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.