Been some time.

It’s been a while since I’ve posted, but I think it’s about time to start again.  Yes, it’s bad timing with my second semester of law school finals coming, but I have to find someway to take a break.  Since my last post, I’ve started law school, and that’s about all that’s new.  It consumes just about all of my time and energy – reading, drinking coffee, briefing, taking naps and studying.  Whatever is left, is spent watching and playing sports and spending time with family and friends.  Watching the Knicks play has been almost as daunting as writing a memo for school.

My sister just had twin girls, and I’ve visited them so many times (maybe too many?? nah…).  I love the girls and my parents are staying with her so I get to see everyone more often. 

Thanks to my friends for putting up with me and thanks to my classmates for getting me through this past year!

I look forward to this summer where I will be working (for free) with the NY State Division of Human Rights.  If I can help even just one person, these last two semesters will have been so worth it.

I’m going to Spain at the end of May to celebrate finishing my first year – If I survive this next month of course.  And I plan to make many trips to see my sis and nieces, toronto, boston, florida and portland/seattle – looks as though I will be taking out another loan.  Hey, it’s either now or never!

Great-grandma

Grandma

Granpa

Momma

Layla <3

Alexis <3

I'd better get back to it.

Paintballin.

We went paintballing last Saturday for Angela’s birthday and it was so much fun!

I put on the camo jumpsuit and was immediately transformed.  I was ready – Our referee counted down “We are starting on my world in less than 5 seconds…5…4…3…2…GO!”  And I was off running!  Bullets were flying in all directions, and I was dodging them way better than Keanu Reeves ever could.

I was ducking and covering, shooting warning shots and kneeling in ant farms, but I was doing it to save our country… OK, just so I wouldn’t end up with welts all over.  I got shot a few times but only ended up with one welt… I’ll let you guess where!

Mets Game.

We went to the Mets game last night and had GREAT seats behind home plate (Shout out to Angela and Tudor Investment Corp)!

The Mets started off strong, scoring 3 runs in the first 2 innings… but they couldn’t contain Cantu – whose 2 homeruns led Marlins to a 7-4 victory.  I guess we weren’t good luck charms.

Highlights of the game:

• Amazing seats, beautiful weather, but better company

• food delivery and Robert, our waiter with intense tattoos covering his arms and hands
• the wave

• no lines at the women’s bathroom
• being greeted ‘welcome to Citi Field, how are you doing?” – Amanda responding with “thanks”
• and of course, Mr. Wright

Post China.

I’ve been back from China for about five months now. Here is what I’ve been up to the last few months in a nutshell:

• I spent some time in NY, Boston and mostly Canada catching up with friends and family,

• I studied and wrote the LSAT,
• I dealt with snowstorms (of course),

New York and Canada

• I met some new babies in the family,

• I applied to and got into many law schools, and I accepted a full ride into one,
• I helped my parents move into their new place,
• I moved back to NY and did some exploring,

• I read a bunch of books and watched some movies and played lots of wii,

• I visited my cousin’s beautiful baby boy,

• I cooked out of boredom,

• But I ate a lot more,

And now… I’m doing volunteer work with Wokai and Rebel Theater. I am also working part-time at Club Monaco, still reading, watching 5 seasons of The Wire, trying to find the right car and vacation before law school starts in August.

I am also making a conscious effort to post more on this blog.

China moments.

March – November, 2008

I’m looking through all of my pictures from China and remembering all of the moments.  Here is a compilation of some of the things that stand out as “China moments.” Every expatriate knows this feeling and can only be fully understand once you have experienced China as a foreigner.  I hope this at least gives you some insight into how I felt during my time there.

The Chinese Squat – you’ll conquer it once you conquer the squatter!

This is one of the places where I got breakfast on my way to Chinese class

Here’s my other breakfast spot – greasy, fried pastry filled with egg – yum!

Hard manual labor

Sometimes I saw people I couldn’t help feeling bad for – it reminded me that my sacrafice to volunteer was worth it

The struggles to survive

This man gives donkey rides up a mountain where people/tourists hike – we’re all just trying to make a living

There was something about this man that made me know he was content with the life he has lived

Just a man and woman’s daily grind

“Fashion” in Beijing

This is what I call attention to detail

Old school broom modernized by a mobile phone

More “fashion”

I can only imagine the trials and tribulations these men have gone through to now enjoy life

A brave man swimming in the green water at Hou Hai

I guess Forbidden City didn’t impress these few

It’s the simple things in life

She works hard for the money, so you better treat her right

Some more hard manual labor – it’s very prevalent in Beijing

The Chinese fans at this football game were more interested in the Brazlian fans than the actual game

Another amused fan

The Chinese Diaper = cheap, convenient, and invisible!

A tent where manual laborers live

My coworkers and I set up a lacrosse goal outside of the Bird’s Nest and showed some kids how to play

They really took a liking to it!

She was my favorite – little energetic melonhead!

A boat jam in Hou Hai – this sums up a lot of Beijing for me – crowded and confused

Yogurt stand

Making dumplings became a pasttime out there

Peking Duck – mmm – Anthony Bourdain, eat your heart out!

Scorpions and seahorse on sticks – I’ve had better, but I’ve also had worse

Dog “food” – poor puppy had to eat this stuff

Now that’s a pepper

Only in China could you win cigarettes at the arcade

Only in China can you buy Pringles and a pipe together

The subway during rush hour – and I thought NY was bad!

Me attempting to get into a crowded subway car… to no avail

Even getting out from school was a zoo

The character of my last name sketched into The Great Wall

Only in China can you be cool ridin in a bike gang

The old China1

The old China2

The new China1

The new China2

The new China3

Look at the panda – what a life!

This panda wasn’t as lucky…

We hosted a lacrosse tournament with teams from Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and California – also notice the imfamous “peace sign Chinese pose”

Some of the Japan team

Not the pose :)

Ode to my bike.

May – October, 2008

My bike was my car while in Beijing.  It was a big investment on my volunteer’s budget.  It got me everywhere I needed to go and kept me in shape.  I rode it…  through the alley behind my place, to work, to the markets, into and out of trouble, to and around Forbidden City, through the Beijing hutongs, everywhere!  I maneuvered through cars, buses, bikes, mopeds, and crowds and crowds of people.  I even took a few wipeouts on it, but I did love it.

It was stolen the week before I left Beijing, and I feel I need to post a tribute to my “shao didi.”

Songjiang, Shanghai.

October 27 – November 16, 2008

I tried living in Songjiang for a bit.  It’s in the suburbs of Shanghai.  Although it was like living in the “real China,” my circumstances there weren’t the greatest for many reasons, and I knew I was ready to go home.

Songjiang – not much to see – not much to do – not much to say.  Have a look for yourself.

Inner Mongolia.

September 12-14, 2008.

This was a once in a lifetime trip into the unknown. This trip reminded me of the China that I visited as a child 16 years ago. It is the simple life where everyone is content with what they have and have no concerns for material things and luxuries of our world. They are happy with the life and role they are born into and make the most of it. I was forced to use whatever Mandarin I had learned and it assured me that I had made some progress. There was no running water or plumbing, and I didn’t shower for three days. Yet, I felt better than I had in a while. The locals were friendly and very hospitable, and I left with a humbling that will always stay with me.

After a rough ride in a “Minibus” over bumps and along mountainsides holding onto our lives, we made it! We made a 6 hour drive in just four and a half with our driver, Mr. Ye blasting his techno disco music the entire way. Mr. Ye was great. As soon as we crossed into Inner Mongolia, he cracked a beer and said “no police here.” He saw nothing wrong with drinking and driving except that in Beijing he had that chance to get caught! His favorite phrase was “Minibus, good!” He was a great driver and had an infectious laugh. Here’s to you Mr. Ye and your Minibus.

Olympics.

August 2008
The Olympics have come and gone. It’s been a fired  up seven years while China has been preparing for these games. Overall, I think it was a great success for China! Here are some firsthand snapshots.

Xi’An.

August 9, 2008. Xi’An. I went to Xi’An with uncle Saturday to see the terra cotta warriors. It was a great site to see and incredible to see what was created in 210 b.c. The Chinese were using methods that were way advanced for their time and that cannot be duplicated to this day.