2017
This is a live draft. I'm creating it here as I go... If you're early, hello!
Editing the video for the Coronation of the 100th Rose Queen, hours before show time
My third year producing this!
Went on a midnight stroll with new friends who I met at the Croatian Embassy earlier that evening
Sailing into the San Diego harbor
CA Democratic Party Convention with Team Chiang.
It was my first political convention.
First time at Spire73 with Alexandra, 3 days before fundraising deadline. My new favorite bar in LA
Rare weekday adventures with the parents and Cydney @ Snap's summer concert
In 2017, I
Visited 5 countries (the least traveling in 3 years),
Started a new job,
Swam for over 120 miles,
All my camera gear stolen,
Got sick a lot,
Lived a full life,
& have no regrets.
(Story at the end)
Featured in the Rotary Foundation annual report for being the youngest member in a historic club.
First time speaker at the International Assembly, where Rotary trains the incoming leaders from over 180 countries
Took a red-eye to Atlanta for this. First time speaker at the opening session! Shoutout to David Postic
I met Sarah when she was a young and innocent high schooler & now she's a young and innocent UC Regent Scholar at Berkeley. #ProudMentor
San Jose in July
My newest Portland friends! I was in town for 26 hours and decided to host a mixer to meet the locals..! We'll be throwing a big party here in October 2018
First time to Berlin on a speaking engagement, just days before starting the new job
My drinking club with a service problem. The Pasadena Jaycees holiday party
First year being an advisor & mentor to all these high school kids. Makes me feel like a cool big brother :)
The annual USC Football game with my brothers. Photo taken hours before beating UCLA
Reunited with some friends in Malaysia.. Some I haven't seen for 10 yeares!
Second time staying at this AirBnb. 42 hours flight to be in Malaysia for 3 days..
I have one year left as the leader of this organization. It is incredible to constantly be reminded that what I do on my spare time can impact so many.
FYI to my non Rotary friends, I spend all my time in Rotary training the next generation of leaders from all over the West Coast of North America. I have an amazing leadership team of 15 that puts together conferences etc..
- 2017 Big West Rotaract Conference
At the end of 2016, I spent 10 days in Florence to reflect on life & plan my next move. Life was going okay but I felt like something was missing. I wanted a change. At the end of the trip, I decided to look into joining a political campaign I believed in.
Having zero political experience, I knew that a gubernatorial campaign would be a long shot, but it didn't stop me from trying. On January 25th, I heard CA State Treasurer John Chiang speak about his campaign and I just knew it was where I wanted to be. I joined the team in March and still look forward to go to work every day.
Outside of work, I'm speaking a lot less and have cut back on several other NGO commitments. Nowadays, I spend all my spare time mentoring high school and college kids.
I told myself that I would try to live life to the fullest, as long as it doesn't kill/bankrupt me. And I did. But like every great year, there were many low points as well. For starters, my grandpa has been very sick and its taking a toll on the entire family.
I always feel that I have so much more to give.. and because of that, one of my biggest fears is that someday I might lose one of my friends or kids I mentor to something like loneliness, depression, domestic violence etc.
2018 is all about the governors race. After that, I want to check something else off my bucket-list: I'm looking for a few small NGOs in central Africa - I want to go document and help share their stories.
Here are a few highlights from the year:
On my new job: http://www.eejermaine.com/moments/2017/9/15/6-months-w-john-chiang-for-governor
To my family and friends, THANK YOU.
Onward,
