November 17, 1995: Phi Chi Theta & Finance Club trip to Chicago

Every semester, Phi Chi Theta would do a professional development activity.  This time, we were going to Chicago to see the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.     We dressed in our professional attire and went on a tour. This company traded stocks.  The job looked like it was high stress and very busy. Scott Gilbert said he couldn't do this job.    The traders wore different colored jackets and communicated with hand signals as to whether to buy or sell.    The guys who worked in the pit called it into their home offices.  

Then, we went on a tour of the Chicago Tribune.   About 80% of its income came from advertisement. They used 8,000 tons of paper a week.   

Scott, Kristi, Tammy, and I were roommates for the weekend.  I had dinner at Gino's East with Scott Gilbert, Kristie Bush, and Tammy Hubek.    Tammy and I walked around Water Tower Place.  We wanted to find out how Oprah Winfrey got to her condo on the top of the Ritz Carlton so we took the elevator to the 12th floor of the Ritz Carlton.     Tammy asked the security all about Oprah and he told us which restaurant she frequented.      Then, Tammy and I went to the comedy club, 'Second City' where James Belushi, John Candy, and Mike Myers got their start.

On Saturday, Tammy Hubek and I went to Ed Debeviks.  Our waiter was dressed like Elvis.  Tammy was having fun being sassy to the waiter.Then, Scott, Kristi, Tammy, and I took the subway to the Museum of Arts and Sciences.    Scott liked the funny mirrors at the museum.    We watched a Chinese Christmas program.   Tammy and I did a video in which we acted like we were in a rock band. It was quite funny.  
We all sat inside the fake airplane.     After the museum, we went back to Michigan Ave and watched the fireworks.
Then, Scott, Kristi, Tammy, and I went to Planet Hollywood to dinner. We stood in line for 1 1/2 hours.  

On Sunday, we walked over to the Sears Tower which cost us $5.50 each.   Scott was impressed at how I waved and snapped my fingers to hail a cab.  

I think we all had a good time on this trip.

November 13, 1995: Dozen Roses

My mom sent me a dozen roses in a pretty black vase for making it through Honor Court.    She won $125 in the check pool at work.   I asked Rose if she would be my roommate the next semester and she said yes. I was so glad I could move in with her and be off that 3rd floor in Harrison Hall, which was so noisy.

Rose was a nice lady, whom I thought I could get along with.

My current roommate, Dawn, knew that we did not get along and was going to ask me to move out or she would, but I beat her to it.  Dawn was not a housekeeper and I was more organized.   I think she had depression the first semester as she dropped classes and slept in late in the day, which threw off my schedule, too.    There were times when Dawn and I had a good laugh and enjoyed each other's company.  

November 11, 1995: Honor Court

Honor Court lasted from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.    It was a long day.     We had to take a test, presentations, interviews, etc.      I was so happy when it was announced that I became a full fledged member of Phi Chi Theta.   Nina Ganesh, Scott Gilbert, Kristie Bush, Tammy Hubek, Tamara Ohs, Melissa Brown, Mandy, Mary Beth, Mary Cisner and Lauren Hoekstra were some of the people in my pledge class. 

Nina asked me today if I wanted to be roommates next year and live off campus. I thought it was a great idea.   Nina and I helped each other walk across the icy parking lot.  We were like little old ladies.   We vowed to each other that when we got old, that we would still be there to help each other.   

November 9, 1995: Kelsey's Visit to WMU

My cousin Kelsey came to visit me at WMU. I gave her a tour around campus. She really liked our sports complex.  She brought me a cinnamon scented candle.     We went to dinner at Applebees on West Main.    She said she liked my dorm room.    It was really nice to have her come visit me.

November 4, 1995: Nina's Hometown

Nina and I took a spontaneous trip back to her hometown.     First, we stopped at Albion College to see her friend, Trisha, cheer in her last game.   After the game, Nina and I drove to her home in West Bloomfield Hills.   She drove me all around her area.    Her family was from India so they dressed in the beautiful clothing.  Her family was hilarious.  They were always joking around.      Nina's dad was a psychiatrist.    Met Nina's boyfriend, Steve, at TGIF Fridays.    It was very nice to see where she grew up.