Alexandra Nechita

This one is called Adventurous Mind. Click on the title to see her page and other works by her.

Life 101

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but

shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spendmore, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more
degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh toolittle, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much , and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These
are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

My Christmas

My dad, bros, and i woke up at 7, packed our stuff and headed to Bear Mountain.
Once we got to Snow Valley, we stopped to see the conditions and liked what we saw.
Not crowded, great parking, and snow looked enticing.
We parked, changed into our gear and my dad headed in to buy tickets.
I walked to the bathroom and looked up at the mountain.
Something looked off.
The whole top of the mountain looked pristine clean.
Not a single skier. At first i was stoked and didn't think anything of it.
The bottom half was littered with people so I couldn't wait to get to the top.
I walked out of the bathroom again and this time i saw it.
The whole top half lifts were not moving.

I went back to the ticket booth and they said that they shut down all the lifts except for the beginner lifts because of the high wind speeds today.
I knew it was windy but we've been in these conditions before and it wasn't bad up there.
I think it was the wildfires and they were afraid that they might not get people down fast enough.

So. I drove an hour and half on a gorgeous sunny day to snow ski.
And i saw snow.
I just couldn't touch it.
My Christmas sucked balls.

I really hope yours was better. It's not hard to beat.

In His Head

"Piles of useless stuff are in his head--from religion to gadgetry. And this blog is his virtual dumping ground. Rummage around. One man's trash is another man's treasure."

Batman

Heath Ledger is the new Joker and he looks amazing. I can't wait to see this movie.

World Press Photo of the Year

They have requested that I not copy this image but here is the site. Please take a look at it, because it shows the ultimate irony.

Understanding Traffic Jams

hum... I understand a bit better now. Mathematicians solve the mystery of traffic jams.

Garden State

From Carmen's blog:

Andrew Largeman: You know that point in your life when you realize that the house that you grew up in isn't really your home anymore? All of the sudden even though you have some place where you can put your stuff that idea of home is gone.

Sam: I still feel at home in my house.

Andrew Largeman: You'll see when you move out it just sort of happens one day one day and it's just gone. And you can never get it back. It's like you get homesick for a place that doesn't exist. I mean it's like this rite of passage, you know. You won't have this feeling again until you create a new idea of home for yourself, you know, for your kids, for the family you start, it's like a cycle or something. I miss the idea of it. Maybe that's all family really is. A group of people who miss the same imaginary place.

90 for 9000

I love this story because I can see myself pulling that punishment.
Dad sells his son's Guitar Hero III on the web for 9,000 dollars because he found his son in the backyard smoking pot with some delinquent punks. yepp, he did it... but he'll replace the gift with Dancing with the Stars, or Wii Barbie.

Challenge

Sweeney Todd

This looks like the movie of the season. I can't wait to see what Tim Burton is going to bring to this story. Watch the trailer here.


Update: It's awesome. All the Tim Burton sadistic tendencies splurged on this flick.

Cole v. German Savings

I've read a lot of cases this semester but this one sticks out in both my mind. I could only remember the facts, but Kat was able to give me the name: Cole v. German Savings. This is my favorite case in Torts so far and is on my list of strange cases to remember.

An elevator shaft was empty and under construction. A strange little boy about 13 years old impersonated the usual elevator boy by dressing up in his costume. He then led a woman to the shaft and let her fall down the hole.


Lexis Nexis:
PROCEDURAL POSTURE: Plaintiff elevator patron appealed a judgment of the Circuit Court of the United States for the District of Utah that the patron could not recover from defendant building owner in a personal injury action.

OVERVIEW: The patron was injured when she fell into an open elevator shaft. A young man about 13 years of age had preceded the patron to the elevator, opened the door, and invited the patron to pass into the shaft. The crucial question in the case was whether or not the negligence of the building owner was the proximate cause of the injury to the patron. The district court entered judgment in favor of the building owner. On appeal, the court affirmed. The court found that there was no evidence that the patron's injuries resulted from acts or omissions of the building owner. Rather, there was positive and convincing testimony that the patron's injuries were caused by the wrongful act of the young man, who was a trespasser. The building owner could not foresee or reasonably anticipate the young man's violation of the law and trespass upon its property. The young man's voluntary act broke the chain of causation between any prior negligence of the owner and the patron's injury. The owner's acts were not a proximate cause of the accident.

OUTCOME: The court affirmed the judgment of the district court.

Luge

Next time I am in Germany, near the Neuschwanstein Castle, I HAVE to do this. Too bad I didn't know about this in 2003. Guess it means I have to go back!!

Ride the luge

[The Sommerrodelbahn is one of the most exhilarating alpine experiences. Local speed demons spend entire summer days riding chairlifts up in order to "luge" down the concrete bobsled courses on oversize skateboards. You can find several luge courses near Germany's famous "Mad" King Ludwig's Neuschwanstein Castle; two metal courses between Salzburg and Hallstatt in Austria; and two concrete luge courses at France's Chamonix near the base of Mont Blanc. (Metal courses often stay open while concrete courses close at the least sprinkle of rain.)

When riding a luge, you sit with a brake stick between your legs. Push to go fast. Pull to stop. The course banks on the corners, and even a first-timer can go very, very fast. Most are careful on their first run and really rip on their second. To avoid a slow-healing souvenir, keep both hands on your stick. You'll rumble, windblown and smile-creased, across the finish line with one thought on your mind -- "Do it again!"]

Fall 2007 Finals

Fall Final for 1Ls have started.
We get a study period of approximately 2 weeks to study before finals.
To me, that means if you need a study period, you need A LOT of study time...which means you are screwed if you don't study your ass off, starting from mid semester.
I haven't seen the light of day in days.
I can't wait for these two weeks to be over.
Dec 20th...here i come.

Law Review

When I first got to law school, I kept hearing this term "law review" sporadically around school. I had no clue as to what it was, what I needed to do to get it, or what the rewards were...but it was a big deal. So like many ignorant and wide eyed first year law students, I dreamed of making "law review" without knowing jack about it.

Today, walking through campus, I saw the bulletin that posted all the names of people that made law review. Since I've been deprived of good food, sleep, and basically the world outside of Whittier Law School, my spirits were a little low. But seeing that post made me look at law school in a new but still ignorant way.

So in this article about how Law Review is like Eating Vegetables, I find out that making Law Review is a big fricken deal. You can get in by writing, or through first year grades, which need to be insanely high...ON ALL CLASSES. In addition, the immediate rewards are minimal at best. You spend the next year of law school buried not only in your own books, but in other peoples' as well, correcting their mistakes and editing all kinds of papers. It sounds like paper boot camp to me, but the long term benefits are pretty amazing.

With law review under your belt, you are considered for many more opportunities when you graduate and are in the working world. Attorneys look very highly on law reviewers for the simple fact that they have been trained to work like a dog to be precise, reliable, ahead of the game in research, and persuasive all at the same time. These are great characteristics and skills that only law review can give a law student, albiet the excruciating time.

In the end of my research, the question is whether I want to make law review.
Ahem, u know me.
HELL YEAH.
Bring on the pain.

Milk Bar

Browsing CNN Travel section and thought this article was both interesting and informative. Next time I hit Eastern Europe, Poland's milk bars will be on my list. This sort of culture experience is what traveling is all about.

8 Qualities of Wealthy Women

Harmony: when your thoughts, words, actions, and feelings are one. What you think, say, and feel are one. Your thoughts create your destiny. Your actions become your habits, and your habits become your destiny. When in harmony you are in balance

Balance: and you can weigh good and bad decisions. Balance in life and all surroundings. A balance brings a more courageous woman.

Courage: emotion and energy that quiets fears. Fears keep you from acting. So take action and courage will come.

Generosity: this comes easy for women. Many women are too giving. But have to be giving to yourself as well. Generosity is when you are empowered by what you are doing. Does not mean you don’t volunteer, but keep it in proportion to what you give others.

Happiness: Be happy! Happiness comes when truly in balance and harmony throughout entire life.

Cleanliness: Wealth does not dwell in filth. Spend so much money and it looks like filth. Says money and you yourself are dirty too. Clean the clutter. In a clean surrounding, you feel

Beautiful: all goddesses of wealth. The inner beauty of strength that you have will all of the above. Confident in that beauty. A woman that walks in a room and knows your own worth and power, you have

Wisdom: the right choices with yourself, your money, and the ones you choose to love.

I Heart Rain

I woke up this morning underneath my warm down blanket, all alone, but blissfully content. The pitter patter of raindrops woke me up happily because it means snow.

I've been waiting for rain this last month and to no avail. Both Big Bear and Mammoth are short on snow and sad this year. Our annual Thanksgiving day ski season starter was canceled and I sat at Starbucks until 3 pm, working on law school homework. It was a sad day.

Whistler is my goal for winter break this year, but as of now, I have no one to go with and no money to buy a ticket. Since it seems my winter is going to be sad and futile, it brings a little joy to see some rain come my way finally... winter coats, boots, and mittens can finally come out of the closet.

Smile

Jad's AMAZING Goal

Go FC Goats!!

A Scorpio This Year

Scorpios according to Wikipedia: dependent, loyal, passionate, secretive, powerful, penetrating, intense, determined, compelling, purposeful, keenly perceptive, brave, deep, complex, analytical, inquisitive, sensual, resourceful, ambitious, magnetic, hypnotic, sexual, creative intriguing, profound, supportive, protective, generous, humble, quiet, and encompassing.

This year has been full of unexpected endeavors. I've whirled through dramatic events and down unexpected sidepaths, suffered letdowns to high hopes, & took a bumpy ride in a close relationship. I've made huge shifts in living arrangements and academic choices, traveled to two new continents and gained lessons I never thought I'd get. Financially, it's also been a veritable roller coaster.

More so this year, I feel disheartened that I stepped up to the plate for others, but yet they didn't do so for me. There's been a quiet struggle but issues such as anger, control, doing more than my share, feeling "in service" are slowly fading. I've set limits on being the one who gives too much.

But then, I've always been more of a lone soldier. Through all the stressful challenges I've endured this year, I learned a crucial lesson: action dissolves anxiety.

My mental energy follows by physical energy and it has been on downtime lately. I had to create a change and make things happen instead of waiting for others to come through for me, and I'm thriving on these achievements. Having come this far, I've shed a lot of tears, grown a new skin, and shared it with many new people. Due to what I've learned these past 11 months, I'm ready to put into play what new talents I have and invest in something that will bring a more lasting revenue.

Butt Cheeks

Asian Girl with A Bit of Humor

Artwork and Framework by Linda Van.

1. Abstract:
Date me

1.a Introduction.
Hi, my name is Debby Le.

2. Appearance.
I am about 5 feet 2 tall (although I was recently made aware that I might only be 5'1 and a half). I have black hair although it maybe brown from hairdrying, and my eyes are brown.

I weigh approximately 125 lbs, and am optimistic, (refer to figure 2.1.a)


Figure 2.1.

I come from a typical traditional Asian family.



Figure 2.1.b

I do not sing well...but I sing along a lot in the car...and sometimes dance while driving as well.




Figure 2.1.c


2.2. Personality and Stuff.
I am a history nerd with interests in music, culture, foods, traveling and world domination. You can be Pinky, and I'll be Brain...or vice versa. As long as the world is dominated...

I am good at the things I do, and always try to make myself better. I am curious, intelligent, and like ice cream. Especially stratiatella, otherwise known as chocolate chip but tastes better in Italy.

2.3. Things I Do and Don't.
I read all day. I never draw (that is my brother's job, and in this case, Linda's). I kick bags to vent my anger/stress/fustrations.

Also, I always want to kick small dogs...but not puppies.




Figure 2.3.a

3. Hypothesis.
You want me.

4. Experiment.
4.Materials.
A leader. Someone confident, intelligent, yet curious. A little cynical, but takes irony with a grain of salt. Likes to be active and constantly try new things, but sets a routine for his life of success as well. Full of wonderful hypocrisies.


4.2. Procedure.




.
Figure 4.2.a


4.3. Things We Can Do Together.
We can go shooting, or racing, or paintballing, things I haven't done. Or we can just meet up for coffee. Or better yet, coffee ice-cream.

5. Conclusion.
Come find me.

The Last Vampire - Saya

Good costume. This is what I'm going to be next Halloween, unless I can find Samus Aran.

Pinky Promise

Windstruck - How the pinky promise came to be.

Did You Know?

"Stewardesses" is the longest word typed with only the left hand .

And "lollipop" is the longest word typed with your right hand. (Bet you tried this out mentally, didn't you?)

No word in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver, or purple.

"Dreamt" is the only English word that ends in the letters "mt". ? (Are you doubting this?)

Our eyes are always the same size from birth, but our nose and ears never stop growing.

The sentence: "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" uses every letter of the alphabet. (Now, you KNOW you're going to try this out for accuracy, right?)

The words 'racecar,' 'kayak' and 'level' are the same whether they are read left to right or right to left (palindromes). (Yep, I knew you were going to "do" this one.)

There are only four words in the English language which end in "dous": tremendous, horrendous, stupendous, and hazardous. (You're not doubting this, are you?)

There are two words in the English language that have all five vowels in order: "abstemious" and "facetious." (Yes, admit it, you are going to say, a e i o u)

TYPEWRITER is the longest word that can be made using the letters only on one row of the keyboard. (All you typists are going to test this out)

A cat has 32 muscles in each ear.

A goldfish has a memory span of three seconds. (Some days that's about what my memory span is.

A "jiffy" is an actual unit of time for 1/100th of a second.

A shark is the only fish that can blink with both eyes.

A snail can sleep for three years. (I know some people that could do this too.!)

Almonds are a member of the peach family.

An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain.

(I know some people like that also)

Babies are born without kneecaps. They don't appear until the child reaches 2 to 6 years of age.

February 1865 is the only month in recorded history not to have a full moon.

In the last 4,000 years, no new animals have been domesticated.

If the population of China walked past you, 8 abreast, the line would never end because of the rate of reproduction.

Leonardo Da Vinci invented the scissors

Peanuts are one of the ingredients of dynamite!

Rubber bands last longer when refrigerated.

The average person's left hand does 56% of the typing.

The cruise liner, QE 2, moves only six inches for each gallon of diesel that it burns.

The microwave was invented after a researcher walked by a radar tube and a chocolate bar melted in his pocket. (Good thing he did that.)

The winter of 1932 was so cold that Niagara Falls froze completely solid.

There are more chickens than people in the world.

Winston Churchill was born in a ladies' room during a dance.

Women blink nearly twice as much as men.

Now you know more than you did before!!

On Finding the One

"Maybe some women aren't meant to be tamed. Maybe they're supposed to run wild until they find someone just as wild to run with."

What $1.50 Gets Me

After balancing my books recently, I have close to nothing to my name for the next two months. My fault. I admit it. I don't regret it because it went towards a great cause called OLPC. It's my promise and sacrafice for the holiday season. However, I only had a two week window to donate and it happened to come at a bad time. Oh well, a child in Africa will have a new comp and that thought always brings a little spark of happiness to my insanely not hard life.

I was reading Nancy's blog about her $1.50 splurge. I wish I live in Taiwan right now. Basically, I figure my five dollar white chocolate mochas, creamy lattes, and peppermint somethingamajigs are all set aside for the time being. Since $1.50 in America does NOT get me a bag of sweet potatoes and more, I have to be a little more wise on where that precious dollar fifty goes to.

The winner: Starbucks drip coffee. Why?
- Because I'm here ALL the time.
- A drip is $1.20.
- Refills are $0.25.
- I know the workers (i.e. the drink or even the refills can be free if the manager's not around).
- Coffee hinders hunger so I can last longer while studying.
- Keeps me awake.

Other than that, a dollar fifty, sadly, goes not a long way here in America, the land of opportunity if you have money. Good thing the Christmas Blend is back in season...

Legalese Quiz

The Legalese Quiz is kinda fun.
I got a 9/10.
I wish that was as hard as it gets.
:::sighs as she gets back to Civil Procedure:::

November 9th

Yesterday, I turned a quarter century old.
As all our bdays have been, it's going to last forever because we can't all seem to coincide our schedules to celebrate each other on one day. This year, it's just me and my guy on my actual day. Everyone else will be celebrating with me on, well, all the following days!

I've been wanting to eat at this restaurant called Chat Noir since I first drove by it. A jazzy French bistro that I've been dying to dress up for and go on a special night. My bf kept putting it off since summer but few days ago, i emailed him: "Friday. Chat Noir. 8 pm. mark your calendar". Surprisingly, he was totally down for it. Since I didn't mention it was my birthday, I KNOW that he didn't remember. However, he adamantly stresses that he was plannning on taking me there for my birthday. I good-naturedly told him that was a bold faced lie. I know him. Since he didn't know it was Nov 9th, there was no way a rsvp was in line for Chat Noir. And I was right. :::grins::: but to Chat Noir we went...

Here is my critique on the place:
I was really excited about trying the place. I heard that the cuisine is exquisite and the atmosphere is both romantic and cozy. The whole thing about it that attracted me in the beginning is the name of the restaurant (I'm obsessed with France and Paris). Chat Noir is the cutest name and they even had the black kitty sign in front when I drove by the first time.

Upon arrival, I was a little confused. The place I saw was not there anymore. My bf drove in anyway and the valet let me out into a gorgeous square with two restaurants cornering each other. Where was Chat Noir? It just changed its name to be called Savannah! Boo! Where am I? A Georgian plain in the middle of the Bible belt? Needless to say, I was very disappointed about the name change. However, I was assured that everything was still pretty much the same, that only the name changed and a few entrees were added. Hmph, well fine. We'll try it.

Stepping inside, I forgot all about the name change. The red velvets all over the walls, the leather plush booths that held up to 10 people, or just 2 were all reminiscent of Paris. The dining experience was great. We got a table by the fireplace and the hostess even wished happy birthday, albiet the wrong person (she said it to my bf), but still, it was kind of funny.

Our waiter was a guy that was supposedly Italian, although I did not hear an ounce of Italian in him other than calling me "bella". However, he was great, recommended a good Pinot Noir, and dinner was wonderful. We had a delicious Shrimp Dijon appetizer that was to die for..or just need to learn how to make. Entrees were Ahi Steak with coconut rice and asparagus, and Halibut with the same sides.

To finish dinner, we got a sundae dessert with French ... or Belgian choux pastries and mousse, compliments of the restaurant. I also got to blow out a candle after I made a wish. (what was my wish? Wii games! j/k..)

During dinner, I got a voice message from Barbs and Steph, good friends from UCLA. They sang a great happy bday song on the phone of course and I had to let my bf listen to it as well bc it was sooo cute and funny. They were one of many messages left for me that day by wonderful friends.

To answer your question, I say Yes, my darling, wonderful tonight. (that's as sappy as it gets)

To cap off the night our way (i.e. 2 geeks), we had to watch the lastest episodes of Heroes and the Boondocks, and then fell asleep in my cloud heaven of a bed.



Tomorrow: drinking with the law school peeps.
23rd: the big Thanksgiving/bday with the crew
.... all after studying all day of course.