#NetCulture x ACJA event recap

A couple weeks ago I was given the privilege and pleasure to speak at 2 really great events about blogging and social media - what fun and such a natural topic for me!  Not being an experienced public speaker AT ALL, I was rather nervous and prepared for it almost as much as I would a final exam.  Being prepared is a good thing since I think it definitely helped me give off a much better performance than I would have otherwise, at least from what I hear in the much-biased feedback of my friends and colleagues haha  In all seriousness though they were wonderful opportunities that I'm very grateful to have participated in.  Here's hoping for more in future!

The first event I spoke at was an intimate dinner hosted by the Asian Canadian Journalism Association.  I was asked along with 2 other local food bloggers to speak at one of their monthly dinners on the topic of blogging!  It was their biggest turnout ever and we had some pretty damn delicious food too, to boot!  Blogging and a free meal? What more could I ask for in life.  Oh yeah, Louboutins.

Oh yes, did I mention I love adding vintage effects to photos in Photoshop?

Delicious dumplings

The Feast meal!  It comes with free refills too!

Myself and my lovely blogger co-workers.  From me, then going counter-clockwise, The Style Addict, Zealous Foodie, and The Daily Spoon

Thank you Sonya for bringing your camera and everyone for taking such great photos!

Then the following week I spoke at the epically successful inaugural #NetCulture event.  It was the first of its kind in Vancouver, or in Canada even, as far as I know, that created a place for conversation and inspiration about how to bring multicultural communities and social media together.  I was there on behalf of Schema Magazine, discussing my work in relation to Schema as a Social Media Coordinator.  

The event which we expected to have around 30-50, exploded into a 300 person, sold-out, waiting list extravaganza complete with after-party and event entertainment!  It was simply crazy and for days beforehand I drove everyone around me crazy with my need for constant reassurance that no, I would not faint on stage.  One of the best pieces of advice came from a former professor who told me that everyone was there to listen to what I had to say, so I shouldn't worry that I'm not providing value.  Another good friend spent the night before helping me revise my presentation and provided me with an amazing anecdote that seriously became the highlight of my speech.  To that person, you have my thanks and gratitude for your friendship!  Overall, it was an exciting evening full of inspiring ideas and creativity - just the type of environment that makes you fired up to jump out of bed in the morning afternoon!

Posing with the Simon Fraser University radio mascot

Apparently people began lining up an hour ahead of time!

The #NetCulture team

Photos by myself and Jeremy Lim