Chicago...

Dad and I woke up this morning, and got showered and packed up. We left the hotel and headed to meet Craig for breakfast. It was wonderful getting to see him one last time, and the conversation was excellent. After we headed out towards Chicago! We had awesome talks along the way and laughs. We passed through Madison, Wisconsin, and decided to take a little stop and drive through the University of Wisconsin. It was so different than Auburn, or most any Universities in the south I've seen. It was so big it blew my mind. It was a really cool experience. I'm glad we did it. Got back on the road and trucked it to Chicago. I have never seen such a huge city. The skyscrapers look like they are touching each other; there are so many of them. I really love it here though. The big city! And it's so unique how it's positioned right on Lake Michigan. We got checked into our room, and then freshened up. Got a cab and headed to U.S. Cellular Field. The White Sox played the Indians. It was a very nice, clean stadium. It was awesome to catch a game with dad. It had a 70 % chance of raining, and it didn't rain on us at all. Such a good night. We got back to the hotel late and hung out for awhile, better get some rest big day tomorrow, and more driving on this long journey back to the ham! Until tomorrow...
Pics from today and tonight!
-Mike

Last day in St. Paul...

I woke up and picked Jay up. He went with me to run all my errands today. I went to target, got my hair cut, and got the car washed. After I dropped him off I went home and hung out for a little. Then headed up to Anytime to get a workout in. I got a good workout in and headed on home. I showered, and then picked Bill up and Brooks to go to dinner. We went to a Japanese steakhouse and had a great time. It's raining right now so I wasn't able to actually pack my car up, but all my stuff is packed up and ready to throw in the car in the morning. It's so crazy that half a year has gone by, it does not feel long ago at all that I was at the Retreat. Such a blessing all of this has been. I'm stoked about tomorrow! Be picking Dad up from the airport not too much longer! Until mañana...
-Mike

18 with Joe...

I got up and showered then dressed this morning. I ran out the door to get over to Joe's house so we could leave to play golf. I got over there and we did a few things around the house, like letting Duke out to use the bathroom. And then loaded our clubs up and headed down 35 E. It was overcast and a little brisk at 50 this morning. And for much of the morning the cloud cover stayed. We got out to one of the most beautiful courses I've ever played. It felt like we were in Ireland the way the course was set up and all the luscious grass. We hit em pretty good on the front nine, and snagged a gatorade and candy bar for the back. The back was very enjoyable. The sun popped through the clouds and it warmed up into the 60's. Just prime golf weather. I had a birdie on the back 9! Being out there with Joe was just amazing. We had a great time together cutting up and enjoying each others company! I'm really going to miss him. It has been just a godily thing between us. We finished up and headed on home. I got home and ate some chicken. Then got dressed to workout. I dropped Brooks off at House of Hope meeting, and then headed to Anytime. I got a solid hour workout in and then headed home to shower for dinner. I headed up to this Mediterranean restaurant called Shish. I met Brooks, Adam, John, Genni, and Mary up there all people from my aftercare. And we had a great time visiting for hour and a half. I'm sitting here now writing this, and it's hard to believe that all I have is one more day up here in St. Paul. This experience is one that has had such an everlasting impact on me and my hardwiring in such a positive way that it blows my mind. I have some errands to run tomorrow! So until tomorrow...
-Mike

A day at the ball park...

I got up and showered this morning. And headed on over to Joe's house. We shot the shit for a little and then headed on over to Minneapolis. We parked a a few blocks away from the stadium, and walked through downtown. It was a perfect day for baseball. A little cloud cover and in the high 50's to low 60's. We had lunch at an Irish pub outside of the stadium. We walked into Target Field, and man I was blown away. Such a nice place and real modern design to the stadium. It was really cool. And Joe's seats are pretty much the best that money can buy. It was such an enjoyable game, and to both of our surprise the Twins played incredible! And came out with the win. We headed out after the game. I got home and was lazy for the rest of the evening since today was my day off from working out. It felt good to give my body a rest. I had my last house meeting tonight! Whoop whoop! Getting down to the last 2 days! It's getting really close that's for sure. Joe and I are getting up early tomorrow to go play at a really nice golf course about an hour south of here called "Legends"! Hopefully I'll hit them straight. Until tomorrow...
-Mike

4 more days left...

I slept in today for awhile. I got up and moving then showered. I did a few things around the house, and then had some lunch. The usual turkey sandwich and veggies. I had a real good talk with Billy today. One of my best friends from back home. He is moving out to Telluride. I am so proud of him for being willing to make a decision like this. It is going to change his life forever. And im so happy for him as well. It just re-enforced everything I have done and continue to be doing for the past 6 months. I went and worked out with Al and Adam. It was a tough workout today. I felt really good when we finished. I went by the grocery store on my way home. I got home and made a veggie stir fry with turkey ground in it. Real high in protein and something different than chicken finally. I hung out and watched the second night of the NFL draft for awhile. And then headed back up to Anytime for a quick 40 minute shoulder workout. I went home and took a shower. Landon and I whipped up some chicken and rice for dinner. We watched some of the NHL playoffs and have just been hanging out. I dont have a whole lot planned for tomorrow. This is my last weekend in St. Paul! So until tomorrow...
-Mike

A round of golf...

Got up this morning and showered. Then got dressed for a brisk, windy day on the golf course. Landon, Geordie, and I went out to the Highland golf course and got 18 in. It was sunny and pretty, but pretty chilly when we got out there this morning. It warmed up to high 50's by the rounds end. It was really fun to get out there and play some golf. I havnt actually played in months. I'll admit my game was rusty, but I was able to hold my own and make some good shots. After we came home, and I made a sandwich and rested for about an hour then went up to Anytime for my workout. I worked out with Al the personal trainer up there for free today. It was awesome, and really hard. I was whooped by the end of it. I came home and took a shower and did my laundry waiting for the draft to start. We picked up some wings and sat in front of the tv for the entire first round of the draft. Nice to see 9 SEC players go in the first round, even though not a one of them was from Auburn. And mostly Alabama boys... The clock keeps ticking towards may 2. Not much longer at all. Until mañana...
-Mike

Almost done with aftercare...

I slept in some today. But got up and showered then dressed. Landon and I watched sportscenter for awhile, the draft is tomorrow and so there doing draft specials and what not. I'm excited about the draft and to see where all the players are gonna go. We tossed the football around, and then had lunch. I got in a late afternoon workout, and came home to get ready to go see Joe and then aftercare. My meeting with Joe went excellent as always. We read some in the book. I headed on to aftercare. And had a great session like normal. Adam graduated tonight, so it was good to say a few words to him, and then realize that I'm graduating in 6 days. That's exciting! I went back to Anytime once aftercare was over, and did cardio for 20 mins and did my ab work. It felt good to run and sweat. I came home and had chicken and veggies. It was delicious. We hung out and watched the end of the Twins-Sox game. I need to get some good rest tonight, so I will be full of energy for golf tomorrow! I havnt played in a few months, so well see how I do! Until tomorrow...
-Mike