I got 99 problems…

25 Wednesday Jul 2012

Posted by in business, career, family law, firm, law, legal, life, random

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…and most of them aren’t mine! To give credit where credit is due, the title is mostly inspired by Jimmy sharing this yesterday, which I found pretty amusing (at least the first few pages, then I just stopped reading).

Jeff and I were enjoying a warm evening outside, swinging on the front porch swing, talking about what we want to do with our lives, making big castles in the sky and talking about what we don’t like about what we’re currently doing.  I blurted something out about not wanting to worry about other people’s problems, and then we moved on to talk about how badly we want to go camping.

Although I hadn’t given it any thought before I blurted it out, I couldn’t stop thinking about what I had said, and how incredibly correct that statement is.  I realize that my job (the attorney part of it) revolves around solving other people’s problems (duh). Being that I like to keep conflict in my own personal life to a minimum, almost non-existant, it’s easy to see why dealing with other people’s conflicts proves a little tedious for me.

(“Then why did you become an attorney?”  That’s a really good question).

I want to focus on my own personal priorities, whether it’s promoting Jeff’s and my new business ventures, developing Haiti Scholarships, working with the mediation clinic more, etc., rather then stressing out about someone else’s stressful situations.  Almost all areas of law that attorney’s are hired for revolve some level of conflict. Family law is even more so, especially with the weight that these problems carry: whether someone will have access or not to their children might be in your hands. That’s a level of stress that I don’t want to deal with for the rest of my life.  Some day I’ll have kids of my own to worry about, and I want them to be my priority.

Why am I writing this? I’m not sure.  I just felt like a light bulb went off when I realized why being an attorney was so frustrating to me. I like knowing the why.

Conga No Va

25 Wednesday Jul 2012

Posted by in conservation, corruption, development, discussion, Discussions on Development, environment, research, Uncategorized

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A friend of mine from Peru recently posted a 14 minute news video on his Facebook profile.  I didn’t know how long it was when I clicked on it, but actually ended up watching the full news clip and becoming increasingly interested on what was being reported.

Basically, the government has approved a mining project, and the people that live in the area surrounding the proposed project are opposed to it because said mining project will pollute their water.

The debates have gotten so heated that people have been killed during protests by government crackdowns, and there has been a suspension of civil liberties in an effort by the government to curtail such protests. (Sources here, here and here.)

A couple things I found to be very interesting just from skimming the news: 1) in the original video I posted at the beginning, there is footage of the current president of Peru during his electoral campaign, making promises that the villagers water would be protected if he was elected (after he was elected, he approved the mining project), and 2) this quote: “Eurasia Group said Monday in a report that ‘The Ollanta Humala administration remains strongly committed to advancing Minas Conga at all costs. It is not only the country’s largest [foreign direct investment] project, but the government views this as a test case that could shape other social conflicts affecting mining investment.” (Emphasis added). Huh.

Although there have been talks between the villagers and the government, with the aid of a couple Catholic priests, it doesn’t seem like these have helped reach an agreement, since both sides seem pretty set.

Most recently, president Ollanta had to shuffle around his cabinet in an effort to appease those who believed his former cabinet chief had a “confrontational attitude” that led to clashes with protestors.

On the government’s end, mining is a very important sector for the country.  Peru “is one of the world’s largest producers of gold, copper, zinc, silver, and other minerals. The sector has driven Peru’s economic growth during the last decade. Mining companies have lined up investment projects in Peru worth about $53 billion, which the government is counting on to boost mineral production, increase tax revenue and provide thousands of jobs. However, Morgan Stanley has noted that about 40% of these projects are in areas with a high risk of social conflicts. It said Minas Congas ‘continues to be perceived as a test case that could make or break the mining-investment outlook in Peru,’ adding that ‘lingering uncertainty’ remains.” 

I can see how a government which substantially relies on this income wants to protect the foreign investment that is coming in, by making sure that foreign investors feel comfortable and safe, and will want to keep pumping in money to the country. Not to mention that jobs that will be created.

On the other hand…

“The aspect of the Conga Project generating most controversy and opposition is its impact on the water resources in the area. In fact, the project will severely alter the surface drainage system and impact water bodies within the area, particularly in terms of ravines, river basins and lakes.”

This is extremely important when “78% of the population of Cajamarca is dependent on livestock and agriculture. The region of Cajamarca is the third producer of milk in Peru, an important producer of meat and the first for lentils and peas.”

An interesting argument articulated by opposition groups is a theory of “criminalization of protest,” wherein opposition groups are limited in their protests by making their protest a crime (I guess you can deduce as much, but hey, I didn’t go to law school for 3 years let things be self-explanatory). You can read more about that here.

The most articulate article I’ve found laying out the reasons why this project isn’t a good idea are laid out here.  I would summarize, but really, the whole thing is worth reading. It’s in Spanish, but if there’s an interest in it I’m happy to translate. Another good Spanish source is here. There are also plenty of youtube videos about it.

I’ll close with the comment I left on my friend’s link: “It’s incredible to me that in our day and age, money and power are still more powerful than what is just and right.”

I guess it’s not as incredible as it is disappointing.

Charity of the Month: Hiatus

13 Friday Jul 2012

Posted by in charity, Charity of the Month

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I was wondering when this day would come: they day when I didn’t deliver on my monthly charity corner.  I started this little section with a random idea, back in December of 2009, and feel very happy to say that since that date, I’ve been providing insight into a new charity every month (until last month).

I should say first and foremost that I’m not canceling Charity of the Month, just letting those faithful readers know that it might take me a month or two to get back to it.  I haven’t been able to do the kind of outreach and research that I really want lately, or dedicate the kind of time to this that I really want.  So, instead of doing something half-assed, I’m just going to take a little break while things settle a little bit.  I actually just read this article today, and found it to be quite on point, which is why I’m refraining from saying “I’m just too busy.”

My hope is that in the next 2-3 months I can figure out how to maximize my time so I can really focus on the things I really want to do (like this blog), but also have time to do the things I have to do (like…work).  Plus, Jeff and I are going to GERMANY for a month, which is really exciting, but I doubt I’ll be writing much while I’m there.

But I do have some pie in the sky idea that I’ll learn about organizations in Europe that I can share with all of you.  You gotta dream, right?!

Finally, if you know of charities that I can share with people, please pass along the information :)

“Granito”

13 Friday Jul 2012

Posted by in Discussions on Development, Guatemala

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My dear friend Annie sent me a link today for a documentary about Guatemala.  The documentary goes through a documentary that was filmed in 1982, and that became crucial evidence in prosecuting those guilty of the genocide that was committed in Guatemala during their civil war.

It’s lengthy, but if you’re interested in the subject, or just want to gain an understanding of the atrocities that occurred in Guatemala, this is a good background.  I haven’t watched the original documentary upon which this film is based on, “When the mountains tremble,” but it’s on my Netflix queue and I plan on making Jeff sit through it with me soon.

Here’s the trailer:

And you can find the full length documentary here.

I admire the courage and strength that all of these individuals had to keep fighting for justice.

Kids These Days!

11 Wednesday Jul 2012

Posted by in life, random

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Monday I had to go to family court to file some documents, and while I was waiting for my very special attorney ticket, I observed the clerk finishing up with a young man.  She told him he needed to provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope, and without this item, she could not accept his documents.  This has happened to me before, and it’s the reason why I always try to carry extra stamps and envelopes in on me or in my car.  His options were to either 1) have exact change for a stamp and buy it from the clerk (exact change as in what, 47 cents maybe?); 2) wait about an hour to get to a clerks office to buy a stamp with non-exact change; or 3) go down 7 stories, go outside and buy a stamp from the cafe across the street.  After she explained his options, he looks at her with a bit of a blank expression.  “A stamp is this…right?” He’s holding an envelope that has a pre-printed stamp on it, and points to the top right corner of the envelope.  “Uh yeah…but you can just buy a normal stamp, it doesn’t have to be like that.”

Given that I had extra stamps in my wallet, I offered him one of my stamps so he wouldn’t have to go through any of the options above.  The clerk gave me a smile, he gave me a confused look.  Um, I just saved you time and effort buddy, you’re welcome. “Um…can you tell me where I put this?”  Yep, the confused look was because he was seriously confused about where to put the stamp I had just handed him.  The clerk also had to point out where to write in his own name and address.

Being the super understanding person that I am, I immediately posted something on my Facebook about this situation, being as I found it pretty entertaining.  Lo and behold, I hit a nerve!  And here are some other sad but funny scenarios shared by friends who have also seen our youth have trouble with what seems to us to be normal, daily activities.

  • “The last girl we hired part-time was the same way about everything that needed to be done in an office.”
  • “I tutored a girl in Spanish and had to help her write her first check.”
  • Another friend shared how a friend’s son graduated high school (so, 18-ish) and went to open a bank account with his first paycheck, and went home defeated because he didn’t know how to sign his name. This friend also mentioned engineers at her office who had never seen a typewriter before.
  • “The first time I went to Haiti in 2008 I went to buy a Lonely Planet guide in Barnes and Noble. Sadly the staff could not help me locate said book because the travel guides were separated by continents, and he had NO IDEA where the island of Hispaniola was located. Sigh.”
  • “[w]hen I was at grad school at NYU I had to instruct several college students how to deposit checks.”
  • “My grandma still has regular mail boxes on her street, and her new young neighbor came out to ask how he could sent out going mail…..so funny he didn’t know you put the flag up”
  • “My brother, 27, is unaware of how one acquires checks (mom bought him the first set, and now he’s out after 10 years of using the first box).”

I wonder if there are people in each generation that are clueless about this kind of stuff, or maybe societal changes?  Have their always been parents that don’t teach their kids this stuff, or are there just more of them now due to both parents working, or not living in the same household, etc.?  Questions that I’d like to do some research on before really putting my foot in my mouth, but alas, I must go.  Feel free to share your thoughts.

Then and Now

05 Thursday Jul 2012

Posted by in artists, culture, discussion, enrique, entertainment, Guatemala, music, music corner

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Given that a lot of stuff happens in Los Angeles and not near my vicinity, there are times I find myself driving back home late at night and need music to keep me awake.  During those drives I’ve realized that I need to listen to songs that I can sing along to, otherwise just listening to the song doesn’t do much for me.

For some reason, I’m terrible at remembering lyrics of English songs, but am pretty stellar at remembers lyrics to Spanish songs (or just generally terrible songs from my high school and college days, which I don’t need to revisit).   So multiple times this year I have found myself listening to Spanish songs I grew up listening to…and realized I really am sad about how much some of my favorite artists have changed over time.

Example Numero Uno: Shakira

I remember singing lyrics to her songs when I was on a school bus in Guatemala, circa age nine.  She was awesome.  And her stuff sounded like this:

Or this:

Now it’s more like this:

or this:

I’m not saying I don’t enjoy her newer stuff.  It’s catchy and I wouldn’t mind dancing to it, but it doesn’t have the depth in the lyrics that her earlier songs had.  (I do really like her short hair, though!)

Ejemplo Numero Dos: Enrique Iglesias

I’ve already confessed this to Jeff, so what’s confessing it to a few dozen more people?  I was ridiculously obsessed with Enrique when I was in high school.  Like…pictures on my locker obsessed.  We’ll leave it at that.  His was the first concert I went to, and up until Bright Light Social Hour came around, the only artist I’ve seen in concert multiple times.  Here’s the music I fell in love with (and still belt out in the car):

I mean, seriously.

This track sounds pretty dated, but hands down one of my favorites (although this fan made video has plenty of shirtless pictures of him to make up for it):

That whole album actually is pretty awesome, or at least to me.

Noooooow…..

Or….

Mind you, these are also sans mole.  I might be one of the five people who wasn’t happy about that.

I’m very happy that both of these artists have achieved the notoriety in mainstream music that I’m sure every artists dreams of.  I’m just sad it comes at the price of letting go of the style they originally had (I know, I know…it happens to all, and maybe they have to in order to stay current with pop culture…but I’m allowed to vent either way).

Feel free to leave before and after videos of your favorite artist in a comment :)

An Update to the Update

17 Sunday Jun 2012

Posted by in career, dreams, life, updates

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I forgot to mention in my updates that as much as the work thing has been crazy and hectic, I much prefer crazy and hectic to being in a cubicle for 8 hours a day. I realize a lot of people have no choice but to do that, and I’m very thankful that I have the opportunity to work in so many different locations that I’m always on the go.

One day may consist of driving 40 minutes to Riverside, then 40 minutes to Orange, get some work done, drive 10 minutes to Santa Ana to meet with a client, drive 20 minutes to check my PO box on the way home, etc. Sometimes I find myself complaining about how much driving and going back and forth my days entail, but then I ask myself, would I prefer that or sitting in an office right hours a day, five days a week? I much prefer the former.

It’s so easy to get carried away and start complaining about how “difficult” life is. It’s really not. It’s long and tiresome, but I get to be involved in multilateral projects and jobs, some I like more than others, but together they allow me the flexibility to come and go as I please. That’s worth so much gratitude, and deserves very little complaining.

I’m counting the days until Jeff can join me on the self-employed bandwagon. Something tells me life will be just a little sweeter :)

Music Corner: Gotye & We Are Augustines

15 Friday Jun 2012

Posted by in entertainment, music, music corner, video

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Both of the following songs were on a recent episode of Suites.  I wouldn’t particularly recommend the show, unless you’re just looking for something to waste your time with.  But I really enjoyed the musical selections for their season premier.

Gotye: Smoke and Mirros

We Are Augustines: Chapel Song

Warning: a lot of kissing, and a long middle finger goodbye at the end.

General Updates

14 Thursday Jun 2012

Posted by in business, career, cooking, dreams, future, goals, health, Jeff, photography, planning, random, Uncategorized, updates

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It’s been a while since I had a general update, and there are various fronts that need updating.

TECHNOLOGY USAGE

I did delete Words with Friends and Draw Something, and I honestly couldn’t be happier about that. I’m not having to check my phone every two seconds to see if it’s my turn or not, and I really like that feeling.

However, my general reliance (addiction?) on my phone hasn’t decreased substantially by any means. I still find myself checking Facebook every few minutes, and when I’m in line or bored somewhere I always turn to twitter or some news app or another.

A drastic thought occurred to me this week: to delete the Facebook app on my phone. I honestly don’t think I’ll do it, but it would be a good way to drastically cut down the usage of my phone. Part of my reluctance is because I do use Facebook for a lot of different things, whether it’s messaging people about wedding stuff, jumping on people’s requests for a wedding photographer or getting a message quickly to someone who’s phone number I don’t have. I also feel like I should be able to do this without resorting to that: I have to have SOME kind of self restraint….right?!

FOOD

This past Sunday Jeff and I went to the grocery store and actually planned out our meals for the week. I know, I know, most grown ups do this on a regular basis. Well, not Jeff and I, unfortunately. That means that we end up eating out a lot, because it’s faster than figuring out dinner, going to the store, and THEN cooking it. But since Sunday we’ve been making dinner at home, and having sandwiches or leftovers for lunch. I even packed lunch twice so far this week! (don’t mock, ok? Just be proud of my progress).

I also bought a bunch of fruit, and I’ve been trying to snack on blue berries, cantaloupe and watermelon instead of milk and cookies. Although I also snacked on milk and cookies yesterday. C’mon, one out of three days is a HUGE accomplishment for me! I don’t think anyone but Jeff really understands the lengths of my milk and cookie obsession….

Here’s what we’ve had so far:

Sunday night: pollo guisado (basically chicken cooked with tomatoes, potatoes and onions), with rice, tortillas, and a salad.

Monday night: guatemalan beef paties, russet potatoes, green beans.

Tuesday night: pork chops with homemade mashed potatoes, and corn.

Wednesday night: guatemalan style chicken stew…not weather appropriate, but the only reason for making it was to have left over chicken to make chicken enchiladas tonight :)

I’m still trying to figure out non meat/chicken dishes, that are not pasta, that are still filling enough for dinner.  Suggestions are welcomed.

 CAREER

Well, this has been crazy lately! Mostly crazy in a good way, with a little crazy in a stressful way sprinkled in.

There has been a lot going on in the last few weeks: I’m working with the mediation clinic from 8:30am to 12pm Tuesday through Friday (Monday’s it’s only from 10:15-11:45am), I’m working on four contract immigration cases for U-visas, and managing my own case load of family law cases. On top of that, I had a couple wedding ceremonies in the last month, and Jeff had a wedding photography gig two weeks ago that I assisted him with.

I’ve been trying to sell some stuff on Craigslist, as well as follow up with potential clients for both my law firm and Jeff’s photography stuff (we possibly have two more weddings to book for this year!).  We’ve been working quite a bit on promoting Jeff’s photography stuff, because it’s something that we both think could turn into a full time job for him.  It would allow him to spend his day doing something he likes, plus more financially beneficial than where he is now.  Not to mention, he’d get to work from home with meeeeeeee which would be awesome.

Just like any time we buy a lottery ticket, we’ve started planning all the things we’d like to achieve and accomplish together, and let me tell you: we’ve got some big plans!  Who knows where they’ll end up, but we’ll never get anywhere unless we start dreaming, right?

All in all, I’m pretty excited about where we both are right now.  I feel like it’s taken a long time for us to get to a point where we actually see a little light at the end of the tunnel.  The tunnel still looks fucking long, but at least we see the light at the end!

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