Embrace and Engage

We're back in the saddle again. School is back in session. While my Christmas break seemed like it lasted a total of 2 days, it was a very relaxing time away.

The first days of school are always my favorite. You are normally the most organized and you get to learn from each of your different professors what exactly to expect for the semester to come.

This morning I had a class called History of the Modern Middle East. From the title it sounds like a very random and weird class, however I thoroughly enjoyed the first day and am looking forward to the semester to come.

One of the things we went over in class today really struck a chord with me. Prior to really getting into the subject material my professor lectured on why it is important for us to study history. There were many reasons as to why he said it was important but the thing that stuck with me is,

"We study history because if we do not know where we were we do not know where we are going"

He used the example of what if one day you were to wake up and not remember anything about your life. Your mind was completely blank. This gives you the opportunity to do whatever you wanted with your life! You could go back to school and become a surgeon, business man, historian, anything your heart desired! He also pointed out the fact that studies show most people who do lose their memory do not have this 'gung-ho' attitude about the life ahead of them. Most of them end up crawling in a fetal position, scared of the world around them.

 We need our history to determine who we are as a person. Our lessons and experience shape us into who we are. We are constantly changing and always learning about ourselves and the world around us. To be scared of change is to be afraid of life. It is inevitable and the only thing it will do is better you as a person.

Change may be a scary thing because we are comfortable being the person that we currently are, however you have to believe that there is an even better person waiting to come out of you. You just have to embrace the change that will come and face it head on. I believe the people that do this appear to be the most successful in life. They are the people in this world that are the best role models, the people we should model our lives after.

If I we could all be like that I'm sure that the world would be a much more peaceful place.

(just a little something I needed...)

Until next time,

Casey Rose

A Change, A Challenge

Now that we're back with our regular postings, I'm so glad to welcome back 'Sorority Sunday's' to the blog. This week will be more of an informational post more than a fun one, sorry guys.

As you may have seen from my Thanksgiving post, I talked about my heartbreak with not getting slated as Chapter President for this upcoming exec. While it was a shock and it took me a very long time to get over, I was still offered a position on exec. I was offered the position of Vice President of Member Development (VPMD for short). VPMD isn't exactly what VPM was, but in terms of the ability to be creative with the position they are very similar.

VPMD is essentially the first 'Vice President' to the chapter. If the Chapter President is ever absent for any reason, the VPMD steps in to fill her place. She deals mostly with the chapters grades, making sure they chapter is doing their weekly study hours, and is concerned with the overall wellness of the chapter. This includes mental, physical, and emotional health. VPMD is the person that makes sure everyone is doing alright, keeping up with their school work but not getting too stressed out during the process.

While this will be a big change from VPM I am excited to take on the challenge. We officially get sworn in tomorrow at chapter and I am anxious but excited to see how this year is about to unfold. Our executive team is very different than it was last year and I am interested to see how we all work together. While I will miss everyone, I am excited to work with the new girls and excited to see, first hand, our chapter flourish and grow.

PPL&M

Until next time,

Casey Rose

Sisterly Love

Sister (noun): A girl or woman who shares a common ancestry, allegiance, character, or purpose with another or others, specifically

You can never underestimate the power of a sister. They are someone who will always be there for you. When you need to laugh, cry, or just someone to talk to - they're always there for you.

I have made some incredible friends this past year since joining Pi Phi and I can proudly call these women my sisters. While in the traditional sense we may not be blood related but we share a common allegiance, character, purpose, and believe it or not ancestry. Now ancestry may not be your common mom or dad but we do have founders and these founders have since caused this ripple affect in allowing me to call all of these women around the world sisters.

I never realized where I would find them either. My grandma is my sister. One that I will always cherish forever. I learned soon after my initiation that my aunt is a Pi Phi. It really is funny how many people I learn are Pi Phi's.

It was funny because we were in Panera Bread the other day discussing recruitment and this women comes up to our table and asks if we were Pi Phis (she must have seen the sticker on my laptop). Well she immediately reaches for my hand to give me a handshake, I was later embarrassed to find out she was giving me the secret handshake and I didn't even realize it...either way it was so cool to run into someone out and about who shared a similar past as me.

We may not be blood related but the knowledge that only us as sisters possess is incredible. It's amazing how much we share, our common interests, beliefs, it's hard to find that any place else.

Even though I did not grow up with any blood sisters, I am lucky because I get to call thousands of women across the world my sisters and I wouldn't have it any other way. So thank you Pi Phi, for filling my life with beautiful, successful women whom I look up to on a daily basis. I couldn't have asked for a better ancestry.

Until next time,

Casey Rose

Workin' Lady

This past Monday I had my first interview for an internship! So today for Fashion Friday's I decided to show you exactly how I styled my professional attire.

Good news is they are all still available!

La Dee Dot's top in Ivory from Francesca's for $38

Factory Pencil Skirt in Double-Serge Cotton in Brilliant Cobalt from J. Crew Factory for $44.50

Steve Madden Heaven Patent Flat in Taupe from Steve Madden found at DSW for $39.95 

The top pictured is kind of sheer, so I put a nude cami underneath and tucked it all into the pencil skirt (which is so comfortable by the way). The flats can absolutely be substituted with a heel, however I just didn't feel completely comfortable in the heels that I had.

Hope you enjoyed this week's Fashion Fridays!

Until next time,

Casey Rose