I am sick and tired of Asian parents and their snooty little views on college and academics. Yes, this includes my parents (who I am very grateful for and love very much but still have these exasperating Asian qualities).
Some of the following may be over-exaggerated... just a little. ;)
1. The whole where-is-your kid-going-to-school-and-how-did-she-get-in, can-I-see-her-resume? thing has got to stop. Yes, it is good to get advice from students who have gone through high school and the application process, but stalking Harvard kids is not the way to go!
2. And then the judging of kids based on where they go to school. You? Oh you are going to UGA?? Oh my..
3. Oh and the classic: what award did you get? How many of them were given? !@#! Doesn't it just make you happy that your child got an award in the first place?! Not every kid gets an award.
4. The crazy ridiculous focus on SATs. "Emily! Did you study for SATs? Make 2400!"
5. And the bragging between the Asian Parent Community. "Eh.. my son is going to Perimeter." "Ha, mine is going to Gerogia Tech!" "Oh. My daughter is going to Princeton."
I guess parents will never stop being shallow. They just care about you and want the best education for your future. But this judging a person based on their college is just wrong.
Maybe I rant because of where I've chosen for my future.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
the........ University of Georgia!
I never thought I'd say this, but---
I'm going to the University of Georgia!
After much consideration (trust me. much!!) I decided that in the long run, Georgia would be a better choice than Duke. Plus, I get to room with our lovely valedictorian. =P Why would I even consider anywhere else? (Haha! Just kidding. I really did think about this pretty hard.)
Go Dawgs!
... by the way: Prom 2009 was AWESOME! I had a load of fun dancing with everyone and Charles! haha =D
I'm going to the University of Georgia!
After much consideration (trust me. much!!) I decided that in the long run, Georgia would be a better choice than Duke. Plus, I get to room with our lovely valedictorian. =P Why would I even consider anywhere else? (Haha! Just kidding. I really did think about this pretty hard.)
Go Dawgs!
... by the way: Prom 2009 was AWESOME! I had a load of fun dancing with everyone and Charles! haha =D
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Clarinet Therapy and Some Good Advice
Happy Easter! =)
---
A week ago, I told Emilee that I would practice my clarinet at least 1 hour every day throughout Spring Break.
Well.
In the past week (excluding the time I played for MPUMC), I have played clarinet for a grand total of 45 minutes. 45 FREAKING MINUTES. And that was Sunday night from 9:00-9:45pm.
And you know what I discovered?
I sucked.
Completely. Totally. Unconditionally sucked.
I'm not sure whether or not to be angry with myself. I mean, it was spring break. I was burned out from struggling to be productive. And I didn't want to do anything. But still. After working my butt off to improve my clarinet skills and making All State... I've regressed to squeaking every other note because I am not covering the keys correctly? And stumbling over simple repetitive measures of rhythm? What is going on??
Hazo was right. Getting great (excuse the conceited word, but you know what I'm trying to say) is easier than staying great. And, yes, the belief that "I did it once, so greatness must flow from me" is completely wrong.
Leave it to me to not listen to my elders (in fact, PROFESSIONALS in music that are nevertheless my elders!).
So, I have come to the conclusion that I need to slowly ease myself back into playing the clarinet. I couldn't go for more than an hour today because I did not have the endurance. But, I will play bit by bit each day, like physical-clarinet-therapy, until I get the hang of playing again. And, yes, we have a concert in a week... =/ So... it will probably be a little test to see how well I can pull it all together.
I am not intimidated!
---
On a completely random topic, my mom gave me some great advice today. We were having a discussion about being lazy (a common personal trait these days...) when driving home from Kroger. Somehow we started talking about my room and how even though it is pretty clean right now the bed is still messy and unmade. I mean, why make it when you'll just sleep in it again the next night? Makes total sense right? Well, my mom didn't agree (typical). But her reason wasn't "don't be lazy." She said making your bed is a psychological attitude. People with a diligent, loving approach to life make their beds even if it will just be messed up later. Making your bed in the morning motivates you to be focused in what you want to accomplish in your day or even in your life... I guess it's kind of true. I make my bed before All State and Science Olympiad competitions.
I can't really tell this bit of advice right. In Chinese there is a term called qing kuai. It means happily diligent.. like when those Disney princesses whistle while they clean the cottage kind of thing. I think for this last month of high school, we all need to be a bit more qing kuai--not treating AP Exams and all this work as a drugery, but maybe finding something happy and worthwhile in the tasks that lie ahead. And we must be qing kuai in what we do outside the classroom: help out our parents at home, spend less time on the computer and more time running around outside, and make our beds.
Let's finish high school right. =)
---
A week ago, I told Emilee that I would practice my clarinet at least 1 hour every day throughout Spring Break.
Well.
In the past week (excluding the time I played for MPUMC), I have played clarinet for a grand total of 45 minutes. 45 FREAKING MINUTES. And that was Sunday night from 9:00-9:45pm.
And you know what I discovered?
I sucked.
Completely. Totally. Unconditionally sucked.
I'm not sure whether or not to be angry with myself. I mean, it was spring break. I was burned out from struggling to be productive. And I didn't want to do anything. But still. After working my butt off to improve my clarinet skills and making All State... I've regressed to squeaking every other note because I am not covering the keys correctly? And stumbling over simple repetitive measures of rhythm? What is going on??
Hazo was right. Getting great (excuse the conceited word, but you know what I'm trying to say) is easier than staying great. And, yes, the belief that "I did it once, so greatness must flow from me" is completely wrong.
Leave it to me to not listen to my elders (in fact, PROFESSIONALS in music that are nevertheless my elders!).
So, I have come to the conclusion that I need to slowly ease myself back into playing the clarinet. I couldn't go for more than an hour today because I did not have the endurance. But, I will play bit by bit each day, like physical-clarinet-therapy, until I get the hang of playing again. And, yes, we have a concert in a week... =/ So... it will probably be a little test to see how well I can pull it all together.
I am not intimidated!
---
On a completely random topic, my mom gave me some great advice today. We were having a discussion about being lazy (a common personal trait these days...) when driving home from Kroger. Somehow we started talking about my room and how even though it is pretty clean right now the bed is still messy and unmade. I mean, why make it when you'll just sleep in it again the next night? Makes total sense right? Well, my mom didn't agree (typical). But her reason wasn't "don't be lazy." She said making your bed is a psychological attitude. People with a diligent, loving approach to life make their beds even if it will just be messed up later. Making your bed in the morning motivates you to be focused in what you want to accomplish in your day or even in your life... I guess it's kind of true. I make my bed before All State and Science Olympiad competitions.
I can't really tell this bit of advice right. In Chinese there is a term called qing kuai. It means happily diligent.. like when those Disney princesses whistle while they clean the cottage kind of thing. I think for this last month of high school, we all need to be a bit more qing kuai--not treating AP Exams and all this work as a drugery, but maybe finding something happy and worthwhile in the tasks that lie ahead. And we must be qing kuai in what we do outside the classroom: help out our parents at home, spend less time on the computer and more time running around outside, and make our beds.
Let's finish high school right. =)
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Choices vs. Decisions
Looking through all my college stuff, I've realized that there can be many choices but only one decision.
I am having the hardest time making a decision right now. I still have 1 month, but so much is going on between now and graduation that I really do not have that much time to think (AP exams, SO nationals, GRADUATION/parties/blah blah blah..).
A part of me just wants to throw in my deposit to UGA without even considering my other schools, room with my best friend, and be happily content for the next four years. But then... what opportunities am I giving up? Am I giving up more than I am getting by choosing UGA? And wouldn't picking a school for it's financial value (UGA is a very good "deal") be taking the easy way out when I can get decent financial aid at other schools? Of course, if UGA was the only one with a good financial package, that would be the end of my worries. Also, I think a big part of me wants to go to UGA (which may, in the end, be my best choice) because I am afraid. Despite my strong desire to leave Georgia and meet new people for the past three years, I think it's finally starting to hit me that this year will be the last time I truly stay at home with my parents and those I have known for years. I feel like if I go to Georgia, as my friend Whitney says, there will be a strong network of friends whom I know and trust (to party at Whitney's, chill at Karen's, and study--thanks guys--at Hope's & Emily's) that I can branch out from without having to start all over again.. I can't believe that is how I feel after all these years. Should I just let myself be a weenie like that??
But if I throw myself out into the open and go to Cornell or Northwestern, I could build a new foundation, putting myself out there to meet new people and become involved in new events. Looking at it this way, it's still hard to pinpoint one college. They all seem to emphasize the same concepts and offer the same classes: Diversity, Balance, Organic Chemistry, English 101. How am I to decide between two equally significant and equally diverses campuses?
Sometimes.. immature and ungrateful that this sounds.. I wish I had just applied to a couple of places so that my decision could be easier. But, progress and growth comes from making tough decisions. Hopefully, I will make the right one.
I am having the hardest time making a decision right now. I still have 1 month, but so much is going on between now and graduation that I really do not have that much time to think (AP exams, SO nationals, GRADUATION/parties/blah blah blah..).
A part of me just wants to throw in my deposit to UGA without even considering my other schools, room with my best friend, and be happily content for the next four years. But then... what opportunities am I giving up? Am I giving up more than I am getting by choosing UGA? And wouldn't picking a school for it's financial value (UGA is a very good "deal") be taking the easy way out when I can get decent financial aid at other schools? Of course, if UGA was the only one with a good financial package, that would be the end of my worries. Also, I think a big part of me wants to go to UGA (which may, in the end, be my best choice) because I am afraid. Despite my strong desire to leave Georgia and meet new people for the past three years, I think it's finally starting to hit me that this year will be the last time I truly stay at home with my parents and those I have known for years. I feel like if I go to Georgia, as my friend Whitney says, there will be a strong network of friends whom I know and trust (to party at Whitney's, chill at Karen's, and study--thanks guys--at Hope's & Emily's) that I can branch out from without having to start all over again.. I can't believe that is how I feel after all these years. Should I just let myself be a weenie like that??
But if I throw myself out into the open and go to Cornell or Northwestern, I could build a new foundation, putting myself out there to meet new people and become involved in new events. Looking at it this way, it's still hard to pinpoint one college. They all seem to emphasize the same concepts and offer the same classes: Diversity, Balance, Organic Chemistry, English 101. How am I to decide between two equally significant and equally diverses campuses?
Sometimes.. immature and ungrateful that this sounds.. I wish I had just applied to a couple of places so that my decision could be easier. But, progress and growth comes from making tough decisions. Hopefully, I will make the right one.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
NATIONALS!!!!!!!!!!
Parkview Science Olympiad is headed for SO NATIONALS 2009!
--
The weekend before Spring Break has been, so far, refreshing! Refreshing in that it brought back my passion and happiness for doing Science Olympiad and playing clarinet (haha, I know, what a dork!).
But, I am serious. This past year drained away a lot of my energy and made me apathetic towards many of the extra things that I do such as music and SO. Partly, it has to do with the awesome win -- 1st in Disease Detectives and 1st in Forensics again! and 2nd at State-- but partly, it has to do with being with my friends till 3am studying and having a blast. Honestly, our team was on the verge of tears (tears of extreme happiness!) when they called us for 2nd place.
I am SO, so, So (haha get it??) proud of our team for working so hard. I know the seniors were working their butts off since it was our last chance to make nationals. And, guys... WE DID IT! I don't care what Northview says. We did it. Even if we got 2nd, we're going to nationals for our 8th year.
And what a come back it was. =)
P.S. my goal is to practice clarinet >1 hour every day this week.
--
The weekend before Spring Break has been, so far, refreshing! Refreshing in that it brought back my passion and happiness for doing Science Olympiad and playing clarinet (haha, I know, what a dork!).
But, I am serious. This past year drained away a lot of my energy and made me apathetic towards many of the extra things that I do such as music and SO. Partly, it has to do with the awesome win -- 1st in Disease Detectives and 1st in Forensics again! and 2nd at State-- but partly, it has to do with being with my friends till 3am studying and having a blast. Honestly, our team was on the verge of tears (tears of extreme happiness!) when they called us for 2nd place.
I am SO, so, So (haha get it??) proud of our team for working so hard. I know the seniors were working their butts off since it was our last chance to make nationals. And, guys... WE DID IT! I don't care what Northview says. We did it. Even if we got 2nd, we're going to nationals for our 8th year.
And what a come back it was. =)
P.S. my goal is to practice clarinet >1 hour every day this week.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Results and Some Much Needed Blogging
The final results of college admissions?
Princeton: denied
Stanford: denied
Yale: wait listed
Cornell: accepted
Yay! 1 Ivy! Junki would be proud. Haha! :P
I have to say, I wasn't as sad as I thought I was going to be--not to say that I did not cry or feel upset. I did. I really did. I think a part of me saw this coming. But, in the end, the truth is I did not get in. We did not get in. And, we just have to find ways to deal with that. I cannot really convey my feelings in words right now. I guess a part of me feels numb, and another part of me (oh, I am so ambivalent! :P) does not care at all. But no matter how I feel, I am going to come off disappointed in this post, which I don't think I really am, but who knows.
There are many ways we deal with this.
We cope by changing our perspective, viewing these decisions as fate as a opposed to a lack of ability or substance: we got in where we were supposed to go, and God or fate will take us on the right path. I like to think that this is true, even if I am not particularly religious. I believe things happen for a reason that is not worth analyzing because we will never know why things turn out the way they do... until later in our lives when we realize that something would never have occurred if it was not for that one twist in the idealized journey that we had planned for ourselves in our heads. (Ugh. Note to self: work on writing. What happened?!)
We hold on tight to our friends, shutting ourselves away together when we are supposed to be "studying" but are actually painting and repainting our toenails and dancing to youtube videos.
We accept our futures, feel thankful for all the opportunities we have, and are humbled by our choices, inspired to accomplish much more not letting where we go affect our determination to challenge ourselves and to achieve more than we ever have.
I do not believe that the class of 2009 was a let down. Sure, we all had high hopes and wild dreams, but it isn't over. Just because most of us are going to UGA or Tech does not mean we have to let go of those dreams. Heck, UGA and Tech are amazing schools! I am SO sorry for being so Asian (trust me, I was brought up this shallow when it comes to education). No matter where our options are, we have amazing futures ahead, and I am so thankful to know such smart, hard working (before senioritis hit) people. I love you all despite the rockiness we've all experienced this year. =)
As far as my future? I am weighing Duke and UGA.... and depending on financial aid, I may be able to consider Vanderbilt or Cornell. I don't think I will go to Northwestern, despite the beautiful campus and amazing facilities because it is so far away from home (and super super windy!). It's going to be a really hard choice, and Spring Break may be the most relaxed and tense (such a rare and strange paradox!) week of my life!... but it will all be worth it in the end. I know everything will turn out all right.
Princeton: denied
Stanford: denied
Yale: wait listed
Cornell: accepted
Yay! 1 Ivy! Junki would be proud. Haha! :P
I have to say, I wasn't as sad as I thought I was going to be--not to say that I did not cry or feel upset. I did. I really did. I think a part of me saw this coming. But, in the end, the truth is I did not get in. We did not get in. And, we just have to find ways to deal with that. I cannot really convey my feelings in words right now. I guess a part of me feels numb, and another part of me (oh, I am so ambivalent! :P) does not care at all. But no matter how I feel, I am going to come off disappointed in this post, which I don't think I really am, but who knows.
There are many ways we deal with this.
We cope by changing our perspective, viewing these decisions as fate as a opposed to a lack of ability or substance: we got in where we were supposed to go, and God or fate will take us on the right path. I like to think that this is true, even if I am not particularly religious. I believe things happen for a reason that is not worth analyzing because we will never know why things turn out the way they do... until later in our lives when we realize that something would never have occurred if it was not for that one twist in the idealized journey that we had planned for ourselves in our heads. (Ugh. Note to self: work on writing. What happened?!)
We hold on tight to our friends, shutting ourselves away together when we are supposed to be "studying" but are actually painting and repainting our toenails and dancing to youtube videos.
We accept our futures, feel thankful for all the opportunities we have, and are humbled by our choices, inspired to accomplish much more not letting where we go affect our determination to challenge ourselves and to achieve more than we ever have.
I do not believe that the class of 2009 was a let down. Sure, we all had high hopes and wild dreams, but it isn't over. Just because most of us are going to UGA or Tech does not mean we have to let go of those dreams. Heck, UGA and Tech are amazing schools! I am SO sorry for being so Asian (trust me, I was brought up this shallow when it comes to education). No matter where our options are, we have amazing futures ahead, and I am so thankful to know such smart, hard working (before senioritis hit) people. I love you all despite the rockiness we've all experienced this year. =)
As far as my future? I am weighing Duke and UGA.... and depending on financial aid, I may be able to consider Vanderbilt or Cornell. I don't think I will go to Northwestern, despite the beautiful campus and amazing facilities because it is so far away from home (and super super windy!). It's going to be a really hard choice, and Spring Break may be the most relaxed and tense (such a rare and strange paradox!) week of my life!... but it will all be worth it in the end. I know everything will turn out all right.
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