redemption. improvement

Since second semester senior year started, I found that my life quickly formed into a daily routine that would cycle continuously the same pattern. I did not anticipate my days to be made up of school, work, show choir, and chores. Last week was an exception though with the daily outings with friends and dinners with my family.

Show Choir. Yes, I am one of the forty-two girls who dresses up in those blue, glittery dresses, embellishes herself with double the makeup, applies red lipstick like it's never enough, and continues to slap on glitter on her chest and temples. Yes, I sing, and quite decently too. And yes, I smile with my corrected teeth and attempt to "flirt" on stage with a wink just so we, as a choir, appear that we're having fun.

Show Choir has certainly taught me one thing. Drama.

No. Unnecessary drama. There are a few individuals that I would LOVE to point out that can just talk behind people's bad as if it is as essential as water for survival. It makes me laugh and think how little it benefits for them in the near future. It is a pity that they will live never learn that gossiping about other girls is temporary and while their actions will, actually, permanently damage them. Oh well?

As music plays victoriously among the five schools, three judges appears behind the curtains presenting four trophies that will be issued to the top four of the six schools competed. Each girl in each school, with their make up and hairpieces intact, hold each other hands tightly, hoping to represent their schools with a trophy. A women begins to speak on the microphone, holding a piece of paper. No, it was not just any insignificant piece of paper that one can just mindlessly throw away. It was the results. The results. The results that can make every girl cry with happiness or disappointment.

"In second place, WALNUT HIGH SCHOOL!"

You can probably hear the screams of shocks and utter surprise from the group. Not only were they were satisfied. They were content and fulfilled with a sense of happiness that could not be taken away from any school.

The show choir competition in Alta Loma certainly became a redemption for our team. Winning second place was just as sweet as winning first since Brea Olinda were just crazy. Though, it was a pity that it was our last competition in our division. However, I was surprised that I wasn't nearly as sad as most other seniors, maybe till Spring Pops. In retrospect, I will certainly miss the thrill of competitions, the memories we've created, and the unrelenting smiles that we had within each second of the show.

I will certainly miss the competitions.

California Pizza Kitchen
1065 Brea Mall, Sp. 2052A
Brea, CA 92821

a taste of freedom

After a few weeks or so of working for my mom, I managed to gain a monetary boost from my meager hourly wage. Although my wage has no comparison to others' minimum wages, I was quite satisfied that I was able to spend money without worrying about how much I had in my pocket. However, it is wise to save up and spend it on something bigger. But I must say, it was a great feeling that I was able to earn more money than desperately saving up a small yet satisfying $200 for one whole year.

Liberation was the first feeling that I felt when I first began the "job." Though it was merely a lick of it, it was better than the feeling of dependence to my parents' weekly "allowance" of $15, when actually, it was a payment of labor.

Women's had another competition at Diamond Bar High School yesterday. Although we were placed third out of four schools, it was very satisfying when we were placed higher than Eastlake High School.

Tampopo Ramen
1388 S. Fullerton Rd., #125
Rowland Heights, CA 91748
626-965-9038

spoiled or blessed. your pick.

So it turned out sadly that Women's Ensemble did not get placed in the San Diego Competition, which I find very unfair. Out of seven schools that competed, we were placed 5th. It is ironic that we were placed at such a lowly position since we thought we should be placed for our musicianship. After the competition, many of us were disappointed of ourselves. But Sea World made it all better.

San Diego made me realize that I can eat more than I could imagine.
Saturday:
Nachos with cheese and guacamole
Chili cheese fries
Hi-Chews and gummies
6" Chicken parmesan sub
6" French onion sub
32 oz. Sprite
A bucket of fries
Hot cheetos puffs
Pocky

Sunday:
2 dishes of scrambled eggs
3 slices of bacon
Cinnamon roll
Strawberry and banana smoothie
Bacon Cheeseburger w/ fries
Lunchables Pizza
Hi-Chews and Gummies
Hot Cheeto puffs

Good Stuff.

In a woman's life, or even a girl's, we always have our firsts. Our first diamond necklace, ring, or a purse that is labeled by a particularly named brand. We cherish it and take care of it like our babies. We often take it out and show the world your wealth. After I came back from the San Diego trip, my mom told me that my cousin Olivia got me a present. To my surprise, she gave me my first jewelry from Tiffany & Co. as my 18th birthday gift.

*SQUEALS* yeah right.

It was pretty surprising that she bought me such an expensive gift when I don't see nor talk to her very often. At the same year, my mother also bought me my very first LeSportsac tokidoki purse (wow, a purse that is not fake!). Call me spoiled or blessed, I'm amazed and guilty for the gifts that they gave me. However, I have to be grateful and thank God for the unexpected fortune that I've bumped into.

Internal. Spinning. Mentality

As a start off of second semester, I decided, no, HAD NO CHOICE but to work for my mother in my parents' office. Quite sadly, I don't get paid the $8.00 minimum wage that most people earn. Instead, I get paid $6.00; however, I realized that I make about as much as a person who gets paid tax-deducted minimum wage. So it's pretty cool to earn an extra $40 a week or so each week.

Women's show choir competition is coming up! Excited!!