It's Rush Time!
Did it hurt, Sparklers? You know, when you fell from heaven?
Okay, that was bad. But I don’t know any other way to tell you all how much I FREAKIN’ LOVE YOU! Your commentsmake me want to send each and every one of you really bad poetry. In fact, here’s a little haiku I wrote after readingmdsq36’s comment:
How your beady eyes
Bury my heart in the dirt
Enchanting squirrel.
Bury my heart in the dirt
Enchanting squirrel.
Okay then. Now that I’ve made you all mildly uncomfortable, let’s talk about school stuff!
What it’s like to Rush a Sorority:
Night 1
Expectations: Based on what I’ve seen in movies, I figured my night would probably include blindfolds, abandoned warehouses, and ritual sacrifices.
What it’s like to Rush a Sorority:
Night 1
Expectations: Based on what I’ve seen in movies, I figured my night would probably include blindfolds, abandoned warehouses, and ritual sacrifices.
Reality: I watched way too many movies. The night included nachos (free food!), coloring, sports trivia, and talking to a whole lot of incredibly nice girls. I spent an hour traveling between the different tables in one of the school’s conference rooms, doing little icebreakers while talking to the sisters. It was kind of awesome.
Night 2
Expectations: I thought I was going to talk to so many girls and they would all think I’m really cool and ask me to be in their sorority right away. Because I'm cool, right?
Expectations: I thought I was going to talk to so many girls and they would all think I’m really cool and ask me to be in their sorority right away. Because I'm cool, right?
Reality: The second night followed the same structure as the first: I went around to the different “themed” tables (arts and crafts, sports, other), talked to the sisters, ate free food. I started doing something really stupid halfway through the night, though: I started comparing myself to the other girls there. I’d see a really outgoing rush-ee telling a story about how Oprah said the ice-cream shop she worked at was the best in the country, and I clammed up. Seriously, how could my “fun fact” that my dream job is to work at Disney compare to the girl who sang before the Olympics or the girl who has four kidneys? I only have two kidneys! I still had fun, but I felt lame afterwards.
Night 3
Expectations: I was going to be myself and just have fun.
Expectations: I was going to be myself and just have fun.
Reality: We all compare ourselves to others. Especially girls—we’ll look at another girl and think she’s so much skinnier, prettier, funnier, or better than us in just about every way. And it’s stupid because we wind up feeling bad about ourselves. So at the start of the third night, I decided I wasn’t going to do that anymore (which is a lot harder than it sounds). I went into the third night thinking “Even if I don’t get into the sorority, I want to say that I had fun.” And I did have fun. And the next day I found out I made it through the first cut when I got an invitation to the Preference party!
Preference Party
We met in the same building as before, but this time they split us up and started sending cars of girls to an undisclosed location. The location wound up being an adorable restaurant where the sisters had reserved us a room. They let us order whatever dessert we wanted, and we went around to the different tables playing “getting-to-know” you Bingo. It was so much fun, and the apple-walnut pie I ordered was DELICIOUS!
We met in the same building as before, but this time they split us up and started sending cars of girls to an undisclosed location. The location wound up being an adorable restaurant where the sisters had reserved us a room. They let us order whatever dessert we wanted, and we went around to the different tables playing “getting-to-know” you Bingo. It was so much fun, and the apple-walnut pie I ordered was DELICIOUS!
And then I didn’t get in. The very nicely written rejection email came the next day thanking me for rushing and encouraging me to try again next year. The thing is: I don’t feel too bad. I know according to their bylaws, the sorority can only take a certain number of girls. I still had fun and I don’t regret anything. I might even rush again next fall.
(DISCLAIMER: No two rushes are the same, just like no two college experiences are the same. I’m sure there are “bad” sororities like the kind you read about in the news, but that doesn’t mean that “good” sororities don’t exist. At least some of them have free pie!)
College Fact #15: You don’t need 4 kidneys to be awesome. This doesn’t apply just to sororities, but college in general: Be yourself. When you’re not trying to be somebody else, it’s a lot easier to just have fun.
College Fact #15: You don’t need 4 kidneys to be awesome. This doesn’t apply just to sororities, but college in general: Be yourself. When you’re not trying to be somebody else, it’s a lot easier to just have fun.
Next week I’ll be back with what it’s like to have a boyfriend (spoiler alert: AWESOME!), and how I spent my weekend (spoiler alert: less awesome, since I spent it studying).
First, sleep.
Sleep is for the weak,
Dubai, uae
Time flew too quick that I had to accept the fact that our vacation was near the end. Our last stop was Dubai, the desert that seems to have grown in split second into a world-class city with all the impressive skyscrapers. What are the things to do if you have only 3 days and 2 nightsin Dubai, UAE? The list below would probably give you some ideas.
Dune Bashing (Evening Desert Safari)
This is probably one of the most memorable things that I’ve done in my life. It’s a must-do, I reckon. The safari tour is best to be arranged before your arrival in Dubai as it’s so popular that it’s sold out really quickly. You’ll be picked up from your hotel or any point in Dubai to Sharjah, where the desert is. Experience about 20-25 minutes of dune bashing, followed by the camel ride (just a short ride on the camel) before you make your way to the BBQ dinner and enjoy the belly dancing.
There are many tour operators that offer a half-day, one-day or even 3-4 hours tour. For instance, Desert Safari Dubai, Net Tours…etc
Big Bus – Open Top Bus Tour
What could be better than hop-on and off at any of the stops that you like Big Bus Tour would be your choice. Nothing could be more flexible than this. It’s a bonus to be driven and get your camera ready to snap away. Make sure you check out Burj Dubai - the tallest building in the world, which is still under construction.
What could be better than hop-on and off at any of the stops that you like Big Bus Tour would be your choice. Nothing could be more flexible than this. It’s a bonus to be driven and get your camera ready to snap away. Make sure you check out Burj Dubai - the tallest building in the world, which is still under construction.
Ski Dubai
Can’t get enough of skiing? Ski Dubai offers you indoor ski 365 days no matter how hot it is there. It’s located in the Mall of Emirates and connected to Kempinski Hotel.
Can’t get enough of skiing? Ski Dubai offers you indoor ski 365 days no matter how hot it is there. It’s located in the Mall of Emirates and connected to Kempinski Hotel.
Gold Souk
This is the place if you are after the best quality of gold at a reasonable price. There are lots to choose from: 18k & 22K jewellery to 24k gold coins. However, some of the designs are not to my liking. Also, the gold price has increased recently, I don’t think it’s cheap anyway.
This is the place if you are after the best quality of gold at a reasonable price. There are lots to choose from: 18k & 22K jewellery to 24k gold coins. However, some of the designs are not to my liking. Also, the gold price has increased recently, I don’t think it’s cheap anyway.
Mall of Emirates
Never give shopping a miss! You can get almost everything under one roof. There are other shopping malls to go if your objective is to shop till you drop in Dubai. Ibn Battuta Mall, Burjuman, Mercato Shopping Mall.. this websitecould be useful.
Never give shopping a miss! You can get almost everything under one roof. There are other shopping malls to go if your objective is to shop till you drop in Dubai. Ibn Battuta Mall, Burjuman, Mercato Shopping Mall.. this websitecould be useful.
Madinat Jumeirah
Also known as the Venice of the Gulf. There are some breathtaking shots to be taken here. It’s just right next door to Burj Al-Arab. Do visit the souk.
Also known as the Venice of the Gulf. There are some breathtaking shots to be taken here. It’s just right next door to Burj Al-Arab. Do visit the souk.
Burj Al- ArabYou will not be allowed to go in unless you stay at this self-proclaimed 7-star hotel Burj Al-Arab. The Skyview Bar is probably the best spot to get bird-eyes view of the Jumeirah Beach, “The Palm” and “The World“. Sadly, we didn’t get to see both from the skyview bar as it’s fully booked and it has to be booked at least 1 month in advance just for drinks?!
Wild WadiCool down at this water park if you are in Jumeirah as it’s near to both Madinah Jumeirah and Burj Al-Arab.
Ice bar
Located at the Time Square Mal. This is one of the stops of Big Bus. If the weather is too hot for you out there, chill out in this bar where everything is made of ice.
Dinner at a nice restaurant
There are many choices in Dubai. From Western to Eastern food. We visited Verre by Gordon Ramsay at Hilton Creek but was truly disappointed. (Will post about this with more details). I contemplated between Verre and Café Chic. I leave any of you to tell me about Café Chic at Le Meridien Hotel in Dubai if you have been there or plan to go.
Believe
When all the things I touch should die,
I always look upon the sky.
For it holds clouds of wonder, of bliss,
Like a gentle lovers kiss.
What you want, you shall recieve,
you can see if you believe.
Then why on a person it is so hard,
To love someone but stand their guard.
Because you always want the good,
of me but don't accept the bad.
You think that I'm not good enough,
or the daughter you could have had.
Then you know that I could be,
the best damn girl if I believe.
But that's not easy when you're around,
not cheering me on but pulling me down...
