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. 

Senioritis

"We enjoy the process far more than the proceeds." -Warren Buffett

I, Alison Sullivan, have a serious case of senioritis. But is it justified? 

The first day of kindergarten, we get on a school bus (the legendary, 5 Orange) and from that day forward you become a student for the next seventeen years of your life. There is no choice in today's society. School is from kindergarten until college. Stressing over how to master long division, or cursive, or algerbra...and your teacher claims that without these things you'll never be a success. These stresses will soon fade away as the end of college nears. 

I'm agonizing right now. I have a finance midterm tomorrow that my professor claims "we cannot study for" because this is the way it is in the so-called "real world".  But, I know deep down there's a way to study. I can go through all the lectures we've had so far and refresh my mind as to interest rate risks, hedging strategies, or how to buy an option. Have I done this yet? No. Because I have Senioritis. And it's intensified by the fact that my professor doesn't want us to study. He wants to see if we sink or swim in a situation of pressure. Just like the "real world".

Sometimes the sound of May 16th sounds oh so sweet. The day when seventeen years of schooling comes to a screeching halt. The miserable feeling of dread for tomorrow's exam will be no longer exist come May 16th. Yet, it will only bring about a new dread: the sound of the 6am alarm clock, five days a week for a redundant work schedule...for the rest of your life. (ok a bit dramatic). 

For most, earning a college degree is something tedious and just necessary. I am absolutely shocked when I meet someone who hates college, just goes through the motions, and wants to take that diploma and run. It astounds me because I have enjoyed four years of Babson so much. (Granted, for the tuition this institution charges, it better be damn good.) So in the end, the process of attending college has been quite enjoyable. While I have a great job lined up, the proceeds can't possibly be more enjoyable than this process. Sure, a steady pay check doesn't hurt. But life right now is simple (...especially right now with this 2 days of class a week gig I've got going.) So how can I moan and groan bout a silly exam tomorrow? It's a small price to pay to live this lifestyle.

But I would have to say, this case of Senioritis is justified. I have lived such a hectic lifestyle, cramming as much into my schedule as possible, since about 5th or 6th grade. (I remember my dad forced Brendan and I to do Karate thinking it would make us more diciplined, not to mention I was probably playing two or three other sports at the time). And it finally paid off. Surviving a crazy schedule for so many years built the character I needed to persevere through four years of Babson's miserable course curriculum. So I can't beat myself up when I have a day like today, sleeping til 11 am and relaxing until practice. It's glorious and I know days like this are limited. 

This theory that my buddy Warren has suggested has also put my Cross Country career in perspective. The process at first glance, quite frankly, it sucks. Who wants to run for fun? Who wants to go to preseason for 10 days in the heat of August, run at 5 am, pool workout at 6am, then another long run at 3pm?  Lunatics, thats who. Endorphin-craving lunatics who love the challenge. And I am proud to admit that I am one of them and always will be.  And sure, I haven't set any records. Nor have I won any titles. Or even set a new XC pr. It really doesn't matter. Being on this team was the most enjoyable process of all: making lifelong friendships and memories while building character through the challenges running long distance presents. At times, I will forget the proceeds, but never the process.

December 30th 2004 at 5pm: I ran to the computer to find out if I was admitted to Babson. It read "Alison, Welcome to the Class of 2009!". It was easily one of the happiest moments of my life.  I had been admitted to my "reach" school. That kicked off my case of high school senioritis. Nothing bad came about from slacking a bit that last semester of my life at THS. This past November I was accepted to my "reach" job opportunity. Enter the college version of senioritis...and in the big scheme of things, it's justified. 

PS. Happy Half Birthday to Me! Only 6 Months left to be the glorious age of 21! 

blogging one year too late...

I've never been one to admit that I was wrong or have regrets. But boy oh boy. If only I took the time to write a blog when I spent 5 months having the adventure of a lifetime studying abroad in Spain. I only knew a few kids keeping up with a blog and it seemed like it was homework for them. But, what I wouldn't give to be able to look back and follow my experience through a blog. Traveling all over Europe, even to Africa, with some of the most amazing friends was definitely worthy of documenting. Even my mom has a blog about her time in Spain which was only a week! Now that over a year has passed and I've finally decided that starting a blog is necessary.

Necessary indeed. I have 82 days left as a college kid! This is absurd. Today is the 4 year anniversary of my overnight at Babson as a senior in H.S. (Happy Anniversary Claudia!) I remember it vividly and returned back to THS for basketball practice, I told everyone I knew I was meant to go to this college.

Eighty Two days left of college. Not to mention, the fact that running track simply increases the speed of life. People question why I'm running track as an employed, second semester, graduating senior. What they don't see is that this is the first time in my life I can do something that isn't for the resume or to get a step ahead, and its solely for me! I'm finding this to be more motivational than ever. Track is simply fun this season. Granted, I'm injury free at the moment (knock on wood) so that always makes running more enjoyable. But ultimately, running is great to clear the mind. And I can't take the ability to go outside from 3pm to 5pm for granted ever again since soon those hours will be spent behind a computer screen.

So maybe in retrospect, my time spent in Spain in which I was not "blogging" behind my computer screen was well spent? Granada was such an eye opening experience. It slowed the pace of life down. Here I am, preoccupied over how fast these 82 days will go. And a year ago, that was the farthest of my worries. I would wake up and have nothing on my agenda but to go explore something new about the city of Granada, or even learn some more Spanish simply by striking up a conversation. I would go wander through the trails behind La Alhambra and not have a care in the world how long it took. Everyone needs an experience like this. Babson teaches us how to manage stress. What they fail to teach us is how to embrace boredom and entertain ourselves. That is why we are constantly on email, cellphones (rarely ever used one in Spain), facebook, you get the jist. You reorganize your priorities when exposed to how another culture lives.

Okay, maybe I don't mind so much that I didn't blog my time in Spain. I do have an incredible memory (& thousands of pictures to accompany it). And our newfound obsession in this world with surrendering our privacy and let others get sneak peeks in our lives is essentially what a blog allows. And that, I can live without. So the intention of my blog is for others to learn from as I live these last 82 days of college to the absolute fullest.