A Year in Review

2007 has come and gone, and like all the years before it and the years to come, its had its ups and downs. My thoughts are all over the place now but I decided it was important for me to chronicle some semblance of events from this past year in blog form (a virtual time capsule, if you will). I will forego the numbered list I tend to write and instead, tilda it.

~Law school: If I can divide my life into a timeline, everything before grad school is Phase 1 and everything after is Phase 2. Who knew it could be such a life-altering experience? I am truly grateful that I've passed all that I need to pass and that I'm still here. So much of what I blog about involves my academic life so its fair to say that I'll leave any reference to it from here on for future posts. On to phase 3.

~Traveling to Boston with Friends: A mini-vacation filled with mini thrills (bike touring!) and some rich history. I hope these sorts of ventures become a tradition.

~Virginia Tech Massacre: I remember the day because it was Su's birthday. The shock of the event was almost paralyzing. That could have been my university, completely open and free and unsuspecting of the magnanimity of horror the day would encounter. Columbine, Little Rock, Virginia Tech. In cold blood.

~Working with the Federal Public Defender: My first "legal" job. My first encounter with the criminal justice system, sans that one time in traffic court...

~Getting a new bed: Blogworthy, because its been eleven flippin' years.

~Nurturing a hobby: I think photography has officially become a new hobby. It all started with the fotolog (oh how I miss thee!) and now its the kind of activity thats distractingly fun. I know I harp on you sometimes for undermining civilization, but thank you technology for YOU and your ever evolving innovations.

~A 21st century Assassination: When I was in junior high, one of my social studies projects was called "Women in History." I basically profiled major female leaders from all over the world. I was proudest of three South Asian women: Gandhi, Bandaranaike (First Woman Prime Minister in the World from Sri Lanka) and Bhutto, for the simple fact that they were brown women from supposed "third-world" countries in positions of unprecedented political power, a feat that has yet to occur in our industrialized, "progressive" nation. Though I'm not surprised by Benazir's demise, such an event bodes no good for democracy, no good for humanity anywhere.

~The War: Well, we have a couple for our generation. As 2008 approaches, we've managed to surpass the length of both World Wars, with no future end in sight. Here's where I mention my politics: the last eight years have sucked the soul of America. Good riddance you clown.

~Debates, debates, debates: Is the Presidential election over yet?

~Celebrity Delinquents: Paris, Britney, Lindsey, Paris, Britney, Lindsey, BLAHHH. And now a celebteen, preggers at 16. Celebrity pop culture has reached new lows. And so has the media.

~Philadelphia: The smallest big town I've ever lived in. Despite the sucky drivers, I appreciate that I can walk into stores there and receive a friendly greeting. I step onto the shores of NYC and a frown slowly but naturally forms on my face to accommodate the atmosphere. Home sweet home.

~Discovering new people, building new relationships: The list of roommates and former roommates grows! I'm fortunate to be surrounded by such eclectic people.

~Getting a new kitchen: I will embrace the mismatched granite tiles. I'm so happy we have ovens! Ovens without strings tied to hold them up!

~Family and Friends: Always a joy to be around. Each year passes and I learn something new about everyone I love. Sometimes, the discovery can be disheartening, which then forces one to reevaluate how they view the world and those around them. Still, I am so blessed to have incredibly warm, funny, thoughtful and prayerful individuals in my life.

~A new nephew: Reuben Philip, born December 28th @ 11:20 am. I love babies!

A post like this doesn't seem complete without a blurb on resolutions. Of course, the usual ones hover about. But there is one that captures the essence of all of them: I hope to put in 100% of energy, time and prayer into everything I do. I'm reminded of a quote from Su's blog that is the most constructive observation of life I've read:

"Settle for the shape your life takes... instead of waiting and wishing for what might make you happy."

One step forward, no steps back. Cheers to a new year!

Home Grown Hippie

I discovered Ingrid Michaelson after reading an article about her in the Times. Apparently she's also featured in Rolling Stone, her songs have been used in Old Navy commercials and a couple of them were used in Grey's Anatomy (I am told the season finale?) I started listening to her music mainly because I was attracted to the fact that:

1. She's born/raised/lives on the Island
2. and she went to SITech.

I love the song, but hate the clowns. Enjoy!

Hiatus

Phrases and words and pictures that once oozed off the tip
Of my ball-point pen
Now stilted by the heavy Socratic cloak
of perpetual Reasoning
Imagination is buried in it.

I am no logician.
Perhaps she will resurrect (again).

Random Call of the Day

I mean, it was SO random I just had to blog about it.

The son of one of our close family friends is getting married on Sunday. Growing up, almost every childhood summer involved taking a trip to Long Island to visit Uncle, Aunty and R&J. I always believed R was considerably older than the rest of us, mainly because us girls (my sisters and J) would do our own thing and R secluded himself in his room playing video games and such (I knew this because we snuck into his room once and started playing his Nintendo). So much so was the lack of communication between us (or me as I can only speak for myself) and R that in the years we've known this family, I think I've spoken to him a total of two times, and I'm pretty sure that one time it was just a hello.

Anyway.

This morning I'm checking my voicemail, and to my surprise, R left me a message ("Hi Gini, this is R...J's brother") asking me whether my family is coming to his wedding because he hadn't received an RSVP. I knew for certain, and later confirmed, that my parents replied, because they had specifically asked me whether I'd be here for the wedding and I distinctly remembering saying no.

I only wish you knew how absolutely remote and bizarre and RANDOM this was because then you'd know how I weirdly appreciated it.

Nostalgia

1. Watching this brought me back to my St. Adalbert's childhood, and learning my most favorite and treasured carols for this first time with my sisters. I had always wished our Church could pull off a Christmas pageant like the one featured in this little gem.

2. PB&J sandwiches remind me of our old home on Willow Road East. They remind me of the days where we'd lounge in our basement, watching Matlock, Barney (you know...just for Tilly) and soap operas after school with Mommy. A bizarre combination of television programming, I know, but what can I say, we were precocious little children =P

3. Listening to Malayalam music reminds me of ganamelas ("concerts") and our intercom system in our WillowRd home. I don't remember how long that speaker system lasted, but I was amazed at how we could have music blaring throughout the house, as though we were at a shopping mall or music studio.

4. Mung beans and rice trigger the long Lenten days leading up to Easter. There's a strange solemnity that takes over when I eat kanji ("rice soup").

5. "Old" Hindi film songs playing on my Ipod remind me of my junior high introduction to the world of Bollywood and my [probably forever, but considerably-waned] wannabe obsession with Madhuri Dixit.

6. Taking the shuttle bus takes me back to h.s. days, traveling with my dearest friends in the wee hours of the morning and in the late afternoons on the s57. I miss the North Shore of the Island, but I am slowly beginning to appreciate the quiet serenity of the South.

Another One Bites the Dust

A law school buddy of mine is getting hitched.

I'm startled at how many of my peers are getting engaged or married. Three of my friends are now in the midst of wedding prep for the after law school ceremonies and my closest friend here is patiently waiting for a proposal.

First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes baby - in the arms of "Kat," a classmate of mine, who waltzed in to class today with her daughter Charlotte. The baby was so adorable but I wanted to advise "Kat" to stop passing the child around to every person in the room. I don't even consider myself a super germophobe, but with babies, such behavior seems ill-advised. Anyway, the little bubby was so adorable and peacefully asleep. Children are the most amazing, miraculous creatures!

Sigh. I don't know if I am the marrying kind, but It would be so nice to meet "the soulmate" right about now.