If We #1 and #13, and You #18, Then I Don't Need to #9

I'm a big fan of lists. I'm constantly writing lists of all the junk I have to do. But I also keep a running, constantly changing, list of things that I *want* to do. I thought I'd share part of its current incarnation with you. I'd love to learn what's on your list!

1) Go to Vegas and gamble (I've only gambled in the airport there, which soooo doesn't count!)
2) Dye my hair
3) See a rugby match
4) Learn to drive
5) Learn how to box
6) Go "antiquing"
7) Watch a Niners game in person
8) Learn how to play pool respectably
9) Become responsible with money
10) Attend a Democratic presidential inauguration
11) Build something (like bookshelves)
12) Travel to every continent (possibly excluding Antarctica--I can never decide.)
13) Get marrried
14) Personally know a US president
15) Master another language
16) Visit all 50 states
17) Go sledding
18) Win the lottery
19) Learn to play an instrument
20) Go to the Oscars
21) Have something (ie. a building, a sandwich) named after me
22) See a Broadway play
23) Be debt free
24) Renew my passport, and always be ready to jet off somewhere
25) Learn to crochet well
26) Fly first class
27) See the Winter Olympics in person
28) Fly in a biplane
29) Do something adventurous that scares me
30) Become good at sewing

There's Always a Bedpan...

Well, I got my housing assignment in the mail today. I was assigned the smallest possible room in the yuckiest possible dorm. And, on top of that, I'm on a coed floor that only has a men's bathroom. So I'll have to travel to another floor just to use the restroom. And shower. And get ready. But mainly it's just inconvenient when you've really, really got to go. Oh, well. I guess I'll get used to it. On the positive side, it's also the cheapest possible dorm. Maybe I can use the extra cash to do some room remodeling. How much does a bathroom installation go for? =)

In other news, I guess yesterday's full moon explains the strange kind of day I had. I bumped into both my 7th grade teacher and a friend of mine from junior high. The latter was actually also my Homecoming date frosh year of high school. It's just weird having junior high flashbacks. My teacher told me to come by the school sometime to say hello. I realized that when I started 7th grade her current students were one year old! Crazy how time flies.

Unless you have to go to the bathroom.

I Make Simon Cowell Seem Kind

I honestly have absolutely nothing interesting to say about my own life today. So I won't say anything. Instead, here's a list of reality tv-themed insults (hey, I have a lot of free time). You know your life is going badly if someone says to you:

• If you were on my island, I'd vote myself off.


• Your face is made for tv--"Extreme Makeover," that is.


• Didn't I see you on "The Surreal Life?"


• You make Paris and Nicole look like nuns.


• You make Jessica Simpson seem smart.


• You make Anna Nicole seem classy.


• You make the Osbournes look attractive.


• A date with you is better known as "Fear Factor."


• Do you and The Donald share a hairstylist?


• Every date with you is an "Elimi-Date."


• You're as exciting as "Big Brother."

Add your own!

It's Final

I sent in my non-refundable tuition deposit to Harvard today. So I guess I'm really going. It's still hard to process. I came home, checked my email, and discovered that I've been waitlisted at Yale. Ha! Just awesome timing. Yale has some advantages: it's more focused on public interest and academia, but I'd rather be in Boston than New Haven. So it seems things worked out for the best.

Hmm, I'm sleepy now. Must be time for bed.

Our first wedding pic?

mattkami
Originally uploaded by kamio.

Time for something a little more lighthearted. Don't you think Matt Gonzalez and I make a cute couple?

Photoshop is lots of fun... =)

A New Pope

CNN just announced that Cardinal Ratzinger is the new head of the Roman Catholic Church. As a symbol of conservatism and a longtime opponent of anything he deems outside of "tradition," Ratzinger is sure to be a controversial choice, especially here in the United States.

Well, maybe he'll surprise us all.

Tidbits from the Week

I had a 2nd round job interview yesterday. They still seem interested, but at this rate, I'll start in August. I hate not telling places about law school, but I sooooo need money. And it seems that it's pretty common cuz even my references said they'd done similar things.

Things have been pretty hectic around here. My mom had all kinds of artwork she had to get done this week. I had some homework, and I'm trying to get caught up on my photography. Wednesday, I was in SF for my orthodontist appointment.

I should hear where I'll be living next year within a week or so. Kind of excited about that. My options range from a tiny, box-like room in an ugly building to a former hotel with my own bathroom and tv. But the second one costs twice as much as the first. I figure fate will stick me in the right spot. Or if not, I'll have lots of things to complain about in my blog. The good news is no matter where I am, I'll have my own room.

Today is Picnic Day in Davis. It's UCD's annual open house. It starts with a parade (which I'm currently skipping), and has all kinds of activities. Some popular ones include the dauschund (sp?) races and the chemistry magic show. My mom and I usually hit the fashion show (UCD has a great textiles department), the quiz bowl demo, and the Battle of the Bands. Battle of the Bands is my favorite--marching bands from all over CA just hang out and play songs all day. The goal is to be the band that can keeping playing the longest. Usually, they have to stop around 10 or midnight cuz of the noise ordinance. So I'm gonna go get ready. Today should be good--for once, it isn't raining on Picnic Day!

Headlines Are Hard

You know, ever since Blogger made it easy to do headlines (and search by them), I've felt compelled to come up with some kind of snazzy opener each time. But sometimes it's more difficult to come up with a title than to come up with a post. Anyhow, tonight I just didn't feel like making anything up.

Well, I sent in the interim response form for Harvard telling them I'm coming. I also applied for housing there. So I guess it's for real.

Other than that, I don't have much to report. And I need to cut this short cuz my mom wants to go online.

It Seems to be Harvard

I guess I'm going to Harvard. I'm pretty sure that's my decision. I'll probably start feeling more excited about it soon; right now, I just feel a little sad about the idea of moving so far away.

But I've considered the options, and Harvard just seems to offer the best and broadest range of opportunities. Prestige-wise, it's hard to beat. Academically, it meets most all of my desires. Financially, its loan repayment program is the best in the country.

Yet, I'm afraid that I'll be homesick a lot (if only they could move Harvard to Northern California). I wish I didn't have to be 3,000 miles away from my mom. I'm not looking forward to the very, very long winters. But it's only 3 years, and I can spend my summers in California. I hope everyone will come visit me in Cambridge!

Home Again

Greatly enjoyed my East Coast visit. I'll very, very briefly summarize some highlights of the trip here (I'm leaving out all the juicy stuff so you have to contact me..hee hee...).

Boston:

The trip there only took 17ish hours, so it was a little shorter than a trip to the moon. It was great seeing Chris before he becomes a full-fledged American refugee in Europe. On Monday, I went to the Harvard admissions office. They arranged a class visit, lunch with a prof, and a campus tour for a few admits who were there. All of it was good, except for lunch. While I'm always a fan of free food, this was just weird b/c the prof (who was married) spent the entire time ogling and talking to one female student. Everyone felt uncomfortable. We later dubbed him "the lecherous professor."

Later that day, I met with a professor who studies some areas that I want to research. She was awesome, and I really enjoyed the visit. On Tuesday, I wandered around Cambridge. I got lost at one point, making me sweaty and embarassed when I showed up 30 min. late for a meeting with a current student. Oh well. In total, I walked over 9 miles that day.

New York:

Took the Amtrak back down to NYC on Wednesday morning. The scenery was sooooo beautiful, though it felt weird that none of the trees had leaves in April. I hear they get leaves around May. The weather was perfect, and people kept pointing out how strange it was. A student at Columbia gave me a campus tour. He was really nice, really patient with my lack of preparation, and from California (so he could relate to my East Coast concerns). Met with Conchita, who was nice enough to let me stay with her. We had fun at dinner, and then we went to the Southeast Asian Law Student Association (SALSA) Game Night. Suffice it to say, I don't think law students should play board games. They kept making up new rules and everyone was a wee bit competitive. But my team won Cranium, and that's all that matters. =)

On Wednesday, we ate breakfast at Tom's Diner (like on Seinfeld). The people there are so rude, it's actually funny. I really enjoyed it. Then I was gonna catch the subway down to NYU. But the downtown trains weren't running, so I decided to walk from 112th Street to 42nd Street. Yup, 70 blocks. It was fun, and I enjoyed seeing the city. At 42nd Street, I hopped on the subway and went over to NYU (which is in Greenwich Village). I saw a guy who looked exactly like Orlando Bloom, but he spoke Spanish. Hot. So eventually, I headed back to 42nd Street to catch my bus to the airport. I decided I might as well walk it too (only around 30 blocks).

So I went to the airport, flew home, yadda, yadda, yadda (maybe I picked that up in NYC). Oh, one cool flying story: turns out that the guy sitting next to me on the plane from New York to Minneapolis yesterday is friends with someone I worked with in Arkansas! Small world.


Conclusions
I liked both Harvard and Columbia. NYU is just a little too urban for my taste--I like having some semblance of a campus. I really appreciated all the hospitality I received. I don't much like travelling by myself. Connecticut has some lovely coastlines. Both Boston and New York accents are delicious. Airport food isn't. On a plane, it's all a matter of luck whether you sit near cool people or not. Packing all your things in one bag for a 5 day trip can cause some back pain. But it's still so much better than checking luggage. And it's really, really good to be home.

"Ciao, Karol"

The title is taken from an Italian headline, responding to news that Pope John Paul II is dying (Karol was his birth name). Regardless of anyone's view of Catholicism, or specific stances the Pope has taken on issues, it's hard not to be sad right now. He has been a great advocate for peace and human rights. He spoke out against the war in Iraq. He is a good man. But those bells toll for all of us eventually, and I believe that this is his time.

I pray that his death will be peaceful, that he will find the joy of discovering something beautiful after death, and that the Catholic Church leaders will choose wisely as they appoint a new Pope.