Cabaret and Anchors
This week has been a mixing of ups and downs. Started off tired from a long weekend conference, went right into busy meetings about judicial stuff and important reports. My Monday ended with a long meeting with Ammar, my fraternity's International President, mostly good news and some possible opportunities for me to get more involved (like I need more right?), but we discussed some tough topics as well. I really believe in the work my fraternity is doing, and I can't say no to a good cause.

I have a lot on my plate right now. Lots of meetings with the Dean of Students, trying to keep the momentum going from MGCA with my councils, and the regular runs of life. Like getting my tetanus shot for heading to Honduras (we leave in ten days!) and taking these $11 a piece malaria pills!

There of course as always has been the ups which keep me in good spirits. A funny "Fraternity Moment of the Week" always helps the cause, as well as time out of the office having fun. Some examples of out of the office fun. This week on campus is showing the play Cabaret, which I saw Thursday night and it was fabulous. I also watched the Big Lewbowski on Wednesday with Jen and ate Chinese food. The most commical part of the night was not the movie, but when I called for the Chinese Food the lady answers and says, "where you at" like she was Snoop Dogg, and then when I tell her, she does not understand, and then passes me to the driver who does not understand, and then he asked me... "You come get it." Well actually I think he told me... anyhow I went cause I had a hankerin' for some sweet and sour pork, and you all know I am weak when it comes to some Crab Rangoons.

The week will end with Delta Gamma's Anchorsplash. Hands down one of my favorite Greek events, it always reminds me of my line Brother Alex Diaz. We always went to the Delta Gamma stuff together at WMU. I miss those days. There has been a buzz on campus for this event all year, seems to be the biggest Greek philanthropy event on campus here, and I get to be a judge! So exciting. It has also been fun seeing the events they do here, like the hide the anchor scavenger hunt.

Then Sunday I am doing a retreat for Panhel. We are going to Marshal to do some training, goal setting, and long term planning. I am very pumped cause we have some exciting things coming up. As much as I complain about my stress and work load, I know at the end of a week I can look back on what I accomplished and be proud. I guess it is better then a boring, laid back week, that in review was worth nothing. At least my stress, although a high price, does yield a promising result. Well off I go... I need to try to get some sleep, I been missing too much of that lately.

MGCA 2005
So here are the details of the weekend. Thursday I was able to duck out of the office and hit the road and I made it to Chicago early and able to catch up with a lot of people I have not seen in a while. I love this conference because it is one of the few times I get to see a lot of my Greek Advisor friends and visit with other professionals.

Friday I did two workshops. One on hazing and the other on Multicultural Greeks. The hazing one was hard to present, and is always something that gets heated but I think it went well. The Multicultural Greek presentation was a hit, and I hope we get great reviews like we did last year. I did the hazing one with Renee from Delta Gamma, and the cultural one with my friend Michelle from Zeta Phi Beta.

That night we went to dinner in Chicago, and continued my short tradition of having Novali to dinner. This is her third MGCA, and it was fun cause lots of people were asking about her cause I used to take her up to the hotel. This year we met our crew at the restaurant, Fernandos. It was a lot of fun and Cressie brought the Oakland University group as well. We had great Spanish food and then headed back to the hotel.

Saturday was a bust day. I started with some work on Western Region Greek Association stuff since a lot of us board members were there at MGCA. Got all our registration stuff up and ready to go. We had the final workshops (One on Eating disorders with Amy) and then the formal banquet which is always a lot of fun.

Sunday was time with Novali. I got my Albion students checked out of the hotel and on their way, and then off to spend a couple hours with Novali. We played a little, ate, took a nap, and then I had to hit the road home. This week I have to play clean up on a couple large projects for work, and do a lot of things for my Formal, and then start getting things ready to go to Honduras! I am so excited!

MGCA is the largest Greek Council Conference, it brings over 1600 people to gether.

My Albion Delegation. Left to right: Shannon (Phi Mu), Tavio (Sig Chi), Aleece (KD), Joe T(Sig Chi), Megan (KD), and Me (SLB).

At the Friday luncheon people sit with their members, Eddie was the only Beta there and two SLGs.

The grad students from GVSU, Amy (my copresenter) and Tillie.

The Albion Delegation at dinner, Novali did not want to be in the picture and ducked.

Novali did want a picture of her by the donkey at the entrance of Fernandos.

All dressed up for the formal banquet.

After the Banquet they did an "Up 'Til Dawn" Fundraiser and Cressie and I wrestled. I won...

This was a great break away from Albion. Cressie was a good roommate, my students learned a lot and are coming back really excited, some funny times with Novali, and got more experience as a presenter. Good little break from my busy schedule.

Monday was a crazy day back. Just trying to get all my projects done and ready for all my meetings this week. A good change of pace though was going to dinner with Ammar (SLBs President). We had a good talk about the direction our national fraternity was taking, positions within our district, and of course talked about the good old days. Let's see what the rest of this week has in store for me.