All clear. Sorry about that!

Back in action.

Although my new life as a mom is more wonderful and more hectic than I ever imagined, I see that I need to make time for me and for contributing to the community. So...after giving it a lot of thought, I have decided that the time is right to continue my AI journey.

I still have my eyes set upon "Little Women." I feel, more than ever, that this organization is a good fit for me. I can just hope that they agree!

Just to update: My son is now 8 months old. He is such a delight! I have finished my prelims, so I'm officially a Ph.D. candidate. It has been a lot of hard work, but I love my career path.


LM

HoBoy, sounds like a like a lot on Your Plate for sure!

Hang on and keep working at it!:)It is nice tho hear from You for sure!:cool:

I'm catching up on your story & all I can say is WOW! Keep up the good attitude, congrats on your baby, & PhD candidate is awesome!

I agree.... wow! But you have been so positive thru the whole thing! Good for you! Good luck as you get back into the AI journey!

Thanks for your kind words. I'm really excited again! Yes, I do have a full plate with my son and school, but I feel that my stressful professional life warrants some "me-time." Honestly, graduate school is great because it is so flexible. I get to be with my baby more than most working moms. When I'm not with him, my husband is, so we don't have to worry about day-care at all. It's nice.

LM

LM, I tried to reply to your PM, but I got a message telling me that you are not accepting PMs!

That's too weird! I have no idea what that could mean. Could that happen if I was actually in my PM box deleting things when you were sending the message? Hmmm....a mystery!

LM

Just a reminder, 70 PMs sent and received is Max.:)

Thanks, Tom. I'm not sure what the problem was since I haven't hit my limit yet.

Oh, well.

LM

Check your "sent" folder. That's usually the culprit.;)

Time to bump the old thread. Things are moving again...

;)

Yeah!

I can't wait to hear about it! ;)

Awesome!:)

I love reading updates on these AI threads! Hope all goes well and can't wait to read more!:p

Great... so what good news do you have for us?! :)

Yay! That makes me SO happy!

Thanks, everyone!
I'm sitting on some pretty exciting news, but I'm waiting to make contact with someone in particular before I give any more information.

It's killing me:)

I am so excited for you!!! it is killing all of us too!:D

It's killing us too!!!

Where are my bamboo shoots and vise grips? ;)

aopirose, you always were one of my favorite GC'ers. You're a very kind person and are classy through and through. :)

LouisaMay, that's great and I can't wait to hear your news. :) SO happy for you!

Yea Louisa May! Cheers to your grace and patience--may it pay off for you soon!

The tale continues...
 

Okay...so here's the scoop!

Every good story has a few crazy turns, right? Well, in a sudden unexpected twist, my AI story veered in a whole new direction. I had just decided to get my search going again with "Little Women" when I had a brief exchange of e-mails that changed everything! A friend of mine from another area of my life (not online), totally unaware that I am "LouisaMay," offered to sponsor me in her NPC sorority if I was interested. At first, I hesitated. I thanked her and told her that I needed to really think about it because I had been in touch with another sorority but I was really honored that she thought that I would be a good fit for her organization. I did think A LOT.

I also began corresponding with another alumna who happens to be an AI in "Jane Eyre" (my new code name for this GLO). She made a few points that really hit home. She told me about the pride she feels for her sorority and the warmth that she has received from her sisters and the Greek community. She said that she "lives her letters" each day, and she has gained confidence in knowing that she is part of a strong sisterhood. She asked me if I really only wanted to be in Little Women or if I had other motivations to be part of a sorority. I really opened up, telling her that I want to be able to reach out to young women, to help them know that their worth comes from so much more than a tiny waist and a full social calendar. I want to be able to make a difference in the lives of college women who will, in turn, make a significant mark upon the world. Our conversations helped me to better understand why I started this journey in the first place and to better understand myself.

My friend and I got together one Sunday (about two months ago now) and talked all afternoon about "Jane Eyre" and her experience in the organization. It turns out that my friend holds a leadership position in her alum group (I had no idea!). She presented her sorority with such sincerity and love. She showed me some really impressive materials that outlined the organization's programming and structure...much more than I saw in my own online research! I was blown away! I learned about Jane Eyre's strong presence in my area and the many opportunities to volunteer. The kicker was when my friend brought out the dozens of congratulatory cards that she received when she took office in the alum group. The words of encouragement and support from Jane Eyre members was wonderful. By the end of that conversation, I knew I had found my home. In fact, as I told my friend that I would like to move forward with the process, I started to cry. I just couldn't help it! I've waited so long and wanted this so badly.

More to come...

Oh my...what a wonderful story! This is what it is all about.

And it gives me courage to reach out to my friends who are not affiliated.

Congratulations! I am sure everything will work out well for you with your friend's support and guidance.

I am so happy for you...
 

I have been following your story and I am thrilled that you have found your home. I hope everything works out for you and that you're as happy with "Jane Eyre" as I have been with Gamma Phi Beta over this last year.

I can't wait to hear who Jane is!!!

-Stephanie

LM

You know that I am happy for you to no end and I know exactly how you feel, but the thing is, I knew my home was with Tri Sigma all along, I was just in denial and when Urania came along and iwasthisclose, I also knew that I would give them 100% because I loved them as well, just not the same way with Tri Sigma.

Everything is as it should be and you know that I am jumping up and down for you and hoping like no other that this all works out and that this journey is coming to it's end.

I am on pins and needles waiting to hear the rest.

gwyn

That is so wonderful to hear! I can't wait to see how it will end up for you and who "Jane Eyre" is!!

Thanks, everyone! This is so exciting:)

This is awesome news!!! You have been waiting such a long time for this and you really deserve the best!!! So I take it then you are in the process of filling out the sponsorship forms and what not?

.....well, actually...I'm a little further than that........................;)

picked out a blingy badge yet?

Sweet... so the forms are already done!!! So then are you just waiting for the vote from nationals?

Alright...I've held this in until I turned blue! I also hate being a tease:p

A couple of days ago, I came home to find a a package on my porch. My heart started pounding as soon as I saw it! And by the time I saw that it was from "Jane Eyre," I was nearly hyperventilating. I left my hubby to carry all the stuff in from the car plus our baby, and I ripped into the box.

The first word I saw was...CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I started jumping around like a loon and squealing. My husband gave me a big hug, and he took me out to celebrate.

And here's the best part. My acceptance letter came on my birthday! I will always remember the exact date of my own personal "bid day."

I didn't let you all know immediately because I wanted to tell my "Little Women" helper first, out of respect for her and her organization. I waited for her reply e-mail because I wanted to be certain that she didn't read the news on my GC thread first. I have made a decision to not reveal the name of "Little Women." I have received private messages saying that the organization wasn't being fair by letting me hang there, etc. But I can say with complete sincerity that Little Women did nothing wrong, and I have nothing but admiration and respect for them. The delays were all the kinds of things that life brings. My contact person got married and moved. I changed states myself and took time off to have a baby. Officers changed. Policies changed. The entire structure of the organization even went through a few changes. If I had been willing to wait, something might have happened for me and Little Women...maybe, maybe not. But once I was introduced to Jane Eyre and got to know a few sisters, I knew that I had found my Home. Not THE ONE AN ONLY home, but the place that I choose to call my own.

I have so much more to say, but I'm gonna leave you with that to digest.

Thank you, everyone, for your undying support.

Congratulations!!!! Now where are the hints?

Holy Cow!!! I am so excited for you!!!! Now is it wrong to have a hint? hee hee..If you want to wait more, of course that is your decision.

That is indeed a fun part.. if your GLO has the option....