Show Me How

Everytime I think about you I see myself fall
I couldn’t help - but wish I could end it all
One morning I will wake up seeing you there
To make me strong and feel like a flare

Too much to say don’t know where to begin
Seemed you’re the world I want to live in
So deep in love that it makes me blind
Didn’t care where love takes me around

Feels like I fell into my greatest weakness
Too painful to feel any ounce of bitterness
Your presence seems to make things well
Even when I’m in pieces you say “Be well”

Sometimes the day go by so fast but hard
Your Hellos and Goodbyes gives me reward
You cheering me up whenever I’m lonely
Takes me away and there comfort you give me

I see that your affection has become cold
Your eyes tell me you’re ready to fold
The one time passion is ready to fade away
Never come back but I wish it’s not too late

Now I can’t fly without you holding me
It hurts knowing you’re away from me
Wish you would come back and be with me
Share you my life now and eternity

Show me how to find myself somewhere
Fit myself some place not everywhere
Hope I’ll find someone like you near me
A true love that brings me to my knees

Please come back redeem I’m all yours
Let the wind blows and let love flows
Don’t tell me that I’m free to love again
I’ll fall in love again, but how. show me how.

Movie Line Up

I love movies! I noticed that I’ve been catching a movie or two during the past several weeks. Not sure why - but I guess I love the fact that it is actually more fun rather than dressing up to go clubbing. At least by seeing a movie you’d see different stories everytime as oppose to seeing same faces over and over gain. I have nothing against clubbing other than that, but it’s also nice to have a good time with friends and alcohol. After a while though it tends to get old and doesn’t spark my interest in going unless the drag show has some other perks to it other than straight up performances. In movies you would enjoy variety of movies that you can choose from. Although there are times movies are just lame and uninteresting - but usually they come around and surprise you like any Marvel movies (!). For example, I think sometime in the Fall Marvel will be presenting Wolverine: Its Origin which will essentially showcase Wolverine’s early days. For more info, visit their site at www.marvel.com.

So since I’ve been in the “catching a movie” mode, I made this list of movies I’ll be planning to see for the next month. I also added the ones I have already seen just so I have my complete list since from the start:

June 7th: Chronicles of Narnya, Prince Caspian
June 12th: The Incredible Hulk
June 22nd: Iron Man
June 28th: Wall-E
July 3rd: Kung-Fu Panda
July 5th: Hancock
July 12th: Hell-Boy 2
July 19th: The Dark Knight
July 20th: Mamma Mia!
July 26th: Journey to the Center of the Earth
August 2nd: The Mummy: The Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
August 23rd: Death Race

Though listed they are subject to change since I’m such a moody person. I can’t wait to catch these!

Have a great work-week everyone!

d-Jae

ASAE & CAE Exam

In preparation for my CAE examination in 2010, the other day I attended a 1-hour audio visual presentation called “Got CAE?” moderated by two representatives from the ASAE CAE Certification Commission. The presentation was to provide exam orientation for those individuals who are making CAE their designation. I must say that it provided quite a number of tips and network resources that candidates can purchase, or attend to, which are to assist and educate them as to what the content of the exam will cover. Candidates can purchase reference handbooks, join listservs, network with other professionals through discussion or focus groups, etc. Any of these means of study will cost roughly $1000-$1500 all together. Since my exam is in 2010, I could probably break this cost and incrementally save money for it. In either way, it is an investment to my professional career which is in a long run going to excel my marketability in the non-profit world.

Oh, so one of the text books mentioned were “Association Law Handbook”, which fortunately my superior has a copy of. It is one big thick 500 or so page book, which talks about every single aspect of association management all in “law perspective”. I actually took it home last night and started to skim through it and there were several areas that I was really interested in, like for example, the call of duties of an executive director, which is essentially the role of a Chief Executive Officer or Chief Staff Executive. My career is not in that level (yet!) - but having their responsibilities conceptualized through this book I’m about to read I will have a broader understanding how essential an ED is to an association and how their responsibilities drive and shape it. Like what my superior said it is way more complex than it looks - but understanding an ED role in various perspectives, but in the “law perspective” it would provide me an overall positive impact to what I already know.

Being associated with the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) for almost 4 years now I will say that it made some tremendous positive elevation to my professional expertise. Networking with others in the same area and soon from other specialties I must say the greatest and most effective way to learn about association management. In mingling with others, there are hundreds - if not thousands - of the younger generation that are now in the non-profit workforce throughout the country. However, very few of them though are in their junior professional management career like myself. Although I had been working and helping operate associations during the last 4 years, my career is yet to be in that senior level. But, when I hit the 10 year mark, I will be qualified for a senior management position.

I would also like to point out that the non-profit workforce are in fact expanding rapidly throughout the country. Although the majority of them are centralized in the Metropolitan Washington DC area. The few associations not headquartered in DC are most likely trade associations and philantrophic organizations. The larger group, on the other hand, is made up with a variety of professional membership and trade associations, such as medical, educational, science, research, training, law, manufacture, agriculture, and community-based associations. All of which involves both earlier and recent generations working within them. My generation is either in the administrative operational positions (or best known entry levels) or junior management positions (like Managers and/or Directors). Whatever position either generation may have it just amazes me with the number of young individuals who start their work-life working for non-profit organizations. That’s where I started and it took me quite a number of years to get to where I am - over 6 years from being a Customer Service Representative to being a Marketing and Conference Program Director. For those who are in their younger age, if you have the interests in pursuing a career in association management, I suggest that you join ASAE and start mingling with other young professionals and gain your knowledge and experience. Start as early as possible and you’ll never know you might surpass my to-date accomplishment. Give it a try!

Well, over the next few months I will be studying the law handbook and continue to network until I’m fully ready to sit for the exam. I hope I will pass so that I can finally move to San Francisco (I hope before then, though!) Fun, fun, fun!

Oh, and by the way, my superior recently passed her CAE exam so she is now a Certified Association Executive - the “Ph.D. of association management”!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

d-Jae

Last Flight Out

So this coming weekend is San Francisco’s 38^th Annual LGBT Pride. All along I thought their pride was in July up until now. I logged on to see if I would be able to go just for one day. The fare isn’t too bad and it certainly doable. Although I must say it would be too much for just one day. However, going to see their version of gay pride and seeing a good friend of mine would probably be priceless. Seeing Miguel again for the second time is just heart-pounding thought!

Remember Miguel? Well, he was the guy that I met while I was in San Francisco for a business meeting close to a month ago. He was very nice, good looking (or I should say “a hottie!”), such a gentleman, classy, has a good taste, and very smart. He actually amazed me with the fact that he lives and works in downtown San Francisco, which means that if you do both that means you can afford living there. As everyone know, SF is in New York level in terms of cost of living, jobs, lifestyle, etc. He is a smart guy and has a successful career. While I was over there, he showed me around some of the nice places and sort of educated me with stuff that San Francisco has to offer. I was just like “Whoa!” with the way we spent the time together although I only had a week.

Up until this point I still couldn’t bear the fact that we’re more than a couple of thousands miles away and the only thing between us is a roundtrip ticket. One of these days, or probably this Summer, (may have to re-think about Miami), I might go back and visit him (or San Francisco in general) and hopefully retrieve my heart back. I just wish that we were closer so that we can see each other as often as we please.

He wishes that I will be there for the gay pride which is this weekend. Knowing d-Jae he gets what he likes no matter what it takes, even if it means more debt. What pleases his heart doesn’t really matter his pockets!

Rolling the Dice Again...

So here I am again trying to find a relatively good job out in the west coast – most specifically, San Francisco – since my first attempt 9 months ago didn't go very well. I'm still shocked, though, with the outcome of my long-distance interview but at some point in your life you learn to accept certain things that may not necessarily what you like happen or done. However, I'm still trying to recover from that and continue to explore other options. "First times" are bound to not work, you know…

During lunch one day this past week, my boss and I had a brief, but yet intensive conversation about the fact that, indeed, it's been 3 weeks since we got back from San Francisco. She and I couldn't believe how time flew by us so quick and here we are yet planning again for next year's conference. Anyway, she mentioned about the difference with my attitude that she had been noticing during the past three weeks. When we got back, I bluntly told her that I was depressed about being back in Virginia and she understood it. No other words needed to be said to her and all she said was to follow my heart and my dream. With that said, I had the gut to tell her that I started looking for a job in San Francisco and one of these days I might be turning in my two-week notice. She appeared to be supportive with my plan and made me aware of the amount of effort I will need to do in order to get all my ducks in a row, and I said thanks for your support! She's the type of person that supports people who wants to be better themselves whether educational, professional, or lifestyle, etc. And I didn't think she'd stop me from doing what makes me happy. She made sure I know that I have her full support.

So I gave that idea some more thought and it may be something that is worth doing and could possibly give me the things I look for – new beginning, new faces, and a new direction with my life! Every other day, if not every nigth, I continue to log on at www.asaenet.org to browse through directorship positions that are in the non-profit sector out in California. Very few of them though but when they do come out available they are worth applying for. I mentioned to her that I applied for a job close to a year ago and she said to keep trying and eventually I will find the right fit. I am aware of the cost of living down there but my plan is to start from the bottom and will make my way up as I settle myself. I have realized that you can't get everything you want the way you want them to be so that means that you make due of what you got and work your way around it and make it work for you. I will use the "Give up something to get something" concept in order to get what I want. Speaking of job, as a meeting professional, we use that concept a lot when making negotiations with the hotel management to use their property for meetings/events and usually you get what you ask, after giving up something. So by compromising I might be able to get something in return hoping 10 times bigger in size. Sometimes you'll have to lose some things in order to follow your dreams.

There is no date set or time frame of when I will be able to find a job. I'm basically looking for a job that would essentially offer me same benefits and same opportunities for professional growth, if not more. God knows when and where. I will leave it to his hands. I won't know for sure whether I'm fortunate enough or not until when it happens. However, I try what I can – everything I can – to get to that dream. As a side note, I hope I get to see Miguel again when that time comes. I hope so … I really do!

Don't give up d-Jae, you're not known for that so keep trying! Have a good rest of the weekend everyone!

d-Jae

Let's Reconnect!

A few years ago I used to get up on the weekends and drive myself to the golf range up in Lorton, VA, where several people go to on the weekends. If you’re lucky, you could get a spot without having to wait for few minutes—sometimes it can be crowded! It’s fun that you do something that although you’re not really good at it – but doing it and having a great time with it means a lot to me. It’s a way for me to get away from the normal world and relax and do whatever or mess up even. Golf there you can do whatever you want, not hit people with the club or throw golf balls at people (!), but miss the ball however many times you like. Just go out there and kill as much time you like. It’s nice to loosen up and have a great time every once in a while.

I’ve noticed that I like to do stuff in solitaire. Not sure why but I like the feeling to have a good time with myself and not have to worry about other people. I worry about people I care when I absolutely have to worry about them. Otherwise, you do pretty much you want and I do the same. I use the same approach to anything pretty much even when just killing time on the weekends. Like on the weekends if I feel like golfing, I’ll go golfing. If I feel like bowling, I’ll go bowl. If I like taking the dogs to the dogs park, I’ll go play with them. That’s how I like solitude, where I do things alone but have fun at the same time. I suppose having been single for a while you develop a solitaire outlook on things, doing this alone, going there alone, etc. It’s fun that you have no boundaries and no limitations to anything you do. You just get up and go, as one of my friends used to say.

So this weekend is re-connecting to some of my old habits… yay golf! I will take sometime for myself (!) to get back to some of the things I enjoy doing with or without anybody. I often drag my brother with me, though! He seem to enjoy same things I do. The only difference is that I’m “fabulous”!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

d-Jae

Give Me A Break!

This past month and a half or so I had been working on getting all the research papers that were submitted by social work researchers (i.e. professors, practitioners, researchers, etc.) for our conference this coming January in New Orleans all appropriately allocated to different reviewers for review and score them by which their acceptance will be based upon. Tonight I sent out the notification to the reviewers with their review assignments. Now the task is to monitor the review process as frequent as possible then I will be monitoring it in a daily basis as we get closer to the review deadline. Meanwhile, as part of the program development, I will be figuring out the meeting spaces that the hotel had provided us from which I will be able to determine the number of papers that we can accept for the conference. That’s the first step of the many steps that it involves in scheduling the accepted papers into different sessions – but that does not have to happen yet as we are still in the review period. I definitely need to be thinking about it, though, laying the program matrix now as oppose to when the Program Chair inquire about this kind of stuff and you don’t have an answer. So, I will be working on that to get a sense of scheduling procedure before the committee call.

Now that one of the major part of the program development is out of my hand, I can at least breath now and tend to the other things that I have been negligent about during the last month or so—those needs my attention, too! During the next several weeks my workload will be more likely slow – but I’m sure I will have adequate projects that will keep me busy, like transitioning some of the advertising, accounting, and membership projects to one of our membership assistants in the office. The transition was suppose to have been completed like a month or so ago – but with the busy schedule that everyone had it was rather challenging to find the time. Now that things are slowing down a bit, we might be able to move forward with the transition task(s) and hopefully smooth things out where necessary while we’re at it. So workload is okay considering the major task has been completed at the moment but will pick up at some point in late August all the way through late November/early December.

I felt like writing this today because I feel accomplished. I can go home now not so stressed…

Have a great work-week everyone!

d-Jae

DC Pride, Weekend, and Miami!

I know that this past weekend was the Capital Gay Pride, which I intentionally planned to miss this year. A few friends of mine asked me if I was going and told them that I was not interested and that if attend I would expect more other than just parade of gay men and other entries, different performances, countless festivities and vendors, etc. I guess, by having attended it for many years, I got the hang of it and rather increased my expectations from year to year about the whole concept of why we celebrate gay pride. I would expect more in terms of improvements to its advocacy efforts for gay rights in the government and/or its outreach agenda(s) to those gay men who are less fortunate in any aspects throughout the DC metropolitan area or anywhere for that matter(!). No offense to those who attended it – but I hope that those first-timers learned some sense of importance why DC celebrate gay pride every year and most importantly the message that it brings to spectators. If they haven’t already, they should develop various themes that showcases various events that involves gay men in the DC area, which discusses and makes people aware of many current and potential problems in our area and how every single DC gay person can contribute to minimizing these events. I can go on and on with my comments – but if you stop and think about it, ask yourselves how significant gay pride really is and to what extent it educate and represent its gay population. Anyhow, having the rain on top of that during the parade would not have been my idea of celebrating it. I’m sure several folks weren’t happy about – but I’m also sure some liked the rain or I should say being “wet”. Couldn’t be any better, right?!

So I rather planned something more interesting other than the above, which I’m glad I stuck myself with. Last Saturday, my roommate and I went to see “Incredible Hulk”, which was very entertaining. However, I was expecting the movie to have had more action in it, although it had some good visual effects throughout the movie. But, it was pretty good, nevertheless. I’m sure the comic line is more surprising than the movie, but you know it’s Hollywood—it has its own perks and tweaks! Anyway, later that evening we ended up at good ‘ole IHOP in Manassas by which reminded me the routine me and my friends used to do after catching a movie. Everyone would say "Hey, let’s crash at either Denny’s or IHOP! (lol)". Those days were fun! Also today “Fathers Day” I went and paid my Mom and Step-dad a visit, just because it's Fathers Day. It turned out to be one of the fun days that my family and I have when we all get together. We didn’t do much but played Wii all damn day long. In fact, I’m still soar from playing “Boxing”, playing against the Wii console. Man, I’m telling you that was incredibly fun. I normally wouldn’t throw a punch at a person, but making that guy’s face purple was fuckin’ awesome! Other than boxing, we did tennis, billiards, ping pong, baseball, hockey, bowling, golf, and of course my favorite flying game called “Blazing Angels”. My dad and I were playing it and I can’t wait to play with him again. To those who might have a second thoughts about Wii, it is definitely worth it. It creates fun activities with friends and makes your family bond stronger. Definitely worth it!

You might be thinking “Miami?”… well, Miami is my destination for Summer this year. Last year my “bestfriend” and I went to San Diego and Los Angeles. There I decided to travel every year for Summer when and where I can afford regardless whether my “bestfriend” can afford it or not. My "bestfriend" is currently trying to getting back on track financially so him going with me most likely is in question. Anyhow, so I was shopping around and so I picked Miami this year. I’m thinking flying down there in either late August or early September. Tickets are surprisingly inexpensive for right now, but it could always go up as summer goes by. As part of my planning, I’ve been shopping around for hotels in the South Beach area or downtown Miami, main attractions other than the beach, check out some of the best and popular bars and clubs down there, which I’m really looking forward to, and possibly meet people and become friends. You know me I’m always in the market for making friends all around U.S. I already made one in San Francisco, when I was over there two weeks ago. What a nice (and hot!) guy! Can’t wait to see him next time I go back to SF, which is yet another business meeting in two years. But, I hope I’d be able to visit SF (or him) before then. So anyway, Miami is my next travel destination, then New York and New Jersey for Christmas shopping (probably in late November or early December), and New Orleans, LA in January for a business meeting.

Can’t you just tell I love traveling? Probably yes…but I would say that is nothing. I ultimately would like to travel every three months! That would be really nice - but it would be nuts, too! … but I love it!

Anyway, have a great work-week everyone! Take care always!

d-Jae

It's Summer Finally!

So how did you get through this past rather humid weekend? Are you ready yet for many days of those pressing 100 degrees days? I know I’m not. Although I grew up in a tropical country, being here for many years kind of converted my tolerance to fewer months of hot and muggy weather as oppose to 10 months out of a year deal in the Philippines. Had experienced it and don’t have any interest in being “practically naked”.

This past weekend was low-key like what I had previously planned. I did few things like seeing Narnya with my roommate, had a cookout after the sun had gone down Saturday night, watched “One Missed Call”, and had Macaroni Grill dinner with Mom today. She insisted that I go and see her because apparently she missed me—I know she really missed me, and so did I! I brought something back from San Francisco for her—just so she has something from where I was. It’s my tradition to bring her something—whatever it is—whenever I have a business/pleasure trip. She seems to appreciate it, so that’s cool. Anyway, we had fun over at Macaroni Grill and it was too bad my brother couldn’t join us. Mom and I made a deal that every Sunday we’d see each other, have dinner together and treat each other alternately—one pick the place and the other will pay! So I made her pick the place (well I kind of suggested “Mi N Yu” in Georgetown next Sunday), but she still needs to get that all decided. So that’s what will take my Sunday afternoon and night from now on. Spending quality time with Mom is the greatest ever!

I can sense that this week is going to be pretty hectic now that I’m back although I’m still catching up with my work that I intentionally put in the back burner before my San Francisco business trip. So now things are catching up on me and I better get things under control. One of my big projects this week is setting up all the paper review assignments into our online system and notify reviewers with their assignments so they can begin reviewing them and submit their gradings. After that we’ll determine the accepted ones from which we’ll develop the program with. It’s tedious process and time consuming. After that things should slow down a bit—I can’t wait! Concurrent with that is sending all the CEUs that our attendees have applied for and my responsibility is to make sure they get approved. This is also one major part of my job is to manage CEU programs including program approval and certificate issuance to attendees. That would be a W0ot w0ot for my resume—manage multi-step conference program CEU application process! Those are things that will occupy my time pretty much this whole entire week on top of my “normal” items that I work on a daily basis.

Well, so it sounds like I have a busy week ahead of me so take no offense if I don’t respond to anyone who contacts me immediately—it’s just a job! Of course, have a fabulous capital pride week to everyone. Make every moment count!

d-Jae

Degree: Need Time & Money

So today I did a lot of thinking about trying to get a college degree, which I have been neglectful about for the past several years. At first right after graduating from high school, the idea of achieving a degree was exciting until when I came to U.S. almost 7 years ago. That goal kind of died as I started plunging into the work force and concentrated doing other things. I think this may be the perfect time to aim for that important piece of paper documenting a significant achievement of my life. The thought of investing not only a year, but several years to going to school and attend one or two classes per a standard semester is rather discouraging. But, if I put my mind to it, I can definitely do it. The outrageous amount of time including money that will be spent will have to be overlooked and rather desire the overall impact to my career (life in general) in a big picture.

Since I have been in the non-profit business for last 6 years I think I will want a degree in one of these areas: Political Science, Public Administration, Social Policy and Justice, or Communications – all of which would be applicable to association management and are preferable in the non-profit world. I was talking to my superior today that I want to become a Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Leadership Development someday, and she said “Well, you better get started with your degree!”. She is definitely right, though! If I want that job, I must get my degree—whatever it takes! Time and money might be a little tight, but again if I put my mind to it, I should be able to do it. I made sure though that she understands that I would be doing this “all by myself”. Quite frankly, the amount of sacrifices I would be faced to is unbearable – but I told myself “d-Jae, you can do this!”. I suppose in order to live the lifestyle that I want, which is living and working in San Francisco, I need to get my act together. Those of you who are reading this, this could be a wake up call to do the same. To get what you want, you need to get that degree—one way or the other!

I must say that quite a number of years ago my outlook on getting a college degree was quite a low standard, but thanks to me bringing the whole “I want to take another class in the Fall” to my boss I rather heard the most irritating but encouraging sermon in my life. Quite frankly she has been my one and only “motivator”. I personally think she has some personal interest in the fact of me getting a degree, which I would not mention it here. I’m just glad I have someone push my button (because I’m stubborn) but help me become more determined to achieve my goals. Do I have the time and money? Money I might not have, but certainly time I do. 26 years old? Yea, I think I can do it…and so can you!

I left my heart in SF!

One thing I will say about my visit to San Francisco was just a big WOW! There are so many things that I have seen and done while I was over there and I don't even know how to begin.

Well, first of all, my boss and I took the latest flight Sunday night (because we were so cheap!) with Virgin America—they are just amazing and "hip" airline. I say "hip" because it has the beach vacation feel to it. The flight was kind of mediocre – but the fun part was having some ways to entertain myself. Well, Law and Order: SVU and Law and Order: Criminal Intent were on so that took away the fact I was on a 5-hour direct flight. After getting our luggages, we were picked up and dropped off at the hotel and crashed into bed. Man, that night was unbelievably exhausting!

The very next day my boss and I had the pre-conference meeting with the hotel folks, which amazingly lasted for 2 ½ hours. There was too much information to absorb that I just sort of skimmed through and paid attention to only major things. After that we met with other relevant staff and introduced ourselves, and etc. After our business meeting, my boss and I hit a sushi bar called "Sushi Boat", which was the coolest sushi bar I've ever seen my entire life! I will post the video that I took later on this week. They basically serve food on a wooden boat, which was on a water track that went around the bar—it was awesome—and you pick the plate you want and stack them. The food was incredible – not to mention the exotic food they had that you normally don't see at a sushi restaurant. Anyways, the other restaurants I checked out (with someone) was "Catch" which was located in Castro, which is the "Dupont Circle" of San Francisco; "the Waterfront", which was located in between Pier 7 and 8, there we had a great view of the Bay Bridge. San Franciscan food is just incredibly amazing and truly authentic…in style!

Clubs and bars down there are somewhat low-key and very relaxing. Their locations are convenient if you live downtown San Francisco. The clubs itself were very small and confined; however, its clients are diverse coming from various parts of U.S. and all over the world. I've met some people from the east coast and locals. They seem to welcome tourists in their own degree of hospitality, which was truly refreshing. In DC, you don't see that, not that I fish for it, but DC-nians are just DC-nians, if you know what I mean. Anyway, I was able to check out some clubs and bars there (with someone), such as The Café (Asian bar), Badlands (the "Apex"of SF), N'Touch (yet another Asian Club), and Esta Noche (Latin Club). San Francisco has its own style and perks to please and entertain its local audience and out of state individuals. For a newbee like mysef, I was quite pleased and truly amazed how much things I'm missing out. San Francisco definitely made a mark on me and I can't wait to get a job down there and live there. I'll be there soon enough. I just have to be patient. I can honestly say that's where I belong. I'm sad that I'm back to the lovely state of VA/DC area – but I miss my friends and family, and that's the only reason why I urged to be back. Otherwise, I call SF my home.

As what tourists do, I checked Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, Lombard Street, Alcatraz Island, Union Square, Castro and Mission Districts, Embarcadero Center, Ferry Building, Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, Cable Cars, Market Street, the strip, Westfields Center, an upscale shopping mall.

I met several people and I hope to see them soon. They plan to come visit DC soon and we will re-connect. So excited! Well, I'm back now to my normal life – but I look forward to my next trip, which will be in New Orleans, LA this coming January. But, before that I need to plan my summer vacation, which is in Miami this year. W0ot w0ot!

'Till then San Francisco I'll be down there soon enough. Miss you, Miguel!

d-Jae