Day 90: March On

March 31, 2011
I think overall it's been a great week back at school; wrapping up the month of March has been great, too. The weather has finally warmed up (maybe even a little too much) the past couple days. Today I spent the day lounging around on Memorial Glade, tanning, and sleeping in lectures. Now this is the Berkeley I've been waiting for all year. 

Day 89: Quarter Rest

March 30, 2011

In all seriousness, I need more time to sleep. I'm up studying for the performance portion of my music midterm tomorrow. I just want sleep, and to not worry about having to get to class or studying for a test. But all I can focus on now is the material; bed is so far off in my mind. Thanks Cal, for depriving me of sleep.

Day 88: Slush Funds

March 29, 2011
It's scary how with the freedom of college comes the freedom of money. I need to find myself a job.. But on the other hand, the "allowance" I'm getting from my parents is accumulating. My emergency stash; I'm actually saving up for a DSLR, so we'll see where this takes me. 

Day 87: Dumbledore Status

March 28, 2011
Since I live so far away from main campus and all the other dorms, many nights I find myself walking home late at night. When I roam the streets when it's this dark and quiet, I really wish I had a Deluminator. That would be so awesome, it just might help relieve the stress I'm accumulating from these constant midterms! [Sorry, night-shot on my camera isn't that great..]

Day 86: Ripped Off

March 27, 2011
It's my first night back in Berkeley, and I'm already staying up studying for midterms. This is what I get for deciding to attend a prestigious university. Actually, I think this is what I get for going to college. Period. What a rip-off.

Day 85: Junk Food

March 26, 2011
Technically, I have until tomorrow, but a Sunday never really counts as a weekend/break. It just means I have school the next day. Lazy day today with the parents. Ate nothing but snack foods all day (well, almost), including these really good wasabi-coated green peas. Way to entice my taste buds! Soon I have to return to the world of midterms and career paths and endlessly busy schedules. Let me savor these snacks just a little while longer.

Day 84: Regretful Conundrum

March 25, 2011
Exactly a year ago, I was in Indiana, and I had just heard that I had been accepted to my dream college: the University of Notre Dame. An acceptance from Berkeley and a rejection from Stanford arrived the next couple nights. When people ask me if I regret my college decision, my response is often muddled and complicated. Fact is, I love Berkeley and I don't regret coming here. Unfortunately, I regret not going to Notre Dame. Can these two statements co-exist? The countless sleepless nights I've endured, were they worth it? I'll probably never know. 

Day 83: Among Clouds

March 24, 2011
I was always a cloud person. I love pictures of clouds. So when the storm cleared up today (which raged on for hours), I found the need to take this. I spent the day with some close friends (sushi in Hayward!), and with friends at HHS's badminton game against Berkeley (they won! AND the acceptances to Cal came in today, too). Spring break is flying by way too fast. 

Day 82: Stymied Freedom

March 23, 2011
This entire spring break, I haven't had access to a car. So usually I'm stuck at home unless I ask someone else for a ride. So close, yet so far. I can't go out when I want to like I used to. The door is wide open, but I just have no means of transportation. But I guess it's nice to just be couped up at home like old times.  

Day 81: Nonsensical Fun

March 22, 2011
First get together in months. It's great seeing these people; things never get old. We tried our luck at Quelf, which is probably the most random game ever invented. Needless to say, a night of absolute chaos ensued as we ventured into the land of Quelf. From boomerangs to Frankenstein to leapfrog and "Pookie," a night with these guys is never a dull night. 

Day 80: Fitness Regime

March 21, 2011
For the first time in months, I finally got to play badminton again. A little rusty, but still pretty okay. I've recently started a new workout regime, so we'll see how far that gets me. Meanwhile, an A- on my toxicology midterm! (Completely unrelated.) 

Day 79: Lazy Song

March 20, 2011
Today I don't feel like doing anything. We've had this Snuggie for a while now, and today was the first time I actually put it on the way it was advertised in commercials. But I didn't learn to Dougie, I didn't exercise, and I did end up picking up my phone. Nonetheless, a great lazy Sunday. Ol' Bruno would have been proud.

Day 78: Sleepless Vacations

March 18, 2011
Spring break. It happened in high school, and it's happening now. I take this week-long break to catch up on sleep, assignments, and just plain relaxation/leisure time. Never happens. Instead, I just spend it on the computer watching videos, on Facebook, and the like. And often late into the night at that. I wish I could do something productive, or go somewhere interesting. But it's good to be home and just vegetating, too, I guess.

Day 77: Celebrating Friday

March 18, 2011
It's amazing how this week has been all about viral Youtube videos. First the racist UCLA girl, and now "Friday" by Rebecca Black. Undoubtedly the worst song I've ever heard in the history of produced songs. Nonetheless, this entire week produced a mass movement of "Friday-ism." My friend and I had cereal today to celebrate, too. Then again, today's officially our first day of spring break. It's definitely something to celebrate! FUN FUN FUN.

Day 76: Bleeding Green

March 17, 2011
Happy Saint Patrick's Day, Notre Dame. I remember last year at this time this was my dream school. I would have given anything to be accepted, and to eventually attend. I was really close to becoming a Fighting Irish, but a combination of extenuating factors ultimately pointed me towards UC Berkeley. I don't regret my decision, but it would have been nice being away from California for a while. This was definitely one of my most eye-opening experiences, and while I currently bleed blue and gold, I'll also bleed a little bit of green. I got this shirt during my visit to Indiana, and I wore it today to stay extra festive.

Day 75: Sweet Tooth

March 16, 2011
I have a really weak sweet tooth, so I can only take so much of candy and sugar. However, when it comes to baked goods, I can never stop. Since I'm on a mission to burn my meal points, I thought I might as well treat myself to these personal favorites. These are going to help me finish studying for my midterms. Two more this week!

Day 74: Ching Chong

March 15, 2011
I was in the library and when I saw this sign I couldn't help but laugh to myself. After one UCLA student's racial rant went viral on Youtube, it's become more or less a meme. Sorry, I don't speak that "ching chong ling long ting tong" language you speak of. The ignorant will be ignorant, there's nothing we can really do about that. But I'm Asian and I'm proud! 

Day 73: Infinitely Festive

March 14, 2011
I didn't know that these little holidays were so integral to college students' lives. Cafe 3 was decorated with signs like these today. I hope to be this happy after this week is over.

Day 72: A Prayer

March 13, 2011
These past couple days I have been thinking about all the victims and those who have been affected by Japan's catastrophic earthquake/tsunami. As if that wasn't calamitous enough, yesterday I heard about a nuclear meltdown/explosion that devastated a northern Japanese city. My dad now tells me the magnitude-9 earthquake has altered the Earth's axis; our days are now slightly shorter, and the climate changes will continue to haunt us. Some say 2012. Some say karma. I don't believe in either, but they need our support. A little prayer, thought, altruism is all it takes.

Day 71: On Repeat

March 12, 2011
I know I've posted several pictures of my dogs already, but I can't help it! Whenever I'm at home, I end up dog-sitting them anyway. So they compose the bulk of my day; I don't even get time to do homework. Now I have to focus on my paper and two midterms for this following week. Then I have a whole week to myself! 

Day 70: Making Progress

March 11, 2011
As much as I like taking photos, I'm still very much an amateur. Whenever I'm home I take it as an opportunity to hone my photography skills. Well, all I can do from here is improve. 

Day 69: Early Meals

March 10, 2011
I think this is the first time I've ever had a real breakfast/lunch on a school day. And since Thursdays are my busy days, I'm even more surprised. What with an omelet, tater tots, eggs, ravioli, and pho? I'm good to go for the day!

Day 68: Insomniac Munchies

March 9, 2011
What better way to keep sleep at bay, than with a big bag of Pirate's Booty and a can of mango-flavored Arizona Iced Tea? These chips take me back to senior year, good times. I'm currently writing an essay and these will either help me stay up, or knock me into a food coma. 

Day 67: Distinguished Walkway

March 8, 2011
As we were roaming the College of Natural Resources today, we found an entrance to the campus we had never seen before. Since this is north side, there is much less congestion, both in car traffic and foot traffic. The scenery and tranquility also make for a great place to take a walk. But this walkway/stair path was different from the plain asphalt roads we see around campus.

Day 66: Fossilized Pride

March 7, 2011
Not only does Berkeley take pride in being the top-ranked public university in the US, it takes equal pride in being Californian. This smilodon statue, California's state fossil, is found outside the earth science department. I've always been enthusiastic about fossils and extinct animals, so I found this statue interesting. It sometimes makes me wonder why I'm not pursuing a career/major in paleontology, geology, or something along the lines of those subjects. 

Day 65: Camera Frenzy

March 6, 2011
My sister got herself a new Nikon D3100 camera today. Compared to the point-and-shoot I currently use, the quality of photos taken on this camera is evidently much clearer. On the left is Pepper, and on the right is Songi (Sugar), our Chihuahuas. I had to make this a double post, yet again. My family and I had a fun time deciphering the instructions, putting the camera together, and eventually taking photos. A Sunday night well spent. Now only if I could get one..

Day 64: For Mom

March 5, 2011
I love staying up with my mom watching TV when I come home. Late into the night, we watch shows and laugh at the most random things. After leaving for college, I can only think of how great it is that I can still do this with her. The lights shine even brighter now. And Mom really liked this photo. 

Day 63: Insanity Plea

March 4, 2011
I'm done with this school week and I'm finally home. It's a miracle midterms haven't driven me completely insane. But you know, they say one flew over the cuckoo's nest. I may become that second one.

Day 62: Protest Pandemonium

March 3, 2011
Welcome to University of California at Berkeley, known for its political activism. These students were found on top of Wheeler Hall, protesting the budget cuts for this year. Since it was spontaneous, without the university's knowledge/permission, policemen and firemen were all over the scene, as were some helicopters. Wheeler Hall is currently shut down (no classes, no Elevate rehearsal!) to take care of these protesters.. This was so monumental I had to post two photos. I hope I have enough guts to do something like this one day. 

Day 61: No Energy

March 2, 2011
Yes, that's right. I need energy to work. Or I just need energy. I just took my physics midterm today. And now I can say I'm halfway through my semester. Out of 10 midterms, this was my fifth one. At least this midterm let me bring a cheat sheet! Two more months until summer!

Day 60: New Ideas

March 1, 2011
Found this neat piece of art in Wurster Tower's stairwell. I'm beginning to lose ideas for my photos on this blog. I need inspiration. Some things just get really old after a while.