Finally I will have my chance to do some math. Over the last few months, I have been practicing and practicing for a chance to get in the first math competition I have ever been in. It has been a very bumpy road, at many points I wanted to quit and just do my own things, but I have kept going, because it might be one of my only chances. I also have the science fair next week. I didn't expect to get very far, so it will be interesting. I also come close to the due date of some major projects.
Thursday, February 23, 2017
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Memories of the Darker Times
Today I am reflecting on the past weekend. It was sure an interesting one. The long four day weekend had a variety of effects. First, I noticed that my dad did not keep his promise from two weeks ago not to give the iPad unless we did all of our things. On Friday, my sisters had somehow downloaded Roblox. They were playing for a long time. I, on the other hand, was watching you tube videos. That was basically Friday, such a relaxing day. I slept until about 9 in the morning. I only got up, because I had Chinese School. After Chinese School, I sat around, because I didn't want to do anything. I took my first nap that day! Sunday morning was where I mostly watched Youtube, and otherwise sat around occasionally doing Dad-Approved things like math and homework. On Monday, I basically did math in the morning, and watched videos in the afternoon. Then, Tuesday Night, my dad set up this new organizational tool, I hope it goes a lot better this time.
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
The long campout
This week, I went to the mountains, from Tuesday to Friday. It was a school field trip, which set it apart from other camp outs I have been in. It was entirely run by the school. On Tuesday, they rented a luxurious bus. I remembered the bus for its reclining seats and its TV's inside the bus. When we came the movie Inside Out was played for most of the trip. After the movie finished, we waited around for 20 or so more minutes, when the bus reached our campsite. It was on the plateau between the mountains of Sugar Loaf and San G, nearly 6000 ft. above sea level. Right after getting off, they would separate all the 6th grade kids into Field Groups. I was in group I. We hung out for a bit before eating lunch. We had to wash our hands with vinegar (because it is organic). At lunch, we were squished between the two tables. For that while, we had chicken nuggets and bean soup. In addition, we were served lots and lots of water to combat altitude sickness. Finally, in an attempt to be frugal, no food waste (Uneaten food) would be allowed, otherwise dessert would not be served.
After kind of adapting to this new lifestyle, we went over a rules briefing regarding the snow, the classes, and just basically how to live in the camp. With that, the first class, or the "Team Discovery" hike to root. We walked up many switchbacks to climb the snowy hill to the south of the camp. After sinking into knee-deep snow, our group found a dry spot in the area and began talking about the week ahead. It was where we set our goals, and got to know our instructor. We then got to know our cabin for the week, mine was the Lizard Cabin. So, at 4:30 pm we would switch to our cabin groups. In our cabin groups, we brought down all our luggage into our cabins. Soon, we decided where to sleep, and I took a top bunk bed. Soon, it was time for dinner. My dinner experience was very different than my lunch experience. First, when I came in I randomly drew a poker chip from a bowl. It would have a number from 1-14. That would be the table I would get to sit at. I drew an 11. Sitting down, the first thing I saw was a bowl of salad and a plate of bread. I didn't realize that I wasn't supposed to be eating yet. Apparently the camp had a rule not to eat anything before everyone else got food. It was to ensure no one would be bored watching others eat. After eating, we met again with our cabin. We had a class about snakes and their properties. I got a really cool photo of a snake slithering up onto my classmates hand. Then we learned about astronomy. On a night hike, we had a 30 minute session on astronomy, then the day time activities were over and it was sleep time.
at
Using the bathroom at night was a complicated procession, we should've only needed to use the bathroom in the case of an emergency, but I had drunk to much water. To go pee, I have to wake up my buddy, wake up my instructor, and make them approve of my visit. Then, I need to put on a whistle just in case. Finally, I can use the restroom. I woke up at about 2 o'clock and really needed to go. So I walked around in the cabin, because I didn't really know how to wake anybody up without being too rude. So I waited until I eventually woke them up at 3. I went back to sleep and got a grand total of 7 hours of sleep on the first day.
The next day was adventure day, where the camp seemed more like a summer camp, than a science camp. At 9 it was time for morning switch over, where we would go from cabin groups to field groups. We brought along our lunch, as we would be eating outside for the second day. We climbed up a long towering hill of snow. Later, we adventured into knee deep snow, looking for a good place for the next class. Over there, we would learn about survival in the wild. At first I decided that I learned much of the stuff from Boy Scouts, but I came up with some interesting things. I learned about the importance of extra clothing. Finally, we also learned about building a stick shelter, we split up into two groups of 6 and had 20 minutes to build the best shelter possible. It was recommended to lean it onto a log, and insulate the shelter with snow. After 20 minutes, our crude shelter was built. In comparing them, he noted the southward facing and lack of snow of our shelter, both were mainly done by accident. there was much that I had learned from that class. Next was rock climbing, with a weakened arm I barely got to the second rock. Then, what everyone was looking forward to, came archery. I did pretty well in my own opinion. And just like that the first full day was over. It was time for afternoon switch over. We then went over to dinner. The next time I drew a 7. I enjoyed the meal. The evening activities were line dancing and learning about nocturnal animals.
The next day was environmental day, we learned about rocks, mammals, and conservation. The evening was marked by the campfire, where each group did their own skit. It was a great day. Finally, on Friday, we left camp (at 9) forever.
After kind of adapting to this new lifestyle, we went over a rules briefing regarding the snow, the classes, and just basically how to live in the camp. With that, the first class, or the "Team Discovery" hike to root. We walked up many switchbacks to climb the snowy hill to the south of the camp. After sinking into knee-deep snow, our group found a dry spot in the area and began talking about the week ahead. It was where we set our goals, and got to know our instructor. We then got to know our cabin for the week, mine was the Lizard Cabin. So, at 4:30 pm we would switch to our cabin groups. In our cabin groups, we brought down all our luggage into our cabins. Soon, we decided where to sleep, and I took a top bunk bed. Soon, it was time for dinner. My dinner experience was very different than my lunch experience. First, when I came in I randomly drew a poker chip from a bowl. It would have a number from 1-14. That would be the table I would get to sit at. I drew an 11. Sitting down, the first thing I saw was a bowl of salad and a plate of bread. I didn't realize that I wasn't supposed to be eating yet. Apparently the camp had a rule not to eat anything before everyone else got food. It was to ensure no one would be bored watching others eat. After eating, we met again with our cabin. We had a class about snakes and their properties. I got a really cool photo of a snake slithering up onto my classmates hand. Then we learned about astronomy. On a night hike, we had a 30 minute session on astronomy, then the day time activities were over and it was sleep time.
at
Using the bathroom at night was a complicated procession, we should've only needed to use the bathroom in the case of an emergency, but I had drunk to much water. To go pee, I have to wake up my buddy, wake up my instructor, and make them approve of my visit. Then, I need to put on a whistle just in case. Finally, I can use the restroom. I woke up at about 2 o'clock and really needed to go. So I walked around in the cabin, because I didn't really know how to wake anybody up without being too rude. So I waited until I eventually woke them up at 3. I went back to sleep and got a grand total of 7 hours of sleep on the first day.
The next day was adventure day, where the camp seemed more like a summer camp, than a science camp. At 9 it was time for morning switch over, where we would go from cabin groups to field groups. We brought along our lunch, as we would be eating outside for the second day. We climbed up a long towering hill of snow. Later, we adventured into knee deep snow, looking for a good place for the next class. Over there, we would learn about survival in the wild. At first I decided that I learned much of the stuff from Boy Scouts, but I came up with some interesting things. I learned about the importance of extra clothing. Finally, we also learned about building a stick shelter, we split up into two groups of 6 and had 20 minutes to build the best shelter possible. It was recommended to lean it onto a log, and insulate the shelter with snow. After 20 minutes, our crude shelter was built. In comparing them, he noted the southward facing and lack of snow of our shelter, both were mainly done by accident. there was much that I had learned from that class. Next was rock climbing, with a weakened arm I barely got to the second rock. Then, what everyone was looking forward to, came archery. I did pretty well in my own opinion. And just like that the first full day was over. It was time for afternoon switch over. We then went over to dinner. The next time I drew a 7. I enjoyed the meal. The evening activities were line dancing and learning about nocturnal animals.
The next day was environmental day, we learned about rocks, mammals, and conservation. The evening was marked by the campfire, where each group did their own skit. It was a great day. Finally, on Friday, we left camp (at 9) forever.
Friday, February 3, 2017
The end of the week
At the end of the week, my dad is supposed to judge whether the work we did during the weekdays was sufficient, determining whether I would get the iPad or not. It really helped, because I started to write blog better! and I paid attention to other important things in life, it was not just a cycle of homework to video games to homework. I still feel that in the end, this will not last, and that the motivation is not enough, but as of now its going well. The last year, I thought of a different idea, which was to form more goals. I think I'm already starting to slip. Hopefully I can get it this time.
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Fortune this week
Today I have come towards the end of the week, and I did a lot better than the previous weeks. This week their was very little daily homework, and I did a lot of research for future projects. I was glad to not have to worry about something huge eventually, and right now am pretty optimistic about the coming weeks. My dad has told me about getting the iPad on the weekends by doing everything earlier in the week. Right now it has me motivated, but I wonder what it'll do in the future. So I am eager for the days to advance.
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