Fortune Cookies Guide My Life

2012-01-18T09:44:00.002-05:00

(01/18/2012) Pretty soon we're going to know what it tastes like to crunch up left-over Christmas Candy Canes and add them to giant cup #2 of coffee. You know you need coffee when you put the coffee fee in the jar of grounds instead of the money jar. Ohhh Wednesday feels like Monday all over again!

Promises, promises.

2011-02-23T13:09:00.001-05:00

(02.20.2011)

Promises, promises.

Remember this posting?

Well my darling mother cross-posted the message to which I responded...And look what arrived by mail!!

These little darlings are handpainted by the one and only J.A.R. She has inspired me to make good on my promise of handmade projects sent to my facebook buddies! Look out Julie, Katie, Julie, Ramzi, and Kate!

Repurposing with a Purpose!

2011-02-20T13:09:00.000-05:00

(02.20.2011)
Two days of 40 degree weather prompted me to make good on my plans to start seeds for my garden! I had a dream about creating a mini-greenhouse to sit on the table in my office. With the help of Jen and some duct tape, I was able to create a nice frame out of old curtain rods, covered in left over winter window plastic to keep in the moisture and warmth! We had some plant containers from last season, now filled with fresh dirt and later today sprinkled with seeds. The garden of my dreams is well with in the reach of reality.

The plastic is not attached to the frame in this picture.

LOVE is in the air.

2011-02-09T21:15:00.000-05:00

And LOVE is on the bus...or at least that is what I could gather from the oddly matched duo in front of me on the Metro this afternoon. I knew it was love when the lady donning a washed out Starter jacker turned to ask me for a pen (which of course I was more than obliged to offer her, I love the people on the bus).

Quickly, however, her perhaps less-than-sober, equally under-dressed companion says, "I don't need a pen; I have a mind like a steel trap." Which really meant he had the ability to repeat things aloud. Over. And over. And over some more. (Actually, I also have memorized her digits, but don't worry, I won't be messing up his game any time soon. I swear.) My favorite part of their budding romance: when he asked if he could come to her sister's house and drink some beers. Why her sister's house? Because he is a gentleman. Why beers? I don't know, he didn't say, and I would HATE to speculate.

I am still working on the logic of that one.

And while I am feeling a tad snarky, let's just talk about public displays of affection. There is something creepy about watching total strangers (both to me and to each other, but for this serendipitous seat selection) nuzzling each other. (Nuzzling: you know, the head-butting thing a cat does to show affection, similar to that of a 2-year still working on the whole speaking-intelligible-words bit.) Perhaps this gesture is endearing in the privacy of one's home, but it strikingly repulsive on the bus.

That is all I can muster for today. More adventures to come!

"The best times of your life have not yet been lived."

2011-02-06T22:50:00.000-05:00

(02.06.2011)
If the fortune cookie accurately predicts the future and the best times of my life have not yet been lived, then I cannot wait for the future!!

This weekend, Jen and I opted for a "stay-cation" -- one night in Columbus and the next in Cincinnati. No working, only playing. It was a fantastic vacation away from life!!

There is something about Columbus bars that are unlike anywhere else I have visited. Maybe it is just my luck or perhaps the general "awesome" of the people I spend time with, but all night people came up to us, introduced themselves with a firm handshake and shared hilarious good stories.As a result of Friday, I had to find the YES dance on youtube and I now have watched this wayyyyy too many times.

ur no-work weekend continued with Barrister's Ball (aka Law Prom) in Cinti. It was equally eventful and full of out-going, friendly people who made us feel right at home with inappropriate dance moves, awkward stories, and a zest for life. Jen has an internal magnet that attracts dancing gay boys. Need I say more? There is simply nothing better than two days of dancing and late nights.

Here's to more fun in the future.

"Soon, no one will even know how to try a case!"

2011-01-29T12:34:00.000-05:00

(01.29.2011)
This week I have had the most wonderful opportunity to meet with local attorneys for a variety of reasons. One meet up was in regard to an upcoming event where practitioners will have the chance to ask local judges for their candid response to a number of questions. As part of the planning for the event, we were brainstorming questions that could be posed to the judges. One attorney was formulating an idea that would question the frequency that judges refer cases to mediation. The response from another lawyer was: "If judges keep referring cases to mediation, soon no [attorney] will even know how to try a case!" From his tone, it was clear that this would be a travesty. No attorneys litigating would be the end of his world. Oddly, or perhaps obviously, it dawned on me that if we as a society got to a point where alternative dispute resolutions were the norm and not the exception, I would be the happiest attorney in town. Society needs a shift.

Did you know....

2011-01-25T09:30:00.000-05:00

(01.25.2011)
Did you know the library can "recall" your the books you have checked out? I had no idea until I received an email yesterday that moved my due date up a month!! We get 2 months on each item, but this book is apparently a hot item and I have to return it in 3 weeks. So weird.

Did you know that my friend who shall remain nameless works in a library in Michigan, was in charge of withdrawing old books from the shelves and sent me one via snail mail. It is a "How to Skateboard" book from 1977. Yup, it is 5 years older than I am. But for the black and white pictures and the lack of shoes and helmets on a few of the kids pictures, it is a really complete description of how to skate board. Oh the wonders of the world.

Okay, so I am really challenged when it comes to computer code

2011-01-23T16:48:00.000-05:00

(01.23.2011)
So I have been trying to add some "buttons" to this here blog for about an hour. And it has been so frustrating. I am giving up and moving on the next item on my to-do list: Sew for awhile. Scratch that, I am going to work out and then sew for awhile. I think that will result in a much happier afternoon!

2011-01-23T12:16:00.000-05:00

One of those weekends.

2010-09-14T10:34:00.000-04:00

(09.14.2010)

It's Tuesday. I am still replaying the chain of events that led to such a wonderful weekend. There was a great evening spent in Columbus with my lovely sister, a fantastic graduation ceremony and party for the brother, an easy drive down south to King's Island and a memorable night of roller coasters, new friends, smokey bars, climbing trees and just enjoying this wonderful city.

My Killer Kitten.

2010-09-06T17:22:00.000-04:00

(09.06.2010)

Who knew my cat was a killer?

Recently my apartment has been home of some enormous moths that sneak in when I get home from school. They just follow the light right in to the house. Anyway, the first time this happened, the-cat-formerly-known-as-Schmitty was ON it. She tracked the moth from one end of the apartment to another then patiently waited as it came into striking distance. Once in her reach, she caught it and swated it until it was in the bedroom where I could witness her hunting prowess. Then in two chomps, she ate it. Sick.

Later in the week I was awoken by the-cat-formerly-known-as-Schmitty meowing with fervor. She actually sounded a bit like a miniature cow braying. I got up in my sleepy stupor and poked at her, trying to find the off button. She shut up. I went back to bed. Then, an hour later, round two of mini-meow-moaning began. It was at this point Jen says: Dude, maybe the cat is trying to tell you something...

Sure enough, she had tracked a cricket into the bedroom and was frustrated at its inaccessible hiding spot. It all ended with squished cricket guts on the floor and a disappointed cat who really, really hoped for more.

Here's a picture of the-cat-formerly-known-as-Schmitty in her new Ikea outfit. She really likes dress up.

Frog Races.

2010-09-03T10:46:00.000-04:00

(09.03.2010)

A few weekends ago my sister, her boyfriend, and our mother came to visit. There was some softball watching, then dinner and drinks at our favorite local Mexican joint. Then there were frog races. It was my mom's idea. She won everytime, despite others who were cheating. Watch and see:

We don't skinny dip, we chunky dunk!

2010-03-23T20:34:00.000-04:00

(03.23.2010) Can I just give you a list of the things I have seen while I was walking up and down the beach over the last few days? First, the title was written on a sign hung on front door. I also saw a hoard of guys digging a pontoon boat out of the sand (apparently he anchored it when the tide was high and forgot that the tide also gets low). Next, I found about a dozen lampooned jellyfish who also forgot to go out with the tide. Then there was a boy who was buried in the sand up to his head, literally. His younger brother kept bringing over more sand and when I walked back down the beach, they weren't around. I am assuming they dug him out. And finally, my personal favorite, 4 girls about 15 or 16 year olds, one of whom was quite very pregnant. Let me tell you how a bikini looks on a small pregnant child. Sigh.

Let me see your sushi roll?

2010-03-18T17:30:00.071-04:00

(03.18.10) Many years ago I attended a sushi making party in Louisville. I remember having so much fun that I asked the host to give me a copy of her the sushi party shopping list and instructions. Yesterday evening, I ressurected the instructions and, with Jen's help, made some fantastic food. Please enjoy the photo journey into the world of food adventures.

Ingredients: shrimp, avacado, cucumber, rice, seaweed wrap, wine (for the cooks of course)

Painstakingly smooth a very thin layer of sticky rice on top of the seaweek wrap. This is a lot more difficult that we thought it would be:

Assemble the ingredients on top of the rice:

Carefully start the rolling process, being sure not to include any of the plastic wrap and being careful not to tear the thin seaweed wrap:

Cut in half, then in thirds:

Ta-dah! Final product:

In Honor of St. Patrick

2010-03-17T17:30:00.000-04:00

(03.17.10)

We had a bakesale. Yes, I know. A bakesale is a totally lame way to celebrate. In years past I have been known to: dance many jigs and reels, envisions bagpipers who then appear in real life and play Irish tunes for my selfish pleasure, and of course, drink copious amounts of expensive imports etc.

Not anymore, friends. This is law school: I bake.

Here is me, offering you a gooey cupcake that I did not bake:

"Would you like a delicious sugar rush?"

I am the one who, with the assistance of my lovely girlfriend, whipped up 4 batched of rice krispy treats, made 3 types of muffins, a tray of brownies, and nasty looking no-bake cookies that I "fixed" with some vanilla icing. We were up until well after 1am last night, but it was fun and I think it was worth it. We made 3 times as much money as we spent. The time was my donation!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

the hairy feet lady was at the gym again...

2010-03-10T13:26:00.000-05:00

(03.10.10)
the hairy feet lady was at the gym again blowing her feet dry while she sat on the gross locker room floor while looking up at me from time to time. creepy. but more importantly, seeing the wet feet lady means that I was ALSO at the gym again and that, my friends, is a very good thing. It is amazing what a little sunlight can do for motivation (to go indoors and workout, I know, but in my defense, I ran outside yesterday and wanted to lift weights today).

Also, I overheard an undergrad say to her friend: I didn't know Flogging Molly people dressed all Irish-y.
Sigh.

The Corner Office

2010-03-02T15:58:00.000-05:00

(02.02.2010)
I never really thought about the University of Cincinnati as an "office" however, according to our Dean, the law school is the "corner office" of UC due to its position on, well, the corner of campus. Anyway, we had a "Town Hall Meeting" which includes a free lunch and face time with the Dean. It is pretty cool that (A) the interested portion of the staff, students, and faculty can freely voice their opinions and ask questions about the school and (B) you will get an immediate answer or at least a response that may or may not address the question you ask. I think it’s so very important for those who run the school to be in touch with those who attend and work in the school. Apparently the students here to a good job recruiting others as UC Law has seen a 30% increase in applications from last year, whereas the law school applications across the nation have risen only 2% on average. Here's to my getting in at the right time!!

I had a dream last night

2010-03-01T15:13:00.000-05:00

(03.01.10)
Last night I had a very detailed dream about going for a walk in the neighborhood where I grew up; on this walk, I met a girl who uses a wheel chair. She offered me a lift (her chair had a sidecar) and later on in the dream we went to a baseball game. But the stadium was set up oddly and there was no room for the wheelchair. I had to push my new friend up and down very steep stairs until we found a seat. Then we were told that if we ever come again with a wheel chair, we have to call ahead and they will let us know if we're allowed in.

Insights??

4th Floor Madness

2010-02-25T16:27:00.000-05:00

(02.25.2010)

Here at the College of Law they have all of the professor's offices on the fourth floor while nearly all of the classes are on the first floor. It is a rare day that I venture all the way to the top, but today I took that stair-climbing challenge and I am so glad that I did. Nearly everyone was hanging around, most were working in their offices. Best yet, every professor (4 total) I needed to talk to was in and had their door open. Woohoo for efficiency. The professors at this school are so personable. I am glad I ended up where I did. This blog is a lot of fluff. I apologize for a lack of purpose other than saying that I like school. The end.

May I please give you some advice?

2010-02-22T16:34:00.000-05:00

(02.19.2010)

I think it is really important to prepare for the future, especially the unexpected. I suggest that you spend one hour this weekend making a list of every song that you know by heart. Then find a space in your cell phone notebook to enter this information. Entitled it "Karaoke This." I think this preparation will serve you well. If you need some ideas, I recommended googling thinks like "popular karaoke songs." Here's my list, sorry that it is not organized by song and title:

Let me tell you how hard this was!

2010-02-19T14:14:00.001-05:00

(02.18.2010)
I was asked by an administrator to provide a picture of myself to go along with a bio that is going to be posted on the college website. I thought that this would be an easy task, however it was not. (note, I was limited to the pictures on Facebook, CouchSurfing, and Myspace because I don't have my computer with me at school but I don't even think that would have helped.)

Every picture I have taken is either: poorly lit, taken at an odd angle, shows my ugly glasses, has an inappropriate background, or demonstrates my love of wearing sweatshirts and disdain for showers. Don't believe me? Here are the ones that I ended up submitting:

Which were edited from these lovely choices:

Teeth.Are.Supposed.To.Stay.Put.

2010-02-17T14:56:00.003-05:00

(02.17.2010)

I have been putting out finding a Cincinnati dentist because:

1. I don't know what health insurance coverage I have through the school

2. I don't know how to figure out what my health coverage actually is anyway

3. I don't really want to go to the dentist, it is a waste of time.

However, after my bus ride home today, I have changed my mind about #3. Here's the set up: riding the 31 with me, there were two women, lovely people I am sure, but they were talking about their teeth rotting and falling out. One lady was visibly missing at least 2 teeth in the front and commented "Last time I had health insurance and went to the dentist...." (I think to myself, I am lucky to have insurance...I should use it before its gone) and then the next lady whose teeth I could not see, comments on the ineffectiveness of dentists in her situation because "I bite into a piece of white bread and a tooth will fall out" (eee! sick, I think to myself. I don't ever want to have that happen). I am going to the dentist. ASAP.

Feelings of Inadequacy SQUASHED

2010-02-17T12:25:00.001-05:00

Note: in no way is this post asking for sympathy or pity parties. It is quite the opposite, in fact! (or at least that is my intention)

(02.16.2010)
Maybe I have said this before, but law school has a very direct way of making me feel dumb. Outright unintelligent, underachieving, incapable and generally inadequate. They say you should try to attend the very best law school that will offer you admission and then to surround yourself by smart people. I did that. I did not realize, however, just how smart everyone in law school would really be. For the first time in my life, I really struggled (academically). Haunting feeling of: you aren't good enough, you aren't smart enough, and you will never make it, often permeate my mind.

Lately, however, things are changing. A little. School is still very very hard, colleagues are still very very smart, but finally a little break has come my way. A little break that makes me think, "hmm maybe I am good enough and smart enough and still make good impressions on people... "

I just wanted to share that with you. I think its a good idea for us to admit when we feel defeated and shout with joy when the world spins our way.

PS: the little "change" is a 10 hour/week gig with the law school's Human Rights Quarterly journal. The position is new and apparently I fit the job description. the most encouraging part is that I did not applied for this job, I did not know it existed, and I certainly did not know I was being considered. Oh the fun ahead.

unique EXPLOSION

2010-02-16T08:49:00.000-05:00

So, on the snow day last week, I was drinking coffee and overdosing on caffeine. I wondered: What would happen if I just had hot water and sugar in lieu of the coffee? I rinsed out the cup and filled it with water, then put it in the microwave for 2 minutes. Then I multi-tasked myself away from the kitchen to tend to some other project. I forget, briefly, about the water. When I return, I decide to re-heat the water for a minute as it didn't look hot. So, I take it out of the microwave and set it on the table. Then, this is the good part, I take a heaping scoop of sugar and put it into the mug and BANG! SHOOSH! YOWZAH! the water that was simply steaming roars to a boils and explodes everywhere! It was amazing. Better yet, according to snopes:

see that: "odds are, you'll go through life without ever viewing this phenomenon first-hand" I felt so very special for exploding my water until I read another website that tells you exactly how to "super heat" water. I won't publish that link because 1. I want you to be safe and 2. I lost the website and don't want to find it.

Thanks. bye.

Riddle me this

2010-02-15T14:56:00.000-05:00

Why do you think the girl in the locker room sat on the floor and used the hairdryer to dry her feet? She had a towel. Was she cold? Has hairy feet? Wanted to see how people would react? Weird.

Happy Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T17:53:00.005-05:00

(02.14.2010)

My Valentine gave me a new Scrabble game, Deluxe edition (with quadruple word score!). The cutest part, the board was open and filled with loving words. It was awesome! Here's a picture, please disregard the mops in the background. And do note, we exchanged gifts a week ago because neither of us could contain our gift giving excitement.

Here's Something to Celebrate

2010-02-12T14:23:00.001-05:00

(02.12.2010)

My mother always has to remind me of the date, but yesterday was the 15 year anniversary of my leukemia diagnosis. It is an odd anniversary to "celebrate" but certainly not a day to forget (though arguably I do forget about the exact date).

So, here's to 15 years of my life returned in full, thanks to prayers and medical science. I think I am living my life now with purpose and optimism, which is one of the promises I made to myself many many years ago. Thanks to all of you who have been there from the beginning, and cheers to those of you who have found me along the way.

Snow, snow, snow!

2010-02-11T13:42:00.001-05:00

(02.11.2010) I know its not the 5 feet of snow that DC got, but the half foot or so on the ground in Cincinnati has been fantastic! On Tuesday and Wednesday my classes were canceled. I enjoyed the free time by sledding, shoveling and building a snow monster. And sleeping. A lot. The rumor is that there is more on the way for Valentine's day! I can't wait!!

I blame the Christians...

2010-02-03T15:25:00.003-05:00

(02/03/10)

You see, at my school we are very lucky to have free coffee on Tuesday mornings. The Christian Legal Society provides this treat. And we are also very luck to have free thermos mugs. The mugs are from Westlaw, who I think by the end of this post, you too will agree, are in cahoots with the Christian Legal Society. (see the picture of my beloved mug)

So, It was some time at the end of last semester that I decided to have just *one* cup of this free coffee. And it was very good. The following week I did the same time, but later tat same day I went back to have a second cup. That was when I discovered how it feels to be jittery: my mind races, I concentrate intensely, my mind races, my hand shakes, great thoughts come pouring out of my mind... And the rest is history. I have been drinking a lot of coffee. I like the color, I like the smell, with 3 packages of sugar I like the taste, and I like how it make my brain spin.

Today, however, I made a deal with the devil.

I said: "If I don't get out of bed on the first alarm, then no coffee!!"

I did not get out of bed.

I did not get coffee.

I did have a quite a headache and it was not pleasant, let me tell you.

So here I am, late in the afternoon and really needing some warm coffee goodness, but no. I will not do it. Sigh. And remember, all of this comes from a girl who was so sensitive to caffeine before that no matter the time of day she wouldn't be able to tame her racing mind in order to fall asleep...

So, you're in a pickle...WTF

2010-02-02T17:19:00.003-05:00

(02/02/2010)

Too many people have been using the phrase "in a pickle." Not only does it make me hungry, it also makes me wonder: WTF? I agree, it would be incredibly uncomfortable to be soaked in brine. However, I also think it would suck to be grilled over hot coals, but no one says "I am on a shish kabob!" Okay, that might not be a very good analogy, I am welcome to better suggestions. You get my point. Just tell me that you're experiencing something difficult and you could use a little help. The end of the rant.

Trusting the Universe Month

2010-02-01T13:48:00.002-05:00

(02/01/10)

I used to strongly adhere to the idea that I could "get whatever I wanted from" the universe; that there was no reason to worry about the future because everything would always unfold exactly as I needed it to. I realize this is a very self-centered approach to my existence. Over time I have found myself straying from such a spoiled-child sort of philosophy. However, the root of the philosophy deserves some more contemplation. And this month I am going to try and be more trusting and less worrisome. Working in my favor is my optimistic view of most everything and the coming of spring. There are some cool work/life happenings that fall in to this "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you" (Matthew 7:7). I will keep you posted on how it all unravels. I would love to hear your stories of asking and receiving...

Crafty: skillful in underhand or evil schemes; cunning; deceitful; sly.

2009-12-23T11:53:00.009-05:00

(12/19/09) Last weekend I hosted a crafting party. It was a grand success! Everyone was bent over their work, drinking wine, and just enjoying the space to create. I haven't stopped. I have made some beautiful wedding/engagement cards for friends as well as a dozen little penguin ornaments. Last night I folded greeting cards to make mini-box to hold the penguins. It has been so much fun and a great break from studying!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle does have some limits...

2009-12-13T23:08:00.002-05:00

(12.13.09) Let's just say I am a fan of reusing water bottles, making art from old magazines, printing on both sides of paper before adding it to my recycling bin, you get the idea. But this week I witnesses what I would like to call an extreme-green earther.

Here is what I saw: guy sits down a study desk in the public library, gets out a small plastic bag filled with cigarette butts and a clean sheet of rolling paper. He then proceeds to tap every remaining bit of tobacco out of the butts and on to the paper. (we're talking 2 dozen butts)

It was fascinating. It was disgusting. It was a great way to avoid studying for exams (like am doing now, does anyone understand hearsay??), and apparently a great way of getting a nicotine fix. He left as soon as he was done and returned a few minutes later, I can only imagine he was enjoying the fruits of his labor.

Believe-you-me, if I had a cancer-stick to offer the guy I would have given him one for now and one for later. Yuck.

Let's talk about the reasons I need to hire a supervisor (for myself)

2009-12-03T10:21:00.005-05:00

(12.02.09)
Here is why I need a glorified nanny:

First, I went to get my hairs cut. They have been too long for too long and I was being threaten with banishment from society as one with a rat tail cannot keep good company. I had been putting off the hair cut because, so far, I have had THE WORST hair stylists (what is the PC word for them these days?) here in Cincinnati. There is one person in Columbus who I trust, but I didn't even drive to Columbus for Thanksgiving so there is no way I was going to go to Cbus for a hair cut. I digress. I went to get my hairs cut and the stylist was really listening to what I wanted (I even brought pictures). She cuts all of the hairs and is like: voila! And I am like: uhhh, you better keep cutting. So this brings me to why I need to hire a supervisor. More or less this person would have stopped the conversation after voila! and ushered me out of the salon. Then my hair would have looked *just like* the lady in the picture. But no. Now it just looks blah. The way it usually looks. (which makes me question whether or not all of the previous hair folks were really that bad)

Second, when Ashley Cecil gave me all of the remaining canned goods, unsold art, etc. from her apartment as she and the manfriend get ready to move to London. She also gave me these beautifully wrapped Christmas gifts. With my name on them. Nice. So when I got home, of course I practice no self control and immediately opened them all. They were awesome. Pause: this is where the "supervisor" would have stopped me mid-rip and would say, "uh, this seems odd, let's call Ashley to see if she really wanted you to open these." and then we would have found out that, of course she wanted you to wait to open them with her and she had simply given the gifts to me so that they didn't get packed away and shipped on a boat overseas! geez.

So those are just a few reasons I need to be more closely supervised. For more examples, just ask. (and to follow up, i re-wrapped all of the gifts ashley gave to me and chances are i will forget what is in them by the time we meet again)

"You will spend your old age surrounded by comfort and wealth"

2009-11-27T11:11:00.003-05:00

(11.27.09) Well, its "black" Friday (how black modifies a day of the week? I have no idea) and the crazies are out in full force. Or at least that is what I imagine. I slept in and only went to two craft stores at 830 this morning. It was nice. Everything I wanted was half price which makes me wonder: just how much I get ripped off every time I pay for something?

Here's another example, the furnace in my rental home stopped producing heat yesterday (Thanksgiving Day of course). I called our heating guy who "tapped on the sensor with a screwdriver" and it started to work again. I am thinking that just tapping on sensitive parts of the furnace when the heat stops is probably not the most effective fix. So I had him replace the sensor. So a $50 service fee is now a lot more expensive, but you know, I would much rather pay for that now and not worry about getting a phone in a week reporting the same issue and be out my $50 service fee. Oh the fun. I need a job to pay for all of this FUN.

PS: here's the link to the cartoon above

PPS: and the title today is classic fortune cookie wisdom

Cynical Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T10:18:00.002-05:00

(11.26.09)
Happy Thanksgiving.
Here's a great video of kids re-enacting the First Thanksgiving.

And here's the link to Katie Vernon's website where I borrowed this darling pie print!

What would you do?

2009-11-24T10:20:00.002-05:00

(11.24.09) Have you watched that ABC show "What would you do?" (the one with hidden cameras that film social experiments) Recently a friend posted this clip about people coming (or not coming) to the assistance of people who are passed out on the sidewalk. The whole clip is worth watching.

This morning on my ride to school on the 31, we saw a very large man who had either fallen in the crosswalk or been hit by a car and was laying in the road. There were already four people who stopped their cars in rush hour traffic and together they were pulling him to his feet and out of on coming traffic. Sure this is different from the video, but still, it would have been easier for any of them to just drive on by. It is amazing to witness simple acts of loving kindness while riding the Metro. I wonder how the rest of that man's day will be today.

What happened to craft night?

2009-11-23T09:46:00.003-05:00

(11.23.09) I had the good fortune to go to two craft fairs this weekend. It was good for my Christmas shopping, bad for my wallet. Also bad for my motivation to study for law school. I would really prefer a life where I made scrapbooks, cards, and put beads on strings instead of studying who gets repaid first when someone goes bankrupt. Sigh. I long for the creative connection. I did spend a few hours making cards and wrapping gifts after the craft fair, so there's a start!

Here's a link to more fantasy animal busts

Yeah, I agree. Something is Missing.

2009-09-30T17:00:00.000-04:00

(09.30.09) Something may be missing, but you're certainly not alone. Love you mom. You're amazing.

Grateful Dead

2009-09-30T15:17:00.006-04:00

(09.30.09)

Two years ago today I took the LSAT, went to the wedding of a good friend, then headed out to karaoke after the reception. Funny how all of that pales to the memory of the rest of the evening: finding out that Dad was in the ER and, according to my youngest sister, "wasn't coming back home." It feels like forever, it feels like yesterday. And here we are today.

I am listening to my favorite Pandora radio station that plays nothing but the Dead, Bob Marley, CCR aka "hippie shit." It made me remember one of my favorite nights with Mom and Dad. They joined me and the Columbus gang for karaoke after their bowling match. I somehow convinced Dad to make his karaoke debut that evening. We sang the Grateful Dead's "Truckin'" to the best of our off-key, out of tune ability. And it was great fun. Oh, how grateful I am for those memories!

Forever

2009-09-30T15:05:00.003-04:00

(09/29/09)

I'm sitting here at a Chinese restaurant near school. There's an older Asian chef who, for some reason, reminds me a lot of my dad. I'm not sure if its the squinty, beady eyes or the well worn smile, but there is something about him that tugs at my heart and asks me to remember my dad. And I realize that Forever my dad is gone. That its not just two years since his death but that his death is Forever. That whatever goes on tomorrow also carries the memory of dad; memory and nothing more. Just the essence of him. I just cannot wrap my head around the concept of tomorrow, let alone forever. Its so huge. I choose not to think about it unless I'm forced to. And sometimes I am forced to. Like today.

Wiener Races

2009-09-18T17:23:00.005-04:00

(09.18.09) Only on Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati would hundreds of people gather during their lunch hour to watch wiener dogs race to the finish line. And let's be honest, (1) it is the only reason I left the house today and (2) if I had a dachshund I would have been training her for months to win this competition. And it was quite a competition, there were over 60 dogs entered in the race!! This race kicks off Oktoberfest. And what makes you think of drinking German beer more than watching German dogs barking and chasing each other?

There is nothing sinful about leisure as long as it does not degenerate into mere sloth.

2009-09-02T08:08:00.002-04:00

(09/02/09) This is the second week of the second year in law school. My class load is manageable and the classes are interesting. I will be teaching at a local high school three days a week for one hour a day during this semester. The subject is "Street Law" which covers an introduction to law, contracts, family law, housing law, criminal law and the constitution. I am meeting the teacher tomorrow morning for an orientation.

Aside from school, life keeps moving quickly. Cincinnati provides so many fun adventures. This past weekend I went with friends to the Spring Grove Cemetery for a tour of a mausoleum and the stained glass windows within. Last night I went to a Reds game. I highly endorse this city as a place to have a good life.

Back to reading about creditors, foreclosure, and collateral.

New Haircut is Bad, the Reds are Loosers, the Rain Keeps Raining...

2009-08-05T11:15:00.004-04:00

(08/95/09)...BUT! Ashley Cecil is moving to Cincinnati today, I am getting a couch this afternoon and on Saturday I will have a cat (her name is Schmitty). So, its not all bad, right? It's actually fantastic, it just depends on which side of the line you choose to look.

Happy Wednesday.

(this is one of the awesome places Jen and I hiked last month, the park is Devil's Lake, WI)

Belly Flop

2009-07-14T13:19:00.004-04:00

(07/14/09)
<---- See Me in the Hat Over There??

One of the many adventures we had during our road trip was to visit the Jelly Belly warehouse just north of Chicago. We arrived in the midst of millions of pre-schoolers, day-campers and other-wise excited kids. We fit right in.

The warehouse was just a warehouse, but they did take us around in a little train, stopping along the way to watch videos about the jelly bean making process. When the "beans" are too small or too large to pass the Jelly Belly test, they are packaged as "Belly Flops" and sold in bulk. I had the joy of sitting with my co-workers today tasting the spectrum of flavors and trying to avoid the Harry Potter inspired snot and toothpaste flavored beans. What an afternoon.

It's ok to brag from time to time, right?

2009-07-13T11:43:00.002-04:00

I thought you would like to know that a paper I wrote during my internship was actually used by a staff attorney as a piece of research to support voting rights of incarcerated youth. Sometimes as an intern I wonder how much of what I write is being read then re-written entirely, but not this time. It is pretty cool to look at what was submitted by the attorney to the Secretary of State's office and compare it to the original writing that I did. Woohoo doing things that matter.

"Be patient. Good things come to those who wait"

2009-06-10T13:27:00.003-04:00

Well something remarkable did happen today. It was this bat trapped in a window in the office this morning. I dont know whatever has happened to it. Its after lunch and the thrill of a bat has ebbed.

And later tonight Daphne and Kevin are having their baby. "After a full work day" as Daph so matter-of-factly stated! In the blink of an eye, our lives can be forever changed.

"Now is a good time to finish up old tasks"

2009-06-08T16:14:00.003-04:00

Did you know there were chocolate fortune cookies? At work today there was a 2 gallon bag full. They're delicious and inspiring, just as a fortune cookie ought to be.

This city of Cincinnati is just *poppin'* with things to do. This weekend I watched a soft-ball surpise double header, went out for fantastic Chinese food filled with theater people, danced at a bar with a mechanical bull, ate Lebanese food at the "Lebanese Festival" and attended a "soup exchange party." (mark your january 2010 calendar for a soup exchange party in lieu of a birthday party for me!)

well look at that.

2009-06-05T09:18:00.002-04:00

So, its been awhile since there's been a post and I doubt there are any people who check for one any more, but I figured, what that heck. I would write a little something this morning.

Life has been grand, as of late. School is ended. I am finishing the third week of my ten week internship. Still in love, still living alone, still floating along my merry way. And at the end of the summer I am adopting a cat. Yes, these are the important highlights.

Last weekend my baby sister graduated from high school and the weekend before the middle child graduated from college. One cousin and one cousin-in-law are pregnant, as is a good friend of mine from college. There are going to be so many June babies! Another cousin is getting married in September. Its a good year for milestone.

That's all for now. More soon.

Sharing is Caring

2009-04-07T14:30:00.002-04:00

I have arranged (finally) a summer internship in Cinci!! I thought you might like to read my application essay to see what I am doing. (if you find spelling or grammar errors, let me know!)

Interest in Public Service
My first experience in public service was through my church youth group. We collected blankets and made brownbag dinners for the homeless. While the act of collecting was important, it was interacting with the homeless that changed my world view. I remember meeting men who lived under bridges and in abandoned buildings year round. Because of mental or physical illness, many of them depended on the kindness of strangers and work of organizations to survive. I remember being cold and angry. These two feelings spurred a lot of conversation about our societal constructs and what it means to have a just society.

The lessons I learned about serving those in need have evolved over time. As an undergraduate student at the University of Dayton, I studied Human Rights and Economics. Through-out college, I spent a large portion of my free time teaching English, publicizing housing inequity and volunteering in impoverished neighborhoods. These experiences further provoked contemplation into the question of social justice. As a result of doing direct service as well as questioning the systems that create inequality, a strong framework for my professional career centered in public interest work has been built.

I tend to seek opportunities that allow me to utilize my talents by assisting those who are most underserved. For example, my first “real job” after undergraduate school was as a full-time refugee resettlement case manager, funded by an AmeriCorps grant. This year-of- service launched my career in refugee resettlement work and helped me to form a professional path. At the root of this path is a continued commitment to service through action. I have spent the last three years working at non-profits which serve the needs of at-risk immigrants. Because of my passion for this work, I have had the fortunate experience to be quickly promoted from case manager, to community organizer, to legal services coordinator and development director. The world of non-profits, from my experience, is one where you can do as much as you can dream.

Summer Internship Opportunity and Community Impact
This summer I will be working at the Ohio Justice and Policy Center in Cincinnati Ohio. The organization is highly respected for its work in prison reform. There are a variety of programs I will be assisting. First, the Race and Justice Project, funded by the Ford Foundation, addresses public education system, policy reform in prisons and serves litigation needs of inmates. Here, there is an opportunity for interns to assist during legal clinics as well as teaching small classes in satellite locations. Next, the Human Rights in Prisons (HRP) project seeks to ensure that prisoner’s civil rights are not compromised. Specifically the HRP program has helped to bring legislative changes to health care within the prisons. The result from this legislation creates ample opportunity for interns to assist in the implementation of health care reform. Finally, the Second Chance program helps to ensure inmates are connected to resources which aide in their transition back to the community. With Governor Strickland’s proposal to reduce the number of Ohio inmates along with doing substantial legislative work surrounding the reporting requirements for sex offenders, the opportunities for interns to do substantial and important research as well as direct client service is endless. The impact on the inmate population varies with each project. Because this is a generally underserved group, all positive changes make a large effect in the prison system.

2 Cups, 1 Girl

2009-03-17T11:47:00.003-04:00

(03/17/09)

I don't drink caffeine for good reason. It makes me nuts. And in 10 hours from now, I still won't be able to sleep. That is what happens to your body when you condition it to respond (or not to respond in my case) to drugs.

Well they have free coffee on Tuesdays at the law school, and I have this 20 page paper due on Friday and so far there are only 13 pages. So I am counting on these 2 cups of coffee (which is really closer to 1.75 cups of coffee and .25 cups of sugar and cream) to power-hour myself to the end of the paper. Then I will have 2 full days to edit, aka re-write the entire thing.

Happy St. Patty's Day to you all. Its a sad day for me as I am, for the first time in about forever, not attending any parades, dancing in any bars, nor drinking any Harp, Guinness, or Smithwicks. The day is still young, so perhaps the beer part will change. We shall see.

Back to the paper writing, then off to tutor my 4th grader in Math and Social Studies! (2011 = graduation)

Don't even try. Just give up now.

2009-03-13T21:18:00.004-04:00

(03/13/09)

I am not usually the kind of person who buys in to the Friday the 13th mumbo-jumbo...until today.

As you might know, I always have a lot on my plate and I usually make things worse by procrastinating . Well today, that changed. After class and study group, I sat my self down in the library (on a Friday I usually go home and do anything except for school work). But today, I worked diligently on checking citations for the Human Rights Journal for about 5 hours.

The due date is Monday and I got ALL OF IT finished! So great, right? Nope, not right. Just as I went to attach the document to an email for my supervisor, I realized that I could not find the document. Apparently, it was a temporary document that did not save each time I was clicking ctrl+S. And when I closed out, it was gone, not saved. We even called the IT person who was already out drinking and getting his weekend on. He confirmed, its a flaw with using gmail. You think you're saving, but you're not.

Yeah, its gone forever. And quite frankly I don't have the time to do it again.

Lessons learned: never use the school computers, don't do things early, use "save as" twice (I swear I did it the first time, but clearly I did not) and above all: STAY IN BED ON FRIDAY THE 13th.

Fuuuuuuck. I am going home and going to bed. This day deserves to be over.

OH, this is so cool. You just have to go see it!

2009-03-10T12:04:00.003-04:00

(03/09/09)

Last night Jen and I went to the CAC (free on Monday nights) to see Tara Donovan's art installations. She takes simple items and gets tons of them to create unreal sculptures. One room, for instance had a 36x36x36 cube of toothpicks. She just started buying tooth picks, then (on site at the museum) dumps them in to a box then removes the sides to have a free standing toothpick cube that, from a distance, looks like a bail of hay. No glue, no filler. Nothing. Straws, cups, straight pins, paper plates... everything is art for her. It is worth drive 2.5 hours, maybe 3 to check it out.

Two steps forward, one step back

2009-03-04T09:53:00.003-05:00

(03/06/09) The power of the internet is amazing. This week I have been chatting with Amanda in West Africa, job hunting across the globe without leaving my bed, meeting new friends and organizing a night of bingo, and joining a facebook group that took over a bar for a night... I am just in awe of the world we live in. How did people ever research, connect, and reconnect without this 'net?

Its just too bad that the same awesome internet that makes so many good things happen has also sucked away so many hours of my life that could have been spent doing, oh I don't know, maybe writing that huge research paper that is due in 13 days?

Happy March!

I did it!!

2009-02-22T21:30:00.003-05:00

I climbed 804 stairs today! The American Lung Association hosts an annual fundraiser in Cincinnati is called Climb the Carew (its a high rise in the city). Jen and I marched our way up all 46 flights in around 17 minutes. It was surprisingly easy (though I had been specifically training my legs for the past 4 weeks), though I do not think I will join the crazy people who run the "vertical mile" which is 7 trips up and down the entire building. Hopefully my legs won't be aching tomorrow! (the stairs in the pictures are NOT the ones I climbed; I just thought they were pretty. I love google images search)

In other news, did I tell you I found a cat to adopt? Her owners are moving to India at the end of the summer and I will be adopting her sometime before they move. It saves her from spending a day in the shelter and saves me from the expense of buying a creature. More to come for sure.

Law school is still law school. I am trying a lot harder to improve my grades from last semester which unfortunately means saying no to hanging out. Ah, well. You only do it once and you have to decided which way its going to unfold.

I did, however take sometime this weekend to meet up with my BFF and her new beau. While that could be a story, I would rather tell you about this resturant called Bootsy's. I don't know too much about how it came to be but the interior was decorated in a style that I would call circus-clown-on-mushrooms-goes-bohemian. It was color overload. I was in heaven. The food was good too.

See, that wasn't so painful. I really should blog more often.

Americans

2009-01-23T16:13:00.005-05:00

(01/23/09) This week I not only witnessed the inauguration of our 44th president but also I had the opportunity to attend a naturalization ceremony to swear in 32 new Americans. Each person stood up and said her name and country of origin. The judge had them recite a pledge of commitment to the US and one of our professors gave a very moving speech. I highly recommend that you put this on your "list of things to do." Goooo America.

Also, I received this email from one of the guys I met in Nairobi, Kenya. I thought you'd enjoy it:

Dear Colleen,

I hope you are doing fine in U.S.A. We are great and jubilant for the Obama win. The words "YES WE CAN" have at long last come to disapprove the pessimists that anything is possible and anyone can. Creed, Colour, Race, Tribe, Physical Challenges, Gender, intelligence e.t.c are not the only recipes to achieving our ambitions or challenges against taking initiative or playing a role in Active Global Change. Let us borrow a leaf from the heroic deeds of Obama who has come from so far displaying humility in humilation through out his life journey and campaign to finally clinch the highest seat in the World.

YEAH!!!!!!!!!LET'S WORK TOGETHER FOR WORLD PEACE AND THE SECURITY AND GOOD HEALTH OF PEOPLE ACROSS THE WORLD. MAY GOD BLESS THIS FINE MAN WHO CAN TAKE US THERE....

Thursday, Friday, Saturday, March!

2009-01-22T22:13:00.004-05:00

So many things I have to tell you, let me lay them out "to-do" style:

1. On February 22, I will attempt to climb 45 flights of stairs (802 stairs total) in the good name of the AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION. Remember Elementary school when you had to Jump-Rope-for-your-Heart and raise money? Well this is the grown-up version of gym class. My local partner-in-crime have formed a team (Peanut Butter Jelly Climbers). We want to raise $150 and you can help! You can: join our team! -or- make a donation!!

Make a pledge online or give me your dollars in person... $10 goes a long way!

Lofty promise: If I raise $150 on my own, through you all, I will video myself and Jen doing the Peanut Butter Jelly song better than this kid and will post it on the blog

2. I got my law school grades back for the first semester. Let's just say I did not do so well but I did not loose my scholarship (which is based on GPA); so that is cool I guess?

3. My house in Reynoldsburg still needs a renter. Lemme know when you want to move in.

4. I LOVE THE BUS.No, really, I do. And this is the song I always sing while I wait.

(Today there was an exhausted mother and her two kids. The little boy (probably 5 or 6 years old) shoves his sister across the bus as they get on; mom doesn't see this and sister breaks in to tears. Mom tells her to go sit down and stop whining. Tears end, boy starts to sing: "Where is thumbkin? Where is thumbkin? Here I am! Here I am!" Tired mother wants nothing to do with this musical rendition of this fabulous tune and hushes him too. Then brother starts to recite the days of the week.... M, T, W, R, F, Saturday, MARCH! Exhausted mother makes him do it 4 times before he remembers SUNDAY, JANUARY, FEBRUARY *then* MARCH. I was cracking up and so too were the folks around me. Thanks bus 31, you're a riot.)

5. Law school has a prom. Can you believe it? I get to re-live those suppressed memories of my high school years. Yipee (secretly i am looking forward to it. Between the peer pressure and my hot date, it rocks)

6. I am going to Columbus on Friday to finish cleaning the house. Did I already mention that its for rent and your furniture WILL FIT?

7. Thanks for reading. This was hardly entertaining, but necessary. Thanks for reminding me to post more often, Kel!

Breath, just breath...

2009-01-19T21:34:00.003-05:00

(01/19/09) It seems that it is sometimes hard to remember the basic necessities of life like breathing, drinking water, and laughing. Life just keeps throwing curve balls and I finished playing the game 6 innings ago.

I spent the weekend packing, cleaning and preparing my house for new renters. (thanks mom for all your hard work, Kelley too) However, when the renters came over to drop off the deposit and the measure rooms they had a change of heart. Low-and-behold, their furniture just wouldn't fit. Really? Really? Where's that deposit?? Sigh. Back to Craig's list, worrying, and asking everyone I know: do you have a friend that needs a great house in Reynoldsburg for $925 a month??

On the ride back to Cinci, I listened to a (conservative christian - my secret obsession) radio program that focused on how important it is to connect to people; that humans are built to be surrounded by and connected to others. It was a great reminder of the lovely friends who keep me; the good family that shows up when needed; the BFF who knows to call and what questions to ask; the closeness of a significant other... the list goes on.

See, financial life might be stressful and problematic, but the richness of my people-life is boundless.

Happy MLK Day.

Time keeps on slipping in to the future

2009-01-07T13:51:00.002-05:00

(01/07/09)

Well, as it turns out, the last 2 apartments I looked at were both beautiful and in my price range. I signed a lease on Sunday and will be moving on Friday. Thanks be to moving companies that will help me carry all of the heavy stuff. It is well worth the fee to be out of that negative place and in to the fresh, roommate-less, new one. I will post some pictures as soon as I take them! Plenty of room for visitors...

If you need my mailing address for any reason, let me know. (It is creepy to post it on a blog, so do email if needed)

And on another note, tonight we're going to some 90 minute seminar about a travel company in exchange for 2 free airfares, 2 nights in a hotel and a 7 day car rental (and perhaps I have to exchange my soul, I dunno). Hopefully its not a total scam. I would love to cash in on my new years resolution (aka, travel to MN and visit those I left behind so many years ago)

"The smart thing to do is to begin trusting your intuitions"

2009-01-03T00:37:00.002-05:00

(01/02/09) Thank you, fortune cookie makers, for reminding me that what feels right usually is what needs to be done.

For those keeping score, we have 10 days before school begins. I have viewed, oh maybe 12 or 15 apartments. A few are close, but there is always something. The one that has all of the "dream list" (washer/dryer, A/C, pets without fees, wood floors, plenty of closet space, nice windows) happens to be in the second to most questionable part of town. Then there's one that is just beautiful from a structure standpoint, but the price is a tad high and no AC. The list goes on, let me tell you. There are 2 more to see tomorrow and lets pray to the housing gods that this will be the last day of not knowing.

The roommate has officially lost her mind, and so have I. My patience with her antics wore off.(today all of my kitchen and family room things were piled in the living room; paintings pulled off the wall and were sitting on the floor where they had hung; a note in the kitchen asks me to pay her for helping me move-in back in August and for a beer she apparently bought 2 month ago; she also informed me that I was no longer allowed to use the dishes or utensils. Really? Really??) Lets just say I wasn't too polite in letting her know exactly what I was thinking.

So that's what is going on. And as far as trusting my intuition, I will be taking all of my valuable with me tomorrow and leaving them with a friend. My intuition tells me GET OUT NOW.

Big Sigh. Prayers for patience, please.

"happiness is a journey, not a destination" -souza

2008-12-30T10:30:00.002-05:00

Both my BFF and significant other have blogspace devoted to happiness. One is a "mission" to "finding" happiness and the other is "waiting" to "find" happiness. I am not sure where I fit in to the spectrum of finding/waiting for happiness; all I know is that it is a necessary part of the daily journey. I try to find the good side of the bad things, and when that fails I have a nice line up of friends who can help brighten the day, no matter how gray. Thanks to you who keep me smiling.

It has been about 11 days... which is about the average time between my posts

2008-12-09T20:43:00.003-05:00

So today I took my first law school exam. It was over contracts and appeared to be straight forward... that is until I talked to my buddy about the details and realized I missed a HUGE issue on one of the three essays. I have always had trouble with reading directions exactly and here again the ugly-head of assumption rears its head. The good news is it probably won't effect the total exam grade by a ton as the points of law are still correct. Grr reading errors.

Other than that, studying and prepping for exams is going alright. One more on Friday, then Monday and Thursday of next week. They get progressively more scary, which is scary. With that, I am going back to my notes. Sigh.

The good news is...

2008-11-28T17:53:00.003-05:00

(11/28/08)
the good news is: I finally have new work out shoes. I have gone for a nice short walk/jog and they seem great and my injured toe is doing okay.

The bad news is: I know it is in my foot's best interest to stop dancing and running. I have been told by more than one medical professional that it won't get better and can only be fixed with surgery. Eeek! So I think that if I want to ever run that marathon, I had better do it now. The foot is going to get worse either way. Why not help it along to the inevitable?

other good news: thanksgiving was really nice. the family plus 5 was nice. i ate too much to even think of dessert but made up for the sweets tonight! today we visited grandma and it was a splendidly short and pleasant visit. the bad news: i have so much reading to do i can't even justify the time i spent in the car.

so, i am off to read for a bit then go spend the evening hours with amanda who, in and of herself, is good news. She's home for a month! (she lives in west africa the rest of the time)

also good news: i have a snazzy new hair cut. its a tad more shocking than even i expected, but it is exactly what i asked for. i love my stylist.

off to the books for now.

Dog. Cat. Snake. Hamster. Kids.

2008-11-17T21:45:00.003-05:00

If I had two kids who wanted a pet I would use the pleading and whining as a research and writing tool. We'd go to the library and learn how to find out about lifespan, food, cost etc. of these desired pets. Then we'd learn how to write all of this into a persuasive essay, assuming the kids want something different from the other. Ultimately, there would also be a lesson in government as the dictator (me) would rule on which pet (if any) would be obtained.

I spent a large part of last Friday night looking at picture of cats to be adopted. I really want one. And over the summer I wanted a bird. And before that a dog. So, if ever I get around to the research and writing about said pets, I will let you vote on the most persuasive argument I can proffer.

Yeah, this blog is dumb. But it is better than the current research and writing I am doing about "unlawful restraint" and "spousal privilege". BOORRING

There's no sunshine when it rains.

2008-11-14T19:55:00.000-05:00

Almost Friday the 13th. Its about love.

2008-11-14T19:05:00.005-05:00

(11/14/08)
A while back I proffered the question: What cause would you die for? I always wished I had been 25 years old during the 60s and 70s when racial integration was in its prime and Janis Joplin was singing her songs of woe.

The idea of being martyred for a cause is so romantic yet disgusting at the same time. I am a very fickle creature, always changing my mind about what I think and how I want my world to unravel. Finding something that I would hands-down put on the line under any condition was a challenging question.

At first I thought I would lay my life down to protect immigrant rights. I am passionate about welcoming the stranger and giving a safe haven for those in need. In reality though, its not an issue I would actually go to war over.

Homelessness, unequal pay, sexual harassment, the poor, the hungry, cancer research, basic education, ending affirmative action.... these too are issues which illicit my time through volunteering, my money through fundraising and my prayers to god. But none of these issues get me ready to fight.

The only issue I have found that is strong enough to gain the title of "something I would die to protect" is gay rights in the United States.

While I think the idea of Gay Marriage is incredibly premature (for instance, in Ohio you can still be fired for being gay), it is the issue being debated today, and tomorrow and well in to the future. And if I were ever to bear arms to promote any rights, it would be the rights of gays to be equal members of society. It is an issue of equality, social justice and love. I don't see how there can be any other answer to the question of social inclusion.

Here's a link to the best illustration of what I mean: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnHyy8gkNEE

I only asked myself this question, but would love to have your feedback on things you're willing to lay your life down to preserve.

SOMETHING REMARKABLE HAPPENED TODAY!

2008-11-05T10:11:00.002-05:00

(Or yesterday really)
I watched Obama's speech on my blackberry as I rode the bus to school today. It brought tears to my eyes and put hope in my heart. I look forward to the next 4 (8 perhaps) years and all of the change to come. Thanks to my darling sisters who voted for the first time yesterday. See, voting does matter. If you haven't seen the speech from Grant Park, try this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jll5baCAaQU

Scratch That...

2008-11-04T13:08:00.002-05:00

(11/04/08) Election Day is my favorite holiday every fourth year. How great is it to have sunshine and friendly poll workers? Thanks to all of you early voters who helped keep the line short when I voted this morning. Also, thanks to Starbucks and Ben & Jerry's for setting the standard of corporate responsibility in civics. You rock. Move over Bush, its time for CHANGE.

Halloween is still my favorite holiday

2008-11-02T23:43:00.003-05:00

(10/31/08)
On Thursday I realized I was highly unprepared to celebrate my favorite holiday the next evening. Thankfully, a little bit of creative thinking and rummaging through the thrift store resulted in a makeshift costume. Everything came together just fine and all emergencies were averted. Thank goodness!

So, here I am dressed as Christmas Elf, with my friend Easter Bunny. Who doesn't love representing the christian holidays on pagan ones? I have no idea who the lady in blue might be, but damn she's sexy!

Dreaming of Donuts

2008-10-23T10:47:00.003-04:00

During my 9:00 class I found myself doodling donuts and military equipment. It was an odd morning. We were supposed to be learning about federal jurisdiction, and I am sure that is what was being said by our professor. Regardless, today is a Thursday which feels like a Friday. The week of vacation was too long, I feel like we've started over and it is difficult to get back in the swing.

The best part of my doodling was when I left class and found an entire table full of donuts, bagels, and muffins. Yippie for drawings coming to life. Next I am drawing pictures of winning lottery tickets.

Gnomes are inappropriate dinner guests.

2008-10-12T21:42:00.005-04:00

(10/12/08) I am not really sure how 11 days can pass since I last updated you about my fun (though work-filled) Cinci life. Last weekend was the SWEET RedBull Soap box races. The highlights were, of course, those cars that crashed as well as the "Last Supper" soap box which miraculously made it through the course without landing in the hay bales.

<---This picture is taken with one of the soap box crews

This weekend I went apple and pumpkin picking. After we're more than half way to the orchard, my friend Jen (who is driving and says she's never gone apple picking) tells me that she is mildly allergic to apples. Apparently her mouth "itches." This, I think to myself, explains why she's never gone apple picking! The mild allergy must not be too bad as she ate her fair share of apples while we "sampled" each of the 7 or 8 varieties. The rest of the evening for me involved peeling apples and making a great apple bake... mmm

Off to Kentucky for the next 3 days. It is our fall break! We have an entire week without classes. While I am sure a number of my fellow students are reading, outlining and studying, I am doing a very good job at watching tv, sleeping in and loafing in general. In Kentucky, 11 of us are sharing a 2 bedroom house (that alone will be a challenge for me) and during the day we're shadowing/volunteering with AppalReD lawyers. They are a non-profit serving the poor at no cost. Should be awesome! Details to come.

Inspiration Overload

2008-10-01T22:47:00.005-04:00

(10/01/2008) Have you ever had met one of those people who can rattle off her list of recent projects as you shake your head in disbelief at the work she's done in the past week, month, decade? Today was one of those days for me, three times over.

This morning we had a "Breakfast Club" meeting at school. The purpose is to bring a local attorney to talks to the students about the practical work they do in the city. Our speaker today has a life path I hope to follow: she spent a couple of years in corporate law making nice money, then made a transition into the non-profit sector as a director for a non-profit. Her group exists for the sole purpose of raising money for other groups (Community Shares). Sweet, I say to myself, this life plan can work...

THEN, our lunch hour was occupied by a panel of about 6 non-profit leaders. They told us about the work they do and how we can volunteer with them. One young director in particular struck me as an especially passionate and enthusiastic young person who I'd love to help as her organization grows. Lower Price Hill Community School has after school programs, teaches English and GED classes, and assists low income folks to find funding for college. What struck me most was to see a recent UC Law school grad already making waves in the community.

FINALLY, and most impressively, was the women at met over dinner. Her name is Jane Roberts and she started a movement called 34 Million Friends. She was angry at a budget cut which helped provide family planning, maternal health care, and helps to protect them from AIDS/HIV. In reaction to the cuts, she decided to ask 34 million Americans to give one dollar in support of the funding cut. (Check out her site, send $1 and really make a difference) What impressed me most was to see this 67 year old woman as enthusiastic and in love with her work as the barely 30-year old I met during lunch. I hope that I can maintain such conviction and energy when I am two and a half times as old as I am today!

That was my Wednesday. How was yours?

You get what you need.

2008-09-28T21:22:00.005-04:00

On top of the memo draft, 5 classes to prepare for (opposed to the usual 4) and 40 citation checks due Monday I have managed to partake in a well balanced, and of course fun, weekend. Thanks be to new friends and a city.

It was UC night at the Cincinnati Zoo ($3 tickets!). The highlights of that zoo would be the vampire bats feeding on BLOOD (yuck) and the insect house filled with cockroaches and spiders that were oh-so-creepy.

Here are some pictures for you to enjoy! (1: Me hiding behind a sweet bird 2: Me with Daryl who is in my law school class 3: Jen and myself posing in the dark of night at the smelly zoo)

As the concrete collides... the scenery grows

2008-09-24T14:49:00.002-04:00

Across the street from the law school building an enormous historical high school building is being restored. This morning I watched a truck slinging rocks; yesterday they were pouring concrete. The lyrics from a Bright Eyes song called The City has Sex (full line: "The city has sex with itself I suppose; as the concrete collides where the scenery grows") has been playing through my brain today as a result of the ever growing and expanding scenery. How true it is to see the city expand as concrete collides with concrete.

Moving away from the literal interpretation of the lyrics, I found myself thinking of the ever expanding body of legal knowledge I am attempting to decipher. As our questions collide with the professors wisdom and our textbooks hypotheticals, I cannot help but to be completely enamoured by the "hugeness" of it all! Every day I keep learning concepts, theories, and practical examples of law. And tomorrow the same thing will happen. And then next day. You get it. I just keep growing. Like the city.

I am curious what keeps expanding in your life as things collide?

Its always there if you look

2008-09-16T16:36:00.005-04:00

Imagine this:

I'm eating Chinese food with 2 new friends in Cinci.

One says to me: I hate fortune cookies, they are always right and apply directly to my life.

I laugh and tell him about my blog.

Dinner continues and I suggest an art project for him to work on, a project inspired by the gallery of a cool art musuem around here. We talk about it in length and decided its a great new project.

Then he opens his cookie and it reads:

Rather fantastic, I know.

We laugh. He makes a rude gesture at me to prove that fortune cookies creep him out. I insist that he should be pleased by the way the universe demonstrates itself to him through small pieces of paper.

I am so insistant on this greatness, that I require him to give a high five.

Then my cookie reads:

Oh, its always there if you want it to be.

Time keeps on slippin' slippin' slippin' in to the future

2008-09-12T08:25:00.003-04:00

Three weeks down, twelve to go.

It seems that time goes faster as I get older, an idea confirmed once by my mother who then followed up the comment with "soon decades go quickly." I have pondered this seemingly odd phenomena which many around me also have notice. My Louisville buddy mentioned something about heart rate affecting time perception, but my research has not uncovered such evidence. In fact, the contrary is what science says: Heart and respiratory rate were clearly uncorrelated with time production errors and pulse rate plays only a minor if not insignificant role in the perception of time.

If it weren't for the fact I have just spent a good 40 minutes of time thinking about this rather than working on school, I would keep giving some stats. But I have to get to class. Maybe you can find something better? This would be a great research topic for somebody.

Cincinnati Sunrises Smell like Cinnamon Rolls

2008-09-10T07:28:00.005-04:00

09-10-08

...ahh my Wednesday morning run around the park smelled like warm syrup and cinnamon. It was a delicious morning and a beautiful sunrise! The sky blushes so brightly...

"We go together like peas and carrots"

2008-09-09T22:06:00.003-04:00

You know, it's really true. My roommate and I might not be completely like, but when we're together we're delicious! Not only have we lost 13 pounds between us (thanks be to good food and early morning running and one case of food poisoning), we have also found that we're a pretty good team. In fact, thanks to her great wing-woman-ness, on Saturday night I got not one but three numbers. All thanks to her ability to throw the first pitch and my ability to take it home. Ha.

"All happiness is in the mind"

2008-09-01T21:21:00.003-04:00

And until I figure out how to let people subscribe to this blog, it too is in my mind. It actually feels a lot like talking to myself. Ha.

Well week two starts tomorrow and I am as ready as I am going to be. Tuesdays are the best days of the week as class starts at 11 and there are only 2 of them. Wish me luck.

I started to read a new book about the life of Janis Joplin. Though her music has always inspired my soul, I don't actually know much about her. More to come when more is learned.

Peace.
-Colleen

Missing my old life

2008-08-30T14:48:00.002-04:00

It is so odd, that even at age 26 and only moving 90 minutes from home, that I still feel a huge longing for all that I have left. I know that going back to visit would just make things worse, but I still wish to be in two places at once. Don't get me wrong, I am really falling for this law school reading and learning thing, but I still miss what was once so comfortable. Its like breaking up with someone not because you have a problem, but just because it isn't a good fit. You know what I mean?

Well I kept track of my hours this week, including class time, the average per day devoted to school was 10 hours. Today it is much less, so the average will go down.

Missing your face, probably. Send me a message soon!

This is it...

2008-08-26T09:24:00.002-04:00

Today is the first "real" day of school, though we've had enough "practice" days to literally earn a credit. If things go well, I should be able to get a free lunch today AND Friday. Yes, these are the perks of law school. I am off to a quiet hole in the library to read for tomorrow's class and review for all that is to come today... more soon.

Barf!

2008-08-23T17:48:00.005-04:00

Saturday 8/23/08: Not that this is good news, but Wanda has food poisioning. I can hear it from my own room because her bathroom is next to my room and our heating ducts connect the room. Luckily it doesn't smell

I Never Promised you a Rose Garden

2008-08-23T17:48:00.003-04:00

Friday 8/22/08: You know what my BFF and I found today on campus, among many other things? A rose garden. That's right. It is beautiful, and yes, of course we smelled every single one of them! The red ones were the best.

These are not roses pictured. They're the only flower pictures I have on my computer these days.

Not her! Really?

2008-08-23T17:47:00.003-04:00

Thursday 8/21/08: Now this one isn't about me, but it surprised me so much I have to say it is the most noteworthy part of my day. I found out that an old friend of mine is getting married through a culturally arranged marriage. What surprised me the most was not the idea of an arranged marriage so much as the fact that this head strong, very acculturated women chose to subscribe to her family/religious custom. In a million years I would never have guessed it. I have a lot of thoughts as to whether or not my own culture would be better off with such a pattern. Perhaps more to come on that.

Introducing the self proclaimed BFF

2008-08-23T17:47:00.002-04:00

Wednesday 8/20/08: Sitting next to a classmate who later professed himself to be my BFF (best friend forever) and in charge of his future study group. So we're listening to something dull... so dull that he passes me this note: You have yawned this many times: (3 crossed out) 4

If I had written on Tuesday it would say this:

2008-08-23T17:46:00.001-04:00

Tuesday 8/19/08: Again on our morning run, Wanda and I get to the end of the road and are greeted by three deer chillin' on the side walk. They were alive, yes, and apparently also out on their own morning run. Who knew?

Catching Up on the Inbetween

2008-08-23T17:45:00.000-04:00

Monday 8/18/08: On our morning run, my roommate (I will protect her identity and simply call her Wanda) inexplicitly screams, jumps off of the side walk and into the street. She scared the begeezes out of myself and the man running up from behind. She apparently heard his footsteps and, in her own words: "I'm a tad skittish"

Look in yourself for answers you seek

2008-08-23T17:19:00.002-04:00

So, here it is, the long awaited blogspot, published by yours truly. As always, please excuse my spelling errors but never excuse the misuse of words such as their, there, they're / too, to, two / your, you're. Those are not spelling errors, those are blatent misuses of grammar. A grammar rant is not the purpose of this blog.

The purpose is to let you know about my life as a first year law student at the Univeristy of Cincinnati. The Intro Week has ended and I am looking forward to the start of classes to come. Everything is in full swing starting Tuesday 8/25/08.

I will give you the highlights, low light and everything in between.