Is This The End or Just The Beginning?

SACRAMENTO, Calif.- The semester is dwindling down and graduation is right around the corner.  Like most graduates ask themselves, what now?

It takes the average college student five years to graduate.  And now with fees going up every semester and classes not being readily available, five might turn into six.

Thinking back on my college career, there were classes I hated and some classes I loved; some I paid attention to and some I didn't; and some I learned something in and some I learned nothing.  Starting off at San Jose City College, a junior college in San Jose (duh!), was the best decision I could have made.  Taking general education classes at a junior college was cheaper, and it was a lot easier to get to know the teachers and get help on assignments.  Not leaving home was also a plus!

Transferring to a university, two hours away from mom's house, did not live up to all of the scary stories my high school teachers used to tell.  There were no mean teachers, no superfluous amount of homework, and no 20 page essays.  Yet, I found teachers who were willing to help, nice classmates and some great, fun times on campus.

As graduation inches closer, some decisions must be made in order to lay down the path of the future.  Should I go to graduate school or take a semester off and try to gain some experience in the field?

On one hand, going to graduate school and earning a master's degree could possibly give me an advantage in the job world, and I could potentially make more money.  On the other hand, going out into the real world could show me what I'm getting myself into, and when I'm ready to go to graduate school, it could give me leverage compared to the other applicants that do not have experience.

This economy is not the best, and everyone has said, time and time again, "It's hard to find a job".  A piece of advice my best friend's mother said, "Network.  Network.  Network."

Another way to get a job is to have internships.  With internships, there is a possibility of getting hired on after graduation and creating relationships with people in high places.  Hopefully, working at TMZ and on a local school board campaign will get my foot in the door.

Lessons are going to be learned, no matter what decision is made.  Some lessons I've learned throughout the years:

1. Do not procrastinate! Get 'er done!
2. Proofread, proofread, proofread.
3. Gain a connection everywhere you go.

All these possibilities, either way, will help make my mark in the world.  What will the future hold for future graduates?

What Are You Thankful For?

SACRAMENTO, Calif.- It's about that time of year where people look forward to stuffing their face with food and later on regret it because they gained 10 pounds.  Thanksgiving is in T-minus 3 days.  I am thankful for:

1. To be alive

2. Good health

3. Mom

4. Graduating this semester

5. To have a job

6. Good friends

7. My roommate's moving out soon

8. A place to go for Thanksgiving

9. A roof over my head

10. A working car

My list may seem pretty typical, but I am most thankful this Thanksgiving to have somewhere to go to eat Thanksgiving dinner.  This was the very first Thanksgiving I could not spend it with my mom.  This year I would not wake up to the aroma of turkey cooking and the banging of pots and pans.

Since it's just my mom and I, we usually go to her friend's house and eat dinner with them and their families.  Then later on that night, I go to my best friend's house and eat dessert and play Spoons.    

But some things this year stayed the same.  First thing I did when I woke up was send a mass text to all my friends wishing them a "Happy Turkey Day *gobble gobble*".  Then I called all my family members and wished them the same.  

I was very lucky this year that a friend of mine invited me over to his sisters house and spend Thanksgiving with him and his family.  Not knowing the proper etiquette of what and what not to bring to a stranger's house as a greeting gift.  Wine or cider?  I decided to go with the most appropriate...cider.  First impressions are the most important.

Painfully shy, I met the whole family and sat down to watch Ace Ventura on TBS.  After 2 hours of waiting for the food to be done, we finally sat down at the table, said grace and began to grub.  Turkey, rib-eye, black eyed peas, cabbage, greens or spinach (not sure, because I didn't eat it), mashed potatoes, rice, rolls, yams, deviled eggs.  Everything you could think of.  

After all that, it was time do dessert.  Many cakes to choose from: pineapple upside down cake, red velvet cake, lemon cake, and peach cobbler.  

About to leave, no left overs for me please.  Left overs are like an elephant in the room.  You know it's there, but don't want to acknowledge it.

Had it not been for my friend inviting me over, I probably would've stayed in and watch movies.  I'm thankful I have great friends.

All in all, I am very thankful for all the blessings I have in my life.  

Zombies On the Loose

SACRAMENTO, Calif.- Blood, guts and gore oh my! To go along with the Halloween spirit and spooky new movies in the theater, "The Walking Dead" is a new breed of television shows.

It airs on AMC on Sundays at 10/9 P.M. central.  Knowing my love for scary movies, some of which are: "The Strangers", the Freddy Kruger series and "The Exorcist", a friend recommended this brand new show.

Unlike other zombie shows, which I do not know of any, the only way to relate to this show is through zombie movies like "28 Days Later" or "Dawn of the Dead".  The show views as if it were a movie.  The first scene is of the main character Sheriff Rick Grimes, who's played by Andrew Lincoln, shooting a little zombie girl.

However, the first scene was on in Sheriff Grimes' imagination.  As the show progresses, the director shows the audience that in reality Sheriff Grimes wakes up out of a coma to find himself alone in his town.  Walking out of the hospital he is surrounded by thousands of empty cars, dead bodies wrapped in white linens and an eery peaceful silence.

Returning to the only place Grimes feels safe is home.  Trying to retrace his steps, he sees a man walking in the street, not knowing it's a zombie.  Some 100% human neighbors find Grimes and knock him unconscious until they know for sure he is not undead.

The story continues of Grimes trying to find his family and other friends in the community.  During his journey he runs into zombies left and right, killing them with his shot gun and knife.

All of the gruesome scenes might deter someone with a weak stomach, like the friend I was watching it with.  Just to turn and look at his face, as the show did a slow motion of a zombie getting their heads blown, was PRICELESS!

I would have to agree with Ken Tucker on EW.com, having said, "I think the pilot will score very good ratings from AMC..." and then says, "I predict that ratings will fall after this week because many AMC viewers who like Mad Men and Breaking Bad will look at this and say, 'Um ick.'"  AMC is not usually known to bring horror to its viewers, but I definitely think this will target a new segment in the market for them.

Another review of "The Walking Dead" by Dan Owen of Obsessedwithfilm.com says, "It's just a pity so much of The Walking Dead's premiere felt recycled from old movies, as its occasional flourishes of originality don't come often enough to keep you sated."

All together, this is a great show for lovers of scary movies and gory filth.  I give it two thumbs up, for re-creating a genre that has been played out so many times, as Owen suggests.

International Cafe Getaway

SACRAMENTO, Calif.- Looking for a nice getaway from the city, while in the city?  Then you need to check out Tower Cafe.


This cafe is located at 1518 Broadway.  Driving on Broadway, you might miss it.  It's a little hide-away behind some big bushes and trees.  At first, I didn't notice it, until I saw the long line of people standing on the sidewalk, at what looked like valet.


Parking is located behind the cafe.  On the walk up to the entrance, you will pass a cigar shop, a movie theater, walk through the secret garden and on the other side the entrance will appear.  The secret garden is the patio area of the Tower Cafe and just outside of the patio, is a beautiful European fountain.  Even in the rain, it was still spewing water.


Arriving at 11:00 A.M., the wait was estimated at 45 minutes.  Awnings were placed outside, so customers would not have to fully wait in the rain.  Everyone was in very close quarters, and even though the wait was long, everyone seemed to have a smile on his or her face.  I did over hear some young people say they should have gone to IHOP or Denny's because of the long wait.


As my classmates and I waited, we looked at the menu to see what we would like to order.  It was a overwhelming majority vote for breakfast food ONLY.  Some other items on the menu were: The Borracho Burger (The Drunk Burger), Thai Steak Salad, and Greek Omelet, among many other yummy choices.


We were seated about hour later.  Upset by the hour-long wait, cold and wet from the rain, this was not starting off very well.  Seated toward the right of the restaurant, the kitchen was next to us.  Looking around, the inside was full of color.  Many trinkets and decorations from Southwestern states, Mexico, Asia, Europe, and many other countries were everywhere.  Two painted pictures of Frida Kahlo hung on the wall, a Dia De Los Muertos skeleton doll was on the back wall of the bakery section, a bull skeleton behind me on the wall, and many fake colorful flowers.


The waitress, Dorrian, took our drink order very fast and was delivered timely.  Not short after our drinks came, a manager came to talk to our table and apologized for the wait and took care of our drinks for us (as in, she gave it to us for free).  I ordered the Seasonal French toast.


Maybe 10 minutes went by, then POOF! my food appeared.  The French toast had a fruit medley on top which consisted of apples, raspberries, and blueberries, with a dollop of cinnamon butter.  The French toast was so soft, the cinnamon butter added a sweet taste, while the fruit contrasted that taste with a tart flavor.  It had to be the best french toast I've ever had in my life.  No more fake French toast from IHOP and Denny's.


The Tower Cafe is a great breakfast spot with a crowd of all ages.  I saw a lot of babies, and a few kids.  Most of them were in amazement at the bakery section of the cafe, with cakes and cookies in the display window.  There was some diversity among the customers, but a lot of diversity among the Tower Cafe employees.


In total, my entire meal was $8.69, since the OJ was on the house.  All together, the food made up for the long wait and was well worth it.  I recommend this to anyone who loves good food.  

Trick-or-Treat, Smell My Feet

SACRAMENTO, Calif.- On the day of all Hallow's Eve, ghosts rise from the graveyards, witches come out of hiding, and monsters are on the loose.  This must be every child's favorite holiday.  They get to dress up and become whatever they want and go door to door receiving candy from strangers. 

I remember growing up, Halloween, was about being creative with your costume.  Some costumes were homemade and others were store bought, but it didn’t matter.  All the kids went out through the neighborhood and went trick-or-treating.  Usually the little kids started at 5PM, while there was still some light outside, but the big kids didn’t go out until it was pitch black outside. 

I've lived in Sacramento for about two years now and Sacramentans have odd Halloween traditions.  I've observed parents being scared to take their kids or let their kids go by themselves out into the neighborhoods because of kidnappers, rapists, and every other criminal roaming the streets.  So instead of trick-or-treating outside, Sacramentans result to trick-or-treating at the mall.  At the mall?  Are you serious?!  What kind of fun is that?!

In this case, children and parents dress up and go store to store asking for candy.  This is unfair and children don't get the real feel of what Halloween is truly all about.  As a mall employee, the company I work for does not participate in the giving out of candy, but I would say most stores do.  But as I viewed the busy hall of the mall, peering through racks of clothes, I spot ladybugs, bumblebees, witches, ninjas, princesses, and many more.

Another odd tradition, now for young adults, is to get so drunk, they black out, dress up in barely there costumes and have an excuse to be promiscuous.  This is most prevalent at Cal Expo's Exotic Ball.  As you enter the doors, you have a choice to stay in the room with a live band or the hip-hop room.  They have a variety of booths such as a fetish booth, with whips and chains, the mechanic bull, and a human petting zoo.  They have plenty of alcohol to last the entire night.  Continuing to walk around the grounds you will see a plethora of sexy Freddie Krugers, body latex painted on animal costumes, Adam and Eves, anything you could ever think of.

Back home in small Sunnyvale, the young adults would either go to the club or to a friend's house for a Halloween party.  This seems to be the safer choice rather than attending the Exotic Ball.  

I guess that's just how it's done in Sacramento.  I wonder how other places in the U.S. celebrate Halloween, or even in other countries.  In an informal poll I took of some friends and looking at people's Facebook statuses, most went to the Exotic Ball, a few went to Las Vegas, and others went to San Francisco or spent it with friends watching scary movies.      

I wonder how next year will be.  Will we see the same trends?  Stay tuned.