I am sorry, but I need to weigh out my options first. I do not necessarily decline the offer. I am just going to look around some more to make sure I am making the right decision. \n\n[[Visit Other Fraternites|Other fraternities]]

I quickly accepted the bid. Alex swiftly lifted out his hand, while smiling, and said, “Congratulations!” \n\n[[Shake His Hand|Hand]]

I sat there anxiously. Alex’s face was glowing from the candles. I told myself, “What is going on here?” “What am I supposed to do?” Alex proceeded to talk. \n\n[[Listen to Him|Listen]]\n

My friends and I left to go look at other fraternities. We heard that a fraternity was handing out cigars to people. We thought, “Why not, it is free.”\n\n[[Get a Cigar|Cigar]]

It was a normal Monday morning in December 2010. Snowflakes were dropping calmly from the sky and you were recovering from a long weekend of studying and athletics when your mom abrutely walks into your room questioning what you are going to do with your life. You quickly imagine two different doors that signify two life choices you can choose from. The life choice on the left involves something bigger than yourself, while the life choice on the right, there is more time for fun. \n\nBeing a high schooler at the time, the door on the right seemed like the better choice to make...\n\n\n<<set document.title = "The Choice">>\n\n[[Pick Door on the Left|Door on the Left]]\n[[Pick Door on the Right|Door on the Right]]

I hesitated on whether or not I should follow him. I did not really have a choice though. He told me it was important to follow him and that I would regret it if I did not. \n\n[[Follow Him|Alex]]

As I entered the door, I already had a feeling this life style was not for me. The room had a lingering smell, a smell that had a mixture of women's purfume, old beer, and a skunky smell. It was just a dirty place overall. Music was blaring, people walking around like zombies, and they had books all around the room. They appeared to still be in the plastic wrap...(seemed like the books have never been used). As I investigated the room a little bit more, I witnessed numerous denied job and graduate school offers. I questioned why I even considered this choice. Who would ever go to a state school?\n\n\n\n\n[[Check Out the Other Door|Door on the Left]]

I paid close attention to Alex as he looked down and calmly recited a special ritual. As he got to the end, he asked me if I was interested in becoming a member of this fraternity. I hesitated a little bit. This was a big step in my life. If I accepted the bid, I would soon become part of something bigger than myself. This fraternity will be with me till the day I die.\n\n[[Accept the Bid|Blake]] \n[[Think About It|Think about it]]\n[[Decline the Bid|Decline]]

I went to another fraternity the next night and the atmosphere was completely different. As I walked in, I quickly connected with members of the fraternity. I really enjoyed this place, but I was still very nervous. When I get nervous, I stuff my face with food and of course that is what I started doing. \n\n[[Stuff Your Face With More Food|Food]]\n[[Go Talk to More Members of the Fraternity|Talk]]

I continued eating my face with hot wings and chips. I did not have enough time to take a breath before I took another hot wing. I did not want to be that kid in the corner not interacting with others so I should probably go and talk to more people. \n\n[[Go Talk to More Members of the Fraternity|Talk]]

As we got to the fraternity, all the cigars were already out. Because I do not smoke, I was not very disappointed, but we figured we would get it because they were free. Soon we realized those cigars were ways to attract incoming freshmen to their fraternity. A member from this fraternity called us over to see if we wanted to take a tour of their house.\n\n[[Take The Tour|Tour]]\n[[Decline The Tour|Tour 2]]

I quickly replied back saying, “Thank you very much. I am really excited to have the opportunity to become a part of this fraternity. I am looking forward to the fall.”

Alex was standing outside the house casually smoking with a couple of his friends. I had a huge feeling a relief when I saw him. I approached him and this time without any hesitation told him that I accept the bid of becoming a pledge of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. \n\nAlex swiftly lifted out his hand, while smiling, and said, "Congratulations!" "I am very excited that you are going to be a part of this fraternity.\n\n[[Shake His Hand|Hand]]

The Choice

After talking to Brad, I continued walking around trying to interacting with other people until suddenly someone taps me on the shoulder. I turn around and it someone I have not seen before. He told me his name was Alex Gillham. He said, “Come with me.” I did not know what to do.\n\n[[Follow Him|Alex]]\n[[Don't Follow Him|Alex 2]]\n

I followed him into a secluded room. The door shut behind me… The only source of lights were provided by candles. I was told to sit down in the chair.\n\n[[Sit Down|Sit]]\n

I continued looking at other fraternities, but the one I received a bid from kept luring me in. That was the only fraternity I was thinking about. I began thinking about how that fraternity is going to change me for the better. How I will be a part of something bigger than myself. I kept saying to myself, "That fraternity is for me. I want to become a Sigma Chi." \n\n[[Go Back to Accept My Bid|Sigma]]

My heart was pounding. I was sweaty profusively. Alex was still no where to be found. I was at a point where I accepted my loses. \n\n[[Leave the Fraternity|Leave]]

I entered the foyer of Sigma Chi. My head was hanging down with disbelief. I was extremely disappointed that I did not accpet the bid the first time around. Until suddenly, I opened the front door.\n\n[[Open the Front Door|Front]]

“Sure,” I replied. “That will be great. Thank you.” We followed the member into the house. As we walked in, I already did not see myself becoming a member of this fraternity. I just continued on with the tour to be polite. When the tour was finally over. I decided to look around campus for a little bit longer.\n\n[[Visit More Fraternities|More Frats]]

A very dirty smell hit my nose. This place was cold. No one was friendly enough to introduce themselves or even help me out. The night came and I ended up sleeping on a bed with no sheets and had a towel as a pillow. I wanted to go home. \n\n[[Stay At This Fraternity|Fraternity]]\n[[Go To Another Fraternity|Fraternity 2]]\n

My time here continued to get worse. I had not desire to stay at this fraternity anymore. The atmosphere is not what I was looking for.\n\n\n[[Go To Another Fraternity|Fraternity 2]]\n

I rushed back to the fraternity to find Alex. He was no where in sight. I thought I lost the only opportunity I had of becoming a Sigma Chi. \n\n[[Keep Searching|Keep]]

After completely taking majority of the food, I engaged in a conversation with a guy name Brad. He was a sophomore at the time and a very nice guy. We talked about how this place changed him for the better. It really made me think about my future and what I am going to do for the rest of my life. As the conversation continue, he mentioned to me that this place consistently buses in girls on the weekend. I was sold on the spot….\n\n[[Go Talk to More Members|Talk 2]]

I do not think the fraternity is for me. I was just here for the free cigars. I want to go visit other fraternities.\n\n[[Visit More Fraternities|More Frats]]

I would like to think about this decision. I told Alex, “I believe this fraternity is the best fit for me. However, I would still like to explore other fraternities on campus to see if I like any of them better. I will get back to you later tonight.”\n\n[[Visit Other Fraternites|Other fraternities]]

Blake Jennings

As the door closed, I was at this place where they had something called Honor Scholarship weekend. I was staying at a fraternity for the weekend. \n\n[[Continue|Continue]]\n