Graduation 2012 On The Way

Five months away and I will finally graduate from San Francisco State University. Four years of struggling and being on academic probation I am finally at the stage where I could say that I will be done with SFSU.

Fall 2012 was amazing. I took four classes and the best class that I have ever taken at San Francisco State University would be AAS 352 Filipina/o American Literature, Art, and Culture. I finally took a class taught by an awesome professor, Allyson Tintiangco-Cubales.

I was hesitating of taking the class. I hate taking afternoon classes which tend to be long and boring but this class was interesting. It was helped out by awesome instructor aides. They were very helpful on giving great feedbacks to the students. What was also great was given chances (re-writes, ideas).

I learn how to be a better poem writer and performing in front of people. It made me a better person and I want to continue speaking and writing poetry.

Here what I am going to miss about the class, the people that were in it. It was until the end that I got to know them. We pulled a great show at Longfellow Elementary. It took a lot of effort to make sure that the show went great. I will admit that I was afraid that it would be a disaster but it turn out great.

If I was to rate this class I would give it an A+ with four stars and two thumbs up. I would love to have people take this class. I learn plenty of different lecture involving Filipinos through art and literature. People should take this class. It is worth taking.

I am trying to stay positive and not worry about anything. I just need to stay on tracks with my studies and pay attention what is mention in class. 

I Am Still Around

Being 32 has gotten tougher for me. I realize that I need to go out in public and meet more people. I am lacking on people skill. I really do not know how to approach people when I see them on the street. Do I just say hi to them or do I try to make a conversation with them?

I am half way done with the semester. I am doing well in my classes. I just need to do the reading and do the assignment ahead of time, not one day before it is due. I should take full advantage of the extra credit, if only it fit around my schedule.

I got the Susan Dean Scholarship. It was not much money that I receive (only $214). I was surprise that I was one of fourteen candidates to get it. At least the amount that I receive will pay for books.

32

It has been awhile since I posted up a blog on here. I have been very busy with San Francisco State University. I did not expect the semester to be crazy. It is a lot of assignments and readings I have to do for class. I am keeping up the assignments that are due in class. I want to keep up my grades and not fall behind. It is my road to graduation 2013.

Here is the good news I could mention. I am one of the recipients for the Susan Dean Scholarship. It was an easy process to apply and I am lucky that I got it. For the first time for applying for anything at San Francisco State University and I got lucky. The scholarship won’t cover everything but it will deduct something for my class the following semester.

I miss helping out with Manilatown Center. It was a great experience doing their photography. Sam’s Club and San Francisco State University is taking me away from the place I enjoy helping out. Matthew needs my help badly. He appreciate the help that I am giving to the center. I am trying my best not to miss any good events that the center will be having.

I will be turning 32 on Sunday. Do I feel old? YES! I am in a turning point where I need to accomplish more. I still want to graduate from San Francisco State University with a Bachelor of Arts. I am also debating if it is worth going for a Master degree. There is a lot for me to accomplish. As of now I am the best photographer out there, a great friend, and a hardworker but I need to do more to become the best. I am not complaining of being single. There are more for me to do that needs to be done that I could say I am finish. 

Challenges Ahead

First day of class turn out to be a good day for me. I will admit it turn out to be easy and fun. I enjoy the professors that I have this semester.

This semester will be challenging. I am taking four courses with excellent professors who are dedicated. The hard part will be staying focus. I lack in staying focus on my studies which can lead to my downfall in passing. It just that I work five days a week, commute from one location to another in the same day, and making sure that I can be there to help a friend out (yes I still am involve with Manilatown Center). One of my classes I have to finish one book within a week which I am barely close on finishing and what is worse is that I have to perform a skit from an assign reading from the book.

I do miss taking Eric Pido’s class. I enjoy taking his class last semester (Spring 2012). He is one great professor that I enjoy taking at SFSU. I found out that he has four people from my class that are instructor aides. I have to admit I am jealous that I am not involve but also proud that those four are helping Eric out.

The road to Graduation 2013 begins and there is no stopping me now.

Tuesday August 28 Begins

I am so totally ready to begin the Fall Semester at San Francisco State University. It is the road to graduation 2013. Four years in the making and I want to make it through the end.

I am focus to make it all the way? I am not exactly ready yet to put my attention with my studies. I need to take care of small business with my job before I can put a lot of concentration with SFSU. Wish me luck on succeeding.

MacBook Pro

On August 12^th I bought a MacBook Pro at Best Buy. I got it on sale, which it is good since I had $55 worth of gift cards. I love my new computer. It has USB 3.0 and a SDXC reader.

It was time to get a new MacBook since my other one cannot support Mountain Lion. My MacBook still works but I needed one with a card reader install.  

I’ll still be using my other MacBook (I got it on October 2008). Now I can say that I am Mac user. 

Time To Move onto Better Things

I been looking at my resume and it has not been updated. The last time I work on my resume was 2009 (it had my listed as a jewelry associate at Sam’s Club which now I am in Photo). My friend help me revise my resume last time. We had copies of examples of resumes and a book showing how to create one.

If I revise my resume now I will be having a hard time how to put down my volunteer service with Manilatown Heritage (I am not sure where to put them down as). I have done a lot of good work with them. I was they photographer for the events that they have.

I want to turn in my resume to professional places in San Francisco. Hopefully my resume is great for these places to look at them.

We Won't Move Even If It Is 35 Years Later

The 35^th Anniversary of the I-Hotel Eviction was good. I actually stay there until midnight (they ended at midnight due to people leaving and not staying).I took 480 photos. I chose 210 photos which I thought were good. It was a pain to look at all of them and deciding which one was the best ones. It was difficult editing them and putting watermarks on them. I enjoy attending the event. It bought a few competitions (I had to deal with a video crew just to get a nice shot).

Out of all the events that I attended at Manilatown the 35^th Anniversary was the best one. I enjoy attending the I Shine You Shine, We Won’t Move Opening Reception, and Tribute to Filipino American Trade Unionist but this one turn out great. A lot of people attended this event. With so many people that attended it was hard to find room to stand or sit.

My summer is about to end. It was nice helping out with Manilatown while it lasted. It made me a better photographer for taking pictures of the events that I attended. I am ready to start another chapter in my life when I start the road to graduation. I want to still help out with Manilatown but with four classes that I am taking and working at the same time it may be harder to do it. We’ll see where the road takes us.

Ready For The Big One

I am counting down the day until the 35^th Anniversary of the I-Hotel eviction. I am thankful that I am going to be involved with the historical event. I knew for a fact that I wanted to do it ever since I heard that Manilatown was going to do something big. Now it is my chance to prove myself how good I am.

The 35^th Anniversary is going from 6pm Friday until 2am on Saturday. I have been debating how long I will stay. Not to become a party pooper when I stay at a party it starts to die down and people leave. I want to be kept entertain. If I don’t stay entertain I fall asleep and the event becomes boring. The events that I gone to they tend to slow down and become boring. I want to stay the longest that I can do. I do not want to become bored and leave before the event ends. I’ll try my best to stay awake, not afraid, and deal with it.

I am debating which DSLR camera I will be using for the event. I have used both Canon EOS Rebel XTi and Nikon D60. The outcomes of the photos turn out excellent. The only problem with my Nikon is the external flash. It takes forever to shoot on manual mode compare to my Canon. A lot of people who seen the results on both camera prefer the Nikon. I like how my Nikon works but also my Canon does a good job. The Canon was the first DSLR I got then six months later I got my Nikon. I spend a lot of money on getting the external flash and lenses for the camera. I’ll admit I bring both cameras to see the results. I might as well use both during the event but I rather use one just to save my arms and neck.

I am still involved with entering my photos into Costco International Photo Contest. I am looking at the photos that I want to use to enter the contest. I can only enter one photo. Debating which photo is the best is hard. All of my photos are good. It is knowing which photo I want to enter is the hard part. I want to give it my best shot and hopefully that shot will win.

Counting Down The Days

I start the Fall Semester at San Francisco State on August 28. I am on campus Tuesday and Thursday. I only have two classes register. I plan to get four classes this semester. I worry about not getting all my classes. My final registration is on August 2. Most of the classes that I want to register for are full and I am going to be on the waitlist. Sometime I am first on the waitlist, which does mean I get the class.

My summer is going good with the volunteer service that I been doing at Manilatown Center. It is amazing how many of my photos have been posted up. I am counting down the day until the 35^th Anniversary Commemoration of the I-Hotel eviction. I am going to be a part of history. I hope I get a good picture of the event.

I am counting the days until I turn 32. I have been debating if I want to do something big on my birthday. All I got planned is to celebrate it in the city but I have no idea what to do yet. I got two months away until that day happen. When I turn 30 I celebrate it in the city by walking across the Golden Gate Bridge and spending it in Pier 39. It was fun and I want to plan something bigger. 

I Am Ready!

I am going to be busy for two Saturday straight on July. I will be attending Labor Fest (Tribute to Filipino American Trade Unionists) on July 14 and We Won’t Move Panel Discussion on July 21. Both are being held at the Manilatown Center. Good point is that I am in San Francisco, which the bad part is the traffic getting there.

I love being a photographer for Manilatown Center. It keeps me busy and I really want to get my name out in the public. My photos are posted on their Facebook and the video that I create is also on their YouTube page.

Manilatown Heritage is planning very hard to promote the 35^th Anniversary of the I-Hotel eviction on August 3. The plan is to hold a vigil, open mic, reenactment of the event that occur on August 4, 1977. The event is being held on August 3 from 8pm until 2am. They really want to go all the way until 8am on August 4.  They want to get news media involve with the celebration. I already put my name down to attend the event (who else will be photographing the event?). 

Summer Time

My summer vacation away from San Francisco State University has been alright. I finally get the well deserve rest that I needed to take. I don’t have to wake up 5:30am and hit traffic in the morning. I can sleep in and not worry about being late.

I am still at Sam’s Club. I have not been getting much hours but I do not know. I really need to focus on other priority. I want the others that I work with to do the work. I feel like I am doing a lot of the work and I don’t feel like I am allowing others to do it. I am very dedicated on what I do. I go the extra mile to do a very great job. I want to step down on the hard work that I do and allow the others to break a sweat.

Volunteering at the I-Hotel Manilaltown Center has been going good. I attended the event We Won’t Move! last Saturday. A lot of people show up for the event. I got to meet Ira Nowinski, the photographer of I-Hotel: We Won’t Move! and Mayor of Oakland Jean Quan. The pictures that I have been taking are coming out good. All of my photos are posted on the Manilatown Facebook page and on YouTube.

4^th of July was alright. I was at Sam’s Club working. Afterward I just ate at BJ’s Brewhouse Restaurant and went home. I don’t celebrate 4^th of July as I use to. I just find holiday just the same as any other day.

I been preparing for the Costco International Photo Contest. I have been looking through the photos that I have taken. The photos are good but I don’t know which ones are my best shot. I want to be careful on the picture that I turn in. I am only allowed one photo. It is too bad I cannot submit plenty of my photos. All of my photos are my best shot.

More blog from me next Friday. 

Moving On

I decided to write about two different blogs but into one entry


We Won't Move!

Saturday June 30 will be the opening reception of I-Hotel: We Won't Move. Of course I will be there to do the photography. I have declared myself as the unofficial photographer for the I-Hotel Manilatown Center. Ever since the Spring Semester was over I been helping out with Manilatown taking pictures and posting them up on Facebook. I do have a lot of time to spare to help them out. I am not getting much hours at Sam's Club so I should be using the time off to help Matthew and Manilatown out. Before the event begins at 3 I will be help setting up for the event. I presume that there will be a projector, table for the panel speaker, and refreshment. Hopefully there will be a lot of people attending. I know for a fact that Eric Pido (SFSU Professor) will be attending.

Advocate of the Past

I bump into an old colleague from my past. Paul Debolt (Contra Costa College instructor) stop by Sam's Club a few weeks ago. He was surprise to see me after ten years. I was involved with his journalism program, the Advocate from August 1999 through May 2002. I will admit that I did not enjoy my stay with them. It was the painful three year experience that I have (to this day I still do not know why I stay with a group of people that were making me feel bad). The people that I was involve with were the worse people to be associate with. These people were very stuck up. We were all young and thinking that we were all that. I will admit that I was the lone wolf in the Advocate. I was just a person that knew reality compare to having a big ego.

There were some people that I got along with (Glen Massey and Charles McFerran). Those two were the only people that I could talk with. The others were just over their head thinking that they were the best. Now where are these people are at now with their lives they are not doing journalism anymore. Some are still doing what they are passionate about (Marc Carig is the only person I know that did succeed in journalism). I'll admit I change major once I got into San Francisco State University. There are other things I can do with photography that does not involve journalism.

After seeing Paul I have been debating to check out the old room in Contra Costa College. Maybe it is time to let the past go and accept forgiveness. It was not Paul fault that I had a bad experience with the Advocate. I just hope if I do decide to stop by I can tell the new faces of the Advocate to stay positive.  

The New Face Of Manilatown???

Saturday June 30 The International Hotel Manilatown Center is going to unveil the exhibition, I-Hotel: We Won't Move! It will show photos never seen before by Ira Nowinski. He took photos of the eviction from August 1977.

Can I complete with a photographer like Ira Nowinski? Don't get me wrong. I have been helping out with the center by being their photographer for the events that were held. I was there for the “Fil-Grad Benefit”, “I Shine, You Shine”, and “Beginner DJ Turntable Workshop”. I am spending my summer vacation helping them out even though I do not need to volunteer for a class. I am volunteering for myself an I am trying to help them out with preparation for the 35^th Anniversary of the eviction.I even took two days off from Sam's Club On August 3 and August 4 to help them out for the vigil.

 

I want to be the new face for Manilatown Center. I been begging Matthew Lew to have my name posted on their website. I am volunteering every week helping him out.

One of these days my photos will be display at the center. I just have to work really hard and do a lot of photographs. I want to be remember as a big help and dedication for the place.

Two Digital SLR, More Job Opportunity

I own two digital SLR cameras. I have a Canon EOS Digital XTi and a Nikon D60. I got my Canon in October 2007 and six month later (April 2008) I got my Nikon. I love using both cameras. I notice the picture from the Nikon come out great. I use my Nikon more than my Canon. I still bring both of them with me where ever I go. I know it is heavy to carry both but I want to see the results from both cameras.

Both of my cameras have been getting recognize. I been using them during events at Manilatown Heritage Foundation, California Academy of Science, De Young Museum, Golden Gate Park, Ocean Beach, Golden Gate Bridge, Pier 39, San Francisco Zoo, and Oakland Zoo. The pictures are posted right away on Facebook and it is getting notice by people. I want to be recognize and people to know who I am.

As of late I am tempted to buy a new camera. I am looking at both the Canon EOS T3i and Nikon D5100. I love how the LCD screen swirl when you don’t want to see the screen. The reason why I am tempted to buy it is because both cameras can do 1080p HD video. I am tempted to do videos and these cameras can do it. I wish I had the money to afford it. If I do win the lottery then I will buy both of them.

I love helping Manilatown Heritage Foundation a lot by taking pictures during events. Hopefully they are willing me to help me out by recommending me to other places. I need to get my name out to places and the best way to do so is having Manilatown Heritage mention me to companies that they are associated with. Matthew appreciate the help that I am doing with the organization. I appreciate being a big help with them. I can’t wait for August 3 and August 4 for the 35 anniversary of the eviction of the original International Hotel. I am not sure if I can do an all nighter but I will be at the celebration.

Summer Summer Summer

It has been a month since the Spring Semester at San Francisco State University ended. I have been going through a month withdrawal not being in class on Monday and Wednesday. Eric Pido touch us all with his excellent class. I miss being in his class lecturing about the Philippines and America. He was a great AAS professor that I have taken. He was layback and wasn’t too strict like the other professors that I have taken. He made students feel comfortable speaking up and ask them how their weekend was. I like how he was young and was one of us (a struggling Asian finding his identity). I feel comfortable taking his class and I was not afraid to speak even though I had nothing to say. There will be no other professors like him. It will be hard to accept that I cannot repeat history.

It sucks that my one summer class at San Francisco State got cancelled. I really needed that course because I do not want to take five classes during the Fall or Spring Semester. Now I need to kick all both semester in order for me to graduate in May 2013. My mission is to finish and succeed into better things in life.

Since I did not have an alternative summer plan I just been relaxing. I still volunteer at the International Hotel Manilatown Heritage Center. I cannot stop helping the place out. Matthew and Ryan appreciate the big help that I doing by taking pictures and attending the events that are being held (I enjoy helping them out). It is too bad they did not offer me a position. I would have taken the opportunity to work with a great organization. People need to be aware that the place existed and that is dedicated to the Filipinos.

I am still working at Sam’s Club. I am getting less hours which is OK with me. I want others that I work with do the hard work. Don’t get me wrong but I am way too dedicated at my job. I feel like I am not allowing anyone take my spotlight. I did a lot at Sam’s Club and I do want others to have a fair chance to do the hard work.

I still got two months left until the Fall Semester begins. Hopefully my summer is good and I have a fun time. We’ll see how this summer ends.

Best Professor

It has been a while since I posted a blog. I been pretty swamp after finals was over. It was just hard to decide what to write about. I decided to write about Eric Pido.

I took his AAS 355 course in the spring semester. He was an awesome professor that I took at SFSU. He made the students feel comfortable in class. He was open to tell students about what he did over the weekend. He allowed students to tell how their weekend went. For a guy that only taught for two semesters he was amazing. I would tell students to take his class because he was amazing.

I don’t have much information about him. I just thought I would dedicate this blog to him. If I had more info on him I would write more. It just hard what to say about him. Sorry.