Chicago II

Hi Everyone,

This week was my first full week at my internship, and I already have had a disaster. I was entering data on the client database to update our records before we sent out our annual mass mailing in June and July, and the database crashed, erasing about 100 files or so of legal information. It was absolutely terrifying to watch all that data delete and realize that I couldn't bring it back. Worse yet, the deletion hit the backups too, which was incredibly confusing to both the staff and the computer maintenance guy.

On a better note, I did a few cool things this week. First, I read over a complete legal case file and drafted my first legal memo based on that. This was interesting because basically, a memo is a shortened version of the case, and tells the judicial opinion, the logic behind it, and the ultimate conclusion.

Second, on Friday, I got to see my bestie, Kathryn Valencia. She was visiting Chicago because her brother was competing in a Magic tournament, so we went tons of places. We went to the outlet mall, where we got lots of food and gifts for people back home.

Thirdly, I got to see my dad and his partner Enrico. This was only for a brief time, as most of our adventures will occur next week. So far, so good!

I'm doing well, I think. Except for the whole database thing; thought I'd get fired for that.

Have some pics of things:

At the Smith Stained Glass museum

Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier

A+ Disney Store.  

What's a trip to Chicago without the obligatory Sears Tower photo?

Chicago I

Hey All!

I've been in Chicago a week, so I figure that I would give you an update as to how I am doing.

First, I just adore the family and home I am staying in. The family is so nice and helpful, and I like that I got to know them through Carleton.  They are a traditional family: There is Nancy, the mom, who works for Essex Investment. The dad, Jim, who stays at home. Their daughter Kit goes to school with me and is a rising senior. Their son, Sam, is a junior at New Trier High School in Winnetka. They are all very nice and helped me get acquainted with Illinois.

Second, I am really enjoying Illinois. The weather is great, the train is good, although a little confusing with so many different colors running every which way. There are also multiple transportation systems, which is weird. The L is the color coded metro basically. I live at the end of the Purple line, which goes express into downtown Chicago every week day morning, which is very nice. There is also the Metra, which is the faster way of getting into town. It is a straight shot and takes about 35 minutes, compared to an hour on the L

Third, I like my job. It is with the Family Defense Center, a non-profit that helps people accused of crime. This work is very engaging, as I get to do a lot of court related research, and I get to see the opposite side, as my dad was a prosecutor for the State of New Mexico before he ran for election in 2012.

Here's a link to the website of the place at which I work, so research on up: http://www.familydefensecenter.net/

Mandatory pics:

Train selfie on the L.

To Chicago!

Super brief post: I am writing this as I pack my stuff up to go to Chicago.

I am going to Waukesha with friends, and my future roommate, who will then help me get to Milwaukee. From there, I will ride on the Amtrak train to Glenview, IL, where my host family is going to pick me up! I leave tomorrow after I finish my Spanish exam.

Anyways, back to studying!

Spring Term- No Rules

Hi All!

So, inside Carleton joke, that being said, I had an amazing Spring Term.

Although, it is really sad that I won't be with my amazing floor mates for much longer. *tears*

I had the pleasure of doing Ebony II again, where I learned to twerk like Kesha. Shut up dad. I danced to Destination by Nickel Creek too, which was really fun. I also did group dance, which was fun because I got to dance to Proud Mary! Yeah Tina Turner! Okay, I'm done. Not really, it was sad because spring term is when all of the seniors do their last dances, which is always heart breaking.

Here are links to me dancing (warning, I suck):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcBGYOjzSCU- Timber!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWEHWclkO5Y- Destination
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0xY-di9ckc- Group. Proud Mary!

Also, spring term, no rules means Taekwondo barbeques, Rotblatt, Spring Concert, Spring Allocations, which is a 7 hour long Carleton Student Senate Association meeting, and so much more, like class outside!

Here's some pictures

Spring Concert! 

Fun outside at the OIIL retreat!

Ebony. What else?

:

Scholarship

So this happened:

I got a $10,000 scholarship. Hooray! I can keep going to Carleton!

Here's part of the letter:

Dear Raul, 

PFund Foundation has completed its 2014 scholarship review process. The Scholarship Review Committee had the challenging yet rewarding task of reviewing 48 outstanding applications by LGBT students and selecting those applicants with the highest merits and strongest fit for the 2014 PFund scholarship awards.

We are thrilled to inform you that you have been selected to receive the Linde-Ostrander Building Bridges Award ($10000), Ron Linde and Rob Ostrander. PFund has awarded $60,000 in scholarships to 18 LGBT student leaders in 2014. The committee and PFund Board are deeply impressed by your service, courageous leadership, academic achievement and positive impact in LGBT communities. 

So excited! Yahoo!

RA Dom!

Hey All,

Quick Update: I was offered a position as a Resident Assistant next year! I will be working in Watson Hall, 3rd floor. I am super excited!

Training starts August 29th, and runs for a week.

Here's an excerpt of the offer I got:

Dear Raul:

Congratulations!  The Office of Residential Life is pleased to offer you a Resident Assistant position for the 2014-2015 academic year.  We saw many well-qualified candidates, and it’s our pleasure to offer you a position.  We look forward to you joining our department and sharing your skills with the Carleton students and staff.

Carleton Update II

Hey Everyone,

I hope you're doing well! So I just thought I'd give you an update.

First, I have an internship offer. I was offered the Redleaf Internship at the Family Defense Center in Chicago. I think I am going to accept, but I'm not certain. I would help protect people wrongly accused of sexual and physical violence against their kids, and help keep their families together.

Second, I am starting my Spring term at Carleton. My Fall term I took the following classes: Spanish 101, Science, Tech, and Public Policy, Intro Swimming, Piano, FOCUS Colloquium, and Modern Political Philosophy. I did well grade wise and I learned a ton. It was also exciting because I started piano at Carleton.

My Winter term, I took the following classes: Constitutional Law, Introduction to Statistics, Spanish 102, Piano, and FOCUS Colloquium. Again, I did well grade wise, and I learned how to sight read (more or less). Below is my piano playing.

This spring term, I am in Tae Kwon Do, Spanish 103, FOCUS Colloquium, Piano, Gender and Sexuality in Classical Antiquity, and Latin American History.

Thirdly, I just came back from my Spring break. I visited my family and went to Pittsburgh. I visited the Pittsburgh Conservatory, Heinz Hall, and the O'Reilly Theatre. Here are some pictures:

Here is a medal I saw at a museum in Massillon when visiting my family. 

Here is a piano in the Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh.

Here is a bonsai tree, also in the Phipps Conservatory.

Here is Heinz Hall, where my dad and I saw American Fanfare.