9 movies, 2 days.

After being basically all over the United States on my first couple of visits, it was time to head up North for a little change of scenery. So, I was born in Ohio- but that's basically my only connection to the state. Could I point it out on a map? Probably not, but I'm sure none of you are surprise. Getting off the plane, I quickly realized that my two cardigans I brought on this trip (the rest of my visits are in California and Arizona for this month) were probably going to get more wear in these 3 days, than probably for the rest of the month.

When I think of the word 'charming,' I think of this little town. Just outside of Dayton in Springfield, Ohio is the quaint little campus of Wittenberg University. The academic buildings look magical, and the entire town reflected this charm. The house, which had perhaps one of the grandest entrances I have seen so far, was the perfect sorority house because it truly felt like a home. I got my own room and bathroom at this house (big deal ya'll), and enjoyed getting to spend time with the sisters.

Coming in at the end of informal recruitment, it was such an exciting time for the chapter. The women invited 14 women to join their sisterhood on Sunday, with a theme of 'We Are Going to Make This Place Your Home.'

Although there was not a ton of time to see the city because I was only in Springfield for 3 full days, we watched plenty of movies, got Chipotle, toured the campus, and sang lots of karaoke at Bid Day. One of the best parts about my time was seeing the senior alpha class walk the new members to the sorority house and having the Deltas line the walkway up to the front door chanting and showing lots of ADPi spirit.

Although this was a short visit, it was so nice to be able to spend time at one of Alpha Delta Pi's oldest chapters, and experience a little piece of their history. The women of Chi chapter showed me that a home isn't a place, but somewhere that you are surrounded by people you love.

Lots of love from Ohio,
Kathryn

Gone to Carolina in my Mind

After two very relaxing days off (I probably slept more that weekend than I have combined my three weeks on the road), I was ready to get back on the road. Luckily, I got to head down to Charleston, SC and spend some time in a great city that wasn't too far from home.

So, after a few hiccups on a Monday morning, I found out I was not going to be able to make it to the apartment I live in with my consultant sister, Rachel, that evening. So what do you do when you're in a panic and need somebody to help you come up with a solution? Call your big diamond sister. What's even better? That my big diamond lives in Charleston and told me to head to her house for a surprise sleepover! Sometimes, things work out just perfectly :) We went down to Folly beach and got to eat & catch up after not seeing each other for most of the summer, which was just the best surprise.

After time with Emily, I hit the ground running the next morning in Charleston. Rachel, the consultant who lives full time at Charleston Southern University, had a full schedule for us that week that included tabling, getting ready for recruitment, meetings, and tying up lose ends. But of course, in true LC fashion, we got to #TreatOurselves and enjoy some of Charleston too, not to mention one too many strawberry limeades to keep us going throughout the week.

Being at a colony is a much different experience than visiting a chapter. At a colony, there is much more time to plan- but it can be more stressful because every responsibility prior to the IOs arriving falls on two people, instead of having an exec team to also work alongside with. However, getting to talk about Alpha Delta Pi on a campus that has no other Panhellenic sororities and talk about the impact that it can have on their lives was an opportunity I'm glad I got to have.

Perhaps the best part of being at a colony is getting to spend time with consultant sisters, as well as getting to know International Officers on a more personal level. Hearing their stories, and seeing how Alpha Delta Pi has aided these women into becoming the leaders that they are is one of the most powerful things I have gotten to hear since my time as a consultant.

My time in Charleston was filled with so much family and sisterhood. Not only did I get to see my big diamond, but also another Appalachian sister I have remained close to- a fellow consultant, Laura Stewart. It was so much fun to get to be around old friends, especially when my travels so far have only consisted meeting new friends! I also got to spend the day with my parents, who can oh-so-conveniently make it down to Charleston basically anytime now that they are empty nesters. We got to spend the day on the beach, (side note- you still need sunscreen in mid September!) and go out to restaurant week with Rachel! The week concluded with welcoming home 49 Alphas into our sisterhood, which was the most rewarding day after a week of hard work!

Speaking of restaurant week (a couple sentences back.. sorry)- that should be on your bucket list for next year. Rachel and I got to eat at a couple different restaurants with some amazinggggg food for even more amazing prices. It's so fun being able to try different things at new restaurants and seeing what truly makes a city special. Although you may walk away from the experience in a food coma, it is well worth it, I promise.

My fourth visit is now in the books. Next up is about my time back where it all started (aka where I was born) in Ohio!

Lots of love from South Carolina,
Kathryn

Ya'll Want Some Sonic?

Wow. That is basically all that comes to mind when I think about my time in Flagstaff, Arizona. But here I go trying to formulate 10 days of great memories into a couple of paragraphs..

So, as every story starts, I get off the plane and go to baggage claim and meet whoever is picking me up. Except, plot twist, this airport is SO small, that I have to walk outside to get off the plane, and the chapter members are waiting for me right when I walk back in the door all wearing matching t-shirts and walk me to baggage claim themselves. How catchy.

I have quickly come to realize that there is this moment when you feel like you've really bonded with the sisters. Well, this visit that moment came pretty quick. About 3 minutes into the car ride from the airport, we had already starting a list of about 12 restaurants (see below) that they wanted to take me to in my 10 days here. And yes, we did complete all of that.. And then some. They might have sized me up a bit, and said I wasn't the stereotypical blonde Southern high-maintenance sorority girl they were expecting, so luckily, I was invited to stay awhile. We headed straight for restaurant number one we wanted to check off the list, and we never looked back.

If you know me, you know one of my favorite things in the world is a Sonic Strawberry Limeade, and I'm more than happy to say I got 5 of these during my stay. Epsilon Xi, I like your style. Not to mention the multiple trips to Chipotle..

Oregano's
Lumber Yard
Fratelli's Pizza
Diablo burgers
Big Foot BBQ
Tappan
Taverna
Wildflower
Wicked
Macy's

So, arriving on campus (which is basically App State on the other side of the country) they said that they have a situation different than many other chapters, and that they all live in a dorm and each sorority has its own wing. Ohhh, never heard of that one before ;)

After walking into the dorm during Spirit Week, I met the chapter and they asked the normal questions of what positions I had, where I went to school *somebody in crowd asks if we are the team that beat Michigan*, where I grew up, how long I'm there for, and maybe to say a couple different words since they don't get to hear somebody with an accent everyday.

I got to truly experience all that Flagstaff has to over by my three roommates/ tour guides/ power suite dwellers. 2 chainz, El Presidente, and Katie, thanks for loving me way too well, feeding me at all hours of the night // even when I wasn't hungry, and fully embracing the #TreatYourself motto. I'm so happy I got the chance to live with ya'll for 10 days and change your mind about a rando moving into your place!

The more I got to explore, the more I fell in love with this little mountain town. As we all know, I'm a bit biased to the South, and never expected I could love some place so much that is far far away from North Carolina. Although half my times out of the dorm came in the form of a frantic trip to a storage unit or Target, I can always count on Miss Prez to show me around, convince me to take a food detour, and make an incredibly detailed list to make even the most complicated task seem easy.

Recruitment here is 4 separate rounds including Meet the Chapters, Philanthropy, Sisterhood, and Preference. The women worked hard at all hours of the night to make sure their chapter room was decorated to match each individual theme of the day. Like almost all recruitments, the nights were long, and the days were filled with great conversation- which all paid off in the end when Epsilon Xi had 69 women running to their chapter on Bid Day! They had a new Bid Day theme that I had never seen before- Glam Rock- and the sisters really went all out, which made the Alphas become even more excited to join!

Tangent: Another fabulous thing that happened during my time here is something I have been dreaming of. My biological little sister also became my Alpha Delta Pi sister. The entire chapter here cheered when I screamed that she accepted her bid, and that moment was just another reason I fall in love with this sisterhood more and more each day.

Ok back to Arizona: To top off all the great things that happened in the past week, we decided to wake up (at 3:30 in the morning) and go watch the sunrise at the Grand Canyon. If you haven't ever seen it before, stop reading this write now and go make it your number one thing to do on your bucket list. You won't think it is the best idea when you pile in the car at 4 am, but trust me, you won't regret it once you get out there. I thought you would be able to basically drive up next to it and look right over the ledge, but no. There is no signs saying 'huge hole ahead' or anything of that sort.. Just signs for the free Wi-Fi. Just look for the official-looking people with the big backpacks and they will point you in the right direction.

Epsilon Xi, you showed this LC the true meaning of Living for Each Other, and I will always have a special spot for Flagstaff, Mountain View, and the your chapter in my heart. I will always remember Timothy and his 5 years of service, Taco Bell apparently closing at midnight, and the delirium that sets in after a mixture of 5 espresso shots and 24+ hours with no sleep. Until next time, Flagstaff.

Lots of Love from Arizona,
Kathryn