Blurbs for the Brain

Posted on May 11, 2013 // Leave a Comment

The founder of Spanx, Sara Blakely, is the first female billionaire to join the Giving Pledge, whose signers commit to giving the majority of their wealth to philanthropy. I am a firm believer that inheritances suck the drive out of people and thus love the concept around the Giving Pledge. According to Forbes, Blakely is the youngest female self-made billionaire. Check out her inspiring commitment letter.

Read about the person who received the highest honor to be bestowed on a graduating senior at UC Berkeley. Ritankar Das is a double-major in bioengineering and chemical biology with a minor in creative writing. He completed his degree in 3 years and, get this, is only 18 years old. I think that’s how I was when I was a freshman at Cal! His bio goes on and on and on, including founding a non-profit and organizing poetry slams. Ummm, Ritankar got an overallocation of the genius genes!

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Affirmative Action: Addendum and Life Lesson

Posted on October 20, 2012 // 2 Comments

I was reading an essay in the Wall Street Journal about affirmative action and the research-based negative results that occur as a result of mismatching. To summarize, the whole process ends up being more destructive than constructive in that students who are admitted through affirmative action tend to be isolated because they cannot perform academically, they tend to abandon majors in math, science, and engineering more quickly than other students, and their self-confidence plummets. They call this phenomenon mismatching because of the wide discrepancy between the rigor of the school and the capability of the student. Hence the solution is to align kids with colleges that are more suitable for them.

One of my roommates at Berkeley (I say “one of” because I lived in a triple my freshman year.) faulted the system for accepting her, yet not providing the resources and the mentoring to help her succeed. She was Latino and eventually left after our 2nd year. She makes a valid point, but I have a counter-point to all of this. And that is…take accountability! I have been saying that a lot lately and think that is the root of most people’s problems: lack of accountability.

Problem: I hate my job. Solution: Take accountability and find something better.

Problem: I have so much credit card debt. Solution: Take accountability and start paying it off.

This is not rocket science, people. It’s called life and life is manageable if you get off your ass and do something about whatever is bothering you or keeping you from finding glory.

Back to affirmative action. If you’ve had your heart set on Princeton and believe you may have gotten in because you’re part Cherokee, then take accountability! It’s not hard to determine whether or not you’re mismatched for a school. Let me walk you through it. We all take standardized tests, yes? What’s your score? Let’s say it’s 1100. I’m alluding to my age because I know the SATs are no longer on the 800 – 1600 grading system I remember. Or are they? I have no idea. Ok back to the example. Your SAT score is 1100. You find the average SAT score of Princeton and you see that it’s 1350. That’s a guess, but let’s just say that’s what it is. All these stats are easy to look up, so no student can feign ignorance. Whoah! That’s a pretty big delta. 1100 compared to 1350? What do you think that tells you about the school you’re about to enter? Mainly, you’re going to have to work pretty damn hard to compete. This is where self-awareness comes to play. Do you think you are a hard enough worker to be able to compete or not? Are you willing to forgo sleep to study your ass off?

Getting into a school and then matriculating should not be a shock. It’s quite simple, actually. As I mentioned in a previous post, I am pro-affirmative action. But given my stance, I would also expect 100% accountability on the student’s part. Know the stats. And be self-aware.

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Thoughts on Affirmative Action

Posted on October 14, 2012 // 1 Comment

I wanted to provide my thoughts on the Supreme Court weighing in on the Fisher versus University of Texas affirmative action case, whereby Abigail Fisher is challenging the university on using race as a criteria in evaluating a candidate’s entry. She was denied.

I know my lawyer friends are going to be all over this. If I mis-state the facts please feel free to comment.

Diversity is extremely important in school and in the work place as we are all citizens of a multiethnic, multicultural community. Ideally where you go to school or where you work would naturally reflect the same exact diversity that you are a part of locally.

Taking a step back, it was not easy seeing some unqualified Latinos from my high school class get into Berkeley. When you think Berkeley, you think prestigious. You think, cut-throat. But with two Latino classmates in particular, they were unremarkable. So unremarkable that those who didn’t get in, would scream, ‘That’s so unfair!’ I get that. I have been there. I can sincerely imagine the unfairness Miss Fisher must feel, having been a talented, accomplished student, and not gotten into her top choice college. Or worse, watching less qualified classmates of color get in.

From a different perspective, there were a few times during my college career when white people have bluntly told me that I must have gotten in as a result of affirmative action. Ouch, that hurt. My retort was always, “Asians aren’t on the affirmative action list, you retard.” But you know what, their jabs made me study harder because I wanted to prove that I deserved to be there. And I used to tell myself, “I am so going to make more money than that asshole/bitch.  Just watch.”

Here’s the deal. It didn’t matter how you got in, whether it was through affirmative action or your own merit. You know what mattered? Whether or not you graduated. Those who got in through affirmative action and couldn’t stand the pressure, yeah, they failed. Bye-bye. There were also valedictorians who, once they got to Cal, had meltdowns when they realized they weren’t so smart anymore. They also dropped out. So my message to Miss Fisher is to move forward. I see why she’s bringing up this case, that she feels wronged, but girlfriend, you are so going to be more successful than all those UT chaps. The world is your oyster and you’re going to come out ahead.

There’s no doubt that affirmative action needs to be reformed, but I believe using race as a factor is an important tool that should not be taken away. Cmon, do you really want to go to a school that’s practically all Asian? That’s what Berkeley is. It’s 43% Asian. That percentage has drastically increased from the time I went to Cal. I don’t want to go to school with that kind of makeup. Why? So I can participate in a class where everyone wears glasses, plays ping pong, and your parents do your laundry? SHOOT ME. I swear that a diverse school is beneficial for everyone involved.

When is enough enough? It’s not hard. Look at the composition of the local community. When those percentages are reflected in the composition of a school or work place, then we will no longer need affirmative action.

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UC Berkeley English Department

Posted on December 29, 2011 // Leave a Comment

I was reading the UC Berkeley English department newsletter and was extremely proud to learn that the department boasts the highest number of professors to receive the university’s Distinguished Teaching Award.

“It is the highest teaching honor given by the university, and the selection process is rigorous: nominated candidates must pass through a meticulous review of student evaluations, course histories, grade distributions, statements from former students, and teaching philosophies. Finally, the candidates who emerge from these rings of fire are visited in class by members of the Academic Senate-appointed selection committee, who in turn debate the relative merits of each candidate before selecting the few deserving recipients. As a result of this stringent selection procedure, in the fifty or so years the award has been given, only about 240 teachers have won the thing. And among those 240 are 25 English professors. To put that figure in context, 25 is the same number of times that the second and third most awarded departments – Electrical Engineering & Computer Science and Law – have won the award combined.”

I read through the list of 25 and recognized 5 names. I took classes from 4; I noted the class I took next to their names. And I was advised to major in English by the passionate Julian Boyd. I will forever be grateful to him as I think majoring in English was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life.

1980 Anne Middleton – Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales

1986 Janet Adelman – Literature in English

1993 Julian Boyd – advisor

2002 Jeffrey Knapp – Shakespeare

2009 Mitchell Breitwieser – American Novel

It’s so easy to dismiss English as a fluffy major, even at a prestigious school where the program is ranked #1 nationwide. At the time, I too, did not give the major the attention it deserved, splitting my time by double-majoring in a more analytical subject. And that, is probably one of my biggest regrets.

“The best English teachers are able to provide remarkably new insights into the most familiar materials…this mixture of enlightenment and estrangement may be unique to teaching literature. Reviewing the teaching philosophies of past DTA winners, a trend quickly emerges: English professors repeatedly stress the importance of questioning, uncertainty, and paradoxes as roads to insight. By contrast, faculty from other departments overwhelmingly emphasize the importance of having a firm grasp on the topic – thoroughly understanding the issue before attempting to communicate it to students. Of course, there’s nothing incompatible about a thorough understanding and an eye for complication. But unlike those subjects in which a teacher’s ability to explicate means the difference between success and failure, in English, explanation alone is insufficient.”

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The Drunk Double Major

Posted on August 10, 2011 // Leave a Comment

The first time I got drunk was my third year of college. Pretty good considering I’d started drinking even before my teens, playing spin the bottle with sugary wine coolers—Seagram’s Tahitian Sunset—kiddie alcohol.

But by the time I finished freshman year of college, I’d built up a fierce tolerance to mixed drinks and straight alcohol. So much so that the bragging rights came spewing. “I can drink you under the table,” I’d challenge to anyone who’d listen. I meant it, too. Bright-eyed and mentally-capable, I could spend the night drinking, then split open a textbook on molecular science for an hour of late night reading. I considered that light reading, lighter than a Shakespeare comedy. The periodic table I got, iambic pentameter—not so much.

All that changed the night we walked up toward the Berkeley hills to a fraternity party. Friends from the dorm days had rushed, joined, and were now part of a good group of guys who welcomed old and new friends into their home. They threw festive parties with bars setup in rooms all over the house with hip hop echoing from boom boxes and more alcohol changing hands than a week of transactions at your local BevMo.

It was Goldschlager night. The drinking games had already commenced by the time we arrived. I muscled my way into the action and warmed up with a shot. The volume of alcohol I consumed always caused concern, which I dismissed. “I don’t get drunk.” Wuh? “I said, I don’t get drunk!”

The guys must have thought, who is this Napoleonette?

The night deteriorated into a frenzy of shots. I found it laughable how much more I could stock away in my 100 pound frame than these burly men. I felt invincible and proud. Gawd, I just don’t get drunk do I? I must have had exactly 10 shots give or take a couple.

Back at home, in my jammies, I fluffed up my pillow and lay down for a restful sleep.

My eyes opened immediately. Why is everything spinning? I felt sick sitting in bed. I ran to the bathroom where I spent the rest of the night, cheek pressed against the cool toilet seat. Please God, make it stop. I promise I won’t ever drink again. The mental bragging rights came crumbling as I spewed obscenities in-between puke.

Until now I thought it was the alcohol, but really hubris had been the problem all along. That’s a sobering insight learned 15 years later. I should have stayed focused on Shakespeare and Greek tragedies instead of mucking around with those damn chemical reactions.

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Out and About on Polk Street, San Francisco

Posted on June 28, 2011 // Leave a Comment

Last Thursday, we had a good time hanging out with friends in Russian Hill at Amelie—a special place for us since that’s where Dean and I met.  It is such a romantic and lively French wine bar. Perfect date spot. Later on at night, we ended up at Kimo’s watching and dancing to a surprisingly good band called YNOT & Asian Diva Girls. They mashed up hits from Nirvana, Michael Jackson, U2. The female lead vocalist asked how many of us played the piano and I started cracking up. Almost the whole Asian crowd threw their hands up. Gotta love the robotic Asian culture. Piano, tennis, Lowell, UC Berkeley, optometrist. So friggin predictable!

Monday night, I went to my first ever Porchlight series at the Hemlock Tavern on lower Polk. Porchlight gets highlighted by literary blogs and calendars, but it is so not a literary event. It’s “literally” open comedy mic. There’s a theme for the night, you sign up, and tell your 5 minute story. 7-8 people typically sign up. Prior to the start, the host anonymously picks an audience member who will determine the winner; the winner gets $50. Props to the co-founders for this method of choosing the winner. I really like it. So much better than applause which always makes some speakers feel good, while others feel bad. That feel-good/feel-bad applause is like being at a baby shower and everyone oohing and aahing at the most expensive gifts.

It also reinforced that there are people in the world who will like what you do, for being you, and telling your story. Others won’t like you, but I guarantee you someone does appreciate and enjoy your talent. The winner was not someone I would have chosen myself; I thought her story was annoying—my personal opinion.

The theme Monday night was Kitchen Confidential—food-related stories about restaurants, waitressing, catering. The stories were a hoot. I thoroughly enjoyed at least half of them. Porchlight has been around for almost ten years and I have been missing out. Definitely a good time.

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Positive News from Pilot Territory

Posted on June 14, 2011 // Leave a Comment

Speaking of private schools, some good news from my tiny catholic high school (400 total when I went there) St. Joseph Notre Dame in Alameda where our mascot was a pilot.

This just came through today in the email newsletter. More than $2.7 million in scholarships awarded to the Class of 2011. The valedictorian scored big with the Regent’s and Chancellor’s scholarships for a full ride at UC Berkeley. One student is getting a full scholarship to Columbia and yet another is getting a full ride to Howard. That’s what I’m talking about!

And I guess I should also mention Jason Kidd, the basketball phenom who put our no-name school in the burbs on the map. The championship eluded him since winning back-to-back state in ’91 and ’92. This week, he got that NBA championship he very well deserves. Congrats Jason! Because of you, basketball is the only sport I actually understand and enjoy. Unless you count gymnastics and figure skating. Those are sports, right? And cheerleading. Don’t forget cheerleading!

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Money Monday: Public vs Private Education

Posted on June 13, 2011 // Leave a Comment

The spring philanthropy magazine for Cal alumni arrived and like all my mags, I carry them around with me and read them while waiting for those damn Muni busses. I should point out that reading the alumni magazine is the exact opposite action of me deleting the UC emails pleading for donations due to drastic cuts in the state budget. At least with the magazine, I enjoy reading about the students, their research, and campus developments.

So I’m reading the magazine and that ongoing debate pops up in my head about which is better: public or private schools? I’m quite schizophrenic on the issue. Whenever I’m talking to someone, I’ve noticed I tend to argue against their preference which means I must be a bitch.

I don’t think I will ever come to a resolution and that’s because, like most two-faced Geminis, I did both. Public for undergrad, private for grad. I should also note that I went to private for high school so I have seriously done it all.

I’d like to pose a question to all you college grads out there. Did any of you despise your education or experience? I would wager that 100% of college grads LOVED / HAD A BLAST or considered it BEST TIME OF MY LIFE / LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE. And why is that? Because you don’t know any different. We didn’t go to multiple colleges. We went to a single one. As for the college transfers, you don’t really say on your resume that you went to community college for a couple years. Hence your college experience is predicated on your final university and so, like everyone, you also LOVED college.

Unlike your career experience where you have plenty of jobs to compare, bosses to abhor, paychecks to scoff at, there isn’t any room for comparison with college. You only went to one. So that’s my very long answer for why I think most people will argue for whatever type of school they went to.

I have a love / hate relationship with Cal. If you’d asked me a few years out of college about my experience, I would’ve been one of those LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE regurgitators. Then I went to grad school, became an alcoholic anorexic party girl, and really did have the BEST TIME OF MY LIFE. Like for realz.

But in all seriousness, here are my personal facts. Berkeley was fucking hard and unless you went to Cal and took an O-Chem or Shakespeare class, then I swear to God, you do not know what hard is. Sure, Cal was a “good value.” But I am tired of that shit. I’m only lucky that Berkeley has extremely high reputational value. That’s what made the cheap tuition worth it. Otherwise, no amount of money is worth throwing at 300+ lecture halls. Who can really learn that way? Besides it is so frustrating graduating from Cal with a mediocre GPA and competing with all the 4.0+ grads from Ivy Leagues who not only earned those grades but probably also learned something while they were at it.

Oh you private schools with your billion dollar endowments. Others jest about your ivory towers, your educational coddling, those fine cars littering the parking lots. But at the end of the day, private schools will fight all evil (i.e., recessions) to get their students and alumni jobs and all the resources they need. Isn’t that what we want from our alma maters? Sure I will be paying student loans for the rest of my life (that’s not far from the truth), but more often than not, I think it was worth it.

Not to end on a sour note about Cal and public schools, while I am not the biggest proponent of sending our future leaders to be educated there, I am fiercely proud to be a Cal Bear. I care about the school and donate to prove it. And these facts certainly help the cause.

Cal ranked #4 after Harvard, MIT, and Cambridge as the most reputable university in the world.

Despite Cal’s piddly $2.6 billion endowment versus Harvard’s $27 billion and Stanford’s $16 billion, we compete with those same schools in attracting the best students and faculty and maintaining our highly-ranked programs.

Cal enrolls more low-income students than all eight Ivy League schools plus Stanford combined.

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Random Musings from the Interweb

Posted on June 1, 2011 // 3 Comments

Alumni musings: Picture here is the winner of the UC Berkeley 2011 graduation photo contest. Golda Hernandez ’10 (Photo credit Randy Olaes)

Food musings: After I wrote that post about YFC, looks like Ad Hoc will be serving fried chicken daily through their takeout lunch program called Addendum. Damn those fuckers.

Job musings: I don’t even know this girl, but someone has got to hire her. If I could, I would. I wouldn’t be surprised if this new college grad has already been scooped up. Christine Hall.

Literary musings: Norman Mailer proving to the world what a total asshole he was.

Comedy musings: Damn my mom is on Facebook. Best of SNL.

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