SAT Exam!

My first attempt!  Will wait for score to apply for future exams.  Realizing that California 4-year universities no longer use SAT score to determine acceptance, I would still like to apply to private institutions that require SAT score.  Crossing fingers...

Dorkapalooza | AP Review Begins

To prepare for advanced placement exams in May, we have started review sessions.  It's so cool to experience study guides and buddies.  Studying takes a village.  I really appreciate the knowledge that everyone brings to the table.  I attend the evening sessions and there are about 100 students in the room.

Sleepover

Happy birthday to Jacob and Kenji!  Had a blast hanging out with the guys again (from elementary and virtual world).  Food, games, and conversation always fun with buddies.

Teenage breakout?

Okay, it happened to me.  I had a horrible breakout this month.  Mom said that it will come and go like anything since I am still "maturing".  I'm good with that as she guides me to manage all things about being a teenager.  I visited my doctor and prescribed a miracle medication.  Almost all clear now.  What's next?

Finals week ... I'm exhausted

 I can't wait for days off to catch up on sleep.  I hope that I was awake during exams because, frankly, I
don't remember sitting for them.  We'll wait for report card.

A lot of drive time

Still in "Student Driver" mode, mom made up errands so that I can drive her.  I became used to getting in and out of our neighborhood.  I even had experiences driving at night and in the rain.  Thanks to drivers near and far for your patience!

Thanksgiving in LV?

Okay, so here is where I got everything not on my list.  Food, time with M&D and time alone to re-energize.  Spent some quality time with Uncle E and Tita E at the outlets.  We were lucky to get there in their car.  So glad we did not have to take ride share.

Not on my list, but all so priceless.  I'm learning Mom...value comes not with "things" but time spent with loved ones.

Another birthday with the video game guys

Ate ramen and boba... yummy.  Watched the Eternals...eh.  Getting together F2F rather than virtually is great from time to time.  Hope we remain friends for a long time.

Sadie Hawkins Formal

What?  Girls are supposed to ask boys to attend this dance?  Well, Mom, nowadays, we go as a group.  Donning my tux, I ate tacos and had fun with special friends.  I didn't think I enjoyed tacos...but yummy!!

Gifts?

 

So, fam bam had a discussion about this.  I am okay with timely gifts.  No one day is special.  Everyday is. 

Minimalist living

Okay...no more traveling, but this doesn't mean no more vacations.  Staying at home and enjoying our home space has been nice and feels like being on a vacation.  Mom has been cleaning out our home of non essential things.  Physical minimalist living really does benefit our mental health.  

Mom's Goal: see image.

Passed! Permit to drive!

My first visit to DMV office.  Pretty organized.  I don't know why Mom said that I should be prepared to be herded from line to line and wait "forever".  After checking in, we were given a colored ticket and number.  We proceeded to another line.  Luckily, Mom completed my application online and were welcomed to take a seat to wait for a letter and a number to be called.  As Mom shared the areas of the office, I noticed a chart of letters above each clerk's head.  "Oh, yes, you will be reading the letters aloud to the clerk to test your eyesight",  Mom says.  Okay, easy enough.  After about 10-15 minutes, we were called.  I approached the nice lady and she asked us to review our completed application to confirm the information, instructed me to place my thumb for a fingerprint and requests for fee payment.  I was then to move to take my photo.  Yikes, my hair!!  I was instructed to stand in a line for the online exam.  Mom waited outside.  After about 10 minutes and joined my Mom.  She looked at me curiously.  "Well?" she asked.  "Oh, yes, I passed."  Mom just nods and, then, smiles.  

We got up so early... I don't what the big deal was.

When Breath Becomes Air

Wow!  Enough said about my summer reading.  Thank you high school English teacher.

Online Driver's Ed

 Yup...passed with flying colors.  Now on to written permit exam.  More to follow.

Summer Tennis Camp comes to an end

Keeping up with my skills while having fun is important to me.  I hope that playing throughout the COVID year will benefit me when I return to the team as a varsity player.

C++ Programming

I was definitely challenged.  I participated with about 5 others who were repeat coders.  As this was my first experience, I was humbled.  I just know that I need to continually "up" my skills to build confidence.  Hmmmm...I guess that I need to remember that.  Daily tennis playing is absolutely evidence of that.

Shaolin revisited and new gym membership

I asked Dad if we could visit my old martial arts studio.  After more than a year of being away, I was so surprised at the warm greeting I received by everyone.  Although I told Dad that I just wanted to watch, I joined in on the fun.  Shifu even trained me on a new weapon.  After completing a few moves, I strained my lower back.  Yikes, I can't even bend over.  I was walking funny.  I iced my back and took a few pain pills.  Okay, so that's what I get for not stretching.  I'm supposed to start my tennis camp tomorrow, but Mom postponed it for next week...sigh.  I am looking forward to visiting a gym so I can enroll in a stretching session with a trainer.  Hope that will help.  

Engineering Technology

Yup...another summer at college.  Luckily, it is still an online class.  Mom said that it was the introductory course in the field of engineering.  Huh?  That's okay technology is part of the name of the course.  That's what I can understand.  Hope it's interesting. 

Didn't tell Mom or Dad

I just told Mom that the tennis team was having an end-of-year dinner since it will be the last time we will see the seniors.  Okay, so it was an awards banquet and I didn't invite Mom or Dad.  When Mom picked me up from what she thought was an ordinary dinner, I entered the car with a trophy.  Shocked, Mom read the label as tennis team jv MVP for 2021 with my name!  Double shock.  So the secret is out that next year's end of the year "dinner" will be attended by my parents...award or not.

APUSH Day

Enough said...I am not sweating bullets yet.

Prepping for AP Exam

We just call it 'APUSH'...Google it.  This year's AP exams are the normal 3 hours long and virtual so my classmates and I really had to buckle down.  Although Mom kept asking if I was ready, she really didn't need to.  I've been prepping all year as my teacher gave us loads of assignments geared toward answering AP questions.  Crossing fingers that I'll do well. 

Movies with video game buddies

IMDB.com

Another great meet-up with old friends from elementary school world and new friends from the virtual world.  It's always a great time when eating sushi and watching anime.  

Spring Tennis Camp

Burning the candle at both ends, I find, is not good.  While I was excited to start camp again, I didn't realize that too much tennis resulted in diminishing returns since I also continued with evening Tennis Academy.  Life lessons to be continued....forever.  Don't get me wrong - I still enjoy playing tennis.

High Honor Roll

 

Mom received an announcement of my award.  What does this mean?  Mom begins to explain that making the principal's honor roll recognizes academic achievement and will be recorded on my transcript which is sent to universities and colleges that I apply to.  Okay...blah, blah, blah.  I guess I do not get it yet.  "Just planting the seed, my son."  

"Let's celebrate with your favorite meal!", Dad exclaims.  Yippee!  Now that's what I can get on board with.

But I am only a JV player

Apparently, my coach thought it would be a good learning experience for me to compete against a varsity player from another school.  "Okay, but I am only a JV player!"  "My boy, you are good enough!!" he says.  Well, in the end I won a couple of games!!  Mom was so proud...as usual.