Hello everyone...
I am so sorry that it has taken me so long to post. I know that you have all been *anxiously* awaiting my story! hehe....
Classes started Monday, and I've been busy shelling out my life savings for books that they'll buy back at the end of the semester for $2!
Bid Day was great. All the girls and Pi Chis met in University Auditorium for a ceremony. We were all inducted in Panhellenic as a whole...and the best part was when we learned what sororities our Pi Chis were in. My Pi Chis were from: KD, Theta, ADPi, AEPhi, and AOPi. The night before we had all tried to guess what chapters they belonged to...and we only guessed one. (although she wouldn't admit it)
Afterwards all the girls walked from University to Norman Field. This was quite a sight to see! We all walked in our groups with our Pi Chi....crossing streets and blocking traffic. Everywhere we went, we got looks....it was pretty funny!
Norman Field was amazing! There is a parking garage right next to the field...and it was lined with boys from all over! There were people sitting in lawn chairs, videotaping the whole thing. The guys were there to watch the girls cry and run (and hopefully trip while they're at it). They were not there to share in our joy! lol...
We stood in circles with our groups. We had to wait until the Bid Cards arrived, so while we waited we sang songs and did Gator cheers. Then you heard a cheer...and all the computer Pi Chis (the ones in charge of everything related to computers...like the ranking, etc) were running to their groups. When our Pi Chi arrived (Amber--a KD), they split the cards between all our 5 Pi Chis, and started distributing them. Everyone was super nervous...and the Pi Chis kept shouting at us to keep our cards over our heads so that we couldn't peek. We then had to wait for all the groups to finish, even after our group was done...before opening the cards. Girls took pictures of their friends with their cards on their heads. And of course, as luck would have it....my camera broke right AFTER I took a group pic of my Pi Chis. When I tried to take a pic with the bid card....it started making funky noises. (but that's a whole other story!)
Everyone started yelling at us to rip open our cards....I opened mine, saw the K...and walked to my group. The Kappa girls aren't on sorority row, so they brought signs and waited for us on the field. Of course, I'm not a crier nor a runner....so I didn't participate in all the drama. But there were girls running, hugging their friends, and crying! While this was going on...the spectators had their cameras rolling! lol
We walked to the Kappa house...and met our 'Bid Day Buddies.' We got a name tag, bag with letters, tshirt, cup, pen, and flower. We took a pledge class photo...and a house photo. We ate dinner, met a bunch of girls, learned a bit more about the chapter...and then just hung out.
This entire week I've been having lunch and dinner at the house. I attended my first 'informal' chapter meeting on Monday. When the sisters do their ritual things, we go in the other room and get new member training.
Last night was our formal pledge ceremony. New Members wore white, and the sisters wore black. We also received our pledge pins and big sisters! My big sister is my bid day buddy--Kitty!
After the ceremony there was a candle lighting ceremony for one of the older sisters. She got engaged! I don't even know her, but I was sooo excited. By the time the candle got around the 3rd time...everyone was oohing and aahing...it was really cute. She then told the story of how it happened! lol
I'm really excited about everything...our new member retreat is in mid-September...and each day I meet more girls. They're all wonderful!
Anyway....I just wanted to share this with everyone. I've felt guilty all week for not being able to post!
Hope you've enjoyed my story!