Thanksgiving break

Thanksgiving Break was awesome! It started out with a trip to Aimes to watch the Iowa State Cyclones take on the Minnesota Gophers in basketball. It was an intense game. Unfortunately, Iowa State lost. But they have this freshman on their team named Craig Brackins who is a stud! He is going to be great for a long time, even in the NBA one day.

The next day, Wednesday, my friend Nick Savov went to get his wisdom teeth pulled. I don't know how anyone could get there wisdom teeth pulled on the day before Thanksgiving. On Thursday we celebrated Thanksgiving. We ate at about 2 o'clock. After eating and hanging out Nick called some friends to come over and hang out and play some Risk. We started at 10 o'clock that night and did not finish until 2 o'clock. It was extreme!

During Thanksgiving break I also experienced my first snowy day! It was minimal, but being from Florida it was awesome! I was hoping it snowed a little more the following days. But it was just cold.

Well, Thanksgiving Break came to an end, and it was time to head back to school. The entire week I told myself I was going to take pictures but I forgot to. So in a last minute desperate attempt I took out my camera and took pictures as we were leaving. I was very grateful to have a friend like Nick Savov who would allow me to come to his house during break and enjoy such a great time with his friends and family.

Once again, Thank you Nick and the family!

God Bless,

Greg

NAACP Dinner

Last week I was invited, by President Byrd and his wife, to join them at the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) dinner in Des Moines. I was very grateful to have this opportunity to hang out with President Byrd, and also learn a lot about the issues concerning the NAACP. Also invited were, Emili Johnson, Steven Ramsey, Mike Wilson, Carolyn Dallinger, and Walter Lain.

Mike Wilson, Greg (me), Steven Ramsey, and Emili Johnson

Emili Johnson and I rode with President Byrd and Mrs. Byrd. While on the ride there and back, I realized something. My first impulse when getting into a car, is to turn the radio on. We did not turn the radio on at all in the car, instead, we talk with each other about everything from journal entries to cold weather. To tell you the truth, I enjoyed it! During the ride back, when I realized we hadn't turned on the radio, I felt bad for all the times I turned the music on in my car. I felt like I neglected the opportunity for conversation that may have been fruitful.

While at Embassy Suites in Des Moines, we met some important people. Of these important people are Rev. Gill L. Ford who is the NAACP Region IV Director. Rev. Gill L. Ford was also the speaker for the night. Fortunately, I was able to get a picture with him, as he was a high priority man.

Rev. Gill L. Ford and I

Being the great conversationalist that we all are, we also with the President of Des Moines NAACP Branch Mrs. Linda M. Carter-Lewis. She was so very kind to us. She gave us all hugs and made each one of us feel as if she was sincerely happy that we came. Again, we managed to take a picture with this wonderful lady!

Greg (me), Linda M. Carter-Lewis, Mike Wilson, and Steven Ramsey

The event was a great turn out. We all enjoyed ourselves and have applied for NAACP membership. We are also planning on getting a Chapter started at our school. So be on the look out! Thanks for reading!

=)

God Bless, Greg

Reggies Sleep Out!

Hey there!

Ok, so last Friday I was just turning in a paper at 4 o'clock and I saw my friend. Prior to seeing her I thought about what I was going to do for the weekend, and I decided to just get some work done since nothing exciting was happening. So I asked her what she was doing this weekend and she was like, "I am going to Reggie's Sleep Out tonight." Now I knew next to nothing about Reggie's Sleep Out, but I have seen pictures from last years on Tiffany's facebook. So anything cool enough for Tiff to go to has to be cool enough for me to go to. So I told her does she have room for one more. And she said yes. Next thing you know, we were on our way to Drake and I was excited. Everything was going well until they remembered that I had to sign in. But it was ok because on the pace we were going, I was gonna be there in time for registration. That is until we got separated from our friends in traffic and then got lost. But with our superior direction skills, and a few calls here and there, we were able to get back on track to Drake. Only this time we were running late. But what were they going to do? Not let me come sign up? Then I'd really get the homeless feeling. Luckily, there was no real time constrictions and I was able to sign up when I got there. After getting all signed up, it was time to make "Our Box".

This was to be our house for the night! So as I am constructing what I would call home for the night, I started to see everyone else around me putting on layers of cloths.

Colleen

I started to feel like a real Floridian. Before we left school, everyone was dressed in mildly cold attire. So, I didn't want to be the oddball with tons of cloths on as if i was preparing for a blizzard. So I wore jean shorts and a jacket. So while everyone was putting on cloths I was thinking the worst. Fortunately for me, it didn't get too too cold right away. After our house was made we went to go check out the artist performing on stage.


He was really good. Christian Rap is always good stuff!! So after checking him out on stage, I felt like doing a little singing myself. And wouldn't you know, there was karaoke singing in the food tent. I think I was there for about 3 hours straight, just singing and dancing.

"You are, my fire. The one, desire.......I want it that way!" Lol.. Backstreet Boys Karaoke.

Rippin' it up on an imaginary guitar

Crank that Soulja Boy!!

After that, I went to the gym and watched Freedom Writers and Pursuit of Happiness until I was tired. By the time I was ready for bed it was freezing! I was under dressed but thankfully I had this huge, thick blanket that my friend gave me from his house and it kept me warm through my sleep. That blanket was seriously a life savior. When we woke up the next morning we tore down our "Home" and packed up for Simpson.

Reggie's Sleep Out is an experience that I will never forget. It was seriously hard for everyone to sleep and we were all prepared with multiple blankets and layers of cloths. Just imagine how hard it would be with out those luxuries?

Greg

Fall break!!

For most people it's that time again. Time for the leaves to turn from green to red, yellow, orange, even purple. Time for the leaves to fall and the temperatures to cool. Time to get your best winter fleece coat ready. Time for talk of snow to be common. "You never know when it is going to snow over here," one person says. Though this may be common for most of the Simpson population, it is very uncommon for me.

In my short two in a half months at Simpson I have already had a lot of first. I am currently experiencing my first fall. Fall over here is kind of like beaches back home. When you are surrounded them it's not a big deal, but when you've never seen it and you experience it for the first time you are like WOW! Fall is amazing, way better than what you see on t.v. I challenge all those Iowans (for lake of a better term) to look around you and tell me it is not beautiful. Another first for me at Simpson is the idea of wearing long sleeves during practice and games. In Florida, the idea of long sleeves is crazy with the extreme heats we get there. My last first at Simpson is now knowing the order of meals. This is the first time I have identified lunch and dinner as the same meal. Apparently, the correct order is breakfast, lunch/dinner, and supper.

=)

Have a great fall break, Greg

Intense Game!!

Anyone who was at last Saturday's game against Cornell knows how intense that game was! i am telling we were at our best! We were scoring in every way, runs, passes, field goals! My friend and former high school buddy, Legrande Bienname, scored on a touch down pass from Travis Deitce! It was pretty sweet! Travis also ran for a score of his own! I think it was a 49 yard run! The kid is fast. Adam Reutzel had another stellar game, he also had a long touchdown run. Perhaps the highlight of the game is when Bill Nelson tied his school record with a 52 yard field goal. Defense was stellar, Jeff Wilkins had two interceptions late in the game. Killing the hopes of any kind of come back. It was an overall beat down of the Rams on Saturday. If you were there to be apart of it you know! Final score was 38-6, hope to see you at the next home game!

=)

God Bless, Greg

Life at Simpson is getting better everyday!

I have been busy around Simpson lately, and I am loving every minute of it. It turns out that I won homecoming representative for Freshman. I was so excited! The homecoming staff took other homecoming class representatives and myself out to eat at Court Avenue Brewery in a stretch Excursion limo....Whoa! I had a great time. We sang in the limo, took pictures, and even told jokes. Good times!

Last Thursday, I hosted my second prospective student! His name was Cody E. I loved hanging out with him and showing him around. He had a great attitude, and he actually talked! I even heard that he told Mrs. Debra Lord that he had a great time, so we will see what happens. I hope he chooses Simpson. Fortunate for me I have another student on the 18th of October. He is a football player from Minnesota named Eddie K. I hope he is as cool as the last!!

Last Monday was intense. I did my part of the Simpson commercial in the football locker room with 4 other Simpson football players!! My part was, "...balance. I have learned to balance my time, while competing at the NCAA division III Collegiate level." While I said this, the other football players were in the back "preparing for the game". We did the scene like 27 times! But it was crazy fun though! I can't wait to see the final product. I know it's gonna be awesome!

Another amazing thing that I got the internship I wanted with the Pioneer Company! =) And the are giving me $12,500 a year to be involved in that internship.

God is good, Greg

Dragon Pride

=)

Well after recently talking to some of my teacher, coaches, and friends from back home I decided to give some shout outs to important people back in Florida.

Of course My mom and dad, Granvill and Anita. My coaches Coach Stickford, Coach Harrison, Coach Taplin, Coach SheetsThese coaches not only helped me with the sport I was in with them but they helped me in many ways, I like to think of them as friends. Especially Coach Harrison who is like a big brother to me (even though I can beat him in wrestling! Lol..) And a special thanks to Coach Stickford, he is a big reason I am where I am now. GO SIMPSON!

There are so many Staff members from Stranahan High school that have helped me! Mrs. Hamilton helped significantly my senior year, thank you! Mrs. Murray and the library staff for always letting me in without a pass and also allowing me to get a little loud in the library! =) Mrs. Formoso for always helping me with school and my mom. Teachers played a large part as well because I was with them for the majority of my time at school. Among the teachers I greatly thank are Mr. Mulhern for helping me become a better student with better work habits, Mr. Fiore for showing me what it looks like to love your job, Ms. Adderley for never taking it easy on me, Mr. Antunez for showing us what it really means to learn something, Dr. Houston for going along with my bizarre analogies, Coach Gard for always making jokes in class keeping and our spirits light in such a stressful class, Sra. Cintron/Beck/and Bentancourt for being more than Spanish teacher, Gracias! I know there are so many that I am leaving out I am sorry. I was very active in high school so I shared special moments with most of the staff even if it was stopping by the office to say hi to Ms. Simone or dropping by admissions and say hello to Mrs. Parker. I thanks so many people from Stranahan for the experiences that shaped and molded me into who I am today. I doubt that I would be able to move so far from home and be as comfortable as I am now if it had not been for those priceless years at Stranahan.

Last but not least I thank Stranahan for the students. Their were some that were easy to love and other that were harder but I never got into a fight at Stranahan and I had many friends. This was valuable in moving to a different state and trying to established friendship. Stranahan broke down barriers for many experiences that have already helped me in college. And I know that I am just 1 out of thousands that have left Stranahan with that Dragon pride and confidence to tackle any task on the next level! I hope that all the other students of Stranahan take advantage of our schools wonderful staff, the friends you meet in school, and the adversity you go through that only makes you stronger! Take care Dragons.

Dragon Pride, Greg