home stretch

So again, it has been a while.  I think I have said that at the beginning of over half of my posts...but that's just because at the start of this whole gig, I had every intention of posting at least once a week.  That was all fine and dandy until this job rocked my world, and I realized it really takes my whole self to be good at it.


But this is why I will give myself to Tri Delta for as long as I am able:
      Because it completely shaped my collegiate expereince.
      Because God used it to teach me patience and unselfish leadership.
      Because it helped give me the confidence to lead a group of 250 women.
            And then teach women how to lead countless more collegians.
      Because it forced me to figure out who I am.
            And to work for things that mean a lot to me.
            And introduced me to thousands of women who value the same thing.
     Because I see collegiate women growing into role models every single day.
            And I get to be one of those role models.
     Because I get to do something amazing like this as my first "real" job.


And the kicker of it all - half of the women I am giving my life to right now don't even understand what my position is.  They don't know what a Field Consultant does and are blind to the bigger picture of Tri Delta.  But that is where I come in.  I get to teach. guide. direct. motivate. inspire.


Wow.


These past few weeks have been so full of everything mentioned above. But I have really gotten into the rhythm of travel and chapter visits.  I left off at UT Arlington, so here is what I've been up to since then...


Texas Tech University (Lubbock, Texas)
Tech was one of my favorites.  I was living the good life staying at the Embassy Suites in Lubbock - which doesn't get enough credit by the way.  All I heard was that it was "in the middle of nowhere"...which it kind of was...but Lubbock itself is a pretty cool place.  Tech is the second largest continuous campus in the United States to the Air Force Academy.  Pretty neat claim to fame.  The chapter was great and reminded me a lot of my Alpha Lambda loves back in SC!  Plus they loaded me up with shirts.  I mean about 10. Seriously.  While I was in Lubbock I witnessed my first dust storm and let me tell ya folks, I was pretty freaked out.  It looked like a plague straight out of the Bible!  The sky got red and, well, dusty in a matter of minutes.  Luckily it passed rather quickly.  And I don't think I ever want to experience one of those again.

Taken about 5:00pm - crazy!

Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff, Arizona)
Flagstaff has now taken the number 1 spot for prettiest places I have visited.  I loved loved loved the mountains surrounding the campus and lucked into having gorgeous weather for my entire visit.  If they didn't have such frigid winters and weren't so far from the beach and South Carolina - I'd totally move there.  So obviously I never would, but I kinda entertained the idea.  The chapter was amazing too.  Such a great group of women, and I got along with them immediately.  If only I had been able to participate in their famed homecoming event "Tequila Sunrise"...you know, where the bars open at 6am on game day.  All they need is some real tailgating and they would be set!

Beautiful Flagstaff!

University of Oregon (Eugene, Oregon)
MY FIRST VISIT WITH ANOTHER CONSULTANT!  And it was as great as it sounds.  I was giddy with excitement my entire first class ride to Eugene to see Miss Morgan Wolber and play in Oregon with her.  You read that right, first class.  Kim our fabulous travel agent really gave me a great surprise that day.  Free Mojitos - yes please!  Don't worry, we didn't have any meetings on our arrival day.  Morgan and I took full advantage of our time together - visiting both the Oregon coast and Portland during the 4 day visit. We went to the Oregon Zoo, International Rose Test Gardens, and saw some creepy little seaside town that would probably be less scary when in season.  We also had the chance to go out for a few drinks with some other consultants...a taste of normalcy!  I could do this job forever (longer than a year anyway) if I always had a travel buddy.

Morgan and I in Newport, Oregon

Jacksonville University (Jacksonville, Florida)
Never have I ever seen so many beautiful live oaks on a campus.  The campus is small but almost every bit of it is shaded by a gorgeous oak tree.  It felt great to visit a chapter close enough to home that they had heard of my hometown.  Okay, maybe they were just saying they had to make me feel better...but at least they knew where Columbia was.  Marine Science is also huge at JU, so I got to take a tour of their great facility!  It was really neat to be a nerd and look around at all of their equipment.  I got to stay in the chapter room on the Tri Delta dorm hall so I had plenty of space :)  And it was all decorated for Halloween so I got to celebrate a little bit, even if it was while working on reports.

On campus at JU

University of Iowa (Iowa City, Iowa)
Here I am in Iowa City, trying not to freeze.  The girls make me feel better about being a cold-wimp though, because they agree it is frigid in the mornings.  I am staying in their big, beautiful chapter house and the area is really pretty neat.  I wasn't sure how I'd feel about Iowa (since all I think of in association is corn) but I'm a fan!  I am here until Tuesday (the 8th) when I drive to Des Moines to visit Iowa State.  THAT should be an interesting road trip.  Hopefully I don't get lost in a field.

"Yeah, I love to hear 2001 and feel Williams-Brice rock"

Disclaimer:  This post isn't like the rest.  It's half rant, half reflection.  It's more about my experience than what I've been up to.  But I also think it's my favorite.


So I board my plane this morning just in time for kick off of the Gamecocks' game down in Starkville.  I checked my phone to make sure no one had scored in the first two minutes and put it in airplane mode for take-off (yes, I know they clearly state airplane mode does not qualify as "off" - but I have officially decided it doesn't matter).  I put my head back on the headrest and closed my eyes - basically assumed my position for take-off that has become more habit than anything.  After the awkwardly tall man behind kicks my seat a few times, I doze in and out until I hear the ding that tells me it is okay to turn on my electronic devices.  I pop in the earbuds to my iPhone to listen to some music as I stare out of the window at the majesty below me.  And that is exactly what it is - sweet majesty.  Have you ever stared out of a window on one of those commuter flights that stays low enough for you to make out what is below you? 

It's amazing.

I want to shake the people around me and say, "Are you seeing this??" But I digress.  A few songs in I hear the unmistakable thumping that starts the one song that can give me goosebumps anywhere, anytime. You see, Patrick Davis uses the beginning beat of 2001 to start his song Just A (Big Ole Cock) and I love it.  Now, if you clicked that link and are listening to the song you realize it isn't a remotely serious song, no emotional thing.  It's just talking about the Gamecocks.  But I suddenly realize, flying over Nowhere, Texas (literally, Texas has a lot of "nowhere") - I'm crying.  I'm looking out of the window and tears are filling my eyes because here I am traveling the United States, seeing all of these wonders below me, and there is only one place I want to be.  Home.


I can't count the number of times a chapter member has said to me, "You get to travel somewhere different every week? I bet it is so cool to see all of those different places! And it probably gives you a lot of options for where you want to live next year. What's been your favorite city?"


So of course I say that it is really neat, and that it has been such an awesome experience seeing this great nation we are fortunate enough to live in.  Then as the words "San Diego" are coming out of my mouth to reference my favorite place, I am really thinking WHERE I COME FROM IS BETTER THAN ANYWHERE I'VE BEEN. I'm going right back there as soon as the calendar flips to April 30th, and you'll be lucky if you ever get me out again.  People are nice, the land is beautiful, and it's not frigid until the appropriate season. We HAVE seasons.  And mountains.  And the ocean. And MANNERS.


And of course I have a little bias.  I know everyone probably feels that way about where they are from, so I'm just as proud as any one of them.  I am so grateful for this experience, all that it has taught me so far, and all of the people that have come into my life - even though they leave as quickly as they got there.

Because through all of it, 

I have so grown to appreciate the things

that I used to take for granted.

halfway through fall semester!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11


BOY have I had to remind myself of this over and over again during the past month since my last post.  Don't get me wrong - traveling has been such a wonderful chance to see the country.  From San Diego to Corpus Christi, I have seen some really neat places.  However, it has also been very trying.  As I said in my first or second post - this job really has been a FULL experience.  I am now halfway through the semester and here are the places I've been since my last post!


UC San Diego (La Jolla, California)
I think this goes without saying - San Diego is BEAUTIFUL.  It was absolutely my favorite city so far.  From seeing the Pacifiic Ocean for the first time to being shocked by cliffs bordering the water - I was in awe of the landscape.  La Jolla is the area outside of San Diego where UCSD's campus is and it is such nice neighborhood.  Expensive living and upscale shops and restaurants all around.  The way it is positioned you can literally see the fog rolling in from the water in the morning and it clears up in the afternoon.  It was so strange and nothing like I have ever seen.  I was in town to help the Tri Delta women there prepare for their recruitment the next week.  I met with several officers and helped them plan what they would be doing day to day.  Recruitment visits are my favorite because it is much easier to pinpoint areas that need to improve, and there is a visible outcome to the work put in.  While in La Jolla I had a lot of firsts - one of which being my first In-N-Out burger!

Just as good as everyone says!

Brenau (Gainesville, Georgia)
Probably my favorite chapter visit so far.  Not that I haven't enjoyed others, but the women here were so welcoming!  And it could have something to do with the fact that because of all of my traveling, ANYWHERE in the southeast really does feel like home.  I was just excited to be in the same time zone as my family and friends!  But Gainesville really is a cute town and the campus dynamic of Brenau - an all women's college with 800 students - was so interesting to me.  While it was very different from my own collegiate experience, I loved seeing how their chapter worked.  I already told the Chapter Services team at Executive Office that I wouldn't mind going back for a visit in the spring!  After my short visit here it was home for break where I got to see my first home game of the season.  Best. Weekend. Ever.

No I didn't take this - but I just wanted to remind
everyone how beautiful Williams Brice is :)

Texas A&M Corpus Christi (Corpus Christi, Texas)
After this break it was especially tough to get accustomed to life on the road again.  It became clear that travel has started to take its toll on me physically and mentally.  It really does take the right frame of mind to be able to handle going without seeing anyone you know for extended periods of time, as well as sitting in on Friday and Saturday nights because you don't know anyone in the town you're in.  The women here were wonderful though and it was neat to see their campus they call "The Island".  Corpus was really unique, and again a different coastal feel than I am used to seeing on the Atlantic Ocean.  The Padre Islands were pretty though!  I was excited to see the water again :)  Instead of staying in a chapter house at TAMUCC (they don't have housing), I stayed in the guest house at their advisor's home.  It  was such a treat to have my own space!  PLUS she had the sweetest cat, Ranger, who made me feel right at home.

The view flying into Corpus Christi

Ranger loved me!

Stephen F. Austin (Nacogdoches, Texas)
My second school this leg was good ol' SFA in the oldest city in Texas, Nacogdoces.  This is where Jason, our Chapter Services Director, and several other EO employees went - so it was neat to see their old stomping grounds!  Nacogdoches itself really doesn't have much going on, but the campus was very pretty.  I got to have some down time for a change and relax for two days of my five day visit.  Literally the entire chapter was in Houston supporting their football team in their rivalry game versus Sam Houston.  Although they lost, all of the girls claimed to have had fun when they returned!  The rest of my visit was PACKED however since we had to make up for lost time.  My one assignment while I was visiting SFA was from Jason - he demanded I get a picture in front of "Surfin' Steve" giving the Lumberjack "axe 'em" sign.

Axe 'em, Jacks!

UT Arlington (Arlington, Texas)
Here I am in Arlington (just minutes from Executive office) enjoying my time with the Mustangs!  I am staying in the lovely chapter house here.  They don't realize just how lucky they are to get so much attention from the housing corporation being so close.  I have been here for 2 days and leave in 2 more.  It has been a nice change of pace to be somewhere I recognize, and I am SO much looking forward to seeing all of my friends at EO tomorrow!  I managed to squeeze a little break time in so I will be able to stop in for a visit.


As you can see I have had a packed last month.  It has been full of both smiles and tears, so I have to remind myself constantly that this is a year of growing and learning for me.  The Lord has a plan and while it may seem like it is to ruin my social life (I literally have none on the road), I know he has wonderful things in store for me :)

One month down!

It's official!  As of Saturday my two suitcases and I have been traveling the good ol' US of A for a month.  And as of yesterday, I have gone coast to coast.

Oh HEY sequoias in the airport...Welcome to Fresno, y'all!

But before I start in on my current visit at UC Merced let me catch you up on the last couple of weeks of my Field Consultant life.  After my visit in West Georgia I got to have my first BREAK!  I can't even describe how elated I was to have a few days off.  I never fully appreciated my weekends before taking this job.  I have grown to envy "normal" people and their "Saturdays" or whatever they're called.  Monday or Friday - it's all the same to me.  So to say the least, two full days of no work was much needed and had been on my mind for a week leading up to it.  I flew from Atlanta to Charlotte (couldn't they have just dropped me off in South Carolina?) where I was picked up by the best boyfriend in the world who surprised me with a night in Charlotte where I got to do my favorite thing - TAILGATE!  Coincidence I booked my flight into Charlotte on the day of Carolina's season opener in the same city?  Of course not.

Tailgating in Charlotte for the USC v. ECU game!

After the Gamecocks made the football game way more interesting than I cared for it to be, we went to Columbia for me to reunite with the fam!  Have I said how nice it was to not do work yet?  Well, it was wonderful.  We ate at Liberty and I loved getting to see everyone.  I spent the rest of my break (all one day of it) in Charleston so I could see Wes' new place.  I was sad to leave everyone but got on my plane at CAE anyway and flew my way back to Dallas for round two at UTD.

This visit was solely based around recruitment and you know what that means - no sleep!  We worked from 8:30am to 1am on recruitment days getting the room decorated, practicing songs and conversation, and keeping each other from going crazy.  I really grew to love these women over my week there - they worked so hard!

The UT Dallas Tri Deltas on Preference Night

I was so nervous for them on Bid Day and was praying they would get the solid pledge class they really needed.  You see - formal recruitment has never been a strong point for this chapter.  They usually pick up most of their members during COB (informal recruitment) and they have been trying to change this image.  Well guess what - THEY DID IT!  I was a proud mama.  I teared up when they all hugged in excitement about their new 27 person pledge class!  I know what you're thinking "27 is good?!" - well yes.  At UT Dallas 27 is big.  In fact, the biggest class taken!  The other two chapters brought in 24 and 25 members.  The chapter really stepped up during their Preference Round and sold Tri Delta to the women coming through recruitment. I'll say it again...SO. PROUD.

The chapter with the 27 new Deltas

After spending a week there I was excited to move on but sad to leave the women at UTD!  I'm glad I'll be returning to help them with slating especially because I will have a fellow Field Consultant with me!!  I will get to introduce the chapter to AnneMarie in November - I know we'll have so much fun.  Before I left the chapter members gave me some beautiful flowers.  So sweet of them!

Wendy, Ashley, Zhen and I with my flowers :)

UTD has been one of the biggest growing experiences for me during my time of traveling so far.  They have been a challenge but also have been that unconditional friendship that my sisters across the nation all are.  It is so moving to realize that the vows we took really do bound us together - BBPB!  It doesn't matter how different a chapter is from my own, they are always welcoming and that is such a great feeling. Especially when I'm homesick!  Which has happened way more than I expected it to.  Among other things - this entire Field Consultant experience is an affirmation that I want to live in South Carolina (or at least the southeast) for the rest of my life!  It is beautiful and the people are wonderful - so everyone at home, be thankful you live in the greatest state!!  No bias there of course :)

After that rewarding trip to UTD I have made my way to Merced, California...by way of Phoenix and Fresno.  I am so glad I had a chance to pass through Phoenix - what a beautiful but weird landscape!  I literally stared out the window for 15 minutes taking it all in.  "It" being what I imagine Mars to look like.  I'm excited for my visit to Northern Arizona in Flagstaff later this semester so I can explore the area a bit more. 

After my layover in Phoenix I arrived in Fresno where I picked up my cute little Ford Escape I will be driving around the central valley for the week.  I made the hour long trip to Merced and let me tell ya - not a lot to see along the way.  And by "not a lot"...I mean nothing.  That made the trip seem a little longer than necessary but I made it.  The hotel is brand new and I love it so far!

Home away from home in Merced

View from my hotel window - remember when I said "nothing"?!

I had my first meetings in Merced today and everyone I have met so far is great.  It is a new campus and a new chapter so I'm sure the next week will be a challenge but I'm looking forward to helping with what I can and then moving on to San Diego!

Miss and love everyone!

Richardson to Carrolton

Okay, so I know it's been a while.  But you should SEE my schedules.  Here's what I have been up to:


UT DALLAS (Richardson, TX)
Loved being back so close to Executive Office.  I got to visit with my Chapter Services friends, get some much needed hugs, and re-energize for the challenge of recruitment with a newer chapter.  This visit was more relaxing - I was actually able to sleep in!  This visit was completely consumed with helping the chapter prepare for recruitment.  It was so weird sitting back and knowing when to step in and assist.  It was difficult to let them do things their way when all I'm thinking is "We do this differently at South Carolina..." and THAT is when I have to take a step back and put myself in check.  This isn't MY chapter.  It is theirs and it is up to them to make it what they want it to be.  So take a deep breath and shut it.  Because of these things UT Dallas has definitely taught me the most so far.  They are really working so hard towards a great recruitment and I can't wait to see the results when I return after my break!


LOUISIANA at LAFAYETTE (Lafayette, LA)

These women are rock stars.  I hate that this was my shortest visit so far because I so much enjoyed being in Lafayette.  One of the sweet women gave up her room in her apartment for me, so I stayed with her roommate for my 3 nights there.  Lafayette is such a cute town.  I had no idea it would be as populated as it was...shows how much research I do!  I ate so much great food - shrimp poor boy, coffee from a french press, fried oreos - the list goes on.  I'm fairly certain I gained some weight here.  This campus was also my first expereince with a Greek Row that has houses with identical floor plans - it was so different than what I'm used to!  They're cute little houses though and it is my opinion that the Tri Delta one looked the cutest (not biased or anything).  This could be partially because the Phi Mu house decided to place a cigarette trash can between their two benches in the front yard.

hilarious

It reminded me fondly of Miss Lou smoking on the back porch back in the day. Oh the memories...ANYWAY, I just loved ULL.  Including their man made swamp in the middle of campus.  Alligators and all.


RHODES (Memphis, TN)
aka Hogwarts.  A Harry Potter fan's dream.  I was there for a recruitment visit but only got to see their Round 1.  Again, it was so interesting to see a recruitment different from what I am used to at South Carolina.  At Rhodes they really have "no frills" and at USC we have, well, frills.  The women had it down though and I actually felt really useless for the first time as a consultant.  They didn't need my help when it came to the recruitment stuff.  I was almost in the way!  Thankfully I was able to pass along some tips when I met with the officers on the other days - that way I didn't feel as much like a farkle fail.  I had a good bit of "free time" here so I was able to catch up on my reports.  In result - free time wasn't so free.  But it was still so nice to sit around campus and get some work done.  Their whole campus is gated in and b-e-a-utiful.

the library

Tri Delta house!

See what I mean?  All of the buildings on campus (and I mean all of the buildings) are made of that gorgeous stone.  It was so neat how small the campus was and that when they say "walking distance"...everything really is in walking distance.  I could never go to a school that small but I can see how people would enjoy it!


WEST GEORGIA (Carrollton, GA)
On day 2 here in Carrollton!  I arrived on Bid Day and it was wonderful.  The chapter welcomed 25 smiling new members.  They all receive their bids then run to their houses, a lot like what we do on the Horseshoe at USC.  Only with 800 less girls running to their new chapters.  They were all so excited and I love seeing Bid Day at different schools - it's like Christmas!  So far I have really just been having meetings and getting to know their new members. So much fun :) Something interesting though - they call the Tri Delts "Deltas"...which still sounds strange to me.  I've heard they do that a lot of places though so I guess I'll get used to it!

yummy bid night cake!

And that's what I've been up to!  I head home for a super short break on Saturday morning and will fly out for my second visit to UT Dallas on Tuesday.  Wish I'd be there for a little bit longer - I'm already counting down until my next visit when I get to go to my first Gamecock game of the season!!  FYI - it is 31 days away.

More Cowbell

ATTENTION:  I now have my very own, personalized, real life Mississippi State cowbell!  That's right - the sweet ladies of the Beta Mu chapter gave this little gem on my last night in Starkville!

the back side says MSU with a presh bulldog print

Now don't worry fellow Gamecock fans, I have no intention of actually ringing this cowbell once it returns to God's country with me (aka South Carolina), as I of course think there should be an enforced ban on these little guys if we aren't allowed to have our rooster crow over the sound system in Williams-Brice.  I hope some NCAA official stumbles across this blog...

ANYWAY, I just love it.  Mississippi State was wonderful all around - such a hospitable chapter with some really great women.  Not to mention they just got a bangin' new pledge class!  I was lucky to get to arrive on Bid Day and join in on all of the festivities.  And have no fear readers, my elbow injury I mentioned in the last post is healing quite nicely.  As my first regular visit, it was my first taste of what meeting with every officer in a chapter will be like.  Woof.  Talk about a packed schedule.  I was exhausted and slurring my words by my 5th meeting of each day.  Luckily all of the chapter members at MSU were just dolls so I was eased into the world of back-to-back meetings rather painlessly.  I got a tour of their pretty campus, had some great dinners in the Starkville area, and wrapped up my visit with some fro-yo (frozen yogurt for you ice cream rookies out there) on the last night.

view of the back side of Davis Wade Stadium and a little bit of the
grassy junction at the bottom right, where lots of tailgating takes place

Another highlight of the Mississippi State visit - they have house birds!  Their house mom keeps these little girls (I decided they're girls) in a cage in the hallway so you pass the chirping bitties on your way to the chapter room.  She's currently trying to teach them to say "Delta Love" - but I'm not so sure they talk.  I decided I've conquered my fear of birds as long as they're in a cage.

They're named Pearl and Pansy, duh!

After a fun 5 days in Starkville, I boarded a plane in the bustling airport (HA) in Columbus, Mississippi to head to Dallas for my 3rd visit.  Obviously, I say "bustling" in jest because the airport actually only has one gate.  And one security check point which only opens 30 minutes before a flight is boarding. Teeee-niny. But I arrived at DFW safe and sound, picked up my precious black Jetta I have for the week, and headed to EXECUTIVE OFFICE!  I was so excited to see familiar faces that I can't even put it into words.  They gave me hugs and squeals...and a new internet card.  Thank the Lord!  I've been missing mine since the hotel in Memphis kidnapped it during training.  Talk about an unresponsive lost and found department.  Thanks for never calling me back, y'all!  But oh well, I have a new one now.  I traveled from there to my hotel in Richardson and BOY was I happy when I walked through the door.

my room at the Double Tree

A king bed! My own bathroom! A television! Outlets that work! A desk! Drawers! A shower I don't have to wear shoes in!!  In short - heaven for the weekend.  I have so enjoyed sleeping with room to spread out. Ahhh :) Unfortunately I have to turn in my room key and my new car on Tuesday, but I'm so very excited for my next visit.  I've heard great things about the chapter at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette!  In the mean time I'm making friends with the women at the University of Texas at Dallas.  I'm helping them prep for recruitment right now so they will be ready to hit the ground running when I return on September 6th for formal recruitment.  Go Tri Delta, y'all!  The first recruitment workshop is tomorrow so I'm ready to get the ladies pumped for a successful Bid Day this year!

PS - As I've been immersed in nothing but recruitment at during my visits, I've been thinking about my Alpha Lambda loves back at South Carolina kicking butt in recruitment this year. Keep it up, ladies! Miss y'all!

Magnolia state?

Last week I packed my life into two bags and set out on the road to start my adventure!  I was very excited, a little nervous (okay, I was A LOT nervous) and ready to get my first visit under way.  The flights on my way to the Greenville, MS airport were interesting, with no time to spare during my connection in Atlanta and long enough during my Memphis layover to have my first solo meal in an airport.  It was depressing.

Couldn't there at least be a window?

But I finally arrived still in good spirits to my first visit:  Delta State University.  Home of the Fighting...Okra?  Yes, that's right, the Fighting Okra.  Although their name is officially the much less interesting "Statesmen", I decided to stick with Okra for the entirety of my trip.  I was sure to tell them that I hail from the home of the Okra Strut so we have that little vegetable in common.

Fierce, right?

Delta State was awesome.  They are a small chapter (about 35 members before recruitment this year) so it was an adjustment from my personal experience, but I took to them immediately and really enjoyed my stay.  There couldn't have been a better place to start my travels!  I was there during their recruitment workshops and then for their first two days of formal recruitment, and I had a blast.  They were tons of fun and so welcoming.  Look how cute my room was when I arrived!

They even put art work in there!

I had a true test of my recruitment knowledge, between matching party lists with chapter members and voting input, but I was really proud of my ability to help.  Especially considering I was never involved in the clerical side of recruitment before then.  I truly had to embody the motto "fake it 'til ya make it" and in the end it all worked out!  I was so sad to leave them in the middle of their recruitment process though.  It is no fun to do the work and not get to see all of the beautiful new members on bid day!  The sweet ladies got me a cake and all signed a card for me on my last night, making it even harder to say goodbye.

DSU Chapter with my cake :)

Apparently it was SO hard, I left an entire drawer of tops/blouses in the room I was staying in.  That's right, I am currently down several articles of clothing at my visit to my second stop:  Mississippi State!  Don't worry though Mom, they are in the mail and on the way to me as I type.  Good thing I packed some dresses so I still have clothes to wear.  I drove from the Greenville, MS airport (in the middle of a soy field) to the Columbus, MS airport (in the middle of...well...nowhere) and was picked up by some precious chapter members there.  On my drive I began to really question why Mississippi is the Magnolia state...as I've seen more in South Carolina.  Then I remembered people visiting the upstate of SC probably wonder the same thing about us being the Palmetto state, so I guess I'll cut them some slack :)  Once I arrived on campus (which is beautiful by the way), the Beta Mu chapter welcomed me with a sign on Bid Day!  It was so nice of them to still think of me when they had so many things going on that morning.

So sweet of them!

The room I'm staying in here is so cute and I love their house.  It has a really neat back yard area that is complete with a dolphin fountain.  To clarify:  it is a concrete dolphin spitting water into a little pond, NOT a fountain with dolphins.  Though I wish it was the latter.  The women here are really great as well, we had fun playing around on Bid Day - which was awesome with blow up slides, a bounce castle, and a Velcro wall.  I have a battle burn on my right elbow to prove it.


All in all, I am exhausted but having a  lot of fun.  I have met so many amazing women already and can't wait to see what the rest of the semester has in store for me.  I will try my best to update the blog more frequently!  Recruitment visits leave very little personal time to  do things like that but once I'm doing steady, regular visits, it shouldn't be a problem at all :)

Training Wrap-Up

Dearest followers, I apologize for slacking off the last week of training and not updating at all.  As the weeks went by our time got more restricted with homework, experiencing the Dallas/Fort Worth area, and all things in between.  Excuses aside, I have decided to write a "Notable Nine" list to highlight the end of training and our visit to Memphis.
Note: I said "Notable Nine" because a few things would most certainly not make it to a "Top Ten" list but should still be mentioned, while still keeping proper alliteration . Also, these are in mostly chronological (not ranked) order.


1.  Rangers Game - What better to do on a Friday night than catch a little MLB action at the home of some of last year's World Series games?  Decked out in our red and blue we walked up to Rangers Ballpark and made our way to our top row seats, which were well worth the climb.  Being behind home plate but far enough up to feel the breeze was perfect as we sipped on their amazing strawberry/lime swirled margaritas.  And watched Sarah make friends with  a very forceful, 7-year-old who was way too into her "Let's Go Rangers!" chant.

Michelle, Emily and I cheering on the Rangers

Group shot leaving the game,
if only you knew the trouble we had snapping this one.

2.  Day in Dallas - In true Farkle fashion we spent part of our day off stalking the Tri Delta house on the SMU campus in downtown Dallas.  We took pictures, looked at all of their Greek housing, and drove by the football stadium (Pony up!) before getting lunch.  We ate at Vickery Park (which was phenom) then made our way to the West Village for some shopping.  Since we FCs don't get paid until mid-August, we didn't do much damage BUT enjoyed our time anyway.  Asside from my frustration with Dallas drivers, a parking garage, and the suburban I was driving, this was an ideal way to spend a Sunday off.


3.  Six Flags Photo Shoot - About as fun as it sounds.  We dressed up in our Vera letter shirts and blue jeans for an early (like, really early...) morning with the park to ourselves.  The shoot was fun, the photographer loved Emily, and AnneMarie conquered her fear and rode the swings!  These pictures will be used for promotional things on the website and in the Trident.  Basically, I'm a model now.

The FCs and Jason!
L to R: AnneMarie, Morgan, myself, Emily, Sarah, Emily, Michelle

4.  New Field Consultant Pins - On our final Saturday we got a surprise from Jason and the Executive Board; our FC badges!  Jason had been telling us we would "get them when they come in" for the past week and a half each time we asked about them, but of course he was being sneaky (shock) and was holding them until the Executive Board was in town to present them to us.  Julie pinned mine on me and we were happy little Deltas for the rest of the day.

The FCs and Executive Board after receiving our FC pins

5.  9 to 5 the Musical - Our last night in Arlington the Chapter Services staff treated us to an evening in Fort Worth to see 9 to 5 at Bass Performance Hall.  It was hilarious!  Being the youngsters that we are, none of the FCs had seen the movie before, but loved the show anyway!  Seeing the movie is now a must.  Word is the movie is a little less racy, but has all of the good parts still included.

The FCs at Bass Performance Hall before 9to5

6.  National Civil Rights Museum - This place was amazing.  Well, the museum itself was a little content heavy (some would say "educational", but whatever) but the portion dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr's last few years of life and assassination were beyond moving.  The timeline of the events is on display in the building from which James Earl Ray shot Dr. King, and the Lorraine Hotel where Dr. King was shot is set up to look the way it did on the evening of April 4th, 1968.

Spot of MLK Jr.'s Assassination

7.  St. Jude - This portion really needs no words for those who have seen the place, and there aren't words strong enough to describe it to those who have not.  It's a little slice of heaven that has been working since 1962 to rid children of cancer.  The research and patient care done there are nothing short of innovative.  From the child-height reception desks to the made-to-order kitchen, everything there really is for the kids.

FCs with Victoria and Jason

8.  Graceland - Our last night in Memphis we all had the chance to visit Elvis's digs (more formally called Graceland).  I was in love.  While some may call it tacky, I thought the purple velvet curtains and green shag carpet were just perfect for this straight out of the 70s home.  I most appreciated his racquetball court that had been transformed into a giant display of his jumpsuits.  Well, that and his Convair 880 Jet.  New goal: marry someone with one of those.

Entrance of Graceland!

9.  7 hours at Memphis International Airport - This one is the sole reason this list was not able to be a "Top Ten", but it is definitely worth sharing.  After changed gates, 2 delays, a destination change, 2 more delays and temporary loss of luggage...I was introduced to my year of traveling.  It was as if Memphis was saying, "Welcome to the world of airports, Anna - not so glamorous, huh?" and I just nodded and agreed.  I wanted to cry the whole time, but held back my tears because, well, I was in public and that would have been embarrassing.  Lesson learned:  Flights will be messed up and I may not know where my luggage is, but life will go on.

#15in5

Finally a free minute!  Well, a free weekday minute - because I certainly was not going to waste one little second of my one day weekend writing a blog :)

Friday and Saturday were work days.  Time spent reviewing resources, learning the ins-and-outs of the chapters we are visiting, and admin work.  What do I mean by admin work?  Well, I mean EMAILING OUR FIRST FEW CHAPTERS!  Super exciting...and nerve-wracking, and scary...but exciting.  I contacted the Vice Presidents of Administration (a position close to this little Delta's heart!) at Delta State and Mississippi State about my visits to them in mid-August so they can begin to plan. It's hard to believe someone is planning MY visit, when this time last year I was planning a visit for someone else - talk about coming full circle.

Jason, Joanna and Michelle spiced up our Saturday work day a little by taking us to Babe's Chicken in Arlington.  It was family style southern cooking and it was phenomenal.  I had fried catfish with their three standard sides of corn, green beans and mashed potatoes.  We all had to get dessert (duh) so I ordered fried peach pie and it was twice as good as it sounds.

Outside of Babe's

After a long week, it was time for a night out on the town and Sunday funday!  So naturally, we went to Uptown Dallas Saturday night and Six Flags Over Texas on Sunday.  What else were we to do after driving past the park at least twice every day and listening to the coasters from our office hour after hour??  Saturday was fun, and I got to reunite with Kristen since she recently moved down here for a new job.  It was nice to get out and socialize about something other than Tri Delta mechanics.  Sunday was equally enjoyable, but boy was it hot.

Michelle, Emily, Sarah, Me, Morgan

We sweated our way through 7 roller coasters, my favorite of which was the Texas Giant.  I was in heaven, love those things!  The heat was brutal though and our day got cut a bit short.  Poor Michelle and Sarah weren't used to the heat and I'm surprised they didn't pass out before we walked our way back to the hotel.  We took it easy that night, ordering pizza in and hitting the sack early for another work week ahead.

Today and yesterday have been really neat, seeing and learning some "out-of-the-box" things that don't just have to do with operations. Yesterday we had Beth from Archives come in and show us some pretty neat things from Tri Delta's history. I actually got to hold Eleanor Dorcas Pond's badge in my little hand. Alpha 2. ALPHA 2! Insanity.  Kind of puts my Alpha Lambda 2172 to shame!

Can't see the inscription,
but you get the point. Unreal.

Beth also put together folders for us of things from the archives pertaining to our home chapters.  It was so neat seeing Alpha Lambda's history (that's my chapter at U of SC) in picture and and letter form.  There was even original correspondence between a couple of women behind the transition of the Beta Zeta Society into a Tri Delta Chapter after the state's anti-fraternity laws were removed in 1927.  That correspondence led to my chapter's formation in 1928, wild that I got to hold and read the originals!

Despite how amazing that was, today was my favorite day by far.  We started the morning right, with a presentation from representatives from St. Jude.  I had never really put it into perspective before the amount of money Tri Delta raises annually for the hospital.  This past academic year alone, Tri Delta chapters nation wide raised $3.4 million.  That is a HUGE amount!  The largest amount by far that a Greek organization has given to a philanthropic partner in a single year.  Not only is that amount astounding, but we have pledged to get to $15 million total in the next 4 years ($15 million in 5 years from when the pledge was made).  I am so proud to be a part of something as amazing as this partnership.  And a huge thank you to all of you reading this who have donated after receiving my letters from our Sincerely Yours campaign.  St. Jude is truly a magical place, raising the survival rate for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia from 4% to 94% since 1962 when its doors opened.  Not only is their research revolutionary, but their patient care is as well, with families never receiving a bill from the hospital, regardless of the family's ability to pay.  So cool.

with our new St. Jude bags, two St. Jude reps and a patient mother

At this point we all thought the day couldn't get any better, but we were wrong.  We had the amazingly talented Mari Ann Callais come and talk to us about Ritual and Purpose in the afternoon.  It was attention grabbing, motivating and above all else, eye opening.  Mari Ann has such a way with words and as a wonderful facilitator can really get the maximum reaction out of those around her.  She brought us back to what really makes us Tri Deltas - our RITUAL and our PURPOSE.  The way I will go into the chapters I visit in the fall has completely changed in the matter of an afternoon.  And I couldn't be more thrilled.

All of us with Mari Ann - could she have a more contagious smile??

In short (or not so short judging by the length of this blog...), today has made up for the tedious, content heavy days that we have had to sit through in the past week.  And now it's off to bed, starting tomorrow off with finances won't be quite as captivating.

Is it Friday yet?

The past two days have been a whirlwind - literally no time to stop and, well, do anything.

But I love it.

Top: Sarah, AnneMarie, Emily, Me, Emily    Bottom: Michelle, Morgan

If you can't tell from the above photo, we're all fabulous.  And having a great time.  Yesterday was extra long; learning about report writing, types of visits and how to conduct meetings.  While all of it was a little overwhelming, we all muscled through and enjoyed our Jason's Deli for dinner.  So exotic.  Morgan, Sarah, Michelle and I made a Target run (of course) after we got back to the hotel, where Morgan almost lost her phone after day 2 of having it.  No worries, it was recovered from the toilet paper dispenser with no problem.  By the time we got back I was exhausted and absolutely positive I would not have made it through the day if we hadn't started with a slightly out of the way Starbucks run.

With our coffee, so presh.

This morning started out on a different foot however, because we found a PUPPY!  And for anyone that knows me, naturally I thought we should adopt it.  He was a precious little thing we decided to call Paulie.  We tried to bring him to work - but Jason said that was a no go.  Luckily some people have hearts (kidding, Jason!) and a maintenance man at the hotel adopted him.  If we were in South Carolina, he SO would have been mine.

Sorry he's so blurry - but it's Paulie!

The rest of the work day was much shorter and less overwhelming than the day before.  We started with OC and Chapter procedure education from The Center staff and finished with technology assistance.  After a day's work we took a little trip to Fort Worth for dinner at Razzoo's Cajun Cafe and to visit TCU's campus.  TCU is beautiful.  If it had been on my college visit list I may have found myself as a little horned frog in the fall of 2007.  We tracked down the Tri Delta territory and snapped a quick picture (#lykww) then headed back towards Arlington.

Razzoo's!

Tomorrow we spend all day getting schooled by The Center and then we're going to see Harry Potter!  Which I have to admit, I'm not overly excited about but it will be another fun team outing :)