As the school year draws closer to its end, it becomes time yet again for English video projects. The project that everyone most looks forward to - a showcase of writing, understanding, acting, editing, and creativity. And thus came this year's AP/IB English video project, with the usual scramble for groups, ideas, etc.
This year, we elected to go in a supergroup. Instead of the six person group, we ended up with eleven. Myself, Trevor Graham, Victor Guzman, Priscilla Yun, Kelly Chan, Jessica Wang, Tesia Au, Yongjin Jin, Daniel Lei, Eric Whang, and Kevin Tian. Before we were going to do two groups - but one group wouldn't have any girls - and that's no fun! (For obvious reasons and otherwise). But besides that, we had all sat together in a mass 4x3 block of desks for the whole school year. (Except for the days where we all switched seats and confused Ms. Chu) Anyways, I think it'd be accurate to say that we really bonded over the school year, and had a lot of fun teasing each other and what not for the first 160 days or so of the school year. All of us were either in Band or IB...so does that make us an iBand group? (Note: I wrote this blog before Apple trademarked that...because they will someday!)
Though eleven people gives you plenty of resources, getting everyone to talk together at once can be pretty darn difficult as well. So there were many ideas thrown around at the beginning - a multi story epic that was interconnected in strange ways. A Comedy-Musical Murder Mystery. Or Glee. Ultimately, the male bloc vote was compromised and we were stuck with Glee. Which is how I felt at the time - I wasn't all that thrilled about it. But we went ahead, with myself blindly moving forward, not knowing anything about the original show. My only experience with Glee was the Jimmy Fallon parody of the show, called 6-Bee, based on his studio name.
Soon AP/IB testing time came - and so did my time on Hulu watching the past episodes of Glee. And I found a new show to add to my list of must watch TV. I wouldn't say I'm as far as a Gleek - but very much a casual viewer of the show - maybe more. Perhaps quite a bit more. And I began warming up to the idea. I enjoyed the show, and soon I found that I couldn't wait to make our own version. So I must thank the four girls, and Kevin for switching his vote, to force us all to do this video. In the end, it was an enjoyable experience, and perhaps one of the most fun I've had on a video project in my four years at Rowland - definitely the one with the most laughter and strange, awkward, hilarious moments. I got my chance to "sing" - which is something I've wanted to do for years. Well, not quite - I've always imagined a singing/dancing flash mob at school. But random singing within the video works just as well! And I got my favorites - a Jimmy Fallon version of Livin' on a Prayer, and Don't Stop Believin' - in the video!
Anyways, I'm glad I was able to work with the people in the group - especially the four girls. Being in band with them meant I knew them and I was friends with them, but I had never really worked on big projects like this with them (well except Tesia, but that was a spanish video in sophomore year - a lot more low key than a 12th grade english video!). It was nice being able to get out of the IB bubble. Granted, five in our group were IB kids, but I enjoyed working with different people than in from the rest of my classes in the year. That's one of the reasons I really enjoyed my english class this year - as an AP/IB combined class, I got to study with and interact with other friends as classmates who were not in IB. And now with one week of school left, I'm beginning to realize how much I'm going to miss all these people. But more on that later!
Here's our finished product:
So this year, I tried something different. I got myself a Twitter account, and I made a hashtag - #worldslongestmarathon - to keep track of my senior year through microblogging. And now that we're almost at the end of the year,, I feel that it's time to share my deep 140 character insights with you. So here they are - my school year through tweets. (Sorry, it starts at the bottom; newest tweets are on top)
#worldslongestmarathon 171 - and scioly luncheon!! thanks to them too for the lunch!! =)3 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 171 - and...lots of spanish freetime, lady gaga stuff during 5th....funny when b-day balloons came for trevor...3 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 171 - end of the year assembly - thanks ASB kids for staying up late/waking up early to put on the show!! =)3 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 171 - shooting on the hideout stage was AMAZING. ONE OF THE BEST MOMENTS OF THE YEAR!!! =DDD3 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 171 5.28 - Mrs. Loza said an interesting reveal...dunno if it helped our views...props to her though =D3 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 170 and Mrs Loza made the FUNNIEST joke about Yasitha and planes today =D4 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 170 rose ceremony vid, alvo saw our vid, practiced on the h/out stage, Mr S went from our sub to dance coreographer4 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 170 - 5.27. i really need sleep, i started hallucinating kinda in class...almost lost my tripod - thanks mr cole! =)4 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 169 Filmed livin on a prayer. and other stuff after school in ms. woo's room. and mrs turner was our physics sub.5 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 169 - 5.26. 20th presentation = Japanese government as LEGOS!!! =DDDD5 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 168 Speech! YAY! =D Aaaand...fell asleep during physics again =( And last math club meeting ever! ='(6 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 168 5.25-Mr. S's last day-we'll miss you! Made a movie studio office out of the music library...smallest office ever!6 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 167 reread my speech for callbacks, and 11 of us went to the bandroom during english to film =)7 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 167 5.24 - 1.5 hours of sleep last night not too bad. TOK & spanish presentations, watched 20th presentations7 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 166 OH YEAH! Club Advisor luncheon. Thank you ASB! =)10 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 166 Mr S. did an awesome speech about each of us =D and we played cranium today; hard spanish tests today. darn prado10 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 166 5.21 Drum major tryouts w/ next year's warm up piece! I'm going 1st for tok presentations =[10 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 165 Lots of after school vid project filming! and talking with mr s....classroom/hallway/signup/SPLASH scenes =)11 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 165 Math HL Paper 3...not too bad, but I forgot a bunch of easy stuff =( And spanish essay final was okay11 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 165 - band star wars...i hope we can learn it in a week! mr suradeth gave his inspirational speech! =] refilmed video11 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 164 Mrs. Turner subbed for physics, regular day in spanish. Filmed from inside a locker today and kicked out of h/out12 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 164 Grad speech tryouts - I feel like I talked too fast/under the time limit. Mr. S bought us cake for lunch!12 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 164 5.19 Hit the high note in irish! IB Spanish test-didn't understand some questions, but got the gist from examples12 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 163 fell asleep in physics and the blood stopped flowing in my leg. and started english filming!13 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 163 owned at scrabble, and my pasta tower got owned. =( Learning bernoulli equations. yay. it rained today!13 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 162 Prado test, working on english stuff. not bad for a post prom monday. just 2 more ib tests to go!15 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 162 5.17.10 - tallest pasta tower for suradeth! 20.25 inches in 18 minutes! =) band elections and senate meeting15 days ago from web
I suppose I should do #worldslongestmarathon 160-161 - though I think this sums it up http://tinyurl.com/2do9zwe16 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 159 5.12.10 HL History Paper 3 - eh, some hard, some ok. Turned in my speech. Pretty chill day except intense spanish19 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 158 And I got my song in the english movie project script...hopefully it stays in! Can't wait!20 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 158 NHS meeting today - congrats @graceko & @pambambam for your spots!20 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 158 5.11.10 Physics Paper 3, ok, some strange stuff though. History Paper 1 ok, paper 2 was HARD. strange questions20 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 157 ...talking w/ Mrs Phillips @ lunch. Haven't even played the band Star Wars music yet =[21 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 157 5.10 IB Eng HL Paper 2 - not too bad, IB Phys HP Papers 1/2 - not as bad as I thought - I was almost late though21 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 156 relearned CCD's =\ and suradeth is crazy w/ scrabble- "this word will only get us 22 points" -_- haha intense!24 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 156 Sorry for interrupting Ms Tan's class presentations! But I got scrabble for history =] tons of spanish to make up24 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 156 5.7 No testing today! Finished Books of Hope today! =] One project done, lots to go(1 tok, 1 hist, 1 math, 2 eng)24 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 154 5.5 quarantine @ lunch again. Math HL Paper 2 - still very very hard, but I didnt want to cry like yesterday =]25 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 155 5.6 AP Lit in the morning - no too bad - last AP test ever! Michael came late =] Ms Chu made us cookies again! =D25 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 154 5.5 MATH HL PAPER 1 WAS THE HARDEST MATH TEST I'VE TAKEN IN MY LIFE. EVEN HARDER THAN KOYFMAN =(((((( que horible27 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 153 Lunch quarantine w/ Mrs Waters (thanks for the in & out!) IB English HL Paper 1, not too bad (_).27 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 153 Also pretended I was an air traffic controller before recording my oral presentations....27 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 153 5.4 AP Span was HARD! Some stuff way over my head =[ funny when the cd interrupted mr ward. good 'ole ap testing27 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 152 5.3 Test prep. New IB Math stuff. Big circle w/ 11 people in english! Murder Mystery Musical (Comedy). Or not...28 days ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 151 4.30-seradeth in computer lab was interesting...english essay! no idea what i was doing. NHS discussion @ lunch!about 1 month ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 150 4.29-Donuts in 3rd! Mrs Waters came to talk about IB tests. And now I need to make a Star Wars movie for band....about 1 month ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 149 - Suradeth's destabilize Iran simulation was AWESOME =) 11 person english group? fun testing physics websitesabout 1 month ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 148 - learned more about imaginary numbers, and english vid project assigned!about 1 month ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 148 4.27 - simulation with the philippines, picture for mrs. phillips, figured out "a little prayer for you" on pianoabout 1 month ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 147 - and NHS officer interviews! Interesting to think about being replaced. It's like sitting on the Inquisition lolabout 1 month ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 147. 4.26.10. Practice IB Hist. Paper 2, learned imaginary numbers, Span 1 class in our ap/ib class, inferno soloabout 1 month ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 146: prom asking! mr. 2010 & senior talent show! @thefallofchoi & @joaneypoo were great! not bad for 5 hrs sleepabout 1 month ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 145 - hypnotist!!! that was hilarious. =) And I need to practice inferno solo on clarinet this weekend.about 1 month ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 144 Senior week continues. CHP w/ safe driving vids-lots of sad ones too =[ But I hit the high note in band!! =)about 1 month ago from web
.@surrealguz37 #worldslongestmarathon day 144. sleepy today. stayed after school to make up spanish essay/quiz. quiet in english w/ belovedabout 1 month ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 143 4.20-welcome back! mrs waters bought us donuts!thats why you should stay in IB.=D got a lot of stuff to make upabout 1 month ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 139 - Discussing what is terrorism, TOK of politics, math club stuff, ultrasound, spanish orals. felt like friday =)about 1 month ago from web
Note to self: no #worldslongestmarathon from 140-142. instead, i'll be tweeting #collegetrip (it's less characters than #collegevisit)about 1 month ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 138 - finished video blue/brown eyes, reading Beloved, spanish Don Juan test, biomedical physicsabout 1 month ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 137 4.12.10: Lots of videos, former Giano band director was our band sub, lots of hw tonight. Welcome back.about 1 month ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 136 1st day w/ Mr. S in 20th...I think Im the only one who thought the activity was fun, but it was fail teamwork =(about 1 month ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 136 4.2.10 - Last TOK presentation - Vincent had to driver Eric home = watchinging Star Wars! Spanish test & essayabout 1 month ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 135 4.1.10 My TOK Presentation w/ slightly interactive video! Finished Don Juan video, cleaned up the band room2 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 134 3.31.10. WASC visit! Ms. Loza's last day =( Spanish test on vincente fernandez, physics iPod lab!2 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 133 3.30 - Don Juan pt 2, House of Spirits essay, I found I can kinda put my legs on a schooldesk, NHS AP Book Drive!2 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 132 3.29.10 Double TOK period for presentations, a rushed english double bubble map, and watching Don Juan en espanol2 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 131 - short day! @trrickkpatt's TOK Presentation, Math Comp-ing, back to physics lectures (after a month of labs)2 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 130 - IB English Orals!! - Dillard, wasn't too bad. Mr. S. in history for a sub...Mr. Todd for English.2 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 129 - IB Physics practice Paper 1! Hard Spanish Proverbs Test! Band Board Meeting! ...interesting math test!2 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 128 3.23.10 - Asian video crew in physics class! Not sure I'd want to work in TV! and english sub = vincents b-day!2 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 127 - Seems so mundane now... Spanish sub, library for tok stuff, physics lab, nhs seniors meeting for graduation! =]2 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 126 & interesting...situations on the bus. With belts...And my Billy Mays/Oxi Clean re-enact got a short applause =)2 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 126 John's Incredible Pizza for lunch - um...interesting...conversation topics w/ other seniors...2 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 126 We got a superior!!! =DD So we can go to regionals!! (Even though I squeaked a bunch... =[ )2 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 126 3.19.10 - only 1 class b/c of band top group ratings festival. In spanish (sub) saw Eres tu Maria!2 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 125 - IB Spanish oral! I think I misunderstood a question though...overall it was ok. Preterite/Imperfect Test too.2 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 124 Talked in Mr Falks class about NHS, teacher-student volleyball game @ lunch = fun, played w/ physics lab carts!2 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 124 3.17.10 Last Wednesday band practice ever. Probably. Gotta get ready for IB Spanish Orals tomorrow.2 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 122 - 3.15.10 Finished the graduation speaker application today - stayed @ school till 6:30...Good cause though! =)2 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 121- tests galore! Band prom nominations, performing arts rally (tried trombone again!)2 months ago from Echofon
#worldslongestmarathon 120: 3.11.10. Typeracer, math test, sci oly wrap up/debrief, ap Spanish essays -I gotta get ready for ib orals!!2 months ago from Echofon
#worldslongestmarathon 119 - Meeting with Mrs. Phillips/others about secret(?) graduation stuff =), band practice too2 months ago from web
Anyways sorry for the rant. Screw YT. #worldslongestmarathon 119 - Cuba simulation, late reading logs, design-a-lab2 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 118 - IB typing races! Math club preparations for pi day, nhs stuff, and juggling my schedule for graduation stuff.2 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 117 - senate meeting, started cuba, watched rube goldberg machine videos because only 80% of physics class was there2 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 116- Finished 1st books of hope with the hole puncher of terror. Helped launch bottle rockets! (landed on roof again)2 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 115 3.4.10 - Hard time hitting the high E on my clarinet, Computer Lab for TOK & the next room was under construction2 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 114: Band practice, subjunctive, Cuba, TOK essay...pretty regular day2 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 113 - Cuba, Poisson equations, loooong english presentation, and Spanish 1 kids visiting during Espanol.3 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 112 - short day, but senate meeting after school (they didn't lock us in! =D) photovoltaic cell lab, books of hope3 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 111. Renaissance assembly! overloud music & lots of awards. Loved teachers singing (Mr. Falk!!) & Mr. Cole's winking3 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 110 I did better on physics than I thought I'd do! Fire alarm during IBA meeting, wikipedia races during freetime!3 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 109 2.24.10 Band FRESHMEN RUN!!!!!! =DDDDDDD And an interesting flow map about central america/caribbean3 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 108 physics lab about light intensity, in english we're back to books!! (well collection of essays, but still).3 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 108 - more curling, lol. i got a balloon for december math student of the month! math club meeting went well =]3 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 107 2.22.10 History quiz, HARD english essay. on mushrooms. lol. and a spanish quiz and fun physics lab w/ light3 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 106 2.19.10. Bring Your Own Banana day! Watched curling during class, analyzing probabilities3 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 106. Happy Friday! Got Math Department Student of the Month!!!...for December... Books of hope in History and...3 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 105 - kant and mill are hard to read =( analyzed ted hughes poem backwards, and spanish simulated conversation fail3 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 104 - what to do with korea - "move south korea's capital!" More physics labs =)3 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 103 NATIONAL MERIT!!!!!!!!! =DDDDDDDDDDDDDD. Now just the anxiety for college acceptances...3 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 103 2.16.2010 brief speech/presentation to sophs about IB benefits. and my physics data is uber-skewed. again. =(3 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 102 books of hope sub, clueless/confusing poetry, Spanish test, google docs in physics. Yay weekend!!3 months ago from Echofon
#worldslongestmarathon 100! korean war, sylvia plath, binomial theorem, spanish test, and logger pro3 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 99 2.9.2010 - Korean War, need to tune clarinet better in top group, hard english essay, finally took G4 pics!3 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 98 2.8.10 - history quiz, math observed by vp, long senate meeting, and clarinet practice day after school3 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 97 2.5 - Rain! Spanish test, Current events, english sub = star wars monopoly! Counted money for Heroes for Haiti3 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 96 2.4 Physics test!! that was really stressful, haha. Spanish essay, math club comp, starting ethics in tok3 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 95 2.3 - Berlin wall vid, learned that babies are affected by moms surroundings while in womb and 1st sci-oly meeting3 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 94 2.2 top group music, meeting with principal brunyer, and math club tshirts arrived!!3 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 92 books of hope, math ia/big 2 day, yearbook pics took all of english, and WIKIPEDIA RACES ARE SO AWESOME!!!4 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 91 1.28 Mt SAC presentation. Invisible Children (Uganda) video. Pretty chill day, cant believe tomorrows friday!4 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 90! 1.27 - Playing the inferno in top group! & i didnt realize there was a backside on our poetry essay.......4 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 89 1.26.10 playing clarinet after wisdom tooth removal hurts =[ and i showed a west wing clip in tok!!4 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 88 1.25.10 @ school 6:30 am for heroes for haiti! lots of hw. more poetry - been a while since we read a book in eng!4 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 87 (i missed 86!) 1.21.10 man, the ap english test was haaaaaaaaaaard!! then rock band at kevin's house! =D4 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 85 1.19.10. they didnt tell my class there was a lockdown! day 1 of finals over. we marched this morning!4 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 84 1.15.10 spanish test, and lots of pictionary! taht's always fun4 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 83 1.14.10 don't use ribbon to bind a book. it screws you up when you try to present it.4 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 82 - got to see parts of 2001 space oddysey! lots of spanish to sstudy tonight...4 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 82 - interesting poem interpretation - i thought it was about sexual orientation, it was about freeing the soul..4 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 81 1.12.10 - NHS meeting, fun in class with paper airplanes and tables and chairs...very funny.4 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 80, 1.11.10 - omg, the IB physics practice test was soooo hard!! lots of studying to do between now and may...4 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 79 - clarinet auditions on a flute part....current events presentation...and Google Street View!!!!4 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 79, 1.8.10. NHS induction ceremony! That was a fun night - congrats to all the new inductees =)4 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 78. 1.7.10 more alumns visited in physics!! and modern poetry is straaaaange4 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 77 1.6.10 really hot today. alumni visitors in physics! and i learned that i can see the ocean from nearby! wow!4 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 76 1.5.10 national honor society inductions soon! learned about the history of cable tv which was pretty cool4 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 75 1.4.10 - construction paper = that colored stuff! overall, not too bad of a first day back. stayed awake all day!4 months ago from web
oh dang, only 1 more week until the #worldslongestmarathon resumes - time to bring out the ole #schoolcountdown hashtag5 months ago from web
getting ready for my interview tomorrow....& i finished the bookwork for spanish! just the dozens of worksheets now...#worldslongestmarathon5 months ago from web
looking at spanish hw-it looks like there's 69 pages of stuff over the break O_O creo que this warrants the return of #worldslongestmarathon5 months ago from web
I think i may reintroduce the dates to the #worldslongestmarathon - or ib senior year. day 74 is 12.11.09. no more updates until january!5 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 74 - gave mr alvo his gift - i think he was surprised! i like surprise gifts =) history quiz, english potluck!5 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 73 - woah, what a strange english essay! and i had a headache...i think i need to sleep more5 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 72 -homeroom class makes a "santa doesn't do drugs" poster for class competition....5 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 71 - my british accent isn't that great. and analyzing 10 quotes in 50 minutes makes my hand hurt!!!!5 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 70 - lots of homework. ALOT of homework5 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 69. fun fun, last morning band practice ever on the field! can't wait to go to san diego!5 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 68 - interesting day...i liked the physics movie about radio. and sung last year's field show at lunch. yup.5 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 67 - HARD spanish culture test...surprise english essay...getting ready for extended essay tomorrow!6 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 66 - really empty, since most people went to see the play. but i read a chapter of hw stuff!!!...in 4 hours...6 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 65 sleeeeeeeeeepy!!! short day! band practice!!6 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 64 - college interview! spanish test and presentation! learned about radios!6 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 63 - long band practice, christmas music, and the first episode of The Wong Show!!!!6 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 62 - interesting day...not much to speak of. did some national honor society stuff - thanksgiving soon!!6 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 61 - sleepy, physics test, iba meeting, and more stuff. fun fun fun! too many clubs, hahaha6 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon the big day 60. not really big. just really tired from band last night. hope todays spanish test was ok.6 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon - day 59. 8.5 hours of school + 8 hours of band. fun day!!! 5 SWEEPS IN BAND!!!!! love doing hw @ midnight....6 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon = day of school 58. spanish oral testing = FAIL. but band WE GOT CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!!! YAY!!!! =))))))6 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 58 - interesting day - at least it's friday!! alot of school stuff to do this weekend though...6 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 57 - not too bad, feels like a monday! loooots of homework tonight - yay history IA!!!6 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 56 - feels like a friday! except i need to be at school at 7 am tomorrow....6 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 55 - "apologize to richmond for throwing an eraser!"6 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 55 - long band meeting, didn't get to approve spending!! went to senate meeting and missed physics lesson =(6 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 54 - math test! football game! talked with @faineance, saw @annaaamaayorrr too! and i lost my music =(6 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 53 - a hard but not super duper hard physics test - math test tomorrow...6 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 52 - not much to remember. band sectionals -> clarinet running block fail =(6 months ago from web
@kurtthewurt well now it's the 51st day =) #worldslongestmarathon6 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon - yay, 50th day of school!!!!!!! fun band practice with a guest director! =)7 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 49 - someone pulled the fire alarm >=[ principal dressed up as the bball coach and vice versa. confusion ensues!!7 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon 48. -3/13x+2/3x=5/26 etc. by hand A-"whoever invented fractions is stupid" B-"would you rather use decimals instead?"7 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 47 - spanish test, lots of hw tonight. math is taking a loooooooooooong time...................7 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 46 - felt sleepy today after last night. lucky no tests today7 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 45 - another long day at school. and a ..er...interesting?? tutoring experience. probly more unsettling....7 months ago from web
so 14 hours of band today! out in the desert! lots of fun, really tired. i think it qualifies for #worldslongestmarathon - day...44.5 ish :]7 months ago from web
@fabrolauren but club pictures were fun! there were 3 ppl in physics class! and english was fun too, haha. #worldslongestmarathon day 447 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 43: short day = alot of hw7 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 42. band practice. crazy english essay. besides that not much. and i learned about glowsticks.7 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 41 - band pictures better than last year. watched #ncis today. fun stuff7 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 40. still tired from saturday.7 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 37 - 6am to 10pm!! yay band! first place!7 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 36: feels like less hw. but its still alot, i just got used to carrying 10 books home. and got used to the stress7 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 34 - 5-8 band practice. still didnt leave til almost 9 =( shower, hw, and then scheduling 90 kids's work/jobs...7 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 34. not bad overall. annual rhs pep rally - football team as cheerleaders...wish i had my camera...7 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 32. whole band running through school during practice! tiring, but looked like http://tinyurl.com/ycxsluk !!!7 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon leg 31. not too bad. though i'm not exactly looking forward to our english surprise tomorrow....7 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 30 - well....another 6:30-9:30 school day. 15 hours, not 3. and hw time now!7 months ago from web
wow...that was the most productive hour i've had all year. good leg of the #worldslongestmarathon! =) didn't finish, but did a good chunk!!8 months ago from web
secret to sucess in the #worldslongestmarathon - be pumped up, ALWAYS have energy. like the energizer bunny. keeps going and going and ...8 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon never seems to end. actually seems worse on weekend. when do i get time for myself??? or college apps?? or SLEEP??8 months ago from web
OH! i forgot #worldslongestmarathon day 29 - 10/2 - not bad, mostly an easy day. nhs book drive - it'd be nice if ppl actually gave us books8 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 28 - traumatizing tests! hopefully tomorrow isn't as crazy. ib ice cream social was fun though!8 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 27 - not a whole lot. but tomorrow - tok presentation, history quiz, english surprise, spanish oral test. yay.8 months ago from web
...DONATE AP/SAT BOOKS TO NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY!! realized i dont need so many books today =( thanks @helentran11 #worldslongestmarathon8 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 26 - fun stuff. traumatizing history video =) hahaha. sleepy from band last night. another NHS book drive day....8 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon - plus got 2 tests back - yay! did well =) aaand new eps of #NCIS and premiere of #SGU this week! so exciting!8 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 25 - band practice - and CHAIR AEROBICS! http://bit.ly/xPGJf and now it's homework time...8 months ago from web
who's descartes? and spinoza? locke, hume, berkeley? just another leg of the #worldslongestmarathon8 months ago from web
gonna try to do a 12 hour homework marathon - looks like more #worldslongestmarathon. my weekend pit stop isn't so much of a pit stop. #sgu8 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 24, 9.25.09 - found a spider in my locker. i tried to kill it and forgot to take my spanish binder to class =(8 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 22, 9.24.09 - a fun (crazy?) 20th century class, and thanks to everyone who came to the math club comp!!8 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 22 - band practice, a physics class full of boys, and HOT (104!) for the 1st day of fall. hopefully cools by #sgu8 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon, day 21 - first math club meeting! wanna go to sleep. and watch #sgu8 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon - 9/21, day 20 - short day! band practice!8 months ago from web
i just realized - i missed #worldslongestmarathon day 19, 9/18/09 - uh...had a spanish test. OH and football game & last first performance!!8 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 18 - same old, same old. called to the principal's office again! - thank goodness its for something good =)8 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon - woops, the last one should be day 17, not 16 =) falling asleep doing homework......8 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 16. getting ready for quizzes. and math club IS NOT a nerd club!!8 months ago from web
day 16 of the #worldslongestmarathon - i did my snippet! i hope i owned =) and tonnes of spanish hw...8 months ago from web
day 15 of the #worldslongestmarathon - in class english essay...well...i know i didn't get a zero! =) snippets tomorrow - oh the joy!8 months ago from web
day 14 of the #worldslongestmarathon - back to school assembly! spanish essay!8 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 13! not bad, finally got to watch obama's school speech! saw part of last night's health care speech also8 months ago from web
throughthegate: day 12 of the #worldslongestmarathon was a 15 hour stretch. i should have printed my own set of drill charts for band. =(8 months ago from web
#worldslongestmarathon day 11 culminated in a nap! and the colony is on tonight! and...3? more weeks until NCIS! YAY!!8 months ago from web
yay, finished the 10th part of the #worldslongestmarathon - now it's time for homework. and college apps. and work stuff.9 months ago from web
Day 9 of the #worldslongestmarathon - and it aint over yet - i'm back there again for 4 hours tonight!9 months ago from web
OH! forgot to mention day 8 of school, or the #worldslongestmarathon - long day, at school from 6:45-9:45. 15 hours,not 3.9 months ago from web
day 7 of the #worldslongestmarathon and doesn't seem like the homework is letting up.......gee, it makes it sound like rain, haha9 months ago from web
OMG i didn't fail my english quiz!!!!! but tons (or tonnes!) of homework tonight...just day 6 in the #worldslongestmarathon9 months ago from web
is this "let's not im richmond day?" =( just another day (5!) in the #worldslongestmarathon called ib senior year9 months ago from web
Day 4 of the #worldslongestmarathon.RHS parking lot lines soo long-why?!?! never was before. anyways, finished math hw while my dad drove =)9 months ago from web
Day 3 of IB senior year - it's the #worldslongestmarathon. really. -_)-9 months ago from web
After last week's events, I think that some reflection is good for me. So reflection time! Prom was last night. I went with Jessica Wang, and we went in a big limo with 16 others - Jake & Priscilla, Kevin & Tesia, Victor & Crystal, Kelvin & Jia, Trevor & Jessica, Yasitha & Ching Ko, Danny & Stacey, and Daniel & Esther. Anyways, beforehand, I had some trepidation. Well perhaps that's too strong a word. Maybe more like not quite being sure if I should go. Just because I'm generally a more shy, reserved person when it comes to social events...like dances. But regardless, I went, and I'm glad that I did. Because it was a lot of fun! Of course there were some delays and things, but that didn't really matter, it happens. I suppose you could say it wouldn't be prom without little kinks! The venue was nice, at the Santa Anita Racetrack. Only thing was that the dance floor was small. But the room was nice with the tables and such. The dancing was pretty good, even though we ended up in front of one of the speakers for most of the time. But it was certainly a fun experience. Jessica was certainly a lot of fun to be with last night. Though I think some of my favorite moments were just being with people. At the table or the dancefloor. Or just walking around taking pictures with everyone (I forgot to bring my camera though! So sorry for the lack of pics...this is why I need to join facebook). It was nice to see people from Every 15 Minutes. Saying hi and hugging people who I would not have given a second glance at if I didn't do the program. Certainly life changing. Especially not being at school since Wednesday, it was wonderful to see everyone after "coming back to life." And in the middle of all the fun, the tuxes and dresses, it hits you. Most of these people in a few weeks, you're never going to see again. And even if you do, it won't be the same. Which means for the next 3 weeks, I'm going to make the most of the time I have left with the people I love.
Every fifteen minutes, somebody dies in a drunk driving related accident. On May 13, 2010, I died. I died in a car crash caused by a driver under the influence of alcohol. 1 along with 26 other students died for 24 hours.
Completely cut off from the outside world, from electronic devices, we were forced to come together, to bond with each other, to get to know and love each other. This was so much more than learning about the dangers of drunk driving. The past 24 hours showed me how much I had to value in my life. The value of my friends and relationships. At the beginning, I wasn't sure about it. I thought the stuff Mr. Withers talked to us about was just the stereotypical teambuilding speech. I was completely wrong.
24 hours ago, 27 of us came together as strangers. Today, we left as a family. I met so many people that I would never have talked to during a regular school day, so many amazing people with different and intriguing life experiences.
There were fun times too. Drunk goggles at SpeedZone. Coming up with a rap with Peter about not having cell phones. But there was a lot of deep information too.
I learned that death can come at any time. Even if you have everything going for you, even if you do everything right, things can happen. Death can happen. There's no use sugarcoating it. We can try to prevent it, we will prevent it, but it only takes one person to make a bad choice, and in a second lives are changed forever. Which means we have to live every day to the fullest, to live life without regrets. It means in the end, all we have are each other. A computer can't give you love. A phone, an iPod, can't give you love. Only another person can give you love. And love is just the base, a foundation for a relationship that can be rewarding in ways I can't even express in words. Relationships take work and take time. Relationships take physical presence. Relationships take the ability to speak and hear someone's emotions, to read body language. As much as technology does to help us in our lives, it isolates us as well, so that we don't physically come together. In the last 24 hours, I loved 26 people so much.
I saw pictures, horrible pictures, of the consequences. Death. Sitting right there in front of me. My head kept turning toward and from the screen, like turning from life to death. I think the worst part about dying isn't the death, but knowing the pain that those around you feel, your parents, your family, your friends. Which is all the more reason to live life building relationships without regret, for you never know when might be your last goodbye.
I think my favorite moment was after the funeral before we got to see our parents. All of us behind the curtain, together for what was probably the last time, all hugging and crying. These people who I had not known a day earlier are now like family to me. The sense of comradery, the sense of trust, the sense of love amongst us. Everything Mr. Withers told us yesterday was true. We were all there for each other, happy and sad, emotions flying, but all of us, together.
And now I'm not sure if I'm ready to re-enter the world of the living again. I thought I was. I'm glad to be home with my parents. But as I sit here typing this, I have a sense of loneliness. No one else can truly know what the 27 of us went through - no one can else can truly know what the 5 of us at the crash scene went through. Everything now seems so mundane and superficial - a test, a class assignment, a tv show - they all seem to lack meaning and importance. Being at home now is like being cut off from a family. I already miss the unity, the presence of the others - the love. But in the end that's all that we have for each other, and it is the most valuble thing that we can have and cherish, and I am so thankful that I the chance to love and be loved. Every 15 Minutes is more than just a program about not drinking and driving - it truly is a program that opens your soul and makes you realize the worth of yourself and the people around you - the value of life.
Today I went on the IB hiking trip, along with Mr. Laughlin and 10 other kids at Powder Canyon. (This entry is going to double as some CAS hour evidence). We went on about a 1.7 mile loop, and I wish I brought my camera so I could share some amazing views, but alas I forgot to bring it. But it was a wonderful way to spend the first day of Spring!
To be honest, before going, I was somewhat apprehensive, and wasn't sure what to expect. But was I in for a surprise. I had never gone hiking in the Powder Canyon area, and needless to say, I thouroughly enjoyed today's hike.
Mr. Laughlin was a great choice for an advisor too. It was a very active experience to have him along, especially because he has a lot of knowledge about nature. We saw a red tailed hawk, potato bugs, various types of sage, wild cucumber, walnut trees, and poison oak! It was a great experience for me, and at the top of the first hill we climbed, there were some beautiful views of the valley (well, there was the ever present haziness of the smog, but besides that!) We were even able to see the Rowland gym (well Mr. Laughlin saw with his binoculars. I just kind of squinted in the general area - should have brought a pair myself). I was also surprised with how happy other people on the trail were - a couple, bikers, and even a family with a stroller and baby.
After the hill crest, we descended into the canyon itself - which was a lot cooler, due to the trees overhead. It was nice to see everything green, since we had such a great rainfall this year. We saw a dry (but moist!) creekbed - very Jurassic Park: The Lost World like, where the stegos are. But it was breathtaking all around.
So I never realized this little gem that we have in our backyard. And thanks to that, I'm more aware of the importance of nature, and how we should try to preserve it. There's a bit of irony that in protecting it, we're building trails to let people come into it. But I think it's important to educate people about nature, and the only way to do that is to let them experience it for themselves. And trails are alot less intrusive than houses built along the ridge which disrupt animal traffic. At any rate, humans have been making trails through nature for thousands of years. Nevertheless, this has helped me become more aware of how we should treat nature with respect and protect the jewels of nature around the world from the encroaching posion of civilization. If we could just - step aside - life - will find a way.
Just some thoughts about my latest school involvement work to get a guest speaker for the Rowland High School 2010 Graduation - in a semi secret fashion - so I'll continue that here.
So it was about 2 weeks ago, when I came across the '\@& )$ |#! %|# competition on Twitter. (The symbols don't stand for letters, so don't even try). And I sent it to a certain school counselor who suggested I send it to the principal. Basically what ended up happening without going into too much detail is that the principal said yes, and I got a group of a few people together. @*;!%## and (#!$^& are who I contacted first, and then letter a couple others. Needless to say, we met with @%@ !&*#&& to talk about things to put in the application and so forth. And then Sunday night was at my house for about 8 hours to write up the thing, as well as today at school, some of the group staying until past 8.
Anyways, the important thing about this, even if the guest speaker isn't able to come to our graduation is that we took a stand - well more like staked a position I suppose - but that we took some sort of action, which I think is more than alot of people do, and that puts us ahead by a lot. In one of my interviews (a college scholarship interview for #^ #(*^#)@), I talked with my interviewer (a very nice lady and professor of education), about the idea of standing up, and she said something that impacted me. When you stand up and say something, the other side can never say that they were uninformed. Because it's important to know that you may not be able to change everything, to convince everyone to your point of view. But you can still speak. Just because they don't act isn't cause for us to put a self imposed censorship of silence upton ourselves. In fact, it only serves to motivate us more to speak out, and at the least, the very least, the other side can no longer say that they did not know how we feel. And that probably is what creates the key difference. We know how we feel. And now they do, and what they do with our information is in their hands, but we can be proud that we didn't let this opportunity just slide by, no matter what the outcome.
In retrospect, I think I really enjoyed this process. Which kind of reminded me of political dealings - last minute mark ups to the speech language, that sort of thing. A couple years ago I wondered what it would be like to be a speechwriter as a career. Maybe it's time to take a look back at that idea.
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