Down By the Sea...

Despite spending a few days at school in the library working on law review stuff, this week has been relatively relaxing. But I'm ready for my real vacation now.

On the itinerary is a few days in Syracuse to partake in all of Alex's end of the year festivities for his work, driving down and stopping in Philly for some sightseeing and of course a cheesesteak, spending a few days in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware (depicted, left) for outlet shopping and most importantly the beach, and then ending in DC for Memorial Day weekend. I guess this is also our belated anniversary celebration, so that's fun as well.

Despite pretending to be an East Coaster during the year- I've been told I pull off preppy well- I'm excited to be a tourist. Especially since as a Bank of America cardholder, I get to take advantage of Museum Month (check out what museums near you are free this month). I'm hoping to convince Alex to go to the National Constitution Center in Philly. Yes I know, I'm a nerd.

Anyway, no blogging for me on my vacation, but I'll be back in a week with lots of pictures I'm sure. Sorry if you have to find new ways to quell your summer/work/school procrastination boredom. You can always go to a museum.

Not As Seen On TV

I'll admit it, I watch those infomercials for kitchen appliances on TV. Though I would never phone-in and order anything, I was really excited when I saw the Magic Bullet in my Lexis-Nexis catalogue.

In law school, Lexis and Westlaw compete against one another and offer students incentives to use their legal research services. The most common incentive are points, which can be accumulated for prizes which are actually good. A few months ago, I used some of my Westlaw Points to buy this spiffy Samsonite bag.

When I realized that I had enough points to buy the Magic Bullet, I was a point and click away from ordering it until I saw that it had only gotten 3 out of 5 stars based on 300 reviews. Red flag.

Now I think most kitchen appliances on TV are a waste. Seriously, is it that hard to make a quesadilla? And who really vacuum seals their food? But the Magic Bullet just seemed different. I hate chopping and I was intrigued with a little device that could chop onions without tears. I love smoothies, but pulling out a whole blender for just one person seemed silly. I always wanted a food processor but it seemed like a waste for me to buy a big bulky one during the transient stage of my life. The Magic Bullet just seemed like it would live up to its name, solving all my culinary problems. Wrong.

Based on reading the reviews, it seems like the Magic Bullet is only good for smoothies, and the motor usually dies in a year or less. Seeing as how 6 months of smoothies doesn't seem to be worth 5,000 of my Lexis Points, I guess I'll just hold off and buy something good. I'm never trusting informercials again unless George Foreman is in it.

Not Leaving Education Behind

Last Sunday on Extreme Home Makeover, the crew rebuilt a house for this family:

Michelle and Jesus Jacobo are hard-working parents that have sacrificed everything to keep their family together. In addition to having four children of their own, they took in their five nieces and nephews after Michelle's sister lost custody of the children. The Jacobos made room for them in their small home so that they wouldn't be lost to the foster care system. Michelle's father, Grandpa Ray, is also living in the house and helping raise the nine children, who range in age from 6 months to 18 years.

(the whole bio of this family can be found here) These stories are always moving and emotional, but what really got me was when Missouri Western State University promised full scholarships, including room and board, to all 9 kids. I admit it, I cried.

Though my property class may have taught me the importance of providing affordable and habitable housing, law school itself has reinforced to me the importance of education. It's a little crazy to think of how much you can do with a law degree. 4 years of a college degree can open up doors, and 3 more years of law school make the possibilities seem endless. Not that everyone wants to go to college or law school, but there should be at least the equal opportunity for those who work hard and want it. I know that my parents, refugees who came with next to nothing, had that opportunity and seized it. But not everyone has that now.

I've always wanted to explore education law and policy later but it always seemed to go on the backburner for other "sexier" issues. I mean, I loved exploring cybersecurity, terrorism, and civil liberty issues but how I got so involved in that area is beyond me. So I'm reprioritizing it and writing my 48-60 page casenote for law review on it. Who knows if this is the field of law I'll be focusing on in practice, but they told us to write something that we're really interested in, so I'm doing it thanks to some guidance from my favorite con law prof. Be prepared to hear about No Child Left Behind.

Roe v. Wade'ing

How did abortion become the political subject, the litmus test for politicians and judges, the single issue by which so many people vote upon? It amazes me that people's views on poverty, the environment, capital punishment, education, heck even national security, will take backseat to a procedure that the women and men so vehemently opposed to won't have to go through themselves.

I usually don't write about major controversial subjects for the sake of it, but I've been meaning to mention something about the abortion issue because it's been in the news more than usual. The issue always gets more attention around election time; however who knew that it would be a problem for the Republicans this time around.

Who will prevail on the GOP side? John McCain, the maverick who has always been against abortion. Mitt Romney, who's wife gave to Planned Parenthood and who was pro-choice until two years ago when he had an epiphany (if it's a Republican, it's apparently called seeing the light, if it's a Democrat, they call it flip-flopping). Rudy Giuliani who tried straddling the fence but eventually decided it was just to embrace his pro-choice self. Or none of the above?

I just find it funny that Christian Right seemed to make this a wedge issue to hurt the Democrats, but now it seems to be doing more damage to the GOP itself. I know that there's been a movement in the evangelical wing to "broaden" their mission to some of the other political issues I mentioned at the beginning, and it will probably be even more interesting now that Jerry Fawell is out of the picture.

Like Mitt Romney, I had a change in my views of abortion, but going the other way and when I started college, not after serving as governor for a major state (can you tell I'm skeptical about his change of heart?). It may not be the issue I'm most passionate about, but I'm pro-choice along with what seems like the majority of my peers. I'm hoping that this will hopefully be a generational issues like gay marriage, but I may have a skewed perception of what my generation is being from California and going to a liberal law school. Only time, and the Supreme Court, will tell.

East Coast Exploration

Even though one of the big reasons I picked to go to American was the fact that it was in DC, sometimes I forget that I live in our nation's capital, let alone on the East Coast.

So before I head back to the library to do some work for Law Review, I was glad a few friends and I had the chance to visit two goregous East Coast cities I've never been to: Annapolis & Old Town Alexandria (pictured above).

From eating lunch outside, trying on funny hats at all the different stores, going on a bay cruise with hundreds of loud and unsuperverised kids, enjoying a cone of icecream while walking through historic areas, it was an all around relaxing and fun day. If there weren't so many reasons pulling me back to California, I would consider moving in either of these areas.

Speaking of which, I realized that this will probably be my main summer to enjoy the East Coast, since I might be heading back to California next summer and after law school. So my "summer resolution" is to explore. Today was a good start and in a week, Alex and I will be driving down from New York to DC, stopping in Philadelphia and Delaware for a few days (what's in Delaware you ask, beaches and tax-free outlet shopping.) So many great cities to see out here, fortunately they're all so close. And the more time outside, the happier and tanner I will be.

Double Double

Two more reasons to celebrate today...

Happy Mother's Day!
Happy 2nd Anniversary!

Though I am really sad that I don't get to be with either my mom or Alex today, or most days for that fact, I'm just lucky to have them in my life. I'll try to avoid the mushiness, but if you look at my cellphone bill, these are the two people I call the most by far. Sources of support, laughter, and wisdom in two distinct ways.

[Edit] I just heard that UCLA's women's water polo team beat Stanford. That means 100 National Championships, far above anyone else, and a third reason to celebrate.

Independence Day

Here is the breakdown of my first glorious day of freedom, otherwise known as my guilt-free day of nothingness. I am only chronicling this because it is so out of the ordinary for me.

9:30am- Sad that this is sleeping in for me. Then I ate oatmeal and watched American Gladiators until my roommate woke up. I almost forgot what a great show this is, my favorite event is Assault and my favorite gladitor is Hawk (I met him at an alumni thing and he has both a MBA and PhD from UCLA. Who would have thought?)

11:30am- Went "apartment shopping" and talked to the leasing office about downgrading (having a corner penthouse apartment = expensive). Also set up an appointment across the street to see another apartment. Either way, we stick with our man, Charles E. Smith, who owns like every building in DC. Keep your fingers crossed for us.

1:00pm- Watched 4 hours of this season's Top Model, drinking virgin margaritas and eating chicken wings. It was glorious.

5:30pm- Happy Hour with the Administrative Law Review. Met nice people and I love that we get hours counted to our journal requirement through happy hours. And people wonder why lawyers do business over drinks, we're trained that way.

8:30pm- Walked home in the POURING rain. Thunder and lightening galore. Even with an umbrella, I was still soaking wet. Maybe this is a sign of cleansing of first year. Or maybe it's just a sign that DC summer is here.

9:00pm- Watched the last 3 hours of the Top Model Marathon and planned my trip with Alex.

Midnight: SLEEP!