SVOS CVLTORES SCENTIA CORONAT

     My FAVORITE Latin phrase. (Not that I know a lot). The translation to svos cvltores scientia coronat is "Knowledge crowns those who seek her" and it is the motto of Syracuse University, my home for the next 4+ years of my life.

     The decision to apply to Syracuse University came about in many ways. My path began on college decision sites such as My College Options and Cappex. Keeping my interests in mind, I organized a profile including potential majors, living environment, school size, and school programs I'd like my future university to have. Based on this criteria, I was matched with schools that met most of my wants. Syracuse was one of these schools which originally called my attention based on the motto. Many schools have mottoes that are one or two adjectives or characteristics, but Syracuse had an intriguing phrase that motivated one to learn and be crowned by this knowledge, giving you power of mind.
     It wasn't just the motto that had me impressed, but the campus itself. Nowadays, schools are fancy buildings with a million windows and very modern looks. On television, you see schools with a classic, old style that Syracuse still possesses. These structures to me represent what universities are supposed to be: generations passing through the classics, learning to move forward, but remembering one's roots.
     Looks aren't everything, and the same goes when selecting schools. I researched Syracuse University, and found great programs that I am completely fascinated by. I learned that this school offers Neuroscience as a major, a subject that really gets my attention. In relation to that, there are two minors I saw, Cognitive Science and Logic, that I had to look into that seemed extremely interesting. Then there are the study abroad options which was the final thing that had me sold on attending this school. All these factors greatly influenced me to apply; they all point to success after attending Syracuse University.

     I finally applied using the commonapp as an Early Decision applicant. I scheduled an interview for October to help personalize my application. When I finally had my interview, I was early so the 2 guys that work for Syracuse were talking to my aunt and I about the school. One of them mentioned about this week in April for students that were admitted to come see the campus. I told him I was going to be in Italy for break in April so I probably couldn't make it. As I said this, the man I was supposed to interview with had finished and come out to get me. He told me he overheard me say I was going to Italy and that he thought it'd be best if i met with another lady who was in charge of SU Florence's center for many years. The lady's name was Camille Crites; she was extremely nice, and gave me her email to make sure all my questions in the future were answered. After my interview, I was super confident.

     Along came decision week and I ended up being deffered to regular admission so they could see my 1st semester grades. I only pulled a 3.0, so I was nervous. In March for regular admission, I was waitlisted. The Syracuse dream seemed far-fetched, but I'd already gotten accepted to a school in Spain, so I didn't mind all that much. Finally, decision day came, and for financial reasons, I was not allowed to go to Spain. I had two "choices" for schools now: Pace in NY, and CSUN here 20 minutes away from home. Obviously, I wasn't going to stay here, but I was not happy about Pace being my school. I paid the deposit to Pace friday ($600) and stayed dissappointed every time someone asked where I was going. Monday came, I woke up around 5, which never happens naturally. I went to take a shower and get dressed, and after I was done I checked my phone. At 6:03am I received an email from Syracuse telling me I WAS IN! I was so excited! I told my mom and aunt, and both seemed rather annoyed and frustrated that there was another school they had to deal with.

     I knew Syracuse was the school for me. I argued so many times with them about it. My aunt didn't want to lose her $600 to Pace, and financial aid would not cover everything. I set out to find my own funding and I did, so I accepted Syracuse's offer. That was it. I was going to Syracuse, not only to my top choice, but I was studying abroad in Madrid, Spain for my first semester in the Discovery Program. I found someone to cosign a loan for me, paid the deposit out of bank account, and my aunt finally came around to hearing my plans. I'm set to go; the only thing left is to get my spanish visa and I'm off on August 20th!

Spring Break 2015

Tour the Papal Palace
In my last trip to Europe I was able to go to Avignon, where the papacy was from 1309 to 1377 (68 years). I walked the very halls that 7 popes in history did in the 12th century. This time, spring break 2015, I went to the Vatican, where the papacy has been since it began in the 1st century except for the years in France. I was lucky enough to be able to roam around the Vatican and admire the gorgeous artwork that'd been commissioned by the world's greatest collectors of art: the Pope. So really, this was a 2-part bucket list item, which I am happy to say, I've checked off now. (It's also the smallest country in the world, so double yay for that!)

See St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican
Wow. just wow. This place seats 50.000 people every Sunday, its amazing. There's so much detail in everything. FYI I also got to see the Sistine Chapel. Breath-taking. the room is extremely crowded, you're not allowed to talk, and all you hear being yelled by the guards are "NO PHOTO!" and "SILENZIO"


Eat real Italian Gelato
At first this was exciting. Just because that quote Ms. Ungermeyer said in the Lizzie McGuire movie "We got one word for that, and it's gelato. Keep in mind that Italian ice cream has about twice the sugar of American ice cream. Means you're gonna want about two scoops, huh? I know I do." Exciting the first time, and let me say this now: Ferrero Roche and Dulce de Leche (caramel) is the best combination of gelato flavors EVER. Anyway, once you see about 50 million gelato shops, the excitement is over, i'm serious, every freaking corner. its like McDonald's for America.


Walk around the Colosseum in Italy
Again, this I also did in France last trip in Nimes, but this one is a wonder of the world. I was absolutely in AWE when I was able to stand in front of it, think of all the gore and blood that came from the time it was built. Every stadium ever built was modeled after this Colosseum. People were killed, eaten, and tortured in the place I walked and watched from the seats I saw personally; it absolutely amazes me.

Throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain

I think I almost cried. NOT in a good way. No tears of joy whatsoever, just of disappointment. The Trevi was being restored!! Yeah that's great and everything, but not when the 2 sides are covered, there's no water in the fountain, there's tons of stuff around it. Now, I don't need a coin to know I'm going back, I must GO BACK. There is NO WAY that the image of the Trevi that I have in my head will be left in this horrible way.

Another FYI, my friends and I ate at SPQR, a restaurant right by Piazza Navona. I was served the white wine on the right with out being asked for an ID, so I definitely look older than 18 to them (that's the drinking age there). That guy in the picture was our waiter. He could've been my Paolo Valisari and I could've gone to my first European discoteca, but well... it could've ended up like Taken... Not everything's a Disney movie *sigh*






The only songs and scenes on my mind the whole time in Italy:

Buy a "suspended" coffee

So i came across this concept of "suspended" coffee while on facebook once. I was browsing through pictures of some page, and this is what i saw:

it was one of those "faith in humanity: RESTORED" kind of things. i read into it and the cafes and other locations that do this are mainly in Europe, so i figure itd be a good thing t try when i go again in March. The idea of providing the homeless with a drink or a meal is not only caring, but satisfying. Instead of giving that person a dollar or two and thinking about what theyre going to do with the money, you know where your money goes. Its not to drugs, or alcohol, it goes to a meal or a drink to save them from being hungry, to really benefit them.

Japanese Mokuhyō (Goal)

To be perfectly honest, the thought of Japan is not quite appealing at first. I think of Tokyo, anime, strangely dressed people, and an annoying ambiance. I know its a bad way to look at it 'cause there's things like the cool technology, cars, and the NYC-like city of Tokyo. That just doesn't appeal to me though, but i found some places that were really pretty and they happen to be in Japan, as well as the melody road, which i thought was suck a great idea.

The Melody Road is this really cool street where you drive down and it plays a tune. This street is made with little pockets, so when someone drives over it at the proper speed, you hear the nice little tune play. Its meant to prevent speeding, so you can listen to the sounds in a harmonious way, not just some cacophony.
I think its pretty cool, more roads should be done this way, we could be a musical world of drivers :)

Now that you've seen, or heard really, one of my goals, here is the next one: walking through the tunnel of lights. It is absolutely breath-taking! Its the picture up at the top that was so pretty it made you wonder where it was..
Then there is the kawachi fuji garden in kitakyushu... i don't think I've ever seen a prettier set of trees and flowers and plants and things... the colors, the placement, the natural beauty is all so beautifully set, i just absolutely have to go see it. Everyone has been through a forest, or some other kind of nature with trees and grass and things where the colors around you are pretty much just shades of green, and brown. That's boring. Nature has some serious mystical and magical qualities that need to be seen and explored.

     

Spend time in the world's quietest room

Behold! Insanity is once again experimented with by scientists. This room is absolutely insane, personally i am pretty freaked out about hearing me blood flow through me, and my organs working. That's just creepy... o_O Anyway, at first, i thought "ooh i wanna beat the record for staying in the world's quietest room, 45 minutes, not bad." Now though, its like "ehhhh, maybe not." i can last for like 8 minutes max, i'd sit there like, "oh my God what the hell is going ON?!?!?" O_O and i could yell that as loud i possibly could, and not hear it.. so thatd make me go even CRAZIER!

When i first saw this picture on facebook, i knew i wanted to do it, but i had no idea where it was. Minneapolis, Minnesota underground FYI. Minnesota sounds like such a boring state, but hmm.. seems like im gonna have to take a trip there sometime. :)  

For the year . . .

I know ive neglected to do a lot of the things on my bucket list, but i need that to change. I guess you could take that sort of like a new years resoution: carpe diem. Thats the heme of this entire blog, and i need to live up to it. Since the Buried Life project began in late September of 2012, i have managed to complete only 16 items. This year (2014) I beleieve i can manage about 18 items:

• Walk all of the Hollywood walk of fame - Ive spent a LOT of time in Holywood, being that i have a lot of family that lives there, yet ive never done the entire walk. Sure ive done stretches of it, but not the ENTIRE thing. Im sure i could manage to finally do it, either by the end of january, or maybe this summer.
• Try all 31 Baskin Robins flavors - I usually stay within 6 flavors at BR, i kinda wanna expand my horizons though. So by this summer, im dragging my friends to get a 2 tiny scoops every other day until we we try them ALL.
• Take the trollley - Ive seen the trolley in San Fernando a few times, and its like the cutest little thing ever. It reminds me of Mr. Rogers, so ive wanted to try it. My friend Luz has tried it, apparently its only a quarter to ride :D My aunt wants to try it too, so might as well :)

          

• Speak in a British accent for a whole day - Its something liseli and i have wanted to try. We can do it for a couple hours, but then we forget, or we just stop. This year though, for sure we have to do it!
• Ride a ferris wheel - im still scared of heights, but my friend Lilly and i are gonna go together (this summer hopefully) since its on both of our lists.
• Obtain a 4.0 GPA - ive done this once before, in 6th grade at the 5 week progress report. Recently i came close, with a 3.79 (4 As, 1 A-, 1 B) so i really think i could do it. All i need to do is actually complete my little chinese projects, some homework, and im good. Hopefully for the 5 week this semester i can do it, but if not i'll keep trying all semester.

              

• Order something off Jamba Juice's secret menu - ive gone to jamba juice a couple times, but.. well ive chickened out. its like " ...ehhh, maybe not all of them have all the items.. what if they dont know what im talking about? thatll be AWKWARD." O_O but no, i have to do it ths year, i'll just drag someone with me xp
• Keep a daily diary for at least a year - well i started today, i just have to remember to do it every day :)
• Learn morse code - its just dots and dashes, how hard could it be to learn right? well, i'll see..

             

• Learn Archery - i didnt end up going to the park to try it out last may, i actually ended up in arizona at my uncles HS Graduation, then the grand canyon.. Sooo obviously that didnt work, but i guess we all have to try it again 
• Learn how to play chess - my uncle josh kinda knows, so do a couple of my friends, so i can learn from them. if not, i'll just try learning online.
• Learn the language of flowers - im gonna aim for a letter a week, so i should be done by june. Even without liseli, because well, that didnt quite ork out well, shes busy with AP work, and she doesnt learn all that quickly.. So i shall try with her, but if not, then on my own i shall be. 

            

• Have a Twin day with Twin - My Twin ( not my real twin) have tried for years to have a twin day. Cristal and I are born on the same day, an hour and 11 minutes apart. Teachers get us confused a lot, though we dont look all that similar, i mean, we kinda do, but not enough to confuse us. Anyway, since we already confuse people, might as well kick it up a notch. We wanna dress alike for a day, from head to toe. It should be interesting, and we're gonna make it a point to cross this item off both our lists.
• Get a caricature done of myself - They have a little flee market sort of thing at the Northridge Mall on wednesdays outside the macys parkinglot. I went sometime during my summer vacation before junior year and i saw the caricature guy across from the pony rides, but i was too hesitant to go, so i just didnt. My aunt ended up going again after then and got one done, so now i really wanna do it too, i just avent gone back recently, but i will for sure!
• Create my own custom font - I found a website i think once that would let me make my own font by printing out their sheet of paper first. the papers had all 26 letters, uppercase and lowercase, numbers 0-9, and symbols as well. i was to copy down all of those into their designated little boxes then scan the pages and my font ould be created. I did everything, but my scanner asnt working, so i never got to finih.. i will though, soon..

             

• Attend an actual football game - Being that i don't go to a normal school, we dont have a football team :( no football team means no games. So ive never been to a legit football game and ive alays wanted to, so im gonna find a friend from another school to go with :)
• Bake a cake from scratch - Well, ive done cakes out of the box, but i really wanna try it from scratch. I think its cool like have to get all dirty and put in actual work to make the cake rather than pouring in mix with other ingredients to mix. I hadnt didnt do it last year since i really dont bake that often anymore, and besides that i absolutely utmost positively HATE dishes, but i'll look past that for this little experiment.
• Finish Mickeys's Masterpeice and get another pin from the Disney Soda Fountain - ive had a couple attempts to go, or almost-chances, but it never works out, but this year FOR SURE i'll go.