I have just signed my life away.

Well, not really, but it's pretty close. Due to scheduling conflict, I'm now back in band both semesters, and in addition, I'm back in marching band. More hours of fun in the sun... well, more like sweat and toil. Sigh. One of my regrets is not doing marching band last year (my junior year). I could have been woodwind captain last year, but no, I was the idiot who decided to quit. Now I'm reduced to another piccolo on the line... guess I'll have to make the best of it. I pray I can manage this and all my APs. I'm a study-holic.

Lately, life's been just fantastic. Being in love has reduced me to a silly, inane girl.

But being the workaholic I am, I want to go back and do more productive stuff towards school... this incessant nagging in the back of my mind... why can't I just let go and not worry so much?

Being in love is one of the best feelings in the world. <3

***

Happy Father's Day to everyone, even if you're not a father. My sister and I pleasantly surprised our dad with two cute cards, a Snoopy "Cool Daddy-O" T-shirt, and some dark chocolate. That may not seem a lot, but my dad has mostly everything he needs, and he doesn't like us buying random gifts that will only end up collecting dust :) We all had a joyous morning, which is rare since most of us aren't up in the mornings.

We went out to eat, and around 4pm, my sister, dad, and I went to see Hitch at the 99 cent theater. Sigh. Sorry, that movie fell way below my expectations. I chuckled at some parts, but I wasn't rolling on the floor laughing like I thought I would be doing. The movie dragged on way too long, and that Hispanic girl was getting on my nerves! I didn't like her from the start. Will Smith could have been funnier. The movie was too cheesy and long for my liking.

BOOK-A-HOLIC: So far this summer, I have read 13 books. If I can, I want to read 50, but I don't know if that's stretching it a bit... then again, I am known for reading a lot. Well, maybe I should concentrate on other more important things than reading all these fiction novels... now why don't I have an 800 on the SAT I verbal yet...

Hey everyone! I saw Batman Begins today with some of my friends (love you all!) :) Christian Bale looks horrible with the mustache and beard (hello, Reign of Fire?) in my opinion, but when he's clean-shaven and not psycho (ahem, American Psycho), he looks pretty good. :) He did an okay job as Bruce Wayne. You know, the troubled 30-year-old type of guy. I always imagine Christian Bale as the dark one... :) (Equilibrium comes to mind) Katie Holmes was kind of... uhh, I don't know, a little wooden in her acting, but it was decent. Nice action scenes, though, but oh my gosh, the Scarecrow guy (the guy who terrorizes everyone with aerosol hallucinogens) was a joke. I thought it was a reject Joker at first. Get a new mask, honey. The torn up corn sack with holes for eyes was a horrible excuse for a mask.

Thanks and hugs to all those who voted for my site! *heart* I will be continuing it this week, so if you vote for my site again this week, I would really appreciate it! :) I used to do vote exchanging with 100s of people, but it got to be a hassle and an annoyance, so I guess I will rely on true voting this time. :)

I went out shopping with my sister today. "Sisters (and brothers?) are the friends you're born with!" On the days that we're not at each others' throats, we are, in fact, pretty good friends. We went to Target (woot) and the mall. I went shopping for a special someone and my dad. Father's Day is on June 19th! Of course, we swung by Wal-mart (open 24 hours!) and spent some more money there. I spent about $80 today, most of it not for me. :O Shopping all day drains your money like none other!!! Gah. We ate at Subway for dinner. Yum. Light mayo tastes exactly like regular mayo!

Yale sent me its application today. I guess I should apply there. My dad said the importance of Ivy League schools is the connections you will have after college. "It's especially important in business!" How true, you're so up there... ^_^'

Okay, I'm going to relax now. :)

Does anyone else have memory problems?

I think I am a likely candidate for Alzheimer's in my later years. If the present is any indication of how I will be in the years to come, oh goodness gracious, my future is not pretty. I have a problem remembering past events, from a mere six hours ago to six years ago. For some reason, certain things just won't stick in the crevices of my memory bank UNLESS I write it down. Perhaps that's why I keep a journal in real life. You can tell me a million times what you're planning on doing later today, and chances are, I'll be like, "Say wha?" if you ask me to ramble off your list. My friend asked me some facts about someone, and as I opened my mouth to answer, I paused, then I panicked. I couldn't remember... Well, perhaps my lack of memory isn't as bad as I think it is. Then why does it feel like I can't... recall... anything...to...save...my...life?

I hung out with my friend Kelly and her sister today. She and I have been friends for about 10 years now (hooray!) and I don't see her that often, to tell you the truth. She's a couple of years older than me, and you know how it is with friends older than you... the college years, etc. I still love her anyway and appreciate the times, including today, that we spend together. :D We ate pizza and cookies (junk food, yay) and watched some TV while we caught up on gossip. I love Chinese gossip... (call that sarcasm if you will ^^ but it's kind of addicting)

Nerds make better lovers =) Do you know I have a shirt that says I LOVE NERDS on it? Ha. Well, I do. ^_^

Hello, everyone! If you haven't seen it already, I would appreciate your voting for my site at Fantasy Fights: Garden of Enchantment. The banners for FF on my site here are on the left sidebar in case you haven't seen it. Fantasy Fights is a family-friendly, fun web competition. I actually won it awhile back in 2002 (you can see it on the winners list) under a different site (Queen Dani's Palace ^_^), so out of fun, I wanted to try it again. You may vote once per day (Monday - Friday except holidays) for Elegantly Insouciant, my site, and I would really, truly appreciate it :)

I've been in this horrible, listless mood these past couple of days. My ankle has been healing okay (for those who don't know, I tore a ligament about 2 weeks ago), except I still can't bend it in certain directions. In fact, I can't squat at all since it requires the bending of the ankle, blah. Thanks to all those who have wished me a fast recovery! *heart*

I might be destined for 5 APs next year. I talked to my school guidance counselor today, and I found out that debate, normally 2nd period, is moved to 6th (really, really odd, since I'm sure it's been 2nd period for years ;D), but AP Biology is also 6th period. Due to my unfortunate lack of interest in the debate activity this past year, I think it would be much better for me to drop debate over AP Bio, but... *in Mandarin Chinese* "man kuh shi" (not accurate pinyin, my dears ^_^) because I' ve done it for 3 years now (since 9th grade)... pity that the last year is no more...(yes, I can't let go!)

SAT IIs this past Saturday left me feeling rather grim. U.S. History and Chemistry were okay. MATH IIC however, well... For some reason, an 800 in math (either SAT I or II) continues to elude me (heck, even a 700 - I got a 690 last time), and I don't know why. I read in this book that females tend to score, on average, 40 points lower than males on math, and how the SAT may be biased towards males. Err, right. The SAT falsingly makes women believe they suck at math (at least, that's the feeling I'm getting) and consequently, my parents (my dad in particular) thinks I'm a failure at math. Riiight. Even though I get 100s in school... Well, the book did say that the SAT scores usually don't have that much of a correlation as to how well women do in college, GPA wise. We'll see. Maybe I'll be totally awesome in adv. Calculus, but an 800 in SAT math will forever elude me.

Peanut butter is good. ^_^ I put peanut butter on whole wheat English muffins, and it's quite scrumptious.

Who Links Here

Take care everyone, God bless :)

Ugh, guess who woke up at 7AM today...

I could have sworn I heard ESPN announce that the French Open Semifinals was at 8AM Eastern time. So, being the recent tennis nerd that I am, I woke up at 7AM (surprisingly, unaided!) and what do I find on ESPN?

Stump the Schwab!

Well, I learned some new sports trivia (NOT)... anyway, it's this game show featuring this burly guy named Schwab (last name, I presume) and some other middle aged guys try to get more trivia points (sportsof course) right than the big man. Whoo...

I have been up for two hours now, watching The Fairly Odd Parents ("Everything tastes better with rabies! Yay!" -Cosmo) and learning French. Actually, I think it would be cool to learn conversational French/Spanish because I mostly deal with reading/writing the languages (definitely more Spanish, since I've been learning it for 2 years now)... Engage in a conversation with me, and I'll be like, "No hablo espanol muy bien" or whatever ^_^" One thing I love about Mandarin Chinese: NO CONJUGATIONS! Everything is pretty much the same...

SAT IIs tomorrow. I'm going to fail math. Omg.

Ok, so I can't do math...

I'm a disgrace to all Asian people out there. -_-

Gosh, I don't know my calling in life. I don't know what I'm good at. Definitely not math, I'll tell you that. People look at me and expect me to jump into the medical field... in a perfect world, I think that's about right, but I don't know. I don't really feel a passion for science-y fields. Sure, I know chemistry (I think :D), but... what does that tell me? Not much. And sure, I play flute. Been playing since 6th grade. But what am I supposed to do with this after high school? Pack it away to collect dust for years to come, if I'm not doing band?

I just feel like I'm not smart enough. Ever.

Happy belated birthday to my hostess, Kathie!! :) I love you!

Yes, new layout. I've gotten better about this... it's been less than 2 months! ;) I was listening to Spanish rock/pop and found a cool lyric "My heart never left" ... I don't think it was talking about summer :p (a girl, I believe), but it sounds like a summer-y theme, right? I'm not turning into one of those *sPrIng BreAk 2005* girls, am I? :P Yikes, no.

My depression has lifted a little bit... I turned to learning French once again (how dorky am I?!) :) I wanted to learn Italian, but maybe I should master Spanish first... teehee. For now, I'll just be content with their music.

I got SAT scores back... I took it May (it's almost over!!), and well, I thought I did really badly on it because I didn't wait long enough since March. Well, I raised my overall score 70 points (woot), but I would like to break a 2200 =\ ... but I'm stupid when it comes to these things, so maybe not. I'm almost graduating, too. Yikes!! How time flies, as cliché as that might sound.

I went to physical therapy today, but I didn't need it since I'm still healing. Oh well. At least I got to talk to this Russian/Polish guy. Man, I love accents :D

Happy Memorial Day! May God bless our troops!!

Am I too dependent on exercise and/or moving around? A whole week since my sprained ankle incident, and my ankle is still not 100% healed. I have to go to physical therapy tomorrow.

Lately, I've been suffering moderate to extreme depression because I feel so suffocated at home. One day, I wanted to cry so much... but then again, it was like, 12:00 am or so. I just feel really trapped. I can't believe I waited 180 days (of school) to get out only to be confined to another prison: my house. The worse thing is that it's more that 8 hours a day, unlike school. That, and the fact that I don't move around as much, so where else does my food go? That's right, it gets turned into fat, and I am once again this blob. I just feel like this giant pillow with arms, legs, and a head. =(

People say I complain about my figure too much, and perhaps I do. But until I feel comfortable enough to walk to the pool with a swimsuit on (I have NEVER felt comfortable going to the pool), I don't think I will ever be happy... such is the fate of the perfectionist in everything s/he does =(

Sigh. Sorry, yeah, I do sound depressed. Once I get this brace off, I'll move around again and I will be a happy child once more. :) Don't injure yourself, my lovelies :) take care, be safe, be happy!

Oh, NADINE, where are you??? :P

PAIN. HURT. OW.

Hey, update on my life: I tore a ligament in my ankle on Monday. That's right, first couple days of summer and I've already got myself injured. >:o Monday was THE MOST PAINFUL DAY OF MY LIFE (I shed so many tears, my face was so red), and Tuesday resulted in a trip to the doctor, a soft cast, and crutches to boot. Right. Good news is that it comes off Friday, and I get a brace. Thank God it wasn't anything more serious...like, breaking all the tarsals/metatarsals in my foot.

I played Yahoo!Graffiti with some friends last night. Being "the last one to leave" stinks. Most of my better, longtime friends have been in college for awhile, now... and I'm still here, with another year left. I guess I shouldn't wish it away. It won't do me any good :-)

Today was graduation. CONGRATULATIONS SENIORS, CLASS OF 2005! No, I'm not graduating yet, but it was a poignant moment when I saw all of my friends being called. I'll be there, next year... bawling my head off :) I finally finished junior year, but I still have another year looming before me. Hooray. -_-

I don't know what colleges that I should apply to. I'll probably be doing pre-med and/or engineering... something along the likes of these. I'll be staying in the United States, so no Oxford, England or anything :D Suggestions? XD

Okay, blogthings sure are addicting. I don't know why. The cute little sites like these "tell" you things about yourself, and well, sometimes, they come shockingly close to the truth XD but othertimes, they're way off.

Your Dominant Thinking Style:

Visioning You are very insightful and tend to make decisions based on your insights. You focus on how things should be - even if you haven't worked out the details. An idealist, thinking of the future helps you guide your path. You tend to give others long-term direction and momentum.

Your Secondary Thinking Style:

Experimenting You're all about looking at the facts, and you could always use more of them. You see life as your lab - and you're always trying out new things, people, and ideas. The master of mix and match, you're always coming up with unique combinations. You are good at getting a group to reach consensus.

What's Your Thinking Style?

All right, I'm off to learn German.

My friend noticed that I had this cute little French phrasebook, and she bought me this cute little German phrasebook XD isn't that funny? Right now, I'm trying to perfect my Chinese/Spanish (it's so odd - on channels like CCTV international, they have Chinese people speaking almost fluent Spanish! No accent! So... I listen to them :D), trying to pick up some French (Je vais bien), and I guess I will throw German on the backburner, although their pronounciation is kind of... different, yes? Hmm, I know "guten tag" and Hello (Ha-lo) :D

Well, I think languages are fun. Hey, I listen to Italian music... *shrugs*

Mood: relieved.

Last week was rough. So many tests in a row, one after the other. Well, I managed to get out of it unscathed (except for the dark circles around my eyes, yeah). We took a practice AP exam in Chemistry that counted as a test grade. I thought I was going to get a 3 or so due to my performance on the multiple choice - my goodness, that was the hardest selection of multiple choice questions I have ever seen -_- I answered 40 right but 28 wrong (28, geez... in a real class, that would be, what, failing?) Free response was all right, but my teacher told me I got 0 points for one of them, -.- But in the end, I think my other free response questions worked out so I managed to get a "5" (the highest) overall... but barely. The AP Chemistry exam is next Tuesday, so I will do a little more studying (because I haven't really been studying lately... reading the Barron's book 20 minutes before Chemistry period, all right!), and hopefully I'll get a 5 on the real thing *prays*

SAT on Saturday -_-

Test after test after test after test.

Oh yeah, I got a "cute" haircut. It's a little longer than my shoulders now (as opposed to, say, my elbows) - long hair is pretty, but it's so hard to manage and keep out of the way (yes, I know, tie it up, but I'm not too fond of doing that very often :D)

Hmm, you can click here to see me in my prom dress. It's a fuzzy picture, but it will do.

PROM PICTURES ARE IN!!! YAY!!!

Our school had prom last Friday, and I just now got the pictures developed. Always the latecomer, I am. ;D I will upload some later (I need to get them scanned) ... Prom was lots of fun, although the prom was held "in a box," as someone kindly said (well, most rooms are "boxes" anyway) :) I had a good date, Mr. Prakash over here (doubt you'd read this, but once again, thanks lots! Haha, a new Dani phrase?) ... thank youuuuu!

Okay, this week was crazy crazy. I've been memorizing like none other for the past three days. Now, one more leap to make - I have 5 tests tomorrow. *grins* Studious Dani. Actually, I've been losing it lately. I've been having mean temper streaks and complaining to the world, "Why me?" Not like I have it that hard, right? =
I looooove Robin Hood: the soundtrack (old movie? still good, though... NOT the Men in Tights version). It's currently stuck in my head.

Three more concerts I have to play in from now until May 10!! o_O For those who don't know, I play flute/piccolo.

*sigh*

Finally, a new layout. I don't know if the colors match. I was never known for my sense of style. :)

I had this layout a long time ago, but I never used it. Probably because it was hard to match up the colors. Duurrr... well, at least it is a new layout for those who are interested. :)

Yesterday, I went to a carwash, washed some cars, ate with some friends at Chili's. I hung out with my "gal pals," Chinatown (a group of four, myself included, Chinese girls) in the Target shopping area. Whoohoo, so much stuff to buy, so little money... :) I need to get a job. I'm waiting for my paycheck from the Masters, though... $500 to spend!

I've been stressed out way too much lately. I think I do put it on myself. :( Well, technically, there is so much stuff to do, and I want to be prepared for anything and everything. Is that too much to ask?

I exercised today. There's this one kickboxing/squat move I'm fond of. I wish I had more time to exercise because that's the only reason why I don't weigh 29348739 pounds right now. Thank you, cardio and strength training...

Okay, just realized I shouldn't be sitting here. Should be hitting the books once again. D'oh. :) Love you all.

Ok, I suck.

I've been getting like, no sleep lately. Trying to "diet" but still thinking that I'm on the fat side (the mirror is oh, so cruel) ... hmm, what else. Gone psycho/insane lately, remember kids, sleep is very, very important! Otherwise, you'll start rambling like me :) ...

One more hurdle, Dani ... one more (well, more like 40 more)

I have a new layout, but I need to code it and coordinate the colors, so it'll be awhile (yeah, I know, I suck, I'm sorry). :)

Happy Easter Sunday :) Unfortunately, it's stormy over here. I've been picking up my Scriptures readings lately. There's so much that I don't know...

!!!! I still can't figure out how to install wordpress.

Am I supposed to upload the files in a specific manner? ASCII, binary, etc. I'm using WS FTP. I've uploaded all the files, and it keeps on telling me that my info for wp-config.php is wrong, yet I typed in everything Kathie gave me... any suggestions?

I will... make a new layout this Friday (hopefully! Someone needs to kick me) since spring break starts next week and I won't have time to be at the computer because I'm working (that's right, I live in the golf capital of the world) ... :)

Much love to everyone, but especially a special someone. :)

The weather is fantabulous.

And I think I just coined my own term. *grins* Oh wait, just kidding, it's an actual word :) LOL ... anyway, darn. Yeah, spring has officially arrived, methinks, and the sun is out! I hope to see green and sky blue everywhere now. I am blessed that I do not suffer from allergies, so I can romp around in the grass :) But ... seriously, if there's a nice day out, do try to enjoy the brightness and sunshine!

I love my friends. Omg. I have been so neglectful of everyone lately. I am the worst friend in the world ... living in my own world, entrenched in my books (is that the right word? or am I guilty of a malapropism again?) ... I caught up with a couple of people, and I realized how long we haven't exchanged words ... bad, bad, bad, Dani. I even wrote an essay about this awhile ago (keeping friendships/relationships alive) ... d'oh. I need to practice what I preach.

I'm going to take a nap. Falling asleep while practicing flute is not cool. Au revoir.

Okay, well, I got one of the four things done on my "Things to Do" and that's a new cam pic. It's not even a good one (the beginnings of my research paper for AP Lit), but it will do. Hey, it's an update (a much needed one) ... and I really need to get my hands on Photoshop soon. Layout ideas... coming up with a new layout idea is always the hardest part for me, and the design comes second :P kind of ironic, though. Well, both procedures take a long time for me (I'm slow). :D

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY (tomorrow) since I'm not going to be blogging tomorrow, obviously :D Recuerda llevar las prendas verdes (Spanish students, take note at my horrendous grammar?) ... ^_^

I want to be fluent in the "Latin" languages before I die. French, Spanish, Italian, etc. etc. Well, okay that's probably not possible in all 92837489 of them, but perhaps, at least one ... but if I want to be fluent, I really need to be serious in my studies, yes? Aren't polyglots cool? I respect them a lot. It takes a lot of time and dedication in order to get a language down ;P If you want to try a new language, try Mandarin Chinese... -_- It's a never-ending journey.

Listening to: DMB's "Grey Street"
Feeling: Apathetic, but leaning towards grumpy...