Almost Home and 10 things I hate about NYC :) 

Tuesday, December 21, 2010 - Posted by Intellectual Elegance at 10:18 AM
Happy Holidays everyone!

Hopefully, the hubs and I will make it on a plane together for home tomorrow. We fly standby and we've heard it's a zoo at the airport, but I have faith that we'll get on the flight! I am very much looking forward to coming home and relaxing with family and friends.

It's not that I am not enjoying NYC, but I miss my family a lot, so this will be a nice treat for me. Yesterday, as we were heading to IKEA, for what seems like the 100th time, we talked about how much we actually do like NYC. But then, as we were carrying an 80 lbs bookshelf up three flights of stairs, I realized there were some things I hate about NYC. So here they are for your consideration.

1. There are no elevators in my building.
--- This is my fault and I will own up to it. Bad news is that we live on the 3rd floor. Good news is that it's a short flight of stairs. Bad news- carrying heavy items up the stairs sucks. badly. ask my thighs. Yesterday we had to carry an 80 lb bookshelf all the way up and let me tell you. It was not fun at all. As a matter of fact, those type of events put me in a bad mood for about 10 minutes, then I get over it.

2. I hate walking up from St. Nicholas.
--- This is the stop that Mando takes, or makes me take home when we are together, but it's a crappy 2 block up hill battle to our apartment! And if you are passed St. Nick at Frederick Douglas Blvd., well it's even worse! This is where we pick up our zipcar and drop it off, and I despise walking home from here after we drop off the car! boo.

3. Morning Subways
--- This sucks because I feel like a sardine when I'm in and like a timid puppy when I'm out! From 8-10am, the subway cars are jam packed with people getting downtown to work. I wouldn't mind it so much except that some people stink, sometimes I can't touch the pole so I don't fall and it leaves me molesting everyone next to me since I lose my balance, and people are all up in your face. Now, when I successfully get off and try to get on my next train, well that's a whole other story. I am still getting used to using my "big girl" voice as the hubs calls it, so I struggle to get on to an already jam packed train. I usually sound like a whimpering puppy trying to get in. Sometimes, I get so nervous or so annoyed that people won't let me in that I have to wait until the next train arrives. Then that makes me late. boo.

4. BAD chinese food
--- I love Chinese food. Usually, it's either super great or really crappy. Lately, when we order out, the food is horrible and it makes me angry! I figured it would be easy to find great and cheap chinese by our house, but no. It's been awful. One place I went to looked ok from the outside, but when I got home and looked at the chicken in the chicken fried rice, it looked like shaved baby chicks! It was awful and it made me angry and I threw it away. That goes for some of the Gyro carts too. They are awful!

5. One errand = One hour
--- If you have to run an errand in NY, it's going to take you around an hour. Even if it is right by our house, it is still going to take you one hour. I think that is why they call it the NY minute.

6. Nobody smiles
--- I've been complimented so many times on my smile, or people will ask me why I smile so much. I never thought it was weird, but here, they don't really smile or say hello. Odd right?

7. Dunkin Donuts Sucks
--- I am used to donuts from Lamar's back home, now those are real donuts, not these sissy ones out here that are nasty! On every street corner here you see a Dunkin Donuts. They're not horrible but they are not good and that makes me sad too.

8. The Wind at South Street
--- I swear that the wind is waiting to really gear up the moment it see's me coming up the train stairs. The wind by the ferry is ridiculous. Especially when it is really cold out. I feel like I am gearing up for battle or for a lunar walk everytime I exit the South Ferry train station. I put my gloves on, then I tuck them into my sleeves with my fleece over the gloves, then my scarf, then my hat, then my hoodie.. check. check. check and I'm off! I feel like it slaps me hello everytime!

9. Spitting
--- Men spit everywhere, everyday, all the time! It's disgusting! They'll even see you walking towards them and they still spit! It grosses me out so bad and I believe it's absolutely rude! Especially the ones that they gargle from their nasal pasage or throat and then spit! Ugh- I can't even talk about it I'm so grossed out.

and the biggest thing I hate... is...

10. Homelessness in NYC
--- Homelessness in NYC is unlike anything I've seen back home. I can't say that it is the worse ever, because I believe that title goes to India. But the homeless conditions in NYC are extreme. Recently Mayor Bloomburg decided to cut the funding for Youth Shelters. Coupled with the fact that only a few youth shelters exist, this is a devastating blow for homeless youth. You see alot of them on the trains, performing for some money. You also see homeless adults with no shoes, no coats or jackets, no socks, nothing, begging for anything you have to offer. You see them on the trains or sleeping in the train stations. I made mando and I check on one person who I thought was dead or injured in one subway station, but then I saw them move and realized they were just asleep. :) I think I am going to get involved with some homeless initiatives in NYC because this is a tragic and devastating problem. It's not like home, it's on a much different level here, and I can't seem to understand how they survive the winters with no jackets, no socks or shoes!

In general- New Yorkers are a bit jaded when it comes to certain things and the homeless is one of them.

Sorry to end on such a bummer note, but on the bright side, there's always something we can do to help! And that's my plan.

You can always donate time or money to your local shelter too. Such as these places, and these places.

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Major Bummer 

Saturday, December 18, 2010 - Posted by Intellectual Elegance at 7:35 PM

Today was an incredibly disappointing day with politics in America. The DREAM Act was finally up for vote in the Senate after passing in the House, and we didn't get the votes to pass it on for a vote. Truly disappointing and incredible disheartening. It took us 10 years to arrive to today. 10 long years and I feel that both sides failed us. I've lost hope in politicians because today was simply about politics. No matter which way we explained the bill, haters on both sides used the same lies, scare tactics and hate to get votes against it. What good is it to have a representative in Congress when they don't listen to what you need? We made over 100,000 calls, probably even more, students and Dolores Huerta went on a hunger strike, and a caravan of undocumented students arrived at the capital in the last couple of months to urge their support. There were students in the senate hall, praying for a vote, and I bet all those cowards didn't have the decency to look at them when they voted no.

It's upsetting especially for the students who are literally facing deportation next year. Yesterday was my first day with my KIND client and it is a 15 year old boy who is a straight A student at school and fled his country because he was being chased by gangs. He came here by himself and now lives with his dad, siblings and uncles. He's working so incredibly hard and yesterday he told me about the DREAM Act and how he hadn't made his phone calls yet, but that as soon as he got home he would. It touched my heart and it made me realize a lot of things. More than anything I realized how urgent we need this legislation to pass and how much my heart and passion is in this work. I want to help undocumented and unaccompanied minors in the United States. That was my goal 10 years ago, and today and yesterday is a reminder that we keep fighting on for them. We put up a good battle for them. We push forward for them. We don't give up for them. It reminded me to have courage with the bar exam and not to be afraid to come into my profession because I am amazing at what I do and yesterday proved it.

I will not forget today and I will do everything in my power to make sure that those who voted against the bill WILL NOT be in politics EVER again. I think I even got sick because I was so upset. I have a stupid cold now. I don't know how yet, but a project is brewing and it will be seen around 2012. As I said in my facebook posting, we need to start the Cafe con Leche party because these politicians are not serving the needs of their constituents.

I'm upset and angry and will keep fighting for our cause.



To dream the impossible dream,
to fight the unbeatable foe,
to bear with unbearable sorrow,
to run where the brave dare not go...

To right the unrightable wrong,
to love pure and chaste from afar,
to try when your arms are too weary
to reach the unreachable star!

This is my quest —
to follow that star
no matter how hopeless,
no matter how far —
To fight for the right
without question or pause,
to be willing to march into hell
for a heavenly cause!

And I know
if I'll only be true
to this glorious quest
that my heart
will be peaceful and calm
when I'm laid to my rest.

And the world will be better for this
that one man, scorned and covered with scars,
still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable stars!
--Man of La Mancha


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It's cold and I think I've become a hippy in NYC and not in Boulder or Colorado... 

Thursday, December 16, 2010 - Posted by Intellectual Elegance at 10:04 AM

Hi there!

We experienced our first real snow fall in NYC this week! It did stick and it was beautiful, except for the slap-you-in-your-face-and-call-you-nancy cold! Mando and I kept saying over and over, "we're from Colorado, where polar bears are from, so how cold can it get?" Well, this week has been teetering in the low 20s-30s and it is FREEZING! It's even colder on the island, about 10 degrees colder!

The cold here is like a frigid acupuncture treatment on your face and any other area that is exposed. Lucky for me, I got the top of the line women's Northface jacket to keep out cold, wind, rain, snow, and republicans. Just kidding. It doesn't keep out the snow. Just kidding about republicans, some of them are super nice. Some.

Mando got a nice Northface too, but his doesn't cover his whole body like mine does. So, all in all, we are prepared for this cold. We even have Isotoner smart touch gloves that are water proof and allow us to use our touchscreen on our phones. Although, mine are too big, but there's nothing I can do about it since it said "one size fits all." They lied. I've also learned that long socks here are essential in the winter but hard to maintain. We, really I should say I, walk around so much that I keep tearing holes in my long socks.. it's quite annoying because then that one toe is really cold for the rest of the day. To make matters worse, our heater comes on when it feels like it then makes noises and shuts off. Our house is freezing, but thank goodness all of our stuff arrived so I have my snuggie again to keep me warm.

Anyways, here's why I feel like a hippy. You might notice a new button to the right of the welcome screen on the blog. This is a donation link for an organization called heifer.org. I came upon this organization during my daily CNN read. This article talked about the concept of giving on Christmas. Some of you might not know this about me, but I don't like giving senseless things on Christmas. I think as a child we love it because we get toys and clothes, but as an adult, I think it's an absolute waste of money. If you are going to buy something for someone, it should be meaningful, not something you found at Walgreens the day before. Giving for the sake of giving is dumb. I read this article and I fell in love with the idea of giving to charity for Christmas or Birthdays! For our wedding, Armando and I considered making a donation to a charity instead of having little mementos, but my crazy and lovely mexican mother didn't like that.

As I was reading the article, I particularly liked Heifer.org because of the work they do around the world. What a great concept, that you can go to your BFF's birthday dinner and inside her funny bday card is another card that says "you bought a flock of baby chicks!" These baby chicks help sustain a family somewhere in the world! You've helped them financially and generously.

Their mission is to work with communities to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth. By purchasing a flock of geese, chicks, a goat, a cow, etc., people can help others around the world in a such a simple way. If you bought someone a cow, they can milk it, breed it, eat it and make a living off of the animal. (Although I am sad that most of the animals will probably get eaten) I think this is a great idea! Now, don't worry, I am not becoming a vegetarian, but I think living in NYC really opens your eyes to the hyper consumer culture we live in and how dumb it is.

Along the same lines, I read another article today on NPR.org about how our electronics kinda help suppor the war in the Congo, with "blood minerals." Many of the wires used in our phones, computers, cameras, etc, come from the mines of Congo. Fortunately, Apple, has been ranked as one of the top companies trying to make an impact and stop using or changing the environment by which they gain these minerals for their products. But how do you boycott Apple? Microsoft? They run our technology...

The same goes for the clothing industry, much of what we wear, regardless of brand, is made by child labor. It's all conflicting and angering, but how do you really get around all this? You have to wear clothes right? And even if it is sweatshop free, where were the original materials made?

That is why I really like Heifer.org, because they offer a simple solution to a larger problem. But imagine, if you were to take those $200-300 we spend on family and friends on X-mas, you could buy families pigs, goats, cows, farms, etc! Or maybe just make home made gifts. I like those the best, because they mean something and they come from the heart. :)

Ok, i'm done with my random ranting, but I wanted to just share these thoughts with all of you this holiday. Make it meaningful, and think about what your $20 can do for others in the world! I am just thinking of who I am going to buy a flock of chicks to first.

Check out their blog.

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Sasnor Awards Continued 

Monday, December 13, 2010 - Posted by Intellectual Elegance at 1:37 PM

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend. I got furniture from IKEA so that was good, but my weekend flew by too fast. I did eat at a delicious Italian restaurant in Lil Italy, and it was phenomenal!

So, in honor of good food, and as I promised, here are more amazing spots to eat in Denver. I am going to start off with my favorite place to buy real, home made, italian shells, pasta, cheese, meats and yes MEATBALLS!!



Carbones Italian Sausage Deli

Carbones!! Located at 1221 W. 38th Ave, is more than delicious, it's an institution. They have been around forever, serving the best italian sandwiches you can find anywhere in the state. Everyday (except Sundays), you can find Rose, the lovely and older, foul mouthed, jokester owner of the shop. She still has an accent, and I am pretty sure that if I looked at her the wrong way, I would find a horse's head in my bed the next day! I kid, I kid, but she's amazing and a darling! She's always offering up free samples of everything! You must go in and try their meatball sandwich with peppers. Oh, just thinking about it makes me hungry and salivate. Once, I bought one on a Saturday as I was heading home from a volunteer event, and the smell alone was so tempting, that I ate the entire sandwich before I even got home! I was a little ashamed, but it was delicious. Any sandwich here is amazing, and the best part is that you can buy the meatballs and the sauce (Frozen or not) and take them home for later. This place just has amazing food in general, so if you're looking for something fancy to make for your dinner guests, you can find it all here at Carbones.

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Another good lesson learned… :) 

Friday, December 10, 2010 - Posted by Intellectual Elegance at 10:34 AM

I apologize for my delayed posts. I don't have an excuse, I've just been really tired. Sorry. :)

I think I can pretty much forget about hearing back from the Vera Institute, which is fine. I actually had the opportunity to tour some of the New York Harbor parks here, specifically Gateway. I got the opportunity to meet an amazing and talented person out of Fort Wadsworth, and hopefully, if all goes well, I will be helping them on a Latino initiative with their park. I also had the chance to meet someone who is in charge of youth engagement for their park, and that would be an ideal position for me, here at Governors or at some other park! Her position is exactly what I want to do, and I truly hope I get a chance to work with her soon. So, it was a great week because of that, but I did get a bit sick on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. I think it's my new vitamins, they mess up my stomach and it was bitter cold when I went walking around Jamaica Bay (bird watching, which is really fun!).

I am still getting used to my commute, I've missed my ferry twice this week, and it annoys me to all ends because I've missed it because I woke up late and because the train sat at the previous station for 10 minutes! So, I really can't afford to wake up late, but recently it's been hard because I haven't been sleeping very well at all, so the last thing I want to do is wake up in the morning.

We got the chance to go see the Knicks at Madison Square Garden this Monday! That was fun, but it took us forever to get to MSG. I tell you a funny story about Monday as well. I told my mom about it and she couldn't stop laughing. Here it goes…

So Monday, I decided to wear a skirt, with some cute pattern tights, and my flat black boots. (Which I love). So, I get on the first train and everything is going great until the second stop. I have to get off the train to catch the express train. I noticed how crowded and packed the train was, and I tried to push through with no success. So I decided to wait it out until the next one. The next one was delayed, and finally when it arrived I jumped on. Looking at my watch, I was still doing good time. I got off and got back on the original train to my final stop (South Ferry). The train sat in the freaking station for about 10 minutes, and then it waited at the next station for another 6-8 minutes. This is critical, because, if all goes well on my commute, I make it to the ferry station with 10 minutes to spare. So, this coupled with the fact that I had opted out of the second train made me late. I had 3 minutes to catch the ferry, so of course, as soon as the doors opened, I flew out and ran up the station, up the stairs, around the block to the ferry and too late… it was gone.

I realized at that moment that there was something burning on my thighs. I ignored it and called work and told them that I missed the ferry. They were fine with it, and just told me to catch the next one (they run every hour), but they asked if I could pick up cupcakes at Crumbs on Wall Street. I obliged because I had one hour to spend and I trusted that my phone would help me find it. It didn't. Stupid thing froze half way through the search and the walk, so I was on my own. I walked for a good 20 minutes through Wall Street asking for directions and with a painful burning sensation in between my thighs. I finally arrive, there's a line, I look at my watch and I now have 15 minutes to make it back. I wait and wait. Finally, my turn! I order the cupcakes (which are AMAZING!, if you come to NYC you must stop here!). Then I flew out of the bakery and stopped on the corner. I didn't know which way to go. So I went straight down the wrong direction! Stupid phone, I ran towards the waterfront because I knew that would lead me back to the ferry. What I didn't realize is that I had walked about a mile away from the ferry station. So, I looked at my watch, 8 minutes till the ferry leaves, and I started to run, no not run, sprint! I ran so hard that I didn't realize how bad my legs hurt. I ran as fast as I could, only to miss the ferry again. Fail. So, I sat there at the station, reading my paper and starting to worry about the pain I was feeling. I finally realized what had happened. With all the running I did that morning, the material on my tights had warmed up while rubbing together and had burned my skin. At first I thought it was a regular good ol' chaffing. But when I got to work, I realized that the actual "cute" pattern on my tights had actually burned itself into my inner thighs. Nice. Fail again.

So, I tried not to walk at work. But just in case, I grabbed some extra Retro 1950'sRanger pants and put them in my bag, because I realized I wasn't going to survive walking home or anywhere else for that matter, and I had agreed to attend the Knicks game. Thank goodness I have an amazing husband who saw me in pain and took me to buy some leggings at H&M. He's the best. That night, I saw the extent of my damage, and after showering and moisturizing my wounds, I was better in the morning. Not great, but better. I could walk at least. But I still have that pattern etched into my thighs. I wish I could take a picture, but that would be embarrassing (as if telling you this isn't already). I'm taking this as a lesson learned. Don't run in tights.

I promise to post more Sasnor Awards on Monday, so stay tuned for more delicious food spots in Denver.

p.s. Our furniture is on its way, it arrives Tuesday or Wednesday! Thank God!

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Videos from Governors Island! 

Sunday, December 5, 2010 - Posted by Intellectual Elegance at 9:57 AM
This is where I work. It shows my commute home and a little bit of the island. Did I mention it's abandoned? :) Well, not totally, there is a high school there with 400 students, but they catch the ferry with me everyday. No one lives on the island. :) ooy. enjoy. xoxox (I apologize for the poor quality. They were on my iphone.) :)







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Time to Hustle & Dance in the 99cent Store! 

Friday, December 3, 2010 - Posted by Intellectual Elegance at 11:07 AM

Great news, I received my first volunteer assignment with Kids In Need of Defense (KIND). This is absolutely, without a doubt, my dream organization to work for. They work with unaccompanied minors in the United States. This cause alone, is one of the reasons that I went to law school. I will begin volunteering with them as an interpreter between the children and the attorneys, and I get to stay with the same child throughout the entire process. So I get to gain their trust, and be with them through their ordeal. You have no idea how excited I am and how incredible this is.

I have looked up to this organization for years! I knew I wanted to do this kind of work since I was in undergrad! I applied to one of their open positions this fall, but I never heard back, which is ok. But I plan to show them that I am a hard worker so that if another attorney position opens up, then I can step right in! Ha. :) sneaky me. In reality, these types of organizations fuel my passion and my goal to pass the bar in July and to keep pushing through. :) It's all worth it in the end because we get to touch and change people's lives. That is what I love about the legal profession. So, that is why it is time to hustle and show NYC what I'm made of. :) Hard work, love, compassion and dedication. Time to jump in and start hustling to create my network and make myself known! BAM!

On a side note, I went grocery shopping last night with my homeless buggie. This is what I call the cart I use to carry my groceries. At first I was embarrassed, but then I remembered that I carried a small version of this all through law school. There are a few things that I LOVE about our neighborhood. First, there is a Taco Express truck two blocks over that has delicious tacos al pastor! They are pretty comparable to the ones at home and paisa hang out there every night. Second, there are some Mexicano shops that sell any Mexican product that I need. Three, The "Almost Everything is 99 Cents" store plays salsa and bachata while you shop. So, everytime we go in, Armando and I can stop dancing our faces off. It's quite funny and fun to watch everyone dancing while they do their shopping. I love it.

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you have a great weekend. I just want to sleep.

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Positive Energy and Thoughts needed... 

Wednesday, December 1, 2010 - Posted by Intellectual Elegance at 2:28 PM
Ok..

so i received funky news today from work. Apparently, the Federal Career Intern Program (FCIP) that i am under has been suspended. Good news is that i am grandfathered in so i still have a job (for now), bad news is that come February, the office here has to get creative if they want to hire me. But i know for a fact that their budget is not where they would like it to be, so it might not happen at all. Kinda had me worried for a little bit.

i started to browse through idealist.org, which is like a dreamers job bank, and came upon this position with the Vera Institute of Justice. I love this organization because of all the good and positive work they do for an assortment of communities across the US. The position is for a Program Associate for their Center on Immigration and Justice!!! I am sure they don't know this, but I am PERFECT for this position.

Vera's Center on Immigration Justice seeks a Program Associate to work primarily on two federally-funded projects that aim to improve police-immigrant relations through researching promising practices and trainings. Vera has a long history of collaboration with law enforcement to improve policing practices and service. Vera is widely acknowledged as one of a few national experts on police-immigrant relations. Its work positions it at the forefront of the policing field's growing interest in police-immigrant relations. The Program Associate will have a key role in currently funded projects, as well as in developing future projects.

Amazing right? All they need is someone with a JD like myself, and they are looking for someone who understands immigration law, criminal law, juvenile law and especially U-visas!!

So... i threw my name in the hat, because i believe i am worth their time and would be a valuable and enthusiastic asset for their organization. The hubbs has his dream job, now i want mine. This is where you come in. i am sending out all the energy in the world and into the universe so that it knows that i want this job badly! i need it badly! Can you please send me some of your good juju and positive energy so that this can maybe become a reality. i would surely appreciate it. ;)

Thanks all!

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You can stand under my umbrella, ella, ella, hey hey hey! 

Posted by Intellectual Elegance at 10:15 AM

Holy crap.

Today has been nuts. It's raining in NYC, and not just normal rain. It's like how Forrest Gump describes the rain in Vietnam. The rain here coupled with the wind is coming in from both sides, the sky and at one moment today, I was pretty sure it came up from the ground!

I have only experienced similar winds like today ONCE. And that was at the Great Sand Dunes in Southern Colorado. Here, they are stronger and wet. They were so intense today that the rain was stinging me like sand particles as I tried to walk to the deli. I was hyperventilating from so much water hitting my face and was walking slanted towards the wind. I am pretty sure I was the only moron walking down Whitehall Street in the middle of such crazy winds.

I thought about pulling out my umbrella, but that idea quickly passed over once I saw not one, not two, but three umbrella tops just tumbling down the street hitting people like gigantic spider tumbleweeds. I decided to keep mine in my purse and just allow the wind to have its way with me.

At one point I considered the idea that I might be in a tornado. That was the only way I could explain such ferocious wind. It had to be around 70-80 mph winds, maybe even more. I don't know. When I finally walked into the deli, the Mexicano (paisa) cooking staff couldn't stop laughing at me. They said that I looked like a wet and frightened cat. :( I imagine that's what I probably looked like.

Last note on the wind: It doesn't howl on the island, it SHRIEKS. I like wind, but I hate the sound of howling wind because it freightens me. Weird right? Of course, I have a gorgeous view of Fort Jay, but I am constantly looking over my shoulder because I feel that La Llorona is screeching outside my window! ooy.


Last night we went to go see the Rockefeller Tree Lighting ceremony. It was fun but I though overrated. We stood for 3 hours and listened to Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men (my fav), Susan Boyle, Jessican Simpson and Cherryl Crow. NYC is an absolute mess for these events. We now have been to the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade and the tree lighting. I hope to make it to NYE ceremony, but I don't know about standing in one place for 18 hours! The police here shut down certain streets that you can't walk on, so you have to walk 4 blocks down to cross and 6 blocks back up, and they block the subway tunnels so you can't go anywhere, then they don't tell you what's going on, so we all look like a bunch of herded sheep or goats, everyone yelling in their New Yorker accent at the cops and at each other. Honestly, getting there was so overwhelming that I panicked and wanted to go home. I was not in the best of moods.


Coming back home was nuts too. I don't think the hubs and I can go to those events unprepared and without the proper shoes to stand (and his stupid laptop! That thing is heavy!) It was fun and I am glad we did it, but good lord I was annoyed.


Tonight, if I don't get blown away, I might try to cook something at home. We'll see, I am already tired! ha!

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