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

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 


 

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

Temptations, Took the 2:03pm train going anywhere, Harbor and Seafood Fest, City Council Elections...

It's still stuck in my head... (the song from the last post) hmm at least its not some annoying song because that would drive me insane. I've been writing some new songs completely inspired by this wonderful fall weather as well as inspired my own experiences. Just a walk around school can inspire me to write a verse of a new song. I have been tempted to bring my ukulele to school, but I haven't because I'd be way too distracted to focus in my classes. In fact, my friends use to give me a time limit with playing guitar because once I start playing I can't stop. It's addicting.

I was able to visit my sister in Camarillo on Friday. My mom and I took the train there, it was our first time. It was such a soothing ride and the scenery was unbelievable (Picture on the left). We are all seriously blessed to live in such a beautiful coast. I was doing some of my American Literature homework and then an hour later we were there. My sister picked us up and we spent all day in Camarillo shopping for my dad's birthday presents.

It was a nice little day trip, but its making me crave a big adventure for winter break; Maybe, up north to San Francisco or Berkeley, to visit some friends.

This weekend in Santa Barbara was the Harbor and Seafood Festival! It was literally across the street from school. This event is where the whole community gathers to enjoy delicious sea food and embrace our Santa Barbara culture. Apparently, my first time going to this festival was when I was five years old, but I honestly don't have a slight memory of it. (My sister, my dog, and I on the left) Fortunately, I went this year with my family and we walked around looking at the different booths. Many were selling clothing, there was face painting for the children, booths informing us of keeping our environment clean, and most of them were food booths.

I saw two familiar ones though, one happened to be the SBCC Culinary Arts program(http://www.sbcc.edu/careercenter/cte_pages/culinary_hotel_cte.php)  and the other was the SBCC Marine Diving Technologies Program (http://www.sbcc.edu/marinediving/) . I actually went up to the diving program and asked them personally for a picture of their table, as seen on the left. So if any you are interested in diving or cooking I recommend you to join these programs.

While I was at the festival I saw Wayne Scoles, one of the candidates for major of Santa Barbara. I had just received my ballot earlier this week, so my sister and I approached him and asked him several questions about what he would improve about our city. It was great talking to him in person rather than reading the Voter Information Pamphlet. This goes for everyone election day is next month, so I encourage you to be informed with what's going on in your local city council.  I still have a long way to go to make set decisions on who and what I'd be voting for this year.

Midterms are coming up... enough said. I hope everyone has a fabulous week! If your just tuning in to my blog, you have made the best mistake of your life! :)

- KIKI REYES

P.S Over the weekend someone asked me what my major was and I said it was English and they told me "That's boring." I laughed and thought little do they know how exciting the world of literature is.

 

The Violet Hour, Musical Composition, Bloggers of SBCC

So, I've been learning a song called "The Violet Hour" by The Civil Wars. The song consists of only two instruments the acoustic guitar and the piano, which give it a more natural and raw sound. The finger picking of the guitar and the piano's guidance waltz together in a cryptic, intricate, and elegant sound. The song has no lyrics to it and as a song-writer I believe this song's powerful and heartbreaking message is still breath-taking without a single voice interfering. Sometimes when I'm in the mood to write, I create these melodies that mimic my emotions, but the lyrics I write can no way compare to what I have expressed through my musical composition. So I leave it as is.

So basically this song has been stuck in my head for two days, I've been walking around campus humming it and running into people because I'm too busy reading the tab. I ran into some guy today and I thought "wow I knew it", after all this time I knew that one day I would be so glued to my phone that I would ran into a person. Ten points! Beware of texting or reading while walking you could potentially run into a person and embarrass yourself.

The Violet Hour by The Civil Wars
Tuning: Standard
Capo: 5th fret (all noted relative to capo)

Verse
      Am
e|----------2-------------0---------------------------------------|
B|-------1-------------1-------------1--0--1-----------1--0--1----|
G|----2-------------2-------------2-----------2-----2-------------|
D|--------------------------------------------------------------0-|
A|---------------0-------------0-----------------0----------------|
E|----------------------------------------------------------------|
   F                               Am
e|----------------------------3-----------------------------------|
B|-------1--0--1-----------1-------------1--0--1-----------1--0---|
G|----2-----------2-----2-------------2-----------2-----2---------|
D|-3-----------------3--------------------------------------------|
A|---------------------------------0-----------------0------------|
E|----------------------------------------------------------------|
    Am
e|----------2-------------0---------------------------------------|
B|-------1-------------1-------------1--0--1-----------1--0--1----|
G|----2-------------2-------------2-----------2-----2-------------|
D|--------------------------------------------------------------0-|
A|-0-------------0-------------0-----------------0----------------|
E|----------------------------------------------------------------|
   F                                   Am
e|----------------------------3------------------------------------|
B|-------1--0--1-----------1-----1----------1--0--1----------------|
G|----2-----------2-----2-----------2----2-----------2-----2-------|
D|-3-----------------3---------------------------------------------|
A|-------------------------------------0-----------------0----0--0-|
E|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
Chorus
    C                                   G
e|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|----------1-----------------1-----------------0-----------------0-------|
G|-------0-----0-----------0-----0-----------0-----0-----------0-----0----|
D|----2-----------2-----2-----------2-----0-----------0-----0-----------0-|
A|-3-----------------3----------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------3-----------------3----------------|
   F                                   C
e|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|----------------------------------------------1-----------------1-------|
G|----------2-----------------2--------------0-----0-----------0----------|
D|-------3-----3-----------3--------------2-----------2-----2-------------|
A|----3-----------3-----3--------------3-----------------3----------------|
E|-1-----------------1----------------------------------------------------|
 C                                   G
e|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|----------1-----------------1-----------------0-----------------0-------|
G|-------0-----0-----------0-----------------0-----0-----------0-----0----|
D|----2-----------2-----2-----------------0-----------0-----0-----------0-|
A|-3-----------------3----------------------------------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------3-----------------3----------------|
  F
e|------------------------------------|
B|------------------------------------|
G|----------2-----------------2-------|
D|-------3-----3-----------3----------|
A|----3-----------3-----3-------------|
E|-1-----------------1----------------|
Bridge
   Am       E        F        B        Am       E        F        B
e|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-------1--------1--------1--------1--------1--------1--------1--------1-|
G|----2--------2--------2--------2--------2--------2--------2--------2----|
D|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|-0--------------------------2--------0--------------------------2-------|
E|----------0--------1--------------------------0--------1----------------|
    Am       E        F        B        Am       E        F        G#
e|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|-------1--------1--------1--------1--------1--------1--------1----------|
G|----2--------2--------2--------2--------2--------2--------2-------------|
D|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|-0--------------------------2--------0----------------------------------|
E|----------0--------1--------------------------0--------1--------4-------|
Outro
   Am
e|----------2-------------0---------------------------------------|
B|-------1-------------1-------------1--0--1-----------1--0--1----|
G|----2-------------2-------------2-----------2-----2-------------|
D|--------------------------------------------------------------0-|
A|-0-------------0-------------0-----------------0----------------|
E|----------------------------------------------------------------|
    F                                   (Am)
e|----------------------------3------------|
B|-------1--0--1-----------1-----1---------|
G|----2-----------2-----2-----------2------|
D|-3-----------------3---------------------|
A|-------------------------------------(0)-|
E|-----------------------------------------|

This tab was brought to you by: http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/t/the_civil_wars/the_violet_hour_tab.htm and picture above was brought to you by https://www.facebook.com/cejaephotography
I have to admit it seems pretty easy to learn... here's my cover (any piano players out there btw)

Today I met with my fellow bloggers again for our monthly meeting. It was great to get feedback and discuss in what direction we want our blogs to go in. We're a room of totally different personalities, different backgrounds and that's why it works. You can get the student perspective from all our unique lives. We have Film Studies, Journalism, Political Science, Engineering, Liberal studies, Mathematics, Marketing, Biological Science, and of course English majors writing our experiences as students at Santa Barbara City College.

Hopefully your tuning in.   http://www.sbcc.edu/socialnetworks/studentstories/



-KIKI REYES

PS: sorry for the grammar and sentences that don't make sense, I get really excited to post that I forget to proof read. So I re-publish my posts over and over again until they're perfect and there's no mistakes... 

Creative Juices, Iration, Job Interview Fail, Intro to Driving School,Cal States

Don't you just love that moment when you can finally feel things falling into their rightful place? Despite that I've lost some sleep over the weekend, because my friends and I enriched our souls with an all night movie night, everything is running smoothly. Time management is the key to success, but I have also learned that a little procrastination sparks inspiration . So its okay to be a little disorganized at times if it gets your creative juices flowing.

My sister just brought us tickets to see our favorite reggae band, Iration... Rebelution is a plus too. The great part about going to this concert is that not only do we get to hear one of our favorite bands, we also get to help fund for the Rockshop Academy. It's music academy for kids interested in starting rock bands and such. I think tickets are still available, so get them before they sell out! (on the right Iration and Rebelution poster, on the left my friend Syd and I, I'm wearing my Iration hat!)

I remember the last time they were in town, they had a concert at the Velvet Jones over the summer. I was unable to go because I had a job interview that day at LUSH Cosmetics. My friends went without me and a week later I received a phone call that I didn't get the job. I was disappointed, but I realize it was for the best because:
1. It was a group interview and I always seem to mess those up.
2. I came off as awkward and shy, during my interview, which is kind of the opposite of who I actually am. I mean I can't force being outgoing it just happens around people I'm comfortable with and clearly my fellow interviewees were pretty intimidating.
3. I wasn't really feeling it, just wasn't where I saw myself working. There was this girl in my group interview who was very peppy and confident. I hope she got the job, she seemed more suitable for it than I did.

So now I work at a driving school, and I don't have a license. It doesn't make sense, that's why I like it! Accept for the fact that I have make DMV appointments for people younger than me. I mean I do have my permit so at least I'm not starting from the bottom. Sitting in that desk awaiting our clients calls is where I do most of my thinking, but sometimes I loose my train of thought because the phone rings.

I had a brief break while I was at work and I remembered that the Cal State applications were open on October 1st. So I went on CSU Mentor and started my applications and I submitted them this weekend. I applied to the following Cal States:
San Francisco State (kinda my first choice)
Cal Poly Pomona
Cal State Channel Islands
Cal State Northridge
Somona State
I hope to transfer Fall 2014! Pray for me to get accepted to any of these!
(Me on my visit to San Francisco earlier this year on the right)

If you see me around school don't be afraid to approach me and say hi :)

-KIKI REYES

Adjusting, Positive thinking, The Coquette by Hannah Foster, History Repeats itself

I confess I'm still trying to adjust to this heavy schedule and hectic workload. Its insane how people manage to take 18 units and work two jobs, when I over here with only 13 units and one job (Picture on the left: my dog visiting me at work I'm holding up a Steve Morris Defensive Driving School Card). Seriously, those people are gifted. I feel like my two years of community college are equivalent to two extra years of my high school senior year, specifically the excitement of events going on, but as well as the difficult courses I am enrolled in. I am not the person to give up and receive a bad grade on anything, so if a professor ever disagrees with my work I get really upset. Some people just let it go, but I take it to heart. I am a perfectionist I want people to like my work, so it gets a bit frustrating. Sometimes I have to remind myself to take it one step at a time and that everything is going to work out fine. And eventually it does.

So I stay positive for myself and for others; I mean I basically go to school on a beach! Don't people go to beaches to relax? SBCC is probably the most relaxing community college a person could go to right? Honestly, I love school the classes are so interesting that I don't find a single subject boring, I meet a new person every day, but the only thing is that it gets challenging very quickly. I'm sure everyone can relate to this. (This is literally the beach across from SBCC, and those two dots are my friends, Leah and Billy swimming).

Something I found interesting this week was a book I read in my American Literature class, The Coquette by Hannah Foster (On the Right picture of the novel).I know books and American Literature typical English Major haha. I liked this book so much I am trying to incorporate it into my short story for Creative Writing. I'm handling two subjects at once by one, studying for my midterm and two, writing my short story. Its genius, its like that idiomatic expression, "killing two birds with a stone"! Come to think of it, why did they associate the idea of completing two tasks at the same time to killing birds? That's kind of strange when you think about it. So basically the story is about a woman named Eliza Wharton, who in the beginning of the story looses her fiancé which results to her moving in with friends. Eliza writes to her best friend Lucy about her stay at the Richman's house and for advice on two admirers that begin fighting for her love. You could relate this conflict to many novels nowadays, but this is in my opinion, where that conflict originated. You have to read the rest to find out what happens.

I'll give you a preview of my short story:
                                               
                                              History Repeats Itself
                                                     by: Kiki Reyes

I.It was a stupid research paper our history professor assigned us that made me come back home to Hartford, Connecticut. I hadn't been home in almost a year and now I had to faced about hundred miles of driving, an estimated hour and half. Of course it started raining during my morning drive that's something I always despised about going home, but this time looking above at the uninviting dull skies and the curious empty roads made me feel more uneasy than usual. At that moment I decided  to shift my thoughts into focusing on the paper. The assignment was to get a better sense of our ancestors and when they migrated to the Americas. I began to think about the stories my grandparents would tell my younger brother, Daniel and I. They briefly mentioned the Hartford Circus Fire in the 1940s, apparently they were late to the circus that day. I remembered my grandma got teary so we had to change the subject. Even though we were on a different topic, I could see her grey eyes staring blanking, possibly re-following the flames annexing the circus tent echoing of swallowed tragic screams. It had nothing to do with my family's history at all, but that was the only story I could remember.

I hope you like it so far, its very suspenseful.

-KIKI REYES
 
 

Dancing, Bashh, Running, Hiking, Typical Weekend

When I was six years old I started dancing for my elementary school dance team; I did that until I was eleven. Within those years I was able to meet one of my favorite dance teachers who unfortunately, due to school budgets, only taught my team for a year. I ran into her a couple years later. I was about 13 when started taking ballet with her dance company (Fusion Dance Company) while taking guitar lessons. And like that Katy Perry song, "I chose guitar over ballet." My sister now dances for Fusion Dance Company with our dance teacher. I'm so proud of her she is such a talented dancer. I myself have considered on and off again to become a dancer again. I even sometimes take classes at her studio just for a nice work out, but I'm thinking right now isn't the time.

My sister had a dance performance this weekend for a showcase entitled, BASSH (poster on the left). I unfortunately wasn't able to go attend the show because it sold out so quickly. What I did attend was the cast party, which was different than your typical party. So basically everyone there was a dancer skilled in different types of dance (Jazz, Contemporary, Swing, Salsa). I literally walked in and everyone was swing dancing, it was like walking into a 1920s club. I really enjoyed it because the meaning of real dancing has been fading away this generation. Next thing you know the music and the mood changes and my dance teacher invites me to salsa on the dance floor. What an experience it was! I'm considering taking some salsa lessons now, well I did meet a salsa instructor.

I also went for a run with my friend on West beach, by school. It seem like the temperature was heating up on that run and we didn't drink enough water before; so lesson learned. Always drink two bottles of water before running! Fortunately, we stopped under a shady palm tree to stretch and relax. It turned out I am still quite flexible from my dancing days (To the right my handstand on a palm tree, excuse my sickle feet).

Again, I was able to run at my old jr. high to walk my dog and I ran into our graphic designer from our blogging site; She was walking her dog as well. Since my sister was here my family and I went hiking. We up tunnel trail to Inspiration Point (On the left: my older sister, Jasmine and I)This probably the hundredth time we've done this, okay I'm over exaggerating haha. We do hike a lot. A few summers ago I used to hike four times a week and run during the days I didn't hike. It was intense. Anyways, my family and I really love hiking because it all about becoming aware of your natural surroundings and keeping your mind off things. Since, I've been working out lately it wasn't challenging at all.   

Hopefully I'm not to sore tomorrow from all the exercise I've done. Its a great lifestyle you know? (on the right: That's where SBCC should be by the tiny cruise ship)
 
I hope you guys had a fabulous weekend, time to get back into focus. Let's make Monday a great day! That was meant to be enthusiastic :)

- KIKI REYES

PS. Random fact today 4 years ago Paramore released their Brand New Eyes Album...

Stressing, Music, Paramore, Zedd, More Stressing, Paradise

I have to admit I was sort of stressing a couple days ago and I had to take a moment. It was not like those snickers commercials where they're like need a moment? Eat a snickers. It was sort of serious I was feeling overwhelmed from  TOO much pressure; so instead I took a step back and thought about where I wanted to be in a year. After I came to a conclusion, I ran to my guitar and sang my heart out.  I seriously don't know where I'd be without music and I'm so content that many people can relate to this passion of playing or listening to music. (Left: me and my guitar Photocredit: https://www.facebook.com/cejaephotography)

Speaking of music my favorite song at the moment is my "Stay the Night" by Zedd featuring Hayley Williams. If your a fan of the alternative rock band Paramore (my Paramore vinyl on the right)  than you'll like this song. If your into the mainstream techno movement that's happening in this time period you'll like this song. The music video to this song is the most artistic and unusual video I've ever seen! It features two talented contemporary dancers as well as the artists themselves. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-gyZ35074k)

Anyways, I'm feeling much better like I can achieve anything, cliche right? For those of you who are feeling the pressure and stressed out of your minds you should go to the "Stress Management" workshop on December 5th  in the CAI Lab 2 in the LRC from 1:00 -1:50 p.m. I know December is many weeks away but time goes by so quickly! I think we've been in school for about five weeks already thats insane! The day after my little meltdown everything went well and I decided I wanted to make amends with people I've stopped talking to because: one) most of them were a huge part of my life two) because I'm going to be transferring soon and who knows when I'll ever seen them again.

Today was pretty good too. I got my midterm back and I was pretty happy with my score. I was able to take a nice walk around campus with my friends I just met the beginning of this semester. It's amazing how you can meet someone here and feel so connected to them right away. So literally we walked in a circle around campus, while walking I was thinking I can go to school in paradise. Its like what my friends and I say to each other when we seen tourists, "We live where they vacation."
(Left: The Garden on the East Campus; Right: My friends Skylar, Theresa, and I)


I'm happy to share Santa Barbara with everyone as long as they admire it and take care of it as us natives do. :)

-KIKI REYES

P.S: Yesterday I was able to meet my fellow co-bloggers.
These people have some very unique personalities and you should make sure to tune into their lives as well: http://www.sbcc.edu/socialnetworks/studentstories/

People Watching, Pants, Clichés

This semester's work load its pretty challenging. I think its mainly because of all the reading from my two English courses, but it is something I am enjoying. And coincidentally the historical period in my American Literature class is basically what I'm learning in my online History class. I didn't do that purposely, it just happened.

 I've noticed the weather is finally cooling down because I happened to be shivering under the shade today, while I was sitting down on the West Campus' Café. It was a great day for people watching, and according to my Creative Writing textbook "...good fiction writers are usually good people watchers" (Starkey 118). I didn't really mind sitting alone. I mean I was accompanied by friends, that I met today, before they went to class. I was reading from my History book, but at the same time trying to become aware of my surroundings to see if I can get inspired for a song or story or anything really. Its awesome to say that you can basically see the beach anywhere your sitting. I could see many people sitting on the grass reading, eating, and napping. Its weird to think that you won't be able to meet everyone on this campus.
(Left: My American Literature book) 


That's one of my goals, to just randomly jump into conversations with strangers at school. For example today I had to stop at a table by the IDC building, next to the library, to fix my pants. I folded them so they were capris, but awkwardly while I was walking one was lop-sided. There was a guy listening to his iPod and doing his homework. I went to the table next to him and he watched me, I told him "I'm just fixing my pants." He took one earphone out of his ear and he laughed. I fixed my problem and said "Have a nice day!" The other day I sat next to random people at a table for about an hour and after I found out their names and their majors.



Another one of my goal is to do well this semester, as cliché as that sounds. Another, Another goal I have is to stop using clichés, especially since I'm going to be a writer.

(Picture toward the right was taken this morning, while I was getting dropped off at school. That's Cookie, my dragon)


-KIKI REYES