Friday Night Out!!!

What a night! Don't worry, I'm not going wild! Some of us at work decided to go shopping and then to a nice dinner after work at 5pm. Coincidentally, it's our co-worker's birthday! So it's a birthday celebration for Karen! Lots of restaurants had waiting lines up to an hour, but thankfully, we managed to get a table at Applebee's. Oh, I did have lots of fun shopping with the girlies at work, Liz and Dorji! We each bought a dress and a pair of shoes to match the outfit! It's really cool! I wore my new shoes but not my new dress because I'm saving it for a special occasion! Enjoy the pictures!

Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner

Tonight, I was invited to a dinner at UTEP as I was chosen among my peers at work to attend this function. It was a humbling honor to represent the University Career Center at such a prestigious event. I found out that my dinner tonight would've cost me $100, if not for the department's generous invitation. At the dinner, the distinguished alumni shared their experiences and their achievements. All of their speeches were really inspiring and motivational.

One of them gave some really good advice to all of us... He graduated from UTEP in 1908 and is one of the finest lawyers in the country and owns his own law firm. He advised us not to forget our heritage and where we came from. He told us about a globe that his grandfather passed on to him and has this globe in his office as a daily reminder of his family heritage from Mexico and also a wall full of family pictures in his office. He said that family was very important to him and ends by saying that whatever success he's had is because God has blessed him with it. I truly believe in that and his humbleness is one lesson in life that I will learn to cherish and remember all the days of my life.

Catie and me (She's the Assistant Vice President for Student Life and Associate Dean of Students at UTEP)

Group picture of the top student leaders that were chosen to represent each department at UTEP.

UTEP President, Dr. Diana Natalicio giving a speech at the dinner. We even had the pleasure of introducing ourselves and meeting her personally before dinner was being served.

The floral arrangement/table centerpiece at the dinner.

Group picture.

UTEP vs. UT Austin Football Game

There's always a first time for everything right??? Well, it was my first time going to the annual pep-rally at school called Minerpalooza. This was a month ago on Sept. 5 to get everyone hyped up for the big football game the following day: UTEP vs. UT Austin. The next day, I went for the tailgate party before the game and met with buddies of mine, and surprisingly some of my friends that graduated (UTEP alumni) from electrical engineering (EE). I really salute those who flew in from all parts of the US just to come back to their home university to support the UTEP team and watch the big game. Unfortunately, UTEP lost :(

Here's some pictures from Minerpalooza, the tailgate party, and the football game at the UTEP Sunbowl Stadium!

From L-R: me, Edna, Sarai, Oscar, Dorji, and Liz. (They're all my co-workers at the University Career Center and we signed up to volunteer at Minerpalooza. Hence the free volunteer shirts that we were wearing!)



The big water slide at Minerpalooza! (No, I didn't go on it! Note: we're supposed to be working as volunteers!)

Another group picture with my co-workers. From L-R: Edna, me, Rachel, Dorji, Sarai, and Fred.

One of the trucks filled with UTEP pride and the school spirit!



Our chef of the day, Ralph with his famous hamburgers and BBQ skills! It was simply delicious!

IEEE Officers: Ivan (ex-President of IEEE in Spring 2008), Carlos (ex-President of IEEE in Fall 2007) & me (current President of IEEE this Fall 2008). What a coincidence that we're all in this same picture! LoL!

From L-R: Lili (another IEEE officer), me, Juanita & Devon.

From L-R: Aaron (UTEP Alumni in EE), Monica (ex-IEEE officer) & me.

The beautiful sunset! (FYI, UTEP is the only campus in Texas that is surrounded by the rocky mountains!)

The team's getting warmed up!

The UTEP marching band performing!

I like this picture! The band formed a star & it represents Texas a.k.a the Lone Star State!

Sorry I didn't have anymore pictures of the game because my camera's battery died:( But I'm glad I did capture some pictures from that memorable weekend. I've never done the whole school spirit thing to this extent before. I guess this is what it's all about... it's not just about supporting the football games and having a good time with friends but it's keeping the school spirit alive and making the best out of our college lives! I'm so proud to go to school at UTEP! GO MINERS!!!