MGCA the 6th
This year was my 6th year at the Mid-American Greek Council Association (MGCA) Conference. I have always loved this conference because it brings so many people from different campuses together (1500 students) to exchange ideas and have a good time. This year I came out a day early to spend some extra time with Novali. We had a great time at the Hyatt, we ran around, got Starbucks again (don't worry mom, she only got chocolate milk), and ate at the famous Knuckles Sports Bar (it was at noon). Good times.

Novi had fun trying to climb into the big beds.

She got a balloon from the MGCA staff and played games with it.

She liked the Blacklights in Knuckles.

Nono, her balloon, a Knuckles menu and big smile.

Chocolate milk in a fancy cup.

Chicken fingers, fries, onion loaf and lots of ketchup.

The conference started and I took Novali back home. My students arrived and we were prepared for a great weekend. The opening speaker was a friend of mine, and he mentioned me during the program and that impressed my students so I was off to a good start. It was great seeing all my Greek advisor friends, and I wasn't the only Beta this year! Total of three Betas and two Gammas, and the NPHC and Latino Greek turnout was much better then last year. My favorite part of the conference is the Friday luncheon when people sit with their affiliation. Friday night I picked up Novali again and took my students out for Chicago style pizza.

Zach (GVSU), me and Chase (BGSU)

Betas and Gammas at the luncheon.

Saturday was great. Aleece (Albion Panhel President) and I entered the Case Study competition, and the students loved their programs. It was great. Then was the final banquet where we all get dressed up and have a dance afterwards... where this old guy strolled all night, and even did some Merengue. Good times.

Zach and I at the banquet.

The Albion Crew.

Good news at the banquet, Aleece and I took second place in the case study competition which was awesome. The conference wrapped up and everyone headed home. I stayed behind to spend the afternoon with Novali.

When I got to Novi's we chilled for a little bit, and then decided to watch a movie. She told me I could pick, so I did... and then she said, "No, thats not the right one, I'll pick it." Too funny...

She wanted her backpack and rainboots on for the movie.

Smart one... she knows all the buttons on the remote.

Its cool all the new things she knows. Her new thing this weekend was that she memorized her mom's cell phone number. We hung out in the afternoon, played some games, watched some Strawberry Shortcake and then I had to make my not-so-fun drive home. Back to Albion, back to the grind.

Shock and Awe!
For those who know me... I avoid the doctor. I count on my natural ability to heel most of the time. But finally in 2006 I figured I might as well start using this great benefit I get from work, Health Care. So I set up an appointment. I have had some back pain, a nagging cough (which went away the week I went to the doctor), and just figured I should get checked out.

On my first visit he ordered some XRays and blood work. The Xrays were good, and the item I was most worried about was my cholesterol test. I figured the doctor was trying to get me started on some expensive meds now and make the most he can out of me...

So I went back this week to get my results. Like I said the Xrays were good, and to my surprise so was my cholesterol. Not only was it fine, but it was stellar. The doctor told me I should eat more cheeseburgers! I have a 170 something for overall cholesterol... and that my good cholesterol was super good, and that my bad cholesterol levels were very very low. The funny part of this story... is the reaction that I get from people when I told them. Jen and Kristi at work started laughing at me and wondered if the doctor had the right results... Heather didn't even know what to say... and since my mom is just now reading this I can already see her crafting her response about me needing to be healthier regardless of the tests.

Anyhow... the day after the doctor I celebrated and got that cheeseburger. Not just any cheeseburger... but a 1/4 pounder from the Eat Shop with Cheese and yep... BACON. Don't forget the side of fries and my 32oz Mug. Yes folks... I live well and I am a happy "healthy" man!

Cheesburger... 1/4 pound of beef... BACON!

My Kellog Cup, bought it my first day here.

So for all you critics... not working out, eating whatever I want, eating past 8 PM, Old Country Buffet, George Foreman Grill chicken, Chinese buffets, and cheeseburgers won't give you high cholesterol. At least not me! I got to run to McDonalds... bye.

Weekend in Detroit
Last weekend in Chicago now to Detroit. It was a very busy weekend... here's the recap.

Last week at work was stressful...preparing for Sorority recruitment is a lot of work. This week is of course even busier and I am working all weekend... so last weekend I needed to live it up before this stressful week. The weekend started with a comedian on campus on Friday. Union Board brought Vince Morris and he was great and very funny. After that show I swung over to Jen's house cause she was having a little going away party for Holly someone at work who is leaving. I chilled there for a little bit, and then I headed to Ypsilanti.

In Ypsi I went to the Wooden Nickel... man it was great! My fraternity chapter at EMU used to host a monthly party there and Brothers from all over would go. It was a great time and I went at least twice a semester. Well the chapter has been closed for a few years so nothing going on over there... well some Brothers brought it back for a night and I had to be there. It was great seeing some old Brothers, tons of young ones, and danced!

Salsa, Bachata, Merengue... We danced!

Some of the old school EMU Brothers!

My Boliviana Rep, Felicia from MSU.

The place was packed and we had a good time.

Saturday started in Novi, MI (Northwest Detroit) at the Double Tree Inn. Man those Double Tree cookies are good! Anyhow that is the new venue for the 2006 East District Formal and I was there to negotiate our final contract and start planning the logistic for that weekend. I think the venue is going to be great, and the location could not be better. We are close to major highways, the Detroit airport, shopping, everything!

It has a large open atrium with indoor pool and hot tub.

Newly redone lobby and decor.

Saturday night I went out to Royal Oak with Heather and some friends. It was our friend Nat's birthday so we had dinner at a cool little gourmet pizza place and then a private room at Cinq. I love that bar cause they make mojitos and the decor is cool. We had a good time and afterwards stopped for some Jimmys! That is one of the things I miss here in Albion, we don't have a Jimmy Johns!

Nat on the right. She is in Vibe Magazine this month!

Jimmy Johns! It was so good...

It was a fun weekend. Sunday did some shopping at the mall and headed back to Albion. This week has been very busy with recruitment. It starts on Wednesday and then I will be swamped with recruitment. So watch for a posting from me next week about sorority recruitment! Its gonna be great...

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!