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!

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!

Week in Review
It was a busy week... Monday had dinner with some friends, Tuesday I had people over to my house for Martinis and Snacks, Wednesday shopping in Jackson, Thursday dinner with parents who just got back from Bolivia, and Friday-Sunday was my Chapter retreat in Kalamazoo. Wow... busy week... but what was nice is that it was nice and slow at work, lots of good personal time.

Well one of the exciting parts of my week was my little soiree. I decided to do a little mixer at my apartment and I of course had to have some type of theme. So I decided to be a bartender and have a martini party. I had meatballs, chips and salsa, and of course chex mix. I made 8 different types of martinis and the most fun was looking up recipes. I really like hosting people, I need to do it more often. It was a lot of fun.

The food... the meatballs were a big hit.

I cut up lemons and limes... we had everything.

I busted out all my nice glassware and candles.

Jen from work was a big help setting up.

Heather even made it out on a school night.

It was a great little party.

Thursday my parents were in Ann Arbor so I met up with Miguel and we went to have dinner with them in Jackson. They just got back from Bolivia and finishing up everything on the house they bought. We saw fotos on my dad's camera, and once he emails them to me I will see about posting them.

The weekend was my fraternity chapter retreat in Kalamazoo. As many of you should know I am a very proud member of the Epsilon Chapter of Sigma Lambda Beta (our site). The chapter has struggled for two years and this weekend we had a big retreat to get the group back on track. It was the best retreat the chapter has had in the over 7 years of me being involved with the group. The new group of men we have is amazing, and we have a rejuvenated alumni group ready to make some big things happen. We went out, we chilled, we met for 9 hours, we ate, and we just had a good time being Brothers.

Rudy, Vic, Me and Rey. The Epsilon Old Heads.

Milan, Me and Adrian. Two of the Neos.

During our day long meeting everyone was involved.

We hashed out elections, bylaws, everything in one day.

Epsilon Chapter Photo.

At the club after the meeting.

Sunday was a nice relaxing day. Resting, reading the paper, getting some food and just relaxing all day. It was great. This week is my last week before the students return and life gets busy again. So I am just planning a nice slow relaxing week. Take care everyone.

Happy New Year
No pictures from New Years... I know... me no pictures? Wow... Heather and I had a low key New Years with dinner in Grand Rapids with her friend Erica and boyfriend Tim. Erica used to work for Alpha Chi Omega, and Tim used to work for Alpha Tau Omega, so we had some funny Greek stories to exchange. Then we went out to Holland, MI for a party of Heather's friend Lacy. We rocked the new year out there and had a good time.

Glad people liked my New York post. It was a great trip and thanks again to Andres for being a great host. My return trip was great, I got bumped from a flight and got a $300 voucher from Northwest. So all in all the trip was a success and ended up costing me next to nothing. My return to Chicago was good. I bought Novali a little Monkey with a "I Heart NY" shirt on, she loved it and we hung out before I had to head back to Michigan. We had a fun trip to borders and she picked out books for me to read. Before I read them I had her go through the book and tell me what she thought the story was about based on the pictures, she had most of the plot correct on the books! It was a lot of fun.

Her little monkey has his own little monkey.

Here we are reading "Dashing Through the Snow."

So today it is back to the grind... yes they made us work on the 2nd despite it being a federal holiday. It is slow though and we ran out and got chinese food for lunch so I can't really can't complain.

My parents are back from Bolivia and I having dinner with them on Thursday. I can not wait to see the pictures of their new house and all the family. Then this weekend is my chapter fraternity retreat in Kzoo. Can't wait, 2006 is off to a good start!

New York Christmas
Christmas 2005 was spent on Times Square in NYC with Andres and Saloumeh. Surprisingly I have never been to the Big Apple. All my travels, trips, conferences, work... never took me to the City that Never Sleeps. It was a perfect day for a trip. Lets recap my Christmas trip.

Friday (12/23) I went out to Chicago. I did some last minute shopping with Novalí. We got gifts for her mom and abuela, she wrote in their cards and even licked the envelopes. Saturday I had my flight to Philly, flight from Midway, to Detroit Metro, then to Philly. I really like sitting in airports, people watching, working on my laptop, eating junk food, and reading my car magazine. Very relaxing and stress free. Just sitting and waiting.

Christmas Eve was at Andres' new Condo. He has a great place, the kitchen is amazing, if I had a kitchen like that I might actually cook! Granite counter top, new cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and beautiful tile work. His place is great and makes me very jealous... my next place, I want to own. Andres had two friends from work over and Saloumeh made some great dishes for dinner. We had wine, lamb, dill rice, chicken, chorizo tapas, and lots of dessert. Good conversation, more wine, and a lively discussion on who, how, and when to tip... everyone has their own take on the crazy world of gratuity. A little after midnight we all called it a night.

Wood floors, high ceilings, huge windows a balcony. Great open floor plan.

His kitchen is all new... stretched cabinets, noveau lighting, steel appliances... very cool!

Christmas morning we got ready while the Christmas Story played on TV. Can't be Christmas without that movie playing 24/7 on TBS. We booked a room in NYC on Time Square, packed an overnight bag, and hit the road. We NYC at 1 PM and the Big Apple trek began. We walked 8th Ave to our hotel which was in Times Square and only blocks from Central Park. The rain never let up, but at least it was not cold (got to see a positive in everything). We got a day pass for the subway and saw all the sights. I got to see all the sights I always wanted to see and do; Statue of Liberty, took the Staten Island Fairy, walked Central Park, Madison Square, Times Square, Rockafeller Christmas Tree, Empire State Building, Former Trade Center Site, Broadway, we walked and saw everything! We got soaked but it did not matter. We ate all day! Chicken KaBobs in the street, snacks, a lunch dinner with HUGE wings, coffee all over the city, and end the night with tapas and sangria at midnight. The yucca hit the spot, and the sangria put us to sleep.

We arrived in Times Square at our Hotel.

The open skyline, and huge underground subway.

Heavy rain welcomed us to Central Park.

New York City Hall.

Former World Trade Center Site.

The lights, the traffic... the City That Never Sleeps!

Radio City Music Hall.

Andres and Saloumeh in front of the Rockafeller tree.

On Monday we got our free breakfast, walked Broadway to see Lettermen's studio (but disappointed to not find the Hello Deli) and then hit up the fancy shops on 5th Ave. Wow... Armani, Fendi, Gucci, Tiffany's... we saw it all. Then a quick stop at a street vendor for some "I Heart NY" gifts, I found the Belvedere Gift box I have been searching for in Michigan, and a stop at the famed Grays Papaya. Finally we hopped the train back home. The NY adventure ended with the perfect hot dog and a relaxing train ride.

Late Show... but no Hello Deli!

Shopping on 5th Avenue.

FAO Swartz keyboard.

The grand finale.... NYC Hot Dogs!

The city was an adventure. It was smaller then I thought, but had more things packed into it. The styles and fashion, the litter, a great metro (despite the smells), array of restaurants, many cultures, any language, rude pedestrians, ruder cabbies, and did I mention the litter? I would never want to live there, but I loved being there... so how do I describe it? The city had everything you want to see, and everything you don't. It was the most amazing compilation of mediocre sites in the world. Does that make sense? I loved every minute of it... I mean even watching TV in the hotel was more exciting... it was a strange nexus.

Back in Willmington, some left overs, my pj shorts and Albion tee... and we relaxed the night away. The most action packed 48 hours ever.

Centellas Family Christmas
Another installment of the the famous Centellas Family Christmas series is over and done. This past weekend Christmas came early, because my parents will be in Bolivia enjoying their new home they just finished building in Santa Cruz. The early Christmas was great everyone was able to make it, and Heather and Kate fit under our roof as well... it was a full house.

We took family pictures in the snow, ate a lot, opened presents, ate some more, went sledding, ate some dessert, played games, and drank a lot of sugary coffee. Some long conversations, watched season one of Lost, I caught up on sleep, and we just bummed around the house a lot. It was great!

Our picture together.

The Centellas Clan.

Grandma and grandpa love their two grandkids.

Novi and Valerie played really well together.

They even went sledding together.

Novi is becoming more of a Techy everyday....

Please visit Novali's site, I just posted pictures from this weekend and Thanksgiving. Enjoy!

Well this week is relaxed at work. Just catching up on a lot of things and wrapping up a few projects before taking off next week. I have a fun week ahead of me. I head to Chicago on Thursday for two days, then off to Philly for five days, and then back to Chicago... still working on New Years plans...