And away I go....
If you're not up for a long story, you might want to skip this. As you all know, I am a PNAM. I started out lurking on GC and I was AMAZED to find out about AI. I had no idea this existed and I was so excited that I couldn't stand it!
When I graduated from high school, I spent a year at UT-Arlington because I was only 17 and it was close to home. I did not rush because I knew I was going to transfer to Austin the next year. I sure wish GC had been available back then. I wouldn't say that I was MIS-informed about rush, I was just ILL-informed. I did not know that as a sophomore transfer that unless I was a legacy, or had MULTIPLE recs for each sorority, or had someone pulling for me, I basically had NO chance of pledging. I had no idea that it was so very competitive. COB, or open rush as we called it, basically did not exist. All sororities got quota of 50 during formal, except for the 2 tiny sororities. Their members were not weak; actually, they were very nice, but they had to struggle SO HARD just to keep going. That was a little scary to me; both of them were gone by the time I graduated. I had very good grades, did charitable work through Rainbow Girls (I had been a state officer,) I was nice, and I was VERY enthusiastic about being in a sorority. I had no idea that this was not enough.
So, fast forward to the present. I have a great career, 2 advanced degrees, do community theatre, have been an officer in the Junior Woman's Club, went into the Woman's Club, participated with enthusiasm in Eastern Star, etc, etc, but I STILL WANTED TO BE IN A SORORITY!!
Once I found GC, I started making a list of sororities where I knew someone. I wanted a group that had a collegiate chapter in the area. One group I really liked and I knew some alums, but they are not ladies I see very often. I felt funny calling someone I had not seen in 2 years and saying "Will you sponsor me in AB?" Another group I liked has a collegiate chapter in Denton, and that is a little far for me to be real involved. Then I found out that the lady that sits beside me in choir was a sorority member at Texas - and she is a 50-year member! She was familiar with AI and offered to be my sponsor.
Cutting to the chase .... I just gave my sponsor my part of the paperwork for AI in "XYZ" so she can send it on the way. I am prepared for a long wait if necessary, but I am so excited that I might finally realize my dream. Now I know that nothing is certain until I actually get a bid; If for some reason this does not work out, I won't give up. I know I was MEANT to have a home.
Thanks for your good wishes and support (especially to my 2 mentors who have been so helpful)
Lizz (PNAM tinydancer)
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