Sincere Compliments

In my 19 years of experience, I've noticed that people can sometimes have a hard time with the subject of compliments, both receiving and giving.

Maybe I'm just super vain (lets hope that's not it), but I, like most breathing humans, love getting compliments. In fact, I'd venture to say that most people do, but people don't give enough of them.

How often do you find yourself thinking highly of a friend, or bragging about your awesome friend, but never actually telling this friend what you think?

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Why does it seem so much easier to spread gossip and bad energy around when we could be spreading good energy and positive vibes instead?

I've decided that from now on, whenever I catch myself talking someone up, I'm going to make it a point to tell that person. I think others deserve to know when you're thinking of them positively.

We did an activity at one of our sorority retreats this summer where everyone taped a piece of paper on her back and went around writing anonymous compliments. This was definitely a top-ten Phi Mu moment for me. Of course, being the hoarder that I am, I saved my sheet for the dark days.

With that being said, maybe you could make it your goal for the week to give at least one sincere compliment a day? Let's start spreading the good vibes :)

What's your favorite compliment to receive? 

Bid Day 2014: Welcome to Wonderland!

Waking up this morning, slowly but without needing the snooze button (although still rushing around to make it to church on time), I finally felt relaxed after an exhausting two weeks.

Being off of social media for the week meant that all the sorority girls here at Nicholls State blew up Facebook and Instagram with pictures from Bid Day yesterday (myself included). Of course, I had to share some of my favorite pictures from the day on the blog, as well!

It was such an amazing day, full of excitement, smiles, and loads of confetti! (See the video at the end of this post for an idea of just how much confetti)

How adorable are my sisters?!?

I thought the theme of Wonderland was so fitting, especially since we're all a bit mad here ;)

Check out this amazing video our advisor KT put together! 

Recruitment Week

My life has been revolving around sorority recruitment for the last month, and the week is finally here! (I blogged about it last month, too!). I'm so looking forward to my first time as an active member of Phi Mu, and especially meeting the new girls! It feels like I was just in their shoes, anxious and excited like I hope they are, too!

I love words so much, but putting into words how amazing this sisterhood has been to me? It's proving to be pretty challenging. 

Most of my pledge class on our bid day last year! 

I'm risking major cliches with this post, but the girls in Phi Mu are so much more than friends; they're my sisters. 

There aren't enough pictures I could post that would ever show all that Phi Mu really is. My sisters are, without a doubt, the most genuine, classy, kind-hearted, loving ladies. They know me better than I know myself sometimes, and love me even though I'm sure that's not so easy some days.

I'm praying that all of the girls going through recruitment this week (or in the near future) have a great experience (I made so many friends before I even received my bid).

My biggest piece of advice for all Potential New Members? Listen to your heart. You'll meet a lot of girls and hear so many facts about each sorority. You'll be asked your hometown, hobbies and major a thousand times, and there will probably be a few awkward moments.  But most importantly, you'll find a group of girls that makes you feel like you belong. Phi Mu felt like home to me, and I hope you find your own home, too.

Recruitment here at Nicholls means a social media-free week for all sorority gals and new members. I'll be back, happy as a clam, on Saturday after bid day! 

Bloom in the Busyness

I moved into my apartment last weekend and have spent most of my hours since then running back and forth between newspaper workshop, recruitment practice, and babysitting. There just don't seem to be enough hours in the day, and I've found myself bursting into tears quite often (both out of happiness and exhaustion!). 

I feel like this flower right now. Stuck between some looming deadlines and buried under work; I'm trying my best to bloom despite the busyness. 

I know I've got my sunshine (energy to keep me going), soil and roots to keep me strong (my amazing friends and sorority sisters), and rain to keep me filled and focused (snacks and water bottles that have filled my Longchamp because I can't find time for meals anymore). 

Things will be fairly quiet around here until the first day of school and recruitment blow over. Hopefully I'll take my own advice to bloom so that people stop telling me I look tired (or stressed or exasperated or at my tipping point. Yep, four different people think I look rough this week… )

How do you deal with stress? 

Apartment Sneak Peek

Hey, y'all! So this week has been OMGsostressful (and it's only Tuesday *insert exasperated emoji*). 

I wish I had more hours in the day; between newspaper workshop, sorority recruitment preparations, and getting ready for school, I couldn't find time to eat until 9pm yesterday! 

I moved into my apartment on Sunday, and it's nowhere near decorated or done, but here are just a few pictures. I'll be sure to post a few more when I finish moving in. 

At least it's clean and comfortable for now. Just wait for later in the semester for fun recipes from our kitchen! (My roommate christened our kitchen last night with some amazing chocolate muffins. Could be the next recipe post :)