Top 20 Favesies While in College

20) Witnessing a man in a gorilla suit breakdancing on campus
19) Witnessing a guy completely covered in Post-Its walk into the library, look around, and walk back out
18) Free stuff/student discounts. 'Nuff said.
17) Students events (T-Pain concert, Dawgs After Dark, etc.)
16) Dining Hall!
15) Getting lost as a freshman, shamelessly busting out with my campus map, during the first week of school.
14) Exploring Athens, although I wish I could have taken more advantage of the small town
13) Going to the shooting range with Paulina and Grace
12) Winning a free Wii
11) Radiohead Concert
10) Impromptu trip to New York with Grace
9) Learning how to tap dance
8) Having no valid reasons for throwing themed parties
7) Georgia Gameday (I'm probably going to miss this the most!)
6) Skydiving
5) NBC Internship
4) Mission trip to Ethiopia+Kenya
3) Cannes Study Abroad
2) Enjoying a sizable amount of independence
1) Having minimal responsibilities while living with my best friends...those memories will be forever cherished

I'll miss UGA. GO DAWGS!

I am who I am because of you.

Last Friday, I graduated from the University of Georgia. From college. This isn't supposed to be happening right now. This is only supposed to happen when I'm an adult... wait. How did I become an adult all of a sudden?! I am 21 years old. I now hold 2 bachelor's degrees. Yet with fear of the unknown sagging my brain and zapping all of the optimism of obtaining my dream job, I cannot say that I am happy that I am done with college. I cannot say that I am proud of my accomplishments thus far. I cannot even say that I am excited to start a brand new chapter in my life. All I can say is that I am completely and utterly terrified.

I am entering the work force during one of the worst economic times in American history. I have been applying to countless jobs since October, yet I have not heard back from any one of them. Not a single one. I really don't know what the future holds for me, except that reality is eagerly waiting to bitch-slap me with responsibilities that I'm too scared to handle. All my life I have been fortunate enough to have two extremely loving, supportive parents who made it their life goal to provide me the life that they could never have. Now that I am flying away from my comfortable nest that they have built for my sisters and me, I don't want to leave. Not just yet.

But I have made the decision to live in Los Angeles to pursue my dreams. During the summer of my senior year in high school, I visited California for the first time to intern for my cousin and her lingerie line. It was love at first sight; I knew from that point on that I wanted to live in California. I didn't even know what I wanted to do in California. All I knew is that I wanted to live there, and I was going to do everything in my willpower to make that happen. Well, attending the University of Georgia was free, so attending college in California was out of the question. Fast forward 3.5 years later, and I am packing my entire life and shipping it across the country. Now that it is really happening, I can't believe that my dream is coming true.

However, when I really think about it, I realize that I did not make this dream come true. In fact, I am not even fully responsible for my own destiny. Actually, it is from the support of my loved ones that I am able to do anything. It is from the late-night chats about life with my girlfriends that cemented my determination to move to California. It is from my classmates and professors that molded me into a future PR professional fully equipped with the skills I need to have a successful career. It is from my awesome cousin who is hiring me to work for her until I can bag that dream job so I am not completely hopeless and penniless. It is from my sister and brother-in-law who graciously invited me to live with them in Pasadena as I piece my life together. It is from former bosses who took a chance on me and challenged me to accomplish everything that I said I would as an intern. It is from my parents who supported me through every major change, prayed for me through every single exam, praised me for my grades, encouraged me when I felt I was going to have a mental breakdown. Throughout my 3.5 years in college, I have come to realize that support is an unspoken human necessity that never receives enough credit. It is impossible to do anything without support from loved ones. You can be the most determined person, but without external support, it is so easy to get tired, discouraged, and lonely. It is true that you should be motivated to do what YOU want to do, but having support from people makes your goals worth fighting for because you have people rooting for you. I have nothing to work for without my family and friends because each person has contributed to the person I am today. I truly am nothing without my family and friends, and I feel like the luckiest person for having such an unwavering support system. I can only hope that I am a supportive friend, cousin, sister, and daughter for my loved ones.

On January 9, I am moving on to a brand new life. Am I scared? Absolutely. But I have the support from my family and friends. With that, I know I'm not alone. And with that comfort, I know I'll be just fine.

Thank you.

There are no words to say at this moment. Just love.

me likesies

random thangs i like.

-driving a big car. i love my cleveland.

-painting my nails a different color every week. true story.

-cinnamon sugar

-a good-fitting pair of jeans

-vegging out

-having "Friends" on in the background while I do other stuff

-orange mango juice

-warm hues

-reading my football book

-my 7 roommates

-spicy pad thai with tofu

-drinking drinks out of a mason jar

-southern culture

-my macbook pro

-baking

-warm weather. i do not care for snow.

-travel. i crave adventure and new places.

My Top 10 Celebrity Crushes

Chosen and ranked by a combination of the following categories: respect demanded and received from society, perceived personality, work ethic, passion for his craft, charisma+swagga, premium carrier of his Man Card but still appreciates/respects women, all-around Bad Ass. Subject to change.

10. Matt Damon
9. Clive Owen + Peter Sarsgaard (tie)
8. Matthew Bellamy
7. David Beckham
6. Jay-Z
5. James Franco
4. Johnny Depp
3. Michael Turner (I want to marry him)
2. Thom Yorke
1. Denzel Washington. My #1, forever and for always.

wishful thinking

I wish... I could visit outer space.
I wish... I could have been on the USC drumline that performed with Radiohead at the Grammys.
I wish... I could be a yoga instructor so I could actually practice yoga every day.
I wish... I could be a Manning brother.
I wish... I could see a Falcons Superbowl in my lifetime.
I wish... I could relive Summer 2009. Best summer of my life.

mystery solved

I have been on Thanksgiving break for a week now, and I've noticed that I have lost some weight during this time. I couldn't figure out how and why I could possibly be losing weight during the most gluttonous holiday of the year. I'm not even working out, let alone watching what I eat.
It finally dawned on me. For every single day of break, I have been sleeping at 2am~3am and sleeping in until 2pm~4pm, which leaves room to eat only one meal per day. HA! Oh, laziness.

I'm thankful for

Family

my sister

my bestie

my sister-in-law

my wonderful roomies

my wonderful adventures that i was more than blessed to have..21 has been the best year of my very short life thus far. Cheers to many more adventures to come.

cougar status

don't judge me!

Let go

As human beings, why are we so crippled by fear of losing a person that is clearly not meant to be with you?

Attachment is a dangerous thing, especially when it involves people. I never really understood why it was so hard to let go of a person. The hope of a new day, I understand. But the hope of a better day? Unrealistic. When it comes to dysfunctional relationships, the notion that breaking up is impossible because one is too attached to the other person...is juvenile, in my opinion. To me, it signifies that you're completely blinded by your own selfish motives, your own needs, your own desires, your emotions. You don't want to let go of that person because you're scared of the mere thought of being alone. You're terrified of the heartache, the tears, the emptiness. You're embarrassed that you failed at another relationship. You're afraid that this person may be "the one." You're jealous that the other person will move on faster than you. It's always about you.

Now, I'm not trying to be completely insensitive here. It's probably just my jaded side preaching because I am completely aware of how difficult it is to let go of a person who you were completely and deliciously in love with. And I am perfectly aware of how emotions can screw with logic and reason. But as I step away from my irrational feelings and observe life floating above myself, I cannot help but want to kick myself in the ass. How could I have been so foolish? When you're in the moment, deciding if it's the right decision to let go of a person, I understand that it's hard. It is so hard.

But. When it really comes down to it, I realize that I was completely incapable of making these decisions myself in the past. I was too wrapped up in the hope for a better day, for the changes that were never going to happen, for the path that was never going to be shared with another person. After going through a traumatic emotional experience, it has dawned on me that emotionally-charged gut instincts are usually wrong. Of course you want to make the relationship work, no matter how much in shambles it is. It could be beyond repair, like shattered glass, yet there you are, picking up each shard with bloodied fingers and a battered heart full of hope and desperation. Now I know better not to pick up pieces of broken glass; it is much softer to pick up pieces of a broken heart.

When the final blow is finally done and the dust settles, it's time to move on. But here is where I believe many people ultimately find their doom in intense attachment. The way you approach the moving on period is critical in how successful you are in completely letting go of a person. To me, the best and only way to approach this is complete detachment. Cutting the person out of your daily life. Of course you're going to think about the person occasionally, but does this really mean that you have to call the person the moment you think of them? No. It means you delete his/her number, email address, screen name, facebook, WHATEVER. CUT THEM OUT. I know it sounds harsh, but human beings are capable of this type of strength, I know this for a fact. Even though we are weak in the knees at the sight of love, we can truly surprise ourselves at how strong we can be when our bodies have been completely hollowed out by heartbreak. Alas, we are too scared to be strong.

Now, this "just-friends" option. Nope, doesn't work, at least in the first year of the break-up. Look at it this way. You are completely vulnerable, broken, and yearning for that person, or really, any other person that will fill that void. Continuing contact immediately after a break-up is just asking for a second chance at an inevitable failed attempt... there hasn't even been enough time for a person to change! It just picking at the scab, never giving it a chance to fully heal. Why would you even expect that the second go-round will be everything you wanted, and more? Getting back together is just asking for another break-up because you haven't truly gotten down to the basic reason as to why you broke up: he/she is not meant to be with you. You are not meant to be with him/her. Unless you can truly work out the reason and make a substantial CHANGE, then there is a chance. Unless you are ready and willing to completely TRUST the other person...and know that this relationship will not be anything like the first one. Hell, it shouldn't be because that relationship ended in a bust. Stop wishing for the good ole days because that is in the past. But this is where people have this silly expectation that it will be just like the good times...and are fiercely disappointed when that is certainly not the case. If there is one thing I've learned from my short list of experiences, it's this: MEN RARELY CHANGE. WOMEN RARELY FORGET (and forgive). It's just a recipe for disaster.

But come on. Why do we waste our times pining for the fairy tale ending with the beast instead of the prince? Why do we waste our time with someone who makes you habitually unhappy?

Why do we force love? Why do we rush love? Why do we hope for something that is not going to happen? Life is too damn short to be with someone that you're not supposed to be with. Life is too damn short to be unhappy and confused with a person. I don't believe in grossly dysfunctional attachments anymore. I don't believe in investing time and effort on a person that is not going to reciprocate the same amount of time and effort. I don't believe in giving second chances to cycles. Because when you do finally find that someone who you are meant to be with, you'll look back and wonder why the hell you wasted your time blubbering over what's-his-name. And that is the silver lining that I can believe in.

wahh. i need to start working out again.

Monte Carlo, Monaco [July 2009]

How can one city be so beautiful?

let the memory-capturing begin.

I finally got my hands on a lomo camera! It's a vintage-y, brown and cream toy camera with a fisheye lens. I've always wanted to experiment with a lomo camera, but it was always a bit pricey. But on a random shopping trip to Urban Outfitters, I was pleased to discover that cameras were on sale; I got a $50 camera for $10!! What a deal! It takes 35mm film, and it felt so odd manually inserting film into a camera-I'm so used to the point and shoot digital cameras! I'm also getting used to the fact that there is no instant gratification- I have to wait to see how the pictures develop! How spoiled have we become :)

I'll be using this camera instead of my other camera for my year-long project ("365 Things I Am Thankful For"). So far I've been taking really random pictures, but I'm so excited/curious to see how they look like with the fisheye look!

inspiration

Demanding classes, exams, fruitless research, job hunting in an economic recession+all-time high unemployment rates, graduation in less than two months, starting life in the "real world," having no idea what the future brings... in times like these, it is crucial to remember one thing, and one thing only: Just breathe.

It's amazing how a win can automatically make the upcoming week a good one. The week hasn't even happened yet, but I already know it's going to be good.

A huge win for the Falcons! I'm so proud of my team!

TD? Check. Pink gloves? Check.

my new resolution

I know it's not New Year's yet, but...

I came across a design blog by this amazingly creative photographer. For every single day of the year, she took one picture that captured anything that she was thankful for, amounting in 365 of the coolest (heartfelt) pictures. I think this is a great idea, especially since I want to capture moments during my final days of undergrad and starting a brand new life in L.A. So I've decided to conduct the same project, except I won't be using my digital camera. I'll be using my family's Samsung Maxima Zoom 900 camera that we used circa 1996. Found this ole brick while rummaging through drawers at home. I've just gotta buy some batteries and film (haha!!), and I'll be set.

sometimes i miss it so much...my heart hurts

makes me happy

glasses-shaped usb. HA!

Life Lessons with Angela

I'd like to think that as a society, we are blessed with such advanced technology (given that we have access to it) that makes life a little easier to live. We have devices that washes our dishes for us; we have devices that allows us to communicate with loved one halfway across the world; we have devices that tells everyone exactly where you are and what you are doing. We also have the Internet, the vast electronic world chalked filled with endless creative possibilities where people like to air out dirty laundry and excruciatingly share every single piece of mundane information about their personal lives. Hey, I'm guilty of such claims so I have no place to judge. I'm typing out my thoughts on a blog, for cryin' out loud. The issue I cannot seem to wrap my head around lies within the means of how people go about handling their love lives on the Internet.

Now. When you read that last sentence, it just sounds plain silly. Why would anyone in their right mind think it is okay, appropriate even, to broadcast such emotionally-charged words onto a public forum that THE ENTIRE WORLD CAN SEE? Now, I am not saying that it is morally inappropriate for these people to do such things, I'm saying that it is inappropriate in the sense that frankly, no one really wants to see it, and no one cares. The part where people pay attention comes in when people continue to bombard these social media sites with such contrived "interactions" of "feelings" for one another, when in reality it's a front for the relationship's insecurities that attempt to mask the crumbling of their coupledom. I never really understood why people felt so compelled to let the world know that they are dating/marrying someone through an electronic outlet (the ever shudder-inducing "Facebook Official" makes me want to gouge out my eyeballs). I understand that people want to let their loved ones know the great news. But is it really necessary to post every picture, every fleeting sentiment, every saccharine-sickening comment where everyone can see? Isn't that just inviting the world to catch a peek (for some, catching a live show) on something that should be private, sacred? Isn't this just setting yourself up for embarrassment when you have to somehow erase these things from forums and people's memories when you break up?

I admit, these past several months have transformed any rainbows-in-the-sky hopes and emotions I may have had into concrete gargoyles of logical thinking; the very idea of romance and happily-ever-afters mean nothing to me now. I actually think it's bullshit. But I have learned that human relationships are precious, and they are meant to be private between the two people who are in it together. They are not meant to be on display in an electronic fishbowl of scrutiny where everyone knows when you have broken up with someone and then gotten back together with them by the change in their Facebook status.

Maybe I'm just being insensitive. Or maybe people are just that dumb.

It's just one of those days...

I don't know if it's the incessant amount of rain, or the daunting task of job-hunting that looms ahead, or a certain group of douchebags, or even the Dawgs losing on Saturday... but I feel blue. It's just one of those bizarre funks that come and go whenever they please. You never know when it hits you, but the moment you realize that you're in the funk, it's difficult to think about anything, really. I know I'll be fine once I emerge from the fog, but in the meantime, all I really want to do is nothing. I'm not depressed, I'm not sad, I'm just...indifferent towards everything. So please forgive me if I'm not myself. I swear it will pass.

Bulls on Parade

I feel like ranting. I just want to list things I do not like:

-rotten, sewage smells

-people with no noonchee.

-stomachaches

-group projects

-copycats (stop biting my style)

-fairweather/bandwagon fans

-politics

-altar calls

Ok, I'm done being a brat.

Where is time going?!

Graduation is in less than 3 months! eep!

So long, sweet summer

I have officially completed my first week of SENIOR YEAR! Although I am slowly making my way into the daily routine of classes, bus schedules and partying, I still cannot shake off the memorable summer that I was far too fortunate to experience. The past few months culminated into the best time of my life, and I'll never forget the times I had in Cannes and L.A. Since this blog was born as an outlet for my adventures, I really don't know what I'm going to post from now on. I guess I could talk about how terrified I am to graduate, job hunt and leave behind the best three and a half years of not giving a fuck about responsibilities. Sound like a plan? :)

Here's to the best semester yet!

Love.

Got a new MacBook Pro. I'm in love.

so...lazy

Good thing I don't get paid to maintain a blog.

"It has two giant cups!!....That's what she said."

I don't really know where to begin with this ole yarn. But it's a doozy.

Today is Friday, July 31, 2009. Also known as one of the best days of my life.

Throughout the duration of my internship, I have always wanted to visit the set of a television show. I finally get my chance when Joanne graciously allows me to visit "The Office" set while they tape the season premiere episode and film EPK's (electronic press kits). Holy crap. I'm so excited I can barely fall asleep the night before. I am fully aware of the fact that I need to play it cool and contain myself when I meet the Hollywood love of my life, John Krasinski. But that doesn't deter me from waking up extra early this morning to put a little more effort into my appearance.

Joanne drives us (me+Ryan) to the set, about ten minutes away from our own office. I have no idea where we are, but as we pull into the parking lot, I'm suddenly aware that we are in *THE* parking lot. I see reserved parking signs for "Michael Scott" and "Kevin Malone." The Dunder Mifflin logo is planted everywhere in sight. We run into some security guards who are suspicious enough to grill us of our intentions on sight. The security is TIGHT on set, and trespassers will not be tolerated. Joanne sets the guards straight with her authority as she is the press manager for the show, and we march right into *THE* warehouse. It looks like an ordinary warehouse with towers of office supplies boxes reaching toward the ceiling, but as we continue to walk, I recognize the props, the staircase, the knick-knacks here and there that make silent appearances in the background in every warehouse scene.

We walk on over to the building, *THE* office. I see the vending machine, Jim's desk, the reception area, everything. The space is pretty small and cramped but somehow the cast and crew fit in there perfectly. It is completely silent on set since they are filming. After ten or so takes of each scene, it's finally lunchtime.

So rumor has it that "The Office" has one of the best (if not *THE* best) craft services in show business. Well, that rumor is pretty freakin' true. They served NY Sirloin steaks, garlic chicken and they even have a full pasta bar. The best part is the dessert table, where they had fruit, cinnamon cake, the most delicious pumpkin pie in the entire world, and PIZOOKIE! I ate like a king.

Time for EPK interviews. One by one, each talent gives a brief interview on what's to come for the next episode, in this case, the season premiere. Joanne introduces me to each cast member. The entire cast couldn't be nicer. I meet Angela Kinsey first, who is smiley and chatty unlike her icy character on the show. She's hilarious. I find out that Brian Baumgartner (Kevin) and Ed Helms (Andy) are both from Atlanta (they attended Westminster High School!). Ed talks about "The Hangover" for a little bit, and starts talking to Ryan and me about our internship. Phyllis Smith is the warmest, sweetest woman. I have no idea she started out in show business in casting. Kate Flannery is enthusiastic, full of energy. Super nice. I'm pretty excited to see STANLEY (my fave) and am extra happy when he turns out to be a really cool guy. Oscar, Creed and Ellie are also really friendly.

Now onto the Big 5. Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fisher, and BJ Novak. Sadly, I really don't have much to say about them because they're too "busy" to do EPK's (Jenna was the only one who did it....albeit hesitantly). Steve wasn't there because he had finished his scenes, Rainn straight up refused to do an interview and was standoffish the entire time, and BJ was busy writing. It was BJ's birthday. I ate some of his delicious birthday cake from Porto's.

John. Oh, John. I really shouldn't say what I really want to say about my experience with him because it would be quite unfortunate for my opinions to jeopardize my potential future relationship with NBC. Mind you, I was preparing to confess my love to him today. I want to tell him how brilliant "Brief Interviews with Hideous Men" is. I want to tell him that I'll ignore the fact that he made that movie with Mandy Moore.

Turns out... he's got the classic case of the Hollywood disease taking over an unsuspecting fella. Eh, happens to the best of them. I was disappointed, but not surprised. I will say this: he is very. very. very. beautiful in the flesh, ladies. And gents. And that is all I can really say.

The day ends early at 4:30pm, which is unheard of with EPK's and the sheer size of this cast. But this show also happens to have one of the best production crews in television, and they get the job done. I catch my last glimpse of Dunder Mifflin as we drive away from the parking lot... and attempt to mentally digest what happened today, as well as physically digest the feast I had. Today was awesome.

I need to find out that pumpkin pie recipe.

Life moves too fast. I wish I could slow it down.

I've been at NBC for about 6 weeks now. Insane!! Even though I'm getting the gist of the office life at NBC Publicity, I still feel like I've only been interning for a couple of days. Each day is different than the previous one, whether it be good or bad. I'm usually exhausted, but I'm happy. I can only hope I can find a job like this after I graduate because there ain't no goin' back to undergrad (freaks out).

As a summer intern, I am fully aware of my too-short time period as an official NBC employee. As a result, I have been utilizing my wild opportunity to speak to the publicists, hear their stories, receive nuggets of wisdom. The common theme among each story seems to be pure luck: being at the right place at the right time. Since NBC is on a hiring freeze at the moment (and probably will be for a while) I really don't know how good my chances are of receiving a job offer in December (when I graduate). Everyone has been telling me to stay one more semester at UGA (one publicist told me to fail a class just to stay) but I really don't have anymore classes to take, and I am pretty ready to leave Georgia. Even though I love the South and it will always be my home, it's time to move on. I'm going to apply for the NBC page program and see how that goes. All I know is that I have been exposed to the working world in entertainment, and I like what I see. 

A couple of weeks ago, I got to attend a live taping of "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien." I take Phil as my +1, as he is the biggest Conando fan I know. We start the day off right by eating lunch at Porto's (YUM) then head off to the studio lot to take an unofficial tour. The lot is pretty ginormous, just a bunch of buildings with sets in them that are collecting dust until the summer hiatus is over. After standing in the VIP queue for an hour (yes, we are that excited), we are escorted to the set, seated 4 rows behind Andy Richter's podium. The set is smaller than what you would imagine since they blow everything up on television, but man, that set is gorgeous. Lights EVERYWHERE. Everything is new, fresh, clean, sparkling. Music is blaring The Ting Tings, The Killers, etc. through the speakers crisply; the speaker quality makes the music sound 10x better. The anticipation is killing Phil and me. We just wanna see ConeBone69 do his thang. 

An amateur comedian comes out to warm up the crowd. He goes through standard rules: no random shouting during quiet moments, applaud when the 'Applaud' light comes on, etc. He's not really funny, but he manages to squeeze out a few nervous chuckles from the audience members who were, unfortunately, innocent targets of his hackneyed jokes. He's a good sport, though, and he sets the stage for the band.

The Tonight Show band takes their place and starts playing rowdy swing music to pump up the already enthusiastic crowd. La Bamba and the trumpet player blare their horns into the crowd as they walk through the aisles. People are clapping, smiling, enjoying the music. The energy just keeps building and building; by the time the band ends their pre-routine, it is clear that if the Conan doesn't come out soon, the entire building is going to explode with the palpable excitement in the room.

Suddenly, Andy starts to announce the intro. Guests: Samuel L. Jackson, Kevin Connolly and musical guest, Andrew Bird. Now: Conan O'Briiiiiien!

The crowd goes nuts. Standing and cheering, I never thought I'd be so star-struck by a pale, 6'4" redhead. Mr. O'Brien just has that quality of a Harvard-educated man who will have a beer with you. And he happens to be so hilarious that he makes my cheeks hurt after a ten minute monologue. The entire show is like a dream, a dream where you step inside your television and experience the magic of live action. It was just awesome being there, watching the host of the Tonight Show making people happy by making them laugh their asses off. We loved every second of it.

After the show, Phil and I drive up to City Walk, where we explore all of the novelty shops and food places next to Universal Studios. We eat dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe and wash our meal down with Cinnabon. Healthy? No. Awesome? Yes. Quite a day. 

My #1 goal in life: work on "The Tonight Show."

I'm sorry I've neglected you, blog. I promise I'll write a long entry soon. 

Regards,

A. Yang

I now fully understand the meaning of the cliche phrase "What happens in Vegas..."

So I'm extremely behind in my must-see movie viewing/must-read book reading. I finally watched "Moulin Rouge" (Yeah I know...) and "Frost/Nixon." Loved both for different reasons, but I loved the cinematography in both. Beautiful shots in both beautifully made films. I generally find Ron Howard's work entertaining, and Baz Luhrmann....well he can do no wrong in my eyes...but I've yet to see his latest "Australia," which was totally panned. Next on my list: read "Slaughterhouse V" and watch "Milk."

"Nine to five, what a way to make a livin'..."

Phew.
Tomorrow's FRIDAY! What a relief. I appreciate the weekends so much more now. Don't get me wrong, I love what I get to do at NBC. But good lordy, workin' from nine to five (six), Monday-Friday is quite the reality bitch-slap for a college student who goes to class Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to three.
Us interns finally received our assignments to publicists. I'm working under two: Meredith and Jamie, both of whom I respect and admire greatly. They are also some of the most entertaining people I've ever met. I personally enjoy Jamie's rousing renditions of Robin Thicke and Britney Spears songs. Meredith is away on a Maui vacation (totally jeal) but Jamie is on full-speed since his show just premiered this week on NBC. Tons of press, tons of work to be done, tons of phone calls. I feel for his coordinator, Lindsay, who juggles and irons out all the details.
Well. This morning Lindsay was feeling miserable so she went home early (by early, I mean 11AM). The intern who is assigned to Lindsay was enjoying her day off. Since I'm assigned to Jamie, Lindsay's boss, I had the honor of filling in for Lindsay. My palms (ass) starts to sweat. I can do this, I can do this, I repeat to myself. It won't be that bad. Oh, who are you trying to kid? You're going to screw this up! Uh oh.
Thankfully, Lindsay had already handed off the major assignments to another coordinator for the day. My job consisted of answering phone calls for three publicists, one of whom is the vice-president of alternative (aka reality shows..."America's Got Talent," for example) and daytime programming. Doesn't seem so difficult, right? Well, considering that I haven't gotten the NBC phone system down quite yet, I was terrified out of my mind that I was going to a) accidentally hang up on someone, b) miss a very important call during my bathroom break or c) mess up a message from a bitch named Nelly who, according to her high and mighty opinion, is a person I should know because she is THAT important. Pfft.
Point is, I didn't make any glaring errors (phew!), and I made it throughout the entire day without getting verbally mauled by extremely important people whose extremely important daily tasks piggyback on my minute, monotonous daily tasks. My incompetence most likely annoyed the hell out of the publicists. But they should know better. I'm just a lowly intern, right? :)

RIP

What an unbelievable loss.
Death is an inevitable part of the human cycle. We are all fragile beings living a mortal life. Our actions may be questionable, intolerable or just plain unacceptable but that doesn't make us any less human. We are all in this journey together as citizens of the earth, and despite all of our flaws, we are imperfect souls created for a reason. This reason, I personally am unsure of.

But today an extraordinary man died in the wake of his worldwide tour that was to be the beginning of the end of his performing career. He was a media darling in his bright, young years despite his horrific upbringing, but he was slaughtered for his radical lifestyle changes by the same source that catapulted him into the scary world of celebrity. His commitment to privacy only egged on the monster/weirdo persona. We may never know the truth about Michael Jackson, but one thing is for sure: his showmanship, his undeniable charisma, his musical ingenuity, his innovative dance moves, his iconic status, his everlasting legacy...will never be forgotten. He may have been "Wacko Jacko" to many, but to me, he will always be the reigning King of Pop. And I will always remember him that way.

Do what moves you.

"The more you know..."

It’s my second full week here at NBC, and I’ve already learned so much about the entertainment industry. I’ve also learned a lot about life (cue the music…gag me). But I won’t get into the nitty gritty about my cheesy revelations a la Full House and Danny Tanner’s heart-to-hearts. I must say though, even though these lessons are clichés that have been beaten to death in my head, I fully realized why they are clichés in the first place: they’re true. Here’s what I’ve learned thus far:

-A smile goes a long way. A very long way.

-It’s not who you know. It’s what they know about you.

-Co-workers can really affect your daily work life, positively and negatively.

-Lunch breaks are great if you have time for them

-I’m at this job from 9AM-6PM, Monday through Friday. It’s not always fun and exciting, but I love what I get to do. With that said, I don’t know how on earth people survive working at a 9-5 job that they hate for the past 10-15 years. Do what you love, people!!

-Getting lost in a city is the best way to learn it. I got lost in Hollywood tonight, and I swear I can tell you all of its street names and intersections.

-LA traffic really does happen for no reason.

-Being a girl has its perks. There is a male crossing guard (I’ve yet to find out his name…that will be tomorrow’s task) who stands between the parking garage and the gate, directing cars into the lot and motioning people to cross the street. He is a tall, talkative Italian man who loves to give high-fives to walkers and demands that ladies walk in front of gentlemen. “Hey, hey now! Ladies first! Gentlemen, let the ladies walk in front of you!” he shouts every time a man is a step in front of a woman. He wears the same aviators, fluorescent yellow vest and bright smile every single morning when I walk to my building (“Beautiful morning, ain’t it? Have a wonderfully awesome day!”), and every single evening when I am heading back to my car (“Hope you had a great day! Have a super terrific evening!”). One morning, I was carrying two large, heavy bags to work (leftover swag from the Days shoot that I was instructed to deliver to the office) and the crossing guard could sense that I was having some trouble carrying the weight. He tells me to stop walking. He whistles with his fingers (the kind of whistle you hear at a basketball game) and out of nowhere, a man driving a golf cart appears. “Take this young lady to wherever she needs to go,” says the crossing guard. “She shouldn’t be walking with these heavy bags!” I am utterly grateful to this kind man and thank him profusely. The walk from the garage to my building is only about 10 minutes, but I am saved at least 8 minutes when I am dropped off at the front doors of my building.

This morning, I was in a rush to work after I made a longer-than-expected breakfast stop at Coffee Bean. My supervisor is laid-back and cool, and he doesn’t even notice if we walk in late because we’re in a different room than he is, so I am not extremely worried when my Hello Kitty watch reads 9:00AM sharp and I am still walking out of the parking garage. The crossing guard can sense that I’m in a hurry. “Are you early, on time, or late?” he asks. “Well, I’m going to be a little late today,” I say. Suddenly, the crossing guard claps his hands, and out of nowhere, a man driving a golf cart appears. Again! “How are you doing this?!” I exclaim. He ignores me. “Please take this beautiful lady to wherever her heart desires. Now step on it, she can’t be late!” I get into the rumbling golf cart. Smells like gasoline. “Thank you so, so much. Again!” I say. He smiles, and turns around to guide a lost car into the right gate. Conclusion: Being a girl has its perks. Even if the perk is a tad creepy.

-I learned this in Cannes, and it applies to NBCU as well. When it comes to celebrity sighting, you have to be at the right place at the right time. It all comes down the luck. If I hadn’t gotten lost finding my car in the labyrinth that is the NBCU Parking Garage 2160, I wouldn’t have been making the sharp turn down the garage at the precise moment that Andy Richter was backing out of a space, nearly T-boning into my car. After my initial shock from swerving, I looked up to snarl at the careless person who almost crashed into my car. I look into the man’s eyes. Andy Richter stares blankly back at me, then looks slightly down. Perhaps in embarrassment? Perhaps in fear of meeting my death stare? Whatever the reason was, he quickly pulled back into his space until I had cleared the way for his departure. First La Bamba, now Andy. I’m so close…as Ellen Degeneres would say, [Conan] is mine in ’09.

 

"Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives..."

I had been looking forward to this day.

Meredith, the NBC daytime coordinator, needed interns to help out at the “Days of Our Lives” promo shoot. Tasks included transporting stars in golf carts to providing lunch to everything else in between. As a “Days” fan since elementary school, I was more than excited to volunteer my services. Working at the NBCU office is fun, but it’s always exciting to have a change of scenery and escape the cubicles once in a while. After working for a couple of hours at the office, I drove about five minutes to Johnny Carson Park, a quaint park that sits on the side of the 134 freeway. It’s unfortunate that the rumbles of atrocious L.A. traffic disturb this little gem of rare greenery.

 The promo shoot is in full session. There is a photo session going on beneath the towering oak trees. There is a male actor slouching in a gray director’s chair, bored out of his mind as a mousy journalist probes him with questions about his perfect date. Actresses receive quick touch-ups from make-up artists dressed in camo and cheetah prints. Actors are strolling in the park after completing their scenes for one of the longest-running soap opera on daytime television. This particular promo shoot marks the first time in a very long time since all 28 actors have taken photos together. The studio wants promotional material to air during commercial breaks on NBC, interview clips to send to Access Hollywood and stock photos to keep on file.

 The theme of the shoot is “summer fun.” One of my tasks is to set up a volleyball net for the actors to play a flirty game of volleyball while the cameras are rolling. I am also asked to set up the picnic table props for the actors to sit at while they act as though they are at a family picnic, smiling the perfect, toothy smile for the photographers. And, for my most “intern” moment yet, I am asked to retrieve coffee for the actors who are freezing in this California “June Gloom” weather. One soy chai latte and one hot chocolate, please. Everyone else can have coffee from the java-to-go box. NBC is on a budget.

 Oh, and one more thing, says Meredith. This photo shoot is going to take all day. Some of the actors have been here since 6AM. If they look bored, go talk to them. We can’t have bored actors wandering off to find something to do. We need everyone present to make this process smooth and easy.

Most of the actors are young newcomers to the show. Fresh-faced, pin-thin, good-looking. Extraordinarily good-looking. I bite my lip when three young actors approach the craft services table that I am organizing. Here goes nothing. I stick out my hand, hold my head up high and introduce myself. Surprisingly, they are friendly and shake my hand. The cast is like a family. They exchange crude jokes, throw Frisbees at each other’s heads, nibble on the catered Greek salads from Panera. I spot Allison Sweeney, who plays the infamous Sami Brady. She’s been on the show forever. I’m way too intimidated to talk to her. But here comes Bryan Dattilo, who plays Lucas and also has been on the show forever, wearing a tight teal polo, loud-mouthed and confident. He strolls straight up to me and strikes up a conversation about his metrosexual t-shirt. He tells me it’s very Palm Beach and Wham! I laugh. He says that I’m too young to know about Wham! and asks me who is the lead singer. “George Michael, DUH!” I say. His eyes light up. “Wow. You know Wham!” We proceed to have a five-minute conversation about Wham! I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who is a shameless George Michael fan.

As I admire Peter Reckell and Kristian Alfonso from afar, I notice a man is looking for a Lemon Tea Snapple. There’s only Diet Peach Snapple. The man is John Aniston, a soap opera legend and Jennifer Aniston’s father. I help him look for a Lemon Tea Snapple, but I can’t find any that are chilled. He says the Diet Peach Snapple is fine, and starts drinking. I’m tempted to ask him about his daughter but my focus is startled when a sweet voice introduces herself to me.

“My name is Peggy McCay, what’s your name?” Holy crap. Peggy McCay, another Days legend. A soft-spoken woman with a fabulous floral pantsuit, we talk about the photo shoot and how it is such a wonderful idea to bring the entire case together. After a few polite comments about the weather, she grabs my hand and tells me it was nice meeting me, then saunters off to sit next to John Aniston at the picnic bench.

Okay. Time for the coffee run. I don’t want to piss anyone off by getting the wrong coffee order, so I grab a pen and paper to jot down the complicated beverage orders I’m bound to receive. Felicia wants a soy chai latte. Lauren wants a hot chocolate. Jay wants a café mocha. “Oh for fuck’s sake. Just get a box of coffee so we all get the same thing! Make this easier for the person who has to get it!” Who on earth is supporting the lowly gopher who has to get the coffee? It’s Nadia Bjorlin, possibly one of the sexiest women to ever grace the Earth and one of the few actors who is not only famous from Days. She is the last person I would expect to vouch for me, let alone acknowledge my presence. She looks at me with her piercing eyes and says, “Just get whatever you want. These fuckers are being too picky. Coffee is coffee, for fuck’s sake!” After the cast devours the Coffee Bean Java-to-go, Nadia comes up to me and thanks me for going out of my way to get the cast coffee. “No pr-problem,” I stammer. I think I’ve developed a girl crush.

I never knew photo shoots could be so exhausting. They usually consist of hours of waiting around for actors to show up since everyone runs on different schedules. It was a pretty cool experience observing the actors as regular people; this is just another day on the job for them. I’d like to think that this will be just another day on the job for me as well, especially since I saw La Bamba getting out of the company elevator earlier as I was leaving for the Days shoot. I could get used to this.

 

Workin for the Peacock

Arrived in LA Tuesday night. First day at NBC internship Wednesday morning. Bah.

Stomach in knots. Butterflies flapping their wings like mad. Insecurities slowly creeping up my spine, oozing into my brain, heating up my palms as they moist by the second. I bat them away with the confidence I gained in Cannes. Feeble attempts. I really do not know what to expect for my first day on the job, but all I do know is that this is a big deal for my future. This could finally be the starting point of discovering my passions and where I want to start in terms of a career. This could also be the point where I meet the love of my life, John Krasinkski. Anyway.

My wonderful cousin and cousin-in-law are all too kind and gracious to open their home to me and even let me borrow their car for the duration of my internship. For the next 8 weeks, I will be living in Glendale and working in Studio City. The two cities are only 15 minutes away from each other, but probably 45 minutes with traffic. However, the gods have looked kindly upon my situation and have allowed NO traffic whatsoever to hinder my daily commute. I can't believe how great my luck is. I wake up an hour before work and get to work on time, even with a Starbucks stop. I have to wake up two hours before class to get there on time from my apartment in Athens. It's safe to say that when things are meant to be, they're meant to be. This is gonna be good.

On my first day, I get to the NBC Universal lot waiting to gain access into the ginormous spread of the studio. Turns out my boss forgot to call security to let me in, so I'm stuck outside waiting for a miracle. I call my boss six times. Of course he's not in the office yet. I call my intern coordinator. Of course she's not in the office yet. Ten minutes pass by. I'm ten minutes late on my first day. Strange, but I don't panic. I calmly tell the security guard my situation and he lets me use the company phone. I finally get a hold of HR, and Dorothy saves my day by sending a visitor's pass my way. By the way- the NBCU security? Friendliest people in the world. I felt like I was talking to the grandfather I never had.

Third floor, publicity department. Cubicles and offices everywhere. My boss is clad in an argyle sweater. Coolest, calmest guy you'll ever meet. He apologizes for being late, but I'm the one the who needs to catch up with him. He leads me to the intern cave, where I meet my fellow interns who have been working for at least a week now. I immediately feel connected with them because they're so open, so personable. Not fake, which is what I was expecting, to be honest. They show me the ropes of the office, daily tasks, how to load the paper tray. Everything seems easy enough. The hardest part is remembering all of the publicists' names, which I furiously attempt to memorize as the last name I hear slowly fades into oblivion (I really need to work on my remembering name skills). Huge, glossy posters of former and current NBC shows cover the walls. They let me take home a "Friends" poster.

As publicity interns, our main task involves perusing through newspapers, magazines and blogs to find any mention of anything NBC-affiliated, not including the NY-based shows (SNL, 30 Rock), compile the information and send them to the publicists. The publicists are so...human. They're extremely personable, they ask me where I'm from, they remember my name, they are in a hurry but never frazzled. Everyone works well together, everyone converses as if they are family. The genial environment embraces me, and I feel present. I'm only an intern, the bottom of the food chain, yet I feel like I can belong in the hub of an entertainment giant. 

I get to attend a screening of a new pilot that NBC is going to add to their fall lineup. It's pretty good. The executives ask my opinion. Did you like it? What did you think? How can we improve it? Any suggestions? They're asking me?? Suddenly I am participating in an executive meeting. They see me as an individual who has something remotely interesting to bring to the table. This is pretty cool.

My boss tells me that there is a "Days of Our Lives" promo shoot we're going to help out with on Monday. We get to transport stars in golf carts, get their lunches, bring them for touch-ups, do anything we can to make this hectic process easier. I've never been more excited. You mean I get to see Bo and Hope in real life?! John Black?? SAMI?! The interns look at me as if I'm a suburban housewife who spends her afternoons glued to the television, deriving guilty pleasure from the dramatic, albeit outrageous, events that transpire in Salem. Hey, I actually grew up watching "Days of Our Lives" when I was in elementary school... don't judge me. I can't wait for work on Monday.

I'm an intern. I do grunt work. I love every minute of it. I've only been at the job for three days, but I can't deny the excitement, talent and passion that buzzes around the entire NBCU studios every single moment. You can just feel them wrapping their arms around you. Each person has a job to fulfill, but its all for the greater good of presenting television programs that are the products of some crazy idea one person had one day. We strive to make creativity a reality. And that's pretty darn cool. But not as cool as sneaking into the back entrance of Universal Studios.

*Oh. And one last thing. I'm superduperuper thankful for my friends who have made this intense transition easier to handle. My "dad" who drove all the way from Loma to pick me up from LAX, to the amazing Junie unni, with whom I plan on trying hole-in-the-wall LA restaurants once a week. Cheers to happy hearts and full tummies :)

I have been changed for good

Four weeks is not a very long time. But in four weeks, I have transformed into a new being, shedding my past life behind me. Sure, I look the same (except chubbier and darker), but I feel different. I think different. I can’t really put my finger on it, but deep down into the depths of my murky inner workings, an urge to change has stirred my soul to embrace the life I lead. As I move beyond one incredible experience, another incredible experience awaits me as I sit on a gray, leather chair inside Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Just two days before, I had arrived in this very airport returning from France, the location of my spiritual emancipation. The intensity of the study abroad program in which I participated has not only prepared me for my next endeavor in the entertainment industry, but it has instilled in me an unfamiliar sense of self-confidence. It’s quite a new feeling. I’m not quite comfortable with it yet, but I’m going to let it stay for a while. I’ll get to know self-confidence a bit better, and we’ll see how things go from there.

            Being at the Cannes Film Festival is being in a dream. It isn’t necessarily a dreamy, perfect state where life somehow fit perfectly together in a neat, shiny box. Cannes is a surreal playground where popular beauties receive preferential treatment, bullies in tan-colored suits reign supreme and rare, unassuming, kind-hearted souls will make your day one million times better by handing you a shiny blue ticket. Cannes is chaos. Begging for tickets is the most degrading, humiliating process anyone can endure. As I would melt in the blistering French Riviera sun, I would often ask myself what is the point in all of this. Why am I standing for two hours in three-inch heels, holding up a sign in a language I do not speak nor understand, all for a chance to walk on the famed red carpet and watch a premiere screening of a film that has found its way to deserve a slot in the most famous lineup of cinematic ingenuity? Sure, when you didn’t get a ticket for a premiere, it sucked. Especially after your body has been stripped with the stares of curious bystanders strolling the Croissette. But what it really comes down to is this. I am here in this moment. I am here, at the Cannes Film Festival, one of the oldest and most prestigious film festivals in the world. I am here. My presence is recognized and acknowledged. And I’ve got access to a world premiere screening of a film in competition. I will most likely never have this opportunity again. The vast majority of the human population will never have this opportunity. I am here, and I’m going to make the most of it.

            Of course begging for tickets was not the only thing I did in Cannes. I gained access to market screenings, but not without a little lying, cheating, stealing and killing. Okay, the only thing I did is lie. But that’s not the point. Interacting with the guards is like trying to convince them to give their firstborn child to you. And you would give them a kick in the ass in return. The aura of exclusivity surrounding the festival never misses a theater door, and the guards are well aware of their power to turn away lowly nobodies who only wanted to watch a movie. But after much convincing and cajoling (with a few fierce bats of eyelashes), I’m in. And that satisfaction of beating the system is a victory so sweet, sweeter than the gelato that I will devour after I watch my reward for my solid effort.

            I lived sans roommate in a tiny apartment in the resort town of Juan-les-pins. Never before have I felt so independent being on my own. For the first time in my life, I wasn’t calling my parents, asking them to wire me more money. I was grocery shopping and cooking for myself. I was looking out for myself. I was okay with not talking to my loved ones back at home when I felt any tinge of loneliness. I was more than okay with being alone and having time to really think about why I was here and what I was getting out of it. Eventually any sense of loneliness or homesickness was a distant memory that never entered my mind throughout the entire trip. One moment in time, I was completely on my own, in a foreign land where I had no knowledge of its native language whatsoever. And I survived. Better yet, it was just a preview of a life that I want to live: living a nomadic life as a citizen of planet Earth. As much as I love America, my brief stay in the French Riviera only fuels my craving for global adventures, and now I want more. There is just too much to see, too many places to go, and I will never be able to see everything. But I’m 21 years old. I have the rest of my life to try.

            Anyone who attends the festival for its entirety is going to develop a thicker skin. It’s inevitable. There is no way anyone can go through 3+ screenings per day, arguing and begging your way through each one without feeling absolutely burned out and jaded. But beyond the negative emerges the positive: you realize you are capable. You know the ropes of the festival, you know how it works. Suddenly, you realize your potential to pwn the challenges that may befall you (with movie guards, anyway). The world of cinema is deglamorized to a strip of burgundy fabric on a wooden plank erected only an hour before the premiere. Celebrities are human beings. Except for Robert Pattinson.

            My name is Angela Yang, and I am a survivor of the 62^nd Cannes Film Festival. 

Au revoir, loves. We'll meet again.

GOODBYE DINNER

We had our last official dinner together in our classroom (Best Western 5th floor what what!). It was so surreal to think that this could be the last moment where all 25 of us would be together. Of course the girls spent most of our time taking a ridiculous amount of pictures.It's what we do best. Then we watched the highly anticipated trailer of "Square Pants." (Coming soon to a theater near you)

Cuties! I already miss the free wine

Mimi, myself and Amy

Sarah! <3

 

With the cutest girl ever.

Me acting inappropriate. Lindsey doesn't mind.

We're awesome.

Nahall!

My sista from another mista

We ate chicken, chocolate and cantaloupe. Oh, and I can't forget about the random big ass bowl of mayonnaise. Wtf.

Then it was time for the real goodbyes. *Holding back tears*

LOVE her. LOVE Dolly.

I miss my Tessa baby!

Sarah, Tessa, me

She pulls off the flower headband so much better than I do.

Ne-yo!

AY squared. Looking our finest.

Garrett!

George! 

Luke! 3 weeks into the program we discovered that we live like 10 minutes away from each other 

Elisa <3

Mimi!

Always awkward with Brody

Catherine! My awesome dance partner at Club M :)

***(I have to do my "What I've Learned" post later)***

On my flight from Nice to NYC, the seat next to mine was empty. Relieved and happy, I was looking forward to having a whole row to myself for eight hours. Little did I know what was in store for me for the entire trip.

In the row in front of me sat an elderly American couple. At least eighty years old. The woman had a head of bouncy, cream-colored hair and a lean body frame. Her cheeks were rosy and full due to her excessive smiling. The man was slightly balding, tall and skinny with a goofy grin. They were affectionate, stealing sultry glances and nibbling on each other whenever they had a free moment. Or any moment at that. In other words, they were MAKING OUT the ENTIRE TIME. I'm not even trying to exaggerate here. 8 HOURS, PEOPLE!!!!! Their bobbing heads were blocking my view of the TV screen, so every time I tried to monitor our progress across the Atlantic, I caught a full-on view of a geriatric make-out session, tongue and everything. Ugh. Tongue.

I was so outraged that I had  to take a picture. I was outraged not because I was offended by their love. Or their passion. I was outraged because I saw many instances of actual saliva being swapped. ADJFKSL!

And for the cherry on top, I saw my favorite celeb-ho at the ATL airport: Linda Hogan and her 19-year old boyfriend.

A perfect ending to a perfect trip.