This summer has been a test of endurance and faith but I have finally decided to just forget what everyone around me will think and say and just go with my heart. My heart is telling me to move to California. I am doing so. No regrets here. In order for my life to have any sort of substance. I am going to have to take a risk and jump into it. Headfirst even and if I drown in my dreams. It meant that I tried to fight the currents. So all in all I am learning from everything around me and taking it in. In short my life is made for this very moment and I am preparing myself for the impact.

So what does this all mean?! It means that starting this month, I will be putting as much money away as humanly possible. My goal is to get at least $8,000 saved up by mid February. Moving in the midst of my birthday would be the best present ever. I know I can do that because I have the will power and determination to do so. I will also be hard at work practicing my turns and parallel parking so I can take my road test ASAP and on top of that find a job. I am working with my mom now but it’d be nice to have a second job to support myself with. I will be saving money for the rest of the year with a few expenses here and there. January will be the month I go out to CA to look at apartments and enrolling myself in UCLA extension for Music Business. When I get back from CA in January I am going to sit down and go through everything to make sure I have covered all the bases and then get ready to move out. This all may seem sudden to everyone but I have been planning it out for years now. This isn’t something I woke up one morning and decided I wanted. I researched and developed plans after plans on what to do and how to do it. I have been talking to people who have made the move from East to West. This is two years in the making and it’s definitely worth the wait.

In other news, working with Dan of Weapon-X has been a great experience. I am not only getting to use my degree in Business but putting my experience in music to great use. We have three solid team members who are down for our cause. I am getting tons of stuff ready to promote the band better both online and offline. Dan is an amazing mentor and friend and I couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity to come along. I also want to put out that my boys are back ready to record a new album next month and tour with the support of Hopeless Records. Yes, I said it. HOPELESS RECORDS SIGNED YELLOWCARD. Two of my favorites are joining forces. Unbelievable. I honestly cried when I heard the news and quite suddenly the little things in life did not matter no more. Even though I didn’t vacation this summer, what I got out of it was worth it. I love my life. I love those in it.

The last month however was definitely tough to go through. From Graduation to my internship at RED ending. I didn’t know how to process everything in. Fortunately for me I have great friends to advise me on not panicking or getting anxious. One friend even mentioned that when the time was right something epic will come along. This past week I have been looking for a job and my best friend (aka wifey for lifey) sent me a forwarded email. I quickly responded to the email because I didn’t want to wait around for someone else to come in and swoop it from under me. We emailed each other back and forth for a week until we finally got around to having a phone interview. Upon immediately talking to him about the position I can tell this is someone that was passionate about everything he did and was one of those genuine LA people who works hard for what they want. What was also nice was that when I was talking to him about why I want to work in music. He could relate 100% with everything I said. Either he’s been there and knows exactly how it feels or he is going through the same things I am going through. We talked about struggling to find that spark that lit the fire within and when I was through with the interview. I felt the spark lit up once again. I am sure he felt that too. I was definitely excited to find someone that gets me. Like everything we said to each other clicked. I’m excited to work with him and see this company grow in both size and heart.

I am also working hard on ideas, plans, etc for Urban Rock as well. It’s definitely hard work but I love it. It’s going to be something that will always make me infinitely happy. Urban Rock is the epitome of my love for music, life and everything that it brings us. Every single one of my next steps will go towards an end goal of CALIFORNIA. It honestly doesn’t matter to me what everyone thinks of this move because I know in my heart that it will make me ten times stronger than I already am now. Aside from that I will feel much happier and my stress-level and sanity will stabilize itself once again. Not to say that being in this city isn’t a blessing but its sure made me well-aware of the world. I just feel like there’s something out there for me and if I don’t seize the day…it’ll be gone forever. For me this is my second chance at life and my second wind. The photo above was taken by my dear friend and was post-processed by yours truly. I absolutely love the t-shirt I am wearing because that is HOPE in a tri-blend shirt. I am one-step closer to CALIFORNIA and I am not stopping for anyone.

Three Categories of Naps (According to Megan): Some people might disagree with me that napping for more than 20 minutes is classified as sleep. But in my world. It doesn’t really mean that. That is why I am putting it into three categories. Naps, Extended Naps and Sleep.

1. Nap. These are considered my power naps. Just the 20 minute eye shut to reenergize my body. I can practically nap anywhere. Car, Floor, Sofa/Couch, Chair. You name it. I can probably nap on it. These usually occur when I am on the train, waiting in between classes or driving a long distance in the car (I am actually sitting in the car, not driving).
2. Extended Naps. These are considered the neutral between a nap and actually sleeping. If I nap longer than 20 minutes (let’s say an hour or two), it really is just an extension of a nap. This happens when I run to my room to do something and say “oh let me lay down” and inevitably knock out for an hour or two. It also happens in lieu of me trying to be productive.
3. Sleep. This is the time when I usually get anywhere between 5-9 hours of sleep. Give or take a few. I sleep after midnight and get up anywhere between 8 AM or even 10 AM. It depends on when I actually go to sleep and when I wake up to be exact.

This wasn’t as extensive as I was thinking it would be but at least you all get a feel for why I love sleeping so much. In fact, I may just nap a bit. Extensions will be for good measure. It’ll also depend on how tired I am.

Job Hunting (already): This weekend I am going to work on revising my resume so that I can send it out to different places throughout the city. I am looking at places that I can utilize everything I learned both in and out of the classrooms. My internship with Sony was an amazing eye-opener and got me wanting to focus myself on the finite details that goes into the industry.

Driving Furious but no too fast: I am also getting antsy with the whole driving situation. Now that I am finished with classes I can focus on getting my license so I can start driving myself everywhere. So much freedom goes into that. If you know my situation, you should already know what I mean.

Urban Rock Promotions: Just finished 1/3 of the to-do list for URP. I am excited to actually get things rolling and once everything is up and running. I can get onto the fun stuff. I definitely am putting everything I learned over the years to good use.

The only way to get over something; is to get back into it: Let’s just say I have had my fair share of disaster dates and relationships but I am not going to jump back into it full swing. I want to get myself in check (financially, emotionally, mentally) before I give it another try. I also want to date people without any expectations of anything resulting in being on a date. I know that when I am ready. I will meet the one good man to make me change my outlook on life.

Certification Program > Grad School: In addition to getting my license and a full-time job. I am also saving up to go back to school. I am looking at doing UCLA Extension and then possibly going to grad school afterwards. I looked at the fees and deadlines and I am getting myself mentally prepared for it. I know that I need to save up between $7,000 to $20,000 (give and take) to be able to live a stable life in LA. Is that even reasonable?

Summer Reading Lists: I am attempting to read as many books as humanly possible this summer on top of attending concerts and events. I signed up for goodreads.com so I am able to check books I want to read and have read before. I love the fact that they have similar books to the ones I have read before. Yay!

My list could be even lengthier but I have a migraine so I am going to sleep now. Anyone know a cure on how to avoid getting migraines (aside from taking medication)? It’s become a chronic occurrence in my adult life. I think it’s because I think far too much or stress-related.

First off, yes I am a girl, but definitely one with goals and visions. I know what I want in life and I know how I am getting there. Stop insinuating the fact that I don’t have a clue as to what direction my life is headed. It’s going true north and that’s all that should matter. Secondly, I have a voice and opinions that at times may shake the foundation I stand on. But I am prepared for whatever comes my way. I am not afraid to say what I feel and feel what I say. Unlike most people in situations similar to this: I am not going to be silenced. You can try to do so but it isn’t going to be effective. I have learned something amazingly true about myself: my dreams are real and it is within reach. I am no longer afraid of what would happen if I do this or do that. I am running for it and I don’t intend to stop for anyone. I am not here to prove a point to anyone. My goal in life is success and I learn that in life success comes with payment. You put up or shut up. If you put up you better be damn sure you are ready to fight for it. It hasn’t come easy but with every rung I climb on this ladder…it gets easier.

This internship with Sony Music/RED has changed my career outlook. One day I am going to open up a place where anyone can come through and creatively express themselves through visual arts and/or performance. I want to create a space for those underdogs fighting for their lives to come in and share their talents with the world. I want to create an environment where kids and adults alike can come and show what they can do with their hands and minds. I just want to give them a place to go to when everyone else has turned their backs on them. That’s what Sony/RED did for me. Give me a chance to find a target and hit the bulls eye. I am working hard on getting to that end goal. I know the only way to go there is from the bottom. Skies the limit. I know this for a fact because I am already planning out ways to promote local and unsigned talent as well as spotlight those innovators in todays entertainment industry.

The funny thing is I am NOT just saying it: I am living it. Through and through. I am going to local indie retailers throughout Philadelphia and putting up posters and handing out cards and stickers to people I meet. I am talking to the managers that connect with fans everyday to see what they are into. I have created an online domain where my peers can share what they love and give that same joy to someone who may not be as fortunate enough to experience the luxury of seeing their role models/idols. I am doing that all by myself. With no help from anyone. I am an entrepreneur…as difficult as that is to comprehend…I am. I utilize my knowledge effectively and in a manner that most people would be shocked to find out. I want this so bad that I am willing to travel distances to see a band play in a venue I did not enjoy. All for the love of entertainment. If you can’t understand that. If you can’t see that on my face. I don’t know what else to tell you.

So to answer to the question: I am Megan Duong. I am twenty four years-old and will graduate with my BA in Business Management. I currently am unemployed but that doesn’t stop me from wanting to be a better person and live a better life. I am afraid of what’s to come but at the same time I am optimistic. I know it will be a bright future. I am also a music lover, photography enthusiast, cuddle buddy and college student. I began as a daughter, a sister, a friend and I will end my days as one. The only thing that will ever change is my will to survive. My will to live. That and how beautiful I will grow to be…both inside and out.

To you I may just be another girl but to me I am so much more than that. And guess what….I am not quite finished yet. This is just the beginning.

So as the title states: HERE GOES NOTHING!

If there was one thing that could be said about my last undergraduate semester, it would be this: life goes on. Over the past 4 months I have lived a dream come true and struggled along the way with things I wasn’t sure I would be able to get over. But everything that resulted from those experiences made me a stronger person and pushed me back on the path I was meant to walk on. It wasn’t easy and I sure had my days of wanting to stay in bed and just sleep through May. But I came out on top and I wanted to share with everyone my experiences on how that was possible. Because as I am typing this: I am still trying to figure that out for myself.

I got the amazing opportunity to intern for Sony Music Entertainment/RED Distribution as a ‘Stache Lifestyle Marketing Rep for Philadelphia, PA. I had tweeted about how yesterday was a bittersweet ending for me. It had a lot to do with the fact that I had my last conference call and event coverage for RED. Let me say that this was a blessing for sure because I needed something solid to reassure me that everything was going to eventually work out. This picture above is living proof that it did work out. I am super blessed that I saw this job posting via Tumblr when I did. That last conference call made me tear-eyed because I felt that in the short time I interned for them: I was a part of something great. I could go on and on about how amazing this opportunity was but I will link you to the report I wrote for my advisor on the internship at greater length.

I went into this semester knowing it was going to be a difficult and challenging semester (both emotionally and physically) but I was ready for anything. I took 15 credits, 3 of which were audited, but the registrar’s office put it into the system as a credit class. The class I am talking about is Digital Photography and it frustrated me to no end trying to get everything in order. Because I had a class that I needed to graduate at the same time as this class, I wanted to take it as an independent study but to make a long story. I couldn’t because I wasn’t an art major*. Nonetheless, I still took the class because photography was an creative outlet that made me extremely happy. The instant gratification of seeing how amazing something ordinary looks through a plastic lens also made it that more exciting. I came to class 30 minutes late and did everything they students did. I learned skills and techniques on how to push my photographs to the next level. I also shot in the style of one of my favorite underdog photographers:Lauren Randolph . Which was a blast. I am certain that I will do a photo series inspired by her. It was such an inspirational 3 hour session every day to sit there and be surrounded by talented photographers/designers. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to take this course (even though it wasn’t something that everyone thought I should do). It was worth it. I had fought to take the class and I learned that I would be fighting for everything that I held dear to my heart too.

Lamp: One of my favorite photographs I took all semester.

Two required courses that I had to take were Senior Seminar (aka time-waster) and Statistics II. Last semester I barely made it by and I was determined to do better. I was determined to improve. I also realized I had forgotten a step to a simple problem and that completely threw my Final off.  The first exam I took I got a 75 (which is an improvement from previous exams) and couldn’t be any happier. I was so worried about the final but after talking with a friend. I was reassured that it would be alright. I didn’t need the (additional) stress. As far as Senior Seminar went: it was a waste of my time. The final grading was ridiculous and if it was based on a standardized exam. We shouldn’t have had to take any exams or write any papers. She didn’t even follow the syllabus. The one she wrote out. Professors who do this makes me go crazy. But you have to have at least one crazy professor to make a semester…interesting. Overall this semester was one to remember. I made a bunch of new friends that shared the same/similar dreams as I do. I have never felt like I belonged at that school…until this semester. It felt like I had family up there. I got really sentimental the last week.

There’s a place off OCEAN AVENUE!

If you thought that I was going to be all school, no play this semester. You thought wrong. I had saved up money from my tuition refund check to fund a (long overdue) trip to California. I went during Spring Break and went for a week. Actually it was more than a week but it was worth it. I flew out by myself and stayed with my cousin in Moreno Valley and my best friend in Burbank. Thanks to Richard and his cousin I was also able to run around crazy in Anaheim at Disneyland and California Adventures. Reunited with my best friend after two whole years apart was something I needed. I also needed that change of scenery to solidify my decision of wanting to move out there to live and work. Again, I could go on and on, but I won’t because I will have an entry specifically for this trip.

when our hearts collide…

I still can not believe I am finally going to graduate with my undergraduate degree. It has been a long time coming and if you know me. You’ll know that I fought my way through. Every month, every season and every year. I fought my way through. I fought for every decision I made and will have yet to make. I am so blessed to have had the college experience that I had. I am also blessed for the people that have made that experience truly remarkable. I felt like music was something that carried me through the day but now it’s beginning to become reality. I couldn’t have asked for a better life. I know my life has it’s ups and downs. But I am certain that this is something that will transpire into a beautiful and powerful force in my life. I just want everyone to know that this is something that will always be a part of my life. I won’t forget where I came from and who I am deep inside. Selfishness is something I am not. I hope you all realize that and completely back this reality of mine. For those that have been doing so: I hope you continue to do so.

Two Week Deadlines:

April 22, 2010: Financial Statement Analysis Exam 2
April 22, 2010: Digital Photography Unit Projects (Photoshop) due
April 27, 2010: Final Review for Statistics II
April 27, 2010: Final Critique: Portfolio
April 27, 2010: Final Internship Paper due
April 28, 2010: Internship paperwork due
April 29, 2010: Statistics II Final Exam
May 3, 2010: Last Day at RED // Freelance Whales @ First Unitarian Church
May 8, 2010: Cap and Gown Pick-up Day for Graduates
May 10-14, 2010: SENIOR WEEK (Possibly out of town)
May 15, 2010: Rosemont College Commencement Ceremony.

Overall these next two weeks aren’t going to be fun but they prospects of having more time to plan for Urban Rock Promotions, getting my driver’s license AND working a Full-Time job is lovely.

Below are some photos I took for a set called ON A WALK. Enjoy.