Where My Journey Began

Those of you who know me know that amongst being crazy, lovable, a wife, a daughter, a mom to a crazy dog and cat, and hopefully a loyal friend, know that I am also a Kappa Kappa Gamma. It would be an understatement to say that I have an interesting Kappa story, but it is definitely interesting. And I owe Kappa, in part, for the changes that I've recently made...

I pledged Kappa at the University of Kansas (Go Jayhawks!). I left there and went back to my home state to attend Arizona State University (Go Sundevils... though I'm not nearly as obsessed with the Sundevils as I am the Jayhawks!). While at ASU I did get involved with the Kappa chapter, but never officially affiliated--just didn't understand the process AT ALL! So, after my sophomore year and some serious soul searching, I left ASU and went to Belmont University--a small school in Nashville, TN without a Kappa chapter.(The Horror!) I finished my last 2 years at Belmont, and managed to stay involved with the Greek system by meeting other Kappas who had transferred or even by serving as a Rho Chi(Recruitment Counselor) when the Panhellenic community needed some help. I love being part of something as special as the Panhellenic Community.

So, after college, I began my moves all around the country... To California, where I was a member of the local alumnae association. Then I moved to Jacksonville--wasn't there very long and didn't have much of an opportunity to get involved with Kappa as I was planning a wedding and was told I'd likely move again in a year. In the summer of 2004 we found ourselves, newly married, and in Atlanta, GA. I got involved with the Alumnae Association and then became an Adviser for the Kappa chapter at Emory University. (Richie was in law school there so it only made sense that I would spend time at Emory as well, right!) I absolutely adored my time with the women of Kappa at Emory. They spoiled me in so many ways, and because friends and sisters through the entire process.

When we moved to Nashville, I wasn't sure how I wanted to get involved with Kappa, but I knew I had to get involved... I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to attend Kappa's Leadership Academy. I can't tell you enough good things about this program! It truly inspires women to be better women and better leaders. What a great program for college aged women as well as alumna members of our organization!

That program, along with a recent doctor's visit where I found out I had high cholesterol, are what inspired me to go on my weight loss journey!!! The program is based on the following principles:

• Modeling the way
• Inspire a Shared Vision
• Challenging the Process
• Enable others to Act
• Encourage the Heart

So... MICEE(start singing the Mickey Mouse song... sort of... M-I-C-E-E... you'd probably have to be there!)

I had a wonderful group of 15 women and one leader... we were/are the blue group. This group helped me - gave me ideas to accomplish my vision, and were so encouraging to me...

So, I started this blog. I hoped in starting the blog that I would be able to "Model the way" for others on what I was doing... though not perfect all the time, I additionally hoped that my blog would "Inspire a Shared Vision". I also hoped that by holding myself accountable to this blog and other healthy options I would be "Challenging my own process" and making better decisions. I hope that my recipes and other ideas "Enable Others to Act", and I think that perhaps in reading my crazy rumblings, somehow it "Encourages the Heart"...

So, that's where it began. Thanks to the Blue Group and to Kappa Kappa Gamma for helping me achieve my goals!!! There's still a long way to go, but I'm getting there!!!

This is our group at the "Graduation Ceremony"

These are the alums in our group :-)