January 31, 2011

Poor edamame, I don't think these two ever imagined they would be used to ice my now defunct knees. So begins the recovery process: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. While I expected the intense muscle soreness this morning, I was not expecting the constantly throbbing and intensely searing pain in my knees and ankles. Actually, I'm pretty sure I've, yet again, seriously injured my knees, perhaps permanently this time. Thus, I'm off to rest, ice, compress, elevate, and repeat. 

January 30, 2011

The pain in my ankles set in around mile 4, in my knees around mile 8, and in my hip between miles 10 and 11; all of the pain lasted through to the finish line. In fact, I've never been in more self-inflicted pain in my entire life. But I kept running because I had started to see people with colorful finisher medals and I wanted one. I hadn't stopped running yet, and I wasn't about to do so now. I finished in a sprint, earning a personal record for time and, obviously, distance. It was a truly humbling experience. 

January 29, 2011

With 13.1 miles ahead of me bright and early tomorrow morning, I have been eating non-stop today: a Sanchez and fried avocado from Torchy's, spinach-artichoke dip and mahi mahi tacos at lunch, and this fiery diablo pasta to end the day. Don't get me wrong, I love to eat and can put away some serious amounts of food, but I'm going to cry if I see one more plate of food before the finish line tomorrow. I'm so tired of eating. Wait, is that the world's tiniest violin I hear? Yup, and it's playing the world's saddest song, too.

January 28, 2011

The warm, country sounds of Collapsing Horse makes me wish I'd chosen my boots this evening. I have to admit, despite knowing these guys, individually, anywhere from five to ten years, I am the worst Collapsing Horse fan this side of the Mason Dixon line. I haven't been able to see them play in a few years, but I finally made it out to see them tonight and was not disappointed. They played a mix of covers and originals, from Old Crow Medicine Show to their own genius. I'd highly recommend experiencing their music, if you have the means. It's so choice. Double points to whoever spots the reference. 

January 27, 2011

So begins the intensity: my editorial responsibilities for TILJ are building, mock trial practices are increasing in frequency, my Inn of Court presentation is creeping up on me, and then there are lectures, family gatherings, and socializing. In fact, the intensity is going to increase exponentially each week for the next month or so, which I, of course, love. Long nights, early mornings, and many, many tacos; what else could a girl possibly need?

January 26, 2011

Nadia has hosted a "family dinner" once a week for quite some time now.  The food is always amazing and is rarely, if ever, repeated at a later dinner.  For her birthday, we decided to turn the tables and cook for her: Nadia's birthday potluck.  We had some sort of meat dish, a delicious salad, pesto fusilli, poblano-avocado mac 'n cheese, Alice's classic and original risorzo, garlic bread, and homemade pecan pie and chocolate gelato.  We had a deliciously wonderful time celebrating Nadia's birthday and, I'm thinking, we should adopt this as a birthday tradition for everyone.  

January 25, 2011

The first time I got pulled over for speeding, at the tender age of fifteen, I immediately burst into tears and began apologizing to the police officer. I still got a ticket. The second time I got pulled over for speeding, probably not long after the first, I thought my heart was going to jump out of my chest it was beating so hard, but I remained polite and refrained from offering an excuse. I still got a ticket. Over the years I have received more speeding tickets than I am proud to admit; in fact, when I got pulled over this evening it was simply second nature for me to calmly pull over, turn off my radio, have my license and insurance ready, and generally just accept my fate. No "sudden punch to the stomach" feeling, no dread, and no skyrocketing heart rate. With my ever-lengthening "rap sheet," I doubt I will ever get a warning for speeding. Then again, with my propensity for speeding, perhaps I'm just the kind of person who should not get a warning.

January 24, 2011

Today is the first day of the year I was unable to take even one picture with a camera because (1) I'm kind of out of it since I'm sick and (2) the exigencies of the day just would not let up, so a screenshot will have to suffice. This screenshot pretty accurately portrays the nature of the day, though: it's always something and there's always a lot of said something, which is just the way I like it. Bring it on spring semester. 

January 23, 2011

There's nothing like ending a weekend with family, kicking it in my favorite boots. Kyle and Britt's house was full of laughter, Mexican food, and relaxation today, which was just what I needed in order to tackle the week ahead of me. I'm continually overwhelmed with happiness having them back in Texas and am so lucky to have a spot permanently reserved for me on either of their couches.

January 22, 2011

Bunco [buhng-koh], noun: (1) a swindling game or scheme; (2) a parlor game played in teams with three dice; (3) a winning throw in the above game, three of a kind of a specified number. When one adequately so swindles, one finds him- or herself at the high-rollers table (shown), complete with a full vase of flowers, delicious and exclusive trail mix, and the most comfortable seats in the house. Oh, but how the mighty may fall to the "loser" table, at which there are no snacks, not one seat to be found, and zero flowers. So addicting and such adequate fuel for my competitive nature.

January 21, 2011

Any gathering at which "Texas Fight" is the song of choice is my kind of gathering. There's a unique spirit associated with Texas and to be surrounded by a bevy of like-minded individuals is always a special treat. The camaraderie of fellow Longhorns, or even a Texan as such, is unrivaled and truly a way of life. Without a doubt, as John Steinbeck said, "Texas is a state of mind" with which I am happily afflicted. 

January 20, 2011

Where do I begin? High school. Strake Jesuit College Preparatory, to be exact. A band by the name of Driver Friendly, now Driver F, performed at the Strake Jesuit Battle of the Bands and an, apparently, eight or nine year loyalty was formed. Tonight, we saw Driver F for the first time in a few years and, for the record, nostalgia never fades. While I wish they had played a longer set, it was a great show, an interesting evening, and a bittersweet blast to the past.

January 19, 2011

The semester has officially begun, as evidenced by this photo. After a day full of classes, I now find myself studying and working at Bennu. I spent so much time here during finals last semester, it's like a second home. I would be studying at my first home, at the Cactus Cafe, but it's too cold to sit outside with the cacti tonight. You should probably start anticipating pictures of books starting . . . now.

January 18, 2011

Note: the early nerd gets the worm, or the pick of spots at the bike racks. With today being the start of the new semester, I finally had an opportunity to ride my bike again. If you see a girl riding a bike who looks like she is about to pass out, you're probably looking at me. Not riding for over a month apparently renders me inept at the whole concept of riding a bike, and breathing. Oh well, it will get better: it's just like riding a bike! (I'm sorry, I couldn't resist!)

January 17, 2011

Forget Mozart's, Epoch, Bennu, or whatever other coffee shop you frequent because the new Cactus Cafe is the place to be. Unfortunately, it only fits one studier at a time, entails a high risk of being stuck by an actual cactus, and offers nothing but Earl Grey or cinnamon tea. In trying to decide where to study today, I remembered my little table with my little cacti and spent a few hours reading up on evidence, professional responsibility, principles of academic freedom, and slavery and the Constitution. I'm not sure the new Cactus Cafe will always beat out my well-worn spot in the Tarlton Law Library, but it's a nice option for days as gorgeous as this one. 

January 16, 2011

I've been pining for a meal at Trudy's for months and months. Every time I've tried to go, the kitchen hasn't been open, there's been an all-afternoon staff meeting, or they've turned me away for being too awesome, or so I assume. Today, my pining came to an end. I promise there was food on this plate at one point, and I even meant to take a picture of my migas before eating them, but I got so excited I forgot all of my intentions. What you see here is the aftermath. 

January 15, 2011

When your brother offers you floor seats to the Texas-OU basketball game your response must be and always is, "Yes, please and thank you." Today was supposed to be a quiet day. I was planning on rolling through another box of work from Corpus, cleaning up the apartment, and generally just being lazy. Such was not in the cards for me. Instead, I watched Texas beat OU from the floor of the Frank Erwin Center, met Major Applewhite, Bryan Harsin, and Manny Diaz, and got to spend some time with Kyle and Campbell. Not a bad Saturday at all . . . 

January 14, 2011

Did you know a 1.5 inch binder costs $10? I didn't, but I do now. While financial aid posted today, so did the list of everything I suddenly needed for the new semester: highlighters, notebooks and binders, casebooks, course packets, groceries, a new Bluebook, among other things. Thus, in the middle of today's expenses, I decided to get a nice new nail polish. It doesn't take much to make me smile and Hawaiian Orchid certainly did the trick!

January 13, 2011

A big box of work from the Corpus Christi office showed up at my doorstep at a lovely 7:30 a.m. today and, with class starting on Tuesday, it took over my entire day. Before this starts tugging on your heartstrings, please know I've been craving the strain in my eyes, the headache, and the piles of casebooks, papers, and files, so this was welcome work. Today was full of drafting demands, organizing files, and compiling deposition notebooks. Poor Elliot, there's so much work on the table he can't get close enough to get in the way!

January 12, 2011

Oh Hut's, how I love thee! Hut's has been around for ages (for example, please note the reference to 50-cent longnecks in the photo) and it never fails to be delicious. In undergrad, a huge group of us would caravan to Hut's every Wednesday night for 2-for-1 burger night, buddy up, and pay half price for a burger each. We went so consistently our waitress, Helen, knew our drink and burger orders from memory, including add-ons, substitutes, and the like. Since graduating, I've transitioned to visiting Hut's with family or a few friends at a time, rather than a mob of hungry people, but the charm still remains.

January 11, 2011

A sudden jolt into the start of the spring semester: a trip to the federal courthouse, a couple meetings downtown, and later, a dinner function at the Headliner's Club. In buzzing around downtown, I was able to snap this picture before the light turned green. I'm so lucky to live in such an amazing city and I know it will only get better once I start practicing.

January 10, 2011

With the sudden and harsh cold front in Austin, I have been a homebody all day, which means I got around to sewing a button back onto my jacket (please, try to contain your excitement!). I always get so nervous about sewing buttons. What if it falls off again and I don't have anymore replacement buttons and now, I'm walking around buttonless because I was too incompetent to sew on a button and everyone knows of said incompetence? It's a precarious task. Hopefully this button will stay on and I won't be found out . . . 

January 9, 2011

Today's photo was an easy choice. My grammy loved to read and was never without a book. When I would spend weekends or extended periods of time with her, I would always find her on the porch with a good book and a cup of coffee in the morning. As I sat down at my new table with a cup of Earl Grey and my book this morning, in her and my favorite city, I distinctly felt her with me and I was overwhelmed with a comfortable happiness at the idea of it all.  I miss her so much it is painful, but then there are moments such as these.

January 8, 2011

Today was a Family Saturday with Brittany, Kyle, Campbell, my Dad, and my little sister. Brittany and I went to the outlets in San Marcos, while Kyle, Dad, and the little girls talked guns and watched football. We all met up for dinner at Waterloo Ice House with more football and a little celebration for Harley's birthday. Campbell, my angel girl, is merely humoring me in this picture, and I love her for it.

January 7, 2011

Today's photo was really difficult to choose: drinks at Crown & Anchor? Fantastic free show at The Parish? Delicious sandwich at Casino el Camino? I went with The Parish show. We originally went to see The Eastern Sea, but they were incredibly disappointing. Thankfully we stayed to see the Frontier Brothers, who were amazing! Unfortunately, my favorite picture of the night is of the Eastern Sea. Moral of the Story: you can never go wrong with witty company, good music, and a wonderful atmosphere.

January 6, 2011

For some reason, I really like cacti. I killed one in high school, but I think enough time has passed for me to try again, so I went to Barton Springs Nursery today. Before I saw the cacti, I saw these awesome and colorful square pots, so I chose my cacti around the pots. Unfortunately, they're just sitting on the ground right now, but I hope to find an equally awesome table to set them on soon. 

January 5, 2011

This bag is the conclusion of my first visit to P. Terry's. I'd heard they make a mean veggie burger: American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and special sauce. Super basic. It wasn't phenomenal, but it wasn't offensive either; the company I was with was the real draw of the meal (Joe, Alice, Dustin, Keon, Ian, Chris, Sarah, and Kirk).

January 4, 2011

An innocent and unassuming trip to the bookstore? Never. To be sure, I didn't buy all of these books at Book People today, but when I buy one book, I remember all of the other ones I want to read at the same time. Let's hope two weeks is enough to get through them?

January 3, 2011

Post-running knee pain requires a visit to Black Swan Yoga. Black Swan Yoga is a donation-only yoga studio and is really focused on the individual's experience and yoga practice, rather than using yoga merely as an exercise tool. Kitty not included.

January 2, 2011

The key to running is, apparently, to lose your keys! Every visit to Town Lake the keys and trinkets on this plaque are different, from keys to keychain charms to dog tags.  I lean on this little plaque statute to stretch before and after each run.  Maybe next time I'll actually read when it says rather than gawking at what it is hosting.

January 1, 2011

I'm so glad I got to ring in the new year, a new decade, with my beautiful, amazing girlfriends. These two have been amazing constants in my life and I am so excited to see where this new year takes all three of us.

365 Days in Photographs: an Introduction

So, I had this really great idea around mid-summer last year to take pictures every day and then to choose one to illustrate the best, worst, or most memorable part of each day.  Since it was the middle of the year, it seemed an odd time to start the project, so I saved it for January 1, 2011: the start of a fresh new year and a fresh new decade.  Not only will this give me an outlet for my writing, it will also get me to practice photography, as well as remove myself (momentarily) from the stress of life as a law student.

I originally began posting my "picture[s] of the day" on Facebook, but I've received multiple suggestions to start a blog instead.  I can write more on each picture, if I want to, and will have a more lasting record of the photos.  Thus, this blog.  I guess I am now a blogger.  Woe.  Is.  Me.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy the photographs and the accompanying stories.

Keep well,
Kim