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. :)

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!

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! ;)

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. :)

Blog: Inspiration

Set your sights high, the higher the better. Expect the most wonderful things to happen, not in the future but right now. Realize that nothing is too good. Allow absolutely nothing to hamper you or hold you up in any way.

- Eileen Caddy

It just takes ONE moment. ONE person. ONE dream. This may INSPIRE you to achieve something great!  INSPIRATION is contagious.

In this case, several things have come together to motivate me. Good timing too.

BLOGS: 

Yeah, I know. I just wrote a whole blog about how I need to get back to blogging and yet I'm blogging about it yet again.  Sorry about that.  Next post will be about something else for sure...

ANYWAY, in case you haven't heard, my buddy Rick Baleros finished his Project 365 blog.  After seeing him complete this project, it has really INSPIRED me to start my own.  I know I also mentioned that in my last post, but I think I should really start it.

Look out for that starting JUNE 1.


As for regular blogging, I'm working on that.  I'll try to keep this up once a week or so, hopefully!!


JOBS:
I've taken a hiatus from job applications. Maybe too long of a break. Whoops.

Well, this week, I need to get back into the groove of filling out all those job applications!  I've done a ton of searching and now it's time to get back to the real work of it - applying!

After spending time with my family, I have new hope for my job search/application process. There's still some kinks to figure out, but I'm definitely more MOTIVATED.  Let's pray for the best and hope I land something soon!

As much as I like my part-time gigs and internships, I feel it's time to move on to something bigger and better.


LOCATION:
Short and sweet - it was nice to hear some encouraging words about testing the waters in NYC.


GRAD SCHOOL:
The idea of grad school is still there; it's just a matter of figuring out what I'd be studying and where.  The options are endless right now (okay I do have it narrowed down to a number I can count on two hands, which is a bit too much still).  Either way, it's another one of those processes that will slowly but surely formulate over time.


INSPIRATION. Sometimes you just need that boost of encouragement, confidence and support.  Thank you for those who have given me that boost this week. I'm excited to continue reaching for my goals and chasing my dreams!  This is the year for enterprising, but the chase is taking me a little bit longer than even I expected.

As the second half of the year begins, I'm INSPIRED to make a change. INSPIRED to have a clearer picture of my future. Just INSPIRED to continue this post grad life...

Blog: SLACKING...

You know you're thinking it too...

Hey there followers!

I know. I've been slacking on updating my blog about my post grad life.  It's definitely been a good couple months since I've done some actually updating.  Honestly, a lot of things have happened too, concerning jobs, internships, movies, books, and life in general.

So I promise to make a better attempt to get back to writing and posting things more regularly.  I may also venture into the realm of Project 365, if time allows for it.  If you haven't seen one of those kinds of blogs, check out Rick's Project 365.  It is pretty fantastic, and he's quite the photographer too! :)

I sincerely apologize for not having written much lately...

UP History

On Facebook, the University of Portland put up some old photos of the campus.  It's so interesting to see how the school has changed over the past 109 years.  UP is rich with history from its founding in 1901 to its expansion in 2009 with the purchase of River Campus, the establishment of Fields and Schoenfeldt Halls, the Bell Tower, and the renovation of the Engineering Hall (aka Shiley Hall).  Even with all these physical changes to campus, UP still rings true to its mission of Teaching, Faith and Service.

So it's fun Friday, and they made a game out of these pictures.  Whoever guessed the correct year first for each picture won!  They gave away soccer tickets to the men's game vs. Oregon on August 25. GO PILOTS!

But yeah, check this out (all photo credits go to the University of Portland archives):

1938

1950

1971

1985

1997

(I won soccer tickets by guessing this one correctly after two guesses) 

2009

Isn't it amazing to see how UP has expanded and changed over the years?  I can't wait to see where the future takes UP.  I know it will continue to grow and establish itself as a distinguished institution. 

Ah! Can't wait to visit UP in a couple weeks! See you at the game! :)

P.S. I feel like this should be on the library blog...oh well. 

BLOG: 2 Week Hiatus

Just came back from Colorado a couple days ago and realized that I haven't updated in two weeks! Yikes!  I have several posts to put up so please bear with me.  But as for now, I'm super tired, so I'm off to bed.

Look out for those updates. :)

Good night!