:: 2003 10 December :: 9.40 am
:: Mood: contemplative

China Babble
Okay, so sitting here in the "business center" of the hotel feels a little awkard. I'm at the only computer they have for guests to use and the attendent is sitting right across from me! lol. I have to say, Beijing is quite interesting. I didn't know what to expect, but I was surprised more than I thought I'd be. First of all, the downtown is kinda of scattered. It's not all clumped together like other big cities. There's a lot of old, dingy buildings admist a lot of new construction (they're trying to spark up the city for the 2008 olympics). Yesterday my uncle and I hired a driver and went into the city to check out the HomeTown/Pearl Market and Jiang Nan Silk museum/store. We went back today with my aunt and more adopting couples, and my aunt spent big bucks getting a lot of silk and jewelry. A lot of that stuff were gifts for her adopting daughter, Rachel, for when she gets older. The biggest problem so far has been the language barrier. No matter what you say they simply nod their head and say "yes, yes" or "no problem" or "for youuu." I guess they know more english than we know chinese, but still it's hard to communicate. Another challenge of sorts has been all the salespeople. It's hard to say no to them because they are actually nice (for the most part, and unlike the vendors in Paris). Last night at dinner was strange because we had a waitress and waiter, and then we had 3 different people bring out our dinners to each one of us. Talk about service! lol. You'd never see that in America. I guess the ratio here is 5:1, that is 5 attendants for every 1 customer. Tonight we saw an acrobatic show. It's was neat how they rode on bikes while twirling dishes and how they climbed on top of each other and balanced things. One kid even did a balancing act will flipping bowls from the board he was ridding to the top of his head. Well, it's about 10:30 pm here and I have to get up early for touring. I guess it won't be as bad as the 17 hours we spent up in the air! Word of Advice: DON'T DRINK THE WATER!

2 burns | Do you want to play with fire?

:: 2003 6 December :: 9.36 pm

Pre-adventure thoughts
Well, right now I'm in Detroit at my aunt and uncle's house. They look a little frantic, what with the running around trying to get everything together. I feel bad because I already have all my stuff packed, lol. We have to get up early though because we need to be at Detroit Metro airport by 7:30ish. Once there it's a short flight to Chicago's O'Hare airport, 3 hour layover, long-ass flight to Toyko, 2 hour layover, and finally Bejing! I'm telling myself that I'll do my homework on the flight, but I don't know if I really am THAT motivated. My aunt's not bringing her laptop anymore, but we're still supposed to have access to the internet every so often. Well, I'm out.
Oh yeah, floodlight was good last night. My favorite acts were Chicago, Dan and David's Melody, Kansas, and Becky and her Dad's act. Pretty much everyone was really good though (especially Josie : D).

7 burns | Do you want to play with fire?

:: 2003 4 December :: 11.59 pm

Right now I'm talking to Krystin, a senior from chicago, IL who helped me with my calculs tonight (well, sorta). Next year we're going to go Loyola, and she's going to be my homework buddy : D

5 burns | Do you want to play with fire?

:: 2003 4 December :: 9.16 pm
:: Mood: stressed

It's amazing how one day can be bad without anything bad happening to you. I guess 4 hours and less of sleep doesn't help, nor does waking up late and being rushed in the morning, but my number one pet peeve is people not listening to me when I'm trying to say something. That just set the tone for the rest of the day, even though it might not be that person's fault/done on purpose. Ever since lunch today I've felt sick (word of advice: don't eat school lunch). Yearbook was pretty busy today, and I didn't get much time to study for my french test, but tht was easy anyways. The Calculus quiz was what killed me. At leas the business test I took after school today wasn't too hard (I should owe that to my 2:30 am cram/review session).
Here's a recap of Justin's life right now (yes, I'm talking in 3rd person, that's how stressed I am):
1) tired
2) feels sick
3) calc is hard (don't understand it)
4) have yet to pack
5) english homework that I don't think I HAVE to do, but think I should do anyways.
6) floodlight is tomorrow (good luck to all)
7) need to apply to college tonight
8) leaves in 2 days
9) wants to buy the new GRD CD but found out it doesn't come out for a few more days.

Do you want to play with fire?

:: 2003 4 December :: 12.45 am

What Famous Leader Are You?

Do you want to play with fire?

:: 2003 3 December :: 1.21 am

I want the new GRD Bootlegger v. 3.0 CD!!

Do you want to play with fire?

:: 2003 3 December :: 1.03 am
:: Mood: accomplished

Despite some technical difficulties (I swear AOL hates me), I actually got some stuff that's been on the backburner done tonight. For starters, I registered to retake the ACT on Februrary 7th (using my brand new checkcard). Then I filled out an online application for Fordham University. I started NYU's application, but man, that school's discouraging to get into. Browsing their website, you are constantly reminded about how they are "highly selective," how most applicants go beyond the minimum requirements, how they highly suggest you take three SAT IIs. I also browsed Northwestern's site. They're supposed to be a good school to get into for business and yet they dont' have a business major??? Explain that one to me. It sucks because I like the school, just not the program. Grrr. Another relief is that I got most of the Equestrian story done, just waiting for some more answers and some pictures of the layout.

Do you want to play with fire?

:: 2003 30 November :: 11.32 pm

Tonight I went to Christina's and got my world studies project done. The Bird(s) chirping in the background add a sense of humor to the project, I think : P

2 burns | Do you want to play with fire?

:: 2003 30 November :: 1.03 am

Finally got back online today. Something was messed with our computer and my dad bought a new modem today. I hope it's working (been having some AOL problems). What did I do this thanksgiving break? Absolutely nothing, unless you count homework, but I'm content with that. Wish I had more time to do absolutely nothing though. Been thinking about college too. I'm not sure if Chicago is really where I want to go, but I'm not sure that New York is the place for me either. All I know is that I want to get out of Muskegon, and hopefully out of Michigan, too.

Do you want to play with fire?

:: 2003 26 November :: 12.28 am
:: Mood: giddy

Okay...5 mins before 7th hour ended, Netcott got a call that I was to report to the office after locker clean out. I report to the office and find out i have to talk to Mrs. Gillette. I talk to Mrs. Gillette and find out I have to audition TODAY, as soon as Mrs. Mcconnel arrives. So yep, I auditioned already! A few of my notes weren't perfect, but they said they know my range and know I can sing. I didn't have the lines (since I was expecting an audition), so they had me read some paragraph about Operas in some book on Mrs. Gillette's shelf. The first time through I read as "Moony," and the second time through I read as "Sir Evelyn." Both Mrs. Gillette and Mrs. McConnel seemed to get a kick out of my reading/singing Moony. I had to attempt a british accent (I'm sure it was horrible), but they told me I was "flexible." Anyways, I gotta record the lines on tape since they didn't have them at the audition. Later.

3 burns | Do you want to play with fire?

:: 2003 25 November :: 12.26 am

"Be nice to me. I gave blood today." Yes, after school Jami and Jill surprised me and invited to go donate blood. It was jill's first time, and I'm sure her arm will still be a little sore tomorrow! It's kinda funny because the girl that did mine kinda messed up and blood started squirting out. Hmm.. I was told that my face turned 'flush'.

1 burn | Do you want to play with fire?

:: 2003 23 November :: 1.42 am

Stayed home ALLL day long. And the only things i finished were my college homework and bible reflection (for english). Things I still gotta do:
1. study for my big college test
2. read a million pages of Charles Dickens
3. Research the Dhali Lama
4. Do my world studies worksheet
5. Study for the religion test (optional)
6. Calculus homework
7. Northwestern Essay
8. Reschedule my audition.

My aunt called today and told me the FINAL,REAL dates of the china trip. We're now leaving December 7th. It's kinda funny because this is after I already told my teachers that the date was changed to december 10th.

Do you want to play with fire?

:: 2003 20 November :: 7.46 pm
:: Mood: excited

I GOT ACCEPTED INTO LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO!! Okay, it's not THAT big of a surprise, but I'm happy.

4 burns | Do you want to play with fire?

:: 2003 19 November :: 10.46 pm
:: Mood: excited

THIS JUST IN: CHINA TRIP DELAYED. Yes, I am no longer leaving Dec. 4th but instead on Dec. 10th. Now I don't have to miss as much school, and I won't have as much homework to make up (yay!). I also get to go to floodlight and go to one more college class. This changes my audition time as well. I went to audition workshop tonight, and the directors told me that I could audition next week instead of in December. Now I have a little more time. We're doing Anything Goes and I'm going to try out for the three male leads: Billy, Moony, and Sir. Evelyn. Billy's probably the only part that I would be able to play well. Don't think I could master a british accent or be the comic relief of the play! That's all for now...

Do you want to play with fire?

:: 2003 17 November :: 10.51 pm
:: Mood: good
:: Music: evil german techno

Do you want to play with fire?