Journal for eautrey

oh hey guys...just me

2008-04-21T06:00:23Z

Aloha,

Well hey guys. Its been a while and here I am just checking in. Lately my life has been a wreck with homework and I have been trying to survive some of the toughest weeks of this year. But lots has happened and I am really looking forward for things to start wrapping up. To just do a run down of my life since I posted last, the biggest event was in spring break. Like I mentioned earlier, I had been planning a trip for Willamette students to go to service projects involving the fish and forest in Oregon. We did things like invasive species removal, stream surveying, 30 degree weather camping, snowball fights, tree planting, and cooking smores. I had a really great time on the trip and it was definitely worth the time and energy I put into for the planning and organizing.

Since being back on campus, I have been buried in family trips, luaus, intramurals, field trips, having good times, homework, papers, readings, exams, and presentations. Last weekend started when my parents came down to Salem and we went to the coast with my grandparents where I finished my taxes and a large part of my paper. The weather on the coast was amazing and I do not remember the last time it was that warm. A couple days ago I won an IM badminton tournament and the next day my team won the softball championship. In one night my team played six games in a row and by the end we couldn't do anything with our arms. I hadn't played badminton since high school and my back was not prepared for the workout I got. The next night, my softball team gave up only 3 runs in a total of 14 innings in the two games and took the championship with a strong defensive outing. In addition to the whole intramural week, my volleyball team took second place and so did the dodge ball team I was on.

Until next time,
Eric

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Fantasy Baseball and Spring Break

2008-03-19T18:31:28Z

The two best things in life are about to start, thats right, fantasy baseball and the season of spring. First off I have to admit that I get really into sports and there is nothing else like a good match-up and an exciting finish to a game. Sports is why I love the spring season so much. For one, we have March Madness starting and this is my all-time favorite thing to watch. Just the energy and upsets involved separates this tournament from any other. In addition, spring training is starting to wrap up and the baseball season is about to start. Fresh from a long winter and new lineups for the 2008 season gives me shivers down my spine.

At Willamette though, many new Intramurals are starting up as well. We have a slow pitch softball league and we play under the lights on the soccer field, rain or shine. Also there is an outdoor volleyball league that just started and yesterday my team won our first game. Also, for part of the Intramural program here, we are letting people submit their March Madness brackets here for a contest with prizes and we will also have a television up in the University Center devoted to showing the games.

Other than that, my Take a Break trip is nearly organized and everything starts in a couple days. I am really looking forward to the week ahead, but nervous that I am forgetting something. Next year for spring break I am already planning to go to Arizona with some friends to watch some baseball. I am also looking forward to that too.

Until next time, have a good start to your spring season. Cheers!

I miss my friends

2008-03-04T06:25:40Z

So apparently I missed the memo and did not apply to study abroad. Its a pretty popular thing to do if you are a WU student and I have never met a person that did not like their experience abroad. So you may ask, why didn't I apply. My only reason, and it isn't very good, is that I thought I couldn't get the credits to transfer and then I would not be able to graduate on time. I admit I was naive and I should have asked more questions, but I didn't. As I think about it though, as much of a good time it would have been, I am still enjoying my stay at Willamette.

This semester though has been particularly tough in terms of a lot of my friends ditching me to go places like London, DC, Seattle, and New Zealand. Although I have started to get a good rhythm this semester and have been keeping extra busy in school activities, I really, really miss my two good friends Zandy and StevieD. Since freshman year we have been good homies and had late night chats discussing bonds and other fantasy baseball updates and what the real 'bay area' boundaries are. Steve, Zandy, if you are reading this... I miss you a lot.

Okay, more next time and I'll try not to be so emotional.

just a quick update

2008-02-18T06:34:07Z

so in the midst of a crazy week i just wanted to do a quick update of my life here. the past week my life has been mostly devoted to a application for an internship this summer doing research here with professors. the job entails a generous amount of money and the ability to do my own research with other students and professors, so yeah...pretty cool. other than that, things have been pretty normal. intramurals have been going well and although i havent taken another charge since my first game, i have been scoring more and more points each game. the alternative spring break trip im planning is continuing to become more and more stressful and on top of that i have been going to interviews for the opening days program and in addition, oriented to become apart of the building bridges crew that will eventually be helping the new TIUA students become accustomed with life here at WU.

more to come laterz.
cheers!

Ski Class

2008-02-08T03:42:00Z

If three years ago you told me that I could go skiing at Willamette and have it be considered a class that I get credit for, I would have told you that you were whacked up (actually thats really how i talked in high school...sad huh?) But anyways, after being harassed to join the class by a friend of mine, I did and so far I have been having a blast. Besides waking up at 5 in the morning to catch the bus and losing a full day to do homework :o( , we ski most of the day then take a 2 hour lesson and get back to school around 6.

Being a more than advanced skier, I really thought the lessons would be really boring and a waste of time. It turned out actually that I did learn a lot, especially with improving my technique and form. Usually by the end of the day I am tired and soar from skiing all day, but after the day ended I was not soar at all. I also brought my board down to school this year as well so I will use that a week or two in the future.

But what else is new around here? Well I guess IM basketball just started and the other day I took a charge. Thats pretty cool I guess. The other day was driving to the hoop and I slide over, planted me feet, took the charge, and fell on my back looking over my should to the ref to see what he would signal. I claimed that the charge was the turning point in the game. We ended up coming back from behind and winning the game. Go us!

But thats about it for now. I'm done for homework until next week and now I am praying for some good snow this weekend. Until next time,

Cheers.

So global warming, huh? Well... see you later.

2008-02-01T01:49:09Z

Today was quite the most fascinating day I've experienced at Willamette this year. All day long Willamette hosted Focus the Nation, which were several panel discussions focusing on the issue of climate change and how to deal with it in many different perspectives. There were eight different discussions throughout the day and I was able to attend three of them. Panelists ranged from professors, to fellow students and peers, to potential US senators and everyone of them had several great arguments and opinions on the topic of climate change and sustainability. Other than the delicious cookies and tea that was provided, the best part of the day was to see students and community members attend these discussions and to actively participate to learn more about the world we live in from the expert panelists.

But when I am not attending the panel discussions, I am fairly able to keep busy elsewhere. 5 vs. 5 intramural basketball is about to begin so most of my evenings the past week have been spent teaching the future referees the rules and getting them practice time. I never would have thought that refereeing would be sooo difficult and I am really impressed what some of these referees can do because I know I would have a horrible time dealing with such a hard task. More on basketball, I am really starting to get into it and I will be on two teams for the upcoming season which starts this Monday.

As far as this spring break trip I am planning, my co-leader and I finally starting to make progress on where we will be going to. If I haven't explained what exactly I am doing, I am planning an alternative spring break trip for fellow students where we will be going around Oregon doing service projects focused on the fish and forest aspects in the state. This is part of a larger program Willamette does every year and is one of many trips that take place during spring break. Each trip that has about 12 to 14 students along with a faculty member will be going around the state or country to help out a community instead of going home or taking road trips. But, enough for now, more to come on that later.

Okay, time to go back to the gym for more ref training. Until next time, have a good Super Bowl weekend.

My Winter Break

2008-01-21T21:01:45Z

Hello again. It's been a while since my last post, but don't worry, I'll be updating more often from now on.

So...my winter vacation. You may ask what I did and the only way I can respond is to try to paint you a picture for a recap of my break. So close your eyes and picture a nice sunny day. You are indoors and a beam of sunlight is radiating onto a comfortable couch in a living room. Also on that couch is a normal house cat that is just taking a quick cat-nap. But this cat isn't in its normal sleeping position, its completely sprawled out, on its back, limbs going in every direction trying to absorb every ray of sunlight possible. What that cat was doing was exactly what I was doing... all break.

So instead of making every assumption possible about how lazy I am, I actually did do other things. I saw a couple of minor league hockey games, and rediscovered my passion for hockey that I once had as a kid. I also went skiing in order to get back into my groove for ski class this year and had a fun time doing that. Primarily though, if I was not shooting hoops in the driveway or baking cookies, I was watching old West Wing episodes and doing sudoku puzzles. New Years was fun because I spent the whole day making tamales and sport games. One weekend my family and I went to Seattle to have dinner and go shopping.

Since I have been back I have spent most of my time trying to get back on my feet. Starting school again is like stepping onto a treadmill that is already up to full speed and trying to stay on your feet. Of course I crashed and burned, but once I figure my new schedule out and get a good routine going I'll get on my feet and cruise right along. I have a good feeling about this semester and I am looking forward to the challenges that wait.

Until next time,
Eric

The Best Little Secret on Campus - The Writing Center

2007-11-02T00:08:38Z

When I walk into the Writing Center I go directly to the complimentary cookies and juice. After long hours of intensive studying, all I want is a little happiness in my life before I take my paper to the Writing Center consultants. If you haven't heard of it yet, the Writing Center is kind of a big deal here on campus. Students are welcome to bring any kind of writing for peer review. Consultants here help develop your argument and strengths as a writer; they are not simply there for grammatical editing.

Lately though I have been having some difficulties in writing a paper for a scholarship application. I took it into the Writing Center for some assistance and was amazed by the help I was offered from one Ms. Candice Peaslee. Candice, a good friend from way back when, offered to help my organization and structure. In the end, going to the Writing Center really helped improve my application essay. It is really wicked awesome to have this resource on campus and especially to work with other students.

Until next time, have a nice weekend!
Cheers,
Eric

Flag Football + 50 degree weather = My Favorite Time of the Yeat

2007-10-26T18:25:01Z

Intramural Flag Football started this week and being an Intramural Supervisor and a participant, my week has been filled with being very cold and...well just being really cold. I think one of the greatest experiences I have had at Willamette is playing football under the lights at 9:30 at night in my athletic shorts and long-sleeved t-shirt making diving catches and clutch blocks. Fog rises from the turf and steam is constantly radiating from my body when the game ends at 10:30 and it is time to clean up the field and go back home to start studying.
Other than that, this week has been pretty interesting. Greek Week was this week and for the past couple days I have participating in various activities to promote the Greek Life on Campus. Last night there was a campus wide capture the flag game and activities before that included a window painting competition as well as a banner making combination. Also on campus, the events board was showing the movie Hairspray, so I decided to go to that for a bit to pick up on some new dance moves. Anyways, Halloween is approaching fast and the search for a good costume is getting harder and harder.
Well my friend just showed up and now we are going to the new Pita Pit that just opened. Hollar.

Cheers,
Eric

My Bio!

2007-10-18T03:02:13Z

Hey everyone. My name is Eric Autrey and I am a student here at Willamette University. I am currently a Junior and I am majoring in Environmental Science and minoring in Economics.
Here at Willamette I keep myself very busy by keeping up on my homework, working, and finding the occasion time to go out and play intramural sports. For my job I am an Intramural Supervisor and basically what I get to do is organize and setup all the intramurals that students participate in around campus. Last week we just finished the outdoor soccer and indoor volleyball seasons and next week the flag football and 3-on-3 basketball seasons will start. Other than that, I am an active participant in the outdoor club, ski club, a leader in our alternative spring break program, and an active member in the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.
In my free time you can usually find me reading ESPN.com or throwing the frisbee/football outside. Other interests of mine include cooking, geology and geography, skiing, and socializing with my friends.

Until next time, I hope you have a good rest of the week.
Eric Autrey