what is her secret?

As I continued my job search today, I realized that the phrase "because of the economy" has become a steady part of my diet.

The class of 2009 is struggling to find jobs because of the economy. There's been an influx of graduate program applicants because of the economy. I can't shop because of the economy.

And while we're all praying to wake up and discover the Dow Jones jumped 3,000 points over night, employers are banging down our doors to offer us our dream jobs (with paid vacations!), and someone accidentally purchased us winning lottery tickets, there are still people who are unaffected by the failing economy.

Who exactly?

Barbie Millicent Roberts.

As she approaches her fiftieth birthday tomorrow, the festivities do not appear to be tainted by the economic slump (she's no recessionista). She's starting her day with a face lift. After that, she's off to her brand new dream home. Finally, she'll revel in her newest 50 outfits.

But don't worry. While Barbie may be living life sans-slump, she still has sympathy for those struggling to get by. The newly unveiled Barbie, face lift and all, will sell for three dollars this week, which is exactly how much she cost in 1959. This is especially generous of Mattel, seeing as three dollars in 1959 is about twenty two dollars today.

And while I might be offended if I turned fifty and people decided I should be made-over and sold at half price, I think it's the perfect way to celebrate Barbie's big day. Besides, it's pretty impressive that she hasn't aged a day in fifty years.

ahead of the game

At a time when nothing seems to be quite right (war, bad economy, global warming- and yet it's still freezing...) it's comforting that some things still come together perfectly: 03.03.09.

The first square root day since 02.02.04 and the last until 04.04.16.

Granted it only seems appropriate during these shaky times that I'm a few hours behind- as it's now 03.04.09- not nearly a perfect square.

But, for me, one who is often brushing my teeth one last time while my friends are ready to go, or switching from belt to belt right as my phone alerts me that my meeting is starting, I like to think that maybe being a little behind (from time to time) is the way to go.

Would I have been part of the three car pile up only one car ahead, had I left on time? Would I have remembered to turn off my curling iron if I'd hurried out the door? Would I have gotten sick if I'd sat next to the guy with the flu, instead of being two rows behind (and ten minutes behind)? Would I have missed the new (and beautiful) satin gala tote at J'Crew had I arrived, shopped, and left five minutes earlier?

Of course, this all might be me trying to rationalize a run that was a little too long or a shower that was just too warm to get out of. Or, it might simply be a way of thinking outside the box. I mean, if Prada can get away with sending waders (yes, green fishing waders) down the runway during their fall fashion show and yet still others are actually spending money on a Snuggie (it really is a crazy world we live in) then it seems we can get away with just about anything.

And really, it may be less that we can get away with it and more that we must. We must think creatively. We must force ourselves to look at something one way, then turn it upside down and see it anew. We must give ourselves a little freedom to do what we want and find a way to rationalize it.

So really, sure, I might be a little behind on square root day. But, if you think about it, I'm about seven years, one month, and one day ahead of 04.04.16.

march is wonderful because...

1. it is getting warmer (we really will make it to spring!)
2. st. patrick's day is coming
3. about a million wonderful people celebrate their birthdays
4. march 5. (halfie)
5. flowers will start to bloom soon
6. it's spring break season
7. we can all change our calendars
8. the days are getting longer
9. it's skirts with no tights season
10. march madness

happy march :)

enough to go around

"A mother is only as happy as her saddest child." Loving Leah

When I was in sixth grade, my teacher called me to her desk. The class was working silently, but momentarily put down their pencils to listen.

"Whitney, are you Catholic?" she asked.
"No, we're Presbyterian," I said naively.
"Oh, OK," she smirked.

Today, I can only thank the Lord himself for blessing me with such blissful Catholic innuendo ignorance.

My teacher, who'd recently learned I was one of five children, was implying that my parents must not use birth control.

Now, it almost seems funny though, that Nadya Suleman didn't have to decide whether or not she believed in contraceptives. She didn't even need to have sex to conceive her fourteen children.

It's interesting, though, that Suleman's fourteen are now opening up criticism for women who have chosen to have five or six children (or really any more than three).

These women, assumed to be either incredibly religious or the victims of a medical mishap, are being told that they couldn't possibly have enough love and affection for so many kids.

And maybe if I hadn't been one of five, I'd say the same thing. Maybe I too would think that after three kids a mother's love is maxed out and she's forced to spread it thinly over the remaining kids like the last of the butter on burnt toast (the heel of the bread, mind you).

But I know this is not the case. I know that even if the first four kids are happily tucked in bed, snuggling with puppies and dreaming of Disney World, my mom can't sleep. She can't sleep until her fifth baby is tightly tucked in too. Even if four of us are kings and queens of great countries, if the fifth is still a pauper, she's not completely happy.

And it became ever-more evident last weekend, during my final Mom's Weekend. My mom came, even though she's been to IU thousands of times (she did go here...). Even though I saw her last weekend and will see her next weekend. Even though she lives approximately one hour from IU, she booked a hotel for the weekend. It was a weekend of shopping, dining and fabulous outings, and her love could not have been any more abundant.

And when Sam said to her, "Mom, will you buy me..." and she began, "Yes..." before he finished the sentence, it was obvious she'd do anything to keep even the last of five happy.

So, maybe Suleman is crazy, seeing as she was already struggling to support her six children. Maybe it wasn't the best choice, seeing as she's single and living with her parents. Who really knows? Regardless of how much her decision lacks logic, it's evident that it certainly doesn't lack love.