sweetinquisitive's Xanga

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 06:19:13 GMT

Wow...Xanga has changed its look a lot since the last time I used it. Hm...how do I describe the way my life has been since the last time I xanga-ed? All I can say that there has been a lot of ups and downs.

If there is one thing I learned from the Olympics - watching Michael Phelps, Dara Torres, and the Women's Gymnastics Team - is that you got to make a lot of sacrifaces and put in a lot, a lot of hard work to get to your goal. The only word I can think of to describe these Olympians is motivated. Damn straight motivation and commitment. I am sure that there are days when that motivation wavers. It wavers for everyone, but the true test of strength is to just keep on going and plugging away.

I think it's also important to have a important concept of self...and that, as I am realizing, probably can only come from God.

Saturday, April 01, 2006

Sat, 01 Apr 2006 01:00:10 GMT

Random Fact of the Day:

"Concerned at the rise in obesity among children, the producers of "Sesame Street" have reduced the amount of cookis that the Cooke Monster will consume on air."

-Ecologist Magazine, June 2005

Hm...not quite the same level as SpongeBob being gay, but almost....

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Wed, 15 Mar 2006 21:53:58 GMT

Why is anything Oprah Winfrey so bureaucratic??? I mean I think her talk show is great and all the work she does is great, but it's so hard to actually talk to someone that works for her and can give me information. *ugh*

Saturday, February 04, 2006

Sat, 04 Feb 2006 02:52:49 GMT

I'm still at work. Technically, my last day was on Tuesday to coincide with the "end of January." It's been interesting to see the flux of different emotions that I've been feeling since leaving on Tuesday till now. On Wednesday, I woke up wanting to go back to work. My boss and I have this saying when we start missing each other. She told me over Christmas that she had "Maida" withdrawal. I, in turn, on Wednesday had a case of "Jen" withdrawal. Arianna (IV friend from SC) and I were on our way to an art gallery when she gives me a call around 2:00. She tells me that Jessica, the high school senior, that was working on graphics for the kids book was named "Cool Kid" of L.A. She nominated Jess sometime in September for the award. Now, ABCnews wants to do a story on her. I was definitely excited for her. She definitely deserves it after spending most of her summer working with us.

Anyway, after Arianna and I went to the art show, we were driving on Wilshire and passed by the Variety building. Justin Chang, another USC/TCF alum and friend works there, so we thought to stop by and surprise him. Our visit was cut short as he was working against a deadline, but he told me another interesting bit of news. Emili Reis had seen/heard of a PR/ marketing internship posting I put online through Annenberg. I had only seen and met Emili on a few occasions, but knew who she was. Justin said she seemed really interested in it and would tell her that I bumped into him. I eventually tracked down Emili's number through the TCF website and gave her a call. We're set to meet up sometime next week.

It's funny how those type of things work out. Even though I struggle a lot with my faith, it was one of those bigger picture moments when it's like God's cool!!! I remember Rob (my other co-worker who has since left the company) and I working so hard to find ways to promote the company, sending out press releases, tracking down librarians and features editors, and out of nowhere comes ABCnews wanting to do a story on Jessica. It was one of those moments when that reminded me that I needed to rely on God more than rely on myself. It also reminded me to be more humble. Hearing the news about Emili also was a big picture moment. Emili evidently heard about the internship through a friend that is in Annenberg and receives those daily job lists that they send out. I wasn't really planning on hearing that anyone from SC, let alone someone I know as an aquaintance be interested in interning with our company. It's cool though. That coincidence definitely wasn't my doing, but of some "higher power" out there.

So anyway, I was feeling pretty pumped up on Thursday. I was definitely thinking about returning to work full time. Non-profit work is usually touted as a job that requires a lot of work with little in return. I was definitely feeling worn out from the amount of energy I put into work, in all the events, in all the long hours. But then when you hear great news or have funny coincidences, it just makes it worthwhile.

And then there is today, Friday. I came back to work on the website, but ended up going between working on the website and the expenses. I was then reminded why I had thought about leaving again. I had worked on both companies' expenses during the holidays. After spending a good month on them, I was ready to leave. My cohort, Yoshi, and I were given the responsibility to figure out a year-end budget. Needless to say, with having no experience in accounting, working on such a task became frustrating fast. I've played a lot of different roles in the company.

So now, I'm just tired and wondering what my next role should be. If I were to come back, I definitely don't want to be given the position of being business manager, and I would want to wear less "hats" in the company, so to speak. We'll see where I am in a month.

Sunday, January 29, 2006

Sun, 29 Jan 2006 05:11:58 GMT

Xin nian kuai lei!!! Sun nin fai luo!! Happy Chinese New Year

Saturday, December 10, 2005

Sat, 10 Dec 2005 01:15:19 GMT

I've never understood the concept of road rage. Still don't. But had my first experience with it today. I was at my second work event today, just hanging out with everyone. I was over at 1st Ave in Arcadia (the unsucessful downtown area of Arcadia). When it was time to leave, I helped load up my boss's car with all the stuff that we brought. One of the students decided to go to the cross walk to get back to the coffee house. I decided to just run across the street. Anyway, I see some cars, but only started darting when I don't see any cars coming from the opposite side of the street. Unfortunately there was one. Luckily I stopped and she stopped before anything was happened. After she passes, I continue my trek to the other side of the street only to hear cars honking. I look around to see what the commotion was about and the women who stopped apparently stops her car in the middle of traffic, gets out her car, and starts yelling at me. She's like "What the hell were you thinking?!" I simply say I'm sorry, still shocked and surprised that this women is so mad that she stops her car to yell at me. There was a part of me that wanted to say something smart like, "Gee, I thought it would be fun to get myself run over by a car," since that was what she was insinuating, but I didn't. It probably would have made her more pissed off than she already was.

Long story short, I didn't see the car coming. Granted I should have probably looked a little bit longer or even walked back to the cross street, but I didn't. If I could change the situation, I would. It was a stupid move on my part where my absent-mindedness kicked in.

I still can't believe she got out of her car. Most of the time when someone cuts in front of me, or someone suddenly walks across the street that I don't see, I put on my brakes and hope nothing happens. If nothing happens, I simply continue my drive. If I think the person who cut me off or walked across the street was really stupid and rude, I simply honk my horn just to give him the warning to be more careful next time. There is no point to start yelling or even start cutting the other person off. I seriously doubt that anyone who jay-walks or cuts another person off does it with the intention that they want to get themselves in an accident. If they do, then that's being stupid.

Sunday, November 27, 2005

Sun, 27 Nov 2005 00:35:25 GMT

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Mine started off with a bumpy start. Got into an argument with the parentals, after which I vented to Mailin my frustration of living at home with them. Before Mailin moved back home, she didn't really understand why we did not get along. Now that she's back, she understands.

I was complaining to her that I wanted to take some time to think about what I was thankful for, being that it was Thanksgiving and that our seconds cousins who are 9 and 6 would be coming over for dinner. There was a chance that they would ask me what I was thankful for. But because I was all worked up after getting into an argument with my parents, my mind just wouldn't go into the "thankful" territory. Anyway, something really cool happened later that day. When my mom came home after going out to buy some food, Mailin talked to them about the argument we had. Essentially, it went in the direction that we didn't appreciate it when they treated us like kids and ordered us to do things for them. Her talk with my mom proved futile, but it was still cool that she stood up for me. There are definitely days when we don't get along, argue over the most stupid things ever, and act more like enemies than friends. But then there are other days when we get along and she totally steps up as a sister. So, in the end, as much as we don't always get along, I'm still grateful to have my twin sister.

For dinner, my cousins and aunts and uncles from my dad's side of the family came over. It was pretty fun. My cousin was trying to help get my contacts on (yes, I finally got them). Throughout the whole night, I was trying to figure out if my second cousin, who is 9, if she would be interested in taking writing lessons at the company I work for now. Originally, I thought her mom (who is my cousin) would be asking me questions about what I was doing now that I graduated from college. That way I could segway into my job and talk about how its a writing/publishing center for kids. And then she would be super excited about that and want to sign her daughter up. Well, anyway, it didn't go exactly how it was planned. My cousin never asked me what I have been doing since graduation. I asked my second cousin one question about her interest in writing before she started talking about neopets (she even set Mailin up with one). So essentially, the conversation I thought was going to happen didn't happen. Finally the kids wanted to play cards and watch TV. My cousin, her kids, Mailin, my other cousin, and me moved into the living room to watch Aladdin. I had left the copies of the books we published on the coffee table. I wasn't expecting my second cousin to notice anything, but she saw the title "How to Cook with a Pencil" and read it out loud. She asked me what it was about and I told her that it was the book I told her about. "How to Cook with a Pencil" is a collection of stories written by kids ages 9-13 for kids that my company published. Anyway, she recognized the name of the one of the authors, got excited, and told her mom that one of them used to be in her class last year. Then, her mom started asking me questions about my job. At the end of the night, she wanted me to hook her up.

I am super excited that it work out the way it did. I've been telling the PR guy at work that our biggest PR asset has always been the kids and their parents. As much as we can promote the company, it's been the personal experience of the parents and kids that always attracts people to the company. Without the parents' or kids' endorsements, the company just wouldn't be the same. I'm super excited to tell Jennifer, my boss, about what happened. Not only does it prove my point of the kids and parents being our biggest PR asset, but it means that another family (hopefully, my cousin's family ) will be joining our program.

And I guess that's another thing that I'm grateful for. I'm grateful to have the job that I have now. It literally fell on my lap the week after graduation. She knew some of my work experience, but never saw my resume. She thought of it as one of those deals where we could help each other out. She was starting a new company and needed an assistant. I just graduated from college. I really wasn't looking for a job at the time since I had already plan on interning with Actualiy Production. Under the encouragement of Mailin and feeling that it was a great opportunity to learn what it means to serve people, I took the job. I remember Mailin telling me to take ths opportunity since I would probably never be offered a job where the employer didn't even look at my resume. We've definitely have had some problems, and there are days when working for her is difficult, but I wouldn't trade working for her for anything. From a work perspective, I don't think I ever worked so hard for anybody. I never thought I would see her again after December 2000. Who would have thought that seeing her in January 2002 would have resulted in this.

Thursday, October 13, 2005

Thu, 13 Oct 2005 01:36:25 GMT

adding to the list of random facts about me, here's one that I think will surprise most of you.

21.) I got an iPod for Christmas, yet still haven't used it or downloaded any music for it.

Saturday, October 08, 2005

Sat, 08 Oct 2005 01:30:30 GMT

Your Birthdate: June 23

With a birthday on the 23rd of the month (5 energy) you are inclined to work well with people and enjoy them.

You are talented and versatile, very good at presenting ideas.

You may have a tendency to get itchy feet at times and need change and travel.

You tend to be very progressive, imaginative and adaptable.

Your mind is quick, clever and analytical.

A restlessness in your nature may make you a bit impatient and easily bored with routine.

You may have a tendency to shirk responsibility.

Very sociable, you make friends easily and you are an excellent traveling companion.

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Friday, October 07, 2005

Fri, 07 Oct 2005 05:56:55 GMT

ok...since Mailin tagged me, I guess I have to participate.

write 20 random facts about myself, and tag the same number of people it takes me to write this in minutes.

1. I'm AIMing Eusibeus as I type this.

2. I bought my own labtop, that used to be Maisie's labtop, for $300.

3. I think my labtop purchase was one the best deals I have gotten when it comes to buying computer stuff.

4. I never had any pets besides koi fish that were later eaten by raccoons.

5. Even though i never had any pets, I still like playing with dogs and cats and think they are so cute.

6. I went to USC today, which coincidentally also happened to be its 125 birthday.

7. I like hanging out with teachers. One of my really good friends is now a kindergarten teacher, and I still keep in touch with my first grade teacher (some of you who suscribe to my xanga know who she is)

8. Maisie thinks that I have "groupie" behavior. Considering she is my older sister, she might be right.

9. I used to really like Celine Dion. I'm ok with her now, but it's definitely nowhere near the obsession that I used to have with her.

10. I am a Masterdog.

11. What else...i do have twin sister, who I found out was mistaken as me by my former roommate this past weekend.

12. On the note of teachers, I actually got my current job from my former teacher, too.

13. As much as my internship at Days did not work out the way I planned, I still keep up with the show.

14. My age range this summer has expanded. Before I got my haircut, the mailman thought I was 13. After I got my haircut, Aliza, who was one of the AP's at Actuality Productions thought I looked 25.

15. I miss Aliza, who was one of the AP's I worked closely with at Actuality Productions, and Renee, Wendy, and Denise from Days.

16. I'm not the type of person that can hate people. I can not like people, but even getting me to sincerely not like someone is pretty hard.

17. I doubt myself too many times on what I am able to do and sometimes don't think I am lovable as a person.

18. According to Jennifer, who is my boss and former teacher, I get flustered easily.

19. I am an ISFP, but I forget at the moment what the "P"stands for.

20. I'm definitely lazy sometimes. I need to get the ball rolling on keeping in touch with the folks at Actuality Productions, Days (specifically the 3 names that I mentioned), and get my pictures printed from graduation, New York, and Disneyland.

there done...as who to tag next, anyone who suscribes to my xanga.