Thoughts of Mine.

I think girls that look like Fobs are unattractive.

I need some Neosporin.

Have you invested in Michael Jackson's CD "Off the Wall"? If not, please listen to "off the wall", "girlfriend", and "cant help it" to name a few.

I need some money. For rachel's gift, my cal hat, and a blue button up.

I have a problem with authority. Most of the time I obey/listen to directions if I respect you.

I need to do my homework.

I don't think I'd be able to handle being in a relationship with a girl who loves to party. You cannot be my girlfriend if you think I'm tripping because you danced with hella guys at a party. You gots to go!

I don't think I'm boyfriend material in general. I'm very awkward with girls now, and the ones I'm not are only my close friends.

Alexis is smooth like butter with women though. It's fun seeing him game on a chick.

I love my mom.

Life is fun right now. Thank God for everything.

I probably second-hand smoke more than is good. Thanks friends.

'Nsync slaps hard. Enough said.

I honestly love to sing in the car. I never thought I was a great singer, I just sing. I believe in that thing that goes, "If you can walk, you can dance. If you can talk, you can sing" type thing

I like being silly. I love making people laugh

I think it is the worst thing to be a pessimist. I am a devout optimist. Hey, its worked out for me so far right?

Concord Mall is losing credibility with me. Seriously. Y'all better have your Cal hat when I come back on Friday. Very threatening right? HAHAH

whooooooo

I'M GOING TO BERKELEY!!!!!!

I GOT ACCEPTED INTO UC BERKELEY! WHOOOOOT

Spring semester 2010 though. I'm okay about it, because the very next morning after I certified-mailed my reservation spot for the Berkeley Fall Extension Program for freshmen who got accepted into the spring semester. It was a $100 fee by check, and a page I had to print out, and hopefully I got reserved because there are only 625 spots in this program.

I read up on it and it says that it is okay for me to reserve a spot in the program before sending my letter of intent, and I will be notified if I got into the program after May 1. However, I am wondering if this program and how I fare in it will affect my spring semester in any way.

Anyway, I will be keeping myself busy by taking a couple classes over the summer and maybe in the fall as well if I don't get into the fall extension program. Particularly I'd want to take an English class, a calculus class, and a computer class. Hopefully these are spread out and I will be very careful in not burning myself out before college.

Thank you Ms. Jurkovich, I was really expecting Berkeley to turn me down especially after being declined from Cal Poly. Even after receiving my acceptance into Berkeley I was hesitant into which school should I choose, Berkeley or Davis. I'm taking time during this spring break to talk it over with all of my family and close friends and they said that they would be especially proud of me if I went to Berkeley. It has been my dream school, and the only thing that I am hesitant about is whether or not I will be able to handle the workload and rigor of Berkeley. Could you tell me a little bit more about your personal experience as a student, academic-wise?

Again, thank you very much and I think if it wasn't for you I wouldn't have been able to get through the personal statement and application phase AT ALL. I am grateful for your help and all those times where you called me out of class to make sure I was on the right track with my college stuff.

I know, long email. Sorry! hahah

Earnest Salgado

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Hi Earnest,
AHHHH!!! (I know, I got a list of students who were accepted on Thursday night.. I was absolutely thrilled when I saw your name on the list, I was screaming at my computer, haha)!!! CONGRATULATIONS, I am SO proud of you! Honestly, I knew you would get in, you are a perfect fit for Berkeley.

And I'm so glad you already reserved a spot for Fall Extension. I'm sure you will be fine since you reserved a spot so quickly. I have many friends who took fall extension courses for the first semester, and they all graduated with students in 4 years who started the "normal" way in the fall on the Berkeley campus. By the way, spring admits are selected randomly, so it has nothing to do with your qualifications. Berkeley does this because it has something to do with enrollment numbers, and they have more spots in the Spring. And extension classes are held (or they were when I was there, this could have changed, I'll find out) at a large church next to the dorms, just a couple of blocks from the actual Berkeley campus. And often times, extension students may live in the dorms. You want to make sure you reserve housing as soon as you are able to do so. I
had tons of friends in extension who lived on my floor in the dorms freshman year. I know students really like extension because class sizes are a bit smaller, and because you're in classes only with extension students, you tend to form a close community of friends. If for some reason your spot is not reserved, do let me know, I'll see if I can pull any strings! (I do doubt this though since you sent in a reservation so quickly).

Fall extension doesn't affect your spring semester. If you took classes in the fall through extension, you would start spring semester on the actual Berkeley campus. Also, the professors for Extension are still real Berkeley professors, so you are getting the same amazing education. Your extension classes give you the same types of credits as "normal" enrollment.

And I was in your situation too, thinking about Davis or Berkeley. I was so scared that I wouldn't be able to deal with the rigor of Berkeley, and so afraid that everyone else would be smarter than me. But after my first semester at Cal, I found out everyone feels that way. I have every absolute confidence that if you attend Cal, you will be successful there. You are an intelligent, resourceful student who will ask questions if something doesn't make sense and utilize resources to help you through. I'm not saying it will be easy, because it isn't for anyone, but Berkeley has an incredible support system for students through tutoring services, etc. Professors have office hours, graduate students are there to help you as well. And if you live in the dorms, often the dorms provide tutoring services, as well. Berkeley is a challenge, but that challenge brought me such rewards and gave me an education I think is truly unique to that university. I honestly think it's the one of the best educations
you can get in the world. And I think that if you attend Berkeley you might surprise yourself with your capabilities...that's what happened to me. I was convinced I would not get above C's in my classes, but I actually never ended up getting below a B. And I came from a high school where no one goes away to college, let alone Cal, so it was even extra scary because it was like uncharted waters...I had no idea if high school had prepared me.

Obviously, my opinion is going to be biased, and you need to attend college where you feel fits you the best, but don't not go to Berkeley only because the rigor is intimidating. I think what I loved so much about Cal was the fact that not only did I get an amazing education inside the classroom, but you learn so much from the diversity of the other students there, too. And remember, you were selected to go there from thousands of other qualified applicants, because the admissions officers know that if you attend, you will succeed and know that you have something great to offer to the campus community.

I will forward you an invitation to a reception for new admits with UC Berkeley's Chancellor tomorrow...the reception is on April 15th from 5:30-7:30pm, and it would be wonderful if you and your parents could attend (I'll be there!). The chancellor will speak, and the reception is for students from high schools who have EAOP/Destination College type
programs.

Sorry, that was long, too. But let's definitely talk when we get back from break... I could go on for years about how much I love Cal, and why I think you would too! haha And email me if you have any questions/concerns over this week, I will be checking my email often.

Congrats, again! I know your family must be so proud of you! And be proud of yourself, this is a huge accomplishment. YAY!!!

Kristen Jurkovich



WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

This is cool.

It's cool having a relationship with my mom where she literally asks me, "Are you going out today?" and I reply "yeah" and she's cool with it.

All she said was "Okay, just eat breakfast before you leave. And mail my letter at the post office."

No hassle? No questions? Just an errand? Boy, this is the life. Makes me feel like the world is mine.

It's good knowing that you are responsible enough to be left alone with yourself and know that you won't abuse your liberties for doing malicious or mischievous activities. I sure like to study, laugh, and learn though!


Today I might go buy a Cal hat at Concord. Or hang out with the Mains and Joes. Then study somewhere, maybe the library.

Rejoice to God, for I am alive!

Closer to my Dreams.

I'll be honest. I was hesitant, reluctant, even scared stiff to enter the next post in here. I kind of did leave everyone on a cliffhanger ending the last one. Sorry, haha but I'm not 100% sure yet!!

But i am 99%. Let me take you guys back to the past 48 hours.


After opening that logging into myBerkeley thursday night and seeing that I actually got accepted, I remember it being bittersweet. I was blind, and didn't know how to take it. Should I be bouncing off the walls? Should I be angry that they just made my decision harder? Am I right to feel bittersweet and unsure? I put all of the racing thoughts into my blogger.


I still felt restless, so I put some of that energy into writing. It helped me write "Letter to my future girlfriend". I actually thought it was better than all of the crap I thought up for this years poetry slam, haha. I even had a few impromptu introduction words for the poem, inspired from the Thank you message that Pharrell said on the inside of the cover to the N*E*R*D album Fly or Die. It was dope.

The next day was Hella Poetic, and it helped me put off thinking about my decision even more. The event was cool. Highlights of the night was hearing Abdi, Johnny, and Lexationship. "I still miss smellin' yo muh'fuckinn hair..." I went home that night and slept away, not even thinking much about college. Berkeley did send me a couple letters that said "Congratulations on your acceptance to UC Berkeley", but it wasnt a formal big envelope kind of letter. I was kind of puzzled.

I am proud Johann got accepted. She'll go places. Change. Grow up. And I'll watch her get in and out of the shit she gets into. She'll always be gay to me.

Mary got in too. I'm not going to tell her to go. I feel that is a homo job. Hint, johann.

But yeah, I'm going to church. I'll continue. There is lots more. Sorry for the cliffhangers.

This may just be the most important decision I've ever made up to date.

Davis or Berkeley?


It does feel good knowing that ever since I was twelve or thirteen years old I dreamed of getting accepted into Berkeley, and it happened. This proves the point that dreams do come true if you work hard, never stop believing, and never give up on them. Thank you God.

But what is more important is the "What now?" effect. Okay, where do I go from here?

Some people take my situation by face value and say with the quickness to go to my dream school. I dont hold it against anyone who tells me to do so and who tells me I'm thinking too hard, but really this will take a lot of consideration.

First of all, Senior year has been the most drastic in terms of my study habits, my perception of time management, focusing on schoolwork, and concentrating on believing that reaching the requirements is not enough-- and to go above and beyond is the norm. That VHS has taught its students to be "minimalists"-- to only go so far as they need to go for a grade. I have realized this is not the way to success, that we must all reach for more in our learning and should grasp for much more, and get into the habit of it, because that is commonality outside of VHS. Now I know that to try to shortcut yourself through assignments, you are only cheating yourself. Pure, undisturbed, Hard work is the key to everything in life. Mr. Tillay taught me that.


Having said all of this, Mr. Tillay also changed the way I percieved college. If you asked me eight or nine months where I wanted to go, I would have said UC Berkeley without you finishing your question. Looking back on it, it's kind of an ignorant statement. I knew it was going to be hard and will be hard at Berkeley, but I didnt know HOW hard. Now I know a little more about the extent of its difficulty, but I'll never know for sure unless I go into the belly of the beast and actually go there.

All i know is Davis is not as rigorous as Berkeley-- it is a great school of which many of my friends go to, and it will be much more comforting to me if I did go there. Yes, no matter where I go, college will be hard, but it's more like the pressure is off if I go to Davis. If i did go there, I would be happy because I would be doing Mechanical Engineering which is my intended major, but it is a job that is not growing.

I would be doing Computer Science at UC Berkeley, which I can certainly do, I'm just more concerned about how rigorous it will be. The competition. The strain.

Basically, I am loving the fact that I am accepted to my dream school. I do not want to screw myself with that decision of going there, only to be a struggling student because the course rigor is not for me. Of course, anything is possible if you set your mind to it, I just know that if I decide to commit myself to Berkeley, I will commit myself fully, or at least know that to compete, that is what I have to do.

That means full on, full time student. All time is devoted to the books. No tv, no late nights out, no girls, and certainly not any partying.

That is the big question: Am I ready to commit to that?

Some might think that I am taking it maybe a little too seriously, but I am expecting the worst, and was planning on doing that at Davis as well, only with more wiggle room to the above stated committments that wouldnt be available if I go to Berkeley.

You might say "How hard can it be?" Well I don't want to find that out the hard way.

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At the same time. I wish for everything in the world that I could survive and go through Berkeley. Looking back at everything that I am, Everything that i stand for, I'm never the type to settle. I always thought of myself as a beast that could do anything, my parents always taught me that I could do anything as long as I pray, work hard, and believe.

But I'm realizing that one man, one teacher has influenced me maybe too much. I dont know. This is too much to fit for one blog.

I'll talk to you later.

Visual interest.

Tokyo! the movie





Extreme sheep LED art





Chad Hugo From the Neptunes. Another one of my biggest heroes.


If only I could get tattoos like that haha

Categorized.

If there is one thing I dislike, it's that I don't like being put into stereotypes or presumed categories. I also dont like putting said titles or categories on myself as well. In my opinion I feel as if that is a type of limitation or weakness. If you bind yourself to be something, you are uniting and paralleling yourself with all the stereotypes and assumptions that come with it, for better or worse.

For example, when I introduce myself to a crowd or to new people, I say "Hey, my name is Earnest Salgado", and not much else. I am a lot of things, whether you know that or not, such as Vallejo High's ASB President, devoted student, avid 49ers/Giants/Bulls/Warriors fan, Hip Hop head, lightweight Sneaker freak, shopper, filipino, son of Ernesto and Rose Salgado, etc, etc.

It's not that I am ashamed of what I am or what have you, it's just that I would like people to get to know me as Earnest Salgado first and foremost. Sure, I could choose to include some good stuff that I do or that I am, but I decline not to for the sake of not passing judgement. And for the most part, it works. I feel that if you are worth knowing, then it's worth telling you the other stuff about me. That's my simple opinion...But I digress.

I see the act of categorizing yourself as a form of limitation and weakness. I see it as putting yourself out there as said category or type for the most part, which leaves not much else room for any other attributes of yourself.

I think it stems from my belief in the "do all, be all" saying, the Bruce Lee belief that "the best style is no style. Be like water".

Yeah, you can say that this is where Pride fits into the spectrum of life, but I say these things as not much of a boastful person. I don't fault those who genuinely toot their own horn, more power to you. You can make others proud and you can be proud of yourself without too much pride, it can be done.

If anything, categorize yourself with good, wholesome ones. I personally like to include really obscure things about me at this point, such as "I wash dishes and fold clothes =]" or "I don't have text because my mother thought it as a distraction".


Just a little food for thought in the morning, you know I woke up thinking about this?

In other news, my father is leaving for the Philippines tonight. I still have a lot of homework to do. And I think my Chingu is realllly coooool