APIA Searchlight Directory

To the loyal readers of the APIA Searchlight Directory:

Get up.

That's right, I said get up. Honestly, if there were ever a piece of advice that I would openly share with anyone it would be just that - get up. The American Heart Association says that 30 minutes of walking and physical activity a day can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, osteoporosis, breast and colon cancer, and type II diabetes. While it sounds like a dream, really it's that simple. Getting up can change your life.

And so my loyal readers, I urge you to get up and change your life. See what the world has to offer because you never know what is out there until you get up and take a look.

Find what you’re passionate about and chase after it with all you've got. Learn your likes and dislikes. Test your strengths and develop your weaknesses because weaknesses are just potentials in disguise. And above all, I urge you to try your best and never let failure deter you. I say this because what I have come to learn is that true failure only comes when you stop trying. The path to success isn't linear as much as we wish it were. Rather, it is riddled with dead-ends and unexpected turns. It is filled with let downs, small victories, and triumphs, things that teach a person to be strong and resilient. While it might be a long and difficult journey, it will have been one that was worth it. It will have been life changing.

Three years ago when I joined the APIA Searchlight Directory as a Publicity intern, I had no idea that the directory would come to mean so much to me. Looking back now as I finish my time here at the APIA Searchlight Directory, I am proud to say that my experiences with this internship have shaped me into a stronger and more confident person. Transitioning from Publicity Officer to Co-Editor allowed me to develop my skills and confidence as a manager and leader. I am fortunate to have found a field of work that I am passionate about and have come to love. And above all, I am proud to say that I have worked with a group of highly skilled interns who I know will go on to achieve great things in life. I am happy to say that because of my time with the APIA Searchlight Directory, today I am a different person.

So with that, I urge you all to get up. Chase after what you love. Make memories and learn new things. Change your life.

With that I leave you all with my best wishes and fondest memories.

Your 2011 – 2013 Co-Editor,

Last Friday afternoon, a few APIA Searchlight interns went on a field trip to Repro Graphics in Davis. Repro Graphics is the printing company that we use for our APIA Searchlight Directory. It was a great opportunity for us to see what goes on behind the scenes in publishing our directory and what they need from us in order for us to make it better. For instance, we found out that we need bleed space in our designs and our editors were given some binding options for the directory. We saw several demonstrations and we even got the chance to witness a couple of printing jobs. All in all, it was an extremely informative and fun tour with lots of goodies and popcorn!

We at APIA Searchlight want to thank Tina for being our lovely tour guide and Repro Graphics for hosting this field trip. We are looking forward to seeing another great directory printed by Repro Graphics!

On Wednesday, April 3rd, any student passing by the Memorial Union had the chance to chalk up their dreams and aspiration on this “Before I graduate...” wall that was created by Henry Lam. This was a solo project that Henry decided to do, with the help of his father and the support of fellow Aggie students and faculty. I was really inspired by his project, so I asked the Graphics committee here at APIA Searchlight Directory what they wanted to do before they graduate. Here is our minuscule version of Henry’s project:

For more information about Henry’s project, please check out his website: http://ucdbeforeigrad.tumblr.com/

It’s the start of spring quarter, and that means we are almost done with the school year. Our Searchlight Directory is making great progress and we have so many school events coming up this month. The quarter just started and I can already see it filled with excitement! Here is a brief summary of what this month has in store for us:

  This Sunday will mark UC Davis’ first annual 5K Stride for Aggie Pride. The proceeds will go toward the ASUCD Awards Endowment and We Are Aggie Pride, which provides tuition support and emergency funding, respectively.

Next week is the Asian Pacific Culture Week, so be on the lookout for cultural programs and events. On Monday night, the Women's Resources and Research Center will host API Women and Mental Health at 5pm. APATH residents will also be hosting a fashion show, Threads of Our Roots, on Monday night at 7:30pm in the Thompson Lounge. On Tuesday night, Sikh Cultural Association will be hosting a multicultural discussion panel, Overcoming Expectations, at 5:30pm and AAA will host a film showing of “Grave of the Fireflies” right after at the SCC Multipurpose Room. KASA will be hosting a Korean Culture Night along with Sigma Kappa Rho and Hansori on April 10th. Don’t forget to attend the long awaited Asian Pacific Culture Night on Friday, April 12th, which will mark the end of the APCW. This year’s APCN is featuring Chris Logic, Legaci, and many more performances from UC Davis clubs and organizations.

The 41st annual UC Davis POWWOW will be held on Saturday, April 13th. This event celebrates the traditions and contributions of Native American cultures.

Picnic Day is on April 20th this year, and I am really looking forward to see what Picnic Day is all about. There will also be many performances from the UC Davis dance teams at the Davis Dance Revolution, which will be held on the same night at 7:30pm in the Freeborn Hall.

Danzantes del Alma de UC Davis will have their annual show, “Uniting the World Through Our Dance” on Saturday, April 27th at the Freeborn Hall. Danzantes del Alma is a student folkloric dance troupe of UC Davis and it has made it features traditional dances of Mexico and contemporary dances of the Chicano and Latino experience.

Finally, the month of April will conclude with La Raza Cultural Days, which begins on April 29th and extends to May 4th. The purpose of LRCD is to promote ethnic pride, to increase the public’s knowledge and awareness, and to promote cross-cultural communication and build alliances, among other things as well. That’s a great way to end a seemingly cultural month.

While everyone at UC Davis is stressing out about their papers and midterms, I’m enjoying a nice lunch at Posh Bagels with no worries on my mind. Don’t get me wrong, I am stressed out with midterms too, but it is important to find time to replenish oneself during all these crazy study sessions! I like to take study breaks and treat myself to a nice lunch or dinner in Downtown Davis by taking a short walk from the library to clear my head and enjoy some good food to relieve my anxieties. Honestly, isn’t this more relaxing than your usual instant ramen and macaroni and cheese meals? Here are a few suggestions that I would like to make for any stressed out student studying all day and all night long:

After cramming all night long, head over to Posh Bagels for some fresh bagels and coffee. I personally like blueberry bagels with strawberry cream cheese and a cup of Vietnamese latte. Remember: Breakfast helps increase your concentration on exams!

If you’re studying in the library all day long, take a short walk to Ali Baba. They have daily specials, their food is delicious, and it’s close to campus! What more can you ask for?

If you have a sweet tooth and that sugar intake helps you relieve some stress, take the bus to the University Mall and head over to Sugarplum for some yummy frozen yogurt! It may be a longer break than what you need, but you deserve to drown your stress in sugar overload.