Saturday, June 7, 2008
first day
On Monday, June 2, I started my job at the UCLA Library. On the way to work, I took a few pictures of the Murphy Sculpture Garden, a five-acre outdoor area filled with over 70 sculptures by well-know artists. I actually didn't take many pictures of the sculptures; I was too busy looking at the jacaranda trees all lovely in purple.
Friday, May 30, 2008
dance recital
On May 29, I went to see my niece's dance recital. She takes hula at the local rec center. But, of course, we can't just watch my niece's performances. We had to watch the dances of all the classes offered at the center.
It was interesting. We got to watch people of all shapes, sizes, ages, and colors dancing. There were all sorts of dances, too: hula, tap, belly, ballet, modern, etc. Here are some pics. They're a bit blurry, but you get the picture.
It was interesting. We got to watch people of all shapes, sizes, ages, and colors dancing. There were all sorts of dances, too: hula, tap, belly, ballet, modern, etc. Here are some pics. They're a bit blurry, but you get the picture.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
filipina librarians at ucla
For the past few decades, there has only been one Filipino librarian at UCLA. Her name is Eloisa Borah, and she is currently the Head of Public Services at the Rosenfeld Management Library. When she found out that I'd been hired, she was very excited and emailed me right away and welcomed me to UCLA. I was in the Philippines at that time, so my response actually got lost in the iffy Internet connection. When I did come back to LA, I emailed her again, and she has been nothing but very helpful.
For years, Eloisa has taken it upon herself to serve as an informal mentor to Filipino library/information students at UCLA. She plans a get-together with them twice a year. On Wednesday, June 28, she planned a get-together and was kind enough to invite me. Aside from Eloisa and another student that I had met at a previous event, I met three other students (one is graduating at the end of this semester).
While I definitely was a little bit out of the loop (as I just met them), it was great to have to have the opportunity to gather informally and meet other Filipina American librarians. It's always nice to already know a few people on campus before starting my new job. And, of course, one always has to network.
For years, Eloisa has taken it upon herself to serve as an informal mentor to Filipino library/information students at UCLA. She plans a get-together with them twice a year. On Wednesday, June 28, she planned a get-together and was kind enough to invite me. Aside from Eloisa and another student that I had met at a previous event, I met three other students (one is graduating at the end of this semester).
While I definitely was a little bit out of the loop (as I just met them), it was great to have to have the opportunity to gather informally and meet other Filipina American librarians. It's always nice to already know a few people on campus before starting my new job. And, of course, one always has to network.retirement
On Sunday, May 25, I went to my aunt's retirement party. Her current and future plans pretty much consist of traveling. As I'm only just beginning my career, I can't even imagine retirement. Good thing I have never had to wait to do my travels...
g-l-a-m-o-r-o-u-s
I arrived in LA from my 2-month vacation in the Philippines on the night of May 8. I had barely registered my jet lag, much less recovered from it, before my sister whisked me off on Saturday (May 10) to get glamor shots. It's one of those deals where if you buy $50 worth of perfume or cosmetics, you can get a free makeover and a free photo. My sister didn't want to do it alone, which is why she dragged me along.
I don't wear makeup. I had not worn makeup since my sister's wedding 17 years ago. And there we were, having our make-up done and waiting around to get our hair done and our picture taken--right in the middle of Macy's! And the whole thing took forever. My sister started her make-up session at 2:30, and we probably didn't leave until almost 7. Imagine that! Part of that time, we were roaming around Macy's looking like tarts (and my sister had raccoon eyes). But it was a once-in-a-lifetime thing, so we were just laughing it off (slightly embarrassed, but laughing--after all, I didn't know anybody. lol.). Our final look was, as my sister said, like the Dreamgirls--I guess that made her Beyonce and me Jennifer Hudson.
When we got home, my sister's kids reaction was pretty much, "Aaaccckkk! You look scary!" But we had them and my brother-in-law take us out to dinner anyway.
A week later, we got our free pictures each. But, since there were four shots, my sister ended up paying for the extra ones. (But she didn't buy the whole $200 set--what in the world would we do with all of those pictures?) The pictures turned out okay. I don't think I look like me, though.
After reading this story, you'd think I'd show it to you. I could, but then I'd have to kill you...
[2/19/2009: One of the pictures--the one with both of us--is now hanging in the hallway. It's a little bit scary to see that picture every time I go out of my room.]
I don't wear makeup. I had not worn makeup since my sister's wedding 17 years ago. And there we were, having our make-up done and waiting around to get our hair done and our picture taken--right in the middle of Macy's! And the whole thing took forever. My sister started her make-up session at 2:30, and we probably didn't leave until almost 7. Imagine that! Part of that time, we were roaming around Macy's looking like tarts (and my sister had raccoon eyes). But it was a once-in-a-lifetime thing, so we were just laughing it off (slightly embarrassed, but laughing--after all, I didn't know anybody. lol.). Our final look was, as my sister said, like the Dreamgirls--I guess that made her Beyonce and me Jennifer Hudson.
When we got home, my sister's kids reaction was pretty much, "Aaaccckkk! You look scary!" But we had them and my brother-in-law take us out to dinner anyway.
A week later, we got our free pictures each. But, since there were four shots, my sister ended up paying for the extra ones. (But she didn't buy the whole $200 set--what in the world would we do with all of those pictures?) The pictures turned out okay. I don't think I look like me, though.
After reading this story, you'd think I'd show it to you. I could, but then I'd have to kill you...
[2/19/2009: One of the pictures--the one with both of us--is now hanging in the hallway. It's a little bit scary to see that picture every time I go out of my room.]
new blog
Since I'm so behind on finishing my blogging about my Philippine trip (and I do want to finish it) and I want to be able to blog about more current happenings, I have decided to create this new blog. Like the title? I think it's appropriate, as I'm now in California and there is that song by The Mamas and the Papas. And it plays off the title of my other blog: island dreamings.
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