July 3, 2007

The Wave
Whether foreign or native, there are no distinctions amongst sports fans. In fact, as I realized this weekend, going to a sports event is a great way to rub elbows with the people. I was quickly swept off my feet during the second half of the game: Singapore was playing Australia and the home team was down by two. The crowd was anxious, and as time counted down we began doing “the wave” to express our fervor. Singapore just had to win! As time counted down things began to look grim. Several players kept getting injured, and the team was met with several unsuccessful shots at the goal. Nonetheless, the wave continued, and fans kept cheering and stayed throughout the entire game. Not only was this non-competitive match exciting, it was also the last sports venue ever to be held in Singapore’s National Stadium. The city will be upgrading to a new facility along the riverfront near Marina Square.

After the game ended there was a special presentation commemorating the great sports achievements in Singapore history. Soon the sky lit up with fireworks over the edge of the stadium, and for a minute I pretended this was my own personal 4th of July celebration. If I closed my eyes it would have probably felt like I was back in Texas: hot, noisy and humid. And it was at this time when I thought of home, but after being here for a month, without experiencing any homesickness, I’m confident to remain positive with my surroundings for another month. I have to admit; I will miss my 4th of July celebration tomorrow – hot dogs, fireworks, family, friends and all.  

Singapore has its own version of the 4th of July. It’s called “National Day” and it takes place on August 9. On this day there is a national ceremony to commemorate Singapore’s independence from Malaysia. Like in the US, fireworks are the climax of the celebration. Because the parade is hugely popular, they have implemented a lottery system to combat overcrowding and ticketing issues. They give out about 50,000 tickets, and if you don’t have one, you watch the ceremony from T.V. or an expensive hotel room overlooking the Bay. While walking through the city I can sometimes hear the loud rumble of fighter-jets pass through the city as they practice their air routine. A few Singaporeans have also been rehearsing for the holiday. Similar to the US, Singapore shows much pride, appreciation and value for their independence.

Like every newborn nation, Singapore had its problems with unemployment and economic struggle. A colleague of mine told me that if I wanted to see what Singapore was like in the 1960s, I am to go to one of the poverty-stricken islands of the South Pacific. Apparently the old Singapore was no utopia. After shifts of occupational rule by the British, Japanese and Malay, Singapore managed to break away and become an economic powerhouse with one of the highest standards of living. Like every great nation, Singapore has come a long way. From fishing village to thriving metropolis, things have definitely improved.  

I think being abroad allows one to appreciate the accomplishments of not only your own country, but those of other countries as well. From struggle to achievement, I believe every country has a story to tell. I can only hope that my future travels will allow me to witness this same sense of accomplishment in other parts of the world.  

Happy 4th of July! Enjoy the celebration and fireworks!  

June 24, 2007

My Life At Work
Summer is supposed to be about sleeping in, taking a break from school and relaxing on a sunny beach, right? Wrong, if you’re one of the thousands of students with an internship this summer.

For me, a typical workday begins at 8:30 a.m. I walk to work from my hotel, a short five-minute trek through the city, and arrive at my desk ready to begin the day… and only four hours until lunch! Actually, during those four hours I do quite a bit. I’m interning in the Corporate Development office, and I have an ongoing project where I value different companies and do investment research. I can’t go into much detail with the specifics, but I’m immensely fine-tuning my Excel skills and building upon the knowledge gained from my finance classes at SMU. This all might sound kind of dry, but it’s really very interesting. I get to work with the Bloomberg machine and take free classes to familiarize myself with the system. The Bloomberg machine can do so much, it’s unbelievable!

My anthropological side gets exposure too. One day a co-worker brought in these small, delicious cakes to celebrate the one-month anniversary of his baby daughter’s birth, which I’m told is a tradition for Singapore parents to do. There are also two people we refer to as “Auntie” and “Uncle.” In Singapore “Aunties” and “Uncles” are elder people who have that kind of “take-care-of-things” role. The Auntie and Uncle in our office keep the place in order and tidy. The Office is housed in the former American and Malaysian Embassy, and we are near all the main areas of the city. There are no cubicles, so the office is very open and free flowing. Each department sits near each other, and the outer walls are actually these huge glass windowpanes, so the sun comes in brightly from outside. I feel like I’m in an air-conditioned back yard! By 5:30 I pack up my stuff and head back to the hotel.

I’m learning more and more about this place that is gradually feeling like “home.” The other day some friends and I went to a restaurant on Arab Street. Over dinner I discussed college life at SMU, but I also heard a lot about life in Singapore. I learned that every male is required to serve two years in the Army, Navy or Air Force. Around age 18, each male must report to a specific location where they begin their service. They live at the military camp and learn basic drills and instruction. Women are not required to serve; however if they wish to, they may. The two guys I was talking to said it was their duty to serve the country, and they took much pride in their two-year commitments. Their loyalty to Singapore was something I admire, and the idea of Patriotism took on a new meaning. It’s these types of conversations with people that give me new insights. Every day, through interactions with the environment and people, I am learning new things. I sense I am becoming more open-minded and knowledgeable. I feel growth.  Simultaneously, others are doing the same.

Around the world, many of us are having these similar encounters, which is what’s so great about summer experiences. Whether or not we get to relax and sleep in doesn’t seem to matter anymore, although a little time at the beach is always nice. Some few friends of mine will be leaving for SMU-in-Oxford soon, and I look forward to hearing how the experience abroad will impact their lives. Gosh, England and the U.S. seem worlds away. It’s a little past midnight, but back home it’s not even noon. Then again, I kind of enjoy being a day ahead of everyone else.  

By the way, I went to see a play at the Esplande Theater this weekend. The Beijing People’s Art Theatre performed the show “Beijing Ren” as part of the Singapore Arts Festival. It was a dramatic presentation that follows the Zeng Family during the breakdown of feudalism in China, a topic I didn’t know much about. Costumes, set and actors were really quite unique and interesting. And the sound of applause never sounded better. Whether on Broadway or Beijing, the Arts really have a way of captivating a worldwide community.

June 17, 2007

I only have eyes for Orchard Road
After lunch I headed toward Orchard Road to wake up a cloudy day. I opted not to take the subway because I thought some walking would do me some good – breathe in the city air and all. Orchard Road is known for its shopping and restaurants; Orchard Road is like Times Square or Piccadilly Circus, but Singapore Style. On the way I discovered that the shops on the outskirts of the street have the same quality items for cheap prices, and I was reminded that a friend told me this area is frequented by maids, waiters and others with lower-paying jobs. By the end of my walk I realized how valuable it was to experience both sides of Orchard Road. I think it's always a good idea to take advantage of walking to places of interest because you often find so much more on your journey. Had I taken the subway, I wouldn't have discovered these great bargains!

I first headed up to Mandarin Gallery where I browsed for gifts for my mother at a purse shop. One of the most awkward things for a guy to do is shop for women, because you get the strangest stares from people. I’d look at a purse, open it up, explore the pockets, etc, and I’d look up and see women staring and giggling. Oh well, I’m just visiting.

Anyway, Orchard Road has many shops that carry brands from local designers. Such is the case at a shop called InQ Box, located in Far East Plaza. Local designers showcase their clothing, jewelry, etc, which allows them to be exposed to a mass market but also allows for shoppers to experience a very unique and one-of-a-kind brand. As I mentioned before, I’m not much of a shopper, but I had a field day in these malls, especially in Far East Plaza. I’ve always thought America set the trends, but over here I saw some apparel I’ve never seen before. Don’t be surprised if you see me at SMU in the Fall without my Topsiders and Polo shirts. I may even have to buy another suitcase. Definitely go through all shopping plazas because chances are you’ll discover things you’ve never dreamed of owning.

Back on the streets there were bands playing, salesman making grand announcements for the Great Singapore Sale, and of course the aromas of delicious food cooking. Orchard Road is crowded and busy, but it’s very clean and well laid-out. There are traffic directors who help pedestrians cross streets and avoid oncoming taxis. Singapore is the only city I’ve been to where pedestrians are treated so well; I've never been cut off by a vehicle when crossing the street. Orchard Road is also beautiful because there are tall, luscious trees and the entire area is landscaped. Some of the shops might be familiar, but because there are so many different types of stores, chances are you won't get bored!

When I continued walking, I passed by the Hard Rock Café, where I had celebrated my birthday last Thursday with some friends from work. There’s nothing like a good, juicy cheeseburger to remind one of home, especially on one’s birthday, being away from friends and family. If you ever want a reminder of home, I’ve always found that common restaurants like Hard Rock are nice refreshers and havens for the familiar.

I now have a long list of gift ideas and personal expenses I’d like to get before I leave. Orchard Road is the place to be for shopping, but more importantly, just walking down the street is an experience all in itself. Both sides of the street breathe life and carry a Singapore flare.  

For dinner I had dried chicken, sweet and sour pork on a bed of white rice. (Sigh) It was so good. Funny thing is, many of the Chinese food plates I have in the U.S. (like Egg Drop Soup and Almond Chicken) don’t even exist here. Even when I asked me friends, they had never even heard of those dishes. I found this to be pretty funny. Hope you enjoyed your weekend!

June 11, 2007

Trip Takes On A New Groove: Kuala Lumpur
My weekend in Kuala Lumpur was upbeat and full of energy. Within the first few minutes of the trip, I watched as the landscape transformed from industrial metropolis to tropical forest. The space between the two cities is beautiful; I suggest one definitely travel by bus, car or taxi.  

I arrived in KL and met my friends at KLCC (aka the Petronas Towers). Like Singapore, shopping and eating are popular pastimes. However, KL is quite different from Singapore. It’s hard for me to compare the two; however I will say that KL is a bit more like a large, typical city: gritty, rough around the edges, authentic but exudes more local flavor. Nonetheless, the city is one of Asia’s gems. For the portion of my trip I got to experience life in a modern, neighborhood home. It was a nice break from my accommodation in the city. Suburban life isn’t too different from my own back home. People watch movies, shoot pool, have nice back yards and swimming pools. The surrounding areas are quite different, but from inside I felt right at home.

The beat started when I arrived at the Benny Benassi concert that my friend had got us tickets to. First, we grabbed a bite to eat at TGI Friday’s with some of his friends, and a nice, juicy, American burger only fueled my energy. The concert was wild, crowded, sweaty, even wilder and truly a one-of-a-kind experience. The stage danced with special-effects lasers and neon stage lights, and two go-go dancers in tight blue dresses grooved and really got the crowd going. This concert/rave was simply amazing. By the end of the night I was so ready for a shower, however I would never wash off the experiences of KL nightlife.

The next day we had lunch at this restaurant called Little India. It’s the type of place where the restaurant décor is just as good as the food. Our meal was served on plant leafs - by far the most interesting placemat I’ve eaten a meal on. I won’t describe the food or else my stomach will start to growl, however I will say the food was first-rate and mouth-watering. With our stomachs full but energy still alive, we headed over to famous Petronas Towers. After some sweet-talking to the staff, we nabbed four tickets that were previously sold out, and we got even luckier when we spotted Benny Benassi getting on the elevator! We eventually met him on the Sky Bridge and got a photo with him. It was awesome!!! Anyhow, the Petronas Towers provide you with a great view of the city, and the tower itself has a unique and modern design. Definitely go and see the towers at night because it lights up the sky beautifully.

Went to the eye-catching Batu Caves, where a temple resides at the top of a steep rock formation. The monkeys greeted us on our trek up the steep cave stairs, but fair warning - don’t look the moneys in the eye or else they’ll get angry. Colorful statues and shrines are at the top of the cave. It’s a magnificent natural formation in which people have converted to a divine temple for religious practices. Definitely check it out. On my way back to Singapore; phew – busy weekend!  

June 8, 2007

Villa Bali and the Singapore Arts Festival
The Singapore Arts Festival is occurring right now, and last night I witnessed a special evening show. On my way to Club Street I walked past the Raffles City Mall and spotted a small crowd gathered outside the mall. I looked up and saw two women dangling eloquently from the roof. Soon a man started playing the saxophone and the two women began doing a Cirque de Solei-like dance on the side of the building. They did jumps and cartwheels, spins and floating bounces. Many of the acts in the Arts Festival are free to the public, and many take place at the Esplanade Opera House, a huge modern Fine Arts center located on the edge of Marina Square. At night the roof lights up and it looks like a bed of stars.

I just got back from the BW Family Day at Villa Bali. I had a great time, and as usual the food was something to write home about. The night started when we arrived at Villa Bali, a Balinese style restaurant/bar that serves as a garden oasis for the city. The tables are scattered like islands in a luscious garden where small steams and incense add to the feeling of being in a jungle paradise. The company organized various activities, which included wine tasting, cake decorating, ballroom dancing, arts and crafts, and my favorite an Asian BBQ! My cake-making skills aren’t that great, although I had much more success with wine tasting, …then again, I think everyone did. Through these activities I met some new from my work and felt even part of the company. They treat me well, like family, and welcome me as if I have been working there a few months instead of a few days. It’s at these times when I really feel confident about international experiences. I actually met a man and his wife who used to live in Irving, so Texas was a conversation topic throughout the night. It’s nice to share bits of my life and culture and learn about the same things from others.

For dinner I enjoyed Hong Kong noodles, small pieces of fish and fried rice. For my second plate I had Asian barbecue chicken wings, roast and more Hong Kong noodles. At the end of the night a friend walked with me to the LRT station and I went to the National Library, another impressive modern sky rise. I think one of the smartest things man invented was the library. I’ve been able to use free Internet, read books and the latest edition of the New York Times. When traveling, you should locate the nearest library as it can be used as a resource for communication and research while traveling.

Tomorrow, I’m off to Kuala Lumpur for the weekend. I have some family friends who live there. In fact one of their sons will be entering SMU as a first-year this Fall. There are several bus companies that offer service from Singapore to KL. I bought my ticket for about $22 USD (one-way). Not bad considering the seats are spacious and the ride is only about 5 hours. I hear travel within Asia is not too expensive so I hope to take more weekend trips. I hope you’re enjoying your weekend as much as I am going to enjoy mine!

June 5, 2007

The $100 Watermelon and Black Pig
A co-worker took me out to lunch today, to a Japanese restaurant where they serve Black Pig. I didn’t see a photo of the actual pig, which was probably a good thing. My friend/colleague pointed the item out to me on the menu. Apparently the restaurant is known for their Black Pig. So, feeling adventurous and open to new things…I tried it. The dish is simply d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s. You must try it if you are ever here! The entree was served on top of a bed of white rice and green leaves. Apparently they equate the food’s taste with the treatment of the animal (as I’m told) so the Black Pigs are treated extremely well: they’re given massages, and eat the most fattening food.

After lunch my friend from work took me to the nearby Japanese grocery store. He pointed out the different packaged sushi plates, which were like affordable, edible works of art. There was salmon, octopus and squid all wrapped up nicely and ready for late night consumption. My stomach was full from lunch, so something lighter, like gelato, we decided was probably better to focus our attention on. So, I got one huge scoop of raspberry sorbet and spent my time walking back to work eating my ice cream along the hot Singapore streets.

By the way, there are actual watermelons that sell for $100 in some grocery stores. I saw one on my way out, and equally surprising were the $95 grapes! My friend told me that in Japan they grow these fruits, which are extremely ripe and have a one-of-a-kind taste. I guess it’s equivalent to a fancy wine, only for the fruit connoisseur.

So far, my adventures with food have proven to be quite the highlight of my trip!

June 2, 2007

I think I’m really going to like it here!
The International Food Court (as I call it) is an open-air market right outside my hotel. It seats people around circular tables with plastic lawn chairs that are branded the Tiger Beer logo. Sitting around these tables are people from all over the world, but mainly natives. Without a roof, the food court is noisy and free flowing. It’s hot and humid, beach-like, but in the middle of a big city, squeezed nicely between two tall buildings. Different food stands border the court in an L-shape, and the menu items are displayed on plastic billboards illuminated with fluorescent lights. The food is cooked directly behind the counter and stacks of small dishes are in clear sight of the customer, thus the kitchens are clearly seen by all, which adds an authentic and fast-food-like feeling.

I call this the International Food Court, but it’s not like anything you would find in a typical shopping mall. It’s more real, tasty and deliciously unhealthy! Putting on the extra calories is worth every swallow! Dumpling soup and fried oysters, noodle soup and sliced duck in white rice – my stomach howls whenever I eat here.  So far Singapore has been a true culinary adventure!

I’ve been exploring the entire city, which is beautiful, but the weather is like a sauna! It’s like the Texas heat…just more humid. The motto here is “Uniquely Singapore.” I can certainly see why! Many of the people here are from China, India and Malaysia. The buildings are both modern and traditional; there are temples, mosques and churches, and there is a large business/financial district that looks beautiful at night. I am certainly enjoying the unique character of the city and the Singapore people.

Well, for now I am going to eat my plate of fried oysters in this International Food Court, then I’ll probably go for a nice $0.50 vanilla ice cream cone from McDonald’s (a customary dessert of mine whenever I’m abroad). Work begins on Monday – stay tuned!

May 29, 2007

16:14 p.m. – Narita Airport, Tokyo
Back home it is about 1 a.m., but here in Tokyo the day couldn’t be more awake. Right now I’m waiting in the Narita Airport in Japan. Soon I’ll be in Singapore!

On the plane I sat with someone a little younger than me, and he surprisingly knew about SMU. There were people from his high school who go to the University! What a small world. Anyhow the first of leg of my trip was great. I’m beginning to see the cultural differences, as I get closer to my destination. As soon as I landed the Tokyo Airport personnel were very orderly and precise. I was a bit confused where my connecting gate was, but I received so much help and clarification from the staff. The flight attendants look so sharp and very professional. It’s really very neat to see how similar operations are run differently around the world.

I wish I could speak Japanese or Chinese! Thankfully, English is spoken in Singapore so I don’t think I’ll have much trouble when I arrive.

A huge 747 airplane just pulled up to the gate. At this point, I’m starting to get nervous and don’t know what I’m getting myself into. It’s kind of like my first year at SMU – I was excited but I really had no idea what to expect. Experience tells me to take things as they come. No matter what, eventually everything always works out.

More to come once I’m in Singapore!

May 15, 2007

Over the Christmas break I had a lot of extra time on my hands, which was actually good considering I had a pretty tough semester. To occupy my time I started planning for this summer, and I knew that one of my goals was to get an internship abroad. Now, the chances of acquiring an internship abroad are slim to none. Work permits abroad are hard to come by - especially since my projected time abroad would only be for about 2 months. However, my goal of working abroad was essential.

For the past two years I have been working in Texas at a summer camp in the Texas Hill Country, and I felt it was time for a change. Besides, traveling means a lot to me - I'm all about unique and different experiences, and I feel it's time for some personal growth. I can't forget to mention what an amazing learning experience it would be, especially for my two majors in Business and Anthropology. Thus, after doing a great amount of research, and getting help from friends and family, I sent out tons of e-mails and letters, and wouldn't you know...I got one hit - SINGAPORE!

In less than two weeks I will board a plane from San Antonio, TX, and about...21 hours later (ugh!) I will find myself in a land of the unknown - I will be a stranger in a strange land. Starting June 1st I will be working for a major shipping company, affiliated with an SMU Alum, in the Finance and Corporate Development Office. I cannot express to you how excited I am. I invite you to follow my journey as I experience a summer unlike any other, as I take on a new environment, new culture, new people, new experiences, and I hope by the end of the summer to discover a new me!"

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Homecoming 2006

November 12, 2006

Relief
I feel relieved. A King and Queen have been crowned. A parade took place on a beautiful day. Alumni met with old friends, and first-years experienced a new tradition. The reality of these previous events still seems like a fantasy. Wow (sigh), I can't believe it...we actually did it!

On Saturday at 11:30 a.m., my committee and I rolled out of Hyer parking lot onto the parade route in a black Mustang convertible. As we cruised down Hillcrest Avenue, I basked in the delight of many lively faces. I felt resilient, and on top of the world. My committee and I threw out red and blue beads to the many spectators lining the street.

As our car turned onto Bishop Boulevard, I heard the familiar cheers of my parents, family members and fraternity brothers. The support of my family and friends only added to the joy of this once-in-a-lifetime experience. I even spotted my former Hall Director, and the smile on her face made me feel exceptionally warm inside. When I was a freshman she really stuck by my side as I attempted to build my first Homecoming float. I suppose it was the reality that I had made it this far (Homecoming amateur to professional) that made us both laugh inside.

It Only Gets Better
The parade ended, and things only got better. Many commented that this was the best parade they had ever seen! All of the floats looked even better outside in the sun. I’m glad to know that years from now, students from my generation will remember this year's Homecoming. I can see myself now (maybe in my late-fifties or something) re-visiting SMU with my wife and kids, and taking an extra long pause as I pass the Boulevard, remembering the majesty of that great day: those beautiful floats and cheerful people.

In the end, I'm very satisfied with how things turned out. I have no major regrets or qualms. Letting everyone down would have been my greatest unhappiness, so I'm glad to be feeling content and relieved! This is truly an experience I'll never forget, an adventure I'm glad to have traveled. I'm very grateful for the leadership opportunities given to SMU students!

Thank you
In closing, I'd like to especially thank my Committee, my advisers (Dawn and Shannon), Chane', Steph, Leasa and my parents for always reminding me to always keep a smile on my face, and to remain confident that Homecoming would be nothing short of a success. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

November 8, 2006

Best floats ever
If you walk into Mrs. Baird’s factory, you will see a great array of almost-complete Homecoming floats that represent a distinct culture and/or country. It’s a nice reminder of how rich and diversified our world is. And I’m so glad that we focused on that positive aspect for our theme for Homecoming. Each float looks really great, and during my past two years of Homecoming involvement, I have never seen floats with the kind of polished quality and creative design that I see this year. Once again, I am reminded that this year Homecoming is going to really be something special.

King and Queen Practice
Earlier tonight my Candidates Coordinator, Suzanne, and my Vice-President of Programming, Chane’, along with our wonderful Student Foundation adviser, Dawn, met all 27 Candidates at Ford Stadium to do a run through of the half-time ceremony. We also got a chance to walk up to the Hall of Champions, where we will be holding the Candidates Reception during the first half of the game. Walking onto the field in front of an empty stadium was quite breathtaking. I can only imagine how amazing it will be with a stadium full of students and alumni! Even some of the Candidates commented how nervous they were getting just practicing, as the stadium seems a lot bigger from the field.  As we practiced the ceremony, I was reminded how qualified each candidate is. When I first got their registration forms and resumes, I was blown away by the amount of involvement and academic success each candidate has experienced. I realized that I was surrounded by students who represented the crème of the SMU crop, and it was difficult for me to guess who would be crowned King and Queen in two days' time. Whatever the outcome, it’s going to be quite a surprise! After the Half-Time ceremony, Suzanne (who by the way is doing a great job) gave the candidates further instructions about their next event, Pigskin Revue, which will be held at McFarlin Auditorium on Friday at 8:15 p.m. It’s the official SMU Pep Rally, and it’s going to be a really big hit this year. Gradually, we’re trying to improve the old-standing Homecoming traditions such as Pigskin.

Homecoming Lesson #5
On a sour note, when I got back from closing up Mrs. Baird’s I cut my finger washing dishes and had to get three stitches at the hospital! This couldn’t have come at a more convenient time! :-) However, whatever stands in my way, nothing will take away from the greatness of Homecoming 2006—Homecoming Lesson #5

 

November 7, 2006

Note to self: Be on college bowl team next year
I never have been on a college bowl team, my only Homecoming regret. I’m very competitive and like trivia. Today I was reminded how much fun this event is.

Student Foundation and Hughes-Trigg Student Center sponsor College Bowl. Marianna who works in Hughes-Trigg, did an exceptional job with this year’s event. A member of the faculty or staff was required to play at least one round. It was very fun and exciting to see faculty and staff members answer difficult questions about a variety of topics. It also allowed the faculty and staff to be involved with some of our Homecoming events, as we wanted to try and include them this year in more events (besides just judging). The event went very well and Team Lambda Chi Alpha / Gamma Phi Beta ended up the night’s victors.

So no Homecoming lesson #3 tonight, other than things are continuing to go well and I’m glad to see that including the entire SMU Campus (not just students and Alumni) in Homecoming events has a really positive outcome!

November 6, 2006

Live From the Hilltop!
It was an entertaining night this evening as we held the 5th annual, Live from the Hilltop event, which is the student Pep Rally in which all the Homecoming candidates get introduced. This event was headed up by Katie Kates, one of the coordinators on the Homecoming Committee. She did a great job in booking Tommy Newton to be our emcee, the cheerleaders and pom squad to perform, and two football players to speak at the event. New to this year, each Candidate was asked a fish-bowl question so the audience got a flavor of their personality before voting for King and Queen. Currently elections are on-line at smu.edu/elections. You must be an SMU student to vote!

Slip, Sliding Away
Chipotle provided food and there was plenty of drinks (thanks for the H-T Coke request) and we had a great turnout! Overall, the program was wonderful and thankfully it stayed dry the entire night, although a few minutes before the program began my committee and I frantically dried the stage with napkins, t-shirts and paper towels so the stage wouldn’t be slippery for the cheerleaders and pom squad when they performed. I guess somehow the humidity made the stage a bit slick (I dunno, I’m not a science major).

Homecoming Lesson #3
We also had a slight mishap with the sign-in tables. The situation is complicated to explain but the important thing is that we recognized our oversight/mistake and moved on with a greater sense of knowledge and preparation for next year. I believe at this point, any type of mistake or unforeseen obstacle must only be taken as a learning experience that we should allow to let us grow—Homecoming lesson #3.

November 5, 2006

Please don’t rain on the first Homecoming Field Day
15 minutes before Field Day began, I looked at my Coordinator MacKenzie (who mainly worked on the even) with an expression that was worried, and overwrought as we both looked ahead at the ominous clouds that threatened this first-time event called Field Day.

It was only this past August when I had a much different kind of expression, one that was happy and optimistic, when I found out that the Student Foundation Board had approved this new Homecoming event that my committee and I had worked so hard on to map out. When I took upon the role of Homecoming Chair, one of my goals was to add a new event that would be different from all the others. After careful thought, it came down to a Field Day event which basically encompassed different team-cooperation games or a Chili Cook-Off during Live from the Hilltop (the student pep-rally). We came so close to approving the Chili Cook-Off (which now in retrospect, would have been a disaster).

But today as the clouds continued to get darker, and as drops of rain continued to sink me deeper into a shower of disappointment, I thought that maybe we had made the wrong decision. But boy…was I wrong!

It’s Official: Field Day is an awesome new tradition
Field Day was an awesome event! I cannot express to you how happy I feel knowing that everyone had a good time, and that was so apparent through the laughter, enthusiasm and organization that guided this entire day. MacKenzie worked so hard on finding six fun-filled games for teams to compete in. She literally spent all night long trying to break the code on a team-rotation configuration that would efficiently let each team play another at least once. She was so happy and definitely relived to find that this event is going to be a tradition for future Homecomings.

People commented that they had to opportunity meet new people, and compete in an environment that was fun and exciting. A big part of the fun was the chance to work together for the sake of winning, and pride, which I feel is a healthy feeling that fuels a lot of groups who participate in Homecoming.

You can’t win if you don’t play
Anyway, the highlight of the evening was definitely the Candidate three-legged race! Fourteen pairs of Candidates ran across the field as their teammates cheered them on from the sides. Some feel down, some slowly trotted along, and some flew by in a desperate attempt to win first place. Gabe and Jaclyn from the Mustang 11/Union/Senate team crossed the finish line first. By the end of the day, nobody had anything less than a smile on their face. As I learned today, exploring new opportunities to improve existing events is a risk that everyone must take, but the reward of taking that risk to only find it worked, is something that I would have never learned if I didn’t at least try – Homecoming Lesson #2

With a little help from my friends
Other than that, I must thank my friend, James, who helped me transport fourteen, 5-foot long, 4 feet tall, wooden perunas into his SUV. I believe we made more than six trips from Mrs. Bairds to Clements Hall, where the perunas are on display. James isn’t even on the Committee, but it’s the spirit of Homecoming, and inclination of friendship that I suppose prompted him to take time out of his evening to help me out. I think he even had a good time meeting new people, and seeing the behind-the-scenes life of Homecoming. In fact, I’d invite all of you to come out and see the behind-the-scenes life during Homecoming at the Float Building Party from 11pm-4am on Thursday, Nov. 9^th at Mrs. Bairds’s factory. It’s always a huge success, and everyone enjoys the event.

But, for right now, Live from the Hilltop is tomorrow and I’ll need to get through these next few days first (and one test as well-yikes!). But we’re off to a healthy start! 

November 4, 2006

Homecoming Kick-off: Community Service Day
I woke up this morning with my fingers well crossed, hoping it was not going rain. To my delight, I didn’t see a drop of water on the ground. The weather was mundane and I felt that the Homecoming kick-off event, Community Service Day, was off to a good start.

By 11:00 a.m., all different groups across campus arrived at the flagpole and checked in with representatives from SPARC (who co-sponsored the event). Food arrived from El Rey (aka Freidas Fiseta) and pretty soon everyone was eating on the Quad, as President Turner and Dr. Caswell spoke about leadership and community service, especially in regard to being a major aspect of Homecoming. After everyone ate, these different groups went all across the Dallas Community to provide service work to agencies such as the Genesis Women’s Shelter, City House and animal shelters. The event was a success, and I was especially pleased because this event had been accomplished by the efforts from two different organizations, SPARC and Student Foundation.

Homecoming Lesson One: Communicate
A few months ago, I wasn’t so optimistic about the collaboration. I leaned toward the feeling that this event wouldn’t end on a positive note. Already, I wasn’t familiar with who was supposed to do what, and there was a communication break down over the summer. For example, on our end we had a registration form due date that was different from what SPARC had planned. I had assumed too quickly that setting a date on our own would be just fine (considering I went off the schedule from last year). Thankfully, all concerns and miscommunications were quickly solved when both parties met and calmly discussed our concerns. We provided feedback and offered positive resolutions to our situation. I learned from this experience by realizing the importance of communication and teamwork. Voicing concerns and worthy criticism is great, as long as one has viable solutions to back it up with—Homecoming Lesson #1

Can’t Wait!
So now I am sitting on a couch, currently in Mrs. Baird’s Factory, watching groups Float Build; it’s about 10:00 p.m.. I’m trying my best to concentrate on this entry and ignore the sawing noises, hammering, sounds from the highway, and occasional dropping of wood blocks. It’s been a long day, and parts of it were tough (stress, committee issues, other issues, etc.), however I am hanging in there. I decided I’ll have to take this experience as Homecoming Chair day by day, and remember to focus on the goals I made last January. So… I’m still enjoying myself. I still can smile and imagine how awesome the parade is going to be this upcoming Saturday. The people, the alumni, the floats, the cheers, the tradition, the fulfillment…I just can’t wait. -MN

November 3, 2006

During my first-year at SMU, I threw myself into a position I knew very little about – a Homecoming captain for my residence hall, Virginia-Snider. I was responsible for building our float, coordinating our community’s participation in Homecoming events, and hyping up everybody about Homecoming. I’ll admit, my experience was both chaotic and stressful, but by the time Homecoming Week began I realized this would be a positive experience I would never forget.

Each night a few friends of mine would work on our float past midnight in Mrs. Baird's Factory, cutting chicken wire, nailing pieces of wood together, pomping our float with various shades of tissue paper, and debating whether or not it was better to study or continue float-building. My hall director and I worked closely together to buy supplies, keep a close eye on our budget and made a few late-night stops to Home Depot. Overall, the experience was an adventure as I came to realize my own abilities, strengthen my propensity for leadership and make some great new friends along the way.

Now, I am a junior, and two years later I once again find myself involved in Homecoming, only now, I am chair of the entire program! I got involved with Student Foundation not expecting to ever arrive where I am today. However, I must say I am quite excited about this year’s Homecoming, “Around the World and Home Again,” because it is going to be nothing short of amazing! Since last January I have been carefully planning this year’s Homecoming with my fantastic committee of eleven, including Stephanie, Sam, Katie, Taylor, Dung, MacKenzie, Chelsea, and Suzanne. Together we have made some positive changes to all aspects of Homecoming. We even have one new event this year, Field Day.

Tomorrow, Homecoming officially begins with Community Service Day, and I can’t wait to get started with what we have all been working so hard for. I will admit, I’m a bit nervous and the weather forecast doesn’t look too promising (I should probably start on a rain-plan right now). However, whatever obstacles we might encounter, I am 100% confident that this year’s Homecoming will be better than year’s past.

I hope you will join me as I share with you my unique experience of being Homecoming Chair for Student Foundation. It is a very time-consuming commitment, but none the less an awarding adventure I’ll never forget. I hope that through my entire blog you will be able to experience the energy and excitement of this year’s Homecoming. Stay tuned…