"The Golden State" becomes irrelavant

Times are tough especially for Californians facing a deficit and the increasing sales tax. In addition to the economic recession that's swept the nation and the world, we are battling larger unemployment gaps and stagnant salaries that are no longer conducive to our lifestyles. It's time to cut back and be resourceful. Californians must move onward and upward if there's any chance of thriving in this slump.

It's times like these when "survival of the fittest" rings true. Nowadays, what can you really get with a college degree? You can go through years and years of schooling, successfully collecting degrees only to end up working for minimum wage if you're lucky with tips, at a thankless and unfulfilling job. Unfortunately, it seems like people who end up making it without post high school education are the ones who are able to market themselves effectively also known as the ultimate bs-ers. People like that can manipulate themselves to the top with poise and grace, while the hard-working college-graduates who don't carry the same charisma and self-confidence fail. Is life one big competition to getting what you want or know you deserve?

Finding a job is like finding a mate. There are plenty of fish in the sea or opportunities out there. Some will like you, and others will reject you, but the important thing is to learn from your experiences and keep going regardless. A very important word to remember is "next," said a wise person who I go to for optimistic perspectives.

The happiest place on Earth

Disney: Where children live happily ever after
By Melissa Chua
Published December 4, 2006 by Daily Sundial

There is something about Disney that puts a smile on people's faces. Disney has captured the hearts of many people of all ages and races, male and female, mainly because of its entertaining movies and extravagant theme parks and resorts.

During my childhood years, I remember watching every Disney movie that came out, and eagerly anticipating new ones. I was always drawn to them because I could relate to each movie on some level, and frankly, they were and still are enjoyable to watch. I have started a collection of my favorites, and I know I am not alone.

Disney movies have become timeless classics to a great number of people no matter their age. They introduce engaging and happy-go-lucky characters who dance and sing inspirational songs, in the midst of some kind of journey that magically ends with a happily ever after.

Disney characters are lively and play versatile roles that audience members can relate to. The characters face struggles that many people encounter in their daily lives such as poverty, relationship dilemmas, a death of a loved one and even foul treatment by an evil stepmother and stepsisters. Despite all the ill-fated events, the characters overcome their obstacles and perpetuate the idea of happy endings. It is no wonder these movies are so popular. They are a pleasant escape from the reality of an imperfect world. At least for an hour and a half, you can watch some animated characters succeed in flying colors, and either become motivated to do the same or revel in their success. Either way, Disney movies speak to us and invoke positive emotions because of the happy endings. They give hope to many that we can also get our happily ever afters.

In addition, Disney makes an obvious effort to represent different races and cultures, which include Native Americans in "Pocahontas," Arabians in "Aladdin," and Hawaiians in "Lilo and Stitch." Being part Chinese, I was excited when "Mulan" was released because it not only starred a Chinese girl, but gave me some insight and understanding of the Chinese culture, which I had little knowledge of.

Even though it was not Walt Disney's initial intention to teach, there are valuable lessons to be learned in every movie. For example, "Hercules" is about a boy who struggles to believe in himself in order to fulfill his destiny as a hero. The movie is also based on Greek and Roman mythology, which gives viewers a dose of the mythical world according to the Ancient Greeks and Romans. In "The Lion King," the main character Simba realizes he must stop running away from his problems and attend to his duties and responsibilities. Since Disney movies target a general audience, they influence and instill life lessons and thus create a foundation of moral behavior in households.

The movies and characters generate the themes, which create the ambiance of Disney theme parks and resorts. Whenever I go to Disneyland, there is a general feeling of happiness and cheer. The buildings are colorful and lavished with fairytale designs, characters and props, which create a dream-like world of perfection. The employees typically exude positive energy and show delight in being in a location called "the happiest place on earth."

Like Disney movies, the theme parks carry on the idea of escaping from reality because they contain different lands, each with a corresponding theme throughout the land. The lands, which are outrageously adorned by theme, allow park visitors to step into and experience a new Disney world created with imagination and magic. Visitors engage themselves in different realms of imagination. Time spent at Disneyland or one of the Disney resorts does ignite the feeling of it being "the happiest place on earth" because their surroundings were and are created to spread happiness and cheer to visitors.

Disney allows us to tune out of our sometimes miserable lives and tune into a world of indulgence and utopia. Disney movies, theme parks and resorts give us the opportunity to rekindle our carefree and happy days as a child. Disney has brought inspiration, laughter and, most importantly, happiness to people everywhere.

Not only has Disney brightened up our social world, it has helped shape our economic one as well. Disney is credited immensely for being a role model to businesses because of their successful marketing tactics and excellent customer service. Everyone knows who Mickey Mouse is and that is because Disney has aggressively plastered its logo and characters on an array of products ranging from daily home or work appliances to gadgets and toys. The company makes everyday items a Disney item. These products can be found at grocery stores, various stores in the mall, or even at a gas station. The Disney name is definitely visible to consumers.

Customer service is another factor that makes Disney the quintessential business. All Disney park and resort employees are trained extensively to exhibit exceptional customer service always with a pleasant disposition. They are taught to treat every customer's needs responsibly and seriously.

Disney's customer service expectations and business moves and ideas have influenced businesses, which soon coined the term "disneyization" of society.

Disney brings happiness and teaches life lessons to many through their captivating films and utopian-like resorts on top of setting a business foundation for many entrepreneurs.
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Liars, cheaters and the eternally confused oh my!

I finally realized that I'm constantly attracting the ultimate bachelor. He's the guy who likes you one day, and forgets you the next. He's the guy who profusely verbalizes and acts out his feelings for you, so you totally think he's into you. But really, he's just playing the game. He's dashing and charming. He's your knight in shining armor until he's gone without an explanation.

I don't want to sound like a bitter and heartbroken single tart (because I'm really not), but i guess it's too late now. Anyways, Mr. Wonderful sweeps me off my feet. It's all nice in the beginning-the flirting and the witty banter. He likes me. I like him. Why can't we just go from there? But that's where the problem begins. Once something tangible happens like moving forward, he suddenly stops calling me and slowly but surely disappears as if he were a very elaborate dream. After my routine phase of "Boys are stupid. Throw rocks at them." I wonder what happened to him. What? When? Where? Why??????? and sometimes How? He's the ultimate bachelor, but I don't think he even knows it.

Perhaps my friend is right, "Guys are stupid, and women are crazy!" I don't have a clue, and neither does he. Why do we do the things we do? For the chance of love? I believe in love despite all my cynicism and occasional bitterness, but it doesn't come easy. Love happens, and when it does, it's magical.

Running the Malibu Waves

Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and Management is hosting the 5th Annual Running the Malibu Waves on March 7, 2009 to benefit The Special Olympics & The Children’s Lifesaving Foundation. The run/walk includes a 5K (3.1 mi), 10K (6.2 mi.) and 1 mi. run for kids 12 and under along the Malibu coastline. Pre-registration ends Friday, March 6 at 11:59 p.m. Please visit the website to register and for more information: http://www.pepperdinec4c.org/.

It's a great cause, and it's right on the beach. I'm running the 10k. Hope to see you there!

He's just not that into me

If he's not calling you, he's not interested. Is it really that simple? If all men meant what they said, exactly the way they said it, wouldn't women stop wasting their hearts on men who are just not that into them?

As a newly self-acknowledged single gal, I often find guys complicated, so I decided to watch "He's just not that into you (on Valentine's Day no less)," a movie based on a novel by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo, hoping to get some insight on the ever so complex male psyche. The movie is based on an episode of Sex and the City that reveals common blind spots women develop leading to prolonged fake relationships.

He's just not into you was entertaining, but not one of my favorites especially for a chick flick. It dictates romance in black and white. If he's not calling you, sleeping with you, marrying you; he's just not that into you? That's too cut and dry for me, but of course a woman would say that considering, and I'm speaking for all womankind, we tend to over analyze a lot if not all the time when it comes to guys. As the movie points out, women constantly rationalize situations and make excuses for why their guy is this way and that, which eventually leads to living a fantasy in some cases.

It's amazing how many times we live under our interpretations of events rather than our reality. Is the truth too hard to face? Maybe he really is just not that into you. It's truly heartbreaking when you give and love completely, but it's just not reciprocated. But that's when we need to take a step back and re access the relationship-the good, the bad and the ugly.

Are we just masochists? It can be so obvious he's just not that into you, but the pursuit to get him persists. Maybe we're all just hopeless romantics so willing to put our hearts on the line even for a guy who doesn't give us the time of day. The search for Mr. right is a tangled web of heartbreak, confusion and disappointment; but it's also a disarray of excitement, enlightenment and love.

Relationships shouldn't be a game we play. If we like someone, we should tell them, and act accordingly. It's time to be real people by showing how we genuinely feel when we feel it because that special someone could be passing us by right this minute.

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Related article:
Fear of loneliness causes loveless relationships
By Melissa Chua
(Published by Daily Sundial Wednesday, November 1, 2006)

It has come to my realization just recently that there are plenty of people in relationships who lack love for each other or even the interest, whether it is physical or emotional.

Some people wonder why they are even with that person, yet they don't do anything about their doubts. They simply accept how things are and co-exist under the titles "girlfriend" and "boyfriend."

Others have been in the relationship for a few months or maybe a couple of years, so the comfort level is obviously there, but problems persist, and no resolutions or positive changes are made. The relationship is doomed to fail. Everyone around them and perhaps the two people in the relationship know it. But these same people are still together.

Why do they stay in these loveless, so-called relationships? Some stay because it's comfortable and secure. They don't like change.

Others endure the lifeless union because of loyalty to the other. Maybe one person realizes he or she is not in love with the other but does not have the heart to break it off. The reasons go on, but I think one of the main reasons for these fake relationships is the fear of being alone, which is sometimes referred to as monophobia. The fear of loneliness is very common. Nobody wants to be single. They'd rather be in a loveless or meaningless relationship than have to say, "Table for one, please."

I don't blame these people because our society has made it perfectly clear that it's better to be in a relationship than be single. Pairs get better deals with almost anything. Buy two get one free, or buy two for the price of one as opposed to buying one for the regular price. There are always special couples' prices in various recreational or entertainment situations such as restaurant deals and hotel or travel accommodations. Single people are even forced to pay more in taxes, so economically, being single can put a dent in your wallet!

Nonetheless, single life definitely has its perks. As a single woman myself, I embrace the fact that I am not attached. I don't have to deal with the drama people in relationships face, such as jealousy, double standards, hypocrisy or physical and emotional pain. Granted, there are issues single people face as well, such as feeling important, validated, or even lovable despite the current single status.

I am aware no couple is perfect but there is a fine line between constant bickering and genuine disgust for each other! Some people don't belong together, yet they constantly force a relationship with the other.

I urge people in relationships to look at themselves and their partners and honestly evaluate whether they are together for the right reasons. By the right reasons, I mean: Does she or he make you happy? Is the distribution of giving and taking equal? And simply, but importantly, do you romantically care for the person?

One of the ultimate goals in life is happiness. Why would you settle for someone mediocre when the right person who can make you so much happier could be out there? Sometimes you need to take a risk to feel the rush of real love. I think love is worth it. Don't you?

There is nothing wrong with being single. Being unattached allows more time and freedom for personal growth. Alone time is necessary every now and then because it instills independence, which I think is an essential life tool. Oftentimes, people in relationships get so caught up in the other person that they lose parts of themselves that once defined them. Being single permits an individual to focus more on her or his goals and dreams without any hesitations a relationship may provoke. Also, when you are single, you are not completely alone because you still have your friends. Sometimes friends can make you feel as happy as a boyfriend or girlfriend can.

Don't get me wrong. There are many days I wish I had a significant other. However, I choose to be single and dependent on myself rather than have even a slightest reliance on a guy to determine how happy I am or can be.

Life is too short to waste your time on empty relationships. Life should be enjoyed, and if you want to share it with someone romantically, make sure that person makes you happy.