Sugar Skull Workshop at the California Museum

Last week, I helped Sugar skull artist Rob-O with the Sugar skull workshops. The event was so much fun. It was nice seeing all the different designs of attendees.

Artist Rob-O's Sugar skull

During the workshops, Rob-O demonstrated some popular Day of the Dead motifs and some other cool things you can do for the skulls. One of the things I learned was that the upside down heart is what is used for a nose.

Rob-O's work was amazing. He did that beautiful sugar skull so quickly and its a masterpiece. I also admire his other work that is displayed in the Day of the Dead exhibit at the museum.

Since I was volunteering, Rob-O said that I can also make my own sugar skull since I was doing a service for him. I thought that was very nice of him. I wasn't quite sure what to do with my first mask, so I decided to go with the flow and slowly thought of what I wanted. I didn't end up finishing it as the session ended and had to prepare for the next workshop.

I had the opportunity to make a second sugar skull because I helped out Rob-O on the second day of the sugar skull workshop. This time around, my goal was to make my sugar skull was decorated as possible and to add more gems on it. I think I achieved that. I'm very grateful to have the opportunity to participate in this fun craft. It's always nice to bring out my crafty side.

My Thoughts on Game Apps

When I first started playing game apps on my Ipad, I never imagined myself getting addicted to any game. I figured that I would only be playing a game every once in a while when I felt really bored. However, I found myself getting addicted to an Ipad game and even now I don't want to completely ditch particular game apps because I worked so hard on making it so far.

I know I said I stopped my addiction with Clash of Clans, but I went back on it a few months afterwards. But, I decided to stick with a few rules to keep me away from addiction. One of the rules was that I cannot stay in a clan for more than one night. I would have to leave by the end of the day. I think that rule is really important because if I stayed longer I would have to contribute more. And, I would hate it if I'm not doing my best to contribute to the clan. Another rule is that I try not to battle everyday, but only when I'm really close to getting enough resources for the next update. Those rules have really kept me out of being addicted. I don't think I will ever go back to playing it like before. Even when I go back to the game every once in a while to join clans, I feel very exhausted.

The Simpsons Tapped Out is the other game that I still play and never really stopped. But, I never got addicted to the game because the game isn't as demanding as Clash of Clans. For Simpson Tapped Out, you collect your resources and give your characters job and then repeat. You don't join a group and chat with others online, so it was easier to not be as committed. I would say that the game wasn't an addiction to me, but I would say it was a daily routine because everyday I would make sure to collect resources and give character jobs. I would say that's what happened for Clash of Clans when it stopped being an addiction.

But, why do I chose to just go back to Clash of Clans and Simpsons Tapped Out just to collect resources and keep stuff upgraded or to get new stuff? Why does it matter to me to have the new things? For me, I think it's because I put in so much of my time in the games. I played those games for a few years now and it's hard to let go now. I guess it also had to do with my personal life. I feel that although the games can't replace what I can't have, it can be something I do have. Moreover, possessing unique characters or items in the games kept me happy because I had them. I felt that I accomplished something and have something many others don't have. I liked that I was the highest level on the Simpsons Tapped Out. I liked having nice walls and being a high level on Clash of Clans. Those things provided me satisfaction because at least it was recognized as an achievement and other people in the game was amazed. It meant that I had at least had something in my life that was doing well and can be proud of. That's why I couldn't let go and still can't let go.

My Thoughts on Volunteering

I always strongly believed that it's important to give back to our community. I don't always have the money for it, but I do have the time, energy, and desire to be involved in my community.

None of my friends have ever encouraged me to take part on a volunteer opportunity. To my knowledge, none of my friends are a regular volunteer. I've had some friends and/or family members who keep asking me why I need to volunteer. Some have even suggested that I quit it because it takes time out of my busy schedule. But, I feel that I want to volunteer and I try to make room for it. Volunteering is something I started around high school and wanted to continue from then on.

I've always tried to look for opportunities I enjoy on my own because it's my time and my choice where I want to spend my time. I've volunteered in gardens, botanical conservatories, and greenhouses. I like volunteering in places that allow me to grow plants and provide a relaxing atmosphere. I really like being surrounded by healthy beautiful plants and vegetables. Somehow, it always makes me feel relaxed no matter how tired or stressed I am that today. I've also volunteered for the food bank, youth programs, and museums. I admire what those organizations are doing for the community. I really like those volunteer opportunities because those programs are really striving to do something for the community and I get to be a part of that. I'm so glad that I made the decision to be involved in them.

I find that I like volunteer opportunities that are more long lasting and not a one time thing. I like that I will always have the chance to meet new volunteers and now more about my responsibilities. I also like going back to the volunteer "home base", which I refer to as the place where I come back again and again to volunteer. I like that volunteering allows me to escape from my other responsibilities for a short period of time. I like that I sometimes get to serve members of the communities, which is something that I wanted to do whether it's a career or not.

As of now, I'm currently in a volunteer program that I enjoy and hope to be a part of it as long as I can. A few years ago, I decided that I want to find a volunteer program that I can be part of for a long time and I feel that the one that I am in right now meets that goal. I decided that when I'm older and retired I want to be one of those people who volunteer and help out others in their community.