Summer Book Challenge: Week 13

Source

Current scoreboard:

1. Momma Sunshine @ Cross-Stitching Diva — 200 (DONE: First finisher.)
2. Heather @ A Cupcake Love Affair — 200 (DONE: Second finisher.)
3. Nova @ My Seryniti — 200 (DONE: Third finisher.)
4. Cristina @ Bonjour, Je M'appelle Cristina — 200 (DONE: Fourth finisher.)
5. Hannah on Goodreads — 175
6. Amanda @ Down to Sanity — 145 
7. Megan @ Semi-Charmed Kind of Life (host) — 145 
8. Lindsay @ Lindsay in Progress — 135 
9. Stacey @ Stacey's Daze —115
10. Jessica @ Sweet Green Tangerine — 105   
11. Joslin @ Joslin as Mrs. Williams — 100
12. Scribacchina @ Parole/Words — 100 
13. Jessica @ Eternally Enlisted —100
14. Darlene @ Darlene's Book Nook — 95 
15. TiggerRD on Goodreads — 95
16. Laura Swan — 80
17. Karstrel @ Infusions of Wit From an Everyday Girl — 80
18. Jo @ In Which We Start Anew — 75
19. Rebecca @ Garrulous and Bookish — 70
20. Sarah @ Books, Jeans, and Awesome — 70
21. Pinar @ Pinuccia's World of Books — 65 
22. Book Dragon @ Book Dragon's Lair — 60
23. Reading After Bedtime — 60
24. Erinn @ It's the Journey — 60 
25. Jessica @ Random Thoughts — 55  
26. Gabs @ Novel Ideas — 50
27. Amy @ Delightful Witticisms — 50
28. Jen @ Grown in Southern Ground — 50 
29. Michelle @ Book Crazy — 45
30. Kevin @ The Blog of the System — 45 
31. Sarah @ The Roaring Twenties — 40
32. Annie @ Explanniefyfed — 40
33. Angie @ Angels are Kids and Furkids — 40 
34. Patty @ Pitter from Patty — 40
35. Kelsey @ All-American Girl Living the Dream — 40
36. Jennifer S. — 35
37. Abby S. on Goodreads — 35
38. Tina @ Like Ordinary Life — 30
39. Amanda @ Words From My Heart — 30
40. Jenna @ Cannery Row Reads — 25
41. Becky Ingle — 20
42. Amanda @ Amanda's Weekly Zen — 15
43. Sary @ Some People Use Their Imagination — 15
44. Whitney @ The Observant Turtle — 10
45. Katrina @ Elements of Fun — 10 
46. Erin J. on Goodreads — 5
47. Caroline @ Carenpants — 0
48. Michelle @ The True Book Addict — 0
    

The making of a professional sorority girl.

After meeting each other for the first time at Leadership Seminar a few weeks ago, the 2012-2013 Alpha Delta Pi Leadership Consultants were reunited in Atlanta last Tuesday. We overcame our first travel-related obstacle together by successfully fitting 11 people and 26 suitcases in our two rental cars. Whew! After unloading the cars at Executive Office, we were invited downstairs to receive our new goodies from the sorority.

Here are some of the fabulous things we got to help us get through the year:

• A new iPad, affectionately nicknamed the "PiPad" in these parts.
  
• A PiPhone (which I used to take this picture).
  
• A very official nametag.
  
• A binder designed by our Violet Sister (see below).
  
• Our very own Ritual Book!
  
• Fun folders and office supplies, including sticky pads, paper clips, highlighters, etc.
  
• A padfolio with the crest of Alpha Delta Pi.
  
• Legit business cards with a card holder.

When I first found out Brett was my Violet Sister at Leadership Seminar, she told me she had stalked my Pinterest to see what kind of stuff I liked. I can tell from this binder: It just screams Megan, don't you think? :) She also sent me a beautiful engraved bracelet at Executive Office accompanied by a turtle card. It was such a nice surprise!

Thanks, Violet! :)

After opening up all our goodies, our boss gave us the best gift of all: Our August schedules! I'm not saying where I'm going quite yet, but I will say I'll be visiting five campuses in three different states during the month of August, and I couldn't be more excited.

Stay tuned for more updates from our training here in Atlanta!

100-Follower Giveaway!

It's time! I have three wonderful sponsors for my 100-follower giveaway, and we have some great prizes for y'all. The contest will run through 12:01 a.m. EST on August 1. There are no mandatory entries because I don't want anyone to follow a blog, Twitter account, etc., just to win a prize and then unfollow it after. Rude! However, I will not be personally contacting the winner. Instead, I will announce the winner on my blog sometime before August 6 and give him or her one week to claim the prizes. If they are not claimed, I will select someone else. I have to give you a little incentive to keep coming back! :)

Without further ado, here are our prizes:

Blog | Twitter

Blog | Twitter | Facebook

That's me! :) I'm also offering one featured/guest post on Semi-Charmed Kind of Life and your 200x200 button in my sidebar for the month of August.

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

Joslin will feature the giveaway winner with a special "about me" page on her blog for an entire month!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Thank you to my wonderful sponsors for helping with this giveaway! Good luck!

Summer Book Challenge: Week 12

Photo via Shoebiz

Who will be the fifth finisher? Current scoreboard:

1. Momma Sunshine @ Cross-Stitching Diva — 200 (DONE: First finisher.)
2. Heather @ A Cupcake Love Affair — 200 (DONE: Second finisher.)
3. Nova @ My Seryniti — 200 (DONE: Third finisher.)
4. Cristina @ Bonjour, Je M'appelle Cristina — 200 (DONE: Fourth finisher.)
5. Hannah on Goodreads — 165
6. Amanda @ Down to Sanity — 145 
7. Megan @ Semi-Charmed Kind of Life (host) — 145 
8. Lindsay @ Lindsay in Progress — 135 
9. Stacey @ Stacey's Daze —115
10. Jessica @ Sweet Green Tangerine — 105   
11. Scribacchina @ Parole/Words — 100 
12. Jessica @ Eternally Enlisted —100
13. Joslin @ Joslin as Mrs. Williams — 80
14. Laura Swan — 80
15. Karstrel @ Infusions of Wit From an Everyday Girl — 80
16. Jo @ In Which We Start Anew — 75
17. Rebecca @ Garrulous and Bookish — 70
18. Sarah @ Books, Jeans, and Awesome — 70
19. Darlene @ Darlene's Book Nook — 65
20. Pinar @ Pinuccia's World of Books — 65 
21. Book Dragon @ Book Dragon's Lair — 60
22. Reading After Bedtime — 60
23. Erinn @ It's the Journey — 60 
24. Jessica @ Random Thoughts — 55  
25. Gabs @ Novel Ideas — 50
26. Amy @ Delightful Witticisms — 50
27. Jen @ Grown in Southern Ground — 50 
28. Michelle @ Book Crazy — 45
29. Kevin @ The Blog of the System — 45 
30. Annie @ Explanniefyfed — 40
31. Angie @ Angels are Kids and Furkids — 40 
32. Patty @ Pitter from Patty — 40
33. Kelsey @ All-American Girl Living the Dream — 40
34. Jennifer S. — 35
35. Abby S. on Goodreads — 35
36. Tina @ Like Ordinary Life — 30
37. Amanda @ Words From My Heart — 30
38. Jenna @ Cannery Row Reads — 25
39. Becky Ingle — 20
40. Amanda @ Amanda's Weekly Zen — 15
41. Sary @ Some People Use Their Imagination — 15
42. Whitney @ The Observant Turtle — 10
43. Katrina @ Elements of Fun — 10 
44. Sarah @ The Roaring Twenties — 10
45. Erin J. on Goodreads — 5
46. TiggerRD on Goodreads — 0
47. Caroline @ Carenpants — 0
48. Michelle @ The True Book Addict — 0
    

#31: Have 100+ followers on my blog.

Hi friends! I promise to update y'all soon on my first days of training as an Alpha Delta Pi Leadership Consultant, but right now I wanted to share some different news with you....

How did I not notice that I've hit 100 followers? I know I've been a little MIA from my blog lately, but I still think I would have noticed a milestone like that. In fact, I've had getting 100 followers on my bucket list for quite a while.

I'm actually sitting at 107 right now. Eep!

I know the number of followers isn't the most important part of a blog, but it is fun to know I've become part of such a great community. A while ago, I noticed I was getting close to 100 followers on GFC and considered hosting a giveaway to celebrate when/if I reached this point. Now that I'm here, I wanted to offer all my readers the opportunity to help make this a group giveaway! Here's what I'm thinking:

• I ask that each participant offers a prize valued at $10 or more. This can be free ad space, a gift card or a physical item — whatever you want to offer!
• I will give each participant up to four entries on the Rafflecopter: One will be following your blog, and you can pick which social media accounts you would like the other three entries to be (Twitter, Facebook fan, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.).
• The giveaway will run from next Tuesday, July 24, to Tuesday, July 30. The winner will be announced as soon as I can verify the entries; hopefully that first weekend of August.

So, what do you think? E-mail me at semicharmedkol@gmail.com or tweet me at @SemiCharmedKoL if you want to participate! Please let me know by this Sunday, July 22, at 3 p.m. EST so I can get the Rafflecopter set up by Tuesday. Thanks!

Summer Book Challenge: Week 11

Photo via Ongering on Flickr

Congrats to yet another finisher, my fellow Sister of the Suitcase Cristina! Remember, the first five finishers get a guest/featured post on my blog. Who will get the final spot? Current scoreboard:

1. Momma Sunshine @ Cross-Stitching Diva — 200 (DONE: First finisher.)
2. Heather @ A Cupcake Love Affair — 200 (DONE: Second finisher.)
3. Nova @ My Seryniti — 200 (DONE: Third finisher.)
4. Cristina @ Bonjour, Je M'appelle Cristina — 200 (DONE: Fourth finisher.)
5. Hannah on Goodreads — 165
6. Amanda @ Down to Sanity — 145 
7. Megan @ Semi-Charmed Kind of Life (host) — 145 
8. Lindsay @ Lindsay in Progress — 115 
9. Stacey @ Stacey's Daze —115
10. Jessica @ Sweet Green Tangerine — 105   
11. Jessica @ Eternally Enlisted —100
12. Scribacchina @ Parole/Words — 80 
13. Joslin @ Joslin as Mrs. Williams — 80
14. Laura Swan — 80
15. Karstrel @ Infusions of Wit From an Everyday Girl — 80
16. Jo @ In Which We Start Anew — 75
17. Rebecca @ Garrulous and Bookish — 70
18. Sarah @ Books, Jeans, and Awesome — 70 
19. Pinar @ Pinuccia's World of Books — 65 
20. Book Dragon @ Book Dragon's Lair — 60
21. Reading After Bedtime — 60
22. Erinn @ It's the Journey — 60 
23. Jessica @ Random Thoughts — 55 
24. Jen @ Grown in Southern Ground — 50 
25. Gabs @ Novel Ideas — 50
26. Amy @ Delightful Witticisms — 50
27. Michelle @ Book Crazy — 45
28. Kevin @ The Blog of the System — 45 
29. Annie @ Explanniefyfed — 40
30. Angie @ Angels are Kids and Furkids — 40 
31. Patty @ Pitter from Patty — 40
32. Kelsey @ All-American Girl Living the Dream — 40
33. Jennifer S. — 35
34. Abby S. on Goodreads — 35
35. Tina @ Like Ordinary Life — 30
36. Darlene @ Darlene's Book Nook — 25
37. Jenna @ Cannery Row Reads — 25
38. Becky Ingle — 20
39. Sary @ Some People Use Their Imagination — 15
40. Amanda @ Amanda's Weekly Zen — 15
41. Katrina @ Elements of Fun — 10 
42. Whitney @ The Observant Turtle — 10
43. Sarah @ The Roaring Twenties — 10
44. Erin J. on Goodreads — 5
45. Amanda @ Words From My Heart — 0
46. TiggerRD on Goodreads — 0
47. Caroline @ Carenpants — 0
48. Michelle @ The True Book Addict — 0
    

Judge a book by its cover.

Sometimes, it's okay to judge a book by its cover. Otherwise, I wouldn't have discovered The Time Traveler's Wife until the movie came out. I was perusing the shelves during one of Border's (RIP) B2G1 paperback sales during the summer, and this cover jumped out at me:


I picked up the book, read the first paragraph and was hooked. Here are a couple other books I've picked up and read recently based purely on the cover. Click on each cover to see my review on Goodreads:

Photo A Day: June

I'm a little late this month, but here's my #photoadayJune recap. Did you participate?

I'm back!

Hello all! I can't believe I've only written one non-SCSBC post in the past two weeks. After two weeks on the east coast, I'm finally back in California and hoping to make blogging (and blog reading) a priority this week before I jet back to Atlanta again for more job training. Here's a quick review of my stint in Atlanta at the end of June:

I flew to Atlanta on June 25 to begin job training for my new position as an Alpha Delta Pi Leadership Consultant, which included attending our biannual national leadership seminar. I was also privileged to attend this seminar as an emerging leader for my chapter two years ago, so it was neat being back at the same hotel with many of the same programs and facilitators. I wrote about my experience with the IMPACT program two years ago on the ADPi Leadership Seminar blog here if you want more details.

The 2012-2013 Leadership Consultants for Alpha Delta Pi. (I'm in the yellow dress.)

As an incoming LC this year, I went through the other program offered at Leadership Seminar: the Adelphean Compass. We also squeezed in some extra training sessions before the seminar, which you can read about in my second post for the Leadership Seminar blog. After the conference ended on Sunday, we had another day and a half of training to learn about expansion, or the process through which a sorority seeks to establish a new chapter at a university. Although I was pretty absent from my social media during the week, I did try to keep up on my Instagram:

Summer Book Challenge: Week 10

Photo uploaded by MorgenStern on Pinterest

Current scoreboard:

1. Momma Sunshine @ Cross-Stitching Diva — 200 (DONE: First finisher.)
2. Heather @ A Cupcake Love Affair — 200 (DONE: Second finisher.)
3. Nova @ My Seryniti — 200 (DONE: Third finisher.)
4. Cristina @ Bonjour, Je M'appelle Cristina — 160
5. Megan @ Semi-Charmed Kind of Life (host) — 145 
6. Amanda @ Down to Sanity — 140
7. Hannah on Goodreads — 140
8. Stacey @ Stacey's Daze —115
9. Jessica @ Sweet Green Tangerine — 105   
10. Jessica @ Eternally Enlisted —100
11. Lindsay @ Lindsay in Progress — 100
12. Joslin @ Joslin as Mrs. Williams — 80
13. Laura Swan — 80
14. Karstrel @ Infusions of Wit From an Everyday Girl — 80
15. Jo @ In Which We Start Anew — 75
16. Rebecca @ Garrulous and Bookish — 70
17. Sarah @ Books, Jeans, and Awesome — 70
18. Erinn @ It's the Journey — 60 
19. Jessica @ Random Thoughts — 55 
20. Jen @ Grown in Southern Ground — 50 
21. Gabs @ Novel Ideas — 50
22. Amy @ Delightful Witticisms — 50
23. Book Dragon @ Book Dragon's Lair — 45
24. Kevin @ The Blog of the System — 45 
25. Pinar @ Pinuccia's World of Books — 40
26. Angie @ Angels are Kids and Furkids — 40 
27. Patty @ Pitter from Patty — 40
28. Kelsey @ All-American Girl Living the Dream — 40
29. Jennifer S. — 35
30. Abby S. on Goodreads — 35
31. Scribacchina @ Parole/Words — 30
32. Tina @ Like Ordinary Life — 30
33. Jenna @ Cannery Row Reads — 25
34. Becky Ingle — 20
35. Darlene @ Darlene's Book Nook — 20
36. Reading After Bedtime — 20 
37. Sary @ Some People Use Their Imagination — 15
38. Amanda @ Amanda's Weekly Zen — 15
39. Annie @ Explanniefyfed — 15
40. Michelle @ Book Crazy — 15
41. Katrina @ Elements of Fun — 10 
42. Whitney @ The Observant Turtle — 10
43. Sarah @ The Roaring Twenties — 10
44. Erin J. on Goodreads — 5
45. Amanda @ Words From My Heart — 0
46. TiggerRD @ Hooks, Needles and Brushes — 0
47. Caroline @ Carenpants — 0
48. Michelle @ The True Book Addict — 0
    

Summer Book Challenge: Week 9

Source: megancstroup.tumblr.com via Megan on Pinterest

We have a new finisher this week! Congratulations to Nova at My Seryniti! Current scoreboard:

1. Momma Sunshine @ Cross-Stitching Diva — 200 (DONE: First finisher.)
2. Heather @ A Cupcake Love Affair — 200 (DONE: Second finisher.)
3. Nova @ My Seryniti — 200 (DONE: Third finisher.)
4. Cristina @ Bonjour, Je M'appelle Cristina — 160
5. Megan @ Semi-Charmed Kind of Life (host) — 145 
6. Amanda @ Down to Sanity — 140
7. Hannah on Goodreads — 125
8. Stacey @ Stacey's Daze —115
9. Jessica @ Sweet Green Tangerine — 105   
10. Jessica @ Eternally Enlisted —100
11. Lindsay @ Lindsay in Progress — 100
12. Joslin @ Joslin as Mrs. Williams — 80
13. Laura Swan — 80
14. Karstrel @ Infusions of Wit From an Everyday Girl — 80
15. Jo @ In Which We Start Anew — 75
16. Rebecca @ Garrulous and Bookish — 70
17. Sarah @ Books, Jeans, and Awesome — 70
18. Erinn @ It's the Journey — 60 
19. Jessica @ Random Thoughts — 55 
20. Jen @ Grown in Southern Ground — 50 
21. Gabs @ Novel Ideas — 50
22. Amy @ Delightful Witticisms — 50
23. Book Dragon @ Book Dragon's Lair — 45
24. Kevin @ The Blog of the System — 45 
25. Pinar @ Pinuccia's World of Books — 40
26. Angie @ Angels are Kids and Furkids — 40 
27. Patty @ Pitter from Patty — 40
28. Kelsey @ All-American Girl Living the Dream — 40
29. Jennifer S. — 35
30. Abby S. on Goodreads — 35
31. Scribacchina @ Parole/Words — 30
32. Tina @ Like Ordinary Life — 30
33. Jenna @ Cannery Row Reads — 25
34. Becky Ingle — 20
35. Darlene @ Darlene's Book Nook — 20
36. Reading After Bedtime — 20
37. Amanda @ Amanda's Weekly Zen — 15
38. Annie @ Explanniefyfed — 15
39. Michelle @ Book Crazy — 15
40. Katrina @ Elements of Fun — 10 
41. Whitney @ The Observant Turtle — 10
42. Sarah @ The Roaring Twenties — 10
43. Erin J. on Goodreads — 5
44. Amanda @ Words From My Heart — 0
45. TiggerRD @ Hooks, Needles and Brushes — 0
46. Caroline @ Carenpants — 0
47. Michelle @ The True Book Addict — 0