The_Children's Xanga

Friday, December 07, 2007

Fri, 07 Dec 2007 19:10:50 GMT

Yeah... I'm really failing at updating this. But I feel like if I update about anything, I better do it about my black belt test. Although, it's kind of weird, but... I can barely remember it. It passed so fast. Random moments stand out, but the rest is just a blur. I'm going to document as much as I can... because I never want to forget it =D

The night before the test, I spent the night up in Cleveland at my Aunt's house with Elyse and a whole bunch of my family. I was so nervous on the drive up that I couldn't sleep like I usually do on long drives... so Elyse and I just talked about life and CSG the whooole ride up. Elyse and I spent the rest of the night studying terminology/philosophy by using ridiculous phrases to remember things, and I reviewed parts of forms that always give me trouble... like Yul Go, Tae Guk Pal, and Bat Sa Ee So. We slept in the living room with a fire going =] It was comfy cozy.

That morning, I woke up around 8:30. I was really nervous, but I actually managed to eat some breakfeast because I know the black belts would probably kill me if I didn't listen to them about that again, haha. We got to the Dojang around 10 and waited around. I was really, really nervous in the few hours before the Test. There were two others testing... Mr. Melendez's son for his yellow, and Mr. O'Shay for his blue. Finally, Wukovich started the Test off at 10:30 with a 30-minute speech (of COURSE =D) and we all read our essays. I read What are the relationships in the martial arts school? and My Philosophy in TKD. I was really happy about reading the relationship one, because a lot of the people that I adore in TKD were at my Test. But the fact Wukovich chose the philosophy one really surprised me. That was the hardest one for me to write. The first one I thought about, and the last one I finished. Eh, weird. Finished up that section with terminology… I was tested by Mr. Ricart, and apparently I got 95%. Yesss =D

Next in to Poomsae! I was still a little apprehensive while I was watching little Melendez and O’Shay… but once I got out there, all my nervousness dissolved. My forms were pretty good. I did Pal Ga O and up. I only blanked out ONCE during Tae Guk Pal, but I remembered what I was doing after a few painful seconds. I tried soo hard to slow down all my forms. The problem for me isn’t remembering them… its going way too fast. But Abraham had told me to go 75% at my Test, and it’d still end being 100% or more speed. So that’s what I did, and I think their speed was about right.

Right after that were one steps. Josh was my partner, which was good since I’d just practiced with him that Tuesday/Thursday before… but he is SO tall, man. My kicks barely reach up to his solar plexus =D The only thing I really messed up in during one-steps were figuring out what number/side I was on… ahaha. Brilliance. After one-steps, we sparred. AHH FUN. My first match was against Ricart Jr. He’s about my height and had been a 1^st dan black belt for a little under a year. That match went surprisingly well, so next they put me with Melendez who is a CRAZY INSANE SPARRER. His ki haps are asjdhflasjdlf, and he strikes like… lightening. (On top of all this, he is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met). It was a hard match, but I kicked him a few times =D My last match was against O’Shay… we were both so exhausted. We both admitted to each other after that we wanted the other person to knock us out so we could sleep instead of fight, ahaha. Hartshorne came up to me later after the Test and told me that sparring was my most impressive part of my Test. …aka my world has turn upside down. It really hit home that was ready to be black belt, however, when the Ricarts told me that my sparring was amazing. I just remember them both testing with Hartshorne and Josh last year, and I was sitting there thinking "shit... I will never be that good. I can never do that." But maybe I am just good enough =]

After that was JUDOOO. I am in love with judo. First, we did basic and then advanced break falls (the advanced weren’t required, but Hartshorne accidentally taught them to me before the test… oopsies! They’re fun though.) And then I had to jump over all those pads. I cleared ALL of them for both height and distance. I was SO EXCITED. Josh worked with me for seriously about every class just to beat whatever my mental block was when I was jumping over them before. So, I did everything he said and I won!!! I was so proud of myself =D Judo itself was good. The one-step throws were kinda iffy, but my black belt judo was awesome. I was alright at Kata Garuma (THE DEATH THROW) =D Tominagi always makes up for it though… my favorite throw ever. But apparently my adrenaline was so high I was actually hurting Josh when I threw him… oops.

Breaking was after that. Breaking was… eh. I had to switch everything up because I hurt myself sparring, so it ended up kind of sketchy. I broke everything though, which was good. The best part of the breaking was that I finally broke with spinning jumping slant for the first time =D

The last part was philosophy. Wukovich, Hartshorne, and Josh all asked the people being tested a variety of questions. I started my sequences off right by stating that “No profanity is prohibited in the dojang.” Priceless. I barely remember this part, but I believe Wukovich asked me about what it means to be a leader in the martial arts, Hartshorne asked me to compare working with CSG girls and then the guys up at Hilliard (who are primarily early 20’s to mid 40’s), and Josh asked me if getting my black belt would change anything about how I was currently training.

After everything, I passed. Wukovich belted O’Shay, Melendez belted his son, and Hartshorne got to belt me =) I was so excited… I really wanted him to do it. Josh also got to give me all my certificates, which also made me really happy. After ending the test, giving a hug to absolutely everyone in the room, and celebrating with Chinese food… I finally was on my way home.

It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. But honestly, being a black belt hasn’t changed anything much beyond the title, the uniform, and people bowing to me when I enter the room. I still feel the same way about martial arts as I did before, and I still know I have a long way to go before I am even half as good as people like Hartshorne and Josh. I still want to continue my training as I have been…doubling up at CSG and Hilliard TKD. And I would love to go for more degrees. Bah, TKD is just awesome. And the people I have met doing it are amazing, and we all care about each other. Like I said in my paper, they have become my extended family. Seriously, I wouldn’t have been standing up there without Hartshorne and Josh. Both of them have put so much time and effort in to making sure I would do okay. Both of them have really been watching out for me *big grin* Elyse gave me all the moral support in the world. Mr. Abraham, the Thompson boys, Mr. Evans and his daughter, and Mr. Belcher all came up to watch and support me. Mr. Abraham told me later that he was so nervous watching me up there because he cared so much, and then he made me stand outside the Hilliard dojang for like 5 minutes with him just so people would have to clap and bow to us when we entered… me being bowed to for the first time =D They are the people that I never want to lose, because they've all become a really big part of who I am and have shaped who I want to become.. I owe them the world. Especially Hartshorne, Josh, and Abraham... Bahh, I love them ALL.

I LOVE TKD =D

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Sun, 16 Sep 2007 22:05:50 GMT

mmm, so I haven't updated in awhile, and instead of explaining everything that happened in the past 3 (4?) months, I decided to do a summer survey? It works =)

End of the Summer Survey

Basics

Your name?: Lauren Sites
Age?: 17
How many summers have you lived through?: mmm.. 17
What are you doing after this summer?: going to school, silly
When was your favorite summer (what year)?: THIS year :)

This Summer

Was this summer good?: why yes.
Did you work?: mhmm.
If so, where?: OSU material science lab.
Friends you hung out with?: mostly Jim, Laura, Kati, and Scott
Any summer love?: :D
What occupied most of your time?: my job, tkd, summer love?
What did you wish you'd done more of?: everything fun.
Any big accomplishments?: I'm getting better at judo? :)
Weird realizations?: definitely a few.
Do something you never have before?: lots.
Do something you never want to do again?: COLLEGE TRIPS.

Summer Media

Read any good books this summer?: god yes. Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer.
Did you see any good movies?: did I? I think so.
See any movies that you didn't like?: mm prolly.
Music that defined the happiest moments of this summer?: The Rocket Summer defines any happy moment in my life.
Music that defined the saddest moments of this summer?: mmmm MCR is depressing, I guess.
Favorite band you were introducted to?: MUSE.
Favorite song you were introduced to?: Blackout-Muse.
Did you watch a lot of television?: not at alll.
If so, what did you watch primarily?: well, Scrubs two or three times.
Did you pay attention to the news?: oooo... nah.
One of the best things to come of this summer, as far as the media goes?: I'd say... Eclipse.

Summer Experiences

Did you go on a vacation of some kind?: Collegiate ones.
What was the farthest you went from your home this summer?: Vermont.
Did family/friends from faraway visit?: if Cleveland counts.
One of the more enjoyable moments of the summer?: there were so very many enjoyable moments :)
One of the worst moments of the summer?: friends.
Do anything that you regret doing?: nah.
Do anything that you'll gloat about later?: ehhh nope.
Did you spend more time awake in the nighttime or in the daytime?: daytime.

Wrapping up...

Are you typically a summertime person?: me <--- winter.
Are you looking forward to this next year?: yes, I am.
Overall, would you say that you enjoyed your summer?: why yes.
What was the most memorable part of this summer?: June 21 started it :D
Anything you'd like to add?: nah.

I'm not sure whether to stop updating this... perhaps someday I'll get motivated to make it a REAL blog again =)

Let's hope!

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Sat, 19 May 2007 03:25:55 GMT

Well, I guess I'm done with all my junior classes and exams... THANK GOD.

and I think I just fell madly in love with Pan's Labyrinth. I just finished watching it and I can't even... think. When did movies that beautiful even happen?!

Sunday, April 29, 2007

Sun, 29 Apr 2007 02:19:09 GMT

AHH TODAY WAS AWESOME!!!

1. Day of my birthday brunch with Rietz and Cho at this sketchy corner place. They made us eggs just like V did in V for Vendetta... yummm, rebellion and chicken fetuses all in one.

2. ERIN CHO IS MY HERO. Hence another reason why I want to be asian... Erin Cho. Seriously, what? She's wonderwoman. And also the sweetest driver ever, parking in the middle of the freaking street. I love that girl. TOO BAD SHE'S LEAVING ME ALL SUMMER FOR HER HOME COUNTRY. WAH ;_;

3. A few weeks ago, Swarli got up at announcements and told us that posting about our school on youtube.com was unacceptable. And were were all like, "what? who does that." So Cho and I looked it up today... and someone DOES do that. And this is what was made and I think it's strange and brilliant: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vktJN19Dy2c

4. THE MOST GLORIOUS PART OF THE DAY: It got dark and starting hailing and lightening like the dickens at about 9:30 today when I was driving home. So I pulled off at a random street because I couldn't see, and put on Yann Tierson. And the lightening seriously lit up the entire sky, and the hail was all sparkling, and Yann Tierson fit it so perfectly... it was sooooo pretty, it was crazy. GOD I LOVE STORMS.

5. I'M CHILLING IN MY BED WRITING THIS, AND ABOUT TO WATCH CASINO ROYALE, BECAUSE I CAN. Jezabelle and I = forever. I've actually updated two days in a row because my laptop is so magical.

The only bad part of the day was that I really want to watch The Matrix, but I'm too lazy to go drive to Blockbuster, pay five dollars, and keep it for a week. BOOOOO

Saturday, April 28, 2007

Sat, 28 Apr 2007 02:40:18 GMT

MY COMPUTER BROKE... so I got a laptop and named her Jezabelle =)Well, Anny named her Jezabelle. Now I just gotta re-download everything... gahhh!

I guess I'm seventeen now, since yesterday.

Bunches of stuff has happened since the last time I wrote in here? I went to Atlanta with Robotics... it was wayyy better than Pittsburgh. And Anny, Cho, KP, Gracie, and I locked ourselves out of the room once when we all ran out while getting ice. That had to be the highlight of the trip, hahaha. I got chosen to be captain. I was basically really stunned and I still don't know how I feel about that... but I'm REALLY excited overall, and I hope everything works out for the best, and I hope they like my ideas =)

Also, I've officially decided that throw #9 in my blackbelt judo is the most awkard thing EVER. I think I almost killed Hartshorne... oops

AND TONIGHT I SAW THE REAPING. OMG OMG OMG. One of my favorite movies ever... BUT SO SO SCARY. THINGS WERE JUMPING AND DEVIL EYES AND GAHHH!!!!!

um, there's nothing else. I have homework and exams then summer, yes yes

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Wed, 28 Mar 2007 18:02:28 GMT

Wahh, so the past few days have been quite interesting. Emma and I are working on our Mexico Project for AP Comparative. And we're supposed to be doing culture, politics, and the government of Mexico. So, originailly, we had this idea that we were going to make a short video filled with people who had lived both in the US and Mexico comparing them and telling us what they think of the politics. We then realized that we didn't actually know any people who had lived in Mexico and we didn't want to just awkwardly guess. So instead, we decided to do something similar to the video on youtube called "American Idiots." So we've been walking around finding out what misconceptions and ideas Americans are filled with about Mexico. And so far, it's been one of the most interesting projects I've ever done, EVER.

Let's see. We ask everyone what their first thought is when they think of Mexico. Some of the answers...
"Burritos."
"dirt."
"TEQUILA! Ooh, this is a high school video... Corona? no, haha. FOOD."
"Corruption."
"No government, chaos, shit, burritos, alcohol."

Only two people knew the name of the current president and one person answered Bush (although, I didn't know the name at first)

And the scariest part is the border between the US. Most people under 20 wanted to open up the borders and let them in as long as they were registered as citizens. Except for one who was like, "Fuck Mexico! Fuck immigration. Shit, we need the jobs!" And most people over 20 wanted them home. One guy was like "we need to send all 20 million illegal immigrants back to their home!" Although, there are only 6 million illegal Mexican immigrants in the US. And he didn't even know the current immigration policy between our two countries.

wahhh, I thought it was freaking interesting!

And now, no one's home! Not even my dog. Blahh, so, I don't know!

Friday, March 23, 2007

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 17:40:34 GMT

HA, I did this survey a year ago, but no I'm doing it againt because I'm super bored. And because it's really silly to read.

Also, I've decided I'm retiring in Sausalita, CA. And I saw ALCATRAZ. aka the prison that housed the men who couldn't even be housed in a normal prison. It was crazy, for real. And to the next person that says the US isn't pretty: I'm kicking you in the shins. Go to Cali or Arizona or Colorado or something!

Name: Lauren N. Sites.
Date of Birth:: April 26.
Age:: 16, almost 17 =)
Location:: P-Town, Ohio.
Siblings:: I adopted a little brother =)
Pets:: Dog and cat!

--If you were a ______ ,what would you be?--
Vegetable:: Broccoli!
Animal:: Wolf.
Fruit:: Raspberry, all the wayy.
Color:: Red and black!
Household Object:: err. TV? It's a mindless instrument.
Season:: I'd be Autumn!
Article of Clothing:: Hoooodie.
Drink:: Mountain Dew!

--Emotions--
What's one thing that will always make you laugh?: Dane freaking Cook!
What's one thing that will always make you cry?: idk, I don't normally cry at sad things. Anger, probably.
What's one thing that will always make you angry?: Condescending people.
Do you laugh a lot?: Indeed!
Do you cry a lot?: Ehh, not really.
Do you get mad easily?: With certain people, yes. But mostly no.
What's your strongest emotion right now?: Apathy.
What song brings out your strongest emotion?: haha, Welcome to the Black Parade -- MCR. Why am I such a dork?

--What's your favorite...--
Season:: Winter!
Holiday:: April Fool's/Halloween.
Age:: 17. Only because I loove that number. A month and 3 days ;]
Phrase/Quote:: "Life is a jouney, not a destination."
Thing to do:: Tae Kwon Do.
Type of Cookie:: Really good chocolate chip!
Class:: Chemistry! I love it.
Person in the whole wide world:: Right at this moment? Blake Lewis! love that beat boxer.

--If You Could--
If you could be anything you wanted (animal, object...)what would you be?: Natalie Portman. She's amazing. And then I could meet and kiss Zach Braff and date Gael Garcia Bernal.
If you could have any super power, what would you have?: To flyyy.
If you could go back in time and change something, what would you change?: Nothing significant. Just take back the dumb stuff I've said to people I care about tremendously.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would you change?: haha... there's a lot.
If you could change one thing about your best friend, what would it be?: Make them happier with their lives.
If you could be a millionare, what would you buy?: CSG tuition, aha.

--A Deeper Look--
The most important thing in your life is:: I have nooo clue.
The most important person in your life is:: Fletcher, Anny, and Katie... because they're my constant support and the three people who I feel most comfortable being myself around. Hartshorne... because he's the person I look up to the most. And all of them combined have shown me what I want to be like =)
Your life motto:: Kick life in the ass!
Your best advice for someone else:: Find out who you are before you try to save those around you.
The best advice ever given to you:: "Not everyone is going to like you, and you'll have to understand that. But don't let it stop you." aaand "Don't forget to live. Do something for yourself and not for others for once."
One word to describe your personality:: lemon.

--Friends and Enemies--
Five people you can tell anything to:
1. Emma
2. KP
3. Scott
4. Anny
5. Brian
What do you do together?: Be extremely awkward and dorky people.
What is it about these people that makes you get along so well?: We're similar in some aspects yet extremely different, and we accept that and learn from each other.
How long have you known them?: Emma for 6 years, KP for 5 years, Scott for 2 years, Anny for 4 years, Brian since October 2006.
Who is your worst enemy?: VK.
What is it about this person that makes you not get along?: She's said things about the people I love that made me so angry that I had to leave the room. Biggest bitch I've met by far.
How long have you known them?: 2 years.
Your close friends (besides best friend) are:: There are more that deserve mentioning, and they're all amazing<3
Your other enemies are:: VS.

--Days and Nights--
What time do you get up on weekdays?: Actually out of bed? 7 am.
What time do you get up on weekends?: Mm, it's been around 8 because Robotics. But now later =)
What time do you go to bed on weeknights?: 11-2 usually.
What time do you go to bed on weekends?: 2:30, aha.
What's your favorite time of the day?: One in the morning, biiatch!
Why?: Because it's when I write the best, and when the best conversations take place, and the best time to have cereal or cranberry juice and watch Scrubs =)
Whats you least favorite time of the day? 11:30-12:15.
Why?: Brit Lit.
What time are you most productive?: Not a set time. Just when I'm not distracted!
Are you an early bird or a night owl?: Night owl!

--Love & All That Good Stuff--

Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?: Nope.
If yes, how long have you been dating them?: N/A.
If no, do you want one?: Not particularily.
Who would you want them to be?: <3
Are you sure about that?: Yes.
Do they know you like them?: Probably not.
Are you sure about that?: Yes.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how much do you like this person?: 8.
Do they like you back?: No.
Are you sure about that?: ....yes.
How much time do you spend thinking about this person?: aha, probably too much.

--On a scale of 1-10, how important is ...... to you?--

Music:: 8.
Friends:: 11.
Family:: Depends.
Being in love:: 3.
Happiness:: 10.
Solitude:: 8.
Education:: 6.
Having Fun:: 9.

Do you...

[ ] have a bf.
[ ] have a gf.
[ x ] have a crush.
[ x ] feel loved.
[ x ] feel lonely.
[ ] feel happy.
[ x ] hate yourself.
[ ] think you're attractive.
[ x ]have a dog.
[ x ]have your own room.
[ x ]listen to rap.
[ x ]listen to rock.
[ ] listen to soul.
[ x ] listen to techno.
[ ] listen to reggae.
[ x ] listen to metal.
[ ] paint your nails.
[ x ] have more than one best friend.
[ / ]get good grades.
[ ]play an instrument.
[ ]have slippers.
[ ] wear boxers.
[ x ]wear black eyeliner.
[ x ]like the color yellow.
[ ] cyber.
[ ] claim.
[ x ] like to read.
[ x ] like to write.
[ ] have long hair.
[ ]have short hair.
[ x ] have a cell phone.
[ ] have a laptop.
[ ] have a pager.

Are you...

[ ] ugly.
[ ] pretty.
[ x ] ok.
[ x ]bored.
[ x ]happy.
[ ]bilingual. (someday!)
[ x ] white.
[ x ] black. (I'm part African American, rofl)
[ ] mexican.
[ ] asian.
[ ] short.
[ x ] tall.
[ ] grounded.
[ ] sick.
[ x ] lazy.
[ x ] single.
[ ] taken.
[ ] looking.
[ ] not looking.
[ ] talking to someone.
[ ] IMing someone.
[ ] scared to die.
[ ] tired.
[ ] sleepy.
[ ] annoyed.
[ ] hungry.
[ x ] thirsty.
[ ] on the phone.
[ x ] in your room.
[ ] drinking something.
[ ] eating something.
[ ] in your pjs.
[ x ] ticklish.
[ x ] listening to music.
[ ] homophobic.
[ ] racist.

El FIN.

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Sun, 11 Mar 2007 02:00:04 GMT

Team 677 has fallen apart.

Friday, March 02, 2007

Fri, 02 Mar 2007 05:17:07 GMT

SYNOPSIS:

My school needs to keep more Cranberry juice in the vending machines. The play went really well tonight. I'm super psyched about it tomorrow and Saturday. It's called The Women. It's a satire on females. I adore it. It's late, and I'm tired. I'm probably not going to make captain of Robotics next year because of some bitch talking, and some bitches. Red-black belt test March 7th. Breaking with a flying side kick through two! Finally! I love TKD. I adore and admire my hero. I haven't really been talking to people if they aren't in the play. I know that's bad, but it happens! Pittsburgh's soon. I really miss some of my friends I haven't seen. I miss my best friend out of CSG. "Cities" by Anberlin has now become my life. Breaking pesco-vegetarianism on Sunday for dietary reasons. Who does that? I'm having chicken. I'm scared. Sushi and dress shopping(?hahaha) tomorrow.

IN CONCLUSION:

Come see The Women Friday or Saturday at 8, and then come to my LAST tae kwon do test March 7th. I could really use the support =)

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 17:52:18 GMT

haha, this is awesome. Scary that people could acually sign this, but it's an interesting idea. yupyup.

"The chemical compound dihydrogen monoxide (or DHMO) has been implicated in the deaths of thousands of Americans every year, mainly through accidental ingestion. In gaseous form, it can cause severe burns. And, according to a new report, "the dangers of this chemical do not end there."

The chemical is so caustic that it "accelerates the corrosion and rusting of many metals, . . . is a major component of acid rain, [and] . . . has been found in excised tumors of terminal cancer patients." Symptoms of ingestion include "excessive sweating and urination," and "for those who have developed a dependency on DHMO, complete withdrawal means certain death."

Yet the presence of the chemical has been confirmed in every river, stream, lake and reservoir in America.

Judging from these facts, do you think dihydrogen monoxide should be banned?

Seems like an open-and-shut case -- until you realize that this chemical compound is plain old water (two hydrogen molecules bonded to one oxygen, or H 2 O, which can drown you, scald you or make you go to the bathroom.

Last spring, Nathan Zohner, an enterprising 14-year-old student at Eagle Rock Junior High School in Idaho Falls, Idaho, conducted his science fair project on just this theme. Nathan distributed a tongue-in-cheek report that had been kicking around the Internet, "Dihydrogen Monoxide: The Unrecognized Killer" (from which the quotes above are drawn), to 50 of his classmates.

These are smart kids who had studied chemistry; many of them, like Nathan, have parents who work at the nearby Idaho Nuclear Engineering and Environmental Laboratory. Nathan simply asked them to read the report (which is completely factual) and decide what, if anything to do about the chemical. They could even ask the teacher what DHMO was, but none did.

In the end, 43 students, or 86 percent of the sample, "voted to ban dihydrogen monoxide because it has caused too many deaths," wrote Nathan in the conclusion to his project, adding that he "was appalled that my peers were so easily misled. . . . I don't feel comfortable with the current level of understanding."

Me neither, and it's not just kids I worry about. Nathan's project, which won the grand prize at the Greater Idaho Falls Science Fair, was titled, "How Gullible Are We?" But ninth-graders aren't the only gullible parties. I'm sure that, if Nathan tried the same experiment on adults, he'd find at least as many would want to ban DHMO.

Says David Murray, research director of the non-profit Statistical Assessment Service in Washington, "The likelihood is high that I could replicate these results with a survey of members of Congress."

Murray, whose organization "looks out for misleading science that's driving public policy over a cliff," ran across the Zohner story a few months ago on the Internet. But he writes, "we thought it sounded like an urban myth -- too pat, too neat." He discovered from local press reports that it was indeed true. I confirmed it too, after talking earlier this week with Nathan's mom, Marivene, who says that Nathan wants to be "a scientist in the nuclear field," like his dad.

The implications of Nathan's research are so disturbing that I've decided to coin a term: "Zohnerism," defined as the use of a true fact to lead a scientifically and mathematically ignorant public to a false conclusion."