Game Changers.

First day of work and already seeing some game changers. I went to work yesterday and really enjoyed it. My judge is really nice and fair. He even reminded me of my mother (which is good). One man was pleading guilty to shoplifting and the judge looks at him and says, "It wasn't worth it, was it?" To which the man could only reply, "No it wasn't, Your Honor." I can see my mom saying that to a kindergartener (in fact, I did last week) or to me. However, I don't normally steal from K-Mart.

My judge didn't have much going on so he sent me to watch the court in session in the room next door where they were sentencing a man convicted of First Degree Murder (the worst kind) of a police officer. This is a death penalty case. To sentence someone to death, there must be an "aggravating circumstance," such as killing a police officer in uniform on duty. So, he was convicted of all of this. But the New Mexican supreme court said that to be sentenced to the death penalty he must be sentenced by a different jury. Why, I don't know. I was told it has something to do with the tainting of the jury through the guilt and innocence process. But, it seems like the state "proved beyond a reasonable doubt" that he meets all of the elements. Legal scholars, help!

Did I mention that this case is the last death penalty case for all of New Mexico? Well, it is. New Mexico recently quit the death penalty and this is just the last case before the quitting became official. How cool! I got to see the last day of trial of the last death penalty case forever in New Mexico. Historic, I know.

So, that afternoon I watched some motions and stuff, it was really cool, the lawyers seem on it and to really care, and the judge seems fair and reasonable.

But, the last bit of my day was spent watching a hearing to suppress evidence for a DWI. All my fellow 1Ls at Drexel must also have a soft spot for evidence suppression motions and briefs. I know I do. But it is a really cool case because it could change the way the county (or even state) sheriffs can work with police in the Indian Tribes. I foresee myself nerding out on this later in the summer. So, for all the non-law students, Sorry!

Adventure to New Mexico

As usual, I tried to smash more into my final days and hours in Philly than would really fit. But it was worth it. In the last few days I got to see most of my philly friends to say "see ya later," then cleaned out my apartment, and got out of here.
Leaving was hard. Partially because of saying goodbye to my close friends, my apartment, and yes, my land lord. But it was mostly hard because of traffic and long lines. I was stuck on 38th street for far too long due to Penn's packing. So, I only had an hour 'til my flight was to take off when I got to the airport. When I finally got to the airport I spent forty minutes in the line for security. There, I met two very nice people, a grandmother visiting Philly for her grandson's graduation, and a doctor who advised me of the best So-Cal airports based on security speed (LAX is fast, Ontario faster, and John Glenn fastest).
When I finally made it through I raced to my gate because I could hear them paging me. But I couldn't run properly because I hadn't latched my sandals, my bag's handle was too short, and I REALLY had to pee. So, when I reached the gate I was at the wrong one. They directed me to the next one... but my gate had been transferred. By the time I got to the correct (third) gate I was so frazzled the airport employee thought I was crazy. She gave me my boarding passes and assured me that my plane hadn't even landed and had plenty of time. Good thing too because airport bathrooms are much better than airplane bathrooms.
So, I went to find a seat, which had to be at another gate because mine was overcrowded. Then I heard the loud speaker say something about a laptop. And I think to myself, "Did I put my laptop away? No, I didn't even latch my sandals. Weird. Oh shit! They've got my laptop!" So, the poor employee sees me coming over and says, "I paged you, I thought it was yours." And I took it, very chagrined, and said thank you.
I was the last person on the flight but have a seat. So, on to Saint Louis then to Santa Fe! Here's hoping my time in the airport was more eventful than my time in the air.

Whirl Wind

Woo, it has been a crazy past few weeks! The time has flown. I should have flown, but instead I have been driving all over the east coast.
So, as many of you know, my grandfather passed a few weeks ago. He went really peacefully, was ready to go, and lived a great life. I know we will all really miss him. I know everyone dies; I wish everyone could go as gently as he did. But I was in Pittsburgh for the memorial service and didn't get back to Philadelphia until Monday at 11:45pm. So, basically on Tuesday.
That day I worked all day, and packed for my next trip. On Wednesday, I woke up and picked up my bike!! And my dear cousin Caroline in Reading. At that point I already had my suitcase in the car. We took my bike to my house and unloaded Caroline at her house. Then I went to work. Straight from work I began my journey to North Carolina to visit Wake Forest.
I spent Thursday at the Wake Forest School of Divinity, and wasn't really feeling it. It turns out that seminaries train ministers, not activists, like I had assumed from all the activist-ministers I know and adore. That evening I spent the night with Bob and Deena, with whom I am related, but need to draw a picture to explain our blood ties. I had a wonderful time with them. They have a beautiful house, are super interesting and hospitable... it was the highlight of my trip to North Carolina!
Unfortunately, it was the highlight of my trip to North Carolina (not to suggest that it wasn't great, it was). I spent Friday at the Wake Forest School of Law, and I was just overwhelmed by the lack to concern or acknowledgment of social justice. I felt like it was completely ignored, and I know that in "normal" conversation it doesn't necessarily come up... But we were in a tobacco-fortune-heir-named building, with all kinds of white men (don't get me wrong, I love many white men), and talking about proving people's innocence. There were a lot of great places to talk about social justice and societal things, but it didn't come up. In fact, the professor asked the class if anyone had ever been in a protest (class of like, 50) and no one raised their hands.... but me. Come on!
I left the school and drove to Washington DC. I hung out with Liz, from Scripps College, and we had a great time. On Saturday we visited the capital, proper. Spent a little time at the Supreme Court, walked by congress, walked through the mall, but didn't buy(meaning, "believe") anything people were trying to sell us, took a nap at the Washington Monument, joined the crowd at the Lincoln Memorial, and saw the crowd at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, so decided against trying to get in it. Then we had a nice relaxing evening watching "The Kids Are All Right."
Sunday I was off to a WONDERFUL round table discussion about Children with Incarcerated Parents in the Child Welfare System. Did I mention it was wonderful? I really enjoyed it and got a lot of out it.
Then I headed home, where I haven't had a moment's rest, yet!
All that is to say that:
1. I am supposed to call several people (back) and I haven't. This is not an excuse, just a request for your mercy.
2. I Don't see myself at Wakeforest, sorry to those of your rooting for WF. If you want the window sticker they gave me I will send it your way.
3. I am tired. Send me presents.
4. I should write in this blog more often
That is all for my numbering. I will be visiting Cardozo next Monday, wish me love for NYC.
I hope to hear from you soon!!

Law School Status Update

Dear concerned friends and family,
I wanted to update you all on my law school application statuses.
I am accepted at: Drexel University (Philadelphia), Temple University (Philadelphia), Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem NC), and Northeastern University (Boston).
I wasz wait listed at University of Wisconsin.
This morning I looked online at my statuese for schools that I ahve not officially heard back yet. They are (cryptically) as follows:
USC: In Review, last updated 2/2
UC Davis: Awaiting Evaluation (no date given)
American: Application Complete (no date given)
Cardoza: Complete and Under Review last updated 12/6/2010

That's it for now. I will keep ya'll updated.
Love to you all!!

My Life the Situational Comedy

I was told a while back that I should turn my current life into a sitcom. And perhaps I should. But then again, here are the things that I was told to put into the sitcom:
It was a cloudy day. I was driving to the store with a coworker and some crazy Philly drivers were just running the red light. "Oh No they don't! and I made my (on the green arrow) left turn and merged in with them. It wasn't until I was in the middle of all these rule breakers that he informed me that it was a funeral procession. "WHAT? Where're the flags?" Apparently in Philadelphia they don't use flags they use little orange stickers. Well who is going to see those? Not me, that's for sure. When I got back to the office (safely) I was further informed that sometimes there isn't even a sticker for every car, you just have to look for the flashers to be on.
But here's my problem with that: Philadelphia drivers are crazy. They will park their car in the middle of the street and leave their flashers on. In South Phila I have seen (and am told it is legal) cars parked in the painted yellow part of the road between the two lanes of traffic, and cars parked on the street two deep. How does one get out if they are next to the curb? I certainly don't know.
So when I see people ignoring red lights with their flashers on, I assume they have just never been exposed to how people are actually supposed to drive. Needless to say (based on my reaction to their driving) I am accustomed to their driving and now drive much like that myself, while in Philadelphia. Further, my coworker will no longer ride with me. He's such a baby.
There is more: like when I tried to convince my boss that when Jay-Z raps that he has soda in the kitchen and I tried to convince him that the soda is baking soda and Jay-Z's "Z" stands for Zucchini and he is making Zucchini bread with the baking soda. But I am not sure if my boss thinks that I believe that and that is what he found so funny, or just the idea. I hope he doesn't think I am that WASP. But then again, I could really go for some Zucchini Bread right now.
The other thing that I am told is funny is how to talk to men who ask my name when they don't really need to be talking to me. I have had two great experiences in which I responded very appropriately. The first i was walking out of my house getting ready to walk over to volunteer. I was snacking on some sandwiches I made for the walk and getting ready to listen to some music when this guy walking down the street asks my name. I responded with, "No, I'm not playing that game." And just kept walking. He was old....
The other situation was at a bar and I was trying to get up to the bar to order a drink for me and my friend. And so I was standing next to some guys who were sitting at the bar. And they asked my name, and so I responded "Whiskey and Coke." The day before I had been told by some very reliable radio personalities that if a man hasn't bought you a drink and he asks your name you should tell him your drink and only give him your name after he has bought you a drink. Since I wasn't interested I told him my friends drink.
She never got that drink. He just got a good laugh and I got a funny story to blog about. On a side note, I sang Karaoke that night and was AM-AZE-ING. (yes I know I added and extra "e"..).

I started to post earlier about how my day was going terribly but how somehow something felt right, at least. And so, let's measure my day:
I had a hard conversation, but it was good that I had it. (neutral)
I locked myself out of my bedroom, and my car keys are trapped inside: implications: cannot get to work, cannot enter bedroom. must use subway. And my landlord isn't around to let me in until this afternoon. Negative 5.
I JUST GOT MY FIRST ACCEPTANCE LETTER FOR LAW SCHOOL: WAKE FOREST, NC!!! positive 10
So, I guess today I am coming out on top.
Sorry for the long delays in posting, I haven't had much to say lately....

All Things New

As many of you know, I have a tattoo of a dove and olive branch. I got this during my first year of college, reasoning that I would never be anti-peace. But as I became more interested in issues of justice, I began to question the appropriateness of that particular symbol. We may recall that the dove was the bird that brought back plant life-- olive branch--to Noah in Genesis, thus indicating that God's flood which destroyed all of humanity except 8 people was over.  After thinking more about that destruction and vengeance I began to explain that my tattoo had come to remind me of the cost of peace, often at the expense of justice. How could a just and all-loving god condemn all but 8 people to death? Was there no redemption for them? But, and new and supposedly better world was being created, and it would never happen again (by flood), so there was peace.I was glad to have that reminder, but I must admit, a little saddened that my God had done that and that I must remember those--dare I say cruel--acts.
But, last night, I was at a Presbyterian service--of all the churches, right!?--and the pastor spoke on re-creation (not the running kind).  He argued that even creation was a re-creation because before God spoke there was the sea. And the sea was chaos incarnate. (Now, this is where is gets confusing between literal and metaphoircal interpretation.) I realized that while I decidedly do not take the creation stories literally, I had, to an extent, been taking the story of Noah and the Ark literally.
But what if we choose to believe in the flood as a flood of chaos, instead of literal water, and the death as a falling into chaos, instead of literal death? The Israelites, like the Presbyterians, were very concerned with order and without the order that God brings through constant recreation (which feels very chaotic) we drown in chaos.
**God, Please send us a booey of your new creation today that we might breathe in your spirit and find hope, joy, and love in this constantly churning and up-heaving world of chaos.