love God, sweet tea, and the SEC

That they do at good ole Beta Nu...

Beta Nu chapter at the University of Georgia (which I quickly learned is referred to simply as "Georgia") was the perfect beginning to my last leg of travels!

The house was unbelievable & absolutely perfect for Alpha Delt: it was built in 1851! It's formerly known as the Hamilton House and is one of three houses on Milledge Ave. built by the Hamilton family. The other two houses are now owned by Kappa Alpha Theta & Phi Mu. If you look carefully at the windows of the house, you'll see dates etched into them. Rumor has it ADPis would use their diamond rings to scratch the year into the window - they just had to be sure those rocks were real! Oh, and one other thing, the house had the sweetest touch: a welcome banner for me!

the hamilton house

gorgeous front parlor

southern staple: wrap around front porch & rockers

so sweet!

UGA's campus was just beautiful & full of tradition. There's an arch on campus that was once the entrance to the once-gated campus, and it's thought that if you walk under the arch before you graduate, you'll have to stay an extra year. If I were a student at Georgia, I'd definitely be walking under that arch! There's also a bell on campus that anyone can ring. Apparently, it rings all night when they beat their football rival! Oh, and get this: an Alpha Delta Pi's grandfather owns the Uga dog line! Yep, the dogs that are UGA's mascot. How awesome is that?!

the famous arch

the site of their original football field

See you soon, Georgia! Countdown for my return to Atlanta & reunion with my Sisters of the Suitcase: 13 days!

 

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valdosta state & austin peay

Well, I guess if you can't go to your own Homecoming...

Go to everyone else's! After all this traveling, I'm not really sure where I'm from or where I'm going. So, naturally, I fit right in at these homecoming celebrations.

Greeks certainly do love their traditions, and homecoming is no exception. Lip sync, step shows (check out Austin Peay steppin' below), talent shows, pomping (Yep. This was new to me, too. It's a fancy name for rolling tissue paper into balls ot be later glued to a float.) sheets & sheets & sheets of paper... All for one purpose: first place. First place in homecoming comes with major bragging rights, and what chapter doesn't want that?

the makings of austin peay's homecoming float

Both chapters I visited were lucky enough to have homecoming queen candidates, too! What an honor. Having a candidate on court is huge! Major PR opportunities for the chapter + Sister gets recognized for her hard work during college = Big win for all involved. Kelly, VSU sister, is Panhellenic President (basically, queen of sorority land), and Mary, APSU sister, is in the President's Emerging Leaders Program & a big sister for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Yep. ΑΔΠs are the finest. We've been telling ya that since 1851.

kelly & mary

Ya know, I get asked a lot where home is. "Virginia." But, the more & more I travel, the more & more I'm getting the urge to answer a bit differently.

"Here."

 

 

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university of tennessee at martin

Tradition is not something to take lightly...

Especially if you're a sister of the Delta Upsilon chapter.

tra-di-tion (noun): the transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation

... and I do mean generation to generation. Women go through recruitment here knowing what's up: Homecoming.

At the University of Tennessee at Martin, Homecoming isn't just about the parade or the king & queen. It's about rope pull. Not familiar? Let me fill you in. So, basically, this is tug-of-war on steroids. There's a strategy (complete with plays). And coaches. And practices. The rope weaves in between the women, and they pull, pull, pull until the other team gives. Don't get out of line, or you might crack a rib (literally).

Pyramid. How could that slip my mind? Ever think back to the good 'ol glory days of high school cheering the team on under the Friday night lights? (maybe that's just me. oops.) Well, relive the dream in Martin, TN. Ya know, just another awesome Homecoming tradition.

So, think your school has some crazy awesome traditions (I do - it's called Enter Sandman)? These are some of the coolest I've ever heard of.

Oh, and these are also some of the coolest women I've ever met.

 

sweet deltas waiting on their newest starting line up.

one of the best welcomes yet! a glittery sign + mexican food = sold.

 

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