We were planning on practicing dance at 9:30 AM, but only VT, RQ, and I were down by then so we scrapped that plan and instead played The Mind with JC, JW, SL, DD, VL, SA, KS, LT, and JL.

After that, RQ got hungry early (RQ moment ) so we had brunch with LZ and MK earlier than we were supposed to (but issok, because the only reason there was a “brunch after 11” rule was because we didn’t want our schedule to conflict with the schedule of another camp, except by the time we got there Resnik was completely empty already cause one generally does not want to stay around that quality of food longer than one needs to).

After brunch we actually got together for dance practice, and eventually all of TJ gang joined. IZ, who is naturally talented at dancing and everything, taught us all. Dancing is hard, but quite entertaining.

Then was TSTST Day 3, our very last test at MOP! Despite not solving anything, I actually left the test room pretty happy. I had given up all hope of making TST Group after Day 2 anyways, so during the test I spent my time maximizing personal enjoyment––chilling the entire time with the coolest problem and eating food which I had smuggled out of Resnik: a bag of Hot Cheetos, 2 brownies, and half a marshmallow rice crispy. When I got out the bag of Hot Cheetos, I also saw Holden eating Fritos in the front, so we made brief eye contact and shared a nod of mutual approval. I was scared that the chip bag would be loud and crunchy, but I think I was careful enough that it was far from a problem.

Before MOP started, I had always thought that these tests would be super intense. I mean, a 4.5 hour test every other day! But, I got used to them quite quickly, and they are in fact quite relaxing and calming, at least for people like me who have low stakes and don’t really give a care about test scores. My greatest complaint now against tests is that, well, test days always feel so much shorter than non-test days. And here, at MOP, that’s the last thing I want. There’s nothing I wish for more than more time with precious friends. Tests are just the opposite of that.

After the test, I joined a big group that was walking to Squirrel Hill. On the way, I sorta tried interrogating CH and SL on the walk to a fast food restaurant that reminded me of Chinese McDonalds. I sat at a table with SL, LC, DL, and JC and got a Pineapple Chicken Burger. It was SO GOOD. That chicken was the most biteable chicken I had ever held between my teeth, and when (to my surprise) they added a whole slice of pineapple inside the burger, oh man I visited heaven today. To top it all off, I got THE Chinese drink to go with it. Yup, that’s right. The Herbal Tea, the one and only. 王老吉!

This was also the day when I really met SL. We had talked briefly on many occasions earlier, and she gave me the impression of being extremely enthusiastic and chronically, unrealistically happy. As such, she was on my list of interesting people who I should totally talk to more sometime in the future. Tonight, I did, and so the entire experience was immensely satisfying and enjoyable.

We then got some boba at the same place where DL, EL, and I first met the Pre-MOPpers the day before MOP. It was splendidly nostalgic realizing how far we’ve come in 3 weeks. In the spirit of living life to the fullest, I didn’t know what toppings to get so AZ picked 3 random ones for me.

I was the last to get boba by quite a while since I had an oopsies with my card and technology in general, so when I got my boba, the rest of the group had already left. RQ and LC waited for me outside, though, which was really heartwarming. Then on the walk back, we practiced interrogating MR (staff who was forced to wait with us lol) together, because we’re learning from LZ, and it turned out to be an astonishingly interesting and fulfilling conversation.

Then we had an assembly with cake to celebrate VL’s birthday. MK showed me her camera roll while I asked repeatedly for very young pictures of LZ but I don’t think I ever got any. Then everyone had impromptu singing troupe and I got a super tiny slice of cake, because I was really full already but didn’t want to miss out.

Then at some point MK stole my water bottle, so I dropped my backpack/phone and chased her around the parking lot and sidewalk and grass for like half an hour. In the meantime, LC and FY also helped her and passed the water bottle between them like relay racers. They gave up and I continued chasing MK around the parking lot––she kept hiding behind cars before spontaneously sprinting away. At last I managed to grab her and wrestle my bottle out of her.

It was at that time that I realized that, while I was occupied, the others had taken my backpack and my phone. I managed to get my backpack peacefully, but learned that LZ had taken my phone and put it in her pocket. This was a devious tactic, since I can’t just reach my hand into her pocket. That would be a gross affront against societal norms, even for me. So, I played the next best move and stole her phone, putting it into my pocket.

I have run more today at MOP than on any other day that I remember this year at school. It’s definitely an accomplishing feeling to get that cardio in during MOP. Nonetheless, I’m sure I won’t be chasing any more people for my water bottle in the next few days. I doubt this will become a trend at all!

Eventually LZ and I traded phones peacefully. Impromptu singing troupe (which was still going on this entire time) sang How Far I’ll Go which suddenly made me super excited because that’s my favorite Disney song.

Back at Stever, I chatted enjoyably with RQ and SL. Then the little DL gave me an origami fox, which was very cute and lovely.

Then SL pulled me into the meditation room, where I watched IZ, SL, and VH do a really cool dance move.

Lastly, LZ, MK, LC, VT, and I stayed up late on the forbidden fifth floor to talk. I have not written any blog posts during MOP on or after this day, because there were too many activities which I’d never experience again, and it’s far more meaningful to take them now than spend a precious hour holed up in my room to write.