I'm a sorority girl.

As you may know, I am a member of a women's service organization called Epsilon Sigma Alpha, or ESA. My mother is a member, and I want to be just like her when I grow up, so I joined about 4 years ago. Two years ago, I helped start a chapter in Albany, Omega Mu, of which I have been president for two years.

ESA offers women education, service and philanthropic opportunities, and, nicest of all, friendship. As a chapter, we get together twice a month. Three times a year, we meet with ladies from nearby communities for district meetings. We join our sisters from all around Oregon twice a year for meetings, and again for our annual convention, which is always fun. On an international level (there are chapters in hte US and Australia), we meet once a year for our International Council convention. I have only been to one IC convention- when it was in Seattle in 2007. Our state convention is this weekend in Portland.

I will guess that I am the youngest ESA member in Oregon. Most of the ladies I meet at meetings and conventions are old enough to be my mother or grandmother. They get so excited about having a younger member. While I wish that there were more younger members, I appreciate the old-school ways of some of the more senior sisters. I like that we get dressed up, no jeans. It's not a written rule... it's just how things are done. I like that we send cards in the mail to say congratulations, offer sympathy, or to just say hello. What I really like is the support and encouragement members give each other, and the laughter at out get-togethers. These (old) ladies can have a damned good time.

Convention is the time for the election and installation of new officers and presentation of awards. Traditionally, conventions are held in pretty swanky hotels, which I appreciate because if not for ESA conventions, I probably wouldn't stay in any place fancier than a Comfort Inn. We have a fancy banquet on Saturday night . We have a memorial service on Sunday for members and members' loved ones who have passed. Members can enter their handiwork into the Association of the Arts contest.

This year, I am running unopposed for State Workshop Chair. It will be my responsibility to plan and coordinate educational workshops at next year's convention. I am pretty excited, I think it sounds like a fun job. I am also excited because I will be installed as a state officer, which means I get to wear a formal dress- I haven't played dress-up since high school! Spencer will be escorting me, so he gets to dress up, too. We bought a tuxedo for him, he looks so handsome in it.

I also have entered three things into the Association of the Arts competition, and challenged my Omega Mu sisters to enter at least one item. I entered my prank phone call story, the photograph in the "8 things I like about Albany" post, and the green sweater which I still haven't finished. I certainly don't expect to win any awards- there are some talented crafty ladies that enter their wares, but I think it's important to participate.

So, since I will be participating this weekend, you can expect short updates and little creativity. I'll take a laptop, but I am not sure I can get photos from my camera onto it. I'll try.