[irishpipes]

I guess I'll speed up since tomorrow I will be busy, and we have a long line of retro threads heading our way...
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Second stage – Day 1

I wore a colorful ankle-length skirt with fun pictures of hats and stuff on it with a wide red belt and a yellow short-sleeved sweater and red flats.

Waterford: This was one of my favorites from first stage, and I couldn’t wait to come back. Gerri talks to me again here. She actually remembers me from Street Scenes and we are able to have a real conversation. She tells me that she knew I was coming through rush and was so glad she got to get to know me better. They have a cool slide show that is really fun (rather than emotional, like the ones the other chapter did.) This is such a happy chapter. I love it.

Dublin: Tricia hugs me and says she just knew I would come back here and that she wanted to talk to me more but it would have to wait because she was paired with someone else. It was nice to see a familiar face. In fact, I see Kristen, another freshman who is from my high school, at this party. I didn’t know she was rushing! I wish I could talk to her but before I know it, the party is over. It was a good party and had a nice slide show, but not as amazing as some others.

Monaghan: This is still a very comfortable chapter to me. Everyone seems so natural and nice. They didn’t do a slide show like the first two did.

Kilkenny: This is one of my favorites from first stage and I am dying to get back there! I see my roommate here! Martha waves wildly and I am paired with a senior named Kim from Indiana. She is hilarious and we click immediately. The slide show here is very well done and I love the music they used for it. I find myself getting a bit lost in it and even a bit misty-eyed.

Second stage – Day 2

I wore white pleated crop pants with a royal blue top and these awesome royal blue Mia flats with a criss-cross on the top (my favorite shoes.)

Limerick: This chapter blows me away again. Tracy greets me just like last time and we talk like old friends. During the slide show she makes eye contact with me a few times, as if to see if I like it. It was amazing and I still love this chapter!

Kerry: This chapter is hilarious. They do an introduction that is very funny instead of the same old song/cheer. I like that they are gorgeous but still laugh at themselves. They do a shorter slide show and then a little song. I have noticed that a lot of rushees have mentioned liking this chapter. I can see why!

Tipperary: I am excited to go back here, I am ashamed to say mainly because Pam and Joelle were so impressed by it. This time I still am not feeling much of a connection and I realize that this isn’t the place for me, although they were very nice.

Clare: I was excited to come back here since I didn’t feel like I learned a whole lot first stage. Again, I remember everyone being nice but I just didn’t get that homey feeling like I did some of the other places. This chapter didn’t do a slide show. I was disappointed because I really enjoyed those at the other chapters that did them.

My favorites from second stage are Waterford, Kilkenny, Limerick, and Kerry. Since we are able to go back to 5 next stage, I am hoping for those 4 plus maybe Monaghan? There is a clear break between my 4 favorites and then ones that were just ok to me.