Richmond's Own (but unowned) Website

 
 
 Yesterday (Thursday), our graduation group went to see Toy Story 3 and such. I met up with Trevor and Victor at Rowland so we could get a ride from Daniel. When I was there, it was somewhat surreal. Seeing people like Kurt and Kevin – juniors now – oh my goodness! I still practically feel like a junior; taking my summer school class before junior year seems like it was yesterday. Actually, it seems like my first two years of high school were last month, and the second two were this past month. It is very surreal. On one hand, seeing this year’s rising juniors makes me feel old – I still think of them as freshmen almost! But then being back at Rowland, I felt like a student again – especially since I was there during passing period, and walking amongst the student. Though there was a different feeling – all the little kids were there! I saw Jason Ma (senior, my goodness!), and dropped by ASB to say hi to Mrs. Phillips, and saw Ariel too! So it was a nice revisit, even if it’s only been 2 weeks. Even though my high school experience seems like yesterday, the actual graduation seems like a lifetime ago.

We went with Daniel along the horrible Colima traffic, and met up with everyone at the mall, same people as our graduation group.  And watching Toy Story 3. Oh wow. Ok, so I’ll say spoilers, so if you haven’t seen and don’t want to know what happens STOP HERE. 

Ok, so Toy Story 3. First, that opening was epic. That scene was like, if I could but the Toy Story characters in their own “world” and make a movie, it’d be like that! The rest of the movie was epic too – though when they all held hands as they were about to be incinerated was very touching, and seemed almost like a sci fi film. Though I was half expecting someone to die. Too much Stargate Universe/Battlestar Galactica – I forgot it was Disney. But it was still a touching scene. And very dark for a Disney/Pixar film. Actually, the whole movie was very dark, in its themes and characters. I suppose it makes sense since we’ve grown up with the movies that they get progressively darker – sort of like Harry Potter, but not as much, because of course it’s Disney/Pixar. And yes, I cried at the end. Well, I began getting teary when Andy said bye to his mom. Probably because that’s how I imagine parting with my parents to be later this summer. I think the movie affected us especially because we’re the class of 2010 (yay Andy!), and we’re in the same situation as Andy. And at the end, when he has one last hurrah with the toys, that made me cry. In the same way (for me at least), our Bee-6/Glee video felt like one last victory lap, Andy’s fun at the end was his, except his legacy is passed on. It felt very much like the end of one story, and the start of another. Cliché, yes, but true nevertheless. It was like a return to childhood for one last fleeting moment before having to face the reality of growing up, which I hope this summer will mean for me. I realize now that the Toys saddened over losing Andy can be looked at from the other way – I will be equally sad losing my childhood, which is symbolized by childhood toys. That loss of innocence, of a youth’s imagination, is something that we all must go through in the end, and I suppose being in the midst of that transition means that the movie hit me especially hard. I think I tend to show emotions after the event – that happened with Every 15 Minutes, and probably with this movie too – I mean, reading the Wikipedia plot entry made me teary. But it was a wonderful experience to share with my friends.  

So post movie, Tesia left, and the rest of us hung out at the mall for a while. The girls shopped and us super cool awesome guys lounged in the center and had the most fun ever. After, we split up, some of the group going to Daniel’s house, and the others going to eat and then meeting up with us later. I ate too much popcorn to eat lunch! But we got stopped at the train tracks, and Daniel and Guzman rocked out in the car.  There, I got to play Mario Kart! I haven’t played in a long time. That in itself was a lot of fun. Then there was Shutter Island. Yes, I was scared, and yes, I hid under a blanket. About halfway, we had to move over to Trevor’s house where we finished. I actually enjoyed Shutter Island, even though I usually don’t watch those types of movies. It had a good twist, though I had begun to think that already; and I think the end hints at self awareness. But anyways, it was another good shared experience. Jess and Kelly had to leave, but then Trevor’s parents graciously gave the rest of us dinner. And after dinner, was mostly talk, about random topics – people, school, past, future, likes, dislikes. I probably sound like a broken record, but there’s little that can match sitting around and just talking with people for a few hours. And having another time to do that before we all leave makes those few hours all that more important to me. So all in all, a fun day, full of tears, screams, talk and friends.
 
My week-in review. I suppose it would have been stronger if I posted this on a Friday, so I could do the whole weekend review pun. But alas, no. So besides my incessant watching of the World Cup (go USA!!) here’s the week…

Wenesday, June 16

This was our clarinet+ sectional day!  I had spent pretty much the last two days cleaning up the entire house – which meant I wasn’t able to go hiking. But I was able to clean! Anyways, I hadn’t done that much in a while.

So then party time! It was pretty cool. Nick was the first one, and then people slowly filtered in after that. I wasn’t able to get water balloons to work, because I couldn’t get the nozzle to fit the hose! Though there weren’t enough clarinet people so we supplemented it with seniors and other band kids. Well not exactly. But over time, our sectionals have grown to include non clarinet members, who were invited. Along with supplemented people. But at least we weren’t sitting around in a circle in awkward silence! Well not for long anyways…in the end it was a good call I guess, because a lot of clarinet people weren’t able to make it. In fact I think the non clarinet people may have outnumbered the clarinet people…

Lots of fun in the pool.  I got these push squirt things at Jo Ann’s last week, and they were a blast (note the pun!), as were the splash ball things we threw at each other. I got tons of water up my nose, but it was fun shooting people with water. We played our clarinet sectional classic – Pictionary! Which was fun and loud as always. Although the 7-11 team shouldn’t have won. And we started watching Princess and the Frog late at night. Though I wanted Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure! I got outvoted. But I think it was a nice ending to my four years in band and as a clarinet player, and as Brett and Lauren take over next year, I’m sure the section is in good hands. I’m sure going to miss these sectionals once I go away next year though.

Saturday

Then Saturday was Anna’s Debut. I was very glad to receive the invitation – though I was a little apprehensive that it’d be awkward for me to be there. It wasn’t too bad for me though, and I thought the court did wonderfully! It was great to see Anna again, along with others like Tedman, Kamaron, Abby, Edgar, Jonathan, Kris, and Virginia. The whole debut was very nice, and I was seated at a table with people I knew, and saw other people I knew as well, so for me it felt as much a reunion as a celebration.  

Sunday

And Sunday was Father’s Day. We had a good day as a family, and engaged ourselves in a family project – making homemade dried apples from our apple tree! And using the car as an oven – pretty MacGyver if I say so myself. And homemade BBQ ribs for dinner! Nothing can get much better than that!

Sunday I also was able to watch part 1 of the Doctor Who series finale – The Pandorica Opens. I have NO idea how Steven Moffat will get the Doctor out of this one – come to think of it, I have no idea how the universe will get out of it! But I’m sure there have been clues laid out throughout the season that will be important when I watch this weekend!

Monday

Monday, I went to Rincon, and saw Victor! Basically spent most of the day there, helping out Victor, getting some stuff for the website. Go check it out – http://rinconroadrunners.org!! I’ve put in a lot of work into that site!  

Tuesday

Tuesday was marked by an early morning at 6:30 am – to watch the US/Algeria World Cup Game with my dad! Basically, the US needed to score a goal to advance to the next bracket stage. And we didn’t. Well we did, but the goal was disallowed – second time I might add for the world cup – and there were several chances we just botched up. And it was around the 84th minute when I was beginning to give up hope. Rarely are goals scored this late in the game. And then the 90th minute – the end of game time came, and it was still nil-nil. With 4 minutes of additional injury time, I figured there was no chance, and I bet my dad was ready to change the channel. But then in the 91st minute of the game there was a GOAL. IT WAS LIKE A HOLLYWOOD MOVIE!! And I wouldn’t be surprised if that happens some day – “Miracle on Grass!”  Unbelievable. I jumped up and screamed when they scored – even my dad gave a shout! I think the best part was when they showed the American crowd and a fan held a sign saying “Yes We Can.” Those three words really seem to embody the American Spirit, and Tuesday was really a highlight of pride, a moment proud to be an American, a moment to share with millions. Except Twitter crashed. But besides that, it was.

Also Tuesday was lunch with Benson, Malissa, Jess Kuo, and Stephanie Fu at Buffalo Wild Wings. It was great to see them all again, and I had a wonderful time. Again it’s these little personal moments that count the most in the long run. So we shared a bunch of wings and talked about topics from driving to college to other random things. I just hope when I come back from college for breaks, we can still do things like this with each other.  And eat more wings.

And Tuesday night was the school board meeting where I was supposed to get an award. And never received. I’m sure there was a mix up somewhere along the line, and it was okay – but being there made me think again about some of my own ideas about education – but more on that for another entry.

 

 

 
 
Yesterday was Helen’s graduation party – which was a lot of fun. I’ll post some pictures or videos on Facebook, but for those who aren’t on there, here are a few shots:
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IB Kids!
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A soaked Kevin
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Assorted persons.....
So this time I did take pictures to remember things!  But I should wrote something down anyways.  When I arrived, I was greeted by water balloons and a toss into Helen’s pool by Daniel Kim.  Which I was expecting.  Of course Helen was nice enough to tell me to get all the stuff out of my pockets before I stepped outside. 
 
Compared to last weekend, today turned out very much like the IBA banquet. Including Chui in a dress.  Except it was somewhat more tame. And we had ASB people and other friends with us last night.  Everything devolved into a water fight.  Between the dozens of balloons and various splashes of people getting tossed into the pool.  There’s the simple “push” maneuver (me).  The more complicated double swing, taking the arms and legs and swinging someone into the pool (Helen!).  Or the suicide twist, grappling onto someone as they fall (Daniel Kim and Alex!). Or the shan (Christina…). Or any combo of the above.  Needless to say, it made for a very entertaining night.  And so were water balloons.  Getting hit in the balls by Eric. Pummeled by Jose and Patrick in the African watering hole puddle.  Benson lobbing water balloons.  Balloons hitting the wall – and the neighbor’s house. 
 
And food.  There was so much of it! Much thanks to Helen’s parents and family for grilling so much.  It was like they were preparing for the end of the world or something; there was a plate piled with what must have been over 50 skewers!
 
There were many more fun moments as well.  Swinging on a bench with Benson. Watching Benson fall off the bench.  Sitting around in a circle.  Mr. Suradeth!  It seems like a recurring theme in my blog entries, but again, some of the best parts of the night were just the sitting and talking. About anything. College. Berkeley.  Driving. I don’t even remember anymore, but those are the moments that count, the moments that show friendships.  The moments where friendships blossom and develop.  It was great to be with the IB kids again – that sense of family…and maybe more…is something I’ll probably not feel again for a long time.  Even at class reunions, it will never quite be the same again. So today, I’ll cherish the days of high school, my memories, my experiences (speech ripoff!) But seriously, I’m very glad I went and had the opportunity to spend more time with my friends before we all head off in separate directions. I can only hope that the rest of my summer is as enjoyable and full of friends (friendful?) as last night. 

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