I went and saw the play World's Set Free by Bryn Magnus at Steppenwolf yesterday.  It was spectacular.  I've been to Steppenwolf before, and the play was decent, but this play was superb.  The acting was mediocre, nothing terribly spectacular but it wasn't the acting that truly made this play great.  The story behind it is that of the Manhattan Project, which for those of you who don't know is the splitting at the atom which happened at University of Chicago.  It was mostly initiated as a way to construct weapons to beat Hitler.  Enrico Fermi (Fermi Lab) was the lead scientist.  The play discusses the precarious nature between science and destruction.  It definitely got me thinking, and I had a long conversation with Megan about it. 

It was interesting because in the play, Enrico Fermi is portrayed as a man who has an insatiable lust for life.  Ironically, he is working on a project to end life. But, I think that he too saw the benefits of nuclear energy, not simply on a destructive level.   

In the end, I think that the most important thing I learned or came away with was the power of an idea.  Any idea in your head is not only possible, but could revolutionize life as we know it.  So, do something about all your ideas.  Probably the greatest asset the human race has is ideas, so do not let them go to waste. 

I would recommend this play to anyone who wants to have their mind provoked.  It's not the best play I've ever been to, but it definitely got me thinking.  If nothing else, do it because we are in a time of war and this may sway your opinion somewhat. 

The rest of my day yesterday didnt turn out like I wanted it to, but it turned out perfectly nonetheless. Spent time with megan, and it was sooooo much fun.  Saturday should be fun too...peace people

happy birthday nevey! Big 1- 8! 

today turned around so much towards the end, i went to cosi's and got smores with megan, it was awesome, i still have lots of stuff to do but now its okay

ive had an uber-shitty day and it isnt getting easier, nothing is working out like it used to, all these tests in all these classes are getting to me big time, as is other personal stuff

so i had a very divisive day today, fraught with highs and lows...

first the highs...

im a finalist for duke's full scholarship.  THere are 23 finalists out of 16000 applicants.  There are 8 scholarships.  Now duke is giving me a second trip out to their campus to interview for the scholarship.  I damn well better get it, I need that money.  Beyond the full tuition, I also get $8,000 to do my independent research project.  I kinda already know what its going to be: an independent study at oxford for the summer after my sophomore year.  Wouldnt that be sweet?  Tea time!

I rediscovered some old music that happened to be really good, some old AFI stuff and some new simple plan stuff. 

The field trip was cool, portillos was awesome.  The cadaver's were pretty cool too.

Now the lows...

I'm missing 7 out of 9 days of break because of those duke bastards.  and, the two days that I am here, I hear from all my other colleges!  I thought I would be having a fun break at home, goin to starved rock, and guster but now none of that is going to happen and im mega dissappointed.

Today was a shitty day in terms of school.  I did really bad on a latin test, and im continuing to have more and more tests in all my classes. 

So, unlike most days, today was not perfect.  But, everything is still goin strong, and this weekend is going to be the best ever.  Hopefully we get a snowday tomorrow...pray for it mis amigos

When I left last friday, I was happy...now i am even happier...so many reasons why...

I won at model UN.  It was my last conference and we ended it with a bang.  I wrote both resolutions, and I was mighty proud and apparently, so was the rest of the committee cause they voted me and maruna as the top delegates.  Winning an award at model UN is a great feeling, but when you do so much work, its even more worth it. I was quite proud of my whole team though, they all did amazing.  And, what was cool, was in the Model UN newspaper some girl sent me a shout out which read "to the WHO (world health organization) delegate from Qatar, you're hot, come to the dance tonight and wear something sexy - From two lovely girls" kinda funny i thought. 

I'm very reticent sometimes about my feelings towards stuff but this weekend was bittersweet. I've put my heart and soul into this club for three years, and when I see all these people winning awards, I get so happy.  It was kinda sad though, because UN has been my thing, and suddenly the juniors, sophs, and froshies are starting to plan the next year, and I wont be there.  It's a tad disconcerting, but enjoyable nonetheless because they will have their own club to run and improve. 

I got into Duke!!!  They sent me a t-shirt. PLus, get this, they are flying me out all expenses paid to spend a three day weekend at the school.  Problem is, its over break and its right at the beginning when I kinda already made plans for.  I dont want to break them, but I may have to because a very very select few students get this trip, why should i pass it up? I was so happy when I heard, and god knows, im excited about the weekend that i go there. The t-shirt however, is two sizes too big, oh well, ill live.

Dartmouth is apparently a big deal still to some people, who knew.  I'm glad i have two decent places to choose from now.  My parents are pumped, and are suddenly realizing that im a good student and they had no idea for four years.  At least they notice that my hard work has paid off somewhat.  I'm glad that they're happy.  My dad is a big academian, and its so gratifying to know that he is excited because if I could only become half the man he is, i would be escatic. 

Though there was tons of happiness this weekend, my happiest moment was when I got off the bus at UN and megan was waiting to pick me up. She hugged me, and suddenyl, everything else went away. I was so happy to see her, and I wish that she could have been at UN, but alas, asi es la vida. I cant wait to hang out with her, and tell her all the cooky model UN stories.