1st Ever Ashland Trip

This semester, I had to to take a trip to Ashland, Oregon, which was about an 2-2.5 hour drive from Simpson to watch Shakespeare's The Tempest for my Intro to Literature class. Going to Ashland has been the farthest north I have ever been and experiencing the drive up there was BEAUTIFUL! Holly, who was very kind to drive us to Ashland, said that the drive up to Ashland was nothing compared to driving up to Washington. So I've added going on a road trip to Washington on my bucket list. 

Each year. a handful of English classes were required that students go to Oregon to watch one of the Plays at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. I got to go with three amazing, wonderful, and Jesus loving women. Each of us shared our testimonies that the more I got to learn about everyone, the scenery up to Ashland could not compare to the beauty of their souls! (And I'm sure once I take that road trip to Washington, their souls still wouldn't compare). 

As far as watching The Tempest, I enjoyed it immensely! Each character was fully distinctive, the costumes were so detailed, and the play was well directed. We also got to meet up with other Simpson Students, who went to see the same play, which was really cool! After the play, we all went exploring around the main area, which was so pretty! It was so cute seeing all the little shops and the weather was so crisp and chilly, I really loved it! Ashland has definitely grown on me.

Quick Check Up

Before I start with this post I just want to say thank you so much for considering on taking to time to read my blog. It means a lot to me that, you, spending time to read about things I'm interested in or random stuff that I think are cool to write about. I really want to say, THANK YOU! 

As the title suggest, I haven't written on this blog for such a long time and so much has happened since that last time I have written a blog post, so I thought I would do a "quick check up."

Since late August, I have started working as an Resident Assistant and have started my second year at Simpson University! So far, the experience as an RA (Resident Assistant) has been insightful, blessful, and an amazing experience. I have learned so much about people, God, and myself. I have gotten to meet and connect with so many beautiful people and getting to experience and learn about their souls, goals, and personalities has been awe inspiring. I have grown so close and have made great relationships with other people that I am overwhelmed by the love and care they have given me. Before applying to be an RA, I did not like people-- in a sense that I did not want to interact or socialize with them. There were moments when I'd walk out of my house and see my neighbors working on their lawns or their kids playing in the front yard, and the first thing I would think of was, "EW, people." But I no longer think that anymore. I have grown a passion for people and their stories, which is one of the many aspects that I have felt that God has worked in me. I continue to enjoy meeting new people and gaining more experience throughout the year!

Now, coming back to Simpson for my second year has been somewhat different from my freshman year. Similar because of the classes, homework, homework, campus, and homework. Different because although the environment may seem familiar and I've attained a "groove" of the campus, a sense of, "I know what to expect," kind of mentality was reassuring. But I knew that it was going to get a lot busier and it has been. This year has been such a huge learning experience for me that in certain areas that I thought I knew, I didn't, but have grown and learned form that. I feel that I have also grown, am growing, and will grow closer to the Lord and it has been an overwhelming experience. 

So for now, I am doing great! Busy, tired, happy, and content.

Thank you so much for reading!

The End of My Freshman Year!!

Some of my very close friends!

Asian Fellowship!!! :D

Lake Tahoe Trip!!

Homecoming Game!! We Won!

More of the gang!

I am very embarrasses to say that although school is about to start, I really wanted to post this entry. I am well overdue for a blog about ending my first year of college, which I entirely apologize for, but nonetheless, her it goes!

My freshman year of college was one of the BEST years of my life! It was filled with amazing people, breath taking laugh sessions, a closer and forever growing relationship with the Lord, and mind blowing experiences. Looking back at my freshman year, I am so happy and excited to start my Sophomore year! :D

On the first day of orientation, God instantly blessed me with so many kind and friendly people who I have grown in such great friendships. When I first arrived on the Simpson campus, I didn't know what to expect-- I was scared and nervous, but excited and so happy! That whole first day I didn't want it to end because I dreaded when the time came to say "good bye" to my family. I knew that I was going to cry and I knew if I cried, they were going to cry. But when the time did come, the only thought I had when I said "bye" was "I'm going to see them again, I'm going to see them again, I'm going to see them again," over and over in my head to keep myself from crying. Although I could see tears forming in their eyes, I was later informed that they did end up crying when they left driving their way back.

This was also the year that I drank legit "grown up" coffee for the first time and with 3 shots, which was a very bad idea because I was CRAZY hyper. I was jumping up and smelling people's names, running around campus, and talking really fast.

I also joined the Asian Fellowship Club, and Women of God. Both clubs were so much fun and I felt that I really connected and got to grow and get to know so many people.

There were so many things that stand out to me looking back into my Freshman year. The people I met were a blessing, my Christian faith grew immensely, and the classes were challenging. Next month, classes are about to start and I couldn't be more excited and if you don't know already, I will be a Resident Assistant this school year, which I am SO EXCITED about. My co-RA, Sarah, and I have so many plans for our floor and-- I am so excited to start! 

Overall, my freshman year was scary, exciting, and breathtakingly beautiful! And I look forward to an even more amazing school year!

<3 comment-3--="">

Summer of Movies

Ever since I was very little, I loved watching movies and going to the movie theaters. I remember that every time my mom or dad would say, "We're going to the movie theater!" Me and my younger sister would get really excited and run to our room to put our "bye-bye" clothes on as we'd call them. ("bye-bye" because when we'd go somewhere we'd say "bye-bye" which are just clothes we'd wear when we'd go somewhere.) 

I always thought that the movie theater was a magical place. Each theater held a different realm with it's accompanied adventures. Although I can't remember what movie I first watched in a theater, I can remember how I felt. Every time we arrived at the movie theater, I would be just as excited. Even to this day, I get so excited when I'm on my way to a movie theater. 

This summer, my outlook in movies shifted. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed watching films, going to the movie theaters and experiencing the adventures with the characters on screen. What dramatically changed with this shift of perspective is the aspects that go into the film, such as the directing, producing, acting, and photography. I think this started while I was watching a YouTuber, Jack Howard, who discusses the different facets and work that go into a film. This opened my eyes to a whole different world of what happens behind the camera. 

Now when I watch movies, I pay attention to different elements of the film, such as the music, the actors/ actresses, and the positions of the camera angles. This in no way has burdened me from just enjoying a movie, I feel that it actually has enhanced the way I watch a movie. Movies that I think are really good wouldn't normally make me think of those elements to point out. But in someway that they do, it would because I really like it, which may happen occasionally. But if I start to notice many things about the film, I've noticed that it is because I'm not enjoying the film. 

During this summer in particular, with the new perspective I had on films, I watched a good amount of movies. I've watched, "Transformers: Age of Extinction", "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes", "Maleficent", "X- Men: Days of Future Pass", "Godzilla", and "Guardians of the Galaxy". I've listed just some of summer  movie blockbusters and I have to say that there are some on this list that I enjoyed watching and others that I didn't.

The top 2 I would say were my favorite to watch were X- Men: Days of Future Past and Guardians of the Galaxy. Both completely different styles of directing, but nonetheless were SO GOOD!!! X-Men was mind blowing and Guardians of the Galaxy was EPIC! Both of the movies soundtracks were good and scripts were well- written. The characters in both movies were well developed and the acting was flawless. These two films were the dynamic duo of my summer.

Empire Magazine is definitely one of the main things that has helped foster my love for films. Ever since I bought my first  copy of Issue: 299, I am addicted. I only look forward to the films that come close to topping my summer movie duo and my love for movies to continue to grow. 

YouTube

Now When YouTube was just starting out, I had no idea what YouTube was. I thought it was only for listening to or watching music videos or finding funny, weird, and crazy clips of people. On a broad spectrum that is what YouTube is to someone who has only seen the surface. I have to admit that I was one of those people and that changed completely in the summer of my sophomore year of high school.

I was sitting at my home computer and I for some reason, I wanted to look up "How to speak with an Australian Accent" and to this day I have no idea why I wanted to look up that video revolving around that subject, but I am so GLAD I did.

As I started typing in the search bar of YouTube,  "How to.." And only those two words were typed in, I got suggested videos and (the girl that I am) a thumbnail of video caught my eye ONLY because the guy looked cute. Now I hope I'm not upsetting the YouTuber just because I clicked on his video due to the fact that he had symmetrical features, but over the years, which included a craving to watch his videos, I have grown to love and enjoy his videos. For those of you who know the YouTube community, it was a video made by Charlieissocoollike and clicking on this video has led me to a new platform of media, creativity, and countless other people who make their own YouTube videos. (If you'd like to watch the video that changed my whole perspective on YouTube, click here.  BUT PLEASE COME BACK TO READ THE REST, AS HARD AS IT MAY BE TO WATCH HIS OTHER VIDEOS, RESIST! Haha :D)

After watching Charlie's video, I couldn't stop watching other videos made by him. It was like watching one video wasn't enough to quench the thirst that I had to watch another. But as time passed and hours studying, writing papers, and going to class, I am now able to control it... kind of.

After four years watching videos by people like Charlieissocoollike, Jack Howard, PointlessBlog, Zoella, Tyler Oakley, Troye Sivan, JaskGap, and countless more --All whom I highly suggest you check out-- I (including millions more) have the privilege of getting to know these people and experience so many of their adventures with them. A person who has made such observations in an even more elaborate aspect, I highly recommend watching this YouTube series by NineBrassMonkeys: Becoming YouTube.

YouTube isn't just a site that allows people to post videos of themselves or is an easy way to enjoy free music, but it allows a different window to connect, communicate, and learn about people you wouldn't normally meet. I --as countless others-- have the opportunity to learn, love, cry, laugh, and grow with so many people-- REAL people who enjoy making content that allows them to simply share whats on their mind or make short wonderful, funny, or creative sketches. Investing time on these YouTubers is completely worth it because there is beauty, love, friendship, and memories that I am so honored to get to witness with them.

Nolan Gerard Funk

I know this is different to what I usually post, but recently I was watching the movie "X2: X-Men 2" and I noticed an actor towards the end of the film, who I crazily tried to recall where else I've seen him from. I should probably explain that I have this quirk where I would watch a movie and if a face looks familiar I would try to figure out what other roles the actor has played and this was no exception. The actor I saw in the film was one of the captured children and for those hard core fans out there, you know who I'm talking about, but for those who don't, I'm talking about Nolan Gerard Funk. I think I need to say his name with as much drama I can portray written down. NOLAN. GERARD. FUNK. Only for the fact that this name deserves every ounce of it and I am going to come right out and say that I have a HUGE crush on this guy. Not only can he sing, dance, and act; He is B-E-A-UTIFUL. *sigh* God has truly blessed us-- I mean him. Haha And if you've seen "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" and if you recall the part where Flint first describes Sam with her hair tied up and wearing glasses: the way Flint says "beautiful," insert that tone of voice for an audio representation of how I'd also describe him.

Have you fallen in love with him yet? (P.S. I have this as my phone's lock screen)

You're probably thinking that I am this s-t-u-p-i-d girl with a mega crush over someone who shouldn't have my full attention, but I am that girl. I have fallen in deep helpless awe and before I even knew it, Funk would be the ultimate crush of my life! Please bear with me, it's only been less than a week of this new profound love, which means I am on a love-high right now (Let's make that a thing). I'm probably giving Funk so much praise, but then again... look at the picture above. If the picture still hasn't gotten you hooked, below is just more persuasion for you to think otherwise.

You're smiling now aren't you :) I know throughout this whole video I was, teeth and all! Hahaha But before you venture to watch more YouTube videos of his face, I would also like to talk about the work Nolan has done.

I don't want to just praise the many talents he posses, but the way he exhibits those talents, which in all honesty has allowed me and many other people see that he genuinely loves and enjoys what he does. In all that I've researched and yes, I stalked him, Funk has utilized every aspect of singing, dancing, and acting as much as he can. Funk is famously known from "Glee"(2012) playing Hunter Clarington; "The House at the End of the Street"(2012) for the role of Tyler Reynolds; and Nikko Alexander in Nickelodeon's "Spectacular"(2009). He has also co-starred with Lindsay Lohan in "The Canyons"(2013) and also has appeared on MTV's, "Awkward"(2013) playing the character Collin Jennings.

From what I've watched of Funk, I think he is a growing actor. He really enjoys doing what he loves and is willing to do just that no matter what, which proves my point in one particular scene in "The Canyons," but it by no means under values the kind of actor he is or wants to be.  He deeply loves his fans and from the many interviews that I watched (and I've watched ALL of them), Funk truly is a down to earth kind of guy. I look forward to seeing more creative content Funk becomes a part of in the future. Now you have my permission to venture onto other videos of Nolan Gerard Funk! You're Welcome!

Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed it!
-Jacky

P.S. I've taken the liberty of providing his social media connections below! Enjoy! (click on the text and it will take you there!) :D
Facebook
YouTube
Instagram
Twitter
IMDb

Social Interaction

Hi Guys! I apologize so much for not posting a blog entry in months. I have to admit that I have been spending a lot of my time as a couch potato catching up on many missed episodes of various television series as I am currently on my summer vacation! Now that I feel that I want to invest more time on my blog, I have so many ideas and all the while, want you to get to know more about me while also sharing interests that I've attained. As of interests, I have gotten inspired to share more of the kind of person that I am, so here it goes! :D

Being an introvert, I have come to realize that I am not much of a people person. I don't like people looking at me when I walk into a room or have to do a speech in front of an entire crowd. Then again, I don't think many people would want to do that either, or just wouldn't matter at all the them. I'm not saying that these two specific scenarios automatically make a person an introvert; these are just some of the factors that many introverts might share. When I am faced with these two scenarios, I think that the only way to get to what I need done involves the multiple pairs of eyes shooting in my direction makes me want to retreat back into the comfort of my room. This also apply to meeting new people and worrying about not having much to say, showing too much of my weird personality, or being too timid to even be interesting.

Basically, I don't like attention. I guess this may be from being shy for the majority of my life or just having the lack of confidence or social interaction. "Social Interaction," I think may be the two key words in this blog. Not to say that I grew up in the means of today's" lack of Social Interaction", which may mean gluing my eyes to a bright screen. I mean being awkward 98% of the time, then again this awkwardness may also apply to today's technology- generation. Nonetheless, I had this mental state of shifting my fingers into a cross at the mention of social gatherings. I'm not saying I avoided every invitation to a birthday, wedding, or some sort celebration, I only avoided SOME of them. I'm probably making this more dramatic than it needs to be and it probably sounds like I'm this complete introvert that wants nothing to do with people. I don't blame you, that's just how I've described myself and made myself out to be in this entry. But since I've started college in the Fall of 2013, all of that dramatically changed.

Going to college with hundreds of new people I haven't met before was very intimidating, but I took a deep breath and gave social interaction a try. One of the main contributions for the lack of meeting new people I would say is High School. Four years in the same school meant hanging out with more or less of the people that I hung out with before. And if there were new people in my year or in the school in general, their faces would melt in all the other faces, which sadly happens in many public schools. But having graduated in 2013, I have had a lot of practice since then meeting new people and coming out of my comfort zone and I felt that it was the summer of 2013 that my life started to change. 

Besides making such great friendships at Simpson (the school that I am currently attending, which will resume in the Fall), it has inspired me to want to make more friendships and share the new profound love I want to share. I applied to be a Residential Assistant at the college I am currently attending and, for me, this is a very important role because not only does it have a huge responsibility, but I have entirely come out of my comfort zone. Being an RA means interacting with all the girls on my floor and not only limited to my floor, but the whole building and even to all the campus' residences and to be honest, I couldn't be more excited.

I have also realized that I love people. I love seeing the moment when I can look at someone and see their window of thought. What I mean by "window of thought" I mean is that when people are thinking, I can't help to notice a moment when I can see them, when all perception of social interaction is absent. A moment when that person has no realization of anyone looking at them and all guard is down. The person that they are, in a sense they show a part of themselves that is so rarely exposed. It's a single moment when you can catch the part of them when they forget that the world is watching.

In a millisecond, they are their true self and catching a glimpse of that is beautiful. Not to say that when they are realizing that people are looking at them that they aren't beautiful, it's just that seeing the person that they are is something that make them real, a sense of authenticity. Of course every person is real, but each person is different and seeing each individual's personality, each story, failure, accomplishment, experience, and trial that made that person who they are today is what makes everyone human. It's the kind of authenticity that I would like to see in more people I have met and will meet. I see the authenticity with my group of friends, my family, in my neighborhood, and at school.

People are inspiring, sad, happy, tired, excited, complicated, crazy, awesome, intelligent, and compassionate that I can't help describe this by mentioning "Doctor Who." For those of you who have watched "Doctor Who", you'd most likely understand what I'm talking about, but if you haven't, then I'll try my best to describe what I mean. Doctor Who is amazed with human beings. To be more specific, in the second series, episode 8: The impossible Planet of "Doctor Who," the Doctor is captivated of humanity and how complicated, intelligent, ignorant, and beautiful creatures humans are. 

I love the idea that every person has different qualities because each person has God in them that because God is so big he couldn't fit all his characteristics into one person. Someone you know might be sassy, quiet, talkative, or smart, all these qualities God possess. It is because everyone is a different person, people are the most complex creatures. I see this authenticity with people that surround me and people that I am so blessed to call friends and family, that they have inspired me and have led me to become the person that I am today.

So I encourage you, if you seem to keep to yourself or are scared to meet new people. I believe that by putting yourself out there and exercising Social Interaction would be an obstacle worth experiencing!

Thank you so much for reading!
-Jacky

Why I Want to Become an Author

When I was in 6th grade, I attended Adams Middle School in Richmond, CA. Going to a new school for junior high was a scary thought for me. I didn't know who would be coming to Adams from my elementary school or if I'd be in the same class with anyone I'd know. It was intimidating enough that I really wanted my mom to come inside the school with me in order to help me find the class, but I was determined to prove I was a big kid. But I chickened out and wanted her to come with me. Despite the fact that I was scared, I still felt like a big kid because we had lockers now, I mean, how can lockers NOT be cool. (This almost happened in high school for freshman year, but I was able to find my classes on my own. I also didn't want to mess up my chances with the cool kids... Who was I kidding, I am the cool kid. Just kidding, there weren't "cool kids" at my high school).

In middle school, I had the usual classes: English, Math, Social Studies, etc. One class in particular: Homeroom, which was a class I wasn't expecting. Homeroom consisted of THE WHOLE SCHOOL reading a book; every grade, every student were required to read a book during the span of time they were at Adams. There was nothing being taught during this period, but we were graded on it. Each student would read a book and after finishing the book, the student would have to take a test on whichever book they read in the library. 

Each book had a set amount of points and different colored labels that bore a number on the spin of the book, which indicated the reading level. When a book was checked out the librarian was able to tell if someone was reading or taking a quiz that was below the students reading level and if it was, we would't able to take a quiz on it. Depending on the amount of points the student gets after taking the test, we would be able to redeem them for prizes. (Which I thought was really cool) Each quarter, the amount of words would be cataloged in the computer, which later in the year, students would receive a reward if they read up to 1 Million words or more that school year (I've only won that award twice during the three years attending Adams). It's nothing like a book club where classes were reading the same book. Students would go in the library, check out a book-- it didn't matter what book it was as long it was in the library and was at the same reading level as the student or above-- and they would read it. 

Now because I wasn't aware of this requirement in 6th grade, I got an "F"-- ON MY PROGRESS REPORT-- for the first quarter, but I then was determined to get that grade up before the report cards were made :)

I think back and I have to say "thank you" to my middle school because if it weren't for that class, I wouldn't have been an avid reader like I am now. Because of this program, I was introduced to the wonders of imagination and creation of countless worlds that so many authors had so voluntarily shared. Because I was required to read, it allowed me to pick up the works of C.S. Lewis, Sarah Dessen, Libba Bray, Stephanie Meyer, Cassandra Clare, Christopher Paolini, Lauren Oliver, Scott Westerfield, Harper Lee, and J.K. Rowling, who are just some of the many worlds I have been privileged to experience. I believe this was the match that started a spark. An outlet to imagine and a dream.

These are just some of my books in my room. (It's still growing)

This spark and dream is to become an author and C.S. Lewis has inspired that. I read "The Chronicles of Narnia" while at Adams and I was so mesmerized and intrigued by the chronicles that I did some research on C.S. Lewis. I found out that C.S. Lewis wrote "The Chronicles of Narnia" during the war and that inspired me; despite the war, violence, and guns, Lewis was still able to dream. When I become an author, I hope to inspire someone else, just as Lewis has inspired me. (Once I've become an established author, I hope to live in San Francisco in a house with the PERFECT view of the Golden Gate Bridge) :D

I also plan on writing a book that has a strong female protagonist. I feel that in may different media platforms and written works, women are the ones who ruin everything. In film or literary pieces, whichever woman was with the protagonist, that same woman ruins the plan and her emotions get in the way. I want to change that, to change the stereotypical female protagonist and create a strong, independent, and bad A** woman -- I apologize for the asterisks-- who can fight for herself. Overall, I can only ask that God can bless me with the amount of creativity to enable me to write something so strong and I just ask that He guides me into the right path on writing it. 

Thank You For Reading! <3

My Adventures of 2013

The year 2013 is by far THE best year of my life.

January

January was only the peak of a year full with adventures, mountains, and accomplishments. This month I was in my Senior year of high school. It was the beginning of the second semester: new classes, new year, and new teachers. I was very excited to finish this school year with a BANG!

It was also the month that the Major Motion Picture, "Les Miserables," came out in theaters. My sister and I love watching opera/ musical films/plays like "The Phantom of the Opera" and "Hairspray." Since we wanted to watch it so bad, we decided to go to Berkeley, a city in the Bay Area because there was a movie theater just a couple of blocks away from BART (public transportation in the Bay Area). We planned this on a Saturday because both of us had previous engagements on the U.C. Berkeley campus. My sister thought to invite one of her friends, to go to the movie with us and even though he goes to our school, I haven't had the chance to meet him. He was a year younger than my sister, but like every underclassmen, they were all taller than her. After watching the film, it was amazing! I was blown away by Anna Hathaway and the talent she has-- the whole cast was amazing!

February

This month I turned 18, the year that meant I'm an adult! An age that was considered legal in the eyes of the government! 

These are all my lovely friends who came to my house
 to help celebrate my birthday with me :)

This month was also the start the softball season as a senior!!! I have played softball for all 4 years of high school (1 year on JV and three years on Varsity). It saddens me that it was my last year playing, but I feel that because of softball, I have been able to make lasting friendships and to keep in shape physically. My positions were pitcher (my favorite position), 1st base, and left and right field. My coach turned us from girls into athletes, which I am thankful for. I can say that I have endurance and is stronger than the average girl. I also think that my coach has prepared us for life after high school because he treated softball like a job. My softball coach has been a huge influence on me, I think he is one of the most important people in my life. My softball coach has believed in me and encouraged me to do my best academically and on the field. It was also later in the month that my weeks were filled with softball games, practices and family obstacles, but through it all the Lord has been my salvation.

 Fun fact: For some reason, it wasn't until my freshman year of high school that I realized that there was an "r" between the "b" and the "u" in FebRuary. Given the fact that my birthday is in February, I always used to spell it: Febuary. *sigh* I know... *shaking my head*

March

This month, Softball has become my life; it was softball and school. When practice was cancelled, it only proved that I didn't know what to do with the free time. Practice is an hour and a half and looking back, I begin to realize how much I miss it. I miss the way my muscles feel after pitching, the sound of untouched dirt crunching under my cleats, the slap of the ball when it's thrown in a glove, and the ring of the bat when it hits a ball. As I write this, three different gloves reside on my shelf by my bed of my dorm room and a yellow unused softball that bear the farewell messages from my awesome, crazy, encouraging, and inspiring teammates. Although, I can still go out and play catch with other girls who played softball that attend Simpson, I guess a part of me wishes that I were catching with my teammates in high school. Nonetheless, I am completely blessed to have made new fiends who I can play softball with (I do not play softball at Simpson, I don't think I would be that good on the college level).

Finish Ticket Concert

While listening to Finish Ticket on my drive to Redding, each song that played began to be a complete nostalgic session for me. The memories of a Finish Ticket Concert this past weekend played back in my head. Each song coincided to each band member playing each note from the song I was listening to. This moment brought me back three weeks ago on Sunday, 22 December, 2013, Finish Ticket had their Ugly Sweater Social- Part 1. My sister and I attended this concert and it was amazing. These guys never disappoint. I have attended four concerts that Finish Ticket headlined- two at The Great American Music Hall and one at The Bottom of the Hill, both of which were located in San Francisco. 

For those of you who don’t know Finish Ticket, they’re a local band from Alameda, California. There are five band members: Brendan Hoye (the lead vocalist), Alex Didonato (lead guitarist), Michael Hoye (bass), Gabe Stein (drummer), and Nick Stein (pianist), all of who are very handsome. 

The first time I got to see Finish Ticket perform- and I’m so glad I did- was at Alice’s Summer Thing at the Golden Gate Park in June of 2013. I stood on the left side of the stage with two of my friends, Sandra and Mirian, my sister and her friend, Jasmine. Luckily I was able to see between the heads of the people standing in front of us which was about 15 people deep- and we all had a perfect view of Alex Didonato, who is the lead guitarist. The first time listening to them I felt like I actually found MY band. I fell in love with their music that ever since then, I've become OBSESSED. I felt like this was the band that I would listen to and go to ALL of their concerts.

Three weeks ago, seeing Finish Ticket live again brought back memories of late night outs, laughs, and friendship from other concerts me and my sister went to that Finish Ticket headlined. Finish Ticket was actually my first concert I've been to. Because they sold out, me and my sister were keen to get there early to get a spot in the front row and it payed off. We got there at 4:30 p.m., even though doors don't open until 8:00 p.m.. Since we got there early, we got to see Finish Ticket unpack their equipment from their SUV called, "The Burrito." Over the span of time that I've been following Finish Ticket on social media, they are in love with Mexican food.

Meet "The Burrito" 

(*photo taken in September at The Bottom of the Hill, another location that Finish Ticket performed at.)

While they were unpacking I couldn't help yelling out their names to say, "Hi!" When I did this, they nicely said hi back with a wave. Finally, three hours later, the line went as far as the end of the block and they started letting us in. Once the ticket holder checked me and my sister in, I headed straight to the only space left I could see that was right in front of the stage, which was to the left, just enough space for both my sister and me. After standing for an extra hour, the opening band, French Cassettes took the stage and without a doubt got the crowd warmed up for the main event. 

After French Cassettes were done with their performance, the tech. crew began to change the instruments and set the stage for Finish Ticket which took about 15 minutes. When it looked liked Finish Ticket was about to take the stage, the tension to see them come through the double doors to enter the stage began to build up.

When Finish ticket entered the stage, I lost it, I screamed and at that moment I realized just how much I missed them. It's been four months since I last saw them and for two out of four of their concerts that I've been to, I've gotten to meet them, get their autographs, and take pictures with them. As the concert progressed it just kept getting better. 

Finish Ticket’s music was nothing I've ever heard before; the kind of music that I have been trying to search for, music that I can’t get enough of. Their music was high beat, authentic, and… popin’. I apologize for the horrible use of adjectives because Finish Thicket is so good, that the only way to understand me, is to experience and listen to their music for yourself. Because of Finish Ticket, they have opened up a whole different world of music; because of Finish Ticket they are the reason why I highly encourage local bands. I highly recommend that you check these guys out— TO THE EXTREME. You will not be dissapointed, trust me.
http://finishticket.com/

  

Getting Lost in San Francisco

Ever since I got back from Redding for winter break, I wanted to find a bookstore, a bookstore that wasn't Barnes and Noble. A bookstore that was small, had walls and walls of shelves of books. I was on a mission because I wanted to find a place I could call, "My bookstore that I could retreat to." On this day I was in San Francisco to hang out with some of my friends from high school, but halfway to my dad's work, I got a text saying that the whole hang out session was going to be rescheduled. So I decided to just spend a day in my favorite city in the world. Now because I didn't want to go far from my dad's work at the Palace Hotel, I checked on my phone to see where the closest bookstore was and with no surprise, there was a Barnes and Noble only four blocks away. So I decided to kill time there after I had lunch until my dad got off of work. 

After having lunch at the Dinning Hall, which is where my dad works in the Palace,  I started on my voyage to Barnes and Noble. After about 15 minutes I enter the place where my phones claims to have a B and N, but after taking a 5 minute recon of the place, I couldn't find it. I went to the directory and there is no Barnes and Noble there. I said to myself, "My phone has lied to me!!" I was so confused and I was only on 10% of battery life left in my phone, so I decide to go to the second Barnes and Noble which is a 45 minute walk. I thought to myself  it would be crazy for me to go all the way over there. I still had 6 hours to kill, so I thought, "why not? I guess when I get there I could charge my phone." So I began to follow the directions my phone was telling me and just in case my phone would die, I looked ahead in the directions and tried to memorize the street names and the longest street that I had to walk was almost 12 miles: Columbus Ave. I also started to wonder if my phone was lying to me again and I would have walked 12 miles for nothing, but nonetheless I didn't want to pass up a potential adventure.

Because I was making sure that I was going to right way, I continued to look at the map which cause the battery to drain. I tried my best to restrain myself from turning on my phone, but I started to think that I should go back to my dad's work because I knew it would be awhile until I'd get my phone charged and if my phone died and my dad called, I wouldn't want to worry him. I made a deal with myself that if my phone died, I would turn around and head back to my dad's work. 5 more minutes into the walk I took out my phone to quickly check how much longer until I got to the cross street and before I knew it, my phone dies... (MEGA SAD FACE)

I was only a couple of feet away from the stoplight, so I thought I would cross the street and head my way back on the opposite side of the road. But in that instant my phone died and I began to near the stoplight, I looked to my left and saw the best thing I have seen on Columbus Avenue.

A BOOKSTORE!!!! I was so happy and excited I forgot all about my phone and the possibility that my dad might call to check up on me and because my phone was dead, he wouldn't know where I was, causing him to worry and that was the last thing I wanted on my dad's mind. I told myself that I would have a quick look around and be on my way back to the Palace. But I couldn't help myself, I wanted to stay there until I found a book I wanted to read and, of course, like every girl that goes into a store: I wanted to buy something. I knew as I walked around that bookstore, I HAD to buy a book.

You know how serial killers keep relics or momentums to remember their victims? Well I wanted to do the same for that bookstore. I wanted to buy a book from City Lights Bookstore that reminded me of that place and the adventure that got me there.

It took me about 3 minutes to figure out how the bookstore was organized and after about 20 minutes I found my momentum: "Little Women," by Louisa May Alcott. I have never read this book and I saw this special edition of this book on a YouTube video made my BooksandQuils and I though I would read it, I also really liked the design cover of the book.

After paying for the book, I stepped out of the bookstore and was thrown back into my state of nervousness. All I knew was to walk back down Columbus Avenue until I saw Washington St. which is where the original Barnes and Noble was supposed to be. If my tuition of San Francisco is right, I remember that Mission St. leads directly to the San Francisco Port. In about 15 minutes I got to the Columbus Ave. and Washington St. For some reason I looked out into the distance and saw a building that only looked like my dad's work, so I decided to head in that direction. Throughout this time I had one of my favorite Christian songs stuck in my head, "Oceans," by Hillsong, specifically the lyrics:

"Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders

Let me walk upon the waters

Wherever You would call me

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander

And my faith will be made stronger

In the presence of my savior".

I was completely willing to get lost because I knew that God was leading me in the right direction. I believe he was using my fear of being lost that once I was safe and back in an area I was familiar with, "my faith will be made stronger." Is that crazy? All the nervousness went away and I know I could have just walked into one of the stores to ask for directions, but I didn't. I kept my eye on the building that only looked like my dad's work and as I got closer I reached Mission St. And I knew once I found Mission St. I could find the Palace Hotel because it was a cross street to New Montgomery, the street where the Palace resided. And the building that looked like my dad's work REALLY was my dad's work. I was mind blown and in awe. I went into the Palace and saw that I could charge my phone there. I sat in one of the fancy chairs that decorated both sides of the lobby and as my phone charged, I sat there reading my new book with only one thought left on my mind: "God lead my feet."