Hi everyone!!!
I just got home at about 8pm Pacific time (just a few hours ago), so I am a bit tired - I hope I get everything right. Since I didn't take the photos with my digital camera, you'll just have to wait until my stills get developed. Sorry!
As Cele/GPhiBLtColonel said, initiation was wonderful, beautiful....and yeah....I cried at the end. I had been doing so well up until then.........
I didn't really get too much opportunity to hang out with the three other AIs, but they seem like great ladies who are keen to contribute a lot to Gamma Phi.
Afterwards, right in the middle of the Pink Carnation banquet, the lightbulb went on in my head. I turned to Cele and said "Hey Cele, I'm a Gamma Phi Beta!". That was kind of "monumental" as that was the first time I had said that.
Everyone at the table just sort of found that amusing/sweet.
The awards part of the dinner was awe inspiring! The award recipients had such
impressive lists of accomplishments both in Gamma Phi and also in their community service and professions. Wow, what examples they are!
Speaking of examples, we were seated at one of the VIP tables in the very front. Also seated at these VIP tables were several ladies who have a LONG history of service as international officers - including a couple past international presidents and Honor Roll Award winners!!!
Next to me was an older woman, Gloria Swanson Nelson, who was an absolute joy to talk with during dinner. I'm certain that she must be a 50+ year member. She knew I was new, so she looked out for me by giving me commentary on who the speakers were, what the awards meant and so on. What was funny was that Cele was doing the same thing. Cele would lean over and tell me who so and so was, and then, 5 seconds later, Mrs. Nelson would say the exact same thing. It was like Dolby Surround Sound! LOL......what a sweet lady!
I can only remember her name as "Sally", but this was another older woman who was just on the other side of Mrs. Nelson. Apparently, she's been to 28 conventions!!! Woah!
It was cool to finally meet kk_gphib_01 and GeekyPenguin too! We have a picture of the four of us (GCers) so I'll have to post that asap.
I'm tickled pink (no pun intended) with the gifts from my big sister. Cele gave me a beautifully beaded letter bracelet that she had custom made
to match the colors in my badge. How cool is that!?! You better believe I had that puppy on straight away! LOL There was also a lavalier and a handful of other neat things like notecards, a baseball cap and the like.
When it turned out that my family wasn't going to be able to accommodate me, Cele arranged to have a roll-away brought up so I could room with her and her chapter sister, Christi. That was fun and a half - those two are a riot!
At any rate, it was a great trip and a wonderful experience. The next convention will be in Arizona - I am so there! I am very honored to be a Gamma Phi Beta and I look forward to many, many years of participation!
Thanks again everyone for your fantastic words of support and congratulations!
.....Kelly
Linear Mode
