Hi, I'm Nina.

Career Exploration Visit – Beyond Pix

ninatran — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 07:13:37 +0000

On February 10, 2011, my fellow classmates and I took part in a career exploration visit to Beyond Pix Studio in San Fransisco. Before arriving to our destination, I expected this visit to teach me the many different fields in technology and how this company operates to produce fine media. Once we arrived at our destination, I immediately noticed how clean, organized, and well mannered the workplace was. It was very welcoming and the people were very casual in the way they spoke and dressed.

As we explored the worksite and met various amounts of people, I learned of different job titles such as production assistants, audio producers, junior editors, etc. As they spoke to each of us, I learned that in order to land a job here, it would be very substantial to start out in a small job such as an internship, although they don’t get paid, the experience will provide the skills essential for a real career in the organization. I also learned that the skills you learn from this organization are very basic and transferable, such as being flexible and being able to learn something new very quickly. It is essential to be flexible in an organization such as BeyondPix because you must produce media to satisfy the company and the consumer without losing the central message the company provokes. It is also essential to be able to learn new things very quickly because in BeyondPix each employee is given different tasks whether they are experienced in that field of production or not, so acquiring this skill is very helpful in different job careers. I was also very surprised to learn that the programs that Beyond Pix use to produce media are very similar to the programs the DSA use. Beyond pix uses Final Cut and Photoshop but they also use more advanced programs to perfect their work such as Avid and Aftereffects.

Overall, this career exploration visit to Beyond Pix was very helpful for me personally. By observing, learning, and being in the workplace environment it helped me realize how this media company produces their substantial work and the skills necessary to do so. This visit helped me think about planning for college by determining whether or not I could see myself in the multimedia or technology field in the future. This career exploration visit was quite successful and I’ve learned a lot from it, but I personally wished that we could have done more hands-on work to get the full experience, but overall it was a great visit! I really hope Beyond Pix staff come to visit the DSA and teach their skills in lighting and production to us because it would be very helpful for our future projects. (=

Thankful Challenge: Day 9

ninatran — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 21:26:17 +0000

The last day to our thankful challenge.. I am so thankful for my parents. Words could barely describe how appreciative I am to have them in my life, guiding me in the right direction. They support me in my decisions, they try there best to satisfy all my needs and wants, and they do anything in there power to make me happy. I know they struggle a whole lot, and I hate seeing them struggle, especially argue. But at the end of the day, they’ll be okay, because they don’t like seeing there kids upset and down knowing it was due to there argument. They do there best to keep us a family and do anything they think will bring us closer together. It makes me sad knowing that our family doesn’t have that super close family bond like any other family, but I know we’re still working towards it and we’re getting better. I hate the fact that one day, I’m going to have to leave my parents when I go off to college, and it really scares me. I don’t want to leave them, it’s basically leaving everything behind. I’m so thankful to how my parents in my life, the people who accept me through ANYTHING. The ones who will forgive me constantly for all my mistakes, and will help me fix them. The ones who do the simplest things to make me really happy. The ones who would sleep in my room with me when I’m scared, the ones who will cook my favorite meal to see me smile, the ones who will take me shopping with them to help them find stuff, the ones who I love so dearly, and would hate to have to leave or lose. I love my parents and am so appreciative for everything they have done, they raised me into who I am today. They’ve taught me everything I need to know to live a good life. They trust me, and I’ve learned to never defy that trust. I live this life, because of my parents. I am truly thankful for them, for putting a roof over my head and providing me with food and water every single day. I love my parents, and I’m so thankful to have the most amazing and understanding parents in the world, even if there are bumps in the road. We’ll get through it, because all we want is to see each other happy. <3

P.S. This thankful blog challenge was really fun! It’s nice to write what I appreciate. I’m thankful for this thankful blog challenge which helped me realize that I have everything and everyone I need in my life (=

Thankful Challenge: Day 8

ninatran — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 21:16:54 +0000

I got home at 12 , so this blog is hours late. haha. But today, I am thankful for childhood games. I am thankful for childhood games because no matter how much I grow up, I don’t get tired of them. It’s an easy ice breaker and an easy way to have fun without having to spend money again. Childhood games makes me feel like I’m still a kid, and I love that feeling, because honestly, I don’t like growing up at all. Growing up makes me feel like I’m losing my childhood and all the things I used to do, but no longer have time for. Childhood games makes me feel like I’m not to old to still be playing these games, I’m thankful to be able to play them with my many friends. I love childhood games simply because it brings people together, you don’t have to spend money, and it’s just pure fun.

Thankful Challenge: Day 7

ninatran — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 06:39:10 +0000

Today, I am thankful for my older brother, Thanh. I spent the day at home doing homework, but took a break to spend time with him, we drove around and ate at wingstop. It was really nice bonding time just to talk about everything and catch up. Once we got to wingstop he actually tweeted ” wingstop with my bestfriend, my sister.” I saw it, and my eyes began getting watery! Haha. But yeah, My brother is my role model. He hasn’t made the best decisions and most definitely has made tons of mistakes, but I admire how strong he’s become. He’s surrounded by so much love, and I’m so thankful to have him in my life, to help guide me and support me in anything I do. I’m so thankful to have him in my life because he understands me, he knows when somethings wrong, and he protects me from hurt. I learn so much from him, and I could never tell him how much I appreciate him. We aren’t the closest siblings, but we have gotten so much closer. We’ve learned to trust each other and I finally feel like we’ve gotten that brother sister bond I always wanted when I was a young girl who hated her brother because he was a bully. I’m thankful knowing I can rely on him in my most desperate times of need. I look up to him soo much, he’s become such a strong and HAPPY person, and he makes me believe that happiness is possible to achieve. He’s really an amazing person, and I am so proud to call him my brother. Even when he struggles with his own problems, he won’t hesitate to help any one else, he’s so selfless and appreciative for everything he has. I love my big brother no matter what, and I’m truly proud to be called his sister. <3 I’m so thankful to have him in my life, without my brother, I would not have grown to be this independent strong girl he’s taught me to be.

My brother is my hero, and my best friend.

Thankful Challenge: Day 6

ninatran — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 01:33:38 +0000

Happy Thanksgiving! Today, I am thankful for family and the wonderful holidays. I’m thankful there is a holiday dedicated to appreciation and showing thanks to those who love and care for you. I am thankful for having wonderful cousins and family to celebrate with. Going to 2 of my cousins’ houses to eat tons of food and be surrounded by caring and loving family that I haven’t seen in the longest time. I love reuniting with those cousins i haven’t seen in years, and just having a good time with family. I love thanksgiving, simply because you get to spend time with those people you grew up with, people you know are blood related or family friends. I’m thankful for having a holiday where I’m able to be with family and have a great time stuffing our faces and singing vietnamese karaoke until midnight! haha. I’m thankful for having tons of family to celebrate this wonderful holiday with. (=

Happy Thanksgiving Ms. Paul! I wish you and your family a wonderful day full of love and appreciation! Hope you enjoy the food too! (=

Thankful Challenge: Day 5

ninatran — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 07:52:15 +0000

Today, I am thankful for friends. I went out with my friends today for an early thanksgiving dinner at Bj’s in concord. I’m thankful to have a group of friends that are entertaining and fun to be around. When I’m in a sad mood, someone is always there to look me in the eye, know something’s wrong, and just give me a comforting hug. My friends are goofy, loving, supportive, friendly, outgoing, and so much more. I’m thankful to have a group of friends who actually care, and don’t leave me out or put me in uncomfortable positions. I’m thankful I have friends who I can lean on when I’m down, or go to when I need help with something. I’m thankful to have loving friends who can surround me with positive thoughts and a nice atmosphere full of smiles and laughter.

Thankful Challenge: Day 4

ninatran — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 04:23:08 +0000

Today, I am thankful for my friend Katherine. Our relationship is sort of out of ordinary, she’s my cousin’s ex girlfriend.. Haha. We met through my cousin, and ever since we’ve had a really tight bond. I consider her my oldest sister, because we just have the best times, and I feel comfortable talking to her about ‘girl’ things since she’s older and understands. Right now, I’m 16 and she’s 21. I find our age gap amazing, because it’s always been us and amylynn, the 3 pack! So it’s a 12 year old, a 16 years old, and 21 year old. not ordinary right? But we’re all very close and we just have the funnest adventures ever. I could talk to her about anything, and she always gave me rides home when I was stranded somewhere. I’m thankful that I met her because she’s so loving and caring. She’s been through so many experiences and rough patches in her life and I look up to her because she’s such a strong person. She has a happy vibe all the time and I just love our moments together! I’m thankful to have someone like her in my life simply because she’s so wise and gives me reality checks and life lessons when I need em. But most importantly, I’m so thankful she isn’t like any other girl, after the breakup I expected to never see her again, but she kept us close and never let the breakup interfere with our relationship regardless of what judgements people had upon us. (:

Thankful Challenge: Day 3

ninatran — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 07:09:51 +0000

Today, I am thankful for my bestfriends JAM’N. I spent my day with them, and it was really fun and entertaining. I’m glad to know that they’re always there for me through anything, and when I feel so alone in the world, they’re always there to cheer me up. I’m thankful I can call them my sisters, and my parents are comfortable letting me out with them. I’m so appreciative toward everything they’ve done for me, they made me more outgoing and not scared to trust people. It took me the longest time to fully open up to them, but I’ve learned, and now I trust them with anything. Without JAM’N I truly don’t know where I would be. They’re the bestest friend a girl could ask for through our deep talks, spontaneous adventures, birthday surprises, lazy days, and just plain everything makes me thankful I have 3 wonderful girls who know everything about me, and are always there for me no matter what, even if we do get annoyed of each other from time to time. I love my best friends, and I’m so thankful to have them in my life. Even though so many people say outta high school you’ll be lucky to keep at least one friend, I know that no matter what, I’m keeping these 3 because we’ve built something stronger than a friendship, but a sisterhood. JAM’N <3

Thankful Challenge: Day 2

ninatran — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 03:35:30 +0000

Today, I am thankful for technology. I spent the entire day home and was super bored. But thanks to technology I was able to be entertained. I’m pretty thankful for the invention of TV’s and computers and especially phones! Without this stuff, I think I would be boooored out of my mind every single day. It helps me keep in touch with everyone, and keeps me updated on whats going on around the world too. Sometimes technology is a pain in the butt simply because it distracts me so much, but I’m thankful that we have it because it keeps me entertained throughout boring long days that I just want to end!

Thankful Challenge: Day 1

ninatran — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 05:02:41 +0000

Today, I am thankful for my wonderful cousin, Amylynn. Today I spent the day with her, and I’m so thankful to have her in my life. Since diapers, we’ve always been inseperable! We would go shopping together all the time, and we could stay home an entire day and just have loads of fun. There is an age difference of 4 years, she’s actually only 12 years old right now! But, she’s so much more to me than that, I never really noticed the age difference! I love my cousin, she’s always accepted me for who I am, and never judged me on any of my actions, but accepts me. She’s the one person I can honestly say knows me more than I know myself. We’ve grown up together and learned so much about each other in the process. She’s the little sister I’ve ALWAYS wanted. Regardless of our constant fights, our argueements, our annoyance of each other, and so much more. She’s truly someone I am so appreciative to have in my life. She’s always been there for me 100% even when I ignored her, and lost time to spend with her. She’s truly an amazing girl, who will grow up to be an amazing woman. I love my baby cousin because she’s truly the person who knows EVERYTHING about me, and when I feel at my all time lowest about any problem at all, I know she’ll be there in an instant to make me laugh and realize that things get better. This is why I am truly thankful to have her in my life because she’s the friend, the cousin, the sister I know I will never lose, regardless of anything.