Regina has been dabbling in a little bit of this and that ever since her mother (an Educator of 30+ years) enrolled her in every possible community class — from ballet and tap dance to ice skating and swimming to drama, gymnastics, and entomology (study of bugs and insects). She could often be found with her nose in a book, stenciling and writing stories about animals, or borrowing from her parents’ record collection and listening to the likes of Helen Reddy, Billy Joel, Michael Jackson, and Dionne Warwick over and over and over again. She is a great supporter of local activities, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, thrift-store shopping, and public libraries. Her favorite way to learn more about life and people is through travel and sampling ethnic cuisine. So far (and still counting) Regina has been to 28 U.S. States and 15 countries. In her adult years she has discovered the joy of cooking, photography (this goes well with traveling), scuba diving, crocheting, beading, cardmaking, and collecting purses.
Who is "if she did what she loves"?
In her professional life, Regina is self-diagnosed with MCID or Multiple Career Interest Disorder — her top professional passions being Education, Counseling, Culture, Languages, and Technology. She has taught English abroad, worked in Clinical Education, mentored at-risk youth, taught Spanish in junior high and high schools, bridged the worlds of Education and Technology, and worked with international students at the post-secondary level. She holds a B.A. in Spanish Education and Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) and an M.S. in College Counseling and Student Development. Always at the heart of what she does are three primary desires — to pursue lifelong learning and development, to honor individuals and diversity, and to build community. Her dream job is to work on a college or university campus sending U.S. students abroad, and welcoming international students to the States. To learn more about her professionally, visit Reaching Out – Drawing Near.
She joyfully and knowing-she’s-spoiled does what she loves in Southern California with the love of her husband and company of her cat.
Thank YOU for sharing your encouragement and perspective. So blessed to have you in my life. Love our conversations and the ability to be raw, vulnerable, and walking in faith together.
Missing you. Admiring you for your deepness and strength. Love your writing. I am a fan!
Mom – you are truly a woman who inspires me. Consistently, you set out upon new adventures, stretch yourself in new ways, you are always learning, staying active in your joie de vivre and pursuit of your dreams – and yet never run out of time to give generously from the heart. The qualities you see in me are really mirrors of those in you. So…thank you. Love you very much. -Regina
Dear Regina, No mother could be more proud of her daughter, than I am of you. Everything that you are today is payback to me for the “tough” years raising you as a single parent, when often I had doubts if I was doing it right or wrong. Of course, I’m older and wiser now and fully realize that there is no such thing as a right or wrong in being a parent. There is what each individual parent brings to the table, then there is the chemistry, bond, and all else you want to call it that takes place between a parent and their child. The qualities I love most in you are your endless optimism, endurance, drive, love of words, poetry, bible, the beautiful things that have been said by others that keep our spirits up. You are truly a blessing to all those who know you !
Your website is very inspiring, especially to those who find themselves unemployed at this time, or any time in life, through no fault of their own. Our job is important, but we cannot let it be the only thing that defines us. There are so many beauties in life to appreciate, and so many beautiful skills and talents that lie within each of us, we just have to sometimes dig a little to find them. We are never too old for new experiences, new friends, new situations, all these help us to keep on growing as people, and to inspire others to do the same. People are the “salt of the earth” I love you and continue to be proud of all of your undertakings, Love, Mom