When most people think of Pasadena, they think of Old Town, Paseo Colorado, parks, trees, coffee shops, bars, restaurants, stores, the Rose Parade... good old, fun, cute, south-of-the-210-freeway Pasadena.
Most people wouldn't even know that in the past month, there have been 4 gang-on-gang shootings. Most people wouldn't know that a teenage boy died in one of those shootings. Most people wouldn't know that I often times fall asleep to the sound of a helicopter flying around our blocks, patrolling the area or responding to a call.
Why do people not know this part of Pasadena, the part north of the 210 freeway, the part that we lovingly call North-West Pasadena? Because the city is really good at keeping secrets. Like any normal booming city, they want to continue booming, they want people to continue to move in. Thus they keep their secret hidden. It's working too. I know of several people that are moving here this summer. I was talking to one of them, telling him where the more affordable apartments were, and warning him that these places were more run down and in more dangerous areas. He literally laughed and said, "What?! Dangerous?! In cute little Pasadena?"
Not only does Pasadena keep people from hearing about the crime and violence, the city also keeps them from seeing it with the magic of one-way streets. These one-way streets are incredibly inconvenient, so along with everyone else, I never use them. As it turns out, these one-way roads are home to some of the most run-down residential areas in north-west Pasadena. No one drives through there, because its too much of a maze, and so no one sees it. In fact there is about a 3 by 5 block area that only residents and their visitors ever drive through.
And so they remain hidden. Fortunately for me, Pasadena can't completely hide their wound. Contrary to most, my housemates and I moved here because of Pasadena's little secret. And I love it here. I love my neighbors, I love my little run-down home (most of the time), I love that it never gets boring, and I hate that the lives of the people I have grown to love have been buried by secrets.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Spiderman 3
Don't see it.
It could have been great. The themes of love, integrity, choice, adventure, could have been gripping. But they weren't. So don't see it.
The only reason why I stayed awake was because of the special effects. If I had been watching that movie on tv, I would have either been distracted with the dishes or fallen asleep. So don't rent it either.
What a waste of potential. and money.
The best part of seeing that movie was traveling with four of my wonderful friends around LA to 5 different theaters, trying to find a showing that wasn't sold out. Our little adventure around town would have made a better movie. There was music, singing, comedy, drama, pizza and beer, dissappointment (thanks to spiderman), and true friendship. Brilliant.
It could have been great. The themes of love, integrity, choice, adventure, could have been gripping. But they weren't. So don't see it.
The only reason why I stayed awake was because of the special effects. If I had been watching that movie on tv, I would have either been distracted with the dishes or fallen asleep. So don't rent it either.
What a waste of potential. and money.
The best part of seeing that movie was traveling with four of my wonderful friends around LA to 5 different theaters, trying to find a showing that wasn't sold out. Our little adventure around town would have made a better movie. There was music, singing, comedy, drama, pizza and beer, dissappointment (thanks to spiderman), and true friendship. Brilliant.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Happy Mother's Day
Dear Mom,
I admire you, I love you, and I am proud to be your daughter.
I am a little hesitant to write you this letter because I'm afraid I won't be able to adequately express how much I love you and how amazing you are, but I'm going to give it a shot.
I admire you. You have had an extremely hard life. You have endured experiences that I hope to never encounter. I think about the parts of your life that you have allowed me to see and hear, and then I look at you with amazement. You have weathered the storm well, coming through it not beaten and weak, but strong and beautiful. You continue to live with a joy that is child-like, like a child who has not felt the pain of loss, dissapointment, and suffering, and who lives with a pure hope and excitement for the future.
I love you. The older I get, the more I see you in me, and the more I understand you. The more I understand you, the more I love you. I love your smile, I love that you love to talk about absolutely everything, I love it when you get excited about the little things, I love how you are easily moved by the pain and joy of others. I love that you are goofy. I love your stubborness and that your own stubborness pushes you to be willing and flexible. It pushes you to do things like move to a state where nothing is familiar because you are determined to love your husband well. I love your love for life, for others, and for Jesus.
I am happy and proud to be your daughter. You have taught me how to be teachable. I don't even know if you see it, but even while you are extremely stubborn, you are extremely teachable. Maybe its because you are determined to grow. I have seen you learn and grow incredibly in the last 10 years, and your growth has been a great example for me.
You have taught me how to smile. I remember when I was a kid, I would hear people talk about you and your beautiful smile. And now whenever someone comments on my frequent smile, I think of you and I smile some more.
You have taught me how to be transparent. You wear your heart on your sleeve, and allow people into the depths of your world. You invite them in and you ask them to stay around for a while. That is an amazing gift. I am so happy to be a part of your world, and I hope to be as transparent as you and to welcome people into my world as you have welcomed me into yours.
Gee, a tear just ran down my cheek.
Like I said before, the older I get the more of you I see in me. And I am happy for it. Don't worry, I'm not ignorant... I'm all grown up and I know you have flaws. I see your flaws in me too. But if inheriting your flaws means that I get to inherit your beauty, your gifts, and your blessings, then I am glad to have the whole package. I am glad to be a part of your life, and I feel blessed to be like you.
Thanks for being amazing. I love you mom.
Happy Mother's Day :)
I admire you, I love you, and I am proud to be your daughter.
I am a little hesitant to write you this letter because I'm afraid I won't be able to adequately express how much I love you and how amazing you are, but I'm going to give it a shot.
I admire you. You have had an extremely hard life. You have endured experiences that I hope to never encounter. I think about the parts of your life that you have allowed me to see and hear, and then I look at you with amazement. You have weathered the storm well, coming through it not beaten and weak, but strong and beautiful. You continue to live with a joy that is child-like, like a child who has not felt the pain of loss, dissapointment, and suffering, and who lives with a pure hope and excitement for the future.
I love you. The older I get, the more I see you in me, and the more I understand you. The more I understand you, the more I love you. I love your smile, I love that you love to talk about absolutely everything, I love it when you get excited about the little things, I love how you are easily moved by the pain and joy of others. I love that you are goofy. I love your stubborness and that your own stubborness pushes you to be willing and flexible. It pushes you to do things like move to a state where nothing is familiar because you are determined to love your husband well. I love your love for life, for others, and for Jesus.
I am happy and proud to be your daughter. You have taught me how to be teachable. I don't even know if you see it, but even while you are extremely stubborn, you are extremely teachable. Maybe its because you are determined to grow. I have seen you learn and grow incredibly in the last 10 years, and your growth has been a great example for me.
You have taught me how to smile. I remember when I was a kid, I would hear people talk about you and your beautiful smile. And now whenever someone comments on my frequent smile, I think of you and I smile some more.
You have taught me how to be transparent. You wear your heart on your sleeve, and allow people into the depths of your world. You invite them in and you ask them to stay around for a while. That is an amazing gift. I am so happy to be a part of your world, and I hope to be as transparent as you and to welcome people into my world as you have welcomed me into yours.
Gee, a tear just ran down my cheek.
Like I said before, the older I get the more of you I see in me. And I am happy for it. Don't worry, I'm not ignorant... I'm all grown up and I know you have flaws. I see your flaws in me too. But if inheriting your flaws means that I get to inherit your beauty, your gifts, and your blessings, then I am glad to have the whole package. I am glad to be a part of your life, and I feel blessed to be like you.
Thanks for being amazing. I love you mom.
Happy Mother's Day :)
Monday, May 07, 2007
Water for People
One of the things about my job that I am most grateful for is my introduction to the non-profit organization, Water for People.
I talk a little bit about the organization at the end of this post. There is a lot of wonderful things I can write about Water for People, but for your sake and mine I'll keep it short.
My top 3 favorite things about Water for People:
1) They have found that the best way to help a village is to empower the people to take care of themselves.
2) 82 to 85% of all funds go directly to the projects. That is an amazingly HUGE percentage. Some non-profits lose 80% in administration and have only 15 to 20% left for the projects.
3) They don't have a cookie-cutter solution. They go to the town, find out what they need, find out what they want, find out what they have, and then create a solution that will fit best. If the town just needs a bucket, then they give the people a bucket and help them plan financially for the next time they need a bucket. brilliant.
Carollo Engineers (the company I work for) supports Water for People by fundraising during the month of May. Carollo has several offices throughout the country that participate in this fundraiser. Because God knew I would love it, I somehow became the point fundraiser person for in the Pasadena office. Let me tell you, I had NO CLUE how much I love fundraising. We've made t-shirts, sold cookies, given presentations... and it has been a blast. We're even raising money! :)
And now to the point of this post.
We are having a Happy Hour in Pasadena to support Water for People. Spread the word.
The purpose of the happy hour is to raise awareness and to raise more funds. The party will be at Bar Celona, who has offered to donate 15% of the revenue from the happy hour to Water for People. There will be a raffle, where all gifts have been donated and all the money raised will go to Water for People. There will also be a mix of people, from college, engineering companies, the Pasadena Fire Department, random people I have met while fundraising, hopefully complete strangers that I didn't even invite...
So if you are in the area, or if you know someone in the area, or if you can get to the area, please join us at the happy hour! The more the marrier!
Here are the details:
Who? Carollo Engineers, Water for People, Bar Celona and you :)
What? Happy Hour!
Where? Bar Celona: 46 E. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena CA 91105.
When? Wednesday, May 23rd, 5 - 7 pm
Why? To help Water for People get water to the people.
How? 15% of your purchases at Bar Celona will go to Water for People.
Please let me know if you can go, and please invite your friends! My hope for this event is that people will become more aware of the water crisis around the world and of the ways that Water for People is working to counter the problems, that we will raise money for the organization, and that we can meet other people in the area that are supporting the cause.
If you have any questions, please post them and I'll see what I can do to answer them.
I talk a little bit about the organization at the end of this post. There is a lot of wonderful things I can write about Water for People, but for your sake and mine I'll keep it short.
My top 3 favorite things about Water for People:
1) They have found that the best way to help a village is to empower the people to take care of themselves.
2) 82 to 85% of all funds go directly to the projects. That is an amazingly HUGE percentage. Some non-profits lose 80% in administration and have only 15 to 20% left for the projects.
3) They don't have a cookie-cutter solution. They go to the town, find out what they need, find out what they want, find out what they have, and then create a solution that will fit best. If the town just needs a bucket, then they give the people a bucket and help them plan financially for the next time they need a bucket. brilliant.
Carollo Engineers (the company I work for) supports Water for People by fundraising during the month of May. Carollo has several offices throughout the country that participate in this fundraiser. Because God knew I would love it, I somehow became the point fundraiser person for in the Pasadena office. Let me tell you, I had NO CLUE how much I love fundraising. We've made t-shirts, sold cookies, given presentations... and it has been a blast. We're even raising money! :)
And now to the point of this post.
We are having a Happy Hour in Pasadena to support Water for People. Spread the word.
The purpose of the happy hour is to raise awareness and to raise more funds. The party will be at Bar Celona, who has offered to donate 15% of the revenue from the happy hour to Water for People. There will be a raffle, where all gifts have been donated and all the money raised will go to Water for People. There will also be a mix of people, from college, engineering companies, the Pasadena Fire Department, random people I have met while fundraising, hopefully complete strangers that I didn't even invite...
So if you are in the area, or if you know someone in the area, or if you can get to the area, please join us at the happy hour! The more the marrier!
Here are the details:
Who? Carollo Engineers, Water for People, Bar Celona and you :)
What? Happy Hour!
Where? Bar Celona: 46 E. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena CA 91105.
When? Wednesday, May 23rd, 5 - 7 pm
Why? To help Water for People get water to the people.
How? 15% of your purchases at Bar Celona will go to Water for People.
Please let me know if you can go, and please invite your friends! My hope for this event is that people will become more aware of the water crisis around the world and of the ways that Water for People is working to counter the problems, that we will raise money for the organization, and that we can meet other people in the area that are supporting the cause.
If you have any questions, please post them and I'll see what I can do to answer them.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Hi Mom!
I cut my hair 5 months ago, and my mom has been bugging me about sending her a picture. I finally have a couple and I figured I'd post them. Now you all know what I look like.
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