Talent Show Preparation and Internship Reflection

Hello Everyone,

   Thank you for checking in on my student blog once again. This semester seems like one of the busiest I have had so far, which is good though. I just had my first round of midterms and various class projects are beginning to pick up in pace. I can say that despite the little fatigue and exhaustion from school and work, I am glad I am getting a lot done and that a lot of cool things are happening around on campus. On top that, Spring Break is just around the corner! Haha (: In this post, I will be focusing on updates with some school events and things I’m learning in my Federal Work Study internship.

   Most notably, like I mentioned in my last post, I will be performing in “Da Freakshow,” HPU’s 9^th annual student talent show. I will be performing my remix to Macklemore’s song entitled “Same Love,” which talks about marriage equality and LGBT rights. I just recited the slam poem version of it last night at an open mic at Fresh Café here in Honolulu. I did it to kind of prepare myself for my big performance at Hawaii Theatre next week for the talent show. I’m both nervous and anxious but more so excited! I’m very blessed for the opportunity to perform on the stage of highly respected artists like Jack Johnson. It’s really cool that HPU has such a strong connection and presence to downtown Honolulu.

   Speaking of which, I will also be attending a tour of I’olani Palace next Monday. It is a free special tour for HPU students lead by Dr. Askman, one of our history professors. Being a local student, I’ve sadly often taken for granted the wonderful islands I grew up in. However, I am well aware of Hawaii’s such incredible past and grateful for the opportunity that HPU has provided me to revisit the history Hawaii’s monarchy and the only royal palace in the United States. I think it’s important collectively as a society to show respect to the places we live, visit, and/or choose to go to school at. HPU’s downtown campus is truly in the heart of Hawaii’s rich historic business district, being only 5 minutes away from the I’olani Palace, Mission Houses, and other historic buildings.

   Furthermore, my internship is going very well. My supervisor is very knowledgeable in the field and makes what I’m learning in class relatable to our real- world projects. Although I’m a Marketing major and intern in the Marketing department here at HPU, the office I work in is Media Relations. My supervisor and I work very closely with recruitment and retention projects within the various departments. I am learning a little bit of everything. I feel like all of my skills are being refined and also gaining new skills. Most of my job requires me to interview students, professors, alumni, and anyone in the HPU O’hana who are making a significant impact in their community- whether it be through their research, jobs, etc. After that, I write articles about them and after my supervisor edits them, they get published on the school’s website. It’s pretty neat! Aside from that, I am also learning how to work with various different digital cameras, editing software, and the basics of media technology. Because of my interest in poetry and hip- hop music, the skills I’m learning in school and as an intern are fulfilling my interests all around. My job requires me to be on my feet a lot- from meeting people, covering sports and various events, and wherever they need some extra coverage. It’s very fast paced but I like it that way.

   With that said, thank you once again for reading my blog. I will definitely keep you all posted on how the tour goes, the talent show, and whatever else pops up in the next week. Aloha!