Late Sessions at Pedro Arrupe at 12:30 AM

Hope you guys enjoy it! It's me singing a few songs. (The ones on top are the most recent. You can see how much shorter my hair is now compared to when I recorded the first video haha)

In this one, I'm singing "Simple, Starving to be Safe" by Daphne Loves Derby.Instrumental by some user on YouTube hahaha.



This one's "Don't Speak" by No Doubt.


This ones "To Make You Feel My Love" by Bob Dylan


And this last one is "Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers


Let me know what you think or if you have any suggestions for what to do next!

Spring Break and Random Thoughts for the Day at 4:36 PM

I vowed to make this Spring Break awesome for me. My freshman year, I went home and did nothing. Sophomore year, I stayed at USF and did nothing. This year, I had to stay because I needed to work, but it actually turned out to be my best spring break. Highlights (and lowlights):

MONDAY: Work...work...work.

TUESDAY: 9 hour shift (3am-noon). Worst shift in the history of the world. BUT...birthday dinner for one of my best friends and a mini-reunion with high school friends. Slightly awkward at first but it felt like old times by the end of the night

WEDNESDAY: SIB came to visit! His name's Chip...from UCSC. He's my Bigs' little from UCSC ( have one too but she went home to LA) and a bunch of us hung out. Probably the most spontaneous day I've had in awhile. Original plans: Academy of Sciences and party. What actually happened: Drive and hike to Stinson Beach, drive to San Jose and have dinner at Smoke Eaters/Cluck U with Mu Zeta, Gamma Beta, and OZ...and being too tired to party haha. Best day in awhile!

The WIND family over at Cluck U's (along with John from MZ haha)

The Sibs (Me, Chip, and Tim) and our Bigs (Eivette)! Yeah....we're a little strange

THURSDAY: Back to work....but went to Popscene for the first. Probably the best time I've had clubbing in college.

FRIDAY: Finally had a chill day. From this day on...just studied and got ready to go back to school.


Random thoughts:

I fell asleep for about an hour at work...

I arrive 30 minutes late to my only class...yet I don't miss anything. Awesome.

Ok...I officially sat in the most awkward lecture I've ever experienced. Didn't need to know why hyenas masturbate in comparison to why humans do.

I wish I was there more for my littles, Cristina. If only I had a car and if Santa Cruz was just a little bit closer :/.

Monday was probably the worst day I had in awhile....but I'm glad these last two days have made up for it since.

I've learned that not having a laptop is difficult, but manageable

My top 3 from AI this week (in order): Kris Allen, Allison Iraheta, Danny Gokey. I'm probably in the minority here...but I think Kris can win this thing. Adam Lambert is too much for me.

Songs on Repeat:
Kelly Clarkson - Save You
Sara Bareilles - Gravity
Day 26 - Got Me Going

I Love You, Man: Definitely the funniest movie I've seen in awhile.

'Til next time,

Ray

Home at 6:33 AM

I miss home. I know I'm always working so I can make ends meet...but it doesn't mean I don't miss home and my family. As of right now...next time I'm going home is August for one weekend...4 whole months from now. Gotta make the best of the city I guess.

-Ray

AI Top 11 at 1:22 AM

After watching tonight, I'm convinced this is the best group AI has put together in a long time. Aside from maybe 2 or 3 singers...anyone can pretty much win it at this point.

Top 3:
1. Matt Giraud: "So Small"
2. Anoop Desai: "Always on My Mind"
3. Kris Allen: "To Make You Feel My Love"

Man, Matt killed it again for me. I know everyone loves Gokey...but I think Matt can win it if he keeps it up. I'm also pulling for Allison...I think she's the best girl left.

LEAST FAVORITE:
1. Matt Sarver: "Ain't Goin' Down 'til the Sun Comes Up"
2. Scott McIntyre: "Wild Angels"
3. Alex Grace: "Jolene"

Who I think will go home? Matt Sarver (PLEASE!)
Who do I think will win? Gokey or Adam Lambert at this point still
Who do I want to win? Matt Giraud of Allison Iraheta

Drops from the Sky at 1:06 AM

The rain fell the other day...
Stopped over, looked at the rose in the corner
Drops of rain still lingered on the petals,
just as it lingers on the side of the road.

I look up at the sky, to its gloomish hue of blue
No matter how ominous the sky may look, it reminds me that water will fall again.
A wonder how much of a blessing and a nightmare the rain can be.
Rain brings life to the green earth...and tends to soothe others into a restful slumber,
but can also bring upon destruction and misery to other, unfortunate ones.

Rain...today you are on my side. I am able to go about my business...just a little bit more wet.
May I never have to feel the wrath and anger that you internally possess.

American Idol at 1:51 PM

So I do have somewhat of an addiction to American Idol. I think I've watched every season haha, and I've been okay at picking the winners. The ones that I've liked that I said would win are: Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks, and David Cook. (ie...the good ones! haha) With that said...these are my picks for this year's American Idol:
:

My personal favorites:
Allison Iraheta: raw voice, definitely think she can sing anything if she tries hard enough
Matt Giraud: ridiculously soulful, good at the piano
Danny Gokey: I like his voice a lot. While people may think his story is unfair, you can't deny his voice.

Who would probably make the finals:
Lil Rounds: Favorite of the judges.
Adam Lambert: While I'm not a huge fan, his voice is off the charts, no doubt.

I think I might update this every week, with my favorite performance (videos to come soon) and who I think will go home.

Last week (Michael Jackson Week)
My favorite: Matt Giraud - "Human Nature"
Least: Matt Sarver - "You Are Not Alone"
Who I thought would go home: Jorge Nunez, Matt Sarver
Who went home: Jorge Nunez, Jasmine Murray.

'Til next time...Ray

Sectionals at 1:46 PM

SECTIONALS.

Wow...definitely a day I will never forget. While planning it was kinda crazy, I'm glad everyone had fun. Below is probably one of my favorite pictures of the day.

This is me and Katrina, one of the other coordinators. She's holding the Service Gold Pan, which her chapter, Mu Zeta, at SF State won. And I'm holding the Overall Gold Pan, which my chapter, Alpha Epsilon Nu, won. Congrats to both our chapters for having great programs this year!

Other highlights include:

• Meeting and shaking hands with Maggie Katz, our National President
• AEN'S Roll Call. Rave anyone?
• Seeing Interchapter friends whom I haven't seen in a long time as well as meeting others.

This was probably one of the more challenging experiences I've had, but I'm glad I did it. I've grown as a leader and as a person through it, and I've met so many people and (as corny as this sounds) made so many memories that I will remember for a very long time. If anyone in Alpha Phi Omega is reading this, thanks for coming out and I hope you all had fun.

-Ray