New Blog Address
Hey Everyone,
Just letting you know that our services have switched to a new server. My blogs will now be posted @ http://nick.smcbloggers.com/
I think it's pretty cool...so should you
Nick
Hey Everyone,
Just letting you know that our services have switched to a new server. My blogs will now be posted @ http://nick.smcbloggers.com/
I think it's pretty cool...so should you
Nick
Today is Tuesday. I have three days left at my internship at Dion Money Management. When this week is out I will be headed back to SMC for the start of my *gulp* senior year. Working at Dion has been a fulfilling and insightful experience that actually started last winter. Being my first experience in a professional position, I had to go through a lot of firsts in my time up until now. My first resume (thanks to Joel), my first cover letter (thanks to mom/dad) first denials (thanks to come companies I won't mention today), and most importantly, first interaction with the wonderful people at the Institutional Advancement Office. My summer would have never gotten off the ground if it weren't for that office on campus, in particular, Rit DiVenere. He provided me with contact information, access to fax machines and other materials, and some amazing conversation concerning my future. The best part about it; all for free.
Saint Mike's is not a four year college where, after getting a degree, you're on your own. There are TONS of opportunities provided to you for free to help you shape your future. It's merely a matter of contacting them. Before last February, I could never see myself going ALL THE WAY across Rt 15 to see people like Rit. Now, however, I realize that I should have been doing this sort of thing since my freshman year.
College may be a place to get an education, but it's what you do with that education that really matters. A degree is only a piece of paper if you're stuck unemployed. Places like the Institutional Advancement Office and people like Rit DiVenere are on campus to make sure that, when you graduate, you have something with some pay to go to. Hang that degree up with pride. Don't make it a $159,600 paper airplane.
I just read an article from "Human Nature:The Blog" on SLATE magazine arguing the fact that it is unfair that Olympians today are being called record holders after beating records set years prior. The author claims that because of advancements in technology, much of the record can be based on what the athlete was wearing rather than skill. While I agree with what he is saying, I'm not going to go into a discussion about it. I just thought that his last quote was a perfect way to close the article
"And now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to watch the latest high-definition broadcast from Beijing on my 46-inch flat-screen TV. It beats the crap out of the 20-inch tube I was squinting at in 2004. But that doesn't make my eyesight any better."
If you want to check out the article, "Olympic Inflation" (it's actually really good) visit http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/humannature/archive/2008/08/13/olympic-inflation.aspx
Another great article on the scoring of gymnastics (which happens to be my new favorite sport) can be found on the same magazine "Down with the Perfect 10!" http://www.slate.com/id/2197336/
I'm Back!
I got back from my cruise on Sunday and it could not have gone better. Whether it's the pink beaches, clear ocean, tall socks and shorts, or amazing locals, every time I go there I get closer and closer to missing the return trip home. Yeah, it's defnintly a place I could call home after I make my first multi-million. Bermuda is actually a very wealthy country, with a huge portion of it's GDP devoted to both banking and tourism. Getting a plot of land to live there is an expensive and difficult process. Talking to a friend we met there, Grace Ann (Who claimed she was NOT rich), she told us that only locals can buy property from locals which, at $8 million for her land, is not exactly a bargain, but to be an outsider living on the island, they need to pay 2 mllion just to get on the waiting list!! This is the same waiting list that denied Oprah. yes, OPRAH couldn't even get a house in this place. Maybe, now that I think about it, it's more of a place to enjoy for a week, than live forever.
Overall, the cruise was amazing. In between relaxing, eating four-course meals 3+ times a day, and hanging out with cruise employees from all over the world, it couldn't have been a better time...well, except for the whole going back home thing.
That's all,
Nick
When I looked at that last post I left, I just realized it was August 1st; one month until September 1st; the first day of school. This has, without a doubt, been the fastest summer break of my life. No worries though, I can't wait to get back to school and finally feel a sense of completion with my academic work. It's hard to believe that in a few short months I will have a degree in both Psychology and Economics. Weird.
O well, we'll get to that when it happens. Until then, let's enjoy the summer while it's still here.
Shocked,
Nick
Good Morning,
Today is an exciting day. It marks not only Friday, but the Dion Money Management Golf Tournament! I'm not one for golf so my job today is to watch for a hole in one on one of the holes. I'll be sitting in a golf cart for a couple hours with another intern playing witness for any miraculous shots. It's going to be very exciting. Don is treating us to lunch (to me, more exciting than the golf) so it is all around a good time.
After the tournament I'll be heading home for another 2 days of anticipation before.....BERMUDA!!! The vacation that my entire family has been eager for for 366 days is finally here and we can't be any more excited! It's a cruise so most of the fun is in the trip. For that reason, i find cruises an interesting experience. With most vacations, the drives, the plane rides, people look forward to the destination. Well, people who aren't people watchers like myself at least. With a cruise, its the ride that's so fun.
To me, that's the definition of my college experience. We all spend 4-7 years enjoying the ride (college) until we get the end. In the end we reach an equally exciting place (real world) but we always look forward to returning to that ride. That difference between my coming week and college though, is for most, that second ride doesn't happen unless one returns to the school for further education or something of the sort. So....note to any of my readers, Nick here loves the second ride. If any of you happen to have a few thousand dollars lying around, feel free to send it my way. Grad school is looking like a good option. And who doesn't enjoy a good beverage with an umbrella?
Bermuda-bound,
Nick
Please excuse the formatting of last post. It's very e.e. cummings-esque. Speaking of great poets, POW was last weekend and I was fortunate enough to give the Academics talk.
POW is the pre-orientation-weekend. It is an opportunity for incoming students to spend a weekend with current students/faculty/staff and get a feel of what Saint Mike's has to offer. It was an amazing time that brought with it some wonderful talks, a hike up a mountain, and most importantly, the beginnnings of some friendships that will last for years. Walking onto the bus leading to the Red Fox I wouldn't help but feel butterflies.
Before my freshman year ages ago, I had been on the same bus leaving for the same place, ready for an experience that would impact the next four years of my life. As I looked to my left and right I saw nervous first years, many of which were probably forced to go on this weekend by their parents, oblivious to the fact that, for many, it is the best decision that they could possibly have made before coming to school.
Although in the moment, the silly icebreakers and sharing of stories may appear cheesy and forced, when I caught a glance of the raging card game on Saturday night, I knew that bonds had been formed. Every time a retreat goes out with SMC students at the helm, I can't help but be amazed that in a mere 48 hours, these people, many of whom began thier experience as strangers will return sharing more than a few hours, but a moving and amazing experience that they will hold dear for many years to come.
I've said it before, but I believe that college is more than a place of academic learning. College is one rare time in life that a person can focus on physical, moral, social and intellectual growth. A school that realizes and embraces this idea is a truely efficient establishment. Programs like POW are lead by students and adults that understand this and use themselves as tools to perpetuate this idea. When I was a first year, it was the POW leaders who initially welcomed me into the SMC community and I hope that I had an equal impact on the students I had the honor to interact with last weekend.
Love and Peace
Nick
Hey all,
I hope everyone is having a wonderful week. I know its Thursday but I’m going to talk to about last week real quick so sit tight. Last week I found myself in Hampton Beach.
After a summer of working, it was nice to take a load off, and by load off I mean huge wave to the face. Bertha was coming into the East coast so the waves on the beach were outrageous. I witnessed lifeguards saving someone from the riptide and everything. To tell you the truth, it was nothing like Baywatch. O well, they are wonderful people none the less.
Besides huge waves, I lost my sunglasses. They were beautiful Bolles with metal arms and polarized lenses. If you happen to be in Hamptonand see a pair, grab them. They are probably mine.
Brige stopped by while we were there even if it was against her belief system. I find it funny that people from places where the beach is 10 minutes away hate the same beaches that people who are 3 hours away idolize. Two years ago, my friend Kelso explained Hamptonas being “Dirt McGirt”, a term I still use to this day.
Hampton was a lot of fun, got some sun, sand, quality time with friends and a nice vacation before heading back to the grind.
Nick
Hello everyone!!
It's been approxamately 6 months since my last post but I feel a sudden urge to update everyone.
I am home in Clarksburg, MA for the summer enjoying a relaxing summer. I'm Currently employed at Dion Money Management, a small money management firm in Williamstown, MA. It's an internship so I'm getting a little experience to post on my LinkedIn profile as well as meet some amazing people. I think that the best part of this internship is that I am working with people who have chosen this as a profession. They have worked hard in school and continually research topics pertaining to thier jobs. They are people who leave work every day and can say that they like what they do. Employees here are a great inspiration for me to go after a career that I truly enjoy. If nothing else, I'll take that from this job.
This morning my brother left for Hampton Beach for the week. The rest of my family will be following shortly, It'll be nice to take some time off to read a book or at least stay up past 10 on a weekday. My family travels with our close friends every couple of years and it's always a good time to be with family as well as friends so close that you consider them family.
POW is this weekend!!! It's been a goal of mine, since going on my POW when I was still stressing about the college experience, to work on one myself. Sure enough, I will be giving the academic talk, the closer. It's a bit intimidating but I feel nothing but excitment for the whole ordeal. It's really meaningful to welcome someone into a community such as SMC. POW is often a three day retreat where you end up meeting some people who you will be friends with for the rest your time at SMC. The truth is, one of the guys giving a talk is both my roommate, as well as the first person I met on my POW 4 years ago. It's amazing how the time flies by. The only thing I can say for sure is that it's going to be an amazing experience for everyone involved.
It's a bit rushed, but that's it for now. I need to make some phonecalls.
Love and Peace,
Nick
Don't be alarmed. If you're reading my entries in chronological order you may think that I don't beleive in lateral time. Don't worry though, I'm fine. This blog is going to explain what brought me up to going to the church and meeting Kolamo.
Please don't unfasten your safety belts until the plane comes to a complete stop.
It was the same, generic message that you hear on every flight. This one was different though. This time I would be landing in a place I have never been to before. A place where, today, many parts appear to be from the feed the hungry commercials that come on late night television. The difference was, though, that this wasn't Africa or India or any of those places. This was Louisiana.
If you would like to read more about the flood and anger check out Pt.II. The beginning of this trip had all of this, but it was deeply shrouded behind the veil of Bourbon St. partying.
And what a party it was. We happened to have landed amidst a huge celebration. It was the week of the Bowl Series Championship between LSU and OSU. When we first arrived at the airport we were met by a swarm of purple and red shirts. The fans looked like a bag of skittles with only the good colors left. In the middle of this mass was us. The brass band that met us was playing jazz and I the whole time I was thinking to myself, "Now this is the place to be!" This feeling continued as we went downtown and checked out the sights. The thing about New Orleans is that everything you think it is, it is. The party was great. The street was LOADED!. I don't think I've ever seen such a huge age range all with hte same smiles on thier faces. The citizens of New Orleans really do love their homes.
Again, this is my second time writing this story so I'm going to leave it at this. Please, if you get the chance...try a deep fried pickle!!
Nick
