In the middle

Moving to San Antonio

2010-09-26T10:54:00.001-07:00

We are moving, and as sad as it is to leave the farm, great things await us! We are so excited for the possibilities of working with immigrants, making films, going for walks, being with family, and exploring community in the diverse city of San Antonio.

There are so many things I want to write about, and pictures I should post, but I need to wait until things settle down and I have more time. Once they do, I am going to write about our family business or the business that we aspire to have, just because we can:

- law office
- film production
- all natural soaps
- belly dancing!

We are going to make the most of our time in the city, while maintaining the long term goal of living sustainably off of the land one day.

The Struggle For Peace

2010-08-07T01:38:00.000-07:00

This past couple weeks have been challenging, in a good way. I got a new and unexpected case involving 2 girls seeking asylum, who were detained by immigration. This was my first time as the Law Office of Julie Flanders to deal with a situation where the clients were detained. It was heart-wrenching and complicated. I was glad to take the case because it was meaningful. But the meaningful work kept me up late at night and presented new dilemmas.

I had to deal a lot with different immigration agencies. All I can say about those agencies is that they are a mess. Their policies are inconsistent and their personnel are at times very unhelpful. To my surprise, I began to think about a career change. If I were to work inside one of those agencies, perhaps I could make things a little bit better. And by treating people with respect, perhaps I would make people's day better who are going through something like my clients were going through. By simply answering the phone kindly. And I began to think about a steady paycheck....

I knew starting my own business would be challenging. When I told Jon about my thoughts, he reminded of all the reasons I chose to do this. To be outside the system. To not follow the status qou, the easy path. I sighed. Then at church our guest speaker/ musician spoke about the struggle for peace. Peace does not come easily. Peace does not come through settling, peace comes through struggle. So I decided that if it is peace that I am struggling for, it is a good struggle. Life was not meant to be easy. So there it is. This is not going to be easy, but at least I am not alone- thanks to all you other peace fighters out there. Keep up the good fight. And thanks for your support- I am going to need it.

2010-06-30T19:10:00.000-07:00

I have many interests these days. I think that it's good; as supposed to being interested in nothing. The problem is keeping them all balanced. I have my law practice of course, my belly dance business, and then there's the farm, which I want so badly to be more involved in. So far I have helped to pick tomatoes and eggplant (delicious!) and weeded a little, but that's it. I hope to get a head start on the fall planting season by starting all kinds of seeds, transplanting them, and taking care of them as they grow up. I've really never done well at taking care of plants, but now is my perfect chance.

I also want to make soaps. I've finally ordered all of the ingredients and I can't wait to GO! I will be making the old-fashioned, all natural cold-pressed kind, and the easier melt-and-pour kind of various kinds for loofah scrub soap. I don't know if I'll make any money at it, but one can hope.

With all of these things I want to do, and none of them a guarantee for paying the bills, I have to learn a lot of faith. I think it's a good practice in faith not to spend all of my waking hours at the office trying to get cases, but instead using my free time in the pursuit of something I enjoy. I think I should be very grateful for the opportunity to build this kind of balanced lifestyle, especially because my whole family is very supportive of this. So I am going to try to make the most of it, and not worry about the bills. More pictures of farm life and soap-making adventures to follow.

I love our farm!

2010-06-13T18:23:00.000-07:00

I've always wanted to live on a farm, or at least in the wild, but I never thought I would get to do it so soon! We find ourselves living on nine acres of land that is at our disposal. Our dream come true. We are a long way from living sustainable lifestyles, but this is our chance to try. On top of that, it's incredibly peaceful to live where the sunset is always in view, and there are wild flowers and loofahs growing in your backyard. We are incredibly excited to have this place and to share it with others, should you care to visit.

I will try to keep you posted on our adventures as we go along. So far we have built a chicken coop, bought 30 chickens, harvested loofah, planted squash and beans, and adopted two dogs. So the journey begins.

Right Time And Place

2010-04-02T13:17:00.000-07:00

Most of you know I have been passionate about immigration laws for a long time, even before I really knew what they were. It was hard not to get jaded when I began to actually study them in depth and see them in practice. And that's because learning about them showed me they are even more complicated and depressing than I imagined. And while my initial reason for going to law school still holds true- if I become an expert in the area I can have a shot at actually influencing the law someday- it doesn't usually feel like that day will ever come. So it has become a challenging career with some ways to help people- but only in limited circumstances, and not much I could do about it.

I was at an immigration conference not too long ago, and found, to my surprise, that I still get emotional about these issues. The particular issue that had me almost in tears in the middle of a lecture was the Dream Act, a law that has only been proposed, but is desperately needed. It would help the thousands of teens who graduate high school every year, just to find out they can't get a job or go to college. So they are stuck. And most of them grew up here, so it's not like they can just go back to their country of birth. They are bright, energetic, hopeful youth, until they become disillusioned with the entire world they have thought they belonged to.

Even in my short time in practice, I've had more than five potential clients like this. For most of them, there is absolutely nothing I can do. Until the Dream Act passes, that is. So, keep your ears peeled. If it passes, it will allow these youngsters to become US citizens if they go to college.

Although it is frustrating in the meantime, it is refreshing to be a professional in this area where I see a great need and a possible change in the future. Other people see the need too, and that is why the Dream Act might actually pass. I am glad to have the background and knowledge to let people know about this now and when it happens, I will be able to help so many people!

www.dreamact.com

Thoughts from C.S. Lewis

2010-03-07T13:07:00.000-08:00

One of the things I like about Phase II of my life (the one after law school) is the ability to read whatever I want, whether it be childish, entertaining, challenging, or reflective. Between the library and friends' houses, there are a lot of books I want to read. Sometimes I get overwhelmed, but then I realize there is no rush, which is the whole point.

I just finished a picture book biography about C.S. Lewis, "Images of His World." It was very peaceful and reflective. I'm just going to copy here a couple of quotes I love that came from letters Lewis wrote to his friends.

About home and locality (see writings of Wendell Berry- sense of place):

"There is one odd thing I have been noticing since we came to our new house, which is much more in the country, and it is this. Hitherto there has always been something not so much in the landscape as in every single visual impression (say a cloud, a robin, or a ditch) in Ireland, which I lacked in England: something for which homeliness is an inadequate word. This something I find I am now getting in England-- the feeling of connectedness, of being part of it. I suppose I have been growing into the soil here much more since the move."

About pace:

"I number it among my blessings that my father had no car...The deadly power of rushing about wherever I pleased had not been given me. I have not been allowed to deflower the very idea of distance....

No one can describe the delight of coming to a sudden drop and looking down into a rich wooded valley where you see the roofs of the place where you're going to have supper and bed; especially if the sunset lies on the ridge beyond the valley. There is so much mixed in it; the mere physical anticipation, as of a horse nearing his stable, the sense of accomplishment and the feeling of 'one more town,' one further away into the country you don't know, and the old, never hackneyed romance of travelling."

About healing:

"I gazed down into a little ditch beneath a grey hedge, where there was a pleasant mixture of ivies and low plants and mosses and thought of herbalists and their art, and what a private retired wisdom it would be to go on probing along such hedges and the eaves of woods for some herb of virtuous powers... and having at the same time a stronger sense of the mysteries at our feet where homeliness and magic embrace one another."

Life in New Braunfels

2010-03-02T20:35:00.000-08:00

Life in New Braunfels is peaceful. I role out of bed, get some tea, and sit at my computer. On some days, Jon makes me breakfast in bed. Either way, he is always cooking for dad and I, and we consider him the firm's chef. It is great working with him around. And it is great working from home. All the way around it is a good life here. I am beginning to get a lot of business, which is keeping me busy. But I am learning how to manage it, by deciding not to take certain cases, and I am lucky to have some great clients. I have soooo much to learn, but I am excited about it.

Jon's homemade almond flour pancakes with homemade yogurt (delicious!).

The appetizer to an amazing all raw, three course meal at Moo-Jesus Ranch.

Christmas Time in New Braunfels

2010-02-26T19:40:00.001-08:00

I know, I'm super behind, but this is a great chance to reminisce. Since I don't know how to line up script with pictures yet, I'm just going to post a bunch of them without explanations. Needless to say, I'm glad I decided to quit my job in November (the day I got my bar results), move to New Braunfels in December, and get to spend a few weeks before Christmas with my family. Plus, Jon and I had our 2 year anniversary! Awww!

I have to say, it was the cutest thing ever when I left a box of paper machete ornaments near the tree, and, too tired to put them up, just left them there. I came back a few hours later to find they had been put on the tree. I asked my dad, Jon, Sara, Philip, even Emily- know one knew who put the ornaments on the tree. Then I noticed they were all lined up on the bottom row. When I showed them to Titus (after finally realizing this little man is a stinker) he said "I put that one, and that one, and that one on there!" I was so proud of him for doing that for me even though I didn't ask him to do it!

Houston

2010-01-30T18:58:00.000-08:00

Having finally synched up my phone to my computer, I have some pictures to share. So the next few blogs will be recaps of the past few months/years.

This one is dedicated to our time in Houston. Although we love it here in New Braunfels, Houston was a very special time and place for us. We will always look back on it with the fondest memories. Take, for instance, the joy of living in a 350 square foot house...

Then there was the beach and the heat. Here is Samantha and I at the sand castle competition.

Then there were all those good times studying at Starbucks. One time my mom came to visit me, and she studied too.

When my sister came to visit, we took her kids to the Children's Museum and Luigi's Pizza.

Last but not least, there were the wonderful friends. Here's me and Alice catching up at our last lunch together after church.

The Secret Joys of Belly Dance

2010-01-19T19:35:00.000-08:00

Hi friends. I'd like to share an article I wrote for the website of Wanda Deagen Dance studio,

The Secret Joys of Belly Dance

Introduction

The joy of belly dancing is undeniable; yet, the source of that joy is obscure, at least within the Western world. In this article, I wish to describe the meaning behind the dance.

If I had to pick one word to describe the way I feel when I dance, I would use connected. I feel connected to my body, to the earth, to my fellow dancers, and to God. In our individualistic culture, a sense of connectedness is fleeting. The reason: Western culture strives to create distance between the mind and the body. The modern epitome of success in the Western world is the intellectual- a person who thinks, rather than feels- his way through life. The body is secondary, and often ignored altogether. When we dance, however, we rediscover the beauty, and the wonder, of the way we are made. The desire to dance begins to flow from the inside out, based on a wealth of energy, creativity, and joy that is hiding within us.

A Dance for Women, by Women

For women in the Western world, the body is often a source of shame. That is why I was amazed to find out that throughout ancient cultures, women celebrated their bodies through dance. In ancient Muslim culture, men were only allowed to be entertained by men, and women were only allowed to be entertained by women. This is the environment in which belly dance was created- amongst women only, as a source of enjoyment for themselves alone.[1] They danced for the sheer joy of it, and for the ability to express themselves through rhythm and song. The movements of the dance celebrated the female form and its stages. By strengthening the natural organs of the female body, the dance was even used to prepare the body for stages in life, such as giving birth.[2] It was thus a bonding experience amongst women. Over time, however, belly dance became a popular form of entertainment for mixed audiences. Imposters in Hollywood have distorted our view of this once sacred dance, making it seem vulgar and scandalous. In the beginning, however, belly dance was not a form of entertainment at all, but rather a source of rejuvenation and affirmation amongst women.

More than just exercise, belly dance is a tool for self-discovery. For Western women, it gives us the chance to see ourselves through new eyes. It is the chance to step away from culturally-constructed views of ourselves, and share a common bond with women throughout the ages and throughout the world. The particular moves of the dance recognize and build upon the unique strengths of the female body. The dance celebrates women as the givers of life, of unconditional love, and as mankind’s connection with the earth. These gifts we carry are inherent; they do not depend on our shape, size, or outward appearance. Once we realize this, our confidence and self-esteem cannot be taken away. Only when we open up to love ourselves, to find joy in the way we were uniquely and beautifully made, can we embrace the world with the self-less love we were born to give.

Mind-Body Wellness for Men and Women

Although belly dance was created by women, its benefits can be shared by all. Belly dance is unique because of its use of isolated body movements. By learning to move each section of the body separately from the rest, we gain a deeper awareness of the body. Through this practice we find that we have neglected certain parts of our bodies. Through a systematic workout of the entire body, belly dance creates a balance and harmony within the body that is essential to overall health. Also, by engaging the entire body, we become aware of stored tensions we would otherwise be unconscious of.[3] When we are stressed or bothered about something, our body reacts, whether we realize it or not. Tension may be stored in our shoulders, in our back, or even in our stomach. By listening to our bodies, we can recognize and heal our emotional wounds, by giving them proper attention. Belly dance requires us to be fully conscious of our bodies for a time, and thus, it creates the time and space we need to listen to what our bodies are telling us. The flowing movements of belly dance also relax the body, giving us a more peaceful state of mind.

An Invitation

No matter what your reason for considering belly dance, I encourage you to try it, and find out what mysteries await you. Whether you seek healing, new depth and awareness, or great exercise, you will find it here. Give yourself the chance to see yourself in a new light, and you will find a new sense of being created in a special way. Face your doubts and insecurities head on, and awaken to a New Day

[1] Cooper, Laura, Belly Dancing Basics, Sterling Publishing, New York, 2004, p.8.

[2] Al Rawi, Rosina-Fawzia, Grandmother’s Secrets- The Ancient Rituals and Healing Power of Belly Dancing, Interlynk Publishing, Brooklyn, 1999, p.142.

[3] Al Rawi, Rosina-Fawzia, Grandmother’s Secrets- The Ancient Rituals and Healing Power of Belly Dancing, Interlynk Publishing, Brooklyn, 1999, p.101.

Joyful, to know that I was created to do something

2010-01-11T17:12:00.000-08:00

So far, I feel extremely blessed to be here in New Braunfels. I can't believe I didn't think of it sooner. My hesitation, I suppose, was that I did not think I could start my own law firm. As it turns out, it's working out great! With all my dad's resources at my fingertips, including a long list of clientele that trust him, I am having no trouble at all getting my business started. So far I have had two consultations in my new office, and both were clients of my dad's who also needed immigration help. I think I can really help one of them. It just goes to show that this is a need everywhere. I feel like I am getting to live my dream. After all that hard work, it is going to pay off. I discovered my senior year in college that I wanted to practice immigration law, because I enjoyed helping people who were stangers to this land and who could not speak the language. That was four years ago. Along the way, I've had my doubts about this, but I've also had great encouragement. I've met heros who gave me the inspiration to keep going, when the going was rough. Of course there was Professor Joseph Vail, and without my friends from the Clinic, like Jenny, Samantha, Dalia, and Jess, among others, I would have gotten lost by now. Even though I had a strong passion going into law school, it would have been smothered by the stress without these friends to share it with. And my clients, who have always showed me along the way that it is worth it, even if just to make a difference in a few people's lives.
Now I'm here, with all the resources I need to practice this business on my own terms. I hope I make the most of it. I'm almost surprised to find that I actually do love this job, because I forgot how much I loved it when I was working in less freeing environments. I am excited to serve my clients with the dignity they deserve. I'm excited that by giving it my all, I can help them even though I'm new at this. And I am so thankful to my family and friends for all of their support.
Looking back, it amazes me that in the midst of my senior year in college, when I felt confused and lost and depressed, I was actually taking steps into a career that I love. I did not expect it, and I didn't see it coming. I did not look forward to taking the LSAT, but I did it, with the help of other friends who were my angels along the way. So in the midst of feeilng lost I was actually on my way and I am thanking God for it now. Even though times will not be always easy I'm sure, I'm taking this moment to be thankful.

Dancing in the Streets and in the Studio

2010-01-02T19:10:00.000-08:00

Today I taught belly dance for the first time. It was sooo fun! I had seven students. Everyone came with a great attitude, and I think they had a really good time! Even I am sore. I am really happy that this worked out. I think it was meant to be. I never quite imagined myself in this position, but here I am. And in fact I am helping other women to feel more control and self-esteem about their bodies which is something beautiful because God made us and we should celebrate it. I am also reading a book about the beauty of social dance called "Dancing in the Streets- A History of Collective Joy", by Barbara Ehrenreich. I think this quote about the book conveys the main point: "We are innately social beings, impelled almost instinctively to share our joy, and therefore able to envision, perhaps even create, a more peaceful future." What a hopeful thought. I think that's what I've felt about dance all along. Music is an expression of hope, and dancing is an outburst of joy. When we dance together, we are sharing our joy with one another, telling one another there is something out there worth celebrating. What a refreshing feeling when life feels mundane. I think anything that brings people together to respect and love one another is a reflection of the One God that we all share in common.

In the middle, Phase II

2009-12-27T13:17:00.000-08:00

Sara, you got your wish. After a long silent period, I'm going to begin writing again in this blog. (And with my husband's help, in the related blog, Everyday Secrets.)

The inspiration to do so is probably a good sign indicating I am on the road to recovery from the dark abyss that was law school. Yes, I survived it!

And my creativity and personality and hopefulness is returning. And now that I am free to spend my time as a human being, here are all kinds of exciting things I want to do with it. I am ... 1) starting an immigration law practice 2) living nearer my family and enjoying it 3) teaching belly dance classes 4) also leaving plenty of room in my imagination for all kinds of new possibilities.

So, as I return to the human race I will try to document: my returning excitement for life, my journey through it, my attempt at faith, and my grief. Grieving the pain in the world is a necessary part of being human, so I will be doing some of that too.

Our Faith Journey

2009-12-27T09:33:00.000-08:00

I believe we are all on a journey. I believe God knows our path, even though we can not see where it is we are going. With a step towards that kind of faith, Jon and I decided to move (which took place a week ago) back to my hometown of New Braunfels, TX. It is a leap of faith because in some ways, it would have been easier to stay put in Houston. In Houston, we had a group of friends who think like we do, like the things we like, and in a big diverse city, I guess that was not a surprise to find. We are very thankful for the years we spent there and the friends we made. They will be our friends and support-base forever, just like our friends from college are.

With the move to New Braunfels, I had to have faith that God had made this path clear for us for a reason. We are going to miss our friends in Houston very much. And I was slightly afraid that all of my experiences up until this point, that have expanded my world and humbled me, may have all been for nothing. That the things I have come to feel are important might have no context here.

For example.

In some ways, the city was easier for my Christian faith as well as my social life. Christianity only makes sense to me if the end result is love in action (not that I have ever been good at this, but it is a goal). Through my journey so far through the world, I have come to believe that this love should be counter-cultural: by wiping out all cultural, racial, and socio-economic divides. At City of Refuge Church in Houston, I was surrounded by a body of Christian believers who believed the same thing, and were attempting to do this on a daily basis. I was afraid I would not find this type of community in New Braunfels. All of the churches looked the same to me, and none of them seemed to be shaking things up too much. Even though this is not Houston, there are always race and class issues to be addressed, and I don't see that happening. And to be honest, this is a challenge to those churches but to me as well. What am I going to do about it? How am I going to live out my personal faith calling in this context? How could I humbly share my opinion with the faith community here, without thinking that I am better than them? Of course, I would have to do it by example.

Well...I still do not know what this will look like. But I'm blogging about it because something has confirmed to me that I am not the only one who thinks these things are important, even in the Texas Hill Country. (If this is getting too long, skip down to the link at the bottom). I am not the only in this area one who thinks Christianity should look radical, and might mean doing something that seems crazy for the sake of a radical God.

Perhaps intentional diversity does not make as much sense here as it does in the city. Even still, I know that even in this town (and those around it) there are those that feel outcast, those that don't fit in, and those that feel invisible. And there is much more to be done about it than praying with them on Sunday morning.

To expand a little bit on the idea of being counter-cultural- Jon and I think that your faith should affect the way you live in harmony with others and the way you live in harmony with the earth. We have been talking for a long time about starting a community, modeled after the church in Acts, where all assets are shared and everyone is taken care of and everyone is welcome. Living in community is definitely counter-cultural in the culture we live in. And to be in harmony with the earth and to treat our bodies as God created them to be treated, eating all natural food of his creation instead of the poisonous stuff our society has come up with, is another challenge we're always thinking about. Finally, in order to do all of this, you have to adopt a simple lifestyle, where you are not too busy to plant your own vegetables, and where the best entertainment is time spent in conversation with your friends and neighbors.

This is all to say that even though we don't claim to be good examples, we at least believe that Christianity should be more than a Sunday activity. That is why we were stunned and amazed to find Everything Jesus Ranch in Seguin, TX.

Check out this website, and I'll keep you posted as our journey continues.

http://www.genesischristianchurch.org/new2/index.php?lead_in=wu_grow/brochure.htm

2008-03-10T19:10:00.000-07:00

Over the past few weeks, we have had some scrumptious meals. I will leave out all the nights we had leftovers or repeats.

Rissoto rice with a mushroom and balsalmic reduction, and sauteed zucchini.

Vegetarian gumbo, sprouted barley bread (store-bought).

Baked pinto beans with molasses, wild rice bake with pecans, onion, cranberries, celery, fresh shitake mushrooms. Green salad with edible flowers, cranberries, and cherry vinagerette.

Wild rice, black beans, and spaghetti squash with tomato suace.

Brown rice pasta, tomato sauce with mushroom and spinach.

Brown rice mac and cheese, stewed ocra.

Oat bran bread.

becoming an immigration attorney- yikes!

2008-02-27T22:11:00.000-08:00

It's time for some thoughts on the law. That is, my experience with the law, and once again, what the heck am I doing in it (in law school). Of course, it is after midnight, and the time has finally come. For the first time this entire semester, I am having to seriously ponder- am I cut out for this?
All week I have had numerous things piling up on my plate. Worst of all (I thought) was that next week I am on call in Business Organizations. I can expect to be ridiculed and humiliated for about 20 minutes in front of a class of 200. Convincing myself that it's no big deal has not worked. Until tonight, when all I can think about is one of my clients in the immigration clinic. He is in a wheelchair and paralyzed from the waist down because he was shot by a gang in Honduras. We decided not to argue asylum on his behalf because the law is not in his favor. He has court on Monday and will be ordered to leave. I can't help but wonder where he will go, and who will help him.
I knew that this semester would be hard for exactly this reason. I am finally dealing with real people. And I knew the law would not always help the people who need a break. What I need to figure out is whether this anxiety it is causing me is temporary- whether I will toughen up and learn to deal with it. Hopefully, this is just part of the learning process, and coming to law school wasn't for naught. It would have been easier to become a social worker, and that way there would be no limitiations on who I could help. As a lawyer, I must follow all the rules set up by the government. But like everyone told me, this was a powerful way of helping people. I have to figure out how to celebrate those that I am able to help, without letting the other cases eat me up. For that I believe only God can give me strength.

2008-02-23T09:25:00.000-08:00

Day 2: Leftovers
Day 3: Baked eggplant with cream sauce (left over) and steamed brocolli

Day 4: Cabbage and beet soup

Day 5: Leftovers
Day 6: Cabbage soup, Sushi (our small cheat of the week)
Day 7: Brown rice and beans, broccoli with cranberries
Day 8: Brown rice and beans, dandelion greens, leftovers

Day 1: The Veggie Diet

2008-02-16T09:04:00.000-08:00

Day 1: Millet, lentils with carrots, and steamed chard

Starting yesterday, December 15th, we are embarking on a new adventure. Our diet will be atleast 90% rice, beans, veggies, and fruits, for the next thirty days. The goal is to train ourselves to eat more fruits and vegetables. Our doctor says that after thirty days, we won't go back. The health benefits we are looking for are more than just a healthier digestive system (even though I am desperately in need of one). Besides the fiber from vegetables, we need the nutrients. Our doctor has impressed upon us that every single vitamin or supplement out there that we have tried or considered is worthless compared to getting those same nutrients from the true source- nature. So we are seeking to get the nutrients we need in the way our bodies were made to take them. Although we believe this is a good lesson for everyone, it is especially crucial for us because Jon has Crohn's disease. One symptom is that he is always low on iron, which is pretty much essential for all bodily functions because hemoglobin acts as a carrier for other nutrients to get around the body. So, we are going to be focusing on high iron vegetables.

Vieques Island

2008-02-16T08:42:00.000-08:00

I would like to document a little bit of the beautiful place that we spent our honeymoon. Vieques Island has been largely undeveloped because until recently the US Navy had a large base there. Now that the base was shut down, the island faces a crossroads- whether to keep the island beautifully untouched, allow the sort of development that profit-seekers would encourage, or something in between. Hix Island House is an example of a business that is bringing tourism to the Island without destroying the natural topography. The designers idea was to construct lodges as much in harmony with nature as possible. For example, the houses used water collected from the roof and heated by the sun. For us, the place was the most refreshing place we've ever been. Tropical fruit trees fell into our window, lizards loved our bathroom, and we felt right at home. Then there were the special treats, like the non-chlorinated pool overlooking the rainforest, and the hammock under the stars. While we could have stayed there all day, we spent our days visiting all the nearby beaches. I can't quite describe the extent to which we loved that place, but it makes me happy just to know a place like that exists.

Valentine's Day

2008-02-16T08:20:00.000-08:00

On February 13 we went to a cooking class that some of Jon's former co-workers has gifted us. The class was learning to cook homemade pastas. Jon already makes pasta, but it was neat to learn it from these chef's and to have all these gourmet ingredients to work with- fresh herbs, fancy mushrooms, and marscipone cheese. We created a tomato sauce, a mushroom filling for ravioli, and a cheese filling for tortellini. Then we made the dough, rolled it out, and learned how to shape it into ravioli, tortellini, and fettucini. In the end, all the simple yet rich flavors were just delicious. On Valentine's day we ate our left-overs with the tomato sauce Jon recreated. Here he is in our kitchen cooking. Notice the pink towel, which we received as a gift, which he had refused to use except that it made perfect sense for Valentines day!

December was fun

2008-02-16T08:07:00.000-08:00

December fun. I'm glad I took these pictures to remember just how great it was to hang out with family before and during the craziness of wedding prep. Any time my sisters and I get to be together is pretty special. In this case it was even more fun because I got treated like a queen. It all flew by but it went just as planned. In the end, I got married to the man I love with all my favorite people around.

Legal Internship at BPSOS

2007-12-09T20:13:00.000-08:00

During my time at Boat People SOS, I have had a glimpse into the world of immigration law. To work in the area of immigration law was my dream before coming to law school, and I am glad to say that it still is. However, I now have a much more clear understanding of the challenges and rewards I will face in that practice.
The mission of Boat People is “To assist Vietnamese refugees and immigrants in their search for a life in liberty and dignity; by empowering, equipping and organizing Vietnamese American communities in their progress toward self-sufficiency.” This mission of empowerment is what attracted me to Boat People. While the organization itself offers a wide range of services, the legal department focuses on legal services to victims of human trafficking”. Human trafficking occurs when a person is tricked or forced into the country and held under the control of the trafficker, often through debt bondage. In the case of our clients at Boat People, the traffickers used the economic vulnerability of the women to convince them to incur a debt to come to the United States, by convincing them they could work legally once they arrived. Once in Houston, the traffickers forced the women to work in a bar and constantly added to their debt. Trafficking varies from smuggling in that the victim does not pay to cross the border, and they are not turned free once they arrive here.
Although Boat People primarily serves the Vietnamese-American community, we also accepted clients from other countries. The clients I worked with were trafficked from Central America and speak only Spanish. After being freed from their bondage, these women face cultural and linguistic barriers, but they are determined to make new lives. Our job is to help them obtain a T-visa, which allows them to stay in the United States. The T-visa application requires proof that the applicant is a victim of human trafficking, they are in the United States as a result of that trafficking, they have complied with reasonable requests from law enforcement, and return to their country would cause extreme hardship. During my time at Boat People, I helped complete a T-visa application by compiling the necessary documents and drafting the cover letter to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
After obtaining a visa, a human trafficking victim may petition for a derivative T-visa for their immediately family members. Two of our clients had children in their home countries, which they had left behind in order to find work in the United States. Even after derivative visas are approved, the facilitation of bringing their children here involves a slow process of coordination between the family members, the United States Consulate, and the foreign government. Specifically, the children must attend a visa interview at the Consulate, and obtain passports, which can be complicated when they no longer reside with one or both of their parents. These technicalities taught me how slow the immigration process can be, which is especially frustrating when families are waiting to be rejoined. There are valid reasons for the delay, including United States policy concerns of national security and foreign governments’ sovereignty over their nationals.
However, once the children finally do make it to the United States, the process will pay off. Our clients are dedicated to working hard to make a better life for the children than they had in their home countries. Their dedication to their families is inspiring, and their patience encouraging. Helping trafficking victims restart their lives fulfills the mission of empowerment, because once on their feet they will make significant contributions to the community. More broadly, my work at Boat People has taught me that immigration law is an area that requires commitment, but that commitment to the immigration process benefits society in a significant way. I am still excitement to work within this area of the

One week down..

2007-08-26T20:18:00.000-07:00

and 16 to go. Until I finish the semester. I'm trying to look at the bright side. I'm no longer a first year law student. I have very few obligations other than to go to class, study and attend my internship. For the most part, my classes are on topics of my choosing. And, I have family and friends that love me.

The other side is it's lonely here. Being a "lone law student" doesn't seem as exciting as it did last year. And it's hard to remember just why I am here, besides getting a job. It's easier to keep my focus when I avoid socializing with my peers, but my peers are pretty much the only social outlet I have. I miss my family and I miss my fiance.

I will just have to be thankful for the things I have, and remember things to come. It is so hard to have faith that I'm gonna make it that far, and to be exited about rather than anxious for the future. But a good friend told me being engaged is like salvation, is it is a waiting, but with a promise in hand. And so I am very thankful, indeed.

The End of Exile

2007-08-06T11:28:00.000-07:00

Well! During this time of transition there are a lot of things on my mind. I really should write more often so that I don't have to try to catalog all of my thoughts at once. Oh well.

The main thing is that I now have a new apartment in the city. My fiance and dad graciously did all the work of moving, so that all I have left to do is a little organizing when I get back. With the end of the summer there is excitment and a little anxiousness (is this the same thing as anxiety?) about the things to come. The summer definitely served it's purpose- I was very still for a while. With the new apartment, which we will live in when we're married, it makes the future seem closer than before. On the drive back to my dad's, I found myself dreaming about all of the possibilities, and trying to think about what I really wanted to be doing in 10, 20, 30 years. There are two dreams: immigration law, and to live off of the land-this is the dream of Jon and I. Immigration law is the goal that is most in sight, but with Jon moving to Texas soon, the dream of living off the land, at least in part, does not seem so impossible. And it's never too soon to start dreaming.

I also found myself wondering, would I be happy if we did became, basically, farmers? And I would be. I don't ever want to be secluded from society, but I also think living off the land would give us the freedom to choose how we interact with society. I think it would be the start of living a creative life, where the possibilities are endless, once I stop catering to the status quo. We could learn how to truly live in community when our lives and our work aren't segragated.

I'm not exactly sure how my present career path can merge with this dream, but I know it's possible. At least I have to believe that it is possible. Even if we live in the city, there are ways to live differently. There are city gardens where people come together to grow vegetables, and there are people to know and commune with.

All this comes in light of finishing the book The Challenge of Jesus by N.T. Wright. He focuses on what specifically did Jesus' actions say, in light of Jewish tradition? He doesn't just look at what the moral lessons are, but at what Jesus' life and death meant, in light of the Torah. Jesus was proclaiming the coming of the Kindgom of God, the end of exile for the Jews. The Jews were in exile for their sin of not following God, and they were looking for the Messiah who whould bring excuplation for the Jewish nation. Jesus brought exculpation- by dieing, he took their sins upon him, which brought the age of forgiveness, the end of exile. By excepting forgiveness, the Jews would become the people of forgiveness, and begin to proclaim the message of redemption to the Gentiles.

For those who follow Christ, and receive the Holy Spirit, a new way of life is possible. We are to proclaim the Kingdom of God- the end of exile- the ability to live free from sin. The point that hits me the hardest is that the the Kingdom of God means the ability to forgive. Individually, we are forgiven, but the outcome is the ability to live a life of outward forgiveness. This means recognizing the pain of the world, and the ways that the world is lost, and loving it anyway. It means approaching the problems of the world with love and humility, not with anger and conceit. We are each to proclaim the end of exile in our own disciplines, no matter what it is. If you work in a discipline that focuses only on profit, in what way can you show that there is a more loving way to provide the same service?

I am inspired by new words to describe the idea and way of life that we all are striving for- "the end of exile". A world where love and forgiveness are possible.

And in wedding news, Jon and I met our Pastor/Rabbi- Roi Garcia! He began by telling us that out of the 350 weddings he's performed, only 2 couples have divorced. He will not marry without evidence of commitment, and he provides Christian counseling- both before the wedding and when ever he is needed, for as long as we want it. He is an ordained minister, a Christ believing Jew. Jon and I could not have asked for a more encouraging wedding officiant! We will be doing counseling with him over the phone. He says the three main issues for married couples are finances, communication, and family. We are excited about the support and guidance Rabbi Roi will give.

2007-07-26T13:24:00.000-07:00

Well, as the summer is wrapping up now, it is difficult not to be a little ansy about things to come. Isn't it funny, how even when we are on vacation, we find ways to become stressed? I do, anyway. I am always so busy planning for the future, and trying to prepare for it, that I forget to live! I am already looking for next summer's job, which of course means I'm attempting to plan my entire life.

In the middle of it all, though, I know that I am deeply blessed. I have a wonderful man to share it all with, and help me remember the important stuff. And I've my whole life ahead of me, with many good things to come. And I've got my family, who finally all have met Jon. This past weekend was with my sister and brother-in-law in Atlanta, where we met them at the prettiest hotel ever where they were staying. How precious is my nephew! I really like him. And my niece is funnier than ever, and I can't get enough of her smiles. Jon and I both loved watching how my sister and brother-in-law ran their family, full of love! We look forward to spending more time with them in the future.

Now I am back in Florida for one more week. I am doing wedding projects, preparing my resume, catching up on my blog, things like that. I'm really thankful I have this last week to reflect, appreciate what a great summer it's been and patiently look forward to things to come.

zucchini and fireworks

2007-07-08T10:15:00.000-07:00

Our first baby! Just kidding, it's our first monster zucchini. As you may guess, we were very proud! It was mostly Jon's baby, he nurtured it from a seed!

Well, besides working in the garden, we spent last weekend helping Jon's cousin move out of his house. We didn't go anywhere for the 4th, even though we both had that day off, because I wasn't feel well and Jon had worked 10 days straight. So we just rested, but this weekend was full of activity, including one unexpected treat. First we went to the moves with Jon's sister's family and dad on Friday night. On Saturday we went to a house warming party in the early evening for Jon's coworker. Then, Clint (Jon's cousin) wanted to treat us to dinner for helping him move. So we went to the hotel where they're staying downtown on the Jacksonville River Walk. When we got there Jon and Clint had to go help their Uncle Walter fix the electricity at his meat store. While they did that, Alaina (Clint's wife), their two kids and I went to the exercise room and watched a movie on TV. When Jon and CLint got back a few hours later, they noticed while looking out their hotel room window that something was going on down on the river. There was a huge convention going on for a particular branch of Hinduism, and they were down on the waterfront. CLint said the barge on the river looked just like the barge they used on the 4th for fireworks. Sure enough, 15 minutes later, there was a full-out fireworks show right there on the river, just like they had the fourth of July! It was a fantastic surprise. We were on the 15th floor, so our seats could not have been better- the sparks would fizzle out on the way to our window.
After the show, we went out to eat at "the Landing", a spot on the riverwalk where they have live music and lots of restaurants.
We didn't get to bed until 1, which is way past our bedtime. But we couldn't have asked for a more magical night!
Now we are resting, and tomorrow starts the rest of busy July. We get to see Jon's best friend next weekend, and my sister's family the next! Sad as it is that the summer is quickly passing, it's worth it for all the worthwhile times we have had.

happy in Hilliard

2007-06-23T08:20:00.000-07:00

I am glad to report it's been a happy week here in Hilliard. Last Sunday Jon took me to the Blueberry festival at the local fair grounds. I bought blueberry jam, we ate blueberry lemonade and blueberry funnel cake, and he bought 6 lbs of fresh blueberries to take home with us. For dinner that night we had a special yummy meal called turkey tonato that Jon makes, with fried zucchini from the garden. Then there was the memorable cutting open of Jon's first watermelon from the garden. It was the kind with yellow flesh inside, and it so sweet and delicious. After that, there was blueberry pie.

On Monday, I started my psuedo-lawyer job. I got lost because the bridge I was supposed to take was closed, which sent me on a detour to another bridge, which got me accross the river but also took me off my google directions. I had to call my boss to find my way to the office. Luckily, she is the nicest law boss I could probably have found. She is only a few years out of law school. She tried running her own non-profit but when funding didn't come through, she started her own for-profit firm. We handle mostly family law cases. She shares an office with another female attorney, and there are no men, which I think makes the atmosphere more comfortable and supportive.

I have my own office. I do what most attorneys do right out of law school, which is research. I mostly look for cases which will help some case that Julie is working on. It can be intimidating when I don't know if I'm on the right track and it takes the entire day to find one case that is relevant. But, Julie is encouraging and is always thanking me for my help. I am confident that I have been trained well in legal research. Besides knowing very little about family law, I think I make a pretty capable intern.

I'm not getting paid, but this is very good practice. I am learning family law and I'm seeing a little bit about how to run a firm. Julie's job is not my ideal, but it's nice to know that I would be capable of doing it in the future.

I don't work Fridays, so yesterday I got to go shopping for wedding supplies. I found a berry garland and shoes.

Today we are going to the beach. Then we'll come home and prepare dinner for Uncle Walter's birthday. Tomorrow we're going to visit the local CHurch of Christ, and then go to Alicia's birthday party at her church (Jon's sister). In many ways life here in Hilliard is very simple. Every evening is spent eating and talking with family. Living with inlaws has its challenges and its rewards. It seems to me that this is what engaged couples through the ages have experienced- a time of waiting, in which the challenges will make us stronger and the rewards of being with family are great.

times gone by

2007-06-02T18:41:00.000-07:00

As I finished my first year of law school, and quickly threw myself into social events at the start of summer vacation, I had to stop and pinch myself, to make sure I was still alive. There has been very limited social interaction during the last nine months. I was focused on a goal, and the only way I knew to succeed was to shut out most everything else. When I wasn’t studying, I reflected on past years to remember all the reasons I had come to law school. But I was very disengaged from the world I claim to care about. And I had almost no interaction with the people I say I want to help with my degree. I spent more time talking on the phone than I did talking to people in person. Still, I have completed the first, most difficult year.
Now that I’m around people again, I have to remember who I am, or find out who I am now. Law school and living alone have led me to be a more forceful person, but is that the kind of person I want to be? Maybe yes maybe no. And what about all the lessons I have learned in the past; about God, about myself in relation to him, and about the way the way the world turns and how I want to live in it? These are lessons I have accumulated over the past 23 years, from birth to childhood to college; through family, friends, and adventures sought out or handed to me.
But the experiences that we have are never lost on us. No matter what, they affect us and become a part of us. I am thankful for so much. I am thankful for a sweet, sweet childhood. I am thankful for a loving family; for our hikes in the woods, and for all the simple and imaginative play I had as a kid. Things like play are never the aim of a distinguished scholar, and they do not create the climax in a play. But I believe imagination through play is core to the human spirit. It is important that I work and that I serve and that I ask questions, but it is equally important that I enjoy the richness of the little moments I find myself in and embrace life like a child.
For a few days I got to watch my 2 year old niece play, and I felt joyful that she is secure in her parents’ love, and so she is free to explore the contours of her imagination. Then I felt sad that she would not remember the time we fed the ducks or the walk we went on where her daddy picked her up so she could touch all the trees. But even though those memories will not stay with her, they will remain a part of her, and I take joy in knowing that all my moments; big and small, have made me who I am.

2007-04-26T23:44:00.000-07:00

Time for my first post. Lately in law school I've been feeling a little oppressed. There are nice people there, but the setting for first year students tends to suck the life out of you. You must learn the material, which is complicated enough, and most of it has an important impact on people's lives. But you should not invest yourself emotionally in the law, because your professors will always belittle your thoughts if you create any of your own. I believe and am hopeful that within the law there is a lot of flexibility, but I think it becomes more apparent after the first year.

Needless to say, I will writing down here the thoughts that have no where else to go. Some posts may be more thought out than others.