I am a self-proclaimed Disney freak. I love all things Disney-related (or most of it) and I know a lot about it (again, most of it). My most non-embarrassing but should be moments are when I dominate Scene It! against my brothers and sisters, all of whom are younger than I am. I also get really excited about new Disney movies.
The biggest part of Disney that I geek out about is, of course, Disneyland. It is my favorite place in the world, and it is my dream to get married there- or at least somewhere affiliated with it. I know both parks like the back of my hand. For example, when I was training for a position at Disneyland (every Disney freak’s dream job), my trainer asked me where Space Mountain, Small World, and Big Thunder Mountain were. I pointed all the rides in the exact direction that they were. Mind you, we were “backstage” behind the hat store in Main Street (that’s next to the building where the animatronic President Lincoln speaks- right hand side of the tunnels into Disneyland). I also was the go-to girl for where everything was, from the funnel cake eatery (Frontier Land, next to Golden Horseshoe) to Gadget’s Go Coaster (Toon Town- the back of Disneyland- next to Chip and Dales’ Treehouse).
Get me into California Adventure, and it’s a different story. Everything is changing there, and I cannot wait to see it all. It is a big PR challenge, and, again, I cannot wait to see what they do to promote it.
In case you were wondering, my favorites are “The Little Mermaid,” Cruella DeVille (Villain), Ariel (Princess), Peter Pan, and The Haunted Mansion (Ride).
This Friday, I am turning 23. Nothing special. Though I did feel that I should throw a party- which I am. Problem is, however, is that I feel super selfish for thinking of myself on a day like Veterans Day.
When I was younger, I used to think that November 11th was the greatest day ever- behind Christmas, of course. Every year, I would have a day off from school on my birthday, and I would relish in it. Most of the time, I would spend the day off with my aunt and cousins at Disneyland. To me, November 11th would be the best day ever.
Now that I am older, I know why I have Veterans Day off every year. When I was a kid, my vanity told me that it was because it was my birthday, and the whole country had to celebrate. Well, not really, but along those lines.
Today I know that Veterans Day has a higher meaning than celebrating my birthday.It is the day we honor the veterans of war, the POWs, MIAs, soldiers in action, reservists, and retirees. We honor them for the sacrifices they have made for their country- life and limb.
Though I am still having the birthday party and having a day of my own-selfishness aside- I would like to ask everyone to honor the vets that they know or see by remembering what they have done or are doing for their country. They remain selfless while we rejoice in having a day off from school or work.
I really appreciate your blog about your experience and feelings about punk rock. there is such a huge misconception about punk that needs to be addressed. I am a big punk fan too (so jealous you saw Misfits, by the way), and people need to understand what started it, and the DIY spirit that thrives in it. My favorite band is Social Distortion, and the documentary really encapsulated the DIY movement when they began. It’s not about loud, brash music, but it’s about letting your feelings drive you and your music, and doing it yourself. Slamming (now called “moshing”) was all about that- just letting yourself go. Now a lot of people think it’s about hitting everyone else and giving them bruises- though that can happen. The punk rock culture is pretty awesome.
11/3/11 3:47 p.m.
I finally saw my favorite punk rock band, the Misfits on halloween night. As a child I really thought the music was scary, and too “loud”. I didn’t understand what punk rock was about. But, the older I got the more I appreciated what punk rock music did for American culture….
There is another passion that I wish to share with everyone. I love everything books. I love to read, write, and buy new books- the new book smell is great.
Currently, I have been reading period novels. My favorite author is Philippa Gregory, who is the author of The Other Boleyn Girl (the movie adaptation starred Eric Bana, Natalie Portman, and Scarlett Johansson), and also writes historical fiction about woman in feudal England. If anyone wants to be introduced to Gregory’s works, I reccommend starting with The Boleyn Inheritance trilogy.
I also write novels. Thing is, I have not been able to write lately. I have been so focused on school and advancing my resume that I have not taken the time to continue writing.
My first novel was born in my tenth grade year of high school. My teacher gave the class a page from a magazine that had an advertisement on it and told us all to write a short story about it. I took it home and penned three pages- rather than the one she required. I could not stop, and I was forced to put a “to be continued” at the end of it.The writing monster started a fire in me that could never be put out. Since then, I completed the short story, and it is now being rewritten- my entire work was lost three years ago. I will not quit.
I encourage everyone I can to read or write- whether is be poems, books, blogs, or short stories. It is such a beautiful thing- relieving in a way- and for me, it lets me wash away any feelings I do not want to experience. Opening a book or writing a new part of a story takes me away to another place and lose myself in the world of the character.
My original idea was to cover the controversy that was the movement of the “Now, Then, and Always” art exhibit. The Poly Post, however, printed their two stories about it before I could submit my assignment, so I changed it to a piece about the reactions of three different students.
My biggest issue was trying not to copy or reiterate what the Post had said. I did not want to make it as if I was plagiarizing, so I had to be careful. I had also wanted to find someone who was opposed to or offended by the exhibit, but, honestly, my time management skills suck, and I ran out of time. I did, however, find someone who was indifferent about the whole ordeal, and had a very different opinion than what I thought. My sources came to an openly gay student, an ally, and someone who neither supported nor condemned the LGBTQIA movement.
As for myself, when I went to go see the exhibit for myself, I was really interested in what I saw. I was moved by some of the artwork. For example, there is a piece that shows an unconscious male with the word “Fag” displayed on his shirt, and the work was titled something along the lines of “Any Day Not Ending in ‘-day.’” It really puts out the issue of bullying and the persecution of open LGBTQIA people.
I have friends and family members who are openly gay, and I could only imagine what kind of pain they have gone through or are going through. This exhibit really helps those who are not familiar with the ongoing issues to somewhat comprehend what goes on in the LGBTQIA community.
While my college days dwindle down to a close, I have had a look back at everything I have and have not accomplished while I was a student. Some of those things I never expected to happen, while others I wished could have happened. One of those things that I am most proud of is that I have discovered my love for all things music.
Now, I do not love everything music, but most of it. My favorites are Elvis Presley, Social Distortion, and all things alternative rock. I love to go to dive bars and see local bands, but not to big venues. I really developed a dislike for hip-hop/rap (what do they call it these days- I call it all cRAP), and for country. Most of it sounds the same and is way overplayed (“Need You Now,” anyone?).
The one thing about music that I pride myself on is my -ahem- ability to call out what is good music, and what I know needs work. Recently, I listened to a friend’s music that they had been working on, and they were one of those artists who needed to put some more time into their work. Also, I follow a really great pop punk band that are just beginning to see the results of their work. They are going to be profiled in AP Magazine soon.
I love a lot of different genres. I range from blues (old school, Muddy Waters types), to punk rock, and from jazz to house. I hope that some day I can live the dream and do P.R. for a music label or band. For now, I am going to try to intern for them, and do my darnedest to get a job.
I totally agree. Only when you lose your main source of communication do you realize how much you need it. You feel naked or lost without it. But, I do agree that the value of face-to-face or phone call communication as decreased in the age of texting, emails, and social media. For me, texting takes too much time when I have a lot to talk about, and I do make those phone calls when necessary. We all need to detach ourselves sometimes just to see how much we lack the personal touch that communication requires. Your post was very well written, and happy texting on your new iPhone!
It’s crazy much we rely on technology. I recently just had my iPhone 3GS die on me and I was without a smart phone for about 2 weeks. As sad as it seems I was so lost without my iPhone. Usually my first instinct to communicate with someone is to send them a text message. Since my phones text…
I know how you feel. It’s scary to think of having a life away from college, when being in school is all you know. But it can be exciting to think about how you are going to carve your own path in the “real world.” The experiences you have and the relationships you have developed, however, will last a lifetime. Your sisters will also provide the support you’ll need to back you up when you need it. Keep your head up and think positive! The scary part will soon give way to excitement and anticipation for the future.
I’m beginning my senior year here at Cal Poly, soon I will graduate and go out into the “real world” to make my place. It’s exciting yet nerve wrecking at the same time. It’s nerve wrecking because the future I unknown. You can plan out your life and think it will turn out a certain way but at…
We all call life after college the “real world.” I do not believe in it. College is real too, and if we neglect to acknowledge the education that we are receiving, will our diploma signify a “fake” world? No. In college, we establish life-long and beneficial connections, learn practices and theories related to our occupation of choice, and develop hobbies that will someday cultivate into a passion.
In my college career, I discovered my passion for all things Public Relations. I love marketing, social media, branding, and even the meticulous things- like press kits and media releases. I relish in the idea of putting out a product to the market and making things happen- communicating the idea of what the company or client I am working for wants to put out.
The friends that I have made have also made my college career. In the COM department at Cal Poly Pomona, we all seem to be a little family of students who wish to succeed. I know that I can count on them to get me through a tough day or help each other in the future. I have even made close friends- with whom I trust with my life and tell secrets. It is these kinds of relationship that help me to understand that life after college will be okay.
Internships are the the very foundations of what we base working life to be. Working with the mentors helps us to learn aspects of our career choice that we would have never learned in the classroom. We should value these as something more than a requirement to graduate. I know that in Public Relations, the relationships that we establish in our internships can help us find work after we graduate and lead to long, successful careers.
I guess what I am getting at is that while the “real world” is what is going to happen to us after we graduate, it really is everything we participate in. Nothing that we do is ever “fake.” This metaphor is wrongly assigned. Everything we do is real, and each event- big or small- has its consequence. I just hope that I have done enough to establish what will be a lasting career after I graduate.
Maybe I should take it easy. Maybe I should concentrate on one thing at a time. Friends, family, and professors have all confessed that I do too much. Maybe that is because I always look like a vampire- pale faced, with sunken eyes that look like I need more sleep and a hungry look in my eyes to boot. But I usually feel like a zombie.
Ever since I started at Cal Poly Pomona, I have never said no. I have taken jobs that required much more than I was paid to do, worked more than I should have (one month consisted of 36 hour work weeks), and took on projects where I had no idea what to do.
But that is just how I work. I am constantly thinking of the next step, multi-tasking (right now, I’ll admit, I am watching a lecture too), and thinking of new ideas and mini-projects. My brain does not function like a normal one, the “gears” are constantly going- thinking, thinking, thinking. Winnie the Pooh would envy me.
Get me talking, my attention is everywhere. I have conversational ADD. In my head, everything makes sense. I cannot slow down.
This quarter, I am taking on a full load- 18 units worth of classes, two internships, and a four days a week job. I am all go this quarter. So if I look like the walking or living dead one day, you will know why. Treat me to a cup of coffee, and I may be a little less crazy.
