Theta Chi Wall Mural & Initiation

Brothers,

Greetings from Brad again. Just wanted to share a recent experience at the Chapter house.


Recently, I got to go to Theta Chi during the tail end of Rush. It was a great experience. Here are some details. Got to see some of the improvements we made this summer to the chapter house. There are new washers and dryers, a new freezer for Andrea, and, best of all, new carpets. We are still in progress for getting Boiler room repair and an anual maintenance contract. Also, we are looking at several potential near-future projects, including an in-house sprinkler system, re-vamping the bathrooms (counters, mirrors, lights, sinks etc.), mattress replacement, etc. Then, I got a chance to meet the new members that received bids at rush, and I need to say I am super impressed. By the way, they are one short of filling the house again. That's awesome, after having fallen short for about the last three years. If you are anywhere close, you need to try and go there, if only to make new connections with brothers and instill a little vision. Plus, you can see all the stuff happening to the chapter house.



Finally, I wanted to do a project for the Chapter while I visited Theta Chi, and got to talking with Alumnus Ben Hornbacher and the undergrads, and Ben and I took it upon ourselves to paint a mural for Theta Chi on the back wall (a nice blank canvas). So we took a projector and Ben's computer and projected the image we decided on (thanks Chase for the idea, and e-board for your improvement input) and traced with sharpie and painted. Oh yeah, the projection didn't show in the day, so this was at night, and in fact all night. After painting for about five hours, Ben and I were thankfully joined by Scott Smith (current undergrad prez). After another five hours. . .we stopped. . . finished at last. We had considered stopping earlier and letting the Undergrads finish it, but what kind of a gift would that be, and we wanted to see it finished. So we finished, at 8:30 in the AM. Here are a couple of photos for your enjoyment.


Oh, by the way, other alumni in the past have had visions of things they wanted to see done at Theta Chi. Ben and I will be back, hopefully with others. If you have a vision for something you'd like to see improved at Theta Chi, join the list-serve, or join the blog (E-mail me at KingSaxomo@hotmail.com if you cannot figure out how). I would be happy to take up future project for Theta Chi. I'd be even happier if you would join us. My hope is to plan a summer trip to Moscow in 2008, make it an Alumni event where a bunch of brothers get together for a weekend, have a barbeque, play some games, and do a project or few for the Epsilon Kappa chapter house. Let me know of your interest, ideas, or suggestions for which weekend.

Oh, yeah, fall 2007 Initiation is scheduled for Friday October 19th. I am assuming the time will be 6:00 ish in the PM, but that will be set as the day gets closer. Mark it now and plan on being there if at all possible. Remember, Theta Chi for life.
Thanks guys,
Always,
Bradley S. Barwell #513
Epsilon Kappa Chapter of Theta Chi Alumni Corporation Secretary

KingSaxomo@hotmail.com

Happenings in Bradwell-World 8/21/2007

Hey guys,

What's happening? Greeting from Bradwell in the Tri-Cities. I finally figured out this blogging thing, so I decided it was time to update my info. Currently, I've been hanging out in the Tri-Cities, WA, having a blast and putting my life in order. I left the U of I to student teach in the fall of 2005. Upon graduating in December 2005, my life hit the fan.

My plan had been to substitute teach going into the spring of 2006, but paperwork from the UI, additional paperwork required by WA, and a 11 week processing time for my police background check slowed me up. I was jobless for too long, which led to being evicted from my apartment. I moved in with my brother and his family for about 6 months while I got my stuff in order.

So I got a full-time job at Cinnabon (I also worked there coming out of high-school in Federal Way, so I had past experience).At the same time, I got all my teaching paperwork squared away with some more help from friends and family. I also got some car help, as my car was suffering at the time and I had to manually jump-start the car every time (Shift indicator switch that tells the car what gear it is in went out). Eventually I got to a point where I could finally aford to go out on my own again.

As summer 2006 came, I had two goals: get an apartment, get a full time teaching job. Both those prayers were answered. I got a place on the edge of Richland, and I got a teaching job in Sunnyside (40 min drive).

So now I teach music in Sunnyside to elementary kids, sing regularly for my church Bethel, play in the Tri-Cities Big Band with one of my mentor teachers, and have fun. I also am the primary teacher for a summer band camp in Kennewick which supplements my salary nicely. Oh, I also took Financial Peace University by Dave Ramsay to get control of my money spending and am now doing fairly well financially too. Life is good.

Other than that, I have a cat now named Theodore ("Gift from God"), but that's another story. I try and visit my parents once a year, which is tough seeing as they are in Canada, and way up north to boot. I am still single, and am not really looking too intently. I figure being single while in debt is fine. Once I am out of debt (no more than two years hopefully), then the search really begins. I just re-upped on my apartment in Richland for another year, and am preparing to start my second year in Sunyside, with a raise.

Hey, I'd love to hear from you all through the blog, or e-mail listserver. It's not hard to do either. If you want info how check out http://www.uithetachialumni.com/, e-mail Ben Hornbacher (if you have his e-mail) or e-mail me at KingSaxomo@hotmail.com, and I'd love to start hooking you up. Thanks.

Peace out,

Bradley S. Barwell #513