Stylish Blogger

I had no idea that the blogging community did cute little awards like this Stylish Blogger Award! Thank you to one of my sorority sisters and fellow blogger Alyssa at SocraTeas for my first blogging award!

Receiving this award, I am now required to share seven facts about myself and tag seven stylish bloggers to do the same! Here we go!

One.

What do mashed potatoes, chicken pot pie, and chocolate chip pancakes have in common?

They're my favorite foods.

Two.

I started my own business when I was 16. I taught myself how to make corsages, boutonnieres, and wedding bouquets, etc. I called it Simply Floral and the high school kids from around my hometown enjoyed my creations for their school dances. I love flowers and I wanted to go to school for floristry but I think I'm already developing arthritis so I don't think I would last too long in the field. 

Three.

I took a year off after graduating from high school. A lot of stuff was going on in my personal life at the time and I really didn't know what I wanted to do. I was really into, well, everything! I wanted to go to school for floristry, foreign languages, tourism, hospitality, business, botany, you name it, I wanted to do it at least once in my life. My year off helped me to figure out what I really want to do in my life, which is work in the broadcast and journalism fields.

Four. 

I have attended four different school districts, six schools, and have lived in more houses than I can count on my two hands...and probably my toes, too. I moved around a lot as a kid which I believe helped me in the long run. Because I was always changing schools and moving, I had to learn to adapt to new situations and make new friends quickly. The downside to that is I don't really get attached to people which usually causes problems in relationships.

Five.

I'm passionate about everything I do. Alpha Phi. Pageants. Habitat For Humanity. Journalism & Digital Media  major. I put 110% into these things and I won'd do something if I'm not passionate about it. 

(Too bad I'm not passionate about my core classes...they're bringing me down and my GPA with it. sigh. Be passionate about academics is at the top of the Fall 2011 To Do list.)

Six.

"Miss Independent" by Kelly Clarkson is my theme songs. 

Seven.

I have a super power. Finding a good deal. I'm a super shopper. 

No joke. I just bought a pair of $65 heels for $1.63. Brand new. I have no idea how I pulled that one off.

Never buy something for full price.

Seven Stylish Bloggers:

Amberlyn at Something Like Glamour

Super cute blog!

Brittany at Happy Brittany

She's Miss New Mexico USA 2011 and totally inspiring! 

Trisha at Live In Dreams

Tricia is a totally cool and chill..with awesome taste in music!

Abby at MISScellanea 

For all your Miss Ohio info! I'm Seriously obsessed with Abby's blog, lol

Pageant Qween at Pageants & Pearls

A blog for tips, tricks, and all things pageant related! Of course I would love it!

Frankie at The Ugly Truth

Frankie's blog is all about life ands its "ugly truths" that we all must face. Frankie is one of my first friends I made while at AU and I'm so happy that we're also APhi sisters <3

Amber at Wanna-Be-English Major

Amber and I go wayyy back to high school and we're now APhi sisters at AU. Right now shes doing the 30 Day Photo Challenge on her blog which is pretty awesome!

With Love,

Ashliegh

I am ready.

First and foremost, I want to thank the Richard G. Miller Memorial Foundation for providing a scholarship to cover my tuition for the Undergraduate Inter-Fratenity Institute. Without their financial support, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to take part in such a wonderful and empowering institute that believes in Greek life and all that it has to offer collegiate students. I feel so blessed to have been able to experience UIFI, learn the things I have learned, and meet the amazing individuals that I met.

While at UIFI, I learned so much about leadership and Greek life. I learned that leadership is not a title; rather it is the change and impact one can have as an individual. We learned education does not stop when one is initiated into their fraternity/sorority.

One of the big things that I personally took away from UIFI is living Alpha Phi's Ritual. There are two types of ritual. There is Ritual (notice the uppercase R) and there is ritual (notice lowercase R).

Ritual with the big R represents ceremonies, traditions, creeds, purposes, mottos, symbols, etc.
Ritual with the little R represents a daily activity (example: how and when you brush your teeth; your morning ritual, etc).

Our goal as members of the Greek society is to make Ritual our ritual (notice the uppercase and lowercase!?). Make the values that are listed in our creeds and ceremonies part of your daily life. LIVE your Ritual.

On the morning or evening of your initiation you receive membership for life into your fraternity/sorority, secrets, sisterhood, and responsibilities. During initiation you tell the world that they expect something different from you. They expect a higher standard. We leave behind the excuse that "everyone else is doing it."

Greek organizations purpose in this world is to allow its members to strive for excellence in values and character by having its members hold each other accountable for the others actions. But we can't live our Rituals if we don't know our Ritual.

1. Learn your Ritual. Take a look at your Ritual Book, Initiation Ceremony, Creed, or Purpose. Memorize a part of it. Reflect on it.

2. Live your Ritual. Apply what you learned to your life. Everyday. Hold yourself accountable to it.

3. Teach your Ritual. Teach your Ritual to another brother/sister. Teach it to your new members. Allow them to learn it and live it. Hold each other accountable.

4. Expect it. Expect your brothers/sisters to live your Ritual. Turn Ritual into ritual.

Alpha Phi values scholarship, service, sisterhood, character development, loyalty, and leadership. I promised my sorority to live by these values the day I signed my bid. Today, I rededicate myself to these values. Sisters, I challenge you to do the same.

Remember your Initiation? Why did you join your fraternity/sorority? How are you living your Ritual?

Reignite that passion you had for your fraternity/sorority when you received your bid. Live your Ritual.

With Love,
Ashliegh

Theta Tau Class; Chapter 6

Friends

Chad, Colin, and I

Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same 

I believe in my fraternity.

This evening at UIFI, our lead facilitator, Erin of Delta Gamma, asked a few of us to recite our sorority or fraternity's creed, purpose, or motto. That few, lead to the entire room of participants reciting creeds, purposes, mottos, etc.

At this session of UIFI, I am the only participant from the Alpha Phi sorority. I felt so empowered when I stood up and said "Hand to Hand. Heart to Heart. I believe in my fraternity. I believe in Alpha Phi." Just standing there in this small room overflowing with Greek leaders and hearing the passion in their voices as they say their creeds reignited the passion I have for Alpha Phi, my own chapter, and Greek Life.

Near the end of spring semester, I was feeling burnt out after all the drama, formal, and Greek week. Being here at UIFI has reminded me of why I chose Alpha Phi and why I chose to set myself to the higher standards of Greek Life.

Alpha Phi Creed

I believe in the friendships formed

in the springtime of my youth.

I believe in its high ideals

which lift me up beyond myself.

I believe in its earnest drive for good scholarship,

moral character, and genuine culture.

I believe in it as a shrine of

international sisterhood wherein

I may find love and loyalty,

sympathy and understanding inspiration

and opportunity.

I believe in it as a creator of good citizenship,

helping me to do my work well,

to live in harmony with others, and

to serve my country and to trust in God.

I believe in my Fraternity.

I believe in Alpha Phi.

- Annette Holt Hitchcock, Pi 1912

With Love,

Ashliegh

Day 2 UIFI

UIFI has been an incredible experience so far and I'm excited for what the next 3 days have in store. I am at the Alpha Xi Delta Sorority House at Indiana University with about 50 or so other Greeks from all over the country. There are a ton of Delta Gamma girls here (I guess their nationals sends one girl from each of their chapters to UIFI) and so many sororities and fraternities that I have never even heard of!

It feels great to be surrounded by so many people who have the share the same values and goals for their Greek Life experience to make the most out of it. In just the past 2 days we've learned so much about vision, character, values, and leadership and there is still 3 days left of things to learn.

I'm excited for all of the information and ideas that I'll be able to take back to the Epsilon Alpha chapter of Alpha Phi, Ashland University's Panhellenic and Interfraternity Councils, and the Ashland community.

With Love,
Ashliegh

-Never underestimate a person's ability to lead.-

Coming to you from Bloomington, Indiana...

Yesterday afternoon my parents picked me up from AU and we arrived in Indiana last night. Why am I in Indiana you ask? Well, I 'm here in Bloomington, Indiana because tomorrow starts the 5-day long Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute (UIFI).

UIFI brings together fraternity and sorority members from across the country for a 5-day hands on leadership training experience. It's pretty much what I would call "greek camp."

Last night we stayed at at motel which]seemed to appear as if it came straight from Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho." Bates Motel. Yep. Fortunately, despite the creepy factors that it had, we survived. 

Early this morning we traveled to Indianapolis to explore Indiana's capitol. Not a whole lot of exciting things going on. Looked just like Cleveland.

This afternoon we went to Indiana University to find the Alpha Xi Delta House which is where UIFI will be. While trying to find the house, we found the Alpha Phi House and the Phi Delta Theta House. All the houses on this campus are beautiful! Indiana University has about 30-40 Greek chapters.

 

With Love,
Ashliegh

Me.

Age: Almost 20!

Bed Size: one of those college beds..i think its a twin?

Chore you Hate: vacuuming.

Dogs: Scooby. I'm not a big fan of dogs...

Essential start of your day: Fiber One Bar!

Favourite Colour: Emerald Green, Black, and Red

Gold or Silver: Gold

Height: 5'5"! 

Instruments I play: flute, oboe, trumpet

Job Title: Student. WRDL Student Operations Manager. Student Caller.

Kids: None

Live: Ohio

Mom's name: Kim

Mom & I

Nickname: JARZi!

One of my Senior Pictures (compliments of Decia Beck)

Pet Peeve: people with no self-confidence.

Quote from a movie: "On Wednesdays we wear pink!" - Mean Girls

Right or left handed: Right

Siblings: 2 half sisters, 1 step sister, 2  half brothers

Time you wake up: 9 am

Underwear: Victoria's Secret!

Vegetables you dislike: celery. ugh.

What makes you run late: bad timing

X-rays you've had done: wrist. ankle.

Yummy food you make: peanut butter & jelly sandwiches. 

Zoo animal: OSTRICHES!!!!!!

They're not my favorite animal (that would be polar bears, dolphins, and white tigers) but I kinda have a thing for them. If you went to high school with me, you would understand. :p

And now you know some pointless fun facts about me! 

With Love,

Ashliegh

Botox & Pageants

Due to the recent events of a California mother injecting her 8-year-old daughter with botox, I have been asked more than usual if I participated in "Toddlers & Tiara" pageants as a child. The answer is no, I did not participate in "Toddler &Tiara"-like pageants. Personally, I am horrified that child glam pageants have gotten so out of hand and dislike the amount of bad publicity they give pageants in general.

Toddler's And Tiara's Pageants (Glam Pageants)

photo from here

I believe that pageants can be good for girls to compete in. I'm not talking about the "glam" pageants such as Toddlers &Tiara's that we see everyday on TV. I'm talking about the pageants that focus on the young girl's inner beauty and help her to develop confidence, self-worth, and esteem. These pageants, such as Cinderella International Scholarship Program,  National American Miss, American Co-Ed, and International Junior Miss and local festival pageants are focused on providing an outlet to develop these characteristics and provide scholarship opportunities.

Cinderella International Pageant (Natural Pageant)

photo from here

I started to compete in pageants when I was 15 years old. My two younger sisters started at 13. All three of us greatly enjoy competing in pageants and believe that they have helped us develop into the young women we are today.

At 15 I used to be incredibly shy. During the on-stage portion of my first pageant I froze up on stage. Through preparing for pageant competition, I developed skills such as public speaking. I transformed into the confident young woman that I am today.

The good things about pageants:
-develop self-confidence
-community involvement (many pageants focus on community service!)
-scholarship opportunities
-helps a young girl develop into a well-rounded young woman
-a great networking opportunity
-form friendships with girls all across the country
-develop public speaking skills
-a sense of self-worth
-interview skills!!

Am I supporting Botox mom? Absolutely not. An 8-Year-old does not need botox, cosmetic enhancement, or plastic surgery at that age. I'm all for pageants, but I'm not for "glam pageants." I believe they are doing opposite what pageants are meant to do. Pageants are meant to enhance a girls natural beauty from the inside, out.

What are your thoughts on the pageant matter?

With Love,
Ashliegh

P.S. Here is an awesome interview that the 700 Club did with Miss America 2009 Katie Stam. Enjoy!

Hello Summer! I've Missed You!

Summer 2011 is finally here and I'm pretty pumped up about it!

School let out for me on Wednesday and I've been rockin' shorts and tank tops ever since!

This summer I'll be attending the Undergraduate Inter-Fraternity Institute and Alpha Phi's Emerging Leader Institute. Both programs I am very excited to attend both of these leadership programs and learn valuable skills that I can bring back to help my chapter, my panhellenic and IFC councils, campus.

I'll also be working at Ashland University as a student caller for the month of May and as the Director of Publicity for the student radio station, 88.9 WRDL. I'm very excited for my job as Director of Publicity as I'll be doing valuable work with my broadcast communications major. Maybe this will help me land an internship next summer?!

Besides all of these great opportunities, I still have a lot of time to kill since I am staying on the beautiful (but boring) Ashland University campus. So I took it upon my list-making self to make, of course, a list of things to do this summer!

1. Visit another state. 

With the potential of visiting Indiana, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Oklahoma, and Illinois, why WOULDN'T this be on the list!

2. Get an awesome tan.

To go along with #3...

3. Get a rockin' bod and workout everyday.

My six pack abs are coming out

4. Read 10 books.

Catch up on that to-read list....first up, Sara Gruen's Water For Elephants.

5. Go to Cedar Point.

I'm a thrill junkie. Dragster and Millenium, FTW!

6. Karaoke.

7. Klepto Tuesdays 

it's an APhi thing...ahaha

8. Watch 15 Classic Movies
such as Singin' In The Rain, Breakfast at Tiffany's, The Godfather, Psycho, etc official list coming soon...

9. Go to Warped Tour.
...again!

10. prepare for pageant season.
My next pageant is July 16th and you can be sure I'll be using this summer to kick up my pageant preparation.

With Love,
Ashliegh

Things I've Learned

I have learned and changed so much in such a short amount of time since leaving my home and going off to college. There were good times, not so good times, and well, the just plain ugly times. Here are some things that I learned throughout this year.

1. Whenever something bad happens, I try to come away with a lesson from it. Learn from your mistakes, move on, and don't make that same mistake. I realize people make mistakes. People make a lot of mistakes, including me; but I'v learned you have to be ready for the consequences of those mistakes and be proactive in making sure you don't make the same mistake again and again.

2. The problem with being an overachiever, is that people will always expect you to over achieve and if you aren't for one moment, people become disappointed in you. Once people know what you are capable of, they expect you to be able to do everything.

3. Boys are stupid. Plain and simple. Sure, there's that one that isn't. But in general, boys are stupid and they aren't worth the stress or drama.

4. The best way to learn how to do something is to simply do it! Earlier this semester, I hated editing my videos because I did not know how to use the program we have called Avid. After many all-nighters in the Avid Lab I learned how to use the system and now I love editing!

5. Drama happens and people talk crap, but keep calm and carry on. I have gone through more drama in this one year of college than I ever had to put up with in high school. Two weeks after arriving on campus some girl was threatening to beat me up because I was becoming friends with a guy who she had liked. This semester, I went through hell and back. But you know what? IT DOESN'T MATTER!


6. I am capable of leading. In high school I never really had the chance to take on a leadership position in any of my activities. Now in college, I have a leadership position in Alpha Phi, Habitat for Humanity, 88.9 WRDL, and Alpha Lambda Delta. And you know what? I'm GOOD at leading! I'm learned that I'm not afraid to take an initiate to do or fix something. Something that was very different for me to experience this year was people followed me. I'm not talking creeping around bushes and stalking me kind of following. People followed me in a way that they watched what I was doing and trusted me to lead them the right way. It was just a really mind-blowing revelation for me to realize that I can be a leader and I am a leader.

With Love,
Ashliegh

Day 29

Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile.

I have so many pictures that cause me to smile when I look at them. A single picture can hold so many memories  and it seems, when you go back and look through that old photo album, you find yourself feeling the same emotions and feelings that you did when the picture was taken. Here are some favorites.

My Alpha Phi Family

Senior Homecoming '08

Habitat House from Spring Break 2011

Cody and I at Mr. University 2011 (don't ask questions.)

With Love,

Ashliegh

Day 28

Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of.

I am afraid to fall in love. To have that feeling of vulnerability, to be dependent on someone to be a consistency in one's life...it's scary. I'm an extremely independent and strong young woman and it's not that I don't want to fall in love. Because I do. But I need the security that they aren't going to go anywhere and they're willing to put up with my craziness, be patient, and take the time to break down the walls.

But I think most of all is when the walls fall, I'll break; maybe that's why I'm so afraid.  

With Love,

Ashliegh