Month: February 2016

Short Post: Mindfulness

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Mindfulness, it is a quality that is hardly seen in people today. We are all consumed by instant gratification, the so-called freedom as we are liberated to chase whatever our short attention spans dictate. We are influenced by the idea of “personal brands”; we are dominated by a desire to foster a certain type of “public image”. We become more concerned about what others think of us instead of just being who we are. We lost that ability to be happy for ourselves and to bring happiness to others. Mindfulness runs against all of that. It is a compassionate and empathetic act that comes through self-less giving. When we are mindful, we are not taking from others. We are making the world around us the subject matter. It is when we are able to see the world from another person’s eyes. It is when we try to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes. We too often judge others quickly without truly understanding who they are and where they come from. We forget that everyone has …

Courtyard by Marriott – Arc Atlantic Regional Center

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As Arc Atlantic Regional Center’s Project Coordinator, I work on various aspects of their Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Monterey Park development. My responsibilities are split between project coordination, marketing data analysis, and marketing. I took initiative to create the company’s online presence. In collaboration with Suen Labs, I re-developed Arc Atlantic Regional Center’s website which launched on Feb 26. I created both the Chinese and English content for the website and provided design directions for the appearance of the website. My other work in marketing includes creating various media items such as monthly newsletters and press releases and I coordinate with local media such as TV Stations and newspapers in creating advertisements. I also provide Chinese-English translations for our marketing materials as needed, such as adding Chinese subtitles in the introduction video for investors. In terms of project coordination, I help the Project Manager in contacting various utilities and contractors relevant to the construction and development of the project. For example, I reached out to Southern California Edison and AT&T for their underground cables and pipeline …

Short Post: The Issues – Educate and Compromise

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Recently, I have had several conversations with my friends back in Taiwan. A common thread of discussion is how hopeless they feel about social conditions getting better. Since the recent presidential election that resulted in the first female president in the country’s history, there have been a wave of euphoria. A large majority of the population, especially millennials, felt that the fall of the KMT was key to social change in Taiwan. Yet the problems that face Taiwan, especially those of my generation, are complex and difficult to untangle and dissect. One thing that we all agreed on is the fact that many people are unable to think for themselves. Many young people comment and criticize based on misinformation or a lack of independent thought. Part of the issue is how the media presents information and part of the issue is how people consume media in Taiwan. Though media consumption is not a unique problem to Taiwan, the culture of Taiwan tend to cause people to disregard and dismiss opposing opinions and voices. I feel …

WLM Financial Marketing and Branding

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During September 2015 to January 2016, I worked as a Marketing Coordinator/Analyst for the real-estate broker WLM Financial. Based in Inglewood, CA, the company focused on providing first-time home buyers with financial advice and loans needed to purchase their home. Using my knowledge of GIS and demographics, I identified the locations of their target markets. I proposed ten cities in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area that they can look to expand marketing operations into. On the broker side of business operations, I looked at home sales data, mortgage data, and property prices to locate other states that WLM Financial can look to apply for broker licenses. After getting to know their operations, targets and goals better, I created a marketing and a branding plan for the company. In terms of brand building, I used their current website and Facebook page as points of interest and set goals to be reached by July 2016 and July 2017. I created a social media schedule for them to post select content and to generate more reach and views to …

Compassion is Light

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After being reminded of some personal philosophies earlier this morning, I want to take the time to explain it. I wrote this poem 7 years ago after a conversation at dinner with my buddies about relationships with people: A Conversation at Dinner An act in progress is the star within you. Simplified to four stages: Red dwarf Blue giant Supernova Black hole Bring out the light in those around you or engulf them with your own. What is it that you want – a harmony or an overwhelming shell. Self-confidence comes with the brightness you emit and cause others to emit. Centered on yourself you drain all around you as a black hole pulls in even light. Drowning in the ever amassing matter accumulated throughout years of darkness. None can save you but yourself. So you, I am talking to pick yourself up and act in the manner you believe to be best. I will expand on what I wrote in poetry form. If we imagine each of us as a star (which I believe …

Half-Year Goals – 2016

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As I write this, almost one-sixth of the year has already passed. This also means…as fast as time flies, my birthday is right around the corner. In the spirit of summer babies and half years, I have set out a list of goals I want to achieve by the time I turn 27. A man/woman without goals is not living but merely surviving. Since I moved to Los Angeles last summer, much of my time has been consumed by job hunting. I have been stressed out because of a lack of productivity, a lack of stability in terms of my visa, and a lack of direction. I stopped being who I was: cheerful, fun, adventurous, enterprising, passionate, curious, to name a few generic/unique traits… In order to rectify that, I am going to set some goals. I want to learn new skills and continue to become a better person. I know that every year I am gaining more experience. Every year, I have grown and become a better man. This year, I am writing this down and posting …

I Forgot Hope, Is What Makes the World Beautiful

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*very very rough hahaha kind of rusty. I believe that we are born pure Clean without evil But why do these things happen So I descended into the darkness In my search for the meaning Of why Fog and mist crept in Covered every path Colored everything gray Trapped within the shadows Trapped within my cave Within my own head So I saw nothing Save for darkness And I accepted it as fact   I came out tainted Forgotten my belief With no reminders of what came first But back into the light The sun shines Cleared away the shades Then I remembered Hope is what makes the world beautiful Because without hope there is no love.

面對自己的過去

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一個人處理事情的方式, 往往會受到過去經歷過的事影響 一個人的個性也如此 二十幾年來我沒有清楚的認知到底為什麼我會這麼沒有安全感 這麼害怕失去 讓我沒有辦法好好對待自己與我愛的人 因為我沒辦法接受空間也因為覺得會被拋棄而容易失去自信 與一位好朋友的對話讓我第一次如此清醒地了解到我的問題 1993年 當年我媽帶著我和妹妹們去上海找我爸 那時候我也已經有大概有半年到一年沒見過我爸 在好不容易全家團聚不久後 我卻又一個人被送回台灣 因為我爸有回台灣工作的可能而我也需要上小學了 所以只有五歲的我就被先送回去 雖然說我跟我姑姑一起住 我在她當老師的學校上課 可是她很忙 我的同學也一放學就回家 於是我常常就只能一個人 那時候 印象最深的就是一個人自言自語 玩石頭抓蚯蚓抓昆蟲 還有在課堂上莫明其妙大哭 說要找我媽 從那時候我就開始覺得我一直是一個人 很需要別人的愛與關懷但是又得不到 就算身邊有家人有朋友也一樣 覺得沒有人懂我需要什麼 當然我家人都很寵我而且我又是長子長孫 我也很愛也很感謝大家 但是那麼小就與爸媽分離的我 在需要與妹妹們分享注意與關懷的情況下 已經完全失去了安全感 而也深深影響到我之後與朋友的關係 國中高中到大學也如此 但我根本沒察覺 只是無謂的一直生氣和破壞建立起的自信 我現在覺悟 我也希望改 不然對事業對愛情對家人我都是不可能做到最好 也無法為身邊的人帶來快樂 那 你們的故事是什麼?