a magical visit

I was greeted at the airport by a bubbly DG who made me feel so welcome!  As we drove to the UC Riverside campus, she insisted on taking me to where she works….Starbucks.  How could I deny that offer?  She claimed she had a 95% accuracy rate in guessing peoples typical order and she was right (fyi now that I sleep less than usual, I’ve become slightly addicted to a tall café Americano with sugar-free vanilla and soy!). 

I arrived at the UCR campus a few hours before Round One of recruitment began.  I was caught up to speed by the president, director of recruitment records, and membership adviser.  Then we headed straight to the room on campus that Panhellenic uses for recruitment (UCR does not have chapter houses).  The weekend of recruitment went by fast!  There were three rounds back to back.  I was very proud of the women for all their efforts and they sure paid off!  The women were able to extend bids to 29 new members, making them the second largest Panhellenic chapter on campus!

Philanthropy Round: with the chapter president, Araya and a crest
one of the talented members hand-painted!

After a fun Bid Day celebration at the Citrus Center!  It was a beautiful park surrounded by…you guessed it…California oranges!  The main building had a large, wooden cabiny feel.  It is also where the women hold their Initiation, I can only imagine how pretty that must be!  On Bid Day, I was able to introduce myself to the new members and congratulate them on their decision to join Delta Gamma and the wonderful lifetime membership that lies ahead of them J

The members insisted on a "let's all point at the CDC!" picture. 
You can see my embarassment :)

Once recruitment responsibilities slowed down, I had a free afternoon.  And I could not have chosen a better way to spend it other than lunch and a "mom hike" with Emma DeLain!  It was so wonderful to spend time with a Beta Iota sister, even when far away from our alma mater.  Then the next day, the women insisted on taking me to Disneyland, despite the pouring rain. Seeing the infamous park really was magical. And the best part of the day...seeing Emma dressed in costume as a character hostess :) Such a "proud to be a DG" moment! Love you, Emma!

With Yasmine and Kayla, chapter members,
in front of the castle

The nation's best Disney character hostess...
Emma DeLain!