It was exciting and all together a wonderful experience to be on the "other side" of initiation. I got to be apart of the ceremony and watch the New Members in their excitement and anxiousness. It's weird to think that last semester that was me.
I've enjoyed being an Active member more than a new member. While you get the excitement of everything being new and that awesome week of gifts, you feel so unsure of what's going on and the constant need to try to fit in with what will be your sisters. As an active member I've found myself much more close to several of my sisters, discovering my limits in the chapter and just how much drama is involved--I mean, when you get a group of three or more girls together there's bound to be drama in some way, no? Going through UMSL's partially structured recruitment style as a newly initiated member was a trip in itself. I think that was when I gained the most insight into my sisters. Although, it constantly surprises me just how well I get along with these girls and how much they're really there for each other.
This semester, I took on twin "little sisters". I spoiled them with a week of gifts and then had a few more little things for them after they initiated. I wish I could've done much more for them, I know the dissapointment of realizing you're not getting what all the new members are being showered in, but taking twins to begin with is a huge chunk of money out of one's bank account--one I honestly can't afford in the future! My littles returned the kindess of gifts after they initiated with little things they though I'd like in addition to plaques that memorialize our "offical bond". Our family line has been dubbed: "The Godfather line" which I'm still not completely sure of the story that goes with it, but I think it's a nice and fitting name for our family.
The GodFather Line
(that is still active)
(in addition to this line is Lindsey, Itta and Chelsea,
but I'm not sure where they all go exactly)
Delisa, Mandie and Michelle were the most recently initated. They planned their outting for us and invited the rest of our family to come along, Allison was the only one without a little to attend. The New Members/littles made us a very yummy lunch complete with handmade sandwiches (better than subway), fruit, chips and drinks. We spent this time at Turtle Park. It was chilly outside but if you kept your jacket on it wasn't all that bad. It was sunny though, and not at all windy, all in all it was a nice day. After lunch we headed to the Science Center where we wandered, shared stories of our childhood and built mini-arches. It was a nice big/little outing. Jackie had to leave during it, unfortunately, due to falling ill.
(Mandie, Myself & Michelle)
Initiation, as I said before, was amazing. It's even better the second time around, when you're on the other side and can pay attention to the fine details of it all, rather than being nervous and overwhelmed.
After Initiation, Krista, Allison and I went to Trailhead in St. Charles (If you've never been, I highly recommend it!) for my boyfriend, Tim's, birthday. He's 22 now (old man). We joined several friends and his parents and had genuinely enjoyable dinner with everyone. No awkwardness and new friendships--always a good turn out.
(Krista, Allison & I)
(Timmy & I)
Slate was Sunday. We've got our new Executive Board and they'll be taking over soon! I look forward to finding out who has the apointed positions next sunday (I'm fairly certain and hoping to get Philanthropy chair). I missed meeting to drive my dad to the airport. I think it's a little insane that dad just returned to this job last week and before even getting into the office he's sent off to another state to do work for them. He returned friday night only to be shipped off again. He should return on friday and not have to leave again for another month or so.
Tuesday I'm allowed to register for class. I'm anxious and hoping to get the ones I want in the time slots I want them! I hope to work my schedule so that I only have to go down to UMSL campus on Tuesdays and Thursdays (unless a sorority event comes up, of course). I've discovered this semester, while living on an extremely tight budget, that it's expensive to drive down there practically every day! If I work it right, I can take two classes at St. Charles Community (that'll transfer over to UMSL and go towards my degree) and the rest at UMSL. I'm hoping to take about 15 credits next semester. Some of them will (hopefully) include photography! So tomorrow's goal will be to stop by Marillac Hall to see if they can squeeze me in to see an advisor and to also go by SCCC to see if they'll sign me up for the classes I want.
That being said, I'm signing off for the night (or morning?) this whole "fall backwards" time adjustment is screwing me up! I need to try to at least get SOME sleep in.
Your sorority sounds really cool! My impressions of sororities have typically been that they're a bunch of girls that party and get wasted, but yours sounds quite different.
ReplyDeleteyeah, that's really everyones impression. And don't get me wrong--UMSL's greek life likes to enjoy a good time just as much as anyone else does, but they're not what everyone thinks they are.
ReplyDeleteUmsl has a pretty small greek community, which I love, it makes us more...personable and down to earth (i think).