TA Interview

After a 2.5 hour interview today, I was offered a position on the spot to TA an intense neurolab program for 9 hand selected intellectually gifted HS seniors, all expenses paid. The best part: I will be a certified scuba diver and will be exploring the depths of the Northern Channel Islands (one of the top diving destinations in the world)! Thank you so much Dr. Wu for thinking of me.

Pageant Lesson #6: Photo Shoot Madness

Not counting the school yearbook photographs and high school/college graduation pictures, this was my first official photo shoot for the pageant. After a long day of fashion runways and early morning hair/makeup routines, I struggled to find the perfect dress I could wear and ended up settling for a ruffled, fitted tube dress. I wanted Shef to come with me just so she can be a part of the experience with me. Attempting to relax and loosen up is always my main issue. However, after getting the hang of it and receiving a lot of guidance from my photographer, Phillip Ner, we were able to capture a lot of shots within that 30 minute time frame. I definitely have to work on my facial expressions and hand placements. However, I can't deny that it was a great learning experience and I had a fun time doing it.

 












Bucket List #92: Participate in a Photoshoot




(Add On to my Bucket List: Photoshoot with my future MD White Long Coat)

Pageant Lesson #5: Learning How to Walk

Anxiety and nervousness consumed me the night before this event. Not only was I attending the launching of ABS-CBN’s new Lifestyle Channel at the Park Plaza Hotel, but I was participating in the fashion show conducted by three designers. I was not fit to model, have never modelled, and don’t have training to walk on a runway. A nervous wreck was definitely an understatement. 

Two days prior, I had to get fitted. Initially, I was supposed to wear a beautiful pant suit with an oversized jacket. But at 3pm when I had arrived at the Park Hotel in Los Angeles, Jay Sario, the designer, pulled me aside and wanted to attempt to fit me in the most gorgeous leather/maroon dress that he had. Thankfully I had been dieting prior and I was able to fit it perfectly… except he had to see me walk. & I was in trouble. I had a lot of work to do.

Eventually, it got to a point where I was practicing and I had to definitely practice doing it. Makeup and hair was prepped. I struggled to slip into the gorgeous gown. What had once fit almost easily that morning, was more difficult to put on that night (perhaps it was because of all the gelato and bread I had eaten throughout the cocktail hour.. oopps)! After some major adjustments, it fit, I went in the hallway and started to walk. 

Just like an on/off switch it all started to come together. My tense body turned fragile, fierce, and eloquent. I wanted to make Jay proud. I wanted to make Mildred proud. I wanted to be proud of myself. I wanted to have fun with it and fun was exactly what happened. I did it!

Thanks to the help of our mentor/coach Anjanette Abayari, I pulled it off. I was ecstatic. Practicing relentlessly 30 minutes prior to walking on that stage, I turned into model mode for 2 minutes. It was soo much fun! I was so happy when after our walk, Anjanette specifically came up to me and told me her friend thought I was the best one. Practice does make perfect. Although I still have a lot of work to do on this journey, I’m learning to add AND cross off things on my bucket list one at a time. 


BucketList #283: Being part of a Fashion Show

(bonus: Televised. Photographers. Red Carpet, Goody Bags - the whole deal)

Jessica and Howard's "Great Gatsby Wedding"

Location: Belvedere Manor | Bel Air Mansion 

I remember when I was younger, there were so many things I wanted to be. My #1 has always remained to be a doctor. But on the side, I had other hobbies that I was interested in and knew I wanted to explore: to be a teacher, forensic scientist, interior designer (etc). For a short amount of time, I thought it would've been cool to be an event planner since I loved organizing and enjoyed the creative aspect of the job... especially after watching the Wedding Planner with JLo. I mean, seriously. Who could resist Matthew McConaughey in that movie? Major panty dropper!

Besides the point, as I was working for my cousin at the RDS study one day, I was interviewing a woman named Darian. She happened to be the co-founder and CEO of the Location Connection where they specifically plan events on different estates in the LA county. She had offered me the opportunity to work with her for a Great Gatsby inspired wedding in Bel Air. I figured this would be a wonderful chance to network and see what the industry was all about. 

I was her assistant the day before at the rehearsal and was her right hand woman during the whole event that day. It was such a beautiful event and loved all of the little/minute details that encompassed the wedding. It gave me a lot of hope that I'd hopefully find someone who can tolerate my nuances/neuroses/flaws for life. Haha, I was lucky enough to have conversed with the owners of the house, who were absolutely genuine and lovely people. I felt so blessed to have been given an opportunity to do this. I had such a wonderful time!

                                      

                                          

 

Bucket List #58: Work/Plan A Wedding