This Pres & VP are out

"The time has come the walrus said," as I often quote. Senior year has now brought me another goodbye, which is the role of Vice President of Tri Delta. It's a strange feeling.

Sure, I will still have the same member obligations. I'm not really done, yet. Seniors will come to chapter, attend what is mandatory, etc. I'll get to take a breather on Sunday and Monday nights instead of Officers' Council or leading chapter alongside Betsy Kate... but I don't know if I am fully ready for this part to end. The title, sure, I can pass that along. What's in a title anyways? It is what the position brought to me that I will always remember.

I've stood beside Betsy Kate for two years now. She was the head pledge trainer and I was one of her two assistants, then she was the president and I was her vice president. I'd say we make a pretty good team. We lean on each other to stand together as one.

A few days ago we were talking about how our "reign" was ending. We both decided that while positions may come and go, we sure are glad that friendships last forever. 

I'll take this moment even to rant on how incredible of a president Betsy Kate was. In the Tri Delta definition of who the chapter president should be, one of the most memorable phrases is, "visionary of the chapter." That my friends is exactly what Betsy Kate is. She see us in this moment, she sees Tri Delta in the future. Every day she poured herself into this job. If you haven't taken the moment to thank her to basically "volunteering" her life for one year to this place she so passionately believes in, I would urge you to. She is a born leader who encourages others to be better, without even knowing she is doing it. That's just how great she is.

I do not know what we will do now without our hand in everything Tri Delta related. I'm sure we will still ache to be involved, sorry kids, I don't think we are going anywhere just yet. But, it isn't because I have a power high, not because I am (thaaat) nosy, and not fully because I have a hard time of letting go. It is because I love it here.

Through serving as pledge trainer I learned many things and as vice president I learned more to add to the list. Both positions taught me a lot about loving others and respecting everyone individually. I learned self-sacrifice, truth and friendship, which conveniently is what Tri Delta stands for.

Everyone remember that time after chapter I cried to the officers? It is because I was so fearful and concerned that you all thought I did not respect you. Remember the time that Bailey told the story about how Betsy Kate would take a bullet for this chapter? It's because we love you.

It is a great feeling to believe in an organization like I believe in Tri Delta, which is why I am sad this piece of my membership is ending. Thank goodness for alumni status, rec letters and reunions, right? Everyone scoot over, I would love to come back for slumber parties in the Delta as well.

I challenge everyone that just obtained their new position to be prepared for this position to change your world. You will gain so much through your position and you were meant to be placed there. I know I would not be exactly who I am today without my two years of serving Tri Delta.

I also hope you enjoyed us, Tri Delta, because this president and vice president are out. We loved each one of you & always will, and now can't wait to sit back and watch you all shine.

Let you all steadfastly love one another.

Lizard is 20!!

(The birthday blog posts are back, and who better to bring them back for than Liz!!)

Ten reasons why Lizard deserves a great 20th birthday:

1. Well, she has so many nicknames. Liz, Lizzie, Lizard, Lizabeth, Liza, Elizabethian, The Dandy Nanny, Deltalizcious, etc.

2. She has a Coke obsession..... but really.

3. Liz is already a better mom than any of us will ever be.. She might as well go ahead and write a parenting "How to" book.

 Sorry I stole your boyfriend for a few minutes. He only loved me because I had candy, it's okay, I know.

4. Liz can look like Cat in the Hat, imitate anyone's voices 

& is a skilled SnapChat selfie taker

5. She is a dazzling dolphin AND won model pledge!! 

(good job!!! love, your pledge trainer for life)

I'm glad one day you, Char & Kitty walked into Room 9 and we all became real friends.

6. Liz and I awkwardly met the first week at Cru when everyone was bombarding her because obviously we wanted her to be a Delta. I waved from a far so awkwardly and probably just mouthed "hi." Little did we know, soon we would be friends.

7. Our bonding really began in the spring semester with events such as: #GetChanToCorinth, #JDA, #WhatAreFinals, #BN

8. Real talk though, Lizabeth is a great friend. Even though she is s'giggly & laughs at us most of the time, we all laugh at her because she's hilarious, especially when she imitates the chosen ones which has us rolling on the DDD kitchen floor.

9. Separation anxiety from Liz is real. The summer was too much & she's a great pen pal!! Maybe I will never graduate and just move in with y'all for your junior year? Okay.

10. Lizard, Lizabeth, Elizabethian, you're the best!! You are so loved by everyone and we all love spending time with you. I truly am #blessed to call you a friend. Thank you for loving me & making me laugh! You're a sweet friend, squirrel girl, sister, and #BN & you shine for Jesus in everything you do. Now, let's celebrate!!

HAPPY 20TH BIRTHDAY!!!

"Hold me like a baby"

If you're friends with me, you most likely have heard me say, "hold me like a baby." I will say it when I feel fragile, sad, tired or overwhelmed. It just means that you want people beside you. That maybe if you were alone instead, you would end up sobbing in bed. If someone holds you like a baby, you stop crying. You feel comforted and you feel secure.

Recently, this week to be exact, I've felt the need for someone to hold me like a baby. It is like the month of October hit and I suddenly realized that the end of college is near (aka how am I a senior?). How will I go on? How can I walk out the DDD doors and know it is the end? It hit me during recruitment week also, but it was different than the way I feel today.

It was the last philanthropy round with my best friends. We sang and jumped louder than we ever had before. It was the last skit round for us, but we couldn't help get teary when it was the last time for Betsy Kate to be Justin Timberlake and for us to dance & sing to "Best Song Ever." It was the last pref round for us to look around the room at each other in matching blue dresses, and for us to hear Ali give her speech about how she was an only child, but found all her sisters here. I had to leave the room because I was a blubbering 21-year-old. That seemed real, but it was an actual event: recruitment.

We don't have many more specific events to mark an ending, we more have moments. Thankfully, we have time. Moments of Sonic happy hour runs, walks at Lamar Park, watching Scandal and drinking wine, busting into the kitchen to find the frozen cookie dough, playing pranks on each other, dancing to new 1D songs, guessing what our future husbands will be like, and eating every meal together.

It hit me this week, not for the first time, but for the most dramatic, that in a few short months, we won't all be together.

I say I'm ready to graduate and that statement is true, to a certain extent. I'm ready to be done with homework, late night test cramming where my eyes feel heavy and walking to 8 a.m. classes in the cold. But am I really ready to leave these people? No.

In college you become who you really are, I believe. The people behind these big Tri Delta doors have been with me through thick and thin. To celebrate and enjoy every happy moment and to "hold me like a baby."

Last night I felt down, but after talking to a friend she said I can't dwell on all of the "lasts." I know that to be true, but that's understandable that it is hard, right? Well, I am going to try though to not over think this.

These days, these people and these experiences were all made to happen for a reason; nothing is random. So, how could I not chose to enjoy them?

Instead of looking up in a room when all of my friends of all grades are together and thinking how our days are limited, I will take a different outlook. How lucky am I to be surrounded by these people? How lucky am I to have all of my best friends just a few steps away from me every day?

It is here that I've found my people. My best friends, my partners in crime, my big sisters and little sisters, my bridesmaids, my squirrel girls, my circle. We have FOMO when we're apart, we can't imagine Christmas break (six weeks?!), and we enjoy just sitting in silence, knowing the others are just there.

I think I'll still need people to "hold me like a baby." We all need that security and assurance. But in those moments, instead of panic coming across me about limited moments and time restraints, I can challenge myself to think of how lucky I am. As I tell everyone, "it's fine, it's fine," maybe I need to remind myself of that more often, too.

"Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" Matthew 6:27

Chandler's Guide to New York City

Brunch:
The Smile
Mondrian SoHo
Cafe Habana
The Grey Dog
Cafe Cluny

Lunch:
The Butcher's Daughter
Jack's Wife Freda
Tacombi
Rosemary's

Dinner:
Buddakan
The Smith
Mercer Kitchen
Stanton Social

Rooftop Bars:
The Standard
Sonny's Soda Shoppe
The Jimmy at The James

Drinks/Happy Hour:
The Frying Pan
Riviera Cafe - $4 margaritas
Brass Monkey

Sweets:
Georgetown Cupcakes
Emack & Bolio's
Pop Bar
Momofuku

Museums:
9/11 Memorial
The Met

What I Miss About New York City

Every single day here in Oxford, something reminds me of New York.

There are so many incredible things about the city. Always something to do, something to see. The fast-paced lifestyle made me want to scream at every moment, "I love you, New York!"

I miss brunch every Saturday and Sunday morning. I miss the "New York City Summer Bucket List" and checking off events/museums/restaurants. I miss walking down W 14th St. every morning and buzzing up to the Dannijo office. I miss those people. I miss watching the sunset from the rooftop bars. I miss the heat and smell of the subway, in the weirdest way. I miss being able to walk anywhere I want. I miss hailing a cab, too.

I miss getting macarons and Georgetown cupcakes on a whim. I miss walking through Central Park and then stopping at the Plaza for sushi with Fran and Sassy, or a crepe and coffee. I miss the streets of SoHo. I miss the rush and vibrancy of the city at night. I miss walking the streets and not looking at my phone, for the fear I would miss something beautiful, interesting, weird, or mind-blowing.

I miss that you can eat breakfast, lunch or dinner by yourself. I miss the postcards you get at every restaurant. I miss swiping my MetroCard. 

To you New York, you have won my heart. I miss your pizza, your people, your sunsets and your skies. New York, I'll recommend you to anyone. A summer with you changed me forever, and I count down the days until we can reunite again.

 Always thinking of you, New York City...

Cupcakes, Cards & Goodbyes

Friday the 8th marked the last day of my summer internship. I can't even put into words how lucky I feel to have had this opportunity and I was so sad to leave all of these great people.

The 11 weeks that I was interning absolutely flew by. It feels like just yesterday they had the intern breakfast and that I was ringing the buzzer for the very first time. Now I know the press closet in and out (well, somewhat), I know what everyone likes to order & could recite their daily lunch order if needed, I learned about wholesale and retail, I learned what it was like to love your job, and I learned what it was like to work at a small company. The Dannijo team were more than co-workers, they were friends.

I enjoyed every second at Dannijo and was always learning something new. Oh, and the people that work there? They're incredible. Everyone welcomed me with open arms and really invested in me & my time in the city. In between teaching me about the company, (sales specifically), they would tell me good places to eat dinner, suggest things to do on the weekends and even suggest good wine to drink.

Many people ask what I did while interning at Dannijo so here is a little summary:
- Send jewelry samples to magazines or celebrities via the PR company
- Organize & maintain the sample closet
- Assist the Director of Sales on a daily basis (I was the sales intern specifically, woop woop!)
- Schedule and organize returns
- Pull jewelry based on theme, color, story, etc.
- Analyze sales reports
- Assist with buyer meetings (Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, etc.)
- Create spreadsheets to help with organization for: international buyers, USA buyers, check-out and check-in sheets
- Assist e-commerce, customer service and logistics

Goodbyes are always strange, don't you think? Normally I would say, "See you tomorrow!" or "See you Monday, have a great weekend!" Today I had to say that I enjoyed my time immensely at Dannijo, and that hopefully I would be back soon to visit. Fingers crossed one day even moving to the city, or even be back at Dannijo (#dream). The uncertainty of leaving a city and a routine you are used to is overwhelming.

The last day of work was like any other day, but sprinkled with all of the good things -- cupcakes, cards, eating lunch together, hugs and purchases. Cupcakes: Baked by Melissa. Cards: Paper Source. Eating lunch together: Bubby's with Erika and Elizabeth. Hugs: for the whole team. Purchases: the Iroquois cuff and the Jovana earrings.

To my unpaid internship, you taught me more than I could have imagined. Every dollar I spent whether it be my lunch that day, subway passes and summer housing, it was all worth it. This experience was unforgettable, and when I walked away on my very last day, I cried.  

So to you Dannijo, I owe you a lot! Thank you for teaching, helping, guiding and loving me. You'll always have a special place in my heart.

Big Gay Icecream & a Piano Bar

Wednesday the 30th was a great day! Ali and her mom, Sus, landed in New York and were here until Sunday. It is always so fun to show friends around the city and to see familiar faces. Especially those that lived with you for 9 months.

Before we met up with Ali and Sus, after work Dannijo had company happy hour. My internal love for bonding was going crazy. We all went to the Brass Monkey which was just a few blocks away and sat on the rooftop bar. I've said it at least 50 times and here I am to say it again - I could not have asked for a better summer internship. The people at Dannijo teach me something new every day, whether it be sales, social media, new restaurants to try, PR or good wine, I'm lucky to spend four days a week with them.

Every day I am excited to go to work and see them; it is weird to think that soon I won't see them. The company is pretty small and so it is like a family. Truly I was beyond blessed this summer to know each one of these people and work for Dannijo, it'll be hard to say goodbye.

After happy hour I met up with Ali and Sus in the West Village with Fran. Susanna was seeing Mamma Mia that night, another item she had to check off of her bucket list. We ran up and surprised Ali and Sus at Rosemary's then walked over to Big Gay Icecream, yes that is the name of the store.

Surrounded by unicorns, rainbows and the Golden Girls, Big Gay Icecream is always packed and usually has a line out of the door with everyone trying to try the "Salty Pimp" or the "Bea Arthur."

The line was totally worth the wait, and the calories were worth it as well. So many treats packed into one, this might be the best icecream in the city. Ali's mom had been wanting to go to Marie's Crisis, a gay piano bar, and literally we looked up from Big Gay Icecream and Marie's Crisis was two doors down. How fitting, no?

I think I died and went to heaven a little bit that night. We walk down the stairs and "Under the Sea" is playing. Everyone is gathered around the piano with a drink in their hand singing along, and they ALL have good voices. I killed the vibe a little.

Songs from Les Miserables and Wicked were sung. Of course I sang "No One Mourns the Wicked" at the top of my lungs. Many people in the bar were in shows off-Broadway and they all knew each other somehow. If you're into musicals, this is the place to be.

Marie's Crisis is in a basement and it is always so funny to me how in New York you could never know what was going on above or below you unless you look.

Bryant Park, Freedom Tower & Elphaba

To start our second to last week in New York we made lists upon lists of things we still wanted to do, things we wanted to see, and places we wanted to eat, and we mapped each day out perfectly. On the list for Monday after work was to go see a free movie in Bryant Park.

Many people ask me why I love New York so much and sometimes I can't put it into words. It's the rush of the city, how there is always something to do, and so much more. Being in Bryant Park underneath the huge building lights with families and their children, lovers, and single people (hi), made me appreciate this city so much. Another event checked off the bucket list. It is funny to think my first meal in the city was in Bryant Park.

Tuesday, my day off of work, was bound & determined to be a good day. I began my day solo, which I surprising like in this big city. My destination was the World Trade Center Memorial Museum that recently opened in May. I was a little nervous to go. To me I felt a little weird paying to see and hear things about that day, but then after talking to my parents it all made sense that I had to go - it was the biggest event that happened during my life so far.

I was so happy I went. Happy sounds like a weird word to describe such a tragedy, but then museum was so well-done. I was there for about 3 hours.

In the beginning you walk in and there are photos of people's reactions to the twin towers being hit. The photos leave you speechless. To know now just how small this city is, and to think of how many people knew someone in those buildings, or even close in that area, is really just unreal.

The next few parts of the museum you are allowed to take photos in. There are pieces of the firetrucks, some structural pieces, photos, and a wall with a powerful quite by Virgil.

After looking at these pieces, you walk in doors to the actual museum, where no photography is allowed. The museum walks you through each minute of the events happening - the World Trade Center buildings, the Pentagon, and the plane that landed in the field.

No one talks during the museum, it's so powerful and beautifully done. So many artifacts from the twin towers being hit are on display, you get chills looking at almost everything. One of the most memorable videos I watched was when Matt Lauer from the Today Show finds out about the first building being hit. Other videos are played throughout that you have to walk into different rooms for, some are graphic so that is why you have to actually make the choice to enter.

During the museum I was surprised I did not cry. It brings so many feelings all at once, not many people did. Seeing shoes people took off so they could run faster brings strange emotions, seeing photographs of people absolutely covered in dust makes you cringe, and seeing photos of people jumping out of the windows make you feel a little weak.

The museum walks you through a large timeline, ending with dedications to the people whose lives were taken and what the World Trade Center site was like when people were still looking for their family members.

If anyone visits New York, I would highly recommend visiting this museum. It is so informative and beautifully done. You really do leave speechless. Now after the museum the Freedom Tower means so much more, and this city as a family is incredible.

Tuesday night I checked another event off of my bucket list, yes that's right, three down in 24 hours. Susanna, Frances and I saw Wicked on Broadway. Even though I had seen Wicked before, I knew it was not going to be the same experience that I had in Nashville that was provided by the Gershwin Theatre. Susanna and I had bought tickets that weekend and Fran was unsure about wanting to go, then the day of decided she would try the lottery that night for a $30 front row seat. Luck was on her side that night, her name was drawn! We were so happy that all of us got to go.

Wicked is everything I could ever want in a musical and more. The story is so entertaining and the songs are addicting. Everyone from high school knows my obsession with Wicked. I've kept it more under-wraps in college, but Tuesday night it was fully unleashed & I was on cloud nine.

My face was probably priceless when: Elphaba and Galinda put on the green glasses in Oz while singing "One Short Day," when Elphaba flies during "Defying Gravity" and this Elphaba even did the wheezing like Idina (bless her asthma), and when Elphaba and Glinda sing "For Good." The musical was everything I remembered it to be, but seeing it on Broadway just made it even more special.

I sang along with every song in my head and now the soundtrack is still on repeat, one week later. (Still wondering why I can't sing and why I don't have the jawline like Idina.....)

Baseball, Rooftops & Masks

Well, I'm really behind on blogging.
 
Friday Susanna and I ventured into a new city we had never been to, the beautiful Bronx. Oh yes. The ride on the subway wasn't too bad and we were really there in no time. Right when we arrived the sun was setting and it was absolutely beautiful! My dad laughed at me when I told him where I was sitting. I said it was right across from the batter... I could basically hear him laughing over the phone, but I was correct! I just didn't say exactly the right words, but I 100% was directly across from the batter. I win.

The two of us bought tickets a while back to go to the Yankee's game and the night had finally come. We were ready to eat Dippin' Dots out of a baseball hat and wave our foam fingers while yelling for Derek Jeter. We did these things and more.

On Saturday the 26th, yes that's how behind I am, we had a SoHo filled day. For brunch the three roomies went to Isola Trattoria & Crudo in the Mondrian SoHo hotel. The space was unreal. It was in a greenhouse with huge chandeliers hanging. The natural light was shining in and some people, the diva's in the city, brunched with their sunnies on. I got a margarita pizza because one can never have too many slices, right?

The restaurant made me feel like I was in Italy or Greece. I loved it! That afternoon we ventured to the rooftop of the hotel. We made a full day out of this one building. On the rooftop was Sonny's Soda Shoppe. There were lights strung from side to side, blue seats like the ocean, pink & white walls and gelato. The whole hotel was meant to feel like you were in Capri. You could get a drink with gelato in it. What more could you ask for? Sadly though I didn't indulge, and like a 40 year old man I got beer. Cheers.

The view at the top of Sonny's Soda Shoppe was one we hadn't really seen. It was much lower than views like the Empire State Building and you could see the streets. One side was Freedom Tower and then way in the distance on the other side you could see a little bit of Times Square, found mainly from the H&M tower. Hi Anna Wintour! Rain hit for a little bit, just a sprinkle though. It didn't stop us from leaving. I love rooftops in New York because you get to see every single side of the city. The view is unreal.

Finally we left the Mondrian, we should have just moved in that day. At night we went to the McKittrick Hotel and let me tell you, I was terrified. Here are some photos of the reviews:

Getting taken into random rooms?! Masks?! No thank you. I don't care if Chuck Bass went to a party like this in Gossip Girl, I would like to not be in a mask 24/7 and be on my toes constantly wondering I am going to be dragged into a secret room. Thankfully the place wasn't too much like this, it was actually really cool. There was a train in the hotel, the rooftop looked like a garden, and a lady downstairs (where the masks are) was singing songs like "Fever." Yes, I was in heaven. So no need for anxiety, the McKittrick was speak easy fun, so much that on Sunday I laid in bed. All day.