The Truth About How I got to UT...

I don't really watch pageants, but I like to see the recaps and who won. This year's Miss America reminded me of a little fragment of my life that I rarely speak of. The girl who won this year happened to be an alum of the same sorority as myself-Pi Beta Phi, so my Facebook, naturally, was flooded with a bunch of status updates from sisters congratulating her on her win-blah, blah, blah...And then I saw it-the chapter she pledged: Alabama Gamma. It was then that I realized I haven't been 100% honest about my college career.  You see, that was the same chapter that I pledged...at AUBURN!!!!

What?!?! The UT obsessed chick actually didn't always go to UT?!

It's true I spent my first semester of college at AU. Let me give you a minute to breathe and calm down...Better? Ok. I'll explain...

I had gone on many college visits during my junior and senior years of high school. Some schools I liked, some made me cringe, and I narrowed it down to two: Auburn and Tennessee. Growing up in Nashville, I knew that there would be plenty of familiar faces at Tennessee as well as a teeny scholarship for I don't know what and some instate tuition. I also had a cousin that went to Auburn and I went down and spent a weekend with her on her sorority floor-which happened to be Pi Phi. The parties were fun and we went shopping in Atlanta-which was a little over an hour away. The only issue I had was that the school was in the middle of NOWHERE! So, I debated, thought about it, and couldn't make up my mind. Until...

The Night of the Big Decision...Cute Spray Tan...

Picture it: Sprink Break 2005. Panama City. Foam Party. 

I was 18 and drunkenly talking to a group of guys from Auburn about my college/life decisions, because the best forum for discussing life altering plans is a foam party and drunk frat guys make great guidance counselors. At some point, I stepped into the bathroom and called my mother, letting her know the decision had been made. Yelling over 50 Cent and toilets flushing, I told her I was going to Auburn.

Fast forward to Orientation, or as they called it, "Camp War Eagle." After the first hour had passed, I realized I made a big mistake. This place was just not the right fit for me. It got worse when I got there.  There was nothing around the campus except farms and I couldn't see myself living there for the next four years. Now, I'm not trying to bash AU. The entire time I was there, I didn't meet a single person I didn't like and I really did enjoy my sorority.

I managed to have some fun while I was there...

But, outside of the frat parties and campus activities, there was really nothing to do! If there wasn't a home football game on a particular weekend, everyone left town! I knew after a few weeks that I had to transfer. I had visited my friends at UT and saw that there was life outside of campus! There was a city with bars and clubs and an actual mall! I loved the fact that the mountains were so close because I love hiking! Nashville has some great universities as well, but I really didn't want to finish school at home, so I chose Knoxville as my new home!

I spent a full four years at the University of Tennessee (thanks to basically losing a semester at AU) and loved every minute of it! I affiliated with Pi Phi and because a sister there as well!

UT @ FL Tailgate! We lost, but I still had a blast!

Out on The Strip, where all of the college bars live...

I should really share some of the tales of the apartment we rented our sophomore year! It was a hot, festive mess! Maybe a future post?

E went to Tech, which was 1 1/2 hrs away, but always had a place on our couch!

Beautiful...

The Sunrise from the condo I lived in Junior/Senior year on the Tennessee River...

And now the truth is out, thanks to Miss America reminding me of how I learned this valuable lesson the hard way: Don't make any decisions at foam parties. Just enjoy the foam.

C