Wednesday, February 24th, 2010 | General, Law School, Recipes

Yes indeed, I made pot stickers. Well, Americanized ones. Specifically, Alton Brown ones. I thought they came out pretty decently considering it was my first attempt. We dipped them in a honey soy sauce that was also quite nice. Next up: I tackle Mexican! Well…there might be burgers in between. We have to use up the bacon jam I bought Zach for Valentine’s. Gosh, this post is just full of product placement. Anyway, time for the life part of the post.

Today I attended several lectures on gender in the law. It was actually quite surprising how far women still have to go, and it really made me think about my past jobs. While I have no idea if I made as much as my male counterparts, I do know that I was hired for certain jobs because of my gender. For instance, in one Office supply store I worked at, the customer service department was filled to the Max with women. Now, in the manager’s defense, the non-cashier positions did involve a certain amount of heavy lifting, however I was annoyed not to have even been given the option to try. Any attempt I’d make to grab a box of paper would result in someone shouting for a guy to come help me. In one of my other jobs, a store which was like a City of Circuitry, the customer service department was much more even in terms of gender. However, the few women to be found in the other departments were transfers from customer service. In this store, it was well known that customer service was the lowest paid, despite having arguably the most important job (who answered the phone after no more than three rings? Me, that’s who). I guess the point of all of this is that when you stop to look around, it’s interesting to note all of the instances where sexism in the workplace does exist.

Oh, and chivalry. I’m sick of chivalry. Yes, politeness is nice, but sometimes it can grate me. For instance, a few years ago I had dinner with a large group of friends. I held the door as everyone walked through, just so that the door wouldn’t be flapping for each one of us. One person, however, refused to walk through. Clearly a courteous gentleman, he motioned for me to walk and he’d hold the door for me. I gave him my most sugary smile and said, “Oh no, after you, I insist!” No one can say no to a lady. He walked. That was MY door to hold and no one else’s. But really, what was the purpose for him to attempt to take the door from me? Had he held it for everyone it would have been fine. A courteous gesture. Even if it had just been the two of us and he held it, that would have been ok. But to not allow me to complete my door holding task, simply because I have an extra X chromosome? Craziness. I do wonder…if the world changes and chivalry dies, will I miss it?

Despite all that I’ve written, do keep one thing in mind: I want off the Titanic first.

Friday, February 12th, 2010 | General

The first time I had Dominos was in college. That was also the last. *dramatic chipmunk* Until today.

I have just ordered two pizzas and some free cinna stix. I’m not even sure if that’s how you spell it. I don’t like made up spellings.

I will admit that I’m liking the impressive looking “pizza tracker.” Earl just put my pizza in at 7:03.

I will keep you updated.

*Edit #1* No! Zach picked up the pizza too quickly! While I was posting this, the bar went from bake to ready for pickup!! Now I won’t know if they did the quality check!!!

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010 | General, Law School

Isn’t that what everyone says? Maybe I can blame law school for my lack of updates. Yes…except…I have done other things than just studying. First off, Zach and I took a mini-vacation and went to the fake Bavarian town of Leavenworth. Note: Not the prison town, the other one…in Washington. I was finally able to escape the endless sun of Seattle (I’m serious…apparently it’s a record January) and see some snow!

Zach and I didn’t name him. For some reason, I’m all out of creativity. I think it was all the scrounging for moss hair that took it out of me. That and Zach’s friendly warnings of “I think that’s poisonous” everytime I’d grab some.

While in Leavenworth, we checked out the cute little shops. For some reason, we decided to go into a shop that had hats. I’m not a hat person. In fact, I don’t know why I even chose to go into that store…my only guess is that this hat had great magical powers that drew me into the shop.

Finally, I’ve done a bit of baking/cooking. The other night I made a broccoli soup along with challah bread. I only made the bread because I didn’t want to walk to the store to buy bread. Somehow, I thought making it would be easier. Yeah, it actually was…until I realized I was out of flour midway through and had to walk to the store to buy some.

Next time, Zach can just eat soup. No bread for him. I know, I’m whiny about walking to the store. But I am sick of carrying groceries uphill. It’d be one thing if I had to walk uphill to get to the store, but it’s another to lug gallons of milk up a hill to get home. Yes, gallons. I drink a lot of milk. I buy my milk at costco now, two gallons at a time. I’m thinking about just investing in a cow and saving myself some trouble. I imagine it would also be better for the environment since I wouldn’t require plastic jugs and those little plastic pull things that come off of the carton tops. I hate those. I never toss them. Yet magically, they disappear. I guess that’s what dads and Zachs are for. Oh, and Ashleys. I assume she tossed them for me. I certainly didn’t. That’s what roommates are for.

So, that’s what’s up with me. Still in law school, still liking it, now looking for a summer job. Oh, still taking the gummy vitamins. I’m so full of vitamin D, it’s amazing!

Friday, January 8th, 2010 | General

Ever since I saw the advertisement for adult gummy vitamins, I knew I had to try them. Also, Ashley–I’m sorry I made fun of you for buying children’s vitamins that tasted good. Anyway, I realize that regular pill vitamins are much better for me but I’m a horrible pill taker. It’s not that I’m not capable…I just psyche myself out sometimes. Especially on those giant pills that contain iron. I freak out and end up choking/vomiting. Also, allergy pills sometimes do it to me, but in my defense, it’s my dog’s fault! See, Jake used to take the same pills (apparently dogs can take human pills?) and he’d always choke on them. As I would take them, that image of him would pop into my head and then I’d choke. So, see, not crazy.

But back to the gummy vitamins. After looking in many different stores, I finally found them in the Phoenix Costco. I must say I’m pleasantly surprised. They don’t have the odd texture of the chocolate Viactivs but rather are quite similar to gummys (gummies?). Unfortunately, they lack the amount of vitamins found in One-a-day pills, however I figure this is better than nothing.

While researching them, I came across some amusing posts on taking children’s vitamins. These were my favorites:

“I take my dogs’ multivitamins when I’m out of mine, so I’m hardly one to talk.”

“one night i got all *expletive*ed up… i decided to eat an entire bottle of scooby-doo gummy vitamins. i woke up the next day and saw the empty bottle and was like ‘oh *expletive*‘.

i went to the pharmacy, and the pharmacist told me to go to the ER. when i got to the ER, i got some really dumb looks, but they said i would be fine…”

“I can’t buy yummy vitamins or I end up eating the whole bottle in one go, which really cant be good for you. Everytime I’ve bought them, even though i try not to, it always end up the same.. hmmm… one more….i really shouldnt but hmmm… one more…. maybe just one more… maybe two more… maybe 5 more, eat them all!”

Thursday, October 8th, 2009 | General

I was digging through old blog entries on livejournal and wanted to share this picture I took of my roommate’s cat. He was sitting on my curtains, licking himself you-know-where, and was none too pleased when I snapped this photo:

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009 | General, Law School

I really think the weather is mocking me. I left Arizona, having not seen rain for many months, only to come to the land of eternal sunshine. Yes, I realize Seattle is likely going to rain soon. And I know you’re probably thinking, “Boy, she’s going to regret wishing for rain!” but I don’t care. Bring on the rain. I want it. No more bright sunny days. No more chilly mornings followed by warm afternoons. Bring on the drizzle and cold. I want to sleep with the heat on. I want to wear my snuggie to the grocery store without fear of ridicule. Also, I want a dog, just so I can make it wear the new Snuggie For Dogs.

In other non-weather news, I love Windows 7. My boyfriend was selected to host one of the many Windows launch parties and I’m thrilled! I got a free copy of Windows (awesome, btw) as well as a pack of cards, balloons, tote bags, an uninspired centerpiece, and more. I just went from XP to 7 and I’m in heaven. Ooh, seven rhymes with heaven! I should do marketing for Microsoft. I’m awesome at that, just like a cat. That rhymes with cat. I’m a marketing genius.

Now, back to putting my genius at work in case briefs for class. Torts, here I come!

Thursday, September 24th, 2009 | General

One of the perks of having a boyfriend who works at Microsoft is the free stuff. I absolutely love getting something free, even if it’s useless. Wait, I should qualify that…I love getting anything free unless it’s a soy candy bar. That stuff just is weird. Anyway, the first major thing Zach got me is a Windows 7 Launch Party! We get to host our own party to celebrate Windows. The best part is that our party pack will be arriving shortly. In it I’ll find a free copy of Windows 7 (awesome, btw), a puzzle, windows napkins, tote bags, a centerpiece, playing cards, and more! I’m so excited!
Now, on to the second bit of awesomeness I received. Can you guess?

SNUGGIE! IT’S A SNUGGIE! It’s even embroidered with an Office logo. Now, I’m not sure if it’s supposed to be so…uh…large, but whatever. I also don’t really get that pocket in the front. I haven’t tested its warmth yet, but I have pretended to be a wizard. I’m truly magical in it.

Microsoft: Please give away shamwows at your next function. I really want one. A lot.

Monday, September 14th, 2009 | General, Law School

QFC is a mean grocery store. In order to get to the aisle that has all of the vegetables, you have to walk past bags and bags of candy. Usually candy doesn’t tempt me to buy it, but today was a different story. Really, how can anyone ignore the rainbow “Value Bag” filled to the brim with smarties? I just don’t think it’s possible. So, I bought the bag. After the fact I had to justify it, but I think I’ve figured how I can do that. I will only allow myself to have a smartie (or is the singular smarty?) if I finish reading for a class. I have ten classes a week so I can have ten packs of smarties. Of course, I have to try one first. Just to make sure they’re not poisoned or anything. You know, it’s a risk!

MMMM.

Sugar is the best. So are candy bribes to get through law school.

Sunday, September 13th, 2009 | General

At about one this afternoon, after a series of hunger pangs, I decided it was time to get out of bed. In my defense, I was working on my Contracts outline (when promissory estoppals come into play, I just get so distracted!).* Thus began a half hour long battle to get Zach to go out to IHOP with me. Why did I choose IHOP when I’m in this bountiful food city known as Seattle? When I have Caffe Presse a few blocks away or fresh farmer’s market foods in the other direction? Because some days, you just want fast, cheap, and mediocre. And today was one of those days.

At first, Zach said absolutely not. He was in denial–he had no choice in the matter and we were going. Then he tried to convince me how horrible it was, upset at the high coffee prices. Then he bargained, causing me to check out half a dozen other places on yelp. Throughout all of this was saddness that I could even suggest such a thing here in Seattle. Finally, the last stage of grief: Acceptance. And we were off!

On the way we passed dozens of women walking for Breast Cancer. Zach made some passing comment about how it would be nice if we had walked. I ignored him, knowing full well that he just wanted to get out of IHOP. He’s sneaky like that.

We made it to the slightly run down IHOP (Zach: “Is this even a real IHOP?”) and were quickly seated by a waiter in an NFL jersey who explained the sports themed specials. We ordered and coffee quickly arrived for Zach. I tried to convince him that it’s wonderful to have your own giant pot of coffee. He did not see that as a selling feature.

When I see this, it reminds me of Droopy:

So, the coffee didn’t exactly win Zach over. Our food came a short while later and was actually pretty good. Zach was especially pleased that the waiter brought kechup AND hot sauce. I must say that pancakes were really tasty, although we both agreed that it was more of a dessert food than a breakfast one.

It is now 2:45 and I am quite satisfied. Now it’s back to Contracts and Legal Writing. And maybe some Civil Procedure, just for kicks :)

*It took me ten minutes to figure out how to do the punctuation in this sentence. I still don’t know if it’s right. Is there some internet guide to grammar? All I found were forums bickering over exclamation points.

Sunday, September 6th, 2009 | General, Law School

I have finished week two of law school and wanted to something interested I learned. It’s not about how to plead cases or the property laws concerning foxes. Rather, it’s the simple phrase “Very truly yours.” We’ve been looking at client letters (letters a lawyer will send to a client informing him/her of the situation with recommendations). At the end of many of them is the phrase “Very truly yours.” While it went mostly unmentioned in class, I found it quite odd and it got me thinking…what is the history of this phrase? Is it a generational phrase?

Hearing “Very truly yours” reminds me of signing a letter XOXO. Also, what’s the deal with the very in there? Is truly yours not enough? I’m not just yours, I’m truly yours…no wait…VERY truly yours. Super duper yours.

Wikipedia says that it’s rarely used in the UK anymore because it can make one appear superior, however it is found in slang, such as “Yours truly.”

Yet someone else claims it was actually used by a subordinate: “Very truly yours, your humble servant. XOXO.” I might have embellished the end on that one.

One internet site rejects it because it’s used primarily by lawyers, claiming they write something cold-hearted and follow it up with a sickly sweet “very truly yours.” I will ignore this one. My heart is warm and loving, so there.

Of the young people I asked (2 people. Yes, I’m the best at taking accurate surveys), all found it odd and informal. I wonder if this comes from growing up with the internet. Chats are often concluded with informal phrases like “ttyl, laterz, brb, l8r, ttfn, bai, ____ has signed off.” These phrases make no mention of one person’s possession of another, they’re simply means of saying goodbye. All of my letters are sent via email, not the postal service. Half the time, I don’t even use valedictions. I wonder if using a means that lacks the personal touch of handwriting and where you frequently correspond with someone you’ve never seen contribute to one’s desire to refrain from any ending that might hint at something personal.

But what makes that ending seem so personal? I think it comes down to the word “yours.” Long ago, did people in love say to each other “I’m yours,” or is this a modern phrase? When did “yours” go from respect and admiration to love in the romantic sense?

How do you feel about “Very truly yours?” Is it respectful or is it too personal? Also, if you don’t mind, how old are you?

Very truly yours,
Emily