Remember December, Finals, Christmas Parade, EP, Happy holidays

Cookie's feeling a bit cold

Remember when I said that December was all about the real winter weather and you didn't believe me because a week after that post it was about 80 degrees? Well, I'm not going to say I told you so because currently wearing I'm two layers of clothes and much rather be in 80 degree weather.

Creative Writing Portfolio

Yesterday I had two finals, I have to admit they were quite difficult, but at least I'm done... Actually I have two more so that would make me half done. The stress is still around, but luckily I was able to get all my stress out by attending dance class with my sister. I really enjoyed it and I'm obviously not the best dancer, but I'm looking forward to continue improving. I probably will be attending more dance classes this winter break! 


Also, did you guys go to the Christmas Parade downtown? Isn't Santa Barbara breath-taking in the winter with all those lights going down state street. Amazing. It's weird, I've been in the Christmas Parade many times with my Dance Team and my high school marching, so it was different watching from the outside. My friend Jack is now the colorguard instructor of the colorguard program we use to be apart of so I got to see my high school practice their performance before they marched downtown. They were very excited and eager to perform. 

Jack, Me, Wes, and Jasmine at the Parade

My sister and Jack

Well I'm hoping that you guys have a great winter vacation and make it safely to your families. Take some time to yourself to relax and realize that the future is beautiful and bright. Make good choices and be safe! I will be working at the driving school and recording a new EP, so I hope to see you guys all next year, 2014! HAPPY HOLIDAYS
If you want to email me any questions about our school or things to do around Santa Barbara during winter break, just ask me I'm an SB native.


stephkikireyes@gmail.com 

-KIKI REYES

P.S: So, my friends and I are thinking of going to LA this weekend and explore the city, seems like the adventure I've been craving. Maybe I can get more inspiration for my music on this trip. :)

***TO BE CONTINUED AFTER THE BREAK*** <3

Music with Xochipilli, Songwriting, Folk and Techno, Bonnie and Clyde

I'm really looking forward to break because I can really focus on my music. My friend/ songwriting partner, Xochipilli and I will be possibly working on a acoustic EP this winter. I originally took a break from music to focus on school, but I would always find myself writing songs. 

Well anyways his genre of music is so different than my folk rock, he's more of techno/ dance artist, which really hard to collaborate with when we wrote our first song, "Bonnie and Clyde" together.  I remember it was suppose to be a dance track, but I spent hours singing the same two lines trying to make it work, but it didn't sound natural it was more artificial. On our break from recording he started playing our song on piano and I started singing in my normal singing range, then he harmonized with me. That moment was so powerful for us. The song ended exposing our music abilities and taking it to the next level.
I'm very proud of this track. (Download it here, its worth your time http://www.mediafire.com/download/ydox96j32yyj8pv/08+Bonnie+and+Clyde+Ft.+Kiki+Reyes+%28Album+Version%29.mp3)

Xochipilli, (as known as Andrew Gutierrez) has a new EP entitled, Human, coming out soon. I was able to help pick out the song order and I got a preview of this album. I can't wait for you guys to hear it.

I know me and my music obsession. 

-KIKI REYES

Week Before Finals (Poem Edition)

'Twas the week before finals and all through the class
were students concentrating and others were out,
perhaps with the flu or maybe with stress
they procrastinated until last minute
that's my best guess.


City college seems empty, but only because 
every one runs to the library
after class is done.
Some share tables with new friends
reviewing pages of notes, thinking it never ends!


With motivation that sings so gently in our minds,
winter break taunts us, but we can't hide,
from the adventures that await
during those weeks of freedom,
the patience, we cant take
so we're force to leave them.


Its only for now, but soon instead of diving in books
we'll be diving in our beds.
Catching up on sleep, watching netflixs
drinking hot tea, talking on our iphones with friends.


My advice to you is stay strong,
we have a week, only a week, 
it's not that long.



-KIKI REYES



 

Ghost Town, The Final Countdown, Spring Semester, Driving School, Thanks

Final work for classes

Walking on the West Campus today, was like walking in a ghost town. Usually, by the afternoon city college is packed with crowds of students walking on opposite directions. Today, it was just me alone in my principles, still I wouldn't of mind having some human contact on my walk. It wasn't until I arrived at library that I realized everyone was here. The beauty of finals.

Spring semester is coming up soon, would say shortly except the fact that Winter Break is very long. I'm looking into 16 units right now, which is pretty intense. I am taking a two more English classes, English 226 (American Literature) and English 222 (Survey of British Literature). I am so eager to begin learning more about Literature; I find it completely fascinating. And of course reading makes your writing improve, so I'll be getting a headstart on reading my English textbooks over break. 

Schedule for Spring

Last weekend, my co-worker took me out on my third driving lesson. My driving is "coming along great," I read this in my student file. Yes, I looked myself up... I just had to. Basically, I'm doing pretty well, I mean I always was a very observant passenger.  Mastering this, will only make me more responsible as an adult. 

If any of you guys are older drivers looking for a place to take lessons, definitely check out Steve Morris Defensive Driving School. Call us @ (805) 965-7979. Our office hours are from Monday-Friday 10am- 5pm (if you wanna call when I'm there I work on Tuesday 1-5pm, Thursday 1-5pm, and Friday 10am- 1:30pm). http://www.stevemorrisdrivingschool.com/

This Animal

I hope you guys have a great Thanksgiving. Remember to be thankful for what you have and who's in your life not just on that day, but everyday. I am grateful for my family, friends, co-workers, and those of you who I will meet next year or next week or possibly tomorrow. I'm also thankful for your interest in my blog. I work hard to bring some real experiences to these posts to make them less boring. Every story, in each blog is 100% the truth. This is my life as Kiki.

-KIKI REYES

P.S:

I covered some Paramore on my Uke. https://soundcloud.com/kikisrey/monster-paramore-cover-kiki

Birthday Surprise, Sick, Sambos, Thanksgiving, Catching Fire

Flu season was very kind to me until a few days ago. 

Jack and I on Halloween

I think I got my dog sick

On Tuesday, it was my best friend Jack's birthday, so my friend Elise and my sister Jasmine and I had the brilliant idea of going to his house at 7am and waking him up, then taking him to breakfast. We all set our alarms for 6am, but I didn't wake up until 6:40... Elise was up since 6am waiting for us. Anyways, when Jaz finally got me out of bed, I felt very light headed. I forced myself to get dressed and we went to Jack's house. We managed to sneak inside (his mom left the back door open for us to walk in) and carefully opened the door. Jack is a heavy sleeper so you can only imagine the three of us whispering loudly  to each other and trying not to laugh. We played him a birthday song and he woke up laughing, we took him to Sambo's, (http://www.sambosrestaurant.com/)
 which down the street from City College. When we were eating I felt very warm and exhausted. 

When I got home I passed out, I took a nap from 10:30am- 12:50 and was late to work. So these past few days I've been trying to focus on school, but I find myself getting tired easily. It's weird. I had to miss school, which is something I try to avoid, but since I don't want to get everyone else ill, it was best I stayed home. I am feeling a little better, except now I'm overwhelmed with school. Luckily, Thanksgiving is next week and we all get a much needed break. Instead of thinking so much about what my final grades for fall semester will be I'll be stuffing turkey and mashed potatoes in my mouth living in the moment. 

Also, some of my friends that go to school out of town ( UCLA, UCI) are coming to Santa Barbara for their break. One of my friends from Uc Irvine, Cynthia, I haven't seen in about two years because we have both been busy with school and our own lives. A few weeks ago we skyped for the first time in ages and were both pretty emotional. I can't wait to see her!
Anyways, tonight is the midnight premiere of Catching Fire (I read all the Hunger Games books they were amazing) and I unfortunately can't go because I'm sick, but I also have a research paper to write. If only papers could write themselves. I decided that I'm too sick to go see Catching Fire, but not to go to work.

I have to make a living somehow.

- KIKI REYES 

I Always Do, Play Blues, Writing Doubts, Maxine Hong Kingson

I recently wrote a play entitled, "I Always Do" for my Creative Writing class and I have to admit, writing it wasn't as difficult as finding the confidence to show the class what type of a writer you are. I remember the first day of my Creative Writing class, we all listened to Professor Starkey lecture about the syllabus. I was uncomfortable because while this was happening, I was scanning around the room to observe the many unique faces questioning what their thoughts would be about me, or specifically my writing pieces. After the lecture, Starkey made us find a partner and ask a few questions to them, which later lead to introducing them to the class. I remember one of the questions was, who is your favorite author? I lied to my partner and told him I didn't have one because I didn't want my classmates to criticize my taste in books. I shouldn't have not cared from the beginning and focused on my writing even if it meant people would hate it. 

For this play I literally went through four ideas imagining what my classmates would think about the dialogue when it’s acted out. One day I thought about writing a real life experience, well 70% is real, and I started writing away. I finished the play that day and it was ten pages. I kept reading over and reading over again, but I didn't like it. I felt like it wasn’t finished.  

Maxine Hong Kingston

The week before my play was due; I went to see Maxine Hong Kingston’s reading at the Garvin Theatre. It was incredible. Maxine is known for writing the Memoir, Women Warrior. What was so unique about this novel was how she incorporated Chinese folk tale into her life stories. She read from a few other novels that helped us understand the horrors of the Vietnam war and how peace is more powerful than war itself. There was a brief question and answers after the reading. One of the questions asked was, "how do you know your finished writing a book?" in which she responded to "My publishers have to take the books out of my hands because I always feel like I'm not finished."This made me feel a little better about my play, but also my other writing pieces. 

One of my loves is my guitar

After the reading, I approached my Creative Writing Professor and told him that I was extremely doubtful about my play and how terrible I thought my idea was. He said that I would be fine and I shouldn't feel so much pressure about it. The morning of my play, I was a nervous wreck. I felt awkward and shy telling my classmates what my play was about, but the excitement began when I said "Okay you can start" to my actors. When they performed it, I was speechless because my characters were brought to life and exactly how I envisioned it. If my actors are reading this, seriously you guys were amazing thank you again!  I was very anxious about having my writing displayed for criticism, but I can't let that affect me. One of my good friends once told me, "An artist never burns their work if someone doesn't like it," there's always going to be critics, but they can't stop you from doing what you love. You have to have confidence in yourself.

-KIKI REYES

Saturday, Still and Always, Songwriting

A few posts ago I shared a song entitled, "Still and Always." I found the inspiration to write this song through my own experience and my friend's experiences with moving on after a breakup. The question that came to mind is, how does one feel in the aftermath of a breakup? I quickly concluded that many would still be in high hopes of getting back with their significant other; So I moved away from that answer to another question. Does one ever actually lose feelings for someone or do they distract themselves and "still and always" they will be love in them. It's kind of like that saying, "you can't get over someone, you learn to live without them." I honestly wouldn't know because I have yet to be in a serious relationship, but my friends really helped me understand this. So I dedicate this song to them and as well as anyone else who can relate.

The Fear

When I was a HS Freshman
Before my fear of balloons

I have many fears, some silly, some similar to others, some that progressed over the years . For example, my fear of balloons. I never liked the violent sound they made when they popped, it would startle me. They're suppose to be a symbol of celebration until they explode in your face and for this reason I'm traumatized by balloons. Another fear of mine is being stuck in an elevator and I have to face it every time I go to the doctors or go to Paseo Nuevo with my friends and they decide to take the elevator from the parking structure up to CPK. I have always been afraid of elevators, but it wasn't until a certain movie that reestablished my fear of them. I will never be the same again.

This is lounging around at  SBCC

Okay in all seriousness, a fear I have been struggling with since I've been going to SBCC is the fear of not transferring on time. I always thought that after two years you HAVE to be done, no exceptions. Currently I will be finishing SBCC being few credits short. It's not like ten credits, its four. I am pretty close, but I won't be guaranteed to transfer by Fall 2014, but possibly Spring 2015. I went to a TAP counselor the other day and she told me to stop being so hard on myself. She said "Stop thinking about the credits and focus on school. Things happen for a reason, you know? It took me five years to finish here at city college, but time flies by. I finished here went to San Diego State and now I'm back here working. Everyone finishes on their own time." It clicked everyone finished on their own time. So I decided I'm going to conquer this fear and at least try to transfer by fall 2014, but if I don't I get to stay another semester at the beautiful Santa Barbara City College.  What's so bad about that?

-KIKI REYES

San Francisco, UC Santa Cruz, San Francisco State, UC Berkeley

My friends and I are planning a trip to San Francisco for Winter break, which is what I really need. I have an obsession with moving there and going to San Francisco State, they have a really good Creative Writing Program.

As a senior in high school I was quite indecisive about what university I wanted to go. Here's a few schools I thought I wanted go to: UC Berkeley, UC Santa Barbara, UC Santa Cruz, UCLA, USC, Chapman, Loyola Marymount, Westmont, and Cal State Long Beach. I like how I wanted to go to two rivalry schools, UCLA and USC, and I wanted to go to two different religious schools, the Catholic University Loyola Marymount, and the Christian University Westmont. I honestly think all these schools are amazing and back then I wanted to go to all of them, then I realized I didn't want to go to any of them.  



This bridge was in one of the student blog pictures

Earlier Spring my best friend, Alexia and I decided we needed to go visit some college campuses. Alexia was so committed to UC Santa Cruz and on one of our Starbucks study sessions, she told me how obsessed she was with this school. She showed me a blog regarding UC Santa Cruz students and their student life. I could see it was a far walk to classes and dorms and the scenery was similar to Twilight. Literally, there was a picture of the campus and it was surrounded by thick redwood trees. We decided that would be one of the schools we would visit.  Our friend Sydney, went to CSU Monterey Bay so she let us stay a night at her dorm and tagged along on our college tour. We also told our other friends, Amy, who went to San Francisco State, and Kelsey, who went to UC Berkeley, if they could give us a tour of their schools.  



Alexia and Syd trying to figure out where we were

We left on Thursday, April 11th after school and stayed at Sydney's that night. The next day we got a brief tour of CSU Monterrey Bay and left to UC Santa Cruz. It looked exactly like the pictures from the student blogs, so green and filled with beautiful redwood trees. We didn't personally know anyone at UCSC, so we got a map and tried to figure it out on our own. We found the dorms, walked in a few classrooms, we went to the bookstore, and we even followed a school that was getting a tour by a UCSC student. (We had to stop because, we got the feeling they were on to us)  Despite, the huge trees Santa Cruz really did remind me of Santa Barbara because it was near the ocean and near their downtown. After we spent the rest of the day in downtown Santa Cruz listening to talented musicians playing on the streets, shopping, and eating.

Amy, Syd, and Alexia @ SF State

The next day we went to visit, Amy at San Francisco State. It was colder than I expected there. She gave us a tour around her school showing us, her dorm, the library, where her classes were. What I liked about this school at first was that it was located more on the outskirts of SF. Walking around the campus, I felt like I was comfortable there being there and I started really seeing myself going here. It was later that I found out I could major in Creative Writing and the music scene up there was my type of genre. After, we went into the city to get lunch at a sandwich shop called, Ike's Place.(http://ilikeikesplace.com/) It was amazing! We also got Boba sometime later. At night we left for Berkeley....

the Campanile

Alexia, Kelsey, and I

We arrived at Kelsey's dorm and got settled in. We met her roommates.  This campus was in the middle of the city, surrounded by many buildings. This was indeed different from UCSC and SFSU. We went for a walk that night and I could see many students dressed up for parties at fraternities. It was quite a scene. I could see there was a police car outside of a Frat house that echoed a loud fire alarm. People left in panic. We decided to get food at their school Café, after that show. The next morning we got up and went to the Berkeley tower, the Campanile. It was such a breath-taking view; We could see the whole city as well as San Francisco from across the bridge.
 That day we had to make our way back to Santa Barbara, but we decided to do something really quick before we left. Go to the Golden Gate Bridge...

What I learned from that experience is that if your ever unsure about something, find a way to the answer. Your not going to figure out what you want by sitting and waiting for someone to decide it for you. You must adventure off and figure it out on your own.

- KIKI REYES

Welcome to November, Daylight Savings Ends, Seasonal Jobs, Nails

We're now entering the early days of November, a month filled with many events including:The Ends of Daylight-Savings, No-Shave November, Spring Registration, Veteran Days, Thanksgiving, Seasonal Winter Jobs, Black Friday, and finally the real Santa Barbara winter weather. It's time to stack on the extra layer of clothes and drink lots of hot tea or hot chocolate, and obviously coffee (I'm not much of a tea drinker). 

My Fall Tea Collection

Day-Light savings has come to an end; This works in our favor because I'm sure can all use an extra hour of sleep and those breaks coming soon will only make us more relax and at ease with school. We now have to think about our Spring semester classes because registration is next week. Please check your own Registration date on your pipeline! Also, those of you looking for seasonal jobs I'm sure many places are hiring. What most are looking for, are people willing to stay in Santa Barbara for winter break. Go to the Career Center for more information. http://www.sbcc.edu/careercenter/

So I'm thinking, I wish girls had something they could do all month like the guys with their No-Shave November. What could we do? No-Makeup November? I mean it wouldn't be that bad because we could show guys our natural beauty. No-Twitter November? No....something November. I'm not sure if it necessarily needs to be giving something up right? Maybe something we could do... Nails November? Ha I got nothing... 

Speaking of nails, my friend Ashley is a successful, talented nail artist. She told me it started as a hobby. She was in her room looking up nail designs and began practicing on herself. Ashley started an Instagram page to show followers her own designs and now has over 2000 followers. This instagram fame has people hiring her to do nails at different events such as parties. Her story can inspire many to follow what they love to do and be successful at it.

You can follow her on Instagram to see many of her designs.  

http://instagram.com/naildit7

More music posts to come... 

Have a great week :)

-KIKI REYES

Tim O' Brien, Halloween, Pumpkin Patch

It was a little over week ago, when I went to see Tim O' Brien speak here at Santa Barbara City College. After my sociology class and long hours at work, I headed back to school just in time to see the author of The Things They Carried. The room, in which it was held, was packed; People had to start sitting on the floor. What I really enjoyed seeing was a room of students and English Professors all eager to see this inspirational Vietnam veteran. 

He introduced us with a brief background of where he came from, which helped us understand what influenced him to become a writer. Raised in the dull town of Worthington, Minnesota, the Turkey Capital of America, he began to escape his town in books he read. He said, one of the few things young boys could do in Worthington was play baseball and unfortunately he wasn't great at playing. 

There was many laughs in the audience when, O'Brien explained that his first novel he wrote was a baseball novel. There wasn't much of his own writing in this book because he copied it from another novel he read; He just rewrote himself as the main character which was a talented baseball player.  My favorite part of his introduction was when he explained to his audience that, "You don't need to go to wars or climb mountains to be a writer you just need to breathe," basically implying that anyone can be a writer. The rest of his time he was able to answer questions from the audience members regarding his Vietnam experience. 

Santa Barbara City College really enjoyed his visit; We are lucky to have such influential writers and speakers come, which is another great reason to come here. 




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~




On a different note, Happy Halloween to everyone! I hope everyone has a fun, but safe Halloween. Yesterday my sister and I were able to go to pick out our pumpkins at Lane Farms. Yes, it was last minute and were going to crave them today, before the trick-or-treaters knock on our door. 

In this particular Pumpkin Patch, there is a corn maze my friends and I go to every year. I suggest you go at night because it's more challenging. I remember when I was a sophomore in High School, my friends and I went during the day. My guy friends decided it would be fun if we all ran through the maze. I was the only girl who agreed to this, so I ran after them in the maze. We were going at a really fast paste and soon they started sprinting.  I couldn't keep up so I stopped and was left in the maze alone. Of course I was laughing the whole time because I thought this was a stupid idea and why did I listen to these idiots, but fortunately I stood where I was for a few minutes and I found my other friends. After we got out of the maze we went on a tractor ride, which is aimed for the younger kids and went to see the farm animals in their cages. Good times.

Anyways, I hope Midterms went well for everyone!

-KIKI REYES 


 

Flashback to Senior Year Before SBCC, Why SBCC, Struggling Songwriter, English Major

I was the female role/dancer in Percussive Theatre/Drumline

As a senior in highschool I was indecisive about my future. I applied to San Francisco State, CSU Channel Islands, and CSU Northridge. I wasn't going to apply to four year universities because I felt like my application didn't stand out as much as I would of liked to. Here was I a senior with a 4.33 GPA involved in programs in school (AVID, AP/Honors, and Drumline) and outside of school (Santa Barbara Teen News Network and Santa Barbara Youth Music Academy) thinking I needed something more. After I applied to those schools I started doubting myself so much that I ignored the all deadlines to further the application progress. 

On set with the Santa Barbara Teen News Network

My sister, a year older than me, was enrolled at Santa Barbara City College. Although, she was accepted by CSU Channel Islands, her dream school, she decided to attend SBCC. I told myself I would not follow into her footsteps... Until I started waiting for her classes to get out at City College. I didn't mind it because I would bring my guitar or go run at La Playa Stadium  while I waited  for her. I started thinking it wouldn't be so bad if I went here. The ocean was across the street, it was near downtown, and I could continue running at the track. I think the main reason I didn't feel confident about my college applications was because one, I wasn't sure if I wanted to major in Journalism, Songwriting,or Creative Writing and two, I wasn't ready to leave home. I couldn't leave this beautiful place, a city in which tourists come all over the country to explore. 

Capitol Records in Hollywood

I consider myself as a songwriter and back then I thought it would be easy to pursue this dream.  My plan was to move down to Los Angeles and personally hand producers my demos and have them listen to them assuming they would automatically be impress with my lyrics and hire me for their record labels. Unfortunately it doesn't work that way, I know this for a fact. I tried out for two singing competitions, thinking if I get in I could perform my own songs at the showcases. I never even got a callback. It wasn't until this recent singing competition that assured myself that I'm going to keep songwriting and auditioning, while still attending school. Some say that one can easily learn from being on the streets, but I love being in a classroom listening to professors lecture about different subject. Skipping a year to see if I could make it as a songwriter is an incredible risk and I applaud those who do it, but I think having an education is beneficial as well. If people in the music industry saw that I got a bachelors degree, they can think wow this girl is serious about her education, maybe she's as serious with her music. 

My Journal

I decided that since I enjoyed reading and writing so much, I could improve my writing and discover different forms of literature by becoming an English Major. Although I've been getting average grades on my writing pieces in Creative Writing, I'm leaning away from resisting to revise my work. I need revision, otherwise how else would I improve? I visited my Creative Writing professor during his office hours and he said that I shouldn't stay in the same nineteen year old writing perspective, I need to grow as a writer. I took it a bit farther by considering to become an English Professor. I can still be both a Professor and a Songwriter. 

My advice to you is don't doubt yourself and a fail is not necessarily a fail because you gain something from it. Motivation.  

-KIKI REYES

A Thousand Views! Wooo

I recently hit over a thousand views! Thanks for reading my blog!

These views bring me to this proposition:
I want you guys to email me about topics you would like me to address for example: Places to hang out in Santa Barbara, etc. 
Keep it appropriate!

stephkikireyes@gmail.com

I'll be looking forward to your emails!

-KIKI REYES

Progress on Meeting New People, Rewards, Iration and Rebelution, Halloween




It was nice and cold today on the East Campus


It was about a month ago, that I told myself I would start trying to get to know as many SBCC students before I transfer, and I've been on a hiatus with that. Until this Monday, I was walking from the East campus (where there's many science related buildings, there's the bookstore, and the stadium, and the construction noises carrying startling sound waves into our ears) to my Creative Writing class, which is on the West campus (Where its home to the library, IDC building, and fountain). I walked along the bridge and I saw a guy who looked familiar. I thought it was my friend from high school named David. I walked faster to catch up to him and when I got closer I yelled "David!" The guy turned around and it wasn't him. Awkward. I decided to continue talking to him until I made it to the IDC building, where my class was and he had class at the BC forum. We had a nice conversation he told me he was a Math major and we both had class at 11:10am, which we happened to both be walking to. I unintentionally remembered my goal of meeting new people and thought I need to get on that before I transfer.


Iration

My man Micah, of Iration

I think the reason I haven't been able to pursue my miscellaneous goals is because I've been completely focused on pursuing my academic goals. It's a big deal on my behalf, that transfer next year. So this week and the week before I've been studying like crazy. I chose to go out this weekend to the Iration/ Rebelution concert as a reward for all my long hours of studying. You could tell how passionate both bands were about their music, they created such an amazing vibe for their audience. Everyone was singing along to their old and new songs. I even took a picture with Micah of Iration!!!

The concert happened to also be a fundraiser, which also included many RSA (Rockshop Academy) students performing, like the awesome band, The caverns. I can't even explained their performance, it was beyond talent (https://www.facebook.com/thecavernsofficial). They have inspired me to get moving with my music career.


My house decorations

So, anyways another awesome reward is Halloween, whether you hand trick-or-treaters candy, have friends over for a horror movie night, or attend a Halloween party. Let's keep in mind on that last option, you need to be safe if your going out with friends to parties. I have decorated my house and am ready for my trick-or-treaters. I have also bought my costume.

I use to work at a Halloween store downtown, which was my first job. I was able to get a good discount on my costume when I worked there last year. I remember I worked a long shift on Halloween. I was dressed as pirate at work and I was gypsy later in the evening. You guys should definitely check that store out, its on State Street. Its filled with almost every costume you can think of and of course decorations if your into decorating your dorm or apartment. The store is called "World of Magic"
(http://www.yelp.com/biz/world-of-magic-santa-barbara)

My costume last year at work.

-KIKI REYES

P.S  Another random story:
Today on this chilly October day, my tuner of two years has been broken into two pieces. The last instrument I was able to tune was my Ukulele, Craigly. I noticed this today when I was going to compose a song. Since the cold weather makes your instruments get out of tune quickly, I looked for it in the last place I had it, my ukulele case. Then, I saw it was broken when I took it out. So now my heart is broken... Until I find a new tuner to replace it. I know so dramatic.

Midterms, Flu Season, Pier, Cupcakes, Thinkin About You, The Procrastination Song

I can speak for all of us when I say right now we are feeling the pressures of midterms. It's crazy that this month is almost over; Holiday season is beginning soon, then its winter break and then its spring semester...Focusing on the present, I can tell flu season is in effect. I've been noticing so many people sneezing around me and my sweet paranoia resulted in my own sickness as well. Going to work sick is not a joyful time. I recommend taking good care of yourself, getting enough sleep (yes even with the temptations of staying up all night to study) and drinking lots of water.  Then, you can embrace the beautiful weather on your breaks from class.(The picture on the left will be explained in the next paragraph).

Yesterday was my dad's birthday so we decided to go eat dinner at the pier. Being able to see the sunset while literally eating by the ocean was beyond words. So I took a picture (on the left) isn't it completely breath-taking? The best part was that while my family and I were waiting for our food, a man came into the restaurant and played classical guitar next to us. I am completely in love with Spanish style finger picking its very enriching and it makes me so content, that's one way to cheer me up just by that sound. 

He started playing a classical version of "Get Lucky" by Daft Punk, I'm not kidding! It was the most beautiful composition I've ever heard. My sister and I were the only guests who knew the song, other than the waiters who requested him to play it. I looked over at him and he smiled while he was playing I blushed. One of the waiters told me he was playing that by ear because he heard "Get Lucky" on his iPhone.

Anyways the pier is a few blocks away from school, which is pretty convenient if any you guys are stressed from midterms and need a nice walk to relax your mind. It's also quite inspiring for writers who have writer's block. I remember one time my friend, Billy and I got out of class early and decided to have lunch on the pier it was amazing. Also, if you go kayaking I recommend you don't kayak under the pier because its first not allowed and second its very dangerous. I've done it once with my sister and my friend Jack, we all survived. Haha.

So after dinner we brought my dad some cupcakes from Crushcakes Cafe! Originally, there was only one on Anacapa Street by downtown State Street, also near by school, but there's now one in Isla Vista.

 (http://www.crushcakes.com/menus.html) If you have a sweet tooth these cupcakes are sensational. I promise you. I had these for my 16th, 17th, and 18th birthdays. Although they are somewhat pricy they are so worth it! My favorite is the strawberry blush.

On a different note, I brought my ukulele to school. My friend has an amazing singing voice, she and I were practicing a song that we're going to cover its called "Thinking About You" by Frank Ocean.  It's a great song. Also I wrote a new song called "The Procrastination Song" its up on my soundcloud, but its not the best version of it. I need to record it again and make it perfect, I happened to be a perfectionist anyways...

-KIKI REYES

P.S:I covered some more Civil Wars.. https://soundcloud.com/kikisrey/tip-of-my-tongue-the-civil