"Getting Dragged by a Cab - Priceless"

So what happens when you have an internship in California for the summer, people want to visit you! This past week my mom and sister came out to visit to see A) California, and B) me, or vice versa - depends who you ask. They arrived Wednesday night and we started with a true California tradition, dinner at In-and-Out. Thursday they explored San Jose's campus while I worked, met my co-workers and bosses and then we headed out to drive down the coast (still my favorite party of California). We drove from San Jose down to Bixby Bridge / Big Sur, and even though there was lots of fog the views were still gorgeous. Props to my mom, who is terrified of heights, but drove the curvy roads anyways, with minimal panic attacks so Shan and I could stop for pictures and sight seeing. Then when we returned home Shan and I went to Orientation Prom so she could meet all of my fabulous students!

Mom Loving In-and-Out

Shan and I at Big Sur / Bixby Bridge

Shan and I at Orientation Prom

Friday we got up bright and early to head to Santa Cruz for our surfing lesson! I am considering giving up Higher Education to become a Professional Surfer, but I haven't officially decided yet. Actually, surfing was a lot harder then I imagined, and took a lot of upper body strength (which I don't have). But it was tons of fun, and both Shan and I were able to actually stand up and surf a few waves. Best part, I got to wear a wet suit and really looking legit is half the battle. After our surfing experience we walked he Fisherman's Wharf to see the Sea Lions, and the boardwalk for a mid afternoon snack. To complete our fun packed day we stopped at Henry Cowell Redwood State Park to see the Redwoods, they were just as impressive the second time I saw them!

Post Our Surf Lesson

Hugging the Redwoods

They are just massive!

Saturday we went to San Francisco to continue our how much of California can you fit into four days. We started with Golden Gate Bridge, and then drove around Sausalito, which is where I want to live someday - the houses, views, area, everything is just beautiful. Again, my mother managed to show us the whole area with very minimal panic attacks! Then we checked into our hotel, and took the bus down to Pier 39. We first explored Pier 39, all of the shops, the sea lions and the farmer's market! We set out on a trolley tour, seeing everything from the Full House house, to Pacifica Heights, Little Italy, China Town and everything in between. The only downside was the fact that the trolley was open, and it was freezing. Upon our return we went to Little Italy where we had a delicious meal. Exhausted, we decided to take a cab back to our hotel. Shan got in the cab, I got in the cab, my mom got halfway in the cab and it started to pull off! Now if you know my mother, and know our luck, this is merely the story of her life. The cab drove a good five feet with her hanging out of it before he realized, said I'm sorry and continued on like nothing happened.

Golden Gate Bridge

Farmer's Market

On the Trolley Tour

Dinner in Little Italy

Sunday we went to Union Square, and the three story Forever 21. Then we headed down to Pier 33 to go on our Alcatraz Tour. The tour was great, informative, interesting and fun! We ended our San Francisco adventure with some clam chowder from Fisherman's Wharf and a Cable Car Ride. Shan and I stood on the cable car, like they did in Full House, and it was by far one of the best ways to see San Francisco!

At Alcatraz

On the Cable Car

After Our Cable Car Tour

Monday morning my sister and mom headed home, as me and the rest of orientation staff started session 5! I realize I am really lucky to have family who want to, and can visit me where ever I may be in the country! Oh, and orientation session 5 went wonderfully, but I wouldn't expect anything less from my wonderful co-workers and students!

Jeff, Denica, Me and all of the Orientation Leaders

Interns / Roommates / Friends / Co-workers / Soulmates

My boss Alissa with the Team Leaders

Mixing Home with California

This past fourth of July weekend I spent in California, mixing a little bit of home with San Jose. Meghan came to visit for the weekend! We spent Thursday laying out by the pool, and catching up (if you have met Meghan and I we can talk). Friday we headed to San Francisco where we did everything including a trolley tour, the golden gate bridge, fisherman's wharf, and of course shopping in union square. (Due to me forgetting my camera battery, pictures will have to come later.) Saturday we headed to Santa Cruz where we went wine tasting with Kelly. The wine was delicious, and the scenery was absolutely breathe taking. Meghan liked it so much, we are already planning her wedding there. After wine tasting we headed to the beach where we soaked up some more sun, walked the boardwalk and took in a perfect beach day. Coming back to San Jose Meghan had her first In-and-Out experience.

Kelly, Me and Meghan Wine Tasting

My artistic shot

Meghan and I at Santa Cruz

Meghan with her In-and-Out

In San Jose

Saturday we explored San Jose, and then later that night Morgan and Saybra arrived. They are road tripping across the country! We spent the 4th as most American's do, eating and drinking beer. It was good to see some familiar faces, and show them my life here in San Jose!

Saybra and Morgan

Meghan and I

The next two days I have session, and then I prepare for more guests. My mom and sister will be here on Wednesday night and I could not be more excited! Hope everyone is well.

A Whole Different Side of California

So I realize that a blog post is long over due, it is just I haven’t had a spare moment to sit down and write recently, even though I know some were eagerly waiting. So with that in mind, I will try to explain what I did the past week and a half, fare warning, this could take a while.

Since last writing we have finished orientation sessions two and three, which makes the count three down, and four to go.  Both sessions went relatively flawless, minus a few bumps here and there. Session three allowed me to have my first “on duty” experience. For those of you not in the students affairs profession, some one on duty is responsible for what happens after hours (10pm – 8am here). Thankfully we had a quiet night, the only problem being a disrespectful student. However, due to my type A, anxious personality I only slept from 4:18am till 6:30am that night, for fear that my phone was going to ring with an issue!

Besides orientation, I have also been keeping busy exploring more of California! Last week the other interns and I took a trip to Stanford with our boss Rich (Director of Student Involvement) to tour the campus, and learn about Stanford. The school is very unique, and run unlike a typical college campus. Some random facts that come to mind, the campus has nine separate “cultural centers” which include Women’s Center, Queer Center, Multicultural Center, etc. but they are at the nine corners of the campus, not centralized. Also, the university believes in leaving the land as it comes, so the landscaping of most of the university is “natural”. While the school is often compared to ivy leagues, it is not an Ivy League school (it petitioned a while back, but was not accepted). One of the most prominent conservative think tanks in the nation is housed on campus. All students who attend must graduate in four years, if they do not they are removed from the University and forced to transfer. Lastly, Stanford has a needs based free admissions policy – meaning if you are admitted to the school, they then assess how much you can afford to pay, and pay the rest for you. The campus itself was gorgeous, my three favorite parts being “Palm Tree Way” (each palm tree is worth 1 million dollars), the church and the Rodon garden with the Gates of Hell statue. The visit to Stanford also included purchasing some Stanford apparel, my first experience with Gelato, and some delicious Thai food from downtown Pal Alto.

Gates of Hell

Rich, Denica and I at Stanford

The Church

Denica with "Palm Tree Row"

In my new Stanford Gear

When we were done at Stanford we headed on the Caltrain to go to San Francisco for the weekend. This past weekend in San Fran was Pride Weekend, the largest Gay Pride Weekend in the country. Lucky for us, Denica’s friend Lindsay lives in San Fran and graciously let us stay with her.  Friday Denica and I headed to Union Square to do some shopping, and when Lindsay got home from work we started the weekend with pizza from Little Italy followed by a night out in the marina. Side note, something I love about San Francisco is all the sub districts within the city. Saturday we attended Pink Party the first Pride event, and the biggest free blog party in the country. There were millions of people in attendance. Unfortunately, there was a shooting (three injured, one person died), so it was shut down. The crime was later found to be gang related, but as the police officer I was speaking to pointed out, statistically you put that many people together and something is going to happen. After we headed to Polk street which is filled with very artsy eclectic bars. Sunday we headed to the Pride Parade. The parade itself included floats about letting gay couples adopt, mother’s who support their gay children, politicians who support revoking EDNA and DADT, drag queens, and other different organizations. Proper attired included everything from being completely clothed, to oh, complete nude. After the parade we headed to the concert venue in front of City Hall, where we saw various performers, most importantly the Backstreet Boys! The weekend was both fun, and a learning experience. What I also thought was interesting was the lack of protesters. Minus one small religious group against homosexuality, the rest of the event was peacefully and very supported, which was nice to see.

Denica, Me, Lindsay before going out in San Francisco

Welcome to Pride

Diesel  Window Display

Backstreet Boys

Yesterday Kelly took Denica and I to the Haight District of San Francisco which is filled with restaurants and thrift stores. We ate at Cha Cha Cha’s, a tapas restaurant that I would recommend to anyone in San Francisco. The food was delicious, and it had hands down the best Sangria I have every had. Plus, the atmosphere of the restaurant itself was fun and inviting.

Me, Denica and Kelly at Cha Cha Cha

While I was doing all of this, back at home my little brother graduated High School, and while again it was hard for me to be away, I could not be more proud of him!

It is weird that tomorrow is July 1^st, which means I am half way done with my summer internship and my stay in California. I am excited for what the next few weeks have to bring! Starting with Meghan coming to visit me tomorrow for the weekend, and then getting to see Morgan on Sunday as she road trips across country.

Hope everyone has a happy Fourth of July weekend!

True Tourist Weekend

So this weekend Denica and I decided to cross a few things off our "California Bucket List". Friday we got up early and headed to San Francisco State University to observe their orientation. There's is a day session, and totally academic focused. I did not like that the session had no small groups, ice breakers, or question and answer sessions. I feel like the students just got their classes and left, and had no real connection to the University or to their fellow students, which I think is so important. Post our visit Jeff, Denica and I headed off to find the full house house, and we did! We walked around the park and took pictures of the house where it was filmed, and we had Jeff play the theme song and had a sing along. We then met up with Denica's friend from undergrad and enjoyed some seafood down by the pier.

Us at San Francisco State

Me, Jeff, Denica in front of the "Painted Ladies"

Saturday we got up early and two of the orientation leaders Morgado and Jeshuah so nicely decided to take us to the Redwoods at Big Basin.  We went on a tour of the Redwoods and than had a picnic lunch of peanut butter sandwiches and goldfish, gourmet I know. The Redwoods are unbelievable. They are huge, gorgeous, and really just a site to see.

Tree Huggers

Morgado, Jeshuah, Me, Denica Inside one of the Trees

Then on Sunday two other orientation leaders, Kaitlynn and Alison, and Denica and I went to the Country Throwdown concert at the Shoreline theater. The concert was over 14 different artists, featuring Montgomery Gentry and Eric Church headlined, and Jack Ingram was my favorite performer. The venue was really nice, and we had beautiful weather. After we grabbed a late night dinner at In and Out, which my friends Kellie and Pete swear by. My milkshake and cheese fries were delicious, and the workers were so friendly, and gladly smiled for ALL of our pictures.

Denica, Me, Kaitlynn

Denica getting a signature

Me and our nice server, Robert

Yay In and Out

Tomorrow is session two, wish us luck!

Santa Cruz, Session One and Sunshine

I apologize for the delay on the blog post, life has been busy here in California! The past weekend, Denica and I decided to venture out and try public transportation. Saturday we took a bus, followed by another bus to Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz is a beach town about thirty minutes south. Upon arrival we started at the fisherman's wharf, and the first thing we found was more sea lions! I was glad that Denica found sealions just as cute as I do, and we spent a good hour just watching them. We then asked a girl in the souvenir shop what her favorite thing in Santa Cruz was to do, she said to walk the cliffs. So we went on a walk down the cliffs which run up against the coast. The view was beautiful, and when we got to the end we saw the wrap up of a surf competition, a light house, and even more sea lions. We worked on our tan for a few hours after that, but it was 94 degrees, which never happens in Santa Cruz, so it was almost too hot to lay out. Lastly, we walked on the boardwalk and got boardwalk snacks - Denica dip and dots, me funnel cake. Santa Cruz was pretty, but definitely a tourist beach. However, we did take a brake to watch some of the local sand volleyball tournaments which were quite competitive. We then came on back to San Jose and had a wine and cheese night with Pam the parent liaison for orientation.

Santa Cruz Fisherman's Wharf

Santa Cruz Beach, Pier and Boardwalk

Denica and her Boardwalk snack

They are just so cute!

Sunday we worked on our summer tans, rolling out of bed at 8:45 to get to the pool at 9 when it opened, to go back to bed in the sun. That evening we headed to the mall to buy jorts (jean shorts). The dress code for the second day of orientation requires jean bottoms, and with 94 degree days, long pants is just not reasonable. However, not frayed, back country jorts. These are tasteful mid thigh jorts I promise.

Monday and Tuesday was our first orientation session! Minus a few small bumps in the road, the session went great, hosting 456 students and 111 parents! The orientation leaders again amazed me, connecting great with their students, and making their first San Jose Spartan experience a positive one! However, being my first ever orientation session, come yesterday evening I was exhausted and I'm glad we only have one session a week. Sharing a Higher Education moment, one thing that has really caught my attention here at San Jose is the effect of impaction and budget cuts. The university come the fall will have an extra 5,000 students that it is unequipped to hold. Also, because of impaction most of the students are from the San Jose area, because California believes that you should help the people in your surrounding area before you assist those outside. There are a lot of students who are coming in undeclared, not because they don't know what they want to study, but because they cannot get into their desired college. Also, students and parents attended a session at orientation about "being intentional" about your education (aka getting out in four years) because the school needs students to graduate to make space. Due to the budget cuts California observes furlough days as well. This means that the campus has an increase of students, and a decrease in faculty, staff and finances. This combination makes people very creative in how to get things done, but also very frustrated, because some things you just cannot fix in the current situation. It makes for a good learning experience if nothing else.

Headed to a local vineyard, San Francisco State's orientation, the Redwoods and the Country Throwdown concert in the next four days, so talk to everyone soon!

I Think I'm Hooked

So today ended our four day final training. After four days of 8am - 8pm days, I am exhausted, but have fallen in love with orientation. I don't know if it's my students, the office, the campus, or the vibe or orientation - but everything about it has got me hooked. Seven things that I particularly enjoy about my experience here at SJSU so far, and orientation:

1. The Diversity - I have orientation leaders from all different backgrounds, with totally different personalities and styles, different sexual preferences and political views, and ages (ranging from 18 - 26).

2. My Bosses - they are supportive, challenging, and totally gun hoe for anything that me and the other intern want to try

3. The Other Intern - Denica and I get along great. We have been labeled the "old married couple" by our students and bosses, and we interact like we have known each other forever

4. The Passion - the students and pro staff love their jobs, and are generally excited every day

5. The Campus - I have never been to a campus that can hold 30,000 students, is in a downtown, and is suffering impaction and budget cuts - it's a learning experience for sure

6. My Students - Point blank, I am blown away by them day after day

7. The Randomness - from dance parties, to "we need to take the interns here outings", to target trips there is never a dull moment

Another great thing - if you don't know me well, let me explain that I love the little things. Cards. Thank yous. Surprises. Just because I felt like it gifts. Ah ha moments. Well this past week I have experienced a ton of those.

So to go with this a little story. Last night I was sitting in the lobby of our building typing some emails, etc. Well I look over and one of my orientation leaders Jeshua was cleaning the whole lobby. Not because anyone asked him, or because he thought someone was watching, or cause he wanted a thank you. Just because. When I finally saw him I got up and asked if he needed help, and he said oh no I just was cleaning up. I went back to my room and was talking to Denica and we came up with three other instances that Jeshua had helped us that day. He volunteered to help me, volunteered to help her, and stayed after hours to help tutor another orientation leader on their dance (the poor other leader is dance move challenged). So I named Jeshua, my favorite orientation leader of the day. Denica then decided that Ryan was her favorite orientation leader of the day, and explained why. We decided to keep a list of our favorite orientation leader of the day during every session, so we can give awards at the end of the banquet! Then today we did paper plate awards. For those who are unfamiliar, everyone gets an award created by someone on a paper plate for them - some are serious, some funny, some just random, but none the less they are fun.

Some one recently asked me if I would consider job searching out in California come next year? While that is a loaded question, but general answer is yes. So far I love it out here. However, then their are moments like today that make me doubt moving across the country. Today was my brother Trav's high school prom. While that might seem silly to some, not being there for that was hard for me. I called him, saw pictures, and heard he had a great time. But something about not actually being there for something important in his life, well I don't know if I could do that forever. So the moving across the country, well I'll cross that bridge in a year I guess. For now, prom pictures for all!

Trav with his date Shannon

My brother, enough said.

My brother and sister (Trav and Shan)

San Jose in a Whirlwind

So, since my last blog my life has been a whirlwind, but in a good way. Tuesday we went to the airport to pick up the other intern (Denica, from Bowling Green). We spent the night getting to know each other and settling into our apartments, and thus far we are getting along great (we actually act like we have known each other forever). Last week was more meetings and getting familiar with the campus. However, this past weekend was what Denica and I are calling our "Cultural experience of San Jose".

Thursday a bunch of pro staff in the office went to "Nightlife" at the San Francisco Academy of the Arts. Every Thursday they close the Academy to a 21 and older crowd and have cocktails all through the place. It included an aquarium, a large mammal exhibit, planetarium, rainforest and others. The speciality drink was "The Nightlife" which was champagne, vodka and cranberry juice (delicious)! Friday night we went to the Art Walk downtown. This is where six blocks of streets are shut down and art galleries are free for the evening. It also includes live music, performers such as break dancers, belly dancers, martial arts performers and other "live art" exhibits. This mixed with a live band, coffee shops and little boutiques made for a fun evening, the quilts and textiles gallery was my favorite. They had all different dresses from the 1950's. Saturday was spent sleeping, suntanning and sleeping some more. Relaxation that we definitely need. Sunday we headed to Santana Row (think Rodeo Drive of San Jose) and did some shopping, some browsing and ate outside at El Jardin, which had beautiful gardens, seating and sangria. Oh, and we tried Pinkberry, a frozen yogurt place (per Pete's recommendation) and it was really good.

Denica with the Jellyfish at Nightlife

Driveable Decorative Car at Art Walk

Belly dancers at Art Walk

An interactive art piece that anyone at the Art Walk could add too

Today was the first day of orientation training, the 28 orientation leaders arrived along with the 5 team leaders, and final 8am to 8pm training commenced. We'll go 8 to 8 all week, which while exhausting, the first day was a success. The students are great, and have such energy and passion it's easy to enjoy being at work! Hopefully the week will continue going as well as it went today.

Only downside currently is that the internet is not working in our building. Small detail, but hence the delay in blog posts. Hopefully I'll write again post final training. Have a good week everyone!