Back for a Little More Florida Sunshine!!

The Beta Nu chapter at Florida State University

October 5 - October 9

Welcome to Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida!

I arrived at the Beta Nu chapter on October 5th, and I walked into my room to find this cute little display! I could not figure out how they could have possibly known my birthday was the day before...

Then, I looked in my basket of goodies and found this... So, thanks to my Aunt Laura, (also a Theta, of course!), my visit was made extra special.

The lovely, recently redone, Beta Nu facility!

I just thought this was so cute. :) Every sorority at FSU decorates the sidewalk in front of their house!

The football stadium... There are actually offices and classrooms in there, too!

I was walking around by myself when I discovered the stadium, so here is my photo attempt in front of it. Go Seminoles!

This was one of my favorite buildings that I've seen in my travels thus far. So beautiful.

And here is the view from where I'm standing in the previous picture. The street just looks like it keeps going... To the left, you can see the walls that sororities paint to advertise their upcoming events. A few girls are working on their portion of the wall in the picture. Chapter members repaint them almost every week!

This is a very unique fountain because it is actually tradition that you are thrown in on your birthday! So, seeing as I visited FSU just a few days after my birthday, and because there was no way the chapter women would throw their ELC in the water, I decided to go in myself and we all had a great laugh over it. I was surprised to find that the bottom of the fountain was just like a swimming pool! Turns out the administration does not mind if students go for a dip. :)

Throughout my travels, I often find myself thinking, "Ya know what, I may never be back here, so why not?!" This is another result of one of those thoughts. This is the founder of the university.

The campus was surrounded by amazing statues... This one was my favorite.

On my last night with the chapter, Exec took me out for sushi at a popular local place. :)

*If you're ever in Tallahassee, make sure you hit up Monk's! They have amazing, very creative burgers including one that is served with peanut butter on it!

Now, I'll spend my day on four flights, and set the record for my longest travel day yet... Flying in and out of extremely small airports gets the best of you sometimes. Anyway, on route to Nebraska and very soon to Los Angeles! Eeeeeek!!

For now, love from Tallahassee, Florida...

I'm Finding "Home" Even in Ohio...

The Eta Kappa chapter at John Carroll University

September 27 - September 30

I spent the beginning of the last week in September, in Nashville, Tennessee! All of the ELCs got to be reunited at mid-semester meeting...

And it was so great to have our little family back together, all in the same state, again! :)

Then I headed off to University Heights, Ohio, right outside of Cleveland, to spend the rest of the week at John Carroll University!

I was so amazed by this incredible view!

My perfect set-up... Lots of (mostly) healthy munchies! :)

The weather was perfect during my visit, too... There was the perfect amount of "chill" in the air.

I am truly falling in love with the most unexpected campuses. Until this year, I had never heard of John Carroll, but now that I've visited, I know I'll never forget it.

I thought these trees were so unbelievably beautiful...

The chapter women also took me to the John Carroll version of "The Price Is Right!" Happens once a year and it was a lot of fun!

 

The chapter president, Helen, even got called up! She ended up winning a "shake-weight!" Yay! ;)

 

The executive committee took me out to a fun, little italian place for dinner my last night there.

 

They were all so welcoming to me, and once again, I found myself leaving a visit that reminded me exactly why I took this job in the first place.

 

*If you're ever in University Heights, there is a wonderful, (slightly evil) Ben & Jerry's right by campus! I had my first taste of "phish food" and I'm unfortunately hooked for life. I also got to visit my first Lilly Pulitzer clothing store (huge in the mid west and on the east coast)! I know my fellow ELCs will be so proud.

 

Can't wait to see my amazing family for a few days, and spend some MUCH needed time at home. Traveling is definitely an adventure, but there is NO place like home.

 

For now, love from Cleveland, Ohio...

Everything Is Bigger In Texas, Except Waco.

The Epsilon Epsilon chapter at Baylor University

September 22 - September 25

Hey there! I spent the first few weeks of September in San Francisco helping establish the Eta Upsilon chapter, a brand new chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta at the University of San Francisco!

However, I'll be returning again to San Fran to visit the chapter again in the end of October, so I am going to wait to post all my pictures from my visit until then! So, stay tuned!

For now, greetings from Waco, Texas!! One of the smallest places in our largest state! ;)

Unexpectedly, one of the most beautiful places I've ever been!

My welcome at the airport!

My adorable welcome basket :)

All the sororities on campus have giant chapter rooms located in this huge forum...

This gives you a little bit better of an idea of just how "huge" it was... Look at all the Greek letters on the top of the building, too!

My favorite place from my campus tour... Look at the view behind me!

Chillin' with Judge Baylor! Of course, this needed to happen.

A time capsule on campus! No one knows what's in it!

This is a memorial for the "Immortal 10." Ten athletes including coaches, basketball players and cheerleaders were killed in a tragic train-bus accident in 1927. As a result of the tragedy, the remainder of the 1927 season was cancelled, and the first overpass in Texas was constructed in Round Rock. But, Baylor's Immortal Ten are still honored each year during Homecoming, when freshman hear the tragic story and participate in a candlelight remembrance ceremony.

Another amazing view

Definitely a smaller campus, but so cozy and welcoming... There are even wooden bench-swings that hang from trees all over campus! :)

There is also a secret society on campus that frequently pulls pranks on a regular basis. The society wears those nose and mustache disguises and is known at the NoZe Brotherhood. Although, no one really knows who belongs to the society, one of their most notable pranks took place here!

The Theta girls made sure they got me decked out in Green and Gold! Go Bears!

Baylor's mascots even live on campus!! The bears names are Lady and Joy!

I got to attend the football! Baylor crushed Rice, and the weather was perfect!

I was so excited to finally get to attend a football game on one of my visits!

And the chapter women really did make me feel at home!

*Waco, Texas is also the home of DR.PEPPER! And, if you're ever in Waco, I would have to recommend Baris Italian Restaurant, and Common Ground (a coffee place)! But most of all, you must go "Tortilla Tossing." Baylor is all about tradition and this is one that I found to be espeically stress relieving. ;)

I'm off to Nashville, Tennessee in the morning for Mid Semester Meeting! I'm really looking forward to being reunited with all the other ELCs.

For now, love from Waco, Texas...

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...