I think I should write these things down, so if ever someone wants advice about attending college I could tell them to:
1. Get involved on campus- clubs, organizations, Greek life, etc., whatever it may be I think it is possible to join these extracurricular activities without losing sight of who you are.
2. Work out- There's plenty of food to try on and around campus, but you should also remember to take care of yourself or that food will eat you!
3. Making sure your always on TRACK academically- Now that I'm about to graduate, I'm thinking, "I could have double-majored" or "I could have taken this class" or picked up another minor or a certificate. Looking back, I could have done more!
4. Research- It's embarrassing to say that I went to a 4-year research University and did not conduct a research project of my own!
5. Find a part time job- I will be graduating in debt. I should have been finding a job then accepting loans on my computer. Again, I found the easy way out, but now I literally have to pay back.
Even thought UC Irvine was not my first choice, I see the campus expanding and maturing for the better. I am happy that I attended, but if I could have done it all over again, I wish I would have applied to more schools and had visited them beforehand.
Thursday, 3 June 2010
1 day left of my undergraduate career...
I've been inspired by many people throughout my college career. I've listened closely and well to all my professors, T.A.s and friends I've met along the way. I rarely skipped class and never failed a class. I always turned in my work and never got less than a B- on assignments. I'm very proud of myself and I have every right to be. Four years have flown by and it was just yesterday I remember drinking under age in my Freshman dorm and throwing themed parties in my apartment. I could go on, but I want to concentrate on the adventures that lie ahead of me.
Although I reluctantly took a Grad School Preparation course during my last quarter at UCI, I am glad I did. I was surrounded by other students like me. To put it plain and simple many underrepresented and the first to attend college in their family. Today, people shared what they learned from the class. At first, I felt like I was in the same place that I had been when I entered the class at the beginning of the quarter. I was confused and uncertain about what I wanted to do, but after listening to what the other students had to say and hearing some encouraging words of advice from the instructors, I realized for the first time in my life that I will go to graduate school.
It was a moment of epiphany. When Professor Maestas mentioned his story about how he got to to graduate school, he also made us consider the benefits of having a graduate degree that far outweigh having a bachelors degree alone. Among these benefits were obvious ones like: longer lasting marriages, better health, overall job satisfaction, ability to travel leisurely, etc. This is when I began to imagine my life within the next 10 years. I often visualize my desired outcomes, long before I even begin working on those goals. I know that in the next 10 years, I want to be healthy and happy. I still want to travel and live young. I know for sure that I don't see any children of my own until I've found complete happiness within myself.
Life is not short, but long enough to do things you love and find even more things and people to love. I know that I want to attend graduate school, it's just that I have too many interests to explore at the moment. If I apply to graduate school now, I am certain that I will regret it later. I want to experience the world through work, art, food, and meeting new people. I am determined to carefully plan my future and plan it right. Even though I will be graduating next Friday, that doesn't mean I'm done with school. I am currently looking into classes I can take for fun at local community colleges, which include painting, Vietnamese, Asian-American, Chicano, and African-American Studies. These are basically classes that I didn't get the chance to take while at UCI. I am very excited to enjoy taking these classes and learn more about our world!
I know that graduate school is in my future, but its just a matter of when or where I'll be when I decide to go back. For now, I'm going to do the things I love and expose myself to the amazing and plentiful resources available in Southern California.
Although I reluctantly took a Grad School Preparation course during my last quarter at UCI, I am glad I did. I was surrounded by other students like me. To put it plain and simple many underrepresented and the first to attend college in their family. Today, people shared what they learned from the class. At first, I felt like I was in the same place that I had been when I entered the class at the beginning of the quarter. I was confused and uncertain about what I wanted to do, but after listening to what the other students had to say and hearing some encouraging words of advice from the instructors, I realized for the first time in my life that I will go to graduate school.
It was a moment of epiphany. When Professor Maestas mentioned his story about how he got to to graduate school, he also made us consider the benefits of having a graduate degree that far outweigh having a bachelors degree alone. Among these benefits were obvious ones like: longer lasting marriages, better health, overall job satisfaction, ability to travel leisurely, etc. This is when I began to imagine my life within the next 10 years. I often visualize my desired outcomes, long before I even begin working on those goals. I know that in the next 10 years, I want to be healthy and happy. I still want to travel and live young. I know for sure that I don't see any children of my own until I've found complete happiness within myself.
Life is not short, but long enough to do things you love and find even more things and people to love. I know that I want to attend graduate school, it's just that I have too many interests to explore at the moment. If I apply to graduate school now, I am certain that I will regret it later. I want to experience the world through work, art, food, and meeting new people. I am determined to carefully plan my future and plan it right. Even though I will be graduating next Friday, that doesn't mean I'm done with school. I am currently looking into classes I can take for fun at local community colleges, which include painting, Vietnamese, Asian-American, Chicano, and African-American Studies. These are basically classes that I didn't get the chance to take while at UCI. I am very excited to enjoy taking these classes and learn more about our world!
I know that graduate school is in my future, but its just a matter of when or where I'll be when I decide to go back. For now, I'm going to do the things I love and expose myself to the amazing and plentiful resources available in Southern California.
Friday, 26 June 2009
How to trust.
Gah. I've been having a difficult time getting past some baggage. It's just hard to trust someone you care a lot for when you are suspicious of things they do.
Wednesday, 22 April 2009
The best things in life start with DDs.
4/20/09 was a good day for me. Not because everyone smokes out, which was not what I did, but I had an interview with the Humanities Internship Program at 10:30 AM and by 4:00 PM I checked my e-mail and found out I got accepted into the program! Good news there. I spent the rest of the day with Ryan, going to lunch and prop shopping for a movie project that he is doing. After he left, I attempted to study for my Education 137 class. I reviewed my notes and filled out the study guide to the best of my ability. Decided to shower and go to bed at like 1ish? Can’t remember, but I know that I planned on waking up at 6:00 AM so that I could get ready and study more at the library. I got a Jamba Juice and arrived on campus before the library opened up at 7:30. I was able to get the book that I needed from the reserve desk and fill out the rest of my study guide. I felt confident and then I took my midterm at 9:30. I think I did well! ☺ I hung out at the computer lab and had Quiznos for lunch. Went to my Art History class, which lasted for what felt like forever! As soon as I got home I saw packages of the books I ordered and a box for the purse I ordered online! I was happy about the books but not so much for the purse. I packed my clothes and drove back to San Marcos.
The drive was nice. It was sunny and I got home safely. I saw the blue house on the corner. The one I live in or shall I say used to live in. There’s a For Sale sign on the front lawn. Every time I see the white sign, I feel empty. My parents can’t afford the mortgage anymore so we have to sell the house. No one was home except my bunny Churro. I texted my brother John and asked him where everyone was. He was out with my friends, but he didn’t know were my parents were. My mom’s car was parked in the front, but I didn’t bother to call her cell. I watched Bizarre Foods and fell asleep.
I woke up to Andrew Zimmerman in India and my left arm was hanging off the side of the couch. It was so dead asleep that I didn’t feel the numbness. Even when I used my right arm to bring my left arm on the couch, I could not feel my own fingers touch my arm. I had a pounding headache and I concluded that the lack of blood circulation caused my headache. Jessica came to pick me up for our GNO- Girl’s Night Out! We had to stop by Rubio’s where she forgot her wallet and phone earlier in the day and thank goodness it was still there! We went to Starbucks and I got some coffee because I thought it might help with my grogginess and headache.
The whole reason why I came back to San Marcos was for the Dan Deacon show at UCSD. We got to Hillcrest and picked up the reluctant Alanna from her house. I was convinced she was going to have a good time, whether she liked it or not. We went to campus and she was excited to show us around. We withdrew money from the ATMs and went to the Che Café to check at what time Dan Deacon was performing-11:45 PM. We headed to the Pub where Alanna and I got beers. Jessica doesn’t turn 21 until next month but she helped me with my pint. After we finished our “brewskies,” we went to the library to explore the 8th floor. Alanna had never been up there so we checked it out. It was a quiet study zone, but I don’t think we were so quiet...We left and took some random pictures with the Dr. Seuss statue outside the library. After that we walked around a bit to kill time and ten headed back to the Che around 11. Just in time. The crowd was much smaller than at UCI. We basically danced and bounced around the entire night. It was uber fun! I saw someone from UCI, what a coincidence, but I didn't say "hi" because I felt awkward doing so. Alanna really enjoyed herself and Jessica and I were glad. It was a great show.
The drove home was lovely. I enjoy spending time with my girlies. As soon as I got home, I hopped in the shower and decided to write about today. I don’t have a bed at my parent’s house anymore because it got moved to my sister’s. Despite the amazing things that have been happening to me, I am sad that the house is for sale. It sucks. I’m not embarrassed or ashamed, just really down about. But I have been trying to stay focused and surround myself around good company. I think it’s working! I’m going to sleep on the couch tonight. My brother is sleeping on the longer couch (like usual) even though he still has a bed. Its exactly 3:55 AM and I am still awake. Did I mention I had coffee and a part of a coffee cake for dinner? In addition to my beer of course. I think that’s why I’m awake too. I think I’m done so I’m going to sleep now. I just wanted my hair to dry a bit more. I think it’s fine now. Good night! Here’s some pictures of the night!
The drive was nice. It was sunny and I got home safely. I saw the blue house on the corner. The one I live in or shall I say used to live in. There’s a For Sale sign on the front lawn. Every time I see the white sign, I feel empty. My parents can’t afford the mortgage anymore so we have to sell the house. No one was home except my bunny Churro. I texted my brother John and asked him where everyone was. He was out with my friends, but he didn’t know were my parents were. My mom’s car was parked in the front, but I didn’t bother to call her cell. I watched Bizarre Foods and fell asleep.
I woke up to Andrew Zimmerman in India and my left arm was hanging off the side of the couch. It was so dead asleep that I didn’t feel the numbness. Even when I used my right arm to bring my left arm on the couch, I could not feel my own fingers touch my arm. I had a pounding headache and I concluded that the lack of blood circulation caused my headache. Jessica came to pick me up for our GNO- Girl’s Night Out! We had to stop by Rubio’s where she forgot her wallet and phone earlier in the day and thank goodness it was still there! We went to Starbucks and I got some coffee because I thought it might help with my grogginess and headache.
The whole reason why I came back to San Marcos was for the Dan Deacon show at UCSD. We got to Hillcrest and picked up the reluctant Alanna from her house. I was convinced she was going to have a good time, whether she liked it or not. We went to campus and she was excited to show us around. We withdrew money from the ATMs and went to the Che Café to check at what time Dan Deacon was performing-11:45 PM. We headed to the Pub where Alanna and I got beers. Jessica doesn’t turn 21 until next month but she helped me with my pint. After we finished our “brewskies,” we went to the library to explore the 8th floor. Alanna had never been up there so we checked it out. It was a quiet study zone, but I don’t think we were so quiet...We left and took some random pictures with the Dr. Seuss statue outside the library. After that we walked around a bit to kill time and ten headed back to the Che around 11. Just in time. The crowd was much smaller than at UCI. We basically danced and bounced around the entire night. It was uber fun! I saw someone from UCI, what a coincidence, but I didn't say "hi" because I felt awkward doing so. Alanna really enjoyed herself and Jessica and I were glad. It was a great show.
The drove home was lovely. I enjoy spending time with my girlies. As soon as I got home, I hopped in the shower and decided to write about today. I don’t have a bed at my parent’s house anymore because it got moved to my sister’s. Despite the amazing things that have been happening to me, I am sad that the house is for sale. It sucks. I’m not embarrassed or ashamed, just really down about. But I have been trying to stay focused and surround myself around good company. I think it’s working! I’m going to sleep on the couch tonight. My brother is sleeping on the longer couch (like usual) even though he still has a bed. Its exactly 3:55 AM and I am still awake. Did I mention I had coffee and a part of a coffee cake for dinner? In addition to my beer of course. I think that’s why I’m awake too. I think I’m done so I’m going to sleep now. I just wanted my hair to dry a bit more. I think it’s fine now. Good night! Here’s some pictures of the night!
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