Toga Toga Toga!

As the title suggests, I ventured forth into the realm of real college experiences and did something I thought I would never do.
I always thought Toga parties were a movie/T.V. portrayal of all the fun times to be had by young adults trying to make their way into the world. Turns out, Sigma Phi Epsilon (which happens to be the fraternity our friend, Derek, is in) has a toga party every year! Naturally, my Pi Phi sisters had plans to all go together. Yaaaay!

I was there for a couple hours, did some dancing, did some watching of my sisters to make sure they were safe from drunks, creeps, and drunk creeps, and then headed back to 1517 and spent the night there, after chatting with Kim, Emily, Quiche, Carmen, Taryn, and Rena.
We had a good time, but of course the drunk people were slightly annoying. That's why we didn't stay longer, I think. Well, some of the girls stayed, but the ones mentioned above (with the exception of Carmen) came back to 1517 around 1:30.

So...all around it was a safe, fun night. I was always with my Pi Phi sisters, so I never felt worried.

I know it's been awhile since a tip, but...

Tip #14: It's definitely not a good idea to walk around by yourself. Even if you haven't been drinking, other people surely have and you could get hurt. Make sure you have at least two other people with you, even if you just go to the bathroom at the party.

Well, that's all. Here's some pics!

Kim and I

Kristine and I

Kim and Rena (they actually both went to school and are friends with my cousins, Jocelyn and Justin)

RENA AND I!

<3 p="p">

Taryn and I at the party :)

Yes, I did make that headband. :)

One Month Cake with Pi Phi Filling, please

As I said before, I've been downright busy!

I may have said it before, but Kitty Kat got a tattoo.

Already October has been super busy and it 's not slowing down. We've been doing open bidding, where we have non-Greek girls over at the house and we see if they're a good fit for Pi Phi. If they are, we give them a bid and they can join our new pledge class, if they so desire. That's going on in the coming week, also.
We had a new member retreat on Friday, where the girls in my pledge class (and our P.E.) got together and played games and talked and really got to know each other much better. It was supposed to be only a couple hours, but it ended up being about three and a half and then we went to The Roadhouse for a late dinner and we invited some actives along with us. Rena had just eaten with her parents, but I talked her into going with us and we sat together and finally really connected!
Saturday, yesterday, was Homecoming, and we had an Alum event at Pi Phi, then Rena, Heaven, and I went to the football game, then we went to Dani's and watched Supernatural. After that I came back to the dorm for a bit to hang with Kat and Derek and we heard about an awesome sale at Old Navy so we went. Then I went back to the Lodge to hang with my Pi Phi sisters some more, because we had plans to get FroYo (that's frozen yogurt, because it turns out not everyone knows what that is) and go see Frankenweenie!
The movie was good, but kinda sad.

Getting FroYo!

Also, Kat and I took a little trip to Plainwell, where she lives, on Friday. She needed to do laundry and I didn't want to be alone, since Erica was home for her birthday. We went to the salvation army there and she found a ton of cute stuff and I found, like, two things, haha. But it's all good. We had fun trying all the stuff on and hanging out, since I'd been so busy with Pi Phi.

Flight of the Busy Bumblebee

So, I finally just decided I would sit down late tonight and type up a blog because apparently doing it during the day is impossible. The hours just keep getting away from me.
Okay, so it's been so long since I posted on here that I'm not sure what I said last post. Therefore, I apologize if I repeat myself, but I'm too lazy to go back and read the old one. ;p
Anyway, onto the spoils:

I am still volunteering at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, which is super fun. However, it turns out that the only time I'm available this semester to volunteer there is November 10. This is due to all the other cool stuff I am doing:

I am volunteering at Heritage Community, which a Senior Living center in Kalamazoo. I go to Amber Place, which is an assisted living center in the community, every other Tuesday (I used to go every Tuesday, but with everything else, I had to ask my supervisor Rebecca to cut back :/) and read to a group of residents. Last week, there was a line dancing activity during my reading block, but one of the residents, Dick, didn't want to go, so I had a one-on-one session with him. I read the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, which I had begun to read the week prior. Of course, since most of the assisted living residents are memory care patients, he did not recall this. He asked me to recap the story up to the point I was reading (he thoroughly enjoyed hearing it at the time, but was glad to hear it again--to him, for the first time). As I had hoped, he loved my reading to him once again. He laughed at all the right parts and was actively listening to me and looking at me as I was reading. He's such a sweet man! It made me feel really good to make his day, even if he won't remember it once I'm gone.

Also, doing Bronco Buddies again. I have yet to hear back from her, as I recently sent my first letter. But she seems like a sassy little thing and I hope she's fun! She's very "grown up" for a fourth grader. Near the end of her note, she told me "My best friend is Emma, she's in my class. We hang out (not play) together. And by the way, my picture is not updated." xD
I still email KK, but apparently she's an extremely busy fifth grader and can only email me once a month or so.

And the biggest news, I think: I joined a sorority!
Pi Beta Phi. Our philanthropy is Child Literacy (hi, I wanna be a literacy coach!) and we do some regular ol' literacy on the side. My sisters are super cool, and super sweet. A lot of them are just as geeky as me, they dig Harry Potter and appreciate my dry humor. We always get some good laughs in at sisterhood events. Can't wait to get my big and become initiated!!!

This is Leeann, a friend of Kat's, and now my sister!

This is Dani, or pledge educator. Love her!

We had our first sisterhood event soon after, where we all decorated a puzzle piece. Then, Lidia, our president, put them all together to make the puzzle of Pi Phi, with each piece representing the members. So cute, right!?

The ATO Fraternity boys came by to welcome us new members and give us carnations (or sorority flower)!

My puzzle piece

Some of the other puzzle pieces, drying :)

I'm sworn to secrecy on some things that have to do with Pi Beta Phi and what we do within it, but I CAN tell you that it's already been a wonderful experience and while we have sisterhoods every Tuesday and meetings every Sunday, it's lovely to know that I have people I can turn to and that I can call my sisters. <3 p="p">

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Lately, I've been feeling very burnt out. Between all the cool extra curriculars that I'm doing and my academics, I've got a lot on my plate. While I don't want to give anything up, I feel like I'm not doing anything for myself, even though I'm doing things that are worthwhile.

I hadn't seen Lindsey in ages, but today, we had plans and those plans became a spontaneous explosion of events:

We went to Mongolian for dinner, ate too much, like always. Then, as we're sitting there waiting for the checks, Lindsey goes "I really want my cartilage pierced. Can we go to the mall?" So, of course, we went to the mall. But she didn't want to do it alone and it seemed like the perfect way for me to do something for myself, which coincidentally I had been searching for, and I got to do it with a great friend of mine. In fact, she'd said earlier that day "It's like I never left you, Sam." <3 gee="gee" her.="her." i="i" love="love" p="p">

                                               

Anyhow, so then we went shopping a little and maybe spent a bit too much money, but it was a good time and we can't regret that. Plus, there were some awesome deals we just couldn't pass up!

We'd had plans to meet my Pi Pal (one of my Pi Phi sisters), Carmen, at Pinz to go bowling. Ladies night, $1 games, $2 shoes! WHAT WHAT! So we had to hurry over to the alley to meet her on time, but then it turned out she was late too because another of our sisters, Emily, and her Pi Pal, Sam (haha) wanted to come too! So we all played 3 games together, spent only $5 and had a great time together, even though we're all awful at bowling!

Lindsey's lovely (notice the ball is already in the gutter) technique.

She got a strike!

The final score of game 3.

But we weren't done yet! We both needed to go to Meijer, so we scooted on over there and bought some stuff. Then, around eleven, she finally brought me back to my dorm. We learned that she has a good chunk of time between classes on Wednesday, so she's going to come hang out in the dorm with me until her class, instead of the boring ol' library, since I'm right here by both her classes. :) That means we'll see each other at least once a week!! The best end to a not go greatly started day. <3 p="p">

A New Home

Once again, I find myself moving in with a couple of girls I don't know.
And once again, I had roommate trouble.
The very moment the information became available, I was looking at the contract.
The next day, I texted her. No response.
I searched for her on Facebook. No correct results.
Eventually, I looked at the contract online again and. No roommate.

Kat and Erica are my quad mates, as I'm living in this big quad now. They are both freshman. Kat and I hit off immediately, texting almost everyday and having the space basic interests and lifestyles. She's gorgeous, too.
Erica and I spoke a little, but we didn't seem to really click. There was nothing wrong, we just weren't really chatting.

So yesterday, I met them in person and moved all my stuff in. The walls are now covered with pretty pictures and cute wall clings.

It's still not finished, though, and all the totes are driving me insane! It's so cluttered right now and it makes me anxious. Can't wait for mom to come pick me up on Thursday, so I can take all this crap home. Not to mention that I'll get to see my family, also. :) I miss them already.

Erica has had her boyfriend here since late last night and Kat and I are unsure if Erica will be trouble in paradise or if it's just weird because we just moved in. It remains to be seen.
So far, she doesn't seem like the type of girl I would hang out with, but we're getting along alright and I don't hate her. Haha.

I can only hope my roommate, whenever I get one, will agree with our set-up and be like us, so that we don't have to live with someone awful. I would hate to have to worry about my stuff when I'm in class. I wish there was a lock on the armoires, Erica's friend already took one of Kat's belts to wear without asking. :/

I've only been back a day, but it feels like I never left. I already hung out with Karlie, Kallyn, and Brittany, I have the room looking good, and I'm ready to start classes.

This weekend is gunna fly by.

Two More Weeks, my foot is in the door

Ten days before I come home. Twelve lectures and four finals.

It can't possibly go by fast enough.

--

On the bright side, I went to meet my Bronco Buddy on Friday!

After a four hour drive to Illinois, we walked in the front door to this wonderful sign.

Then two young men showed up to escort us to the classroom. Just outside the door, was our school flag! These kids were so excited, me and Elise were the first Bronco Buddies around the corner and all the kids were looking toward the door and there was a stage-whispered chorus of "They're here!"

They gave us a tour of their school and then we did a Q & A with them. After that we had pizza, played kickball, and gave the kids some gifts! I got Kayla a Western shirt that matched one of mine, as well as a Scooby Doo shirt. She also got a scrapbook and some of my paper and stickers, because had spoken about scrapbooking our letters and meeting.

She loved it all. She surprised me with a present too! She got me some stickers for MY scrapbook and a pretty purple ribbon that said "love" with hearts all over it. I'll be sure to use it in my scrapbook of our letters!

The day was over way too fast and we had to start the FIVE hour drive back (time change).

I won't post the pics of me and Kayla, since she's 9 and I'm sure her parents don't want her face all over the internet. :) But for the family--I'll show you guys when I get home!

--

That's really all the news I have.

I went to Copper Beech this weekend and hung out with the girls and some of their friends.

It was nice to hang with them before I go home for the summer. Especially since I can't hang with them next weekend. It's my last weekend for the year and Linds, her mom, her grandma, and I are going to see Hairspray here. Then, hopefully, we'll hang out. We'll probably have a Greek/Study marathon. By that I mean, we'll watch a ton of Greek, take a break and study for finals, and then watch more Greek, and then study...blah blah. It'll be great. :)

--

One thing I'm worried about, other than finals of course, is that the deadline for applying to be a junior counselor is fast approaching and the a question I need answered has not been replied to by the guy I'm supposed to email with questions! I'm concerned I won't be able to apply. And the question I asked could determine if I can or not too. I think I may be lacking a requirement. :/ Guess we'll find out if he EVER emails me back.

Let's hope!

--

Be home soon! <3

Winding Down

While the semester is coming to an end, I still have time before I can stop stressing.

I'm ahead on my homework enough that, while there is three weeks of classes still before finals, I only have two weeks of homework left to do. Some of that will get done today, as well.

All that's left:

--

My brother, Bobby, was supposed to come out to Western this weekend, but they had a ton of snow, ice, and hail and he was worried about making the drive. So, yesterday I got a ton of homework done before I went to the Drag Show that our LGBT group, Outspoken, puts on every year. That was a lot of fun and I met some cool people from the group, and from WSA that Brandy knows. They invited me to go to the Diversity Lock-in tonight, where they will be doing some team building-esque activities. Brandy planned the event, so she asked me to be a volunteer for her. She didn't have that many people helping out, so I said I would do it. She won me over when she said I get a free t-shirt. :)

Anyway, the Drag Show was so great. It lasted a long time, but that was okay because I wasn't bored of it. It was different than I thought it would be, but I guess I've never been to a Drag Show before, so what I expected doesn't mean that's what it's supposed to be like. They didn't just walk down the runway in their outfits, they did a whole dance number. Some of them really looked like women too! Some of the girls also looked a great deal like men.

Dolly Dion:
GQ Joe:

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Tomorrow is Lindsey's birthday! I'm so excited. I got her the new Footloose DVD. I bet she's going to want to watch it right away. I love that movie just as much as she does, so that's okay.

Speaking of birthdays, Celeste's was this past Wednesday. Linds and I walked into her room and sang her happy birthday, with the cha-cha-cha in between lines and all. :)

--

Only 4 weeks before I'm home for 4 months! I'm so excited to come home!

I'm even to start working!

Speaking of work, I have been filling out applications (and learning you have to go to lots of places to get the application) and some of these jobs I really hope I get.

Here's my list of places I plan to apply: (* top picks)

OptimEyes*

Dollar Tree

Victoria's Secret PINK

Hobby Lobby*

Claire's

PacSun

Kohl's

Charlotte Russe

Macy's

Barnes and Noble*

Pet'Smart*****

The reason Pet'Smart is starred so many times is because I applied to be a Pet Care Associate. That means I get to work WITH the animals, instead of around them. I would give them food and water and medicine, clean out their cages, make sure they're healthy--all that good stuff.

I'm not sure I'll get it, since my work experience is minimal, but I sure hope I'm at least considered.

--

Mimisu is doing alright. He's weight lift training now: I put washers on the other side of the lever so it takes more muscle to push down. To end the experiment I need him to push down at least 25 washers four times in row. So far, he's stayed in the 14-18 range, which isn't bad, but I still need to get through one more experiment before I do my final one (which I still have no idea what to do for). He's gotten up to 21, but as soon as that happened he stopped performing well and immediately fell down to 13 washers. Lazy rat. :P

Sad news, though: one girl in my class named her rat Agamemnon (like the rat from Flowers for Algernon). I warned her, jokingly, that this was bad luck (for those of you who don't know the story--the rat dies at the end and it's very sad).

When we got back from Spring Break, we got into lab and Kendra says to this girl "I'm so sorry, but you're rat passed away prematurely over break."

Hers is the only one to die so far--there's only 6 labs left. Perhaps I was right about the bad luck in the name, after all.

--

Ah, so I went to that thesis seminar.

D:

I'm not any less anxious about it. I might even be more so, now.

I have NO idea what I'm going to write about. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

--

Finally, some upcoming events.

Easter Weekend: I'm going homeeeeeeeeee!!!!!! :D

April 12: Shawn's birthday! Not sure what I'm gunna get him yet. Hmmm.

Funny thing about this day, Linds' boyfriend, A.J. also has his birthday. Strangeeeee.

April 13: Bronco Buddies trip! I'm so excited to go down to Illinois and meet Kayla. That's all she can talk about in the letters she sends now. "It's almost April, I'm so excited!" haha. Oh, what a cutie.

April 20: Hairspray with Lindsey and her mom and grandma. It should be super fun. :) And a wonderful de-stressor before finals.

Which bring me to..

April 26: Move out day! I return home. YAAAAAY!

--

And with that, I ought to do some work so that I can erase some of that marker off my board. Maybe after Chapter 30, I'll watch Battlestar Galactica for a bit. I'm so close to the finale and I get excited just thinking about it. :D :D :D :D

Hot Hot Hot!

I've been so stressed out about getting all this homework done, that I didn't even realize I was stressed until Shawn and Lindsey pointed out that I needed to calm down and take a break.

Somehow, I stopped being ahead on my homework, but I'm hoping to remedy that this weekend. Lindsey isn't here, so I should be able to accomplish it. Of course, I may be going over to Karlie's. But she works until five thirty tonight so I still have all that time. Plus, she has a project to work on too, so we'll probably just have a homework party. :)

As for the actual work:

I have to study, study, study. I have a Bio test on Tuesday (studying with Kar, probably--I should be okay), a Communication Disorders test of Wednesday (easy peasy lemon squeezy--I know all my note cards), and a History Test on Thursday (going to attempt to study--if the T.A. does the same crap from last time though, I guess I'm out of luck, but my grade wasn't that bad).

My final project for Psych is coming up--the draft for the paper is due next Thursday (the 29th). I've decided to write about the conditioning of women to want huge, extravagant weddings and how even when they act like Bridezillas, they still get what they want (I will be using clips from the show, Bridezillas). I think it's going to be fun. Plus, I get to watch bride shows. Haha. I'm also trying to use My Big Fat Fabulous Wedding and My Fair Wedding. :)

My Fair Wedding will be easy because these women have cheap, "ugly" wedding stuff and this guy comes in and makes everything crazy big and beautiful. Reinforcing? I think so. :D

As for my rat lab project, though. I have no idea what kind of experiment to do, but I better figure it out soon. :/

Fun Stuff:

Linds and I went to Pinz and got $1 games because it was Ladies' Night!

Well, sort of fun stuff:

I'm signing up to be a Junior Counselor at the Leadership Camp I went to the summer between my Junior and Senior year. If I get it, I'll go the Summer of 2013. This is only sort of cool, because I have to write an essay for it and all.

Also only kind of fun is on Wednesday I'm going to a seminar about the Honors Thesis (even though I might get that Psych lab thing). In the last blog I said the seminar was on last Thursday. They had two sessions, which is good because this last one started in the middle of my Psych class. So now, Brandy and I are going together (the fun part) on the 21st.

Weather:

For awhile it was so windy here that I was falling over. Now, it's so hot and I only have one pair of shorts! D:

I'm not complaining about this weather by any means, though. I'll wear jeans if I have to and just be hot; I'd rather that than be freezing!

Well, I've procrastinated from studying enough!