Motorcycling in Malibu

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This past weekend I had such a fun father daughter day with my dad! He just bought a new Harley and since I've never been on a motorcycle before (and it's on my bucket list) it was only fitting that we should go for a ride. I really liked the Harley but I have to admit it was pretty windy- to the point that it was hard to keep my eyes open! After we took the Harley for a short spin, my dad and I went on his friend's bike which was a little more comfortable. It had a great windshield, surround sound music system, and even butt warmers (which I took full advantage of!). We drove along the coastline on the PCH- it was a beautiful day in Malibu and I felt like I was in heaven watching the waves crash on the shore! I love living in California and it was the perfect day. We had lunch at Marmalade Cafe and then we looked-but didn't eat-Crumb's cupcakes (so tempting though!) We had the best time- I feel so blessed to have such a great dad who wants to spend quality time with me. My dad has been so supportive in this time of my life and he's given me some great advice. Love you, Dad! Thanks for such a fun day!

New Pledges

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Last week we welcomed five new pledges from our continuous open bidding process. I was lucky enough to get to go in the limo with the new girls and welcome them to the Chi Omega family. We had such a blast and it was so much fun going out into LA- I'm such a food coniseur so I love any opportunity to try LA's vast array of dining experiences. We went to C&O's Italian restaurant which was absolutely a delicious and memorable dining experience! The served a limitless supply of garlic balls that just kept popping right into my mouth! Also- every girl was able to order her own dessert- too bad I gave up all desserts for Lent! But I was so proud to have resisted the Reeses peanut butter cheesecake! (In a former life that would have been an impossible feat!). My favorite part of the night was when everyone in the restaurant sang that Italian song, "That's Amore". All the waiters danced around as the music played on the loud speaker and we all toasted each other- I was just so happy to be there!
I love the new girls, too! I nominated my friend Nivedita and I'm so excited that I can now call her my sister! I know she has so much to look forward to and I know we'll grow even closer! I'm so excited to get to know the new girls better!

"Dreams Do Come True" Party

Last week Chi Omega had a really fun raid with Pi Kapp. The theme was "Dreams Do Come True" although somehow the boys thought it was a "teachers" theme (I feel bad for the boy that dressed as Ms. Frizzle from the Magic School Bus, haha). Anyway- I had a great time dancing the night away with my sisters- I feel like I'm forming some wonderful friendships. Events like this remind me of how thankful I am to be in a sororitity- at a school as big as UCLA it's nice that I can have a group to connect with. Just loving life right now!

All the Single Ladies!

So it was my first Valentine's Day in awhile being a single lady. That's okay though because all my best friends are also newly single so we celebrated our singleness together- which was a better time anyway! We went out to Santa Barbara to the restaurant State and A (delicious!) and we just had the best time sharing our stories. It was nice being home from college and catching up with my dear high school friends. The night only got better as we were delivered a delectable peanut butter pie by a pretty charming waiter- who later invited all of us to attend the Santa Barbara Film Festival! We didn't go but we were still pretty flattered! Who says Valentine's Day is only for the lovebirds?!?!

Dance Marathon

Dance Marathon was last weekend (as was my 19th birthday!) and I had the best time! I admit that I had been pretty nervous about it all last week because I knew that it would be a challenging feat. You're supposed to dance for 26 hours straight- no sitting, not even to pee! (I may have cheated on that part!) Anyway- so many of my sisters in Chi Omega participated in the event and I loved getting to bond with them. Also, I love dancing so this was the perfect thing to do on my birthday! I was so proud to see so many Chi Omegas on the committee spearheading the event- it was a huge success. UCLA raised over $407,000 for pediatric HIV/AIDS. The money we raise goes toward vaccines that help prevent the mother from passing on the disease to her child during childbirth and the money also goes toward paying for camp tuition for children that are affected by this terrible disease. Many of these children were at the event dancing with us and I loved hearing them share their touching stories. Every dancer at the event was required to raise $208 (each vaccine is $8 so $8 for every hour of 26 hours makes $208). I lasted for eight hours and I would have stayed longer except that it was my birthday and my parents took me out to P.F. Chang's for dinner. But the music, the friends, the cause, the fun- it was the perfect day. I'm so blessed to go to UCLA where people are committed to being the change they wish to see in the world!

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Grab-A-Date!

Last night I had the best time out on the town! I went with my fellow Chi O's and our dates to go out dancing and we had such a great time! My friend Casey was supposed to set me up with a "blind date" but, being the small world that it is, my "blind date" and I went to high school together! Bill is a year older than me and he spent last year doing ministry work in England. We had a great time catching up and we all had so much fun dancing together. Little did we know that the venue was actually a gay bar but I guess that made the atmosphere that much more entertaining. Looking forward to many more fun nights!

Happy Birthday Tori!

Last night (yea, I'm finally caught up) we celebrated my cousin's Tori's "...th" birthday. (If you really want to know you can look at the candles on the cake- sorry Tori!) :) We had a great time together enjoying each other's company. Tori and Josh have the sweetest little girls- Lexie is 2 and Courtney is 9 months old. It has been so much fun watching them grow up- everytime I see them they've changed in some way. Lexie is such a character and she loves to talk and read books and Courtney has already taken her first steps! They are both so smart and it's so fun having them in the family. We had a delicious Ferraro's Italian dinner and my mom made a beautiful and delicious cake that I unfortunately ate way too much of. Anyway- it was a great evening and it just reminds me that family is such a blessing.

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Happy New Year's!

New Year's was a blast this year! I got to spend time with my family and hang out with my cousins, grandmas, and neighbors. Sara, my cousin, and I have grown really close so it's been great getting to spend time together when we're both home from college. It's wonderful when your family and friends are the same thing. Of course, my mom goes all out every year (even though she also says every year that she's not planning anything) but nevertheless, I have so much fun celebrating "Marila Cook" style. The food was delicious (Kiko, my cat, certainly agreed)- I especially love the pigs in blankets. It was a great way to ring in the new year with people I love and I hope that all of you had an equal wonderfully new year that is continuing to remain happy!

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Merry Christmas!

Wow- I seriously can't believe I'm posting on this in February- but Christmas is just such a big deal that I couldn't skip it. Now let me rack my brains for what actually happened...Well, Christmas was amazing coming home as a college student for starters. It was wonderful to come home and relax- just enjoying spending time with my family. It's been great because we have new generations on both sides of my family so it has been really fun watching the kidlets grow up. They all just have so much energy and life- I definitely try to work that perspective in my own life. I got some amazing gifts but of course that is not what Christmas is about. It's about sending and sharing love with others.

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Junior Panhellenic Council

I have been having the best time representing Chi Omega with my friend Maddie in the Junior Panhellenic Council. Each house sends two representatives and we work together to unite the sororities in philanthropic and social activities. We currently have a movie night watching "The Parent Trap" while eating smores as a fundraiser for various charities coming up in a few weeks. Every girl in our group has been so friendly and it's been great meeting some new people outside of Chi Omega. I ran for President but I was instead elected as the Communications director (aka secretary) which I have been having a lot of fun with. I'm so thankful for the opportunity and the new friends!

Myth Night and Initiation

Well I am officially a sister of Chi Omega! At the beginning of the winter quarter, I, along with 34 other sisters, were initiated into the Gamma Beta Chi Omega fraternity. I am so excited to be apart of such a cherished tradition and I feel so blessed to have such a built-in support system. Kelly, my Big Sis, has been the ultimate source of support and I am so thankful to have her for such a wonderful friend. She gave me the most beautiful bouquet of roses after I was initiated and at our Myth Night she gave me an orchid as a representation of my character. These are definitely memories I will never forget! After the initiation we all had fun playing with the New Moon board game- good times!

Here is Our Symphony: words that I live by.
To live constantly above snobbery of word or deed;
to place scholarship before social obligations and character before appearances;
to be, in the best sense, democratic rather than 'exclusive', and lovable rather than 'popular';
to work earnestly, to speak kindly, to act sincerely, to choose thoughtfully that course which occasion and conscience demand;
to be womanly always; to be discouraged never;
in a word, to be loyal under any and all circumstances to my Fraternity and her highest teachings and to have her welfare ever at heart that she may be a symphony of high purpose and helpfulness in which there is no discordant note.
Ethel Switzer Howard, Xi Chapter
1904

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Date Party

A couple weeks ago Evan and I went to a date party together. We had a great time and I especially had fun hanging out with my friends. I loved the venue- it reminded me a giant tiki room and I had a great time dancing the night away. I'm looking forward to many more fun events!

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UCLA vs. USC Volleyball Game

I seriously need to catch up on my blog so here I am! My life has been changing drastically at warp speed these days- not only do I have a new life, I also have a new, more positive outlook on life. All I need now is a new haircut to match my new perspective. I am striving to grow closer with God and enjoy my new SINGLE life. This is a time in my life for growth, opportunity, and enrichment and I fully intend to live my life to the fullest. I choose to be happy!

So with that being said...
Sindhuja and I went to the UCLA vs. USC men's volleyball game awhile ago (aka a whole month ago). I still remember it well though- we had a great time and it was so much fun to watch. I'd never been to a volleyball game before and it was so entertaining! Unfortunately we didn't win but our boys gave a great effort. I definitely want to attend more sports events!