http://www.josefbig.com Chronicling my experience through the Big Brother Big Sister Organization Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:36:43 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I love Minnesota!  Some people say that its too cold, and they can't belive they haven't moved south already.  I look at it as, when it's hot outside, it's hot and there's nothing you can do about it.  When it's cold you can always dress for the weather.  Plus the ... http://www.josefbig.com/2010/02/winter-in-minnesota/ I can't believe how easy it is to integrate 'little' into my life. Although often times when we hang out it's for a good majority of the day, which I prefer, sometimes we just have quick outings and they can be a blast.  For instnace, do you remember going to ... http://www.josefbig.com/2010/01/car-wash-experience/ First of all I need to say I can't get enough of hanging out with 'little'. Our relationship has progressed so far and I am so proud of him.  Last Saturday he came over to my house for a hang out. I picked him up around 9:30 and we ended ... http://www.josefbig.com/2009/12/young-little-and-fiscal-responsibility/ [caption id="attachment_224" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="A True Artist!!  "][/caption] Pumpkin carving was a special day for 'little' and I.  Especially for me.  I was invited to a pumpkin carving 'date', if you will, with some friends from college and they hoped that I would bring 'little'.  Not only because he would have ... http://www.josefbig.com/2009/10/a-true-gentelman-carving-pumkins-and-mathematics/ [caption id="attachment_221" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Urban Cowboy"][/caption] The other day 'little' and I drove out to Lake Maria State Park for a hike around the lake and a tutorial on how to use a compass... ha ha.  He was so good at it and it gave him such a purpose to walk.  ... http://www.josefbig.com/2009/10/urban-cowboys/ [caption id="attachment_216" align="aligncenter" width="206" caption="$130,000 raised for Big Brothers/Sisters and a second place finish!"][/caption] 'little' and I are fairly involved with the the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization, outside of being matched together of course.  We try to attend many group activities together and meet other matches, have a good time, ... http://www.josefbig.com/2009/09/the-arbys-foundation-golf-event/ 'little' and I are pretty involved with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization.  Of course our match was made possible by them, but we take advantage of the opportunities they offer us and have a great time doing it.  Not every match does.  Some are a bit more private, such ... http://www.josefbig.com/2009/08/the-federated-challenge/ [caption id="attachment_198" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="You must be this tall to ride this fire engine!"][/caption] I have two friends that are police officers (my college roommates) and another that is a firefighter in St. Paul.  'little' has always, since he's been young, (yes he still is) wanted to be a cop which ... http://www.josefbig.com/2009/08/job-shadow-why-not/ [caption id="attachment_190" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Two Peas in a Pod"][/caption] You know where this is going.  Well maybe not.  Everytime I hang out with 'little' I'm always blown away by how innocent he is.  Of course I'm still not really used to being with a preteenager for an extended period of time ... http://www.josefbig.com/2009/07/wwld-what-would-little-do/ [caption id="attachment_185" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="What is this sludge mister??"][/caption] I went on a trip to Kansas City with a buddy from work the week before and I was way farther over 3000 miles than I care to admit, especially being the son and brother of mechanics.  They think (and they're probably ... http://www.josefbig.com/2009/07/grease-monkey-central/