Second Day as a Santa Barbara City College Alummi

I would like to thank Karen Sophiea and Melanie Belanger for hiring me to blog about my life. My job interview with them was pretty questionable. I'll say hahaha! I remember walking from across campus into the BC forum into the meeting room quite exhausted from American Literature. I did not realize they were interviewing, but I think what really got them interested in me was saying that I worked at a driving school and I was not a licensed driver. I also want to thank Malena! (http://sbccmalena.blogspot.com/) She had this idea to make student blogs, because she was a blogger herself. Sadly, she decided to move back to Sweden, so we're all going to miss her!

I also, I want to thank my readers for giving me the opportunity to guide you this year. It was such an delightful adventure for me to just simply write about my life as if I was writing a journal entry. I do still keep a journal, I'm on my seventh composition book (I started it in March). I hope I gave you some helpful information.

As for me, I'll probably keep blogging. If your interested to see how my life as a transfer student is you should follow me on my new blog. Right now I'm still constructing it so you should at least consider following me on google plus. Or my twitter account www.twitter.com/officialkikisrey.

These are a few old pictures from some old blog posts:

If you have any questions about blogging with Santa Barbara City College or the school in general please contact me @:
stephkikireyes@gmail.com

-KIKI REYES

P.S Still doing that music thing...

https://soundcloud.com/kikisrey/royals-lorde-cover-ukulele

First day as a Santa Barbara City College Alummi

I was  only 17, when I first walked into the Santa Barbara City College campus. I was nervous and a bit afraid to start over again at a new school filled with students who were in different stages of their lives. There was no more cliques, I would of been in a Marching Band clique because I participated in it back in high school. There was no more 8am-3pm schedule or lunch break or mandatory meetings to attend.  Suddenly, college was your choice and obviously its something I definitely considered without a doubt. I wasn't ready to leave my beautiful hometown and I did not have enough money to go to a university so I had to stay. It was the best choice I made.

Left to Right: Billy, Me, Alexia, and Jasmine

What I love about this school other than its location, is the close connections I made with friends and professors. I always knew that I wanted to go into writing, but SBCC give some reassurance of this major. I originally was a Creative Writing major, but I decided that going into English would open more doors for me in the future. Along the way, I had to get my GEs done. And I took Statistics and met my best friend, Alexia there. We shared the same interested in wanting to transfer up north for school and we went on a college road trip, in pursuit of finding schools that we wanted to apply to. San Francisco State and UC Santa Cruz were two we really liked. Alexia is attending UC Santa Cruz this fall.



My English Major Friend, Blair

I decided on Cal State Channel Islands. I visited the campus when I was a high school sophomore and I wasn't all that convinced I wanted to go. Then, my sister transferred there and I was suddenly there almost every other weekend. I was quite indecisive for a while because, I still have yet to meet another English major from CSU Channel Island, but despite that I wanted to make a name for myself there because its a fairly new school. One of my goals is to meet someone who is working to get their English degree. It didn't have that issue here at SBCC. I became close friends with a few English majors, who were apart of my study groups. Although there wasn't much studying involved whenever we met, we had so many laughs. This helped me realize that I shouldn't take life so serious. I want to thank the SBCC English department for all their help and their support. The following are pictures of my English professors:


My first English Professor at SBCC, Barbara Bell (Spring 2013)



American Literature Professor, Melissa Menendez (I had her for 3 semesters starting in summer 2013)

My British Literature Professor, Melanie Eckford-Prosser (Spring 2014)

 








Isla Vista Tragedy

Hi everyone this is officially my first day as a Santa Barbara City College Alumni.

Before I want to give my farewells ,
I wanted to address the tragedy that happened last night. This was not a very great year for Isla Vista and sadly for those who call that small town their home and those who will. This is completely overwhelming for SBCC, UCSB students who actually witnessed this catastrophe in action. I can not begin to imagine being in that situation or what I could of done to save those poor innocent lives lost. It makes me even more upset realizing that it wasn't an ordinary Friday night because many SBCC students graduated yesterday and UCSB's graduation is arriving shorty as well. My prayers go out their families and friends and to those who have been affected in any way from this massacre. To everyone: If you ever feel lonely, depressed, isolated, reach out to someone and it doesn't have to be a therapist. Maybe a sibling or a parent or a family friend or a professor. Don't be afraid to get help.

- KIKI REYES

*** For more information on the Isla Vista Shooting stay tune for KEYT News. http://www.keyt.com/ 

https://twitter.com/KEYTNC3

FINALS WEEK

The heat at its best

I would like to thank the academy for letting me turn in my last homework assignment...
It feels AMAZING AND REWARDING to turn this last assignment in!We've all come a long way from fall semester, I can assure you its been a real struggle with trying to balance out school, work, family, friends, and time for oneself. Its been a whole entire year at SBCC. The weather went from beautifully perfect to unbearable, but we're all still pulling though and surviving. Finals week begins next week so lets finish it off and run across the street to the beach and just jump in! I did that last year, not even kidding.




Well everyone GOOD LUCK!

-KIKI REYES

#thestruggleisreal

Hi everyone,
Currently I just finished my ten paged research paper only to realize I have to start on an essay today as well. No time for celebration... and also they were both due on Monday #thestruggleisreal
I hope you guys have better time management that I do because this is not fun whatsoever, but why do I have all my papers due this coming week anyways? Nah no ones to blame, this is the college life.

Also I have decided on where I'm going to school this fall and its definitely not a shocker. I assume you know where I'll be heading to. I also decided I will live off campus so I've been impatiently waiting to see any new apartments to rent on craigslist. Since this is my first time moving out and living on my own, I'm not sure what I can manage and what is impossible to pay. Well, I'll be working over the summer anyways. Let's just hope my school lets my request to cancel my housing application on time because its quite expensive to live on campus.

If you guys are feeling overwhelmed with everything right now, change your status on facebook to #thestruggleisreal or instagram a picture with that hashtag, even tweet it! Hey we're almost done with this semester let's see who else is feeling the same way as you.

GOOD LUCK MY FRIENDS,

KIKI REYES

PS: Destress fest is May 13th 10:30am-1pm (in front of the library) take advantage of this event!

Sister's Birthday, Whatever YouTube Channel, Few more posts

My sister, Jasmine and I

Jack and I

This weekend was a very special one because my sister just turned 21. I am completely lucky to have such an intelligent and beautiful women like her related to me. Although for some reason people think I look older than her, I'm not sure if I'm suppose to take that as a compliment or an insult... But yeah we were able to celebrate her birthday at Casa Blanca (http://casablancasb.com/), a restaurant downtown with a few close friends and continued our festives at my house reminiscing on past birthdays. My present to her was a massage at  Massage Envy (http://www.massageenvy.com/clinics/CA/Santa-Barbara.aspx here's the link in case your in a desperate need to relax... finals week is literally around the corner). I thought it was a great idea because she's a dancer and everything.

 

The next day (technically this morning), we spent the whole afternoon watching all of Whatever's YouTube videos(http://www.youtube.com/user/whatever). Did you know it's filmed locally, like on our campus as well as UCSB's? This channel is consisted of the most brilliant and hilarious videos I've ever seen. My favorite one is a guy trying to pick up girls dressed as Justin Bieber, using Justin Bieber's lyrics as pick up lines. I couldn't stop laughing!

 

 Well these few posts coming up will be my last posts as an SBCC student, so pleaseee keep tuning in guys! I'll be posting more awkward stories, random events, and on SBCC.

-KIKI REYES

Apologizing, How's the Weather, Job Fair

Wanna know a great way to apologize?
Yup so this happened, the best cupcakes ever! They're rainbow and have m&m's inside. The "No Ragrets" is a reference to the "We're the Millers" movie. And if your wondering they accepted my apology :)

These days are extremely warm, so if your thinking about hiking I suggest you do that between the hours of 6:30-8pm. I know its difficult to even function right now because of this weather. It's literally putting me to sleep! Yet, that's what Santa Barbara is known for it's beautiful blue skies and breathtaking views. In fact, I learned in my film studies class that Santa Barbara was the film making capital in the early 1900s. They moved to Hollywood because it was more convenient for directors, actors, etc. I went on a hike the other day after my film class and I was completely inspired by the scenery, I can totally comprehend why movies were filmed here.

Acceptance Progress: I'm still hearing back from San Francisco State, I actually called their office and they said they're still making their decision. So there's hope! I mean I'm 100% accepted to CSU Channel Islands so either way I'm set to transfer from the lovely Santa Barbara City College.

Anyways, now with summer coming up I'm sure many of you are going to be looking for summer jobs. Good thing there's going to be a job fair coming up next week! May 6th 10am-2pm at the West Campus walkway! Hope it helps, I might be getting a second job as well... the Life of a College Student.

-KIKI REYES

English Honors Conference: Beauty

Like I mentioned before the 11th Annual SBCC Student Conference will take place this Friday!

 

The conference is run by students and this year they will discuss the topic of beauty. Many students have submitted their work and will be address their opinions on beauty. I went last year (and also performed) and it was amazing to hear everyone present their work and ask them their inspiration behind it. Anyways I will be performing in the Opening Ceremony :) also...

 

Hope to see you guys there!

-KIKI REYES

Feeling Stress?

Happy Earth Day to all my fellow SBCC Students! I hope you guys had a lovely Easter weekend. I know your all probably stressing over finals coming up so I decided to dedicated this post about things to do this coming weekend! We could use a break right?



The workload seems impossible I know how you feel

The Earth day festival will be at Alameda Park Saturday and Sunday! http://sbearthday.org/component/content/article/42-featured/177-ed-2014 Its literally the most eco-friendly festival ever, they have some pretty good lemonade there too. I remember a few years ago I received a free flash drive at this festival, although it was only 1GB it came pretty handy for me. And there's many things to check out there such as the green car show and the eco-market place. I once brought a purse made out of recycled material, it was really neat. I would always take it to school and people would compliment me on it.


The roses are blooming in my backyard in time for earth day!

The Fair is back for its yearly round at the Earl Warren Showground staring tomorrow until Sunday! http://www.earlwarren.com/fair.html 
There will be carnival rides, entertainment by local bands and artists, and food. I did happen to go last year, in fact I lost my iPhone there. I went on a ride with my friends and decided to keep my iPhone in my pocket. It literally flew out... long story short I tracked it with the find my iPhone app and knocked on people's doors at the neighborhood it located it. Then I found it and there was not even a crack on the screen but the whole top came right off and I had to order a new phone. The moral of the story: make sure your wearing pants with zip up pockets. Anyways, other than that terrible memory, I always enjoy going on Ferris Wheel because every year or the years that I go to the fair I face my fear of heights. I don't do this alone of course my friends go with me, and its just comforting.



Brunch after Church on Easter Sunday
(My sister and I)

Other things to consider:
- "Ground" The SBCC play will open this Friday! http://www.theatergroupsbcc.com/santa-barbara-theaters-now-playing
- The English Honors Conference will take place this Friday as well! From 11:30am- 3pm at the BC Forum! Free lunch... (And I will be singing my original song called "Its More Simple Than Complicated" at the opening ceremony)
-Kayaking/paddle boarding at the Santa Barbara Sailing Center, which is at the harbor down the street from school. http://www.sbsail.com/kayaking.html Only five dollars with a student ID!!!!
-Bowling at Zodo's! http://www.zodos.com/ My friends and I always change our names to celebrity names when we bowl. It makes it even more entertaining. Zodo's usually has college night, which is announced on their website. I think it use to be every Wednesday night, but I'm not a really reliable source since I haven't gone bowling in a while.  
-Shopping? There's Paseo Nuevo, La Cumbre Plaza, Camino Real... and So on
- There's a few good movies out, I watched Oculus! It was a trip I can't even explain it to you guys. http://www.fandango.com/movie-trailer/oculus-trailer/170261

Anyways I hope you guys take these opportunities to have some fun this weekend!

-KIKI REYES

Transportation, Stress, Rebelution

At SBCC we have a pretty good transportation system. In fact, when you enrolled and get your student ID you are eligible to get a bus sticker that actually allows you to ride on the bus for free. Something that SBCC students struggle with is parking. If your moving out here and taking your car, make sure to carpool with people its easier and you can get a car-pool pass for the day. Just something to consider.

Honestly stress is a HUGE part of the college life-style whether you procrastinate or just taking extra classes. Always make sure you have time to de-stress. For example I went for a run at Henry's Beach today, the one by the Boathouse Restaurant (http://www.sbfishhouse.com/), and it was soothing. Sometimes I need to reassure myself that things are going to fall into place, they just take time.


Also, I got my last mid-term back and it was pretty good. I decided to reward myself with tickets to see one of my favorite bands, Rebelution, this summer. I'm so excited! The concert is going to be at the Santa Barbara Bowl. It's cheaper if you buy your tickets at the box office, just in case your planning to go! 

    
 -KIKI REYES

p.s lunar eclipse tonight!!! (well technically now)
and summer registration tomorrow!  

When Choosing Your Summer Classes, Classes, Housing

Something to consider when your planning out your semester, whether it's summer or fall, is how many classes you would be comfortable taking. It's also a good idea to go to a counselor and discuss a student plan to go by. I think it's great to also add some fun classes in your schedule just so your not always stressing.

At SBCC the most credits a student can take over the summer is 9, while the regular semesters are 18. If your looking to take online classes make sure you always check your pipeline regularly. These types of classes are great to choose if your into being self-taught and are online all the time. Of course there are classes on campus during the summer. The weather is beautiful, its perfect enough to have picnics at the beach during breaks.

For future students, I recommend you explore the SBCC website (www.sbcc.edu) and see what our school has to offer. For example, housing! There's actually a housing list on our school website. Check it out and find a place that suits your needs. Some of these houses are a few miles away from the school. Good idea we have a great transportation system here... to be continued.

I've recently applied for housing at Channel Islands and I requested my sister as a roommate haha I also applied for housing at Cal Poly Pomona. Decisions. Decisions.

-KIKI REYES

Student Life at SBCC (Intro)

Well we are speeding quite fast into summer, which only means the workload at SBCC is going to be a little more intense this month. This is when we start running to the library to get ourselves focused and when we become closer to classmates. It takes several weeks for people to really get to know each other, so I can say this is about the time where friendships are established.  At Santa Barbara City College we have a diverse group of students in different stages of life. It really changes your perspective. I honestly love this about my school because despite all our differences, we shared a common choice to attend this college. This is what brings us all together. And you know what? Not all friendships can be established in classrooms, some could be by sitting next to someone on at the cafe. And the beauty of it, is there's no cliques, there's just people. 

My Saturday night at SBCC, doing stadiums

I really give international students or even out of state students props for moving out here because I can only imagine how difficult it is to adjust to a new life here. The things they would have to consider is first and foremost a place to live, secondly a part-time job, then transportation, adjusting to school, and finding time to explode the new strange place you now live in. I think now that the end of spring semester is approaching, I am going to take the time to address each and one of these concerns for incoming students. 

But of course you'll be hearing about my own progress on my college acceptances and my the rest of my spring semester. 

-KIKI REYES 

Summer Registration, Summer Classes, Pressure

Welcome to April everyone. Summer registration is right around the corner. You can found out what your registration date is by logging on to your pipeline, once your on your home page click on the registration link on the right hand side, then click on the first link entitled,  

"Check Your Pre-Registration Requirements and Registration Appointment"

 click on it and select the term "summer 2014." Oooh and here's the summer schedule brought to you by, Melanie Belanger.

http://www.sbcc.edu/classes/SBCC%20SUMMERsch%202014.pdf

Anyways I have to admit that its quite stressful to think about summer classes, when we're still in Spring semester. I'm starting to really feel the pressure of doing better than last semester and now I must think about what I will take this summer. I feel like a huge weight has been placed on my shoulder, hahaha the real saying is "I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulder," not in this case. Yet, I always go back to one of my favorite Nelson Mandala quotes "It always seems impossible until its done." I've said it before and I'll continue you to spread this quote.

Its weird, despite my stress, I'm feeling extremely optimistic I'm even thinking about going on another hike this weekend because it really makes me happy. Like they say, whatever makes you happy. We're all gonna power through these last eight weeks and succeed! Then I can say a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders rather then it being placed on them.

By the way, Happy April fool's day! 

-KIKI REYES

 

P.S: All my writers out there! Here's two opportunities to enter your writing pieces:

1. The English Honors Conference 

2. Painted Cave Literary Magazine

Updated Acceptances, Never Settle Rant, Salsaing

So I have recently accepted or committed to a school for Fall 2014 named CSU Channel Islands, doubting that no other school would admit me. San Francisco State has yet to email me about sending them my transcripts, which made me completely upset, but guess what happen? Cal Poly Pomona emailed me last night. Their email said something like this: 
"Dear Stephanie Reyes,
Congratulations! You have been admitted to Cal Poly Pomona for the Fall Quarter 2014 as a(n) English Major"

Cal Poly Pomona is known for their architecture
 http://www.aialosangeles.org/calendar/what-s-where-academia-practice#.UzSbbPldU8o

After I read that email last night, two thoughts ran through my head, one was how is this real life right now? and the other, I'm smarter than I give myself credit for.  Seriously, I never even considered going to this school at all and its in Pomona, two hours away from Santa Barbara. I decided I might have to keep my options open and not be committed yet, but I'm pretty sure un-committing to CI will cost me. So I'm going to kept it as is and pretend I've completely made up my mind. 

Email from CI

This is a great lesson for my fellow transfer students and future ones too, never settle! This can also be applied to other things for example:
-Never settled for relationships, because you never know when someone(the right one) might come out of nowhere and swept you off your feet.
-Never settle for a job you dislike, because there's many out there that are looking for someone with your talent.
-Never settle for grades. I know college is difficult, but if your getting a "C" in essays or tests or quizzes because you studied or did it the night before, imagine what your grade would be if you actually tried?

You get my point, just don't settle promise?  
And I'm not saying CSU Channel Islands is a not a great school, but I just want to consider all my options and being admitted to Cal Poly Pomona made me realize that. I also have to decide what school could offer me the best education, who knows maybe it is Channel Islands...

At the Dance Studio, after learning Salsa

Anyways, I hope your enjoying your break! I actually learned to Salsa dance for my sister's dance piece, obviously I won't be salsaing in it, but it was such a random and entertaining experience. I'm pretty good at it, not gonna lie. Oh yeah and I forgot to tell you guys my real name is Stephanie, (noting the email in the first paragraph) yeah don't call me that.

Until next time,

-KIKI REYES 

First day of Spring Break whats with the weather Santa Barbara?

Today is the first day of Spring Break! I hope everyone takes the time to relax and create new memories with family and friends. Make great decisions and let's all come back in one piece. I'll probably take this time to catch up on my sleep. (The picture below is a snapchat my friend Alexia sent to everyone. I was falling asleep at my friend, Billy's house)

Honestly, what's up with the weather here? I imagined myself tanning on the beach reading my American Literature novel, that I'm so behind on its crazy. Oh well, no use for complaining we just gotta make the best of it.

Honestly I can really say I'm living the Yolo life, right there.

-KIKI REYES

SBCC Summer School Photo Shoot

Today was a beautiful day to help our lovely graphic designer, Melanie Belanger (SBCC marketing department) shoot her picture for the SBCC Summer school brochure. I decided to recruit basically half of my acting class. Okay that's a bit exaggerated, but I did asked some of acting classmates to meet me at our shooting location in the afternoon and they listened to me! And let me tell you, they sure didn't know what they were getting themselves into. 

( Photo Credit: http://www.sbcc.edu/) This is not the picture that we took, but this is where it took place:)

We all met at the fountain (on the West Campus) and were quite a diverse group. Melanie's vision of this brochure could be summed up in one word "Sunshine." Some of us were on the grass, others had their feet in the fountain water, and some of us were sitting down on fountain. She took a few shots until we were done. I can not wait to see the finish product. I'll be the one in bright blue listening to my new friend playing guitar. He and I were not music compatible. I was trying to get him to play a song I knew, but I didn't know what bands he liked he didn't know my bands, it was a hot mess. His friend joked after the shoot, that we were basically set up on a really bad blind date. Hahaha! 

It was awesome to see everyone interact and talk to each other outside of our acting class. I'm glad they enjoy themselves.


Well thanks to all who made this possible and hopefully the brochure comes out soon...

-KIKI REYES

Hiking, Kayaking, Babysitting, Refresh

Left to right: Me, Jasmine, Blair, and Zoey

With two midterms down from last week, I decided to take this weekend to distract myself from the stress and just embrace this beautiful city I live in. I went hiking with my sister and a couple of friends on Friday. We took tunnel road and went up to inspiration point. It only took us an hour and a half, which is probably the best time I've done getting up and coming down. It also wasn't too hot or too cold considering the time we went was around five. It really was relaxing and such a great stress-reliever.


I also went kayaking this afternoon. At the Santa Barbara Sailing Center you can rent a single kayak for an hour, for only five dollars. You would have to show your student id card for the student discount of course. They also have paddle boarding, which I tried last year-it was pretty challenging and its basically all about balancing. I definitely prefer kayaking.

Despite me working on the weekdays, I also babysit on the weekends. That's what I spent my Saturday doing. I really love these kids though, one is a boy who's three and the other is a girl who's nine. Man, were they so filled with energy! I was chasing them around their house, then I  decided to  take them to the park so they could scream and run freely. It was a nice day out, so I took them to get ice cream and we went back to the park to sit on the grass. We picked flowers and rode around in tricycles and scooters, like cool kids. Babysitting really makes me forget about all my adult problems and makes me focus on my kids and how I can make them enjoy themselves.  They really make me laugh.

A flower my kid put in my hair :)

Well now that I'm rejuvenated, I can start off my week more relaxed. I'm ready to take down my next two midterms.

-KIKI REYES

Sitting with Strangers, Meditation, Transferring

Monday afternoon at Shoreline Park

Apparently, its considered weird to sit at a table with a stranger you don't know. I do it all the time because one, I don't like sitting alone and two, its nice to make a new friend. I was waiting for a friend, Vincent outside the West Campus Cafe and I decided I would sit at a table with someone, while I waited. I asked "Hey you don't mind if I sit here?" She said "No, its fine." This girl was studying and typing on her laptop. So my friend comes out and sits at the table with me. And later our friend Blair, whom we were meeting to study, comes over and sits. We discuss our days and complaints which results in laughter, I'm not sure what we were laughing about honestly. Vincent turns over to the girl, who we now took over her table, and says "Sorry we're being loud, wait so how do you know Kiki?" She says "I don't." Blair and Vincent look over at me and laugh hysterically, which makes me and the girl join in. After a few more moments there,we got up and headed to the library. They asked me while walking, "I can't believe you do that" and "That's so funny I've never heard of someone sitting with strangers". It's weird to think that's normal to me. 

Hey, one day your reading my blog and the next I'll be blogging about an awkward moment I had with you. Hahaha its likely. 

Wednesday Afternoon West campus 

The weather right now, in Santa Barbara, is teasing us. Right before my presentation for my American Literature class yesterday, my friend Alexia and I decided to relax on the grass and embrace the beautiful day. I laid down and closed my eyes, taking several deep breaths in and out. At that moment I felt peace.  I forgot about the monologue I had to do for acting and my decision of what would happen if I got accepted by San Francisco would I go? Am I ready to go? Well if I got accepted... All of those thoughts faded away and all I heard instead were students walking to class, birds chirping, and cars miles away. The sunlight felt so gentle on my skin, as if it was an innocent kiss. My day seem to be much easier after I took the time to mediate in the sun, but I wish I spent the day at the beach instead. Luckily, Spring Break is right around the corner! 

Ooooh also I got invited to take a campus tour of Channel Islands and meet other admitted students. Obviously, I'm there a lot so I'm probably gonna pass on that offer. I feel like the semester is going by really fast and soon I'll be moving to Camarillo and I decided if I get accepted to San Francisco State. I'll probably go there instead. Either way I'm transferring soon, which is crazy, but I think I'm ready for new experiences and to sit next to new strangers.

-KIKI REYES  

Past week, Channel Islands again, Choreographing

Hello friends and readers and readers and friends,


I've been extremely busy the past week if you guys were wondering where I was... I've been at school. So this week I have two midterms, a presentation, and a monologue. Its stressful, but its manageable. I decided to take a train and visit my sister at Channel Islands this weekend because I really needed a break from the stress here. I was able to get some work done in their beautiful library. (picture to the right, curiosity of my snapchat)

I've been helping my sister choreograph for a dance piece for an upcoming performance. Her dance piece is about cultural identity and the awesome part about it, is her music was produced by my friend and I. I went to one if the practices and saw her dancers interpret the choreography my sister and I have been working on. Its amazing! I'm so excited to see the finished product. I also get credit for helping choreograph the piece, I can't wait to put that on my resume next to driving school receptionist and Halloween store sales associate.

I'll keep you guys updated and I promise not to take such a long break from blogging :)

-KIKI REYES

Horror Film, The Sports of the Gods, Balancing, Rainstorm

I noticed the lights flickering at work once the rain started to pick up. Each drop became more vicious hitting the ground like it owed the sky something. I left the door open,  just so I wouldn't feel lonely and the rain could accompany me watching the clock's hands move cautiously. I tried turning on the computer to check the schedule for today, but it was static, which was strangely fascinating. I had to turn it off before I got sucked in. I decided to finish reading my book entitled "The Sport of the Gods" by Paul Laurence Dunbar. After several pages, the thunder became the rain's accomplice, and interrupted my reading. I went outside to watch them high-jack the day. Several minutes past and I decided to retire to reading again until the phone rang. I answered "Steve Morris Defensive Driving School this is Kiki..." and nobody answered. The lights flickered once more, while the phone rang. This time I could hear someone getting out of their car, they hung up. I looked outside from my desk and rain picked up again.

I decided to write my day at work as a horror movie. This actually happened though, the phone rang, lights flickered, and the computer was static. I texted my friend and told her I was in a scene from a horror film. It sounds more mysterious when I describe it this way. Oh and I finished reading "The Sports of the Gods" by Dunbar, it was pretty amazing, I finished it in three days.


This week was been tough for me because I've been trying to balance work, school, my social life, and making time for myself. I also haven't' been giving myself enough time to sleep, which explains my erratic behavior. Sleep is pretty important as well as taking take to be with family and friends. (Jaz, Cookie, and I on the left) I hope everyone is enjoying this rain, Santa Barbara really needed it. Here's my ultimate rain storm playlist:

"When it Rains" By Paramore,
"Eavesdrop" The Civil Wars
"Distance" Christina Perri
"Same Old Sam Old" The Civil Wars
"The Cave" Mumford and Sons
"A Beautiful Mess" by Jason Mraz
"Route Around" by Rebelution
"I Wanna Be Yours" Arctic Monkeys
"No Letter" Iration,
"Only Excpetion" Paramore,
"Gravity" Sara Bareilles
"Thinkin Bout You" Frank Ocean

(My beautiful backyard taking a break from the rain)

I absolutely obsessed with "Route Around"
by Rebelution, definitely my favorite song at the moment. Well have a great weekend, catch up on your sleep, and maybe try to start your homework on Sunday morning, instead of Sunday evening. Just a suggestion.

-KIKI REYES 

Deadlines, Job Fair, Monday

Hello everyone, I hope your finally adjusting to school now that we're entering week four. If you're not, well I'm sorry.

 

Here are some important deadlines I want to remind you about:

• FAFSA https://fafsa.ed.gov/ Due March 2nd
• Santa Barbara City College Scholarships http://www.sbcc.edu/scholarships/ Due March 3rd

These are due by next week!
 
Also if your looking for a job or internship there's a fair going on Wednesday, February 26 10am-12pm on the West Campus walk way! These are great opportunities and I suggest you guys take advantage of them. If your indecisive about applying for a scholarship, do it anyways it never hurts to try, this includes FAFSA too. For example, I actually wasn't going to apply to schools for Fall 2014 and I ended up being admitted to a CSU. Moral of the story, take a chance if its there, because its there for a reason...


Also for different perspectives on Santa Barbara City College, check out some of my colleague's blogs:
http://www.sbcc.edu/socialnetworks/studentstories/


Happy Procrastination Sunday, hope you have a great week!


- KIKI REYES

Celebrities hide in Santa Barbara, Weekend, Procrastination, I Can't

Santa Barbara seriously does attract not just tourists, but celebrities.

I'm not a huge fan of this particular boy band, or maybe not a fan of any boy band... Okay Backstreet Boys were my favorite several centuries ago. My friend, Andrew came over to my house, so we could record my sister's dance music for her performance in a showcase entitled "Legacy" in June (I'll keep you updated on that). And he told me casually that he met a certain teen pop sensation named Harry Styles. I was like your kidding right? He showed me his picture of him and Harry. Apparently, this One Directioner was at Franklin Elementary for the Menudo Festival. I thought to myself, Why? I checked on edhat.com and google to see if the paparazzi got any photos of him in town and nothing... And that's why they come here to escape the horror of Hollywood. 

(Harry and Andrew picture above) I told him he should of asked Harry Styles to come collaborate with us at my house. 

So my four day weekend, that was suppose to used for catching up on homework, turned into a huge procrastinational mess. On the bright side I was able to relax and catch up on my sleep sorta... My sister came for the weekend as always, but this semester we're trying to alternate. I visited her last weekend, which was a disaster because I got so sick. As you can see we are extremely close so its important we have our "sister bonding time." The picture below was taken last month during the Martin Luther King Performance at the Arlington. 

I hope your weekend was adventurous and random, like mine was. Here's a quote I want to leave you guys with "It always seems impossible until its done" its by Nelson Mandela. It's true right now I feel like getting all this work done is impossible, but once I get past the negativity its going to feel rewarding when I actually get it done. 

-KIKI REYES

P.S: This is a new song I wrote and probably my favorite one I've written this year. It's called "I can't" https://soundcloud.com/kikisrey/i-cant-kiki-reyes