True Confessions of a Sorority Girl

It’s true. I was in a sorority. I’ve never been ashamed of that fact. I wore my letters proudly around the campus of the University of Oregon where the largest social group was hippie. 

And, sure, when you step back and look at the whole thing objectively it sounds a bit odd. You join a group whom overnight you are supposed to refer to as your sisters? They give you a bunch of rules and codes to live by many of which are secret? You have to attend a whole slew of events, including but not limited to chapter meetings, social events, service projects and many more meetings? Oh and you are supposed to pay for this pleasure? 

But you know what? Worth it. So totally and utterly worth it. Many of the people I’m friends with today are my sorority sisters (two of whom will be in my upcoming wedding) and we just have the best time when we are together. We did in college and we do now. Just as then, we get dressed up, sing songs and laugh until our sides hurt. We tell the same stories over and over again and they never get old.

This past weekend a big group of us went down to Eugene for our chapter’s alumni weekend. Right before we left I found a CD that contained a bunch of photos from our years in college (yes, I am so old I went to college before digital cameras). And a fit of excitement I posted them to Facebook. The ensuing comments were so funny I was sitting at my kitchen table with tears streaming down my face. 

The weekend was full of good times and heart-warming memories – we went through stacks of photos, toured the house, went wine tasting, met current members and hit the college bars for old time’s sake.

While it was a little bittersweet because come Monday morning, I had to go back to work as a soon-to-be 30 year old instead of back to class as a 20 year old. But the sweet, was that I did get to do all this once and that so many of these wonderful and amazing women are still in my life. 

To the alumnae of Kappa Delta, thank you for making my college years so incredibly special. I will carry the memories and tell the stories until the day I die. 

To the current women of Kappa Delta, thank you for welcoming us back with open arms. I’m already looking forward to next year. 

Love in AOT,

Violet 

a few tricks. by orange

This past weekend a few friends and the husband and I packed up our car and headed down to our good friends' house in Eugene, OR, aka home of The Oregon Ducks. 

Going to Stacy and Ray's house is like a trip back home, visiting mom and dad.  They are around our same age, just have always had that "big brother/big sister", more "mature" persona to them.  Going to their house is the perfect escape from the day to day blur of work, stress, etc.  There were 3 main reasons for our trip to The Eug:

1. Halloween Party

2. University of Oregon vs. University of Southern California football game

3. Haunted Corn Maze

As violet's J. photo-documented the weekend festivities I'll leave #1 and #3 to future violet posts.  I'm digging into #2 reason.

Now I've never been really into football.  Of course I made all the normal football appearances during college however, by half-time I was the one ready to head home for a post-pre-funking game nap.  With marrying the husband, who Loves football, and all the college football Saturday/Sunday get togethers it was time I figured out what was going on during the game.

Here are the few things I've picked up over the past few seasons to help me through the game:

1. The computer imposed First Down line is Extremely helpful when watching a game on TV.  Basically, the offensive football team has 4 tries to make a First Down.  Once they make a First Down, they get to start the four tries over.  If they don't make the First Down within four tries then the other team gets the football.

2. In order for the football team to get the First Down, they have to move the football 10 yards down the field towards their end zone.

3. Main Penalities: False Start, Holding, Pass Interference and Face Mask (see below for the referee signals and a few more)

4. Main Scoring Opportunities:

Touchdown = 6 points
Field Goal = 3 points
P.A.T. (Point After Touchdown) = 1 point
Going for Two (where the offensive team runs it in after a touchdown) = 2 points

Any other tips you know of in order to get into the game?

And, by the way, this game (UO vs. USC) was EPIC. Pete Carroll (USC head coach) has never been beat by an opposing team by more than 11 points before this game.  We just happen to beat them by 27 points - it was amazing.  And I was really glad I could keep up with all the scoring during the game :).