It's funny to think of dropping out of college, mostly because I'm sure most students at some point or another have fathomed it. Coincidentally, I've already done it.
I started my college career relatively late; I was 21. I spent the years between dancing, running a local company, working odd jobs and was in a time-consuming relationship. A week away from opening my own dance studio, I received a letter of acceptance to CSU, Sacramento. So I closed the studio, cut my losses and started college, mostly because of the sense of obligation to get "educated" from my parents.
Three semesters in and I changed my mind again. Only this time, I wanted to fulfill my dream of going to Los Angeles and become a commercial dancer. In my year-long sabbatical from school I was living my dream; touring with local artists, music videos, reality shows and training under some of the best dancers in the industry. Unfortunately, this lasted only a year because of the guilt and discouragement of my parents to live life as an artist. So back to school I went.
Reflecting on it, I don't regret a thing. If something were to happen where after this semester I would not return to school, i would be back in LA in a heartbeat, this time with more knowledge, maturity and drive.
Although my focus is not only on school, I keep returning because I truly value it, even if it has little relevance to my career choice. The thought is that it well set me apart from the rest one day.
I can in no way say that my life has been a straight path. It's filled with u-turns and pit stops but either way, I know my destination. On a balance between discipline and spontaneity, I'll get there.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
The Philippines
In May of this year, I was lucky enough to travel to the Philippine Islands. My significant other's grandmother passed away, so she needed to be transported back to her homeland. She passed of old age in the beginning of May. Two weeks and a lot of stress later, I was on a 16-hour flight from San Francisco to the city of Manila in a country I knew relatively nothing about to pay homage to a woman I knew less about. But I was honored to say the least. My nerves would have gotten the best of me if I had not taken the recommended dosage of Dramamine-- I hate the idea of flying over an ocean, even more the idea of drowning. The longest flight I was on previous to this one was the hour and 15-minute flight from Sacramento to San Diego, so this was a stretch.
Our flight ran smoothly; I realized I love airplane food and the bathrooms weren't as scary as I imagined, I learned I wasn't going to get sucked down with the waste.
It was surreal landing in a new country and the immediate lack of familiarity was overwhelming. Stepping off the plane into what felt like a sauna with with wet air and beautiful jungle foliage was fascinating. My hair went into an immediate frizz-ball and the smell of exhaust filled my nose. Colorful "tricycles"and other public transportation vehicles called "Jeepneys" took up any and all roadspace, regardless of the lines that defined the lanes on the road. I was in the Philippines!
The first and second week of the trip were completely opposite. The first week was dedicated to honoring Grandma Eufrocina and praying daily for her safe passage to the afterlife. The ceremonies were beautiful and not only shared the respects of the family, but of all the people in the village of Antipolo. The night before her body was walked to the town's ceremony, the local band struck up music in celebration of her life and played in the village streets through the night while everyone, strangers and family alike ate and enjoyed each others' company. It was nothing like I'd ever seen before.
After that week's festivities, and after I got over a mean traveler's cold, the family took to shopping, sight seeing and more eating. One of the most amazing experiences in that second week was the family booking a 60 person bus (that barely fit family members) and taking a drive to the Subic Bay to spend a day on the beach. Yes, the water was clear and even though it rained, we were swimming in 90 degree weather. It was paradise.
To those considering visiting the Philippine Islands; the time there passes slowly, don't bring a jacket and be prepared to be culture shocked!
Overall, the trip was life-changing. Aside from new dresses, shoes, handbags and jewelry, I took home a new perspective of family values. And that's like that credit card commercial says, priceless.
Our flight ran smoothly; I realized I love airplane food and the bathrooms weren't as scary as I imagined, I learned I wasn't going to get sucked down with the waste.
It was surreal landing in a new country and the immediate lack of familiarity was overwhelming. Stepping off the plane into what felt like a sauna with with wet air and beautiful jungle foliage was fascinating. My hair went into an immediate frizz-ball and the smell of exhaust filled my nose. Colorful "tricycles"and other public transportation vehicles called "Jeepneys" took up any and all roadspace, regardless of the lines that defined the lanes on the road. I was in the Philippines!
The first and second week of the trip were completely opposite. The first week was dedicated to honoring Grandma Eufrocina and praying daily for her safe passage to the afterlife. The ceremonies were beautiful and not only shared the respects of the family, but of all the people in the village of Antipolo. The night before her body was walked to the town's ceremony, the local band struck up music in celebration of her life and played in the village streets through the night while everyone, strangers and family alike ate and enjoyed each others' company. It was nothing like I'd ever seen before.
After that week's festivities, and after I got over a mean traveler's cold, the family took to shopping, sight seeing and more eating. One of the most amazing experiences in that second week was the family booking a 60 person bus (that barely fit family members) and taking a drive to the Subic Bay to spend a day on the beach. Yes, the water was clear and even though it rained, we were swimming in 90 degree weather. It was paradise.
To those considering visiting the Philippine Islands; the time there passes slowly, don't bring a jacket and be prepared to be culture shocked!
Overall, the trip was life-changing. Aside from new dresses, shoes, handbags and jewelry, I took home a new perspective of family values. And that's like that credit card commercial says, priceless.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Le Paris Crepes: quick, filling and fairly priced
Walking through the CSUS Riveefront Cafe on a daily basis in search for an exciting place to eat is a challenge. There's the token sandwich spot, mom and pop ethnic cuisines and that random yogurt place who's sign looks like the Disney logo. What to choose... My default choice is normally Panda Express; I decided to go opposite of that... Le Paris Crepes!
It's in the farthest back corner of the riverfront, competing with burritos and Miyagi Sushi. Everytime I pass this place, there's no line or rapid movement behind the counter. Not the best of signs, but i decided to five it a whirl anyway.
After looking at the menu for quite some time, I decoded on a sweet and savory crepe. I ordered a ham, cheddar cheese and broccoli crepe, along with a plain crepe with butter, sugar and whipped creme.
I watched as the cook first made the Crepes; I'm sure it's one of those things that's way harder to do than it looks. The easy part came next, filling the wrapping, folding and serving.
I got my food in record time, although my order did not look as appealing as I imagined it would by the description on the menu. It looked like a folded tortilla on a plain paper plate. No color, no sauce, no nothin.
Either way, it was time to eat.
Cu
It's in the farthest back corner of the riverfront, competing with burritos and Miyagi Sushi. Everytime I pass this place, there's no line or rapid movement behind the counter. Not the best of signs, but i decided to five it a whirl anyway.
After looking at the menu for quite some time, I decoded on a sweet and savory crepe. I ordered a ham, cheddar cheese and broccoli crepe, along with a plain crepe with butter, sugar and whipped creme.
I watched as the cook first made the Crepes; I'm sure it's one of those things that's way harder to do than it looks. The easy part came next, filling the wrapping, folding and serving.
I got my food in record time, although my order did not look as appealing as I imagined it would by the description on the menu. It looked like a folded tortilla on a plain paper plate. No color, no sauce, no nothin.
Either way, it was time to eat.
Cu
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
"American Horror Story"
After flipping through the channels at one of my close friend's house until I made a full circle without finding anything appealing, I remembered Comcast's "On Demand" feature. What a life saver!
It being Halloween night, a particularly uneventful one, I was in the mood for something scary. After seeing a few previews of the show "American Horror Story", FX's second-season horror-drama, I was a little intrigued. Haunted house, sexy people and creepy neighbors. Why not?
What I knew going into the show is that FX has a tendency to cross the line of prime-time TV; uncommon four-letter words are put to use and adult scenes are a little more detailed, if you will. But with "American Horror Story", I was expecting first and foremost to be spooked.
It was an hour-long episode and despite that its viewing was meant for viewing last Wednesday, my friend and I grabbed snacks, hit the lights and pressed play.
The episode I watched was the season's pilot. It started out with a killing of two boys in the 1970s inside the typical, run-down, haunted house. It then jumped forward 40 years into present time when a family from across the country moves into the Los Angeles home expecting a new beginning. The family consists of Vivien, the mother who recently miscarried and is struggling to forgive her husband, Ben, who she caught cheating with one of his students. Their only daughter, Violet is a misfit teen who is bullied daily at her new school.
It being Halloween night, a particularly uneventful one, I was in the mood for something scary. After seeing a few previews of the show "American Horror Story", FX's second-season horror-drama, I was a little intrigued. Haunted house, sexy people and creepy neighbors. Why not?
What I knew going into the show is that FX has a tendency to cross the line of prime-time TV; uncommon four-letter words are put to use and adult scenes are a little more detailed, if you will. But with "American Horror Story", I was expecting first and foremost to be spooked.
It was an hour-long episode and despite that its viewing was meant for viewing last Wednesday, my friend and I grabbed snacks, hit the lights and pressed play.
The episode I watched was the season's pilot. It started out with a killing of two boys in the 1970s inside the typical, run-down, haunted house. It then jumped forward 40 years into present time when a family from across the country moves into the Los Angeles home expecting a new beginning. The family consists of Vivien, the mother who recently miscarried and is struggling to forgive her husband, Ben, who she caught cheating with one of his students. Their only daughter, Violet is a misfit teen who is bullied daily at her new school.
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