packing: it's like consultant tetris

Looking at three empty suitcases...

can be pretty intimidating, especially when you have no idea where you're going, or when you'll be back. Well, I do get two days off every thirty, so I suppose I could go home then. But, I figure when else am I going to travel like this? So, I either stay where I am, or head on to the next place early.

Where to start, where to start.. Well, I bought a metallic silver three-piece Heys hardside luggage set. It's what Ashlyn & Anna Kate used, so I figured why not use it, too. I have that, and a Vera Bradley Companion Attache in Mocha Rouge.

And this - this is how I pack.

I have my closet, also known as my 29". I keep every stitch of what I wear in that suitcase, and it weighs in at 45 lbs. What does that mean to me? I have 5 lbs of shopping space. Hallelujah.

Here's the packing list: 17 shirts (in my Eagle Creek packing folder), 4 sweaters, 3 cardigans, 2 blazers, 1 t-shirt, 1 sweatshirt, 2 Norts (Nike running shorts - I've learned this is more of a southern term), 3 skinny pop pants, 1 black jegging, 1 black legging, 2 dress pants, 1 ankle pant, 4 pencil skirts, 5 dresses, PJs, 3 belts, 5 pairs of tights, a bathing suit (you never know), a mini-steamer, and a laundry bag.

Next comes my 25" bathroom + shoes. Every little group of toiletries has it's own bag, likely monogrammed, because you can't not be organized when this is your whole life for a year.

Lastly, the two bags that never leave my side: my 21" suitcase of everything that doesn't quite fit, by weight or category, into the other two & my Companion. My jewelry roll, camera, Bible, container for all my chargers, stationery, and a roll of blue & white polka dot duct tape (because you never know when you're going to need to make an emergency repair at baggage claim) among other things are all kept in my carry on.

And my companion? Well, it holds for me just what a companion should.

 

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a lost generation

"This generation thinks they're so entitled..."

I was given my first cell phone my freshman year of high school, a new car when I was 16, and an iPad when I graduated from college. So, okay - I can see why people say that, especially when I think about my special Grandpa who, to this day, never ever leaves any food on his plate & scolds me when I do because he knows what it's like to live through the Great Depression with five brothers and three sisters; his momma had so little to spend on groceries each week, and sometimes, she'd have to put some groceries back just to sneak them one candy bar to share amongst the nine of them. To this day, when he talks about his momma, you'd think he was talking about a queen. He loves that lady. When I sit here and think about it all, I feel disgustingly spoiled.

With everything that's been in the news recently, it's safe to say something's gotta give. When I applied to be a Leadership Consultant, the essay I wrote about why I wanted this job was all about empowerment. Throughout my whole life, people have empowered me to make a difference, and so now, it's my turn to empower others it's our turn, as the so-called entitled generation, to hold each other accountable.

Consider this your call-to-action:

Now, go do something & make a difference in this world, be the positive change our country is screaming for, or better yet

refuse to be part of a lost generation.

 

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western kentucky university

There's just something about this chapter...

It absolutely felt like home. Maybe it was the Moe Monday run the day I got there, or maybe it was the hot apple cider & Christmas decorations, or maybe it was the incredible Bible study I was blessed to be a part of. Whatever it was,

i loved it.

When I get my schedule once a month, I immediately color code it into my Erin Condren planner. One color for the visit, one color for the intro letter, another color for the phone calls, and yet another color for the goals report. Well, when I saw, in green, I'd be at WKU for an entire week as my last visit of the semester, I began to worry I'd run out of steam fast. I was afraid my mind would be on the LC reunion in Atlanta, or reuniting with all of my Hokies in Blacksburg. Come to find out, the chapter had their reservations about having me there for a week, too. What if we didn't hit it off? What if I was lame? Well, I think both sides can say we were pleasantly surprised!

There is no other place

I'd rather have spent my last

visit of the fall semester.

Between the late night runs looking for "Mark", trip to Nashville, eating at all the cute delis in Bowling Green, quickly learning all the house girls' nicknames, seeing the Greek community come together to remember a special AOPi, and of course everything that comes with consulting, it's safe to say I loved this visit.

sending up love & prayers for a missed alpha omicron pi sister

the most beautiful tree (besides my mom's, of course) i've ever seen

and the true reason i loved them: they have sass.

In fact, I loved it so much I gave Big Faith my personal number - and if you know me, you know that is a huge deal.

bwalk + big faith

So, that's a wrap on my fall semester, and I couldn't have ended it any better! My January schedule just found its way to my inbox, so it's time to get color-coding again.

 

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santa clara panhellenic

Yes, I have been on a blogging hiatus...

But let me tell ya something, I've been a tad bit preoccupied. Starting a colony is no cake walk, but it certainly has a sweet ending.

welcome home, alphas!

I just can't help but wonder who the consultants were that brought Alpha Delta Pi to Virginia Tech. I never really thought about it until I became a consultant given the honor to help give the gift of ADPi to another Panhellenic community. You know, when I took this job, I had mixed feelings about being a part of a colony experience - it was foreign to me, and the unknown is scary. Would I be good at it, or would I fail? Did I have the necessary skills to start something incredible out of nothing? Well, in the off-chance that the consultant who started Eta Pi chapter at Virginia Tech is reading this, I want to say

thank you

Thank you for taking a chance on us. Without you, I wouldn't be an Alpha Delta Pi, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Without you, I wouldn't have the opportunity to help start the colony at Santa Clara Panhellenic, and only God knows what ADPi will bring those women.

yay! so glad to have you both.

Speaking of those women, they are nothing short of incredible. Hearing what they've accomplished in just two or three years of college far outshines anything I could ever imagine a college student being capable of. I mean, get this: one of the Alphas interned for Parliament. Yes, Parliament. These women are such go-getters, and let me tell ya, that chapter is going to do big things. So, watch out ADPi World!

I cannot wait to head back to Santa Clara for their initiation & installation. I'm almost more excited for that than Christmas, and if you know me, that's saying a lot. I can't wait to see & hear about all the amazing things they're doing! And, to see Ms. Pinkston hand the very first Theta Pi Chapter President her gavel - that'll be a moment all of us involved with that colony will never forget.

 

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confession: i have a mom camera

They say a picture is worth 1000 words...

... so I suppose I could write a book with all the pictures I took of my time in Atlanta. And yes, I have a big 'ol camera I plan on taking with me everywhere I go, complete with a strap around my neck & all. No shame. Go ahead & take a gander at all the fun I had during training!

the classic consultant fountain shoot.

reppin' our districts: 3, 2, 5, and 6!

dream come true: water fountain action shot.

the cannonball house

wesleyan college... the perfect place for a gazillion pics on the stairs

a fun night at cafe intermezzo

What am I up to now? I am just lovin' life at Georgia Southern! Stay tuned for a post about my time in south Jawjah (that's Georgia for all you Northern folks).

 

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lets be friends

Leadership Consultant in a nutshell. 

well, hello there. 

The name's Brittany & I'm a recent Virginia Tech alumna. I had an awesome time in college, but all good things must come to an end. So, what's next for me?

Good question.

I'll be going on a journey in the sky across the good 'ol U-S-of-A for Alpha Delta Pi as a Leadership Consultant. Yep, that's right - for the next year, I'm a professional sorority girl. Betcha I know your next question: What's that even mean? 

Good question. 

Here's what I know: I'm traveling all across the country to ensure that Alpha Delt continues to be the first,  finest, forever & I could not be more excited! 

How about this... How about you come along this journey with me? Check back here for thoughts, pics, and stories of living life out of 3 suitcases.