Convocation day! :D

 

I think I’ve thought about this day more so than other people.  I confirmed this with Sally as I was telling her my own goal really is to have a picture of me with my diploma in front of University College.  As well, I really wanted to have a picture of my parents accompanied me too in a picture, and I was set!  If I had anything else, it would be to me a bonus.  While pictures with my friends are important to me, this day was pretty much to my parents who paid for my education and wanted me to graduate and whatnot.  So this is to them and to have that is satisfying to them and to me too. 

 

I think another thing is that, this is really a day where you go and think back.  To me, it’s been 4 years being here at University of Toronto and while time has been passing really quickly, I also realize that that’s a lot of time to be spent in one place.  I mean in that time, I could have gotten a job working anywhere, but I studied for 4 years learning many things.  Granted, not everything may be applicable (i.e. Economic game theories), but it was still a learning experience and a good step forward to somewhere at least.  I know in that period I have grown a lot, seen a lot and I’m encouraged to grow because there is so much to learn and to see.  I really can appreciate a lot of things that I have never before.  I think my appreciation and gratitude to my parents have grown because I graduate debt free, but also they allowed me to experience a lot of things.  For instance, my study abroad to Hong Kong was an amazing experience, but what parent would really allow for their children to study when it was quite expensive really.  I saw it with people who said they wouldn’t, and I can completely understand that.  I didn’t really grasp how lucky I am a lot of the time because it just happens and it’s really until when I start to see a lot of my friends who didn’t receive similar treatment, it hit home.  I am very fortunate and I appreciate that.

 

I’m glad that after 4 years that I have accomplish something and I have my diploma to show for it.  Now I need a job and I’m good. :P

Written June 25, 2009

My final semester at UTSC.  What can I say?  I am so happy that I ended up taking courses that I actually like rather than courses that I have to take.  The horrors of taking MGTC74 and even the Economic courses that we have to take were rather painful to say the least.  So what did I end up taking instead? 

 

MGTC42 – Public Management

I did not expect to take this course at all.  I end up wanting to take the leadership course originally because of one of my favourite Professor who was teaching the course.  However, she wasn’t teaching it anymore and a Friday morning course wasn’t quite my cup of tea.  So I was thinking that instead of taking that I would take something else.  I couldn’t really take other things because they weren’t offered in the Winter or I’m just ridiculous picky.  A little bit of both because I didn’t want to waste my time taking something I really wasn’t that passionate about.  My friend end up taking this course and I asked her about it, and it was highly recommended.  As well, my other friend also took a course with this Professor and really liked him.  He was an amazing Professor and considering that he was the previous Chair of Management, he holds a lot of creditability for his teaching ability.  I went to the second class and I saw one of my group members whom I worked with last semester and since we had to do a presentation, I went along to do it the following week with him.  I worked amazingly with him last semester and when we worked again, it was great, I have no complaints. 

 

As well, this course I’m so happy I end up with this course.  It was such a good experience because it talked about the Canadian government, how it worked and the impact of things.  Especially since Government was in prorogue, minority Conservative and the possibility of a coalition was interesting to say the least.  So many things were happening and I can see the effect of things.  I think secretly I always did like politics, but I haven’t paid too much attention to it because I was busy with school and I didn’t really always paid much attention to news much.  However, it really did help to gain a new perspective on things.  Things in the public sector didn’t seem that much different than in the private sector, of course, it is more apparent how things are.  Nevertheless, when you look at things like the need for transparency to the public, it’s no different for transparency for your own stakeholders.

 

I think in many ways, it also gave me great appreciation for the government as well.  More so, it also gave me appreciation for what Canada represents and what it stands for in the entire world.  It really is an amazing country and I’m so much prouder to be Canadian. 

 

MGTC52 – Negotiations

This course is something that I was rather quite excited to take to be quite honest.  However, the Professor changed and so did a lot of things.  We did negotiations each class, but then I didn’t feel that I really looked forward to the class.  It was fun and I did end up meeting a lot of people, but more so, I think I could have taken a lot more care in taking this course.  What do I mean? I could have read before class and taken the negotiations more seriously.  As a result, I think I may have missed out, but my negotiations skills I hope have increased in some aspects. :P I’m listening a little bit more, the framing of things differently and hopefully not talking as much as I should. 

 

MGTC59 – Management Ethics

Another unexpected course that I took.  I took this course rather on a basis that I needed to take it, because I needed credits to graduate.  I already took all the courses I already really wanted to take and there wasn’t anything especially that I wanted to take.  I needed that , so I took it and I heard of many good things about the course and the professor too.  As a result, I decide to give it a try.  I surprisingly really enjoyed it because there was always a good discussion and it also gave me a good perspective on things.  A different perspective on things because you realize that things are very different from all sides and there’s always good argument.  I think it reminds me when I took Law because it forces you to also look at varying perspective of things and to take a stand of what makes the best sense.  What makes the best story?  It simply always goes back to that.

 

I think I really enjoyed the course and it was just so surprising.  Why so?  Because how can you teach Ethics?  Its such a contradiction, but it was taught and explained very well actually. 

 

As well, I was so happy with my group that I ended up with for a presentation.  It was actually quite bittersweet in many ways because I have worked in so many groups for my University career and to have that be my last one was rather sad.  It ended on a good note and we did a rather kick ass presentation, so I have no complaints. 

 

MGTD20 – Marketing Management

I loved this course!  Every week we were doing a case study on different things and companies and the class was just so much fun.  It was my cup of tea, and it just broadens my views of how you can frame things as well.  The case format is a good way of framing a lot of problems that comes up and it was a good way to force you to consider factors.  It was a great way to garner really rich discussion because everyone pretty much has their own opinion on how things should be done.  I liked the class generally because the people there are those whom I known for awhile and we never got offended by the comments and we took it and expanded on it.  Lots of fun and it never felt like work when I was doing it. :D

 

I enjoyed this class a lot that I’m now the teaching assistant for it. :P

 

MGTD45 – Intellectual Property Law

Law was one of those subjects similar to politics that I also gained interest in.  This is no exception and I really wanted to take this because the professor was amazing too.  I think I learned a lot about the various copyright, trademark and patent laws and the issues involving it.  I really enjoyed it a lot and it made me also gain a lot of appreciation for it.  However, there was a lot of reading for this course.  The cases were insanely long and I’m learning how to read it better.  It is not always easy as my professor often tells us, but it was a good experience to learn. 

 

I really got close with the professor often discussing really random things.  I would like to go to his office to ask his help for my paper, but also to ask about his opinion and he was so willing to talk to me.  I was really appreciative because it has been awhile since I have received that sort of connection with a professor.  It was a nice feeling that reminded me back of my first year. :D It was nice and I really think he is an amazing professor.  I learned so much from him not just from his class, but he was always so encouraging.  This is especially apparent when I was talking to him about my concerns about maybe I didn’t really know what I really want to do.  I mean, I was in the midst of discovering a lot of different things that I had a surprising interest in.  More so, there was just so much possibilities, and he told me his story and it was just so reassuring that I was going to be okay in the end of all things. 

 

I reflect back of my very last semester and I’m so satisfied.  I don’t’ have too much complaints with my courses generally and I’m so happy with everything I’ve chosen.  Now I’m an official graduate of UofT, now I just need my diploma!

Written May 27, 2009

I actually have quite a bit of things written up to post, just I'm a little lazy at the moment.  So, I will write about my last semester at Univeristy, convocation and other random things.  :P

Later.

In Marketing we learn, it's all about the brand.  Even if you're not in Marketing, you know it's all about that.  What makes up a brand?  Well, it's composed of a lot of things, but one of the biggest identifying things are trademarks.  Brand, logo, how things look, anything that makes the brand different, unique and that makes customers go back to your company and purchase thing is all important.  Moreover, it's an important factor especially when there's so many other companies vying for the same attention from the same customer!  What I'm saying is obvious and is nothing new, however, I just find it as much as you want customers talking, how far do you want them to talk where your brand becomes a generic term?  Think of Band-Aid and Kleenex.  

However, trademarks are worth fighting for and since I'm doing a paper on it, I'm amused over some of the cases I'm uncovering.  One of my favourite at the moment I came across is Mattel, Inc v. MCA Records.  Why would a toy company sue a record company?  Well, more specifically it's Mattel suing over the usage of Barbie in Aqua's Barbie Girl where they believe that the usage of Barbie is used in such a manner that it may have confused consumers that it was a part of the actual Barbie that Mattel produces.  While it does allude to it and granted the song doesn't particularly paint Barbie in the best picture (I'm a blonde bimbo girl, in a fantasy world), it doesn't really imply that.  It's a satire and they are not selling a product, or in association with Matell.  It's a song and I'm sure it's done in a lighthearted manner, nothing to take offense to Barbie. 

While I'm doing research, it seems a lot more common that companies jump up and down fliing trademark infringement here and there.  Yet, I can see why, if you don't protect it, you lose any rights and there goes your brand right down the drain.  It's worthwhile to do so, but at the same time, with everything becoming suable, what limits does it have?  There should be a point where people should be able to talk things out rather than just talking through paper. 

Just a little thoughts on my mind with my projects coming closer to an end.  Writing this really makes me want to start a separate blog for marketing and baking (interesting combination, I know :P).  I just need a nice name and I probably won't start it here on livejournal though.  I'll probably migrate to blogspot moreso to maintain some more professionalism and whatnot.  As well, I'm slightly over the status of livejournal and whether it would be sustainable in the future. :S I already backed up a lot of my journal entries, and although they say not to worry, I can't help so. :/ Google is definitely something that I trust and I'm starting to love a lot.  Their Google docs are such a lifesaver especially when it comes to doing group works and who knew that they had survey options too?  It would have saved me a lot of heartaches, but at least I have it mind now. :) As well, Picasa and their emails are the best.  

Some thoughts to think about. :) Back to more cases to read!

It's not a surprise, I'm busy again!  But there's only about 5 more weeks of school not including my exams.  However, it's busy since I just realized in a month I have quite a bit due.  It's alright though, I know my schedule, but I need to get it done, so here's my to-do list.

To do: 

• Intellectual Property Paper Outline
• Intellectual Property Reserach
• Home Depot Report
• Negotiations Individual Paper
• Public Management Budget Simulation Paper

As well, I was happy I got a chance to talk to my Law Professor today. :) Since I don't have any midterm or final, it's all just one big paper.  However, we don't really have any strict outline to follow and he's giving us a lot of liberty on what we want to talk about in this paper.  I wasn't sure what I want to talk about, but since he suggested my background was Marketing, I should look at trademarks and the marketing implications.  I was looking around it made it happy to look around at the different cases. :) I can't explain it, but unlike my Ethics or Negotiations, I don't feel like this is work.  I can sit down happily and do it without much complaints and this just reconfirms for me that this is what I want to do.  I'm also really happy that my Professor was such a big help in helping me organize my thoughts into the paper, which I am really thankful for. :D

I also need to start eating a lot better.  I realized that last month I junked out a lot more than I want to admit. :S So I'm going back to regular exercises and eating more fruits. :) Feeling a little better about it, though I'm still craving my junk food.  Especially wasabi peas!

Looking forward to March, a lot of things to do!

When I was younger I used to hate going to the dentist.  Now, not so much.  I actually don't mind getting my teeth checked and clean cause I know it's beneficial for my overall oral hygiene which is important to me. It has a nice feeling of being clean at the end. :) 

However, now as I'm getting older, I don't like getting my hair cut that much.  I make the worst faces and I've noticed that practically everytime I always tie up my hair afterwards cause I don't like how it's down.  I don't know why, perhaps cause I'm so used to my other hair style, so then as a result I hate how my hair is now.  My cut isn't that short and it's a good length, it's just that I'm not used to it.  Bleh. :P I like my long hair especially since I like to play around with it and curl it.  I'll wait out for two weeks or so til it's back to a long length to play again. :) 

YEY to reading week and amazing weather! :)

First off, Happy Chinese New Years! :) I've been busy and haven't been posting as much, but I'm a little sad that I haven't really gotten into the Chinese New Year spirits.  I usually do, but since my presentations have been moved up at the beginning of the semester rather than at the end, I've been especially busy.  So unfortunately, I haven't got a chance to visit all of my relatives, but I hope everyone else enjoyed their Chinese New Years! :)

I think as I'm nearing my end of my University career, I noticed that I'm not the same person I was even a year ago.  I know I have matured.  But more so about myself, I noticed maturity in others too.  I know I worked with this person two years ago with this project and I don't think we got along or my impression were quite negative.  However, working with this person over the past while, I noticed that it was a big improvement.  We got along amazing and I know we did awesome for the presentation.  When I see this, I wonder a couple of things.  What changed from two years from now.  In a year a lot of things changes and I see that.  I think when I think of that situation two years ago, I had some immaturity and I could have had a lot more patience than I did.  As well, I'm sure on that person there was some immaturity of owning up to what they could have done and what they couldn't do and taking on too much responsibilities. 

Then I think back of the various first impression I have of people and I think they've changed a lot.  I think back of my first impression of people two years ago and I was this sky, awkward girl.  I'm not as vocal nor as confident.  Although I'm still not like that, there's is an improvement.  I think I need to constantly remind myself to keep an open mind of things.  A lot of things changes and who am I to say things are always going to be the same?  It's not that often and everyone deserves a second chance.  Heck, if I met myself two years ago, I don't think I would have warmed up so easily to me.  It's hard to let go of these old perception and thoughts, I know.  At the same time, I'm glad how things are and I'm learning.  

Ughhh...not really.  I normally love snow, but I'm finding myself slowly not enjoying the winter.  I used to, but not so much now.  This makes me really miss the summer, I don't particularly enjoy driving in it or walking through muggy conditions.  I miss wearing my skirts and dresses.  

However, it doesn't match one of my biggest pet peeves of winter.  I find that when snow isn't cleared at all, people park where ever they please!  It is honestly so annoying, people tend to as a result park two parking spots or create their own.  I don't know which one irks me more, since both are just as bad and horrendeous to have to bare through.  Either way, I find that as a result, parking becomes difficult to deal with and as a result I have to park further.  I don't mind having to walk, but the cold is getting to me.  

One thing that bugs me too is also driving takes forever.  It normally takes me 20-25 mins to drive to school, but it's double that pretty much with this weather.  I already despise driving, this doesn't help. 

I can't wait til this winter ends.

Happy New Years!!! :D

It's another year that I spent with my high school friends and I enjoyed it.  I haven't seen a lot of them for the longest time since we're all very busy people.  However, it's still fun regardless to see them. :D I really enjoyed that one of my friend and I were gushing over Britney Spears.  We both really like the Circus album and were able to talk to each other about the songs and also other things too. :) It was awesome.  As well, I realized that I've changed quite a bit too.  I don't know, it's such a strange feeling cause it felt like I was staring at what it seems like my thoughts and where I was at in 2008 in the beginning.  There was such an innocence, and wow, it was then I realized that 2008 was such a changing year for me.  I'm really looking forward to 2009 now. :)

Here's a quick reflection of my 2008 resolutions: 

Continue to enjoy school and try to achieve a 3.0+ GPA
I am enjoying school cause the courses that I did choose are the ones that I really do like.  I am glad I was able to finish up my courses last year with ease (thank goodness no C03 or C74) and I'm loving it.  I'm really happy that I got the courses that I do like and I am enjoying my last year of school which is really important for me. :)  As for the GPA, I'm working towards that and I'm almost there, but I'm in the right direction to where I need to go.  

Learn as much about Marketing/Advertising as I can
This is actually sometime I am really proud of because I really tried to be a little more proactive.  I did read a lot of different books and I am discussing about these sort of things with people more critically.  I read Trading Up and Treasure Hunt, and those were definately eye opening books.  As well, I worked with my friend on the Mitsubishi competition, the Marketing Facts Night and the different Marketing books I read too.  Not to mention, the crazy 4 Marketing courses I took last semester (still have to write about that).  The funny thing is now that I think about this, I think I end up reading more 'business' and 'economic' books more so. :P  I learned a lot, and I'm confident that I want to take this path. :)

Become more proactive at school activities/organizations
Kinda?  I don't know. :P I was the DR for SMP, so technically speaking I was more proactive, I did particiapte in some MESA stuff here and there.  So I was, but not really?  I also did oUTreach, which was also cool, but this could be better. :P

Learn to cook and make meals for myself
Alright, I'll be the first to admit that I don't think I really fulfilled this.  I think I ended up learning to bake more than cook, but I'm getting better in the kitchen. ;) My favourite thing that I made was the Strawberry Shortcake and Cupcake Pops!  I have to take a picture of it sometime, but I can't wait til strawberries are a little cheaper to make it. Cupcake pops are just time consuming. :P 

Continue to maintain exercising and normal sleeping habit whenever I can
I try. :P Exercising is something I did strive for and it shows.  Sleeping habits went down the drain! xD  I never stayed awake so much in any other year with the exception of 2008.  Goodness, I never had more all nighters, sleeping at 3am and only having like 3 hours of sleep with days on end.  Thinking of how terribly I slept is amazing me cause I'm wondering how I got through it.  I know it's terrible though, and it's one of the things I have to correct.  

2008 has been my favourite year.  I look back at it and I never learned so much in a year and I'm proud of all of what I have done and I'm really thankful.  I'll write more about it, but what do I want to accomplish in 2009?  Let see:

- Complete university and achieve a 3.0 GPA
- Maintain a balance time among my friends and family
- Make time and take the initiative to maintain the relationships with my friends
- Continue to read as many books about Marketing and Business as much as I can
- Try to learn a new sport activity, whether it's dancing or skating
- Bake as many different things as I can
- Have a healthier lifestyle (eat better, exercise), sleep better!
- Get a full time job

It's a lot, but a lot of it are things that I'm doing, and having it written down will remind me. :) 

On a totally random note, I don't know why I really like Christina Aguilera's Welcome.  It's an intro for her Back to Basic for her second CD, but it's interesting, I love the lyrics:

What's behind the smoke and glass?
Painted faces, everybody wears a mask
Are you selling them your soul?
Will you'll be left out in the cold?

Is it all blue skies?
Fun and games until you fall
Then you're left without anyone at all
You're riding on a shooting star
With a smile upon your face
But soon the shine fades

And you're left out all alone
Wondering where did they all go?

Been jaded, hated,
Who'll be around when the limelight's faded?
Been shut down, pushed out
Made to smile when I wanted to frown

Always taking a bow
Always working the crowd
Always breaking new grounds
Always playing the clown
Who'll be sticking it out?
Who'll be staying around
When the lights go down?

Love Christina Aguilera and her tour looks awesome. :) I want to see her for sure next time!!

Here's to another awesome year!

I keep saying there's lots to write about, and I do, but I keep forgetting or I'm getting lazy to write. :P So, I'll just write out what I want to write, so hopefully it'll put everything in order! >:)

Things to write: 

• School reflection
• School projects
• My 21st birthday
• Pre-Hong Kong vs. Post-Hong Kong thoughts Part II
• Job prospectives
• Books

Each one is an entry on its own, but at the moment, I'll just leave it at that.  I'll try to start typing out some stuff soon.

I was supposed to get my wisdom teeth actually two days ago, but when I originally booked it, they didn't correctly consider that I would require an oral surgeon to do my impacted bottom teeth. *sigh* So, I will have to pull them out on the 30th instead. So it's delayed for 3 weeks, but I guess I'll savour food a little while longer. :P 

I got some of my marks and I'm pretty pleased with my marks. :) I know next semester I'll do even better, since I learned a lot this semester, so I'm only looking up.

On another note, in regards to books, I started to read again.  I find that I get into these strange book cravings.  I start looking at books again and I miss reading. :)  I want to read Buyology, Outliers and The Unfinished Canadian for sure this holiday, but I have a whole queue of books I also want to read including Everyone Worth Knowing. :) So many books, so little time!!