My mom and I have a lot in common, one such trait being the fact that neither of us are real "girly-girls" when it comes to shopping----meaning there's nothing we really "have to have." My mom, however, does have one rule she, my sister, and I have learned to abide by: if you think more than once about wanting something you see, you should buy it while you have the chance.

It may seem like a strange rule to some (especially my sister, who usually goes by the impulsive "you see it, you want it, you buy it--no matter what the cost" rule) , but originated from years of regretted non-purchases. My personal most regretted non-purchase took place in Cozumel, Mexico a few years ago. It was a pearl necklace: black pearls spaced around a small pink ribbon. I didn't buy it (saving my money for something better that was bound to come on the next island our cruise ship stopped at) and, though it's just a necklace, have thought about it ever since. My mom and I still look for something that resembles it, and I keep trying to persuade our family to go back to Cozumel so I can find that street vendor again... but for now it remains something I regret not doing. Nothing better came on the next island.

Now I seem to be facing something of a similar situation, although instead of pearls, I'm contemplating houses. This is now the third time I've seriously imagined the possibility of living somewhere else for my final couple quarters at OSU, and the third time I've also held myself back with thoughts that I have a moderately good living situation now. Maybe I should just stay where I am and not risk it getting any worse.

Or maybe years from now I would look back with regret on yet another non-purchase.