Goodbye USC

Although I have not been as up to date as I perhaps intended with this blog over the year I hope it has proved somewhat informative to those interested in what I’ve been up to.

The time came on Wednesday to pack up my room and say goodbye to USC and South Carolina. It has truly been a life changing year. From the people I’ve met and experiences I’ve had to the places I’ve visited, there has not been a dull moment in the past nine months. I am still as infatuated with the American culture as I was before (how some might say, but each to their own). I’ve drank beer with red necks and tanned with sorority girls, debated politics and recited the words “Harry Potter” and “cheerio” until the cows came home. I’ve survived a hurricane, an earthquake and dodged a tornado. I’ve eaten grits, okra and a whole load of corn bread and lets not forget the numerous times people have tried to “save” me.

Although I leave the Bible Belt, the chivalrous gentlemen, the Sirs and Ma’am’s and not to mention forty degree weather I still have a lot to experience as I head to the north west, starting in Chicago.

I cannot wait for mum to come out and to finish this amazing year with her, although I’m sure she’ll remark on my adoption of American English. From trash to cell phone, gas to store I hope it won’t take long to lose these Americanisms.

But here’s to the next set of adventures and with my last night in the South I can only hope you all have a blessed day.

Don't All Rush At Once: Bid Day @ USC

Being in a sorority or fraternity are big deals here at USC. The Greek Life has a big presence on campus and over 1000 girls began the process of rushing this year.

If none of this makes sense, don't worry I had no idea what a sorority, rushing or bid day was until about 2 weeks ago when my housemate told me she would be rushing this year.

A brief overview; a sorority or fraternity is a group of guys or girls who have common interests and who organize social events, charity fundraisers and parties.

To be in one of these groups you have to "rush" which is a two week process where each rushee will view the Greek houses (where the richest of the sorority or frat members live) and talk to each group at various functions. At the end of the two weeks the girls (frats are far to cool for this kind of event) find out which sorority they have gotten into and attend Bid Day. Just a note, not all girls make it and can be dropped from the process if none of the groups want them.. its quite a harsh and judgmental process and to top it off you have to pay for the privilege of both rushing and then joining. Its not a cheap way to make friends!

Finally at the end of the process you have Bid Day where the girls adorn their new Greek letters and do the historic run through the horseshoe here on campus.
It is a crazy event with lots of screaming, cheering, singing and whistle blowing. I've never seen anything like it.. luckily my housemate got into the sorority she wanted (Phi Mu) and we got to see her Bid Day run!

Here is a video I took of Bid Day at USC 2011:

To view in HD click the 320 icon at the bottom of the player and select 720.