ROUND TWO - Philanthropy Round
During this round, we could get invited back to a maximum of 9 houses. I was nervous, but excited to get my schedule. It read:
Cherry Sprite
Sierra Mist
Coca Cola
Orangina
Cream Soda
7Up
My heart sank. I had been cut by a few favorites, and I remember it affecting my self-esteem. I wondered what I did wrong and why the girls didn't like me, but tried to remind myself that this was part of the process and it was possible a lot of houses were mainly taking freshmen, which my Rho Gamma later confirmed. And I also knew that I had a list of great chapters in front of me. Still, it was sad to know that I'd never be a
Dr. Pepper or
Ginger Ale. Oh well.
I was surprised to see
Coca Cola on the list, as I thought I had "cut" them (my Rho Gamma explained it to me haha), but decided to give them another shot.
I was also a little surprised to see
Cream Soda, as I thought I hadn't made as good of an impression, but excited nonetheless as I realized this could be my chance to really get to know them.
As our group was getting ready to go, one of the PNMs started complaining vehemently that she'd been cut from some of her favorites. I asked her how many she'd gotten invited back to, and she responded quickly, "9", as if a full schedule were no big deal, and continued whining. I was irritated, as the poor girl behind me was upset she'd only been invited back to 4. I considered myself lucky to have a schedule of 6, and on we went!
My second experience at
Cherry Sprite was...a little unnerving. I was very excited to return to this house, but one of sisters I spoke with had a bit of "bite" to her, or maybe that's how I interpreted it. Basically I said something she disagreed with (some minor thing about living in a single room) and she got snarky with me and didn't smile. The sisters weren't as easy-going or friendly as the other girls I'd spoken with during the first round, and I wondered if I would ever feel fully comfortable here. I left with a bad taste in my mouth, though I was still open to them.
Unfortunately things weren't much better at the
Sierra Mist house. I had loved this house during the first round and had a wonderful experience, but this time ended with a bit of a "splash", as you'll soon read. I spoke with several sisters who didn't seem all that interested in me. For their philanthropy project I had to draw something, and they complimented me on it, but our conversations weren't as pleasant as the last round. I just felt like they didn't like me or warm up to me quickly, which made me sad because I was giving it my all and was happy to be back. And then I did something "bad"...I had set my drink down next to my foot as there wasn't anywhere else to sit it, and during a conversation with one sister I accidentally kicked it over. The water went INTO MY HIGH HEEL (thank God it was only water...I think, I may have repressed this haha), creating a nice little swimming pool for my foot. I didn't say anything until the last minute, and the sister bluntly told me to "dump it out"..."On the carpet?!" I asked, shocked. "I can take it outside! I don't want to get your carpet wet!"..."No," she said, looking really annoyed. "Just dump it. It's fine." So I did...and I left feeling mortified.
Things got better when I returned to
Cream Soda. I was wearing my favorite dress that just happened to match the sorority's colors, which I took to be a "good sign"...or something. My rusher and I had a great conversation, then took me into another room to watch a video on their philanthropy. It was so touching, so emotional that I started to cry a little. I turned to my rusher and said, "That's so sad and amazing" and she agreed with me. Soon she was joined by another sister, and I remember they were CRACKING UP as I was talking, me being my normal goofy, sarcastic self. They were laughing and talking with me, and it felt so good, I felt so at ease. FINALLY, after all of these canned conversations. I felt such a strong connection to this chapter, the work they did, and how the sisters all had such bold personalities like myself. I was in love.
But me and my awkward moments resumed when I went to
Orangina. I talked to two sisters, one of which had a very bubbly, happy-go-lucky personality. She asked me what kind of music I liked to listen to and as I was listing musicians I blurted out one of my favorite rappers was Amanda Blank, an "X-rated rapper" (that just popped in my head because someone called her that in a music review). She's not a porn rapper or anything, she just has vulgar lyrics. I don't know why I said it. I think at that point I was getting tired of "faking it" a little and I wanted to try and be myself. I was starving for more real conversation, like the kind I'd had in
Cream Soda. It was a mistake though, as the girl looked at me in shock and got so uncomfortable. "An X-rated rapper?" she asked. I nodded stupidly, and she was like "Oh...okay...well anyway." Sorry,
Orangina sister!
I should have probably said "Taylor Swift" or someone equally innocuous. But then again, I just being myself.
Oops.
I entered
Coca Cola ready to start anew. I had a nice conversation with two sisters, but it was a little awkward. At the same time, it was a nice change of pace in this house. The girls were relaxed, themselves and chill, though I had to steer the conversation quite a few times. I hate to say it but I felt kind of bored with the conversation we were having, though I was trying to stay involved. I was double-rushed by two sisters and they seemed to like me. I didn't know if I really fit in at this house, and compared to the high-energy levels of the other chapters, it left me wanting more. But overall I had an okay time.
Finally was
7Up. I was exhausted and I remember feeling like I had to try hard to keep the attention of the girls rushing me. I really liked them and their easy-going, fun personalities, but I kept getting bumped around and it was disheartening. Still, I could really see myself fitting in there.
Then we had to rank again. This was always my least favorite part, as it was when the tent talk really set in. At my school we all sat next to each other as we filled out our rankings, so girls could discuss chapters with each other. I heard a lot of negative talk about
Coca Cola, how their decorations (and chapter!) weren't impressive and it was the consensus that they were the "least favorite". It made me confused and uncomfortable.
I was trying to go with my gut but also swayed by the tent talk going on around me. I had told myself from the start I wouldn't do this, but the process was started to drain me.
So I ranked
Coca Cola and
Orangina low (I think). It's possible I could only rank one low because I had 6/9.
To be continued...(don't worry, I have the rest written out)