What does it mean to be in a sorority?

Yes Meri, what does it mean?

Friends are constantly asking me, 'What's it like?' 'Is it really weird?' 'Is it like the show 'Greek'?'
No. Yes. Yes. No.
(NB: The sorority that I am in might be very different from others)
What is the sorority house like?
It's like a boarding house at school but maybe 10 times nicer. It's a proper home. Tri Delt has got a few living rooms which are always so cosy and people just chill/watch tv/work in them any time of the day, even if you don't live in house. I generally go for lunch every day, Javier is a cracking chef. It's very casual, just come and grab your food and sit wherever, or you can take it away. (Some houses have more strict meals where you have to dress up and there are waiters and stuff..) Tri Delt is split into 4 houses, which is unusual, they are usually one massive house, and any one in any year can live there.  The little houses are really cute actually because it feels more like your own home rather than a huge boarding house. You share with maybe 2/3 girls depending on the rooms. There is a 'House Mom', who is a bit like a Matron. She's really sweet, just sort of bobbing around the house.

What do you have to actually do?!!
Well we have 'Chapter' every week which is like a meeting basically for the whole sorority. Sororities are much bigger than frats which might only have 50 people in, whereas there are just under 200 of us. Chapter is like notices. We have a handshake and a password so that you know it is 'Delta's Only' in the meeting.
We have philanthropy events which are actually really fun. You usually join with a frat and have some sort of event to raise money for your chosen charity - for example we had a 'Low Country Boil' at Chi Phi the other week where there was loads of prawns, rice, sweet tea and band...very southern country music.
There are some events that are 'required', such a Chapter, and you get a point for going. The points system is for 2 things - if you want to live in house you need points, and also you need points to go to Socials (Mixers and Cocktails, which I have explained before). It also works the other way too, so you get a point for going to the social...
There are some rules, which are pretty understandable. I have said before that we can't have parties in the house or alcohol, for obvious reasons. Even now I am 21 we still can't drink there, it is a dry environment. So that means you also can't have 'letters' in photos - so no top with your sorority name on it and a beer in hand as they can't be seen to condone drinking regardless of being over 21. What is probably most strange is that it is all self-regulated. There are no adults telling you what to do, more like one of your mates.

We did have to do a composite picture the other week which was pretty amusing. (Our official pictures haven't come out yet, so I've found this image to give you the idea...)

The 'dress' that you can see in the photos is actually a bandeau of black velvet - you pull the straps of your top down past your shoulders and then wrap it around. There is a string that you pull down in the centre to create the V (see photo) - unfortunately I didn't realise how far I was pulling mine down...creepy photographers, cheers for that. Of my choice of 5 photos, only 1 was decent. Didn't fancy going down in history as the slutty Delta thanks. (Also this was the morning after our Christmas cocktail, the photos are going to be pretty horrific. Looked about as good as I felt which was *not ok*.)

What are the myths?
I haven't actually seen that show Greek but anyway, sometimes life is like a film, but sometimes it's not... Here are a few things to dispel...
1. That initiation is this crazy event. It's not really, more of a ceremony. (But this does depend on which one you join).
2. That we have weird pillow fights - what movies are you actually watching?
3. That we are a replica Elle Woods army, fighting force of pink
4. That everyone dates frat guys and have lovely Greek babies
5. That sorority girls are fake and superficial

Well I hope that clears a few things up!!
And this will be my late post before the Christmas holidays!
Thank goodness we are still over in the States for next semester, there's so much planned...Spring Break...Miami...road trips round the south...Lara coming to stay, fingers crossed Bermuda with Paige...
Thanks to everyone back home for keeping in touch, means a lot, I have missed you all so much.
And to everyone at UNC, thank you for being so welcoming the gals from across the pond. Had such great support - had over 8000 view on my blog, so thank you!

Happy holidays everybody
xxx
...........Meri Christmas

how to fake an a{meri}can accent

How to fake an American accent:

It is not only specific words that are different, but the way you say things that mark the difference between an average fake American accent, and a legit accent.
I mean there's the obvious - items of clothing are probably the most different (sweater, pants, button down, romper...) Then there's stop-lights, beets, rutabaga (turnips - I was confused on Thanksgiving), trash, gas, trunk...the list goes on...

But subtle differences include:

1. 'You want a ride?' not 'You want a lift?'
You ride a horse not a car.

2. 'He's named Trent' not 'He's called Trent'
Just sounds a bit weird to me.

3. 'I'm going to go study' not 'I'm going to go and revise'
Study = revise. Revision would be revising over a paper, editing it.

4. 'It's 8.30' not 'It's half 8'
(Ok so we say this too, but the abbreviation of half 8 is met with baffled exchanges)

5. 'It's October 3rd' not 'It's October [the] 3rd'
Ref. Cady Herren (Mean Girls; 2004)

6. 'Let's take shots!' not 'Let's have shots!'
If you said 'take', I would just hold the shot. Not consume it.

And if you want to be understood, steer clear of the following phrases:
 - 'Can't be bothered'
 - 'Taking the piss' (a friend once said, so I could say, 'I'm just taking a piss'?....no. No you can't.)
 - 'Give me a buzz', you know, a call ... on the phone
 - 'Nip to the loo'.. it's the restroom/ bathroom

Then there's the writing. Fellow Brits suddenly assume a great sense of pride in writing 'grey', 'colour' 'aluminium', 'aeroplane' (airplane - what?)... the list goes on.

I tried to explain Cockney rhyming slang to a friend. I may as well have been speaking gibberish.

Language barriers hey, who would have thought, we are speaking the same language but it's just a different kettle of fish.

xoxoxoxoxo

a{meri}can 'Dead week'

It's 'Dead Week' - aka the week before exams

In Edinburgh, the library is a bleak setting. The blistering cold walk doesn't exactly set you off in good revision mode. 

Here, however, with 'Finals' looming, and with average 20 degree weather check, there are worse places to be.

In fact UNC offers a host of activities that are on offer to relive stress..

1. Massages by the canteen (but seriously, do I want a massage right where everyone is queuing for food?)

2. Petting puppies in the Student Union

3. Build your own gingerbread house

4. Free bagels and hot chocolate in the library
5. Craft sessions with a projection of a documentary on cats (that part was a bit odd)

There is a whole calendar of events to get you through exam stress.

spotted: caffeine addict roaming the UL. I have too many photos of this girl.

On a weirder note - there is a naked streak. On the day after LDOC (Last Day Of Classes) there is a tradition of people to get naked and run through the library at midnight. Seriously. I thought everyone was joking so bailed on the library at 10pm...is it weird to say I wish I had stayed until midnight?!! Perhaps. I will be leaded the masses come Spring LDOC! Watch this space!!!  (Totally joking Granny, don't panic, your granddaughter has  not become a naturist.) 

I couldn't include video footage unfortunately as it was too explicit and this blog is strictly PG rating.

And basketball season is on the horizon! Quite looking forward to it because I will actually understand what's going on. Basketball is a huge deal at UNC, it's our best sport. Lots of the players are actually famous as they will go on to play in the MBA when they graduate. You can spot a basketball player from a mile off. They are inhumanly tall. It is a bit awkward actually standing behind them at a bar because it's like standing behind a huge wall. I'm talking 7ft tall or something. Anyway, should be fun, can't wait for the game season to officially start!

One week to go at UNC Fall semester, let the count down begin..

xoxoxoxox

a{meri}can Thanksgiving

Turkey shaped butter

Turkey veggie appetizer

So for Thanksgiving I stayed with Clayton and her family in Wilmington by the beach, thank goodness she took me under her wing or else I would have been stranded in Granville Towers, pretty bleak for the holidays! Getting the real Southern experience!

So what have I learnt about Thanksgiving?

1. The story? Nope. Something about Pilgrims and Indians and a big meal.
2. Everyone is obsessed with turkey - its turkey mania

yup, that was just first servings

3. You eat a lot and then have a food coma for the rest of the day
4. Have some quality family time

On the menu at the Freeman household:

Turkey (obviously)
Stuffing
Sweet potato and pecan bake
Mashed Turnips
Green Beans
Squash casserole
Gravy
Cranberry Sauce
Pickles

Pecan and chocolate pie
Honey and sea salt pie

Wine 
Sweet Tea


Most of the chat round the table is how good the food is, mainly because, well it is so good! It's going to be leftovers for a good few days. Javier in Tri Delt had made us a cracking Thanksgiving Dinner in the house for nearly 200 girls which was very impressive, but this was the real deal.

On first arrival in Wilmington, JD (Clayton's brother) was making deer jerky. He had shot this deer with a bow and arrow... felt like I was in the Hunger Games! Casual hunting in the south!

Thanksgiving involved a lot of sleeping and eating and recharging the batteries before we go back for exams. Just as it should be! I can't believe it's only 2 weeks to go before the Christmas holidays... it's been a whirlwind of a semester! 
xoxoxox

Wilmington

Christmas cocktail gals, lots of reindeer in the knocking about

pimped up turkey hat 

a{meri}can Extremes

I have realised what it is about America that is so different from England.

Extremes.

Everything is either one or the other. There is no in-between. 

Let's take a look at some examples...

Food-
America: a deep fried Oreo OR a salad.
Britain: a rather lovely Sunday roast with plenty of roasted vegetables and correct condiments. 

Going out- 
America: getting v.v. drunk at a frat party OR a night out in the library.
Britain: social drinks leading to a club somewhere on George Street, you know everyone there so it's just the same old Moonshine on a Monday or Opal Thursday.

Fashion- 
America: getting really dressed up in astronaut outfit for a Mixer OR nike trainers and UNC jumper
Britain: the library is as much of a catwalk as the clubs.

Cars-
America: huge 4x4 automatic BMW OR not at all.
Britain: Golfs are darn good cars (definitely a manual though).

Drinks-
America: multiple tequila shots OR just a diet coke.
Britain: a rum and coke/ vodka lime and soda usually goes down a treat. For pub sessions stick to beer and cider or a glass of red.
(NB there is one 'Irish Pub' here in Chapel Hill, so they say. No no, my friends, pubs do not have a dance floor and nowhere to sit, the only think Irish about this is the name, 'Fitzgerald's')

Boys-
America: either they are on the football team AKA 'hot as hell' OR they're not, therefore not worth it.
Britain: an abundance of average looking guys
I'M TOTALLY KIDDING ON THIS LAST ONE!!! 

I've said it before but it's true, you Go Big or Go Home in all aspects of life. But there is something to be said for going to extremes, (obviously I am exaggerating most of this); it both exhausts you and gives you energy. Work hard play hard, y'all.

So there you have it. It's a different ball game out here. (Well, literally as well - Oliver Pearson, I dedicate this pun to you).
xoxoxoxox

and a shout out to all these crazy kids, miss you all xxx

Has A{meri}ca changed me?

I get people asking, 'Has America changed me?' Here's a quick summary:

1. I have started saying 'dude'
2. I genuinely called Nicole 'precious' yesterday
3. I have Nike free run trainers and I call them 'sneakers'
4. I love my backpack
5. Pregame is a better word for predrinks anyway
6. Although other colours are available, I will only buy red cups
7. I can name 50 states of America in 5 minutes
8. I call work Homework
9. I can never have too much Tri Delt merchandise
10. I have an American flag bikini
11. It's happened, I've started calling guys 'cute'
12. Going to the gym = working out
13. Cell phone...parking lot..but it will always be a queue
14. 'Did you make out?'

.......holy cow - I AM A{MERI}CAN!!!!!!

And I love it.

That is all.

xxxxxxx

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WW22JWgdr6g

this happened

A[meri]can Halloween

So a few things in the run up to Halloween...
Initiation - becoming official members of Tri Delta (or any sorority) means you have to be initiated. As much as I would love to blog about this... it turns out it is actually a secret. Basically we had a ceremony, had to wear white and it took about 2 hours. That is all I can say. I know how intriguing. (You are probably imaging something much weirder than it was...)
In the run up to Halloween, everyone is working. A lot. Not that people don't usually work, but it is a pretty regular occurrence to be in the library at midnight and every seat is taken. 'Homework' is not taken lightly here.  

Notice: no fake blood to be seen

So Halloween. A much anticipated night of the year. The whole of Franklin Street (where all our bars/ restaurants are) is shut down and a massive street party ensues. Back home people usually dress pretty scary; people with bullet shots in their foreheads, or a zip up their faces is the norm. When Olivia showed Nicole our potential outfits, Nicole just replied "...Well I guess you could probably get away with it 'cos your foreign." Not the response I was hoping for. I was then picturing Mean Girls all over again...

Prince Charming and Snow White

By a random turn of events - decided to hop on the Disney bandwagon. We went to Party City maybe 2 hours before pregame was meant to start, really leaving it lastminute.com. Anyway, I found a crown, got a bit attached to it and so I could go as a King. Had an epiphany - I could go as Snow White's (aka Olivia Ball) Prince Charming!

Everyone dresses up too - as anything, literally. From 'Dust Bunnies' (nice one Kenzie) to unicorns, you name it and someone was dressed as it. All the frats are wrist banded and you have to have your name on a guest list for some. 

After hopping around a few houses we headed to Beta for a huge pregame, and went to Chi Phi and Phi Delt after. Phi Delt had this rapper come too called Mike Jones (not a clue but apparently he's cool?) Anywho. lost my crown, found my crown; lost my keys, found my keys; lost my shoes, found my shoes. (I know - shoes? How that is possible I don't know)Think it may be another time to let the pictures do the talking...

Getting some pumpkins involved. Blanc overly excited.

Next post I think will be on more sorority stuff...so weird thinking I only have 6 more weeks until I am back in England for Christmas holidays! Looking forward to American thanksgiving as well at Clayton's house in Wilmington. I have been told to bring my appetite...!
Love to everyone home and away xxxxxx

 

pregame at Beta

a{meri}can State Fair & 21st

'I'm a brontosaurus'

Ok so the State Fair...
Northerners: Imagine Knutsford Fair - on a grand scale with LOADS of fried food. I mean we are talking fried Oreo's, Reece's, Milky Ways.... you name it. Anything healthy as well, just deep fried. Vegetables, the lot. There are lots of turkey legs as well which is just a bit random? Anyway, the usual ride stuff. I don't go on rides. Long story - got a weird eye, which is a great excuse because I am pathetic anyway. Bag lady and taking photos is my domain.
Photos to come (they are on my disposable).

deep fried oreo

Had a slight Mean Girls moment on Tuesday. It was a Monster Bash themed mixer. So I went as a dinosaur and Blancs was a vampire. I rock up in a one piece lyrca suit covered in dinosaurs and NO ONE is dressed up. Beaut.
Looked slightly out of place at Country Night.

This will teach me for pulling horrible faces!

Mezza and Clayton are 21!!!!

Philly Stew came back for another visit, though this time we had a Staycation (gettit - like vacation but you don't go away...) at the Carolina Inn which is just round the corner from my halls. The bed felt like sleeping in a cloud. Mother gets night terrors sometimes, so to say she scared the living daylights out of me screaming one night, is a pretty accurate description. Madre was on top form, amusing everyone with stories of her photo-bombing a couple on the Stanten Ferry with her Statue of Liberty headband on...!
So it's the 24th October, the eve of my 21st, and I am bedding down in my favourite pajamas (floral matching shirt and trousers), when a little knock at my door wakes me. I have a feeling it's Blancita. And I am right, but she has Olive and Nicole in tow with masks of my face and balloons and feather boas. What a way to start begin being 21. Popped open the champers and had girl-party in my room.
On my birthday we had a cocktail event in the evening. We went for supper at a Greek restaurant where the chef seemed to take a liking to us so much that he just kept coming back out from the kitchen with more and more food...calamari, dips, filo pies, baklava, wine... great stuff. The birthday excuse is always a classic. Myself and Clayton (whose birthday was the next day) held the pregame at Johanna's house and the night went from there! Let the photos do the talking...

George the chef gave me a rose

Those are the PJs...

That's me and Tom

Anyway now I can stop pretending to be Sophie Stewart, and be Meriel instead. Back to my old ID. Now Blanca can take on a new persona, though when we rock up to a bar and pretend to be sisters, I don't know how that will work out. Long, curly brown hair Vs short, straight blonde hair is never a good starting point! 

Thanks to everyone who made Friday such a great day! And for all the birthday messages! Means a lot, miss you all.
xxxxxxxx

Enn Why See

So it was Fall Break. 

View from the flat at night

I was sat in my lecture at 12.30, thought to myself, 'Dang, I'm going to New York in half an hour...I should probably go?!' So disorganised, myself and Olivia after a lot of manic phone calls about having the right visa forms for the airport were off on an adventure only having really planned the plane tickets.

May have been here 3 times..

I was staying with a friend, Steph, who goes to NYU and lives just of 5th Avenue and 14th (still not sure what that means - it's central Manhattan basically), amazing location and rooftop view of the Empire State Building. Olivia was just round the corner with her friend Janelle at the fashion school. The first day we hit the shops - fifth avenue and broadway. 

Questionable attire

That evening we went for a few 'casual drinks' with some of Steph's friends (of course the small world it is, one of the girls went to Uppingham and then Edinburgh - mutual friend galore!) Of course, there is no such thing as casual drinks. Upon leaving we decided it would be a great idea to head to the Meat Packing District to Le Bain. Let's just say there is a hot tub in the middle of the club....and we may or may not know just how hot the tub really is....

That's a story for another time. 'Ratchet' would be the appropriate description.

Spotted: O & M newcomers in Manhattan

The next day we felt we had to do a bit of tourist stuff. A picnic basking in the heat of Central Park was the way to deal with the hangover from hell. My mum was actually in NYC at the same time, so myself and Steph headed to Times Square to go and see her and her friends (shout out to Caroline, Lisa, Gilly and Amanda). We went to Bubba Gumps for supper- the Forrest Gump restaurant which only sells prawns (I didn't really register the prawn-Gump relationship!) The meal came complete with a Forrest Gump Triva round in true American style. All in all a hilarious experience. Times Square itself was cool, but full of tourists. I was probably only there for enough time to take a photo and go. I am sure my mum's crew were much better tourists than I was! That evening we went to some cool rooftop drinks at a friend's flat and headed out in the Lower East Side.

So what are New Yorkers like Vs Southerners? I would say slightly less friendly, but by no means like Londoners who would recoiling like an adder if they touch someone by accident on the tube. All in all I didn't manage to see as many of the sights as I would have liked but time literally flew by. I mean I saw someone dressed as the Statue of Liberty if that counts? 3 nights was not enough! Next time I need to head to Brooklyn and do some of the galleries. Had an amazing time regardless though. 

On Saturday we caught the bus to University of Pennsylvania to visit Haz from Edinburgh doing her year abroad there. It is pretty close, only 2 hours. Penn campus is like in the movies too - very green and with arches of trees overhead. 

with Perps and Haz in Penn

Being away from Chapel Hill just for a few nights made me really miss it...the concrete jungle of New York is certainly a change from the greenery of Carolina. Deprived of shops and clubs, we went overboard for a few days... although now it is back to reality and the papers that await! Shattered with less than an hour sleep for Olivia, (you should have seen her trying to get her shoes on at 6am) we crossed 3 states in one day, taking buses, cabs, trains, planes, and motorbikes (I wish), to get home. 100 percent worth the effort. 
Next post on State Fair and 21st! 
Lots of love to all at home, missing you all!! (Especially Murphy) xxx

Sorry for the lack of posts recently! It is the run up to Fall Break so there are a lot of deadlines and midterms to be done!

This month is going to be busy...

Next up: 
1. New York on Wednesday and Pennsylvania to see Haz 
2. State Fair on Monday - bring on deep fried Oreos
3. Philly Stew coming for Round 2
4. My 21st on the Friday - semi-formal cocktail event
5. Initiation into the chapter of Delta Delta Delta on the Sunday
6. Halloween!

..All in the space of 3 weeks. Can't believe it has already been 2 months! Crazy, time is flying by.

Been very bad with Skype recently, so email me instead! Lotsa love xxxx

A few more things to adapt to...

1. If you tread on someone's foot, the appropriate response to 'Oh I'm sorry,' is, 'You're fine'. (I know I am fine? I have just stepped on your foot...)

2. You must hold the door open for a disproportionate length of time, both entering and exiting a building. 

3. A shirt is a 'button down', and beetroot is 'beets'.

4. The first floor is the second floor. The ground floor is the first floor...Baffling, I know.

5. Boys names are no longer Tom, Dick and Harry. This has been replaced by Trent, Chase and Hunter.

The best of Skype dates -
Mr Murphy on Soph's knee

6. Where usually I would tremble with rage at a discarded tea bag in the sink, sweet tea replaces Earl Grey. Not so warming, but still delicious. 

7. No such luck as going for a cheeky drink, there is no casual drinking. Go hard or go home! (Or go to Qdoba...2am Mexican restaurant rendezvous)

8. I am secretly excited about wearing jumpers again. It has just been so hot. And I did pack 5 coats, none of which I have worn yet. 

9. Where usually I would wait for permission to leave after paying for something with the exact change, here all the money is the same colour so end up paying for a Coke with a $20 bill, when a $1 is right beside it.

10. 'Y'all', the best Southern phrase - meaning 'you guys'


'Y'all should come out!', 'have you got y'alls shirts yet?'
Doesn't really work without an American accent. Nevertheless, useful word.

So we did what they do in the movies...run steps. There are a lot of steps in the Kenan football stadium!!

Slowly getting used to life in the South! xxxxx

a{meri}can parent's weekend

Myself, David, Johanna and Harrison

So it was Parent's Weekend for Tri Delta!

When my mum first told me that she might come for Parent's Weekend, I thought 'haha, yeah sure.' But then she actually did come across the pond...

Parent's Weekend is not like 'Parent's evening' at school. No you do not go and talk to your teachers about your classes.

Yes you do go and party with your parents.

On the Friday night we had a cocktail event held at the Carolina Inn and most of the parents of the girls in the sorority come, and you can bring a date as well. The English gals didn't manage to branch out to American guys - I took a Dane, David, Olivia took an Aussie, Tom, and Blanca took a Brit, Cameron. Myself and Philly headed off to Johanna's for supper and a few proseccos down, we headed off to the Carolina inn to meet up with everyone. There was dancing, a band, drinks, it was like being back at Leaver's Ball 2k11. We were there only for an hour or so, and proceeded to get a golf car-style ride to He's Not Here (a bar named so, legend has it, because if people rang up asking if Micheal Jordan was there, they would reply - 'He's Not Here'). Madre got a round of beers in (which they serve in HUGE cups), and the band was jammin' and we were chillin'.

We got Carolina spirit!

Saturday was Game Day! So after a bit of a palaver, Mother managed to find herself a ticket off a random dude on the side of the road. Slightly worried that the ticket wasn't legit, we headed to the game, following a sea of Carolina blue clad people. We found some pom poms on our seats, and none of us having a clue what was going on (especially as the ball is so small and the players so big, it's hard to keep up!), we just followed what everyone else was doing. Luckily the screen tells you when to make noise. It literally just says 'NOISE', then everyone goes nuts. The game is pretty long, about 4 hours, and is very much stop-start. I know a touchdown is when you score but that about it. I guess it's like rugby but you can pass forwards? (And you can wear padding and helmets - v. safety conscious Americans! In rugby you only get a gum shield!) The cheerleaders were amazing. Think Bring it On. It may as well have been Kirsten Dunst herself cheering away. The whole experience was a lot of fun. 

NB: People from UNC are called 'Tar Heels' because tar, pitch and turpentine were some of North Carolina's leading exports. Our mascot is a ram. Apparently there was a real live ram riding round in a car that day and when people saw it went crazy. That's America for you!

We had a BBQ at Tri Delta where Philly Stew got to meet a few more of the parents and check out the house. Also indulged in her first 'hush puppy' - deep fried corn bread. Southerners just love fried food! Can't wait 'til the State Fair (on my 21st!) to try deep fried butter!! In fact, maybe I should ask for deep fried butter with a candle in, instead of a cake?

Yeah we did! Got the cheesy pic!

All in all a great weekend with Philly Stew, who loved the American college experience (even the driving, though sometime on the wrong side of the road...) Until next time...more on adapting to American phrases. Y'all have a good day now! xxxx

a{meri}can pledge retreat

So I said I would share a little more on sorority life...

This weekend was our Pledge Retreat to Wilmington Beach about 2 hours away from Chapel Hill. 'Pledge Class' basically means all the people who joined Tri Delta this year, and there are about 50 of us. You are a 'pledge' because you haven't yet been initiated into the sorority so you have 8 weeks to show that you really do want to join. We stayed at 2 girls beach houses in Wilmington which was beautiful, one of the houses had a dock out of the back onto the sea. You might expect that a pledge retreat to be full of 'bonding' activities and 'ice breakers', but it really isn't anything of the sort. We chilled, we shopped, we sunbathed, we ate Mexican. Let's face it, that's all girls really need to 'bond'. We had a few 'organised' activities, but they just ended up disintegrating to general crazy story telling.. Not.To.Be.Repeated. Regardless, you spend time on the beach with your new class and enjoy cheesy pics and some trashy tourist stores. #spottheBrits (See right).

Ok so haven't described cocktails well so far. My date on Friday,who I was set up with by a girl in Tri Delt, wants a 'great review' on my blog, which is what he will get. He picked me up from my accommodation in his car...(although his frat is maybe 100 meters from my building?), had a few drinks on the roof, popped some champers (not always champagne it just happened to be the theme at Phi Delta), did a bit of shagging (REMEMBER THAT IS DANCING!) and you don't want to know the rest of the night, it gets gradually crazier as imaginable. In few words: some Danes, some cross dressing, some gymnastics road-side, sleeping in a cupboard, 'your dress is in the dry cleaners', some cycling....No names mentioned. You make up the rest.

This is why the bus was full of 50 girls pretty dead on Saturday. Not sure you would call it a 'party bus'.

We also have a 'Big Sister' in the sorority, and you write down the names of your preferences, and get matched with an older girl in the house. A Big is just someone if you have any questions...need someone to hang with.. basically just a friend in another year. 

Me and my Big, Johanna

Next blog post will be on Parent's Weekend at Tri Delta where Philly Stew is coming Stateside to visit!! Until then xxxxxxxx

a{meri}canisms

Few things to clear up!

1. 'Game Day' doesn't mean you actually go to the football game.

Everyone gets dressed up in Carolina blue and heads to Frat Court in the late mornng for drinks, music, food...But the game starts at 12.30 (and they are about 4 hours long)..so that means sometimes you might not actually make it to the game. You're busy just bouncing around and before you know it, it's 4.30.

2. You don't leave 'xxx' on texts

I thought at first people just didn't like me. I still leave kisses though!

3. The reason sororities don't have parties is actually because of State law

An antiquated law that has something to do with if more than 5 unrelated girls live in a house together it is a brothel. Obviously there are actual sorority houses, but they aren't allowed to host parties. This is why for a 'Mixer' (with another frat/sorority/both) or 'Cocktail' (where you can invite a date) you have to rent out a club.

4. 'Ratchet' 

Adjective, meaning crazy/grimy/ghetto/messy

Eg: 'Last night was ratchet'. Used all the time. 

5. Queue Vs Line

In England I have never realised this: we queue vertically - with the purpose of reaching the front, and we stand in line horizontally, with no one in front of us, without intention of getting to a destination.

In America a queue = a line

A weird observation. I was talking to someone the other day and they were just nodding and smiling, until I just had to ask 'Do you know what I'm talking about?', the reply was simply, 'I understand about 3 out of 10 words that you are saying.' 

This is a biscuit

6. A biscuit is not a biscuit

Our 'biscuit' is a cookie here. A biscuit is actually a fried chicken sandwich. So 'tea and biscuits' is met with confusion.

7. Friday is not Fish and Chips Friday

It is Fried Friday. Literally everything fried- including macaroni cheese. The chef at Tri Delta tweets the menu every day, handy.

8. 'Cute' Vs 'Fit'

At home we call guys 'fit' if they are hot, and we don't mean fit as in having good stamina on the treadmill. A dress might be cute, or a bunny, but never boys. Here, if boys are cute they are good looking.

Tri Delta Sorority house: it looks small from this angle but it sleeps around 40 girls and it is massive

I am sure there are some things I have missed out on! But for now, that will do.
Going on a beach retreat with my pledge class tomorrow to Wilmington. 
Next post: more on sorority life!
Love to all! xxxxxx

Punkahontus and the 'Jungle' - at a Mixer with Dke, Beta (Fraternities), and Kappa Delta (another sorority)