Life After Connecticut College

As of today, Obama has been president for a month. It has been a very difficult month for his administration and the Republicans being absolutely impossible to work with and appease. Unsurprisingly, the Republican Party is "disappointed" stating, "Obama's first month has been marked by wasteful spending, failed bipartisanship, and questionable ethics." Funny how quickly they forget what a failure the last eight years have proven to be. Nevertheless, the stimulus package has passed and hopefully things will start to improve slowly, but surely. That being said, I'm truly shocked of how hard the economy is tanking. It is affecting everyone everywhere. Even the little bubble I live in. Let's discuss.

First, and most important to me, is the MBTA, the loathsome public transportation of Boston, which has been in debt since, about, forever. Now, they are thinking of reducing service and raising fares, which is ridiculous. If they have services cuts, less people will ride; if they raise prices, less people will ride. These are inconveniences that can be prevented. As I have no experience in this sector or business all together, I really can't offer any advice other than look at the past. The MTA, New York City's public transportation, was in debt and full of old, useless subway cars, about 30-20 years ago, but have managed to improve substantially. MBTA, pay attention! Next on my importance scale are jobs. No, I haven't been laid off (yet). Thank goodness. However, the president of our hospital held a Town Meeting to discuss how the economy is affecting us. Due to the current financial conditions, there will be a hiring and income freeze, among other things. Moreover, a friend lost his job and has been unable to find a new one. Additionally, as of today, the country's unemployment rate is nearly 5 million. Ugh. Also, I was recently looking at flights home (to Fort Myers, FL) and was surprised to find a shortage of non-stop flights from Boston. Not only are the flights more expensive but now they're longer, too! Looks like I won't be making a trip home for a while. Finally, I am saddened to have noticed many small shops and restaurants closing in the Boston area.

Continue reading "The Curious Case of the Stimulus Package" »

Posted by Marissa Velarde at 2:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I survived Inauguration. A nine hour drive down, standing in freezing temperatures for hours, and another 9 hour drive back was absolutely worth making the trip to DC. Let me tell you why.

We departed on Saturday afternoon and arrived around 1:30 am to fellow Camel Ali Funk's sweet house in U Street Corridor. Although I was really excited to be in the nation's capitol, we went to bed in order to prepare ourselves for the free concert on Sunday. The concert, We Are One, kicked off the inaugural festivities and set the tone for the weekend. It started at 2 pm and we arrived at 1 to find there was already a huge amount of people gathered from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial, where the concert took place. People climbed on top of port-a-potties, trees, and people to get a view but we managed to squeeze through the crowds and found a spot where we could see the stage as well as the jumbo-trons. It was a star-studded event that included performances by Bruce Springsteen, Mary J. Blige, Sheryl Crow, Jon Bon Jovi, Garth Brooks, Stevie Wonder, etc, etc, and my favorite band OF ALL TIME U2! Needless to say, I was thrilled. There were also many actors who read dialogues about history including Tom Hanks, Steve Carell, Jack Black, among others that left you scratching your head wondering who thought it was a good idea for so-and-so to talk about politics. Nevertheless, the excitement and pure joy among everyone was very tangible. People had traveled not only from all parts of country but from foreign countries as well. Despite the large crowds of people and what normally happens when people are forced to inhabit each other's personal spaces, everyone was in good spirits. And so it began...

Continue reading "Well, You Know You Make Me Wanna (SHOUT)" »

Posted by Marissa Velarde at 8:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Another political posting...

Last week I decided I will be making the trek to DC for Inauguration 2009 to welcome our new president, Barack Obama. After speaking to some friends, many of them will be joining me for the adventure. Even though I don't have enough vacation days and I'm poor, I am attending because it will be one of the most important moments in American history and I want to tell my grandchildren about it. "Back in 2009, I remember..." According to new reports, it has been estimated that four million people will flock to our capital - the largest ever - for the ceremony while others will line the parade route. Our nation has not been this excited about a new president in a very long time. It is truly a celebration.

Continue reading "Get Up, Stand Up" »

Posted by Marissa Velarde at 10:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

I am very happy about the results of the election on November 4th that have given me hopes for the future of this country. Even more so, I am pleased that the voice of our generation, America's youth, has spoken and has been heard. Not only have we managed to rid ourselves of the Republican party but we have elected a non-white, young, and international gentleman to represent the American people and bring about much needed change. It is truly an epic moment. There is still much to do to get this country on the right track and Obama has yet to prove himself but I believe that things will slowly, but surely, improve. Thank you to all who voted.

That being said, I would like to turn my attention to other important matters - the representation of women in this election. Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin have been scrutinized by the media, which has reinforced stereotypes of women. Clinton is "the bitch" and Palin is "the diva" or "ditz". It is sad that this is what has come out of the most prominent leadership positions women have had in U.S history.

Continue reading "The Wheel's Still in Spin" »

Posted by Marissa Velarde at 12:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"Well, we're movin' on up, to the east side. To our deluxe apartment in the sky. Movin' on up, to the east side..." Yep, I have left the godforsaken land known as Brighton/Allston. That's right, folks. No more B line, buses that are never on time, and obnoxious college kids. I have traded it in for the green and orange line, Italian food, and a gentlemen's club (get your mind out of the gutter, not THAT kind). I now call the North End home. I live with fellow camel Seth Solway and kickball teammate Kate, across the street from "the world famous Pizzeria Regina" and above the Gemini club, the gentlemen's club. We moved in September 1st, along with 90% of Boston, in the midst of an Italian feast on our block. It was a total nightmare! Alas, we still managed to get all our stuff into the apartment that day despite the chaos.

So, if you know nothing about Boston, let me explain the North End to you. It is the "little Italy" of Boston and everywhere you turn there are Italian restaurants, bakeries, pizza places, and Italian elderly that sit outside talking loudly. It reminds me a lot of where I grew up - Astoria, NY (Queens) - except that instead of Italians there were Greeks. The point is there is so much food around here. Good food, at that. And worse yet, not cheap. As such, I have an inkling that I will be gaining weight and becoming poor this year. Ah well, such is life. I just cannot say no to the hot pizza, delicious rice balls, and the cannolis. Oh, the cannolis! Be still, my stomach.

Continue reading "Movin' On Up..." »

Posted by Marissa Velarde at 6:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Agh, I started this entry a week ago and forgot about it and am only now just getting back to it... my apologies. So where was I? Ah, yes...

I've been meaning to write a new entry for some time now but have found myself busy doing... stuff, which I will now tell you about. I have done something fun every weekend so this is going to be a long entry. Thus, I've separated my entry into segments so that you can come back to finishing your reading easily.

Continue reading "Viva La Vida" »

Posted by Marissa Velarde at 12:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gee whiz, May is almost over. Hard to believe. This month has flown by without my noticing. But you know what they say - time flies by when you're having fun. I must have been having lots of fun...

May started out with a bang, as it usually does, ever since the introduction of Floralia into my life. Now, I consider it a nondenominational holiday, which I plan on celebrating for the rest of my life. I believe that I have the power to make it a holiday that is celebrated by many across the nation and, eventually, across the globe. In fact, I celebrated Floralia along with other fellow Camels in Cape Town during our semester abroad during which most of neighbors got involved, including our landlord & lady as well as our frequent cab driver. It was incredible, to say the least. This year was my first and perhaps last Floralia at CC as an alum. Nonetheless, I will carry along the tradition of waking up early and having a drink in the shower on the first Saturday of May wherever I go. I believe Floralia is well on its way to having national recognition. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floralia

Continue reading "Trust Me on the Sunscreen" »

Posted by Marissa Velarde at 2:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

April has turned out to be a very interesting month in the life of me. A brief overview of the events so far: decided I was going to start looking for a new place, was told that my grant money has run out and I cannot stay at my current job for long, started to consider moving to New York City, took the MCAT, decided life after college stinks. Now, details...

As mentioned, I was interested in finding a new apartment in Boston. My current roommate and I get along alright but I want to live with someone that I can hang out with once in a while (without the TV). She loves TV and watches it all night and sometimes all weekend. Not only does this waste a tremendous amount of electricity (which creates a whole in my wallet and is not good for Mother Earth), but it is not something I can really participate in. Watching TV is a rare occurrence for me and I like it that way. I also don't think we have very much in common. I would like a roommate that I can talk to, go out with, and maybe even have dinner together. As I was contemplating this and trying to figure out how to break the news to her, my supervisor informs me that I have about a month left at my job sine there is no money left to keep me employed. This created a lot of stress in my life because now I had to find a new job, figure out my living situation, and not worry too much about it so that I could study for the MCAT. Jesus Christ.

Continue reading "I Wish the Real World Would Just Stop Hassling Me" »

Posted by Marissa Velarde at 3:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

It's that time of the year... when I constantly repeat to myself, "April showers bring May flowers". For me, April is such a bittersweet month. There is the excitement for spring, which slowly and unexpectedly makes abrupt appearances, and then there's the melancholy that goes along with the more common dark, gray, rainy weather. In the past, though, I usually didn't mind the rain. This year I do. There are two reasons for my newfound dislike. One of the reasons is that I walk two miles to work and another two home in comparison to the previous four years when the most walking I did on a regular basis was from my dorm room to the AC. Now, whenever it rains I have to decide whether I'd rather get wet (because umbrellas are useless since the rain has a tendency to come from many directions) or take public transportation with all the people that normally walk but are avoiding the rain in addition to the regular riders. Tough call. However, the main reason I dislike this weather is because it makes me miss Dublin. Although this summer the country of Ireland had a record of 63 days of consecutive rain, all of which I was present for, I never seemed to mind. The rainy Dublin weather was not like the dreary, wet New England weather, where it rains all day creating massive puddles that car drivers like to go through at full speed and wet pedestrians. In Dublin, the 63 days of consecutive rain did not mean gray, cloudy skies for 63 days. Some of those days it was just a little sprinkle and the sun would come out, other days I was entirely unaware that it had rained at all. Best of all were the rainbows. Nevertheless, this weather makes me long for the days I ate plenty dairy products and drank great beer.

Continue reading "It's a Bittersweet Symphony, This Life" »

Posted by Marissa Velarde at 8:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I love St. Patrick's Day. My passion for it started sometime during my childhood because I went to Catholic school with Irish-American kids. They would all bring Irish treats to school and the teachers always had activities for us. Since then, I have always tried to celebrate the holiday, even if in a small way. I even got my tattoo on St. Patrick's Day when I was 18 (my tattoo is now 5 years old). Since high school, the St. Patrick's Day festivities have gotten better. However, this year it was "go big or go home". I mean, I now live in Boston, the mecca of Irish immigrants. There was no way I was going to just go to a bar and drink green beer. Instead, to celebrate, we went down to Southie on Sunday to watch the parade, make some new friends, and get sloppy.

Continue reading "Dirty Old Town" »

Posted by Marissa Velarde at 11:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Saturday, March 1st was my birthday. If you did not wish me a happy birthday, you are forgiven. But you have to buy me ice cream. Anyway, I am now 23 years old. Crazy. To celebrate my newfound "maturity", I had a weekend full of self-indulgence and fun. It all began Friday night with dinner at Teatro, which I had never been to but loved. I highly recommend it. It's located in the theater district and the interior is very cool and modern with a theatrical feel. The food was also amazing - I had scallops that melted in my mouth. It was perfect. After dinner, we went to Gypsy Bar because I had heard they serve up some great martinis. That night just so happened to be some sort of launch party for Ashley Simpson's new album. You could pay extra money to sit in the VIP room with her and her boyfriend and posse. I don't think anyone chose to do this. Instead everyone watched her through the glass barrier and took pictures of her. It was pretty funny to see the VIP room so empty. Poor Ashely. Other than that, Gypsy was a lot of fun. The drinks were good and the dancing was even better. Post-Gypsy, we pigged out some more by heading to Chinatown for some yummy food. I can't remember what I ate but I know that it was heavenly.

On Saturday, I dragged myself out of bed to Our House for brunch and to continue the celebration. I started the day off with a blood mary because it is the only way to start drinking again while having a massive hangover. It wasn't the best blood mary but it did the trick. The rest of the day consisted of trying to keep my buzz going while getting stuff for a little birthday bash I was throwing. Don't worry, I wasn't drinking alone. Anyway, I had some people over for pre-gaming and then we headed over to The Kells in Allston. Yet again, I had never been to The Kells and had mixed reviews about it but I had an incredible time. Not a good time or a fun time. No, it was INCREDIBLE. I'm sure this had a bit to do with the night's drinks. Nonetheless, The Kells is a great place to go dancing because they have an entire floor dedicated to the activity.

Continue reading "Twenty-three, on the Verge of Combustion" »

Posted by Marissa Velarde at 11:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

One of the things I miss most about college is that the weekend started Friday mornings (I was not of those lucky ones whose weekends started on Thursdays). Now, I have to wait until Friday evening, which is much too long. Friday is THE longest day of the week by far, mostly because I just can't wait for the weekend to start. And then, of course, the weekend just flies by and next thing I know it's Monday again. So I try to make sure that my weekends are jam-packed full of fun. And, that, they have been...

Last weekend, the long President's Day weekend, was full of adventure and surprise. It all started out swell. Abby Ballou and I had planned to drive to Greenwich, CT and then take Metro-North to NYC. This was made impossible by several occurrences. While driving down I-84W, something flew off the car in front of us and gave us a flat tire. As Abby called AAA (Association of Apathetic Asses), I attempted to change the flat with confidence since I have successfully done so before. Much to my dismay, a combination of darkness, frigid wind, and a lack of a tire iron (to loosen the bolts on the rim) made it futile. An hour and a half later and several attempts at finding someone other than AAA to help us out, our AAA man showed up in his big truck. Just as we were getting excited to get going, our man informs us that our spare is flat. Are you kidding me?! Nope. Luckily, our guy is the only person at AAA that is helpful and he took our spare to a gas station to fill up with air. However, this wasted only more our precious time and we were left with only a little over an hour to drive 70 miles on a spare, which we could only drive 55mph on. Talk about cutting it dangerously close! We manage to get to the New Haven station (since we obviously were not going to make it to Greenwich) with about 2 minutes to spare... which ended up being not enough. Abby and I stood on the platform and watched the last train of the day pull away. Bastards. Nevertheless, we did manage to get to New York. We arrived in the city at 1:30am via Greyhound.

Continue reading "Friday, I'm in Love" »

Posted by Marissa Velarde at 8:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

First off, I'd like to thank Chris for including me in the Life After Connecticut College blog. Although it is not entirely a dream come true, it's pretty high up on my list of things to do. Also, thanks for the nickname. I will definitely do by best to live up to it.

Continue reading "Life Post Quarter-Life Crisis" »

Posted by Marissa Velarde at 3:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)