Catching up on the last month...

So it has been quite some time since I last blogged. Since my last blog I have been at Florida Gulf Coast for a large majority of the time.

This past weekend I was able to come home. On my flight home, I met some of the cast of Duck Dynasty!! I got my picture too! While I was home, Cody and I went to see the King himself live in concert, George Strait. Let me tell you, that was the most fun I have ever had at a concert. There is a reason they call him the King.

I left out again Monday to travel to Southeastern Louisiana University! I was there until today, and I absolutely loved it. The chapter was such great hosts, and they took extra good care of me. I was able to visit New Orleans one day too and see Cafe Du Monde and St. Charles Cathedral. I also ate authentic Cajun food!

While at SELU, I was also introduced to beignets, and boy are they YUMMY!! I also tried crawfish with the lovely advisers at this chapter. They took me out to a nice dinner and taught me how to peel crawfish and eat them, and also had me try my first oysters. Their current chapter adviser, April, was a past chapter consultant, so it was nice to meet someone who understands my job and relates to me. She is so great for their chapter, and I loved going to dinner with her and Lorraine!

Today I headed out for McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA. Not before SELU supplied me with two more t-shirts to add to my collection! :) We drove here, and I am just getting settled in. I have a busy weekend of meetings ahead, and then on Sunday I head back to Florida Gulf Coast for the rest of the semester!

I only have a little over 6 more weeks as a consultant. WOW!! Time has flown. Not to mention I recently found out I have a grad school interview with Belmont Occupational Therapy on March 15th! Please pray for me and wish me luck! And I have to give a big shout out to my amazing boyfriend on getting a job this week. Life is good, y'all!

That's all for now. Here are a few pictures I took while at SELU!

Formal Pledging at Alpha Psi

St. Charles Cathedral in New Orleans

Alpha Psi Chapter

Campus Sign

Up here in Raven Country!

Hi everyone! So since my last post, I have been up at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County. I took off on my flight from South Florida in 83 degree weather and landed in 30 degree weather here! BURR! What better time to come though, than right after the Ravens won the Superbowl? I must admit I am not a huge Ravens fan, but since they are AFC I was rooting for them! I have seen more purple in the past few days than I ever did at TTU! HA!

I have been here visiting during our Phi Gamma Chapter of Phi Mu's spring recruitment. I was so excited I was able to be here for all four rounds of recruitment, and tonight is the final night, preference. The girls have been so enthusiastic, and I absolutely loved getting to know them.

I tell you though, everywhere I go here... as soon as I speak, the first thing people say is "You're not from around here are you? You're from the South." Happened to me today, and all I did was ask for my wheat bread toasted! I must have one strong accent! :)

I am so sad that I will not get to stay here for Bid Day tomorrow night, but I am excited to head home tomorrow for a few days with the friends and family! The only downfall is that I have a ton of things to do while I am home, one of them being the GRE! UGH! Hopefully this will be my last time taking it though. I am just thankful that I get to be home with my honey on Valentine's Day, and I also get to be home for my momma's birthday! Being away from home makes you appreciate the little things thats for sure.

That's all for now y'all! I am not sure where I am heading out to when I leave home Monday! So my next blog will be a surprise!

Here is my campus pic with the retriever mascot! :) Be looking for pics from preference tonight too coming later of my lovely Phi Gamma's all dressed up in their black dresses!

Florida Gulf Coast University

So it's been quite a while since my last post, considering I have been at Florida Gulf Coast University for the past three or so weeks. I am in southern Florida, in Ft. Myers. For all my Tennessee friends up there in the cold, I am enjoying the 80 degree weather, and actually am a little sunburnt today! ;)

I have had such a great time getting to know these ladies in our Theta Nu chapter. I also LOVED getting to work with my consultant friend, Lindsey Wall! I hadn't seen her since training in July! So it was long overdue to catch up! Our chapter is doing so great here, and I hate to leave them tomorrow!

While I was here, I stayed with Lindsey at her apartment! It is a nice gated community, with a gym and a pool! It was so nice to be able to go to the gym every day, and also not to mention, I was like the only one in the gym too. It was like my own personal gym! The pool is so beautiful too, and it is in the shape of a quatrefoil. I only got to go there twice, but boy was it nice! Lindsey and I even got to squeeze in a beach day while I was here too. I feel like I'm in heaven!!

During my time here, our chapter had so many great things going on. We had a very fun Duck Calls and Overalls themed mixer with Sigma Chi, just in my element, right? Too bad I wasn't home to bring out my overalls for the event. We had a lot of fun events too such as bows and bracelets making, cupcake creation, and a Valentine's Day themed event.

I loved getting to know not only our women on campus, but also working with Greek Life. It was so great to be here for an extended time, and also to know when I tell these ladies bye that I will see them again later this semester. I will be traveling in and out a lot this semester, and I miss everyone here already! I'm off to Baltimore tomorrow morning to visit the University of Maryland-Baltimore County for recruitment. Can't wait, but I am a little nervous about how my body is going to handle the transition from 83 degrees to 33 degrees tomorrow! That's all for now y'all!

Lindsey and I at the campus sign! Had to get my campus picture! Aren't the palm trees breathtaking? Betcha didn't know there are hundreds of different types of palm trees. Learned that during my stay! Love Florida!!

Everything's Bigger in Texas at Houston Baptist University

So since my last blog I have been at Houston Baptist University in Houston, Texas helping our Epsilon Mu chapter of Phi Mu with recruitment.

I am so proud of the ladies in this chapter, and I cannot wait for Bid Night tonight!! I got here on Thursday for Skit Round, and our theme was Phi Mu Road Trip. It was such a funny skit, and I think I had as much fun as the girls in the skit did. Friday was Philanthropy Round, and everyone knows how much I love CMNH! Today was Preference, and tonight is Bid Night. Our theme is "It's hard to be humble when you are queen of the jungle!" We are taking our new members out to the Rain Forest Cafe for dinner tonight, and I am so excited to see them all come running out to us!

The highlight of my trip though I must say was today on the way back from lunch being told that I was the most influential consultant my chapter has ever had. As consultants we work long hours (especially during recruitment), and the job is not always easy. However, knowing that I made a difference in the lives of the girls I meet is the reason I took this job, and today I felt like I accomplished that! I seriously wanted to tear up with joy! :) I am so glad that God placed this job in my life path, and I cannot wait to see what the rest of the semester has in store for me!!

Preference Day

Phi Mu Road Trip

Philanthropy- I'm a bit of an odd ball! :)

Case Western: Take Two!

So when I found out that I got to visit out Delta Omega chapter for a second time at Case Western Reserve University, I was so excited. I arrived here on Friday and leave out tomorrow morning. This weekend was recruitment workshops!

I was so excited to get to see the women I met during my list visit, and also to get to know the next executive committee. Recruitment workshops went SO well, and I cannot wait to hear how great these women do in recruitment over the next few weekends.

The only damper to my stay was that I got sick on Friday night. I am convinced that it is a bad sinus infection, but no matter what it is it stinks being sick away from home... However, these girls were so sweet and took me to the pharmacy, checked in on me, and made me feel like I was at home! Sisters helping sisters! :)

Last night the girls took me out to dinner to a fancy italian restaurant in Little Italy, and boy was it delicious. Today, I got the pleasant surprise of getting to see Beth Monnin! I met her several times during extension last semester traveling, and it was so good to see her again. Her daughter is a member here at Delta Omega! Beth used to be a consultant, and she has served our Fraternity for years by being an adviser, serving as an area officer, and even being on our National Executive Committee. She is such an inspiration to me! :)

Tomorrow I leave out to head to Florida Gulf Coast University. This is our only extension from the fall that I haven't visited yet. I am so excited to be a frequent visitor there this spring, and I am SO excited about getting to see Lindsey Wall. She is the resident consultant there, and we are great friends. I haven't seen her since training last July! It's been toooooo long, and I can't wait to catch up!

That's all for now y'all! I'm hoping the warm Florida weather will clear up my sickness! Prayers would be greatly appreciated! Love y'all!

Indiana University!

SOOOO I had to write a blog about my latest visit, since it's been before Christmas since my last one. I am back on the road for spring semester, and I absolutely loved my first visit at Indiana University.

I arrived here on Friday, and when I landed my body automatically went in to freeze mode! I am not used to weather even near this cold, and there is nearly a foot of snow on the ground! WOW!

I was here for round three of recruitment and also for preference. I got to help out a lot with the behind the scenes of recruitment and I absolutely loved it. The girls at Delta Alpha got a GREAT pledge class, and I am so proud of them.

Today was Bid Day, and the theme was Red, White, and Mu! The sweatshirts they got were so cute! Here to welcome phis, the girls storm buses that drop them off at houses, and boy oh boy was it cold. I had on my gloves, scarf, ear muffs, pea coat, and about four pairs of socks and still froze! It was so worth it though to see new members tearing up from excitement getting off the buses. GIVES ME CHILLS! I did have to miss The Bachelor and the championship game tonight though, but it was so worth it! No worries though, I have The Bachelor recorded and got updates on my ESPN app for the game! HA! Here are a few pics from tonight:

Membership Directors

NEW PHIS!

Bid Day!

My reference girls!

I am so sad I am already leaving tomorrow, but I am so glad I got to visit this campus. I was supposed to come here for leadership training known as UIFI the summer of my presidency and I didn't get to, due to summer class. So it was a treat to get to come. The house is so beautiful, and listen to this.... they have chocolate milk on tap!!!!!! :) I'm in heaven. They also have a gym in their house, which makes me so jealous. It's very nice. I love everything about UI! The president is going to give me a campus tour tomorrow before I get dropped off at my shuttle, so my usual campus pic will not be in this blog, I still got one... no worries!

So glad to be back on the road!

Mu Love,
Brittany

App State!

It's been a while since my last blog! I got to be home for Thanksgiving for a good while, and I left out Friday to visit my 20th campus! I have been at Appalachian State working with out Lambda Beta Chapter the past few days, and I have absolutely loved it.

One of my good friends that works at Headquarters, Kaitlyn Kilby, went to school here, and her family is close by! She got to visit at the same time I did, and I was so excited to get to see her. I flew into the Charlotte Airport on Friday, and she picked me up! We got to go visit her family, and I absolutely loved her two puppies! :) After that, we piled back into the car with a couple of her friends from back home and headed to her families Mtn. House.

We got to stay at her families mtn. house for three nights, and it was absolutely gorgeous. You could look out the backdoor and see the beautiful Appalachian Mountains, and there were always deer in the backyard. One night we saw 7 at one time!

Saturday morning we worked with the old and new executive councils on transitioning. We concluded around noon so that the girls could go to the App State playoff game! We went around campus and saw a lot of old friends of Kaitlyn's tailgating, and then went to lunch at a local restaurant called Macado's! After that we headed up to this little place called Blowing Rock! We got THE best homemade ice cream I have ever had!

Sunday we had training all day again, and it was a great time working with the new executive committee and advisers! Sunday night we went back to the mountain house and worked on some calendar planning and had some girl time!

The past two days I have been meeting with the leaders of the chapter and giving them suggestions and ideas on how to make this next year successful! I feel like I have really made a difference in this chapter, and that is the most rewarding feeling you can ever have as a consultant. I leave out bright and early tomorrow morning to head back to good ole Rocky Top for Christmas break! I get to be home for quite a few weeks, and I am so excited to spend some time with my family and friends!

That's all for now y'all! I can't believe my first semester as a consultant is over already! Time flies!

Louisiana Travels

Hey y'all! Since my last blog I have been in the state of Louisiana. First, I visited Louisiana Tech and then University of Louisiana Monroe!

Louisiana Tech is in a small town known as Ruston! I was very excited about visiting this chapter because it was the first time I had ever been in the state of Louisiana! The girls were super sweet, and they took great care of me! I was able to stay in one of their houses, and when I arrived they had me a goodie bag of snacks and things that I had said I liked. They also had a specific chair in their chapter known as the concierge chair that made sure my stay was enjoyable!

The highlight of my trip was probably getting to use the super nice fitness center they have. It is BRAND new. There are brand new machines, and the cardio room has glad walls, and it overlooks the beautiful campus! I really enjoyed visiting this campus because it is so similar in size to TTU that I felt like I could really relate to the girls.

Oh, and I can't forget to mention that I had my first Cane's experience. It is very similar to Zaxby's, but huge in Louisiana, and boy oh boy was it good! The girls also introduced me to Tony's seasoning, and bought me a can to take back home with me. Apparently it goes on basically everything down here and is very spicy! It sits at restaurants just like the salt and pepper does on the table! I'm taking some back to good ole TN with me!

The girls from Louisiana Tech were able to drive me over to ULM on Wednesday! I am staying in a very nice Marriott here, and the hotel is absolutely beautiful! I have been able to have most of my meetings here, and they took me on a campus tour during my stay as well.

Today I wrapped up the last of my meetings, and I found out that I will be traveling again next semester. I am SOOOOOOO excited to travel in the spring as well, especially after what a great experience this has been. Tomorrow I head home for ten days for Thanksgiving break, and I am very excited to have some r&r time with the family. We are even traveling down to Alabama to see my sister Deanna and her family the day before Thanksgiving. I have so many things in my life to be thankful for, and my family is definitely number one on that list!

That's all for now y'all! I better get off here and get to packin'! Can't wait to be back in God's country tomorrow (aka TN)!!

Of course I have to include the campus pics I took at these two schools... ULM's is kinda goofy considering I had to hold the flag out or it looked like I was just visiting the University of Louisiana! HA!

Life is better in Arkansas!! Peace y'all!

Hey y'all! So since the last time I posted, I was able to travel all around the state of Arkansas. Before I got the opportunity to travel as a chapter consultant, I had only been through Arkansas traveling. It was along the way to Dallas/Fort Worth where my sister used to live. The area we drove through looked fairly flat and honestly, it did not look very spectacular. However, after getting to travel to our chapters in Arkansas, I have a COMPLETELY different outlook. I would have to say it is now my favorite state, besides Tennessee! ;)

First, I traveled to our Epsilon Lambda Chapter at Arkansas Tech. I was able to stay in the sorority house on campus, and I had a great visit. Arkansas Tech reminds me a lot of Tennessee Tech, where I attended my undergraduate. It is similar in size, and the campus is also very similar. My sisters at Arkansas Tech were so kind to me, and they even cooked me a home cooked dinner one night while I was there. They made me Mexican, and boy was it yummy! I stayed at Tech from November 5th through November 8th!

On November 8th, I traveled from Arkansas Tech to the University of Arkansas. I was SO excited to go back and see all the women I had helped recruit during extension earlier this semester. Not to mention I was also VERY excited to see some of my very best friends, April, Shelby, and Hanna, who are resident consultants in Arkansas. I arrived on Thursday, and we went to a nice dinner at Olive Garden, and then we got all ready for the "Don't Worry, Be Hippie" mixer! We all dressed up as hippies, and it was a great time, not to mention Hanna got me a t-shirt from the event that I am obsessed with!

After the mixer, we went back home for a good night's rest, or so I thought. However, the box spring to the guest bed was broken, and I woke up at 4 am sitting straight up! For those of you who know how I sleep though, you wouldn't be surprised when I tell you I was able to just stretch right back out and go back to sleep no problem at all. :) Ha!!

Friday, I got to attend Chicken Finger Friday with all of the members of the Alpha Beta Chapter! Oh boy was it yummy! Friday night we got to meet with the chapter and also attend dinner at a nice local restaurant called Bordinos! I was more excited to see our friends who flew in for initiation and installation than the actual dinner. Christa, colony director, Jess Winkes, extension director, Donna Stallard, VP of Panhellenic, and Ashley Forscher, VP of Alumnae were all able to join us! After a great dinner, we headed off to bed for the long and exciting Saturday ahead!

Saturday was Instillation and Initiation! Our Phi Mu National President, Kris Bridges, and Executive Director, Darlene Reyes, were able to fly in for this special event! The Arkansas Tech Chapter I had just visited was also able to come and help out! It was so neat to get to see them again so soon. It was such a sweet, sweet time to see 200 new sisters be initiated as founding members of our Alpha Beta chapter of Phi Mu. Saturday night we held a big celebration for these women and their chapter known as the Instillation Banquet. It was held in a huge conference center, and everyone was dressed in their finest! The founding members were able to sign their chapter charter, and share some of their favorite times so far as members of Alpha Beta! I absolutely loved this!! The whole day was such a reminder of how special it is to be a Phi Mu. I couldn't be more proud of our organization than I was during this time!

Today, I headed out from Arkansas to Louisiana, and I am now at Louisiana Tech! I had a long travel day with storms and delays. I was originally supposed to arrive at around 5:00, and I did not make it to my room tonight until nearly 9! My flight from Fayetteville was delayed an hour, then my flight from Dallas/Fort Worth was delayed as well. During the flight from Dallas/Fort Worth to Monroe, we had to re-route due to awful weather. The whole plane was shaking in turbulence, and I could see lightning right outside the window! It was SO scary!!! However, I am just thankful to have made it here safely and with no missing luggage! I already love the girls here, and they have been so sweet to me! They had me a treat bag waiting when I got here, and they took me to a nice dinner before dropping me off for the night! I can't wait to see the campus and meet more of my sisters tomorrow! That's all for now!! :)

Just a few pictures from the past week....

Arkansas Tech School Sign

Consultant pic!

Consultants, Headquarters Staff, and National Executive Council at the Banquet!

National President, Kris Bridges, and I

Consultant pic with Jessica Winkles, Extension Director holding the Alpha Beta Chapter Charter

Alabama isn't so bad without the the "Roll Tide"

So I have been in Alabama for my last two visits at Huntingdon College and Samford University!

While I was at Huntingdon, it was really neat to see how far a chapter has came that just was colonized a few years ago! I absolutely loved getting to see a small campus with so much character in Montgomery, AL. The girls were so sweet to me, and I even got to attend a sisterhood event. We played Just Dance on the Wii, played board games, and ate pizza! I loved it! It's so fun to just sometimes hang out and remember how much our sisterhood means! The girls there also gave me a Homecoming Tshirt, comfort colors at that! So I will definitely be wearing that! :)

From Huntingdon I was driven to meet the president of our chapter here at Samford. I was typing her number in my phone to call her and saw she had a 931 area code! Crazy huh? WELLLL.. turns out her name sounded familiar too, and as I started placing my suitcases in her trunk I saw her golf clubs, and it clicked! She used to play golf in highschool for Clarksville, and I played for Cookeville. We used to play in a lot of the same tournaments. What a small world!! I was telling her about how I almost

I am staying at the Phi Mu house here at Samford. There are two girls who are Phi Mu sisters and biological sisters too that live in the room I'm staying in! Their room is THE cutest room I have ever seen. It seriously looks like it came just out of pottery barn with the monogrammed headboards, pink and green bedspreads, pink fridge, keurig coffee maker, and monogrammed EVERYTHING! I absolutely love it, and I want my room in grad school to be half this cute! Ha!

I have had a great time here! The girls took me to eat at a Mexican place called Little Donkey Friday night, and it was SO yummy. Everything is made fresh, and the guacamole was heavenly! Saturday morning I had meetings, and then I had the night off. I was able to go to the gym in the afternoon and catch up on some reports. Not to mention, I finally had a chance to try out my new curling wand! I think it was a success, with the exception of a HUGE burn on my neck. Oopsie! :(

Saturday night I got to go to dinner with Sallie Forrester! I grew up with her in youth group at FBC in Cookeville, and hadn't seen her except briefly in forever. I love getting to see familiar faces during my travels. It is so comforting to see family and close friends. We went to flip burger, and I got a nutella and burnt marshmallow milkshake. It was sooooooooo good. Then we just went shopping around the Summit a bit, and of course had to check out the Loft 40% off sale. But I was a good girl and only spent $12! :)  We picked up right where we left off in our friendship, and I am so thankful for lifelong friends like her!

Today was a great day as well! I had meetings most of the afternoon, but we had a short two hour break before meeting. The girls were so sweet and took me to see downtown and to get a Steele City Pop! They are the biggest hit in town, and the popsicles are great. I got a cranberry orange popsicle! After that, they took me to see the Vulcan, which is like Birmingham's landmark and from the top you can see the entire city of Birmingham! On our way back to campus, we got to stop by the school sign and snap a shot and take a picture with Mr. Beason, a famous alum from here!

I absolutely LOVE the campus and the people. All the girls here are SO sweet.

Tomorrow, I was supposed to be heading off to Maryland to visit Towson! However, Hurricane Sandy had other plans. My flight to Baltimore was canceled, and instead I am going home! I will be home from Monday to Monday, yes an ENTIRE week!!!!! :) but on the flip side of that I am very worried about my sisters who are in the north right now, please say an extra prayer for their safety.

After home, I am off to the state of Arkansas! Can't wait to visit Arkansas Tech and head on to the University of Arkansas again to be reunited with my buddies Shelby, Hanna, and April!! That's all for now y'all!!

Hanging out with Mr. Beason!

Campus sign

The Vulcan

Overview of Birmingham with the President Lauren!

Hail State!

Since my last post, I had a great few days back at home with my family and friends and then I headed out to Mississippi State!

I arrived at Mississippi State on Friday night, just in time for the homecoming game on Saturday vs. MTSU and the local alumnae brunch before at the Phi Mu house! I was able to meet one of the founding mothers from the Kappa Alpha Chapter, and it was such a sweet experience. The president, Leslie, was sweet enough to give me her ticket to the game, and took me to a local adviser's tailgate for BBQ before the game. I had a great time, and I even got to meet two ADPi consultants who are friends with Caroline, the ADPi consultant who was president at TTU while I was! We had to take a picture together and send it to her!

During the game, I was able to sit in the student section, and I had a cowbell to ring, so I fit in with everyone else. It was so much fun, and Maura the Phi Mu on court looked gorgeous.

While I was at MS State, I was also able to see downtown. The girls took me to a local fro yo place and a local boutique that is owned by a Phi Mu alum. The name of the boutique is LA Green, and it had the cutest things, but I was a good girl and didn't spend any money, especially since when I arrived the girls gave me 4 tshirts to add to my bag already! I cannot wait to get started on a tshirt quilt with all the goodies I have received along the way.

Last night I headed out to be driven from MS State to Huntingdon College in Montgomery, AL. We hit some AWFUL traffic along the way. A trip that would normally take 3 hours took us almost 7! :( Needless to say, by the time I reached Montgomery I was a sleepy girl!

This morning I went jogging around campus, and now I am about to get ready for my meetings later today! Busy day! BUT I can't forget to mention today is my best friends 23rd birthday!!! I wish I could be with her today, but I will get to see her in less than two weeks so that makes it better! Love you Meggy!!

The Kappa Alpha President, Leslie, and I 

Life in Philly

Good afternoon y'all! Since my last post, I have been in Philadelphia, PA. I visited Drexel University, and I had a great time.

I got here on Thursday afternoon, and that was round one of recruitment. I literally walked in the door, and rounds had just begun. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday were recruitment. Today was Bid Day! I was SOOO excited that I got to stay for Bid Day. The girls did awesome. Quota was 27, and the women pledged 28! Go Beta Tau!

I would also like to take the time to mention that the Titans beat the Steelers while I was in PA. I was just a bit numbered out cheering for that one!

While I was here, I was able to go downtown one day and look around. Two of the sisters took me to get a Philly Cheesesteak at the famous place in town. There are two places that are across the street from each other. One is Pat's and the other is Geno's. We ate at Pats, and boy was it an experience. I had to order just like a true Philadelphian. I got a Cheesesteak whiz wit (with cheese whiz and onions). I was so nervous to order because if you mess up ordering you have to go back to the end of the line. Ha! However, I got it right, and didn't have to go back to the beginning.

I absolutely loved Philly, but the traffic here is horrible. Needless to say, the girls and I walked everywhere we could.

Today's Bid Day theme was Cirque de Phi Mu! The girls had a cupcake truck come and we made bracelets. We had a great time. We even had some Phi Mu's from Muhlenberg come and visit.

Tomorrow, I head home bright and early. I cannot wait to see my friends and family. I will be home from Monday-Friday!! Then I head back out to Mississippi State, and I will be there for their homecoming game vs. Middle TN! Can't wait!

That's all for now y'all. I better get to packing for my early flight that I have to leave at 6 am for in the morning!! TN BOUND!

Philly Cheesesteaks in Philly!

Preference Round

Welcome Home girls!

Drexel Dragon, the mascot

Since the campus is in the city, they did not have the typical school sign, but I found this one! :) 

Hotty Toddy Y'all!

Since my last blog, I left Texas and headed along to Oxford, Mississippi. I got to visit Ole Miss. I was so excited when I found out that I got to visit here. It is Haley, on of my fellow chapter consultants, home chapter. 

I absolutely fell in LOVE with Oxford. I got here on Monday. When I arrived the girls had me a gift package together with a new Phi Mu bag, ID holder, tervis, button, and four tshirts! ANND on top of that Monday night is sit down dinner at the house and we had lobster mac n cheese! It was soo yummy! The cooks here are amazing. 

I was so excited to visit this chapter of over 300 women. Seeing how strong of a sisterhood they have has been my favorite part of the entire visit! 

Tuesday, I had meetings most of the day, but Tuesday night I got to go to the movie after dinner. For dinner we had fried chicken and peach cobbler. Man, I would gain a lot of weight eating Willie's food every day. He is the best cook I've seen in a longggggggg time! Back to the movie, this was the first time I went since I started traveling by the way, so it was a real treat. About 10 of us Mu's went to go see Pitch Perfect, and it was hularious. 

This morning I got to eat breakfast at a local place called the Bottletree Cafe. The man that owns the store is famous for his great food and has been featured on Oprah and on the Food Network! It was sooo yummy. I know breakfast is my daddy's favorite meal of the day, so one day I'll have to bring him back here! Then the president and secretary took me shopping on the square. BOY is it some good shoppin. Let me tell you, it is like Southern Traditions in Cookeville is on every single corner and I could have spent my whole life savings. My momma would have been in trouble if she visited this town. We could do some major damage! Ha! 

Most of my afternoon was spent in meetings, and I absolutely love feeling like I can help make a difference in the chapters I visit. My meetings, however, were interrupted by an unexpected fire alarm going off. Apparently something is wrong with the smoke detectors and we were all out on the lawn with firetrucks here for no reason. At least they didn't tell us the problem was our glad plug ins like they told Hanna, Shelby, April, and I in Arkansas!! Haha! I'm just glad it wasn't a real problem! 

Tonight, the lovely chapter adviser here took me to dinner. We went to another great local restaurant on the square. I was telling her how much I love Oxford, and I definitely want to come back and visit. I hate that I am having to leave before the game vs. Auburn this weekend. I want to experience The Grove! I'll just have to come back and visit with Haley sometime for sure! 

I'm headed off to Pennsylvania tomorrow for recruitment at Drexel University! I can't wait because recruitment is my favorite time of the year! It will be my last stop before I get to go home and see my family for a few days, so that is exciting too! 

That's all for now. Hotty Toddy, y'all! 

Traveling right along!

So since I last blogged, I left UGA and visited our Rho Gamma chapter at Ball State in Muncie, Indiana.

I had a great time visiting these ladies. I got to stay at the Phi Mu chapter house. The girls were so sweet to me, and the campus was absolutely beautiful. I was so excited that I was there for their Big/Little Reveal night last night. I have attached some pictures below. Reveal was done a lot like the way Kappa Pi did it when I got my little Becky! So it brought back some precious memories, and I loved getting to share this time with them.

Today, I headed to San Antonio, TX. Our chapter here is Epsilon Sigma. All this traveling is starting to confuse me on my days and time zones. Not to mention, I have yet to have a travel day that someone hasn't commented on my southern accent. I am proud to be a southern belle y'all. What can I say? And my computer needs to stop "spell checking" when I type y'all. Yes i know how to spell it. Thank you Apple. Haha!

This morning I boarded a plane in rainy 40 degree weather in Indy, and I landed in sunny 80 degree weather in TX. Talk about shock! During my flight today, I had a layover in Memphis, TN. It felt good to be on TN soil, even if it was just for an hour! :) Nothing like the good 'ole Volunteer State.

When I got to TX, the girls had me a home cooked meal prepared. The chapter's exec made me chicken tacos, guacamole, rice, beans, and lemonade. They have NO idea how much that meant to me. I eat out every meal, every day, and getting to eat in is a true treat. Also, tomorrow night they have a "Two Steppin' Mixer" with a fraternity on campus. I wish I had my boots to wear so bad, but they wouldn't fit in my suitcase. Consultant probs!! However, I am still going to go and learn a little line dancing! Rodeo Bob's won't know what hit them after I learn all these moves from the true line dancers in TX! Ha!!

Anyways, just wanted to give y'all an update! I'll be home October 15-19. Can't wait to see all my friends and family! Miss y'all so much, but I am having the time of my life!!

Landmark on campus for their angel mascot

Reveal!!

Ohio Adventures!

Since the last time I blogged, I've been pretty much in the state of Ohio! And BOY was it cold. Actually, it was like 40s the entire time, but compared to the 80s in Cali I got used to, I felt like I was in Alaska! Ha!

First, I visited Bowling Green State University, in Ohio (Not Kentucky!). I had a great time getting to know the girls in that chapter, and I got to be there for Preference rounds of recruitment and bid day! These girls were so sweet to me, and I loved getting to visit the campus and help out. The last day I was there, President Obama was speaking on campus. How crazy is that???? I didn't get to see him speak because the room was standing space only, but campus was chaotic to say the least. It was cool to be the same place as him too :)

From BGSU, I was driven by the President to meet an adviser for Case Western University. I was so glad I got to travel by car and not worry about the weight of my suitcase or my suitcase getting lost for that matter! We met halfway, and it turns out the adviser I was riding with from Case used to be a traveling consultant too, in 1992!! I loved hearing her stories from her travels. It makes me really appreciate having a computer for reports and information, and a cell phone for that matter! I just love meeting older Phi Mus, and talking to her really made my day! Things change so much over time, but they change so little at the same time!

Once I arrived at Case, I was greeted by all the women. I was doing an Operations visit, and therefore, I got to meet with all the girls in leadership roles. It was awesome to hear their plans and just learn about their chapter while I was sharing with them as well. The campus is absolutely gorgeous, and I hate that I had to leave today before Homecoming. Their president was crowned queen today!! So excited for her!

Today I had an early flight at 7:10 am, aka the crack of dawn literally, to Charlotte and a connection from Charlotte to Atlanta. Then I took a shuttle to Athens, GA. Did you get all that? A lot in one day! Ha! Anyways, I made it to Athens in time to go to the UT vs. UGA game. I was so nervous about scalping my first ticket, and I was afraid I was going to get ripped off. I walked over to the game with some of the girls from the Phi Mu chapter here, and they showed me where to scalp. I wore my orange UT jewelry and a Phi Mu loves the Dawgs sticker as well to support both teams :) Therefore, I must have looked like a good sport because this sweet little old man approached me. I had been trying to scalp a ticket for a good 15-20 minutes and found nothing under $100!! Crazy and I wasn't paying that much! This little man walked up and said, Honey, do you need a ticket, and he handed me one. I said how much do I owe you, and he said nothing my wife was sick and couldn't come today so I have an extra, but beware its in GA territory. I told him I would pay him face value, and I ended up getting to sit in the 7th row! Best seats I've ever had at a game besides at a Titan's game where we have season tickets with momma and daddy. It was such a close game, and I am so glad I got to go. It was worth getting up at 4:30 am this morning. Haha!

Anyways, just wanted to update y'all on what I've been into lately. :) Pictures are below!

Bid Day at BGSU

BGSU School Sign

Case Western's beautiful house

Case Western School Sign

BGSU Girls before Preference!

California Lovin'

Hey y'all! It's been quite a while since my last post. SO much has happened since then. I have to update everyone on all the fun things that have been going on.

First of all, after Brenau I was able to go home for a few days and spend some time with my family and friends. It was such a great time seeing everyone and catching up. However, three days is hard to fit in seeing everyone! I got to eat at El Tap, Strouds, spend time with my best friends, eat a bunch of mommas home cookin', see Addison start walking!!!!!!, watch some Titans football, attend church service with my church family, change out my outfits in my suitcase, and SO much more.

After home, I headed out to California (California State University at Northridge)!! First time I have ever been west of Texas. Needless to say, I was so excited. I had such a great time helping with extension there. Three other chapter consultants were there (Coley, Emily, and Katie!) I was so glad I got to see them :) Many other Headquarters staff were there too. I got to stay in the hotel with Jess Winkles, Kerri, and Kilby! Amy (who was my CRC when I was president) and Andi Cash (past national executive council member) were also there. I just loved spending time with everyone there, and I also loved meeting all the new women and the local alumnae. Bid day was Friday, and we got such a great group of young women. The alumnae from the area gave the extension team all a gift for our hard work. Before I tell you what it is, I want to say that it was the most thoughtful gift I have ever gotten in my life. They made us homemade pillows. They were handsewn from special articles of clothing from past Phi Mus. Mine is made from the wedding dress of a Phi Mu from UCLA. Some were from Phi Mu formal dresses of past members, hand sewn fabric, and all other types of special meanings. It was truly such a sweet gift. I have mine on my bed with me right now actually! I just LOVE extension, and I am so glad that I got to be a part of CSUN and Arkansas!

After Cali, I headed out to Bowling Green State University. I originally thought I was heading to Kentucky, but I found out that it is in Ohio. I had a little difficulty with my travels here to say the least. My flight from LA got delayed. I missed my connection from Chicago to Toledo. I had to fly into Detroit. I had to be picked up in Detroit and drove to the Toledo airport to pick up my luggage that turned out to not be there. My luggage got left in Chicago overnight (which I might add I had to check my carry on suitcase too due to a lack of overhead space), and therefore when I arrived at the Phi Mu house I had nothing but my purse and laptop. It was a 15 hour travel day! HOWEVER, the bright side is that when I arrived my sisters here had already purchased me toiletries, laid me out clean pjs, and gave me a bedroom all to myself. They were SO understanding and considerate, and that made my day so much brighter.

Today was Bid Day at Bowling Green, and I just loved the girls Wizard of Oz theme! The chanting, excitement, and running out of new girls gives me chills and brings tears of joy to my eyes every single time! I am so excited to be here until Wednesday, and then I head to Case Western (the home school of one of my good consultant friends, Anna!) I am going to be driven there, so no luggage can be lost! :) Ha!

I recently received my schedule through November, and I am going to 20 universities this semester!!! After Case Western, I am heading south to the University of Georgia. Incidentally, I will be in town for the UGA vs. UT game! Tell me that isn't fate! ;) I am so excited for my upcoming travels, and I will be home to see my family and friends again on October 15-19th!

That's all for now. Here are some pictures I have of the last few weeks!

Extension Team at CSUN after Sweet on Sisterhood Recruitment Party

Chapter Consultants in CSUN

Extension team on Bid Day!

Just had to get my picture with the school sign! (it reads CSUN from both sides too I might add!)

Brenau University

So it hasn't been long since my last blog post, but I had a short visit to Brenau! I arrived there Monday and tonight I came back to Atlanta. Brenau is an all women's university, and our Mu chapter of Phi Mu is there. Our Mu chapter was founded in 1910, and it is our second oldest consecutively open chapter. There is a lot of history for both the campus and Phi Mu. The women of the Mu chapter were the ones who helped write our creed. Fun fact, huh?

I was there for the Open House and Philanthropy Round. The women worked so hard and did great both nights! I was able to jump right in and lend an extra hand to help out, and I really enjoyed myself.

During the first day of my stay, I was able to run a few errands with the advisors and see the town. We even got to see North Georgia College, where the advisor is from, and I got my picture with that school sign as well since we have a Phi Mu chapter there! :) The town has many old timey stores on the square , and we got to visit an embroidery store, a historical barber shop (which I'm sure my momma and daddy would have loved!), and eat some homemade chocolates! Of course I had a homemade Reeses cup! YUM! I even got to stop by a local boutique, Dress Up, with some of the sisters!

The women also taught me a lot of the campus traditions. With just a little over 800 students, everyone gets to know each other, and the campus has a very comfortable feel.

Tonight, Hara, my boss :), and Robin, came and picked me up to drive me back to Atlanta. I am staying with Hara tonight because my flight is in the morning. We stopped for dinner, and had a great time catching up. I told Hara tonight I feel like the Lucky 13 should be here with me! I am missing my consultant girls a lot!!

I head home tomorrow for the first time since July! I am SOOOOO excited to see my family and friends. I am so excited for a fun filled weekend, and I hope Addison remembers me! Momma, Daddy, and Addison are picking me up at the airport in the morning so I better be getting to bed. :) Goodnight y'all!

Brenau University

With the girls before Philanthropy Round

North Georgia College school sign! (Only about a 30 minute drive from Brenau!)

Girls all ready for Open House Round

"Incidentally, pink goes with everything y'all!"

Hey y'all! I don't even know where to start! I have been at Arkansas for a little over two weeks helping with the recolonization of our Alpha Beta Phi Mu Chapter. It has been an absolutely amazing visit to say the least. There are three resident consultants living here in Fayetteville full time, Shelby, April, and Hanna, and I am so glad I got to visit and catch up with them while I'm here! Jess Winkles, Christa, Sopko, Caitlyn Oliver, and Erica were all also here from Headquarters Staff! It was so comforting to see familiar faces when I'm away from home for so long! Beth Monin, past National Council member, was also able to come up for a while, and I hate she couldn't stay for Bid Day too! We are so blessed to have volunteers like her in Phi Mu!

We did several days of PR, which is Public Relations. We got to meet girls on campus, tell them more about Phi Mu, and sign them up for our recruitment process. I was here for two recruitment parties, Pink goes with everything and Sweet on Sisterhood. They both went very well.

Also, while I was here I got to tailgate and semi-attend my first Arkansas football game. We didn't get tickets to the actual game, but we got to call the hogs and tailgate for a while. I can't believe I called the hogs, and I felt like such a traitor to my good ole Vols, but I must admit it was pretty fun.

Over the course of my time here, we had a few mishaps. Our air in the apartment went out, and incidentally the AC man could not fix it for almost 5 days! However, we got to stay in a hotel, and it all worked out. Our 105 degree apartment was just a little too hot to take!

I also got to pick up on a lot of new trends here in Arkansas. I had no idea Chacos were so popular here or I would have packed mine. I needed them for all the hills on this campus. My Jack Rogers were a little tough! I also got some Lily and Laura bracelets (in UT orange of course), and purchased a Southern Trend tank!

We even got to celebrate Hanna's 23rd birthday while I was here. I was so excited to no longer be the only old kid! We ate out at a nice restaurant, and had Rick's bakery about five times in two days. Rick's Bakery is a local place here, and it is to die for. For all my Cookeville friends, it is a mixture of Ralph's Donuts and GiGis cupcakes in one! We need one in Cookeville!

Basically, I had an amazing time here, and Bid Day today was just the icing on the cake! As I saw all of the women tearing open their bid cards today, I began to tear up. It was such a bittersweet special time. I was so proud to be a Mu! Our Bid Day was held at the Chi Omega house on campus, and we had Carnation Collection (the Phi Mu boutique) set up for selling, ate barbeque, took pictures, and had a great time! Also, our Past National President, Frances Mitchelson, was able to come up to help over the colonization process and for Bid Day. I was so excited I got to meet her, and she was so helpful to us!

I am so sad I am leaving tomorrow morning, but even though this has been a great visit, I know I have many more great ones to look forward to! I am heading out to Brenau University tomorrow for a few days during recruitment, and I am looking forward to meeting the women there. Recruitment is my favorite time of the year, and I love that I am getting to help with the first two rounds at Brenau! I will be heading home from there. I cannot wait to see my family and friends in a short five days! I cannot believe I have been traveling since July 23rd. My how time flies. Well, I'm going to post some pictures of my visit and hit the bed for my long traveling day tomorrow! Talk to y'all later!

Hanna, Jess Sopko, and I

Consultants at Pink Goes With Everything Party

Caitlyn Oliver and I 

April and I

Enjoying a little Arkansas sun

Balloon Ceiling at Sweet on Sisterhood Party!

April and I

Shelby, April, and I

Consultants at Sweet on Sisterhood Party

Consultants on Bid Day

Phi Mu Team on Bid Day

Love our new Phis!

Love new Mus!

Besties for the resties!

Past National President, Frances Mitchelson, and I on Bid Day

Alpha Beta Bid Day!

Consultants with our Extension Director, Jess Winkles

Just doing a little PR!

Twinsies! April and I doing PR!