Food

I think that the meeting at Happy Sashimi went very well and I throughly enjoyed it.

Meet and Eat

The dinner with the other members was a success. We all got to share all our experiences that go beyond the Ivy League Connection. It was very fun and we all got to eat good food. I felt as if we all have made a bond that will last more than the duration of this trip. First impressions were outstanding, I felt we could get along just fine during this trip and beyond.

This also gave me a chance to try out my photography skills and upload a picture that was edited in Picasa 3. It may not seem impressive, but it is definitely a step up from what it looked like before.

I'm sorry that a few members were left out, I just realized I brought my camera when leaving the restaurant.

Thank you all that made it and hope we can meet one more time before April 22.

A Fantastic Time

Having been nervous about meeting my fellow Brownies, I walked into Happy Sashimi prepared for a potentially awkward night--I didn't know what to expect. Fortunately, it was the complete opposite! I sat down and introduced myself and chatted for a bit while everyone showed up. Once everyone had arrived, it was time for food, laughter and fun!

The time flew by as we chatted about our hobbies, classes, cultures and so much more. Typically being a shy person, I surprisingly yet pleasantly clicked with the people around me. I sat near the middle of the table, next to Irene and Stephanie and across from William and Austin; but that didn't stop me from talking to everyone at the table. I enjoyed conversations with Lydia, Lucero, Zijun, Andrew, Megan and Selene. We had many things in common, ranging from AP classes to favorite 80's music!

The food was awesome! I love Japanese food, so that was a big plus for me. I had California rolls but I ordered one too many, so I was happy to take some home. Many of us shared our plates--or tried as some of us were very full by that time--and we were left with a happy tummy. Even after we finished eating, we kept the conversation going until our parents came for us. I was sad to depart, but happy to know the people I'm going to be spending a lot of time with.

Overall, I can say that I was very, very pleased to have come. Many of us can agree can that another arrangement is a must! Especially since we couldn't meet Mariana, whom I look forward to meeting. I'm glad to be going to Brown with such great people.

Until next time!

Happy Sashimi

When I first walked in to Happy Sashimi today, I wasn't sure what to do. I clumsily introduced myself to the other few people who had arrived and flipped through the menu, wondering what to order. As more people arrived, though, I warmed up and started enjoying myself. I sat next to Lupe, Lydia, Lucero, and William Chong, and still talked to the people on the other side of the table (Austin, Zijun, Megan, Selene, Andrew, and Stephanie). It was nice to be finally be able to link faces and personalities to the names I've been seeing through our email communications. We connected over 80's music, glasses prescriptions, and California rolls. I began smiling, and by the end of the evening I felt completely comfortable dancing and playing silly games with the rest of the group. I probably laughed the most I have for a couple of weeks.

We compared lives as busy, high-achieving, but fun-loving students. It was comforting to know that other people were stressing about SAT scores and AP classes, and trying to balance that aspect of their lives with the social and non-academic parts.

What I took away from the dinner tonight was that the Ivy League Connection is not just the support network from the adults. It is not just about the classes at Brown University. It is not just about the fact that I'm going to be on the East Coast for three weeks this summer. I'm making friends and meeting great new people that I'll remember for a long time.

Starting Off

I'm fairly new to blogging, but I have the feeling this is going to be really fun. I get to try out my web design skills, too! :)

First of all, I feel so lucky to have been chosen to participate in the Ivy League Connection. I always thought of programs such as this as intangible; but now as we're starting to pick up the pace I'm almost overwhelmed by the very real, amazing potential of the next few months.

I'm looking forward so much to getting to know everybody, attending the actual class at Brown, and enjoying everything about the entire experience. I'd like to thank (in no particular order!) Don, Mr. Ramsey, Ms. Kronenberg, Ms. O'Brien, Mr. Crosby, and Ms. Larson for helping me get to this point, as well as everyone else who is working on the website.

Our informal meeting in March will be a fun step along the way to building a strong, close group. This is what will make our experience at Brown the best it can be.

I can't wait.

Something New

Hello everyone!

Blogging is something completely new to me, so hear it goes:

Well, it's really happening. As of today there is only less than five months until the great departure. Of course, none of this would have been possible without three of the most important people to the program, Don, Ms. Kronenberg, and Mr. Ramsey (in alphabetical order). I am definitely grateful for all their help and leadership. This program has really opened my eyes to the possibilities life really has to offer. It has opened many doors for me and shows what can come of, from hard work.

I am excited to see all my fellow student for an informal meeting at late March. I am sure that I am not the only one who is wonder what the others are like when we meet. This will be fun.

All of us are now knee deep in something far more than worthwhile and this program, and all who are affiliated with it, definitely deserves nothing short of the best we have to offer.

"And Away We Go!"

Hello Everyone!


I would also like to thank our ILC advisors again for this amazing opportunity they have placed in our hands. We couldn't have done it without you all. You guys are the best! This trip will definitely stay with us for the rest of our lives and we are all very grateful for that.

On a another note, I would like to thank all Brownies for their cooperation in the organizing of our March dinner. It is great way to get to know each other before our official dinner in April. I am looking forward to meeting everyone that will be with us over the summer. I really hope to see you all there!

Lastly, I just wanted to mention that I am very excited and anxious for this trip. We still have a couple months to go, but I can hardly wait! Before you know it, we will be boarding our plane to Rhode Island, headed for the experience of a lifetime.

Keep blogging,

Lupe