Once again I started the school year off to the right step. Class went really well for the first week. I have two classes and two directed studies. I do not have class Tuesday or Thursday, which is awesome because I have baseball conditioning at 6:00AM every Tuesday and Thursday, and 8:00AM Monday, Wednesday, and Friday is not bad. I myself am much more of a fan of 9:20, but my teachers seem awesome and very energetic, like all teachers here at North Central.

Baseball conditioning this week was a little rough, but like they say “what doesn’t kill ya only makes ya stronger.” But we start real baseball practices this Tuesday and we shall see what we got going on this year. I’m really excited about the season because of the large recruited transfer and freshman class.

Overall this last week went real smoothly and I’m glad to be back here again for one more year. I have volunteered Monday and Wednesday’s at Madison and Washington Jr. high here in Naperville as a tutor for the homework club and after school math program. I am trying to get my foot in the door and have a great time teaching and aiding kids in learning.

“The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.” – Buddha

(I found this quote on a poster at the annual poster sale outside of Seger hall)

The 2008 Senior Orientation Leaders

About 5 months ago me and my friends applied for a competition known as Flugtag. It was located in Chicago on Sept 6^th. The competition is based on creativity, showmanship, and distance of the craft that is pushed off the platform of 3 stories. The main team consisted of 5 team members, 4 pushers and 1 pilot. There was also the pit crew which adds up to 12 all together. Our theme was Mario Kart. I was Luigi, my friends were Princess Peach, Toad, Yoshi, and Mario. It was an awesome experience building the entire kart in my buddy’s garage. The kart needs to be man powered and it took us about 3 weeks to assemble. We transported it to North Ave. beach with my buddies pick up and trailer. We then attached our glider which you will see in the photo and flew 42 ft. the farthest distance was 112 ft. we took 5^th in distance. But we won the best award I feel, the “Peoples choice award”, with 30% of the votes. It was an awesome experience and I will never forget the camaraderie and team work that was present in building the craft.

Aside from that I’m back at North Central being the Orientation Leader I’ve been for the past 2 years. We welcomed the incoming new students this week and what a huge class it was. Every year gets bigger and bigger.

Welcome week, which is the week before school starts where new students move in and participate in a variety of activities. For example casino night, boat dance, block party, academic sessions, and seminars dealing with sex and drugs. It was an awesome week and I’m totally looking forward to starting this year off on the right foot.

Quote of the Week:

“When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.” - G. K. Chesterton

Our Team was Team 8 “The USHE” as is in the Usuals

With summer ending just around the bend, just like every year most of my friends go back to their state schools and start 3 weeks before we do here at North Central. Where some people may look down on that, I do not. I believe it all works out in the end. Yes we get out in June, but our D-Term (December Term) is 6 weeks. I use this time before schools starts to work out, clean the house (room, basement, and garage). With most of my friends gone there is not much to do so I pass the time with those activities.

There still are my North Central friends who live around me. My friend came over yesterday we went to the driving range and “dropped some bombs” I like to call it. Although I do not hit the ball very straight or far I still like to think I do.

After the driving range we went back to my house and played some bags, pool, and ping pong. I could play these 3 things all day long with anyone. We then watched the movie “Accepted”. Very unrealistic but I got the message it was trying to convey. Everyone has different interests and everyone can learn from each other.

Future Plans:

Welcome Week North Central Orientation

Brewers Game with a fellow OL (Orientation Leader)

Visit little brother at U of I

Quote of the Week:

May the wind always be at our backs and the sun upon our faces, and may the wings of destiny carry us aloft to dance with the stars. – Blow

My fearless campers that were troopers the whole summer

Some of the details in which I left out last time were

·        I was a camp counselor for my 5th straight year for my park district

·        I umpired baseball games for my 3rd year for kids 3rd-9th grade

·        I ran a triathlon with my little brother

Once again this year I was able to return to my yearly summer job of being a Camp counselor. I ride my Huffy bike to work everyday. I have been a camp counselor now for 5 years and have loved it since the beginning. I work with kids 5-14 years old. We go to the pool4-5 days a week and a field trip on Wednesdays. I love working with the kids because it shows me a glimpse into what teaching will be like.

Also I returned to umpiring this summer for the baseball league. It a lot of fun seeing the  kids out of a school context and playing a sport. I love baseball and love working with kids. A lot of umpires are in it for the money, but I’m in it to teach kids the proper techniques and basic skills to succeed in baseball. I hope to next year to umpire once again.

Last but not least, my little brother and I signed up for a sprint triathlon right next to North Central on the river walk and around Naperville. My little brother had heard about it and I thought it would be a good idea to sign up. I trained at the pool and ran a lot with my dog Riley. I biked when I could and all that training made it so much easier when the actual triathlon came. It was a 400 meter swim, 13 mile bike ride, and 3 mile run. It was a ton of fun and I hopefully will be able to do it again next year.

So if I forget something between those dates and events I apologize and will clue in when I remember them.

Quote of the Week: this quote was said to me by one of my favorite coaches on my summer baseball team 2 years ago.

“Self Confidence and Belief in Yourself Goes A Long Way”

You Need to Have 3 Things in Life

1. Family

2. Religion : Something to Believe In

3. Team : Companionship and Friends

–        Len Diforte « The Godfather of Glen Ellyn

 my summer team Glen Ellyn Jam 2nd PLace AAABA Tournament Johnstown Penn.

Len is on the far left

 My little brother, my mom, and me