Why so sad?

Last night I saw the new Robert Pattinson movie Remember Me (I have no shame saying I think he is gorgeous and love seeing his beautiful face on screen) and enjoyed it, but it leads me to this question: why do they have to make movies so sad? Sorry if some people haven't seen it and still want to, but did he really have to die in the World Trade Center from the 9/11 attacks? That was a complete shocker and just so sad. It wouldn't have been as bad if I knew the movie was going to be about 9/11, but I thought this was going to be a mere love story! Then when I realized it wasn't quite a regular love story (when the opening sequence of the movie has a mother being shot and killed on the subway you're lead to that realization pretty quickly), I was ok with how the story was turning out and things were starting to get better for the family because the dad was spending more time with his kids and all, but then they had to KILL the son! It was a pretty good movie overall I suppose, but come on spare the audience a little bit people.

Sometimes really sad movies are just not warranted. Sure, everyone likes a good cry every once in a while; The Notebook, Dear John, even Million Dollar Baby (although I think they could have gone with something a little less heartbreaking than paralysis from the neck down) are all fine tearjerkers. But there is definitely an invisible line that can be crossed. Cue the Lion King. How traumatizing is Mufasa's death for Simba and every child in the world? Couldn't he have just died from a freak accident? Did Simba really need to discover his body and feel it was his fault? I've cried every time I have seen that movie from age 5. Disney seems to have a way with sad movies that are just uncalled for...Old Yeller? I can proudly say I have never seen that movie because my parents protected me from the anguish. I knew that dang dog would die and I just couldn't handle it. The movie that tops them all? Bambi. That opening scene where his mother is KILLED BY A HUNTER and he (once again Disney come on) finds her body. I always had to fast forward through the beginning and start in the scene where Bambi meets Thumper or Flower I can't remember.

Movie directors just need to take the American public's feelings into account more when making a movie. I don't need all movies to be happy-go-lucky, but I don't need the worst possible scenarios to be shown on screen either. And all of this stemmed from a Robert Pattinson movie...who woud've known?

What to do, What to do

I am lost. I went to a career night today for athletes and came out of it more confused than I already was. And that was pretty confused. I know eventually I would like to own my own business - whether it be a non-profit, a bakery, a sporting good store, a restaurant, or something else - but the money to do this doesn't grow on trees (although I will gratefully accept donations) and there is no guarantee that my business will be successful. Basically, I need to raise some money first. That is why Accounting seems like a good option; I'd get a job right out of college which is a definite plus, but I've heard it's a huge yawner. FInance is another good option, and following the stock market was what first got me interested in Business, but I don't know if I want to look at stocks all day. Another dilemma I have (amazing I know that all of this is going on in my head at one time) is the fact that I have always been great at math and think quantitatively, but Marketing and other non-mathematical subjects have started to interest me a lot more the past few years. This just confuses the whole process.

All things considered, my current major choice is Economics. I figure this is definitely business-oriented, but doesn't tie me down to a particular field that doesn't really interest me like Accounting and Finance. This degree, I think, looks a little better than a Marketing degree (no offense at all to you Marketing majors, my sister included) and adds the Math/Finance aspects to it. Using it for a career such as a market researcher or a brand manager sounds appealing.

Well, I could go on, but I will stop here since I have no doubt bored you already. Any thoughts on what I should do? Major/Career advice? Even suggestions for a summer job (unrelated, but important to me nonetheless)? So many choices, three and a half years to decide! What to do, what to do...

FEED

(FEED 5 bear)

Ever since I transferred into the business school here at Lehigh, I've been thinking about what career path I'd like to take in the business world. Finance or Accounting seem like promising fields and would definitely make me a lot of money, but neither seem too appealing. What really seems interesting and fulfilling to me is starting or working for a nonprofit organization. Honestly, how cool would that be? It all started when I learned about micro-finance companies in my Asian Studies class that provide loans to individuals around the globe that want to start their own business. The example we saw was an Indian woman who had an abusive, bum of a husband, sho was very good at embroidery, not only for her own family but for friends and neighbors. She wanted to start a company to pay for her daughters' schooling and support her family since her husband obviously did not. She found out a micro-finance company that leant her a loan that allowed her to start her company. Now the business is thriving, her daughters can go to school, and her husband learned to respect her more.

If that amazing story wasn't enough, a couple months ago I learned about FEED Projects. FEED is an organization that sells FEED bags - has also expanded to selling FEED bears and other products - with all proceeds going to feed hungry children. Each bag sold feeds at least 1 child in an undeveloped nation (now they are focusing on Haiti) for a YEAR through the WFP school-feeding operations that provides children a lunch during the school day to keep kids healthy and in school. The program also provides "take-home rations" that children can bring home to their families providing an incentive for families to send children to school and also to help girls get an education where they otherwise wouldn't. My favorite project is the FEED 5 bear shown above Plumpy'nut (energy-rich paste made of peanuts, milk, powder, sugar, vegetable oil, and a fortified vitamin mixture) to 5 malnourished children in the region of East Africa. How amazing is this program? I absolutely fell in love with it and really want to get a bear or bag asap.

I learned about the program because one of the company's leaders came to Lehigh through the Entrepreneurship program. I desperately wanted to go but unfortunately had basketball. I looked up more about the company, loved it, and wanted to contact the founder to see just how you could even start a program like that. I couldn't even fathom starting a company; think of all the things you have to do! You are in charge of marketing, finance, accounting, operations...everything! I just wouldn't know where to begin. So, I went to contact the founder and then saw that it was Lauren Bush. As in the niece of former president George W. Bush. Yes, that Lauren Bush. This kind of sunk my hopes a little bit. It probably isn't too hard to start a company when your family owns most of Texas and you're sitting on a pile of cash. But, nonetheless this is one my life dreams and maybe in a few years (maybe more than a few) I will blog about my newly found company and then later it's great success. Hopefully. Where there's a will there's a way right?

And the madness ends

Basketball season is officially over. Back in November and December, I couldn't wait for this moment to come. I was counting down not the weeks or days, but the hours. It was that bad. Now, with a few more months of experience under my belt, a new positive outlook on the whole situation, and amazing memories with teammates, I don't really want it to end. The last time you do anything, whether it be the last game you play, class you go to, or time you see a person, never really holds the significance it deserves. You never really believe it's over. It's not until after the fact that it really hits you that you are done. Sure I'll be back next season (and two more after that), but key faces will be missing and the team will be completely different. It's just kind of sad you know? Oh well I suppose all good things must come to an end and we truly had an amazing season. I can't wait to continue the success next year and earn another ring!


(HIlton Coliseum, Ames, Iowa March 21 vs Lehigh)

So back to how our season ended...We lost to Iowa State yesterday in the first round of the NCAA tournament and although the game didn't turn out the way we wanted to, it was an AWESOME experience. We played in the NCAA TOURNAMENT in front of a sea of 6,738 Iowans decked out in red and yellow to support their Cyclones (a majority of them in their later years; MB called it a "senior citizens' convention"). They all stood up and clapped in unison when the fight song played, roared when Iowa State did anything noteworthy, and chanted "Iowa power" at timeouts. Quite an intimidating venue and quite a fun place to play at. That sums up why we play college basketball in a nutshell and that's why I'm going to miss it for a few months! The countdown to the 2010-11 season begins...

Eat and Eat and Eat

Basketball trips are not good for me. This is one reason why...

This is another reason why...


All we seem to do on basketball trips is eat. We wake up, and go to breakfast. We hang out in our rooms for a little - nap, watch tv, maybe study if we're feeling good, and if we're feeling even better go to the fitness center- and then we eat our pregame meal. We load up the bus for the game, grab some snacks and eat. We play (I use the term loosely), then we have pizza in our locker room. We load up the bus and head back to Lehigh, we have our post game meal waiting for us on our seats. We eat and eat and eat and then eat some more. Do you know what this does to my body?? I like to believe in the concept of moderation, but this just throws me off. I mean how can I deny fresh, cheesy pizza when it's sitting right in front of me wafting smells of deliciousness? And when we stop for Coldstone or Friendly's on our bus rides home, how can I turn down a Like It sized scoop of pure ice cream heaven? I can't and I don't, that's how. I've gotten a LITTLE better recently, but I'm mostly banking on the fact that after basketball ends I will eat better. I MUST eat better. It should be a little bit easier living off of subpar dining hall food for the next month. Somehow old salad bars, pasty grilled chicken, and strange curry noodles just don't compare. Let's hope in a few weeks I'll be on my way towards a healthier, slimmer, more energized new me!

You know you're in Iowa when...

(Escaped cow causes traffic jam for two hours on local highway)