Last post.

Welcome to my (most likely) last post.

I'd like to wrap things up by saying how good it's been to be able to be able to post my thoughts on random things. Hence the name, random thoughts.

But over the course of all of my posts, I've come to realize that I'm always maturing. With this last post I feel like I've only jumped into the deep end.

This past week (Thanksgiving break) hasn't been that great, possibly one of the best and worst Thanksgiving breaks.

On the up side, I've finally for once, been able to seriously discuss an issue to my mom and my family. Unfortunately that was short lived, for the topic during Thanksgiving changed quickly.

I just felt that it was a step forward into actually being able to TALK to my mom, rather than me saying something and her just plain ignoring it.

I was able to spend some good quality time with my relatives, sort of.

I've learned who my true friends are through tough times.

On the other side, one of my dogs was killed on Tuesday. She ran out of the house, as she ran across the street, a car was approaching. One could probably guess what had happened. I've had her since 5^th grade, even then she was already about a year old.

Things have definitely changed over the past few days. I feel that the joy has been sucked out of my life now.

I've had her for so many years, and so used to her being in the house that it'll be hard for me to live in this house...

Remember how I said that I couldn't move away from this house that I live in?

Previous post:

http://seandnguyen.blogspot.com/2010/11/moving.html

Now I feel that I need to move, living in this house only brings painful memories.

Here's a post off of my tumblr:

http://seandnguyen.tumblr.com/post/1663840775/rest-in-peace

Hopefully you guys are willing to follow me since I'm not likely to be posting on this blog:

http://seandnguyen.tumblr.com

Thanks, and best wishes to you all.

Moving...

So a few days ago my parents told me that we were moving again...

For the first time in seven years, we were moving again due to finances.

I had finally settled down into this life after moving a total of nine times throughout my life. It hurts me, I mean, I'm not changing colleges, just moving cities within the Orange County.

I know it doesn't sound like a big deal, but once you've moved as many times as I have, and gotten to lose as many friends as me, you'll realize it is pretty much a big deal. The 15-20 minute commute I currently have will change to a 30-40 minute commute.

I told my dad that I wanted to dorm sophomore year so that I wouldn't be a kill on the funds for gasoline.

However, I still want my car as well. I'd have to choose one or the other.

If I don't have my car, it may hurt my relationship with my girlfriend though, since I usually drive to see her every week at UCLA. Whereas, without my car, I wouldn't be able to see her...

What should I do?

Dorm? Or Car?

I'm completely lost at the moment.

Presidency?

Lately I've been thinking of running for the Circle K president for Long Beach.

What is Circle K?

Circle K is a college community service organization under the Kiwanis Family.

LBSU Circle K site:

http://www.wix.com/csulbcirclek/serviceandbeyond

I really want to do it, as long as my heart is in it, is that all that matters?

If I end up running for it, and I do win, then my time will be split even more between: School, Circle K, Film, Girlfriend.

It's difficult as is, I've never been one to...prioritize, sadly enough, yes, I'm a shameful Asian.

I really do care for Circle K, I want to help others, I mean I have until January / February to decide if I actually want to run, but I need to make a name for myself so that I can gain votes from the members.

Maybe the question isn't do the members trust me to be a good president, rather, do I trust myself ot be a good president...

My biggest fear is failure, letting down everyone around me, seeing that they're upset or annoyed at me. I've done it before, I'm afraid I'll do it again. Hopefully I've grown a bit more to understand the difference leadership and friendship

Professionalism vs Personal Lives...[a topic for another day]

Old School

Old school musicians are on the rise these days, the days of auto-tune are [FINALLY] over.

We grew up with the artists of the 90's and the 00's, these artists contributed to our growth, made us who we are today. Maybe not as much of a part of our lives like our parents, but still, it helped a lot.

Remember, Nelly, Usher, Eminem? Yeah, those guys. They're back, and better than ever, each of them have their own brand new smash hits. (I'm only posting 1 from each of the artists, though)

Nelly: Just a Dream

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6O2ncUKvlg

Usher: OMG

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RnPB76mjxI

Eminem: Not Afraid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5-yKhDd64s

Amazingly enough, Michael Jackson is still creating works!

Michael Jackson ft. Akon – Hold my hand

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIxEISCUN3k

These few artists, as well as many others went missing for about a decade, but now they're on the rise to a new generation of listeners.

Unfortunately not all the artists we knew back in the 90s and 00's will be back.

Backstreet Boys.

N'Sync.

Spicegirls.

Hansen.

YES, I do remember them, don't hate on me!

Nevertheless, not all music is bad nowadays, there's always-

Justin Bieber...? No.

Ke$ha...? No.

I guess not, but thank goodness the old musicians are back on the rise, maybe this younger generation will be able to get a chance to grow up correctly...maybe.

Beginning of the End.

Remember back when we were children and we went and watched a young Harry Potter make his first steps into Hogwarts? Remember back when our parents would buy our food for us? Remember back when we were carefree in the world?

Fast forward about a decade- Harry Potter is making his final stand against the Dark Lord Voldemort, we're getting jobs in order to support ourselves, and we're standing by as we watch the world change around us...

Times have changed, we've grown and matured so much, however, this is only the beginning of the end. We're 17 or 18 now, depending on when you were born, either way, we're about to step into some very big shoes. We were once considered the leaders of tomorrow, however tomorrow has come, it is time for us to fill in some very big shoes. It is our turn to change the world. I don't know how things will turn out for us in the future, no one does (that is, unless you're a time traveler, which I highly doubt). But we can always hope for the best, we can always fight for our causes.

This may be the beginning of the end, but it our lives truly begin here...

Veteran's Day

Sorry for the lack of updates on my blog, but I'm going to post 4 this week.

First off, it may be a little bit late, but Veterans day.

As I grow older and mature each day, I have realized the purpose of veterans day. Many people to this day do not truly understand, I myself do not fully understand what it is like being a veteran. However, I do feel that the day is not just an excuse to get class off, and excuse to sleep in another day, and excuse to slack off.

Veterans day has become, at least to me, more than just a day off; it has become a good reason to keep on living. The servicemen and women who had given their lives to us gave their lives so that we may live, so that our (soon to be children, since we're only in college) may live, so that our younger siblings will live a better life.

They gave their lives for us, the least we could do is show them appreciation. On Veteran's day this year I realized all this as I drove past a veteran's memorial at the public library. There were veterans from a variety of wars. I wanted to stop and tell them “thank you” for everything they had done for us, unfortunately I had something to do, so I was unable to, but next year, I will.

http://soldiersupportproject.org/images/vietnam-memorial.jpg

Gross Halloween

Halloween has just passed, luckily, so now all the freaks can return to their normal states, no more makeup, no more costumes, no more (and I hope my language doesn't offend anyone) sluttiness. What I've come to observe is that guys costumes are legit, while girls costumes are always slutty, I'm not even joking, you know it to be true. One of my biggest concerns is, how can a costume made with so little fabric cost so much, that isn't right, but somehow society has grown accustomed to girl's Halloween costumes having nothing more than super short skirts, stockings and a top. Why society? Why must you allow certain things to pass off as socially acceptable, while other things like helping others in need always go overlooked.

Do you remember the time when legit costumes were all the rage? Rather than all of these slutty costumes? I remember it, the golden age of childhood, but now we've grown up with different mindsets.

Aside from that fact, do any of you guys still go trick or treating, or would you rather go to a party?

Once again, I don't mean to point out anyone in particular, but it's just a general observation.

What are your opinions on the matter?

Edit: Here is also a good view of what all the girl's costumes look like.
http://www.partycity.com/category/halloween+costumes/womens+costumes+accessories.do

Girls and dresses.

Disclaimer:

The following is only an opinion, and I am only speaking generally, not addressing anyone specific, aside from my mom.

Girls and dresses, I never understood why girls always had to buy a new dress for events such as prom, homecoming, and other formal dances, only to wear them once. Don't get me wrong, I understand to not wear the same dress from homecoming as prom. But I'm speaking generally, girls, especially my mom, always buy new dresses for special occasions. I don't get it, what compels women to go out and spend money on things that they will only wear once.

The materials and the labor required to produce the new dress far outweigh the reason to wear the dress, especially if only worn once. Although, buying a new dress does refuel the economy since a person is willing to put their money back into the economy to keep it fueled, but that's a side point. It's just that the reasons for buying a new dress to wear only once far outweigh the fact that a girl will look nice in it.

For the girls out there, what are your opinions on why other girls buy dresses to wear only once? Don't hate on me for this post. I only do it out of the fact that my blog is random thoughts, and somehow my thoughts lead to this.

3D films

Remember when 3D films were films like Spy-Kids 3-D?

(http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338459/)

These 3D movies were rare, but now 3D movies have become mainstream, unfortunately. Movies like Saw 3D

(http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1477076/)

Toy Story 3(3D)

(http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0435761/)

and many others have drained what used to be a rare occurrence to be a social norm. Over the past decade the ticket prices for movie theaters have been on the rise, however, there has been a spike with the 3D age, charging more money to purchase the 3D classes.

I'm a student who plans to get a career in the film industry, seeing all of these 3D films upsets me, it drains away from the story, to the point where movies have become nothing but a form of entertainment (although it always has), from a form of storytelling. Once a form of art, now to nothing more than entertainment, just sitting and opening staring at the screen, watching things jump out at you.

Now take into account, IMAX is a totally different medium, IMAX utilizes higher quality images, whilst 3D well, allows for 3D. Although IMAX is more expensive, it offers higher quality, rather than 3D.

What has the film industry become? What do you feel about the 3D movement. (This could also include 3D televisions, which are on the rise too)

Drinking

The other day I watched my close friend purchase alcohol (now, take into account that I, myself don't drink, so you can't judge me), it was weird. I knew that she drank, but seeing her actually purchase alcohol just gave me more insight to her life. Now, she didn't use a fake ID or any other illegal means to obtain it (Yes, I know, despite that being underage and purchasing alcohol is illegal, she didn't steal, or use any other methods to obtain the item), she simply had a close friend who had known her and her family since childhood, and asked him, (once again, since they usually do this) to purchase the alcohol.

Later on in the evening my friend asked me that if she hosted a “kickback” at her house, would I attend, knowing full well that I don't drink. I told her that I would go to support her, and hang out, but I don't think it would be my thing.

Now, my choice is not to drink, I think it disrupts people's mindsets on reality. Each person can have their own “thing”; weed, drinking, so on and so forth. I won't judge you for whatever you (as the reader) do. I'm just left wondering, what are your opinions on drinking?

BBN

The other day I went back to school with my friend Joanne, aka JOVO. Her and I went back to our video class, in which we were the lead producers for, she was the executive producer, and I was the technical producer, our other friend tagged along, she was the script writer for the class. The class name was called the BBN, known as the Baron Broadcast Network or News, we had spent so much time working on it, for example, staying at school until 3am.

We returned to class and watched one of the more recent episodes, it had it's good points, as well as its bad ones as with any episode. However watching the newer season of the BBN made us miss how much we worked on the old season. We ruled the class, we controlled the BBN, but even with that, we were completely unappreciated, no one knew how things truly were. As much fun as we had last year, it was time for the new generation, the class of 2011 to come in and take over our class. Let them run the BBN the way they want it to be run. We can no longer control them, yet watch over them with our eyes, knowing that we won't be able to control them, yet only watch.

Here is a link to our old vimeo site

http://www.vimeo.com/bbn

Friends

Back in high school my friend would always be worried for the future, she was always afraid her and her close friends would grow apart one they all hit college. That day came, when her friends all ended up going to Cal State Long Beach, and she ended up going to Cal State Fullerton, even now a days, she sees her friends once in a while, but she still feels that it is not enough for them to stay close. I told her that if she wanted to continue being friends, that they would continue being friends, to make an effort, and not to worry about her friendships. The college experience is about meeting new people and reuniting with her high school friends once in a while. Which is what I would rather do than go to a college with many of my high school friends, which is going to Long Beach, I'm happy with it, but I wish I could still get out and meet more people.

I advise her to go out and be social and friendly, that she'd meet a lot of new great people, and that she would still be able to see her high school friends. But perhaps she overreacted to the situation, we'll see how things turn in the end.

A past so unknown.

The other day I was at my friend's house, she is currently the lieutenant governor of Division 4 West Key Club for 2010-2011, and with that, she is passed down the binders of the previous LTG's from the year before. Now, I myself was highly associated with my division's Key Club when I was in high school, and I felt that I knew everything that there needed to be known about it. But I saw one of the LTG's binders from the 2006-2007 school year, my thoughts and believes were thrown out the window. I knew that this LTG existed, that this person did amazing things when they were an LTG, but now actually reading about them, it felt weird. I mean to say that I thought I knew so much about Division 4 West, but now reading this binder, it feels that I'm looking into something that is familiar to me, but I wasn't a part of, a past that I don't know. [Essentially this binder was like a yearbook, it displayed the past year, and it was created annually, however, only a single unit is created] It also showed me that names fade in time, like opening an old yearbook, looking through it and seeing all these faces you don't know, but that you attempt to try to piece into your head as students that also went to the same school you currently attend, it's hard to imagine. It's difficult to piece together, but you just have to know that this is true, that these people you didn't know also contributed to the school, but after time, their names have just faded away and no one remembers them any more.

Returning to high school.

Just today I went and visited my old high school, Fountain Valley High School, to help out an assembly for the school's video broadcast. Upon returning, I found out that I wasn't the only alumni there, there were about 20 other alumni from the class of 2010. I felt at home again, being at my own high school, with a few of my friends, walking around campus, although I didn't have to take any classes or pay attention to any of the rules (thank goodness), it felt good a sort of bittersweet taste arose. I thought I knew so much about high school, that I “ruled the school” per say, but now finding that the next generation has flown in to take over, makes me feel off. To know that the past I have gone through won't ever be repeatable, that the memories I made are there, and can't be erased. That these kids won't see high school as how I saw it. I guess that's the thing, we enter high school, and 4 years later, we leave, taking whatever memories we made with us, no one will remember us, except the teachers who had influenced us. I thought I knew so much...but I guess I don't. I guess it's all part of growing up.

Parents and luck.

A few days ago my parents put my spare license plate in my car, (which I did not place on the front of my car yet) they told me that I needed to put it on my car, or else I would get ticketed.

Just about a half an hour ago, prior to posting this, I was driving home after going to Knott's Scary Farm, and then Denny's, when I was pulled over by a police officer. It was weird for me to get pulled over, for two reasons. One, I hadn't done anything wrong, I didn't speed, I didn't swerve, nothing. Two, I have never gotten pulled over before, so it was quite odd.

The officer came up to my window, asking me for my license, then asking me if I had gotten arrested, I told him yes, then no, respectively. Then I asked him what I had done wrong, he said that I didn't have a license plate on the front of my car. Luckily, the license plate was in my car, and I reached for it showing him that I had it, and I told him that I would put my license on today (Saturday) or Sunday. The officer kindly let me off with no hitch whatsoever. Lucky me, just goes to show, that everything happens for a reason. Maybe if my parents hadn't happened to put the license in my car if I would have actually gotten a ticket, which my parents would scold at me for, (although it would be my first). It also goes to show that parents do know what is right, even if you are still in college, that we should still pay attention to them, even if we are “free” from them. I say “free” since they are paying for many of our college tuitions.

Success.

You record videos and post them on youtube, you're not a film maker.

You have an expensive camera and take pictures, you're not a photographer.

You write poetry you're not a poet.

You write stories, you're not a writer.

Nowadays many people become very cocky with what they do. I admit, I used to think this, and I may still do this now, I'll let people decide, I've got quite the ego. However, this isn't about me, it's about people in general. I'm not trying to offend people with established careers or those who aspire to be, but rather, those who believe that they are when they have nothing to truly show.

My main example would probably be the younger generation, they think that they can make it big by posting random things on the internet. Such as many people posting videos on themselves on youtube expecting to get millions of hits. To their disappointment they only get maybe one hundred views, maybe even less.

These people expect to become huge hits overnight, but they don't stop to think that all the people who have made themselves successful have worked hard at it for many months, or years, for even most of their life.

People who are currently working to be in their careers are an exception, since they're actually trying to make themselves successful, such as students in college. College students are at the determining point in their lives, where they are majoring in the careers.

Feel free to post your own thoughts on the matter, those are mine.

Armed Forces

I had an interesting conversation the other day with my friend Kevin who joined the marines as soon as he got out of high school. The conversation was about the United States Armed Forces, Military, Marines, Air Force, all branches. He made this choice to join the Marines as soon as he graduated, he decided to dedicate his life to protecting the honor and values of the United States, however, not for this generation. What does this mean exactly? Kevin told me that the people who sign their lives to the US government are doing it to protect the US, but it's not entirely about protecting the the civilians and the people, they do it to protect the future generations.

He said, “think about it, who is going to run the future of the United States and the world? The next generation.”

To be more specific, the children and the teens. They do it to ensure the safety of the history of the United States, the present presence of the US, and the future of it as well.

The conversation had me thinking about everything that we take for granted. These people, who rather than go to college, would give up their lives to make sure that we are safe and sound when we sit in our classrooms and learn.

Giving blood

My first true act of being an 18 year old was giving blood. I originally didn't plan on giving blood this past monday, but my friend whose birthday it was that day decided to coax me into giving blood. I had always wanted to give blood, but during the previous years I had completely forgotten about the blood drives at my high school. Being coaxed last minute and my first time giving blood, those two factors added together didn't really help me when it came down to actually giving blood, prior to the donation, I didn't eat the entire day, which technically you're supposed to. I went in and I did all the basics that I needed to do, then I gave the blood, everything went just fine. However, after each person's donation they must wait at least 15 minutes for their body to recover, my time was different. I went and sat down on the chair, I felt extremely lightheaded and my heart started to race, I felt as if I was going to have a panic attack. I decided to pick up my water bottle and take a drink...
I blacked out...
For probably about a second though, since I don't exactly remember what happened immediately after.
However, I could feel the hands of the nurses on my body, holding me up and lifting me on the stretcher, as well as hear all the voices of them around me.
I opened my eyes to find that everything was alright, I was recovering inside the same room in which I had given blood.
They told me to take as long as I needed to rest, which I did. An hour passed, I missed my club meeting, but I completely recovered.
All is well now, however I must say that next time I give blood, I'll be ready for it. One last thing I must say, I can't believe my friend coaxed me into giving blood.

Maturity

I've finally reached the age of eighteen, I've waited about twenty years to turn eighteen. Haha. The last day of being seventeen I decided to visit the Getty Center, located in Los Angeles. It was a place that I had gone to quite a few times as a young child. I went to the museum again to partly celebrate my last day as a minor by visiting a place that I had gone to as a child. I was too young to understand art when I was a younger, so I decided to see if I could understand it more now that I am on the verge of being an adult...

I couldn't understand it any more than I could before, maybe I've matured in age, yet I haven't matured in my mindset yet. Becoming eighteen is a bitter sweet event, I used to be able to say, “I'm in college, and I'm still 17,” however, that is now over. Now I'm an adult, I feel that I must mature my mindset on life, that now I have more responsibilities. Starting with college I shall attempt to mature myself by becoming more responsible. I'll try my best to mature myself for the world. We'll see how things turn out.

Welcome

Hello everyone! I'm Sean Nguyen and welcome to my blog for my English 100 class. My blog is titled, "Random Thoughts" because it pertains to the random thoughts I have about college and my experiences here. Although it may only be my first year in college, I've got a lot to learn, and this blog will be a great way for me to post up my experiences and my thoughts on college.

So far, transitioning from high school to college has been like going off a high dive into the deep end of a pool, all while not knowing how to swim. In high school I was someone, well known throughout the school, by teachers and students alike. Seniors ruled the school, my experience was no different. I also, in a sense, ruled the school, but moving into college, I've had to make new friends, and I've lost all my reputation, not in a demeaning way, but more along the lines of, I don't have a reputation now. However, many of my friends also attend Cal State Long Beach, and with that, gives me some relief, to know that they are going through the same thing as me. It's only a matter of time before I become completely used to this new lifestyle and new chapter in my life.