Ending the Week on a Good Note

Nothing like ending a busy week with some kayaking! A few of my roommates and I grabbed some kayaks from the Excursion Club to catch the sunset from a view that's far less impacted than the typical cliffside view. After catching a stellar sunset we stayed on the water to try out the whole "night kayaking thing," unfortunately for us the moon was a no show tonight... I wouldn't recommend doing this without a full moon, as you can imagine it got kinda hard to see out there and kayaking gets a little tough when waves start creepin up on you. But none the less, still a cool experience!

You're probably wondering what type of place allows someone to just go ahead and "grab a kayak," but wonder no longer, the Excursion Club is the answer to this question and any other questions regarding getting equipment for essentially any outdoor activity. It's a student operated organization located in Isla Vista. Club membership costs $60 for an entire year, but it's well worth the price. In just a couple visits you get your moneys worth. This club allows people to check out basically anything and everything involving outdoor activities from kayaks, stand up paddle boards, rock climbing gear, camping equipment, snow gear, etc. you name it, they got it. They also offer an assortment of weekly activities including skydiving, sailing, yoga, sweet hikes, etc. etc. etc... And the best part is that you get all this for the flat rate of $60! I would recommend this club to anyone interested in outdoor activities.

Postscript: Reading this back made me realize how much I sound like a corny commercial spokesman, I kinda feel like the "ShamWow!" guy right about now... but I swear I'm not working for the Excursion Club. Just felt like I should inform more people on the cool things this area has to offer! 

Looking out over Sands Beach

Getting Funky on a Sunday

The Flyer I kept to Remember
 This Weekends Show

I finally got a chance to see one of my favorite artists this last weekend! Cherub performed in the Funk Zone District of downtown Santa Barbara for the annual Block Party this last Sunday. I missed the dynamic duo known as Cherub last time they were in the area so I'm glad to have finally seen them perform! And a performance is exactly what they gave the audience! This was also my first time attending one of these annual Block Parties. New Noise Music Fest transformed part of the Funk Zone District to host this all day music event that included various vendors, food trucks, and non-profit organizations to accompany the music. I've always wondered why it was called the "Funk Zone" but it didn't take long for me to figure it out. This area boasts an array of lively shops, restaurants, and bars that capture the hipster essence of Santa Barbara, making it the perfect venue to host Cherub's funky electro-pop beats. A successful Sunday to say the least. 

We've Reached the Half Way Point!

So glad this week is finally over! These last couple weeks have been brutal... studying for midterms, writing essays and finishing up all my projects have been no joke. I may be a little sleep deprived and slightly overwhelmed/stressed from juggling school, work and extracurriculars, but sadly I think that's fairly common for a lot of college students; especially this far into term. I'm sure many students can relate to the skeleton sitting in my organic chemistry lecture the other week. I don't know who set this up, but I applaud the mastermind behind this prank; the laboratory goggles were a nice touch!

On a positive note though, we made it to the half way point! Wish I could say it's the home stretch of the semester, but it's more like I'm rounding second base right now. At least I'm halfway there! Time for me to catch up on some much needed sleep so I can recharge for the next round of exams.

President's Council Garden Party

My Fellow Co-Presidents and I all
Dressed to Impress

As president of the SBCC Honors Program I got invited to attend the annual President's Council Garden Party this weekend along with my fellow co-presidents, Melika and Chino. It was a pleasure attending such an event! Maddy and Peter Jacobson opened their beautiful home to host this party that didn't disappoint. In attendance were a few nervous students (myself included), some City College professors, the SBCC Foundation, the President of the school, Dr. Lori Gaskin, the Board of Directors, and most notably those who have made warm-hearted donations to the college. In addition to funding the various scholarships given out annually, these donors are also to thank for the wide range of programs and resources city college has to offer. That being said, you may now understand why I was a bit nervous to attend this event and meet all these people. However, after meeting the other guests my nervousness quickly turned into excitement and an afternoon well spent! In my time at CC I've had the pleasure of knowing many of the professors and staff around campus who have helped SBCC gain the title of the #1 community college in the nation, but it wasn't until this weekend that I got the chance to meet the people who have worked so hard behind the scenes to get the school to where it is. It's great to have finally met this other side of the SBCC family. Thankful to of had this experience! 

Jack Johnson at UCSB

UCSB's Storke Plaza

Today was no ordinary Wednesday at UCSB. Jack Johnson, a UCSB alumni, made a surprise visit to the campus this afternoon as a tribute to the UCSB students lost this last May due to the tragedy that occurred in Isla Vista. There was no email, no announcement, no notice at all that the former Gaucho would be performing today. Rather, people followed the music to Storke Tower where they were greeted by the sweet tunes of Jack Johnson. Though not a UCSB student, I still feel very connected to the community as a resident of Isla Vista. It is awesome to have such a great community, of both UCSB and CC students, stand together through the good times and the bad.

The Legend Himself 

I'm glad to have been part of this day of remembrance for those lost on May 23, and an extra shout out to Jack Johnson for giving a great performance that not only brought UCSB students together, but also the community of Isla Vista. I truly love where I live!

Over the past couple years I've never really taken advantage of all the great shows and music that pass through Santa Barbara (Why? Wish I knew...), but last weekend I got a cool opportunity to check out a comedy show with some fellow bloggers. We got hooked up with tickets to Christopher Titus's stand up comedy show at the Labero Theatre downtown.
This was only the second comedy show I've ever seen but definitely not the last; I'm going to have to keep an eye for more cool shows in the area! With my hectic school schedule and long hours spent studying, a stand up comedy show was exactly what I needed; nothing like some comedy to get your mind off school. It's always been hard for me to find and keep the balance between school, staying active, and my social life, but this semester I'm determined to make it work! Hopefully, this blog will document this goal of mine throughout the semester.