Goodbye SBCC, Hello CSUN!!!

I HAVE A DEGREE!!!!!

Graduation day started out cloudy and chilly. All of a sudden in the middle of graduation practice there wasn't a single cloud in the sky. The sun beat down on all of us graduates who were oh so excited to wear our black cap and gowns.

My dad picked me up from practice and we immediately drove home so I could get ready for the ceremony. He packed the dishes I was afraid to pack while I was getting ready because the next day I was going to move most of my stuff!

He dropped me off at Julia's family's hotel so he could get to the college early to save seats. And what do you know, my car wouldn't start! Thankfully my dad had my uncle's car back at my apartment, so Julia's dad drove him back to get it. I called to get my car towed from the hotel and had it taken to an auto repair shop.

Ready for the ceremony!

It was so random and inconvenient because it was working just fine before! Thankfully it was towed in time. Between that, the traffic, and the blocked street near school Julia and I ended up being close to the back of the line of graduates even though we were still on time.

I instantly regretted wearing my sky-high wedges that I've only worn one time for the senior year prom. In line I stood with Julia and two other graduates from The Channels staff. After walking to our seats, we ended up being in the last row which was strange because usually I'm near the front alphabettically. I was the second to last to graduate!


My dad saved seats for Julia and I's family and friends right in the middle of the bleachers in the seventh row.  We turned back and waved to them many times throughout the ceremony.

Saving the best for last, it was our row's turn to walk towards the stage. When we got up to the stairs, we were told to run across the stage because there were less people on the other side. I was looking forward to shaking President Beebe's hand, but I was still excited to receive the empty diploma holder from Vice President Trustee Jonathan Abboud. I've wrote two profiles on him. In fact, I knew Beebe and all of the Board of Trustee members up there from covering them all semester— so that all added to the experience!

Julia was standing right in front of me and it was amazing to watch my best friend receive her degree and share the experience with her! I was looking forward to hearing "associate in arts journalism," after my name but I think I was too focused on not tripping and being shocked that this was actually happening.

The firm handshake signified how strong I finished off here at SBCC.

I walked down in between the huge line of trustees and faculty and ran into The Channels teacher Patricia and gave her a big hug. She sat near us during the ceremony and I ran into Melanie and Sammy, my editor in chief from fall semester, as well. It was the perfect send off to CSUN!

My dad flew in from Virginia to visit

After the ceremony Julia and I met with our family and friends to take pictures. Then we drove to Casa Blanca for our dinner reservation. We were there for three hours! We even had dinner together at her grandpa's restaurant the next day. Our family and my friends all bonded together so well it was like one big happy family!

My dad and her grandpa gave speeches at the dinner. My dad gave me photo albums including many years of pictures and a palm tree and martini pandora charm to represent my 21st birthday and my time here in Santa Barbara. Julia's grandpa also gave a heartwarming speech about us two girls starting this new journey together.

The next day I moved out the majority of my stuff and I spent a few more days with my dad. Now here I am at Starbucks writing my last blog post out of 138 before I move in less than two weeks.

Wow, I just got stuck writing this. I'm about to say my last words to you guys on this blog. This is crazy!!! Aaaaaand here come the tears.

If it weren't for my dear Great Great Aunt Sally's help, I wouldn't have been able to fulfill my dream of moving back to California for college. She lived in Northridge and passed away the day I moved out here after I graduated high school. She was like a mother to my mom and a grandmother to me. I know she is still watching and is so excited to see how far I go.

Glad all the guest could see the ocean view!!! The graduates sat too low in
our seats hahaha

I cannot express how thankful and honored I am to have received my education at Santa Barbara City College. I not only became more knowledgeable in my education, but have grown as a person here.

SBCC is truly the best community college out there.

While I will miss this place, I'm ready to move forward with my education and the opportunities that await. I will visit for vacation as this place is typically known for. And hey, maybe in the future I'll end up with a job working for the Santa Barbara Independent or KEYT.

I wish all of you new, current and alumni SBCC students the best of luck in continuing your education and finding out what truly makes you happy.

My final advice to all of you is to use your college experience as a tool to make your aspirations in life a reality.

This blog has received almost 40,000 views over the past three years!!! Granted some of it may be spam, but most of it is from all of you— truly making me feel like continuing down a career path like this is possible!

I want to thank my fellow students, family, friends, and international students from around the world for taking interest and supporting my dreams!

Here is the link to my website I created this summer: angela-rose.com !!!

I'm so excited to continue this as an independent blogger :) Subscribe to the newsletter on the blog tab to get notified whenever I post a new blog!

pc: John Rose

Signing off as a proud alumni of Santa Barbara City College,

Angela Rose Bickmann 

Transferring With a Degree and Best Friend

All photos taken by John Rose

Today was my last day as a student at Santa Barbara City College.

Friday I'll arrive at the ceremony as a graduating student and leave as an alumni—with a degree in my hand and my best friend by my side.

I couldn't wish for anything better.

Staff members of The Channels gathered in the newsroom today, reminiscing on all of our accomplishments. No matter how much I tried not to, I couldn't help but tear up in gratitude for my experience with this newspaper. 

I said goodbye to being a reporter and editor for The Channels and hello to...... well..... I'm not sure yet. 

It's a leap of faith going from having multiple jobs to moving to a new place where I'm not guaranteed anything but being a CSUN student. 

What I do know is that LA is the land of opportunities and CSUN has the kind of journalism program that can lead me to those opportunities—all I have to do is go get them.

It may be competitive. It may be stressful. I may drink Starbucks late at night while I wonder who I am, what life is, and why I still don't have a pug. But I won't be doing it alone. 

Julia is my best friend, "cubicle" buddy, and soon to be roommate.

She and I are not only graduating SBCC together, we are going to be roommates who share the same major and graduate CSUN together as well.

After letting everything sink in today, I've realized I'm transitioning into a completely new life of mine.

I've always said "I don't want to just survive; I want to live."

This past semester, I have. The direction of my life has began to change. There's been a breakthrough in my positive thinking, events, opportunities, etc., proving that my past does not have to determine my future.

I've started to live my life, not just survive it.

That being said, I feel it's time to change my usernames in my social media accounts that are "arose_survivor."

Although to me it means that I "arose" into a better life after surviving, it makes meeting new people awkward. I can never choose to tell someone later because they kind of already know. I am and will continue to use social media all the time to promote my work because that's what journalists have to do in today's world. Maybe I'll use the name as an idea for something else because I still adore it.

This summer it will be 20 years since my mom and brother's passing as well as 6 years since I've survived cancer. Even though I can never forget these and other tragic times in my life, they were so long ago.

I'll forever and always love and protect that girl who survived as the woman I've become.

While I'm still proud of and consider myself a survivor, that's not what I want to reflect as anymore.

I am someone who is not letting my past determine me. I am someone who chooses to live life to the fullest because I know what it's like at the lowest. I am someone who accepts my past because it's made me who I am today.

I am moving forward to be someone who can make a bigger difference in this world.

Over the summer, along with many other changes, I'm going to create my own website. In this website there will be many features such as my new personal blog and a list of every article I've ever wrote. I also plan to— for the life of me—get back to writing my autobiography while I have time. Aaaaaannd officially set up a LinkedIn because the lists of jobs I've had keeps getting longer and longer.

Once my website is ready this summer, I will add the link to my last blog and share it on all of my social media accounts. Speaking of, my next blog is my last blog for SBCC. Don't even get me started on how crazy that sounds! 

Accomplishments

My first time ever making honor roll!

I'm graduating next week?

WHAT.

I'm moving in one month?

WHAT! 

If you couldn't tell, I haven't exactly wrapped my mind around the fact that I will be moving from the place I've called home for three years. Moving to Isla Vista was the the first move of my choice. Now Northridge is about to be my next, and I can't help but think about how time flies by. 

Growing up, time seemed to go by so slow. I was always dreaming of the future possibilities of my life as an adult until I graduated high school. Once I graduated, it's like the door of possibilities unlocked itself. It was up to me to take the courage to open the door and leave the room I had never left. 

Over these past three years at SBCC, I've accomplished a lot— not only in my education, but in myself. 

Sometimes I think that I could've been more of a college student— that I could've enjoyed myself more living in such a beautiful place like Santa Barbara. But then I think— I did the best I could.

I've had a lot to heal within myself after the many unfortunate parts of my childhood. I'll be outright honest and admit I've been seeing the same counselor at SBCC ever since my first year here. 

As time went on, the more I healed. Seeing the beach didn't hurt, but the most influential part was being on my own. I had to learn to make myself a priority. I learned what I wanted in life, as well as what I didn't. I've opened up and embraced the person that I've always been inside, but was too scared to let shine. 

Here I am today and I don't know what the heck I'm going to talk about at my last counseling appointment next week. I went from running out of time to talk about everything I needed to during my first year to all of a sudden running out of things to say.

It's a bittersweet feeling because I've grown to be so close with my counselor. She's almost like a mother figure to me. She listened to me like nobody has ever listened. She also told me like it is and pushed me to make the right decisions—even if it was tough. But just as it's time to leave SBCC, it's also time for me to move on.

Today I watch the pages in my name on google load up with my news stories and blogs, alongside the news stories of my mom and brother's passing and my cancer journey. The feeling that gives me is indescribable.

I have nothing but positive things to say about the direction my life is going. I've dwelled enough in my past. I've made a healthy effort in transitioning into this chapter in my life that I've always looked forward to, it just was never a reality. 

The reality is that I didn't let the negative parts of my life determine my future. Because when you want something bad enough, you'll work harder than ever to get it.

I'm about to graduate with an associate degree in journalism and transfer to the best college for me with an extensive journalism program where I'll get my bachelor's. I not only declared my major, but I've made it my b*tch. 

I finished my internship at TVSB. I also finished my last story as a reporter for The Channels. This week I'll finish my duties as an editor. And next week I'll finish my three-year blogging streak at SBCC.

I'd say I'm on some kind of roll. I hope it's as good as Texas Roadhouse rolls... those are the best kind of rolls. (If you don't know what I'm talking about, I'm sorry)

In all seriousness, be stubborn in whatever it is you want and deserve in life and go get it! College is the best time to discover yourself and be determined in turning your dreams into reality.


Catch up on my latest and last stories with The Channels!
SBCC students should take advantage of outdoor PE classes

Board discusses responsibilities of newly elected student trustee

Balance Stress With Self-Love

As the end of the school year approaches there is one thing you must remember— take care of yourself.

pc: Mia Willson

Stress can take damaging effects on our bodies, our minds, and our souls. Trust me, I'd be one to know.

A couple weeks ago I attended a cancer survivor retreat and brought my friend Danielle. Emilee, a friend of mine who I met at a cancer survivor meeting, put on the event. She is doing amazing things! Emilee is a yoga instructor, specializing in yoga techniques that everyone can do. Those who've been through such extreme medical conditions especially need to make sure they're taking care of themselves. I love her saying, "Cancer saved my life." It's the realest thing I've ever heard. I wouldn't be living life the way I do today if it wasn't for embracing that perspective.

pc: Mia Willson

The most influential part of this retreat was being reminded of the importance of self-love. No matter how busy you are, you are your number one priority. Even if that means you only get a few minutes to take a break, relax, or do something you love— you've gotta do it.

Soul Garden— it was so special randomly
picking "I am joy." Growing up in school,
everyone knew me as the shy girl whose been
through a lot. In college I've been able to embrace
who I really am and am happier than ever :) 

When you don't take care of you, that affects everything else in your life. Think of yourself as a soul, an energy that's carrying your body around through everything life has to offer— the good and the bad. No one can ever take care of you like you can take care of yourself.

Yesterday I took a stroll to the beach to relax and soak up the sun. After about an hour, one of my fellow editors texted me asking me to help edit three stories so they could get published.

Even though I was out doing something, I had no problem going home and getting back to work because I had my "me time."


The moral of the story being that we can all do better work when we're happier. Most of the time when we are stressed, in a bad mood, and want to do nothing but sit in the house and escape in our technology—we are forgetting about ourselves.

We all deserve better than that.

Earth Day,  Isla Vista

That is one of the reasons I decided to take my ocean kayaking class. Sometimes we gotta push ourselves to do something that's good for us. Even if it's at 8 am. Even if it means being launched upwards just to fall
back down again.

I'm not kidding.

pc: Mia Willson

I will never forget what happened during my last ocean kayaking class. I have never been so woken up so early in the morning.

My teacher loves to have us surf the waves in our kayaks every single class. He sits there in his single kayak, yells at us to move back in his British accent, and enjoys watching the student kayakers tip over, get soaked in the freezing water, and be taken back to shore. He might as well be chomping away a bag of popcorn.

Last class, an unexpected huge wave started to quickly approach my partner and I. Everyone else in the class was behind us. The wave started to break right in front of us and I stopped paddling in fear. My partner sitting behind me screamed at me to keep paddling. It was one of those "weeeeeeeeeeeee're screwed" either way moments.

pc: Mia Willson

We paddle through the wave, the wave lifts our kayak a couple feet up in the air, and I am airborne—launched another few feet into the air. Gravity takes over and I fall flat on my back RIGHT BACK ONTO THE KAYAK.

.........

I have never laughed so hard at such a terrifying experience.

Everyone else behind us wiped out since they were too far back (except my teacher of course). My partner said she barely got lifted out of her seat and watched me just fly into the air. Can you imagine if she had a GoPro on her? Let's just say it'd be a viral video. If I had one on me, the only thing you'd see is a blue sky! Hahaha

Did it hurt? Not that I could tell. I was too busy laughing until I could laugh no more.

pc: Mia Willson

Another moral to another story—laughter heals. Fun experiences balance out the hard work in our lives.

Now, go on and study— go to work and make that dough. But don't forget about your inner well-being.

Balance is always key.

I See the Light

Whenever I get asked if I'm excited for graduation—I get mixed emotions.

The past couple weeks I wasn't in a good mood at at all. I was extremely overwhelmed and couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel (aka: graduation). Don't get me wrong, I still have so much to do before graduation day, but everything is starting to wrap up.

It's not that I want things to wrap up here at City College or in Santa Barbara, but I'm more ready than ever for the next step in my life. And that's not something that I can do here. Living in Los Angeles will give me the opportunities that I've looked forward to for so long. And I can't wait to be closer to my support system of family and friends. I miss having that around whenever I need it or simply miss the company.



I'm don't know how I handled being a reporter, editor, blogger, and intern all at once. I knew it wouldn't be easy. At the same time, I knew it would be worth it. I cannot wait to update my resume to fit my future journalism career opportunities!

Thank you to Melanie for
giving me the opportunity to
blog for SBCC for all three years!

Last week us SBCC bloggers had our last meeting. I can't believe it. It's the longest job I've had. I've been a blogger during my entire experience at SBCC. I will have around 140 blog posts by the end of the semester—an entire book of memories that I can share with my future kids before they head off to college. I might start a blog of my own as well to continue. It'll be a little more personal and have a wider range of topics.  I'll keep you all up-to-date on that!

On Wednesday, The Channels finished putting together our last budget of assigned stories for the semester. That same day I received back my tax refund after doing my taxes for the first time. Don't even get me started about how much fun I had getting my taxes finished. You can see how happy I was in this picture when I mistakenly thought I was done with my taxes, but I was rejected after submitting it twice. The third time was the charm. After the Ed Board meeting, I also went to the new Campus Store and picked out my cap and gown. Then I got tacos. After that I went to my internship and found out that next week will be my last at TVSB. Still not really sure if it was the tacos or the accomplishments that made me see the light, but it's probably both!

Catch up on my latest stories with The Channels! 

SBCC Trustee VP works towards free college tuition in California

New SBCC Campus Store to officially open next Monday  (photos)

SBCC selected to participate in Guided Pathways Project

State Journalism Convention

I went to the state Journalism Association of Community Colleges convention in Sacramento with a big smile on my face and came back with an even bigger smile.

pc: John Rose

After months of waiting, I found out I was accepted to CSUN the day before I left for the convention. The night the convention ended, I won first place for on-the-spot opinion writing!

And just when I thought life couldn't get any better on the bus ride back as I did absolutely nothing but stare off into the blooming, rolling hills of California—that was basically the only break I had during spring break.

But it was absolutely worth it.

When I found out I was accepted to CSUN, I was checking the online portal like I always did about twice a day. At the same time, I was actually calling my dad—not because I was expecting to get a response from CSUN—but to ask him a question regarding my taxes. As soon as he answered the phone, my CSUN portal page loaded and I could automatically tell that they responded to my application. Freaking out, I scanned through the few big paragraphs on the screen for the word "accepted." I found it and started to tear up in happiness and relief all while my dad was on the phone. I called my best friend Julia right after— we're going to be roommates at CSUN!!!

Now I could fully enjoy my experience at the journalism convention!

I signed up for two contests at the convention which were opinion writing and copy editing. The last night at the convention all of us were dined to a nice dinner right before the award ceremony. We all dressed up for the night and were eager to find out if we won anything. As soon as they started calling names for the opinion writing contest, my heart was racing. As an opinion editor, this meant a lot to me. They worked their way backwards starting with honorable mentions, fourth place through first place. After they called second place, I realized I had to be first or I wouldn't be called. At that point I blocked out my "what if's" and started clapping for whoever won first place—they called my name. I looked at Julia and everyone else from The Channels all looking at me with their jaws wide open. I stood up, realizing that yes, they actually called my name. The clapping and cheering in the room was loud, but my my thoughts were louder. Placing my hand over my heart, I felt as though I was having heart palpitations as I was walking up to the stand. It was like graduating from high school when I pretty much blacked out walking across the stage receiving my diploma. It goes by so quick, it's like I can't contain so much happiness all at once.

This was it. This was the moment that everything in my lifetime—every stressful day of my education— it all came together into a plaque, validating that I have what it takes to make the bigger dreams in my life a reality.

The best part about receiving this award, is that I received it by writing a personal column. Ever since my cancer treatment, I've wanted to write an autobiography to inspire others. If I can win first place out of all the community college journalists in California, I can get a book published!

As of right now, I have absolutely no time for anything else but school for the next month. I'm excited to receive my journalism associate for transfer degree and move towards the next chapter of my life, but right now I'm in the homestretch at SBCC and it's time to give it my all and focus.

Gotta go write a story for The Channels, catch up on my latest stories below!

Trustee represents SBCC at D.C. summit as new legislative liaison

Board of Trustees approves student health fee increase

Gender-neutral bathroom topic turns heated at board meeting

My First Broadcast

I am blogging to you on the bus! Yes, I am going to a journalism convention during my spring break because I'm a "news nerd." I blogged about the SoCal regional conference last semester, but this one is even more important. I am on my way to the state Journalism Association of Community Colleges convention in Sacremento with some of City College's news crew. Also....big news....I GOT ACCEPTED INTO CSUN!!!! Many blogs to come, but for now— I wrote, filmed, edited, and anchored my first broadcast!

I am extremely honored to have done my first broadcast bringing awareness to a topic near and dear to my heart. I reached out to the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation to report an FYI on one of its upcoming events that brings awareness to childhood cancer. I reached out to the foundation once before in hopes of volunteering, but to no surprise— I've been so caught up in school. Thankfully I could multitask by interning with TVSB and helping the foundation at the same time. I love the new feeling of realizing that I can do good things through my work! It assures me I'm on the right path.

How I filmed my first broadcast:
—Interviewed the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation
—Wrote the script
—Set up the camera on the tripod, along with the mic and lights
—Recorded myself for 30 minutes straight, repeating each line a few times
—Uploaded the footage to Final Cut Pro
—Spent hours editing, simultaneously learning new techniques
—Submitted my final media to TVSB and uploaded it to YouTube

Have I mentioned I'm extremely facially expressive? Well now you know—hope you enjoy these bloopers!!! You'd think I'd be embarrassed, but I kind of expected this to happen because I'm still learning. I have done a voice over before, but this was the very first time I've filmed myself. If I continue down the broadcasting path, expect many more bloopers to come! At least I can get some practice in before going live!

If you're local to Santa Barbara, you can tune into channel 17 or 71 to watch my broadcast as a TV commercial between April 1-20!!! I wish I had cable so I could see it, but maybe I'll catch it during my interning hours at TVSB. 

With only a month left at my internship, I still remain indecisive as to whether I want to major in general journalism (writing) or journalism with an emphasis in broadcast. I've always had a talent for writing and it's something I'm comfortable with. With broadcasting I have to push myself, but it's fun! Either way— in today's social media world full of different types of media— it's best to be knowledgeable in all aspects of the field. I plan to speak to a counselor or better yet— a journalism professor at CSUN to figure out the best path for me!

Ocean Kayaking

Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, I began my first semester at SBCC by taking an Ocean Swimming class. Here I am attending my last semester, and there was no way I wasn't going to take advantage of that!

So—I am taking an Ocean Kayaking class!

Ironically, I signed up for this class to have fun and enjoy the rest of my time here, but that's not exactly how I feel waking up at 6:45am to make it to school before 8. However, once I get into the kayak, I instantly awaken and am grateful for the experience.

The first day of class, I walked into an overflowing PE classroom full of students waiting for the teacher. When the teacher arrived, he welcomed the class with his British accent. That was the moment I thought 'YES I'm definitely going to enjoy this class!'

The beginning parts of this class wasn't to my liking. I was sick the day we had to take the swim test in the nearby pool, but I took it anyway because I didn't want to have to take the test swimming in the freezing ocean.
The next few classes consisted of practicing three different "saving techniques." We had to tip ourselves over off our kayaks into the (may I repeat) freezing Pacific water and perform different ways of getting back onto our kayaks. The first time I did this my body went into panic mode—not because I was scared of being deep out in the ocean, been there done that— but because the water was sincerely that cold on top of the wind. It felt as though my throat was closing up and my heart was beating slower with every second. At least that gave me the determination to get back on the kayak as quickly as possible. The intensity was real. After the saving technique steps, I lifted myself back onto the kayak with one mighty push of upper body strength.

We also started practicing kayaking against the waves near shore, but so far the waves haven't been big enough to knock us over (watch, I'll get knocked over next time for saying that).

If you take this class, I highly recommend you remember the days that you'll be practicing saving techniques because you'll want a wetsuit, especially during spring semester. Also, bring a pair of flip flops or waterproof shoes on board. The ice-cold metal deck you load your kayaks off of might just burn the bottom of your feet.

The past three classes have been cancelled due to fog or rain. But the best part about kayaking happened during the last class; we got to see wildlife! So far we have only seen sea lions being lazy on the buoys, but hopefully we will see dolphins soon! The pelicans welcome us out from the harbor every class.

Kayaking has now become a refreshing start to my Tuesday and Thursday mornings at school. The light sprinkle of sea water on my legs, bright sun on sunny days, and the often game of "bumper boats" surely wakes me up. We always meet at the Paddle Sports Center down at the harbor. After class, I walk back to my car, grab my bag to change in the nearby bathroom at Leadbetter Beach, and make my way up the hill to my next class.

This video was taken during my most recent Ocean Kayaking class. Sorry my feet were on display, but I could only put my GoPro on my life vest at the time! I wish I could've shown you how intense the saving techniques were, but I didn't want to risk the fishies stealing my GoPro at the bottom of the ocean.

I encourage you to take this class, or any other outdoor PE class at City College. My experience here in Santa Barbara wouldn't have been the same without these two classes! I wish I could've taken Beach Volleyball, but the timing of it never worked out with my other classes.

What will "workout" is my shoulders. These stunners will make you reconsider your next shoulder workout ;)

SBCC TV Commercial

Living on the Edge

Waiting on acceptances from universities is like living on the edge. You don't know what city you'll move to in the next few months, what school you'll go to, who you'll live with, who you'll meet, what careers you'll be offered and where, and how much it'll all cost. It's all based upon whether or not you get the "Congratulations" or "We're sorry to inform you that."

So far I've been accepted to Long Beach and San Diego State! I used to think those were my only two options in southern California as a journalism transfer. That goes to show how important it is to do research on schools before making any big decisions.

Later I came to find out that Fullerton and Northridge also had journalism programs as well, so I applied. A couple of other private school had journalism programs as well, but in the end, I decided not to apply to them because the expense wasn't worth it. My future career and success is more important to me than the college I get a degree from.


Here I am, two months left into my last semester at SBCC, waiting on the response from the university I thought I once didn't want to transfer to.






After doing much research and thinking, Northridge (CSUN) is the best school for me. Out of all the schools I applied to, it has the best, most diverse journalism program and it is closest to friends and family.

San Diego State and Long Beach are highly impacted schools. Out of all the schools I applied to, they were the first to tell me that I got accepted, yet they were the most difficult schools to get into. They seemed like better schools because they are better for other majors, but not my major in particular. They'd be the most fun to go to regarding the "college experience" factor.

However, that's not what I'm looking for. You see, my friend Julia and I are like 30-year-olds trapped in college student bodies. We like to have fun, but most of the time we're determined and hard-working. It's all about balance, but at the moment, being editors on top of school and other jobs prevents that.

Julia and I take trips together farther south whenever we can!
Santa Monica, CA

Our plan is to be roommates and go to CSUN together. I'd love to experience this with her; she's my "cubicle buddy." As friends, we push each other to do our best. As of right now, Julia has been accepted (WOOO!!!!) and I'm still waiting (BOOOO!!!). But seriously, I hate this. I just want to know already. And quite frankly, Julia does too.

The frustrating part about it is that I didn't even take all the required courses to get into San Diego State and they always take their locals first, yet I'm still waiting on CSUN where I took all the required courses. Channel Islands is my local school, but they don't have journalism, therefore, CSUN is my local school. However, I called its admissions office and a lady working said I'm a "tier 2" student, meaning that I am not local. I explained that I'm an exception due to my journalism major. For now I just have to wait and see if they accept me. Worst case scenario I'll petition, arguing that CSUN is my local school.

I went from asking an admissions guy from CSUN what my chances were of getting accepted as a journalism major and him telling me "Oh, you'll get in" to anxiously waiting to know and checking at least once every day.

Any time now CSUN, any time.

My latest article on The Channels: SBCC Board of Trustees approves vision statement 

The Reality of a Journalist

My desk! It gets REAL messy as
soon as I sit down at it. (click to enlarge) 

This semester I'm both an editor and reporter for The Channels. I laugh at last semester when I thought being a reporter alone was stressful. People don't understand how intense working in this field of journalism is. I wouldn't be surprised if that's one of the reasons why journalism enrollment seems to be dropping at colleges across the nation, especially with amount of pressure on today's media. Heck, I didn't understand going into it!
The reality of journalism has struck me as clear as lightening illuminating the sky at night. The comments journalists receive are like strikes of lightening. Sometimes the strike is damaging; sometimes the strike is beautiful. But if you don't look at the strike, it's silent.
That is how I feel every single time I read the comments on articles that aren't so pretty. As an editor, I have the ability to see every comment that comes in from every article listed out right in front of me. Sometimes I don't get to debate seeing or hearing comments. No one likes to have their name in an article that makes them look bad. No one likes to read an article that isn't in favor with their opinion or their lives. So what do they do? They take it out on the reporter by degrading their work, their job, or who they are as a person.

Clearly we stress eat

This puts an enormous amount of pressure on reporters and editors to make sure everything written and published is accurate. Even if several sources were interviewed, even if every fact is checked for accuracy, even if every word's definition and every sentence's grammatical structure is fixed, there is nothing that can prepare a journalist for the brutal comments trolls leave on their articles.
When I say brutal, boy do I mean it. A professional, investigative journalist once told me the same day I talked to him that someone told him to kill himself by shooting himself in the head. He advised future journalists not to read comments.
However, it can be really difficult not to. I received my first degrading comment last week on an opinion column. Believe it or not, people will tell you that your emotions aren't valid and will try to correct your opinions as if they are facts even when you clearly state the difference of columns vs. news articles. Friday, I received a comment on a factual, breaking news article I wrote that told me I was wrong about something I already knew but didn't even write about. How productive.
The sad part is, most journalists take on the jobs they do because they are passionate about helping inform the public about perspectives on the world they maybe wouldn't know or consider otherwise. Yet, a portion of the public hates on journalists for trying to help because they confuse us with clickbait gossipers and don't take into consideration what a world would be like without us. Let me tell you, there would be a mass eruption of corruption. Journalists are the punching bags society takes out their anger on.
After getting upset at my first cruel comment, my teacher welcomed me to "the world of good journalists."

She went on to say that journalists who aren't afraid to talk about things are doing their job's right. The best journalists can receive the worst comments because their articles with new information offend know-it-alls.
I've become OCD in making sure every word I write is correct. I read articles over and over again before publishing them in order to reassure myself I've done my very best to not make a mistake because if I do, I will be heavily criticized for it.
Now that I'm an editor on top of being a reporter, I do this with multiple articles as well as my own. The pressure became heavier after becoming an editor and hearing Trump's "fake news" accusations and dealing with its consequences.
I'm glad that I've took on this experience of becoming an editor because it's giving me a full perspective on everything that comes with being a journalist. I'm learning a lot and am becoming more passionate about my career path because of it. However, I'm realizing that in the future I'd like to stick to receiving the pressure of my own stories because that within itself is more than enough.
Reporters get to go out there, talk to people, experience the world, and write about it. Editors are in charge of juggling multiple reporters and each of their stories, making sure they do their jobs right. Editors come up with, edit, frame, and publish stories, as well as write headlines, create budgets, and resolve any issues that come up along the way. Mix editing and reporting and you get pressure from every end of the newspaper aside from taking pictures.
The beginning of last week was extremely tough on me. The pressure became overwhelmingly real and catching up on everything after being sick for the second time in a month didn't exactly help. Wednesday in particular felt like everything went wrong even when I did my best to prevent it. Thursday I was at school for 14 hours straight (8 a.m to 10 p.m.). I had two classes, responsibilities to take care of from both my editor and blogger job, and I had to cover a meeting and report it by midnight.
The story I reported on was difficult to write because I didn't know the truth and I had no time to investigate it. One side of sources were telling me one thing, while the other side of sources were telling me another. So I did what I had to do—I wrote a story on the two sides of sources conflicting with one another. This is a situation where if I didn't talk to both sides, I could've risked writing about the the wrong source's side, which would've left me in the end being blamed for spreading false information.

Board of Trustees meeting

Just when I thought I was done after turning in my story, I realized couldn't be. I needed to write a second one. Santa Barbara's local T.V. news station, KEYT, published a story on a separate topic from the meeting I covered that I almost missed because I was too focused on writing another topic. I didn't fall asleep until almost 3:00 in the morning because I was up worrying, knowing it needed to be published ASAP or I'd seem like a poor reporter. I set my alarm to wake up early, headed to the newsroom, and wrote the second story before I had to start editing other people's stories that same morning.
Turns out that important, second breaking news story I wrote was published before Santa Barbara's two local newspapers even knew anything about it.
Instantly, I felt accomplished. All the stress and worries meant nothing because in the end I pushed passed it all. I did my job. My second story from the same meeting was published before 2 out of the 3 professional, local news organizations and I don't even have my journalism degree yet! After those two stories and other stories were published and sent out in a mass email to the school, City College's president replied in support of us journalists being anything but "the enemy of the American people" that the president of our country makes us out to be.
This was the moment I found out I have what it takes. I may not have the thickest of skin, but it will thicken with time because I have determination that can't be stopped.

Catch up on my work with The Channels:

Board of Trustees in favor of California Guided Pathways 

SBCC passes resolution to support success for all students 

 Future journalist defends media against ‘fake news’ accusations (goes into more detail than this blog)

Board of Trustees accused of breaking California Ed Code 

White supremacy posters near SBCC cause concern

Birthright Trip to Israel

Remember when I said I had a list of things I need to do over break? One of those things was to FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY put together an iMovie video of my trip to Israel! You guys....I probably spent eight hours putting this video together. Honestly there are hundreds of pictures I could've included in this iMovie as well, but it would've taken forever to do and this video is already about half an hour long! No matter if I included all my pictures/videos or not, this iMovie could never be enough to show how many more experiences actually happened unless I recorded the entire trip. 

Birthright is basically an entitlement to a free trip for Jewish people to visit their homeland of Israel between the ages of 18-26 years old. It is something I looked forward to ever since I heard about it several years ago. I'm the only one in my immediate family alive who is of Jewish decent, so this trip was an opportunity for me to experience that side of me. If you think you may be eligible and are interested in going on this trip, go visit Santa Barbara Hillel, a Jewish temple right in the middle of Isla Vista. They're the ones who helped organize these trips with Taglit. Currently registration is open and you can apply to go as soon as this summer! If you're not of Jewish decent, don't worry! There are plenty of other group trips you can go on.

This was my very first trip out of the country! It was a 14-16 hour flight depending on which direction we were flying. There were an incredible amount of experiences and I wish I could share them with you all. Instead, I will share with you my five favorite experiences.

Sunrise in the Desert

One night, my entire birthright group of about 40 people slept under one big tent in the middle of the desert with a bunch of other birthright groups from around the nation. You can imagine how it might've been difficult to sleep. I woke up at 4 a.m while everyone was still asleep with the realization that this may possibly be my one time to spend some time in Israel to myself. I had never woken up early to specifically watch the sunrise and that's what I did (next to the camels). I have never felt so at one with the world.

                                                                          The Western Wall

One of the last things we did in Israel was visit the Western Wall in Jerusalem. This was one of the things I looked forward to most because I had recently figured out for myself what it is I believe in spiritually. I don't practice any religion in particular and that used to bother me. As I've gotten older I've become wiser in realizing that that is okay because I'm content enough with simply being a good person and loving everybody. I shouldn't go into too much detail (as this is a school blog), but I felt I made a higher connection, found peace, and took my hand off that wall walking away with guidance.

International Best Friend

When Ronnie first walked onto our bus along with the other Israeli soldiers, I didn't know we were about to be best friends. Within a couple days, I realized that we would always be. It was amazing to connect with someone from a different country so well. Turns out, we were very similar despite the extremely different parts of the world we live in.

Dead Sea

There is no other place like the dead sea. It is at the lowest point on Earth. I call its beach the "desert beach." The sand leading up to it is a dark, burnt orange color. As I walked into the water, I noticed how warm it was, along with the sand. It was so hot in fact, I had to bring my flip flops into the water. A few feet in, I noticed the entire bottom layer where sand would usually be is all salt. It had a slight pink color to it. We were told not to shave for at least a few days before the Dead Sea because it BURNS. I had a tiny cut on my ankle and boy, it did not feel like a tiny cut while in that water. However, I didn't notice it too much once I began to float without any effort. It was one of those moments where I realized that there is no other place in the world like this and I'm here.

Bat Mitzvah

I finally had a Bat Mitzvah and it was right in the middle of Jerusalem!!! How special is that??? I went from feeling a little sad that I never had one, to feeling like this was the absolute perfect time for it to happen. One of the things I learned from Hillel and going on this trip is that being Jewish comes from your family ancestry and it is not just a religion, but a culture as well. One of the things we had to acknowledge is why we wanted to take the opportunity now to have a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. I explained that it was something I always wanted to do to feel closer to my mom and her side of the family. Growing up without her, I wasn't able to experience this part of me from her side of the family and there was no better time and place than to have it during my birthright trip in the heart of Israel! It was short, sweet, and with a group of other people who finally had the chance to have one too.

SBIFF: Ryan Gosling & Emma Stone

Not only were the director of La La Land Damien Chazelle, and actors Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone awarded last night, so was I.

Yesterday morning, I received an email back from my supervisor at TVSB saying I could join the crew at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival to interview Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. Despite my already busy day at The Channels, I knew I had to take this rewarding opportunity!

I also knew going into it, joining an aggressive crowd of press wasn't my thing. I'm not the type of person who gets star-struck. I think celebrities are just normal people who are talented with highly, publicly displayed jobs. If I ever get giddy seeing or meeting a well-known person, it's when they've inspired me personally or have done something extreme to positively impact the world (for example: Bernie Sanders and Robin Meade).

My main goal as a journalist is to be the voice of the people for the people by spreading awareness that attributes to making this world a better place. Within a couple weeks, I'll be releasing a personal column with The Channels that will go into further detail about my view on the media as a journalism student today.

I know some of you are dying to know so I'll just say it now. Yes, Ryan Gosling was even more beautiful in person and so was Emma Stone.

Unfortunately since I was informed about being able to go to the event last minute, I wasn't as prepared as I could've been. My crew consisted of three people total including myself. One person recorded video, one person reported, and I took pictures. While I would've loved to broadcast, I didn't feel like I was ready yet. I've only taken writing classes and I'm only beginning to experience what broadcasting is like by interning at TVSB. Also, the other two people on my crew signed up first, so they deserved first pick. Only two people were supposed to go in the first place, but I guess me going was meant to be!

My other two crew members and I separated at the red carpet. They were at the end of it filming while I stood on a platform smack-dab in the middle of it amongst all the craziness. It was terrifying, yet exhilarating at the same time. The best part about this entire experience was being surrounded by local news stations and professional anchors and reporters. It gave me an opportunity to make connections and experience the real world of media outside of school. I stood by Ken Boxer from Ken Boxer Live and a female anchor from KEYT. I wanted to introduce myself to her, but didn't get the chance to talk to her by the time she was done talking with someone else. On the bright side, I met an anchor from KSBY who ended up giving me her business card. An employee of my internship at TV Santa Barbara also gave me the contact information of a host from a show they produce there who is also a columnist for our local newspaper, the Independent.

By the end of the night, I had taken pictures and a few videos of Ryan, Emma, and Damien. My other two crew members weren't able to get a filmed interview with Ryan or Emma because they were rushed off the carpet to go inside for the event, but I was with them when they interviewed Damien, the writer and director.

Before I left, Ken Boxer apologized to me for being "rude." He kind of had to kick me out of the spot I was in, but it all ended up working out and I'm not at a professional point yet so it wasn't a big deal. He also told me he thought I was taller after I was off the platform. Something tells me I will be getting that a lot... (5'2" and proud)!