Always a Jersey Girl at Heart: "... Ever at Heart."

"...to have her welfare ever at heart..."

*Ever at Heart* - the theme of our last meal in Memphis

I first wrote about the Chi Omega symphony (here) and explained my favorite part of it for various reasons. In case you don't feel like reading that post (although I really think you should), let me again share with you the Chi Omega Symphony which is something I truly believe in and feel as though it contains many things that we should keep in mind every day.

Chi Omega's Crest

The Chi Omega Symphony

To live constantly above snobbery of word or deed; to place scholarship before social obligations and character before appearances; to be in the best sense democratic rather than "exclusive", and lovable rather than "popular"; to work earnestly, to speak kindly, to act sincerely, to choose thoughtfully that course which occasion and conscience demand; to be womanly always; to be discouraged never; in a word to be loyal under any and all circumstances to my Fraternity and her highest teachings and to have her welfare ever at heart that she may be a symphony of high purpose and helpfulness in which there is no discordant note.
- Ethel Switzer Howard Xi 1904

Me with the Chi Omega Owl

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to be able to attend the Chi Omega Firesides Convention in Memphis, Tennessee for a weekend that focused on fun, sisterhood, and being Panhellenic. During Firesides we talked a lot about what it means to be a Chi Omega and what it means to be a part of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC).

Being a Chi Omega is not just about being part of the largest national woman's organization (yes we are bigger than the Girl Scouts). It is not just about having good times with a bunch of girls. It is not just about wearing Greek letters. It is about making friends with girls who are you sisters and who truly become like real family to you. It is about being the best woman that you can be without being boastful or bragful. It is about being democratic and lovable. It is about never giving up. It is about showing to support to your sisters in Chi Omega, to your sisters in the NPC and to anyone else who may need your help and support. It is about keeping the welfare of your friends, sisters, family, co-workers, etc. ever at heart.

It is important to remember that we are all part of a bigger picture. Life doesn't always revolve just around us, although at times we might like to think it does. It is important to take a step back, look around and just take in what is going on in the world.

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Now that I have talked about what being a Chi Omega means to me, I just want to take a little bit of time to recap my weekend in Memphis. I was given the opportunity to go as an Advisor of the Iota Lambda Chapter of Villanova University to our national Firesides Convention February 8-10, 2013. I went on this trip with two amazing collegiate women, SG and MP, two members of the Iota Lambda Executive Board. I'm not so sure this weekend would have turned out so well if I had gone with anyone else. These woman are truly amazing and I know that they will do great things for the Iota Lambdas at Villanova. The three of us really bonded over the weekend as we spent more time together than I have spent with my best friends these past few months... but every moment of it was worth it. I wouldn't have traded this weekend for anything in the world.

Not only was I able to attend conference sessions on ethics, the Greek judicial process, the NPC rules and regulations (I might do a recap of some of these in a later post... we'll see... I don't think you guys will find these nearly as interesting as I did), finding out about our performance scorecard, etc. I also learned a lot of other things... like that Snapchat may be my new favorite phone application... I mean who doesn't love being able to take silly pictures to send to your friends without the fear of them saving them to their phones and using them as blackmail later on? I also learned that for some, carrying all their bags through the Detroit Airport is their own personal purgatory. I was reminded of the excitement of finding out who your little is and planning the week's worth of gifts for that special sister (shout out to CC and PY... love you littles!)

Since a picture says a thousand words, here are some of my favorites from the weekend (plus a few of the best quotes mixed in)....