To Do List
Since I found out I was leaving my list has been insane. I have so many things to get done and not enough time. I did a get few major things done yesterday. Clean out my desk - Check. Last trip to Club Soda - Check. See my little Brother - Check. Wash clothes - Check.

So lets recap what happened. Well I cleaned out my desk. It was more work then I thought. I saved a lot of thank you cards and little things and it was nice to see them before I put them away and won't see them again until I retire or something. Fun memories of the Kirkhoff Center and now on to a new life...

I started just throwing things everywhere. I was the grad who always had too much crap.

My pile of free shirts, awards, and name tags from the million events.

My Connect Four... Becky and I would play rounds between Thesis stress... I think it is the only thing that kept us sane.

I made nice binders for the new grad, cleaned the desk top and it is good as new...

Then it was off to Kalamazoo for Latin Night at Club Soda. It is a well known fact that the Betas started Latin night there back in 1998. Now it has become one of the prime cultural spots in Kalamazoo. We never dreamed it would get this big, our little baby is all grown up. This time Andres and Saloumeh also came which was great. Check it out.

The Betas...Ish, Ramon, Rudy, Me, Hermen and Ramiro came out.

The Gamma that you can always count on to chill, Colleen with Rudy and Ramon.

The place gets packed week after week. I remember when we started it some nights we would be lucky to get 50 people.

Andres, Saloumeh and I. Andres finally got a taste of the club soda action. I think he will back for more.

Everyone danced and had a sweet time.

They were the dancing machine couple on the dance floor.

The ladies breaking it down.

We out! Lets find some grub.

I have not had a Big Burrito night in a long time. So I talked the gang into going. Hermen of course was right there voting with me for some Big B! So we went and got some grub. I know... I know... not Atkins friendly... but I will have plenty of time for Atkins while living in Oregon.

Hermen and I were like kids in a candy store.

Ramon and Hermen... The age old question...I think my burrito is bigger then yours...

What a night! I wish I had more time to chill before leaving. This was a sudden move and I know I will be back soon.... Oh yeah... email from Albion today. They want to schedule my on campus visit already, I don't think they even got my packet in the mail yet. Looks like I will be in Michigan the week of July 14th for an interview...

Last Call
Last night was the final 10 cent draft night for this Beta. It was great to see some of my friends from these past two years there, some people are gone for the summer, but for those around here we lived it up! Tons of people came out and we had a great time. Shot out to Santi, Hermen and Ramon for coming out and celebrating. I know Max could not get out of work or he would of been there. I will miss you guys for real.

So a night out is not complete with a set of pictures, so without further a due...

The Brothers... the BFE regulars. My Wednesdays will never be the same.

A toast with our 10 cent drafts.

Hey... look over there!

Some of my favorite girls where there already, Elaine and Stacey.

After the 10 cent drafts... Club BFE gets bumpin... well kinda.

Melissa was there and brought her friend Lindsey from back home.

AOPi Hotness Emily gave me a rubber ducky...

Rubber Ducky... in my Beer...

Cheers....

Of course the Santi and Kim chilled... thanks for the 40 cents!

Lindsey from UPO with a big smile. She likes to dance.

The dance floor getting hype once the DJ cut the 80 rock off.

Jeremy Cobb came out with a friend to say bye.

The AST gang in action... Stephanie is much cuter when not in the Speedway vest. No hot dogs tonight.

A toast with Hermen... man that was strong.

Jamie and Emily.

Kelly another AOPi hotness.

Ramon and the Passion of the Santi.

Representing for the Betas who could not make it.

With Hermen.... THATS MY NEO... bro bro bro.

So there is the night. We had a great time. I had a good send off in Allentucky and I will miss this place. Hermen thanks for everything bro and I could not be prouder of how this colony is doing, keep up the hard work and I will see you in Orlando. Ramon, tell your Brothers congrats for me at the weddings and thanks for being a goood bro and roadtripping with me. Santi... another Brother from the Naw... keep it up and I expect even greater things from GV Betas this coming year! The night was so good I did not even need Speedway Hot Dogs... just home and slept.

I will be back to get my stuff when I am done at Oregon. Please keep checking the blog as I will be posting about my misadventures in the Wild Wild West.

Now I got to finish cleaning out my desk...

Oregon Trail anyone?
Never thought I would live in Oregon... I never thought a lot of things which have happened to me would. I guess the best things in life are the things you can not plan for. For those wondering about this odd news... here is the deal.

University of Oregon is hiring a new Greek Advisor and they have tried recruiting me for the job. I loved it when I was out there in March but it is just too far from my family and Novalí. So I had to say no. They did not find someone during their search, so they closed the posting and will repost the job. They once again asked me to apply, and I said no. Then out of the blue Shelley Sutherland the director calls me an asks if I want to work for her for the summer. I have no job yet, and it will take three months for them to complete their second search so she thought it would be a good idea.

I just sent out applications for jobs to Albion College and Bradley University. Two places I do want to work, and their searches just started and will take about 8 to 12 weeks. So what does this mean... the Oregon job makes perfect sense. I move to Oregon and make some money (good pay, free apartment, new adventure), get a great professional experience with Shelley (she is a legend in her own time) and don't sit in Michigan waiting for a job offer complaining about being broke and working on my tan while taking apart the Nissan.

Even though I will miss the Nissan (and yes I need a tan)... and the Brothers here... I decided to take it. So Tuesday I fly to Seattle where I will sight-see a little and then drive to Eugene, OR. So my time in Michigan is limited. Tonight... watching the game with the GVSU Betas at the Duplex. Tomorrow BFE! My last Wednesday night with my Brothers at our towny bar. Thursday I will go to Kalamazoo and see the guys and hit up Club Soda for the last time in a while. Then this weekend sometime I roll over to Chicago to spend some time with Novalí before I go.

So I am busy right now. Cleaning out my desk at GVSU, deciding what I will take with me to Oregon (I got a fully furnished apartment... rent free!), and wrapping up loose ends around here so I can be gone for a while. I don't plan to stay out there more then 2 months. So I will see you all again soon!

Around Michigan in Four Days
So I did a tour of Michigan. Thursday went to Kalamazoo, watched the game with the WMU and GVSU Brothers and had a good time watching the Pistons win. Friday went to Saginaw cause it was Kelly's birthday. We had a nice dinner and I relaxed by playing dominos with the parents, Andres and Saloumeh. Saturday went to a wedding with my WMU counterpart, Megan, in Grosse Point. The wedding was fun and we went to Birmingham to end the night. Sunday went to Southfield where we planned to watch the game and ran into tons of NBA folks. All in a all an adventurous weekend. Check out some pics.

When I got home the first thing I saw was Miguel's cats... seriously the cat on top if the biggest I have ever seen.

Grandma with little Valerie, she is so much fun.

She is learning to crawl and doing a really good job... much better then Novali ever did.

We went out to dinner and Valerie wanted to see what was on the menu. Babies get tired of milk you know.

Of course the wait staff got to sing to Kelly in Spanish.

We acted embarrassed by the song... but we loved the free ice cream.

No pictures from my time in Detroit. I kept forgetting my camera everywhere Megan and I went. We had a blast though. Dinner and drinks at the Grosse Point Yacht Club was amazing. I got the DJ to play two Latin songs and the entire room watched Megan and I dance. Then we after-partied in Birmingham where the Lakers where staying to the streets were insanely busy. We ended the night in Bloomfield Hills and then called it a night with some T Bell and sleep.

Sunday was an adventure. I needed to get a haircut. I was in Southfield. I drove and drove... then finally found a place. The guy specialized in tapers and fades... but man he did my fade right! For real one of the best haircuts I have ever had. I got his cell number, and he told me to hit him up anytime I am in the area and he will hook up my fade. He tried to talk me into getting a taper... maybe next time. So with my fresh-do we watched the game and cheered on the Pistons!

The University Oregon has wanted me to work for them... so I figured for just the summer I can do that.

It is 2397 miles to Eugene, OR. This will be a fun summer adventure. No no no... I am flying.

Monday morning back to Grand Rapids. Had a phone call at noon and had to make a big decision. The answer is yes. Yes I am moving to Oregon for the summer. More details coming soon...

Wednesdays back to normal
Well a while back BFE, our favorite little bar closed from a flood. Well it is back now and Betas are back to our routine. They have 40cent wings and we head up there, eat cheap wings and relax. Then 10cent drafts which we are all over as well... poor college students living large in Allendale!

Last night was great. The night started slow and we all chatted and caught up. Chris finally said it is over with his girl... Hermen worked at the Kirk until 9, Maximo was there and thuggin, Ramiro came and we clowned him about his smacked up truck (LTR What?), Ramon was there and skinny as ever... and I was being the big spender and buying 10cent drafts for the guys and for some fellow grads who swung by (what up Ken, Mike and Von!).

Yes it is called BFE... Beer Food and Entertainment. Only fun when the Betas are there!

Hermen, Ramon and Chris... and yeah Ramiro is in the back trying jump and get in the pic.

Most of the guys left before it started to get really busy in there. Chris and I held down the fort. My friend Kristen showed up, and reminded me of how small the world is. She goes to CMU, and somehow her friend knew Chris. Funny how small the world is and everyone knows everyone. So we danced and had a good time.

Chris gave me a ride home and I had to show him some of my Allendale traditions. Speedway Hot Dogs! We stopped on the way and got some hot dogs. Can't beat 2 dogs for 99 cents. We grabbed some dogs and went home.

Nicole and Kristen got their first BFE experience with the Betas.

Me and Stephanie, she always works at night when I come in for hot dogs.

I came in and knocked out, it was not even that late but it was a long day and buying food and drinks with spare change can be tiring.

Tonight we all roll to Kalamazoo. Another photo adventure... maybe. Stay tuned as the GV Betas storm Kalamazoo and Club Soda... after watching the Pistons.

PLP... in the Game!
So this was a race weekend. Friday night Hermen was able to come with me and Team PLP (Parking Lot Performance) ran all over the place on Friday night. We each got about 8 runs around the course and it was sweet! Check out the pics:

Ready and set for the first run of the weekend.

Lined up and ready to hit the course.

Hermen was really handling the NX well and making some good times.

The sun was hot and so was the NX... had to have the heater blowing to keep it cool.

The course was very technical and had hard curves and turns.

Hermen posing before his last run of the night.

The night was awesome! I really got to push the NX and get a feel for the course. I hope Furrin Group (my car club) keeps hosting these Test-And-Tune nights the night before the races. Also as a final treat I got another cool video of the NX running to post...
Video
First clip is curve three, second is Hermen killing a cone, third is the slalom, and fourth is Hermen getting it right.

So Saturday was the big day and I had to go it alone. Hermen had to work and Team PLP was left to just me. The Auto Auction had an exotic car auction and before the racing I headed to check out the rides. They were better then last year! Check these out:

This old Ford GT... 600Hp! Sounded like a true race car.

They had some older classics as well... old 57 Chevys, 64 Impalas, and this nice Benz.

A Porsche Boxter and a few Ferraris... wish my garage looked like that.

Hands down one of the greatest super cars ever... Ferrari Testarossa.

So after the car dreaming it was back to the track area. There were more cars in my category then usual. There was 15 cars entered, 2 ended up not running due to technical problems so I had 13 cars to deal with. I am posting here a few pics of the types of cars that race with me, people have been asking what my competition is... so here are some typical cars you will see out there with me.

From left to right... Pontiac Firebird, Porsche 914, Subaru WRX, and a Dodge Neon.

This Eclipse took fasted time of the time.

In front a Honda S2000 and behind a Corvette.

Miatas really clean up in a few different divisions. So light, so small... just zippy.

In my class typically are newer model imports. This weekend I had a few Neons, Acura Integras, Honda Civics, an Eclipse, VWs, and even a Ford Contour with the SVT package.

So here is the breakdown of the day. Each car got 6 runs. I was feeling good and after the first run I was in 7th out of 13. I ran it clean and stayed on course. Each run after that I shaved time off... (my first run was 51.120 seconds). After the 5th run I was in 9th place with a time of 49.361 seconds. A great improvement from my first run. The final run I was set to move up a few spots. The guys ahead of me did not make any better times... I started the run. I hit the first two corners perfect... the slalom I nailed like a pro... and then on the fourth corner, heading toward the finish... I overshot the gate cone. I nearly missed it... I had to slam on the breaks to make it. I was just going too fast.

I ended the day 9th out of 13. Not to bad for my second season out there, and having the second oldest car in my class. I went home, washed the car, rubbed the cone marks off of it (a few did get hit) and then went out for the night with the Brothers in Kalamazoo. Sorry no pics this time...