KAPPA KAPPA GAMMA!

Blisters, sore throats, tears, curling iron burns. These are the battle scars that accompany the Rush process. But before you hang up your sorority ambitions, keep in mind that the outcomes are much better: laughter, new friends, a place to belong.

I am now a proud new member of Kappa Kappa Gamma!

Bid day was full of excitement as we all tore open our envelopes that held the cordial invitation to the chapter that we could finally be a part of. I ran over to join the Kappas along with the rest of my pledge class. We posed for some large group pictures and then were whisked away for a fun day full of fro yo, Build-a-Bear, an amazing dinner, and sisterhood bonding.

Sororities at USD are a little bit different than the stereotype. They are more involved in philanthropies, leadership positions, fun events, and friendship. Tonight, my new Kappa sister Maya and I are going to our first Greek Intervarsity meeting! It is the same concept of regular Intervarsity, which is a Christian fellowship, but composed of the men and women involved in sororities and fraternities here on campus. It will be a great way to meet people that share a lot of the same values that I do.

Right now I am sitting out on the balcony that my room opens onto, soaking up the sunshine and gazing at the beautiful blue skies. It is a glorious 65 degree day, with a light ocean-scented breeze. I'd have to say, I can sure get used to this! :)

Ready, Set, RUSH!

It's that time of year finally, RUSH time!!!

I came back a week early from winter break to join the other few hundred girls who all want to join sororities. USD's Greek system is different than what you may believe- since it is a lot smaller and there are now actual houses, the sororities are all friends with each other, not just like exclusive cliques. They seem to be more interested in their philanthropies, core values, and sisterhood rather than the stereotype. Today was DAY ONE! We went from chapter to chapter, meeting with a few of the girls and trying to get to know each other while trying to get the feeling of each chapter. It was EXHAUSTING. I was so happy that I wore flats, because I was up on my feet all day, talking my head off. I now have a sore throat & sore feet. Other than that, it has been so much fun to see the incredible things that each chapter is accomplishing while meeting truly incredible women here at USD. There are six sororities here at USD: Alpha Chi Omega, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, Alpha Phi, Alpha Delta Pi, and Kappa Alpha Theta. After going from meeting to meeting, I met with my Sigma Rho Chi leader, who is a woman that has disaffiliated from her sorority for Rush in order to assist all of us with our decisions. Tonight, she helped me talk through my day and decide which one sorority to cut from my list. It was tough! I had so much fun talking to all the girls.

For now, I will be resting my feet and listening to the rain that has been pelting down all night. It's like a hurricane out there! More updates soon!

Let it Snow!

Hello everyone! I am finally winding down after one of the craziest breaks of my life! Finals breezed by, and thanks to studying almost NON-STOP, I got some pretty decent grades I was very proud of. Sure shows that your hard work WILL pay off!

I have been back home in Colorado for the past few weeks. I took a trip to San Jose, California to visit my extended family there over Christmas, but other than that I have just been running between home near Denver and up to the mountains, where I have a cabin. My family and I enjoyed some skiing and snowboarding together over New Year's, and then some of my friends from back at USD flew out to see what all the hype was about with this Colorado snow! We spent a couple AMAZING days in the Vail powder, and some very sleepy nights back at my cabin, where we were usually exhausted and falling asleep around 9! It was very fun to have my friends come and see my home and where I play when I am not back in San Diego.

I'd have to say that it takes leaving and being away from home to really show you how blessed you are and how much you loooove home. If you are a senior, ready to graduate and get out there and enjoy some freedom, do NOT take for granted the time you have right now with your family! Really savor where you are in the moment- trust me, in a year, you WILL miss it! It took me 1000 miles and a couple months to realize that I absolutely LOVE Colorado, and that I wouldn't trade my childhood spent hiking, biking, and skiing for ANYTHING! I also realize just how great it is to come home to Mom's home cooking, Dad's love, and my sisters' crazy habits. Oh, and of course, my doggie's unconditional love!

The rest of my time at home will be spent with various lunch dates to catch up with friends, lots of sleeping in my own, big, cozy bed, cuddling up to the fire with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and some good ol family time.

Home, SWEEEEEET home. It sure is good to be back.