Women in Start-Ups!

About a month ago I attended a panel discussion on Women in Start-Ups. Below you'll find my notes:

Speaker- Jennifer Fleiss

Project: Rent the Runway Link HERE

Methodology: Go-Getter-Implementation-Executive

• team of 13
• timeline: before graduation to get funding
• focused on women behavior as a selling point for funding
• "the feeling they get when they try one the dress"
• not a product company
• looking for other women that know how to program and code (HTML).
• project has been running for 2 years
• always wanted to be an entrepreneur
• Was featured on Gossip Girl

Speaker- Marissa Evans

Project (Founder): Go Try It On Link HERE

Methodology: Do the job you have before you have it!

• Operating since 2009
• Foursquare
• blog: tech crunch
• south by southwest (don't remember what this was about either)
• deadlines are absolutely necessary
• always asking herself "what would I wear?"
• online-offline

Speaker: Gauri Manglik

Project (co-founder and CEO): Spot On Bio LINK to be useful HERE

Methodology: Learn faster than what you have to

• "Space is becoming more important."
• tech crunch
• iPhone tools doing things they hadn't done before

Speaker: Alexis

Project (Founder and CEO): Aut Faciam (Latin) Link HERE

Methodology: Untapped need for something...it will take off!

• iPhone developer
• Girl develop Program (they give classes in NYC-Link HERE)
• focus on bringing women into the field
• blog everything you do
• learn to code (don't give up!)

Overarching themes:

• Get on twitter
• optimism
• going to meet-ups
• XKCD (funny site-Link HERE)

I've recently had this strong desire to learn how to code. Let me know if you'd be interested in taking some classes with me! It would be great to have a partner. 

Cheers,

t

The One Year Itch

"Discovered by the Germans in 1904, they named it San Diego, which of course in German means a whale's vagina." -Ron Burgundy, Anchorman

Since I got a taste of leaving San Diego back in 2007, I have had a hard time settling down in one place. Since '07 I have lived in LA for a year and half, San Diego for another year and half, and now I've been living here in NY for a year. I'm beginning to get that itch again. I long to be back in San Diego with my family, my little Roxy, my Gf's and Bf's, and everything that defines and is SoCal. Although, I must admit that I don't know if my nostalgia stems from the fact that I've been having a hard time for the past 2-3 weeks nailing down an apartment in Bushwick (the neighborhood that I've grown to love for all it is and all it is not).

Apple-G realty has given both, my roommate and I, a very hard time in securing the apartment. I have already given a $560 deposit, and my roommate has already given them $170 for the application process. Our parents are co-signers and they have requested everything and anything imaginable to make sure that we will be suitable candidates for their luxurious apartment complex. The amenities are off the chain: central air, doorman, rooftop access, laundry on-site, recreation center, and etc. OFF THE CHAIN, I tell you. But at this point, I rather just move on and secure an apartment else where before September 1st, since my apartment has already been rented (smh). I will be homeless! YES! HOMELESS!!!

Nevertheless, the itch has returned. NY is a tough city. No doubt about that. It's abusive and ungrateful for all that you do for it. Cali on the other hand, always treated me with respect. Uncertainty gives me a stomach ache. I don't know what direction to take...even in regards to jobs. I'm contemplating pursuing a job in the corporate world, or sticking to teaching (familiar territory)? I wish someone would just tell me what to do! And will I, also, be returning to SD (or Cali in general) or will I go somewhere else, or will I stay in NY!? I DON'T KNOW!

Maybe September will give me a clearer perspective. Maybe I just need to go to the Cape Labor Day Weekend with the girls at the end of the month? Maybe, I should finish my paper that's due tomorrow!? Or maybe...I should just suck it up and quit being such a freaking baby about everything!?

This next semester I will be D-O-N-E with my units for my degree. After that, I will only need to finish writing my thesis. I'm registered for a Thesis writing course, and a Methods of Interpreting Popular Culture with prof. Marita Sturken (former USC professor, now the chair of our department...looking for a recommendation letter...PhD at USC...MAYBE!). Other projects are in the works. I'll be attending 3 conferences this semester as well, meaning that I'll be traveling quite a bit. Might be catching a Charger game with Stud Muff in Denver come October. I'll be going to Mazatlan for a wedding with my Nino late October also... It'll be a busy semester.

I gotta find a hobby/job, STAT.

-t

Baguettes and fromage

Since the Señora and mocoso left...

First, I experienced a wave of emotions. I cried like a freaking baby for several hours. Soon after the crying, I had to meet the classmates for dinner and the such at a place somewhere that was a 30 minute walk from our building. That particular day was also a huge holiday here which was La Fete de la Music, which is one of about 3 holidays out of the year where all Parisians are out in the streets and there is music playing everywhere and anywhere. Also, they have food available all night! Only on this particular day though, it's not an everyday scenario where you can get street food/cheap food after 6pm. It's pretty crazy stuff. Wonder why the French are so skinny!? That's why. They don't eat junk food after 6pm.

Le Weekend!

Samedi et Dimanche (11th-12th).

Samedi was, in sum, a whole lot of getting lost. I was trying to guide us to see the wonderful église de Madeline, which happens to be close to our hotel, but seemingly ran into another church by the name of San Augustine and then we ran into an H&M and then into a park by the name of Jardin des Tuileries which then led to The Louvre and then we turned around and VOILA! The Eiffel Tower was in plain sight and the Champs et Lycees right in front of us! Thus, we took a few pictures in front of the Louvre and went down to see and climb the Arc of Triumph. Along the way we stopped and took photos in front of the Place de la Concord. It was on the way back that we got really lost and a bit anxious to get home. But all turned out well. The sunlight is endless here! It doesn't get dark until 11pm! Our few days here have felt wayyyyy longer than usual. Which leads me to Dimanche. One last remark about yesterday...We were out the door by 10am and we didn't get back until 11pm. Yup! We walked from 10am-11pm. No big deal.

Dimanche was not long at all. We were out for a few hours and then came back to our room. But get this…we didn’t wake up until 2pm. Yeah…we were just a bit tired.

Señora and Mocoso have been trying their best to adjust to all the bread eating/dark concentrated coffee/and rudeness that is the French way. They’re not too kind to tourists. Therefore Señora, being a 6 cup a day instant coffee drinker herself, does not like the concentrated coffee here except for the one from McDonalds, so we’ve been making quite a few stops at the McD’s here au Paris. At first I was on the defense about it, “I’m not going to be one of those typical tourist that comes to a foreign country and eats at McD’s…” Alas, I need to be kind to Señora. She took a big step coming out here, but maybe it’s too much all at one time. This is her first time outside the US/Mexico. A big congrats to my mom for being the crazy “I’m going to Paris. Fuck IT” kind of woman. I had to get it from somewhere! Que no!? As for Mocoso, well…we ate at a restaurant yesterday and he wanted a salad with Ranch dressing. Aye Dios MIO! I kind of figured they wouldn’t have it, but my curiosity was also, kind of, eating away at me so I asked and the gentleman just looked at us as if we were crazy. At first the gentleman agreed with us, “Dressing, yes!” And then Rober asked “but Ranch dressing,” and the gentleman looked perplexed. He answered with “yes, dressing, yes, oil vinaigrette. Dressing yes!” Rober replied, “no thanks then.” Little brat. LOL. We ended eating two baguettes and Rober ate spaghetti. All was well.

We got to see the cathedral of Notre Dame and there was also mass going on so we got to see the church in action, which was really nice. We also, FINALLY, ran into the Madeline church. We met a very nice Peruvian man that has been living au Paris for 20 years! Crazyness. He also agreed with us that the French can be somewhat rude and unkind to tourists. We saw the Palias de Justice, Musee d’Orsay and I want to say that was about it.

That was the weekend for us…

Signing off from Paris.

Big smiles,

Tanya

June 9th/10th: SD Departure/Paris Arrival

Bitter/sweet.

San Diego: My month long excursion back home came to an end, and my sincerest apologies for my friends that I did not have the time to see and catch up with. I return in December and hopefully with a better attitude and less on my plate. I did get to do a couple of things, such as acquire a sort-of-tan! There is a bright side to having the beach a few miles away. I shared a few great laughs with certain individuals, including but not limited to: My BFF, Vicious Vic, My Twin, Gregarious Martha, Pattito, Pelado, The Marine, Chinese, Stud Muff, Raymond, DL, Feo, among a few others that I can’t seem to remember. Love y’all very much and I hope to see y’all again during the holidays. The downfall of this whole excursion back home has been that I’ve yet to finish my second semester of school. I have all of my final papers still to turn in. I’m failing at life at the moment. I am lacking motivation and having been back home has also caused somewhat of a distraction. But more than anything is the non-existent motivation that co-habits with my every lingering thought of finishing those damn papers. I was ready to leave San Diego two weeks ago. Something about it just wasn’t right. Thus, I slept more than usual, watched a few movies, and actually made it out to the gym a couple of times.

The SD departure, as mentioned, was way overdue. Now, I’m in Paris (sweet). When I was waiting for my luggage, I noticed that my lovely Roxy luggage was damaged (BITTER!). The handle seemed as if it got jammed somewhere. Picture the handle bar and the two metals that go inside your luggage for you to pull it…ok, got it…well, now picture one of those two metals completely broken! No longer attached to the luggage. The other one…picture that one in a zig-zag, and if touched would also break off. Long story short on my way to the restroom the handle completely broke off. American Airlines was understanding about my now-not-functioning luggage. They are paying for the repair here in Paris. As I’m writing this blog, I’m waiting for Señora and Mocoso to arrive. Their flight has been somewhat delayed (somewhat bitter).

Paris: FINALLY! I’m here (SWEET!). I’ve been waiting and anticipating to come back. I love this city. My Señora and Mocoso will be here with me for 12 days. Some of the things I have planed for us to do is: a bike tour to Giverny to visit Monet’s gardens next Thursday, a day trip to Versailles (which I didn’t get to do last time I was here), and we’re also going to Disneyland Paris! On top of those 3 day trips we’re also doing the touristy things like La Tour Effiel, Le Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, Seeing the Mona Lisa in the Musee de Louvre and etc. I start class on the 22^nd of the month and I will be reporting to the studio I will be living in for 3 weeks on the 21^st, which is also the day Señora and Mocoso fly back to San Diego. Once I start class, there are things we’ll be doing as a class during the week. I will have class Monday-Friday for about 3 hours each day. On the side, 2 of my friends and I will be traveling during the weekends to Brussels and Amsterdam. Super exciting stuff going on all around.

I will try and blog on a daily basis for the entire month that I am here. Stay tuned.

Signing off from Paris.

TAC

Ps. I am reachable mostly through:

e-mail: Tcornejo10@gmail.com

skype: tan.fab.

Text messages too! But, I will NOT be responding. I can receive all the text messages in the world. Feel free to text me your address if you’d like a postcard. ;)

Ocho months.

As I was watching Grey's Anatomy last night on my computer, and lusting over McDreamy, I saw at the corner of my eye a HUGE spider! I started screaming and squirming. Finally after a few minutes I mustered the courage to kill it, since it was nearing my dresser where my lovely clothes sleep. One of my lime green rain boots handled the job. It was HUGE. The biggest spider I have ever killed. After, I went back and lusted some more over McDreamy and McSteamy. I realized today that killing a spider last night versus killing cockroaches when I moved in to my Brooklyn apartment 8 months ago is definite progress.

In about another 3 weeks, I will be completing my first year of graduate school, and flying back to California. I never thought I would miss California as much as I have. I miss everything about it. I miss my family, my little Roxy, and crazy Cocoa-Nut, along with the home-made meals and above all else, the SoCal weather! This semester has been tough to get through and I can not wait to be done.

Figured my 8 month anniversary shouldn't be left unnoticed.

And I don't have anything else to write...

-TAC

Paris and more...

Monte Carlo, Monaco July 2005

My first trip outside of the US and Mexico was in 2005 when I was given the ultimate gift (birthday/christmas/any other possible holiday that I could count for that particular year) to visit my friend Laura in her home town of Saint Raphael, France. I was with her and her family for a total of 10 days. Originally the plan was to stay 14 days in the southeast coast of France, but I needed to visit Paris. It was a must. While in Saint Raphael, I decided to book a ticket to Paris for the last 4 days of my France excursion. I must say that the 4 days that I spent in Paris by myself were, by far, the most wonderful and fulfilling days of my entire life. I have always wanted to return. I am proud to say that I will be, 6 years later, in the same city that gave me beautiful things to look at and 2 € chocolate croissants. Life does not get any better. Of course, paradise has its price. Fortunately I received a scholarship of $1,000 that will go towards my tuition (≈1,300/unit). The course I will be taking in Paris is Globalization, Memory and Visual Culture with Professor Nicholas Mirzoeff. I also realize that in my previous post I did not mention Paris as an optional site for studying abroad, but I attended an information session and I was sold at the mere thought of, again, eating chocolate croissants while drinking a cup of coffee in a typical Parisian cafe, all while staring at the 'Tour Eiffel' (with my French accent).

Roxy & Me, January 2011

My degree at NYU requires a total of 36 units. At the end of summer I will be at 30 units completed. I had initially thought that I would have to leave NYC and move back to California unless I was able to score a really great job to be able to afford the cost of living here, but that is not the case. Our graduate advisor Mary, is amazing and has an answer for anything you throw at her. She explained that I do not have to move back to California because I will only have 6 credits to complete in 2 semesters. This is how it will pan out: 6 units will be taken in the fall, and 0.5 units will be taken in the Spring towards my thesis. Since graduate school at NYU (and most other graduate schools) is usually paid for per unit, I will only be paying half of a unit more than what is necessary for graduation my last semester. I was also freaking out at the thought that I would have to perhaps write a thesis by fall. Ask Martha. She is usually the one hearing me out with all these random thoughts. Thank you MARTHA!!!

Boston, February 2011

Currently, I am working with a few of my classmates to submit a panel for NCA, which will be in New Orleans this year. In addition, I am also in the process of re-working an essay I wrote for my Communication Processes: Race, Gender, and Culture class last semester for the New York State Communication Association conference. On a similar note, I am also continuing to do research for the OBITEL yearbook with Prof. Pinon, on top of my 3 courses which are coming together in terms of fundamentally understanding the theories and their applications to everyday life. I was struggling at the beginning of the semester but little by little it is all coming together (thank baby Jesus).

Walking Home-Brooklyn Bridge, February 2011

I can't wait

I can't wait for Spring

I can't wait for some sun

I can't wait for some blue skies

I just can't wait

I want to wear shorts

I want to hear some real funny shit

I want to sip on some margaritas

All while chatting with my Amigitas

I can't wait to see my Familia

I can't wait to hug my little Coshita

I can't wait to eat some California Burritos

I just can't wait

I want to chill with the lil' Mocoso

I want to drink some momosas

I want to be in San Diego!

All while thinking that just in a few months

I will be, in yet, another city

PARIS

Summer Abroad 2011 Answers...

I have no way of knowing until the 14th of this month if I will be able to study abroad. I did want to share how I answered these particular questions, just for feedback, and/or for future reference for anyone that is deciding to study abroad. If I do not get accepted then my answers can be used as the "do not's" and if I do, then...

Explain why you wish to participate in this study abroad program.

Leaving the ‘nest’ and the comforts of home is not an easy task. When I began my college career, back in 2004, I was not ready to venture out on my own. I completed my general education requirements at the local community college of my hometown Chula Vista, located in the Mexican border region of California. After 3 years, I felt ready and as I applied to 4-year institutions, I hoped to get accepted to the farthest one, California State University, Los Angeles. And I was. CSULA provided me with being away from home, but if need be, it would be a 2 hour drive down the interstate 5 freeway. For graduate school, I felt the need to continue the exploration, and thus applied to 7 schools all over the US. Luckily, I was accepted to NYU and I could not have asked for anything else. I have learned more about myself in the past 6 months, than I did in the year and half that I was in Los Angeles. I feel, that if given the opportunity to study abroad this summer will only enhance my studies, as well as provide me with a cultural standpoint that I have yet to experience in my 24 years of life.

Describe your academic interests as they relate to this study abroad program.

My academic interests are in Latinidad, global and transcultural communication. Granted, that this program I am applying to is in Europe instead of Latin America, but I would like to experience other cultures that I have less familiarity with. The approach that will be taken to analyze the national tendencies of cultural memory can be applied else where, such as my studies about Latin America, more specifically in Mexico. In addition, the course will also be providing a theoretical survey of the relationship between the United States and France, which will be beneficial to my future studies, as I would like to examine the relationships, as I am U.S. born, between the United States and Mexico. I do not know how I will be approaching the subject matter yet, but I believe this course will help me to further assess what I will be doing for my thesis; it will provide me with another approachable framework. It would be such a privilege to be able to take this course abroad.

Describe a significant intercultural experience issue or event and its impact on you.

Having been raised in Southern California, and living and experiencing only the Southern California region, it was a big culture shock when I initially moved to New York. I had rented an apartment a few months prior to my move, in the uptown area of Manhattan, W 137^th Street between Frederick Douglas Boulevard and 7^th Avenue. I have visited New York City twice before actually moving, and it all seemed so glamorous. My arrival was everything but glamorous. The neighborhood, Harlem, was nothing I had ever experienced before; my parents had never been to New York and the expression on their faces proved that they felt insecure and unsafe in departing and leaving me in a neighborhood that they did not recognize and that was predominantly African-American. The moral of this story is that I lack intercultural experiences. My parents have just recently began to travel outside of Mexico, and this is due to my own explorations; they like to accompany me on my journeys when ever possible. After living in Harlem for about 2 weeks, I moved to Brooklyn. I now live in a predominantly Cuban and Puerto Rican community. I was scared of the unexpected and because I was raised in the suburbs; the city life is very different. Thus, I have realized that I need to travel and expose myself to other ethnicities, other cities, and other lifestyles. I lack exposure to cultural differences; being able to study in France will give me another experience to add to my life.

Spring Semester 2011

I started off 2011 next to my family since my uncle was unable to make it out here due to weather conditions. It actually worked out. I was experiencing anxiety, but all was forgotten the moment I saw and got to hug my Senora. And so began the new year, surrounded by my loved ones. A new year, a new semester, and oh, so much to look forward to.

Last semester was difficult/complicated. Beginning with the trauma of leaving a life that had been cultivated in Southern California for 24 years and starting fresh in NYC-Harlem. Moved out of Harlem and down to Brooklyn a few weeks after the initial move to the city. In addition to the moving of 10 suitcases from Uptown to Brooklyn, adjusting from driving to public transportation and walking, from home cooked meals to venturing out and eating Thai and Indian food, from working full-time and having money to spend, to being broke and in school again, adhering to deadlines and trying not to procrastinate but somehow doing the complete opposite, to adjusting to the 3 hour time difference but still receiving text messages at 3 AM E.T. since the homegirls are barely warming up the lungs back in Cali with Margaritas and Tequila shots, and to simply being away from my family and friends and not getting enough hugs out here in the big city--it has all been rough, tough, and quite the adjustment.

In addition to the adjustments, my last semester grades were not what I had aimed to achieve. This semester, I gotta bring my "A" game. No if's or but's about it. On that note, the BS will be non-existent and the Cali visitors will have to wait and visit during summer and/or winter break ONLY. I will be taking 3 courses again this term. 2 of which are under my department, Media, Culture, and Communication -- Global Media and International Law, and Media and Spectacle. The other class is under Tisch -- Latin American Performance. I'm very excited for all of them and I look forward to building strong networks with my professors since I would like to study abroad with Diana Taylor, director of the Hemispheric Institute here in NYC, whom will be teaching a course in Chiapas, Mexico (http://hemisphericinstitute.org/hemi/) Luckily, I will also be helping my professor Juan Pinon with his research on publishing his yearly article in the OBITEL yearbook along with another fellow San Diegan classmate Linnete. The research I will be assisting with, will consist of gathering information on Telemundo and Azteca America and seeing what programing was produced in 2010, who produced it, how much money was invested in advertising, ratings, economics, co-production between different conglomerates, and etc. This semester will be busy and exciting. Also, as mentioned previously, I am also looking forward to studying abroad during the summer and there are two classes that I am highly interested in, one being in Chiapas, Mexico with Prof. Diana Taylor, and the other in Buenos Aires, Argentina with Prof. Marita Sturken (Department Chair of Media, Culture, and Communication). It has always been a dream to study abroad and I feel that if I do not do it this summer, then I will not have another chance to do it. I need to make it happen.

To new beginnings, cheers!

-TAC

I miss my little Roxy.