Tasks at Hand

Four final examinations over two days come between me and more than a month long winter break. Even though there aren't any plans at the moment, I'm looking forward to break even if it only consists of me lounging around at home.

However, there are a few things I need to get done over break...I really need to find a job. After leaving my job as a security monitor, I haven't had the time to apply for anything yet. I have found a few so far on Callisto, but I still need to revise my resume and work on my cover letter (another two things to work on). With that is also my major transfer application, but before I can do that, I need to meet with the department advisor as well as my college advisor (another two things to do). Then, I'll be able to work on my application.

I'm sure there are many more things to take care of over break, but it will definitely be worth the time and effort. It is all for the better.

December

December is finally here, which marks the end of another semester as well as the end of another year.

There is still much left to be done in this semester. A mere seven days and four finals separate me from winter break. The thought of only having one more week to play catch up on a semester's worth of material is daunting, but at the same time, the thought of winter break pushes me to study harder.

Let's make this week a great one.

Also, an update on Voices of Light, Part Two will be coming soon (hopefully in the next few days). Click HERE For Part One.

New Design

I should mention that my blog has a new design. Gotta shake things up from time to time to keep it interesting. Like everything else in life, my blog had to have a blue color scheme. Maybe one of these I'll change it to another color, but blue is my favorite color.

Movin' Out

It's been nearly two and a half months since my last update and so much has happened since then! Even though I should be studying physics for my midterm on Monday (it sounds early, but I have like 4 chapters of material to catch up on), but I decided to spare a few minutes to update.

I have finally have housing figured out! After browsing through Craigslist looking for a suitable place, I received a call from my friend Kliulai about an opening at Gaia. That was Monday morning, so on Thursday I went to take a look at the apartment. Thursday was also the day I got into a fender bender coming home from Berkeley. Is it a sign?

Anyways, it seemed like the perfect fit. It's a really nice three bedroom loft with a view of the city. I'll be living with four awesome people and it'll be a crazy time judging from the party a week ago. This time around, I won't have a roommate. The room's too small for another person and it's time for me to have some space to myself after two years of living with someone else in cramped quarters.

After my background check went through, I signed the lease this past Saturday. I have to get renter's insurance before I can get the keys. Time to look for furniture! I feel like I'm growing up!

Meet Me Halfway

Are two years of college almost over? Come May 14th, I will be done with another year at UC Berkeley. This year was not any easier than the one before and it will only get tougher.

Reflecting back, these last two years have been somewhat of a blur. So much has happened, but I can recall so little in detail. There are those notable college milestones like getting the first A in a class, failing an first exam for the first time, failing a class for the first time, but there are also those funny, random, odd moments that occur in between. It's those little things that have been clouded over by struggles, personal battles, and other seemingly more important concerns.

Time passes so quickly that there are times I can't even remember how it passed. Zoom. And once it hits me, the weekend has ended, it's 9pm Sunday evening and I haven't finished any of my work. Not even my math assignment due the next morning at 8am. There are so many times when I can't even wake up that early to attend math discussion.

This semester, I've had math discussion three days a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) at 8am on the other side of campus. Because I'm not much of a morning person (even though I like to think of myself as one), my attendance has not been spectacular especially since I've slept through most of them and missed at least four or five quizzes in the past month or so. There are mornings when my friend will call to wake me up at 7:30am...and I will pick up the phone, mumble a few words, go back to sleep, wake up at 11am and freak the fuck out. More than once have I wondered if he called or not and then check my call records to see that I actually picked up.

My sleep schedule has been turned on its head. There are times when I'm in Etcheverry until 2am working on my group final project or a weekly assignment for my engineering graphic design class. Sleepless nights and missed quizzes, all for a three-unit class. Is it worth? I'm not sure. Most days I don't get to bed until 5am, but it's an improvement from my all-nighters from last semester. I'm getting some sleep, but not getting all my work done. My lack of sleep affects my mood and my mood in turn changes my motivation.

Because of the design class, I've pulled so many late nighters for the group project and assignment. I've spent 14 out of the last 24 hours in that building finishing up the engineering drawings for our project. We were there from 9pm until 5am. It didn't help that a few group members were gone either out of the town for the weekend or out partying (?!?!?!) instead. I have pretty much lived in that building this semester slaving away for things that are worth so little points. I have to strive to earn as many points as I can, and at the same time not disappoint my teammates who are working just as hard.

In these past two years, my personal standards have gone down the drain. There are entire days when I have no desire to attend lecture or discussion. Looking through my notes, my attendance was impeccable before spring break. But after the onslaught of the second wave of midterms, I had no motivation to learn. With no parent to supervise what I'm doing, it makes it easier for me to slack off.

In high school, I was able to get so much done. I was able to participate in so much. The first thing after I got home was to watch TV and then promptly work on my math assignment. I was able to get my homework done relatively early and sleep at a decent hour around midnight or so. Granted this was partly because my mom would always check up on me to see if I was finishing up.

In college, it is much easier because I have to look out after myself. If I am not keeping up, then I am the one falling behind. There is no person to hold my hand to make sure I finish all that I need to do. I am still learning to be more independent and find that spark to drive me through the toughest material because my response to any concepts or material relatively challenging is to give up and to come back to it which rarely happens. Those trouble spots build up and I fall more and more behind.

My lack of interest in the classes I'm taking might be a contributing factor to my performance in the classes. Some material which I have already learned still seems foreign and new. This is a good indication that mechanical engineering or engineering in general might not be a good idea. However, a part of me wants to tough it out for just one more semester and see if things change for the better. But I need to make sure that it doesn't hurt me in the long run. There is still time this semester to improve and catch up on all that I missed.

One more week. There is one more week for me to learn four weeks of math material and also review the rest I've already forgotten. I must push through and do well. There is still so much left to do that requires my attention like housing (which I still haven't found yet), but I must find a balance to things and manage it all. I can't let my worrying about housing get in the way of my studying. There is still time.

Here's to the last two weeks of the school year. One week of studying and one week of exams. After that, it will be time to party...or rather get ready for summer school.

A Brighter Future

Great. On the day that I plan on going into the city, it rains. Why couldn't have it rained YESTERDAY? Seriously...

Anyways, recently I've been getting good news from many of my friends. My friend Dylan, with whom I volunteered at The Tech, is now a realtor!! He works for Prudential and has his own office. It's been a while since I spoke with him and he im-ed me on Facebook to tell me the news. To think that he's practically the same age as me and he's already working professionally while still in school( majoring in electrical engineering). Maybe I should take the test to get a realtor's license.

And this morning, my friend Sophia im-ed to tell me that she's going to South Africa for study abroad. She had been put on the waiting list and was expectantly waiting to hear back. She was determined to go and was planning to apply through the university. I guess she found out this morning and is leaving in mid-July. How exciting!! It's hard to imagine studying and living in another US state let alone a foreign country... considering I've lived in the Bay Area my entire life, and now that I'm going to college here as well. It would be nice to have a change of environment maybe for just a couple years.

Hearing the news from my friends make me excited for them, but at the same time disheartened for myself. I'm struggling to keep up with school and can manage little else besides school. My hope is that things will change in the near future and I'll be able to get back on track. Many important decisions are coming up. Most of them are short term, but still are very important for me.

It's the start of a new month. And April is when I will find out whether or not I'll be able to make the next leap to a different future. But in the meantime, there are still next year's classes and housing to figure out! Here's to hoping for a brighter future!

American Idiot Changes: Berkeley Rep vs. Broadway

American Idiot began previews on Broadway a week and a half ago to a fairly strong attendance (76.8% capacity for the first five performances). Let's hope it will continue strong all throughout previews and after opening night April 20th. There have been a few changes that I've noticed between the run on Berkeley Rep and its current state on Broadway. I've listed the ones I've noticed below:

1. American Idiot - they changed the parts for the beginning. Johnny doesn't sing the first few lines.
2. Johnny’s monologues are now shared by Will and Tunny. (For the most part.)
3. Dates have been added at the beginning of each monologue. I don't like the addition of the dates before each monologue...maybe it'll grown on me, but it just seems unnecessary.
4. Tales of Another Broken Home - addition of drum solo + guitar
5. Last Night on Earth – Didn’t notice any changes! So glad because it's one of my favorite songs from the show.
6. Boulevard of Broken Dreams – Tunny (I think) sing/repeats “City of the damned” a few times at the end of the song when it transitions to "Favorite Son"
7. Last of the American Girls/She's a Rebel - The creative team have had some trouble perfecting this scene/song. There have been numerous changes throughout the run at Berkeley with a late addition of Last of the American Girls a week before closing. According to various tweets from cast members on April 1st (April Fools joke?) that a new version went into the show that night.
8. Rock and Roll Girlfriend - Will exclaims "What the fuck?" (I'm assuming when Heather enters. It's a nice addition. - According to a friend, Heather and Miguel's character come out in a black box representing a TV set and he uses Heather as an instrument.)
9. Otherwise, nothing else has changed musically that I could notice. Most of harmonies and orchestrations have stayed.
10. Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) - Song was added after curtain call during the last week and a half of the run at Berkeley Rep. It seems like it isn't included anymore.

Only 17 days until opening night!

Another Californian Adventure

It's been a while since I last changed the photo of the header. In celebration of Disney's California Adventure's expansion, I decided it would be fitting to change it to a photo of the front entrance which will eventually be gone (around October/November of this year) to make way for the new entrance. The concept art is below. The concept is turn Sunshine Plaza into Buena Vista Street and to evoke Los Angeles as Walt Disney saw it when he arrived in California in the early 1920's. There will also be a 1920-style red trolley traveling through Buena Vista Street and Hollywoodland (current Hollywood Picture Backlot). Be sure to catch the current entrance before it disappears in October!

American Idiot Sound Check

The 'Idiot Interns' posted a video of the opening number of American Idiot from today's sound check. The show starts previews tomorrow (March 24th) and opens April 20th at the St. Jame's Theatre. According to Playbill's twitter account, they are allowing filming and photo taking during the invited performance. I've noticed a few differences from the Berkeley run:

• Lighting has changed drastically...it's been amped up and now more colorful
• Johnny no longer sings the opening lines from the song
• Will, Tunny, and Johnny are no longer watching individual TV sets. Rather, they're facing the back wall
• Slight costumes changes -- Brian Charles Johnson now wears a red shirt
• TV placement on the back wall seems similar
• No major changes in choreography or blocking

Wondermazement

Through my Twitter feed, I am always finding random, hilarious, weird, interesting content. There was no way to collect these things in case I wanted to refer back to it. Thus, Wondermazement was created. I try to update from time to time, but it all depends on how often I find stuff to post.

One of Those Nights

Tonight is one of those that I feel like staying up. The coffee might have contributed to my alertness and I have been fairly productive. This semester has been a drastic change from the previous one...seldom am I pulling all-nighters and rushing to finish assignments. Now, my body just shuts down on me and I fall instantly asleep. How convenient. This has contributed to more than one incomplete assignment, mostly those for programming.

Matlab (programming in general, rather) is not any easier the second time around. I still have trouble grasping various concepts such as recursion and least squares regression. Programming is basically conceptual math and physics. We have to spend countless hours writing functions that calculate fairly simple tasks such as matrix multiplication and solving linear equations. It just does not interest me whatsoever. At least now I know I hate two things with a burning passion: organic chemistry and now programming. At least my engineering graphics design class is somewhat fun.

On a different note, I haven't been very successful in keeping with my New Year's goals/resolutions. My plan was to work out at least once every two weeks...at the time it seemed like a practical goal. Even then, I haven't exercised once since the new year began. In the past, I've been fairly good with keeping up with my goals, but after entering college, I have been much lazier. I would much rather watch a TV show or movie for hours on end than spend just 15 minutes running. My lack of motivation is also very evident in this very blog. Posts are few and far between. This is all going to change (I hope). I will try to update more often and start exercising...soon.

Up and coming

A post is long over due...it's been more than three months since my last one. Time has been passing by and I haven't been able to record it all...a whirlwind of thoughts linger in my mind, with no where to go.Without writing them down, they are all lost among a sea of memories.

Soon...

Recursion

Yet another late night and my third update in less than 36 hours. Like every other all nighter I've pulled this semester (which is literally every other day), I am at a dead end trying to figure out the correct coding for my programming assignment... For my programming class, we are assigned an assignment each week which contains problems where we have to code to perform a certain task/function. These packets with the prompts are getting thicker...let's take a tally shall we?

Assignment #1
Assigned: August 31st, Due: September 11th
(11 days)
Pages: 5

Assignment #2
Assigned: September 11th, Due: September 18th
(7 days)
Pages: 6

Assignment #3
Assigned: September 18th, Due: September 25th
(7 days)
Pages: 10

Assignment #4
Assigned: September 25th, Due: October 2nd
(7 days)
Pages: 9

Assignment #5
Assigned: October 2nd, Due: October 14th
(12 days)
Pages: 10

Assignment #6
Assigned: October 16th, Due: October 25th
(7 days)
Pages: 18

If you couldn't tell, we are assigned a new assignment the day our previous one is due. These assignments haven't gotten any easier and at the same time, they are getting longer and longer (for the most part). It is a guarantee that at least forty-eight hours leading up to the due date, I get no sleep. My next one is due in seven hours yet I have barely finished a few problems. One of the parts deals with recursive functions, which are functions that call itself (in a loop). It is trial and error. If one command does not work, then try one after another. Essentially if you don't use the right commands, you could be going at it for hours on end to no avail...that is happening to me right now.

It doesn't help me that I had to turn in the past two assignments for this class incomplete...there are only seven weeks or so in the semester and I am struggling in all three of my technical courses...looks like I really need to pick up the game and get some help...some sleep would be nice.

Death and Taxes

Today is a big day for me; after much hesitation and struggle, I finally declared my minor in Theater & Performance Studies! For a long time, a part of me was conflicted in minoring in theater and also not falling behind in the classes I need to take for my major. Since the year started, I have a lot to consider and to think through in regards to academics, the ideal career, life, and certain personal issues.

This past weekend, I visited home for the first time after the second week of school; for the most part, it was good to see my parents again. I finally brought up the idea of minoring in theater to my parents. Suprisingly, they were somewhat receptive to the idea. Both of them mentioned that I should minor if I am interested, but also make sure to keep up with schoolwork. In addition, my mom added that although she is fine with me minoring, I can't major in theater, reasoning that I wouldn't be able to make money

I don't completely agree with her. A career shouldn't solely be about money; it should also be something one is passionate about. The key is to find the balance between following a passion and also having a well-paid job. As long as I'm not starving and going into poverty, I should be able to pursue what I want even if it isn't a high-paying job. For the most part, money isn't the key to happiness. It can definitely help with being happy, but it is also the cause of problems and arguments.

So my compromise is to major in engineering (pursuing a job as an Imagineer, I hope) and to minor in theater. That way, I can follow my interests in acting and not completely drown in the depths of science, math, and technology. It's only the first day...we'll see how everything turns out...

But in regards to the minor, I have shown some dismay with the department. I feel that they try to be too "innovative" and "cutting edge" and ends up failing in what it sets out to be. There isn't much variety in the styles of pieces which in turns shuts out a lot of possibility and appreciation for theater. More popular plays and musicals are never produced here on campus by the department. Because of this focus on this mindset of being innvoative, it draws on selected few who will take the effort to explore this theater. Thus, the appreciation for the arts and theater of campus is very selective. Very few people know about the department or choose to see shows. Let's hope my views of TDPS will change sometime in the next two and a half years and that I will end up eventually embracing theater on campus.

My Current Playlist

Songs I absolutely CAN'T stop listening to....these five songs have been on my playlist and on endless repeat for the last three weeks or more...I have been recommending "Somebody to Love" to everyone.

1. Keep Holding On
2. Somebody to Love
3. It's My Life/Confessions, Part II
4. Halo/Walking on Sunshine
5. No Air

All by Glee Cast. The soundtrack (volume 1 -- five in total) will be out November 2nd. I have yet to pre-order it, which contains select songs from this first season. SO EXCITED to get it. Without a doubt, I will be listening to it on endless looping repeat.

More than one person has referred to the GLEE-ified versions of the songs as similar to "Kidz Bop". Quite the contrary. Well, I guess to give them credit, there is the similarity of both having an ensemble singing group, but the GLEE versions re-invent the songs and keep them upbeat, unlike "Kidz Bop". By the way, have you seen the music videos?? They are HORRENDOUS...it is literally kids in front of a green screen jumping around and doing motions...

There are plans for a music tour with the cast. If that happens, I AM THERE! -- no question about it. I'll probably be the sole college guy amongst a group of tweens. Whatever... In addition, Jonathan Groff will be starring in at least five episodes and Joss Whedon will be directing an upcoming episode!

Catch it every Wednesday 9/8c on FOX. I know, I sound like a commercial.

The Next Big One

On October 17, 1989 at 5:04pm, a slip along the San Andrea fault in the Santa Cruz Mountains caused a fateful 6.9 earthquake that would be remembered for years to come. There were 57 deaths as a direct result of the quake and thousands of injuries. The most deaths occurred on the Nimitz Freeway (Interstate-880) where the upper deck collapsed on the lower, killing 42 people. In addition, a 50-foot long section of the Bay Bridge collapsed resulting in one fatality. An estimated $6 billion of damages occurred, which at the time was the most expensive natural disaster in the history of the United States.

As the 10th anniversary of the Loma Prieta quake passes, let us remember the deaths that occurred as a result. And with the next big one's imminent arrival, be prepared so we can minimize the damages and respond accordingly.

Long and boring

I have discovered that I seldom post on here; entries are separated my three or more week gaps. And when I do take the effort to write, my posts are long and lacking substance. My guess is that no one reads this blog...but why do I post on here? As I have said before, it's a way to gather my thoughts...and fantasize about my ideal life in an indirect way.

Lack thereof

The semester started nearly a month ago (and the rest of the UCs only start this week). Since then, school/academics has been keeping me busy. I am taking 16 units with three technical courses (physics, electronics, programming) and one humanities course. So far, the pace is manageable, but after the first midterm, everything will start picking up. It is bad enough having a physics problem set AND program coding both due on Friday. With that, a problem set for electronics is due every two weeks or so. Thus, I need to manage my time carefully.

With the organizations I have already joined, I had to re-evaluate my participation in each. This semester, even though it was a tough decision, I am putting Men's Chorale on hold. Mondays are busy enough with two labs and a total of eight hours of class from 9am to 8pm. It would be hard to fit rehearsal in the one-hour slot I have between physics lab and electronics lab. Besides, with my course load, I might not even be able to attend concerts, performances, gigs, etc.

Luckily, the requirements for Rally Comm and Rotaract are minimal. For the most part, I can participate as much as time allows. I have gone to one out of two football games...and I have yet to attend a volleyball game. Our team has been doing well, winning five consecutive matches thus far. The requirements for Rally Comm are the Homecoming and Bonfire Rallies while Rotaract requires two events per semester to be active. For now, I'll fulfill the minimum and do more as I have time.

The only time cruncher is Barestage. This semester I am part of the public relations committee. As of now, there are four of us altogether; a few more might be joining our team. Our task is to actively promote our group as well as upcoming auditions/productions to the campus. There are quite a few people to share the work, but it still requires my active participation with flyering and such. In addition, I'm marketing director for Brighton Beach Memoirs. Unfortunately, I won't be auditioning for any productions this semester. But I hope I will be able to next semester for Into the Woods. 

For now, I just need to get through this semester. My lack of motivation isn't helping me with getting things done. It has gotten to the point where I will waste my time away doing nothing productive, which then adversely affects my academic performance. This became apparent while doing MasteringPhysics, an online program for physics problems. I ran out of time and hastily turned in the problem set somewhat completed. Because of my procrastination, I was pressed for time and did not have enough time to work out the problems myself. Each week I tell myself to start working and studying earlier, but it never happens. I know that if I don't pick things up, it will come back and get me.

It's getting late...around 2:30am. Must get back to work and figure out my problem set for electronics. This class has me going around in circles. I am having such a hard time understanding the concepts...it's taking me such a long time to learn the material, yet I avoid doing the homework by going on the computer...it's gonna be a long night...

Back at Berkeley

A month has passed since my last post. Time sure does fly. So much has happened since then; the most significant being the start of a new academic year. As mentioned in my previous posts, summer was spent back in Berkeley taking summer classes, most specifically, organic chemistry. It has been a tough battle, but I was victorious the second time around. I used knowledge from the first encounter to my benefit, so it was slightly easier the second time around. Especially since the professor whittled down the material to the basics.

Anyways, I have been back in Berkeley for a week now. This year, I am living in campus housing: a double in Unit 2 Griffiths. The living conditions haven't been too shabby. My bed is currently lofted (it was like that when I got there), but I am most likely unlofting it. I am paranoid of injuring myself while climbing up and down to my bed when I am half-awake or half-asleep. Still need to talk to my roommate about that. And things are going pretty well with my roommate. He's fairly quiet. This past week, I've been so extremely busy with Welcome Week events, so I haven't been in the room all that much. I feel really bad for leaving him and not interacting with him much. This will change after this week is over. I hope.

This year, there is still empty space left in my closet and drawers! I've learned my lesson from last year and minimized what I brought to school. Let's hope it stays this way and I don't accumulate too much more stuff. It set me aback when moving out that I filled the entire Honda Odyssey with stuff from my dorm room. There was no free space besides a seat for the driver and a passenger. I am NOT going to let that happen again. This is just one of MANY things I learned from my experience at Berkeley this past year.

This year, I am looking forward to:

• more food options (not necessarily BETTER food though)
• using my meal points to get Peet's
• meeting my floor mates and hopefully getting along with them
• Theater 119: Asian/American Performance Across Media!
  
• taking more courses for my Acting and Performance Studies minor
• my technical courses (even though they're not THAT interesting, my professors seem to know what they're doing)

Things to be missed:

• late night at Foothill (still haven't tried steak plate)
• an ice machine, especially on hot days

On the other hand, there are things not to be missed:

• long treks up many flights of stairs, to and from Foothill to class, meetings, and any other event
• the lack of food options on North side (Foothill area)
• crappy food at Foothill

There is probably much more I'm missing on these lists...forgive me. I still need to finalize my class schedule for this semester. It depends on the lone class that I'm wait listed for. Once I get off the waiting list, everything will fall into place. For once, I am looking forward to taking my technical courses because all of my professors seem like they know what they're doing. In addition, they're all fairly interesting, especially my Asian/American Performance professor/class. In development...

Just saying...

...ochem is still in the pain in the ass. Can't wait to be over and done with it. The next exam is on Wednesday. Now, I'm slowly working my way through the material and hoping to understand it. Everything has mixed into this giant melting pot of reactions which I'm hoping will sort itself out (with some effort) in the next day or two.