So animation wise, this week as been exciting. On Saturday Michelle, and our roommates and me went to Disney Studios to see the special early release of The Princess and the Frog. After the movie was a mini tour (with a tour guide who thought Mulan was the last 2D movie. Maybe the last musical, but there were many after it like Lilo and Stitch!) and there was a cast of all the Disney Princesses to take pictures with. But these were not the Disneyland trained mascots; they were actually kind of creepy and weird. Like Snow White asked, "What's Broadway? Where is it?'Etc? Etc?" My roommate was like I'm 18, please, don't do this. Other cool things they had were little voodoo doll dart games and launching beanbag frog games. There was also an animator to show you how to draw Frog Naveen. I didn't get to really draw or talk to him though : ( They had some props and clothes from live action Disney movies on display. And they had things to bye. I got a necklace and kissey froggies. I couldn't resist them; they reminded me of my Simba kissey plushie... Michelle got the artbook and soundtrack.
I really liked the movie! Disney did a great job! Prince Naveen is the best Disney Prince ever. He is flawed but so likeable. He is not perfect and he has a character. Tiana was not a typical Disney princess either. She's hard working and she has dreams beyond love—which she says she doesn't have time for. The only thing I think the movie lacked was that the villain was missing something.
I encourage everyone to go watch it!!!

The president of Disney animation and Pixar animation (he's the cofounder of pixar) came and made a speech at my school today! It sounds like lots of 2D is on the way! I'm so happy!

So I have three animation projects to finish by next tuesday (got one done); a mythology test thursday, History of animation test on Monday, and a Korean Literature paper due Next Wednesday. : ( At least I won't have homework during Winter break for once.

I count a school year as a year for some reason, but in an attempt to get my cosplay list straight for this year I'm making a list. Taken from tenshiyaki

( Cosplay )

Monday was my Birthday. My mom really wanted to see me on my birthday, so she took me to Disneyland for a few hours. I had signed up for the birthday free pass thing they are doing. But since I'm an annual passport holder, I got $72 gift card instead. I pretended to be Michelle and got her giftcard to. (I don't have class until 2pm on Monday but Michelle does : ( so she couldn't come.) Bought some things at Disneyland and came back to school. I went to my class and when I came back, Michelle, me and Mom went to the California Pizza Kitchen around a mile for the convention center. They gave us a free dessert for our birthday. : )
I was kind of sad when my mom went home and I headed to art class. We were a little late getting back because we got turned around and there was an ambulance at the Engineering building.
When we came back our roommates Diana and Kathryn surprised us with a banner and cake. Chelsea, Kosiso, and Somto sang us happy bday and we had cake. Then we talked which is like the first time so many of us roommates talked all together. Except Miranda, she was on one of her three hour long runs (and she wants to know why her knees hurt). She never said happy Birthday and just said "Your cake was good" when she had some later. I think it was kind of rude because you'd have to be really dumb not to notice it was someone's birthday in your room when there's a banner.
It was Anjele's birthday on Tuesday. I just happened to be coming back from class when Madel (from my High school) was dropped off to visit her. They came over later at night.

Yesterday was Dragonboat meeting. Preparing to leave for the race this weekend in San Francisco. I have been doing as much homework as I could. I'm working on my Mythology Project which is a creating writing project. Not very far story-wise but it's almost 5000 words now.

So this last weekend was Parents Weekend. I tried very hard to get my homework done early because I knew my mom wanted to spend time with me.
My mom came on Thursday night, helped me with my overdue laundry, and talked with me. On Friday I had lunch with her. That lunch was so not worth 12 bucks. Hot salad, a cookie, and a drink, and if you were early a nasty sandwich. My mom and me took the bus downtown and wandered around fabric district. We were looking for a black velvet and a teal velvet for the Christmas sailor scouts. Teal doesn't exist. I came back in time for ballroom dance, to make up my class. I keep forgetting that class starts at 6:30 not 6:00pm. I suck at Rumba...yes I do. Michelle and mom went to a movie premiere in the cinematic program, which everyone agrees, "Why the hell would you play THAT movie for parents weekend." Geez, animated sex scenes! Michelle told me she turned around and there were boys, with hands on their temples, shaking their heads, next to their moms. Mom and Michelle ditched after a bit. 
On Saturday we went to Dragonboat practice. Got our new life vests. Came back and Michelle sneaked out of work to have lunch at the Prep rally with mom. Much better food. But when Michelle left I got in argument with my mom. She went to the game by herself and I later went with Michelle. Stayed until halftime was done. Stupid drunk people in front of us who thought it was funny to slide down the banners.
Went to McCays after finding mom. Very yummy steak and mashed potatoes! (Oh I missed mashed potatoes—white people need these survive, don't you know Parkside! It's like rice to Asians!) Very expensive though. And then we had apple tart, heavenly....
Sunday went to Dragonboat and came back. Mom took us to Glendale. We went to the Target in the mall and bought water resistant exercise clothes for San Francisco and then some other supplies. Their Halloween stuff sucked. : ( THen we saw Cirque du Freak. I read all of that book series when I was younger. I liked the movie a lot. Very different story than the books but it was still good. The vampires drink human blood and therefore kick spaklepires asses. Went to the Vons where mom used to work and bought a baby pumpkin.
Yesterday I went to my teacher's animation show at RedCat at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. It was very deep. Took the bus there and Mike brought us back (Thank you Mike! : ) ) I was kind of mad that I was the only animation stupid in my class (I think some grads were there) to attend. I asked my art teacher if I could go and I was fine with it! She was happy I came and Michelle came so it makes her look better when reapplying.
When we got back Parkside had bought pumpkins. We got the last one for our suite. Michelle, Diana, and I carved it outside. It came out cute. Accidently shaved too much of the lid and it fell through. So I used my sewing pins to create a layer to hold it up. Haha.
Today I met with my adviser for animation. I think I'm taking my GE, Writing requirement, drawing b, animation 102, voice acting, and the human figure in narrative drawing. Yay, fun art classes. More time to do better animation work. : )
I did my Korean Literature midterm yesterday. Think I did well. We are watching a movie tomorrow. Relaxation.
I did really well on Mythology midterm 102/100. Awesome. They lowered the curve because there were so many failing people. (but then there is majority of A's, but 200 people are in the class.)
Now I need to work on my animation!

...in the Lindy Hop.
Actually scratch that. I'M dangerous in the Lindy hop. I kept kicking my partner by accident. I'm sorry whatever-your-name-was-who-was-a-senior-in-a-really-hard-math-science-field! I think it proved I wasn't meant to dance...
I went to my regularly scheduled dance class because I want to go to the social event for dragon boat Friday. I'll just miss land work outs, but I didn't want to work out in the rain. How unhealthy! That's what they did yesterday.
I also went with Joyce to Parkside's Tuesday dinners and listened to a guest speaker. He was interesting. He told us how he got into screenwriting. Parkside Tuesday dinners have so much lovely FRESH fruit. Watermelon doesn't taste like cantolope like it usually does in the Parkside dinning hall.
Worked on all of the midterm review for animation. Spent all of yesterday pretty much. Had printing problems.
And when I'm finally done with everything, the week's homework load begins anew! >_< New Korean Literature essay assigned.

Sucked. There is no closure! What happened to Kurogane? Did he go back to Tomoyo? Is he with Fai? What happened to Fai's hunter?  D :<
And this is coming from someone who only read like 30 chapters of Tsubasa and watched the anime...(Michelle ruined it for me anyway)

And I am almost done with all my work. I just rewrote the second essay. Now to reread it. I barely kept anything from my first essay...

So I suppose I should give a summary of what happened during my first two weeks of class.
So far I've only had one of my animation classes. The next one is at 1:00pm today. For the first day we had to bring three things that inspired us and tell why. Then we were assigned to find 25 lines and create a flipbook of our favorite. Mine's okay. It doesn't flip well but maybe it will once they put the huge staple in. I tried my best to make it flow well. I went to the animation lab to use the light board. I also went to the animation history class. We had a screening day. Apparently my teacher was part of the group who tested streaming on the internet. They thought it would be an alternative to the loss of animation venues during the late 90's. She assigned half the Before Mickey book to read this week. My sister is taking the class so we only bought one book. We don't both need a $30 book that is only used for 2 weeks.
I really like my Classical mythology class. Since a lot of the story I'm working on is rooted in myth, it's inspiring. My professor is so young! He seems nervous to speak sometimes and so seems a little monotonous, but he has been becoming more animated. He likes to read the stories out loud and changes his voice and does sound effects. It's always so surprising when he does. In the class, instead of the second essay you can do Joint Education Program which is teaching myth to children. I think I might do that because I didn't take the Writing class to write college papers due to animations set up. It's 2 hours a week plus a evaluation of what I taught. I think it'd help me memorize the material better.
Korean Literature is okay. Most everyone is asian (barely Korean, with several from Korea) but everyone is afraid to answer a question. I like some poems and prose better than others. We are having a field trip to LACMA on the 19th.
Drawing is easy because I did this all before in Pap's class. Oddly, several of the people in animation never drew perspective or took an art class before. He complimented my detail of a one point perspective hallway because I included all the doors (evil doors!). So far we only did some still life of cubes and spheres, a stool (with the left hand!) and perspective of circles, hallways, and rectangles.
My ballroom dance class is fun. The teacher is short but funny. There's not enough guys in the class so a lot of girls are leading (but I'm avoiding it because I sucked the first day!). I know the steps to the dance but get messing up.
So I joined the Dragonboat club. I went to practice sunday and went to the workout tuesday. I hurt....but I need to get in shape. I think I'm going to join archery, there's an info meeting today. I joined MEGA, a game making club, which will give me stuff to put in resumes. I also joined the anime club, and will go when I'm not in class.
I asked two weeks ago for them to lower my bed. Seriously, it's dangerous! I keep hurting myself. Of course, they come yesterday when I'm in class.
So in other news, there's been fire. Used to it from Oceanside. Dry throat is all. And apparently some man at the Radisson hotwl, which is student housing as well, committed suicide by jumping out the 7th story and fell by the pool. Creepy.

I've been sorting to much on ACP. And my friends that don't have a cosplay account there, should get one, because I keep seeing you guys!

It seems so strange that this is the last night in my own bed for a long long time. I'm excited though, but my mom is sad. I can tell, she's meaner than usual. I got two of my books, one was delayed in shipping (great), and the rest I have to get at school because my teacher just posted it yesterday. : ( At least most of them aren't too expensive. My Cal Grant hasn't gone through so I'll probably have to talk to someone in financial aid, and my AP scores weren't received. And I just realized I packed my planner. Tomorrow I get to meet my roommates and remeet some of them. On Friday, there's a day long meeting for cinematic arts. : ) Should be fun. We rented a car to get two people and their stuff up to L.A.

Anyone want to read a fanfic I wrote? http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5271497/1/The_Taste_of_Regret It's Kyo Kara Maoh and Anissina centric. I feel bad because it has no reviews, not even, "This sucks!"

So I went to the beach yesterday. In Newport; why would I ever go to the one that's just 10 minutes away? (Seriously I've only been to that one like 6 times in 10 years!) Met up with Sisi, Julia, Corine, Jess, Melissa, Lauren, Kristian, and met Noel and Allison. We got lost on the way there, because of course mapquest is wrong. Mom got mad, but she dropped us off. It was fun. I got to talk to everyone I haven't seen in awhile. We played in the water, threw balls at each other, and built a hole, and a pyramid. Then we made Lauren a sand mermaid, complete with sand boobs.

( Pictures )

So today I have been researching publishing a book. Through looking at a photographer I admire, I got onto Harlequin publishing. I have never thought much about them; they publish those sexy romance novels that I never have read because I don't like pure romance. But then I noticed that they just launched a teen section. And they are looking for "extraordinary characters and extraordinary stories" that "will speak to readers with power and authenticity. All subgenres are welcome, so long as the book delivers a relevant reading experience that will resonate long after the book’s covers are closed." And of course they want some romance. And I thought to myself, could my book fit this category? I think it does! Now I just got to get writing and maybe in a few years I can get published. That may sound over confident, but seriously, why think so little of myself to believe that it won't happen?

So I have been reading their writing articles and there was one about what turns people off. Here was part of the ick factor:
"a man who spends half the book following the heroine’s every move and obsessing over her is not a romantic hero, that’s a stalker. Big ick"

So what happened with Twilight? Edward spends most of the series, excluding most of New Moon, with Bella, watching her sleep. They have all their classes together, spend time at her house. Now while the context of the quote might mean it in more negative terms, I see little difference. Seriously, let there be some space!

With that being said, I'm surprised I wasn't murdered at Comic Con. I was looking down the publishing section and happened to glance at A Great and Terrible Beauty audio book, and Twilight was right next to it. The lady asks me, "Do you like Twilight?"
"No."
"Oh."
And then I gave an odd laugh.

There were so many people going crazy over the New Moon panel. I really wanted to see the Disney 3-D panel prior to it, but realized that I'd never get in because people had been camping out for Twilight since Tuesday! Crazy. And Depp was there too.....

But, I became happy when a group of people made "Twilight ruined Comic Con" signs. There was a mob of people. Aw my peers.

So Fanime is over. I didn't have as awesome of a time as I hoped. I got into a lot of arguments with my mom and I didn't cosplay much. I planned to be Ino, but it didn't fit anymore. : ( Well I got it on, but I wasn't willing to go out in it. So that depressed me. I spent a lot of time in artist alley, but I was in a lonely place. Though I was happy Alice and valerie were across the way! I wish I could have finished more prints and things. I have plans for several prints and I want to make a doujinshi and new bookmarks. However, I want to get rid of some of the stuff I all ready have! I need to get one of those big and showy displays as well! I cosplayed as Syaoran from Tsubasa a little on Friday. I was Ranma on Saturday and a little of Sunday. I liked the photoshoot of Ranma, but I wanted more Shampoo and Ukyo pictures! I had a good time at masquerade. The first couple of skits were amazing. I liked The kyo karah Maoh skit a lot. At first I thought it would suck, but then the Anissina was so in character. They could have only improved the actual skit plot by having Gwendal power her invention by hand. The Tsubasa ones were amazing. The Fire Emblem one had amazing wings!!! And rayearth was breathtaking! I noticed a lot of performance were dancing. I would have liked more comedy. I also had a good time at the ball. I put on a tux and my Syaoran wig. I think I was one of the hottest guys there, and I wasn't even a guy. My friends kept taking me away and forcing me to dance. They wouldn't let me rest after the Cha Cha! I like to observe and take pictures, but no, they made me dance. Sigh, it was fun though.

So after 9 hours on the drive back home, in which I daydreamed (I daydream all the time. Just stare off in space, thinking of stories. People must think I'm weird. Just staring.) I came back to school. I got back and three people dropped out of the prom limo. But two people asked for a ride today and gave me the money for it right then and there. At least I won't be eating as much of the cost now.

We have an art project in which we are reproducing a art piece by an assigned artist. I am doing a piece by Norman Rockwell. I started coloring it with color pencil today. I suck at painting! It's coming a long good. There's an essay to it too, but I haevn't finished the last piece.

I had to run three miles today! I'm so tired...I had to do the time mile and then do two more. What I get for going a con! I didn't feel very well so my time was poor and i just couldn't get in a running rhythm. Mudd everywhere!

When we got home my mom told me that my older sister, Who I see once every one to two years,  was complaining about us going to USC. Instead of saying congrats, she complains about the cost and loans. Why is it her concern. She kept insistig on us going to community. My mom didn't explain very well that we got lots of grants and scholarships, and so community would only be more. She's the one that has never taken paid off her loans. She's just jealous. I know. She went to Santa Barbara and is now a house mom, but that was her choice. And I don't see why she expects us to listen to the sister that never speaks to us. And when she does come to visit, lets my dad spend one hour with his grandson at her conditions, but spends 2 weeks with her friends.

Michelle and I had a Code Geass marathon. yes, I watch the English dub. I like the voices. So I caught up on two months! I love Lelouch and Xingke. I want to cosplay one of them. But I want a Tianzi....

Just one more AP test left! AP gov and English Lit were fine, but Calculus was HARD. Studio art was so annoying because the server OVERLOADED! It took six hours to submit our portfoilios! But we did finally get through and then went to Round Table and to see Star Trek afterwards. We had a great time. : )

So yesterday was my AP Calculus mock test Final. Four hours of testing in the school library starting at 7:30am. I haven't got to sleep in in weeks even though I have breaks. Even today I barely slept to eight. I think I did pretty well on the test. I answered all the free responses and the calculator mutiple choices. Only two multiple choice by hand I left blank. And one was because I minused 4 instead of adding, and the answer wasn't there. I really want an A in that class. As Matt said, "One B is bad, but two is unacceptable."

One week to AP testing. I gotta get going and finish my AP art portfolio.

At least Fanime is coming up. That should be fun. : ) I can't wait. Because it means all the stress is over. I need to work on artist alley art for that....I don't know why I signed up for artist alley. Oh, yeah to sell my extras. ANd it was the only way my mom would let me go..."to make college money."

I think one of my next cosplays is going to be Kaname Chidori from Fullmetal Panic. I want to make it myself however.

So today in P.E. we had to run three miles. I made it into the "three mile club." Only about a handful of girls actually made it (we have an all girls P.E. class) and I was one of them. I barely came in at 30minutes. It was so tiring. I ran almost all of it but 1/2 lap. After the ninth lap, it was just easier to keep running because I was so wobbly when walking. haha. So tired after though, but I'm very proud of myself!

Tomorrow is senior ditch day, but I have to go to school. My mom on't let me ditch and even though I can sign myself out, I have no car. Well, most teachers realize its stupid to have class, so the day will be easy. I'll probably just work on art and art history.

For fanime, I plan on cosplaying:
Ino (time skip)
Ino (pre time skip)
Neji (Just gotta make his man skirt and shirt. We are having a Team Gai group : ) )
Ranma (I just got my pattern today!)
Hikaru (I guess I'm bringing this.)

I pretty much decided I'm cosplaying Ino, until I find a Shikamaru! Is it so wrong to want a hot Shikamaru! I just want team pictures! : ( Though Shikaino would make me very happy, but I'll compromise!

I was planning on being Zero, but I just can't afford the costume and I can't make it. Sorry Alice! : (
Also, Syaoran has proven very difficult. Maggi, Martha, it didn't work. I found a pattern almost just like the shirt, but I have to flip it all. And I need to cut it at the color changes. I need more material and I don't know when I'll be back in L.A. I'll try my best to finish it, but I don't know if I'll have time with all my AP tests. : (

I've made a resoltion to exercise more. The 3 miles is a start and I did an ab video yesterday. Need Ino abs!

OMG! Someone scared a skunk outside! It smells so bad! Its seeping in through the windows....I didn't even know we had skunks over here....
*dies*

I'm almost finished with my homework. I will be so glad to be done with it!
In other news, I have been thinking of writing a book. Every time I go to the library or the bookstore, I rarely find anything that really interests me. There must be other people out there that are tired of Vampires and Faeries (why's isn't it spelled "fairies" anymore?) and static cliche characters. So I think I'll start to write a book with what I'm interested in reading. I always have so many ideas but i never have time to write, so I hve been taking notes lately when I think of anything good, and hopefully, by the time AP tests are over I'll have time to start writing! I wonder how you get published though......

Tomorrow 'm going over to maggifan and mlarad 's house to wok on Piffle Syaoran! Please forgive my uselessness Martha. I'll try my best! Hopefully for fanime we will have a Tsubasa Piffle group with gaarasyami , maggifan and mlarad , and vasyenka
 

For fanime I'm also going to be Ranma from Ranma 1/2. I kinda of have an idea for a skit, but I don't know if the other's doing Ranma woud want to do it. Let me know guys.

This week Toys R Us was giving out Shaymin to anyone who came in with Pokemon Diamon or Pearl. I bought a version of Pearl so that I could trade Shaymin to my Diamond game and then restart to get another Shaymin! Haha. In total I recieved three Shaymin to my Diamond version. They are so cute. I like to think myself as a collector since I never really trade. I am just trying to collect all the rare ones from events! Now I have 3 Shaymin, 2 Manaphy, and 1 Darkrai, and I should get another Manaphy and Darkrai from beating Pokemon Ranger.
Lately I've been kind of wanting to cosplay a Pokemon, but I don't know which to be. The Eevee forms are my favorite but they are done so much all ready.

In other news, I have a week off of school for "President's Week" which is full of 120 calculus problems, reading The Awakening, and 4ish Chapters of Art History, and studing for a Government test..... : (