Greek Life - It's Not All That Bad

I typically don't openly admit to people that I was in a sorority. It's not that I'm ashamed of that fact, I just don't want the stereotypes that come with it. But after the recent (yes, I know I'm a little behind) incident regarding the UVA rape article published by the Rolling Stone, I feel obligated to defend Greek organizations. While the magazine retracted the article because the story was comprised of fallacies, the negative image associated with that fraternity, campus, and Greek organizations as a whole, is not so easily retractable.

I will never forget the look on friends and family members' faces when I told them I was pledging a sorority (Alpha Gamma Delta). It was kind of a surprised look like "Oh!? You don't seem the type." The type? What type?

For whatever reasons, Greeks get a bad rap. From what I've gathered, sorority stereotypes include but are not limited to party girls, sluts, drunks, ditsy, bitches, snotty rich girls, etc. I'm not saying I never met a sorority girl who didn't met one of these stereotypes,  but I don't think it's fair to classify ALL sorority girls as such. Aren't there people who fit those descriptions in any clique?

I can't grasp where these stereotypes originated, though. The only conclusion I can reach is that members of Greek organizations have been ruined by their reputation as portrayed in movies, television and the media. It's not just sororities, either. Fraternities probably have a worse rap, as displayed by the accusations against UVA's Phi Kappa Psi.

So why? Why these stereotypes? Anyone who's been involved in Greek life knows there's so much more to it than the petty misconceptions.

Academics

Have you ever noticed that movies about Greek life rarely, if ever show people studying? Believe it or not, each Greek member must maintain a certain grade point average. If they fail to meet the set standards, they cannot actively participate in the organization's functions until their grades improve. Study tables, they're not just for athletes, folks!

Leadership

Every Greek organization has leadership roles in which a member is voted into a position. President, Vice President, VP of Finance, etc. Each person nominated to a role is expected to meet the criteria set forth upon accepting their position. If they fail to perform their duties, they will have it stripped from them.

If you look at some of the leaders in different industries today, you'd probably be surprised to know that many of them were in a Greek organization. Stephen Spielberg, Michael Jordan, George W. Bush, and Tim McGraw are just a few.

Philanthropy

Every Greek organization affiliates themselves with some type of philanthropic organization. Currently, Alpha Gamma Delta works with the American Diabetes Association to expand diabetes awareness and education. Every year our sorority hosted events in which we would raise money to donate to the philanthropy we were supporting at the time. As college students we didn't always have the money, though, so we learned to share our talents with our spare time.

Through AGD, we were encouraged to participate in other forms of donation. Every fall girls from the chapter would volunteer to rake leaves for the elderly in the community through Rake-A-Difference, an event put on by Northwood University.  There was a Salvation Army Christmas party in which each organization welcomed grade school kids and participated in different activities like decorating cookies, coloring, etc. These are just two of the many events our chapter participated in.

Community

When you're in a Greek organization, you have an immediate sense of belonging. You have a group of peers with whom, to some degree, you share interests and beliefs. There is always a shoulder to cry on and someone to laugh with. But it also opens the doors to so much more.

There was also a sense of friendship between the other sororities and fraternities on campus. Yes, when it came to things like Greek week we were enemies, but we always supported one another. If the Chi's were sponsoring a volleyball tournament, you better believe the Gams and DZs, and every fraternity were there to participate. And the favor was returned.

Greek life got me involved both on campus and in the Midland community. It was through my sorority I was encouraged to get involved with Big Brother Big Sisters and also volunteered to participate in Christmas Caroling at the local botanical gardens. 

Networking

Through my sorority I was forced into situations in which I knew no one and came out with new friends. Every year, all the members of AGD chapters within the state of Michigan got together for a luncheon to recognize academic achievement and enjoy each other's company.

 During my time as president I was fortunate enough to attend convention in St. Louis, MO and meet Alpha Gam members both young and old and share stories and experiences. And finally, before graduating, I interviewed as a Leadership Consultant. I interviewed with about 20 other girls to compete for spots to work with AGD chapters across the country. And even though we were all fighting for the same spots, that did not stop us from building friendships.

Now I'm not going to pretend like some of the stereotypes aren't true. Yes, Greeks party. Yes, some chapters may haze. Yes, there is drama involved. But aren't those things true of any collegiate organization? If you went and surveyed a college football team, I would imagine they would tell you they experience the same. And if they said otherwise, I would be willing to put money down that they're lying. So why are the Greeks the only ones shamed for these behaviors?

Just as much good comes from Greek members as "bad". I wouldn't trade my time as an active member of AGD for anything. The life-long lessons, friendships, and memories, outweigh the stigmas, stereotypes, and misconceptions. 

How I lost Weight Without Trying

New Year’s resolutions are great, aren’t they?

For anyone who attends the gym on a regular basis, your answer is probably no. There is nothing more frustrating than attempting to go to Planet Fitness to find that every single treadmill is taken, most of them by temporary fitness enthusiasts whose excitement and drive will expire at the end of the month (please excuse my cynicism).

I myself used to be one of those flaky workout enthusiasts, especially in college. Whenever I felt guilty about what I’d eaten recently or how much I'd drank, I would go on a workout binge for about a month before it all fell apart again. Most of it stemmed from my fear of gaining the “Freshman 15.” Between my Freshman and Junior years of college I worked out just enough to make sure I didn’t gain any weight, weighing in anywhere between 130-135lbs.

The summer after my Junior year, I had an internship in GA where I also had a roommate I despised. Considering we lived together and worked together, I was willing to do whatever it took to get some time away from her. Commence post-work runs. That summer I worked out about 5 days a week for an hour each day, and ate healthier than I did at school. At the end of the two months in GA, I felt good.

I went back home and back to school and everyone kept commenting about how much weight I had lost. Considering I hadn’t stepped on the scale, I wasn’t sure, but I didn’t think I had lost that much. Low and behold, I weighed in at 128lbs. I was ecstatic that I had lost 7lbs. over 8 weeks without even trying.

Senior year I was more than just a flaky workout enthusiast. Running had become an addiction. If I didn’t work out every few days I was moody and anxious. I’m not saying I was a marathoner or anything, I just made sure to participate in some type of physical activity at least 3 times a week.  There were even a few mornings I woke up before 5am to make sure I got a run in.

Then post-graduation came. I got a job as a traveling consultant and was on the road 90% of the time. I got $15.00 a day for lunch and $23.00 every night for dinner while on the road. Sounds lethal, right? Well, last time I stepped on the scale at the doctors office I weighed in at 115 lbs. Not quite as celebratory about this because I was semi convinced the doctor was going to admit me to some type of clinic because she thought I was anorexic or something. I even had to ask myself how this happened...

Ditch the Drinks

One of the quickest ways to lose weight is to refuse the booze. While I didn't necessarily "refuse" it, I moved to a completely new city where I  knew no one and didn't feel comfortable enough in my surroundings to drink. Then I began traveling by myself to even more unfamiliar cities. I a) didn't want to be that girl at the bar who looked like an alcoholic and b) didn't want that to seem as though I was inviting creepy men to hit on me. So my alcohol tollerance (and desire) grew less and less. I'm actually semi repulsed by it and start gagging if I attempt to drink more than two. Fact: the less you eat/drink something, the less you crave it!

Would you Like Fries with That?

NO! Just say NO! That was the second thing to go when I started my new job. If I stood a chance of maintaining weight while eating out two times a day, I had to find a substitute for fries. I usually go with the seasonal veggies but might substitute soup or fruit instead. And just like the booze, fries honestly don't even sound good anymore. The only time I eat them is when I snag one or two off my boyfriend's plate.

H20

I carry a 20 oz. water bottle around and fill it at least 3 times a day. While drinking water is good for me, it also fills me up. That water takes up space that could otherwise be filled with food.

Meatless Monday

This is my latest and greatest attempt at eating healthy. I was recently looking at a cookbook my roommate left on the kitchen table and read the introduction. The book talked about how the average American ate twice as much meat as they should and gave some kind of mind-blowing statistic about the number of pounds of meat we eat. It was then and there that I decided to eat a vegetarian style diet three days a week. I've started eating fruits and veggies with every meal and usually snack on them as well instead of eating pretzels, chips, goldfish. It's been pretty amazing too; my boyfriend can vouche for me when I say I eat ALL day.

So, moral of the story? Setting goals to lose weight is great. I appreciate the effort to become healthier. BUT until you start making life changes instead of year-long resolutions, that desire and drive will eventually burn out. I'm not trying give a lecture and this story wasn't intended for me to brag, I just wanted to share my experience - a girl on the path to a healthier life, who also shed a few pounds a long the way!

 

 

 

Top 5 Cities My Job Took Me To

For those of you that don't know, I have spent the last year and a half of my life slaving away as a trainer for a software company. I was brought to headquarters for the first two months to receive the proper training and since then I have been shipped out nearly every week to some part of the country (primarily the midwest/northeast) to train. Sounds pretty cool, right? I thought so too as a fresh noob out of college.

I learned pretty quickly that the life of a road warrior is not all that it's cracked up to be. Yes, I have gotten to travel to some pretty awesome places, but it's difficult to go out and site see when you just got done working a 10+ hour day. I'm pretty much throwing my money away to a landlord of what I call the most expensive storage unit I've ever owened (AKA: my apartment). Oh, and how could I forget the all of the friends I've had to leave behind on a weekly basis (my roomate, boyfriend, and best friend from college count as a lot, right?)

All of the friends I have, or the lack there-of, is one of the reasons I had such strong feelings about transferring to a new position within my company. It's nearly impossible to maintain personal relationships with anyone when your life story is pack > travel > work > travel >laundry > repeat.  It's also impossible to maintain personal relationships when you have an unhappy work environment.

My jobs requires me to work in service and parts departments within car dealerships. For those of you that do not frequent those, the personell there are typically older and technologically illiterate. I go in to dealerships and change the processes of these old men and try to teach them how to use a computer system they truly could care less about. I cannot tell you the amount of times I've been yelled at,  cursed at, or completely blown off. Gets old after awhile. As a result, I was wasting all of my positive energy during the work day to keep a smile on my face so when  I got back to the hotel at night and tried to maintain what few personal relationships I did have, I wasn't always the nicest person. I was tired and exhausted and wanted nothing more than to go to bed. I had become a product of my environment and constantly complained, whined, and got snarky with people who didn't do anything to deserve it. Red light.

Fortunately I have come into a bit of luck and with the new year am starting my new position. As a tribute to the past year and a half, I would like to recount my favorite places that my job took me.

1. Suburbs of DC

 

I got to visit DC suburbs on multiple occasions, specifically Bethesda, MD, Silver Springs, MD, and Arlington, VA, all of which were awesome. While I only spent a little time in DC, I preferred it to New York City. It was busy without being too overwhelming. The suburbs were all very trendy areas in which fitness and nutrition seemed to be a big part of daily life. There is so much to do and see, I feel like it would be impossible to get bored. Not to mention I absolutely love their public transportation.

 

2. NYC

 

While I would never wish it upon anyone to be sent to NYC for work, I would love to go back and visit it on my own time. Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge at dusk was majestic and I wouldn't trade that experience for anything. And please, a round of applause I survived two weeks in the city with 0 car accidents. There's so much diversity and ethnicity, which is nice to be able to experience in the states, but as I mentioned earlier it's a bit overwhelming. I think culture shock more appropriately describes how I felt on my first day in the city. Crazy drivers, angry people, and a bunch of foreign foods. HELP ME!

 

3. Freeport, Maine

How could you not love a state in which the license plates read "Vacationland" and whose slogan is "The way life should be"? If you haven't been there, makes plans to go. Maine is GORGEOUS with all the foilage and obviously the beach. Don't forget to pick up a bag of Shaw's chocolate chip cookies! They're the BEST!

4. Sioux Falls, South Dakota

 

 

While I must admit that South Dakota was snowy and freezing cold (yes, as you can see I'm scraping ice off of the inside of my windshield) when I went, I'm not sure I'll ever make it back there, so I was fortunate for this opportunity. While I didn't get to see many sites, I really enjoyed the people and there was surprisingly a lot to keep one entertained as far as malls, theaters, restaurants.

5. Fort Wayne, IN

 

While all of these places I've mentioned thus far have had great cuisine (the true way to make my top 5 cities list) Fort Wayne, IN had the best food I've ever experienced, hands down (it helps when you ask someone who was a culinary student to make your food bucket list). From BBQ, to sushi, to Italian, and local diners, they were all AMAZING. My food bucket list definitely helped me survive my month-long trip in the freezing cold month of January.

5 Things that are more Important than your Education

I grew up in a household with two teachers for parents.  My education has always been extremely important to me.  Most people aren't necessarily concerned with their GPA, as long as their passing all of their classes.  I've always strived to maintain straight As.  Doing this throughout high school, wasn't extremely challenging for me, but I knew coming to college was going to be a different story.  In an attempt to maintain my straight A streak I read every chapter assigned, got tutoring when needed, and did every extra credit assignment available.

I can't describe the number of crazed, droopy-eyed students I see around the last few weeks of the semester.  Everyone's working on five final projects, one for each class.  People have gone days with too little sleep, too little food, and too much stress.

I don't know if it's senioritis that's kicking in, or if experience has just helped me realize, but enough is enough.  Professors claim they're helping us get "real world" experience and college is helping to prepare us for what's out there.  Welp, I'm calling your bluff.  I'm currently a full-time student taking five classes, working 40 hours a week, and involved in three different organizations on campus.  This all-together, including time spent doing homework, etc. adds up to approximately 70+ hours a week.  I don't need your petty assignments and busy work to help prepare me for the real world, I think I can manage, thanks.  Needless to say, I've come to learn that there are a few things that are more important than my education.  Underclassmen, take note:

1.  Sleep
I've always had difficulty understanding how some people can run on five or less hours of sleep.  I'm a zombie if I don't get at least seven.  And unfortunately I've had many experience in which I didn't get off work until 10:30 and was up until 1:00 doing homework then got to wake up at 7:00 for an 8:00am class.  It gets even worse when this happens two or three days in a row.  My friends make fun of me for taking so many naps, but seriously, how do you expect a girl to survive?  You can't function without sleep.  I've made myself sick from lack of sleep because of all the homework and extra-cirricular activities I've had to partake in.  And honestly, it's just not worth it.  So, if you're ever wondering if you should study or just go to bed... Go to bed.

2.  Physical Activity & Nutrition
This past summer I actually had a "real" job.  I got out of work at 5:15pm every day, went for a run, made a healthy dinner.  So please, professors, explain to me how your obscene amount of homework that barely gives me the time to stop at McDonald's down the street is helping to prepare me for my "real" job.  Nutrition, physical activity, and sleep all go hand in hand.  If you're not eating right and taking care of your body, once again, you're going to become sick.  So, feeling stressed about all your reading?  Run it off.  People can influence your mood and workload, but no one can take your run.

3.  Your Social Life
"Sorry guys, I can't come out this weekend, I have way too much homework." Been there, done that.  The fact that I can't go out and socialize with people and be around people isn't doing me any good.  I can't talk in class because I'm supposed to be listening, I can't talk after class because I'm doing the unGodly amount of homework you gave me, soooo, what am I supposed to do, talk to myself in my sleep? Cool.  Just so you know, this "real world" you're preparing me for, it's going to involve me having some interaction with human beings.  Forget the reading and go forget your problems with a drink in your hand.

4.  Your Sanity
Sophomore year I was taking six classes and doing an internship at the same time.  Talk about no life.  If I wasn't at the station I was sitting at my kitchen table doing homework.  Literally.  I was miserable, irritable, and constantly cranky.  I didn't even want to be around myself, so I couldn't imagine who in their right mind would?  When you're constantly stressed and lacking sleep, you become a huge bitch.  And I mean, it's truly not directly your fault.  Because your body is lacking the care and energy it needs, you can't function like normal.  I can recall on numerous occasions throwing books, yelling at my cat, and just ignoring people because I "wasn't in the mood."  If that's what your life is coming to, put the books away and take a break.

5.  Your Friends
If you're cranky and moody you may not treat your friends as well as you should.   But last time I checked Aristotle and his book of ethics aren't gonna be able to console you when the guy you've been dating for the past year breaks your heart into pieces and stomps them into the ground.  Your friends will understand that you have homework to do, but every now and then it'd be nice if you chose them too.

Life is a beautiful thing and we only get one chance to make it spectacular. Don't let it pass you by because all you did was homework. Cause let me tell you-  AIN'T NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT!

A Senior's Survival Guide to Graduation

And the realization of graduation hit me like a brick.  Don't get me wrong, like, I knew it was coming.  But seriously, where has the time gone? It seems like just yesterday I was moving my life into M-53 (RED HALL, WHOOP!) and dreading the year ahead of me after seeing I had to live with some girl named Kate Baker who couldn't even climb to the top bunk (no joke).  Don't worry, she later took care of the issue by having the beds debunked, completely changing the feng shui of the entire room.  Talk about a rough start.

But that rough start has turned into a beautiful journey, one in which I never could have predicted.  I have met and befriended some amazing people, held some fun and interesting jobs and internships, traveled the world, and learned so much academically and about myself as a person. Sounds great, right? Which is why I think I freaked. Well that, and this whole "real world" "job" ordeal.  A big thank you to those seniors who already have their post-graduation jobs set in stone. You truly made it easy for me to rationalize the extent of my panic.  

But after my freak-out and a viewing of "Tangled" to calm me down, I was able to rationally come up with a few guidelines to help me remain calm and survive the rest of my semester with minimal worry (hopefully).

1. Apply EVERYWHERE
I've set a rule for myself that I will apply for at least 5 jobs at week.  If I do 5 at minimum per week, that ends up being 80 jobs over the course of the semester.  And out of 80 jobs, I HAVE to be hired for one of them, right? Well, I hope so.  If not, I might go into an extreme depression which will lead to my admittance into a mental ward. Maybe this rule isn't as great as I originally thought?

2. Network, Network, Network
I go to a school where they teach "it's not what you know, it's who you know," for crying out loud.  I've had so many internship opportunities over the past few years and I've formed some amazing relationships.  This is where the phrase "never burn your bridges" comes back to haunt you (if you have).  Time to start sending out those e-mails and, well, quite frankly, sucking up.  By the time I've reconnected with everyone I'm going to be so high-wired after all the cups of coffee I've drank.  

3. Don't Settle
I'm pretty much applying for any job I THINK I'd be interested.  So as many jobs as I'll be applying for, I guarantee I'll walk into some interviews and be like "you want...what?"  I'm an advocate of doing what makes you happy.  I don't want to wake up every morning thinking "ugh, time to go to work."  I want to be excited.  Who cares if you turn down the offer? If it's not right, it's not right.  And hey, if nothing else, it serves as a confidence booster that you are desirable for other employers!  How does the saying go? "If you find a job you love, you'll never have to work a day in your life."

4. Consider Grad School
Ha. Yea, right.

5. Don't Stress
My one day of freak-out was more than enough.  One of my biggest fears with this semester ending is moving away from the people I've met here.  I have connected with them in a way a never connected with the majority of my high school peers.  They are genuine, fun-loving, down-to-earth, whole-hearted people.  And I worry I won't be able to find that wherever I go.  By stressing out and over-analyzing everything I'm going to miss out on spending some of my last days with such a great bunch that when I look back on my last semester I'm going to realize how big of a fool I've been.  So far everything has worked out for me so I can only assume things will continue to play out the way they are meant to be!

A Northerner's Guide to Southern Lingo

It seems as Americans we're always enamored by the exotic characteristics of foreigners, especially Europeans. The thing that gets us most? Their accent. Don't even pretend like you haven't met a Brit and fallen in love with their accent. The way they say "the lou" and the various terms they have for our everyday words always gives us great delight. We're amused so easily by the lingual differences.

Well boy, do I have great news for you. No longer do you have to wait for someone to travel over from Europe to bask and enjoy in the differences of speech.  Oh, no!  While they may not be quite as "exotic," our southern counterparts sure do have a language of their own. I have spent a lot of time in the south over the past few months and always joked with my friends that I was going to have to start a dictionary of southern terms and phrases. Below you will find a few phrases that may bring extreme confusion when heard for the first time.

1. Britches: An informal type of trouser
   Example: "Claytus, pull up those damn britches of yours."
   Northern Synonym: Pants, jeans

2. Whale: In a good or satisfactory way; in good health
   Example: " Whale, butter my butt and call me a biscuit."
   Northern Synonym: Well

3. Tin: The number that comes after nine
   Example: "Eight, Nine, Tin. Ready or not here I come!"
   Northern Synonym: Ten

4. Buggy: A vehicle with four wheels, typically used to carry your groceries around the store
   Example: "Gary Lee, when we get to Walmart, grab us a buggy!"
   Northern Synonym: Shopping cart, cart

5. Lawd: The big man up in Heaven
   Example: "Oh my lawwwwwd."
   Northern Synonym: Lord

6. Tater: The part of your body that rests atop your neck
   Example:  "This hat won't fit on top my tater!"

The hat on Gary's head would be
considered a "toboggan".

   Northern Synonym: Head

7. Toboggan:  A winter hat, especially one that resembles a Russian winter hat
   Example: "I found the warmest toboggan today at Walmart!"
   Northern Synonym: Winter hat


8. Fixin': To direct one's efforts; concentrate; to prepare
   Example: "I'm fixin' to bushhawg the field."
   Northern Synonym: "Getting ready to"

9. Jaeatyet: A phrase questioning whether one has eaten a meal
   Example: "Jaeatyet?"
   Northern Synonym: "Did you eat yet?"

10. "Bless his heart": A phrase that cancels out anything negative you say about someone
   Example: "Bless her heart, but she the ugliest broad I ever saw."
   Northern Synonym: None

11. "Whale ain't that nice": A sarcastic phrase essentially meaning "Who gives a shit?"
   Northern Synonym: Cool story, bro

**Special thanks to all my friends from the south who made me feel at home this past summer and made me want to keep coming back! I have learned so much from you (more than just linguistically) and look forward to continuous visits.**

My Top 11 Moments of 2012

Another year has come and gone.  And just like every year, I'm thankful for the opportunities I've had.  New experiences, new friends, old friends, and so many good times.  I saw that Facebook had created a list of the top 20 events from 2012 for each user.  Feeling inspired, I decided to create my own list of my top moments for the year 2012 (in chronological order).

The Colosseum

Park in Zurich, Switzerland

1.  My study abroad trip to Rome, Italy & Zurich Switzerland

I have been so blessed with my many opportunities to travel the world.  My spring break consisted of a 10-day European excursion to Rome & Florence, Italy and Zurich, Switzerland where we learned about the Renaissance and architecture.  I had the opportunity to make new friends, see new sites, and load up on carbs and chocolate.  My trip was made complete when myself and a couple of other students were almost left at the Heathrow airport by our professor.  As mad as I was, not gonna lie, I wouldn't have minded a couple of extra years in London!

Honorable Mention

Our last day in Zurich was a free day in which we got to explore the city.  I decided to take an hour-long train ride into Germany to spend the day with my favorite German friend, Lukas.  The day started rough though, as I got off a stop too early.  Being lost in a foreign country, alone, without the ability to speak their language.  Nothing will ever trump the trauma of that experience.  Fortunately a train on the next track over was going to the same stop.  I don't think I've ever been happier to see Lukas in my life.

2.  Learning that my brother was a theatrical god

I will never forget the text message I received from my dad in the spring.  "Your brother auditioned for the musical."...Whaaaat??? My brother, 18 years-old, never sang a day in his life, auditioned for Whitmer High School's production of Oliver? Alrighty then.  Much to our surprise he was awarded the role of Bill Sykes.  I was so excited the night I got to see him perform and when that boy started singing my eyes filled with tears.  That was my little brother, on stage, absolutely killing it (in the good way)!  Can't lie, the first show I had trouble paying attention because I couldn't wrap my head around the fact that that was Nolan on stage.  But every performance I have seen since then, I have been nothing but proud of my little brother.

3.  Adopting my first kitten

This is one of those time where she drives me absolutely crazy.

Everyone knows I've been the crazy cat lady since I was born.  I've always grown up with at least 2 cats at a time, occasionally 3 or 4.  This spring though, I finally got my very own kitten!  And although she drives me absolutely nuts sometimes and has completely destroyed my Christmas tree, I can honestly say it was one of the best decisions I've ever made.  

4.  Getting an internship at OmegaFi

Seriously, one of the best experiences of my life.  Not only did I get professional experience under my belt working at a financial company, but I learned so much more about myself than I ever thought imaginable.  Moving three states away and living in a new city in which I didn't know anyone was the hardest thing I've ever done.  Not to mention the skeezy military man that lived next door to me and tried to get in my pants on many occasion.  Sorry, bro. After a month though, I made friends with many of the girls in the office and before I knew it, I didn't want to come back.  It amazes me how different life in the south is from the north.  Much more slow paced, family oriented, and everyone is so so SO nice.  Southern hospitality folks, it's a real thing.  Thank you so much to everyone at OmegaFi who reached out to me to make my experience one that I will never forget.

Honorable Mention

One thing I do not miss about the south is the crazy, HUGE insects.  I will never forget the day that I stood up after using the bathroom and saw a huge cockroach in the corner of the ceiling.  I demanded that my roommate kill it but we quickly learned the bug flew, making it near impossible to kill.  It was then that I politely asked the skeezy military man next door if he would be ever so kind as to kill the nasty bug.  In a matter of 15 seconds, he walked up our stairs into the bathroom, smashed the bug (essentially with his bare hand), and left, cockroach in hand.  Hey, thanks!

5.  The Alpha Gamma Delta convention in St. Louis, Missouri

Perks of being president of an organization?  Free travel.  But seriously, convention was so much more than that.  Seeing hundreds of women come together for a purpose: to teach, to learn, to share in sisterhood, was seriously one of the most powerful things I've ever experienced.  I wish all Gams had the chance to go and highly encourage anyone to go, even if you have to pay your own way.  The experience cannot be compared to a dollar amount but can only be explained as priceless.

Honorable Mention

Ever since seeing Wedding Crashers, crashing a wedding has been on my bucket list.  Conveniently enough, on the night of our very formal banquet, there just so happened to be a wedding on the outdoor terrace of our hotel.  Scenario:  Meet Jan.  Jan is my mother.  I recently was engaged to be married to Ryan, my fiance whom I met in college.  Ryan and I are graduating in the Spring of 2013.  We were staying at the hotel for a few days for a convention and heard about the wedding.  We were interested in using the venue and figured what better way to decide whether or not it would work than by attending their reception.  Pretty solid, right?  Well, it was all going so well until Jan marched up to a guest and asked to speak with the father of the bride or groom.  ABORT ABORT!

6.  Having a successful recruitment

Convention isn't all fun and games.  There are workshops and guest speakers we are required to attend. But all the hard work (courtesy of Tori Bos) paid off and we increased our chapter size by nearly 50%. I have never been more proud of my girls than recruitment weekend when they all came together.  Everyone did such a fantastic job and kept the complaining to a minimum.  Couldn't have done it without the cooperation of you all!

7.  Northwood's home-opener football game

I absolutely love my job as assistant to the president.  I work in a cushy office area in which I make my own hours, do a few hours of work, and then do my homework for the rest of the day.  Convenient, right?  That doesn't even begin to include the fact that at home football games I get the pleasure of working in the president's box where I essentially stand around, talking to people, and stuffing my face with an assortment of delicious foods.  While that's all fine and dandy, I never have the opportunity to attend tailgates, which should be a big part of anyone's college career (even if this is just rinky dink Northwood).  Fortunately this year's first home game was held on a Friday night at Midland High Stadium, meaning no President's Box, meaning NORTHWOOD TAILGATE!  If I remember correctly, the tailgate was more fun than the game and we left at halftime.  But the party continued!  This was the night in which I found myself at a table of friends, crying tears of joy because I was SOOOO HAPPYYYY to be with all the people I loved.  Excellent.  And to top it all off I woke up the next morning to an empty apartment and had been notified that my roommate spent the night in the ER with her parents because she had tonsillitis.  Well, I won't be winning the roommate of the year award.

8.  Riding a mechanical bull

You don't road trip to Kansas with two of your best friends for a weekend?  What boring lives you all live!  When Dusty & Sam asked me to go with them, I knew I couldn't say no.  I have this goal that I want to make it to all 50 states before I die, and honestly, I didn't see much reason for ever having to go to Kansas.  It was now or never.  I want to apologize to the two for being a useless companion in the truck, I have a terrible fear of driving large vehicles.  Have you seen my pt cruiser?  But I think for the duration of our time in Kansas, I provided some comedic relief.  It was crucial though, that we experience the night life of the Kansas people.  Can you say obsessed?  Lets start with the HUGE dance floor in which people line dance, two-step, and participate in all other crazy sorts of country fun. BUT! Let's not forget about the 15 minute hip-hop breaks in which you get the opportunity to see a bunch of red necks get freakkyyyyy.  Oh, and obviously, the highlight of the night was the mechanical bull ride.

9.  Karaoke nights

Honestly, any night that involves karaoke at Decker's is a good night.  I feel as though I can't explain the awesomeness of such nights.  Videos of the two nights that trump my year will have to sum it up for you.  

1st Place

The winning karaoke event goes to Mitch Waite with his rendition of Vanilla Ice, Ice Baby.  Have you ever seen a redneck carry a hand-held mic around the bar and get jiggy with it?  I have.  And props to Nick Haddad on his back-up singing. "Vanilla Mitch, Mitch baby."

2nd Place

I always love getting people to sing who normally refuse.  This little diddy wasn't even my idea.  Thank you Mel, for submitting mine and Wes' names to sing Summer Lovin'.  I had me a blast.
Watch it here!

Honorable Mention

Honorable mention goes to Kevin Nass with his rendition of GLAMOROUS.

10.  White trash bash 

To be honest, working 40 hours and going to school full-time is a little tolling.  So nothing feels better than to have a little get together in which you can let loose.  And lets be honest, any time there's an opportunity to dress up, you bet your bottom dollar I'll be there.   And if you're going to dress up, you might as well do it right.  Go big or go home I always say.  I must say everyone, bravo on your outfits.  Stay trashy Northwood! 

11.  Watching my dad get inducted in to the Whitmer High School Hall of Fame

My dad is the greatest man I know.  He has taken care of me from day one.  He has always been my rock.  From him I have learned how to possess two of what I believe, are the greatest characteristics, loyalty and love.  From the time I was three years old I have been riding school busses with my dad to different sporting events, basketball, volleyball, and softball games.  He worked at Whitmer for over 35 years and has been involved with the athletic department for the same amount of time.  If that's not loyalty and love than I don't know what is.  Seeing my dad recognized for possessing these two characteristics was such a heart-warming experience and brought tears to my eyes.  I am so proud to say I am his daughter.  Congratulations, Dad! 

And there you have it folks, my top 11 moments of 2012.  While I've had a lot of great experiences, the people I've been able to share these experiences with are what truly make my life so wonderful.  So thank you all, for making 2012 so awesome.  Now let's bring in the new year!