This past week, called Customs weeks (it's basically orientation), has been hectic. My schedule was packed hour to hour. So what have I been doing? I've slept through boring presentations, made tons of new friends, gotten waken up by my Customs people playing an electric guitar and banging pots and pans at 3am, gathered at the college's president's house at 3am, spent an hour and a half in the POURING rain during Dorm olympics, seen people moon and streak in the rain, held super intense, heart-to-heart, Ryla-style discussions with my Customs group, watched a hypnotist, went to an improv workshop, picked my classes, and today I started going to my classes.

I really like it here. The weather is absolute CRAP (oh, what I wouldn't give to have one day of CA weather) because it's always muggy, humid, and buggy (a.k.a there are a lot of bugs). I've only had one day of classes but I can already tell it's going to be crazy hard and I'm going to be working my ass off. And yet I know I'm going to have one hell of a great year. I know I'll be challenged and pushed to my limits, but that's the reason I'm here.

People make fun of me for saying "hella."

I met a guy who is 6'8". Dang.

I want my Rotary International tote bag that I bought in Chicago. It would be very useful to carry my books.

Susan Davidson and I were on the same plane out of California. She was wearing a NorCal sweatshirt. I want Norcal gear. I'll stock up on it when I come home for Thanksgiving. Yeah, I've decided to come home =D. It's a shame I won't be home for my birthday though. Eh.

Having an apartment is a little troublesome. We have to keep it clean, but after seeing the crappy dorm bathrooms and the cramped living conditions I'm so HAPPY that I have my own bathroom, living room, and condition. It would be perfect except for the fact that our refigerator doesn't work because it blows out hot air from the inside, the bathtub is brown with rust, the bathroom window has no screen, and I don't know what the brown stains on the carpet are.

Homesickness hasn't hit me yet because I've been too busy to think about it. I'll wait...it'll come in the next couple of weeks.

I'm sticky. Shower time.

It's 2:30am, and I'm leaving Fremont in three hours. And in six hours I'll be leaving CA.

The next time I blog will be from the wonderful town of Haverford, PA. Here's to a brand new adventure; there's no way to go but head first. Cheers.

My last outing with DC was absolutely memorable. I got about two hours of sleep, but it was all worth it: dinner at Pedro’s, Mario-Kart, apples to apples, slappy-slappy, extreme wrestling, mafia, and good conversations that ranged from relationships to mastication. Oh, how fun DC is in the early morning hours. College felt so surreal before, but now after seeing all of us together for the last time (until winter break) it seems so much more realistic because I’m actually saying my goodbyes. Well, I can’t find much to say right now, so let's take a picture stroll down memory lane of my past year with the BEST District Council ever (sorry new DC).


District Council 04-05


















First Presidents meeting. Eric came up with the hugging game...who else would? haha






Fall Leadership Conference
Pic 1: Opening ceremony
Pic 2: Me, Rahul, and JP. I like this picture because it reminds me when Rahul said that my cheekbones were really defined. hahahaha...most unique complement I've ever received.




Winterball; Yeah, we look hott =D








It's a Wrap
Pic 1: Normal DC
Pic 2: DC posing like models in a CK ad
Pic 3: DC being weird/scandalous...we hadn't perfected our scandalous posing yet but we've got it down to an art by now ;D








First DC + 2 sleepover
Pic 1: Six of us crammed into one Ikea shower
Pic 2: Eating sushi
Pic 3: Twister at Ruthann's house






Ski Trip
Pic 1: At Dodge Ridge
Pic 2: At the cabin. I know we're all doing weird poses, but WTF is Rahul doing?!?!






PolioPlus Cruise
Pic 1: I love how Rahul and Bjay are in the middle of a group of girls
Pic 2: Nick, Laura, me, and Ivan Cornelius







Beach/Bonfire
Pic 1: Normal picture of the group
Pic 2: DC posing scandalously by the bonfire
Pic 3: One of our best camera-whoring pictures...The Asian OC




Cotillion Hopping






Hanging out in F-Town
Pic 1: Bowling at Cloverleaf. Wtheck is Rahul doing with his leg?
Pic 2: Sugarshots at Denny's




Senior Ball






Spring Banquet
Pic 1: The Pavilion
Pic 2: DC posing scandalously...much improved from the "It's a Wrap" poses












Chicago
Pic 1: Our booth in the House of Friendship
Pic 2: Field Museum
Pic 3: Navy Pier
Pic 4: Sears Tower
Pic 5: Hooters



Ryla '04 (including 7 DC-ers...Lynne's sort of off to the edge) at the '05 Beach Reunion;






Pic 1: Getting food to go at Plutos
Pic 2: Los Altos Hills


I typed a semi-lengthy paragraph about how much DC means to me, but I deleted it because if you’re a part of DC+2 you already know all that junk and that’s all that really matters then. Just this: I will miss you guys like CUH-RAAAZY in college, and when winter break comes around we WILL hang out.

I've just had a very enjoyable evening involving a pizookie party platter at BJ's and a long conversation in Doug's dark living room. Tonight is one of those nights when I'm feeling very sad about leaving for college. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know...it's old news. I've been counting down forever, and I'm sure everyone's sick of hearing me talk about it...heck I'm even sick of thinking about it. But this isnt' something I can really hold back.

Laura and I were talking a lot tonight about college, and it's something that hasn't really hit us yet. We're both leaving in a week, and yet it seems so far away. I feel as if I have all the time in the world, but I know in reality I just have six more days. And although the full realization that I'm leaving CA hasn't really sunk in, there are times when I feel a sudden wave of sadness. Tonight is one of those times...probably because Laura brought up the fact that a lot of stuff that we're doing this week will be "lasts." The last time seeing so-and-so-person, the last time doing something in Fremont, the last get-together with a group of friends, the last time I'll be picked up and dropped off at my house by Laura, the last time I play Mario Kart, the last DC+2 hangout, the last hug, the last hello, the last goodbye, and eventually the last time I'll be in my house until December.

HAHA. I just realized I sound like I'm about to die. College isn't a death sentence, I know. But it's a new chapter in my life, and I'm leaving a lot behind...more than most people since I'm going so far. Yet, it's still a new adventure that I'm going to tackle head on....but not before I'm overcome with fits of nervousness and apprehension. Yeah, I totally just killed my brave, courageous, warrior-like attitude with the last part of that sentence.

On another note, I'm very uneasy about starting a Rotaract Club. The reason? IT'S SO EFFING HARD. I would really just like to be a member in a Rotaract Club and not take on a leadership position because it's my freshman year, and I don't want to overwhelm myself. I want to focus on my academics. Starting a club is some serious hard work. Yes I know I'm a past Lt.Governor, but I was in that position in an already established district....a very strong one at that. Well regardless of all that, I decided to take the plunge, and today I emailed the Rotary District 7450 Governor. So there's no turning back now. I'll just lay low for the first semester, corresponding with Rotary but not really getting the club started until my second semester when I'm more adjusted to college-life. I think that's a good plan.

I wonder how things will be when I come back in December. Will I be the same? Will my friends be the same? Will relationships be the same between everyone? Or will everything be completely different? Will college totally have changed us? This isn't something I've been contemplating deeply; it's just thoughts that have crossed my mind.

Hm...did anyone actually read through this entire blur of an entry? I didn't delve deeply into any topic because the entry was more for my benefit so that I could get out all the thoughts crammed inside my head. Apparently at 1am there's more stuff in my head than I thought. OMGOODNESS IT'S 1:23AM?! I think David's picking me up at 11am for lunch. I'm not sure. I should find out. I guess that means I should sleep soon. But I'm in a TLN chatroom, and we're talking about music. Good songs are being thrown out left and right, and memories are flooding my mind. And I'm also downloading songs like mad with each IM.

I feel like talking on the phone, but I don't know anyone up for that at this time. It's ok, TLN is sustaining me right now =D.

DC CD MIX IS A GOOD IDEA. I APPLAUD ERIC FOR THAT IDEA.

Why am I still blogging?

I'm listening to "Here's to the Night" by Eve 6. More good memories. I like memories that actually make me smile when I think about them.

The air quality is getting worse, and so my cough is getting worse also.

I'm supposed to be getting my sleep cycle back on track, and it was working for two days. I blew it tonight. Oh well.

Ok, I'm ending this entry before I get carried away and start talking about random stuff like Laura's twitching. HAHA. Goodnight all.

Rotary Day at the A's, Jean's belated bday dinner, lying on Milpitas High School's football field at 9:30pm, playing Mario Kart at Sophia's house, playing with Sophia's hyperactive kitten, going to the park at midnight and running away from the sprinklers, and playing Mario Kart at Doug's house....these past few days have been relaxing and fun. I find that I don't have to go anywhere special or do anything crazy to have fun with my friends; there's tons of fun to be found in just chilling around and talking.

Exactly one week left.

Blogger has finally enabled me to post pictures, and I want to test it out. Plus, I have nothing better to do at 11:00 pm.


Me and Patrick before the graduation ceremony.

I didn't have ANY pictures of us, andI wanted at least one since I'm leaving for school really soon (OMGOODNESS 10 DAYS. WTHECK). So I started asking around, and it turns out Wendy had this one on her computer. Thanks a bunch Wendy =D. Oh, if anyone has a picture of the two of us, or if you have a picture of me and you (yes you...the person reading this blog) I'd appreciate it if you could send it to me via a url to your online album, or through email at stephaniewu@gmail.com. And if you're a part of DC + 2, disregard that request because I've probably already raided your photo album for pictures (if you posted the link online). hahaha.

I've started coughing, but I'm NOT sick. I refuse to be branded with that label. I attribute my coughs to the slowly disintegrating air quality. Yes, I'm sure that's it.

Last night...er, this morning at 2am...JP, Jenny, Steven, Alan, and I went to Mission Peak to watch the meteor shower. It was a very successful adventure =D. We didn't walk all the way up...just walked up about 10-15 minutes and sat on a hill. The view of the city was absolutely gorgeous, and the night sky was really clear so we were able to see a lot of stars and 25+ meteors. It was very relaxing lying around on the hill, away from bright city lights, just talking and stargazing. Plus, it wasn't too cold outside so we were pretty comfortable. This is something I'd like to do again sometime.

Our early morning adventure was slightly tainted after we dropped Jenny off because Steven ran a red light and three cameras took a picture. Oh dear. None of us realized he ran the light until the car all of a sudden got REALLY bright (because of the camera flashes). I hope he doesn't get in too much trouble =/.

I wonder when I should start packing. Eh.

I leave in exactly two weeks. East Coast is far. *sigh.*

Patrick and I went to the park today. I like the park. I don't like how little kids are always on my swings though. Punks.

I've discovered a place called Cinema San Pedro in San Jose. It shows old movies outdoors every Wednesday night. I love old movies, and I like watching movies outside...so I've concluded that I must go to this place before I leave. And since I'm working this Wednesday, it is only logical that I go next Wednesday. And I WILL go...I don't care if I have to take the bus there alone. Yeah shut up.

I finished reading Battle Royale. That book is insanely violent....definitely the most violent book I've ever read and probably ever will read. It's Harry Potter page-turning status. Yeah that's right; I'm putting it on the same level as HP.

I don't like ice cream anymore. How sad.

Feeling massive amounts of sadness, loneliness, and missingness.

Well, not massive amounts; I just like that phrase, so I decided to use it. Maybe just a small dose of the aforementioned feelings. Yes, that's it.

Fucking blogger. Die.

I wrote a FATTY post and it all got erased. Maybe it's a good thing it got erased. It was many paragraphs of me ranting about my dad, and it concluded with me deciding I should try to be less rude because it's obvious my dad won't change. But freaking A it was a good rant, and I would've liked to read it again. ARGH.

My mouth was drilled into this morning, in three different places. Lucky me. Getting my cavities filled didn't hurt; it was just an uncomfortable experience having my jaw propped open for 35 minutes while two people inserted metal instruments into my mouth.

I must balance my checkbook now. My life is dangerously wild =D

I've been to SF three times in the less than a week.

Last Thursday I went with Ruthann and JP. We went to Hooters and hung around Fisherman's Wharf and shopped around Union Square and the mall. The SF Hooters girls are prettier than the Chicago Hooter girls. While we were walking to Hooters we saw women holding a banner that read "Breasts not Bombs." Then they all took off their shirts and flashed half of SF. Wtheck.

Then yesterday I went to SF with Michelle. We visited City Hall, the SF library (checked out this gallery about Homosexuals during the Holocaust. It was interesting), and the Asian Art Museum (we wanted to get back to our Tibetan roots. hahahaha. Plus, the museum is free the first tuesday of each month, courtesy of Target). That was a really fun day. Thanks for the talk Michelle =D. It's good to get things off my chest, and psychoanalyzing ourselves is always fun, yeah? We took a picture with the TARGET DOG. Why? Because he's damn cool. And we colored a picture of a Tibetan Buddha god.

And today I went to SF with Jenny, Amina, Audrey, Patrick, Steven, and Charles. We were suppoesd to go the SF zoo, but Charles got in a car accident at the first light off of the freeway. Egh. Everyone was ok, but his car wouldn't start after that so it had to be towed back to Fremont. We were all sobered up after that so the rest of us headed back to Fremont and ate all-you-can-eat soup, salad, and breadsticks at Olive Garden. Patrick and I were saying that you know a person has Asian parents when they get into an accident, and the thing they're most scared of isn't their insurance, their car damage, or the police...it's their parents. The law and the police are at the bottom of the list.

I guess you could say it was a waste of a day because all we did was drive around, go to Olive Garden, and make a quck stop at the mall....but I'm not mad, annoyed, irked or anything. It was nice just spending time with my friends. I guess since I'm leaving in 20 days (OMG) any time that I spend around friends is special.

I was so excited about college last month, and I couldn't wait to go. I'm still excited....there's no doubt about that. It's a new adventure and there's going to be so much to experience. But a bigger part of me really just wants to stay around Fremont. The closer I get to leaving, the more I dread it. It's starting to hit me that I'm going to be leaving everything behind, and my life on the East Coast will be totally different. I'll be thousands of miles away from everything I've ever known. I think I'm actually starting to get sad. Last month it was still, "Oh, I'm not leaving until August. I have plenty of time. I can't wait to go to the East Coast." But now it's actually August, and I leave in two and a half weeks. OMG I LEAVE IN TWO AND A HALF WEEKS. THAT SOUNDS SO MUCH SHORTER THAN SAYING "I LEAVE IN LESS THAN THREE WEEKS." ahhhhhhhhhhhhh. I dont want to go to college. Well that's not true....I do want to go. Just not.....so soon. I'm sad. I'm scared. I mean it when I say I'll miss everyone. OMGOSH what am I doing. I talk like I'm leaving tomorrow. Stop this Stephanie.

Ok, no more talk about me leaving until the day before I leave. I dont know if I have that much self control so I'll try to keep it at a minimum. haha.

Things I MUST do before I leave:
- Climb to the TOP of Mission Peak
- Go to a drive-in movie
- Lake Elizabeth at night (this may seem random but I haven't been there at night for two years...and I need a new memory to associate Lake Elizabeth with. No details there).
- Aquatic Park at night
- Top of the World one last time
- HUGE DC + 2 gathering. That's right, I want to see all of your asses...especially in formal wear because we look damn sexy ;D
- Bob's Giant Burgers
- QUIT MY JOB. This is at the top of my effing list. I'm doing it next week.

For some reason this entry transgressed from my SF experiences to me leaving for college in two and a half weeks. I don't know how I managed that.

There are ants in my bathroom. I'm going to go on a killing spree.

I'm sad.

Hopefully tomorrow's museum day with Michelle will cheer me up.

I'm learning to crochet. I'm not very good. But I'm determined to get good because I want to make myself four scarves.....one for each house at Hogwarts. Scarlet and gold for Gryffindor, green and silver for Slytherin, yellow and black for Hufflepuff, and blue and bronze for Ravenclaw. From the way things are going on my practice yarn, I don't think I'll get to finish four scarves. But it's nice to have goals =D.