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.

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, December 11th, 2009 | Law School

I’m studying up on Civil Procedure right now and came to a section on inconsistent allegations in pleading. The book says, “One commentary compares the phiolosophy of alternative pleading to a famous saying by Yogi Berra: ‘When you come to the fork in the road, take it.’”

The first time I read that, I definitely thought it said Yogi Bear, giving me much more respect for law people. Er, lawyers. I think that’s what they’re called. Sadly, a second reading proves it was actually Berra. Personally, I think my bear version makes more sense. I mean, he steals pic-i-nic baskets! He obviously has a food problem and must use forks. I don’t see how a baseball player saying it makes more sense. But that’s the law for you. It doesn’t always make sense.

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 | Law School

I need more sleep. Now that it gets dark in the afternoon, I’m finding it harder and harder to stay awake during the day. Naps are out of the question. No nap. I don’t really have much to say. I’m just typing in order to stay awake for dinner. I think I’ve written about 500 pages of notes so far in law school. As far as reading, I think I usually read around 150 pages a week. I guess that’s not too bad. Well, sometimes it can be. Each page can take as much as ten minutes to read. They all sound as if they were written by guys wearing white ponytail wigs. That’s not to say the subject matter is dull–just the writing. Also, pictures would be nice. I don’t care if it’s a law text, I want a picture. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Black and white will do just fine. Even a sketch, you know? Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the gold lettering on the cover and the simulation leather feel. But I just feel it’s missing that little extra *pop!* Does the exclamation point go in between the asterisks? I hope so.

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 | Law School

Can I use law school as an excuse? I’m not really sure who reads this, aside from Ashley and the occasional etsy clicker, so please excuse this rather mundane post.

I suppose I’ll first start off with a general conversation starter-the weather. The current weather is very similar to the coldest weather that Tucson experiences. Oddly enough, I’m handling it alright. See, in Tucson, I would typically forgo a jacket and just make a run for the car, knowing that the afternoons would warm up to a point where I wouldn’t need a jacket. Here, however, it remains chilly all day, so I wear a jacket. So, I’m actually warmer in Seattle. It’s crazy. Oh yeah, it’s not raining much here. I’m pretty annoyed. I left Arizona at the start of its rainy season, only to come to Seattle and experience minimal rainfall. At this point, I think that anyone who claims Seattle is rainy is a big liar. Nevertheless, I have bought myself a pair of boots. These boots are my first real pair ever, which is ironic considering I hail from a state full of Cowboys.

Now, onto law school. But first, someone in the building is playing Hey Jude, but all I can hear is the “Na na na naaaa…” It’s really annoying. So yes, law school. I think it’s going well. Unlike my undergrad, I’m taking notes, doing the readings, making outlines, and studying. And I even enjoy it. I’m not even that freaked out about getting called on. Ok, I’ll admit, it is a bit nerve-wracking watching my professor draw a random index card out of the stack and call on the person whose card it is. However, most of the time I’m not spacing out so it goes well.

My favorite classes are still property and contracts, although I still have no idea what I want to do for a living. Someone suggested copyright law, specifically in the entertainment field. That might use my music undergrad degree which would be a plus. I wonder if I’d have to start listening to music. I don’t really like doing that.

Wow, this post is dull.

I have a recipe I’ll be posting soon for the most wonderful corn soup ever. The best part is that it can be made using frozen kernels. I know, blasphemy! Er, should that be blasphemous? Whatever, I’m not going to grad school for English. I’m a gonna be a lawyer! Yar.

I suppose I should be ending this post. I have class shortly in which I will be arguing that an easement should be interpreted as it was originally agreed upon. Woo!

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!

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 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

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009 | General, Law School

Yeah, I said it, Seattle is weird. No, it’s not weird for the random Michael Jackson flash mobs, nor is it weird for all of the naked people that ride bikes here (as opposed to the ones who nakedly walk). No, Seattle is weird because rain falls directly down. It’s as if gravity is calling to her lost love, saying, “Rain, do not dally! Return to whence you came, preferably taking the fastest possible route, a straight line.” It really is quite crazy to me. In Arizona, rain is usually accompanied by wind. It would seem less odd for me to witness it moving parallel to the ground as opposed to perpendicular. And yes, I have referenced math related terms three times in this post. I am smart. 5th grade math smart (I did have to use spell check on parallel and perpendicular).

So I suppose that more than law school, rain perplexes me. Law school simply amuses me. While reading for torts, I encountered several cases relating to children performing negligent acts. While most of the cases were drawn out, there was a small, one sentence reference to a case in which a child, performing in a play as Peter Pan, attempted to fly using his own contraption. I was left to create that mental image and wonder just what happened to that Peter Pan. I then questioned whether he truly believed in fairies. Evidently, as the book would like us to conclude from its lack of details, he did not believe in them enough. Did I mention Zach’s cat will be coming to live with us on our 11th floor apartment? I wonder what her belief in fairies is. I think Zach will believe in closing all of the windows considering this cat is not be the brightest about protecting her nine lives:

Friday, August 28th, 2009 | Law School

That’s how I’m defined in law school. I just finished my first full week, not counting Criminal Law during the summer. I went from one course to five (torts, contracts, civil procedure, legal writing, and property law). Before you comment and ask me where my interest lies, I’ll just tell you: I don’t know. I don’t have a clue what I want to practice. Ideally, I’ll make enough to be able to shop at the Gap. That’s the plan anyway. Maybe, just maybe, Banana Republic. But I’d probably need a pretty awesome job for that one. Do they have an outlet?

It’s really interesting looking at what people wear in school. I saw one person in a suit and tie, and one wearing pajama bottoms. It really covers quite the spectrum of clothing. I tend to err on the side of nicer, one step above a t-shirt.

I haven’t been called on yet, although it is just like Legally Blonde. One teacher has a stack of cards with our names on them and draws about ten each class in order to call on people. Although I’ve only contributed a little to the discussions, I think my peers respect me. Is it because of my clear genius? My charm? My wit? My beauty? No. It’s because I told them an easy way to remember which room their classes are in. All of the female professors happen to be in one lecture hall, all of the male professors are in another. Oh well.

1 week down, 89 to go before I am Emily Esquire.