...constantly searching to find the best travel deals and places to visit. A never-ending quest for adventure!

Thursday, June 30, 2011

So we're holding

Yes, that's right. We are in a holding pattern outside of Philly...for about 20-30 minutes. Why, might you ask?

Because it just so happens that, of all the days this week, the President decided to fly to Philly today.

Lucky us.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

And we're off...

Greetings from somewhere over the Midwest!

I'm currently in flight on the way to my almost two-week global study trip through USD to Mondragon, Spain. So far the first leg to Phoenix was uneventful, and this flight to Philadelphia has been fairly quiet. My buddy Jimmy and I are traveling together for this first leg of the journey, which we decided will take us to Switzerland as our pre-trip experience before we end up in Bilbao.

I'm looking forward to experiencing the participatory model of leadership that Mondragon is known for, and learn firsthand what makes this area and region unique. So many others from USD have raved about this trip...can't wait to get there.

But before that happens, we have just a few more hours to go. :) My seat-mates so far have been great...empty seat next to me on the first flight, and a quiet person right now. Jimmy and I had a chance to catch up a bit on the first leg, but we have different seats on this segment. Plenty of time left to discuss the rest of our program, careers, and sleep. And no major US Airways complaints so far...our boarding in PHX was a bit chaotic, but Star Gold boarding took care of that problem. Bring on the lounges!

(as a side note, Airbus A321 planes are really nice. If you can fly on one, I'd recommend it)

I will be doing my best to post as regularly as I can, given available Internet access. And I can always draft write like I'm doing right now to post later when access is available.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Monday, June 27, 2011

thank you

A big "thank you" for all of the birthday wishes today - other than it being a cloudy morning, the sun eventually came out and the day was great.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

T minus

T-minus 5 days.

Goodness, is it that close already?

I've been working my tail off trying to get all my prep work done for Mondragon before I leave, and looking at the calendar today it finally hit me a little that this whole trip starts in only five days. So much to do before then.

For now though, I'm going to try and relax for the rest of the evening. My eyes can't take another minute staring at a computer screen.

I'm hoping that my three-legged US Airways journey on Thursday goes without a hitch. Any word on how the weather is out east?

Thursday, June 23, 2011

one week

By this time next week, I will be on my way out of town and beginning my Mondragon global study adventure. Kinda crazy...been focusing so much on getting classrooms built that I haven't had a lot of time to think about the trip. Guess that will be this weekend. I will be doing my best to blog the trip, although I'm fairly certain my Internet is going to be sporadic at best. Guess I'll find out.

Wimbledon has started again - saw the opening Nadal match and had to laugh, because I actually recognized the chair umpire - it was the same guy from the matches I was at in Qatar when I saw Nadal and Federer play. Ironic.

Tonight's class consisted of work on two-way ANOVA's. Yuck. One class to go!

Monday, June 20, 2011

happy

Yes, I'm happy.

For starters my reflection papers are finished, short of a quick proofread and submit.

One wouldn't think that it would take too terribly long to get these accomplished, but I'm happy to not worry about them anymore and instead can focus on Quant related homework that I know is coming during class tomorrow. Not sure if the Quant homework is going to keep me happy, but at least one set of things is done.

On to the next...

Saturday, June 18, 2011

busy weekend

Not really, actually. I have gotten one of my reflection papers written - two more to go.

Definitely not a weekend to be flying United:

Computers down.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

class and more class

I'm happy to report that my Quant class is still going ok:

So far it hasn't been too bad - our work so far has been good and I don't feel like I'm getting completely swamped over. The reading is starting to get pretty technical though...

In just about two weeks I'm off to Mondragon. Yikes.

Friday, June 10, 2011

it's BBS Friday

Yes, today is a somewhat nostalgic day for me, as typically I would be on a plane at this time (and already have landed) in Milwaukee ready to make my trip up to Ripon for Badger Boys State and my conducting responsibilities. Sadly, summer class has interrupted my usual plan and so I was unable to make it back. Thankfully an individual was found to fill in for me on an interim basis, but it still will be odd not being there.

Best of luck to the staff, boys, and Ripon College. Energy Crunch for all!

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

the new Wii

Seriously though..."Wii U"?

http://blog.games.yahoo.com/blog/750-nintendo-debuts-wii-u

spot on campus

If you're traveling campus, one place that seems to be visited the most is Scripps Cottage - definitely a place to relax and take a minute for a break.

Monday, June 6, 2011

a trip...down memory lane

Yes, I'm back on a journey. But not one that makes me all that excited...at least not yet.

I started up my first summer course last week at SDSU - in quantitative analysis. Otherwise known as statistics. Now, normally that probably wouldn't be so bad, but those of you who know how well math and I get along together know that this could be a very interesting experience. I will admit that so far, though, things are going pretty well - I'm still on the positive side of understanding this stuff. I just remember sitting in Chip's Statistics class and wondering (besides who picks out his suits and ties) how I'm ever going to use the stuff...

...well, I guess working on my PhD has helped me figure it out. Here's hoping I make it through in one piece.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

trip to Calexico

Last Friday Rudy and I hit the road to Calexico to do some audio installation work and testing at our IVC Campus. Not a bad drive, and a relatively quick job to do.

On the way back, I couldn't help but note the temperature:


Was a balmy, spring-like 91 degrees when we arrived.