Published: The Graduate [my graduation photo sign in book]

The Graduate

Jasef Jaicee Camar...

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Special thanks to my girlfriend Cherry who took the beautiful photos for my guestbook that is designed for personal messages and sign ins.

The pictures were taken at my elementary school John F. Kennedy in Daly City rather than my graduating school University of San Francisco.

"The Graduate" is the name of my graduation party and yes, it's taken from the movie starring Dustin Hoffman and even my graduation invites are modeled after its movie poster.

My special touch on the title's font is that it's actually my handwriting imported from a free handwriting-to-font web service.

Here is the Introduction page for my graduation guestbook:

Introduction

I've graduated from University of San Francisco but I decided to take these pictures at my elementary school John F. Kennedy in Dally City. Going back here reminded me of my childhood and how much I've grown as a student and a person. If you walked with me through the school's grounds, I can tell you stories. If you were to walk with me at USF, I can tell you what I've learned in the classroom.

It has been quite a long educational road. Although I graduated from a nursing class, I'm far from graduating from life. While I've ridden the highs and lows of school that has included studying, cramming, making presentations, passing and failing exams, I've only strived for a grade. I know that life is more than just a grade. I am sure I will strive for whatever is good not only for me, but for my family and friends.

I've learned a great deal from school and I know my education never ends. To all my teachers, thank you for your lessons of english, sciences, math, and nursing that has made me a competent person. To all my teachers outside of my classroom including my friends (JFK, SBA, TRP, OLPH, SI, USF), my family (Camara & Custodio), and especially my mom Jo, thank you for your life lessons that have made me a compassionate person and more. Please continue to not only teach me, but support, care, and love me as you have already done. I am forever grateful to you all.

Everyone owes a debt. I owe so much to God for everything, and I owe so much to you all for making me who I am today that I cannot fail in this life. I will lose at times, but I will never fail.

Thank you forever a million times over.

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Here's a pic preview of my very own pictorial:




I'm teaching my girlfriend photography and this is her very "first" photoshoot and I must say I'm very proud of her on what she's learned in exposure and composition!

Review Update: Apple Magic Mouse Battery Performance

Just a quick update: from my initial review of Apple's Magic Mouse on October 31, the Energizer batteries that were included finally ran out today.

Overall, short of two months usage in my view is quite lame considering the cost of batteries and so that is why after I deplete my stock of AA batteries, I will be using rechargeable batteries from here on out. I recently purchased Eneloops that will replace my year old rechargeable batteries used for my photography equipment [namely flash units] and will buy a couple of more sets to fully replace the old set.

To save money, I'll use the old set of rechargeable batteries for the Apple Magic Mouse that I use at home and the Mighty Mouse that I keep in my laptop bag on the go.

Overall, I am super happy with using my Magic Mouse because of its multi-touch capabilities [and yes, there's really more to than forward/backward web browsing--I can do 2 finger swipes in addition to left and right, up and down; 2 finger taps/clicks; 3 finger swipes left, right, up, down; 3 finger taps/clicks--and my favorite part: how the multitouch features can be be programmed to any application!]

More details soon...

Thinking of Purchasing an E-Book Reader?

I showed my mom the Amazon Kindle 2 and was telling her all the cool features--wireless download capabilities, keyboard, e-ink display--and then she asks, "Wait, you still have to buy the books after paying $260?"

"Well yea it's the latest electronic device," I reply.
"So then where are the books?" she asks.
"They're stored in the device," I patiently explain.
"But after that, then what? You don't even have them. You can't sell it or give them away. Then what," after this she simply walks away uninterested.

Point taken. Despite a gadget freak and always looking for the latest and greatest, my collection of completed book I've read will remain as well the many more waiting for me to read through. [I'm looking at you--my latest purchase of Seth Godin's limited edition wooden boxed set. Read Seth's blog entry here for more details on that].

This commercial by The Sun newspaper is downright awesome.

ADLs: Tick Tock

"Tick Tock"
Taken on November 28, 2009

Went with my girlfriend to her cousin's house in San Jose to have a post Thanksgiving dinner. Enjoyed the food and company as usual. I love the small things they have in their house--the mix of French posters, their pictures everywhere, and little neat things like this retro clock.

Which reminds me, remember that Got Milk? commercial with that baby and this cat clock filmed in black and white? Maybe? Ok nevermind.

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The blog roll "ADLs" is a series of images of my "Activities of Daily Living". Yes, that's a nursing term so it's fitting for where I am now--nursing student about to graduate with a passion for photography. A new post is expected to be up everyday.

"What are you thankful for?" - Post Thanksgiving SI Dinner 2009

Taken on November 27, 2009

Our annual Post Thanksgiving St. Ignatius [c/o '05] Dinner. This year we had it graciously held at Donna's house. We each say something short and sweet of what we are thankful for. As for me [not in the video since I'm taking it], "I am thankful for keeping this tradition alive for all these years."

Thank you to all my friends and will look forward to these post thanksgiving dinners time after time.

Black Friday Bust

Probably the earliest taking BART: 5:03am the San Francisco/Dublin train arrives.

7pm? No. This is 5:30am with folks looking for Black Friday deals on Powell, downtown SF.

My two friends and I in Forever 21 looking for "Lisa" because the men's section is all the way upstairs and we'd usually come in here with friend girl/girlfriend lol.

We continue to call outloud "Lisa".

Taking a break at Westfield Mall waiting for Van's store to open 7am.

Lovely.

First of all, why is this guy by himself? Where's his friends? Or family? But it surely sums up how our energy levels were. All of our eyes were stinging and longing for some shut-eye.

None too happy: our only loot is at H&M. For me, as a thrifty shopper, only bought a $15 sweater.

BART ride home to Daly City. Next up: our annual post-Thanksgiving dinner with our high school friends.

I hope you all were able to find good deals! For me, as an avid online shopper as well, couldn't find anything! Boo. Thankfully, I am writing this after my 5 hour sleep. Good day and enjoy your leftovers!

ADLs: Happy Thanksgiving

"Happy Thanksgiving"
Taken on November 26, 2009

My family surrounds the table to pray and bless the [good] food that we are all about to eat. Many things to be thankful for and this moment in itself I am thankful for. I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving with your families and friends.

--
The blog roll "ADLs" is a series of images of my "Activities of Daily Living". Yes, that's a nursing term so it's fitting for where I am now--nursing student about to graduate with a passion for photography. A new post is expected to be up everyday.

ADLs: Houses

"Houses"
Taken on November 24,2009

I went to the park with my girlfriend so I can give her a quick lesson on photography [she recently bought the Canon Rebel T1i]. I was teaching her on "extreme framing"--I couldn't come up with another name for it--and gave her an example with this picture.

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The blog roll "ADLs" is a series of images of my "Activities of Daily Living". Yes, that's a nursing term so it's fitting for where I am now--nursing student about to graduate with a passion for photography. A new post is expected to be up everyday.

ADLs: Cash Money

"Cash Money"
Taken on November 23, 2009

I haven't been to a [Wells Fargo] teller in awhile but had to since two Brink employees were getting the money from the ATMs. And man, what a job--transporting that much money?? It's about time someone made a movie like Armored.

--
The blog roll "ADLs" is a series of images of my "Activities of Daily Living". Yes, that's a nursing term so it's fitting for where I am now--nursing student about to graduate with a passion for photography. A new post is expected to be up everyday.

ADLs: Lunch

"Lunch"
Taken on November 22, 2009

Had lunch today at Daphne's in Westlake with the family after church. It was my auntie and uncle's first time here and let's just say that Greek food is still a new thing for em. haha

--
The blog roll "ADLs" is a series of images of my "Activities of Daily Living". Yes, that's a nursing term so it's fitting for where I am now--nursing student about to graduate with a passion for photography. A new post is expected to be up everyday.

Initial Impression Mentioned on X-Rite Photo

My Initial Impression on X-Rite's latest ColorChecker Passport is mentioned on their website's collection of reviews. Might seem trivial but I think it's cool when the actual company finds your reviews/opinions/etc and posts it up on their site.

For more information on this product, visit X-Rite's product page here.

ADLs: Birthday Greeting Line

"Birthday Greeting Line"
Taken on November 20, 2009

At the end of the month in the Catholic prayer group meetings, we have a "birthday greeting line." Everyone visiting lines up and greets, hugs, and kisses the birthday celebrants for the month as well as those celebrating their wedding anniversaries.

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The blog roll "ADLs" is a series of images of my "Activities of Daily Living". Yes, that's a nursing term so it's fitting for where I am now--nursing student about to graduate with a passion for photography. A new post is expected to be up everyday.

Last Day of Clinicals [forever!] at LPCH

So the day finally came! On November 18 was my last day of clinicals as a University of San Francisco nursing student. As part of our last semester, we are split up [no more group clinicals] and go to our Capstone placement. I was placed at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital [LPCH] right near Stanford's Medical Center/Hospital. Since the beginning of the semester, I knew I had to fulfill 225 hours in 12 hour 7pm-7am shifts. Yes, it was a killer but I definitely learned a lot and met a bunch of good people on the unit.

Because it was my last day, the staff at the unit decided to bring some food and have a potluck to bid me farewell. I was able to choose the pizza that they were gonna order so I got the BBQ special.

My mom too contributed in the potluck and baked her famous brownies for the staff [as well as sweet and sour meatballs which was received really well]. This picture was taken in the morning of my last day and that's the day shift's nurse grabbing a few and placing it in cups to save them [for herself]. haha! I definitely had to take a picture of that and show my mom and told her how everyone loved them.

I made cards for the staff and individualized them by writing their names on each card. I wrote a small message and made a custom card case resembling a crayon box. Get it?!

And finally, Jen is special because she was my preceptor and so I made her an individual card and gave her a gift she's always wanted--an Easy Bake Oven! I thanked her for allowing me to work alongside with her as she "showed me the ropes" [meaning having patience as I did my math calculations for meds and taking time to explain procedures]. I remembered in the 2nd week or so, she was looking for things for her daughter and mentioned how she never got these kind of things when she was little like the Easy Bake Oven. So ever since then, I've had this gift in mind and was just as excited to give this to her as a thank-you gift. The staff was present too [in the nursing room] and loved the idea as well.

So to everyone on the unit, THANK YOU! Thank you for helping me as a nursing student transition to a more competent soon-to-graduate nurse!

Behind The Scenes: Photoshoot: Vargas Family [11/14/09]

All photos taken by Paul Borromeo

One of the first weekend of my "Family and Friends Portrait Promo" was with my friend Joal and his fam. He decided to take them at Hillside Park since he also wanted to show his parents where he works [there's a clubhouse there as well].

We did the usual family group shots and then couple shots.

This part of the shoot was one of my favorites. I need to time to show the results!

Me working.

Joal and Amy pose for a bit as Joal's parents waited in the car.. it was friggin cold despite the sun!

ADLs: Manny Wins [Again]

"Manny Wins"
Taken on November 14, 2009

Manny Pacquiao wins over Miguel Cotto in the 12th round as my family watches in joy and celebration.

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The blog roll "ADLs" is a series of images of my "Activities of Daily Living". Yes, that's a nursing term so it's fitting for where I am now--nursing student about to graduate with a passion for photography. A new post is expected to be up everyday.