I'm alive... and in Arizona!

I left my house last Wednesday, the 12th and made it into Phoenix this past Monday, the 17th. I was lucky enough to have my wing man, Pierce Hazard accompany me.

Along the way we made one-night stops in Dowagiac, Michigan (where that set of 13 CouchSurfers from around the world who stayed at my place in February are getting trained at for volunteering in Africa), St. Louis, Missouri (which we left early from because they told us their car had been stolen three times and I didn't want all my worldly possessions getting fucked up or stolen), Tulsa, Oklahoma (which was way more fun than it sounds), Amarillo, Texas (which was freakin' awesome--way better than I expected Texas to be), and Albuquerque, New Mexico (which we didn't really explore due to exhaustion, but we did get to re-watch The 300 which is great no matter where at or what the occasion). Then we ended up accidentally taking the Eastern-Arizona-Mountain Route in which we were in the mountains for over 100 miles and ended up getting into Phoenix in early afternoon.

As much as I wanted to get out here fast I am totally happy I made a small road trip out of it and got to share it with my hetero-lifemate Pierce.

Hey puta madres,

So I have decided (about 8-9 days ago, actually) that I AM moving to Arizona!

I'll write more details later, but I figured since bulletins expire and are often overlooked I'd make it clear through a blog.

I leave in 42 hours (which will be Wednesday morning, the 12th of August 2009).

Hasta luego!

John

Well, I've narrowed it down to three.

If I want to work for non-profits, its option 1 vs. 2. If I want to be a Spanish teacher, its obviously choice 3.

It is coming down to whether I want to enter the non-profit world or if I want to enter the education/teaching world.

Non-profit world

1. Bachelor of Science in Community Development w/ a concentration on Public Administration - Central Michigan University (off-campus program)

Pros:
I'd get done in August 2010
The classes are offered locally--Clinton Township, Troy, Warren, Auburn Hills
Classes are offered one night a week, which is way more convenient than having to drive out to Flint or Dearborn or even to Oakland 2-5 days a week.
According to ratemyprofessor.com, there are lots of great professors at the off-campus facilities
A wide range of classes I can actually take, including quite a variety of electives

Cons:
The "community" focus of the degree may be too narrowing for the jobs in the nonprofit sector that I apply for
Pretty much only helpful if I'm applying for jobs in the non-profit sector

2. Bachelor in Public Administration - University of Michigan-Flint

Pros:
The education/degree is broad enough to cover the ability to get a wider spectrum of jobs at a non-profit organization.
I'd learn more about the actual public sector. The CMU degree classes I'd be taking cover much less about the Public Sector and have less structure to them.
The "U of M name" and the reputation that carries.
An internship (or something similar) is available--which is good

Cons:
Instead of finishing in August 2010 (like with CMU), I'd be graduating in December 2010 or May 2011, depending on how their classes are set up.
I'd have to drive to Flint at the very least 2 days a week, but probably more like 4-5.



Education/teaching world

3. Bachelor program in Secondary Education (high school) Majoring in Spanish, Minor in History or Social Studies - Oakland University

Pros:
I would learn Spanish (Hell, I'd have take 10-12 classes entirely in Spanish)
I'd get summers off (to travel, duh)
I've always had an interest in teaching and at least somewhat of a desire to pursue it
A degree in Spanish, or just a 4-year degree in general, may still be of help if I do want to enter the non-profit world, whereas the other two degrees certainly wouldn't help me if I wanted to become a teacher

Cons:
Taking ANOTHER 3 years in college (120-ish credits) (I've been going to MCC for four years and have accumulated 104 credits)
Oakland requires a 2-semester student teaching program, whereas some (most?) other universities only make you do one semester of student teaching
I'd still have to go for my master's degree and spend MORE time in college once I'm hired in at a school




Other notes:

The CMU and UM-Flint degrees will cost about the same. The Oakland degree will be a bit more because they only accept 60-ish credits from MCC and you already need to take a bunch more credits since its a teaching degree.

I have this feeling in the back of my head like if I choose CMU I am just doing it based on the rate of speed I can get the degree and I'm selling myself short.

With that being said, I want to travel the world. Its not some pipe dream--I'm doing it. I am trying not to let my anxiousness about wanting to travel affect my decision too much, but I really don't want to spend the next three years in school when I could potentially spend only one.

You see my problem? Back and forth, back and forth.

Once again, feel free to give me your thoughts.

In case you haven't heard, I'm staying in Michigan.

I am currently (unintentionally) unemployed and taking this free time to choose a (bachelor) degree to pursue for the next 1-4 years. In an attempt to hear different perspectives, I figured I'd mention the degrees I'm considering. Maybe you guys will have helpful suggestions or opinions.

Please keep in mind I don't have a desire to get a skilled degree (like accounting or engineering or something). At the same time I don't want to get something too liberal arts-like (like political science, or even international studies) that is just too broad and saturated that won't get me some sort of non-dead-end job. Also, I'd love to be involved in some sort of activist organizations and/or non-profit organizations. Or even NGO's. Peace Corps/UNESCO/Volunteering abroad stuff, too.

I still think the "Nonprofit Leadership & Management" degree is my ideal degree,  but unfortunately that is currently out of the question.

My considerations...

"Bachelor of Science with an option in Community Development" (CMU @ University Center by MCC)
-I'd say this is probably the closest degree in Michigan when looking for something community-focused/making a difference-focused. The "option" I'd be choosing is "Public Administration". With the way CMU's semesters are set up along with how many credits they'll accept, I could be done with this degree in roughly a year and a half to two years. I'm just worried this degree is one of those that are too broad and are the equivalent to a "general studies" degree when it comes to trying to get an actual job.

"Bachelor in Public Administration" from UM-Flint
-I really don't even know what Public Administration is or if there are many jobs out there for a person with a degree like this. Well, I do know that it can land you a job with the government or non-profits, but thats as far as I know the extent of that. I'm mainly interested in it because they'll accept my (useless) Associate in Law Enforcement (Why did I get this) and apply it to a 2+2 program, which could speed up the time it takes to graduate.

"Bachelor in Spanish & International Studies" from UM-Flint.
-This degree is sweet because I'd become fluent in Spanish (one of my passions, once I get passed this degree-choosing business) and I'd study one of my favorite subjects-International Studies. Plus it really wouldn't take super long to graduate, probably as much as the CMU degree, maybe less. The main reason I don't want to pursue this degree is because (aside from learning Spanish), the degree is so broadly based that it would be of no help when applying for most jobs. I don't think it would be a good idea to get a degree in international studies when 99% of the jobs out there aren't really internationally-based and when I'm 30 or 35 or 50 (haha, I hope) and am done traveling the world and want to settle down, where am I going to get a job with this degree, ya know?

"Bachelor in Secondary Education majoring in Social Studies or Spanish and minoring in one of those two or History" from either Oakland University of Wayne State.
-I am considering going into education. I think I'd be a good teacher and teaching is something I've always been interested in. I always told myself I was just interested in it because I enjoyed being in school and never wanted to leave. At the same time, as much as I think I'd enjoy it, I don't know if I am passionate about it enough to spend the next 3 and a half to 4 years studying it like I would be at Wayne State, which is how long it would take. Wayne will only take 39 of my 104 credits and already a teaching degree is 20-30 more credits beyond the usual 120. I have an appointment at OU on Monday, but I assume it will be along the same lines, maybe a little shorter with their STEP program.

In my opinion, there are not enough resources out there to guide undecided college students as to what degrees to pursue. Sure there are counselors at MCC and stuff, but they're so busy that they're hardly any help. And there are not nearly enough reasons given for each degree to give a concrete feel for how the career will assist you in the post-college world.

So I look to you for any thoughts, opinions or suggestions. Thanks.

John Öberg
7-16-09

Well, after doing some research (almost 6 weeks after injuring it--it was on 6/2/09), I should really be staying off my sprained ankle.

In fact, I should've been staying off of it this whole time but my stubbornness and need to play led me to play like nine games of soccer since I hurt it.

My research claims that if it doesn't get rested it won't properly heal and it will have permanently damage and will also re-injure easily. Who knows the level of physical activity they're talking about, but I just hope (and I mean HOPE) I didn't do permanent damage.

I am taking some time off ALL soccer and sports. I've never missed a Juan Miguel's game (besides when I went to Europe) in its 3-year history, so this is gonna be weird.

I just hope (permanent) damage hasn't already been done.

Fuck.

This sucks.

John

As many of you know, I have chosen to move to Phoenix, with Rachael, to attend Arizona State University. As she is already out there, I will be flying out there from May 27th to June 2nd (I bought a ticket before I made the decision to move), then I am coming back for a couple weeks and driving out there on Monday, June 15th.

Details:
I am going to be pursuing a "Nonprofit Leadership And Management" bachelor degree. Many people laugh when I tell them this, but truth is I want to make a difference when it comes to my career. I would rather be poor and feel like I am making a difference in the lives of people and/or animals than be wealthy with little job satisfaction (not saying that its impossible to have both).

Out-of-state tuition is absurd ($18,000 per year compared to resident tuition of $6,000), so, in order to become a "resident", I am going to live in Phoenix for 12 months before attending ASU. I will start in Fall 2010, and in the meantime get the 15-18 credit hours out of the way that I still can get done at the community college-level that will transfer to ASU.

**Note their "Spring" semester is our "Winter" semester from Jan-May** I will attend ASU Fall10-Spring11-Fall11-Spring12 and graduate in May 2012. My other option is to go full-time in Summer10 and Summer11 and graduate in August 2011, but even though I would love to graduate sooner, that will be more costly (by $3-6,000) and I would have almost no time off from school to 1. fly home to visit and 2. work to save money to pay for school. So, I will most likely follow the program plan that allows me to graduate in May 2012. Regardless of when I graduate, a sweet thing to mention is that my last semester (Spring12 with Option A, Summer11 with Option B) will be a 10-week internship at a nonprofit organization of my choosing, anywhere in the world.

Emotional Aspect:
Out of all the heavy decisions I have faced in my life, this by far is the heaviest. I have never felt so sure, yet unsure about something. There are so many reasons to go and so many to stay. One moment I will be feeling totally psyched about moving to Phoenix and the next I will feel heartsick.

I have reasons to go and reasons to stay. Rachael, the love of my life, has recently moved to Phoenix and at first glance it seems that would be the only reason I would want to go there. She is not the whole reason I want to move to Phoenix, although I do love her with all my heart and she is a big part of it. She has directly and indirectly brought me onto the idea of moving there, but several other reasons have also led to my decision.

This is not the place to make a list of pros and cons, but I should mention a just a few of both. In Phoenix I will not only be with Rachael, but I will attend ASU, a school with a very good reputation. Perhaps not quite as good as the University of Michigan, where I could attend here, but still a good one nonetheless. One HUGE reason I have chosen ASU over U of M is the program I plan on pursuing (Nonprofit Leadership & Management). It is a degree I am very excited about and it is one that I don't feel is super limiting if I alter my ideal career path after I graduate.

With that said, however, I will miss my grandparents, my friends, my pets, soccer, and absolutely most importantly to me, my mom. I am an only child and my whole life it has been just my mom and I. I love her more than anything in the whole world and the thought of leaving her absolutely tears me up inside. She is what is making this so hard for me. Her and my grandparents have fully supported my decision, but I know it will be hard for me, but more importantly them that I will be gone. It will be sad not seeing my mom every day or every other day or not getting the joy of seeing them in the stands or on the sidelines on Tuesday nights. It is something that will be very hard to adjust to. And as tough as it is, I think I am making the right decision.

As someone recently mentioned to me, I have to "leave the nest at some point". As much of a momma's boy that I am, this is true. Fortunately, this will hopefully be just a little bit easier on my family (specifically my mom) since I have not technically lived with my mom (on a night-to-night basis) in roughly a year and I did go to Europe for three months last summer. The alternative, though, is to spend another 2-3 years here ("in the nest") and go to school at U of M Dearborn or Flint and see my mom, family, and everyone else more often. However, I would still have to move closer to Dearborn or Flint, seeing how I would not want to drive both ways from Clinton Township to Dearborn or Flint for 4-5 days a week, and therefore still have limited time with everyone.

As frugle as I am, when it comes to spending money on things dear to me (soccer, travel, important stuff), I have no problem dishing out the dough. What I mean is I plan on buying many plane tickets home and visiting my family, all of you, and playing soccer. I plan on flying out here as much as possible to see everyone, as I know I'll be homesick.

Thank you to all who have given me your advice and thoughts about me leaving. I appreciate it and have used it in my consideration when making this very hard decision.

John Öberg
May 4th, 2009

Hey amigos, so we finally narrowed down the designs. The first design is the classic Juan Miguel’s logo, the next 4 are designs by Kam Kilgo, edited by me (John-0), the next 6 are by Ryan Weigl and the last one is by Rob Timmerman. Ignore the jersey design itself, just concentrate on the LOGO.(the jerseys are only there for reference).

We don’t know which style jerseys we are going to get yet, but we will soon.

I need some feedback from you ALL.

This goes for all teams; Juan Miguel’s, Juan Miguel’s II, and Juanita Chachita’s, as well as the fans and anyone else! I have spent some time making options for you guys to choose from.

I would appreciate votes from everyone, regardless if you’re a fan, a player, or just someone who is reading this! :-)

The jersey will be approximately $25-$35, but I swear will be worth it and its a one-time only purchase. Even if you’re not on one of the teams or you’re low on cash, you should get one. Just put a little money to the side for this. Plus, the more that buy one, the cheaper they are! We also may be adding a chili pepper(s) and/or other designs to the sleeve or bottom or somewhere on the jerseys.

It’d be totally awesome if everyone had one! Please do the following:

1. Tell me if you are considering getting one.

2. Vote for the one(s) you like the best.

3. Give me what size you want, what name, and what number as well as any other suggestions or comments.

Please give me votes, amigos!

This is a rough figure of how the shirts will look. You will be able to add whatever name you want (whether its your actual name or something funny) and whatever number you want, at least 2 digits, maybe 3.



Okay, since MySpace sucks, it won’t allow me to post any of the jersey designs. Go here: (my photobucket) account: and all your choices are there (in reverse order that I mentioned in the first paragraph): http://s240.photobucket.com/albums/ff132/johnsigfridoberg/Juan%20Miguels%20Jerseys/JM%20Jersey%20Possibilities/