My First Bracket

I filled out a bracket with my predicted winnings for the NCAA basketball tournament this year. I don't follow sports (other than Iowa State...loosely), but a 13-year-old boy asked me to fill it out. How could I say no to him? Obviously, I have Iowa State slated to win. I picked my selections based on if I knew someone who attended the school. It was highly scientific. We'll see how this year's March Madness plays out. So far, I'm doing well with my Iowa State prediction (they won over Notre Dame tonight).

Kappa Weekend

This past weekend was the 2013 Zeta Province Meeting for Kappa Kappa Gamma in Lawrence, Kansas.  Jessica and I drove over to Lawrence after work on Friday and spent the weekend with four chapter officers from Iowa State, as well as a couple of hundred other women from chapters from Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska.  We had the opportunity to network with other chapter members, advisers, and alumnae.  Also, our Province had the honor of hosting Fraternity president, Julie Leshay, at our meeting.  I've admired her since she spoke at Convention this past summer (read about Convention here and here), so seeing her up close and attending a seminar she hosted was quite the experience.  I love listening to her speak.  I swear she has the same voice as Ethel, Lucy's neighbor on I love Lucy.  She's classy, smart and poised.  I hope I'm as cool as Julie one day. 

During the Candelight Banquet and awards ceremony, our chapter received the Jane Froman Philanthropy Award, and the Ames Alumnae Association received honorable mention for the Tradition of Leadership Award.  Kudos to Jessica who is the philanthropy adviser and also president of the Ames Alumnae Association.  It's nice to see her hard work recognized and awarded.

my favorite college sweatshirt

our fabulous chapter leaders and advisers

it's so great to share these moments with a good friend!

imagine running into you!

oh, hey, Julie!

my favorite dinner

I love advising these girls!

There's No Place Like Ames

I love Ames.  I love Iowa State.  I love Kappa at Iowa State.  Ames has a very special place in my heart.  Today, I read that Ames was voted the number two Best College Town in America (read the full article here).  Ithaca College in New York came in first; The University of Iowa in Iowa City came in fourth.  I'm proud to say I'm part of the proud group of Iowa State alumni.  And I'm happy to learn Iowa City isn't as trashy of a town as I once thought (it is still the current #2 party school according to Princeton Review)...until about six months ago...

(source)

And here are some fun facts about Ames (taken directly from here):
Population: 89,575
Student concentration: 285.4 (per 1,000 people)
2-bedroom apartment: $740/month

Earning Potential: $35,426

Colleges: Iowa State University

Read more here.

Fab Finds: Custom Street Sign

My friend, Heidi from My Kids Eat Candy, made a custom street sign (see below) that she hung in her beautiful new home (I'm dying to see it!).  She and her husband listed all the streets they'd lived on, then she put it in an InDesign document, saved as a .jpg, and printed it at Costco for about $70.  I love this idea.  I've lived in a lot of places, but it seems like a lot of fun to write down all the streets.  I also love that Greeley Street, Ash Avenue, and Stanton Avenue are places Heidi and Nate lived during their college career at Iowa State.  I lived on Lynn Avenue for three years; it was one block from Ash Avenue (where Emily and I lived at a fraternity during one summer between sophomore and junior year of college).

(source)

Combined, the streets Josh and I have lived on are below.  They include two countries, two air bases, and three states.

Some street on Clark Air Base (mom, I'm going to need help on this one)
State Highway 101
Teak Avenue
Franklin Avenue
Railroad Street
Front Street
Rockford Road
Westown Parkway
Richardson Court
Union Drive
Lynn Avenue
Gray Avenue
Ash Avenue
SW 35th Street
Oakcrest Street

Football Weekend

I drove over to Iowa City again to spend the weekend with Josh.  Friday night, we relaxed at Josh's apartment because the football game on Saturday started at 11 AM.  We met up with Josh's cousin, Brittany, who was in town from Chicago (she attended Iowa for undergrad), and caught up on our lives.  Iowa beat Minnesota 31-13.  Also, it turns out yesterday was Homecoming for Iowa; I got it confused with Iowa State's Homecoming (which is the end of October).  After spending time at two Iowa football games, I'm looking forward to attending an ISU football game.

My finds for the day: Romney stickers, Waldo, ice cream cone, and Chow from Chow's Gymnastics!

A Time to Remember

Seven years ago today, one of my dear college friends passed away in a tragic car accident.  He was on his way home from a class at DMACC in Boone, driving back to Ames to his fraternity.  Three other fraternity brothers were in the car when the accident happened.  It was a horrific scene (from what they told me).  I can't imagine being there.  I was devastated when I learned about his passing, especially since we had just celebrated the Iowa State win against Iowa three days before that.  The weekend before that, we had gone camping together as part of a leadership retreat (we'd done it for two years at that point).  We had talked about his upcoming 21st birthday (on September 25), and he was already making plans for my 21st birthday party celebration (on October 9).  He was one of the best guys I've ever met and I'll always miss him...especially on September 13.

Andy was a genuine guy with a heart of gold who always had a smile on his face.  When I first met him, I was pretty intimidated to lead a committee with him since he was so tall (which can be scary to this short girl) and I'd never met him before we took over the committee.  Our year as Freshmen Council Fundraising Committee Co-Chairs was wonderful.  I thank Andy for encouraging me to be more outgoing (I used to be super shy), to try new things (Panda Express was our lunch choice for our weekly office hours), and to let loose every once in a while (he was always inviting me over to his fraternity to socialize).  Andy, wherever you are, I hope you're smiling down knowing once again, it's a Cyclone State.

Rest in peace, my friend

Andrew Arden Albright

September 25, 1984 - September 13, 2005

The Big Football Game: Iowa v. Iowa State

This past weekend was a legendary Iowa weekend:  the Iowa v. Iowa State football game (read more about the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series here).  The state of Iowa is divided between the two universities.  Obviously, Josh and I always side with Iowa State (all the smart kids do, really).  Since Josh is a student at Iowa, he purchased season football tickets, and we managed (read: Josh negotiated like crazy) to purchase a ticket for me to attend the game with him.  During undergrad, I never went to Iowa City because I was afraid I'd get arrested or something crazy (I've heard lots of horror stories about Iowa City).  This was my first home Iowa football game, and it ended up pretty well.

We started the morning off at a law school fraternity tailgate.  Then, we wandered over to the tailgates near the stadium to meet up with some of Josh's high school friends.  It was fun catching up with them, playing flippy cup, and snapping a few pictures.

The football game was a lot of fun.  Kinnick Stadium was quite impressive.  The Iowa State win (9-6) was more impressive.  It's a Cyclone State for the next year.

Loss of a Legend

This morning, a fellow Iowa State journalism graduate posted about the passing of professor Barbara Mack.  She was a legend in the journalism program.  Every journalism student had to take journalism law, and she was one of the two professors (when I was a journalism student, that is).  I had her my senior year.  She was a tough cookie.  So much so, that with my apprenticeship, involvement with my sorority and on campus, and two other side jobs, I didn't think I could handle her class...so I dropped it (and had to take it the next semester with a different professor).  Anyway, when I told her I needed to drop it because I was over-committed and couldn't invest enough of myself in the class, she was kind and understanding (a complete surprise to me, and the first time I saw her kind heart).  I hate admitting I can't do everything.  I dropped two classes in undergrad:  chemistry (my first semester when I came to the realization that I'm not cut out to be a doctor) and journalism law.  I regret dropping chemistry...however, technically I didn't drop it (long story...).  I don't regret dropping journalism law.  I took it the next semester and got an A.  I felt like I owed it to her to do well in it.

Barbara Mack was rigid.  She expected a high standard of excellence from her students (and probably everyone, really).  She demanded respect.  And I'm glad I had the opportunity to experience her teaching.  I wish her family all the best in this difficult time.  I hope they know she left behind a legacy that may never be matched.  She was a legend in herself and will be missed dearly.  The Iowa State journalism program will never be the same.  And, for everyone who knew her, we will never be the same.

Barbara Mack, you will be missed.

Sweet Home Kappa Gamma

I lived in Ames for four years (except for the two summers I spent at home - one summer was spent living at a fraternity...more on that experience later!).  Three of those years were spent living at 120 Lynn Avenue at the Kappa house.  I had my own fair share of struggles living with 60+ girls, but I wouldn't trade that experience for anything.  A couple weeks ago, I participated in house tours given by the new sophomores.  It was wonderful.  I walked through all the rooms I'd lived in.  Hello, memories...

Anyway, on Monday night, I had an alumnae association event up in Ames, and I was happy to attend since I knew I'd also stop over at the house to meet with my advisee. Jessica planned the alumnae event - wine tasting at a self-serve wine bar. When she told me about the place, I had visions of Lemon Tree, Cherry Berry, and Orange Leaf in my head...turns out, that's not actually correct, but the basic gist of things. You purchase a pre-paid card, insert the card in the machine, then press the amount of wine you'd like (the prices and quantities are all marked on the machine). It's pretty simple. And quite innovative. Congrats, Della Viti. We had a great time tasting wines and catching up with one another. I love chatting with the "older" ladies in our association. They were advisers when I was an undergraduate...and I think they've been advisers for about 50 years. They're wonderful ladies.

Jessica trying out the machines.

Anyway, after wine tasting, I drove over to the chapter house to meet with my advisee, Annie. She's great - so prepared, so eager to do big things, and so down-to-earth. Before I walked in the house, I had to stop to take in the moment. It was the first chapter meeting of the school year, and all the new members were at the house for formal pledging. The actives were wearing black dresses. The new members were wearing white. But, while they were all down in the chapter meeting room, the house was quiet. And it made me miss college and all my friends living under one roof...for three glorious years.

120 Lynn will always be Home Sweet Home

It's a beautiful sight!

Summer Wedding

It's been almost two weeks since Blake and Danielle's wedding, so I'm a little behind on this post.  The wedding ceremony was in Boone, and then the reception was on the Iowa State University campus in Ames.  Looking back on it, we realized that of the thirteen girls from my sorority pledge class, this is the only wedding we had in Ames.  It was great to be back in Ames, as always.  I love that place.  Maybe because it was the first place I ever moved where I felt like I belonged and I could really make a name for myself.  I wasn't Dina's little sister, Mick or Darcy's daughter, or the yearbook editor.  I was me.  And it was great.  I digress...

The wedding ceremony was lovely and in Dani's home church.  The weather after the ceremony was a bit stormy and rainy, so we stayed for a bit afterward to wait out the rain.  It reminded me a lot of my wedding...without the whole staying in the basement to avoid tornadoes for two hours detail...  Again, I digress...

I love Baby T!

They're going to be BFFs, I'm sure of it!

One of my favorite families!

Josh took this.  He thinks it's the funniest picture ever.

The reception was at the Scheman Building, just north of the Iowa State football field (where many good times have been had).  Catching up with the Kappas is always a delight!  Rachael flew in from Florida; Jesslyn drove in from Indianapolis; Michaun, Karissa, and Amy came in from Chicago; Heather drove up from St. Louis; Annie and Cassie drove down from Minneapolis; Brittany drove in from Omaha...and the rest of us still live in the Des Moines area.  

Catching up with Jessica (and Baby J), Michaun, and Rachael

First Dance

Love you girls!

Iowa State's KKG '03

No wedding is complete without a round of "Oh, Pat"

The happy couple!

Jessica, Cassie, Heather and Annie brought their adorable babies.  We got to see Rachael's little bun in the oven.  And, meeting Amy's new boyfriend was also a highlight of the night.  It's always great to see my friends from college.  I wish we could all go back to 120 Lynn Avenue and live it up once more.  But, alas, we cannot.  However, that won't stop us from having a great time and rocking out to our pledge class song's version of Def Leppard's Pour Some Sugar On Me.  Here's a clip if you need a reminder.  Just imagine a dozen or so girls classy ladies rocking out to a raunchy version of this song.  It's a classic.

Kappa Convention 2012: A Review Part 2

I can't believe it's been two three weeks since Kappa Convention.  Time sure does fly!  I had better document what happened sooner rather than later, or I'll surely forget.

Jessica and I flew out of Des Moines at 6:30 AM, and arrived in Jacksonville, Florida at 11:30 AM.  A tour bus picked us up along with all the other ladies who arrived around the same time, and drove us to the Hyatt.  We spent the next four days together with about 1,000 other Kappas from around the United States, Canada, and abroad (I met one lady from England).  It was pretty amazing to see so many strong women who are true leaders.  Almost all of the Fraternity leaders were also business leaders representing companies from Waffle House, Dick's Sporting Goods, Major League Baseball, and more.  Being surrounded by them made me feel proud to be part of group of strong leaders.  It makes me want to do more.

Speaking of which, Kappa finally updated their web site and motto:  Aspire to be.  I guess they started looking into revamping the web site in 2005.  It only took until 2012 to get it completed.  However, it looks amazing.  I guess some things are worth waiting for. 

I attended lots of insightful sessions at Convention where I learned a lot about our ritual, Fraternity rules on academics and standards (mostly behavior), and how to be a better adviser.  I learned a lot.  I met a few interesting folks.  I mingled with familiar faces.  I grew.  It was great.  I want to have Kappa Convention all the time!  Can't wait to go to Texas in 2014!

Fraternity leaders participated in a flash mob.

Jessica and I found our chapter's flag.

This is very exciting, folks.

We're part of Zeta Province.

The advisers and members of chapter council from Iowa State.

Megan and Erin, my friends from Kappa Leadership Academy.

Jessica and I grabbed a glass of wine before our last dinner.

Before the Candlelight Banquet, we grabbed a photo with Katy.

Kappa Convention 2012: A Review (Part 1)

From Wednesday to Sunday last week, I was at Kappa Convention in Jacksonville, Florida, with about 1,000 other Kappas.  It was amazing.  I loved the feeling of unity and a being a part of a large, smart, powerful organization.  I caught up with some friends I met at Leadership Academy four years ago, met new friends, and bonded with old friends.  Overall, I had a spectacular experience.  I'll post my nice photos from my camera later (when I'm not at the hospital), but here are some I took on my phone.