Christmas time!

This is the first Christmas in our new house.  While it doesn't seem that 'new' anymore, we haven't even been in the house an entire year.  Seems crazy to think about that.

Before heading North to celebrate Thanksgiving with our families and friends, we began decorating for Christma.  Our neighbors thought we were absolutely crazy - mainly because I was climbing around on the roof while the hubs was below in case I fell.  Regardless, even though we got a great deal of the decorating done before leaving, we still had more to do.  We have spent the last two weeks putting up 'baby' Christmas trees, wrapping greens anywhere we can find a spot to, hanging wreaths and stringing lights. 

Finally the last piece of the puzzle came together last night - we got our real tree up and ready to decorate.  I couldn't have been more excited.  After searching longer than we probably should have, we found the 'perfect' one and got it set up!  That being said, there is still more to do.  The trees - yes that's right, plural - must be decorated.  That is a task for tonight perhaps. 

We are still missing a few 'pieces' - for example, we still need an awesome wreath for the front door... suggestions on where to find one will be greatly appreciated! :)  We are also missing a tree skirt for the real tree.  The problem with that is, I am incredibly particular about what I want - a cream colored, cable knit skirt.  If you stubmle across one, be sure to give me a call.  It is absolutely vital to completing the decorations - haha!

Aside from the few missing things, the house is looking mighty festive this Christmas season.  Don't worry though, we haven't pulled out all the stops in one year.  We have already begun planning for what we are adding to the decorations for next year!  Can you tell this is our favorite time of the year??

I'll be sure to post photos soon of the wonderful decorations for everyone to enjoy!

It's been awhile

This post comes about once every few months when I decide enough is enough and it's time to get back into the blogging thing.  Seriously though, this time, I'm serious.  I'm going to keep up with it!  Consider it an early New Year's Resolution.

Anyways, there is much to update on, but I have to start somewhere...

First red cup of the season!

Got my first red cup if the season today! So happy! I needed a warm drink to keep me warm while I stand in the cold and watch the hubby play flag football! Yummy peppermint mocha!

Keeping up

Since we had lecture ALL DAY on Saturday, I have fallen behind while trying to keep up with the paced program (thanks BarBri)...  feels something like this...

When I realize the bar exam is one month from today (well yesterday)...

Having a great summer?

Please don't tell me about how amazing your summer is... I fear that you may get a response similar to this:



Unfortunately, my summer is not fun and the smallest things make me happy... or sad ... or mad... it's just not a good thing... so please, enjoy your summer, without telling me how amazing it is... :)

I paid for this????

Dear BarBri.... I know that you have been helping law students for 30 some years pass the bar... but how do you expect me to pass and furthermore, be happy with paying you $3000+ when you can't keep your server functioning properly????

This is what I get for $3,000+??????

Irritable Me...

During the hours of 7am (or earlier depending on when I awake) and the hours of 8 or 9pm... this is generally how I respond to those who chose to bother me with "non-bar exam studying" things...

The bar exam is like...

STOP clicking your pen

As you know, I love to rant about the quiet section and how people feel it is ok to violate the 'rules' of the quiet section by being incredibly loud.  We choose to study here because it is QUIET... not because we want to hear you click your stupid pen from 15 feet away, WITH EARPLUGS IN!  If you don't stop, this may happen to you...

Time is of the essence

In contracts, we learn that if your time is valuable you better state so in the contract.  Here is how I feel when I woke up this morning and realized, I have 6 more weeks of bar studying left to go...

Insight into my life

So this past weekend I had my character interview to ensure that I am "fit and proper" to take the bar.  While in the interview, my study habits were criticized by my interviewer.  Thanks to my newly found and new favorite blog, here is my response...

When someone criticizes my study habits:



Check out their blog at brosatthebar.tumblr.com

10 Things You Will Do While Studying for the Bar

I recently happened upon this little blog called "The Bitter Lawyer."  The first entry I read was "10 things you will do while studying for the bar.  You can read the full explanation of these 10 reasons here.


But, if you are like me, and you are actually studying for the bar (or you just don't care to read the explanation) here are the 10 reasons with my commentary:  [I would advise you read the explanations as some are quite hilarious.]

1. Fail a practice exam
Well friends, as much as I hate to admit it, I have been failing practice exams since day one of bar study.  Unfortunately, I must also say, I have yet to 'pass' a practice exam yet, and we are in week 5 of 10... something has to give at some point - right???
2. Resent anyone who says you will pass
This could not be a more true statement.  Just like the article says, friends and family constantly remind me that I am smart and successful when I explain the chance that I may fail, just from the sheer volume of information that I am attempting to cram into my little head.  And, just like the article says, there are times that when faced with what the person means as a complement, it only results in 'blood-boiling rage' as the tensions mount as the exam approaches.  I have to say, I appreciate the encouragement, and so far, the complements haven't caused me any blood boiling rage.  However, stating 'I know what you are going through' is far from true unless you have sat for a bar exam - if you haven't, please refrain from making such statements. :)
3. Abandon something you normally do
For me, I'm not quite sure what this is yet.  Maybe stalking on Facebook?  Maybe playing on Pinterest finding the best new recipe to try and making a HUGE shopping list for the grocery store?  No, I know what it is - I have stopped cleaning my house, and I have stopped doing laundry.  Lucky for me, I have an AMAZING hubby who doesn't mind picking up the slack.  [He may disagree and say I didn't give this up because I never did these things before, but don't let him fool you.]  I have also given up going home early, sleeping in late, and enjoying a 'day off.'  Oh, and I have also given up any free time, hanging out with friends, enjoying summer and going on fun trips to random places (such as the beach).  But it's only for 10 weeks right?  I just pray I can return to a normal life after this madness is over... 
4. Buy something ridiculous
This has yet to happen - that I am aware of.  I did look for five minutes (yes only five) on PetFinder in hopes of finding little Nugget a new playmate - but I believe this was because of the destruction spree she went on for a few days (which ended with her spending a few days in 'puppy prison').  I did find a puppy just like Nugget (with different colors), but I did not purchase the puppy, nor did I pass the information along to the hubs in hopes that he would purchase it for me, I mean for Nugget.  I have my hands full with her alone - we certainly don't need another one!  So back to the matter at hand, I have yet to make a ridiculous purchase - I still have 5 weeks to ensure this happens, or at least justify it when it does...
5. Have some kind of sleep issue
If you count random dreams about outlines, making note cards and multiple choice questions, then I have already achieved this.  If that doesn't count, maybe 'waking up' and telling your husband all about wills counts - except that you don't remember doing this, and you are sure that he is making things up to make you think you are going crazy.  Maybe it is lack of sleep - for instance, staying up til 2:30am last night printing out note cards?  Or falling asleep on the couch, curled up with the Nug after doing 30 multiple choice - while the entire time you were doing the questions, you just kept telling yourself, 'you can take a nap after you get through them and if you get a decent amount correct.'  
6. Gain or lose weight
I'm not about to step on a scale to figure out which, if either of these, I have achieved or am on the path to achieving.  One thing I know for sure, I have attempted to stick to a gym routine - at 6 or 6:30am every morning - which has fallen to the way side in the past few days, and the Seven 11 in the bar passage department's offices is not helping matters.  Sometimes, I find myself munching on random things, and drinking caffeinated beverages, simply to stay awake during the lectures.  After the lectures, I am generally ok, but then it his me that I'm tired, and back to the offices I go.  I made a deal with myself last night (in my sleep) that this must end this week!  Check back to see how that's going... 
7. Pick up a weird habit
None of the 'weird habits' listed in the article are ones that I have notice.  Maybe you will call it weird that I eat a peanut butter sandwhich (and only peanut butter) every day - well almost every day.  But that isn't all that weird.  Maybe it is that I have to have lemon juice in my water?  Maybe it's that I color coordinate my planner every day to tell me what to do when (but that is just something I have always done).  Maybe it is looking for 'brain foods' or 'brain vitamins' to help me function and have better memory recall?  I do not know... but when I figure out what this is, I'll be sure to let you know - and if I don't figure it out, I'm sure the hubs will and will let me know! :)
8. Drink alone
Almost every night, after I get home around 8:30 or 9, the hubs and I have dinner and that is usually followed by an 'adult beverage.'  Or we will sit on the porch and just chat while waiting for dinner to be ready and enjoy such a beverage.  Either way, I can say that almost every night, not every night, we have a glass of wine or a beer - but mostly wine.  It is a nice way to end the evening and from what I hear, a glass of wine a day keeps your heart healthy - so the way I see it, I'm keeping myself healthy! :)
9. Have a weird run-in with a stranger
According to the article, "You will dress terribly, shower rarely, and be either too thin or too fat for your current clothes."  If you have seen me lately,  you will know that I have been wearing sweats to school more than normal (I love sweats, but it has become something I do almost every day now as opposed to once or twice a week).  I'll leave the 'shower rarely' to your imagination - but I make it a point to shower every morning - especially after the gym so as not to annoy those around me with a stench.  I am not saying that as the time draws closer I may give this up (see number 3 above) but as for now, I am almost always showered and ready for the day.  As for the clothes not fitting, it's a girl thing - and changes daily.  Some days clothes fit and sometimes they don't.  Either way, it happens.  As for a run-in with a stranger, there are rare occasions that I step outside of my bar-studying bubble and see the world around me.  This is rare, but when I do it, I am sometimes confronted with weird looks.  Take for example this past Friday.  I came home and was 'burnt' (according to the hubs).  We decided to get take out from the Chinese place down the street and a Redbox (we also needed a bottle of wine to enjoy with our meal - see number 8).  As he was checking out at the grocery store, I took the Redbox, and walked to pick up our dinner.  As I was paying, I set the Redbox on the counter, and the girl asked me what movie I got from Redbox.  I simply stared at her not knowing what to say and finally blurted out, "I don't know."  She looked at me, confused, and said, "You don't know what movie you rented?"  "No" I replied.  "Oh" she says with the most confused look on her face.  I quickly had to come up with something to recover from this, so I said, "My husband picked out something and handed it to me."  She just nodded.  This is clearly what the article was getting at - the 'outside' world doesn't get what you are going through and while we want them to understand and accept that at times I may just blurt out random statements of the law, you just have to go with it.  So for those of you reading who I will be seeing over the next few weeks, you have been warned... :)  As a side note, the movie we got was The Descendants and was a great movie.  However, I wasn't convinced at the start when it began with the main character explaining that he was the trustee of some family land, and that a little thing called the rule against perpetuities was forcing him and the rest of those who were to benefit from the trust to sell the property or they would lose it in 7 years because the 21 year time frame had expired.  [All things underlined are things of legal significance - all things I was trying to forget that night.]
10. Cry
This speaks for itself - I have cried and cried a lot.  I cried the first week when I failed a practice exam.  I cried again when I was stuck behind someone driving slow on my way to class.  I also cried because I realized on my way to class that both of my black pens had run out of ink, and I didn't bring a new black pen with me.  [These pens are amazing - they are pilot G-2s in the fine point - not the bold point.]  I also cried when I got information about student loans in the mail.  I cried when I realized that I was missing out on a fun weekend at the beach with some of my best friends.  I cried explaining to my husband how I misread a sentence in my notes, which made learn a rule of law incorrectly.  [I now know the proper rule and won't be missing that again.]  I cried when my arm goes numb in the library and when my eye twitches from who knows what - perhaps caffeine?  Anyways the point is, I have cried - A LOT... and it's only week 5... 


So there you have it - the 10 things I have done or will be doing while studying for this miserable exam...

Thanks Bryan!

Thanks to my good friend Bryan, otherwise known as the Canadian, for sharing this little nugget of news with me today:



And now, I cannot stop laughing.  Either this is incredibly funny, or I am on the verge of losing it (or have already lost it).

Passing or Failing?

"You did not pass this essay." - feedback on my latest submitted practice essay

With feedback like that, I am sure to keep getting improving my essay writing skills and stay motivated!  Thanks for the advice!  I'll be sure to keep this in mind so maybe next time my feedback will be that I did pass.

Great start to a long day...

The not so bright future...

While studying, I received a link to an article from the hubs.  Accompanying the article link was this comment from him, "some good news for you."  Naturally, my first thought is that I'm going to read some positive news.  Instead, here is what I read, "NALP: Tough job market for new lawyers."  (click the title to read the entire article)

Instead of an uplifting story about the job market turning around, I read about how "Newly-minted lawyers are facing the worst job market since 1994" and "The overall employment rate for new law school graduates is 85.6 percent, the lowest it has been since 1994, when the rate stood at 84.7 percent."


I'm going to try to see the silver lining in this - an 85.6% employment rate for recent law school grads is better than 50% employment right?  The question is, how many of those jobs are "J.D. preferred"??

Miserable...

If you happen to ask me how bar studying is going, this is most likely the response you will hear from me:



Please don't be offended.  It's nothing that you have said or done, it is just that there is no possible way that a person can 'have fun' doing this.  I am attempting to remain positive, yet I am reminded daily that studying for the bar exam is hell.



Unfortunately, I am incredibly aware of every second wasted - and by wasted I mean not staring at my BarBri books, my Study Smart software, or making notecards and outlines - and I become incredibly frustrated when I realize I have just lost 30 minutes of study time and I can't even tell you what I did in that 30 minutes of time.

So I will get back to studying, stop wasting time and just watch the clock tick by and follow my schedule exactly.  If it weren't for this schedule, I'm not sure I would know when to eat, sleep, or go to the bathroom!

(Law) School House Rocks

Today we began our two day journey through "all you need to know" about Constitutional Law.  I have a basic understanding of the government and how it works, and for me that was just fine.  However, that was until today.  Today I have begun digging deeper and deeper into Con Law, but have been reminded by our lecturer that we should "not think" when handling a Con Law question on the bar.  Not think... now that is something I can handle.  So now I find myself memorizing all of Congress' powers, what they can and can't do, what powers don't really exist, what the President is prohibited from doing, etc..  Let me tell you what fun this day has been!  Luckily, our lecturer finished lecture an HOUR AND A HALF early today!  I felt like a kid on Christmas morning and was able to convince my lunch buddies that today should be our 'lunch out' day and since we had all of this extra time, we should enjoy Ru San's all you can eat sushi.  Now, I'm stuffed, sitting in my cube, watching School House Rocks videos about the government in between making my outline.  Soon it will be on to multiple choice and essay practice, but for now, enjoy a little School House Rocks with me!

My new motto

This is my new motto for bar prep!  I have suggested to our bar prep counselors that this become the department's motto.  I'll let you know what their response is...

HOLY TYPING

For some reason, even when the ENTIRE quiet section of cubicles is EMPTY, someone feels the need to sit beside me.  Not only do I find it incredibly annoying, but what makes it worse, is this person feels the need to type LOUDER than anyone I have ever seen in my entire life.



SERIOUSLY????????? GIVE IT A REST AND MOVE SOMEWHERE ELSE!!!!!!!!!!!!

An Alaskan what???

When I arrived at the auto shop to pick up my car today, there was a giant, and I mean GIANT dog behind the counter.  Now this place is off of South Blvd. and has treated me wonderfully.  It's not located in what I would call a 'rough' area, but I would certainly be afraid weary of trespassing on this pup's property!  Anyways, I ask the guy what kind of dog and he tells me the dog is an Alaskan Malamute - "you know the kind they race with."  Say what?? This thing had to be at least 200 pounds!

See for yourself:

It was like a bear was sitting behind the guy!  If you are as intrigued as I was about this dog, you can read more about them here.  Here is a photo of what they look like:

I think I kind of want one now... :)  I'm not so sure little Nugget will handle that very well... 

Thanks for the visual Barbie

And this is what it is like to be reviewing material, while being certain that your head is going to explode... Now you have a visual of how I'm feeling today...

When someone asks how my bar prep is going...

ENOUGH SAID.

Dreams of the Tavern (French Creek of course)

As I sit and attempt to complete 35 multiple choice, I find myself distracted.  Distracted by the thought of going to western NY for the 4th of July holiday before the 'bar exam madness' worsens and becomes incredibly intense for the 'final push' before D-Day.  The thought of breakfast at the DV (the Dutch Village for those of you who are unfamiliar is an amazing restaurant in this wonderful little town), the idea of wings and pizza logs at the Tavern (one of my favorite places on earth), and most importantly, seeing all of our little nephews and spending time with friends and family.  I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to this trip!  It's been far too long since I have been back 'home.'

Here's a photo of the Tavern for those of you who are not fortunate enough to know the place I am referring to...

Staying Positive

When I woke up this morning, as I do nearly every morning before getting out of bed, I checked my email (nothing good), then checked Facebook.  One of my fellow classmates (and a wonderful lady) posted this:

So as I begin studies this a.m. I remember at least one thing from this past week... I "get" to do this... I don't "have" to... truly it is an opportunity and a blessing... but don't ask me to smile all the time through the process ;)


I must say... I think she is on to something.  I too am studying all morning (well all day) and as the days continue, I notice that some are easier than others to wake up and get going.  Other days thought, it seems almost impossible to get up.  However, she is right.  This is a choice I have made and it is a choice that I must get through - not that I have to but that I want to - because if I don't, I have nothing!

After one week of what I would like to refer to this as "bar study madness" I feel as though I am mentally, physically and emotionally drained.  I have held back the tears (on most days) and I have fought through and made it to the end of the week.  Now I must power through the weekend, complete my tasks, check them off my to-do list, remember to have fun along the way and survive!

The countdown has begun... in 52 days I will be taking the bar exam.  While that may seem like a lot of time to some, it seems incredibly too short for me.  But as they say, this too shall pass and before I know it I will be enjoying life again and will actually have a life to enjoy!

Back to the books I go!

Little Nugget

I miss my nugget while I sit in this wretched place and study... ALL day... :-(  How could you not miss a face like this??

I despise thee, bar studying!

So this is my life, day after day after day.  Wake up around 6-6:30am, play at the gym for a short period of time, come home, shower, get ready, pack a lunch, make some coffee, head to school, fight traffic (well curse traffic), get excited when I "beat" two cars in the line of traffic, get to school, review the lecture notes, sit through lecture for 3-4 hours, take a 30 minute break for lunch, enjoy some "learning time" then some "practice time" which brings me to 8 or 9pm, drive home, don't fight or curse traffic because there usually isn't much, eat dinner or think about eating dinner and decide I'm too tired to do so, sit on the couch while my brain feels like mush, then finally head to bed around 11-12 at night.  What a deal right?  I'm sure you are jealous that you are not in my shoes ALL summer - that's right, this is my life ALL summer long.  I just keep reminding myself that it is only for 8 weeks... 8 more weeks...

Anyways, here's a glipse at my, yes MY study cube.  Please don't take it from me if you are studying in the library too.  It's my home away from home.  I'm a little territorial about it... and if you catch me on the wrong day, it may not be a good thing.

Commencement

I finally decided it was time to look at the photos the professionals took of commencement.

The President of the school is on the left and looks oh so happy to be in this photo, meanwhile, the Dean on the right is so excited her eyes are closed.  I guess that's what happens when you are at the end of the alphabet.  First and last time (hopefully) I will graduate and be at the end of the line.

Anyways, great photo...!  HAHA!

Next we have our class photo.  To take this, we were sent into Founder's Hall and all told to stand in order, which was then changed around by random people assisting the photographers who moved all of us into a "better spot".  Yet, I'm not sure you can make out a single one of our faces.  Oh well!  From what I recall, I am somewhere near the front of the pack on the right hand side of the photo.  Lets play a game called, "Where's Willink"?

I'll get around to posting more photos from that day later.  But for now, enjoy these! :)

Casey Anthony At It Again

While I am not condoning what happened with the Casey Anthony case, nor am I taking a stance on whether she did it or not, I thought it was interesting that she will now be forced out of hiding to appear in court, and forced to take the witness stand in this civil suit by the named "babysitter" that turned out to be a real person.

You can read more about the story here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/21/casey-anthony-found-in-hiding-defamation-zenaida-fernandez-gonzalez-florida_n_1534725.html#s293996

A break for a table

After buying the house and moving in, we soon realized that while we thought we had a lot of "stuff" we didn't have enough to fill a house this size.  So we began by purchasing a new bed (well two) and filled up 3/4 of the bedrooms.  (The other one has been claimed as the "man cave.")  Then we decided it was time to fill the empty dining room.  We began searching all over for the perfect set until I decided I had found the perfect one.   The hubs wasn't so sold on it but I was able to sell him on it and explain what an amazing deal we were getting!  We got the entire set, plus a large mirror, large framed print and a set of Christmas dishes (random, I know) for an amazing price!  It all fits beautifully in the dining room and is a rather old, unique set.  (At least we think so!)  Hopefully soon we can host our first dinner party and use our newly filled space and beautiful set!  I must say, while I should have been studying, it was a great use of my "me" time to go pick this up!

RIP Bill Stewart

I am sad to say, Bill Stewart, former head football coach at my alma mater, West Virginia University, has passed away at the age of 59 from a heart attack.  While he was only our coach for a short time, he was a very sincere and nice man.  My heart goes out to his family, especially his children.  May you rest in peace Bill!  Let's Go Mountaineers!

You can read more about the story here.

Watching the birds

While I sit and study, little nugget sits and watches the birds play outside and usually barks her meanest bark to scare them away. How adorable is she?

And so it begins...

Operation Pass has begun... Essay #1 is under way and then we will be de-briefing the essays from the final exam... I know you are jealous... and I know you wish you were in my shoes right now.  If I just keep swimming, soon this will be over and I will anxiously be awaiting the results of the exam that will determine my future.  EEK!

At least I get to look forward to looking at some furniture with the hubs after this is over!   Maybe we will have dining room furniture soon!! :)

Sprouts!

So I admittedly do not have a green thumb. I have more of a black thumb. Anyways, my mom mailed me two packets of flowers and said they were super hard to kill, so I decided to give them a shot. To my surprise, less than a week after planting them, I have sprouts! Let's how I can keep the sprouts healthy enough to be pretty flowers!

Husband of the year!

I have an amazing husband for many reasons. Too many to list at this moment but I have added a new reason today.  He has been my rock and my cheerleader all through law school and without him, I wouldn't have gone to law school nor would I have made it.  

The newest reason is because he knew how badly I wanted a new purse.  A specific purse. And what does he get me for graduation? The purse I wanted!

Daytime fun

Since finals are over and I have all this freedom and all kinds of time to occupy for a few days, I've had to find things to do so I don't get bored. Yesterday I spent the day enjoying the company of some great friends and an adult beverage or two, celebrating the end, discussing how we are going to make it through bar study. What was supposed to be just lunch, turned into lunch, games and dinner. I has a blast and can't wait to do it again!

Todays activities have included sleeping in late, lunch with the hubs, waking aimlessly around the mall looking for a dress for graduation, found nothing, enjoyed Starbucks, aimlessly wandered around a few stores and now, it's off to Gaffney, SC for the "South Kakalaki" graduation part on a farm! Can't wait to see everyone and enjoy the day!

Oh Teen Mothers

Looks like teen mom star, Jenelle is at it again... this time she isn't getting in trouble with the law.  Nope, instead, this time she is back in the lime light for a boob job... You can read the story here.  Thanks to my good friend Sarah for alerting me to this juicy news!  It was a wonderful way to take a break from studying... :)

Beautiful, just beautiful

As always, looking my best during finals.

SHHH!

I find myself irritated every day by those in the quiet section of the library.  It is a quiet section with a GIANT sign telling you to BE QUIET!!!!!  Have respect for those around you please and TAKE YOUR CALLS OUTSIDE!!!!  It's not a difficult thing to understand really!  Those that sit in this area require QUIET to study - you sir, are preventing that from happening!  Enjoy the lovely outdoors while you chat about your life... ok? Thanks! :)

Bar Exam Preparation

As I attempt to study for my final exam tomorrow, I continually find my mind wandering to the thought of what life will be like and how miserable I am going to be while studying and preparing for the bar exam.  While "studying" I happened upon an article called, Five Tips for Early Bar Exam Prep.


Here are those 5 "tips" and my take on each of them:

1Have You Eliminated All Distractions?
Distractions??? What distractions???  Of course I have eliminated all distractions, except of course for little Nugget, the hubs, blogging, gchat, home improvement projects, tanning . . . and the list continues... 


2 Do You Have a Dedicated Study Space?
Dedicated space for me means securing a study cube in the library and threatening to injure any of those that mess with my "dedicated study space."  That means the 1Ls taking summer classes should probably watch out of my way... the stink eye will be common place if you take my cube!  I suppose I could study at home, but who does that?  I would be distracted and therefore I wouldn't have eliminated all distractions as the first tip suggests that I should!


3 Are Your Finances in Order?
Does this assume that we have money to get in order?  The majority of my fellow classmates are as broke as I am!  So I suppose my finances are easy to get into order since there are none to place in an orderly line!  Furthermore, my wonderful hubs takes care of the bills (I think...) so I'll continue leaving that up to him, at least until after the bar, so that I am sure we have electricity in the house.


4 Have You Arranged to Take Two Months Off From Work?
This has to be a joke!  Two months off from work - what work?  This assumes that we have 'gainful employment' that is 'JD preferred.'  Sure there are some leads out there and sure some of us have a job, but we all have been 'warned' the job market is less than inspiring right now.  Regardless, I  have arranged for my time off, so I guess that means I'm good to start bar studying, even though I would rather work.  I have toyed with the idea of working one or two days a week, but that would cut down on my "me" time that has been so graciously scheduled into my bar study schedule, right along with 'bathroom' time, 'eating' time and 'sleeping' time.  This is going to be the best summer ever!  NOT!


5 Have You Persuaded Your Family and Friends to Support You?
Persuaded friends and family?  How about just demand that they either support you or get out of your way?  That's the approach I took.  So for those of you reading, if you haven't been warned yet, consider yourself warned now.  During the 10 weeks that I will be studying for the test of a lifetime, the test that makes or breaks my future, don't expect to hear from me.  Don't assume that if I haven't called that I am dead - check with the hubs first who should know if I'm alive.  I may be sleeping on a cot in the library or in a chair at MY study cube, but that doesn't mean I am a goner.  Just means I am sleep deprived.  Better than that, if you don't hear from me AFTER I have taken the bar, rest assured - I have just ran away to a secret location where I will be celebrating the end of the studying and the end of the exam, followed by panic and anxiety about the release of the results...


So there you have it folks!  The 5 tips for bar exam preparation.  Not included in those tips are ways to find motivation, ways to keep from falling asleep while listening to BarBri lectures, ways to keep sane, ways to not gain a million pounds while sitting and studying for 10 solid weeks and ways not to be the meanest and most irritable person you have ever met.  If you happen upon those, please let me know... they may actually be more helpful...

UGH

And here is how I am feeling today about the Decedent's exam I will be taking at 2:00pm tomorrow. Imagine the cat as all the 'knowledge' I have gained while studying for this test.  Now imagine me kicking it in frustration that I still don't think I know what I need to know for this exam... UGH

Right now, I feel like this...

STUPID DECEDENTS!

What day is today?

In the middle of exams, when I don’t know what day of the week it is.

I’m like:



Courtesy of tumblr #wheninlawschool

Then I realize today is . . .  SUNDAY?? That means I only have tonight and tomorrow to study for this??

That's when I start feeling like this....

“OMFG I am SO screwed for this exam!”

More lizards

After yesterday, it seems that lizards keep following me around! We got home after breakfast to find this little guy on or porch!

Nugget and her cake

Little Nina is still working on her birthday cake days later, although she seems to love it! Let's hope she doesn't begin to think this is her real food!

Oceanside

Even if it's the "redneck riviera," there's just something about the ocean that just makes me happy... Even if for just a small moment in time.  Enjoy!

A skank or a skink?

I spent today in Myrtle Beach celebrating the life of my cousin, Raymond, who passed away at the age of 54.  While most would be sad and morning, my family was celebrating his life. Raymond was diagnosed as a child with cystic fibrosis and wasn't supposed to live past 12.  Even with today's technology, those diagnosed are only expected to live until the age of 35. So needless to say, living to be 54 deserves a celebration. 

The celebration was held at a tiger preserve where they breed rare tigers to help preserve the species.  The preserve also has chimps, elephants and other large cats.  It was a rather peaceful and beautiful place.  Unfortunately we didn't get to see any of the tigers.  However, while sitting with family, exchanging stories I stood up to grab a drink and noticed there was a lizard on the back on my chair. Since we were under a pavilion, for some reason, I thought it was fake. Boy was I surprised! I asked my cousin, who helps out on the preserve, what that thing was.  He informed me it was a skank.  Wait, a skank or a skink? I'm still not sure. Either way, just when I thought I was done playing with lizards, they moved the seat cushion and there were more of these things but bigger! It freaked me or a little that I had been practically sitting with these things underneath of me for who knows how long, but with tigers and elephants nearby, I guess it shouldn't have surprised me!

Here's a photo of my little "friend."

On the road again

Instead of studying today, I'm heading to Myrtle Beach with my family to celebrate the life of my cousin who passed away this week after a long fight with cystic fibrosis.  I'm looking forward to seeing my family and enjoying day at the beach, despite the circumstances! Studying will commence again tomorrow... Unless I find the motivation to study in the car...

Happy Birthday Nugget!

So today is my little Nugget's 1st birthday!  Yes, her true name is Nina, but somehow her name has morphed into Nugget and now she goes by both.  Anyways, I absolutely love my Nugget and decided that we had to do something special for her birthday!  What could be better than a puppy birthday cake made just for her?!  I called up Canine Cafe on South Boulevard to see what they could whip up for the little baby.  Sure enough, they were able to make a lovely cake just for little Nugget!  They even had party hats!!  I can't wait until she see's her cake!

How did we get Nugget?  Well, back in August, when we returned from our honeymoon, the hubs and I decided we needed to add to our new 'family.'  Of course I didn't mean add to our family with children - I meant a puppy!  Thankfully, the hubs was up for the challenge of a puppy and after researching for awhile, we found our Nugget!  She was named Mercedes after she was born, but that just didn't fit her.  We spent quite some time trying to find the perfect name.  My sister-in-law came up with the perfect name of Nina.  You see, the puppy is named after the shoes we all wore in the wedding!

Anyways, here is Nugget when I first met her!

Unfortunately, her giant ears no longer fold over... instead they stand straight up and are commonly referred to as her 'satellite dishes!'  She was struggling with all sorts of problems when we rescued her, but don't worry - she is more than ok now.  I like to deny it, but I must admit today, that she is spoiled!

Playing house wife...

I got the idea to make kabobs tonight...  without a clue as to what I am doing... hopefully they turn out ok and are yummy! At least they look pretty! Now if I can just figure out how to tell when they are ready to eat...

Note cards galore...

I absolutely, positively CANNOT study and memorize all that I need to know for an exam without using note cards.  I started this trend in my 1L year and I haven't been able to study without them since.  Over the years, apparently I have become 'geriatric' according to some of my friends.  You see, I have begun using larger note cards because you can get more information on them and I am not stressing out about squeezing a million little things onto that tiny note card.  Say what you must friends, but I personally love my new found geriatric cards . . . now only if I could find the same love for 'dead people class.'

I'm back!

After what has been far too long of a break from blogging, and after being inspired by some of my friend's blogs, I have decided that blogging may be the only thing that keeps me sane (well somewhat sane) while I finish school and begin a new chapter in life... if only I could say I was looking forward to that new chapter... Oh well!  This too shall pass!