This week I found out that there was a fire in my building while I was in California, and a resident died. They did not release much information about exactly what happened, but just the fact that someone died sent chills up my spine.
Reading this, my parents are probably concerned about their one and only daughter. Fortunately, I know that the fire alarms in my building work very well. Just a tiny bit of smoke from some cooking blunders have triggered the alarm in my apartment several times. Moreover, the alarm went off in the building this morning, and it was loud enough to wake me from my peaceful slumber. I do not know if it was a drill or something real, but I now know where the stairwells are and can get out pretty quickly.
Sorry for such a downer subject on a weekend. However, I just want to make sure everyone knows that their fire alarms work and how to get out, especially my friends who have recently moved into new apartments.
Plus, I get to post this trip down memory lane. A fire safety video with Little Richard and a young Lindsey Lohan!
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Friday, January 11, 2008
Kite Running
After going to Mon Ami Gabi for lunch today to beat the rainy day/first week blues with some pommes frites, my friends and I went to see the Kite Runner. Although everyone knew that it would be difficult for the movie to live up to the book, I still enjoyed the movie.
Even though most of the times it is better to use one's imagination when reading a story, I liked seeing the movie's images of Afghanistan before and during the Taliban control. I watched in awe as the landscape changed from bustling markets to barren streets; where entertainment changed from kite flying to public stonings during the half time of soccer games.
It was not easy to watch the transformation, but I think it was important to see. As much news as I read, I feel like I know so little about the country we are at war with (in fact, they announced this week that we are sending 3,000 more Marines there).
And if anything, you should watch this movies because the two actors who play the younger characters are adorable.
I am glad that they are safe now.
Even though most of the times it is better to use one's imagination when reading a story, I liked seeing the movie's images of Afghanistan before and during the Taliban control. I watched in awe as the landscape changed from bustling markets to barren streets; where entertainment changed from kite flying to public stonings during the half time of soccer games.
It was not easy to watch the transformation, but I think it was important to see. As much news as I read, I feel like I know so little about the country we are at war with (in fact, they announced this week that we are sending 3,000 more Marines there).
And if anything, you should watch this movies because the two actors who play the younger characters are adorable.
I am glad that they are safe now.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
What I Learned at School...
Here is what I learned this week in my first week of law school (which subsequently shows what classes I am taking for those who care- like my parents).
Wills, Trusts & Estates: how to disinherit a child.
Legal Ethics: if you are going to commit a crime (like kill someone), do it before law school because they might still admit you to the bar. However, if you commit a crime during or after law school (like steal money from the moot court money box), they might not admit you to the DC bar because you are no longer reformable. We also learned that the law student who stole the moot court money was accepted by the California bar, and later was disbarred from stealing money from his clients.
Public Employment Law: how chickens are killed and cleaned at chicken processing plants, in explicit detail. Bet you did not know that they stun the chicken after they kill it. Confused? Just think of the phrase: running around like a chicken with its head cut off.
Administrative Law: thanks to the Food and Drug Administration regulations, candies such as whoopers are labeled chocolate even though they contain no cocoa butter.
Externship at the American University General Counsel's Office: there are more munitions buried under American University than munitions found buried in Iraq. They are leftover from when the Department of War used AU for its chemical weapons program during WWI and WWII. (Read more here).
Who says law school is not fun?
Wills, Trusts & Estates: how to disinherit a child.
Legal Ethics: if you are going to commit a crime (like kill someone), do it before law school because they might still admit you to the bar. However, if you commit a crime during or after law school (like steal money from the moot court money box), they might not admit you to the DC bar because you are no longer reformable. We also learned that the law student who stole the moot court money was accepted by the California bar, and later was disbarred from stealing money from his clients.
Public Employment Law: how chickens are killed and cleaned at chicken processing plants, in explicit detail. Bet you did not know that they stun the chicken after they kill it. Confused? Just think of the phrase: running around like a chicken with its head cut off.
Administrative Law: thanks to the Food and Drug Administration regulations, candies such as whoopers are labeled chocolate even though they contain no cocoa butter.
Externship at the American University General Counsel's Office: there are more munitions buried under American University than munitions found buried in Iraq. They are leftover from when the Department of War used AU for its chemical weapons program during WWI and WWII. (Read more here).
Who says law school is not fun?
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Hillary or Obama, Part II
So back to the question at hand: Hillary or Obama? In my own politician-way, I've dodged the question. I have preferences but honestly I haven't read enough about anyone to make a committment. Even if California moves up their primary, I still have over a year to figure things out.After complaining that the Democratic nominee would probably be chosen before I get to vote, Obama wins Iowa, Hillary wins New Hampshire, Super Duper Tuesday (when me, California, and 23 other states vote) becomes relevant, and I finally have to make the decision that I have been putting off.
-Me, 1/20/07
Despite reading copious amounts of material on both candidates since my post last year, I have not decided. Most of my friends have chosen, and my family has taken sides as well-- when I called my mom today I heard my dad and brother arguing over Clinton and Obama (it's not hard to figure out who likes who). But I flip and I flop like a good former Kerry supporter.
With their policies being so similar, my decision making has mostly come down to personality and electability. I relate more to Hillary's type of personality. The work-horse who usually wins people over with experience and smarts rather than crowd-rallying skills or ebullient charisma (oh UCLA VP election flashbacks and the hate IMs I received). Yes, I even broke down in tears one day on the campaign trail and confused everyone who knew me as stoic. So I don't doubt those tears.
But I like Obama's vision of unity, and how he can get independents and even Republicans. Back in the day I reached across the aisle and worked with the Bruin Republicans (which helped earn me the title as a 'closet conservative.') I even wrote my law school personal statement about how working with the other side has taught me how to be a more effective advocate.
I guess in the end I would be happy with either because I think both candidates would do a good job. And even if I cannot decide, or even if I don't pick the right horse, I am still in a better decision than my republican friends who feel like they have to pick from the lesser evil on their side.
And no, John Edwards does not register on my radar at all, but I could write a completely separate post on that.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Winter Warming
My roommate and I just got back from the grocery store, neither of us wearing jackets or even long sleeves. 62 degrees at 9:30pm in January. And earlier today it was 70 degrees, which is warmer than it was in California.After all my mental preparation for cold, this is what I get. All of us feel like it is spring and the end of the semester. Maybe that is just wishful thinking. Two days into the semester and we are already ready for summer.
PS: Happy New Hampshire "too close to call right now" Primary Day to all my political junkie friends.
PPS: Special congrats to my friend who has worked for McCain through ups and many more downs.
Monday, January 07, 2008
New Semester, New Start
Instead of making New Year’s resolutions, I will make some semester resolutions. It makes more sense to have goals for the next 5 months since a student’s life does not revolve around the traditional calendar. So here we go:
- Floss everyday
- Go to bed by midnight and wake up at 7 to make it to the gym at least 3 times a week
- Take the time to figure things out by rereading or reading the supplement instead of hoping that the professor to explain a concept during class
- Keep taking reading notes
- Do the majority of reading at school, where I am most productive
- No web browsing/g-chatting during class
- Pack lunch and dinner instead of buying lunch at or around school
- See more of DC before going to CA for the summer
Sunday, January 06, 2008
The Terminal
Yesterday my flight was at 10:40am. When I got to the airport at 9am, I found out that my flight had been changed to 3:30pm
...then they changed the time to 4:30pm
...then they changed the time to 2:00pm
...then they changed the time to 4:07pm
...then, as we were ready to board the plane, they changed the time to 4:20pm
...then they changed it to 4:32pm
Thank you weather delays.
With 35 out of 90 flights in my terminal were delayed or cancelled (yes, I was so bored I counted), the terminal was crowded and a mess. College girls bursting into tears because they thought they would not make it back, couples yelling at each other and then in turn yelling at waiters at Wolfgang Puck Express, and kids running around like mad. I felt like Tom Hanks going crazy stuck in a terminal.
We finally boarded the plane after they found a person to replace the missing flight attendant. After 6 hours of delays, I was glad to be back home...even if I have to go to class tomorrow.
...then they changed the time to 4:30pm
...then they changed the time to 2:00pm
...then they changed the time to 4:07pm
...then, as we were ready to board the plane, they changed the time to 4:20pm
...then they changed it to 4:32pm
Thank you weather delays.
With 35 out of 90 flights in my terminal were delayed or cancelled (yes, I was so bored I counted), the terminal was crowded and a mess. College girls bursting into tears because they thought they would not make it back, couples yelling at each other and then in turn yelling at waiters at Wolfgang Puck Express, and kids running around like mad. I felt like Tom Hanks going crazy stuck in a terminal.
We finally boarded the plane after they found a person to replace the missing flight attendant. After 6 hours of delays, I was glad to be back home...even if I have to go to class tomorrow.
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