed due to the cold ocean water. Nevertheless, the service in all was really good. When I got home, I finished my sleeping until 10:00. My friend then came to my house, and studied for our AP test for three hours. When she left, I went running around my block with my dad, since I am totally out of shape. Hopefully I can keep this running up every week. After this, we had yet another family dinner for Easter, with delicious food my mom had made, served on our nice plates and placemats. That was the best meal we had in a long time. I didn't even feel the pressure to finish my homework that night for everything was done earlier.
Sadly here I am back at school, my productive last long weekend ended. The only thing breaks we can look forward to now is the end of school.
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