Hottest Syrian on the block

I had to miss half a day of work today to go pick up my license. My law license that is. Yes, now I can officially give people legal advice. But, before you start all asking me questions about anything, I won't be able to advise you because work would probably not like it that much. Don't ask me to help your aunt's friend's sister-in-law from getting deported. Don't ask me how to get your mom's co-worker's cousin as much as she can in her divorce. Not my specialties.

I told my parents not to come to the ceremony. It's a two-hour event, during which we had to listen to speakers tell us what a great job we had done going through law school and passing the bar exam. They spoke about what a wonderful profession this is. I did feel proud, but then, I really wanted someone to tell some lawyer jokes.

We had to stand up and take an oath. The Illinois Supreme Court Justice who led the oath said: "repeat after me: I 'STATE YOUR NAME' do solemnly swear..."
I said: "I 'STATE YOU...' ... D'OH... 'KULA'... ummm... do solemnly swear..."

Not a good start to a bright career, eh?

I had to wear a suit. It's not pretty around me when I'm wearing a suit. I hate my life when I'm wearing a suit.

The highlight of my day is a frantic cab ride to Navy Pier where the event took place. I was freaking out because I thought I was late, so I was sweating even more than usual when wearing a suit in warm weather. I took off my jacket in the cab, then opened the window, then fanned my face with the newspaper.
Cab driver asked me if I wanted him to turn on the AC. I said sure if that's not a problem.
He said something like: "well, I'm not hot, but it must be warm for you because you're hot."
That line was completely lost on frazzled me. I said: "yeah, running around in the suit made me really hot."
He said: "no, I was trying to tell you that I think you're hot."
Me: "umm, OK, umm, thanks!"
Then we chatted about lawyers and college and life. He asked me if I was a Latina, something I had been asked many MANY times.
I said no, that my family was from Syria.
He said something about his Syrian ex-girlfriend who was Christian and since he was Muslim things couldn't work out.
I said that it was unfortunate but understandable, because my family would be the same way.
We arrived at Navy Pier. I took out a $20 bill to pay him for the ride.
He would not take the money.
He said it was a pleasure and a great start to his day to have had the honor to give me a ride, wished me luck, and said goodbye.

I don't mind saving a $20 cab ride. But it really was a nice start to my day to have a complete stranger say such wonderful things and not even do it for any purpose. It's not like he tried to get my number or ask me out or hit on me. He was just genuinely a nice person and really just did it out of the utter and complete belief that I made his day better. What better flattery is there than to be considered a good start to someone's day?