Monday, April 27, 2009

Obama: The First Asian-American President?

Alright, so you know President Obama is the first African American President (well, hopefully you already knew that), but did you know, according to a new article, Obama may be the nation's first Asian-American President? Read about it here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090427/pl_afp/uspoliticsobama100daysasia

So the title is a little misleading; Obama does not in fact have any personal Asian heritage, but it is clear that he does have a strong connection to the region, having spent some of his childhood in Indonesia (something which is elaborated much further in Obama's memior, "Dreams from My Father," which is a book I really recommend to everyone). Many of Obama's policies and cabinet appointments have shown remarkable concern for Asian-American interests, including one matter very important to Filipinos: the granting of benefits to WWII Filipino Veterans.

It is clear that from the President's first 100 days in office he has done much to progress the Asian-American agenda, and we can only hope that he will continue to do so in the years ahead.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Short Film on Life in the Philippines

Hello PASS!

Just thought I would share this 6 minute video with you guys because this is about our homeland. This film by a Filipino won a prize in the 2009 Berlin Movie Festival. It displays the reality of life in the PI.

http://www.cultureunplugged.com/play/1081/Chicken-a-la-Carte

Beware! It may be hard to watch, but this is just a reminder that we are truly blessed to have a life here in the US as a student. Be thankful for little things in life =).

<3 Leah

Thursday, April 23, 2009

walk for autism this saturday

hello everybody!!!
if you have nothing planned this saturday i invite you guys to join me as i walk for autism saturday morning!! the last day to register online is the 24th...

for more information please visit: http://www.walknowforautism.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=288321

as we are hopefully all aware, autism has been around for ages and it recently has been something so important for us to try to find a cure for. so if you guys are free, please help show support for finding a cure. not only will you be able to get some good exercise and have a chance to meet a few celebrities, but you'll also be making a difference in many children's lives. if you can't make it, please pass the word on to your friends to see if they're interested.

thank you!
<3 june

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

senior BBQ tomorrow!! FREE FOOD!!

to all the graduating seniors!! stop by for free food tomorrow!!

Senior BBQ
Thursday, April 23
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or until we run out of food!)
Phineas Banning Alumni House
FREE

Join the UCI Alumni Association and the Student Alumni Association for our 7th Annual Senior BBQ at the Alumni House.

FREE Senior BBQ Coffee Mug (first 200 attendees only!)
Live D.J.
Giveaways
Free food
Information about Commencement
MORE!

No need to R.S.V.P, just come by the Alumni House.

NOTE: This free event is the first time you can purchase just you cap or tassel for Commencement.

CAREER FAIR!!!!

Need a job? it's not too late!
The Spring Career Fair takes place TOMORROW!
April 23, 2009
10am-3pm
UCI Student Center
Pacific Ballroom

Check out Zotlink for the full list of employers that are going to be there.

Need help preparing for the Career Fair?
Check out these videos for some useful pointers!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

PASS is on YouTube!

We recently launched a PASS YouTube channel in which we will be posting videos from our meetings and other random PASS events.

Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/user/PASSatUCI

Currently, we only have a few videos up. One is from Winter Quarter's counselor-led meeting where we led group skits on how to conduct a proper interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjmnSDH83ts

The second one is a PASS commercial we made during the very first general meeting back in Fall. Personally, there is nothing I hate MORE than seeing/hearing myself on camera, but be sure to watch this video for my much anticipated acting debut! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD-n8Osq7eY

Check back often because more will be added. Thanks!

-Steven

Monday, April 20, 2009

article about global warming....

A friend posted this link on Facebook. I thought it was an interesting opinion/article/view regarding global warming, that I decided to share it with you guys.

"A study says...thinner is better to curb global warming"

I hope everyone is enjoying this lovely warm day! Remember to put on sunblock! I don't anyone getting sunburned! If you forget to, invest in aloe... it helps! :]

Thursday, April 16, 2009

PASSAGE TUTORING

hello fellow PASSers!!

FYI we have just concluded our first PASSAGE TUTORING meeting of the quarter and we are excited to start tutoring next week! it was REALLY FUN (and funny with lots of laughs)!!! i'm super excited to start tutoring! for those of you who weren't able to make it to the meeting tonight, our PASSAGE TUTORING director, Ian Teodoro, will contact you concerning a second meeting before next Tuesday so that you guys may be informed of what to expect and to further inform you about the PASSAGE TUTORING program. The tutoring program is open to all majors, including Civil Engineering, so don't be shy to apply! so make sure to check your emails and/or expect a call from Ian sometime soon!!

YAYYY PASSAGE TUTORING!! :D

have a wonderful weekend!
<3 june

Seniors, the world is NOT ending in June!


To those of you who are unsure about what you're doing after graduation (myself included), it may seem like life after June will bring about much doom and gloom. But take heart in this article from The New York Times which gives some advice to graduates about what to do after graduation.

Among the questions answered are:
  • Is the job market REALLY that bad?
  • Are there any less populated job listing sites out there (which would increase your chances of recruiters seeing your resume)?
  • Would taking an hourly job unrelated to your future career hurt your resume?
  • How can you use Facebook and Twitter to find a job?

Hopefully this article will reassure you that things may not be as bad as the media portrays it to be. It's not too long of a read either, so check it out! Good luck to all the seniors out there!

-Steven

Just for Fun

For those of you who (like me) would like to get into Marketing...just a fun little ad....

http://www.psfk.com/2009/04/pic-car-dealer-wars.html

Avoiding Credit Card Debt

Hey everybody! Here's the link the website I found with tips regarding how to avoid credit card debt. Enjoy and spend wisely!

http://www.nolo.com/article.cfm/ObjectID/85149B50-3066-40E4-ACE2E36BED84460C/catID/a255af52-3fb9-4a67-a55a147c244f92f6/213/208/230/ART/

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Ten Minutes

Just a little something I found online...

The 10 Biggest Minutes of Your Interview
Why the first 10 minutes of your interview can make or break you and how you can prepare.

By Joe Turner, Career Coach

You've heard it said often: "First impressions are the most important."
When it comes to the job interview, here's recent proof that bears this out:
"Hiring managers often know whether they might hire someone soon after the opening handshake and small talk," a new survey suggests. Executives polled said it takes them just 10 minutes to form an opinion of job seekers, despite meeting with staff-level applicants for 55 minutes and management-level candidates for 86 minutes, on average. Executives were asked, "How long does it typically take you to form either a positive or negative opinion of a job candidate during an initial interview?" The mean response was 10 minutes.*
This came from a survey published April 12, 2007, and developed by Robert Half Finance & Accounting, the largest specialized financial recruitment service in the world. It included responses from 150 senior executives with Fortune 1000 companies.

So what does this mean for you as you approach job interviews?
Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half International, sums it up when he says, "The interview begins the moment job seekers arrive, so applicants need to project enthusiasm and confidence from the start. The opening minutes of the conversation often set the tone for the rest of the discussion, making it wise to prepare especially well for the first few interview questions."

Here's how to make the first 10 minutes of your interview work in your favor:
1. Know the four most important questions
Pay close attention to those four most important questions they want answers to:
Why are you here?
What can you do for us?
Will you fit in? (Will you get along with our values and culture here?)
What makes you different from everyone else that we may have talked with? (Will you go that extra mile?)

Rehearse your answers with your own personal "stories." These are short narratives describing times when you overcame a crisis, led a team, met a deadline, resurrected a failed project, etc.
Some common questions you'll often encounter at the beginning of the interview:

"Tell me a little about yourself." (Question #2: "What can you do for us?")
"What do you know about us?" (Question #1: "Why are you here?")
"Why are you here today?" (Same)
"Why are you looking to change jobs?" (Question#2: "What can you do for us?")
"What's your most important accomplishment to date?" (Same)
Why should we hire you (over everyone else we've seen)? (Question #4: "Will you go the extra mile?")

2. Know the company
Do your homework. Always research the company before you interview. Know who they are, what they do, what their major products and services are, who their competitors are and the current "buzz" about them.
Here's why:
The first few minutes of the interview are the time to flatter them. Remember the question, "Why are you here?" Show them that you've done your research and not only know something about their company, but also have several reasons for being enthusiastic about working for them. Let this enthusiasm carry over into your demeanor as you walk in the door.

3. Know your role
First impressions count for a lot, especially in the job interview. You're on stage from the minute you enter the room. So play your role by first getting into character:
The "character" you play is that of a problem solver, not a job seeker.
As a problem solver, you know why you are here, you're excited about this company, and you know you can help them achieve their goals. With this kind of ammunition, you can score direct hits on their opening questions and win big points for yourself by demonstrating you are both knowledgeable and excited about their opportunity.

Now have a killer interview!

As a recruiter, Joe Turner has spent the past 15 years finding and placing top candidates in some of the best jobs of their careers. Author of "Job Search Secrets Unlocked," Turner has been interviewed on radio talk shows and offers free insider job search secrets at: http://www.jobchangesecrets.com.

Copyright 2008 Joe Turner. All rights reserved. The information contained in this article may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without prior written authority.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Does using Facebook lower your GPA?

According to a new study, students who use Facebook on average have lower GPAs than students who do not.

The study found that Facebook users have an average GPA in the range of 3.0 to 3.5, compared to a 3.5 to 4.0 for non-users. Of course, this doesn't prove that Facebook alone CAUSES students to get lower grades, it just shows a correlation.

Another interesting fact from the study is that 85% of all undergrad students are on Facebook. This makes a lot of sense because in the rare ocassion that you meet someone who ISN'T on Facebook, don't you look at them like they're weird? (I know I do)

Oh well, that's all for now. Hopefully the next time you have to study for an exam but are just browsing around on Facebook you'll remember this study...but then you'll probably update your status to something like, "I should be studying right now!!!!"

Sunday, April 12, 2009

pet expo 2009

hello everyone!

HAPPY EASTER!!!

for all you pet lovers out there that spoil your pets (i'm guilty!!), you guys might be interested in attending the OC Pet Expo!! it is going to be held in costa mesa next weekend! one of my favorite things about going home on the weekends are being able to spend time with my doggies because i miss them like crazy during the school week :( if you guys have nothing to do next weekend, i suggest you check it out! it'll be a great family experience and bonding time with your pet! :)

and for those of you that don't have pets, it'll be a cool way to look at different animals!!

here is a list of activities/things to expect to see if you decide to go:
IAMS SUPERDOGS
Iams Cat Education
Kid’s Aquarium Decorating Contest
Pet Adoption Dog Makeovers
Dog Fancy/Cat Fancy Fashion Show
Creepy Crawly Critter Show
Splash Dogs
Free Flight Bird Show
Petting Zoo
Pony Rides
Hollywood Cats presented by
Critters of the Cinema
Police K-9 Demonstrations
Adoption Dog Grooming/ Bathing Demonstrations

for further information about this event, here is their website
http://www.petexpooc.com/



hope to see you there!!

have a great rest of your EASTER weekend!!!

<3 june

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Peer Educator Workshops

Dear UCI Students,

At some point in your life you may have found yourself concerned about a good friend or colleague but were unsure how to approach and support this person. We at the Counseling Center believe that you can, in many cases, play a significant role in assisting someone you care about to get the help that she or he needs.

Friends Helping Friends seminars, presented by the UCI Counseling Center Peer Educators, provide psycho-educational advice and training for students who are interested in increasing their social, self-management and helping skills. The seminars, covering a wide range of topics, will assist you in developing skills that will enable you to identify and support a friend in distress. There is no cost for this program and it is open to all UCI students.
If you have any questions, please stop by the UCI Counseling Center or call (949) 824-6457


“Living Together”
Tuesday, April, 21, 2009; 7-8:00pm
Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
For many of us, the college experience includes living with other people. This workshop is designed to help you develop a better relationship with your roommate(s) and make living together a positive experience.

“Test Anxiety & Study Skills”
Wednesday, April 22, 2009; 7-8pm
Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
Discover ways to reduce your anxiety and to better prepare for your exams. Overcome procrastination by setting your goals ahead of time.

“Stress Management”
Tuesday, April 28, 2009; 7-8pm
Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
This interactive workshop will explore practical techniques that can help you alleviate stress and better manage your time. Come discover ways to cope with stress.

“Is My Friend Depressed? What Can I do?”
Wednesday, April 29, 2009; 7-8:30pm
Woods Cove Rm. B, Student Center
It is estimated that at any one time, 20% of the UCI population suffers from some symptoms of depression and that 3% meet the criteria for clinical depression. Topics will include recognizing the signs of depression and suicide ideation as well as how to support and assist a friend in need.

“Communications Skills”
Tuesday, May 5, 2009; 7-8:30pm
Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
Communication is essential in many aspects of our lives. Come to our workshop and learn how to organize and express ideas clearly. Help build your self-esteem by listening, observing, interpreting, and understanding others. Our workshop will also help you gain public speaking skills and improve your interpersonal relationships.


“Abusive Relationships”
Wednesday, May 6, 2009; 7-8:30pm
Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
Develop a clearer understanding of what an abusive relationship is and become familiar with the warning signs suggesting that you or a friend may be in or entering into one. Learn how to end and move on from a destructive relationship.

“Intimate Relationships”
Tuesday, May 12, 2009; 7-8pm
Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
This interactive workshop will address the ways to maintain a healthy and mutually beneficial relationship. The primary focus will be on 1) the importance of understanding yourself and your needs regarding the relationship, and 2) the importance of good communication skills in a successful relationship.

“Helping a Friend with an Eating Disorder”
Wednesday, May 13, 2009; 7-8:30pm
Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
Do you think that your friend may have an eating disorder but are not sure how to approach her or him? Learn to identify common behaviors among people who have eating disorders and receive suggestions on how you might assist your friend in getting the help she or he needs.

“Mediation Skills”
Tuesday, May 19, 2009; 7-8:30pm
Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
We all have conflicts now and then but it is important to deal with potential disputes before they become key triggers of stress. This interactive workshop highlights effective ways to deal with conflict before it damages or destroys a relationship.

“Supporting a Grieving Friend”
Wednesday, May 20, 2009; 7-8pm
Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
All loss is difficult to go through alone, the death of a loved family member, the loss of a cherished relationship, the loss of a highly expected opportunity. In this informative workshop, we will discuss ways to assist friends who suffer from grief or loss.



If you attend 5 sessions you get a certificate at the Friends Helping Friends banquet.