Jan 18, 2005 | At the arcade

Fun. A day is so much more fun when you get to go out to an arcade and hang out with friends. Even more so when your parents don't know (of course if they did know, they wouldn't have allowed it, even if, of course, I am 18 and I am able to act responsibly). Arg. It did, however, reinforce the notion that many people can be so game-talented: Mizban with her nimble-footed DDR, Julien with a complicated shooting game that he knows like the back of his hand, Il-sun with Pump (the Korean copycat version of DDR... indeed). Oh, and I'm simply pathetic at DDR. But practice makes better, if not perfect. Or so they say.

In any case my exam results have trickled in, with relatively disappointing results. (Disappointing as in just before a crucial senior year midterm report that is to be issued by the school to my respective colleges, I did not get a single exam over 72%.) It's very worrying, to say the least, especially since colleges might be inclined to say "Oh... Kines has nearly failed his classes... maybe he was a better student before, but now he seems to have dropped a bit. Pity. Reject him."

My interview with the Tufts alumnus went cordially, although it lacked the interest levels that were present with my interview with the Swarthmore rep. Awkward moments persisted at times. But I do hope these interviews help to paint somewhat a better image than what paper can show.

The dismal winter solstice
Hangs upon the heavy air
The sun blew one last kiss
White wind, so clear and fair

She said goodbye, and hid
The sheets of gray do shroud
Then and there farewell she bid
So haughty and so proud

Winter came, winter went
The frozen leaves attest
A prayer from heaven sent
To put Old Heims to rest

And now a flower or two is seen
Spotted here and there
She is here, he has been
Now Sun's light is to share

Also written on this day..

• 2010: An Engineer's Nightmare - Ocean Tower, South Padre Island
• 2005: On liking
• 2004: Movie Review: The Last Samura