BRANDON BLUM

Well first off I’d like to apologize for the fact that it’s been way too long since my last post. (A year since my last post, man I really dropped the ball!) So, here’s my attempt to abbreviate the happenings of this past year.

The Hong Kong Skyline

On my last post I talked to you guys on how great of a spring break I had last year being back home in AZ, seeing family, friends, going sky diving and how I just started interning at Infinium’s New York office.

Well last spring semester ended really well and I pulled out with a good GPA for the semester. I spent a majority of my afternoons during the last two months of that semester interning with Infinium in New York where I gained a lot of experience and knowledge working with traders on the floor of the NYMEX. It was also at the end of that spring semester where I was able to work out a solution for my study abroad experience to Hong Kong, and though my friends we’re sad to find out that I would be spending the next year abroad, I was very grateful for the fact that I had found a way to make the experience happen. So thinking that I would not be returning to Saint Peter’s until my Senior year, it was during this period where I spent a lot of time hanging and partying with my friends here at SPC, enjoying what time I had left with them.

The semester ended off really well, where upon I then returned to spend some time at home in Arizona with family for a few weeks before heading back to Chicago again for the summer interning with Infinium. However, my stay at home ended up having to be cut short and I had to go to Chicago a little earlier than I had planned as my grandfather there ended up losing his battle against cancer and passed away at the end of May. This was kind of tough time for me and my family, but I was glad that I had been able to see him that past January and that now he was now no longer suffering.

My summer working with Infinium was again absolutely wonderful, as I continued to learn a lot about trading and the finance industry. My co-workers are an amazing set of individuals whom I’m very grateful for in providing me with their insight and knowledge. I’m looking forward to once again continuing my education and experience with them again this upcoming summer. Included in this past summer, I also got to see and have a blast with family I hadn’t seen in years while attending my “cousin’s” wedding. I was also able to more firmly connect to my father’s roots, as I spent the summer with the German youth group attempting to learn to polka, waltz, and learn more about my German heritage.

As the summer came to an end, I set out upon my next journey studying abroad at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. It was an absolutely amazing experience to be in Hong Kong. It gave me a whole new appreciation for individuals and families who leave their home countries to move and start new lives in other countries of different cultures and values. Needless to say it can be very stressful, but during my stay I was also able to learn from and meet an amazing new group of people from all over the world and share new ideas and views. The culture and society of Hong Kong I was surprised to find weren’t much different from that of the U.S. especially as people crowded the malls and nightclubs. During my stay at the university, word came across to the university swim coach that I was former Div. 1 swimmer in the states, and before I knew it I was back in a pool training and competing with the CUHK team. I actually quite enjoyed being back in the pool and competing. During my stay in Hong Kong I also was blessed with the opportunity to intern with Prudential Corp. of Asia in their asset management division for few weeks, learning about the Hong Kong mutual fund market and the ever growing financial opportunities in Asia. This past holiday season was also my first holiday season away from family and home. However, through the amazing kindness of some family friends of mine in Hong Kong I was able to spend the holiday season with them, as a member of their own family traveling between Hong Kong, Macau, and Indonesia.

Though my intention was to be out in Hong Kong for the full academic year, I ended up having to cut the study abroad experience short and returned back to the states in January. Yet with this, my returning back to Saint Peter’s for this spring semester has been all for the better. With only a year and a half to go before graduating I’m glad to be taking advantage of the time I have here with friends. It was nice to enjoy this snowy winter season with friends and the exchanging of snowball fights, snowmen, and igloo building. It’s also been good to be back in the small classrooms of SPC, with the classmates and professors I’ve come to really enjoy. It has been especially nice being able to be back closer to my professors and mentors, as I now look to start my honors thesis for completion next year.

Continuing off of this realization that my college days are soon coming to an end, along with the free time that comes with them, I chose to do something different for my spring break this year in following the Jesuit ideal of being men and women for others. I decided to go on the Appalachia Service Trip that was being offered by SPC, helping those less fortunate in the Appalachia region of Kentucky. So I spent six days, along with a number of other students from Saint Peter’s, Rutgers, Caldwell, Scranton, Louisville, Univ. of Kentucky, UNH, and Marquette helping less privileged families by rebuilding and repairing their homes. It was a great week as all the students were able to connect with one another and with these amazing families. It was a completely humbling experience, with which I hope some lasting friendships have been built.

Following spring break I celebrated my 21st birthday with my friends here at SPC. A few of us went out to dinner, and those of us that were of age later went out and celebrated at Bahama Mama’s in Hoboken. Turning 21 here in the states with my friends was one of a few things that I was definitely grateful about not being back in Hong Kong where the legal drinking age is 18, and turning 21 is less significant.

Following spring break I chose to spend my Easter Break with my grandparents down in Florida, from where I’m currently writing this. It’s nice to take a break from school and just spend some relaxing time, enjoying my grandmother’s cooking, chatting away with my grandfather, while also enjoying some kayaking and windsurfing here in this amazing spring weather.

So with that, I’ve tried to briefly fill you all in on what’s been happening over this past year. Feel free to check out some of the pics and videos from this past year and I promise to try to not drop the ball like that again. I hope you all have a very blessed Easter and I’ll be sure to update you again soon.

Having lunch with my awesome grandparents.

Sand Sculpture Competition down by my grandparents house over Easter Break.

Me and my grandfather enjoyed riding some jet skis.

Shuttle launch at 6:20 in the morning by my grandparents house.


Then afterwards enjoying the sunrise.

Our group that went down on the service trip to Kentucky.

Veronica and Peaches after coming back from Hong Kong

Roommates and friends this semester enjoying all the snow that we had this winter.

Climbing up the Volcano in Bali to the morning sunrise.

Tony, Max, and I at the Venetian in Macau.

Pushing our car in Bali to jump start it after the battery connection went bad.

Hong Kong Barbeque with other CUHK students

My local roommates in Hong Kong, Brian and Erik

Buddhist Temple

7-11 is everywhere in Hong Kong

With some of my international friends in Mong Kok.

Julie, Julio, and Joss as we tried to watch the SPC Basketball game on ESPN at an American Restaurant

After my internship interview

Friends at SPC seeing me off to Hong Kong

Aditya, Julio, Joss, and I on the star ferry in Hong Kong

Brian, Chloe, and I on top of Victoria Peak at night.

Buddhist Resemblance?

Chloe and I at the Big Buddha on Lantau Island

Aditya, Dovile, Chloe and I enjoying Hong Kong by night.

Some of the local students who gave me a tour of Hong Kong my first days there.

All the international students during orientation and tours of Hong Kong.

Had to make a stop at Carlos’s Bake Shop in Hoboken and grab a cannoli before leaving for Hong Kong

Family and I at my God Sister’s wedding this past summer.

My cousin and I boating in Indiana this past summer.

Attending the SPC Heart’s and Minds event last spring.

Posted by Joe Giglio at 12:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hey all,

I’m now back at school after Spring Break. Being home in Arizona for spring break was very nice and relaxing. I was able to spend some time with family and friends enjoying the gorgeous Arizona weather. It’s perfect there this time of the year. It’s really just the summer months that are killer. One of the things I enjoyed most over break was just driving my dad’s manual Jetta at night with the windows down and the radio on. The temperature is cool, but not cold and all the spring blossoms are on the air. That is one of things I miss about home, so it was quite refreshing to do that.

I make a list of goals for myself each year. One of my goals for this year was to go skydiving, and I was able to do that over break. Such a Rush! My parents thought I was nuts, with my mother trying to insist on me getting a one day insurance policy. LoL The weather was perfect enough that I was able to jump in just a t-shirt and shorts. Back at home I was also able to meet up with the local Elks Lodge members. The Sun City Elks Lodge and the Elks National Foundation provided me a scholarship when I graduated from high school. Since then I have been sure to keep in touch with them, as they’ve had enormous impact on my college education.

Now I’m back at school. It’s been a hectic week as we are all now getting ready to choose our courses for the fall along with our housing for next year. I celebrated my 20th birthday this past Wednesday. It’s kind of weird to now think of myself as being in my 20’s. Life keeps flying by fast. This week I also started working again with Infinium Capital Management . Once I finish my morning classes I go over and help clerk for their Natural Gas and Crude Oil operations on the NYMEX. I’m really glad to be back working with these guys and in the financial trading environment. I was tired of being stuck only reading the Wall Street Journal and watching CNBC.

Today was also the annual scholarship brunch for accepted prospective students. It was nice to chat with them students and their families. My roommate Rozen was on the student panel this year and talked about Saint Peter’s diversity and internship opportunities. He is also interning with a financial firm, Knight Capital Group.

These next few weeks are going to be pretty busy as the semester draws to a close. A lot needs to get done. So, I’ll try to keep you guys updated as the end draws nearer.

My skydiving video… for some reason though the sound timing is off.

Ed McDonnell and myself. Ed is the local Elks Drug Awareness coordinator and Citizen of the Year. We met during my high school senior year (hence his SMHS t-shirt) as I was the school's student council community service chair. He's also a former graduate of Saint Peter's College.

Dr. Phelps and myself. Dr. Robert Phelps is the Scholarship Coordinator for the West District of the Arizona Elks Association, representing 12 Lodges, and also the Scholarship Coordinator for the Sun City Elks Lodge. He's had a long and distinguished career in education.

Both of these men have played a keep role in supporting me through my college experience.

Posted by Joe Giglio at 2:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

So, February has finally come to an end. Last time I wrote I mentioned that my mother would be coming out to visit. She spent Valentine’s Day weekend here with me and my friends. We had a great time and everyone thought she was a blast. It was especially nice, because I don’t get to see my family that much, being that they’re all way back in Arizona. We were able to go through the city a bit and watch my roommate Chris’s tennis matches.

However, as much fun as it was having her here even if it was only for a few days, once she left I became quickly suppressed in my school work. This past week I had number of exam’s and papers due in all of my 6 classes. As if that weren’t enough, I got word back on my application from the exchange program and I wasn’t accepted. Needless to say I was pretty depressed that I didn’t get accepted. Yet, being the persistent guy that I am, I quickly began to consider other alternative options to getting abroad next year. Let’s just say it’s been pretty hectic so far as I’ve needed to get a lot of paper work done in a very short amount of time. I’ll tell you this though I wouldn’t have been able to get it done without some of the amazing people/staff at the school. Thanks guys you know who you are.

Also, the weather has been beginning to get milder; we have had fewer frigid nights. Yet, through the entire winter we had yet to have a snow day. Coming from AZ and not growing up with snow, I’m pretty pumped with the fact that today we had the biggest snow storm of the year and our first snow day. We also have a Student Senate meeting this upcoming Wednesday, and as Class Senator we’re are working on the proposal for a Student Activities to help provide funding for student clubs/societies and social activities as the faltering economy begins to hit home. It’s one of the biggest topics on campus at the moment, so we’ll see how it goes. You can check some articles on it in our school’s newspaper.

www.pauwwow.com

Spring Break is coming up soon too and I’ll be heading back home to be with family. So, I’m looking forward to that too.

I’ll be sure to post photos from the snow day soon. :)

Stef and I

Adam with my mom

Got to Love friends.

Posted by Joe Giglio at 2:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hey everybody,

School has finally really kicked back into gear. I just had my first exam this past week, in Intermediate Macroeconomics. I did pretty well, but I think it’s going to get a lot more difficult as the semester goes on.

Also, this past fall I mentioned briefly that I would be applying to study abroad next year. I finished the application in November and should be hearing back in the next few weeks as to whether or not I was accepted. The tension/anticipation is beginning to build on me!

College “Decision Season�? season has also kicked in, as The Office of Admission has had two Peacock Previews so far this semester. I’ve been giving a number of prospective students tours as they have been coming to visit the campus. I’ve also been keeping busy attending friends birthday parties, along with some business events apart of the networking I’m involved with.

Activities are also going well. The Women’s Basketball team is doing great this season, so a lot of people are excited about that. Last night we had an “All-Nighter Event�? in the Recreation Center with a live band, DJ, and activities. I also just want to give a shout out to my former swim teammates as they head off to the MAAC Championships this week! Good Luck Guys!

At the moment I’m trying to knock out a lot of homework and general studying this weekend, since next weekend my mom is going to be coming out from Arizona to visit. I’m pretty excited about her coming out as she hasn’t seen me on campus since dropping me off freshman year. A lot is continuing to come together, so I’ll be sure to keep you all up dated.

- Brandon

Tabatha's Birthday

ALPFA

Chris going all out on stage with the band

Posted by Joe Giglio at 11:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hey everybody,

I’m sorry that it’s been way too long since I updated my blog. I hope you all had an amazing Holiday Season and New Year’s. The end of last semester seemed to sneak up on me, especially after Thanksgiving Break as I found myself hurrying to finish up final term papers and studying for exams.

Though once we reached the end, my friends and I we’re able to take a little bit of time and enjoy the holiday season with one another. We had an amazing winter formal on campus and we also we’re able to throw a nice formal Christmas party at a friend’s house.

The winter break I ended up spending back at home in Arizona. It was nice being able to celebrate the holidays with family and friends. Though one weekend I was able to take a road trip to San Diego and spend the weekend with my roommate Chris and his family. Chris loves playing Black Jack, so we went out to the Indian Reservation Casinos where we played and he taught me basic strategy. I had a great time.

Over break I was also able to take a motorcycle training course at the local community college. I learned proper safety and riding techniques culminating in earning my motorcycle license! But, don’t worry I don’t own a bike… at least not yet. Lol

Otherwise it’s now great to be back on campus as a new semester starts. Everybody tends to start missing school by then end of break, so we are all glad to be back.

- Brandon

Posted by Joe Giglio at 9:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So, the last few weeks have been kind of nice since mid-terms. We had Halloween and that was a blast being able to celebrate with friends. It was the first time I had dressed up probably in a few years. A group of us made it out to the parade in the Village and had a great time going through the streets with the crowds.

The election this past week was a big event as well. Obama visited St. Peter’s in January, so a majority of the people around campus were supporting Obama. It was definitely a vibrant day on campus following the election. The outcome has given hope to people for change and I know a lot of us on campus are anxious to see what he’ll do once he’s in office.

We also had our annual President’s Ball for the students and faculty this past week at Puccini’s. It was a great night as we had an amazing dinner and danced the night away with friends.

Though, now the time has come for more papers and exams before the Thanks Giving break. This weekend we have the Open House on campus at 10am and I’ll be helping out with tours. So if you are a prospective student, be sure to come by and check the campus out.

Halloween

The Group in the Village

Everybody Loves a Birthday Girl

Got to love riding the PATH

Part of table 11

President's Ball

Posted by Joe Giglio at 4:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hey…. So we always have next year.

Obviously, I can say I’m not too disappointed or surprised about the Cubs losing again in the Playoffs.

But, things have been going well back out here in Jersey. Currently a lot of the talk that has been going around campus is about the upcoming election and current economic crisis. Being an Economics major and having worked at a trading firm this past summer, I myself have tried to stay on top of what’s happening economically both domestically and internationally. I often have CNBC on when I have a break in my apartment.

We also had mid-term exams this last week and a half, so I know that a lot of people have been under the gun doing last minute studying, including myself. In-between my exams though, I was able to head up to Vermont to spend the long weekend on a retreat with my friend Stephanie from Arizona who’s over at NYU. It was gorgeous up there; it was really the first time ever to see foliage.

Meanwhile, I’m still working on my application to study abroad and organizing my courses with my professors. It’s getting colder outside and I’ve finally had to bust out my jacket for the nights. My roommates and I have also been enjoying our Art in the City course making it to the Metropolitan Museum of Art again and The Cloisters these past weeks.

The George Washington Bridge

The Cloisters

Vermont

Stephanie and I

Renaissance Art at the Met

Wacky Chris

Posted by Joe Giglio at 9:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hey everyone,

It’s been a very eventful past few weeks for me on campus. My roommates and I have continued to make our apartment feel like home. All of us are together in one class this semester. We all are taking Dr. Boshart’s Art in the City course. So, once a week we go to an art museum in the city to view priceless works of art. This last week we were studying Greek and Roman Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

September 11 passed since the last time I wrote. It was definitely a day full of remembrance. I went to the city that night to pay my respects.

This last week at the Michaelmas Convocation I was honored with a Gold Medal for having the highest G.P.A. in my class under the School of Business of Administration. We also had the President’s Reception for benefactors and alum to the college. That was really cool, as I was able to talk and network with alum hearing their experiences at St. Peter’s College.

Obviously from my past experience, St. Peter’s also offers the amazing opportunity to study abroad. So, I have currently started the process of applying to study abroad in Hong Kong for my junior year.

There have also been a number changes taking place, I switched my double major in Accounting and Economics to a major in Economics and minor in Accounting. Also, after five years of swimming this last week I chose to retire from competitive swimming. It was difficult to make this decision, but due to other opportunities presenting themselves the time had come to move on. Swimming played a large part in who I have been the last few years and has helped to mold me into the man I am today.

But, on a more upbeat note, more fun stuff has taken place this last week. I was able to get tickets to a Mets v. Cubs game with some friends and we were able to make it out to the last week of Shea Stadium. Too bad the Cubs had already clinched the playoffs by then, and being a big Cubs fan I was hoping they would be able to play the Mets in the playoffs, but of course the Mets choked again for the second year in a row. Sorry New York baseball fans, but this year is Chicago’s turn. Go Cubs!

Shea Stadium

On our way to the Met

The Met

Rozen Dizzy at the Met

Dr. Boshart's Course

Posted by Joe Giglio at 6:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Hey all,

Sorry that's it's been awhile since my last entry, I've been pretty busy getting back to school and into the old groove again. This summer was amazing working in Chicago. I got the chance to work with the most amazing trading firm ever. It was truly such a great blessing to be able to work alongside some of the best traders in the industry. I’m looking forward to being back there next summer, as well as possibly doing some work for them through the school year.

My brother was able to come out and see me in Chicago before he headed out to school for his freshman year. I surprised him with an early birthday gift by taking him to the Cubs v. White Sox game. It was also nice to head up to Canada for a family reunion with relatives that I hadn’t seen in years. It was good to be back home. (I was born in Chicago)

After all that I then headed back home to Arizona for one week, before heading back to school. This was nice as I got one more chance to catch up with old friends and received some love felt griping from my mother as she pointed out how she had only seen me a total of 5 weeks within the last year. But, what can I say I love being out on my own and seeing the world.

And now, I’m back on campus all moved in with my roommates as our apartment is finally getting together to become a home away from home. It’s been nice being able to catch up with all our friends and enjoying the nights on and off campus. A few of us we’re even able to make it out to the U.S. Open and watch a few matches. However, with all this fun has also come the time to get back to work, both in the classrooms and in the pool. So, I’ll keep you all updated as the semester goes forward.

- Brandon

Chicago the best city in the world, closely followed by N.Y.C.

Brothers after the Cross-town game.

Aunt, Uncle, Cousin, and Brother

Family Reunion

At work on the mock trading floor

Friends at the U.S. Open

Front row seats at Louis Armstrong Stadium

Posted by Joe Giglio at 3:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hey all,

So, I am having a great summer so far. I was able to spend a few weeks back home in Arizona with family, friends and watch my brother graduate from high school. Now I am back out to my other home of Chicago interning at a financial firm downtown. It’s only been a few weeks but I’m already learning so much about trading and working with some of the top financial traders in the industry. I haven’t had too much free time to spend in the city since I’m having 13 hour days between commuting and work, but there will be time for that as the summer continues. For now I’m catching up with family on the weekends. So as the summer continues I’ll upload some pics, but till then here are a few from being back home in Arizona.

Posted by Joe Giglio at 12:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)