[travel notes]

  • The Story of My Flag

    There has been a lot of media attention surrounding the United States flag due to Colin Kaepernick’s decision to sit during the national anthem. And while I may have differing views from him, this post isn’t a deconstruction of those views. Instead, it’s my story of my flag. Ask any kid who grew up on…

  • A(nother) Beginning

    au•gust noun, the eighth month of the year adjective, respected and impressive It is not surprising that the month of my birth is a time of reflection. I have many more regrets than I care to admit and I’m sure many more accomplishments that I brush off too quickly. And this year, I find myself having difficulty…

  • Muscle Memory

    I have decided that the best way to keep me honest about this “get healthier” routine is to post my accomplishments (and set backs) here. I never been one to post my daily food intake or the workouts I am doing. But obviously, that did not keep me in shape. Instead, I am setting up…

  • Stop the HEIGHT!

    Today, the Ninth Circuit decided that California’s Proposition 8 was unconstitutional. Twitter became abuzz with the news. After reading the decision, I understand the celebration but find that it will be short-lived. This decision was extremely narrow. Narrow. It did not even touch the issue of whether gay marriage is a constitutional right. In its…

  • Maybe Buddha was Right

    It’s been 28 years of life and I think I am closer to what I have been looking for than ever. That constant search for whatever more was outside my window has died down.  I find myself looking more within, being more content with what I have rather than what I want. And it is…

  • One Nation under Canada

    I’ll be the first to admit, I did not watch the U.S. Open.  I’m still of the mind that golfers should run after the ball after hitting it, but I digress.  What I took away from the 2011 U.S. Open is the same as most people who heard about it second-hand: NBC omitted “Under God”…

  • “Free Speech” – You Keep Using that Phrase

    Dana Loesch brought Andrew Sullivan’s take on the Wonkette situation to my attention.   In his post, Sullivan said: I feel as queasy about this flexing of Palinite muscle as I do about the original, disgusting, asinine story. In some ways, I see a legitimate come-uppance for a tacky site that published a simply inexcusable…

  • Do As I Say, Not as I Do

    It is always easier to give advice or mandates for others than to actually do it.  I am guilty of such and I am sure that many of us are.  But, when I do it, it does not hit as hard as, say, when the President does it. President Obama’s energy plan includes encouraging Americans…

  • Cosmetic Application of the First Amendment (or “I Cast a Spell on You”)

    This past week has been an eye-opener for me when it comes to protecting the rights under the two religion clauses of the First Amendment.  You know the two I’m talking about: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”  The Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise…

  • On the Other Side

    It’s been four and a half days since I completed the California Bar Examination.  To say I haven’t done much is an understatement.  I think today was actually the first day where I went beyond a 5-mile radius from my room.  Most of the time has been spent watching seasons of The West Wing and…