I was so incredibly impressed with the conference on so many levels. I will just discuss those parts that relate to my posted goals.
Adoption: I found a new agency that I will investigate next week. This one is a better fit for those of Indian heritage. I met a attorney from India that clarified many of the questions I had. I am eligible to apply for OCI status - OCI status significantly improves my standing with respect to adopting from India. I will be working with her and may hire her to facilitate things at the India end of things.
Where do I want to go professionally: I am leaning towards expanding my law firm to generate revenue to fund those causes that matter to me. I am getting increasingly better at containing my work. I would like to explore some pro-bono options.
It is no secret that I become increasingly disillusioned with the manner in which provisions after provision of the Constitution has been disregarded and/or diluted - the justification being it was necessary to conduct the war on terror....
There were several panels with speakers addressing some of these issues - including Patrick Fitzgerald and members of both domestic and international human rights entities - both from the right and the left.
Despite all of the US attorey firings, etc - there are still a few Jedi Knights of the Constitution that are still standing and fighting - at many times placing their careers at risk. I felted so humbled and in awe of these individuals - and a little ashamed that I became so dillusioned and disheartened that I walked away from it all.
My goal with respect to my career is to expand my firm. but to do so with the goal of generating revenue and hiring workhorses - to support my having more time to dedicate to some form of public service. I will explore some pro bono opportunities in August. I want some courtroom experience. I will figure out where I want to go with that in time...
GAL: I had a wonderful extended weekend. I met a lot of great people. I actually stayed out late Fri. night and till 5 am in this morning - playing!
It really was such a privilege and honor to meet some of the people I met this weekend. And while this "terrorist look-alike" thing has been beyond annoying since 9/11 - my Indian heritage is also what provided me with access to being able to network with such incredible people. I had no idea that the South Asian community commanded such respect in sectors of the non-58 million American community.
The one thing that made me smile - you would think we were all raised by cloned parents. Education is everything. We are all not operating at our full potential. You can always work harder. There is always room for improvement. The question is not "can i do it/" - it is "how do I figure out how to get where I want to go." Sometimes a good thing - sometimes a curse.
And off course to top off a perfect weekend - yes, the lighting was bad. But I almost had my Driver's License taken away b/c the bouncer thought I had a fake ID and was underage! LOL! A very nice experience 4 days before my 43rd birthday.
Life is good. I really feel very rested and quite content.
