I'm back in Chapel Hill for a couple days before I make a couple trips and am then home for Christmas vacation! I had a good Thanksgiving Break; I pretty much did nothing. The first full day of my break I think I slept until 10:30 and didn't even shower until after noon. I texted one of my friends saying that was the first day all semester that I had really been able to sleep in and lounge around. She said, "Really? What about Saturdays and Sundays?"
This brings me to the point of my post. I realize that my job is very difficult for people to grasp. Since a lot of people are confused about it, I'm going to try my best to sort of give a week in the life synopsis for you. Let's go back to mid November.
November 9th
I was dropped off at the Raleigh airport around 7:00 am, which means I got up at 4:30 to get dressed, pack everything, and leave the sorority house by 6:30. My flight left at 9:00, I arrived in the Charlotte airport a little after 10:00. Don't kid yourself, the Charlotte airport is by no means small. Pretty sure I ran through there just in time to make it to my gate which was already boarding! I arrived in Charleston, SC around noon. The chapter president and treasurer took me to lunch and then to my bed and breakfast! They gave me the afternoon off, so I window shopped on Kings Street a little before heading to the house at 4:30 for the exec meeting at 5 and chapter at 6. Chapter was held in a room on campus, so when the meeting was over we all walked outside. No one had been in charge of getting me back to my bed and breakfast so I asked some girls which direction I was supposed to go. They did however, give me a ride back to my room. I then realized that there was nothing on my schedule about dinner--which meant I got to fend for myself. I called a place a few blocks over and ordered take out. I then walked there and picked it up. I took it back to my room and ate alone in my room while I watched tv.
Nov. 10th
They had meetings scheduled for me all morning at the house starting at 10:00; the president and a few of the girls took me to lunch at Moe's. It's kind of like Chipotle. I then went back to the house for meetings for the rest of the afternoon. The Phi Director took me to dinner at a local seafood restaurant. I then went back to my room around 8:00 to catch up on emails and reports. While I was staying at this bed and breakfast, I had to fill out this card each night that said what time I wanted my breakfast served to me and if I wanted it served in my room or on the back porch.
Nov. 11th
I once again had meetings all morning. The treasurer took me to lunch at this cute, little local restaurant. I had a pecan crusted chicken sandwich and broccoli casserole, that were both awesome. My afternoon was filled with meetings. They didn't have time to take me to dinner that night so I asked if they could point me in the direction of a good pizza place, which they did and the pizza was amazing! I spent that evening packing all of my stuff in addition to emailing and working on reports.
Nov. 12th
The president picked me up early the next morning, because I had a 9:45 flight. We drove through a bagel place on our way to the airport, and I ate while she drove. I flew through Charlotte again, but thankfully didn't have to change terminals that time! I arrived at the Raleigh airport around noon and we had an hour drive to the chapter I was visiting. The girl who picked me up took me to a Panera Bread for lunch, because she knew right where one was! We arrived at the chapter mid afternoon. They didn't have a house, just a dorm floor, and I stayed in an empty room on the floor. They had a goodie basket waiting for me in my room. It had a bottle of water, some microwave popcorn, granola bars, chocolates, and some other snacks. I met with the president first and she gave me my schedule for my stay. At 4:30, we all went to dinner at the cafeteria where the whole chapter ate together. After dinner I had meetings until 10:00.
Nov. 13th
A few of the girls took me to breakfast at 9:00, and after breakfast I met with their Greek Adviser and then their Panhellenic Adviser. I then went back to the hall and we all went to lunch together at 11:30. My afternoon was filled with meetings, and the chapter adviser took me to dinner; we ate at this really good local Italian restaurant. (The more you travel, the more you come to love local places) That night I had meetings until 9:30.
There is 5 days for you. I gave you the dates, but did not give you the days of the week. That's because they don't matter. I have to really stop and think about what day of the week it is most the time. They all run together for me, because each visit is so diverse, and it's not like I do anything special on any given day of the week. I rarely ever have time to watch tv, not to mention a lot of times there isn't even a tv in the room I'm staying in. Some days are busier than others, some chapters are friendlier, some accommodations are better, either way it's always an adventure and there is never a dull moment. While I gave you an overview, I didn't get too detailed and tell you about when girls have gotten lost while driving me from one chapter to the next, or when I've had to wander around campus looking for the Greek adviser's office, or when a chapter president calls me at 9:00 in the morning asking me if she is allowed to check a Phi out of the hospital. Oh yeah, it's been pretty interesting.
