"I love it! I love it! I love it! I love Hawaii! I LOVE Hawaii! I LOVE HAWAII!!!!!!" -- The Kid
You know, there really is a quote for everything. Whether it be a movie, a TV show, an audio program, an audio book, or just people, there is a quote somewhere for anything! :D
For the past 9 days, Dad, Mom, Kathryn, and I have been on the beautiful island of Oahu! We stayed in Honolulu in a hotel RIGHT on Waikiki beach. Oh, so cool! I can't possibly explain everything we did but I'll hit a few memorable points of the trip. (Notice, I did not specify whether they were low or high points. haha)
*The 3 and a half hour flight to LAX followed by the 6 hour flight to Honolulu
*Our hotel, The Hilton Hawaiian Village-a resort so large we ate there several times, completed all our shopping in its stores, and spent the majority of our time there.
*Experiencing Shave Ice.....yuck! Seriously, so nasty! The pink flavor, as Mom so aptly said, tasted like soap!
*The shortbread cookie chain store = UNLIMITED SAMPLES!!! Now, I am not a super huge fan of shortbread...of these? oh yes! So good!
*Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial
*Driving around the North Shore and getting carsick (well, not quite, but you get the general idea)
*The Luau on the last night
*So many nice relaxing hours by the pool
*WIND! Everywhere! The wind never stopped gusting! It was always blowing so hard, wrecking people's hair and blowing sand into our eyes.
*Jet skiing!
*Lots and lots of pineapple!
*The best taxi-driver ever! He put us all in the 5th grade while he drove us around, asking quiz questions, and yelling at us (especially Dad) for getting the wrong answer. He called us by Kid #1 through #4. HAHA!
*The freaky "pig-man" statue in the Asian area of the hotel.
*The ice cream shop, Lappert's, in the hotel. --yeah, lots of stops there!
*The ABC store or stores. This was a chain (one of which was in our hotel) that was EVERYWHERE! It was kind of like how McDonalds and Starbucks are on every corner? ABC stores were all around, and we thought it was this big joke to go into them multiple times. Dad didn't think it was very funny. :D
*And my personal favorite moment of the trip! SURFING! I went surfing, totally surfed and just loved it! I couldn't believe how totally exhilarating it was!
My pictures are not loaded onto my computer yet. But, as soon as they are, I will post some. Promise!
Graduation
I wrote about finishing school but that was just for the note taking, test taking, and actual school part of high school. Graduation is the culmination of everything! My ceremony was on the 19th! It was absolutely amazing! My family and so many friends showed up and cheered for me as I walked across the stage to receive my diploma. It all went very smoothly! We had some killer speeches that really impacted me, too! I mean, each one was better than the previous, and it was just so good. :D
Afterward, a small reception was held of cookies and cake. The cake was actually really good (decent icing). I'm kind of spoiled in the icing department from being able to make my own buttercream. After the reception, us and another family (The McClungs) went to dinner. There, Kathryn presented me with the best gift I have ever received in my life. It was a photo book that she had compiled of pictures spanning the last two years of choir. And throughout the pages, tons of my friends wrote messages to me! When I saw all of the loving words, I completely broke down in tears. It meant so much to me!
Very happy the stressful part of graduating is over but enjoyed it a lot! Very excited for this summer and looking towards God's plans for my college years!
A few pictures from the day follow.
Afterward, a small reception was held of cookies and cake. The cake was actually really good (decent icing). I'm kind of spoiled in the icing department from being able to make my own buttercream. After the reception, us and another family (The McClungs) went to dinner. There, Kathryn presented me with the best gift I have ever received in my life. It was a photo book that she had compiled of pictures spanning the last two years of choir. And throughout the pages, tons of my friends wrote messages to me! When I saw all of the loving words, I completely broke down in tears. It meant so much to me!
Very happy the stressful part of graduating is over but enjoyed it a lot! Very excited for this summer and looking towards God's plans for my college years!
A few pictures from the day follow.
Pre-tty snazy! :D
Kathryn and I
My friend Stephen and I
My friend Angelique and I
The wonderful book of memories!
Shamed
Reading other blogs where MUCH busier people than myself post all the time brings me shame. I continually endeavor to post posts, but it almost never happens. Why is that? What can I do to post more? Anyway, 2 huge things happened since my last post, but I will not write about them here. They each get separate areas to explain themselves, or have me explain them. Anyway, so bye! I'm off to write the other posts.
Finished!!!
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Finished! I'm finished! I'm finished with high school! I'm finished with high school forever!!!!!!!
Did you like how I strung it out there? Yes, today I had my two finals for my dual credit classes, English 2 and History 2. I thought both finals went extremely well!!! :D
As I stepped out of the classroom door of my last final, the realization that I was done with high school hit me. I did three things in succession.
1st, I had to quote. I mean, come on! I had to. However, this quote was not from a movie, but instead was from a youtube video. I raised my arms in the air because that's how you have to say the quote (and the only person in the hallway at that point was sitting with his back to me). Then, I said rather quietly, "I AM the Master and Commander!" :D
2nd, another quote, but this one is much more recognizable from the TV show West Wing. "Victory is mine! Victory is mine! Great day in the morning, people! Victory is mine!" -- "Good morning, Josh." -- "I drink from the keg of glory Donna. Bring me the finest muffins and bagels in the land."
3rd, this song popped into my head. I don't know who performs the song but I recently heard it as the background music to my choir's "end of the year video." Anyway, the song sprung into my mind and the chorus which happens to be the only part I know has continued to run non-stop for about an hour. :D "Tonight!!!!! We are young! So, let's set the world on FIIIIIIRRRRRRRRRE!!!"
Yep, so that's pretty much it. I've passed a gigantic milestone in my life, and I couldn't be happier right now. I want to thank my parents for homeschooling me from the beginning and never failing to teach me and encourage me to get a good education. I want to thank all my dual credit teachers, even the one who's name has been swept clean from all areas like Moses, for their hard work in preparing me for my full-time college life. I want to thank Mr. Fleming, my choir conductor, for having a creating a program that so greatly impacted my high school life. Also, I must thank my Savior, Jesus Christ. His enabling, His gifts of mind, and His never-ending love have put me where I am today. Thank you to everyone!!! I love you all!
Did you like how I strung it out there? Yes, today I had my two finals for my dual credit classes, English 2 and History 2. I thought both finals went extremely well!!! :D
As I stepped out of the classroom door of my last final, the realization that I was done with high school hit me. I did three things in succession.
1st, I had to quote. I mean, come on! I had to. However, this quote was not from a movie, but instead was from a youtube video. I raised my arms in the air because that's how you have to say the quote (and the only person in the hallway at that point was sitting with his back to me). Then, I said rather quietly, "I AM the Master and Commander!" :D
2nd, another quote, but this one is much more recognizable from the TV show West Wing. "Victory is mine! Victory is mine! Great day in the morning, people! Victory is mine!" -- "Good morning, Josh." -- "I drink from the keg of glory Donna. Bring me the finest muffins and bagels in the land."
3rd, this song popped into my head. I don't know who performs the song but I recently heard it as the background music to my choir's "end of the year video." Anyway, the song sprung into my mind and the chorus which happens to be the only part I know has continued to run non-stop for about an hour. :D "Tonight!!!!! We are young! So, let's set the world on FIIIIIIRRRRRRRRRE!!!"
Yep, so that's pretty much it. I've passed a gigantic milestone in my life, and I couldn't be happier right now. I want to thank my parents for homeschooling me from the beginning and never failing to teach me and encourage me to get a good education. I want to thank all my dual credit teachers, even the one who's name has been swept clean from all areas like Moses, for their hard work in preparing me for my full-time college life. I want to thank Mr. Fleming, my choir conductor, for having a creating a program that so greatly impacted my high school life. Also, I must thank my Savior, Jesus Christ. His enabling, His gifts of mind, and His never-ending love have put me where I am today. Thank you to everyone!!! I love you all!
Bogged Down
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
This past week has been fairly difficult with me. I've been so completely bogged down with school, in writing a paper, writing corrections to another paper, and studying for a big test. I felt pressured, but the end was near. Today was when the last of that ended.
Suddenly, I felt light. I felt really happy. Everything just cleared up, and I had this huge burst of energy! For a minute, I thought, now what? With all this free time, what do I do? PARTY! Hahaha, not really, but you get the picture.
I decided to write this post to share with you guys. You know, I always say that these posts don't have to be long, but I still get into the rut of "nothing out of the ordinary" happened to blog about. But you what? Sometimes the common stuff is the coolest to read about.
So, here are a few common things.
*I decided to wear jeans today because I didn't feel like wearing shorts. Well, I got home from school and IMMEDIATELY changed into shorts. I was soooooooooo hot!
*The musical Aida has such great music, and I've been playing it and singing along like a drama queen all afternoon. :D (I have it playing right now.)
*I'm the worst person at remembering to charge my iPod. Thusly, it's often dead when I go to use it. Currently, it's dead, so I'm charging it.
*Because of all the busyness, my writing has suffered. It's amazing how I can not realize I haven't written in a long time, then realize how long it's actually been, and get this deep-longing-hollow feeling until I sit down to write.
Here's a quote to leave with you to convey my feelings after school today.
"FREEDOM!!!!" - Braveheart
Suddenly, I felt light. I felt really happy. Everything just cleared up, and I had this huge burst of energy! For a minute, I thought, now what? With all this free time, what do I do? PARTY! Hahaha, not really, but you get the picture.
I decided to write this post to share with you guys. You know, I always say that these posts don't have to be long, but I still get into the rut of "nothing out of the ordinary" happened to blog about. But you what? Sometimes the common stuff is the coolest to read about.
So, here are a few common things.
*I decided to wear jeans today because I didn't feel like wearing shorts. Well, I got home from school and IMMEDIATELY changed into shorts. I was soooooooooo hot!
*The musical Aida has such great music, and I've been playing it and singing along like a drama queen all afternoon. :D (I have it playing right now.)
*I'm the worst person at remembering to charge my iPod. Thusly, it's often dead when I go to use it. Currently, it's dead, so I'm charging it.
*Because of all the busyness, my writing has suffered. It's amazing how I can not realize I haven't written in a long time, then realize how long it's actually been, and get this deep-longing-hollow feeling until I sit down to write.
Here's a quote to leave with you to convey my feelings after school today.
"FREEDOM!!!!" - Braveheart
May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor!
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Since I wrote a post about the actual Hunger Games books, it's only fair to pay homage to the much anticipated movie that came out, not this Friday, but the Friday before that. Though I have one of those "it's complicated" relationships with the books, I was beyond excited for the movie. Also, I was determined to make it my 1st midnight premier. Kathryn and I set up an event with a group of friends and we waited, enthralled watching each preview (the first one released on Good Morning America) and pouring over every released picture.
Thursday, the 22nd, finally arrived. In the morning, Mom dropped me off at school like usual. Class finished at 2, and I went home to try and catch a nap so I could be ensured of being able to stay awake until 12. Well, the nap didn't happen, but I was able to get at least some rest. I packed a bag of books and games for the waiting and smuggled candy and other snacks into my purse ('cause there's NO point to pay the ridiculous prices at the movie theater).
Mom dropped me off at the theater at 4, and I joined my three other friends who were already in line. However, I discovered something: Kathryn and I had tickets to the 12:01 showing in theater 11 while my friends had tickets to the 12:01 showing in theater 8. Well, that's not good. Still, the guy at the customer service desk said that we could try and switch with another group that had gotten split up. A friend joined the group about a half hour later followed by another, and after an hour and a half passed, Kathryn and yet another friend arrived. So, now our number was 8, and we discovered that one of our friends had landed in the 11 theater with us too, instead of the 8 theater with everyone else. More talking ensued with the buying of drinks at the concession stand. (Silverado has free refills for their drinks! Amazing!)
We pulled out colored pencils and a coloring book to pass the time while others played pac-man (sp?) Time seemed to go by fairly quickly, and it was dinner time.
3 of the guys left the theater to go get sandwiches from Subway which they had carefully taken orders for from everyone. When they got back, they ate outside, then one stayed outside with the food while the other two came back into the theater. A couple of us went out to eat dinner then. So, we ate in stages, and it was actually more fun than you'd think. It was also nice to get a break from the theater and sit outside in the fresh air while munching on turkey subs. :D
Around this time, we found two people who were VERY gracious and agreed to switch their tickets with us. Now, Kathryn and I were in the theater, but we still had one friend stuck in theater 11. Two other friends arrived at this time to join the craziness! Our friend talked to a manager and got switched over to our theater. Whew! Now, all stress was completely relieved! Everybody chipped in one dollar to buy a tub of popcorn and MORE refills were gotten.
I checked my watch: 9 o'clock! "Yes," I thought to myself, "only 3 hours left."
Suddenly from the front of the line appears one of the workers at the Santikos theater. He puts his hands around his mouth and calls, "Okay, everybody up!"
The moment was kind of freaky. With squeals, shouts, and "woo-hoo"s, the entire line of at least 200 people seemed to rise with one accord. Our group freaked a bit 'cause he had stuff scattered everywhere, including pillows and sleeping bags. All of us were looking around saying, "But, it's not time yet. Why are they letting us into the theater so early?"
Still, despite our questions, they were standing at the door allowing us to go in by checking our tickets. Hopping because we were so excited group, we filed through the door, entering the biggest theater I'd ever seen. Since our group was 2nd in line, we walked up to exactly the spot we wanted and chose two rows: one right in front of the other so talking would be easier. (Afterall, we still had 3 hours).
Now, adrenaline had been upped. An hour passed and another friend arrived. The popcorn was making the rounds. Pictures were being snapped. Candy was being bought. Bathrooms were visited because there were still, MORE REFILLS! Hahaha Also, there were periodic squeals in excitement and random outbursts of laughter. It was very hard to contain ourselves.
Now, for a recap of the last hour.
11:00 - The last member of our party arrived.
11:15 - We were trying to rope our excitement, but it just couldn't be retained.
11:30 - Final bathroom trips were being made.
11:45 - "GUYS!!!!, There's only 15 minutes left!!!!!!!!!"
11:55 - Yours truly made one final dash to the bathroom.
12:01 - The lights went down as the screaming, clapping, and general audible pandemonium began.
During the movie, there was quite a bit of "woo-hoo-ing", smiles, breath-holding, goosebumps from great music, and tears (the most came from me). The movie was excellent. Brilliantly cast, superbly acted, and the best adaption of any book to a movie you've ever seen. You could've turned pages to the movie; it was that close!
I would encourage people to go watch it, but with a cautionary statement. You have to understand what happens in the book. The point of the story is that 24 kids are put in an "arena" to kill each other, while everyone else treats it as an exciting game. This has created a lot of controversy, as it should. I mean, there's nothing "fun" or even good about the point of the story. However, it is a story that holds heavy meaning for us today. It gives us an imaginary glimpse of what our future world would turn into if we let our culture get to shut off to pain and suffering. For instance, how far are we willing to let our reality TV shows get? 'Cause that's what the games are. They're reality TV. The story also presents us with a very similar look to some of what soldiers go through, both on the battlefield and when returning home.
Anyway, that was me just kind of clearing my system of what I've been wanting to say to the negative people out there.
So, the night was an amazing blast!!! Everybody had fun not only from the movie but also from simply hanging out during the line time. I'd definitely do it again, and DEFINITELY with those same people. Guys, I can't wait for Catching Fire. To close, I have 2 final things to say.
Happy Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favor! :D
Thursday, the 22nd, finally arrived. In the morning, Mom dropped me off at school like usual. Class finished at 2, and I went home to try and catch a nap so I could be ensured of being able to stay awake until 12. Well, the nap didn't happen, but I was able to get at least some rest. I packed a bag of books and games for the waiting and smuggled candy and other snacks into my purse ('cause there's NO point to pay the ridiculous prices at the movie theater).
Mom dropped me off at the theater at 4, and I joined my three other friends who were already in line. However, I discovered something: Kathryn and I had tickets to the 12:01 showing in theater 11 while my friends had tickets to the 12:01 showing in theater 8. Well, that's not good. Still, the guy at the customer service desk said that we could try and switch with another group that had gotten split up. A friend joined the group about a half hour later followed by another, and after an hour and a half passed, Kathryn and yet another friend arrived. So, now our number was 8, and we discovered that one of our friends had landed in the 11 theater with us too, instead of the 8 theater with everyone else. More talking ensued with the buying of drinks at the concession stand. (Silverado has free refills for their drinks! Amazing!)
We pulled out colored pencils and a coloring book to pass the time while others played pac-man (sp?) Time seemed to go by fairly quickly, and it was dinner time.
3 of the guys left the theater to go get sandwiches from Subway which they had carefully taken orders for from everyone. When they got back, they ate outside, then one stayed outside with the food while the other two came back into the theater. A couple of us went out to eat dinner then. So, we ate in stages, and it was actually more fun than you'd think. It was also nice to get a break from the theater and sit outside in the fresh air while munching on turkey subs. :D
Around this time, we found two people who were VERY gracious and agreed to switch their tickets with us. Now, Kathryn and I were in the theater, but we still had one friend stuck in theater 11. Two other friends arrived at this time to join the craziness! Our friend talked to a manager and got switched over to our theater. Whew! Now, all stress was completely relieved! Everybody chipped in one dollar to buy a tub of popcorn and MORE refills were gotten.
I checked my watch: 9 o'clock! "Yes," I thought to myself, "only 3 hours left."
Suddenly from the front of the line appears one of the workers at the Santikos theater. He puts his hands around his mouth and calls, "Okay, everybody up!"
The moment was kind of freaky. With squeals, shouts, and "woo-hoo"s, the entire line of at least 200 people seemed to rise with one accord. Our group freaked a bit 'cause he had stuff scattered everywhere, including pillows and sleeping bags. All of us were looking around saying, "But, it's not time yet. Why are they letting us into the theater so early?"
Still, despite our questions, they were standing at the door allowing us to go in by checking our tickets. Hopping because we were so excited group, we filed through the door, entering the biggest theater I'd ever seen. Since our group was 2nd in line, we walked up to exactly the spot we wanted and chose two rows: one right in front of the other so talking would be easier. (Afterall, we still had 3 hours).
Now, adrenaline had been upped. An hour passed and another friend arrived. The popcorn was making the rounds. Pictures were being snapped. Candy was being bought. Bathrooms were visited because there were still, MORE REFILLS! Hahaha Also, there were periodic squeals in excitement and random outbursts of laughter. It was very hard to contain ourselves.
Now, for a recap of the last hour.
11:00 - The last member of our party arrived.
11:15 - We were trying to rope our excitement, but it just couldn't be retained.
11:30 - Final bathroom trips were being made.
11:45 - "GUYS!!!!, There's only 15 minutes left!!!!!!!!!"
11:55 - Yours truly made one final dash to the bathroom.
12:01 - The lights went down as the screaming, clapping, and general audible pandemonium began.
During the movie, there was quite a bit of "woo-hoo-ing", smiles, breath-holding, goosebumps from great music, and tears (the most came from me). The movie was excellent. Brilliantly cast, superbly acted, and the best adaption of any book to a movie you've ever seen. You could've turned pages to the movie; it was that close!
I would encourage people to go watch it, but with a cautionary statement. You have to understand what happens in the book. The point of the story is that 24 kids are put in an "arena" to kill each other, while everyone else treats it as an exciting game. This has created a lot of controversy, as it should. I mean, there's nothing "fun" or even good about the point of the story. However, it is a story that holds heavy meaning for us today. It gives us an imaginary glimpse of what our future world would turn into if we let our culture get to shut off to pain and suffering. For instance, how far are we willing to let our reality TV shows get? 'Cause that's what the games are. They're reality TV. The story also presents us with a very similar look to some of what soldiers go through, both on the battlefield and when returning home.
Anyway, that was me just kind of clearing my system of what I've been wanting to say to the negative people out there.
So, the night was an amazing blast!!! Everybody had fun not only from the movie but also from simply hanging out during the line time. I'd definitely do it again, and DEFINITELY with those same people. Guys, I can't wait for Catching Fire. To close, I have 2 final things to say.
Happy Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favor! :D
The Oscars!!!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Ah, yes, it's that time of year again. Time for millionaires to give each other golden statues as host Billy Crystal so perfectly stated. Yes, the 84th Oscars rolled around this Sunday and as always, Kathryn and I sat down to root for our favorites to win and also, to judge the fashion.
Billy Crystal did a fair job as host. I was expecting a bit more because of all the hype, but he was infinitely better than last year's hosts Anne Hathaway and James Franco *SNORE*!!! The jokes were the usual level of humorous but the highlight of the night for me was the performance from Cirque Du Soliel (I believe that's the spelling). They were utterly amazing! I can't say flawless 'cause one of the guys fell off the guy he was sitting on top of, but that makes me love their group the more. They are able to mess-up. The routine was a night at the movies and was purely spectacular!
As for the awards? Well, the artist shouldn't have won best actor, best picture, or best director but everybody else deserved what they got. I was super excited for Meryll Streep who rightly got best actress for her performance in Iron Lady.
Now, on to the most interesting part of the Oscars: the fashion!!!!! I shall start with worst dressed: Jennifer Lopez. I would have originally picked Melissa McCarthy, but her dress was actually pretty; it just looked awful on her. Jennifer Lopez's dress would've looked hideous on anyone. Best dressed must be split into guys and girls. Best Dressed Girl goes to Penelope Cruz for her gorgeous, lavendar, off the shoulder, ball gown that was perfect throwback to Grace Kelly! Emma Stone's straight, cherry red, chiffon dress with a massive bow at the side of her neck was a close second.
Now, the guys were tough. They were not very well represented which was rather sad. Yes, they all looked nice, but none of them looked really amazing. I was going to give it to Kenneth Branaugh because he looked excellent, but then, out to present the award for best supporting actress walked Christian Bale. In a black tux, black shirt, and long, black tie, he looked absolutely amazing!!! Woo-hoo! I was very happy to give it to a guy who really earned it. Oh, and I cannot forget to mention that the close second place goes to Tom Cruise.
Anyway, so that's my critique of the Oscars. It may not be very important to others, but I always enjoy watching the fun. So long to the golden statue for another year!
Billy Crystal did a fair job as host. I was expecting a bit more because of all the hype, but he was infinitely better than last year's hosts Anne Hathaway and James Franco *SNORE*!!! The jokes were the usual level of humorous but the highlight of the night for me was the performance from Cirque Du Soliel (I believe that's the spelling). They were utterly amazing! I can't say flawless 'cause one of the guys fell off the guy he was sitting on top of, but that makes me love their group the more. They are able to mess-up. The routine was a night at the movies and was purely spectacular!
As for the awards? Well, the artist shouldn't have won best actor, best picture, or best director but everybody else deserved what they got. I was super excited for Meryll Streep who rightly got best actress for her performance in Iron Lady.
Now, on to the most interesting part of the Oscars: the fashion!!!!! I shall start with worst dressed: Jennifer Lopez. I would have originally picked Melissa McCarthy, but her dress was actually pretty; it just looked awful on her. Jennifer Lopez's dress would've looked hideous on anyone. Best dressed must be split into guys and girls. Best Dressed Girl goes to Penelope Cruz for her gorgeous, lavendar, off the shoulder, ball gown that was perfect throwback to Grace Kelly! Emma Stone's straight, cherry red, chiffon dress with a massive bow at the side of her neck was a close second.
Now, the guys were tough. They were not very well represented which was rather sad. Yes, they all looked nice, but none of them looked really amazing. I was going to give it to Kenneth Branaugh because he looked excellent, but then, out to present the award for best supporting actress walked Christian Bale. In a black tux, black shirt, and long, black tie, he looked absolutely amazing!!! Woo-hoo! I was very happy to give it to a guy who really earned it. Oh, and I cannot forget to mention that the close second place goes to Tom Cruise.
Anyway, so that's my critique of the Oscars. It may not be very important to others, but I always enjoy watching the fun. So long to the golden statue for another year!
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