Studying for APs? Naaah

Quail has kindly included my lament about unfair Picture This judging, but SciOly turned out differently than expected. Quail and I plunged into the Cell Bio test without having studied a lick. The test was 40 questions about strange proteins and cell functions we had never heard of. To the tune of "Chicken Man" ghosting through our heads, we blasted through that thing, selecting answers at random.

And we got third place. 

Unfortunately, WIDI was not as successful, for reasons we have not yet ascertained. I'm not too happy about that, but two medals at States is no chump change (The other was a first place from Health Science. Wawoot). 

Right after waking up at 5 AM and 5 hours of testing and running around a pond filled with the fattest koi ever, I blasted off to prom. It was a whirlwind of glitter, chocolate fountains, and angry policemen. Not very many pictures were taken, but the whiplash in my neck from all the dancing/headbanging will serve as sufficient memory. 

Note to Quail: Please post the lyrics to "Chicken Man," and possibly a video as well. The Internets deserves to see it. 

Relentlessly marching on

As Hawk stands in the background with a bodyguard-like stance, I am currently listening to Phantom of the Opera and contemplating studying Cell Biology in the next 3 minutes, but that seems like plan doomed to fail.

Also, as Hawk would like to protest: King --> Kingdom. They are like peas in a pod. More related than brothers and sisters!


Quail also stayed up until 2 AM altering her prom dress, and currently is popping caffeine mints like the candy they are.

More to come after today finishes.

Onward!!

This week promises to be a nice one, as there is really only one full day of school. Unfortunately, that happens to be tomorrow.

GO GUNN! Somehow, beyond all reasonable suppositions, we have made it to state championships. The day was insane. It was windy, freezing cold, and our lovely canopy was pretty much useless since there was no sunshine. I had a free hour slot in the morning, during which I shredded a raisin bagel fretfully. Then I ran off for five hours of consecutive testing before I could eat lunch, a pathetically cold and congealed teriyaki bowl in a Styrofoam takeout box. Woe was me.  

The awards ceremony was rather discouraging, since I only placed in one of my events. Admittedly, I could have studied harder (or at all, particularly for health science, which I volunteered for three hours prior to its test time). The entire team was rather dour throughout the ceremony, since very few of us were called to receive medals--and as Quail mentioned, no first places. We were also all wearing black by some crazy coincidence. But when we were called for third place, we all went crazy (even crazier than we had been doing the Soulja Boy "youuuuuuuuuuuu" across the gym floor). 

But now, for states, I think the team is sufficiently pumped up to study harder and medal stronger (state medals are prettier, anyway). Besides, we will have Gunn shirts. Nothing says unity like a biohazard sign. 

Styrofoam cups and pipe cleaners? Wtf? Please have Kinex next time. Please.

Eye of the Hurricane

So I am happy to say that I survived my terrible weekend. I went from all-day Science Bowl to last-minute piano panicking on Saturday, then on Sunday I had my piano evaluation and Quiz Kids competition. Having to keep my adrenaline up to stay on edge and alert for questions and somehow relax to make Chopin sound nice, I wished more than once I was bipolar. 

At least this week was a little calmer, with only one tournament.

I am also happy to say that I will be going to college next year, having gotten into a few schools. However, exactly what they are will remain undisclosed. The magnitude of the decision I will have to make in a few weeks has recently whacked me in the face, as I will have to decide between rubbing shoulders with brilliant but strange kids or a fun school. Additionally, small fish in a big pond, big fish in a small pond? Good weather or a change from my spoiled California life? I've determined that I want to get far, far away from home. 

With the piano test being over, I can finally relax and enjoy what I'm playing. Finally picking up new pieces, I've decided to give Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata a try. Unfortunately, I am barely capable of reaching an octave at times, and not only is the score devastatingly fraught with them, but there are also a few ninths. And accidentals. Lots and lots of accidentals. But hey, who ever said enjoyment came easy?

Congratulations to Quest Crew :D. The Best Hair Crew and America's Best Dance Crew. If t-shirts ever fall below $15, I will definitely buy one. I love bboys.

AP tests are in 8 weeks, leaving one me one week to prepare for each test. But in the meantime, I've got to keep my grades up as second semester classes mercilessly bear down on us second-semester seniors. I've received a letter from a college reminding me that my matriculation is contingent upon my second semester performance. Way to create a downer on an otherwise ecstatic moment. 

I also need to get my license sometime.  ._.;

Next week is the Regional Science Olympiad, and Quail and I are rather excited to defend our title as reigning NorCal Write It, Do It Champs. May the Force be with us.