P365: Central Park [030]

Over the last 10 months, I have taken this exact picture several times, documenting how the landscape has changed through the seasons.

It is summer now.  The grass is green and crowded with park goers catching some rays.  The trees are full of green leaves, providing wonderful shade.

Once inside Central Park, you lose the sense of being in such a large city as nature just surrounds you, blocking out the sights and sounds of New York City. It’s rather amazing!

This was definitely one of my favorite places to explore, especially while interning for the City Parks Foundation, located in Central Park!

Taken on Sony Cybershot.

P365: World Trade Center [029]

With a little more than two months before the 10 year anniversary of 9/11, the new World Trade Center tower is coming along nicely.  The fences are still up, so I wasn’t able to see the memorial fountains.  You can see the progress of the 9/11 Memorial on their website.  The Memorial Plaza will be open on September 11, 2011.

P365: Brooklyn Bridge [028]

There’s nothing like a morning walk across the Brooklyn Bridge!

This iconic bridge was completed in 1883 and is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States.  It’s currently under renovation, so it can last for many more years.  The engineering of this historic landmark is truly amazing.

My Project 365 would not have been complete without a picture of the Brooklyn Bridge, especially while living in NYC. haha ;)

P365: Manhattan [027]

Across the river in Brooklyn, I got a glimpse of Lower Manhattan by the Brooklyn Bridge.
I wish I lived in Manhattan.

P365: Grand Central [026]

Grand Central Station is full of rich history, which is why I wanted to make this picture look a bit antique.  It's amazing to see that people still rely on trains to get from place to place.  However, that's definitely not the case on the West Coast because everything is so spread apart and driving is the way to go.  Ah...if only we had a train system that was faster and more convenient!

P365: Red Mango [025]

Hello frozen yogurt!! Yum! :D

And this is why I have to go to self-serve fro-yo places…

FROZEN YOGURT:

• Original
• Pomegranate
• Peach

TOPPINGS:

• Strawberries 
• Raspberries
• Blackberries
• Blueberries
• Mangoes
• Pineapple
• Almonds
• Coconut
• Mochi (^_^)
• Granola
• 1 sour patch kid (they didn’t have gummy bears)

Lovin’ all my fruit toppings and more! (^o^)

P365: Ray Bans [024]

So while I was talking to my buddy, Rick, I decided to try on my new prescription Ray Bans sunglasses.  It may have been the lighting in the room, but I was seeing double. What?!

Next time I’m testing them in the sunlight…

P365: New York Public Library [023]

As you know, I often go to the library because I mentioned it so many times on this blog.  The New York Public Library is probably one of my favorite places in the city.

This was the first time I went to the one across the street because it’s open later.  It was neat passing by the main one though and having the picture turn out as clear as it did. Success! :)

P365: Summer Rains [022]

Before the comedian show with Natasha Leggero and Reggie Watts, it rained…no, it POURED!

The other usher and I stood there for a good 30 minutes, getting soaked.  My sneakers were drenched like no other.

After the rain passed, everyone enjoyed the show without another drop of raining falling on them.

P.S. Notice the sun trying to peep out behind the rain clouds…

Taken with Sony Cybershot.

P365: Summer Solstice [021]

Times Square was packed with people celebrating the summer solstice through yoga.  It was pretty amazing!

Happy Summer! ;D

Taken with Sony Cybershot.

P365: Letters of Recommendation [020]

As the job search and application process continues, I had to ask for some letters of recommendation.  So why not from my previous internship?! :)

I miss interning for City Parks Foundation…

P365: Subway [019]

This station is generally packed with people, but being that it was nearing midnight, the station was almost completely deserted.

You may be wondering why I was out so late…
 
Just got done with a SummerStage concert in the park. I’ll be sure to take a picture of that one of these days!

P365: Mini-Me (Lego Style) [018]

Ventured over to Rockefeller Center and found the Lego Store! It was pretty cool with all the models on display, like the Death Star and the Rockefeller Plaza!


They also had this station where you can make your own person…so I did. :)

P365: Empire State [017]

I don’t usually see the Empire State building from this angle, so I thought I’d capture it while the clouds rolled in.

Immediately following this…I got caught in a torrential downpour without an umbrella. Shoot!

P365: Cell Phone [016]

My phone died like no other because the charger was broken and everything! Oh my goodness…can I please get an iPhone already?!

Gotta keep telling myself that I have one more year…ONE MORE!

P365: No Smoking [015]

Smoking areas seem to be decreasing by the second.  Being a non-smoker, this is great news.  However, some people seem to disregard the new law.

Reminds me of the smoking issues we discussed in ASUP.

P365: Umbrella [014]

There goes my Portland-ness! Shoot!

That’s right…it started raining and I busted out my umbrella.  I guess they are pretty useful for staying dry but honestly, they can be quite the hassle…

Taken with Sony Cybershot.

P365: Starbucks [013]

After venturing around Manhattan looking for a Starbucks with outlets, I finally found one! Turns out to be the go-to Starbucks that my cousins and I went to when we visited NYC in 2009. haha Go figure.

P365: Big Head [012]

Walking around Madison Square Park, there was a HUGE piece of art work in the middle of the park! Apparently, the artist based it on his nine-year-old neighbor.  Hmm…what do you think of it?

P365: Last Shot [011]

I forgot my designated 365 camera, so I took this with my Sony Cybershot.  However, I didn’t know the battery life was low, like REALLY low. It was able to take this picture though before it died. I wanted to get a shot of the temperature because it was cooler than it was last week, but the sign changed before I hit the shutter button.

P365: Belle [010]

My first day on stage at Disney! I was excited to wear my name tag, until I found out half a dozen other cast members have Belle as their favorite character. :(

For the record, Minnie Mouse is my favorite.  I just spaced out when I wrote down Belle

P365: Times Square [009]

After another training day at the Disney Store, I decided to be a little touristy and snap some shots of Times Square!  It was a good way to practice playing with the shutter and F-stop.  I’m still in need of a tripod though…

P365: Sun [008]

Sunset in New York City.

It’s an interesting juxtaposition with nature and urban life.  People were so intrigued that they stopped in the middle of the street to take a picture.  To be honest, that’s how I captured this moment. haha 

Sometimes you have to take a little risk for a photo (don’t worry…I had the right of way in the crosswalk!). 

P365: Night Traffic [007]

No photo editing here! YES!

After the first SummerStage concert, I walked down 5th Ave and played with the long exposure on a park bench. It was amazed with all the pictures I took that night, but this is definitely my favorite!

P365: Macy's [006]

It was my first day back to work at Macy’s after a good 2 months.  It was good to see some familiar faces.  The actual daily grind of work was the same as usge, except instead of a ton of coats, there was a ton of swimsuits to process. haha :)

NYC: 9 months (and counting...?)

Today marks my ninth month in New York City.  Kinda funny because nine months ago, I arrived in New York at LaGuardia Airport at night, and today, I arrived at JFK early in the morning. 

But anyway...almost a YEAR?! What?!  However, the question isn't how long I've been here, it's what have I accomplished since I've been here...

• I've completed two public relations internships, giving me a glimpse of the non-profit and agency worlds.  I'm leaning more toward non-profits because it was such a fantastic experience.  The programs that we promoted were awesome and the people I worked with were truly a blessing and appreciative of my work, while helping me gain vital PR skills.  
• I dabbled in quite a few part-time jobs, more than I ever had back home or in school.  It's been interesting and fun doing those jobs, but I know it is not what I want to do for a career.  They are part-time for a reason.
• I've made some new friends, but I wish I got to hang out with them more often. 
• I know more about navigating through this large city but continuing to discover more every day. 

It has been an amazing adventure thus far, even with its ups and downs; it's all part of this journey of the post grad life.  However, something has been bothering me.  Although I feel accomplished in a way, there's a part of me that feels like I haven't achieved anything.  I think it's the lack of a full-time job in public relations, communications or marketing that's bringing me down.  A full-time job would truly exemplify an achievement, after completing all those hours of interning and working. 

I feel like I'm in the same place I was last year after I graduated.  I thought I would get hired immediately after completing college, and this time, I thought I'd get hired immediately after completing my internships.  You think I would have learned from the first time around that that's not how it works.  Patience and optimism is key. 

So the job search and my time in NYC continues...

P365: Bryant Park [005]

 Back in NYC! :)

After a nice walk in Brooklyn, I headed straight to the library, but stopped for a bit at Bryant Park for lunch. I don’t know where the sun went, but city parks are so neat to enjoy when the weather is nice.

P365: Airport [004]

Sorry for the delay, I was packing like the whole day to catch the red eye to NYC.

I’m so glad JetBlue has a direct flight from Sacramento, but gosh…it’s so LATE!

New York, New York

But Frank Sinatra makes a valid point...

NYC Bound

After a two-week vacation away from the Big Apple, it's time to return.

For some reason, it feels bittersweet because I would like to stay at home but I also want to be in NYC.  If only I could be in two places at once...! Just kidding. 

Upon my reflection, I keep thinking of the positive encouragement of going to NYC and making bold moves to get my career up and running, but on the flip side, I also think of what I'm missing at home, mostly my family.  Other factors come into play, all of which come with being an adult anyway.


All this thinking seems to be hindering me on concentrating on what I need to do, but I have to take action soon...or else I will be stuck.  Worst fear ever.

Any thoughts? What do you think about this situation? Stick it out in NYC or come back home...?

P365: Last Night [003]

Tonight is my last night at home (for now).  I’m going to miss being with my family.  I’m going to miss my room, which is where today’s picture was taken.  It’s a shelf in my room that houses a collection of memories.  I’ll be back though…

P365: Garden [002]

While taking a break from job apps, I took a walk in my backyard. For once, it wasn’t raining.

My mom saw I was taking pictures, and she was like, “Take a picture of the bamboo. They are good in pictures.”

Haha They were, but I decided to include this photo of some flowers.

Going black and white. Keeping it classy (yes, on the 2nd photo).

P365: Camera [001]

Basically this is the camera I’m going to be using. It’s known as my “fancy” camera, and it’s seen some pretty fantastic places - New York City, San Diego, Montreal, Las Vegas, etc.

I can’t wait to travel more and put it to good use. :)

P.S. Yes, I took a picture of myself in a mirror. So what?!

P365: Introduction

Photography.
Capturing memories.
One snapshot at a time.
This is my Project 365.

Every day, starting today, I will be recording my daily life, one photo at a time - ultimately creating a series of snapshots and giving you a glimpse of my world. 

Photography has always been part of my life.  Honestly, my entire childhood has been recorded through the lens of a camera.  Having such an exposure to the device, I was excited when I was able to take my own pictures with my own camera. Granted, my first camera was one of those disposable Kodak cameras.  Not much, but it was something, just to go exploring with friends and capturing those memories together.

Being on the yearbook staff throughout middle school and high school, my interest in photography increased.  Although I wasn’t able to take a photography class, I loved being a photographer at school events - recording those memories and publishing them in the annual book that will be cherished for years.

In college, I was usually the one with a camera glued to my hand - snapping pictures of our good times together.  This was also the time when I started taking pictures of food (and then everyone started copying me). I also acquired a DSLR camera and took photography classes (photojournalism and intro to black and white photography).

After graduating, I feel like I stopped taking as many photos, but that is why starting this blog project is important to me.  I don’t want my hobby of photography to die.  Quite the opposite, really - I would like to improve my photography skills. It’s going to take lots of practice and patience, but I’m excited for this journey.

I will be using a Canon ESO Rebel XSi for this project unless otherwise stated.

Follow me and see my Project 365 unfold one snapshot at a time. :)