Books

I love books.  I love when break comes and I can read for pleasure again.  Sometimes, I feel sorry for those who do not enjoy reading.  Reading is more than a hobby, more than an escape.  My favorite books are like my best friends, more than that, they are a piece of me.  When I am feeling sad, I can pick up a favorite book and it is as if I become the character.  Every time I read Pride and Prejudice, I feel the embarrassment of wrong interpretation, the change Lizzy goes through which gradually turns to love.  If I want some fun or funny in my life, I read a Stephanie Plum book (ex-one for the money).  Her accident proneness and hi-jinx just add to her lovableness.  You can't help but laugh, not at her, but at yourself because you know you do that same things.  I pick up Harry Potter when I want adventure and to have my faith renewed in mankind.

I remember reading the 5th Harry Potter book.  Harry is so angsty in that book (he is 15, after all), and I felt that angst.  I felt everything he felt.  I just finished The Hunger Games (all 3 books), and I am still trying to process it all.  However, at night, when I lie with my husband with his arms around me-I feel just like Peeta and Katniss in the Second book.  I feel like all my bad dreams and thoughts won't bother me.  I know this is weird, but like I said, books become a part of me! The Hunger Games is another book that renews my faith in man.  As many bad people there are out there, and as bad as things can get, there will be that one person trying to save and protect the world.

Movies are cool too, but I feel more in charge of a book.  Sure, books give descriptions, but my own head builds the characters and the scenery.  It doesn't always turnout exactly as I pictured in my head.  Plus, movies tend to cut out parts for time, or change little things to make them more exciting or recordable.  Also, they don't become a piece of me.  You spend a lot of time in characters' heads in books, which is hard to translate into film.  In books-you hear their thoughts and darkest secrets, you bond.  That just doesn't happen in movies.

I hope I never stop reading.  I hope when I become a busy lawyer without Christmas/Summer break, I can still find time to visit my friends, my little pieces of me, and remind myself to be the change I wish to see in the world.

Booooooooooooooooored!

During school, all I can think is,"God I am ready for break!"  Now I am on break and all I can think is, "God I miss school!"  I'm an anomaly.  Grass is always greener, I guess.  I have been able to see some great friends since break started.
First-Ande got married!  It's so funny because Ande married Aaron; I am married to Joe; and our other close friend is Kate married to Kris.  We like alliteration!  I don't have wedding pictures yet, I will post them later.  Here is a pic of Kate, Ande, and I on wig night:

I also spent some time after my last final with 2 great girl friends and my parents:

Finally-I've gotten to spend some quality time with my husband.  It's definitely nice to be able to relax and be together just the two of us

Now, how to fill the rest of my time?  Thank goodness Anden lent me her Hunger Games books!

Not Everyone's Cup of Tea

I happen to be a very opinionated woman, and I don't apologize for it.  This may mean that I am not everyone's cup of tea, but I am actually happy about that.  I prefer to be surrounded by people who like me for me rather than people who like me for keeping my mouth shut.  As a friend, you will never wonder what I think or feel.  I am not one to talk behind your back, I prefer to say it to your face.  I like life better this way.

I remember being younger and thinking everyone had to like me.  I was terrified of saying the wrong thing, doing the wrong thing, being the wrong person.  It was exhausting.  I was constantly beating myself up for some blunder I believed I had made.  I have also always been opinionated and never been able to perfectly control my mouth and when I let my opinions slip, I stressed about alienating people all night. 

My point is, not everyone has to like everyone.  Not everyone is going to be your friend.  It's better to surround yourself with those who truly love you for YOU rather than those you run yourself ragged to please.

As much as I hate those "Thankful posts" on FB...

I do have a lot to be thankful for:
My puppy Leo-he always knows when I'm feeling poorly and cuddles with me.  It's unconditional love and it's awesome.  Plus, he is super cute.

I'm thankful for my water bottle.  I'm addicted to it.  Joe got it for me for my birthday last year.  If I leave it at home, it freaks me out!  I have it on my nightstand at night and bring it to school everyday.

I'm thankful for my law school family.  Thank goodness I was put in section 4!  It is seriously the best section ever.  We are all very supportive of each other and genuinely want everyone to succeed (well, at least my section 4 friends do).  I am particularly thankful for becoming better friends with Paige and Hammonds.  It's been a great, although stressful, semester:

I'm Thankful for my family.  Those I was born with and those I "chose".  I'm pretty dang lucky in that department.  I have a great husband, great friends and great family.
Isn't my brother so cute?

 Game Nights are the best!

 My "proud" family.  I don't know how I would live without them!

 The girls of the family.  We are a good time!

I'm thankful this awful semester is almost over!  have a happy Thanksgiving all!

Just a word to the wise-if you ever go to law school, be smarter than me.  In your second year, do NOT fill your schedule up with classes on the Bar.  Take a skills class, or a seminar, or anything without a final.  5 finals in one semester is brutal. 

Finals

Finals time is quickly approaching.  This means, my free time will soon be nil.  However, EVERYONE likes to plan shit around finals time.  There happens to be a lot going on around this time: My husband's birthday, Thanksgiving, my birthday, my little brother leaving for the Navy, weddings.  I want to be able to be there and be involved, but my education comes first.  I am not going to waste all the money I am spending by partying it up during finals time (and law school ain't cheap folks!)  My problem is, I'm just a girl who can't say no (Oklahoma, anyone?  anyone?)  I HATE telling people no.  Especially when I get the guilt trip, and I ALWAYS do.  I wish people could realize I'm not saying no because I hate you, or feel like being a bitch, I am saying no because I HAVE TO STUDY!  I have to take care of me, because frankly, if *I* don't, no one else will.

Is it already almost October?

Time has FLOWN this semester!  I cannot believe how close we already are to halfway!  Definitely time to start outlining!  I've done a bit of charting, but nothing too serious yet.  My main issue: Law review paper (Dun Dun DUUUUUUN!)  My first draft is due Monday.  I have less than one page so far.  UGH!  Someone shoot me!  I need 12.  I know I can pull it out, I just need to get over this funk I am in right now.

My "funk." I am totally in a lazy mode and I have no idea why.  Maybe it is second year?  Maybe it is stress?  Maybe it is that my classes no longer have me constantly on call (unlike first year)?  All I know, is I need to get out of it.  Anyone have any remedies?  I have the lazies.

Now, for your viewing pleasure, my beautiful Wills and Trusts Intestacy Charts (My favorite class this semester!):
 I do love color!

Facts	Rule
UPC §2-102
Spouse only	(1)(A) Entire Estate
Spouse+all joint issue	(1)(B) Entire Estate
Spouse w/spouses step kid (regardless of other kids)	(4) 150,000+ ½ the remaining estate
Spouse w/decedent’s step kid (only if also joint issue)	(3) 225,000+ ½ remaining estate
Spouse + parents	(2) 300,000+ ¾ remaining estate
OK Ti. 84 § 213(B)
Spouse Only	1(a) Entire Estate
Spouse + Joint issue	½ interest in estate
Spouse + spouses step kid	½ JIP + equal interest in remaining estate (Non JIP)
Spouse + Parent/Sibling	All JIP + 1/3 interest in remaining estate (Non JIP)

Types	Rules
Parentelic (OK follows)	Lowest Parentela Wins (Heads trump) distribute entire estate w/in closest parentela (Allows representation)
Civil Law	Lowest degree from decedent wins (No representation)
Modified Civil Law	If tie w/in Civil law, closest parentela wins (No representation)

All play and no work

I talk about school/life balance, but lately, the life side has been taking over.  While it is still early in the semester, I can't help but want to spend as much time with friends and family as possible before I have to become a recluse.  It's been filled with fun times such as:

BANG!  It's a fun game of outlaws, sheriffs, deputies, and a renegade.  It's an old western shoot 'em up.  It is confusing at first, but sooo much fun once you get the hang of it.

It's like a combination of catch phrase and charades.  You play 3 rounds.  First round you get as many clues and guesses as you want, but you can't pass.  Second round you can say 1 word, but as many sounds or gestures as you want, but only one guess.  Third round, no words, gestures and sounds and one guess.  Both of those rounds you can pass.  Everyone tries to get as many cards as possible in 30 seconds and the round ends once all the cards (You can choose anywhere from 25-40 cards) have been guessed.

And of course:

FRIENDS!  Team V was Victorious!  My friend Jenny (on the left) has moved away to New Mexico and we only get to see her sporadically, so I gave myself a break to get to see her.

The problem with this is I am half-assing my school work, this is no bueno.  In my attempt at balance, I have merely tipped the scales.  So, this week, I am forcing myself to stay at the library until at least 5-6PM to do nothing but homework.  No facebook, or words with friends, just work!  Hopefully I can balance properly having a full week and a fun weekend, because this weekend is Dallas Pride!  WOOOHOOO!   Thumbs up:

Second Year is soooo much easier!

This is a bold faced lie.  There are certainly differences, but I wouldn't call second year EASIER.  Between law review, mentoring, classes, and trying to find a freaking job-second year is flat out busy!  I haven't had a lot of time to myself.  Well, I finished my cite checking (early, yay!) and decided to give myself the night off last night.  That's right, I blew off my homework and had a date night with my husband.  It was so nice!  We ate good food, had a few drinks, met up with friends, and just relaxed.

As busy as school is, it's important to keep some time open for your spouse.  It is hard at times, but not only is it good for my marriage, it is good for ME!  Mentoring the 1Ls, this is something I hope to instill in them.  Yes, you need to work hard and spend a LOT of time on school, but if you don't take care of yourself (and your relationships) as well, you will be useless.

Cite Checking

I am pretty sure this is a form of hazing for law students.  This is for people who write or grade on to law review.  You sit in a room (with no windows) on your computer verifying 1) the place where they claim this info came from is correct 2) the citation form they used is correct and 3) their grammar is all correct.  I have spent about 5 hours on this so far and done a total of 11 cites.  I have to do 45.  That leaves 34 more and I am averaging about one every 1/2 hour.  That means 17 hours.  Fortunately, this will not be the case.  My first cite was to a 1930's handwritten census (that was cited incorrectly).  The census was 1,160 pages.  I had to verifying the man's name was somewhere on that census and get the page number because the writer was lazy.  Since the document is handwritten (IN CURSIVE), I couldn't do a simple document search of the microfilm because the computer would not recognize the cursive.  Worst thing I have ever done in my life.  This means I spent 2 of those 5 hours on one cite.  1 of those 5 hours I spent searching for a 1964 Virginia state session law.  So, 2 hours were spent doing 9 cites.  If I don't get anymore craziness, I could be done in as little as 7 hours!  Ugh.

Why is Law Review good again?

The Adventures of Callie and Leo

Today started out a good day, I slept in until 8:30 (unheard of when you have a "plump" dog that likes to eat by 7), had some strawberries for breakfast, it was all good.  I let the pups out to play for a little bit at about 10 so I could get some work done without Callie laying on my keyboard.  I went to let them in at 10:30 and THEY WEREN'T THERE.  The gate was open,dogs where gone.  In my panic I took off, barefoot, around the neighborhood.

I couldn't find them.  I called Joe, crying hysterically and he came home to drive around with me looking for them.  They were no where to be found.  There were people out EVERYWHERE, I KNEW someone had to have taken them,  I called the pound, the shelter, animal control, posted on FB, posted on craigslist and went to make flyers.  I come home from picking up the flyers, and I see Callie in the garden of a neighbor 4 houses down.  She was soaking wet, but I got her home.  Elated to have found her, I was POSITIVE Leo was nearby, so I went back out and pounded the pavement.  Couldn't find him.  I get back home and started to bandage my now blistered feet.  I look up, and there is Leo coming up the front steps!  He was bone dry.

I'll never really know what adventures they had today, but I can speculate:

Callie: Look, Leo, I figured out how to open the gate, FREEDOM!!!!
Leo: Callie!  There could be dangers out there!  Where are you going!
Callie:  The pond where the girl takes us on walks!  We can chase ducks and catch fish.
Leo: Fish and ducks?  I'm in then.
Callie and Leo get to the pond, chase a few ducks, splash around a few fish when something catches Leo's eye, the forest area the girl never lets them play in!
Leo:  Callie, let's go explore.  I bet there are evil squirrels in there for us to attack.

Callie readily agrees and they darted into the woods.  They frolicked, played, caught 0 squirrels, but TWO grasshoppers.  Leo decided it was time to head back home.  They got to the door, but no one was home.  Just then, the best thing ever drives by, a dump truck!  Leo and Callie run and chase the truck, playing/eating the scraps that fall behind.  Suddenly, something catches Callie's eye and she runs for it.  By the time Leo turns around, she is gone.

Leo, distraught to have lost his little sister begins to look for her.  She's not at the pond, nor in the woods, or even in the cool backyard with the fence blown down.  Leo decides to head home without her.  Leo gets home and there is the girl!  Not only is the girl home, but Callie is too!

The adventure is over, so both pups decide to relive it by taking a nap!  Goodnight!

School Days

I am so ready for school to start back!  I hear the second year is so much more fun.  I have also heard it is easier, but I don't know how that will be.  I am taking 16 hours, on the American Indian Law Review and am a mentor to the 1L class.  I am pretty excited about being a mentor.  I LOVED ours.  I hope I get a section of 1Ls like my section was.  They were like my little family.

Before school starts (and on the first day!) I have a few interviews for next summer.  I am pretty excited about this.  Last year, I didn't get any on campus interviews (paid internships).  This year, I am getting interviews at some of the top firms in Oklahoma!  My rank at school went up a good 20 spots after last semester and I am just hoping to keep it there.

Joe and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary on July 31.  We went to Mahogany's, the place we went when we got engaged.  We drank a giant bottle of champagne and ate tons of food and dessert.

I wore white in honor of the wedding:

That was Saturday night (the night before our anniversary) so we could recover.  Sunday night dinner we spent with Linn and Wes, who we also spent our second date with.  They were our bartenders at outback!  They said they wanted to treat us because we treated them to dinner at the wedding.  Unfortunately, I have no pictures of that night.  After dinner, we went and played pool.  I only got one ball in, the 8 ball, at the wrong time.  Poor Joe.  I was definitely a handicap.

We forgot to eat our cake, so I made Joe do it Monday night:

Joe said it tasted awful.  I didn't think it was too bad, maybe a little frost bitten.  Joe said that's because I am a fat kid trapped in a skinny girl's body.  My love for cake knows no bounds.

So, I am officially starting my second year of marriage and school.  Never been more ready!

Twue Wuv

Anyone who really knew me in high school could tell you I used to be a cynical, glass half empty,"I would never get married" type of girl.  I am very thankful for the positive relationships that have been in my life and shown me that it doesn't have to be so hard.

My mom and Jim:

They just celebrated their 10 year anniversary and they love each other more every day!

My mom had my sisters and her sister as bridesmaids.  We have a wonderful family of pretty women!

Nicole and David:

They just celebrated 7 years together.  It hasn't always been easy.  Their first year of marriage David spent in Iraq.  He has been a wonderful husband to Nicole, brother in law to me (and Joe), and now father to baby Vaughn:

Looks just like daddy, doesn't he?

The longest relationship I have seen has by far been my Uncles'.  They have been together for 26 years now.

This has been probably the longest, loving relationship I have seen.  Bobby has been in my life for as long as I can remember and I love him very much.  They only got married about 1 year ago because it became legal in DC.

Love comes in all shapes and sizes, which is why I cannot understand why anyone has a problem with two people in love getting married.  I have never heard a GOOD argument as to why gay marriage should not be legalized.  I will NEVER understand denying someone's love.

So let's raise a toast to legalizing love for all!

Family Planning

No, it is not another post about babies.

I have never been a "planner."  I am a "fly by the seat of your pants" kind of girl.  I want to do something, I do it.  I want to go on a trip, I go.  Now that my little family of one is a family of two ( or four in my head because my dogs are really people), these things take planning.  Should we bring the dogs, or board them?  When should we leave, Thursday or Friday?  What time?  Should we stop on the way for lunch or pack a lunch?  Where should we stay? 

So, this weekend we are going to Austin.  We made plans yesterday on all this stuff and let me tell you, it can be stressful!  I want to leave Thursday, he can't get off work, what about the dogs?  First we were bringing them, then boarding them.  Oh! And they need this shot to be boarded.  I think my "not a planner" ways need to change.  I think they call this growing up.

Baby Face

Children is something I get asked about a lot (or interrogated, depending on the person).  Joe and I are on the "no kids" path right now, but plan to reconsider the option in about 3-5 years.  However, I find people do not like this answer.  Most responses are:

"Oh, you'll have kids." with a smug smile and nod to any other nearby breeder.
"You don't know what life is really for until you have a kid."  (Really?  So those with no kids have never lived?)
"Do you just hate children?"  (Only on weekends!)

I've also noticed people ask the most inappropriate and rude questions when it comes to children.  I mean, we all know it is rude to ask people's age (specifically a woman's), but people will still ask my and Joe's age and debate how long we have to have kids.  They will ask about my weight and cycles to weasel out whether I am infertile or not.  If I was, why would I share that with the world?  What is it about the decision to have children that suddenly makes people rude?

I've tried explaining I am in law school, not exactly prime time for being pregnant or having a newborn.  Many people have done it and successfully, but it is not for me.  I want to focus on my studies and my marriage.  School is stressful enough on a marriage, let alone throwing in a baby.

SO, I have decided, rather than answer the rude "When are you going to have kids" question, I just say, "I already have 2!"  So, without further adieu, here are my adorable children:

Leo!  he is the cutest sleeper, like a bunny.

 Here is his cute face.

 This was the first picture of Callie and Leo

 Cute little Callie's face.

I mean, these little guys wake me up in the middle of the night to pee, drink water, or just because they want to snuggle.  They are basically children!  Except, you know, you can crate them, put them outside, and they cost significantly less.  PLUS I kept my figure.

First year

They say your first year of law school is the hardest.

They say your first year of marriage is the hardest.

Wedding

 Honeymoon

 Officially married!

I have almost officially finished both!  Our first year anniversary will be July 31, and my first year of law school ended in may.  It has been trying.  It is hard to be jobless and not have any income after supporting yourself for 10 years.  I am very fortunate to have a loving and supportive husband.  It is hard to spend your first year of marriage in a library, with a study group, or basically back in a high school experience (except everyone can drink, thank goodness).  The truth is, though, I wouldn't be where I am if it weren't for Joe.  He helped me gain the confidence to take the LSAT, he listened to me babble about intentional torts, second degree murder, and the rules for interrogatories.  He cooked dinners for my late night study group and dealt with my breakdowns of "I'm too stupid for law school!" 

I am also fortunate to have some of the best, most supportive friends/family ever:

The girls of my family (and Vaughn in Nicole's belly!)

 Best Friends!

People always say "marriage is work."  Sure it is.  You learn that your spouse leaves their shoes/clothes/books all over the house (me). That your spouse will ALWAYS have clothes in the dryer (him).  There are compromises to be made and fights to be had.  I don't consider it work, though.  I never considered it "hard."  I think my marriage is fairly easy.  I think some people get so involved in "working" on their marriage that they forget to just live.  You can't say "nothing" when it's something, you can't say "sorry" if you aren't and you can't say "it's okay" when it is not.  People try too hard to "not fight" that they hold on to things. So, sure it can be work, but it shouldn't be hard work.

I'm so ready for year 2, bring it on!