Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Second Semester, Twice the Fun

After the long hiatus of winter break, I know I’m not the only one who was more than ready to be back in Austin. While spending countless hours with my family was great, I couldn't wait to be reunited with my friends, even if it meant that I had to start doing my own laundry again (update: still haven’t done it). Not only was it going to be my birthday weekend, but it was also syllabus week, which promised very little homework and lots of fun with friends.
            As I walked into my first class, I was pumped to see that my fellow Zeta science nerds had already saved me a seat. We had made it through last semester alive, and were ready to take on the struggles of the new semester together. As the professor went over the syllabus, all was swell, until he began teaching new material and assigning homework. Quiet groans echoed throughout the lecture hall as students, including myself, were just now realizing that syllabus week had lied to us, yet again. Nevertheless, my friends and I took the nights by storm and made some memories that will last us a lifetime.
            I think its safe to say that at some point during our first week back, everyone: got lost going to class, shed a tear while looking at textbook prices, was genuinely confused about the new canoe statue on campus, and most importantly, was reunited with the cheesy heaven that is Roppolo’s Pizza. Looking forward, I am so excited to see what this semester brings, both in school and in Zeta. In addition, I am thrilled to be getting more involved on campus by joining the Roustabouts Dance Company here at UT as their newest member. Wishing all my zistas a happy, healthy, and memorable second semester. Let’s make this one count!
 
ZLAM,

Alex Brown PC ‘14


Monday, January 19, 2015

Meet Exec 2015

Name/Position: Regan Seckel, President
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Major: International Relations and Arabic
What you plan to do in your position for the coming semester? I’m most excited about the Strawberry Sessions we are setting up with all our members just to touch base and make sure that all voices are heard!
Have you ever met a famous person? If so, who and how? I've met all the Black Eyed Peas. In high school, my dance team was a part of the Super Bowl Halftime show in Dallas, and when they were exiting the field, Fergie told me I was pretty (but it may have just been because I screamed “you’re so pretty” at her...)
 What is your dream job? I want to work in humanitarian aid, particularly with initiatives that address women and girls’ literacy in the developing world. Ideally, I want to work for the Gates Foundation or the UN, but anywhere will do as long as I can fight for a cause I’m passionate about! 
If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? Sushi. Lots and lots of sushi. 





Name/Position: Brittany Beldon, Vice President
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Major: Business Honors, Finance
What do you plan to do in your position for the coming semester? I plan on creating and working with the greatest Program Council in order to better the chapter as a whole.
What is your biggest pet peeve? My biggest pet peeve is probably people that walk slowly and without a purpose.
If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?  If I had to eat one thing for the rest of my life it would be Macaroni and Cheese.
What has been your favorite Zeta moment? My favorite Zeta moment would have to be Bid Day as a New Member - there is truly nothing like running to the big white house on 28th and Nueces for the very first time, knowing it's now your home.





Name/Position: Lindsay Schiff, Scholastics 
Hometown: Northbrook, IL (suburb of Chicago) 
Major: Marketing 
What do you plan to do in your position the coming semester? This semester I'm trying to raise recognition of all the girls in our sorority that work extremely hard and remain focused on school. In the past we've recognized girls with 4.0's but achieving a 4.0 is very difficult and there are girls beyond the 4.0's that deserve recognition. So this year I'm starting zeta smarty pants of the month. If you win, you'll receive a nice pair of panties to reward you for you're hard work ;)! 
 If you could be any cartoon character, who would you be? If I could be any cartoon character it'd definitely be Lola bunny from space jam. She's athletic, beautiful, clever and well respected. I'd be lying if I said I haven't always wanted to be her I even dressed as her for Halloween this year! 
What is your biggest pet peeve? My biggest pet peeve is slow walkers on campus. 
If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? If I had to eat one thing for the rest of my life it would be chocolate. I've got the biggest sweet tooth! 



Name/Position: Erica Kitchin, Historian
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Major: Public Relations with Business Foundations Certificate
What do you plan to do in your position for the coming semester? I plan to create an awesome depiction of our chapter through all social media outlets! I'm excited to continue utilizing Instagram, Facebook and the blog to spotlight our members and show off all of the activities and events that go on in our chapter.  I'm looking forward to launching a brand new Tumblr to help showcase our chapter as well.  
If you could be any cartoon character, who would you be and why?
I was really into Winnie the Pooh growing up and I always wanted to be Tigger. One of my biggest glory moments was playing Tigger in a 5th grade school play and having my own solo. 
Have you ever met a famous person? If so, who and how? 
Jeremy Piven (I'm obsessed with Entourage) was driving behind me in a convertible this past summer. I waved super obnoxiously until he finally smiled at me. I tweeted him later that night but never got a response back :(.
If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? 
SALSA!!! I love every type of salsa that's out there







Name/Position: Erin Eberle, House Manager
Hometown: Plano, TX
Major: Social Work
What do you plan to do in your position for the coming semester? I plan on making the house managers tasks more up to date with technology. 
If you could be any cartoon character who would you be? Sponge bob square pants :)
If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life what would it be? CHEESE PIZZA.
 What is your dream job? My dream job is to be a kick butt lawyer. 




Name/Position: Erin Ball-VPIII Recruitment Captain
Hometown: Plano, TX
Major: Public Relations, and I want to double major in Finance (I apply in the spring so wish me luck *fingers crossed*)
What you plan to do in your position for the coming semester? I want every person who comes through Zeta’s doors during rush to feel cared about and important! I want people to appreciate the rush process and what it takes to bring together the most amazing pledge class!
Have you ever met a famous person? If so, who and how? My brother’s best friend is Chelsea Rogers, the wife of Randy from Randy Rogers Band. He is always so nice and hooks it up with backstage passes, don’t think I can watch a show from the audience anymore after seeing if from the side of the stage!! 
What has been your favorite Zeta moment? Without a doubt my favorite Zeta moment was during Round Up weekend when my sisters and I were decked out head-to-toe in ZTA and loving life at the best school in the world!
If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? My not so secret obsession is starburst…. and really any kind of candy for that matter. It’s the little kid inside me!





Name/Position: Mackenzie Benton: New Member Coordinator (VPII)
Hometown: Lampasas, TX
Major: Economics
What you plan to do in your position for the coming semester?
My assistants and I are planning lots of new and exciting things for the New Member Program-Fall 2015! My main goal is to ensure that PC'15 comes into Zeta feeling welcome and at home :).
If you could be any cartoon character, who would you be and why?
Bubbles from The Powerpuff Girls so I could save the world while rocking pigtails and wearing my favorite color (light blue).
If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Chips and queso with a Dr. Pepper to drink!!
What is your dream job?
Although not my intended career path, I would love to have a side job as a photographer one day. I have always loved photography and capturing happy moments and memories that last a lifetime. 







Name/Position: Brooke Winterhalder, Philanthropy Chair
Hometown: Manhattan Beach, CA
Major: Finance
What you plan to do in your position for the coming semester? Keep improving on our philanthropy event the Z Factor and continuing to spread Breast Cancer Awareness!
What is your biggest pet peeve? Grumpy people
What has been your favorite Zeta moment? My favorite Zeta moment was having a dance party during work week with everyone in the chapter.
Have you ever met a famous person? If so, who and how? I met Nick Jonas at the Teen Choice Awards and almost had a panic attack of excitement at 15.









Name/ Position: Hayley Onofrey, Standards Chair
Hometown: McKinney, TX
Major: Actuarial Science Major
What do you plan to do in your position over the coming semester? I plan to make sure our social events run smoothly without any risk. I also am planning on having speakers come in and talk about alcohol education and how girls should love their bodies. 
If you could be any cartoon character, who would you be and why? If I had to be a cartoon character, I would be Tweety Bird. Tweety Bird is so cute and fun
If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? If I had to eat one thing for the rest of my life, it would be lemon bars.
What is your biggest pet peeve? My biggest pet peeve is when people are in the right hand lane and aren't turning right on a red light. 








Name/Position: Amanda Atwell, Rituals
Hometown: Keller, TX
Major: Broadcast Journalism with a minor in Government
What you plan to do in your position for the coming semester? I really want to help build PC'14's love for our wonderful sisterhood by education them on everything ZTA stands for! I also would like to help further educate the chapter on why we do our rituals, and what about them makes us unique.
What has been your favorite Zeta moment? Getting my big! She tricked me into thinking she had decided not to get a little and completely led me to believe I had gotten someone else. On reveal when I turned around and it was her I freaked out!
If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? Mint chocolate chip ice cream without a doubt. Or Chipotle. Steak burrito bowls with extra smoked tabasco to be exact.
What is your dream job? Being a sideline reporter for ESPN, or a host for College Gameday!









Name/Position: Madi Donham, Executive Secretary 
Hometown: Rosenberg, TX
Major: Public Relations and Radio Television Film 
What you plan to do in your position for the coming semester? I plan to make everything from taking attendance to having attendance hearings as organized and effective as possible. 
If you could be any cartoon character, who would you be and why? Ariel from The Little Mermaid because she’s adventurous, silly and the best Disney princess.
If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? Pizza! 
What is your dream job? To work for a major fashion magazine in NYC.







Name/Position: Kelsey McGlamery, Panhellenic 
Hometown: Houston, TX
Major: Business
What do you plan to do in your position for the coming semester? I plan to communicate Panhellenic/other Fraternity or Sorority events to the chapter and try to increase chapter participation in them.
What is your favorite Zeta memory? My favorite *time period* in Zeta was freshman year first semester.
If you could eat one thing for the rest of your life what would it be? I would love to eat pizza for the rest of my life.
What is your biggest pet peeve? My biggest pet peeve is when people bite their nails and I can hear it.


Name/Position: Lauren Woolfolk, Treasurer
Hometown: Houston, TX
Major: Accounting & English
What is your dream job? My dream job would be to become a traveling author.
What is your biggest pet peeve? I really don’t like circular conversations; get to the point!
If you could eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? It would for sure be avocado omelets.





 ZLAM!
Kelsey Applebaum, PC '14






Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Christmas in New York

New York made me exhausted but in the best way possible. It was beyond cold. It was unimaginably crowded with people from all over the world. The only way I can describe the city is “different”. Each city block is unique. No two people are the same. That’s what made planning our trip both exhilarating and overwhelming. I had never been there before, but I had a long bucket list of things to accomplish while I was there.

I went with my boyfriend, Chad, and his family. Chad and I are museum buffs, so we made sure our first stop was the Natural History Museum in Roosevelt Park. We followed that with the Museum of Modern Art which was for some reason unbearably hot, or maybe it was the four layers and two pairs of socks I was wearing. Either way, we ate dinner on Broadway and grabbed some coffee for the subway ride home. 


The next few days were followed with adventures in Central Park, shopping on 5th and Madison Avenues, the Rockettes, and strolling Greenwich Village where we ate some “ok” Mexican food (definitely one thing Texas has on NY).  Overtime we visited Chinatown and had the most amazing rigatoni in Little Italy. We checked out the ice-skating and hot cider in Bryant Park. I begged everyone to make the trek to the world famous Dylan’s Candy Bar. The little kid in me was overjoyed when I realized it was three stories!  

One day we went to the financial district, which was an amazing sight to see. There, the 9-11 memorial stands, along with a beautiful view of Downtown Manhattan. It is both agonizing and mesmerizing to see how many names are inscribed on the two pools.From there, we walked the few short blocks to Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange and Trump Tower. People walk around in suits, and every trashcan is filled to the brim with empty coffee cups. We should take pride in knowing our stock traders are adequately caffeinated. Before seeing the musical Aladdin, we stuffed our faces at Carmine’s restaurant where we met up with Chad’s longtime family friends. The 7 of us split a monster desert which is fondly known as the “Titanic”… I’m seeing a theme here, food anyone?...

My favorite night of our trip was New Years Eve. Chad and I avoided the Times Square chaos and instead saw two of our favorite DJ’s play at Madison Square Garden. The crowd had so much energy. Guest rappers were showing up left and right. When the clock struck midnight, I can without a doubt say it was one of the happiest and most memorable nights of my life. People were in such great spirits. It was thrilling being among so many strangers who were all optimistic and ready for a new chapter. The music, the camaraderie….and oh yeah…the confetti…
On the last day, we decided to get in tune with our patriotic side and visit Liberty and Ellis Islands which had finally been restored from Hurricane Sandy. We boarded at Battery Park, and the ferry ride was one of the colder experiences of my life. It was worth it though. Lady Liberty is truly breathtaking. 215 stairs was a small price to pay for the views of the harbor you can see from the pedestal of the statue.


Everything they say about NY is true. It’s fun. It’s crazy. It’s dirty. It’s cold. It’s eye opening. But there is no other place like it! If you’re passionate about something, you can find it in the city. The thrilling part is the mix of people you can find in any one area. I sat next to a Scottish lady on the steps of the MoMA, and a Russian man taught me how to say hello on the subway. The cool part? They all knew what the Texas Longhorns were. I made sure to ask. Hook ‘em from NY!

Erin Ball PC '13


















Thursday, January 8, 2015

A New Year's Night with Zetas

“Why would you want to go back to Austin for New Year's Eve?” I foolishly asked my older brother, also a UT student, last year. Before coming to the University of Texas at Austin, I did not understand how he could possibly want to go spend time with his college friends when his high school friends and family were right here in Dallas. Well, now that I know for myself what it is like to be a UT student, I know that being home with nothing to do for 18 days is a long time. That’s how long I was at home in Dallas before venturing back to Austin for New Year's. Although being home and watching hours of Netflix each day has had its perks, it does not compare to the constant commotion that UT offers. Even though we all missed our own beds, our puppies, and our families over the past semester, I was not the only person ready for a taste of Austin again. So, for New Year's, three of my pledge sisters and I ventured to Austin to ring in the New Year with our new friends.
            Four girls piled into one car to drive 300 miles for one night. And what would a road trip be without some Starbucks? About halfway there we all started pining for some coffee, something to keep us warm for the freezing (not quite, but 40 degrees seemed pretty cold to us) weather. With approximately 600 Starbucks in Texas it would seem pretty easy to find one, but somehow the only one near us at the time was, unbeknownst to us, nestled inside of a Target. We detoured off the highway and searched the nearby shopping center for a Starbucks building, but we couldn't find one. After a few minutes of searching and feeling really oblivious, we finally discovered it in the Target and continued on our way.

            Every restaurant booked, every street packed on New Year’s Eve, we decided to make a delicious dinner of chips and guacamole, sautéed vegetables, and rice to avoid the crowd and to keep us full for the night. Because we avoided the hassle of going out, we got to spend time with each other within the comfort of Taylor’s apartment, as Tori sang and danced to the songs that beamed out of the TV. What better way to spend New Year's than with your Zistas, even if it involves cramming 11 girls into one apartment? At the end of the night, even though we all lost each other at our various New Year's events, we all ended up back at Taylor’s apartment, crammed on couches, floors, and air mattresses, but sleeping well nonetheless. I wouldn’t have wanted to start off 2015 with anyone else, and that’s when I discovered how strong the bond of sisterhood really is. 

ZLAM!
Anna Anderson