Two Months & One Half Marathon Later...

California two months later. I don't even know where to begin. But I can honestly say...I am beyond content with life.

I use the word "beyond" because for all intents and purposes, there aren't too many moments where I'd admit that I'm not content with life. LA has been one wonderful thing after another. I have amazing friends out here, sunny day after sunny day, a nice 12 minute drive into the office each morning, and the pacific ocean in my front yard.

However, I'm still looking for the catch to Socal...

Granted, I've come up with a few. Firstly, I could live without 9.25% tax. (god love new hampshire shopping. I'm just spoiled). Secondly. Yes, LA is a congested city but honestly, for all the right reasons...when it's as ideal of a climate as it is year round and there's as much opportunity as LA has to offer, you can't question the population size. It's inevitable. But when you live in the wonderful world of the south bay and can manage to avoid any contact with the 405, you definitely have no right to complain. And last but not least, sure, LA is situated on the biggest fault line in the country. But earthquakes can't scare me away & besides, I survived #1 just about 2 weeks ago. And the only effect it had on me, was make me appear to be on even more happy pills at work that day. My coworker walks in my office that Tuesday, and per usual asks "hey al, how's the morning?" My response, "IT'S A GREAT DAY TO BE ALIVE" and he looked at me like I was a freak of nature. (I'm used to it) But in my defense, he probably would have reacted differently had he even realized we just had a 4.5 magnitude earthquake...but somehow managed to miss that tid bit of morning news. (OH LA news. That's another blog for another day. SUCH a joke out here).

So I found myself glancing back at my last blog the other day, written while on the plane ride here. I tally'ed the list of goals...and MAN did I not write enough on that list. I've already accomplished 6 of the 9.

I met stars at the NAACP awards and managed to sit front row center where I could reach out and touch the podium that was graced by Jamie Foxx, Morgan Freeman, Chris Rock, Tyler Perry, I could go on. Incredible experience to say the least and I'm still trying to figure out how I got pulled to the front. (I'm going with that they were "diversifying" the audience, sandra didn't want to be the only white girl in the front row!)

I already conquered Mammoth. Two weekends ago myself, my roommate Zach, and our fellow FLDP'ers Ben, Sean, and Nick made the easy 5ish hour trek to Mammoth and skiied for three days. Absolutely unreal. You can't beat Cali's snow depth's and the views that easily resemble the Alps.

Even the simpler goal of "waking up for work"...HA what a piece of cake that's been. I'm reaching a point where I don't even need to set an alarm anymore. It's funny to think back to senior year, where my 9:45 am Law class which required an 8:45 am alarm clock was like having my teeth pulled each morning. (Although, I do miss waking up & seeing Sam's bright smiling face and enjoying my bowl of cereal with her. but I digress...) But lets just say, the minute my eyes open for a split second, and my brain recognizes that I'm in california, and I see that sunshine peering through the slates of my blinds, I pop right out of bed. Whether it be a workday or a weekend, I'm averaging a 7:15 am wake up each day. Absurd. I'm rarely ever tired too at work. I don't get the same mid day sleepyness that I used to (I pray that I just didn't jinx this.) And if I do...I go for a stroll outside through the courtyard, catch some rays and instantly feel more awake.

The one goal that has completely consumed my mind for the past few weeks, but moreso the past 24 hours...To run the SD Marathon....OR to not run. This is seriously the hardest question for me to answer.

A gold medalist marathoner once said "You have to forget your last marathon before you try another. Your mind can't know what's coming". I just ran the Baystate Marathon on October 18th 2009. That feels like yesterday. Am I ready to go through the pain that I experienced that marathon? I am constantly analyzing that race in my mind. The THRILL of racing from the firing of the gun til about mile 15 was wonderful. I felt on top of the world, running at a solid pace and keeping a positive attitude the entire time. It was when the winds picked up, sleet pelted down and mile twenty (THE WALL) approached...the memories of the leg cramps and charlie horses, well, not sure if I'm ready for that again. Its so easy to just say "ALISON stop being a wimp and just DO IT". But what it comes down to. I could "just do it" and cross that finish line with an okay time. But I want to "just do it" right. It's so much time and energy to train for a marathon. Am I ready to devote the next 2 months to that again? AND two months isn't even enough time in my mind. But I have been putting a decent amount of miles in so far, so I'm not starting from scratch.

Yesterday, I naturally woke up at 4:35 since my alarm was set for 4:45. It was time to get up, put the game face on, and run "The Great Race" ...a half marathon in Agoura Hills, CA which I signed up for a month ago, and managed to rope 3 other friends of mine in with me. The best part of post college racing, is the thrill of starting lines and only feeling excitement, not the same dread I had from the pressure placed on me. This race was purely upon my will. I had no idea what to expect from the course. But as mile 4 approached, road gradually turned to trails that led deep into the hills of Callabasus and made for the most breathtaking (literally) views of the Santa Monica mountains. Combine the Sierra Nevada's of Granada, with more gorgeous vegetation and more Grand Canyon-esque rock formations...that was this race. There were moments where it was like rock climbing, and trying to keep your 8 minute mile pace going vertical up mountains was anything but easy. The best moment was hitting Mile 6 and hearing that I was only 12 minutes behind the leader. Mile 5 through 8 were my favorite. My pace kept strong and I was just cruising up and down the rolling hills of the trails. Mile 9 was just a shock. I took my concentration off the footing of the trail to look at the scenery for just a second...and I see a MOUNTAIN that has colored specks inching up the hill, zig zagging across. I just felt like ending it all at that point. As I cursed the creator of that course, I used that hill to pick off some runners that had to walk it. (weaksauce, no walking in races). So it worked out. ANYWHO. I finished the race in 1 hour 50 minutes, 4th of 35 in the age group, and 121st of over 1k people in the race. I'll take it for a first half marathon and an extremely challenging course.

But that leaves me here, still debating San Diego. I could just suck it up and run the full. Or do another half and try to beat that time, and not beat my body up for the next 2 months. It almost feels masochistic to put myself through another marathon so soon after my first, and to do it in such little training time. But why do I feel like running the half marathon would be slacking?

To be decided...I need to register this week. So I'll get back to ya.

Wellp. That's the tip of the iceberg for the californian adventure thus far. I'll have to get another post brewing soon. (Just for the record clauds, so far you were right, hate to say it).

happy trails. :)

Hopped off the plane at LAX ...

...with my dream and a cardigannnn. Ok...I know. It sickens me too.

I just quoted a MILEY song. But, can't help it...in 30 min I'm hopping off the plane...at LAX...and I'm wearing a cardigan. So it fits...

And. THIS IS MY DREAM.

I have always wanted the opportunity to break out of Mass. After 18 years in the Tyngs, 4 years in Wellesley, with a brief stint in Espana, this is exactly what I want right now. Junior year at Babson, when I started thinking "jobs?! next year?!" I told myself I was gonna get out of Mass and see something new (ideally in Cali). Low and behold...it's going according to plan.

God Bless Uncle Ray. I didn't expect this process to be so simple. Well, granted, the interviewing process and competition to get the job wasn't a walk in the park. But since I accepted, the logistical aspects have been smooth sailing. Movers came and packed up everything I owned yesterday...now its on a truck somewhere headed west. And my little yaris is also somewhere out there making the trek across the country. I'm so fortunate for how simple the process has been. It makes me wonder if I ever would have left without the program I'm in...well it just might have taken a little longer.

It's a bit unsettling knowing this is a one way ticket. I keep questioning how strong my roots are in Mass. I'm constantly confronted with the idea that maybe, I won't come back? Where does love for a "home" disconnect from love for your friends & family vs love for the actual place itself...

I've only felt true "homesickness" at various points in time freshman year of college...and thats pretty much the norm for a 17 year old who's lived in the same town her own life with the same group of best friends. Was that homesick feeling created by my want to be at home? or with my friends? or because I just love the tyngs? I'm sure there's no answer and it's probably some sort of combination of the three. But I'm anxious to see how my my attitude is 3 months into my time in LA...odds are, I'll have no complaints.

All I know, is I wouldn't trade anything for the past 8 months since graduation. The whole "life ends after college" is total bull. I can't believe I fell for that. Life has been wonderful. (an income doesn't hurt either).

I want to give a shoutout to my home friends. (even though they think I'm a dork for blogging) You guys are so thoughtful for the gift last night. It's no secret that I'm far from the next Rachel Ray...but you guys are helping jumpstart my kitchen ambition! I can't wait til everything gets shipped out and I can play. The cookbook was such a nice touch too...god forbid I don't know "how to make fruit salad" or "grilled cheese".

And another shoutout...straight to Claudita. YO CLAUDS! you think I'm not gonna blog from LA? Looks like you're already mistaken! booya. Alison 1 : Clauds 0. OK fine. I'm not technically even in LA since I'm still on the plane, but still, mark my words. I'll hit that target of 3 in no time.

Ps. Airlines with power outlets and wifi = genius. What took so long for a plane to realize that people would greatly appreciate a plug under their seat. God love Richard Branson and his wonderful airline. The cool purple lights are a nice touch too Lord Rich...

I'm going to close with my goals for the next 365 days (or more) in LA.

1) Learn (or attempt) to Surf.

2) Meet a celeb (not too tough) but keep my cool & speak to them as if they're not God walking among us (very tough). Maybe even get some digits? A stretch, but I aim high.

3) Ride my bike wherever I need to go instead of using my car (just tryin to help that smog issue)

4) Run the San Diego Marathon June 6th.

5) Get up to Napa Valley

6) Find a beach volleyball team (should be a walk in the park...or a stroll in the sand haha. get it?).

7) Ski Mammoth

8) Wake up for work...

9) Basically, just live the dream.

Blogging from 35,000 feet up....

<3>

ps. its really sad that this is my first blog since starting at the wonderful world of raytheon. wowza. my apologies.

American Idol Auditions: The Impossible Dream

"No! I'm the next American Idol!", screamed 7,000 people this past sunday from the stands of Gillette Stadium. "Okay guys, lets do it one more time, louder, put down the umbrellas and LOOK at the camera!" yelled the producers as we took the 30th take of the same shot.  So naturally I'm aggravated, but the minute the camera pans our section of the crowd I jump up and down and scream so that come January, I can hopefully pick myself out from the crowd and get .05 seconds of stardom on national television. 

Okay, call me crazy. But when I realized two weeks ago that auditions would be held in Boston I knew I would try out. Not because I can sing, not because I actually think I am the next Idol, but because I need to know how this show actually works.  From January til May, for the past 8 years (with the exception of my semester in Spain) Tuesday nights are for American Idol. I'm not even big on reality TV, but this show has always fascinated me. I love watching average people become almost instantaneously famous.  And not to mention, you don't even need to be crowned idol; all it takes is a spot in the top 12 and you're golden. Look at Jen Hudson, grammy winner AND actress. And she has Idol to thank. Don't even get me started on Daughtry...

June 14th. I discover that THIS is the day that I will dedicate to American Idol. Immidiately, I tell the one and only Robert Hill that he needs to audition with me. Of course, his response is a natural "Let's do it baby!" The two weeks prior to auditions we would just jokingly talk about how great its gonna be when we're idols and how we have absolutely nothing to lose by doing this. Meanwhile, we have Lynchy calling us delusional, mom calling me insane, (at least Dad believed in me!) But the thing is, we are logical. How often do you have a chance to (for free) go see the behind the scenes of a great television program? I had nothing to lose but an evening out at the bars on Saturday night to rest up for the 4am alarm. 

Ryan Seacrest walks out onto the Pats field at Gillette Stadium. "Ok guys, the weather today absolutely sucks." No shit Ryan Seacrest, lucky for you, your limo just dropped you off at the gate less than an hour ago and we have all been standing outside since 3am.  Well, Bhill and I had strategically arrived at 6:30 because we were cunning enough to realize that there is no way that you had to be there by 5am. As we walked about a mile to the back of the line, where a lady approaches us and goes "Hi, I want to interview the last person in line". I look at Bhill and give the high five on account of the fact that we probably never have and never will be rewarded for being "last" at anything.  She continued to ask us about why were were there. "Are you a professional singer?" she asks. I just laughed in her face. I'm like "Absolutely not, I'm a shower singer". 

The interviewer then asks us about what we will do if we don't win Idol. HAHA. Honestly, this question is ridiculous. The fact that anyone will go into an Idol competition thinking that this is their Plan A, needs to be analyzed and seek help.  I realized this at 6am BEFORE entering the auditioning scene that commenced 4 hours later. Idol should be Plan D. You CANNOT bank on this show to launch your career.  Finally, the line moves along and two hours later we're inside walking around where you can only hear random people singing. Great voices everywhere. you walk into the bathroom and can hear girls rehearsing.  The show tricks you to believe that there are so many terrible audition-ers out there. False.  I know good singing from bad. I hardly heard any poor singing. This is when I realized just how much talent there is out there. 

We are completely fooled into believing that American Idol is a TALENT show. That is our mistake as an audience. We become so wrapped up into the show and compare ourselves to the contestants. We look at Kris Allen and think, hey, he looks normal, why can't I be the next Idol?

A typical episode of American Idol displays the most ridiculous and amazing performers. Sometimes, you'll watch a somewhat average singer make it through, but there's always a catch. They probably have some interesting/absurd story behind them. This is what people don't realize. If you're even remotely average, give up the dream. 

The stadium set up was as follows. 7,000 + people in the stands on one side of the field. Opposite, we have 12 tents set up. Each tent has one or two producers who listen to the audition-ers. They step forward to audition in groups of 4. The producer points to who they want to hear first and listens to all four then casts them all aside. Unless you are either the most talented or unique person of them all. Watching from our seats, every few minutes we would see someone across the field rejoicing with happiness that they recieved the infamous "you're going to hollywood" piece of paper. Even though, in this situation, the paper only means "you're going inside the stadium to fill out paperwork". 

BHill and I were seated exactly at the 50 Yard line, which meant that we would audition half way through the day. (well, more than that if you include the time it took to sing "when I grow up" as a group. not gonna lie, that part was awesome) Seated around us (Section 131 shout out!) were some great people. I think people were laughing at me half the day for how ridiculous the things I would say were. But man, these people were all crazy too! We sat near 3 girls, all of which not affiliated, who just so happened to be auditioning for the 2nd or 3rd time!  A long day of discussing why they were trying again, I came to the conclusion that Idol is the same as playing the lotto; if you don't buy a ticket you'll never win and if you don't register and stand in line all day, you'll never be an idol.  I knew some of these girls didn't stand a chance. One of the girls seated near us was a 16 yr old (who thought she was way cooler & older) but she was a damn good singer. After talking with her a bit, you could tell that this was her dream and she had been waiting all her life to audition. She was singing "Let it Be" by the Beatles.  I was quite curious how that song would go for her but figured I'd never actually hear it. At 2:30 pm our section is finally down on the field about to be divided up to the assorted tents. The Beatles chick and I got put over at Tent 3 with two others. BHill luckily was only one tent over. 

The Audition. Well, I was happy with it. My song went well and I wasn't even remotely nervous. I sang "Sittin on the Dock by the Bay" by Otis Redding but I prefer the Sara Bareilles version to be honest.  I was the first to go in my group so none of my competition could get my confidence down. My judge was two British peeps who were so intense and you could tell instantly. Bhill's tent was moving much slower. Once I sang my tune, and the rest of the girls went, we were all told "you may all go, we will not be putting any of you through, thank you" we proceeded to the section behind the tents. "Let it Be" girl was shut down and I felt so bad because you could tell she thought she was golden. As I waited for Bhill to go, I was just observing all of the other tents in action. One after another, I saw talented people get shut down. And people that had a true passion and skills for singing. It really broke my heart seeing these people exit the stadium crying. But had I invested more of my life in this, I suppose I would be too! Oh but wait, this dream was only alive for a few weeks and didn't take too much of a toll on me. Ok, Bhills turn now. I watch him approach his producer and he starts belting out Sam Cook's "Bring it on Home". He did well and the passion in his expressions were priceless. I looked at the producer's face as it lit up and he started bobbing his head to the tune. Then he requested Bhill to sing a second song. He switched gears and went with "Thunder Road". This is when I knew he was gonna make it... and then when his group of four finished, they only kept BHill.  Such a great moment. I hadn't seen a soul in about 10 minutes receive a yellow sheet of paper until Bhill did and made me so proud!  

Anywayyys. The point of my post. TV production has a code and a process that needs to be abided by and regardless of how much talent there is out there, an agenda will be followed even if it's wrong.  People had their dreams crushed on Sunday while others were given false hope that they could be the next idol on account of their crazy hair do or fairy wings that they so cleverly wore for the audition. BHill deserves to go to the next round. His voice is truly unique and he showed a passion for music. But you can't help but wonder what was going through the producer's head. He was clearly a nicer man than my anal british dude that didn't put a single person through from my tent but a long haired freak (who we then discovered will have a bio done for the show in january).  Each judge cannot possibly be programmed the same to judge based on the same factors. So you just can't help but wonder.. Or to reference the recent film "He's just not that into you", I think that Bhill could be the exception to the rule. 

When Bhill finished up, he told me all bout the paperwork he had to fill out for the show. I never really thought about it but the confidentiality aspect of the operation is very strict. For 8 years I have been completely deceived into believing that when a contestant auditions they go right to the judges. I knew there had to be some form of prescreening but never quite that intense. I didn't show up on Sunday thinking I'd be meeting Paula, Randy & Simon but I thought some people may? Wrong. That doesn't even happen til August from what I understand. But I must say that Fox has done a phenomenal job of making sure that the real auditioning process doesn't leek out to the public. Even a news article released from MTV claims that the people "who received golden tickets on Sunday" would proceed to Hollywood! But that's either a mistake or a ploy to support Fox. When Bob Hill goes to Boston for the next round of auditions in late july (hopefully I can be his guest and take a day off work but that's another issue) we will get another inside look at how this television program deceives Americans...which is precisely why I don't feel bad that releasing this blog is probably entirely against the restriction of the release forms I signed the other day. And to the (less than) 200 people who got through this past weekend, I wish you all the luck because I'd love to see the next idol come from Boston! 

As for me, will I audition again? Who knows. I have 7 years left of eligibility and god knows that if i do, I'm wearing my halloween costume and just doing some ridiculous song. Let's hope my career in finance never makes me that desperate. 

My accomplishments from Idol auditions were a new perspective, soaking wet shoes, and a quote in this article. 

 http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/television/general/view.bg?&articleid=1178981&format=&page=1&listingType=tv#articleFull

Good Luck in the next rounds Bhill! Make the Tyngs proud! And if you become the Idol, I'll be damned if your first song released isnt the Ken Gordon song!

The Not So Real World

So the post college vacation has been one of the most enjoyable times of my life. I feel no stress. The only minor stress I have is that I'm pressured to optimize every single day. I need to make the best of the freedom that awaits me in these last four weeks of the "not so real world". 

Up til now, the maximization of the freedom is going so-so. (still looking for places to go) 

It kicked off strong with a road trip to Outer Banks, North Carolina, only hours after I graduated college. After only sleeping 1hr and a half the night before grad, I survived Commencement. Made my way back to McCullough where I plopped down on the lovesac with the girls, and just felt brain-dead. Up til that point, I had been tearless. But still, only shed a few and I think it was moreso from being overwhelmed. I tore down the remainder of my room and left McCullough after 3 wonderful years there.  Soon we were on the road to tyngs for my grad party. Around 8, people head out and I had to scramble to pack for OBX. By 8:22, Clauds, Liz and I were on the road to N.C.  Leaving Tyngs, I promised my parents that we'd just find a random hotel in NY somewhere, and crash there for a few hours to rest up for the rest of the drive.  Driving up Virginia Rd, I look at my GPS that says "Arrival Time: 6:45 AM". So I say "hey guys, imagine if we just kept driving and REALLY were to arrive at 6:45". HAHAHAHA. yea, that's not happening. Wellllp. Driving thru CT and then NY, we are all amped. And on my 1 hour of sleep, I'm like, umm lets do it! luckily, clauds and liz thought the same thing...we could make it there. Fast forward like 8 hours, and you'd find us having breakfast at Waffletown USA, delirious as can be, and then napping in a Wal Mart Parking lot. (the yaris is much roomier than you'd expect.) Keep in mind, we didn't kill this time by choice; if we had it our way, we would have been lying on the beach already. But we're good people, and decided to help out our friend Kevin who needed a ride from the Norfolk airport to the beach house.  At this point, Clauds and i were bickering like crazy (at the time, I though it to be due to exhaustion, but the trend continued, cough...SCRABBLE...cough. but nbd) Long story sort of short, we arrived to our gorgeous house in OBX by 10:15 am where it was hot and sunny.  Unfortunately we didn't see this hear or sunshine for 2 more days into this trip. In retrospect, that really didn't matter since I would definitely have got like 3rd degree burns with 7 full days of NC sunshine. ANYWAYS. Fantastic time in OBX. There is much  more to be talked about, but I tend to be long winded and I'm trying to avoid any more complaints. 

The past week of post College and OBX insanity has been a complete change of pace. Being home is amazingly relaxing. I'm finally feeling thoroughly grateful to be living at home this summer. Course, I'd love to be in the city, but this isn't such a bad gig. My parents aren't on my nerves quite yet. The pool is all set for the summer. And the I also forgot how nice it is to run around here. Which leads me to my next new endeavor. Triathalons. Tyngsboro is having a summer series of Triathalons. First one is June 11th. Who's with me!? It's going to be a great way to get started. It's a Mini Triathalon. So 400m swim. 10 mi Bike. 2 mile run. Totally do-able. Maybe someday I'll work up to the ironman in hawaii (2.4 mi swim, 112 mi bike, 26 mi run) HAHAHA. Hey, a girl can dream. 

Hmm, better go take my bike out for a spin. 

The End of an Era

Preschool. Winslow Kindergarten. Lakeview. Norris Road Elementary. Tyngsboro Jr./Sr. High. Babson College.  17 Years of School has come to an end today.

As I left Tomasso today, I didn't feel the exuberance I had expected to upon completion of my undergraduate career.  Don't get me wrong, it's exciting. But knowing myself, I thought I'd be dancing in the streets.  Three finals stand between me and graduation.  It's the easiest finals have ever been but it's the lowest my motivation has ever been as well. What's keeping me from feeling this excitement of the impending graduation...hmm maybe its because starting June 29th I give my soul up to corporate america? That's got something to do with it. 

First, I must give a shout-out to all the people who have made my "lasts" of college more memorable by haunting my life these past few weeks.  Some of the "lasts" hit home while others were poor attempts to get the waterworks going.  Sure, I'll have my last trim sits in the next week or so. Ya, that's sad and all but my digestive system will thank me for ending that.  I already had my last track practice. and the last time I got ice bags for my shins. and the last set of strides on the upper fields. and the last 1500/800m races of my life.  Looking at these lasts individually, not so upsetting. It's the package deal. I'll know when I'm sitting in a cube for the rest of my life that I'll wish I was out at practice.  These last few nights in McCullough A6 will be painful. Three years of memories in this suite with a different group of girls each time. Not many Babson kids can say they've had that experience. 

Secondly...well that's soon to come.

slacking, even in blogsville...

now I know my blogs are so amazing that people have been like wtf sully, why aren't you posting anymore? (JK. obviously, sarcasm but some of my friends wouldn't put it past me to say such a thing) But from the bottom of my heart, I'm sincerely sorry for being a lazy bum these past 5 or so weeks that I haven't posted. But believe you me, it was not for a lack of bloggin subjects. It's because I have so much to say that I don't even know where to begin. 

brief life update. 

-it is now t minus 39 freakin days! but that's not even the worse part...according to my calculations, i have um SIX days of school left?! how is that possible. well easily, due to the fact i have two workdays a week and there's marathon monday coming up. but good lord. time is flyin. if only i could hire someone to do all the papers i have due btwn now and may 16th.. 

-as most of you recall, last week we had spring break part two: the norovirus vacation. basically, there is a rare virus that started spreading around campus and i'm going out on a limb and saying that it's just some fool that got the disease doing god knows what on spring break. that fool in return probably touched every door nob and cookie at trim dining hall and spread the germs all over campus. now babson looks like a school of kids that don't know hygiene, far from the truth...i hope. the media was all over campus last week (i put in a solid effort to make it on camera but failed, i just wanted to meet someone from Channel 5, is that too much to ask?) the noro soon spread to about 150 kids. 

-what did i learn from the noro? that my immune system is friggen relentless.  my suitemate was one of the first victims of the noro and we live in such close quarters that i have no clue how i dodged it. even about 8 kids on the track team got the noro. according to momma sull, our fam doesnt get stomach viruses easily, which is great news (even though its not even news, its just the facts, that i failed to notice for 21 years). i also learned, that after you wash your hands you must "vigorously" dry your hands with a paper towel (its on every sign around campus). who knew air drying isn't good enough?

-the noro also gave me the opportunity to continue the addiction which began on sb '09. the office. not that I wasn't in love w/ the show before, but my obsession is out of control. started during some jetlag recovery in AZ..and is still going strong.

-spring break: i could write a book on spring break. but im not a great writer so that isn't necessary. quick synopsis: fantastic vaca. katie and i took the vw golf & drove from phoenix to san diego to LA (stopping in laguna, newport beach, el segundo (possible future worksite), bev hills, and stayed in santa monica) we stayed in the "banana bungalow" in san diego right on the sand of pacific beach. it was my first american hostel experience. and in retrospect, it was a great decision. dirt cheap. ocean views. great people, minus a few exceptions. (just a roomate from the marines that sleeps with knives and gets beligerently drunk and a old snoring mexican, nbd) but seriously, go to the banana bungalow if you ever find yourself in PB sd. so worth it for the continental breakfast of sliced bread and peanut butter. after we finished the roadtrip through cali, we soaked up the AZ rays by the pool for a few days. 

-lent update: i'm so close! only 5 more days of no-shopping-hell. It's been a tough 6 weeks and probably the longest amount of time i've gone without a purchase. it's taught me a vital lesson though.  all you have to do to avoid shopping, is shield or divert your eyes as you walk past storefronts and don't take a single step into the shop. easter '09 will be more glorious than ever.

-track update: two meets down. 3 to go. next stop. umass lowell. running the a wonderful 12.5 laps. should be interesting. so this is for you tyngsboro'ers. if your in town for easter, and don't come to ulowell, the whole 10 minute drive it is, i will personally kill you. jk thats dramatic. but seriously. if the sun is shining, then what better place to be than the ulowell track? 

that's enough for now. word on the street is that long blogs are snorer's so i'm cutting down my ramblings as much as i can. (this short enough for your attention span clauds?) until next time folks...

Having the Best Time in the Worst Times

So I can't help but feel a bit guilty. Every morning we wake up and the news is announcing another massive layoff, first in the banking industry now its happening everywhere.  If it's not thousands of people losing their jobs, it's stories about thousands of houses being foreclosed or maybe its even a legend like Buffett announcing that he thinks our economy "will remain in shambles for 2009 and beyond."  For the world's richest man to make a claim such as this,  how depressing is that? And he's obviously an optimist, or he wouldn't have the confidence to make the risky investment's that he has. But what I'm trying to say, is that amongst all this terrible-ness we hear every day, we are actually in the best position in the market.  Ignoring the fact that finding a job is next to impossible right now, we are very fortunate to be on our college campuses, isolated by the misery existing in the world around us. College is like living in a bubble, (okay, not for all schools, but yes, at Babson. Even when you leave the bubble, your in the idealistic town of Wellesley where everything still seems perfect). But here we discuss the news and what's happening to our economy, but we aren't directly impacted. We don't have 401K's that are plummeting everyday, we don't have families to feed, we don't have worries about paying our mortgage. So, how convenient it is to be graduating when our economy has hit rock bottom? It needs to turnaround eventually.  Maybe this is just the optimist in me speaking, and regardless of Warren's claim, the market WILL turnaround!  People can't lack confidence forever. And let's not forget, we have OBAMA who promised us Change.  But I don't want to get deep in a discussion of politics because that happens way too much at a college full of McCain lovers, and it just gets ugly.  (sidenote, I LOVE TINA FEY! she is my hero. she should read my blog and not Babson Lacrosse.)

With Ash Wednesday being this past week, I spent a day or two agonizing on what to give up for Lent.  Everyear I go through the same dilemma because I try to mix it up, be creative, and not just do the stereotypical giving up of candy or soda, which most people do.  I also love how whenever I'm trying to settle on an idea, there is some asshole saying "uhhhh I'm giving up homework this year haha.." or what my brother has done every year of his life, he gives up oreos, as if thats hard!? Mom probably buys Oreo's once a year at most. But he just thinks it's funny because of how random it is. But I actually do respect the tradition of Lent. I think it's the least we can do as Catholics and its only 40 days out of 365. Nothing should really be hard for that little amount of time.  So as of Tuesday, I had decided to give up facebook. I was thinking that would be the perfect sacrifice because I really could live without a newsfeed staring me in the face with useless information about people I probably haven't talked to in years.  But then it dawned on me, I need to read the messages and that's social suicide if I ignore those. That's like going forty days and not checking your email. So I nixed that idea. Next consideration was coffee. Wednesday morning I was doing my law homework in Reynold's before class...and I'm staring over at Woody's and I'm like BE STRONG Alison, you don't need coffee. But then I started viscously yawning and I knew I had 3 classes and a midterm that day, so how on earth could I give up coffee?  God wouldn't want me to fail out of school.  He also wouldn't want me to be a miserable human to others, which could be possible without my daily Woodychino. So that idea was just unrealistic. At practice, I was debating the possibilites and my coach suggested I give up drinking. I laughed in his face. So I carried on with my day and didn't realize til that night that I had the perfect idea. 

Shopping. I don't think I've gone forty days of my life without purchasing an item of clothing. Two weeks ago, Claudia and I went and saw "Confessions of a Shopaholic".  I must say, it was a pretty awful movie, so save your $9.50 and watch it when its on TV in a year. But the movie did get me thinking. Am I addicted to shopping? The red headed chick who was the main character had an addiction like no other, so she's obviously the extreme. But while she is addicited to Gucci handbags and Prada shoes etc, I am addicted to the bargain. I could pretty much careless about the brand. It's all about the thrill of a bargain.  I will buy about 20 shirts for the amount that the girl in the movie paid for a pair of freakin socks.  That's just absurd.  My Mom is definitely to blame for my addiction to shopping for the bargain, especially at TJ's and Marshalls.  How can you resist buying designer jeans that are $14 when the tag is still on from the department store and its listed for $75 bucks!? That's the thrill I crave from shopping. (It must be the business nerd inside of me.)  But anyway, I can and I will be giving up clothes shopping for lent. People have responded saying "but clothes are a necessity"...but if you look in my closet, I don't think any item of clothing will become a necessity unless I'm robbed.  

So why am I talking about the economics and religion? People all over the world are having to sacrifice something to make ends meet in today's economy.  Nothing about my life drastically changed after the collapse in September. I'm so incredibly fortunate to be graduating this spring with a job lined up so that's why this year has been so wonderful. I have no real stresses right now. I'm just basking in the glory of senior year.  So the very least I can do is give up something I enjoy so much.  Ironically enough, I'm giving up the very thing that this country needs to do in order to recover but that's besides the point.  I'm also going to save a boatload of money not shopping for forty days which is a beneficial repurcussion of torturing myself.  

When I told Katie about my plan, she goes "are you CRAZY". With Spring break less than two weeks away, Katie Strauss and I are headed on a roadtrip from Phoenix to San Diego and LA.  So yes, call me crazy. I will have to walk down Rodeo Drive and not purchase anything. That's not going to be pleasant but its just unfortunate timing.

Well, it's four days down, thirty six to go. I'll keep you posted on how it goes. And as for the economy, I don't exactly have the credibility to make any predictions... but, give it a year or two, it can only get better. (knock on wood).

I would also like to add, that I generalize a lot of things, so as with everything, take what I say in these posts with a grain of  salt (cough, BHill, cough).  Oh and yes, Poker Face is not really a lifechanging song. It is just very catchy that's why it has made this weeks list. I'll probably hate the song once it's played on kiss 108 two times per hour. But for now, its a great tune to rock out to. 

That's enough for now. Happy Trails kids.