Homecoming 2011

Man, were we busy this weekend!!!!

First it was Lyco’s Homecoming. We didn’t go to the football game or anything, but we did catch up with some of my sorority sisters (mainly those in my family tree). We went out to dinner at Franco’s Lounge and then followed up with drinks at Barrel 135. They have some pretty cool martinis there…my Little got a Pumpkin Pie martini and a Caramel Apple one. My G-Little Steph and I had virgin strawberry daiquiris which were pretty good (and free!) as well!

We had some pretty funny convo’s at dinner. Mainly about bacon. Go figure.

Of course, the biggest news is that my Little Jesse got engaged! And I got to meet the lucky guy and her ring is gorgeous! As I mentioned at dinner, it’s about time someone else in the Gannon family gets married! Clint and I have been the “old married couple” for too long (3.5 years now!). You should have seen my Twin’s boyfriend when I said that…he wasn’t too happy…lol.

We also went to my Mom’s for dinner on Sunday which turned into a different homecoming of sorts. My Mom’s getting pretty adamant that we (my brothers and myself) weed through our stuff stored at her house. She doesn’t mind keeping childhood mementos, like all of our millions of toys, photos, etc., but she wants us to get rid of the non-necessary stuff. I managed to cut 2 Rubbermaid containers down to 1. Only about 6 more to go!

My youngest brother, Brian, also came to dinner (he just recently moved out) and it was nice. There was no yelling! THIS WAS A FIRST. It’s like we’re turning into grown-ups or something. I’m not ruling out it as a fluke yet though.

We’ll have to try another meal at my Mom’s house soon. Especially because the dogs really enjoy going down and visiting. It really cracks me up that Molly knows where we’re going the second I mention it.

Gannon Family: Little Jesse, Big (Twin) Shannon, G-Little Steph, Big (Me) Megan

Happy Founder’s Day!

To all of my sisters past and present in Alpha Xi Delta Women’s Fraternity

HAPPY FOUNDER’S DAY!!!!!!

And, to the Iota Mu chapter and Iota Pi (installed today!)

HAPPY CHAPTER’S FOUNDER’S DAY!!!!

Together Forever Joined

Walk Now for Autism Speaks

Tomorrow, I will be participating in a 5K to raise funds for Autism Speaks, which is a philanthropy that mainly raises money for awareness and research into autism spectrum disorders and their causes.

Autism Speaks also happens to be in a partnership with Alpha Xi Delta Women’s Fraternity and is our current philanthropy.

As a sister, my chapter is participating tomorrow in Allentown to raise money. Six of us are going. (There would have been 7, with Clint, but he gets to watch the dogs all day.)

There’s still time to raise additional funds; however, I’ve more than surpassed my goal with a generous donation from my brother. At this time, the Allentown walk has raised $308,855 and the Iota Mu team has raised $1,670 in online donations. If you wish to contribute to my campaign, you can make donations HERE.

*************************************************************************************

Some Facts About Autism:

• Autism is a complex neurological disorder that impacts communication, behavior, and social relationships
• Autism is the fastest-growing serious development disability in the world
• 1 in 110 children are diagnosed with autism
• 1 in 70 boys are diagnosed with autism
• A child is diagnosed with autism every 20 minutes
• More children are diagnosed with autism than with AIDS, diabetes, and pediatric cancer combined
• An estimated 1.5 million individuals in the United States and tens of millions worldwide are affected by autism
• There is currently no medical detection or cure for autism

Formal 2011

Alpha Xi Delta Women’s Fraternity, Iota Mu Chapter

Pink Rose Formal 2011

Dress: Nicole Miller by Rent the Runway

Hair: Sabrina at Lipstick Salon

(Almost) Anniversary

I’m counting down the days to my 3rd wedding anniversary and came across these bridal shower photos!

First, the Moms! Here’s Clint’s Mom, me, and my Mom.

Now, the rest of the ladies in my family. My Mimi, my Aunt Penny, me and my Mom.

See that leopard print dress my gram’s wearing? Yeah, she wanted to wear that to my wedding! Fortunately, I had the foresight to ask her ahead of time what she was planning on wearing. I got to nix it for the wedding, but said it was ok for the bridal shower. (My grandmom loves crazy clothing and socks!)

And, of course, my sorority sisters! My lovely Alpha Xi Delta’s! My closest friends and my Littles were there!

Of course, my BFF Michelle was here in spirit. Alabama’s a far distance for an afternoon affair!

Again, thanks to every one who planned and shared my special day 3 years ago! I love you all!

<3 Megan

Sisterhood

“The ties that bind me to my Sisters are not wrapped around my wrists, but rather are fastened to my Heart.”

Thanks For Joining !!!!!

Formal Recruitment is officially over and we got 9 amazing girls! It was a lot of work and a very long week. Let me tell you, staying up until 2 am and then having to get up at 6:45 every day for a week really wears you down!

I did get to spend a lot of time with Melanie, who is our Area Facilitator. You should have seen the two of us trying to get sugar cookies baked the one night in time for the event and the DOUGH. WAS. NOT. COOPERATING!

Getting to hang out with her was a lot like being in college again. Even though we didn’t come from the same chapter, we have the same values and have shared experiences from being in Alpha Xi Delta. It was just so easy. It was wonderful.

I also realized from hanging out with her that I definitely want to continue volunteering with the Fraternity, should I move away from Lyco. Because there are chapters every where, you are not limited to a single college or state.

This week was COB Week (for Continuous Open Bidding). It’s a more lax form of recruitment without the hub-bub of last week. We will have the opportunity to hand out bids again on Friday and hopefully…we’ll be getting more women!

Xi love for now!

Recruitment’s Here Again!

As I’ve mentioned in past blog posts, I’ve been quite involved in the local chapter of my sorority Alpha Xi Delta this school year. For any females in college, the spring semester is kicked off by formal recruitment.

For those of you who need a primer (non-Greeks):

Formal recruitment is a formal period where college females are shuffled through all the sororities on their campus, going to events, and mini “parties” where you attempt to get a feel for the different houses and which one you would like to join. It normally lasts 5 days and culminates in bid day where you will hopefully receive an invitation to join your desired house.

At the same time, formal recruitment is a stressful, exciting, hard week (and several weeks of preparation leading up to it) for the chapter because this is where you will add the largest group of new girls to your organization each year. You have to work hard to feel out the girls’ personalities and interests (just like they’re doing) to find the best fit for the organization.

Compounded with the 2-3 weeks of preparation going into recruitment (commonly referred to as “Work Week”), Alpha Xi Delta holds Area Wide Training and other leadership activities for advisors and officers in the different territories.

I’m super excited about going to AWT this weekend because I will get to see one of my sorority sisters (from 7 years ago…yikes!) because she’s now a chapter advisor and will be bringing her chapter to the same training as well!

*A chapter is a local branch of a sorority. In PA, sororities don’t have actual houses but they may have designated floors, lounges, or meeting areas on a college campus.

Walk Like an Egyptian

I have an Alpha Xi Delta sorority sister who’s name is also Meg (technically Meghan).

And I don’t mean a sister from another chapter, like Jim Henson’s wife Jane Henson or designer Betsey Johnson or the original “Bachelorette” Jen Schefft.

I’m talking “went to school with and was my President at one time” sister.

She has THE coolest job ever. She works at the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt. What’s even cooler is she writes their press releases (or I should say the press releases/blog for famous Egyptian scholar Zahi Hawass).

Every time I read articles like this one– Astrological Scene Found on Egyptian Tomb Ceiling–I think…Did she write that press release?

And you know what? She did! (Original press release here.)

Feel free to read her blog: Turn Left at the Camel

Old school photo of 2 of the 3 Meg’s. <3

My “Sorority Life”

Clint recently made the comment to me that I’m playing the Facebook game “Sorority Life,” but in real-life. Hunny, I was playing it long before there was a flash animation game on Facebook and MySpace.

I am in a sorority. My sorority’s name is Alpha Xi Delta Women’s Fraternity. Yes, we are also considered a fraternity, but I’m not typing up that story right now.

I have the privilege and honor of not only being a sister, but also a founding member of the Iota Mu chapter. As a founder, we got to participate in the tons and tons of glorious paperwork required to establish a new colony and have it become a chapter. We went through New Member Orientation, the beautiful ceremonies, and finally…we got our gold Quills pinned on us in a whirlwind gala event with the National President in attendance!

Now that I’ve graduated, I’ve stayed in touch and watched my small family tree turn into one with a Great Grand Little, Great Great Grand Little, and Great Great Great Grand Little! It’s easy, of course, because I work at my alma mater.

Recently, Jan (our Advisor and my close friend) had heart surgery. This is part of why I’ve been away. There has been a lot of visiting her in the hospital and keeping her updated with the sorority while she’s at home. In her absence, I’m getting to take a much more active and new role – unofficial Advisor. Every day, I remember how much I enjoyed the sisterhood activities and bonding.

As Jan recuperates, I look forward to taking on yet another role: Alumna NMOC (New Member Orientation Chair) Advisor for the the Chapter!

On a final note, my sisters did a flash mob in the cafeteria yesterday and it went brilliantly! Here goes!

To the Gold! To the Blue! To the Quill, We Hold So True! To All the Things We Do!

Happy Birthday Little!

Happy Birthday to my Little JB!

Some Great Memories!!