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.

The Not So Big Day
Today I got one year older. My birthday is never a big spectacle (minus last year) because it usually falls on labor day weekend and all my friends would be out of town. In college I never had the big hooray or anything, usually something low key.

This year, for the first time in a long time, it will be spent in Saginaw. I will spend it running to the Secretary of State office to update my car tags (nothing like the last minute right?). I was gonna run to Albion to get my last Oregon check (which they mailed to me instead of direct depositing it, AH!) which I need ASAP, but Andres will just float me the money until Tuesday so I do not have to drive.

Then rest of my time will be at the hospital with my abuelito who is still not getting better. Of course some time with Novalí today and Andres who is in town for the weekend. Miguel also is going to get into Saginaw as well, so the Centellas boys will all be in the same state and city for a little while.

Either way, off to start my day.

Catching Up
Alright... so I posted about my place. Let me catch up on other recent happenings.

Novali
I have had her since Saturday. She has been a riot as always and keeps me on my toes. She is speaking more and more English and knows the difference between the two languages now. I impressed her when she arrived to my new place and saw that she had her very own room, with a TV!

Here she is in her room watching a movie.

We had a ton of adventures, and yes, with Nono Nuevo.

I am glad she is with me in Saginaw because she is helping to brighten the days of my parents who have been stressed taking care of my abuelito. My dad got her a Barbie bike (with training wheels) and I can barely pry her away from it.

Bronco Bash
Those who know me... know I love Bronco Bash! This year we had a tropical theme and had flags for our different countries. Novali enjoyed the event as well because it meant free suckers, toys, and her new favorite toy, a Jesus is the Light Flashlight (she like to push it against her cheek and watch her skin glow).

In our new shirts, ready to recruit.

All of our flags, the Bolivian kept falling for some reason.

We got a lot of people signed up.... recruitment looks good.

We handed out flyers to the party and repped SLB.

It was a great day, saw some old friends and also people who work at WMU. Now that I am back in the area I want to get more involved in WMU Alumni activities.

Club Soda
We had an after party for Bronco Bash at Club Soda. People said we were crazy for throwing a party on a Monday night... I said.. We were crazy to not have thought of this before. It turned out great. Brothers from GVSU and UoM came and supported and we had a great time.

The guys all ready.

We had all kinds of crazy people in there.

We filled the club up... can't wait until next year.

Of course the Gammas came and supported. Thanks!

I of course was not able to stay for the party much. I had Novali and we just went to check it out, say hi, and then we went home. Novali had a great time in Kalamazoo and I think she got hooked on Bronco Bash like I am. Thanks to everyone for helping to entertain Novali for me, and shot out to Hermen and Heather for chasing lights with her.

Now back to the current (now my blog is caught up). I sat tonight at the hospital with my abuelito. At midnight he got his last set of shots and I talked with him and then went home. Tomorrow I go back around 7 AM and the day starts over. Raquel is going to watch Novali so I can be here all day with my abuelitos. So I need to get some rest, the day begins again in a few short hours. CIAO!

Back!
I find it hard to believe... I went for a whole seven days with no internet... deep breath... and exhale...

Alright I had an adventure the last few days. I will start with my new house! I got more settled and started getting the place set up.

Outside Pictures:
The neighborhood seems pretty nice, I am two blocks from campus so I get to walk to work and can easy run home for lunch if I need something. I also already found a good chinese food place and have their delivery number on my phone.

I love the big porch and tons of trees.

The NX finally has her own driveway and garage.

I have a good size backyard and friendly neighbors.

I even have flowers around my garage.

My Stuff
I walked into my place and bam! There was all my stuff just staring at me...

Every spot on the first floor had stuff on it.

Upside down futons... stacked up storage bins.

Every corner had something on it. There is my Connect Four game!

Even the NX was stuffed with stuff to the top.

The Space
I have tons of room... and I filled most of it with stuff. I took some pictures of my space before I started cramming my belongings into every nook and cranny. I have three bedrooms up stairs and huge bathroom. Downstairs I have a large akward shaped living room, square dinning room with hardwood floors and ugly wallpaper, and a good size kitchen and half bath. Stonewall basement that is good for storage.

My bedroom has huge mirrors on the closet doors, but not much closet space.

Most of the house has light beige carpet. This is my home office.

The stairwell is very cool, I can't wait to paint it!

The poor fridge... I doubt I will ever get it too full.

Family Update
I am having fun because on Saturday I picked up Novali. We are having fun, this including a fun trip to WMU for Bronco Bash and the Club Soda after party. She had a great time with my friends and her new Amiga (who needs to comb her hair). She chased lights with Hermen, Heather and I, and she loved her free "Jesus is the Way" flashlight. Today, in Saginaw, she got her new bike from her grandpa. She was way too excited and did not want to stop riding it, even when it got dark. Pictures coming soon.

On another note... my Abuelito Centellas is very sick. The doctors are still not sure what is wrong with him. Miguel came home for a while last week to help out, and I am here now. Andres is coming in sometime on Thursday and then who knows what will happen. It looks like their trip home is postponed... I can only imagine how hard it is for him. He is in a foreign place, with nurses who can not understand him, and few family members. I wish I could do more to help him, even Novali asked today why everyone seemed sad. It makes me very thankful she got to play with him in Chicago. He is a great grandpa, and I hope he gets better soon.

Bedtime... more pictures coming soon.