Finders Keepers?

A couple weeks ago, my roommate was roaming around in IV and came across a stray dog. Not knowing, I woke up to the sound of a pitter-patter on the floor next to me. I turned around and there were two yellow, glowing eyes staring right at me. What do I do? I scream. It was one of those bittersweet moments where something absolutely terrifies you for a split second and then the next warms your heart.
Since my roommate found him, she named him "Jack" (my little brother's name) and tried to find the owner. She posted on Craigslist and SBCC IV Buy/Sell/Trade, walked around the street knocking on doors, and took Jack to the Humane Society. You may notice in the pictures that Jack has a collar. Well, that collar had no name and no contact information. I'm sorry if I sound judgmental, but that was a complete irresponsible decision on the owner's part. On top of the collar having no name tag, the Humane Society found that Jack was not chipped either.


We had Jack for almost a week waiting for the owner to reach out to us. He followed us around the house constantly, woke us up early in the morning, peed in the apartment even though we took him out several times, tried to escape everytime we opened the door, and never let us eat in peace. Above everything, I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy his company. He comforted me and brought out laughter in me that I haven't had since my own pug, Guinness passed. I actually have my dog's old leash in my apartment with me, so we used it while we took care of Jack. My only question is....why couldn't he be a pug? The answer to that is that no matter how much I am desperately wanting or feel like I'm needing dog right now, I shouldn't have one. If he was a pug, I wouldn't have been able to let him go.

Currently Jack stays with two of our friends. Our apartment doesn't allow dogs, so we were not able to keep him anyway. One person from Craigslist reached out to my roommate and told her that he was theirs. He sent her a picture that was not his, it was off the internet. The picture came from a Vine account that was of three dogs of the same breed, but they were all girls. Jack is a boy. After my roommate informed the Craigslist person that she knew that, they never responded. Moral of the story is that we as college students have so much going on in our constantly changing lives that having a dog might interfere. Before Jack came into our home, I thought I could make having a dog work during this time of my life if I really wanted one. I still so desperately want my dream pug, but right now is not the right time. I will know when it is.


Here is a link to my last Channels article! I covered the Send Silence Packing exhibit.
Backpacks cover SBCC, bringing awareness to student suicide

Watching the Presidential Debate

Bernie Sanders rally at SBCC 5/28

This 2016 presidential election will be the first time I get to cast my vote. I already voted during the primaries, however, the candidate I was rooting for unfortunately lost. Bernie Sanders inspired a positive movement amongst thousands of college students and millions of people around the United States. People have generalized college students thinking that all we care about is wanting drugs legalized and free/debt free college tuition. That may be the case for some college students, but not myself. Well, I am in favor of debt free tuition. Bernie was not only a positive presidential candidate who was dedicated to the hearts of people in America, but he is a person- a person who has a compassionate heart.

Moving forward we've got our Democrat, Hillary Clinton, and our Republican, Donald Trump. There is always the third party, but you know how that goes- people who are popular get the most votes. I guess high school never really ends does it? These two candidates are highly controversial. We've got Donald Trump, who won't release his tax returns and bashes women and every race but his own. We also have Hillary Clinton, who is looked at as a liar after hiding 33,000 emails she deleted. I feel so bad for Bernie. He remains incredibly eager to help continue this movement he created as he watches the political election crumble into chaos.

Video of my face swap on snapchat HAHAHA

Last night, I stayed up late watching the presidential debate. I couldn't help but laugh and shake my head while watching it...well....Trump as he rudely interrupted Hillary every time it was her turn to speak. I don't know if that is a defense mechanism of mine or if the election at this point just seems like pure entertainment (could be a combination of both). Personally, I know I will not be voting for someone who speaks about "fixing" a majority of issues that I don't agree with. I'd rather take the chance and vote for someone who I don't necessarily trust 100 percent, buts speaks about fixing the majority of issues that I do agree with. This is sad to say. This is a scary first election that I get to participate in. However, at least I've been inspired to participate thanks to Bernie Sanders. I never thought I would be in this position where I am interested in the political process and discussions. Here I am, blogging about it today. 

College students in a positive light, are driven for their generation to be the one to improve society. We aren't all careless and immature. In fact, most of us are motivated (hence the reason we are in college). Life is about having fun and making memories, yet most of us realize there are times life needs to be taken seriously too. So my dear college students, don't let anybody tell you who you are. We are at a sensitive stage in life where we are just beginning to find that out for ourselves. Find out who YOU want to vote for yourself. 

* These are my (Angela's) political opinions, not the political opinions of SBCC.*

What it's Like to Be a Journalist

My press pass & reporter's notebook

Let me tell you, I've already had some incredible experiences as a journalist. Not only have the experiences themselves been great, but I have been thanked by the sources in these news stories for bringing awareness to the situation I was reporting. I have felt very welcomed by the people I meet for stories. Simply wearing my "press pass" and stating that I am a journalist, opens so many doors that I wouldn't open otherwise. Growing up, I moved around a lot. I was a very shy person. In some ways, I still am. The hardest part of meeting new people is the very beginning, the very first impression of introducing yourself. I dislike small talk and I love deep conversations. Thoughts overwhelm my brain on a regular basis. If I seem like I am being quiet, my brain is most likely loud. For me to say that I am thinking about nothing is a rarity in itself. The reason I know journalism is for me is because it skips the "small talk" and goes straight into the questions you may be scared to ask in a regular conversation with a stranger. If you work in the field of journalism, it is best to be a curious person who is passionate about the world living to its fullest potential. Think about it. If media wasn't a thing, how would you know about anything happening on a world-wide scale? Planet Earth is enormous and we are very small. When I am reporting, I feel big. I feel as though I am holding a secret that has the power to change the world by affecting people's knowledge of it.

The Channels Newsroom (where all the magic happens)

 As a journalist, you get to explore the world and inform everyone of your explorations. At events, you will sometimes get what I like to call the "special treatment", "front row seat", or an "inside look." The people who host the events want you to have this sort of experience in order to develop a correct, telling story. A lot of times, they also do this as a form of thanking you for being there. You get treated as a reporter, but at the same time are treated as a regular person attending the event. 

The other cool thing about reporting is that you get to meet people that you wouldn't have met otherwise.    

Here are some of my experiences as a reporter so far...

Dressing up for the profession

-There was an event that I didn't have to report for class, but I covered it anyway due to the source eagerly wanting me to cover it. After we spoke, I felt as though it was my duty to cover it because my passion for the topic was so strong that I felt like people need to know about it in order for the topic to make positive difference in the world.
- For that same event, I took over being the photojournalist because there were none available to attend. In this particular news article, my name is listed as the writer and under the photograph.
- Exceptionally deep conversations have taken place. For instance, during an interview, a person I was speaking with started crying due to their passion over the topic we were discussing.  I've had people telling me their personal connections to suicide. People open up to me because they feel as though I actually care and am truly listening. And you know what? They are right.

That would be me!

- I have met and interviewed the Mayor of Santa Barbara. I am sure as my career goes on, I will continue to meet and interview people who have big impacts on society.
- There was a spot reserved for me specifically at an event.
- I don't have to register/buy tickets even though I am getting nearly the same experience as someone who is registered.
- Gifts have been given to me. At the suicide prevention walk I was able to pick out Mardi Gras beads to represent the connections I have to suicide. They told me I could participate in the walk. At both the nursing and the suicide awareness event, I have been told to help myself to their free food that they have for their guests/participants. During the nursing event, they handed me a drawstring bag containing a traveling coffee cup and journal even though I insisted that I was just here to report the event.

Newsroom meeting table

I HAVE to talk about the newsroom. The Channels has a newsroom where the staff members can meet to discuss anything. This is also a place where you can work on anything regarding reporting, writing, and photographing. The publishing of news stories goes down here. As a journalist, the newsroom is the one place you can say "this is where my job is" because technically your job is all over the city in which you cover stories for. This may not seem as cool to you as it is to me, but this place makes me feel like I am an actual journalists, not just a student who is learning about becoming one. This place and this class gives you the hands-on experience of being a journalist. Forget about learning what you are going to become, become who you want to be!


Checkout my news stories I have had published so far!

One of many newsroom cubicles

Department hires first full-time faculty member in several years

SBCC students march for suicide awareness at Leadbetter Beach

Nursing ‘rock star’ gives lecture on holistic healing at SBCC

 

Sshhtuffiness

Apparently being 5'2"
is too tall?

Sorry I haven't blogged in awhile! I've caught the cold everyone has been getting (hence the slight increase in available parking spots). In fact, Monday, my roommate Courtney and I were both sent home from school.
You see, I'm the type of student who stresses out more from missing class, rather than going to class. Being sick is such a letdown because it reminds me of a time in my life where I felt stuck, like there was nothing I could do to be simultaneously sick and happy. Normally, I am an extremely motivated person. I have goals in life that I want to achieve. School motivates me knowing I am one step closer to my degree and my career every class I take. When I am sick I feel like I am being held back from what motivates me. Class? Nurse says no. Gym? I can't breathe out my nose. Hangout with friends? Don't want to get them sick. Get shhtuff done? Lol, yeah right, stay in bed.
I'd like to say that I have tips for following through with your life's motivations during times of sickness, but the truth of the matter is- the only motivation you should really be focusing on is getting better. There is a lot of life to live, but you've only got one body to live in.

Look at how much fun I was having before I got sick!

This will be the busiest semester yet. I am proud of myself for leaving my restaurant job before things got too hectic. I usually don't realize how much stress I am taking on before it's too late. After my diagnosis and course of being sick multiple times, I've noticed one thing that always makes me feel a little better- making light of the situation. Humor can get you through more than you think. "Cancer humor" got me through cancer (which I don't expect you to understand, I will explain it in my book). You can find humor in almost every situation. What do you know?! There is even humor about paying your bills. In three days, I finished four seasons of Inside Amy Schumer. Out of everything she joked about, this small part in an episode is what I found most funny. Why? Because paying bills over the phone is the most stressful thing ever. If you'd like to know how I react while paying bills, checkout this scene. While I may not react some of those ways while the mute button is not currently turned on, I sure do relate to her feeling that type of way. Except I would not go as far as flying to India.....that's a little much. Enjoy!

Casual.

This was a happy day.

To my unfortunate SBCC students who caught the cold, if DayQuil isn't working for you, I recommend you try a decongestant (so does the nurse). I learned that Monday and so far my congestion has been a bit more on the controlled side as compared to before. I also recommend you see the nurse before doing so. Appointments are covered under your tuition fee and they may be able to give you medicine/antibiotics at a discounted price. Be well or get well my friends!!!

I Got the Beat!

Before I even thought about starting to write this very first sentence, it instantly hit me how far I've come and where I am now. My eyes became surrounded by tears....

Hi, I am Angela Rose Bickmann, your new Staff Writer/Reporter for The Channels! This semester I will be covering Health and Human Services. 

Taking classes for The Channels is more like having two meetings a week for a job. There is a lot of information and planning that needs to be discussed. The amount of time and effort needed for this "class" is abundant, but it is going to be oh so worth it! During the second day of class we got to pick the top three beats (sections/topics of the newspaper) that we were interested in covering for the semester. We also had to explain why we believe we should cover that specific beat. Health and Human Services covers the following: Addiction Disorders Counseling, Registered and Vocational Nursing, Nursing Assistant, Health Information Tech, Justice Studies, Early Childhood Education, and Cosmetology Academic. I picked this as one of my top three options because you can find some very inspiring, amazing people and stories within this kind of beat. My personal medical history has left me passionate and yearning to spread awareness about health-related topics that can inspire, motivate, and educate people to make positive differences in this world. On that note, September is Lymphoma and Childhood Cancer Awareness Month! Wear violet and gold to show support!

Back to journalism. Deadlines are extremely, extremely important in this field. My first story is due next Friday, September 9th. Whenever I have new stories released, I will post them along with my next blog. Or if you follow me on other social media, I will post there as well! 

I met the three new bloggers for this school year for the first
time the other day! Shoutout to Matthew for already
knowing a lot about me as he has been reading my blogs overtime! I guess I
didn't need to introduce myself haha.

Links: 

- Angela's Profile (this will contain all of my stories throughout the year)

- The Channels Staff 

- The Channels main website 

PS: Checkout my updated SBCC Blogger picture! --->