Saint Leo University: Daniel Izquierdo

Fall Family Festival

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:37:06 -0500

My First Video Blog

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:04:22 -0500

Daniel goes to Isle of Capri

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 14:38:55 -0500

Yesterday was by far one of the days that have put the icing on the cake for my experience here in Italy. Yesterday I went to what I can say was paradise found. In Italy we call it, Isola di Capri. Isle of Capri is genuinely one of the most beautiful islands on earth, with so much natural beauty and splendor. At the moment I am currently in Sorrento in my nice Seven Hostel, five star hostel right near the coastline in Sorrento/Sant Agnello. Capri was more than just awesome, it was paradise. The day started out by me waking up at 3:30am to catch the coach bus near John Cabot University at 4:30am. After driving 4 hours from Rome to Sorrento, the whole tour group and I hopped on a boat and we set sail for the Isle of Capri. The captain of the boat gave us a guided tour by boat as we circled the island and headed to Capri’s Marina Piccola (Small Marina). Once we arrived in the Marina Piccola, I was captivated by the amazing view of the beach and the surrounding buildings that jet from the hills. The beauty is genuinely all natural, and exotic. The rocks which jet out of the ocean are beyond awesome and the turquoise waters leave you in a state of awe. From the Marina Piccola, I hiked up the steps to the main town of Capri, which is the first town up the mountain. While in Capri’s main piazza, I savored a nice iced lemon/strawberry drink with friends. The breathtaking view of the coast and the mountains was by far one amazing experience. From there, my friends and I hopped on the Capri public transport and went to the town of Ana Capri. Ana Capri is the town on the highest point of the island, and it was there where my friends and I went to have Limóncello - a lemon liqueur. At that store, I was also able to get two sandals hand made by a man whose been creating sandal designs for the last 60 years. It was an awesome experience to see and I am now a proud owner of Capri summer sandals. After we were done with our shopping in Ana Capri, my friends and I went to have some authentic Sorrentine and Capri cuisine for lunch. The view from the restaurant was five star, and the food was awesome. My friends Lauren and Sarah came up with the idea to take a convertible taxi from Ana Capri to Capri, which was awesome. It was a beautiful day, not too hot, not too cold, and the breeze coming through the island from the sea was great. Convertible, beautiful coastline and mountains, nice sea breeze blowing across your face…enough said! Hahaha. My friends and I enjoyed that invigorating open air taxi ride. It was a time I will genuinely never forget. Once Lauren, Sarah, and I arrived back in Capri, we decided it was time to go shopping once again. The streets in the center of town in Capri were lined up with the top brand stores which of course are my favorite things to see…he he. Some stores that I got to go into were Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo – my favorite, Valentino, Dolce and Gabbana, Roberto Cavalli, and Giorgio Armani. I went inside the Dolce and Gabbana store and bought a shirt and window browsed the rest of the stores. Only one day, I feel like I will be able to afford such things. I am all about Italian fashion and quality clothing. Being that I live in Italy, fashion is king, and people pay attention to detail and fashion here. Always nice to look good and make good impressions. Anyway, other than thinking of just shopping, Capri is a peaceful atmosphere that uplifts tourists, and it leaves you craving for more. The beaches are spectacular, and famous celebrities are always known to be frequenting the area during the summer months. The atmosphere is chic, and the Island is exotically one of the gems of the Mediterranean. After frequenting the main Capri town, Lauren, Sarah, and I walked down the mountain back to the Marina Piccola to meet up with the rest of the group. We hopped on the boat and took the long way back to Sorrento. While we were on the boat we had the opportunity to see the lighthouse, and circumnavigate the rest of the island before docking in one of Sorrento’s small ports. From the small port in Sorrento, I hopped on the bus and it took me to Sorrento’s main city center and from there I walked to my Seven Hostel. The day was definitely an invigorating one, and it really helped me relax a lot after all the stress and studying I had been doing before that. School in Rome stresses me out sometimes, and that is what makes such a small weekend getaway so worth it. Today I plan to tour Sorrento’s main town, and also head to one of the most beautiful small towns on earth. Positano, Italy. I cannot wait to see the town, because in pictures, it is really amazing. Ciao a tutti di Sorrento! Ciao to everyone from Sorrento…Hope all is well back in the United States!

Excursion to Vatican City

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 14:26:53 -0500

I must be honest, and I know I may get surprising feedback from this, but in the four months that I have been in Rome, this is the first time that I have been inside the Vatican Museum, and I will have the chance to enter St. Peter’s Basilica. I live just a five minute walk away from the Vatican, and I can finally say that I have time to go inside it. Amidst all the busyness that school brings, it has been hard to see all the usual and famous locations around Rome. I would walk by amazing monuments and sights like the Vatican on a daily basis, but I haven’t had the chance to see much of it on the inside. Today when I entered the Vatican Museum, I didn’t realize how big it really was until I entered it. It was huge. Lots of art, and extravagant things that the Catholic Church has preserved for several hundred years now. The place reminded me of the Louvre in Paris. So huge, overwhelming, and it had lots of art. What was so intriguing, I got to see the Sistine Chapel. The Sistine Chapel was definitely awe inspiring because I got the opportunity to really cherish and savor the art and sculptures of Michelangelo. Michelangelo being my favorite, really made me really excited to see many of his famous works. I had the chance to see his sculptures such as the famous Pieta in St. Peter’s Basilica, and the art of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. I felt like the ceiling tells a beautiful biblical story which intrigues the human person from within. That is what happened to me. It’s a definitely must see for those visiting Rome. You cannot leave Rome without seeing the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museum. After walking around the museum observing its wonderful art and exhibits, I exited the museum and headed into the Vatican State. The Vatican State, being the smallest nation in the world was amazing to see. I had the chance to walk from the museum and into the Basilica. The Basilica of St. Peter, being the largest Catholic Church in the world, really leaves a person in awe. It’s huge, it’s vast, and it has one of the most beautiful objects of art in the world. I really enjoyed seeing the Swiss Guards and their fancy uniforms. Makes me want to own one myself…maybe for Halloween, I can dress like that. Hahaha. The dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, the Cupola, is amazingly huge. I heard you can fit the Statue of Liberty or the Space Shuttle twice in there. It is that huge… The view of Rome from up top is spectacular. One of the best views you will ever see if from the cupola of St. Peter’s. In addition to the cupola, I had the opportunity to see the sacred papal tombs and the bones of St. Peter himself. The papal tombs were really an emotional sight for me because I have always wanted to see the bones of St. Peter, and the tomb of Pope John Paul II. Pope John Paul II has always been a role model for me ever since I was really young. My dream as a young guy was to visit Rome and visit Pope John Paul II when he was alive. It was not the best time in my life when I heard he passed away. Ever since JPII’s passing, I made it a goal to come to Rome one day to pay homage to his tomb, and being that I was there pushed me to the point where tears were rolling down my face. The only Pope I ever knew as a young guy was JPII, and his passion for youth of the world is what made me admire him so much. Being that I couldn’t see him in human form as a young teenager really was a bummer, but being there paying homage really brought peace to my heart. Vatican City is a must see for those that visit Rome. The basilica, the Vatican Museum, and St. Peter’s Square are genuinely one of the most beautiful places on Earth. The art, the history, the wonder…it leaves you in awe and it has an affect that makes you want to come back for more. Being that it is one of the holiest places on earth, makes you feel one with God due to its sacred environment. I am looking forward to Easter Sunday because I will be heading to the Vatican for mass. I know it is a time I will never forget, and I am really excited for what will occur. I hope I can get close so I can see Pope Benedict XVI.

Trip to Barcelona

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 10:47:53 -0500

Spring Break is finally here. I am currently resting in my hotel in the center of Barcelona. I have one week off from school and so far life is great being that mid-terms are done and over with. I am planning to be here in Barcelona for 4 days, and then head to Venice for two days before heading home to Rome. It feels pretty nice at the moment to take a vacation away from school. Things lately at school have been pretty stressful, and this is definitely a time to unwind before returning back to school for the second leg of the semester.

The climate here in Barcelona is absolutely beautiful for March. The weather is hot for this month, and I am definitely enjoying the beauty that this city has to offer. I am looking forward to the next 3 days that I am here. I really feel comfortable here being that I know fluent Spanish. Getting around Barcelona will not be an issue at all because Barcelona’s city layout seems so efficient and understandable after over viewing the maps and metro lines before arriving. Rome seems much more complex and hard to get around in comparison to Barcelona.

My plans for my vacation here in Barcelona so far consists of sightseeing, checking out the nightlife, bars, social activities, Visiting Las Ramblas, the main cathedral in Barcelona, visiting the famous Gaudi’s Cathedral, probably go jogging on the Port Olympic and seaside, and do some shopping. Being that this is my first day in Barcelona, I want to get my feet wet for this city, and walk around the city first to get a feel for it. I really look forward to seeing what Barcelona has to offer because this is my first time in Spain. Since my arrival in Barcelona today, I really like the beauty that this city offers. From what my friends have said, Barcelona is very cosmopolitan. It is a cultural center of Influence, Catalan is pretty awesome, Today I plan to go walking around the city and see Las Ramblas, look at the outside of Gaudi’s Cathedral, and check out the Eixample district of Barcelona. The Eixample is supposedly a very fun cultural and sophisticated district of Barcelona.

I am definitely looking forward to the outcome of my nice spring break vacation. Being on my own on this spring break gives me some personal down time to think, relax, and savor the experience.

When in Rome – Normal School Day: The Experience to Remember…

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 10:46:31 -0500

Its 8:00 Am, Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009, and I am waking up in my comfortable apartment at the Residence Medaglie d’Oro. As I rise from my bed, I thank God for allowing me to still enjoy the time of my life here in the Eternal City of Rome. Rome being one of the biggest archeological sites in the world; really makes me appreciate the ambiance that the historical elements leave upon the individual. After refreshing myself and getting dressed, I usually grab a yogurt and get a sip of orange juice in my small fridge. After grabbing my bookbag I jet for the bus stop down the street. One thing about Rome that you all need to know is this: Rome’s metropolitan transport system, ATAC, is one of the biggest headaches. Buses are never on time and to get to school, I sometimes need to accommodate at least 1 ½ hours before class time to leave my apartment. My apartment is about a 45 minute walk to campus, and sometimes if I am running late, I have to take a taxi to get to school. As I walk down to the Bus Stop, the 990 to Piazza Cavour is late like usual, so instead of waiting, I walk for about 5 minutes to the Bus Stop near to the Musei Vaticani (Vatican Museum). At the Via Leone IV bus stop, I grab the 23 to Piazza Trilussa. Piazza Trilussa, is the Piazza which sits in the middle of the two John Cabot University Campuses. As I get off the bus in Piazza Trilussa, I head straight towards Friends Café to say hello to Daniela. Friends Café is a place where I enjoy spending time socializing with the locals, Daniela, and the other workers that work at the Café. As I socialize with Daniela, catching up on the new things during the week, I savor my nice Italian Cappuccino and my Corneto. It is so awesome to be among many Italians during the morning hours enjoying the genuine café lifestyle that remains vibrant every morning in every part of Italy. From Friends Café, I head to the Tiber Campus of JCU, and I go say hello to Pilar in Student Services and then head to the Computer Lab to check my e-mail and review some notes online. By this time it’s about 10:30am and I am working in the Computer Lab and also saying hello to other study abroads that are sharing in the same experience I am. Around Noon I head to my first class, E-Marketing, with Professor Susan Fuller.
E-Marketing with Professor Susan Fuller is an intense course where I feel like I have learned a lot. She pushes me to the limit, and always recognizes my efforts with comprehending the concepts. I really do appreciate her as a professor, and I really feel it is a class where she enjoys listening to us about our research and efforts.
After E-Marketing, I head to lunch for one hour and I head back to Friends Café for Lunch. The manager of Friends Café knows me by name and knows what I always order. Being that I am such a frequent person to the café, it feels awesome that they enjoy my company and my business. I always enjoy the ambiance, and of course, the free Wi-Fi. After savoring a great chicken breast with rice and vegetables, I head back to the Tiber Campus for my second out of five classes: Business Ethics with Professor Tom Bailey.
Business Ethics with Professor Bailey can be an interesting class where students can sit down, learn and debate about different businesses and how their practices are considered ethical or unethical, and why. I enjoy the class being that I love to debate, and I know how to debate well. Being that I was on the debate team for 3 years at Brandon High School back in the day, I really grew a foundation for arguing my cases. Sometimes I wonder if I should be studying to be a lawyer…hahaha. Today in class Professor Bailey has brought up the subject about Wal-Mart and how they have not been ethical with proper treatment of their employees. With this case I argued against Wal-Mart and I enjoyed arguing against Wal-Mart, because that is definitely one place that I will be avoiding when I return to the United States. After reading about the company and studying them with much depth, I have really observed that they are not very ethical, and being that they play a huge role within the economy, they have so much control within the market. After 1 hour of debate and interesting concepts, I grab my books and head to my third class: Political Economy of Globalization at the Guarini Campus.
Political Economy of Globalization with Professor Steven Colatrella is an intense course, hands down. It has pushed me to the limits, and the reading for this course is obscenely too much for a regular undergraduate student sometimes. Even though the reading can be intense, I really enjoy his lectures and the knowledge he has. Today we learned about the Asian Financial Crisis and we also saw a video of how it was caused, beginning with the Thai Financial Market. Pretty interesting events and concepts I must say, but it is intense. Students can really see the passion he has for the subject, and I really enjoy listening to his lectures about the Global Economy and how it has evolved since the colonization age till present day 2009.
After an interesting lecture with Professor Colatrella, I head back to the Tiber Campus for my fourth out of fifth class: International Business Course with Professor Angelo Forte. Professor Angelo Forte is definitely one professor that I enjoy. He has had many years of experiences working for many International Companies, and he currently works as a Business Consultant part time. Today we are learning about Cultural influences within International Business. Getting the chance to learn about different concepts and principles of different cultural backgrounds throughout the world seems really essential when comprehending the way companies do business internationally.
Now it’s about 6:45pm, and I am tired. I have one more class, but thank God it is an interesting course with an amazing professor. Professor Alessandro Signorini teaches my Marketing Management Course. Alessandro Signorini is by far one of the best professors at John Cabot University because of his research and experience working as a Marketing Strategist for different companies. It is so interesting to hear about his research with the aviation industry and how airlines are contributing to the research that Professor Signorini makes. This capstone course in Marketing really has revealed my passion for Marketing. Today we are learning about ESPN and how they as a company target their Market through appropriate segmentation and positioning. Being that it only has 5 people in the course, I really enjoy the atmosphere. Learning about such cases like the one today on ESPN within our small group really gives me that interacting working experience that I really enjoy. Being that Marketing Management is my last course of the day, I am finished finally for the day. It’s currently 8pm, and I am ready to head back to my apartment to cook dinner, do some homework, and rest. Tomorrow is my 4 hour work day in the morning in the Housing Office, and then free time to catch up on homework or sightsee. I am probably going to see the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterno tomorrow after working in the Housing Office. It feels pretty awesome to say that I have ample amounts of time to go sightsee and savor the experiences that Rome has to offer. I love Roma and I know that it will be a very hard time for me to adjust to being at home back in Florida.

Ciao di Firenze! Citta bella della arte!

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 14:55:14 -0500

After arriving yesterday in Firenze (Florence), I am left in an awe that I haven’t experienced since I arrived in Europe on December 28th. Florence really is a gem here in Europe. I love this city and I am very fortunate to be here to see the awe and wonder that the city gives off. Today, I woke up in my hotel, had breakfast, and set off to see the rest of the city and the adventure that the city has to offer. I started off walking to the Galleria d'Accademia to see the famous Michelangelo’s David. After walking into the museum, I was inspired by the many masterpieces of famous Italian artists and sculptors. I loved seeing the David and seeing the beauty of Michelangelo’s most famous sculpture. The David seemed so real and so beautiful. I was staring at it for at least 10 minutes just thinking how such a beautiful masterpiece was created with such great artistic precision and perfection. After the Galleria d’Accademia, I headed to the Duomo and went inside the beautiful Cathedral. It was amazing and the church inside has beautiful art and architecture that can’t be found anywhere in the world. I also had the opportunity to climb the Dome. That was 463 steps, with no elevator, and very small spaces for climbing. Let’s just say it was a huge workout. Afterwards, I dared myself, and of course, I climbed Giotto’s Tower which was 417 steps. The climbing after all was so worth it because the views were spectacular. So spectacular that I saw all of Florence, and I saw the rolling hills and mountains of Tuscany. One of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. I decided after all that climbing that I should treat myself to a nice lunch. I went to Piazza Della Repubblica and went to a Café called Gilli. Gilli was founded in 1736. 1736! That’s older than the independence of the U.S. and many things that I have seen. It was really nice, and I had a really typical Italian lunch: Gnocchi, Bruschetta (bread, olive oil, tomatoes, and garlic.), a nice glass of Chianti 2004 wine, a nice Flan for dessert with a cappuccino con doppio café (two Italian espressos mixed as a cappuccino). All I can say it was really good. After lunch, I go to the Ponte Vecchio, the most beautiful bridge and one of the most famous landmarks in Florence. I spent by far way too much money and bought a beautiful 18 karat gold cross pendant on the Ponte Vecchio. Ponte Vecchio and all of Florence are most well known for their gold and leather. Due to that I love jewelry, I bought the gold pendant. There’s one thing you need to learn about Florence….It is a beautiful city, but it can get expensive because sometimes one doesn’t realize how much money one spends. After the Ponte Vecchio I went to dinner at this beautiful restaurant where I had typical Florentine meat with the best wine from the Montepulciano region. Let me just say, dinner was amazing. Probably the best I have ever eaten in a long time. The meat was almost rare. Florentine meat usually is almost rare, but it was amazing. After dinner, I went back to my hotel to rest because my day was so action packed with so much stuff. I was really tired, and felt that the whole day was worth it. One of the best days of my life so far ;-) Tomorrow, I go to Pisa and then return for my last night in Florence, the beautiful historical city of the Renaissance.

CIAO FROM ITALIA!

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 12:09:46 -0500

This month has been an amazing one with many surprises and of course culture shock.. I arrived in Rome on January 8th and as I was driving through the city center, I was left in a sense of awe. I cannot believe that the eternal city of Rome will be my new home for several months. Now, being February 5, 2009, I have been living in Rome for almost one month now. I have experienced a lot here; things that I have never experienced before in my whole life. I have had to adjust and understand foreign things that are not dealt with in the U.S. I feel like I have adjusted to live like a normal Roman. There is one thing I must admit, due to the Italian bureaucracy, everything is slow here. In Italy there is no such thing as customer service, and there is no such thing as having things fast. One of my biggest obstacles so far has been dealing with the transportation system. The distance walking from my apartment to the school is about 45 minutes, and taking the bus is usually shorter. Budgeting time in Rome is a big thing because buses always run late and are very unpredictable and the metro doesn’t run close by the school. Compared to Paris, Rome’s metro system is not as good. Well, like they say, we need to roll with the punches and just keep on going. My classes are very interesting. I am taking five classes. International Business with Professor Angelo Forte – a very knowledgeable and great businessman. I am also taking E-Marketing with Professor Susan Fuller, Political Economy of Globalization with Professor Steven Colatrella, Business Ethics with Prof. Tom Bailey, and Marketing Management with Professor Alessandro Signiorini. All my classes are really interesting and I am learning so much. By far, my favorite courses are Marketing Management with Prof. Signiorini and International Business with Prof. Forte. They are significantly harder due to that European education tends to be taught in a different manner than at American universities. John Cabot is accredited in the U.S. and is in conjunction with University of Wales standards. In these last few weeks, I have learned a lot. I have been able to enjoy and savor Rome so much. It’s nice to say that I walk by and take the bus right past the Vatican every day. Life has been more than amazing in this last week. I got two internship offers. One with the Croce Rossa Italiane (Italian Red Cross) and Strega Marketing Group in Boston. I am so happy that I have landed these great internships. I feel blessed being here in Rome and having to receive these great opportunities. Also on February 16th, I heard Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, will be in Rome. I got a special invitation, and I will be attending!! Anyway, I am going to have some aperitivo now…Wine and small foods while I do my homework. I will keep you all posted real soon on my adventures and wonderful opportunities. Ciao a Tutti!!! What a great view!!

Rome

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:35:42 -0500

Wow I cannot believe that it’s been over a month, and I am celebrating Valentines Day here in the Eternal City of Rome. So much has occurred in the last several weeks with me trying to adjust to this new lifestyle. Rome is one of those one in a million cities. It has its uniqueness, beauty, and awe inspiring feel, but at the same time it has so many flaws. Being that I have been placed in a new culture, I am now apart of the bustling lifestyle that over four million Romans experience each and every day. Well let’s start out with some of the basic fun things I do consider an important part of my day…as you may have heard traffic in Rome is absolutely insane. People don’t obey traffic laws for the most part, and sometimes I think there aren’t any..? Public Transportation isn’t fun and it is not reliable at all. I unfortunately depend on the bus and Metro to get from point A to point B. It has taken me between 20 minutes to almost 2 ½ hours to get from one point of the city to another…even if it is only 20 minutes by car or even on foot. On foot to get to school it takes me 45 minutes, by bus…who knows? And the metro doesn’t even go close to my school. The way the metro goes in Rome is weird. They keep trying to build more lines, but unfortunately they can’t and it takes a long process. Archeologists make tons of money here because every time a Metro project gets stopped, its because they have hit an early Roman archeological find. Being that Rome is very old, and it is the first city that pretty much established a huge Empire that took over most of the world, there are tons of histories even under the city roads. The metro is much faster to get around, but there are days where they go on strike and every metro gets stopped for the day. It is definitely not a fun thing to have to go through. When it comes to traffic and cars again…People honk their horns every 10 seconds…sometimes I consider it a symphony orchestra of cars singing to each other as people articulate and yell at each other in Italian…which I have seen a lot especially when people drive. I have close encounters with cars, motorini’s (small motorcycles that people drive and they are all over the city), and trucks. Driving in Rome and being on a bus even can be an adventure for itself. ;-) It’s pretty interesting I must say. I suggest you see the youtube video Italy vs. Europe. It’s a funny cartoon that pretty much explains the general bureaucracy and uniqueness that Italy has. The food here in Italy speaks for itself, AMAZING. I love every factor of the cuisine here in Italy. I love going out to eat with friends because I get to go to restaurants where they cook me typical Roman cuisine and of course, I have wine everytime. I have gotten used to having red wine almost every night with my dinner. Being that I am 21 and in Europe I am far enough legal to drink, I always have a glass of wine at dinner J Italy is so famous for its olive oil, spaghetti, Gnocchi, Tortellini, Steak, different qualities of meats, etc. I love it…LOVE IT…This factor is definitely going to be missed when I return to Florida. Italy has so much to offer and I love every single aspect of it, even though transportation can sometimes be a damper to things. I still Love Italy, and being that everything was a culture shock to me when I arrived, I have learned to be a Global person: a person who embraces cultures and different social practices throughout the world. I am heading to Florence in a week…more to come from my experiences in Firenze!! ;-) Ciao a tutti! Arrividerci! -Daniel

Time flies when your in EUROPE!

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:41:58 -0500

Wow, I must say that after being here in Europe for one month, I have really learned a lot about different cultures and practices. I have been to France, Germany, and Italy in the last month, and in this last month, my life has changed for the good. I have been in Rome, Italy since January 8th and I have been working really hard! The narrow streets Fresh Italian Pizza!

Thanksgiving

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:01:36 -0500

Hey Everyone! I am enjoying Thanksgiving break in Boston, Massachusetts. I am sitting here at my fraternity brother Steven’s house watching some television and contemplating all the things I need to accomplish before final exams in about a week and a half. I cannot wait because I have one more month and 3 more days till I leave for Italy. Being that I am from Long Island, New York originally…It feels nice that I am going to have a nice Thanksgiving dinner where it will be nice and warm inside the house while its chilly outside. Reminds me of those holiday times when I lived in New York where the fireplace was lit, and it would snow. I miss those holiday times. Now that my family has moved out of New York and down towards Tampa, holidays aren’t like how they are in New York. Christmas with palm trees outside lol! It can still be chilly down in Florida during the holiday season, but it is not as cold as it is up in New York or in New England. Boston is such a beautiful city…full of history…full of vibrant and exciting things to do. Two days ago I had the opportunity to go to Quincy Market, Hay Market, and I also got to go to a Boston Bruins game which was awesome! I feel like I could never get bored in Boston because there is always something going on in this vibrant city. It can sometimes be a culture shock being that I have lived in Florida for sometime, and Saint Leo University being in the location it is, it makes a huge difference by how things are here in Massachusetts and how they are down in Florida. I have so many assignments to do while I am up here for my Honors Human Condition Reexamined class, I have a presentation and a paper due for my management information systems course, and I have to start my research for my marketing project presentation. A part of me wants to relax and enjoy this break, but there is a part of me that says that I need to get some of it done, so I don’t stress out next week when I return to Saint Leo. It’s all about time management and I have to learn how to balance a lot of things…being in Boston, and completing these assignments. I think I am going to start on this paper for Honors tonight so I can get that out of the way and taken care of…lol. I hope everyone has an amazing Thanksgiving and I will talk to you really soon before the Christmas break! ~ Daniel ~ Me on the plane to Boston!!!

Bacchus Conference

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 22:23:51 -0500

Greetings from Columbus, Ohio!! I am in Columbus for a Bacchus General Assembly Conference because I am the Secretary and Chief Financial Officer of the Students Against Irresponsible Decisions (S.A.I.D.) organization on campus. Bacchus is a conference for peer educators like me, and we go to this conference to learn about how to make better decisions about health, and personal well being. Let me tell you a little bit about myself, and why I am in Columbus for the Bacchus Conference: I am a peer educator in S.A.I.D. and I educate other students within the Saint Leo University student body on things such as alcohol awareness and the negative affects it has on individuals, alcohol abuse, sexual assault awareness and prevention, mental health awareness, suicide prevention, stress and time management, sexual health, and much more. Being in Columbus has been so awesome! It is not as big as Tampa, but it has a vibrant community. Ohio State University being down the street makes this city a cosmopolitan city of students. Let me just say the shopping is amazing, and the Short North district is awesome. It reminds me a little of the SoHo district in New York City, and it is definitely a great environment where GLBT individuals are accepted and embraced. Being that Columbus is in the Midwest per say, it is one of the few cities next to Chicago where the GLBT community is vibrant. So far I am on my 2nd day at the Bacchus Conference and so far things are going really well. As a peer educator and leader, it has been amazing to interact with so many other leaders and peer educators from all across the United States and Canada. I have made friendships that will last a lifetime, I have reunited with fraternity brothers that I haven't seen in a long time, and I have been able to establish life long networks with great individuals. Tonight it was amazing getting to know David Coleman, the dating doctor. Thank you HITCH, David Coleman, the Dating Doctor for amazing advice on dating and relationships. I learned a lot...and you have sincerely changed the lives of many young peer educators and leaders here at the Bacchus Conference.

I am blessed...

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:39:51 -0500

Today has been a wonderful day; a day of amazing blessings and achievements. I feel like I have accomplished a lot of work today. I have been overwhelmed lately with a lot of homework assignments and projects because the end of the semester is coming right around the corner. Along with that, things have been hectic because I am trying to get ready for my departure for Paris, France for new years and to Rome, Italy for school next semester. I am finally going to achieve what I have been wanting to do for the last 3 years while at Saint Leo University… Also, today I received an e-mail which has caused this day to be so amazing for myself. I received an e-mail from one of the Housing Directors at John Cabot University in Rome. I was hired today as their honorary guest Resident Assistant for the spring semester in their Medaglie d’Oro Residence Hall/Hotel! I am on cloud nine, and what is to my surprise is that I never applied for the position. I am glad that the housing staff at John Cabot University have realized what leadership capabilities I have. I am very fortunate and blessed that God has placed these great blessings in my life…I feel like my destiny is going to be fulfilled! One of the biggest things for me this semester has been trying to cope with the realization that a lot of things do not happen on my time, but on God’s time. God knows when the time is right and for some reasons I was called to stay at Saint Leo this fall semester. The reason why I am still at Saint Leo has been revealed to me in various different reasons. I am a Resident Assistant on the 1st floor in Roderick Hall. I have amazing roommates that I have met this semester: Bobby, Ben, and Ryan. Great guys that have so much going for them, and I am blessed that I have had the opportunity to meet them, get to know them, and live with them. Another reason why I feel like I am still at Saint Leo, I had to begin my Marketing minor by beginning it with a good start. My professors this semester have been amazing, and very supportive: Dr. Baglione for personal selling, Dr. Arnold for Essential Business Skills, Ms. Long for Finance for Managers, Dr. Mistor for Management Information Systems, and Dr. McTague for Honors the Human Condition Reexamined. My professors, these awesome individuals, have given me such a great influence, and I have realized a lot about my academic potential through them. I have realized that God puts things in our lives for a reason, and I am ever grateful that I have had the opportunity to take their classes. December 27th, 2008 is the BIG day for me…the day that I will be flying to Paris, France for an amazing Parisian adventure. I will be there for new years eve, and I will be sightseeing the many beautiful areas of Paris. I will be in France for approximately 10 days, and then I will be flying to Rome to get settled in before my classes begin and before my residents move back for the beginning of a great spring semester. Look out for more Blogs during the spring. I will have amazing things to say!

Halloween

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 23:52:36 -0500

Wow, Halloween is here! I must say its not one of my favorite holidays, but still I love to dress up in costumes. Today I plan on dressing up in a Toga and going as a Greek god for Halloween…LOL! I really don’t know much of what I will be doing tonight. It is all up in the air, but I might go out dancing with some friends. Even though people are dressing up to go to the Halloween celebration, I have decided to dress up in regular going out clothes because the weather forecast says that it will be very cold tonight. I need to wear something a little warmer than a toga tonight hahaha! I had a great day in my classes. I heard so many great things about group parties that are occurring on campus tonight. I am really excited to see what may go on. I am going over to my friend Mushu’s apartment in Apartment 2 to see what she may be doing tonight. There are also gatherings going on at my friend’s apartment in New Tampa that I may decide to check out. So many parties tonight on Halloween, and I still don’t know where I am going yet. I will just let the day roll by and see what happens. Being here in the library working on tons of Marketing case studies can be a strain, especially knowing that is Halloween. I am trying to get as much work done as possible so I can have this weekend free to do whatever I want to do. I have a finance exam on Monday that I need to study for, and I am going to attempt in making the time to study sometime tomorrow evening before I go out to South Tampa as usual on my typical Saturdays…lol. I am really anticipating what will happen towards the end of this semester. I am so excited and thrilled to know that I am leaving next semester for Italy. There is so much to do now between now and the end of the semester. I need to go speak to my advisor, Dr. Pantzalis, so he can look at the classes offered in Rome next semester. I need to make sure he approves them so I can register for classes at John Cabot University in Rome. Rome is going to be simply amazing and I know the experience will be very moving within my heart and my life in general. Anyways, Happy Halloween everyone and I will talk to you all real soon!! I think that I am going to dress up like a school boy tonight instead just because its really cold outside for a Toga…I will save it for next year. ~ Daniel ~

Happy Birthday Mom!!

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:14:14 -0500

Happy Birthday to My Loving Mother! I am planning to head down to my house after my classes let out later on this afternoon. I will be going to my house in Valrico, Florida which is a small town about a ½ hour east of downtown Tampa. I cannot wait to get home because it has truly been quite sometime since I have been able to go down to see my family. It has almost been a month since I have been home, and I only live 1 hour with traffic from Saint Leo University. Being that I am so involved on campus, and I have so much going on with school work, I get so caught up, and I don’t even realize how fast time goes. Time is moving faster and faster as the end of the semester begins to creep up on me. I have already done my midterms and got them accomplished. Now I feel like my professors are beginning to announce topics for final papers and projects that are due at the end of the semester. Being a good student, I always attempt to get them done early so I can have more time to spare for other important things. Sometimes it happens otherwise, and I end up doing papers the night before because I get so caught up with so many things, mostly extracurricular. This is one lesson I learned and one I send out to you: DON’T GET TOO TOO INVOLVED…MAKE SOME TIME FOR YOU. I believe it is necessary to have a “life.�? Getting involved is important when you begin college. It is always nice to build your resume, and do things that will enhance your college experience. When you get involved, get involved wisely. Do things that you feel you have a passion for. Join an honor society, join a special interest club, run for student government, etc... There is so much that one can do at Saint Leo. I have never been bored, and I have always found something to occupy my time…whether it is doing homework, studying, Resident Assistant duties, meetings for Students Against Irresponsible Decisions, etc. Remember time management is everything in college. Prioritizing and knowing when things are due is real important. Keeping an agenda is advisable because I carry mine around 24/7/365. Even though we may have so many things to do…there are times where I have to force myself to go to the gym, go to yoga, and to relax. It’s always good to take a nap and relax sometimes. A nice power nap does the trick for me sometimes. Anyway, its time for me to go do my workout, and yoga session at the gym in the Bowman Center. I have a long day ahead of me because I have to head home, and then return to school later on tonight. ~ Daniel ~