Goals and Dreams

Okay, so since I just graduated from college (finally) and turned 24 (getting up there) and I'm moving to a new school/city/state/time zone in August, I've been spending lots of time reflecting on what I've done as well as trying to figure out what I still want to do. So, basically a list of all the things I want to do and achieve sometime in my life will follow.

PS - I don't really feel like taking the time to figure out which of the following count towards goals or dreams, cause I know there's a difference and whatnot and someone who reads this will probably think something along those lines, but it's 1 am, so get over it.

1. Finish grad school

2. Get into shape

3. Start dating again

4. Get into a career that I enjoy (no matter how many false starts, extra schooling or moving around it may take)

5. Live abroad (preferably in a country that speaks English, cause we all know how good I am with foreign languages)

6. Be in an underwear shoot (remember, these are my dreams, too and a gay boy can dream all he wants)

7. Have kids

8. Find myself a good partner

9. Do something important with Delta Chi

10. Help support a cause for LGBTQA youth

11. Lighten up once in a while

12. Visit Europe, mainly England, Ireland, Italy and Germany (again), as well as Australia

13. Have a 6 pack, even if it's just for a day

14. No matter where I end up, I want to stay in touch with people as best as possible (not one of my strong suits at the moment)

15. Read more

16. Get back into comic books (I miss them)

17. Catch 'em all!

Recap to the Present

So it's been forever since I updated and there's a ton of updating to go over.

So first and foremost, I finally graduated from college and have my undergraduate degree! May 2nd, 2009, I graduated with the rest of the WCU crew (well most of them all)! Too bad I'm not going to teach. Opps.

Instead of trying to find a job in this oh so wonderful economy, I decided to go to grad school (well I decided that back in November when the Student Affairs bug bit me in the ass during the ACUI conference). So long story short, I'm going to Arizona State University in Tempe for my Master's in Higher and Post Secondary Education, so that I can, hopefully, start my career in Student Affairs. God only knows where that'll take me. Come mid-August, I'll be heading out that way to start another 2 years of school. If all things go well, I'll be living at the Delta Chi house out there, which will be awesome. They'll never replace my WCU ∆X boys, but it'll still be nice to have people when I get out there.

It'll definitely be weird being 2 time zones over in a new city and school. Knowing me, I'll try and relate or connect everything back to WCU, but I know I probably won't find anything that can compare to the people and groups I left back there, like the LGBTQA, the Sykes crew, my ∆X guys, the PE kids and everyone else. It definitely won't be the same, but I'm hoping it'll be just as much fun and exciting.

Until then, though, I'm chilling out in Bucks County all summer, trying to work my butt off and get to see people before I disappear to the South West. I got a life guarding job at the Raven in New Hope (a gay "resort", where the pool is no bigger than the ones you see in people's back yards), where I basically get paid to get tan. Hehe.

That's it really. You're all caught up on the big things in my life right now.

Andrew

March!

So it's finally March, and it has been a great month so far. My last week at my elementary placement, which started off with a snow day and then a 2-hour delay on Tuesday!! The weather has been incredible, I start my middle school placement Monday and we're half way done the semester!

Other than struggling to keep my sanity during student teaching, I'm also attempting to get into grad school. My main picks so far are U Penn and Pitt, though I still have to get one thing in for Pitt. Besides those 2, I've also applied to Temple, U Del, Univ. of Maryland, Florida State, Arizona State and Northern Arizona. We'll see how that all goes. For those of whom needs catching up, I'm detouring from teaching and going to grad school for Student Affairs/Higher Education. Nothing like trying to delay the real world another 2 years, give or take. If all goes well, I'll be at U Penn next fall, living in Philly. God, that just spells trouble. Hehe.

September is Here!!

Alrighty kids, it's time for another update.

Looking back at my last entry, I really haven't done anything in August, but still somehow had a million and one things to do. The last half of the month was dedicated to Sykes training, but whatever, I got paid for it. Still haven't really been hitting the gym/pool like I should have, and I really need to get on that. I'm still procrastinating on all my work and stuff that I need to get done. No more oh wells, I need to get my shit together and start doing what I need to do! Yell at me if you know there is something I need to do or take care of.

As for what's coming up this semester, I think I may have already bitten off more than I can chew, but it'll make it a fun semester. Got my classes straightened out I think. Ended up switching out my Sociology of the Family and Tai Chi classes for Linguistics and Ancient Philosophy. So no more night classes, but it kinda puts a kink in what I was hoping for my Practicum visitation schedule. Practicum should be interesting in itself, but I should be fine if I just keep up with my assignments.

I also have Sykes, but that's just inconvenient, since I have mostly morning shifts (no sleeping in for me). But half the time, I get to work with Tingle, so it helps and Monday mornings, I have Kimmie at the desk, so its all good. I did suggest starting a Wellness POD, so I'm kinda facilitating that right now, but that shouldn't be a problem either.

Then there's LGBTQA! Hehe, Programs Co-ordinator is a pretty cool job. I picked up taking charge of Speak Outs, too, so that's where a lot of my time is going for LGBTQA. It's not too hard, and I really like doing it, so it's all good.

Otherwise, I'm doing good. I'm feeling good and glad that everyone is back in West Chester. I think the lazy August is starting to show some not so good results around the waist, but everyone says I'm crazy. Either way, still need to make it into the gym and get some laps in, especially to help me prepare for my skills tests in Life Guarding. If anyone needs a work out/laps partner, give me a holler!

Getting Ready for August

So August is quickly approaching and you all know what that means: school starts soon!! Yay!

But before classes start, I have Student Director training at Sykes for 2 weeks before that. The first night involves a sleep over in the building, not like I spend enough time in here during the semester anyway. But it should be fun anyways, plus I get paid and fed, so I can't complain.

My fall schedule is starting to shape up nicely. Besides classes and LGBTQA office time, I'm going to have SD shifts and my Practicum hours, so I'll be pretty busy. I got my placement for Practicum, at Paxon Hollow MS in Marple Newtown district. Hope I can get into contact with some of the participating teachers and get a schedule together before I schedule for Sykes.

I also am starting to try and get exercising back into my daily routine. It's harder said than done, but I really need to, especially for my Life Guarding class starting this semester. Hopefully I won't drown the first day. Hehe. But ya, I'm trying to get fit again, so encouragement is always welcome.

In other news, I think I may have met someone who has potential. For all of those who know me well enough, this is probably a shock, since you all know how I am with guys and dating and relationships. But this one feels different, like when I first met Freddy, so I'm taking that a good sign. I'll update you all as things develop.

Andrew

Jeez, I need to update more

Okay, so as per usual, I've totally neglected my blog again. It's been what, like 2 months since I last updated?

So here's the 411.

First off, the spring semester is over and I passed with flying colors, got a 3.77 GPA for the semester, giving me a cumulative GPA of 3.49. Hoping to graduate with a 3.55 or higher.

Moved to West Chester at the beginning of June, with Lauren and Brian. Quite the experience so far. The place is starting to come together, but it still needs some work. I really like living in West Chester, it's really cool to live in town without parental supervision. Been working at Sykes for the summer, which is really cool. It's a pretty awesome summer job, but I still really miss camp from last year.

As for the fall, I have a pretty cool schedule coming up. At first I was going for a psych minor, but I said screw it, and I'm getting my aquatics requirement out of the way. So basically, I have life guarding, adventure based education, tai chi, sociology of the family (with Lauren) and practicum. Should be pretty fun, since I only have 2 real classes and 3 activities classes. Also, I'm going to be an SD (student director at Sykes, a step up from my old position)! Should be a pretty awesome semester.

So ya, I'll try to keep this thing updated again, and if you're in West Chester, give me a buzz.

Andrew

Where have I been?

So ya, I've been totally slacking with this whole blog thing. I need to be more on the ball with it, but these past couple of weeks have been super crazy with everything at school. I can't wait for the weekend! It'll be nice to have a chance to relax a bit Saturday and Sunday. But anywho, school is pretty crazy, as is the rest of my life. I can't wait for this semester to end and I especially can't wait for my move in day June 1st. I can't wait to have my own place over the summer. Just need to find some good furniture. I hope Craigslist can provide for me. Hehe.

Andrew