More Updates...

....is this getting boring for you, dear Reader? I've been posting these "updates" more frequently, because...well, honestly, they're way easier to write than the other blogs I've been wanting to write. Those require multiple drafts, and research, and actual thought.

These...I just tell you what I did or didn't do!

I should be able to crank out some more thoughtful blog posts next month, when things aren't so crazy, but until then....let me tell you what I've been up to!

I had an asylum hearing for a pro bono client on Monday; gearing up for it was pretty hectic, and I'll be honest: I'm glad it's over. Un/fortunately, the judge didn't render her decision after the hearing, so I'm not sure whether we were successful or not (decision will either be mailed, or given at a hearing in April). I definitely learned a lot from this case, and although I'm sure I'll take another case from KIND sometime in the future, I'm happy to not have that looming over my head anymore. It's also pretty emotional stuff....I think I've really been compartmentalizing this case a lot so it doesn't affect me, because I hate to think what's going to happen to my client if he isn't granted asylum and has to return to his country of origin. He's such a great kid, it just makes me really sad.

Anyhow. Compartmentalizing.

I went to bikram yoga yesterday AND today. I wanted to see if I could handle back to back sessions. My back was a little sore from yesterday's work out, and although today's session didn't necessarily help that, I'm feeling a lot better now. I haven't been eating enough before going, in fear that I'll eat too much and get sick, but I think what has been happening is that I don't eat enough, so I end up getting dizzy about 15 minutes into an 80 minute workout. Today was the first time that I didn't have to sit out any major portions of the routine, which I'm really excited about.

This week has been the week of meetings and basically not being home for dinner. Monday was tutoring (we worked on a science project, which was AWESOME!), Tuesday night I had a meeting for the Annual Meeting and Fundraiser for Corazon that I've helped put together (it's on Saturday, let me know if you're interested in attending), tonight was my first meeting as a director for the OC Hispanic Bar Association (I got to say things like "yay" and "nay" in a non-sarcastic, totally-serious manner), tomorrow I'm meeting a potential client for The Merry Ministers at 7:30 p.m., and Friday I'm heading to the Oceanside area to help out with a church retreat for confirmation students, oh and Saturday is the Corazon event.

Let's just say, I'm really excited for Sunday :)

Today I met with a client, went to Goodwill and Salvation Army to look for a filing cabinet (I've outgrown my little file drawer on my desk!), and got to enjoy lunch with Jeff...we sat out in the backyard and were able to enjoy some of today's amazing weather. I absolutely LOVE being able to see Jeff in the middle of my day.

I also deposited money into my business account, as well as my client trust account. That felt pretty cool. Due to the former deposit, I was also able to write out a check for my State Bar annual dues (um, no biggie, just FOUR HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS). Last year I had to ask my family to help me cover the expense because I couldn't come up with the money. It's nice to see that I'm moving in the right direction, and being able to pay this money from my business account rather than our personal account was HUGE.

Jeff and I resorted to our mantra on Saturday, and reminded ourselves that we had to keep putting ourselves in uncomfortable situations to experience new things. We were both pretty wiped out--I had attended a 6-hour MCLE, and Jeff had helped his dad with some kitchen remodeling duties--and we were really tempted to cancel both of our social commitments for the night. But we stuck with them, and were really excited we did. Jeff got to meet the people I've been meeting with throughout the last year in organizing stuff for Corazon, and then we had a genuinely good time at a karaoke lounge in Irvine. The latter event was definitely out of our comfort zone, and given that we weren't getting there until after 10 p.m., it was way past our bedtime. BUT, we sang out little hearts out, and had a great time. So, keep in mind: the mantra works!

We haven't done so good on the eating healthy part lately...

Jeff has been incredibly productive over the last few days. He's been working really hard on editing all the pictures he's taken in the last couple months, including pictures from our trip to Big Bear. He has so much talent it's insane. Here are some of my favorite (mostly) scenic pictures:

In closing, I want to encourage all of you to start getting into the Valentine's Day spirit, and buy some hand made valentines cards made by yours truly. I have to say, they're pretty darn cute! And all of it goes to help Haiti Scholarships. So, get back into the spirit of being in second grade, and send your mom and best friends some Valentine love :)

Jeff took these pictures also :) If you're interested in purchasing them, you can get more info here.

If you made it this far into my random cathartic writing, thank you for reading, and good night!

Resolution Updates

This week I was trying to figure out something different to make for lunch that wasn't sandwich's or microwaveable pizzas. I was at a loss walking around the grocery store, when I saw tortilla wraps...ta-da! So I ran to the other side of the store and added sprouts and hummus to the cart. Not too shabby, eh?

I also started my yoga classes yesterday, which made me incredibly, but beautifully, sore today.

I wasn't as productive on the law firm front, but I did attend a meeting for South Orange County church youth ministers, caught up with quite a few great friends, had a brief meeting with a client, did some contract work, and attended a webinar for silent auction fundraisers. Oh and I started tutoring with my family again! It was so great to see them again, and catch up on all that both families have been up to.

Oh and had a meeting with some potential clients for The Merry Ministers, and set up another appointment with potential clients for Sunday.

I've been procrastinating a little on some stuff, so next week it's time to step it up.

Resolution Updates

Today, I got up early to stand in line at the DMV by 7:30 a.m. No matter how early you think is early enough for this mission, it never is. There was already a line of about 12 people in front of me. It's ok though, I made it out by 8:30 a.m., license renewed, eye exam and photo taken. Not gonna lie, I was a little nervous about that eye exam...but they have really low standards, so I was fine (not sure how safe that makes me feel though).

Next up was the car dealership where I had to take my little car in to get an oil change (don't worry kids, I don't usually take it to the dealership, but I had a coupon...and it included a free car wash, which my car desperately needed). I was out of there by 9:30 a.m.

I got back home, and couldn't believe it wasn't even 10:00 a.m. yet. Dealt with some client issues, talked to opposing counsel and gave him a two week extension on his discovery, did final number crunching for Haiti Scholarships and sent out a check.

For lunch I ate the rest of the salad I had prepared the day before for--I hadn't put dressing on it, so it was still good. I added an avocado to it. Avocado makes everything better. Met up with Karin for lunch, got caught up and agreed to plan the Cinco de Mayo event for the HBA.

Which brings me to...my first resolution failure.

I didn't write this one down, but I did mention it to Jeff, so it's as good as if it was in writing: I told myself, and Jeff, that I would stop committing myself to new events for a while. But I got an email from Diana asking me to co-chair the HBA Program Committee...and I was honestly a little giddy about getting to help people plan their events (LAME, yes), that I said yes without even thinking about it. Oops.

I'm sure Jeff isn't surprised.

Anywho...

I snacked on milk and cherries--no cookies.

Took a bunch of stuff to storage that was crowding our room, and then I went to a local credit union to open up my business banking and IOLTA account. I think I've been putting this off for a while because it really makes things official...I now have checks and a card that say "Law Office of [insert my full name here--it makes for a very long firm name]" Crazy. But, it's done. So it must be really happening.

Jeff and I got home at about the same time, so I sent a couple emails real quick, and then we headed out for our walk/run. We jogged about a quarter of our mile, and walked the rest of it. We figure we'll slowly work this up to where we're running 3 miles. Jeff has been keeping track of our last 3 walks on an app he got for his iPhone, and it was pretty cool to see that we completed each of our walks about one minute faster each time. Not bad!

We had home-made chili for dinner last night. Maybe not the healthiest thing, but holy cow can Jeff's mom make delicious chili!

I was comatose after eating seconds, so the rest of my evening was spent on the couch...

Resolution Updates

In the famous words of a local All Hands Volunteer, "today was a good day."

I was productive on my legal cases--called opposing counsel to follow up on some outstanding discovery, followed up with three different clients, fixed an order that was kicked back from the court, sent out an updated bill to a client, sent a letter of representation and answer to opposing counsel on another case, and made an appointment with my asylum client so I can start prepping him for his hearing.

I crunched numbers for Haiti Scholarships and our applicants, updated donor and student databases, transferred Paypal money to our bank account, and sent a couple follow up emails.

Sent out a couple more letters requesting silent auction donations for Corazon's Annual Meeting and Silent Auction fundraiser (join us!), followed up with some that I had already sent out, reviewed our silent auction google doc and agenda, and attended our planning committee meeting.

Sent out emails to the O'Neill park ranger and the Adopt-a-Park coordinator for our International Service Day event, followed up with two individuals who are helping us promote the event, contacted Ally and begged her to help us create a poster for the event (she said yes!!), typed up the minutes for yesterday's planning committee meeting and sent it out to the planning committee members.

Had lunch and caught up with Jen, which was fabulous.

Made a delicious and healthy salad for Jeff and I for lunch. I was on the verge of just going to buy something so I wouldn't have to spend time chopping everything, but I sucked it up and spent the 7 minutes or so that it took me to chop up all the goodies (cucumber, carrot, lettuce, bell pepper, and tossed some tomatoes and feta cheese).

AND, for the third time in less than a week, Jeff and I went on a little walk before dinner. We've walked about a mile each time, which isn't insane, but it's way better than not doing anything...right? We realized that there are some stairs at the park down the street, and we are going to start doing some stair duty...just going up and down the stairs. Our goal is to be able to run a 5k in April (interested?). We've both also been making a point of having healthier snacks. So, instead of my usual cookies and milk for my evening snack (um, yeah, I'm still 5 years old), I have a banana. I was on the verge of breaking today (I told Jeff I've been really good lately, so I deserved a cookie...he wasn't buying it), but Jeff pealed me an orange instead. I also bought grapes, strawberries and cherries. The strawberries looked beautiful, but tasted like...nothing. I should've known: they looked too perfect to have any real flavor. Oh well.

Oh, and completely unrelated to my resolutions, but entirely awesome, I got a shout-out on Kisa's blog!

Anyhow, if I can keep this momentum going, 2012 should be....one hectic and awesome year.

2012: I'm mentally exhausted from planning you out already.

One great thing about this blog is that I can look back at what I've written in the past: reading about resolutions I've made before, my little faith in them, and how I haven't followed through with them.

Regardless (irregardless, for some), it's still nice to set some goals for myself...I mean, even if I accomplish part of them, there's some success in that.

On our way home yesterday from celebrating the incoming New Year with my family, Jeff asked me what my resolutions where--and I'm just realizing now I never asked him what his were, #wifefail--and I had a difficult time putting what I feel my resolutions are, into words. I kind of want to work on everything this year, the whole mind, body, spirit thing.

I want to go back to my April-2011 resolution and focus on eating better, and being more active. We were good for a little bit, but we've really let it slide. It's so easy to let other things take priority in your life. I did get an online deal for yoga, so that should help me for the first month or so on the "active" part. As for eating, Jeff and I cook a lot less now that we live with his parents, so there's only so much control we have over that--but there's always room for improvement.

I also need to figure out where Jeff and I are going, career-wise and financially. Some pieces of the puzzle are starting to fall into place (like finally getting health insurance later this month!), and I really feel that this is the year we'll get things together. It's funny reading my post from January 2010, where I had the same concerns--and a little disheartening that I'm still trying to figure out the same things...2 years later. But I really do feel that I can accomplish a lot with my career this year.

One phrase that Jeff and I started saying like a mantra in early 2011 was that we had to "put ourselves in uncomfortable situations to experience new things." I feel I've done this a lot with my career, although altered a little bit: "putting myself in uncomfortable situations to get experience." Haha, it's been working though. I have said "yes" to things I would have been too afraid to say yes to before, and I think the outcome has been surprisingly reassuring. I've made appearances for immigration court in Los Angeles, I've taken on my own clients in an area of law that, at the time, I was largely unfamiliar with, I've learned how to retain clients, I started officiating weddings and make some money off of something I never thought of doing. Jeff has also done the same: he put his art in several venues this past year, and he started making money off of his photography skills, something that I know he was really uncomfortable with, but that he's truly great at. I know it took a lot of courage for him to do that, and I appreciate the hell out of him for putting himself out there.

All of these little steps have made us a little more comfortable, and just slightly more secure in our ability to pursue self-employment. Which leads us to.....

EUROPE!!

We've been wanting to go for a while. Jeff's brother and his brother's family recently moved back to Germany, so it's a great time to go, visit, and travel. Jeff and I also want to start thinking about expanding our own little family, but we think it's important to experience something like traveling through Europe before we do that. Neither one of us has ever been there, and it's been a while since we traveled together. Have I mentioned that we travel great together? I'm starting to get extremely excited about this, mainly because I think that for the first time since we've been together, it's actually financially feasible for us to do it. It'll take some intense savings for the next five months, but I think we can manage.

So, 2012, by the time you are gone, I'm hoping to:

• Formalize and develop my firm
• Develop Haiti Scholarships (this includes major fundraising efforts, and increasing our relationship with our students)
• Work with Jeff to develop and market his art and photography
• Keep working on promoting The Merry Ministers
• Check everything off my "Epic To Do List"
• Go to Europe
• Get preggers!!

So yeah...2012 should be easy peasy!