At last: an update!

Posted on by

0

Since I haven’t posted a full update since December (almost four months!), I am going to do each month separately and make each event a bullet point. That way it will be easier to follow!

January

  • 17th: My parents and I got interviewed by Gary Robbins from the San Diego Union Tribune newspaper. It was very interesting to be the one being interviewed and not the one writing the story, like in my Journalism class. I have now experienced both sides of the newspaper writing process which, in my opinion, is pretty neat!

February

  • 15th: My parents, my best friend (Lindsay Crowe), and I had our first photo shoot with James Gregg, the photographer from the Union Tribune, while I was getting my monthly IVIg infusion. Lindsay and I went on a walk around the block so that he could take some pictures of me in my *says in an Australian accent* ”natural habitat”. I felt like I was being followed by the paparazzi, even though James was the only one taking the pictures!
  • 19th: Okay, everyone who knows me should know this one. But for those who don’t, February 19th is my birthday. However, this specific birthday was a big one. I turned sixteen!! :D I had my party on February 17th since I had a four day weekend that weekend. I had a blast! It was an amazing night!

March

  • 5th: I made a compromise with James after he left on the 15th that he could come take pictures at my birthday party, if and only if he’d come speak to my Journalism class at school. And he agreed to do it! He came to school right before lunch ended and I went down to the main office to meet him. I took him to my class where everyone was anxiously waiting. James talked about how he got started, shared some of his photos, and answered questions. A few of my classmates were very interested in his cameras/different lenses he uses. All in all, I think everyone enjoyed having him speak. 
  • 7th: I attended the first day of the annual genomic conference reception with Lindsay. While I was at school, my parents presented my case to the people attending the conference. I arrived at 5pm and presentations were still going on, however my parents’ presentation was over. After the presentations ended, the people who attended went out to the reception and mobbed me. It was weird being the center of attention. Everyone was coming up to me and talking to me. It was overwhelming. It was also really loud so I mostly just nodded and smiled. Later in the evening, I met Matthew Herper, an online reporter from Forbes Magazine’s website, and the former head of the National Institute of Health (NIH). Yeah, I guess you could say I’m a big deal. ;)
  • 8th: The second day of the conference was a lot more low key for me. I didn’t have tons of people coming up to me which was somewhat of a relief. I mean, I liked getting to talk to all the scientists, doctors, and reporters, but it was nice just to only talk to a few people that night.
  • 9th: I GOT A PUPPY!!!! I named her Allie. She’s a white Malti-Poo (Maltese+Poodle). She was 11 weeks old when we got her, but she’s literally the most mellow puppy in the world! She’s perfect! That night, I went to my school’s ASB Ball with my friend, Graciella Bragg. We both had so much fun!
  • 10th: The Union Tribune article on me was published! Everyone who read it loved the pictures! I was so excited that a lot of my friends read it.
  • 11th: The National Geographic article was posted online and the author linked my blog to it. I got 670 views in one day! It was cool. I also got views from all over the world. At school, everyone complimented me on the Union Tribune article. In Journalism, my teacher analyzed both articles with the class. It was so nice to see everyone so interested in it.
  • 15th: My application essay for becoming a page editor for my school newspaper was due. I was so excited. We edited a mock page and had fifty minutes to finish it. It was so nerve-racking! That night was my school’s annual talent show. I performed with the Jazz Choir. It was so fun but I don’t love being on stage. I would much rather be an editor or a writer than a performer.
  • 27th: I emailed my original accessibility article that was published in my school newspaper to the La Jolla Light. In the school newspaper version, the editors edited it so it was different. I heard back within twenty minutes of sending it. The email was from an editor saying that my article was wonderful and that they are going to use it in an upcoming issue as guest commentary. I sent my article in response to two articles; one about safety evacuation planning apps and the other about my school principal. That was very exciting!
  • 28th: Yay! The last event I have to write about!! Anyways, I went to a meeting where the Board of Education for my school district make decisions about ADA necessities for schools. I thought it was very interesting, but by the time it was 11am, I was chomping at the bit to go to school. I wanted to get to school before lunch ended and find out if I got the editor position. And I found out I’m going to be a copy editor next year!! Plus, an article I wrote on the economy was published on the FRONT PAGE of the school paper! That means I have had three articles published just this year!! I was so stoked!!! :D

And THAT is the end…for now.

Happy (almost) New Year!

Posted on by

0

I’ve had a VERY busy month so sorry for not posting sooner!

I had five holiday performances with my school’s Jazz Choir this month. I think all of us had so much fun! I had a blast singing holiday songs…even though we started practicing them in, yes, OCTOBER! It’ll be nice to sing some non-holiday songs when school starts again.

I’m writing a story/book. No adults are allowed to read it. Sorry! Everyone else who reads it LOVES it. I’m so glad it’s such a hit!

On the genome study front, my parents have a meeting with Scripps on January 16th or 17th to discuss the national (yes, I did say national) publicity campaign about my results and stuff. We aren’t sure which news organizations are going to be involved yet, but, we’ll probably find out on the 16th or 17th! I’m excited…I guess. I hate being the center of attention but hey, I’ve become a lot more braver in the past year or two.

I probably won’t post again until the new year (man, I am SO glad the world didn’t end on the 21st!) so have a happy new year! My next post will be in 2013… That’s cray cray (crazy) right there. ;)

Back off track

Posted on by

0

I’m not sleeping again! :( Can you believe it?! I can’t. I’ve missed so much school this year it’s ridiculous! I missed basically all week of school this week. It’s so frustrating! The doctors are changing my medications daily but nothing seems to work. :|

On the bright side, I have my first concert with my school’s Jazz Ensemble Choir tomorrow! I’m sooooo excited!!! :D

Posted in Fun

Wow… I missed the year anniversary of my blog.

Posted on by

0

I can’t believe I missed it! I thought it was on November 21st or something. It was on the 9th! :| Well, at least I’m not, like, two months behind.

Anyways, the goal of this post was to thank all of you readers. I know Thanksgiving is on Thursday but TOO BAD, I’M THANKING YOU EARLY! One year ago on the 9th (not the 21st Lilly), I started this blog. Little did I know, I’d actually keep it up. I also didn’t know how big a hit it would become. It’s kinda creepy when you’re at school and someone who you don’t talk to is like “so I read your blog and I love it!” :P I love informing people who don’t know much about me. It’s so nice! I also love seeing which country’s have viewed it. I’ve gotten views from Israel! How awesome is that?! I just wish WordPress would come up with something so you could see who exactly viewed it. But there’s the whole privacy issue and such but it would be nice.

THANK YOU FOR READING AND CARING! I LOVE YOU GUYS!!

Posted in Fun