Is there an election coming up?

Something happened to me a few nights ago that actually made me very, very mad.

I was walking to Ragstock with Janae, my roommate, to look for Halloween garb for this weekend. On the way home, I received a phone call from a 608 (Madison's area code) number, and figured I should answer it on the off chance it was something important. By the way, this phone call happened at 9:00 at night. What the hell are you doing calling someone at 9:00?! Anyways, as soon as I answered it, there is someone on the other end of the line who is from one of Obama's volunteer offices. Now, I just want to be clear that this isn't about to be some speech about how I do or do not think Obama is the right candidate. I actually really don't like the way people put every thing the possible electees do or say under a microscope and out of context, regardless of the party affiliation. Just throwing out that little bit.

Anywho, this woman seemed snippy from the get go. She asks if Allison Smith is speaking, and I say yes. Then she goes on about how she is a volunteer for Obama and would like to take a couple of minutes of my time to speak with me about the upcoming election. Because I was with my roommate and it would be rude to sit on the phone (and, quite frankly, I didn't want to speak with her), I told her that I was busy and needed to go. And trust me, I said it in a very polite way. No need to get hasty.

This woman then asks me why I needed to leave. I said "I'm sorry, but I don't think that's really any of your business." She then says something a long the lines of "well I just want to make sure you're voting for the right candidate," to which I replied "I believe I am." She then continued by asking who I am voting for, which really made me angry. I replied with "With all due respect, I don't think that's any of your business either," to which she [very snootily] replies "I think it is, I live in this country too and want to make sure its citizens are voting the right way." Uh, hello, there's a reason voting booths are private.

Now listen, I understand that it might be the woman's job (even though it probably isn't) to call people who don't vote democrat and try to convince them. That is a difficult job. I  have to sell credit cards to people all the time and it is not fun. But once someone says no, let it go.

While those of you reading might not think this is a big deal, I really do think it is. The political culture this election season has just got me so irritated I can't even stand it. I get two phone calls a day from the Obama campaign asking for my vote. I would have to say about 75% of them are less than kosher on the phone. I work in sales, childcare, and business. I know what it means to call people and have to sound nice and pleasant, and these people are not it. They are all tirelessly rude and insist on keeping me on the phone. Do they really think that irritation is the way to get my vote?

Has nothing to do with the post,
just thought I'd lighten the mood.
Me and Reils, circa 2008

I have never really been into politics. I think that it is really all lies and scheming to try to get people your vote, regardless of what you actually think, and that it occurs in both parties. It's all about image. Why the hell do I care what Ann Romney is wearing and how the hell does that make a difference? I think that politics brings out the absolute worst in people. In a political culture, people refuse to hear both sides of the situation. They don't look at things through a bipartisan lens. They might claim to, but in my experience the majority of people don't. They take words that are said during debates ("binders full of women," for example) and completely blow them out of proportion. They ignore facts and make up new ones to make their candidate look better.

I am voting republican. Most people know that. However, most people often ask me why or are confused with the combination of my major (child development/family studies) and my voting record. I've even been accused of being a "bad person" for voting republican. I work with low income families and children every week. I volunteer. I want to go into family services and help foster children. And you're about to call me a bad person? I don't think so. When Obama came to my campus in 2010, I went. I waited in line for two hours to see someone I'm generally not a huge fan of speak, because he was the president and it was an honor to have him on our campus. When he came to campus this year, I decided to use my time to do homework and go to the gym. I had already seen him once, I knew who I was voting for, so there was no need for me to wait in line for 5+ hours to see him. And someone actually had the nerve to tell me I was being disrespectful to our country. REALLY?!

The vast majority of the people I consider to be my best friends are democrats, and we get along great. Sure, there are those moments at the bars when politics comes up and things get a little heated, but we usually digress pretty well and no feelings are hurt, so I know that people can be polite and still talk about politics. So why aren't we?

Both of the candidates are smart men. You don't get to be a candidate for the presidency without being at least savvy and know how to get to where you want to go, and to be nominated for the presidency is kind of a tough place to get to. Even if you think one or both are just manipulative douchers, could you manipulate your way to being a candidate for the presidency? I think not. So please, have respect for each candidate, regardless of whether you agree with them or not. There are arguments on both sides of the equation. Respect your fellow voters.

And if you can't handle it anymore, get ready to party. HALLOWEEN.
(but be sure to live through the weekend so you can vote)

Ta-ta for now!

By the Time I'm 30...

Two posts in a week? I know, I'm getting prettttty crazy.

This post is inspired by a graduate student that I'm working with who is celebrating her 30th birthday today. In the car ride back from a rather long home visit (for my lab) in Racine, she was talking about all the things she thought she'd be or have by the time she was thirty: wife,  mom,  [real] professional,  house-owner, car-owner, etc. This of course got me thinking as to where I want to be in just over nine years.

Throughout high school, I had a plan. This plan was to be in law school by 22, married by 25, have my first child (or rather, daughter) by 26, and everything would follow from there. Since graduating in 2009, this plan has changed immensely. Well, sort of.

If I had my way, this plan would probably still be the same. The only major difference is that I am taking time off between undergrad and law school to "find myself" (or, better put, to make some cash money). If I could plan my life exactly how I wanted it, it would be like this:

1. Finish all of my classes by May and graduate in the spring of 2013. 
2. Spend a wonderful summer in Madison, Wisconsin.
3. Move to Chicago, IL and live in a beautiful apartment downtown with one of my best friends.
4. Find a terrific job as a child welfare specialist/child development specialist that pays enough to cover all of my bills and then some. (I can't live in Chicago and not hit up Michigan Ave. every once in a while, right?) 
5. After two or three years in Chicago, go to law school either in Chicago or back at UW-Madison. Hooray!
6. Meet a terrific, McDreamy man (complete with gorgeous, ever flowing hair) who just happens to be a world class brain surgeon and has an affinity for german shepherd puppies and flying to London on the regular.
7. Acquire two german shepherd puppies who just happen to be house trained. Name them Cory and Topanga. 
8. Graduate from law school with a dual degree in law and a masters of social work.
9. Get married to McDreamy in a fabulous lace dress at a magnificent wedding of eggplant and ivory. 
10. Be hired as a [tobedetermined] at [thebestpossibleplacetowork].
11. Have a beeeeautiful little girl by the name of Kristyne Grace.
12. ....I guess I would settle for a boy, too.
13. Turn thirty. 

While I'm sure you all know that I'm definitely going to meet McDreamy (I'll settle for McSteamy, too...and even McVet), I'm afraid you guys will have to settle for the fact that the probability of me doing all of that other stuff by the time I'm thirty is slim.

So, here is my realistic plan: 

1. Finish all of my classes by summer of 2013, if not May, and still be able to graduate in the spring of 2013.
2. Spend a wonderful summer in Madison, Wisconsin.
3. Move to Chicago, IL and live in an average apartment in a safe neighborhood with one of my best friends.
4. Find any job that's not babysitting and pays enough to cover my bills. 
5. Probably work part time at Loft...I'm never escaping retail. 
6. Go to law school after a few years...once I'm more financially stable (only to have it ripped out of my hands at the mercy of my education. shit.).
7. Be prepared to recite the serenity prayer. Over, and over, and over again.
8. Turn thirty.

There you have it, folks. If there is anything I have learned over the past two years, it's that you have no idea where life is going to take you, and that is okay! When life throws you for a loop, grab some chardonnay (or maybe apple juice, for you under-agers) and watch some Grey's. Or Boy Meets World. Then take a nap, wake up, and start over. Or at least that's worked pretty well for me. 

Ta-ta for now! 

baaaaby Alli!

GOOD NEWS

Hey everyone!

I know it's been a while and I don't think anyone actually reads this, but it's kind of therapeutic to write about what's been going on...so here's what's been going on!

In my post-London life, I've learned a lot. For one, I've become very good at managing money. After London, I was in a lot of credit card debt. Not like "oh shit, I can't pay my bills" bad, but pretty bad nonetheless. I have been spending a LOT less money since then and doing barely any shopping (which, let's face it, is my go-to activity when I'm bored), so I've been pretttty proud of myself.

I've also been doing especially awesome in school and really do love my classes. I knew HDFS was the right major for me, but this semester has really solidified it. I'm constantly surrounded by great people who have the same passion for children that I do and that makes it a really awesome, conducive learning environment. Plus our new SoHE building is rather kick-ass, if I do say so myself. I also did really super well on a multiple choice test which NEVER happens because I am a notoriously bad test taker, so that was super exciting! YAY.

I've been keeping up with going to the gym and being healthy, too! I head to the gym four, usually five days a week and usually stay for about an hour and a half, working on cardio, running the track, doing free weight work, abs, etc. I've definitely started noticing changes in my body and energy levels (I don't need as many naps!) and my cravings for unhealthy food are virtually nonexistent (besides BWW). It's so great to finally feel good about myself and feel right in my skin!

I've also started working on a great internship for the Waisman Center. Because of confidentiality issues, I can't really discuss the nature of it online, but it has really opened my eyes to some unfortunate conditions that children not only in America but in my HOME TOWN live in. It's only inspired me to really work to try and change at least one child's life, and I hope the study I'm on will help achieve that. I think it's made me even more capable of thinking outside the box and seeing things through some not-so-rose-colored glasses, and I really believe that it's something everyone should do once in their life. Just step outside your box and explore things you're generally really not comfortable with, you'd be surprised how much you can learn!

That being said, as of late I have spent a lot of time thinking about my life. I know that sounds sooo ridiculously cliched, but it's really crazy to think "one year ago I was here, two years ago, three..." etc. In the past year especially I have changed SO much and have become the person I've really always wanted to be, but had been scared to get out of my comfort zone. I've reached out and made new friends, tried new things, been adventurous (crazy, right), began working out consistently, joined clubs, etc. It is seriously amazing how much a year of being "alone" (whilst always surrounded by friends, of course) can change you. I don't feel the need to constantly be in communication with someone or see someone and I'm perfectly okay having a day where I kind of just chill and hang out alone. I'm just in a really healthy place, spiritually, mentally, and physically, and it's a great feeling.

Anyways, sorry about that long rant about myself. Anyone who reads this, let me know how you're doing! I'd love to hear from everyone :)

Ta-ta for now (or possibly a couple of months)!