Momo, Momo, Momo... pass me a tissue.
Despite being sick... I needed to get some car work done. My new steering wheel has been sitting around for a while and this week I got the last part I needed to do the install. So Wednesday afternoon... I got down and dirty and worked on the ride. It felt good, read further for more info on the install (I started writing this blog a few days ago and just now finishing it).

Epsilon Chapter Retreat
I was in Kalamazoo for the last two days. I went down on Thursday with Ramon and Ramiro to see the WMU gang at Club Soda. The place is the same and it reminded me of some good times. Colleen, Marcie & Ismael, Zandy and I ended the night with a trip to The Big Burrito. I can't belive Zandy has been at WMU for nearly a year and had not been there... Hermen you need to visit more and take your sister out.

Friday we ate breakfast at Theo & Stacy's, and then we had our first meeting. It was awesome to get us alums together with the Brothers. Later we took a break and headed to the mall. It was funny watching 6 Betas go sale shopping. We got some sweet deals at Marshall Fields and then ate in the food court. It was fun clowning around and hanging out. We restarted the meeting over at Geo's place for a few hours and then shot pool at Bilbo's Pizza.

Friday night we went to Wayside for a Mardi Gras party. Reymall snagged a great table and we watch people trip over a loose piece of carpet for a while and ate some fries I never paid for.... yeah! We ended the night with a trip to Steak & Shake. In a matter of 2 days we managed to do all the things we used to do in Kalamazoo. Oh yeah, and today on my way home... got some Qdobas!

Now I am home, I need to do laundry and get ready for a busy week of traveling. Monday I am heading to Chicago to spend time with Novali. Then Wednesday I fly to Oregon. I need to get things organized because once I get back I will have a lot of close deadlines. I also need to keep fighting off this cold... Fun fun fun.

Back to the car story from Wednesday...
When I bought my car it had an older steering wheel in it, no airbag anymore. I have been wanting to get it replaced. I installed a Momo Thunder Wheel and hub kit. The things looks great and really pulls all my Momo accessories together (shifts knob, brake handle, seats, floor mats, and leather shift boots).

The steering column torn apart.

The messy wires.

I was still not able to get my horn to work. I needed to get the wheel back on (since I drive this car everyday) so I did not have a lot of time to mess with the wires. I am going to read up on what it will take to work out the horn and do it once I get some more warm weather.

She looks great!

Rub-a-dub-dub... sweaky clean.

After the install I ran over to the car wash and got her nice and clean. It was a mini-Love Your Car Day. I had to take advantage of the warm weather.

What was sad is that I noticed a rust spot coming back on my car... just a small one. I love my little NX, I hope she does not require more body work soon. Either way I got to get her ready for racing this summer. Speaking of racing I have a quick poll.

I graduate on April 24th. That same day there is a race with my Car club, actually the first of the year for my group. Should I skip commencement? I rather my family come out and watch me race on my graduation day and be out in the sun then sit inside a stuffy arena and watch me get another folder with no diploma in it. Ideas? Suggestions?

I am sick... where's my travel agent?
I have been busy... but the pile of stuff is getting manageable. However, now I am starting to feel a little bit sick. My throat is scratchy and I am feeling under the weather. Yes I said under the weather. This is the worst time for me to get sick, I am on a roll and I need to keep things running. Hopefully the vitamin cough drops Becky gave me help!

Okay so I need a travel agent folks. I travel a lot, more then the average bear. I the last 90 days I have been out of the country, to Texas and to Chicago countless times. I already have a few big trips planned for this year, Hollywood this coming fall, Orlando this summer, and San Francisco twice. Well yesterday I got a call and the University of Oregon wants me to fly out and help facilitate an IMPACT Weekend there. I did one of these for the University of Texas - Arlington and I loved it. This program is put on by the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC, if you visit their site, click on educational programs, then click on IMPACT, I am on the testimonials page) and when I attended as an undergrad it mad a big difference on views of Greek Life.

My next trip will be three weeks after that when I travel to San Francisco for the Western Region Greek Association Conference (WRGLC). I am excited for that trip, I love the San Francisco area. During all of my business trips I plan in some time to visit and have fun. I have two extra days planned in Eugene, OR and three extra days in San Francisco. I recommended Becky for a conference staff position and she will be there in San Fran as well. Who doesn't want a free trip to the West coast?

Also tomorrow night I am heading to Kalamazoo. My chapter is doing a little retreat on Friday and I want to go early and go out. I think some Salsa with Colleen and Marcie, the Gamma neos, is what the doctor ordered for this cough I am developing. I will see Rey again and Vic better come out, along with the undergrads and for sure everyone's favorite masters student, the Geo. Good times and good way to kick off spring break!

Spring Break is two and a half days away...

The Weekend Report
Last week was stressful. On top of my school work and jobs I had to prepare presentations for this weekend and get things my stuff finalized for the thesis focus group. Now things are over and the focus group is running as I write this... we had a good student turnout and I want to give a huge thanks to Jose and Gaby from MSU for coming to facilitate the group. THANK YOU!

(MGCA) Conference was awesome! It was a great networking opportunity as always and my presentations all went well. Thanks to Aaron Haight and Michelle Guobadia who both presented with me and the Miami University for asking me to be part of their panel discussion. Having the faculty demarkation on my name tag was just plain out cool!

Out of 1600 attendees... Santiago and I were the only Betas.

The GVSU delegation at the final banquet.

While there I also had a quick board meeting for the Western Region Greek Association. The conference we put on is getting close and we have a lot to do... I had an awesome experience at MGCA doing research for WRGA. I got to be in the AV booth and help with their final banquet. Being in the booth with the headphones and helping with all the equipment was a great learning experience. The AV at WRGA is going to rock this year!

The highlight of the weekend was getting to hangout with Novali. She was not too keen on meeting new people there and so we did not stay with the GVSU group. We had fun getting some Mexican food and she showed me some new art work she has done. I love posting her pictures by my desk at work.

Placing her order, she loves reading the menu.

She has this dress that she loves to put on... as soon as we got home she ran to grab it.

I got her PJs on... and like a good little monkey she wanted to jump on the bed.

Laying down with Papi and trying to sleep.

Friday night went out. That week was Angel's (Novali's uncle) 21st birthday and Tamara and I threw him a party. I wanted to help as a thank you for the times he watches Novali and has been a help. We went to Transit a Latin/Hip Hop club in Chicago. The place has three rooms, one with Latin music, another with new Hip Hop, R&B and Reggae and then the final room has slower and older Hip Hop music. The place has a great atmosphere. Happy Birthday Angel.

Angel and Tamara.

Tamara and her friends all came out.

Reymall came out and we chilled like always...

Rey doing his thing..

The focus group is still running right now... Becky is stressing over if the tape recording will work. I am wondering how much longer it will take. We are both procrastinating and not looking forward to the paper we have due this Tuesday for our Career Guidance class.

Spring Break is one week away...