What?! Only Two More Weeks of Classes Left?!

Yesterday, I came back from Chicago after spending Thanksgiving break at home with my family. As always, it is great to be home! I had wonderful home cooked meals, I was able to sleep in my own bed, drive my own car, and I was able to see a few friends. I spent most of my break chiseling away on my school work I have due this week. I developed a Power Point presentation for my Professional Development Seminar class on Competitive Balance in Major League Baseball, wrote a paper on The Rookie for my Sociology of Sport class, and wrote an 11 page paper on Pat-Downs in the National Football League. I was busy!

The day before I flew out of Tampa, I worked the University of South Florida football game. The game started at 8 p.m. and did not end until about 11:30. The staff, including myself, left Raymond James Stadium at about 12:30 a.m. I was scheduled to depart later that morning at 8 a.m. Since the airport is so close to the stadium, I decided to spend the night at the airport. I was hoping to find a nice comfy seat in an area with dim lights to take a nap, but unfortunately, I never found my spot. Let me tell you, it was a long night! Thankfully, the Tampa airport has free wireless internet or I would have gone crazy! I finally fell asleep around 5:30 a.m. I probably slept for an hour. By the time I woke up, I could not wait to get on the plane and get home! That is an experience I will never forget!

I live in the southwest suburbs of Chicago in a town called, Bolingbrook. Recently, my town completed construction on a beautiful outdoor mall. I know, an outdoor mall in a climate like Chicago?! Believe me, I would not have dreamed of it either! The night I got into town, the mall debuted a lights festival that was developed by Carson Williams. Williams was the gentlemen that developed the synchronization with Christmas lights and a song by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. If you do not remember what I am describing, here is a link of one of his projects:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRvzcs3gQYk

The festival was very neat to see. Since it was opening night, the place was PACKED! The mall utilized a huge tree decorated with lights and different Christmas props to correspond with “Wizards in Winter” by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. For Thanksgiving, my grandparents came up from St. Louis. It was great to see them. I am definitely looking forward to going home in a few weeks for Christmas break.

Christmas Decorations from Home

Since my last blog, a lot has been going on campus. The new student center is finally open! The lounge area of the student center will be a great place for students to meet during their free time. The cafeteria is very nice. There are two HD TV’s, and even booths to sit! As of right now, there is a pasta bar, salad bar, grill area, pizza, and sandwich area to name a few.

The student center opened during Fall Family Festival, which is a weekend where families and friends of students come to visit. This year, the school hired a hypnotist. I could not believe how much influence the hypnotist had on his volunteers. It was very funny. The school also had a talent show where students sang, acted, and rapped. The following day, the school held their Fall Family Festival. Fraternities, sororities, and other student associations/groups were in attendance. There was also a climbing wall, belly dancers, a camel, and a joust area where people could battle each other on an inflatable.

Belly Dancer Performing at Fall Family Festival

The next day, San Antonio, a neighboring city, held their “Rattlesnake Festival" which offered entertainment, crafts, a reptile and snake show, food, and gopher races.

Sleeping Tiger from Rattlesnake Festival

I am still searching for an internship for the spring semester! I have applied to a number of different organizations. I am proud to say, I did have an in-person interview with three departments of a Major League Baseball team. Everyone I spoke to was very nice and personable. Even if I do not get any of the positions, I still feel as if I learned a great deal from the process. All I can do right now is keep on plugging!

In the next few weeks, I have four presentations and six papers to complete. Finals will be here in no time!