Colorful · black · objects · wake · joyfully.

So, with NSO about a month away, I've been thinking of what courses I want to take.

Last year's schedule had three of the courses I wanted at the same time. This year's works out much better. Here are some possibilities:

LINGUIST 1 - Introduction to Linguistics
CS 106A - Programming Methodology
IHUM 58 - Technological Visions of Utopia
MATH 51 - Linear Algebra and Differential Calculus of Several Variables
CS 103A - Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science (might just take the new 103 next year)
LINGUIST 63N - Translation

Though a lot of that is uncertain. For example, I don't know which IHUM I'll be getting (58 was my first choice); I might not take additional math courses just yet; I might not bother taking any of the 103 series this year; I might want to take a syntax course this fall so that I can be better prepared for an internship next summer (I'd really like to take enough courses in the core linguistics areas to be a good candidate); getting into introsems like Translation is competitive and has an application process; I don't have to start the CS sequence fall quarter; and so on. And of course, I don't know which quarter I'm going to be assigned to take a course from the Program in Writing & Rhetoric. I hate uncertainty.

I also want to take my first quarter lightly; so I'm shooting for 14 units or so.

In other news, we have finished the college list (a huge list of stuff I'll need), so that's a relief. I only have a few things to do in the next month:

-email Stanford re: scholarships
-gather journal submissions
-email the new NACLO leader all the materials
-read books for Stanford

Blah blah. I decided I want to try to get NACLO at the local high schools in Palo Alto. I've emailed QuestBridge re: jobs, as well. I've already begun to map out what I want to accomplish at Stanford (develop my sense of independence, develop my leadership skills through the Haas Center for Public Service, write for the newspaper, etc.), which I'll post about eventually.

50 different directions right now. Only a month left of this place. I'm not complaining.

Also, I've recently come up with an interesting idea for a story that has a lot to do with language. Now I'm trying to decide whether to develop the idea or not--I like the idea, but it would take considerable time to develop, not to mention write. I don't know whether I'll have the time for it this summer, and I have a feeling I won't have time for it during the year. Perhaps I'll get on a more normal writing schedule and make it a daily thing--so that even with all my busy happenings and whatnot, I'll still be able to pen stories and such.

But as of now, am I even a writer anymore? I don't even write. I haven't written in a while. School had stolen my time/energy/soul, so now it's odd realizing that hey--I've actually got time on my hands, and I'm not worrying about school or academics or college or any other stuffy subject that probably increases my chances of developing an ulcer due to worry.

Writing is a beast.

Man, I suck at updates, like fo sho.

I'm heading to North Carolina in a few days! It's going to be a completely different experience--the farthest east I've ever been is Illinois (where I'm from), not to mention it's much more southern than anything I've experienced. And it's on the Atlantic!

In the meantime, I've really gotta get going on my "intellectual endeavors." True, I said I would diligently read and write and blah blah blah, but so far, that's been less common. I'm learning Java from a Java for Dummies book I downloaded online, and I hope to be able to master it (to a reasonable extent, at least) by the end of summer. That way, I can be ready for CS 106A in the fall.

And then of course there are the other things I should be doing--reading the books Stanford sent me, choosing courses, reading the Approaching Stanford book (it's been nearly two months and I still haven't read it all, lol, lame).

In other news, I'm really thinking of setting Italian aside for a while (since I'll be taking classes for it, most likely, so that I can study abroad in Florence), and instead learning Portuguese. It has an odd allure to it--perhaps it's the tildes over VOWELS (and not just the n), or perhaps it's the similarities to Spanish yet unique aspects of the language that draw me to it. Either way, it has a very appealing "aura" right now, so I think I'm going to go for it. y/n?

Other than that, I'm wiling the days away waiting for my AP scores to come. Hopefully they're here tomorrow; if not, then the day after, which is when (7/10) I made the post about my scores last year.

Oh, anticipation.

Any linguistic endeavors for my linguistically inclined friends out there?

Jeebus, much has happened.

Prom was fun. Yeah, I know, I didn't think I'd go (well, I did months ago), but I did. We had dinner at Kelsey's house and then went to everyone's house for pictures. I'll put those up. Prom itself was sort of anticlimactic and there was a little more drama than I would have liked, but on the whole, I had fun. Afterwards, we went back to Kelsey's and had fun (some played video games, some watched movies, some just lazed about, etc.). It was a tame night.

Just got back from Disneyland. Seriously, I'd been up for ~30 hours after 5 hours of sleep. So I was like zomg exhausted. It was really awesomely fun, minus the drama that should not have happened. Went on:
*Pirates of the Caribbean
*Jungle Cruise
*Star Tours
*Space Mountain
*Haunted Mansion
*Splash Mountain (was in the front... SOAKED for the rest of the day D: )

Damn, senior year is just about over. Turn in English and calculus projects on Monday and I'm done.

I would have gone into detail before, but couldn't as I wasn't on my own computer (but now I am--new computer ftw). For those of you who don't know, I am now officially part of the Stanford University class of 2012. And yes, I know I've always been such a Berkeley fan, but I've been a Stanford fan too. ( Here's why I chose. )

So, quite a bit has happened and I haven't been able to lj about it.

* My visit to Berkeley was amazing. I love love love the city of Berkeley.
* We moved to a new house. We're still getting settled in. Because of this move, we didn't have internet for a while. Finally, when we did get internet, our computer died (unmountable boot volume, AGAIN). Will be resolved soon.
* I visited Stanford and was really stunned also.
* I will be attending Stanford next year. I'll make another post detailing exactly why.
* My AP exams went okay. I'll also make a post about that.
* Graduation is nearing. It is quite scary.

Anyway, I am indeed alive. =)

Got into Stanford today.

It gives me great pleasure to inform you that initial reviews of your application indicate that you will be offered admission to Stanford. This early approval is a tribute to your extraordinary achievements as a student and scholar. You join a select few of the many applicants to Stanford who have been identified by admission officers as exceedingly successful in your secondary school experience. I am thrilled to share this good news with you and congratulate you on your distinguished accomplishments. Since our founding in 1891, Stanford has been defined by students and faculty who endeavor to push the limits of knowledge, and who share a commitment to extending that spirit of exploration and excellence beyond campus. Your application clearly showed that you have the intellectual energy, imagination and talent to flourish in this environment.

We will hold a place for you in the freshman class and send you a formal announcement of your admission in late March by letter and email...

Kyle, you are among a very small group of applicants for whom I have the great privilege of approving early for admission to Stanford. I now look forward to the opportunity to welcome you to Admit Weekend 2008 as well as to our Stanford family next fall.

I was pretty surprised that I'd get a likely letter. Apparently, only about 120 students of the ~25,000 applicants get it. From an article in the Daily Stanford:

These 121 students were expected to be admitted to every competitive institution in the country. Stanford tried to connect with them early to convince them of the University’s appeal as their best prospect.

Funnily enough, it was signed by the dean of admissions Richard Shaw, and had scribbled on the letter, in his own handwriting, "Come to Stanford!" Cute, but I'll wait for Berkeley's response.

Congratulations, you have been admitted to UC Santa Cruz for fall quarter 2008!

It's nice to see an acceptance letter, finally. I won't find out whether I got the Regents Scholarship until April 10th or so.

I heard back from Elks:

Dear Kyle,

We are pleased to inform you that the brochure you entered into the Elks National Foundation (ENF) "Most Valuable Student" contest has been forwarded by our California-Hawaii Elks Association (CHEA) judging committee to the national judging committee for further judging. You will be notified of the results of that level of competition directly by the ENF by approximately May 15th. They will inform you of the amount of the national award and the details of how that scholarship is to be obtained.

Which really came out of the blue. While others in other parts of the US had heard back from Elks at the different levels, I didn't -- so getting this letter was a big surprise, as I'd passed local, district, and state levels without notice. I'm one of 500 nationally, and all receive at least $4,000 (I also received $700 from the past few levels -- finally some real money!), with the first place being $60,000.

I also got Regents at UC Santa Cruz -- said I'm in the top 1% of applicants. It comes with a bunch of other grants like UCSC Merit Scholarships and all that.

So this is all fine and dandy. Top 750 for UCLA; top 200 for UC Santa Cruz; top 500 nationally for the Most Valuable Student competition; but not top 1000 for Berkeley. Oh, sigh.

/emo

In other news, I have taken up Italian seriously. I decided I didn't want to take the AP Spanish Literature exam--in part because I don't think I'll be prepared for it come May, in part because I won't get credit for it, and in part because I want to try a new language. I'm also taking stabs at Tsalagi (Cherokee). Any ideas on other languages I might sample/have an affair with?

I was also very annoyed today. We're reading a play in English Hedda Gabler, which was originally written in Norwegian, which has a formal and informal "you" -- de vs. du. Since English clearly doesn't have such a distinction, it had to be pointed out in the footnote; later in the story, I was confused about something, so I asked, and a certain someone (rise: blood pressure) said, "Well, obviously not because he's not dutzing [sp?] her." I was like, what the fuck? She repeated and I still didn't know what she said. "Addressing her with du," she added with an air of frustration, to which I said, "Well, I'm not a German student, so I don't know automatically what that is." The teacher said, "You could have figured it out from context clues." Considering that this exchange happened very fast and "du" hadn't been mentioned in a while and "dutzing" should really be "duing" and the only goddamned Germanic language I have experience with is the one I'm currently using, no, it's not so goddamned obvious.

Any Spanish students out there want to share my frustration?

...this is still a very well-constructed video.



Anyone who knows me knows whom I'm voting for.

I received a letter from UCLA today.

Dear Kyle,

Congratulations!

Because of your outstanding academic record, you have been selected to compete for the UCLA Regents Scholarship for the 2008-2009 academic year.

The UCLA Regents Scholarship represents one of the highest honors awarded to entering students at the University of California and offers a merit award of $5500 per year for four years. Scholars who have additional financial need are awarded need-based scholarships and grants to supplement their Regents Scholarship award.

Apparently, they nominate the top 1.5% of the 51,000+ applicant pool, and those who are nominated for it are accepted to the university. UCLA Regents Scholarship

I'm happy.