Racing for the Cure
Posted by: project30in2012 on: May 16, 2012
This June will be my fifth time “racing for the cure.” I’m fortunate that as of yet, no one close to me has suffered from breast cancer, but I’m aware that the odds are against that continuing to be the case. I’ve run in numerous charity races over the past five years, but this one by far means the most to me. There are few things more inspiring than seeing hundreds of survivors walking (or running) on the National Mall, cheering on their successes.
I love knowing that over 75% of my small contribution to Susan G. Komen helps local women (and men) battling breast cancer. And now, more than ever, when giving to Susan G. Komen is down, I feel compelled to increase my support. While I never supported the Planned Parenthood decision (check out this and this if you’re wondering what I’m talking about), I’m a bit unsure what folks want from SGK now. They reversed the decision, admitted a mistake and are moving forward (yes, it was under political pressure, but it happened). In my mind, the time to support SGK is now, when there has been so much backlash and so many folks who have pulled their support. Despite the drama, SGK’s services and funding is still needed. There is still not a cure. That is why I run.
If you are interested in supporting me this year, you can do so at this link. Or just come out on June 2nd and cheer! It’s a great event. Thanks!
#12 Start my own urban garden, pt. 2
Posted by: project30in2012 on: May 14, 2012
I am now officially growing things! Outside! And not on an aerogarden (no disrespect, aerogarden — you are awesome).
On Saturday, I hauled myself over to Ginkgo Gardens (hat tip to Amanda for the recommendation!) and actually forgot my list of all the things I needed for my $50 garden. I figured I’d just wing it and probably end up okay. And I did. The ever so helpful Peter and Ginko Gardens hooked me up.
I got 3 basil plants, a tomato plant, pots for both plants, soil and a little fence for about $60. Not bad — and I didn’t have to actually build anything. When I laid out everything, it looked like this:
I got to work filling my pots with the super awesome, organic soil I purchased and once that was done, this was what everything looked like:
Finally, I added the plants, watered the seeds and then added the fence. Ta-da! I now have a very tiny garden. I’m so excited to eat fresh basil and tomatoes — and so happy to have another thing crossed off THE List!
#8 Make a new recipe each week, pt. 7
Posted by: project30in2012 on: May 9, 2012
AKA, what I made last night.
Last night I made my first recipe from Giada’s new cookbook. I had gone grocery shopping on Sunday and decided that I would make Balsamic Glazed Salmon for my man friend. I had bible study that evening until 9pm, so I set out all my ingredients (it wasn’t that many!) and the recipe before I left for that so that I could start cooking immediately when I got home.
The actual preparation was quite simple. The fish got olive oil, salt and pepper and then cooked for about 15 minutes on 400. While that was happening, everything else went into a pot on the stove to simmer and make the glaze. Once I got the glaze going, I quickly made brown rice and sugar snapped peas to go with the salmon. Dinner was on the table in about 15 minutes.
At first, I felt the glaze was a little vinegar heavy, but I actually started to really enjoy it after a few bites. My man friend loved it and insisted it was really good. I agreed. And it was a healthy dinner, which was great considering it was pretty late when we actually sat down to eat. Yay for being back on track with my cooking!
Up next: Crispy chicken with rosemary-lemon salt.
#12 Start my own urban garden, pt. 1
Posted by: project30in2012 on: May 3, 2012
I came across this great post on how to create a square foot garden for under $50. It’s awesome and I plan on giving it a shot next weekend. I’ll photograph my efforts, but in the interim check it out! Via http://FrugalDad.com
Source: http://FrugalDad.com
# 8 Make a new recipe each week, pt. 6
Posted by: project30in2012 on: May 1, 2012
So, what have I been cooking up lately? Quite a few delicious things. I changed up my usual go to pasta meal (whole wheat pasta, tomatoes, mozzarella, chicken sausage and broccoli) and swapped out the chicken sausage and broccoli for my shredded crockpot chicken and spinach. SO delicious and so simple.
I often find it a struggle to come up with interesting and tasty things to do with chicken breasts. Well this recipe solved that problem. It was simple (only 4 ingredients) and so incredibly yummy. Try it tonight!
Next on my list, is another crockpot recipe involving chicken, honey sesame chicken. How great does this look?
I mentioned my new Giada cookbook a couple of weeks ago. I must confess, I haven’t cooked anything from it yet. But, I’m planning on buying all the ingredients for a couple of recipes the next time I go grocery shopping. I’m out of town (for UVA Law reunion!) this weekend, so I’m trying to use up everything in my fridge before I go shopping. However, I will plan on reporting back on some of those recipes very soon!
Happy Cooking! 
Gettin’ Personal
Posted by: project30in2012 on: April 25, 2012
I know I’ve been drifting off from THE List, but don’t worry. I’m still knocking things off THE List. In fact, I just made a new recipe a couple of days ago, while cleaning my apartment. I just have so many other things going on in my life in addition to THE List that I want to share.
This past weekend my church hosted 700+ women here in DC for our Beautiful You Conference. And beautiful it was. In short, it was an amazing, God-filled, praise and worship filled weekend. And on top of that, it was really, really, really fun. My friend A who came can back me up on that. As a graduate of a women’s college, I’m always a fan of women coming together to do something incredible. And that is an apt description of this weekend. If you missed it, get at me about next year — it’s life changing, I promise.
The other major thing that is going on involves a new relationship. I know — I’m discussing a relationship (after saying I wouldn’t do that). Collect your jaw up off the floor I got a lot of feedback from friends saying that they wanted to hear about my relationships and they missed feeling like they were apart of my life. In hindsight, I think I knew there were some problems in my last relationship and so in response, I adopted a policy of not discussing it much in general. I think there is certainly a happy medium between sharing waaaaay too much information and having your closest friends know absolutely nothing about your life. In an effort to find that happy medium, I will say that I have recently begun dating a young man (whom I met at church, in case you are curious) and I am quite happy.
I know that it is so cliche to say it, but it is true. This relationship began while I was focusing on improving myself, and building my life. I wasn’t seeking it out, but rather I was just trusting that God was going to work within my life. I have no clue what will happen in the future — and that’s totally okay. I’m learning to just live in the present. It is so amazing how life rarely works out the way you imagined it, but it always works out.
Race + The Bachelor
Posted by: project30in2012 on: April 18, 2012
If you know me well (or even casually), you know that I am fan of The Bachelor. In fact, I hosted a watch party for the past season’s finale (see my friend Emily’s write up of our fun night watching The Bachelor: The Final Rose here). However, there is one thing about the show I do not love. Okay, there are many things about the show that I don’t exactly love, but tolerate because the cheesy, ridiculousness of it is too fun not to watch. But this one I can’t ignore — and you shouldn’t either. Each season before the cast is announced, I hold my breath. Is this going to be the season that one of my favorite shows finally introduces some diversity to the cast? Sadly, that answer has always been…no. And now, two potential black bachelors from Tennessee have decided to do something about it. The men are alleging that they have been denied an equal opportunity for consideration for the show based on their race. They are filing their lawsuit today and I think it will be very interesting to watch how this plays out, both legally and socially.
Once the complaint is filed, I may follow up with some legal analysis, but I’d like to discuss the other things going on here. As a loyal Bachelor watcher, I am (as are many of my friends) constantly bothered by the lack of diversity — both for the actual Bachelor / Bachelorette and the potential suitors. But I do recognize that it’s a complex issue. According to a 2010 Pew Center Study, 14.6% of new marriages in the United States in 2008 were between spouses of a different race.¹ While this is a large increase in interracial marriage, this means that 85.4% of new marriages were between spouses of the same race. On a show like The Bachelor, where (don’t laugh) marriage is the end goal, what do these statistics mean? Is it reasonable to assume that the average Bachelor or Bachelorette wants to date folks that look just like them? I don’t know.
What I do know is that it seems beyond ridiculous that of the 25 or so potential suitors, the closest recent seasons of the show have come to casting a person of color is the orange, over-tanned women of last season. Is it so implausible that perhaps the Bachelor / Bachelorette might be more interested in a great, attractive, successful person of color? It is not. Especially when you consider some of the absolute duds (and I’m being kind here) the show casts. The reality is the Bachelor / Bachelorette doesn’t connect with most of the potential suitors. Typically, at least half are sent home the first night. Certainly, the producers and casting agents could easily introduce some diversity. But should they?
I’ve tried to imagine what “diversity” might look like on The Bachelor. Yes, we have come a long way from Loving v. Virginia², but as some recent events have made clear, race is still a major issue in the United States (and of course, other countries). For example, how would black women respond to say, a black bachelor who only had white women as his potential suitors? I think it’s fair to say that there would be some pushback. Which is why what “diversity” would look like on The Bachelor is so important. No one wants to see someone they consider just a token. So what’s the right answer? I think that the show should reflect reality — which is to say, my reality (yes, this is selfish but it’s my blog and my vision ). In my mind, the cast would reflect my life: colorful and awesome. That may be a pipe dream. But while I don’t know how much traction the law suit will get, if it brings about some change to one of my favorite shows, that won’t be a bad thing.
What do you think?
1 See: http://pewsocialtrends.org/files/2010/10/755-marrying-out.pdf
2 The seminal Supreme Court case that declared laws against miscegenation (interracial marriage) unconstitutional.
Puppy Love
Posted by: project30in2012 on: April 17, 2012
I have no clue how I have not written a post dedicated to my awesome pup, Sasha. Well, there’s no time like the present!
I got Sasha when she was eight weeks old. I was in the middle of studying for the bar exam (note: I do not recommend bringing home an eight week old puppy when you are studying for the most important test of your career). As cute and tiny (10 pounds) as Sasha is now, she was even more adorable when I first brought her home. She was 1 pound, 11 ounces. Look!
Yeah, I know. As Sasha has grown, she’s become a truly great dog. She’s laid back, friendly, loves pretty much everyone, and alerts me to anyone who approaches my front door.
They say that people with pets live longer and I totally get it. There are few things better than coming home and being welcomed by puppy kisses and a happy, wagging tail. The other great thing is that Sasha is just like me. She loves bacon, naps on the couch and has the same exact expression on her face that I do when I’m woken up in the morning:
Puppy love is the best!
Cities I love: Atlanta
Posted by: project30in2012 on: April 12, 2012
Next up in my Cities I Love series is a city that is near and dear to my heart: Atlanta. Atlanta is so special to me because I feel like it was the first city I made mine.
I only lived in Atlanta for four years — from September of 2000 through August of 2004, but because I have visited so frequently since leaving it feels like I lived there forever. During the summers while I was in law school, I worked one state away and would frequently go visit friends in Atlanta for the weekend. To this day, there are few things more satisfying to me than riding on I-20, coming over the hill and seeing the beautiful Atlanta skyline.
When I lived in Atlanta, I had a lot of firsts. First time living away from home, first serious relationship, first internship, and more. The experiences I had are a large part of the reason why Atlanta is so special to me. But there is definitely more to my love of the ATL than my wistful college memories.
The food. Duh. Of course I was going to talk about the food. From The Varsity to Waffle House (which I ate so much my first year in college that I had to swear it off forever — I do still have fond memories even if I’ll never eat there again) to Houston’s, I ate well while I was in Atlanta.
The people. Southern hospitality is not a myth. The people of Atlanta (at least those that are from there – or other southern cities!) are gracious, kind and friendly. But beyond that, there is also a certain swagger about many folks in Atlanta that while may sometimes be over the top, definitely sets Atlantans apart from folks in other cities. Not to mention that some of my favorite people live in Atlanta.
The celebs. Atlanta is cool because while numerous celebrities and athletes live in the area, its not filled with crazy papparazzi like Los Angeles. Which means the odds of you encountering someone who you just finished watching on television or listening to on the radio is high. For example, I regularly waited on Shannon Sharpe (who, for the record, I have nothing nice to say about, so I will just leave it at that). I also met Usher, Tyrese, Tyler Perry and a very large rapper whose name I think was something ridiculous like Bonecrusher? Shaquille O’Neal once held the door for me as I was walking into my restaurant for my shift (he is gigantic. Wow). Magic Johnson once wowed me with his amazingly bright smile. The celebrities are out and about in Atlanta and if you are too, chances are you will eventually run into one.
So there you have it. Eight years after moving away, Atlanta remains a huge part of my life and is a city I visit any time I can.
Take what you love and make it how you love
Posted by: project30in2012 on: April 10, 2012
“Take what you love and make it how you love,” is a phrase oft repeated by some of the folks in my church. As I’ve tried to figure out what the heck I want to do when I grow up, I’m so excited that I’m moving closer and closer to taking what I love and making it how I love (and live).
I have always had an interest in education. When I was a senior in high school, I was elected as the Student Member of the Howard County Board of Education. This was my first foray into educational policy, but it wouldn’t be my last. In law school, I took an Education Law and Policy seminar that opened my eyes to some of the struggles of NCLB, Education Policy and in particular, how you can not examine education in a vacuum. I’ve come to understand that (like most social issues) education policy is an extremely complicated arena and through this understanding came the conviction that I deeply care about these issues.
As I’ve written about before, I’ve been blessed with wonderful educational experiences. I am well aware that not everyone is this fortunate. When I taught constitutional law and oral advocacy to students in Silver Spring, Maryland as a Marshall Brennan Fellow, I fell in love with educating students about their legal rights and about the law in general. I am not exaggerating when I say that was one of the most amazing life experiences I’ve had. It was incredible and led me to seek out my current position at The Washington Center, an educational nonprofit. At TWC, I’ve led a legal externship program for law students from across the country. I’ve had the opportunity to teach an externship seminar as an adjunct professor. And, perhaps most importantly, I’ve had the opportunity to work with an incredible team of highly dedicated individuals who are devoted to education. It has been incredible and I’ve been so happy at TWC.
Of course, just based on the fact that I’m discussing my experiences at TWC in the past tense, you can see where this is going. I’m in the middle of one of the most difficult break ups of my life. Particularly because no one is at fault. In all honesty, I wasn’t even looking for a new job. However, I met a young woman at a networking event and when she was telling me about what she did, I fell in love. She described a program where law firms partner with Street Law to begin creating a legal pipeline. A program where law firm attorneys teach diverse high school students the Street Law curriculum, as well as exposing them to legal careers. She managed that program, trained the law firm attorneys, kept the curriculum updated and also did some work on diversity in the legal profession. This job was designed for me! I applied on a lark because I simply could not fail to apply to my dream job. And I got it. I will be starting in August and I will be so sad to leave TWC but I am also thrilled. I’m thrilled that leading up to my 30th year, I’ve found my own way to make what I love both how I love and how I make my living.
And so, it was with a heavy heart that I turned in my resignation last week. Of course, I’m giving a ridiculous amount of notice. Which just means that my current coworkers have many months to celebrate getting rid of me What about you? Have you all found ways to “make what you love, how you love?” I sure hope so!
