Winding Down?
Well as usual my post is on the return part of a trip. Since my Miami trip I have been to Troy, MI for an event for Albion, to Chicago for three days with Novali, and then my fraternity convention in Las Vegas. Needless to say all this traveling is turning out to be more stressful then relaxing... but the next few weeks will be much more laid back... of course I am still looking at possibly trips to Toronto, Buffalo and home to wish my parents off on their move to Bolivia. However, the rest of these trips will be more relaxing and less crammed (I hope).

Well my time with Novali was great at always. We watched the movie cars.... Two Thumbs Up! We went to a BBQ, out to burbs, and then I ended the trip by taking her to summer school on Monday. She showed me her class, I met her teacher, and then hit the road to Michigan. It was a great weekend and I managed to survive the record Chicago heat without AC at Tamara's place... wow. I uploaded some new summer pics to Novi's page, check it out: Novi's Pics

Then it was off to Vegas. I have been excited for the trip for a long time. I was running for a position on my national board of directors... and one of the authors for a proposals that will revolutionize our fraternal operations if it passed... I also was excited to get to visit with Brothers I had not seen in a long time... so how did the trip go? Here's the recap.

I arrived Tuesday night, I came in with the head quarters staff. It was nice to chill with them and talk with Jim and Mary Peterson. We had a great time just relaxing at this beautiful resort, Hyatt Lake Las Vegas. Wednesday it was chill day, most of the people would be coming in that day so it was nice hanging out greeting people as they arrived. I had dinner that night with Mary and some other Brothers who work in higher education. Sigma Lambda Beta has an exciting future ahead of it... that night we wound down with some gambling and lounging around.

Thursday the work started... registration happened in the morning and we started convention. We had 8 hours of scheduled business meetings... the most important part was the elections for the new Board of Directors. So I am proud to now say that I am the new International Vice President for Program Development for Sigma Lambda Beta. It is such an honor! I am very excited. That night we celebrated and prepared for another long day of business.

Friday was the real action day. It was when we voted on important proposals. We pitched our proposal, it was me and four former board members. Before convention we heard several districts were going to be voting down and we prepared to try and sway votes. Our house of delegates had 53 eligible voting groups (my chapter was not one of them!)... we pitched and debated and did our best. Final vote count.... 52-1.... IT PASSED! SLB will never be the same, and I am proud to say I helped make that happen. Now as a board member I have to help ensure the planning success. Needless to say that Friday night... we celebrated again and this time in the pimped out Presidents suite.

Saturday was chill day. We had a quick first board meeting, an alumni senate meeting, and then chill time! I ended up out at the pool, despite that I don't usually do pools. I was in full clothing, so I sat on the side with my feet in the pool... and I shoulda known better cause sure enough I got tossed in! I did manage to get my phone out of my pocket. Late we got ready to hit the strip and a big Beta party that night... I had to iron my money to dry it cause everything got wet!

The club was great... the first perk of being a board member is everyone buys you drinks so I saved some money. Unfortunately on the flip I lost a bit on the tables... but its Vegas so whatever. Sunday slept in, chilled around the hotel and then caught a ride from some Brothers up to the airport. There is free wireless here so I am just hanging out with some other Brothers who have flights in my terminal. It is going to be a long day of travel, I will arrive in Detroit at 12am, then drive home, and then work at 8am.... AH!

All in a days work.

- edit - I forgot to mention. I was inducted into the Presidential Excellence Group. It is the second highest honor a Brother can receive. In total only 12 Brothers are in that group, so needless to say I was extremely honored. Now I get to wear a white ribbon and large medallion to offical events from now on. Cool.