And the Countdown Begins.....

This has been a busy week for me and just came back from his National Convention in Austin Texas. My National President was there, and was given the highest award by Alpha. As always my president represented Delta quite well, so charismatic, witty, and funny! Austin was HOT and HUMID, and I can't believe in less than EIGHT days I will be joining 50K sorors in DC. (Actually it just might be more than that).

I am EXCITED and NERVOUS at the same time. My loving husband will be joining me on this occasion. Originally I was going to go solo, until I realized it was during our Wedding Anniversary. Since we have been married, we have NEVER been separated on our special day, and I couldn't imagine not being with him. I was with him when he celebrated his Centennial with Alpha, and I would LOVE for him to be with me.

I already decided to pack someone light since I know I will spend a ton of money on Delta Paraphernalia, and Other Greek items for my friends.  Some feel that this is vacation for them, but not me. I am going to not only celebrate our 100th, BUT more importantly I am going to take care of Delta Business! I am also happy to report that I will be singing in the centennial choir. What an honor to share my voice with other sorors.

Some of you have emailed me and I promised to get back to you as soon as time allows. This summer has been an extreemly busy summer for me. I was named "Teacher of the Year" at my school, I was the Summer School Principal, Alpha Convention, Choral Director's Conference, Kappa Delta Pi Convention, Educational Leadership Conference, AND I had to plan a birthday Celebration for my Mom in Chicago a few weeks ago. (Which was a HUGE success and she was SO grateful how me and my siblings pulled it off).

So I will go back to the regular schedule program AFTER our national convention but in the meantime, I will TRY my best to post nightly about convention since some of you have asked. (That is if I am not TOO exhausted)

Many Blessings,

Ciao,

V

Celebrating 100 Years of Sisterhood, Scholarship, and Service

COUNTDOWN CLOCK WIDGETS

I can't believe it's ALMOST here! I can't contain my happiness, geekness, thrillness and everything else "ness" (Okay yes I am college educated and trust me, I know I just made up those words) but I am beyond happy about celebrating with my sorors this wonderful milestone.

I dreamed about this day after I crossed, ,,,,,,,,I prayed that I would be alive to see this day and God willing I will be. I can't wait to reconnect with my shippies (line sisters) my chapter (undergrad AND grad chapter) and connect with thousands, and thousands of sorors nation wise to celebrate this joyous occasion. I haven't felt this excited since I crossed Delta Land over a decade ago. At first I thought about pulling out old paraphernalia that I have stashed away, but then thought to myself, this is a PERFECT opportunity to shop and buy NEW things! So now I am on the hunt of buying a brand new suitcase, to fill with new goodies when we hit DC.

Our Centennial falls on me and my loving husband's anniversary, and as excited I am about attending, I REFUSE to spend our wedding anniversary without him. We made a vow we would NEVER spend two important holidays apart,,,,Christmas, and our Wedding Anniversary. Although he tried his best to convince me to just go and spend time with my sorors, I told him, NO, we made a vow and I am sticking to it. I love Delta, but it's no where near on the level of how much I love him. He didn't want me to feel guilty about attending all the Delta events, and leaving him behind, which is why he suggested that he stayed home. But I refused!  So this will be a wonderful vacation for us both. Although I think its sweet that he stated, we can spend our anniversary together, on the other 6 days that we are there, I can just spend with my sorors/ships and he will be just fine. (Oh how I love that man) With this being our 100th, I am sure there will be plenty of other greeks (especially HIS fraternity brothers, (Alpha) to keep him busy.

I have been planning for this financially for THREE years!  Yup Three years! (opened up a Delta Centennial Savings Account)  So glad I did because with the cost of registration, staying at the convention hotel, flight, and purchasing subscription event tickets such as the gala, stepshow, gospel fest, and social action, I would be broke, LOL!

The countdown is on, so for the next few posts, I will just be posting about my feelings, and my time in DC. After July we will return to the normal programming schedule and I will post about Greek Life in general but for the next month of so it will be ALL.ABOUT.DELTA!

Cia for now!

Do you Know What Today is?????

In a few hours it will be....My Deltaversary!!!!! 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 an "expletive" a few nights before.  Yup, the Christian girl said an "expletive" 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, 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 as Deltas to the school, we had to keep it on the low low! So we left college campus far away to celebrate with my shippies and 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, that  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! Many 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 letters 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! 

Happy New Year/100 Year Delta Celebration!

This New Year is starting with a bang! Seeing the float as I described in my previous post was breathtaking.  When my sorors were out of site, and as the parade continued, I kept thinking about how blessed I was to witness this joyous occasion. Although it was cold outside, my heart was warm seeing our beautiful well-crafted float coming down the street. It seemed as if we were not the only ones excited! My phone started ringing off the hook, and I received a lot of texts from sorors and my close sistergreeks (My AKA friends and Zeta Phi Beta friends) who were just as excited as we were. I will share a few:


AKA friend #1- (Text) OMG  I am sitting here watching you guys on television, I am so excited for you and your sorors. You guys are doing it big.

AKA friend #2- (Text) This is ____ my husband and I are watching the Rose Bowl Parade, and we just saw you guy's float. Simply beautiful.

AKA friend #3- Now you know I always throw shade at you regarding DST but not today girl, You guys are making history as you know it. So proud! (but you know Alllpha Kappa Alllpha is still the best sorority right, lol) Love you!

Zeta friend #1- Chile You can thank your sorors for setting the bar SO HIGH for us to follow in 2020...Being the first BGLO to March in the US biggest parade, being on the Today Show, Good Morning America and the other talk shows is a massive act to follow! Congrats my friend!

Prospect #1- I am so excited! My heart is beating so fast; I can't wait to become a Delta and wish I was one now to experience this with you, call me back when you can.

And that my dear friends are just a "taste" of voice mail msgs, texts and people inboxing me on facebook that I received that day. It was a beautiful experience. When the parade was over, it took us FOREVER to get out of there. It reminded me of when I use to go downtown Chicago for the 3rd of July Fireworks. There were people everywhere! When we got back to our truck, it took us literally almost 2 hours to get out of the parking lot! Even with that obstacle, nothing could have stolen my joy away at that moment. I was hoping I would get home in time to rest up for our Hollywood Gala that evening.

3 1/2 hours later, we finally arrived back at our hotel, and I only had an hour to get some rest before getting dressed for our gala! I was excited and could not wait to be in the same room with these fantastic guests, such as Ledisi, Faith Hill, A'ngela Winbush, some FIONE Blair Underwood. The Gala was hosted by the one and only Soror Sheryl Lee Ralph (The Actress from Moesha)

After waking up from my hour nap and getting all dolled up, I was finally ready to board the "Delta Bus" to Nokia.  A funny thing happened on the way there, As I got on the bus I look over and the soror sitting right next to me is soror "Suzzanne Douglas (Actress, How Stella Got Her Groove, Jason Lyrics, and Mother on Parenthood). She is stunning in person, and I must admit, I was a bit star-struck! My husband mentioned a day earlier that he was alone with her in the hotel and he kept going on, and on, and on about how beautiful she was.

The event was incredible, I connected with a lot of sorors, and I felt I had the BEST seats in the house. Instead, of me telling you all about the event, I will post a couple of pictures so you can see what a fantastic time I had! This was the BEST way to bring in the New Year! Enjoy!

Soror Suzanne Douglas...Isn't she GORGE??

                                                  Soror Sheryl Lee Ralph

Soror Sheryl Lee Ralph, and the FIONE Blair Underwood (PBS)

A'ngela Winbush

Wife and Hubby- Tim Reid (AphiA) and Soror Daphne Reid

                         Soror Reid and James Avery (Uncle Phi, Aunt Viv Fresh Prince of Bel Air)

The beautiful Songstress, Ledisi

Faith Evans

                             
                                           Actor and Activist Danny Glover
                            
                                   Sorors Kym Whitley and Kiki Shepard

                           
                                    Soror AJ Johnson (Baby Boy, School Daze)
                   
                           
                      National President Cynthia MA Butler McIntire Lighting the Torch!
               
                            

The Torch is Lit!

                       

                          
                                      The Wall of Fame: Where it ALL Began

We danced the night away. I had so much fun kicking it with sorors, doing the Woble and just networking with sorors. I was exhausted and sad that it was all coming to and end. I am so grateful I was able to experience this with my sorors and my darling husband. Just think this is just he beginning.....This is going to be an exciting year. I can feel it.

DST Being Featured in the Rose Bowl Parade

                                



We just made history being the FIRST Black Greek Organization ever to 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! There were 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.   I had so much fun running into familiar sorority sisters while connecting with new ones.

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,(4 am 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 a 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 excellent pictures. Here are a few images that captured my exciting day!