Black Squirrels
This first week has been great. I learned a lot about the college, met lots of interesting people, and had meetings, meetings, meetings. One of the interesting things about Albion, black squirrels everywhere! Seriosuly, I live two blocks from campus, and last night I counted 11 on my walk home. It is just one of the manys things that make this campus so cool.

Everyone has been very nice, students have been stopping by all the time to chat and meet me, and staff has gone out of the way to swing over and say hello. I got my desk moved, into a much more "Sam Friendly" arrangement and I am still trying to figure out where I want what stuff in my office.

I got tours of all the Sorority lodges (no women live in their homes here) and attend their recruitment dessert function. I had my first IFC and Panhel meetings which both went great. Worked with AKA alum group to plan their fall recruitment to restart the chapter. Attended different functions, Coffee House Opening, speaker, Student Affairs Division Luncheon, and of course... more meetings.

Tonight the Greeks are doing a BBQ by the Fraternity houses. Welcome back thing and to introduce me to everyone. Should be very cool, and you know I am a fan of free food (especially BBQ). I am excited to meet more people, and then get tours of all the fraternity houses.

Saturday I head to Miami University (OH). I am doing my Risk Management presentation there, which will be fun. Then I will drive back with the GVSU guys to hit up the Ice Breaker. Lots of driving... but what's new right? All in the middle of that I will try to catch up with Becky who will actually be in Grand Rapids. Lets see how it goes.

Have a good weekend everyone!

8 minutes and a Briton Burger
This morning it took me 8 minutes to walk to work. How great is that! I was the first one into the office, got to make the good impression on my first day. Then did the fun Human Resource paperwork, picked my health plan, signed my tax documents, and BAM... I am official.

In the office I had a ton of papers waiting for me. Not fun at all, mail had piled up all summer. Mostly junk and advertisements for speakers and what not, but some important stuff from consultants and people coming to campus. I got into my email... already had 46 messages! Ah. I guess this school works largely on email communication... perfect for me.

I wanted to include some pics of campus for everyone to see.

The Kellogg Center, where my office is.

Wesley Hall is where a large amount of students live.

They have a cool observatory on campus built in 1883.

The Goodrich campus chapel.

The recreation center

Vulgamore Hall

Robinson Hall. I love the white pillars everywhere.

The architecture on campus is very distictive.

For lunch I had a Briton Burger from the Eat Shop. The burger has thousand island dressing on it, very tasty and an Albion tradition. The food place in the Kellogg Center is pretty cheap, but I need to find some healthier options... since I am gonna start working out and everything.

It is great cause it is not even 1 PM yet and I have had students coming in all morning to say hi. Tonight Panhel is sponsoring desserts by the sorority lodges which I will be attending (which means I will miss GVSU's Campus Life Night...). On Friday the fraternities are hosting a cook out which should be good as well. I am excited...

Now I have to figure out how I will rearrange my office furniture.

Edit: Miguel posted an Abuelo update. Update

Sugar and Spice
and everything nice. Becky reminded me of that, and I saw that Novali is made of it as well. Novali had a way of brightening everyones day after long times of waiting for updates on my abuelito and seeing what would happen that day. She made the week much more enjoyable, and I am so glad I was able to have her for so long.

I am glad she already got to meet my abuelito in Chicago. On this trip she did not get to see my abuelito, but she spent time with all the rest of the Centellas clan. Check her out:

Novali was way too excited to finally get her own new bike from Grandpa.

She watched Lion King with Grandpa and Abuelita... we needed some Hakuna Matata.

One night she got ready for bed with her grandpa and abuelita.

My mom is a great story teller and read to her a lot.

One day we went to McDonalds and she played, and ate pollo.

This is her favorite part of being in Saginaw.... ICE CREAM!

It is late, I packed the car already and at 6 AM we head to meet her mom. I am sad to take her back, we have had so much fun. This was a great break, despite the difficulties.

So Monday I relax and try to rest and get myself into work mode for Tuesday.