Just Julie: growing up

Linking up for "Sunday Social"- I've always loved a good survey! (Anyone remember the seemingly never-ending surveys back in the Xanga days?!)

1. What do you miss most about being a kid?
The endless possibilities for the future.
Playing "pretend" with friends and making up stories-- which I still love to do whenever I'm with little kids! Swinging as high as you could.
Also, I take back every time I didn't want to take a nap!

2. Did you have a nickname growing up? What was it?
My parents mostly just called me by my name. My dad had one nickname for me that I'd rather not share on here, but he also called me "Curler Top" when I had rollers in my hair, and "Miss Hollywood" whenever I had on sunglasses!

3. What was your favorite thing to do at recess?
In pre-school, we played a game called "Kissing Girl." All the girls chased the boys around the playground screaming "Kissing Girl!" and said we'd kiss the boys if we ever caught them. We never did, of course... and I don't blame them for running! Then I tried to play the game in kindergarten, and our teacher told me I wasn't allowed to chase the boys anymore. What a five-year-old rebel!

4. What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to find a way to be a kindergarten teacher, pediatrician, and writer at the same time, and I didn't understand why my mom told me that was impossible!

5. What was your favorite toy?
I loved my baby dolls. I had all the outfits, strollers, beds, etc., and played "mommy" to all of them. My favorite doll, Cindy, looked like a real baby... plenty of people had to take a second look when I brought her on our shopping trips!

6. What is the funniest thing you did as a kid that your parents still remind you about?
When I was two, I always left off the word "years" when telling people my age. So "two years old" sounded like "too old," usually said nonchalantly while quickly showing two fingers. I sounded two going on 22!

"From near or far, who really cares?
This bond of love, we'll always share.
So take my hand, and come with me,
sisters we will always be.
We're all different, yet we're all the same."

On Friday evening I battled over an hour of traffic after work to make it to Fort Worth for Tau Beta Sigma First Degree, the first ritual of the year that represents the journey a pledge class will take. It also serves as a reminder for the active members of what the sorority stands for and how they should live everyday. I missed the actual ritual and the big sister reveal, but arrived in time to see my family line and also the reveal of the big brothers.

The whole drive to Fort Worth, I was thinking about how weird it was that I was no longer a Beta, but instead driving from my grown-up job to visit many sweet girls I have grown so close to over the years, and also meet a group of 18 girls that have no idea who I am. After something is such a major part of your life for four years, it's strange not to be deeply involved in it anymore. This year I've been able to attend a few things and stay in close contact with many of the girls, but I know this will lead to a steady decline as I get older, busier with other things, and possibly even move away from DFW. Soon I will be like many of the Tau Beta Sigma alumni that don't know anyone in the chapter anymore, anything going on with the TCU band, or if their TBS family is still around. It's strange to think about, but I know it's the natural progression. And it still completely blows my mind how quickly four years in college and this sorority went by.

Even when I was an active member, it was always so interesting to me to think about and hear about the experiences of the Betas that came before us. Our chapter, Beta Delta, has been around for 54 years now, and there is so much sisterhood and history involved! It's always so neat to meet alumni and hear about what Tau Beta Sigma was like many years ago. I hope that in 20 years I can come to a meeting or write the chapter a letter and tell them my experiences in this wonderful organization.

I think I told this to the new Tau pledge class every year, and I definitely wrote it in the notes to the new members of my Pink! family line this year, but joining Tau Beta Sigma will be one of the best decisions they make while at TCU. It certainly was for me. Yes, it is a big time committment, and yes, there is drama involved, but I've discovered that there is always drama involved with anything in life...that's just how people are! The truth is, the amount of sisterhood, love, and memories I gained more than cancel out any negaitivty or drama that I experienced. I met my best friends and roommates in that organization, and came to love a group of talented, beautiful, fun girls that I will not soon forget. Not everyone sticks it out, whether they leave by their own choice or circumstances that take them away, but I wouldn't trade my experience for anything.

I love hearing about what Beta Delta has accomplished this year. Such a great group is already striving for new goals and doing more and more, and I know this organization will continue to flourish and promote music and servive. I am excited to hear about what's in store for this next generation of Betas.

I wish the 2011 Lucky Charms class a semester filled with personal discovery, a bond that cannot be broken, and memories they will cherish for years to come.

My Little posted something similar, but here are my own memories of TBS First Degrees for the past few years:

January 2007-- My first First Degree as a freshman at TCU. This is the Pink! family...so weird to think that I was the only person in this group still around during my senior year!

January 2008-- Me waiting to show my Little, Ashley,that I was her big sister! I was so excited and nervous, just praying that i was who she wanted as her big sister.

January 2008-- Giving Ash the biggest hug. I had prayed that I would bond with a girl in colorguard who could become my Little, and she was the perfect answer to my prayers. I love her as a true little sister, and she has become one of my best friends over the years.

January 2009-- Ashley waiting to show Kayla that she was her big sister! My turn to be a grandbig, or "grandma" and "granddaughter" as we soon came to call ourselves...before everyone else jumped on the bandwagon. : )