WOodLand MALL

As I walked into Woodland Mall this afternoon, (yes, I know its a Sunday...call me a sinner if you want, I don't mind) I realized for the first time the background music that was playing throughout the malls walk ways. The music was very soothing and relaxing, it was classical music that puts a person in a good mood-the mood to shop. I also realized all the people walking around with coffee or food in their hands or some type of beverage as they walked passed windows and windows of "75% SALE" signs in huge red letters. This to me was very intriguing, it seems to me that American shoppers came to the mall as an activity, not as a necessity. This entertaining activity is almost like a game. While each person walks past a window, which ever window draws the consumer in and keeps them there the longest, enough to make them swipe their card or pull out their hard cold cash, wins. From personal experience, I fell into this manipulative trap not so long ago-Ok, to be honest it was yesterday. I walked into Charlotte Reuss and saw jeans that were $16.99. This was what was going on in my head: "$16.99!!!? That is so cheap! This is so worth the money and I need another pair of jeans!" Ah! I am ashamed to say that I gave in and bought those jeans that day and some more. I know, I know, you're probably thinking: "What was she thinking? Didn't she hear anything during class on Friday?" Trust me, I did. I just splurged because it tends to be therapeutic (which is a lie that the empire proclaims as truth), but I know that doesn't justify my actions. That is why I told my two friends about my addiction, shopping (I'm pretty sure I'm a shopaholic...And there is a movie called 'Confessions of a Shopaholic' that I can sadly really relate to.). After telling my friends my problem they laughed, really hard. But I wasn't satisfied with myself, so I told them that I needed them to keep me accountable to this promise I was going to make with myself, the promise to not purchase any type of clothing, accessory or anything else I can wear on my body until spring break of this year. Now, some of you classmates might be thinking that that isn't a very long time but I am determined to take it one step at a time. So if you see me drooling over a piece of clothing in the mall anytime before Spring break, feel free to slap me out of it and remind me of this promise I made with myself. Just kidding, don't slap me, please. :)