I feel all giggly...

When I see these:

Destinations

I have four days left of classes (tomorrow, then Monday through Wednesday next week), then five finals spread over two weeks. Then....three whole weeks of vacation time. To say I'm looking forward to that time off is a gross understatement.

D typically goes on a trip over Christmas/New Year's and this year we want to go together! The problem: where to go? So between studying like a mad-woman I'm checking out different destinations and deals. We shall see...!

Get Out and Vote

As Jon Stewart pointed out, it's only every 4 years and it's really one of the most precious rights we have as Americans. So take some time out of your day and go do your civic duty. It really can make a difference. Please, especially my generation, the 18-34 year olds: I'm tired of hearing how influential our votes could be and then we don't show up! Don't be a hypothetical; make sure you're firmly on the side stating your vote is influential.

Important Contributions

A few weeks back some fellow classmates of mine described me as independent, observant, intelligent and articulate. I felt great pride that people who know very little about me would describe me in such a way. Then I went to my criminal procedure class today.

Prof posed the question, "If [an officer] did not have a warrant and the person did not give consent to search by remaining silent when questioned, what would he have needed in order to search without violating the person's Fourth Amendment rights?"

This is a fairly simple question and the first thing that popped into my head was probable cause then exigent circumstances. Prof called on me by saying, "The woman in the, is that red? I can't tell the color...[woman who sits next me], what color is that?" After she struggled with it for a bit I said, "It's tweed."

Prof thanked me and then asked the woman behind me for the answer. I suppose I made a face because if he asked if I was with him. I was and said so. But let me tell you, I am always exceedingly thrilled when my important contribution to class is establishing that I wear an autumnal toned tweed (please read that as dripping with sarcasm).

Good Morning!

Typically, running at 5:30am is not a particularly inspiring event. True, I enjoy it immensely and feel a tad lost when I miss a day, but I'm not normal. This morning, however, while I was jogging along, my mind just waking up, I noticed something streaking across the sky. At first I wondered what jack*ss was shooting off rockets. Then I realized I'd just seen my first shooting star! So I quickly made a wish and finished my run feeling warm and fuzzy.

Wednesdays are usually awful, but with such an auspicious start I couldn't help but feel optimistic. Let's hope the good feeling lasts!

Two things that do not go together: a terrible allergy season and law school.

Since Saturday my nose has been running, my sinuses painful, my stomach churning (thanks post-nasal drip!), and my throat all kinds of scratchy. My body desperately wants me to just relax a bit, but there's not time for that nonsense. D came home on Monday and I was (and still am) uber excited. I picked him up at the airport and got to see some beautiful pictures as well as receive some great gifts (I bought him groceries to kick off his week right and made him dinner...whoa accomplishment). All weekend and throughout this week I've been steadily working as much as I can. I slacked on writing a couple of briefs (ok, so more than "a couple": 2 for torts, 1 for civ pro, 1 for property---but I did right that. I've just finished writing my civ pro brief and will do my torts and property during my 4 hour break tomorrow), but have kept up with all the reading/concepts. I even managed to be not too bitter when peer editing a classmate's memo.

If this experience has taught me anything, though, it's to suck down echinacia (sp?) like it's my job, wash my hands often and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables!

How to Win a Debate Palin-Style

Very accurately describes how I felt about the whole "debate." I think I'll use this strategy for my Moot Court competition....!

Solace

6:00am- Out of bed and out for a run
6:30am- Back from run, shower, dress
7:00am- Breakfast
(Between 7:15 and 8am)- Start working (class, reading, notes, writing=work)
10:30pm- Close books, pack bag for next day, try to go to bed.

This is a typical day for me, 7 days a week. Yes, 7 days a week. I wake up at 6 on Saturdays and Sundays too, but on those days, upon return from my run (which is usually longer than during the week) I'll simply change and start into work, taking a break some hours later to shower.

As I've said to my friend, J, I can see how law school drives people to drink. You work pretty much a 16 hour day and even when in bed your mind is racing about different fact sets, rules, memos, briefs, etc. It seems like the only way to get it to shut up is to inhibit it with some sort of substance (most, it seems, choose alcohol).

D left for a little European getaway with his family last Friday and it was this event that sparked my recognition of what I've been doing to get away from if all: him. I was curling up in bed one night late last week or early this week, when I realized that all I wanted was to be wrapped up in his arms. As I sat reading late into the night the next night I kept wanting to just be in his arms. Years past I may have wanted a drink.

I think it remarkable that all it takes is a hug from the right person to make all your cares and concerns drop away. I think it remarkable that I've found that. I'm a lucky woman.

TGIF

There was a time when Friday meant 2.5 days of nothing to do. It meant going out on Friday night to hang out with friends, maybe party a little, sleeping in on Saturday and then just doing whatever felt right; sleeping in again on Sunday, lazing about on the couch with some pancakes, maybe watching some football or movie marathons....

That was then. It is 8:24pm on Friday and my head is pounding. I spent innumerable hours in the bowels of the law library looking at Pa statutes and reading teeny tiny print in the pocket parts to try to decide whether there were any cases that are even remotely relevant to mine (good news: I found 5 fairly promising potentials!). Then it was off to the computer store and the grocery store. I had high hopes for cooking my parents dinner tonight, but I ended up curled up on the couch, relishing the chilly autumn air blowing in through the window, a steaming mug of tea warming my hands, watching a movie the name of which I never did find out. And what do I have to look forward to tomorrow? Reading and synthesizing my "fairly promising" cases; briefing for crim pro; creating flash cards for the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure; reading and briefing for property. Oh, and I should probably mow the lawn.

On top of all that, D is off for 2.5 weeks to Germany, Hungary and Austria (Slovakia may be in there somewhere too). He often travels and at least once a year he goes on a long, overseas vacation, but this time I started missing him before he'd even gone. I know I'll have plenty to do to keep me busy while he's gone, but I've grown a bit accustomed to having my weekends with him and at least one week night. On the nights I'm at my house I miss him every time I climb into bed. I used to hate having anyone intrude on my sleeping space; now all I want is to have him there. Now I'm getting sappy. I think it's time to curl up with Bon Appetit...

Money, money, money

All I've been thinking about lately is money. Why, you might ask? I mean, I have all these other things to worry about: closed memos, complaints, consideration, enforcement, probable cause, what is property? I could go on and on and on. But I won't have the luxury of worrying about these things without financial aid. I have been going back and forth with financial aid for months now and they're as sick of me as I am of them. Today, finally, progress has been made. Finally there'll be money in bank!

Of course this money comes at an exorbitantly high cost. What I'm hoping is that, upon graduation, I can get a job that will pay me enough to be able to sock half of it away purely for paying back these loans (and, say I make $120,000--high, but what a lot of junior associates are purported to be paid in Philadelphia firms--I'll be able to put away $60,000 for my loans leaving me with $60,000 to live on. I'm used to $30,000 so woooooooo!). For now, I feel a bit like this guy:

A Quick Aside

From "Presidio Group, LLC v. GMAC Mortgage, LLC" and the Honorable Ronald B. Leighton:

"Plaintiff has a great deal to say,
But it seems he skipped Rule 8(a),
His Complaint is too long,
Which renders it wrong,
Please re-write and re-file today."

Who says law isn't fun?

Reminder

They say it's good to keep your goal in mind. Now, really my goal has much more to do with class rank (short term) and great career (long term), but one of the perks I'm looking forward to:

Grumpy Gus

It is unfortunate that 4 hours of classes and 5 hours of reading a day tend to make me a grumpy gus. If you've only been reading my accounts of school thus far you may be under the impression that I'm not a fan. Thankfully it's actually the opposite.

I'm supremely happy with my decision and though there is a lot of work involved it feels wonderful (most of the time). I even managed to go out with two of my good friends, their boyfriends and D last night and not bore everyone to death! When it comes down to it, I know that I made the right decision. I have begun on the path towards a challenging and ultimately rewarding career.

I am also fortunate to have had experiences that have helped me to see that one always needs life outside of work/school. While I am undoubtedly thrilled with my "new career," I have so many other things to look forward to in my personal life. The balance that I've achieved in the past year is mind blowing and I feel more in control and more happy than I had in a long time.

Ahhhhhhh, life is good...!

I can't wait 'til...

1. October. Seems arbitrary, but I feel like this "back to school" horror will be over by then.

2. I actually understand what I'm reading.

3. Briefing a case takes less than an hour

4. Reading a case takes less than 2 hours

5. My head stops hurting

6. I can actually sleep through the night

7. I finish reading for Contracts.

8. I have something interesting to write about that does not involve school (sadly, I've actually only been at this a week)

*BIG siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh*

Last night I ventured away from my desk and myriad case books, computer, notes, outlines, briefs, etc. and went to D's. We had dinner in front of the television and watched "To Catch a Thief" with Carey Grant and Grace Kelly. I highly recommend this film. It was funny. It was cute. Sure it was old, but it's classic. (And D said I have Grace Kelly's lips...awwww.) It is probably one of the more exciting aspects of my week. Oh right, except the yachting on Saturday, but there's not much to report to the blog-o-sphere with regards to that except that I did it and it was a wonderful day (thanks D!).

And now I really must stop procrastinating and get on with it.

You Know You're in Law School When...

I woke up around 6:30 this morning, right out of some bizarre dream and the first thoughts that went through my mind went a little something like this:

"We could easily ask for a motion to dismiss and Judge F (there was a whole name attached, but I can't remember it now) would certainly grant; but it may be to our advantage to ask for a mistrial to allow counsel the opportunity for greater discovery."

Contracts

UCC section 2-313 (2):

"It is not necessary to the creation of an express warranty that the seller use formal words such as "warrant" or "guarantee" or that he have a specific intention to make a warranty, but an affirmation merely of the value of the goods or a statement purporting to be merely the seller's opinion or commendation of the goods does not create a warrant."

Oy.

Summer Reading

I had ordered a bunch of books (or rather "reserved" them from my local library) before heading to the beach a month ago. Unfortunately not a single one came in time and have now been drifting in slowly over the remainder of the summer (which, for me, ends tomorrow). There was really only one book on the list that I really wanted to read: Bringing Home the Birkin by Michael Tonello. I finally got it and could not put it down.

For starters, Tonello is a wonderfully colloquial writer; you feel as though you're having dinner and cocktails with him while he relates this odd tale of "importing/exporting." It makes you jealous that you didn't think of it first. You feel like he's a friend, or at least someone you really want to befriend! I had trouble putting it down when it came to cook/eat dinner and then again later in the evening when I really needed to get some sleep! All in all it is one of the best "chick-lit" books I've ever read (and, ironically, it was written by a man). At points he had me laughing aloud and sharing certain passages with any who was in the the room with me.

The unofficial end of summer is quickly approaching and the lazy days of light reading will go along with them. So, while you still have the chance, run out and pick up Tonello's book. I promise it will not disappoint.

Wet 'n Wild

I am not kidding when I say I've been waiting for this my entire life: Tropical Storm Fay has hit! Sure, it's not spelled the same (it's missing the "e"), but close enough. When I was little we used to go to "Wings" when at the beach. They sell all kinds of cheap crap with names on them. Never ever ever did they have key chains or mugs or other cheap do-hickeys with my name on it. And this was in the South. Womp womp! Finally, finally, I have my tropical storm.

I was so excited when I turned on the TV to see if the Olympics were on and was greeted with my tropical storm, that I ran out to the porch where my parents were having a leisurely breakfast and jumped up and down. It felt like my birthday.

An hour or so later, D texted me, "Tropical storm Fay. Your secret's out!!!" The next day B called me to let me know that I was pounding her (and the rest of Florida).

Isn't it fun to be strong, menacing, wet 'n wild?

The Way It Should Be

I spent the weekend on the Choptank River in MD attending a wedding reception/barbecue weekend for one of D's college friends. The whole affair was decidedly low-key: guests were invited to arrive at 2pm and when we showed up at 2:20 both bride and groom were in bathing suits; dinner was a buffet-style burgers, pulled pork, hot dogs, corn, potato salad, mac and cheese, seat-yourself do; no toasts were given, no stuffy formalities; guests were invited to stay overnight on the grounds in tents. The couple was married about 6 weeks ago in a family ceremony and have already been on their honeymoon. Almost everyone we talked to agreed: this is how a wedding should be.

In my opinion the big 150-300 guest events lack a certain level of intimacy that something like, oh say, a wedding seems to demand (will these same people invite everyone they or their parents know to the delivery room when the first child is born? "Oh look everyone, if you peer at my wife's vagina you can see the head crowning! Grab your cameras!"). I've never had visions of a big lavish do for myself. Sure I'd like the pretty dress and some nice flowers, but spending what could be my down-payment on a house for a one day party seems a bit ludicrous. One needs to remember what's important about a wedding: the marriage.

I had recently read an article about post-nuptial blues that overtake some brides after the wedding is over. Some of these women spend a year or more planning their weddings to the smallest details. They hand pick everything and are involved with every aspect. Some of them even quit their jobs to take on planning their party full time. Then, when it's over, what are they left with? A champagne hang-over, a new ring and a new husband. Sounds alright to me (minus the hang over), but without all this planning and anticipation these women don't know what to do. Suddenly they are not the center of attention. Suddenly, for the ones who quit their jobs, they have tons of time to fill and nothing to fill it with. How did we get to this point? And with this kind of mind-set is it really so surprising that so many marriages end up in divorce? Instead of focusing on learning how to live their day to day life with another person, too many brides are focused on a party that will be over in the blink of an eye. Marriage, however, lasts a lifetime (or is supposed to, hence those vows you take...).

This past weekend's wedding makes me feel better about the whole thing. I have a coworker who is planning her wedding and listening to her drone on about place cards and flatware puts me into a coma. Maybe I'm missing some female gene that makes women obsessed with all things wedding, but it simply doesn't interest me (well, admittedly I like to watch "Whose Wedding is it Anyway," but when it comes to thinking about my own I'd rather just pop down to the courthouse with my parents, brother and a few close friends, go out for a great dinner and some dancing and then maybe throw a party later, once we've figured out the logistics of taking two and making one).

To realize that there are other people out there who would rather share the intimate act of exchanging vows with only those who really care (close family and friends...usually less than 50 people) and then celebrating in a way everyone can enjoy (no suits and ties, completely kid-friendly), makes me smile. Forget obsessing over napkin colors, table arrangements, aisle runners, taper candles vs. votives, and instead shift focus to what you are actually doing: opening up your life, every bit of minutia, to someone else. The wedding is not the end all be all, it is only the beginning...

Does anyone know...?

There's this car insurance commercial (Allstate, maybe?) that has a woman, probably close to my age, asking everyone and anyone questions about deductibles, rates, comprehensive vs. collision, etc. I mean, she's asking everyone. I feel like her. I have a slight problem and am going out of my mind, so I keep asking everyone what I should do. I'm completely torn because I see the reasoning behind both choices, but I can't come up with a decision to save my life. I will make that decision by default if I don't come to a conclusion soon.

Augh! Rock and a hard place...I'm there.

**UPDATE

My brother, the philospher, helped me with the answer. This flies in the face of my theory that philosophers never answer questions, they only generate them. *sigh* In any case, I'm grateful.