The little things

So last week was really hard on me. I ended up having to go home for the week, and I don't really want to go into detail about what all happened on here. But what surprised me is what I came back to when I got in back in Peoria. One of the organizations I'm in made me a handwritten card with personal notes saying they are they for me. By far the nicest thing anyone has done for me since I started coming to Bradley. It's the little things like that that truly make the most impact.

That's all I really wanted to share this week. Because it made my week.

Summer is coming up quick...

It's getting close to being summer break! The weather might not show it, but it's coming! So far I have some fun stuff planned, so I have stuff to look forward to! I have bought my Daniel Tosh stand-up tickets, my Bon Jovi tickets, as well as some Brewers vs. Dodgers tickets up in Milwaukee. Now all I need is a job to come up where I can afford to keep doing all of these things. With all the stress that comes from school, I'm really looking forward to an extended break from school where I can sleep in at least once a week! Summer weather, come soon!

I found myself starting to worry about life after college. It's starting to become a scary thought. My biggest worry is not being able to find work. Now I know what all my friends have been going through. One more semester for me, then time to start a career. I find myself not knowing what specific job to look for, or what company I would want to work for. Is that normal to not really have much of a preference? It seems like most people have a company in mind where they are striving for. It makes me feel a few steps behind. Hopefully over the next few months I can figure most of this stuff out. We will see.

When is this cold weather going to disappear and let spring start? I feel like the weather keeps on teasing us with these periodic 40-50 degree weather for a couple days, then snow. Traveling back to school Sunday was just awful due to the snow storm that hit. As I was carefully driving 30 miles per hour on a 65 miles per hour highways, I managed to count 26 cars that spun off on the road. 26!!! That is a crazy number for a 2 and a half hour drive. Illinois St. was closed the following day along with the University of Illinois, but good old Bradley was still open for learning. As I left my apartment that Monday morning, the sidewalks were covered still with ice making my walk to campus that much more difficult. It didn't help also that the roads were still covered with ice and snow. I went sliding when walking on the sidewalk about 6 times, balancing myself out to avoid falling. Sometimes, I really get frustrated with this school when it comes to student safety coming and going to class. Anyways, there's my rant on that.

With only about six weeks left before summer break, I still find myself without an internship and desperately sending out resumes daily to new open positions. I'm not sure why I never hear back from the majority of places I apply to, but this is becoming very stressful. Thankfully I still have one more semester to go before having to go and find real work, but finding that internship this summer could be key in helping me secure that job once I graduate. If I just had graphic design knowledge, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be in this situation. I guess that gives me something to do this summer if none of these internship are available.

It's half way through my spring break, and I really haven't done anything noteworthy. Today I worked the men's basketball game in the first round of the CBI tournament. Bradley somehow pulled away at the end to steal a win. I wasn't too thrilled to be there since I had to drive for 5 hours round trip. But, now I'm home and can sleep away the rest of my spring break and maybe catch a game or two of march madness before I have to head back to school. Nothing else really to note. Just wishing spring break was a bit longer... oh well.

-Kenny

Friday starts my final spring break ever! And just like every other spring break so far, I'm going no where fun! In fact, I have to come back to school midway through to work. Kind of a downer. But just to be able to sleep in is going to be glorious. No roommates around to wake me up at the wee hours of the morning. Oh, now I'm getting excited.

Anyways, I have one more midterm, then on Friday I get to see Duke-bound Jabari Parker play which is probably going to be the highlight of my spring break. Especially since I have a VIP pass to get anywhere I want in the Civic Center. Thank you connections. That is all my mind is focused on right now. I will be sure to make another post mid-spring break to express how happy I am because of sleep. Until then.

-Kenny

Big things have small beginnings

This past weekend I was lucky enough to be able to go home first the first time this semester. It was a much needed break from Peoria. I was lucky enough to be home when one of my best friends was home for spring break who I haven't seen since New Years. When we got together, we decided to attempt to create a viral video. We did a cover of Flight of the Conchord's "Albi" with a lot of random clips and commentary. It fared well with our family and friends, but hasn't taken off yet on YouTube (there's still a chance though). We are hoping our next video will take off once we get our "A-Team" back together.

Music has played a pivot role in my life growing up. My first drum teacher played with the Smashing Pumpkins, and got me the "in" in my music career. Since then I've play on a lot of band's records and a few tour shows. I've never really had my "own thing". Over winter break, I formed together with some friends from high school in order to try to get back on the local music scene, and this last weekend we moved one step closer to doing so.

One things I am excited for coming up would be my band's first full band shows this summer. While I was home we finally finalized our band name, Peaceful Disturbance, and found a full time bass player. I'm really hoping that this group will be able to sustain some success. Previously I was involved with groups whose personalities did not mesh. This group I'm with now is one of the more talented groups I've played with and have played together for years, so I'm really excited to see what happens next. We are finalizing an acoustic show for April here at college, so that, I hope is the start of something great.

-Kenny