Join me?!

While You Were In The Default World...

Playa snail mail! Thanks Sally! 

Check out hellovinette.tumblr.com for more Burning Man updates! 

HUNGER CHALLENGE 2010 RECAP

So so so so so sorry! I was a terrible Hunger Challenger this year! I did update most of my days on my Tumblr which you can see here but you'll have to sift through my other posts, non- HUNGER CHALLENGE related. Here's my recap of the week:

Hunger Challenge 2010:

This year was definitely a challenge, seeing that I was one dollar over budget when buying my groceries. I decided to buy all of my food at the beginning of the week and plan my meals. While that was a super idea, I did end up with ALOT of leftovers by the end of the challenge.

I know, I know, if you look at the meals I ate, they weren't exactly balanced, but, when buying groceries I found it really difficult to have three, well balanced and proportioned meals a day that were under $4. I was able to get a few frozen vegetables in, but that was only for 2-3 days of the challenge. The rest of the food was mostly carbohydrates and starches. This was my main concern that came about during the week. Families living on food stamps DO NOT get the nutrients they need. While I was able to afford a bunch of carbohydrate filled items I needed for energy, I was not able to get the fruits, vegetables, and dairy products I needed to fulfill a healthy diet.

Looking ahead to next years challenge, I may want to spend more on vegetables and dairy products. I had alot of tortillas, and practically an entire loaf of bread left at the end of the week, meaning that I didn't really eat my $28. Next year, I'm planning to just buy tortillas and spend more money on products like eggs or cheese.

Overall, it was a great experience! I never really understood how much planning went into living off $4 a day or $28 a week. It also made me realize how lucky I am to be able to afford a well balanced and special (vegetarian) diet. Instead of this being a privilege to us, we should definitely have the right to balanced meals! But then again, maybe I planned my meals wrong at the beginning of the week?

Here's to HUNGER CHALLENGE 2010!

Day 1

Breakfast:
Tortilla $.23/serving
Shredded cheese $.33/serving
Refried beans $.25/serving
Tapitio sauce $.7/serving

Lunch: 


Tortilla $.23/serving
Shredded cheese $.33/serving
Refried beans $.25/serving
Tapitio sauce $.7/serving



Dinner:
Penne pasta $.20/ serving
Roasted Garlic Alfredo Sauce $.28/serving

Total:
$3.50

Hunger Challenge 2010

My receipt and food for SF Food Bank's Hunger Challenge, which starts today. I did go a little over budget this year, coming to a grand total of $29.49 on groceries for the week but not as much as last year.

On my list of groceries, I got mostly carbohydrates and starchy items since they were the least expensive. Let's see how this goes! 

For You, San Bruno.

.Yup, I'm back from THE BURN, as in Burning Man 2010: Metropolis and boy, was it amazing! But before I give any recaps on that, I'd like to take some time to shed light on more serious, very saddening situation that occurred last night, September 9, near my home. 

Around 6pm yesterday, while on my way home from school, I began to receive calls and texts from various people informing me of a plane crash/gas station explosion/ terrorist act in San Bruno, CA. It turns out a major PG&E gas line exploded causing an entire neighborhood to go up into flames. Driving home from the city, all I could see was a huge cloud of smoke over San Bruno, just 5 minutes away from where I live. 

For more information please go to: 

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/09/10/california.fire/index.html?hpt=T1

The fire is now contained, but there is still much that can be done for the victims. For many, this is very unreal, and very close to home. This is the kind of situation that could have happened anywhere and to any neighborhood. If you want to help, are in the area, and can spare time and supplies, try donating clothes, blankets, or even blood. If you're not in the area, and would like to help, donate to your local Red Cross or Salvation Army. 

For all the victims, and for you, San Bruno. We'll make it through this mess together. 

And Now I Go...INTO THE WILD

Off to Black Rock City, Nevada for ONE FULL WEEK of radical self reliance, also known as BURNING MAN 2010: METROPOLIS.

Well, actually I'm off to Berkeley first, then Concord, then Black Rock City!

One More Thing...

Here's the SF Food Bank Hunger Challenge blogspot. Check it out!! 

http://hungerchallenge.blogspot.com/

SF FOOD BANK Presents Hunger Challenge 2010

I'll have you all be the first to know: I just signed up to participate in my second Hunger Challenge! For those of you who aren't sure, or are questioning, what it is, it's a week long event the San Francisco Food Bank puts on. It is designed to build awareness to the fact that so many families live well below the poverty line.

As a participant, I have agreed to live off $4/day or $28/week, which is what a person living off of food stamps is given.

Last year was definitely a challenge! I found out about the Hunger Challenge the day it had started and immediately jumped on board, not really knowing what I was getting into. Throughout the week, I noticed that there were so many foods I ate, on a regular basis, that are luxuries to many families. After the week was up, I realized how lucky I am to be able to afford a well balanced and special (vegetarian) diet.

With that said, I can't wait to chronicle this year's experience, right here on my blog! Last year, I video logged my entire experience for a class project (I'm currently searching for those videos), but this year, I somehow feel blogging will get the message out better. Also, seeing that I have more time to plan this year, I'll be researching ways to budget wisely. If you have any ideas, tips, recipes, or are blogging your own experience, please let me know by leaving a comment either here, or (if you're more on the shy/anonymous side) on my Formspring (http://www.formspring.me/HELLOVinette)! I'd love your insight!

For more information on SF FOOD BANK's HUNGER CHALLENGE 2010, please visit:
http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5420/p/salsa/web/common/public/content?content_item_KEY=2921

Dear San Francisco,

So it’s been exactly a YEAR since I’ve moved back from Arizona. That means another one of “those,” posts. By “those,” I’m referring to an emotional blog. Here we go, in no specific order, of course. 

What I’ve Learned. Keys To Life, What’s On My Keychain. 

The tail end of 2009 and the beginning of 2010 have taught me this. 

1. Be gracious in all of your relationships.

Whether it be with your  family, friends, your love relationship, your stalkers or just random people, make sure you are always as gracious as you can be in those relationships. NEVER, EVER talk down about anyone, even if they may be talking down about you. Also, NEVER talk down to them. Talk like there’s a microphone near by and the entire world would be able to hear what you’re saying. In other words, gossip gets you nowhere. That, and have discretion in what you’re saying and how you’re acting. Some people will take things the wrong way, if they’re said wrong. Oh, and one more thing: never raise your voice to someone unless he/she raises their voice first. It’s kind of like the, “don’t be the first to hit someone,” thing. 

 2a. Network

In other words, BE A SOCIAL BUTTERFLY. It’ll get you a long way. I PROMISE. Things that are going well for me today are because of the fact that I networked, made friends, and hoped for the success of those friends. You never know where things will take you. SERIOUSLY. 

2b. Never be jealous of someone’s success.

Let’s face it, most of time, you’re jealous because somebody has something, or lives the life you REALLY want. Be friends with that somebody. They can help you. Being jealous will get you nowhere. I learned this one at AAU. If you’re praised, you should always give back and help out. If you need help, reach for it! “Live together. Die alone.”- LOST 

3. Never ignore anyone.

For example, you see someone you know at a party but don’t particularly want to involve yourself with them but they try saying hello to you. Say hello back, it’s courteous. It doesn’t mean you have to lie to them and be their bff, but it’s courtesy to say hello. No one likes being ignored. He/she obviously wants your attention because they think highly of you. Now, back to the part where I said, “don’t lie,” follow that, strictly. If they are becoming annoying, tell them, but lay it down easy. 

4. Find out who you are and what you REALLY want in life.

This one took me awhile. ONLY because I spent alot of time transferring in and out of schools. I still struggle with this one on the daily. You see, it’s easy to do what will get you the most money or to do what you are most comfortable with, but you really really need to do what you’re passionate about. You need to stand up for WHAT YOU WANT, sometimes. This is probably one of the best things I’ve learned so far at Academy of Art University.  Do what you want. Fuck, everything else. (Excuse my language.) 

5. Know when you’ve been talking for too long.

I can’t even describe to you the countless times someone has told me the longest story ever and my eyes were glazed over. When telling a story, make sure this never happens to the person you’re talking to. Get them in the conversation. Ask them if they have any idea what you’re talking about.  If their eyes are glazed over and they’re giving you one word responses,this means they really don’t care about what ever it is you’re talking about.

6. Be aware of everything around you.

By this, i mean know WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON! Not just with your friends, with the entire world! I swear it will be so much easier for you to network/meet people. You’ll always have something to talk about. Now, I don’t mean that you need to be an encyclopedia of knowledge, but know what’s going on. And if you have no idea what someone is talking about, SPEAK UP, ASK AND EDUCATE YOURSELF. 

7. Be a good friend. Listen, give advice, help along a situation, but NEVER FIRST HAND INTERVENE.

Another lesson I’ve learned the hard way. If you’re going to tell someone something personal, make sure they’re the right friend. Now, I’m all about the idea of giving people, “something to talk about,” or even, “brewing some gossip,” but it’s just awkward when you tell someone something and they end up telling the person you were talking about directly what you said. It’s just awkward to get that text/phone call out of nowhere from that person and hearing them try to set things straight when it always was ok between you two. Your friendship might be a little awkward after that, too.  If you have a problem with someone, be blunt. Talk to them yourself.

8. Say sorry when you know you should. AND mean it.

I’ve really learned in the past few months that it means more to say sorry when you can tell the person why you are saying sorry. If you just keep saying you’re sorry to ease the peace, that never really does it. The out of sight, out of mind thing doesn’t  work, in most cases. Most people will see right through it.

9. Don’t make someone a priority in your life if you’re only an option in theirs.

This is probably the hardest thing I’ve had to learn in the past year. The point I’m really trying to make here is that you should make time for people. I know, I know, i’ve been super wrapped up in ALOT of my activities and have had to skip out on alot of events but if you ask me to make the time, I WILL. If someone asks me something personally, I’ll be there. I’d expect any friend to do the same for me. The few good friends I have, mean the world to me. Now I know some of this sounds super cocky, but it’s true. People want to feel worth it.  I don’t have to be “first,” in anyones life, but I do love it when my friends make everything worthwhile. 

10. People change.

Yup! It’s sad, but they do. I mean, maybe someone changes for the better but people really do change. Change is inevitable, but think about it this way, change happens so things that are good will become something better and those bad things will become something good. That’s life for ya!

11. Go on spontaneous adventures. 

The bulk of my life changing experiences have happened this past year because I’ve decided to go somewhere out of spontaneity. Phoenix, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Jose, or even just the Mansion. Long car rides force you to examine your mind. Take someone with you too! 

12. Keep yourself humble.

I’m probably not the best person to say this since I know ALOT of people don’t see me as a humble person. But I’ve realized, you really need to know who you are and where you came from. Learn to give back to your community. Learn to keep yourself grounded. I’ve been working on this one for awhile now. One of my new years’ resolutions was to, “give back to my community and be more local.” Knowing about the area you live in, as well as the people who live there, keep me humble. By volunteering, working with local organizations, and even just shopping locally at farmers’ markets, you’ll be able to connect with an array of people. (It also improves your networking skills, Read 2a.)

See San Francisco, I never really liked you, but you’ve taught me alot of what I know. Here’s to another year of passion, love, life and learning! 

Sincerely yours, 

Vinette 

Postnotes:

-“Dear Arizona,” was my “Keychain,” blog from last year. http://vinettegoestoaz.blogspot.com/2009/10/dear-arizona.html

-I started writing this blog on November 5, 2009, and planned to have it online by my 21st birthday, but that all kind of failed. It actually means so much more to me that i’m posting it right now though. Seeing that it’s been a year since I’ve been back. 

Junebug/July

Wow, it's been awhile. Thought I shared this, but here's JUNE AND JULY's recap:


From HELLOVINETTE.TUMBLR.COM


JUNEBUG

So June turned into July in practically, the blink of an eye! 

Highlights:

-Foster City Arts and Wine Festival, with my favorite ladies. 

-Winning tickets to Jason DeRulo on accident. 

-ELECTRIC DAISY CARNIVAL, with the greatest friends a girl could ask for. (Pictured.)

-My first flat tire, EVER. Thanks, John Oh, for knocking some sense into me! 

- Summer school

-FIFA World Cup began!

- I joined Parangal Dance Company.

-Haight Street Festival

-The highly anticipated, Toy Story 3

Pictures:

-------------------------------------------------------

JULY

Again, another month that went by even faster than the last! Seriously though, this was “THE MONTH OF SUMMER!”


Highlights:


-July 4, 2010: Fourth of July celebration filled with fireworks, food, and fun! My Arizonian, Eric Yee visited during this time, as well.


-July 6, 2010: Poor Man’s Happy Hour, with Stefon. Complete with cups from Peets Coffee and Tea. Hipster, right? 


-July 11, 2010: Ranch party in Hollister for the birthday celebration of my 3 favorite boys, Luna, Matt and James.  Also, VAB celebrates their 3rd annual 7-11 together! 

-July 14, 2010: Alpha Sigma 3913 celebrates its first annual “Be Still My Heart, Bastille Day Celebration.” Complete with EVERYTHING French! 

Bastile Day 2010 from Shantelle C. on Vimeo.

-July 17, 2010: Temple with my favorites, for Luna, of course. 

-July 25, 2010: San Jose for Kate’s birthday! 


-July 26th, 2010: Zhenya FINALLY turns 21 and we celebrate in San Francisco!


-July 29th, 2010 and into August: The best Southern California trip, I’VE EVER BEEN ON. A rave wasn’t even involved! Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival, Marc Jacobs-ville, Larchmont Blvd, California Adventure, Tom’s Bench, my Arizonians! A super treat! 


AND THEN… within all that, there was summer school and ballet! 

So We Think We're Funny...

Dad: The vacuum is clogged. Look.
Me: Well, that sucks.
Shantelle: No it doesn't.

Third Time's A Charm!

The view from our cabana at THE ELECTRIC DAISY CARNIVAL in Los Angeles, this past weekend. The day/night was pretty amazing! Pictures and recap to come. 


Thanks Luna for convincing me to get VIP with you guys!! 

Teachers Will Gladly Fail You In College...

From my online class.

I really enjoy how it says, “C is considered a good grade at the Academy.” 

High standards, much?! Well it does kind of state that too. I swear, it’s kind of impossible to get anything higher than an A- at Academy, unless you’re like a GOD or something. 

A- will do. Nothing lower than a B, please. I’d like to keep my GPA where it is, a little higher would be great too. 

Wow. I sound like a total nerd. 

To Drink and Be Merry.

Two weekends ago, at the Foster City Arts and Wine Festival. Thank you kind man, munching on a sandwich, we asked to take this picture.

"Boy, does Foster City know how to throw a party!"- Ally Ibrahim

Silver Bells

FROM HELLOVINETTE.TUMBLR.COM

So I mashed together all of my blogs, or reblogs, just for blogspot. It keeps it more diary/scrapbook-like, which is what I was going for on here. I love you Tumblr, but you're just too much sometimes. 

P.S I left Shantelle's blog (90daysofsummer.tumblr.com) comments on their as well. 

Seeing that Shantelle documented the weekend a little better than I did, I’ll let her take it away with my next few reblogs. 

90daysofsummer:

DAY018.5: SILVER ANNIVERSARY. The celebrants.

Congratulations to my Auntie and Uncle on celebrating 25 years together!

------------------------------

Apparently, I have a lazy eye. 

90daysofsummer:

DAY018.6: SILVER ANNIVERSARY. A picture not taken by me, because I’m obviously in it.

Taken by my dad. Meet my roomies.

-------------------------------------------

(Click through for the picture.) 

90daysofsummer:

DAY018.10&018.11: SILVER ANNIVERSARY. A glimpse into my childhood.

When I was a kid, these are the other kids I would play with at family parties and what have you. Except now we’re all grown up. It was great to see them all again! :) If I find the pictures of us as kids, I’ll post it. Time is flying, people.

-----------------------------------------------

That’s my Lola raising the roof. She pretty much put everyone else’s dance moves to shame. 

90daysofsummer:

DAY018.8: SILVER ANNIVERSARY. The Reception.

My Uncle Joe and Auntie Oning <3

------------------------------------------------------

Told you so. No offense. (See previous). 

90daysofsummer:

DAY018.9: SILVER ANNIVERSARY. The Reception.

Everybody do the twist!

HIGHLIGHTS:  
- The priest stops for like 5 mins, in the middle of mass, and then starts again at a random point.
-"Awesome!"
-Gin and tonic. Double.
-"I just don't think you understand..." how to do the Achy Breaky Heart, that is.
-"That's not my sister. That's my mom." Ehh, don't you hate it when that happens?

BTS:THE TRAFFIC GODS

FROM: HELLOVINETTE.TUMBLR.COM



A few weeks ago, I got the chance to take a camera (courtesy of MotionScope Studies) and help document the making of ” The Traffic Gods.”
“The Traffic Gods,” is a short film, created for the Ford Fiesta Movement Challenge, by my friend and director, Patricio Ginelsa of Kid Heroes Productions.
This is just a BTS video, but the short film, ” The Traffic Gods,” will be premiering June 3rd at San Francisco’s Metreon. For more information on attending the premier please visit: http://www.fiestamovement2.com/san-francisco/team-profile/team-sf/
I would love to see you guys there in support of Pat, his crew and Team San Francisco, of the Ford Fiesta Movement!

MAKER FAIRE 2010

I spent most of last Saturday at the Maker Faire in San Mateo learning how to do really nerdy things such as hacking computers, learning how to make a diet coke and mentos symphony (from the Youtube guys themselves), and learning how Tesla coils work (from Mythbusters, Adam Savage). Incredible!!!

Hightlights:
-Lots of burners (as in Burning Man attendees) and their art
-Cupcake cars!!
-Ok Go
-Free things!
-This conversation:

LADY:Would you like to learn to solder today? It's only $1. 
ME:No thanks. I don't really feel like soldering right now. 
LADY:Oh, you solder?!? 
ME:Well... 
LADY:(Cuts me off and speaks, for like 10 minutes, about things that are completely over my head.) 
ME:Thank you.


Pictures on the way!! 

Expression-COM103

My piques could be better….if I practiced more, and had elastic and ribbons on my pointe shoes. I think I spent more time actually searching for my pointe shoes than filming/editing this thing! 

How I Spend My Time These Days...

I really can't believe this entertained me for a good 10 minutes earlier today. What has my life come to?!?!? 6.33 out of 10? I guess above average, even just a little, is alright with me. 

Countdown.

29 more days! CAN’T. WAIT.


Note: Groups E, F, G, and H left out. 

Off To Neverland...

FROM HELLOVINETTE.TUMBLR.COM

I was so busy last week, I forgot to mention I had the chance to attend opening night of Peter Pan and boy, was it amazing!

If you live in SAN FRANCISCO, this IS SOMETHING YOU SHOULD SEE!

4/24/10-5/3/10

FROM HELLOVINETTE.TUMBLR.COM

Dear Tumblr/Blogspot,

Sorry I’ve been MIA lately. It’s National Dance Week! ODC Dance Commons, Alonzo King Lines Ballet, Cassand Ballet and San Francisco Youth Ballet Academy get me this week!

Go take a free dance class!!

Vinette

P.S Finals are coming up. So I probably won’t see you for a bit! Life.

JAV

FROM HELLOVINETTE.TUMBLR.COM

It really just sank in today that Julius has left for the Air Force.

Thanks for believing in me when I couldn’t even believe in myself. Be safe, dude! See you soon!

JAV= Julius, Ally, Vinette

JAV - Julius (Air Force) - Ally (Kenya) = Just Vinette = Lame.

Burning Borders-Telephone (Chat #2)

Vinette: I'm at Eve with John and my friend from Arizona. Come join us?!

Stefon: That's hella far. Meet halfway.

Vinette: Right at the borderline.

Stefon: Who the hell do you think you are? Fergie?!

Vinette: That's not the next line of the song. I don't think I really desire being Fergie either.

I'm sure no one finds this funny, but I got a real enjoyment out of it.

YOUR Saturday Night

FROM HELLOVINETTE.TUMBLR.COM

If you are in the Phoenix/Tempe area of Arizona, THIS SHOULD BE YOUR MAIN CONCERN TONIGHT!

Wish I could make it, but I'm stuck in California!

MISS YOU ASU PASA!

Pleased To Meet You, Mega Millions!

For some reason, I find this video ridiculously cute!

Made by my friend, Eric Mulvin for the Arizona Lottery.

Welcome to Arizona, Mega Millions!

P.S This video made me miss Arizona more that I already do!

Burning Borders

Two conversations I had last week, that kind of rocked my world.

From HELLOVINETTE.TUMBLR.COM

#1

Conversation on AIM with a buddy from Arizona, who recently attended a MUSE concert.
VINETTE:Do you go to alot of concerts?
MATEO:Oh yea, I love concerts
MATEO:Small or big
MATEO:LOVE LIVE MUSIC
VINETTE:That's beautiful.

#2

Meet Carlos, one of my closest friends! We'll be going to the Philippines this December.

CARLOS:I can't wait for the Philippines. Do you know what paysal is?
VINETTE:You mean like paysal- paysal? Like to walk around and stroll and shop?
CARLOS:hahahaha yeah, that's my favorite tagalog word. Why do they have to say it twice? "Let's go paysal paysal!"

HOT DOG ON A FIXED

FROM HELLOVINETTE.TUMBLR.COM

I spent a very good part of yesterday hustling lemonade for Fog City Transit. It felt like we were in the 1960s again, or down south, in the country. Scratch that, I wouldn’t know. Anyway, this lively bunch (Carlo Baysa and Jon Zamora) will be out, once again, selling lemonade for just $1! So if you’re passing through the Gellert area of Daly City, come by and quench your thirst!!!

Hot dogs and other refreshments, coming soon, hopefully!

P.S. I’ll never escape the lemonade! At least uniforms aren’t required for this job!

Note To Self #8

(Something I wrote for myself, last week, but never intended to post. I need that extra bit of inspration today.)

When you go to a school like Academy of Art University, or any school for the matter, you meet some of the most interesting people. For example, today I met a young man at Academy studying New Media. Yeah, not that interesting. He was just like every other student but then he began to tell me this amazing story about how his mom sold a family heirloom, a ring to be exact, in order to buy her son a computer and put him through art school. I told him he was super lucky to have a parent that believed in him. A parent who recognized his talent. The way most parents should be. I have that too! It was just a longer process. And of course, when your mother does something like that, YOU HAVE TO SUCCEED!

But on a serious note, it’s really people like him who make me realize how lucky I am to be at a school like this. As well as realize how incredibly lucky I am to have a family that let’s me follow what I believe in.

Best of luck to you, dude! And everyone else at Academy!