Graduation Ceremonies

For the 3rd time in my life I set foot on Calvin College's campus. However, this was for a much more prestigous occasion than the normal college graduation. Yesterday I had the privelege of watching my sister graduate from Calvin Theological Seminary with a masters in Theological Studies. The ceremony itself was very well planned. However, I was distracted by the woman behind me who felt it was necessary to burp her child during Dr. Plantega's entire commencement speech.

And how could I not blog about the President of the US being there? Lawren, did I see you in the group of protestors or was I mistaken?

I have mixed feelings after hearing more stories about how things went down. Bush more or less invited himself to speak at the graduation, bumping off a well known retired professor of philosophy. Air Force One flew into Gerald Ford International Airport, the motorcade went to campus, Bush spoke and immediately left again. Now I know the President is busy, but if he invites himself to speak, wouldn't he have the respect to stay for the entire auspicious occasion? I guess I'm a little bothered by the whole ordeal.

On a more positive note, the man who was originally going to speak decided not to show up to the graduation ceremonies. Instead, he spent the afternoon in his garden. Also, my dad got to sit in the front row and got some good pictures of President Bush. I'd show them to you, but I'm not quite sure how.

A Simple Answer??

88% of us enjoy this while in our kitchens?

I need an answer, here are some clues.
-it concerns the fridge
-fridge door is closed
-answer must have an adjective somewhere in the answer
-the answer "has a cousin that you may have spent some time with this weekend"

The radio host says its a very simple answer so don't look too deep. Help me out.

Rendezvous in the Cafeteria

I saw him, he was sitting a couple of tables over. I knew it was him from the pictures I saw of him and his new iPod. It was the long black hair, the "chops" for sideburns, and the complete disregard for his physical appearance.

I finally met him. I first saw him bring his tray to the table where Crystal was. My heartbeat quickened, much the same way when talking to a cute girl. I waited to go over there-for the time to be right. I approached the table with shaking nerves, pulled the chair out next to him, sat down and smiled. I can still picture the moment when the light bulb went on in Eric's mind--too beautiful to describe.

We exchanged greetings and salutations with each other. We talked about schooling, friends, those California boys that I miss so much and summer plans. I expressed my regret of missing the first annual blog BBQ-maybe next summer, perhaps.

My weekend was complete. Something I've waited for nearly 6 months has finally happened. Oh, and I also hung out with some other friends at Trinity. I saw 4 movies I had never seen before, Ocean's 12, After the Sunset, Kicking and Screaming, and Eurotrip. I had many a laughs with the guys, being pommeled by Andy, playing "bags" (don't ask), playing a cruel joke on Andy, and also one on Curt and Paul. And also watching girls play mud volleyball, racing Andy in his slow VW Jetta (or Pasat-I don't really know or care).

Now its time for another rousing episode of The Family Guy and Desparate Housewives. Followed by a full week of answering telephones. I bid you farewell.

"Best Way Disposal, this is Jim."

This is what I have been saying quite a bit lately. I've moved into the office at Best Way Disposal, a locally owned and operated garbage company in Kalamazoo, and become what some may call a customer service representative, others may call me a receptionist, and others may call me a secretary. I don't care what you call me, it doesn't really bother me.

Dealing with customers over the phone for the last 3 days has already peaked my interest as to what people need help with. This morning it was a gentleman who felt that the people who lived next door were putting garbage in his cart. He said he couldn't talk to them about it because it was "very unproductive" and was like starting "the alamo all over again." I didn't quite understand what he meant by this, but I had no desire to open up that can of worms.

Other than work, my summer vacation has been pretty uneventful. I've been hanging out with my parents, watching the Detroit Pistons (JT-thats professional basketball if you were wondering), and washing my car. However, plans for this weekend include visitng this guy as well as other friends at Trinity.

Schools Out For Summer

Yes, the infamous Alice Cooper song is almost applicable. My last exam should finish up Wednesday at noon, and I can't wait for summer to begin.

This is also the time that teachers are handing back papers, grades and the like. Here is what I heard from my Strategic Human Resource Management instructor, J. Schreurs.

Jim,
Your presentation met all of the stated criteria: you received the full 25 points.
Your outline was well-prepared and your presentation was informational. It also was a great reference point for some of the evening's discussion.
I do want you to know that it was a privilege to have you in both of the HR classes. I appreciate your insights, wisdom, and the respect that you quietly demonstrate for your peers. I am confident that you will do well in whatever setting you find yourself called to serve and can only say that I would enjoy being your coworker.
Have a good summer. Stop in and say hello if your in the building some Tuesday night next year.
J. Schreurs

I can't say that I'll be hearing the same from my Math teacher (elementary statistics--don't be fooled, there is nothing elementary about the course).

Update
For those of you wondering how Andy is doing, here is the latest.
He decided not to pursue anything with Shannon (date to formal), Rachel (Shannon's best friend), or Lyndi (x-girlfriend). It was too late in the year to start something with Trinity girls Shannon and Rachel. And thanks to Ty De Witte's e-mail to Lyndi, Lyndi and Andy had a big fight and hopefully are no longer talking to each other.

And if you're wondering what I did on the last weekend at Dordt, I smoked the hukah, played Settlers of Catan, and started studying for exams.