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Friday, April 1, 2011

What a Fool!

HAPPY APRIL FOOLS DAY!!!

It was in due time that Friday came. I've had a stressful school week that started off on the wrong foot on Monday morning when I missed my first class. And from that point on, I really had no awareness of what was going on during the week. I felt as if my life was moving faster than physically possibly. The feeling inside of me was one of panic and frustration because I felt that I has no control of what was going on. I had bunches of meetings scattered all throughout the week. I had lots of homework and assignments that I had no idea what the due dates were (whether it was due this week or later weeks to come). And today, I had two tests, both of which I did not actually enjoy. I felt so unprepared and was ready to throw away the stress and toss it out of the window (which is called "defenestration," which is my fancy word of the day).

Anyways, I was uber-happy that today was April Fools Day! I'm a prankster (even though I may not look like one), and I enjoy partaking in the fun of "fooling" others. Today made up for the less than positive days I've had this week. Here are some of the pranks I pulled:

1. Early in the morning, I sent out letters to many of my friends through the post office on campus. I sent myself a letter as well in order to make it look like I was not the culprit of the prank. Inside the letter was lots of confetti and a message that said, "April Fools!" After I had lunch with a friend, we checked our mailboxes, and I opened my letter and feigned surprise as I yelled, "Who sent me this?!" My friend opened her letter, and confetti exploded into her face!!! (The preceding statement actually did not occur in reality. In actuality, the confetti fluttered toward the ground). When I went to work later that day, another one of my friends saw me and knew that the confetti letter was from me because she knew my handwriting. She told her boyfriend this too (and I sent her boyfriend a prank letter as well). Late in the night at the dorm, her boyfriend walked up to me and popped open the letter into my face, causing the confetti to fly all over me. Prank failed. Tip to self: next time, type up the message or don't write in my handwriting.

2. After dinner, I felt like pulling another prank. Around 7 PM, I decided to write on a friend's car with car-friendly window markers. I also wanted to wrap toilet paper all around her car. She was not on campus but at a track meet, so hopefully she'll see her car tomorrow when she gets back. But a couple of friends and I wrote messages on her car with the markers. After that, it was TOILET PAPER TIME! We put toilet paper all around her car, and just as one of my friends was going to put toilet paper in the front passenger seat door handle, the door opened! This was a total surprise to us, and we weren't even expecting that! This made the prank so much more fun because we threw some toilet paper in the car (and then locked the door afterwards). THe last thing we did was wrap toilet paper around the car (we threw the toilet paper roll over and under and around the car, almost like one of those gigantic ribbons on a car given to someone on Christmas day). I can't wait until my friend sees her less-than-clean car. We just added to the mess!

3. I set out to do this prank every April Fools Day: the old put-a-rubber-band-around-the-kitchen-sink-sprayer prank. Since the boys dorm doesn't have a kitchen, I decided to do the prank in the girls dorm (which I planned to do anyways regardless of the boys dorm having a kitchen). After my friend Megan purposely sprayed me while "helping" me put the rubber band around the handle, I set the prank up and was ready for some girl to wash her dishes. A cheerleader, who I have seen around campus before, walked into the kitchen with her bowl of celery, intending to wash the celery (what a healthy snack!). My friends and I were sitting at a table near the kitchen entrance. The cheerleader turned on the water, and I heard her gasp. I immediately started laughing because I knew what happened without seeing her wet shirt. I heard the snapping of the rubber bands as the cheerleader took them off the spray handle. I could not stop laughing (quietly, of course). I walked into the kitchen just as the pranked girl was walking out, and I asked if she got sprayed because I did too (not my by prank, but by Megan's doing). I saw the water spray on the side of her shirt and just smiled. I felt somewhat regretful for what I did, but the prank was totally worth it.

4. Later that night, Megan, her boyfriend Dylon, and I did a series of smaller pranks. On the way back to the boys dorm from the girls dorm, Megan and I were walking on the sidewalk, and I saw the street signs. I posted sticky notes on the "NO PARKING AT ANY TIME" signs so that the "NO" was covered and the sign said "PARKING AT ANY TIME." I also changed the speed limit from the campus' speed limit of 15 mph (which, I believe, no one ever adheres to because I've almost been hit by a speeding car on several occassions) to an incredibly high speed limit of 1 mph. I just stuck a bunch of sticky notes on the sign to cover the 5. Megan and I also posted sticky notes all over the dorm director's door when we got back to the dorm. Dylon joined in on the fun with us when we tagged the dorm director's truck, wrote "ALMOST JUST MARRIED" on the back window, and hung cans attached to string on the back and sides of the truck. We also wrote on the car of our friend Reid and attached a can to his car's antenna. Then we wrote on our resident assistant's Jeep (which was already covered in writing, done by his friend whom we call "Trekkie Love").

And I think those are all of the pranks I was involved in on April Fools Day today. I had a great time pranking and being pranked by others. I was just glad I could relax and have some fun. I survived a stressful week of school, and I needed a break, and luckily, I had some great fun on the best possible day ever! Being a fool is fun and cool! Have some fun before your week is done!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Jeopardy: Online College Test


And the Final Jeopardy category is...unknown!!!

I took the Jeopardy test online for college students in hopes of winning an audition to be on the College Tournament series on the popular game show. The test I took was at 8 P.M. Central Time. And all I have to say is that the test was...interesting...and difficult.

At least I thought it was difficult. I felt so unprepared, but I signed up to take the test only a day before the test day. I found out about the online test during a commercial break on TV. And this too was on the day before the test day.

I had a couple of questions before registering to take the test:

1. I am a college freshman, but I am only 17 years old. Did I have to be 18 to take the test? I met the other qualifications to take the college student test, but did I meet the age requirement (which I might not have seen when registering...).

2. During the online test, could a person have searched for the answers on a search engine such as Google? I know you only had 15 seconds to answer a clue, but some people are fast typers, so it was possible that people "cheated" on the test. I am not saying that I did this, but it was a very viable option for many other college students taking the online test.

3. This question also relates to the "during testing" period. Could you get outside help from others? You could have gotten help from parents, friends present with you, friends taking the same test beside you on a different computer, or friends in a different time zone that you could have been talking on the phone or Skype-ing or Oovoo-ing with? I guess it's just a matter of good conscience.

Nevertheless, I felt quite "ignorant" to say the least. I'm not sure how many clues I answered correctly, but I had a very hard time with literature and history clues. I was never good with remembering names and dates and events. I honestly need to work on those areas of learning. I did well with pop culture clues pertaining to movies and sports. But clues in those areas on actual Jeopardy airings are rare and really only appear in the first round. I did well on some science clues, but I just want to know how many clues I got right.

Reflecting on my experience, I just hope that I did well. I know that I will never know how well I did on the online test, but I am hoping that I answered enough clues right to win me an audition to be on the show. If I do make it, I will be very thankful, but I am aware that I will face tough competition. Afterall, I'm only a college freshmen who will be facing intelligent upperclassmen. I'll have a lot of fun on the show and in the competition. I've always wanted to meet Alex Trebek. And I've always wanted to be on the Clue Crew and travel the world. Traveling around the world has been one of my biggest dreams since I was 3 or 4. But anyways, I'm glad I took the online test. I will be prepared next time around when I might take the online test again. I need to brush up in several areas of learning. Taking the online test sped up my heart rate. It was a good rush. I had fun taking the online test! All I can do now is WAIT!!!

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Prayers

Prayer is good for the heart and soul.

Right now, I would like to send my prayers to Kiefer Holman and the Holman family.

It is just unbelievable. I got a phone call from my friend Dylon yesterday, and he told me that Kiefer went missing in Lake Ray Hubbard when canoeing with a couple friends. It was really windy on Saturday, and the canoe tipped over. Kiefer's friends made it to shore, but there were no signs of Kiefer, so a search party started looking for him. It is now Sunday night, and Kiefer still hasn't been found. I am hoping that he is found alive, but there are no positive signs. I just couldn't help thinking about all the crazy things that have happened to Kiefer in the past couple of weeks.

I went on Facebook today (despite giving it up for Lent) to write on Kiefer's Wall to say that I am praying for him and his family. So many of his friends have done the same. I am continuing to pray for him and his family.

And this one is to you Kiefer:

Even though I didn't know you that well, you seemed like a good kid. A lover of God and life. A good Christian. We are in the same swimming/lifeguarding class, and you always cracked jokes to lighten the mood. I remember you re-telling your longboarding accident and adding some dramatic, crazy parts to the story. Dylon and I were laughing because of the crazy stuff you added to the story, but the others kept listening to you with straight faces, believing that you safely slid under an 18 wheeler before flying off your longboard. Lifeguarding class is going to be different when Spring Break is over and classes start up again. You're a great soccer player as well. I saw you show off some of your soccer skills during Intramural Soccer at HSU. I also think you have one of the coolest names. The name Kiefer reminds me on Kiefer Sutherland who plays Jack Bauer on 24. And Jack Bauer is awesome. Like Chuck Norris. You will be missed by many. You were a positive impact in many people's lives, and you will always remain a positive impact. Enjoy life with God in heaven and watch over your family and friends. You are an adventurer. You were a cool guy, easy to get along with. I am still hoping that you are found alive. But if not, I know that you are enjoying life in heaven with the Almighty Father. God bless, and rest in peace. I will see you one day in heaven.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Thankful

I'm up really late tonight because I'm having some trouble sleeping, but I was lying down on my bed just thinking about all the fun I have had since the beginning of college. I remember all the friends and memories I made, all the fun I had, and how great I felt inside because I have been blessed by God with this wonderful life.

And right now, at this very moment, I am thankful. Thankful for having God in my life. Thankful for the life God gave me. Thankful that I am alive and breathing. Thankful for a family. Thankful for siblings. Thankful for my parents. Thankful for a big extended family.

Thankful for the ability to love. Thankful in knowing that people love me. Thankful for friends. Thankful in receiving an education. Thankful for going to Hardin-Simmons University. Thankful in knowing that I am at the right school. Thankful for a full-ride scholarship. Thankful for my job. Thankful for being in the Honors Program. Thankful for all the opportunities HSU offers. Thankful for being able to make friends easily.

Thankful for air to breathe. Thankful for food to eat. Thankful for drink to drink. Thankful for the ability to think. Thankful for my brain. Thankful for the ability to use my brain. Thankful for the ability to reason. Thankful for my heart. Thankful for my body. Thankful for my health.

Thankful for the ability to walk and run. Thankful for the ability to climb trees. Thankful for nature and grass and seas and earth and skies and clouds and rain. Thankful for thanksgiving. Thankful for humor. Thankful for the ability to laugh and cry. Thankful for music. Thankful for movies. Thankful for ideas and the ability to form ideas. Thankful for facts and opinions. Thankful for belief and faith. Thankful for doubt. Thankful for grace.

The word "thankful" just looks funny to me now after typing it over and over again, but the thankful feeling I have inside will never die.

I am thankful for everything I have, everything I am, everything I was, and everything I will be.
I thank God for everything because He is the one who has given me all these blessings in life.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

My Favorite and Most Memorable Quotations (more to be added later on in life...)

(Click picture to go to http://www.brainyquote.com/)

In my "About Me" section on my blog, I talked about how I love any types of quotations. I say "quotations" because my English (and even SAT Prep) teachers in my Junior and Senior years told me that "quotation" is a noun while "quote" is a verb. Anyways, I thought it would be cool to share with you some of my favorite quotes.

Here is a list of my favorite and most memorable quotations (I'll add more when I come across them):

"All you need is love." -
The Beatles

"Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world." - Albert Einstein

"I used to think anyone doing anything weird was weird. Now I know that it is the people that call others weird that are weird." - Paul McCartney

"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." - John Lennon

"All the world is birthday cake, so take a piece, but not too much." - George Harrison

"Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." - JFK

"A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on." - JFK

"An individual has not starting living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity." - MLKJ

"Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing." - Mother Teresa

Goodbye 124

I was going through my "Notes" on Facebook and found this random one that I didn't understand when I first saw it after a very long time. It was titled "Goodbye 124," and now I realized that it was a result of a Facebook Friend Inventory. The note read: "I didn't know you that well, and I don't think I'm ever going to talk to you again for the rest of my life." (Written on June 2, 2010 @ 9:15 PM) First off, you may ask why I ever wrote this note. It sounds really cruel and apathetic towards people I have met in my life that I don't plan on ever seeing again. The answer is that I don't really know why I found it necessary to write this note. I defriended 124 people from my friends list (people that weren't really that close to me). But I guess I just needed to do it...Life goes on.

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Coming back home from college was just the best feeling ever! I couldn't wait to see my family! My dad, brother, and sister came to pick me up after classes on Tuesday, and then we headed home. I ate a yummy dinner with them (we had Pho at a Vietnamese restaurant, which I haven't had in a very long time!). I came home and saw my mom and our two dogs. The next day, we put up the lights outside our house and bought a Christmas tree. We decorated the tree with multicolored lights and a bunch of ornaments! On Thanksgiving day, my family ran the Turkey Trot in Dallas with my aunt and three of my cousins! It was super cold that morning, but we all made it! My brother was exhausted because he ran 8 miles while my cousins, aunt, and I only did a 5K. But that was still lots of fun! We went to my cousin's mom's house afterwards and had warm, delicious Filipino food! That wasn't all though! Later that day, we had the actual Thanksgiving get-together at one of my uncle and aunt's house (I guess by now you can tell that I have a pretty big extended family). I ate so much! And the food dishes and dessert were great! I loved my cousin's pumpkin cake (which I actually made for a Christmas party I had tonight in college, and I won a gift card because my dessert was voted best). There was a bunch of "typical" Thanksgiving food like turkey and ham and greenbean casserole (I'm not a big fan), but of course, there were many "non-typical" (I guess "atypical") food dishes. I had at least three full plates of food and dessert! It was greatness! I weighed myself on the scale in the bathroom, and I gained SIX POUNDS that night! I was super happy about this because ever since I went to college, I lost three pounds. So I was glad to have gained that three pounds back plus three more (127 lbs. at the beginning of college -> 124 lbs. during college -> 130 lbs. after the Thanksgiving meal)! And that was probably not all of the weight I gained during the Thanksgiving break! But anyways, I felt so grateful for family and friends and fun and food and festivities and KARAOKE! I'm not sure if this is a Filipino thing or not, but we like to do karaoke at parties! Everyone is encouraged to sing, and I usually sing now (I used to not want to sing). But I think I sound weird when I do karaoke because I don't really like singing with the words on the screen, and sometimes the key of the song is really weird. But Thanksgiving break was just great! I got to spend some well needed time with my family and cousins. We had lots of fun! Black Friday was interesting! Thanks to whoever came up with gift cards because I really don't like spending my own cash! I bought a ton of music CDs and movies on DVD as well as TV show seasons on DVD. That weekend was a lot of fun too! I am just so grateful for everything in my life, and I don't take anything for granted. I thank God for everything I have: family (a BIG one), friends, food, a house, clothes, money, education, ten fingers and ten toes, a love for music, a love for life, and everything else I have! Thanksgiving always puts me in a good mood, and I hope it did the same for you! HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!