Monday, May 25, 2009

Graduation Weekend

The Pepperdine School of Law graduation was last Friday. It was so exciting. Kent's parents came out to stay with us and to come to the graduation. The Graduation was out on Alumni Park and although the weather couldn't have been better, it did get pretty hot - especially for Kent with all robe, hood and cap. He was "melting". He thought he better take advantage of his one legitimate opportunity to wear a "cape" like Superman and strike a pose. We all thought we would humor him. It was a great day.> The commencement speakers gave some really great speeches. Much better than I expected. The main messages that stood out were, no matter how successful you are in your profession and how much you accomplish, you are replaceable - there will always be someone else waiting to full your shoes, BUT to your family you are irreplaceable. The other speaker said that the most important thing he thought he could share with new attorneys entering the law profession was to "Enjoy your life", that if you don't make time for your family and serve in an area of law that speaks to you or has purpose - you may be successful, but you won't be happy and enjoying your life and your family is more important than earning the highest salary. We went out to eat at Paradise Cove afterward then enjoyed an evening in the pool at home. Saturday we went to The Getty Museum. I've been wanting to go since we moved here, and was grateful to have Kent's parents to give me a good excuse. It was really amazing. Aside from all the painting, furniture, sculpture, photography, and drawings, there were breath taking gardens. They also had a kid zone that we all played in of course. They had this cool room with all these mirrors and a back drop for interesting photo opps. It was pretty cool. We spent some time at the beach, and walked the Hollywood walk of fame. It was a good time and tomorrow I go back to work. I still need to add some pictures from our Utah trip. I got some great food shots of Sammy and Jello and Nathan with a whole fortune cookie in his mouth. Plus a special bonus picture of Kent, my dad and I doing "Scary face" which is a family joke after I started the tradition as a three year old. So, since I don't seem to have much time to write, I will at least upload the Utah pictures soon and let this post be the official description for them. I am now going to enjoy the rest of my Memorial Day watching Mr. and Mrs. Smith with Kent. I hope every one else had as good of a holiday as I did. Too bad it can't last longer. It's been such a nice weekend with family in town. See ya later!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Exciting News!

Sorry, I'm not pregnant, but KENT PASSED THE BAR! We just found out last Friday and have been celebrating ever since. We were even more relieved when we found out that only 33% of those who took the test actually passed. So it is finally offical. Kent is a licenced attorney and will get sworn in on June 2. I have a lot to blog, but so little time so I promise to post soon about our recent trip to Utah and Kent’s graduation.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Ben Stein confession

I received this as an email chain letter from my dad, while most are entertaining I usually don't share them with others. As I read this I realized that I was not the only one who feels that in the fight for equality (which I believe in), we have created inequality the opposite direction. I must be tollorant of others, which I feel I am, in order to be respectful, and it's just the right thing to do, but because I am in the majority, others do not have to be respectful or tolorant to me. Hmmm. Sounds equal doesn't it. Anyway, here is the story...

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.

My confession:
I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a crèche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.

Ben Stein