Weekend in Chicago
For six years now I have been attending the Mid American Greek Council Association conference in Chicago. I have presented workshops, brought my students, and even attended as a student. MGCA is a great association, and an even better conference. This year I applied to be on the awards judging committee, I was accepted and this weekend was our weekend to select the award winners. Since the weekend was in Chicago I had to sneak away for time with Novali.

We arrive here on Thursday, we had a ton of work so I was not able to see Novi until Friday night. I was able to duck over to her house for a little bit on Friday. I finished her bath for her, we played with her toys, and then I got to put her to bed. Beard Update: when Novali saw me, first thing she said was that I look like someone else, I asked who... and she said her grandpa! But she said it looked good.

Quick visit and then back to my hotel to read more award packets.

Playing with her LeapFrog game.

Reading her a bed time story.

This awards weekend was a lot of work. We read through huge binders of awards information. It was a lot of work, but extremely rewarding. It is nice to see some fraternity and sorority communities doing well. Working in their local communities, doing amazing educational workshops, diversity training, raising money, giving scholarships, doing service, and promoting academic excellence. This is why I love doing what I do... helping and watching students achieve.

Each morning started with a big breakfast...

Then we read binders... I read 32 of these huge packets.

Saturday for dinner Tamara brought Novali to my hotel. Novi remembered the hotel and said she likes this hotel. We went to dinner, and she slowly started to open up to the group (she is shy around new groups). She liked the band where we went to eat, and I got a huge piece of prime rib. Back at the hotel she was a trooper while I finished up reading a few packets, then we went to my room, watched TV, and went to sleep.

Sunday was fun. First thing she did when we woke up was to open the curtains. The room had windows from floor to ceiling across the entire side of the room. She just stood and stared and watched the planes. Then we went to the lobby store for breakfast and they were out of chocolate milk. So the Starbucks guy made her one, she loved it! (she better, it was like 3 bucks). So it was funny cause we walked around the hotel with our matching Starbucks cups, we got funny looks from some people!

The huge windows!

Her Nono and Starbucks! She was living it up.

I had a quick morning meeting, she was very patient and colored and stayed out of the way. Then we packed up the room, watched a quick show (Arthur was on) and then we ran to the mall. No better way to kill a boring winter afternoon in Chicago. I got some shoes and a cheap sweaters at the GAP, and then went to Target and I got Novali a new game for her LeapFrog game. Finding Nemo of course. We ate some Puerto Rican food, and then I hit the road. Fun weekend!