Acronymns

Anyone know what 'SXSW" means? I didn't...until I spent a little time in Texas last week. Apparently, SXSW (stands for South by Southwest) is: The SXSW MUSIC AND MEDIA CONFERENCE showcases hundreds of musical acts from around the globe on over eighty stages in downtown Austin. Austin, Texas that is. Home of the Longhorns. And, this nine day festival that brings music, movie and art lovers from all over to one college town in the great state of Texas. And, right now, I can't go a day without hearing stories about it. I mean, even the Real World did a season in Austin so that the cast could work at this event. It's big time...but here in Memphis, we're buzzing about the Beale Street Music Festival. Three days, about $60 and over 60 musicial acts...that equals about $1 a performer. I'm not genius, but Santana or Sheryl Crow or Jerry Lee Lewis for a $1 a piece...that's a good deal.

I just got back from a week in Mexico. I was building houses with some students from Rhodes College. The day before we left, I went to see Rascal Flatts and Kellie Pickler in concert. I was totally in so that I could see the Pickler...Albemarle, NC's pride and joy. It was a great show.

I'm in Memphis for about ten days this month. Then, I'm off and travelling to NC and to Atlanta. I got tickets to the Braves Opening Day game today. I'm so pumped about that. Tom Glavine and Javy Lopez back in Atlanta.

apples

Well, I'm battling a sore throat. I've been doing the salt water thing and got a prescription for penicillin. I tested negative for strep throat, which is good. I'm not typically this attentive to being sick, but I leave for Mexico in two days. I don't want to be really sick in Mexico with no prescription drugs. It's been a few days since I ate an apple, so I blame that on why I got sick. I was following that apple a day advice and then just lost track. Oh well.

Mexico will be awesome. I'm heading down there with other staff from Rhodes and over twenty students. We're going to build two houses in a week. Talk about efficiency. I think it took my parents about 9-12 months to get their house built. I suppose it's worth noting that the houses we build versus houses constructed in the US are quite different. But this experience, it's worth more than a new US house.

kenya...to nicaragua

Over the past month I had to face the fact that going to Kenya in June was less likely. Continued violence forced our team (and church) to make the decision that we were not to go in June. This was really rough for me. I often, too often, think that nothing bad will happen to me. I mean, there's violence everywhere, everyday. Nothing is for sure. I think more in terms of faith than doubt. However, my parents seemed quite relieved to hear that the trip was postponed for a while.

So, knowing that I need to go somewhere and do some type of service, other things started to fall into place. In the same week that the Kenya decision was being made, my friend Jana called to say that she was heading to Nicaragua in May with some of our other friends. Vera Cruz, Nicaragua holds a Remar orphanage with the cutest little boys ever!

So, I've decided to go to Nicaragua from May 12-19. What's great is that the timing of this trip is perfect. It falls right after Rhodes has graduation. So, I'll get to finish my semester-ly responsibilities and then head off to Central America. I'm so pumped!

And, next Friday I leave to go to Mexico for a week to build houses. I'm excited about being able to serve and the fact that it's going to be warm. It's too cold right now.

My mom flies in tomorrow and I'm excited. Memphis is buzzing right now. We're hosting our #1 Memphis Tigers vs. the #2 Tennessee Volunteers. I'm excited because one of them will lose, which will make the UNC Tarheels move up in the polls.

still here...

So, the past week has taught me how much I love crisis management. It started about ten days ago when I was returning to my apartment, only to be stopped by Campus Safety and have them tell me that there were armed robberies within a block of school. News reports (Click Here) exaggerate the situation a little, but there was still concern. The suspects in question were caught a week ago.

Then, on Super Tuesday, we faced a series of dangerous and deadly storms racing across the midwest and into the southeast. (Here are blog accounts from two of our students: Tyler and Sarah.) Union University, which is about an hour from us, suffered a lot of damage. Reports are indicating that 80% of their residence halls were damaged or destroyed. (Pictures worth looking at here!) Watching the radar, with the circular winds indicated on the screen can freak you out. I thought we were sure to get swept up a few times. My colleague, Traci, was driving home to Mississippi and looked through some trees to see a funnel cloud headed at her. She was on the phone with her husband who was telling her to calm down. I don't think she appreicated that as she was litterally watching a tornado heading for her car. She's okay and was at work the next morning.

Regardless of the threat, I think that I'm at my best in these high pressure situations. My parents will tell you that I need to destress and talk through my emotions after the crisis has passed. But, in the moment, that's when I'm at my best.

one of those times

It's one of those days that moves and flows from up to down and back and lands somewhere in the middle. I realize now, more than ever, how much I would truly love to live in a world where I can always please everyone and make everyone happy. I also see that I'm nowhere near that...yet.

I find that I'm a faithful and trusting person. And in things, both large and small, global and local, I see that what we miss so much now is faith and trust and simple belief in people and in their goodness.

That's frustrating.

things that go beep

For the past three days, I have been terrorized by some random beeping thing in my office. I slowly began to remove things in hopes that the beepy thing was in a random box or something. Today, one of the students revealed that she and another RA had used me as their test subject for this abuse. After learning this, I notified Stephen, one of the individuals involved, to be aware that payback is on the horizon. Here is his response:

Regina,

Since I have been implicated, I am willing to admit my part in this. I don't know what Sarah told you, but I feel it is only fair for me to give you my side of the story. For Christmas, Andy gave me a gift certificate to Thinkgeek.com, and the evil genius within me couldn't resist getting one of these beepy things, thinking what havoc I could wreak upon the Residence Life Office. It took Sarah's malevolent influence three weeks later, however, to convince me to actually go through with it, and to choose you as the innocent target of our assault on sanity. I won't deny my complicity, but it should be noted that I was merely a puppet; Sarah was the true mastermind behind this plan, and that you were chosen because you were convenient. Had I been acting alone, the beepy thing would have stayed in its box until I found someone truly deserving, such as, perhaps, Brian Jones.

That being said, I realized when I committed myself to this conspiratorial course of action that I would be opening myself to your revenge after it was discovered. I was, of course, hoping to remain anonymous and ninja-like, thereby dodging your just retribution, but Sarah's remorse overcame operational prudence and she spilled the beans. I am certainly willing to accept the consequences of my actions, and I do not intend to beg for mercy. Bring it on, as they say.

Anyway, I'll see you around!

.stephen

crawling

So, my friends Brandon and Kelli have a little girl, Maddie Grace. Last Thursday, my friend Khorey and I were hanging out with them and I was trying to entice Maddie to crawl to me so she could grab my keys and chew on them. (Hey, keys are better than some alternatives.)

Well, she sort of did it and I was so excited. I can't wait until she's walking and talking and playing. This is a picture of my mom and Maddie Grace.