Chicken Finger Friday at Zeta

          I’ve always been an advocate for fried chicken that comes in finger form. I think I heard something about Chicken Finger Friday during rush and couldn’t believe it to be true considering it would make most of my dreams come true, but when I saw it on the calendar first semester I might’ve teared up a little. The first time I went was great, Chef Holly really showed she could make something so simple as a chicken finger just as delicious as the fancy meals she makes for us on Monday nights before chapter. So there was no way I’d be missing the second time the holy day came around.

         This time Chicken Finger Friday was on a whole other level. It was on Valentine’s Day so many girls brought their beaus but I wanted a little more for myself so I rolled solo to the event. Everything was decorated in red and pink for the special day and there was candy spread everywhere along with those little candy hearts nobody could pass up. I spent my time hanging with my sisters enjoying a meal we normally would have sworn off considering spring break was so close but had decided to devour the unhealthy food instead. And boy was it worth it! The macaroni was extra cheesy and, although I didn’t even bother with the vegetables that were offered, the cinnamon cake at the end of the table was to die for. I broke everything I’d been working for spring-break-body-wise right then and there by the number of chicken fingers and slices of cake I had (the exact number isn’t important).

         It means a lot having something like this at the Zastle. Most of us are so busy during the day but nobody can miss out on Chicken Finger Friday so I get to see most of my friends. I was so close to skipping class because of the food baby that was growing inside me but I ended up going anyways. Fridays are already special but Chicken Finger Fridays make them seem like a Godsend.

Thank you ZTA,

Hannah Matula PC'13

Hannah takes a selfie with all the food! YUM

Zisterhood Zycling

             Recently, Zetas had the privilege of attending a private cycling class at the popular CYC studio in West Campus. Once the room was filled with 45 ready-to-go Zetas, our instructor Troy, sporting a Zeta tank of his own, lit up the dark room with neon lights. In front of us were our own towels and mini hand-weights. We had all the tools we needed and motivation from our sisters to get us through the work-out ahead!

CYC Austin Studio on W 23rd St
(photo belongs to CYC Austin)

            A large mirror along the wall allowed for us to see all of our sisters around us spinning on each of our bikes. The music was great; alternating between upbeat and slower-paced songs of all genres. Our legs to pedaled to the beat, and it felt almost like we were dancing, grooving to the music. At a few select times, we picked up our hand weights and did boxing-oriented and swimming oriented arm movements. We felt the burn! At one point, our instructor Troy singled out PC ’12 Kelly Hargraves, and told her that if she dropped her arm weights, the whole room would have to start over with the 5-minute arm-straining song! Luckily, she didn’t drop them! By the end of the 45-minute class, we were all dripping sweat from our full-body work out.

            The class was a great experience to share with our sisters. We were all motivated by the quickly approaching Spring Break, and by seeing how hard everyone was working! I had such a great time, that me and a few of my Zeta sisters all signed up for CYC’s 10,000-calorie Spring-Break challenge! Can’t wait to see what our Health & Wellness chair, PC ’12 Jenna Nelson, plans next! She’s done such a wonderful job combining sisterhood and being healthy. So thank you Jenna!

ZLAM,

Alexia Phipps PC '12

Zeta Love: Valentine's Day Party at the House

Brooke Winterhalder and Natalie Cohen

        Valentines day is a great opportunity to celebrate and enjoy all the people we love! While we constantly celebrate the love we have for each other at Zeta, this Valentines Day, the sisterhood team decided to do something special for everyone. It was date night at the zeta house, complete with dinner and a movie- but NO BOYS ALLOWED! The girls were treated to freshly popped popcorn by our very own pink Valentines Day bunny- Brooke Winterhalder. 

        There was also delicious pizza and an unlimited buffet of candy and cookies to munch on. Everyone sat and talked while the houseboys worked to transform the chapter room into a huge movie theatre complete with comfy couches, blankets, and air mattresses. The movie of choice for the occasion was of course, The Notebook. There’s nothing better than a bunch of girls sitting around and getting sappy about love and the future. I personally have never seen the movie, and WOW was I in for a great surprise. 

       Towards the end of the movie I found myself with my head buried in my blanket trying not to hysterically sob at the part where- SPOILER ALERT- the older Ally realizes the story is her life story. I’d like to take a moment to give major props to Nicholas Sparks. You sure got me good on the ending, Sir.

        After all was said and done, and everyone was full and feeling emotional, it was time to wrap up. For me it was a great way to connect with all my sisters who managed to get me through quite possibly one of the most touching movies I’ve ever seen (Being a sensitive person, I require lots of cuddling during the sad parts). For other people, the event was an easy way to relax and enjoy each other’s company during what was an otherwise hectic week.  It was a successful Tuesday night at the Zeta House, complete with everything a girl could want for valentines day- all her best friends!

........Oh and Pizza. 

ZLAM,

Erin Ball

PC ‘13

Just some of the goodies...

Zetas Unite at the 2014 Zeta Days

        Last weekend I went to Zeta days in El Paso with all of Exec. Zeta Days is a Zeta convention where all the chapters in Texas and alumni meet up in a different city every year and have a luncheon with tons of great food and awards. It was really cool to get to meet a bunch of different girls from other universities such as Baylor and TCU. I loved getting to hear about their schools and what they do in Zeta as well. The first day we got to El Paso, we had dinner with everyone. It was a taco bar, which everyone loved and for dessert we got ice cream sandwiches. After dinner we played a bunch of games and had competitions among the different province groups, which we definitely won. 

         

       The next day we had breakfast and then awards and lunch. It was a huge honor because we ended up winning the best GPA among all the Zeta chapters in Texas. I am so proud of our chapter and it was very special to receive that award. I hope to continue making our chapter better as the Academic Achievement Chair and hope to carry on the tradition of winning best GPA next year as well.

ZLAM

Aubrey Crenshaw
Scholastics

PC'12

Texas Zeta's fantastic Executive Council

        This year I volunteered to travel with our exec team to El Paso for Texas Zeta Days, I thought it'd be an excellent experience to give back to our chapter and see what it is that these girls do for us. I don't think I have ever traveled longer than I have been at my destination! But with the waiting at the airport and the plane rides it allowed us all to bond and catch up with one another since we constantly seem to be busy between our school schedules and studying, along with being involved in other organizations. 

         The first night we were welcomed with a nacho bar and an amazing musician, who may have sounded better than the actual performers. After dinner, the night concluded when all the chapters were introduced and split up between provinces where we had a fun competition of silly games--which I am a proud winner of the hula-hoop contest along with our Vice President, Christen May! As the games ended the dance party (ZLAM Jam) started giving us a blast from the past with songs like the Cha-cha Slide and the Cupid Shuffle!

         The next day is where I felt honored to be a part of such a great organization as I saw many women get recognized for their achievements and time spent with Zeta Tau Alpha, it really showed me that Zeta is forever. It was also special to see many chapters receive notice for their outstanding abilities, I am proud to say that we got noticed for having the best overall GPA!

         I am glad I got to be a part of the experience and celebrate our accomplishments of Zeta Tau Alpha in the great state of Texas! 

ZLAM,

Skyeler Saar
PC'12

Zeta Zuper Bowl Zunday

        Super Bowl Sunday. In the eyes of some men, the single best day of the year. In the eyes of a student taking a 19 hour semester, the perfect excuse for a study break. Dragging ourselves away from the library, about six of us showed up at the Sigma Chi house at about 5:35 for the watch party, only five minutes late which must have been a personal record. In the back of my mind, I thought for sure we’d be one of the first few people there, that most probably wouldn’t show up until halftime… My judgment was more than a little off. 

        For the first time walking into the house, there was no one waiting at the door with a welcoming smile on their face, no one in the foyer, not even a sole in the kitchen. The entry way to the living room was blocked so we went around the side hallway. On the far side of the living room was a screen the size of the whole wall, projecting the game in high definition. Over a hundred chairs of every sort were jammed together to get a good view. Collapsible chairs, desk chairs, rolling chairs, kitchen benches, oversized armchairs, everything sturdy enough to support a college kid was drafted for the cause. Sofas were stacked on tables to create a second level. It would take the house collapsing to pry a single pair of eyes from the screen. 

        I couldn’t help but laugh (and get shh-ed  by devoted fans in the process) at the sight. My family, while huge college football fans, had never made a big event out of the Superbowl, usually just turning it on to make up for the lack of college football following the end of the season. This was something else entirely. Kelsey and I took a seat on the pool table at the edge of the room. A dozen boxes of pizzas were being passed around the room and it was the first time I had ever seen so many college boys not even blink at the sight of food (or girls for that matter).

        Every time someone scored (or passed or ran or fumbled or even looked at the camera) a strange mix of groans and cheers rose up from the room. No one breathed until halftime, upon which half the room ran to be first in line for the bathroom and the other half searched for more pizza. This was the only time un-football related talk was acceptable, though I still got my fair share of “Who are you for?” questions thrown my way. Once the game continued all small talk ceased and the unrelenting focus resumed. 

        In a couple of months I know I won’t remember who played (Denver and Seattle), who won (Seattle), or by how much (43-8), but never again will I ever underestimate the combination of college and football. 

ZLAM <3

Lauren Woolfolk

PC'13