| Name: | Kristenne Abalos | Drina Sarsoza |
| Year: | 4th | 3rd |
| What are you studying?: | Psychology Major | Social Welfare and Ethnic Studies Double Major |
| Hometown: | Hayward, California | San Diego, California |
| Contact Information: | pasoc1112@gmail.com | pasoc1112@gmail.com |
Tell Us About Your Position
The Pilipino American Student Orientation Coordinator(s) (PASOC) position is a program that's 18 years strong, and part of the Retention component. Our two largest programs are the Pilipino American Student Orientation (PASO) and PASOC (the class). Our efforts and goals are to see to it that students, especially freshman, and junior transfers, are smoothly transitioned into student life at Cal, aware of the resources available to them on campus, and provide a safe and comfortable space for students to express any reservations about balancing life as a student, and how we can help them.
What is your most memorable experience in PASS?
I would say my most memorable experience was when I had my first affirmation circle after a year of interning for PASS. We each went around affirming one person and I remember being really surprised that someone would have something nice to say to me. (I was and am a commuter student and I did not make a lot of the events. It made me feel like I wasn't being responsible and that I was always missing out.) Then when it was my turn to affirm someone, I only remember crying in front of everyone because of the overwhelming feeling that I really had a home base with PASS, no matter how often I was around, no matter how little the gesture, it still made a difference to me. Kristenne
One of my most memorable experiences in PASS was during Senior Weekend 2009. As a newly admitted student, I had many reservations about going to Cal because of financial issues, and it's far from home, and my family. PASS definitely made me feel welcome, and I had a lot of fun meeting a lot of new people, and being able to picture myself at this school. During that weekend, I forgot how far I was from home. The people I've met here can be as good as family, who can be very supportive. Drina
Three Words that Describe You
1. Reserved 2. Observant 3. Open-minded Kristenne
Empathetic, Cautious, Grateful. Drina
Favorite Place to Eat in Berkeley
Any Japanese Restaurant. Kristenne
So far, my favorite place so far was La Note...but I'm down for Kip's happy hour all day because it's cheap! :) Drina
Favorite Quote
"If you're suddenly doing something you don't want to do for four years, just so you've got someting to fall back on, by the time you come out, you don't have that 16-year-old drive anymore and you'll spend your life doing something you never wanted to do in the first place." - Ewan McGregor Kristenne
"But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Drina
Three Interesting Facts About You
Kristenne:
1. I love food. Especially sweet foods, Desserts, candy, drinks...everything (or most things.) :]
2. On the down side, I'm semi-allergic to most fruits. I don't really break out in hives, but I get throat and inside my ear irritations that don't go away for awhile. Melons, kiwi, mango, & avocado are the worse. However, I can eat bananas, strawberries, & pinapples. (If any of these are dried or within some other food, I'm usually ok.)
3. I have a thing with numbers and their order. I have favorite numbers and I dislike other numbers. My ultimate favorite number is 3 (and most multiple of 3s...except 33 because that is just weird to me.) Haha.
Drina:
1. I was born in the Middle East. (Dubai)
2. I will never get tired of chicken and french fries. (Together in a meal isn't necessary, but it would be my perfect meal.)
3. I like watching ghost hunting shows...but I don't know if I'd ever go ghost hunting, myself.