Paris is calling...

Prayer Letter

Once a month, I print out about 55 prayer letters for my friend Claire who has been in Montpellier France for almost two years now.  She's there on a short term international missions trip under Campus Crusade for Christ.  She works with University students, hangs out, and gets to share with people about her faith.  Shes there with a few of my other friends, and so each month she sends out a letter to update all of her family, friends and supporters on what she's been up to.

I love sending out her prayer letters. For one, it keeps me connected to what she's doing... Two, i love the mindlessness of folding, stamping, and labeling!  And finally, I get to watch TV while I fold, stamp, and label!

On a random note, today was "She's the Man". I've forgotten how much I absolutely love that movie. it is SO cheesy that it's hilarious and it gets better the more you watch it!  It made my day :)

Open the Window

Ceilings made of Windows

Windows are pretty great. you can see through them, right? the restaurant we were eating at tonight had one of those huge glass skylights in the middle of the restaurant. It was pretty cool at night, because it mostly reflected the restaurant below.  I found that kind of funny since windows are supposed to allow you to see outside.

I just thought the way that the windows reflected the building was gorgeous. the lights make it seem like a warm ski lodge. And even though these windows are serving the actual purpose of a "window" per se, it's still pretty cool...

blizzzzzzzzard!!

View from my Balcony...

it snowed today.... like 8 inches! which isn't that crazy for Minnesota. but seeings as our weather has been BEAUTIFUL for the past week (and by beautiful i mean above 30 degrees), it was a little upsetting to see the crazy blizzard today!  It finally stopped snowing around 6pm, but the roads were really bad. I was driving to my friend Andrea's house for office party, and had to go pretty slow to make sure that I didn't go slipping or sliding into the ditch or worse, another car.  But i made it.

Honestly the worst part besides from having your car tires squeal as you try to drive is digging your car out of the snow. i can't find my other black mitten so I had to clear my car with gloves. YIKES! add in the wind, and you've got snow blowing all up in your face! COLD COLD COLD!

A Study in Light

Perfect Lines

I just love this photo. look at the crisp lines around my lamp! YES that is my bedroom lamp!  Normally it just gives off light. but this picture is unedited, untouched. it just looks so surreal! almost like a painting :)

I just can't get over how cool this picture looks! As I'm recovering from my Evidence midterm, I have time to ponder things like light fixture photos and crsip lines :)

Cramming and Crashing

The key to a successful Midterm

Seeings as my brain is almost completely mush and I had a well deserved break coming my way, i decided to capture on camera the current bane of my existence: Evidence.  While this is a worthwhile course and topic (since almost every attorney will come face to face with the rules of evidence at SOME time in their career), the needless stress that accompanies a midterm is NOT the greatest.

These are my three best buddies: the actual Evidence textbook, an Emanual Evidence outline, and my trusty Federal Rules of Evidence 2008-2009 Statutory Supplement!  All three necessary to fully grasp the concepts. 

When I was younger, I didn't realize that Evidence was so complicated.  In fact, most of society knows that evidence is a courtroom/trial concept and to win a case, you've got to have the evidence to back it up. and what does media tell us? you find the evidence and present it during arguments!

WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

oh...

so....

wrong!

Evidence just may well be one of the more confusing courses I've taken thus far!  THere are rules on what you can present, how you can present it, and exceptions. there are ALWAYS exceptions! Some of the rules make sense, like FRE 403, which may exclude evidence if it's a waste of time, among other things. and then there are some where you are just scratching your head and wondering who thought that one up!  Like FRE 613(b) where extrinsic evidence of a prior inconsistent statement by a witness is NOT admissible unless the witness is afforded an opportunity to explain or deny the same and the opposite party is afforded an opportunity to interrogate the witness thereon... did I lose you?

it took me a while to understand that one.  Unfortunately the test is tomorrow and I am still trying to make sure I understand every little nuance of the rules we'll be tested on!  Gotta love law school!

Classic

The Beauty of a Taylor

A good guitar is just one of those things that is the epitome of classic beauty. Taylor guitars are made well enough that they produce music wonderfully, but are not so high end that normal people can't afford them.  This guitar has special meaning.  It was passed down to me from an old friend who taught me the importance of music in life.  It's almost like an heirloom :)

I've played the guitar since 9th grade, but until recently, had not known that feeling that you get when you and your guitar get along.  I've been realizing that playing the guitar is an art that I need to learn and get better at.  To me, music is a form of communication, not just a tool for entertainment.  So I'm doing my best to treat it use it to its fullest.

Stars on Ice

Sasha Cohen

So I went to Stars on Ice with two of my friends and it was awesome!  This shot is of Sasha Cohen RIGHT as she began her performance... Despite the oddness of her... sleeves... her performance was beautiful!  I was really excited to get this picture from halfway up the stands :P

Stars on Ice was great!  I've forgotten how awesome figure skating is and how every time I watch it I wish I could figure skate as well :P  I even caught a little stuffed strawberry!!!

Sign of the Times

Triplets.

I just thought it was funny how two of my good friends and I have matching phones.  Sprint has these three phones, blue, green, and black... now only are these phones pretty colors, but they are slide phones with a horizontal keyboard to text!  Amazing huh :)

A few of my friends and I were talking about cell phones a few days ago and how strange it is that only 10 years ago we never had phones like that.  I think I was one of the earlier ones to have a cell phone in high school... so it was like I could call home and my sister and that was it :)  But it's crazy to think of how much technology has advanced in the past 5 years.  With all the texting it's amazing that we have any interpersonal communication skills left at all! everything we do can be done on the internet so that we don't have to deal with other people... then those few times we need to call customer support, the frustration begins because we are not accustomed to dealing with live people!

cRAzyness :)

Heart Smashing

Valentine's Candy is SUPER CHEAP!

I know i missed a day yesterday. that was my bad. i had some people over for dinner and we had a great meal of eggplant lasagna and other goodies :) the best part was my friends Dave and Kristin brought a giant heart shaped pinata for us to break! apparently wal-mart had a ton and it was amazingly cheap :) it was a lot of fun!

this photo is hilarious. we were all sitting around talking when all of a sudden jared jumps in the convo by blowing these candy chocolate hearts into the middle of the circle! i dunno. it was just funny. but this pic captures the hearts coming out! :P

Chinese History

 A Bit of Chinese History

I am not too sharp when it comes to Chinese history, partially because there is just so much of it!  But this sweet statue stands outside of Willow Gate Restaurant. a GREAT chinese place that has some pretty dang good sesame chicken!

If my memory serves correct, one of CHina's emperors made a HUGE clay army to fool his enemies. and his clay army was unearthed in pretty stellar condition.  This is clearly not an original, but a replica.  It's amazing though, what men could do without all the great machines we have these days...

Snowfall

First Snowfall of February

Don't let this photo deceive you!  Though the snowfall is pretty and white and serene, it comes packin a lot of uncomfortable stuff... like wet roads, fog, moisture in the air, wet shoes, soaking pant legs, and COLD.  While it is pretty normal for snow to be in Minnesota in mid-February, I was a little bummed because it has been so nice here the past few days! make that weeks maybe? it was sunny and semi=warm when i left for school this morning. needless to say I was upset when i walked to my car this afternoon and it was SNOWING HUGE FLAKES. what is that all about?

but this picture is beautiful and reminds me why i enjoy snow. those rare moments :)

my BF is in town and unfortunately he is accustomed to warm weather where he is from... it's like he brought cold with him? i don't know how he did it :)

Who's that in the mirror...

Mirror Mirror on the wall...

I will admit that I was a little creeped out by this shot.  My friend Sarah and I were hiding in the bathroom of the Loring Pasta Bar (to avoid our server when the rest of our group told him we needed him to rerun the receipts for our student discount)...  The Loring Pasta Bar has a pretty sweet bathroom, it's semi open (as in there is no ceiling), and there are only three stalls, with one that has a curtain for a door!  It has a sort of dark victorian feel to it.  i'm not great at explaining.  But there were some mirrors set up and I thought it'd be fun to try an "over the shoulder" shot like this.  It worked.

I like over the shoulder/silhouette pictures and this one is definitely that.  It's sort of an Alice in Wonderland meets the Exorcist!  Sarah is not a freaky person by any means but this shot of her looks creepy!

She and a few of my other friends were at Loring Pasta Bar to celebrate my birthday :)  It was a great time.

Can We Please Be Normal?

Cuban Wall Art... I think...

Minneapolis has so many amazing little pockets of culture that it's hard to find them.  This wall art is in the parking lot of Victor's Cafe, off of Grand and 38th...  It's actually an amazing mural, but I don't think my photography skills did it any justice...

Victor's is a really cool little cafe.  Despite the long wait and the semi=grumpy hostess, we ate inside the small cozy dining room.  It seems like it used to be a house that got turned into a small restaurant.  The cuban food was amazing!  I've never been to Cuba, nor have I ever been told what is authentic Cuban food, but this had to have come pretty close!

The lazy Sunday afternoon meal reminded me of how we all need to take deep breaths and relax. Even this mural reflects the craziness of life.  I glanced at it while I took the picture, but didn't even really look closely at it until just now.  It amazes me how much we miss when we don't take the time to look.

Crowns and Roses

Backstage pass to a Pageant...

It's Valentines Day.  I never thought I'd spend my Saturday running around backstage at a local pageant.  But when i signed up to help my friend direct a pageant, I knew it was going to be a lot of fun! 

This photo is great. it's our view from backstage during Evening Wear.  My friend Brett played live music during the walk, and jenna katelyn and I got to watch from the back . The flowers were amazing.  Chez Bloom at Excelsior at Grand (or something like that) did a great job putting together the bouquets.  you can also sort of see the crown next to the flowers. 

It's amazing what these girls do.  They fit into tight dresses, run through talent numbers multiple times, walk in heels all day, and manage to smile during all of it.  It's crazy backstage! helping girls get into dresses, out of dresses, onstage at the right time, and making sure that they eat something so they don't pass out from stress, excitement, and nerves!  I'd never realized what they go through in order to make it to the next step towards Miss America.

it was a fun night. but i realized that i am not a pageant person... I can't handle a lot of pressure when it comes to looks and presentation :) I'm all about being realistic and honest about the fact that everyone is a little awkward ;)

celebrating life

Birthday Boys and Girl

Awkward shot in front of the elevators at Stella's Fish Cafe in Uptown... I'll be honest, i've been running around all day that I haven't had time to get a good shot. so this one was just one of my favorites of the night so I thought i'd share it with you :)

Today, or... I guess technically yesterday was Friday the 13th... which is actually my birthday.  It's been a tradition for the past couple of years for me and two of my guy friends, Jared and James, to all celebrate our birthdays together in one bash... since they are all within four days of each other.  This year our good friend Chris reserved us a table at Stella's.  There were a ton of people and great food... 

It's just one of those bittersweet things where I realize that I am getting older and there is nothing to do to stop it. I still feel like a teen at heart and am nervous that I won't be ready for the "real world" when i graduate from school in a year. It's a bit frightening to know that i'll soon have to make decisions that will direct what I do for the next few years and where I live.

The comforting thing, that I also realized from tonight, was that I am not alone in all of it!  I have some pretty amazing friends that I know I can count on when I'm trying to figure things out :)

So even though getting older is not getting any more fun, it just means more time with people that I love :)

Thursday Nite Office Party

Strawberries = Love

I apologize if a lot of my pictures involve food... but that is just how i roll :)  One things about birthdays is that I honestly do not like when people make a huge deal out of it.  Growing up birthdays were celebrated, but not to the extent that you would think... However, my ideal birthday celebration includes a small group of close friends and lots of laughs.  And that's what tonight was :)

my friend Andrea (who i've known since we were little babies at church) and her husband host a litle office gettogether at their place every thursday.  It usually involves food, drinks, and watching the office and sometimes the real housewives of OC, and then some sort of game... (sometimes settlers, but i try to avoid that :P)... 

tonight we had a little birthday celebration for me and jared (whose birthday is two days after mine).  we had amazing cake... and andrea knows exactly what i LOVE! STRAWBERRIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it was definitely a great nite.  one of my good guy friends came who i haven't seen in a while, and we just had a lot of fun eating pasta andrea made and watching the office... and playing partini :)  It is exactly how i love celebrating my birthday :)

OH so the cake andrea made me was SO GOOD! strawberry heaven... amazing.

Hi-ho, Hi-ho... it's off to work We Go...

Hello, Printers...

I know i know. this picture isn't that impressive.  But i had to capture the sadness of the Lexis printer.  This is my office.  I share it with four other people... most of the time i chill with Elizabeth and we eat a lot of candy and hang out!  ANyway, we always joke about the little "war" between Westlaw and LexisNexis in our school... but the saddest part is, our printer is so sad next to the Westlaw Printer. :(  It's pretty much the same printer, only two years older... and it's kind of slow.  but that's our printer :)

Westlaw and Lexis are two of the leading legal research providers... and we get to learn how to use them in school :)

okay. maybe it's late and i'm tired and i can't really think of anything else to say...

so this may just have to be a semi-boring post :)

Feed the starving Children

For a $1.05, you can feed 6 hungry people.

My small group from church decided to take an evening and volunteer at Feed My Starving Children.  I'd done it before and it is fun.

The gist is this.  Each volunteer does something different: bag, scoop rice, scoop soy, scoop chicken nutrients, scoop veggies, seal, and pack.

How it works: each bag of food that you package can feed up to 6 people.  It's super easy, you just boil water and then add it to the mixture.  Then in a few minutes a super healthy meal is created.  It's definitely a tangible way to serve those in need in countries that you may not be able to physically visit.

they have some amazing stories of children who were incredibly malnourished, and because of the packages of food being sent, they are much stronger and healthier.

It's really awesome honestly. You always hear about starving children in Africa or starving people everywhere.... and this is a simple way to meet the needs of those individuals... i love it.

MORE info at Feed My Starving Children.

City Life

The View from the Harmon Parking Ramp

Sometimes I really do not like living in Minnesota. the weather in the winter is kind of crazy and cold, so on those days parking on the 6th floor of the ramp is not ideal... In fact, all of us law students try to avoid parking on the 6th floor at all costs.

But today... 

the rainy afternoon led to an amazing skyline when i left school at 7:30 tonight.  I think the Minneapolis skyline is one of the prettiest I've seen.  This photo captures only part of the skyline but reflects the colors and lights of downtown Minneapolis :)

Stupidity Reigns

Can everyone read that clearly?

Now. there really isn't anything inherently wrong with these signs.  In fact, I'd say that these signs are pretty self-explanatory.  It says "Please Use Library Entrance During Library Hours", and then on the right hand side, you can see that they've posted the hours.  Pretty simple, right? 

Apparently not.  This could make it onto  the fail blog if it was a video... But basically what happened was this.  I was just sitting inside those doors reading Evidence and sipping on my African Nectar Tea, when:

1. I hear someone trying to open the door.

2. It's locked. so they continue to pull on the door, as if the lock will magically open for them the 10th time.

3. They stand in confusion at the door, wondering how people got inside if the doors are locked

4. They give the person nearest the door inside a glance, as if it is their fault for not opening the door.

5. They pull on the door ONE more time to see if it is somehow unlocked now.

6. They THEN glance at the door and then walk around from the library side.

This happened a few times.  And two of those times, the people just gave up and left... I was a little dumbfounded at how they could not come to the conclusion that the sign on the door SAYS to use the library for entrance and that they SHOULD use the library for entrance.  It just blew my mind at how people are either too wrapped up in their own little world or are not aware enough to realize their mistake. 

Maybe I'm being too harsh.  Or maybe people are just that stupid.

Christmas in January

Christmas Lights

When we walked out from Punch Pizza in Minneapolis, we were greeted by some beautiful white/blue whites draped over the plants outside.  Allison commented that it was just like Christmas in January.

Today was a stark contrast from what we experienced during Christmas last year.  From what I recall, Christmas in Minnesota this past year was cold, snowy, and... just cold!  It's a beautiful time of the year (from indoors), with snow blanketing everything.  When the sun hits the snow, it shimmers and sparkles!  It's definitely something that makes Minnesota bearable in the winter.

Today was gorgeous too.  Even though it is early February, the temperature was above freezing and the sun was shining.  I had been wondering why i was in such a good mood these past few days...  The christmas lights are always a reminder of winter and the reason why we Minnesotans stay here through the bloody cold.

Warm Weather = Happy People

it's kind of funny.  Even though the temperature is at 30 degrees (definitely not as warm as other places), it's amazing what a difference the temperature can make.  People are in better moods and more willing to help other people!  It's great...

shroomies

I do not mean the drug "shroom"...

"shroomies" is the nickname my friend Jenna and I have for each other. it's like "roomies"... only we added the "Sh" sound. we actually do that with a lot of words, but shroomies stuck :)

this photo is one that i realized my focus wasn't on the lemon in the original margarita (as was my plan), but was actually focused on the lemon in the raspberry margarita! what is up with that? i'll have to figure out what the heck to do next time...

Jenna and I had a shroomie date at Bar Abeline in Uptown. it's a lot of fun, and we always laugh alot when we hang out.  after we just hung out at her place, and lay on the carpet listening to her downstairs neighbors (who were playing music kind of loud) and then dancing around to the beats on her keyboard... needless to say, it reminds me a lot of when we were roommates in undergrad and all those random fun times we had together!

Congrats are in order to some of my friends.  Before hanging out with Jenna, i was at an engagement party for my friend Monica and her dude Chad... it was thrown by my other friend Rachel, who also just got engaged to my friend Joel. yes. let the wedding frenzies begin!!!!!!!!!

I desperately wanted to post a picture of the dress design that i sketched for Monica's dress... but in an effort to keep it a secret, it'll have to wait :)

onesies

Meet Catherine Rose Thell.

One of my good friends from high school had an adorable (and i mean adorable) baby girl named Catie :)  I got to meet her for the first time tonight.  We met at Applebees. and this girl! all the waitresses were stopping by and saying hi to her.  She has beautiful eyes and is incredibly inquisitive and bright.

It's just amazing to me how much time flies and how our priorities change as we grow older. Little Catie is only 5 months right now, and is desperately trying to figure out how to crawl.  She uses all of her energy to turn over and in fact can scoot around on her butt.  She is just a bundle of joy :)

Catie made our night much more interesting.  She made her appearance in the midst of our weekly Thursday evening "Office" party (as in the show...), where normally it's just a bunch of 20 somethings, kicking back with some cold ones and eating some chips and salsa.  But tonight, Catie brought an element of excitement that only a precious baby can bring :)  Needless to say, it was a fun filled night!

Two Side Notes

1. i was at the capital this morning to watch the oral arguments in front of the MN supreme court regarding the Franken v Pawlenty et al issue...

2. i realized that the post says i posted on Friday. which technically is correct. however it is 12:20 AM. so i'm still counting this as thursday :P

a taste of Dinkytown

Warm food and Good Friends

Bear with me.  This is my first photo of my 365, so it's pretty basic :)

This picture represents everything that I love about life.  Good, warm food and lots of people.  Good friends that I can laugh with and new people that I can meet!  This is where i thrive and i love it :)

the picture is from Annie's Parlor in Dinkytown, near the U of Mn. My good friend Jenna and I are part of a group called Taste of Twin Cities.  We basically try a new restaurant every other week, and not only do we get to experience new food, but we also get to hang out with some pretty cool people.

Meet my friend Jordan:

he gets a sweet shout out not just because he's awesome! but because he put up with my teasing him today about sweaters and other funny stuff...

i played in a band with him for a few years and he rocks at the guitar! this dude is like a brother to me (a LIL bro) and i love to tease him!

these pictures are great. the one on the top is him semi showing off his muscle (only because i made him) and also the look he gets right before he fake punches me... the picture on the bottom i love because it's him and Brett and they are just laughin about something...

day 1 is done :) 

Hi There

Smile and say CHEEEEESE! don't you love it?

this blog is a result of the widely popular idea of taking a photo a day and documenting it!  my sister challenged me to take a photo a day, not only to capture some great moments, but also to develop my photography skills (especially considering my love of taking pictures in general)...

so me and my humble canon SD1000 will start to take a picture a day and putting them up on this blog for you all to enjoy!

:]

btw. this may turn into photoS a day...