Everybody
Ingrid Michaelson

Happy is the heart that still feels pain
Darkness drains and light will come again
Swing open your chest and let it in
Just let the love, love, love begin

Ludwig van Beethoven

Chanakya Pandit

“Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget.”
-G Randolf 

After five long days with stress, sweat, sunburn, and smizes, I can honestly say I am proud to be an eagle! This camp made me realize how diverse USA is and how each individual is so incredibly talented. And I’m not just talking about THIS camp of staff, I am talking about the whole shabang of 200+ staff from all across America. You guys are all incredible and continue to inspire me! 

I do have to make a quick shout out to the Irvine staff: Thank you so much for the past five days, especially putting up with me being a raging diva, I’m so glad that we all stuck it out together!

I love USA with all of my heart and am thankful for the lifelong friendships that its given me! This is going to sound SO cheesy, but when we’re all together, we really ARE UNSTOPPABLE! I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! Thank you thank you thank you!

What I miss about home? In-n-out, Kamal Palace, turbo-kick, Nick’s, being able to breathe fresh air, my bed, driving Don Juan, American Apparel, strawberry water, going to the Wilson’s every Thursday, dance, Jamba Juice, Famous Dave’s, watching TV, Olives, texting and BBMing on my blackberry, Facebook, Bella, my mom, and my friends. 

Five… more… days…

So I finally got my grades for LBCC, and luckily, after five months of laziness, stress, and coffee, I got all As, ending my career at Long Beach City College. For the past two years, I have taken classes that were unbearable, worked where time stands still, and attempted to volunteer for clubs that I don’t even remember the name of. Let me break it down for you. 

66 - the number of units I’ve taken.
7 - the number of all nighters I’ve pulled this semester.
5 - the number of classes where I was less than one percent from an A.
490 - the total number of hours I worked at the grueling info desk/game room. 
12 - the number of times I actually walked to school (in a span of two years.) 
8 - the number of schools I reluctantly applied to.
8 - the number of schools I got accepted to.
4 -  the number of months where I will relax until I start my new education at UCLA. 
4 - the number of semesters I have been waiting for to be at this point in my life. 

Now it wasn’t all bad. I did make some friends, and honestly, I’ve met some of the most talented and intelligent people at city, but now, it is time for me to move on to the next phase of my life. But before I do, I wanted to say thank you to some people:

First, Dr. Laura Wheeler for being the best teacher who motivated me to do my best and helped me get through every essay I’ve written. Christina, Adrianna, and Mike - Thank you for putting up with me because I was such a big diva. I’ll miss you guys so much! Don’t have too much fun without me! And yes, I will miss seeing you everyday Christina, and take care of Adrianna when she’s having her coke fits. Brittany and Seth - We have definitely become quite the trio. Thank you guys for the funny memories, and happy times. I would not have survived Geology without the three of you. I will miss you guys and drinking crack coffee while making fun of people. And definitely will miss how Seth would just listen to Brittany and I talk and laugh and Seth would just chuckle. Sita and Jaimarie - You guys are definitely going to be the humans I miss the most. Seeing you guys EVERYDAY was definitely the highlight of actually attending city. I love you both so much and I honestly don’t know how I’m going to survive without eating lunch with you everyday Jaimarie! Sita, you are so genuine and you don’t let anything get you down and I love you so much for that! I will miss spending time with you both and we definitely will stay in touch because I cannot imagine my life without you both! Thank you for the laughs and the heart to heart talks, because I would not be who I am now if it weren’t for the positivity that you both have bestowed upon me. 

Finally, thank you to those weird classmates that made me complain to my friends about how much city sucks, and how I can’t wait to get out. Thank you thank you thank you!!!!

And now, it’s time. Time for a new beginning and time for new school colors! I have been wanting to go to UCLA since I can remember, and finally, I can say I am a true Bruin! Thanks to everyone who has supported me along the way. Love you all!

Pure comedic genius. Some of the greatest female comedians of our generation.

The Face
RyanDan

For every time you fall apart,
there’ll be a soul to guide your journey,
but if you choose to turn away,
there in the mirror
you’ll see my face. 

Norman Cousins

Eleanor Roosevelt