End in Sight
Well today I spent 6 hours walking through fraternity houses with my chapter presidents and the Director of Residence Life. The end of the semester is in sight... even though the next two weeks will be extremely busy I know that soon things will be chill and I can get caught up on paperwork and the day to day work of being a Greek advisor.

Personally it has also been a stressful week. I have been working to get my car ready for the first race of the season this weekend, also this weekend I am facilitating a recruitment bootcamp program at GVSU (6 hours on Saturday, 13 hours on Sunday!), and I haven't had a real break in a long time. The stress is mounting...

The benefit of really busy times is that when you are pushed, you really learn what you are made of... I have learned somethings about myself through this rough couple weeks.

1. I think I am addicted to the Albion New China egg drop soup.
2. I really enjoy dance recitals.
3. Working on my car... even when it breaks... sooths my soul.
4. Someday I want to own a custom car shop.
5. Don't troubleshoot other peoples problems... sometimes people like their problems just the way they are and don't want you to fix em.
6. I am not as organized as I used to be in college.
7. Dusting makes me feel productive, even when I have more important things to do.
8. No matter what, I don't like talking on the phone.

I think that is it... I am off to enjoy my busy weekend. Next week will be really busy... but I hope I get a chance to post some photos. PEACE.

Spring Fever
Spring fever has hit... unfortunately this year it took until nearly May for nice enough weather to hit so that you can get out and enjoy some long needed sun. Well the sun is here, mixed with the typical spring rain and thunderstorms (my favorite) and I can finally be outside... working on the car.

Couple projects underway right now. Well as always I am fine tuning the bump in my car... I took my subs out for some trips and finally put them back in, and while I was at it upgraded a few other things. I purchased baffles and bass blockers for my interior speakers so they would sound more crisp and leave the bass production to my Polk subs. The sound is cleaner and yes... I can turn it up even more. Nothing relaxes me more then sitting with a torn apart door panel wiring some speakers.

Door spacers to fit the baffles and a small bass blocker. All custom wired.

Two Polk GNX subs give me all the bass I need... and then some.

My next project was a little more indepth. I bought a new exhaust for my car and finally got around to taking it to the shop for the custom pipes to get bent. I also was able to score a great deal on an AEM Cold Air Intake. For those who don't know what that is... it is a racing style air intake. I got it a few months ago and planned to install it myself in the spring. Also over winter I got a strut tower brace and my MAF Sensor went bad again so I needed a weekend to work on the car. I called up Hermen to see if he was free and able to come help out and he was... so Team PLP was back together. He came on Saturday morning and we got cracking. I started on Friday taking a few things apart, and once he got there the trips to Autozone and Burger King began!

I bought an OBX mv3089 Twin Tip Muffler.

My first AEM Cold Air Intake!

Before: Whimpy Muffler.

After: Dual Polished mean sounding muffler.

Before: Big Stock Restrictive Airbox.

After: Smooth Slick Polished Air Intake.

Working with Hermen was great... forgetting to get things at Autozone... drilling into hot aluminum, cutting our hands screwing into the fender, and getting dirty under the car. Just like the old days working on the NX and the Sonoma. We sat and figured out problems, came up with solutions... and worked on how to get it all working right. Good team work.

I love getting the power tools out... RRR..

The intake required us to work inside the fender well.

The upper pipe.

Lower pipe and AEM Logo.

Well after all the hard work... she turned right on. Man she sounded MEAN! You could hear the new intake sucking in air. The intake paired with the new exhaust sounded incredible. Hermen and I jumped in and backed out of my parking spot... I lined it up in the parking lot, revved the engine and listen to her scream to go... I ripped the clutch loose and my spinning tires blew out blue smoke and the sound and smell of burning rubber made my day. It was good... but then the car stalled. Oh no? I started her right back up and Hermen and I took her for a ride. She would stall after a hard acceleration to a fast stop. It was late in the day so Hermen and I figured we would problem solve it in the morning. Heather came over and we all got some dinner and went to Kzoo for a get together with my Brothers.

We had a fun time in Kzoo.... Milan had Brothers over. We missed the BBQ but made it in time for some dancing, laughing at old times, making some new times, and got to watch Brothers stroll while eating hot dogs... a Beta first in my book.

Betas came from GV, UoM and MSU to hang to out.

Some GV Gammas.

Sergio strolling with a hot dog!

Jeff (my little Brother) and I

WMU Gammas came late... but they made it.

Nothing like chillin on the couch and hanging out. Good times.

Well that was the weekend. It was nice to not have a ton to do besides sitting in my parking lot working on the car. I did get a call from Miguel my older Brother.... and he is getting married! Wow... he will be the first one. Not sure time plans yet, but I am sure details will be coming soon. Miguel never fails to plan well. So he has a new sweet job, getting married, moving... wow. Good luck!

So Sunday Hermen and I worked on the car some more... but no luck solving the stalling issue. So this morning I dropped her at the shop to see if they can help. Hopefully it is something minor so that one it doesn't cost me a lot... and secondly so I can get my baby back on the street and ready for the first race of the season... this Saturday!

Easter
Had a great relaxing weekend at home. Friday got to Saginaw and Heather and I just hung out with my parents for a little while. Talked about jobs, their house for sale, and just caught up on life. Saturday morning Raquel came over and brought Valerie, her friend Dennis and her friend Lacy brought her two kids and a niece. So needless to say we have kids running all over the house. My mom planned a nice brunch and then an Easter egg hunt for the kids. They all had a good time. Sunday we went to church and Miguel and I got to hear my mom's church band and that was great.

Valerie liked tucking in the little baby.

The kids ran all over looking for the Easter Eggs

Valerie kept showing off all her eggs.

They got their Easter basket and right away started eating candy.

She had a ton of fun, and we had fun watching her.

At church my parents bought Lily's in memory of our abuelito.

It was a fun weekend. Bad news... Novali's fish, who she named Nemo has passed. He didn't even make it a week, so next time I am out there I need to get her a new one. Good News... Miguel got a job offer and will be accepting a faculty position at Dickinson College in PA.

It was a nice relaxing weekend. The semester is winding down and life is going to settle into my nice slow summer pace. I am still trying to see if I can fit a trip to Bolivia into my schedule and into my budget... But for now I am just enjoying the increasing nice Michigan weather and enjoying not being pulled in ten different directions.

5 Already!
Today little Miss Novali turned 5 years old! Man that makes me feel old... well this weekend was the big party. Saturday morning Heather and I met my parents and Miguel (Miguel's birthday was Friday) for breakfast in Kalamazoo early in the morning and then we went to Chicago. My parents got a hotel in Des Plains, IL not too far from Tamara's house. Saturday we had Novali most of the day and we played, swam, ate, and just hung out. Lets recap...

First stop was a little park in Des Plains. It was too cold...

Novi wanted McDonalds... we ended up at the first one ever!

Then back to the hotel for swimming.

She is getting close to learning how to swim.

We dried her curly locks and got ready for dinner.

Miguel opened the window and taught Novi about paper airplanes.

Then a short trip over to Evanston.

Kate picked a cool place called Dave's Italian Kitchen for dinner.

It was a long day and Novi passed out on the way home... tomorrow was going to be a long day!

Sunday we woke up and I taught Novi how to make her bed. I told her since she was five now that she needs to make her bed on her own each morning, and if she does I will give her a quarter for each day. So now she has an allowance! She can start saving for that first pair of roller skates... a big bike maybe... Then we got ready for her big party... here is the Sunday recap.

Making her bed.

Hide and Seek... in the hamper!

Writing a birthdaycard

Notice which hand she is using in this photo?

The grandparents got put to work.

I did her hair.

Papi and his little girl.

Had to draw out hop scotch squares.

Some patty cake...

Tamara organized some games for the kids.

Compliments of Heather Novi had a party princess crown.

Then it was cake and present time!

Presents everywhere.

Tio Miguel got her a fish!

She got clothes...

and one million Barbies.

Tamara and Novi in matching jackets.

Grandma and Grandpa before they had to take off.

It was a great weekend. Very busy... and today I am way too tired... but it was a very good weekend. Novali is now five years old. She remembers phone numbers now, and likes to say funny things, and enjoys a good book and prayer before bed.

For more pictures from this weekend please visit: www.centellas.org/novali

Adios!