This is how I procrastinate. Finals? What finals? Ok, to be more accurate, this is one of many, many ways I procrastinate.
My daughters made this bread last weekend. I did some minimal supervisory actions. This is a fantastic activity for the 2-and-older set, and the bread actually tastes great. The recipe comes from this month's RealSimple Magazine.
Easy Cinnamon Bread
2 1-pound packages refrigerated pizza dough
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 cup sugar
8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, melted, plus more for the pan
Heat oven to 375.
Tear off small bits of the dough and roll them into 1- to 1.5-inch balls. Place balls on a plate.
Combine cinnamon and sugar in a bowl. Dip each ball in the butter, then in the cinnamon sugar. Drop the balls into a buttered Bundt pan.
Drizzle remaining butter over the top and sprinkle with remaining cinnamon sugar.
Bake until golden brown, about 40 minutes. Remove and let cool 5 minutes.
Place a plate on top of the pan and carefully flip it over. Tap the bottom to release the bread. (I let the pan rest on top of the plate for a while so the bread would disengage by itself.)
Let people pull the bread apart with their fingers.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Santa photos
Here's a great opportunity to get family photos with Santa without the lines or extortionate prices at the mall.
The Latina/o Law Students Association has recruited Prof. Schnapper to play Santa Claus for photos next Wednesday. Apparently he’ll be all dressed up as the jolly old elf, complete with a festive, Latino-inspired backdrop. LLSA will take your photo with a digital camera and email it to you, and/or you can bring your own camera. LLSA will email you the photo they take. LLSA is asking for a $3 donation, but apparently everyone actually gives $5.
Money raised will benefits LLSA’s outreach programming for disadvantaged students.
Here’s the info:
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
2:30 to 4 p.m. in Gates Hall, Room TBA
UWLS Main Hallway
Email Rosario Daza, rdaza@... for more information.
The Latina/o Law Students Association has recruited Prof. Schnapper to play Santa Claus for photos next Wednesday. Apparently he’ll be all dressed up as the jolly old elf, complete with a festive, Latino-inspired backdrop. LLSA will take your photo with a digital camera and email it to you, and/or you can bring your own camera. LLSA will email you the photo they take. LLSA is asking for a $3 donation, but apparently everyone actually gives $5.
Money raised will benefits LLSA’s outreach programming for disadvantaged students.
Here’s the info:
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
2:30 to 4 p.m. in Gates Hall, Room TBA
UWLS Main Hallway
Email Rosario Daza, rdaza@... for more information.
Law School Stress talk
Adjunct professor Andy Benjamin spoke at lunch today at a meeting sponsored by Nontraditional Law Students. I was enlisted to take notes, and I took pretty thorough ones, so if you would like a copy, email me at kremerl@.... Here are some highlights.
Benjamin is a pretty thorough critic of the law school pedagogy. "We create cynical, angry, hostile folk," he said. Law school undermines professionalism and health, he said, because it:
* negates healthy values such as intimacy and community
* promotes unhealthy values, such as valuing external rewards, status and comparative worth
* substitutes competition and anxiety for healthy motivation such as personal enjoyment and values-based effort
* Habituates students to frustration of fundamental needs, such as health routines, self esteem, relatedness, authenticity and security.
Solutions:
Address health and social issues:
* solid sleep, eating, exercising patterns
* Social support
* Knowledge of signal emotional states – result in activation of wellness behaviors
* Balance struck in all areas of life
* Any two of four conditions above absent, seek assistance from Sandra, SBA, Mentors
Minimize unnecessary excessive stress:
* Eliminate habitual overwork
* Abandon zero-sum competitive “need to win” paradigm, which creates perception of failure for any previously successful students
* Build skills at collaboration and legal counseling.
I know some people are interested in this: Benjamin repeated the observation that he has been criticized for making in orientation sessions: single women tend to be the most negatively affected by law school. Women in relationships tend to survive law school's stresses better. "Romantic involvements are protective," he said. "I’m not joking. Please start dating."
Here are symptoms of depression to look out for:
* mixture of anxiety, depression and hostility
* thoughts of killing self
* feeling so unhappy that you cannot shake it
* dissatisfied or bored with most aspects of life
* nicotine use (the most efficient anti-dysphoric on the legal market)
* disruptive sleep – never feeling sufficiently rested (early waking, inability to fall asleep)
* increased social isolation
* limiting normal exercise patterns
If you have more than two of these for more than a couple of weeks, he said, get counseling.
The session covered more ground, including many very specific questions from students. Also, all these lists came from his powerpoint, which had cites for studies that were the sources of the info. If you want the notes or the powerpoint, email me.
Benjamin is a pretty thorough critic of the law school pedagogy. "We create cynical, angry, hostile folk," he said. Law school undermines professionalism and health, he said, because it:
* negates healthy values such as intimacy and community
* promotes unhealthy values, such as valuing external rewards, status and comparative worth
* substitutes competition and anxiety for healthy motivation such as personal enjoyment and values-based effort
* Habituates students to frustration of fundamental needs, such as health routines, self esteem, relatedness, authenticity and security.
Solutions:
Address health and social issues:
* solid sleep, eating, exercising patterns
* Social support
* Knowledge of signal emotional states – result in activation of wellness behaviors
* Balance struck in all areas of life
* Any two of four conditions above absent, seek assistance from Sandra, SBA, Mentors
Minimize unnecessary excessive stress:
* Eliminate habitual overwork
* Abandon zero-sum competitive “need to win” paradigm, which creates perception of failure for any previously successful students
* Build skills at collaboration and legal counseling.
I know some people are interested in this: Benjamin repeated the observation that he has been criticized for making in orientation sessions: single women tend to be the most negatively affected by law school. Women in relationships tend to survive law school's stresses better. "Romantic involvements are protective," he said. "I’m not joking. Please start dating."
Here are symptoms of depression to look out for:
* mixture of anxiety, depression and hostility
* thoughts of killing self
* feeling so unhappy that you cannot shake it
* dissatisfied or bored with most aspects of life
* nicotine use (the most efficient anti-dysphoric on the legal market)
* disruptive sleep – never feeling sufficiently rested (early waking, inability to fall asleep)
* increased social isolation
* limiting normal exercise patterns
If you have more than two of these for more than a couple of weeks, he said, get counseling.
The session covered more ground, including many very specific questions from students. Also, all these lists came from his powerpoint, which had cites for studies that were the sources of the info. If you want the notes or the powerpoint, email me.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Diversions
It's getting toward the end of the quarter, papers are due, exams are coming. Time for distractions.
In case you haven’t seen it yet, here’s a link to the now-classic “Landlord” video with Will Ferrell. Caution: if you don’t like seeing 2-year-olds swear, you might not like it. Oh, come on, it’s totally worth it.
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/74
Here’s a mom’s version of the William Tell Overture:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ati3k32-NXI
(thanks Mary Whisner)
And finally, this is just an amazing wildlife video. This is NOT funny, just amazing. It gets a bit grim about two minutes in, and then gets even grimmer, but the ending is great. It’s called the Battle at Kruger:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU8DDYz68kM
In case you haven’t seen it yet, here’s a link to the now-classic “Landlord” video with Will Ferrell. Caution: if you don’t like seeing 2-year-olds swear, you might not like it. Oh, come on, it’s totally worth it.
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/74
Here’s a mom’s version of the William Tell Overture:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ati3k32-NXI
(thanks Mary Whisner)
And finally, this is just an amazing wildlife video. This is NOT funny, just amazing. It gets a bit grim about two minutes in, and then gets even grimmer, but the ending is great. It’s called the Battle at Kruger:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU8DDYz68kM
Managing stress
Here's a nice event held by Non-Traditional Law Students (NLS is generally for older, second-career-type students, or anyone who considers themselves different from the traditional path). Last year NLS held a couple of events with Andy Benjamin, and they were well-received. I'll be going to this one -- please rsvp to Lisa G at lgoldoft@ ... if you are planning to go.
Stress & Uncertainty: Andy Benjamin on Balance During Law School.
As the end of the quarter fast approaches, many of us find ourselves getting caught up in the stresses of preparing for exams, doing job searches, and dealing with other life demands. Join us for a lunchtime talk with Andy Benjamin about dealing with law school stressors and gaining better perspective and balance. The event will take place on Wednesday, November 28, 2007, from 12:30 to 1:20, in Room 118. Lunch will be provided.
Please RSVP if you are planning to attend so we can order enough lunches for everyone. We also welcome specific questions for Andy, which will be presented anonymously. Please send RSVPs and any questions to: lgoldoft@...
Stress & Uncertainty: Andy Benjamin on Balance During Law School.
As the end of the quarter fast approaches, many of us find ourselves getting caught up in the stresses of preparing for exams, doing job searches, and dealing with other life demands. Join us for a lunchtime talk with Andy Benjamin about dealing with law school stressors and gaining better perspective and balance. The event will take place on Wednesday, November 28, 2007, from 12:30 to 1:20, in Room 118. Lunch will be provided.
Please RSVP if you are planning to attend so we can order enough lunches for everyone. We also welcome specific questions for Andy, which will be presented anonymously. Please send RSVPs and any questions to: lgoldoft@...
Monday, November 12, 2007
Balancing a legal career and childcare
A new study analyzes some of the ramifications of taking time out to take care of children. The study uses data from University of Michigan Law School grads. It's called "Gender and the Legal Profession" (follow link for the full study). The study profiles not only what happens when you take time out (you end up being happier, but less wealthy -- surprise!), but also what type of people do it, and some of the social stereotypes around it.
One of the study authors described the results to Law Students Building a Better Legal Profession:
One of the study authors described the results to Law Students Building a Better Legal Profession:
In a nutshell, we find that childcare responsibilities drive much of the differences in income and promotion experienced by men and women lawyers, and that men who miss paid work to do childcare experience the same disadvantages as women who miss paid work to do childcare. We also find that both more men and more women lawyers are missing paid work to do childcare, that they are taking longer absences from paid work to do childcare, and they are working less hours after they return to their careers.
Some of our less systematic, but more curious findings are that: in part male lawyers earn more than women lawyers because they are more interested in income than the woman lawyers; women who have kids but who do not miss paid work to do childcare are more likely to be in private practice and be a partner than women without kids, even though women without kids work more hours; and women who miss paid work to do childcare have significantly higher LSAT’s and GPA’s than women who don’t miss paid work to do childcare.
Law Students Building a Better Legal Profession
Speaking of Law Students Building a Better Legal Profession, they recently published a study on diversity in the country's biggest law firms, assigning the firms "Diversity Report Cards" based on how many female, minority and gay attorneys they employ. The New York Times wrote an article on the study. Want to look up a firm? The study itself is here.
Law Students Building a yada yada is a Stanford-based student group. They recently published a post I'm rather fond of. It's sort of a manifesto on the group's goals. Here's an excerpt:
Law Students Building a yada yada is a Stanford-based student group. They recently published a post I'm rather fond of. It's sort of a manifesto on the group's goals. Here's an excerpt:
Law students at the nation’s top schools are valuable assets for firms. Ask
managing partners what their top priorities are for ensuring the continued
success of the firm, and almost all will tell you that recruitment of the very
best young associates is absolutely critical. Top schools are producing far
fewer graduates than firms need to fill their ranks. This is why large firms
have massive budgets for finding, wooing, hiring and retaining law students. And
this is why it will matter to firms if some of their best candidates decline
offers out of concern about the environment they are about to enter.. . .
[T]he group aims to incentivize the managers of leading firms to make workable choices about billing, hiring, and community involvement.
. . .
Law Students Building a Better Legal Profession understands that law is a demanding profession. It is this, in part, that has attracted many of us to the field. But this is not the only demand we recognize. We choose not to simply set aside the demands of other aspects of our lives. We choose not to work in environments that lack diversity, openness, and a commitment to professionalism and respect.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Daylight savings, or, I want my hours back
Prof. Calandrillo has published an argument for keeping daylight savings year-round. It's here:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/338554_daylight07.html
He's absolutely right, though his reasons are all wrong. Biannual time changes are hideous. Spring, of course, is obviously a problem: we lose an hour of sleep. Fall, once upon a time, seemed like the better side of the coin, the cool side of the pillow, as it were. But NO! It turns out that when the time changes, the little darlings get up an hour EARLIER. What used to be a 7 a.m. wakeup is now a 6 a.m. wakeup. Logically, you would think that would mean that they would go to bed an hour earlier, yes? No! They do not.
I am not sure where my hour went, but I want to file an appeal. I'm with Prof. Calandrillo, though my reasons may differ. Come to think of it, he has kids....
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/338554_daylight07.html
He's absolutely right, though his reasons are all wrong. Biannual time changes are hideous. Spring, of course, is obviously a problem: we lose an hour of sleep. Fall, once upon a time, seemed like the better side of the coin, the cool side of the pillow, as it were. But NO! It turns out that when the time changes, the little darlings get up an hour EARLIER. What used to be a 7 a.m. wakeup is now a 6 a.m. wakeup. Logically, you would think that would mean that they would go to bed an hour earlier, yes? No! They do not.
I am not sure where my hour went, but I want to file an appeal. I'm with Prof. Calandrillo, though my reasons may differ. Come to think of it, he has kids....
Nursing news
I would just like to say, what blog brings you boob news, eh? Is the law school's blog going to tell you the latest research on breastfeeding? I think not. Trial ad notes? Ha! Hunk99 might have been a source, but he's gone, and the FedSoc blog is moribund. No, no, my dears, if you want to know about all things mammary, this is the place to come. And you won't get thrown off the library computers for reading it!
So, to the point:
Recent research says not to blame breastfeeding for your droopiness. Nope, it's repeated pregnancies or smoking that does it. Nurse away! (So guys, if you have boob droop, quit smoking.) See the story here:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21599854/
p.s. Blame Laura for this post. She said the item would be "interesting to those with boobs and those who love boobs."
p.p.s. What, do you want me to write items about law school security or something? Gimme a break.
So, to the point:
Recent research says not to blame breastfeeding for your droopiness. Nope, it's repeated pregnancies or smoking that does it. Nurse away! (So guys, if you have boob droop, quit smoking.) See the story here:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21599854/
p.s. Blame Laura for this post. She said the item would be "interesting to those with boobs and those who love boobs."
p.p.s. What, do you want me to write items about law school security or something? Gimme a break.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
More on Outlining
Lisa asked me to describe my outlining system. Here is what I try to do every quarter:
I take notes in the book before class, writing out any questions in the margin. During class, I take notes on my laptop, using a new Word document for each week. At the end of the week, I print out those notes, read them over, and organize them into outline form. This takes me a LONG time.
Near the end of the quarter (maybe a week before classes end), I go through my longer outline and condense it to a 10-20 page outline. I try to make sure that I understand each key concept as I condense the outline. Like Lisa, I also try to create a short, 2-page outline to take into the exam with me.
Ideally, I finish all of this outlining a week before exams start so that I have the rest of the time to do practice exams. Before my 1L fall exams, I spent so much time on my outlines that I didn't have time to take practice exams, and that was a HUGE mistake. I think it is more important to take lots of practice exams and go over the answers with other classmates than it is to have the perfect outline.
I had Schnapper, Wolcher, and O'Neill during my first quarter -- if anyone wants to see my outlines for those professors, email me at porterc@u.wash
Also, I think Professor Kaltsounis's outlines are the best I've ever seen, and she has great advice about studying for exams. If you couldn't make her outlining session, at least ask if you can take a look at her outlines sometime.
I take notes in the book before class, writing out any questions in the margin. During class, I take notes on my laptop, using a new Word document for each week. At the end of the week, I print out those notes, read them over, and organize them into outline form. This takes me a LONG time.
Near the end of the quarter (maybe a week before classes end), I go through my longer outline and condense it to a 10-20 page outline. I try to make sure that I understand each key concept as I condense the outline. Like Lisa, I also try to create a short, 2-page outline to take into the exam with me.
Ideally, I finish all of this outlining a week before exams start so that I have the rest of the time to do practice exams. Before my 1L fall exams, I spent so much time on my outlines that I didn't have time to take practice exams, and that was a HUGE mistake. I think it is more important to take lots of practice exams and go over the answers with other classmates than it is to have the perfect outline.
I had Schnapper, Wolcher, and O'Neill during my first quarter -- if anyone wants to see my outlines for those professors, email me at porterc@u.wash
Also, I think Professor Kaltsounis's outlines are the best I've ever seen, and she has great advice about studying for exams. If you couldn't make her outlining session, at least ask if you can take a look at her outlines sometime.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Outlining
Ok so I missed the big "how to outline" shindig this week -- was it any good? 1Ls, if you want outlines from your PALS pals, let us know (email me, kremerl@, or put a comment here) what class you need an outline for. We might not have had the same teacher as you, but it's often helpful to see how other people did it.
Everyone's outline is different. I have a friend who isn't happy unless she has a 70-page, single-spaced outline to take into an exam. I do best when I've managed to condense my outline down to about 15 pages, and also have a two-page version along with me. One friend of mine made an enormous color-coded civil procedure outline with charts and graphs and boxes and lord knows what else.
So, here's my process. (I'll try to get some other 2Ls and 3Ls to describe their system here (any volunteers?)) In 1L year, I would read the material in advance and take notes in outline format, using the structure of the casebook. Then I'd take copious notes during class. Toward the end of the quarter I'd combine my handwritten notes and my outline. Which took forever.
Now my system, if things are going well, is this: At the beginning of the week, I quickly create an outline of the material we'll be covering. Before class, I read that day's material, writing notes into the book if I think I'm going to be called on. During class, I type notes into my outline. At the end of the quarter, as I'm preparing for the exam, I usually can just tighten up the outline I've already created, and find the spots where I'm confused and clarify them. Then my main occupation is synthesizing the info so I can create my 2-page version.
Structuring the outline can be tricky. Usually I just use the structure of the casebook itself, which can be very helpful in orienting myself when I'm feeling lost. But for some professors (see Schnapper) it's more helpful to create the outline based on the syllabus. For other professors it can be a combination of both.
Everyone's outline is different. I have a friend who isn't happy unless she has a 70-page, single-spaced outline to take into an exam. I do best when I've managed to condense my outline down to about 15 pages, and also have a two-page version along with me. One friend of mine made an enormous color-coded civil procedure outline with charts and graphs and boxes and lord knows what else.
So, here's my process. (I'll try to get some other 2Ls and 3Ls to describe their system here (any volunteers?)) In 1L year, I would read the material in advance and take notes in outline format, using the structure of the casebook. Then I'd take copious notes during class. Toward the end of the quarter I'd combine my handwritten notes and my outline. Which took forever.
Now my system, if things are going well, is this: At the beginning of the week, I quickly create an outline of the material we'll be covering. Before class, I read that day's material, writing notes into the book if I think I'm going to be called on. During class, I type notes into my outline. At the end of the quarter, as I'm preparing for the exam, I usually can just tighten up the outline I've already created, and find the spots where I'm confused and clarify them. Then my main occupation is synthesizing the info so I can create my 2-page version.
Structuring the outline can be tricky. Usually I just use the structure of the casebook itself, which can be very helpful in orienting myself when I'm feeling lost. But for some professors (see Schnapper) it's more helpful to create the outline based on the syllabus. For other professors it can be a combination of both.
Exam prep
If you haven't yet seen Prof. Aronson's lecture on "How to Prepare for and Take Law School Exams," don't miss it. It'll be 3:30-5:30 p.m. Nov. 13 in room 138. This is what I would call a babysitter worthy event. Or, you could probably watch it from the RLR if necessary.
Also the Career Center is having a workshop on resumes and cover letters at 12:30 Nov. 7 in room 133. It's as good a place to eat your lunch as anywhere else.
Also the Career Center is having a workshop on resumes and cover letters at 12:30 Nov. 7 in room 133. It's as good a place to eat your lunch as anywhere else.
Superbug!
Well, really, I wasn't particularly worried about the antibiotic-resistant superbug that's been floating around, although a Federal Way man just died of it, but I just ran across a fairly authoritative post on how to avoid catching Superbugs. It's by Nurse William, a blogger I've never heard of, but I like his attitude. Here's a sample of his advice:
ANY old soap is "antibacterial" when used correctly; All you have to do is make
LOTS of suds. Its the suds that make a soap antibacterial. "Really?" you ask.
"How so?" you ask. Well, settle down and I will tell you: Suds form micelles
around dirt and bacteria and lift them from the skin's surface to be rinsed away
to the black hell from whence they came.
The post is at http://nursewilliam.blogspot.com/2007/10/truth-about-mrsa-without-media-panic.html.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
Fall Festival this Friday
The Fall Festival is Friday! It will be 3:30-6 p.m. in the lobby, main hallway and courtyard. Come bring the kids, in costume. There will be games and booths from just about every student organization, including face painting, pumpkin decorating, and more. We’ll have a giant bounce house in the courtyard. SBA will be grilling food for meat-eaters and vegetarians alike, and for the first time they’re also providing beer and wine as well as pop and juice.
Nowell has made a special effort to invite faculty, and several faculty members have told him they’re coming and looking forward to it. Come see your profs and their kids!
Please also invite your classmates who don’t have kids. This event is open to all and is a great chance for our kids to meet our buddies and vice-versa.
See you there!
Lisa and Stasiu
p.s. if you’d like to help decorate, I’ll be in the lobby and main hallway after 1:30 on Friday, stringing up ghosts and spreading cobwebs.
Nowell has made a special effort to invite faculty, and several faculty members have told him they’re coming and looking forward to it. Come see your profs and their kids!
Please also invite your classmates who don’t have kids. This event is open to all and is a great chance for our kids to meet our buddies and vice-versa.
See you there!
Lisa and Stasiu
p.s. if you’d like to help decorate, I’ll be in the lobby and main hallway after 1:30 on Friday, stringing up ghosts and spreading cobwebs.
Food Friday: pumpkin soup
Here's a seasonal recipe I love that can take a lot of variations. The theory is that you can get your kids to eat vegetables this way, but my kids won't eat it. That's ok -- more for me. This with a roll and an apple makes a great law school lunch.
Pumpkin Velvet Soup
1 pumpkin or other winter squash weighing about 4 lbs
(note! Must be a sugar pie pumpkin, not a decorative pumpkin!)
3 Tablespoons butter
1 large onion, chopped
6 cups chicken stock (or broth, or water and boullion cubes)
1/4 cup orange juice
salt
pepper
nutmeg
1/4 cup heavy cream (optional)
Put pumpkin on a baking sheet and bake at 375 for at least an hour, until soft. Let cool.
Cut pumpkin in half, scoop out strings and seeds and throw away, and scoop flesh into a bowl.
In a large soup pot, saute onion in butter until soft. Add stock, bring to a boil, add pumpkin and simmer until pumpkin is completely soft and heated through.
If you have a hand blender, blend soup until smooth. If you don't have a hand blender, let soup cool, then puree in batches in a blender and return to pot.
Stir in orange juice, cream if desired, and dashes of salt, pepper and nutmeg.
That's the basic recipe. I made it last week with butternut squash and added 1/2 cup sour cream, cayenne pepper and garlic salt. I think you could add a potato to thicken it up, or an apple to give a sweet flavor, or even do a variation with maple syrup. Let me know if you try it out.
Here's how I accomplish soup during the week: Shop one day. Next day, turn on oven at dinner time, throw in pumpkin, take out an hour or two later and let cool, throw in fridge. Next night (or the night after) actually make the soup.
Pumpkin Velvet Soup
1 pumpkin or other winter squash weighing about 4 lbs
(note! Must be a sugar pie pumpkin, not a decorative pumpkin!)
3 Tablespoons butter
1 large onion, chopped
6 cups chicken stock (or broth, or water and boullion cubes)
1/4 cup orange juice
salt
pepper
nutmeg
1/4 cup heavy cream (optional)
Put pumpkin on a baking sheet and bake at 375 for at least an hour, until soft. Let cool.
Cut pumpkin in half, scoop out strings and seeds and throw away, and scoop flesh into a bowl.
In a large soup pot, saute onion in butter until soft. Add stock, bring to a boil, add pumpkin and simmer until pumpkin is completely soft and heated through.
If you have a hand blender, blend soup until smooth. If you don't have a hand blender, let soup cool, then puree in batches in a blender and return to pot.
Stir in orange juice, cream if desired, and dashes of salt, pepper and nutmeg.
That's the basic recipe. I made it last week with butternut squash and added 1/2 cup sour cream, cayenne pepper and garlic salt. I think you could add a potato to thicken it up, or an apple to give a sweet flavor, or even do a variation with maple syrup. Let me know if you try it out.
Here's how I accomplish soup during the week: Shop one day. Next day, turn on oven at dinner time, throw in pumpkin, take out an hour or two later and let cool, throw in fridge. Next night (or the night after) actually make the soup.
Toxic tots
Stasiu forwarded this link to an article regarding the stunningly high level of toxins that can accumulate in children's bodies:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/science/10/22/body.burden/index.html
Yeah, I'm headed for the organic section tonight.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/science/10/22/body.burden/index.html
Yeah, I'm headed for the organic section tonight.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Baby news
Emma Kagel Berry's son was born last night (Oct. 16), and Emma, Charley and son are doing well. I'll post more details as they arrive. Emma had an outrageously easy labor, according to Charley (where can I file an appeal regarding my own birth experiences?).
Congrats also to 2L Greg Albert, whose second daughter was born during the first week of classes. And to Peter Moreno, whose wife is expecting their second daughter. There are at least four other pregnant 2Ls and 3Ls out there due to give birth during the school year.
Christal Wood, 3L, had a lovely comment this morning:
Congrats, Papa Peter!...and congrats to Ashley, too, whose baby's gonna' have one smart mama! :-)And to everyone else with a degree in the oven.... A thought occurred to me recently while I was struggling with my own hectic schedule, and wondering at how anybody handles the elevated challenge of law school, while raising one or more small children (my kid's a teenager, and I can get away with limited supervision in exchange for a different set of challenges). As an "older" parent, I wanted to remind you what a gift you're giving your children to be taking this step; in modeling perseverance, in (hopefully) an improved and more stable way of life, in the knowledge that you'll inadvertently confer, and in the enhanced protection you'll be able to give them as they navigate their way into tomorrow's society, bound to be governed in some way by an increasingly complex rule of law.Congratulations to everybody for that--here's to you, I raise my coffee cup to you, as I write this, intolerably late for class. :-) Pax. -cw
Congrats also to 2L Greg Albert, whose second daughter was born during the first week of classes. And to Peter Moreno, whose wife is expecting their second daughter. There are at least four other pregnant 2Ls and 3Ls out there due to give birth during the school year.
Christal Wood, 3L, had a lovely comment this morning:
Congrats, Papa Peter!...and congrats to Ashley, too, whose baby's gonna' have one smart mama! :-)And to everyone else with a degree in the oven.... A thought occurred to me recently while I was struggling with my own hectic schedule, and wondering at how anybody handles the elevated challenge of law school, while raising one or more small children (my kid's a teenager, and I can get away with limited supervision in exchange for a different set of challenges). As an "older" parent, I wanted to remind you what a gift you're giving your children to be taking this step; in modeling perseverance, in (hopefully) an improved and more stable way of life, in the knowledge that you'll inadvertently confer, and in the enhanced protection you'll be able to give them as they navigate their way into tomorrow's society, bound to be governed in some way by an increasingly complex rule of law.Congratulations to everybody for that--here's to you, I raise my coffee cup to you, as I write this, intolerably late for class. :-) Pax. -cw
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Food Friday: fried rice
I don't like fried rice. Unless I make it. Using this recipe, or some variation thereof. This stuff is not only great -- and a family favorite -- but it heats up well as leftovers and it freezes well too. And it only uses one pan! But don't make it if you don't have Chinese pork, that's the magic ingredient. And the oyster sauce. Let me know if you have other variations I should try.
Fried Rice
1/2 c. oyster sauce
1 Tblsp. soy sauce (plus extra)
1 c. frozen peas
vegetable oil or peanut oil
mushrooms (shitake are best, but button or canned oyster work too)
two chicken breasts
flour
salt
two eggs
hunk of Chinese pork (try the deli section or the bacon section)
2 tsp. minced garlic
2 c. uncooked rice
Start cooking the rice. (If you cook the rice the night before, put in a plastic bag and hit with a wooden spoon to break up the chunks.)
Dump peas in a colander in the sink and spray with water for a minute or two to thaw.
In a small bowl, mix oyster sauce and one tablespoon of soy sauce; set aside.
Heat oil in large frying pan or wok over medium-high heat. When hot, add mushrooms. If you weren't able to get shitakes, add a few splashes of soy sauce to give your shrooms some flavor. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are limp. Pour mushrooms out of pan onto a plate.
While the mushrooms are cooking, chop raw chicken into bite sized pieces. Put a handful of flour into a plastic bag, add some salt, and dump in the chicken and shake until coated. Add more oil to the frying pan, let heat, and add chicken. Cook until lighly browned on all sides. Dump onto the plate.
Add a bit more oil and let heat. Lightly stir eggs and pour into frying pan. Let set for 1 minute, then stir and break up until just barely done. Dump onto the plate.
Add a bit more oil and let heat. Chop up Chinese pork into small pieces. Add garlic to frying pan; let cook 30 seconds. Add Chinese pork and peas. Cook 2-3 minutes until heated. Turn off heat.
Add cooked rice to pan.* Pour oyster sauce mixture over rice and stir. Add all other ingredients from the plate and stir.
Notes:
I haven't been able to find fresh shitakes for more than a year! It's driving me nuts. Dried shitakes creep me out for some reason. I've found that adding soy sauce to the mushrooms helps. The original recipe here called for Chinese sausage, which I haven't found, and I think chicken is a healthier alternative anyway.
You can cook the chicken however you want. This is how I've been doing it lately, and it's pretty good, though it takes a bit more time than just plain stir-frying. Easiest is poaching chicken the night before, throwing it in the fridge, and cutting it up cold and adding it with the pork. But that's no fun.
* If you are an overly accommodating, horribly indulgent parent like me, scoop out some of the rice and pork at this point to serve to your children. You're so nice, they don't deserve you.
Fried Rice
1/2 c. oyster sauce
1 Tblsp. soy sauce (plus extra)
1 c. frozen peas
vegetable oil or peanut oil
mushrooms (shitake are best, but button or canned oyster work too)
two chicken breasts
flour
salt
two eggs
hunk of Chinese pork (try the deli section or the bacon section)
2 tsp. minced garlic
2 c. uncooked rice
Start cooking the rice. (If you cook the rice the night before, put in a plastic bag and hit with a wooden spoon to break up the chunks.)
Dump peas in a colander in the sink and spray with water for a minute or two to thaw.
In a small bowl, mix oyster sauce and one tablespoon of soy sauce; set aside.
Heat oil in large frying pan or wok over medium-high heat. When hot, add mushrooms. If you weren't able to get shitakes, add a few splashes of soy sauce to give your shrooms some flavor. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are limp. Pour mushrooms out of pan onto a plate.
While the mushrooms are cooking, chop raw chicken into bite sized pieces. Put a handful of flour into a plastic bag, add some salt, and dump in the chicken and shake until coated. Add more oil to the frying pan, let heat, and add chicken. Cook until lighly browned on all sides. Dump onto the plate.
Add a bit more oil and let heat. Lightly stir eggs and pour into frying pan. Let set for 1 minute, then stir and break up until just barely done. Dump onto the plate.
Add a bit more oil and let heat. Chop up Chinese pork into small pieces. Add garlic to frying pan; let cook 30 seconds. Add Chinese pork and peas. Cook 2-3 minutes until heated. Turn off heat.
Add cooked rice to pan.* Pour oyster sauce mixture over rice and stir. Add all other ingredients from the plate and stir.
Notes:
I haven't been able to find fresh shitakes for more than a year! It's driving me nuts. Dried shitakes creep me out for some reason. I've found that adding soy sauce to the mushrooms helps. The original recipe here called for Chinese sausage, which I haven't found, and I think chicken is a healthier alternative anyway.
You can cook the chicken however you want. This is how I've been doing it lately, and it's pretty good, though it takes a bit more time than just plain stir-frying. Easiest is poaching chicken the night before, throwing it in the fridge, and cutting it up cold and adding it with the pork. But that's no fun.
* If you are an overly accommodating, horribly indulgent parent like me, scoop out some of the rice and pork at this point to serve to your children. You're so nice, they don't deserve you.
Firm makes motion based on family time
The Wall Street Journals' blogs are abuzz over an East Coast law firm that asked a judge to change a handful of crucial court dates so they could spend more time with their children. The motion reads,
“These dates [Dec. 18, 19, 20 and 27] are smack in the middle of our children’s winter breaks, which are sometimes the only times to be with our children.”
Some commenters think the firm is being manipulative; others think it should be no skin off anyone's nose just to change the dates by a week or so.
See the law blog post here, which has links to the motion and response:
http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2007/10/09/the-law-blog-pleading-of-the-day-starring-weil-gotshal/
Another WSJ writer checks in with a work-life expert who says this is great progress toward getting the business of law to be more flexible (I'm not convinced):
http://blogs.wsj.com/juggle/2007/10/10/lawyers-ask-to-schedule-hearings-around-kids-calendars/
“These dates [Dec. 18, 19, 20 and 27] are smack in the middle of our children’s winter breaks, which are sometimes the only times to be with our children.”
Some commenters think the firm is being manipulative; others think it should be no skin off anyone's nose just to change the dates by a week or so.
See the law blog post here, which has links to the motion and response:
http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2007/10/09/the-law-blog-pleading-of-the-day-starring-weil-gotshal/
Another WSJ writer checks in with a work-life expert who says this is great progress toward getting the business of law to be more flexible (I'm not convinced):
http://blogs.wsj.com/juggle/2007/10/10/lawyers-ask-to-schedule-hearings-around-kids-calendars/
Congratulations new lawyers!
Congratulations to all the former PALS members who passed the summer bar! Results were announced recently. I found PALS co-founder Freya Thoreson on the list, as well as last year's co-presidents Greg Wong and Merisa Heu-Weller, and board member Kent Diamond. The full list is here:
http://www.wsba.org/lawyers/licensing/summer2007.htm
http://www.wsba.org/lawyers/licensing/summer2007.htm
The Ben tree
Ben's memorial on Friday was lovely and his wife is just amazing. She spoke beautifully. Oliver, their son, is 11 months old and just starting to walk.
The tree planted in Ben's memory is a cedar. It is at the bottom of the stairs by room 138, at the far end of the building. Or if you were to go down the exterior stairs by the cafe, it's on the left side of the path just as you go past the end of the building.
PALS is planning to work on collecting money for the scholarship fund that has been created for Oliver. Look for opportunities to contribute in the future. We'll probably have an envelope at Fall Festival.
The tree planted in Ben's memory is a cedar. It is at the bottom of the stairs by room 138, at the far end of the building. Or if you were to go down the exterior stairs by the cafe, it's on the left side of the path just as you go past the end of the building.
PALS is planning to work on collecting money for the scholarship fund that has been created for Oliver. Look for opportunities to contribute in the future. We'll probably have an envelope at Fall Festival.
PALS board
Welcome to PALS's new 1L board members Tami Becker Gomez, Kevin McCrae, Christie Wang and Yin Cheung!
The PALS executive board is:
Co-presidents Lisa Kremer (kremerl@) and Stasiu Nowak (stasiu@)
Co-VPs Amanda Carmany-Rampey and Christine Porter
Secretary Michael Sterner
Treasurer Lisa Goldoftas
Executive board members are Laura Arras, Peter Moreno, Pat Schaff, Ray Liaw, Peter Santos, Louis Butler, Tami Becker Gomez, Kevin McCrae, Christie Wang and Yin Cheung.
The PALS executive board is:
Co-presidents Lisa Kremer (kremerl@) and Stasiu Nowak (stasiu@)
Co-VPs Amanda Carmany-Rampey and Christine Porter
Secretary Michael Sterner
Treasurer Lisa Goldoftas
Executive board members are Laura Arras, Peter Moreno, Pat Schaff, Ray Liaw, Peter Santos, Louis Butler, Tami Becker Gomez, Kevin McCrae, Christie Wang and Yin Cheung.
Infant meds recalled
Looking for the short version of the recall of infant cold medicines? Here's the link to the announcement and the list of what was actually recalled:
http://www.chpa-info.org/ChpaPortal/PressRoom/NewsReleases/2007/10_11_07_CCMedicines.htm
My understanding is that the infant meds themselves aren't dangerous if properly used, but that there is a danger that parents/caregivers will accidentally give too much.
My cupboards have a lot of these drugs in them -- Tylenol Cold and Dimetapp in particular. They were recommended by our pediatrician. It is hard to know when a decongestant is actually working, though. I am a big fan of plain old Benadryl, Tylenol and Motrin (really, their cheap generic versions).
http://www.chpa-info.org/ChpaPortal/PressRoom/NewsReleases/2007/10_11_07_CCMedicines.htm
My understanding is that the infant meds themselves aren't dangerous if properly used, but that there is a danger that parents/caregivers will accidentally give too much.
My cupboards have a lot of these drugs in them -- Tylenol Cold and Dimetapp in particular. They were recommended by our pediatrician. It is hard to know when a decongestant is actually working, though. I am a big fan of plain old Benadryl, Tylenol and Motrin (really, their cheap generic versions).
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Help out a future parent
Hi PALS!
I've talked to some of you individually, but I'm putting out a general call for advice over the next few months. I'm a 2L, 18 weeks along with my first child (it's a boy!), due on March 11th. Since my husband and I are the first of our close group of friends to have kids, we'd welcome advice as we start planning for our first little one. Specifically, I have questions about
1) Doulas: Has anyone had one? We're giving birth at Swedish Medical Center, and have a great doctor, but we were wondering if a doula might be helpful. Our parents are coming into town around the birth date, but if the baby decides to come early, we might be on our own here.
2) Child care: We will probably need child care in the summer, when I go to work. Does anyone know of any great places that take infants or have suggestions on how to find/pick a nanny or nanny share?
3) Parenting support groups: What's worth doing? What's extra time that we don't have?
Thanks in advance for the advice!
Vanessa
I've talked to some of you individually, but I'm putting out a general call for advice over the next few months. I'm a 2L, 18 weeks along with my first child (it's a boy!), due on March 11th. Since my husband and I are the first of our close group of friends to have kids, we'd welcome advice as we start planning for our first little one. Specifically, I have questions about
1) Doulas: Has anyone had one? We're giving birth at Swedish Medical Center, and have a great doctor, but we were wondering if a doula might be helpful. Our parents are coming into town around the birth date, but if the baby decides to come early, we might be on our own here.
2) Child care: We will probably need child care in the summer, when I go to work. Does anyone know of any great places that take infants or have suggestions on how to find/pick a nanny or nanny share?
3) Parenting support groups: What's worth doing? What's extra time that we don't have?
Thanks in advance for the advice!
Vanessa
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Memorial planned for Ben Athay
PALS lost a great friend and board member this summer when 2L Ben Athay died. Ben's friend Mike Peters has worked with the law school to schedule a memorial service for Ben. It will be 4-5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, in room 138. I don't know if Alison and Oliver (Ben's 9-month-old son) will come, but I hope so. Please come if you can.
The school will plant a memorial tree in Ben's honor. I'm sure we'll find out more details about it at the service. The PALS board also has been talking about doing something in Ben's honor, in tune with his joy at being a father and a student. We'll keep you posted.
The press release about Ben and the memorial service are posted here:
http://www.law.washington.edu/News/Articles/Default.aspx?YR=2007&ID=AthayMemorial
The school will plant a memorial tree in Ben's honor. I'm sure we'll find out more details about it at the service. The PALS board also has been talking about doing something in Ben's honor, in tune with his joy at being a father and a student. We'll keep you posted.
The press release about Ben and the memorial service are posted here:
http://www.law.washington.edu/News/Articles/Default.aspx?YR=2007&ID=AthayMemorial
PALS meeting on Monday
Hey folks, PALS' (PALS's?) first meeting of the year will be Monday, Oct. 8, 12:30 in room 118.
All are welcome, whether you consider yourself a member of PALS or not. We'll be checking in to see how everyone's doing and if you have any current issues you're concerned about. We'll also tell you about some upcoming events -- be sure to come to the Fall Festival on Oct. 26! And we'll talk about some recent developments in work-life balance issues.
Lunch will be provided!
All are welcome, whether you consider yourself a member of PALS or not. We'll be checking in to see how everyone's doing and if you have any current issues you're concerned about. We'll also tell you about some upcoming events -- be sure to come to the Fall Festival on Oct. 26! And we'll talk about some recent developments in work-life balance issues.
Lunch will be provided!
Sunday, September 30, 2007
The morning dash
The Wall Street Journal has a column about work-life balance called The Juggle. A recent column describes the morning get-to-school rush, and readers have chimed in with many tips describing how they make the mornings manageable. Some ideas might actually be useful: It didn't occur to me to tell my 5-year-old to make her own breakfast. We've gotten into a routine of just handing her an English muffin or whatever, especially since we're making breakfast for the toddler anyway. But perhaps I'm depriving her of a valuable opportunity to demonstrate independence and competence! Who knew.
Here's the story:
http://blogs.wsj.com/juggle/2007/09/28/the-morning-time-slip/
I try to make the mornings easier for my husband (who gets the kids up, dressed and fed most days) by setting out the kids' clothes and lunches before I leave. I may be depriving them the ability to choose their clothes, but I figure I'm also aiding marital harmony by reducing morning friction. Six/half dozen.
What do you do to make the mornings easier?
Here's the story:
http://blogs.wsj.com/juggle/2007/09/28/the-morning-time-slip/
I try to make the mornings easier for my husband (who gets the kids up, dressed and fed most days) by setting out the kids' clothes and lunches before I leave. I may be depriving them the ability to choose their clothes, but I figure I'm also aiding marital harmony by reducing morning friction. Six/half dozen.
What do you do to make the mornings easier?
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Food Friday: enchiladas
So I've been working on finding efficient recipes that don't take a lot of time or use up a lot of pots and pans (I hate washing pots and pans), and that both the kids and the grownups like. I make a lot of casseroles that I can have for lunch the next day too. Each morning before school I pack four lunches, so I'm always looking for shortcuts.
This is a quick recipe that won't win any prizes but it's fast, has few ingredients, and doesn't get too many dishes dirty in the preparation. If you try it out, let me know how it goes. And tell me what you'd serve as a side -- my biggest challenge is finding ways to get kids to eat veggies. We'd probably serve this with pineapple and broccoli.
Super-easy enchiladas
4 cooked skinless, boneless chicken breasts*
1 c. light sour cream
2 c. shredded cheddar cheese**
1 Tablespoon cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
1 package flour or corn tortillas
1 can enchilada sauce
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Shred or chop the chicken. Mix with sour cream, cheese, cumin, salt and pepper. Add other ingredients as desired (green peppers, cilantro, green onions, etc). Put two big spoonfuls of chicken mixture on a tortilla, roll up and put seam-side-down in a 9x13 pan. Repeat until you get through all the filling. Pour sauce over top. Bake 20 minutes, until heated through.
* For the chicken, you can use breasts, thighs, whatever, and cook by poaching, baking, whatever. Or you could shred a rotisserie chicken. Last time I made this I cut up raw chicken and cooked it on the stovetop, stir-fry style.
** I hate shredding cheese. If it's on sale I buy it shredded. Otherwise I buy the bulk sliced cheese at Costco and cut it into tiny little pieces, which is good enough for me. And a knife is easier to clean than a grater.
Got a recipe to share? Email me! I need stuff for future Food Fridays.
p.s. Yeah I know it's not Friday. I'm a day late. I had a meeting, I got distracted, yada yada.
This is a quick recipe that won't win any prizes but it's fast, has few ingredients, and doesn't get too many dishes dirty in the preparation. If you try it out, let me know how it goes. And tell me what you'd serve as a side -- my biggest challenge is finding ways to get kids to eat veggies. We'd probably serve this with pineapple and broccoli.
Super-easy enchiladas
4 cooked skinless, boneless chicken breasts*
1 c. light sour cream
2 c. shredded cheddar cheese**
1 Tablespoon cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
1 package flour or corn tortillas
1 can enchilada sauce
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Shred or chop the chicken. Mix with sour cream, cheese, cumin, salt and pepper. Add other ingredients as desired (green peppers, cilantro, green onions, etc). Put two big spoonfuls of chicken mixture on a tortilla, roll up and put seam-side-down in a 9x13 pan. Repeat until you get through all the filling. Pour sauce over top. Bake 20 minutes, until heated through.
* For the chicken, you can use breasts, thighs, whatever, and cook by poaching, baking, whatever. Or you could shred a rotisserie chicken. Last time I made this I cut up raw chicken and cooked it on the stovetop, stir-fry style.
** I hate shredding cheese. If it's on sale I buy it shredded. Otherwise I buy the bulk sliced cheese at Costco and cut it into tiny little pieces, which is good enough for me. And a knife is easier to clean than a grater.
Got a recipe to share? Email me! I need stuff for future Food Fridays.
p.s. Yeah I know it's not Friday. I'm a day late. I had a meeting, I got distracted, yada yada.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Law school Q&A
Q. Is it safe to keep my computer in my locker?
A. Glad you asked. NO! You might be better off if your locker is in one of the secure rooms, but if it’s in a hallway, ha. If it makes you feel better, our crowbar-bearing friends seem to only care about computers. When my locker was broken into, my Top Ramen, Kleenex and BLS worksheets were undisturbed.
Q. Um, where do I eat lunch?
A. 540 students / about 30 seats in the café = not enough seats. There’s a lounge in the library but it’s a hike and you can’t get too loud there. You can eat in the library study rooms but that’s not exactly social. You can make a rush for the nice leather chairs on the upper floors. Enjoy the patio while you can. Then try to get on law review or PacRim, their offices are NICE. Sorry, Shidler.
Q. This is such a posh building… why are there wooden benches in the lobby?
A. My guess is when the dean brings donors to visit, three wooden benches looks better than the previous arrangement: several leather couches continually occupied by, er, socially disadvantaged folks from the Ave. Which is what happened for the first year and a half the building was open, until they gave up and moved the couches upstairs.
Q. Well now that you mention it, what about those guys in the library?
A. Donors can’t see them there.
Q. And while we're talking about creepy things, why does it smell like something died in the first floor ladies room?
A. Sorry about the potty humor, but this one's legit. It's some bizarre permanent building smell. What's really cool is when the state Supreme Court or 9th circuit is in session here, that's probably the loo the women justices use. Yeah! Way to make an impression!
Q. Can I ask 2L and 3L friends for their outlines?
A. Yes! Don’t be shy.
Q. Wait a minute, why should I share notes and outlines? Aren’t we graded on a curve? Isn’t this a competition?
A. Well sure, you’re not likely to be in law school if you’re not competitive, somewhere in your bones. But the true competition – for jobs after graduation – isn’t here at the UW, it’s across town.
Q. Is law school a good time to have babies?
A. Aw c’mon, we’re biased. This is PALS. We love the babies. Bring us more babies.
A. Glad you asked. NO! You might be better off if your locker is in one of the secure rooms, but if it’s in a hallway, ha. If it makes you feel better, our crowbar-bearing friends seem to only care about computers. When my locker was broken into, my Top Ramen, Kleenex and BLS worksheets were undisturbed.
Q. Um, where do I eat lunch?
A. 540 students / about 30 seats in the café = not enough seats. There’s a lounge in the library but it’s a hike and you can’t get too loud there. You can eat in the library study rooms but that’s not exactly social. You can make a rush for the nice leather chairs on the upper floors. Enjoy the patio while you can. Then try to get on law review or PacRim, their offices are NICE. Sorry, Shidler.
Q. This is such a posh building… why are there wooden benches in the lobby?
A. My guess is when the dean brings donors to visit, three wooden benches looks better than the previous arrangement: several leather couches continually occupied by, er, socially disadvantaged folks from the Ave. Which is what happened for the first year and a half the building was open, until they gave up and moved the couches upstairs.
Q. Well now that you mention it, what about those guys in the library?
A. Donors can’t see them there.
Q. And while we're talking about creepy things, why does it smell like something died in the first floor ladies room?
A. Sorry about the potty humor, but this one's legit. It's some bizarre permanent building smell. What's really cool is when the state Supreme Court or 9th circuit is in session here, that's probably the loo the women justices use. Yeah! Way to make an impression!
Q. Can I ask 2L and 3L friends for their outlines?
A. Yes! Don’t be shy.
Q. Wait a minute, why should I share notes and outlines? Aren’t we graded on a curve? Isn’t this a competition?
A. Well sure, you’re not likely to be in law school if you’re not competitive, somewhere in your bones. But the true competition – for jobs after graduation – isn’t here at the UW, it’s across town.
Q. Is law school a good time to have babies?
A. Aw c’mon, we’re biased. This is PALS. We love the babies. Bring us more babies.
Top law firms for women
Working Mother Magazine, together with a consulting group called Flex-Time Lawyers (ahh, Flex Time, what a dreamy concept) has put together a survey of the top 50 law firms "for women." I have some reservations about the survey -- errr, I think men are concerned about ... oh, sigh, never mind -- but the stories are interesting. It's posted here:
http://www.workingmother.com/web?service=vpage/796
The lead story says it's possible to make partner with children, and has a cheery photo of women lawyers with their kids in a law office. Happy day! But there's also a sidebar on women who leave their jobs -- or the profession -- in seek of greater work/life balance.
The Wall Street Journal's Law Blog has an entry on the survey:
http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2007/08/14/working-lawyer-mothers-give-us-family-yoga-and-volunteering/?mod=sphere_ts
The comments on the blog posting are pretty interesting. One person claims that women who work part time at law firms don't actually do any work, but spend the day web surfing. Others say that it's crazy to work at a law firm if you want to have a life, it's better to find an in-house job or go solo. Because people are allowed to post anonymously they can say whatever they want, and it's interesting to see what people come out and say.
Thanks: Mary Whisner.
http://www.workingmother.com/web?service=vpage/796
The lead story says it's possible to make partner with children, and has a cheery photo of women lawyers with their kids in a law office. Happy day! But there's also a sidebar on women who leave their jobs -- or the profession -- in seek of greater work/life balance.
The Wall Street Journal's Law Blog has an entry on the survey:
http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2007/08/14/working-lawyer-mothers-give-us-family-yoga-and-volunteering/?mod=sphere_ts
The comments on the blog posting are pretty interesting. One person claims that women who work part time at law firms don't actually do any work, but spend the day web surfing. Others say that it's crazy to work at a law firm if you want to have a life, it's better to find an in-house job or go solo. Because people are allowed to post anonymously they can say whatever they want, and it's interesting to see what people come out and say.
Thanks: Mary Whisner.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Welcome 1Ls!
PALS had a table during the student organizations fair at orientation today. We met seven 1L parents who have kids ranging in age from 7 weeks to 10 years. (And it's the same mom that has the 7-week-old and the 10-year-old.) Six of the incoming 1Ls have children two years old and younger. There also were several people who don't have children, but are interested in PALS because they're thinking about having kids during law school. My guess is there are other student-parents out there who haven't found us, or whose kids are older and don't choose to be active members, as is often the case.
PALS will grow this year. I know of three 3Ls that will be giving birth during the school year -- Emma Kagel Berry manned the PALS booth for a while today (thanks Emma!) and the others will become apparent sooner or later. Who knows, there may be more.
1Ls, if you haven't found our tipsheet yet, check it out here: http://uwpals.blogspot.com/2007/08/tips-for-1ls.html It includes a link to a pretty long document.
Got any specific questions or concerns? Don't hesitate to email me or Stasiu, or the yahoo group, or post comments or questions here. Good luck!
PALS will grow this year. I know of three 3Ls that will be giving birth during the school year -- Emma Kagel Berry manned the PALS booth for a while today (thanks Emma!) and the others will become apparent sooner or later. Who knows, there may be more.
1Ls, if you haven't found our tipsheet yet, check it out here: http://uwpals.blogspot.com/2007/08/tips-for-1ls.html It includes a link to a pretty long document.
Got any specific questions or concerns? Don't hesitate to email me or Stasiu, or the yahoo group, or post comments or questions here. Good luck!
Monday, September 10, 2007
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Ben Athay
Ben Athay, a loving father and law student, died of a brain hemorrhage on Friday, Aug. 31. His funeral was Friday in Corvallis.
It's hard to accept the death of someone who was so vibrant and had great plans for his life. I met Ben at the 1L family picnic before school last year. His gorgeous wife Alison was pregnant, and Ben was excited both about fatherhood and about starting law school. Alison gave birth in the middle of his first year, and Ben was thrilled with little Oliver. He must have had some long nights, but when I saw Ben he was always cheerful and eager to stop to chat. I ran into him toward the end of the year and asked him to be a board member of PALS and he instantly agreed. At PALS, Ben was thoughtful and funny. He asked that PALS try to be more available to students on a regular basis, because he tended to hear from the group only once or twice a quarter. He felt parents need more support. We created this blog partly to respond to Ben's request for a more frequent, visible form of support for parents. We'll be looking for other ways to respond to his request throughout the year.
PALS sent a bouquet of roses to Ben's funeral. We are looking for other ways to honor Ben and help Alison tell Oliver about his father. Please add your thoughts and suggestions as comments below.
Lisa
It's hard to accept the death of someone who was so vibrant and had great plans for his life. I met Ben at the 1L family picnic before school last year. His gorgeous wife Alison was pregnant, and Ben was excited both about fatherhood and about starting law school. Alison gave birth in the middle of his first year, and Ben was thrilled with little Oliver. He must have had some long nights, but when I saw Ben he was always cheerful and eager to stop to chat. I ran into him toward the end of the year and asked him to be a board member of PALS and he instantly agreed. At PALS, Ben was thoughtful and funny. He asked that PALS try to be more available to students on a regular basis, because he tended to hear from the group only once or twice a quarter. He felt parents need more support. We created this blog partly to respond to Ben's request for a more frequent, visible form of support for parents. We'll be looking for other ways to respond to his request throughout the year.
PALS sent a bouquet of roses to Ben's funeral. We are looking for other ways to honor Ben and help Alison tell Oliver about his father. Please add your thoughts and suggestions as comments below.
Lisa
More work/life balance news
You know, this blog isn't only supposed to be about work/life balance issues. It's also about parenting, law school, parenting while in law school.... I suspect we'll talk more about those things once classes start. Meanwhile, here are three new articles about work/life balance. While they aren't necessarily directly on point for what we're looking for as future lawyers, it's interesting that people are talking about work/life balance more and more.
The King County Bar Association's Bar Bulletin newsletters has two articles involving work/life balance issues. The first is a discussion of how some people prefer the 70-hour-a-week lifestyle, but that it can be hard on marriages:
http://www.kcba.org/scriptcontent/KCBA/barbulletin/archive/2007/07-08/article16.cfm
The article includes the following intriguing line, though it offers no definitive answer:
"So, are those among us who decry the erosion of life balance just whining about a culture that doesn’t include them ... and may, perhaps, be leaving them behind?"
The second article is about how it's important to find fun in your life, even when you're working too hard:
http://www.kcba.org/scriptcontent/KCBA/barbulletin/archive/2007/07-08/article8.cfm
The third article is a list of very specific tips on how to maintain your work life balance. I like it because some of the tips are really concrete. For example, change your email so you get messages when you're ready to check them, instead of the moment they arrive. The list is here:
http://kentblumberg.typepad.com/kent_blumberg/2007/08/top-12-ways-to-.html
Thanks to Mary Whisner for the tips on the KCBA newsletter!
The King County Bar Association's Bar Bulletin newsletters has two articles involving work/life balance issues. The first is a discussion of how some people prefer the 70-hour-a-week lifestyle, but that it can be hard on marriages:
http://www.kcba.org/scriptcontent/KCBA/barbulletin/archive/2007/07-08/article16.cfm
The article includes the following intriguing line, though it offers no definitive answer:
"So, are those among us who decry the erosion of life balance just whining about a culture that doesn’t include them ... and may, perhaps, be leaving them behind?"
The second article is about how it's important to find fun in your life, even when you're working too hard:
http://www.kcba.org/scriptcontent/KCBA/barbulletin/archive/2007/07-08/article8.cfm
The third article is a list of very specific tips on how to maintain your work life balance. I like it because some of the tips are really concrete. For example, change your email so you get messages when you're ready to check them, instead of the moment they arrive. The list is here:
http://kentblumberg.typepad.com/kent_blumberg/2007/08/top-12-ways-to-.html
Thanks to Mary Whisner for the tips on the KCBA newsletter!
Saturday, September 1, 2007
1L Family Picnic
The PALS picnic is happening on Sunday, September 9 at Cowen Park from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. Bring your kids, partners, and anyone else who might want to come. We'll be meeting at the picnic tables near the play area. Please bring a snack or a side dish to share. You might also want to bring a blanket to sit on.
Cowen Park is at the corner of NE Ravenna Blvd. and Brooklyn Ave. There should be plenty of street parking available. Click here for more information about the park and some directions (you might have to copy this link into a new window): http://www.seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=483
Hope to see everyone there!
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Part-time options at big law firms
The Project for Attorney Retention at Hastings has surveyed dozens of large law firms to determine whether they offer part-time schedules for attorneys, and whether attorneys who work part time also receive the pluses of firm work, including benefits, eligibility for partnership, ability to work on pro bono cases, etc. Check out the results -- and look up your firm and your friends' firms -- at http://www.pardc.org/TheScoop/
Thanks to Cynthia Calvert of the Project for Attorney Retention for bringing this to my attention. PAR is a project of the Center for WorkLife Law at Hastings, and the fact that they have such a center just makes me want to go there (but do THEY have a remote learning room? huh?). PAR doesn't call it part-time work, by the way: they call it "balanced hours," a term I hadn't heard before. The busy Hastings folks have done a lot of studies about finding ways to make law a more doable profession for those who can't or won't work inhumane hours. There's a lot of information on their site. Here are some of the tidbits I enjoyed:
* Tips for how to work part-time: http://www.pardc.org/LawFirm/tips_for_going_part-time.shtml
* Stories from attorneys who have worked part time: http://www.pardc.org/LawFirm/real_life.shtml
* Links to a zillion work/life resources: http://www.pardc.org/Resources/
Thanks to Cynthia Calvert of the Project for Attorney Retention for bringing this to my attention. PAR is a project of the Center for WorkLife Law at Hastings, and the fact that they have such a center just makes me want to go there (but do THEY have a remote learning room? huh?). PAR doesn't call it part-time work, by the way: they call it "balanced hours," a term I hadn't heard before. The busy Hastings folks have done a lot of studies about finding ways to make law a more doable profession for those who can't or won't work inhumane hours. There's a lot of information on their site. Here are some of the tidbits I enjoyed:
* Tips for how to work part-time: http://www.pardc.org/LawFirm/tips_for_going_part-time.shtml
* Stories from attorneys who have worked part time: http://www.pardc.org/LawFirm/real_life.shtml
* Links to a zillion work/life resources: http://www.pardc.org/Resources/
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Work-family issues featured at WWL CLE
Washington Women Lawyers' annual leadership symposium and CLE features a lunch speaker who is a nationally known expert in work-life issues. WWL says Professor Joan C. Williams of UC Hastings is "a prize-winning author and nationally recognized expert on work/family issues. Professor Williams founded and directs the Center for WorkLife Law and the Project for Attorney Retention. According to a recent New York Times article, she enjoys 'something approaching rock-star status' among lawyers and scholars who work on legal issues relating to employees with family responsibilities." (See links to blogs for both those projects at left on palsblog.)
Hastings is scheduled to talk about something called "balanced hours," which seems to involve putting more value on non-billable hours, though I can't exactly tell.
Hastings will speak at lunch on Sept. 28 at the Bell Harbor Conference Center, which is at Pier 66 in downtown Seattle. Admission to the lunch is $50 for non-members. There are other sessions during the day that sound interesting -- price for the full day is $75 for students.
For more information and registration forms, check http://www.wwl.org/index.php?/weblog/more/2007_leadership_symposium_and_annual_dinner/ and click on the forms. If you want to try to contact WWL to ask if you can volunteer to help (and get out of the $75 cost), links to WWL leaders are on that site.
Hastings is scheduled to talk about something called "balanced hours," which seems to involve putting more value on non-billable hours, though I can't exactly tell.
Hastings will speak at lunch on Sept. 28 at the Bell Harbor Conference Center, which is at Pier 66 in downtown Seattle. Admission to the lunch is $50 for non-members. There are other sessions during the day that sound interesting -- price for the full day is $75 for students.
For more information and registration forms, check http://www.wwl.org/index.php?/weblog/more/2007_leadership_symposium_and_annual_dinner/ and click on the forms. If you want to try to contact WWL to ask if you can volunteer to help (and get out of the $75 cost), links to WWL leaders are on that site.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Tips for 1Ls
This year's 1Ls start the week of Sept. 10 with a two-week orientation -- yes that's not a typo. In past years we've put together a sheet of advice tips from 2Ls and 3Ls to incoming 1Ls. Let's do it again, but this time in the comments here on the blog. 2Ls and 3Ls, please add a comment here with your best tips for the incoming 1Ls. 1Ls, if you have any questions, please drop them here as a comment.
Here's a link to the tip sheet from two years ago: http://students.washington.edu/lawpals/advice.shtml
My tips:
* Chop your books. Take them to a copy place on the Ave, have the bindings cut off and holes drilled, and then you only need to shlep around the pages you're reading that week.
* Share notes. If you notice someone's missing a class, send them notes. You've got kids; you're gonna miss class eventually. It helps if you can foster a cooperative atmosphere.
Here's a link to the tip sheet from two years ago: http://students.washington.edu/lawpals/advice.shtml
My tips:
* Chop your books. Take them to a copy place on the Ave, have the bindings cut off and holes drilled, and then you only need to shlep around the pages you're reading that week.
* Share notes. If you notice someone's missing a class, send them notes. You've got kids; you're gonna miss class eventually. It helps if you can foster a cooperative atmosphere.
Fall events
Hey 1Ls! Come meet your fellow student-parents (and prospective student-parents) at some upcoming events. A lot of us have found that the key to having a happy first year is having classmates who are student/parents to talk to, get advice from, and commiserate with. So here are some opportunities to meet those other student-parents.
1L Family Picnic: Sept. 9, Ravenna Park near the U-District (more details later). The goal of this picnic is for 1Ls to get to know their classmates who have kids or are thinking of having kids. It's a nice complement to all the beer-oriented get-togethers going on this time of year. 2Ls and 3Ls, please come and share advice and show off how much your kids have grown.
--> please add a comment if you're planning to come, and watch for further updates regarding the time, and a link to a map with directions.
Orientation: 2Ls and 3Ls, let me know if you're going to be on campus Sept. 19 and could staff the PALS table for the organizations fair, 3-5 p.m.
Fall Festival: Thursday, Oct. 25. That's right, a Thursday. Heh heh.
1L Family Picnic: Sept. 9, Ravenna Park near the U-District (more details later). The goal of this picnic is for 1Ls to get to know their classmates who have kids or are thinking of having kids. It's a nice complement to all the beer-oriented get-togethers going on this time of year. 2Ls and 3Ls, please come and share advice and show off how much your kids have grown.
--> please add a comment if you're planning to come, and watch for further updates regarding the time, and a link to a map with directions.
Orientation: 2Ls and 3Ls, let me know if you're going to be on campus Sept. 19 and could staff the PALS table for the organizations fair, 3-5 p.m.
Fall Festival: Thursday, Oct. 25. That's right, a Thursday. Heh heh.
Friday, August 10, 2007
posting options
I hear that it can be a pain to post on a blogger blog because it asks you to join up. You don't have to do that here -- I've enabled anonymous commenting. So go ahead and comment anonymously. Do us a favor and identify yourself (Louis) in the text of the post, if you feel like it(Louis).
Friday, July 27, 2007
Job satisfaction test
A company called BCG Attorney Search has put together a self-assessment test that helps you evaluate what you like and don't like about where you work. It's specifically targeted toward people who work at law firms, but I think the survey would work for almost any type of employer. Because BCG is an attorney-placement firm, it's likely to suggest (as it did for me) that you consider a lateral move to another firm and contact BCG to help you with your job search.
Given all those disclaimers, it's a pretty interesting self-evaluation, and of course it's always fun to take quizzes. Here's the link:
http://bcgsearch.com/career_audit_tool.php
Given all those disclaimers, it's a pretty interesting self-evaluation, and of course it's always fun to take quizzes. Here's the link:
http://bcgsearch.com/career_audit_tool.php
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Congrats Amanda and Christine!
Congratulations to Pals co-vice-presidents Amanda Carmany-Rampey and Christine Porter! Amanda wrote on to Law Review and Christine wrote on to Shidler. Nice work!
p.s. Please let me know if I've missed any other parents on the journals or MCHB.
p.s. Please let me know if I've missed any other parents on the journals or MCHB.
Childcare at the UW
This is a Q&A by a past president of PALS:
Question: Are there campus childcare centers?
Answer: There are two independently operated childcare centers for UW students located near the University. Both centers are accredited by the National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC). There is a waiting list, so parents are encouraged to contact the centers very early. For more information: http://depts.washington.edu/ovpsa/childcare/onsite.html
Question: Where else can I go for childcare information?
Answer: Try the UW main campus Work/Life Office. They maintain information on community-based childcare, can give referrals and run a nanny share network. http://www.washington.edu/admin/hr/benefits/worklife/index.html
Question: Are there lactation stations on campus that I can use?
Answer: Yes, there are several lactation stations across campus that provide privacy for pumping and have hospital-quality, electric double pumps available for use. Call (206) 548-4628 for information and a brief orientation. The list of lactation stations is here: http://www.washington.edu/admin/hr/benefits/worklife/childcare/lactation-stations.html
Question: What is the remote learning room?
Answer: The remote learning room (the “Claire Thomas Room”) is room 219 in Gates Hall and is a limited-access space for law students with young children. The current policy states, “Students seeking access are directed to speak with the Academic Services staff on the 3d floor. The Academic Services staff will ask you to identify the times that you anticipate using the remote learning room. Your Husky card will then be programmed to give you access as approved; the level of access can be adjusted to suit the circumstances. Access will be designated on a quarterly basis, or on an emergency basis. An emergency use might include when a child is sick and can’t go to day care. [Please note however that if a child is too sick for day care we will be relying on the parent’s judgment as to whether the child’s presence might place other infants at risk. Sometimes the best option is to ask Academic Services if the class can be taped.] Some parents may only need access once a week, while others who are pumping milk may need daily access to Room 219. Academic Services will work with each student to address their individual needs. For both privacy and security reasons access to the room is restricted to approved users. This area is intended especially for nursing mothers, but it will accommodate parents who need a place to change diapers, feed babies, or attend to the myriad of chores that face newer parents.”
Question: What features does the remote learning room have?
Answer: The remote learning room has a number of features, including a sink, small refrigerator, microwave, and soft furniture. There are two private rooms designed for lactation purposes. There are four workstations that permit parents with children to listen to and/or watch sessions in the majority of the Gates Hall classrooms. Contact Academic Services for access and information.
Question: Are there campus childcare centers?
Answer: There are two independently operated childcare centers for UW students located near the University. Both centers are accredited by the National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC). There is a waiting list, so parents are encouraged to contact the centers very early. For more information: http://depts.washington.edu/ovpsa/childcare/onsite.html
Question: Where else can I go for childcare information?
Answer: Try the UW main campus Work/Life Office. They maintain information on community-based childcare, can give referrals and run a nanny share network. http://www.washington.edu/admin/hr/benefits/worklife/index.html
Question: Are there lactation stations on campus that I can use?
Answer: Yes, there are several lactation stations across campus that provide privacy for pumping and have hospital-quality, electric double pumps available for use. Call (206) 548-4628 for information and a brief orientation. The list of lactation stations is here: http://www.washington.edu/admin/hr/benefits/worklife/childcare/lactation-stations.html
Question: What is the remote learning room?
Answer: The remote learning room (the “Claire Thomas Room”) is room 219 in Gates Hall and is a limited-access space for law students with young children. The current policy states, “Students seeking access are directed to speak with the Academic Services staff on the 3d floor. The Academic Services staff will ask you to identify the times that you anticipate using the remote learning room. Your Husky card will then be programmed to give you access as approved; the level of access can be adjusted to suit the circumstances. Access will be designated on a quarterly basis, or on an emergency basis. An emergency use might include when a child is sick and can’t go to day care. [Please note however that if a child is too sick for day care we will be relying on the parent’s judgment as to whether the child’s presence might place other infants at risk. Sometimes the best option is to ask Academic Services if the class can be taped.] Some parents may only need access once a week, while others who are pumping milk may need daily access to Room 219. Academic Services will work with each student to address their individual needs. For both privacy and security reasons access to the room is restricted to approved users. This area is intended especially for nursing mothers, but it will accommodate parents who need a place to change diapers, feed babies, or attend to the myriad of chores that face newer parents.”
Question: What features does the remote learning room have?
Answer: The remote learning room has a number of features, including a sink, small refrigerator, microwave, and soft furniture. There are two private rooms designed for lactation purposes. There are four workstations that permit parents with children to listen to and/or watch sessions in the majority of the Gates Hall classrooms. Contact Academic Services for access and information.
Tips from past law student/parents
PALS members each year have put together a list of tips for incoming 1Ls. We've got the document posted at another site here.
Some top tips:
Keep school at school.
Don't forget your partner.
Have confidence in yourself.
B=JD.
Some top tips:
Keep school at school.
Don't forget your partner.
Have confidence in yourself.
B=JD.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Our favorite events
PALS sponsors or co-sponsors three key events each year.
Fall Festival: During fall quarter, we co-sponsor and help organize the Fall Festival. This event welcomes parents and children from the law school and beyond. Students, faculty and staff all are encouraged to bring their children to an afternoon event with costumes, food, an inflatable bouncer castle, and booths sponsored by the law school's most active organizations. Fall Festival is a great way for students to introduce their children to friends, and for children, spouses and partners to see where their parents spend all their time. Those of us who have brought children to the Fall Festival have found that our kids talk about it all year long and feel more comfortable in their understanding of where we go during the day.
Winter clothing drive: We collect new and used clothing, toys and equipment, as well as unperishable food and diapers, to distribute to Childhaven, a Seattle agency that provides daycare and therapy for abused and drug-addicted children aged birth-5 years. Our decision to help Childhaven grew out of the feeling that we are incredibly lucky to have the opportunities we have, and we would like to share our good fortune with others.
Spring work-life balance panel: We invite parent-lawyers in different professional situations to come to the UW to talk about their experiences and the choices they've made in balancing career and family. This is an issue that appeals to many, and it tends to draw more than 100 students every year.
In addition, PALS participates in orientation activities and other law school activities throughout the year. We try to hold monthly casual get-togethers at a coffee shop near the law school, as well as spring sessions on advice for picking classes for the next year.
Fall Festival: During fall quarter, we co-sponsor and help organize the Fall Festival. This event welcomes parents and children from the law school and beyond. Students, faculty and staff all are encouraged to bring their children to an afternoon event with costumes, food, an inflatable bouncer castle, and booths sponsored by the law school's most active organizations. Fall Festival is a great way for students to introduce their children to friends, and for children, spouses and partners to see where their parents spend all their time. Those of us who have brought children to the Fall Festival have found that our kids talk about it all year long and feel more comfortable in their understanding of where we go during the day.
Winter clothing drive: We collect new and used clothing, toys and equipment, as well as unperishable food and diapers, to distribute to Childhaven, a Seattle agency that provides daycare and therapy for abused and drug-addicted children aged birth-5 years. Our decision to help Childhaven grew out of the feeling that we are incredibly lucky to have the opportunities we have, and we would like to share our good fortune with others.
Spring work-life balance panel: We invite parent-lawyers in different professional situations to come to the UW to talk about their experiences and the choices they've made in balancing career and family. This is an issue that appeals to many, and it tends to draw more than 100 students every year.
In addition, PALS participates in orientation activities and other law school activities throughout the year. We try to hold monthly casual get-togethers at a coffee shop near the law school, as well as spring sessions on advice for picking classes for the next year.
Our Mission Statement
We recognize the unique demands that students with children face in balancing school, work and family life. We welcome children of law students into the law school community with open arms and strive to create an environment in which students and their children can grow and learn together. Our student-run organization aims to share information, advocate for resources and provide personal support to law students with children. Specifically we will: Provide a casual forum for networking about shared parenting experiences; Sponsor fun events for children and their parents; Discuss career strategies for students with children; Disseminate information on school policies and community resources; Serve as an advocate within the school for students with children.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Welcome to PalsBlog
This is the blog for Parents Attending Law School, a student group at the University of Washington. Stay tuned for updates....
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