I have friends too, so there

I was on the bus yesterday on my way to meet up, coincidentally, with my friends. Well, on the bus was this sassy red head with her perfectly brushed hair, and fancy clothes from some overpriced store, talking on her cell phone. Then she started talking about some girl. Here some of the things she said:

"Yeah, poor thing. She doesn't have that many friends."
"I'm her only friend around here."
"Oh no, I have A LOT of friends. She doesn't."
"So she went and bought the same exact dress I have and it doesn't look as good on her as it does on me."
"I don't like hanging out with her, but I feel sorry for her."
"She's a total loser."
"Well, I'm going to meet with my friends, because I have like a lot. Not just one."
"She thinks she's cute. It's really sad."

Who would not want to be friends with this girl? I can't believe someone in their 20s is that pathetic.

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?

Lovely weekend

This was another wonderful weekend.

The weather was perfect. While that was nice for me to wander around and enjoy it, it meant a whole lot of people driving into the city from the suburbs. I don't have anything against the suburbs and its people. OK, I HATE THEM. But why do they feel the need to drive into the city? You made the choice to move to the suburbs, so leave the city to its inhabitants. But, OK, fine, you want to come to the city and hang out on the beaches and shop and take pictures of city buildings, because you are bored with your boring ass houses and yards and 2 and a half kids. That's fine, come here and hang out, but why must you drive in and create all that traffic EVERYWHERE. There's a great public transportation system with trains and buses and you can drive halfway and take public transportation the rest of the way so everyone isn't sitting in traffic for an hour and getting nowhere.

Good weather meant a perfect time playing soccer. And the really hot ref that I have seen a few times in previous soccer seasons was there. Playing defense means playing closer to the refs, and he remembered me. I can't wait to go to my soccer game next week. MEOW!

A new hair do for the new season. I love it. I got it highlighted, and it turned out lighter than I had in mind, but I love it. Very summery and bright and lovely. I'm telling you, I'm rocking the bob. I never thought I'd have a bob cut again, but I am really loving it.

I got a little photography gig. Sure, it's for my cousin's baby shower. Sure, it's free. But hey, it's practice and more pictures to put up.

I haven't been much of a fan of the NBA for a while. College basketball is so much better! But I still follow the Bulls' performance from time to time. This year, they made it to the playoffs, and today they beat the Miami Heat and made it to the second round of the playoffs. I mean, they swept the Heat. I love seeing Shaq lose. LOVE IT!

Finally, to the most exciting part of the weekend. I took my parents to one of the condos I saw on Wednesday, and I put in an offer. Now, I just have to wait for the owners to come back with a counter offer. I really hope this place works out. It's a ton of space, and a great location, and a block away from my favorite sushi place. Can't go wrong with that!

And that's where I'm from

Today the U.S. Olympics Committee announced that Chicago, my town, is the US applicant city for the 2016 Olympics. It beat out Los Angeles for this decision, and that's what makes me even happier.

While I had my doubts when it was first in the running, being torn between wanting the city to profit from hosting such an event, and really fearing the amount of craziness that will be going on, while we, the people who live and work here try to carry on with our daily lives (If I'm still living 9 years from now, well, and living here, which I'm pretty sure I will unless I move to Paris or Geneva). Being a host city would bring Chicago a lot of well-deserved visibility, and a lot of economic benefits. Of course that would also mean many MANY people around the town, and in the way when I'm trying to get to work/home.

Of course, now, Chicago has to compete with other cities from other countries for the honor. But the campaign that the city had put up was great and got the job done here. That's why I am OK with the Daley dynasty. They get the work done!

But I actually got a little teary when the announcement was made. Hometown pride!