2014: One Last Look

2014: One Last Look

            2014. Can you believe that the year is almost over?

            Heck, I still remember events in January as if they happened just yesterday. Or was yesterday really real, it’s still January 2014, and I’ve just time-traveled to December 2014 simply by blinking? The world works in mysterious ways.
            Or simply (and more logically), I’ve just been one busy son of a gun. As that old saying goes, “time flies by when you’re having fun”.
            I still say that I time-traveled by blinking. But I digress.

            2014 was another year of memorable events. There were very pleasant, happy, exciting, fun-filled, and wondrous moments. And of course, the ones that you went through that you wish just never happened. We’ve all been there.

            And believe me, I went through my fair share of equally happy and depressing moments of 2014. Okay, maybe it wasn't all that depressing, but you get the idea. Hopefully.

            So where do I begin with this reflection? Do I list off the good, the bad, and the ugly in no particular order? Nah, that’s ridiculous. Of course I start at the beginning of the year, because that’s logic, people!

The real question is whether or not it was a positive or negative moment for me. Well, it was both. While I will not say exactly what the event in question was because those involved deserve their privacy and will therefore remain anonymous. Plus, no one wants drama. Believe me, it sucks. Did I learn anything valuable from this experience? Of course. What I will say is that even though something such as what I went through will forever remain tattooed into my memory banks, I must move forward and learn from the mistakes made so as to be better at whatever this kind of event is.

Writer’s Note: If you know exactly what I’m talking about right now or at least have some sort of clue or assumption, good for you. Keep it to yourselves.

Moving along.

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This year marked the end and beginnings of my second and third years of college, respectively. And during my once-a-semester visit to the counselor’s office during the second year, I learned that I have finished my entire general education course. All that has to be fulfilled are the courses needed to transfer to my desired school of choice (more on that subject later). And as of this writing, I have just finished this last Fall 2014 semester with flying colors. Now I have four more courses to take in order to transfer. In the meantime, I have turned in all my applications to the schools of my choosing, and I have now until January and this Spring of this upcoming year to fulfill all the requirements needed to be fully accepted anywhere for the Fall of 2015. So a lot has to be done between now and there. It’s going to be a lot of work, but it’ll all pay off in the end. And as of this writing, I have received a letter of acceptance from San Francisco State. Now it’s only a matter of time.

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As I mentioned earlier, I have decided to transfer to one of five schools, all in the California State University system in desirable order: Northridge, San Francisco, San Diego, San Jose, and Sacramento. This summer, the parents and I took a road trip to Southern California to visit and tour two of the said schools, Northridge and San Diego. And let me tell you, up to that point I had not set foot down south since 2010, when I went to San Diego for Comic Con International, while the Los Angeles Valley I had not been to since my elementary school days. So it had been quite a long time. But it was well worth it.

The first stop on our visit was Northridge, as it was the first intended stop of our visit. Plus, it’s located right as you enter Southern California, so yeah. The day we arrived, the family took a drive around Van Nuys, as my mother is a native and former resident before moving to Monterey during the late 60s to early 70s. We drove through the neighborhood she grew up in, and went by the old elementary and middle schools she had attended. It’s moments like this that really help to increase my appreciation in family history.

But my mother isn’t the only one with family history or roots in Southern California. My father also has a cousin, Uncle Ted, and his wife Aunt Nelia living close by Northridge. And on that first day in SoCal, we spent the day with them along with their daughter (whose name escapes me at the moment, that’s terrible of me!) and her daughter. We went out to dinner and dessert, all the while discussing family history with each other, and Holy Nuts it is rich.

The following day was the tour of the Northridge campus. And let me tell you, this place is fantastic. It’s got a rich history, the iconic Campus Library that’s been in movies such as Star Trek (2009) and Sky High is massive and just as majestic in person. The whole place is said to fit up to four Disneylands. Northridge, even though the campus has been around since the 1940s, looks brand spanking new due to the earthquakes in past decades. And let’s not forget that film program. Not only is it among the best in the CSU system, it also allows for internships with major studios. And since Northridge happens to be only 40 minutes away from Burbank, Hollywood and Downtown Los Angeles…you get the idea.

Immediately following the Northridge tour, we set off to San Diego, as its campus tour was the following morning. But as I soon discovered, no trip to LA is complete without driving through Hollywood and those iconic streets. Oh, and if you’re interested in some really good sandwiches and baked goods, head on over to Canters. It is by far the best Jewish Deli I have ever been too. I can see why my parents love that place so much.

Anyways, after arriving in San Diego that night and sleeping it off, the folks and I finally took the tour of San Diego State’s campus. Like Northridge, it’s got a very rich history, and the academics are just as phenomenal. Oh, and the film program is also really good too, even though we didn’t really get a chance to explore that much after the tour. The campus itself kind of reminds me of Chico State where my brother attends, but much nicer and sunnier.

After that tour, the folks and I took a stroll along the boardwalks in town, and eventually met up with a friend from their high school days as well as her mother to Hodad’s, a little hole-in-the-wall burger joint that is a smash-hit with the locals and tourists. And when you have one of their signature burgers along with a cold and tasty milkshake, you’ll be thinking the same thing. Afterwards, we went up to chill with the family friend up at her place in Carlsbad before going back on the road back through LA and further north.

The final stop on the trip was to see more of my parents’ friends from high school, who have a beautiful summer house close by Avila Beach, a little further away from Pismo Beach and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. We spent the night with them, having the first home cooked meal I had ever since the trip began, and the next day walked alongside the gorgeous shores of Avila. And while Avila is nowhere near the magical place that is Monterey, it’s darn near close. And shortly from there, the end finally came to an end as we returned home later that night.

Okay, that took longer than I imagined. I didn’t mean to write that much, believe me. But I hadn’t really talked about my trip in detail ever since the trip, so I thought what the heck. Why not here.

Oh, by the way, if you skimmed through this section, let alone actually took the time to read this and got this far, congratulations. Nice to know you’re actually interested in what I have to say. I’m honored, but believe me, you could be doing far more productive things.

            This year also had another huge landmark for me: my 21^st Birthday. Hooray, I’m officially legal! I can drink in public without getting in trouble or lying about my age!

            Honestly, my father was right: it’s overrated. But it doesn’t mean it’s not fun because it can be when drinking responsibly.

            So backtracking to before my summer break and a week before Finals. For my birthday weekend, I first attended the screening of the rebooted American Godzilla film series with my closest friends. I can now officially say that we can finally forget the abomination of 1998.

            Moving on. That weekend, I went out to celebrate with the cousins in San Francisco for a night of bar-hopping. Now, I should mention that I am a lightweight when it comes to this pastime. I’d love to strengthen my liver, but I’m highly advised not to. But still I drank responsibly, pacing myself and consuming water as well, all the while feeling that nice glowing sensation (as well as the dying of brain cells the next morning). After spending the night, I returned the next day, feeling older and wiser, but still me.

            Yeah. At least I finished those Finals strong.

            Summer 2014 also marked a very momentous event for me: my first job. After months of searching for one, I finally landed a gig working on a contract basis for the Sierra College Bookstore. That meant that not only was I attending Sierra, but I also worked there. Plus, working on the campus you’re attending looks really good on a resume. For the time period between late August and early October of this last semester (AKA the Fall Rush), I was busy processing online orders, stocking books, packaging orders, and dealing with customers of all mentalities. And even though it was only temporary, I learned very quickly what kind of worker I am, where my strengths and weaknesses were, and how to build up a good work ethic. Plus, the people I worked with are some of the most awesome people you’d ever meet in a workplace, and my bosses were absolutely awesome to work for/with. And as of this writing, they’re asking for more people for the Winter Rush, and they encourage past employees to reapply and come back. Which is exactly what I did last week as of this.

            And of course, I can’t finish this piece without talking about all the people I’ve encountered while attending Sierra. I’ve said this before many times, but college is so much better than high school. It’s so much more diverse, and the students are a real thrill to get to know to. Never have I met more interesting and fascinating people while in college. Okay, MAYBE my family and close friends come way closer to the top, but you get the point. I hope.

            I can also say that I’ve made more friends in the span of six months than the twelve years I went through elementary school all the way up to high school. I’ve even joined a group of like-minded Sierra College kids who, much like myself, are eager to meet new people and hang out. And let me tell you, I’ve met a whole crew of new people I am proud to call my friends. We call ourselves the Sierra College Anti-Anti-Social Page. In fact, I’ve been made an Admin along with several others, something I did not really expect to happen. And sure, while the group may have its ups-and-downs as many other groups do, it’s still a great way to meet fresh faces and hang with others.

            Well, we have finally reached the ending of this reflection. I applaud you once again for actually sticking around to read the whole darn thing. Most of this is just me rambling on about my life this year and what I’ve learned from these experiences. But as experience as revealed to me over time, people are very fascinated by me, the Jewish-Filipino (JewPino)/Geek/Imaginaut/aspiring filmmaker, writer, and maybe voice-actor. Which fascinates me that people find me fascinating. But hey, whatever floats other people’s boats, I say.

Happy Holidays, everyone. See you all in 2015 for new and exciting memories and adventures.

                        - Eric Urmanita