In a room with filled with people, with people I didn’t know, but as time pass by, they were people I got to know. The few people that got selected, were chose for different reasons, but they all had one thing in common, and that was to write stories without singing.

Stories that would grab the reader’s attention, and make the whole community listen. We all went out searching from one place to another. Gathering information, so we could share with one another. We learned how to get along and how to help each person out.

We had cameras to take pictures, every time we left out. The laughter the smiles and all the joy will remain, but for some of these students, they life will forever be changed. I was able to take a cruise, under the Golden Gate Bridge, then back around Alcatraz, experiencing life from within.
This was the first time in my life that I ever did that, but none of this would be possible, if BAMMA didn’t allow me to do that. The staff here loves all of us, and they love the work we produce. The time we took to do it, and the commitment to follow through.

A lot of times people give up easy, when they’re adapting to something new, but I adapted real easy and got to know people who are all cool! The food may have been nasty (LOL), but they always made sure we ate. There was never a day when I starved, because I always had food on my plate.

We always woke up early, instead of waking up real late. I have enjoyed my time here, and I’m thankful they let me stay. It started out with twelve of us, but in the end there was eleven. Imagine the turnout of the paper, if there only remained seven.

Lucky that was not the case, because the ones that stayed survived. We all worked as team, to help the newspaper come alive. Our words were cut down because some words were not needed, but at the same time every student still succeeded.

We all managed our time, and finished what needed to finish, but life goes on, because time is still ticking. Tomorrow we will graduate, but the end has not yet arrived. I can’t wait until that day comes, because it will be the day that opens our eyes.

This will be the day, that expands on our lives. We all have been blessed, to develop skills most people don’t have. Being able to use those tools, instead of being stuck in the past. We can now move to the future, and write stories until our hearts stop, but no matter what we do the pens will never drop.

We all have different minds and believe in different things, but no matter what we do we will always have a dream. A dream that Martin Luther King didn’t dream, because deep down inside, we can accomplish anything. As I come to a close, to end my thoughts, I thank everybody here for helping me, making it through it all, it’s all about BAMMA 08 “ The Best Class of them All”.

I learned how to trim my words instead of using words that didn't really need to be there.

I learned that you need to wear another hat when your editing because you also have to be a critic of your own writing. Some time when you write things you use a lot of words that you don't really need and it makes your story sound not so interesting as it would be if you used words that get straight to the point.

I like working with the different editors because your able gain a sense of how they interpret your story. I had wrote a story about the McCullum Youth Court. Before I wrote that story I had no idea what that was all about. When I started calling to talk to people it seem like my story was not going to have no life at all. As I kept at it I set up an interview with some of the staff that work there. They all gave me good quotes and I was able to format my story the way I wanted it to be. I learned how to blog because this is something I don't normally do.

I learned how to take pictures and learned a new word called aperture. I learned how to use a audio recorder something I never used before, but when I used it I did a good job.

The main thing that made things awesome at BAMMA were the staff and people. I’d like to give my thanks to each and everyone with a small commentary~ In no order:

Aaron (Dad)- You are awesome to the greatest extent! I love your funny faces that you give to awkward situations as well as your understanding of what goes on in teenagers’ minds. Thank you for helping me to polish my multimedia piece, without you, it wouldn’t look as awesome as it does now.

Dolissa (Mom)- You are quite knowledgeable in all you do. The conversations we have help give me another dimension in the thoughts of adults. Your perseverance to get things done is a role model to all of us.

Mary Anne (Journalism Teacher)- You helped make the beginning of our days memorable and fun with class. Your genuine concern and ideas for solution helped us created our final newspaper. You may have won us over with your generosity in donuts/coffee on a cold day and soda on a hot one, I loved your bubbly personality

Christine (BAMMA’s Rihanna)- You are one awesome person to talk to! You communicate with us easily and can relate to us more easily than older people. Your cheerful smile and inclusive hug always makes my day better, especially when the day hasn’t been too good. And you are fashionable and pretty!

Craig (Photographer Extraordinaire)- Thank you most of all for teaching me how to use a camera that was not point and shoot. You opened my eyes to the beauty in shooting in manual as well as automatic. You also taught me about Hail Mary photos. I am definitely going to incorporate some of the ideas I learned in my school’s newspaper.

Kory ( My Editor)- Thank you for having the patience on hot sweltering days to help me edit my article. You are always cheerful and have plenty of ideas on multiple subjects. I also want to thank you for introducing me to the BIBLE of Journalism, the AP Stylebook!

Michelle (Professor Counselor)- I love how you are always there to listen to others or me when we have problems that we are uncomfortable talking with other staff. You are the epitome of cool (along with Christine). I also learned from you especially how to see things from another angle.

Eric (Joel’s Twin)-I love your spontaneity and the random faces you do. You really remind me of Joel. You bring flairs of fun to usually drab situations. Although I didn’t get to talk to you very often, you definitely have a personality that make people want to talk to you.

Molly (FinalCut Ruler)- Thank you for taking the time to teach me some things with Final Cut when I forgot them. The professor you introduced to us at the Chronicle was fun and interesting (meaning you got good taste in people).

Ronnie (Assistant Prison Warden)- Thank you for having the best sense of humor that I’ve ever seen. Instead of getting mad at us for exaggerating the risk factor and safety, you played along and make he time fun! I hope that we made your first BAMMA memorable.

Dr. Azocar (Prison Warden)- Although we didn’t get much time with you personally, you strike fear into our hearts!! (Just kidding) When we asked for water and air spray, you compassionately supplied us with what we wanted. You did an awesome job for shaping BAMMA this year.

Jesse (Newspaper Editor)- We also didn’t get to work with you much, but you helped us produce a stunning newspaper, worthy of college level work. Thank you! You helped us create something we can be proud of.

Ryan (News Editor)- Although I never actually talked to you, I still appreciate you helping my fellow classmates. You helped make the learning environment even better.

LaToya (BAMMA Buddy)- Thank you for taking time out of your summer to help in the first week of BAMMA. It would have been nice to get to know you longer, but thank you for the time you did spend with us.

Zoneil (Indescribable)- It would be amiss if I did not wrap up with the most dynamic character at BAMMA. You may be sarcastic and mean at times, I know that you are always genuinely concerned and caring for us. I also want to thank you for helping me edit my article down to under 500 words

Yesterday, Dr. Azocar alluded to “burning bridges” and how you have to careful as to what you say. I sincerely apologize to anyone that took affront to the inflammatory rant posted earlier. I, however, take a different turn on “burning bridges”. I truly believe, not matter how hard we may try, we can never burn the bridges we made during BAMMA. We are now interconnected as a family, people that has shared two weeks together with a common goal. For the rest of my life, I can never forget the awesome memories that I have gotten at BAMMA.

Well, today is my final day to blog. Tomorrow is graduation…

May good fortune rule over you
Peace live in your hearts
And the stars watch over you

Justin Chin, signing out~

It felt to me that it was mostly strictly business because we didn’t have a lot of time everyday to be able to kick it together as a group and do something at top of the line fun. I don’t know maybe…maybe if we had an activity where we had to find something all across campus… or if we could just explore SF STATE maybe… for some of us that are going to be applying to colleges or universities next year! You know stuff like that… or what makes SF STATE, SF STATE……….

Or I know if we could try things that are new more often…. Like sushi…. you know something like that. Even though you know we did try something new. Or how bout if we could sit-in one journalism class to see if interests us a little more!

I enjoyed a lot of the things that we did.

It felt like I was kind of slow though because I couldn’t really move by myself with my story because I didn’t really understand how to write my story.

I mean I really don’t have a lot of experience…. I dint have any experience with writing a newspaper…thing.

First I shall rant then I shall write what i love/miss about BAMMA:

Rant:

We got out papers the other day, and I was REALLY PISSED OFF. When we were writing our headlines together, I was forgotten, so someone else wrote my headline....which was COMPLETELY WRONG. The title they put was "Immersing students in their native language" something like that, which is NOT TRUE! they are IMMERSING students in ANOTHER LANGUAGE!!!!

Then someone added words like in one sentence it used to be something like "she learns blah blah blah – completely in spanish" theres the PUNCH! but NOOOO, they put " – but completely in spanish" that COMPLETELY RUINED THE PUNCH! Then there's this person in my article called Gentle Blythe, I am not sure if that person is a woman or a man, I didn't want to be rude and ask. But the person who changed my paper put the person as a "spokeswoman" when I put "spokesperson" cause you NEVER KNOW, that person coulda had Hippie parents, and that COULD be a guy or a woman, but I don't like to jump to conclusions!!! What if Gentle calls me and blames me/jumps me?!?!!??!?! GRRRR!!!!

Another thing, my article is all the way on page 6, a small little column, next to Joel's amazing LONG story and his BEAUTIFUL BIG PICTURE...my story is a measly minute squished fly on a wall, then continued a freaking mile away in page 11! Who will actually notice it, and then bother turning SOOO many pages?! There's nothing visually appealing in my article! there's no picture!

And to top it all off, we went to the Chronicle, and the lady was critiquing our articles, and my article was SO MEASLY PATHETIC AND SMALL IN THAT LITTLE COLUMN that she SKIPPED IT AND FORGOT ME!!!! AHHHHH!!! I was SOOOO pissed off!!! Then Joel asked her what she thought about it. But she didn't really say anything, I couldn't hear cause of all the anger in my head....

I hope I did not piss off anyone in this blog, I just really needed to spill my thoughts... sigh...

Good things about Bamma:

I will REALLY REALLY MISS my BAMMA family! I dunno if I'll cry tomorrow, cause I really will miss everyone. Everyone has helped me grow and we all made it through this intense boot camp together.

I'll remember all the funny moments we all shared. Justin's weird mushroom thing, to Joel and Me singing Beatles songs, my Sister Goldie Chang.

The time we ran in the elevator and I yelled "Hey girls, wait for CONNIE AVOCADO CHANG!" in front of these people who looked at me weird and laughed then the elevator door closed and I we all bursted in laughter.

The time after we left pizza orgasmica, and YaYa yelled out, "I like SEX...." we all turned around, surprised, then she said "...in the CITY!" and we all laughed. We kept on overusing that phrase. "I like to see SEX...in the city!" Or the times we take the M and we pass by the west portal theater, and the title of a movie was "Sex and the City" and I would yell, "HEY LOOK GUYS ITS SEX!!!! in the City!"

I also like my journalism experience, its COMPLETELY different than what I had confronted in high school. When you interview someone, you KNOW how to find them and they're gonna most likely want to be interviewed cause they're gonna be on the PAPER. I really liked my editors they are really awesome people, I liked the photography people who taught us many things like "hail mary's" and stuff like that.

But this experience, you have to call up people, in some instances even pester them for only a quote, or information, or anything! I really feel journalism is my calling, I love it a lot! =) We went to the Chronicle yesterday and this one dude told me the best advice for getting my foot in the door, "write an article today, write another one tomorrow, and the next day as well, get as much as you can in print, then put them all together in a scrapbook" so I have articles to show how good I am when I get an interview. They also told us to call and bug reporters as MUCH as we can, like call everyday, mail everyday, because it shows how persistent one is, and shows that I am passionate about journalism, which will convince them to help me.

It was rooming with Goldie. I'm glad that she took all of my noise and me bothering her. I'm sorry GoldieLocks. But it was fun. And this week was fun too. Seeing our faces in newspapers and stuff, it gives a rush. And visiting the Chronicle was cool. The computer lab thing was alright. But I had fun overall visiting places. I enjoyed the Pier. I loved the Murals. I liked going to City Hall. I sorta kinda liked Juneteeth. I didn't like the Tenderloin. And I like San Francisco State. It's pretty sexy.

It was nice meeting all of you: Goldie, Edgar, CharlestinaCiCi, Justin, Oscar, Ramon, Monica, Joel, Jamari, and Brenda. As well as Jesse, Michelle, Craig, Aaron, Dolissa, Mary Ann Hogan, Dr. Azocar, Eric, Molly, Christine, Ryan, Kory, La Toya, and that one guy with the mustache, Scott Fong. You all were very helpful and gave me useful information. Sorry, if I forgot anyone.

I had a great time, all of you are beasty and have a nice summer.

Yes indeed, BAMMA was BEASTY.

First, we're going to have to finish our MM pieces today, which blows. I'm gonna try and see if I can NOT get a headache today, you know, just so I can actually GET SOMETHING DONE!!! But yeah, I've got 1'44" on it, so I guess I'm not doing that bad. Gonna turn into a Jack Goodall monkey-man.

I want to be the frontman for Muse. Geez, that guy can sing. AND he's a killer git-tar player. I'm on my way, though. Not too bad, and I can earn money doing it, so... I just want to make as much money as him making the same kind of music. I mean, it seems like the stuff that I dream about. you know when you have a dream, and you hear music, and it's always the same kind, but you just can't discern what it is? This is the kind of thing I hear in my dreams. Every instrument blends in to the other, just because they all fit. It's like this great, indescribable puzzle, and you'll never figure it out until you know what's comin' out of that mental jam-box of yours.

In the Chronicle it was fun. I found it confusing and hard to be an editor there. It was funny to me how all of them were called Frank or Bob. Names along this class were funny to hear because it goes with name stereotypes. I was happy to see the inside of the building because I always pass by and wonder how it looks inside. It was fun to see all the stuff they have on their desk. The subways were actually good!

The workshop was so interesting. I would totally join them. I already got ideas for them. I had heard of youth radio but have never really checked it out because I wasn’t as interested as I am now.

So after that we were told to go by ourselves to our dorms. It was a shocker. We were laughing and making jokes on our way to the dorms. Then I told Justin I was cold and he pushed me and said Edgar she’s cold. Like a gentleman he put out his elbow and we walked together with CC on the other side. We both were cold. It was funny and we practice again all together our singing. After a while we went from our dorm to the lobby. We were joking around with our performances. There were the 5th graders from the 3rd floor who were bothering us. There was one who came and said, “Put on some pants!” So after that we couldn’t stand it and we put glasses and hoods and went to the 3rd floor. The lady there didn’t say anything even after one of them said, “They’re the ones who scared us!” We were just tired of seeing them come and bother us on the elevator and their jumping.

It was fun until Aaron told us to go to bed.

From the very first day I stepped into the orientation I was freaked out, I was scared. I had every feeling that you can possible have on the very first day of meeting different people to make friends. My social life has definitely been altered now that I came into this program. I met some of the most awesome-est, people here in Bamma that I will always remember. There was so much work to do for the paper to be issued, and I can finally say that the hard work and stress paid off because when I saw that paper in my hands, my heart started jumping joyously, I was impressed with myself.

As the first week moved along slowly, I started to feel the stress. We had two projects to accomplish one was the paper and the second was the multimedia piece. The first week was packed with smiles and fun, it was wonderful. I love when there’s a moment when everyone is happy and smiling because that makes me glad. The first week finished with a million thoughts to gather and compress into one ball of energy. With that being done the first week came to an end.

The second week came and we were closer like a family that helps each other out to finish the various jobs we had to do. I learned by now so many things about each and every one of the people here in Bamma. The second week almost reaches an end and I’m going to miss them. Through doing Bamma I’m a whole new me with valuable knowledge that I gathered here at Bamma. Today June 27, 2008 I figured out that I do not regret coming here, because at the end life is about the choices you make. Bamma 2008 will always be and will always stay in a very special place... my heart.

I will be sure to share my awesome memories that I had with my Bam Fam with my friends back home. I have learned so much from My Bam Fam. I learned to work with , help out and love the people around me. Tomorrow will be kind of sad I really do want to be back home, but I want Bamma to come back with me. Well, like I said before we are only a city, phone call, and email away. I will keep in contact with them, I cant pass up this friendship we have created with each other over the last 2 weeks, a lifelong friendship. I love them so much!

Later, we went to downtown San Francisco, and went to the SF Chronicle. After visiting the SF Chronicle, it made me really want to work there. First, when we got there, we went to the morning meeting room and it was really interesting hearing the editors from each department talking and discussing on stories that are going to be in the next morning's papers.

After, we visited each department such as the dating, business, food, sport, bay area, and travel department. I really want to work at the SF Chronicle because they seem to pay really well and it also looks like a lot of fun to get involved in a big news paper in the bay area. However, the people from the Chronicle told us that they usually hire people with 10-15 years of experience so therefore I need to start writing a lot .

THANK YOU BAMMA FOR THIS AMAZING EXPERIENCE!
BYE BYE :]
LOVE, GOLDIE

In the morning we ate breakfast, and the food was actually good! When there's nothing good to eat, I resort to cereal and like 2 doughnuts =/ and sometimes a cup of OJ.

After, we went to the computer lab and blogged. It was kinda sad cause it was our last "class" with Mary Ann Hogan. She gave us her email and said we could email her for any future advice we would ever need. Which is good, cause I'll probably need a LOT of it.

Then after we all pitched in in creating our headlines. It was very interesting how much time is put into creating a really good headline. After, we went out to lunch and I ate PIZZA!

We all came back, and then we were off again to another SF state campus place. We took the M down to Powell. We went into the mall! then we took this weird route, an elevator, and then we magically appeared at an SF State campus! It was VERY surprising! But we worked on our multimedia.

I truly feel that everyone is being overwhelmed by work. It's REALLY REALLY draining to do this, I think its not enough for 2 people to do, I wish they would've put us with more people, but oh well.

I miss my friends. I like the ones I made here at BAMMA, but I miss the ones back at home. One moved in March and now she's moving again. Karenlove. Well, her name is Karen, but I call her "Karenlove" and so does some of my other friends. I actually started calling her "Karenlove" because of them. And this Saturday, June 28th, she moving again, to Guatemala. She not even gone yet, and I'm already sick. Literally my stomach trns at the fact she's leaving. I love her too much to let her leave. I think I'm going to work up a kidnapping plan. Karenlove, if you ever read this: I love you always and forever.

And then there's 4.

Next up, Roselove. Guess what... she has dimples. Well, one. I stare at it all day and she always covers it because she knows what I'm staring at, and she gets mad. What can I say? I love them. Dimples are the best features people could have. Something else about her is Roselove is a little(short) and so is Karenlove. Oh yeah, and Roselove's real name is Rose. Rose is a little lady who was born way past her time, but I'm glad she was because she a great friend and I get to stare at her dimple all day. Roselove is great but her dimple is greater. The only other thing about Roselove that I think of to say is that she loves the color purple. Not the move, just the color. ;)

The three amigos.

There's Kevin, Lawrence, and Jonathan. My brothers for life. Though they get on my nerves A LOT, they're still the best. But what they don't know is that I objectify them. This past school year, Kevin and Jonathan were in two of my classes and Lawrence was in one. Kevin is the "Smart Guy", so I used him for homework help and he was a walking thesaurus. Jonathan is the "Tagger Guy", so I make him draw me stuff, which he barely does, but I make him or at least I try to. Last but not least there's Lawrence, he is the "Physical Comedian Guy", so I use him for comic relief. All three of the guy are hilarious. I talk to Kevin the most, so he might be the funniest. Plus he plays off of what I say most of the time, which means he thinks of jokes fast and it's hilarious.

Even though I cant wait until Saturday when its over, I will miss my BAMMA family. Over the past 2 weeks that like what we have grown to be, a family of journalist. We have so many high lights of the times we shared. Everything wasn't always cookies and cream, we had our little conflicts, (not with each other). We had times where we felt like the staff were going to far, but all in all we know that they were just doing their jobs. After the first week we all felt bummed out. Waking up at 6 in the morning doesn't seem too phasing, but somehow we managed as being full time journalist. every time you turn around you need to have your camera ready, its so many things to see and learn.

When we went on outings, we thought we were getting a break, but we had things to do. Back at the dorms is the heart of fun, whose room is 'the spot' tonight? would be the question. I feel a connection with each and every person here that makes me feel like I have always known them, but I guess thats what working together Dust to dawn will do to you. Even though we all had different stories, we all worked together with each other in order to get everything we need to make it come to life. From sleeping in classes, to our ' BAMMA Quotes', and everything else that comes along with it. I just love everyone that is part of the BAMMA Program and will always remember the times we spent together, because they were truly divine.

My roommate is the Best! I could have never asked for one better than her. not that if I had any of the other girls it wouldn't have been great, but my Brenda Splenda is awesome. We had so much fun together. When we had our first conversation as room mates we were talking about how we don't like how some people just go off at the mouth and talk and talk and talk,and really just wear people out. But lets see, what do you think we found ourselves doing? talking, and talking and talking, but I am sure we didn't wear each other out, at least I don't think I wore her out she sure didn't say anything. But as a whole i think BAMMA is awesome, always room for improvement, but my experience here was foremost the best ever being around a lot of different minds.

Even though its not over yet, it can only get better as we approach the day we have to depart. I wouldn't say goodbye because its not like we all live in different states. We're just a city away.