These are a few of my favorite things...

Aishwarya Rajagopalan was inspired by our win at Greek Weekend last month and tells us why she is grateful for Pi Phi!

Originally, I wrote a post exclusively about Greek Weekend, but in thinking about how gratifying it felt to take the title of Greek Weekend Champions, there were too many emotions to simply focus on the mechanics of the event. Instead, in the holiday spirit, I want to share a little list of the many things in Pi Phi that allow me to experience gratitude each day. Obviously this isn’t everything –I would be writing for years- but it’s a start, and I hope it will spur your own “list”.

Getting pumped for Powderpuff

First, I am thankful for the fact that my sisters are talented in every single way. From running the ball down the whole field to score touchdown after touchdown to baking lemon squares that taste like a little bit of heaven, I find myself learning more and more about the world through their involvements and my own!
I am grateful for our ritual, and how it binds us together once a week. We come to Chapter Meetings not only because we have to, but also because it connects us to thousands upon thousands of women who live the same values we strive to keep as our own. So if there’s one source of comfort in stressful times, it’s the fact that I know that somewhere along the way, I’m becoming a nobler woman, and thousands of women are doing the same.

Nap time at Pink Party?

I love that our headquarters has put so many structures in place to give us the support we need as a developing chapter. Working with Panhellenic can be challenging sometimes, just because I don’t always have the answers, but our AAC and Regional Team has never failed to offer insight into everything from mundane questions about recruitment policies to the more exciting Greek Weekend planning. It also doesn’t hurt that we have an incredible LDC who makes herself available to us pretty much any time for just about anything, from a cup of coffee to life advice. 

Champions for the second year in a row!

I guess I should take a moment to say that I’m really grateful for all the shirts I have accumulated over the year. It is so nice to not have to do laundry once a week anymore! Also I love the fact that every Wednesday, when Panhellenic women wear our letters, we show that Greek women are involved all over campus, whether it’s volunteering to teach computer literacy, or calling alums to re-establish connections to Hopkins at the Phonathon.

Date party!

I am forever indebted to Pi Phi for the opportunities I have received to develop myself as a leader on campus. Whether it’s serving as a Greek Weekend delegate or working on a private Bikram Yoga class for my sisters, I am cultivating a skill set that I just don’t get in the classroom: the servant leadership model. As a hopeful physician, my whole life will be dedicated to being that servant leader to my patients. I can only work with their goals, and I must always put their interests first. I never imagined that Greek Life would have such a profound impact on my professional goals.
Above all these –and the thousands of other aspects of Pi Phi that I cherish –I am most appreciative of the bonds of sisterhood that I have forged this past year. There’s a reason that we had such high participation rates in the Greek Weekend events- we genuinely love spending time together. At the Cook Off, so many sisters huddled around our tasty treats and even prepared me a plate of snacks as I worked check in; it was cold, but we all came together for a delicious afternoon. At Powderpuff, we packed the stands to cheer on our fierce athletes and took the trophy for the second year in a row. Most recently, we crowned a second Pi Phi as Hopkins Top Model. Beyond these accomplishments are the little things that make sisterhood so special.

Our newest angels!

It’s the hugs on a bad day, the smiles on a good one, the laughter in the library, and just seeing someone else in your letters on campus. Pi Phi is everything to me, and this holiday season, I hope you will take some time to reflect on what it means to you too.