The Creed of Zeta Tau Alpha

To realize that within our grasp, in Zeta Tau Alpha, lies the opportunity to learn those things which will ever enrich and ennoble our lives; 

to be true to ourselves, to those within and without our circle; 

to think in terms of all mankind and our service in the world; 

to be steadfast, strong, and clean of heart and mind, remembering that since the thought is father to the deed, only that which we would have manifested in our experience should be entertained in thought; 

to find satisfaction in being, rather than seeming, thus strengthening in us the higher qualities of the spirit; 

to prepare for service and learn the nobility of serving, thereby earning the right to be served; 

to seek understanding that we might gain true wisdom; 

to look for the good in everyone;

to see beauty, with its enriching influence; 

to be humble in success, and without bitterness in defeat; 

to have the welfare and harmony of the Fraternity at heart, striving ever to make our lives a symphony of high ideals;

devotion to the Right, the Good, and the True, without a discordant note; 

remembering always that the foundation precept of Zeta Tau Alpha was Love, the greatest of all things. 

I believe in living your creed.

End of Fall 2012!

Phew. Made it!

After finals I had a leadership retreat, so I really just finished this afternoon. I'm almost done cleaning up the apartment and getting everything finished, and so this 10 minute break to sit and watch the news and get back to my blog is incredibly welcomed. It's nice to not have to worry about a million things.

(Although, as soon as I say that, my brain starts frantically searching for anything I might have forgotten. The schoolwork is over, but I still have to make sure I'm prepared for the internship, two jobs in Berea, and two jobs in Franklin. I am not looking forward to filing taxes this year!)

This was a rough semester, but in a good way. In a lot of ways, actually. I made it the whole way through without any safety net; I took a bunch of classes I was NOT enthusiastic about, and really struggled with; I learned to make friends without greek life; I started taking my writing seriously, and thinking about a future; I got in real trouble, and found my way out of it. I persevered, even when I didn't want to.

I'm still not comfortable. But I also don't think I'm uncomfortable enough. So next semester, I'll try more new things. I'd like to make some healthier choices. Read a few more books, and cut back on my social media. Keep a positive attitude. Be a leader.

Next semester, academically, will be rough. I'm on credit overload and the majority of my classes are literature based. But I'll remember that I love reading, and I chose my major because it's something I want to do the rest of my life. I'll have more responsibilities in my extra-curriculars; we changed how we're doing the yearbook this year, and I'm vice president of ZTA, which is going to be a serious commitment. But again, I'll need to remind myself that I love working on the yearbook, and that I'm passionate about ZTA and empowering women through my position. I'm going to do some serious good next semester.

So this semester was hard, but I did it.

I believe I can make it through next semester, too.          

             

Oops.

I believe in making fantastically bad mistakes.

And then learning from them.

Great Gatsby

“Her face was sad and lovely with bright things in it, bright eyes and a bright passionate mouth, but there was an excitement in her voice that men who had cared for her found difficult to forget: a singing compulsion, a whispered “Listen,” a promise that she had done gay, exciting things just a while since and that there were gay, exciting things hovering in the next hour.” 

I believe in the classics. 

Obligatory Thanksgiving Post

I say it in a bitter way, but really I do like to appreciate what I have. I think there's a lot of value in that. I believe in a holiday that celebrates giving thanks.

But I hate Thanksgiving. Nothing says peace and friendship like taking over someone's home and murdering them. Nothing says "giving thanks" like celebrating Black Friday. And I don't like food.

It's just not really my holiday.

But! Since I do like giving thanks, there are some shout outs I need to make:

1. Becca, Deeg, and Kuz- the best friends and roommates a girl could ask for, I've had way too many good and bad times with them. I realize next year we'll all go our separate ways so I want to try to soak up as much time with them I can.

2. My family- we're all so close with each other, and I know I can always get support from them, even when I don't want it. Also, my mom always makes me spaghetti when I'm home because she knows it's my favorite.

3. My new attitude- I won't say that there's a lack of drama in my life, but I don't care nearly as much as I used to. That's a nice feeling.

4. Peppermint Mochas, and a coffee place that's open late. And a library that's open even later. And having so much of my homework for finals done already.

5. The easy access I have to books! I'm finally getting back into my list, and I'm going to plow through it as much as I can.

Hopefully I'll have time through the week to add 5 more every day! I'm working a lot, so maybe I'll throw in a "crazy shit customers have done" post as well.

I believe in giving thanks.

Growth Spurt

I've decided recently that it's time for me to start dressing a little more intentionally. I'm not saying get up and spend an hour picking out an outfit, but it is time for me to pitch some t shirts and hoodies in exchange for a few blouses and blazers. Since coming back from Europe, I've noticed what people wear more often, and I'm trying to remember some of that when I go shopping- but it's tough.

So far, I've mastered scarves and blazers. Layering anything else is still tricky, and I completely ignore any type of accessory, but we're getting there. Part of the battle is finding pieces of an outfit that I can afford, and make versatile enough to wear it with lots of different pieces.

This week, the goal is to dress like an adult every day, without going out to buy anything new. Hopefully it's a success, and if I can prove to myself that I will start taking my clothes a little more seriously, maybe for Christmas I'll reward myself with a pair of nice riding boots, which I've been dreaming about for a month but I'm not actually confident I could pull off.

I believe that sometimes, it's worth it to take yourself seriously.

Photo Throwback

This is a picture of my stuffed animal (formerly known as Winnifred, now known as Mr. Manatee) after Kusz found him stuffed in the fridge the morning after he was stolen from me by Deeg. 

I have really great friends this semester.

I believe in silly nights, photographing memories, and stolen manatees.