Thinks That Make Me Happy On The ZTA Road

Great Afternoon!! 

I know, I know. I promised I would write home. 

The ZTA Road however, had different plans for me. Unexplainable, wonderful and challenging plans.

However, as I laid down at 1:30am last night (much earlier than the majority of the nights thus far) I was flooded with thoughts of all the tiniest victories and moments of peace and glory I have experience over the past three weeks. 

-Picture messages of my puppy from my family

-Random emails from my dear friends Katie and Anna

-The first joke that I tell that the chapter actually laughs at

-An awesome pillow

-My gray Victoria Secret Boyfriend sweatpants

-My ESPN alerts on my iPhone 

-Voicemails from Aubrey

-Late night/early morning crisis calls with national officers (they have all ended well)

-Fun restaurants

-Emotional pref ceremonies

-The first time I know the names of 2/3s of the members in the room

-Getting follow up emails from chapter officers

-Hanging out with anyone who understands or appreciates my spreadsheets

-A good discussion session at voting

-Fun text/picture messages from my fellow TLCs

-Looking at my emails that have piled up over the course of three days and being completely okay with them not being organized into their respective file folders

-When a chapter refers to crown chapter, silver awards, RSR, or 4STPP in everyday conversation

-Sisterhood moments 

-Seeing a male for the first time in 4 days and he gives you the twice over.

-Packing my suite case in 40 minutes or less

-Care packages from my parents (I know, I know I'm an adult but I love it)

-Getting email from people that are not my work or chapter officers (btw my email is harriette.lauren@gmail.com)

-Writing thank you notes

-Online shopping

-College football news articles (again email me)

-Free/working/fast wifi

Care Package from my Mommy and Daddy!! 

Eta Kappa, University of Central Florida, Orlando

I was so excited to land in Orlando for my first solo visit. I was beyond thrilled when I immediately felt at home and comfortable with the amazing ladies of Eta Kappa. Their house is amazing. The sisters were a breath of fresh air. Super outgoing and confident. It was great to just sit back and be entertained. There was a lot of late nights and hard work to be done, but these ladies do it with class and the upmost respect for one another. I was out of my element at times and had to make adjustments to their Florida life and style norms. 7 days later they welcomed 61 beautiful new sisters into their amazing family.

My AMAZING bed in Ana, the P's, room!! So comfortable!! Amazing welcome basket!! 

This was CRAZY! This was already on the sidewalk leading into the restaurant where bid day was. This is how I do my initials and it has a CROWN!! FATE!! 

Amazing display boards we painted and glittered till 2am the night before!! So AMAZING!!

What a trooper!!

Gamma Rho, Auburn University, Alabama

Absolutely beautiful. I could not have asked for a better first visit and group of girls to welcome me on to the road. I was sent to Gamma Rho with Dani (a second year TLC), who we later in the week needed to go by Dani Faye because in Alabama everyone has two names (there were 46 Mary Catherine's going through recruitment)

I really really which I could get into all of the amazing details of the 8 days I spent with the ladies of Gamma Rho, but I think the two videos below and the pictures do a pretty good job explaining the beautiful start to my big adventure.

9 & 5 Are ZTA Numbers, But NOT My ZTA Hours

Well, I made it. And after my first 25 hours of training in the past two days I can honestly still say that the very same email I sent to Ms. Ensor following my interview I would be proud to scream from the rooftop of IO for the whole world to hear. Actually, going through with that would probably get tied to my chair in the conference room. The 14 days we are spending in Indianapolis are intended to deprogram each of us from everything we thought we knew about ZTA and teach us how to teach and the material ZTA provides us to share with the chapters we will be visiting (NO, I still do not know which chapters those might be, anxiously waiting).

Now you know how I went on and on about how much I love my TLC sisters, well.. about that.. hahaha kidding. The more and more I learn about each of them and where they come from the more I see what it is that makes our relationships with one another so strong. I am rooming with Sharon and Ali which works out perfect because we are all really really laid back. This is Sharon's second year traveling so she has served as a wonderful source of information and guidance. 

The more and more time we spend learning about the operation and integration of chapters and their programming the more I find myself questioning the ZTA collegiate experience I had. I know this is probably not something that you might expect to hear out of someone who has decided to explore a career in Greek Life, but again the more conversations I have with the women I am working with the more we discover that each of us have chapter envy of one another in some form or fashion. It is actually more of a curiosity of the different sisterhoods each of us experienced. 

I am not going to get too much into what it is we are learning in this post because for most it will be really boring to non Greeks reading it. I will cover interesting topics later in the week if I don't get too burned out. I don't exactly get a whole lot of time to not spend thinking about ZTA. But whats new about that, right?  

I will be posting pictures after tomorrow probably and a little bit on the small battles I am facing with my own personal leadership style/ crown color (for you ZTAs out there). AND of course a HUGE post just as soon as I get my first travel schedule. Oh wait, and after I creepily search and learn everything there is to know about the chapters I visit. CANT WAIT!! 

Warmly. (thanks Janelle, for the cute sign off)

Also, the hotel we are staying in is super nice and convenient. And just as I knew I would, I am in LOVE with INDY. Beautiful city and weather. IO ain't bad looking either.   

Up, Up and Away

As I sit with my family on a typical night at the Baker House, trying to agree on a meal for dinner... I am so hungry that I am about to make my own grilled cheese sandwich... if they don't hurry up and figure this out.

I am sure while traveling there will be many things I long for, crave and miss. Here are some I am sure will rise above the rest.

My Family: If you have ever met my parents and younger brother you know we are a loud and mouthy bunch. For the most part we are very laid back and all share similar interests. Shopping (for anything, groceries, clothes, SHOES, home decor), Music (Susan's taste is not quite the same, damn feminist can't take a joke), Movies (again Susan will watch them refuses to laugh at any joke where a female is the target), and laying by the pool. Jeff and I are pretty much the same person, while Justin and Susan are our full of emotion and feelings counterparts. Our house hold is run by our pets and we do the best to treat them like they are members of the family.

Speaking of Pets, Paisley: my one-year-old Vally Bulldog (English Bulldog, mixed with a Boxer) is going to be the hardest to leave behind. I am very very fortunate that my parents have agreed to keep her for the next year while I am on the road. She has adapted to having a back yard and her big, much older, brother Bock (seen above). She makes my heart smile. Everyone that has ever met her knows that she is not the most well behaved animal but she has a whole lot of loveand kisses to share. And anyone who has seen the two of us together knows that I let do just about what ever she wants, including lay in my lap and kiss my face. I know she will be well taken care of and I know she is going to grow up and change so munch in the next year and I just hope remembers how to love and cuddle with her mom (me) when I get back.

Friends and Gamma Tau Sisters: I have a handful of friends that I have vowed to call in every spare minute I can steal. In between gossip filled phone calls I will have the following picture displayed on the outside covers of my planner while I am on the road. These women have served as my support system and my biggest cheerleaders and I charge into my new big girl LIFE.

Big XII football: I am a huge sports nut and have developed a true interest in NCAA football while in college. My specifically for teams in the Big XII, which now has 10 teams? Anyways, for the past three years I have been an avid daily College Football Live watcher, I record Saturday's College Game Day presentation (yeah, it comes on at 9am and sometimes after a long night out 9am comes a little too early). I am sure it has stemmed from my parents investment in the Texas Longhorns, and Tech's impressive tradition of handing out upsets. I will miss attending games and often I assume my schedule and regional TV contracts will keep me from watching games during the season. And my job will definitely keep me away from tailgating and fraternizing.

Texas: The greatest state in the country!! I can only imagine the things I will experience and many landscapes I will see during the time I travel. But I have also traveled enough already to know that the state pride that the people of Texas breed into their children from the Texas flag onesie, to our 7th grade Texas History classes there is just something about a Texas Girl that you wont find anywhere else in the south. Where else in the country can you go to in state school 9 hours away from your hometown. Because of all the time I have spent traveling this great state by car I have a huge appreciation for the beautiful gift we call TEXAS.

Driving/Freedom/Sense of Direction: Since our consultant fly from campus to campus the majority of the time we will be driven my chapter members and advisors. If I need to run an errand or want late night ice cream I will be limited by who is available to run me around. I also will be new to every surrounding I am put in, having my sense of direction thrown off is something I am going to have to get comfortable with.

My Life In 68lbs Or Less

After literally months of list making and reminder post-its I finally began the process of packing up my life for the next three months. Ever since I was 8 years old I spent a week of my summer at various summer camps. The registration packets would come in during late February and as soon as it was mailed off it took everything I had not to start packing immediately. This was the same situation. The Monday after I was offered the job I spent my whole day in class and at work writing down all the things I thought I was going to need. Then weeks later when I was able to sit down and pick the brain of a current TLC even more was added to the list. I refrained from actually touching and sorting any of my clothes until late May when I was moving into my parents' house. Since my wardrobe didn't fit all in one closet I went ahead and separated clothes I considered appropriate and easy to pack from the rest of everything else. So my "TLC" clothes and other items have been in my family's guest room for the past couple of months piling up.

Over the past weekend my parents were away on vacation and I was left to keep an eye on my brother and tend to the puppies. This left open the perfect opportunity to begin the process of packing.

In the past three days I have plucked "unnecessary" items from the pile, till finally it looked like a manageable/packable amount of clothing. And sure enough by 11pm last night the next three months of my life was packed up in two pieces of luggage. The grand total of which comes to... 67.7lbs. 41.0 for my checked bag and 26.7 for my carry on.

Now the following list is more for me to keep inventory of the things I am beginning my travels with incase my luggage gets lost or I misplace something. I know I have over looked something (TLCs reading this, help me out if you catch something). And I am sure that this list will give me a laugh come December when I have this whole traveling thing down, but for now HERE IT IS.

Tennis Shoes

6 Socks

Black Heals

Crown TOMS

White Ritual Shoes

Shower Flip Flops

Gold Flats

Tory Ballet Flats

Camisole Tops (white & black)

Swim Suit

Leggings

Getting Ready Dress (a swim cover up, that I wear when I am doing my hair and make up)

Towel Wrap

Purple Summer Scarf- incase I end up at KState ;)

3 Sleeping Shorts

4 Sleeping T-shirts

Rain Jacket

Fleece

7 ZTA T-shirts

5 Sports Bras

4 Bras

10 Underwear

5 Solid V-Neck Shirts

3 Cardigans

4 Nicer Blouses

3 Nike Shorts

3 Sweatpants

5 Summer Skirts

2 Jeans (I know crazy, I plan on having my mom mail me more once it gets cooler)

White Ritual Dresses

Black Pref Dress

Black Romper

Turquoise Sun Dress

Floral Dress

Khaki Pencil Skirt

Navy Linen Pants

In a gallon sized bag separate from all other clothes in carry on:

Khaki Shorts

White V-Neck T-Shirt

Extra Bra

Cardigan

Full Size Shampoo, Conditioner and Body Wash

Travel Size of the same to keep in my carry on, incase of lost bag.

Normal Toiletries For the Most Part

Nail Kit

ZTA Magnet Name Tags

Wrinkle Releaser

Dryer Sheets

Hair Dryer (full size did not fit, I am going to buy a travel dryer)

Straightener

Wash Cloths

Pillow Cases

Ready Set Recruit

Stationary

Kindle

Chargers to Everything

Camera

Flip Video Camera

Receipt Wallet

Surge Protector (found an awesome really small one)

Clip Board

Planner (with pictures of my friends and puppy)

I am sure there are a million things in between I have over looked. I will update as I go : )

Light Reading

Okay so being out of school now for 2+ months has severely decreased my overall attention span. After receiving my TLC package I was so pumped to learn as much as I could about the year ahead of me. However, I was so completely "out of shape" when it came to retaining anything I was attempting to read. Then that lead me to believe that if I just got through Convention my head would be a little more clear and I would be able to spend my 10 days off at least skimming the material. Well, with only 7 days left till I leave I can't imagine that I round up the motivation to open the cover.

Ready Set Recruit is a thick three inch binder that holds all the answers to pulling off a textbook recruitment. Exercises, conversation topics, theme idea, ect. Having never served as President, recruitment chair, membership or new member educator I was never really required or called upon to refer to it.

Pledged- Okay so before I even went through recruitment back in the day (06) there was a book published called Pledged and it followed the sorority membership of four different girls in two different chapters on an unnamed campus (its be speculated that it was SMU). I started reading it because it often has Greeks on the defensive and I kind of felt like I needed to know what I might be up against. That doesn't even sound right, but never the less I wanted to be in the know about what was out there. This is probably totally inappropriate but I have the same approach to Greeks vs. "GDIs" as I do Republicans vs. Democrats. I can sit and argue both sides all day long. I have been witness to and even played a role in some very very stereotypical Greek Life behavior. Just as I identify with different parties platforms on various issues. Either way I am about half way through the book and having been so busy catching up on sleep recently I have not been able to make any progress since I have been at home. I plan on putting a big dent in it tomorrow while I lay out by the pool. (P.S. why am I self conscious as I sit in the car wash waiting room with my pledged book and know all the little socialite mommies sitting around me think that I am a future PNM preparing myself for rush)

Blogs, now not only have I started two blogs in the past two months but I have starting following several blogs pertaining to Greek Life, mostly speakers and those involved with improving issues Greeks and college students are faced with. I have learned a lot so far and even gone so far as to comment (big mistake, but I just got so riled up I just couldn't keep my mouth shut). I am learning a lot about the issues being discussed and even more about how to maintain and write a blog.

Articles- I have started getting a whole new wave of articles forwarded to me from friends and family members. Some I read, others the titles are enough to make me hit the delete button.

Now other materials I have not been able to put down. Suggested packing lists, to do lists and emails from IO.

Now all of this reading and preparing is leading up to the training that will take place one week from today at ZTA's International Office in Indianapolis. All 18 of us will meet for two weeks to learn every possible task, job and position we might be assigned to take on or teach while on the road. I can't wait for this experience for many reasons, the most of which being getting to see all of my TLC sisters for two whole weeks, and also to learn the many many many things I was never taught at all or correctly while in my chapter.

It is going to be a great adventure. Now if I can only get to reading!!

Cheers!

Convention 2010: Experience the Sisterhood

This being my second convention I felt pretty confident that I had packed all the right things and knew what to expect in terms of the overall structure. Tradition is a big part of Greek life and I couldn't imagine that my second experience would be all that different from the first. I was WRONG, but in a really great way. When I attended in 2008 I found a deeper connection to the "Lifetime of Sisterhood" which was in fact the theme of our general meetings. And as the ladies of ZTA always do, we were presented with a new initiative, "Experience the Sisterhood". That is exactly what we did for 6 glorious days, and when I say days I mean 6am-1am days! Now this week was only a taste of the AMAZING experiences I have been assured will ensue throughout my time on the road (many of the alumnae we had the pleasure of working with were past TLCs).

The countdown to convention began in early April when myself and the other 16 TLC received our very first email from IO "detailing" what was go come in the month ahead. We weren't exactly prepared for what our volunteer services at convention would be, but we had a date and a list of names. July 6th would be the day ZTA brought together 17 wonderfully talented leaders from across the country. We immediately bonded and began telling stories. There was an instant kindred sisterhood between each of us. By the time I arrived back a the hotel from airport duty with Robyn and Sami, my wonderful roommate Lexie had found all my luggage and had it all laid out for me on my bed with a cute note!! Just what I needed as I was rushed to make it to our first TLC task, the parade of National Council. (See Picture Below).

It was obvious, as we joyfully put on these ridiculous outfits, that there was a common thread linking all of us. Not necessarily insanity, more of an overwhelming love to do what ever we can for ZTA. This thread is what will keep us all connected as we set off in a million different directions at the beginning of August.

For most of us this was the first trip out of the house for our new luggage and our first attempts at packing for the unpredictable and impossible. I can only speak for myself but the luggage held up GREAT and the packing could be improved upon, but this next time around I plan on spending two to three days packing everything just right. My organization, or lack there of, as the week went on was less than impressive. I am going to have to find a better system to keep my items in my suitcase more organized and out of the way while on the road. I think a little extra time in the mornings and running with a little more sleep each day might just improve that situation.

The business of the convention consisted of a new presentation of the next phase of My Sister My Responsibly, election of a new National Council, Performance of the Epsilon Step Team, and Special Guest DJ Scrilla and his new ZTA rap. All part of the wonderful experience that is the sisterhood of ZTA.

TLC Welcome Box

After an entire day and a half of waiting, I couldn't wait any longer. I had planned a trip to College Station to visit several of my friends for the last time for a while and I couldn't possibly wait any longer to leave. Sure enough 30 minutes down the road my mom called and said that my package had finally arrived. In retrospect it was probably a good thing. It gave me incentive to head home a day early for a weekend with my family.

When I finally sat down to open and sort through its contents I made sure my brother and the dogs out of the house as to not distract me or spill anything on it it. The first packet was a welcome letter from Sarah, our boss. In every exchange along the way between Sarah and our lucky group of 16 she goes out of her way to make us feel like we are their priority and encourages us to do what we need to do in order to take care of ourselves.

It told us what to prepare for as far as convention and training are concerned and more importantly a large portion of the packet was devoted to what and how to pack. A lot of the tips and list of items I had already been aware of, but it still reinforced the importance of practicing packing in the coming weeks (almost only TWO WEEKS LEFT)!!

The final four sheet in the packet were to be filled out and sent to Sarah.

-Our TLC Travel Profile included our information about our "Home" airport and all of our Frequent Flyer information. Yayy for everyones key question being answered. Yes I get to keep my travel points!! 90% of the time when I tell people what I will be doing next year, they ask me about the points.

-The payroll information sheet provided IO (international office) with the bank information they needed for direct depositing my paychecks into my account while I am on the road.

-TLC Meal Profile so they know what to feed each of us during our training. Nothing too picky. I pretty much love all food (typically a huge problem for me).

-The final page was a TLC Visit Request form. "Its not a guarantee, but it doesn't hurt to ask" is what it reads on the top of the page. My requests include: Kansas State, UNLV, Anywhere in Georgia or South Carolina, University of Texas, Oklahoma State, LSU, and Texas State University, UNC, PennState, Anywhere in Michigan, ect.

Aside from the worksheets was the bible of ZTA recruitment "Ready, Set, Recruit". The instructions inside asked us to read through it and take note of any questions or concepts we might need to go over in depth during training. Since I did not attend NLC last year when the material was presented and I have never held a recruitment position I am very excited to sit down and explore all that is recruitment. Post-it notes in hand, I plan to curl up with it the next couple of evenings.

With 16 days till this big adventure begins I cant help but think of how excited I have remained since that very first email announcing that I was even approved for a face to face interview. I can not wait for what is to come, as I am sure the excitement and butterflies will only intensify.

Could it be true... is my job truly this AWESOME

Yayy!! Welcome home, New Home. The luggage I am absolutely in love with.

A. its duffle

B. its orange, my favorite color (for this week anyway)

C. they match each other

D. They piggy back each other so I wont have my hands too full

E. They are as big as they can get for their respective check and carry on purpose

I am starting to think that you don't truly know your self until you have had to prepare to live out of a suit case for a year. To my fellow TLCs you will soon know I am very weird about things matching. Its odd too what I decide is okay to match and what is not okay to match. I just recently learned that I either have an OCD issue with matching or collecting things that collect things... Case in point.

New Computer/Technology Cases super cute matching computer, camera and video camera covers I ordered from www.fabrixcases.com. They have the cutest patterns and they really do protect your most valuable items.

Eagle Creek Packing System, as seen at the Container Store's amazing Summer Travel Sale. In theory these are going to my saving grace when it comes to saving space in my beautiful new luggage. Check it out: www.containerstore.com

Jon Hart, the quintessential icon of Texas Tech sorority life. The go-to grad gift in the state of Texas and a must have in the classroom. While on Panhellenic in 2008 we visited the South East Panhellenic Convention in Atlanta, GA and it was clear as day who was from further north and who had flocked north for the event. If you were rocking Vera Bradley you were from some north east coast county and those of us from the "country" sported our handmade leather Jon Hart totes and chico make up cases. That year, our Panhellenic president even gifted each of us at the end of our term with matching Jon Hart gear as a goodbye gift.

As mentioned before, I have had my reservations about the craze that is Vera Bradley. I had a friend that had moved from Connecticut when she was younger and was still very close with cousins and family there, and every time she came back from a trip up north she had collected the newest of what Vera had to offer. I protested for as long as I possibly could. In the past two years I gave in and bought an ID case/keychain piece that replaced a similar ZTA one I had been given as a freshman, then I found a eye glass case that I thought was kind of cute and finally over the holidays I purchased a flat iron cover (its Jon Hart counterpart cost $80). And NOW with all this travel on the brain I have fully given in and have a full collection. The roll up toiletry bag and a lined ditty bag for my random shower and hair products.

There have been several items I have found are going to cause me some trouble when packing. This is probably the worst of it at this point. I know I just need to go to the department store and ask if they have alternative caps to the bottle, but seriously who designed this?

My parents are super crazed about me making sure to keep my nicer jewelry with me at all times when I travel. Found this handy little thing at the Container Store and plan to keep my nicer accessories and my badge in it and then that inside of my carry on tote. I hope that it is helpful in keeping my necklaces and rings untangled. Oh, yeah and did I mention I have a travel receipt holder that also MATCHES it!!

Aghhh I have a problem!! But aren't they so PRETTY!!

Packing Reminders

I got super super lucky that after Ms. Ensor called and offered me the position in late February it was announced that Gamma Tau (Texas Tech University ZTA chapter) would be having our yearly chapter visit from current TLC, Annette, that next weekend. Completely in the dark about the details of the job, still kinda am at this point, I was pumped to go straight to the source. Annette and I were able to cover the basics of the job and she even shared with me Sharon's videos and pictures on FaceBook to give me a better idea of the things she was explaining. On the last night she was in town we sat down together and she wrote down and gave her suggestions for packing and travel. Here is what I have. It is certainly not everything, but thought I would share.

Badge
Turquoise and Gray Pledge Ribbon
Minimal Accessories
Nylons
Laundry Bag
Airborne
Headache Meds
Band Aids

Business Card Holder
Stationary & Postage
Travel Wallet (something to keep receipts in)
Tote Bag
Pencil Bag
A few Blank CDs and DVDs
Flash Drive/ External Hard drive

Tennis Shoes
Black Pumps
Dress Sandals
Shower Sandals
White Shoes

2-3 Jeans
2-3 Dresses
2 Cardigans
1 Business outfit
2 Sweatshirts
4-6 Nice Shirts (not anything you have to iron)
4 T-shirts
White dress
Pref Dress
Cute Pajamas
Black Pants
Windbreaker/Rain Jacket

Don't Bring
Airplane Pillow
More than one tote
Too many t-shirts (she had me pegged)

These are just some thoughts Annette had. I will post later the things I intend to pack A) to cross reference and help to make sure none of us overlook anythings B) So that I can keep track of my life while I am on the road and have sort of an only inventory C) because it just seems so much more real to have it written down, writing down that I am actually packing 4 white plain v-necks will hopefully register as CRAZY and I can reconsider.

Packing Away Lost Little Treasures

Today, per the request of my disgruntled parents, I finally sat down and cleaned out the last of my boxes that I have stored at their house while on the road. The majority of my stuff is in storage already, but I pulled out a few boxes that had old school supplies, keepsakes and hopefully somewhere.. my passport. I found a million thank you and birthday cards that warmed my heart and made me realize just how much I am going to miss Tech, my friends and family over the next year while I am gone. I got really excited when I broke into my sparkly pink and purple ZTA box that my big had given me on the night of my initiation. Over the past four years I had filled it full of pictures, cards, programs, name tags and enough ZTA stationary to fill an entire backpack.

I also found a poem in honor of a scholarship I was awarded for my service and involvement in the Texas Tech Greek community. The scholarship is in honor of Callie M. Chalk, and the recipient each year is revealed through a poem preformed at the Annual Greek Awards Banquet. Kinda cute, I thought I would share.

Leadership, service and academic success
Are all qualities that Callie did stress
The young lady receiving this award
In these areas has always worked hard

I feel confident that she will attest
Panhellenic events may be the best
The Greek Guild for Habitat she took to Heart
She had to make certain each group did its part

Numerous other activities she can boast
Photography projects she may like the most
Convention delegate can have some fun
Student Housing may have kept her on the run

Her sisters definitely think she's great
Her chapter contributions certainly rate
Scholareship, slating, and secretary to exec
They are sure glad she came to Tech

Advertising and Italian may be quite tough
Taking eighteen hours can be rough
Especially with so much on her plate
She must have to study very late

A silber and turquoise carpenter's square
As a new member she did wear
White violets she knows how to grow
Strawberries and bunnies make her heart glow

I think my hints have been quite clear
For all of her efforts, we do cheer
Harriette Baker, your crown shines bright
Zeta Tau Alpha is certainly proud tonight
April 2, 2009

At Tech we are asked to take an online personality profile that assigns each person their own signature themes. When I ran across them, they were in a pile of material from my freshman seminar class, I skimmed over the descriptions and found myself blown away by just how true they remain to who I am both as a person and a leader. Knowing my own strengths over the coming year will hopefully help me to remain true to who I am and how I can contribute.

-Context: People especially talented in the Context theme enjoy thinking about the past. They understand the present by researching its history.
-Strategic: Create alternative ways to proceed. Faced with any given scenario, they can quickly spot the relevant patterns and issues.
-Significance: Want to be very important in the eyes of others. They are independent and want to be recognized
-Deliberative: Best described by the serious care they take in making decisions or choices. They anticipate the obstacles.
-Analytical: Search for reasons and causes. They have the ability to think about all the factors that might affect a situation.

I found my folder and papers from attending national convention in 2008. I sat it aside and after I finally found my passport and filed away the rest of my things so that my parents could finally have their house back in order, I sat down and read through the program of events, state of the fraternity address, Themis and all of the officer reports given that year. My heart skipped every time my eye skimmed through information about the actions and service of the TLCs from that biennium, nerdy and obsessive, I know. However, I just can't get enough.

ZTA is about to get so much bigger than my massive stack of t-shirts or my pretty pink memory box, and I wish so badly that I could explain it to those outside of the Greek community and even make some of my very own sisters understand and appreciate just how much work goes into such an amazing organization and cause. I know these are concepts you have to experience in order to understand, but I am feeling pretty alone as I sit 600 miles away from my chapter and 25 days away from what I know will be the most memorable convention of my lifetime. I find myself on our ZTA TLC 2010-2011 facebook page over a dozen times a day just so I can share in the excitement that so many of my friends and family back home are completely sick of hearing about.

This whole thing feels a little like when I left high school for college and I was just so excited to be surrounded by other students who were excited to be leaving home and getting a degree, making new friends and having a lot of fun. It was so refreshing to leave the townies and debbie downers at home. Not that my college friends are now playing the role of debbie downers, but they don't share in my same excitement about leadership, travel and Greek Life. I have stopped trying to explain the TLC program to my friends as a job. A) because people just don't get it, and when I say I am a consultant it always inspires a follow up questions, then as I get further and further into the job description they begin to think that I am just some silly sorority girl that can't let go of my collegiate lifestyle, and maybe that partially the truth, BUT B) I doubt any of them are going to have co-workers that will as supportive as the 16 women I will be working with over the next year. I cant wait!! 25 days!!