That's Country Fried

Day light savings time change caught us off guard... our morning was a little slower than planned but much more eventful. By weird happenstance we ran into the Turtle Man from Animal Planet at our hotel, in Lebanon, KY of all places. So to add to our delay was some autography and picture time... but he was fun to meet!

The Turtle Man!

We made up some time and luckily beat the big lunch rush to Harlan Sander's Cafe, the Original KFC. It's another site that probably doesn't make many "bucket lists", yeah I said bucket... but it is for sure a fun piece of American Fried Americana. We had a family style chicken dinner and enjoyed learning a little about the Colonel.

Off the Bucket List

The drive today was more scenic, as we entered the mountains and the curvy roads we got to see the Appalachian Mountains. The beautiful hillsides, the historic farmhouses, and of course, some of the poverty. The big homes, next to small trailers, the long white picket fences and the shanties with rusted out cars on the lawn.

We ended the night with our first trip to Walmart... yup good ol' ASB tradition. I counted and think they always included practically nightly trips for things we forgot, or people watching, or just a break from our site. I think some of our best memories might have happened, you guessed it, at a Walmart.

Orientation Meeting with ASP Staff

Our site is a church, a new set up for me... we are sleeping on the floor... also a new set up for me (I expected bunks). We are going experience some discomfort, and sleeping on the floor to ramp up our empathy level as feel some pain this week for those we are serving. So we will experience poverty figuratively, literally and actually... that floor isn't going to be pretty for my back that is for sure.

We are going to be working with an older disabled woman this week, and helping make her house more friendly to her wheelchair... starting with a ramp on the front of her house. ASP always gives code names for the family and ours is "Project Pearl".

Everything we need to know about
construction is in this book...

We are joined by a fun group from Messiah College in PA. I got to respect their game, they are here without a professional staff member, mostly sophomores and juniors and ready for an adventure. They are very hospitable, and we are looking forward to our evening gatherings with them (they will be at a different work site during the day).

It is 3 minutes to lights out... good night, and tune back in tomorrow for our first day on the job site...

In a Lincoln State of Mind

My first Ivy Tech Community College Alternative Spring Break trip has begun... We planned, with the help of a former IUSB Student, Luis Hernandez, a project with Appalachian Service Project. It was an adventure as a new staff member navigating the red tape of a new institution and trying to plan a good trip for the students. This morning (3/9/13) we left South Bend, IN with eight students and our Service Learning Intern en route to Johnson City, TN. It is my first time going to that site so we are all a little nervous, all excited, and all wondering what this trip will have in store for us.

Ivy Tech ASB 2013

We made great time and arrived at our sight seeing in Hodgenville, KY, the birthplace of Lincoln. Luis planned the trip for us, and it could have been any better in terms of getting in a good mind set for a week of service. I think our stop put us in a Lincoln State of Mind... Lincoln was a normal guy, who achieved great things through hard work, commitment and dedication to doing what he believed. He didn't come from much, and he didn't claim to be more than he was in life.

"I happen, temporarily, to occupy the White House. I am a living witness
that any of your children may come here as my father's child has. 

Despite the enormous monument built on the site of his birth, you can see his humble beginning. It was in a remote area, and you can imagine how hard growing up there would have been 200 years ago. His quotes and speeches really hit the spot about helping others.

We hiked, we learned, we were humbled. 

Tonight we walked through Lebanon, KY and toured a cute little town, enjoyed some southern hospitality and got to know each other. Someone tried Crawfish for the first time, we had catfish, we were waited on by the 11 year old son of our waitress and took pictures with a bear... yeah it was a good day.

I hope our groups unity lasts all week as I am sure like before our experience will be personally challenging. We won't face nearly the challenges that Lincoln did, but I hope we attack them with the same resolve and dedication. Thank you Honest Abe, it was an honor to learn from you today, and thanks for putting us in a...
Lincoln State of Mind.

It's Not Fargo Eh, It's FarGOH.

In February I learned a few things... many of them I learned on my fun trip to North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND. I have been on the road more this year, and I was powering through a month of heavy traveling and my month ended with a doozy. Canceled flights, nearly drove to Fargo, more delayed flights, drove to Chicago to catch a flight... I learned I can still handle craziness in stride and get the job done. Well I got to Fargo, and I learned that in Fargo they don't talk like Uppers... They don't say Fargo Eh like I thought they would... they say FarGOH. Long O on that... I also learned how to properly pronounce Bison.
I also got to work on my Recruitment Bootcamp Presentation Style. It is my first time presenting the program to co-ed groups. I did skill building for the fraternities and one of them was Co-Ed, and I really enjoyed the challenge of making sure I included them all in the presentation.

After the program several groups wanted to take photos with me... I joked with them that I knew they needed it for awards packet I am sure at the end of the year... but I was flattered anyways. It was a beautiful campus, the students were fantastic, and I hope I get asked back soon. Go Bison Nation!

Thank You Phi Kappa Psi

David Stollman at work

This weekend I did Recruitment Boot Camp for Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity in Indianapolis. It was not only an opportunity to be a small group facilitator, but also a chance for me to do some large group facilitation with the famed David Stollman.

I don't think I have ever been as nervous to speak in front of a group as I was when speaking in front of Stollman. I did the skills training portion with Nick Palmer who also helps CAMPUSPEAK with Recruitment Boot Camp. We had a great time, got good feedback, and even Stollman liked it. Slam Dunk.

The weekend was physically grueling, Saturday was a 19 hour day, with breaks to eat and not much else... but we powered through and I feel really good about all of it.

My room... where my small group spent A LOT of time.

Sunday morning I brainstormed something I could do to help Stollman with the closing session. He asked for my help, but because of the long night we never got to sync schedules. So I thought, I could apply my "Close Your Eyes" analogy to the energizer he does... My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean...

My Small Group

I gave him a quick run down of it... he said he liked it... and then a couple minutes later, asked if I would kick off the final large group session with it. BAM.... so without much prep time, I dropped my little bit of knowledge on the group. It didn't bring down the TwitterSphere... but the feedback was solid and I really hope it helped bring home the message to the men...

Fun Brainstorming

It was an honor as always to get to share time with a group of men who genuinely care about their Brotherhood, who want to see it succeed and worked hard to put a plan in place for success.

I wanted to highlight what I think was the best moment of the weekend. Before the closing session, Ron from Phi Psi asked the servers to come into the room. The men gave them a standing ovation for their great work serving us over the weekend... Kim, the server who has been there each time the Phi Psi's visit the hotel... she, with a big smile on her face said, "You guys are alright, this fraternity is taking you places."

Sometimes it is the most simple compliments that mean the most, from the people that you don't think are watching... but they are, and you made a positive impression. Thank you Phi Psi.

My Renaissance Girl

Today Novali I...

Novali and a Craftsman Drill

Worked on Heather's car. The latch on her glove box broke off, and a light bulb on her dash is out so she can't see her HVAC controls. I did the online research, founded a used glovebox and picked up bulbs with Novali from the Zone. Novali didn't just clean the parts before we installed them... she uses the power drill, screw driver, and when needed holds the flash light for me. She also had the magic touch (small hands) of putting the tiny new light bulb in the dash.

Then after that, she made herself some hot cocoa and then got to work on making lunch. She loves to cook, and wanted to make hamburgers today of her own little blend. So grabs her seasonings, knife, utensils and handles it... all while snacking on the Guac that she made last night which was delish!

Novali making Guac, Burgers

Later in the afternoon she tackled making a 3-D Model of the Hubble Telescope. We didn't get it all the way done, but she doesn't play when it comes to making models. We bust out all the craftinesses, search for things around the house we can use, and get creative to make it look realistic.

On top of all of that, My Renaissance Girl sits and reads, plays with her brother and all of course after having slept until 11AM... glad that we get to work on projects together and she has so many interests!

Did I mention she is a normal tween girl and spends hours on her hair and likes to paint her nails? Papi isn't a huge fan of all of that... but I am glad she is balanced in all the things that she likes to do, I hope she keeps it up!

Not to be bias, but I am glad she is handy in the kitchen cause those burgers were AWESOME. Yum yum.

The Bama Speech

Notre Dame will face Alabama in the national Championship Football game. If you know me well, you know I like to write speeches, and I was thinking... what do you tell your under estimated team as your face a modern powerhouse like Bama? Well here is an option:

"In a few minutes we are going to run out on that turf... and we will have 60 minutes of football on that turf... that's 3600 seconds of time... not a second of that time will be easy.. not a second will we rest... until each second has passed can we relax... we earned every second we get on that turf, and not until after 3600 seconds have passed will we know who the next national champion is...

All the critics are saying
that 'Bama is the best team of the last decade...
that 'Bama is a machine and unstoppable...
that 'Bama is too big for us...
that 'Bama is too fast for us....

They are saying that we are lucky to just be "relevant" once again.

They are saying we should be scared? Do you want to know what 'Bama should be scared of? Notre Dame means football... and when we run onto that field we have hundreds of thousands of fans running behind us... AND...

We have the PASSION of a 6 year old throwing pretend touchdowns in the backyard...
We have the INNOVATION of a team that has always beat the odds...
We have the DRIVE of a kid putting on his football gear for the first time...
We have the COMMITMENT of selfless players, you all give everything for each other...
We have the RESOLVE of a team that knows we won this game in the gym and on the practice field already, we just need to seal it here... 

More Importantly...

We have the TRADITION of winning... remember that feeling you had the first time you ran through Our Tunnel... we are going to harness all of that... I want you to remember it now... focus on that feeling...

That feeling the first time you ran through the tunnel at ND you became an Irish Legend... now today, we will run through the Championship Tunnel and after 3600 seconds, we will become LEGENDARY.

Lets Go Irish!"

Take It From Me: Listen To Your Own Advice

Learned a lesson in class this semester. Yeah I know, novel idea that learning happens in class... but it was a lesson I already learned once, and one that I have taught many people. Well I had to learn it again...

If anyone was to ask me about buying car parts... I would always tell someone, get name brand parts. I buy Mobil 1 oil, K&N Air Filters, Good tires, and even at my age I don't like to skimp on the audio. So why when I had to replace my oil pressure stitch in the Element did I get a non-name brand one from Autozone? Cause I was cutting corners... and for what, to save and buy a $9 sensor versus a $21 one from the dealer?

Clearly the parts
were different!

If you read my previous post, I worked on my car in my shop class and saved a bundle of money. Well two days after I replaced the oil pressure switch my oil pressure light went on. The sensor wasn't bad, it was just leaking oil and it was recommended to get a new one not just remove, reseal and replace the original. So when the pressure light came on, despite freaking out a little (on my way to Indy!), I knew it had to be that sensor I just replaced. So I went in and got a sensor from the dealer.

In my follow up class I pulled the cheapo part I got, and when you compare them side by side (which I should of done the first time) you can tell they are different. No wonder the connection wasn't good and it through and error light. So I put the new part in, tightened it up and got it installed... which is a total pain cause you have no room to work in that engine bay...

Then started the car back up and Wha La... no oil light. Still no oil light when I got home, and feeling much better about my work. So more busted knuckles, more oil under the nails, and more back pain trying to change the part all because I didn't listen to my own advice... don't buy cheap parts. Especially not to save $13. ARGH.

Double the work is never fun.

No error lights is sure nice when driving around.

Shop Class for the Soul

My Craftsman Tools hard at work

For those following me you know that I am back in school... no not law school, no not PHD, no not MBA...

I am taking a shop class at Ivy Tech this fall. I have always been a car guy, but never really learned how to work on cars. So I am enjoying my tuition benefit and am taking the first Theory of Engine Servicing course (signed up for part two in the spring).

I entered like a typical adult learner... without much confidence, doubting my skills, and nervous I would do things wrong.

Honda Quote and my All Data Sheets

I proved myself wrong, I know my stuff, and I am connecting with the crew in class. I have really enjoyed the class, I have been surprised at how much more I knew than I thought I would.

This week I tackled my first project on my own car. A month ago Honda did one of those free check up days... so I took it in... its nice to have the dealer check it out once in a while. Well they said I had an oil leak, I noticed a few drops a couple times, usually after oil changes so I figured it was some spilled or something. Well the Honda dealer told me it was leaking oil from three places, and quoted me nearly $400 to fix it.

So my first thing was to hoist the car (last class), clean the motor well and look for myself. Yes having access to a hoist is VERY NICE. Well I cleaned it well and noticed a leak from my Oil Pressure Sensor and I think it was dripping down to the other areas. So cleaned it well, and before this weeks class got the sensor. Checked this week, and yes only new oil around the sensor.

Swamped the sensor, which was a $10 part, got a new tube of liquid gasket for $2 and maybe one hour shopping for parts (online/in store) and one hour working on it.

Really enjoy the hoists...

Well I saved myself nearly $400... and had a good time doing it. Hopefully by next semester I am getting close to being able to rebuild my Z...

On top of that though... it has just been very refreshing. In a job when I work on strategic plans, development theory, long term initiatives.... it is nice to just grab a wrench, start a job, finish it... wash my hands and head home... with a completed job under my belt.

Thinking about Columbus

Yeah I am a day late... look at my blog, I am a month late since my last post so this being late thing is a trend. At least I am being consistent.

Well yesterday got me thinking, and I wanted to do my own reply to all the blogger and FB rants about how evil and villainous Columbus was...

Yesterday I spent a great day off with Novali, she didn't have school so I took a vacation day and we had a great time enjoying some good one on one time. So I have to thank Columbus for helping provide me some great one on one time.

It got me thinking about blame, history, and perceptions of actions before, during and after the fact.

I am not here to write the traditional "Re-Thinking Columbus" post to bash him over what happened after his fabled "discovery" of a new world.

My thoughts have surrounded everyone's blame pointed at him over what happened after he landed. So I started thinking about the blame game. Can we give him all the blame? I mean why isn't anyone mad at the Queen of Spain who funded his trip? I mean didn't she have more to do with it? And isn't royal greed probably more responsible for the actions of the "Conquistadors"? Wouldn't the Catholic Church and Pope Alexander be responsible for much of the genocide?

It is interesting how we like to focus on individuals, in both blame and credit. I mean Christopher Columbus didn't discover America... I mean yes people were already here, but in the Euro-Centric view what about the Norseman Leif Erikson who came years before, and Amerigo Vespucci for whom America is actually named? Then extrapolate it to all the "great explorers" like Lewis and Clark... I mean weren't they just paving a trial for people to exploit Native American Tribes?

So how about this... maybe instead of blaming Columbus for what happened, how about we remove both credit and blame. I mean he didn't cause all the bad things that happened in the America's upon its "discovery" by the Europeans, but he also didn't "discover" the place. He wasn't a perfect man of course, and you are though right?

I mean Neil Armstrong didn't discover the moon. He did have the courage to make the trip, an unknown trip. However, if it ends up that the Moon was irreparably damaged because of his footprints, will we blame Armstrong and curse his name for ruining the moon? No, you'd have to blame NASA, the President for making it a priority, and of course Russia for egging us on (you know we have to toss Russia blame whenever we can).

I am not defending what happened post the Columbus "discovery" of the new world, nor his or others motivation in the trip. I am saying that remember credit is earned by groups, and blame should be taken in the same. We just celebrated Olympics in a country that profited countless riches from the "new world" and no one seemed to flinch at that... so why write some rant on FB about how Columbus was a villain and not at least cite his sources of motivation and wherewithal for the trip. 

A quote I have always liked states:

"Show me the man you honor, and I will know what kind of man you are." ~ Thomas Carlyl

Here maybe in reverse... yeah we don't need to honor him, but does how much hate you point towards one man show the type of person you are? 
 

Where Were You?

I was meeting with the WMU President Elson Floyd that morning, I heard the news of one plane just as I parked on campus. During our meeting he was interrupted, and then minutes later today me he was closing campus... 

 

First thing I did was buzz home and call Megan Baker... we immediately both said, we have to do something tonight. Our small band of IFC and Panhel Officers started quickly planning a vigil for that evening in Fraternity Village. People like David Lancaster and others helped bring hundreds of Greeks and non-Greeks to the village and somehow we found enough candles for everyone. No one doubted decisions, we all got together, no one hogged the microphone, everyone held hands and we all rowed in the same direction.

 

When I think of our divisive politics, and how much we have learned to hate other Americans who believe differently than we do... it shames us for what we went through over how much someone hated us... now we do it to each other, daily, publicly, and proudly. 

 

I hope today we take the time to remember that freedom didn't come free, that keeping it isn't easy, and working together is the only way to succeed. God Bless America on 9/11.

Old Man

I really don't feel like an old man. Never put a lot of thought into my birthdays, or feeling old, I think working with college students for a living keeps me young. I have however realized a few things that are different now, that I think clearly come with age, and maybe from being a father.

First off, this photo, the younger Sam would of never posted a shirtless photo of me slumped over. However, the older, less in shape, but proud Papi... posts this pic of Cruz helping me in the yard yesterday. He demanded on taking his shirt off, and then grabbed his sandcastle rake and came over to "help" me.

Second this picture... spent the weekend with my sister Raquel and her two little girls... they wanted me to wear their goggles and miners light... and not only did I mind getting my picture taken, I actually posed for it... and nearly smiled... Ha....

And then my little family... I don't mind not going out for my Birthday, or that I had yard work that needed to get done, or that there wasn't a big party. Not that I was ever a birthday party person anyways (well except the infamous 25th BDay at BFE), but it was a nice day and more importantly long weekend spent with my little family.

Thanks to everyone who posted on my wall, hit over 300! Wow... that's pretty cool everyone. It was a great birthday, and here is to another banner year.

Mr. E.R. Cruz

Well we got our first ER trip with Cruz out of the way... luckily on something fairly minor. So here is the quick story... Sunday night Cruz broke a plate... he quickly went to grab it and cut his finger.

At first it bled a little, Heather was getting ready to work a Sunday recruiting event for ND and I started working on a band-aid for him. Well after about 15 minutes I could not stop the bleeding so mama bear made the call... we take him in!

Off to ER...

Checking Vitals

Wheel Chair ride...

We weren't sure which hospital to take him to, about insurance... so we took him to the place he was born (St. Joseph Regional). Mr. Cruz was a total trooper, he didn't really cry, just picked at it a lot and ripped off every band-aid I would put on. So I finally just wrapped tape around his hand so he couldn't pull it off anymore.

At the hospital I tried to not be annoyed with the double questions, double paperwork, the fact that we had to wait here, wait there, wait here now, etc. Or that they required tests, which I am sure cost a ton, that he clearly didn't need. Like an X-ray? Really? He cut his finger... we washed it out, its fine. Hard to argue over a bill though when its your child's health...

Working on his finger

Trying to escape...

X-Ray

They told us what we already knew... no broken bones, and a finger that didn't need stitches... just a little boy that won't stop poking it. They used some sticky glue stuff and then wrapped it with the steri-strips and topped it off with a band-aid. The band-aid lasted a whole of about 5 minutes... the steri-strips about another 10 minutes... luckily by then the glue stuck well. I redid his strips and we got discharged...

Off to ER...

Post ER Tots

Since all plans were shot, we got some Sonic, Cruz really enjoyed the tots... so I hope he doesn't connect being hurt with tots... cause then we might have an injury prone Sunday toddler...

Back to Blogging

For those playing along at home... or at least following me on Twitter, you know that it has been a busy year. I always post saying I will try to post more, and the next post... starts the same way. Well now with my term with SLB being done, my convention over, and new job getting into some rhythm... I hope I can start posting more. I have a list of things I need to blog about...

Summer Pictures of Novali
Our Rain Barrel Project
Update on the Yard Flowers
Let's not forget about the Z...

So lots of things are falling behind... so to catch up first, lets post some pictures for Cruz. Since we got our iPhones, and Cruz is hard to catch on camera anyways... we have been taking less pics. However on Facebook you can catch some fun vids once in a while, or just some old fashion pictures of Mr. Cruz.

Here is his June 2012 Album.

I hope you enjoy it, I actually worked on July a little already, so hopefully that album I can post sooner. Well off to enjoy what is left of the weekend... CIAO!

New Rocker

A couple weeks ago when walking in the neighborhood... we saw a cute little kids rocking chair on a curb. It had one missing slat and one cracked in half... it was sturdy and cute, and we took it home. Cruz right away enjoyed rocking away on it... even in its abused shape.

Novali of course wanted to fix it for her brother, and I of course love working on projects with Novali. Her task was to pick the color, and mine was to figure out how we would fix it. A trip to Hobby Lobby netted us some wood project strips (for a birdhouse) that were nearly the right size. We did the math in the store (cause we actually remembered to take measurements with us to the store for this project) and figured out a plan.

Sanding the curves.

The new seat of the rocker!

Prepping the chair for paint.

We pried the slats off, keeping track of parts and we made a game plan to put it back together. We then took our straight slats and cut two of them to curves for like the end pieces. A careful assembly process of cut, test fit, cut... and we had her back together!

Then a trip to Menards to cruise the paint isle for what Novali thought Cruz might want... mostly going off color names she decided on "Paprika" from Rustoleum. So we will have a little baby paprika chair...time to paint... Novali helped lay the layers of paint down, and after a few coats...

Spray painting

Before...

After!

After $6 in wood, $2 in paint and some free elbow grease.... WhaaLaa!


Once the paint dries fully, we get to watch Cruz take it for a test drive...

Tennis, Running and Powertools

Called my parents Saturday morning, since I was not sure I'd catch my dad on Sunday with Novali and Cruz together. He was out playing tennis.

So my mom said they would call back later. Well then I got busy mowing my lawn, while Novali and Cruz played on the patio and playscape.

We skyped later, dad had a good tennis game, I told him that Novali and I went for a run this morning. She did a great 1.2 mile run in 10:53.... good pace! She won a big award at school on Thursday for an essay she wrote. Cruz ran up the slide, gave his mom a heart attack again and for breakfast ate a whole slice of pizza.  New personal record.

I had a fun day with my kids, and a great talk with my dad.

Novali and I ran... I love to run, and would love to see her be competitive at something, running would be fun. Novali and I worked on building a rain barrel... hit some snags, solved some problems, did some math, used powertools... I love having a daughter who loves powertools and figuring out how long to cut the next piece of wood (she is 11 now, we will see how long it lasts). We made an addition on our backyard playscape, taught Novali how to use a level, and to remember to include the thickness of the wood when measuring to build something.

Cruz blew bubbles, started climbing the ladder all by himself (mom heart attack number two for the day). He helped water the plants like a good gardener, and showed off his strength by pushing Novali around on his Winnie the Pooh car... that boyo is a beast.

I don't remember being Cruz's age, but I think today I managed to cram in all the fun stuff I used to do with my dad but today with my kids. Building something, mowing the lawn, using powertools, blowing bubbles, going to the hardware store, going for a run, and cooking on the grill (Novali made the sweet potato fries)... ah days with my dad on the grill...

Happy Father's Day Pop... Looking forward to firing up the grill with you in Florida in a couple weeks and maybe I can get out on the tennis court with you... I am a little rusty, but I think you always took it easy on me on the court anyways, maybe one year I can play a real game with you, but just not this year... so keep taking it easy on me. Love You.

Oh and I posted May photos of Cruz... and I am working on pics of Novali and I working on the rain barrel... coming soon...

Mama's Boy

There is no doubt about it, that I am a Mama's boy... I was always close with my mom and we would be the only ones up early on the weekends making breakfast together. I always tried to learn how to cook Bolivian food from her.... I'm still not very good at it.

So today I will plant a few flowers and plants around the house, for my mom as that is what we did growing up. I have a few flowers out there Cruz and I already picked for Heather... I got more mama's now to take care of for Mother's Day.

Today to honor my mama, I get to brag about another mama, that does the job that would make my mama proud. Weird sentence huh? I think the best way to honor your parents, is to do what they taught you, to teach important life lessons, like the ones that were taught to you. Well I can't mother baby Cruz... but Heather does, and does a job that is all I could of asked for from my mama, and that makes me thankful and proud.

So for Heather... Cruz and I wanted to plan a nice little day, but Heather just wants to do nothing. Which is very hard for me, and even harder for Cruz, we like to stay busy. So our job was to do all the things that mama does, so mama doesn't have to and can do nothing...

We cleaned cars and the driveway.

"Cleaning the kitchen floor... I make a mess on it." ~ Cruz

"I know mom likes things vacuumed." ~ Cruz

Then we got mama some gifts...We know she likes flowers and jewelry. We did some shopping and picked out stuff for mama.

Picking out something for mama...

Novali and Cruz planted this rose last year for Mother's Day

Picking flowers for mama...

Flowers and kisses!

Mother's Day morning we got up early and got to work. Cruz hauled around the laundry baskets for a while, and we went for a walk so mama could take a long uninterrupted shower.

Papi... don't turn the lights on, lets do laundry for mama.

Made breakfast...

Omelet, Cruz ate most of Heather's bacon...

Then I finally gave her my Pandora

I hope she likes it...

It is a bug... Mama will have to get used to having a boyo... who likes bugs.

Happy Mother's Day to all the mamas out there! Hope you get what you want, even if its nothing.

Whirlwind Week

The past week was a little nuts... Apologies to anyone that I didn't reply to right away, or folks that I might of snapped at this week during my busyness. So what had me so stressed?

Saturday (4/21) - I had our SLB Board of Directors Meeting. These are always hectic trying to prep agenda, travel, read all the documents. It didn't help that I had travel issues with a canceled flight en route, and we had some big business items. That evening we had an Alumni Reception in DC and that was nice to unwind with some Brothers I have not seen in a while.

Sunday/Monday - North American Interfraternity Conference (www.nicindy.org) House of Delegates meeting. Not as stressful, but still hectic reading all the business items and keeping up. We had an awesome educational session with Miriam Carver the mother of Policy Governance, that was my highlight.

 Tuesday (4/24) - I had a program in Elkhart at my campus there. Plus SGA elections started on all three campuses and it was a long day...

Wednesday (4/25) - Honors Convocation, which I was pretty much in charge of for my campus. Juggling getting honors cords there, PTK Stoles, and that food and the room was set up correctly. then that evening I had an SLB Conference call with our national board candidates.

Thursday (4/26) - Off to Warsaw, for tabling and a little town hall meeting there... Whew... rolling rolling.

Friday (4/27) - Game night at Ivy Tech with Best Buy. Not a ton to do for that, but lots of prep for my two events the following evening... Friday evening was low key, game night wasn't huge, but I did get to kill Zombies with some students. That was fun.

Saturday - Up at 5:30AM to go to the Tire Rack for Street Survival (www.streetsurvival.org). Then once that finished, a short nap and then Novali and I went to Evening of Elegance for Ivy Tech. Hectic day, to end a hectic week...

Sunday - Relaxing finally with the family. Walk this morning, now Novali and I are gonna hit the store, and then grill while she finishes homework.

Busy week... oh yeah, and SLB is dealing with the most significant risk management issue in the past 10 years... good times. This week will be slower... I hope.