Good Evening

How great it is that I live in a country where I get to hang out at Starbucks on a Sunday evening. As is customary, Mike and I spent a few hours at our favorite hangout.

The tea I had this evening was probably the best I have had in a long time. Strong but not so strong that it keeps you up for hours afterward.

We were able to solve one problem. I think we came to the consensus that I am more like George from the television show Seinfeld. You'll have to ask Mike for the specifics.

I also went to my friend Nick's Graduation Party today. It was interesting meeting all of his family and friends from Gas City. I enjoyed myself.

I also found it humorous when he introduced me to everyone as the President. Good times!

Well, I think that is enough for me because I don't feel the need to say anything profound or standup on my soapbox. It was just a good evening. Take care!

New KFC Dish full of Calories

It has been a while since my last post. There are so many things to write that I could not possibly fit them into one post.

However, I have been battling a cold recently. Just the usual sore throat and messed up nose so it is keeping me on my toes.

I have also been able to work at a few campaign events and attend Camp Evan Bayh to learn more information about being a candidate and campaigning.

Finally, I want to put to rest an issue that has been bugging me. Everyone around me has been discussing the new KFC Famous Bowl which includes Breaded Chicken, Corn, Mashed Potatoes, Shredded Cheese and Gravy.

I have information that might be of some interest to you before you decide to indulge yourself in it. Enjoy!

Calories: 690
Total Fat: 31 grams
Carbs: 77 grams
Cholesterol: 55 mgs

Eat up folks!

Words without Action

I thought I would take a couple of days off from blogging. Since the school year ended, I have just wanted to sit around and hibernate mostly.

I sub tomorrow so I am looking forward to that. Also, there is a good possibility of me getting another job during the school year. I won't mention any specifics but right now everything looks really good so far.

Basketball with the guys was last night. I feel as if I am in a lot better shape and I'm glad. I am no longer extremely tired or unable to walk correctly after playing which feels great.

Anymore, defense and rebounding is my best strength. All those years of watching dad's post-defense drills have been a major help. Almost to the point of ticking certain people off. Ha ha!

Well, I guess I will get myself caught up on the news. I have been doing a lot of blog surfing recently and there is an abundance of people complaining about the current administration.

All I can say is that I hope that they are doing something about it such as voting, working campaigns, organizing rallies, or writing letters to the newspaper.

Words without action are nothing more than broken promises. We can complain all we want but until we actually do something about it, we have no right to complain.

P.S. To those who believe that the two-party system is failing and those who believe that there is no difference between a Democrat or Republican: I encourage you to read their platforms. It might surprise you.

Last Day of my Presidency

It is a grand but bittersweet day. Today, I will lock up my office for the last time. The time I spent serving the students of my university was a time that I will never forget.

I entered the office with a visionary hope for the future and am now leaving it in better shape than it once was. There were two parts to the success of my Vice President and I this year.

This first part were things that were visible.

Not only did we elevate the two offices to a higher position in the minds of students but, at the same time, we made the President's office a more friendly place for visitors. Never have I seen the amount of people that passed through that office as I did this year.

The Executive Branch also became more active in the surrounding community and nation as well through participation in the Relay for Life and helping to raise over $5,000 for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Also, we were an active voice for students in the areas of campus parking and security. As I leave the office, I am happy and grateful to the parking staff that there will be more student parking spaces next year.

Campus security also improved with the placement of a new emergency call box near the parking garage and addressing the campus lighting problem even though there are some that still need work.

The second part of the success were things that were not visible to everyone.

Contrary to student governments that refuse to work with administration and staff, we were successful in working with and establishing relationships with both of these groups. Granted, we have a long way to go but a foundation and precedent has been sent for the future.

Lastly, my Vice President and I were especially proud of the way we were able to help students by just lending a kind ear. Over the past few years, our Student Government has been criticized as being an out of touch clique.

Because of the great work by our Legislative and Executive branches, we are beginning to move away from this label through talking and (most importantly) listening to student concerns.

That being said, there is still much more to be done. The incoming government has much work to do but if they are half as successful as we were this year, they will make good on the premise of improving student life.

This is a long post but to be honest it was a long year too. It has been a very tiring one at that but I can honestly say that it is the best kind of tired there is.

Stay involved and always remember that the government (whether it be your state, national, or student) works for you.

Support and Sacrifice

The amount of support coming from friends and immediate family has been amazing. It has really helped me deal with the events that have transpired the last few days.

There is a famous saying, "Big things come in small packages." I think that best describes the support that I have been blessed with this week.

In times of need, I think that it can be a few kind words, a hug, or even a pick-up game of basketball that touches the heart and raises the human spirit.

I have also been learning more and more about my family. I have been told some fascinating stories over the past few days.

Probably the most interesting thing that I have learned is that many in my family have served in our nation's Armed Forces.

My late-Grandfather Ralph was a member of the United States Army. My late-Grandfather Dean served for 21 years in the Army National Guard as a Lieutenant-Colonel.

My late-Uncle Ken served in the Army during World War II and was one of the first men to hit the beaches of Normandy on D-Day.

While serving in the Pacific during World War II, my Uncle Elmer served in the Navy and still remembers the dangers of Japanese kamikaze planes.

Lastly (after meeting and speaking with him today), my father's cousin Jerry served on a Naval submarine during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.

Now please remember, I do not consider my family to be more patriotic than any other family by sharing these stories.

I know that I am not the only one who has these kinds of stories to tell nor am I alone in having family members who gave something of themselves for our great nation. Many great people have done that.

These are simply the stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things for our country who just happen to be related to me. I am indeed honored to have known and been able to call them family.

Beneath the Surface

I could not have asked for more beautiful weather than the kind we had today. It is my firm belief that my hometown comes alive with this kind of weather which makes me proud to be a Hoosier.

But for as sunny and bright as today was, my mental state of being was nothing further from the opposite.

Early this afternoon, I received the tragic news that my grandfather had passed away today. To most people, it may seem weird because I kept it all to myself.

I kept it all inside beneath the surface while strongly pressing on and putting on my best brave face. The sadness and emotion going through my mind is impossible to describe anywhere other than in a very large book.

The details of this loss are endless. The amount of emotion, information, and history involved in describing my current state of mind so that others could understand would take more time than I possess.

I am also facing the certain nightmares of losing my own parents one day. The very thought of this makes me tear up a little bit.

The image of that happening is definitely new for most people as a very small amount have ever seen me in that condition.

Along with hiding my emotions, I have chosen not to share this with others in person. The guilt I feel for even feeling a bit sorry for myself is quite difficult at times.

I cannot explain it but I have never been comfortable in sharing the pains of life with others. Often times I feel terrible for even bringing anything up.

I guess it will be years down the road before I am able to come to grips with the reasons of why.

Jealousy and impatience were also in order for today. Just like my grandfather's death, I have managed to conceal these emotions also. However, this in no way makes up for it because in my heart these feelings still remain.

So, tonight, I will end this post which is probably the most personal one I have ever written. I am not comfortable with it but it is my hope that this will help with the healing process. Take care!