Hello blogger, do I know you?

Again, I've made myself a stranger to my blog for about a month now... and I realize I've been bad but there's just so much to do. Okay, to be honest there isn't that much to do, I just try and fill in time as quickly as possible in between the periods I get to see Greg.
Prom was alright, photos are up on facebook as you all probably know already.
Did relay for life this past weekend, was awful, couldn't get to sleep and got sick (thankfully am already over it because I took a day off school and had plenty of Dayquil and Nyquil).
Have many projects to do in school as teachers are trying to cram in grades for the remaining couple of weeks of school.
Field trip on Thursday for art, and we have a graffiti artist coming in to talk to us tmrw (should be good).
What else? Umm... nothing really eventful. Dad's in China for a month and in just over a month I'll be back in Dunnaz with you all =]

<3

Lisa

Easter + Spring Break

Pic: Matt, Greg, Francine, Me, and Eric.

I should be more active now that I'm on break - but I'm not :p oh well.
So much has happened and I have so much left to do but I'm lazy as hell and am so behind (what's new?).

So, I've never really had a real "Easter" and this year Greg brought me up to Boston to spend it with his family.
Friday night:
Francine (Greg's mum) ordered pizza and we scoffed that down w/ salad before heading on our roadtrip up to Massachusetts. We drove for about 2 1/2 hours and it was raining by the time we got to Boston but that's okay coz Greg and I got to snuggle in the back back-seat (in the mini-van) so I was toasty. We were staying at his grandma's house and Nanna Foss is such a sweet lady (and very Italian, constantly offering us food - I still don't know what to call her yet... maybe Rose?), I got my own room with a gorgeously soft and warm queen bed.

Saturday:
In the morning I straightened Francine's hair (then the weather ruined it) before we went to visit Dolores and Dave (his Irish aunt and uncle) and their new baby Alanna (adorable little thing who everyone called the pappet?) and Duncan (a really really friendly golden retriever).
They took me into Boston to see the city and although it was cold and miserable and started raining, I had heaps of fun. Because it was Saturday, there was a Farmer's market running and OH SO MUCH FRESH PRODUCE AND MEATS AND FISH... I was so happy even though I couldn't buy anything. There was all this amazing cheese for so cheap and seafood mmmmmm.
We had lunch at the Union Oyster House and ordered waaay too much food for the five of us (Francine, Greg, Matt - Greg's lil brother, Eric - Greg's childhood friend, et moi): 2 orders of mini burgers w/ fries, clam chowder for all, a bowl of chilli, and a huge platter of nachos.
We went through Quincy market and got to see the harbor and got miserably wet haha. Then went to Vittoria's Cafe in Northend for hot chocolates/coffee and cannolis (well Greg had a cannoli and I had a bite of it coz they so shocked I didn't know what it was and it was supposed to be really amazing - tbh I thought it was pretty average) and flan (mine =] although I couldnt' finish it).
We then drove through Wellesley (sp?) the place where Greg grew up, and spent a few hours at the Peckam's (sp?) house (Eric's fam.)... that was interesting.
Dinner was at his aunt Maureen's place where I met most of the family for the first time; There was Maureen and Bill Bourke (her husband), Dolores and Dave, Rose and Theresa (Rose's sister), Francine and Matt and Greg, and the two dogs Katie and Duncan (I really hope I haven't missed anyone out). There were so many hors d'oeurves and dinner was this wonderful chicken and olive ordeal on rice with potatoes and salad and beans (I think...). There were brownies and cookies and two pies (ricotta and pineapple-custard cream) and ice cream for dessert... so basically, a shitload of food =]

Sunday:
The morning had to be spent at church (obviously haha), we went to the 10:30 mass although we got there at 9:30 for seats... and then drove around for a bit before heading back to Rose's place to relax for a bit. I helped her peel and slice potatoes for the scalloped potatoes she was bringing for dinner. Austin (Greg's dad) joined us after spending Easter w/ his mum in Maine around 2:30 and by 3 we headed over to Dave and Dolores' house for dinner.
Again, SO MUCH FOOD. And oh so good, there were mroe hors d'oeurves, a honey-glazed ham (which Rose also made), turkey (with a chardonnay-reduction or so Dave claimed), string beans w/ butter and almonds, the scalloped potatoes, roasted mini sweet peppers and Maureen made a wonderful pavlova & cream w/ fresh fruits for dessert.
We watched Madagascar 2 (lol) and then headed back to CT.

Overall, it was obviously the BEST Easter I've ever had =]
So it's decided that I'm going to Uni back in dunnerz. Gonna spend this 2nd semester on any courses I can take, and then do health-sci next year. Any tips from the current health-sci students for getting into med-school? Hahaha. So Greg and I are gonna try and make this long-distance thing work because this is definitely something special and is one of the best things that's ever happened to me. I think I'm getting return tickets for December so I'll get to see him then... fingers crossed?

Anyhow, on a lighter note, this break all the things I have to do:
Homework:

• History & Civics: write a 5-8 page civil rights essay on ERA
• World Lit: finish reading the Kite Runner (done)
• Psychology: Start studying for the AP exam (err.. no)
• Calculus: Look over & organize notes (err.. no)
• Art: Finish five pieces, and start on another two (hopefully finish those too)
• Biology: NA (thank god)
• Look up flats & housing in Dunnerz (though dad might get this done for me)
• Email Otago Uni to see which courses I can take second semester
• Study for UMAT?
  
• Get Greg's Birthday present (he's turning 18 on the 23rd of April! 3 days before Tunan!)

So I think I've got his present and one art piece done :p ... God help me hahahaha.

<3 you all (and see you soon!)

Lisa

My life + 1

So I've been neglecting everything (what else is new?) mainly because of the boyfriend. He's on break so he picks me up after school and we hang out from 2:30 - 5:30 and I go home, eat dinner, try to do my homework but make a pathetic effort, and then go to sleep.
Umm... school is school, it's so strange to read all your blogs on college and meeting new room-mates and stuff while I'm still in this familiar environment that I'm so comfortable with. I guess my "easing-in" was to America :p

Miss everyone and NZ so much, even though everything here is great.
I'm gonna be able to make my decisions about college by april 2nd I think (that's when I hear back from the last college - Stanford), but my mind is already set on Otago... so I'm hoping they'll let me take two semesters of classes in one.
America is great and all, and I know I'd get some shit from people if I went back because they think I can't make it in the states. But the truth of the matter is, I feel like my world perception is getting warped and too US-centric, I'm terrified of becoming like these people with their little social groups and closed-mindedness. Perhaps it's just where I am right now and college will be better, who knows?

The only colleges I'd stay in the states for is Brown Uni, Stanford, or the UConn combined medical program (get a MD in 6 years instead of 4 undergrad + 4 grad). Fingers crossed guys.

I feel sort of stressed right now and have no real justification for that.
<3 you all

-Lisa

Dear everyone...

I feel terrible for having neglected my blog for so long. Life has been really very hectic and busy lately and I've finally got a small break to let me catch my breath again. Where to start?

I guess with the most important thing... there's a boy in my life. Hahahahaha yes, at the moment it's the most important thing (I know I'm disregarding college stuff but whatever, I'll get to that in a bit). His name is Greg, and I believe I've talked to a few of you online about him already.
I met him at a dinner party at his house... long story. And we started dating on the 7th of this month. It's been a week and two days but we've talked every night for at least 20 days I think, often 'til 2-3 a.m. and I really really really like him. I don't think I've felt this way about any other guy before (and you all know that that's saying something!), but I'm terrified that this wont last because we're going to different colleges and we both know that this will inevitably end. Right now though, it's so perfect... so I guess all I can do is go with it. Even though I know how it will end, the journey isn't any less worthwhile.

Aside from boy, I'm currently on a week long February winter break... yay! catch up on sleep, school work, and you guys =]
I've been accepted into UConn so far (the state school... but who really wants to go there anyway?) and am still waiting to hear back from Uni of Vermont, Uni of New Haven, Boston Uni, Brown Uni, and Stanford... fingers crossed on Brown. It's the only one I really want to go to anyway.

I've picked up an old acoustic and am trying to learn a few simple songs in my spare time... not going amazing hahaha but oh well.
Still cooking lots and having a great time doing so... as for my art, I've been doing lots of studies for my concentration but basically all the art I've been doing is for my school portfolio *sigh* there's just not enough time to do everything I want! Have about 10 books lined up on my bedstands to read, should really get to those sometime soon.

And Anna, I'm pretty sure I'll be here June/early July because I don't get out of school 'til then hahaha. Plans for the summer I haven't really set in stone yet, can't think about it until I know where I'm going for university.

I just made a huge dinner (and sliced part of my index finger in the process... oh well, no blood) and dad's home with the rolls so we can start =]
I'll check out all your blogs to get updates on where and what you're all up to.

<3 Forever and always

Lisa xx

It's funny, I used to be really picky about where I called "home" but now I don't think it matters that much, as long as it's a place you feel comfortable and in-sync with your environment. I don't mean to sound all tree huggy or anything, but like everything else, the term home is just a label so it doesn't really represent anything that doesn't already have a preconceived idea behind it.

Anyway, I've been inactive because... I sort of forgot about blogging while on break. Still got three more days to go and a lot of homework to do (is it just me, or does it seem like I'm always behind on my work?) because I left it all home when I went away.

On the 24th, we drove down to Baltimore and we met Tunan's dad and stepmom... we had dinner with them, the fish was really good. All tender and juicy heh.
And then we drove down to Atlanta, Georgia on the 25th (whoo, Christmas) and spent it with some family friends whom I did not know. It was kind of weird, they had a really typical Asian family... I mean, I don't usually believe in cast-in-mold stereotypes but all the people lived in nice two storey houses, and had two children who studied hard, did sports, played an instrument, and would go on to a nice college. Really very uninteresting.
We had dinner at some other Asian families house where I was felt up by some really hard-headed idiot who spoke like a troglodyte but got into MIT (go figure). I should rant about how it's stupid colleges accept people who can't even speak properly or form real sentences over those who are decent human beings and can function in a real life situation, but I wont. Haha.

We went to the Coca Cola factory on the 26th, I'll put up some photos on facebook later. As well as the CNN center where some hockey team was running a charity thing, the players were really amazing (obviously, if they're pro-hockey players). And the guy we were staying with made me show him my college essays... really awkward. He made me send my main one to his son for reference, I mean, I'm flattered, but what's he going to do with it? It's about me, so it's not like he could plaigerise it or anything.

Then on the 27th we drove down to Orlando, Florida. Dad and I had dinner at some Chinese-Mongolian restaurant where I became super addicted to their hot and sour soup, mum and Eddie were to tired so they stayed in the hotel (it's funny how no matter where we go, my parents always manage to pick Chinese restaurants to eat at, not that I'm complaining mind you, I love our food).
It was 27 freaking degrees in Florida... in winter! That shouldn't be allowed at all!
I must admit, I wasn't too much of a fan of Florida - because of the heat, the commercialism, and because stupid mosquitos bit me in pairs or triplets... five times!

We went to Epcot on the 28th, I was really disappointed because there were no rollercoasters and it was a blimmin' theme park. What sort of theme park doesn't have rollercoasters?! I'll put photos up later of this too if anyones interested.
Umm... then we had dinner at some pizza place, it was actually really nice considering I'm not a huge pizza person. Sometimes you just have to shovel a huge amount of grease into your body after a long tiring day of... themeparking.

Umm, the 29th we drove to Miami, Florida. Everyone there was super gorgeous and super tan and super toned... made me feel like a pudgy bread roll... white bread too, or corn bread, whatever. Oh well, I got sort of tanned because we stayed at the beach for a few hours (not sure if I like it or not - the tan, not the beach). Must say, Miami is really over-rated. The beaches in New Zealand are much better, if not much colder.
Had dinner at some steakhouse place where our waiter was really really nice. He was tall and blonde, and mum kept cracking jokes about either him checking me out or me checking him out. I bet it was because she secretly thought he was fit. Eddie however, thought he was gay. Dad decided to stay out of these conversations but tipped him extra because he gave us really good service.

On the 30th we drove, and drove, and drove, and drove, to Ashland, Virginia... it's near Richmond apparently. Stayed overnight. Fun stuff.
On the 31st we drove to DC, met up with Tunan's dad again for about an hour and then drove around DC. My parents got really pissed off at me because I wasn't interested in looking at the Lincoln memorial or the white house or whatever. But honestly, I couldn't be biffed. I was tired as hell, my back ached from being in the car every day for hours on end, and I wanted to go to New York and eat. So we went to New York and grocery shopped (because the Asian food there is better - more variety and a lot cheaper)... but we didn't get to eat because the winds were ridiculous and snow was falling.
Went home and had hot pot =] really good stuff that was.

And so brings us to today, the 1st of January 2009. A New Year... nothing new about me really, at all. This morning, went to Monika's house with Andrew to make Tristan's birthday video, and then I helped her mum with hors'deuvres (sp?) and we played with her little cousins for a bit. Got home at around 10pm... feel really bad for putting off schoolwork for so long.

Umm, what else? Oh, I'm having lunch with Monika and some graduated seniors from last year. And then there's Tristan's birthday party later on at night. I'll post about it later.

In other news, I gave this beautiful boy (Lee knows who I'm talking about) my cell at end of the school semester but he never called or texted me. Oh well, it's his loss.
And then there's this other guy I was good friends with but it got all awkward and such when I turned him down... the second time... urghhhhh... apparently we're still "friends" but we never talk anymore which completely sucks. Still going to his birthday though (read up if you haven't figured out the name yet).

Well... wish me luck... for this year =] let's hope it's better than the last.
And all the best to all of you for the New Year, most people are going off to varsity so it should be a really big change of pace and everything. You'll all do great and have tonnes of fun. Just don't go clubbing too much! Remember, sex is bad. Rape is illegal. And cocktails are good, but scotch is where it's really at.

Love,

Lisa xx