Here you go...
I have stayed away from political issues on my blog. My summer hippie debates and discussion on Catholicism where a little heated. Here I will not start a political debate, but wanted to link to Miguel's blog. He writes about political stuff often, or about what he and his cats ate for lunch.

In a post about the debates I made the comment it would be cool to be able to pick two people, pick a topic, and then have them debate it. I think it would make a great TV show! Fox... where you at? So check it out, and all the great suggestions:

Pick-a-debate Contest

I for some reason am blanking on some good suggestions. Anyhow... check out his page, or that post and leave him a comment if you have a good idea. I will be thinking of one and posting soon...

Here you go...
I have stayed away from political issues on my blog. My summer hippie debates and discussion on Catholicism where a little heated. Here I will not start a political debate, but wanted to link to Miguel's blog. He writes about political stuff often, or about what he and his cats ate for lunch.

In a post about the debates I made the comment it would be cool to be able to pick two people, pick a topic, and then have them debate it. I think it would make a great TV show! Fox... where you at? So check it out, and all the great suggestions:

Pick-a-debate Contest

I for some reason am blanking on some good suggestions. Anyhow... check out his page, or that post and leave him a comment if you have a good idea. I will be thinking of one and posting soon...

My Angel
I got some pictures of Novalí emailed to me by Tamara and my dad. So I wanted to post a few of them up here, no new updates to her site, but I will soon. Next week for sure!

I am excited because Novalí will be in Albion next week. Tamara will be bringing her during the week, which is cool so she can come into my office and meet people. Which I rarely got to do in my two years at GVSU. I got her room ready and I hope she likes it. I painted the room a dark pink color, which I think she will like. I got her a little chalk board on an easel so she can draw. Of course the DVD player is in her room and I am sure little will distract her from that! Eitherway I am really excited to have her around for a few days. Enjoy some pics:

Now there we go... peacefully sleeping.

Her hair all wrapped up... like she is at the salon.

Her in a ballcap... Nono in the stroller.

Jumping into the pool with my dad.

I can't wait til she gets here!

Sucker Born Every Minute
Those that know me know I like to car shop. Checking out used car lots, seeing what used cars are costing, and just looking inside of cars is fun to me. It is also what lead to me owning 8 different cars before I was 21.

Now I do actually need a car, but just don't have the money. Last time I had Novali for a week I spent nearly 300 on a rental car. I love the NX, but she does not have a back seat and can not transport Novali. The NX also needs about $700 in repairs. So I need another car, something to pick Novali up in, something economical, something that I can just drive. You heard that before huh dad?

So Saturday I was driving in Albion and saw a car sale and a little Nissan Sentra was out front. So I figured why not... Guess what? It was fully loaded, only 50k on it, and was a stick shift! Just what I have been looking for. I ask the dealer how much.... he does not want to tell me. Just says... "If you are really interested, we can get you in it." I was interested in the PRICE... He said before we get to haggling over price I want to be sure you like it. I drove it, liked it, asked him the price... and guess what? He won't tell me until I do a credit app.

I did the credit app... Heather and I were late to find a place to get my hair cut, but that was fine, this was gonna be an adventure. I sit down with the guy... he tells me the car is priced at about 10,900... it was a bank close out and he is gonna work me a deal. He quickly says the car is discounted 3000. Wow! What a deal right? The monthly payment he worked up for me was still at like 280 a month (priced at 7,900), I told him I can not swing that.

He says let me check on something... comes back... and surprisingly, just for me, cause they like me... for only 7000! That is nearly 4000 off the original price. Man you would think I know how to work a deal, so I tell him, still too high, I was looking to get a little economical car, something around 5500 to 6000.

What is funny is that.. when I said I need something around 5500-6000 he replies... "So you need something around 6000-6500"... Did I say that? No, he must of been rounding up. He comes back... "Let me earn your business... what if I can get close to 6000 for you? Will I earn your business?" I said I was not sure, and I might want to talk to my dad. He came back then... 6200... look at that! Man I can wheel and deal!

I told him I really was not car shopping, this looks like a great deal but I think I have to pass. I just can't swing that payment, and I need to wait another month of working before I get my car. Before even thinking about it, he said... "I will drop it to 6000 even, let me earn your business." He did not ask anyone, he did not think about it, he just dropped the price.

The bottom line... I did not get the car (stopped sweating now dad). This guy was working me... I think solely for the fact that he was trying to scam me... is why I did not buy the car. The final price we got to was fair, I checked and it Blue Booked at 6400, and it was in great shape. The fact that he would of sold me the car for 7900 is what makes me mad. I asked him to be honest with me, and tell me what fair value was for the car, but he would not. He played his little used car game, and it cost him this sale. If he had come to me, told me he could sell me the car for 6000, and work out a good financing deal... I might have driven off the lot the owner of a nice shiny silver Nissan Sentra.

P.T. Barnum said, "There is a sucker born every minute." Unfortunately for that slicky salesman I was not that sucker, and he did not... "Earn my business."

Edit: I looked online for information about PT Barnum, and come to find out that is not his quote. Interesting article about him here.

Trading Spaces
So my house needed a lot of work. The rooms all had funny colors in them, or crayon writing on the walls, paint peeling, ugly wallpaper, cheap paneling... the list goes on.

The paneling makes the room really dark, not to mention it's ugly.

Dinning room wallpaper, and who picked that green? Also notice the crooked light switch...ah.

My landlord gave me a budget, and I am going nuts on painting things. I will post pictures once I get all the major work done. I will do a little before and after page... so keep checking for updates.

Needless to say I have been paint shopping and trying to pick colors and decide how I want everything to look. I picked some cool colors, after switching back and forth many times, and came up with some good options for the house. I have done the work alone and really found it to be soothing and relaxing to sit and paint with the radio on.

Painting the details on the staircase was a pain in the butt!

Getting to all the corners and trying to do a good job was important to me.

This weekend I hope to get all the painting finished. This it will just be hanging things on the walls, and figuring out where to put my furniture. I am putting off painting Novali's room until next month cause I can not decide on a color... but maybe I will get inspire this weekend. We will see...

Reunion
This weekend the roadtrip crew went back into action. Yep, Vic and I hit the road together. In college him and I went everywhere. I remember by the time I graduated college I think Vic and I had visited a little over 25 chapters of Sigma Lambda Beta. Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Iowa, Washington DC, and of course every school in Michigan. Good times.

I picked up Vic on Friday and we rolled to Chicago in the NX. Same old Vic. He was not packed when I got there, had no clean pants to go out in so we had to stop and buy some, barely ironed his shirt, and of course... left his keys in Chicago. We met up with Reymall and had a great weekend, we used to hangout all the time in Kalamazoo. With me in grad school, and Rey in Chicago we just have not hungout much the last few years.

I did not get a picture of us this weekend. This is from Bronco Bash.

Current state of Vic's car... poor Kialac.

Vic totaled his car last month... no insurance. So now he makes 200 a month payments on an undrivable car. Same old Vic.

Tamara's 25th
Friday was Tamara's birthday. She always plans something big. She started the night at her favorite Maragarita place, Fernandos. Vic and I got into town later then planned so we did not make it for food. Instead him and I got some subway and went to Ontourage before anyone else. The place was cool, small, I got a free zippo, we got free drinks, and Rey showed up. We toasted my belated birthday (I never celebrated mine this year) and chilled before the rest showed up. We caught up, laughed it up, made fun of each other (mostly Vic actually), and talked about how we need to hangout more.

Once everyone showed up, and the drink specials ended we rolled out to CroBar. It is a cool dance club, the high energy Chicago style house music that I have gotten used to lately. We danced, I drank lots of water, made fun of Gelas cell phone holder, and I actually got lost for a while to take some time out for myself.

Maragarita's and Mexican food. Tamara's favorite.

At Ontourage.

With a bunch of her sisters and friends.

Tamara danced all night at Crobar.

Novali
She was too funny as always. Always with some unique item, feather pen was the item of choice this visit. Her Reboks with the lights on the side was a treat as well. She is still really shy around people, which is annoying for when my friends want to see her. She went and hid in her room when Rey and the crew came by. Oh well, she will grow out of it. Sunday I had to leave early so I did not get to play with her a whole ton, but I am excited because she will be coming to Michigan soon!

With her feather pen... and of course sunglasses

"Oh... thats so cool"... is her favorite saying right now.

Getting her locks worked on by mami.

All done... Cheese!

It was a good weekend. I am glad Vic was able to come with me, not just so we could catch up, but because I still can not find my detachable face to my car stereo (which means no tunes in the ride!). I of course did not get anymore house work done... but that is okay. The NX survived the roadtrip... but is in serious need of some repairs. Too bad I am broke again. Ah!

Nearly lunch... need to decide what to eat. Hum...

Back to the Grind
First I want to thank everyone for their support and kinda words on my blog about my abuelito. That was very nice. I had a relaxing weekend at home with my parents, my abuelita, and Miguel who came as well. I also got to talk to my Grandpa Coates and wish him a Happy Birthday.

I got back to Albion and got cracking on working on the house. I mentioned before I have a lot of painting and work to do to get the house looking like I want. This week I will wrap up the dinning room and get that done... I hope. One room at a time... slowly but surely.

Aside from housework I have had a very busy week. I got a pile of papers and items I have to take care of before the weekend, and of course setting up all my meetings for next week.... ah.

So far this week I got some errands done. Updated my license, paid car insurance, got trash service ordered, registered to vote, looked into local banks, and got my plates for my cars updated. Nothing like being a few weeks late with the plates... Anyhow I feel accomplished.

This weekend it's off to Chicago. I spent such a long time with Novali last time that now I miss her more then ever. It is also Tamara's birthday on Friday, like always she has a big night out planned with all her friends and sisters. Unlike me, she likes to do her birthday up big each year.

Well back to work...

And so it goes...
I am not a poet, nor a man who is good with the pen. I generally hide my feelings, but on occasion let things get to me. This morning my abuelito took his last breath. I am not really sad though, and I don't find that strange. I think this maybe the case for several different reasons. One, that if I live half the life of my abuelito I know I will have lived a great life and would not want anyone to morn my loss, but celebrate my great life. Another reason is that he leaves such a legacy on this planet, lives that he touched, family that he raised, and differences he made. I will always continue to see Enrique in my father; his strength, his wisdom, his caring, it all lives on....

Death is a strange thing, but it does not mean the end of someone. It just means the end of new things for them. It means now they are a memory, and with my abuelito his memory is a great one. He touched many lives, raised a great family, and saw more things then anyone would of ever expected from a little carpenter from Oruro, Bolivia.

I am even happier now that he got to come to the USA for one last time. He saw his two American great grandchildren, which means the world to me that he met Novali. More importantly that she met him. Here are two pics:

Abuelito: Novali is introducing her toys to him. This was in July in Chicago.

Abuelito and Abuelita playing with Valerie.

I don't know what to write. There will be no funeral here in the USA for us to attend. I wrote a little about him in a blog two weeks ago. Miguel also wrote something great about him on Abuelito's last birthday. Those two stories can be found here: edit: I just added two more

Miguel: Don Enrique: 03.25.2003 - Ciao Enrique: 09.17.2004
Sam: For Better or Worse: 09.03.2004
Andres: A Picture: 09.17.2004

My abuelito was an eccentric man, I know you might say most older men become that way, but he was a little over the top. If you read Miguel's story you know that abuelito always carried a small pencil and notepad in the pocket of his shirt. Remnant of his carpenter days I am sure. Well either way, my dad sent him as a gift a few years back some polo shirts. However there was a problem, the shirts did not have pockets! Fortunately the shirts where a little long for abuelito (he is not even 5 foot tall), so he took them to his tailor and had pockets cut from the extra material at the bottom. His shirts now had a pocket for his pencil and notepad, but when untucked had a pocket shaped hole at the bottom. Classic Enrique Centellas.

Thanks to everyone for their support during this hard time.

That's More Like It
Well the welcome flags are down... gloves are on... time to work folks. The parade of meetings is getting longer, but no longer the welcome wagon, now it's the, "What are you gonna do about this?" Wagon.

So what is rolling in on these new wagons?

Wagon #1 - This past weekend a fraternity decided to not follow the party rules really well... and when things got out of control did not feel it was their responsibility to get it under control. Hum? Got to love these simple miscommunications.

Wagon #2 - A sorority violated a Panhellenic Unanimous Agreement... that means... infraction, which equals Panhellenic Judicial process, which implicates me in more work and forms, and guess what, yep, more meetings.

Wagon #3 - I had to watch a video about how to safely drive a big van. Boring. It was a nice break in my afternoon though. Next week I get my driving test... to be officially certified. I don't mind this wagon so much. No pun intended about the wagon/van thing... ah.. nevermind.

Wagon #4 - COB. Continuous Open Bidding. So if a women, signs a bid with a sorority, but never gets fully initiated, she can drop out, and has to wait one full year before trying to join another group. Now... the records for who signed sorority bids are split into two different folders (Formal and COB), and I need to cross check those with a list of women entering recruitment this fall to make sure they are eligible. And guess what... I do not get even one full day to check... Agh.

For those who think I might be annoyed with these issues... think again. This is why I went into Greek Life... excitement! Something new, everyday. Call me crazy, but I love it.

My Work
Yesterday was very hectic. Meetings all day... Rho Gam Coordinator, Sigma Nu Consultant, Sigma Nu President, Theta Chapter Advisor, got some weekend Campus Safety Reports, and a long afternoon meeting with my boss. All in all a very productive day, which ended with a Tea Reception at the Delta Gamma Lodge. Very fun.

My Office
So people have been asking about my office. I have a great corner office with four huge windows. I have a brand new Dell PC with a huge flat screen LCD monitor. I have lots of space and a chair for the people who come in and meet with me, and room to pull more chairs in. I have a huge grey filing cabinet in one corner... very scary looking... and even scarier when I look in there at the piles and piles of stuff.

My Desk, I rarely put on the lights because of all the sun light.

My Mac and my K-Kup (refils for just 50 cents).

I am still working on getting more stuff moved around and files organized to my liking. I got my order of supplies and desk accessories today, so this afternoon I will square them all away.

The BBQ
The Greeks had a BBQ Friday and I had a great time. In between the fraternity houses there is a great open space for them to host programs. All the groups get along really well and the event was a lot of fun. Free food, good DJ and even more new names for me to learn!

The weather cooperated for us and everyone had fun.

The food line was always long and the burgers were tasty.

The Fraternities
Albion has six fraternities and they all belong to the NIC. Unfortunately there are no NPHC or NALFO groups right now... but hopefully soon we can remedy that. The history of Greek life here is very old and I love reading about how the groups got started here. They all have houses owned by the school, the buildings are all the same, just different furniture and letters on the outside. I think they have a very unique set up which works very well for them. Let me introduce you to my groups:

Delta Tau Delta. The oldest, founded 1876.

Tau Kappa Epsilon. The youngest, founded 1926.

Sigma Nu. Founded 1895.

Delta Sigma Phi. Founded 1917.

Alpha Tau Omega. Also Known As the football team. Founded 1889.

Sigma Chi. Home of their sweet heart song. Founded 1886.

The guys have been great so far. I know we have a good future ahead of us, and I am excited to be a part of it.

Later this week I will introduce you to the sororities.

Updates
My abuelito is not doing well...

Work was very busy today, meeting after meeting. Tonight off to a Tea Reception at the Delta Gamma lodge.

I updated Novali's website. Hope these pics cheer people up: Novalí

I will try to write more tomorrow.

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.

...For Better or Worse
For Sickness and in Health... my abuelitos took that oath 60 years ago today, on September 3th, 1944. That is a long time... definitely over shadows my mere 26 years on this planet. As I have sat in the hospital with my abuela, she tells stories of their youth, when my papi was born, different jobs and adventures she has had, about the day I was born, how her and abuelito met and other stories about abuelito.

This year he turned 83, he has seen a lot for an old carpenter from Oruro Bolivia. They have traveled the world, and to the USA, not once, but three times. They drove to Canada and got hassled by border patrol, saw Makinaw Island and ate fudge, saw Shamoo (Sea World) and abuelito got wet, visited the Detroit Zoo and laughed at the penguins, walked on the black sand beaches of Chile and complained that the sand was hard, watched their grandkids water ski (Bolivia is landlocked, so that was totally new) and went fishing, and one of abuelitos favorites... watched a World Cup Soccer game (Brazil vs. Sweden) and watched the famous Ronaldo in his first cup (and watched Bolivia lose... but we try not to talk about that).

He made beautiful furniture with his hands, before power tools. Later he ran a small store from his house. The neighborhood called him Don Enrique and he took care of everyone. He was known for giving food to people when they had no money, without worry about when they would pay him.

They raised a family in La Paz during the revolutions. Abuelita said that the family never went without, even while half of the country starved his five boys had what they needed. I am one of sixteen grandchildren, and they now have five great grandchildren. An impressive family tree of doctors, engineers, professors, accountants, teachers and much more.

Here are some recent pics of their travels.

Navy Pier in Chicago, they took a boat tour of the city.

With Novali and I in Chicago. We swam, got in the hot tub, and ate lots of chicken wings.

Michigan State Gardens... nice Spartan caps... wonder who gave them those?

Abuelito and my papi went to Comerica park for a Tigers game. There's that green cap again...

At Crossroads Village, a Michigan museum, they saw old trains and this stage coach (abuelita swears they did not use these when she was a girl).

The fish they caught a few weeks ago up north.

Sixty great years... and counting.