It's Friday night. I'm staying home, listening to Enya, drinking red wine... and reading my criminal law casebook for next week.
Sounds nerdy, huh? In reality, this is basically what I did on Friday nights when I was working, too. It wasn't like Boyfriend and I went to parties or bars all that much. Sometimes we went out to dinner, but that's mainly just because our kitchen was usually too dirty or messy (or being renovated) for us to really properly cook.
We are both kind of anti-social, and find it much more enjoyable to stay home, have some wine, and watch TV. I sometimes read. Sometimes we talked about work. Sometimes I really did work, and on weekends too.
In college I worked much less hard, and slacked off a lot. I think this is why it is good to work for a few years before you go to law school. I would have been shocked at the amount of work involved in law school had I gone straight from undergrad to here. But so far I'm finding the workload surprisingly manageable and even enjoyable. It's certainly not more than working for the little start-up.
If anything, reading about interesting legal theories and rules is more fun than drafting a diplomatic yet firm email to a bothersome client.
Also reading a Guide on searching for public interest jobs published by my law school. The first-person accounts published in the guide are very informative, and I am feeling quite inspired.
This is probably the first day that I really feel that there is a wide range of opportunities open to me after I graduate law school. Perhaps I really can find something that interests me, even something I really believe in.
Looking forward to this weekend. My parents are visiting me in my new apartment, and I am eager to show them my new life. This means, however, that I'm going to read for a while longer tonight because I probably won't get any work done while they are here.
9/09/2005
9/07/2005
Things Are Going Well
So far, the workload is manageable. I do spend a fair amount of time each night reading, but the cases are interesting so time passes by very quickly.
Class discussion, thoug, has been disappointing so far. Many comments made by my classmates are non-sequiturs or only tangentially related to what has been discussed before. A typical scenario is this:
Professor: So, is X really an element of Y, or should some other standards be used?
Student: Well, this has nothing to do with whether X is an element of Y, but I just noticed that A is kind of similar to B.
Professor: Well... um... this is an interesting point...
He then either gets really side-tracked and spends 20 minutes talking about A and B, OR he makes a heroic effort to relate the problem of A and B back to X and Y.
This drives me crazy, and it happens half a dozen times during each class.
Hopefully, this is just people getting warmed up. But having a class discussion with 70+ people is like herding cats sometimes. It's nearly impossible to follow a theme through or to talk about anything in an in-depth, focused way.
But other than that, I'm having a much better time than I thougth I would.
Class discussion, thoug, has been disappointing so far. Many comments made by my classmates are non-sequiturs or only tangentially related to what has been discussed before. A typical scenario is this:
Professor: So, is X really an element of Y, or should some other standards be used?
Student: Well, this has nothing to do with whether X is an element of Y, but I just noticed that A is kind of similar to B.
Professor: Well... um... this is an interesting point...
He then either gets really side-tracked and spends 20 minutes talking about A and B, OR he makes a heroic effort to relate the problem of A and B back to X and Y.
This drives me crazy, and it happens half a dozen times during each class.
Hopefully, this is just people getting warmed up. But having a class discussion with 70+ people is like herding cats sometimes. It's nearly impossible to follow a theme through or to talk about anything in an in-depth, focused way.
But other than that, I'm having a much better time than I thougth I would.
9/06/2005
Impressions on First Day of Class
Had our first class today! The professor was nice, but class moved more slowly than I thought it would, and nothing anyone said, including the professor, gave me a "wow!" moment.
Lots of people volunteered to answer questions. Class dynamics was very good -- much better than I imagined. Questions the prof asked weren't that hard though, and at times it was a little boring. No one in the first class, though, dared to play Solitaire or surf the Internet. I predict that it will be at least the third week before people begin to do that.
The cases seemed a lot more interesting when we read them than when we discussed them. I actually kind of enjoyed reading the cases, but class was still a bit mundane. Don't know, perhaps it was just a weird dynamic the first day.
Seats they assigned us were absurdly small -- couldn't fit my laptop, the casebook, and my binder all on there. Kept on bumping into people next to me.
Lots of people volunteered to answer questions. Class dynamics was very good -- much better than I imagined. Questions the prof asked weren't that hard though, and at times it was a little boring. No one in the first class, though, dared to play Solitaire or surf the Internet. I predict that it will be at least the third week before people begin to do that.
The cases seemed a lot more interesting when we read them than when we discussed them. I actually kind of enjoyed reading the cases, but class was still a bit mundane. Don't know, perhaps it was just a weird dynamic the first day.
Seats they assigned us were absurdly small -- couldn't fit my laptop, the casebook, and my binder all on there. Kept on bumping into people next to me.
9/05/2005
This Made Me Laugh Out Loud
And from an opinion in my crim law casebook, no less! :D
"Pope [the defendant] moved that we strike from the State's brief and appendix a selection from the Year Book of 1484 written in Medieval Latin and references thereto. The State provided no translation and conceded a total lack of knowledge of what it meant. The motion is granted."
(Pope v. State, Maryland Court of Appeals 1979) (Sorry I don't really know how to cite cases yet.)
"Pope [the defendant] moved that we strike from the State's brief and appendix a selection from the Year Book of 1484 written in Medieval Latin and references thereto. The State provided no translation and conceded a total lack of knowledge of what it meant. The motion is granted."
(Pope v. State, Maryland Court of Appeals 1979) (Sorry I don't really know how to cite cases yet.)
Today
Driving up again later today with some more furnitures and supplies that Boyfriend and I bought over the weekend. I am bringing up my easel and paint because I have been fantasizing about painting in between studying.
Also read for Torts and Crim Law, which were surprisingly enjoyable. Civ pro reading was substantially more dry and less exciting.
First "real" class tomorrow! I'm a little nervous.
Also read for Torts and Crim Law, which were surprisingly enjoyable. Civ pro reading was substantially more dry and less exciting.
First "real" class tomorrow! I'm a little nervous.
9/03/2005
A Few Things I Learned Today
Back "home" for the long weekend, so I can recuperate and feel a bit of normalcy after two very stressful and overwhelming days. My three years of working for the little start-up has made me used to a lot of solitary work, and the constant interaction with strangers was very exhausting and not altogether pleasant.
Had dinner on Friday at my prof's very large and very gorgeous house. The entire day on Friday, in fact, was filled with a lot of free food and (not always good) alcohol. The girl from California whom I met on Thursday, J, and I hung out most of the time. Nearly everything reminded me of my first few days at my undergraduate college.
Today I had dinner / coffee with friend J, who is also in law school and a 3L. Talked about law school culture, strategies, and clerkships (J is applying for clerkships). Here are some pearls of wisdom from him:
- Even though people in law school may be nice to your face, people are often secretly very competitive and will do very morally dubious things to get ahead.
- When choosing friends in law school, it's very important (in fact, most important) to find people who are stable, self-assured, and not insecure. Whether or not they are smart or like the law or like law school etc., is all secondary or unimportant.
- Practice taking old exams, as early as possible.
- There will always be people who despise other people who appear to be enjoying or thriving in law school more than them. You need to decide early on how you are going to relate to these people and/or this practice.
(J., being very self-confident and assertive, decided that he would ignore these people and just do what he would always do. I'm not sure I'm quite so brave.)
- The clerkship process is INSANE. (Glad that I don't have to worry about that for a couple of years -- though even then it's not entirely a bad problem to have.)
Have been reading on and off my reading assigments for Tuesday (and slacking off a lot, sadly). Perhaps tomorrow I will work out a schedule for myself.
Had dinner on Friday at my prof's very large and very gorgeous house. The entire day on Friday, in fact, was filled with a lot of free food and (not always good) alcohol. The girl from California whom I met on Thursday, J, and I hung out most of the time. Nearly everything reminded me of my first few days at my undergraduate college.
Today I had dinner / coffee with friend J, who is also in law school and a 3L. Talked about law school culture, strategies, and clerkships (J is applying for clerkships). Here are some pearls of wisdom from him:
- Even though people in law school may be nice to your face, people are often secretly very competitive and will do very morally dubious things to get ahead.
- When choosing friends in law school, it's very important (in fact, most important) to find people who are stable, self-assured, and not insecure. Whether or not they are smart or like the law or like law school etc., is all secondary or unimportant.
- Practice taking old exams, as early as possible.
- There will always be people who despise other people who appear to be enjoying or thriving in law school more than them. You need to decide early on how you are going to relate to these people and/or this practice.
(J., being very self-confident and assertive, decided that he would ignore these people and just do what he would always do. I'm not sure I'm quite so brave.)
- The clerkship process is INSANE. (Glad that I don't have to worry about that for a couple of years -- though even then it's not entirely a bad problem to have.)
Have been reading on and off my reading assigments for Tuesday (and slacking off a lot, sadly). Perhaps tomorrow I will work out a schedule for myself.
9/01/2005
New Beginning
Sorry that I have been away for a while. Things has been really crazy, as I'm sure you can imagine. In the past week, Boyfriend and I moved into our new apartment, organized everything, found our favorite Starbucks, half worked out parking and other everyday living issues, had countless emotional discussions about my experience in law school, all of which took my energy away from posting an update of my life.
Today was the first day of orientation.
I met my classmates. They were really fine -- less diverse than I thought (but perhaps I just ended up with a particularly un-diverse group). Lots of people from California. There was one other girl from my undergraduate school, who graduated in the same year. After talking for a while we even identified a couple of people that we both knew.
Quite a few older students, too. It seems like everyone was 25 or 26. I thought I would feel old in law school. I didn't.
I have always disliked the self-conscious and awkward chit-chats of orientation -- "Where are you from?" "Where did you go undergrad?" "What did you do since graduation?" Everyone knows that real friendship only begins after classes begin, since that's when people buckle down and those differences in personality and lifestyle really begin to matter. So what's the point of asking everyone these questions anyway, when you know that your brain can't possibly hold all this info and you would forget 10 seconds after walking away from the person?
So I tried my best to avoid this kind of talk, and perhaps to some I was a little too non-committal. Ah well, they have 3 years to change that impression of me.
I did get into an in-depth conversation with a girl from a famous California school who has moved across the country with her husband and who has already done most, if not all, of the readings for our criminal law class for the entire year. Really liked her, actually. She seemed genuine and grounded and smart.
Orientation also involved a lot of being herded around. The prof gave a long speech in the beginning of the day about how great law school is and how we shouldn't be afraid to be subjected to the Socratic Method. Some people actually pulled out a notebook and took notes, while I just sat around feeling slightly bored, and then caught myself and surprised that I was bored. Was I always this jaded? I remember that in college, I may well have been one of those people who pulled out a notebook and took notes. Did 4 years of being out of college changed me and made me jaded? But everything the profs said sounded really obvious. I am still waiting for the real class to begin.
At certain points the orientation seemed a little disorganized. Like the "tour" we took around the campus was a joke, and our leader clearly didn't plan this very well.
Then we sat down and had a picnic. It was a beautiful day, and I looked around and felt amazed that this day has arrived so quickly. I'm really a law student! I will come to call this institution home. I will know these people around me well. I will be familiar with this city, navigate it with authority, and perhaps come to feel affection for it.
I am going to be here for the next three years.
Today was the first day of orientation.
I met my classmates. They were really fine -- less diverse than I thought (but perhaps I just ended up with a particularly un-diverse group). Lots of people from California. There was one other girl from my undergraduate school, who graduated in the same year. After talking for a while we even identified a couple of people that we both knew.
Quite a few older students, too. It seems like everyone was 25 or 26. I thought I would feel old in law school. I didn't.
I have always disliked the self-conscious and awkward chit-chats of orientation -- "Where are you from?" "Where did you go undergrad?" "What did you do since graduation?" Everyone knows that real friendship only begins after classes begin, since that's when people buckle down and those differences in personality and lifestyle really begin to matter. So what's the point of asking everyone these questions anyway, when you know that your brain can't possibly hold all this info and you would forget 10 seconds after walking away from the person?
So I tried my best to avoid this kind of talk, and perhaps to some I was a little too non-committal. Ah well, they have 3 years to change that impression of me.
I did get into an in-depth conversation with a girl from a famous California school who has moved across the country with her husband and who has already done most, if not all, of the readings for our criminal law class for the entire year. Really liked her, actually. She seemed genuine and grounded and smart.
Orientation also involved a lot of being herded around. The prof gave a long speech in the beginning of the day about how great law school is and how we shouldn't be afraid to be subjected to the Socratic Method. Some people actually pulled out a notebook and took notes, while I just sat around feeling slightly bored, and then caught myself and surprised that I was bored. Was I always this jaded? I remember that in college, I may well have been one of those people who pulled out a notebook and took notes. Did 4 years of being out of college changed me and made me jaded? But everything the profs said sounded really obvious. I am still waiting for the real class to begin.
At certain points the orientation seemed a little disorganized. Like the "tour" we took around the campus was a joke, and our leader clearly didn't plan this very well.
Then we sat down and had a picnic. It was a beautiful day, and I looked around and felt amazed that this day has arrived so quickly. I'm really a law student! I will come to call this institution home. I will know these people around me well. I will be familiar with this city, navigate it with authority, and perhaps come to feel affection for it.
I am going to be here for the next three years.
8/24/2005
Alcoholism?
Further proof that I am a budding alcoholic...
Before dinner (when I wrote my last entry), I was tired and a little depressed.
After dinner, and a glass of very hearty Cabernet (my favorite), I am tired and happy.
Yippee!
(Burp.)
Before dinner (when I wrote my last entry), I was tired and a little depressed.
After dinner, and a glass of very hearty Cabernet (my favorite), I am tired and happy.
Yippee!
(Burp.)
In St. Louis
7 days to law school!
7 AM flight today. At least I didn't have to drive to New York. Slept for the most part. Had a 3-hour stopover in Philly though, so read and dozed.
This is the second time I've been to St. Louis, and this time I don't plan on going to the giant arch again. Though I have to admit it, it was much cooler than I thought it would be, when you are actually there under it. The thing is soaring and quite beautiful.
Newsworthy in the past few days: had to get vaccinated twice yesterday, because of law school. One on each arm. Also had to have blood drawn, something that always leads me to faint. This time it was no exception. The nurse kindly gave me some orange juice.
Washington University is quite beautiful, and many ritzy neighborhoods around it. It's clear that town-gown relationship is less than warm, since many of the streets have huge signs that say "NOT A THRU STREET!" and some public-looking streets have gates around them. I guess it's their version of a "gated community" and they must hate the traffic.
Tired... should go to sleep soon. Sigh...
7 AM flight today. At least I didn't have to drive to New York. Slept for the most part. Had a 3-hour stopover in Philly though, so read and dozed.
This is the second time I've been to St. Louis, and this time I don't plan on going to the giant arch again. Though I have to admit it, it was much cooler than I thought it would be, when you are actually there under it. The thing is soaring and quite beautiful.
Newsworthy in the past few days: had to get vaccinated twice yesterday, because of law school. One on each arm. Also had to have blood drawn, something that always leads me to faint. This time it was no exception. The nurse kindly gave me some orange juice.
Washington University is quite beautiful, and many ritzy neighborhoods around it. It's clear that town-gown relationship is less than warm, since many of the streets have huge signs that say "NOT A THRU STREET!" and some public-looking streets have gates around them. I guess it's their version of a "gated community" and they must hate the traffic.
Tired... should go to sleep soon. Sigh...
8/22/2005
At Home
9 days to Law School!
Back home now -- insanely busy... It's ridiculous. I'm traveling to St. Louis for work this Wednesday, flying back this Thursday night, and then need to drive up immediately to Worcester for another event, then back, then move my stuff to my new residence near the law school, (after buying the furniture that I need), then driving up there and setting up shop. And then school starts!
Arrrrggggghhhh!
Back home now -- insanely busy... It's ridiculous. I'm traveling to St. Louis for work this Wednesday, flying back this Thursday night, and then need to drive up immediately to Worcester for another event, then back, then move my stuff to my new residence near the law school, (after buying the furniture that I need), then driving up there and setting up shop. And then school starts!
Arrrrggggghhhh!
8/20/2005
In Vermont Now
In a little hotel in Rutland, Vermont. Boyfriend and I were planning to go home today, but dilly-dallied a lot in the morning and then got tired of driving in the afternoon, so decided to stop here and spend the night.
Actually, kind of looking forward to going home, and then moving, and then deal with law school. In the past few weeks I've built up law school in my mind to be this humgungous scary thing. I think it will do me some good and calm me down to finally face and slay the dragon. Or at least try to.
Actually, kind of looking forward to going home, and then moving, and then deal with law school. In the past few weeks I've built up law school in my mind to be this humgungous scary thing. I think it will do me some good and calm me down to finally face and slay the dragon. Or at least try to.
Last Day in Montreal
Rainy and windy today. How fitting. It will be nothing but work from this point on.
11 days to law school.
Sigh...
11 days to law school.
Sigh...
8/19/2005
More Observations
- Montreal people are so attractive and stylish. Guys are athletic. Quite a few Latin Lover types too. Women are curvaceous and well-dressed. Perhaps it's because their ancestors are French settlers, and therefore born with a sense of style?
- McGill is pretty, though not nearly as pretty as some US schools I've been to.
- All the bookstores I've been to so far, including academic and university bookstores that otherwise seem extremely well-stocked and intellectual, have what can only be described as a PUNY law section (as in, 10-20 books at most, and nothing interesting). I wonder why?!?
- Call me "stupid American", but I just CANNOT eat French fries with mayo. Sorry.
- But otherwise, food here is amazing, fantastic, out of this world!
- McGill is pretty, though not nearly as pretty as some US schools I've been to.
- All the bookstores I've been to so far, including academic and university bookstores that otherwise seem extremely well-stocked and intellectual, have what can only be described as a PUNY law section (as in, 10-20 books at most, and nothing interesting). I wonder why?!?
- Call me "stupid American", but I just CANNOT eat French fries with mayo. Sorry.
- But otherwise, food here is amazing, fantastic, out of this world!
8/16/2005
Fun... Fun... Fun...
15 days to law school!
The past two days may well go down in history as the funnest days I'll have had in the summer before law school
Yesterday: sat in my favorite cafe in Old Montreal (can't believe I already have a "favorite cafe in Old Montreal! Pretty cool.) Ate chicken liver and duck pate salad, had coffee in the early afternoon and white wine later into the afternoon. All these beverages made even the boring criminal law book I was reading bearable, even classy.
Then, on a whim, I decided to get a Swedish massage at this spa near the hotel. An hour of bliss followed. After that Boyfriend and I drove to McGill and walked around the campus -- very nice.
Ducked into the university bookstore there and checked out their law section. Only a few books on Canadian law, and many books on American law... how weird. Why would they care about "the rise and fall of the Supreme Court of the United State?" It's not "their Supreme Court. Anywayz...
Back to the hotel and relaxed for a bit. Boyfriend took a nap and woke up around 10:30. We decided to go out again and walked around the old town; had tiramisu ice cream at our "favorite" ice cream shop while sitting outside.
Today: Woke up around 9:30 and decided, on a whim, to go to the Six Flags La Ronde right in town. Boyfriend is scared of heights, so he stayed home. I packed my crim law book (good reading for waiting in line...), camera, water, and off I went! Got to the park half an hour after it opens. Very few people were there -- the combination of the early hours and weekday.
Went on all the usual rides -- the scarier the better -- Boomerang, Cobra, Viper, Monster... The wait was only about 10 minutes for rides in the beginning, and then about 25 minutes in the afternoon.
Met friendly and cute Quebecois guy named Jean-Francois, who is a chiropractor from near Montreal and who is also touring the amusement park by himself. We were together on "Boomerang" and then went our separate ways, then met by accident again by this super-intense looking thing called "Slingshot", and decided to go on together. Basically, you get strapped into this ball attached by rods to two very tall poles on both sides, and then the ball is released into the air and you shoot to about 800 feet into the air, then bounce up and down a few times before you come back down. As I said, VERY intenss.
It was fun talking to Jean-Francois while waiting in lines. It was marred a little bit by my constant worry that he was going to try to pick me up or something, but he was a decent guy and never did / said anything inappropriate. He saw my criminal law book and we started talking about law school, and he told me about his chiropractition practice. When we parted we exchanged emails, and I invited him to look me up whenever he's in town.
Had very nice dinner with Boyfriend and then had ice cream at our usual spot. Then I walked around Old Town some more while he went back to the hotel room and organized his paperwork. Came back just now and am watching TV ("Canadian Idol" -- Yuck).
I wish vacation would never end and law school would never have to start.
The past two days may well go down in history as the funnest days I'll have had in the summer before law school
Yesterday: sat in my favorite cafe in Old Montreal (can't believe I already have a "favorite cafe in Old Montreal! Pretty cool.) Ate chicken liver and duck pate salad, had coffee in the early afternoon and white wine later into the afternoon. All these beverages made even the boring criminal law book I was reading bearable, even classy.
Then, on a whim, I decided to get a Swedish massage at this spa near the hotel. An hour of bliss followed. After that Boyfriend and I drove to McGill and walked around the campus -- very nice.
Ducked into the university bookstore there and checked out their law section. Only a few books on Canadian law, and many books on American law... how weird. Why would they care about "the rise and fall of the Supreme Court of the United State?" It's not "their Supreme Court. Anywayz...
Back to the hotel and relaxed for a bit. Boyfriend took a nap and woke up around 10:30. We decided to go out again and walked around the old town; had tiramisu ice cream at our "favorite" ice cream shop while sitting outside.
Today: Woke up around 9:30 and decided, on a whim, to go to the Six Flags La Ronde right in town. Boyfriend is scared of heights, so he stayed home. I packed my crim law book (good reading for waiting in line...), camera, water, and off I went! Got to the park half an hour after it opens. Very few people were there -- the combination of the early hours and weekday.
Went on all the usual rides -- the scarier the better -- Boomerang, Cobra, Viper, Monster... The wait was only about 10 minutes for rides in the beginning, and then about 25 minutes in the afternoon.
Met friendly and cute Quebecois guy named Jean-Francois, who is a chiropractor from near Montreal and who is also touring the amusement park by himself. We were together on "Boomerang" and then went our separate ways, then met by accident again by this super-intense looking thing called "Slingshot", and decided to go on together. Basically, you get strapped into this ball attached by rods to two very tall poles on both sides, and then the ball is released into the air and you shoot to about 800 feet into the air, then bounce up and down a few times before you come back down. As I said, VERY intenss.
It was fun talking to Jean-Francois while waiting in lines. It was marred a little bit by my constant worry that he was going to try to pick me up or something, but he was a decent guy and never did / said anything inappropriate. He saw my criminal law book and we started talking about law school, and he told me about his chiropractition practice. When we parted we exchanged emails, and I invited him to look me up whenever he's in town.
Had very nice dinner with Boyfriend and then had ice cream at our usual spot. Then I walked around Old Town some more while he went back to the hotel room and organized his paperwork. Came back just now and am watching TV ("Canadian Idol" -- Yuck).
I wish vacation would never end and law school would never have to start.
8/15/2005
Crime and Punishment
Looking at my Criminal Law syllabus on-line right now.
"What is Punishment;" "The Element of Just Punishment;" "The Requirement of Culpability;" "Justification and Excuse."
All sound pretty interesting, actually. Sounds like my undergraduate philosophy class.
Of course, I know the exam will be nothing like it.
"What is Punishment;" "The Element of Just Punishment;" "The Requirement of Culpability;" "Justification and Excuse."
All sound pretty interesting, actually. Sounds like my undergraduate philosophy class.
Of course, I know the exam will be nothing like it.
8/14/2005
Family in All the Fun Places
My aunt who lives in Germany and her family came to meet me in Montreal today! Last time I saw her, my uncle, and my two cousins was three years ago when I was still in Germany. How weird it is that our family is now reuniting in Montreal, Canada!
My aunt is my father's younger sister. She and her husband emigrated to Germany in the 80s, and now he is an engineer for Siemens in Baden-Wuertenberg and she is a doctor who commutes to Bavaria. The four of them live in beautiful Konstanz, where I visited time and again both in college and afterwards.
My older cousin was a little girl when her parents left China. A few years later she joined them in Germany, and grew up in Germany and speaks fluent German and Chinese (and English and French too). She is now a medical student at Tuebingen. My younger cousin was born in Germany and is now about 10, and acts like a little German in spite of his parents' effort to teach him Chinese.
I love being with my aunt's family, and this time it was no different. It was a nice stroke a luck that they scheduled their trip to North America and decided to visit Canada just as I am in Montreal.
We had a very good time this evening strolling along the Old Town and by the river. There were so many people out on the street, eating, drinking, singing, dancing and generally having a great time. Today it wasn't as hot as the past few days. The temperature was perfect for walking outside.
Boyfriend and I also discovered a great neighborhood today -- around McGill University. We are planning to go there tomorrow morning to have coffee and to have breakfast.
Here are some other photos of Montreal I took in the past few days.
Old Montreal's charming streets.
Street musicians performing the theme song to "Love Story".
Lovely boardwalk by the St. Lawrence
A really cool exhibit about the life and inventions of Buckminster Fuller at the Biosphere.
Downtown -- the modern side of Montreal -- Very different from the Old Town, isn't it?
Contrasts of old and new, like this one, can be seen everywhere in Montreal. But this is one of my favorite photos from this trip -- the cathedral steeple against the pink (pink!) glass high-rise.
My aunt is my father's younger sister. She and her husband emigrated to Germany in the 80s, and now he is an engineer for Siemens in Baden-Wuertenberg and she is a doctor who commutes to Bavaria. The four of them live in beautiful Konstanz, where I visited time and again both in college and afterwards.
My older cousin was a little girl when her parents left China. A few years later she joined them in Germany, and grew up in Germany and speaks fluent German and Chinese (and English and French too). She is now a medical student at Tuebingen. My younger cousin was born in Germany and is now about 10, and acts like a little German in spite of his parents' effort to teach him Chinese.
I love being with my aunt's family, and this time it was no different. It was a nice stroke a luck that they scheduled their trip to North America and decided to visit Canada just as I am in Montreal.
We had a very good time this evening strolling along the Old Town and by the river. There were so many people out on the street, eating, drinking, singing, dancing and generally having a great time. Today it wasn't as hot as the past few days. The temperature was perfect for walking outside.
Boyfriend and I also discovered a great neighborhood today -- around McGill University. We are planning to go there tomorrow morning to have coffee and to have breakfast.
Here are some other photos of Montreal I took in the past few days.
Old Montreal's charming streets.
Street musicians performing the theme song to "Love Story".
Lovely boardwalk by the St. Lawrence
A really cool exhibit about the life and inventions of Buckminster Fuller at the Biosphere.
Downtown -- the modern side of Montreal -- Very different from the Old Town, isn't it?
Contrasts of old and new, like this one, can be seen everywhere in Montreal. But this is one of my favorite photos from this trip -- the cathedral steeple against the pink (pink!) glass high-rise.
8/12/2005
Montreal in Photos
"Oscar Wilde Pub" at the Village
Rainbow flags at the Gay District
Fashion in the village?
I am Canadian!...
Boardwalk at the Vieux Port
Boats swaying in the dusk...
The beautiful facade of the St. Peter's Cathedral
Cobblestoned streets in Old Montreal
8/10/2005
The Village
Boyfriend and I stumbled upon Montreal's gay district today. We saw a bustling and attractive street while driving around town, stopped the car and stepped out. Before long, I began noticing that there was a rainbow flag in front of nearly every single store and restaurant. Remember what I had read the previous evening, I immediately said: "Oh, this is the gay district!"
Boyfriend, who is not as culturally savvy as me, took a bit more convincing. However, all doubts and skepticism evaporated when we passed by an entire Starbucks full of gay men. Really. Men in tight-fitting t-shirts in every single seat in the small starbucks, drinking green tea frappucinos or other drinks with a lot of whipped creams on top.
There were also quite a few maile underwear stores, people with blond, spiky hair and astonishingly good physique, and sushi bars.
But not everyone was fit and good-looking. Also quite a few frumpy older types around.
There was a bar named "Oscar Wilde Bar", whose front facade is decorated entirely in rainbow flags.
Even the subway stop has rainbow flag decorations.
I took photos of everything. Perhaps I'll share some tomorrow.
Felt a little awkward holding hands with Boyfriend in the gay district. I mean, would gay people take offense at it, as if we were flaunting our heterosexuality, the way some vegetarians would take offense when people eat meat in front of them? At least I got a feel of what it's like to be in the minority.
All the cafes looked great and the restaurants looked incredibly good.
Didn't know the name at the time. Came home and checked, and that neighborhood is called "the Village." Hee, how fitting.
Boyfriend, who is not as culturally savvy as me, took a bit more convincing. However, all doubts and skepticism evaporated when we passed by an entire Starbucks full of gay men. Really. Men in tight-fitting t-shirts in every single seat in the small starbucks, drinking green tea frappucinos or other drinks with a lot of whipped creams on top.
There were also quite a few maile underwear stores, people with blond, spiky hair and astonishingly good physique, and sushi bars.
But not everyone was fit and good-looking. Also quite a few frumpy older types around.
There was a bar named "Oscar Wilde Bar", whose front facade is decorated entirely in rainbow flags.
Even the subway stop has rainbow flag decorations.
I took photos of everything. Perhaps I'll share some tomorrow.
Felt a little awkward holding hands with Boyfriend in the gay district. I mean, would gay people take offense at it, as if we were flaunting our heterosexuality, the way some vegetarians would take offense when people eat meat in front of them? At least I got a feel of what it's like to be in the minority.
All the cafes looked great and the restaurants looked incredibly good.
Didn't know the name at the time. Came home and checked, and that neighborhood is called "the Village." Hee, how fitting.
Facades of Montreal
Random building that I liked.
Palais de Congres
Crazy colors from inside the Palais.
The biosphere
Crazy geometrics of the Biosphere.
8/09/2005
Further Observations
- For a northern city, Montreal sure is not any cooler than anywhere I've been lately.
- Underground city is AWESOME. It's like a gigantic maze - I have never seen anything like it. Boyfriend and I spent hours wading around it and exploring. There were many times when we ended up at narrow deserted corridors that seemed to lead into deadends, but there was ALWAYS a door on the other side. It was so much fun. I would love to be back in the winter here.
- People here don't seem to value river-front property as much as in the States. All the houses that we have seen so far on the river bank have not been that nice.
- Ugly industrial parts around the city.
- Horse-drawn carriages smell kind of bad. I've never understood their attraction.
- Many little coffee shops here giving Starbucks a run for its money.
- Lots and lots and lots of Greek restaurants here. I wonder why...?
- Have not grown tired of hearing French yet.
More observations (and perhaps photos) to come tomorrow. Too tired tonight to upload them.
- Underground city is AWESOME. It's like a gigantic maze - I have never seen anything like it. Boyfriend and I spent hours wading around it and exploring. There were many times when we ended up at narrow deserted corridors that seemed to lead into deadends, but there was ALWAYS a door on the other side. It was so much fun. I would love to be back in the winter here.
- People here don't seem to value river-front property as much as in the States. All the houses that we have seen so far on the river bank have not been that nice.
- Ugly industrial parts around the city.
- Horse-drawn carriages smell kind of bad. I've never understood their attraction.
- Many little coffee shops here giving Starbucks a run for its money.
- Lots and lots and lots of Greek restaurants here. I wonder why...?
- Have not grown tired of hearing French yet.
More observations (and perhaps photos) to come tomorrow. Too tired tonight to upload them.
8/08/2005
Goodbye
Too bad about Peter Jennings. So sad and jolting to see people whom I'm used to being alive die. Like Robert Nozick. Like Susan Sontag (I actually saw her speak at the American Institute in Berlin... 2 years later she was dead). Like Pope John Paul.
8/07/2005
Montreal
After staying in Vermont last night and driving for a total of 7 hours (and listening to law tapes the entire way), Boyfriend and I are in Montreal!
It's a very nice city -- much bigger than I imagined, with a beautiful skyline from afar. Perhaps tomorrow I'll have pictures.
We are staying at the outskirts of the city for now and planning to explore a bit more for the next few days. Here are some preliminary observations:
- French sounds so good... I really wish I could still speak it. Ordinary people sound so sophisticated immediately when they begin to speak French.
- "Latin Quarter" in every city is a mixture of grunge and hip. Montreal is no exception.
- Starbucks is good everywhere. :D
- Despite growing up with the metric system, after years of living in America, it no longer has any meaning for me. I have no idea how fast "100 km/ hr" is, nor how many liters my car needs (or whether it's a good deal that it costs 1.03 in Canadian dollars for a liter, for that matter.)
- The traffic lights here are different SHAPES depending on the colors. The red lights are square. The orange ones are diamond. And green lights are round. I guess this is for the benefit of color-blind people.
- Lots of svelte tall European types here. And people are in general very attractive.
- Lots and lots and lots of cafes and bistros.
- Getting INTO Canada took about 2 seconds. I'm sure getting back to the U.S. won't be as easy.
In other news, I've been trying to change my sleeping habits from "night-owl" to "morning bluejay", in preparation for law school. So I've been setting my cell phone to ring every morning at 7 AM for the past few days. I've made similar attempts before. I'll keep you posted on how this one goes.
It's a very nice city -- much bigger than I imagined, with a beautiful skyline from afar. Perhaps tomorrow I'll have pictures.
We are staying at the outskirts of the city for now and planning to explore a bit more for the next few days. Here are some preliminary observations:
- French sounds so good... I really wish I could still speak it. Ordinary people sound so sophisticated immediately when they begin to speak French.
- "Latin Quarter" in every city is a mixture of grunge and hip. Montreal is no exception.
- Starbucks is good everywhere. :D
- Despite growing up with the metric system, after years of living in America, it no longer has any meaning for me. I have no idea how fast "100 km/ hr" is, nor how many liters my car needs (or whether it's a good deal that it costs 1.03 in Canadian dollars for a liter, for that matter.)
- The traffic lights here are different SHAPES depending on the colors. The red lights are square. The orange ones are diamond. And green lights are round. I guess this is for the benefit of color-blind people.
- Lots of svelte tall European types here. And people are in general very attractive.
- Lots and lots and lots of cafes and bistros.
- Getting INTO Canada took about 2 seconds. I'm sure getting back to the U.S. won't be as easy.
In other news, I've been trying to change my sleeping habits from "night-owl" to "morning bluejay", in preparation for law school. So I've been setting my cell phone to ring every morning at 7 AM for the past few days. I've made similar attempts before. I'll keep you posted on how this one goes.
8/05/2005
Go North, Young Man, Go North!
As some of you already know, part of my mad rush in the past week was to get enough work done so I can squeeze in a vacation before being sucked into the blackhole known as Law School.
I don't know how much work I actually got done, but the vacation is really happening! Tomorrow!
Boyfriend and I debated about where we wanted to go. He was a bit more constrained geographically and temporally than me. At first, I was going to go to Germany by myself (Konstanz! Ahhhhhh...), and he was going to visit me. But then, the thought of wasting two precious days en route and having to adjust TWICE to the time difference in a few weeks did not appeal to me.
A lot of other place names were thrown about. Finally, we decided on the closest semi-exotic place to us -- Montreal.
Neither Boyfriend nor I have ever visited there, so this should be interesting.
We are driving with our van up north tomorrow, stopping in northern Vermont for a night, then continuing our drive northward.
Our hotels should have Internet connection, so posting should be minimally affected. I'm sure I'll have lots of pictures to share, as usual.
I don't know how much work I actually got done, but the vacation is really happening! Tomorrow!
Boyfriend and I debated about where we wanted to go. He was a bit more constrained geographically and temporally than me. At first, I was going to go to Germany by myself (Konstanz! Ahhhhhh...), and he was going to visit me. But then, the thought of wasting two precious days en route and having to adjust TWICE to the time difference in a few weeks did not appeal to me.
A lot of other place names were thrown about. Finally, we decided on the closest semi-exotic place to us -- Montreal.
Neither Boyfriend nor I have ever visited there, so this should be interesting.
We are driving with our van up north tomorrow, stopping in northern Vermont for a night, then continuing our drive northward.
Our hotels should have Internet connection, so posting should be minimally affected. I'm sure I'll have lots of pictures to share, as usual.
3 AM Panic Attacks
I'm sure every 0L has had this moment at least once in the pre-September days.
And it just happened to me, at 3 AM last night. The thought hit me all of a sudden.
I'm going to law school.
I'm really going to law school!
It's really happening! In less than 4 weeks! I've been assigned classes. Pretty soon a fat envelope will come with casebook assigments that I'll need to buy. I have to move at the end of this month. I'll have to spend 3 years in a really cold town, with competitive and ambitious people, with late nights at the library and mountains of reading materials and back-to-back final exams and endless interviews at firms I'm not sure I want to work for anyway and all the furtive and ego-crushing comparisons with my classmates and...
I don't feel ready. I'm not sure what ready feels like, but this is definitely not ready. I don't feel prepared. I don't feel as smart as other people. I wonder if I'm one of those sympathy admits who will graduate from the bottom of the class. I wonder if I'll hate all my classes and profs (everyone I've talked to who goes to my law school, and everyone I've talked to who knows someone who did, seems to think so.)
And there are the bigger questions too. Do I really want to go to law school? Do I really want to be a lawyer? Will I like law? Do I really want to spend the rest of my life drafting memos and reading cases and being argumentative, as opposed to... what? What else is there for someone with a relatively useless undergraduate major unsure about her life? What do I want my life to be like? What kind of career do I really want to have? If I become a lawyer, will I be sucked into this endless cycle of competition for and insecurity about my own prestige? Will I be happy? Will I be satisfied? Is it too late to change my mind?
It's too soon... wait!... I need more time to decide!
Okay, okay, breeeeathe. In... out... in... out...
And it just happened to me, at 3 AM last night. The thought hit me all of a sudden.
I'm going to law school.
I'm really going to law school!
It's really happening! In less than 4 weeks! I've been assigned classes. Pretty soon a fat envelope will come with casebook assigments that I'll need to buy. I have to move at the end of this month. I'll have to spend 3 years in a really cold town, with competitive and ambitious people, with late nights at the library and mountains of reading materials and back-to-back final exams and endless interviews at firms I'm not sure I want to work for anyway and all the furtive and ego-crushing comparisons with my classmates and...
I don't feel ready. I'm not sure what ready feels like, but this is definitely not ready. I don't feel prepared. I don't feel as smart as other people. I wonder if I'm one of those sympathy admits who will graduate from the bottom of the class. I wonder if I'll hate all my classes and profs (everyone I've talked to who goes to my law school, and everyone I've talked to who knows someone who did, seems to think so.)
And there are the bigger questions too. Do I really want to go to law school? Do I really want to be a lawyer? Will I like law? Do I really want to spend the rest of my life drafting memos and reading cases and being argumentative, as opposed to... what? What else is there for someone with a relatively useless undergraduate major unsure about her life? What do I want my life to be like? What kind of career do I really want to have? If I become a lawyer, will I be sucked into this endless cycle of competition for and insecurity about my own prestige? Will I be happy? Will I be satisfied? Is it too late to change my mind?
It's too soon... wait!... I need more time to decide!
Okay, okay, breeeeathe. In... out... in... out...
8/03/2005
The Demi-Gods
Had some time to look more into the matter of my professors today.
I don't recognize any of their names. But then again, I am not well-versed in the matter of the legal superstars. I'm sure, nonetheless, that each one of them is considered sort of a demi-god by adoring students, especially those who also hope to break into academia.
My civ pro professor is a woman and reactions to her course are in general nice. The rest of my profs are all men (except my First Year Lawyering instructor, who is not considered by the law school to be a full "prof" anyway).
Most of them seem like competent teachers, at least according to student comments from previous years. One of them, however, namely, my contracts prof, received very low marks in nearly everything from students, from course organization to availability outside of class. The only high mark he received, in fact, was "knowledge of the subject matter".
Well, one would certainly hope so...
Thankfully, I don't have him until the second semester, when I hopefully will be more knowledgeable and at ease about this whole law school business.
In separate news, got a $889 leather couch from Costco today. My local Costco ran out of them so Boyfriend and I went to a town about an hour away to get it. The drive was actually very enjoyable. We listened to Arther Miller's lecture CDs on civil pro on the way there and back. Boyfriend, who would have become a litigator, perhaps, in another life, was especially interested.
Had dinner at very nice restaurant after getting couch. Yay for fried oysters!
I don't recognize any of their names. But then again, I am not well-versed in the matter of the legal superstars. I'm sure, nonetheless, that each one of them is considered sort of a demi-god by adoring students, especially those who also hope to break into academia.
My civ pro professor is a woman and reactions to her course are in general nice. The rest of my profs are all men (except my First Year Lawyering instructor, who is not considered by the law school to be a full "prof" anyway).
Most of them seem like competent teachers, at least according to student comments from previous years. One of them, however, namely, my contracts prof, received very low marks in nearly everything from students, from course organization to availability outside of class. The only high mark he received, in fact, was "knowledge of the subject matter".
Well, one would certainly hope so...
Thankfully, I don't have him until the second semester, when I hopefully will be more knowledgeable and at ease about this whole law school business.
In separate news, got a $889 leather couch from Costco today. My local Costco ran out of them so Boyfriend and I went to a town about an hour away to get it. The drive was actually very enjoyable. We listened to Arther Miller's lecture CDs on civil pro on the way there and back. Boyfriend, who would have become a litigator, perhaps, in another life, was especially interested.
Had dinner at very nice restaurant after getting couch. Yay for fried oysters!
8/02/2005
Law School Schedule Is Up
Classes at 8:50! :(
Professors I have been assigned to reportedly not great.
Dead tired... Perhaps will write more tomorrow.
Professors I have been assigned to reportedly not great.
Dead tired... Perhaps will write more tomorrow.
8/01/2005
Busy and Stressed
Don't have much time to write -- am in C-Town now with co-worker and tomorrow we are training 7 (yes, 7!) new facilitators.
Also, over dinner today, finally told co-worker that I'm going to law school and therefore leaving the company. (I've been basically keeping this a secret for the past several months; didn't want to alarm / distract anybody.) She was shocked and a little dismayed, but then we talked abou the steps I'm taking to ensure that the company is still in good shape and functional even if I leave, and we left the conversation at a very good place.
Afterwards, setting up took forever, too. Didn't get to the hotel until 10:30 and dead tired. So am going to sleep now.
Also, over dinner today, finally told co-worker that I'm going to law school and therefore leaving the company. (I've been basically keeping this a secret for the past several months; didn't want to alarm / distract anybody.) She was shocked and a little dismayed, but then we talked abou the steps I'm taking to ensure that the company is still in good shape and functional even if I leave, and we left the conversation at a very good place.
Afterwards, setting up took forever, too. Didn't get to the hotel until 10:30 and dead tired. So am going to sleep now.
7/30/2005
Beauty Sleep
Wow, slept from 8:00 last night to 11:00 this morning. How many hours is that? I must have been really, really underslept.
Time to get to work!
Time to get to work!
7/27/2005
Fun In Bed
The thunderstorm this afternoon reminded me of the lightening storm in War of the Worlds.
Boyfriend and I are shopping for a king-sized bed to replace our current queen-sized bed, which was big enough when he got it as a bachelor but not nearly big enough for the both of us. (Heh.) So this afternoon after work we went to this Sleepy's and tried on different beds. Very eye-opening!
Our favorite one is this brand that I have never heard of, called "Nature's Rest". It was as comfortable as a cloud. However, it was NOT cheap. 4K for a mattress?!? Wow...
Cleaned up the apartment this evening, because parents are coming tomorrow with their friends to pick up my Camry.
Sorry about the mundane-ness of this post. This is where my life is these days -- nothing too exciting. No wild sexual escapades. However, if you are interested in that sort of stuff, (reading about wild sexual escapades, I mean), here is a blog, recommended by the NYT, no less. Here's another one recently featured on JD2B, from a fellow law student from Tulane.
Boyfriend and I are shopping for a king-sized bed to replace our current queen-sized bed, which was big enough when he got it as a bachelor but not nearly big enough for the both of us. (Heh.) So this afternoon after work we went to this Sleepy's and tried on different beds. Very eye-opening!
Our favorite one is this brand that I have never heard of, called "Nature's Rest". It was as comfortable as a cloud. However, it was NOT cheap. 4K for a mattress?!? Wow...
Cleaned up the apartment this evening, because parents are coming tomorrow with their friends to pick up my Camry.
Sorry about the mundane-ness of this post. This is where my life is these days -- nothing too exciting. No wild sexual escapades. However, if you are interested in that sort of stuff, (reading about wild sexual escapades, I mean), here is a blog, recommended by the NYT, no less. Here's another one recently featured on JD2B, from a fellow law student from Tulane.
7/26/2005
Yum
If you haven't done so already, you NEED to try the green tea frappacino from Starbucks. I've had 3 in the past 4 days. Definitey addicted.
Goodbye
I am selling my car - my little silvery blue 1996 Toyota Camry. I'll miss it, since it was my first car. I'm glad that I didn't sell it to a dealer. The buyer is this couple who are close friends of my parents. They live in Georgia and they are coming on Thursday to pick up the car and to drive it back to Georgia.
Bye-bye, car! I know your new owners will treat you well.
Bye-bye, car! I know your new owners will treat you well.
7/25/2005
:(
My friend's computer got stolen today. Some strangers have her emails, photos, and personal writings for the past few years. Since she didn't have a lot of the data backed up, those files may be forever lost.
It must feel as devastating as living through a death of someone close. The thief stole not just her computer but her memories. The loss is enormous and hard to comprehend.
Hope you're doing okay, G!
And the rest of you, remember to BACK UP YOUR FILES!
It must feel as devastating as living through a death of someone close. The thief stole not just her computer but her memories. The loss is enormous and hard to comprehend.
Hope you're doing okay, G!
And the rest of you, remember to BACK UP YOUR FILES!
Mr. Right!
I have to say, it's been kind of fun watching democrats trying to come up with some flaws with John Roberts in the past week, who really does seem like a pretty nice guy.
Readers of this blog may have noticed that I rarely write about current events. I figure that if you truly want to read cogent, insightful, brilliant analysis on current events you would be reading some other blog. And if you are here, then you want to learn about my fascinating life!
But this doesn't mean that I don't read other people's blogs about current events. Veiled Conceit, a blog that I always enjoy, (since it shares my own passion for reading NYT's wedding announcements) has an amusing piece dissecting the NYT wedding announcement of John Roberts and his wife, Jane, several years ago.
Readers of this blog may have noticed that I rarely write about current events. I figure that if you truly want to read cogent, insightful, brilliant analysis on current events you would be reading some other blog. And if you are here, then you want to learn about my fascinating life!
But this doesn't mean that I don't read other people's blogs about current events. Veiled Conceit, a blog that I always enjoy, (since it shares my own passion for reading NYT's wedding announcements) has an amusing piece dissecting the NYT wedding announcement of John Roberts and his wife, Jane, several years ago.
7/24/2005
Weekend
Was at home today -- the first time I have been at home in nearly a month! Nice to have an ENTIRE day off with no work-related stuff to do.
Had a very nice day with Boyfriend. Slept 'til nearly 10, then at his suggestion went to see War of the Worlds, which I had wanted to see for a while.
********[SPOILERS ahead! Don't read the next 3 paragraphs if you don't want to know the ending of this movie!]*********
It was a very powerful, affecting movie. The big screen made the upsetting parts more upsetting and gruesome. Some parts were so claustrophobic I thought about leaving the theater to stand outside for a while.
The ending, though, was a typical Spielberg, Hollywood, happy, heart-warming, relieved ending. But I really didn't mind, because if it were otherwise I would have felt sad or depressed the whole day.
-- As I get older, my ability to withstand depressing movies has really decreased. My ideal movies are now movies like "Mr. and Mrs Smith" and "The Bourne Supremacy", both of which I enjoyed thoroughly, and NOT movies like "Il Postino" (Once my favorite film!) or "Schindler's List" (Never brought myself to see that one, actually.)
********[ENDS SPOILER]*********
Spent the rest of today at home, mostly reading about contract law. Fired off 3 of my leftover fireworks in the evening, and had very pleasant glasses of red wine and nice pre-cooked dinner from Whole Foods (which we bought yesterday in C-town) with Boyfriend.
Had a very nice day with Boyfriend. Slept 'til nearly 10, then at his suggestion went to see War of the Worlds, which I had wanted to see for a while.
********[SPOILERS ahead! Don't read the next 3 paragraphs if you don't want to know the ending of this movie!]*********
It was a very powerful, affecting movie. The big screen made the upsetting parts more upsetting and gruesome. Some parts were so claustrophobic I thought about leaving the theater to stand outside for a while.
The ending, though, was a typical Spielberg, Hollywood, happy, heart-warming, relieved ending. But I really didn't mind, because if it were otherwise I would have felt sad or depressed the whole day.
-- As I get older, my ability to withstand depressing movies has really decreased. My ideal movies are now movies like "Mr. and Mrs Smith" and "The Bourne Supremacy", both of which I enjoyed thoroughly, and NOT movies like "Il Postino" (Once my favorite film!) or "Schindler's List" (Never brought myself to see that one, actually.)
********[ENDS SPOILER]*********
Spent the rest of today at home, mostly reading about contract law. Fired off 3 of my leftover fireworks in the evening, and had very pleasant glasses of red wine and nice pre-cooked dinner from Whole Foods (which we bought yesterday in C-town) with Boyfriend.
7/22/2005
Sad sad sad
Also, finished the newest Harry Potter book yesterday. Literally couldn't put it down and just read straight through for 8 hours.
This is definitely the best books of all the Harry Potter books, but the ending was pretty upsetting. In fact, it made me depressed for the entire night and even today.
(sniff)
This is definitely the best books of all the Harry Potter books, but the ending was pretty upsetting. In fact, it made me depressed for the entire night and even today.
(sniff)
Future Domicile
In C-town now, having interviewed all day. Really liked this woman who was a former publicist for Fox and Miramax, and enjoyed hearing about the crazy things she had to do to promote movies, like running down the street in a wedding gown with 50 other women, or picking out the red jelly beans for a certain celeb who shall remain unnamed.
Well, anyway. Boyfriend and I will go to the housing office tomorrow and sign the lease for our new apartment. Today we went to look at the apartment from the outside. It's a nice house about 5 minutes of walking from the law school, just 3-4 blocks away.
You really can't beat the location. This will make it so much easier for me in the winter. This alone makes it much more attractive than all the other apartments we have seen so far.
Tomorrow, we get the keys!
Well, anyway. Boyfriend and I will go to the housing office tomorrow and sign the lease for our new apartment. Today we went to look at the apartment from the outside. It's a nice house about 5 minutes of walking from the law school, just 3-4 blocks away.
You really can't beat the location. This will make it so much easier for me in the winter. This alone makes it much more attractive than all the other apartments we have seen so far.
Tomorrow, we get the keys!
7/19/2005
News Flash!!!
I have just signed the lease for a new apartment in C-town!
University-affiliated housing; close to law school; 1-BR with a livingroom/kitchen; first floor of a house; all utilities included; rent: very, very reasonable; lease through June 30, 2006; garden around the house, etc.
The amenities are probably not that great, but it seems easy to break the lease (people seem to do it all the time) and this takes enormous stress off the mind of Boyfriend and me.
University-affiliated housing; close to law school; 1-BR with a livingroom/kitchen; first floor of a house; all utilities included; rent: very, very reasonable; lease through June 30, 2006; garden around the house, etc.
The amenities are probably not that great, but it seems easy to break the lease (people seem to do it all the time) and this takes enormous stress off the mind of Boyfriend and me.
7/18/2005
Onwards with the Apartments!
Yesterday was such a long day that even after a 2-hour nap and a 9-hour slumber, today I was zombified for the entire day.
Saw several gorgeous apartments, some very close to the law school. Once you go up the 2K range, all the apartments come with hardwood floors, gardens, and various amenities. Strangely though, even the 3-bedroom ones sometimes only come with 1 bathroom, and the bathrooms are usually very small.
One absolutely stunning apartment we saw was about seven minutes of walking away, which both Boyfriend and I suspect belong to law school profs on sabbatical. It has beautiful, shiny wood floors, 2 stories AND a completely finished basement with laundary, 9-10 rooms, a lovely, modern, stainless steel kitchen with granite countertops, 3 bathrooms, large windows that fill the rooms with light, and lovely landscaped yards.
Sadly, for that particular one, the rent was abotu 50% higher than even our highest budget, so there was no way we could justify taking it. But it was interesting to see what kind of housing is available for the cost.
All these apartment hunting was very helpful. Boyfriend and I have finetuned what we want to a degree where it is now possible to delegate the apartment hunting project to someone other than ourselves, so they can do most of the work. Today we gave the project to M, this rising senior at my alma mater (whom my colleague D considers "very hot") that Boyfriend hired for the summer as his handyman and assistant.
Will be in C-town again this Friday and Saturday. Hopefully will make even more progress in recruting and apartment-hunting.
My days are now tiring but productive, so my mood has been stable and even upbeat. Boyfriend and I are communicating much better these days and our conversations are usually immediately helfpul. So, even though we haven't had a proper weekend for a while, it's been pretty fun.
Saw several gorgeous apartments, some very close to the law school. Once you go up the 2K range, all the apartments come with hardwood floors, gardens, and various amenities. Strangely though, even the 3-bedroom ones sometimes only come with 1 bathroom, and the bathrooms are usually very small.
One absolutely stunning apartment we saw was about seven minutes of walking away, which both Boyfriend and I suspect belong to law school profs on sabbatical. It has beautiful, shiny wood floors, 2 stories AND a completely finished basement with laundary, 9-10 rooms, a lovely, modern, stainless steel kitchen with granite countertops, 3 bathrooms, large windows that fill the rooms with light, and lovely landscaped yards.
Sadly, for that particular one, the rent was abotu 50% higher than even our highest budget, so there was no way we could justify taking it. But it was interesting to see what kind of housing is available for the cost.
All these apartment hunting was very helpful. Boyfriend and I have finetuned what we want to a degree where it is now possible to delegate the apartment hunting project to someone other than ourselves, so they can do most of the work. Today we gave the project to M, this rising senior at my alma mater (whom my colleague D considers "very hot") that Boyfriend hired for the summer as his handyman and assistant.
Will be in C-town again this Friday and Saturday. Hopefully will make even more progress in recruting and apartment-hunting.
My days are now tiring but productive, so my mood has been stable and even upbeat. Boyfriend and I are communicating much better these days and our conversations are usually immediately helfpul. So, even though we haven't had a proper weekend for a while, it's been pretty fun.
7/17/2005
Half-Blood Prince!
Beloved Harry Potter came back! Guess who has been waiting and counting down the date, and guess who ran out and bought a brand-new, hard-cover copy, in spite of the fact that she had 5 interviews and 3 apartment viewings and 2 rental agent appointments, and began reading it already!
Has been a long day, from 7:30 AM to... now, past midnight. But it's been productive and therefore I'm pretty happy. Boyfriend and I have finally narrowed down the type of apartments that we are looking for, so this will make the search easier. Unfortunately, it's unlikely that the rent will be less than 2K per month, and probably more like around $2,500.
But the entire city is really so pleasant -- there are many different neighborhoods that I would love to live in or just to hang out in. Kind of looking forward to it...
Has been a long day, from 7:30 AM to... now, past midnight. But it's been productive and therefore I'm pretty happy. Boyfriend and I have finally narrowed down the type of apartments that we are looking for, so this will make the search easier. Unfortunately, it's unlikely that the rent will be less than 2K per month, and probably more like around $2,500.
But the entire city is really so pleasant -- there are many different neighborhoods that I would love to live in or just to hang out in. Kind of looking forward to it...
7/15/2005
Guess Where I Am
At yet another hotel, ready to do more interviews and apartment viewings.
The neighborhood we are in this time is not as good as the last few times. Lots of strange loiterers around. A little sorry that we booked this hotel (for its price), especially since we are doing interviews here. Well, we'll see.
The neighborhood we are in this time is not as good as the last few times. Lots of strange loiterers around. A little sorry that we booked this hotel (for its price), especially since we are doing interviews here. Well, we'll see.
7/14/2005
Freudian
I have had this dream several times in the past few weeks.
The dream had different versions, and most of them didn't really have a plot. But it was the mood that was very similar, and so I count them as essentially the same dream.
In my dream, I was always a law school student, feeling a lot of stress and not doing very well. In one of the versions, I knew I had to go to class but didn't know where to go. In another version, I had to take an exam that day and didn't feel prepared at all. In another version, I didn't do any of my readings or brief any of my cases. In nearly all versions, I was walking around in the campus and trying to figure out what to do while being very very stressed.
While all this was happening, there would be a man who sometimes accompanied me as I frantically ran around, and sometimes would meet me halfway through my dream.
In my dream, I understood that this man was my boyfriend. Not Boyfriend in real life, but my boyfriend in my dream. The man was not always the same person. In most of the versions, he was a stranger that I had never met before -- tall, slim, good looking, Caucasian, etc. In one of the version, he was actually a good friend of mine in real life.
Anyway, the dream was always anxiety-ridden with respect to this man. Most of my anxiety came from feeling that something was vaguely wrong about this relationship, that I didn't love this person nor did I feel secure with him. In my dream, I always felt a profound sense of emptiness, and I would frantically try to remember why. WHY was I not happy with this person? WHY didn't I feel like I belonged with him? WHY didn't I feel secure when he's around?
In my dream, I would struggle to think this through. I would try to trace how I came to be with this person, and try to think through my past relationships like E and H and J, feeling certain, as I went through each one, that I didn't feel any more secure with them than with this current person in my dream.
What's weird is that in my dream, even though I could recall all my exes perfectly, I could never remember Boyfriend. So as much as I struggled, it just never felt right.
There would be a strong sense of despair as I realized that this man was the person I would end up with, because I was already 26 and couldn't afford to break up yet again and start anew with someone... (Yes, this was literally my thought in my dream) Then I would feel very sad, like I had nothing to look forward to in my life anymore, that this was the person I would be stuck with, someone I didn't really care about and couldn't count on. That I knew this was not quite right but couldn't figure out (or remember) who I was supposed to be with.
At this point, I usually woke up, in cold sweat, and remembered with huge relief that in real life I'm with Boyfriend, and then everything felt right again.
So, what does this mean?
Clearly, this is an anxiety dream. Partly about law school, and partly about my relationship with Boyfriend.
But beyond that, what exactly does it say about my relationship with him? Why can't I never remember him in my dream? What do I feel anxious about? Who are all these other people? And what about this good friend? In real life, I am quite fond of him, but in my dream, I felt terror and despair at the prospect of spending the rest of my life with him.
The dream had different versions, and most of them didn't really have a plot. But it was the mood that was very similar, and so I count them as essentially the same dream.
In my dream, I was always a law school student, feeling a lot of stress and not doing very well. In one of the versions, I knew I had to go to class but didn't know where to go. In another version, I had to take an exam that day and didn't feel prepared at all. In another version, I didn't do any of my readings or brief any of my cases. In nearly all versions, I was walking around in the campus and trying to figure out what to do while being very very stressed.
While all this was happening, there would be a man who sometimes accompanied me as I frantically ran around, and sometimes would meet me halfway through my dream.
In my dream, I understood that this man was my boyfriend. Not Boyfriend in real life, but my boyfriend in my dream. The man was not always the same person. In most of the versions, he was a stranger that I had never met before -- tall, slim, good looking, Caucasian, etc. In one of the version, he was actually a good friend of mine in real life.
Anyway, the dream was always anxiety-ridden with respect to this man. Most of my anxiety came from feeling that something was vaguely wrong about this relationship, that I didn't love this person nor did I feel secure with him. In my dream, I always felt a profound sense of emptiness, and I would frantically try to remember why. WHY was I not happy with this person? WHY didn't I feel like I belonged with him? WHY didn't I feel secure when he's around?
In my dream, I would struggle to think this through. I would try to trace how I came to be with this person, and try to think through my past relationships like E and H and J, feeling certain, as I went through each one, that I didn't feel any more secure with them than with this current person in my dream.
What's weird is that in my dream, even though I could recall all my exes perfectly, I could never remember Boyfriend. So as much as I struggled, it just never felt right.
There would be a strong sense of despair as I realized that this man was the person I would end up with, because I was already 26 and couldn't afford to break up yet again and start anew with someone... (Yes, this was literally my thought in my dream) Then I would feel very sad, like I had nothing to look forward to in my life anymore, that this was the person I would be stuck with, someone I didn't really care about and couldn't count on. That I knew this was not quite right but couldn't figure out (or remember) who I was supposed to be with.
At this point, I usually woke up, in cold sweat, and remembered with huge relief that in real life I'm with Boyfriend, and then everything felt right again.
So, what does this mean?
Clearly, this is an anxiety dream. Partly about law school, and partly about my relationship with Boyfriend.
But beyond that, what exactly does it say about my relationship with him? Why can't I never remember him in my dream? What do I feel anxious about? Who are all these other people? And what about this good friend? In real life, I am quite fond of him, but in my dream, I felt terror and despair at the prospect of spending the rest of my life with him.
7/13/2005
In Other News
Going up to C-Town again this Friday. Same old same old. Interviewing. Looking at apartments. Walking / driving around. A soul-searching, exhausting conversation with Boyfriend. Or two.
This apartment thing has been so time-consuming and draining for the both of us. It tires me out just to think about it. I've been so stressed lately.
Well, at least I'm not in West Virginia, where two of my co-workers are flying into tomorrow. Just got message from them that the flight they were originally going to take was cancelled, so they are arriving 2 hours later than planned. Let's hope this will be the only mishap for the trip.
This apartment thing has been so time-consuming and draining for the both of us. It tires me out just to think about it. I've been so stressed lately.
Well, at least I'm not in West Virginia, where two of my co-workers are flying into tomorrow. Just got message from them that the flight they were originally going to take was cancelled, so they are arriving 2 hours later than planned. Let's hope this will be the only mishap for the trip.
Do NOT Watch This Version
Watching this hilariously bad, low budget version of "War of the Worlds", made sometime in the late 90's. I rent it from Netflix by mistake, thinking I was getting the much older black and white version.
The visual effects and the acting are so bad and so funny that it almost made this movie worth it. I am about 30 minutes in and just can't stop laughing.
Even funnier are the special features, which includes "deleted scenes" and "special effects". At first, Boyfriend and I were incredulous that there were scenes that are even worse than the ones that they decided to include in the movie. But alas, there were. And the special effects in the movie were so, so, so bad that I almost HAD to see how they did it. It was every bit as low-budget as it looks on the film.
Anyway, want to see the newest, Spielberg-Cruise version sometime this weekend. However bad it is, can't possibly be worse than this one. Heh.
The visual effects and the acting are so bad and so funny that it almost made this movie worth it. I am about 30 minutes in and just can't stop laughing.
Even funnier are the special features, which includes "deleted scenes" and "special effects". At first, Boyfriend and I were incredulous that there were scenes that are even worse than the ones that they decided to include in the movie. But alas, there were. And the special effects in the movie were so, so, so bad that I almost HAD to see how they did it. It was every bit as low-budget as it looks on the film.
Anyway, want to see the newest, Spielberg-Cruise version sometime this weekend. However bad it is, can't possibly be worse than this one. Heh.
7/12/2005
Random Things
Had prawns in garlic sauce two days in a row. Yum.
I'm back home now, still sans apartment, but with some leads and much more knowledge about the city that I'll call home for the next few years. Boyfriend and I spent a lot of time driving around and exploring different neighborhoods, and I am finally beginning to experience some excitement about moving to a new place. C-Town is very pleasant, vibrant, and filled with stores that I like. Unfortunately, the next 3 years will probably not involve too much money OR time to take advantage of this...
Began meditating for the first time recently. First wanted to do this at the suggestion of my friend A, who is very knowledgeable about these things. It's HARD! Much harder than I thought. It takes such an effort for me to try to empty my mind and focus. It's hard for me to even know whether I'm thinking or not, because so many of my thoughts are not really in conscious form. There are simply so many layers of thoughts... when you peel back one thought, another is immediately revealed.
I tried to do this for about 10 minutes or so and just have no idea whether I was even doing things correctly.
In other news ... I'm thinking of getting a new laptop for law school (since the one I'm currently using belongs to the company), and I'm thinking of sticking with the Apple Powerbooks. If anyone has other suggestions of their own pet laptops, feel free to let me know. Since I'm a weakling, weight is important to me, and I know that IBM has somthing that's only 3 lbs or so. Boyfriend has one, and I've tried it, but it looks so flimsy, and I absolutely hated the mouse-button-thingy (not even sure what to call it).
I'm back home now, still sans apartment, but with some leads and much more knowledge about the city that I'll call home for the next few years. Boyfriend and I spent a lot of time driving around and exploring different neighborhoods, and I am finally beginning to experience some excitement about moving to a new place. C-Town is very pleasant, vibrant, and filled with stores that I like. Unfortunately, the next 3 years will probably not involve too much money OR time to take advantage of this...
Began meditating for the first time recently. First wanted to do this at the suggestion of my friend A, who is very knowledgeable about these things. It's HARD! Much harder than I thought. It takes such an effort for me to try to empty my mind and focus. It's hard for me to even know whether I'm thinking or not, because so many of my thoughts are not really in conscious form. There are simply so many layers of thoughts... when you peel back one thought, another is immediately revealed.
I tried to do this for about 10 minutes or so and just have no idea whether I was even doing things correctly.
In other news ... I'm thinking of getting a new laptop for law school (since the one I'm currently using belongs to the company), and I'm thinking of sticking with the Apple Powerbooks. If anyone has other suggestions of their own pet laptops, feel free to let me know. Since I'm a weakling, weight is important to me, and I know that IBM has somthing that's only 3 lbs or so. Boyfriend has one, and I've tried it, but it looks so flimsy, and I absolutely hated the mouse-button-thingy (not even sure what to call it).
7/09/2005
C-Town Reprised
C-town is warming up to me. Weather became better today – nice and sunny in the afternoon with a brief but intense thunderstorm. In between the interviews Boyfriend and I walked around a bit, and then after the interviews were done, in the evenings, we drove around in C-town and beyond. Saw some interesting neighborhoods in nearby B—, S---, and B---, and discovered this beautiful waterfront town Q---, about 12 miles away from C-town.
Exhausted at various points of the day, but always managed to pull myself back to life. Interviewees were on a whole younger and higher caliber than the crop yesterday. Had a few interesting conversations. A black woman this morning was forceful and very attractive. Her style and way of speaking reminded me a little of Will Smith’s wife Jada in the Matrix. Probably would make a really good facilitator. A lanky, tall, and very beat-poet-ish young Jewish writer gave me a collection of short stories by him. He would be very hip on some campuses.
Trying to figure out this apartment thing with Boyfriend, but it’s hard.
Exhausted at various points of the day, but always managed to pull myself back to life. Interviewees were on a whole younger and higher caliber than the crop yesterday. Had a few interesting conversations. A black woman this morning was forceful and very attractive. Her style and way of speaking reminded me a little of Will Smith’s wife Jada in the Matrix. Probably would make a really good facilitator. A lanky, tall, and very beat-poet-ish young Jewish writer gave me a collection of short stories by him. He would be very hip on some campuses.
Trying to figure out this apartment thing with Boyfriend, but it’s hard.
7/08/2005
C-Town
Interviewed all day today, from 9 to 5. Most of the people are older, much older than me. And it felt a little strange sitting from them and asking about their work history, their experiences, etc. Some of the interviewees have teaching experience, and it’s a little bit like interviewing my own high school teachers. How strange.
Played Civilization in between interviews, while waiting for people to show up.
Switched hotel tonight because hotel we stayed at last night had some Internet problem. Moved into this absolutely gorgeous hotel just one block away. The entire room is opulently decorated in red and gold. The lobby has all these decadent little couches with animal print pillows.
Ate next to nothing today and just drank cups and cups of coffee. Went out tonight for dinner and had very yummy and very authentic Chinese food.
Tomorrow, another very full day coming up…
A note on the weather. I don’t think C-Town likes me. Last time when I was here it was scalding hot. This weekend it’s freezing cold, and pouring. WTF?
Played Civilization in between interviews, while waiting for people to show up.
Switched hotel tonight because hotel we stayed at last night had some Internet problem. Moved into this absolutely gorgeous hotel just one block away. The entire room is opulently decorated in red and gold. The lobby has all these decadent little couches with animal print pillows.
Ate next to nothing today and just drank cups and cups of coffee. Went out tonight for dinner and had very yummy and very authentic Chinese food.
Tomorrow, another very full day coming up…
A note on the weather. I don’t think C-Town likes me. Last time when I was here it was scalding hot. This weekend it’s freezing cold, and pouring. WTF?
7/06/2005
Busy Busy Busy
So busy I can hardly believe it.
To prepare for my trip tomorrow, I worked nonstop today and only now got a moment to breathe. Exhausted, but tomorrow will be another insane day.
So far, I have 15 interviews scheduled for my trip to, um, C-town. The entire day of Friday will be used for interviewing – from 9 to 7, one every hour. There are another 4 on Saturday. Then, I have to meet with one of the interviewees from last time when I was in town and go over some stuff with her before we formally hire her as a part-time facilitator for us. This includes training her a little bit and going over some employment details – fun fun fun.
Then, coffee with yet another employee-hopeful whom I didn’t get to meet last time I was up north.
Then, perhaps I’m being a bit too ambitious, but I am planning to look for some apartments also and to put flyers up around the various campus around C-town.
Yes, the next few days are going to be looooong days.
To prepare for my trip tomorrow, I worked nonstop today and only now got a moment to breathe. Exhausted, but tomorrow will be another insane day.
So far, I have 15 interviews scheduled for my trip to, um, C-town. The entire day of Friday will be used for interviewing – from 9 to 7, one every hour. There are another 4 on Saturday. Then, I have to meet with one of the interviewees from last time when I was in town and go over some stuff with her before we formally hire her as a part-time facilitator for us. This includes training her a little bit and going over some employment details – fun fun fun.
Then, coffee with yet another employee-hopeful whom I didn’t get to meet last time I was up north.
Then, perhaps I’m being a bit too ambitious, but I am planning to look for some apartments also and to put flyers up around the various campus around C-town.
Yes, the next few days are going to be looooong days.
7/05/2005
Old Friend
Saw my friend GQ today. He took me out to lunch and we talked about law school, his job in Big Law, his desire to return to China, and what our mutual friends are currently doing. It was pretty fun.
On the 15th it will be the first event that I don't have to go by myself! Two staff members are going instead of me. Yay!
On the 15th it will be the first event that I don't have to go by myself! Two staff members are going instead of me. Yay!
7/03/2005
Pre-Fourth of July
Bought $50 worth of fireworks yesterday, and already "used" some in our backyard. It was so much FUN! Memories of Chinese New Year...
In New Jersey now -- back tomorrow night. Bringing two staff members to train.
got a call from my friend GQ, who is the only person I know who enjoyed law school, and who is now working for a famous New York law firm. He's going to be in New Haven on Tuesday and wants to take me out for dinner. :D Perhaps he can give me some pointers of how to be happy AND successful in law school.
In New Jersey now -- back tomorrow night. Bringing two staff members to train.
got a call from my friend GQ, who is the only person I know who enjoyed law school, and who is now working for a famous New York law firm. He's going to be in New Haven on Tuesday and wants to take me out for dinner. :D Perhaps he can give me some pointers of how to be happy AND successful in law school.
7/02/2005
Negotiations and Love Songs
I'm traveling for work tomorrow to NJ, and then going to visit my law school again at the end of next week, interviewing some more people, look at more apartments and sublets, and look at office spaces, etc. Basically the last weekend reprised.
Hopefully the weather is going to not be as hot as last week.
Summit talk with Boyfriend continues, which is draining and got me very depressed last night.
I'm thinking about how tenuous bonds are, including friendship and romantic relationships. So much of the time whether or not a relationship continues depends on the will alone, in which I have not much faith.
I'm also thinking how much of relationships is about negotiations -- negotiating your individual space, your individual sense of control, your shared goals. Sometimes it is not a zero-sum game; sometimes it is.
I remember reading Thomas Mann's "Tonio Kruger" when I was a teenager (and in love for the first time). A line stuck with me. It roughly says: "In love the one who cares more is the weaker" (I'm sure I totally botched that line up completely -- perhaps one day I will look it up in the original German.)
But it's true. In a romantic relationship, when so much is negotiated -- whose movie preference should prevail; what should we have for dinner; what friends should we have in common; where to go for vacation; whose career is more important. The one who has the weaker hand is the one who cares more.
Is this a cynical view of romantic relationships? I don't think so. As long as you are negotiating sincerely, with the intent of achieving some result that would be good for both of you. In this sense, ALL human relationships are based on negotiations and a sometimes precarious balance of individual needs and shared goals.
And individual people will have different limits on how much they are willing to give up, or give in.
A line from Paul Simon that I keep thinking about these days:
"Negotiations and love songs
Are often mistaken for one and the same"
Hopefully the weather is going to not be as hot as last week.
Summit talk with Boyfriend continues, which is draining and got me very depressed last night.
I'm thinking about how tenuous bonds are, including friendship and romantic relationships. So much of the time whether or not a relationship continues depends on the will alone, in which I have not much faith.
I'm also thinking how much of relationships is about negotiations -- negotiating your individual space, your individual sense of control, your shared goals. Sometimes it is not a zero-sum game; sometimes it is.
I remember reading Thomas Mann's "Tonio Kruger" when I was a teenager (and in love for the first time). A line stuck with me. It roughly says: "In love the one who cares more is the weaker" (I'm sure I totally botched that line up completely -- perhaps one day I will look it up in the original German.)
But it's true. In a romantic relationship, when so much is negotiated -- whose movie preference should prevail; what should we have for dinner; what friends should we have in common; where to go for vacation; whose career is more important. The one who has the weaker hand is the one who cares more.
Is this a cynical view of romantic relationships? I don't think so. As long as you are negotiating sincerely, with the intent of achieving some result that would be good for both of you. In this sense, ALL human relationships are based on negotiations and a sometimes precarious balance of individual needs and shared goals.
And individual people will have different limits on how much they are willing to give up, or give in.
A line from Paul Simon that I keep thinking about these days:
"Negotiations and love songs
Are often mistaken for one and the same"
Yikes...
Two Supreme Court justices for Bush?!?
This will incapacitate the Senate for the next, um, 5 years or so.
This will incapacitate the Senate for the next, um, 5 years or so.
6/30/2005
Good Article of the Day
An insightful, bitingly amusing article about Shakespear in the park, a pleasure in which I have occasionally indulged. Don't agree with everything in there, but it's worth a read.
6/29/2005
Encounters
The past few days have been draining. Boyfriend and I have been having a lot of SERIOUS discussions about relocating. Boyfriend is depressed about having to move, I think, and I am depressed that he is depressed.
Neither of us are looking forward to living in a cramped, small apartment with a lease, with small stoves and small refrigerators, dirty carpets and bad insulation… Neither are we thrilled about having to move the company, having to hunt for an office with the appropriate lease terms and cost and location, and then physically moving the equipment…
And then, there is the prospect that we have to be apart for at least part of the time next year and all the emotional stress and trauma involved in constantly separating and reuniting are a little depressing, as well.
And then there’s law school, which I was never that excited about in the first place. In the past month alone, as many as 4 people have told me that the law school I’m going to has been a horrible experience either for themselves or for someone they know well. My stomach is now in a knot every time I think about it.
Now, on to lighter topics. Almost forgot to mention that while I was away this weekend I ran into several people in my hometown-to-be. While apartment hunting, I randomly ran into LT in the elevator. She is a former college classmate who hung out with some of my close friends and who was vaguely in the same “circle” as I was, and about whom I read every single month in the Alumni magazine, or so it seemed. She is one of those amazing women who managed to relocate form the west coast to the east coast AND transferred from one famous law school to another AND graduated AND got married AND had a daughter, all in the course of THREE years!
Amazing.
Also caught a glimpse of a friend, BH, from a summer camp I attended when I was in the 11th grade, whom I haven’t seen in 10 years, literally. I at first couldn’t believe my eyes, and since I was in a moving car at the time, I didn’t stop by to verify that it was actually him. Later, at home, I checked his Friendster profile, and found out that he is indeed living now in the city that I visited. What an amazing coincidence!
Neither of us are looking forward to living in a cramped, small apartment with a lease, with small stoves and small refrigerators, dirty carpets and bad insulation… Neither are we thrilled about having to move the company, having to hunt for an office with the appropriate lease terms and cost and location, and then physically moving the equipment…
And then, there is the prospect that we have to be apart for at least part of the time next year and all the emotional stress and trauma involved in constantly separating and reuniting are a little depressing, as well.
And then there’s law school, which I was never that excited about in the first place. In the past month alone, as many as 4 people have told me that the law school I’m going to has been a horrible experience either for themselves or for someone they know well. My stomach is now in a knot every time I think about it.
Now, on to lighter topics. Almost forgot to mention that while I was away this weekend I ran into several people in my hometown-to-be. While apartment hunting, I randomly ran into LT in the elevator. She is a former college classmate who hung out with some of my close friends and who was vaguely in the same “circle” as I was, and about whom I read every single month in the Alumni magazine, or so it seemed. She is one of those amazing women who managed to relocate form the west coast to the east coast AND transferred from one famous law school to another AND graduated AND got married AND had a daughter, all in the course of THREE years!
Amazing.
Also caught a glimpse of a friend, BH, from a summer camp I attended when I was in the 11th grade, whom I haven’t seen in 10 years, literally. I at first couldn’t believe my eyes, and since I was in a moving car at the time, I didn’t stop by to verify that it was actually him. Later, at home, I checked his Friendster profile, and found out that he is indeed living now in the city that I visited. What an amazing coincidence!
6/27/2005
Still Recovering
from my weekend. Didn’t even make it out of bed until 9:00 today, and didn’t go into the office except to cut paychecks for staff.
We had the worst weather possible for apartment hunting over the weekend. It was 95 on Saturday, and 92 on Sunday. It was so humid I couldn’t breathe when I was outside, and had to drink a bottle of water about every hour. My clothes were all clinging to me in sweat – and boy did I sweat.
Boyfriend, bless his heart, tagged along with me around town in this weather and never complained, even driving me part of the way. He was also very charming with our would-be renters and they loved him.
The apartments in town, as I described to friend A, were expensive, crappy, and small. The one passable apartment would have cost Boyfriend and I $1,800 per month WHILE sharing with a suitemate. The others were either strangely configured or dirty and smelly, or both.
One of the apartments we looked at across the river, about 15 minutes or walking from campus, was in a old building that looked like it could fall down any minute now. It was occupied by a fragile old lady who looked like she came straight out of a horror film from the 60s -- mass of white, uncombed hair, white virginal dressing gown, high-pitched thin voice, a dreamy and slightly crazed look in her eyes. I was literally afraid to step into her apartment by myself, and was greatly reassured when Boyfriend showed up in a taxi about 5 minutes later.
Her apartment was very, very smelly – I read somewhere that it was a sign of dementia to let your belongings begin to smell without noticing it.
None of the others was as weird as the first one, but none was that impressive, either. None gave me a sense of "wow! I want to live here!"
We were a little tempted by a small, university-affiliated apartment being subleted by an Indian business school student. But was put off by having to have a suitemate, and by his obvious anal-retentiveness. (He said 5 or 6 times HIMSELF that he was very “anal” about neatness, and kept on describing the apartment, which was SPOTLESS, as “a pig sty”.)
There was also a sublet that I visited alone from a visiting scholar from China, who was very eager to rent to me because “we are both Chinese”. Sadly, the apartment itself was smelly (in the worst way), greasy, and dirty. I stayed in there for about 5 minutes and then made my escape.
There was a charming little apartment that Boyfriend and I are considering, but it will not be furnished and we will have very little furniture, at least in the summer. The renter seemed to have really liked us, but we are still being indecisive.
The interviews with various job applicants went much better – in general, people were more energetic, more career-focused, and seemed more “high-powered” and impressive than around here.
Over all, the weekend was very educational and gave me a real sense of what to expect in the town that I will call home for the next 3 years.
Birthday was very good too. Boyfriend got me a gift certificate to a little seaside day spa around here. How did he know?!?
We had the worst weather possible for apartment hunting over the weekend. It was 95 on Saturday, and 92 on Sunday. It was so humid I couldn’t breathe when I was outside, and had to drink a bottle of water about every hour. My clothes were all clinging to me in sweat – and boy did I sweat.
Boyfriend, bless his heart, tagged along with me around town in this weather and never complained, even driving me part of the way. He was also very charming with our would-be renters and they loved him.
The apartments in town, as I described to friend A, were expensive, crappy, and small. The one passable apartment would have cost Boyfriend and I $1,800 per month WHILE sharing with a suitemate. The others were either strangely configured or dirty and smelly, or both.
One of the apartments we looked at across the river, about 15 minutes or walking from campus, was in a old building that looked like it could fall down any minute now. It was occupied by a fragile old lady who looked like she came straight out of a horror film from the 60s -- mass of white, uncombed hair, white virginal dressing gown, high-pitched thin voice, a dreamy and slightly crazed look in her eyes. I was literally afraid to step into her apartment by myself, and was greatly reassured when Boyfriend showed up in a taxi about 5 minutes later.
Her apartment was very, very smelly – I read somewhere that it was a sign of dementia to let your belongings begin to smell without noticing it.
None of the others was as weird as the first one, but none was that impressive, either. None gave me a sense of "wow! I want to live here!"
We were a little tempted by a small, university-affiliated apartment being subleted by an Indian business school student. But was put off by having to have a suitemate, and by his obvious anal-retentiveness. (He said 5 or 6 times HIMSELF that he was very “anal” about neatness, and kept on describing the apartment, which was SPOTLESS, as “a pig sty”.)
There was also a sublet that I visited alone from a visiting scholar from China, who was very eager to rent to me because “we are both Chinese”. Sadly, the apartment itself was smelly (in the worst way), greasy, and dirty. I stayed in there for about 5 minutes and then made my escape.
There was a charming little apartment that Boyfriend and I are considering, but it will not be furnished and we will have very little furniture, at least in the summer. The renter seemed to have really liked us, but we are still being indecisive.
The interviews with various job applicants went much better – in general, people were more energetic, more career-focused, and seemed more “high-powered” and impressive than around here.
Over all, the weekend was very educational and gave me a real sense of what to expect in the town that I will call home for the next 3 years.
Birthday was very good too. Boyfriend got me a gift certificate to a little seaside day spa around here. How did he know?!?
6/26/2005
Wow...
That was a very full two days.
And I'm now in the second half of my twentieth year!
Thank you, my friends, for all those birthday wishes! I feel blessed to be remembered by so many of you, and guilty that I myself have been so remiss in reciprocating. Perhaps next year I'll do a better job, be a better person, a better friend, and lead a better life.
Exhausted. At home. More later.
And I'm now in the second half of my twentieth year!
Thank you, my friends, for all those birthday wishes! I feel blessed to be remembered by so many of you, and guilty that I myself have been so remiss in reciprocating. Perhaps next year I'll do a better job, be a better person, a better friend, and lead a better life.
Exhausted. At home. More later.
6/25/2005
On the Run
Have about 5 minutes to write this and then have to go again. We are in the hotel now, about to leave to scout out sublets / apartments. The number of apartments that we are looking at has ballooned from 5 to 9. Let's hope that at least ONE of them is nice / appropriate.
Weather is unbelieveably hot. Hotel, which is in the city center, very very expensive, although has some nice spaces and the rooms are okay (citrus-scented soap! Every hotel should have this).
Well, if I'm not exhausted later tonight (which I am likely to be), I'll report back with my findings.
Weather is unbelieveably hot. Hotel, which is in the city center, very very expensive, although has some nice spaces and the rooms are okay (citrus-scented soap! Every hotel should have this).
Well, if I'm not exhausted later tonight (which I am likely to be), I'll report back with my findings.
6/24/2005
Insanity
As of this moment, I’m going to interview 11 people over two days this weekend, looking at 5 apartments/sublets, and putting up about 100 flyers around the city and neighboring towns in the various campus of the numerous universities around the area.
Right now, I’m frantically writing up my itinerary and trying to write myself little notes in the margin so I remember where to go and don’t mix the interviewees up with one another. (“So you graduated from Wellesley…? No, …Brown…? No… Duke? Okay, I give up. Who are you?”)
It’s going to be a very frantic weekend for me. Boyfriend is along for the ride and said that he’ll be staying in the hotel room relaxing. Damn him!
Right now, I’m frantically writing up my itinerary and trying to write myself little notes in the margin so I remember where to go and don’t mix the interviewees up with one another. (“So you graduated from Wellesley…? No, …Brown…? No… Duke? Okay, I give up. Who are you?”)
It’s going to be a very frantic weekend for me. Boyfriend is along for the ride and said that he’ll be staying in the hotel room relaxing. Damn him!
6/22/2005
Updates on Our Diet
Boyfriend and I are still sticking with the diet, although now that the strict phase is long over we are allowed to eat fruits, whole-grain bread, and to drink wine.
Boyfriend went to his doctor last week. Not only did he lose 12 lbs, but both his blood pressure and cholesterol level are waaaay down. His doctor was very pleased and told him to keep up with the good work.
Yay.
Boyfriend went to his doctor last week. Not only did he lose 12 lbs, but both his blood pressure and cholesterol level are waaaay down. His doctor was very pleased and told him to keep up with the good work.
Yay.
Biting the Bullet
Just made a last-minute decision to travel to the city where I’ll be for the next 3 years this weekend.
My missions this weekend: looking at summer sublets; interviewing half a dozen people for my company; putting recruiting flyers around the various campuses in the city.
There are more unstructured missions, as well.
I realized this week that in order to find an apartment that both Boyfriend and I will like, I first need to understand what we are looking for. And to do that, I need to first walk around the campus and the city and try to get a sense of neighborhoods, geography, atmosphere, distances, etc.
Right now, there are so many things I don’t know. I don’t know which neighborhood is better than others. I don’t know which street is hipper and which street is quiet. I don’t know where students “tend to” live. I have no idea whether “20 minutes walking to …” really means 20 minutes or just a figure of speech. All the names of places are meaningless to me. I have no idea whether the bus system and the subway are useful or just frustrating.
My ignorance is staggering. It’s depressing.
I guess I’ll start by just going there and being there, and try to learn as much as I can.
Just as important, I really need to begin to try to IMAGINE what it’s like to actually live in this city. I need to begin to picture myself going to school and going back home each day, settling into a routine, calling that place “home”.
Right now “moving” is such an abstract concept. Thinking about it gives me a headache every time. But it needs to be done soon, and I don’t have that much time. (This summer it’s going to be so busy it will be insane.)
When I’m actually there, I’ll be able to picture myself living there better. Perhaps I can be inspired, or at least just have more basis for deciding about where I would like to live; what an ideal arrangement would be; what’ the price range is; in what directions I should strive for.
God, it’s so hard to find a place in a city that you know nearly nothing about. But the only way I can overcome this obstacle is … to go there and begin to live there… NOW!
My missions this weekend: looking at summer sublets; interviewing half a dozen people for my company; putting recruiting flyers around the various campuses in the city.
There are more unstructured missions, as well.
I realized this week that in order to find an apartment that both Boyfriend and I will like, I first need to understand what we are looking for. And to do that, I need to first walk around the campus and the city and try to get a sense of neighborhoods, geography, atmosphere, distances, etc.
Right now, there are so many things I don’t know. I don’t know which neighborhood is better than others. I don’t know which street is hipper and which street is quiet. I don’t know where students “tend to” live. I have no idea whether “20 minutes walking to …” really means 20 minutes or just a figure of speech. All the names of places are meaningless to me. I have no idea whether the bus system and the subway are useful or just frustrating.
My ignorance is staggering. It’s depressing.
I guess I’ll start by just going there and being there, and try to learn as much as I can.
Just as important, I really need to begin to try to IMAGINE what it’s like to actually live in this city. I need to begin to picture myself going to school and going back home each day, settling into a routine, calling that place “home”.
Right now “moving” is such an abstract concept. Thinking about it gives me a headache every time. But it needs to be done soon, and I don’t have that much time. (This summer it’s going to be so busy it will be insane.)
When I’m actually there, I’ll be able to picture myself living there better. Perhaps I can be inspired, or at least just have more basis for deciding about where I would like to live; what an ideal arrangement would be; what’ the price range is; in what directions I should strive for.
God, it’s so hard to find a place in a city that you know nearly nothing about. But the only way I can overcome this obstacle is … to go there and begin to live there… NOW!
6/21/2005
Ohmigod...
Just got an email from my parents. My biological mother’s American husband apparently has leukemia. He is taking medication but cannot be operated on, and the doctor basically said that he has another year to live, maybe…
Now I feel REALLY guilty for feeling impatient with her.
Now I feel REALLY guilty for feeling impatient with her.
Another Blast from the Past
And this one was a shocker. I just got a Friendster request from a boy I used to know in middle school. (Yes, I’m on Friendster… I know, how clichéd. But I tracked down a lot of my old friends and acquaintances this way.) We actually “went out” during 7th grade, and went to a class dance together. I still have the photos – his sister lent me a pink lace dress, and he gave me a huge corsage… ahhh… memories…
But anyway, back to this boy, M. I always remembered M as kind of plump and a little dorky in middle school. He had dark hair, wore vests to school, and was very short. He was very sweet though, and had brilliant blue eyes, and my best friend C also had a crush on him.
So imagine my surprise when I went to M’s Friendster profile to check him out and found out that not only is he HOT now, he’s an actor, and he’s gay!
Think wet curly hair, intense blue eyes, a slight pout, and a 5-o’clock shadow. Think young Harrison Ford crossed with Orlando Bloom.
So, my slightly dorky first boyfriend has now turned into Mr. Adonis with a Hollywood dream. Wish him luck!
But anyway, back to this boy, M. I always remembered M as kind of plump and a little dorky in middle school. He had dark hair, wore vests to school, and was very short. He was very sweet though, and had brilliant blue eyes, and my best friend C also had a crush on him.
So imagine my surprise when I went to M’s Friendster profile to check him out and found out that not only is he HOT now, he’s an actor, and he’s gay!
Think wet curly hair, intense blue eyes, a slight pout, and a 5-o’clock shadow. Think young Harrison Ford crossed with Orlando Bloom.
So, my slightly dorky first boyfriend has now turned into Mr. Adonis with a Hollywood dream. Wish him luck!
6/20/2005
More on My Weekend
Slept almost immediately after I came home last night – simply too exhausted to write anything long and coherent.
So my time with the parents and biological mother was nice. I feel guilty, however, because I felt so impatient with my biological mother. I hope I didn’t show this too much, but I was inwardly very impatient. She’s a nice person, but so clueless of everything that I can’t really have a real conversation with her. It’s not her fault, but I think we are just very different people, and she has been out of my life for so long that it takes a lot of time to explain anything to her without exhausting myself.
Perhaps my expectations are too high. It IS much more effortless to talk with my own parents, even if the conversation also frustrates me at times. At least they have enough context of my life to understand what I talk about, and then we can carry on an interesting conversation.
So I took my biological mother to Six Flags. We started out late on Saturday and there were way too many people there, however, and just the prospect of waiting in line for hours and hours horrified us, so we decided to only go to the Safari. Lots of cute animals there. My favorite was definitely the giraffe, because they have pretty colors and really long eyelashes.
In the afternoon we went to a restaurant near Princeton to eat. I then took my mother and walked around the Princeton campus. Also took her to the French pastry shop on St. Tulane and bought some dessert. My friend A took me there last time we were on Princeton campus about a month ago and showed me the place, and it is really wonderful. (Thanks, A!)
The next day she went shopping in the morning, then we went to see Star Wars III. She had never seen any other Star Wars movie before, and was very, very confused about the chronology and the storyline, like the fact that there are 6 Star Wars so far and the original Star Wars was really episode 4, and that this latest Star War is the episode that comes right before that. Arrrrgh. (The fact that there was no word in Chinese for “prequel” greatly complicated things.) After a little bit of Star Wars we finally decided to sneak into Mr and Mrs. Smith, which was just starting. Surprisingly, it was very well-made. Parts of it were very funny. If you are into this kind of action comedies (which I am) I highly recommend it.
Then ate at my favorite Chinese restaurant in celebration of Father’s Day (I brought a bottle of Cabernet for my dad). Then I drove home and almost didn’t have any energy to interact with Boyfriend. Slept from 11:00 until 8:30 and finally felt a little better.
So my time with the parents and biological mother was nice. I feel guilty, however, because I felt so impatient with my biological mother. I hope I didn’t show this too much, but I was inwardly very impatient. She’s a nice person, but so clueless of everything that I can’t really have a real conversation with her. It’s not her fault, but I think we are just very different people, and she has been out of my life for so long that it takes a lot of time to explain anything to her without exhausting myself.
Perhaps my expectations are too high. It IS much more effortless to talk with my own parents, even if the conversation also frustrates me at times. At least they have enough context of my life to understand what I talk about, and then we can carry on an interesting conversation.
So I took my biological mother to Six Flags. We started out late on Saturday and there were way too many people there, however, and just the prospect of waiting in line for hours and hours horrified us, so we decided to only go to the Safari. Lots of cute animals there. My favorite was definitely the giraffe, because they have pretty colors and really long eyelashes.
In the afternoon we went to a restaurant near Princeton to eat. I then took my mother and walked around the Princeton campus. Also took her to the French pastry shop on St. Tulane and bought some dessert. My friend A took me there last time we were on Princeton campus about a month ago and showed me the place, and it is really wonderful. (Thanks, A!)
The next day she went shopping in the morning, then we went to see Star Wars III. She had never seen any other Star Wars movie before, and was very, very confused about the chronology and the storyline, like the fact that there are 6 Star Wars so far and the original Star Wars was really episode 4, and that this latest Star War is the episode that comes right before that. Arrrrgh. (The fact that there was no word in Chinese for “prequel” greatly complicated things.) After a little bit of Star Wars we finally decided to sneak into Mr and Mrs. Smith, which was just starting. Surprisingly, it was very well-made. Parts of it were very funny. If you are into this kind of action comedies (which I am) I highly recommend it.
Then ate at my favorite Chinese restaurant in celebration of Father’s Day (I brought a bottle of Cabernet for my dad). Then I drove home and almost didn’t have any energy to interact with Boyfriend. Slept from 11:00 until 8:30 and finally felt a little better.
6/19/2005
Weekend
Meant to write more this weekend, but just got back from a very full weekend with my parents and biological mother. We went to Six Flags, Princeton, and the movies (Mr and Mrs Smith). Also had some amazing Chinese food and took pictures in front our old town house in North Edison. Now I'm exhausted, overwhelmed, and a little sad.
Some serious discussions going on with Boyfriend over plans / logistics next year. My life is going to be so complicated in the next few months.
Some serious discussions going on with Boyfriend over plans / logistics next year. My life is going to be so complicated in the next few months.
6/16/2005
Gulp
Just had a blitzkrieg IM session with Dickie who is working at a DC firm this summer. Apparently, instead of the wining and dining treatment that I had expected him getting as a summer associate, he has been working long days, has pulled several all-nighters so far, and worked 2 weekends. His assignments are “grueling”, and he is really exhausted. No time to go to the gym, eat out, relax, or see his mom.
He chatted with me for like two minutes and then ran back to work again.
On the upside, he does have an office, a secretary, and tons and tons of free food.
But still, he looks forward to returning to law school… yikes… Is this my future? Thinking about this is enough to make my stomach turn.
He chatted with me for like two minutes and then ran back to work again.
On the upside, he does have an office, a secretary, and tons and tons of free food.
But still, he looks forward to returning to law school… yikes… Is this my future? Thinking about this is enough to make my stomach turn.
Happiest Day of My Life (So Far)
Let’s hope that by Saturday the weather will be… warmer, but hopefully not as humid as earlier this week, because I have decided to take my biological mother to Six Flags Great Adventure, in celebration of my 26th birthday, which is NEXT Sunday. (Feel free to send me birthday wishes! :) )
Some of my nicest memories from high school was at Six Flags. Almost ten years ago, for my sixteenth birthday, my dad took me and three of my friends there, and we spent a whole day riding roller coasters and eating ice cream and hamburgers. It was SO MUCH FUN. Even my dad went on a few rides, sadly, by himself (since he was the odd person out). My friends all agreed that my dad is the coolest dad ever.
Once when I was talking with Boyfriend, I described that day as “the happiest day of my life so far.” I realize that I probably shouldn’t have put it that way, since Boyfriend might have been sad that the happiest day in my life so far wasn’t a day spent with him. But really, you often only know these things in retrospect. While you are in the moment, you are mostly “happy but not yet knowing it.”
What made that day so perfect? I think it was a combination of being with BOTH all your favorite friends AND your parents, and seeing that they get along so beautifully. So often these two parts of our lives are kept separate, and when they come together it’s awkward and stressful. So when a day like that happens and all the most important and favorite people are together with you and everyone gets along and has a great time, it’s almost magical.
Oh, and riding many, many roller coasters.
Thanks, Dad!!!
Some of my nicest memories from high school was at Six Flags. Almost ten years ago, for my sixteenth birthday, my dad took me and three of my friends there, and we spent a whole day riding roller coasters and eating ice cream and hamburgers. It was SO MUCH FUN. Even my dad went on a few rides, sadly, by himself (since he was the odd person out). My friends all agreed that my dad is the coolest dad ever.
Once when I was talking with Boyfriend, I described that day as “the happiest day of my life so far.” I realize that I probably shouldn’t have put it that way, since Boyfriend might have been sad that the happiest day in my life so far wasn’t a day spent with him. But really, you often only know these things in retrospect. While you are in the moment, you are mostly “happy but not yet knowing it.”
What made that day so perfect? I think it was a combination of being with BOTH all your favorite friends AND your parents, and seeing that they get along so beautifully. So often these two parts of our lives are kept separate, and when they come together it’s awkward and stressful. So when a day like that happens and all the most important and favorite people are together with you and everyone gets along and has a great time, it’s almost magical.
Oh, and riding many, many roller coasters.
Thanks, Dad!!!
6/15/2005
News
Weather finally broke, and now it’s COLD. I’m sitting here on the top floor of my house in a button down shirt and skirts, and I’m shivering.
Argh, why can’t the weather just be comfortable here once? Not hot, not cold, just comfortable.
So, all my friends seemed to have dropped off the face of the earth. Dickie has been swallowed up by some DC firm. My friend J, who also goes to law school, in my alma mater, no less, is working at TWO different firms this summer, in LA and DC. Friend S is touring Europe and apparently has no email access. Friend J and D? Who knows what they are doing? Haven’t heard from them in months and months (though I’m partly responsible for this.)
I suppose when you are in school, summer really means something different from all the other seasons. Whereas for a working gal like me, “summer” just means “air-conditioning in office” and that’s it.
In other news… I finally beat Resident Evil last night. The ending was almost anti-climactic. The monster at the end was hard, but not impossible, and the fight was over before I knew it. I think I actually died more time doing the water ski thing to race off the island than in actual combat with the monster. (For those of you for whom this doesn’t make any sense, don’t ask.)
Finally started looking for an apartment … up north. Craig’s List is really proving to be a rich source of information. They even have one for my town now! Theirs is another smart business that I admire.
Argh, why can’t the weather just be comfortable here once? Not hot, not cold, just comfortable.
So, all my friends seemed to have dropped off the face of the earth. Dickie has been swallowed up by some DC firm. My friend J, who also goes to law school, in my alma mater, no less, is working at TWO different firms this summer, in LA and DC. Friend S is touring Europe and apparently has no email access. Friend J and D? Who knows what they are doing? Haven’t heard from them in months and months (though I’m partly responsible for this.)
I suppose when you are in school, summer really means something different from all the other seasons. Whereas for a working gal like me, “summer” just means “air-conditioning in office” and that’s it.
In other news… I finally beat Resident Evil last night. The ending was almost anti-climactic. The monster at the end was hard, but not impossible, and the fight was over before I knew it. I think I actually died more time doing the water ski thing to race off the island than in actual combat with the monster. (For those of you for whom this doesn’t make any sense, don’t ask.)
Finally started looking for an apartment … up north. Craig’s List is really proving to be a rich source of information. They even have one for my town now! Theirs is another smart business that I admire.
6/14/2005
Ew!
- Saw a dead deer on the beach as Boyfriend and I took a walk yesterday.
- Humidity approaches 80% today and yesterday.
- Michael Jackson got off! :(
- Humidity approaches 80% today and yesterday.
- Michael Jackson got off! :(
6/13/2005
Freakonomics
Since it is “the hottest book this spring”, and since I have long hours to kill on my flight back from CA, I discarded my “never-buy-hardcover-and-wait-for-paperbacks” rule and bought a brand new copy of Freakonomics.
What do I think of it? Well, it sure was entertaining. It’s perfect for airplane reading. I finished half of it that morning in my hotel, and the other half in the airplane. Altogether, for a fast reader it will last you only about 4-5 hours or so.
I remember the feature of Steven Levitt on NYT magazine when it came out. I was so intrigued by what I read that I even told Boyfriend to read it, and later told my parents about it (in a lament about how creative people widen their field while uncreative people (which I strongly suspect that I am) are destined to doing drudge work like perfecting the field and filling out the details. No doubt Levitt is an energetic and imaginative genius. He made economics fascinating to ordinary humanities majors like me again.
But the book, while entertaining, left me unsatisfied in the end. Maybe it was all the hype around it, so I was expecting something much more intricate and rigorous. Right now the book feels a bit lightweight, not just evidenced by the fact that I was able to speed through it in barely one sitting. It still feels more like a particularly long magazine article than a full-fledged book. It’s full of interesting tidbits and little sketches, yet weak on overarching theme, other than “Look! We are asking random freakish questions and answering them in cool, surprising, and smart ways!”
As for the claim about using economics to solve “everyday” problems, that seems a bit over-the-top as well. For one thing, the tools used in this book are hardly limited to economics. They are statistical tools common to all social scientists. No one denies that given the right questions and the right data set (and a lot of ingenuity) we get surprising and illuminating answers. Yet as to the subject that Levitt and Dubner says their book is about – “incentives that drives people to do stuff” (sorry, they put it more elegantly, obviously), the book isn’t really about that at all. If anything, it shows that even absent clear incentives people will still do things out of misconceptions they have about the world, such as in the case of parents who read to their children in the (mistaken) belief that it would affect the academic achievement of their children.
So, after reading the book, I’m left with some interesting tidbits that I could share with friends at a cocktail party or something, (which I proceeded to do on the drive back with Boyfriend), but no real overarching theme and no real change in my perception about the world. Of course this may be too high an expectation for any book, though I have encountered plenty of books in my life that have done so (one of them happened to be Principles of Microeconomics, from Econ 101b). Still, with all the publicity and fame, I expected a little bit more meat. Or at least a longer book.
But still, all in all, an enjoyable read. It just won’t knock your socks off. My socks, and every other article of clothing, stayed on, during the flight.
One positive thing I did take away from the book, however – apparently, I can be much more relaxed about childrearing when the time comes because apparently, most of the things that I’m going to DO as a parent won’t affect my children very much. I can also feel much less resentment towards my own parents for not raising me correctly, since such a concept apparently doesn’t exist. Good to know. Thanks, Steve and Steve!
What do I think of it? Well, it sure was entertaining. It’s perfect for airplane reading. I finished half of it that morning in my hotel, and the other half in the airplane. Altogether, for a fast reader it will last you only about 4-5 hours or so.
I remember the feature of Steven Levitt on NYT magazine when it came out. I was so intrigued by what I read that I even told Boyfriend to read it, and later told my parents about it (in a lament about how creative people widen their field while uncreative people (which I strongly suspect that I am) are destined to doing drudge work like perfecting the field and filling out the details. No doubt Levitt is an energetic and imaginative genius. He made economics fascinating to ordinary humanities majors like me again.
But the book, while entertaining, left me unsatisfied in the end. Maybe it was all the hype around it, so I was expecting something much more intricate and rigorous. Right now the book feels a bit lightweight, not just evidenced by the fact that I was able to speed through it in barely one sitting. It still feels more like a particularly long magazine article than a full-fledged book. It’s full of interesting tidbits and little sketches, yet weak on overarching theme, other than “Look! We are asking random freakish questions and answering them in cool, surprising, and smart ways!”
As for the claim about using economics to solve “everyday” problems, that seems a bit over-the-top as well. For one thing, the tools used in this book are hardly limited to economics. They are statistical tools common to all social scientists. No one denies that given the right questions and the right data set (and a lot of ingenuity) we get surprising and illuminating answers. Yet as to the subject that Levitt and Dubner says their book is about – “incentives that drives people to do stuff” (sorry, they put it more elegantly, obviously), the book isn’t really about that at all. If anything, it shows that even absent clear incentives people will still do things out of misconceptions they have about the world, such as in the case of parents who read to their children in the (mistaken) belief that it would affect the academic achievement of their children.
So, after reading the book, I’m left with some interesting tidbits that I could share with friends at a cocktail party or something, (which I proceeded to do on the drive back with Boyfriend), but no real overarching theme and no real change in my perception about the world. Of course this may be too high an expectation for any book, though I have encountered plenty of books in my life that have done so (one of them happened to be Principles of Microeconomics, from Econ 101b). Still, with all the publicity and fame, I expected a little bit more meat. Or at least a longer book.
But still, all in all, an enjoyable read. It just won’t knock your socks off. My socks, and every other article of clothing, stayed on, during the flight.
One positive thing I did take away from the book, however – apparently, I can be much more relaxed about childrearing when the time comes because apparently, most of the things that I’m going to DO as a parent won’t affect my children very much. I can also feel much less resentment towards my own parents for not raising me correctly, since such a concept apparently doesn’t exist. Good to know. Thanks, Steve and Steve!
Way Too Hot
Boyfriend and I got home yesterday, after I slept for about 10 hours in the hotel. After we got up, we braved the heat and the humidity (it was 65 when I left, and now it’s 85? WTF?) to get back home, turned our air conditioning to the max, and then basically lounged around, brain dead, for the rest of the day.
For Boyfriend, this meant watching TV and sleeping. For me, this meant playing video games for 7 hours straight.
Have to be in New Jersey this weekend, because biological mother is visiting and staying with (gasp!) my parents! Talk about awkward situations. This will be a weekend I do not look forward to.
For Boyfriend, this meant watching TV and sleeping. For me, this meant playing video games for 7 hours straight.
Have to be in New Jersey this weekend, because biological mother is visiting and staying with (gasp!) my parents! Talk about awkward situations. This will be a weekend I do not look forward to.
6/12/2005
Back in CT, Though Not Home Yet!
No longer in California. ☹ Although Boyfriend and I flew into JFK around midnight and decided just to stay at this nice Hampton Inn in Stamford that we’ve stayed at before. We are going to drive home tomorrow morning.
Event yesterday went spectacularly. This time the players were the regular associates at the company instead of management, and it was fascinating to see how differently they behaved compared to the senior and middle management. They were definitely the most relaxed of the group, but also much more tentative and hesitant during the Workshop.
We had a very good discussion afterwards, and then I cleaned up and packed everything up to ship back to corporate headquarters in Connecticut.
Had a nice dinner at the restaurant Boyfriend and I dined at on Wednesday – had red wine and lots of seafood. I’ll definitely miss all the seafood in the next week. After dinner we took a walk on the beach.
After that, … well, Boyfriend and I had a bit of crisis, because of a ferris wheel, as weird as it may sound. Perhaps when I’m less tired I will explain, but suffice it to say that we were upset for the rest of the evening. By morning, though, everything was okay again, and our last few hours in California was very pleasant.
As we boarded the plane, we vowed, just like the current governor of California once so famously did: “I’ll be back.”
Event yesterday went spectacularly. This time the players were the regular associates at the company instead of management, and it was fascinating to see how differently they behaved compared to the senior and middle management. They were definitely the most relaxed of the group, but also much more tentative and hesitant during the Workshop.
We had a very good discussion afterwards, and then I cleaned up and packed everything up to ship back to corporate headquarters in Connecticut.
Had a nice dinner at the restaurant Boyfriend and I dined at on Wednesday – had red wine and lots of seafood. I’ll definitely miss all the seafood in the next week. After dinner we took a walk on the beach.
After that, … well, Boyfriend and I had a bit of crisis, because of a ferris wheel, as weird as it may sound. Perhaps when I’m less tired I will explain, but suffice it to say that we were upset for the rest of the evening. By morning, though, everything was okay again, and our last few hours in California was very pleasant.
As we boarded the plane, we vowed, just like the current governor of California once so famously did: “I’ll be back.”
6/09/2005
Another Nice Day
Event went well again, though the number of people attending were a lot fewer than expected. Today’s audience was middle-management. Perhaps they all had too much work to do? Anyway, client seemed happy, which is all I care about.
After work, drove back to the hotel, picked up Boyfriend, and we went to Newport Beach. It was high tide, and we waded for a little while in the water, looking languidly out to sea. It was partly cloudy today and the water was a bit cold, otherwise we would have swum.
Boyfriend and I were both feeling a little tired. Ever since we got to California it has been nonstop activity. There are just so many things to do! Walking on one nice beach after another; exploring little towns; shopping; sitting around in the myriad Starbucks (the density of Starbucks in this area is just unbelievable. There are seven Starbucks that we know of within a 1 mile radius, and most of them in exceedingly nice malls with lovely outdoor seating.); discovering nice little restaurants to eat. Amidst all this activity we really didn’t leave too much time to sleep. I have been averaging seven hours a night, Boyfriend much, much less.
We are now both a bit depressed about the prospect of returning to Connecticut, to the crowded streets, restricted-access beaches, no sidewalks, indifferent or sullen residents, and bad weather. Quick! Come up with something nice about Connecticut to look forward to!
After work, drove back to the hotel, picked up Boyfriend, and we went to Newport Beach. It was high tide, and we waded for a little while in the water, looking languidly out to sea. It was partly cloudy today and the water was a bit cold, otherwise we would have swum.
Boyfriend and I were both feeling a little tired. Ever since we got to California it has been nonstop activity. There are just so many things to do! Walking on one nice beach after another; exploring little towns; shopping; sitting around in the myriad Starbucks (the density of Starbucks in this area is just unbelievable. There are seven Starbucks that we know of within a 1 mile radius, and most of them in exceedingly nice malls with lovely outdoor seating.); discovering nice little restaurants to eat. Amidst all this activity we really didn’t leave too much time to sleep. I have been averaging seven hours a night, Boyfriend much, much less.
We are now both a bit depressed about the prospect of returning to Connecticut, to the crowded streets, restricted-access beaches, no sidewalks, indifferent or sullen residents, and bad weather. Quick! Come up with something nice about Connecticut to look forward to!
6/08/2005
More Photos and Thoughts on California
Event (with senior corporate executives) went well today, although I felt that, not really knowing anything about working in a large corporate environment, I wasn't really qualified to teach them about teamwork, leadership, strategies, decision-making, etc. But they didn't seem to mind.
After work, Boyfriend and I decided to take another drive along the coast. This time we went even more south than last time, beyond Dana Point, to a town named San Clemente. Boyfriend said that this is the town that Richard Nixon retired to.
We loved this town immediately. It's also a beach town with breathtaking views, but much more down-to-earth, casual, and "real" than the other towns we've been to so far up north. People here are not as glamorous, but natural and civic-minded (evidenced by a pedestrian yelling after us after Boyfriend and I made an awkward illegal turn -- yes, we definitely looked like out-of-towners.).
Had dinner at a seafood restaurant -- although every single restaurant serves seafood around here, and even the crappiest place has amazing fresh fish. So far every meal we've had here has been phenomenal, and healthy to boot.
After dinner we strolled along the beach and on the pier, and witnessed the bluest water and a breathtaking sunset.
This is the color of paradise.
Palm trees swaying gently in the evening breeze.
And here is a random cool plant that we saw on our walk by the side of the road.
Parking was remarkably easy and free, unimaginable in the Northeast. A beach like this in Connecticut would have been mobbed and the city would have made a fortune on paid parking or writing parking tickets. This is another thing I like about California. Beauty is so democratic here. It is freely dispensed, and no one tries to interfere with your enjoyment of it, because space and beauty are so abundant here.
People here don't have the intense introspection of people back east, this is true. Instead, they are more calm and happy. I can see why Buddhism would have a big following here. You exist naturally in a zen-like state when you can step out every morning into fresh air, beach, and hassel-free parking.
So many things are making so much more sense now. I understand now why my friend J became so much happier after he's gone to Stanford for grad school after four years at Yale and an entire life growing up in the Northeast. I understand the laidback-ness of my friend SF, and SP.
Boyfriend said that he would love to move here, if I weren't going to law school in the northeast. We talked about what it would be like, waking up to perfect weather every day and going on a stroll on the beach every evening. Would we eventually find life boring in paradise? I can see myself getting bored with the routine after a while. Perhaps a month out of every year is good. Perhaps a timeshare or a summer house? :)
What these towns lack, I think, is a university. That would add some intellectual depth and focus to the cultures of the towns and add also some like-minded people with whom we can be friends with -- some nice bookstores and bookish cafes to hang out in. Then it would be perfect.
Have been reading the Tipping Point every night before I go to sleep. Amazingly entertaining and very provocative book. (I know, I'm about 5 years too late, but still, better late than never.)
After work, Boyfriend and I decided to take another drive along the coast. This time we went even more south than last time, beyond Dana Point, to a town named San Clemente. Boyfriend said that this is the town that Richard Nixon retired to.
We loved this town immediately. It's also a beach town with breathtaking views, but much more down-to-earth, casual, and "real" than the other towns we've been to so far up north. People here are not as glamorous, but natural and civic-minded (evidenced by a pedestrian yelling after us after Boyfriend and I made an awkward illegal turn -- yes, we definitely looked like out-of-towners.).
Had dinner at a seafood restaurant -- although every single restaurant serves seafood around here, and even the crappiest place has amazing fresh fish. So far every meal we've had here has been phenomenal, and healthy to boot.
After dinner we strolled along the beach and on the pier, and witnessed the bluest water and a breathtaking sunset.
This is the color of paradise.
Palm trees swaying gently in the evening breeze.
And here is a random cool plant that we saw on our walk by the side of the road.
Parking was remarkably easy and free, unimaginable in the Northeast. A beach like this in Connecticut would have been mobbed and the city would have made a fortune on paid parking or writing parking tickets. This is another thing I like about California. Beauty is so democratic here. It is freely dispensed, and no one tries to interfere with your enjoyment of it, because space and beauty are so abundant here.
People here don't have the intense introspection of people back east, this is true. Instead, they are more calm and happy. I can see why Buddhism would have a big following here. You exist naturally in a zen-like state when you can step out every morning into fresh air, beach, and hassel-free parking.
So many things are making so much more sense now. I understand now why my friend J became so much happier after he's gone to Stanford for grad school after four years at Yale and an entire life growing up in the Northeast. I understand the laidback-ness of my friend SF, and SP.
Boyfriend said that he would love to move here, if I weren't going to law school in the northeast. We talked about what it would be like, waking up to perfect weather every day and going on a stroll on the beach every evening. Would we eventually find life boring in paradise? I can see myself getting bored with the routine after a while. Perhaps a month out of every year is good. Perhaps a timeshare or a summer house? :)
What these towns lack, I think, is a university. That would add some intellectual depth and focus to the cultures of the towns and add also some like-minded people with whom we can be friends with -- some nice bookstores and bookish cafes to hang out in. Then it would be perfect.
Have been reading the Tipping Point every night before I go to sleep. Amazingly entertaining and very provocative book. (I know, I'm about 5 years too late, but still, better late than never.)
Laguna Beach
As promised, here are some photos I took from our 2.5 hour walk yesterday in Laguna Beach, CA.
There's something about palm trees that adds so much to the atmosphere of a place, doesn't it?
Here's how we solved the problem of not being able to take a picture together.
This picture reminds me of Italy and the Meditarrenean. Miss those days...
Another random picture of palm trees and the ocean. I took thousands of these yesterday.
This is actually not Laguna Beach, but the next town, Dana Point, which is also on the water AND has the largest marina I have ever seen. Thousands of boats all parked in a relatively small space. It must take people forever to get these boats out.
There's something about palm trees that adds so much to the atmosphere of a place, doesn't it?
Here's how we solved the problem of not being able to take a picture together.
This picture reminds me of Italy and the Meditarrenean. Miss those days...
Another random picture of palm trees and the ocean. I took thousands of these yesterday.
This is actually not Laguna Beach, but the next town, Dana Point, which is also on the water AND has the largest marina I have ever seen. Thousands of boats all parked in a relatively small space. It must take people forever to get these boats out.
6/07/2005
Ideal State
Pardon my silence from yesterday. A little “discussion” with Boyfriend last evening put me in a bad mood and therefore totally disinclined to write. But all was made up and well before bed, don’t worry, and today turned out to be a glorious day. (Though every day in California seems like a glorious day).
The question I am left with at the end of the day is: why isn’t everyone who has the means living in southern California? Beautiful weather (never dips below 65 or rises above 80, apparently), stunning public beaches (more pictures on this tomorrow); lovely mountains in the distance; totally relaxed lifestyle; gorgeous (though expensive) residences; nice people; and so much space!
Tomorrow, unfortunately, I have to actually start working. But today after meeting briefly with the client (a corporate client this time), Boyfriend and I drove out about 10 miles to the next town, Laguna Beach, with stretches and stretches of white sand beaches. Since it’s early in the season, not many people are on the beach yet, but the breeze was warm and the water was very inviting. The tall palm trees by the beach swayed in the wind. Everything was picture-perfect.
After about 20 minutes here, all Boyfriend and I could talk about was how much we want to live here; how nice life is in California. Perhaps I can find a nice little law firm in San Diego, and we would buy a house and live right around here.
We had a very nice salad in this little café, then had a more serious dinner at a steak / seafood house by the beach. Our diet’s strict phase was over yesterday. I celebrated with a glass of red wine and some fried calamari yesterday afternoon, and today, I ate some fruits (grapes and strawberries) and had a little bit (a VERY little bit) of mashed potato and rice at dinner.
Well, better go to sleep now, since tomorrow I work! But after work, you bet you’ll find me and Boyfriend at the beach again!
The question I am left with at the end of the day is: why isn’t everyone who has the means living in southern California? Beautiful weather (never dips below 65 or rises above 80, apparently), stunning public beaches (more pictures on this tomorrow); lovely mountains in the distance; totally relaxed lifestyle; gorgeous (though expensive) residences; nice people; and so much space!
Tomorrow, unfortunately, I have to actually start working. But today after meeting briefly with the client (a corporate client this time), Boyfriend and I drove out about 10 miles to the next town, Laguna Beach, with stretches and stretches of white sand beaches. Since it’s early in the season, not many people are on the beach yet, but the breeze was warm and the water was very inviting. The tall palm trees by the beach swayed in the wind. Everything was picture-perfect.
After about 20 minutes here, all Boyfriend and I could talk about was how much we want to live here; how nice life is in California. Perhaps I can find a nice little law firm in San Diego, and we would buy a house and live right around here.
We had a very nice salad in this little café, then had a more serious dinner at a steak / seafood house by the beach. Our diet’s strict phase was over yesterday. I celebrated with a glass of red wine and some fried calamari yesterday afternoon, and today, I ate some fruits (grapes and strawberries) and had a little bit (a VERY little bit) of mashed potato and rice at dinner.
Well, better go to sleep now, since tomorrow I work! But after work, you bet you’ll find me and Boyfriend at the beach again!
6/05/2005
6/04/2005
Golden Days Are Here Again
Boyfriend and I flew into LA this morning, and now we are in Newport Beach, CA.
The weather here is gorgeous, and the Hyatt we are staying at is lovely. Our hotel is a few minutes away from the Pacific Ocean, and the entire area is astonishingly beautiful – the architecture, the nature, the people. All the houses have deep tan walls and red clay roofs, which looks stunning by the blue sea and the white sand.
Drove around with Boyfriend for a bit around the beach area and the shopping districts, and each neighborhood we saw were better than the next, with large, beautiful houses facing the ocean and streets lined with palm trees. And, oh, the blinding, golden sunlight.
In the end, I think we were both feeling insanely envious that Californians enjoy such nice lives. Perhaps I should move here after law school…?
I’m suffering from serious withdraw symptoms from not playing RE.
And oh, really looking forward to “the strict phase” of the diet being over. I was bad yesterday (and a little bit today). Yesterday, while meeting a bunch of friends and classmates I haven’t seen for a few years, I decided to eat a slice of pizza and drank half a cup of beer. Also, when we got to the hotel by JFK the staff offered me a warm (WARM!) chocolate chip cookie, which I just couldn’t refuse.
Yes, I’m not proud of myself, but extraordinary times call for emergency measures. For the rest of the three days in my diet I will eat like a healthy Californian!
The weather here is gorgeous, and the Hyatt we are staying at is lovely. Our hotel is a few minutes away from the Pacific Ocean, and the entire area is astonishingly beautiful – the architecture, the nature, the people. All the houses have deep tan walls and red clay roofs, which looks stunning by the blue sea and the white sand.
Drove around with Boyfriend for a bit around the beach area and the shopping districts, and each neighborhood we saw were better than the next, with large, beautiful houses facing the ocean and streets lined with palm trees. And, oh, the blinding, golden sunlight.
In the end, I think we were both feeling insanely envious that Californians enjoy such nice lives. Perhaps I should move here after law school…?
I’m suffering from serious withdraw symptoms from not playing RE.
And oh, really looking forward to “the strict phase” of the diet being over. I was bad yesterday (and a little bit today). Yesterday, while meeting a bunch of friends and classmates I haven’t seen for a few years, I decided to eat a slice of pizza and drank half a cup of beer. Also, when we got to the hotel by JFK the staff offered me a warm (WARM!) chocolate chip cookie, which I just couldn’t refuse.
Yes, I’m not proud of myself, but extraordinary times call for emergency measures. For the rest of the three days in my diet I will eat like a healthy Californian!
6/03/2005
All Set to Fly Out!
Tumi bags are packed; cell phone, Powerbook, and Nintendo DS all charged; 5 books, half a dozen recent, unread New Yorkers, and two Allure magazines stuffed into my carry-on bag… Yes, I don’t give boredom a chance.
If I were flying JetBlue, then I’d probably be watching TV half the time. But Boyfriend and I are forced to fly American (yuck, yuck) because we acquired two vouchers from them quite a while ago and were anxious to use them.
Also, packed tons and tons and tons of freshly packed vegetables and cold cuts for a big healthy feast on the long airplane ride, so there is no way Boyfriend and I are even slightly inclined to break our diet.
We fly out ridiculously early tomorrow AM, so driving to JFK tonight and staying at a Doubletree near the airport.
Our hotels should have free wireless, so keeping up with my post will technically not be a problem. But will I be having way too much fun on the beach and by the hotel pool to tell you about my newest adventures? I guess only by checking back on this site will you find out!
If I were flying JetBlue, then I’d probably be watching TV half the time. But Boyfriend and I are forced to fly American (yuck, yuck) because we acquired two vouchers from them quite a while ago and were anxious to use them.
Also, packed tons and tons and tons of freshly packed vegetables and cold cuts for a big healthy feast on the long airplane ride, so there is no way Boyfriend and I are even slightly inclined to break our diet.
We fly out ridiculously early tomorrow AM, so driving to JFK tonight and staying at a Doubletree near the airport.
Our hotels should have free wireless, so keeping up with my post will technically not be a problem. But will I be having way too much fun on the beach and by the hotel pool to tell you about my newest adventures? I guess only by checking back on this site will you find out!
6/02/2005
Blast from the (Recent) Past
Not much happened today. Boyfriend and I are leaving tomorrow to stay overnight in a hotel near JFK, since our flight to LA is super-early on Saturday. We are going to be there for a week. Although the trip does involve some work for me, I’m nonetheless really excited about relaxing by the CA beach, especially since it’s been on the cool side here in New England in the past few days.
So frantically trying to tie all the loose ends around the office before I leave. I’m going to leave managing all the new staff in the capable hands of my coworker D, who’s one of my favorite coworkers, ever. If I didn’t have her, I’m sure the everyday work at the company wouldn’t be quite as fun.
Got an email from U from Germany. Am surprised to hear from him, actually. U had a crush on me in Germany, and was somewhat bitter that I didn’t reciprocate, which made our friendship always slightly off-key and tense.
We still hung out way too much that winter, mostly because in the beginning he was one of the only Germans I knew who could speak fluent English. So I frequented his little Potsdam apartment with no electrical or gas heat and the only way you can warm up a room was by shoving coal (yes, coal!) into this ceramic stove. And I had him over for dinner. A lot. And went on trips around Berlin. Yes, we spent a lot of time together that year.
U’s family was definitely one of those families that were worse off after the end of communism than before. His father was an economist in East Germany before the Wall fell, and after that, since Germany didn’t need socialist economists anymore, he began working at a casino. U himself was (and probably still is) a member of PDS, the descendant of the former German communist party that still advocates socialist ideals. He was with his party in a massive protest in 2002 when George W. visited Berlin, and he was not shy about expressing his disdain for both the moderate left (SPD) and the moderate right (CDU).
He studied music and was becoming a music teacher, and we shared our love for Beethoven’s 5th Piano Concerto. I still think of him every time I listen to it now.
After I returned to the States, he came too and spent a year in some college in the remote parts of Pennsylvania. We arranged to see each other in New York, but never connected. Then he went back to Germany and we didn’t talk for a long time.
Hearing from him was really nice and broght back a lot of memories. I have been missing Germany recently, and also missing the many people that I once spend so much time with there and then abruptly lost contact with. After coming back to the States, my life has changed so much and every single day was so exhausting and complicated for such a very long time (and still occasionally is) that I just didn’t have a moment to catch my breath and to reconnect with people I once knew (this includes college and high school friends).
Now I finally feel that I’m gradually coming out of the previous frantic, intense, breathless stage, and have moments of peace to think and reflect and reach out to reconnect to my past and the people that I liked or loved.
Of course, then I enter law school. Heh.
So frantically trying to tie all the loose ends around the office before I leave. I’m going to leave managing all the new staff in the capable hands of my coworker D, who’s one of my favorite coworkers, ever. If I didn’t have her, I’m sure the everyday work at the company wouldn’t be quite as fun.
Got an email from U from Germany. Am surprised to hear from him, actually. U had a crush on me in Germany, and was somewhat bitter that I didn’t reciprocate, which made our friendship always slightly off-key and tense.
We still hung out way too much that winter, mostly because in the beginning he was one of the only Germans I knew who could speak fluent English. So I frequented his little Potsdam apartment with no electrical or gas heat and the only way you can warm up a room was by shoving coal (yes, coal!) into this ceramic stove. And I had him over for dinner. A lot. And went on trips around Berlin. Yes, we spent a lot of time together that year.
U’s family was definitely one of those families that were worse off after the end of communism than before. His father was an economist in East Germany before the Wall fell, and after that, since Germany didn’t need socialist economists anymore, he began working at a casino. U himself was (and probably still is) a member of PDS, the descendant of the former German communist party that still advocates socialist ideals. He was with his party in a massive protest in 2002 when George W. visited Berlin, and he was not shy about expressing his disdain for both the moderate left (SPD) and the moderate right (CDU).
He studied music and was becoming a music teacher, and we shared our love for Beethoven’s 5th Piano Concerto. I still think of him every time I listen to it now.
After I returned to the States, he came too and spent a year in some college in the remote parts of Pennsylvania. We arranged to see each other in New York, but never connected. Then he went back to Germany and we didn’t talk for a long time.
Hearing from him was really nice and broght back a lot of memories. I have been missing Germany recently, and also missing the many people that I once spend so much time with there and then abruptly lost contact with. After coming back to the States, my life has changed so much and every single day was so exhausting and complicated for such a very long time (and still occasionally is) that I just didn’t have a moment to catch my breath and to reconnect with people I once knew (this includes college and high school friends).
Now I finally feel that I’m gradually coming out of the previous frantic, intense, breathless stage, and have moments of peace to think and reflect and reach out to reconnect to my past and the people that I liked or loved.
Of course, then I enter law school. Heh.
6/01/2005
Deep Throat Revealed
I suppose I should say something about the biggest news of today -- Deep Throat's identity being revealed.
But I have absolutely nothing to say.
As I commented to Boyfriend this evening, for my generation, Watergate was like the Civil War. We recognize its importance as a watershed event in history that changed many things forever, but the event just seems so far away that we can't really emotionally connect.
The same occurences that were so shocking and transformative for the last generation, to people alive at that time, we take for granted because we grew up with it and never knew anything different.
Someday, some younger generation will look at 9/11 the same way. In fact, some of these people are already a few years old. Thinking about this makes me feel very old.
But I have absolutely nothing to say.
As I commented to Boyfriend this evening, for my generation, Watergate was like the Civil War. We recognize its importance as a watershed event in history that changed many things forever, but the event just seems so far away that we can't really emotionally connect.
The same occurences that were so shocking and transformative for the last generation, to people alive at that time, we take for granted because we grew up with it and never knew anything different.
Someday, some younger generation will look at 9/11 the same way. In fact, some of these people are already a few years old. Thinking about this makes me feel very old.
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