Hoping for Better Days

As some of you may know, my step-father took ill last weekend and has spent the last week in the hospital with a fairly serious internal infection and other complications. He has quite a road ahead because the infection needs to dissipate before surgery and, ultimately, recovery. My mother, the ultimate powerhouse, is amazing holding down the fort, making regular visits to David, and still managing to take care of everyone else.

I'm hopeful that better days are not far away, but your thoughts and prayers directed their way would be greatly appreciated.

A new day means a new distraction.

Today, I can't stop thinking about bianco carrara marble. George loves it, and I've agreed to use it in our third (and final) bathroom remodel. Nevermind that this project is not going to get underway for many, many months; I still cannot stop thinking about all the ways that we can use this fun stone in the last bathroom. Shower surround. Counter top. Sink. Backsplash. Half walls. Trim. The possibilities are endless. Besides, marble is a lot more fun than bar essay writing.

They're serious.

It's difficult to put the bar prep experience into words, but this article explains it pretty well.

Bytheway, Day 19 is the Rule Against Perpetuities. It's famous for being impossible to understand, and the California Supreme Court, in Lucas v. Hamm, ruled that it is so difficult to get right that a mistake involving the RAP does not constitute the basis for a malpractice claim.

My Day in Numbers

It started with 2 extra hours of sleep and 1 cup of coffee.

And it continued with the following:

9 practice essay answers [three 45-minute ones; six 22-minute ones]

5 loads of laundry

1.5-mile run (most of it with George)

1 trip to the supermarket (with George)

Phew.

It is time to DREAM.

Although immigration is often given the face of the person sneaking across the border, there are so many immigrant stories and situations. When I read this article, it reminded me of how little attention is paid to the immigrants who were brought here as minors, grew up in the United States, and either want to pursue or already have pursued higher education or military service. Under the current system, there is no way for them to legalize their status while remaining here.

The DREAM Act provides a solution. As proposed, it provides a pathway to permanent residence through a higher education or military service for individuals who were brought to the U.S. as minors, graduated from a U.S. high school, have good moral character, and have been in the U.S. continuously for five years immediately prior to passage. I understand that it also applies retroactively for those who meet the requirements and have already completed the higher education or military requirements.

Although their passports say otherwise, these youth are American at heart. Aside from the humanitarian aspect of allowing them to remain near family and established roots, it makes economic sense. The U.S. taxpayer has given them a public education, and, without immigration reform, they may never have the opportunity to legally work in this country. Regardless of the circumstances that brought them to this country as infants and children, they now want to live and work and contribute to the place they call home. And why shouldn't they?

It is time to DREAM.

Disclaimer: This is not legal advice and should not be relied upon.