Audition Results Among Other Things

Well on Mondays I walked into the band hall and talked to my friend Amala, in which she said the results were posted from the re-auditions and the order of numbers is "3,4,2,1." My number for the tape was three, thus I moved down and am now third chair. I don't really care all that much, but did challenge my friend Steven for second chair. Tomorrow we will have to go and take another sight reading test to see who is better.

Today after school my friends and I practiced our ensemble piece that we are going to perform for the upcoming Solo and Ensemble competition. We worked on the music today for about thirty minutes and were able to get all the way through the piece and concluded the rehearsal. We decided to leave on a good note and not possible have rehearsal go down hill.

After getting home my parents told me that they called A&M that morning because we hadn't received anything about New Student Conferences. Well apparently the student conferences open for people to sign up on Friday. Also, my dad talked to me about math placement tests. I have to take a math test to see if I can be admitted into the math class I want for Biochemistry...Calculus. I scored pretty high on my ACT exam in the math portion, but that was with the calculator. My dad said that the catch of the exam was that there was no calculator allowed on the placement test. That puts a major cramp in my style, but it is all good I suppose. Looks like I'll have to brush up on some concepts minus the calculator so I can be college bound.

A Fast Paced School Week

On Wednesday our school returned for normal classes after observing MLKJ day. As stated in the previous post, the French Horn auditions were tied, four of us for first place. On Wednesday morning my band director told us that we had to re-audition, as expected. The catch was the audition material...all twelve major scales memorized, chromatic scale, and sight reading. Luckily, I already had about eight of the scales and chromatic memorized, so I only had to memorize four more.

The next day we walked in and the director picked two scales (both of which were completely easy) that we had to play. Auditioning second, I played all my scales really well and my sight reading was somewhat "iffy." Although the whole section (and somehow it got around the band) thinks that I will be first chair, I doubt it will happen. Sometimes as much as I want to be first chair in the band, I realize that second chair is nice because one doesn't have to do as much. Some people may call this taking the easy way out, but those that already know me, know that I hardly ever take the easy way when it comes to my decisions...so I have full trust in myself to relax on this one.

On another note, yesterday Mer had her second gymnastics competition. I don't remember what her scores were, but I can say that she improved dramatically on the uneven bars. She was very nervous, but it turned out really good for her. I am so proud. Afterward we went to Ihop and ate with my Nana and Papa (grandparents). It reminded me of the winterguard days when we would go to Ihop after a competition. I didn't get as many good pics as last time, due to the layout of the gym, but now here are some pics to end off the entry...

Happy Belated M.L.K.J. Day!

I just want to take a quick second to reflect on Martin Luther King Jr.

He was truly an amazing man, especially his speech given at the Lincoln Memorial. I had the opportunity fortunately to stand where he gave his famous "I have a Dream"speech, and to just look imagining what the area would be like full gives me the chills.

On another note, we had band auditions this past week to reseat the sections and results are in. I haven't seen them personally, but from what I hear there are four people including me tied for first chair. To rectify this situation the director has decided that we will have to play all twelve major scales to see what the results are.

Talking about the current couponing situation, there have been some great deals at C.V.S. that my mom and I have been running around to get. Without getting to technical, our total savings over these past four days have been over $1,000 and we have paid maybe $10.

Swinging into the college bound arena, I received a letter from A&M today regarding their Corp of Cadets. It was addressed to the Eagle Scouts involving an overnight stay to "check them out." I think I am going to pursue this because I am somewhat interested in the Corps but not quite sure if I want to join.

So overall life is quite relaxing right now...knock on wood.

Busy, Busy, Busy

This week has been amazing because of the fact that I have no Biology homework!

To explain why this is such a big deal, let me put this in context. Usually a normal week consists of about four chapters ( about 120 pages of reading plus study guides), about one or two labs, and then other worksheets. After our teacher showed us the schedule for the week I felt an invisible weight pulled off my shoulder.

With no Biology homework I have had time to focus on earning Extra Care Bucks. Thanks to mom, who informed me on some deals I have received about forty five dollars in extra care bucks this week alone and have only spent ten dollars out of pocket.

These then may be "rolled over" and I can get more without spending anything out of pocket.

On the college side of life, I haven't received my New Student Conference letter yet...hopefully it will come soon!

The Quick Weekend Report

This weekend has gone pretty swell. Today we went to CVS and got about forty-five dollars worth of product for twenty. And then on top of that we receieved eighteen dollars in Xtra Care Bucks back. So in essence we only spent about two dollars out of pocket.

Later today I went back to CVS with another card and bought six twelve packs of Diet Pepsi, a package of M&M's, a package of Snickers, a container of cinnamon, and a package of Kotex pads (for mom). The original cost was about thirty two dollars. After coupons, I paid eleven dollars and received fourteen dollars back in Xtra Care Bucks!

Later tonight the Sarah Connor Chronicles premiered and can I say it was awesome. I had seen the previews and wasn't all that interested, but after the Cowboy Game (...sadly they lost and out of the playoffs...) it aired and I was immediatley hooked. Tomorrow the second episode the premier airs and I most definitley expect to watch the show.

I fully expect this show to be a success and be popular through all my college bound years.

New Phones!

This morning mom had said that she had decided to get the Sony. I had been looking at this phone also and at the store, yesterday they only had a black one in stock. This morning mom said she wanted to go to Best Buy because they had the white one.

I left for a long and utterly boring day at school (T.G.I.F.) I returned home and asked mom about the phone. She hated it and said that it wasn't a nice crisp white, but more like a old looking color. We had both thought from pictures (on nice color monitors!) it was going to be an ipod color white.

After taking Meredith to gymnastics and coming home to pick up dad, we all went to the store. Meeting the sales associate that helped us yesterday and about an hour later we had three phones. Mom and I had the Sony while dad got the Red Blackjack II. Also we got the bundle package that included car chargers and bluetooth headsets.

With 1200 texts a month and unlimited internet data...I think I'm set.

This phone is amazing and will definitely keep me cellularly wired while I'm college bound.

Phone Shopping...

To help set the scenario, let us start off with the current phone situation. My mom and I have the same phones which are Motorola flip phones that have silver on them. Throughout the previous two years they were dropped a few times, receiving minor scratches across the front. Then one day I dropped my phone by accident and from then on the battery didn't hold a charge. I mean, I would charge the thing for a day solid and then take it off and it only last about two days.

At this point my mom took my battery and gave me hers. It lasted a few months until it currently started acting up. Now when someone calls her, she answers and then the phone automatically hangs up. Therefore she answers hangs up and calls the person back every time.

Luckily, our contract with our phone service is expired and we are eligible to get new phones. We walked into the store and mom immediately thought that all the phones were masculine with only a pink razor, which she doesn't like. I had looked ahead online and found a phone that I liked, a Sony Ericson W580i. I found that it came in pink and showed mom. She loved it and of course when we ask at the store, it only comes in two colors...not pink.

She then saw the iphone and really liked it. I told her that by the time it was all over, it would cost her $2,000. She didn't care, she really wanted it. Just then mom said "I like B.M.W.'s, but I'm on the Volkswagen budget."

We walk out of the store and go home, looking online and find out that the only place that the pink W580i is offered in Taiwan. So she would have to pay about $300 and then shipping fees.

So now she is looking for another phone that is offered by our carrier. After all, if she likes B.M.W.'s and is on a Volkswagen budget, she can't pay $400 for a phone with a college bound Aggie.

Three of My Best Friends

As stated previously, I would describe three of my friend's future college plans.

To start off with, there names are Sarah, Staci, and Paul. We met in sixth grade because all of us had signed up to take the entry level French Horn class. Placing in chair tests and quickly becoming the top chairs (Sarah 1st, Staci 2nd, Paul 3rd, and me 4th) we started to bond a friendship almost immediatley that would last a lifetime.

At the end of our sixth grade year everyone tried out for a seat in the "big bands" for the next year. After results came out, the posting said that all of us had attained a spot in the Hudson Middle School Honors Band. We were exstatic and beyond belief that in a short year we had enhanced our music capabilites to be in the Honors Band.

Our standings remained the same for both seventh and eighth grade until we hit high school band. The tryouts at our high school left Sarah, Staci, and I in the Symphonic Band and Paul first chair Concert Band. After the reseating (basically test grades added to the previous audition score) it turned out that Sarah moved up into the Honors Band and Paul moved into the Symphonic Band. The next year Staci moved up and then the next year Paul. I never made it to Honors Band, partially because I didn't want to be in the band because of the director and secondly, I had started to lose my interest in music; thus not working to my full capability.

After seven years of being in the same section and suffering ordinary teenage trials, we have become seniors leading up to our sad goodbyes in a few months.

Sarah is a person with very high morals and self esteem. She is a lot of fun to hang around and is a very trustworthy friend. Luckily, she got admitted to A&M and currently plans to major in education. Her future plans are to teach at about the third or fourth grade level. In fact, it was her that told me about some things at A&M which led to the school becoming an option in my college choices.

Staci is also another great friend of mine. We have been through a lot (health class...lol) and is basically Sarah's other half. They do everything together and if it weren't for different names, would be sisters. I know I can always count on these two to help me when I need help (and sometimes they just think I need help in general). She has been admitted to Brigham Young University and is planning to major in nursing. I told her that since I am become a doctor she will always have a job in my office.

Lastly, there is Paul, or Mr. Paul as I sometimes call him. We have been through a lot and have a lot of common interests that have allowed us to become really close friends. Being trustworthy, I know that I can tell him anything that I couldn't tell anyone else, and on the other side he helps me out with decisions since I have a tendency to overthink situations sometimes. He is going to attend A&M and plans to major in Meterology. He wants to be the weather man on t.v.

Thus far, as we talk about sometimes, our kids will be covered because Sarah will teach them. I will diagnose and treat their sicknesses with Staci helping out with the treatments and then we will all get our daily weather from Paul. We are set.

As sad as it will be to see Staci go (we will be keeping in touch!), I'm just thankful that my other two closest friends will be going to Texas A&M with me. As sarah says "we are going to take a jitterbug (some type of dance) class and then go eat at Free Birds afterwards."

Gosh, with friends like these, what else could I possibly need??

Oh ya...tuition paid so I can be college bound!

Love ya mom and dad! ;)

Hip! Hip! Hooray!

In previous post I briefly mentioned stats class and said that it needed its own post, well here we go...

It all started on the first day of school, third period. Everyone walked in and sat down together amongst the approximately thirty desks, the ironic part was there was only ten of us. In the class was me, Liz, Ryan, Beca, Kenzie, Ashley, Jordan, Josh (another one), Courtney, and Stephanie. The bell rang and we all laughed, primarily because we are used to the classes having at least twenty five people or more in them. It was a great way to have a class.

Mrs. Norwood walked in and started to talk about Statistics A.P. and all the exciting (as she jumps up and down) things that we are going to be learning. After she gave her talk and let us have some free time, we all figured out that the reason that our class was created was because everyone had fourth period blocked out. We were all involved in three term fourth period classes whether it be athletics, A.P. Biology, or A.P. Physics.

As a class we quickly bonded and knew everyone names and each others activities outside of stats. I think even Mrs. Norwood really liked our class, which doesn't really happen when everyone knows each other so well.

As stats progressed and Mrs. Norwood would have us write notes the whole period, make us work out these ridiculous problems and then at the end tell us how to literally hit two buttons on the calculator and get the answer, our attention span for statistics started to decline. On some days she would stand and lecture the whole period with us just talking about whether or not the football team was going to win the game coming up. Not to mention, all Mrs. Norwood did was whisper only the lecture and then would be like "TO DO THIS IN YOUR CALCULATOR..." in which we all paid attention.

The first term of statistics was completely easy and under no circumstances did we really have to work very hard in her class. Although some days for the sake of Mrs. Norwood we would listen to her, primarily because there was a test the next day and we had no clue what we were doing. Like I said above, it was really easy when we did rapid reviews right before the test.

After time had passed the class would get even worse telling Mrs. Norwood that we didn't appreciate the long way of working out problems when we knew the easy way was to come. So it started out the saying Hip, Hip Hooray! After a long hour of what seemed like learning nothing, Mrs. Norwood would tell us the trick on how to compute the certain concept in the calculator. After we worked it together and the class got the answer Ryan would yell out Hip! Hip! in which the class finished with Hooray!

Mrs. Norwood even got into it sometimes...which is kind of scary when a teacher likes it.

We figured out one day why she joined in with the shouting and would jump in down with excitement over some stats theory. She told us that she had taught kindergarten for some time and then transferred to high school. Wow! Wanna talk about a jump, so that's when everyone agreed that the reason she was partially nutty was because she taught kindergarten and she overdoses on the Jolly Ranchers in her desk.

By this time the first term was coming to an end, where we all figured out that we all had fifth period together, but with other people. Yuck! We begged Mrs. Norwood if she could arrange the seating chart around our current seating chart, after all we were the experienced group new to our class. After much debate we walked in the morning of winter term and we had a seating chart, except everyone was pretty much in the same seats, just moved across the room.

During lecture we didn't pay a lick of attention and then Ryan randomly broke out with Hip! Hip! and the old third period said louder than ever HOORAY! The other classmates were somewhat perplexed, but didn't seem to mind.

At this point the new classmates had joined the environment that the old third period had, pretty much not to listen. So of course the first test came around and the day before, when there wasn't a scheduled review day, we told Mrs. Norwood we had no clue what to do on anything. She replied that the test was still on. Well crap we thought. The test came and everyone pretty much didn't do so hot on it except the nerdy juniors who think they're cool because they are in a class with seniors. May I remind them, that there was a reason we choose not to take Calculus.

After that test Mrs. Norwood had the class in check and we listen and actually do our homework now instead of looking in the back of the book for the answers. Although at times we do get rowdy and tell her that the Standard Error of the Mean is ridiculous, we still enjoy the class (sometimes).

Wow, that was a long post, but I just had to make one special entry for statistics class, because if the rest of the day is unexciting, I can always count on a laugh in there.

So all that is left to say is HIP! HIP! HOORAY!

Good Morning 6 A.M.

Today was the first day back at school from Christmas Break and it was not a satisfactory one. Six o' clock roles around and my dad wakes me up with the usual, turning on the radio. Yes, for those that don't know, I am a high school senior and my parents still wake me up. I'm very appreciative, because otherwise I don't know if I would ever make it to school on time.

I got up and did the usual:
1. Take a shower
2. Get dressed
3. Eat breakfast...the most important meal of the day!
4. Pack my bag and think about the day ahead
5. Take a breath
6. Say bye to my parents and it's off to school

This morning I sadly had to return to my routine and go to school. arriving at seven to sit in the band hall and talk with some friends.

First period commences and it's off to English Literature with Mr. Simpson, who gives us a timed writing in which I haven't done since May of last year. That was a joke, luckily he is letting us turn it in on Wednesday typed. Also, with it there was a nice short story to read, with a quiz tomorrow.

Second period arrives and I head off to band. I play the French Horn and am in the Symphonic Band under the direction of Mr. Ruangtip. We did our normal agenda, working on our U.I.L. music program.

The bell rings and I walk with some people to animation class. I spend almost the entire period drawing a skeleton, well actually I should get real with myself. I traced it off a template given by Mr. Bushland. Eventually we are going to make it move around and dance to either "Thriller" or "Can't Touch This."

The day is going swell I suppose, only a timed writing to complete thus far.

Fourth period bell rings and I head off to Biology A.P. with Mrs. Shupe, who by the way gave us six chapters to read with worksheets over break. The class settled in and then we look at the agenda for the week. Tomorrow two labs are due plus yet another chapter of biology. I was like well this is a great way to end winter/begin spring term.

Finally we reach fifth period where all the biology people head off to statistics and calculus. Fortunately I opted out for calculus this year and chose statistics because I had heard it was a lot easier and her passing rate is pretty high on the A.P. exam. The class walked in and began to say hello; people compared the high in demand iphones to the voyagers and Mrs. Norwood tried to get class started as normal. We get told that we have about ten problems for homework (which are normally a,b,c,d), there is a quiz tomorrow, and on top of that the class took a poll and nobody knows what they are doing in the class. I've decided that Stats Class needs its own post to completely gain the true life of the class, but that's at another time.

After what seemed like ages, the bell rang and I headed home, had a snack, and began my mound of homework. I believe I started at three and didn't finish until seven. Of course allowing time for breaks and such, I still think that four hours worth of homework on the first day back is ridiculous.

Anywho, I'm just thankful that I finished and can have some free time.

Why Biochemistry?

According to the Texas A&M catalogue, Biochemistry is one of the hardest majors to complete in four years, but it does allow one to be prepared for medical school. According to some research it helps prepare a student so that their first year of medical school is supposedly a lot easier because of the wide array of coursework completed.

Originally I was just planning to go into the Biology programs, but many people we had spoken with said that Biology can only get you so far in med school. Thus, I needed to find something that help better prepare me for the coursework in medical school.

So, after buying a catalogue at the A&M bookstore and returning home, I was helping to put my little sister to bed and the catalogue fell off the couch and I didn' think anything about it. After saying good night and coming back into the living room I picked the book up and the Biochemistry coursework was opened up. It was what I was looking for, a mix of Biology and Chemistry that would help me attain my ultimate goal.

After reviewing the course with my parents we decided it was a "go" and I would be sending in an application with the Biochemistry course attached to it. Unlike some kids that are currently applying to the school, I didn't have to worry about being accepted into the School of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Since I sent in my application early (before December 15), I was guareented to be admitted into my choice college and major. All I had to do was wait for admission acceptance or refusal, which in my luck as stated before I was in the top 10% of my high school class.

Now that it is January, I am currently waiting on my New Student Conference (NSC) information to appear in the mail and also sign up for my CLEP exams.

For those that don't know what CLEP is, it stands for College Level Exam Placement. After taking U.S. History AP last year, I recieved a three on my exam which is qualified. However at Texas A&M I needed to have a four in order to attain credit and be exempt from the class. After saying a few words to myself and wondering why I hadn't studied harder, I looked up and found the CLEP examinations and saw that A&M awards credit for them. One of the best parts, not to mention making them easier, is that there is not an essay and the exam is on a computer, giving you the score immediatley.

So I plan to take the U.S. History exams and pass with hopes that I won't have to take the exams at A&M, which means money saved! Not to mention, I cannot take going through another U.S. History course, I love the United States, but is learning about the same topics over and over again really necessary?

Besides the fact, tomorrow school starts and I have only five months left, before I'm college bound.

Belated Christmas 2007

Well, seeing as how I always procrastinate and begin everything later than I should, here is a late Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone.

On Christmas Eve, as is tradition in our house, we opened gifts in which the "big" gift that I asked for was Guitar Hero for the Wii. And of course, my parents somehow found the thing. There was some slight thought in the back of my mind that I might not get it since everywhere I went it was sold out, as everything is for the Wii. They did find it however, as does the most amazing parents ever. My mom told me that for about two weeks she was at the local electronic stores at opening and they were sold out. She went to Toy's R Us for a big Christmas sale and the by some haphazard chance went to the Target next door thinking they wouldn't possibly have the game. Much to her surprise they had about five in stock and she got one!

So far I have beaten the game on easy difficulty and I am currently working on medium.

Anyways back to the presents, I also got some A&M gear which I was psyched for! Any gear for my future college is great considering that I had no clue my entire life where I wanted to go until the end of summer.

Finally after everyone had finished opening their gifts there was one last big box left wrapped that wasn't in any wrapping paper that I had ever seen before. My parents picked it up and mom said "Josh, I bestow the last gift of Christmas to you son. You know we (my dad and mom) love you."

At this point I was like crap, what is in the box. Is it going to be a joke, make me laugh or cry? I opened the box up in which I could immediately tell that it was my grandmother's wrapping...not kid friendly. After getting the paper off I opened the cardboard box and then much to my surprise a laptop appeared. It was amazing and I couldn't even speak for a while. I mean I had expected to get one, but we are talking in about five months when graduation time roles around. As bad as it sounds, I almost cried. If you ever need a major surprise for a gift, give someone something they are totally not expecting.

Anyways, the laptop is amazing, because dad ordered it custom. As he says he logged the days it took to ship from China...nerd. Just kidding, he's awesome and translated after all the computer jargon comes out...it's top of the line.

This makes me truly appreciate what my parents will do for me. They are the best parents anyone could ever possibly ask for.

On another happy note, Happy 2008! I can't believe graduation is almost here, the time when I will have to say goodbye to some of my friends that I've known since elementary school. Their college bound endeavors will be another time.

The First Post!

Hi,

The name is Josh, and yes I have had a blog before, but that was old news in my life and I decided that as life has changed, I needed to change too!

From the title it is pretty apparent that I am college bound for College Station this coming fall. To start off with the basics and how I came about to choose Texas A&M. The past summer in July, a buddy of mine had gone and taken a tour of the campus and came back talking to me about it, in which I was interested. I went home and talked to the parental units about the school and before I knew it bags were packed and we were on the road, destination Bryan-College Station. After about three and a half long hours riding in the back seat with my sis, we arrived. Unfortunately it was almost 12:30 A.M. and our tour would have to wait until the next morning.

Waking up at the crack of dawn the next morning we made it to the campus, parked, and I almost was drafted into the Corps of Cadets. It was the weekend for a meeting for students who had signed up for the Corps. It turned out that the group of people we decided to follow that looked as if they knew what they were doing led us to the building, in which I told my parents I wasn't interested, or at least I didn't think so.

When we finally reached the tour center and were on the tour I felt as if A&M were my second home, a place that I knew that I was destined to go and would do anything to attend.

At this point school started and admissions for Fall 2008 term was open, my application was sent in. Being a part of the top 10% of my high school class, I knew that I was automatically admitted, but still had nerves about whether I was going to actually be admitted.

Then about four weeks after admission, I received an acceptance letter! I was completely ecstatic because I was going to attend my dream school. I applied to be in their biochemistry program with a possible double major in genetics. And yes, if you have been reading thus far, you would wonder why biochemistry? My future endeavors involve attending medical school and becoming a doctor.

Well there is the first of many posts of an exciting college bound Aggie.