February 22, 2009 - That was one fast week ... woo

Hey there, hi there and hello there to you all.  A special hello and happy birthday to my Grandma Naber.  Your kindness is an inspiration and even at 82, your smile still fills up the room.  I hope you are well and that your birthday brings you a big smile:)

It was probably one of the fastest weeks at work in some time I must say.  We worked quite a bit more on our social forum initiative over the last week in addition to refining our future state plan.  Mike asked me on Friday to give our future state presentation tomorrow to the division heads, so I hope it goes well.  Our team has put so much work into it, now we just need to go out there and make it happen.  I also learned on Friday that I will have two more people reporting to me, undercover of course:)  Alicia and Jaime will be joining our future state team as Subject Matter Experts.  I know both of them excel and should be great additions to the team.

We had another SIFErs in Action meeting this past week where each of us shared our statement of purpose (which I will try to post next week).  I also was able to show the rest of the folks our Hurricane Relief video from New Orleans.  In addition, it was a busy week on the volunteer front as more duties are coming down the pipe.  I met with the Literacy Alliance's accountant to modify our balance sheet and income statements.  Previously, they were very cumbersome and not easy to understand.  So, I put together a much more legible statement for the board ... cross your fingers that they enjoy it!  Soccer practice is continuing as well and team En Fuego is looking pretty good ... although I've noticed that I always have a bunch of weird kids.  Haha, takes one to know one ... I get it:)  O yes, and Miss Georgia Pageant events are starting to get started again and they've asked me to continue as the program-putter-together-guy.  We have a board meeting tomorrow eve, so it should be interesting.  Saturday was quite fun as well when a bunch of the SIFErs got together to help Easter Seals.  I can tell we did good work because my back is aching because of all the mulch we laid and shelving units we put up.  It's such a great organization and they sure know to treat their volunteers well with cookies and music!

I had a fun sleepover at Rick's this weekend ... it brought me back to the ol' days at Funke's house.  Today was a gorgeous day, so Jason and I headed out to Maple Creek for 18 holes of golf.  I must say, I did break 100, but 60% of the time my driver worked ... every time.  I am getting a bit better, but I am glad I'm not too intense because losing ten balls would've really frustrated me;)  Then we had some soccer practice action last night and I quickly realized I should've been running for a long time!

Dad and Barb let me know that they're going to be coming on down for a visit that last weekend in April and I just heard tonight that my best friend from back home, Ryan and his wife Jenna, will be coming the weekend before that.  We may head down to Panama City for the weekend, but I'm sure it'll all work out when they get here.  Jenny and I are also finalizing our trip to South America which will include Peru (Machu Picchu), Rio and Argentina ... that's going to be fantacular!!!

Well that's about all I know ... again, I hope you have a great birthday Grandma and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone back home in less than a month!  Until next time ... go get 'em tiger.

Alwayz,

Nate

February 16, 2009 - A Valentine's Day to remember ...

Hey there, hi there and hello there everyone.  A belated Happy Valentine's Day to you all and a special President's Day to you ... especially those lucky dogs that got today off:)  I apologize for the late blogging action, but I didn't see Waverly Hall until 11:30 last night and Mr. Sandman was calling my name!I had a pret

ty brief week at Aflac last week as I was in the office just three days.  We accomplished a great deal and even today I learned that our long awaited Online Services web redesign is coming sooner than we thought ... which is a first!  I also found out that my boss-man Mike is going to have me be the "community manager" of our social forum coming up in the next few months which will be a very exciting opportunity to continue my blogging experience with the duck:)  Last Thursday we had the best leadership activity that I have been a part of at Aflac in the last year and a half.  Motivational speaker (or a motivated speaker as he likes to call himself) Brian Biro joined us for a day of "Breakthroughs."  He shared with us various heart-felt stories about his experiences and how we can help our teams approach breakthroughs in our personal and professional lives.  He was truly able to bring simple concepts to the forefront once again with a great deal of energy and enthusiasm.  Brian even

 had us go on a "blind date" with a peer of ours we did not know.  I hooked up with Troy from our Nebraska call center and we went on an excursion throughout Claims, bought some food out of the vending machine and visited the men's bathroom ... all while I led Troy blindfolded:)  (Incriminating pictures let the rest of the group know of our trip to the restroom ... laughter ensued).  We wrapped up the day with so much energy I was sweating ... which isn't hard to believe I know.  Everyone in our group (over 75 people), had the opportunity to have a breakthrough; literally with their hand and a board ... karate style.  The great thing about it was that every single person overcame their fears and broke through the board.  It was a very

 moving experience which brought tears to many people's eyes when they realized that all they had to do, was break through!

The work week was great, but my first Valentine's Day with an

 actual valentine was even better!  I took Jenny up on her birthday gift to me and met up with her in Chicago on Friday for a little weekend getaway.  I knew the trip was going to be good when my flight left on time and even landed early which is unheard of for me!  She picked me up and we had some amazing (heart-shaped) Chicago style pizza at Giardano's.  After walking it off a bit on Michigan Avenue, we headed back to the hotel to get ready for one of the best concerts I've been to in a while.  We scurried over to Chicago's House of Blues for the Alternate Routes and Matt Wertz concert in the best concert hall I've been to.  The place was packed and both groups put on a 

great show for the packed house.  Friday the 13th finished without any black cats or broken mirrors, so I knew the weekend would be ok.  Saturday we did a lot of chillaxing (a mixture of chilling out and relaxing).  We walked the streets of Chicago to visit the Art Institute, went to see the ice sculptures at Grant Park, the magic bean in Millennium Park before refueling at the Grand Lux

 Cafe (great suggestion Sunshine:).  Afterwards we putzed around a bit before going to see the Valentine's Day fireworks downtown which we both thoroughly enjoyed.  After a movie (The International was pretty good) we relaxed in the hot tub before hitting the hay.  Sunday was just as wonderful after the best continental breakfast I've had at the Residence Inn.  We took a stroll down to Millennium Park again, but this time we stopped for a fantacular time on the ice rink for some skating.  We were both a sight to see indeed ... including our Michelle Kwan-esque turns.  That was probably the best time had during the weekend for me, but we ended it with a visit to Navy Pier before Jenny dropped me off at the airport.  Although it was a great weekend, it always gets a little tougher to say goodbye at the end ... but thank you so much for a wondermous weekend in the Windy City!

Well, there is still lots of work to be done this evening for the Literacy Alliance's Trivia Bee kick-off tomorrow, so I better get at laying down some beats on Garage Band ... did I mention I love my Mac?!

It was great chatting with everyone over the weekend, seeing my old pal Shannon and learning that I may have a couple visitors in the next few months!  I can't wait to see the Flugum family again as well as Dad and Barb; I'll try to warm up the temp for you!

Until next time ... enjoy what you do!

Alwayz,

Nate

ps, glad to hear you're having good times sis!

February 8, 2009 - Bring on the sun!

Hey there, hi there and hello there.  Well cousin Katie, happy 21st birthday to you:)  I heard everyone back home is experiencing a heat wave ... I will have to say 70 degrees this weekend went over quite well!

Work went quite wonderfully this last week at Aflac as the strategizing continues.  I've had to help put together some presentations for our leadership and it has been fun doing some ol' power point slide action.  I also was able to help present to our field force state administrators this week to let them know about the glorious Online Services.  In addition, I'm still trying to figure out this whole social networking bit at Aflac, but it should be pretty interesting as we dive into it a bit further.  I did hear the good final news that I will be able to participate in the Six Sigma Green Belt training later this month or March.

The most exciting piece of work this week though was Wednesday night when I got the call from Haleigh (the lady we threw the shower for the previous week) that her water had just broke (yes, I learned all about that).  She let me know that she probably wouldn't be in the next day - or next couple months for that matter.  Haleigh and Levi had a 7lb. 10oz. little boy named Sawyer.  I went and saw him Thursday and he was a cute little kid (aren't they all) with a full head of hair.  Mom and child are doing well, which is great news indeed!

I had a good deal of meetings this week for Young Professionals as we're creating more community partnerships (including one we just made with Columbus and the Valley magazine).  Moreover, I helped our Executive Director of the Literacy Alliance work together our 2009 budget proposal for the city funding, so keep your fingers crossed.

This weekend our SIFEr group at Aflac got together for a fun project with Neighborworks.  We invited our business guests as we learned about the importance of revitalization in a city.  Each group even had the opportunity to make their own community, go through some hardships and create a plan to bounce back.  It was good fun that was followed by lots of soccer action today.  My u12 coed team (En Fuego) came together today for our first practice and had a blast.  I lost a couple of ringers from last season's team, but we picked up a couple new characters so I am pretty excited about the season.  Then I realized how old I am getting when I practiced with my team afterwards ... I'm still sore!

Well, next week's blog may be a bit tardy as I am going to meet up with Jenny in Chicago for Valentine's Day (yes, ahhhhh:).  We're going to a concert, ice skating (or jumping in puddles, depending on the weather) and just doing some sightseeing.  It should be a great time indeed.

Until next time though, have a fantacular week.

Alwayz,

Nate

February 1, 2009 -Yeehah

Hey there, hi there and hello there.  A big happy birthday to cousin Kayla T and Macy!  Here I sit, typing to you on my brand spakin' new iMac and what a glorious feeling it is.  I went ahead and started those taxes that come around every time this year, so thank you US government for allowing me to contribute back to our economy:)

It was another wonderful week of planning again at Aflac for the future of the Policy Service department.  I'm starting to enjoy this whole strategic aspect of the job, it turns out thinking three to five years down the road is pretty fun!  I was able to do some more work with our Online Services, but the most exciting part of the week was all the fun the guys on the PIC team had planning the baby shower for our compadre Haleigh.  It was a surprise party of which the guys did all the shopping, decorating and planning.  It went swimmingly though indeed beginning with the girl game of "guess that baby food" which was followed by the guys' game of change the baby's diaper while not 

looking.  The girls decided to put a little twist in the game while our eyes were closed and add sweet potato baby food to the diaper ... what a nice surprise ... not!  I guess I came in last place since I wrapped my diaper around the baby's foot, whoops.

It was a pretty slow volunteer week until Friday hit.  A few of us did go visit the CSU SIFE team to give them some idea

s for projects as they begin to create their presentation and annual report.  Then, on Friday it was time to dress up like a cowboy for the Columbus Chamber's Biddin' on the Banks Goes Country partay.  I volunteered through the YP group as a greeter and met some pretty cool individuals while eating some scrumptious food!  Saturday our Atlanta Area SIFE Alum group got together up in Atlanta to chat about how we can all get together for some service action.  There were about 4 of us Aflac SIFErs then 4 other SIFE alum from throughout the Atlanta area.  It's always nice to meet some new folks outside of work and it sounds like it'll be a good time here over the next couple months.

Then, Patrick and I ventured to Lenox Mall in Atlanta for my biggest purchase of the last few years ... my new 20" iMac:)  Going into the day I had no intentions of purchasing anything, but once I arrived in the Apple store I was too excited ... I think I had too much sugar to be shopping!  I tell you what though, this thing is absolutely fantacular.  I've got great video and picture editing, budgeting capabilities and this thing called Garage Band where I can make my own music ... so, I've been laying down tracks all day long:)  O yeah, and that wasn't even the most exciting thing that happened when we went to the mall.  I was actually able to witness a real-life Cops TV show experience when an undercover cop took down a large fellow whom was shoplifting.  It was quite the show indeed as Patrick and I got caught in the Godiva store as it all went down.  I contemplated the ninja moves I could've pulled out to have been that guy that helped save the day ... but the guy was pretty big and he would've put me down pretty easily:)

I'm starting to read this new book called the Groundswell that talks all about social networking, blogging and the impact of the Internet.  It's pretty interesting to learn how it could apply to business; "But the first step to understanding the groundswell is to dip a toe in it."  So I guess I'm on the right track with this blog action, but I do highly suggest that you give it a shot whether you blog, wiki, join a social network or just get more involved online, it's pretty fun!

Well, I suppose I should get back to playing with my computer, but until next time ... peace out.

Alwayz,

Nate

January 25, 2009 - Another day in the neighborhood

Hey there, hi there and hello there everyone. It's only been a few days since my last blogging action, so this may be a bit of a shorty. A big congrats goes out to Miss Georgia, Chasity Hardman, for her 1st runner-up finish at the Miss America Pageant. I'm still trying to figure out how I got roped into being on the Miss Georgia Board, but I tell you what, watching those ladies last night blew me away with their talent ... I've only sounded that good about once this year after a glass of apple juice in the shower!

Aflac was pretty fun this week as I was able to work with the team to create our strategic 5 year plan for Policy Service ... sounds pretty impressive I think, but we basically put a bunch of ideas on paper with colorful stick figure flow chart pictures:) I even was able to present it to our Vice President on Friday, now that we got the ok ... all that has to be done is what we said we're going to do ... wow, that's a lot!

I had a few YP meetings this week, including a great meeting with the Columbus and the Valley folks. We're trying to create a partnership with them in order to get some more Gen Y articles and contributors to the local magazine, so hopefully we will know a bit more by the end of this week. We also had our first YP event this week which was a networking eve at the new establishment in town, Flip Flops ... they had some great water!

I did get to see my pal Chris Graham perform Hamlet at the Springer Opera House on Friday and hang out with some folks. This weekend though, was amazing ... I didn't do a dang thing! I'm pretty sure I laid on the couch for at least 20 hours this weekend, and wouldn't have gotten up if it wasn't for a visit to church and some grocery shopping action. I did pick up a web-cam to try and see how my little sister is doing over the pond. Now I just have to figure out how to use it:)

I hope all continue to start 2009 off well, and until next time ... don't worry, be happy:)

Alwayz,

Nate

January 20, 2009 - Be the change!

Hey there, hi there and hello there to everyone here and beyond. So, today marks a historic day of change for the US. Although I may not have voted for Obama, he is now the President and has my respect. He has created a groundswell of passion and trust in our government with people that have not been on that boat for a while. If he is able to corral all of the energy that his volunteers expended for his campaign into constructive change for the country, we will be able to look back on this day 4-8 years from now and realize something great. I wish him the best and can't wait to see what the future holds.

A big happy birthday goes back out to my cousin Carter ... hope you were able to find some new arm hairs as you venture into manhood:) Also, another hello out there to the sister in England. She did indeed venture to Big Ben and Piccadilly Circus where I stayed 3 years ago ... awesome.

Aflac has been a whirlwind the last couple of weeks as we put together plans for improvement and the various initiatives of 2009. We had our first Online Services Executive Steering Committee which consisted of five 2nd Vice Presidents and other VIPs at Aflac. I decided it'd be fun to see if I could make a fool out of myself, and I did by telling everyone one thing ... which I later sent an email to correct my brain flatulence. Other than that, they loved the information I put together including all of the positive analysis of the project ... I will consider it a success! I also brought the PIC team together for our collaborative brainstorm session that I facilitated with our manager. We've put together some great ideas on paper, but we will see how they go over with our VP and the various execution plans to coincide. I had another great meeting with my mentor Joe, whom happens to be a wonderful guy to bounce ideas off of. Also, I was able to help get a promotion for one of the analyst on my team, which was well-deserved. I had another great leadership learning experience when I sat down and laid out the opportunity for advancement for the other analysts on the team, which went over 59% better than I thought it would ... phew!

It was a great Toastmasters week as well since we had our International Speech contest. I finalized my speech Tuesday morning, "Moral Opportunity." The judges thought I had done well enough to be given 1st place with a ticket to compete at the area contest in February ... should be a great experience! I had a couple great YP meetings and I think we've decided to have our YP Gala at the beautimus Rivermill in Columbus. Now, all we need to do is raise about $10,000 and get 400 people to pay money to go ... no big deal right ... wow! The Literacy Alliance quarterly board meeting was also today and I was elected the Treasurer and Program Chair (still need to learn to say no:)! It should be an exciting year for the YPs and the literacy within the community, just hope I don't spread myself too thin to make a difference.

The best part of the last week though was having the opportunity to be the change I want to see in the world! I put together a service trip down to New Orleans to help with the ongoing Hurricane Relief efforts. We had 7 Aflac folks (all SIFE alum) and one spouse make up our party of 8 as we traveled down on Thursday eve to the Hands on New Orleans Volunteer House. I could write all night about the adventures, but the pictures and captions will speak volumes:

So we stayed in a 15'x15' room with 5 bunk beds and 8 people with one heater, that kind of worked ... amazingness! Friday you will see us posted on a set of stairs of the OC Haley Blvd. rennovation project. We helped Stephan clean up the backyard of his homes so kids could have a place to play without having to worry about stepping on glass and debris.

Friday night we ventured down to Bourbon Street for some Mardi Gras good times, 80's cover bands and some real southern blues with a wind/brass band.

Saturday we headed over to Ms. Evelyn's house for another great project. She visited and told us the story of how her and her late husband moved into this house more than 30 years ago and she has yet to live in it since Katrina. So, we were tasked with making it beautiful by sanding off the old paint job, putting up three stories worth of scaffolding and repainting the front side of her home. It was one of those projects that we could step back at the end of the day and feel/see a true sense of accomplishment. I just wish we could see the look on Ms. Evelyn's face when she moves in three months from now!

Sunday was our day off, so we ventured around New Orleans. Patrick and I started off the day at the oldest Catholic Cathedral in the US, St. Louis in New Orleans. The Archbishop led the mass, which was absolutely gorgeous and full of music! We then visited the rest of the French Quarter, after our late night on the town, and saw some amazing street artists and performers. Then it was off to see the remaining devastation of the 9th ward which still looks like a 3rd world country compared to the rest of the US. It was sad to see that even three years after the tragedy, people either didn't have the resources to fix what was left, or didn't even come back to what they had. We ended the night though on a much lighter note by traveling over to Mississippi to visit a couple of old friends. Billy Ray and Connie were the two of my pals I met on my first service trip to Biloxi back in January of 2006. They had us over for a full spread and great times catching up. They don't have many volunteers in the ol' Dedeaux School, but we did get to visit the bunks where I stayed. Billy Ray just happens to be the 4th grade teacher of my favorite football player of all time ... Brett Favre. He must've remembered that I was a big fan, so he gave me an absolutely amazing gift ... an autographed Brett Favre football:) Thank you so much Billy Ray and Connie for your hospitality and gifts, you will truly be friends forever. That night we also ventured out to Beau Rivage for some gambling action at the casino. I am happy to say that I was the big winner of the night at the Roulette table ... lucky #6 won me $72:)

Monday was our last day at the house (pictured above) and we had to say farewell to our Hands on New Orleans volunteer crew. Those folks pretty much gave up their life to volunteer for the cause and were some of the greatest people you'll ever meet. We also hung out with various other volunteers, including some AmeriCorps folks ... one of which was from Iowa and ventured many times back to help out after the flood. That day we headed over for the MLK Jr. service day project at Albert Wicker Elementary where I met up with some Mount Mercy Mustangs ... what a treat. They were there for a J-term class, so I coordinated with their advisor to be at the same worksite yesterday where I met some great folks from my alma mater.

On Monday, besides just "hangin' out,' we had the opportunity to build benches from scratch. Our 8 man crew built 3 normal benches, 3 planter benches and stained them all in the matter of a day. We were able to meet the principal of the school and learn of the great things the community is helping them do as a literacy partner. We also helped sketch out murals and paint hop scotch. It was a great way to end the service portion of our trip so we could say we cleaned, revitalize and built all in one trip!

On our way back there was a special request to drive down scenic 90 through Biloxi to see what the storm damage had done right along the coast. I must say, I was elated to see the amount of sweat and tears that must've gone into the rebuilding along the highway. When I was there three years ago, only a Walmart, Home Depot and one casino were open at the time. Now, the scenic route is booming with condos, casinos and Waffle Houses:) We even made a special trip to Saint Michael's Catholic Church where I worked three years ago. It almost brought tears to my eyes to see that the HOPE we had created there, was still alive and well. The Saint Michael's Catholic Church sign and granite creation of the word HOPE were still in tact after three years. Travis Peters and I spent hours putting together a rememberance for the perisheners and it looks like they're still holding on to that sense of hope.

The people you meet and the things you do for others will change your life forever, no matter how big or small the effort it makes a difference.

So here is my thought of the day, "Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all" (Dale Carnegie). Keep giving back and livin' it up!

January 11, 2009 - Cheerio!

Hey there, hi there and hello there to everyone here in the US ... and England now! Cheerio Steph, I am glad to hear that your flight was not too much of an adventure and that your sweet potatoes turned out alright. I'm also happy to see you've joined the blogging community, so check out my sister over the pond at stephanieaklein@blogspot.com. A special happy birthday goes out today for Grandma Park and Uncle Pat, I hope the fish are jumping for you today under the ice:)

After a slow week to begin 2009, the stars have realigned and we are busy yet again ... just how I like it. We are in the process of strategic planning over the next couple of months which has been quite the learning experience I must say. We've got a presentation this week to our VP to go over our 3-5 year ideas, so I guess next week I'll let you know how it went:) I also did a recap with the team on what they thought worked in 2008, what didn't and what they'd like to accomplish in the coming year. I had some great one-on-ones with all of them and I think we're on track to have a wondermously productive year!

This week was also a fabulous week for all of the volunteer action. I had a double meeting day for the Literacy Alliance and Young Professionals group. I've been asked to be the Treasurer and Program Chair for the Literacy Alliance, and that whole New Year's resolution to learn to say no more often ... didn't work, so it should be an exciting year of Literacy for me:) I suppose I could find worse things to take up my time. We also learned Friday that the local TV station, WRBL, is on to help out with our 2nd Annual Favorite Word Gala next year ... yippee.

Then, we had the best YP FUNdraising we've had since I took over last July. Everyone has taken stake and chosen a business to contact for sponsorship, and hopefully by the end of tomorrow we'll have 3 of our events fully sponsored:) Also, we were able to tour the new National Infantry Museum to see if it'll be able to hold our YP Gala later this year. It is going to be an amazing facility with a brand-spankin-new IMAX theatre ... sweeeeeeet!

It should be a pretty exciting week of work and then 8 of us Aflac'rs are heading down to New Orleans for a service trip over MLK Jr. weekend. I'm pretty excited to see the progress that's been made since the last time I was there in January of 2007 (pictured here at Emma & Joe's place). Plus, we're going to meet up with the Mount Mercy group that will be there the same time ... what a cowinkidink;) Seeing as though we'll be there through next Monday eve, my next post will be a little delayed, but wondermous nonetheless.

In honor of Dr. King, take it upon yourself to make MLK Jr. day a day on vs. a day off. Help someone in need or serve the greater good and remember what he said, "Anyone can be great, because anyone can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love."

Alwayz,

Nate