Well I really didn't "get-away" this weekend. But I did go to my racquet club's cocktail party and boy I forgot just how beautiful Fells Brook was. It was amazing hanging out with friends that were old as family and just having a relaxing time before heading back to school. Check out the pictures below of my beloved Fells Brook.

            As the week of recruitment wound down, I began to be faced with what chapter I would eventually call home. I was looking for a place where I knew I would belong, not just because they wanted me, or because their name was known as top tier, but because I connected with the sisters on a personal level and I could see myself being friends with the girls.
            When I looked back on the chapters I met with, only one stood out to me as one where I had real, legitimate connections. There was only one house where I felt at ease and where everything just seemed to click.

            I had heard some negative things about the chapter. Which is true for every chapter. No sorority has a 100% positive reputation and I made the choice to not believe the hype, but rather, trust my instinct and pick the house where I didn’t have to pretend to be something that I’m not.

            Two years later, I cannot imagine picking another sorority. Infact, I’ve had dreams where I had to pick again, given all the choices, I still picked my chapter because it is where I feel most comfortable.

            As you go through recruitment, try to find the place where you can be yourself, where you don’t feel judged. Don’t listen to what other people are saying, don’t listen to negative comments about any sorority. Try it out for yourself and remember, trust your gut.

Sometimes I don't get to read as much as I'd like to. Summer break is a great time to read. While I may be headed back to school, most of y'all still have a month left--just enough time to read some of these books.

I always love learning more about personal style, especially on a budget, which is why I turned to How to Look Expensive. Talk about knowing everything you could want to know. From best haircuts on a budget to wardrobe essentials, this book is it.
The Financial Lives of the Poets is one of those amazing books where you get inside the character's head, and you see how someone's life could easily be turned upside down. It also showed me that even when you think your life is over, it really isn't.
How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia was one of those books that was everywhere earlier this summer, and believe me it deserves the hype. I read this book in one day because it was just that amazing. Outlining lives in Asia and the effort they must go through to change their circumstances not only tells an amazing story but also gives insight into that part of the world.
I don't know about y'all...but I've never done hard drugs. And I don't really plan on it. However the Portrait of an Addict as a Young Man tells of how one man, in New York City begins smoking crack and how he maintained his everyday life until one day, he couldn't anymore. This is a memoir, which makes the tale even more shocking.
I've been on a classics kick lately, reading books I should've read in class or I just happened to miss. Slaughterhouse-Five is one of those books and I cannot recommend it more simply because its one of those books you just have to read in your life.
Finally, I love movies that are nostalgic for older times (I'm looking at you Dazed and Confused) and the time period that the Virgin Suicides is set in is just lovely. I fell in love with Sofia Coppola's movie so I thought I best read the book. Boy I was right, this book is now one of my favorites.

Any of these books can be read in a month, so what are you waiting for? Go out there are read!

Sorry y'all. I really have been trying to post like normal but my wifi/ all my cable isn't working right now. As soon as I get it back I'll post as usual. Worst comes to worst, I'll go to Starbucks tomorrow to post. Love y'all!

It Clueless' 18th birthday and if Cher and the gang threw a birthday party, you might see some unexpected guests at the festivities; economists. Really? Economists like Cher Horowitz? What?
Is it because most of them are "virgins who can't drive?" Or do they like Cher's happy-go-lucky outlook on life?

Actually it's neither. They love what Cher does throughout the movie. She's a matchmaker, implementing a super-challenging theory to work out her pairings. Bet you didn't know that. Clueless implements Game Theory for the work that Cher Horowitz does. I really don't know how to describe Game Theory--it involves planning and anticipating your opponents moves/choices and making your own based on theirs---but its used in statistics, economics and political science. 

Another classic that uses Game Theory? Emma by Jane Austen, the novel that Clueless is based on. Jane Austen is the grandmother of this theory and she even implements it in Pride and Prejudice through Mrs. Bennet.

How cool is that? There is more of Cher to love and there's also a little bit to learn. Who would've thought? 
To learn more about it, check out the Freakonomics Podcast (transcript available) who explains the cool phenomenon in great detail. You can listen to the podcast below!

For the month of July, the book club was going to be reading Victory Lab by Sasha Issenberg. This is typically known as the modern Bible in political campaign. I was so eager to read Victory Lab because I am working on campaigns right now and I want to learn more about the business of it.

Victory Lab is definitely only for those politically inclined. It was interesting to read but I could easily see how readers who really don't care about the campaigns would be bored within the first couple of pages. I had studied a lot of the people discussed in the book in my Political Science classes so...okay I confess, I was bored with Victory Lab as well.
I was totally hoping to just eat it up but no. It was dry--and I like Political Science.

Have any of y'all read Victory Lab? What did y'all think?

For the next Pearls and Political Science Book Club we are going to be reading:

Smart Women Finish Rich by David Bach. 
Financial independence is something that means a lot to me, and let's be honest, i'm not the most financially responsible. Let's work on improving that together!

With all the stress of recruitment, its hard to remember what you must have with you between rounds. If you are an active or a PNM here is what you should grab when you have a free moment.

First- Dove Body Spray. It is hot and gross. You need to smell good. No matter what. Even if you don't think you smell. You might. So don't go over board. Especially when they say don't wear perfume. A couple spritzes in the morning and you are golden. Typically I use perfumes like CLEAN but Dove actually stays on all day--what a concept!

Second- Secret Clinical Strength. This is a duh. No embarrassing sweat-marks to worry about. And no that smell isn't you. Win-Win.

Third-With the heat, you may be tempted to use make up removing wipes, but that totally defeats the purpose of the time you spent on your makeup at the crack of dawn. Oil blotting wipes will save you from the shiny look and the drama

Fourth- A nice re-application of mascara, mid-day, will make you appear fresh--faced. I choose a pharmacy brand for my kit because if it goes missing between rounds I won't be heartbroken or out some serious (okay serious-ish) money.

Fifth-A comb/brush/thing to put to your head. Hair is weird and never perfect. Fix yourself and make sure you look the part by giving your hair a little bit of a brush between round.

Here's something quick and sweet. My music obsessions for July 2013

I don't care who you talk to. Recruitment is hard. For PNMs, Actives, Panhellenic Delegates, Advisors, Rho Gammas (rush guides), moms, boyfriends. It is hard for everyone. From nerves the first few days, disappointments that threaten to end your sanity to the lack of sleep for several weeks, it is hard to stay sane during the week before and during Recruitment. After a year on both sides, I'm going to offer some advice

Actives
Ladies get your game faces on. You can do this. You go first for the advice because a) you are probably leaving soonish and b) work week+ recruitment = rough

Here we go:
Move in day, make sure you take priority. Put your recruitment clothes and work week clothes away. Make your bed. Unpack your makeup. Find your underwear. This is all you need to survive. Don't worry about making your room a Srat Castle. You can do this when you have time.
Set alarms. Set many alarms. Keep lists. Staying organized is the key to not forgetting your pin or something the day of.
Drink a ton of water. It is hot this time of year. It is good for your complexion. What's not to love?
Be compassionate. Is your sister acting crazy? Maybe but consider the fact that she is on matching, has been given way to many responsibilities and just try to be nice.
If you cry- it is okay. Most people do. You aren't a freak. This is a challenging time. Just breathe, read a book, watch a tv show. Breathe. You can survive these two weeks.

PNMs
Wow you are in college! Going through recruitment! Good for you. This is going to be an amazing and unique experience. The next week of so will fly by and that's okay. It's okay to become overwhelmed. It.Is.Okay.
Tips
Try to sleep before the first night (easier said than done).
If you spill your drink don't worry, no one is going to hold is against you (promise).
Do not discuss your choices with people. Keep it to yourself because this is your own personal journey. You are not the person next to you and if they are trying to compare with you, remember its apples and oranges and its hard to compare two different things.
Keep an open mind in every house. You are not even a college freshman. You are not better than anyone else on campus. Sorry. 
If you are totally crushed by not getting a house you want on a day. Do not stop going through. So many girls want to drop out after they don't get a house, but honestly trust the system (I know, I know). It works. Promise.
Do not believe actives who say "See you tomorrow", "I want you to be my little" or "You are going to love being in our sorority" etc. They have no control over their promises. Treat it like a UFO sighting.
If you don't get what you want on Bid Day. This sucks but happens. It's okay to be heartbroken but remember a chapter wants you and is excited to have you. Go and try it out for a couple of weeks. It won't kill you and hey, maybe you will love it.
If you cry- it is okay. Most people do/ will. You aren't a freak. This is a challenging time. Just breathe, read a book, watch a tv show. Breathe.

Ladies. These are challenging weeks ahead. I am 100% confident that we can all make it through in one piece. I will try to update as much as I can once I get to school and in the thick of it, but I will also be dedicating my time to staying sane. Taking deep breaths, reading books, thinking about what I am doing and how in a couple of weeks, this will be all behind me. So get some sleep, relax, and drop me a comment. How do you stay sane during recruitment times ladies?

Phew! That was a long post. I'm enjoying this Greek Week and all that it is, but I just thought I'd catch up with y'all about what I'm up to. It's finally cooled off here so the heat isn't crazy obsessive and while there may be a month left of summer, for me, it's not that long until I go back to school. I've been packing, making Target runs and trying to spend some time with friends before I go back. Weeks like these can get a little hectic and I just hope y'all are well and are enjoying this week. Embrace whatever is being thrown at you and remember, you can do anything for a little while.