I've been working my regular job Monday through Friday, and doing the internship on the weekend when there is a wedding.
This week, I have a wedding on Saturday (internship for Gianna),
and another volunteering gig on Sunday.
It's some sort of spa or beauty event for women in Orange County.
It feels like, once I opened the door of the new world,
so many new opportunities are rushing through the door.
It's a little bit much if I continue at this pace and have no days-off,
but that doesn't happen that often. So I suck it up and shut up...
Everyday is busy but really fun. Yay!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
You are on it.
Last Saturday was the second wedding I interned for.
This time, the ceremony and reception were held at a restaurant Cafe Pinot.
It's located right next to the LA library in downtown LA.
The food is amazing and the cool atmosphere, being right in the center of the city, is perfect for someone who wants an "urban" wedding.
(wedding by Gianna & Company)
This day, we had total of four interns including me.
(wedding by Gianna & Company)
It was a very simple setup and we had 4 hours to set the whole thing up.
So, frankly, I think we could've managed it with two interns.
BUT! Everybody here has the same dream as mine, and wants to learn, as much as I do.
So no complaints here.
Since we had many girls, if I relaxed a little bit, I could easily be just standing there doing nothing.
So, throughout the day, I was trying to shadow Gianna and find things I can do as much as I could.
In the mid-day, Gianna pulled me to the side and asked me
"Am I asking you to do too much?"
Me: "Not at all!"
And then she said
"You're really on it. So I keep asking you to do stuff."
Now, that was really a nice compliment.
That took away my gloomy feeling I experienced at this thing.
That's right. I almost forgot.
I want to make this my career, because I LOVE doing this.
Maybe I'm not good at making a sales pitch about myself RIGHT NOW,
but one day, I'm sure I'll be able to conquer that, after having the experiences.
I AM PUMPED!!
This time, the ceremony and reception were held at a restaurant Cafe Pinot.
It's located right next to the LA library in downtown LA.
The food is amazing and the cool atmosphere, being right in the center of the city, is perfect for someone who wants an "urban" wedding.
It was a very simple setup and we had 4 hours to set the whole thing up.
So, frankly, I think we could've managed it with two interns.
BUT! Everybody here has the same dream as mine, and wants to learn, as much as I do.
So no complaints here.
Since we had many girls, if I relaxed a little bit, I could easily be just standing there doing nothing.
So, throughout the day, I was trying to shadow Gianna and find things I can do as much as I could.
In the mid-day, Gianna pulled me to the side and asked me
"Am I asking you to do too much?"
Me: "Not at all!"
And then she said
"You're really on it. So I keep asking you to do stuff."
Now, that was really a nice compliment.
That took away my gloomy feeling I experienced at this thing.
That's right. I almost forgot.
I want to make this my career, because I LOVE doing this.
Maybe I'm not good at making a sales pitch about myself RIGHT NOW,
but one day, I'm sure I'll be able to conquer that, after having the experiences.
I AM PUMPED!!
Friday, September 24, 2010
FAIL...
Yesterday's wedding event ...
The venue and the concept was excellent,
but I thought it was a bit disorganized...
Maybe because it was their first time?
But anyway.
I can't be making comments when I wasn't such a super star myself.
I was so pumped and ready to make connections at this event.
But as soon as I got to the site, my mouth was shut like a clam.
Women in LA are very beautiful.
90% of the participants were women and most of them were brides-to-be.
They all had the aura of "I'm the happiest person on earth."
So, I got intimidated by that. Lame, I know.
After standing in the corner by myself for a while,
I slapped myself some courage to start talking to people.
I went up to a couple of booths set up by the people
who write wedding blogs I check out every day.
But I could NOT carry the conversation for Pete's sake!!!
And I remembered my not-so-strong suit.
SMALL TALK!!!
Especially, when it comes "selling myself"?
I'm very bad at that. This is definitely something I need to work on.
Urg.
And then...
I was (mentally) kicking myself for not being able to find the conversation opener.
So, I decided to stand in the line for the bar. (Well?)
A girl (young, maybe in her mid 20's) came up to two women who were standing right behind me and said "Are you guys in line?"
And just like that, she started talking to them.
It turned out, that she's an aspiring planner just like myself.
And what do you know.. those ladies are event planners!
The ladies were like "Oh, we're planners too. Good luck!"
At the end of the conversation, the girl handed out her resume to them.
Wow. That was a nice kick in my butt.
I was very impressed (and envious) how easy it seemed for that girl to start opening up to people.
I know that this was my first industry event to attend.
And I was more insecure than necessary because I have no experiences yet.
I shouldn't beat myself up TOO much.
But I'm definitely disappointed that I could only collect business cards from the booths without saying a word.
FAIL... :(
The venue and the concept was excellent,
but I thought it was a bit disorganized...
Maybe because it was their first time?
But anyway.
I can't be making comments when I wasn't such a super star myself.
I was so pumped and ready to make connections at this event.
But as soon as I got to the site, my mouth was shut like a clam.
Women in LA are very beautiful.
90% of the participants were women and most of them were brides-to-be.
They all had the aura of "I'm the happiest person on earth."
So, I got intimidated by that. Lame, I know.
After standing in the corner by myself for a while,
I slapped myself some courage to start talking to people.
I went up to a couple of booths set up by the people
who write wedding blogs I check out every day.
But I could NOT carry the conversation for Pete's sake!!!
And I remembered my not-so-strong suit.
SMALL TALK!!!
Especially, when it comes "selling myself"?
I'm very bad at that. This is definitely something I need to work on.
Urg.
And then...
I was (mentally) kicking myself for not being able to find the conversation opener.
So, I decided to stand in the line for the bar. (Well?)
A girl (young, maybe in her mid 20's) came up to two women who were standing right behind me and said "Are you guys in line?"
And just like that, she started talking to them.
It turned out, that she's an aspiring planner just like myself.
And what do you know.. those ladies are event planners!
The ladies were like "Oh, we're planners too. Good luck!"
At the end of the conversation, the girl handed out her resume to them.
Wow. That was a nice kick in my butt.
I was very impressed (and envious) how easy it seemed for that girl to start opening up to people.
I know that this was my first industry event to attend.
And I was more insecure than necessary because I have no experiences yet.
I shouldn't beat myself up TOO much.
But I'm definitely disappointed that I could only collect business cards from the booths without saying a word.
FAIL... :(
Thursday, September 23, 2010
First industry event
Today, I'm going to attend a wedding-related event for the first time!!
This one
It looks like this is the first event thrown by this organizers,
and I actually don't know what the event is about.
But it's supposed to be a show-case event for the modern weddings.
The venue is at this ever-so-trendy Smog Shoppe in Culver City,
which I was dying to check it out. So, I'm excited to just to go there.
All sorts of vendors are going to have booths set up.
My goal today is to get as many as business cards as possible.
I can't wait!!!
This one
It looks like this is the first event thrown by this organizers,
and I actually don't know what the event is about.
But it's supposed to be a show-case event for the modern weddings.
The venue is at this ever-so-trendy Smog Shoppe in Culver City,
which I was dying to check it out. So, I'm excited to just to go there.
All sorts of vendors are going to have booths set up.
My goal today is to get as many as business cards as possible.
I can't wait!!!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Ready, Set and GO!!!
My internship has finally started!!!
The past weekend, I went to a wedding rehearsal with Gianna on Saturday.
I assisted her receive favors, seating cards, etc. and watched her give the rehearsal.
Sunday was the wedding.
The ceremony and reception were held at Bel Air Bay Club.
It's a gooorgeous private club overlooking the ocean in Malibu.
(Wedding by Gianna & Company)
There were two other (and young) interns besides me.
Our jobs were:
Setting up the ceremony and reception area,
helping with bride and groom if they need anything,
and assisting guests to seat at their table, etc.
(Wedding by Gianna & Company)
It's been a while since I was on the "field."
But I felt that I was natural at this.
It could be the experiences of working at an event company in Tokyo for a year
or know-hows from production coordinating days, or it's because this is what I really want to do.
Of course I have A LOT to learn.
I don't know anything about how to throw wedding ceremonies for each different religion.
Who walks down the aile first? Which side does the bride stand?
I also have no connection with vendors.
BUT.
If I really set my mind into it, I think my dream WILL really come true one day.
When I was watching the newly-wed's first dance, I got goosebumps, thinking,
"One day, THIS will be my job."
I could've gone home at any time, but since this was my first event,
I stayed until the end, although it was on Sunday, and I'm usually bed by 10:30.
When I finally got home, it was close to midnight.
My legs were killing me and I was beyond exhausted.
But I haven't felt this ALIVE for a long long time.
The past weekend, I went to a wedding rehearsal with Gianna on Saturday.
I assisted her receive favors, seating cards, etc. and watched her give the rehearsal.
Sunday was the wedding.
The ceremony and reception were held at Bel Air Bay Club.
It's a gooorgeous private club overlooking the ocean in Malibu.
There were two other (and young) interns besides me.
Our jobs were:
Setting up the ceremony and reception area,
helping with bride and groom if they need anything,
and assisting guests to seat at their table, etc.
It's been a while since I was on the "field."
But I felt that I was natural at this.
It could be the experiences of working at an event company in Tokyo for a year
or know-hows from production coordinating days, or it's because this is what I really want to do.
Of course I have A LOT to learn.
I don't know anything about how to throw wedding ceremonies for each different religion.
Who walks down the aile first? Which side does the bride stand?
I also have no connection with vendors.
BUT.
If I really set my mind into it, I think my dream WILL really come true one day.
When I was watching the newly-wed's first dance, I got goosebumps, thinking,
"One day, THIS will be my job."
I could've gone home at any time, but since this was my first event,
I stayed until the end, although it was on Sunday, and I'm usually bed by 10:30.
When I finally got home, it was close to midnight.
My legs were killing me and I was beyond exhausted.
But I haven't felt this ALIVE for a long long time.
Friday, July 30, 2010
It's never too late
The other day, I was watching a reality TV show "Dad Camp."
This is the show (which is great, btw) about training the failing group of dad-to-be to become responsible dads.
During the show, a therapist said to one of the loser dads
"It's never too late to pursue your dream."
And that really hit me.
I got a 9-5 office job, thinking that I just want a stable job after being burned out by all those long hours and sleepless nights of TV production in LA and event planning job in Tokyo.
But after having the current job (translation) for a couple of years, I want to have a creative career more than ever. I want to do event planning, especially wedding.
But I didn't really make a move about it.
My excuses were:
I'm still under a working visa with the current company...
I can't switch jobs until I get the green card...
And that's going to take another couple of years...
I thought, even if I start something, like going to school for it,
I can't change jobs now anyway...
So, I put everything on hold so that I wouldn't bring my hopes up.
I kind of gave up on proceeding with my new-found dream.
I was also hesitated to start something new again at my age (early 30s).
I did take flower arrangement classes and read wedding etiquette books,
but I didn't take any major steps.
But, watching the show and hearing what the therapist was saying gave me the courage!
(Strange what can trigger things... )
I googled wedding planners who have offices near my house
and contacted them if they would hire any interns.
AND THEN!!!
One thing let another, I got an internship gig with a wedding planner out in Glendale!!!
I don't make any money since it's an internship,
and I can only work on the weekends.
But I'll get the tremendous hands-on experiences.
The company that hired me is Gianna & Company.
Gianna is a planner who has a television production background. (And so do I!)
She started her own wedding and event business about 8 years ago.
I think I can learn a lot from her.
I'm SO happy that I took the first step.
Just like that, I got my foot in the door.
All I need was a little step.
A little step for mankind, but giant step for this dreamer!!!
My first event as an intern will be a wedding on August 29. I can't wait!!!
This is the show (which is great, btw) about training the failing group of dad-to-be to become responsible dads.
During the show, a therapist said to one of the loser dads
"It's never too late to pursue your dream."
And that really hit me.
I got a 9-5 office job, thinking that I just want a stable job after being burned out by all those long hours and sleepless nights of TV production in LA and event planning job in Tokyo.
But after having the current job (translation) for a couple of years, I want to have a creative career more than ever. I want to do event planning, especially wedding.
But I didn't really make a move about it.
My excuses were:
I'm still under a working visa with the current company...
I can't switch jobs until I get the green card...
And that's going to take another couple of years...
I thought, even if I start something, like going to school for it,
I can't change jobs now anyway...
So, I put everything on hold so that I wouldn't bring my hopes up.
I kind of gave up on proceeding with my new-found dream.
I was also hesitated to start something new again at my age (early 30s).
I did take flower arrangement classes and read wedding etiquette books,
but I didn't take any major steps.
But, watching the show and hearing what the therapist was saying gave me the courage!
(Strange what can trigger things... )
I googled wedding planners who have offices near my house
and contacted them if they would hire any interns.
AND THEN!!!
One thing let another, I got an internship gig with a wedding planner out in Glendale!!!
I don't make any money since it's an internship,
and I can only work on the weekends.
But I'll get the tremendous hands-on experiences.
The company that hired me is Gianna & Company.
Gianna is a planner who has a television production background. (And so do I!)
She started her own wedding and event business about 8 years ago.
I think I can learn a lot from her.
I'm SO happy that I took the first step.
Just like that, I got my foot in the door.
All I need was a little step.
A little step for mankind, but giant step for this dreamer!!!
My first event as an intern will be a wedding on August 29. I can't wait!!!
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