Happy Birthday
I am not much for sappy moments, well okay maybe I am. Today is Miguel's birthday, my older Brother. We have been through some interesting things. Moving to America together (him and I were left with my grandparents while my parents went with Andres to sell all our belongings) and learning a new strange language. Having a cool big Brother in a band at college I used to visit and pretend I was in college. Living with him when I started college (I know I would never have graduated Cum Laude had it not been for Miguel) and learning to eat pasta 8 days a week. Most recently being able to travel to Bolivia and see my older Brother living down there, on some one else's dime. Truly an inspiration.

Happy Birthday Miguel.

Shows over folks
Well the 56th annual Western Regional Greek Leadership Conference went off without a hitch. The Western Region Greek Association did an excellent job of hosting this event and making it better then ever in many ways. We had nearly 700 in attendance and received kudos on our hard work and improvements to the conference.

I had a great time and am glad I took this professional development opportunity. As I mentioned before I also got Becky a grad staff position and she was awesome in her role as well. The WRGA was not very organized this year and Becky did a great job of finding things to do, and keeping the rest of their staff on their toes. Thanks Becky!

Our main stage this year was much better looking and our staff really pulled off increasing the quality of our presentations.

I managed the AV Booth and ran all the lights, powerpoints, and audio. And yes... I ran it all from two Apple Powerbooks...

Two other Betas were at the conference. Nick and Carlos who attend San Jose State. Last year one Beta, this year two... next year?

One of our added changes was a party themed opening night. It was awesome, our staff pumped up the crowd (yes with the YMCA...) and students actaully had fun with no alcohol... who would of figured?

It was an awesome conference because the current Executive Director, Michael Deen, was leaving the board. He had been on the board for 10 years and really made the association great. It was touching to have him recognized for all his years of hard work.

The famous David Stollman was late for one of his presentations... so I stepped up and filled in for him. The students liked me so much now he is asking me to help facilitate his program Recruitment Boot Camp...

I did some new things for the final banquet. A slide show of pictures from that years conference, and all the powerpoints I think looked great.

NALFO was well represented. We went from 7 Latino Greeks last year... to over 22 this year... better things to come.

the final night Mini Dance Marathon to raise money for Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

The conference was a huge success. I am excited for the planning for next year and the great things to come. I hope to stay on the board for many years. We will see what happens.

After the conference Becky and I stayed out here for a few days. You all know how I always stay extra after a conference to have fun, and this time Becky was with me. Sunday and Monday morning we relaxed and got homework done, and Monday afternoon into the evening we spent in San Francisco. I was surprised at how well I remembered the city. We had fun touring around.

Of course we walked through Chinatown and checked out stores.

I love street performers. This guy, called Bush Man hid behind some branches and scared people. It was hilarious... well not to us. He made Becky jump out of her skin!

Right on the wharf we stopped for some typical clam chowder and a beer. Since it was Becky's birthday the guy kept giving us free drinks.

We walked all over the city and checked out sites, street vendors, and shopped.

After my trip last year to Frisco I think I posted a million pictures of the city. It is such a cool city for architecture and other sites.

We ended the night with dinner at a Japanese place in the famous Castro district.

The trip was awesome. It was highlighted by a call from Gary, one of my Brothers from Western Michigan. He also happens to be my little Brother in the fraternity. He called to say he won Greek Man of the Year! I am so proud. The guys have struggled but managed to stay on top of things despite the low numbers. Good work Brothers! I hope you all have some pictures!

Well this week and next will be crazy. Tomorrow Becky and I have our Thesis presentation, and next Friday the final paper is due. It will be a long two weeks but I know it is going to get exciting. Our thesis is looking really good and I am excited to get all this school work out of the way so I can relax and get some other personal projects started... like my sound system for the NX and upgrades to my websites.

Last call on my flight... see you all soon!