Day 1 – 15 party day.
This was the longest day of rush. 15 parties of 20 minutes each spread out between 9:10 am and 8:00 pm with breaks for lunch and supper.
I am not positive on what I wore today. My rush book recommended “Casual – shorts, pants or sundress.” It was either white shorts and a lime green knit short-sleeved shirt or this lime green/turquoise floral sleeveless romper thing I got from Express. I have a feeling it was the second outfit and then chunky brown sandals (were there any other kind in 1997?). I had chopped my hair into a short, wannabe messy Meg Ryan style earlier in the summer (unfortunately, my hair does not do messy Meg Ryan, it does thin and flat) so I styled as best as I could and headed out. The first day your entire Rho Chi group goes to all the chapters in the same order, paired with another 1-2 groups.
I don't remember what order we visited the chapters the first day, so they're just going to be random. Some aspects of these parties I actually remember, some I'm just going on by the notes in my awesome rush book, so some may be more detailed than others. The first day was just a “getting to know you” day.
France: They had a neat, an unique house. According to my book, I have noted “nice girls” and “made picture frames.” France must not have made a major impression either way.
Germany: This house was closer to campus than some of the others. It was an older house, very stately. According to my book I have written down “nice,” “lots of involvement” and “Leadership!” (capitalized and underlined twice – apparently that was important to me!). I liked Germany.
England: Another chapter close to campus. They had a baseball theme and talked about their philanthropy. I also have “diversity” written in my book. I liked England as well.
Scotland: This chapter had a tropical paradise theme. I don't have much written down for this chapter, but there were a few girls from my hometown who were a year older than me in this chapter. I do remember talking about how members would get together and watch Days of Our Lives together during lunch.
I think I was fairly neutral on this chapter.
Ireland: It wasn't as close to campus as some chapters. Another one where I don't have much written down, all I have is “cold airs” and “suckers.” Another neutral chapter.
Greece: This was one of the farthest chapters away from campus, but it had an inviting house. I figured walking to classes wouldn't be that bad if I had sisters to walk with, right? Some notes I had written down were they had both a house mom and house dad, each room had its own phone, there were two computers in the house, “NICE” (all caps and underlined twice), and various living situations. I really liked Greece and could see myself here.
Belgium: I have written down that this chapter sang songs and must have bumped a few times (I have “switched people”), nice, no cold airs and own phone. Another neutral chapter.
Spain: This chapter had an under the sea theme. The only other note I have is “various living arrangements” which probably meant the chapter had a combination of cold-air and in-room sleeping arrangements. I liked Spain but maybe not as much as Greece, England or Germany.
Portugal: The theme at this chapter was Red Hot. I also have that I talked to four girls. It was another chapter that was farther away from campus, but the house was stately and the girls seemed fun. I liked Portugal.
Italy: I have written down this chapter was “sporty.” No idea if that was the theme or if their members were involved in sports/intramurals. I also have “no cold airs!” and suites. Neutral on this chapter.
Denmark: I have written down that they had a music record theme, cold airs, pay for phone install and one computer. I also remember they had a lot of tie-dye shirts. The chapter house had previously been a church and they pointed out where the service area/alter was, etc... A little strange, but hey, when real estate is limited, you use what you can. Neutral on this chapter as well.
Norway. I have written down “roses” and different involvement. Don't remember much else. Neutral on this chapter.
Finland: I don't have much written down except “train song.” At the end of the party, before we were ushered out of the house, I remember the chapter playing “Ride the Train” by the Quad City DJs and the chapter members leading the PNMs around the first floor in like a conga line to usher us out the door. It wasn't necessarily my cup of tea, but another girl in my Rho Chi group loved it. A girl from my hometown who was two years older than me was a member of this chapter and she stopped by to say “hi.” I was okay on this chapter.
Sweden: I do remember this was one of the last – if not the last – party of the day and I think everyone was exhausted. I have written down “fiesta theme” “nice house” (underlined) and O.K. Conversation (where I think OK meant lots of awkward breaks and lapses). The house is one of the more unique ones in Greekland, though, and it was really pretty. Neutral due to conversation.
Netherlands: This chapter is somewhat close to campus. I have “flag football philanthropy” written down along with “nice – involved” “Varieties” (a musical competition) and “cold-airs” Okay on this chapter.
So ended day 1. With the exception of the lapses in conversation with Sweden (and in retrospect, I really think it was a combination of a new rusher and being one of the last parties, because I can seriously talk to a brick wall if you give me a topic) I enjoyed my time at all the chapters, but definitely could see myself in some more than others. According to my fabulous Rush Book, there was a Rushee/Rho Chi event at 9pm, but I don't remember what it was. Probably going out for ice cream or something similar. We had an early wakeup call the next day to get our chapter lists.
My Rho Chi A.M. gave me my list and I was excited to see all 15 chapters had invited me back! I circled the 10 I would like to return to, and went back to bed.
Hybrid Mode
