It has been awhile since my last post, as Gil has so politely told me. I have a lot to write about since I have been across many time zones and back again. Fall travel is coming to a close with a huge PHEW from me. The rental car odometer tells me I have driven almost 14,000 miles this fall. Too bad enterprise doesn’t have a mile for mile program. Think of the vacation I could take!!
I have to say that this fall I have met some great students and their families on the road. I know I posted before that the favorite part of my job is meeting YOU!! Over the past 10 years I have become friends with so many students and their families. This year is no exception. I even have a mom who has invited my wife and me to an Italian dinner at her home!! Don’t you worry; I am taking her up on her offer. Oh and a side note, her son was accepted before the offer. Bribes don’t work with me unless they are cash, ha-ha.
One of my last final hurrahs for the fall travel is my bi-annual trip to Hawai’i. It was great to see my fellow colleges and all the school counselors I met last year. I also had the pleasure of interviewing two great kids. It was a great trip that I hope will yield some great kids. I sure did see enough of you!! My Hawai’i always falls on my birthday. When my wife asked me what I wanted this year I told her a luau while I am in Oahu. Well I found myself at Paradise Cove on November 13th (now you all know my birthday, cards and gifts accepted, ha-ha). What an experience!! The people, show and food were all excellent. The luau was something I have always wanted to do and I am very happy I experienced it. I always find some time for sight seeing and side trips. One of my favorite spots is Volcano National Park on the Big Island. This time though, I took a ride up at night to see the glow from the lava flowing through Kailua. Dark is an understatement when I tell you it was a dark drive up to the volcano. One would think I would bring a flashlight. Nah, what fun would that be!!! I brought a friend with me and we carefully walked close to the wall following it to the front of the Jager Museum where you can get a good look at the crater. The view and the glow were awesome. Again, something I have always wanted to see. I have been to the park before but never at night. While we are standing there my friend tells me there is somebody in the window looking at us. Remember this place is pitch black. There is very little light in the museum. Chicken as I am, I told her, “ok, let’s get out of here.” We weren’t doing anything illegal but it just gave me the creeps that somebody was looking at us and didn’t say anything. Well the next day we went back. As we turned the corner we looked in the window where Donna saw this person. There stood a silhouette of a park ranger. We busted out laughing!! People thought we were nuts. If they only knew………..
I spent Thanksgiving with my in-laws in Mississippi. I have been very lucky and that I have a great mother in-law. My father in-law passed away two years ago but was just as great as mom is. I am a huge UConn basketball fan, so when Diana Tarizzi shot the 3 pointer from half court, you bet your life I called Dad and asked if he saw that. All he would say is "luck luck luck". HA-HA I replied, more like skill. Anyway, my brother and sister in-law have twin boys, 10 months old. They are the cutesiest kids and definitely know who Uncle Steve is.
Now I am back to the grind at the office. I cannot believe how many applications there are!! Keep up the good work and enjoy your senior year. Just in case I do not get another post out Happy Holiday’s to all my fans!!!!
Until next time…………………………
