School's out for the holidays. I must admit this has been the most stressful semester so far.
Although I don't have any AP classes, that hasn't made things any easier. For one, physics and trigonometry are both tough subjects. To add to the stress, my father started a big fight about my grades in September. It doesn't help that I was kicked out of Spanish class two weeks later. I also had to miss a dance to catch up on assignments.
But at least I can catch my breath for two weeks now that the break is here. However, the semester isn't actually over until a week or so after the break ends. This means I still have to study for the finals over Christmas. Go figure.
Friday, December 20, 2002
Sunday, December 15, 2002
the worst weekend ever
Hopefully everyone had a good weekend because mine was terrible. Sometimes shit happens.
As you may remember, the holiday dance in 10th grade was pretty fun. I was definitely looking forward to going again this year. However, my mother advised me to stay home and finish an overdue paper for American Literature.
Because I'm supposed to be catching up, she didn't think Mrs. Herrera would be thrilled to see me at the dance. I felt she had a point and reluctantly agreed not to go. Considering that I've been waiting for months, this was a huge let-down. It didn't help that I also had physics, trigonometry and web design assignments. Talk about unlucky — no wonder Friday the 13th gets a bad rap.
Of course, that alone wouldn't have been so bad as there are other things to do. For example, my family loves to go hiking on weekends. But that didn't happen either because the trails were all muddy from the rain. I decided to catch up on TV shows — only to find there was no signal available. Just wonderful.
Another thing is that my favorite online forum is shutting down for legal reasons. It's like a second home to me. Seeing the community disappear really sucks. Other forums just aren't the same. :-(
However, the good news is that I managed to find time for games. RuneScape is something that always cheers me up. I actually reached level 70 Mining and can mine adamantite ore without boosts. Click here for a picture. It only shows my stats because I was too excited and forgot to press Print Screen after leveling up. D'oh!
Update: I asked my mother for RuneScape membership in exchange for giving up the dance. She said that would depend on my grades. I guess it's time to work harder. :-)
Currently playing: Blackhawk Striker
As you may remember, the holiday dance in 10th grade was pretty fun. I was definitely looking forward to going again this year. However, my mother advised me to stay home and finish an overdue paper for American Literature.
Because I'm supposed to be catching up, she didn't think Mrs. Herrera would be thrilled to see me at the dance. I felt she had a point and reluctantly agreed not to go. Considering that I've been waiting for months, this was a huge let-down. It didn't help that I also had physics, trigonometry and web design assignments. Talk about unlucky — no wonder Friday the 13th gets a bad rap.
Of course, that alone wouldn't have been so bad as there are other things to do. For example, my family loves to go hiking on weekends. But that didn't happen either because the trails were all muddy from the rain. I decided to catch up on TV shows — only to find there was no signal available. Just wonderful.
Another thing is that my favorite online forum is shutting down for legal reasons. It's like a second home to me. Seeing the community disappear really sucks. Other forums just aren't the same. :-(
However, the good news is that I managed to find time for games. RuneScape is something that always cheers me up. I actually reached level 70 Mining and can mine adamantite ore without boosts. Click here for a picture. It only shows my stats because I was too excited and forgot to press Print Screen after leveling up. D'oh!
Update: I asked my mother for RuneScape membership in exchange for giving up the dance. She said that would depend on my grades. I guess it's time to work harder. :-)
Currently playing: Blackhawk Striker
Thursday, November 28, 2002
Thanksgiving with the Lu family
I had a nice Thanksgiving as the Lu family invited us over for dinner. It was a much-needed get-together, especially considering that they didn't stay long the last time they came over.
Lisa prepared a large turkey and several other dishes. There was more than enough food for all of us. I mostly played games on my TI-89 but did enjoy hanging out with Thomas and Connie. Everyone definitely had a great time.
On a related note, I'm grateful for my new calculator. It's extremely useful and a great time killer. Imagine bringing it to a Thanksgiving party — you can't get any geekier. :P
Currently watching: Interceptor Force 2
Lisa prepared a large turkey and several other dishes. There was more than enough food for all of us. I mostly played games on my TI-89 but did enjoy hanging out with Thomas and Connie. Everyone definitely had a great time.
On a related note, I'm grateful for my new calculator. It's extremely useful and a great time killer. Imagine bringing it to a Thanksgiving party — you can't get any geekier. :P
Currently watching: Interceptor Force 2
Wednesday, October 30, 2002
more DLS vulnerabilities
You may remember that I found a security issue in my school's student information system a while ago. It turns out the DLS had additional vulnerabilities. I can talk about them now that they're fixed. Hopefully I don't get in trouble for this. :P
Changing another user's settings
On the profile settings page, the user ID is used to specify the target profile. Because it was stored in a hidden field on the client side, an attacker could manipulate the data and change another user's preferences. It was a serious issue as they could compromise any account — including those with administrative privileges. I'm glad I discovered it before someone with nefarious intentions did.
File inclusion vulnerabilities and IP address spoofing
Due to security concerns, the DLS is configured to only accept certain file types. However, there was nothing more than some JavaScript to validate file extensions. I was able to bypass it by calling the submit() method on the form. This could be exploited to distribute malware or even execute arbitrary code on the server.
IP addresses are recorded when users upload a file. But because this data was also stored on the client side, one could use a fake IP addresses or even substitute it with an invalid value. By chaining these vulnerabilities, attackers could cover their tracks.
I also found a similar bug in the settings page. Students used to be able to change their name on the site. Although this feature was disabled some time ago, hidden fields with the data remained in use. LAHS recently asked two ACMA engineers to come over so we could discuss the issues. I renamed myself to "l337 h4x0r" during the demo and got a few chuckles. ^_^
Unauthorized access to private files
Only files in a user's public folder are intended to be accessible to others. Everything else is supposed to be private. Each user also has a "recycle bin" for storing deleted files. One thing I noticed is that the user ID is specified in the path to that folder. I was able to access other people's deleted files by simply changing the value.
All these issues were due to the lack of server-side validation. Chances are the DLS still has vulnerabilities. I can only do so much without access to the complete source code. It would be a good idea for ACMA to conduct an independent security audit of the software. Of course, that's a bit above my pay grade. :-)
In other news...
LAHS had a Halloween dance on Friday to gauge interest in future events. As far as I'm aware, this is something we've never done before. I love dances but skipped this one as it was a little expensive.
Changing another user's settings
On the profile settings page, the user ID is used to specify the target profile. Because it was stored in a hidden field on the client side, an attacker could manipulate the data and change another user's preferences. It was a serious issue as they could compromise any account — including those with administrative privileges. I'm glad I discovered it before someone with nefarious intentions did.
File inclusion vulnerabilities and IP address spoofing
Due to security concerns, the DLS is configured to only accept certain file types. However, there was nothing more than some JavaScript to validate file extensions. I was able to bypass it by calling the submit() method on the form. This could be exploited to distribute malware or even execute arbitrary code on the server.
IP addresses are recorded when users upload a file. But because this data was also stored on the client side, one could use a fake IP addresses or even substitute it with an invalid value. By chaining these vulnerabilities, attackers could cover their tracks.
I also found a similar bug in the settings page. Students used to be able to change their name on the site. Although this feature was disabled some time ago, hidden fields with the data remained in use. LAHS recently asked two ACMA engineers to come over so we could discuss the issues. I renamed myself to "l337 h4x0r" during the demo and got a few chuckles. ^_^
Unauthorized access to private files
Only files in a user's public folder are intended to be accessible to others. Everything else is supposed to be private. Each user also has a "recycle bin" for storing deleted files. One thing I noticed is that the user ID is specified in the path to that folder. I was able to access other people's deleted files by simply changing the value.
All these issues were due to the lack of server-side validation. Chances are the DLS still has vulnerabilities. I can only do so much without access to the complete source code. It would be a good idea for ACMA to conduct an independent security audit of the software. Of course, that's a bit above my pay grade. :-)
In other news...
LAHS had a Halloween dance on Friday to gauge interest in future events. As far as I'm aware, this is something we've never done before. I love dances but skipped this one as it was a little expensive.
Saturday, October 19, 2002
new graphing calculator
I got a TI-89 as a belated birthday present from my parents. It's something I've wanted for a while. Considering that my Casio CFX-9850G has started to show its age, this was the perfect time to upgrade.
From my first impressions, the TI-89 has a lot more features and functions. Also worth mentioning is that the built-in programming language is far superior. I can see why everyone says this is a great calculator. It's basically a handheld computer. But the best part is that my math and physics classes are about to get easier. :-)
Mom has told me to be careful as these devices are often stolen. I hope this doesn't happen to me. One thing for sure is that I'm going to have a hard time concentrating in class. :P
Currently playing: Phoenix
From my first impressions, the TI-89 has a lot more features and functions. Also worth mentioning is that the built-in programming language is far superior. I can see why everyone says this is a great calculator. It's basically a handheld computer. But the best part is that my math and physics classes are about to get easier. :-)
Mom has told me to be careful as these devices are often stolen. I hope this doesn't happen to me. One thing for sure is that I'm going to have a hard time concentrating in class. :P
Currently playing: Phoenix
Friday, October 11, 2002
kicked out of Spanish class :-(
I just found out my Spanish III teacher dropped me from the class. It was my mom who told me as Mrs. Schiffman didn't say anything about it to me. Although we knew she didn't like me for various reasons, this was a huge surprise. Despite a great birthday celebration with my parents, the week ended on a sour note.
It's going to be hard to find another class and satisfy the foreign language requirement before I graduate. Learning a new language from scratch isn't exactly simple. Hopefully this won't ruin my chances of getting into a good college...
Update: I was able to transfer to Mr. Miller's web design class. It actually sounds pretty fun as I've always been interested in computers. Considering that we're halfway into the semester, this is something I'm very grateful for. I already know HTML and should be able to quickly catch up. Or at least I hope so. *crosses fingers*
It's going to be hard to find another class and satisfy the foreign language requirement before I graduate. Learning a new language from scratch isn't exactly simple. Hopefully this won't ruin my chances of getting into a good college...
Update: I was able to transfer to Mr. Miller's web design class. It actually sounds pretty fun as I've always been interested in computers. Considering that we're halfway into the semester, this is something I'm very grateful for. I already know HTML and should be able to quickly catch up. Or at least I hope so. *crosses fingers*
Thursday, October 10, 2002
17th birthday report
I had a nice birthday celebration with my parents. It's hard to believe how fast time goes. Sometimes it still feels like I only turned 16 not too long ago. In any case, happy birthday to me!
So my folks took me to a Mexican restaurant in Mountain View called Fiesta del Mar for dinner. It's always fun to try out new places. Everything we ordered was delicious, especially the seafood enchiladas. I want to go back there, that's for sure.
We also went to a Chinese restaurant for lunch with my grandparents a while ago. Although it wasn't my first choice because we regularly eat Chinese food at home, Mom wanted something everyone would enjoy. I agreed to it because family is number one.
Currently listening to: "Fotografía" by Juanes and Nelly Furtado
So my folks took me to a Mexican restaurant in Mountain View called Fiesta del Mar for dinner. It's always fun to try out new places. Everything we ordered was delicious, especially the seafood enchiladas. I want to go back there, that's for sure.
We also went to a Chinese restaurant for lunch with my grandparents a while ago. Although it wasn't my first choice because we regularly eat Chinese food at home, Mom wanted something everyone would enjoy. I agreed to it because family is number one.
Currently listening to: "Fotografía" by Juanes and Nelly Furtado
Friday, September 27, 2002
Asian parents suck sometimes
So yesterday I had a big argument with my father. Everything was fine until he started ranting about my study habits not long after dinner. Finishing my homework quickly is apparently a bad idea because Dad will think I have too much free time. It didn't help that he was stressed after coming back from a long business trip.
He completely lost it when I called him an idiot for not understanding that I've already finished my assignments. It was the straw that broke the camel's back — and things went downhill from there. Our neighbors could probably hear the yelling and insults. I'm glad nobody called the cops.
In all fairness, this was partially my fault because we should be respectful to our parents. But given the circumstances, maybe "idiot" wasn't entirely inaccurate. Asian parents can be assholes sometimes. I'll probably regret posting this because this is a rather personal matter. Just wanted to get it off my chest and tell someone.
Friday update: Some more thoughts now that things have calmed down. Despite his short temper, my father is very kind and wise as long as you don't get on his bad side. I hope people don't think he's a terrible person due to last night's events. Being a CEO can be stressful at times!
Currently reading: Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
He completely lost it when I called him an idiot for not understanding that I've already finished my assignments. It was the straw that broke the camel's back — and things went downhill from there. Our neighbors could probably hear the yelling and insults. I'm glad nobody called the cops.
In all fairness, this was partially my fault because we should be respectful to our parents. But given the circumstances, maybe "idiot" wasn't entirely inaccurate. Asian parents can be assholes sometimes. I'll probably regret posting this because this is a rather personal matter. Just wanted to get it off my chest and tell someone.
Friday update: Some more thoughts now that things have calmed down. Despite his short temper, my father is very kind and wise as long as you don't get on his bad side. I hope people don't think he's a terrible person due to last night's events. Being a CEO can be stressful at times!
Currently reading: Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Friday, August 30, 2002
school dances are fun
Tonight was the LAHS back-to-school dance. I absolutely suck at dancing but still had a good time. Dances are a great way to start the school year, that's for sure. Less than four months to go until the one in December!
You may recall that we came back from Hawaii a week ago. Although I still have the holiday blues, the dance brought back memories of the Aliʻi Kai dinner cruise and Honolulu's nightlife. :-)
Currently listening to: "Cry" by Mandy Moore
You may recall that we came back from Hawaii a week ago. Although I still have the holiday blues, the dance brought back memories of the Aliʻi Kai dinner cruise and Honolulu's nightlife. :-)
Currently listening to: "Cry" by Mandy Moore
found a vulnerability in my school's student information system
Our school district started using a student information system called the Digital Locker System this year. It's being developed by ACMA while the administrative tasks for LAHS are handled by our physics teachers, Mr. Randall and Mr. Florendo. Given that the DLS is bleeding-edge software, the company is still working out the kinks.
I was checking out the DLS when I noticed the default password for students was the same as the user identifier. Each user also has a profile page that is publicly accessible. Because the user ID is specified in the URL as a parameter, an attacker could use it to access other people's accounts. I realized it was serious and reported it to Mr. Randall as soon as possible. He said he would escalate the matter, and the problem was fixed by the time I got home. All accounts now have different user IDs.
As hard as it is to believe, someone else also found the same issue. I was showing it to Mr. Randall when I noticed a lot of accounts with changed names. It was obviously the work of a hacker. Too bad they didn't do the right thing and tell someone. I'm glad we found out before they could cause more damage.
Update: I got word from Mr. Randall that school officials have identified the person responsible. He says they banned him from the DLS and took away his computer privileges. Good riddance.
Currently watching: Dolphins (2000)
I was checking out the DLS when I noticed the default password for students was the same as the user identifier. Each user also has a profile page that is publicly accessible. Because the user ID is specified in the URL as a parameter, an attacker could use it to access other people's accounts. I realized it was serious and reported it to Mr. Randall as soon as possible. He said he would escalate the matter, and the problem was fixed by the time I got home. All accounts now have different user IDs.
As hard as it is to believe, someone else also found the same issue. I was showing it to Mr. Randall when I noticed a lot of accounts with changed names. It was obviously the work of a hacker. Too bad they didn't do the right thing and tell someone. I'm glad we found out before they could cause more damage.
Update: I got word from Mr. Randall that school officials have identified the person responsible. He says they banned him from the DLS and took away his computer privileges. Good riddance.
Currently watching: Dolphins (2000)
Monday, August 26, 2002
first day as a junior
I'm now back at LAHS for 11th grade. So this is what it's like to be an upperclassman...
Everyone says this is the hardest school year. Students usually have to take AP classes and standardized tests. It's less of an issue for me because I don't have AP classes — my counselor has advised me to take honors instead. She says this will give me the time I need to prepare. Of course, this means I have to take them as a senior. Guess I'll worry about them when the time comes.
Honors classes aren't any easier. However, that's not really a problem otherwise. Physics is interesting because I've always loved science. It also helps that Mr. Randall is awesome. He's hilarious and certainly knows how to make learning enjoyable. I also have Mrs. Tseng again for Trigonometry Honors. It's not easy either, but at least she's a great teacher too.
As mentioned earlier, my family came back from Hawaii a few days ago. I definitely have the holiday blues. On the bright side, there's a dance coming up in four days. It's always nice to have something to look forward to.
Currently listening to: Deus Ex soundtrack – "Main Title"
Everyone says this is the hardest school year. Students usually have to take AP classes and standardized tests. It's less of an issue for me because I don't have AP classes — my counselor has advised me to take honors instead. She says this will give me the time I need to prepare. Of course, this means I have to take them as a senior. Guess I'll worry about them when the time comes.
Honors classes aren't any easier. However, that's not really a problem otherwise. Physics is interesting because I've always loved science. It also helps that Mr. Randall is awesome. He's hilarious and certainly knows how to make learning enjoyable. I also have Mrs. Tseng again for Trigonometry Honors. It's not easy either, but at least she's a great teacher too.
As mentioned earlier, my family came back from Hawaii a few days ago. I definitely have the holiday blues. On the bright side, there's a dance coming up in four days. It's always nice to have something to look forward to.
Currently listening to: Deus Ex soundtrack – "Main Title"
Thursday, August 22, 2002
Hawaii trip report
"Everyone behave on the bus. I use a machine gun to punish people." — our tour guide in Honolulu
Hope y'all are having a great summer. I just got back from Hawaii and really enjoyed the trip. One cool thing is that my cousins were also there. Our families went separate ways for the most part because we had different itineraries. However, that didn't matter too much as we still got to see each other.
Day 1
Uncle Harrison gave us a ride to SFO and wished us safe travels. Check-in was a little hectic due to the fact that this is peak season for tourists. We actually got lost and ended up in customs. So now's a good time to mention that Hawaii doesn't allow certain foods to be brought into the state. Mom happened to have a pear — which she kept in her bag — that she forgot to declare. Imagine her surprise when it showed up on the X-ray scanner. Oops.
She expected to get in trouble, but all they did was ask her to toss the fruit into the garbage. Dad decided to eat it so that it didn't go to waste. He must have gotten some strange looks. Only later did we realize we didn't have to go through customs for domestic flights. Go figure.
Honolulu is about five hours from San Francisco. Lunch was pretty good as far as airline food goes. I also saw Spider-Man and Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron on the plane. Both are still in theaters. One great thing about flying is getting to see the latest movies for free. I personally liked Spider-Man more, but to each their own.
We arrived around 2 p.m. due to the time difference. Our hotel in Waikīkī seemed quite nice. Dad was hungry and wanted to go to Taco Bell for a quick bite. I got some quesadillas — they're a little salty but otherwise delicious. All of us then went for a stroll along the beach. You wouldn't believe how big the crowd was. One can see why Oʻahu is called the "Gathering Place." Of note is that there are hot girls everywhere. I wanted to talk to them but didn't have the courage to say hello. Oh well.
Our travel package included the Aliʻi Kai catamaran dinner cruise. Drinks were served as the host welcomed us aboard and talked about Hawaiian culture. Guests were treated to a buffet and a live performance. After dinner, the dance floor opened up for everyone. Some people gathered on the deck to watch the sunset and take in the ocean breeze. For me, the cruise was the best part of the trip.
Day 2
Also included in the package was the Polynesian Cultural Center. You can go to several "villages" that represent different countries. We got to see a guy climb a coconut tree with bare hands. He then took a coconut and cracked it open with a rock — just like a karate chop. It looked pretty badass.
Visitors can also experience a variety of cultural performances, such as traditional dances and music. However, the fire dance was the most impressive. I've never been so mesmerized in my life. Our stay at the Polynesian Cultural Center concluded with a buffet lunch.
Some time later, the Shiehs arrived at their hotel in Waikīkī and invited us to join them for happy hour. Everyone had a great time catching up even though the food wasn't as good as the price suggests. Soon the Shiehs had to leave as they had also booked the dinner cruise. I wouldn't have minded going on it again with my cousins. But once is more than enough.
Honolulu also has a vibrant nightlife. I was excited to go for a walk around downtown after dinner. Mom noticed a huge crowd on the beach and realized there was a movie. People were watching Ocean's Eleven on a large projector screen. Although we only stayed a short time, this was a neat experience.
Day 3
We boarded the bus for the Honolulu tour. Our guide was humorous and very knowledgeable. He first stopped at the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. For those who fell asleep during history class, the Japanese launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II and caused the U.S. to enter the war. About half of the casualties occurred on the Arizona after a bomb hit the magazine. Visitors are able to take a shuttle boat to the memorial. Inside is a plaque dedicated to those who gave their lives. I'm glad they're not forgotten.
Another interesting stop was Aliʻiōlani Hale. Located in the building's courtyard is a Kamehameha statue that was built over a hundred years ago. I didn't know Hawaii had such a rich culture. On the whole, this was a worthwhile tour.
Dad took us to Hanauma Bay later in the afternoon. A cool thing is that the water has a deep blue color. It's quite beautiful and made for great pictures. Because we had so much fun in downtown Honolulu the day before, my family decided to go there again after dinner. Party on!
Day 4
We left Oʻahu to see what Kauaʻi has to offer. Our flight to Līhuʻe was only around 23 minutes due to the short distance. Kauaʻi is fairly quiet and doesn't have the crowds. On the upside, the views were far better. I'm not surprised to hear that it's a popular filming location. Also worth mentioning is that there are wild chickens everywhere. Some people probably eat them.
Having been to Kauaʻi before, the Shiehs were knowledgeable about the area and more than happy to be our guide. Our first stop was the Kauai Kookie factory outlet in Hanapepe. I enjoyed checking out the store and got to try some samples. All the flavors looked delicious. Too bad they aren't cheap :-(
Another place that stood out to me was the Red Dirt Shirt store in ʻEleʻele. It used to be a small print shop... until a major hurricane hit the island about 10 years ago. Dirt got in and ruined a lot of shirts. Rather than letting them go to waste, the company decided to sell them anyway — and they became popular. Talk about making lemonade when life gives you lemons.
Day 5
We spent the morning exploring Kauaʻi on our own before going to Waimea Canyon State Park with the Shiehs. Our group hiked to the Waimea Canyon Lookout to see the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. I couldn't believe how amazing the views were. Pictures simply don't do them justice.
One thing I noticed is that the trails were muddy due to the rain. I was afraid someone would slip and fall into the ravine. It didn't help that there are no guardrails. Or at least that's what I remember. I was so relieved when everyone made it back in one piece. Perhaps I was worrying too much because no one else seemed concerned. Being paranoid sucks.
In any case, the Shiehs had to get ready to leave as Cathy starts school in two days. You could tell she was sad even though they often come here. Our families spent time together as the Shiehs packed up. As you can imagine, this was an emotional moment for all of us.
I should mention the Shiehs have a timeshare at Embassy Suites that they graciously let us use. It had all the amenities and was quite luxurious. I've never stayed in a place like this. Of course, the downside is the price: the normal rate was around $400 a night plus taxes. We're blessed that the Shiehs are so generous.
Day 6
One place we hadn't seen was Spouting Horn. Pressure from the water causes it to shoot up like a geyser. You're supposed to keep a safe distance from the blowhole. However, that didn't prevent people from getting close. Some walked right up to it despite the warning signs. Stupid is as stupid does.
Given that the island is very quiet and doesn't have many attractions, there wasn't much else to do. But at least the views were incredible.
Day 7
I wasn't looking forward to leaving either. Hawaii is really a paradise. Our schedule was tight as we had to return to LIH to catch the plane to Honolulu for a stopover. Lihue Airport is pretty small and only had a few shops and restaurants. Soon we arrived at Honolulu International Airport for the flight home. I was tired and decided to get some rest on the plane. On the bright side — pardon the pun — we saw a beautiful sunset as we approached San Francisco. It's the perfect ending to a perfect trip.
Conclusions
Everything about this vacation was incredible. Oʻahu was quite memorable, especially the Aliʻi Kai dinner cruise and the Polynesian Cultural Center. Same goes for the Honolulu tour. Kauaʻi doesn't have much of a nightlife but does have some amazing scenery — no wonder it's called the "Garden Isle." Although we liked Oʻahu more, there's something about Kauaʻi that makes it a fascinating place.
Hawaii is very special due to its unique culture. Considering that there are eight main islands — and all except two are open to the public — this trip has barely touched the surface. One thing for sure is that we'll have to visit Hawaii again. Everyone loves to talk about Maui's beaches and the Big Island's volcanoes...
So this reminds me — school starts in four days. I do expect to have the holiday blues for a while. But at least I'm looking forward to an exciting new school year. :-)
Currently listening to: Relaxation & Meditation with Music & Nature: Amazon Rainforest
Historical note: Pictures from the trip are available on Flickr.
Friday, August 9, 2002
done with summer school at Gunn
Summer school is over. You may know I was at Gunn High School for an SAT preparation class. I'm not going to lie: this wasn't a positive experience.
It actually started out great as we had a wonderful instructor. She made sure we were up to date and was always looking out for us. But a few days later, the school said the class was too large. I was among those asked to move to the other one.
However, the problem with this class is that the teacher didn't do her job. She didn't teach us anything in the last three months and spent the whole time reading the newspaper. I ended up having to study on my own throughout the entire course. Hope I don't fail the exam when the time comes.
This was surprising because Gunn is said to be very competitive. Mom paid around $300 and wasn't too happy either. One positive thing about the situation is that there were fewer assignments. Gotta look on the bright side. :P
In other news...
We're heading to Hawaii in a week and will meet up with the Shiehs there. I'm quite excited as my family has never been to Hawaii before.
Currently reading: The Unofficial Guide to Hawaii – 1st edition by Lance Tominaga
It actually started out great as we had a wonderful instructor. She made sure we were up to date and was always looking out for us. But a few days later, the school said the class was too large. I was among those asked to move to the other one.
However, the problem with this class is that the teacher didn't do her job. She didn't teach us anything in the last three months and spent the whole time reading the newspaper. I ended up having to study on my own throughout the entire course. Hope I don't fail the exam when the time comes.
This was surprising because Gunn is said to be very competitive. Mom paid around $300 and wasn't too happy either. One positive thing about the situation is that there were fewer assignments. Gotta look on the bright side. :P
In other news...
We're heading to Hawaii in a week and will meet up with the Shiehs there. I'm quite excited as my family has never been to Hawaii before.
Currently reading: The Unofficial Guide to Hawaii – 1st edition by Lance Tominaga
Thursday, August 8, 2002
1,000 skill total in RuneScape
I reached 1,000 skill total in RuneScape today after playing for 18 months. Being a member helped me get there a little faster. Here is a screenshot if anyone is curious.
Some might argue this isn't special anymore these days. It's also become easier because of all the new skills. However, this achievement is still a big deal for me. Just wanted to share. :-)
Currently playing: RuneScape
Some might argue this isn't special anymore these days. It's also become easier because of all the new skills. However, this achievement is still a big deal for me. Just wanted to share. :-)
Currently playing: RuneScape
Monday, July 15, 2002
summer school at Gunn
I'm taking an SAT preparation course at Gunn High School this summer. It runs for about a month and focuses on vocabulary skills. Our teacher is very kind and makes every effort to ensure we're up to date. However, the workload is pretty high as there are both in-class and take-home assignments. Gunn is indeed very competitive.
Currently playing: Deus Ex
Currently playing: Deus Ex
Sunday, July 7, 2002
four barbecues over the weekend
Hope everyone is having a great summer. Or at least I am because we managed to have a barbecue every day for the last four days!
Thursday
So we have an electric grill that's been sitting in the garage. Mom wanted to test it out and decided to invite my grandparents over. She had gotten it as a gift from my aunt Cynthia a while ago. Electric grills are safer and less likely to cause cancer. However, the food was just as tasty as before. Grandpa goes to bed early and wanted to leave after dinner, but this was understandable given his age.
Of course, no 4th of July is complete without fireworks. I got to set some off after the sun went down. One thing I noticed is that there were more fireworks this year. Firecrackers and bottle rockets are still going off every so often. People must be feeling patriotic following the 9/11 attacks.
Friday
We decided to have the Lins and another family over. Only the Lins came as the other family canceled at the last minute. But this wasn't a problem because the Lins were our main guests.
Moonway loved the hot dogs even though he isn't much of a meat eater. I went to get one and found them all gone. Good thing I already had one the day before. Everyone had a great time catching up before Moonway and I went to play games.
Saturday
Mom invited the Lu family as they're also good friends. It turns out their kids love video games too. However, they didn't stay long either because their father Wen-Juei is also an early sleeper. I was a little disappointed that I didn't get to spend much time with Thomas and Connie. Hope it's not long before we see them again.
Sunday
Dad had some co-workers over as we had enough supplies. But let's be honest — the same thing gets old after four days. It's going to be a while before I can stand another barbecue. :-)
Currently playing: Pinball
Thursday
So we have an electric grill that's been sitting in the garage. Mom wanted to test it out and decided to invite my grandparents over. She had gotten it as a gift from my aunt Cynthia a while ago. Electric grills are safer and less likely to cause cancer. However, the food was just as tasty as before. Grandpa goes to bed early and wanted to leave after dinner, but this was understandable given his age.
Of course, no 4th of July is complete without fireworks. I got to set some off after the sun went down. One thing I noticed is that there were more fireworks this year. Firecrackers and bottle rockets are still going off every so often. People must be feeling patriotic following the 9/11 attacks.
Friday
We decided to have the Lins and another family over. Only the Lins came as the other family canceled at the last minute. But this wasn't a problem because the Lins were our main guests.
Moonway loved the hot dogs even though he isn't much of a meat eater. I went to get one and found them all gone. Good thing I already had one the day before. Everyone had a great time catching up before Moonway and I went to play games.
Saturday
Mom invited the Lu family as they're also good friends. It turns out their kids love video games too. However, they didn't stay long either because their father Wen-Juei is also an early sleeper. I was a little disappointed that I didn't get to spend much time with Thomas and Connie. Hope it's not long before we see them again.
Sunday
Dad had some co-workers over as we had enough supplies. But let's be honest — the same thing gets old after four days. It's going to be a while before I can stand another barbecue. :-)
Currently playing: Pinball
Monday, July 1, 2002
just got RuneScape membership
I finally convinced my parents to let me subscribe to RuneScape after begging for a long time. It's only for a month because we have a lot going on this summer. However, that's good enough for me. I especially appreciate it because they don't like using credit cards online.
In any case, there's so much content in the premium version even though it only came out earlier this year. I've already completed a few quests and tried the new skills, but they have barely scratched the surface. One can see why RuneScape is so addictive. It's going to take a lot of self-control...
Currently playing: RuneScape
In any case, there's so much content in the premium version even though it only came out earlier this year. I've already completed a few quests and tried the new skills, but they have barely scratched the surface. One can see why RuneScape is so addictive. It's going to take a lot of self-control...
Currently playing: RuneScape
Friday, June 14, 2002
halfway through high school
I just finished 10th grade. It's hard to believe I'm going to be a junior this year. How time flies!
Despite all the preparations, the exams were quite tough. I found the one for Spanish II Honors to be the most difficult — even with the extra credit questions. Let's hope there won't be a nasty surprise when I get my report card in a few days. *crosses fingers*
In any case, summer is here now that the exams are over. I can finally catch my breath after a busy semester. :-)
Currently playing: Thief: The Dark Project
Despite all the preparations, the exams were quite tough. I found the one for Spanish II Honors to be the most difficult — even with the extra credit questions. Let's hope there won't be a nasty surprise when I get my report card in a few days. *crosses fingers*
In any case, summer is here now that the exams are over. I can finally catch my breath after a busy semester. :-)
Currently playing: Thief: The Dark Project
Friday, June 7, 2002
and now for our feature presentation...
You may recall we had to make a telenovela for Spanish class. We finished it this week and got to see all the videos. I think everyone did a great job!
Premise and casting
Amor y Mentiras — Spanish for "Love and Lies" — is about two criminals who fall in love with three girls. It took about three weeks to complete. Our roles are as follows:
Shannon wrote the script and acted as the director. All but one scene was shot at her house.
Part 1
Two crooks named David and José rob a bank and go on the run. Our group went to a "mom and pop" store on Los Altos Avenue as it's fairly close. I was afraid we'd get in trouble because we didn't ask permission to film there. However, the manager didn't mind and even had a cameo as a banker. Cheers, dude!
Part 2
David and José spend the ill-gotten money on a trip to the Bahamas. But things take an unexpected turn when they cross paths with Lilia and her friends Sarita and Micaela on the beach and fall in love. Sarita and Micaela take a liking to David and José as well and invite them over for drinks. It's where the love scene takes place.
Part 3
The romance is short-lived as David and José plot their crimes. Complications arise when the girls discover the truth. To cover their tracks, the bad guys set fire to the hotel and shoot Sarita dead as she tries to escape with her friends. David and José flee the country as the story concludes.
Acknowledgments
Our success wouldn't have been possible without the support of others. Special thanks go out to the following people:
Conclusions
We certainly had our disagreements — there's always conflict in group projects. However, everyone worked well together as a team to get it done. I couldn't be more pleased with the results.
As much as I want to share the video, Shannon hasn't sent it to me. I'll update this post if anything changes. Until then, you'll have to use your imagination. :-)
Premise and casting
Amor y Mentiras — Spanish for "Love and Lies" — is about two criminals who fall in love with three girls. It took about three weeks to complete. Our roles are as follows:
- Yours truly – José
- David Barth – David
- Shannon Haley – Lilia
- Sarah Murray – Sarita
- Michelle Nelson – Micaela
Shannon wrote the script and acted as the director. All but one scene was shot at her house.
Part 1
Two crooks named David and José rob a bank and go on the run. Our group went to a "mom and pop" store on Los Altos Avenue as it's fairly close. I was afraid we'd get in trouble because we didn't ask permission to film there. However, the manager didn't mind and even had a cameo as a banker. Cheers, dude!
Part 2
David and José spend the ill-gotten money on a trip to the Bahamas. But things take an unexpected turn when they cross paths with Lilia and her friends Sarita and Micaela on the beach and fall in love. Sarita and Micaela take a liking to David and José as well and invite them over for drinks. It's where the love scene takes place.
Part 3
The romance is short-lived as David and José plot their crimes. Complications arise when the girls discover the truth. To cover their tracks, the bad guys set fire to the hotel and shoot Sarita dead as she tries to escape with her friends. David and José flee the country as the story concludes.
Acknowledgments
Our success wouldn't have been possible without the support of others. Special thanks go out to the following people:
- Shannon's mother Sharyl for helping around
- Sarah's mother Carol for the occasional ride
- the store's manager for letting us film on location and starring as the banker
Conclusions
We certainly had our disagreements — there's always conflict in group projects. However, everyone worked well together as a team to get it done. I couldn't be more pleased with the results.
As much as I want to share the video, Shannon hasn't sent it to me. I'll update this post if anything changes. Until then, you'll have to use your imagination. :-)
Sunday, June 2, 2002
love scenes are awkward
"Do you want to kiss her instead?" — Michelle, after I refused to hug Sarah
For the final project in Spanish II Honors, the teacher asked us to make a telenovela — or Spanish soap opera — to share with the class. I was placed in a group with four other students. Telenovelas are a popular form of entertainment in Latin America but are also found elsewhere.
We started about two weeks ago and just finished the second part at Shannon's house. For the obligatory love scene, Shannon asked me to hug Sarah while David did the same with Michelle. But as you can imagine, this was very awkward for me. I chickened out and refused to do so, much to everyone's annoyance. After arguing back and forth for a while, Sarah and I decided to hold hands instead. *blush*
I regret not hugging Sarah when I had the chance. She's a very sweet girl and wouldn't have minded. Sarah actually got mad that I didn't want to touch her. Social anxiety sucks. But to be fair, most actors will tell you that love scenes are uncomfortable. Especially as a teenager.
Currently reading: Java: Your visual blueprint for building portable Java programs by Ernest Friedman-Hill
Wednesday, May 29, 2002
a close call in RuneScape
For those who haven't seen today's RuneScape update, there has been a crackdown on rule breakers. Everyone who used RuneBot in the last 24 hours was wiped and had to start over. Jagex also posted their names on the front page. RuneBot is a modified game client that lets you automate simple tasks.
According to the rules, you can't use any software that interacts with the game. To be fair, this has always been risky because they can contain malware. However, people do it anyway due to the competitive atmosphere. It doesn't help that the game can get repetitive.
So one thing I noticed is that RuneBot has been making the rounds in recent months. I must admit I tried it myself out of curiosity a few days ago. It certainly has some nice features, such as the ability to zoom in or out and change window size. Vee also modified the code to remove the chat filter. I was tempted to keep using RuneBot but decided against it after seeing people complain about lag on the forums. As you could imagine, the news was a huge surprise.
I almost had a heart attack right there. Even though I wasn't on the list — probably because I didn't use RuneBot again — that doesn't mean it's over. Jagex has said they "expect to catch more people at it over the next few days." I wanted to make sure nothing happened to me, but it's impossible to tell just by looking at the website. So the only option was to log into the game.
Because I shouldn't play RuneScape in class, there was little else I could do. I was stressed the whole time as I waited to go home. Four hours is a long time when you're anxious. I rushed home and checked my accounts, and found everything in order. You have no idea how relieved this makes me.
But there are many others who aren't as fortunate. Some were merely curious and wanted to see what the program does. One of the top players — who just hit 1,300 skill total on Monday — was caught after using RuneBot to access the servers. He was actually doing his own investigation to help Jagex and accidentally logged into the wrong account once. Despite his reputation as a respected community leader, the company has said they are making no exceptions. It really sucks to lose all that progress.
Good thing I didn't use RuneBot again despite the temptation. Someone was definitely looking out for me.
Currently playing: RuneScape
According to the rules, you can't use any software that interacts with the game. To be fair, this has always been risky because they can contain malware. However, people do it anyway due to the competitive atmosphere. It doesn't help that the game can get repetitive.
So one thing I noticed is that RuneBot has been making the rounds in recent months. I must admit I tried it myself out of curiosity a few days ago. It certainly has some nice features, such as the ability to zoom in or out and change window size. Vee also modified the code to remove the chat filter. I was tempted to keep using RuneBot but decided against it after seeing people complain about lag on the forums. As you could imagine, the news was a huge surprise.
I almost had a heart attack right there. Even though I wasn't on the list — probably because I didn't use RuneBot again — that doesn't mean it's over. Jagex has said they "expect to catch more people at it over the next few days." I wanted to make sure nothing happened to me, but it's impossible to tell just by looking at the website. So the only option was to log into the game.
Because I shouldn't play RuneScape in class, there was little else I could do. I was stressed the whole time as I waited to go home. Four hours is a long time when you're anxious. I rushed home and checked my accounts, and found everything in order. You have no idea how relieved this makes me.
But there are many others who aren't as fortunate. Some were merely curious and wanted to see what the program does. One of the top players — who just hit 1,300 skill total on Monday — was caught after using RuneBot to access the servers. He was actually doing his own investigation to help Jagex and accidentally logged into the wrong account once. Despite his reputation as a respected community leader, the company has said they are making no exceptions. It really sucks to lose all that progress.
Good thing I didn't use RuneBot again despite the temptation. Someone was definitely looking out for me.
Currently playing: RuneScape
Friday, April 26, 2002
an impromptu school dance
Some time ago, the radio station WiLD 94.9 held a contest and invited students to vote for their schools. LAHS placed second and won a free dance. I definitely had a great time. School dances can be expensive, so this was nice for a change.
However, there were rumors that the administration had planned to charge a fee. It seems the event is only "free" in the sense that LAHS didn't have to pay for the DJ and decorations. Greedy bastards. As you could imagine, this didn't sit too well with us. Following complaints, the school decided to make the event free — as it should be. I'm glad they came to their senses.
On the whole, everyone really enjoyed themselves. Besides a few slow songs, the DJ played mostly electronic music. Don't get me wrong — the music was awesome — but it could have been less repetitive. Otherwise, things couldn't have been better.
Currently playing: Rebel Moon Rising
However, there were rumors that the administration had planned to charge a fee. It seems the event is only "free" in the sense that LAHS didn't have to pay for the DJ and decorations. Greedy bastards. As you could imagine, this didn't sit too well with us. Following complaints, the school decided to make the event free — as it should be. I'm glad they came to their senses.
On the whole, everyone really enjoyed themselves. Besides a few slow songs, the DJ played mostly electronic music. Don't get me wrong — the music was awesome — but it could have been less repetitive. Otherwise, things couldn't have been better.
Currently playing: Rebel Moon Rising
Sunday, February 24, 2002
winter break + Southwest U.S. trip
Hope everyone had an amazing break and got to recharge. For me, the best part is that Dad took us on a trip to the Four Corners. Although we were just there not long ago, that didn't matter too much because we got to see old friends and explore new areas.
Day 1
Our trip began on the 16th with an afternoon flight to Denver. Checking in took a while due to heightened security following the 9/11 attacks, but there were no real issues. After a few hours, the plane landed in Denver around dinner time. We grabbed a bite to eat at McDonald's but didn't do much else.
The connecting flight to Albuquerque was about 80 minutes. Dad rented an SUV and took us to his friend Chih-Yue's house in Los Alamos. Because the Kaos have lived in New Mexico for as long as I can remember, there are few opportunities to get together. Chih-Yue was excited to catch up and put out snacks. I'm pretty sure we didn't go to bed until at least 11:45 p.m.
Day 2
Dad asked the Kaos to take us to the Bradbury Science Museum because I've always loved science. Chih-Yue was more than happy to oblige. Despite its small size, the museum is operated by Los Alamos National Laboratory and contains many exhibits. It happens that Chih-Yue works at Los Alamos National Laboratory as a climate researcher. Even though they're in different fields, the Wen Ho Lee case made for an interesting topic.
Later, the Kaos took us to Valles Caldera National Preserve. Geologists believe the caldera was formed by a massive volcanic eruption around 1.4 million years ago. Due to the cold weather, there was little to do besides take pictures. Our group then headed to Pizza Hut for lunch after stopping for groceries. Apologies to the vegetarians out there, but the meat lover's pizza is delicious.
Chih-Yue's kids Aaron and Samantha invited me to hang out afterwards. Aaron had a PS2 and introduced me to the Final Fantasy series. I got to play Final Fantasy VII for the first time and was quite impressed. One thing that stood out to me was the music. Final Fantasy X also had a great storyline and soundtrack — no wonder the franchise is so popular. I couldn't help but notice that Tifa and Yuna are really cute. Aaron says he doesn't disagree.
We played more games after dinner. TimeSplitters turned out to be decent too. I prefer the Final Fantasy series, but that's just me.
Day 3
Having spent two nights at Chih-Yue's house, the time has come to leave Los Alamos. Saying goodbye to the Kaos was the hardest thing to do. Hope we can see each other again in the near future.
So a little background — we used to go to a Buddhist temple in the Bay Area called the Fa Yun Monastery on weekends. However, the group relocated to New Mexico several years ago. It later split into two factions, one in Taos and one in Vadito. Mom wanted to visit them in Vadito as we weren't too far. I felt like we were embarking on a spiritual journey during this time. Snow began to fall as we drove up the mountains. It doesn't get any more Zen than this.
Everyone was very hospitable when we arrived. People showed us around and insisted we stay for lunch. I couldn't believe how good vegan food can be. Mom wanted to give back and decided to donate a large bag of oranges. One thing for sure is that the Fa Yun Monastery and its members will always have a special place in our hearts.
We arrived in Cortez and checked into our hotel after a long drive. Dad found a small town along the way called Durango and thought it looked fun. It's probably something to consider for a future trip.
Day 4
Our day began with a visit to Mesa Verde National Park to see the Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. I didn't expect the crowd to be so large. Dad signed us up for the Cliff Palace tour as it's the most popular. It ran for about an hour and was quite informative. At some points during the tour, people were allowed to go inside the structures. I felt a bit like Indiana Jones.
Another great attraction was the Four Corners Monument near Teec Nos Pos. As the name suggests, this is the only location in the U.S. where four states come together. You can take fun pictures and check out the vendors. Dad got hungry and ordered some fry bread — which turned out to be delicious. Although we didn't stay long here, this was my favorite stop.
Our hotel was located in Page. I almost forgot to mention — we passed a small town called Mexican Hat along the route. Its name comes from a rock formation that looks like a sombrero. Too bad we couldn't get close enough for a photo.
Day 5
Dad took us to Zion National Park even though we've been here before. Driving through the canyon was an incredible experience. We also went back to Bryce Canyon National Park to see the hoodoos. The scenery alone made the trip worthwhile.
Our journey brought us to Moab after another long drive. It's a nice little town with scenic views. I wouldn't mind retiring here.
Day 6
We explored downtown Moab for a bit before going to a Chinese restaurant for lunch. One thing I noticed is that there aren't many Asians around these parts. However, the hostess was friendly and made us feel at home. The food was a little greasy but not too bad otherwise.
Dad then took to Arches National Park to see what it has to offer. Located next to the Colorado River, the park has over 2,000 natural arches and many other geological features. We bought some fridge magnets at the gift shop while we were at the visitor center. I'm thinking about giving one to Charline as she sent me a chocolate for Valentine's Day a week ago. Hope she doesn't get the wrong message.
Our last stop in Arches was a viewpoint from which Delicate Arch is visible. I was a little tired and stayed in the car even though it's a short hike. Only later did I realize Delicate Arch is the most famous. It's one of my biggest regrets. :-(
Canyonlands National Park also has a unique landscape. I wanted to stay longer, but there wasn't enough time because we had to drive another 400 miles. An extra day or even just a few hours would have been nice. Looks like we need to plan another trip in the future.
I saw a place called Natural Bridges National Monument and suggested going there. You can follow a one-way loop to see all three bridges. Dad turned around at Sipapu Bridge because he was afraid we'd be stuck after hours. He didn't want to take chances and decided to hurry back to the entrance, going the wrong way the whole time. Good thing there were no other cars.
We reached Shiprock around 8:45 p.m. and stopped at McDonald's for a quick dinner. So there's a rock formation that gives the town its name. You could see it in the distance even when it's dark outside. It's even considered sacred by the Navajo.
From here, the plan was to take U.S. 666 to Gallup on the way back to Albuquerque. But the thing is that 666 is considered an "evil" number. Mom was a little nervous even though she's not a Christian. To reassure her, my father took a detour. Luckily for us, the distance was about the same.
At one point later, there were several signs warning drivers to slow down as we crossed a mountain pass. Dad thought it was strange... until the road took a sharp turn all of a sudden. I'm pretty sure the only reason we didn't drive off a cliff à la Thelma & Louise is that he was paying attention. It took a moment to realize we were so close to death. Someone must have been watching over us.
On the bright side, the drive to Albuquerque was uneventful otherwise. We checked into our hotel around midnight and went to bed shortly afterwards. As you can see, this was the busiest day by far.
Day 7
I was a little sad that the trip was almost over. Soon it was time to head to the airport for our flight to San Francisco. Our hope was to go back to Los Alamos to see the Kaos again before returning the rental car, but this turned out to be impossible. Oh well.
Due to the tight schedule, there wasn't much to do at the airport other than browse the shops. You wouldn't believe how expensive the food was. Greedy bastards. We then boarded the plane and took our seats. I got to listen to music during the flight and really liked the selection. Uncle Harrison picked us up at SFO and gave us a ride home.
Epilogue
On the whole, this was a very special trip. Experiencing the local culture and seeing the Kaos made it even more so. I enjoyed visiting the Four Corners Monument due to its novelty factor. Arches National Park didn't disappoint either. Too bad we couldn't fully explore all the places due to time constraints. Seems like we need to go back soon. :-)
I go back to school tomorrow and am excited and sad at the same time. It's going to be great to see everyone and talk about the trip. Holiday blues, on the other hand...
Currently listening to: "Turn the Tide" by Sylver
Day 1
Our trip began on the 16th with an afternoon flight to Denver. Checking in took a while due to heightened security following the 9/11 attacks, but there were no real issues. After a few hours, the plane landed in Denver around dinner time. We grabbed a bite to eat at McDonald's but didn't do much else.
The connecting flight to Albuquerque was about 80 minutes. Dad rented an SUV and took us to his friend Chih-Yue's house in Los Alamos. Because the Kaos have lived in New Mexico for as long as I can remember, there are few opportunities to get together. Chih-Yue was excited to catch up and put out snacks. I'm pretty sure we didn't go to bed until at least 11:45 p.m.
Day 2
Dad asked the Kaos to take us to the Bradbury Science Museum because I've always loved science. Chih-Yue was more than happy to oblige. Despite its small size, the museum is operated by Los Alamos National Laboratory and contains many exhibits. It happens that Chih-Yue works at Los Alamos National Laboratory as a climate researcher. Even though they're in different fields, the Wen Ho Lee case made for an interesting topic.
Later, the Kaos took us to Valles Caldera National Preserve. Geologists believe the caldera was formed by a massive volcanic eruption around 1.4 million years ago. Due to the cold weather, there was little to do besides take pictures. Our group then headed to Pizza Hut for lunch after stopping for groceries. Apologies to the vegetarians out there, but the meat lover's pizza is delicious.
Chih-Yue's kids Aaron and Samantha invited me to hang out afterwards. Aaron had a PS2 and introduced me to the Final Fantasy series. I got to play Final Fantasy VII for the first time and was quite impressed. One thing that stood out to me was the music. Final Fantasy X also had a great storyline and soundtrack — no wonder the franchise is so popular. I couldn't help but notice that Tifa and Yuna are really cute. Aaron says he doesn't disagree.
We played more games after dinner. TimeSplitters turned out to be decent too. I prefer the Final Fantasy series, but that's just me.
Day 3
Having spent two nights at Chih-Yue's house, the time has come to leave Los Alamos. Saying goodbye to the Kaos was the hardest thing to do. Hope we can see each other again in the near future.
So a little background — we used to go to a Buddhist temple in the Bay Area called the Fa Yun Monastery on weekends. However, the group relocated to New Mexico several years ago. It later split into two factions, one in Taos and one in Vadito. Mom wanted to visit them in Vadito as we weren't too far. I felt like we were embarking on a spiritual journey during this time. Snow began to fall as we drove up the mountains. It doesn't get any more Zen than this.
Everyone was very hospitable when we arrived. People showed us around and insisted we stay for lunch. I couldn't believe how good vegan food can be. Mom wanted to give back and decided to donate a large bag of oranges. One thing for sure is that the Fa Yun Monastery and its members will always have a special place in our hearts.
We arrived in Cortez and checked into our hotel after a long drive. Dad found a small town along the way called Durango and thought it looked fun. It's probably something to consider for a future trip.
Day 4
Our day began with a visit to Mesa Verde National Park to see the Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. I didn't expect the crowd to be so large. Dad signed us up for the Cliff Palace tour as it's the most popular. It ran for about an hour and was quite informative. At some points during the tour, people were allowed to go inside the structures. I felt a bit like Indiana Jones.
Another great attraction was the Four Corners Monument near Teec Nos Pos. As the name suggests, this is the only location in the U.S. where four states come together. You can take fun pictures and check out the vendors. Dad got hungry and ordered some fry bread — which turned out to be delicious. Although we didn't stay long here, this was my favorite stop.
Our hotel was located in Page. I almost forgot to mention — we passed a small town called Mexican Hat along the route. Its name comes from a rock formation that looks like a sombrero. Too bad we couldn't get close enough for a photo.
Day 5
Dad took us to Zion National Park even though we've been here before. Driving through the canyon was an incredible experience. We also went back to Bryce Canyon National Park to see the hoodoos. The scenery alone made the trip worthwhile.
Our journey brought us to Moab after another long drive. It's a nice little town with scenic views. I wouldn't mind retiring here.
Day 6
We explored downtown Moab for a bit before going to a Chinese restaurant for lunch. One thing I noticed is that there aren't many Asians around these parts. However, the hostess was friendly and made us feel at home. The food was a little greasy but not too bad otherwise.
Dad then took to Arches National Park to see what it has to offer. Located next to the Colorado River, the park has over 2,000 natural arches and many other geological features. We bought some fridge magnets at the gift shop while we were at the visitor center. I'm thinking about giving one to Charline as she sent me a chocolate for Valentine's Day a week ago. Hope she doesn't get the wrong message.
Our last stop in Arches was a viewpoint from which Delicate Arch is visible. I was a little tired and stayed in the car even though it's a short hike. Only later did I realize Delicate Arch is the most famous. It's one of my biggest regrets. :-(
Canyonlands National Park also has a unique landscape. I wanted to stay longer, but there wasn't enough time because we had to drive another 400 miles. An extra day or even just a few hours would have been nice. Looks like we need to plan another trip in the future.
I saw a place called Natural Bridges National Monument and suggested going there. You can follow a one-way loop to see all three bridges. Dad turned around at Sipapu Bridge because he was afraid we'd be stuck after hours. He didn't want to take chances and decided to hurry back to the entrance, going the wrong way the whole time. Good thing there were no other cars.
We reached Shiprock around 8:45 p.m. and stopped at McDonald's for a quick dinner. So there's a rock formation that gives the town its name. You could see it in the distance even when it's dark outside. It's even considered sacred by the Navajo.
From here, the plan was to take U.S. 666 to Gallup on the way back to Albuquerque. But the thing is that 666 is considered an "evil" number. Mom was a little nervous even though she's not a Christian. To reassure her, my father took a detour. Luckily for us, the distance was about the same.
At one point later, there were several signs warning drivers to slow down as we crossed a mountain pass. Dad thought it was strange... until the road took a sharp turn all of a sudden. I'm pretty sure the only reason we didn't drive off a cliff à la Thelma & Louise is that he was paying attention. It took a moment to realize we were so close to death. Someone must have been watching over us.
On the bright side, the drive to Albuquerque was uneventful otherwise. We checked into our hotel around midnight and went to bed shortly afterwards. As you can see, this was the busiest day by far.
Day 7
I was a little sad that the trip was almost over. Soon it was time to head to the airport for our flight to San Francisco. Our hope was to go back to Los Alamos to see the Kaos again before returning the rental car, but this turned out to be impossible. Oh well.
Due to the tight schedule, there wasn't much to do at the airport other than browse the shops. You wouldn't believe how expensive the food was. Greedy bastards. We then boarded the plane and took our seats. I got to listen to music during the flight and really liked the selection. Uncle Harrison picked us up at SFO and gave us a ride home.
Epilogue
On the whole, this was a very special trip. Experiencing the local culture and seeing the Kaos made it even more so. I enjoyed visiting the Four Corners Monument due to its novelty factor. Arches National Park didn't disappoint either. Too bad we couldn't fully explore all the places due to time constraints. Seems like we need to go back soon. :-)
I go back to school tomorrow and am excited and sad at the same time. It's going to be great to see everyone and talk about the trip. Holiday blues, on the other hand...
Currently listening to: "Turn the Tide" by Sylver
Thursday, February 14, 2002
Valentine's Day shenanigans
For an assignment in Spanish class, the teacher asked us to make Valentine's Day cards. I was paired up with a girl named Stella and had to write a love letter. Can you imagine the awkwardness?
Because we use a block schedule — and there is no class today — this happened the day before. I made a card out of construction paper and drew some hearts. Hope it's not too crude. I also managed to come up with a poem of sorts. It couldn't get any cheesier.
Stella was more generous and gave me a store-bought card and a chocolate waffle cone. You could tell she was embarrassed too. I can't believe Mrs. Schiffman made us do this. Of course, social anxiety doesn't help either.
But things doesn't end there. Each year, the school does a Valentine's Day fundraiser. You can buy a candy gram and send it to someone. Each one includes a chocolate rose and a note. Imagine my surprise when I received two. One's from my friend Charline — she's on the student council and wants to be in good graces — while the other came from an anonymous "secret admirer." Holy crap. I've never blushed so hard in my life.
It's nice to know someone likes me. However, no one seems to have an idea as to who she may be. Unless someone knows more than they're letting on. If anyone has an answer, feel free to comment here. Hope she sees this because I want to say "thank you." :-)
In other news...
Because we use a block schedule — and there is no class today — this happened the day before. I made a card out of construction paper and drew some hearts. Hope it's not too crude. I also managed to come up with a poem of sorts. It couldn't get any cheesier.
Stella was more generous and gave me a store-bought card and a chocolate waffle cone. You could tell she was embarrassed too. I can't believe Mrs. Schiffman made us do this. Of course, social anxiety doesn't help either.
But things doesn't end there. Each year, the school does a Valentine's Day fundraiser. You can buy a candy gram and send it to someone. Each one includes a chocolate rose and a note. Imagine my surprise when I received two. One's from my friend Charline — she's on the student council and wants to be in good graces — while the other came from an anonymous "secret admirer." Holy crap. I've never blushed so hard in my life.
It's nice to know someone likes me. However, no one seems to have an idea as to who she may be. Unless someone knows more than they're letting on. If anyone has an answer, feel free to comment here. Hope she sees this because I want to say "thank you." :-)
In other news...
- I'm hosting a Valentine's Day event in RuneScape in about an hour. Come join me at Falador Park on server 1 at 5 p.m. Pacific Time for a chance to win 50,000 coins. Sorry for the short notice as I just got home.
- Dad is taking us to the Four Corners again even though it hasn't been long since we went there. It's easily one of our favorite places.
Monday, January 21, 2002
Martin Luther King Jr. Day + Reno trip report
We just came back from a short trip to Reno. It sucked at first because there was barely anything to do. However, that's not a problem because we still had fun.
Day 1
Our trip to Reno with the Liangs in 1996 was awesome. I remember carpooling to Circus Circus Reno and checking out the attractions. But things were very different this time: the streets were empty and desolate. We had no idea what to do because I'm only 16 and too young to gamble. Reno is nothing like Las Vegas and didn't impress us.
I didn't take my laptop because Mom thought it made me look silly on our trip to Tahoe in December. To make matters worse, there was nothing good on TV — only some local channels. Leaving early and going home wasn't an option because the fees were non-refundable. However, the saving grace is we got a voucher for a complimentary hot dog and drink from the bar. So there's that.
Day 2
We didn't feel like skiing in this weather and decided to head directly home. Dad wanted to make the most out of our trip and took us on a drive around Lake Tahoe. Due to the cold temperatures, the ice on Donner Lake covered a larger area than before. It's quite satisfying to break the ice with a hammer.
I spotted a large snowball — likely the remains of a snowman — along the Truckee River some time later. Dad and I decided to push it into the river for shits and giggles. It rolled down the bank and made a gigantic splash as it smashed through the ice. Sometimes it's these little things that make the best memories. Our day ended with dinner at the Kowloon Chinese Restaurant in San Mateo.
Epilogue
Vacations can be fun even on bad days. I'm glad we decided to stay because we ended up having a great time. You generally have to be at least 21 to get the most out of a place like Reno. But that won't happen for another five years. Guess it's time to play the waiting game!
Currently playing: DragonHeart: Fire & Steel
Day 1
Our trip to Reno with the Liangs in 1996 was awesome. I remember carpooling to Circus Circus Reno and checking out the attractions. But things were very different this time: the streets were empty and desolate. We had no idea what to do because I'm only 16 and too young to gamble. Reno is nothing like Las Vegas and didn't impress us.
I didn't take my laptop because Mom thought it made me look silly on our trip to Tahoe in December. To make matters worse, there was nothing good on TV — only some local channels. Leaving early and going home wasn't an option because the fees were non-refundable. However, the saving grace is we got a voucher for a complimentary hot dog and drink from the bar. So there's that.
Day 2
We didn't feel like skiing in this weather and decided to head directly home. Dad wanted to make the most out of our trip and took us on a drive around Lake Tahoe. Due to the cold temperatures, the ice on Donner Lake covered a larger area than before. It's quite satisfying to break the ice with a hammer.
I spotted a large snowball — likely the remains of a snowman — along the Truckee River some time later. Dad and I decided to push it into the river for shits and giggles. It rolled down the bank and made a gigantic splash as it smashed through the ice. Sometimes it's these little things that make the best memories. Our day ended with dinner at the Kowloon Chinese Restaurant in San Mateo.
Epilogue
Vacations can be fun even on bad days. I'm glad we decided to stay because we ended up having a great time. You generally have to be at least 21 to get the most out of a place like Reno. But that won't happen for another five years. Guess it's time to play the waiting game!
Currently playing: DragonHeart: Fire & Steel
Monday, January 7, 2002
back to LAHS after an eventful break
School has started for me. I'm excited to see everyone even though I still have the holiday blues.
An eventful Christmas break
We definitely had a good two weeks. For starters, the trip to Tahoe last month was quite enjoyable. Several days later, my grandfather Bien-Chuan and his partner Ms. Chen came from Taiwan to visit us. I'm thrilled to see them despite what happened on New Year's Eve. It's always nice to have family over.
However, the same can't be said for the wisdom tooth removal right after Christmas. I still can't eat some foods. But even during tough times, there are things to be grateful for. I really enjoyed the company of our relatives. It made studying for exams a lot easier, that's for sure.
On another positive note, the recovery is going well so far. It looks like things will be back to normal soon — just in time for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and two teacher in-service days. :-)
Currently playing: Tamale Loco
An eventful Christmas break
We definitely had a good two weeks. For starters, the trip to Tahoe last month was quite enjoyable. Several days later, my grandfather Bien-Chuan and his partner Ms. Chen came from Taiwan to visit us. I'm thrilled to see them despite what happened on New Year's Eve. It's always nice to have family over.
However, the same can't be said for the wisdom tooth removal right after Christmas. I still can't eat some foods. But even during tough times, there are things to be grateful for. I really enjoyed the company of our relatives. It made studying for exams a lot easier, that's for sure.
On another positive note, the recovery is going well so far. It looks like things will be back to normal soon — just in time for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and two teacher in-service days. :-)
Currently playing: Tamale Loco
Tuesday, January 1, 2002
a bittersweet evening + welcoming 2002
It's hard to believe how fast time goes. Hopefully everyone had a great New Year's Eve. Despite our best efforts, things didn't quite go according to plan.
A few days ago, my grandfather Bien-Chuan and his partner Ms. Chen arrived from Taiwan to spend the holidays with us. Dad decided to take us to a Chinese restaurant for dinner to celebrate the New Year. He also invited the Shiehs and my maternal grandparents.
Unfortunately — due to a recent operation — I reluctantly had to decline. Because I can't eat solid food for a while, my mother agreed that I should use the time to prepare for finals. Even though I didn't have anything better to do, being stuck at home sucks.
Further complicating matters is the fact that Ms. Chen blamed Mom for grounding me. For one, the decision was mine alone. She should have minded her own business as this had nothing to do with her. But that apparently didn't matter because Ms. Chen only stopped when Uncle Dong told her to shut the fuck up. Go figure.
However, the good news is that I got to play RuneScape in my free time. Some players celebrated the New Year by hosting virtual parties. People "danced" and even dropped items for others to take. It's cool to see the community come together.
2001 in review
Last year certainly had its ups and downs. One highlight was the trip to Canada in the summer. All of us love the outdoors and the unspoiled wilderness. I also enjoyed the recent trip to Tahoe. Vacations are always something to look forward to.
But this has also been a tough year. On a global scale, the world has not been the same since the 9/11 attacks. It's going to have far-reaching effects for generations. Of course, the loss of our classmate Cory also hit close to home. Hope his friends and family are doing fine.
Besides these events, there were also personal challenges. Like the time I caught the flu from a friend after he came over. I was so sick at one point that I couldn't attend school for a few days. Yeah... not my idea of a good time.
The wisdom tooth extraction wasn't exactly fun either. Although the operation went smoothly — at least for the most part — having a restricted diet for two weeks is a huge pain in the ass. It's probably going to be another 10 days before I recover. But hopefully sooner. :-)
In other news...
I recently started my own forum on ProBoards. Be sure to check it out as I spent a while setting it up!
Currently playing: RuneScape
A few days ago, my grandfather Bien-Chuan and his partner Ms. Chen arrived from Taiwan to spend the holidays with us. Dad decided to take us to a Chinese restaurant for dinner to celebrate the New Year. He also invited the Shiehs and my maternal grandparents.
Unfortunately — due to a recent operation — I reluctantly had to decline. Because I can't eat solid food for a while, my mother agreed that I should use the time to prepare for finals. Even though I didn't have anything better to do, being stuck at home sucks.
Further complicating matters is the fact that Ms. Chen blamed Mom for grounding me. For one, the decision was mine alone. She should have minded her own business as this had nothing to do with her. But that apparently didn't matter because Ms. Chen only stopped when Uncle Dong told her to shut the fuck up. Go figure.
However, the good news is that I got to play RuneScape in my free time. Some players celebrated the New Year by hosting virtual parties. People "danced" and even dropped items for others to take. It's cool to see the community come together.
2001 in review
Last year certainly had its ups and downs. One highlight was the trip to Canada in the summer. All of us love the outdoors and the unspoiled wilderness. I also enjoyed the recent trip to Tahoe. Vacations are always something to look forward to.
But this has also been a tough year. On a global scale, the world has not been the same since the 9/11 attacks. It's going to have far-reaching effects for generations. Of course, the loss of our classmate Cory also hit close to home. Hope his friends and family are doing fine.
Besides these events, there were also personal challenges. Like the time I caught the flu from a friend after he came over. I was so sick at one point that I couldn't attend school for a few days. Yeah... not my idea of a good time.
The wisdom tooth extraction wasn't exactly fun either. Although the operation went smoothly — at least for the most part — having a restricted diet for two weeks is a huge pain in the ass. It's probably going to be another 10 days before I recover. But hopefully sooner. :-)
In other news...
I recently started my own forum on ProBoards. Be sure to check it out as I spent a while setting it up!
Currently playing: RuneScape
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