Tyler Rauch's Blog

Is it summer time yet??

     It's officially the middle of July, and it is STILL not really summer in Chicago yet. Granted, this winter was bad and maybe the memo to bring warmer weather (more than 1 day a week) was lost in the mail or tundra from the past winter. Who knows, but I miss my Florida/Charlotte summers! That doesn't change the fact, however, that I LOVE this place.

     Chicago thus far has more than lived up to its name and reputation. I've learned a tremendous amount about myself here and my ability to go outside my comfort level. I have had the opportunity to see the Cubbies play, see two of my favorite bands at Taste of Chicago, watch fireworks on the lake, run in the city and eat at some of this cities best restaurants to name a few. There is WAY more to do, but just being here for so many of these awesome events has been worth it. On a side note, I have had the chance to check out where the majority of The Dark Knight (newest batman) was filmed and also seen where all of John Dillinger's old haunts were. For those of you who don't know who he is, he's the gangster Johny Depp plays in the new movie Public Enemies. I live within blocks of quite a few places that you'll see in these movies and it's cool to think some of our biggest stars and biggest gangsters were all right here!

     In the coming months, I plan on doing the sky box at Sears Tower, Signature Room at the Hancock building, Navy Pier, see a broadway show in the theater district, gangster and/or architecture tours, half marathons in the city and checking out the film festival. Of course that's the start of my list, but it seems to grow exponentially every week so I'll keep it at that.

     I suppose the biggest change about being here is being alone. I don't have a shy bone in my body so it's not uncomfortable, but it's different. Learning how to appreciate what old cities like this have to offer, branching out to new groups of people and trying stuff that never looked appealing before are all imperative to surviving out here. I've heard plenty of stories about new graduates coming here alone and leaving within six months because they don't' like not knowing anyone. Rather than giving up, however, I will take that as just one more challenge and add that feather to my cap when I do establish a group of people here. I do miss Charlotte and Lake Mary, but would never trade this experience for anything. It's funny though, I always assumed I would make it into corporate America and be in Chicago at the end of my career...Who would have guessed that it would happen within two months after graduation? Lucky me :)

     Ford is still going very very well for me. I love the plant, the people and my team of analysts that I work with. We certainly stay busy, but it's better to have work to do than not enough right? And the best part you ask? Well, outside of making the flagship vehicle for Ford, I also ACTUALLY USE all of my education from Queens. I kid you not, there are plenty of things to learn, but the overall concepts, terms, ideas behind big business at Ford are all terms I've become very very familiar with at Queens. My capstone business course and accounting classes so far have proved to be the most influential in surviving here. I kid you not, there is no greater feeling than knowing that you're hard work, late nights, early mornings and cramming all paid off in the end. What seemed like "useless knowledge" at times has actually become very beneficial so NEVER count out your QU education :)

     Well, I've got to get running and finish some more laundry, but I hope the summer is shaping up well for you all and you are getting pumped about going back to QU. I know I'm sure bummed I won't be back for a while, but so very excited for everyone who is making their trip to college for the first time :) As always let me know if you have any questions and good luck! Have a great week!

Little ole' Tyler in this big ole' city

    Yes, it has been entirely too long since I've been on here, however, you've got to understand how crazy things have been! Let's see, where do I start. Well, after finishing up graduation and my goodbyes, I packed up and headed for Florida where I would spend about two weeks closing up loose ends before my big move to Detroit. This, my friends, is where it gets crazy...

    Just three or four days before I was set to move up to Detroit to work for Ford Motor Company in Manufacturing Finance, I got the call that I would still be in the same department, but NOT in Detroit...That's right, I was relocated to Chicago just days before the move and had NO idea where to go, where to live, what was happening or how I was going to pull this one off. Luckily, with an outstanding support group of family, friends, professors and my piers I managed to get in the right direction. Now, don't' get me wrong, I love love love the idea of living in Chicago and have always wanted to end up here some day so I am extremely blessed, but never thought it would be my first assignment.

    Well, as things progressed I found some good leads, did the final packing in Florida and headed off for Chicago. First stopping in Hilton Head to stay with my roommate's family then heading to Charlotte to see everyone one last time, I proceeded to pickup mom in Charlotte and continue the 20 something hour drive to Chi Town. Quite the journey it was and eventually late on a Thursday night we landed in downtown Chicago just praying we could find a hotel that had some vacancy. Three nights in the hotel, a day and a half of apartment searches and plenty of getting lost eventually led to signing a lease on Saturday.

    So here I am, just a southern boy in a big city finding my way around and meeting new people every day. I started work on Monday and have  started to get the hang of things around here. I do work at the Chicago Assembly Plant where we start production very very soon on the three cars that will be VERY important for Ford in the coming years. The Taurus and Taurus SHO along with the Lincoln MKS are all ours and let me tell you, they look GOOD! Check 'em out :) I would like to provide a disclaimer though that I don't actually build the cars at the plant, but sit up in the controllers office with a few others running some of the numbers for the production at the plant. It's quite the process once you start looking at it all on very specific levels. I wanted to learn the business from the ground up and I don't think I could find a better opportunity to do that than at an assembly plant. It is literally a dream come true for a fresh college grad.

    So, I guess to sum it all up I could put it like this. Southern boy living in a swanky one bedroom place at the heart of America's third largest city armed with a degree, a job and the knowledge to take corporate America by storm. At the end of the day, I'm still just livin' the dream :)

    I hope your summers are going well and semesters finished up fine for you all, I will blog a few more times before my blogging days for Queens are over, but until then take care and shoot me a message if you have any questions. My new e-mail is tyler.rauch@gmail.com . Thanks!

That's all folks....

    Well, who would have thunk it?? Florida boy from Lake Mary spending four years in Charlotte, NC only to find more than just his way around campus or to the nearest restaurant. If you take a leap back in time and look at the period right before I came to Queens in the Summer of 2005, I suppose you could call me naive to say the least. Generally speaking, we don't always go into new situations with anything more than optimistic predictions and desired outcomes. The question is, however, how often are we right? Looking back, I think the beauty in all of it was how much I undersold MY potential and this university's potential before I enrolled at Queens.

    Four years later, I stare at my diploma on the wall in that shiny wood grain McCOLL School of Business frame hung high for all to see. Just a little over a week ago, the class of 2009 (all 206 of us!) walked proudly across that stage on Burwell Lawn and never felt so powerful. In our hands we held degrees that stood for something. Something that was larger than us and we knew it. Each student sat in those little black seats on that warm Saturday morning staring at a piece of paper that took four years or more of hard work and diligence to earn. The ssacrifice, persistence and guts it took to wake up each morning and step back into the classroom to challenge ourselves just one more day is amazing. Four years later it has come to an end but not without knowing that exactly what we all did was well worth it. To one student, that degree might stand for a cure for cancer and for others maybe the ultimate sign of success for being the first in their family to graduate from college. For me, it was easy. My degree is going to save Ford Motor Company.

    I spent about two months underselling what I was about to learn and four years proving myself wrong. I could spend all night writing about the experience or value you will gain from a Queens education, but if you've read any of my previous blogs I would be repeating myself. Instead, I will keep this one short. To be honest, I've never been so happy to be wrong or so proud of being a part of something so big. Queens will become a part of who you are and what you will be. It will shape you as a person and expose you to the potential that life has to offer. Never again will I ever undersell a college education from an institution like Queens or the people who come with it. Students, professors, parents, trustees, alumni and all the folks that make this possible will forever have this university in common wherever we go.

    Whether we choose to use this degree as a way to better serve our communities or influence others lives, it will forever hold a special place in all of our hearts because we know exactly what we had to sacrifice to obtain such a degree. Simply put, the last four years were the best of my life. When people ask if I am sad to leave the answer is simple. Of course leaving the place I fell in love with will be difficult to leave, however, what it's sending me away with is priceless and if I had a second chance, I wouldn't change a thing. Knowing I did everything in my power to make my experience worth wild and giving every ounce of myself to exceed my expectations is comforting. I left it all on the table and that's all we can do at the end of the day right?

    I will continue writing blogs through the end of the summer to keep you all updated on my first rotation at Ford, however, effective the start of the school year, I will no longer be writing. I can't say how thankful I am that you all have kept up with and supported my blogs over the last year or so. It means a tremendous amount to me and I hope you've enjoyed my blogging about this little slice of heaven. I meant every word I've ever written and hope you've all gained something from this like I did. I leave for Detroit on Memorial weekend and look forward to catching you all up as soon as I'm settled in. Thank you again for so much support, you're all such wonderful people! I'll provide a new e-mail address when I open my next account for questions, etc... and until then, enjoy your summers!! Congrats to those of you who are graduating, that's an outstanding achievement and I hope you're ready for YOUR next step!

Classes (Check) College Lacrosse (Check) Clubs/Orgs (Check)

    It pains me to say this, but all good things must come to an end and it appears that this good thing is getting closer and closer to the end. With all of my exec positions turned over, all my college classes finished and my college lacrosse career done this experience only has to sustain two more final exams and one 20 page paper before it's over! Trust me folks, this is as bitter sweet as it comes. As excited as I am to start my new career with Ford Motor Company on June 8th and begin the next phase of my life which Queens has MORE than prepared me for, I will never stop missing this place and the amazing people that have become a part of my life. And while the past four years have been unreal, these last few weeks has certainly held their own.

    Our men's lacrosse team finished the regular season as conference champs and went all the way to the final of the conference tournament only to lose with two minutes left to Limestone College this past Sunday. If you want to talk nail biters, just look up Queens lacrosse in the dictionary. I can't say how much of a pleasure it has been to dress and step on the field with those men. It truly is a humbling experience that has better prepared me for life than anything else. What you can accomplish when you push yourself physically and mentally as far as you've ever been is unbelievable. Queens lacrosse taught me that. I came onto the team nervous and not ready for what life or college lacrosse would throw at me. Now that I've made it to the top and am on my way out with numerous top ten rankings, two conference championship appearances and a number of top ten upsets I can guarantee you that there isn't anything I can't handle. I suppose 6:30AM workouts in the 12 degree weather under just the moon light with the company of your teammates will do that.

    And, as the title shows I am officially finished with classes forever! Yesterday at 4:05 I walked out of a college classroom as a student for the last time! Again, the only thing standing in my way of graduation is just two final exams and one paper. We also had our final two school wide award ceremonies. With Awards convocation on Tuesday morning and our Student Life Awards on Wednesday night the school finally had the chance to recognize it's students, faculty and staff. I was extremely lucky to be recognized as Outstanding Senior Core (Ethics) Student of the Year,  Admissions Ambassador of the year and Student Enthusiast of the Year. Two of those awards mean that my name will be added to plaques hanging in numerous offices on campus. On Sunday the athletics department will also hold their award ceremonies where I among other men' lacrosse players will be recognized for the academic all conference team.

    Tonight I will be attending the Dave Matthews Band show at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater and tomorrow morning bright and early will be working the Alumni Weekend Reunion which will have classes from the past 5 decades and some of the sweetest people on earth. I literally can't wait. I think Sunday I have three end of the year parties and that 20 page paper to write before I start studying for my Monday final. I've made it all four years without senioritis, but it is far to pretty outside and there is too little time to sit inside and do homework. I'm going to go have some fun with some good people for once :)

    I'll try to get one or two more of these up before they cut me off, but until then I hope every one is enjoying their semesters and has a great weekend! Until next time, be good!

Hey College, where did you go?! Wait for me!!!!!!

    With less than 30 days of college left, I can not believe how fast four years has flown by. Literally, where did it go? It feels like yesterday I showed up to Queens as the "new guy" and walked into Albright 228 to meet my roommate for the first time. Now, my roommate for four years and best friend, I have to consider leaving him, attending final lacrosse practices, playing my last lacrosse games and walking campus the last few times as a tour guide. These, among many other things, will be just a few of the memories I'll miss dearly about this little slice of heaven. Don't, however, let that give you the idea that I'm not prepared for what's to come because that is NOT the case. I've never been more prepared for anything in my life, it's just bitter sweet because I've truly come to love this place.

     Now, I can think of a million life experiences I've had here at Queens over the past few years and can tell you how each one made me more of who I am or how it helped develop me as a person, but to be completely honest, it's just one of those things you would have to experience. It sort of feels like being unable to take pictures inside most cathedrals in Spain. At first, you want to know why and you hate that you can't, but once you're inside you understand how the experience you're having is imprinted into your brain forever and does justice that a photograph just couldn't touch. Sure, I have no problemtalking about the university or all the fun stuff I've done but just can't think of a sufficient way to describe what it's done for me. So rather than try to do it justice, I'll leave it upstairs for now :)

    With that being said, I can honestly say this has been some of the toughest couple weeks of my life. I've had to face the facts of leaving college and it's been a rude awakening. For starters, I'm realizing that I'm replaceable. Sure, I knew that, but it's actually happening...In the past two weeks I've celebrated our Senior Day for lacrosse, voted in new club executive positions, watched the rest of campus register for classes and given my final speech as a Student Ambassador among many other things. Now, I must make a point to say that all those who have taken over my positions on and off the field are HIGHLY qualified and more than trustworthy to do an outstanding job. I was very particular about who I left in charge of what I like to call "my babies" and can't be more pleased with the result. It's still tough nonetheless because I have poured my heart and soul into everything I've done and it's sad to let it go :(

    On the more positive side of things coming to a close I can proudly say that our men's lacrosse team is ranked first in the conference, just upset the #7 team in the country, and is playing in the conference semi-finals on Friday at 8pm :)  My parents are going to come into town so I'm eagerly awaiting their arrival along with the Alpha Delta Pi sorority formal Saturday night! Also, we have our Student Life Awards and awards convocation in the next two weeks or so. Each of those are special to me simply because my organizations have the opportunity to be recognized and I have the opportunity to see if my hard work paid off by potentially being recognized. In any event, just knowing the opportunity is there means a lot.

    Despite allof these mixed emotions I have managed to keep my mind off some of this by remaining in full throttle this semester. With long papers, detailed presentations and research due over the next couple of weeks I have had to stay focused and on track to finish with my target GPA of over 3.5. It's so close and the only thing separating me from it is two weeks of hard work!! Besides, I've made it this far so senioritis can kiss my butt because this guy is not letting up! I've also started taking the next steps to getting my job with Ford all squared away. I'm in the process of looking for places to live and planning the move out there after graduation.  Can you believe I'll have just under 1 month to graduate, pack, move and start work? exactly...Me neither.

    Well, I've got two exec meetings tomorrow, tutoring, a tour, a final paper for Core 412 to write, an advertising campaign to create, and a hefty practice to prepare for our game Friday so I am going to hit the hay. Thank god things are slowing down huh? HA. I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter holiday and is looking forward to summer. Don't forget to ask any questions or shoot me an e-mail at tyler.rauch@qmail.queens.eduand I look forward to writing my last few blogs before graduation May 9th!

Have a great week!

Connecting to Queens and the Community

    While most of you were fast asleep early last Saturday morning, the Queens Ambassadors, Peer Resources for Orientation (PRO's) and Faculty/Staff were busy putting on quite the production for many of our prospective/incoming students and their families. Last Saturday we had one of our larger events of the semester in hosting Connection Queens for several hundred students and their families. Luckily, this gives students a chance to deposit (hold their place in the freshman class), see campus one more time, meet potential roommates, schedule their classes AND get to know their orientation groups (known as PRO groups). This is an awesome opportunity to really jump ahead of the game and was the first time we allowed students to meet their PRO groups before the Fall of their freshman year. With a lot riding on these final weekends before students are making their final decisions, we knew this would be an awesome opportunity for the university.

    With our pretty campus packed with so many new faces on a delightful rainy Charlotte day, Queens was at its best and gave the students exactly what they needed. While some students had made their decision, others were still deciding and that's what is so exciting about Connection Queens. It provides suchgreat opportunitiesin so many areas of academia. This was especially special to me for a few reasons. For one, it was my second to last large scale Queens event and really signified the close to my four years as an Ambassador. Also, I had the opportunity to speak to the entire crowd which filled up the better part of our largest auditorium. This is a chance that I have been praying for since the day I saw Evan Sprinkle give it my sophomore year. Once I knew it was possible, I wanted nothing more as an Ambassador than to deliver the speech that allowed me to talk about my experience over the past four years. I had the opportunity, took advantage of it and had an absolute blast. What other university gives you the chance to speak to 300-400 total strangers on Saturday mornings and gives you total control over what you say? Exactly.

    After a long morning with Connection Queens, I hopped on a bus to head on over to Laurenberg, NC to play conference rivals St. Andrews at their house. With the chance at getting one step closer to first in the conference, this was a must win game and a game that hit close to home for our seniors. We had lost to St. Andrews in the conference semi-finals to end our sophomore season and never really forgave them for that. With all that being said, the team came ready and handed St. Andrews exactly what they deserved. A 21-10 loss to the men from Queens :)

    As the week has progressed, I find myself now staying the overnight shift for a community service event that takes place on campus known as Room in the Inn. Room in the Inn is a program that takes place on Tuesday nights and houses less fortunate folks from around Charlotte and gives them hot meals, hot showers, warm beds and good company. It's a win win situation for every one on campus and you get to help someone in need at the same time. It's one of the only service events I can consistently do here on campus with my lacrosse schedule and busy day of classes. This is one of the many opportunities Queens offers to live up to its motto, "not to be served, but to serve".

    With that being said, I have some e-mails and case studies to take care of. Whoever said senior year was easy was lying! With just four weeks or so left, I haven't had a chance to slow down.With my family coming to town for our Senior game on Saturday maybe i'll get that chance. Until then, it's go time! Have a great rest of the week :)

With less than two months to go, who needs sleep?

    Well, seeing as this blog is super super late I suppose I have some explaining AND catching up to do. This is officially the first week back from Spring Break '09 and having been a busy busy boy down in Florida I must admit the chances of me blogging were very slim. Fortunately enough I have a free 45 minute gap in my day to knock this out! However, like any first week back, this has proved to be a week full of catch up and organizing my life. The sad thing is, as organized as I might be all the time, there is a very unorganized feeling about graduating in less than two months. I mean I am prepared, I have a job, I have LOVED my time here and will miss this place more than anything, but it feels like I am always forgetting something that will prove to be very important in my final weeks till graduation. It's like making a list of what needs to be packed, laying it out, double checking it and then leaving the house KNOWING you are forgetting something important. Regardless, with graduation right around the corner, I have kicked everything up a notch to ensure my final weeks at Queens are my best. With that of course comes the usual all nighters followed by early mornings and busy days.

    My trip to Florida was quite the eventful one. I managed to do just about everything that I miss most about my home state. Starting with playing three lacrosse games in five days at schools not far from my house (in that WONDERFUL Florida heat!!!!) and finishing with the remaining days in Daytona and Lake Mary with my friends and family. I managed to see my ENTIRE family (including the South Dakota USAF Rauch's!), spend time with my best friends, go to the beach, play for the first time in front of all my old neighbors and people that have been such a huge part in my life not to mention the most important thing which we all know is spending time in my spa back home :) Now tell me that doesn't sound amazing!

    Unfortunately we went 1-2 on the trip with our lacrosse games, but the second game was a killer because the officiating was sub-par to put it kindly. With a minute left and you're one man up but down by a goal, the last thing you need is an offsides penalty that was completely misjudged. I promise I'm not bitter ;) Needless to say we were bummed but came out swinging against the #3 team in the country CW Post at Disney that following Wednesday.

    Now, off of the lacrosse front, I've recently decided that this senior semester is very very tricky. See, I thought I was getting off easy with almost no final exams, but failed to realize how many 10+ page papers and presentations I would have to complete. Just yesterday I started outlining everything and couldn't believe how many hours of writing I am going to have to do over the next two weeks. Granted, I have stayed on task very well these past few months and have been making A's on just about everything I have turned in/tests I have taken but now isn't a time to get too confident. It's do or die! Let the crunch time begin!!!

    Before I get out of here, I do want to say how happy I am to be a part of the largest team on campus that also has the most number of athletes who were named to the academic all conference team. A few of our juniors and seniors including myself were named to the academic all conference team just yesterday which is something that doesn't generally get much recognition. Great work guys! Now, as much as I'd like to stay, I have to get out of here. Tutoring, exec meetings and practice call.

    Hope semesters are going well and Spring Breaks are being enjoyed by all. Until next time, take care and remember, if you have ANY questions feel free to ask! tyler.rauch@qmail.queens.edu

Thanks!

Risk and Reward

    In my business classes we often talk about investments and the associated risk and reward that comes with them. Of course, the higher the risk of investmentthe higher the reward. Likewise, the lower the risk the smaller the reward. Until about a week ago, I never really considered coming to Queens an investment. Sure, I knew I had spent time here and spent lots of money to do so, but never really applied the risk and reward idea to my education over the last four years. After having had a conversation with our director of admissions, that all changed.

    See, our quick conversation happened after I had given a tour and he was asking about the scholarships I had received. At first he started off with the idea of being a Presidential Scholar but quickly corrected himself and for sure thought I had been a Trustee Scholar. After jogging his memory, it was to his surprise that I was neither and still managed to make this work. Let's be real folks, Queens is NOT a cheap education despite the above average financial assistance the school provides. I, like many of the prospective students was interviewed and qualified for a variety of scholarships outside of the basic financial assistance I was set to receive. I knew that my chance to go to Queens relied on those scholarship interviews and knew that it was all or nothing.

    Well, all or nothing it was. Outside of the athletic scholarship and financial package the school would provide, I did NOT receive any of the large scale prestigious scholarships that I had interviewed for. I had a decision to make. Make four years at Queens which seemed financially unrealistic work or settle for one of the MUCH cheaper state schools that was almost 100% paid for. With a little twist of fate and the blessing of my parents who knew what this meant to me, I signed with Queens. The rest as they say is history.

    Now back to my point about risk and reward. This, my friends, had become a very high risk investment. Four years that could make or break my future. Luckily, as things would turn out, that investment paid HUGE dividends for my future. However, it's important to make a distinction about the word investment. Yes, spending tuition money for four years at a top liberal arts school is certainly an investment, but as a student I had to make a choice whether I would be another statistic or invest in myself and invest myself into this university. This, is where I feel the turning point in my future and time at Queens took place. I knew I wanted to be the best I could be but also be the student Queens wanted me to be. Thinking outside the box, solving problems, serving my community and seeing the world is only the start of a long list of things that came out of my investment. Queens offers more than a chance to walk across the stage, but a chance to make the most out of the investment in your future.

    Look past the tuition, the four years, the ups and downs and look at what it is you want to accomplish. Taking a cheaper, closer to home, better safe than sorry route after high school would have been nice...But it wouldn't have been this. It wouldn't have made me what I am today and wouldn't have paid the rewards that Queens has given me. I could have ducked out and let go of this dream after losing out on some serious money, but I went into my college experience with both feet first and never looked back. I took complete advantage of what this university has to offer and made the most with what I had to work with. Looking back I wonder if I could ever see my life and the last four years any other way. At the end of the day, I took a chance and a big risk that paid off in very very big ways.

1 win and 1 for the history books

    Of course, I am late as usual with this blog. Unfortunately, I was unable to get one of these on here last week so I apologize. I am, however, very pleased to say that this blog will be mostly dedicated to the kick off of our lacrosse season. That's right, It's finally here and it's about dang time! I've waited patiently for four years to say that I am officially in my senior lacrosse season. It's pretty bitter sweet to be honest.

    I'm super honored to have made it to my senior year for a variety of reasons, however, because the drop off rate from freshman to senior year is pretty astounding I have to say I'm most proud of simply making it this far. Nothing against the program, but for a variety of reasons it is just not for some people. I like to think that only the strong survive :) Just to put things into perspective, there are seven seniors from the 22 that started in my freshman class. Crazy huh? Outside of simply making it to this point, I have to say I am VERY happy to have made it through four years of conditioning and all the grueling practices/early workouts that come with the territory.

    With that being said, I think all that hard work has paid off. This past Saturday we had our season opener against Lees McCrae College at home. They came down from Banner Elk on a BEAUTIFUL Saturday afternoon for some great lacrosse. The best part of the day of course is that we are now 1-0 on the season for the FIRST TIME EVER. Believe it or not, because we played so many tough teams in the past, we have never been 1-0. So not only did we put one down in the record books, but we've got a good head of steam heading into our next game against HUGE conference rivals Limestone College. After Limestone getting upset by Belmont Abbey on Saturday, we have a very unique opportunity to get a big one for the program this Wednesday. WISH US LUCK!!!!

    One of the best parts of the weekend (outside of winning 15-7) would most certainly have to be getting to see not only my parents, but all of the parents who came out to support us. Literally, the fan base we have at Queens is second to none. I mean were talking tailgates before, huge tailgates after with tons of food and drink, lots of Royals gear (flags, shirts, tents, etc..) and some awesome memories. We had a pretty solid student section as well and it's always nice to see your own colors up there to get behind us. With the complex getting built up right before our eyes (and fast too!) I can only imagine how much better the crowds will get. I couldn't have picked a better place to play lacrosse for four years.

    After the game, we did our usual dinner out with my family and my roommates family at Wild Wings which was awesome. The music was good, the company was better and what better way to start dinner than with a big win. I can literally say that I have eaten more in the last 72 hours than I had in the entire last week. My body is STUFFED!!

    The week ahead will prove to be another busy one. But with the big day coming closer and closer, it's only fitting to jump into each week with both feet and finish as strong as possible. Fortunately, a lot of what usually keeps me so busy during the week will start again next week so I'll get ahead on homework and cleaning until then. I'll be honest though, it's awful difficult to concentrate on anything with a HUGE game right around the corner. I can't say how excited I am to jump all over the opportunity to beat these guys. I'll tell ya, if Queens has taught me anything, it's not to let opportunities pass you by. Whether it's on the field or in the classroom it's not something that I have to think about anymore. It's become second nature and it's certainly paid off :)

    Well it's getting late and I have lifting at 7am so I'm going to get off here and get some sleep. Until next time, stay safe and I look forward to getting back on here soon! You know where to go with any questions! Have a great week!

The Crown Royal

    Catchy title huh? But why? No, not the drink (an upstanding Queens student like myself wouldn't even think of such a thing!) This is nothing but a reference to not only our homecoming week but also to one of those "blue moon" type opportunities. See, just over a week ago our men's and women's basketball teams defeated Anderson University at the Grady Cole Center to bring home two very important victories for our homecoming! The best part? Well, outside of winning both games and the men winning with one second left in double overtime, I was named homecoming king at half time! Now read the title again...Get it? Crown (the king) Royal (were the royals...) Honestly, I wasn't trying to insult any ones intelligence, but figured I'd make some lame attempt at being clever yet again. I'll stick to lacrosse ;)

    Winning the crown was awful special for three reasons. First, I lost when on prom court in high school and never really let it go. Part of me had to win something and this finally filled that void in my life. Sad huh? Next, it is voted on by my peers from each class. That part felt pretty good and winning was a pretty huge surprise to be honest. Last, I got to keep the sweet cape, crown AND sash they gave me for winning. How sweet is that? How many of you can say you have a crown AND a cape? Thought so. Besides, it's no fun if you can't appreciate the little stuff :)

    Now, you might be asking (or not) what the "blue moon" opportunity is. I must preface this by saying that my parents and siblings will most certainly agree that an opportunity like this isn't a "blue moon" opportunity for me at all. They're all convinced that sweet deals like the one presented to me fall into my lap ALL the time. It's probably true, but still exciting nonetheless. See, about a week and a half ago, a gentleman was in the Trexler student center promoting a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight that was coming to Charlotte. This is more commonly known as Ultimate Fighting and it's coming to our city! Seeing as I was the MC for the pep rally, he asked if I would promote his fight for him at the pep rally, around campus and on the team. Of course I jumped at the opportunity to work out some sort of deal and sure enough I have box seats to the Bobcat's game tomorrow night. How cool? The best part is that a number of the Queens folks who also helped will be present as well. I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!! Just a few weeks ago I was court side when the Bobcats played the Spurs and now I'm in the box. Does life get any better? If winning homecoming king didn't make me feel like a king, than this most certainly does.

    Before I forget, I have to mention something I thought was cool which was brought up in my advertising class today. Were reading this book about the changes in advertising/marketing and how to stay on top which is ALWAYS extremely beneficial to any company. Well, wouldn't you know it, they say a blog is THE new way to connect and get any name or reputation out there. DUH! Here I am, writing an admissions blog that sent me straight to the President and CEO of Ford Motor Company's office and this genius wants to tell me how it helps me get connected. I almost felt smarter than the book which NEVER happens. Who knows, maybe I'll write a book with all this new found inspiration. Ok, chances all I'll just stick to writing blogs, but it sounded cool upstairs! :)

    Last but not least, I have to say how thankful I am for all the resources our university presents to ALL students, but ESPECIALLY the seniors. With roughly 88 days till graduation (scary huh?) they are providing ways to improve your resume, find a job, how to sign a lease and even invited all faculty/staff/seniors to the president's house for brunch this morning. Doesn't get much better! Although I plan on working for Ford when I graduate, I fully intend to continue fine tuning my knowledge of the working world and my resume while I still have an entourage of people who will help me do it. If there is one thing Queens does and does extremely well, it is pushing you to be your best, think outside of the box and help others, but also provides you with the resources to do so in the most effective manner possible. Folks, if you want more bang for your buck, look no further.

    I have to get back to some homework for now and get ahead so I can enjoy my weekend without the stress of papers/projects and enjoy our big scrimmages at Roanoke College as well as our Admitted Student Day on Saturday. I also need to catch up on some e-mails and updating my planner so with nothing left to say, I will get out of here. Have a great rest of the week and don't hesitate to ask any questions!

THANKS FOR READING :)