My loyal readers this is it, where the buck stops and where I say my farewell like Lou Gehrig Farewell on July 4, 1939. These past four years have been some of the best times of my life. I have met friends that I will have for the rest of my life. I have made memories and stories that I will tell for the rest of my life. I have come away with more knowledge about life than I ever dreamed of. North Central College has given me a chance to succeed in the real world and for that I am truly grateful.

The last couple of weeks of school I have soaked in as much as I could. From commencement activities, to grilling over at the A. A. Smith House with the senior gift committee, I have truly lived up my last couple of weeks. Graduation was unfortunately moved inside due to weather conditions, but it was put together nicely. I took my pictures, moved my stuff out of my dorm, and off I went back home. It has not hit me yet the feeling of not having school in the fall for the first time in my life, but I will keep my head up because I am one of the fortunate people who found a job. Next year I will be teaching physical education in Justice IL, to K-6 grade students. I am looking forward to it very much.

As for this summer I am coaching baseball at at Highland Park High School, umpiring for the Niles Park District, and tutoring a 4th grader in World War II and baseball, it should be any awesome summer I can not wait.

For those of you that read my blog know that I live with no regrets in my life and would not change a thing about my college experience. Although I wish I could relive many of those years over and over again, but that is not possible (Van Wilder). I know that in my four years here I have left a mark on this establishment that no one can touch.

Before I depart I wanted thank everyone from my teachers, my friends, administration, counselors, nurses, coaches, mentors, library assistants, and anyone else that has had an influence on me at North Central.

So I leave you with these 3 tips for making your time and experience at North Central worth while.

Tips for Future NCC students:

1. Do everything and everything you can get your hands on. Whether that is clubs, sports, intramurals, orientation, pep band, etc.

1. Get to know as many people as you can. With this in mind life at NCC will be much easier and you will have so many more networking areas, because “it’s not always what you know, but rather who you know.”

1. Lastly have the time of your life at NCC and make the most of it. I could have seen myself fitting in at any college because of my personality, but NCC most fitted me. Like I mentioned before I live with no regrets and that’s how I go about life. I went out and did something social 99% of the time at NCC and there was never a dull moment.

Last ever quote of the Week:

“College is what you make of it and it has been one the best times of my life.” – Chris Toy

This week started off with a program that I signed up for called “Frankly Speaking.”This new 5 week program allows students to pair up with a student of a different cultural group and present the important questions that are often too uncomfortable to ask. Guided by a staff member, students will be prompted to create a dialogue and allows themselves to gain insight on a person from a different cultural group. In addition to weekly dinners you and your partner will be given the opportunity and funds needed to spend time informally to learn from one another and simply have fun. So far it has been a great experience getting to know my partner and the unique characteristics he brings to the table. I would recommend this program to anyone that is willing to explore different cultures and meet new people around campus.

Later in the week I was invited to my friends birthday party dinner at Mongolian Grill. I have not been to Mongolian in over a year now and enjoyed the food and atmosphere immensely. I missed the restaurant and have not really had the chance to go back and say hello to my old co-workers. I saw my mentor Carlos, who is still the best griller around.

Once again CUAB brought another Comedian to campus. Her name was Sabrina and she used her Pakistan background for most of jokes and had most of the crowd laughing constantly. This was the last of the comedians coming from CUAB, but I can not wait to see who they bring in for next year, I might just have to come back and see.

And lastly ah the Rain. We were rained out the entire weekend for baseball against Carthage. We are making the games up throughout this week. We have North Park this weekend and then the Conference Tournament.

Quote of the Week:

“Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds a man down or polishes him up depends on the stuff he’s made of.” – Josh Billings

This past Thursdays I was invited back to an orientation panel with former orientations leaders to speak about out my experiences and indulge the new OL’s in some advice and tips on the upcoming year. It was a great feeling being around all the OL’s I worked with last year as well as new OL’s. I told them a lot of my own stories and some my own experiences that helped me to become a great OL. Some of the advice I gave them was, “As an OL you are the first person that this student meets on campus, you will make or break their first impression of this school. Tell them how it truly is here and do not lie to them. North Central College is what you make of it.”

Baseball-wise we took to wins over Milikin this weekend. Another outstanding performance by Mike Kloss and an overall offensive team battle the second game. It was great to finally take a series at home. Our third game got postponed in the 7^th inning with a tie 9-9. For this upcoming week we are all away with playing Wabash at the Steelyard in Indiana, and Carthage in Kenosha. We make it back Sunday vs. Carthage and then continue our third game against Milikin.

As a senior I look forward to a lot of activities and events in the spring time. But nothing comes close to Springfest. Every year CUAB brings in some great bands that play for hours in Championship plaza. My favorite has always been Mike and Joe; a cover band that travels around the mid-west to colleges rocking out. Not only are Mike and Joe going to be there this year, but also Hair bangers ball and Real Big Fish. Everyone on campus looks forward to this event because of the great spring time weather as well the events that come along with Springfest. For example the bags tournaments and cook outs. I will keep you updated on to how it goes. The date is set for Saturday May 16^th. I can’t wait.

Quote of the Week:

“Everything in life happens for a reason.” – Unknown

Springfest 06′ Freshman Year

This past Friday I was invited to my cooperating teacher’s house for a Japanese themed party. The theme was based on sumo wrestlers, sushi, crazy Japanese robes, and other delectable Japanese dishes. Many of the other PE department teachers were present and were sharing some recent stories about school. I par took in the sushi mostly because it was delicious and I love Sushi. We chatted and reminisced about the days I was there and told some more stories about that. I really got a sense of what I want in terms of the future with the friendships and unity that they have within their department. I hope to one day have relationships outside of schools with my co-workers and my own new stories.

Back to baseball. We had a double header at Elmhurst this weekend where we ended up splitting. Mike Kloss pitched a gem with a complete game and 17 strike outs. The 2^nd game was a ruffle of crazy calls by the umpires and coaches getting their side of it verbalized. We then took it back to the “Zimm” or Zimmerman field. It was a very offensive day where the final score was 18-8, caused mainly from the 7 errors on Elmhurst. We still need some work on the mound and when it all comes together I can not wait.

Sunday I went to church with my Grandma in Chicago and had some delicious brunch at a near by restaurant. My family and I traveled to my uncles house in St. Charles for Easter and divulged in some lamb and ham. My uncle being a very outdoors guy let me shoot his bow and arrow. It was awesome, but I recommend stretching your rotator cuff out before using it. A bond fire was set outside as well where me and my family talked over and celebrated the lovely holiday of Easter.

This next week is going to be a much filled week with baseball, senior gift committee, and a bunch of other adventures I always embark on every week,

Quote of the week:

“Don’t let the past steal your present.” – Cherralea Morgen

Shooting in St. Charles

Baseball Continued: We went to Augustana to try and get two more wins from the fierce Vikings but came up emptied handed. Along with 2 other mid week losses to Wheaton. I feel that we have a great team, probably the best team I have been on in my fours years here at NCC. We just need to put all 3 aspects of the game together: hitting, pitching, and defense. We play Illinois Wesleyan this weekend coming up and we haven’t beaten them in over 7 years.

This Friday once again Res-Life put together a free cosmic bowling where me and some friends indulged in free pizza, pop, and bowling. It was a lot of fun considering it was free and also I like bowling. For you future students I will reiterate when something is free around campus GO, it’s always better when it’s free.

Saturday I had a couple of laughs with the comedian Retta that CUAB brought in. she was pretty funny relating a lot of her jokes to being over weight and lazy. A lot of people came out and hopefully the next comedian will be just as good.

Side note I plan on visiting Madison Jr. High late this week just to say hello and see how everyone is doing. Also I have my first interview at Schaumberg District 54 this Thursday, wish me luck.

Quote of the Week:

“Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. A little learning is a dangerous thing.” – Alexander Pope (English poet, 1680-1744)

China “The Great Wall” Summer 07

Continuing from that last blog we traveled down to Atlanta on a coach bus for about 14 hours. We watched a bunch of random movies from Mr. Baseball (an 80’s classic) to Role Models. It was a great ride down there because of all the different personalities we have on the team.

Unfortunately we came out empty handed with a 0-4 record. The two colleges we visited were Emory and Oglethorpe. Emory was a beautiful school and everything was so close and compacted together, which I loved. But I did not like the tuition of 50,000 dollars. Oglethorpe was a very old university with the east side wall of the baseball stadium built like a castle. they were very welcoming schools and I enjoyed playing ball at their stadiums. Although we did not come out the way we wanted to I still had a blast with the guys and brought back some stories I will never forget.

The trip bridged us into our 1^st conference game vs. Augustana. We beat the Vikings 7-6 winning on an outstanding performance from every player. We then ended up getting rained out on Sunday and need to make them up on Monday of this week.

My first day off class starts up this week and I cannot wait. The last four classes of my college career at NCC. I have 2 general education (gen. ed.) classes along with a high EDN (education) and a high health class. It should not be that bad, but we shall see. Ill will keep you updated on how things go, but until then here is a quote from out sponsors.

Quote of the Week:

 ”In life, dance like no one is watching and love like it will never hurt.” – Bill Kurtis

Some of the Baseball Boys at Chili’s in Atlanta GA.

This past week was my last week student teaching. Monday and Tuesday I was “down with the sickness” and couldn’t make it to school. But I sucked it up and made it in on Wednesday. I was observed by my supervisor and taught a lesson detailing the cha cha slide and the electric slide. It was a great note to end on and you should have seen the expressions the students gave me when they found out it was my last day. It was priceless. It was as rough for them as it was for me to say goodbye. It’s a weird feeling being around certain people for a certain amount of time and then them being taken out of the picture. But all in all it was an awesome experience and I loved every second of it. I promised the kids I would return sometime soon, when that is I do not know but hopefully in the near future.

Aside from that fun the North Central College baseball team is about to embark on their Spring Break trip down to Atlanta Georgia. We have 5 games and the weather is supposed to be beautiful. Soak up some sun and play ball. We are taking a coach bus down and I plan on sleeping, reading, and watching some movies. Our first home game is Saturday March 28^th vs. Augustana come root us on.

Quote of the Week:

 Herb Brooks: Great moments… are born from great opportunity. And that’s what you have here, tonight, boys. That’s what you’ve earned here tonight. One game. If we played ‘em ten times, they might win nine. But not this game. Not tonight. Tonight, we skate with them. Tonight, we stay with them. And we shut them down because we can! Tonight, WE are the greatest hockey team in the world. You were born to be hockey players. Every one of you. And you were meant to be here tonight. This is your time. Their time is done. It’s over. I’m sick and tired of hearing about what a great hockey team the Soviets have. Screw ‘em. This is your time. Now go out there and take it. – Miracle

 The Madison Jr. High PE Staff minus Mrs. Nudera

“The Best PE Staff Around”

Last weekend the North Central baseball team traveled to Franklin Indiana and had two double headers. I have been playing baseball since I was 6 years old and I have never seen this many home runs or runs scored in four games in my life. Over 100 runs with 27 homruns. The wind was blowing out 25miles per hour which had a lot to do with the home runs, but still. We ended up taking 1 from them and them winning 3. The weather was beautiful 60 and sunny until the 4^th game where it felt like a tornado touched down and left real quickly with the sun in replace of it. The ride was about 4:30 hours long and going back the wind was awful making my coach grip the wheel like it was a stress ball and swerving left and right constantly. We made it back safely and are looking forward to Atlanta next weekend.

My student teaching is rapping up with my last day Wednesday. I will truly miss my students and co-workers. The relationships I have created and the great adventures I have embarked on with them have given me a vast amount of great memories. I will be back into the college mode with classes spring term. It will surely be different but I’m excited to get back into it.

I wish luck to all of my fellow student teachers who are finishing up as well as the students taking their finals.

Quote of the Week:

 Herb Brooks: Great moments… are born from great opportunity. And that’s what you have here, tonight, boys. That’s what you’ve earned here tonight. One game. If we played ‘em ten times, they might win nine. But not this game. Not tonight. Tonight, we skate with them. Tonight, we stay with them. And we shut them down because we can! Tonight, WE are the greatest hockey team in the world. You were born to be hockey players. Every one of you. And you were meant to be here tonight. This is your time. Their time is done. It’s over. I’m sick and tired of hearing about what a great hockey team the Soviets have. Screw ‘em. This is your time. Now go out there and take it. – Miracle

 The Baseball Boys in the traveling van

While here I have learned that North Central College rarely ever takes a holiday because of the strict and short 10 week trimesters. While student teaching I have learned that there are more days off throughout the year that I totally have forgotten about. Madison was off this past Friday and so I attended the DuPage County PE (Physical Education) Convention held at Naperville North. I volunteered last year and this year attended with my cooperating teacher from Madison. I ran into my old PE teachers from my high school along with other PE teachers I have met throughout my career at NCC. At this convention you can find state of the art PE equipment along with strategies for enhancing teaching with the health and PE classroom. I met up with Phil Lawler (The creator of PE4Life and the guru of the new age PE mind set.) Talking with him is like talking to Babe Ruth. If it were not for North Central I would not have been placed in PE clinicals throughout the Naperville area and hence would have had never met Phil.

This weekend was suppose to be our first road trip for baseball but was unfortunately cancelled due to weather conditions. So with every obstacle in the way my buddies and I decided to go down to ISU and support the men’s and women’s track and field team. This was my 3^rd overall track meet I have ever been to due to my own baseball, but it was exciting. I got to see the huge, jacked throwers shot putting in the middle of the field house. Along with the cross country 3K and 5K. It was exciting to see how much pride our track and field team has in North Central. They got me pumped up and I wasn’t even running.

This weekend we travel to Franklin Indiana for our first road trip. Wish us luck!

Quote of the Week:

Why We Play D-III Athletics

It’s not about getting a scholarship, getting drafted, or making SportsCenter. It’s a deep need in us that comes from the heart. We need to practice, to play, to lift, to hustle, to sweat. We do it all for our teammates and for the student in our calculus class that we don’t even know. We don’t practice with a future major league first baseman; we practice with a future sports agent. We don’t lift weights with a future Olympic wrestler; we lift with a future doctor. We don’t run with a future Wimbledon champion; we run with a future CEO. It’s a bigger part of us than our friends and family can understand. Sometimes we play for 2,000 fans; sometimes 25. But we still play hard. You cheer for us because you know us. You know more than just our names. Like all of you, we are students first. We don’t sign autographs. But we do sign graduate school applications, MCAT exams, and student body petitions. When we miss a kick or strike out, we don’t let down an entire state. We only let down our teammates, coaches, and fans. But the hurt is still the same. We train hard, lift, throw, run, kick, tackle, shoot, dribble, and lift some more, and in the morning we go to class. And in that class we are nothing more than students. It’s about pride–in ourselves, in our school. It’s about our love and passion for the game. And when it’s over, when we walk off that court or field for the last time, our hearts crumble. Those tears are real. But deep down inside, we are very proud of ourselves. We will forever be what few can claim…college athletes – Author Unknown

Phil Lawler and I at the PE Convention

This week was filled with randomness, creativity, and fun. First off I would like to state that student teaching is going smoothly and I love every second of it. I wake up every morning thinking this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. I enjoy working with the kids and showing them how to not only maintain a healthy and fit life, but also teach them life lessons and share stories with them that they can relate to.

My 8^th grade girl’s basketball is struggling a little bit this season with fundamentals but I feel we can pull it together midway through the season and make a good run at the tournament.

Wednesday finally came and it was my date night. Now it was my turn to be the bachelor and sit in the love seat. I asked my 3 questions which were answered very thoroughly by the bachelorettes. It was a hard decision between all 3 of them but I went with bachelorette number three in the end. I actually already know her and we went on our date this Sunday to flattop grill. It was great food and the cool thing about it was that it was free.

Thursday I had to depart early from school to attend Teacherfest at the Drury Lane in Oakbrook. I waited in very long lines to sit down and talk with maybe future employers. I shot the stuff with them answered their questions, asked mine, and then I was off to another table to do the same thing. I am much more of a face to face guy and chances like that I always take advantage of.

Friday I went to for the first time in my North Central career to the Union. They had the band Anathallo which is a crazy unique band which I enjoyed tremendously. Unfortunately I had to leave early but I showed some baseball recruits a good time that night over Lou’ Malnati’s pizza.

After flattop grill on Sunday I had a presentation and guest speaker Judy Sweet, former Sr. Vice President of the NCAA and current athletics consultant with Alden and Associates in Meiley-Swallow Thrust Theatre. Her presentation was labeled, “It’s Not Whether You Win or Lose, It’s Whether You Get to Play the Game at All”, addresses the change in athletics landscape with the passage of Title IX in 1972. It was a great presentation and she was an awesome lady to meet.

Well until next time loyal bloggers I will close this blog off with another famous quote from one of the greatest baseball players of all-time.

 ”Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about a bad break I got. Yet today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth. I have been to ballparks for seventeen years and I have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans. Sure, I’m lucky. When the New York Giants, a team you would give your right arm to beat and vice versa, sends you a gift, that’s something. When everybody down to the groundskeepers and those boys in the white coats remember you with trophies, that’s something. When you have a father and mother who work all their lives so that you can have an education and build your body, it’s a blessing. When you have a wife who has been a tower of strength and shown more courage than you dreamed existed, that’s the finest I know. So I close by saying that I might have been given a bad break, but I’ve got an awful lot to live for. Thank you.” –  Lou Gehrig Farewell Speech (July 4, 1939)

Dont Ever Forget Where You Came From (Me and my little brother Dan)