I didn't get my first choice - it gets better.

[nyapbp]

Don't get me started! There are the chapters whose tradition it is to throw the spoons on the table once it's over. I did a little break-out session at convention about Fraternity Heritage and I made the statement that silverware is not an absolute necessity to sing ring ching. Clapping works just as well for those chapters without private dining rooms. I once went on a quest to find the tune to "When I was a student at Cadiz."

[angels&angles]

I love the Ring Ching, and I think the silverware/glassware part is my favorite (My chapter was probably on the daintier side of the fork-banging continuum, although daintiness was probably not in our top five adjectives in general). I hope I'm still friends with enough girls from my chapter by the time I get married to do a Ring Ching at my reception.

[nyapbp]

I love both traditions, too. And both have survived much more than a century. I think that's one of the best things about them. I just made that suggestion to chapters who don't know Ring Ching because they really don't eat together. Personally, I love watching the faces on the wait staff at convention when the glasses and cups start getting clanged.

[Low C Sharp]

silverware is not an absolute necessity to sing ring ching

Was Prudence Mackintosh right that the Texas Alphas would sing it while "ringing" their silver charm bracelets?

[carnation]

I seriously doubt it.

[azureblue]

I love the Cookie Shine tradition, especially since it was started at my alma mater! At KU, we are so lucky to have several very old chapters with extremely rich history

Back to the topic...I didn't get my first choice, and believe me, it does all work out. I fell in love with a chapter during recruitment, and was dead set on them from Day 1. I was devastated on Bid Day, but I was very humbled and grateful for the bid that I received and decided to move forward and take every opportunity that I could to engage and learn more about my chapter.

I know that at 18 years old, I had absolutely no clue about the honor and priviledge of sorority membership and the lifelong friendships and opportunities that come with it. I could only see what was right in front of me - that I had been hurt and rejected from a group of women that I wanted to be a part of. I think that sorority recruitment is one of the few experiences today where rejection is part of the game, and while it can hurt, but it is a strong life lesson that I think that many young people NEED. Life isn't about getting everything that you want perfectly presented on a silver platter...it is about taking the opportunties that come your way with grace and a positive attitude!

I am extremely proud to be an ADPi and a Panhellenic woman. College was many years ago, but my membership is even more important to me, and my love for our sisterhood continues to grow year after year.

New PNM's...PLEASE open your mind and your heart to this process. Research national sorority websites and learn more about the wonderful things that women in all 26 groups are doing. We all believe in sisterhood, service, philanthropy and leadership...it is our ritual that makes us special and unique.

Best of luck to everyone!

[Sciencewoman]

^^^ Well said!

[FSUZeta]

I was curious as to how the Pi Beta Phi "Ring Ching" song goes, so I found this rendition on Youtube. It is so cute, as is the story told by the song leader:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szBtafzdYjY

[Sciencewoman]

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

I was curious as to how the Pi Beta Phi "Ring Ching" song goes, so I found this rendition on Youtube. It is so cute, as is the story told by the song leader:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szBtafzdYjY

I should have warned you, but now it's too late...I can't get the Pi Phi Cookie Shine song out of my head! Formerly, it was the Ring Ching song. My daughter loves to sing that around the house this summer.

I love that legacy story from the song leader.

At least both of my kids also know "I Love the Crescent Moon" by heart!

[carnation]

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

I was curious as to how the Pi Beta Phi "Ring Ching" song goes, so I found this rendition on Youtube. It is so cute, as is the story told by the song leader:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szBtafzdYjY

I just had to put the video on and I was eating a bowl of rice so I was beating the glass bowl with my spoon at the required time. Of course, I turned around to see my husband and teenage son there at the end staring at me. Oh well!

[SWTXBelle]

. . . Sciencewoman, it's my understanding that the Zetas started the tradition after an admirer sent a member a lovely basket of strawberries, which she then shared with her sisters.

[ShadeTree]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

Bumping time . . .

. . . Sciencewoman, it's my understanding that the Zetas started the tradition after an admirer sent a member a lovely basket of strawberries, which she then shared with her sisters.

Yes, from our website....
In the late 1800s, an admirer of one of ZTA’s Founders, Mary Campbell Jones (Batte), sent her a gift of strawberries. The scrumptious present prompted the group of nine friends to host their first purely social gathering and to become officially recognized as a campus organization.

A fun symbol, love that it's edible AND looks good with turquoise!

[honeychile]

Thank you, FSUZeta! I never heard it, either! Even though Pi Beta Phi was the first sorority on our campus, they were long gone by the time I rushed.

[SWTXBelle]

I had "Ring Ching" stuck in my head for hours!

[littlesquirrel]

I've heard a recording of "Ring Ching" before, but never with actual "ringing!" I love it.