Success

Sorry, August, you went by too quickly for me.

August was a very busy month for me. For one, I started to volunteer for an environmental non-govermental organization. I have also started a marketing internship online. Then got to spend some time with my lovely. Also, more job interviews.

For that reason I haven't written much. But I want to change that. I feel like I need to improve my writing and that's why I got this blog for start. I will try, from today, to write every day. Or almost every day. I will write about things that impact me during the day, things that made me think, or any sort of things. I have also found an online writing prompt with different topics to write about if I can't think of anything.

Today I had a job interview at a retail store. The first question of the interview was "How do you define success". My first thought was, wow, that's a very good question.

Success is different for everybody, but it all boils down to the same concepts.

Success for me is accomplishing goals you have set for yourself: either personal goals, career, relationships, etc. More importantly how and what you do to achieve those goals. It goes from visualizing your ultimate goals, the process of achieving them, and the accomplishment. Success is knowing that you have created a positive impact on yourself and on others. It is looking back to what you have done and how far you have gone and say, wow! all my efforts have paid off. Success is the feeling of on top of the world, being very happy with life, and the feeling of self-accomplishment. It is always great to know that you have succeeded by your own and with your own knowledge and skills set. But sometimes you have to aknowledge that others have helped you accomplish your goals, or even you helping others accomplishing a goal. That's kind of success too.

When I'm older, I want to see myself successful, in the way that I have everything I wanted in life: money, family, friends, food, house. It's like saying, I have worked so hard in my life to gain all these things I want, and now I have them. Now THAT is success.

Things in my life that I consider myself successful at so far:
1. Graduating from high school with an International Diploma. I worked my ass off for that diploma. I spent sleepless nights just to finish an assignment and checking every little detail to make sure it is high quality. I finished high school knowing that I gave my 110% to get to where I got.
2. Graduating from University. Again, working really really hard to get my $100,000 paper that says that I have graduated. Homeworks, presentations, group presentations, tests, quizes, exams, essays, reserach, readings, and social life. I think I deserved that damn expensive piece of paper!
3. Living on my own for 5 years now. I used to be very dependent on my parents. Since I moved to Canada I've been doing everything myself from laudry, cooking, traveling, washing dishes, cleaning the house, organizing my room, and now, job hunting.

I can't wait where my life is going to take me and the great things I have yet to accomplish.

I think that in 30 years from now, I can (or hope!) look back and say: My Life Is A Success.

How do YOU define "success"?

Wearing many hats

Maybe it's the Gemini in me, but the phase I had when I wanted to be everything has been coming back again. I mean, career-wise.

Back in 12th grade, just before University, my friend who happens to be the library lady at my school, used to ask me this question every week: So, do you know what are you studying at university? And every week, I would give her a different answer. Biology, Geography, Advertising, Education, Culinary Arts, Graphic Design, Marine Biology, Music, Photography, Theatre, ...list goes on. Never really knew what I wanted to do specifically, cuz I knew I wanted to do them all! Like seriously. I'm not like other kids who went through a list of programs and just said no to all of them, but instead I would say yes to all of them because they all sounded exciting (well, maybe except for law and physics)

After lots of thinking I have decided to study Communications. Well, actually I went to a University in CR to take Advertising. Just to get the feel of being in University. And THEN, I took Communications at York.

Now that I have a Communications degree, now what? I know about all the jobs I could have by taking Communications: Audio and Video Production, Publisher, Graphic Designer, Web Designer, Corporate Communications, Public Relations, Sales and Marketing, Copywriter, Art Director, Lobbyist, Technical Writer, New Media Designer, Media Manager, Media Analyst, Creative Director, Editor, News Reporter, Journalist, etc. Yeah, they all sound really really nice. But it makes me think what other things I am missing.

For example, I like to cook. That's a fact. I love food. I love reading books and magazines about food and cooking. I love enjoying real good food. That's a fact again. I would have really REALLY loved to go to Cooking School. Learning about preparation of food, the different ways of cooking something, the spices, the nutrition value of food, the different tastes, how one food can mingle so well with others, French Cuisine, Italian Cuisine, Japanese Cuisine, Latin American Cuisine, Indian Cuisine....they all sound Fantastic! I could just go on and on about food and cooking because it is something I am passionate about. Especially when it comes to bakery. I wanted to be a pastry chef. Making cupcakes, wedding cakes, birthday cakes, cookies, meringues, pies, and all the sweet things.

Another thing I am passionate about, animals. I have a great facination especially on marine animals, or animals that live in water. Shrimps, fish, lobsters, clams, sponges, sharks, whales, seahorses, oysters, squids, corals, etc. Not only I like eating seafood, but I have a great fascination about, for example, how jellyfish move, where they breathe, how they eat, etc. I feel like I could stare at a fishtank for hours, trying to figure out what the fish is doing. I've always been interested in Biology, especially in my last years of high school. I got to learn so much about how things in nature function. And mother nature is a great thing! I feel I could never stop learning about nature. And I also care about the environment and protection of animals.

But what it is like to work at something I have never given thought about? Like a crime scene investigator. It happens that I was just watching CSI, and it made me wish I had taken criminology. These investigators are so brilliant tracking down murderers, and I am quite impress of the technology available to them, for example to track DNA from a strand of hair. A strand of hair!! Well, obviously the show might not portray reality as much, but I'm pretty sure they have cool technology for their jobs! It seems like a great feeling being able to solve a mystery. There is so much wit, intelligence and attention to detail. I wanna be like that! Seems amazing to find the missing piece to the puzzle. So cool. It could also involve biology! DNA testing and such. Psychology. Try to understand how people think and their intentions on their actions.

Whereas I never had the chance to try on different hats (not literally, I've actually worn many funky hats), this guy has. Sean Aiken. After graduation, he didn't know what he wanted to do, so he planned to take any job that comes to him to find his true passion. He made a project called "One Week Job" where he would perform 52 jobs in 52 weeks in a trip around North America.

WATCH HIM ON RACHEL RAY'S SHOW


Luckily he's doing a tour in Toronto and he's coming to York. I'm SOOO going to see him and hear him talk. So amazing! My bf wants to come too!

Permanent Residence

When I was still in university, I thought I could apply for the Post-Graduate Working Permit, then get a year of full time job and then I can get Permanent Residence and eventually I can get my canadian citizenship.

Graduate from University, check
Get Post-Graduate Work Permit, check
Get a full-time job.....

Oh get this, it can't be just any kind of full-time job, has to fall into any of these categories:
- Skill Type 0 (managerial occupations)
- Skill Level A (professional occupations)
- Skill level B (technical occupations)

In other words, they have to be very high level or skilled jobs. Can't be a job that a 17 year old can get, like cashier, salesperson, receptionist, restaurant server, etc. Has to be better than that.

HOW DO THEY EXPECT ME TO GET A MANAGER OR HIGH SKILLED JOB WHEN I JUST GRADUATED FROM UNIVERSITY AND HAVE LITTLE TO NO EXPERIENCE?!?!?! Seriously!!

The worst thing is that I can't find lots of resources to recurr to and ask for advice. The only thing I can think of are friends who has gone through the same, internet forums, and international students association. But I have how the government just spits me out once I'm done at University. I have no health coverage and I don't qualify for OHIP. I need a job, but don't have enough experience. I need an apartment, but I can't seem to find the right now.

I wish I knew about Permanent Residence qualifications before I started university. I feel like I wasted 4 years of my life going to York and taking a major that doesn't help me get a job. Knowing what I know now, I should have gone to College in the first place instead. I don't wanna learn about theories, I wanna learn hands-on stuff that will help me get a job when I graduate from university! If I had done that I would probably have a job now, had connections in my field, and can probably apply for Permanent Residence already.

But knowing my luck, things are gonna work out in the end. This is just the moment when you are at the dentist and you have to suffer for a while. But in the end, you have better and healthier teeth. Or at least I hope so.

Oh ya, my children will be doctors

I just read an interesting article on the Toronto Star about how asian parents almost push their kids to go into university to take high standard programs such as medicine, pharmacy, law, engineering and accounting, even thought some kids don't even have the talent or interest in them. And the consequence of that are children dropping out of school, failing, getting suspended, cheating or even break down to depression.

I totally feel and get what they are saying because I come from very traditional parents, and they obviously want the best for me. Thankfully, my parents let me fully take Communications and French and let my sister take her International Development Studies. However, I do recall them trying to convince me to get into Computer Science (since "I love computers so much") and trying to convince my sister to get into law (because "she's too good at arguing"). I also remember when I was choosing my university career I had to consult them several times. They rarely asked me questions like "do you really like that program?", "are you very interested in that program?", or "take whatever you are passionate about". They were more like "yes, that career can get you jobs" and "no, that's a useless program and you cannot find a job after". I mean, I understand that they want me to succeed after graduation. But one thing is taking something that I want to get a job with and another thing is to take something I am passionate about. Remember the time when I told my dad I wanted to go to cooking school and he told me "if you want to be a chef start by doing the dishes in the sink", or my mom telling me "yeah, right". Because that is something I am REALLY interested and passionate about learning! Besides doing art design, web design, and graphic design. Maybe theatre. Although Communications (or advertising) was certainly an option because of my interest in ads in high school.

The thing is that I feel (by noticing my parents and other chinese parents), that the chinese culture is very much focused in study and woring hard, but not so much on the social life (generally speaking, there are of course exceptions). Like the article said, "the Confucian tradition of respect for hard work and obedience “often overlooks creative skills and leadership and social skills". At least for the case of my parents, they usually don't allow me or are very restricted about me going to social gatherings, extra-curricular activities, and having a social life. So I went to school and went back directly home, everyday. This in turn has shaped the personality I used to have and maybe still have today: the shy, quiet, naive, anti-social type of girl. Maybe not so much now, but I am still bit shy and quiet because I have learned from other people (mostly non-asian), and not from my parents.

Since my first year at university I wanted to get a part-time job, so that I can gain experience and network with other people, and maybe earn some dollars. But I remember clearly that my parents told me to forget about part-time jobs, and that I needed to concentrate on my studies. Four years after, I have graduated and barely got a job. Why? Because I don't have much experience because I was too busy studying. I mean, it is not a bad thing concentrating on studies, but it's not like my grades were super high. Maybe because the rebellious me didn't listen to my parents and still got a social life at university with frosh week, volunteering, joining clubs, etc. which thankfully gave me a little bit of experience I can put on my resume. Of course, I did all these without asking my parents about it. They would have probably said no. But for me, experience is a lot more valuable than my grades. Because when you come out to work, it is the experience that counts. Employers won't care if you got an A or a C+ (well, it would be nice to get an A). But say, you have an A+ but no experience, contacts, or anything; where can that get you? And what if you got a C+ but your resume is filled with lots of different experiences that are valuable to the job you are applying for? Getting out of the classroom to meet other people, will help students get connections, who might hook you up with a job, right?

But I understand where chinese parents come from. China's economic situation wasn't the best about 25 years ago. And now with the technology, globalisation, immigration to first world countries, and the amount of freedom compared to those years, there is a huge gap of difference. Maybe that is why they want their kids to have the best education in order to have the best job, and therefore make lots of money. It is understandable and it is fair to say that. However, it is still unfair to make children take something they don't feel interested or have the passion about. A low interest will reflect on a low grade, which in turn will make the children miserable about their lives. I think it is important for asian parents to understand the many ways to success, that is not written on the books, but it is all around living the daily life and experiencing and learning.

And it is crazy that 72% of Toronto's Chinese-Canadian students are applying for universities while only 42% of Canadian students apply to universities. It is funny how the article says that some universities are becoming "too Asian" *cough Uot cough*. My sister who studies at UoT in Scarborough tells me that students, mostly asians, are very studious and very serious about their university careers. She even tells me that people go to the library past 12am, and maybe some even might as well pull a tent there and sleep overnight. Not saying that there is no social life there, but I do notice however, that most chinese students mingle with their own kind and don't usually go beyond. I find this also true at York. Maybe it's just the culture clash, the way people are raised. Thankfully I was encouraged to mingle with non-asians in costa rica (because I had mostly no choice since there aren't many chinese people there) and I feel totally comfortable socializing with non-asian people. My parents asked me in my first year if I made any chinese friends, I told them that I didn't because no chinese will come up to me and say hi, it was mostly canadians who did that. Needless to say they were disappointed. But you know what, this is another story...

The point is that I am glad that I found the article, because it is something I am concerned about. I believe in freedom of choice, that the person can choose either to go or not to university and choose what program they want to get in according to their interests or talents. People shouldn't be forced to take something parents want them to take, because it is their career and their life after all. I find it great that there are programs that speak to the chinese communities about the many ways of success besides the books, and to encourage their children to get to know other backgrounds, to socialize, and have more life experiences rather than locking themselves in a box in front of a book that can only tell you so much.

I am also glad and thankful that my parents at least give me 'some' freedom about my life and mostly agree with what I want to do in life.

Miss Bachelor of Arts with Honours

So long, after four years of study cramming and lots and lots and lots of money, I HAVE OFFICIALLY GRADUATED!! =D

I had my convocation last Thursday. I was kinda stressed because it was the only day of the week that rained and was cold. I was just wearing a dress and a regalia. Thought a fall convocation wouldn't be that bad. I thought it would be nice and sunny, not too hot, not too cold, and nice to take pictures with the fall leaves. The ceremony wasn't bad. Thought it would be way too long, but time passed by really quickly (considering that many did not attend convocation). I was sad I was separated from my friend who also took Communications and French. But I was close to another Communications friend and some classmates I never really cared about. Then there was this girl who liked to point the obvious. It is kind of ironic she's graduating and she didn't seem very bright. The other guy next to me said she might be drunk. I would not be surprised. After it ended, I took a few photos with my friend, my mom (who came all the way to Costa Rica to see me graduate) and my boyfriend. I wanted to get some refreshments at the reception, but it was too crazy, I could barely get any food (mostly thanks to this lady who spent the time of her life picking cherry tomatoes one by one and never thought about moving). After that, me, my mom and my boyfriend went to a restaurant to celebrate. It was nice. Wish my dad was there, he would be very proud. But he didn't come with my mom and decided to stay taking care of his business (although he said he wanted to compensate me by giving me some ca$h. yay!)

Now after graduation, I was hoping job finding were A LOT easier. Ideally I would just finish university and then I will have a job. Unfortunetly, it is not my case. It is super hard, harder than I thought it would be. Seems like companies almost don't hire you for your degree but for your past experiences. This comes hard on me since I am competing with a lot of Canadians who start working at age 15 or 16. In Costa Rica most people don't work until they are like 18. Disadvantage for me there. Also, many students to part-time jobs while studying. Me, my parents told me to focus on my studies instead. You mean, I could have gained a lot of experience? Um, yeah. I should have also gone to college, where they give you internships in the last semester. College is more hands-on what you want to do. Not essay writing and reading at university. Although graduating from a prestiged university is good too. Can't underestimate the things I have learned in these past four years. Guess I could take experiences I have had at university, either working or volunteering and transfering them to the work force. Another disadvantage I have is that here Canadian people have connections, like friends and families, and I don't. Or barely don't.

What I can still do it to give my best, to not give up, and bring up my passion. Many might have the skills, but not too many have the passion, ammirite? I can also do a lot of research on the industries and companies I would like to work at. By the way, I heard Mad Men is about advertising? Might have to start watching a new show!

Bye bye full-time student, hello full-time job hunter....

Portfolio? What portfolio?

Just in case you don't know, my future plan is to get into an advertising agency in Toronto, and to be specific I want to be an arts director / creative director.

A problem I have encountered, which also applies to some people I know, is that in the hiring process they require a portfolio. Now, what the heck is a portfolio? What does it look like? What do I put in there? I dont' know if I did well research on Internet, but I have rarely came across any creative director portfolio. Yes, there are plenty of websites of them showing off their work, but how does a physical portfolio looks like? Adveritisng people have been telling me that a portfolio is almost a requirement, yet they don't tell me what it's supposed to look like. How am I supposed to start building one if I don't have anything to compare it with?

Another problem, beside NOT knowing what a portfolio looks like, is what kind of material I can put in. You see, at York they don't teach you how to build a portfolio, nor they give you an assignment to design an advertisement. All I do at York is read about communication theories and write extensive essays about them. But how am I supposed to gain experience?

Thank goodness that becoming a VP Communications for McLaughlin last year, it was probably one of the wisest decisions I have made to start my future. If it wasn't because I was VP Communications, I would have no experience building websites, or designing flyers/posters to put around campus. I wouldn't know where else to grab that opportunity.

A lot of these kind of jobs require past experience doing similar stuff, but how am I going to get experience if nobody hires me to do that kind of job?! How am I supposed to learn how to operate Photoshop, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Flash, Java, etc? I have to do it all by myself. I taught myself how to use photoshop, and now I'm teaching myself how to use InDesign. I also had to take an elective course that taught me about the basics of HTML and CSS. Another good decision. Ugh, Communications at York isn't as useful as I thought it was gonna be. I should have applied to a college in the first place, maybe I would have gained more experience.

One of my friends applied to the Creative Advertising program at Humber, and they required a portfolio. Of course she didn't have a portfolio because nothing she did at York required her to make any kind of that work.

How do advertising people expect me to have super amazing 10 pieces of work (the just 'ok' ones don't count) before I start the job and right after graduation? This is frustrating >:G

Closest thing I have found on Internet

Gemini Bunny Loses Her Twin

Today, my best friend left the house to go back home in Terrace Bay. I always saw my friend as my gemini twin because we are so alike, though not as much since I got into a relationship.

Her and I were very free-willed people, taking life easy and enjoy it as much as we can. Loving life as it is. Enjoy being ourselves. Smiling every chance we get. We both had similar ideals about life in general. We also like to stay away from drama as much as possible.

I have enjoyed my time this year living with her. During the summer we used to sit outside the house, get some sun and looking at people passing by. We also walked to the fountain on campus, talk, and look at people passing by. We shared lots of gossips together. Sometimes we go into each other's room just to talk. I went to her room because I find myself being bored or needing to get some social life. I go to her because I feel like I can talk to her about anything and we always have something to talk about. we have a good trust on each other because I would tell her things I would not tell anyone, or she will tell me things she won't tell anyone. She always came to me and hug me - and sometimes she jokingly try to snap my bra or have unappropriate lesbian jokes- We planned couple events together, like Hoops Night.

When she left today, I felt like a piece of me is leaving me. Who am i going to sit outside with? Who am I going to complain about people to? Whose singing will I hear? Who am I going to tell gossips to? Who am i going to do the volcaaaanooooo high five? Who do I giggle with? Who is going to high five me about evil things? There are certainly people I can do this with, and still some other friends who are still here, but it's not going to be the same.

With the surprise party another friend threw her and how she was crying when she left, I suddenly realized how much her friendship means to her, and how valuable friendships are. When she cried she made us all cry. Some people are amazing friends. Sometimes I wish I had more friends like them. It makes me wonder if I have friends like that, who would throw me a surprise good-bye party and be sad when I leave. But this is usually not the case because I am always the one that stays the last. It is like when I was in residence and I had to see everyone leave and I had to stay until the very last date.

Times like this makes me think that I need to take friendship more seriously, not that I don't, but I need to build stronger bonds with people and make really good friends. Because I really don't wanna end up like my mother who barely has any friends and spends the entire time in the house with my dad. I really wants friends I can rely on. Good friends I feel comfortable talking about things. Like I saw on television on a show called Boss in disguise or something, "build relationships, then do business". I need to build relationships with people. Because it is just going to benefit me, in every single way.

It is indeed really sad to see people move away. Today two of my friends moved out of the house, the two I get along the best with. But even more than that, a whole bunch of people I know are moving on with their lives. Lots of them are graduating and going on separate ways in life. My best friend is going home and pursuit her career in theatre. Couple friends are moving to downtown to live. Some are going back home after graduation. Others are going to college or graduate school. It is like high school again, when all your friends are leaving to do different things and going to different schools. No wonder it is so hard to keep a friendship. Once bonds are made, it's meant to be broken. Because honestly, when people move, they change. People might stayn in touch with you for the first couple months, but it is just going to die away slowly and then you don't get in touch with them. Been there, done that. That is probably why I don't take friendships so seriously. Because I don't wanna get hurt when they leave me. But I guess that's part of life.

Losing friendships means you gain new ones, but not forgetting old ones. The best thing to do is do my best to create great bonds with people, at least temporary, but they are going to be strong bonds.

4th year and you suck at basics!

I just can't believe how some FOURTH YEAR students at UNIVERSITY still cannot make a good class presentation. And even worse, a power point presentation.

SO basically you get 5 different kinds of boring presentations and presenters:

#1 The "You-can't-read-my-slides"
This kind of presenter tends to read everything from the slides, and by everything I mean EVERYTHING.


#2 The "I-Just-Wrote-Everything-Up"
This kind comes prepared for the presentation and came to class with only a written component in form of long notes or the summary they made, and decide to read it in front of the class. This is usually due to fear of public speech. Or not knowing what a boring presentation means.

#3 The "Quoter"
This person tries to fit eveything into a slide as much as they can with quotes because they are 'so important'


#4 The "Distractor"
This person make use of pictures in order to cover up for the bad content of the presentation.


#5 The "Monotone"
This person has the skill to keep one voice tone throughtout the whole presentation. The person does not express any sort of emotion at all. Clearly, the person was assigned with a topic they hate or was the last one to pick the topic that nobody else wanted.


This is university, you should be able to make a good class presentation by now. How are you going to be a successful public speecher if your slides suck and nobody is caring what you are saying because you are boring? even if you can't make an interesting presentation, picture yourself listening to your presentation.

Thank you. *insert applause here*