I am officially running the NOLA Mardi Gras Marathon February 28, 2010.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
She really, really did it!
Miss Tulip did it! She graduated from beginner puppy obedience! It was a very exciting moment in all of our lives. While she is not the best behaved dog I have ever encountered, she is actually pretty good most of the time. She sits all the time, including sometimes when you just look at her and she thinks you maybe want her to sit. She lays on command AND will stay laying for up to 30 minutes [mostly without protest]. If you had the [some maybe would say dubious] pleasure of meeting Tulip before puppy school, you know this is progress indeed!
Still no retrieving of tennis balls and she has developed a pogo stick habit which can be annoying and is quite difficult to curb, BUT I received the nicest compliments about her last week. First, she and I were walking to the park and she stopped and sat at the corner like she's supposed to before we cross a street. A woman was crossing the street towards us with her dog. Instead of creating a dog-dog introduction in the midst of Mag, I decided to test Tulip's patience and obedience. The dog approached, came all the way over and sniffed Tulip and she STAYED LIKE A CHAMP! Her little bottom bones stayed glued to the ground and while her tail was mightly protesting, she stayed sitting and just gazed up at me the entire time, waiting upon my release command. The woman with the dog exclaimed 'Wow-your dog is so good! That must have taken a lot of work!' It did, but it was worth the compliment!
Then, the next day, 2 of the hairstylists from the salon next to our house were sitting on their stoop. I was walking with Tulip and the girls stopped me and said 'You know, she has gotten so good! We used to die laughing everytime you walked by because she was such a tiny little thing pulling you so much it looked like a comic come to life. Now she just strolls along next to you and even sits and waits next to the car while you unload groceries or books!' Now this was seriously high priase because they really did laugh at us all the time. And rightfully so, because the sight of a baby Tulip pulling me around would have made me laugh too! And considering they see us walking/running with her at least twice a day, if not many more on the way into the car and such, they are pretty good judges of her improvement!
That said, she is still her lovely minxy self, still causing trouble at every possible turn!
Still no retrieving of tennis balls and she has developed a pogo stick habit which can be annoying and is quite difficult to curb, BUT I received the nicest compliments about her last week. First, she and I were walking to the park and she stopped and sat at the corner like she's supposed to before we cross a street. A woman was crossing the street towards us with her dog. Instead of creating a dog-dog introduction in the midst of Mag, I decided to test Tulip's patience and obedience. The dog approached, came all the way over and sniffed Tulip and she STAYED LIKE A CHAMP! Her little bottom bones stayed glued to the ground and while her tail was mightly protesting, she stayed sitting and just gazed up at me the entire time, waiting upon my release command. The woman with the dog exclaimed 'Wow-your dog is so good! That must have taken a lot of work!' It did, but it was worth the compliment!
Then, the next day, 2 of the hairstylists from the salon next to our house were sitting on their stoop. I was walking with Tulip and the girls stopped me and said 'You know, she has gotten so good! We used to die laughing everytime you walked by because she was such a tiny little thing pulling you so much it looked like a comic come to life. Now she just strolls along next to you and even sits and waits next to the car while you unload groceries or books!' Now this was seriously high priase because they really did laugh at us all the time. And rightfully so, because the sight of a baby Tulip pulling me around would have made me laugh too! And considering they see us walking/running with her at least twice a day, if not many more on the way into the car and such, they are pretty good judges of her improvement!
That said, she is still her lovely minxy self, still causing trouble at every possible turn!
Thinking outside the box and off the palette
This artwork was propped up in the hallway where I did my week with the LA Green Corps. I found the piece beautiful to begin with and loved that it was made with paint chips. Yep, the kind you get at the hardware store. The artist used them as the medium. It's like an entirely new approach to impressionism and pointillism. You can't tell but the piece was actually nearly as tall as I am and about as wide as a standard door-frame. I especially love the blue sky :)
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
So fresh and so green [green]!
Ladies and Gentleman, please prepare yourself, it's one of the best weeks of the year again...HOMECOMING!!!!
This year is sure to be a blast: Ratch and Rek are heading up the marketing of the festivities and everyone is ready to go! The Court is all set: 2 XO's maintaining the legacy, 3 Admissions Interns, 3 Orientation Leaders, 1 HC Court legacy [may the Moss family forever live on at Tulane], 1 of my FIJI babies, 1 FIJI baby girlfriend who is amazing, 5 USG Senators, and a lot of Tulane spirit and involvement (and yes, I am aware that my previous numbers do not add up to 10-some people fit more than one distinction). Who will win? Only time will tell as the winner is revealed at halftime on Saturday. I hope this Court has a wonderful week enjoying the honor. I am glad the game returned to the Dome so the winners will march across that astroturf and feel an intangible bond to this city, this wonderful place that has so changed us all. And most of all, I hope the court laughs as much as we did.
Happy Homecoming!
My ode to Henri (which must be pronounced en francais, of course)
Dear Henri,
Please do not come into the Gulf. I would so appreciate you avoiding this whole region like the plague. Now I am aware this plea is counter to those I have sent up to the hurricane forces that be before. But I have a few claims I would like to level against your plan to pay us a visit:
1. I know, you are probably feeling neglected by the lack of attention on hurricanes this year. I, however, was not one of the "out of forecast, out of mind" legions. No, I actively cheered on and hoped for a little mild tropical disturbance to come our way over the summer and beginning of school. All through those long, hot months of June, July, and August I waited. No hurrication. The school started and I was even hopeful then of a weekend away.
2. Your time has come and past. Practice exams are in 2 weeks and I barely have time to sleep, much less pack up my, Em, and Tulip's lives and vacate for a week. No time at all.
3. Law school is stressful enough, thank you very much, without you lurking out there in the Atlantic. Your menacing presence is not helping me out, and hurricanes are really only fun when they help you out: when they are strong enough to get classes to cancel, but too weak to cause serious harm and damage. And a key component of hurricane fun is when they either delay school or get you out of exams/assignments, etc. The only thing your visit, dear Henri, would do for me is guarantee Saturday classes for the rest of the semester. And maybe some night ones as well. And since I am already doing school work at those times, I don't need your help in this matter.
4. And you would really throw a wrench into the sailing schedule if you paid a visit.
All in all, I appreciate all of the good you and your kin have done over the years: Gustav was great last year and Ivan was fine too. Both were perfectly timed at the beginning of the school year or just a few weeks in. Both caused little damage to NOLA. Neither were during my 1L year.
So you see Mr. Henri, this just isn't a good time for you to come around. Maybe next year, around the middle of August? Everyone likes a break from the heat and summer grind 'round about that time.
Truly,
Your number #1 fan cheering on your turn up into the Northern Atlantic
Please do not come into the Gulf. I would so appreciate you avoiding this whole region like the plague. Now I am aware this plea is counter to those I have sent up to the hurricane forces that be before. But I have a few claims I would like to level against your plan to pay us a visit:
1. I know, you are probably feeling neglected by the lack of attention on hurricanes this year. I, however, was not one of the "out of forecast, out of mind" legions. No, I actively cheered on and hoped for a little mild tropical disturbance to come our way over the summer and beginning of school. All through those long, hot months of June, July, and August I waited. No hurrication. The school started and I was even hopeful then of a weekend away.
2. Your time has come and past. Practice exams are in 2 weeks and I barely have time to sleep, much less pack up my, Em, and Tulip's lives and vacate for a week. No time at all.
3. Law school is stressful enough, thank you very much, without you lurking out there in the Atlantic. Your menacing presence is not helping me out, and hurricanes are really only fun when they help you out: when they are strong enough to get classes to cancel, but too weak to cause serious harm and damage. And a key component of hurricane fun is when they either delay school or get you out of exams/assignments, etc. The only thing your visit, dear Henri, would do for me is guarantee Saturday classes for the rest of the semester. And maybe some night ones as well. And since I am already doing school work at those times, I don't need your help in this matter.
4. And you would really throw a wrench into the sailing schedule if you paid a visit.
All in all, I appreciate all of the good you and your kin have done over the years: Gustav was great last year and Ivan was fine too. Both were perfectly timed at the beginning of the school year or just a few weeks in. Both caused little damage to NOLA. Neither were during my 1L year.
So you see Mr. Henri, this just isn't a good time for you to come around. Maybe next year, around the middle of August? Everyone likes a break from the heat and summer grind 'round about that time.
Truly,
Your number #1 fan cheering on your turn up into the Northern Atlantic
Right now, at this very moment
It is 90 degrees outside and according to weather.com feels like 103. And here I was going to put my 'feels like' index at 95...never underestimate yourself, or the heat index. So now I have a good reason for not running today, right? Too hot? Dangerous conditions? Hmmmm, while my cool sheets were definitely safe, the real reason I didn't run this morning was less about the heat [which frankly, I did not even contemplate as it's October and thus should not be too hot to run at 6am...even though it kind of is] and much more about getting in some last zzzz's after my long closed memo-reviewing night. Anyways, if you are stuck someplace winter has visited too early this year, feel free to visit NOLA, where summer is sticking around for all she's worth!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
The anatomy of a dog treat
[top row: yes, bottom row: no]So after much research and investigation, before we brought little Tulip home, Em and I had decided to feed her as naturally as possible, with as little processed food as feasible. now don't get me wrong, we aren't feeding her a raw diet or anything, she gets kibbles; but nutritious and delightfully good for the environment and her tummy kibbles. No junk carbs or filler for our munchkin. This philosophy extends to her play toys and treats as well, mainly in our avoidance of rawhide bones/processed parts like pigs ears and animal products which can harm the dog, such as hooves, joints and actual bones. Now, one would think that finding rawhide free treats for dogs would be relatively easy these days considering the amount of research that has been published on the harmful [and frankly pretty nasty] effects on dogs. Not so. It is in fact quite difficult to find a non-rawhide/greasy pressed animal product for a dog's enjoyment. We have found a few, most of which arrive to Tulip's doorstep via shipment from her g-marm and the amazing pet stores in the great OH. Pizzle sticks, dried achilles tendons, antlers, and dried sweet potato chews have been our findings in the past 7 months of dog ownership. So this weekend, when I came across a pet store that not only sold bully sticks [not as high quality or diversity as the OH options, but still, available!] AND had a product I had never seen next to the bully sticks, I was intrigued. I inquired as to whether they were processed/rawhide and was assured they were not. Then, I decided to check the salesperson's actual knowledge of the product and inquired as to what part of an animal it was...Her reply "Oh it's a cow esophagus." I determined that Tulip would ADORE these products and purchased a few.
And then I chuckled all the way home because the items in question were clearly tracheas...those cartilaginous bands don't lie, be they in a human or cow!
And in case you were wondering, yes, Miss Tulip thinks her trachea treats are divine :)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY EM!
Happy Happy Birthday!
Tulip and I are so glad you will be home in time to celebrate with us! We love you!
PS-you might want to check the fridge when you get home...Tulip has been slaving away in that kitchen and won't tell me what she made for you but I'm sure it's delish :)
Monday, October 5, 2009
A few things I am loving...
1-Law school. You may have heard from me that it is sometimes completely overwhelming [and if you haven't heard this from me, it's probably because I am currently too overwhelmed to call], but I absolutely love and adore it. I love learning and discovering something new every day. I love that there are many possible interpretations to problems presented and in order to 'win' you don't have to prove you are correct, you just have to prove you are more correct than the other side! And I really, really love being immersed in school and really and truly actively being engaged in the process again.
2-da Saints. I think this is going to be their year. And even if it isn't-cheering, yelling and screaming at the top of my lungs for four straight hours every other week or so isn't a bad release of law school stress. Those boys carried the weight of a city on the brink-now they are proving that they have what it takes
3-Tulip. Particularly the new, somewhat better mannered version. She is such a delight and joy. Always there to cuddle, snuggle, play, or get me out the door and on a run, or at least a trip to the river. And she is just so darn cute.
4-My primary kids. They are as adorable as can be and have truly taught me so much over the past year. It really is amazing what going back to the basics can do. And they make me smile and laugh with them. And they put on an awesome program-those 4 rugrats sure make me proud.
5-Law School. The never-ending hilarity of it all: the cases we read, the professors, and mostly the students. Oh the things that are said and shared. Filter, people, filter what pops into your mind before you share it with 90+ of your closest new frenemy classmates please! Or, maybe don't so I continue to be entertained by you
6-The return to Weaver/Davidson. Yep, that's right, law school is a return to the past. Between the lockers and all the classes being in one building to the clear class/age level hierarchy TLS is totally interchangeable with either Weaver/Davidson. Except here all the cool kids hang out in the library :)
7-The departure of 'the cougher' from my area of the library. As we enter October the carrels are filling up. But thankfully, my coughing space invader has departed from my area. He must have gotten the message behind my scathing looks
8-Fall. Even though you wouldn't know it from the 80+ degree and humid weather, it is FALL! That wonderful time of the year. And last week it was even not very humid for a few days, which made it feel cool, which made it seem like Fall
9-Special Birthdays. And no, I'm not talking about my own 1/2 bday which just passed and put me one step closer to that older demographic. My lovely roomie and sister's bday is TOMORROW! Which means not just celebrations tomorrow, but for the whole month to come! And I hear a cousin of ours, also with an October bday is coming to NOLA to celebrate HER big day, so it should be quite the birthday month!
10-Halloween decorations. I never cease to marvel over the decorations that go up here in NOLA: St Patty's, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Fourth of July, Easter, Halloween, Mardi Gras. True celebrants the citizens of NOLA are, and the abundance of cobwebs and ghostly ghouls hanging in trees these days is certainly a testament to that spirit
11-Tulane. How 'bout it: back on the front page of that pesky ranking service, Katrina numbers considered, 2-2 in football [which is a big deal for us-see the BYU game footage if you have any question over the awesomeness of a 2-2 record for us], killer application numbers [and a little bird told me that celebrity sibling interest has risen recently]
12-Homecoming. Such a fabulous time of year. Alums and parents gather around campus. Traditions are revived and continued. New friends meet old friends. Hopefully we win the game. New Homecoming Court members join the great legion and are fete-ed and paraded. Windows are painted, green waves are decorated, commemorative beads are tossed, tailgating numbers are at a season high and a new King and Queen are crowned. May the newest members of Tulane Royalty be as surprised, delighted, and honored as those who have gone before
13-Sailing. So fun and carefree. So much more athletic than I ever considered
14-Service. Helping people you believe in work towards their goals and dreams
15-Snail Mail. Best ever.
2-da Saints. I think this is going to be their year. And even if it isn't-cheering, yelling and screaming at the top of my lungs for four straight hours every other week or so isn't a bad release of law school stress. Those boys carried the weight of a city on the brink-now they are proving that they have what it takes
3-Tulip. Particularly the new, somewhat better mannered version. She is such a delight and joy. Always there to cuddle, snuggle, play, or get me out the door and on a run, or at least a trip to the river. And she is just so darn cute.
4-My primary kids. They are as adorable as can be and have truly taught me so much over the past year. It really is amazing what going back to the basics can do. And they make me smile and laugh with them. And they put on an awesome program-those 4 rugrats sure make me proud.
5-Law School. The never-ending hilarity of it all: the cases we read, the professors, and mostly the students. Oh the things that are said and shared. Filter, people, filter what pops into your mind before you share it with 90+ of your closest new frenemy classmates please! Or, maybe don't so I continue to be entertained by you
6-The return to Weaver/Davidson. Yep, that's right, law school is a return to the past. Between the lockers and all the classes being in one building to the clear class/age level hierarchy TLS is totally interchangeable with either Weaver/Davidson. Except here all the cool kids hang out in the library :)
7-The departure of 'the cougher' from my area of the library. As we enter October the carrels are filling up. But thankfully, my coughing space invader has departed from my area. He must have gotten the message behind my scathing looks
8-Fall. Even though you wouldn't know it from the 80+ degree and humid weather, it is FALL! That wonderful time of the year. And last week it was even not very humid for a few days, which made it feel cool, which made it seem like Fall
9-Special Birthdays. And no, I'm not talking about my own 1/2 bday which just passed and put me one step closer to that older demographic. My lovely roomie and sister's bday is TOMORROW! Which means not just celebrations tomorrow, but for the whole month to come! And I hear a cousin of ours, also with an October bday is coming to NOLA to celebrate HER big day, so it should be quite the birthday month!
10-Halloween decorations. I never cease to marvel over the decorations that go up here in NOLA: St Patty's, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Fourth of July, Easter, Halloween, Mardi Gras. True celebrants the citizens of NOLA are, and the abundance of cobwebs and ghostly ghouls hanging in trees these days is certainly a testament to that spirit
11-Tulane. How 'bout it: back on the front page of that pesky ranking service, Katrina numbers considered, 2-2 in football [which is a big deal for us-see the BYU game footage if you have any question over the awesomeness of a 2-2 record for us], killer application numbers [and a little bird told me that celebrity sibling interest has risen recently]
12-Homecoming. Such a fabulous time of year. Alums and parents gather around campus. Traditions are revived and continued. New friends meet old friends. Hopefully we win the game. New Homecoming Court members join the great legion and are fete-ed and paraded. Windows are painted, green waves are decorated, commemorative beads are tossed, tailgating numbers are at a season high and a new King and Queen are crowned. May the newest members of Tulane Royalty be as surprised, delighted, and honored as those who have gone before
13-Sailing. So fun and carefree. So much more athletic than I ever considered
14-Service. Helping people you believe in work towards their goals and dreams
15-Snail Mail. Best ever.
Dear Black Sheep,
Thank you for coming home safely. My anxiety level will now decrease by about 75%, and I shall feel free to delete Doha as a daily weather check location. I'm so proud of you for your service to our country and SOOOOOO happy you came back alive and in one piece. I expect to be on your schedule around Christmas because you will definitely be on mine.
Forever yours,
White Sheep
Thank you for coming home safely. My anxiety level will now decrease by about 75%, and I shall feel free to delete Doha as a daily weather check location. I'm so proud of you for your service to our country and SOOOOOO happy you came back alive and in one piece. I expect to be on your schedule around Christmas because you will definitely be on mine.
Forever yours,
White Sheep
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