Oh Happy Day!

I'm officially a student ambassador of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum! Hit me up if you'd like a tour (we don't tour just anyone, you know...it's very exclusive ;]). I'm looking forward to the summer seminar in July at the Catholic University of America (lots of networking to do).

Note: I look like a dog. I was beyond excited Saturday morning.

I have to admit that when it was all set and done, and I was in the museum in front of EVERYONE, I was somewhat nervous (oh, and also unbeknownst to me until the very last second, we were supposed to turn in our overviews, and recite everything from memory!). But, everything soon progressed and in the end, my tour took about 2 hours and 15 minutes, all without major hitches.

Here is an interesting incident I'd like to share: 

While I was just starting the 4th floor of the Permanent Exhibition and explaining the significance of the Reichtag fire, I lapsed on which group Hitler blamed the fire on (Jews? Political opponents/ Soviets?). A grandfatherly man in his 70s whispered quietly right afterward that it was the communists (Thanks, dude!). After that, I noticed he was following my tour group with special interest, popping up between those in front to hear exactly what I was saying. Something in my gut told me that this man was of some significant magnitude, and so, after my tour of the 4th floor, I made it my duty to ask his name (Marty) and to shake his hand. 

After I finished my tour, and visited the three different rooms full of munchies, all the ambassadors returned to the auditorium for graduation. It was only then had I realized what was so special about Marty. My coordinator asked all the Holocaust survivors along for the tour to raise their hand...Marty was one of them. 

Beforehand, I had expressed to my colleagues how truly devastating it must had felt to be in a concentration camp, and how if I ever met a Holocaust survivor, it would be very likely waterworks would appear, however, I surprised myself that day. After the ceremony, I approached Marty with all smiles,and cohesively (without any feeling of tears coming on) thanked him for partaking in the tour. He, in return, graciously complemented me on my knowledge of the history and that he, himself, was sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau  during the war. It is surprising how you know more about yourself when placed in certain situations, and how you learn more about others through what they have been through. 

There were no expressions of sorrow or tears, instead, we looked on at a happier future, with the hope and promise that it cannot, it will not happen in the future. I'm relying on my lucky stars that during the summer, I will learn the breadth of the Holocaust through the eyes and memories of survivors.

Post-graduation, we went to a little ristoranto in Georgetown, then did some shopping.

I had the spinach and strawberry salad.

Well, I'm off to Williamsburg in the morning (I have a little college interview...). Wish me luck!

For tomorrow:

My graduation from the BTLH program at USHMM is tomorrow. I must give a two-hour tour (at least) of the museum in front of my parents, family friends, teachers, and friends in order to graduate. My museum overview is 9 pages...I think I'm going to have to talk speedily! More updates to follow! I'm SOOO excited (especially for the after-tour refreshments and foods :]).

Life has been pretty sweet to me, however, we all make our own choices, and whatever we choose, there are always different outcomes. Lately, I've been feeling that some people have been disillusioned by certain events, and even with life itself. It is important to not blame others for actions or occurrences when you, personally, are not ready to pick up the pieces, move on, and try harder. 

Sometimes, anger and wrath are just not necessary.  Use that fuel to ignite a fire inside of you. Use that fire to light a path to a brighter future for yourself.

It hurts when a friend proclaims that no one is there for them, or that no one really cares, because I try so hard to be there for all of my friends, and to be shut down every single time I try to relate  is the worst. Though I may not have experienced specific situations, I try my hardest to be understanding, or at least provide a shoulder to lean on. 

But here's something I cannot understand: why do people want something in life, but are not willing to try the absolute hardest to get it? Aspirations are not simply handed to you by God, instead, they come true because of strong efforts. Place the most important duties at the top of your list, then, worry about extracurriculars. If you do not have a solid foundation, you cannot build a sturdy house. 

Please take what I have said into consideration.

Have a great summer evening under the stars. 

School's Out Forever...!

Or at least until September. Having extra time on my hands makes me want to post more interesting stuff on here more often. Consider this my summer blog :].

Updates: I calculated my GPA for junior year. It's not bad, and gives me a hope that I can get into my top choice. Additionally, I also found out my subject SAT score for US History. Let's just say, it sure was a sweet late birthday present!

Summer's finally here! What better way to kick off my favorite season than to go scouting for breezy summer dresses?! I especially love these from Anthropologie.

This perfects that French chateau look.The sash is just sweet enough without being overly girly.

Very bohemian. Imagine lounging on the beach in South America.

A sudden pop of egg-yolk yellow evokes the sunny days of summer.

A white dress is a key basic in the sweltering heat. The print and detailing of this one makes it special.

The draping detail makes me think of ancient Roman wear. The soft lavender makes it so feminine.

I think I'm going to meander a bit before my schedule gets hectic. Sometimes, it feels good to relax.

I finished writing all my teacher "thank you" notes.

I used up all but one of my antique stationary cards. This is sad.
But summer vacation is HEREE. So, I'm not sad.

I Hate being Broke.

I am in love with this dress from Urban Outfitters. It retails for $260.00. Perhaps as a super late Christmas present?!

I want to take opera classes

so I could sing like this.

OH MY GOD.

Summer Assignment.

With every high school, summer assignments are guaranteed (especially with Honors and AP classes). I never really minded these assignments because I figured the reading content has breadth, and is rich in rhetorical devices (also, they're an all time CLASSIC, and will totally dress up your bookshelves). But this year, along with my AP class assignments, the entire school is required to read a book called...Listening is An Act of Love. The title itself is too embarrassing to say. Another books such as Les Miserables or The Scarlett Letter at least have some coolness to it, but this one...completely insane. It sounds like the title of a cheesy soap opera/Spanish drama translated into English, or a child-rearing book that a grandmother would give to the mom for Christmas, but the mom is even too embarrassed to read. This "assignment" seems so cheesy...I feel like I, myself, am in a episode of some bad Disney Channel show (like That's So Raven or Lizzie McGuire).

And, the cherry on top, the COVER. Couples/child with parents together?! Seriously, gag me. Can we not have some cool Baroque paintings or pencil etching?

Les Miserables knows how to sell their products!

Gaga for Gaga.

If I could choose any person's wardrobe to raid, it would definitely be Lady Gaga's.

By the way, England should have won.

I got super bored the other night, and I was totally inspired to make a magical, princess-y, fort-esque creation.As shown.

I used the curtains to make a canopy of some sorts. I'd like to sleep in it, except I had no makeshift mattress :(

Decaffeinated green tea at night is definitely a good idea.
Who I want to win the FIFA World Cup: Germany. They scored two goals in under 40 minutes today versus Australia. They're the most amazing team, ever.

FIFA.

Guess what's on tomorrow? United States vs. Britain in the FIFA World Cup!!! I'm excited beyond belief. it's been 4 years of waiting for this amazing moment in soccer history. I think I'm going to run home after my internship tomorrow to catch the game. Be pumped.

With all this excitement comes, unfortunately, a devastating tragedy. Please remember to say a prayer for Nelson Mandala's family as they mourn the loss of his 13-year-old great-granddaughter, Zenani Mandela, whose birthday just passed on June 9th. I can't imagine dying so young.

Love?

I was re-reading Les Miserables by Victor Hugo last night, and I stumbled upon the page of love quotes Marius sneaks to Cosette in the night. Some are beautifully, breathtakingly, crafted, basically amazing in every way, shape and form. However, some are barely understandable, and are borderline strange:

"If you are stone, be magnetic; if a plant, be sensitive; but if you are human be love"(805).
I feel like this quote should belong in a cheesy romantic comedy or something. Perhaps on a deeper level, this is exemplifies the characteristics of what it is like to be human, but there's so much more to life than to scour the earth for someone. Additionally, in my perspective, it's getting a little ridiculous with the whole "soul mate" scenario, that there is only one person in the whole entire world who is the exact perfect match. I'm pretty sure that throughout a day in the life of, there's got to be at least one person who is mildly attractive to your palate (I may conduct an experiment to prove this point).

"Love is the salute of the angels to the stars"(803).
I'm sorry, but, what is this madness? Through analysis, we can be able to get the general gist of this quote, but it doesn't really seem to click during a reading. I'm not even sure I can picture this scene, much less understand it.

  Deterring from my Les Mis rant, I'd like to announce of the title of the new book I'm positively obsessed about! It's The Maytrees by Annie Dillard.Some people call her the Thoreau of our generation (she did quite a bit of research about Thoreau, but swears she's different), as her writing is full of rich metaphors about nature and the beauty of. A while back, I read one of her short stories, and it was so addicting and thought-provoking, and good. The Maytrees is a love story, but definitely not Nicholas Sparks-esque, or ultra dramatic, for that matter. It's like a watered-down syrup, not painstakingly sweet, but still with a note or two of romantic evanescence, with a focus on the human spirit.

"Without her he already felt like one of two pieces of electrical tape pulled apart"(9).

"Another time you bang a knuckle, and maybe twenty years later you pinch its other side. With each injury you learn how that patch of you feels. It wakens. Until it heals, you're aware of those nerves...Every place you injure adds that patch to your consciousness. You grow more alive. And the point of all this is...that when you have hurt every single place on your body, you die! Once you have felt every last nerve ending, at least on your skin, then you have lived in full awareness. Then you die"(14).

I'm super duper excited on finishing.

Rollin' Thunder.

I got a bike for my birthday!!! Yes, I know I sound like a fifth grade boy here, but this is kinda of historic. I had a bike when I was in elementary school, but I wasn't really an avid bike rider (I much preferred swimming and tanning until I was an indian). But now, I'm so into the whole Lance Armstrong craze, so my parents finally relented.

I think this bike is the lovechild of a vintage and a mountain. Totally cool blue-greenish color (cannot tell from the lighting, of course), and random wires popping all over the place. I love it.

Even better...

 

It's a diamondback. I mean, the name even sounds gangsta.

I've been biking for three days now, so I should know little tips for fellow bikers/biker-wannabes...so here goes:

1. Squirrels are not friends...but neither are they food.
2. Don't try and compete with the Lance Armstrongs of your neighborhood, they'll only make you look like Fat Albert.
3. When you fall, fall gracefully (or least brush it off with a little laugh and pretend like not everyone walking by is watching you, even though they are.)
4. Beware the low-hanging branches, the leaves will totally slap you in the face before you've had a chance to duck (it's even worse on a rainy day).
5. Stop at a playground...or two.
6. When you wave enthusiastically at your neighbors, be sure they ARE actually your neighbors, speed may be hazardous to your vision.
7. Make sure you tell fellow walkers which direction you're coming in, and make sure to say it LOUD.
8. Beware the lone walker.
9. Know which direction you're going toward/Don't try and discover new routes on your first day.
10. Mud is your friend, stone is your enemy.
11. Don't try to pop a wheelie without supervision.
12. Elbow pads are mostly for kids 10 years and younger.

 That's all I have so far, folks. My goal: Bike every single day for the rest of my life. Let's see me accomplish it.

Birthday Weekend.

I have to say, my birthday went by AMAZINGLY. I loved every single second of it. On Saturday morning, I went to take my US History subject SAT, then arrived in DC for my ambassador training at USHMM.

 Later on, I went to Georgetown to window shop for a few instances before picking up a couple of cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcakes (their line is so long on Saturdays, it sometimes stretches around the exterior of the store). I couldn't resist just buying one, thus, I bought a Chocolate Birthday, Coconut, and Peanut Butter Fudge.

Afterward, I arrived at Clyde's, a restaurant filled with antique charm, coat hangers on wooden poles adjacent to seats, and bread-crumb scoopers! I wish I could take this water jug home...

As you can see, I was totally excited about cracking pepper...we only have ground pepper at home, how completely depressing,

Soft-shell crab with tempura?

Duck Carbonara. So, duck bacon.

Salmon?

It's such a cute restaurant, I'd totally love to return. I was hoping on catching some congressmen/women, as it is sort of a business restaurant, but then I realized there was another one located closer to Capitol Hill. Maybe next time, I'll grab a stool, plop myself in front of the bar and obsess over televised horse races...

Well, I only turn 17 once...how great of a way to celebrate than to be with my lovely family!

My Birthday Present (!!!)- NEXT POST.

I'm 17 TO-DAYY!!!

In the grand scheme of things, my favorite birthday scene would have to be Cook's 17th birthday from Skins. I doubt my birthday would be this...wild, but I have something up my sleeve.

Here's to living another glorious year on this amazing planet!

FUCK! PHYSICS FUCK!

Studying for Final Exam = WTF is this shit?!?!

Einstein would not be pleased.