WonL
The random thoughts of an architect-turned- lawyer from the deep south living in Washington, DC...
Thursday, December 31, 2009
My Decade
Not surprisingly with the New Year approaching, I have been in a reflecting mood these past few days. Seems that this year, I've reflected not only on the past year, but on the past decade. WOW. We are wrapping up the first decade of this century. WOW.I feel like I have accomplished, experience, and lived through a lot these past ten years. I took some time yesterday to capture my reflections with a pen and paper. I made a list of the top ten most monumental moments of my past ten years. It was actually tougher than I thought - especially trying to decide what to include and what not to include. It really puts into perspective the events over the past ten years that have molded me.
- Got a Bachelor's of Architecture degree (May 2001)
- Left home and moved to Washington, DC (July 9, 2001)
- Endured September 11 living in our nation's capital (September 11, 2001)
- Quit Smoking (June 9, 2004)
- Graduated from law school (May 2007)
- Took and passed the Virginia Bar Exam (July and October 2007)
- Traveled around the world (August-September 2007)
- Watched the economy take down my law firm leaving 675 people jobless (November 28, 2008)
- Had surgery on my spine (June 4, 2009)
- Blogged my life (August 23, 2004 - December 31, 2009)
I am sure that last one comes as no surprise (especially considering I have not posted in 6 months). Still, I feel a twinge of sadness calling it a day over here. This outlet endured longer than anything these past ten years and I think a huge part of that is the people I have met and the bonds I have forged.
What began as an online means of whining about law school turned into so much more. I have met some amazing people both in person and on the internet. I have become closer to many people in my life becuase this blog gave me the opportunity to communicate more freely than I ever learned to in my words in person. I have expressed feelings and emotions on this blog that I kept hidden from many in my real world.
I truly hope to find time in my life return to writing again one day. But WonL was for the first decade of this century - a decade that is now coming to a close.
Thank you to everyone who has ever participating in my life through WonL - be it through comments, emails, or even simply reading. I will miss you. Please stay in touch. LawRah04@gmail.com
Labels: Blogging, Friends, Life in General
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Ch-ch-changes
I'm not ignoring you. I just don't know what to say. I used to have a blog that people read. I used to have interesting things to say (at least I think so). I used to have an anonymity that I could hide behind allowing me to express myself openly through writing. I used to have bonds with my readers that kept me coming back to write and kept them coming back to read. I miss it but I don't know how to get it back.I have a lot going on in my life. At the same time, there is not much going on in my life at all.
I go to work every day. Well, "mostly" every day. Did I mention I love my job? I can't really talk much about what I do on a daily basis because of that whole attorney client privilege stuff. But really, I love my job.
I've also been undergoing some friendship renovations. I found that transitioning from a law school life of Thursday drunk-fests and dramatic law school proms to a life of work receptions and networking events has led to changes in my social networks. Of course, this is compounded by the fact that some of the changes come from distance or just plain growing apart. It happens, right? Yeah, it happens. Still, it doesn't mean it's an easy transition. I miss certain people. I miss the way it was. At the same time, I'm ready to move on.
I'm also making some changes to my general lifestyle. No, I'm not into chicks now. I'm just adopting a dog. He's a nine year old chihuahua named Killer. I have a bond with this dog that would take another bottle of wine and a free evening to explain. One day, my friends, one day. It's going to be a difficult transtion (to say the least) considering my new apartment is on the 11th floor penthouse and he's not potty trained. Details, details. He's coming live with me and I'm ecstatic.
Otherwise, I cannot think of what to write about that has been going on in my life. Um, I got stuck on a stalled metro for 40 minutes then fell while running up a down escalator last week. Got lots of bruises and really messed up my hand. Um, I got pulled over in the Pentagon parking lot by some schmuck that had too much time on his hands (30 minutes he took) and felt the need to issue me a written warning for making an illegal u-turn...in a damn parking lot. Um, my mom came in town with a gift in tow that she excitedly handed over to me not realizing I had actually given it to her for Christmas this year. Um, this writer's strike is really starting to piss me off.
So, bottle of wine complete...I really can't think of much else to say. I miss you guys and truly hope to get back to this soon.
Labels: Adulthood, Blogging, Friends, Life in General, The Law
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Girl Therapy
When I was younger my mom used to go to "therapy". She'd usually come home intoxicated. You see, it wasn't the usual kind of therapy with a doctor and a sofa. It was girl therapy. She and the ladies from her softball team would get together once a month or so and have their therapy sessions. I never knew exactly what went on, but I knew it involved wine and giggling and a bunch of ladies getting away from their lives for the evening. I knew it was important to my mom.And now, I have realized how important it is to me. I have a couple of friends that I get together with monthly to play poker. There's food and drinks and cards and only the four of us. This is a fairly recent tradition in my life but last night made me realize just how important it has become to me. These monthly evenings with these gals has become my girl therapy. I knew this summer was going to be stressful and I would have to give up a lot of social events, but I also knew that poker night is one I would not be willing to do without.
So last night I took time away from life to go to therapy. We feasted on yummy foods and even more yummy vodka concoctions; we talked about boys and who should stay and who should go (consensus: the Chanuck is the only one worth keeping); we played some TX hold'em and made up rules as we went; we jammed to the best of Toni Toni Toni and danced our way to the restroom all night; we talked about everything ranging from duck-taped bras to tipping to mistress horses; we got quiet and serious over a couple of sad moments; we got right back up and started dancing. At the end of the night, after we cleaned up the strawberries and whip cream from the table, floor, and ourselves, we said our goodbyes. I realized I had not stressed about studying all night long. I walked away feeling refreshed and balanced and damn lucky to have found such great friends who have given me my very own means of girl therapy.
Labels: Friends, Happy, Just Plain Fun
Thursday, May 31, 2007
How to ruin ice cream...
Offer to make homemade ice cream to cheer up a down friend.After she chooses cherry (over lemon), head to the kitchen with the recipe book.
Take out the bowl and spend well over 30 minutes (de)pitting the cherries (with love).
Follow direction leaving last few steps until you get to friend's house.
Later, when you are ready for ice cream, begin hand whipping the cream.
Continue while another friend judges your whipping abilities.
After your arm gets tired, pass the whipping off to other friend.
When other friend gives it back to you so you can finish, continue whipping and forget to pay attention because you are engrossed in the really bad dancers on some reality tv show.
Look down and realize the cream you were whipping that was supposed to be thick and creamy is now thick and chunky.
Put all the ingredients in the ice cream maker and hope it all turns out okay.
Watch the looks on your friends' faces as they attempt to swallow the spoonfuls of frozen curdled cream.
Call friend's man and have him pick up ice cream on his way home.
Moral of the story from Baking911: If you whip too long, the cream can curdle and separate. That's because prolonged beating has warmed the cream.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
New. Favorite. Reader.
I have a paper due Tuesday that is currently sucking the life (not to mention creativity) right out of me! That means I have nothing interesting to say that does not pertain to how Syria was able to make reforms in their laws of personal status despite the alleged closing of the gates of ijtihad. Yeah, I figured you didn't want to hear about that. Instead, I will pass on what I believe to be one of the greatest pieces of writing ever that I received via email today.(this comes from my new favorite WonL reader):
Hi Law-rah. I am currently in London for the week for work and wondered if there was anyone you might like me to pay a visit and send your greetings as in the way Michael Corleone said hello to people. Just wondering. Your wish, dear madam, is, as always, my command.
Yeah, that is just fabulous.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Unbroken
As she walked back from meeting him at the notary she called with tears in her eyes. We positioned the car and opened the door so she wouldn't have to face anyone she knew. She said "it's just hard." We knew it would be a hard day. All we could do was be there to pick her up when she broke down.We drove her to the courthouse so that she could file papers to divorce her husband. I sat outside in the car and waited for her. I could not begin to fathom how she felt. I imagined the recent hurt I felt walking away from a relationship of only six months. I tried multiplying that by sixteen and adding some sacred vows. I still could not fathom. I knew it was only a matter of time before she broke down.
As she returned to the car, I tried to gague her. I couldn't tell. I asked if she was okay and she looked straight at me. In that instant I could see so much hurt. But the hurt I saw was slowly fading into the background as the relief took center stage. "Yes, I am okay." She wasn't smiling, but she wasn't broken.
We stopped at my place to pop open some champagne and toast to new beginnings. We brought out gifts we had bought for her to attempt to rebuild some of what was "lost" in the divorce. We tried to do anything we could to lessen her pain, as we waited for the moment when she would just break down.
Five hours later, she took a call from her mom to tell her how today went. As she left the room, I reflected on the strength of my friend. I have always been a strong woman, but I would have broken down hours ago. She was still standing. Beautiful and kind and strong and inspirational...she was still standing. Whole. Unbroken.
I am pretty sure that when the lights go out and the room is empty and silent she will finally break down. But I can only hope that she knows how much she is truly loved and that helps her get though those moments.
Labels: Friends
Monday, April 09, 2007
Easter (the Adult version)
Did you think by that title you were gonna hear about some sort of "mature" Easter experience? Not so much.We still had an Easter egg hunt.*
And a bunny cake.
And a coloring contest.
We just did it all with wine.
*note: This photo was staged later as the blog author was too busy crawling on the ground looking for eggs to take a photograph at the time.
Monday, April 02, 2007
Share my moment
I had a moment this weekend. You know, an "I am so lucky to be in such an amazing place" moment. Share my moment:I am in my car heading into D.C. from a haircut in Old Town. I'm in a happy mood because I always enjoy my salon visit. My stylist is wonderfully fun. I met him at a party in D.C. a few years back. He and I ended up sipping adult beverages on a sofa while I tried to pick out who was gay and he told me if I was right or wrong. Fun times. I thought for a moment about all of the people I have met here and all of the very random connections they have lead to. I love that about this city.
My windows are down and my new favorite radio station 104.1 is blaring. I have always loved the drive along the George Washington Parkway, but today seems especially beautiful. I pass the marina on my right and wonder how long it will take before I have a boat in there. I do my best "that's my boat" Forrest Gump impression and then giggle at myself.
Driving on, I am coming up to Reagan National Airport. I could not begin to count the number of times I have flown in and out of that airport in the past six years. I lived in Louisiana for twenty-four years and could count on one hand how many times I traveled from there. There is something about D.C. that brings out my love for travel. I am not sure if it's the people I have met or the accessibility and ease of traveling from here. All I know is I am currently planning a six week trip around the world that will include Australia, Africa and Asia and every person I met this weekend had a recommendation based on somewhere they have been or somewhere they think I'd love to go. As I pass the airport, I think of how much my fellow D.C.ers love to travel.
As I keep driving, I pass the Pentagon. For almost six years now, every time I have passed the Pentagon I remember that day. I remember smelling the burning as I walked across the bridge. I remember the candlelight vigils and bonding with strangers. Although I hate that 9-11 happened, I have always said I am glad I was here for it. I experienced a solidarity and patriotism in D.C. that changed me.
As I approach the Arlington Memorial Bridge, I brace myself. Some driver will inevitably not know how to handle the circle and someone else will swerve and there will be honking. This time, though, is smooth sailing. I veer right and pick my lane. I turn off the radio and listen to the sounds of D.C. I spend the short drive over the bridge just breathing in that view. Breathtaking. The sun is reflecting off the Potomac on both sides of me. The statues at the end of the bridge stand tall to let everyone know when they are entering and exiting D.C. I cannot see Mr. Lincoln ahead of me, but I can surely see the monumental white building in which he sits. And I see tourists everywhere. I'm not annoyed or upset though. I feel proud. I feel proud that so many hundreds of thousands of people are coming to see the beauty of my city right now. And it sure is a beautiful city. My city.
I met a few new people this weekend and one conversation somehow turned to past relationships. I mentioned that my last relationship was long distance. Someone said "yeah, those are hard because you get to a point where one of you has to decide who will leave to be with the other one." I smiled and said "that was actually never a problem. He knew I was not willing to leave here. I think I have found home."
If you are in D.C. and have a moment today, I recommend you enjoy your moment. I enjoyed mine.
On that note, I'm off to enjoy this glorious day with tens of thousands of other prideful D.C.ers to cheer on our Nats to an
Labels: Friends, Life in General, Travel
Monday, February 26, 2007
You got me through this
I guess it takes a break-up to realize what truly amazing people you have in your life. Truth be told, I already knew what amazing people I have in my life. I just had the opportunity in recent weeks to really reflect on it. I have seen firsthand what good friends can do for a girl. For example, a good friend might show up at your house with a bottle of vodka on the night of your breakup......or, send you break-up balloons:
...or provide a beverage at her party especially for you when you give up drinking for Lent:
...or fill your inbox and cell phone with such sweet messages:
I heard you mentioning a variety of unhappy facts about a relationship...I'm sorry to hear that...I wanted to offer lunch or coffee or something along those lines early next week.
I was thinking about what you said today and I know you have a million friends but if you ever need to talk or anything let me know
You and I both know there's nothing I can say here to make it better...Just let me know if need that ear or shoulder, alright?
How are you - I know that if this is something you are doing or have done it was truly hard. Let me know you are O.K.
I know you have a lot of friends looking out for you, but if you want to just blow off steam to someone I am available.
I don't even need to hear the break-up story. I'm ready to jump on a plane now and beat the shit out of him.
I hope you're doing ok. If I was there, I'd take you out for some beers & wine and some Erotic Photo Hunt.
Darlin', you doing ok? If you want to talk/vent/whatever, you know where I am.
You know I am always happy to be a listener when you are ready for one.
Well I am thinking of you and I am here if you need me.
You have a beautiful smile so don't hide it too long.
I'm sorry, is there anything I can do to help?
In reflecting on all of this I realized something really important: he would have never fit into my life here. The people around me have set the bar way too high and I doubt he would ever have reached it. You are such amazing people and I am one damn lucky girl. Thank you.