These are a few of my favorite [rainy day] things...
-Curling up in my bed, wearing my sleepy sheepy flannel pjs and my supersoft chenille socks, and reading myself to sleep.
-My fuchsia umbrella that brightens up the dreary environment.
-Homemade roasted tri-color peppers bruscetta, yup roasted the peppers myself.
-Good old and new episodes of Law & Order.
-My Minnetonka moccasins.
-Finding clips of Spring Sing company on Youtube.
-Escaping the apartment for some fall/winter clothes shopping and finding two warm sweaters on sale.
-Lighting candles in the apartment.
-Watching college football (though sad because I don't get the UCLA game).
-Not feeling out of place wearing a scarf because everyone else is wearing a scarf too.
-Chocolate & caramel flavored hot chai tea in our colorful mugs.
-Oatmeal for breakfast.
I haven't seen the sun since Thursday. Yet contrary to what I thought, I'm just fine, no seasonal affective disorder. I remind myself that no matter where I was going to be for law school, I would be inside all the time anyway reading. I do have to admit that I was a little envious of the sunny California skies when I tuned into the Cal v. Oregon game but this East Coast weather is growing on me. Either that or I've come to appreciate enough little things to make me forget that I left weather paradise.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Friday, October 06, 2006
Fall has Fell
Yesterday when I was riding up to class in the elevator, one guy says to another guy, "Sandals in October, that's pretty bold." Wearing my beloved Rainbow flip flops, I kind of chuckled and thought to myself, "It's not that cold yet, and I'm used to wearing flip flops all year round." Little did I know that the next day, my version of winter would come. It rained all day long and was 50 degrees.
No blog telling the tale of a displaced Californian living in DC would be complete without the "wow, these are what seasons are," entry. Funny how something so normal to most of the country seems completely foreign to me. But one of the very reasons why I wanted to come to the east coast for law school was to experience seasons. And though DC doesn't have the most severe seasons, I've endured more rain in my 2 months here than I usually do in two years in California, maybe even five.
Even though the leaves change color in California, there never felt like a big shift in seaons like I'm starting to feel here. To celebrate the full arrival of fall, I had a splendid day in my cozy apartment by myself since my roommate is gone for the weekend. I snuggled up in a sweatshirt, kept my toes warm in my moccasins, and spent the day doing laundry, vacuuming, and cooking gourmet meals inspired by my Food Network watching. The smell of my warm vanillla candle wafted through the apartment and I listened to the sounds of rain pitter pattering outside.
Although I thoroughly enjoyed the colder weather from the inside, I think tomorrow I might have to go shopping for more sweaters and some actual shoes. As the guy in the elevator said, wearing sandals this time of year is a pretty bold move.
Yesterday when I was riding up to class in the elevator, one guy says to another guy, "Sandals in October, that's pretty bold." Wearing my beloved Rainbow flip flops, I kind of chuckled and thought to myself, "It's not that cold yet, and I'm used to wearing flip flops all year round." Little did I know that the next day, my version of winter would come. It rained all day long and was 50 degrees.
No blog telling the tale of a displaced Californian living in DC would be complete without the "wow, these are what seasons are," entry. Funny how something so normal to most of the country seems completely foreign to me. But one of the very reasons why I wanted to come to the east coast for law school was to experience seasons. And though DC doesn't have the most severe seasons, I've endured more rain in my 2 months here than I usually do in two years in California, maybe even five.
Even though the leaves change color in California, there never felt like a big shift in seaons like I'm starting to feel here. To celebrate the full arrival of fall, I had a splendid day in my cozy apartment by myself since my roommate is gone for the weekend. I snuggled up in a sweatshirt, kept my toes warm in my moccasins, and spent the day doing laundry, vacuuming, and cooking gourmet meals inspired by my Food Network watching. The smell of my warm vanillla candle wafted through the apartment and I listened to the sounds of rain pitter pattering outside.
Although I thoroughly enjoyed the colder weather from the inside, I think tomorrow I might have to go shopping for more sweaters and some actual shoes. As the guy in the elevator said, wearing sandals this time of year is a pretty bold move.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Establishmentarian
SYLLABICATION: es·tab·lish·men·tar·i·an
1. of, pertaining to, or favoring a political or social establishment. (adjective)
2. a person who belongs to or favors a political or social establishment. (noun)
Alex and I always joked around that we should get tshirts with the word "establishmentarian" emblazoned across the front. One of the reasons why we got along so well is that we like being part of the establishment. While a lot of people our age like fighting the man, we like being the man (or in my case, than woman).
As my current roommate and I stood on the corner of the sidewalk this morning, refusing to jay walk, I realized that I've come across another person who likes the rules. She's someone else who went straight from UCLA to law school and we realized that we both got a lot of questions from our peers about this decision. "Don't you want to go have fun?" "Don't you want to travel?" "Why are you rushing into law school, you have the rest of your life to work?" Although we know our friends are just looking out for our interests, we laugh because out of all the types of personalities, ours aren't usually the kind to make rash, unthoughtful decisions.
Going to law school straight out of school, or even following established norms, is a personal decision. I actually like class and going to school. I like going to Europe with my parents instead of backpacking and staying in hostels. I prefer registering people to vote rather than staging protests. I like trying to institute change from the inside. I would rather shop in a department store than thrift store. I do go to that archaeic institution of the Catholic church weekly. I admit to listening to pop music over indie stuff. I wait for the little guy to start flashing before I start crossing the street. And while some people may consider my lifestyle boring, selling out to the man, conservative (ironic, isn't it?), or old-ladyish, it's me and it makes me happy.
SYLLABICATION: es·tab·lish·men·tar·i·an
1. of, pertaining to, or favoring a political or social establishment. (adjective)
2. a person who belongs to or favors a political or social establishment. (noun)
Alex and I always joked around that we should get tshirts with the word "establishmentarian" emblazoned across the front. One of the reasons why we got along so well is that we like being part of the establishment. While a lot of people our age like fighting the man, we like being the man (or in my case, than woman).
As my current roommate and I stood on the corner of the sidewalk this morning, refusing to jay walk, I realized that I've come across another person who likes the rules. She's someone else who went straight from UCLA to law school and we realized that we both got a lot of questions from our peers about this decision. "Don't you want to go have fun?" "Don't you want to travel?" "Why are you rushing into law school, you have the rest of your life to work?" Although we know our friends are just looking out for our interests, we laugh because out of all the types of personalities, ours aren't usually the kind to make rash, unthoughtful decisions.
Going to law school straight out of school, or even following established norms, is a personal decision. I actually like class and going to school. I like going to Europe with my parents instead of backpacking and staying in hostels. I prefer registering people to vote rather than staging protests. I like trying to institute change from the inside. I would rather shop in a department store than thrift store. I do go to that archaeic institution of the Catholic church weekly. I admit to listening to pop music over indie stuff. I wait for the little guy to start flashing before I start crossing the street. And while some people may consider my lifestyle boring, selling out to the man, conservative (ironic, isn't it?), or old-ladyish, it's me and it makes me happy.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Law School: Where A Kid Can Be A Kid
I always felt like by the time I got to law school, I would feel like more of an adult. Even after moving across the country by myself and taking care of myself in an apartment, I think the fact that I'm at school still makes me feel like a kid.
Today was especially one of those days, probably because everyone was so loopy from spending one too many hours hacking away at our memos. We giggled at everything our legal writing professor said today, even things that weren't really funny. We even played the nose game (you know the game where the last person who touches their finger to his nose is "it", see picture for further explanation) to determine who would have to get the books off the library shelf. Our dean's fellow gave us oreo cookies for finishing our memos and we asked if we could get gold stars for our library assignment.
It's funny that in law school I'm eating the turkey sandwiches with a side of carrot sticks and taking naps like I did in Kindergarten. I guess that I'm coming full circle in my schooling since this should be the last step (at least that I anticipate). Sometimes I really wonder if we're ready to be practicing law in just a few years. I may be legally an adult but there are some days where I really question that.
I always felt like by the time I got to law school, I would feel like more of an adult. Even after moving across the country by myself and taking care of myself in an apartment, I think the fact that I'm at school still makes me feel like a kid.
Today was especially one of those days, probably because everyone was so loopy from spending one too many hours hacking away at our memos. We giggled at everything our legal writing professor said today, even things that weren't really funny. We even played the nose game (you know the game where the last person who touches their finger to his nose is "it", see picture for further explanation) to determine who would have to get the books off the library shelf. Our dean's fellow gave us oreo cookies for finishing our memos and we asked if we could get gold stars for our library assignment.
It's funny that in law school I'm eating the turkey sandwiches with a side of carrot sticks and taking naps like I did in Kindergarten. I guess that I'm coming full circle in my schooling since this should be the last step (at least that I anticipate). Sometimes I really wonder if we're ready to be practicing law in just a few years. I may be legally an adult but there are some days where I really question that.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
The Foley Fallout
As I was chained to my computer this weekend writing my memo, I spent a lot of time procrastinating by checking on the news (I justify my procrastination by saying that I want to be a well informed citizen). And what a crazy news weekend it was with the dramatic departure of Congressman Foley. I promise that even as a card-carrying member of the Democratic party who really wants to take back the Congress, I do not wish these kinds of things on the Republican Party. Mainly because I don't like people preying upon innocent minors. Of far less significance are the facts that I would rather win on issues and that I don't like people giving a bad name to politics.
I know that there are far less flashy, but much more significant issues going on in the world that I don't write about in here. I think the reasons why this Foley case is so appealing to the public and I are 1) You can't make this stufff up, and 2) It hits close to home.
Honestly, the craziest epsisode of Law and Order Special Victims Unit (dealing with child predators, etc), couldn't have dreamed this plot up. I felt like every hour, something new and even more detrimental came out. I felt like I followed this story piece by piece and it just got more insane over time. First came out the shady email and information that Foley was on the committee dealing with these issues...oh the irony. Then came out the downright inappropriate IMs. Then came the questions of who knew. Then came out that Foley checked himself into rehab. Then came out that he said he was molested as a child by his priest. No one would believe it if it didn't actually happen. It's the kind of tragedy that only Shakespeare came close to writing.
Then, I think that people are obsessed with this case because it hits close to home. These were just ordinary kids. Whether you're a parent, have a little brother, sister, or cousin, or just know a kid, you worry that these things could happen to someone you know. If someone who embezzled money lived next door to you, you wouldn't feel like it's the end of the world. However, no one wants to live next to someone like Mark Foley. It's the same reason why shows like "to catch a predator" are so popular. The same reason why a lot of people also very shook up by school shootings, even the foreign Amish ones.
As I was chained to my computer this weekend writing my memo, I spent a lot of time procrastinating by checking on the news (I justify my procrastination by saying that I want to be a well informed citizen). And what a crazy news weekend it was with the dramatic departure of Congressman Foley. I promise that even as a card-carrying member of the Democratic party who really wants to take back the Congress, I do not wish these kinds of things on the Republican Party. Mainly because I don't like people preying upon innocent minors. Of far less significance are the facts that I would rather win on issues and that I don't like people giving a bad name to politics.
I know that there are far less flashy, but much more significant issues going on in the world that I don't write about in here. I think the reasons why this Foley case is so appealing to the public and I are 1) You can't make this stufff up, and 2) It hits close to home.
Honestly, the craziest epsisode of Law and Order Special Victims Unit (dealing with child predators, etc), couldn't have dreamed this plot up. I felt like every hour, something new and even more detrimental came out. I felt like I followed this story piece by piece and it just got more insane over time. First came out the shady email and information that Foley was on the committee dealing with these issues...oh the irony. Then came out the downright inappropriate IMs. Then came the questions of who knew. Then came out that Foley checked himself into rehab. Then came out that he said he was molested as a child by his priest. No one would believe it if it didn't actually happen. It's the kind of tragedy that only Shakespeare came close to writing.
Then, I think that people are obsessed with this case because it hits close to home. These were just ordinary kids. Whether you're a parent, have a little brother, sister, or cousin, or just know a kid, you worry that these things could happen to someone you know. If someone who embezzled money lived next door to you, you wouldn't feel like it's the end of the world. However, no one wants to live next to someone like Mark Foley. It's the same reason why shows like "to catch a predator" are so popular. The same reason why a lot of people also very shook up by school shootings, even the foreign Amish ones.
Monday, October 02, 2006
Childhood Nostalgia
There's one thing that unites the vast majority of people from my generation. We loved our TV. It doesn't matter what race, religion, and socioeconomic background we came from, we all had our quality shows. I almost feel bad for kids nowadays because I see very few shows that measure up. Most of them were funny, clean, and even educational at times.
As my roommate and I were reminiscing late the other night about our favorite shows, I realized that we all watched a lot of tv. So since I couldn't go to bed that night and didn't want to read (and I love making lists), I wrote down my favorite, and not so favorite shows. I seriously wonder how I also did piano, soccer, softball, 4-H, sewing lessons, the minimal school we had, etc, etc while watching this all. Maybe this is how I became such a multi-tasker.
Eureka
Shows I never heard of that people always talk about: Fraggle Rock, Thundercats, Transformers, Adventures of the Little Koala
There's one thing that unites the vast majority of people from my generation. We loved our TV. It doesn't matter what race, religion, and socioeconomic background we came from, we all had our quality shows. I almost feel bad for kids nowadays because I see very few shows that measure up. Most of them were funny, clean, and even educational at times.
As my roommate and I were reminiscing late the other night about our favorite shows, I realized that we all watched a lot of tv. So since I couldn't go to bed that night and didn't want to read (and I love making lists), I wrote down my favorite, and not so favorite shows. I seriously wonder how I also did piano, soccer, softball, 4-H, sewing lessons, the minimal school we had, etc, etc while watching this all. Maybe this is how I became such a multi-tasker.
Loved: Growing Pains, Hey Dude, Full House, Clarissa Explains It All, Alex Mack, Saved by the Bell, Magic School Bus, Doug, Captain Planet, Home Improvement, Wonder Years, Doogie Howser, Where on Earth is Carmen San Diego, Ghostwriter, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Square One TV, The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo
Shows I never heard of that people always talk about: Fraggle Rock, Thundercats, Transformers, Adventures of the Little Koala
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Law School 101
For all those kids who just took their LSATs, I offer congratulations and a preview of what you will learn your first year of law school:
Torts: All problems in the world come from trains and train stations.
In my six weeks of law school I have read the following cases: 2 cases involving people slipping on banana peels at train stations, 2 cases involving cars that were hit by trains, a kid who severed his leg on a train station turntable, a woman who burned her head on the heating pipe of a traincar bathroom, a woman who fell down the stairs of a unlit train station hallway, and a man who was walking on a footpath by a train, fell down and had his arm severed off.
Civil Procedure: Justice Brennan will always dissent.
If there is ever a dissenting opinion in a civpro case, 9/10 it will be written by Justice Brennan. And as cool as he is, you just won't care because you already got the holding of the case and dissenting opions just add up to more pages of reading.
Contracts: Read the fine print.
More likely than not, you've probably sold your soul away to 100 different companies by clicking "agree" on those pesky terms and agreements that no one reads. Now I wonder what was in the fine print agreement when I signed up to go to law school.
Legal Writing: If you get divorced, get custody of the children. Or, just don't get married.
My fictional client, Amy Carter, will agree with this. So will the guy at the bar last night who, upon finding out that I was a law student, started asking me legal questions about his child support payments and alimony. Simply put, the person who doesn't get custody of the children literally pays for it, a lot.
Sub lesson of legal writing: If you think you know how to write (or cite), you are wrong. And on that note, I'll end today's lessons because I'm off to do my 4th and final draft of my memo.
For all those kids who just took their LSATs, I offer congratulations and a preview of what you will learn your first year of law school:
Torts: All problems in the world come from trains and train stations.
In my six weeks of law school I have read the following cases: 2 cases involving people slipping on banana peels at train stations, 2 cases involving cars that were hit by trains, a kid who severed his leg on a train station turntable, a woman who burned her head on the heating pipe of a traincar bathroom, a woman who fell down the stairs of a unlit train station hallway, and a man who was walking on a footpath by a train, fell down and had his arm severed off.
Civil Procedure: Justice Brennan will always dissent.
If there is ever a dissenting opinion in a civpro case, 9/10 it will be written by Justice Brennan. And as cool as he is, you just won't care because you already got the holding of the case and dissenting opions just add up to more pages of reading.
Contracts: Read the fine print.
More likely than not, you've probably sold your soul away to 100 different companies by clicking "agree" on those pesky terms and agreements that no one reads. Now I wonder what was in the fine print agreement when I signed up to go to law school.
Legal Writing: If you get divorced, get custody of the children. Or, just don't get married.
My fictional client, Amy Carter, will agree with this. So will the guy at the bar last night who, upon finding out that I was a law student, started asking me legal questions about his child support payments and alimony. Simply put, the person who doesn't get custody of the children literally pays for it, a lot.
Sub lesson of legal writing: If you think you know how to write (or cite), you are wrong. And on that note, I'll end today's lessons because I'm off to do my 4th and final draft of my memo.
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