A New Beginning


Recently I've made the switch and am working towards a career in healthcare (again). A lot factors have led to this path and it wasn't easy leaving my last job. Thinking more about what I want in life, owning my career and being inspired pushed me to take the leap and go for it.

While working at Genentech, the company was developing and testing a new multiple sclerosis (MS) drug called Ocrelizumab. No clue as to what MS is and being curious about it, I stumbled upon When I Walk on Netflix. After watching that Blood Brother was suggested on my home page. These two documentaries have made a big impact and inspired me to work in healthcare. Both are incredibly touching and insightful into MS, AIDS and humanity. If you have time, I highly recommend you watch them. I promise you'll be glad you did!
Right now I'm still figuring out what path to pursue and am leaning towards nursing or being a physician assistant. At the same time, I'm open to other careers. This is only the beginning and I'm learning more about different jobs in the medical field. If you have any advice or would like to share your story, I'm all ears!

Off to the Wedding Shows

Have you ever gone to one? Last month, I went to the Seattle Wedding Show and Seattle Wedding Expo. One of my best friends is getting married so I went for her and myself to get more information. I met up with Leeching from L Events and we had a great time.

There were tons of photographers, cinematographers, wedding consultants, officiants, florists, bakers, DJs, caterers and musicians. Did I mention that vendors also reduce their prices? Not to mention, the number of prizes to win! 

The vendors are all at one place to cater to you and your needs. You get to meet a number of them, get a better idea of their services and packages, taste and see their products, ask lots of questions, and see if you guys click. This all happens within one or two days.  
Seattle Wedding Show 
400+ vendors
8,000+ attendees

It’s huge! It’s a great place to go to get lots of ideas based on the number of vendors and their high quality of work.

Also, if you want a professional or venue that has won awards and many praises, this is the place for you to go. Top companies, such as The Invisible Hostess, Bamboo Beats and Aria Style, are there to help you with your special day. Also, budding professionals, including those at LightForm Film, are there to work with you. 
Seattle Wedding Expo 
70+ vendors

It’s a smaller wedding show. If you are on a tighter budget, it’s a good place to check out. Many vendors provide quality services and products. Their work ethic and services are top-notch too. Some already have been recognized, such as by King 5’s Best of Western Washington.
Advice 
If you are getting married or know of someone who is, I highly recommend going to a bigger wedding show.  There are tons of inspirations and many vendors to talk to. 
Nice Little Facts 
Weddings in the Seattle area average about $29,155 | Wedding Report
In the Seattle area, the annual wedding market is $644 million | The Stranger
In the U.S., the annual wedding market is $40 billion | The Stranger
Most Unique Service at the Show 
The Gottman Institute’s couples workshops. (Hey, after all I am psych major!)


Photo (first to last): Blue Ribbon Cooking & Culinary School, MyCakes, Grand Event Rentals, Metropolitan Market, Blue Ribbon Cooking & Culinary School, Metropolitan Market

An Inspiring Post


Whether you are a recent graduate finding a job (like me), a person working at a job they hate, or a person who is looking for a little motivation, The World Is Waiting For You Now is an inspiring post by Kute Blackson. I can't say how much this post encouraged me and I hope you will find it helpful too! 

Here are some words that touched me the most:

Along the journey to your dreams fulfillment you will face challenges that test you. 

In these moments things can sometimes seem tough. It can be easy to lose hope. You might sometimes wonder if your dreams will ever happen. You may even consider abandoning your dreams altogether, feeling as though you have given everything and have yet to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

These are the moments that it is easy to give up. 

These are the moments that people give in.

But these are the very moments to LIVE everything you know deep in your heart.

...

It takes true courage to follow your dreams in this world that tries to shake you down to live in fear and survival.

If you are facing one of those challenging moments in life, but feel your dream to be truly authentic to your heart. Then you must commit, continue and trust bigger than your fears.

Your dreams were given to you for a reason.  

The post is on The Conversation with Amanda de Cadenet, a Lifetime interview series on "everything women talk about." I highly recommend it!

Photo: Fabiano at abduzeedo.com

University of Washington Graduation

Graduation has been looming over my mind for the past two years. At times, it brought fear and anxiety. At other times, it brought happiness and hope. The ceremonies were a compilation of days to celebrate and share the end of a chapter and the start a new one. It was especially heartwarming as family and friends helped commemorate graduation with me.

Being a pretty emotional person, I was overwhelmed thinking about my graduation dinner speech. So many good people were there through good times and bad. They supported me from the time I was in my mother’s womb to more recent years in college. They shared their wisdom and challenges, their mistakes and triumphs, and their love and kindness. The quote “It takes a village to raise a child” rang truer that day than any other day.

I am incredibly blessed and grateful to have such a strong support system. From my cousin Roni’s advice on confidence to the years my mother worked 80-hour weeks so I can have a better life, family and friends continue to shape me into a better human being. Thank you to each and every one of you. A special shout-out to my mother, a phenomenal role model. She has been and continues to be an unlimited source of love, knowledge, inspiration, everything and more.

Throughout the years, here are some advice and lessons I've learned:
* You are NOT invincible.
* If you are going through a difficult time, tell someone you trust and you will be glad you did.
* If you don’t get hired, why not bring out that entrepreneurial spirit.
* Travel. Rather than staying in your own bubble, explore the world and meet it’s citizens.
* Inspiration can come from unexpected people.
* For job interviews, be the best version of you.
* Those you love may not always be there due to illness or death, so cherish the time you have with them now.

What are some tips you would like to share? I would love to hear them!

The Allure of Events


I love going to events. Events celebrate human achievements, inspire creativity and action, raise people’s awareness of problems and resolutions, gather various groups together, reflect current progress and future changes and create moments that will forever be remembered. In these ways, events are special and unique. While studying abroad in Berlin, I knew I wanted to attend local and citywide events. I attended the Mauerpark Flea Market, Asian Film Festival, Festival of Lights, Hertha soccer game and the World Photo Exhibit. All these events gave me a glimpse of the rich, cultural fabric of Berlin and the diverse interests of its residents.

Final Project: Berlin Wall


I had a hard time figuring out exactly what I wanted to do. At first I wanted to create a program for an event in Berlin. Now, I'm thinking about doing a Berlin Wall walking tour. It would start at the Markisches Museum. Then visitors and locals would walk to the Engelbecken, St. Thomas Church, Schilling Bridge and Heinrich-Heine-Strasse U-bahn station. Lastly, they would take the U-bahn to the Berlin Wall Memorial.

For the media part of the project, I am going to make a short film based on the experience of a person on the tour. In addition to including what the individual sees, pictures and texts are included to bring context to the site of what it used to look and the events that occurred there. All these combined will inform them of how the Wall affected the landscape, Berlin residents, and Germany's representation of itself to the world.

For the written portion, I am going to create an information packet for the tour guide. It will include the route, the meaning of the Wall and the history and importance of each site.

Picture: VOICES

Dresden

View from Inner Vordstadt
Dresden is a beautiful city lined with baroque and rococo style buildings in Old Town. Based on panoramic pictures of the city, you wouldn't have guessed that it was heavily destroyed by Allied firebombings near the end of WWII. Major landmarks destroyed include the Frauenkirche, Zwinger Palace and Semperoper. Years earlier, the Nazis burned the Dresden synagogue to the ground during Kristallnacht. With so much destruction, it was imperative for the German Democratic Republic (GDR) to commemorate the sites and rebuild the baroque landscape.

After German reunification, city officials and residents wanted to restore the city to look like it was before WWII and the GDR. To promote tourism, city officials were driven to bring back the city’s culture and beauty. They accomplished this as I explored Dresden. The Frauenkirche, Zwinger Palace, Sempereoper, New Synagogue and the Dresden Military History Museum were fascinating. Some of my favorite sites were the grand Frauenkirche, the porcelain collection at the Zwinger Palace and the breathtaking view from the top floor of the Military History Museum.
Frauenkirche
Inside of the Church
Zwinger Palace
Palace Grounds
Semperoper
Dresden Military History Museum
Top Floor Viewing Platform
View from the Top

New Synagogue