::Conferences, Tours, and Pirates, Oh My!::

Today was the ending of our fabulous conference. We went to so many different sessions where a variety of ambassador information was delivered. We also went on a spectacular walking tour of the PITT campus. As a side note, anyone who complains that we walk too much at mobap needs to go on a tour of this place....whew...I got in my walking quota for the month :-). Then we went on a bus tour of Pittsburgh, a place that has so much history and people take a lot of pride in. Finally we went to a Pittsburgh Pirates game which they won!! And I got to try a Pittsburghian staple the Cheesesteak sandwich which is not like a normal Philly cheesesteak but is a sandwich with the usual meat and cheese but also has french fries and coleslaw in the sandwich. Let's just say that I only ate half.

::Ambassadors Conference::

I thought based upon my last blog that I should clarify what kind of conference I am at and what exactly that I am learning. So as you know, Erica Jill and I are in Pittsburgh and we are at an ambassadors conference, which goes over the ins and outs of giving tours. I can't begin to say how much I have learned at this conference (and we have only been to two sessions). On top of all the learning, we are gaining ideas for our University from other fantastic schools alike and unlike our own. 

The best part is the passion that is inside of each one of us to change the University for the better, we want to see growth not just in numbers or championships but spiritually and relationally changing. We want a University that is bold about their faith and loves those that attend the establishment. We want to see people who welcome change but still hold onto some traditions that make the university unique. And we want to see other people with the same passion we have uniting for a cause. 

I will never forget the thought provoking conversations that we had in the Cathedral of Learning aka "the tower of knowledge"!

::Was that a Blimp?::

So this is my last "vacation" of the summer...it is truly bitter sweet. This vacay involves two lovely ladies and a conference. That's right....conferences can be vacations too! So Jill, Erica and I piled into the schools Honda Pilot and hit the road this afternoon, nine hours later we are in this Cozy little Hampton not to far from Columbus! The conference starts tomorrow and is in Pittsburgh. So hopefully after a good nights sleep under the comfort of this lovely duvet, I will be ready to learn about how to give a great tour of a campus. It may not sound too exciting but I am sooo psyched to gain more knowledge about this topic and to get to know some new people! 

P.S. We were passing through Indy and saw this blimp...I don't think I have ever seen a blimp before!!!

::The Dark Knight::

Tonight, a friend and I went out to dinner because she had just got back from a mission trip and then we wanted to see a movie, which ended up being The Dark Knight. 

First of all I love comic book heroes, but she didn't, and had the cards already stacked against the movie. But we both ended up loving it.

Some of my thoughts....

::What is with batman's voice? Really, How does he do that?

::Batman's "Bat mobile" or whatever it was called was much different than what I thought it would be. Usually it is a shiny new sports car, or something of the like. But this time it looked more like an all terrain vehicle. Plus it turned into an all terrain motorcycle...could it get any cooler?

::Could Heath Ledger do a better job? It was one of the best portrayed villains, I have seen yet.

I have yet to see any of the other batman movies and The Dark Knight had me on the edge of my seat and covering my eyes.

I give this movie a Roper and Ebert two thumb up!

::Apples full of tears::

My goal this summer was to save up all of my money and buy myself a brand new wonderful computer. And as the summer begins to wane I am approaching my goal, as I have around $800 saved. I knew that soon I wouldn't be able to work and would be a little shy of my mac's $1200 price tag so I asked my beloved father if he would help me out a little.

Today at work I get a call from my dad asking if I would prefer a 13" or 15" screen. I am taken back a little and say 13", thinking he was questioning my judgement on choice of computer. He then basically says, "Good It will be there in 21 days". At first I am confused, did he really just by my mac for me? And then I am on the brink of tears (I know this sounds a little superficial as I hardly cry at anything) and cannot find the words to thank him. And don't know if I ever will.

I am so thankful for this wonderful gift and want to let my dad know that this means alot to me.

P.s. I think I know the perfect way to spend the money saved up..... a little trip to see my dad!

::Wordle-It's like a word doodle::

This describes my blog to the world: And makes me conscious of what I write about!
Hope you enjoy!

::Tan Tar A: Bringing SAC together::

I must confess that on typical SAC trips I really don't get to relax that much, but this one was the exact opposite! Our "vacation" started with a quick meeting to go over some SAC Maintenance and then we were off to the lake. We arrived at TanTarA, which is an amazing resort next to the Lake of the Ozarks, and then got acclimated with our accommodations. This vacation was filled to the top with swimming, sunning, laughing and riding. Riding you ask? Yep that's right, we went horseback riding. I got the privilege of riding the tallest horse whose is affectionately named weasel. He definitely was a lot like me as he did not want to follow those around him and created his own path.

Overall, this is one of the most relaxing vacations I have had, despite the intense burn that my dear shoulders bear.