Congratulations!

Wow, what a story!

To all my Triad sisters going to Convention...have a safe trip!

Remember I want to see a photo of hottie GC Gamma Phis! :D

You'll be able to see plenty of photos. Plus, I'm sure I'll have a photo album all together by the time you come down again....

Congrats, Kelly! What a story :) Enjoy your initiation!

Ok! I'm on the home stretch!! Or, as Tom put it, I'm on deck! :D

I'm leaving for the airport to meet up with my soon-to-be sisters in Chicago! I'll tell you all about it as soon as I can!!!


......Kelly :)

Have a fun and safe trip!

Woo hoo! I figured you'd be leaving either today or tomorrow to get back to Chi-town :D

Have a blast and we can't wait to hear about the non-ritual parts of your trip when you get a chance! :)

Congrats again, Kelly...I couldn't be happier for you!

Today's the day!!:)

Congratulations! Have fun with your new sisters!

Kelly, it is Sun. Expect a full update by Mon!:cool:

Off of on Deck Circle and Have Hit a Home Run!:D

We are all waiting to get the Scoop!!!!!!!!!!!:)

I am sure Kelly will post when she gets a chance, I don't want to ruin anything for her. :cool:

Well, if I could figure out how to post some pictures I would....:)
I just got back this morning and am exhausted...I may try to post a pic or two tomorrow after I get some sleep.

Initiation was a wonderful, emotional, beautiful and even magical ceremony...and now Kelly is my sister! (said as I beam with pride!!):D And boy, do I have an AWESOME little sister!!!

For the Pink Carnation banquet after initiation, Kelly and I and the other new initiates and sponsors all got to sit at one of the VIP tables...very cool!:cool:

Kelly is actually the absolute newest initiate of Gamma Phi Beta since her last name is at the end of the alphabet...:D

Navane's search is over -- she is now home!!!

P.S. Kelly, when you log on and tell your story, tell about "the dream!"
:)

Congratulations Kelly...I am so glad you are home! Can't wait to hear all about it! :)

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!:D I haven't been around much, but I'm still cheering for all the AI-hopefuls. I'm so happy that you found your place.

LM

Hi everyone!!!


I just got home at about 8pm Pacific time (just a few hours ago), so I am a bit tired - I hope I get everything right. Since I didn't take the photos with my digital camera, you'll just have to wait until my stills get developed. Sorry! :p


As Cele/GPhiBLtColonel said, initiation was wonderful, beautiful....and yeah....I cried at the end. I had been doing so well up until then.........

I didn't really get too much opportunity to hang out with the three other AIs, but they seem like great ladies who are keen to contribute a lot to Gamma Phi.

Afterwards, right in the middle of the Pink Carnation banquet, the lightbulb went on in my head. I turned to Cele and said "Hey Cele, I'm a Gamma Phi Beta!". That was kind of "monumental" as that was the first time I had said that. :D Everyone at the table just sort of found that amusing/sweet.

The awards part of the dinner was awe inspiring! The award recipients had such impressive lists of accomplishments both in Gamma Phi and also in their community service and professions. Wow, what examples they are!

Speaking of examples, we were seated at one of the VIP tables in the very front. Also seated at these VIP tables were several ladies who have a LONG history of service as international officers - including a couple past international presidents and Honor Roll Award winners!!!

Next to me was an older woman, Gloria Swanson Nelson, who was an absolute joy to talk with during dinner. I'm certain that she must be a 50+ year member. She knew I was new, so she looked out for me by giving me commentary on who the speakers were, what the awards meant and so on. What was funny was that Cele was doing the same thing. Cele would lean over and tell me who so and so was, and then, 5 seconds later, Mrs. Nelson would say the exact same thing. It was like Dolby Surround Sound! LOL......what a sweet lady!

I can only remember her name as "Sally", but this was another older woman who was just on the other side of Mrs. Nelson. Apparently, she's been to 28 conventions!!! Woah!

It was cool to finally meet kk_gphib_01 and GeekyPenguin too! We have a picture of the four of us (GCers) so I'll have to post that asap.

I'm tickled pink (no pun intended) with the gifts from my big sister. Cele gave me a beautifully beaded letter bracelet that she had custom made to match the colors in my badge. How cool is that!?! You better believe I had that puppy on straight away! LOL There was also a lavalier and a handful of other neat things like notecards, a baseball cap and the like.

When it turned out that my family wasn't going to be able to accommodate me, Cele arranged to have a roll-away brought up so I could room with her and her chapter sister, Christi. That was fun and a half - those two are a riot!

At any rate, it was a great trip and a wonderful experience. The next convention will be in Arizona - I am so there! I am very honored to be a Gamma Phi Beta and I look forward to many, many years of participation!

Thanks again everyone for your fantastic words of support and congratulations!

.....Kelly :)

Glad to hear your ceremony was lovely and that you got a good cry in. I didn't cry till my initiation either and it was a waterworks. Enjoy yourself from one alumnae initiate to another.

Was it a short Sally with curly grey hair from one of the Chicago alum chapters? If so, I LOVE THAT WOMAN. She's so sweet and is such a dedicated Gamma Phi. :)

Actually the person on the other side of Gloria was Mary Jane Misthos (I love her last name!) and she has been to 28 consecutive conventions! :eek: She is the current titleholder!

There is a Sally who I'm sure Kelly met when getting her table seating card for the banquet and that was indeed Sally Lewis --
a long time devoted Gamma Phi alum -- she is wonderful!:)

I just talked to our alum chapter Pres last night -- she was at convention too and we are both still glowing! Our chapter won the Chicago Award (essentially best small alum chapter) and the Alum Panhellenic Cooperation Award!!! Wahoo!:D

This is to dang cool!

One of OUR GCers who is a full Fledged Member/Sister of a Great Soroity!

It is so neat to hear about the goings on and all of the people that were present for Kellys Initiation into GPhi B! Well, I guess I had Better Include all of the fine Ladies who were Initiated and the Ladies of GPhiBeta who were Lucky enough to be there to enjoy it!

"C" sending a PM!;)

OOOOOHHH!!! Kelly, Gloria Swanson Nelson is one of my Dallas Alum sisters!! I think she is the greatest. She was so encouraging to me from the very first event I attended. I am tickled that you got to meet her.

I can't wait until the next convention, because I will be there for sure. I really enjoyed reading about your special day!

Sorry I'm a little tardy Kelly, but I just had to congratulate you on your initiation into Gamma Phi Beta! Initiations under any circumstance are special, but initiations at conventions are truly amazing experiences.

Now go forth and prosper as a GPhiB!:)

Congratulations on your initiation into GFB!

http://mindscraps.com/s/otn/party/partytime.gif

Ok! Here are the photos from my big weekend! My coloring is a bit off as I had been walking around outside in downtown Chicago for a few days before going to the convention. Ah well... :)


http://members.ispwest.com/navane/GPhiBKelly.jpg


Here I am as the very newest sister of Gamma Phi Beta!




http://members.ispwest.com/navane/GPhiBKellyandCele.jpg


Here I am with my Big Sister, Cele! (GPhiBLtColonel)




http://members.ispwest.com/navane/GPhiB-AIs.jpg


The four alumnae initiates, from L-R: Kathleen, Deb, Kelly and Anita! :D


More photos on the next post!


.....Kelly :)

http://members.ispwest.com/navane/GP...andoldPres.jpg


Here I am with the outgoing International President, Vicki Read. Mrs. Read pinned me!




http://members.ispwest.com/navane/GP...andnewPres.jpg


Here I am with the newly elected/incoming International President, Linda Johnson.




http://members.ispwest.com/navane/GPhiB-GCers.jpg


The GreekChat Gamma Phi Beta contingent! L-R: GPhiBLtColonel, kk_gphib_01, GeekyPenguin and Navane (me!). Thanks for searching me out at the dinner to share your good wishes with me!




http://members.ispwest.com/navane/GPhiBbadge.jpg


My Gamma Phi Beta badge! Polished Gamma and Beta with a pearl Phi with garnet points! Yes, it has my name, chapter and year engraved on the back. I was very fortunate in that my badge was actually ready for convention. I got pinned with my own badge! :cool: My "pledge ribbons" are visible in the photo too.


Thanks for letting me share! :)

.....Kelly :)

Great pictures! Look at that huge smile on your face...long time coming but worth the wait!

And your badge is absolutely beautiful. :)

Kelly,

You know that I am tremendously happy for you :D

but I can't help to be a tiny bit jealous, of course my journey is no where as long as your's has been.

Again, congratulations and see you on Sat. 7/10

Kelly, Badge Beautiful!:)

Coloring, how can one tell from the gleam from your pearlies?:D

Not sure if you were The Chesire Cat from Alice or the kitty who lapped up all of the cream!:D

Great to see Pix from GC GPHIB Sisters who were there with you!:cool:

Actually, you look a little bedazeled with a What Me Look!

This is so great for you and the Ladies of GPhiB!:cool:

Both the Ladies of GPiB and you are so lucky to have joined and united after your ardous journey!

You Go Kel!

A fifth member of the contingent missed out on the picture.......not sure where I was.

Kelly...great photos! Thanks for sharing them with us, and I absolutely LOVE your badge (now the next time we get together in San Diego, you can come in wearing your badge :D)

Congratulations and all the best in your next steps as a Gamma Phi Beta! :)

Way to go:( Dah!:o

Do look like a good time was had by all tho!:cool:

Cirque du Soleil, anyone?
 

I love all those Cirque du Soleil codenames, especially since I just saw QUIDAM on Wednesday and then I saw ALLEGRIA a year ago!

I don't know, we were wondering too. :( The four of us finally got together after the dinner ended - most of the room had cleared. kk_gphib_01 and GeekyPenguin found me at the table where I was sitting. After a bit, we wandered over to the lobby to look for Cele.
Maybe next time?


.....Kelly :)

Ah, I was already upstairs for the after banquet party.........

But yes, I will be in Phoenix.

Thanks! When I first looked at my badge choices, that was the one which immediately caught my eye. I don't know, I guess it's not one people would normally pick.....but I think it's beautiful!

If I don't wear it next time, I'm sure I can at least bring it in!


.....Kelly :)

What party?!?!?! :p


Right well, are there going to be any regional conferences between now and Phoenix?


.....Kelly :)

Re: Cirque du Soleil, anyone?
 

hee hee!! Ah well, I chose those because I have previously worked three runs of Cirque du Soleil - I worked on Dralion twice and Varekai just this last spring. :)

.....Kelly :)

Every off year there is RLC. I think your area's is in Irvine. There was a list in our convention packets. Mine is up here right near where I work.

What fun to see the pictures of the big day! That is one beautiful badge, too.

You were bouncing around like you were the rest of Convention. ;)

This picture is great! I think that kk_gphib_01 and GeekyPenguin look alike. You all look so happy! :)

Congratulations on your initiation, Kelly! It was a long journey for you. I am so happy that you found your home in Gamma Phi Beta!

I look craaaaappy in that picture. Craaappy. But I was boobylicious, thanks to a corseted dress! (c:

Kath and I probably could pass as sisters, but the differing accents would probably give it away. LOL.