I live in paradise. Today:
1. The sea breeze has cleared away much of the coastal mist, giving me an excellent view from my balcony of the Coronado bay bridge and Mission Bay. San Diego must be the only place in California where you can pay $600 for rent a month and see the ocean from your balcony.
2. Even more flowers are blooming, everywhere--literally in the cracks on the sidewalk!
3. Millions of butterflies have descended on the city. It's raining orange, black and tan butterflies, all over the place, everywhere you look, fluttering by you in the parking lot, outside the supermarket, among the wildflowers. This only happens about twice a decade, when weather conditions are perfect.
4. It has been a sunny 75-77 degrees all day, not a cloud in the bright blue sky, with a mild cooling sea breeze that blows the butterflies around.
Sigh.
This weekend, I want to 1) hike at Torrey Pines, 2) check out the orchid and butterfly exhibit at the SD Wild Animal Park, 3) see the wildflowers in the dessert.
If anyone wants to visit SD, seriously, now is the time.
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Easter morning
Woke up Sunday morning at 5am, still jetlagged from Vienna.
I decided to drive up to LA and visit my family.
What an amazing morning—
Driving up the 5 fwy, only a handful of cars on the road,
On my left, the slate grey Pacific changed into a deep blue as the sun peeked over the mountains to my right
On both sides, a profusion of wildflowers,
Yellow, purple, white, sometimes specks of magenta and navy,
The sliver lining to all the rain we’ve had lately.
The iPod on full blast:
Louis Armstrong: Sunny Side of the Street
The Beatles: Here comes the Sun
Jack Johnson: Flake
The Gypsy Kings: Hotel California
It was the best hour and a half drive ever.
When I got to my parent’s house at 7:30am, everyone had already left for church, the freaks. I got to wander around my house, checking out the charred remains of the kitchen that my dad accidentally burned down a few days ago. Everyone else is alternately horrified that the kitchen burnt down and relieved the rest of the house didn’t. But my sister and I find it hilarious beyond belief that after 20 years of my dad griping “you better watch out, you’re going to burn the kitchen down!” he’s the one who finally does it.
Spent the rest of the morning and afternoon hanging out with my beautiful goddaughter, who is growing like crazy and can melt iron and hearts with her smile.
I decided to drive up to LA and visit my family.
What an amazing morning—
Driving up the 5 fwy, only a handful of cars on the road,
On my left, the slate grey Pacific changed into a deep blue as the sun peeked over the mountains to my right
On both sides, a profusion of wildflowers,
Yellow, purple, white, sometimes specks of magenta and navy,
The sliver lining to all the rain we’ve had lately.
The iPod on full blast:
Louis Armstrong: Sunny Side of the Street
The Beatles: Here comes the Sun
Jack Johnson: Flake
The Gypsy Kings: Hotel California
It was the best hour and a half drive ever.
When I got to my parent’s house at 7:30am, everyone had already left for church, the freaks. I got to wander around my house, checking out the charred remains of the kitchen that my dad accidentally burned down a few days ago. Everyone else is alternately horrified that the kitchen burnt down and relieved the rest of the house didn’t. But my sister and I find it hilarious beyond belief that after 20 years of my dad griping “you better watch out, you’re going to burn the kitchen down!” he’s the one who finally does it.
Spent the rest of the morning and afternoon hanging out with my beautiful goddaughter, who is growing like crazy and can melt iron and hearts with her smile.
Friday, March 25, 2005
Vienna recap
Got back from Vienna last night, what an amazing time. What struck me the most about the city was the architecture--building after breathtaking building. I went to the Kuntshistorich museum and saw, among other things, Brueghel's Hunters in the Snow and Tower of Babel, Caravaggio's David and Goliath, and an absolutely stunning collection of paintings by Bellotto. I also visited the Hofburg palace, the royal apartments, and the treasury. The treasury is supposedly the best in all of Europe, having once been the personal treasury of the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Rooms and rooms full of crowns, scepters, gold-threaded robes, creepy jewel-encased relics, and an 11-foot unicorn horn (or the tusk of a narwhal?) that was extremely powerful in the old days, bestowing upon its owner the grace of god. The crown of Rudolph the II was there too: it has survived since 1602 because all of the conquerors of Vienna had deemed it too beautiful to take apart. I couldn't get a good picture of it bc there was no flash photography allowed, but it really is extraordinary.
The arbitration moot was such an invaluable experience. We got to meet law students from all over the world and compete against some amazing teams. I can't wait to go again next year!!
The arbitration moot was such an invaluable experience. We got to meet law students from all over the world and compete against some amazing teams. I can't wait to go again next year!!
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Willkommen nach Wien!
Off to Vienna I go.
I'll be back on the 24th...meanwhile, I'll update as often as possible.
Auf Wiedersehen!
I'll be back on the 24th...meanwhile, I'll update as often as possible.
Auf Wiedersehen!
Monday, March 14, 2005
Sunday, March 13, 2005
fidget
i was told on two separate occasions today that i'm fidgety. i agree.
i'm always jiggling my leg around, capping and twirling my pens, moving around in my chair, etc. etc.
this may hurt me when i'm doing oral arguments in vienna, as i am not conscious of most of my fidgeting. i'll have to make a mental note to stay still, or the arbitrators might interpret my shakiness as nervousness and fear.
BUT, there is a silver lining to this cloud: a recent Mayo Clinic study determined that fidgeters burn an average of 350 more calories a day than non-fidgeters. this is the equivalent of running for 50 minutes. i have thus decided i can continue my lifelong practice of eschewing exercise in favor of shaking my leg and twirling my pen without significant adverse effects on my weight.
also, one slice of sara lee poundcake has 337 calories. :)
i'm always jiggling my leg around, capping and twirling my pens, moving around in my chair, etc. etc.
this may hurt me when i'm doing oral arguments in vienna, as i am not conscious of most of my fidgeting. i'll have to make a mental note to stay still, or the arbitrators might interpret my shakiness as nervousness and fear.
BUT, there is a silver lining to this cloud: a recent Mayo Clinic study determined that fidgeters burn an average of 350 more calories a day than non-fidgeters. this is the equivalent of running for 50 minutes. i have thus decided i can continue my lifelong practice of eschewing exercise in favor of shaking my leg and twirling my pen without significant adverse effects on my weight.
also, one slice of sara lee poundcake has 337 calories. :)
Saturday, March 12, 2005
Friday, March 11, 2005
i heart telemundo
got home from work today and cooked myself curried chicken with napa cabbage and shallots.
Sat down, turned on the TV, and it was inexlicably set to Telemundo.
It was a Mexican version of Jerry Springer, and let me tell you, Jerry's got nothing on them. The security guards don't even hold people back..I was literally sitting there with napa cabbage hanging out of my mouth shouting "Daaaamn," a la Craig and Smokey in Friday.
Hell hath no wrath greater than two scorned women beating the shit out of their ex and his new girlfriend.
Sat down, turned on the TV, and it was inexlicably set to Telemundo.
It was a Mexican version of Jerry Springer, and let me tell you, Jerry's got nothing on them. The security guards don't even hold people back..I was literally sitting there with napa cabbage hanging out of my mouth shouting "Daaaamn," a la Craig and Smokey in Friday.
Hell hath no wrath greater than two scorned women beating the shit out of their ex and his new girlfriend.
Thursday, March 10, 2005
some thoughts
I mailed Sherry a book today: The Bride Stripped Bare. A very illuminating read.
It’s about how no matter how much time you spend with someone, even if you’re married, even if you have kids together…you can never really know another person. When I look around at my friends and family, I wonder how well I really know each of them. I’ve known my sister since the day she was born, but do I really know who she is? The interior of a person is such unexplored—and inexplorable—terrain.
I think this is why I love reading blogs. Even though blogs are necessarily a representation of only the things the author wants the reader to see, it’s intriguing to see what people have done with their opportunity to exhibit. What beautiful paintings of their lives and experiences they have created with little more than words.
When I read my friends’ blogs, it adds a depth to our relationship, because when we see each other in person, sometimes there just isn’t time or opportunity to tell each other what’s going on in our minds. When I read strangers’ blogs, it’s like peeking into a neighbor’s lit, unshuttered window at night. To a certain extent, all readers of blogs are voyeurs and all bloggers exhibitionists.
It’s about how no matter how much time you spend with someone, even if you’re married, even if you have kids together…you can never really know another person. When I look around at my friends and family, I wonder how well I really know each of them. I’ve known my sister since the day she was born, but do I really know who she is? The interior of a person is such unexplored—and inexplorable—terrain.
I think this is why I love reading blogs. Even though blogs are necessarily a representation of only the things the author wants the reader to see, it’s intriguing to see what people have done with their opportunity to exhibit. What beautiful paintings of their lives and experiences they have created with little more than words.
When I read my friends’ blogs, it adds a depth to our relationship, because when we see each other in person, sometimes there just isn’t time or opportunity to tell each other what’s going on in our minds. When I read strangers’ blogs, it’s like peeking into a neighbor’s lit, unshuttered window at night. To a certain extent, all readers of blogs are voyeurs and all bloggers exhibitionists.
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
Sunday, March 06, 2005
TEN RANDOM THINGS ABOUT ME:
10. I am allergic to chocolate but eat it all the time anyway.
9. I am a cat lover.
8. My driver's license says I'm 5'2" but I'm really 5'1" and three quarters
7. I have a pretty large tattoo that runs along the right upper portion of my spine.
6. I miss having long hair.
5. I used to hate papayas, but now I love them
4. Bruschetta is my kryptonite.
3. I love to edit writing for grammar errors
2. I love wine
1. I can touch my nose with my tongue
NINE PLACES I'VE VISITED:
9. Sainte Chappelle, Paris
8. Chateu D'if, the prison where the Count of Monte Cristo was set, off the coast of France
7. Hangzhou, China
6. The Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam
5. Prague Castle, Czech Republic
4. Phi Phi, Thailand
3. The Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain
2. Waikiki, Oahu
1. Hong Kong
EIGHT THINGS I WANT TO DO BEFORE I DIE:
8. See the Pyramids in Egypt
7. Hike the Inca Trail to Macchu Picchu
6. Find my soulmate
5. Climb the nose route on El Capitan
4. See the Aurora Borealis
3. Sleep inside an igloo
2. Write a novel
1. Change someone's life for the better
SEVEN WAYS TO WIN MY HEART:
7. Witty Humor
6. Flowers (not roses)
5. Make me chocolate dipped strawberries and layered jello
4. Watch the sunset with me over Laguna Beach
3. Be extremely driven in your career goals
2. Read a lot of everything
1. Travel with me
SIX THINGS I BELIEVE IN:
6. Karma
5. Fate
4. The power of small gestures
3. Precognitive dreams
2. Garlic
1. My sister
FIVE THINGS I'M AFRAID OF:
5. The dark
4. Spiders
3. Scary movies
2. Being left alone when I am old
1. Mediocrity
FOUR SONGS ON MY MIND:
4. Drops of Jupiter
3. Pachabel Canon, Mozart
2. Esperanto, Freundeskreis
1. Life in Mono, Mono
THREE THINGS I TOUCH EVERYDAY:
3. My cell phone
2. My coffee cup
1. My laptop
TWO THINGS I AM TRYING NOT TO DO RIGHT NOW:
2. Eat red meat (did that 10 mins ago)
1. Procrastinate (doing that right now)
ONE PERSON I WANT TO SEE RIGHT NOW:
1. Sherry
10. I am allergic to chocolate but eat it all the time anyway.
9. I am a cat lover.
8. My driver's license says I'm 5'2" but I'm really 5'1" and three quarters
7. I have a pretty large tattoo that runs along the right upper portion of my spine.
6. I miss having long hair.
5. I used to hate papayas, but now I love them
4. Bruschetta is my kryptonite.
3. I love to edit writing for grammar errors
2. I love wine
1. I can touch my nose with my tongue
NINE PLACES I'VE VISITED:
9. Sainte Chappelle, Paris
8. Chateu D'if, the prison where the Count of Monte Cristo was set, off the coast of France
7. Hangzhou, China
6. The Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam
5. Prague Castle, Czech Republic
4. Phi Phi, Thailand
3. The Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain
2. Waikiki, Oahu
1. Hong Kong
EIGHT THINGS I WANT TO DO BEFORE I DIE:
8. See the Pyramids in Egypt
7. Hike the Inca Trail to Macchu Picchu
6. Find my soulmate
5. Climb the nose route on El Capitan
4. See the Aurora Borealis
3. Sleep inside an igloo
2. Write a novel
1. Change someone's life for the better
SEVEN WAYS TO WIN MY HEART:
7. Witty Humor
6. Flowers (not roses)
5. Make me chocolate dipped strawberries and layered jello
4. Watch the sunset with me over Laguna Beach
3. Be extremely driven in your career goals
2. Read a lot of everything
1. Travel with me
SIX THINGS I BELIEVE IN:
6. Karma
5. Fate
4. The power of small gestures
3. Precognitive dreams
2. Garlic
1. My sister
FIVE THINGS I'M AFRAID OF:
5. The dark
4. Spiders
3. Scary movies
2. Being left alone when I am old
1. Mediocrity
FOUR SONGS ON MY MIND:
4. Drops of Jupiter
3. Pachabel Canon, Mozart
2. Esperanto, Freundeskreis
1. Life in Mono, Mono
THREE THINGS I TOUCH EVERYDAY:
3. My cell phone
2. My coffee cup
1. My laptop
TWO THINGS I AM TRYING NOT TO DO RIGHT NOW:
2. Eat red meat (did that 10 mins ago)
1. Procrastinate (doing that right now)
ONE PERSON I WANT TO SEE RIGHT NOW:
1. Sherry
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
I've been really busy as of late.
Started working at a firm part-time, and between that, class, and trying my best i can to prepare for the Vienna moot competition in 2 weeks, I'm pretty beat. I feel horribly unprepared for the moot, but I'll do my best...the upside being that the faster we get eliminated, the more leisure time we have in Vienna! Budapest is just 3 hours away by bus--really hope we get to check it out.
Started working at a firm part-time, and between that, class, and trying my best i can to prepare for the Vienna moot competition in 2 weeks, I'm pretty beat. I feel horribly unprepared for the moot, but I'll do my best...the upside being that the faster we get eliminated, the more leisure time we have in Vienna! Budapest is just 3 hours away by bus--really hope we get to check it out.
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