Mocha Mikes

This goes out to the owner of Mocha Mikes. Saloumeh recommended this place, which just opened 2months ago, by crossin place. A bit off campus, but in the heart of all the new campus apartments. Low prices, great music, free wireless connections and awesome coffee! major shot out!

Fleeing from the Crime Sence

This past weekend, the tenants of apt 911 (Myself and my roomates) were robbed. :( This is the first time I've ever had my apartment or house robbed. We've all had our share of car break-ins, but this is different. They came in the back side of our apartment by throwing a brick through our window. Then made away with over 5000 dollars worth of stuff. Luckily I had just renewed my renters insurance. They took Movies, computers, Cameras, and even my school bag! But Insurance can't replace my sense of safety and security.

So I won't be posting any pictures for a while, since my camera was stolen. This year, I lost my car, but before I lost it it was broken into 2x. This must mean that good luck is on its way. 4.0's for all my classes, and winning the lottery. We'll see.

Don't get me wrong, there have been some great things happening this year. I've began talking to my lil sis, and am now awaiting a new niece. Met a wonderful person ... aka Saloumeh. Recieved a excellent job offer from DuPont. Went to Puerto Rico and paid a lot in taxes ... this is good once tax return season somes around! Ok , better get back to work. Ciao

Food in the kitchen, nothing in my stomach

I am literally dying .... today at work we are having a TG (Thank God) .... I guess for "Thank God it's hump day." Anywho, along with a TG come beer and food. ... beer anD FOOD! So I am starving, and the TG does not start til 5pm. I leave for class at 3:30, the problem is the meat balls and Cheese dip cooking in the kitchen is making me crazY! I almost went in with my coffee to dip it in the meat ball cooker and scoop me up some meat balls. No one would ever know, I could just walk down the hall like I had just gotten a refill of coffee.

I haven't eaten lunch, just 2 cups of coffe and a powder doughnut from yesterday.....

Learning to lose posts

Ok, this is the 4th post I've lost. .. it's very frustrating. It's all these stupid pop up adds, they make my Blog window disapear without a save option!

Anywho, I'm at the library, trying to prep for the week. It's gonna be tuff. I Only have one exam, but I have about 1000 meeting. I gotta agree with my bro, "Sometime I feel like my life is one big meeting" That is exactly how I feel. Next semester It's all gonna change. I WILL NOT LET MY SELF GET Sucked into E-Boards and other orgs. :)

Ok, good to vent a little. It's just that I want to enjoy my last semester, and it's definetly not happening. We'll see, 1 more month!

R2

I've been looking for apartmens online .... for when I move to Philadelphia and to be honest it's getting exciting. I know it more then 8 months away, but still I can't wait. Only one problem... how to get from Philly to Wilmington .... which really isn't to far away. Maybe a 40 min commute at the most, but when you don't have a car it poses a problem. Luckily the east coast has a pretty well established Rail system. There is a train that runs from Philly to Wilmington (the R2 - Line) for $7 a day or $140 a month. Not bad, considering that I can have this taken out of my pay pre-tax, that I won't have to pay for gas, car insurance and upkeep. We'll see , the search continues.

Wakes keeps you awake

I heard the saying once, "What keeps you awake at night, is what your passion is." I used to really take that phrase to heart and don't get me wrong, I still think it holds a lot of water. It's just that I have been really thinking the last day since our big confrontation last night with another organization that questioned my honor and respect. I've realized that that statement neglects something really important. I think it should be, "What wakes you up, and what keep you awake, evaluate these, because they are your passions." What does passion and respect have to do with one another? My passions are what drives me, pushes me to work hard, to overcome adversity because I believe in something that is worth striving for. For someone to question my respect and honor is to question what I work for ... and relates to what my passions are. Last night in less than 1 hr, a few people put all this to question, without hesitation. I've never questioned them and especially in front of 4 other organizations.

As I stayed awake last night, pondering the events, I found it hard to let my mind rest. As I woke this morning, my mind was not rested; it was full of the same ideas and thoughts from the previous night. So here I am, preparing for class, trying not to doubt myself and clear my mind. I want to fix this.... without compromising what we’ve worked for. I guess the key word is compromise.. the better question is who does that apply too

Things that never end

There are few things in life that never end; usually the things that never ends are also the things we take for granted. Today I have to say thank you to my parents for never ending something that has molded and directed my life more times than I can imagine. Today my parents celebrate 30 yrs of marriage. 30 yrs of never giving up, 30 yrs of dedication to each other and the family they have created. I don't know if I can aptly describe how much this means to me, but I'll try.

Since I can remember, my memory is filled with early mornings. All us children at the table breakfast served, warm eggs and milk, or maybe a bowl of cereal. My mom at the helm, with endless energy, never fails to get us ready. Dad entering the room, on the go but always on time, ready for the workday with his brown suitcase with that golden combination lock, he'd swoop into the kitchen always enough time for a quick bite and kiss goodbye. Dedication to each other and family. I remember going up north, fishing on the Pontoon. Light summer breeze, just cold enough to need a light jacket. Mom and Dad could fish for hours enjoying each other’s company. Talking, laughing ... Mom gets so excited when she gets a fish, Dad always staying calm, trying to not let his laughter out as he grabs the line and takes the fish off the hook. My mom completely lost in the excitement.

The last couple years have been tuff on all of us and you both have always been there. We've still had great times and despite everything I could write forever of all the awesome memories we've had. Thank you Mom and Dad for my last 23 yrs and congratulations on a beautiful 30.

Love, Andres

POSTS

What's going on! I just lost another post, and I was really letting it all out.

That's it, this post is going on the web.

I'm at the MCC (Multicultural Center) and I feel good. I've gotten the results back from 3 of my 4 exams and they went well. Nothing Lower than a 3.5 . :) That means that I need to start applying myself. I am really performing below what I should be doing. So here is what I am going to do.....

Here are my Pre-Turkey Day Resolutions:

1) Not be a E-board member of every student org. Just be a member and have fun. No obligations
2) Cut my coffee purchases in half. ... the key word is PURCHASES .. please rest assured I will still be drinking 4-5 cups a day. I will just be either drinking them out my the thermos I will buy this weekend, or at the at work.
3) Learn to study at home ... I don't have a car and I need to learn to study at home.

If these obligations are not met, I will deny ... DENY myself the greasy turkey skin that I pick at every year.

Lost Post

I just lost my last post... very upsetting.. It was so good, witty, funny, and entertaining.

I won't try to remake it .... it just doesn't feel right.

Cracking open the Books

Last night I hit the books hard, I was cramming for 2 exams. I actually just got done with them boht ... now I usually do not like to talk about exams. I just wait for the results. I usually hurry out of the Business Complex and avoid people trying to recall all the questions they got right or wrong. But last night was sad. ... It was sad because I was studying for my Ec340 class. Now I never miss class, never. I hate missing class. ... Except for this Ec340 class. I actually haven't gone in over 2 wks!! It's really boring, the professor reads her slides verbatim and makes multiple mistakes. Hence her emails almost everyweek with corrections to her slides. ... So last night as I pulled my shiny and well kept International Economics book out of my backpack and wondered why the book looked so new. I set it down on the table and open the front cover .... slowly ... and there it came ... this loud crack of the binding opening for probably the first time..... like a waitress dropping a tray of plates, everyone looked. It was really sad.

Back to the cold

I am back in Michigan. I went Miami on Friday for my fraternity convention. It was great, the sun was hot, a gentle breeze and the beach. It's hard for me to imagine living inwarm tropical weather all year long. I mean, come on, I would be tan all year round! My natuaral golden color would really come out. ;)

Convention this year was very special. We met some of our older Alumni. One was actually voted to our Board of Trustees. He is a brother from LSU - 57. Then our Keynote speaker presented our Fraternity with a proclamation from the Govener praising our organization. The Mayor of Miami also dedicated November 1st as Phi Iota Alpha day. We were very very surprised. Miaimi thank you! I know you will miss my Bolivian Salsa and Bachata. Please ... please try to continue on .

All in all a great trip, now I am back in Michigan, thinking about exams and getting ulsers. :)