A few weeks ago, 4C the Power was super busy working a benefit concert and playing host to more workshops with some new (and some returning) artists participating as mentors.

Unfortunately, I wasn't present to witness this amazing event in person *sadface* but I was still fairly in the loop with what was going on. With the Gamblerz (bboy world champions!) coming over from Korea and a benefit concert featuring many talented artists including ABDC's Kaba Modern, I knew that this was going to be an epic event, but I don't think I realized just how epic until I saw the videos/pictures/blogs...

There was a fantastic turn-out and the weekend of events was a success. There was a great article written by the local SGV Tribune [ http://www.sgvtribune.com/highlanders/ci_13815451 ]

Maybe I was feeling particularly emotional on the morning I first read this article, but halfway through I was needing to hold back tears! Reading the section where the artists give their 'in hindsight' answers always gets to me - the same when I was at the last workshop and each artist was poignantly expressing their personal struggle with balancing academia and creative output, and how orgs like 4C the Power and platforms like YouTube didn't exist when they were younger... ditto... I feel/say the same...

However, I think academic studies and creative activities are able to co-exist better these days - if anything, creative expression allows an individual to relax/escape from the stresses of studying, and opportunities like a workshop with accessible artists in their field of interest can inspire them even more to keep working hard to achieve their dreams.

...I forget where I was going with this blog... I think I've digressed... ummm... oh yes, epic-ness and the impact...

What I loved about the feedback from these events was seeing the impact that the experience had had on not only the students, but also the artists (the interns too but that'd be another digression!). In particular, watching Vudoo Soul being so enthusiastic and enjoying the workshop and performance showcase sooo much, and in his shout-out to 4C video clip, it was really clear to see that he had been wowed by the experience and opportunity to be a mentor. I would bet that all the artists, students and staff have an incredible time every time and are grateful for these oportunities with 4C.

With the 4C program and aims being so closely matched to my own personal interests, I can never have enough good things to say about it - how it works, what it does, who it involves - I admire and am inspired so much by the 4C network, the 4C family ^.^

And I know it's difficult to not sound biased having met/worked/connected with 4C the Power; on the other hand, I guarantee that it would be difficult not to praise 4C the Power after being involved with its work and recognizing its impact on the community... it's going from strength to strength, making the seemingly unreachable a possible reality, and showing us that dreams can be achieved. I HEART 4C THE POWER.

See Ianne's "Social Networking" blog entry: http://www.eastvillagers.org/IANNE/blog/714/

I am delighted to have met / interacted / clicked with some of you recently. Whilst that feeling is greater because it was in person, I feel that we are staying connected - and our bonds can continue to build - through (although not limited to) online social networking.

To those of you I have met: we didn't really have a lot of time to spend socialising together, but just enough to know that we want to keep in touch and hope to see each other again in the future... Cue: 'follow on Twitter'...

Random comments on Twitter, expressing daily thoughts + feelings en masse and in the moment... it may or may not be something you personally have a response to, but that that's okay because I guess I just felt like unloading it, whether or not someone actually reads it (we don't really know who/how many people do). It also allows me to learn more about you, albeit through cyberspace, and somehow feel more up-to-date - like I'm getting to know what you're going through during the day (in a non-stalker-ish way!). Though it may not be quite the same as meeting up with you, it's better than not 'seeing' you at all when we're apart.

I don't think online friends can ever match the bond of 'real' friends - you'd make more of an effort to meet/call your real friends, right? I reckon online it's more of a "just out of interest" kind of thing. In my case being far away in a different time zone: until we meet again, I'm happy to (at the least) be able to read about how you are ^_^

 I felt inspired to write these thoughts down after reading Justine Talag’s ‘my accidental career' blog: www.eastvillagers.org/justinetalag/blog/591/

As mentioned in my previous blog entry, I always think that it’s important to work in a job that truly makes you happy – only then will you be most enthusiastic and devoted to ‘work’.

I could identify with Justine’s story, except that I have yet to discover that elusive career choice. The most I can acknowledge is that it has to be related to the creative industries, in particular the entertainment field. I know this much because performance & media are strong interests that I am thoroughly engaged with, beyond the basics of it providing consumer entertainment.

My studies have all been in this subject area, and I have covered a lot of possible career paths, picking up many different skills along the way… but then I graduated and I still couldn’t choose any specific route to follow through with – the saying “jack of all trades, master of none” comes to mind – I guess feeling like I had to decide meant that I didn’t have a clear intention at all, otherwise I would have pursued with ease.

At this point, working with 4C the Power has been the closest to fulfilling what I am seeking in a job; 4C’s principles, its goals, and its community network matches well too. That trip was a big step (thankfully in the right direction) and of course I expect that I will stay connected for more active involvement with 4C the Power projects. Also, that experience has opened up a realm of yet unknown opportunities in the future just through meeting and connecting with so many people. 

In December, I will be travelling to Hong Kong, and I have decided to stay for an indefinite period. I hope to learn more about myself and my aspirations, meet more people, and seize more opportunities. Just as Justine concluded in her blog, we never stop learning or experiencing – life is one big lesson.

I came across 4C the Power earlier this year through blogs written about the International Secret Agents concert by ISA’s founders, Far*East Movement and Wong Fu Productions.

I’m a believer in finding work that you can be really passionate about in order to be the most productive and have true job satisfaction. When I looked at the 4C the Power website, I almost couldn’t believe how perfectly it fitted my ideals – its aims & objectives matched what I wanted to do and how I felt I could use my background experience. Because of this, I persevered to inquire about volunteering, even though I lived halfway around the world. Applying to become an intern couldn’t have been more simple – an email detailing my experience and my intentions for volunteering – and soon after I was heading to the next 4C workshop in conjunction with the next ISA concert.

The lovely Diann Kitamura (4C creator and director) - affectionately named Mama D - welcomed me with open arms, literally! I immediately connected with the ‘family’ of 4C interns too and have quickly built good friendships, which makes future visits even more anticipated!

Working at the 4C workshop was everything I expected, having read about/seen videos from previous workshops, yet I was still amazed by it all – most likely because it felt surreal that I was there (far from being a local volunteer!) and that I was actually taking part in it.

With genuine honesty (and not wanting it to be perceived as an empty cliché), the 4C workshop is the best event I have worked on so far. As an intern, I felt helpful yet relaxed in its informal atmosphere; as an observer, I could see how elated both the students and artists were to be in each other’s company. Mama D and the interns too were beaming in the presence of the artists, students, and each other – it really is like one big happy family! As for me, I was definitely overwhelmed with a mixture of emotions!

I do wish that I could participate in more of 4C’s activities on a regular basis, though knowing that I have even worked at one event is still gratifying! It was an immeasurable experience, with unexpected bonuses, and I can’t wait for the next adventure!