Today was a very eventful day. And not in a good way. I don't know how to start writing about what happened, because it's so freaky. But I'll give it a shot. I can't promise any coherence, because I'm still shaky.
We were in Spanish class, the last class of the day. The bell was due to ring any minute, so we were all chatting and joking around. Suddenly, one of the school secretaries comes in, sweaty and agitated, and told us that the bell was not going to ring, because there had been an emergency and everybody needed to stay in their classrooms until it was solved.
It turns out that a classmate of mine, who was taking a history test at the moment, had suddenly started convulsing and they were waiting for the ambulance to arrive. As I was told by my friends who were in class with him, the teacher had just handed out the tests and he turned his head towards another classmate. The teacher reprimanded him and told him to focus on his work, but he did not react. He started turning his neck towards his back, as if on a 180 degree angle. Then he started shaking, and foaming in the mouth, and his eyes rolled backwards. She hugged him tight and told everyone to leave the room and call the principal. The administration staff came, with the nurse, and they laid him on the floor, where he started shaking and convulsing even more. He tensed his hands and kept turning his neck, which had grown very red. They immediately called an ambulance. But apparently, the convulsions lasted a long time, which is very, very dangerous.
I'm seriously freaked out. Nothing like this has ever happened to a classmate of mine before. He and I had drifted apart over the years, but I have many happy memories of him from when we were children. I've known him for 13 years, since we were in kindergarden together. He was my boyfriend in the 5th grade, and his mom used to called me every night to ask me about our homework (he wasn't the most studious of kids). Even though we haven't talked as much in high school, he's very dear to me, and I would be devastated if something serious happened to him. Any of my classmates would be devastated, not only because we are a very united class and almost everyone knows each other, but also because of the proximity of such an event. Plus, we're in our last semester of senior year. Something like this can't happen when we are so near to the end.
My classmates and I are trying to remain calm about the whole thing. The last I heard, he was in the ER and they were running all sorts of tests. Tomorrow we will know more. Until then, I have to study for the same history test he was supposed to be taking today. It doesn't do wonders for my mood. But I just wanted to write about this to you guys, because you always have the ability to calm me down and make me feel better. I miss you all, and I wish we were back at TASP now. Much love.
*******************UPDATE***********************
He's fine. He was discharged from the hospital yesterday and he came to school today. I had visited him at the hospital on Sunday and he was a lot better, so I was much calmer after that. Anyway, they never found out exactly what caused the convulsions. The doctor had to make some sort of diagnosis, so he said my friend had some weird type of epilepsy, which is not easily detected through the tests they administered. He is going to be on medication for a while, and he cannot drive for 6 months. Also, he cannot drink for 2 years. That one is especially painful, but we're all going to be watching him, because we don't want another episode like that :)
Thanks so much for your support, guys. I was really freaked out when it happened, and I directly came to you because you are all so important to me and I trust you. I also realized yesterday that it has been 6 months since TASP, and I can honestly say that it does not feel like that long, because you are all still very much a part of my life. And it will stay that way. Much love, and many thanks.
- Laura
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Reunion: When and Where
Ok, I know you are probably starting to tire of my incessant facebooking/emailing/blogging about this reunion thing, but I'm just trying to cover all the bases and make sure everyone gets the information. So please bear with me, or I'll forcefully raise my hand in your general direction ;)
You should by now have received an email detailing proposed dates and places for the reunion. Please reply by February 12th with your preferences. The more information you provide (i.e. your second, third, and fourth choices, as well as places and times that absolutely won't work for you) the more effective this survey will be. The goal is to have a date and location chosen by March 1.
WHERE?
Boston
Washington, D.C.
St. Louis
New York City
Chicago
Minneapolis/St. Paul (because it's cheap)
WHEN? All of these are Friday to Monday weekends, the idea being that you show up when you can and leave when you must.
July 20-23
August 3-7
August 10-13
August 17-20
August 24-27
August 31-September 2
September 2-5
If you haven't received the email (I used the TASP directory) please contact me: sjhowland27@yahoo.com.
Thank you for all of your cooperation!
You should by now have received an email detailing proposed dates and places for the reunion. Please reply by February 12th with your preferences. The more information you provide (i.e. your second, third, and fourth choices, as well as places and times that absolutely won't work for you) the more effective this survey will be. The goal is to have a date and location chosen by March 1.
WHERE?
Boston
Washington, D.C.
St. Louis
New York City
Chicago
Minneapolis/St. Paul (because it's cheap)
WHEN? All of these are Friday to Monday weekends, the idea being that you show up when you can and leave when you must.
July 20-23
August 3-7
August 10-13
August 17-20
August 24-27
August 31-September 2
September 2-5
If you haven't received the email (I used the TASP directory) please contact me: sjhowland27@yahoo.com.
Thank you for all of your cooperation!
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Advice for college interview, please
Many of you have probably gone through the college interviews, having applied early admission, and I'm elated at the news I've been hearing through facebook I've an interview for Harvard scheduled this Friday, and it's ,frankly, making me nervous. Could you share any advice/experience with me? Even the mundane things like what to bring and what to wear. Any help would be really appreciated.
Jan 19:
well, that's over with now. Thanks for the comments, and yes, Aida, I did wear clothes. ;D My interviewer was coincidentally Ukrainian, so we talked about the Russification of the country for part of the time. Now I just have to wait till March or sometime to hear the results.
Jan 19:
well, that's over with now. Thanks for the comments, and yes, Aida, I did wear clothes. ;D My interviewer was coincidentally Ukrainian, so we talked about the Russification of the country for part of the time. Now I just have to wait till March or sometime to hear the results.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Iron Chef News
I was just watching Iron Chef America and someone said something that reminded me of TASP.
The secret ingredient: peas.
They were commenting on the Iron Chef's plates and suddenly one of the judges said: "I think there is too much pea-ness going on."
I almost died.
My mother looked up and asked "Did she just say they had too much PENIS?!"
XD
Okay. Those were my big news.
The secret ingredient: peas.
They were commenting on the Iron Chef's plates and suddenly one of the judges said: "I think there is too much pea-ness going on."
I almost died.
My mother looked up and asked "Did she just say they had too much PENIS?!"
XD
Okay. Those were my big news.
Scholarships are scary
So I really, really ought to have begun applying for scholarships ages ago, but I didn't. And now that I have begun searching for them, I am intimidated and frustrated and scared.
Most of the scholarships that my school advertises can only be used at Indiana colleges, which is annoying because I cannot wait to leave this flat, soybeany state. I used the collegeboard's scholarship search, which helped me find a few good leads, although it produced a lot of results I couldn't use ("Must write an essay about growth after parent's death in line of duty," etc.) Then I tried the service affiliated with princetonreview.com, BrokeScholar, but after I provided a lot of information, it displayed scholarships for 2006, which leads me to believe it is defunct. Then I tried to do a google search, but narrow terms produced even narrower results ("Philippino journalists for peace scholarship," etc.) and broader terms led me to sites with weird pop-up ads that required application fees. At this point I started to feel edgy and unsafe, as though there were no possible way for me to find a scholarship for which I was eligible, and as though all of these scholarship search services were out to steal my identity.
This in addition to the concern that I won't get any financial assistance at all, and will end up indebted and liberally educated (i.e. skill-less) in four years was quite unsettling. How are all of you faring?
Most of the scholarships that my school advertises can only be used at Indiana colleges, which is annoying because I cannot wait to leave this flat, soybeany state. I used the collegeboard's scholarship search, which helped me find a few good leads, although it produced a lot of results I couldn't use ("Must write an essay about growth after parent's death in line of duty," etc.) Then I tried the service affiliated with princetonreview.com, BrokeScholar, but after I provided a lot of information, it displayed scholarships for 2006, which leads me to believe it is defunct. Then I tried to do a google search, but narrow terms produced even narrower results ("Philippino journalists for peace scholarship," etc.) and broader terms led me to sites with weird pop-up ads that required application fees. At this point I started to feel edgy and unsafe, as though there were no possible way for me to find a scholarship for which I was eligible, and as though all of these scholarship search services were out to steal my identity.
This in addition to the concern that I won't get any financial assistance at all, and will end up indebted and liberally educated (i.e. skill-less) in four years was quite unsettling. How are all of you faring?
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Ethiopian news/ Puerto Rican love
Hola!
Chris was nice enough to message me on Facebook and tell me that he's been keeping in touch with Ethiopian Mike! I'd like to post the update he gave me, so that the rest of us who haven't been as responsible (shame... including myself) can rest assured that he is doing just fine. Chris told me that Mike applied early to Brown and got deferred (no one from his school got in early), but he is optimistic about his chances. He is applying to 23 schools in the US. Yes. 23. So I'm guessing we can count on meeting him at some undisclosed location come September :)It's not easy for him to keep in touch with us because he only has internet access at his school. Thanks Chris!
-------------------------------------------------
Anyhow, it's now been 5 months after TASP, and it still feels like yesterday... sort of. Lately there has been a huge wave of TASPian photo comments on Facebook, which makes me very happy. I think it's due to the Facebook initiation of certain elusive TASPers ;) It's great that we still have so much to laugh about and look back on. I still find out new things about our stay at TASP, even after 5 months. It's a privilege to know you all.
I'm sorry for the corniness. My next update is probably going to be about my measures for coping with senioritis. I start classes the 12th, and I definitely feel it coming. Oh MAN.
Much love!
PS- Aida had mentioned something about posting our first impressions of everyone at TASP on the blog. I think it's a fun idea. Anybody in?
Chris was nice enough to message me on Facebook and tell me that he's been keeping in touch with Ethiopian Mike! I'd like to post the update he gave me, so that the rest of us who haven't been as responsible (shame... including myself) can rest assured that he is doing just fine. Chris told me that Mike applied early to Brown and got deferred (no one from his school got in early), but he is optimistic about his chances. He is applying to 23 schools in the US. Yes. 23. So I'm guessing we can count on meeting him at some undisclosed location come September :)It's not easy for him to keep in touch with us because he only has internet access at his school. Thanks Chris!
-------------------------------------------------
Anyhow, it's now been 5 months after TASP, and it still feels like yesterday... sort of. Lately there has been a huge wave of TASPian photo comments on Facebook, which makes me very happy. I think it's due to the Facebook initiation of certain elusive TASPers ;) It's great that we still have so much to laugh about and look back on. I still find out new things about our stay at TASP, even after 5 months. It's a privilege to know you all.
I'm sorry for the corniness. My next update is probably going to be about my measures for coping with senioritis. I start classes the 12th, and I definitely feel it coming. Oh MAN.
Much love!
PS- Aida had mentioned something about posting our first impressions of everyone at TASP on the blog. I think it's a fun idea. Anybody in?
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Dear Everyone: Sorry, this is a long one.
Many people I know and love have written end-of-the-year reflections. And yet, until now, I haven't. Perhaps this is because I fear being judged or despised by, say, my school friends, who are not as close to me as you folks are (metaphorically speaking).
The other day, I came to the recognition that this has really been an excellent year. Don't hate me, as I may sound like an unfeeling, cocky bastard (slash betch)...but I am truly happy right now. I am content with myself: the way people perceive me and my actions, the different roles that form my character, and the prospects my future holds. I am thrilled to be who I am and to be continuously finding out who that is. I am defining my character and my identity, and much of this is because of you guys.
This summer, I flew to TASP directly from Lincoln, Nebraska - where I spent the worst week of my life. (Pictures are on facebook, heh.) For the first time, I understood what 'the creepy kid' feels like: you know, the one whom you talk about - in fun! - who really doesn't belong. I didn't belong in the glitzy world of performances and name dropping ("Ohmagawd, Aaron Lazar taught my workshop! I carry a photo of him in my bra for good luck!" <- yeah, I know. Weird). Examples: I hadn't taken voice lessons since the age of three; I didn't have a moneysmile; I hadn't memorized the songs in RENT; I didn't have tap, jazz, character, or ballet shoes, nor did I have Airborne, Performer's Secret, or Singer's Saving Grace. (I learned a lot that week!!) I ate alone. I slept alone. That was the lowest I've ever been in my life. I actually had to remind myself that "I'm a nice person and someone, somewhere likes me!"
And then I flew to Ithaca and found a bunch of someones.
Thank you for being so loving. You kids were the highlight of my year - perhaps my life - and you are helping me grow and change. You are so good to me! I consider many of you to be my best friends.
So, with that in mind, here are my resolutions for the year. I expect you to keep me accountable.
1. I am changing my name legally, for my 18th birthday. Grace LeeYong ...____? Suggestions?
2. I am going to see at least one of you. Or, hell, I resolve to go to the reunion, if we have one.
3. Related to the last resolution...I am going to take a roadtrip this summer.
4. That roadtrip may extend into a year's stay, because I have my mother's blessing to defer my admittance to college and spend the year living somewhere.
5. Get a tattoo. Heh.
Anyway, I'm stealing this from UTAustin's blog-extraordinaire, because it caught my fancy. (Thank you, Tracy!)
http://www.meish.org/projects/mayfly/
This is how I would describe my year in 24 words.
sleep is dead. Summer:
The creepy kid. Lonely.
Ishmael.
My people: Love! Superlatives! <--This is you guys.
Chicago.
School = friendless.
Killed a man. ....Anymore!
Bliss.
Identity! Happy myself.
Who knows what 2007 will bring?
Love,
Grace
Many people I know and love have written end-of-the-year reflections. And yet, until now, I haven't. Perhaps this is because I fear being judged or despised by, say, my school friends, who are not as close to me as you folks are (metaphorically speaking).
The other day, I came to the recognition that this has really been an excellent year. Don't hate me, as I may sound like an unfeeling, cocky bastard (slash betch)...but I am truly happy right now. I am content with myself: the way people perceive me and my actions, the different roles that form my character, and the prospects my future holds. I am thrilled to be who I am and to be continuously finding out who that is. I am defining my character and my identity, and much of this is because of you guys.
This summer, I flew to TASP directly from Lincoln, Nebraska - where I spent the worst week of my life. (Pictures are on facebook, heh.) For the first time, I understood what 'the creepy kid' feels like: you know, the one whom you talk about - in fun! - who really doesn't belong. I didn't belong in the glitzy world of performances and name dropping ("Ohmagawd, Aaron Lazar taught my workshop! I carry a photo of him in my bra for good luck!" <- yeah, I know. Weird). Examples: I hadn't taken voice lessons since the age of three; I didn't have a moneysmile; I hadn't memorized the songs in RENT; I didn't have tap, jazz, character, or ballet shoes, nor did I have Airborne, Performer's Secret, or Singer's Saving Grace. (I learned a lot that week!!) I ate alone. I slept alone. That was the lowest I've ever been in my life. I actually had to remind myself that "I'm a nice person and someone, somewhere likes me!"
And then I flew to Ithaca and found a bunch of someones.
Thank you for being so loving. You kids were the highlight of my year - perhaps my life - and you are helping me grow and change. You are so good to me! I consider many of you to be my best friends.
So, with that in mind, here are my resolutions for the year. I expect you to keep me accountable.
1. I am changing my name legally, for my 18th birthday. Grace LeeYong ...____? Suggestions?
2. I am going to see at least one of you. Or, hell, I resolve to go to the reunion, if we have one.
3. Related to the last resolution...I am going to take a roadtrip this summer.
4. That roadtrip may extend into a year's stay, because I have my mother's blessing to defer my admittance to college and spend the year living somewhere.
5. Get a tattoo. Heh.
Anyway, I'm stealing this from UTAustin's blog-extraordinaire, because it caught my fancy. (Thank you, Tracy!)
http://www.meish.org/projects/mayfly/
This is how I would describe my year in 24 words.
sleep is dead. Summer:
The creepy kid. Lonely.
Ishmael.
My people: Love! Superlatives! <--This is you guys.
Chicago.
School = friendless.
Killed a man. ....Anymore!
Bliss.
Identity! Happy myself.
Who knows what 2007 will bring?
Love,
Grace
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Sir, Let's Reunite
Most of you should have by now received an invitation to a facebook group with the same title as this post. Guys, we really can make this reunion happen.
Post your brainstorming suggestions--where? when? how?--as comments here, or on the facebook group discussion board, and on the weekend of January 27 the executive committee (if you want to be in said committee, post that here, or better, post it on the facebook group's discussion board) will compile the brainstorms into a set of ideas to be further discussed (and posted on the group/on blogger).
Happy 2007!
Sarah
Post your brainstorming suggestions--where? when? how?--as comments here, or on the facebook group discussion board, and on the weekend of January 27 the executive committee (if you want to be in said committee, post that here, or better, post it on the facebook group's discussion board) will compile the brainstorms into a set of ideas to be further discussed (and posted on the group/on blogger).
Happy 2007!
Sarah
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
THE NEW YEAR HAS ARRIVED!
Thus, 2006 has ended and we are one step closer to graduating and embarking on our great college quest.
But, it also means one more thing:
We must start thinking about our fantabulous, grand, spectacular REUNION!!!
As I recall, there was previous mention of a reunion committee. Said committee would begin planning and organizing our reunion.
I would be wiling to help out if need be. Who else wants to help.
LET'S DO THIS!!!
FOR REAL GUYS!!! I REALLY WANT THIS TO HAPPEN!!! I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE REST OF YOU, BUT I AM DYING TO HANG OUT WITH SOME FELLOW TASPERS!
Seriously, its almost been 6 months (that's right, half a year!) since I've seen some of you guys.
SO LET'S GET THE BALL ROLLING!
But, it also means one more thing:
We must start thinking about our fantabulous, grand, spectacular REUNION!!!
As I recall, there was previous mention of a reunion committee. Said committee would begin planning and organizing our reunion.
I would be wiling to help out if need be. Who else wants to help.
LET'S DO THIS!!!
FOR REAL GUYS!!! I REALLY WANT THIS TO HAPPEN!!! I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE REST OF YOU, BUT I AM DYING TO HANG OUT WITH SOME FELLOW TASPERS!
Seriously, its almost been 6 months (that's right, half a year!) since I've seen some of you guys.
SO LET'S GET THE BALL ROLLING!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)