PDX Bound

As some of you know, I bolted from the Bay Area, where I have been living, working, running, wining and dining for the past five years. Now it's time for a change: I'm pleased to announce that I will be heading back north to Portland, Oregon.

Source: TripAdvisor

It has been seven years since graduating from the University of Portland, and I am excited to return to rediscover this city and its surrounding areas. There are so many places I've missed and several more that I have yet to visit (read: OMSI), waterfalls to hike to (a trip to the Gorge is in order, pronto!), breweries to enjoy, restaurants to check out, and the list just keeps going. 

I can't wait to reunite with good friends, especially my bestieeee! We have so many more memories to make! 

October 2016 - Sam and I toured Widmer Brewery before we tackled the Portland Half Marathon the next day.

Now you may be wondering how this all came to be. So let's back track to February...

I accepted a position as a temporary Word Processor for NDPPS at KPMG, thanks to a referral from Caitlin. I was stoked to be doing something different, something not related to public relations. I formatted audit reports and letters and advanced my Microsoft Word skills (hello, macros). I also got a better understanding of what it meant to work with a team. Through constant communication, especially with remote colleagues, we supported each other through thick and thin. KPMG definitely left a good impression on me, but this was a temporary job. It was a bummer to leave, but on my last day, there was a spark of hope.

Source: KPMG

Juvella is part of the operations team and informed me that her team had a temporary position to fill in a few weeks. I jumped at the opportunity and came back after two weeks. Working on the operations team brought a new light to working for a company. They are essentially the backbone, making sure there are enough supplies, delivering the mail, assisting guests and employees alike with all their needs, setting up conference rooms, ordering catering, and much much more. It was definitely a more physically demanding job (I got my steps in though), and I'm grateful for the amazing group of colleagues I worked with. 

I still had access to my KPMG email and everything, so on a whim, I internally applied to the administrative assistant position in Portland. Little did I know that it would change my life over the span of a week. The day that I applied, I spoke with the recruiter who informed me that he sent my resume to the Portland team and they were interested in speaking with me. Over the next two days, I completed three interviews with the operations managers in Portland and Seattle as well as partner who would work closely with this assistant. Then Friday morning was the moment of truth: I got the job! 

Biggest take away here:

Don't underestimate temporary positions when you're in your job search. They are a great way to gather new skills and to try something new. Plus, you never know if it's going to be your big break. 

Well, I have a long list of things to do before moving, but look out Portland, I'm coming back! 

BLOG: Here I Go Again...

Thank you to Victoria Ngo for reminding me that I used to blog and that I need to get back to it! 

Let's see, my last blog is about resetting my blog with its new theme - Tassajarra Muses. Then nothing happened for a year and nine months. So here we are in September 2016 discussing how I will attempt to blog again! So many things have happened since I started this blog in 2010, so I plan to do a quick recap and then move forward to the present. 

In the words of Whitesnake, here I go again...

http://youtu.be/i3MXiTeH_Pg

BLOG: Tassajarra Muses

Source: http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2013/12/18/great-posts-on-interactive-writing-blogging/

It has been more than two years since I have posted on my blog (and yes, this is another blog post about blogging). I figured it was time to revamp this blog instead of starting over. I've done that a couple of times now and have been left with several deserted blogs.

So let's begin...

Introducing Tassajarra Muses

When I first started this blog, it was to document my post grad life, following my graduation from the University of Portland in May 2010. I wanted to create an easy way for family and friends to find out what I was up to after graduating. However, after about a year, I realize this blog was more than my post grad life journey and what I was doing professionally. As I started adding more personal content, it became a blog that allowed me to share other parts of my journey including my photo project, reviews for movies and books, changes in my hairstyle and more. 

As this progressed, I changed the title of my blog to follow my mantra for the year; for instance, in 2013, it was Optimizing Opportunities. However, I needed a title that was good for SEO as well as one that catered to all the ups and downs, year in and year out. And that's how I came up with Tassajarra Muses. 

It's my first name paired up with the word "muses." As a noun, a "muse" is a goddess who resides over the arts and sciences, while as a verb, "muse" is to be absorbed in thought. I felt that this describes me well in both senses. Firstly, I am well-rounded with interests and curiosities for several different things, topics, sports, music, activities, and so much more. It has its pros and cons because while I have all these interests, it makes it difficult to specialize in only one. Think of it as playing multiple video games and you're on level one on all of them instead of focusing on advancing in one particular game.  Secondly, I often get lost in my own thoughts or have to think decisions through all the way before deciding. With this blog, I plan to share some of those thoughts on different topics as I continue on this journey. 

I'm excited to start blogging again and hope you'll join me for this ride. :)

Dear NYC: I Miss You

 Last weekend in NYC, July 2011

Two years ago today, I took a one-way flight to New York City and spent 10 months in the Big Apple - working/interning and exploring the city. Then I returned home.

On my last day, I wrote...

"I'm positive that I'm leaving. Do I want to leave? Not really but I feel that going home at this point in my life is a good choice, healthy even."

Looking back, I think I do regret leaving...

Sometimes I look back and think I didn't do enough to stay in New York. I could have done a more thorough job search to land a public relations internship. I could have done a better search for apartments. I feel like I just ran out of time and ran back to a place of familiarity and safety.

Now don't get me wrong. Upon returning home, I got another job (or two or three or four) and worked like no other. I enjoyed the comforts of home and being surrounded by family, and I gained useful skills from those jobs. In addition, I met some amazing people at the same time.

I'm thankful for my combined working experiences to bring me where I am today as an intern for a global public relations agency, which was one of my goals this year too.

However, at the end of the day, was it worth working so many jobs and nothing else? It seems like such a waste of my youth to work so much to make ends meet.

I wish I spent more time hanging out with my new friends, but every time an opportunity came up, I declined because of work. :(

Moving forward, I seriously need to stop thinking so pessimistically about my past mistakes and look toward the possibilities ahead.

Isn't that what optimizing opportunities is all about? 

I just need to keep reminding myself that if I'm meant to return to New York, then it will be. 

P.S. Definitely had a more positive attitude about this situation last year...

Back to the Post Grad Blog

Yes, I'm blogging about blogging...again.

It's been a while since I last blogged, but I have exciting news to share in my next couple posts.  :)

One of my resolutions this year was to blog more, and I have obviously failed miserably so far.  Some explanation to that later, but honestly, I've just been extremely busy with work and everything else.  I'm hoping to blog more in the next couple months, so keep out on the look out for that.

Let's get on with the blogging!

Dream Job (part 2)

While journalism is not completely out of the picture, I've also grown interested in another industry - public relations.

In college, I was involved with student government (ASUP), most notably the Campus Program Board (CPB), a student-run event programming organization.  During my time as CPB Director, I gained experience in event planning, which was rewarding, enjoyable and challenging.  During my first term, I was still convinced that I would pursue my dream job of being a journalist and figured I can do event planning on the side, like as a wedding planner.  As graduation loomed closer, I was torn about what I wanted to do.  My adviser, Jillian, suggested public relations because I would be able to combine my skills as a writer and an event planner.

I didn't know much about public relations, but luckily I was able to take a course about it before I graduated.  I got a basic understanding, but during my first post-grad summer, I talked to someone at Burson-Marsteller, who said I had a superficial image of public relations.

It wasn't until I moved to New York that I got a better understanding of this new dream job...

Thanks to my internships with City Parks Foundation and Baltz & Company, I have a better understanding of public relations.  While it's from an intern's perspective, it's better than where I started.

According to PRSA, the official definition of public relations is:

“Public relations is a strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their publics.”

From those experiences, I found out how public relations was used to connect organizations with their publics, whether that was through a variety of media outlets like television, newspapers, magazines, or social media as well as events and public appearances.  Through my internships, I found that public relations allows me to practice and learn more about communication - verbal, written, in person, online, over the phone, one-on-one, or in a group setting.  It definitely keeps me on my toes and will continue to do so as communication change with technology.

I'm interested in learning more and figuring out which field is my forte, whether that is non-profit, food/hospitality, technology, travel/tourism, corporate communications, or in-house among others.

While the ultimate goal for this dream job is not concrete quite yet, I'm sure that once I get more into it with a company I love, that goal will formulate.  As for now, I'm taking it one day at a time and hoping to optimize the next opportunity to officially start my public relations career.

Dream Job (Part 1)

"What is your dream job?"

"Where do you see yourself in 2-3 years?"

I've been so concerned about finding a job now that I haven't stopped to think about what I'm working toward career-wise.  It was easier seeing where my life was going in high school and the beginning of college.

With a Communication Studies degree with emphasis in Journalism, I dreamed of becoming an anchor for the TODAY Show, starting at the local news stations at home and moving up from there.

Skyped in as a Viewer Question on the TODAY Show. (Jan. 2012)

I also dreamed of becoming editor-in-chief of a magazine that fancied my interests - travel, lifestyle, fitness, etc.  I was thinking National Geographic, SELF, or Marie Claire, for instance.

Don't get me wrong. I still love everything about journalism. I love creating stories, reaching out to different people to get the story and connecting with an audience through words.  I love that thrill of writing a story, and the words just seem to fall together perfectly.  To me, writing is like a puzzle, and it's amazing to figure it out while creating a masterpiece.

It was a little discouraging to find out that journalism was deemed a "useless" degree, according to the Daily Beast's list.  It also didn't help that many newspapers were going out of business or downsizing while I was in my junior and senior year.

In addition, I don't have that experience of working on the school newspaper or the yearbook (except for in middle school, high school and sophomore year in college).  Without this essential experience along with journalism internships,  I felt - and still feel - like it's harder for me to apply for reporter positions to continue on that path, especially without published writing samples.

To be continued...

JOB SEARCH: Reminiscing yet Moving Forward

(via www.jvskc.org)

Cleaned out some emails and saw all the jobs/internships I applied for while living in New York.  Emails to a variety of public relations agencies - boutique agencies, global companies, agencies focused on technology, sports, beauty, food/hospitality and more.  Emails to MTV.  Emails to magazine companies.  Emails to restaurants.  Emails to stores.  Honestly, I was looking for work everywhere.

After organizing my email, I was inspired by my boldness and willingness to work in different places.  I understood that I needed to start somewhere, working from the ground up. 

As the job search continues, I need that same attitude again...

On the flip side, I also found an email chain about an internship with Benvenuti PR.  I interviewed with them but disclosed my concerns about scheduling.  That eliminated my opportunity to work with them.  Looking back, I'm sure I could have done it, balancing two unpaid internships and a job at Macy's.  Possibly getting a full-time job out of it.

(via One Degree of Separation)

If you're looking for job experience, internships are definitely a great way to accomplish this.  In addition, they allow you to explore the industry you're interested in.  While it is easy to turn your head away from unpaid internships, they provide great job experience, especially if you have an excellent mentor to help you and support you as you grow in the position and prepare for your career.  Just be sure the unpaid internship is legit and follows the legal guidelines.

Enough of looking in the past, it's time to keep moving forward and keep searching for my ideal job/internship...

FOOTBALL: For the love of the game...

(via ninernoise.com)

This whole week, the news has been about the NFC Championship game between the San Francisco 49ers and the New York Giants.  In addition, they have been covering the difference between diehard fans and band-wagoners.  It really got me thinking about where I stand.  

Thinking back, the 49ers was probably the first sports team that I knew about, especially in elementary school.  You either liked the 49ers or the Dallas Cowboys.  It was the 90s. What do you expect? Since the 49ers are closer in proximity, they were the obvious choice.  Plus, being a history buff (even at that age), I made the connection between the San Francisco 49ers and the actual 49ers of the California Gold Rush. :)

(via bleacherreport.com)

In 1995, I remember the 49ers winning against the San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX and becoming the first team to win five Super Bowls.  It was a big deal! 

(via ebay.com)

The next year, Wheaties came out with a commemorative cereal box dedicated to Super Bowl XXX.  I memorized the helmets on the back of the box, recalling the 49ers had the most, followed by the Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers (they won 4 each).  Did you know those boxes are going for $30.00 on eBay nowadays?

For several years, I just watched the Super Bowl for the commercials and somewhat paying attention to the game.  On a side not, I'm pretty sure the Super Bowl was also an introduction to reading Roman numerals...

Flash forward to high school...

I was determined to understand football because I was tired of watching it and pretending I knew what was going on...and because I totally was crushing on the quarterback at school. haha Anywho, my dad helped me understand the game, and I kinda got into it.  I wasn't really rooting for anyone. I'd pick a team to root for for the Super Bowl but that was the extent of that.  I have to admit the Super Bowl experience is more enjoyable and complete when watching the game, the commercials and the half-time show.

Watching the Super Bowl was an annual event for me, but I realized it doesn't mean anything if you're not watching the entire season.

It wasn't until this season that I took advantage of being home and got back into the game - like really in to it.  Football is such an intriguing yet entertaining sport. All season, it became routine to watch a football game anytime it was on - Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.  Then I found myself getting upset when the channel was changed when we were in the middle of watching a game.  Honestly, it was getting intense, but it was all for the love of the game!! There have been some great match-ups this year and some amazing plays (hello Tim Tebow!), and with a couple playoff games left, I'm excited to see what's going to happen next.

So to bring this full circle, I rooted for the 49ers from the beginning...of this season.  Even though I like to think I've been a fan since the mid-90s, I admit that I totally have band-wagon status.  But if you can make dreamers into believers, you can make a band-wagoner into a diehard fan. Let's go Niners! Beat the NY Giants on Sunday! :)

(via Twitter @49ers)

TRAVEL: Portland (round 2)

Only one month until I'm back in the Pacific Northwest for a weekend!  I'm so excited to finally visit after a long hiatus, almost two years.  I can't wait to see my friends who are still in Portland, and I definitely hope I have enough time to spend with everyone!

Some things I'm looking forward to:

BESTIEEE TIME!!

CST (Jan 2010)

It's been such a long time since I've seen CST! I really hope we can all eat out for ol' times sake (even though our favorite hangout is long gone. *sigh*).

DANCE OF THE DECADES!!

Totally rockin' those rad 80s prom dresses! YES! (DOD 2010)

Yes, even alumni can enjoy this popular CPB dance!  Not sure what decade I'll be dressing up as, but it'll be a good way to hang out with friends, dancing the night away to some totally awesome soundtracks! Woo!

SUPER BOWL SUNDAY!!

With the playoffs starting next week, it'll be fun to see who makes it to the Super Bowl!  I've never watched a major sporting event at a sports bar, so we will venture to one. Yay! I really hope Kristina flies in on time for the kickoff! ;)

FOR THE SAKE OF THE BLOG!!

The adventures continue...

Who knows? There might be surprise blog posts...from you-know-where! hahaha

A-SUP OFFICE!!

The ASUP Team 2009-2010

My second home while in school. Things have changed, but I'm sure it was all for the better. It'll be good to visit the office as well as the current board and the Office of Student Activities. Oh those student government days! Good times.

THE FOSCHO SHOW!!

Well, I can't promise this will happen, but I really hope we at least get to spend time together.  But honestly, if we're together, we might as well make a video...or two.

DOWNTOWN ADVENTURES!!

Gotta venture down there at some point.  Maybe get some Voodoo or just walk around (depending on the weather)...

There's probably a half dozen more things I could list, but since it's only a weekend, I have to be realistic!  I'm down for anything, so come on Portland friends, show me what you got! ;)

More New Year's Resolutions

It's the last day of 2011! While I already started some of my resolutions for 2012, I've come up with a couple more.

5) Network! It's who you know... In this economy, it's evident that having a strong network is how people are landing jobs.  While this has been in the back of my mind of ages, it's long overdue to actually network with others in the industry, gain information about companies, particular positions, etc.  I definitely want to network in 2012, whether that is in person or through social media.

6) Reconnect with old friends.  Since I've moved back home, I realize I should have kept in touch with high school friends.  Sure, we're friends on Facebook.  We send birthday greetings, "like" or comment on status updates and pictures, but nothing more than that.  I'm going to try to reconnect; I just hope others are willing to do the same.

7) Get organized.  After moving from place to place over the past five years, I've accumulated a ton of stuff.  A bit too much.  I definitely want to reduce what I have, especially when I move again.  Garage sale anyone?

8) Volunteer! It's great to give back to the community, and I've somewhat done my part by donating blood.  Not much, so I want to volunteer more and get more involved with the community.

I feel like those are good realistic goals for 2012.  If circumstances are favorable (or not), I'd like to throw in these resolutions/goals as well.

9) Apply to grad school.  If finding a job continues to be a challenge, then I'll challenge myself to get into grad school.  It's still in the big picture.  I need to conduct more research and prepare for it if I want to make this happen.

10) Travel! I miss those college days when I got to travel to different parts of the US or study abroad.  It's been difficult planning trips around work and all, but the itch to explore the world is still there.  I know I have Portland in the books for 2012, but where else?

Alright. I could keep going on with these resolutions, but a year goes by fast and I should keep it focused on just these ten (for now).  What are your resolutions for the new year?

Let's make 2012 an amazing year!  :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

P365: Afternoon Snackage [189]

My mom and I made steamed dumplings together. Talk about a yummy afternoon snack! Mmhmm! Now to figure out how to perfect the sauce for it…

P365: Fettuccine Alfredo with Shrimp [188]

Sometimes it surprises me when we can pull together a dish like this without having to go to the grocery store! Delicious dinnertime meal! :)

P365: It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! [187]

Trimmed our Christmas tree with classic ornaments and lights and emphasizing the quintessential colors of Christmas - red, green, and gold! ;) 

But can you spot the hidden Mickey?! 

New Year's Resolutions

It's the beginning of December, and I know what you're thinking, "You're already thinking of your new year's resolutions?! Christmas hasn't even passed!" Yeah I know.  New Year's Eve isn't until the end of this month, but what's the harm in starting those resolutions a month early?  It'll be a good way to end 2011 and an even better way to start 2012!

I've started a couple resolutions already, including:

1) Grow stronger in my faith and relationship with God.  I feel terrible for not going to mass as much after getting confirmed.  My relationship with God has had its ups and downs over the past year or so, but I definitely want to reconnect with Him and grow stronger in my faith on this journey.

2) Get in better shape.  After graduating high school, it's been difficult figuring out a fitness routine to get back in shape, especially since I'd have to do it individually instead of with a team.  I'm still trying to wrap my mind about just running and doing other workouts, but I think I'm ready.  Bring it on 2012! :)

Some other resolutions I have are:

3) Find a better job.  The economy is still taking a toll on jobs, but I'm determined to power through it and find a career that I love.

4) Write more.  Whether it is writing in my journal or blogging, I love writing, but I constantly get distracted or get drowsy or some other excuse.  I definitely plan to write more regularly in 2012.

I'm sure I'll think of more resolutions to tackle as the end of 2011 draws closer, but in the meantime, now seems like a good time to start a couple of them.

What are your new year's resolutions for 2012?

P365: Late Summer Dawn [105]

God paints the most beautiful pictures in the sky. :)

P365: Middle of Nowhere [104]

Contrary to popular belief, California isn’t always sunny or completely populated by cities. Take a drive down I-5 you’ll see what I mean…

9/11: 10 Years Later...

When I woke up this morning, the first thing I thought about was the 10th anniversary of September 11.

I put up an American flag outside in memory of those lost that day before leaving my sister's house in San Luis Obispo.

On the drive home, the rain sprinkled the windshield. It felt like the world was crying in remembrance.

Back home, Sunday night football showcased the New York Jets against the Dallas Cowboys. The memorial opening was to perfection with the taps played on a bugle, the traditional French horn playing, bagpipes playing "Amazing Grace" during the unfurling of the American flag by members of the NYPD and FDNY, and then finally a performance of the national anthem by Lady Antebellum.  To top it off, the Jets won.

After the game, I watched "102 Minutes that Changed America" on The History Channel.  This documentary highlights a series of video clips recorded by civilians on September 11 from different areas in New York City.  It gives you a completely different view of the events, especially views from the street as well as from surrounding apartment buildings.  It puts the events of that day in a unique perspective from the people who were actually experiencing it and gives people across the country more than what the media covered.

Watching this, I actually recognized one of my coworkers from Macy's in the video taken in Times Square.  Seeing him there brought this closer to home - realizing that the friends and many of the people I met in New York were actually there that day and experienced the terror first-hand.  I was brought to tears watching the second plane crashed and when both towers collapsed.  It's heart-wrenching to watch, but it's a part of our history that we will never forget.

On this day, Americans will stand united and always remember the nearly 3000 lives that were lost - the innocent civilians, the first responders.  God bless America.

P365: Butterfly [103]

"Butterfly in the sky! / I can go twice as high...!"

P365: Woodstock's Pizza [102]

A San Luis Obispo staple. Yum! :)

P.S. Yes I know there’s one in Davis, but this one is way better. haha

Taken on Sony Cybershot.