Do you like meat?

Texas Christian University - where they saying goes, "we're more Texan than Christian". Home to the Gamma Chi chapter of Alpha Delta Pi - fantastic women.

I will say that it did take them the first week and a half to stop looking at me like I had three heads - and realize that I'm a normal person who likes to crack jokes, play pranks and talk about boys too! They finally accepted me, and now I'm leaving - tomorrow. But not after a fabulous experience.

It did take some getting used to however - as this was my first visit where the women actually had to attend class. I had to get used to NOT being stuck in a room with them all day every day (like in Spirit Week)...In terms of getting things accomplished it was more difficult because they were never home when I needed them - and not all of them live in the townhouse.

I had a fabulous room mate, the FVP, who was kind enough to share her space with me for two whole weeks! From what I understand there was an agreement to "swap me out" during the second week, but Celeste turned that down - I guess I was a pretty cool room mate to have after all!

I did steal away to Target one evening - for "essentials" - I promise, Dad! And I also got to lay in a tanning bed (I know, judge me, go ahead) to help with the blinding pasty-ness that was developing all over my body. A senior member made chocolate chip pancakes for her favorite sisters one night - I was invited...this was after that turning point where they realized I was "down".....

Halfway through my visit I was able to take a "mini-night-off" and spend the night in Dallas, at a friend's wedding. Lisa and Dustin Johnson renewed their vows for the family - and it was fabulous. It felt like Lisa's whole family was over from Ireland - and Dustin's whole family was most definitely there. Even though I wasn't able to be in the wedding like Lisa had originally planned, at least I got to be there for the event.

What made the weekend even more exciting is that past consultant, current CIA agent - KB, was able to pick me up from TCU, spend the noon hours with me, and then drop me off at the airport to get my rental car (and what a sweet Lincoln they entrusted to me). Spending time with KB was something I will always remember and always look forward to in my life.

As a wrap up to my visit the President took me to lunch. During the first week she asked if I would schedule her for my last lunch, there was a place she really wanted to take me. Sure! I said, and penciled her in.

"Do you like meat?" she asked in a voice so serious she could have been announcing a hazing incident...

"Meat?" I asked, questioningly - wondering what the heck I'd gotten myself into, getting in the car with her on only my second day. Meat? What kind of question is that?

"Yes, meat. Do you like, meat?" she repeated.

"I suppose...[nervous giggle]"

"Good - because this place is for meat-lovers, and I LOVE meat!"

Audra and I chuckle about that conversation now - but it was a little awkward turtle when it happened. She took me to Brazil de Texas, a Brazilian steakhouse - IT WAS SO GOOD. The atmosphere was so authentic, and these guys come around (it helps that they're cute and wear fun outfits) with skewers of meat hot off the fire - you have a little token next to your plate. When it's green, they bring the meat - lots of it - and when it's red, they hold off and let you chew for a few minutes. Totally awesome. A most definite gut-stuffer.

All in all - a good visit...but I ready for my days off in Vermont with Rick and Julie! Whoot!

Photo: At the Brazilian Steakhouse...


Firsts: A few days in a row officers forgot me, and I had to knock on doors to ask random chapter members to take me to get some food...please?

Six degrees of separation...

My first experience (and I’m sure not the last) of making such a wonderful connection with women at a chapter and finding it difficult to leave, was at the double “E” at the double “T”.

Lubbock, TX – home of Texas Tech University. Flat. Dry. Construction. Everywhere.

The roads would change paths daily, no lie!

Epsilon Epsilon chapter – FUN-omenal women.



Sometimes you just click with people. And I clicked with the women at double E. I don’t know what it was that lead to such a strong connection. Maybe it was the similarities I saw between them and my own chapter? Maybe it was their laid back attitude and ability to make me relax and fit in automatically?

Maybe it was Kate – the Director of Standards and Ethics who was at the airport with Ciel, the FVP to pick me up…my typical first few sentences include usually include the question, “where are you from?” Okay so maybe that’s a little boring and unoriginal, but keep reading!

Ciel (whose name means “sky” in French – I have a small girl crush on her): I’m from Austin.

Kate: Well, I guess I’m from Texas. Houston, if I had to pick a city. But I grew up all over the world…so…”

SOUND FAMILIAR? I stared at her thinking, ‘that’s MY line!’

Me: Where all over the world?

Kate rambled off about five or six places – Thailand being one of them.

Me: How awesome! I lived in India, Kuwait, Pakistan, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates…

We stared. Laughed. And that was the beginning of an incredible visit.


But wait, it doesn’t stop there. Kate and Ciel drove me (in Kim’s car) to the ADPi Lodge (a house that no one lives in, for the chapter to use) and after a little New Delta recruitment practice, Kayla and Lisa, two of the recruitment councilors took me to dinner where the President was to meet us. Get ready for this “six degrees of separation” connection…

Kayla: Is your necklace in Arabic?

Me: Yes, it is!

Kayla: Neat, I have one too. I got it in Dubai last Christmas

Me: Dubai? Why were you in Dubai?

Kayla: My Dad lives there. I go every Christmas. I actually got engaged there – but I’m not engaged anymore. Long story. Yeah.

Me: Oh. Wow. Well, I graduated in Abu Dhabi! Like, an hour away from Dubai.

Kayla (who greatly resembles dear friend, Jeannette Johnson, in so many ways - that made me happy): Oh totally! I love Abu Dhabi, been a few times. Wait, when did you graduate high school?

Me: In 2002.

Kayla: Do you know Adam Graves?

Me: Wait…that name sounds so familiar. Is he tall? Skinny? …Incredibly pale?

Kayla: Yes! He was dating this girl named…

Me: …UNA!

Kayla: OMG yes! She was gorgeous.

Me: Oh wow! Gorgeous? I guess (we have a bad history)…she really wasn’t a very nice person – but YES! I know Adam – he graduated a year before me. Why? How do you know Adam?”

Kayla: He’s my brother! Well, my step-brother, but YEAH! (They look NOTHING alike)


…How incredibly random? Who would have thought – in Lubbock, TX, that I would have made that connection?


The rest of the week was fantastic. Sure, there were complications here and there, but there wasn’t anything the chapter couldn’t handle with my help. I felt such a comfort with some of the members – the Formal Recruitment Chair and I, Whitney – love her – we had more in common than I would have ever thought – in terms of our “personal” lives, just the opposite. It was so great to have women to talk to on a personal level – that’s something I miss having in my life.

Firsts in Lubbock: I had my first “un-wich” at Jimmy John’s…a sandwich wrapped in lettuce (no bread). It was delightfully delicious and a constant crunch with every bite! Yummm!

Dorothy and Toto send their love...

My first visit: Tau chapter at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS.

I landed in Kansas City and walked towards the baggage claim to meet the president of my first chapter. I knew that such a place as Kansas City, Missouri, existed - but wasn't quite sure how that fit in with the state of Kansas. I just assumed that there must also be a Kansas City, Kansas...in fact, that must be the capital of Kansas! I figured that was only logical, right?

Well, walking to baggage claim, rushing, actually - because the president called to say she saw my flight landed and couldn't find me...we had just hit the ground when she called...walking past all the shopping booths I noticed sweatshirts, tee shirts, caps, mugs, key chains, shot glasses - all of them said Missouri.

.......................Missouri....

Well, now THAT just didn't make sense, did it? I was in Kansas City, the capital of Kansas state!

WRONG. So confused. I still wasn't sure where I was exactly, and thought that it would be best NOT to ask and completely humiliate myself upon my first visit.

Driving on the highway, country side for miles, I thought to ask sweet Stephanie, "so...what do you do for fun in....this state?" [determined it would be safest to omit what state I THOUGHT we were in]

"What do you mean? Like, in Kansas?"

"Right! In Kansas [because that's where we were, for goodness sake]!"

"Well, we're actually not in Kansas yet - we will be in about twenty minutes, but I guess there's not much we do differently than people everywhere else...I mean, there aren't any strange traditions that I know of..."

"Sweet! That's great......"

[insert awkward turtle moment]


Other than my unsure-of-where-I-am-exactly start, I don't think that I could have asked for a better first visit. Even working with a Province Director with a reputation to run the tightest shift, all went well and I was very impressed with the women I got to work with.

I am leaving Tau chapter with memories of a gorgeous house with a 24 hour open kitchen, a freezing cold room (but at least I got my own), plenty of awkward turtle and TMI turkey moments, and I think I even made a lasting impression on some of my sisters....and that's what counts the most.