Future Internship

      An internship working in a place that is similar to my future career would actually be way different than my Service Learning Site. At my Service Learning site I work with high school students of all ages where we create advertisements to sponsor school events. While this is something that I enjoy, it is not a key factor to my future career. 

     I want to be a Pastry Chef / Manager of my own business while somehow incorporating music into my business. Working in a local Cafe or Bakery would actually help me determine if being a Pastry Chef is something that I really want to do. As a current Intern at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront I have been shown how to serve large groups of people, how to work as a member apart of a team, as well as learning to be fast and efficient. These are great skills to obtain in the Pastry world and to be privileged to work at the Hilton Hotel as my first job in the business is actually very helpful. Although, there is a difference from working in high end hotel and a small local business. Now that I have experienced working in a hotel I would like to experience it from a local shop somewhere down town. 

Negative Thought

  


   I have huge problem's with trust. Through out my life I have trusted people and many times I was wrong to do so.  

   I don't trust myself at times to make the right decisions, I don't trust others enough to tell them the truth about things, I don't trust enough to let anyone in ... 
I don't trust in the future and what it holds for me because my past daunts me. I know that this is holding me back from a lot of things, but what can I do when in most situations where I have trusted, I end up screwed over.  

   I feel that I need to work on this because if I don't then I will be consumed by it and the relationships that I have built are going to slowly deteriorate. I have been working on this and still continue to get hurt. 

   But I know that there are those who I trust completely and no matter what life through's my way I can always turn to them.

Ideal Service Learning Site

   
   My ideal service learning site would be one that is a well established place where my help is needed and valued. It would be a place where there is team work, respect, fun, and learning. My service learning site would have t be a place that is understanding of my needs as well as where I understand and meet their needs. My idea service learning site would have to be a place where we learn from each other. 

   I would like to volunteer with teens at a JCCS (Juvenile Courts and Community School's) helping then get back on the path to success. I would like to be an example to them and show them that no matter what life gives them, they have the choice to let it take over them, or to rise above it. 

   I want to work with these students because not many others will. I feel that everyone deserves a second chance, they just need the right kind of push! 

Proud ...

     I am proud of many things in my life. The one thing that tops them all off is the fact that I am in college!

   I never knew what I wanted to and I still can't decide, but I knew that if I wanted tobe successful in life I needed to continue with school. The thing was that my family was the only support that I had. In 2010, I was in a high school of over 3,000 students, there was only 10 councilors and they had at least 500 students per each. My councilor sat in her chair and told me that I did not need to worry about college. I was so let down by this and I took this as my fate .... Until I came out to california in the fall of 2010.

  
   Once I started my junior year in high school I wanted to prove to all those people that I could make something out of my life! So I started getting A's and B's and became involved with not only the many clubs at school, but with the funding of our school. I am able to help raise funds for my non-profit school through my singing and it feels amazing to give back to a place that have given so much to you! The staff at my new school were encouraging me and stood behind me 100% till this very day telling me that I am going to become someone of great success.   


  
   So I graduated high school and now sit down writing this blog for one of my five classes at San Diego City College. 

   I did this not to prove myself to all those who doubted me, but to myself ... I can do all that I set my mind to and I WILL! 

   I AM PROUD TO CALL MYSELF A COLLEGE STUDENT ;)

Commitment to Change

     Our last class was all about Nutrition. I was truly interested in the plant based diet, I have heard about it before but never really wanted to try it. I hate vegetables and I try my best to avoid it but I made the commitment to eat less foods that are harmful to my body in June. Since June I lost 46 pound due to exercise and smaller portion sizes and less junk foods.  I will do my best to eat my greens and it will be really hard for me. The samples that were brought into class were pretty good and some of them did not appeal to my senses but I am glad that I tried them out. I have many reasons to be healthy, both my parents are diabetic, have heart problems, as well as sugar problems. I am afraid that if I do not change the way that I eat as well as exercise I will become diabetic and have the problems that both my parents have. 

Objective: 
Eat healthy, exercise, and live a long happy life :)  

"Netiquette"

In my Personal Growth Class, we had a guest speaker come in and talk to us about our use of the internet and the information that we put up about ourselves on the internet and how it can affect us in the future... 

I feel that all the information that I put on these social sites will come to intervine with my career. Banks, Employers, etc., they are all checking Facbook, Twitter, Blogs, and all kinds of other social networking sites to see what you are really like. My internet pages reflect what I believe in and stand for as well as, some people may not agree with what I post on these sites and these post can effect me in many different way's. But I have nd will be consious of what I say about myself, others, and many different things in general!

Did I Really Need That?

 Yesterday I walked into my College Book Store... I bought some snacks for my sister and myself and another few things that I "needed". 

• Gender Textbook 
• Work Out Pants 
• Chocolate dipped Pretzels (2)
• Twix Candy Bar 

I spent about $120 on all that! I was a little bit upset because I bought things that , in reality, I do not need. Here I am trying to be "Healthy" and I a buying things that defeat my objective! 

While writing about my spending I noticed that I need to work on my spending. I am a College student and I need to budget my money if I am going to be successful in life and school...

Where Did It All Go ?!?!?!

                   

                                          What Happened?  


So last Friday I had $350 and on Saturday I had NOTHING left of that money!I went out with my family and we went to the Swap Meet ... That was a major no-no on my part. I spent the remainder of my money on all kinds of crap, such as;

• Food 
• Clothing 
• Shoes 
• Gas 
• House Hold Items ... etc... 

The truth is, I am not quite sure what my money went to... 

                                       I NEED TO BUDGET!

Friday Spending ... O.o

                                                                   $MONEY$  

I recently graduated from the Summer Readiness Program (S.R.P.) at City College for first year students three weeks ago. My high school helped me get into S.R.P. and told me that at the end of the program that I would be eligible to receive a certain amount of money depending on my grade's. I turned in my grades last week on Wednesday and was given my check on Friday of that same week.  

         I cashed my check and spent $68 right away...  

• $1   on earrings 
• $2   on 2 lipsticks
• $10 to cash the check 
• $15 on a dress (NOT FOR ME)
• $40 on Gas 

I know that I did not need some of these things... But I felt that I needed to reward myself, I mean I did earn it! 

Service Learning at San Diego High ASB

My Service Learning site for the PRICE SCHOLARSHIP, at San Diego City College, is working with the San Diego High School ASB (Associated Student Body) group as a Freshman in college. In my senior year I was the President of the ASB group at my very small high school, I loved ASB and when I found out that SDHS ASB was an option for my service learning I was very excited and determined to work with them all. 

I was glad that I am able to do my service learning with the ASB group at SDHS. I enjoyed working with ASB  at my school so I was sure that I would also enjoy my service learning at SDHS. So far, from what I have experienced, the students are awesome and they are all hard workers! Stacey and Roberto-the people in-charge of SDHS ASB- are amazing people who care for the students and their roles in the ASB program. 

All in all, I expect to give/get much experience from working with everyone involved with the ASB program at San Diego High!    

The End of Summer Readiness Program

    
    
     When I first started out the Summer Rediness Program, I was not sure how I was going to like it. Now that we all graduate on Friday I am happy that I did partake in the program.

    I feel that I grew from the person that I was into any even better person! I interacted with many differnent people and feel that I will  know these people for a very long time. I cannot wait to grow closer to them all and make them apart of my family. 

   All in all, I am happy that I participated in SRP! I will be sure to let all everyone know how it has changed me! :)

Comic ...

My English Professor, Henry, is always showing us comics that he finds on the Internet. Well I found one that relates to what we are doing in class and well, to my future ...

 This comic is referencing to The Hunger Games. In the story there could only be one winner but in the end there was two. This comic is taking her story and applying it to real life. 

 This comic really got me thinking about my future... It is getting harder nowadays to get a job with just your high school diploma. Therefore, everyone is getting college degrees in order to provide themselves and their families a bright future. As I sit here and think about it, how hard is it going to get in the future when I am looking for a job and can't find one because everyone else went to school for the same thing as I did.

                        Is my future at stake?

The Hunger Games by Susan Collins

 

     

The film version of The Hunger Games futures several changes from the book version. First off, President Snow was in the movie more than in the book. In the book, we know that there is  President, but in the movie he shows up and mentions a huge foreshadow  "Hope is bigger than fear, If you have a little bit of you are fine, but if you have to much hope things get out of control", is what he say's. This will play a huge part in the future of The Hunger Games.  

    Then there was the  difference of the Mocking Jay Pin. In the book Madge- the mayor's daughter- gives Katniss the pin. In the book Katniss gets it from a woman in a market place, she gives it to her sister and her sister returns it to her for "protection". There was more detail with Madge, but the fact that Katniss sister (Prim Rose) gives her the pin adds more significance to the pin. 

    Finally the mutations (dog like animals) were really different in the movie compared to the book. In the book the mutations faces consisted of the dead tributes faces (Tributes were kids from each district that would fight in the games).  The book made the mutations appear more intense and in the movie I felt as if it did not have as much as an impact that it should have. Overall the movie did not have as mush of a punch as the book. The book had more detail, so to me the book was better than the movie! 

    

Group Work ...

     While working in our groups today on our posters for The Hunger Games by Susan Collins, I noticed the difference between my strengths and actions. A majority of the time, when we are in groups, I tend to take the role as the leader. The funny thing is, nowhere in my Strengths Finder does it say "Leader". 

     For example, when I participated in the ASB (Associated Student Body) program at my school, we had to vote on officers. As soon as someone mentioned the role of the ASB President, everyone turned and pointed at me, and later I became the ASB President. No matter where I go, leadership roles just happen to follow me. My dad has always told my siblings and I, "You are all leaders not followers, so act like it", guess he is right! 

     What really surprised me was the fact that my group just let me take over. I expected them all to be actively engaged in the activity. These are highly intelligent students, and I don't feel that they fulfilled their potential. We all have different strengths, and they all "pop" when working in groups. 

     At times we may have strengths that are not fully developed. Maybe I am an undercover leader. I am sure that it will come into play when it is needed. 

My Strengths ...

     So in my English 42/43 class our awsome Professor Henry had us all take an online Strengths Finder questionaire. Strengths Finder 2.0 is a series of questions online that help us determine our Strengths.


     When I finished the test my top five strengths popped up.
Here are my results:

• Ideation: Someone who is a creative thinker and is great at making connections.   
• Empathy: Someone who can place themselves in others shoes and who can sense the emotions of those around them. 
• Positivity:An ethusiastic person who always has a smile and see's the positive in things!
• Learner
• Developer 

     If someone that really knows me were to read these Strengths and compare them to me then I think that they would agree that these are my Strengths!

My Music and TEDx San Diego ...

         

         Music has always been a huge part of my life! I have literally been singing since I could remember. My  mom said that when she was pregnant with me that she prayed that I would have the ability to sing. I really thank her for this, the reason that I can sing is because of her! 

          Well, I continue to sing and in the three years that I have been in San Diego my voice has really taken me places and opened doors that I never knew where there! I have written three songs Worth the Wait, Shooting Stars, and Stressed. Worth the Wait was written in the fall of 2010. The first time it was performed was at the Christmas party that my school holds each year. Then, my principal came to me and asked my sister, best friend, teacher, and I if we were willing to sing it at the annual Gala that they hold for our school in order to raise money to fund our school. We said that we would love to do it! So we did and it was amazing, we performed in front of 800 very wealthy people that support our school. The Gala was only the beginning ... 

           Through out the year of 2011 we were asked to perform at various locations. My sister and friend  (Jessika and Domminiece) went on to graduate in the summer of 2011 and I was left to finish my senior year alone. I continued to perform, but I did it alone with my teacher. In may of 2012 my teacher (Andrew Schlegel) and I were invited to sing at a meeting where athletes from our community were rallying up to raise money for our school through a series of races. We sang and we left. As we were leaving a man that was in the meeting introduced himself to us as Jack Abbott. He handed us all a business cad that said TEDx on it ... 

           He said that he would like to have us perform for TEDx and I was blown away by this!!! Well, last week he contacted me and asked me and Andrew to be the SPOTLIGHT OF THE YEAR for TEDx San Diego!!! I really couldn't believe it but it is real!  

      

          I have always been told that my voice would open doors for me...I just really didn't think that it would. 

Music is and always will be apart of my life! :) 

My American Dream (Explained in a Song) ...

   Many people come to America to acquire the "American Dream". But, what is the American Dream? Some might define it as success, others as being powerful, or just being able to have a family. To me it is happiness! My American Dream consist of happiness, family, love, and a sense of accomplishment in what ever it is that I do.


   For example, I have a passion for singing and I have been singing since I can remember. My mother say's that she knew that I would be a wonderful ever since I was a baby... She said that I would scream my head off, I was a llorona (cry baby). And she was right.


   Well, she was right. I have recently written and recorded three songs and have performed at various events through out the San Diego. I do not get paid for any of the performances that I have done, nor do I want to. I mean, it would be nice to get paid for something that I enjoy doing, but that is no the reason that I sing! I sing because it makes me happy, its what I do.


   There is a song that really hits home for me, it is the example of MY AMERICAN DREAM. Its a song about music (of course) and how there reason for singing has nothing to do with money or fame ... 


   Price Tag by Jessie J.  and B.o.B is the one of my favorite songs, this song is an example of dream of singing and what singing is to me: 

       My American Dream: Family, Love, Happiness, 
                                    and Music 

SRP and ME

          SRP stands for summer readiness program. This programs purpose is to prepare first year college students for college for the fall semester. I am in SRP, and so far I am glad that I am apart of this program!


          It is a bit hard but it is helping me. I tend to procrastinate and now that I am taking these college classes I am seeing the importance of getting my homework, along with other duties that are expected of me, done on time. I still mess up here and there but at least I know that I will not be making these mistakes in my fall classes.



          One con, is that I went to an all year around high school. I was at that high school for two years and because it is an all year around school I didn't have summer break. I see some of the other graduates from my class having fun at the beach, hanging out with family and friends, and just having a good time .



          I wish that I could be doing what they are doing, but I know that SRP is what is best for me. So everyday that I go to college, I look at it as investing in my future! That is exactly what I am doing. So everyday that I am in college I start the day with a smile and end it with a smile because if I take a negative approach then I will fail to reach my full potential.



          This is what SRP is teaching me and I am grateful for this program and the wonderful teachers that are also dedicating their time and effort in to their and our futures.