And People Wonder...
This morning I read a newspaper article that almost made me sick. I consider myself religious, I believe in God, I go to church when I can, especially for all major holidays. I am a good person, I know the Bible. I eat wheat. So I qualify to be Catholic.

You sense a little sarcasm... yeah just a little. You are thinking... what does wheat have anything to do with it? Well, according to that article, it has a lot to do with it. I never knew! Once again, good thing I can eat wheat.

The article: There is a young girl in Eugene with a rare condition in which she can't eat wheat. It could kill her. She wants to be catholic. She finished her classes to be able to take communion. And guess what? Communion bread is made of wheat. She requested to be able to use a rice bread instead, and was denied.

The church said that the communion bread must have unleavened wheat in it, like the last super. It also explained that wine must be fermented, and that catholics do not allow non-alcoholic substitutions (not even for recovering alcoholics, they just get a reduced alcohol wine). The church suggested a low-wheat content wafer. Wow, how nice of the church! I mean, that won't kill her, just make her really sick and potential cause intestinal cancer.

I find this appalling. The article mentioned a similar case in Massachusetts. That family left the catholic church because a rice cake substitute for their daughter was not allowed. Wow. I here thought the Bible said all you had to do was believe in Jesus and you would be saved (John 3:16 is a good example). I had no clue that in fine print below it read, "And you must be able to eat wheat." For a church with big problems, like over 200 million dollars in law suits over priests raping little boys which has caused all the bishops to have to sell their million dollar estates and priceless art to cover those expenses... I bet those bishops can eat wheat though.

Let me say once again that I believe in God. I am talking about organized religion... how can a faith that for years turned the other way to the crimes of priests, but won't let a girl eat a rice cake... be right? How can that be what God wanted?

I am sure if Jesus knew one of his disciples could not eat wheat, for the last super he would of bought some rice cakes.

Have You Seen Me?
Missing, from Chicago, IL is a little pink bunny, AKA "Nono". He was lost at a Chicagoland Target store and is being missed terribly by a 3 year old little girl. A reward, for the safe capture and return of the infamous Nono is being offered. The reward will more then likely be in the form of Mac and Cheese, a sucker, or possibly a used pair of pink sunglasses. Novali has little to offer, but misses her Nono.

A substitute Nono has been identified, AKA "Nono Nuevo". Although similar in appearance, this "Nono Nuevo" is not the same. See attached:

Photo of Nono: He stands about 1 foot 2 inches tall, weighs about 8 oz. and is sometimes seen wearing a little purple sweater.

This is Novali... missing her Nono very much. A hotline has been set up, please call, 1-800-HELPNONO.

Send all email information to novali@centellas.org

Sam's Believe It or Not
Somethings in life are unexpected, and throw you for a loop. I like the unexpected because it shakes the day up. Here are some weekend events I did not expect or found hard to believe:

1. Got my taxes done... instead of filing for another extension.
2. Puerto Rico's basketball team beat the USA team in Athens. Who'd a thunk it? I can hear "Que Bonita Bandera" playing right now...
3. I highlighted my hair today. The last time I got my hair highlighted was when I was in Santa Barbara last year... I was over due.
4. There is only one broadband internet provider in Albion and they are really expensive... so I might not get it... I know... the world is in awe.
5. I had fast food today, it was the first time in three weeks!
6. Going against all intuition I agreed to let Vic (WMU Fraternity Brother) live with me.
7. I realized I am looking forward to living in Michigan... who does that?

This week I have to get a lot done. I am very excited to be heading back to Michigan, but also sad to be leaving Oregon. I really do like it hear, but I know it is my time to go. I can't wait to see Novali again (who I can't even catch on the phone lately), to drive my little NX, and start arranging furniture and decorating my new house!

6-3, 6-3
Those were the scores of my two tennis games tonight, I was on the losing end. It was just the perfect way to end a terrible day. Losing. I am glad I am getting back into tennis though.

So this morning started bad, when I learned that I was overdrawn with National City, but this time it was not my fault. I was told by their customer service people I could wire them money using Western Union. I did that on Monday... but it still had not shown up... so I called in today to see what the deal was... the person said, "Well sir you can not wire to your account from Western Union." I then replied... "Then why did one of your customer service reps tell me that I could?"... I was then transfered to a manager, who apologized for me being told the wrong thing again. I then asked, shouldn't you remove my overdraft fee and pay be back the expense of the Western Union wire? She said no.

So in response to me being pissed I wrote a letter, and tomorrow I mail it out. How can that be? Some company gives me bad information, and the negative repercussions are not their fault? Everyone tells me to leave National City... I think now it is time. They have gone too far... I wonder what their reply to my letter will be... I did fill out a web form about my complaint... no reply yet.

So then I get back from running to another bank (which did the wire for me to my account) and my day got worse. To cheer myself up I figured I will order a big sandwich, get some chili... yes, this will be great... AND GUESS WHAT? My sandwich shop was out of bacon. Not only did I want bacon on my sandwich, but I wanted extra bacon (a 50 cent extra). Instead of extra bacon, I got no bacon on my sandwich, and my chili was kinda cold. Bad day...

The fact that I have not had time to get my taxes done today does not help either. So my weekend will be spent working on taxes, and not having fun. Tomorrow is Friday the 13th, I mean, I just can not get a break right now. Ah... maybe something will cheer me up tomorrow.

The System
People say I know how to work the system. Any one who knows me knows that I love finding loopholes, and ways around doing things the "normal" way. I like to mix it up, be different, do it my way. Some examples:

My undergraduate degree: my diploma says "Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude" on the front. My resume outlines my degree in Student Planned Curriculum, focus on Engineering, Design, Art and Communications. What it does not say is how I came to that degree. Student planned degrees are for people, who before sophomore year decided to custom plan a course of study to help them in graduate school (usually law or pre med). Not for people like me to changed majors just so they could take a class they thought would be interesting (like Food Marketing MKT 250, Human Resource Training COM 480, HIV in the African American Community BAS 490, Figure Drawing ART 210, Latino Admissions Research Project HNRS 490, etc.). I conned my way into getting my degree in that my senior year so I could graduate faster, and still get my 3.51 GPA so I could be Cum Laude.

That was a big example. Here is a list of some little things I have learned, in no particular order.

1. When on a plane, if you ask for a drink with lots of ice, they are more inclined to give you the entire can.
2. If when checking out of a hotel you mention something that was not perfect, they will give you 10% off your bill. Just complain nicely is the key, like it was not a big deal.
3. If you have a real complaint, take the time to send it in a real letter. Recently a complaint to Enterprise got me 100 off my bill and a voucher for another 100 bucks, and American Airlines gave me 5,000 frequent flyer miles because my flight was delayed. All from taking the time to mail a letter.
4. Taxes are not really due on April 15th, just ask for an extension, you automatically get approved for August 16th, just takes a five minute phone call and you get four more months to do your taxes.
5. McDonalds gives free kiddie ice cream cones. Just ask nicely and they will give you one, or two.
6. If you are out of state when your lease expires, your friends will move your stuff for free Burger King, beer, and the ability to drive a big truck.
7. You can haggle with the Financial Aid office... its kinda like the award letter is their first offer. Talk them up.
8. Verizon will take off late fees on your monthly payment, so I don't pay my bill until they call me. Its kinda like an extra service, they call me to get their money. I save time cause they let they me pay on the phone via credit card and I save money on the stamp.
9. Always buy stuff on sale: See previous post.
10. That "Introduction" price to cable internet from Charter... is not really introduction price. When, after three months, they try to raise the price on you, call in to cancel it... they will let you keep paying the cheaper price.
11. If you order the full ribs at Apple Bees, when they bring it to you say... "Um, is this the big one?"... act surprised and disappointed when they tell you yes...the waiter will not know what to say... but the manager will tell them to charge you for the half rack.
12. If you ask for just water at the beginning of a meal, and then later ask for a coke... usually they forget to add it to your bill. (It is up to you whether to tell the waiter or not)
13. The trick to a wingman is to have him go in first. Make it look like you are the wingman, it will buy you more time because you have confused them.
14. People will tell you anything when playing 20 questions on IM, its more powerful then a double dog dare.

I know there is more to add to that list. I just can not think of them right now. The real reason I wanted to share this list is number #4. My taxes are due this week... and I am not done yet. Yes even after a four month extension. So dad... if you are reading this... I might need some help.

So as you can see, some of my scams don't work just as I planned them to... stupid IRS

Deep Dark Secret
I think it is time that I let my deepest secret out. I can not hold it in any longer folks, it is time that you all found out the truth about Sam. Most of you will not believe this at first, but I will explain and then you will understand. To those who know me best, I know it will come as a shock, but I have to let this off my chest. It has been a secret I have held for way too long...

I am a sale shopper. Thats right folks, I love nothing more then hunting around for deals. You are in shock... It is as hard for me to say as it is for you to believe. Not sure when this started, but a few years ago I found myself getting overly excited for getting a deal on a DKNY dress shirt, or some Kenny Cole shoes. Now I can't go shopping without finding that deal I can be proud of all week. It has gotten so bad that I rarely can bring myself to pay full price for anything. This from the guy who used to brag about how much he spent on his wardrobe, so today I am here to say... I am a changed man! Now I dig through sale ranks at Marshall Fields, stop at TJ Max to get ties, and wait for the Express sale before getting more MX dress shirts.

Let me tell you about my recent sprees:

Banana Republic: $13 polo shirt Gap: $9.99 linen shirt, 7.99 v-neck IZOD: $25 Brown casual shoe.

M.Fields:$12 CK dress shirt Kenny C Store: $19 Leather Flips Express: $19 Khakis

TJ Max: $9 Express jeans Macy's: $9.99 DKNY Dress Shirt Meier&Frank: 40% off Kenny C pants.

Pic of me yesterday: Adidas shoes $25, Kenny C Khackis $16, and the Quick Silver Polo I got on sale in Cape Cod.

As you can see, even yesterday, while sitting in the airport I was wearing all sale stuff. Man, I really am an addict. Is there a place I can go to get help? Do I want help? No, I like this. Will I always be like this? Maybe, I have learned how to work the system (shocked right?) and I like it.

So I got that out, and I feel good. I am still high maintenance though... Ha!

I hope all of you are over the shock now so I can give you some news. I have found my place in Albion. Here are two pics of the place I am going to get:

Less then half a mile from campus, and I love the big porch.

I finally get a garage, little but still a nice home for the NX.

The cool thing about the house is that it is for sale. So... if I like it enough, and want to stay at Albion for that long... I might be a home owner pretty soon. Wow... I hope I get a good deal on it... you know, being a sale shopper and all.

Alright, I got to get to my WRGA Board meeting. I love being in San Francisco, but I do wish I was back home to see Hermen today on his birthday. Happy birthday bro, and thanks for offering to help move my stuff. See you all soon... at my new place in Albion, wearing sale clothes.

270 Gallons of My Life
I had a whirlwind 24 hour stop in Grand Rapids to pack up my stuff. I will not be here when the guys help me move my stuff so I needed to get a lot of my stuff packed up for them to make it easier. There is a still a lot more to do, but I got nearly everything in my room packed up.

I bought some rubber tubs for moving. All in all I filled up over 270 gallons of rubber tub. That is a lot of stuff. I have accumulated a lot of things over the past couple of years. Moving is never a fun thing, but at least I know I have all the furniture I will need and nothing makes you feel at home in a new place like old familiar furniture.

All my rubber tubs and a few shoe boxes filled with my stuff.

My closest which was once stuffed to the top now sits empty.

My cluttered desk now has a clear top and empty drawers.

I did not get to somethings... like the storage room or cleaning the kitchen.

Getting ready for a new place is always exciting. I made some calls yesterday on some rental property. I am looking for a little house to rent. I would love to have a garage. Rent in Albion is very cheap which is great, so I hope I find something for a good price and all the space I need.

Today I am back to the grind. Early morning flight from Grand Rapids put me into Oregon before lunch and now I am working. I have been up since 3am PST and will work until 6pm. AH! I only have three weeks left I need to get into high gear and get all of my projects finished up so I can leave with some accomplishments under my belt.

Alright... this thing called work is calling my name. Adios!

Convention Ups and Downs
The 2004 Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc. Convention was another historical event for our great Brotherhood. For me it was filled with many ups and downs. First was that the GVSU Colony was not given chapter status, but will be granted it this fall once they start their new membership education process. Which is good because they were "conditionally" approved. A down was that I was not elected to the Board of Directors, I knew it was a gamble when I started. I am an opinionated Brother and sometimes my views are unpopular. At least I know that I say what I think, and unlike the rest of the "political" Brothers I don't hold back a comment because some people might disagree with it. I do my thing and don't look back.

The big up was.... GVSU won the Outstanding Colony for 2002-2004! I am so proud of them, I nominated them and I kept my fingers crossed. Those guy made me so proud I can barely describe in words. They are following another proud tradition... my chapter when we recolonized we went on to win Outstanding Colony for 1998-2000. I am expecting big things from GVSU this fall, and of course from the Epsilon Chapter as well.

Lets see the pics:

In return for me doing 5 workshops at convention my Headquarters hooked me up with a free room with a great balcony!

First night with Max and Hermen from the GVSU Colony.

The Brothers hung around my room a lot, seen here: WMU, Miami(OH), CMU, GVSU and Wichita State.

One of the WMU Neos, I am expecting big things from this Brother... big things.

During Convention I was in the middle of my negotiations with Albion College. I wanted to be sure I made the right decisions and wanted to weigh a lot of things out. I made the right decision during the middle of convention. I start there on September 7th and I could not be more excited. I am confident I will be able to accomplish big things there.

The last night of convention, once all the business is over, we had our banquet and dance. This is where the awards are given out and ends with a little gig. Check it out:

Mary Peterson, our Executive Director started the night off. We would not be the organization we are today if it was not for her.

MOA! The Michigan/Ohio Alliance of Brothers, now known as the East District of SLB was well represented.

Everyone gets dressed up and ready to celebrate a successful year, good meeting, and be presented with the new boards.

GVSU with Ammar the International President getting their award.

We have a special award for Brothers. Salon de Hermanidad inducted its 8th member, Brother Dough. I hope to have as successful a career as he is having in SLB.

The dance was crazy, hot and tons of fun. I was glad I got to chill with so many Brothers.

I am right now sitting in the lobby of the hotel. Getting some work done while I await my flight back home. I will spend tomorrow in Michigan packing up a lot of my things and then back to Oregon for a day before flying out to San Francisco. These will be my last couple trips before I settled into my new job.

Convention was amazing, I love sitting here and not being able to type because I have too many Brothers and Gammas coming over to say bye. I love my fraternity, for what it has done for me, what it does for our community, and what it will continue to do in the future to shape the views and culture of college students all over the country. We are doing Big Things, and I am proud to be a part of it.

The Britons
I spent two days in Chicago and spent the most amazing time with my family. My grandparents from Bolivia are visiting and I met the family there and took Novali to see them. It is the first time they have met her, and I am glad they got the chance.

My Abuelitos are the best, they are getting old (late 80s) and I are so strong and vibrant still it amazing me. From the stories of abuelo hanging from a Mango tree, to abuelita and the crazy airport drama on the way here. They now have meet their two American great grandchildren and I know they could not be happier. My abuelo has not stopped talking about how tall the Sears Tower in Chicago is...

Of course we swam, ate, and caught up. Novali took a little time to warm up to the abuelitos, but not much time. I did not get any pool pictures this time, maybe my dad will send me some and I will post them. Here are a few shots of my family time in Chicago.

My abuelitos have not been to the USA since 1994 for the world cup.

With the old Centellas men... my Dad and Abuelo had tons of fun with her running around.

With the Centellas women: my mom always is trying to teach her new things, and Abuelita sang some old children songs in Spanish with her.

When they dropped us off Novali showed her toys to Abuelo, and then the family took off.

I am glad I got to spend sometime with the family in between all my trips. I am planning some time in Saginaw with the family at the end of August as well.

Currently I am in Orlando at my Fraternity Convention. In one hour we start our business meeting at which someone will be elected as our new Vice President of Finance. I am hoping to be elected... wish me luck.

Oh, for those wondering... I am going to be a Briton.

Around Oregon in 48 hours
Three day weekend, 1200 miles on a rental car... hold on.. didn't I do that last weekend in the Midwest? Well this time it was in Oregon. I have officially seen everything this state has to offer, so now I can leave and be happy that I saw it all. Lets recap the roadtrip weekend.

Friday Night
A vineyard tour and tasting, more sand dunes, big RVs, some old town shopping and the smallest scallops ever.

King Estates was huge and the rows and rows of grapes were amazing.

The ground were perfectly manicured and this would be a great place to have a reception.

The view on the dunes was great, it was a hit day and the ocean really helped cool the air.

Sand between my toes.

Old Towne Florence was very scenic and reminded me of the old lake side towns in west Michigan.

The old boats added to the rustic touch... but the seafood restaurant was nothing specially... tiny scallops.

Saturday
Glide Oregon, a lost camera, Diamond Lake, Crater Lake, Willamette Pass, a Gondola, Covered bridges, a sunset and music at Taylors.

The drive south wound along the Rogue river and had awesome views and winding roads which made it fun to drive on.

After having to go back and get Becky's camera she left at a store, we stopped to some awesome views.

Diamond lake was so smooth, makes me wish I still water skied.

All the pine trees reminded of that artist guy.. the one who painted happy trees. What was his name?

On the way to Crater lake there was snow! I had to jump in it barefoot.

Crater Lake is an old Volcano, now it is one of the deepest lakes in North America.

Mountain ranges surrounded the location.

The water was a shocking blue mixed with green.

The Willamette Pass ski lodge is open all year.

The Gondola ride to the top revealed some long distance views.

All day spent looking for a covered bridge... and this one you could not even drive through.

Sunset. We called it a day and went to the famous campus spot, Taylors.

Sunday
Homemade cobbler, St. Helen Burger, lots of bikers, a big blowed up volcano, regrown trees, and accidentally finding the Oregon Brewmaster Festival.

The family run dinner was great. St. Helen burger=Burger, fried egg, ham, and all the fixin's. Yum.

Not nearly as scenic as I had hoped, the history in the park was cool though and so was the drive.

As we drive into Portland we saw a little festival happening. So that means bands, and old people trying to dance.

They had microbrews from around the world... even Michigan!

In Oregon people are either shirtless or on stilts. Standard.

Brews and Porta-Johns. A match made in heaven.

People could put where they were from... someone was already there from Santa Cruz!

Of course... I ate... pizza, and teriyaki chicken, but they ran out of elephant ears!

The weekend was great. I am tired but the travel continues... this week I head to Chicago and then the weekend to Orlando, FL. Yes I know... I don't like to stay still in one place. I am looking forward to more traveling. Not looking forward to starting to pack of my place in GR... now where will I move it to is the question... stay tuned for important updates.

My abuelitos are great! Novali is being fun and we are about to jump into the pool, again. So I got to run. I will update about my time in Chicago soon.