1.17.2006

New Year, New Things
Lots of new things going on this year... lets see what I can update people on. Today my dad sent me pictures of the house they just finished building. They plan to retire very soon and move down there, and travel back and forth from the US to Bolivia. Either staying in Florida, Michigan or with one of their children when state side. Either way I am excited for them to see them close to retirement, to relaxation, to just enjoying life. Plus I am looking forward to a room to stay when I travel down there...

The neighborhood. It is a gated community with a pool, store, parking and everything.

Three bedroom house, palm trees and all the space my parents will need.

Second update is that I broke the mold... this clean cut guy... has a beard. One day I just decided I was tired of shaving my face every morning, so I stopped. At first I was just going to let it go for a couple days... but then 3 days turned into 6... and now it has been 2 weeks! Its strange, people either like it, or they hate it. I am not sure how I feel about it, I do like that trimming the beard takes half the time of shaving my entire face... so it might be staying for a little longer. We will see... Novali will see it this weekend, I wonder what she will say? What do you think?

My students thought I was disguised... beard, hat...

Really I had a little flu which is why I wore the big fleece and hat.

Well this past weekend there was a lot going on for me. Saturday was my fraternity district meeting at GVSU. I have not been able to go to a district meeting in a long time, and since I love visiting Allendale, I went. It was a great meeting, good turnout, and I was impressed with the undergrads and how professional they are during meetings. After the meeting we went to dinner, and then had a little party. It was a lot of fun, I had two of the new WMU Brothers with me, and just had time to chill with some Brothers I had not seen in a long time.

We had a big group, over 30 Brothers.

Adrian and Jeph, two of the WMU Neos.

Chillin like the old days. Santi with a funny face and Ramiro all GQ.

Hermen acted a fool and told long stories all night.

The weekend was a short one... on Sunday I had to work. It was not fun because I was coming down with a flu. I was not feeling well, but I had to help with check in at Res Life. It was a long day but I made it through. Monday was even longer though, I had planned a day of workshops for all my new fraternity and sorority officers. I called it Training Day. Basically two workshops each hour starting at 11am, running til 6pm, and ending with dinner with presidents. Being sick, and overworked... it was a long day. It went well though, I got great feedback and I am excited to do it again.

So now I am settling in and getting ready for a great semester. Panhel recruitment, my new standards program, Greek Week, all the new programming I am trying to do... its gonna be a long semester. I am looking forward to it, and excited for everything going on.

Yep... I have a green Panhel jacket. Go Greek.

The Phi Mus painted the campus pink with mini-flyers... and didn't miss my office.

Well this weekend I am off to Chicago. MGCA asked me to be on their Awards Selection Committee. I will be there and sneaking time away with Novali. I am glad I am feeling better because I did not want to be sick and traveling. Well... those are the updates for now. Have a good week everyone!