The Extended Winter Break

While I'm procrastinating the process of packing for my next leg of recruitment visits and pondering how I am going to pack for Miami, DC, Atlanta, and Maryland- I decided to use my time very wisely and write a new blog post.

My last chapter visits ended right around Thanksgiving, so I have been enjoying the best extended winter break reserved only for the unemployed and sorority consultants. I spent the first 3 weeks in South Florida, hanging out in the sunshine (or rain) and enjoying Thanksgiving with family. The last 3 weeks I have been in NY, galavanting around the city.

During my time off I had the opportunity to go to Long Island University (Post) and present with a National Team for our recolonization of the Beta Theta chapter. A few days later, we found out we were selected and will be rejoining the campus next Spring. I'm 2 for 2 in extension presentations so BAM! I can't help but be extremely proud of the organization and the growth we've seen over the last year.

Right before Christmas, I went to the USY International Convention in Atlanta, Georgia. We shared a table with ZBT, Sammy, and AEPhi and I talked to future sisters (USY is grades 9-12) for a few days. I polished off my recruitment skills and talked my face off about SDT- see below an action shot of me literally rushing 5 high school girls at once.

We like to start em young! Mostly, I've been enjoying my time off in NY and filling it with good friends, food, drinks, and sights. I've knocked a few things off of my NYC Bucket List (finally made it to the 9/11 memorial) and survived my first NYE in the city. With my headphones on, I explored the city alone (because my friends are people with normal jobs) and fell even more in love with this place that I've loved since I was a little girl. I saw friends I hadn't seen in years and reconnected with people from my past. After a very solid winter break, I am ready to start traveling again.

Top row from left to right: LES Beat with Ashley, Santacon with sisters, Laura visiting the city from Tallahassee, and celebrating my birthday at Gargulios with family.
Middle: New Years Eve with Caitlin at a karaoke bar and Rockefeller Center with Sarah and Ali.
Bottom: Heading to the Matzo Ball on Christmas Eve and a sunset from a subway going over the Brooklyn Bridge. 

Tomorrow, I'll be heading to the airport at 6am to fly to Miami. Recruitment in Miami > a lot of things so get me to the warm weather stat!

With love from Brooklyn, NY,
Ilana