September 29, 1995: Waldos Bar

Nina Ganesh, Beth Lewis, Brooke, and I got ready to go to Waldos Bar to see some members of Phi Chi Theta.  We got 5 points for meeting an alumni member.  Carl Britton, Kimberly Richardson, Kevin Koshawski, and Rob Dombkowski were there.   I got a Zuma and 2 other drinks.      My stomach didn't feel good.   On our way out of Waldos, I couldn't walk straight.  It was weird being out of control.     Dawn and Tanya laughed because I was drunk and would never let me forget it.    It was another one of my college experiences.   

September 23, 1995: Molly Piersma

Molly Piersma and I went to Lincoln Park Elementary together, so I have known her quite a while.    She was going to Western Michigan University, too.   She called me and invited me to go to the whirlpool with she and her friend, Heather, who was in Intervarsity Christian Fellowship.     Heather was majoring in communications.    Heather said I shouldn't waste my energy worrying about careers, marriage, etc, and to use that energy towards correcting those worries.   She said 'God has a lot in store for you, if only you'll wait.'  Heather didn't like the valley dorms as they were so far from campus as well as noisy.  

September 22, 1995: Bowling with Phi Chi Theta

Went with Phi Chi Theta bowling at Holiday Lanes.  I got a score of 85.    My big brother, Kevin Lyman, was immature.    Everyone else was so friendly to me, but my big brother didn't try to get to know me.    Amy Reed said he's immature.   I liked hanging out with Lieschen. She was from Lansing. She was adopted at 6 months old by a white couple.  

My big brother stole my black book which made me upset.  I didn't realize they could steal your book and give you demerits.      

Amy Klopp invited me to her room for her 21st birthday bash.    I talked with my suite mate, Stefani.  She went to school with Beth Alkema.    She said Beth's new husband was possessive.  He pulled the hair of one of his old girlfriends.   Brian's father passed away on the day of their wedding. .  Beth really liked his father.  

September 20, 1995: Pop Can Drive

Nina and I went to the business college to meet everyone for our can drive.   The fraternity did this every year.    We made around $141 today.   I took pictures of everyone sorting cans and got a work hour for it.    We had lunch at Wendys and got to ride in the back of Kevin Koshawski's truck.  

Talked with our RA, Moi, from Malaysia.    She was a senior here at Western Michigan.    

One of Amy Klopp's friends, Harmony, came and got help with Accounting. Dawn, Harmony, and I watched the movie "Look Who's Talking' on TV.    Dawn then went to work at Target.   

September 16, 1995 Beth Alkema's Wedding

Today, I got my hair cut and colored at the Hair Port.    Afterwards, I visited Grandma Gonyo at her house.     Grandma made us a tuna fish sandwich and stewed tomatoes.

Grandma said Phil Young was going to Western this year.   She visited with Pauline and asked her who her boyfriend was in the poster.    It was a picture of Tom Selleck.    Pauline had alzheimers.  She could remember things way back, but not what she did a few minutes ago.     My Grandma Thomas had alzheimers, too.    Grandma was fixated on her cruises; whereas, Pauline, was fixated on men.  

Grandma Gonyo said you'll aways have to try and get along with people, even if they are inconsiderate.  She never went through that phase with being wild as a young person.    My mom never went through that, either.  Played cards with Grandma.  We played 'Kings in the Corner' and I was the grand champion.  She was leaving for Florida around October 18th.   

I visited Donna Bailey, Lurlean Martin, and Kathy Parker at Plumbs.  I told them about Phi Chi Theta.     I used to work in the deli at Plumbs in high school.    Donna Bailey, Joyce Houseman, and Kathy Parker worked in the bakery.  Lurlean Martin was a cashier.    

Mom and I went to Beth Alkema's wedding to Brian Short.     She was a beautiful bride. The ceremony was at Calvin Christian Reformed Church.  She and Brian were going up north for their honeymoon.    I really didn't want to get married until I had my education completed and my career started.  

September 11, 1995: First Interview with Phi Chi Theta

Today, I had my first interview with an active member of Phi Chi Theta.  I was so nervous.    He said I did an above average job. I was so happy.   

Tonight, the same kids were fooling around in the halls of my dorm.  I called my RA to complain.    I was about ready to move to a different dorm, as this floor was so loud.     I had many nights where I would cry because I wanted to be in a quiet dorm and study, as that was the purpose of me going to college.  

September 10, 1995: Induction into Phi Chi Theta

Today, I went to my induction ceremony for Phi Chi Theta.  I had a "big brother", Kevin Lyman.   We got our pictures taken and had to wear them everyday during our pledging.   We had to memorize the creed, flower, purpose, founding data, and do 32 interviews by the end of the semester.    We also had to make a black pledge book and carry it around with us at all times.    If a member saw us, they would ask us for our black books to sign. We got points for each person who signed it, for the activities we participated in, etc.    

We had to dress in professional suits for the Sunday night meetings and conduct them like a meeting in the business world.  This was a great way to learn about the business field, too.

September 8, 1995: Invitation to Phi Chi Theta

I was so happy when I found out that I got an invitation into Phi Chi Theta.    I knew I had to pledge before I was considered an active member, which included passing some tests and doing interviews with the members.      Also, I was involved in Intervarsity Christian Fellowship.  Both God and my career were important to me.


My roommate, Dawn, left for the weekend for a required camping trip for her environmental class.      I felt lonely tonight without some of my friends around.     I was getting mad at my suite mates constantly slamming their door.    I didn't like the weekends here as it was so noisy.  The kids acted so wild. I was not used to this behavior, as I grew up as an only child.    


Charlene sent me an email and said she was glad I got into the business fraternity and that I was in Intervarsity Christian Fellowship.   She said I had a good head on my shoulders.  That sure made my day.   

September 7, 1995: Carrot Top

Nina and I went to Balboa's pizza to make our impression and interest in Phi Chi Theta.    We met some more of the members.    Then, in the evening,  we went to Miller Auditorium to see Carrot Top, who was a comedian.   He had red, curly hair, and was really good at imitating different movie stars.

September 6, 1995: Miniature Golf with Phi Chi Theta

During the week of rush for the fraternities and sororities,  the perspective members get to know the members by attending activities.    Nina Ganesh asked me if I wanted to check out this co-ed business fraternity called Phi Chi Theta.      I wasn't sure at first, but figured why not check it out.    We went to the informational meeting the night before.   It would cost us $110 for the first semester and $100 for the other semesters to be a member.

We went with the group to miniature golfing.    It didn't cost us anything to go. I won the miniature golf game with my group. They all complimented me on my golfing skills.    I thought this group would give me the connections into the business world, as well as a way to meet new people.

I was going to find out tomorrow if they accepted me into the pledge class.