Dead asleep, I woke up to the sharp sound of the doorbell. I rubbed my eyes, then propped up on one arm to look at the time. It's 3:23, but what day is it?
Slightly disoriented from sleep, and still wondering if I was really tired enough to sleep through an entire day, I peeled myself off the couch to answer the door.
My neighbor's daughter was in the doorstep holding a puppy. Hello Charlotte*. Charlotte and I are both the same age; I am just a few months her senior. Her mother lives across the street, and when she visits she always stops by to say hello, usually with some envious news, like "I'm getting married," or "I'm having a baby girl!" While she is married with a beautiful daughter, I am single and working towards a professional career. And now she has a puppy, Sparks*.
When I hang out with Charlotte, I think about Miller*, a guy friend who gave me his opinion on women in professional careers. He thought law school was a bad idea because I would never have time to raise a family, and raising kids makes women happy. I am glad that I am friends with the male expert on my sex.
However, this advice had a particular meaning today. When Charlotte commented on how sleepy I looked, I stopped my normal complaining routine, immidiately noticing that she looked exhausted. I substituted "I have so much going on right now with exams," for "How is the baby; is she getting bigger?"
Apparently the baby is getting bigger, and harder to keep up with. Charlotte is tired, and she just found out she is expecting again. After looking as if this was much to handle, she just said, "Why not have all my kids while I'm still young?"
Nevertheless, she is happy and I am happy for her. Despite her happiness, Miller's statement still rings untrue to me. I am happy too, and I don't have kids.
Here is the truth. Women are tired because they raise kids, just like women are tired because they are nurturing a career. People have different ways of life, yet are all happy in their different ways. For example, while Charlotte found solace in having all of her kids at a young age, I found that hard to comprehend.
For the career woman who does not find Miller or Charlotte's statements practical, the following is my statement: Women are happy because they have careers (*2); why not establish a career and then have kids?
Footnote 1. The * symbol indicates I have omitted the actual name and replaced it.
Footnote 2, (*2). Unlike Miller's statement, studies in the psychology of women support the claim that women with careers are actually happier than housewives. Women who have professional careers reported less depression in old age because they felt a greater sense of accomplishment during their lives. However, housewives are more likely to be depressed in old age and have reported wishing they had a career while they were young. http://womensmedia.com/lunchtalk/2006/08/16/
Monday, November 20, 2006
Saturday, November 18, 2006
In the Intrest of Time.
I love writing. There is nothing like holding a cup of black coffee between your hands, sitting back in front of a key board, and thinking for a few hours. Unfortunately, the first year law student does not have the luxury ingredient that this pleasure requires; law students, like many people, do not have time.
Short on time, my extracurricular reading consists of pages from books like "365 ways to RELAX: mind, body and soul," which are filled with very short stories, quotes, and ideas, perfect for the person on the go.
Needing a break from studying law, I held this book between my hands and ran my thumb through the opening, like a kid with a flip book. Finally, I stopped on a page and read:
" 'Anything worth doing is worth doing slowly.' -Colin Fletcher."
Thanks, Mr. Fletcher. As a professional backpacker who wrote what Field and Stream considers "the bible of backpacking guides," your philosophy must go without saying.
My first thought is how inapplicable this is to the average person. Many people would love to do things slowly, and would if not for time constraints. I would love to study slowly, but unfortunately this stategy does not mesh with my desire to pursue the law profession.
However, a second though regarding Mr.Fletcher occurrs to me. Like my torts professor, The David Owen, who wrote what we call "the bible of torts," Mr. Fletcher wrote what Field and Stream calls "the bible of backpacking guides." While both men are successful in their professions and do what they love to do, Mr. Fletcher has the fortune of time. Lucky guy.
In some way staying busy is better. I can imagine taking too much free time for granted. I enjoy all the time I have. I do what I love by going to school, and in my free time I do what I love outside of school. Not a moment is wasted.
So concludes my interest of time. Time to trade in my "flip book" for my law books.
Short on time, my extracurricular reading consists of pages from books like "365 ways to RELAX: mind, body and soul," which are filled with very short stories, quotes, and ideas, perfect for the person on the go.
Needing a break from studying law, I held this book between my hands and ran my thumb through the opening, like a kid with a flip book. Finally, I stopped on a page and read:
" 'Anything worth doing is worth doing slowly.' -Colin Fletcher."
Thanks, Mr. Fletcher. As a professional backpacker who wrote what Field and Stream considers "the bible of backpacking guides," your philosophy must go without saying.
My first thought is how inapplicable this is to the average person. Many people would love to do things slowly, and would if not for time constraints. I would love to study slowly, but unfortunately this stategy does not mesh with my desire to pursue the law profession.
However, a second though regarding Mr.Fletcher occurrs to me. Like my torts professor, The David Owen, who wrote what we call "the bible of torts," Mr. Fletcher wrote what Field and Stream calls "the bible of backpacking guides." While both men are successful in their professions and do what they love to do, Mr. Fletcher has the fortune of time. Lucky guy.
In some way staying busy is better. I can imagine taking too much free time for granted. I enjoy all the time I have. I do what I love by going to school, and in my free time I do what I love outside of school. Not a moment is wasted.
So concludes my interest of time. Time to trade in my "flip book" for my law books.
Monday, November 13, 2006
Today's Posts: A Compilation
Before deciding to create a real blog, I would occasionaly post on myspace. My friend picked out her favorites from that compilation, and here they are; from the past its my Favorite Blogs.
How Sex and the City is possible.
As I'm watching HBO's Sex And The City, I can't help but wonder, how does Carrie juggle a busy social life, 3 best friends, a boyfriend and career? I can hardly juggle two of these (social life and career/ friends and social life), how does the TV show make it possible for this power woman to have it all? Unfortunately, I didn't like the answer. Carrie is a busy woman on the show. However, the show focuses mainly on her friends, and social life as she squeezes in time for her boyfriend. That is fine with me, having a lot of fun with friends and going to amazing clubs with only nights and weekends with a great guy. What bothers me is the lack of focus on the career of this main character. We see more about her shoe fetish than her journalism career. While Sex And The City is a groundbreaking television program that portrays women's sexuality, intellegence, and independence, it still lacks portraying the careers of women. Even Miranda, who is a lawyer, spends more time taking care of a baby on the show than she does in the office. I just wish that it could show that some women find careers more important that a social life, caregiving, boyfriends or shoes.
Meet A Good Guy, TOMMOROW
Thats it. I've had it with all of my single friends complaining about being single.
They go to bars to meet people. Those they meet show no genuine interest, and even if they do it is only time before they turn out to be a bum or just no good. Frequently, many of my friends have been waking up next to someone without any memory of the night before. One exception is my friend who managed to remember that the guy that she went home with threw up all night.
Luckily I have thought up a solution for all their dating problems. Instead of going out at night, try waking up before noon to find someone. Here are my top 3 reasons to look for "the one" before it gets dark:
1. They are more likely to be sober. (Solving most of the throwing up and forgetting you problems.)
2. They are more likely to have a job. (Hence, they are up early for work, instead of irresponsibly up late at night because they don't work a 9-5).
3. They are more likely to not think of you as just a booty call. (This is due to the fact that most people don't go out during the day looking to get laid).
Yes, I do know that bars are usually pretty empty during the day. Instead, try going to a coffee or sandwich cafe. Be creative, be yourself! Please, just don't be drunk and desperate anymore!
They go to bars to meet people. Those they meet show no genuine interest, and even if they do it is only time before they turn out to be a bum or just no good. Frequently, many of my friends have been waking up next to someone without any memory of the night before. One exception is my friend who managed to remember that the guy that she went home with threw up all night.
Luckily I have thought up a solution for all their dating problems. Instead of going out at night, try waking up before noon to find someone. Here are my top 3 reasons to look for "the one" before it gets dark:
1. They are more likely to be sober. (Solving most of the throwing up and forgetting you problems.)
2. They are more likely to have a job. (Hence, they are up early for work, instead of irresponsibly up late at night because they don't work a 9-5).
3. They are more likely to not think of you as just a booty call. (This is due to the fact that most people don't go out during the day looking to get laid).
Yes, I do know that bars are usually pretty empty during the day. Instead, try going to a coffee or sandwich cafe. Be creative, be yourself! Please, just don't be drunk and desperate anymore!
Instant Mashed Potatoes
I've figured out the problem. . . Instant Mashed Potatoes.
Most women expect men to be like instant mashed potatoes. They go out and find a bunch of cheesey flakes. They hope that when they heat them up, they'll turn into just what they were craving.
If you have ever tried instant mashed potatoes, you already know the unfortunate ending to this analogy- they never turn out to be what you were really hungry for.
Most women expect men to be like instant mashed potatoes. They go out and find a bunch of cheesey flakes. They hope that when they heat them up, they'll turn into just what they were craving.
If you have ever tried instant mashed potatoes, you already know the unfortunate ending to this analogy- they never turn out to be what you were really hungry for.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Why Blog?
Every blogger has their own personal reason to blog. Some use blogs as a diary, so they may look back and remember what they have done with their lives. Others use blogs as a means of keeping in touch with distant family and friends. Some just want people to see what they have to say. Some want to inspire and help others through their writing.
Of course, all of the aforesaid reasons play some role in my purpose for starting this blog. However, I am most inspired by something my English professor told me in college. After class, while talking to my most respected professor, I asked his opinion on why certain writers stand out throughout every generation, while others just fade into history. The difference, he said, was that the great writers wrote out of a strong passion, and an overwhelming desire. Great writers are compelled to write, they must write, and without it they cannot function. Every moment in the day of a great writer is hectic, and comprised of their brain brimming with thoughts until they allow those thoughts to flow onto a page, regardless of whether the world will see it.
That passion is what drives me to write this blog.
Of course, all of the aforesaid reasons play some role in my purpose for starting this blog. However, I am most inspired by something my English professor told me in college. After class, while talking to my most respected professor, I asked his opinion on why certain writers stand out throughout every generation, while others just fade into history. The difference, he said, was that the great writers wrote out of a strong passion, and an overwhelming desire. Great writers are compelled to write, they must write, and without it they cannot function. Every moment in the day of a great writer is hectic, and comprised of their brain brimming with thoughts until they allow those thoughts to flow onto a page, regardless of whether the world will see it.
That passion is what drives me to write this blog.
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