Madrid, Spain

I got the news yesterday that I have been accepted to the EBC TEFL/TESOL training program in Madrid, Spain! Now I don't know if being accepted is that big of a deal because I am not sure how picky they are, but it is a big deal for me! Anyone who knows me knows of my ambitions to travel and live abroad for a while, so this gives me a great opportunity to do just that.

For those of you who don't know, TEFL means Teaching English as a Foreign Language. The EBC program last 4-weeks and at the completion I am certified to teach English as a foreign/second language. That means I am eligible/capable/certified to teach English in any language school pretty much worldwide! I would like to stay in Europe...maybe somewhere like Barcelona, Sevilla, Porto, or even Amsterdam! I won't be that picky. I mean if I get a job, I get a job. If I don't stay in Europe, then who knows.


Substitute teaching has really enhanced my need to travel. I see all of these kids that can only see what is in front of their face. They don't know there is a whole world out there to see. They think life in Traverse City is how life is everywhere else in the world. I don't want to live like that.

Wrestling is almost over. I'm sure I'll miss it once it is over, but I am just so exhausted. It has been a great experience though - watching the kids grow and improve and forming relationships with the kids has been my favorite part. They are all great. Sometimes I feel more like a friend than coach, but I think that is okay because we have other coaches who are strictly coaches.

Update

Well I haven't had much time to update. I have been busy substitute teaching and coaching wrestling. This weekend I traveled down to Whitehall to coach. Coaching is very fun, but it can be frustrating. I hope I am not living vicariously through some of my wrestlers.

I have to mention something that I would be all over if it came from the other side of the tracks. Two volunteers for Hillary Clinton's campaign have been fired/let go for idiotic comments about Barack Obama. They sent out emails saying ignorant things about him being a Muslim and trying to take down America from the inside. Man, it just goes to show that idiocracy isn't only a right-winged thing. I am still not sure who I support, but this certantly doesn't help. Hillary has had some shady things happen.

On a non-political note, Michigan can't find a head coach. Somehow a Arkansas has no problem finding a coach, but we can't. Just goes to show how inept our Athletic Department is. I am still holding out for Les Miles and will continue to do so until we hire a different coach. It is me just being optomistic.

I can't believe I haven't even mentioned a thing about the Holiday Season! It is one of my favorite times of the year. I am a huge fan of the mood, music, and spirit this time of year. Like Thanksgiving, I enjoy Christmas time because of being with family!

I'd have to say my favorite Christmas movies are: The Santa Clause, Elf, and Home Alone 1 & 2. I have way too many favorite songs to list.

Anyways, I'm not sure that anyone reads this, but I'll try to update anyways :). Take it easy. Justin

Oh yeah, vote on my poll!

Detroit Tigers

Welcome to Detroit Dontrell and Miguel. What a trade! In case you a. live under a rock; or b. don't care about sports, the Detroit Tigers traded a bunch of minor league players who haven't proved much for two World Series Champion young players. If Willis can throw like he did three years ago, we will have the best rotation in MLB. Miguel Cabrerra has taken some crap for gaining wait, but apparently he has lost 15 pounds during the off season.

Some people can't watch baseball, but I don't really have a problem with it. Sometimes I get bored, but I can watch for-the-most-part (hey I like soccer too - most of you would consider that boring I'm sure).

Now if only Michigan Athletics could take the same mentality as Dave Dombrowski (the GM of both the Tigers and Red Wings). Dombrowski wants championships and is willing to spend money to do so. Sure he cares about making money, but his mentality seems to be "if we win, they will come". Bill Martin seems so much more worried about the bottom line than providing the best coaching, facilities, and equipment for his student athletes. I feel like he is really going to drop the ball with hiring a new football coach.

Okay beyond sports: I have just been coaching and substitute teaching. Substitute teaching is fun, but I prefer High School over Junior High because the HS kids actually know how to listen.

Hey if you are interested in our wrestling program, check out the website I started:
www.tccwrestling.com.

Take is easy.

Lloyd Carr

So Michigan lost once again to Ohio State. I was so pumped for this game. I thought Hart, Henne, and Long were going to play the games of their lives. Unfortunately Hart and Henne were still dinged up.

Ohio States should have enjoyed the weekend, but they must have felt terrible Monday when Lloyd announced his retirement. Lloyd became to the Buckeyes what Cooper was for us Wolverine fans. Now they have reason again to fear UM - especially after we bring in Les Miles.

But how will Lloyd's legacy be defined? Will he be remembered for his National Championship, 5 Big Ten titles, and 13 straight bowl appearances? Or will he be remembered for ending his career with at least 4 straight bowl losses (4 out of 5 if he wins his last) and 1-6 record in his final 7 years against OSU?

I hope you is remembered for running a clean program and being more than just a coach to his players. He was a mentor. He was a father-figure to his athletes. Ultimately he is a person who taught his kids values and attitudes that transcend football and life in general. It is something truly unique in FBS (1A) football.

Despite the loss I had a great time in Ann Arbor. We were up early to tailgate and had a great time giving the OSU fans a hard time. Time seemed to stand still Saturday. After the game Josh, Nick, Fink and I went to eat sushi - it felt like 10pm but it was only 430. Saturday night we partied at the house. We put on a bunch of karaoke favorites (American Pie, Margarittaville, etc.) and sang and danced for a while.


Later that night Dennis, Fink, and I went party hopping. We pretended to be exchange students from Brazil and we spoke giberish to each other, but everyone believed it to be Portuguese. I pretended to translate to the guys about what a kid at the party was talking about. It was one of the funniest moments of my life. Everyone bought it and we were treated as the guests of honor.

Wrestling is going well. Our first meet is in a week. I started a website/blog for the team. Check it out when you have time. Not much on their now.

Should be substitute teaching by the end of next week. Until next time, take care.