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It’s a new year

Monday, January 2, 2012

January 1, 2012

This was the best way to spend the first day of the new year. My closest friends and I. All in the same house. All day. It was a 24-hour party. We woke up, kind of,  and went to church. Jason gave his first sermon in front of the congregation. After, we went back to the house, got back in our pajamas and lounged. All. Day.

We ate. We reflected on the past year. Talked about lived experiences, learning experiences, and shared advice as we go into the new year.

Then we ate some more.

The phrase goes “home is where the heart is” — with my friends and I, it couldn’t be more true. We love our families, we do; but when we’re with each other, we’re our own family. We’ve got something truly unique – and I’m thankful for that.

 

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Step Up for Down Syndrome

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Today I got invited to be a part of an event – Step Up for Down Syndrome. This event serves two purposes: awareness and fundraising. I didn’t know much about the event before hand and didn’t know much at all what to expect. Upon getting there and the day starting to roll out, it was awesome to be a part of. This event brought info so many people from so many walks of life to celebrate one thing: these individuals whose lives are affected by down syndrome.

It really was a beautiful morning and extremely humbling as well. I was asked to capture some photos throughout the day, but during some of my breaks I did some face painting. Nina and Chelsey were heading up the face painting booth. The requests there varied incredibly and it was fun getting a glimpse into these children’s imaginations with what they wanted painted on their face. Some things were as extravagant as, “I want Freddy Kruger!” or as simple as a bashful, “Can I have a glittery heart?”.

Below are some of my favorite photos from the morning. The first one was my absolute favorite – I was kinda scoping through the crowd through my lens, and when she saw my camera pointing at her she immediately rose her hand. It made my whole day.

love
happy
content
dancing
more dancing
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QR Codes: To scan or not to scan?

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

I always scan – you never know what you’re going to get!

Definition of: QR code 
(Quick Response code) A two-dimensional matrix bar code that is used to identify products. It can store up to 4,296 alphanumeric or 7,089 numeric characters. Depending on the level of error correction applied, it can restore from seven to 30% of the missing data.

Now is it safe to always scan them? I’m not completely sure. Is it fun? Yes.
(If there are dangers I’m not aware of, please let me know!)

Today, however, I did a little experiment with QR codes. Some of you may have noticed that my Twitter avatar was a QR code today. I did this just for fun, to see how fast/slow people would react – if at all. Also, with QR codes or any marketing tool –  you need to have some sort of value-added notion associated for your audience. Granted, I’m not marketing much – I’m just having fun, but there was some definite added value for my audience.

The QR code looked like this:

Upon scanning the code (using an app of sorts on your phone) it would direct you to a URL that I assigned it.

The site that it took you to was nothing but this picture that I uploaded:

I actually set my avatar to the QR code last night after work, but didn’t get much action as I had anticipated. If you were viewing my avatar on your phone, you would have had to use a separate device to scan the code. So as expected, the next morning at work, while people were using their desktop computers to see my avatar, they then used their phone to scan and saw this image.

I did nothing to promote the QR code. I simply tweeted as normal and let the curious folks find this little hidden treasure for themselves. My first DM came in at 9am. Three followed relatively quickly after that. The fifth person took a while to find their way. Later in the afternoon, I tweeted “One more … #justsayin” and I asked the four others who had DMed me to retweet that message. It was my subtle way to raise awareness and catch a fifth person. It took about an hour for the fifth person to chime in, and a sixth came in just a minute behind the fifth.

This whole project over wall was a fun and kind of sneaky way just to see how many people were checking QR codes. I can’t take all the credit for this creative idea, however. My friend, Ben Winans, first had a QR code as his Facebook profile picture – which gave me the idea for this Twitter project.

Having said that, I’ve got some baking to do this weekend and I plan on delivering the goodness packages on Monday. I also let the first person to DM me choose one of the baked goodies I’ll be preparing. I’m still awaiting to hear her decision.

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Social Media, TOMS Shoes, and Good Music

Thursday, October 28, 2010

I wanted to post this last night, but as I sat down and began writing I also began falling asleep.

In the last 48 hours, I was extremely privileged to have met and interacted with some really awesome people. I work in an awesome office at Fresno Pacific that has allowed me to meet so many people and make some sweet connections. Now who are these people you may ask? Allow me to introduce..

Chris and Kristie of Social Media Club

Chris Heuer and Kristie Wells are the founders of Social Media Club (SMC).  SMC’s mission is, ” to connect media makers from around the world to advance media literacy, promote industry standards, encourage ethical behaviour and share the lessons they have learned.” SMC has gone world-wide by enabling people to discuss their passions and connect to those with similar passions. Chris and Kristie were in Fresno Tuesday evening as our keynote speakers of our Fresno Chapter of Social Media Club.

I’ve got to confess that I’m still pretty new to Social Media Club, and especially our Fresno chapter. However, I am fortunate enough to work with the two co-founders who started our Fresno Chapter: Nick Gundry and Lisa Alvey. They’ve graciously invited me to join them on the ‘organizational staff’. I’m excited to plan future events with them. During Chris and Kristie’s visit, I got to meet them and listen to them talk about the beginnings of Social Media Club and how social media is being utilized here in Fresno. I do have to confess, again, though that I should have taken better notes. There were good conversations that took place, though. Participants ranged from new social media users to a few social media consultants.

After the meeting Chris and Kristie joined us for dinner. I was lucky to sit right across from Kristie and was able to talk with her for a bit. It was fun talking to her and getting to know her a bit. She’s just another lady who simply says what’s on her mind and does what she loves. I didn’t get to speak to her husband Chris much, but he was equally fun. My dinner time with them was limited, though, as I had to pick up a certain somebody from the airport.

Blake Mycoskie of TOMS Shoes and I

That certain somebody was Blake Mycoskie, chief shoe giver and founder of TOMS Shoes. Blake was the speaker at Fresno Pacific University’s 2010 Business Forum. I was lucky enough to be his handler/chauffeur.  I picked him up from the airport on Tuesday evening and then drove him around all day Wednesday to his different speaking engagements, all part of the Business Forum. He was a really rad guy, but busy and really tired. He had spent two weeks in Ethiopia, flew into Los Angeles, spent a day in meetings, and flew to Fresno. It was cool getting to talk to him a little bit and spend one-on-one time with him. I also got to hear him speak all three times that day and in doing so got to hear all about his story and the passion that comes out when he tells his story. But I would say that the coolest part of hanging out with him by far was during college hour. As I was standing next to him, it was awesome to be able to worship next to him. For me, it was just cool to see that a successful business man was able to just worship so openly and freely. Also, cool parts of the day was getting a picture with him and having him sign my TOMS flag that hangs in my office. I took him back to the airport and then he was off to Canada for his next business engagement. He’s one busy man, but like Chris and Kristie, gets to do what he loves for a living.

The band members of Elliot and I

The same day of the Business Forum we invited Elliot to join us on campus for a concert. Elliot’s music was featured in some of TOMS Shoes promotional videos. I learned this in one of Elliot’s prior visits to Fresno where they played at Kuppajoe. While I was watching them perform they mentioned their music’s appearance in the TOMS video. I then brought this up to my co-workers and thought it would be cool to have Elliot here the same day as Blake; and we did. I really, really enjoy their music and was stoked to have them back. They led us in worship during college hour and then had their own concert at FPU that same evening.

The evening of the concert, I went in to check in on them and chat with them a bit (and to get a picture with them and have them sign my CD). As I walked in, they were just about to start praying and invited me to join – and I did. It was awesome, we spend a good little chunk of time just praying. It was rad. These were some solid guys. After I stuck around and talked to them for a while. Found out we knew some people in common (and they were from Oregon!). Crazy small world, really. All in all, though, Tuesday and Wednesday were a crazy-insane two days filled with really awesome people. I’m really thankful that I’ve got a job that allows me to make such connections and have awesome co-workers. The past two days were also a crazy-blur, but all that I know is that I enjoyed it.

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Photo Preview: Ben & Tia

Monday, October 4, 2010

Two of my good friends, Ben & Tia, just got engaged. I love these two and was happy to be able to take some of their engagement photos. Here is a preview:

Ben & Tia

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Night Hike

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Last night I was with a few of the guys. We watched Predator, then at midnight, we decided to go on a hike.

We packed our things, and left up towards Auberry.

It was awesome. We hiked for some time, found a clearing, laid out our stuff, and slept under the stars.

I loved that it was so spur of the moment, but what I loved even more was just getting out in nature.

I left my phone behind, and it was kind of nice to be disconnected for a while.

These days it is so easy to get caught up in everything.

Remember, we need to take breaks. Turn off your phone and take a trip

It’s beautiful out there.

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My Rocking Cow

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Growing up, I didn’t have a rocking horse. I had a rocking cow. 

I talk about it in more detail in a previous post. My family came across this old photo, so I wanted to share.

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Personal Narrative: Part 8 of 8

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

My Graduation Tassel

Coming up in just a matter of days now [*note* I am posting this now, however I've been graduated for a few weeks now], I’ll be walking across the stage wearing my black cap and gown and my white tassel. I will be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in communication. It is crazy that that day is so soon. Thinking back when I was growing up, I honestly don’t know if I ever saw this day coming. I will be the first in my family to graduate from a four year university. This will be closing this chapter of my life and I will be moving on to the next chapter.

Just these past four years of college have flown by so fast. I can still fondly remember walking into Krause for the first time. I remember seeing my room for the first time, and then I remember watching my parents leave me here at this strange place that I would indeed call home for the next four years. I have lived with some awesome guys over these past four years and have made some great relationships.

I also recall not exactly knowing what I wanted to study or major in once I got here. I knew I liked music a lot and wanted to continue performing music (as I had since 4th grade), but I knew that it wasn’t the right course for my life to pursue a degree in it. Some of my initial plans were to become a teacher so that I could go back to my old high school and be the activities director there – that idea didn’t make it, however. Then I was pursuing a double major in business and communication. I was going to cover my bases so that after graduation I could do anything. I felt that those were two majors that would have been safe.

Needless to say, I didn’t hang on to the business major long. I dropped my business major to a minor, and then eventually dropped it all together. I did not enjoy the business classes at all. But I was really enjoying my communication classes and so I declared myself as a communication major.

My college experience is definitely catch all for these past four years and really has made me who I am today. I’ve been blessed with the privilege to travel to Vietnam and all over the United States while in college. I’ve made friendships that will last a lifetime. I’ve deepened my faith and continued my walk with Christ. With my white graduation tassel, I have ‘left my parent’s home as a boy and left college as a man’ as our own President Merrill Ewert says it.

Conclusion

Having shared those stories, I was definitely raised to be unique and to shine and to stand out as a leader. I know not of what my plans are in the future, for it is not up to me, but it is solely up to God. I have plans of taking steps in certain directions, hoping that it is in the right direction in life. I know that if I am going in the right direction, doors will continue to open – and if I’m not going in the right direction, doors will close. Over these past few years I have learned and grown and transformed so much. With all of this change I’ve undergone, I pack it away and prepare to start a new journey in life. It makes me extremely proud to know that I will be the first to receive my bachelor’s degree in my family. It also excites me to continue my education and pursue a master’s degree in leadership studies. Before I start the next journey, though, I need a break. I plan on taking this year off and simply resting for a bit. Then from there, we’ll see what is in store for my future.

“‘For I know the plans I have for you’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” Jeremiah 29:11

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Personal Narrative: Part 7 of 8

Friday, May 21, 2010

My Starbucks Gold Card

I bought my Starbucks Gold Card last summer. This past summer I lived in Nashville, Tennessee. What took me out there? The best answer I can give is this: a good friend and God. One of my really good friends, Dave, was graduating and I was finishing my junior year. Dave had been planning on going out to Nashville for a while. It wasn’t until one day when I was researching some internship possibilities that I saw there were some summer opportunities in Nashville. I shared with Dave and I brought up the idea of me going to Nashville with him for the summer. He was cool with it and thus began our Nashville plans.

I had applied for several internships with some music companies out there in hopes of doing some marketing and other communication related work. One of the companies I applied for was Country Music Television. I thought for sure I had that internship in the bag. I sent in my application, and then a few days later, I called them to make sure they received it. They asked for my name, and I told them, and then they recognized it by commenting that I was ‘the guy from California’. I was stoked that they knew who I was. My application was fierce. I thought I for sure had this internship in the bag.

Several weeks passed and we were nearing the end of the semester. Dave and I had our plans set for Nashville. It was at the end of the semester (I was currently Student Body President) that I found out I was unable to run for a second year of presidency. I was torn about that. In the same week, I found out that none of my applications for the internships were accepted. I was a mess. Nothing was going as I had planned.

I ended up still going to Nashville. I had no job lined up, nor an internship. Looking back, it really was a work of God that I ended up in Nashville. He took me away from everything and provided a summer of relaxation, a summer of great friendship, and a summer of great memories. It was in this summer that I bought my Starbucks Gold Card. I never had a job while in Nashville. Instead, while Dave was working, I walked down the street and spent time at my ‘office’. My office was Starbucks.

I did ninety percent of my blogging while I was at Starbucks. Now that I am back, Starbucks is still a place that I will hold close to my heart. There are so many good memories that are tied with Starbucks. I became a regular in that Starbucks and I got to know the other regulars at that store. I also love coffee. I always have. My Gold Card provided me discounted coffee, free internet, and a lifetime of memories. It will be expiring here in a few months. That saddens me just a bit, but I’m also okay with it. Because of my Gold Card I had access to internet that allowed me to blog about my experiences so that I can easily revisit them.

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My Personal Narrative: Part 6 of 8

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

My Blog

I have a website. It is http://www.stevensanchezjr.com. I use the website as a personal blog and as a means to share some of my photography with the world. The point of my website is to simply share my life with anybody who may be interested in what’s going on in my life. On my blog, I’ve also included a mini-feed of my tweets. My tweets serve as a mini-blog, while my website serves as a more in depth, more detailed blog. Now, why do I post my stuff online? Who needs to know what I’m doing right now or what I’ve done in the past? I don’t know anybody personally who needs to know … but I do know people who enjoy to know.

One of my biggest fans of my site would be my mama. I don’t always call home as often as I should to keep my parents in the loop of what I’m doing. Somehow, however, I can find time to post my stuff online. By posting it online, my mom is able to keep tabs on me and share in my stories and adventures that is my life away from home. Then, aside from my mom, I have several friends who I don’t get to see regularly but keep tabs on me via my blog.

It is kind of funny how my blog came about. I had never really thought of being a blogger until this past summer. I started my blog in preparations for an internship that I would be doing the next semester. So starting my blog wasn’t necessarily by choice, but it has become something that I’m proud of and enjoy having. Over the summer I was publishing something to my blog on a daily basis. This was also part of my preparation for my upcoming internship. In doing this, I was creating a presence for myself online. Blogging during this particular summer was one of the highlights, to be honest. I really didn’t think that I was a blogger because I had never cared for writing at all. However, I found blogging to be a great way to process my thoughts throughout the day, or simply to share funny stories that I had encountered that day.

Another drive that kept me blogging was that I had actually acquired a following. I would keep tabs on the statistics of my blog. Over that summer, I had about fifty to sixty regular followers that checked my blog. I really didn’t think that I would gather a following at all, let alone fifty plus people to be looking at my site every day! It was really neat knowing that there were people who were interested in what I had to say.

In terms of what I published to my blog: randomness. I remember that my first post was really off the wall. I was directed to stay away from the “okay world this is my first post, so here goes nothing” message – and I also wanted to avoid doing that myself. So, my first post was about a show that I was watching at the time. The show? Dirty Jobs. On this particular episode, they were making dog food out of unused animal parts. It really was an interesting first post. But after revisiting some of my first posts, I really had some entertaining ones in there. I was new to the blogging thing and was trying to get a feel for what type of content I wanted to publish.

I was also on the east coast at the time. So a lot of my posts were also updates on my travels, life, and experiences. Now that my internship is completed and almost a year has gone by, I still treasure my blog. I am saddened a bit that I haven’t been able to publish to it as regularly as I did. Now I’m lucky if I can get two posts in a month or so. Owning my own website and having my own blog has really helped me improve my writing abilities as well as helped me in simply expressing myself. It is often too easy for me to keep things to myself. But since I’ve had my blog, I’ve posted trials that I’ve been going through, and then in doing that, people have written back with their trials and provided words of encouragement.

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