Game Day in ATX

The day was finally approaching! My long-awaited very first Texas football game as an official Longhorn had me unable to contain my excitement. Being an out-of-stater from Maryland, I had only been able to hear about game day and all the tailgates, seas of burnt orange, and fun I would be experiencing. It was one of the many reasons I chose The University of Texas at Austin in the first place, so I couldn't wait to finally cheer on our team against Rice University for myself! I prepared the night before, trying on more outfits than I'd like to admit, and taking my brand-new cowboy boots out of their Allen’s Boots box.

To start the day, I headed over to the ZTA house with some sisters so we could meet up with everyone and take the pictures that would eventually flood our Instagram feeds for the next 24 hours. Sporting our Texas Zeta face tattoos and burnt orange and white outfits, we walked hand-in-hand to the tailgates. I had so much fun meeting new people, enjoying the cookouts, and getting pumped up for the game. As I entered the stadium with my sisters, I was overwhelmed (in the best way) by what was all around me. Being in the student section, horns up in the air, was more fun than I could've imagined. Seeing new and familiar faces all with the same look of excitement as mine evoked a sense of pride in the stadium that I had never experienced before. Our team put up a fight and marked our territory, finishing strong with a win, 42-28!

The sense of spirit and community that I experienced as we all occupied those stands made me feel like I was now truly a part of not only the Longhorn family, but also my new ZTA family. I know game days will continue to be a reminder that I made the best decision of my life when I chose Texas and Zeta. Saturday is quickly becoming my new favorite day, and I cannot wait for the coming games!!


Hook ‘Em!
Lilliana Hatoum PC ‘15

New Members, More Fun!

Rolling out of bed at 9:30 to be at the ZTA house at 10, I didn’t know what to expect for the PC ’15 New Member Retreat. I didn’t even know where we were going, much less what to pack. Being a new member of anything is awkward and intimidating, but I can honestly say that I have never felt more welcomed than I have at Zeta. When we got to the house, we were surprised with personalized, hand-painted coolers filled with each of our favorite snacks and candy from some of the actives. We all raved over this until the buses pulled up and we filed in. I would share the details of the ridiculous conversations that took place on the bus, but I was one of the many who took advantage of the opportunity to nap on the way to Camp Champions. 

The first thing that we did when we got there, after putting our over-packed bags in our assigned cabins, was eat- because there’s not much that can top a day that has fries and lake time in it. Although giving up our phones was a little difficult, once we were in the water we completely forgot about them. We struggled with the blob, as most of us slipped off the sides before actually being blobbed, and couldn’t deny the laughter of the failures that happened with the rope swing. Once we were worn out from that and the slide, we floated in life jackets on the water or laid in the sun on the dock and talked about all of the interesting things that we didn’t yet know about each other. One could expect awkward ice breaker games and a separated group made up of smaller cliques to fill the rest of our day. Even though there were games, they weren’t awkward. In fact, it was the first time that I could really see the group as a whole as we mocked the roll call from Bring it On: All or Nothing with our own personal twists. 

I was pleasantly surprised to feel the true meaning of zlam earlier than I ever expected. Gathered in a large circle, sharing stories ranging from hilarious-yet-humiliating to the explanation of our where our deepest fears stem from, I knew that I would never have to feel alone on the forty-acres. Regardless of the bugs and lack of air conditioning, I absolutely loved painting ZTA letters, creating songs and skits about our sisterhood, and making s'mores. I had an incredible weekend with my sisters that I will never forget, and I am so excited to be a part of the newest Texas Zeta pledge class.

ZLAM,

Kaylyn Cole PC '15

Another First Day Done

As the excitement of bid day slowly dwindled down, not only every student in Greek life at UT, but every student from across campus set their alarms for an early Wednesday morning – the first day of the school year. As each student made their trek across campus to their first class of the year, the excitement and memories of summer slipped away and were replaced by the anticipation of the upcoming semester. Tailgate season, Austin City Limits, Texas/OU weekend, and even just cooler weather are a few of the many things all students have on their radar for the fall semester. A clean start to a new year and new classes readily refreshed everyone’s outlooks on the days ahead.

Going on my second year at the best university in the nation, I started my semester last week with just enough experience to know what I was doing but with plenty to still discover and to look forward to. I’m comfortable enough on campus now to walk around without that scared look and awkward hesitance of a freshman, and I can even head to class without pulling up the UT building map on my iPhone (barely). But I, just as probably everyone else, will say – there’s always something new to be learned and something new to be experienced at this school. The beauty of going to such a big university with so many opportunities is just that – even when you think you’ve done it all, there is still so much more room to grow.

Between Greek life, internships, on-campus clubs, student government, and much, much more, there is constantly something going on around Austin to keep us all busy. Before we know it, the leaves will change (or at least as much as they can here in Texas) and the school year will be well on its way, faster than we can believe. I think I speak on behalf of most students at Texas when I say that the 2015-2016 school year will bring about some of our most exciting, memorable experiences yet!

Kelly Bauman
PC '14

                                            

Bid Day Best Day!

On the glorious day of August 24^th, 2015, the Kappa Chapter at Zeta Tau Alpha was anxiously awaiting the arrival of our spectacular New Members. We had worked so hard to get the most amazing pledge class during recruitment, and we worked even harder to make sure they had a spectacular day. 

 

PC 14 arrived at the house bright and early, ready to set up the house with presents for the girls. We each brought baskets full of T-Shirts, stickers, necklaces, shorts, candy, and any Zeta gear we could find. We entered the chapter room only to find even MORE goodies and gear to put in our baskets. We made posters, gushed about the new pledge class, and of course, had a dance party to get us even more excited.

We stood out in the front yard with our crowns and sunflowers in hand, forming a tunnel, squealing & anxious to shower the girls with love. We couldn’t help but scream and cheer at the top of our lungs once we saw the new pledge class running towards the house.

After lots of picture-taking in front of the house and with Bevo, we all changed out of our sundresses and heels and into our festive bid day attire. We got decked out in face stickers, sharpie tattoos, glitter, and everything crowned, and dropped the babies off for a fun time at Punch Bowl Social. They went bowling, played shuffleboard, played darts, did karaoke and had an awesome time getting to know their new Zisters. Not to mention, have an awesome dinner!

 

The rest of the sorority was waiting patiently (or trying) for the moment when we would be able to take the new members back home and hang out with them. Everyone had an awesome bid day and I had the greatest time celebrating such a special day with the new members! We are so excited for all of the new additions to the Kappa Chapter and cannot wait to spoil them even more. Hello PC '15!!

ZLAM
Savanna Fields, PC '14

Rush Week Through the Eyes of a ZTA

It was finally that time of year.. RUSH WEEK! After months and months of anticipation and preparation, we were finally ready to welcome all of the potential new members (PNMs) to the Zeta house. We had spent so much time preparing our chants, getting our dance for philanthropy just right, and creating the magic of our skit that we couldn't wait to share them with the many girls going through recruitment! Everyone from sophomores to seniors was excited to welcome in our new pledge class, PC '15. We couldn’t wait to have sixty new sisters! 

During Rush Week, we all arrived at the house early each morning ready to greet the PNMs with a smile and a trademark Zeta hug. During Open House, we all matched in our khaki shorts and sneakers, and on Philanthropy, our house was jam packed with blush pink dresses. Skit night was especially entertaining, with all of the songs and funny costumes, and I loved to watch the PNMs' faces light up while getting a taste of the Zeta humor. Half of the time the cast couldn’t keep from cracking up mid scene! Our Preference night ceremony was held outside; it was a beautiful summer evening and we all enjoyed hearing the seniors share their favorite memories in Zeta. It was a special time to share our love for our sorority with the girls on their last day of recruitment, so preference night was a night sure to stick in many a Zeta's mind.

Looking back, I didn’t expect to enjoy Rush Week as much as I did. It was a wonderful opportunity to become even closer with my pledge class, as well as to meet older girls I had never talked to before. Greeting new PNMs each day was exciting, and wondering which ones we would soon welcome back to our house on Bid Day, and who our future sisters would be, kept the adrenaline pumping. Only 11 more months until Rush Week 2016! 

ZLAM

Jules Maxwell PC '14

Work Week at the Zeta House

As a sophomore coming into work week, I had no idea what to expect. What "work" would we be doing? Was I getting paid? Would there be food?
And to tell the truth, I was pleasantly surprised. With the help of our amazing rush team and advisors, we learned how to make the perfect door stack, sing all the awesome chants, and most importantly, how to make girls feel welcomed and loved at our house. And yes, there was definitely food. 

I was lucky enough to be a part of the dance that Zeta puts on for Philanthropy Day, and it was so cool getting to learn the dance that I once revered and watched in awe when I was going through recruitment. While we had dance practice, I got to watch our skit group practice as well, and let me tell you, they are hi-larious. Who knew that such sweet girls could truly capture the masculinity and brute of a Disney prince, or crab (shoutout to my homie Sebastian). 

Throughout the week, as you'd expect from Zeta, there were photo contests, a backyard cookout with our neighbors at Tri Delta, complete with a slip n slide, and later there was an adorable petting zoo, dance parties, and lots and lots of food (seriously boys, stop sending us Tiffs). There are no other people I would rather spend 8+ hours in a house with every day  than my fellow zetas. We now know that all of our hard work will pay off when we see the new PC '15 on our lawn on bid day. We are ready to welcome you to the Zeta House, because we really have been waiting for you ALL summer!

ZLAM,

Alex Brown
PC '14

Hong Kong Heaven

I know that almost everyone you talk to about their study abroad experience says that it was the greatest experience of their life. Unfortunately, I continue to fill this cliché when I say that my study abroad trip to Hong Kong was beyond anything I could have dreamed. Never have I cried harder than in my taxi cab on the way home from the airport!

My program involved studying Supply Chain Management through the McCombs School of Business at UT and the business school at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). My program didn’t just involve sitting in a classroom, however. I was able to get a hands on experience in the whole world of supply chain management by traveling to various areas around the United States and Asia and to follow the complete production of 4 different products in reverse, all thanks to Target.

We started at a local SuperTarget in Austin and then traveled to a Regional Distribution Center in Midlothian in May. While the members of the trip were still awkwardly getting to know each other, we anxiously awaited being reunited in San Pedro, California, where we would spend a weekend in June visiting ports and a Deconsolidator. We arrived at the airport at 3 PM on Monday, June 8^th, and awaited our flights in the wee hours of the morning. Anyone who was hungry squished into a small Mexican joint at the baggage claim of the international airport, since we couldn’t go through security until four hours before our flight boarded. It was incredibly disappointing that we had to stare at the beautiful airport California Pizza Kitchen and Pinkberry from afar.

 

I had never felt more nervous than when I was standing in line to board our plane. I looked at my friend and said to her, “Is it weird that I feel kind of terrified to go on this trip?” Her response was pretty on point when she responded, “No, but at least you’ve been to China before.” That statement is true, I had been to China when I was entering my junior year with 30 other members from my high school who took Chinese. I know what you’re thinking. Yes, I do speak Mandarin, and I have taken classes in it for 7 years.

Hong Kong welcomed us at 7 in the morning with 95 degree weather and 70% humidity. We had to lug our 100 lbs worth of baggage up a steep hill in this weather… for about half a mile. We stayed in dorms and prepared to adjust to the brutal time change post our 14 hour flight.

To say that Hong Kong is absolutely stunning is a complete understatement. It looks like we stepped into a Jurassic Park movie, but with skyscrapers. And without the dinosaurs, of course. We traveled to Macau by ferry for one night, where all 30 of us on this trip rented out the penthouse of the Venetian Hotel to bond after our sightseeing. For those of you who don’t know, Macau is similar to the Las Vegas of China. It was an incredibly unique experience to say the least.

We alternated taking classes in Supply Chain Management in Asia, which was taught by prestigious professors of CUHK, and Intro to Operations Management, which was taught by Dr. Michael Hasler and Dr. Guoming Lai of the McCombs School of Business. We had class everyday from about 9-1. The material was so fascinating and the professors were so stimulating, class time flew by and we were more than ready to spend the rest of the day exploring the wonderful city.

In lieu of making this blog post more like an essay, I’ll highlight some of the most wonderful adventures of my Hong Kong trip.

By far the most breathtaking experience in Hong Kong was climbing (well, going up a trolley and a bunch of escalators) to the highest part of Hong Kong, Victoria’s Peak, where we were able to get a 360 degree view of the whole city. I stood staring off into the buildings, greenery, and water in complete silence and awe. It was that moment when I realized how fortunate I was to be spending a month and a half in such a glorious city. We spent the rest of that night eating Bubba Gump from a window view at Victoria’s Peak and watched the incredible light show that causes the city to glow at night.

We spent one of the weekends in Beijing to explore some of the touristy sites. We traveled to the Forbidden City and Tian An Men Square, and of course, the Great Wall. I had been to Beijing before, but I hadn’t taken a chairlift up to the top or taken a slide on the way down. I felt so free and independent standing up there just looking out over one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It was also pretty cool to use the Mandarin Chinese that I learned there, since I wasn’t able to use it in Hong Kong.

We also spend part of our time in the southern part of China exploring factories that made the products we were following. It was so fascinating to get a first-hand look at a Chinese factory. My favorite factory was Hong Kong City Toys. It was crazy to see how dolls were made. I was also incredibly curious as to how they managed to put the hair on the dolls, so that was pretty mind-blowing if I’m being totally honest.

I could talk for hours or pages on end about the rewards of going on a study abroad trip, but I was thrilled that I was able to spend time in a place like Hong Kong. It was such a life altering experience having been involved in such a culture shock and being so far away from home, but I wouldn’t change any of it for the world. I created friendships and memories that I will forever hold near and dear to my heart. 

ZLAM,

Savanna Fields PC '14