Do you Know What Today is?????

Well, not yet but in a few hours it will be....well maybe a little LONGER than a few hours! I was born into Delta Land with 8 other beautiful ladies on April 20th! A day (or should I say night,,,,wait no it was daytime, heheheh) I will never forget! I remember it being a LONG night, and I was tired! TRULY TIRED! I haven't truly slept in what seemed like years, I was cranky, and I although I never EVER curse, I dropped the "F" bomb a few nights before.  Yup, the Christian girl said the "F" word. My number nine looked at me like I had 3 heads. "Pyramid Hemmingway, you NEVER EVER curse"...Then they all started laughing hysterically. I felt bad, but no other word could describe what I was feeling like at the very moment. I had to repent which I did, I NEVER EVER use profanity and couldn't believe such language was coming out of my mouth.

Ship A: Yup, Pyramid Hemmingway is cursing, so I know we must be crossing soon"

Ship B: Girl you sound funny even saying that word, like a White girl trying to act Black, I can tell cursing is not your forte" (Well I guess that's a good thing huh)?

I was tired, frustrated, HUNGRY, anxious, and just ready to get my life back. Little did I know in less than 48 hrs, my wish would be granted.



We crossed on a stormy night, I mean it was thunderstorm like I have never heard before. But it was beautiful and sunny when we had our coming out show." (some call it probate, but in all honesty a TRUE probate happens,,,,uhh...nevermind. I am sure if you were made prior to 1990, you are just as frustrated as I am when you hear the term, even though I was made AFTER 1990, go figure).  But yeah NO ONE had TRUE probate AFTER 1990.

Came home, called my boo to do a LONG HARD Oo-oop on the phone. Next called my now SOROR who wrote my letter of rec to serenade her with our beloved call as well. That night when I don't think I ever slept so good. I was SO tired, I ditched school the next day to stay in bed. My ship called me later the next day and was like HEY SHIP! It sounded soooo good! We were NO LONGER line sisters, because we were NO LONGER on-line! It was a beautiful thing. Since we haven't came out to the school, we had to keep it on the low low! So we left college campus far away to celebrate with my shippies, my prophytes!

I remember after we crossed how I went to get my hair did (Yes I did say Hair DID) mani pedi, and if I could afford it, I would have gotten a message. Lawd knows I needed one, but being a college student, one can't afford such luxuries.

Years later, we are older, wiser, prettier, with husbands, kids, and careers! I am so proud of all of my shippies accomplishments.

We celebrated our 10 year anniversary a few years ago in Vegas! HAD SO MUCH FUN! Didn't get to bed each night until 5 each morning. Up late talking about old times, laughing about our experiences, our mistakes, and even went through our Big Sister Greetings!  We had SO MUCH FUN!

If I had the chance would I do it all over again? In a heartbeat. Although at my young age not at THIS AGE no siree bob! One of my ships was older than the rest of us, in her 30's and I admire her SO MUCH now! Could not have been me! I would have just waited until I graduated and did alumnae chapter, but she was a straight soldier!

So Happy DELTAVERSARY SHIPPIES! I love my:

1 Captain Miss Gibraltar
3 V.I.P.
4 Deep Cover
5. Mid-Ship C.R.U.C.I.A.L.
6. Ricochet
7. VIPER
8. E.R.U.P.T.I.O.N.
9. Anchor Bullet-Proof.

And then there is little old me.... Deuce of the line, The Navigator of the line,  Da' Assassin.

DKN- Deltas Known As" D.S. 9mm, (M.I.L.L.I.M.E.T.E.R.)

Thanks to my prophytes for bringing us in,  D.S. Crimson C.H.A.O.S.,  D.S. M.A.F.I.A, and D.S. TimeBomb

I love you guys and can't wait to celebrate our year in Washington D.C. this summer at our 100th Convention.

It's that time of year again!!!!

CONGRATS! CONGRATS! CONGRATS!!!!!!

I have received TONS of emails from my viewers telling me that they crossed into DeltaLand, AKALand, AlphaLand, SigmaLand, and ZetaLand.

I promise I will respond to your emails individually, but I wanted to dedicate a post to ALL of those who crossed into GREEKLAND! To all my sorors, sistergreek friends, and greekfriends who are Fall '12, Spring '13, YOU.DID.IT! Take it all end, and enjoy this moment! I relive this moment every year on April 20th and even though I do, nothing compares to the day I crossed! Nothing compares to the Week, I crossed, the MONTH, the YEAR! It was an experience I will never forget and neither should you.

Also for some of you, be prepared for your life to change. You are not just representing yourself, but the organization. Hold them letters up PROUD! There are many that would LOVE to be in your shoes. Also and more importantly NEVER EVER forget how it felt to be on the "outside looking in." I know so many people that forget that once upon a time they were a prospect wishing, hoping, praying and as SOON as they get those three letter across their chest, they change.

DON'T change, stay true to who YOU ARE! Do not let the letters MAKE YOU!

I promise to respond to all of your exciting emails this weekend, personally welcoming you to GREEK LAND! Have fun for now, but be prepared to work!

Enjoy being a Neo, it was one of the best time in my life when I became Greek.

If First You Don't Succeed........

Brush yourself off and try again, you can dust it off and try again, try again!!!

When me and my ships came out on the GLORIOUS BEAUTIFUL day April 21st, This was the song we came out to. It was BLAZING real loud at the commons, a hang out college hot spot! Filled with a lot of people that was interested in who was "online"for Delta. Why did we choose this song? Many reasons! For one there were several of my shippies (line sisters) who tried again and again to make the Delta Line and they finally did. There were also some who tried submitted their application for Delta for MY line did not make it, and later was rocking pink and green from head to toe! There were some who didn't make my line but still wanted to be a Delta. So we felt this song was perfect in letting the yard know that if you first you don't succeed to just dry and try again.  For those of you that have never heard of this hot song made my Aaliyah, check it out below.

This week has been quite interesting! In the Greek World, BGLO Greeks and non-Greeks have been talking about the lawsuit against Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. From what is all over net, Two Young Ladies, Laurin Compton and Lauren Cofield is suing Howard University and Alpha Kappa Alpha because they felt their quite "Human Rights" were violated when they were not chosen for membership because they are legacies!  Now I have spoken about legacies before,  and how a lot of legacies feel "entitled" to become a member simply because their mom, stepmom, aunt, grandmother, etc are members.  I can't believe the mom wanted Alpha Chapter to "hold up" the pledge process until a decision was made, and her daughter was on the line. REALLY??? So you want to stall it out for the other 65 ladies who made line, so your ONE daughter can make line? Talk about selfish! Yeah I said it, just plain SELFISH!  Thankfully the chapter is still going thru their process, and in a few weeks, there will 65 brand new members of Alpha Kappa Alpha on the yard at Howard University.

Thankfully Delta Sigma Theta does not have "such a clause." In this case I can't figure out if it's the daughters who feel entitled or the mom. I say this after an interview with one of the moms and daughter discussed this in an interview this past weekend. Check it out for yourself. 


DC Breaking Local News Weather Sports FOX 5 WTTG

A lot of people have been weighing in on this topic. My take on it? Why can't these young ladies just wait until AFTER they graduate from Howard and pledge Alpha Kappa Alpha Alumnae Chapter?  I can understand that they are both seniors in college, but membership in these organizations are a lifetime commitment, so why not just wait and try again then? I get it, it's ALPHA CHAPTER, the chapter of ALL CHAPTERS, but still, your AKA is not going to be any bigger or smaller if you join an Alumnae chapter right?

My husband and I and a couple of friends of ours had this debate this past weekend. As I have stated before my hubby is an Alpha, his friend is ALSO and Alpha, my friends wife is an AKA. We all pledged undergrad chapters in orgs. We had another couple join in, one who is a Zeta from an Alumnae Chapter and her husband is interested in becoming Greek as well. We all shared our thoughts on this pending lawsuit and how ridiculous it is. I mean suing because you didn't get picked? REALLY?????  Our Zeta friend stated that although she doesn't agree with the lawsuit, she can understand the anger that these ladies have. She wanted desperately to join an undergraduate chapter she wasn't able to because of some "issues" she was having in the chapter. So I asked her if she felt any "different" because she pledge Grad/Alumni Chapter and she said she has. she doesn't feel the "Love" when she goes back to his school, and she tries to connect with them, and they won't allow it. After probing a bit more, I found out that she tried to be apart of the undergraduate process when they were having membership intake. HUH??? Now What Now? All of us just looked at her like she was crazy. So I told her, that maybe because it's not her chapter, and it could be possible that they felt she was trying to be a wannabe. I then said be PROUD of your process, and stop trying to create something that isn't there. Her response was she got it, and her husband broke it down for her on how that is NOT COOL! 

But I nevertheless, I understood her point which  was at the undergraduate level at college campus, you have "chapter traditions," and get to know the chapter members more since you are all on campus together, you get to bond more with the members, etc. He went on to say, with his process, it was more learning the info, and her and her LS's have lives, jobs, family, and other more important obligations other than spending the night at the club house to go over information.  So they only got together during sessions and that's it. She went on to say, it's not just pledging at the undergraduate level, but these ladies were trying to join ALPHA chapter. Their parents joined Alpha Chapter.

While I was listening to her, I understood her point. If my daughter tried to join MY chapter and got turned down, I would a little upset. (Especially since I am VERY active in my undergrad chapter till THIS day) however I would NEVER EVER, EVER EVER EVER EVER (In my Chris Rock voice) Sue Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. What does accomplish??? Absolutely nothing, AND it can hurt her chances of ever becoming a member in the future.

So to all of my followers, if you don't make it TRY AGAIN! And to you legacies??? Don't get sue the organization because you didn't get picked! That's just plain ridiculous and you will ALWAYS and FOREVER be known as THAT GIRL! I am sure Lauren, and Laurin are really going through a lot right now on the campus at Howard University. Thankfully they are both Seniors in College, and this will all be over for them in May after waking across that stage!

After watching this video from the Huffinton post, which I will post below I think these gentlemen (A representative from Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, and Omega Psi Phi) and this young lady (Alpha Kappa Alpha) got it right! It's just plain ridiculous!

It will be quite interesting how this all plays out! 

100 Years of Sisterhood!

We just made history being the FIRST Black Greek Organization to ever have our own personalize float and March in the e.Rose Bowl Parad Quite impressive huh? If you haven't heard about this, then you are living under a rock because it's been plastered all over the news EVERYWHERE! I had the liberty and the honor of watching this historic event happen, LIVE! My husband and I decided to celebrate the new years in Los Angeles, so we could witness history, while celebrating together. It was a beautiful experience to say the least! There was Crimson and Cream EVERYWHERE! I was so excited because I am finally able to test out my camera skills (My loving husband bought me a Canon T3i for Christmas, since I caught the photography bug) to take pictures of the event. We were there for Six GLORIOUS days, and I had so much fun running into old sorors, connecting with new ones, while celebrating the years of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

Registration ran smoothly, my sorors were all smiles and the people at the hotel treated us so nicely. After getting all settled in, I was ready to take LA by the horns and explore. Thankfully I was also able to visit my BFF from high school AS WELL AS my Mother and Daddy in-love (law) during this trip as well.

New Year’s Eve was OFF DA CHAIN! Sorors and their hubbies were everywhere. We not only took over the restaurant (where we had a New Year’s Party Celebration) but we took over the lobby as well. It was great to see SO many of my sisters doing the "Delta Wobble" Stepping in the name of Love and throwing up their pyramids proudly! As my loving husband and I danced the night away, I thought about my many blessings of how far has brought me so far in life, more than I could ever imagine. Right before it was time for the clock to strike twelve my husband and I made our way back up to our rooms. We have always made a tradition to start the New Year’s off on our knees, and this was no exception. After praying the New Year in, I couldn't help but my excitement about being able to witness history the very next day.

A few hours later,(4am to be exact) I found myself getting dressed in Delta Paraphernalia from head to toe as if I was a neophyte just crossing over into Delta Land. The only thing I have been shocked with in regards to Los Angeles was how COLD it was here. (Well I guess cold is relative since I am from Chicago-Il). Thankfully the night before, we ran to the nearest Target to purchase some heavy coats. Sitting outside in the stands in the cold is NO fun if you don't have jackets.

WE finally made it there, and after trying to figure out the parking frenzy we were well on our way. Finally found our seats, and BOY was there a lot of people out there. The last parade that I have seen with this many people was the Macy's parade in New York a few years ago. There were sorors, everywhere. I smiled, threw up my pyramid, and returned a lot of "oop-oop" as several of my sorors serenaded me as we made our way to our seats. It was beautiful thing. When the parade started I grew very anxious, and about 30 mins later, I could see them from a distance. My heart grew warm, and I brought out my Canon Camera hoping that I would be able to take awesome pictures. Here are a few pictures that captured my exciting day!

My Stages in Greek Life!!!!

There are MANY stages in Greek Life, and I would like to share mine! Although I go into GREAT detail in my journey to Greek Life at  http://blackgreeklife.blogspot.com/2009/07/black-greek-life-my-story.html I will break down the many stages I went through when becoming Greek.

Year One and Two Everything I owned was red/white! I was like a Wal-Mart Queen trying to find cute red/white tank tops, shirts, jackets, etc,,,and I would take them straight to our local Greek Embroidery store to get my line Name/Ship Name, Line Number, Crossing Date, Crossing Time, ect. put on there. Every single elephant I came across I HAD to have (after collecting my 22 as gifts FIRST, because that was a tradition in my chapter, you could NOT purchase any elephants until you receive 22 as gifts).

Always had to wear something with my letters, Oo-ooping was a MUST on the yard in-between classes, I had to add a class to my classload entitled - "Strolling/Strutting 101 which me and my sorors practiced every chance we got.  I never took a picture without throwing up the pyramid! Making up stepshow steps was a daily routine for me before bed in my dorm room mirror and walking to classes. If I wasn't busy at opera/theatre rehearsals, then I was at stepshow practice.

My line had the pressure of keeping up with the tradition of  our chapter winning the stepshow competition. Chapter meetings were one of the highlight of my weeks, and I was PROUD to be the president of my chapter! I also learned a lot being a member of NPHC local chapter. Traveling to other chapters/schools was INCREDIBLE especially if we went to colleges/universities where they did not have a chapter. We were treated like superstars!!!! Going to the mall, I always ran up to anyone who was wearing my letters to greet them, and exchange information.

I had three rooms FULL of Greek Paraphernalia, clothes, cups, napkins, hats, car decals, barbie, jewelery, you name it, I.HAD.IT! What can I say...I was going through the Neo-itist Stage!

Year Three - Five - Becoming a Life time member (Was a struggle at first to make that HUGE payment, but I knew it would eventually pay off (which is has).  I missed my undergrad experience/ better know as "The Yard." I had to become a grown up, which means no more stepshow/strolling practice till 3am. No more super stardom trips to universities! I had to get use to Grad Chapter and how different it was, hard work, dedication, no more parties! Occasionally I wore my paraphernalia but for the most part it's packed up in my "Greek Chest." My life went from Stepshow practice, strolling practice and Planning Greek Parties, to the COMPLETE opposite! I can finally walk into a store and see an elephant, smile, and keep it moving without having a the burning desire of "having to have it." Going to the Mall, if I see someone with my letters on, I may speak, I may not depending on my mood.....I don't have to run them over like I use to anymore. The only time I feel obligated is if I had on letters.....but even then before I put on any paraphernalia before stepping out of the house, I make the decision of if I want to speak or not. If not, I won't wear it.

Year Five - Ten   My house now only has a few elephants throughout, the rest of them are in storage. I became a member at large, but still volunteered and supported my local chapter. (The meeting times didn't fit my schedule). The only time I would wear any paraphernalia is if it was raining, I would grab my delta umbrella, or if I was going to a Greek Event like a stepshow. Wearing my letters weren't that important to me anymore, I knew I was Greek, and that's all that mattered. Going back to my chapter reunion was amazing, and I was still trying to get use to being called an "Old head, WHAT???" Realizing how times had changed while watching my new chapter members stroll to a song....Wow- Did we gyrate like that when WE were in the chapter? Still can go to a Union Party, but can't stroll as long as I use to....It's late (3am) ain't 'chall ready to go home? Yeah, after I said that, I realized, I am OFFICIALLY AN.OLD.HEAD.!

Ten Years and Beyond- After officially accepting being called "old head" I am proud of my new title! Re-joined an alumnae chapter, and was happy to leave my "member at large" status behind. Chapter meetings, planning, scholarship money, Diabetes walk, Cancer walk, Delta Gems, EMBODI, Jabberwock, is what my life consist of.  Wait I can't find my Paraphernalia T-Shirts, Crossing Jacket....It's packed away somewhere....Oh well, let me log online and see if I can purchase one and hopefully it will get here before next week Greek Picnic.

Going back to my chapter for reunions have a new meaning....."Naw baby, Ya'll can go ahead and do the stroll w/out me...I'm too busy taking pictures/video footage." (But deep inside I'm saying to myself,  this body, can't function the way it use to...and wait ya'll bout to do the duck walk??? Naw, I ain't doing that, not with THESE knees).

It's great to hear my name ....Oh wait you're Such and Such??? Wow- even though we just met, I have heard SO many stories about you when you were a member of the chapter. (Smiling and saying CHEESE, *inside chapter joke*) My husband went through the same thing...he recently went to his 40th Chapter Anniversary which happened to be during homecoming weekend. Him, his line brother, prophytes, his neos when he was dean of the line, and others that pledged him were sitting around reminiscing old times all decided to go the union party! I had to mention this because once they got there, they did an old school stroll one time around the party, sat down, and several of them FELL.ASLEEP at a union party! (How do you go to a party, where the music is blasting and FALL ASLEEP???  I DIED laughing and was like give it up boys,,,,you're not young'ns anymore!

Building a Greek name for myself in my graduate chapter, and feeling the love, passion, and dedication at different level in my new home chapter. I would rather spend my Saturdays getting up early to serve my community, organization, than spend my Saturday evenings at a Greek Party strolling, at Greek Sips. Hey what can I say, my bed time is no longer 4am, instead it's 9pm!



Cia for now!

I'm Greek and I'm Proud (Undergrad OR Grad)

So you just graduated from college, and for some reason or another you decided that the FIRST thing you want to do after graduation is find an alumni/alumnae chapter of Greek Phi Greek  to join in your local community. Okay, I get it, you couldn't pledge because the Deltas were suspended, the Alphas didn't have intake, Your campus didn't have Ques on the yard, OR you tried and tired and tried again, only to receive multiple rejections. So now you are you feel your best chance is to try and join grad chapter.

So I talked about this SOooooo many times before, but after going to homecoming a few weeks ago, I HAD To bring this up AGAIN to make myself perfectly clear! There is NOTHING wrong with joining an alumnae/alumni chapter, and you should NEVER use an alumnae/alumni chapter to join just so you can re-capture your college years during homecoming/reunions at your college/university. If you want MY opinion, if I pledged Delta at the Alumnae level, and I go back to my college for a reunion, then the only paraphernalia that EYE (and yes I spelled it that way on purpose) would be wearing is my school's paraphernalia. Why attend a reunion all decked out in Greek Wear and I didn't attend that particular school? Now I am not by no means saying this is law, but this is what EYE would do.

I was present at homecoming reunion, and it was painful to see how some people who OBVIOUSLY became Greek AFTER they left college how they were trying to "fit in", or re-capture their Greek Life experience (which was non-existence since they didn't pledge until AFTER they graduated) with the undergraduate chapters.

Case in point, BE PROUD WHERE YOU WERE MADE!!!!! Stop trying to fit in, and/or recapture your youth through the undergrad chapter. You ever heard of the term "Thirsty"? That's what you look like, and trust me it's not a good look! I was shaking my head to witness how some people are trying so hard to fit in with the undergrad chapter. Now I am not saying you can't speak, sing, or connect with them, I'm not saying that at ALL! But lets "think" about the definition of reunion which means "the reuniting of persons together after a separation." So how is forcing your way to "kick it" with a chapter you were NOT a member of, especially since the majority of the members who are planning the reunion, meaning the CURRENT members are planning everything?

Most chapters have their "own" special reunion "luncheon" during homecoming, and at my school for example, that's a time where we get to know each other better, we introduce our lineage, we have a stroll off competition between either lines, or decades, etc. Instead, I would suggest that if you attend your college reunion, that you take the time to REUNITE with the people you went to school with.

When your chapter has an anniversary, then that is the time for you join in together, wear your chapter shirt PROUDLY and reunite with your chapter fraternity brothers/sorors!

I guess that's all for now, be blessed!

Don't Quit Poem
by anonymous

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest! if you must; but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up, though the pace seems slow;
You might succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup.
And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out;
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt;
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit;
It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.