so for Thursday, we’ll go to eat sushi or out somewhere and do the dress up and go out thing?  but for tomorrow, i planned something special that will also be casual, since you have a lot of work and such =).  apartment #XXX will become a pop up restaurant for the night!  The menu is below:

Crab and Shrimp Stuffed Sole

Honey Dijon Pan Seared Wild Red Snapper

Herb and Garlic Crusted Tri-Tip Roast

Desserts by Sweet Lady Jane, “No. 1 Patisserie in the world” -National Geographic ^^

Old Fashioned Chocolate

Dark chocolate cake filled with French chocolate buttercream and frosted with Belgian chocolate ganache, topped with a mound of imported chocolate curls.

Triple Berry Shortcake

Our most popular cake! It is a yellow butter cake filled with three layers of lightly sweetened whipped cream and layers of fresh berries: raspberries, strawberries and either blackberries or blueberries (based on market availability). Frosted with whipped cream and decorated with buttercream vines and fresh berries.

I also have a bottle of blood orange mimosa champagne =)

still have to finish working out decor as well. hopefully i can get it done!.

• I SURVIVED MY 1L YEAR!! Yes! It’s a miracle! All those days and nights and weeks and months that I wanted to give up — I didn’t. I can’t believe how close I came to giving up and pursuing another life path. I didn’t think I could do it — but I did. And I didn’t fail and I don’t have to retake any courses! I am beyond proud of myself for this. In addition, I look forward to this upcoming year. Although it won’t be easy, it will at least be more familiar which is what I had the most difficult time adjusting to. Also, I applied for the Entertainment/Media Concentration – one of several new concentrations Loyola will offer starting next year — to gain practical experience and take career-related courses. I am sooo excited to finally be able to take classes I want to take! I think it will definitely make the torture that is law school bearable.
• Summer internship: I am a summer intern/fellow with Loyola Law School’s Center for Restorative Justice. What is restorative justice? It’s a more humane way of dealing with crime/conflict — instead of the traditional punitive model which simply locks offenders in jail forever, restorative justice focuses on restoring both victim and offender to their optimal selves. Of course, I’m still trying to gain a deeper understanding of RJ and will continue to do so. Thus far however, I LOVE my internship. And I’m not just saying that for brownie points or to impress future (and current) employers — I truly enjoy the work I’ve been doing. Here’s a rundown of what I have done/will do:
• Basic Mediation & Victim Offender Restitution Services Training – Thus far, I have completed my basic mediation training via the Centinela Youth Services in Hawthorne (yup, street cred). CYS is a wonderful organization providing mediation services to LA’s most at-risk youth and their families. I will be doing the Victim Offender Restitution Services type mediation, which makes youth accountable to their victims via mediation. I’m excited to use the skills I’ve learned. During our basic mediation training, we were lucky enough to be taught by an awesome father-son duo – Dixon & Gregory Dern. They were patient and empathetic, and wonderful teachers. At the end of our VORS mediation training, we were evaluated by professional mediators. It was nerve-wracking but I’m glad I did it. I am very excited to actually get started (once my Live Scan is cleared) and mediate!!
• Youth Poetry Summit – CRJ had its first-annual Youth Poetry Summit on June 3rd. Several youth groups and organizations, including Homeboy Industries, Youth Mentoring Connection, Youth Justice Coalition, InsideOUT Writers, and Street Poets, attended and shared their stories in Robinson Courtroom.
• The amount of courage it took for these youth (ranging in age from middle school to young adults) to stand in front of a room full of people and share their experiences was astonishing. Especially in a “courtroom” which some of them expressed was “all too familiar.” Some of their stories were f*cked up to say the least, which made it even more so impressive that they managed to set their lives straight and leave behind their sullen past. Mad props. It definitely made me rethink the old adage of “pulling one’s self up my the bootstraps.” I’ve always thought, if someone wants something bad enough, all they need is the drive to make their dream a reality. But it’s definitely not so simple.
• Listening to them recount the reasons why youth join gangs – mainly for protection, but also because of social norms, family norms (some of them have generations of gang members), I tried to place myself in their shoes and questioned whether I would have got this far in life (despite my past), if I had been cultivated in the same situation. And to be frank, I don’t know.
• CRJ – Another Way: Restorative Justice for Youth - CRJ also had its first-annual symposium. There were over 150 people from the RJ community in attendance. Although I was not able to experience the entire day (intern duties), I did get to sit in on a couple of sessions.
• The most powerful was the keynote speaker – Azim Khamisa. His story is absolutely touching. Khamisa’s 20-year-old son Tariq, was shot and killed by a 14-year-old gang member while he was delivering pizza as a part-time job to help pay for college. Tony Hicks (the former gang member) was the first minor tried as an adult in California history. Instead of forever hating his son’s murderer, Khamisa forgave Hicks, and his foster grandfather. In fact, Khamisa and Hicks’s grandfather currently work together through the Tariq Khamisa Foundation to bring the message of “victims on both sides of the gun” to millions of people around the world. Khamisa is also petitioning for Hicks’s early release and offered him a job at the foundation once he gets out of prison. Khamisa’s capacity for forgiveness is truly inspiring. Also, he’s a genuine, non-self-important person. I got the chance to meet and speak with him and he is a very kind man. 
• Expungement and Record Sealing Clinic – The huge project I am working on is creating an expungement and record sealing clinic at Loyola for people who want to turn their lives around. I have observed two clinics thus far: 1) LAW Project of Los Angeles (Legal Assistance for Workers with past criminal convictions) in Crenshaw, and 2) A New Way of Life/UCLA Law Re-entry Legal Clinic in Watts. (More street cred!). Both clinics are different models of helping people with prior criminal convictions file petitions and the necessary forms to help dismiss those convictions and start working.
• Why would anyone waste their time helping former convicts get employment? Shouldn’t they just deal with the consequences of their actions and be unemployed?
• While a lot of people have this perception about such clinics, it’s a different story when you actually sit down with the clients and hear their stories. And regardless of whether someone commiserated with and/or believes their stories, do we really want them living off of federally funded programs the rest of their lives and not being productive members of society? How is that a solution to our taxpayer’s monies? It’s not.
• That’s my personal take on the situation. I believe that everyone deserves a second chance, especially since these clients have demonstrated their remorse and are actually out in communities trying to make a difference. This form of restoration makes sense from an emotional and economic standpoint.
• Anyway, I know I have A LOT of work ahead of me and it’s already mid-July. Insane. But I am up for the challenge.

So… since I last blogged, I got my California Driver’s license!! Yay!! I am soooo proud of myself!! (To my friends, I am totally sorry you’re hearing for the 10 millionth time) I passed on the first try with 10 errors. Totally was NOT expecting to pass on the first try. I was beyond nervous and could not stop freaking out while I was waiting in the car. I HATE taking tests, especially because I always psych myself out and lose my focus during an exam, but luckily my test instructor was very calm and nice. And she didn’t laugh at me while I took several deep breaths  (aka hyperventilated) before we began – although I am sure she wanted to. lol.

Anyway, with that out of the way, I’m currently in search for a moderately priced used car, preferably a Corolla. Yes, I’m going to be styling! lol. But seriously, if you know anyone (preferably someone not shady) who wants to get rid of their small, automatic car, let me know. As I’m going through this process of becoming a full-fledged adult, I’m realizing that driver’s insurance, especially in LA, is crazy expensive! :/ No wonder why so many people go uninsured. It’s a huge risk but I guess they have to chose between car insurance or other basic expenses, like food.

Ok random tangent but, speaking of uninsured motorists (and I do NOT mean that in an offensive way) — I just saw the movie, “A Better Life,” the other week. The movie focuses on an illegal immigrant father (from Mexico) who slaves away as a day laborer in the ghettos of L.A. to provide for his unappreciative teenage son (a U.S. citizen). As fate would have it, the father acquires a truck from his old boss and starts his own landscaping/gardening business — only to have the truck and equipment stolen by another day laborer, the first day on the job. The plot is pretty predictable, in terms of father-son bonding/understanding and the adventure that ensues, but the ending made me cry so much. It renewed my appreciation for my status as a U.S. citizen (fitting subject on the 4th of July right? lol) and for what I have in general – an education, a chance at furthering my education, a safe place to live, food, clean water, a dog, etc.

It also answered the question of why poor people have children even though they cannot afford to give them the best in life. I won’t give away the ending or map out the epiphany, but let’s say it has to do something with love/human connection, etc. Not that I’m being insensitive, but I’ve always wondered why people have children if they do not have sufficient means to provide them with a comfortable life. It’s irrational and illogical. Why not wait, or just not have kids at all? But it’s not that easy. The older I get, the more I realize how complicated my idealized notions of life actually are.

Ok. I’m hungry. So I’ll end my post here. But be on the lookout for more posts coming soon. I took a hiatus from blogging because I’ve realized that some of what I say may really be tmi for future employers, but like everything in life (including judicial opinions), it’s a balancing test — balancing my need to say what I think with, being hired.

Take care! Have a fun & safe 4th of July!!

                Betty Fusako Uchiyama was more than a brief obituary entry, more than an old lady who died. She was my mother, best friend, and the most important person in the world to me. And to those who knew and loved her, she was an inspiration – a lively and selfless woman.

                It’s difficult for me to share snippets of her life without feeling like for each memory relived, I’m giving pieces of her away. But, no matter what I say, nothing will bring her back, nor will my words ever justify her existence. But I know if she were listening to this she would “tsk” at me and say, “An’ den? Why, never mind! Just do it!” So, here goes: 

                My grandma was funny. Once I whined to her about how college was making me fat. She lifted up her shirt, grabbed her pasty belly and said – “eh look at ‘dis! I mo’ bigga than grandpa. Almost twice as big!” I stared at her in disbelief, as she started to ‘bus laugh. Soon, we were both laughing like a bunch of lolos.

                I also remember secretly giggling about her commentary whenever she and grandpa watched TV. If it was “The Price is Right,” it went something like this: “Ai, look da lady – hoo da fat ya? How she going spin the wheel?” If it was the local news, she would say: “Ai, hala. I’m glad the police caught that bad man.” I could always count on her to give a passionate and unfiltered response.

                My grandma was also patient. I remember her tirelessly trying to teach me the Japanese Hiragana alphabet when I was 7 or 8 – tracing the characters with her finger on the book, then being enthusiastic when I drew a completely different character, several hundred times. She would peer up at me from her giant glasses, laugh and encourage me to try again.

                I also remember the first time she taught me how to crochet. After years of watching her transform yarn into warm and colorful blankets, booties, and potholders, I decided that I wanted to do it too. Sure it took weeks to convince her that my 11-year-old clumsy fingers were ready to artfully use the thin metal needle, but she finally gave in. It also took several weeks for me to master the basic stitch, but despite the tangled messes and lost needles, she would gently mold my awkward fingers in her soft hands and guide me through the same process.

                My grandma was selfless. She chauffeured me around for years, from one activity to another in her little green Toyota Corolla. As soon as the school bell rang, or when my shift at Subway or The Garden Island newspaper was done, I knew where to find her – sitting in her car, windows rolled down, with her glasses on, solving a crossword puzzle. She never complained about waiting in the hot sun while I took my time getting to the parking lot or questioned why I chose such a packed schedule. She was willing to make sure I got where I needed to go – despite it cutting into her personal time with friends or her exercise classes.

                She would also always make sure people she visited, or who I visited, never went empty-handed. I would always roll my eyes or be embarrassed when she insisted someone take a cube of Pepsi, or a bag of arare, or a plate of mochi, but it was important to her that she made someone happy and feel loved.

                She would always tell me she loved me and was proud. Even when I sassed her or did the exact opposite of what she advised, she still supported me. Even when I went away to college, she still made her love for me known. She would send me boxes of Hawaiian Host Caramacs (my favorite), enclosed with handwritten letters about the nice weather and what she and grandpa were up to, and as always, something crocheted.

                Though these memories are insignificant to some, they shaped me from a misguided, pre-teen full of angst to an ambitious, young woman. I only wish she was still here to witness the rest of my journey. But I take consolation in knowing she is in a better place now, free from the suffering she endured during her last moments. Although she led a simple life, it was one full of joy and excitement to her – one that I aspire to emulate.

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads This blog is doing awesome!.

Crunchy numbers

A Boeing 747-400 passenger jet can hold 416 passengers. This blog was viewed about 3,000 times in 2010. That’s about 7 full 747s.

In 2010, there were 40 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 55 posts. There were 33 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 39mb. That’s about 3 pictures per month.

The busiest day of the year was April 18th with 100 views. The most popular post that day was Unemployment stats & defining wealth.

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were facebook.com, twitter.com, and digg.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for taren fujimoto, admitted from wait list timing southwestern law school, and cruise ship employee living space.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

Unemployment stats & defining wealth April 2010

About Me September 2008

Project 2 November 2008

Project 1 September 2008

Final Project December 2008

Title: I’m Posting every week in 2011!

I’ve decided I want to blog more. Rather than just thinking about doing it, I’m starting now.  I will be posting on this blog at least once a week for all of 2011.

I know it won’t be easy, but it might be fun, inspiring, awesome and wonderful. Therefore I’m promising to use The DailyPost, and the community of other bloggers with similar goals, to help me along the way, including asking for help when I need it and encouraging others when I can.

If you already read my blog, I hope you’ll encourage me with comments and likes, and good will along the way.

Signed,

Taren Fujimoto

1. Breathe. I’m always so busy trying to do a million things at once and rarely slow down to appreciate the things I have now. I need to remember to live in the moment than always contemplating and worrying about the next 10 things I need to do. Life is more rewarding that way. I also have neglected to meditate — something I love doing and helps to regulate the craziness that is my life. It’s a mere 10 minutes for a few hours, even a day of mindfulness.
   

   AUM

2. Stay focused. Procrastination is my kryptonite. OK, so I’m not a slacker by any means, but I know I should cut out some of my unnecessary and mind-numbing activities aka Facebooking, Twitter, texting, etc. While it may stir up spite, confidence, and drama — it’s usually a waste of time beyond the quick notification check. (Don’t lie, I know you do it too).
   

   Story of my life.

3. Just do. Ha. I’m so clever. I shortened the infamous Nike slogan. Werd. No, but seriously, I realize I worry too much about the outcome of things instead of actually doing them ASAP. Of course I get important things done, but in terms of personal matters, I tend to put them off because either I dread doing them, or I’m worried about making the outcome perfect. However, I need to grow a pair and just do.
4. Being imperfect. Ok. let’s be frank. I hate not doing things perfectly. I must be perfect, otherwise, what is life for, right? Yes, so many things wrong with this ideology. And believing in it has gotten me in trouble before. I think I’m almost done entertaining this, but not quite. Thus, I need to work on accepting and working with my imperfections and not be afraid to fail. Doing something wrong is better than not doing it at all.
   

   Hmmm...looks familiar

5. Exercise. Ah, exercise. The love-hate relationship. I hate motivating myself to do it, but when I do it, I’m addicted. I’m on an adrenaline high. For three days. But this time around, I think I can manage a routine, especially since I have a gym in my building. No excuses, right?   
   

   Scary but true. Stay active!

“make sure u decide what u enjoy.. Don’t let any1 tell u what being a success means!!!!!”

I literally sat straight up from slouching over my desk. Wonderful advice. And uncanny timing as I’ve mulled over this for some time.

You define your own success. This is something I have trouble comprehending. In general because I’m a crazed perfectionist (read: a little less since high school, but the bulk of it is still there) but especially now in law school where your worth = school rank x class rank. It’s definitely a harsh way of reducing the multi-talentedness and ambition of a person, but that’s life. It’s easy to get sucked into this mythos, and transcending it is more difficult. It’s something I’m trying to work on, especially for next semester.

In the meantime, I’ll be working on it via relaxing, reading, and feeding my face. Cheers.