PHILANTHROPY NIGHT:
Lime's Up - AAAGH I still adored their philanthropy! After a short powerpoint, we sat at round tables and colored pages that featured letters of the alphabet. It was a great event in terms of being able to sit and talk without having to invest TOO much into the craft - plus, it's hard to beat coloring to keep you focused and bring back some childhood memories. (though I'm honestly not sure what they did with those pages..) However, my conversations at this house were not the best at all. I was very excited to see my friend from earlier in the fall and had a great couple of minutes with her, but beyond that I didn't really click with anyone else in the chapter. I felt so awkward and didn't know what to say during this event - and whatever I did say fell rather flat. This was also my first visit of the evening, so I was extremely nervous to begin with. I didn't know where I stood with the chapter, since I really didn't bond with a ton of people.
Sun Valley - I knew as soon as I walked in the door that this chapter was not for me. At all. The women were absolute sweethearts, but their house just didn't feel like home. (Don't ask me how or why I thought this - it was just the vibe I got at the time.) I was politely interested in their philanthropy, but didn't feel a strong connection to it. However, I loved the way they set up their event - it really facilitated easy conversation! We were sitting on the floor in 4 groups of 2, with each pair of PNM/sister at a corner of a sheet. We were writing notes/adding inspirational quotes/making cute drawings onto heart-shaped foam stickers, which would be sent to local children impacted by this group's philanthropy. We were talking as an entire group while writing, which definitely made things a little more comfortable. Because there was not as much pressure on one person to generate conversation, we could focus on snippets that we specifically wanted to comment on or start subtopics and could go from there. I definitely felt welcomed at this house, but again, I just had an odd gut feeling that I wasn't coming back there the next night. I wouldn't have minded learning more about them, though!
Indigo Pop - After a video from their national organization on the partnership with their philanthropy, we stood at tables in pairs and made foam sticker hats for children impacted by this chapter's philanthropy. I was paired with a woman who I knew decently well from a campus service organization we were both members of, but the conversation was a little stilted at times. We both got a little stuck at times on what to say and how to balance talking with the rather attention-intensive craft. I didn't really feel a strong connection to other women in this chapter, though I did meet some friendly women I hadn't had the opportunity to prior to recruitment! I was optimistic, but cautious - I had no idea how they felt about me.
Summer Cottage - After a video from their national organization, we sat at tables downstairs and made bead bracelets for children at a nearby facility for this philanthropy. (The beads were so cute, as well!) This house was such a whirlwind of activity. I remember meeting my friend from prior to recruitment and having a quick chat, but after that it was an almost constant run-around of meeting women. It was great to actually connect faces to names! However, since this was my last visit for the night, I just felt exhausted and ready to trek back to my dorm - which, inevitably, does not facilitate clever and meaningful conversations.
-> I will finish this tomorrow evening! 
I've really got to get to bed now, though!