Oct

29

Blue Dog Bash Tonight!

Filed Under California, Central Valley, United States | 1 Comment

I am so excited because tonight is Congressman Dennis Cardoza’s 1st Annual Blue Dog Bash! The event is going to be at the Merced Boys & Girls Club at 6:00pm.

We (the Congressman’s staff) were setting up last night, this morning and I am certain people are still working right now.

Below are some pictures BEFORE the event:

Before I Leave from UC Merced, Fog

A Lot of Tables and Chairs

Huge USA Flag

Sign and Sponsors, From Far Away

I will post DURING and AFTER pictures later tonight/tomorrow morning! ;-)

PS: Huge thanks to Tavia and Adam for helping last night! Before we left, I almost thought Adam wasn’t going to return after he said “I’ll be back in 5 minutes.”

Oct

22

The 4th Floor

Filed Under Personal, UC Merced | Leave a Comment

At the moment, I am sitting on the southwestern-most chair in the 4th floor of the Kolligian Library.

I like the 4th floor because it is less occupied, quiet and the view of quad, Engineering Building and the city of Merced is inspiring.

If you get a chance to visit UC Merced, then come to the 4th floor of the library and see the view for yourself.

Each time I look to the south, through the window, I envision what the landscape will look like in the future.

Oct

15

Gearing Up

Filed Under Election 2005 | 2 Comments

As a student of government and public policy, this is an exciting time for me.

With the 2005 California Special Election less than a month away, politics is increasingly becoming the talk of the town. I love it! ;-)

Over the coming weeks, I will profile each proposition (8 in total) and either recommend or not recommend each proposition.

I have added the California’s Voter Information Guide link under the Political Participation section (located in the right side bar). At the very least, visit the Voter Information Guide and read the summary of each proposition.

Also, start talking about the propositions with your family, friends and others about what each proposition means to you.

Just yesterday, California Connected featured a “Kid Review Bills” segment where “high school debate students [were asked] to dissect [Proposition 76, "Live Within Our Means Act"] and tell us how they would vote, if only they could.” It’s an excellent segment and it highlights how some research and discussion can go a long way.

Stay tuned! :-D

Oct

14

California’s Legislature Is Too Small, Reform is Needed

Filed Under California, Personal | 1 Comment

With this post, I hope to start a discussion about how to improve government.

Government and, in particular, government reform is of great interest to me.

I believe our local, state and national governments can be much more effective in responding to the needs and wants of the public. In other words, there is room for improvement.

Currently, I am in the process of writing my policy proposal for the Harry S. Truman Scholarship. For those unfamiliar with the Truman Scholarship, visit http://www.truman.gov/ for more information.

For the most part, the mission statement of the scholarship describes it best: “to find and recognize college juniors with exceptional leadership potential who are committed to careers in government, the nonprofit or advocacy sectors, education or elsewhere in the public service; and to provide them with financial support for graduate study, leadership training, and fellowship with other students who are committed to making a difference through public service.”

My policy proposal will seek to increase the number of seats in the California legislature from the current 120 (40 Senate and 80 Assembly) to a number greater than 120 by amending the California Constitution.

For the past couple months, I have been reading research reports, newspaper articles and editorials and talking with people about my policy proposal. So far, I have received great feedback and I would appreciate more.

On June 24th, California Connected posted an interactive flash animation named “Two’s Company, 423,395 Is A Crowd.” The animation highlights that even though population has grown in California, the legislature has not and I believe this is a major problem.

Today, I read an article in the Fresno Bee by political columnist Dan Walters titled “By the numbers, Capitol has become less relevant to California.”

Walters writes about how “the Capitol’s institutional malaise is not primarily a product of partisanship, although ideological conflict has certainly increased, but has much deeper roots. It has lost touch with reality and has become an arena in which economic and cultural interest groups squabble over relatively trivial matters, while it distances itself from the big issues, ceding them to the initiative process.”

I agree. The California Legislature has lost touch and will continue to lose touch if change does not occur. Redistricting is an issue, as exhibited by the upcoming vote on Proposition 77, but the fundamental problem lies in the small size of the California Legislature.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, for example, Texas has a population of a little over 20 million people and a total of 181 legislators (31 Senate, 150 House) that is approximately 139,000 people per State House representative. California, in comparison, the ratio is about 423,000 people per State House (Assembly) representative.

How could 120 (80 specifically) people effectively represent the interest of 30 million plus people?

Oct

9

Waiting at the Railroad Crossing

Filed Under Personal | Leave a Comment

On Friday, October 7th at 8:26am, I was in my car waiting at the railroad crossing on G Street in Merced. I was headed to the Merced County Association of Governments (MCAG) Citizens Advisory Committee meeting which started at 8:30am.

This was the first time I had to wait in my car for the train to cross the tracks. Waiting for the train to pass, a lot of thoughts were going through my mind.

However, one thought or question struck a cord with me: “Why am I in a rush?” My immediate response was, “Because I am going to be late and I don’t want to be late.”

Then I realized two things.

First, that I would eventually make it to the meeting. I might be a couple of minutes late, but I would still be there.

Secondly, it was the first time I had to wait at a railroad crossing in a long time. The situation reminded me of my home in Bellflower. In Bellflower, I used to live just three blocks away from the railroad and in recent years, it was removed because the route had become obsolete.

The recollected memory was worth the wait and being late.

Oct

7

“Just Get It Done”

Filed Under Personal | Leave a Comment

Growing up, I learned a lot from my family and at this very moment I remembered something my father said: “Just get it done.”

Oct

7

Water Consumption, Conserve Now

Filed Under California, United States | Leave a Comment

California Connected is featuring a flash animation on it’s website about the consumption of water in five countries: France, Norway, Senegal (city of Dakar), China and the United States.

Beyond the cool-looking water droplet (big or small, depending on the country), the figures should put your mind to work.

Apparently, the United States consumes the most: 19 cubic feet of water per day. In comparison, Dakar, Senegal only consumes 2.4 cubic feet or water per day.

I’ve gathered two thoughts from the flash animation. First, the United States consumes a lot of water compared to other countries. For some, this could further support their argument that the United States is a wasteful consumer. However, it also is encouraging to know that people can live on as little as 2.4 cubic feet of water per day.

Water is a limited resource. So as water becomes more and more limited in the United States, we’ll look to places like Senegal for water conservation techniques.

But why wait? Start trying to conserve water now.

Oct

1

My Objectives for October 2005

Filed Under Personal | 5 Comments

October is shaping up to be one heck of a ride.

Academically, I face 3 quizzes, 2 mid-terms and 1 essay and a lot of reading. Professionally, I have to fulfill my duties as an RA and as an intern at the local Congressman’s Dennis Cardoza’s office. Finally, this month is when the UC Merced Student Government Committee on Constitution and By-Laws will write the constitution. In other words, October is going to be a battle, but I am prepared to kick some major butt.

If you have any words of encouragement or advice, then please leave a comment. I would appreciate it. ;-)

My Goals

  • Eat healthy, exercise daily, get plenty of sleep, relax often and take care of myself
  • Communicate with family, friends and colleagues
  • Stay “well-read” and keep up-to-date on current local, regional, state, national and international news and events
  • Fulfill my duties and responsibilities as a Resident Assistant (RA)
  • Education is Key! This statement subsumes everything regarding my education while at UC Merced: attend class, do my homework, talk with my professors regularly, help others, etc.

    • My Objectives for October 2005

  • Get an “A”wesome grade on the following: ECON 100 quiz, SPAN 3 Exam, HIST 100 Essay #1, SPAN 3 Quiz, ECON 100 Mid Term, SPAN Quiz (yes, another one), and ECON 190 Mid Term.
  • Complete and turn in on time my HIST 100 Case Study Prospectus on time
  • Plan and implement at least 2 programs as an RA
  • Complete draft of my Truman Scholarship Policy Proposal
  • Read An Unfinished Life and Truman
  • Continue to have “MAD” (Inside joke for My Madera Hall peeps) fun!

    • Time to rock October!