TED Talks.

I love listening to insightful, educated, and influential people like Bill Gates, Mary Roach, Jill Bolte Taylor, and Elizabeth Gilbert (even though I never finished her book, Eat, Pray, Love). I watch a ton of TED talks during my lectures here at UCSB and they've always engaged me one way or another, so I thought I would add some to my blog to pick my viewer's brains. Let me know if you like them just as much as I do. I literally can go days with watching a ton of them, but that's probably the nerd within me.


I also thought I would add this very cool interview with Lady Gaga at Google. As always, the pop star was very entertaining and enlightening.

It's Official.

I'm graduating in exactly 5 months!! On Saturday, June 11th at 9am to be exact. Although I'm a bit petrified for life post grad, I am happy to say I think I'm more than ready...just need to lock down a job. I also wouldn't mind interning again, but I definitely would look to continue working towards the fashion industry. If no internship, then I'm looking at working and studying for my GRE's for graduate school or an Executive Buyers program in New York with Saks. At least I have options? AHHH!!!

Update: School.

After completing two fifteen page papers SINGLE space, a thirteen page honors paper, one group project/presentation/paper, four small papers, four midterms, and four finals, I AM FINALLY DONE WITH MY LAST FALL QUARTER OF MY UNDERGRAD CAREER!! You know how people sarcastically say, "would you like a cookie or trophie?" after you've mentioned some accomplishment your proud of.. well YES, I want my damn cookie, better yet I'll take cash! I am so proud of myself for juggling my internship, my part-time job, my extra curricular activities with Lambda Phi and the honors program and also taking on a sixteen unit school load. Wouldn't you think I deserve something at the end of it all? I do, so I'm contemplating on a few things, stay tune as to what I get!! Proenza, Prada, McQ?! The Christmas shopping has begun... as well as the celebratory drinking/shopping spree for myself, YAY! =)

School Update

This quarter is proving to be a difficult one and I'm slowly learning that there is more to life than just my education. Unfortunately, I received a B, C, C-, and D on the four midterms I've had during these previous weeks and like any successful student, I was not so happy. When I got my first midterm I was so bummed and I literally was in a state of panic. I felt like I was going to be kicked off the honors program, not graduate with the academic excellence award, and my GPA would be unworthy of grad school. Now that I've seen how horrible I've done in all my midterms, it made me put my life into perspective. It made me think, "do these grades reflect who I am?" Yes and no. Yes, because these grades determine my GPA and my GPA determine what grad school I go to, IF I decide to fulfill a masters. And no, because these grades are only my midterm. I've had previous experiences where I, in my mind, bomb the midterm but end up raising my grade at the end. Although I can't help but never miss class or that I do my projects/papers three weeks before they're due, I'm failing to understand that life is a journey and not a destination; that it doesn't stop when I get a few bad grades on my midterms or hit a few bumps in the road. Lesson learned: if there is no struggle, there is no progress (Frederick Douglas). I guess I just got to keep on working hard and success will continue to come into place.

On a brighter and happier note, I have an interview at Saks Fifth Avenue this Wednesday. Wish me luck! xoxo

Disney & Sesame Street Project

I'm currently enrolled in Health Communications and Interactive Media by the same professor here at school and the students and I are all very lucky to be doing a project for Sesame Street and Disney who will actually review our projects for consideration as future projects for the company. Actually having these gigantic corporations look at our projects is an amazing opportunity not only academically but professionally! For sesame street we are looking to create an online interactive game that focuses on health issues such as the common cold, washing your hands, and preventing the flu. Out target audience: Preschoolers ages three to six! WTH! It is so difficult trying to come up with a game that is so simple yet involves some sort of lesson with health issues. Luckily I was able to do it! My rough ideas are:

1. Health Issue: Common Cold: Elmo & Zoe's on Snow Day!
Help Elmo or Zoe dress for the winter so they can play outside and build snowmen and snow angels! We want to be sure that they were the proper clothes so they don’t get attacked by the common cold! If players are able to choose the right clothing like jackets, gloves, bonnets, and snow pants, Elmo or Zoe will be happy! If they chose the wrong items of clothing from their closet, then Elmo or Zoe will begin to shiver, cough, or sneeze, which indicates that they may get the common cold. Help Elmo and Zoe to stay warm, enjoy the snow, and stay away from getting the common cold!

2. Health Issue: Healthy Lifestyle: The Kooky Cookie Monster Cook!
Help the Cookie Monster pack Elmo, Zoe, and Oscar’s lunch by making sure they get the right foods to make sure they stay happy and healthy! By picking fruit, vegetables, a juice/milk box, and sandwich (bread), the characters will feel happy and healthy by showing the player so. If players choose items such as pizza, hamburgers, or other greasy foods, the characters will show the player that they are tired, have stomachaches, etc. This game will show how healthy lifestyles such as diet, help kids be more strong, healthy, and happy!


3. Health Issue: Exercise: The Ernie and Abby Cadabby Marathon!
Help Ernie or Abby Cadabby stay in good shape by helping them exercise! Help them maneuver an exercise course and pick out the activity you want them to do (IE: run, skip, walk, jump, hop, etc.) If players choose a less active exercise, players will see how Ernie or Abby Cadabby may become overweight (?)

Being that I am a student at a research university, I have to incorporate theories to back up game design and elaborate on the idea of my game being influential and cognitively engaging for preschoolers. For Disney, I am practically doing the exact same thing but without the focus of health issues, so I'm designing games about animals, colors, and numbers. Still, it's a bit difficult trying to create a game for preschoolers, I don't know how people at Sesame St. and Disney do it! But kudos to them! These are my ideas for Disney:

1. Game: Common Cold: Mickey’s Wonderful World of Color
Help Mickey or Minnie fight the Evil Queen and stop her magic! Player must color a black and white scene that was caused by the magic of the Evil Queen according to the subjects of the scene. (trees = green, sky = blue) Players will find cards with a picture of a subject and what the color of the subject is. If the player cannot remember what the color is or chooses the wrong color before they have reached the subject in character, the Evil Queen will come and shrink Mickey or Minnie.

2. Game: Zoo on The Loose!
Help Donald Duck or Daisy find the animals the evil Jafar has let loose into the city! Donald Duck or Daisy need to make sure they get the right number of animals back where they belong before the evil Jafar comes back to the city. Players will locate animals in the city, read the animal kingdom book located in their handy backpack, which helps them learn the animals, and count the particular animals until the player has all those that have escaped. If they pick he wrong animal or number of animals, Mickey encourages them to try again.

3. Game: Count Dracula
Help count Dracula aka Goofy in vampire costume, count the alphabet candy he gets from visiting each haunted house!

I'd get into logistics, but that's the last thing I need to blogging about. But i'm actually looking forward to my designs and seeing what these huge corporations have to say!

Update: School.

Ok seriously, I have EIGHT papers total due this quarter, FOUR of which are TEN to TWLEVE pages SINGLE SPACED. This is going to be hell. With my papers, I have FOUR midterms, FOUR FINALS (ONE on a SATURDAY!), and ONE group project. I hate complaining, but seriously?! UGH, I guess all I can say is BRING IT!!!

Disney nature: Oceans

When I was little, all I wanted to be was either an artist or a marine biologist. I was so fascinated with marine mammals all my stuff animals were either polar bears, seals, or penguins! To this day I still have this great curiosity to explore the wild life underneath what we call the ocean.

I was busy reading some material for my classes on Tuesday, when I got an email on my BB from the school about free events. I was quickly drawn being that it said "FREE EVENTS" on the subject line, so I continued and opened the email. To my luck, they were playing Disney nature's Oceans, the marine version of it's Earth counterpart, which I have yet to see. I quickly wrote the time, date and place where the movie was going to be held and I attended the movie. I didn't know what to expect, but I was ready to see some pretty cool stuff. Campbell hall, which holds about 860 seats, was packed with equally curious students and community members from around the area. I guess the movie was going to be epic, and it was.

My favorite part was the artic animals, although the whales were equally fascinating. But who doesn't love leopard seals, penguins, and polar bears?! I highly recommend this movie to anyone who loves a good discovery channel-esque movie, not to mention those who have an interest in marine biology. The movie was funny, sad, surprising, and beautifully made. Check it out for yourself!

UCSB Welcome Back Concert: Major Lazer ft. Diplo & Milkman

I'm not entirely sure who the hell these people are, but I suppose their big if they produced the beats off M.I.A's album. I enjoyed the reggae/rave vibe I got from them, I found myself bobbing my head the whole time. Despite the students being on all sorts of drugs, the overall concert was contained, thankfully. Storke Plaza was filled with students jumping up and down, the atmosphere was a bit crazy, but I enjoyed myself overall. Plus, it's senior year, I need to make the most of it! I just hope we have a better line up of performances coming up this year, especially for extravaganza!

Ma Maison.

Au Revior et A Bientot Paris!

It is almost a week since I flew back to the states from Europe, I miss Europe, Paris especially so much! After living in the wonderful city for two months, it's incredible noticing difference between the American and French culture. Although I am an American, I have so much respect for the French who adore living life and loving one another. I feel like Americans are so bothered by their days they forget to enjoy the simple things in life, where in France, these things are celebrated everyday from breakfast to dinner time. Compared to American culture, French culture tend to:

1. enjoy a three course meal during dinner time 2. not smile unless they know each other 3. embrace each other in a more intense passionate way with deep kisses, caressing and hugs if they are intimately involved 4. dislike staring at the toilet thus they always close the bathroom door 5. eat smaller portions 6. eat everything with NO PRESERVATIVES 7. have smaller electric appliances forcing them to do more things such as laundry and cleaning the dishes by hand 8. read body language more easily 9. dislike putting your feet on any sort of furniture 10. have MORE patience than Americans.


Until next time, I will see you soon Paris. Thank you for all the great memories and experiences! It has truly changed my life. =)

UCSB Graduation 2010

Busy Busy Busy

Wow, with a 8am to 630pm Mon - Fri schedule, it's hard to find some time to yourself. It's only been a week with my new internship, but surprisingly it isn't affecting me. In fact, I'm enjoying being busy everyday and constantly having something to do. With my constant yearning to be ahead, it's challenged me a bit, but let's see if I can make it work this quarter. I have a lot ahead of me, so don't be upset if you rarely see posts this month or next month. =/ But we'll see what happens.

My internship at DIANI is everything and more than I expected. I'm constantly doing something whether it's steaming clothes, unpacking shipment/returns, answering the phones, creating advertisements for our mailing lists, styling shoots for promos, designing blog posts, managing our FB fan page, and more. The girls are also extremely awesome. Although I have a few weeks till Paris, I am super excited to come back for the fall. Especially when all the Isabel Marant Fall 2010 comes rolling through our doors! Not to mention DVF, our DVF Spring 2010 is I.N.C.R.E.D.I.B.L.E.

CBS is also going well. Akilah just asked me if I wanted to continue interning for her remotely next fall and it is something I am considering. How amazing would it be to intern for one the biggest broadcasting corporations in the world? I'm sure 2 years of experience there will only help me in terms of my career. But we'll see, it is still something I am contemplating.

1 Down, 1 To Go

Had my comm final today and after finishing it I honestly didn't know how I did. My professor is probably one of the best professors I have ever had. I had her for a previous comm class and she's super tricky and concise when it comes to her tests. I guess you can say her exams are more meticulous and conceptualized based, because she wants to understand the material from back to front. That and the fact that Comm is a impacted major, so it's part of her job to "weed out" students who don't neccessarily understand or lack the passion for this major. But it's extremely nerve racking when you take her exams because you second guess yourself ALL THE TIME since she has similar answers like "both a and b" or "all of the above" and mostly likely she included an answer that could go two ways. Anyways, I ended up getting a B on the midterm (YAY!). I can't even tell you how anxious I was to find out how I did and I knew if I got below a B I would have cried. I don't do well when I don't get what I want....academically. Especially when I work hard for it and I hate it when I end up failing or falling below my expectations. I called my mom when I found out what grade I got and although I got a B I was literally about to cry. I don't know what it was, but I guess I was just a bit stressed, overly anxious, nervous, and a bit scared. I'm sure I keep blogging how this is my last prereq comm class before I get into the major, so it's pretty stressful. It's all or nothing at this point and I just need a B in the overall class to get into the major. I guess I just have to keep working hard. STRESSSSSSSS. One more midterm to go and this global warming midterm isn't going to be easy.

Crunch Time.

Things are going by super fast! It's midterms this week and next week, so I've been a good boy studying and not partying or DRINKING. Thank jeebus I have this incredible discipline despite all the temptations! I seriously don't know where it's coming from, but I'm glad it's been engraved in my life/brain/habits. Hopefully I'll be able to pull of an amazing grade on my midterm. I've been studying for it since last week. CRUNCH CRUNCH CRUNCH TIME!!!

Update: Life & School

Second week of the ten this quarter means two more months till this academic year is over. YAY! Midterms are in two weeks, sucks. Not complaining about life....yet. Although I have my usual amounts of reading, I am hoping to keep up with it all despite all of springs festivities. I really do hope I can still remain in the honors program, I work by butt of everyday. I currently have a 3.51 GPA and you need a 3.0 GPA by the end of spring quarter to stay in the program, so lets see how I do.

My global warming class is definitely not what I thought it was going to be, it's much more mathematical based. Surprisingly, I'm looking forward to it; I haven't done a math class in awhile and as much as I despise math, I kind of like doing it. weird. Communications class isn't too bad even though the reading is a snore. I love my professor to death though, shes awesome and always interesting. My leadership theory class seems to be a bit of a snore as well. It's practically a class of common sense, but I don't complain..plenty of eye candy.

Next week is my birfday and I'm turning the god awful number of 22. -_-" 24 I think is a perfect number. Not too young and definitely not too old. I hope I live in NYC by the time I'm 24 like Whit. She inspires me. haha I pretty much randomly chose a chic little bar/lounge in the city called Rye, which means I'm driving my butt back home the day after my birthday. Hopefully I won't be too hungover from the night before because I know my roomies are planning something. I know they're planning when they speak Chinese and squint at me. RUDE. Anyways, the only problem I'm currently facing is what to wear on my birthday. It definitely needs to be better than last years and I figured I looked like a waiter last year, so I'm opting for a spring looks. Perhaps a jean jacket, floral button up and some white jeans. IDK, I need inspiration. And the shietous stores here in SB doesn't help either. Suggestions?

On another note, I was thinking about my friends back home and how much I miss them. It makes me so jelly to hear that they're all together saki bombing or going to their usually spot, Sabor to have a glorious amount of drunkard time. =( But I guess at the same time I'm glad I'm here trying to obtain my dream, not to say that they aren't. I just want my damn degree already so I can start working and making skrilla in the industry that I LOVE. ugh. So impatient, and what if the world ends in 2012? I'll barely be 24 living the glamorous life. It makes me so jelly to see young people on TV doing what I work so hard to obtain or do, especially if they are single handedly doing it without any struggle or work. It's ok, LIFE IS A JOURNEY, NOT A DESTINATION. =)

Two months till Paris!!!

Quick Update

Time is moving by so fast! Sorry for the lack of blogging, I've either been busy, too tired to blog or hungover. It's the first week of spring quarter and I can already tell that this quarter is going to be a difficult and quite strenuous quarter despite all the festivities this spring such as floatopia and extravaganza. Either way, I'm ready so bring it!

Quick recap of my spring break:

Monday - Went to the city to do some retail therapy with Nikko, Anna and Brandon. Was trying to find these mocha latte AA shorts, but they didn't have them. They also didn't have my salt and pepper hoodie, which made me upset. I was mainly going to the city for items I needed like those shorts, but opted for a little shopping at MMJ. MMJ never seems to fail me, so I bought a few items there. I also turned in my housing options for Paris to the office on Market. I hope I get to live with a family while I'm there!
Tuesday - Can't remember.
Wednesday - Came into CBS in the city and worked. It was great to be back at the station and see familiar faces. Working at the station totally beats working back here in SB. My friend Sarah from school got to shadow me, which was pretty fun. We ended up doing some work in China town for Asian Week. It was definitely different, but definitely an experience and the staff such as Tomiko & Angela were incredibly kind. Who knew that I would be doing work in China town?
Thursday - Relaxed and ended up going to a dive bar Sophia & Anna knew of called Spanky's in Castro Valley. Little did I know it was going to turn into a high school reunion! I was super stocked to see my Storms, I've missed her sooooo much! Also ran into some other hs friends, but not that worthy to blog about. All in all, it was fun, we ended the night meeting up with Rina and Kristine at La Pinata. And La Pinata never fails me as well.
Friday - Had a very busy day in the city. I worked again at the station and immediately set up for our taping of Bay Sunday. It was great to PA for my boss' show again. I can't remember what else I did, but I do remember being extremely tired at the end of the day.
Saturday - The cousins, a few friends of mine and I head over to Palo Alto to go sake bombing at Miyakis. It was super fun! It was my first time going all out with saki bombing. We then decide to go over to Rudy's, but end up leaving Krystle, Grego, & Kristine to head over to the city with Jamal, Vince, & Sophia. Anna meets up with us in the city. The Castro was super fun! Got to meet my lovely Danny! =) The night was filled with drunkiness and I loved it. The morning after wasn't so pleasant, but it was definitely worth it.
Sunday - I'm basically packed and I left for SB with Chupac and Vangie in tow. Spring break is officially over. FML

Winter Quarter = DONE!

I am officially done with winter quarter and I may add that I am feeling pretty confident in my last final. Hopefully I will be able to get the grade I want! Off to some relaxation, drinking, packing, and lounging! Four more months till I have one year left and four more months till Paris. Can't I go already?!!

Quick Update.

It's dead week, so I've been pretty much writing my papers and studying for finals week next week. Let me just say that I have only one final left next Friday and I'm super excited! Ahhhh then it's finally spring break. I can't wait to be back home and partayyy!!! Oh and work, I'm excited to be going back to the CBS studio to actually do some work there. Speaking of internships, I applied to a few fashion places, so we'll see how that goes. *cross your fingers.

Ehhh, I'm definitely not looking forward to doing all my mandatory paper work for Paris, but I'm excited to say I only have four months till I go! This is insane! Two months till extravaganza and floatopia. This quarter is going to be mayhem.

Alright back to studying. Sorry for my lack of updates. It is finals week, so I'm just trying to focus on everything for school. Alright pieces.

Where has the time gone?

I can't believe it's already March! I have a few weeks till the quarter ends, which means I'm on lock down as of next week to start studying for finals. crap. Anyways, things are coming along in terms of my school work. I've been stressing like mad crazy last week, because I wasn't too sure how everything was going to play out with my 2 presentations, papers and reading. I have my last group presentation this Thursday, which gives me time to focus on my paper that I'm practically almost finished with. Then I can start on my last honors paper, which will give me time to study in peace for finals. Ahhhh.

This weekend was a great little distraction. The girls came down for a weekend. Like always, we drank, partied, did a little trees, and just relaxed the whole weekend despite the hideous rain. I can't wait till they come back in April for my birthday and floatopia! It'll be amazingly fun! Dang, I can't believe I turn 22 next month! It's crazyy. I look forward to going home in a couple of weeks to get my car, help Camilla with her dresses for her wedding, and to hang out a bit for spring break.

By the time I know it, it'll be June, which mean's I've finished my first year at UCSB and I will be starting my second and last year at UCSB next fall! I still can't believe how everything is unfolding. I wonder what my graduating friends will have planned after graduating. scary. Then in mid June, I'm off to Paris, which I am still super excited about. I know I still have a shittzer load of paper to do, and I wish the school would just send me my package already, so I knew what family I would be staying with and in what district! We'll see. <33

PS. Congrats to my girl Coco Rocha, who just got engaged !!

School Update

2 group projects, 2 7-10 page papers, and 3 finals all in 3 weeks. LET'S DO THIS!!!

"Ridicule is nothing to be scared of." Adam Ant