Thanksgiving can be somewhat of a confusing holiday. People simply don't know what to do or figure out the holiday's purpose. Many people find those questions irrelevant since society has reduced the social celebration into an annual vacation with a buddy or two. Many find this end of November event to be a family affair, serving as a precursor to the Christmas season. To others, it is the opportunity to line up outside Wal-Mart before 5 in the morning with the hope of beating others to that very limited supply of 42 inch digital flatscreen TVs, originally priced at $1,677, and now, thanks to Turkey Day, at a mere $989.
I thought about lining up for the Wal-Mart spree. I backed out because I wasn't in shape thanks to my newly discovered herniated disc (I hear that yearly, a significant percentage of people arrested right around the end of November, and charged with assault and battery are Wal-Mart customers engaging in this sale madness). Plus, I can't deal with the stress of having Wal-Mart staff hide the TVs in some other random department before the doors open (i.e. placing the TVs next to the lawn equipment).
Because I'm not from this country, I would not dare preach about the meaning of Thanksgiving. I would like however, to make a suggestion for those people who may be looking for a more meaningful holiday.
Simply write down 5 things you are thankful for. You don't have to say it or do anything about it. Just write it. Writing can be a form or manifestation of one of the everyday things people have most difficulty in achieving...self-admission - putting pride and self-centeredness in the backseat just to appreciate what is in front of you.
Here's my list:
1. The lives of the strangers who saved me (and of course, being alive).
2. My caring sacrificing family.
3. Passing the Bar examinations and being a lawyer.
4. Being able to play the piano.
5. My inboxes.
Happy Turkey Day. Oh, and yes, I'm buying that flatscreen TV, but at the regular price with financing.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Thursday, November 16, 2006
The Inbox
The Inbox.
Your voicemail, email, recording machine, and mailbox.
On a pretty bad level, these inboxes are at times full of crap, spam, telemarketing practice speeches, and family "love."
On a tolerable more neutral level, they are full of messages from old friends you haven't seen in years or not so close friends you don't feel like talking to. Here, it is your mood or present physiological condition that determines whether these messages are worthy of your attention and response.
On a very good level, inboxes are full of responses from your crush, admission letters from graduate schools, rebate and refund confirmations, gossip and unexpected affirmations and compliments from people you want to hear from.
This is one example of how some people's brains would process (and categorize) information upon looking at through their inbox. It's a routine. Like all normal activity, however, the most ordinary and regular of routines can be brought under a new light after the occurrence of shocking events...like a car accident.
My inboxes have been more of a crutch than a chore since October 16, 2006. The number of messages I had received after the accident - on my voicemail, email addresses etc. - reflected the amount of good relationships I developed over the years and it is my intention to preserve those relationships to the best of my ability.
It also made me think about small notes, hellos, and other messages I had ignored in the past. Think about it. You have one friend who drops hellos once in a while. You ignore her for months thinking that she'll be around anyway to talk to some other time. Then you brush death. Will you be around to ask her how she's doing?
Think about it. People are going out of their way and breaking their routine to ensure that they are preserving their relationship with you.
Your voicemail, email, recording machine, and mailbox.
On a pretty bad level, these inboxes are at times full of crap, spam, telemarketing practice speeches, and family "love."
On a tolerable more neutral level, they are full of messages from old friends you haven't seen in years or not so close friends you don't feel like talking to. Here, it is your mood or present physiological condition that determines whether these messages are worthy of your attention and response.
On a very good level, inboxes are full of responses from your crush, admission letters from graduate schools, rebate and refund confirmations, gossip and unexpected affirmations and compliments from people you want to hear from.
This is one example of how some people's brains would process (and categorize) information upon looking at through their inbox. It's a routine. Like all normal activity, however, the most ordinary and regular of routines can be brought under a new light after the occurrence of shocking events...like a car accident.
My inboxes have been more of a crutch than a chore since October 16, 2006. The number of messages I had received after the accident - on my voicemail, email addresses etc. - reflected the amount of good relationships I developed over the years and it is my intention to preserve those relationships to the best of my ability.
It also made me think about small notes, hellos, and other messages I had ignored in the past. Think about it. You have one friend who drops hellos once in a while. You ignore her for months thinking that she'll be around anyway to talk to some other time. Then you brush death. Will you be around to ask her how she's doing?
Think about it. People are going out of their way and breaking their routine to ensure that they are preserving their relationship with you.
Changes Post-Trauma
Just some random thoughts about how things are changing around here:
1. I have made up with my ex-fiancee. We are now friends again. I found the inner peace needed to gently close the book on one long story and continue another one through friendship. Many have asked me if I would go back to her. Quite honestly, I don't even want to answer that question because it's just irrelevant at this very moment. Equally, having a sure answer to that question and not telling anyone what the answer is should not be brought to any kind of speculation. I'm just glad that I reached a point of really moving on. To think, it wasn't dating and living my life alone that led me to this peace...it was more of the combination of dating, living my life alone, and experiencing a near fatal accident that brought me to healing this once tumultuous relationship.
2. I am considering cutting beef and pork from my diet for 2007.
3. A blessing in disguise - I prayed may darndest to recover fully and quickly. A surprise herniated disc kept that prayer from being answered. After a few days of sadness, I realized that there was something good in all of this. The herniated disc will be treated by constant physical therapy and the strengthening of my lower back. It will be supplemented by exercises, and other forms of specific physical activity. Furthermore, the condition is easier to treat with a stronger upper body in general. A big stomach won't help support good posture, and a faulty posture will not help alleviate my condition. Thus, we go back to number 2.
4. I need to start planning my future in such a way that I have the time and resources to take care of my family in the same way they have taken care of me.
5. It's time to regain the inner faith that the right woman will come into my life. It's been a long time waiting. I haven't been in a relationship in a while. Don't get me wrong, I'm not rushing into anything right now. This is more of a self-reminder to relax. I have a good career ahead of me, a fresh perspective on life, some confidence in meeting with people and the belief that the right person will just walk into my life when it's supposed to happen. Being single with the prospect of meeting someone at anytime may be one of the more exciting feelings anyone can have.
6. It's time to bring my work ethic to a new level as a real attorney. It's time to perform.
Life begins again.
1. I have made up with my ex-fiancee. We are now friends again. I found the inner peace needed to gently close the book on one long story and continue another one through friendship. Many have asked me if I would go back to her. Quite honestly, I don't even want to answer that question because it's just irrelevant at this very moment. Equally, having a sure answer to that question and not telling anyone what the answer is should not be brought to any kind of speculation. I'm just glad that I reached a point of really moving on. To think, it wasn't dating and living my life alone that led me to this peace...it was more of the combination of dating, living my life alone, and experiencing a near fatal accident that brought me to healing this once tumultuous relationship.
2. I am considering cutting beef and pork from my diet for 2007.
3. A blessing in disguise - I prayed may darndest to recover fully and quickly. A surprise herniated disc kept that prayer from being answered. After a few days of sadness, I realized that there was something good in all of this. The herniated disc will be treated by constant physical therapy and the strengthening of my lower back. It will be supplemented by exercises, and other forms of specific physical activity. Furthermore, the condition is easier to treat with a stronger upper body in general. A big stomach won't help support good posture, and a faulty posture will not help alleviate my condition. Thus, we go back to number 2.
4. I need to start planning my future in such a way that I have the time and resources to take care of my family in the same way they have taken care of me.
5. It's time to regain the inner faith that the right woman will come into my life. It's been a long time waiting. I haven't been in a relationship in a while. Don't get me wrong, I'm not rushing into anything right now. This is more of a self-reminder to relax. I have a good career ahead of me, a fresh perspective on life, some confidence in meeting with people and the belief that the right person will just walk into my life when it's supposed to happen. Being single with the prospect of meeting someone at anytime may be one of the more exciting feelings anyone can have.
6. It's time to bring my work ethic to a new level as a real attorney. It's time to perform.
Life begins again.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
I am a Lawyer
Yes.
It is true. I am a lawyer. Officially.
The NY Bar results were just released this morning. My mother and sister have been taking care of me since the accident last month and today must've been their best morning yet. I stepped outside of my room after checking online whether I made it.
"I'm a lawyer."
My family started jumping up and down. It was a funny scene to say the least.
Unfortunately, I am an injured lawyer. My doctor just called to tell me that he was surprised by the MRI results on my back. Apparently, I am suffering from a herniated disc in the lumbar level. The hernia is pinching a nerve that goes down my right leg. Thus, the leg soreness. If the pain on my leg persists (yes leg, not back), then surgery will be required.
They are however, optimistic that surgery will not be needed given my quick progress. Doc says that there are other ways to fix my problem...
...like Pilates and Yoga.
I am a NY lawyer ready to litigate the most complex of securities and corporate fraud cases.
I am also a NY lawyer ready to bend like a pretzel and place my right heel next to my left ear.
It is true. I am a lawyer. Officially.
The NY Bar results were just released this morning. My mother and sister have been taking care of me since the accident last month and today must've been their best morning yet. I stepped outside of my room after checking online whether I made it.
"I'm a lawyer."
My family started jumping up and down. It was a funny scene to say the least.
Unfortunately, I am an injured lawyer. My doctor just called to tell me that he was surprised by the MRI results on my back. Apparently, I am suffering from a herniated disc in the lumbar level. The hernia is pinching a nerve that goes down my right leg. Thus, the leg soreness. If the pain on my leg persists (yes leg, not back), then surgery will be required.
They are however, optimistic that surgery will not be needed given my quick progress. Doc says that there are other ways to fix my problem...
...like Pilates and Yoga.
I am a NY lawyer ready to litigate the most complex of securities and corporate fraud cases.
I am also a NY lawyer ready to bend like a pretzel and place my right heel next to my left ear.
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