"I can swim like a duck!"

Those of you who saw The Tempest at the Blackfriar's will recall Paul Fidalgo's rendition of that line...sooooo cute! Haha. SPEAKING of the Blackfriar's, the residential troupe has changed to include our very wonderful GREG PHELPS! and the fabulous VANESSA MOROSCO! who directed YCTC's Romeo and Juliet! Wooo! Also, Cyrano de Bergourac has it's final performance at home (Staunton) on June 17. Which, sadly, is two days before I get home :(. You should ALL go see it because it is FANTASTIC! 3/4 of YCTC was in tears at the end when we saw it last summer. Great show, great cast...go see it!


Where was I before I so rudely interrupted myself? Oh yes, swimming. I officially swam 1600 meters! In one hour! Without drowning! Wooo! Oh yeah, and I'm going back for more today! Fuuuuun stuff!

Out Tonight!

I just wanted to write because I feel SO good! I also think I look exceptionally cute, so since my camera isn't working, I'll tell you what I'm wearing.


My hair is pulled back very loosely in a clip and has been so all night, so there are peices falling down everywhere. I have on little silver star earrings that dangle a bit. No makeup of course, the only decoration on my face is a still lingering smile from all the laughing I've been doing. Hanging perfectly in front of my black t-shirt is a necklace I got for Christmas with a silver chain and a bunch of tiny charms in the center. Partially covering my mosquito bitten legs are long-ish jean shorts that are fraying a bit at the bottom. So boho. My toes bear the remains of last week's coating of emerald. When I was out, I also wore black flip-flops, but I have shed them now.


Today was my friend Amanda's birthday and she invited me along with ten other people to her party. The fun started at about 5:30 ish when she came to pick me up. Nathan, Margaret, Minyong, Amy (Amanda's younger sister), and Amanda's mom were all already squeezed into the average sized minivan...along with the driver of course. Amanda ended up on the floor, and I had my feet and legs across hers. Talk about crazy fun! Then we picked up Jackie, and SHE had to mush in as well!


Following that, we headed to the mall in Saigon where we met Adam, Michael, Hannah, Teal, and Erin to eat at Lotteria (a Korean fast food chain similiar to McDonald's except the burgers are rumored to have been frozen for 20 years and made of water buffalo). I had fries and iced Milo, which is like iced chocolate milk. Suprisingly yummy.

We talked about EVERYTHING. Seriously, if you can come up with a topic between West Side Story and life in Texas, we covered it. Adam has seen Lion King onstage in London, so we compared notes and sang Hakuna Matata (if you don't know that song, you're not my friend anymore! jk). Michael and I moaned about neglected homework assignements. Nathan, Jackie, Michael, Adam and I got into a debate about Hummers. I say ugly gas guzzlers. They can't argue gas guzzler, but Nathan and Michael think they look cool.

Once finished eating, we went up one floor in the mall to go bowling. I was a bit apprehensive because, as most of you know, I am a shockingly horrible bowler. I realized I had two choices: let it get to me and feel really embarassed, or laugh at myself and have fun. I chose the second option. Good think too. Haha, there were some pretty bad bowlers there, but I was the worst. My first game? I scored like 11 total. No lie. But guess what? I had a BLAST! The second game, Michael gave me some good pointers, and I bettered my score to 31! Still not great, but a personal best! :) Oh, on a side note, whoever typed our names up on the screen messed up only mine and Nathan's. We were Hularm and Maldan. HAhahaha. I think that was the most fun I've ever had a a bowling lane!

After that, we went back dowstairs and Amanda opened her presents. I got her a balck and white checkered bracelet that was actually a perfect match to the tie and shoes whe was wearing, and some lovely blood colored nail polish which I wouldn't personally wear, but she said she'd been looking for. Then we had ice cream (New Zealand natural!) and everyone just sat around and talked for awhile.

Finally, it was time to go home. Everyone hugged. It's so nice to have friends that hug. All my WV friends do, and I was missing that. Now, I am enough a part of this group that I get hugs here too. It's great.

Anyways, then we all rode the escalator back downstairs. While Adam and I were discussing Star Wars (he's a big fan, and I've read one of the spinoff books...don't ask, I was desperate for reading material) the escalator jolted to a stop. We all kind of laughed and just walked down. Coincidentally enough, when the last member of our group stepped off, it started working again! Haha, that escalator just doesn't like Americans!


At the bottom, we hugged some more, then went our separate ways. The van ride home was just as crazy fun as th eone there. Possibly more so, because we had the addition of Teal. She's so fun.

When the van pulled into our cul-de-sac (sp?) I got out laughing. It was kind of disappointing to find a sleeping house, but it was 10:30, so I guess it was reasonable. And Pete was up, so that was nice.


Now I'm listening to a gecko chirping in my bedroom and thinking how nice it would be to close my heavy eyelids...I'm still smiling though. What a fun night!



****To Artemis Entreri's Mom******
~I really didn't just blow off your request. Artemis has my e-mail, I guess he just hasn't given it to you? Anyway, I just wanted you to know that I appreciate the kind comments you've left. Thanks!

Cambodia

Haha, it's a nice place. I have a ton of pics, and hopefully my camera will commence functioning before I am done typing this post. If not, well...bummer that. So, I started writing a bit on the bus on the way to Phnom Penh. Here's what I've got.

On the Road

Cambodia

I was ever so rudely yanked from a dream this morning (something about Bill and Charlie Weasely...don't ask, I don't remember) by Anne. When she told me to wake up and there were no signs of life, she started digging through my hair saying "I know Hilly's in there somewhere!" Sooo amusing. Hmph. At that point I rolled my face in to the pillow and said "Mlmphlm." Or something to that effect. Anne exclaimed, "She lives! Now get up, we're leaving in 15 minutes."

15 minutes of strife and one taxi ride later we are all seated on the bus that will take up to Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Kenai is very excited about the prospect of staying at a hotel. How can I tell?

Haha. How can I tell. If you were sitting where I was, you wouldn't even have to ask.

"Howee, are we going to a hotel this day?"

"Yes."

"Today? This day?"

"Yes."

"Will this bus take us to the hotel?"

"Yes Kenai."

"How long will we be on this bus?"

"A long time."

"But this bus will take us to the hotel?"

"Yes."

"Dad! We are going to a hotel this day!"

"Are you sure? You don't want to check with Hilly a thousand more times?"

Yeah. Then there was a stop at this place somewhere outside the HCM City limits. Standing in line for the bathroom I saw a massive web...then a spider in porportion. I'm talking roughly the width of a U.S. dollar and about 3/4 of the length. The spider I mean, not the web. There were several of these monstrosities scattered around the stop.

I didn't have to pee anymore.

A bit more bus time, then the Cambodia border where we sat around for about 20 minutes and somehow without moving miraculously got visas, then re-boarded the bus for about ten seconds before getting off in CAMBODIA!

That was as far as I got writing, but there's more. After we got off in Cambodia, we saw a dragin dance, then had to wait for a ridiculously long time for the bus drivers to get themselves in order before taking off for Phnom Penh.

The roads in Cambodia are crazy! They are soooo bumpy! I had to hold tight to a sleeping Kenai (whose head was incidentally across my thigh) to keep him from bouncing right off the seat!

Upon arriving in Phnom Penh, I was introduced immediately to tuk-tuks. Tuk-tuks are little trailer type things that you hook up to motorbikes. They are the Cambodian taxi. Soooo much fun. But potentially perilous on the bumpy roads. A tight hold on the babies and the bags was required for an enjoyabl ride.

Not all o fCambodia is enjoyable though. It brings to mind a quote from tick, tick...BOOM, "How, as we travel, can we see the dismay, and keep from fighting?" Cambodia is, in essence, a war torn country. Most people my age have seen war and terror, and there are almost no old people. If you want, research Cambodia's history. It's a sad one, but interesting. And inspiring I guess...if you look at it now. Although there is so much poverty, it really is a wonderful country. I saw many thing I will never forget, and human suffering was among them...

However, I had many new experiences on this venture as well. Here they are:

1. Crunching on sugar cane. Yum!

2. Riding an elephant (not strictly new, bu tI don't remember the last time I rode one.) Very bumpy
3. Eating curry. Eh...no tmy fave.

4. Sitting on the floor in a restaurant.

Got to go, time to watch Romeo and Juliet!

More later!

BLAST OFF!

Hells yes I'd ride the rocket. Hells yes! Hoenstly, the chance to see outer space?! I would JUMP at the chance. Flippin jump! No day but today! Live like you were dying! TAKE A RISK! If it pays off, then WOW! What a cool thing to remember! If you die, well, bummer that. You can tell people in Heaven, of the next life or whatever, "I died in a SPACESHIP en route to THE MOON!" Yeah I love life, which is why I'd jump at the opportunity. I wouldn't want to spend the rest of my life wondering what if.

Only Juliet and Caroline answered my second question; Would you ride the rocket?

HAha, I admit, I am curious.

Ride the Rocket

Recently, my World History class has been discussing exploration. From people like Columbus and other early adventure seekers, to more modern participants in the Space Race between Russia and th eUnited States.


It was determined that everyone explores for the three G's: Glory, God and Gold. Individuals also explore for the adventure and thrill, while nations explore to get ahead of each other.

We talked about the huge risks assosciated with such journeys. Columbus's sailors learned that Columbus actually had no idea how far it was to "India" (a.k.a, America. Don't get me started on Columbus). The first astronauts died before hitting the sound barriar.

We were given one question.

WOULD YOU RIDE THE ROCKET?

Would you risk losing everything to explore the new frontier?

Suprisingly, only two people said yes.

Was I one of them?

What do you think?

Would you, personally, ride the rocket?

Swim Like A Fishie

I swear to god, the next time I get in the pool I am going to sprout gills...or else die a watery death.

I have joined the swim team. let me tell you, it is QUITE a workout. I am enjoying it though. I wish the school had a gymnastics team...aah well. Anyway, swimming has become my way of being active. I try to go to the pool every day, but so far I'm doing 3 to 4 days a week.

Sorry this is so short, but I am at lunch, so I am rushed.

More Pictures

Enjoy!

Okay, the one of fruit is bui. One is of Kenai in my room, and the other is Pete putting a brick in the toilet. Hahahahaha. The kind you build with. LOL. Anyway, he put the brick in the toilet to conserve water. IF you want details, ask. If not, well that's fine too.

Harry Potter 7 !!!!

The rumors are true my loves!!!! HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS will be released on JULY 21, 2007!!!! Exactly ONE WEEK after the opening of the FIFTH MOVIE!!! ARE WE EXCITED YET?! Check out mugglenet.com for details! It's SUPER COOL!!!!

JD!

Juvenile delinquent, in case you were wondering.

Haha, yesterday at lunch, Jackie (new girl), Nicole, Michael ( a "good kid"), Taylor (another "good kid"), a few other kids and myself left the cafeteria when instructed to do so by a teacher. We were all the way down the hall and halfway up the stairs to the computer lab when we were intercepted by Mr. Conolly, principal of the lovely establishment of SSIS. He was yelling and huffing an dpuffing and just being generally unpleasant. He informed us that we were to go directly to the dance room and stay there!

We all did, looking at each other, kind of laughing like, what's going on here? We were unsure if/why we were being disciplined, but being all good kids, we went along with it. Re-enter Mr. Conolly a few minutes later, all guns blazing yelling at us about leaving the cafeteria early without his express permission. We are all avoiding looking at each other and trying our asolute hardest not to burst out in hysterical laughter. Michael tried to diplomatically explain that we had been instructed to leave by another teacher, but Mr. Conolly wouldn't hear it. He said that as punishment we were to stay in the dance room our whole break! Oh the torture! A room full of friends! We exploded the minute he left the room. Normally in a situation like that, I would have been silent and repentant, but it was absolutley ridiculous!

After a bit more talking and laughing, people got out the iPods and shared around headphones. Most people, including Jackie and I, were linked at the ear when Mr. Conolly came back in a minute later. Quick as a flash, Jackie shoved her iPod out of sight except for one solitary ear phone. I nudged her and she grabbed it. Just in time, as Mr. Conolly next confiscated all visible ones. She and I cracked up again at the near miss.

When break was over, he came back in to re-enforce our lesson learned and tell us we were free to go. We were all hoping he'd keep us until after lessons started so we could tell our teachers that the reason we were late was because Conolly imprisoned us in the dance room. Haha.

So now (hangs head) I have a stain on my permanent record! Whatever shall I do?! I'm sure that will effect all my future plans! How will I EVER get into college with that hideous proof of my high school transgression hanging over my head?! I SNUCK OUT OF THE CAFETERIA EARLY!! I admit it!! GUILTY YOUR HONOR!!!!!