Time has flown by this season. I can’t believe we are already into playoffs. I couldn’t be more proud of the accomplishments that we have achieved this year. It’s the first time in the program’s five year history that we’ve had a winning record and it’s the first time we have beat RIT. Every member of our team has been a vital part of our success. The rookies have come in and have all contributed whether it’s points on the score board or just hard work winning board battles. The sophomores have all stepped up their game this year. The juniors, with two new additions, have helped all the way around by bringing puck skills to the next level. The seniors this year are having some of their most strongest games I have ever seen them play.

At the end of the year, a team is experiencing what we call the “wear and tear” of the season. Getting close to the end of the season, every team experiences injuries as your body goes into overdrive. What amazes me about athletes is that we put our bodies through hell and back through the season and we still come back wanting more. Even during the season, when we’ve sprained, strained or tore something, we still want to be out there. That is what athletes live for; where they are standing on the ice, looking up at the flag as the national anthem comes to a close. The moment when the puck drops or the puck crosses the line, those are the moments.

This year’s season has come and gone . . . way to fast. I feel like I blinked and now I’m on my last bus trip for the season. It’s hard to believe it’s all coming to an end. Thinking about the seniors leaving is really hard for any member of the team. I’ve spent three years getting to know these girls. Next year when I arrive at school and walk into the dressing room, all that will be left of them is a gold name plate in their stall to remind those who come after them that there has been a legacy laid before them. That’s the legacy of being a Laker. Being a Laker means pouring your heart and soul into a team, even when things don’t seem to be going your way. That every time you get knocked down, you get right back up. That at the end of the day you will do anything and everything for the success of your team. Wether it’s being a good student-athlete or being a mentor for others on your team. It’s all the small things that add up to the big picture, which is what being a Laker is all about.

Senior weekend is always a tough weekend. The mix of emotions as everyone’s parents are flying in, trying to get school work done and stay focused for the games. You try and not think about the fact that this is possibly the seniors last home games. Four years of their lives accumulate to this very moment, when they are standing on the ice after the games and their parents step on the ice so they can be recognized. I guess a lot of the time we don’t realize how big a part our parents play in these four years. This moment helps bring it in to perspective.

As I stood there and watched the seniors line up it also put things into perspective for me. These girls I have spent three years of my life with and now they are all going to be graduating and moving on. It’s a hard thing to accept at the time. You are feeling so many emotions, happy, sad, and maybe confused. But these moments teach us some valuable lessons such as enjoying the time you have with the people you love and care about. Before you know it, in a blink of an eye, it could be over. Take the time to get to know the people you spend every day with before you lose that opportunity. Appreciate the sacrifices that those people have made over the years to be able to stay continually committed.

Joining a team is easy but sticking it out and staying part of the team is hard.

Down time is the best time. I have a bunch of things to do . I brought home two textbooks to catch up on weeks worth of reading for my classes, I brought home a copy of my CAAP report as well as the classes I want to take in specific order(don’t forget registration is around the corner), I brought with me the intentions on writing some of these scholarship essays and lastly a book by James Baldwin & Decoded by Jay-Z for leisure reading.

I’ve managed to only play x-box and scream all sorts of fan type words at the tv watching the Conference tournaments so far. Then again sue me. Its only Monday. Before you can conquer the world you need rest and regrouping. So those are my immediate goals. I’ve hung out with my sister and niece(two fav girls in the world…although my sister is a woman). Bought a pair of chinos(something says I’m gettin old when I get excited by chinos and depressed at unavailibilty of a gingham shirt I wanted) and tomorrow I see my grandfather. So it hasn’t been all unproductive.

I also manged to catch onto the craze of Rebecca Black and all of the madness that comes with opening that Pandora’s box. More to come later. This week has tons to be accomplished. Including St Patty’s , and finding out a grandscheme to somehow enjoy while living on a college budget that is crimson red.

I wish I could go somewhere like this on spring break. Unfortunately I’m going home. That in itself is not a success, I missed the airline deal that would have allowed me to travel round trip for about $90. Now I’m dreading the 5 hour trip on the bus.

What are some of my plans for spring break? I don’t have many actually. First and foremost I’ll try and rest up. For the last week or two I’ve been really exhausted. Not with out reason, I’ve been pushing myself in writing. Some for this blog as you saw, some for the school paper(which you better have seen) , I hosted the BSU Variety Show , attended the dinner and then there is the omnipresent school work. So February has been a whirlwind for me and even more intense the final two week of it. Now w are looking at midterm week and there is the rush to cram, finish assignments and comprehend the sections we ignored while texin or sleepin in class.

What I would like and what will happen during my time home are two very different things. I would like to go shopping ; I’m not sure if there is ever a time that I wouldn’t want to shop but I really am in need of a good shopping session. I would also like to say I’m going to go hang out with all my friends and stay out to all kinds of hours at night doing “young people things” but thats also a negatory.

In reality there are some things to look forward to. My niece Gemma is now 4 months old, a little bit more alert, she plays, she goo’s and gahs , she eats baby mush(yum) and she’s vibrant. I can’t wait to hold her and to play with her so this is my biggest joy. It’s also the main reason I DO want to go home. I also need to get some of these scholarship applications done. Scholarship essays to me , are the worst type of chore . I’d rather clean my house all day than to have to write ONE “about yourself essay”. In between all that maybe I can squeeze in a date at Chipotle, maybe hang out at Starbucks another(starbucks oh how i miss thee!) and chill in the back of the Charger at night(the Owe me tour is still a go).

So while I may not be going to any tropical island, or laying in the warm weather of some island. I do have somethings to do. And just think. I’ll have 12 days to lay in bed and dream about it. Till then ..its time to cram away

             Ah spring brake is almost here, and though Oswego’s weather is completely bipolar and there is a onslaught of exams and papers due this week I can’t help but feel excited for a full week off from classes. I have been keeping up pretty well with all my classes so there is nothing that I’m too worried about but this time of year is always a little tense since you don’t really know what your professors are expecting of you quite yet. But all in all it should be an ok week.

I’ve been to busy to watch so on break, every episode is mine!

I will not give a hoot about life for 12 days!

See previous statement about life defiance

My niece is made of Sugar and Spice and Everything nice. Being an Uncle never gets old. Cant wait.

Ladies and Gentleman it is time to vote for a new Student Association President. Unfortunately current S.A. President Steven Dimarzo’s reign has come to an end. We must mover forward with the student government here at SUNY Oswego and elect one of the new candidates. The two candidates are John Hughes and Michael Colucci. Both of these young men would be great for the position and can provide positive leadership to the campus. I did receive an email from one of these young men and the message and platforms he has is quite innovative. The email is listed below.

Hey Everybody!

“It appears now more than ever, we need to bring a change to SUNY Oswego. Residential and commuter parking is a nightmare, our book prices keep soaring and it appears that every administrative office on campus has created a load of bureaucracy for our students. If you’re involved with a student organization, it may seem even worse, as Student Association has been constantly changing its policies without informing organizations, and then penalizing them when they unknowingly don’t follow them. Most organizations, and are forced to deal with the monopoly of the pricey Auxiliary Services.

My name is John Hughes, and I am running for SA president to change this! As someone who has been involved with Student Association for three years, I feel SA has lost its focus. Instead of being a forum where students can voice their concerns to their student government, it has become too focused on creating policy, distributing funds and penalizing organizations. This is simply not the role that a student government should play on a college campus. During my time in SA, I helped allocate over $26,000 to various organizations, advocated the General Education Committee to add over 50 classes to their approved gen ed list, and last spring I chaired the Senate’s Reform Committee which talked to over 1,000 students to hear their concerns and passed resolution demanding the campus administration to address those concerns. During this past year, my committee’s resolution was able to extend Late Night, add Won Ton House to Plus Plan, create a fairer room and table reservation policy and bring Fall Break Day back to the 2011-2012 calendar.

If elected president, I would like SA to be dedicated to be fighting for student’s rights. I plan on taking SA outside it’s office in the Point, by having office hours in the Campus Center Spine and having my e-board and myself attend as many hall council, RHAB and organizational meetings as possible, which would allow us talk to as many students as possible. I hope that in this effort, we can hear students’ problems and actively address their concerns with the administration. However, in order to bring change, I need your help, your vote, so I can be elected Student Association President. Voting is this Thursday and Friday, via e-mail. If you would like to learn more about my platform, feel free to visit http://www.johnhughes.tumblr.com, for more information”.

Respectfully,
John Hughes

I am not endorsing either candidate but I did want to share the information I had with the campus. Elections will be held March 3rd and Fourth electronically. It is imperative that each student participate and provide some input on who will be controlling the Student Association and how our Student Activity Fee will be spent. I will be casting my vote early thursday morning and I hope you will do the same!