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I was so nervous when I woke up! I was hoping that I would look good and that the conversations wouldn’t be forced. Our Gamma Chi group met at 6:50 and waited for our first party at 8:30.
We went to the colonization presentations first. I liked the presentations, but my only dislike is that we couldn’t ask the presenters questions. Party one was good. I kind of felt like I still didn't know much about the sorority afterward though. Party two was really cool. They invited alumnae from the area and a few were from the first pledge class at Arkansas. Party two was my favorite of the two. If I ended up colonizing, I think I would have gone with them.

My first of the “real” parties was at TIGER. I knew a lot of great girls in this sorority, but was still nervous to go in. When I was picked up by my first member, I thought I recognized her from a class. It was good to see a familiar face! Our conversation flowed really well and we talked about a lot. I talked to two more girls that I honestly don’t remember as well, but the first girl came back at the end too. I really liked that she brought me in and guided me out. Overall, I felt very comfortable with the TIGERS.

My second party was at ALLIGATOR. I didn’t see any of the girls I know, but the girls I met were all very nice. The first girl complimented the skirt I was wearing and the conversation was pretty good. I left not knowing how I felt about this house. I liked the girls, but I wasn’t sure if I could see myself being best friends with them.

My third party was at ZEBRA. I saw a few girls I knew, but did not know the girl who picked me up. She was the only one I talked to the whole time. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. We had a lot in common though and the conversation was nice. It wasn’t as comfortable as TIGERS, but since I only spoke to one girl I knew I really wanted to come back.

After lunch my fourth party was with GIRAFFE. This was the first house I fell in love with. I told myself not to, but it was so hard. I was picked up by a girl I knew from high school, but we didn’t know that much about each other. This made me feel so comfortable right from the start. The last girl I talked to also rushed as a sophomore. I wanted to talk with her more, but time ran out. I was really, really hoping to be invited back and especially wanted to talk to my last girl more. I already felt at home and it was only day one!

My fifth party was at MONKEY. I had some really good friends here and really expected to love it. I was picked up by a good friend at the door. It was good to be able to talk to her! My next girl was okay. I don’t know if I was just tired or what, but the conversation seemed to be lacking something. I’m not sure what it was. I was hoping to be invited back, but was okay with it not working out.

My sixth party was at LIONS. I also absolutely loved this house. She complimented me on my skirt and the conversation was so relaxed. Girls kept coming up to introduce themselves and then we would go back to talking. One of the girls who came up said she had heard great things about me and was glad I was there. Another girl I met previously through a mutual friend also stopped by and it was good to see her! I felt so comfortable and in my notes wrote “just overall wonderful”.

My seventh was at PENGUINS. I also had friends here. I really liked the first girl who picked me up. We had a lot in common. Two of my good friends came and said hi. The girl asked how I knew them and that also sparked good conversation. I talked to two great girls in PENGUIN and felt comfortable.

My last party was at BEARS. They were in a different location from their house, but it was so cute! As I was walking in, I saw lots of familiar faces. I didn’t know the first two girls who talked to me, but the last one I sort of knew. We went to church together before she went to college. Everyone was so sweet and I felt comfortable with the girls.

Overall, I had a really good day! I felt like the conversations I had were all so good! I was very tired at the end of the day, but all the chapters kept the energy going through the day. It was so hard to pick a bottom two! After day one, this was my rankings:
0. Giraffes
0. Lions
0. Tigers
0. Penguins
0. Bears
0. Zebras
1. Monkeys
2. Alligators