Halloween came and went like a whirlwind! I was lucky enough to go out on October 30th (Saturday night)! I didn't go out on actual Halloween because it happened to fall on Sunday night and I had class today, so I didn't want to be tired for class.
I was invited to a party at the Michelle's Ballroom that was fantastic! First of all, the venue was great! Lots of dance space, lots of tables, lots of food and beverages, and plenty of fun for $30! I dressed up with my friends as Planeteers from the cartoon show, Captain Planet.
Captain Planet was a cartoon show on PBS in the early 1990's. The show advocated being friendly to the planet and "taking pollution down to zero!" Each of the planeteers had a special ring that they wore representing: Earth, Wind, Water, Fire, and Heart". Each of the planeteers had a special powers associated with their ring as well. For example, Wind controlled the wind, water controlled water, etc. The theme song went something like this: "Earth, Wind, Water, Fire, Heart! Captain Planet! He's our hero, going to take pollution down to zero."
Here's my friends and my version of the Planeteers:
From Left to Right: Laura, Captain Planet, Me, Tom
I love Chicago. It's a great city. However, I'm tired of the endless winters. I moved away from Austin, Texas to escape the heat and now I've been bombarded with the iciest winters ever imaginable in Chicago, Illinois. How did I go from one extreme to the other?
Needless to say, I want to move. I have seriously been considering a few cities: Washington D.C., Denver, CO, Raleigh, NC, Portland, OR. Now, I don't think Portland is going to do much for my angst for winter weather, but quite a few friends of mine have told me Portland is awesome. I am willing to live there a while to see if their statements are correct.
So needless to say, if you could move anywhere - where would you go? I have already ruled out California because of the bag legal job market. However, I like the idea of living somewhere that has a distinct winter and summer, but isn't Antarctica 24/7 or the Sahara Desert 24/7.
As you consider possible cities for me to live in, try to remember the following requirements: (1) Must have a Nordstrom; (2) Must have an Apple Store; (3) Must have a good legal job market; (4) Must be open to people of all races, colors, ethnicities, sexual orientations, etc.
Why these requirements? Well, I cannot live without Nordstrom's shoe department and they carry Mac Cosmetics, so that's a win-win. I love Apple and refuse to live anywhere where I cannot get their latest and greatest products whenever I want them. I need a job in the legal field or else this whole 3 years of law school was a big waste of time. And finally, I love diverse cities that are accepting of large quantities of people from every background, religion, ethnicity, etc.
So here is the true question: Which skyline do you prefer? hahaha.
Despite the cooler weather and the old trends of the past, bright makeup is really in. I have been reading a lot of magazines and even came across an awesome video tutorial on YouTube that inspired me to create my own "orange-y" warm weather look. I have found, like the video says, that tanned or bronzed skin looks really great with bright orange lips. I used Mac's So Chaud and Mac's Redd lip pencil to create these lips. Let me know what you think.
Orange lips with Mac's Redd lip pencil and Mac's So Chaud Lipstick
Celebrities in Orange Lipstick: (Chloe Sevigny, Rhianna, Selena Gomez)
Tanya Burr's Orange Lip using Mac's Morange
Below is the video I found my inspiration from. Tanya Burr is the makeup artist who created the look. To see how she did it check out the video. Enjoy!
Tuesday night my friend, Jessica, and I went to a Style Chicago Fashion Event at a local restaurant in Chicago. We were awarded with unlimited Champagne, unlimited hors d'oeuvres, and free photos in front of the Style Chicago logo. We were also given a goodie bag filled with amazing products, including shampoos, conditioners, face creams, night creams, gift certificates for champagne, movie tickets, free botox and free facials! It was pretty amazing.
I just wanted to share some photos with you all of the event! Enjoy!
I decided on Saturday, September 4, 2010 I was going to start "running". What this really meant is...I was going to get in shape so that I could eventually meet my first goal of running a 5k. I've been consistently working out the past three weeks and I've seen dramatic changes in my body, mind and soul. It's been a weird transformation.
I started getting in shape by walking around Grant and Millennium Park in Chicago. These are two well known parks in Chicago. Grant Park is famous because President Obama made his election win speech in Grant Park. Millennium Park is famous for the Pritzker Pavilion and the Bean art sculpture. The entirety of the two parks together is probably more than a 5k, but I cut through the middle of Grant Park and walk north through Millennium Park fora total distance of 3 miles, just under a 5k (3.1 miles).
One morning I woke up ready to walk my way around the parks when I realized it was raining. I quickly called my local gym and signed up for a membership. Fifteen minutes after walking in to the gym, I was on the elliptical machine.
Since starting my training, I have significantly increased my stamina and endurance. When I first started on the elliptical, I was barely moving. Now, five times a week, I spend 28 minutes on the elliptical and 15 minutes on the treadmill, burning roughly 530 calories a session.
I've also been enjoying some of the classes at my gym which include dancing-aerobics, water-aerobics and cycling. I purchased a Polar FT4 heart rate monitor to monitor my heart rate. I used a clever website to calculate my minimum and maximum heart rates and my target heart zones. I also have been watching what I've been eating. Even though I have yet to actually start running, I am confident if I continue on my current path, I will be in enough shape to run consistently soon.
Overall, I feel like I've made a significant change in my life. I've altered the way I approach exercise and food in a way that I think can only improve my health. I am not always the most disciplined person in the world, but I do believe in exercise and eating healthy. I will admit, I love a good margarita, a greasy slice of pizza, watching tv on my sofa and sleeping in late. But there is no reason I can't have all the those things I love every once in a while and still be healthy.
I knew the day would come when my coverage under my mother's health insurance would lapse. I could foresee it and I feared it. Today was the first day it happened and I actually realized it.
At some point Americans lost sight of what really matters, our people. There are four concepts I will cover to demonstrate this to you: (1) The American Tax Payer's Investment in its People, (2) Freedom from Fear, (3) Caring Pocketbooks for People, and (4) The Community Concept.
My intention is to give you a first hand account of what it is like to walk in the shoes of an uninsured, hardworking, taxes-paying, American citizen. I know a lot of people may disagree with me, so if this upsets you, stop reading.
The American Tax Payer's Investment inits People
I am an American citizen. I was born in the United States of America. I pay taxes. I went to public schools funded by American tax payer money. I went to a State University also funded by tax payer money. I am studying the laws of the United States of America, also in part funded by tax payer money in the form of subsidized government loans. Tax payer money has provided me with an excellent education.
However, tax payer money has failed to protect its greatest investment: me. I ask the tax payer: Why invest so much in me and then fail to protect me from disease, accidents and ailments beyond my control? Do most people invest the money in a home and then stop paying home owner's insurance? I doubt your financial adviser would recommend such foolishness. Why do we do it to our young people?
Did you know the majority of uninsured Americans range in age from 18-24 years old? In 2008, there were 8 million young adults between the ages of 18-24 uninsured. This number represents 28.1% of the population. Young adults make up the largest age segment of the uninsured, are the most likely to be uninsured, and are one of the fastest growing segments of the uninsured population.
Think about it this way readers, you bought a new home, invested a lot of money in fixing it up, bought home owner's insurance and the day after, your home floods. You opted out of the flood insurance on your policy. Bet you feel cheated.
That's how Americans should feel when they learn their young adults are uninsured. Americans have invested all the money in educating young adults, but then they opt out of one of the most important aspects of protecting their investment: Healthcare.
Freedom from Fear
We live in a great nation full of freedoms and made up of rights. I can write this blog post criticizing my government. I can vote for representatives, senate members and a president who I believe will represent my voice. I can make signs, I can protest, I can march on Washington D.C. I can lobby Congress. I can write my nations leaders. I will not face a retribution for voicing the ideals I am about to share with you, which is a freedom many do not have.
However, freedom fighters, I ask you: what good is freedom without one's health?
I walked across the street today and I was afraid that a car would hit me. I was afraid I would be in the hospital and I would be handed a $100,000 + bill at the end of it that I wouldn't be able to pay. I fear getting sick during the school year and not being able to see a doctor. I fear not being able to pay for my prescriptions that have already expired that I cannot afford without insurance.
Caring Pocketbooks for People
You wouldn't be reading this if you weren't someone I loved or cared about. Now, listen: I cannot afford to pay for my prescriptions and if I do not have my prescriptions, the likelihood my life expectancy will be shortened because I am not taking my prescriptions is high. Does that sink in for you? I will die sooner than I should if I don't have my prescriptions. Now are you understanding? I bet you want to hand over your checkbook and help me out now, don't you? I bet you do, because you are someone who cares about me and who loves me.
Why doesn't this same concept translate to our government?
If the my country cares for me, why isn't it having the same reaction to my lack of health care in my time of need? Why isn't it outraged that I am going without necessary prescriptions? In every other industrialized nation, their people do not have my worries because their country provides with its checkbook. They live with peace of mind that their country has provided for them in ways my country has failed to.
We are a strong people, fill with strong values. Capitalism is one of the founding concepts of this country. It's understood that money has power in this nation. However, this country is not founded solely on capitalism. We are a great nation that grew out of a Bill of Rights, a complex system of Checks and Balances and an idea that we are a government of the people, for the people. Right?
So, let me ask you this: What happened to the "for the people" part? I am worried for my country and it's people. I think we have lost sight of what really matters. Namely, our people.
The Community Concept
My grandma always used to tell me that times were different when she was young, communities came together for people when bad luck fell upon them. Our society is much more global and connected today. Now our communities are connected across borders and continents. Instead of thinking so locally, we should be thinking nationally and globally.
So, national community, I am telling you: I am a citizen, I pay my taxes, I have a job, I am a full time law student and I feel like the U.S. tax payer has invested a lot of money in me, but hasn't protected me from a threat that we cannot wage war on and that carries no weapons. Who will hear my voice now?
I set myself up with a new Bank of America checking account complete with my photo on the debit card to prevent further fraudulent purchases by thieves who like to snatch wallets out of purses. We shall see if the photo on my debit card actually prevents fraud or is just a clever marketing tool...
On a lighter note, all the money that was withdrawn from my account from my denied claim has now been replaced. Five phone calls later. Two bank managers. Two supervisors. A few tears. And finally, SUCCESS!
Who knew you had to have a few years of law school under your belt before the world would take you seriously. I have to admit, the two years of law school I have completed did help me sound more articulate as I was sobbing into the phone like a baby begging for Chase Bank's Claims Department to believe me when I stated over and over again, "I swear, I ate at Epic Burger and THEN my wallet was stolen! Look at the pending transactions from 7/28/10!"
Yeah, in fact, that was my all time low. Kicked when I was already down by the one entity I am suppose to trust my entire life savings to? My loans to? My HOME mortgage to? I don't think so. Trust is a mutual thing in my book.
Oh, well. I am putting all that drama behind me and focusing on what matters: the fall semester of law school starting in t-minus 5 days!
I already have three of my books, all of which won't help me because my reading assignments (of course) are over the material I have yet to receive in the mail. Patience truly is a virtue.
However, I finally was able to get issued a new law student ID - complete with my new class title: LLM Student in Information Technology! Wooo! I'm official!
It's kind of sad, I don't even know what LLM stands for...I'm sure it's Latin or something. I know, I sound pretty dang smart right now. This is what happens when I have been through the emotional washing machine and I'm trying to find the silver lining. I apologize ahead of time for my rambling. Goodnight.
Remember how I said my wallet was stolen? Remember how I said Chase was giving me the $600.00 back...well they did, and then they took it all away. Apparently, the transaction for my hamburger at the restaurant where my wallet was stolen posted to my account the day after the transaction for the ridiculous Macy's purchase, which I'll remind you some thief made! Thus, Chase thinks I went on a shopping spree and I am trying to hang them out to dry.
As a result, Chase withdrew $636.18 from my bank account today plus the insufficient funds fees that had posted to my account from the July 28th transaction. So, right now I feel like it's me against the world.
Needless to say, I was less than happy today when I spoke with the Chase Bank Claims Department and was told that I needed to provide proof that my wallet was actually stolen. The lawyer in my suddenly rose from my fury and I said very catty, "Do you want signed affidavits? Because I work for a lawyer and I can get you those."
The Chase representative explained, "No, no. I just need documentation." I said, "Oh, like my application for a new license? My receipts for new wallets? My claims I filed with the Chicago Transport Authority regarding my stolen wallet? The temporary Texas State Driver's License I was issued three days after my wallet was stolen? A representative from Wells Fargo who will also attest that one the same day (July 28, 2010) approximately five minutes after reporting my debit card stolen to Chase Bank, I also reported it stolen to Wells Fargo?"
The Chase representative could sense my frustration and he sighed and said, "Yes, ma'am."
I wanted to scream. I called Wells Fargo Bank, who I might add is looking like Mother Theresa compared to Chase Bank right now, who stated that they could provide me with a three-way dialogue whereby a Chase Bank representative would stay on the line while I telephoned a Wells Fargo representative who could attest that my debit cards was canceled on July 28, 2010, reported as stolen and a new cards were issued on the same date.
I might add, when I found out my wallet was stolen I was devastated and I called Chase Bank crying. I spoke on the phone with them and I felt comforted because the person on the other line assured me I would get my $636.18 back. Talking on the phone to the Chase Bank representative who explained to me that the bank was denying my claim because the account activity on my card looked suspicious, made me want to cry all over again. Instead of feeling reassured I felt like they had branded the scarlet letter on my forehead and I felt like Chase was accusing me of stealing.
As a law student and a future lawyer, my job is to provide my client's with justice. Sometimes justice means the client never goes to Court. In a lot of instances, the client just wants to be heard and acknowledged.
I just want Chase Bank to acknowledge they are wrong. I will fax them an entire book with proof that my wallet is stolen to prove my innocence. Because at the end of the day, we're innocent until proven guilty in this country, UNLESS you bank with Chase Bank.
Not to sound too much like a quote from the Salem Witch Trials, but...
I will go down in flames before I let anyone tarnish my reputation and scorn my good name.
I'm going to explain briefly what is taking place in the photos I posted earlier today.
Unfortunately, my MacBook is in need of a visit to the Genius Bar so I will have to explain the details of today via my new phone.
My friend, Laura, works in advertising and her company buys space on ABC7 here in Chicago. As a result, ABC7 provided her with two VIP tickets to the Air and Water show complete with lunch, beverages and special VIP seats of all the action.
I wish I could say I deserved such royal treatment but honestly, I'm just a lowly law student...the idea of being treated like a VIP for nothing sold me!
Anyway, the point is the Air and Water show was spectacular from the VIP area! Unlimited shade, bottled water, food, ice cream, views, etc.
As you can see, I got some awesome shots with my new phone and even got some awesome video. The Blue Angels are probably the most well known and impressive of all the airplanes! They are fast flying fighter jets that fly within feet of each other at ridiculous speeds. I only was able to get one shot of them that was decent, they were too fast for me!
Anyway, I just wanted to explain the photos. Have a great day!
I finally was able to get my hands on the new iPhone 4, which makes blogging on the go and documenting my experiences in this amazing city that much more easy!
Yesterday I had the privilege of heading to the Air and Water Show from the comfort of my friend's boss's 27th floor apartment in Lincoln Park! It was amazing! We had a view to die for in a beautiful apartment filled with "adults". I was on my best behavior but felt a little out of place since everyone was married with a toddler at the party. :)
However, the view was amazing and I was so mad I couldn't find my battery charger for my camera yesterday. So, when I called the Apple Store and was told they'd just received a shipment of the coveted iPhone 4, I ran to the store!
I tried to upload some photos to compare the 3G camera and my new iPhone 4 camera, but blogger for the iPhone is not cooperating and my MacBook is currently experiencing some technical difficulties... (Genius bar appointment Monday.)
Sometimes it takes moving 1,160 miles away from home before a little girl can finally grow up into a strong woman. When I first journeyed to Chicago, I thought I was pretty damn smart. I thought I was prepared for life and I knew more than my elders. It's ironic how two years can change a person. I think about the twenty-one year old, fresh eyed and naive little girl I was when I arrived in Chicago, and I am in awe that I didn't get mugged the first day. No, that took two years in this concrete jungle. :)
The fact of the matter is, being far away from those I have always relied on has taught me to trust in my own judgment and to rely on others. It's a blessing to be brought up with such a big and supportive family, but it's also makes moving away hard. I have never yearned and missed for anything like I've missed my family these past two years. However, living in Chicago has taught me to trust others and build my own community and circle of friends-family in Chicago. I guess that's a lesson I really needed to learn: family is amazing, but friends can be just as nurturing, loving and giving as my own flesh and blood.
This past week my mom came into town and it was just wonderful. We laughed, talked, organized kitchen drawers I'd been avoiding, shopped, went to shows and just relaxed. It was an extremely healing experience. I was able to just enjoy my life here in Chicago with my mom and really value the little things I love about Chicago - the hustle and bustle, the pace, the liveliness, the culture and the music.
My mom and I went to a performance at the Briar Street Theater by the Blue Man Group one night and it was absolutely amazing and so much fun. I highly recommend the Blue Man Group to everyone. It's such a unique group experience. We also went to the Red Headed Piano Bar and listened to music one night and drank martinis. Later that night we ended up heading to the movie theater and seeing a movie. We shopped at all our favorite discount chains, gave each other facials and manicures and dined like queens.
My mom and me at the Chicago Theater
My mom and me riding the bus to Whole Foods
My cousin, Morgan, also was in Chicago at the time, so she spent a day with us. We went for sushi and shopped with her while taking iconic Chicago photos. We posed in front of famous landmarks and attracted the attention of other tourists - even though I can't be a tourist in my own city! However, Chicago is so huge, sometimes I feel like a tourist in my own city! :)
Morgan and me with the refrigerator art in Chicago,
much like the guitars in Austin
Morgan and me with Tuna Tartare at Oysy
I guess that's just it. We conquered the city. My city. My home. And in that moment I realized I love this city. I have gone through some rough times in this city, but I have conquered so much and grown as a result of my conquests because of this city. How can I not cherish the city that has taught me so much about myself?
My sometimes unbearable uphill climb in Chicago has taught me to really appreciate and love who I am, where I came from and where I am going. I'm a very different person than I was when I first arrived in Chicago and I am thankful to Chicago for allowing me to use its magnificent cityscape as a nest for me to spread my wings.
Alicia Keys said it best about New York, but I think the same philosophy applies to Chicago: "These streets will makes you feel brand new, big lights will inspire you." Do you feel it? Because I feel brand new and so inspired.
Ok, I've ranted and raved about how much I love Chicago, but it's starting to wear on me. There is something not so awesome about getting your wallet stolen. I know, I know, this can happen in any city and frankly, I am quite stunned it hasn't happened to me already. But at the same time, c'mon Chicago - first a break up, then I bust myself on your sidewalks, and now you steal from me. You're just solidifying your place in my heart as a place I want to forget.
In all fairness to Chicago, I was at a well-lit upscale organic burger place...around 6:45 PM...with a male friend who isn't exactly muscle-y, but he could win in a fight...and I was talking and chatting...but completely sober...paying pretty close attention and not really drawing attention to myself. Yeah, doesn't that go against everything that "they" say about crimes? Shouldn't these sort of incidents occur in dark alleys, in sketchy neighborhoods, when you're alone, drunk and listening to your iPod while wandering aimlessly?
Humph. So much for my warped perception of reality.
At the end of the day, I can replace all my stuff. I had about $10 in my wallet, a few dollars in coins, an un-cashed birthday check from my grandparents, two debit cards, a bunch of membership cards, my student ID, and my driver's license. The perpetrators only got away with $600 charged to my debit card and my USB drive...I'm lucky my bank caught them. I would think most thieves would hope for more. Lucky for me, I'm a poor law student with very little money to my name and more debt than assets.
I bank with Chase and Wells Fargo. The thieves didn't get anything out of my Wells Fargo account...they must have better monitoring than Chase. Chase let them take $600 which Chase is replacing...so there is as silver lining...I guess. I am going to miss my USB drive and it's a pain in the ass to get a new student ID and driver's license. Ehhhh.
But for some reason, it still hurts. It still bothers me that someone could legitimately steal from someone else. I never have understood why or how someone could think that something they legitimately know is not theirs, should be theirs, especially hard earned money. I just feel a little hurt - not by my perpetrator, but by humanity. When did people get so greedy?
Well, on a lighter note, at least the dumb asses stole my wallet the day before pay day. Some thieves just never win. I like that. :)
P.S. I am down 17 pounds on my new diet. Woot. Woot. There's another silver lining! :)
Today I was walking south on Dearborn Street toward my apartment when my shoe got caught underneath one of the grates in the sidewalk just above the Jackson blue line entrance. I could feel it happening, but there was nothing I could do...
Suddenly I was falling. My hands couldn't even make it out in front of me before I was lying on the ground. My hands hit then my chin.
Three people ran up to me asking if I was okay. I felt okay. I could still walk. My pride was a little bruised, but everything seemed in tact.
I walked home briskly and embarrassed.
Here are the results of my fall:
My eye is bloodshot. I don't remember hitting my eye, but now it's all red and nasty looking. My chin is bruised. My knee hurts. My hands are skinned. I am a mess.
It was the first Tuesady of YMCA summer camp, May 27, 1997. I was nine years old and a recent graduate from the 4th grade. I was still getting to know the procedure of things at YMCA summer camp. So when my camp counselor reported that today we were going to spend the day at Williamson County Park or the Twin Lakes Park, I didn't think much of it. I carried my lunch box onto the bus, sat down next to my new friend, Mandy, and tried forcefully to slide the bus window down so I wouldn't melt inside the hot bus.
We arrived at the park around 10:30 AM and we all exited. The camp counselors gathered us for a game of capture the flag. I didn't really feel like running much since it was sweltering outside, just like any other summer Texas day. I watched the other kids run for the flag and I pretended to try to get the flag, but at the end of the day, I wasn't too interested.
After capture the flag we ate lunch and my camp counselor let us take a canoeing trip. We all put on life jackets and canoed around the three foot deep pond. It was nice to be under the trees and out of the sun and it was even nicer to be close to the water. Every once in a while the paddles would dip into the water splashing some up on me and I was thankful for the murky pond water on my cotton clothes.
We canoed for a bit and then my counselor decided to take us on a hike. Our entire group trudged through the desert-like trails attempting to find shade and complaining when something scratched us or when we got stickers on our socks. As we began to return to the park, Mandy told Kevin she was feeling dizzy. He immediately instructed her to drink water fearing she was suffering from dehydration.
Upon arriving back at the park, he sat her down and made her sip water while seated at a picnic table while the rest of us were instructed to play with each other until the bus arrived.
The bus didn't come. We waited. We waited some more. The sky turned gray and overcast. The air was still. The head camp counselor stood a football field away from us talking frantically on a walkie talkie. We watched her groaning at the stillness of the air. We all begged for water and a cool place to rest out of the heat. Kevin instructed us to stay seated with another camp counselor while he went to speak to the head camp counselor.
Suddenly, the head camp counselor was running toward us. Her face was a bit frantic, but everyone could tell she was attempting to stay calm. She began talking softly and slowly to Kevin and gathered the other counselors to inform them of the situation. At nine years old I could tell everything wasn't okay.
Kevin then said in a loud booming voice, "Everyone, please be quiet. I need you all to listen to me. This is very important. We are going to go down by the trail. Everyone line up and following your camp counselor." Kevin lead us to the where the trail began, a shallow but large ditch lie at the foot of the trail. He instructed everyone to put their knees on the ground, lean over and cover their head with their hands.
Some of the little kids began to complain when instructed to press their knees in the hard black pebbles on the ground. I could tell from Kevin's face and the look on our head camp counselor's face that this was very serious. Kevin then said, "Everyone lie down with your heads on the ground and we're going to sing a song. Gather close to each other."
I lied there. My knees and forehead felt like they were bleeding because I was pressing them so hard into the ground. I just wanted to stay planted there forever. I could hear the little kids crying. Suddenly the sky grew very, very dark. A siren went off. I had never heard this type of siren before but when I heard it, I knew. There was a tornado. We were taking shelter in the shallow ditch from the tornado. I couldn't even think.
My mind went blank. I had never been in a tornado before. I had never lied in a ditch before. I had never heard that sound before. I just did as I was told.
Suddenly the head camp counselor was telling us to stand and quickly run. We all looked up horrified. She was leading us through a fence into a yard. She told us to run quickly into a nearby neighbor's home. Kevin was telling us as we ran, "Hurry guys! This lady is letting us stay inside her home. Don't touch anything or break anything. When you get inside sit on the ground as far away from the windows as possible. Do you understand?"
I started running. A little girl behind me fell down. I grabbed her and picked her up and carried her into the home. She cried in my arms. She was six years old. When I looked down at her again I realized she was wearing glasses and one of her lenses was covered by red sparkle heart stickers. I then realized the reason she had stickers on the lens of her glasses was because she only had one eye.
She cried some more and I comforted her. I asked her what her name was and she told me her name was Stephanie. She sat in my lap and buried her head in my chest. I tried to soothe her.
The woman who owned the home passed out water in paper cups and we shared it. I handed some to Stephanie and then I drank some and passed it on. We sat next to her ping pong table in her game room. I tried to seat us as far away from the window as I could, but by this time there wasn't much room left in the woman's little home. The sky was very dark. I couldn't tell if it was day or night anymore.
We waited in the woman's house for a while. I am not sure how long. I lost track of time. It all felt very surreal. We sang songs to occupy the time, most of them were religious songs - this was the YMCA.
I don't know how long after that the bus arrived at the woman's house. We filed back into the bus and were told we were returning to the school that housed our YMCA program.
When we arrived back at the school my mother wasn't there. Instead my grandfather was waiting for me outside the school. I became overwhelmed with fear. He explained to me that my mom was sent home from work late because of the tornado and he was going to pick me up. He then took me back to his house where my mother arrived later.
My mother later told me that my grandfather had lied to her. She had called him asking him to pick me up from the YMCA since she was detained at work due to the tornado. My grandfather had driven up to the school that hosted my YMCA program and was told that we had taken a field trip to Williamson County Park the same area where an F-3 tornado had just hit. He was told that the YMCA couldn't send a bus to us because no one would send their drivers out into the tornado. He was told to continue checking back to see when we'd arrived.
My grandfather realized the gravity of the situation. He returned home. My mother called asking if he had picked me up from the YMCA. My mother said my grandfather sounded really strange and he said, "Oh, you know, I will. I just haven't gotten over there yet." My mother was perplexed because my grandfather is a hypochondriac when it comes to weather. My mother told him to just go pick me up already. My grandfather told my mom he would when he got a chance. My mom hung up furious but trapped at work.
But my grandfather had information my mother didn't. My grandfather knew if my mom knew I was lying in a ditch in the middle of a F-3 tornado she would have done something stupid, like driven right into the tornado to try to "save me". He lied to her and told her he hadn't been up to the school yet to pick me up because he was busy. I thank everyday for my grandfather's little white lie.
The reality of the situation is 29 people lost their lives that day. An F-5 tornado touched down in Jerrell, Texas that same day killing 27 of those people. One of those people died from the Cedar Park F-3 Tornado.
An Albertsons Grocery Store was destroyed that day. The manager of the Albertsons directed all the employees and customers to get inside the freezer located at the center of the store. The entire store was destroyed with the exclusion of the freezer. All the people inside the freezer survived.
Point A on the Map below is where the Albertsons that was destroyed. Several homes near point A were also destroyed in the Buttercup Creek Subdivision. Point B is where we lied in a ditch with our heads covered. The tornadoes path was 9.2 miles in length. We were only three miles away from the Albertsons that was destroyed.
Last night my friends, Laura and Tom, came over and we dined on a leftover Italian feast. We ate, we drank, we laughed, we watched Dr. Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog on Netflix, we discussed life, Texas, growing up together, living in Chicago together, etc. Laura and I went to high school together, college together and have now grown up to live and work in the same city: Chicago. Needless to say, we like to laugh about things that happened to us in high school and we like to reminisce about when we were on the Speech and Debate team together.
After dinner we headed to our friends' house. I met David and Sarah through Laura. Sarah's brother was in town so we all gathered, talked, drank some more and just enjoyed the evening. David gave me a lesson on Scotch. He had several different ones to try and they were all quite strong and delicious, but I inevitably found my favorite was also his favorite, Springbank Single Malt Scotch. I tried his Johnny Walker Blue Label, which was the most expensive of them all, but one of my least favorite. I have come to the conclusion that Scotch is a lot like owning a pair of Jimmy Choo heels. Just because they look good and are expensive, doesn't mean they are comfortable. :)
To conclude, I offer this photo of one of my work outfits from last week. I was going to do a blog post on dressing for work, but I decided that was kind of boring. So here is one of the photos I took from last week. The skirt and tank top were on sale at Target, the belt and black sleeved blouse is from New York and Company.
I love the Real Housewives of New York City on Bravo. The reason I love it so much is because of one particular housewife who they just gave her own show, Bethenny Getting Married, also on Bravo. Her name is Bethenny Frankel and she's an amazing chef. She's a snarky, sarcastic, loud and brutally honest woman who is all about eating healthy natural food. You may have heard of her famous margaritas...the Skinnygirl margaritas?
Needless to say, I bought her second book The Skinnygirl Dish and I have been making recipe after recipe from it. Thus far, my most favorite dish is the Simms Wasabi Tuna Sliders. I made these while in Texas with the help of my cousin Macey and my mom and they are DELICIOUS! Both Macey and my mom asked for the recipe so I have decided to write out the recipe for you to enjoy since the Skinnygirl herself recommended it and it is quite delicious and nutritious.
3 pounds tuna steak, cut into chunks (warning, this is a lot of tuna)
6 tablespoons wasabi paste
3 teaspons grated fresh ginger (I left this off, I hate ginger)
6 teaspons Dijon mustard
Salt and Pepper to taste
2 teaspoons olive oil
10-15 small buns or rolls - whole wheat
Combine the scallions, garlic, cilantro, and soy sauce into a bowl and mix until incorporated. Mix in the tuna until combined. Add wasabi paste, ginger, mustard, salt, and pepper. (I put all this stuff in a food processor and it made the whole thing a lot easier - I highly recommend.)
Using an ice-cream scoop (or your hands), make burgers out of the mixture. Place them on a plate and chill in the refrigerator for 30 mins.
Heat the olive oil in a nonstick skillet ove rmedium-high heat. Add the tuna sliders and saute for 5 minutes on each side. Serve on r olls with Pickled Ginger Relish. (I hate pickled ginger, so we didn't add this, instead we garnished with our own toppings).
Pickled Ginger Relish Recipe (I haven't tried this...)
3 cucumbers peeled, cut in half lengthwise and very thinly sliced
3 small red onion, very thinly sliced
6 tablespoons fresh chopped pickled ginger
3/4 cup rice vinegar
Salt and Pepper to test
In a medium bowl, thoroughly combine all the ingredients.
Ta da! Delicious meal in no time at all. They're delicious. Trust me!
My final exam in the class from hell, Professional Responsibility, is next Monday. What that really means is I will no longer have to sit through a class that teaches "ethics" to "liars"...Oops, I meant "lawyers". hahaha.
Here are just a few basic rules that lawyers clearly can't wrap their heads around without the help of an entire three credit course:
Don't have sex with your clients. Example: Self-Explanatory
Don't steal your clients' money. Example: Skimming money off the top of your client's trust fund to pay personal expenses = not okay.
Don't seek out clients at funerals. Example: Grandpa dies, visit grandson to tell him how he is getting screwed out of his inheritance by his mother.
Don't pressure clients to be your clients. Example: Visiting a woman who was just in a car accident at the hospital in an attempt to earn her business is not okay.
Don't "borrow" money from your clients' trusts. Example: Taking money from your client's trust and thinking you will pay it back within a few hours, so it's not a big deal...still not okay.
Don't tell your clients you are going to do something and not do it. Example: "I filed your petition last week" When in reality you don't even remember what you promised your client you'd file...really NOT okay.
Call your clients back when they call you. Example: Self-Explanatory.
Don't put your client's money in your bank account until you've earned it. Example: Your client writes you a retainer check for your services and you put it directly in your personal account and buy a new car with it. The ABA isn't going to like that. Nope.
A lawyer cannot represent two opposing parties in litigation. Example: "Counselor who do you represent?" asks the Judge. "Your honor, I represent Mr. Smith AND Mrs. Smith in this divorce proceeding". Uhhhhh, yeah, really not okay.
And so on...
My teacher explained rather articulately that the reason "Professional Responsibility" exists is because many attorneys when faced with the possibility of losing their bar license for violating one of these common sense rules would claim ignorance.
We all know, ignorance of the law is not an excuse. So just to make it clear to every new lawyer out there that the Bar Association meant business, they enacted the most mindless and ridiculous course ever imagined and they named it "Professional Responsibility".
Now every "forgetful" lawyer can't claim ignorance because he or she sat through this hellish class and learned all the rules.
So, I know I am late on the ball. But I've just fallen in love with Netflix. I love that I can send submit a DVD to my "queue' and have it the next day. I love that I can stream my favorite TV shows and DVDs to my computer or get this...Wii! Which means I can have my favorite TV shows and DVD on my TV! Yeah, no computer required!
Ok, I know, I know. You've all known this for like what...years!? Well, I'm really late to learn the amazingness of Netflix.
Not only am I the last person on earth to actually use Netflix, I have also just discovered the awesomeness of iChat. Okay, in all fairness to me...I always knew I could chat with my friends, etc. But I just introduced my mom to a webcam and now she and I are talking via the iChat webcam feature thousands of miles away!
To begin, for those of you who don't know...I recently went through a break up. Prior to this break up I had picked out a lovely necklace from Tiffany's I had wanted my then-boyfriend to purchase for me for my birthday. Needless to say, I determined that the best option for this beautiful gift was for me, the hard working law student and law clerk, to put some of that hard earned money to good use on the necklace I wanted. So, I bought the necklace as a birthday present to myself. It's the Eva Peretti Bean necklace which I wanted because it reminds me of "the Bean" in Millennium Park in Chicago.
A photo of my new neckalce...hard to see.
My mom and me!
My family and I gathered for a great time over the Fourth of July weekend which also coincides with my birthday. So, I flew in from Chicago and met up with my family for a "camp out" in New Braunfels, Texas.
We spent the weekend playing foosball, volleyball, the game kind of like horse-shoes that I can't remember the name of right now, swimming, hot tubing, dancing and singing to karaoke, camping in the rain and eating way too much food. My family is big on food. We always over prepare, over-pack and overeat everything in sight. There is a joke in my family that when we gather, all we really do is "eat".
For example, on the Friday when we arrived, my aunt and uncle had already prepared a large brisket that was so tender and juicy it fell off the bone and melted (literally!) in my mouth! The rest of the weekend we pigged out on fajitas, mexican casseroles, hot dogs, fried green tomatoes, fried okra, Blue Bell ice cream and a ton of other calorie intensive but delicious meals.
Fried Green Tomatoes!
After the eventful July 4th weekend, it didn't seem anything could top that for me. Before arriving in Texas, I hadn't been around my whole family in a long time. I saw them last on Memorial Day but only for three days. Before that, I hadn't visited my family since Christmas. So, to spend a week and a half with my entire family was extremely exciting to me.
On Monday my mom, grandma and I went shopping. My mom totally splurged on me and bought me three beautiful dresses and the cutest top. She's really excited for me that I've been losing weight and she wanted to buy me some new clothes in my new size! By the way, I'm down a dress size which is so exciting!
My new birthday dress I wore to my birthday lunch with my mom!
For my birthday, my mom and I went to my favorite Mexican food restaurant, Cantina Laredo in downtown Austin. We stuffed ourselves with "Top Shelf Guacamole", margaritas, brisket tacos and way too much of their delicious chips and salsa. Then my mom and I bought a Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake (Cookies and Cream) which I secretly adore and we celebrated my "birth-day" together. Here is a photo of me with my cake. We didn't have any candles, so my mom improvised with a lit match. :)
Happy 23rd Birthday!
After celebrating with my mom, I spent the night with my best friend in the entire world, Jenn. We went to my favorite wine bar in Austin, Corks & Company and ate tons of cheese and drank delicious wine. We also went to the Arab Cowboy, a hookah bar in Austin, where we lounged with friends and laughed the rest of the night away. The first is a photo of my friend, Moe and me. He is American soldier who lived in Iraq for a great deal of his life. The second is a photo of my best friend, Jenn, and me.
Moe and Me at Arab Cowboy
Me and Jenn at Arab Cowboy
On Thursday I went to visit the family I used to babysit for. The mother of the family is also known in the online world as Vetommy. Jennifer, the "Vetmommy", made us a lovely dinner and the kids, Anna (9 year old), Colin (7 years old) and I played all sorts of fun games, like "Doctor" and each of them showed me all their collection of goodies. When I first started watching Anna and Colin, Anna was three years old and Colin was 18 months old! It really makes me feel old when Colin asked before bed if he could read me a book! Jennifer and Anthony (Dad of the family) then stayed up laughing, talking, drinking lots of delicious cabernet sauvignon and eating peach gelato! If you want the recipe, here is a link to Jennifer's post all about her delicious gelato!
On Friday my 21+ cousin, Jenn, and I went to Highball, a great bar that hosts karaoke parties, bowling parties, and includes a restaurant and dance floor. We sang the night away in our own private karaoke room (which was a blast!) and then went to Players, where we played pool. At the end of the night, we all went over to my cousin Darrell's and his wife, Pina's, house. We stayed up late playing Farkle and laughing.
This is Matt, my cousin, trying to keep up with the rap song he chose to sing! Poor choice Matt!
Jenn takes a bite out of her brownie sundae.
Pina, Darrell's wife, tries to sing along to her country song.
Darrell laughs as he tries to keep up with his song. He said, "Don't they know I can't read!"
Jenn and I sang together a song I didn't even know...of course, I made it work! :)
Darrell and I posed for a photo at Player, Pina demanded he try to keep his eyes open!
Pina gets ready to break!
Jenn and I posed for a photo at Players.
The rest of the weekend my mom and I spent buying her a new big screen TV! My mom is officially "Hooked Up". She bought a brand new 46" LCD Samsung TV and it's so clear and crisp. When I arrived home in Chicago, I took one look at my 36" flatscreen and was bummed! But then again, there's a reason she's the mom and I'm the daughter. :)
My mom and I spent our last few nights stuffing ourselves with Mexican food (which I think my mom is totally sick of now) and watching our favorite movies like The Family Stone, Rambo 4, and some new favorites, like 16 Blocks and A Perfect Getaway. We also searched high and low for the perfect summer sandals and shopped all our favorite discount treasures like T.J. Maxx, Big Lots, Nordstrom Rack, Marshalls, etc.
My mom and I were really excited to see a new movie by Sylvester Stallone is coming out with Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger. We love action movies and we secretly love Sylvester Stallone, okay, it's not so secret. Here is a trailer for the new movie called "The Expendables"! Doesn't it look awesome!? Not sure why it is going off the page...
Needless to say, returning to my life of school, work and less play was a total bummer. I was so sad to leave Texas and all my family and friends. I wish I could express to you all how much I miss you. It's hard being away, but I know sometimes we have to make sacrifices to follow our dreams. I love Chicago, but I miss Austin. I know one day I'll have the opportunity to move back and I hope whatever decision I make, it will be the best one for me.
