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.
