Happy Birthday, Kappa!

So tonight, I went to my first Kappa Founders' Day celebration... in London.

I decided to reach out to my Kappa sisters here for multiple reasons. First, a good majority of my best friends are Kappas. So why not reconnect with an organization in London that has led me to so many amazing friends in the past? Secondly, I found a pair of pearl earrings that has been lost this morning. It was a sign that KKG was calling. Thirdly, my eyebrows are looking a bit bushy, and I need the name of a quality salon. Okay, maybe not the best reason, but... nobody likes bushman eyebrows.

I wasn't really sure what to expect, coming to an event at a lady's house whom I'd never met. But nonetheless, I gathered up my courage and rang the bell. A young woman about my age answered the door, welcoming me into the (gorgeous) house. I thought she was wearing all black because, you know, we are in Europe... where everybody wears neutrals. I introduced myself, and she asked if she could take my coat and bag. And only when she introduced me to the "lady of the house" did I realize that she was not in fact the hostess, but the female butler.

I was utterly impressed by both the hostess's presentation and my fellow London Kappas. We were wined and dined (complete with appetizers and a full multi-course dinner). I am not sure what I was expecting, but I believe it was along the lines of a veggie tray and some cheese dip. Maybe I've been tailgating too long.

I got to know some of my London ex-pats, who all have incredibly interesting stories for what brought them here. Great loves, masters programs, a desire to see the world. They all seem to be remarkable women in their own right.

For all of the KKGs reading this: We performed an official Founder's Day ceremony, complete with lit candles and songs partly in other languages. And we discovered why you should never drink wine before the ceremony. Hair is far too flammable.

I also found out that we are an official Kappa chapter which has been active for the last eighty years. Apparently, four years ago, there was a monstrous falling out between younger and older members. The older members held a formal Christmas charity event (flapper themed) in 2006. But, they ended up charging far too much for tickets at the last minute (95 pounds, or about $150 a person), and the younger Kappas in the area could not afford to attend. Thus the chapter divided, leaving few remaining members.

A juicy tidbit from the old chapter is that they used to keep a "journal" from all of their past parties. It was essentially gossip minutes, describing local "new loves," sisters who were having affairs, and other interesting stories of London life. Unfortunately, the journal was lost when the sister in charge of it was "chucked out" of the apartment that she was sharing with her boyfriend*, and it was never recovered.

On my way home, I was about to turn the corner and enter my driveway, when I saw a fox cross the sidewalk. At this point, I rubbed my eyes and told myself that I shouldn't have had so much wine to drink. But then, the fox (and yes, it was clearly a fox- not a cat, not a dog) crossed the sidewalk AGAIN right in front of me. And somehow slid through a fence that was no more than 6 inches wide. And all I could think of was "what a night, what a night."

L&L to my KKG's! Happy Founder's Day!

* From what was said, she had a nervous break-down after this unfortunate event. Her father went to collect her things from the old apartment, and of course, he did not think to gather something like a journal that could single-handedly bring down some of London's finest socialites.