Alison R

Sunday Funday

                Just a few weeks into school and I think the hardest part is going from having SO much free time to having almost no free time.  Between classes, homework, fencing and work I find myself asleep by the time my head hits the pillow. 

                It’s good to be fencing again.  I’m glad I’m getting back in shape and doing something I enjoy at the same time.  The epee squad (of which I am captain!) is brand new!  There are two freshmen, one sophomore (who previously fenced sabre) and I am the only “veteran”!  They’re all really sweet girls and I have no doubt my last year fencing is going to be fantastic. 

                Just typing that last sentence makes me slightly queasy.  LAST YEAR!?  I cannot believe it.  I remember my freshman days like it was yesterday.  High school flew by but I think college went by even faster because semesters are so much shorter and we get so much vacation time.  Graduating from college means serious grown up time!  I’m nervous and excited at the same time.  I am going to really live this last year up.  Get the most of my classes, fencing, SHU friends and not having a 9-5 job.  J

                I used to hate Sundays but now they’re my favorite day of the week.  It’s the only day Eddie doesn’t work so it’s wonderful hanging out with him!  Today was absolutely beautiful.  Perfect 70's weather and we drove in the Jeep with the top down!  We went to Urban Outfitters in New Haven.  I went into compulsive shopping zone but ended up restraining myself and got one orange v-neck shirt.  It was my first time going to Urban Outfitters and it was really cool.  The clothes are a little too pricey for me (cheapest person ever) but they’re so funky and cute.  Plus they’ve got a tremendous sale section!  I really like their home décor section too.  Awesome wall art, etc.  New Haven in general is really cool.  Sometimes I get caught up with feeling like there’s nothing to do in Connecticut.  But then I go to New Haven and it’s just nice to experience something different. 

                After, we dropped Eddie’s kayak off at the house of his fishing buddy, Mike.  I got to meet his adorable baby daughter and very cool wife.  I mentioned being an English major at Sacred Heart and she told me she was a contributing editor at an environmental magazine.  She gave me an issue and told me contact the editor for an internship!  I am so excited!  What started as just dropping off Eddie’s kayak may have turned into a great opportunity for me.  It’s funny when things like that work out. 

                It’s almost midnight and I’m watching The Karate Kid.  That means I need to get off Facebook (GUILTY!) and go to bed.  Hehe. 

Summer's End

I’m at work now.  Not too much going on really.  Now that Oliver! is done the theatre is quiet and won’t pick up again until school is back.  Unfortunately that date has crept up on me.  It can’t be August 13th.  It just doesn’t compute.  Where did my summer go?  I didn’t do anything.  The first part was devoted to Brooke’s wedding and the second part went into Oliver!  I don’t mean to sound like my summer was a complete bust.  Time not spent in class is fun – I just wish I did more with my time.  I’m crossing my fingers for some out of state trip with Mr. Hansel.  <3

                Somehow my summer has been busy and uneventful.  Two weeks into living in the new condo and I am finally almost done unpacking.  I love the new place!  I especially love the walk-in closet *drools*.  We also have a balcony off of our room which is totally sweet!  Eddie and I share the condo with our buddy (SHU alumni) Anthony.  He’s pretty rad. 

                I’m looking forward to Saturday because I am getting together with the assistant coach, Paul Luciano, to fence for the first time in longer than I care to admit.  I think I recall saying something about getting in shape this summer.  Oops.  Hopefully I haven’t forgotten everything.  Extend,lunge, rinse, repeat.  Something like that.  :)

And now some pictures from the the day of the wedding (and one of my tattoo!)

1.  Bride and Bridesmaids (BMAD!) without hair or makeup done.  Just natural and in love with one another. :)

2.  My foot with tattoo which is got two days after wedding to make Brooke happy.  No tattoos allowed to show in Jewish wedding!

3.  Mr. Edward "Handsome" Hansel and me all gussied up for the big day. 

4.  BMAD - wedding style! <3  Lots of good/crazy/hilarious moments to remember from that day.

Routine

     This is the summer of routine.  So far all I've been doing is working at least 5 days a week; sometimes 6.  The Edgerton is really busy - selling dance recital tickets to animated stage moms, the upcoming musical theatre camp where I am a counselor and the play OLIVER! opening the first weekend in August.  
    For the first time, my days in Connecticut aren't limited.  I'm not anticipating a trip to England or anywhere else this summer.  Work and bridesmaid duties have consumed most of my time.  I have to shake this routine or this summer just might fly by me in a blur. 
    I guess I shouldn't be so hard on schedule lately.  Making money is awesome!  Bridesmaid duties include hanging with my best friends.  I actually have time to read for pleasure.  I have secured an awesome condo for the coming school year and I'm totally stoked about that.  My friend, Sara, also mentioned trying to take a weekend road trip to another state for some fun.  Maryland?  Virginia?  I think I'll do a little research online to see what's nearby and sunny!  What's been up with all this rain and mist?  It's reminding of my last summer - in England!  My mother is reporting beautiful English weather right now so something fishy is going on.  *puts on Sherlock Holmes hat and takes magnifying glass out of bag*

Off to investigate.  Or maybe just answer the perpetually ringing phone at the box office.

Slacker

I'm not sure what's happened to me lately. I've become such a slacker. It's not something I'm proud of. It's just something I've noticed. I used to be so much more on top of things. So much more punctual. Now I just put things off. And the worst part is I don't get that anxiety ridden feeling most people would get. I just decide I'll get things done...later.

Like I said this isn't something I'm proud of. It's something that has been irking me. Maybe a year ago this wouldn't have been the case which is why I consider it uncharacteristic of my personality. The promptness that used to come natural to me is something I've got to put more effort into. I've decided that's the only way things will be "right" for me.

Not so SPRING semester

                This winter seems particularly harsh.  When I think about the winters of my younger years I remember there being a significant blizzard and that was about it.  Now it seems as though every week we get snow and it’s just generally frigid.  There’s nothing very “spring” like about this semester thus far.  I can’t wait to see something bloom; to see a little bud peaking out between some melting snow.  I want to be warmed by the sun, not the electric blanket I cling to every night. 

                Besides the inclement weather, I am enjoying my courses this semester.  I am taking Digital Culture, Shakespeare, Art in the Western World, Advanced Composition (online) and Studies in Nature: Writing.  I like them all so far.  Both the topics we are studying and the professors are really interesting. 

It feels as though the semester is just getting underway but my fencing season is winding down.  The women’s team had a really awesome weekend at Tufts.  It was an excruciatingly long day but the hard work paid off.  We went 5-1 beating Vassar, Tufts, UMASS, Dartmouth and Smith.  Our one team loss was against Boston College.  The team was disappointed because BC is a good and we triumphed over them last year.  We couldn’t get too upset with ourselves though because it was a really successful day.  We have two more team meets and then the season is over.   I always have mixed feelings about the end of season.  On one hand, I use the hours I would be practicing for school work and more hours the theater.  On the other hand, I love fencing and I miss my teammates.  Either way, it’s coming to an end but there is always next year! 

Speaking of which, I need ready for practice.  We’re getting our team hoodies tonight and I’m super excited!  YES!

New Year - Fresh Start

     This blog has turned into a public display of my ability to procrastinate. With the challenges of last semester’s course work, fencing season truly getting underway and acquiring a new boyfriend (<3) I’ve been really busy. I thought I’d finally have the chance to update when break first started but it’s been three weeks and I still haven’t found time to really sit down and give a proper update. First my mom arrived from England to celebrate the Birthmas season with my sister and me. Birthmas is my favorite time of the year– my birthday on December 17th and then Christmas! What could be better? Then fencing season picked back up. I am currently in a hotel in Nowhereville, New Jersey with my team. We are fencing tomorrow at the Philly Invitational. We will be fencing against some of the best teams in the nation tomorrow. The lineup includes Penn State, Temple, Northwestern, Duke, North Carolina and Johns Hopkins. I wish this meet wasn’t during our winter break because I feel a bit rusty but it should be really exciting!
    I’m looking forward to a lot in this upcoming year: Lakers/Knicks game, SHU fencing home meet, new classes (especially Studies in Nature Writing!), the freedom of being 21, being a bridesmaid in a Jewish wedding, going to California (!), getting in better shape and being a better blogger, along with other random little things that will pop up and make life so awesome!

Transitions

Thank goodness for four day weeks. What did I do before I had Fridays off? How did I make it that ONE extra day? It seems like an insane thought but it used to be my reality. Even with Friday free it still amazes me how quickly the weekends fly by. This Friday I worked at Hollister in the Trumbull Mall and then spent the rest of my weekend doing domestic things around the house. Hopefully this weekend will be a bit more exciting! I think I’m going to go out dancing with Dorina. [Insert Dane Cook joke about girls who go out dancing here]

 I absolutely love autumn! The weather right now is what I consider perfect. The air is clear and crisp (which makes my hair happy! My hair hates humidity!) There is a certain smell that accompanies autumn which makes me really love being in New England at this time of year. It reminds me of going out of my way to step on crunchy leaves, apple cider, pumpkins, Thanksgiving dinner with my family, the vibrant colors of fall spilling their beauty onto this urban landscape, Halloween and all the other wonderful nostalgic sensory overloads that I experience during the fall!

 Right now I am at my other job at the Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts at Sacred Heart. This little theatre hosts some really big names such as Mitch Albom (September 15, 2008) and Rudy Giuliani (October 1, 2008). My duties at the theatre fluctuate between being house manager and box office clerk. As house manager, I direct the ushers working the theatre. I hand out responsibilities and make sure all of the theatre rules and safety regulations are being followed. I am a liaison between whoever is using the theatre and the theatre itself. I seat people and answer questions, the most common being, “where is the bathroom?” When I am a box office clerk, I sell tickets for upcoming events and perform other office duties. Today I am calling hundreds of senior citizen centers to promote the upcoming Jack Klugman event that will take place on October 19^th. Jack Klugman is an Emmy award winning actor who is best known for his role in The Odd Couple. Unfortunately my promoting sounds more like telemarketing. The octave of my voice rises and I suddenly sound like an annoying cheerleader. You know what I mean, that disgustingly sweet voice that is supposed to be inviting. “Hiiiiiiiii my name is Ali and I’m calling from the Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts at Sacred Heart University!” When I hear myself I know that the person on the other end of the line would just love to hang up. 

 This blog could not have worse transitions between paragraphs. In fact, there are no transitions. Sorry! Back to work. :)

Quick Update

I am incredibly busy. As I’m writing this blog I am ignoring a to-do list that is sky high! This is definitely my most challenging semester at Sacred Heart thus far. I expected it to be demanding because most people I talked to said junior year is the hardest. However, to add to my plate, I have two jobs and fence five days a week! It’s truly exhausting but very satisfying. Those days of doing absolutely nothing but sprawling out on the couch and watching mindless television seem like a paradise that is really deserved.

Since my last post so much has happened! I spent the majority of summer in England with my mom. I got to visit London, Corfu (a beautiful Greek island) and Amsterdam. When I got back to America, I moved into a new house in Bridgeport. For the first time in years, I’m living with my older sister, Naima. Our other roommate is Stephanie, who is the president of SHU FORCE, a dance club on campus. 

 As much as I enjoy writing with knowledge I won’t have a grade stamped on it, I have to resume my work! More posts to come… :)

En garde

I am beyond sore. My entire left leg hurts every time I walk or get up from a chair. Thursday night my mom and G drove me to All Saint’s College in Newcastle where a weekly fencing club is held. I was really nervous when I was on my way because I didn’t know what sort of people I would meet and if I would be up to their club’s standards. Fortunately, I received a warm welcome from the members of the Newcastle Fencing Club. We began with warm up exercises which were incredibly exhausting! They were different than the ones I do with the SHU team plus I haven’t done any fencing exercises in months! The pain I feel now is my own fault for not staying in shape after the fencing season ended. After warm-ups, we had some time for free fencing. It was great to fence epee again after such a hiatus. I wasn’t up to par but it was to be expected. Fencing isn’t like riding a bike; you can’t just hop back on after a break and be just as good. It takes time and practice. I hope I can go back next Thursday.

The grass is always greener...

My lack of posts has been due the last few hectic weeks of my life which have consisted of readying myself for my trip to England. Well I’ve arrived! I left America on June 15^th and after a little over 24 hours of traveling (which included flight delays, near starvation, and exhaustion) I arrived in Newcastle, England! My mom lives not too far from Newcastle in a little town called Hexham.  I went on a lovely walk in some nearby woods with my stepfather's daughter, Tess. She just graduated from Trinity College in Ireland with a degree in English and Philosophy.  We walked through the woods and caught up with eachother.  The woods were a bit steep and muddy at some parts so I had to try and shake the “city” part of me that longed for smooth pavement. It was beautiful.  The woods turned into pastures which were inhabited by cows, sheep, and some really majestic horses!  It's so refreshing to be in a place with clean, crisp air and green landscape as far as the eye can see.  I'm so happy I get to spend time with my mom who has been living in the UK for about tow years now.  I'll be here for two months and I can't wait to see what the summer has in store for me.