Sometimes, I don’t think we know the kind of impact someone has on our lives until they’re gone.  You begin to think like this as you come towards the end of a chapter in your life, and especially when someone leaves your chapter before its done.  I’m talking about my friends at school here at AU, including my friend Dan Siefken.  Dan was my RD that I worked with for two years in Smith Hall.  The first day I met Siefken, I thought he was going to be a stickler on the rules and a wet blanket ha.  I had more fun those two years of school then the rest and wouldn’t trade some of those memories for anything in the world.

    During those two years, Dan was a great friend and mentor.  We had a lot of fun, but he also took the brunt of some of my frustrations with our school.  He helped me in a time when things were the hardest and was an advocate for me when I needed one.  I got to run into him the other day on campus.  It was during a random visit and he was only here for a few hours.  He now works in Guatemala with Hearts In Motion, so running into him is kind of a big deal ha.  This year, a lot of guys who were RAs for him are graduating and moving on to other things.  I know that for some his impact was great.  For example, he was an encouragement to one of us who spent a lot of money – now that person is planning on working with the homeless and has been in charge of working with the local mission.  Anyway, its just good to recognize the impact that others have on our lives before its too late!

-Jon      (me on the left and Dan on the far right)

    If none of you fine individuals out there have heard the song, “Prayer of the Children”, I must strongly encourage you to go to this link and watch it ASAP!  It’s really powerful!  Kurt Bestor wrote it out of frustration over the horrendous civil war and ethnic cleansing taking place in the former country of Yugoslavia.  It’s a beautiful song that compels the listener to act and do something to make the world a better place.  http://youtube.com/watch?v=CTZFIcqnQMg

    So, my brother called me last night to talk about an idea.  As I look to graduate, one of the options I am most compelled by is the Residential MBA program at AU.  Anyway, my brother is finishing up his second year of law school in Indy and he called me with an idea.  Both of us grew up as PKs and with a desire to help others.  After thinking about it a while and with the further encouragement of my girlfriend, he talked about setting up a not-for-profit organization!  Not sure necessarily what, but something that we could use to make a difference in this world and help others.  He said he could use his law degree and political experiences (which are a LOT, trust me on that one) and I could use my business knowledge.  It could be something we start on the side and just grow it slowly if we want.  I was really intrigued by that idea and am really looking forward to thinking about it more and seeing where it goes.

 -Jon     

    The last 12 hours have been filled with two major ceremonies.  Last night was the Falls School of Business banquet.  Students got to wine and dine (minus the wine) with faculty and staff of the FSB.  Awards were given to students, honors were directed to certain faculty, students spoke, people laughed and it was a good time.  The first big realization that the end is near – graduation is coming.

    Today was senior chapel.  All graduating students were requested (and most showed) to line up in the Decker breezeway in cap and gown attire.  A prequel for what will come in 9 days.  It’s kind of sad because it reminded me of High School graduation, only four short and yet long years ago.  Much has changed since then.  The world around me is different.  The world abroad is different.  I am different.  I’ve grown and changed and today was a reminder of how far I’ve come…and hopefully, how much farther I have to go.

-Jon   

    Last night was the date auction at Teetering for Tots (here on out referred to simply as TFT).  I don’t know the exact amount, but I imagine they raised a decent amount of money, I would venture to say close to $70 or $80.  Not bad for auctioning off people who probably really won’t serve as dates at the dance they’re throwing on Friday ha.  But despite some akwardness at times, it really was a fun event.  I was surprised.  Anyway, I went for a grand total of $11…..to my roommate Joel haha.  There were only two people bidding for me and they were both guys haha…that’ll make you feel good ha.

-Jon    (Look at that face, who wouldn’t want to buy that ha)

    TFT is by far the best event put on during the year!  TFT stands for Teetering for Tots, only this year its Teetering for Textbooks.  All the money raised this year is going to help buy textbooks for a local school that is in desperate need of them.  Here’s what happens.  There is a HUGE tent set up from Tuesday through part of Saturday, 24/7.  It’s got a teeter totter which is always beeing tot (I think that’s what you’d call it) around the clock.  Every single gaming system known to mankind is there.  You got corn hole, a date auction, battle of the bands, a dance, a huge TV that used to be able to show movies 24/7 (stupid copyright laws ha), and a million and a half people coming and going.  I LOVE IT!!!  It reminds me every time of why I came to AU!  I can not think of a better college experience than that.  It’s all about community, having fun, enjoying one another and doing it at whatever hour pleases you ha.

    So, this week I will be writing posts sharing about my senior TFT experience!  I plan on being there as much as possible…even if it means I have to do more work next week, so be it.  This is freaking TFT week!!!!  And I don’t plan on missing it!!!!

-Jon      (Alabama waterfalls in the background)

    This campus is infested with squirrels.  No joke!  It’s truly ridiculous.  Its as if God blessed this area in abundance with squirrels that function like bunnies – multiplying by the masses.  They’re so used to humans that you can walk right next to one, be within three feet, and some of them won’t even move.  Makes you want to pounce ‘em!!!  Some have tried, most have failed, but it always seems to be on the list of every guy to catch a squirrel before they graduate.  Freshman year, we did such a thing.

    I used to live on the second floor of Dunn my freshman year.  We had our windows open during the warm weather and one day, a squirrel saw an opportune moment to jump through our bathroom window and scamper about exploring our floor.  Well, needless to say, this grabbed the attention of the 22 men who lived on that floor.  All of the sudden, doors began slamming shut and yells of excitement mixed with hands carrying cardboard boxes emerged from the woodwork.  We all cornered him into the back end of the hall.  I can only imagine, his little squirrel heart racing being surrounded by a bunch of young college students carrying weapons of entrapment with a gleam of excited anticipation in their eyes.  Needless to say, we were victorious.  We threw a box over it, caught it, and then a half an hour later (upon the request of our RD) we released it ha…so anticlimatic!

    And then there’s the time one flew into our toilet and drowned….but that’s another story all together ha.

-Jon       

    Okay, so with the whole “What do you think I should do with my life?” question, I have gone to the most accessible and cheap form of research known to college-kind…facebook.  I wrote a note and tagged close frends and those whose opinions I value and respect and asked them to dialogue and share what they feel I should do with my life and what they an see me doing with my life.  Sometimes its easier for someone on the outside to see your strengths, weakesses and the abilities and passions that you have.  So, I am excited to see what will become of this note and what everyone has to say. 

PS – I had a job interview today.  It went really well and I’m intrigued by the business. It has a lot of integrity and honesty with it and a focus on being personal.  So, I have another interview on Wednesday, so we’ll see where that goes.

-Jon       

    This past friday, my “sister house” decided to have a cookout and invite a bunch of friends over since we all don’t get to see each other much.  It was a great idea and there was a really good turn out.  We all got to have burgers, brats, hot dogs and normal grill out food!  Mix in a bonfire later and a little corn hole and it was a great college night.  And then comes AU security haha…..

     Apparently, someone two blocks away called and said that there were AU students having a cookout and that there might be alcohol (which is against AU policy regardless of age).  Of courese there wasn’t at all, but that didn’t stop their diligance in the matter.  A student who lives next door went to his car to get something and apparently heard the following dialogue.  An Anderson cop showed up and asked the AU security individuals what they were doing.  According to our neighbor, AU security planned on breathalizing everyone there!  The Anderson cop asked if they had seen any probable cause, aka bottles, smelled alcohol or anyone was acting disorderly as if drunk.  Of course they hadn’t ’cause there wasn’t anything there haha!  Security responded by saying they hadn’t but were just planning on breathalizing everyone there.  The AU cop then informed them that that was illegal and if they did that, he was taking THEM to jail ha.

    Yea, I’ve got my beefs with security, both personal and in general, but this one takes the cake!  I don’t know why they feel like they CAN do that or that they SHOULD do that or WHY.  Maybe they’re bored, I don’t know.  I guess instead of actually “busting” AU drinking parties (if that’s what they want to do), help escort a girl to her dorm or solve any unsolved mysteries lingering around, they would rather search the grounds and the house of a dry cookout and bonfire and then linger around for another half an hour…’cause that’s what they did ha.  WOW….so anyway, here’s to you AU security!

-Jon       

There are certain times or places on campus that remind people why they came here.  Whether its the special chapel nights, a pick up game of ultimate frisbee or the week long woodstock imitation known as teetering for tots (which is next week, woo hoo!), each person has some time or place that they feel connected to AU.  While searching for inspiration of writing, I found myself drawn to the basement cellar of our student center – better known as Mocha Joes.  Its a student run coffee shop/hang out area.  It’s got a lot of down time, people coming and going, concerts every now and then and the assurance that you’ll run into someone you haven’t seen in a while in a 22 minute spread.

This is where I have chosen to sit and write my blog.  Running into friends I haven’t seen in a while, nursing a caramel machiatto, and watching the community come and go reminds me of some of the reasons why I enjoy this place so much.  Next week is what I would consider the pinacle of what reminds me of why I came to AU…Teetering for Tots.  It’s a week-long event filled with everything a college student could want.  They basically take a tent and fill it up with TVs and video game systems, retro to current.  They’ve got goldeneye, smash brothers, halo tournaments and more -not to mention a 24 hour movie marathon from the beginning of the event to the end.  They’re also doing a date auction this year to help raise money and then throwing a dance Friday night.  All the money they receive this year are helping to buy textbooks for a local school that is underpriveledged and in desperate need of some updated material (apparently to some of ‘em, WWII is still going on.  JK…but not too far off).  There’s grill outs, band concerts, root beer kegs and people will just crash there during the night time.  Needless to say, I can’t wait to re-experience the fellowship and community that drew me here in the first place .

-Jon     

(the three guy clubs represented, Boosters, Novus Dux and Dativus)

I’m sure many, if not all of you, are familiar with Adam Sandler’s “Lunch Lady” song.  It’s as catchy as a one hit wonder band named Hanson!  Anyway, its funny ’cause each lunch lady here, at least for the most part, has a nickname or something about ‘em that everyone knows or is unique….at least to me ha.  Alright, here’s the dl.

First off, you’ve got Jamie the Haven lady.  If she doesn’t know your name, you’re either a freshman or you never eat.  She is a ray of sunshine to everyone on this campus and she got the employee of the year from the student body.  Everyday that I get a meal from Jamie, it comes with a hug and a smile…no joke.  Sadly, she’s retiring and she will be deeply missed.

Most of the other lunch lady stories dwell from the MP (that stands for Market Place for those non-AU lingo enthusiasts).  First, you got Grandma, she pretty much runs the joint.  Then there’s the dynamic duo of Nancy and Wanda.  I currently hold the position of president of their gossip club and try to keep them up to date on all the comings and goings (mainly whats going on in the news and my life in general).  They’re great!  I think Nancy wanted to set me up with her granddaughter at one point, but as of yet that is put on hold.  Then you got Berte, who is just a sweet heart.  Earlier this year, I definitely saw that sweet little lady cruising by on a moped haha.  True story.  There’s also the sweet Asian lady who is always good for a smile, but I don’t know by name.  You got Karen, who normally takes the ID cards streetside.  As far as the lunch lady who takes ‘em on the valley side…well, let’s just say don’t even THINK about stepping two feet past the door unless she’s swiped your card.  Trust me, you won’t get far.   

So whether its Hogies and Grinders, Navy Beans or Sloppy Joes, I recommend ordering the most consistently good thing on the menu: a wrap, a hug from Jamie, and a small from the fabulous MP ladies!

-Jon