Two earthquakes yesterday. Little tiny ones, super short. Jolt left, jolt right, then done. Could have easily been someone slamming the front door really hard. Except everyone else in LA felt them too.
People who don't live near fault lines always seem to assume earthquakes are big and scary. I never could understand that because floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and blizzards always seemed far worse. I usually slept through earthquakes, they just weren't a huge deal. When the Northridge earthquake struck in 1994, my eyes were glued to the news coverage for a day or two, but there were no discernible effects of the quake where I lived an hour and a half south.
These days, however, my heart races for several minutes each time the ground moves. I think it's something about having Timmy with me and being responsible for protecting him from whatever happens. Maybe it's just my increasing awareness of what could happen if a really big one struck. Or maybe it's my lack of earthquake kits and earthquake insurance.
Showing posts with label California. Show all posts
Showing posts with label California. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
little snippets
I don't tweet (?) ... not that I think it's silly or inherently bad, it's just that I can't commit to being committed. As is evident on this blog and facebook, I will go through periods where I have the urge and the time to write often. But those times are few and far between. Then there is the common excuse... I have nothing interesting to say. It's true, my life is fairly boring.
Anyway, if I were to use Twitter, here are some (truly boring) things I might have tweeted(?) lately, except for the whole word limit thing:
- I really love southern California. It's been 70s and 80s, sunny, clear and beautiful. We've gone to the pool a lot lately and we went hiking on Sunday, the same day my in-laws lost power because of a nasty rain storm in the northeast.
- The other night, PJO woke me up and said, I think there was an earthquake. I mumbled "uh-huh, sure" and drifted back to sleep. He's been paranoid that any minor shaking is the dreaded EARTHQUAKE since he moved out here. I guess he was right. Since I was a kid, I've slept through just about every tremor. (...knocks on wood..)
- I think the thing I miss most about my life pre-baby was being able to take a long time to enjoy the things that are now chores ... when did I last cook a big, elaborate meal and have fun doing it? Oh and having a clean, organized house. That too.
- I also miss being able to lay out in the sun instead of hurriedly putting clothes back on the baby and getting him in the shade. Luckily, I have a girls' weekend coming up! A weekend filled with spa appointments, food, pool time, cocktails, shopping and girlfriends in Palm Springs! My first time away from Timmy, minus the Bar exam of course. It will be delightful.
- 7 months from today is my first day of work. That seems really, really soon.
- A week from today, Timmy will be 15 months old. It's been almost 2 years since I got pregnant. Really?! Wow. Time flies.
- Yesterday was St. Patrick's day. I'm pretty indifferent to this holiday, although I toasted some green bagels in the morning. But since I felt compelled to eat something green, I had a big bowl of guacamole for lunch. Mmm, much better than corned beef or whatever the festive food should be.
- [I could write real, actual posts ... lots of them ... about careers/jobs. Related to both myself and PJO. But that will have to wait for now.]
- This week, Timmy transitioned to one nap. It's glorious. We can go do stuff outside most of the day now, and when we're home I have at least 2 hours to do whatever I want. Reading, eating and watching movies are all in my weekday future.
- Have you done the 30 day shred? Because I own the DVD and may soon break open the packaging. How many days will I last? Do I really care enough to get off my lazy ass and sweat?
- I never thought it would happen, but I'm a convert ... officially prefer Mac to PC now. I feel like a traitor. But also a really cool rebel.
ya, nothing even remotely interesting...I'm debating even publishing, but since it's been over a week, here it is.
Anyway, if I were to use Twitter, here are some (truly boring) things I might have tweeted(?) lately, except for the whole word limit thing:
- I really love southern California. It's been 70s and 80s, sunny, clear and beautiful. We've gone to the pool a lot lately and we went hiking on Sunday, the same day my in-laws lost power because of a nasty rain storm in the northeast.
- The other night, PJO woke me up and said, I think there was an earthquake. I mumbled "uh-huh, sure" and drifted back to sleep. He's been paranoid that any minor shaking is the dreaded EARTHQUAKE since he moved out here. I guess he was right. Since I was a kid, I've slept through just about every tremor. (...knocks on wood..)
- I think the thing I miss most about my life pre-baby was being able to take a long time to enjoy the things that are now chores ... when did I last cook a big, elaborate meal and have fun doing it? Oh and having a clean, organized house. That too.
- I also miss being able to lay out in the sun instead of hurriedly putting clothes back on the baby and getting him in the shade. Luckily, I have a girls' weekend coming up! A weekend filled with spa appointments, food, pool time, cocktails, shopping and girlfriends in Palm Springs! My first time away from Timmy, minus the Bar exam of course. It will be delightful.
- 7 months from today is my first day of work. That seems really, really soon.
- A week from today, Timmy will be 15 months old. It's been almost 2 years since I got pregnant. Really?! Wow. Time flies.
- Yesterday was St. Patrick's day. I'm pretty indifferent to this holiday, although I toasted some green bagels in the morning. But since I felt compelled to eat something green, I had a big bowl of guacamole for lunch. Mmm, much better than corned beef or whatever the festive food should be.
- [I could write real, actual posts ... lots of them ... about careers/jobs. Related to both myself and PJO. But that will have to wait for now.]
- This week, Timmy transitioned to one nap. It's glorious. We can go do stuff outside most of the day now, and when we're home I have at least 2 hours to do whatever I want. Reading, eating and watching movies are all in my weekday future.
- Have you done the 30 day shred? Because I own the DVD and may soon break open the packaging. How many days will I last? Do I really care enough to get off my lazy ass and sweat?
- I never thought it would happen, but I'm a convert ... officially prefer Mac to PC now. I feel like a traitor. But also a really cool rebel.
ya, nothing even remotely interesting...I'm debating even publishing, but since it's been over a week, here it is.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Weekend Talk
Since the Bar exam, weekends have taken on new meaning. Instead of a chance to catch up on things I let slide during the week, that time is just for catching up on family time. We no longer procrastinate on weekends by going to look at open houses (for places we could never afford) because we would rather just enjoy every minute we have together.
Something about being together as our family of three without distraction leads us to plan with desperation and reckless abandon our next step. Usually, it involves leaving Los Angeles and moving somewhere slower paced where we could live in a house with a yard and plant fruit trees and adopt some dogs (PJO thinks he's getting two mastiffs and naming them Thor and Zeus ... riiiiiiiiight).
The plan this weekend was for PJO to re-take the GRE (his scores expired) and apply for a top computer science Ph.D program. I would work at Big Law until he finished and then he would be a professor in a beautiful college town and I would find some practice with a flexible schedule so we could be present and active in our kids' (Timmy + any future) lives.
He has a B.S. and M.S. in Comp Sci and has always wanted to be a professor. Right now, he's at a cross-roads, deciding whether to pursue something more in finance or computers. When I start working at the Firm next year, I will be starting my career. He feels like he just has a job, and it seems only fair that he should have the chance to build a career too.
Other plans have included PJO going to business school, starting his own business on the side while keeping his current job or taking a job at a financial firm in Orange County (the 'burbs) so we could move down there. On the weekends, this all seems completely realistic and within reach.
Then Monday comes. PJO goes to work. And I come back to reality. There is a reason I decided to go to the Firm I'm headed to. I like the office, the culture, the practice areas, and the people. I also like that I have A JOB.* Moving anywhere else would mean sacrificing that. If I'm honest with myself, I realize that I probably wouldn't be able to get a job right now. Once the market crashed, big firms pretty much stopped hiring from my low-ranked law school. It has some name recognition in LA, but not outside of southern California. My 3L transcript is pretty lackluster and I didn't do much "extra" in law school.
So while chasing dreams and exploring a new city is romantic and exciting, it just wouldn't be the right decision now for our family. That isn't to say it definitely won't happen, but let's just say that the new meaning of weekday is pulling me back down to reality.
*Incidentally, I like that I got a big, fat check from them last week for doing nothing; I wish that more than half was left over for me, but oh well
Something about being together as our family of three without distraction leads us to plan with desperation and reckless abandon our next step. Usually, it involves leaving Los Angeles and moving somewhere slower paced where we could live in a house with a yard and plant fruit trees and adopt some dogs (PJO thinks he's getting two mastiffs and naming them Thor and Zeus ... riiiiiiiiight).
The plan this weekend was for PJO to re-take the GRE (his scores expired) and apply for a top computer science Ph.D program. I would work at Big Law until he finished and then he would be a professor in a beautiful college town and I would find some practice with a flexible schedule so we could be present and active in our kids' (Timmy + any future) lives.
He has a B.S. and M.S. in Comp Sci and has always wanted to be a professor. Right now, he's at a cross-roads, deciding whether to pursue something more in finance or computers. When I start working at the Firm next year, I will be starting my career. He feels like he just has a job, and it seems only fair that he should have the chance to build a career too.
Other plans have included PJO going to business school, starting his own business on the side while keeping his current job or taking a job at a financial firm in Orange County (the 'burbs) so we could move down there. On the weekends, this all seems completely realistic and within reach.
Then Monday comes. PJO goes to work. And I come back to reality. There is a reason I decided to go to the Firm I'm headed to. I like the office, the culture, the practice areas, and the people. I also like that I have A JOB.* Moving anywhere else would mean sacrificing that. If I'm honest with myself, I realize that I probably wouldn't be able to get a job right now. Once the market crashed, big firms pretty much stopped hiring from my low-ranked law school. It has some name recognition in LA, but not outside of southern California. My 3L transcript is pretty lackluster and I didn't do much "extra" in law school.
So while chasing dreams and exploring a new city is romantic and exciting, it just wouldn't be the right decision now for our family. That isn't to say it definitely won't happen, but let's just say that the new meaning of weekday is pulling me back down to reality.
*Incidentally, I like that I got a big, fat check from them last week for doing nothing; I wish that more than half was left over for me, but oh well
Monday, June 1, 2009
Holding Pattern
That might not be the right way to describe my life right now, but it is good enough to give you the basic idea. I haven't found the time to blog lately, and this doesn't seem too tragic since there really isn't that much going on.
The 30-second summary is that my nanny started last Wednesday and today was my first real day of studying while she was here. Of course I got much less done than I thought I would and I'm decently behind the paced schedule. I know it's possible to catch up but I just can't devote my full attention to it yet... PJO is taking a big test on Saturday so until that is over, I have to pick up a little slack around here.
I could wax poetic for multiple entries on my renewed love affair with Trader Joe's and how that will be the answer to significantly reducing our monthly grocery bill.
I'm also pretty excited about our new savings account at SmartyPig. While our savings is an emergency fund right now, we're really saving up for a down payment on a house. We're shooting for 15-20% since mortgage insurance is a bitch, which means that right now our projected completion of our savings goal is in 2040. Awesome. So maybe we'll have a house by the time we're grandparents.
This brings up the big thing that's been our minds but not in our conversation until after this CFA exam... possibly moving after the Bar. Since I won't be working until at least October 2010, I told PJO that next year is his big chance to try living somewhere new if he really wants to. It would be very difficult to justify looking for two jobs in a new city unless we had to, but if he could find a job somewhere new, why not give it a try for a year? We really would like to be settled in one place once our kid(s) are in school, so this upcoming year may realistically be one of our last chances to really try a new city.
This little (and expensive) apartment is becoming claustrophobic... Jumping over an exersaucer, stroller, high chair and coffee table to get from one side of the room to another is exhausting. 500 more square feet would be amazing, a backyard or a garage would just be delightful. I'm not sure I'm willing to wait 6 or 7 years to be able to afford an actual house with a yard in Los Angeles. So we've been talking about moving somewhere more affordable. You know, where you can get a house on a plot of land for less than $1,000,000. Geez, so much to ask, I know.
The plan is for PJO to look for jobs after his test is over, and if he finds something we'll move and try it out. If he doesn't, we'll stay. It takes a lot of restraint to not search for homes on zillow.com all day long, especially when the alternative is studying for the Bar.
Someday soon I'll find the time to write about the doubts and fears that have been plaguing me regarding being a working mom now that I'm only spending a couple hours per day with my baby.
Someday soon I'll find the time to review the iPod Bar Bri program and how it's working so far.
Someday soon I'll find the time to talk about the recent additions to our baby gear and how freaking big and old my 5 month old child is. And how I can't believe he's not a newborn anymore. And how I am amazed every day at how much I love being his mom. And how I could never imagine spending all day with a baby before and now I'm quite sad when I go several hours without him.
Someday I'll find the time to complain about the lack of consistent sleep and how I'm still swaddling my 21 pound baby and how I had to teach him to drink from a sippy cup this week so the nanny could avoid starving him.
But for now, you just get the boring non-update on my life. Sorry!
ok, also a couple pictures:
The 30-second summary is that my nanny started last Wednesday and today was my first real day of studying while she was here. Of course I got much less done than I thought I would and I'm decently behind the paced schedule. I know it's possible to catch up but I just can't devote my full attention to it yet... PJO is taking a big test on Saturday so until that is over, I have to pick up a little slack around here.
I could wax poetic for multiple entries on my renewed love affair with Trader Joe's and how that will be the answer to significantly reducing our monthly grocery bill.
I'm also pretty excited about our new savings account at SmartyPig. While our savings is an emergency fund right now, we're really saving up for a down payment on a house. We're shooting for 15-20% since mortgage insurance is a bitch, which means that right now our projected completion of our savings goal is in 2040. Awesome. So maybe we'll have a house by the time we're grandparents.
This brings up the big thing that's been our minds but not in our conversation until after this CFA exam... possibly moving after the Bar. Since I won't be working until at least October 2010, I told PJO that next year is his big chance to try living somewhere new if he really wants to. It would be very difficult to justify looking for two jobs in a new city unless we had to, but if he could find a job somewhere new, why not give it a try for a year? We really would like to be settled in one place once our kid(s) are in school, so this upcoming year may realistically be one of our last chances to really try a new city.
This little (and expensive) apartment is becoming claustrophobic... Jumping over an exersaucer, stroller, high chair and coffee table to get from one side of the room to another is exhausting. 500 more square feet would be amazing, a backyard or a garage would just be delightful. I'm not sure I'm willing to wait 6 or 7 years to be able to afford an actual house with a yard in Los Angeles. So we've been talking about moving somewhere more affordable. You know, where you can get a house on a plot of land for less than $1,000,000. Geez, so much to ask, I know.
The plan is for PJO to look for jobs after his test is over, and if he finds something we'll move and try it out. If he doesn't, we'll stay. It takes a lot of restraint to not search for homes on zillow.com all day long, especially when the alternative is studying for the Bar.
Someday soon I'll find the time to write about the doubts and fears that have been plaguing me regarding being a working mom now that I'm only spending a couple hours per day with my baby.
Someday soon I'll find the time to review the iPod Bar Bri program and how it's working so far.
Someday soon I'll find the time to talk about the recent additions to our baby gear and how freaking big and old my 5 month old child is. And how I can't believe he's not a newborn anymore. And how I am amazed every day at how much I love being his mom. And how I could never imagine spending all day with a baby before and now I'm quite sad when I go several hours without him.
Someday I'll find the time to complain about the lack of consistent sleep and how I'm still swaddling my 21 pound baby and how I had to teach him to drink from a sippy cup this week so the nanny could avoid starving him.
But for now, you just get the boring non-update on my life. Sorry!
ok, also a couple pictures:
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Things that happen on study-free weekends
PJO is taking the CFA exam (level II) in a few weeks. He held off studying on weekends until I was done with finals to watch Timmy, but now I am on full-time Timmy duty until that exam is over (at which point I will probably need to catch up on Bar Prep).
Anyway, I had forgotten how much fun weekends can be, and I'll be really glad when all three of us can enjoy them as a family!
Saturday we took a walk to one of my favorite places...Sur La Table. (It's dangerously located less than a mile away). I picked up a Cherry pitter, which was one of the best purchases I've made for my kitchen in a while. Thanks to Oxo good grips, I'm sitting on my couch with a bowl full of cherries and there's no mess!
I also got these and I am super excited to try them tomorrow. I don't really drink soda, but I have a weakness for sparkling water. When I found a good deal on San Pellegrino at Costco a while ago, I bought a case. So now I'll be sipping it with a hint of lime!
This morning all of us went to Costco before PJO went to his office to study for the rest of the day. I ordered my graduation cake (Chocolate-Chocolate-Chocolate...mmm) and we bought a few other things with our handy little coupon booklet.
We got Starbucks on the way home, and I think they've created a new addict.
Other than that, there was lots of tummy time, walks, reading books and patty-cake. We've also been getting ready for PJO's parents to visit on Wednesday and my family to join them up here on Friday for graduation. The apartment is now much cleaner and more organized, making for a happy LEO.
oh and you know, we rolled around during dinner tonight when the earthquakes started. Ahhh, California!
Life is good.
Anyway, I had forgotten how much fun weekends can be, and I'll be really glad when all three of us can enjoy them as a family!
Saturday we took a walk to one of my favorite places...Sur La Table. (It's dangerously located less than a mile away). I picked up a Cherry pitter, which was one of the best purchases I've made for my kitchen in a while. Thanks to Oxo good grips, I'm sitting on my couch with a bowl full of cherries and there's no mess!
I also got these and I am super excited to try them tomorrow. I don't really drink soda, but I have a weakness for sparkling water. When I found a good deal on San Pellegrino at Costco a while ago, I bought a case. So now I'll be sipping it with a hint of lime!
This morning all of us went to Costco before PJO went to his office to study for the rest of the day. I ordered my graduation cake (Chocolate-Chocolate-Chocolate...mmm) and we bought a few other things with our handy little coupon booklet.
We got Starbucks on the way home, and I think they've created a new addict.
Other than that, there was lots of tummy time, walks, reading books and patty-cake. We've also been getting ready for PJO's parents to visit on Wednesday and my family to join them up here on Friday for graduation. The apartment is now much cleaner and more organized, making for a happy LEO.
oh and you know, we rolled around during dinner tonight when the earthquakes started. Ahhh, California!
Life is good.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
End of an Era
I finished my last exam today. I think it went pretty well. I don't really feel a big sense of relief, probably because a) I already felt like I was done after my Remedies exam and b) I know that I still have to start studying for the bar soon.
Either way... WOO! I'm done with law school!
We graduate a week from Friday on May 22nd. They hand out our actual diplomas on the stage, so I will be finding out all of my grades before then. Don't really care too much what they are.
After the test today, PJO, Timmy and I went up to Paradise Cove in Malibu for Nachos and Mojitos. It was a gorgeous day and relaxing with my two guys felt amazing.
Either way... WOO! I'm done with law school!
We graduate a week from Friday on May 22nd. They hand out our actual diplomas on the stage, so I will be finding out all of my grades before then. Don't really care too much what they are.
After the test today, PJO, Timmy and I went up to Paradise Cove in Malibu for Nachos and Mojitos. It was a gorgeous day and relaxing with my two guys felt amazing.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
It's Always About Money
I really, really love living in southern California. It's beautiful, has perfect weather and it has mountains, beaches, dessert and big cities. Like I've said before, the only problem with it (in my view) is that it's too expensive to live here. In terms of buying property, any decent 2 bedroom condo in our town is at least $650K and you cannot buy an actual house (i.e. with land) for less than $1 million. Not exactly young-family friendly.
While this is certainly a problem, it doesn't render it prohibitively expensive to live here because we rent an apartment and are just saving really slowly to buy a place. But soon there will be lots of new problems. The State is currently trying to pass a budget to deal with its own deficit ... $42 BILLION. And guess how they plan to fix it? By taxing everyone more. OF COURSE! BRILLIANT!
I like what this article has to say about it all:
It's sad to watch. The Golden State -- which a decade ago was the booming technology capital of the world -- has been done in by two decades of chronic overspending, overregulating and a hyperprogressive tax code that exaggerates the impact on state revenues of economic boom and bust. Total state expenditures have grown to $145 billion in 2008 from $104 billion in 2003 and California now has the worst credit rating in the nation -- worse even than Louisiana's. It also has the nation's fourth highest unemployment rate of 9.3% (after Michigan, Rhode Island and South Carolina) and the second highest home foreclosure rate (after Nevada)
The media is painting the Republicans in the state senate as evil and menacing, gleefully foiling the Democrats in their honorable battle to pass a budget compromise. But the sound bytes say it all... One dissenter said something along the lines of "I am strongly against raising taxes to generate revenue, especially in a recession. The way to bridge the gap in the budget is to cut spending." Hmmm, that sounds ... logical! Arnold Schwarzenegger is in office because Gray Davis was recalled for damaging California's financial situation so badly, but look at what he has done.
So, I'm starting to get a little concerned about my future here. Rumor is that the tax rate on personal income tax will jump up to 10.56% (at the top marginal rate). Our sales tax is already 8.25% (plus an LA County surcharge). If we are ever able to buy property, there will be property tax and mello roos on top of all that. Adding in federal taxes, we're probably only going to come home with about 40% of our income. That will all go toward fun stuff... you know, like paying rent, student loans, childcare and food.
Being an adult sucks. I just want to live my life and settle down where I want, without sleazy politicians selling my soul for their special interests and bad ideas.
While this is certainly a problem, it doesn't render it prohibitively expensive to live here because we rent an apartment and are just saving really slowly to buy a place. But soon there will be lots of new problems. The State is currently trying to pass a budget to deal with its own deficit ... $42 BILLION. And guess how they plan to fix it? By taxing everyone more. OF COURSE! BRILLIANT!
I like what this article has to say about it all:
It's sad to watch. The Golden State -- which a decade ago was the booming technology capital of the world -- has been done in by two decades of chronic overspending, overregulating and a hyperprogressive tax code that exaggerates the impact on state revenues of economic boom and bust. Total state expenditures have grown to $145 billion in 2008 from $104 billion in 2003 and California now has the worst credit rating in the nation -- worse even than Louisiana's. It also has the nation's fourth highest unemployment rate of 9.3% (after Michigan, Rhode Island and South Carolina) and the second highest home foreclosure rate (after Nevada)
The media is painting the Republicans in the state senate as evil and menacing, gleefully foiling the Democrats in their honorable battle to pass a budget compromise. But the sound bytes say it all... One dissenter said something along the lines of "I am strongly against raising taxes to generate revenue, especially in a recession. The way to bridge the gap in the budget is to cut spending." Hmmm, that sounds ... logical! Arnold Schwarzenegger is in office because Gray Davis was recalled for damaging California's financial situation so badly, but look at what he has done.
So, I'm starting to get a little concerned about my future here. Rumor is that the tax rate on personal income tax will jump up to 10.56% (at the top marginal rate). Our sales tax is already 8.25% (plus an LA County surcharge). If we are ever able to buy property, there will be property tax and mello roos on top of all that. Adding in federal taxes, we're probably only going to come home with about 40% of our income. That will all go toward fun stuff... you know, like paying rent, student loans, childcare and food.
Being an adult sucks. I just want to live my life and settle down where I want, without sleazy politicians selling my soul for their special interests and bad ideas.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
The Other Kind of Bar
As in exam, not happy hour. In the past 24 hours, I've gotten the following emails:
An invoice and class schedule from Bar Bri.
A message from our school career office telling us that if it's been more than 3 months since we got our live scan fingerprinting done for the moral character application, we will need to do it again. Then another email saying, oh actually, maybe it's ok as long as you submit your moral character application by January 30th. You should call them yourself to make sure. Oh and by the way, if you need to have your fingerprinting redone, we're only doing it on campus on the days you don't have class. And that will be another $20. Our bad.
An update from the firm letting us know how we can get reimbursed for all these fees and what they'll pay for. (They won't pay for the ipod version of bar bri, so I might just be paying the extra cost for that myself ... but they cover pretty much everything else. Thank God, just the moral character application is like $475 or something).
So wow. The Bar exam really is going to happen this year. And I have to actually do stuff related to it before the end of this month. And eventually cram all this useless knowledge into my head for 3 fun-filled days of exam-taking and two fun-filled months of studying all the time. Woohoo.
An invoice and class schedule from Bar Bri.
A message from our school career office telling us that if it's been more than 3 months since we got our live scan fingerprinting done for the moral character application, we will need to do it again. Then another email saying, oh actually, maybe it's ok as long as you submit your moral character application by January 30th. You should call them yourself to make sure. Oh and by the way, if you need to have your fingerprinting redone, we're only doing it on campus on the days you don't have class. And that will be another $20. Our bad.
An update from the firm letting us know how we can get reimbursed for all these fees and what they'll pay for. (They won't pay for the ipod version of bar bri, so I might just be paying the extra cost for that myself ... but they cover pretty much everything else. Thank God, just the moral character application is like $475 or something).
So wow. The Bar exam really is going to happen this year. And I have to actually do stuff related to it before the end of this month. And eventually cram all this useless knowledge into my head for 3 fun-filled days of exam-taking and two fun-filled months of studying all the time. Woohoo.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Maternity Wardrobe - on a budget
We're well into the November, but I'm still wearing my maternity shorts from Gap that I bought this summer for $14.95. It's been warm and sunny, virtually indistinguishable from summer, since, well ... summer. Today it was 83 degrees, sunny and clear (CLEAR, in LOS ANGELES!!!) by the beach.
This is why I love living in southern California and why I can't imagine living anywhere else. There just is no better place for someone who hates cold and hates rain.
p.s. Happy Birthday to PJO! My wonderful husband is sitting on a plane to London right now... poor guy! But we'll be celebrating in NYC in a few short days! :-D
This is why I love living in southern California and why I can't imagine living anywhere else. There just is no better place for someone who hates cold and hates rain.
p.s. Happy Birthday to PJO! My wonderful husband is sitting on a plane to London right now... poor guy! But we'll be celebrating in NYC in a few short days! :-D
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Infuriating Debate
I generally dislike formal debates on hot social issues... it just seems like people blindly adhere to whatever beliefs they started with, bring up the same old arguments and get really offended by everything the other side has to say. Plus, it kind of seems like it doesn't matter most of the time; for example, people have been debating abortion and pro-choice/pro-life for as long as I can remember, and nothing has changed in that time and I doubt anything will in the near future. It's not that I cannot appreciate the significance these issues may have for individuals, I just don't see the point of featuring them so prominently in political debates, especially in election season when there are SOOOOO many other pressing issues that will actually need to be dealt with in the next 4 or 8 years.
Nevertheless, I do enjoy listening to debates on issues that I care about when the people arguing are just speaking their mind and trying to convince their audience that they're right for the sake of the cause.
Today, my school hosted two speakers debating Gay Marriage. Of course, while it is currently a hot social topic, it is actually relevant to every California citizen because it's a proposition on our ballot this fall. I wasn't going there with an open mind ... I can't say I have heard one good argument for why we should ban gay marriage ... but I am always curious as to what the other side will say (and to hear what new arguments are put forth in support of my beliefs). The woman arguing against gay marriage (and thus in favor of the proposition) seemed like a complete wacko. Her main argument was that gay marriage is bad for CA citizens because it will harm children. According to her, allowing gay and lesbian people to marry means sanctioning the upbringing of children by necessarily ripping them away from one or both of their biological parents. Of course, she sees this as devastatingly detrimental to the health of the children* but then somehow tried to distinguish adoption or IVF by heterosexual couples. She also avoided the issue of all the children born to single mothers, deadbeat dads and unstable heterosexual couples, seemingly assuming that all married straight people raise their own biological children in completely loving and safe households.
Neither side really mentioned the fundamental injustice and inequality that restricting marriage to straight people would effect. Since the CA Supreme Court found that preventing gay and lesbian couples from marrying was unconstitutional, the proposition essentially re-drafts the Constitution to make this discrimination constitutional. (This might be a good time to say that one of her secondary arguments for why we should ban gay marriage is that the last thing California needs is another protected class, giving them the right to sue over "all kinds of things.")
The guy speaking in favor of gay marriage made a good legal argument I thought... Part of what the Court relied on in making its decision was precedent from cases regarding interracial marriage, where the Court held that people should be free to marry the person whom they choose. At that time, opponents of interracial marriage were attempting to frame the issue definitionally, as opponents of gay marriage are now.
I left the debate completely pissed off that this is still such an issue. If this woman was the best that side can produce to argue why these people should be treated so differently with regard to a fundamental right, then how the hell do so many people agree?! and if there are better arguments in support of her position, why wouldn't they be in the public discourse? I have to conclude that most of this country either doesn't want to think rationally about the issue or they will just continue to adhere blindly to whatever propaganda their religion or community tells them to believe. That is completely contrary to the spirit of democracy, which is infuriating.
*I tend to agree that it probably is good (all other things being equal) for a child to be raised by both a father and a mother in a stable household. However, I think that gay and lesbian couples can make just as good of parents and if it is a detriment to not have both a mother and a father, maybe the child gets a different benefit that kids of straight couples do not. I don't trust the validity of any study that claims as a fact that kids will suffer without the traditional mother-father-child environment... they aren't comparing that to a father-father-child or mother-mother-child environment. Even if a study did compare these families, I don't think it's fair to compare a married heterosexual couple with children to a gay or lesbian couple with children because the gay couple does not enjoy legal sanction in the law or acceptance by much of society.
Nevertheless, I do enjoy listening to debates on issues that I care about when the people arguing are just speaking their mind and trying to convince their audience that they're right for the sake of the cause.
Today, my school hosted two speakers debating Gay Marriage. Of course, while it is currently a hot social topic, it is actually relevant to every California citizen because it's a proposition on our ballot this fall. I wasn't going there with an open mind ... I can't say I have heard one good argument for why we should ban gay marriage ... but I am always curious as to what the other side will say (and to hear what new arguments are put forth in support of my beliefs). The woman arguing against gay marriage (and thus in favor of the proposition) seemed like a complete wacko. Her main argument was that gay marriage is bad for CA citizens because it will harm children. According to her, allowing gay and lesbian people to marry means sanctioning the upbringing of children by necessarily ripping them away from one or both of their biological parents. Of course, she sees this as devastatingly detrimental to the health of the children* but then somehow tried to distinguish adoption or IVF by heterosexual couples. She also avoided the issue of all the children born to single mothers, deadbeat dads and unstable heterosexual couples, seemingly assuming that all married straight people raise their own biological children in completely loving and safe households.
Neither side really mentioned the fundamental injustice and inequality that restricting marriage to straight people would effect. Since the CA Supreme Court found that preventing gay and lesbian couples from marrying was unconstitutional, the proposition essentially re-drafts the Constitution to make this discrimination constitutional. (This might be a good time to say that one of her secondary arguments for why we should ban gay marriage is that the last thing California needs is another protected class, giving them the right to sue over "all kinds of things.")
The guy speaking in favor of gay marriage made a good legal argument I thought... Part of what the Court relied on in making its decision was precedent from cases regarding interracial marriage, where the Court held that people should be free to marry the person whom they choose. At that time, opponents of interracial marriage were attempting to frame the issue definitionally, as opponents of gay marriage are now.
I left the debate completely pissed off that this is still such an issue. If this woman was the best that side can produce to argue why these people should be treated so differently with regard to a fundamental right, then how the hell do so many people agree?! and if there are better arguments in support of her position, why wouldn't they be in the public discourse? I have to conclude that most of this country either doesn't want to think rationally about the issue or they will just continue to adhere blindly to whatever propaganda their religion or community tells them to believe. That is completely contrary to the spirit of democracy, which is infuriating.
*I tend to agree that it probably is good (all other things being equal) for a child to be raised by both a father and a mother in a stable household. However, I think that gay and lesbian couples can make just as good of parents and if it is a detriment to not have both a mother and a father, maybe the child gets a different benefit that kids of straight couples do not. I don't trust the validity of any study that claims as a fact that kids will suffer without the traditional mother-father-child environment... they aren't comparing that to a father-father-child or mother-mother-child environment. Even if a study did compare these families, I don't think it's fair to compare a married heterosexual couple with children to a gay or lesbian couple with children because the gay couple does not enjoy legal sanction in the law or acceptance by much of society.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
How Did We End Up Here?
While PJO and I were packing this weekend, I started thinking about the last time we were packing to move: two years ago, leaving New York City and moving to LA. Our whole world has changed a million times over. We moved out in August of 2006 so I could start law school. Since then, we have gotten engaged, married and pregnant. The thing that blows my mind even more than how much has changed in two years is how everything could have been totally different.
I decided pretty last minute (October) to apply to law school. If I hadn't applied, I probably would have found a job that could last me a few years, then had kids and been a stay-at-home mom... (weird!) Anyway, I took the LSAT in December, and had to apply to schools before I even got my score. I didn't end up doing that well on the test, so my choices became more limited for where to go to school, but I actually think that was a blessing in disguise... I ended up at a lower ranked (T-2) school with a beautiful campus, great people and a very relaxed environment. If I hadn't loved Columbia so much (and met my husband there), I would regret going there rather than somewhere more like my law school because it's now obvious that I do much better with less-stress/competition surrounding me.
Then there is the timing of getting married. PJO and I tied the knot last Labor Day weekend ... if we had waited another year (like we originally talked about), we definitely would not have been pregnant now, having a baby during my third year of law school.
My career plans even post-decision to apply to law school have surprised me a bit. Despite coming out to law school swearing up and down that I wouldn't get sucked into the "trap" of working at a big law firm, I am working at a huge law firm and loving everything about it!
Looking back, I would not change a single thing about how the events of my life have unfolded. I have found an amazing husband, a great city to call home (closer to my family), an amazing career ahead of me and a new family beginning this year. I used to wonder if there was a plan worked out for everyone ahead of time and we just unknowingly followed along that. The impatient part of me thought I would like to be able to see my entire plan ahead of time (and sometimes it still drives me crazy that I can't), but of course then you miss out on all the surprises. If we're in charge of our "destiny" it seems like we control what happens ... but we still can't know what a particular choice will lead to. The best you can do is set yourself up for success and then roll with the punches. I'm trying to learn how to do that ... if the next two years are as good to me as these two have been, I'm not worried at all.
I decided pretty last minute (October) to apply to law school. If I hadn't applied, I probably would have found a job that could last me a few years, then had kids and been a stay-at-home mom... (weird!) Anyway, I took the LSAT in December, and had to apply to schools before I even got my score. I didn't end up doing that well on the test, so my choices became more limited for where to go to school, but I actually think that was a blessing in disguise... I ended up at a lower ranked (T-2) school with a beautiful campus, great people and a very relaxed environment. If I hadn't loved Columbia so much (and met my husband there), I would regret going there rather than somewhere more like my law school because it's now obvious that I do much better with less-stress/competition surrounding me.
Then there is the timing of getting married. PJO and I tied the knot last Labor Day weekend ... if we had waited another year (like we originally talked about), we definitely would not have been pregnant now, having a baby during my third year of law school.
My career plans even post-decision to apply to law school have surprised me a bit. Despite coming out to law school swearing up and down that I wouldn't get sucked into the "trap" of working at a big law firm, I am working at a huge law firm and loving everything about it!
Looking back, I would not change a single thing about how the events of my life have unfolded. I have found an amazing husband, a great city to call home (closer to my family), an amazing career ahead of me and a new family beginning this year. I used to wonder if there was a plan worked out for everyone ahead of time and we just unknowingly followed along that. The impatient part of me thought I would like to be able to see my entire plan ahead of time (and sometimes it still drives me crazy that I can't), but of course then you miss out on all the surprises. If we're in charge of our "destiny" it seems like we control what happens ... but we still can't know what a particular choice will lead to. The best you can do is set yourself up for success and then roll with the punches. I'm trying to learn how to do that ... if the next two years are as good to me as these two have been, I'm not worried at all.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
A Wasted Day
Like most big firms, mine is (or at least pretends to be) very supportive of pro bono work. There are two mandatory summer events designed to help the community: buildable hours (habitat for humanity) and public counsel day. Today was buildable hours. I usually get excited for these things... we get to bill normal hours to go play outside with paint and hammers, get some sun, etc... today really felt like a complete waste though.
The bus pulled up to a fairly nice neighborhood, to a fully functional house instead of an empty lot. The woman who lived there had been there for 42 years. As it turns out, we were just repainting her house. I don't even think it needed a new coat of paint. Surely there are more people in Los Angeles who need help than this woman. Anyway, it was approximately 90 degrees and no shade to be found. Our day of "helping the community" involved scraping paint and then coating termite-rotted wood with primer. There were not nearly enough tools and/or jobs to keep all 30 or so of us occupied, so people just kind of sat around. Most of the people who were working had no idea what they were doing, so the priming job was pretty sloppy. It's kind of depressing that this was all a big law firm with plenty of resources could come up with to "give back."
Now I'm home, tired, thirsty and sunburned. We had to be at the office at 6:45 this morning and I have dinner tonight. I'm starting to resent having no free time this summer, but I guess I should just be excited that I get to go to all these fancy restaurants. The light at the end of the tunnel is that tomorrow the Finance Dept. is taking all of us to Universal Studios, and Friday is a ditch day because we're moving offices. Friday is going to be a ME DAY.
The bus pulled up to a fairly nice neighborhood, to a fully functional house instead of an empty lot. The woman who lived there had been there for 42 years. As it turns out, we were just repainting her house. I don't even think it needed a new coat of paint. Surely there are more people in Los Angeles who need help than this woman. Anyway, it was approximately 90 degrees and no shade to be found. Our day of "helping the community" involved scraping paint and then coating termite-rotted wood with primer. There were not nearly enough tools and/or jobs to keep all 30 or so of us occupied, so people just kind of sat around. Most of the people who were working had no idea what they were doing, so the priming job was pretty sloppy. It's kind of depressing that this was all a big law firm with plenty of resources could come up with to "give back."
Now I'm home, tired, thirsty and sunburned. We had to be at the office at 6:45 this morning and I have dinner tonight. I'm starting to resent having no free time this summer, but I guess I should just be excited that I get to go to all these fancy restaurants. The light at the end of the tunnel is that tomorrow the Finance Dept. is taking all of us to Universal Studios, and Friday is a ditch day because we're moving offices. Friday is going to be a ME DAY.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Procrastination Punished
I've talked about how I have not done very much work this semester before. This was one of my last two weekends before finals start so I knew that I had to start outlining and studying for my 5 exams. Surprisingly, I spent most of my weekend outlining and being productive. I estimated that it would take me about 120 hours to outline for all of my classes (doing good outlines on my own) and when I counted the hours I have available in the day, I realized I was about 55 hours short. This motivated me and it felt pretty good to be a law student again.
EXCEPT for the fact that it was probably the most beautiful day in southern California yet this year. With temps in the mid-80s, and sunny, clear skies, everyone who lives in the LA/Malibu area was at the beach ... that is, everyone but me. I was in the dark and gloomy library hunched over my computer.
Driving up PCH to school, this was my view:
From school:
At lunch, I went to the store to get some food. The Ralphs in Malibu was PACKED with people in their bathing suits and cover-ups, grabbing beer and snacks. I can't remember the last time I've been so jealous.
Of course, the lesson I'm taking away from all of this is that you will always be punished for procrastinating. I had 13 weekends so far this semester, many of them not the greatest weather, where I could have done all of this work. If I had my outlines up to date, I might have even taken this weekend off. But since I had not done ANY work yet, I was banished to the library all weekend.
Lest you think learning this lesson might lead to changed habits, this happens every single semester. Whether finals are in December or April, the week or two before and during finals always has unbelievable weather. Then usually, the day I am done, the weather is gross. Oh well, at least I'm almost done with my SECOND YEAR OF LAW SCHOOL!!!!!!! woohooo.
EXCEPT for the fact that it was probably the most beautiful day in southern California yet this year. With temps in the mid-80s, and sunny, clear skies, everyone who lives in the LA/Malibu area was at the beach ... that is, everyone but me. I was in the dark and gloomy library hunched over my computer.
Driving up PCH to school, this was my view:
From school:
At lunch, I went to the store to get some food. The Ralphs in Malibu was PACKED with people in their bathing suits and cover-ups, grabbing beer and snacks. I can't remember the last time I've been so jealous.
Of course, the lesson I'm taking away from all of this is that you will always be punished for procrastinating. I had 13 weekends so far this semester, many of them not the greatest weather, where I could have done all of this work. If I had my outlines up to date, I might have even taken this weekend off. But since I had not done ANY work yet, I was banished to the library all weekend.
Lest you think learning this lesson might lead to changed habits, this happens every single semester. Whether finals are in December or April, the week or two before and during finals always has unbelievable weather. Then usually, the day I am done, the weather is gross. Oh well, at least I'm almost done with my SECOND YEAR OF LAW SCHOOL!!!!!!! woohooo.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Being cultured
My brother came up on Friday for a trip to the Getty Villa Museum in Malibu. I'm ashamed to say that after living here almost 2 years, I had never been there, and I was REALLY missing out! It was beautiful!
Friday, March 28, 2008
Living in Paradise
The other day we were planning a trip to Hawaii, and P mockingly said "why do we need to go on a vacation when we live HERE?!" He likes to point out how beautiful California is ever since he moved out here from NY in an effort to mock how much my dad and I praise it. (Most days, my dad quips "Just another beautiful day in paradise!" ... it's even documented on a family home video circa 1988) But really, what is there not to love? So at first when P implied we don't need to go on vacation, I dismissed it without too much thought. But lately, it has been EXCEPTIONALLY nice here. I mean, pretty, clear skies, bright blue ocean, vibrant green hills, blooming flowers, temperatures in the mid-70s and a nice, calm breeze. It feels like the best of summer, but it's only March, and it's still snowing in some parts of the country!
So I started thinking ... vacation in California?! I mean, a lot of people do it, and I love it here, but this is HOME. When I go on a trip, I have an itinerary ready for every day I am there to make sure that I can see every sight the locale has to offer, camera in hand to record it all. Yet I drive up one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the country every day, and I have never taken a picture of it. In fact, I I hardly ever take my camera out with me in LA. It's not that I equate enjoying a place with taking a lot of pictures, but I am going to start bringing my camera with me more so that I remember how beautiful it is here, you know ... in case I ever live anywhere but paradise.
Here are a few pictures of foggy-Malibu-at-dusk
And a few I took a while ago:
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Trip to San Francisco
We drove up to San Francisco last weekend for a late valentine's day / President's day weekend getaway. Driving up PCH was absolutely beautiful and well worth the all day trip. We stopped for breakfast in San Luis Obispo and lunch in Carmel.
Once we got to San Francisco, we had fun walking around the city, enjoying the nice weather and seeing my friend K.
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