A Very Rainy Des Moines, Iowa!

The Beta Kappa chapter at Drake University

August 29 - September 1

Welcome to Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa!

 

The adorable welcome I got at the airport... Even after I arrived exactly 24 hours later than originally planned because my flight was cancelled in Reno!

The Beta Kappa facility! Don't worry, I know... Best outfit ever.

It was pouring rain! Of course, it was the only day it rained during my visit, but it made my campus tour a little more interesting.

Some of the members who battled the storm with me to show me Drake's campus.

Right outside the library!

 

Every year, this huge sidewalk on campus is repainted by tons of campus organizations for the Drake Relays! The Beta Kappa chapter recently celebrated its 90th birthday on campus!

Drake had some really neat buildings... This is Old Main!

Drake is the home of the Bulldogs! But apparently, the Drake squirrels are pretty famous here too! Not kidding, they're everywhere and extremely friendly!

They have a giant sun dial on campus where you can tell time by looking at the shadows!

This is the kissing rock. Drake students believe that if you come to this rock and kiss, you will eventually get married. Apparently, students see couples get engaged here all the time!

In front of Drake Stadium!

*If you're ever in Des Moines, Palmer's deli does an awesome turkey sandwhich on wheat with amazing cranberry sauce and cream cheese!

Headed home bright and early tomorrow morning to see my family! Thankfully, all is well in Annapolis with the Rosenbergs after last weekend's awful weather.

For now, love from Des Moines, Iowa...

Never a Dull Moment in Nevada!

The Beta Mu chapter at the University of Nevada

August 23 - 28 (...and unexpectedly, the 29th as well)

Welcome to Reno!

...it sure was an interesting little place.

Outside the Beta Mu chapter facility!

The campus was beautiful!

Each of these pillars was covered in names of alumni and students who recieved 4.0s!

Representing all the Rosenbergs from Reno! It was so hot outside!

I loved eating lunch here! GourMelt - a grilled cheese truck!

I had a grilled cheese with avocado, tomato, green chilis, and fried egg! Best grilled cheese ever - right next to Mom's, of course!

Grampy - this one is for you! :)

During my visit to Reno, the Goo Goo Dolls just happened to be playing at a local hotel and casino, literally 10 minutes from the university, and I had no idea until I walked off the plane and saw a giant banner as I was walking to baggage claim. My heart was broken knowing that my FAVORITE band (understatement of the century!), was playing just minutes away from me and I couldn't be there. 

But, it just goes to show how amazing Theta sisterhood truly is... Sarah Polito, who is on the district team and lives in the area, knew what a huge fan I was and made sure I didn't have to miss it. She went to the concert with me and stood almost right up against the stage next to me, belting out all the lyrics.

Not the greatest picture, but by far one of my most memorable moments during my year. Very easily, one of the coolest, most unexpected nights ever.

Now leaving Reno was an adventure... My flight was cancelled, so I spent an extra 24 hours there. But, the airlines put me up in a surprisingly nice hotel, I had a nice romantic dinner with myself, and I was bumped to first class for my flights the next day. So, my next visit was cut a little bit short, but I guess it could have been worse. :)

All in all, this visit was very special. Between the Goos and the amazing women I met here, I know I was sent to this chapter for a reason... And visits like this remind me why I wanted this job.

*The Stone House Cafe is adorable and an awesome place for breakfast... Amazing french toast!

For now, love from Nevada... Especially to all of the wonderful friends and family who take the time to read my silly blog! Miss you guys!

Recruitment Fun in Florida!

The Eta Theta chapter at the University of Central Florida

August 15 - August 19

 We ran out of the car at a stoplight to get this picture!

My adorable welcome basket from the women of Eta Theta. I stayed in the President's room during my visit!

The gorgeous Eta Theta facility!

They were excited to have another ginger come to visit!

A giant Theta badge!

The Eta Theta Executive Board with me just before I left.

With the scholarship chairman at Eta Theta. She wrote to me around this time last year, asking for scholarship ideas for her chapter (I was scholarship chairman, too), long before I ever considered being an ELC! It was so special to meet someone on the road that I had already been able to help during my collegian Theta experience!

Just before I left to go to the airport - California bound!

*4Rivers Smokehouse is a must if you ever get to Orlando! :)

It is so nice to have a job where I get to meet so many amazing women and really get to make a difference... I loved Florida (heat, rain, thunderstorms and all!), but I could not wait to get to California!

For now, love from the West Coast!

Greetings from Tucson, AZ.

The Beta Delta chapter at the University of Arizona

August 7 - August 11

We searched to find this!

Outside the facility

Kappa Alpha Theta at U of A

I was so thankful to have Madison with me on my first visit!

From my tour of campus

Go Wildcats!

View from dinner with the Advisory Board

*And if you're ever in Tucson, May's Counter for chicken and waffles is a must! :)

Looking forward to flying home to Maryland tomorrow and being reunited with my family...

For now, love from Tucson!

Never "Goodbye," only "See You Later."

Today marks the end of another beginning for me. Yesterday was our last day of training at headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana, and although learning everything that we did made for extremely long days, it is crazy to think I have been here for a month. Here are some highlights from my time here...

Our raft building excursion at Bradford Woods!

This was just our second day together!

But, we did it!! And that was the experience that made us become a team...

Mid basketball court at Butler University in Indy!

The New Kids on the Block & Backstreet Boys (NKOTBSB) concert!

And even though I have a big girl job now, it was great to feel like I was in fourth grade again!

My picture for the year - soon to be found on the Kappa Alpha Theta website! Don't worry though, the suitcase I'll be living out of is much bigger than that!

Full-time travelers for the year - Me, Katharine & Madison!

We love our Theta kites! "Kiting" our wonderful boss, Jenni.

The 2011-2012 Kappa Alpha Theta Educational Leadership Consultants!

And, just like that, somewhere between my first day here and right now, I became an ELC. I don't remember the moment and I know I still have A LOT to learn, but I'm starting to realize that I'm going to be okay, which is an amazing thing considering how overwhelming this month has been! So admist all the packing and goodbyes (only for now, of course), I feel truly blessed... to have this opportunity, to have SUCH an amazing support system that I will never understand what I did to deserve, and just to have my life. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be and I'm surrounded by the people that I was always meant to find.

So my travels begin tomorrow... I am headed to the Beta Delta chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta at the University of Arizona! Thankfully, my dear friend, Madison Motley, will be there with me (we get a buddy for our first visit!), and our other ELC friend, Lindsey Witt is a recent graduate from this chapter as well, which should make for a wonderful start to the year... But as for today, Madison and I will be enjoying some much needed relaxation and a date night together in Indianapolis!

My favorite thing I heard this month:

"You don't have to be a 'person of influence' to be influential. In fact, the most influential people in my life are probably not even aware of the things they've taught me." -Scott Adams

I'm taking everyone I love with me on the road...

Love from Indy for the last time until December!

The country feels a little bit smaller these days...

 Outside Kappa Alpha Theta headquarters

Hello again! It has been almost two weeks since the beginning of ELC training in Indianapolis, Indiana and we sure have been busy! Since we arrived, we've worked every day (that's right, no weekends for ELCs), visited Bradford Woods for a team building retreat, attended the Risk Management on the Road conference as well as the Field Staff Conference, and even rotated living situations between our two apartments (excellent packing skills 101).

A few of us at "Risk Management On The Road"

Most days are spent in the boardroom at headquarters and slowly but surely, I am learning everything there is to know about this amazing organization and consequently, learning more about myself every day. In fact, it may sound strange, but a week here feels more like a month... Everything that this job requires has forced me to grow exponentially from the moment I stepped off the plane, and the women I spend all my time with, my fellow consultants, have quickly become my family away from my family.

2011-2012 Educational Leadership Consultants (Missing Madison!)

I also have my official visit schedule from August to December! I'll be visiting various Theta chapters in (deep breath!)... Arizona, Florida, Nevada, Iowa, Oregon, Tennessee, Ohio, Nebraska, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Texas, and of course, California and Maryland before I finish up the semester back in Indiana! Phew... :)

 

 

With some new friends at the Field Staff Conference

So, whether I am working with the other ELCs to build a raft out of only four barrels, 2x4s and rope to get us across a lake (we did it under an hour and a half!), figuring out how to live out of one (yep, my end of the year goal is to operate out of only one) suitcase, or arranging my nearly 20 chapter visits in the fall semester (flights every five or so days and all!), it is already obvious to me that this job will push me in every possible way and show me I can truly do just about anything. I know it won't be an easy year, but it will definitely be an unforgettable one...

Missing my family and friends from coast to coast....

Love from Indianapolis, Indiana!