Friday, September 17, 2010

Becoming Orientated

The last few days have been hectic for the Traveling Attorney and his paralegal, Emily. On Tuesday we departed Poznan for Warsaw,  and the beginning of Fulbright orientation. On Wednesday we spent the day at the Ambassador's residence, and on Thursday we travelled by Autobusovoda to Krakow. After arriving in Krakow we did a few things. First, we ate a pretty good but mildly unsatisfying lunch of fried pork and potatoes. More satisfying than the actual lunch was the realization that the device we use to connect to the internet (the DONGLE!) is an amazing multi-use tool that sounds as if it could have been purchased just as easily at a sex shop as at the internet store! Please go out and get yourself a dongle if you are one of the few people out there who's mind has yet to grasp the many advantages of this revolutionary device! After lunch we headed for our first Polish Language course. Instead of wasting precious blog space by describing the experience, I'll just say that it felt like 2nd grade all over again. Coincidently, Emily and I, along with a host of other highly intelligent people are toiling at the beginners level. Suffice it to say, the Czech language is not quite as interchangeable with the Polish language as I had initially hoped. Oh well.

Today, we began the day with a nice reception at the university in Krakow which morphed in to a mostly unexciting tour of the university's museum. After the tour, my paralegal and I spent the rest of the day walking around Krakow, eating at my favorite Krakovian greek restaurant, and buying a couple of sorely needed books. Now I'll be able to read before bed instead of watching In Bruges for the 45th time. For our return from the city, we embarked upon a pleasant taxi ride back to our hotel, thereby avoiding the large hill that sits at a menacing 100 degree angle and separates our hotel from the civilized world.

Currently, it is about 4pm on Friday, and we are sitting in a class room "absorbing" a lecture on Polish history. The use of the word absorb is especially appropriate here, as the information being presented is hitting me in every conceivable body area except on those two things attached to my head called ears.

Until Next Class,

TA ESQ.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Polish Breakfast....

....Consists largely of bread, cheese, lunch meats, and either tea or coffee (or both if you are a renegade).


It's been a fortnight or 20 since our last post, and in that time a lot has happened. Chief among those things is our move to Poland. While the blog has been a bit dormant of late, the lives of the traveling attorney and Emily certainly have not been. 

After arriving in Poland (via Delta exit row seat, Frankfurt, and Berlin) we immediately began taking in the sights and getting things in order for the upcoming year. We spent considerable time at the university, and even more time searching Polska for an effective internet connection. After about a week we were satisfied that no such connection currently exists in the land of Pope and Pierogi. However thanks to Bob at the Orange store, we are finally up and running-although maybe the word "running" takes things a bit too far. While we are online, we are also limited to a mere 35 gigabytes of activity a month. For young people as internetily active as us, this may be a difficult restriction to adhere to. Luckily here in Poland, there are special clubs (think AA) who are perfectly willing to implement a 12 step process in favor of those who cannot comply. We'll try our best keep everyone updated on how it goes! haha.

As for pictures, we should have something to show relatively soon. Until then, please don't allow our as-of-now picture-less journey to negatively affect your opinion of us. Pretty Please!!

Next Monday (the 14th) We will be hopping a train to Warsaw where Fulbright orientation will commence. The program consists of a trip to the Ambassador's house, 10 days in Krakow, and  hopefully lots of new Fulbright friends! In the spirit of Fulbright friends, you'll need to check out the blog stylings of our newest Fulbright friend Liz. She is also in Poznan, and is serving as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant. So far she's been great, and the blog certainly does not disappoint. Check it out in the "How I Spend My Time Online" section of the page.

In the next few days blog posts will become more frequent and pictures will most definitely arrive. Until then, please continue to check out our wedding pics, and don't hesitate to email us at: travelingattorney@comcast.net.

Until Again,

TA ESQ.






Tuesday, June 29, 2010

We Are Married

.......And wedding pictures are coming!!! Maybe you're in some of them!

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Less Than 1 Week to Go

It's late Sunday night, and only 6 days until our wedding. I'm certainly not experiencing the cold feet that many grooms feel, however I am a bit overwhelmed as there is a lot still to do. Besides last minute wedding stuff pertaining to music, chairs, final counts, etc, we are all set. The really overwhelming stuff has to do with our pending trip to Poland. Besides finding a place to live over 4000 miles away, we also need to arrange visas, transportation, and I need to get my paper together and ready for presentation. All this while having to clean my mom's house and plan a honeymoon. Talk about stress. With Emily's help and a one day at a time attitude, we should be ok though...I hope. Check back in a few days for the obligatory pre-wedding freak out post!

TA ESQ.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

An Addendum

As an addendum to today's post, I wanted to state that this blog will now take the form of a journal chronicling the lives of Emily and I as we prepare for our wedding, our honeymoon, and ultimately for our move to Poland. I personally welcome everyone who chooses to follow us on this interesting journey!

TA ESQ.

Times are Changing!

So I haven't posted in like 3 months. Terrible right? Well a lot has been going on. But I am back for good now, and I have a lot of new stories to share. First off, my lengthy absence was due to a number of factors, including my Father passing away, and my fiancee and I moving back to the Detroit area. We moved because I GOT MY FULBRIGHT GRANT. This means that come August, the Traveling Attorney will be blogging from Poznan, Poland!!


Besides that, we have been feverishly planning our wedding which is a mere 10 days away. Following the wedding, pictures will certainly appear here!

Saturday, March 13, 2010

The Last Few Weeks

So, for the last few weeks, I have done a little bit less blogging than I would have liked. With a final exam, a final project, and a trip to Florida all on the agenda, blogging has understandably taken a back seat.

Since I last blogged, my life has moved forward on a number of different fronts. 

1. I traveled to Florida for spring training. Highlights included: Getting some nice 1st class frequent flier upgrades, receiving a free rental car from Delta, watching the Tigers win 2 games, getting some nice weather, meeting an MLB scout and getting free baseball tickets, and seeing Cirque Du Soliel.

2. The wait for the Fulbright notification is in its final stages. Last year, applicants to Poland found out in early April. My fingers are perpetually crossed. 

3. Wedding planning is, as always, stressful. Since my parents and my fiancee's parents are splitting the bill, there are way too many opinions to consider! In the last week or so we have dealt with issues ranging from a rehearsal dinner with too many guests, trying to find someone to actually perform the ceremony, and tacky wedding shower favors! Having the wedding in Detroit while planning it from Cleveland has certainly contributed to these issues!

4. A new class at BU has begun that will involve numerous class members reading this blog! Welcome to all of you! Please feel free to comment. 

Until Next Time.

TA ESQ

Thursday, February 25, 2010

So this is a bi-weekly blog now?

  Maybe it is. These are busy times in my world, so your world gets less of me. Anyway, today is not so busy, so I've decided to hang out for a while.

Today's entry will be my long anticipated (at least by me) travel list. I've wanted to make this list for a while, and since no one actually reads this blog, I've decided to follow through! Without further ado, here is the official Traveling Attorney travel list! Remember, if your favorite destination isn't here, it's not because I hate it; I just haven't been there yet.

1. Czech Republic (Prague and Olomouc)
     -Prague is majestic, magnificent, and completely beautiful. I'd live there at the drop of a hat. Olomouc       is Prague's cute little sister. In Prague eat at Bohemia Bagel. In Olomouc visit Cafe Mahler on the Horni Namesti.



2. Berlin, Germany
    -This place caught me by surprise. Maybe the smallest big city in the world. In other words, she's livable. Comes in below Prague due to overall lack of beauty and age.  When there, please eat at Tattoia Gussippe di Pino on Waldstrasse.


3. Krakow, Poland










  -I've been here 5 or 6 times and always want more. A smaller version of Prague with vodka instead of beer. If you visit, GregTom Hostel is a must.

4. Amsterdam, Netherlands
    -You can do a lot of stuff here. If you visit, please don't do all of it.

5. Dublin, Ireland
    -kind of cold, kind of like a small town, but way cool. The people are nice, the beer is nicer, and the atmosphere is top notch. Don't miss the chance to visit the old Gaol and the Guinness brewery.

6. Tokyo, Japan
    -History and modernity converge to make beautiful babies. Go to Tokyo. And if you do, see a ball game at the Tokyo Dome, party in Rippongi, and stay in Jimbocho.


7. Honolulu, Hawaii
    -Beautiful, and have family there. Guess I'll have to return.

8. (TIE) London, England and New York, USA
    -Hard to choose between the two, so I didn't. Both are world class in every way-including prices. If you find yourself in either place try and stay with someone you know!

10. Copenhagen, Denmark
    -Beautiful small town with history, a cool vibe and a famous mermaid. Would be higher if a cheeseburger and beer didn't set you back $20. If in town, check out the pink and turquoise colored movie theatre. Good times!

11. Budapest, Hungary
     -Maybe should be higher, but somehow isn't. The place is beautiful but a little harsher than Prague and Krakow. Plus most of the city has been rebuilt. If there, check out some hungarian goulash and the Posta museum.

12. Hiroshima, Japan
    -Interesting place to go, as it has been rebuilt in a totally modern style. If you go, make sure to check out the mangled building that survived the a-bomb, the a-bomb museum, and catch the Hiroshima Carp baseball team!

13. Munich, Germany
     -Only spent a few days here while taking the LSAT test which may affect ranking. Beautiful rebuilt city with sweet beer halls and a Frankenmuth style ambiance (If you're from Michigan you know what I mean.)

14. Tallinn, Estonia
    -Mini Prague. Black Sea. Hell Hound Bar. Good times. If there, spend the day at Kik in Da Kok, and relax in the evening at Hell Hound.

15. Orlando, Florida
    -Tigers baseball and 70+ temps. in March. Can't beat that with a stick! If there, head to a ball game!

16. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
    -Cool downtown, sketchy outskirts, great all inclusive vacation options. Go to Tequila if you visit!

17. (TIE) Edinburgh & Glasgow, Scotland
   -Ranked them together because that is how they appear in my mind. Edinburgh has one nice castle.

19. Kyoto, Japan
   -Kyoto is the cradle of Japanese culture and history. Don't miss it, but don't spend 2 weeks there either. If there, go to the Ninja house.

20. Vienna, Austria
    -Beautiful, regal city. Hard to compare to Prague, Krakow, or Budapest.


21. Moscow, Russian Federation
    -I only spent 2 days here, so my ranking probably reflects that. Moscow is vibrant, intimidating and totally interesting. Please visit Lenin's tomb. Creepy.

22. St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
   -I spent 5 weeks here, so my ranking probably reflects that. Great downtown and the Hermitage is the worlds largest museum. DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT head off the beaten path. I spent my 5 weeks in the suburbs and was glad to emerge in one piece.
















23. Riga, Latvia
    -Nice town, but nothing you can't find in the higher ranked choices. Only go if you someday plan to compose a list like this one.


24. Bratislava, Slovak Republic
    -See above

25. Helsinki, Finland
     -The brochure said that the city has over 700,000 inhabitants. In my 2 days here, I probably saw 3 of them. Really, really sleepy place. If you go, check out the really white cathedral!

Others: I've visited and enjoyed other large American cities (Chicago, Boston), lived in a few medium sized American areas (Detroit, Cleveland, Columbus, Grand Rapids), and traveled through numerous other small European towns and villages. Since the primary focus of this list is to flex my travel muscles and show superiority over all other travelers, these places were omitted. JUST KIDDING. You'll see these other cities in a completely different list sometime in the future!

Until Next Time,

TA ESQ.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

The Day After Yesterday

For this, my second blog post, I have decided to share a few thoughts on life. I think maybe I'll make a list. 


Sports: Michigan State University is my favorite college sports program. Don't ask me why though, because I certainly did not attend school there. Last night MSU was involved in a basketball contest that was so bad it made me want to rip my hair out and feed it to my cat! I'll just say this about the current MSU basketball season: Star point guard Kalin Lucas must be healthy for the Spartans to have any postseason hope. In order for Lucas to regain his health, coach Tom Izzo MUST sit him down for a few more games. Over the next two weeks or so, the more we see of Kalin Lucas, the less of a chance MSU has to make any postseason noise. You heard it here first.

Music: Pretty bad day today on the music front. While I was hurrying last evening, to edit a group assignment for my Innovation course, I completely forgot that I was up against the deadline for requesting Dave Matthews Band summer tour tickets. This must be the first time in the last 8 or 9 years that I haven't executed this task properly. And while I really have only myself to blame, I can't help but be a little annoyed at one of my group members whose spelling, citation, and grammar issues led to this late night editing marathon. I'll plan better next time! As for Dave, the public on-sale date in Feb. 26th. I'll be ready!

Books: I'm currently about half way through a novel by Elizabeth Kostova called "The Swan Thieves".  Liz, as I affectionately refer to her, rose to fame in 2006 with "The Historian", which is best described as a  suspense novel involving Dracula. Sounds kind of silly right? Well it isn't. It was actually quite good. Her new novel, the aforementioned "Swan Thieves" has many of the same features as "The Historian", but seems to be both a denser, and much more intricate novel. For example, after pushing through roughly 200 out of the 565 pages, I still don't quite know what the story is actually about! I'm hoping that by page 400 I'll be able to offer some type of plot summary.

One wonders, when an author chooses to write in this manner, whether she simply went a little haywire trying to set an elaborate scene for her story, or whether she is doing something a little more self serving? As I read this novel (and don't get me wrong, it is entertaining) I am left to wonder whether Liz's writing was dictated by those little teenie-weenie inner voices  (don't worry, I know you've got 'em too) inside of her head that demand perfection. It is likely that these vicious little guys wouldn't allow her stop adding to this book until they were satisfied that it somehow eclipsed "The Historian". Unfortunately for Liz, "The Historian" was a near masterpiece of historical suspense fiction and is unlikely to be eclipsed. In my mind, this type of hubris is a writer's biggest sin. In the spirit of saving trees, here are a few of my recent reads that I found to be succinct yet completely satisfying. The list is in no particular order, but attention should be paid, as I will surely refer to these fine works in subsequent posts!

1. "The Spy Who Came in From the Cold" by John LeCarre
2. "City of Thieves" by David Benioff
3. "Summer Meditations" by Vaclav Havel



Fulbright Fact of the Day: Each year over 6000 (mostly) young people apply for 1400 Fulbright grants. At this point, over 3000 of those applicants have been eliminated. The remaining 2800 or so face 50/50 odds (or better) of receiving a grant. As an applicant to Poland, I am competing with between 14-19 other people for one of 10 grants. Right now, this is where I stand. I think about it every day. April can't come soon enough.

Until Tomorrow

TA Esq.

The First Day of the Rest of My Life

As the title suggests, this is "The First Day of the Rest of My Life." The day I begin to blog. To set the record straight, this blog was not commissioned out of boredom, averice, or for any other egotistical reason. Instead, I have been compelled to open up to you by a Boston University ecommerce course that I will soon be enrolled in. Being the private person that I am, this new endeavor is justifiably unsettling to me. Letting everyone (or maybe just my professor) delve in to my life will take some getting used to. No matter, I must press on. This first posting is meant to give you a little information about myself, and to "set the stage" for all my future posts. Here goes!

My name is Dan, and as the above title suggests, I am a lawyer. This may be a bit misleading however, as I am currently only engaged in the practice of law on a minimal basis. Let me explain. After graduating from Hope College in 2005, I immediately enrolled in law school. In May, 2009, after three grueling years of law school and one fabulous year living in Prague, I graduated from the Cleveland State University, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. Three months later I sat for, and passed the Illinois Bar exam, thereby allowing me to utilize the shiny new title of attorney! The thing is, there were a couple of other adventures I wanted to complete before I surrendered my life to the practice of law. With that in mind, and with law school in the rearview mirror, I enrolled in an M.S.M. (Management) program at Boston University, where I am specializing in international marketing management. More important, and certainly much more interesting, I also began the process of filling out and submitting an application to be a Fulbright Scholar in Poland during the 2010-2011 academic year. I found out that I had been named a finalist for the Fulbright grant about two weeks ago.

Since the possibility of the Fulbright grant is basically dominating my thoughts these days, it is likely that this blog will see its fair share of Fulbright related information. Please bear with me. Beyond Fulbright talk and academic rumblings, I also plan to touch on subjects like travel (I've spent time living in the Czech Republic, Japan, Russia, and Germany), sports (especially Detroit and Cleveland teams), books (I try to read a novel a week), wedding planning (Mine is June 19th), and life in general.

Until Tomorrow

TA Esq. (pictured with fiancee)