gensa651's Profile

I'm a minimalist (for instance, when I went to live in Ireland for four months, I brought one suitcase) and would, to be honest, probably use this for myriad uses: TV, computer monitor, DVD player, video game console. I'm all about functionality and getting the most use out of something if it's going to be a rather material object.

As a senior in college (you can well imagine), I have little to no money. As a point of comparison for all you ATers, I had to ask my mom to purchase new underwear for me -- I can't even afford the simplest of needs! (And I LOATHE asking my parents to pay for things.) This summer my money-making opportunities were rather limited; I worked part-time at a restaurant in Northwest D.C. and the rest of the time was an unpaid intern for the Smithsonian, not to mention I somehow had to pay for rent and utilities. Yes, I had a very stressful and busy summer.

Now I am back at school and - is it possible? - just as stressed. I'm in the thick of applying for a Fulbright scholarship, I have an independent study writing a 30-page article on a topic my parents aren't exactly thrilled about but that involves a lot of research, and I'm trying to be creative with the food I prepare given the very little money I am expending. Not to mention that I'm vegan and live in a house with 3 meat-eaters, a point of constant jesting and occasional fights with outside friends that come in the house and think they know better than me about what I'm doing with my life. Sigh, just accept me for who I am!

At the risk of sounding very whiny, I do love my life. I wouldn't live it any other way. I have great friends, family, and I'm on my way to getting my undergraduate degree in May. I'm VERY fortunate. Winning this TV would be a tangible, much-needed reward for the hard work I've been doing for the last three years and know I must continue to do. If anything, I know that I'm doing the things that I love, that I've never sacrificed my interests for those little green pieces of paper, and that if the past has shown me anything, it's that I need to continue down this wonderful road!

Good luck with your decision-making!