Come with me, and walk in the light
It's been an up and down few weeks for me...
The bad
On October 6, 2008 the San Jose Sharks began their new season with a new head coach and lots of new faces. I had to DVR that game because I had a night class but they whooped on the Anaheim Ducks 4-1 to start what would be a remarkable first half of the year where they dominated the league and nearly everybody they faced. Something happened around the All-Star break, injuries and teams adjusting to the Sharks's schemes and suddenly the team I saw at the first half disappeared. I watched every single game and watched as disappointing losses started piling up in February and March. Still, we held on to the President's Trophy and everything seemed fine.
Then it was announced the Sharks were playing the Anaheim Ducks in the first round. I was happy, at first, because it was the first time in my lifetime that two California teams had paired up in Hockey. I also knew that Anaheim has had our number in recent years, and their playoff-tested team could have what it takes to pull off an upset.
So it's Spring Break, I'm anticipating Game 1 and I have bought all these snacks for the game. The game started out okay, 0-0 after 2. But Anaheim dominated the 3rd period on route to a 2-0 win. It was disheartening to say the least to see our team get shutout at home to begin the playoffs, but it was just one game. But I watched as Anaheim dominated much of the series to get the 4-2 series upset. It was gut-wrenching becuase this team has had a reputation of choking in the playoffs, and thus, a lot of shame and embarrassment was laid upon the team and it's fans. I had to deal with smack talk from Ducks fans and people who don't like our team.
Things outside of sports has been doing well, but something's missing. Usually at this time I'd watch the Sharks in the second round (where they have usually ended their season). Instead, I only have the A's (who are struggling right now) and my face is clean-shaven as usual. My playoff beard lasted just 10 days.
----
I haven't been feeling that good lately. I don't know why, but I'm been very stressed out. I think the end of the semester is getting to me...
The good
On April 21, Depeche Mode released their new album Sounds of the Universe. I had pre-ordered the Box Set ($87) and expected it to come a few days after the album came out. Instead, I was pleased to find out that the package came to my Dad's work on the 21st. So I planned to listen to it at midnight with a good pair of headphones outside by the lake. I followed up on that plan and sat outside (during a heat wave, so it was still warm out even that late) and found a place to sit. The album was amazing. I was blown away by the music for Fragile Tension, the beauty of Little Soul, the singing from Come Back, Perfect, Jezebel... simply amazing stuff. I recommend everyone try to listen to the album. The main single is "Wrong" and it's pretty good!
On April 30, in a week that was more low than up, I received the best news of the month. Matt Holliday for the A's hit his first home run! Seriously! Now for the REAL news.
I kept forgetting my Cal ID/Pass so I had to call mom to find it (i wrote it down near my PC monitor) and logged on at my school computer to find this...
Dear Gustav,
Congratulations! I am pleased to offer you admission to the College of Letters and Science at the University of California, Berkeley for the fall semester 2009.
In light of the oustanding credentials you presented in your application, you and your family have every reason to be proud of your academic and personal achievements. The Admissions staff reviewed more than 13,000 applicans of extraordinary quality before selecting you for this offer.
As a Berkeley student, you will
-Follow in the footsteps of distinguised scholars who studied at the world's premier public university
-Interact with a diverse group of students and forge lasting friendships in your quest for intellectual growth and academic excellence
-Join a dynamic, supportive community that offers a wide range of educational, recreational, and social opportunities
Etc. Etc.
Super news, by the end of the month I will accept the invitation to Cal. I will keep SFSU and UC Davis open until that day comes, but I've pretty much made up my mind now. Money will be the only issue but that's just an issue, not a Stop sign.
I may have to go part time, but I'm looking forward to stepping on to the Cal campus as a student and not a visitor. I'm looking forward to possibly reuniting with friends (at least 3) who are at Cal right now. Even though the Cal campus is huge, so meeting them is unlikely. I look forward to being a part of the Cal crowd at all seven Football games this year (don't know if I will be able to get Student Season tickets, they may be sold out by the time I pay all my fees) and the upcoming Basketball season as well. I look forward to improving my composition and vocal skills.
Of course, this means that my time at Laney and BCC full-time will be coming to an end. This semester has been very special as I've made more friends this semester than any other, spanning multiple classes. I also have friends I've known for years who I will possibly be saying goodbye too forever. Whether it's Leslie in Music History (we go back 4 semesters), Marc, John, Kate, Gabriella, Ruben in Choir, countless people in Voice class, and people like Janeth and Mary who I met in Biology this semester. I can't discount the nice people I've met in English 5 and Comm 1A. And all the people from previous semesters who I run into from time to time. Will I get a chance to say goodbye to Analisa (we go back 4 semesters), who I haven't talked to all semester? Will I get to talk to Lauren? (she may have dropped) There's a few other people I need/want to talk to before the end of the semester.
On Thursday after I found out I was accepted to UC Berkeley, I went to Piano class. I informed the teacher, who I've taken classes with all seven of my semesters at Laney (that's THREE AND A HALF YEARS), of what was going to happen and we had an emotional talk about Cal (he actually thought it'd be great for me, despite other people telling me Cal's music department wasn't good) and told me that the department was going to miss me. I said I was open to coming back for school concerts and maybe perform at a recital if possible.
All this talk, and there's still four weeks left in the semester. Still time for goodbyes and possibly even trying to extend friendships. Still time to meet new people. And I still have two or three big assignments to complete. My graduation is in three weeks, and I still don't know whether I'll be performing for the Paramount Theatre doing the national anthem (It's not looking good)
It's going to be one heck of a month of May, I'll tell you that.
The bad
On October 6, 2008 the San Jose Sharks began their new season with a new head coach and lots of new faces. I had to DVR that game because I had a night class but they whooped on the Anaheim Ducks 4-1 to start what would be a remarkable first half of the year where they dominated the league and nearly everybody they faced. Something happened around the All-Star break, injuries and teams adjusting to the Sharks's schemes and suddenly the team I saw at the first half disappeared. I watched every single game and watched as disappointing losses started piling up in February and March. Still, we held on to the President's Trophy and everything seemed fine.
Then it was announced the Sharks were playing the Anaheim Ducks in the first round. I was happy, at first, because it was the first time in my lifetime that two California teams had paired up in Hockey. I also knew that Anaheim has had our number in recent years, and their playoff-tested team could have what it takes to pull off an upset.
So it's Spring Break, I'm anticipating Game 1 and I have bought all these snacks for the game. The game started out okay, 0-0 after 2. But Anaheim dominated the 3rd period on route to a 2-0 win. It was disheartening to say the least to see our team get shutout at home to begin the playoffs, but it was just one game. But I watched as Anaheim dominated much of the series to get the 4-2 series upset. It was gut-wrenching becuase this team has had a reputation of choking in the playoffs, and thus, a lot of shame and embarrassment was laid upon the team and it's fans. I had to deal with smack talk from Ducks fans and people who don't like our team.
Things outside of sports has been doing well, but something's missing. Usually at this time I'd watch the Sharks in the second round (where they have usually ended their season). Instead, I only have the A's (who are struggling right now) and my face is clean-shaven as usual. My playoff beard lasted just 10 days.
----
I haven't been feeling that good lately. I don't know why, but I'm been very stressed out. I think the end of the semester is getting to me...
The good
On April 21, Depeche Mode released their new album Sounds of the Universe. I had pre-ordered the Box Set ($87) and expected it to come a few days after the album came out. Instead, I was pleased to find out that the package came to my Dad's work on the 21st. So I planned to listen to it at midnight with a good pair of headphones outside by the lake. I followed up on that plan and sat outside (during a heat wave, so it was still warm out even that late) and found a place to sit. The album was amazing. I was blown away by the music for Fragile Tension, the beauty of Little Soul, the singing from Come Back, Perfect, Jezebel... simply amazing stuff. I recommend everyone try to listen to the album. The main single is "Wrong" and it's pretty good!
On April 30, in a week that was more low than up, I received the best news of the month. Matt Holliday for the A's hit his first home run! Seriously! Now for the REAL news.
I kept forgetting my Cal ID/Pass so I had to call mom to find it (i wrote it down near my PC monitor) and logged on at my school computer to find this...
Dear Gustav,
Congratulations! I am pleased to offer you admission to the College of Letters and Science at the University of California, Berkeley for the fall semester 2009.
In light of the oustanding credentials you presented in your application, you and your family have every reason to be proud of your academic and personal achievements. The Admissions staff reviewed more than 13,000 applicans of extraordinary quality before selecting you for this offer.
As a Berkeley student, you will
-Follow in the footsteps of distinguised scholars who studied at the world's premier public university
-Interact with a diverse group of students and forge lasting friendships in your quest for intellectual growth and academic excellence
-Join a dynamic, supportive community that offers a wide range of educational, recreational, and social opportunities
Etc. Etc.
Super news, by the end of the month I will accept the invitation to Cal. I will keep SFSU and UC Davis open until that day comes, but I've pretty much made up my mind now. Money will be the only issue but that's just an issue, not a Stop sign.
I may have to go part time, but I'm looking forward to stepping on to the Cal campus as a student and not a visitor. I'm looking forward to possibly reuniting with friends (at least 3) who are at Cal right now. Even though the Cal campus is huge, so meeting them is unlikely. I look forward to being a part of the Cal crowd at all seven Football games this year (don't know if I will be able to get Student Season tickets, they may be sold out by the time I pay all my fees) and the upcoming Basketball season as well. I look forward to improving my composition and vocal skills.
Of course, this means that my time at Laney and BCC full-time will be coming to an end. This semester has been very special as I've made more friends this semester than any other, spanning multiple classes. I also have friends I've known for years who I will possibly be saying goodbye too forever. Whether it's Leslie in Music History (we go back 4 semesters), Marc, John, Kate, Gabriella, Ruben in Choir, countless people in Voice class, and people like Janeth and Mary who I met in Biology this semester. I can't discount the nice people I've met in English 5 and Comm 1A. And all the people from previous semesters who I run into from time to time. Will I get a chance to say goodbye to Analisa (we go back 4 semesters), who I haven't talked to all semester? Will I get to talk to Lauren? (she may have dropped) There's a few other people I need/want to talk to before the end of the semester.
On Thursday after I found out I was accepted to UC Berkeley, I went to Piano class. I informed the teacher, who I've taken classes with all seven of my semesters at Laney (that's THREE AND A HALF YEARS), of what was going to happen and we had an emotional talk about Cal (he actually thought it'd be great for me, despite other people telling me Cal's music department wasn't good) and told me that the department was going to miss me. I said I was open to coming back for school concerts and maybe perform at a recital if possible.
All this talk, and there's still four weeks left in the semester. Still time for goodbyes and possibly even trying to extend friendships. Still time to meet new people. And I still have two or three big assignments to complete. My graduation is in three weeks, and I still don't know whether I'll be performing for the Paramount Theatre doing the national anthem (It's not looking good)
It's going to be one heck of a month of May, I'll tell you that.