The Real Playoff Game

I felt the "real" NBA Playoff game was tonight, in fact, it should be the "real" NBA Playoff Series between the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls. They played another thriller instant classic tonight in Game 6 in Chicago. Chicago won 128-127 in triple overtime. It seemed as the game wouldn't end. I kind of feel sad for the Portland or houston fans who wanted to see their two teams play but was delayed on TNT til after halftime. Derek Rose was terrific with 28 pts, 8 reb, and 7 ast. He made the play of the game by blocking Rajan Rondo's shot attempt in the final seconds of third overtime. Ray Allen, man he was on fire, 51 pts. He made clutch shots down the stretch in the overtimes that helped Boston come this close. Paul Pierce, Perkins, Glen Big Baby Davis, and Ben Gordon all fouled out.

This whole playoff series has been close. 1st game went 1 overtime, chicago won by 2. Game 2, Boston won by 3. Game 3 was a Boston blowout win and Games 4 (2 OT, won by CHI) and Game 5 (OT, won by BOS) all were thrillers.

This is what playoff basketball should be like. Intense and down to the wire, to the last second. Game 7 is Saturday night. I want it to go to a lot of overtimes. It just can't be decided. As a Laker fan, I will be rooting for Boston as I want a Boston-Los Angeles rematch in the NBA finals in June. I will watch Game 7 for sure.

STAR Testing Over

STAR Testing ended for me today. Took the englihs and bio test on Tuesday and the math one today. The math was pretty easy actually. I knew how to solve most of the problems but it took a long time and it was tedious...

but we got to leave school today at 11:45 which was nice. Went and had Subway for lunch.

Bio and spanish test tomorrow. Bio is on ecoolgy and spanish is on 7.1. I will have to study some more later...

34 days of school left I think.

Been playing basketball at the park these last few days and I've been sinking down my three point shot. IT's looking good. Played at Friendship on Tuesday and CPE today.

I started a Twitter tonight, follow me, twitter.com/ktcn15

Lakers vs. Utah Jazz Game 5

So the Lakers are on to the second round. Last night, they closed out the 1st round with a 107-96 victory at STAPLES Center over the Utah Jazz. Lakers win the series 4-1 and will face either Portland or Houston in the next round. It shall be intersting.

Lakers won Game 1, 2, 4, and 5 all by 10 + points. It wasn't close. Lakers had big leads but Utah cut it down. But Lakers still hung on for the wins. Same case in Game 5. Utah made it intersting as Lakers lead became 6 points but Lakers held on.

Kobe Bryant had 36 pts and I believe he's 7th alltime in playoff scoring now. Lamar Odom, who has been playing great, played great yet again, this time scoring 36 pts and grabbing a huge 15 reb. Pau Gasol had 17 pts 11 reb. So second round we go. It will most likely start this Sunday afternoon at the STAPLES Center.

4 down 12 to go...

36 days

36 more days and it will be summer. 36 school day. We were all counting down the number of days. Almost summer.

Golf season is over as we played our last match this afternoon at Lakewood against Mayfair. We owned them, winning 237 to 325, by a whopping 88 strokes. So our season ends with a win. I improved a lot this seaspon. I couldn't hit anything at 1 st but have gotten my driver down. Just have to work on power, putting, and chipping. I have about 10 months to work on it.

STAR Testing begins tomorrow. I will have tests in english and biology tomorrow and school lets out at 1:45. On Wednesday, we get to leave at 11:45 as we only have to take math test. Block scheduling will be thrusday and friday in which we leave school at 1:25. I feel the biology is not that bad.

After the Security Council Conference in February, I got a cold and was out for one day from school. Well Saturday was the Huntington Beach MUN Conference and yesterday to today, my nose is congested and I am coughing. I am 99.9% sure it isn't the famous Swine Flu, which is spreading rapidly.

Gonna studay some more, just go over the stuff and watch Lakers Game 5.

Lakers vs. Utah Jazz Game 4

Lakers won tonight in Utah 108-94 over the Jazz as Lakers now take a 3-1 lead. Boy Kobe Bryant was unstopable. He was Vintage Kobe all night as he scored 38 pts on an effective 16-24 shooting night. The Jazz could not contain Kobe. He had 13 pts in the 1st qtr, 11 in second, 10 in third, and 4 in the fourth. The 3rd qtr is where Kobe shined as he started out 4-4 8 pts and just kept making his shots, whether it was a fade away or pull up jump shot, it was swish. Kobe was invincible. MVP chants were for him again in the 4th qtr by Utah Laker fans.

Lamar Odom played great too with 10 pts 15 reb 6 ast and 2 blk. He started this game and it helped the Lakers out. Pau Gasol was his usual self, 13 pts 10 reb. But it felt a blowout the second quarter on as Lakers just pulled away. 3-1 lead now, Lakers will close out the series on Monday night at STAPLES Center.

3 down 13 to go for championship

Lakers vs. Jazz Game 3

So Game 3 was in Utah. Boy those Jazz fans our loud. Lakers lost 88-86 as Deron Williams nailed a jumper with about 2 seconds left. So Lakers still lead 2-1, thats the good thing.

This game was up and down. LAkers trailed early and came out of third quarter firing hot as they built a thirteen point lead. But that went away when the refrees didn't swallow their whistle and started blowing fouls, putting both big men in foul trouble.

It's ok. Lakers can sell one more extra game and make money. LAkers should get game 4 on Saturday. 2-1 lead, we are still in the driver seat. Go Lakers!!!

Earthquake

I just felt two earthquakes today. One at 4:56 PM, a magnitude 3.8 in which I felt in the restroom. The other was just abotu 20 minutes ago, 8:27 PM, when a 4.0 magnitude struck and I felt it as I was sitting in computer. It just started shaking a little. Man I am scared now. Could it be a sign that a bigger one is one the way?

Will recap Lakers game 3 later when game concludes.

Lakers vs. Utah Jazz Game 2

So Lakers lead 2-0 in this playoff series after 119-109 victory at STAPLES Center. Lakers shot light out in the 1st quarter, about 87 % from the field. Man they couldn't miss, scoring 41 pts. It wasn't a pretty win, but a win is still a win. I noticed they passed out rally towels today, not T-shirts. So the game I went to on Sunday was better, with the T-shirts.

Andrew Bynum had 10 pts in 1st quarter but thats all he had. He is still a bit Rusty. Kobe again played the passive role, scoring 26 pts 6 reb and 9 ast. Pau Gasol, he did not foul out of this game, had 22 pts. Lamar Odom played huge off bench with 19 pts and he was perfect from the field til the end of the game that three. Trevor Ariza was Mr. Clutch in this game. He made all three of his three and had a clutch one near the end that sealed the game. 2-0 lead now.

Lakers shot light out in 1st quarter but Utah stuck close to us, putting up the points too. I think Lakers defense can be improved. Scoring that many points and then giving up that many. I don't know. So 2-0 in this playoff. Thursday's game will be a tough one up in Salt Laker City.

So 2 down, 14 more to go for the destination.

100 degrees

About a hour ago, my computer said the temperature was 100 degrees as Yahoo Weather reported stated while I was checking my email. It is scorching hot. Time to bring out the summer clothes. I am staying indoors and have to stay hydrated a lot. My upstairs is so hot and dry. It is still 100 right now...So HOT

Lakers vs. Jazz Game 1

Earlier today, I went to the Lakers-Utah Jazz Game 1 @ STAPLES Center. It was a playoff game and was worth the 260 bucks for 4 people we paid. Parked near the freeway and walked through the brand new L.A. Live. It was quite interesting. We entered STAPLES Center and went to our seats for the 12 PM game. We had seats in section 303 row 9 and 10, aisle seats which were neat. Remember, we bought them from a season ticket holder from craiglist.com yesterday.

As we entered, they handed out free gold color "The Journey begins today 04.19.09" shirts with "The Destination" and NBA Trophy on back. Free T-shirts, not bad.




I brought two cameras, one to record, and one to take pictures. I caught plenty of highlights, such as Kobe Bryant posterizing Paul Millsap.



The game was pretty much in the Lakers hands right from the beginning as Lakers built a 62-40 lead at halftime. I was thinking the game is over but Utah cut lead to within 9 in 3rd quarter but Lakers held on for 113-100 win. Trevor Ariza played great. He had 10 pts in the 1st quarter alone, making 2 3 point baskets. He was firing away. Here is a nice reverse dunk from Trevor Ariza.



Kobe Bryant played the passing game early on. He was patient and let everyone on team get involved first. He finished with 24 points and 8 ast. Pau Gasol, man he fouled out for the 1st time since 2006. The refs didn't swallow their whistle at all. But Pau played great with a solid 20 pts 9 reb. Bynum was in foul trouble and only had 7 pts. Shannon Brown was 1st reserve off bench and played great.9 pts and a +20 in +/- player efficency. Josh Powell chipped in nice as both Gasol and Bynum got in foul trouble by adding 6 pts. Odom was his usual self 13 pts 8 reb.

The playoff atmosphere in a game is way different than a regular season one. Almost all the crowd was wearing the gold shirts that were passed out. I chanted loudly during the game. I took a picture with this even crazier Laker fan.



The only bad part about today was NO FREE TACOS. Freakin Deron Williams had to make that layup with 14 seconds left to put Jazz at 100. If Lakers won and held opponent under 100 pts, then all of us would of gotten 2 free tacos. O well. But we had fun heckling this Utah fan as Lakers Live was aring after the game outside STAPLES Center at Star Plaza. Boy it is a great scene to be at STAR Plaza as FS West is airing Lakers live.



Also, a lot of period of time throughout game, we chanted the now infamous (opponent city) SUCKS...



and this...



Here's the cool part about the game, the player introductions of both teams.



We also chanted MVP for Kobe.



Finally, the final few seconds. We had been chanting "We Want Tacos" but did not get it, BUT A win is still a win.



Overall, this was a fun game that I attended. 1st Laker playoff game and it was a great one. It was nice seeing Lakers win. Previous Laker game, they had lost to Portland and Memphis. Some historical facts, Kobe passed Magic Johnson for 3rd place on Lakers all time playoff scoring list.Lakers lead 1-0 now. 1 down, 15 to go.

Last Day of Break

Today is last official day of spring break. Just less than 2 more months til summer..

I'm in Facebook now. I created an account long time ago but never used it and finally went on today and started. So it will be interesting. Twitter and Facebook are becoming more popular now.

Lakers vs. Utah Jazz this Sunday, I might go see Game 1 at Staples Center. We are still shopping around for tix and mite buy them tomorrow. So gonna be great.

I will have a busy Saturday tomorrow.

Grand Canyon Recap

So this past weekend, I went to Grand Canyon to backpack down from the South Rim to Colorado River and back. When the date approached of us going, I was kind of a bit hesitant in going as I had a tough time making a final say. But eventually I went and have no regret. It was one of the best trips ever. Also, very picturey. I took over 400 pictures. My backpack was 40 pounds going down. The people on this trek was me, Eric Prana, Andrew Choi, Nathan Leung, and two adults, Mr. Prana and Mr. Johnson. So here is the recap, day by day.


Here is our trail map. Down the South Kaibab Trail and up the Bright Angel Trail. Follow along as you read the recap.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

We left Carmenita Middle School @ around 8:30 and drove 91 east, 15 north, 40 east, crossing the Cali/Ariz border and then 64 north to Grand Canyon. It was about 500 miles going there and it took almost 8 hours. We met all kind of weather while we drove. First rain and then saw snow as we elevated. On 64 north, we experienced snow as it snowed on us as we entered the park. That was a blast. Entered the national park and checked in at Mather campground. It was snowy as we set up our tents. So that night, our tent was cold. My legs were frozen but I still survived. We couldn't see Grand Canyon. It was more like "White Canyon". I saw a elk and took a picture of it on the road. It was a COLD night, under 32 degrees.


Our snowy Mather Campground that we camped in the 1st night.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Easter Sunday. We took down camp and packed our gear up into our backpacks and then headed on the shuttle bus to the South Kaibab Trailhead. The sun was out by then and the snow was melting. So we hiked down from about 6800 feet. Our goal was the Bright Angel Campground, adjacent to the Colorado River, about 2000 feet. The weather that day was perfect as 75 degree. Not too hot or not too cold. It was awesome. Going downhill was the hardest. Those steps were killers and it made your knee painful. We stopped many times for breaks and even had a lunch break. We saw the colorado river and knew that was our goal but we just kept walking. It seemed forever until we reached the Kaibab Bridge, crossing the river to the otherside. Again, the switchbacks and all downhill made my knee sore. The Bright Angel Campground was really neat. We attended a program at night as it talked about the different animals of Grand Canyon. That was neat. Also sunday night was the best sleep I got at Grand Canyon. I did not wake up the whole night. Just fell asleep. We hiked 6.3 miles in about 5-6 hours, 10:30 to around 3:30-4. Restroom there was almost like home. Flush toilets and mirrors with light and sink in the campground. We should go to National Park everytime we got backpacking.


Imagine going down these steps for 6.3 miles..


The Kaibab Bridge.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Day 2 of the hike. We were going from Bright Angel Campground to Indian Garden Campground. Went on the Bright Angel Trail. About 1000 feet elevation uphill. We unpacked camp and headed for trail. First stopped by the Colorado River and took a picture right next to it. This way we have exact proof we reached the bottom. Those rocks on the bottom are billion years old. On the top rim, it is about 270 million years old. I illegally took a small rock home. Haha. Anyways so we hiked along the river for a while before starting to gain elevation and turning inland. Started going up. It wasn't that tough at first but that one set of switchbacks killed us. It was really steep and I just managed to go through it. Reached camp around 2:00, hiking for about 6 hours and about 4.3 miles. Indian Garden, I don't like that campsite. So many bugs and insects. Also lots of fiber or pollen from the trees that fell as the wind blew. We were about 3100feet elevation. We played cards together at night too. Also, the freeze dry food was the best freeze dry I had ever eaten. Perfect food. I also found signal and called home that evening.


Me right on the shoreline of Colorado River.


The trial leading to Indian Garden.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

My birthday, I turned 15. I got my card from my parents that they gave to Mr. Prana, who gave it to me. That card had a mountain one. IT was a great motivation. Woke early and unpacked campsite again. We left around 8 AM and started the final stretch of the hike, about 4.9 miles. It first went smooth as it was all flat and gradual increasing uphill. We had to gain about 3100 feet elevation that day. Then it was switchback time as I counted 7 sets of switchback. First set wasn't that tought as it was gradual increase and we reached the 3 mile resthouse. Rested there and then went up a few more switchbacks which became tougher and tougher. Reached the 1.5 mile resthouse and we saw our destination, the top but it seemd forever in going up. Kept going uphill back and forth. It was tough. My calf and quads were extremely sore. Finally reached the final switchback and then made it ot the top. I was really happy and energetic that I completed this hike. Called home from there. Then, we went to eat food at this restaurant which was the best. I had spagetti for lunch and fish for dinner. It was a nice birthday. That night became really cold and windy and we still had to camp out. I was cold again.


We have hiked this much so far, as viewed from 3-mile resthouse. The green trees is Indian Garden, where we started from.


The 1.5 mile resthouse.



I finally made it!!!


The final leg of the hike.


Spagetti, which was the best food we had in 3 days. It was delicious.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Travel day as we came back home in just under 8 hours. Total mileage we traveled was just less thatn 1000 miles, 997. It felt good sleeping on my bed that night.

Overall, this trip was ablast. Celebrating my birthday and being less thatn 1% of 15 million people, its a honor. IT was challenging but WE MADE IT.

Home Sweet Home

I am home from Grand Canyon Trip. Came back this afternoon at 3:30PM. It was all driving today. I am tired and my legs are really soar. But the trip was a blast. We met all kinds of weather. I am one percent of 15 million who hiked down the Grand Canyon South Rim to Colorado River and back. Will write more tomorrow on the trip. I also turned 15 yesterday. So I got to celebrate my b-day @ Grand Canyon. Tomorrow, will post some pictures and day by day recap of our hike. It was fun.

It's NBA Playoff Time now. Lakers vs. Utah Jazz. Lakers should take care of business. The toughest will be second round if it is Portland. Let's look towards the Finals to Cleveland. I might even catch a playoff game.

I am tired. Will eat my birthday cake then go to sleep. Recap tomorrow...

I am 15 years old.

Good Friday

Tired day today. 1st day of spring break.

Finished dinosaur project.

Had basketball banquet at Knott's hotel just finished. The varsity team was a special group. Joe Vitug got all CIF second team Division III-A plus All-CHS. He is good.

Going to Grand Canyon tomorrow for hike. Gonna be back home on Wednesday. All drivng tomorrow, 500 miles.

See you next Wednesday when I get back. I will recap the trip and take lots of photos.

It's Spring Break

Spirng Break is finally here. It officially started today. But, I won't have much of a "break". Will be out of town to Grand Canyon from Saturday to Wednesday, (Tuesday is my birthday) as I will be hiking down and then back up the grand canyon. It will be fun. I will take lots of pictures. I won't get a break as I have A LOT of english homework and have to do a couple of biology projects, plus CST Math review (96 questions) and the second topic of the Position Paper.

Get to sleep in tomorrow but have to meet with my bio group to finish up dinosaur project plus have to go shopping for food for Grand Canyon.

I don't know what I want for my birthday. I will decided by tomorrow. 5 days til I am 15.

Sad Day today. Nick Adernhart, Angels starting pitcher last night, got killed by a drunk driver suspect early this morning at 12:30 AM in Fullerton. He was a Angels top prospect. It is sad that this thing can happen to this young man, who was only 22. May he and the other 2 that died rest in peace.

SportsCenter Los Angeles is So cool. They started broadcasting from LA on Monday. It is amazing.

Andrew Bynum came back tonight vs. Denver Nuggets as LA won 116-102. Bynum looked great, 16 pts 7 reb. Kobe had 33 and Pau Gasol played great, 27 pts 19 reb (11 offensive). 63-16, not bad. Just 3 more games til playoffs. All 3 are winnable.

Here is a video of Incredible Andrew Bynum.

1 day til Break

Yay!!! Andrew Bynum is coming back tomorrow night vs. Denver Nuggets. He is fully recovered and Lakers will be a complete team again.

I have 3 tests tomorrow, Spanish, which shouldn't be that hard, math, and english vocab test. I will study probably til 12 and study some more tomorrow morning. MY sleep time is gradually decreasing and that is bad news.

Still have to do Position Paper part C, but I have to submit it by 11:59 PM tomorrow so I have some time tomorrow.

La Mirada Golf Course is hilly, really hilly. I had to walk up and down in search of my ball today. We also were delayed 40 minutes. It was a windy day today.

Arco Arena, home of Sacramento Kings, can be renamed STAPLES Center North, just like Wrigley Field North in Milwaukee. There was a lot of Laker fans ;ast night in Sac-Town.

Gotta Study again. 1 day til spring break, 6 days till my birthday.

Tests Coming Up

Have to study right now for Fahrenheit 451 test tomorrow and math and spanish test on Thrusday. Gonna be busy these next two days. Haha, I'm using spark notes to study for F 451. It works and is so easy. I can use the analysis of it.

I'm done for today cuz of studying and still have to do part C of Position Paper.

Spring Break

On Saturday morning, I am leaving for Grand Canyon. Yes, I will be going there for a backpacking trip. We will go Saturday morning, which will take about 8 hours and then start hiking on Easter Sunday. Will go down about 7 miles in one day and then come up 2 days as there will be a 4500 elevation gain. My birthday, day 4, we will be coming up to the rim and might go for a good dinner. That will be a pretty cool birthday to celebrate. It is only 6 days away and Friday there no school so I can pack and get ready for the trip.

Just 9 more days til I turn 15....

Lakers held off Clippers 88-85 tonight as Lakers got bored and wanted to make the game more interesting. So they let Clippers back. Almost playoff time. Lakers can catch Cleveland for best record.

Imma go watch some TV rite now.

Win #60

Yea!!! The Lakers won game # 60 today as they beat the Houston Rockets 93-81. Boy things have really changed in the last 2 days for the home court advantage throughout playoffs. Lakers and Cleveland are separated by 1 game only.

11 days til I am 15, 04.14.09. I can't wait...

Baseball season is starting soon which means more Angels and Dogers who are exciting with Manny Ramirez on board. Both L.A. teams should be playoff bound.

Went to Hunger Banquet tonight. I learned about the people that suffer in Africa. It is sad especially hearing about the numbers. Did some activities and also ate some good food.

This weekend, I will study for math and spanish test. Also will try to finish my Position Paper, probably do part A and B this weekend. Also have math hwk and will read over OF Mice and Men and Fahrenheit 451 as I have test next week in English. I'm pretty free this weekend.

Study

I have a bio test tomorrow on the nervous systems, the brain, eye, and ear. All I have to do is to memorize those terms within it. So I will study for about an hour at most tonight and then tomorrow morning will wake up abotu 30-45 min earlier and read it over one last time. So I have to study.

The Unit Circle Quiz for math I should ace it. IT's not really that bad if you look at it. Just match it up.

Today was cloudy and was unlucky and bad. Felt all gloomy. So I shot extremely bad at match vs. St. John Bosco. I could not PUTT.


Tomorrow is the Hunger Banquet and I will be going, partly for extra credit I get in math and history class.

Disceting an eyeball today was fun yet a bit disgusting but I learned about the eye parts from doing that activity.

Let me study now!!!

Here's a great video for the Lakers playoff run coming up...

April Fool's Day

It's almost spring break. Abouht a week til break. But these next few days I will be extremely busy.

Good thing my Bio group just about finished jurassic park project Sunday.

Left school right at lunch as we had team event at Avenue 3 which we had pizza. I ate 4 which tasted good.

Have a golf match tomorrow but we tee off at 2 so we should be home by around 5. That's good.

Thursday: Spanish Vocab Quiz
Friday: Bio test on nervous system; Alg 2 Trig Test on Unit Circle
Sometime next week: OF Mice and Men AND Fahrenheit 451 Test.

It will be a bit busy studying...

Lakers finally won a game today on the road and that was expected as they defeated Milwaukee Bucks. Almost playoff time and my birthday, 13 days til 04.14.09 when I'm 15.

April Fools Day today I got tricked partially in Bio when Mr. Rogers said we had quiz yesterday but there was none today.

Lemme Study some tonight...