Worth It
As many of you might know I am a little stressed right now. Work, the other job, freelance, Thesis, practicum, classes, and job search are all coming down on me pretty hard right now. I have been slowing working myself from under the pile of work and graduation is in sight.

I once read something written by someone in higher education called, "Why we give of our time." It was really good, it was about Latino administrators and why they work so hard to help create change even when it is unrewarding or change is slow in coming.

Well last night I was reminded why I give of my time. I have been at GVSU now for nearly two school years. I have loved most of it, I say most because nothing is perfect. Working with the Greeks at GVSU has been awesome and this week is Greek Week! So of course everyone is pumped and things are going very well. Last night was the Order of Omega Awards night. They give chapter awards for grades and and also Greek Man and Woman of the year awards. They also show a slide show, and at the end was a picture of Shawna and I, wishing us good luck as we move on. It was nice.

Then when we went up to present some of the awards Aaron said something and all the students stood and clapped. Shawna and I got a standing ovation. I would have never guessed. Maybe a quick clap, a few whistles from my brothers, and we move on. But all the students stood, it was awesome.

So now I feel good about the work I have done and that I did make a difference. Meeting with the a chapter president instead of doing homework, attending Greek events at night when I had already been on campus for 10 hours, donating money to every student who asked (man I have never bought so much cookie dough and carmel popcorn), trips to campus just to meet with a student about something important, having those uncomfortable challenging discussions with students, and being the mean advisor when needed (I hated doing it, but knew it had to be done).

I wish there was a way I can tell the students what impact they had on me. I learned more then I thought I could about myself these last few years. About how hard it really is to be a student leader and do the right thing, and how much students still care about Greek life. I can't wait to get a full time job doing this!

No Work Weekend
Well I did find a few seconds to get some work done, but most of my time this weekend was spent with my family. Friday around 6 PM my parents and my sister Raquel with her daughter Valerie came into town. We went to the mall, Raquel bought a wedding dress at Hot Topic (yeah, thats right) and my dad and I ate some Bourbon Chicken in the mall foodcourt and caught up on things. A good Centellas night out.

Later on Friday night Tamara arrived with Novalí and she got to she her cousin Valerie. It was late so we caught up for a little and everyone went to bed. On Saturday everyone met at my place, we ate some BK (I introduced Raquel and my dad to Zesty Sauce) and then headed to the hotel for some swimming. Of course no baby is too young to swim in the Centellas house hold, and we got 10 week old Valerie in the pool. After some short afternoon naps we went to Max and Ermas for dinner. There Andres met up with the family for dinner and we sat and talked. He shared about his Cali trip and summer plans before moving too Philly. We went home and watched Lion King 1 1/2.

Sunday was breakfast at Big Boy, I got the buffet and ate way too much breakfast meat. I love sausage, bacon, canadian bacon, and then some sausage patties. YUM. My parents left then and Tamara and I went shopping with Novali. I got a new diaper bag and after a short trip to mall got some clothes at Express as well (they are having their four times a year... "Biggest Sale of the Year" sale).

After bathing Novali, I am now trying to work on thesis. Ramon is chasing Novali around the house with his remote control lowrider, and Novali is wearing the glasses from Hermen's build-a-bear and has Bling Bling (Mardi Gras beads) around her neck. I will hopefully get some pictures from my Dad soon from this weekend and post a few soon.

Bolivian Fathers Day Note: Visit this page on my Brothers blog. Post.