I'm gonna raise my sail

Blog title: Sailboat - Ben Rector

One week in Connecticut down, folks!

 

 

 

I started this post sitting in the LaGuardia Airport in NY, waiting for the winds to carry me back out West for my first trip home since this crazy LC adventure began. And boy, was I excited.

Week 1 in my new home was filled with ups and downs. I had some sincere moments of triumph (grocery shopping, navigating a new state, and dealing with car issues all by myself? I'd call that a win) and already experienced some failure. Let me catch you up where my last post left off...

I got dropped off at the teeeeeeny tiny airport in Muscle Shoals, AL by my awesome Zeta Eta roomie, Kathryn. We hugged and said our goodbyes, and while in my heart I was sad to leave these wonderful sisters I was excited to get to Connecticut and settle in as Theta Rho's resident consultant in my new East coast life.

After a peaceful flight I landed in White Plains, NY it in a quaint little airport. I picked up my luggage, marched myself over to the rental car counter, and got my keys. After tossing (read: heaving) my bags in the back, my bff Siri took me on a beautiful route through the back roads of NY. Who knew the Northeast was so green and beautiful?! I'm not too embarrassed to admit that I was definitely talking to myself along the drive, oohing and ahhing in marvel at the gorgeous colonial mansions I passed. My drive was smooth, and soon enough I was in Shelton, CT pulling in to the Extended Stay. I'll tell you - there was a lot of laughs already had about this whole 'Extended Stay' deal. Typically resident consultants are set up in apartments, so when my fellow sisters of the suitcase and I learned I'd be living the hotel life for 4 months we cracked some jokes. But, the good news is it's a lovely little place! It's been nice to have a studio all set up for me, and I've continued to add things here and there to make it feel more like home. And as friend reminded me - at least I don't have to make my own bed! Score.

Upon my arrival I jumped immediately in to Spirit Week and leading 8 hour workshops for women I hadn't even had the opportunity to learn the names of. Here's where the less glamorous parts of the job come in to play. Because sometimes

you're alone.

and uncertain.

 and just plain overwhelmed.

And I wouldn't be being honest if I didn't admit that I felt all of those things. But, following that, I also experienced one of the most successful workshops I have had the pleasure of leading! The women I get to work with (who's names I am now learning) are curious, engaged, eager to learn and completely head-over-heels in love with Alpha Delta Pi. And at times when I wonder what the heck I'm doing with my life, they remind me that our sisterhood is a gift, and one that I'm lucky to be able to share.

I had a great few days off at home to refresh and recharge (more on that later) and now I feel ready to tackle the semester before me. And after the ridiculous travel day I had yesterday, I'm fully confident I can tackle whatever Connecticut throws at me. On that note, a story for you all so you can fully grasp the plights of a recent college grad jet-setting the country by herself:

 

I landed back in LaGuardia around 6:30pm ET after a delay at O'Hare, only to realize that my rental car location was only open until 6. After walking the length of the taxi pickup three times, I shuttled over to the closest Enterprise and got in to a temporary rental for the evening until I could get myself in to something more permanent. Once in my sparkly blue Dodge Avenger (not as cute as it sounds), I remembered that in the midst of my rental panic I had forgotten to stop at an ATM in the airport to get cash for the toll bridge I knew I would have to cross in order to get back in to CT. So, I did what any twenty-something would do - I used my iPhone to map the nearest 7-11. After driving about 10 minutes away from LGA in a direction that only became more and more concerning, I found my 7-11 - in an area right outside of Queens. It was nearly 8 o'clock at this time, and the darkness and my desperation were only growing. So, I parked my car, grabbed my Vera printed wallet, and marched my very obviously out of place self in the store to get cash back on a SmartWater.

This is going to be a funny year.

 

"Welcome to the Bible Belt - we are the buckle."

Quote courtesy of Zeta Eta's fab and hilarious RVP. 

Starbucks is to Seattle as churches are to Florence, Alabama. I spent 8 days in this adorable little town with the Zeta Eta chapter of Alpha Delta Pi at the University of North Alabama, and I swear these women stole my heart. I can tell you about the recruitment prep, the crafting and the workshops, but really the things I will remember most about this visit are the food, the Southern culture, and the sisters. 

First: the food.

Thank goodness I wasn't placed in Alabama for the whole semester, otherwise I am certain I would leave with extra weight in more than just my carry on, if you know what I mean. From the moment I set foot in the state I was eatin' good, and how could I say no to new opportunities? It's all part of the cultural experience. Or at least that's what I'll tell myself when I'm on the treadmill for the next week...

                     

Cracker Barrell: a Southern staple. I ordered the Chicken and vegetable plate, and received grilled chicken with mac & cheese, hashbrown casserole, and fresh fruit. Where I come from none of those sides constitute as vegetables, but hey what do I know?

We also visited Trowbridges, a long time diner and ice cream shop that was delicious and so cute!

     

Not pictured but definitely note worthy was Miami Ice shaved ice, Zaxby's, Casa de Mexicana, and lots and lots of chicken.

Next, my favorite: Southern culture.

      

  

Probably my favorite thing about the South is the accents. Playing the game of 'Wait... do I have an accent?' with sisters was quite comical, and decoding Southern slang proved to be hilarious. Here are some of my South to West Coast translations -

"y'all" = you guys

"hoot and a half" = hilarious

"buggy" = shopping cart

"Bless her heart" = Giiiiiiiirl

"can't swing a dead cat five miles" = yeah no, that one is actually beyond me.

Perhaps my favorite story from my stay was when all the women kept talking about a fraternity philanthropy event they were going to paint a sheet sign for. I head them talk for two days prior about Sigma Chi's Shrimp Bowl, until finally I took a second look at the sign they had been painting - turns out it was a Shrimp Boil. (Are you saying that in your head with a Southern accent? Yeah now you feel me.) In the South I quickly learned that you don't order an event t-shirt smaller than a large, chacos go with everything, you must specify if you would like your tea anything but sweet, and the only way something truly belongs to you is if it's monogrammed. I. loved. it.

Finally: the sisters.

                         

On a more serious note, I have to say that I feel so blessed to have been able to spend my first visit with this amazing group of women. They welcomed me with open arms, and proved that sisterhood does extended beyond our individual chapters. I instantly felt comfortable around them, and their enthusiam, sincereity, and loyalty made me proud to share their letters.

UNA was an amazing visit, and I think it's safe to say that I left a little piece of my heart in Florence, Alabama. But, such is the #ConsultantLife to be on to the next one! I arrived this evening in Fairfield Connecticut and tomorrow will begin my semester with the Theta Rho chapter at Sacred Heart University. Sneak preview - I love it here already. But more on that later, g'night y'all!

         

                                                                                Overlooking the lawn from the UNA Amphitheater. 

East Coast Anthem

          

My August travel - EO to University of North Alabama, UNA to SHU, SHU home and then back again!

I realized this evening this is my last night of summer. 8 out of 10 of the LCs took to the skies for their first visits Saturday morning, but Morgan and I don't leave to our respective chapters until tomorrow A.M. Spending the weekend at EO just the two of us has been interesting (I was convinced the midnight misdial from the pizza man meant certain death) but the time to relax was much appreciated, and it was great to spend time with Morgan since we'll be doing a fair amount of that while on the road in September!

That's really the reason why I'm writing (though I'm certain you'd love to hear about the cumulative 2309432984209 hours I spent in front of the TV this weekend) - I'd like to share my travel schedule for the semester with you all. The fact that I have a semester's worth of schedule is telling in itself, as ADPi consultants usually recieve our scheudles on a monthly basis. But I, drum roll please... will be the resident consultant at Sacred Heart University this fall semester!

Sacred Heart University, affectionately called SHU (pronounced 'shoe') as I've learned, is located in Fairfield, Connecticut. As a resident consultant I will be living nearby SHU, and assisting the women of the Theta Rho chapter in their first semester post-installation. I will be there with Theta Rho through many of their firsts, such as their first recruitment (when Morgan will be joining me, thank goodness for her back of house expertise), first initiation, first Lion Share Challenge philanthropy event, and so many more. I truly cannot wait to see these women grow and come in to their own as an established chapter of Alpha Delta Pi.

So friends, looks like this West Coast girl is switching coasts and going Northeastern until December! If I even tried to pretend I knew what was in store I would be kidding myself, so I'll just say I am looking forward to a semester of personal firsts, as well. First time living on my own is probably the biggest - considering I'm the girl who put dish soap in the dishwasher and created enough suds to throw my own foam party, this should be interesting. Cross your fingers for me.

All kidding aside I am excited for this phase of my journey this year. Having the ability to put down roots, though temporary, is a blessing and I look forward to the relationships I will be able to create. I hope that I will have a lasting impact on the chapter Theta Rho will become, and I am certain they will have a lasting impact on me. The next six months are going to be a great time of learning - about people, about myself, about life and about this great organization that I have dedicated my year to. 

And finally, if you have any connections near Connecticut let me know... I'm gonna need some friends.

An open letter to my friends, family, and followers

Leadership Consultant training comes to a close this week! Looking back at the post I composed at the beginning(ish) of this journey, I can see how much I have learned already. And I haven't even hit the road!

The LCs have been blessed to be trained by the best of the best ADPi International Officers and volunteers, and I truly want to thank each and every one of you for the knowledge you imparted upon us. You taught us more than you, and even we right now probably, know. One trainer in particular got my wheels turning as we discussed the implications this line of work will have on us as individuals, rather than just how we will impact the chapters, and she suggested that we write a letter to the people in our lives setting expectations for what the year ahead will look like. And so, here I go:

To my amazingly solid family, exciting and successful friends, and supportive random acquaintances,

I am sorry in advance for my behavior this year. I am sorry for the birthdays, anniversaries, and exciting life moments I miss, the lack of text messages and Facebook likes I won't compose on your behalf, and the general Missing In Action status I will take on. I apologize for not calling when I should, and for not being the friend/ daughter/ sister/ confidant that I hope I have proven myself to be in the past. I am so sorry for all of these things, but I sincerely hope that you can understand, and continue loving me despite my mistakes this year.

I ask that you keep loving me because I know that while I might not be the picture of steadfast support in the coming months, I am going to need that support from you, bad. I am going to be crossing countless state lines, tackling huge projects, cheering, presenting, crafting and coaching like my life depends on it (or my job, at least), and essentially pouring my heart and soul in to college women across the country. Therefore, I am going to need someone to pour in to me every so often.

I try not to be selfish when I say this, more just aware of my needs and willing to ask for them to be met - numero uno on my list of hopeful personal growth at the end of this wild ride! So when I finally do call you at 1 AM Eastern Time (it'll only be 10pm for most of you reading this, that's reasonable right?) in tears because my weekly report won't format quite right, I hope that you will meet me in the world I'm in but remind me that life goes on outside sorority. But just barely. ;)

Finally, THANK YOU. Thank you to each and every one of you for empowering me to believe that I could take on this job. The more I learn about it the more I wonder how I really landed it, but the more empowered I am to prove myself to be the consultant/ sister/ employee/ friend I know I can be.

Please keep me updated on you! Send me pictures, a letter or two wold be great (I will have a mailing address, ask me for it), and even if I don't always respond let me know what exciting things are happening in your life. I promise I still care just as much as ever. And if all else fails... shoot me a Snapchat.

With love,

Kashia