Friday, January 1, 2010
Friday, June 12, 2009
Happy June
Yea, these aren't all the pictures I like. So if you'd like to see some others, just let me know. Oh shoot... I just realized I probably have to set up a slide show for tomorrows Taco Night...
Graduation went well. It was a lot harder seeing them go than it was last year, and I can't imagine what I'll do next year. The Saturday after graduation I went to Kyle's and Vicki's graduation parties. Kyle's party was really nice, and seeing his little brother Connor acting so crazy was odd, but I didn't mind. It was funny. It was about 10 when Vicki, Jerome, Josh, and Mitch started playing. Pretty cool- they're really great.
I went to Disney Hall with John, Paul, Casey, Rachel and Andrew last week. I had an amazing time. The concert hall is beautiful, and the group we saw sounded so great. Saw the LA Korean Philharmonic playing Beethoven's 9th Symphony, and other various opera scenes. There were about 10 white people on stage, and 15 exactly in the audience. I can't wait till I go to more concerts in the future.
So a new season of So You Think You Can Dance has started. And I for one think that this is going to be the best season yet. All of the dances were amazing the other night, especially for it being the first episode. There was a great Foxtrot and an impressive Samba. But my favorite was a Wade Robson routine about crash test dummies. It’s really odd/twisted, but give it a chance. I really enjoyed it.
I’ve started watching The Office. I know it’s weird for me to be following the crowd, but this show is worth it. I laugh harder at those jokes than I do at most things in life. I’ve had my parents watch a few episodes too. It’s fun when you can quote the show and your parents know what you’re talking about. I’ve also been watching How I Met Your Mother. It isn’t quite as funny as The Office, but it has its moments. I love Ted almost as much as I love Ted. (Almost, but not quite.) He analyzes everything- from relationships to random occurrences. He analyzes almost as much as I do. I think that’s why I like him so much.
It’s been a while since I’ve posted, and since then I’ve found some new artists and songs. Keep Breathing- Ingrid Michaelson. Sorry- Maria Mena. Won’t Even Start- David Choi. Sheena is aware of my obsessions, but for the rest of you, these are some good songs.
And Happy Birthday Josh.
-Julia
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Rude, don't bathe, and eat weird food... French?
So to get to DC with the band this year, I had to pay for half of my trip. My grandma agreed to help me put together a silent auction to raise some money. Last taco night a bunch of people brought old, relatively nice things they didn't want anymore to auction off. People bid throughout the night, and by the end I had raised $715. I love my family... That greatly exceeded my expectations, and now I guess I get to go to DC...
My mom is flying to Tennessee for a wedding over Mother's day weekend. Then flying to Virginia to see my sister. Then Wednesday May 13th, they're going to drive up and conveniently meet their daughter/sister in DC. I can't wait to see Allison. It's been much to long. Too bad I won't get to see Tyrel too. Considering he's in Turkey at the moment. I'm pretty sure he's fighting pirates...
Last Saturday our family got a Wii. It was totally unexpected. We went shopping at Best Buy, so my brother could get a new DS game. But then we came home with a Wii... We don't have any real games yet, but it's still entertaining enough. I'm better that Heather and my brother on almost everything, which is satisfying. They're both so good at video games, it's nice to know I can beat them at something.
Last Tuesday I went to Azusa Pacific University, Allison's Alma matter, for their wind ensemble concert. It was nice, and I'm glad I was able to go. It was really nice walking around campus. Remembering some of the things I'd gotten to do there. Just little things like where she graduated- being with my family up in the stands. Or having gone to a picnic her freshman year. Sweet memories. Dang, I miss my sister...
I spent almost all day today studying with Heather for my AP European history test coming up. Fun stuff. I don't think I'm going to fail, but I'm going to keep studying anyways. I've been pushing through the chapters. I'm trying not to give up on the Chem test, but I'm losing faith. I'll try to stay positive, but I'm not doing so well. It bothers me that a few of my friends get to go to all the study sessions after school, but I have band, which keeps me from going. So... We'll see how it goes...
Thanks to Sheena I've been introduced to Ingrid Michaelson. One of my favorites is The Chain. But besides her I've also been listening to Priscilla Ahn. She has a great voice. This is my favorite song by her. But also listen to Dream, if you get the chance.
For the past month or so Heather has been trying to convince me that French people are halfway decent. (It's a joke- but she doesn't know that. I don't have anything against the French.) So I told her if she compiled a list of ten French people that did something good for the world she might be able to convince me that French people are okay... But she's been having a lot of trouble. The only people she have so far are:
1. Joan of Arc
2. Charles De Gaulle (Leader of the Free French)
3. Napoleon Bonaparte (Whom I'm not even counting- He's Corsican...)
4. Le Chatlier
5. Montesquieu (I came up with that one... Like I said, she's really struggling...)
She even asked Mr. Cassady, and he just listed those people we had already come up with. Pretty pathetic. It's also pretty funny flipping through my AP Euro study book and reading what they have to say about the French. Like- "Voltaire compared the constitutional monarchy, rationalism, and toleration in England with the absolutism, superstition, and bigotry of his native France." Man, it's not a good sign when I find things like this entertaining. Just a reminder of what a nerd I am, I guess.
Have a nice remainder of April.
-Julia
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Easy Life in Newport
Spring break has gone by way too fast, but I'm thankful for the things I've gotten to do. I had a "sleepover" the other day. I can't remember the last time I've had people spend the night. Might've been my 12th birthday party or something. I've gotten together with people to study Chemistry for some 12 hours. Ryan had us watch a pirated version of Slumdog Millionaire from Vietnam. But other than that, I got caught up on Chemistry for the most part, even though I'm still behind studying for the AP Exam.
I went over to Mitch's the other day to learn how to swing dance. I almost forgot how much I love to dance. Even though it's so physically demanding (doesn't always look like it, but it is), it's so much fun. So fast-paced. I'm still sore three days later, but it's worth it.
After that my dad and I drove down to Newport to stay at a friends house, right on the beach. So being here has stopped me from doing anything productive whatsoever. Yesterday my dad and I met up with Priscila, Marcea and her mom and aunt. We rented some bikes and rode them from Newport pier to Huntington pier. It was a 12 mile round trip and it took us a little under two hours. It was so much fun, but my legs hurt now. I'm still more sore from dancing though. I love bike riding, especially by the beach, so I had a great time.
I saw the Grunion Run for the first time Thursday night. There were fish everywhere. Up on the shore, and you couldn't see the ocean floor through all the fish. As DJ (the family friend that lives here) said it "It's amazing, but disgusting."
Solo Ensemble went pretty well. My performance could've been better, but everyone's could've been better in some aspect. I'm not going to say much more, because it seems to just make people angry. But I thoroughly enjoyed listening to everyone's performances. It's always nice to have an opportunity to listen to your peers on what they've worked so hard on. There were some people I still wanted to see though. Like Priscila and Laura's duet, as well as Jessica and Emily's. So now that this year's solo ensemble is over, all that's left is to get ready for next year's.
Here's another Kina Grannis. I bought one of her albums on Itunes the other day, and I really enjoy it. Listening to it right ow, actually. This is the Goldfish Song. The one I told you about Priscila. (Sad I know exactly who reads this. All four of you.)
I was going to try to put this picture up, but it's too small. I'll just send a link. I wish there were really cards like this. I'd but them.
Have a good remainder of spring break. Hope you all didn't procrastinate as much as I did.
-Julia
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Happy February
Saturday, February 21, 2009
School and TV
For the last week I've been stressing trying to decide whether I should go AP or IB. After talking to friends and teachers, I'm going to go with IB. I don't have any obvious reasons for this choice, but I'm looking forward to it nonetheless. I'll have my IB diploma taped to the top of my cardboard box I'll be living in after I major in Music. Oh yes, playing Apples and Apples earlier today, the green card was "Hopeless". (Sorry if you're not familiar with the game.) And Heather says "Julia... No, Julia's career." Thanks Heather... Yet, completely accurate. When she's working for NASA she's agreed to house me. Sorry, too many inside jokes, and she doesn't even read this.
So my tentative schedule for next year is:
IB English HL
IB History of the Americas HL
IB Music HL
Spanish 3
IB Math Methods
IB Chem SL
I'm not going to go into it too much because everyone that reads this has probably heard my plan more than once.
I just got a review packet today for Chemistry. It's 142 pages of definitions, AP short answer questions, and worksheets. I'm anxious to get started.
I watch too much TV for my own good. But I watch them all on the weekends, so it's not like it interrupts my schoolwork. Here's the list of shows I've been watching regularly: 24, House, Lie to Me, America's Best Dance Crew, Monk and Psych. Lie to Me is new, recommended by Priscila. I've been liking it so far. Another new one that I've only watched once is "Dollhouse". Interesting concept, where basically the doctors can medically trick their patients into believing they're whoever the clients need them to be. Then they sell their services to the clients... I'm not getting that right. It's interesting, but I doubt I'll stick with it. I know that America's Best Dance Crew is on MTV and hosted by Mario Lopez, (Shut up with the puns. It's painful.) but it's almost worth it. Some of the dancers are great in my opinion. Quest crew is my favorite this season, considering 3 of them came from So You Think You Can Dance. Impressive dances- that's the only reason why I put up with the slang ("Representin" "Tight dog". What does that even mean?) and the horrible hosting. (It's not as bad as Superstars of Dance though.) Monk and Psych- I'm starting to think I'm obsessed with homicide.
I watched Chicago, the musical, the other day. The songs were disappointing but the way they portrayed the different situations was really interesting. Like representing the execution as a circus act, and the trial as a tap dance. My favorite song was probably "Cell Block Tango". And I liked the way they represented the press conference. It's a quirky movie, and not amazing. But enjoyable enough.
Oh yea, I think we went to Disneyland the other day. Almost forgot. I had an amazing time, and I went on the most rides I'd ever been on in one trip. Thanks to those who let me hang with them. I appreciated it.
Thanks Sheena for introducing me to Kina Grannis. Here's one of my favorites if anyone's interested.
Sorry I haven't blogged in a while. But I don't actually have a life to talk about.
-Julia
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Too Many Russian Beverages
And here is something from John and Mitch. They posed themselves, honest. I had nothing to do with it, but take the pictures. And knowing those two, this made me laugh. There were some wires running across the walkway, so this was the caution they put on the cover.
I'm sure I forgot to write something here. Oh well... Have a good weekend.
-Julia