The Year That Was: 2010

Wow, 2010 done already?

Many of us take these few last days of the year to evaluate and to remember meaningful events that happened throughout the year. I think it is important to highlight these events some way or another to do 2 things, one is to reward ourselves of things we accomplished and felt happy about during the year and secondly to improve ourselves in things that we have done poor throughout the year. I encourage everyone to take a few moments to truly reflect and set goals for the upcoming year.

For me 2010 has been a very challenging year. Much of this year I dealt with situations that were new to me that were difficult to deal with. At some moments I felt that things were truly going in a wrong direction and had no power to solve it. In order to confront these difficult times, I simply hoped for the best and prayed that things would get better and sure enough, little by little things improved.

On the other hand I had moments of joy and excitement that I had not experienced before. I was privileged of becoming my organization’s Co-President, that made me believe that I can accomplish goals by having the right mindset and working hard for that goal.

New Visions in 2011

As in every new year, the new year helps people start over with a clean slate and be optimistic for the new year. I really think that especially with how the mood is overall in the country, people need to reflect and set goals that will carry them throughout the year that will make them a better person.

One of the things I am excited the most for 2011 is that God willing, I will  graduate with my degree in Business Administration w/ a concentration in Marketing from Cal State Fullerton in the Fall. It has taken me and my family a lot of hard work and sacrifice and hopefully by the end of this upcoming year I will be able to accomplish a milestone that will bring great opportunities in my career. With that said, I have taken a step to increase my knowledge in my desired career by working hard  in the Social Media company that I am co founding, Blue Peak Social, with the hopes of increasing my knowledge of social media and how it affects businesses.

These are some of my goals for this 2011 and I thank everyone who has been there for me during this 2010! What are your goals?

Thanks for reading and see you in 2011!

OC’s PBS Station Reaching a Wider Audience

Taken from pbssocal.org site

[taken from the VitaminOC site, posted by me.]

KOCE-TV, Orange County’s local PBS station announced today that it will be serving a larger audience. In their latest blog post they mention that they will be re branding themselves from KOCE to PBS SoCal to reflect its reach to a wider base audience in Southern California. Their new web page is PBSsocal.org and they will fully change their name on January 1st.

If you have not checked KOCE, or soon to be PBS SoCal, it is a great channel to learn more about Orange County and Southern California in general. They have exclusive shows for Orange County in their OC Channel [On air 50.2] like Inside OC, Real Orange, Orange County Focus, Chap.m.an Report, and Orange County Forum.

KOCE also states that their will move their central office later this month to Costa Mesa, just South of South

Coast Plaza and the Performing Arts Center campus.  Early next year, KOCE’s studio will

begin construction on the ground floor at the same Bristol St. building.

Have you visited the Merriest Place on Earth?

This Blog post originally posted on VitaminOC site. Written by me.

Photo taken by Jorge Felix Dec 14, 2010

One of the best places to celebrate this holiday season around Orange County is definitely spending a day at Disneyland. For the past couple of years, Disneyland changes from being the “Happiest Place on Earth” to the “Merriest Place on Earth” with a holiday cheers around every corner of the park. The reason I love coming back during this time of year is because I love seeing everything Disneyland has to offer and that warm feeling you get of happiness and togetherness with the people you go with. I really do not think Mr. Walt Disney [who recently had a birthday] knew the magnitude of the success and IMPACT Disneyland would have to many.

Here is my “MUST to do List”  during the Holidays at Disneyland:

Photo Opportunities:

–Take a picture on the CALIFORNIA Sign outside of California Adventure! This will be your last opportunity at taking pictures there, since Disney decided to remove them in order to make renovations throughout Disney California Adventure. [LAST DAY Jan 4th, 2011!!]

-One of my favorite things to look at when you enter the park is seeing that BIG Christmas Tree and being able to take a jolly picture with the whole family!

-Heading towards the center of the park, a great photo opp can be captured in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle, where I recommend  taking 2 pictures here, one during the day and another during the night.

– Take a pic of your favorite reindeer! At Frontierland,  you can pet REAL reindeer at Santa’s Reindeer Round-Up and have a close up with them!

Attractions:

-It definitely feels like the holiday season when you hear the carolers and the Disneyland Marching Band singing and playing your favorite Christmas tunes

-Check out one of the local stores in Main Street to see how candy canes are made!

-You cannot miss visiting the place with 999 ghosts and ghouls at the Haunted Mansion Holiday attraction and seeing the house decked out with Jack Skellington and the gang from Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas.

–Make time to see the Christmas Parade! What’s really fun about seeing the parade is that you get to watch a great show and see local bands! I had a great experience while in high school to march around Disneyland during the holiday season and it was fun seeing everyone so festive and happy listening to our tunes!

-Ride the Matterhorn Bobsleds to get a better view of the park during this festive time!

-Get Goofy at Mickey’s Toontown and celebrate the holidays with Mickey, Minnie, Donald and the rest of the Toontown Family!

-Ride the classic “it’s a small world holiday” and sing your favorite holiday song in a relaxing boat ride!

-Your Disney visit cannot be complete without seeing the “Believe… in Holiday Magic” Fireworks Show . One of THE highlights at Disneyland!

Dining:

-Taste great holiday treats from Tamales to Mickey-shaped gingerbread beignets

-Feeling a little cold inside the park? Buy yourself a creamy hot chocolate before riding Space Mountain!

– Try out special holiday items at the Plaza Inn near Main Street

–On a budget? I highly recommend dinning at the Village Haus, Tomorrowland Terrace, or Redd Rocket’s Pizza Port for quality food at a reasonable price

–Go outside the Park and check out the New Orleans themed Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen for a great holiday dinning experience

Last minute holiday shopping? Check out the biggest World of Disney in the West Coast at Downtown Disney. You will find anything Disney at this awesome one stop shop! I HIGHLY recommend purchasing an Annual Disneyland passport to enjoy Disney all throughout the year! You can now purchase these passes and pay a small monthly fee, finance free! I just got mine yesterday and excited to visit the happiest place on earth! Whether you are a kid or a kid at heart, Disneyland during the holidays’ is a great experience to enjoy!

I really want to hear from you! What is your “Must ToDo List” at Disneyland during the Holiday’s?  Other locations to take great pictures? Your favorite holiday Disney treat?