Happy 21st Birthday Patrick!
It seems like most of the people I know are really busy because of upcoming finals. So we decided to have the dinner at Sushi House on Thursday night instead. I’m glad a lot of people showed up. Surprisingly, Thursday, not Friday or Saturday or Sunday, was the best time for most people to meet up. It was a bit crowded, though, because 11 of us showed up and they put us in a corner with a table big enough for 8. I dropped off Tony first an hour before everybody so that Patrick wouldn’t have to wait as long. The day of, Alice Chong actually skipped school to go shopping for cooking materials at Safeway to bake him a cake. So we had a great dinner dish and just a great time hanging out. I’m ever so thankful for all the people that came out and supported Patrick on his 21st. At first I was worried it would be a bit weird, since not too many of Patrick’s friends actually knew each other. It’s senior year and I’m grateful that we had a chance to make it special. Afterwards, Gennie, Alice, and Winnie stuck around to drink a few shots of Bicardi. Thanks Gennie, for keeping us entertained, and Alice for just being comfortable.
My brother’s in Afghanistan. He’s been there since the 21st of April and won’t be back for a year. His birthday was on the 27th. I got him a Boss Quiet Comfort 2 Headphones, because that was one thing that I really wished I had invested in since the beginning of my deployment. Our ears were always in trial: I flew across the Atlantic on a C-17 and a C-141, and all across from Kuwait to Africa in a C-130 for more than just a handful of times. And we slept in tents that were less than 50 feet away from power generators. So I’m glad he travelled in some comfort. I will keep him in my prayers.
My new pet peeve: Going out of my way to answer a ‘restricted number’ call because I think it’s my brother but then I find out it’s not. They’re always looking for Steve or Chris or something. I really want to meet this guy because everyone that’s looking for him sounds like a 3 year old. I’m thinking about changing my number. It’s getting ridiculous. It’s not cool walking out of a sermon because of a wrong number that you hoped instead was carrying the news of the well-being of someone you love.
Senior Banquet, the 30th of APR. It was really something special. I’m glad I went because I would have missed out on so many people dressed real nice and just having a great time. I also wanted to participate and actually do something because this was the first and my only senior banquet that I will have the chance to participate in as a non-senior. I played the acoustic guitar, and strummed a few chords to the tune of Flake (Jack Johnson), 23 (Jimmy Eat World), Counting Blue Cars (Dishwalla), and She Says (Howie Day). I don’t think anyone was impressed, but I feel glad that I at least participated and provided some musical variation to it all. They had a whole Paris theme going on, and had a play loosely based on Moulin Rouge. All in all, a lot of time and effort was spent by everyone but me, and I can’t wait to see what my senior year’s banquet will turn out to be like.
I got into Haas School of Business. I found out on 1 May, right after I came back from the banquet. Since they tell me competition was even more fierce than last year’s, I am officially part of the 8 percent club. I am part of the 8 percent of the total number of people that applied to Haas that actually got in. Now I’m scrambling to do my resume right, and trying to find a last minute job, any job, anywhere. Looks like I’ll be in Berkeley starting from the beginning of July at least to attend 2nd session. I hope everything goes well.
Army drill on the 23-24 APR was bullshit. It had me worried for a while because we took out everything from the CONEX to inventory everything and put everything back in, so it got me thinking, does this mean we’re going soon? Well, I asked a few key people from the unit and it doesn’t look like it. April came and went without a hitch. I’m glad, overjoyed that I am still here, in Berkeley, where I belong. I didn’t belong in the Middle East, and I don’t intend on going back anytime soon.
I went to visit Sam and Do at work on Friday afternoon. I felt a bit bad because I felt like I was distracting them but I’m glad I got to see what they do at work. And Do fixed me up with some awesome pasta for lunch. I’m supposed to help her movein to Emeryville sometime later this month. I have no idea what my schedule will be like, and I haven’t bought the ticket to go south just yet..
Kevin invited the entire small group to go up to the big C on Thursday morning. Of course that was great timing because the night before I was coughing my way to sleep after 4 AM. I’m glad everyone showed up, though, and we had a great time just sharing and listening. I’m ever so grateful for the honesty and the sincerity of the group, and the bond that no man can break. Each member brought something unique to the group. I can’t honestly say that I fit in perfectly, or that anyone did for that matter. But in our imperfections we were perfect for each other. And that trip up the hill was just a testimony in that behalf. Thanks, Kevin, for making this small group, this year, really, so memorable. We’ll miss you.