There's Always Something to be Thankful for.

 This Thanksgiving had me reflecting on some of the hard lessons from this semester that I am grateful for. It's no secret to those that I am close too that this semester has probably been one of the most stressful thus far. I'm pretty sure I've made it out of the woods, and I finally feel comfortable sharing it with you all in hopes that you may see what you can be thankful for within your struggle.

 Last semester I lost the Hope scholarship that the state of Georgia has available to anyone who has and maintains a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Its not that I wasn't smart enough to maintain a B average, I could most definitely could even do better than that. My priorities were mixed up I valued my sorority, social life, and my boyfriend at the time above my grades. Obviously having school coming in third didn't work out for me too well and that D I made in Econ hit me like a ton of bricks. I was so disappointed in myself. I took 2 classes this past summer and made A's, and this semester looks like its going to turn out well too. It's been a lot of work, I no longer have any room to goof off or slide by if I want to be on good academic standing with my sorority, and get the Hope back, which you can only do once. I am thankful that this semester I was forced to learn how  to better manage my time, and that I was able to prove to my parents, and myself again that I am capable of doing well in school.

For the first part of the semester I didn't have a job which I needed to have. I quit my job at Chick-Fil-A over the summer because I was offered a nanny position making 10$ an hour. I went to 2 interviews with the parents and even babysat before being offered the job. Then 2 days before I was to start I received a text message from the mother informing me that they were going to have the mother-in-law watch the child instead. Naturally I was furious because with recruitment and school starting when was I going to find another job. My Mom wanted me to go back to Chick-Fil-A but that was a last resort for me. I got a little bit of money from my parents every week and I applied to everything on Sitter City, finally one day I got a message from a woman who needed me 10 hours a week to help out in her home for 15$ an hour. I became a "Mothers Helper" for a wonderful Christian family who treats me with kindness and respect. I am so thankful that instead of going back to Chick-Fil-A I trusted my instinct that something better would come along.

On top of stressing out about school and my job I was in a very negative living environment for half of the semester. How I was being treated by my roommates in my own apartment was detrimental to my mental health. I ended up deciding to move out which was hard because prior to moving in together I had been friends with these girls. I had thought that moving in together would make us all closer, and that I would love living with my friends. That's not what happened. Letting go of friendships is never easy, but I'm thankful that during that time I learned who my real friends are. I had so much support and I got close to people I may not have had I not been forced to reach out, and expand my circle. 

I am thankful for these life lessons and so many other things this Holiday Season. Remember sometimes when things fall apart they are really just falling together.

Being Thankful

Since it is Thanksgiving, it is tradition, at least in my family, to take time and reflect on the things we are thankful for. 

This year, being no different, I am using my blog post as a platform to give thanks to the things that make me smile, make my days brighter, and more importantly, make me a better person.

In the interest of being as concise as possible, I have narrowed my thanks into 5 sections.

Health: I am grateful that I am a relatively healthy 23 year-old and that I am here to tell my story. 

Career: I am beyond lucky; I was able to earn two degrees at a great university, found a great first job that I enjoy a few months after graduation, and to have the passion to continue making my way through my career. 

Goals: I am thankful for my goals and dreams that push me forward and allow for me to work towards something everyday.

Friends: To all my friends, you bring out the best in me. I am thankful for all of our memories, all of our stories, and more importantly, all of you. From my sorority sisters to my coworkers, I am blessed to have such great friends in my life.

Family: More than anything else I am thankful for my family.  While we don’t always agree or condone each other’s choices, our love has no limits.  Thank you for always believing in me and providing me with a strong foundation as I enter this adult world. To my mom, you are my backbone; I would be nothing without you.  To my sister, I am grateful we are so close, you are my biggest fan and I wouldn’t want to share any of our jokes with anyone else. To my grandpa, you are the greatest man I have ever known. I love you. To my brother, you drive me crazy, but I wouldn’t be me with out my wittle brother. To my boyfriend AJ, there is no one else in this world that I would want to share the rest of my life with- thank you for always keeping me on my toes, making me smile, and more importantly, loving me at me best and worst.  To my “in laws” Tony and Tricia, you are amazing people and I am so lucky to be a part of your family. Thank you for opening you home and your heart to me! To my "brother in-law" Jeff, thank you for being the funniest person I know and for always looking out for me! To my four-legged animal family members, I am thankful for all the joy you bring to my life every day!

So now, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I urge you all to consider what you are thankful for!

The Final Countdown

Twenty-three days. That’s how many days I have left until I walk across the stage and accept my diploma with the School of Public Affairs. That’s twenty-three days until I receive my Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice.  On December 19, 2014, I will have been in School since August 2010.

I’ll be completely honest with everybody. The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs was NOT my first choice when I was applying for colleges. I had a lot of options when it came to places to choose from but ultimately I chose UCCS because my ex best friend asked me to go with her. I never wanted to consider Colorado Springs as an option and halfway through my sophomore year, I was ready to transfer. It was when I was on my way to the library that I was approached by a sister of Phi Sigma Sigma and she was trying to get me to go to recruitment. I didn’t want to go…I was the furthest thing from what I thought was the “typical” sorority girl but after going to recruitment, I quickly fell in love. I felt at home and I was loved and accepted. I had finally found where I belonged at UCCS.

People always say bad things about Greeks, but what they never tell you is that if you join the right organization, you’re right at home. Joining Phi Sig made the time go by faster when I finally wanted time to slow down. I found my home away from home and I fell in love with my organization but not only did I fall in love with Phi Sigma Sigma, I found my soulmates.

I would have never met my best friends if we didn’t all end up in Phi Sig together.  We all came into Phi Sig 6 months apart but I couldn’t imagine my life without the two of them.  I watched one of them go from new member to Panhellenic delegate to archon and the other go from scribe to vice archon and I’ll never be able to describe how proud I am of them. They both inspire me to be the best person that I can possibly be and I know that I can depend on the two of them, just like they both can depend on me.

While I don’t have my own big sapphire, I do have my twin little sapphires and they are the most beautiful women that I know. They are my rocks. I’ve taught them a lot and in turn, they’ve also taught me a lot. They’ve been there through all of it with me and we’ve truly grown together. Everything that’s good in the world is what dwells inside of their souls. I’m proud of them and I know they’ll go on to do great things both inside and out of this chapter.

As for the rest of my chapter, I have no idea where I would be without any of them. I’ve laughed for countless hours and stood in the parking lot talking to them in the freezing cold! I know that wherever I go, I’ll always have them! The time that I’ve been in Phi Sig, I’ve grown as a person and have become a woman of substance and character and I have the past four years to thank for that! 

The countdown to the end has finally begun and I’m officially 23 days from being a college graduate. I’m 23 days from being the absolute best version of myself. I’m 23 days from being a Phi Sigma Sigma alumna. 

I'm 23 days from beginning the next chapter in my life but I promise that I won't forget the chapter that I came from! 

Wedding Time

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you are all looking forward to your week off! I am currently in the beautiful city of Charleston for my cousins wedding. I'm so excited for tomorrow Laura is going to a beautiful bride. Charleston has always been my favorite place. It feels almost as much like home as my actual home. The city has such a laid back vibe and the people are friendly. It's really the perfect southern city. I have so many memories here from where I spent the summers with my cousins on James Island and Folly Beach. It's so great to be back and with family, my Dad is one of 6, and the only one who lives in Georgia. I am so happy to be able to see all my aunts, uncles, and cousins, there are a lot of us in the Dangerfield clan! This break is much needed and I hope you all get to spend it with family and loved ones as well.

Quality Over Quantity

What do most people look for when it comes to recruitment ?

Do they look for leadership potential? Do they look for people that would mesh well with them? Do you look for people who won't create drama and bring everyone down? While each sorority is different, it is absolutely key to find people who work well with others and who would be leaders within your organization. 

Within the past few weeks, we've elected for our executive board and executive council for the 2015 term and it was then that it hit me. This year our we actually have people who want to fill positions. 

It's been a problem within our organization that we don't have enough people to fill positions or that we get our positions filled and then weeks later, people drop their position. 

It's been this time around that we, as a chapter, have actually had people be willing to fill almost all of our positions. Though there are things left unfilled, I find it better that they were left unfilled then somebody winning and then dropping. 

I'm curious, what do you look for when you're looking at PNM's? 

If leadership skills or leadership potential aren't some of the things that you're looking for, maybe it's time that you start thinking about these things before the next recruitment period comes around. 

I, personally, would have a smaller chapter of quality sisters than a large group of women who aren't contributing anything. 

As a senior and a veteran member of my chapters executive board, as well as executive council, I want to leave the chapter in a better place than it was when I came in.

After three years of being in my chapter, our sisterhood is the strongest that it's ever been and I want it to stay that way long after I'm gone from this chapter. 

Southern Nest!

       One of my new favorite stores on Etsy is Southern Nest! It is any sorority girl or big girl entering the real world's dream! It is all about the monogram. The owner's name is Courtney and her store is so charming.Southern Nest offers the top quality wooden monograms on the market. Get creative and monogram your home! A little vintage, a little preppy....welcome to Southern Nest.
       "Today, a team of multiple hardworking individuals are what make the Southern Nest operations flow so smoothly. Thanks to their hard work and dedication, we continue to be the leader in wooden monograms. Southern Nest was recently featured on the Today Show, Rosie Pope of Bravo's Pregnant in Heels, Charlotte Observer, Huntersville News and Herald, and chosen as one of Charlotte's 2014 Best of Charlotte companies. We work incredibly hard to deliver a BREATHTAKING product and send our customers a little piece of the South."
       I was lucky enough gain two beautiful products of theirs one highlights my sorority and the other highlights my monogram. Both of these things I am beyond obsessed with! If you are interested you can go to their website and use the code SOUTHERN to receive 10% off! 

Southern Nest Giveaway

Welcoming New Sisters as an a Alum

When you about to graduate, you usually hear people say the things they will miss about their university, their friends, their Greek Lettered organization, basically every positive thing from their college experience.

Then these people go on into the real world and move past their college years into full adulthood. The biggest miss conception of this transitional period is that you will soon forget all the things you miss.

Yes, you do move on and eventually become a "real person" (you know the kind with a full time jobs, their own apartment, and more importantly two tons of student loans) but certain things trigger the flashbacks to, let's face it, the best time of your life.

One of the said times, is when your sorority/fraternity/club post pictures of their newest class of new members. Just two weeks, I was lucky enough to watch the newest members of Phi Sigma Sigma- Delta Omega enter our lifelong sisterhood.

While I only met these women a handful of times, I know that my sisters worked hard to find the best people to fit into our organization.  Though I had nothing to do with them becoming a new member, I am proud to finally be able to call them my sisters and share that special bond that only we can share.

The end is near

With the end of the semester fast approaching time seems to be closing in on me. It's funny how we think that we have forever to do something and then it sneaks up on us before we even know it. Lately, I have been feeling like there just are not enough hours in the day to do all the things I have to do, Honestly I've been having a lot of nogalista and wishing that I could be a freshman again. I just wanna go back in time a little bit to where the work was easy enough that I could still go out every weekend and make A's. Upper level classes have hit me like a ton of bricks, and I swear group projects will be the death of me. I have been yearning for a day where I have nothing to do besides sit in bed and watch netflix but unfortunatley I don't think that day is coming until Christmas break however, seeing as how the last week of classes is the week after thanksgiving break. I want to be done with this semester and I want two extra weeks of classes all at the same time. I'm really trying to finish strong and not let all my hard work be put to waste even though my motivation is starting to dwindle. I hope that thanksgiving break will refresh at least give me enough of a break from classes that I am ready to rock finals.

Kim Kardashian: Setting Unrealistic Expectations Across the World

Its no secret that many people throughout the globe (men, women, and even children) struggle to create and maintain societies perception beauty. 

This “ standard of excellence”, which has been pressed on humanity through the media for decades, has now set a new bar to reach.

If you haven’t seen it already, which if that is the case you are living under a very large rock, Kim Kardashian has officially showed all of her “assets” on the cover of Paper Magazine which was released two days ago (not to mention a full frontal view which was also release).

Millions flooded to web pages across the Internet to see the body of the potentially the most famous Kardashian sister.  But in reality, what does this magazine cover really represent?

In my personal opinion, I think the poster will do nothing more than give women an unattainable expectation of what they should look like and further more, provide males the same unrealistic perception of what a women should look like. (Please refer to Tina Fey's quote below).

These unattainable goals, over time, can affect the self-esteem of the person.  However, I think the best thing one can do, is to look at the cover, acknowledge its impossibility, and then instead of focusing on the things you don’t like about your body, focus on the things that make YOU think you are beautiful.

I am not naïve, I know that it is hard to look past our self-perceived imperfections, but I can promise that seeing the good in ourselves makes us better individuals and thus makes our society better as a whole. In the end, seeing the best version of ourselves helps us see the best on others. 

Social Media : Make You or Break You

If you were to pull up your Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter right now, would you feel comfortable showing it to someone at an interview? Many college students don't recognize that social media is one of the biggest things that can make or break you when you start to journey into the post-grad life. Especially in sorority and fraternity pictures, you know the socials and formals are great photo ops but are the all "appropriate"?

The main thing to remember is that when you click post, it's officially on the Internet. Employers can have access to it, sometimes even if your profiles are private. 

So in order to make sure you're playing it safe, here's some tips: 

1// No Spring Break photos (just no)

2// Keep it classy. Always.

3// Refrain from swearing, immaturity, inappropriate  references.

4// No drunk photos.   

Just keep these in mind and try to remember that college memories last forever, but don't let them haunt you. 

The Odd Girl Out

Every girl has their big, right? That's what I thought too until I didn't...

I received my bid for my chapter in Spring 2012 and a week after receiving my bid, I found out who my big was. We were perfect for one another but sadly, this story didn't have a storybook ending.

When a girl first receives her big, it should be one of the best days of her life! Mine was! At first, my big and I did everything together! We would spend countless hours with one another talking about anything and everything in the world. Within eighteen months, that all went south. Sadly, what I thought was going to be the best relationship of my life suddenly turned poisonous.

It's been a year since the disaffiliation of my former big and it's been somewhat difficult on me. To say that I miss having a role model and mentor is an understatement. I was never the girl who had her big as her biggest fan and that's what truly upsets me.

Every time we get a new member class and bigs reveal themselves to their little, I want to stress the importance of the big/little relationship.

For most people, it's far too late to decide if they want a little but if you do COB (continuous open bidding) then you may find yourself with the option to take a little or not.

If you're going to take a little, take the time to think about the responsibility that comes with the relationship that you're wanting to form. Are you prepared to take on a little? Are you ready to become a role model and help them succeed within your chapter? Are you ready to help a little with their problems both inside and out of your chapter?

If you said no to any of these questions then by all means, please don't take one if you aren't ready. If you are ready, then good luck to you!

Thanks, Mom and Dad.

I don't know about the rest of you, but my parents have done and continue to do a lot for me, even if I am already 22 years old.

I'll let you all in on a little secret...my parents weren't always there.

When I was three, I moved with my grandparents to New Mexico and they raised me. When I was 8, they adopted me.

Now I'm not saying that I never had my mom, but she wasn't the person I was dependent on when I was younger. .

I grew up with my grandparents. I have never met my dad, or at least I haven't seen him since I was fresh out of the womb.

When I was in 7th grade, my mom began dating the man who I actually call my dad. Since then, I've formed a relatively close relationship to both my mom and my (step)dad. I graduated from high school in 2010 and guess who was able to come back from deployment for two weeks to see me graduate? It was my dad!

When my mom and dad got married, I gained 2 younger sisters and a younger brother.  I was relieved...I was no longer the center of my parents attention and trust me, that was nice.

Flash forward to 2014. I'm a senior graduating in less than two months. I've been in my chapter for two and a half, almost three years. I've served two full terms on executive board and half of a term on executive council.

Do you think that this would have been possible without my parents? Probably not.

Even with three younger siblings, my parents have always taken good care of me and, at times, they've definitely spoiled me. My parents pay my sorority dues, which as most of you know, aren't cheap at all. Whenever I need something, I know that I can call my parents and they'll do whatever they can to help me.

There's always been a stigma that sorority girls are daddy's girls. This isn't the case, at least not for me. When there's an absolute necessity, my parents will take care of it. My parents take care of my dues and at times, they'll take care of my tuition.

When I have something that I don't need, but want, they make me work for it. They know how busy I am. I'm taking 13 credit hours, I have a 4 credit hour internship, which causes me to be in the office 4 days a week, I'm on my chapters executive board, and I still have to find time to do homework and spend time with my friends and sisters outside of events so I don't completely lose my sanity. There are even times that my parents and grandparents have to call and check up on me.

Even with how busy I am, I do my best to drive to my parents house (which is only 45 minutes away from where I go to school) at least once a week. My mom is one of my best friends but it wasn't always that way.

My parents (along with my grandparents) are my rocks. I know I can rely on them for anything. With graduation quickly approaching, they're taking care of everything for a graduation party for me so I can see my family from all over the country.

I have always been family oriented but that won't ever change. I know that I'm who I am today, not only because of my sisters that I've spent the past two and a half years with, but because my family helped to shape me.

Graduation Bucket List

This week is right to the point. I will walk away from my pretty little college in a month and it doesn't feel real. The past 4 years have been memorable, painful, crazy, sad, funny, and all of the above. But there are still a few things I want mark off my bucket list before I cross that stage. 

1. Go on a weekend adventure to someplace completely random with my besties.

2. Sneak a thermos of wine into class and get a little tipsy. 

3. Dance on a table. 

4. Tell standards the only thing I can say is I'm sorry for Party Rocking. 

5. Do a crazy dare from someone that normal Molly would NEVER d0. 

6. Go muddin. 

7. Put my cell down for a few days and just have a wine weekend with my girls. 

8. Celebrate every holiday we miss with each in one night (even Presidents' Day) 

9. Write everyone I care about letters for them to open whenever the need encouragement. 

10. Go out in a blaze of glory by doing one last bar crawl, collecting something from each bar, and top off my bad decisions box.

Not to reader // a bad decisions box is memorabilia from four years of college and some choices that turned out to be bad an or awkward. We all have them, no shame. 

11. and finally I want to get a picture of every guy or girl who been a total (insert bad word here) to me, hang them on a wall, fill balloons with paint and just chuck them.

All I can say at this point is I've got one month left, and I'm going to make the best of it! 

Also, I'm going to have the best cap ever!

Initation

This Saturday is Initiation. I will watch my little and all the other wonderful new members learn our secrets and finally become a sister of Gamma Phi Beta. It's such a proud moment to see these young women come to a better understanding of your organization and become forever tied in the bonds of sisterhood. I've been taking I-Week to reflect on what being a sister of Gamma Phi Beta has done for me. Being a part of a sisterhood is unlike anything else something that you get a taste of as a new member but don't really understand until a little while after initiation. By becoming a sister you are saying that you choose these women in this sorority as an extension of yourself. You choose them to represent you, you choose to represent them, and all of you represent your sorority. By becoming a sister our new members are accepting all the responsibilities and privileges that come with being a sister of Gamma Phi Beta. I make mistakes and I have even let down sisters, but by being a sister I have learned to be more accountable. Being an active member of something larger than myself has made me more responsible. My mistakes can affect the whole, something that I did or didn't do can either hurt or help my organization. I have also been shown forgiveness for my mistakes because that is what a family does, they forgive you. It's a family, and families can be dysfunctional but they are also supportive, loving, and what you call home. I cannot to watch these new members to grow inside and outside our organization. A piece of advice for all of you newly initiated or about to be: these four (or five) years are going to fly by so don't take it for-granted, some of your best memories from college will be the times spent with the women in this organization and what they helped you achieve here. Also, reach out to your sisters and show them love, always build each other up. Congratulations, I cannot wait to call you all sisters Lambda class!

OhHeyIt'sSarahJean Giveaway

"Hello, I'm Sarah Jean! I am a senior at Kent State University studying Middle Childhood Education.  I am a charter member of Phi Mu, Rho Kappa.  Greek life has become an inspiration for my work.  I learned to sew five years ago, and it quickly became a hobby.  OhHeyIt'sSarahJean is a great way for me to display and share my love for sewing and accessories!" 

Her items are impeccable! The items are for every sorority or preppy girl's dream closet. I recently got a embroidered monogram hat from her and I must say, I absolutely love it! It has a faded look to it and it matches literally everything! I can't wait to wear it more and more around campus, even my sisters have been asking where I got it! Thankfully, her store on Etsy is doing a 10% discount for our readers! Find her store OhHeyIt'sSarahJean! Feel free to share the code and use it: SORORITYGIRL10 to receive 10% off all orders on OhHeyIt'sSarahJean throughout the month of November!

OhHeyItsSarahJean Bow Giveaway