(I did this on FB after every year, iono why but i was using FB notes…haha)

Damn this has been long awaited. I’ve been doing one each year since the beginning so mine as well not stop. End it with a bang.

Definitely didn’t expect myself to go the extra semester, but it happens. If there is ONE THING i learned from being at USF, and going through all of this is that: It is okay to make mistakes.

Know that this statement does not just apply to school but a whole bunch of other things, and i see this as a good thing because i always make mistakes. I never get it right the first time. I’m always fuckin’ up, i don’t know what is going on most of the time lol. True. I know it takes a while for me to understand certain things, such and such, but i’ll eventually get it in the end. Nobody’s perfect right?

Beginning of Senior Year, til now, December 2011. I really felt that this school year for me was the biggest challenge of them all.

I joined Academy of Villains, an up and coming Hip-Hop dance group based in San Mateo, which caught so much interest, and i really wanted to pursue something very challenging, and very different from what i was used to with Filipino Folk Dancing, i wanted to move on from it. So i decided to join AOV, with AOV, I have seen a lot of progression in my dance, and i am very glad to see that i am continuing to grow as a DANCER. After winning 1st Place at WOD Bay Area, it made my realize, we are making a stand in the scene, and that i would like to be a part of the movement with my fam in AOV. Look out for us at VIBE at the end of January! Thanks so much to CJ and Krystal for understanding my struggle with school, and all that you have taught me about dance. You guys truly are amazing people. The opportunities are so amazing, and i can’t wait for more opportunities to come. What i take from AOV is the hard work and determination to get to where you want to be.

Continuing with my Filipino-American club, Kasamahan, i served my last year as President of the organization. This really put me to the test, because i was only used to leading Barrio Fiesta, or Pilipino Culture Night. Being President, you have to oversee the group as a whole, and be able to help organize and facilitate things through a bigger perspective. I did ask for a lot of assistance from past Presidents, but i also wanted to figure my own thang as well, and going through this experience really taught me a lot about myself as a leader and an organizer. I would like to thank the E-board that year for an amazing year. You guys taught me that it is possible for an organization as big as Kasamahan to continue to grow and discover new things. We really got through it! LOL. And a big part of it was you all. Thanks for the good memories and the wonderful experiences. I am really happy with all my adings: John, Evelyn, Sunshine, Matt, Jann Shane, Edwin, Chris, and Andres. My officials. You guys will all do amazing things in life, don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do something. Follow what you instincts say, and go for it, no hesitation. Keep your heads up, tackle every obstacle with everything you got. Truly blessed to have a good set of adings, and i know i don’t tell you guys this that often, but i love you guys. Without you guys, i probably would have no one to hang out with. LOL! I know i have other adopts, you know who you is! Shout out to YOU (Angelo, Ben, and Mike)! Big thanks to Caroline for pushing me through and keeping me ahead, and most of all Uncle James for helping me through a lot of tough times. What i take from here is the friendships/families, the team work, the organizing towards a successful year of events for our USF community.

VARCITYSF! My lord. Has this gotten SOOOO BIG! I remember sitting in that room at UC 4th, talking about the most RANDOM names. Then i was like…how about Varsity….with a C tho. You know like The city. Haha.  Good ass times. Our first set at involvement fair/kasamahan retreat, then to Barrio Fiesta/Underrated. Now to teaching class at Koret…HELLA legit with videos..hahhahaa. Then to my friends winning 3rd place at USF’s Got Talent. BIG THINGS. I’m super proud to see a crew built from the bottom shoot to the top…REAL QUICK. You guys are all amazing dancers, i believe so. I’m really happy Bryan made this club, it was something i think we all needed for reals. Varcity has pushed me to become a better choreographer, and to also think about staging purposes and such. I am very thankful for the opportunities Varcity has given me, you have continued to keep me going as a dancer during my last school year. It’s funny cuz people would really come up to me and say…Oh you’re apart of Varcity right? Hahahha. Hella casual. And it’s crazy how we made that shit together. Thank you Bryan, Jasmine, Edwin, and Matt. That shit cray. For reals. What i take from here is the pure love of dance, and why we do it. I see so much heart in every individual in the crew.

With all that extra-curricular, we gotta think about what i go to USF for….LOL. Nursing. Can’t believe i finished those 225 hours of clinicals, ALL THE WAY IN STANFORD! Deyum i was pissed, but i don’t regret any second of it. I learned so much this last year about myself as a Nurse, and how i can grow and become an even better one. I made a good number of mistakes, not FATAL, but things that i can work on to make my patient care better, and i think i got a really good handle on it. Just need to stay focused. Even though i did GRADUATE, i still need to move forward with boards and finding a job. I feel like this is the state of limbo everyone is talking about…but i know we will all be past this phase, and into the real world we all hear about. Thanks to my classmates for helping throughout the way, without you guys i prolly woulda fucked upp…hahhaha. What i take from here is taking initiative, and to never be afraid to take risks. Be confident, and don’t undermine yourself.

I know i said this before, and how i’m always sick of the City, i can’t leave it now. So many memories were made here, and i never want to leave, but i’m going to. LOL. I will be down to kick it with whoever hits me up, i don’t even live that far, so don’t be afraid to holla.

Just a FYI this is straight up from the heart and i aint playin….i hope you guys can hear me talk this whole blog….this shit is so real. I am really sad i won’t be coming back, but i know it’s time for me to make more moves in the real world, and start off another type of life. I will definitely keep you guys posted, just make sure you will always be down to catch up. To everybody that has supported me, and that kicked it with me, even if it was for 5 minutes in the cafe or some shit, you guys are bomb. Could never ask for any other group of homies from a university. USF was definitely a good choice. Sorry SFSU and Dominican…lol. It took me an extra semester, but i don’t give a f.

It’s okay to make mistakes right? LOL. We live and we learn, and we move on ahead. We make a lot of mistakes, and we know never to make them again. Thanks USF for the good times.