Mizzou

Thursday:
We woke up bright eyed. Finished cramming everything we possibly could in to our suitcases and headed to the airport.

We were ready to board our planes! It was exhilarating to see something we had been talking about for so long actually become a reality. We were leaving!

While I waited for Abbey, Millie and Alyssa to check-in to their flights, I perched myself up in front of the escalators of the airport. A couple walked past me in a hurry, and the man accidently dropped cash behind him. I quickly called out to him and pointed out his money. The man walked back, scooped up his cash and came up to me.  He began to pull out his billfold and pulled out a $10 bill. Then handed it to me. I refused to take it. I told him he did not have to pay me! He placed the money on my suitcase in front of me and said “Buy yourself breakfast, and have a safe flight”. And he and his wife ran to catch their plane. 

“This is going to be a good day” I thought to myself.

And it was.

We said our goodbyes and parted to go to our separate gates.

At times that day, I would catch myself smiling and had no idea why. I think I was just still in shock that I was actually getting to have this adventure.

I landed in a tiny airport in Columbia, Missouri. Was picked up by some adorable new friends and drove the short ten minutes here:

To The University of Missouri.

Good Ol' Mizzou

I have been spoiled in this gorgeous house getting to hang out with some of the funniest people I have ever met.

One of their traditions, that I love so much, is a Panhellenic Chant War. It starts at one house where the girls run and yell a chant to another sorority in "Greek Town". Like clockwork, house by house joins in running down the street, chanting each others sorority cheers until they all join in.

This campus holds so many other wonderful traditions and gems. 

These five pillars are the only architecture remaining of the original campus of Mizzou. There are five similar pillars down the road which were made to link the community with the campus.

This tiled clover is in front of the Engineering School. If a girl walks across the clover it is said that she will marry and engineer. 

I walked across it...three times. Not sure what walking across it three times means or what is going to happen now. Stay tuned.

One of the coolest things Mizzou holds is Thomas Jefferson's tombstone. 

Fun fact: The President of the United States is not listed on his accomplishment's because he didn't want to be remembered for just his presidency.

Needless to say, this campus holds some pretty remarkable history and even more remarkable people. It has been such an honor to work with these girls. I have worn many "hats" this week: Consultant, counselor, friend, maid, hairdresser, cheerleader, tourist and I have loved wearing all of them.

What I have learned here:
Be yourself. It is so much easier to be you than try to be someone you think people NEED you to be.
Jump in. It is scary in a new place, but I need to just try to dive in and help in any way I can.
Balance. Still struggling to say in contact with people from home and finding "me" time.

But hey, I'm living and learning.
Thank you Mizzou.

Goodbyes

On our very last day of training we were given this "TLC Tip Jar".
In it held numerous pieces of advice from former TLC's.
In their very simple words, they made me feel a part of something bigger. And something very special.

Here were a few of my favorites:

"Most importantly, take the chance to reflect on the big picture of what you are doing on the road each day. It is very easy to get caught up with the To-Do list, stress, and drama of your daily life. Trust me, this will burn you out. If you take the chance to reflect on the true purpose of your job it will reenergize and refresh your outlook".

"Enjoy every minute of this experience. Seems obvious, but it goes by quickly: the great moments, the bad moments...even your breaks. Live this experience to the fullest and you won't regret anything". 

With our advice from the ones who came before us, our resources at our fingertips, and our cell phones armed with numbers of those who would help us get through, we headed off for our big adventure.

Only, the airport decided I was not ready for my big adventure quite yet. 

I arrived at the airport around noon for my 1:50 flight to Chicago. Then I would jump on my connecting flight. 

The plane was delayed. 

Then broken down. 

Then being repaired. 

Then being completely changed. 

Then was two hours late to Indianapolis.

Resulting in me missing the only connecting flight on any airline out of Chicago.

I had spent the entire day in the airport, for no reason. However, it was a great chance to unwind, catch up with family and friends, and process.

Thankfully, I had four wonderful TLC's still in Indy. 

We ended up having a fantastic dinner for my 2nd "Last night in Indy".

And my stomach is still in pain from laughing so hard.

Tomorrow I will attempt to leave again. We will see how this one goes.

Here's to hoping!

A Day of Rest

On Sunday, we had the entire day off.

To rest.

To do laundry.

To pack.

Or...to go to the Indianapolis State Fair!!

Deep fried girl scout cookies. God's gift to man.

For my very first state fair experience, I would say it was pretty darn successful.

And for the record, I'm glad we didn't rest.

Whirlwind

Here is my attempt to condense the last two and a half weeks of training into one post.
Let's see how well I do.

For the last few weeks, my 19 fellow TLC’s and I have been trained on the ins and outs of Zeta.  We would arrive early to our International Office and learn more about our sorority than we ever thought existed. And it made me fall in love with Zeta all over again.

The Board Room.

Me and Chelsea

Carrie and Julia

Our first night was spent in Carmel, Indiana.

 Also known as the Number One City in America... and you can see why.

 Abbey, Millie and Chelsea

 Chloe, Carolyn, Adina, me and Rachel

 Another night we ventured into an area called Broadripple.

And after long days of exploring new places and working at the office, we would rest our weary heads at the Holiday Inn. 

Sometimes I felt like Eloise at the Plaza, but on a much much smaller scale. Well, I guess I just really enjoyed coming home to a bed that I never had to make!

                                                           

It has all been a whirlwind. And it all flew by.

I honestly didn't think that I would grow this close this fast to these 19 girls, but in our brief time together they have each found a spot in my heart. 

I have learned so much from them. 

They have reminded me of the complexity that each person's story holds. 

Their family, their hometown, their likes or dislikes, the things that make them, them. 

I needed to be reminded of this before I went on the road. 

I needed to be reminded that everyone has a story. 

A different walk of life. 

And a different way they see the world.