On this episode of Mindful Vikings, we sit down with Active Minds Club President and LBCC student Kristofr Clement and talk about the stigma surrounding mental health therapy.
Pieces of home: Five International Students share their mementos
Editors note: Quotes on Samantha Oboro edited out due to potential threat
Monica Grace
After a traumatic political attack on her university in Nicaragua, 20-year-old Monica Grace made the move to California.
Monica began her university education back in Nicaragua as soon as she turned 18. Her university became the forefront of protests where people rallied against the government’s recent decisions to remove a percent of pensions for the elderly.
Grace explained what the President of Nicaragua did that caused her to make her move to the states.
“Daniel Ortega, sent the police, and called a lot of them to attack us. We got hurt- he did that just to stop the protesting. But it got worse to the point where he sent the military to stop it. Just because we didn’t agree with what he as demanding. He was basically killing students. There was a day where the military attacked my university, because we were the ones that started the process. And I was in one of the classrooms, and they were shooting at the school and we were basically hostages.”
“They knew our identities, because they took away all our stuff, so we wrote our names and an emergency phone number on our arms just in case. Some of us experienced really bad things, like watching our classmates getting raped, and one of them being killed.”
After three days without communication, food, or water, members of the church were eventually able to persuade the military to release Grace and her fellow students.
“There’s students missing still,” Grace added.
Following this incident, universities across Nicaragua have shut down.
“After a month without classes or going to school, my mom and dad said ‘you have to make a decision, do you want to stay and wait for them to reopen the universities?’ And I said ‘no, I’m just going to go.’”
Grace’s experience in California so far has been complex and not full of much gratification. She does enjoy the freedom of being away from her parents.
“In Hispanic countries, parents typically have a lot of control over their kids’ lives.. [In the U.S.] It’s just freedom in all the senses. Freedom to say what you want to say. I could stand up to protest, and they wouldn’t say or do anything. You can wear whatever you want,” said Grace.
However, Grace does not intend on staying in the area following her education at Long Beach City College.
“You have to learn to live and be surrounded by new all the time. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to adapt,” Grace said.
“Hispanic people, we are very friendly… We make friends easily. You guys need to get to know the person. We trust everyone. You guys don’t. I feel more unsafe here. With a bigger country, there’s more crazy thinking. You’ll always feel unsafe in a country you don’t know,” Grace added.
Monica said she hopes to go to Canada to pursue a career in law. Her father is Canadian, and she has traveled there every year for at least a month.
“Since I was a child I had this crazy idea of becoming an attorney. Then I wanted to be an actor, but then I was like ‘that’s too crazy.’ then I decided to be a psychologist or a therapist. In Nicaragua, it is not the best profession you can have. They have this belief that if you go to therapy, you’re crazy. It’s not because you need it. So my mom told me, ‘if you want to pursue it, I will support it. But I can’t tell you you’ll make a living out of that,’” Grace explained.
After her university experience in Nicaragua, Grace returned to her childhood dream.
“I had the attitude to be an attorney. I’ve always been a good reader. I used to go to the court and listen to cases and take notes.”
After finishing her law degree in Canada, Grace wants to work there for a while and then return to Nicaragua.
“Having a title, and a diploma from the U.S. and Canada, in Nicaragua, I can be the president if I want to,” said Grace.
Samantha Oboro
Samantha Oboro left Nigeria at 17 years old to study in the United States which lead her to face mental health struggles and learn important lessons about herself.
Two years later, the nursing student reflected on her move. Her living situation when she first moved to California was a challenge at first and detrimental to her mental health.
After Oboro spent time contemplating a return to Nigeria, she found new housing arrangements, and sought therapy. This was a large barrier for her to overcome, considering her cultural background.
“There’s a lot of judgment… In Nigeria, some places are rigid and strict about their culture,” continued Oboro.
The culture in the United States has been a stark contrast to Oboro’s home town of Lagos.
These days Oboro is optimistic and has established a community for herself here while pursuing her academic and professional goals.
“After LBCC, I plan, hope and pray to go to CSULB. Their nursing program, I really, really like it. After that, I j just want to be an R.N. for some time and after that, work here in America, be able to get my nurse practitioner’s degree, maybe a doctorate in that, and then maybe go back home, build my nursing practice, and have low-cost vaccines for kids. Just do something back for the community,” said Oboro.
Because Oboro relied on her family for support, she explained that in Nigeria laziness caused her to pass up potential opportunities. Ever since she established her independence in California, that idea has become a thing of the past.
“Now I’m a lot more hardworking, determined and self-sufficient. I’ve started discovering things for myself, things that my family used to define for me things like religion, things I can eat, things I can do,” Oboro said.
Facing the challenges of moving far from home has allowed Oboro to define a new path for herself.
Genki Mori
Japanese student Genki Mori pursued his American dream to play football and moved alone to California as a high school freshman.
“I’d actually only been to Hawaii before,” said Mori.
He decided to move to California without his family.
“I thought it would be more like that here,” he said as he laughed about California’s desert climate.
Mori moved to California alone under the pretense that he would live with his football agent but instead, he moved into an apartment with two other students.
“The agent wasn’t technically living with us. In high school you need a guardian, and they wanted… an adult at the house. It was three guys, we were all under 21, the school didn’t want us to live on our own, so we all got kicked out of the apartment,” Mori said.
Following that, Mori has lived with a few different friends’ families.
“I’ve lived with an American family, an Italian family, and a Mexican family,” he recounted his experience moving from home to homes throughout the area.
“It’s fun getting to know the families and the cultures,” he said.
After high school, Mori returned to Japan for a short time one semester to spend time with his family and earn some money before coming to LBCC. During that time he worked as a translator for the American players and coached in Japan.
“To be out here as an international student you need a lot of money. Tuition is crazy. My family’s not rich, so it’s hard to be out here, but I really appreciate my parents, because they really understand what I’m doing,” said Mori.
“Football is not very popular in Japan.”
The 21-year-old, explained that he was actually inspired to play through following his father’s example.
American football has a niche following in Japan- it was first introduced to the country in 1934 and only began to gain a following in the ‘50s, according to a CTV News article.
While there is a steady growing football program in Japan, Mori expressed that moving to the United States was key in advancing his goals.
Language barriers made it initially difficult for Mori to adjust to life abroad, but he has since acclimated and loves the weather and the people.
“My English was horrible, so that was hard,” said Mori.
“Doing football and school is hard. I’m taking 16 units, in the middle of the season, I have practice Monday through Thursday from 3:00 to 6:30, and games on Saturdays. So I really don’t have time right now.”
The football player hopes to get a scholarship to continue at a 4-year institution in the United States, but if that doesn’t work out, he plans to return to Japan.
“I feel more comfortable there,” he explained.
Mori also intends to pursue a career in international business back in Japan, following his education.
“I like to be here, but my family is over there,” Mori said.
“I became friendlier. I’ve talked to a lot of people here… I became more open,” he said, on how he’s adjusted to the cultural differences between Long Beach and Yoko Hama.
“People are more open here. In Japan, they’re shy. I also think about my parents more. I’m more thoughtful about people.”
Andrea Ferreira
Andrea Tavares Ferreira’s religious beliefs have guided her through the difficult relocation of her family from Brazil to California.
Andrea’s journey in the U.S. began eight years ago when her family moved to Maryland.
“We wanted to give our son a chance to move abroad. We wanted him to live his dream,” said Ferreira.
What was originally supposed to be a temporary move turned into a permanent decision. The family moved back to Brazil in 2010, before heading to Monterey, California in 2015.
Along with a drastic move came drastic career changes for Ferreira.
“I have a Bachelor’s in tourism. I had a travel agency for 4 or 5 years. Then I decided to change my career, and I got a Master’s in marketing, and I worked for a shoe company for 4 or 5 years. Then we decided to move to the U.S. I had to pick something to study in order to keep our family visa,” Ferreira explained.
Tavares Ferreira’s husband had already retired when she began a new career.
“First I thought about translation. That’s why I went to Monterey- they have the best school in translation, or that’s what they say. I said to myself, that’s not what I want to do. I want to do something that I love, I decided to be a nurse,” said Ferreira.
During this time, the family relocated to Southern California so their son could have access to a better football program.
The move was difficult and presented multiple complications, from switching over to a more expensive health insurance to having to retake classes.
“Since I’ve moved to the U.S. I’ve been struggling with international student services in colleges. I don’t know if I picked the wrong college . . . I pay $4,000 a semester. That’s a lot of money. I knew that before I came here, I’m not complaining,” Ferreria explained.
Tavares Ferreira expressed feelings of being misled by false promises of studying in the United States.
“Schools all over the world go to Brazil and have big events to bring students to study here. Everything is so perfect. ‘Everything is so fun, you’re going to have everything you need.’ Then you arrive here and it’s a totally different conversation. We get a lot of restrictions. I struggle a lot, and sometimes I feel like a troublemaker, always fighting for something. And I didn’t want to be in that position. Like when I came here, I had my own health insurance. And they made me buy their insurance. My insurance didn’t cover what they wanted. If I die, they have to have a way to send my dead body to my country. They wanted to force me to buy their insurance, which is $700 more. When I came, I got my prereqs from another nursing program in California, but they wanted me to take them over. It’s all about deadlines, or you didn’t pay for that,” explained Ferreria.
Ferraria said her experience in Long Beach has been an intense and exciting one, but it is also a challenge due to cultural differences.
“We try to avoid comparison. California is awesome and overall great. Little things are challenging. It’s more about behavior I miss the most,” said Ferreria.
“The relationships are more formal, and it takes a while to get to know each other. Sometimes we feel lonely, then we go to church.”
“God, he guides me. God is everything to me. Everywhere I go, whatever I do, he is with me. Nowadays it’s pretty hard to keep our minds focused, because we have so many distractions, we have cell phones and a busy life, and a culture saying we need to be perfect. We need to have money, a big house, and fancy cars. The only way to be focused and happy was to have a close relationship with God,”
“I pray every day. Every single day I wake up and do my prayers. I talk to God throughout the day. When you change, people who live with you, like my husband and son, they make the change for themselves, because they see me and how I have a calm and happy life,” she expressed.
Ferreria described an impactful moment in her life when her 18-year-old son said to her, “‘Mom, can we pray together? I’m going to have a tough week.’ It’s good to see that he’s ready to move forward by himself and have the faith.”
She continued, “You don’t think about making money and being rich and buying a house. I just want to help people. And to help people, I don’t think I need a master’s degree.”
Ferreria said she hopes to be able to go to poorer countries and help people in need after gaining some experience here first.
“Then I’ll be ready to live my dream. I can’t see myself working in a fancy hospital. I love people, that’s why I’m doing all this sacrifice. I’m doing it for them, to help them,” she said.
“I’m the only one responsible for my success. I try to make the most of it. I’m grateful to be here. I’m learning, and learning how to deal with this. We learn from our struggles. If another international student were to ask me, is it worth it? I’d say yes, but be prepared to fight for yourself.”
Marcelo Osterloh
Marcelo Osterloh came to the United States from Peru at 17 to seek independence and self-growth.
“I was looking for something different, and to get out of my comfort zone,” Osterloh explained.
His older brother also moved at the age of seventeen. He familiarized Osterloh with the area before he allowed him to visit three times and make the decision to move himself.
“I was growing up with the idea of how things work here,” said Osterloh.
“If I don’t like it, I knew I could come back. I just like trying things. I prefer getting the experience, than saying ‘no, I didn’t do it.’ I thought of me as an old man thinking, ‘I should’ve gone to the US.’”
Osterloh’s parents were supportive about the move, and wanted him to have the chance to experience a new city and learn life skills.
Osterloh gets the chance to return to Peru each winter break.
“I can relax more there,” he said.
“I don’t have to cook or clean, or do anything.”
He described the subtle changes that he has observed between Americans and Peruvians.
“In Peru, they’re more, always down to do a lot of stuff. If you’re doing nothing, let’s hang out. The idea of what you should do for your life is also a big difference. Here everything is more liberal. After high school, you can take a year off and decide what you want to do and it’s okay. In Peru, everyone would look at you like you’re crazy, and like you’re wasting a year of your life,” Osterloh explained.
Osterloh is a Journalism student who wants to incorporate his love of sports into his career. He is also in the process of getting his green card and obtaining his residency.
“I play soccer, and I’ve played since I was eight or something. I was always growing up with the idea I wanted to be a soccer player. I got the chance in Peru- I was playing for the youth team, but since I wanted to move here, I had to drop that. I wasn’t ever interested in office jobs. I saw my mom working in that, and I didn’t want that for sure. So it has to be something related to sports,” said Osterloh.
Osterloh explained that he prefers to speak to a camera rather than writing, and would be interested in a career in television or radio.
Osterloh said he hopes to transfer to a four-year school during the Spring of 2021 and move into his own apartment with a friend within the next year or two. He is confident that through the self-growth and experience he has obtained since his move, he will be able to accomplish his goals.
“Living an adult life at such a young age, it was difficult. I moved here when I was 17, doing everything by yourself when you’re 17, it was completely a challenge. My friends don’t even clean their bathrooms. They don’t know how to cook. So comparing how my life would’ve been if I’d stayed in Peru, that would be a main reason for me to move here. If I were to stay in Peru, I would’ve stayed lazy. I moved here also because I wanted to learn how things are and how life works, and that not everything’s going to be handed to you and you have to work hard,” said Osterloh.
Mental Health Workshops all semester long
Long Beach City College students are learning to better cope with their mental health and break the stigma behind mental health issues by attending this fall semester’s depression workshops hosted by the Student Health Department.
Several students from different backgrounds went to one of the workshops on October 4 to learn about the healthy steps they can take in order to approach the topic of mental health. While some students attended the events for extra credit, others also attend the workshop in seek of support.
Both PCC and LAC are holding workshops throughout the semester to help students with stress management and depression.
Aside from the many topics discussed at the workshop, the main focus was geared toward helping students learn the positive steps to promote a healthy well being.
Communications major Emma Miller shared her story.
“I suffer from this problem. It was embarrassing for me but now I am not afraid to talk about [it],” Miller expressed.
LBCC uses these workshops to help students become more aware about mental health issues.
Adjunct counselor with student support services Daisy Cook is in charge of all the events. Cook has helped a lot of students by commuting between both campuses to offer advice and support to students who attend.
“It is important for students to have these types of workshops on campus. I am so happy to help students. I don’t think they have mental problems, on the contrary they’re wonderful,” said Cook.
“It can happen to anyone. It doesn’t matter your skin color, nationality or economic background, you can suffer from depression.”
Cook provided an open and free space for students to share their thoughts and experiences about depression.
The Student Mental Health Services department has their own website where students are able to set up appointments to speak with Daisy Cook in person.
Veteran and English major Nestor Ramirez also went to the event and told his story about war and how the tragedy of war can have an impact in people’s lives.
“I am a veteran. I am here because I want to know the solutions to my depression,” Ramirez expressed.
Patricia Lopez, an LBCC student in the nursing program, attended the workshop to receive extra credit for one of her classes. Only 5 classes away from transferring, Lopez shared her story with the workshop.
“All my family suffer from depression. My grandmother died for this problem. I never realized I had this problem. I cry when I am alone and I don’t know why,” Lopez expressed.
She continued, “I will come to the next workshop. After this, I realized I suffer from depression. I was afraid to admit. Daisy will be a good help for me.”
The Long Beach native explained the atmosphere in her high school years in 2014.
“I never had friends, I was a quiet student. I was afraid that my classmates wouldn’t like me because I was short and wore glasses,” Lopez added.
The next mental health workshops will be covering the topic of mindfulness and relaxation. The first workshop will be on October 17 at LAC from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at E building. The second workshop will be at PCC on October 23 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. in GG-238.
Student Mental Health Services help students combat their anger
Long Beach City College students learned the importance of forgiveness at LAC where they gathered together at the Student Health department to learn the causes and the consequences of anger.
Student Mental Health Services has hosted an anger and forgiveness workshop apart of their mental health workshop schedule. Through the workshops, they want to create awareness to help students manage their anger and learn the importance of forgiveness.
Karina Anderson lead the anger and forgiveness workshop and has worked at LBCC for several years. Her goal is to keep students focused and in school.
“I come to work every day with one goal make students stronger and leave their past behind,” Anderson said.
“Our goal is simple, we want students to engage in school. We provide this extraordinary workshops so they can become better and better.”
According to the college association, LBCC is one of the few colleges that helps students with their issues. The main focus of each workshop is to provide quality support to students.
During the workshop, Anderson asked students about their families, friends and pets. She wanted to see how students responded when asked about their relatives.
“Before coming to this workshop I argued with my husband. I said things I shouldn’t have said. We are complicated,” said Marina Lopez.
Marina Lopez, a student and a mother of two, still attended the event nevertheless the anger toward her husband.
“My husband and I fight almost every day. I don’t know if he loves me. A few months later he talked bad about my parents and I didn’t like the things he said,” Lopez shared.
For reasons like these, LBCC is offering varying mental health workshops almost every week so that students can learn to approach their issues in a healthy way.
Anderson explained how students could be happy and do well at school if they learn to forgive people.
Near the end of the workshop, Luis Montesillo raised his hand to share his opinion about anger and forgiveness.
“Now I know what I should do. It’s hard not to be mad, especially when your parents don’t support you. They don’t want me to be at school. When I graduated from high school, my dad wanted me to work with him,”
“Clearly, he didn’t want me to go to college. I don’t talk to him. I have anger in my heart I guess,” Montesillo shared.
After the event Anderson gave her opinions about anger.
“I suffered from these issues too. I wasn’t the perfect student. I had problems with my friends and parents. One day I was on my bed thinking why I could not get my transfer to the university. I realized that I was doing badly at school because I didn’t talk to my parents or friends, so I started working on that. I basically forgave people for all the fights that I had with them,” Anderson said.
October 31 – November 20th Mercury Retrograde Horoscopes
Aries | Ram (March 21 – April 19)
You’re making bounds and leaps towards your goals! Though you show no sign of slowing down soon, this retrograde will put a stop-halt to the momentum you have been gaining. Files may take longer to upload than usual and plans you make during this time will most likely fall through. Let this serve as a reminder to pause, breathe and reflect so you can obtain the balance you need to charge ahead once the retrograde ends. More importantly, use the breaks to celebrate your successes in small ways. Eating ramen with your BFF or a walk on the pier could just be the refresher you need. This would also be a good time to journal and reflect about past experiences so you can head into your future with a new perspective.
Taurus | Bull (April 20 – May 20)
What’s your motivation, Bull? This retrograde will implore you to dig deeper. Your more intuitive than you give yourself credit for. Tap into your creative side by making a vision board for the new year. Looking at it everyday will allow you to be more receptive to the many ideas flooding your head as you calculate your next move. As the retrograde wind downs, remember to stand strong in the love you have for your own passions and projects so you don’t get trampled over by anyone else. It’s your china shop, afterall!
Gemini | Twins (May 21 – June 21)
It may seem like you’ve made a mess of things, but just know it is never too late to repair anything as long as you start with yourself. The light within may be dim, but it is still there. Someone with a knack for adventure may re-enter your life during this retrograde. You may not feel up for it just yet, but once the prospect of their new ideas begin to exhilarate you, you’ll be reminded of the ability you have to release pressure and anxiety from within. The work will be hard, but remember to look at the positives of your situation. Once you do this, you’ll be able to forge ahead with your usual momentum after the retrograde.
Cancer | Crab (Jun 22-July 22)
You have become dependent on something or someone for external fulfillment. Despite what your emotions tell you, you are in full control of your life. This retrograde will be a harsh reminder of that reality. But for good reason. Things will feel very dark throughout this period which may cause you to turn to old habits or rely heavily on material possessions. It’s time to tap into your shadow side (the repressed emotions that are almost a little scary) during this retrograde so you can see the light with clear intentions. Have faith and stay strong no matter how uncomfortable you may be. Remember that life begins at the end of your comfort zone. The end of this retrograde will bring you much fulfillment if you take the time to self-reflect.
Leo | Lion (July 23 – August 22)
You’re in a transition phase, Lion. The retrograde will require you to take a step back so you can gain a new perspective that will recharge your vitality. Use this time to enjoy the beauty around you in all things. A tide of change is coming your way, be prepared by remembering to be calm and diplomatic when communication with others gets rough. A new experience that will elevate your youthful exuberance awaits you at the end of this mercury retrograde.
Virgo | The Virgin (August 23 – September 22)
You’ve done everything possible to prepare for this retrograde. Your files are backed up, you’ve set all your itineraries for the rest of the year and you’ve even made amends with your ex. You have the endurance you need to get through the next couple months of mishaps, but there will be much confusion and discord flooding your brain. When communication does not come easy to you during this time, it’s time to re-evaluate your choices. You will have reluctance to commit at this time, which others may find out of character for you. But you’re in tune with the sky and know that now is not the time to start anything new. Instead, use this time to get a new planner for the new year, maybe one with journal prompts or messages of gratitude, so you can stay focused on your inner-voice and not the opinions of others.
Libra | Scale (September 23 – October 23)
You naturally have the ability to balance your thoughts with your material world. Because of this you’ve achieved great things and have even more to look forward to after the dust of the retrograde settles. Let this retrograde serve as a reminder to enjoy where you are now. You are surrounded by hard working people who enjoy doing what they love, even if it is a little different than how you would do it. Allow these collective differences to bring your team together like the leader that you are. An expected event will ignite the flow of your emotions, do not fear these emotions, instead have faith that they are illuminating the path for your success.
Scorpio | Scorpion (October 24 – November 21)
Mercury will be retrograde in your sign, Scorpio. But don’t go running for the hills just yet. Because you are so comfortable with being uncomfortable, this cycle will almost feel like a breeze. You’ve had your sights set on the horizon for some time now. It’s time to sit back, relax and really feel into being receptive towards the fruits of your labor coming to life in front of your very eyes. You’ve been weaving a wonderful web of your creation, so don’t be surprised if you catch a few bugs along the way, it comes with the territory. Be open to people coming to you for advice or help. It would be in your best interest to hold off on any big purchases until the retrograde ends and make sure to carry cash with you at all times.
Sagittarius | The Archer (November 22 – December 21)
It’s time to really lean in, Sag. To your emotions, that is. You aren’t usually the sentimental or sensitive type but this retrograde will bring a lot of things you thought you had moved passed back up to the surface. Instead of turning the other cheek, face these challenges head on and demand the same energy of your community and peers. You have the ability to deal with any roadblocks in your way by simply adjusting as you go. If you do all things with love, that will resonate to others, maybe even prompting them to combine resources with you during the retrograde so you all can accomplish your desired goals.
Capricorn | Sea-Goat/Mountain-Goat (December 22 – January 19)
Caps are debatably the most hardworking sign of the zodiac, so the goat will be able to intuitively overcome any roadblocks that Mercury retrograde brings their way. When faced with friction, pause and reflect before choosing the best course of action or the wisest road to travel. You have a boundless thirst for knowledge. Good thing, because details will be flooding into your brain at this time. Don’t get caught up in daydreaming, instead use this creative force to toil away at passion projects in the privacy and peace of your own space. An onslaught of new opportunities will be swimming your way once the retrograde ends, and you’ll be prepared for the transformation with the fuel fired from working diligently on your own.
Aquarius | Water Bearer (January 20 – February 18)
You’re on the come up and you know it, Aqua! You’ve been leaping blissfully through your transformation, but don’t allow your childlike nature to turn into immaturity. This retrograde will remind you to look both ways before you cross the street onto a new path. Use this retrograde to rest and renew your mind, body and spirit. If you do this, you’ll feel refreshed and ready to take any decisive action that you would have otherwise avoided in the past.
Pisces | Fish (February 19 – March 20)
This retrograde will bring about mental exhaustion and new barriers along your path. When you feel overwhelmed, take a step back until you gain the strength needed to face the situation head on. Remember the R’s during this retrograde: rest, reflect, retreat, recuperate, recharge, and recover. Your dreams will be very intense and vivid during this time. Keep a notebook or journal near your bed to jot down everything you remember once you awake. Look for symbolism in your dreamstate so you can better navigate the themes in your reality. Once the muck from the retrograde begins to clear, you’ll feel a sense of vitality and renewal. Focus on happy memories instead of the bad ones so you can step out of the retrograde with enthusiasm for your accomplishments, because they are there, waiting for you to celebrate!
PCC Halloween Carnival fosters community and joy
The Long Beach City College PCC campus welcomed children and adults from the community on the campus where they dressed up and played games at their Halloween Carnival.
The event was on Friday October 25, where many children and their guardians enjoyed an afternoon of games, candy and musical chairs.
“We’ve been hosting this event at PCC for about 15 years,” said LBCC Student Activities Advisor Derek Oriee.
Campus clubs and organizations hosted and put together their own game and candy booths that included the Metal Fabrication club, Veterans Club, The Order of Tong Club, Justice Scholars, and Alpha Gamma Sigma, among others.
Chris Ramirez attended LBCC in 1988 and decided to return and mentor students apart of the Order of Tong club. The Order of Tong club is a men’s organization at the campus.
Ramirez explained how he first acquired his philanthropic passion from being a student at LBCC and being a Tong.
“Well, one, it’s good because it gives the kids a safe environment. And two, it’s a way for students to give back,” said Ramirez.
Metal Fabrication club member Bryan Alvarado said that LBCC hosting events that welcome the community is a way for the college and the community to become and stay connected.
“It’s great to stay interactive in the community, to see everybody else and how they interact with each other. It’s great to see everybody happy once in a while,” said Alvarado.
“There was a kid with a scarecrow costume, he had a sickle, a mask, a hat. He had everything and I was like, ‘oh crap.’ It scared me to death,” exclaimed first-year student Aaron Hernandez.
Hernandez is a candidate for the Order of Thor club and mentioned how he believes LBCC is a community driven college.
“It’s important to have community people [on campus] just because it shows the kind of spirit we have at LBCC. This is what LBCC is all about: people coming together, doing things for other people.”
LBCC fosters community involvement to the extent that alumni come back and help out with events like these.
The event was a huge success with a substantial amount of kids dressing up as their favorite characters and other costumes.
Mercury Retrograde: What it is and what to expect
Mercury is back with the shenanigans October 31 to November 20th. Yes, you heard that right! Mercury will officially begin it’s final retrograde of 2019 on All Hallow’s Eve.
You’ve most likely heard of the infamous mercury retrograde, however all planets retrograde.
Earth completes its orbit around the sun faster than the planets outside its orbit, so from our vantage point a planet may look like it is spinning backward.
As each planet makes its orbit, once it passes earth, it’s as if it’s making a u-turn, causing it to appear as if it’s slowed down. Just like when you’re in a car and the one next to you appears to be moving slower or you feel like you may be going backwards.
Mercury is lowkey the drama queen of the planets. Since Mercury’s orbit is only 88 days, it’s retrograde happens more frequently. Ruling over technology and communication, mercury comes around multiple times a year to wreak havoc.
No matter how calm or balanced you may feel, it’s best to remember patience at this time. Backup all your files, double and triple check your plans, leave 15 minutes early and try not to take the words or actions of others to heart. (Key word: try).
Technology, communication, and travel all get wonky, so be sure to check and recheck battery levels, your attitude and itineraries. Being clear and concise in planning and conversations is a major key.
Since Mercury rules over communication, old flames and friends pop back up at this time as well. You may get a DM from someone you haven’t spoken to in years. Before you decide to get twitter fingers, let some time pass to really think about your response.
Just the same, this is an auspicious time to hold a mirror to yourself. How can you communicate with yourself and the people around you better? Kinder? More efficiently? Do your thoughts reflect your words? Do your words reflect your actions?
More than anything, Mercury reminds us to be on top of our game. Ain’t nothing wrong with that!
This particular retrograde will begin and end in the deep and transformative sign of Scorpio. Because it falls on Halloween, the midpoint of the Autumnal season when the veil between worlds is thinnest, this is a beautiful time to find a balance between the material world and cosmic energies. Be prepared for a huge transformation within yourself and throughout your life.
Along with a retrograde period is the shadow period. What some astrologers refer to as “Retro-Shade”. The shadow period occurs a few days to a couple weeks before and after the retrograde begins and ends.
The shadow period before a retrograde gives you time to prepare. This retrogrades pre-shadow began on October 11.
The shadow period after a retrograde gives you time to process all the effects and energies the retrograde ushered in. Mercury’s post-shadow”ends on December 7.
Once that time passes, you’ll start to feel more clarity in your thoughts and projects will gain momentum again. This is also the time to make any big purchases or continue with plans you had.
Retrogrades implore you to let go and trust the journey. Each retrograde reminds us to rest, reflect, recharge and re-evaluate. Use this cycle to slow down and follow your heart so the mind can follow.
Will you resist or will you adapt? The choice is yours.
To see what Mercury has in store for your sign this retrograde, read your horoscope here.
Win free prizes at a Halloween celebration put on by EOPS
EOPS students will be hosting a Halloween celebration at the Liberal Arts Campus where students can RSVP to take part in the event to earn free prizes.
Halloween decorations from ghouls to tombstones have been placed all around the garden area of the LAC A Building courtyard in preparation of the EOPS Halloween party happening tomorrow from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Only EOPS, CARE and NextUp students can set up their reservation, they’ll be the only ones to take part in the Halloween event.
“We’ll be giving out free meal cards, food, school supplies and there will be seats for students as well,” EOPS help desk assistant Alana Clanton said.
Dress up is not required but is greatly encouraged.
Jason Fronkee runs the Coast Party Rental business and was decorating a part of the A Building corridor with two statues and a tall black curtain.
“Right here we’re doing a photo opportunity with a werewolf and a coffin. We’re gonna put a black and red Long Beach City College banner to kind of match and so you can take a photo with a werewolf,” Fronkee said.
“We do all the graduations at Vets Stadium, and then we do a couple Luau’s for the Polynesian club every summer… we’ve done a fourth of july event of some sorts.”
Psychology major Brisa De Dios was not sure what the decorations were for but shared what she thought about them being set up around the A Building.
“I feel like many students feel uncomfortable seeing these but, I mean, the school is trying to show their spirit for Halloween but other than that, I think there’s nothing wrong with it,” Dios said.
Criminal Justice Major Daja Dauer took pictures of one of the Halloween statues around the fountain in the center of the building courtyard.
“I think they’re dope, I think they’re real cool,” Dauer said.
“Well, when I first walked to that one over there, I kind of thought it was real, they look kind of real… I think they’re really well, well done. I’m not sure what’s supposed to happen with them but possibly just for decoration just because tomorrow is Halloween.”
To RSVP, call the EOPS service department at (562) 938-4273 for LAC or (562) 938-3097 for PCC.
Meet Jace Bass, the 6’3 guard from Carson, California
As the season for the Long Beach City College’s men’s basketball team starts on Oct. 31, all eyes are on their star point guard, Jace Bass.
Bass, a former CSUSB committee, has been the topic of discussion during the offseason, whether it’s where he will commit to or how he’ll perform this season.
Erik Konkol, Louisiana Tech’s head coach, attended an Oct. 03 practice to scout Bass.
The 6’3 guard has been passionate about the game of basketball since he was young.
“The love has never lessened since I was three,” Bass said.
Nina Thomas, Bass’ mother, reaffirmed his love for the game at a young age.
“He’s loved basketball since the age of three and since then, it’s become the second most important thing in his life, behind his family.”
Bass’ main goal in life isn’t to play basketball, rather, “I just want to be in a position to support my family to the point of success, that’s all I want in life.”
“I am very thankful for how talented I am at basketball, but without my family, I would have nothing, no talent, no support, nothing at all,” Bass said.
Thomas was “humbled” by the comments, “he’s a blessing in disguise and I’ll never stop thanking God for blessing me with a son that is as special and as thankful as he is.”
It’s not just his mother that believes that Bass is “special”.
Coach Barry Barnes referred to Bass “as special as LeBron James”.
Coach Barnes also stated that “he has a skillset that just makes everyone else on the team better and brings everyone together, whether the team loses or wins.”
Coach Barnes and Bass’ mother believe “full heartedly” that the 6 ‘3 guard has the “ability to go pro.”
Bass’ mother doesn’t place stress on him of him going pro, instead she prefers “him do what he wants in life. He’s special enough that he’ll be good at anything that he does.”
The LBCC guards’ interests aren’t just in the game of basketball, he is also interested in art, specifically portraits, playing the drums, and playing football.
Bass said “I know it may look like I only play basketball, but what people don’t realize is that I try to be skilled in everything, if basketball doesn’t work out.”
The LBCC guard will take the court on Oct. 31 as the LBCC men’s basketball team plays Santiago Canyon at Santa Ana College.
$29 million project almost finished
The $29 million dollar renovation of Long Beach City College’s Building J is creeping closer to completion and expected to open in January of 2020.
Construction manager John Duong gave a tour of the building describing the process and complexity of the project.
Doung shared how they approached the renovations, saying “the building has good bones, it’s one of the best auditoriums, it will have lots of updates and more functionally for this space.”
Along with the installation of an elevator, the renovated building features hanging speakers, a control booth, more light spots, and portable orchestra.
When asked what the biggest challenge has been Doung replied, “There’s a lot going on and working on an active campus is always juggling getting work done while not disturbing as well as rerouting parking”.
The construction has faced some delays and even a neighborhood complaint, but Doung said “That’s construction, it’s complicated.”
Theater staff Daron Sorg describes challenges posed by the renovation, saying “We’ve lost performance space and we’re everywhere”.
Sorg said that dance and theater have faced challenges finding spaces to perform, saying, “The next dance concert will be at Millikan High, we’ve used the Downey Civic Center, and we went to Wilson High last semester.”
Sorg also said that it was a challenge emptying the building. “If we left anything behind it would be considered trash, and when they’re done building we have to move everything back”.
Music major and first-year student Ashley Flynn shares her thoughts on the J building. “My professors are excited about it, I hope it’s a better creative space.”
Theater Building J has been under construction since January 2018 with an expected completion date in January 2020 and available for class occupation in Fall 2020.
Doung looks forward to working further to further improve LBCC. “The aquatics and kinesiology building is next.”