It's Been a Hard Day's Night

It's been a while since I've written here on this page, so might as well get started.

College:

Well, the final results are in. Now's just the waiting for which school gives me a more lucrative offer, or which offer I can use to play hardball with another school I'm interested in; thus, I can try to secure the best deal financially for myself. Right now, it's between "Bobcats in the Big Apple" or "Trojans in the City of Angels." It just depends on where I'm more financially drawn, I guess.

I was excited when I got the "Welcome to the Trojan Family" packet in the mail. Hopping up and down as I saw the red and gold of USC, I had met my personal goal of making it to the school I had vied to go to since my freshman year. Even though Brown had rejected me, my other dream school came through and fell into my lap. Three and a half years of hard work finally paid off, as I clung to my trophy with happiness. Even though my other preferred ones hadn't worked out (damn you CA budget cuts and slacking off a tad ><), I'm still happy with this one. For those who didn't make it to their preferred schools and dream schools, I can feel your pain on this one. Even I felt that pain after losing out on Brown, UCLA, and a few others.

For similar reasons, I don't necessarily like those people who got into certain schools, only to blow them off as like "Psh... it's not like I'd want to go there." That's taking away spots from students who dream of attending those schools, whose reach school might be that one school which you are blowing off. It's flatout rude. And also, those who got in Early Decision and haven't withdrawn applications from other schools... now that is just a low blow. I hope that those who've done so realize that what they're doing or have done is taking spots away from people who want those schools really badly. If you are doing this after knowing that you could be rescinded from your ED school, I hope you have your rescindal letter coming soon. For those who did it not knowing about the rescinding policy, I hope you guys withdrew your apps and left the spot vacant for more deserving candidates.

Enough about Colleges for one post, don't ya think?

Last Two Months:

Okie Dokie. Let's face it guys, the school year is drawing to an end, sooner than we want it or are expecting it. While some people may be partying about this news and some feeling nostalgic about it all, I'm mixed about it.  Part of me wants to leave MV for good, but another part of me wants to stay back and to take it all in again.  I'm sick of the work and the grades, but I'm not sick of the people and the fond memories.  I want to move on and explore the world, but I want to still be back here.  It's a weird thing really, but I guess us seniors will know how to manage it all.

Senioritis is a fun and evil disease.  You feel lazy as hell and don't want to do anyhting, but part of you thinks you should at least give somewhat of a damn about what's going on around you.  I'm loving every bit of senioritis though.  The fact that I don't really have to care so much anymore about things makes it all good, so I'm less stressed.  I've become a master at coming up with master BS now, be it for homework or tests.  I'm just pissed a fat man is ruining my academic life (Jimbo) since I really can't afford to tank that class.

Oh well... here's to two more months left of legit school before liberation from the ball and chain.

Bittersweet

God, how I'm sick of school.

And all the homework that goes along with it.  And all the fake caring that I have to show towards all of my classes and other shit.  And the work going along with it.

But I think looking back at it, it's all work it.  Especially when you're not doing it alone.  You've got peeps you're working with, also hurrying and trying to speed-BS the whold shebang.  (All you Clarke kids know what I'm talking about :) )

So thanks for making the boring/long nights less boring/long and instead, nights I'm actually looking forward to staying up.  Y'all make it awesome.

-sleep time, or else i go crazy :P

Step Aside Katy Perry

While talking about an iPod kissing competition to win a free iPod at De Anza with Serena, who linked me to some interestingly fun pictures, I decided to play lyricist for the day.  At the same time, she was suffering from katyperryitis, with the lyrics to "I Kissed a Girl" stuck in her head.  Ah Katy Perry... if only your singing was equally good live as it is in the studio.

Here's my version: "I Kissed an iPod"

 This was never the way I planned
 Not my intention
 I got so brave, music in hand
 Lost my discretion
 It's not what, I'm used to
 Just wanna try you on
 I'm curious for you 
 Caught my attention

 I kissed an iPod, and I liked it,

 The taste of it's casing of plastic.

 I kissed an iPod just to try it,

 I hope that my Zune don't mind it.

 It felt so wrong

 It felt so right

 Don't mean I'm into Apples tonight

 I kissed an iPod, and I liked it

 I liked it

 No, I don't even know your memory

 It doesn't matter, 
 You're my experimental gadgetry
 Just human nature, 
 It's not what, 
 Good Zune users do
 Not how they should behave
 My head gets so confused
 Hard to obey

 

 I kissed an iPod, and I liked it,

 The taste of it's casing of plastic.

 I kissed an iPod just to try it,

 I hope that my Zune don't mind it.

 It felt so wrong

 It felt so right

 Don't mean I'm into Apples tonight

 I kissed an iPod, and I liked it

 I liked it

 

 iPods, they are so magical

 Hot screens, black buttons, so kissable
 Hard to resist so touchable
 Too good to deny it
 Ain't no big deal, it's innocent

 I kissed an iPod, and I liked it,

 The taste of it's casing of plastic.

 I kissed an iPod just to try it,

 I hope that my Zune don't mind it.

 It felt so wrong

 It felt so right

 Don't mean I'm into Apples tonight

 I kissed an iPod, and I liked it

 I liked it

URL for the pictures btw: 

http://janegarrino.com/KissiPodFeb09/content/IMG_3760_large.html

Happy kissing!

March Madness (kinda longgggg)

Oh yes... it's one crazy-ass month.

March is the month of madness, asides from basketball, which I want to ardently follow this year.

It comes like a lion, but leaves like a lamb. It marks the period of happiness and heartbreak for hopeful college applicants, marking the difference in their futures. Its the two-month mark before AP testing. It tries the strength of seniors suffering from the disease we affectionately call "senioritis." It marks the time we lose out on sleep, in the prospects of becoming more efficient during the day as a result of Daylight Savings Time. It is the time when winter leaves and spring comes (March 21 KIDS!!!).

But through the thick and then... the less sleep and more awake time... the cold winds and the warm sun... the acceptances and the rejections... I've tried to look at this time with a more positive spirit than usual.

• I mean yeah, losing out on some of my dream schools hasn't been easy. Seeing certain people get in where I think I should have had smooth sailings but I didn't. Seeing people only apply to schools to see how they'd do rather than because it's a place they'd highly consider and thus, take away spots from deserving candidates. Seeing people bite their nails over the schools they are still waiting from or from the previous responses they've gotten back from schools. Seeing certain accepted ED kids check their applications for UCs and other schools when they are going to their ED school for sure, only checking to see "how they would have done." One of my friends put it ever so wonderfully in her blog, thank you S for talking about that. :)

• I've realized that people have more stuff to complain/fret about than me. So much for my stressing... I got into places that I: 1) like 2) would consider going. I have a place to spend four years, although it isn't my preferred one.

• MORAL OF THE STORY: when life gives you lemons, you make that lemonade, you drink it, and enjoy the sweet goodness of it.

• At the moment, some of my friends are dealing with a plethora of crap in their lives, which I shan't name. It's like trying to break a concrete wall with a mallet for them. They need that sledgehammer or jackhammer to penetrate through the barriers which they must overcome. It's hard on them, I know, but I still idolize + admire them for having such a solid resolve in spite of the shit they're working with/working around. In their position, I think I would crack or erupt some how. In that case, I'm increasingly thankful for not having to deal with that myself and thus, I try to help these friends so that we all can cross the finish line together, hand in hand, with real happy faces and cheerful spirits. Time to put on those skis and sail through, winning and happily taking in that feeling. Y'all know who you are out there, and thank you for being a source of inspiration for me.

With all this around me and with me trying to find a way to either cope with the stress or help my friends or whatnot, I've decided to take on meditation for the past few days. Not only will it help me keep calm, but it will also allow me to channel my energies accordingly so I can help my friends and try and help them with their problems, regardless of what.  

I pray not only for my own well-being, but for the well-being and happiness of my friends and others who I am close with.  I pray so that others around me can be happy and enjoy/make the most of their lives.  Tapping into the gift of self healing, so rich as such, is the only solution I can find, asides from being able to talk about stuff with people.

I guess that I too am finding my way in this big wide world. But whatever the outcome, let's do it together kiddos!

GOOD LUCK WITH EVERYTHING FOR THIS MONTH AND THE REST OF THE SCHOOL YEAR!!!

Peace and love,
Kunal

Challenge Day: Thank You <3

There's only one word that I have for Challenge Day: Wow.

Really... it has been one of the greatest experiences of high school that I have been fortunate to have. I have no idea where to start about since it has been a fabulous experience for me.

Many thanks to Mzina, Sean, Mr. Prinz, and the other guys who helped make this event possible. And a big thank you to everyone else who was there who made Challenge Day so frickin' awesome. I guess I'll just recap the day and run through it, adding in my thoughts.

After getting to MV 5 minutes late (even after it was a late start), I got to the D-building hallway where I checked in and just hung out with friends, waiting for it to begin. After some time, we finally got around entering the Field House to be greeted by a group of screaming + cheering adults, as we went to sit on chairs in the circle. From there on, the magic happened. The next couple of hours is where everything happened.

Everything was just awesome, every last bit and part of it. God, how I loved it

Never have I hugged so many people in one sitting. Never have I been ok with letting my emotions out like that. Never have I been able to face my inner thoughts/fears with so much confidence. Never have I felt so emotionally free in my entire life.

But I think it's time. It's time I changed for the better: this is my challenge to myself. This is my pact with myself for the next couple of years... to try to grow and mature emotionally

Thanks to everybody who made Challenge Day a great experience. Harsha, thanks for motivating me to do this. A HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY WHO WAS AT CHALLENGE DAY TO MAKE IT FUCKING AWESOME!!!

I love each and every one of you guys <3

Now let's get out there and be the change we wish to see in the world around us =)

love y'all,
kunal <3

SSS. A Time of Recollection, Reflection, Rejoicing, and Remembrance

WHEEE!!!

Finally. After having slogged for three and a half years under the toils of the system affecitonally known as MVHS, I've reached that time in my life when I can, in theory, kick back and not care about anything.  Transcripts + grades are done, working hella hard for tests + quizzes, losing sleep: it's all finally over and I get to live as what we call being a "Second Semester Senior."

Second Semester Senior: often diagnosed with an uncurable disorder commonly known as "senioritis."

Here's a snippet of my life nowadays:

• I wake up at 7:15 on school days (9:00 on Wednesdays) and question whether I should go to school anymore or not.
• I trudge to class 5 minutes late almost all the time.
• I fall asleep in my classes most of the time... yeah.  My head's down and I'm peacefully asleep in important lectures/lessons... wheeee!
• I am unmotivated to do homework most of the time... I try to find my way around if I can.
• I come home and screw around in front of my computer regularly... watch me one day: I can do nothing for a long time.  Good thing I have GTalk, AIM, Halo, and Blockles :)
• I've foregone what we conventionally call sleep.  I stay up doing absolutely nothing and I don't feel tired at all, which frightens me since I still am in amorous love with my beauty sleep.
• I spend more time on FL Studio 8 than I do on school work.  YEEEE

It's as if nothing really matters... after all, anyone can see that nothing really matters to me anymore.  Just counting down for the day we graduate from MV and move on.  

I think I'll cry that day though... leaving 13 years of awesomeness behind me (incl. Kindergarten), leaving my friends, leavin good and awesome memories, as I move forward into the world and go with the flow of things, making my new paths and new acquaintances and new friends and a new life.

But at the root of it, I won't forget anything from my time at MV or from my life before college.  The good + the bad, the highs + the lows, the fun + the stress, the laughs + the cries... it's all a part of me and will remain to be a part of me for the rest of my life.

God bless and love y'all... thanks for an awesome ride through everything.  I'll remember each and every one of you and the times/memories we shared together.  

Peace + <3,

Kunal

Thnks Fr Th Mmrs

In this world, there are four types of people.

The first type are the many that are cool.  The people you don't exactly talk to daily or hang out with regulary, but who make life + all the fun moments very memorable and awesome in many different ways.  They add their flare to life and whatnot and they are great in their own ways.  Good friends... good friends indeed.

The second type are the some that are awesome.  They do everything that cool people do, but just seem to do it a bit better.  Pllus, you spend a bit more time with them.  You can talk about a lot of stuff with them and they make life really awesome.  Great friends... great friends indeed.

The third type are the few who just kick ass all the time.  These are the BFFLZ and the loves our lives, the buddies and the small groups that we have in our lives.  These guys make each living moment awesome, regardless of what you're doing.  They are our soulmates, our advisers, our friends we do the smartest and the wildest things with, the people we wake up to meeting and messing with... the ones who make life the most memorable and awesome.

Of course, there are also those who are none of the above. 

Thankfully, I have had the pleasure and awesome experience of knowing people in the first three categories, especially for making my life one hell of a great adventure.  Thankfully for me, there haven't been that many people in the last category.

So thanks for everything, and the memories... y'all know who u are :)

back to quiz reading i guess... we'll see how tomorrow goes then.

Déjà Vu... ITS HAPPENING AGAIN D:

Déjà Vu... Déjà Vu... Déjà Vu...

sure, its just an ordinary expression which i've heard and seen billions of times.  but for realz... its happened again.  i'm seeing those 6 letters, 3 accents, 2 words, 1 common expression, all over again and again and again and again and again in my life, esp with relationship matters

am i always biting the dust?  am i always running at the end?  am i always those 2 seconds behind a first place victory?

apparently so. 

it's happened yet again... the person who i like (surprise surprise!) intently likes someone who she isn't officially going out with, but is (as she says) close with the so-said alpha male.  that's totally friggin' awesome, but yeah... remind me again why i don't have my happy face on.  it seems as if i'm hitting up a common trend with the people i like: i like her, she likes someone else or is w/someone else, all fails.  i only stick around as a friend and nothing more. but what's the point of it anyways? its like the story about the 7 jars of gold: 6 jars are completely filled, but the 7th is only half-filled.  no matter how much you throw in, it continues to stay half-full.  

heart wrenching, ain't it? most def.

but i want to break free of the undying repetition.  throw me a grilled cheese instead of a PB+J... i want some VARIETY with what's going on... ofc, with some form of success.

i guess i was right about it: love's like a drug.  no matter how much you steer away from it, u can't live without it.  and when u do finally get back, oh boy... it kills, but u still prolong it until the end.

damn... it does blow hard.

SNL + Life

I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to be a part of a great tradition at MVHS: SNL.

Yes... the most epic drama production of the year, with its outrageously large cast, suggestive sense of humor, and variety of sketches.

It was damn awesome, from start to finish.  I was lucky to be a part of the "What is Love" sketch: the one I've wanted to be in since I saw the movie "A Night at the Roxbury" and the original SNL sketch back in 7th grade just because it was "freakin' awesome," seeing the Butabi brothers first fail at clubbing, then to turn around and start their own club.  Luckily, I got to do it with one of my friends who is equally, if not more, crazy about the Butabis + the Roxbury club.  From our botched up scripts to the synchronized head bobbing to getting on stage and actually doing it in front of an audience.  It all owned.  

Asides from being the sketch of my dreams, doing SNL was also a big step for me personally, since I'm not usually the best person whenever it comes to performing in front of a large crowd, let alone any group more than 10ish since I tend to get nervous.  Also, I was portraying a character so different than my normal self so this role was getting out of my shell, releasing my inhibitions, and just doing it and going wild.

But at the end of it all, I want to thank everybody who made this a great experience.  From the director to fellow sketch members to fellow cast members to makeup people to producers to tech crew... it has most definitely been a pleasure to be given this opportunity and to fulfill it to the best of my ability.  Thank you for making this one of my best memories which I will carry with me when I leave for college and the world beyond.  Hell... I'll be talking about this at reunion parties... cocktail parties... kids' parties... wherever.  Who knows?

Ameya, we did it man.  Four years of waiting with excitement in the making... we pulled it off with great success.  Thanks for loving Roxbury as much as I do and giving life to our dream.  Remember those pimping dance moves for when you go clubbing or partying in college... and yes, we need to start our own nightclub.  

Prateek and Mimi... thanks to you two also for making this dream and experience a reality.  It was fun doing it all, from the head bobbing to the "impressive dancing" as a whole.  Thanks for a great time.

Jarryd... thanks for walking with us through the Roxbury skit, be it with "Project your voice!" or "Lets take it from the top, offbook"... all was good and owned.  Thanks for it all

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Yesterday while eating dinner at Journalism Late Night, we were all into our own little groups talking about random stuff.  Suddenly, I overhear a familiar set of words which I remember from my Farian days: no shorts after Halloween.  My head snaps towards the words and I begin talking about how at Faria, we could only wear shorts until Halloween and after Spring Break.  All of a sudden, it became a melting pot of past experiences in elementary school and middle school, ranging from putting rose thorns on benches (evilly amusing), youth skankiness (!), being good kids or bad-ass kids, people we liked/hated back in the day, Yosemite (hair dryers + cabin adventures), favorite or evil teachers (of course... u've all had 'em), etc.

What made this fun was not only the fact that it was a good distraction from working (just a bit), but it was also a great memory jogger... made me remember the good ol' days, when APs and SATs were Greek and Latin and our only priority in life was to have fun and be a good kid... back when nothing really mattered that much except, of course, which Yu-Gi-Oh deck or Pokemon you had... back when the only woe we were bogged down by was not beating a certain someone at teatherball or handball.

Going back in time... sitting around and chilling... its all a great bonding experience.  Sitting with awesome people, just discussing the fun we had and the trouble we got into, the things we remember doing and the things others remember us for doing, the people we liked and the people we hated... its all an awesome learning and living experience.  Makes you look back and love (or in those rare cases, hate) your life even more.  

Thanks guys for making me love my early years + months + days + etc even more enjoyable and memorable.

"You've got one shot at life... make sure you savor every bit of those 30mL since the glass ain't comin' back and neither will time.  Just get out there, get wasted, and love every bit of it."

I'm out now guys... I need to sleep soon.

Peace and love,

Kunal

Yes we did... yes we can... and damn right we will.

Today 

Kunal Bhan, 01.20.2009

Today, I am thankful.

Thankful to live.

Thankful to have lived today.

Thankful to have lived to see today.

Thankful to have lived to see this profound day.

Thankful to have lived to see this profound day, although on a live telecast rather than as a physical attendee.

Today, I am proud.

Proud to be alive.

Proud to be alive as an American.

Proud to be alive as a minority in America.

Proud to be alive and witness the advances minorities in America have made.

Proud to have witnessed perhaps the greatest moment in history which will go down in the history books and APUSH FRQs/DBQs.

Today, I am in awe.

In awe of 300 million people.

In awe of one of these 300 million people.

In awe of the mysticism behind this one man.

In awe of what one man is capable of doing or having done.

In awe of how one man's ambition + drive + motives have created not only a moment to remember but also set the wheels to progress in motion.

Today, I am a believer.

Believing in my dreams. 

Believing in the impossible dreams.

Believing in the impossible dreams and working for them.

Believing in the impossible dreams and working with the the creed "Impossible is nothing."

Believing in the impossible dreams that I have and the fact that believing that "Impossible is nothing" while working on them will lead to success and the fullfilment of them.

Today, I am a changed man.  And I believe

We can change.  I can make this my world.  And

You can make yours and we, ours.  

In the light of things, we can do anything.  Yes we can.  Yes. We can. Yes. We. Can.

Today, this is the moment to change, to move forward, to get ahead, to get better.

Yes... today, at this moment, right now - we can.

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Today, I'm thankful to by a proud believer in awe of the wonders and possiblities and opportunities I am faced with in this lifetime in such a nation where truly, "Impossible is nothing."  It's all around us no matter where we look... people working against adversary to reach a goal and then seeing it out till the end, as they push past the throng to sprint the last 400 meters through the tape at the finish line.  Then they look back, acknowledge the personal struggle and fight they had to go through, and look to the future and specifically, to how they will go forward in the rest of their endeavors.

Today, I'm proud to have served as one of the multitude of volunteers - old and young, gay and straight, white and black (and Asian + Indian for that matter) - who made this dream into a reality.  All the hours of door-to-door knocking, phonebanking, planning for fundraisers, spreading the message of change... everything has finally paid off in the end.  Watching the inauguration today filled me up with a sense of pride... responsibility... and most importantly, the positive feeling that I contributed to the change heading our way as America enters the new year and a new era, complete with a plethora of issues like Iraq, a dead economy, global warming, alternative energy, and rights problems with prevalent issues like Gitmo.

At the end of the day whilst watching the parade down to the White House, the performances, and the inaugural balls, I thought about everything. But most importantly, the rocky ride ahead for Obama, Biden, Hillary, and the rest of the nation as we shall overcome this problems in due time.  Yes, it will be a rough journey.  Yes, we won't see the light suddenly.  Yes, there will be lots of opposition and recurring issues and obstacles to break down.  Yes, it will be a test of Obama's so-said power to bring change as well as the resolve the American people.

BUT

At the same time, we as people and more importantly, as Americans all looking for the same goals - a stable economy... good healthcare... plentiful jobs... some form of financial security when we retire -must band together and cross this ocean together.  It'll be tough, but we shall overcome.  We will see the light at the end of the tunnel.  We will once again regain our position as a beacon for the future instead of the black sheep to look down upon.  I can feel it.  I know it.  I believe it.

President Bush... even though you made some pretty stupid decisions which have screwed us over and left us in the state we are in today, I still think it's important for us to give thanks where it is due and thank you for eight years, however rocky + climactic + wild + messed up they have been.  We wish you smooth sailings in Crawford, Texas.  Bush fucked us over in many places no doubt, but that's then.

This is now.

To Barack Hussein Obama and Joseph Robinette Biden, good luck for these next four years.  Make the nation proud and show us the change we've been waiting for these past eight years.  Show us the America we want and the future we envision.  Godspeed, and may the force be with you.

Change? Yes... Can I?

"It aint much I'm asking if you want the truth; here's to the future for the dreams of youth."

 - "I Want It All," Queen, The Miracle

"See I had to go / See I had to move / No more wastin’ time / You can’t wait for life / Were just racin’ time / Where’s the finish line?"

 - "Love Lockdown," Kanye West, 808s and Heartbreaks

I'm racing against time, but I just can't seem to find the finish line.  

With only 5 months left of high school (holy shit... time flies so effing fast!) and 7.5 till I enter college (okay... I REALLY can't imagine this is happening, but it's gonna), I don't have much time left before it happenes.  The change.  The transition from my chillaxed life here in Cupertino, as an MVHS student... as a friend... as a member of the many awesome things I took or will take part of here, like Journo <3,deca,>

Obama: For so long, I've been tooting the horn in support of Barack Obama, our next president as of Tuesday, January 20th.  He's coming to DC and to the forefront of America bringing in the change that yes, we can see.  I'm ready for that change... for a fresh face to do something good for America.  Someone who will ensure that I can sleep soundly at night... that I can make and save money without fearing it disappearing to financial crises... that the career I do take up will not be interrupted or impacted by unexpected economic pitfalls.  But am I ready for the real change in my day-to-day life?

Back home: For so long, I've been keeping my self posted with what's going on back home in India.  Seeing all the shit that's happened... be it the Mumbai blasts (we'll never forget those who died... rest in peace) or the shit Kashmir's been through (i'm mad i haven't been to my real home forever, but it's slowly getting better and that's good because then i'll be able to "come home again") or the rampant corruption.  Now, at least the people are taking some sort of stand in trying to ensure the weak + easily swayed government is doing something to respond to the people's demands.  There is change here, which I am personally very ready for.  But am I ready for the real change in my day-to-day life?

Personal Life: lots of change there as well.  What I had hoped to be the first one turned out to crash and burn in a bad way.  It tore me apart and I had to bounce back just in time for AP testing that year.  Worst thing that happened to me in a while.  Seeing someone as beautiful and great as her turn around and snap the guitolline on my neck and kill me was just horrible and it made me sad.  Even now, I have no damn clue how I was able to recover and bounce back from everything normally.  I took to relationship advising instead to bounce back which worked, though I still had a hole in my heart.  Then, my best friend came back for me and I was hopeful of something to pursue with her.  Yet, it crashed + burned as I was left biting the dust, having been beat by somebody else.  Killed me in a different way but yet again, I still forced myself to move on as well.  Not easy, since I really do not like anybody at the moment since I'm sorta still recovering.  I've dealt with this change.  But am I ready for the real change in my day-to-day life?

Music: Hell... even my music has changed sorta.  Having transitioned from exclusively rock + hip/hop to more classic + progressive rock, The Beatles, Queen, techno, electronica/dance, and pop, I'm liking it a lot.  It's been pretty cool listening to the stuff from Europe, esp. Basshunter and DJ Mangoo.  Good stuff by these guys, indeed.  This has gotten me from not only doing guitar and piano, but changing so that I can explore making electronica... which has bene pretty fun actually.  Sitting behind FL Studio 8 has been an interesting experience.  I've changed here pretty easily.  But am I ready for the real change in my day-to-day life?

Now it really does make me wonder... will I be ready to face the real change in my life?  Will I be able to cope with what comes my way in the near future?  How will I adjust with what's gonna become of my life in the next couple of months?  

Really.  I have no friggin' idea what's gonnna happen to me.  Neither does anybody no what's gonna happen with them.  But at the end of the day, there is only one thing we can do despite whatever's going on around.  That one thing is to take in each experience like another breath of air, another sip of water, another step taken forward.  Let it all happen and move on from there.  Act on instinct, but act more on principle + circumstance.  You make your life, nobody else.  Only you can make your life, so just "live your life" and make the most of the best gift you've received.  Who knows where you'll land up?  Nobody does, but just let the magic happen.  Let stuff fall in your lap.  As Mama Gump put it, "Life's like a box of chocolates... you never know what you're gonna get."

In the End

This Year in Review

Damn… what a year it has been indeed.

As I look back at the year, its been pretty fucking awesome with everything.  Even though its been a wild rollercoaster, I’ve loved it.  Every little bit of it.  Stress or not, I don’t think I’ve had a better year in a while.

Junior Year

After a rough first semester, I resolved to do better in the next semester and try to get more out of life and chill out and be less stressed with all the random crap in my life.  Luckily, everything seemed to go pretty damn smoothly, for the most part.  Got through the stress and the other stuff happening throughout the year with the help of not only better time management, but also with awesome people who I got to know better and become if not closer, but better friends with.  It was an interesting psychological and emotional journey, going through everything. 

Then came JP, which started off as the awesome night of my life which would hopefully lead to something in the future.  It seemed that way for a while, through a good chunk of the night.  But through it all, I learned a lot about people + their character as well as how to better deal with others.  Thanks, A, for being that lifetime experience for me and making me a better person.  Though I liked you a lot back then, I know like you instead because you made me more practical with everything about life and my thought process.  It was rough for me, but I got through it all.  You’ve been a great person, and you have a great future ahead of you.  Keep up with the good work in everything.  Other than that, the year ended well, with awesome stuffs from most corners of life and everything.  Good year, although stressful.  Guitar Hero + Brawl with Harsha at Alex’s place when we should have been doing chem project, playing Hearts + Mafia in Calc with the crew, Bio Project with Mr. Lei and the rest of the group.  Can’t think of a way I’d go back to try stuff all over again. 

It was just pretty fucking awesome.

Summer

Nothing really that big happened over summer, more like a normal + usual summer.  Worked in India for five weeks and I’ve gotta say: one of the best experiences of my life.  I got to work on something cool (solar energy) with hella awesome interns.  Sher, Asif, Vikas, Aakanksha… thanks for a great five weeks of working, having fun, hanging out.  Other than that, I spent some time with family which is always awesome no matter what.

Senior Year

Ah… at last, the final year.  The final year of high school.  The final year I’m living at home before I head off into the real world also known as college.  The final year I’ll be together with all my friends + my so-said old life and when I transition to the new stages of the future.  As I look back at everything, it makes me appreciate my life more and more and be thankful for every experience I’ve had.  The start of the year was good, no doubt.  Gym jam was fun this year, especially the candle thing at the end.  I’ve been to Gym Jam three times in high school; even though we’ve done hella fun stuff like hanging out and talking or playing Mafia or playing Big Booty, the candle lighting thing at the end as always been my favorite.  A time I get to be introspective and just share my inner thoughts with others in a circle.  But this time, I liked it more for some reason, though I forget why.

Next few months: got into the flow of my classes and with being a senior.  From day one, I loved senior year.  Getting off at 2:15ish everyday and 12:45 on Tuesdays - the schedule I had wanted ever since freshman year. 

·         Gov AP turned out to be a pretty fun class with Recktenwald, trash-talking Palin’s intelligence (you betcha!) and just about everything. 

·         Lit AP – Mr. Clarke is my idol officially.  He’s just a baller... no questions asked.  Not only have I improved my writing, but I’ve also had just a great time in second period, with all the random videos and stories. 

·         French AP = period 7 French 3 + company.  It’s been a wild adventure, getting back with the crew from period 7 French 3 two years back along with other guys and the French 3 kids who hopped up to join us in AP.  It’s been an interesting journey through the class… the old jokes, the same crap as usual, sleeping in class sometimes, having Gabet for the third year in a row.  It’s been a blast… waiting for second semester party time. :P

·         Physics Honors… rape with a smile.  JimBo is a great guy, but I just suck at physics in general.  Nonetheless, I’ve loved the class even though I don’t do as well.  Though this semester, I’m gonna make some changes in stuff that I do to study and prep so that I can do well.  Looking forward to PGA and other fun times in the class.

·         Java.  The class I was dreading to take, but which I’ve grown to like and have fun in.  Having Deruiter for the second year in a row after Calc BC has been great.  Just four of us seniors in a class loaded with freshmen, but its been fun.  Brandon + Vaibhav… you guys helped make the class less boring so thanks a lot.  Working on programs… mooching off the underclassmen… last minute epiphanies on our program before Deruiter comes to grade them… its been a ball.

·         Journalism: best class so far.  I didn't go to camp cuz of my India internship, so I had no clue what was going on when I first walked into class.  However, it was still pretty awesome I’d say.  Got into the flow of everything pretty soon… learned the fun which engulfs late-nights, got to meet some pretty damn awesome people or better know people who I sorta knew back over the years, but didn’t get a chance to actually talk with them or know them better.  You guys know who you are… and you’ve all made it the best experience of my senior year so far.  Late Nights, edited pictures on zhenni’s cameras, OBAMA, spazz fests about knowing Everything, the JOKER J, St. Louis, failing at life, Photobooth, InDesign, Frosty Friends… the whole damn thing has been pretty fucking awesome, topped off with a great teacher.  Thanks guys, and here’s to another four great issues.

Last high school Homecoming ever... its been great.  I actually decided to go floatbuilding this year, which was hella fun.  Working with other people, having a damn good time... its been great.  Rally... not so much, but then again we weren't given clear directions or the full directions from everyone we should have.  Whatever... it happened, we worked hard, and in the end we won :) .  Biggest hug+lovefest I've seen like ever in my life, and I'm glad to have been a part of it all.  Gathering around trying to fix Woody's flashlight... funniest moment of it all.  Seeing crowining of court was another of the epic moments I got to see.  Great stuff no doubt.  Dance was ok... had my own person struggle to deal with then, though didn't go according to plan.  But eh... whatever.  No point dwelling on the past.  It's time to look forward and take in the new and move on.  A... as evil + tough as you may have sounded about it, you were right.  Thanks for being the tough cop with dealing with me.  I got through, and I'm feeling great now.  So thanks once again :).

St. Louis was a fun trip this year, no doubt.  Even though it was sorta short and not horribly epic or big, it was still enjoyable.  Got to hang out with people, run in the rain around the city, taste snow, freeze my hands off, find awesome shirts, going to epic museums with the most random crap going on... it was all fun.  Late night adventures after curfew... nothing that epic, but still fun nonetheless.

College Apps... another pleasureable hurdle (please note the sarcasm).  Got through my huge-ass stack of them after late nights, speed writing sessions, sending scores, stressing my ass off... it was interesting.  Got heartbroken after not getting to my number one school, but I forced myself to move on and stop stressing or freaking out over that.  Glad that crap is done with.

In General

This past year has been quite the adventure, and I'm glad to have lived through it all.  I lived it all up, but I don't think it would have been fun without the great people I got to know or met or got to know better.  There are too many to list, but y'all know who you are.  Thanks for making this a fucking awesome year to enjoy.  

Here's a closing Message to everybody.  Try to figure out the song references in here

"We Made It" because "We Are The Champions." After having a "Life in the Fast Lane," I think I'm feeling "Comfortably Numb" as we take it on the "Otherside."  Just "Let It Be" "Under the Bridge" because like everybody, "I Want It All" and "I Want to Break Free" so I can get my "Satisfaction."  Remember guys... you can have "Whatever You Like" as we cross over the "Violet Hill" of MV, so long as we stick together.  We'll go "Around the World" "Staying Live" as we keep it in the back of our minds that "What Goes Around Comes Around."  And we're most definitely gonna bring "Sexyback" since we're "Fearless" as we climb and find the "Stairway to Heaven" with our "Hands Held High," screaming "Viva La Vida" as we "Shake It" since we "Ain't Missing Nothing" ever.  We'll be "Lost" in this "Bohemain Rhapsody" that we call life.  Even though we'll go "High" or "Low," we'll always remember "What is Love" along with the most improtant things of life while we go "Outta Control" "No Matter What" since we're "On Top of the World," yelling down to everyone to "Gimme More" since "I'm Yours."  We're "Freebirds" in this life, wanting to "Make a Memory" on the "Crazy Train" of our life because "In the End," "Its Not Over" as we "Let it Rock" whilst "Free Falling" and constantly remind the world "Don't Stop Me Now" as we move at the "Speed of Sound" since we'll be here "Forever" as we "Say Goodbye" to the past and "Ramble On" and we "Live Our Life" because we are "Human"

"Thanks for the Memories" guys.  09ers... here's to the next six months and our futures.

"JUST DANCE," "CRANK DAT," "PARTY LIKE A ROCKSTAR," and "TOUCH THE SKY" "RIGHT NOW" since it's the "GREAT ESCAPE"!!!

Love, 

Kunal