Me, J.D.

It's official--I've graduated! I have a ridiculous number of back-posting to do, but this one is clearly the most important (in my defense, blogger kept saying it was down whenever I tried to create a post the entire last week--anyone else have problems?). 

I am blessed (and spoiled!!) with the best friends and family ever; I couldn't have dreamed of more perfect graduation celebrations. We celebrated with my family graduation night and my sorority sisters threw me a party last night--too fun!

 And no, it doesn't feel real yet...

 

Almost....

My last final EVER is this afternoon :) Wish me luck--Lord knows I'll need it badly! Here are a few final funny test answers as a little Wednesday pick me up:

 

Completely unrelated, I'm going tomorrow to get my hair done for graduation.  I'm thinking about cutting it off--it's gotten so long now--and I'm ready for something more professional, maybe?  I'm generally Sampson-like with my hair.  I almost never cut it short and just get a trim, but I think I need a change.  I feel like my hair is getting super heavy. 

Any thoughts on these haircuts (I know, they aren't short-short, but still, that's about 6-8 inches shorter than what I have now):

Halfway There...

I have become the world's worst blogger....ever.  I have one final to go until graduation, and I'm ready to get this show on the road (let me correct that--I'll be ready after I start really studying for this test to get this show on the road).  But, I have a lot of other things taking up my time beyond school: 

Except the grass is actually green now...

1. Our house is still on the market.  So, if you want to come buy it, please by all means do and make me the happiest girl in the world! C and I are clean people, but keeping the house ready to show at all times is a lot of work.

2. C's been sick. Poor baby has been on a z-pac for a while, but that hasn't stopped his fever (or his sweating through the sheets at night...or his general grouchiness...).

3. Pomegranate sale.  Okay, this is just what is taking up my time today--I'm getting ready to head out there right now. I'll be sure to share my finds!

4. Eh. I have endometriosis, and I have been able to tell for a little while that it hasn't been getting better (and realized last week that it may be worse).  Well, I finally got in with the doctor and she wants to do surgery...again...the week after the Bar.  Just the way I wanted to celebrate!

5. Junior League. I joined Jr. League this year, and it is a lot of fun--but it can be very time consuming, especially as a provisional. I've loved getting to meet the girls though and getting involved  in Lexington, so it has definitely been worth it.

So jealous they'll be able to go cheer on Big Cous in person :)

6. Sacramento. C's little brother just got a job in Sunny Sacramento! He's excited--and we are so thrilled for him.  He and his girlfriend are embarking on the "Goodbye Tour" so that they can see all of the family before they leave.  Don't worry...we've already started planning wine trips to Napa with them--we've got it all covered.

7. This Weather.  Just call me Dorothy (and pup can be Toto). I live right next to a park, so C and I have gotten little sleep/rest lately because the park's sirens are constantly going off and the weather just keeps coming.  For example, I got stuck in the church basement for 2 1/2 hours yesterday during the tornado warning. Also, Kentucky is being absolutely devastated by flooding--we're over $34 million in damages from the storms already.  I am just thanking God that nothing like what happened in Tuscaloosa happened here (and that all my friends at UA are okay).  Alabama is heavy on my mind today.

8. Royal Wedding. I'm not die-hard about this, but I am excited to see this wedding tomorrow!

I've decided this one was my favorite concoction--pineapple, mango, and coconut yogurts with fresh fruit (and gummy bears). Yum!

9. Study Breaks. I've been taking quite a few study breaks--especially to Orange Leaf and Magee's.  Let's just hope my graduation dress will still fit...

No more excuses though...I'll try to get better!

Last Week of School...Ever

Such a weird thing to think: this week is my last week of classes. Ever.  I don't think it will hit me until the fall when I don't return to school and actually start working, but still...it's weird.

I am sorry I have been so bad about blogging/reading blogs--I have a ton going on personally and with school so I don't have time to breathe, let alone blog (literally I've been up until about 2 AM each night trying to catch up the school work I didn't do this semester).  Once I play catch up and get my life in order, I promise I'll be back. Until then, over the next few posts I'll share some funny test answers that I wish I could use on our exams:

The End is Near...

...and I don't care enough to prepare. 

Two weeks of school left...and I just started one outline and haven't started on the other.  This is so unlike me.  I need to get my butt in gear, but 3L-itis has hit me hard. I did finish one massive paper and do a trial last week--but still, this is getting bad.

All I want to do is this: 

Mixed with: 

But after graduation, I know I'll have a long summer of bar studying in front of me..ugh.

So for now, instead of working on my outlines, I'll look at cute pictures of dogs and share the better ones with you. And stalk houses online, of course.

I'm So Spoiled..

Welp, that's the end of the pictures of our South America trip--you have no idea how badly I wish I was still there. 

Hope ya'll have a good weekend. 

While Hubs gets to enjoy the ponies at Keeneland, mine is going to be spent studying--finals are right around the corner and I'm not prepared at all.  Ugh...at least graduation is less than a month away! Speaking of that wonderful day in May, mom came in town Sunday and spoiled me rotten as an early graduation gift. 

We found a really cute pair of Jessica Simpson wedge black heels and a ruffle-y throw pillow for the living room. I am going to cover the little cushion on the chair to match and I'll be sure to post pictures. 

Mom got me this ruffle wrap/sweater from Macy's (but the sleeves are full length).

We went by Gap and picked up super comfy long-sleeve Gap Body tees that were on sale for 6 bucks.  Nothing better than a good Gap sale.

And, I have a new obsession for work clothes. Antonio Melani is a brand Dillards exclusively carries, but they have the most gorgeous suits.  I'm normally not a Dillards girl for anything but shoes (I think because its on the other end of the world at Fayette Mall), but this is a great find. The colors, fabric, and sheens are classic but modern.  Plus, the fit was super-flattering on me.  Basically, I'm obsessed. Mom got me this dress to wear at graduation (if you can look beyond the super angry/evil looking model): 

We got this jacket to wear over it (they matched really well, especially with the white piping on the dress):

 

Since it was on sale, we picked up the matching skirt so I have the full suit.  I also found a super cute black and grey pencil skirt on sale. I figured I can pair it with a black jacket and it would look great. Seriously...this brand is my new love.

Wordless Wednesday: Best Response Letter Ever

 

The Weather Outside is Frightful...

We've decked the halls, trimmed the tree, and tied every ribbon and bow.  I just love this time of year!  

I'm ready to get full swing into the holiday spirit--just criminal procedure left to go! Friday afternoon can't get here soon enough. So, keep your fingers and toes crossed and the prayers coming for me.  


Hope y'all stay safe in this crazy weather tonight!

Friday Confessions: Finals

Finals is probably the only time when I'm not thanking God its Friday, haha! So, here are some confessions, finals style. 

1. During finals I almost never get dressed for the day unless I have to go out in public. Even then, it's pretty thrown together.  I sit around in my PJs all day for these two weeks. 

2. I am cleaner during finals than any other time of my life.  Nothing beats stress like a bubble bath, so I often take 2-3 hour long baths a day while going over index cards and outlines. This is probably necessary because I remain covered in highlighter for these two weeks.

3. I plan my whole semester around finals.  I have taken classes merely because they have papers instead of a final, and if I'm on the fence between two classes, I'll take the one that fits in better to my finals schedule.  Basically, I plan to ensure I have the minimal amount of stress possible.  I even have planned next semester so that I only have two (as in 2) finals (which sounds AMAZING right now).

4. I honestly didn't know stress until law school.  I had been in stressful situations, but nothing like law school--not even the time I thought my house was being broken into (it was just a repairman my parents forgot to tell me about).  I had the first panic attack of my life during the spring semester of my first year, and unfortunately it was not my last.  I tend to lose about 7-12 pounds during finals from stress: I can't keep food down and I have no appetite.  Before one final, I even got sick from just brushing my teeth. I'm pathetic. 

5. Finals have brought me closer to God.  It has made me pray more and be more thankful for what He has given me.  I will admit (it is Friday Confessions, right) that one semester I sat in church and continually pleaded with God to let me survive finals. I tried to barter that if I lived through my tax exam, I would make an extra effort to go to church every week.  He answers prayers: I passed tax with flying colors and have been a regular at church since. 

6. Contrary to popular belief, third year is not easier than the first two.  Yes, first year they scare you to death, second year they work you to death, but third year is a continuation of year two.  I honestly think the only difference is by third year you stop caring as much (hence why I am blogging and not studying right now). 

7. Despite how much we (or I) complain, finals are not the most difficult questions in the world, its just a lot of memorization.  Yes, there is a lot of pressure on the us because they are the only grades we get for an entire class, but I've never walked into an exam and not known what the professor was asking.  The difficulty is trying to distinguish your exam answers from your classmates because it is graded on a curve. 

Well, I better go study.  First exam is Tuesday, and I'll try to post to let you all know that (if) I survived.  I heard the exam is extremely difficult (he tends to mix many concepts into one question with convoluted facts), so keep your fingers crossed and say some prayers please.  At least this time in two weeks, I'll be all done!

Hope you all have better weekend plans than I do!

Thankful Thursday

Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.

-Brian Tracy

In everything give thanks.

-I Thessalonians 5:18
God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say, "thank you?"
-William A. Ward

Okay guys, I'll admit, this week's thanks are a tad bit rushed (aka, I don't have time to find cute graphics).  I am still finishing up outlines I have to memorize before my tests--which begin NEXT WEEK. I know, I know, law school is the excuse of my life.

1. Last Week of Classes for the Semester. This is terrifying and yet relieving all at the same time. I'll be thankful for it as long as I can kick my butt into gear to start studying. 

2. Doctors. Cam is sick, and I am very thankful the doctor was able to see him immediately and get him started on medicine so he can start feeling better. 

3. Giveaways. I just found out I won $250 at a law school giveaway.  YAY! 

4. Pre-Made Meals. Cam's mom made me a bulk supply of vegetarian chili and I am making twice baked potatoes to freeze for the week. I love having delicious meals on hand that I can just heat up or bake. 


5. Chocolate Covered Raisins.  We bought the bulk-sized thing of them, and they are already halfway gone.  Delicious and you don't feel too bad because they're raisins, right?


6. Supplements. Seriously, I don't know how I would get through some classes without having a professional book summarizing the law for me. 

7. UK Basketball. I know, we lost the invitational. But seriously, if we are going to lose, I'd rather it be earlier in the season so that won't get too cocky and that they can learn from their mistakes. I'm thankful that they lost now, so hopefully they will remain humble enough to get better. 

8. Facebook.  It can be the source of serious procrastination and stalking, but as more of my family joins, I'm finding myself feeling more connected with the family that is further away through their pictures and status updates.  


9. A Beautiful Fall. It has been a gorgeous fall with wonderful weather. In Kentucky, it can go from 70 degrees to snow in October and sometimes I feel like I don't have much of real fall. But, this season we have had many days in the 50-60s and just this week it became cold around here, and I am thankful for the great weather we have had. 

10. Nerves--or lack of.  I usually am a complete hot-mess around finals. I have had panic attacks, no appetite, and general stress.  This semester (knock on wood), I have been so lucky that this anxiety hasn't hit (yet). Praise you God for not putting me through those awful emotions!

What are you all thankful for today?

Obligatory Finals Warning

As always with this time of year, I'm going to go ahead and apologize that I will be bad about blogging. I will try to catch up when I can, but no promises.  I feel so behind right now with finals being in only two weeks and I am still the beginning of September with some of my outlines.  I'm working into overtime on prep work so I can try to actually avoid the panic attacks that always come around Thanksgiving.  

I wish the weeks would slow down so I could get more done.  I feel like every time I look up, its almost Thursday and another week has passed by that I didn't get as much done as I wished.

At least this is the LAST YEAR that finals can invade on my Thanksgiving/Christmas celebrations, AND I will be done with finals in exactly one month from today.  Small victories, right? 

Where There's a Will...

Do you ever feel like once you surround yourself with something, you begin seeing it other places in your life? 

My first year we learned about torts, which is where someone breaches their duty to someone else and causes damage.  

I began seeing torts anywhere and everywhere.  Swimming pools became lawsuits waiting to happen, a child playing in my yard were trespassers, and no one should have people over without signing a waiver that they would not sue as an invitee when the house collapsed on them.  Even a simple hug could be assault and battery if taken the wrong way.  Let's not even begin contract law--I cringed whenever I heard anyone offer to do something, because they are absolutely bound by contract if another person accepted.  At that point, it's just a matter of how we want to measure damages--reliance, expectation, or restitution? Why not tack on some punitive? 

Needless to say, I learned quickly not to legal concepts invade my real life.  Really, who ever wants to take their work home?

This year, for the first time, I broke this little promise to myself.  We had always decided we would make a will when we had kids, or when we had enough assets to actually worry about who got what. But, while sitting in trust and estates, I realized just how awful Kentucky intestacy laws are for spouses if one spouse passes away without a will.  

As I read case after case where the wife consistently got little upon her husband's death (let's not even mention the creepy case where the husband adopted his wife to make her his child under the intestacy law, but the court still didn't give her anything), I got a sick feeling in my stomach that the poor, screwed-over wife could easily be me.  It also didn't help that the professor kept mentioning that the most important takeaway from the class  was that anyone married and living in Kentucky should go home that night and make a will.   

Yep, I broke down in the final stretch of law school and gave in.  We now have each drafted a will to protect the other.  But, I couldn't contain myself it just have a simple holographic one liner saying, "I  give everything to my husband." Oh no.  Being the crazy law student, our wills include those far-fetched, legalese provisions about simultaneous death and whatnot.  

 The worst part--I'm only partially ashamed of myself.  If you're gonna break your own rule, you might as well go all out, right? 

It's official.

I got a job.  

And not just any job--an official, adult, legal job in Kentucky.  YAHOO!


Now I just have to graduate and pass the bar--hopefully then these three years will be worth something.

Habitat For Humanity

Cam and I volunteered this weekend with Habitat for Humanity with the firm I am interning at this summer.  It was an absolute blast, and after learning more about Habitat, we definitely are interested in doing more builds and being more involved in such a wonderful charity. 

Two local firms partnered for this build and were listed as "Buildable Hours"--how cute is that?

 

The moment Cam thought he'd never see--me in a hard hat with a hammer and Demarcus Cousins style glasses.  See those awesomely crooked rows of nails? All me.

Hubs, also looking cool.  Except he actually knew what he was doing.

Midway through the build. The support beams were built and the floor joists were nailed in place.

Our finished project--we had about half of the subflooring put in.

Not only did I take pictures, but the news came to our build site  and the clip was the "top news story" on a story about funding for a Habitat build in honor of Amanda Ross (but, I know, lawyers actually doing something good for the community is newsworthy in and of itself).  Here's the link to the clip (Cam's in the blue hard hat and DTD shirt and I'm in an orange hard hat and white shirt and navy shorts).  No making fun of my sitting-indian-style hammering skills either. It was effective, okay?!

 

Also, in a completely unrelated note, is anyone up for a Lexington get together? Jill had mentioned it, and I think it would be fun! August 27/28th works for me--does anyone else want to do this? 

Hope everyone had a good weekend!

The Search

This week I have begun the most dreaded thing of all---the job hunt for the permanent, hopefully legal, job.  I've updated my resume and grade sheets, revised cover letters, filled out the online job and clerking forms, am sucking up to professors for letters of recommendation, and most importantly--crossing my fingers and toes that someone will find me employable. 

Nothing like coming out of graduate school in the worst economic circumstances since the Great Depression, right?