# 11 – Attend a Gamma Phi Beta convention

(This is me, our International President Linda, Erin Risk, and Pam Getman)

Conventions for my sorority are held every 2 years.  This year’s convention was held in Denver, CO which also happens to be home to our headquarters.  I decided that this would be a good convention to attend because I could also get in a tour of our International Headquarters.  Because of vacation time and hotel costs, I chose to attend convention from Friday-Sunday (it starts on Wednesday night but you can choose what days you attend if you’re going as an alum).  Luckily I was in great company because quite a few women from the alumnae chapter attended this year as well.  I was able to share a room with 3 other sisters to help cut down on costs.

Our flight was bright and early out to Denver but not too bad since we had a straight flight.  The cab ride was a little strange thanks to our cab driver and his R. Kelley soundtrack circa 2000 but we made it to our hotel in one piece.  I’d never been to Denver and it was as beautiful as I could have imagined.  We stayed at the Denver Sheraton, which is where Convention was also held.  It was so cool to stay on the 16^th street mall.  That is a great strip!  The weather was gorgeous so we had a lot of fun walking around downtown.  We even made it to the Capitol building.

A lot takes place at Convention – business sessions, approving bylaws, and presentations.  I felt like those were geared more towards the collegians and Presidents of alumnae chapters so I didn’t make it to any of them.  I did attend all of the meals, Confirmed Conventioneers Dinner, and the Pink Carnation Banquet though.  I also made time to volunteer in the Foundation Room, where there was a silent auction and sisters could donate to our Foundation (to fund scholarships, collegiate programs, etc.).  That was a very worthwhile experience because I truly believe that Gamma Phi Beta has the power to positively impact many women’s lives and we couldn’t do it without the generous giving from our sisters.

It was a great trip and I loved being a part of ritual with 700+ sisters.  It was amazing to see that the love and spirit of Gamma Phi just keeps going and growing!  I’m so proud of my sorority and attending Convention further affirmed that love and pride.  I was thinking that I wouldn’t attend the next Convention because it can be kind of pricey, but they announced that the 2014 Convention would be in my hometown of Seattle so I will definitely need to make it to that one.  I’m hoping to make a weeklong vacation of it so that I can spend time with my friends still there.

(After the Pink Carnation banquet)

# 1 – Read 30 books - Girls in White Dresses by Jennifer Close (book 19)

This book was on a list of books you should read in your 20s so I thought it would be relevant.  It totally was not.  This book may have been intended for women in their early 20s but even then I don’t think it’ll teach you anything.  Yes, it’s about graduating from college and not having a plan but surviving anyway.  And yes, it’s about friendship and growing up and finding yourself.  So you would think that it’d be a decent book but I just did not care for it.  I had a hard time following the stories of the main characters and I didn’t develop any sort of attachment to them.  I wasn’t in the story so I had a hard time caring about what happened to them.  Maybe someone will get something, anything, out of this book.  I was not one of them.

Find out more here.

# 1 – Read 30 books - I’ve Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella (book 18)

I love Sophie Kinsella’s books.  They’re fun and easy to read, helping me to escape reality for a little while.  The main characters are women whose lives aren’t all together and usually involve a mishap or embarrassing misunderstanding.  This book was no exception.  The main character is engaged to someone and because of a series of bad luck (?), meets another man.  There are a lot of shenanigans that go on and some unrealistic propositions but it was fun to see it unfold.  If you’re looking for funny and easy books, I always recommend Sophie Kinsella.

Find out more here.

# 1 - Read 30 books - The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty (Book 17)

I couldn't put this book down!  This story spans decades and does such a great job of developing characters.  I was really invested in this book. There's so much more to it than the synopsis gives, which was a big part of its appeal.  There were so many surprises and so many good plots.  I can't say enough good things about it.  A big portion of the story takes place in the 20s and 30s, periods I love.  It's so odd to read things set in that period and know that things like skirts above the ankle and blush on your cheeks was taboo.  The women's suffrage movement was also going on at this time too and I find it all fascinating. 

The synopsis highlights the story of Cora and Louise.  But there is so, so much more to this book.  Read the gist of it here.  I really encourage you to read this book!

# 19 - Take a risque dance class

How perfect that I put this on my list and weeks later saw a Groupon for burlesque classes at Van Ella Studios?  Very perfect.  So I convinced a friend to join me and we signed up for their Burlesque Basics 1 class for April (I'm just a little late in blogging about it).  The deal was for 4 classes so once a week we headed to the studio to emulate burlesque dancers who dance with grace, confidence, and charm...4 classes was not quite enough for me to achieve this, but I had fun all the same.  In case you're wondering, no, we didn't remove any articles of clothing in class other than gloves.  Burlesque is about performing and a little about teasing.  I was nervous and self conscious but our teacher, Greta, was encouraging and hilarious.  That's her and me in the picture.

It was important for me to have things on this list that were out of my comfort zone.  This was one of them.  Even after 4 classes I think that I gained some confidence and carried myself a little better.  I will never perform the moves I learned in front of an audience and that's okay (in fact, my husband probably prefers that I don't) because I did something I was embarassed to do, but ended up really enjoying.

Van Ella Studios works with The Jumpin' Jupiter in Maplewood to put on some very fun shows.  After taking the class, some girlfriends and I went to their Dinner Revue, where we had a delicious 4 course meal and enjoyed a variety show.  I would recommend seeing it if you can.  It was very entertaining and their drinks are delicious!

# 1 - Read 30 books - 50 Shades of Grey by E.L. James (Book 16)

Yes I gave in and read it.  Everyone was talking about it and I was starting to feel left out.  No I didn't care for it.  It was redundant and the main character, Anna, got on my nerves.  Stop biting your lip!  Stop whining!  Be proud or excited or relieved to hear that you're the exception!  I've heard the second and third books are better so I'm on the list (# 90 in the St. Louis Public Library queue to be exact) to read them too.  Just because I need to know how they end, even if they aren't written much better than the first book.  We'll see how they turn out...

If you don't already know what they're about, read more or buy it here.

# 1 - Read 30 books - How to Eat a Cupcake by Meg Donahue (Book 15)

There's a lot of history between the 2 main characters of this book, Annie and Julia.  And much of it is complicated (but I guess who's past isn't complicated, really?).  When their lives intersect again after 10 years apart, the past comes to the surface and we find out whether or not they're able to work together and become friends again.  This book was funny and suspenseful, with hidden surprises scattered through it.  I read it very quickly and as I neared the end, I couldn't put it down.  It was written beautifully and touches on childhood, friendships, trust, betrayal, and the kind of future that is uncertain but exciting because you have people you love surrounding you.

Read more about it or buy it here.