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!