Today I departed from Slippery Rock University and am making my way to Lancaster, PA.
Method of travel: Amtrak
Baggage fees: NONE : )
Connecting Flights: NONE : )
Trains are a very peaceful way to travel. It has been beautiful to see the Allegheny mountains with all of the leaves starting to change colors. Bits of red and fiery orange along with the yellow and green along with the elevation change and streams and lakes make perfect scenery. And I feel very productive because I can send emails, and update my blog, while moving! Why don't I always travel by train? Oh right, because it's taking me six hours today and I'm staying within the state.
This upcoming week is going to be very busy. I have a chapter visit that got squeezed into two days instead of the usual seven that I have and then I am off to visit our colony at Pratt and to meet Celinda. It will be really great to see a familiar face, I have not recognized anyone since I left Mizzou a few weeks ago.
After Pratt I have Fall Break! A chance to see my chapter sisters at Montclair and go home and get some new clothes, the same 9-10 outfits are getting too routine for me. I actually went shopping at the outlets near Slippery Rock, I got two new pairs of pants and 2 new tops, hopefully I can figure out my favorites and re-pack when I am home.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Slippery Rock University
So, fun fact about Pittsburgh they like to put french fries on their salads!
I got to go to this great place in town, the Brewery. It had such character, it was very woodsy natural. The door had a carving of a face on it, on he ceiling were branches put together as if we were under a thatched roof. Very unique.
Slippery Rock does not even have an Applebees or corporate chain, so its been nice that when going to eat it is someplace with character every time.
Today on campus was "Common Hours", no classes are held during this time and it seems that it is a tradition at SRU for all of the Greek organizations to go downstairs in the Union and have lunch. It was cool and kind of overwhelming as well, but neat to see the way that everyone interacted. It made me miss being at the Student Center at MSU and seeing everyone wearing letters on Tuesday and just hanging out all day in the Cafe.
Another cool thing about Slippery Rock is their mascot, its just Slippery Rock Pride... how cool is that? The symbol is a lion. I remember when I was at the cheerleading competition in Florida in 05 Slippery Rock having an awesome co-ed team, I wonder if they still do!
I got to go to this great place in town, the Brewery. It had such character, it was very woodsy natural. The door had a carving of a face on it, on he ceiling were branches put together as if we were under a thatched roof. Very unique.
Slippery Rock does not even have an Applebees or corporate chain, so its been nice that when going to eat it is someplace with character every time.
Today on campus was "Common Hours", no classes are held during this time and it seems that it is a tradition at SRU for all of the Greek organizations to go downstairs in the Union and have lunch. It was cool and kind of overwhelming as well, but neat to see the way that everyone interacted. It made me miss being at the Student Center at MSU and seeing everyone wearing letters on Tuesday and just hanging out all day in the Cafe.
Another cool thing about Slippery Rock is their mascot, its just Slippery Rock Pride... how cool is that? The symbol is a lion. I remember when I was at the cheerleading competition in Florida in 05 Slippery Rock having an awesome co-ed team, I wonder if they still do!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Back in Eastern Time : )
Sunday's Travel:
Flights: 2 from Minneapolis, MN to Atlanta, GA to Pittsburgh, PA (yes, Atlanta again. Apparently all connecting flight go through Atlanta)
Baggage weight: 64 pounds! magically lost 5 pounds through re-distribution of suitcases, or I'm starting to think that everyone's scale is different and that they are all rigged... I mean I can still lift the suitcase, it cant really be that heavy!
Baggage Fee: $39, the lowest I have paid in all my travels
Baggage Fee to date: $229.... that just doesn't seem right, I feel wronged!! I know, I know, pack less clothing.
This week I am at Slippery Rock University in PA. Its so nice to be back on East Coast time! No more thinking about what time it is whenever I call people. It seems very much like a college town. I met with the Greek Advisor today, I felt bad that I bum rushed her Monday, we had it scheduled for 10am and apparently they came in to give her a new computer and moved all this stuff around on her desk, so she had just gotten to work and she had to meet with me! I felt so bad.
This seems like a great group of ladies, and they seem realistic about what things they need to work on, which I LOVE because then I feel that I can give them great ideas and suggestions and not feel like I am making them feel bad about the same things. Like, they definately said they need help with Recrutiment so I love to be able to just think of new and great ideas to tell them.
I love that this job is something different every week. Even if its a similar problem, like Recrutiment, its varies so different from campus to campus. It seems like not alot of students go to the programming thats offered at Slippery Rock, so going to those events doesnt seem to be a big draw to find new members. Its great that I have to constantly think of how we can tweak ideas to make it work for this group.
Flights: 2 from Minneapolis, MN to Atlanta, GA to Pittsburgh, PA (yes, Atlanta again. Apparently all connecting flight go through Atlanta)
Baggage weight: 64 pounds! magically lost 5 pounds through re-distribution of suitcases, or I'm starting to think that everyone's scale is different and that they are all rigged... I mean I can still lift the suitcase, it cant really be that heavy!
Baggage Fee: $39, the lowest I have paid in all my travels
Baggage Fee to date: $229.... that just doesn't seem right, I feel wronged!! I know, I know, pack less clothing.
This week I am at Slippery Rock University in PA. Its so nice to be back on East Coast time! No more thinking about what time it is whenever I call people. It seems very much like a college town. I met with the Greek Advisor today, I felt bad that I bum rushed her Monday, we had it scheduled for 10am and apparently they came in to give her a new computer and moved all this stuff around on her desk, so she had just gotten to work and she had to meet with me! I felt so bad.
This seems like a great group of ladies, and they seem realistic about what things they need to work on, which I LOVE because then I feel that I can give them great ideas and suggestions and not feel like I am making them feel bad about the same things. Like, they definately said they need help with Recrutiment so I love to be able to just think of new and great ideas to tell them.
I love that this job is something different every week. Even if its a similar problem, like Recrutiment, its varies so different from campus to campus. It seems like not alot of students go to the programming thats offered at Slippery Rock, so going to those events doesnt seem to be a big draw to find new members. Its great that I have to constantly think of how we can tweak ideas to make it work for this group.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
In Minnesota... doncha know
From Missouri to Minnesota
Travel: St. Louis, MO to Atlanta, GA to Minneapolis, MN
Baggage Weight: 69 pounds (up from 66 somehow) I just cant figure out how to get it to be lighter! I need all the stuff I have in there : (
Baggage Fee: $90!! Dang, Delta airlines
Baggage Fees to date: $190 (ouch)
Delayed Baggage: yes, I arrived at 6pm it arrived at my guest house at 1:30am, once again paying alot of money for people to not have my bags when I ask for them really nicely.
Broken Suitcase: 1
I am at Gustavus Adolphus college in MN. This is such a beautiful campus! I found out that it is ranked #6 for most fit colleges in the country and top 10 for best campus food. Athletic gear is definitely big. The food is totally amazing, so much variety, healthy choices, I've had something different every day!
The campus has a very American Eagle meets North Face meets J. Crew meets vintage style. Very outdoorsy, the accessory of choice is a Nalgine or Nalgine like water bottle that is clipped to your backpack for both men and women. The campus is so student friendly. They have these Adirondack Chairs with a fire pit and you can call and request fire wood (for free) and have a chill night with your friends. A volleyball court, great gym facility, lots of little chill/study/hang out spots.
Everyone here definitely recognizes the importance of taking time for yourself whether that is working out or making the decision to do your reading outside. Today I saw a Religion class being conducted outside. The landscaping is amazing too. There is this spot in the middle of campus called "the jungle" and its filled with really interesting tropical looking plants. There is also an arboretum on campus, I saw that there was going to be a wedding held there this upcoming weekend. It also seems like the community is totally latching on, for the past two days I have seen tons of senior citizens coming to programs in the Student Center.
The chapter has a whole lot going on this week! On Tuesday everyone, went to the New Member Kick Off, sponsored by the Inter-Greek Senate. There was a speaker who was an accomplished author speak about his Greek experience. It was the most frat-tastic speech I have ever heard. He never spoke about the benefits of membership in a brotherhood or sisterhood. It was basically him re-telling (for probably the millionth time) stories of how cool he was in college, and telling everyone its the time of your life, dont get a real job. He literally spoke about having mice in his fraternity house and how they argued over to kick the mice out because people stopped making social calls to the house.... yeah, totally motivational, and second was the even a question? Gross... He also noted that Greeks are natural born leaders and that we are "powerful" to make things happen on campus... how about just any motivated able bodied students are powerful to make things happen on campus, regardless of class rank or Greek affiliation or lack there of. UGH! Well, I was not the only one who caught feelings about the speech, the chapter is currently writing a letter expressing their concerns.
So after the speech was Big/Little revealing! And then some paperwork to be filled out with the New Members. After that I go back to the guest house where I am staying... guess who I there when I stroll in at 11pm.... yep, Frat-tastic Speaker... awkward turtle!
Yesterday the chapter performed our New Member ceremony, Arc Degree. It was nice to do it on a smaller scale of people and not the 85 that I performed at Mizzou! The chapter did a great job, and they totally stretched my singing capacity, they like to do he harmony that reaches a high D!!
I'm loving my time here, but I feel a little under the weather and I really hope that I am not getting sick. I havent been sleeping alot, my fault partially, but not totally by choice. Fingers crossed its just a little sore throat *fingers crossed*
Travel: St. Louis, MO to Atlanta, GA to Minneapolis, MN
Baggage Weight: 69 pounds (up from 66 somehow) I just cant figure out how to get it to be lighter! I need all the stuff I have in there : (
Baggage Fee: $90!! Dang, Delta airlines
Baggage Fees to date: $190 (ouch)
Delayed Baggage: yes, I arrived at 6pm it arrived at my guest house at 1:30am, once again paying alot of money for people to not have my bags when I ask for them really nicely.
Broken Suitcase: 1
I am at Gustavus Adolphus college in MN. This is such a beautiful campus! I found out that it is ranked #6 for most fit colleges in the country and top 10 for best campus food. Athletic gear is definitely big. The food is totally amazing, so much variety, healthy choices, I've had something different every day!
The campus has a very American Eagle meets North Face meets J. Crew meets vintage style. Very outdoorsy, the accessory of choice is a Nalgine or Nalgine like water bottle that is clipped to your backpack for both men and women. The campus is so student friendly. They have these Adirondack Chairs with a fire pit and you can call and request fire wood (for free) and have a chill night with your friends. A volleyball court, great gym facility, lots of little chill/study/hang out spots.
Everyone here definitely recognizes the importance of taking time for yourself whether that is working out or making the decision to do your reading outside. Today I saw a Religion class being conducted outside. The landscaping is amazing too. There is this spot in the middle of campus called "the jungle" and its filled with really interesting tropical looking plants. There is also an arboretum on campus, I saw that there was going to be a wedding held there this upcoming weekend. It also seems like the community is totally latching on, for the past two days I have seen tons of senior citizens coming to programs in the Student Center.
The chapter has a whole lot going on this week! On Tuesday everyone, went to the New Member Kick Off, sponsored by the Inter-Greek Senate. There was a speaker who was an accomplished author speak about his Greek experience. It was the most frat-tastic speech I have ever heard. He never spoke about the benefits of membership in a brotherhood or sisterhood. It was basically him re-telling (for probably the millionth time) stories of how cool he was in college, and telling everyone its the time of your life, dont get a real job. He literally spoke about having mice in his fraternity house and how they argued over to kick the mice out because people stopped making social calls to the house.... yeah, totally motivational, and second was the even a question? Gross... He also noted that Greeks are natural born leaders and that we are "powerful" to make things happen on campus... how about just any motivated able bodied students are powerful to make things happen on campus, regardless of class rank or Greek affiliation or lack there of. UGH! Well, I was not the only one who caught feelings about the speech, the chapter is currently writing a letter expressing their concerns.
So after the speech was Big/Little revealing! And then some paperwork to be filled out with the New Members. After that I go back to the guest house where I am staying... guess who I there when I stroll in at 11pm.... yep, Frat-tastic Speaker... awkward turtle!
Yesterday the chapter performed our New Member ceremony, Arc Degree. It was nice to do it on a smaller scale of people and not the 85 that I performed at Mizzou! The chapter did a great job, and they totally stretched my singing capacity, they like to do he harmony that reaches a high D!!
I'm loving my time here, but I feel a little under the weather and I really hope that I am not getting sick. I havent been sleeping alot, my fault partially, but not totally by choice. Fingers crossed its just a little sore throat *fingers crossed*
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Mizzou Colony
Its been so exciting being in Missouri and helping to set up the colony. This week has been really busy, conducting membership interviews, having formal recruitment parties. I saw the Mid-Missouri chapter get their charter presented by Laura Sweet. We also received about 225 applications and extending about 140 bids for membership, our biggest chapter of Sigma : )
Its been so great to see the women of the Mu Chapter, and Eta Alpha come to help out. To really see how exciting it is for everyone to have a new colony start up. Last night we had a Bid Day celebration. All of the new members went to the columns on Mizzou's campus and we took pictures, pumped some jams it was good times. There was a sea of neon green t-shirts, its seems that Sigma is very fond of neon green this year, not too great for my milky white skin-tone! Some of the men from the Interfraternity Council and women from Panhellenic came, along with Julie Mizzou's Greek Advisor. So much planning and preparation had gone into this night, we finally have a colony!!! It was great to see everything come together and to know how much hard work had been put into this colony. Tiffany is going to be great as the Residential Leadership Consultant
It was amazing to see everyone so excited to come and put on a t-shirt that has Sigma letters on it. We also went to Grocery Bag Bingo, which I never understood until last night. Everyone gets Bingo cards and they give away groceries as prizes! How cool is that when you are in college.
Missouri is fun. Things that are different: naming highways with letters like highway Z or highway AB? But all of the open space in Missouri from Columbia to Jefferson City, aka where I drove to pick the other LC's up from the train station, there were these really pretty yellow flowers, that look like a combination between a sunflower and a black eyed susan. I think they are wildflowers, they are everywhere along side the road.
Its been so great to see the women of the Mu Chapter, and Eta Alpha come to help out. To really see how exciting it is for everyone to have a new colony start up. Last night we had a Bid Day celebration. All of the new members went to the columns on Mizzou's campus and we took pictures, pumped some jams it was good times. There was a sea of neon green t-shirts, its seems that Sigma is very fond of neon green this year, not too great for my milky white skin-tone! Some of the men from the Interfraternity Council and women from Panhellenic came, along with Julie Mizzou's Greek Advisor. So much planning and preparation had gone into this night, we finally have a colony!!! It was great to see everything come together and to know how much hard work had been put into this colony. Tiffany is going to be great as the Residential Leadership Consultant
It was amazing to see everyone so excited to come and put on a t-shirt that has Sigma letters on it. We also went to Grocery Bag Bingo, which I never understood until last night. Everyone gets Bingo cards and they give away groceries as prizes! How cool is that when you are in college.
Missouri is fun. Things that are different: naming highways with letters like highway Z or highway AB? But all of the open space in Missouri from Columbia to Jefferson City, aka where I drove to pick the other LC's up from the train station, there were these really pretty yellow flowers, that look like a combination between a sunflower and a black eyed susan. I think they are wildflowers, they are everywhere along side the road.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Missouri is the SHOW ME state
So... I have been trying to keep track of State motto's as I am passing through, and Missouri is the Show Me state... what does that mean exactly?
Being at Mizzou has been great. I have been consumed with Recruiting. Information tables on campus in the student center, and then dinner speaks at fraternity and sorority houses, then information sessions on campus! Busy days filled with speaking to potential new members. Its great to see how excited people are getting. Panhellenic on campus has been so supportive, members who are already in a sorority have stopped by just to say Good Luck to us in recruitment or to say how happy they are to have another sorority on campus.
On Friday I went to Jefferson City to pick up Tiffany from the train station. I miss have skipped over Missouri in 4th grade geography and had no idea that I was in the capitol of the state...whoops. So it was a great surprise when I pulled up to the capital building : )
Its crazy for me to think that I am so far away from anything familiar, but everything is exciting. I feel like I am setting myself up to always need excitment and to try new things. Like on Friday, I just got directions from Columbia to Jefferson City to the train station and just went, in the car it hit me.. I have no point of reference.. at all if I get lost! Which, I did, I missed a turn, found an elementary school and thought "this is not right", but I got to the train station and picked up Tiffany successfully!
This upcoming week is our Formal Recruitment. Many national representatives will be coming in to Missouri to help out. Its so great that I get to interact with them, it makes me feel like I am doing something important, not just doing something.
Being at Mizzou has been great. I have been consumed with Recruiting. Information tables on campus in the student center, and then dinner speaks at fraternity and sorority houses, then information sessions on campus! Busy days filled with speaking to potential new members. Its great to see how excited people are getting. Panhellenic on campus has been so supportive, members who are already in a sorority have stopped by just to say Good Luck to us in recruitment or to say how happy they are to have another sorority on campus.
On Friday I went to Jefferson City to pick up Tiffany from the train station. I miss have skipped over Missouri in 4th grade geography and had no idea that I was in the capitol of the state...whoops. So it was a great surprise when I pulled up to the capital building : )
Its crazy for me to think that I am so far away from anything familiar, but everything is exciting. I feel like I am setting myself up to always need excitment and to try new things. Like on Friday, I just got directions from Columbia to Jefferson City to the train station and just went, in the car it hit me.. I have no point of reference.. at all if I get lost! Which, I did, I missed a turn, found an elementary school and thought "this is not right", but I got to the train station and picked up Tiffany successfully!
This upcoming week is our Formal Recruitment. Many national representatives will be coming in to Missouri to help out. Its so great that I get to interact with them, it makes me feel like I am doing something important, not just doing something.
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