[sweetmagnolia]

So, I just got home (haha), but Pref night was so so much fun!

Unfortunately, I was dropped by Chicago, which I took kind of hard. I honestly thought I had such a good connection with the chapter and they had been my favorite since the first day. I was, however, grateful to still be going to two parties when some girls only had one, or had been cut by all their favorite chapters. With that in mind, I went to (in this order):

Los Angeles
Miami

I went to Los Angeles first. Having lost my #1 chapter, I decided to go into their pref night as if they had been my number one the entire time, and I didn't regret it. When we walked in we were handed a cute poem about their sisterhood as well as two symbols of their organization. The room was also so beautiful- apparently they had done something really different this year? - but it worked. I talked to two of the four girls I had been with all week, and then all the actives got up and sang a song. The part that really meant the most to me was when a couple actives got up and told stories about how much being in a sorority has changed their life- one girl's story resonated a lot with me, and I got a little teary. Since yesterday had been a day of fun and laughter, it was nice to see a more serious side of them, while not feeling like they had multiple personality disorder. By the time I left this chapter, I was feeling like "Chicago, who?". I had liked this chapter a lot all week, but their Pref ceremony really cemented them in my heart. I left knowing that I would love to be offered a bid by them.

I went to Miami next, after a short break. Having just come from what felt like the perfect pref ceremony, I was a little disappointed with what their room looked like- especially after a surprisingly awesome skit day. The active who rushed me and another girl (still a lot of actives wandering around with a 2:1 girl to active ratio, which confused me) was really nice, but didn't seem too sold on the sisterhood itself. She told me about her Big, but that was about it. I did like the ceremonial part of the ceremony, though. They sang a few really nice songs, but the startling difference to me were the 'testimonials', if you will. The ones at Los Angeles seemed so emotional and really gave you a snapshot of their sisterhood, while the ones at Miami really didn't go too deep- I was almost expecting it, I guess. I have been trying to reserve heavy handed judgment of them all week- an off day, an awkward rusher -and while it got better, I honestly could not see myself as a member of this chapter.

Which left me in a pickle- I didn't want to suicide. I feel like not only is it an awkward thing to do, but it's bratty. When girls have dropped or been cut by a lot of chapters, and I still had options, being so narrow minded didn't seem good, but by the end of prefs I knew that Miami was not the chapter for me. I talked to my Pi Chi about it, to the point of tears, and did not suicide. I signed the form that obligates you to accept a bid, and just took a big sigh and went home. What happens, happens- it's out of my hands now, but I would love to receive a bid from Los Angeles tomorrow. I know that I will try and make the best of whatever happens. Bid Day is tomorrow (well, today- I need to get in bed)- I'll let you all know how it goes!