Welcome to the House in which I will be residing for the next 3 years: Alpha Chi Omega. Recruitment was a very long, stressful week. It all began on a super rainy Tuesday (some people couldn't make it that day because a major interstate was closed from flooding! Then on Wed. was the first official day. It went from 8am-9pm without breaks. Not so much fun. We were all dressed up and walking and talking nonstop. Exhausting. The second day of recruitment you go to up to 4 houses (our of 7). So that was a little less busy. But that next morning, Friday, I woke up with sharp pains in my back AKA kidney stones...again! Ugh. I had to wake up my roommate and have her take me to the ER b/c my RA isn't allowed to drive us anywhere (trust me, I was NOT happy about this). Needless to say, I took that day off. Painkillers are nice though:)

So Saturday, the next day, was the last day of all recruitment stuff. I was able to sit out the meetings and such in the morning and then that night I went to 2 different sorority houses. But I knew which one I wanted--Alpha Chi Omega.

The girls in that house were so nice to me. They really seemed like they cared. There are many Christian women in the house, and their philanthropy is the Julian Center. This is a shelter for abused women and children here in Indianapolis. The ladies of AXO volunteer there and help out with basically every aspect.

I'm sure you have figured it out by now, but I got into AXO. All the girls find out what house they are in, and then we run down the street to that house. The whole road is blocked off and it's a huge party! Every Greek person is there and you just socialize and see what house everyone else is in. Mike and Sean were the only people that I hung out with on a regular basis that rushed (that's Sean in the pic). It was SO overwhelming! Later that night, the ladies of AXO went bowling. That was a blast....but then we had to get back because school began the next day (at 8am for me!)

It's been really great so far. Being in a sorority is a huge time committement, as I'm becoming more and more aware of. But I don't think I'd trade it in just yet. I have met some amazing girls! A girl in my unit and I are in the same house...so that's really exciting. And there's even a semi-formal in April that I get to go to....now to find a date..haha:)

So let's see...what else has happened..... Here's some randomness to explain college life:

Naps...lots of those are involved. Can't say I've taken that many this semester though. I'm so much busier. Which reminds me of a story. So I'm taking SP305, which is an oral communication class. I had to drop another class and wanted to fill the void so I would be taking 18 hours and not 15. I decided to take another Spanish Class. The class is SP300: Service Learning in Spanish. I have to go to a high school once a week and tutor hispanic kids in whatever subject I am good at. It is a lot of fun and I am really enjoying it (I help with Chemistry and Biology). BUT..the class also meets once a week. I went to class this past Monday for the first time (keep in mind this is after the add/drop date). The profesora informs us that the course number is in the process of getting changed to 350! But it takes a while to get approved. Yeah, so I am in a 350 class. Let's just say that it's not going to well. All we do it talk, talk, talk, and then write, write, write. I'm pretty good at the writing part (muchas gracias mrs. Finch!)..but the speaking part...not so much. So I'm kind of freaking out. 2 Spanish class in one semester at totally different levels, not a good idea;(
The next pic.....this is what it looks like the night before college students go on a diet. Yes, it's a necessity to get all good foods in before it's too late. Which results in a late night store run!

Meet Spencer...he's a friend of my friend, lol. We had some late night fun in Broadripple (like 3am)...yup, it's great to be in college

This is me finally discovering where the football field is (took place right after the late night grocery store run). I never went to a football game. I mean, after growing up in Ohio and watching out team win (most of the time), who wants to watch Butler lose every single game? Not I.


And lastly...the not so glamorous side of college. We are still persuing suspects and have to have a unit meeting now because people are ridiculous. Yup, welcome to the

real world I guess.

And as my sign off story...one of great irony. Tomorrow is "Scholars Day" here at Butler. Which means that a whole bunch of high school seniors and their parents will be wondering around campus and crowding up the dining hall all day. BUT.. I got this email from my last semester business prof. He wants me and another guy from my business team to come to the business school's presentation to these people. Mike and I are to be a "panel" of real, living college students that the kids/parents can ask questions about our business class, the Top Dawg Competition, and just life in the college of business. Kind of funny seeing how I am not a business major, nor was I ever..and how Mike and my's group did not go to the Top Dawg (we are still upset about this...long story though). I find it hilarious but am also honored to have been chosen (apparently it's a big deal).

I'm good at making up answers and making Butler sound better than what I know it to be. Mike is too...so this should be interesting:)

OOHHH...but this may not happen if we get as much snow as they are calling for! I want to do it, but I don't because I want my classes canceled! But I don't, because I was planning on coming home this weekend....to eat some birthday cake with the family! Such a delima.
p.s. CamCam--I did this just for you:)

p.p.s. Happy Birthday, Mrs. Finch!

Winter Break

After a crazy week full of tons of studying, winter break finally came. Let's just say that a vote has been taken, and according to the results the word RANDOM sums up the break. Here's some pics and stories.....

It was a wonderful way to start off my break--SNOW. Logan, Kyle, Amy, and I had a blast 4wheeling, snowmobiling, and riding sleds. Somehow, Logan, Amy and I managed to fit ourselves in a sled and we were pulled around by Kyle. Logan liked to "rock the boat", and of course, Amy and I would be the first to fall out, since our we were so tangled together. And then Logan would claim himself "Champion".

That is a pic of me and Amy after we fell off the sled once. It wasn't as awkward as it looks, lol. Kyle would try to make us fall of by taking us over these crazy hills and sharp turns. Amy and I did pretty good..until then. I love the snow..and can't wait for some more (and none of this 65 degree weather in JANUARY!)

Allow me to introduce you to the Halderman's Christmas Tree. It is by far, the largest tree I have ever seen in my entire existence as a human being. Marissa and I aren't even covering half of the tree! This was right after we went on our 3rd annual trip to see Christmas lights in Eaton. This year it did not go over so well. Many people wanted to leave and not see the lights. Although, we did get a picture with Santa this year:) haha...the line was full of little kids, and then a group of like 8 college students. What can I say? We still have some kid left in us!

ICE SKATING. That was a crowd favorite over break. I actually went twice in one weekend, lol. I am proud to report that I did not fall down once--unlike some other people;) Here, Marissa and I are showing off our skills. And yes, I am standing on one foot; I am that good.

Bret, aka Jose el guapo, also showed up at Hobart. So me and my dance partner reunited again...this time on ice. Needless to say, we tore it up once again. Goes to show that true dancing partners can dance anywhere and on any type of ground!

Guitar Hero...always a crowd favorite. We played a ton of this over break. I think my skills have improved and I'm ready to take on the guys back here at school! I'd have to give the Most Improved Award to Kelsey. She mastered the easy level all in a matter of 2 days. Congrats to Kels!

So back in the spring, we had a girls v. boys wiffleball tournament. The boys won (although, I think they rigged the score, but oh well). The deal was whoever lost had to cook the other team dinner. We finally got around to doing that over break.

Amy, Marissa, and I cooked our *homemade* mashed potatoes, chicken, corn, and applesauce. We tried to make chicken fingers, but we didn't think they turned out right. But actually, they were amazing (and we didn't share them with the boys:) We were able to put our cooking skills to the test, and everything turned out okay, if I do say so myself. It was a lot of fun!

NEW YEARS EVE

We had a New Years Bash at my house. It was an interesting night. We played a lot of games, which some people were good at b/c they know random stuff

(aka Jared). There was a ton of Euchre going on (as seen in the pic). None of us has played euchre in a while, so I think we got enough playing time in to last a long while!

We are rather proud because of the fact that we had 5 different types of dips to offer. That was pretty much all we had...guess we didn't plan that out very well, lol. But you can never have enough chips and dip, at least that's what I think. BBQ Fritos were also a favorite...not for me though..:yuck:


So 2007 came to a close. For some reason I felt a little weird about it. That was the year that I graduated it..and now it's gone. I don't know if that makes any sense, but it does to me!

My last night before I went back to school as spent watching the Ohio State Buckeyes LOSE. It was not a good night. Some people left at half time, and the rest of us left halfway through the 4th quarter. It was an embarrassment to the whole state. But we did agree that we'd rather lose in the national championship than lose to Michigan, haha.

Now I am back at wonderful college for recruitment week. It started on Wednesday and lasts until tomorrow (sunday). I had to take all of yesterday off and half of today due to the fact that I currently have kidney stones (again!). My roommate had to take me to the ER yesterday morning and it was all just downhill from there. I am happy to report that iv pain killers work WONDERS. I am starting to feel much better now, but do not have a lot of strength yet. I will post and let ya'll know how the whole sorority thing turns out tomorrow!