Breach of the Peace

You aren't going to pay me but you are going to be mean to me?

2006-02-02T20:07:00.000-08:00

I had my first mean interviewer. It was not fun, but I tried to make it work. Basically, we were going over my resume. I don't know if the guy felt he had to temper his compliments with insults, but this is a somewhat true account of our conversation:

Meany: "Oh, wow, Ms. Peace, I see from your resume that you helped starving children in Somalia during spring break your sophomore year."

Breach: "Yes, helping the starving children was a wonderful experience. It was heart breaking, but it taught me a lot about myself."

Meany: "Well, it is good you were able to learn something, considering that undergraduate institution of yours practices so much grade inflation. This GPA must not have taken a lot of work."

Breach: (Tries to pick up jaw from the floor) "As you can also see, I was an molecular biology major. Although I am sure there is grade inflation at many institutions throughout the country, I assure you, my program was extremely difficult."

Meany: "Sure, sure it was. I also see that you volunteered for Smiley in the Smallstate election."

Breach: "Yes, civic involvement is very important to me. I was a big Smiley supporter and got involved to spread the importance of the changes Smiley was endorsing. Every email I answered and phone call I made, I really felt I was making a difference."

Meany: "Great, great. Personally, I don't know how he evem got in the race. I thought he was the worst candidate to run in 20 years. I mean, his staff must have been a bunch of morons."

Breach: "Yes, as you can see, I became a part time staff member."

Meany: "Oh, don't worry. I wasn't saying you were an idiot. I can tell from your job description you didn't do anything important enough to affect his loss."

Yeah......did I mention this interview was for an unpaid job? So, I sat there and let the man berate me for 45 more minutes. Then I took a $2 bus ride home and I just spent $.37 to send him a thank you note. Have I mentioned how much I love the 1L summer job process?

Complaining.....

2006-01-28T07:57:00.000-08:00

Still don't have a job and school has taken over my life!

I have been on a lot of interviews (which is good) but haven't had anything come of them (which is bad). Not to complain, but I just want a job!

I am so sick of the same 5 questions being asked of me every 20 minutes. I am sick of that fake smile and trying to convince this person that although I can't make a decision on what I want for dinner that night, I really do want to devote the rest of my natural life to their firm/cause. I am sick of the "trying to make you feel like your lucky you are even in my office talking to me" we don't usually hire 1L's schpiel.

Sigh......

Hopefully I will be able to rejoin the world of the living in 2 weeks. Maybe I will bo caught up (probably not) and have a job (even less likely) when I post next.

My First 1L Interview

2005-12-19T18:47:00.000-08:00

Ah! I feel so seasoned now that I have been through one interview...

Just kidding! Thank you to everyone who wished me good luck. Since I scoured blogs looking for interview stories, maybe this freshman interview advice will be helpful to someone.

The interview was fine. I'm still not sure whether it was a screening interview or what. I met with one partner, who is actually sort of legendary, in a field I mentioned interest in on my cover letter.

We talked in his gorgeous office for 50 mins. Unlike most people have said, it was like non-law firm interviews I have been to. He asked a few of those "Why did you choose X law school", "What practice areas are you interested in and why?", "Why did you decide to become a lawyer" questions. Then we talked about my ties to the area and then we went over my resume (past work experience, etc.) This whole thing lasted about 25 mins. After he was done talking, I asked four questions; the partner gave very detailed answers (think 5-8 mins each question) and we were done.

No complicated hypotheticals or any of the other off the wall things I had been warned of. If you have nailed any other type of interview in the past, you could have handled this.

Anyway, I really liked the partner I spoke with. From the little I saw, I also liked the firm. This may be due to the fact that everyone was gearing up for the office holiday party and may have been more cheerful than usual, but we'll see. All and all, not to bad.

(In case you were wondering, I did not buy a new suit. Instead, I did the exact opposite and wore the first suit I ever owned! It is a navy pinstripe skirt suit. Luckily it was warm-ish on the day of my interview, so I could get away with a skirt. I did, however, get my mom to order me a plain black J.Crew suit for Christmas, so I will not be faced with this same predicament in the future.)

Someone Wants Me!

2005-12-13T16:56:00.000-08:00

I got my first interview today!! Yehaa! This was very exciting, seeing as I have gotten about 15 rejection letters so far (including one from a firm I swear I didn't even apply to.)

I didn't think I would be this excited. I don't think I want to work at a firm over the summer, but the rejection letters made me think no one wanted me. Nothing like being rejected from something you didn't even want to make you fiend for it.

Anyway, the interview is on Friday, which works out perfectly as I am leaving to go home on Saturday. Hopefully going home so quickly will make it impossible to obsess and analyze everything that was said.

Question: Can I get away with a khaki suit? Everyone says to just go for the classic black, but all of my somber colored suits are still at home in my closet. Of course, I could go out and buy a new one, but I just really don't want to. Thoughts?

Also, any random interview advice would be appreciated

2005-12-06T13:31:00.000-08:00

Only 360 more points until I become Elite on Lexis!

Promise to Myself

2005-12-03T12:14:00.000-08:00

With finals next week, I promised myself my weekend would only consist of studying. No fun what so ever.

YOU ARE RULE 12(b)!

While you might be a defendant's best friend, you
aren't exactly polite to others. You have
seven separate grounds on which to dismiss a
plaintiff's case. You are a bit paranoid,
since if you fail to raise your 12(b)(2,3,4, or
7) in a motion or a pleading with one of the
other 12(b) defenses or a 12(e) motion, you
waive those objections for the rest of trial.
Some might say that 12(b) is the biggest bully
of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, but
hey, somebody needs to keep the peace. You
might not be the most popular guy in the
office, but you're probably the most important.

Which Federal Rule of Civil Procedure Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

That counts as studying, right?

Nothing like doing nothing to make you feel like a slacker

2005-11-26T17:39:00.000-08:00

(if you don't like whiny rants, feel free to skip this post)

I spent today doing....well, I guess I really didn't do anything.

I am such a slacker. Such a procrastinator.

I have been all my life. I told myself, "Law school is not undergrad! You must focus, you must do work!"

This probably worked for the first month. Suddenly, my weekends were no longer spent getting ahead. Monday's homework was no longer completed by Friday night. It was done by midnight on Sunday. Then I started doing it on Monday mornings. Eventually I just crammed myself into a little ball in my seat, praying that if I closed my eyes, I would become invisible and the professors would not call on me.

Today, while doing nothing in my bed, at my house, with my family, I got countless IM's from my fellow 1Ls.

"What time are you coming to the library?"
"What floor are you studying on?"
"Do you want to get some Starbucks before hitting the books?"

I am a slacker. I will probably do horribly on my finals. I know this. Yet I continue to do nothing. It is a disease. I need something to light a fire under my ass. Hopefully, it will happen in the next few days......hopefully it will happen before finals are upon us.

Welcome Back!

2005-11-25T18:51:00.000-08:00

Vacation has resulted in being able to catch up with everyone's blogs. You should be able to tell this by the fact that I probably spent the past hour doing every little fun inane internet quiz I could find. I am telling you, this is the sort of stuff you miss while in law school. Maybe this is just the stuff I miss in law school?

Along with internet quizes, I also enjoyed my day by finishing all my Christmas shopping (eat your heart out world) and going to see Rent. Rent was a lot better than I thought it would be. Rosario Dawson was excellent, which I admit was a surprise. To me she is hit or miss in most films. Either brilliant or horrific. The music was great! My winning review may be due to the fact that I saw the play off-Broadway a few years back and didn't think much of it. Perhaps I was just to young to appreciate it, or perhaps it really did just suck that night. Either way, for me the movie was terrific.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to see Harry Potter. My little sister is definately a moody teen now and changed her mind last minute about going. Sigh, kids these days :) Maybe during Christmas break, I can convince her to go see a movie with me!

Catch ya later!

2005-11-25T18:47:00.000-08:00

You Are Thai Food

Trendy yet complex.
People seek you out - though they're not sure why.

What Kind of Food Are You?

2005-11-25T18:43:00.000-08:00

Your Hair Should Be Purple

Intense, thoughtful, and unconventional.
You're always philosophizing and inspiring others with your insights.

What's Your Funky Inner Hair Color?

2005-11-25T18:30:00.000-08:00

All American Kid

Popular but not plastic. Athletic but not a jock. Smart but not a brain.

You were well rounded and well liked in high school.

Who Were You In High School?

Took the majority of these after catching up with Frequent Citations blog.

This makes me sad.....

2005-11-25T17:06:00.000-08:00

On Average, You Would Sell Out For

$271,862

At What Price Would You Sell Out?

Sigh.....BigLaw only has to double salaries and I am all theirs

She's Alive, she's alive

2005-11-24T18:44:00.000-08:00

I am home! Yeah!!

No more library, no more books, no more professors, no more debating 12(b)(6)!

I am free!!

Well at least for the next 4 days!

Operation "USPS is Trying to Mess with 1Ls" Update

2005-11-06T10:34:00.000-08:00

Bad news, the .02 rate hike for stamps has been approved......

Good news, the rate hike will not be going into affect until January.....

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-11-01-stamp-price_x.htm

Question, will this help to inspire me to get all of my resumes out before the end of the year?? One can only hope!

2005-11-06T07:13:00.000-08:00

I hate school!

Does that count as a post??

Lets think of it more as a Restatement

#1 sign that you are a 1L

2005-11-02T16:03:00.000-08:00

when you hear that the price of stamps might go up, you think.........

please, not before December 1!

2005-11-01T15:06:00.000-08:00

You Are Japanese Food

Strange yet delicious.
Contrary to popular belief, you're not always eaten raw.

What Kind of Food Are You?

2005-10-14T14:28:00.000-07:00

This week I felt perpetually behind.

No matter how much I read, outlined, briefed, there was always more, more, more.

I have had overwhelming weeks, but this was by far the worse.

But today, I reached the end of my week of hell. Brand new week, brand new problems. This weekend will be spent attempting to ensure next week isn't the same

Its Official

2005-09-28T15:45:00.000-07:00

I got called on for the first time today........

I was nervous, but more so excited.

Every day that has passed since my first class, my anxiety about being called on has increased a little. The first day it was more a sigh of relief. And then those days in between when you half ass did the reading, it was a "Thank God I didn't get called on today."

After a while, I started to feel a little sad. I mean, I hadn't been called on in any of my classes?? Was my name just that difficult to pronounce? Could the professors look at me, tell I was an idiot and decide to not even bother to attempt to pry the necessary information out of my tiny brain?

I know, I could have just raised my hand. But there is a totally different level of anxiety between getting called on and raising your hand. Getting called on, most of the class knows you are making it up as you go along. You have the deer in the headlights thing and no one expects anything brilliant. Anything more than total word vomit and people give you a little pat on the back after class.

Raising your hand is, well, different. What you have something to contribute? With out being forced into it? Well, it better be brilliant.

Anyway, I was called on. I spoke. I don't really know what the words were that came out of my mouth, but the professor was nodding throughout and only asked me one follow up question, a sure sign that my answer had to make some sort of sense.

Check one more thing off of the list that makes me an official law student

Lexis is better!

2005-09-26T13:57:00.000-07:00

We got our Lexis and Westlaw passwords today!

Yipee!! Our section was the last group to get them, so I am already a weeks behind on points!!

I didn't think I would be biased so early, but I like Lexis so much more than Westlaw!

I tried to logon to Westlaw about six times. I was about to throw my laptop out the window (I am a 1L. It doesn't take to much to push me over the edge) when I decided to just call the help line. Not so helpful. Oh Westlaw!! Didn't anyone every teach you that first impressions are the most important?

I eventually got all set up and went on over to Lexis. Two seconds later and I was all registered. Ease and simplicity. Thank you Lexis.

Anyway, I am going to stay in the library late tonight. I usually leave by six (or whenever my stomache starts to grumble.) However, I feel like a slacker. Since tonight is a Monday, I figure I may try to get ahead....or at the very least read a few of my favorite blogs that I have been missing.) Wish me luck!

Contact

2005-09-10T15:33:00.000-07:00

I finally got in touch with my ex-boyfriend who lives in New Orleans.

He and his family are fine, but their house is a different story.

He was supposed to be starting grad school this year in Louisiana, but now he has no idea what he is going to be doing. Sigh.

Briefing

2005-09-04T14:02:00.000-07:00

Today, I briefed my first two cases for my first two classes on Monday.

One was for Torts, one for Contracts.

During orientation, the 2L's gave us this big schpiel regarding case briefing. Unfortunately, it came at the end of a very long day. I might have been paying attention, but I also may have been reading blogs on the net.

I figured, briefing, reading comprehension, it'll be easy, right?

I briefed these two cases. It didn't take me very long as they were both short. Then I decided to google the cases and look at other people's briefs online. Lets just say, it showed me that I have much much more to learn.

The End is in Sight

2005-09-02T12:34:00.000-07:00

Orientation is almost over. And, I must say, thank god!

It has been an exhausting week, full of drinking, forced socialization and days filled with boring lectures about activating our id cards and such nonsense.

I think I have made a pretty normal group of friends. They are fun and social, but not overly so in the way that those who came straight from undergrad are. A few of them are in my section, but most are not, which I hear is good as you can become annoyed by your section mates quickly. We shall see.

And the Lord said, "Let there be books." Then there were and that was good.....

2005-09-01T16:30:00.000-07:00

I bought books today.

We have homework due on Monday, so I decided to buy all of my books new from the library, rather than going through the hassle of trying to find cheaper ones online and nervously wait for them to come in the mail.

On the way home from the bookstore, I was about $540 lighter, but 70 pounds heavier from the weight of these monstrosities.

I don't know how I am going to manage to lug these bad boys around.

Not as frightening as I thought

2005-08-29T10:51:00.000-07:00

So far, the people in my law school class are less intimidating then I thought. Sure, there are a fair number of PhD's, and obviously most everyone is a brilliant person, but all and all less scary than I thought.

Very diverse.

It is a pretty broad spectrum of people. You have your Harvards and your Yalies, your top ten party school people and then a bunch of small liberal arts school individuals. There are lots of people who had random majors. A bunch of film students, a few actor and lots of business school types. Then you've got the married with kids set, the I want to party-hardy group, some intellectuals and the randoms.

So far I am counting myself as one of the randoms. I don't approach every night as a drink fest, nor do I sit around analyzing our professor's latest speech or book.

It is a lot like high school so far. Small clique-ish groups. Although no one out-an-out excludes other students, like minded people group together far more than they did in college. It is definately an interesting sociological study so far.

Orientating Myself.........

2005-08-27T13:08:00.000-07:00

I feel like singing.

I'm so excited and I just can't hide it.......something, something, something and I think I like it, whoo hoo!!

I am finally in my new apartment! Although I had seen pictures before, I am now here and no longer living in suspense. It has a weird layout, but other than that, the place is nice. My bedroom is big enough for me to do a cartwheel without crashing into the wall, all the living spaces are sparkling clean and there are new appliances.

Of course, we don't have cable, phone service or very much furniture (I am sleeping on my roomie's futon that will be our living room couch once I get a bed) but that will come with time.

The internet/cable man should be here next week, but until then my posting will be limited.

Orientation week is finally here!

Who knew?

2005-08-24T17:14:00.000-07:00

Who knew law school involved so many social engagements.

I swear I have gotten more e-mails asking me to RSVP to this lunch or that dinner.

Please come to our bbq/professor softball tournament, but don't forget the free alcohol/ip law social that night. It may run late, but make sure you are on time for the breakfast smorgasboard/alum meet and greet.

Are they just trying to fatten us up or what?

To think I always thought law school would be about studying.

On the Road Again!

2005-08-22T06:23:00.000-07:00

Yeah! I am finally on my way to law school.

Well, not really on my way. But at least on my way to being on my way?

I digress. The girlie who I am splitting a Penske with should be here in approx. 6 hours and I am no where near packed. In fact I am sitting in my den with little piles of crap that I have collected surrounding me.

So what am I doing to aid in this process?? Blogging of course.

You would think that getting a Penske I would be bringing lots of furniture with me? No, no silly! That would make to much sense. Instead, I am bringing every kitchen utensil known to man, so many clothes that I won't have to do laundry for 2 months straight and every book ever written. The only furniture I am taking is my favorite comfy chair for the living room and a desk and chair for my bedroom.

Anyway, wish me luck. No car accidents, cheap gas prices and getting along with fellow future 1L girlie.

Ladies who Lunch

2005-08-20T15:49:00.000-07:00

Today I had lunch with an alum from my school. We went to this yum-a-licious Cambodian place.

Anyway, she was super nice and confirmed some of my fears about law school. The conversation boiled down to, "you aren't going to like a lot of people" and, "school is gonna be really hard."

Oh well.

Surprise!!

2005-08-19T14:04:00.000-07:00

My co-workers had a breakfast for me this morning. Everyone brought in something, so it was a smorgasboard of bagels, scones, muffins and donuts.

It was a yum-a-licious way to end my last day.

Last Day :(

2005-08-19T07:59:00.000-07:00

Today marks the last day of my internship.

I'm not sad to leave. Part of it is the excitement of law school being just around the corner.

It was a really interesting opportunity that gave me the chance to meet a zillion different lawyers.

I don't think that the internship did anything to improve my research skills, and I didn't do a lot of writing other than filling in form letters and memos. However, the internship did expose me to the legal field in a new way.

Plus, I only got yelled at once.

Books.....

2005-08-16T15:19:00.000-07:00

In my last few days of non-law reading, I have crammed a lot in. I just finished Harry Potter #6 and Girl with a Pearl Earring.

I am now starting My Life, Bill Clinton's autobiography. I am only about 100 pages in but (and as a fellow Dem, I loathe to say it) I am not that impressed. It seems to be random anectdotes thrown together in chronological order.

There are only so many cute little stories of someone's influence teaching you to be a better human being that I can take.

If the rest of the book continues like this, I may throw it out a window before I am able to finish.

I feel official

2005-08-12T19:48:00.000-07:00

Today I went to Staples. Along with a date planner, a hella lot of post-its and a cute new bag, I may have bought every color highlighter imaginable.

Somehow this makes me feel like I will soon be a real life law student. I can't help but smile.

What if they all hate me?

2005-08-11T04:30:00.000-07:00

This morning I read a post at this site. It was my first visit to her blog and the first thing I thought was, "What a cute blog name."

After reading her latest post I immediately felt reassured that another pre-1L is having the same concerns as me. It is nice to be reminded that I am not the only one going through these flashes of panic.

Recently, I have begun to terrorize myself with the thoughts that eveyone at my school will hate me. Logically, I know that this is far from possible. The odds of not bonding with at least one other person in my class are slim to none. However, the logical part of me cannot yell louder than that little voice at the back of my head screaming, "YOU'LL HAVE NO FRIENDS!"

Trying to reassure myself, I have been sharing my concerns with the important people in my life who are there to reassure me. Friends, family, etc. Accross the board, they have all given me the same response.

"Don't worry Breach, you aren't there to make friends."

Hello people that I love!?!?! This is not exactly the most reassuring answer. I know that is your attempt at a supportive answer and all, but I need a little more than that.

I want you to regale me with tales of how in pre-k, I was the first to make a best friend or say with my winning personality, I'm bound to be the bell of the law school ball.

Just keep chanting to yourself they can't all hate me, they can't all hate me.

Tales from the Internship

2005-08-10T17:48:00.000-07:00

When people find out that I am starting law school, they feel the need to give me very random advice. Everyone from my secretary, paralegals and even the mail clerks all regale me with tales of stuff I just "must do" to suceed in law school. These "must do's" range from the very common (buying six different colors of highlighters) to the extremely inane (taking this particular speed reading course online)

Today, Jill, one of the nicest secretary's at my internship started in on me. "Breach of the Peace!! Last night, I was talking to my cousin. You know, my cousin the attorney? Abyway, we were talking about you and he wanted me to pass on some advice. He absolutely swears by the low carb diet. He said it gives you so much more energy. You should really try it for law school."

I just looked at Jill, gave a little smile and said thanks. What am I supposed to say to that?

Sing-song voice

2005-08-10T07:49:00.000-07:00

Today I am inexplicably happy. Don't ask why. Happiness should not be questioned.

(Deep cleansing breathe in, deep cleansing breathe out)

I feel calmer about the whole law school thing than I have in a while. Sure, I don't have most things figured out yet, but that is to be expected. I just need to relax and see to enjoying my last few weeks as a non-law student.

My internship ends next Friday, August 19. That weekend, I will be joining some high school on a trek to an amusement park. It should be a fun, non-intense experience before I head off.

On Monday, before I leave for school, I will be having some family bonding time. It is sad to think about leaving. The family is already asking whether I will be home for Thanksgiving, which is treated as a pretty important holiday. I don't really know what to say to that....I don't even think I am capable of thinking that far ahead right now.

I Must.....

2005-08-09T17:35:00.000-07:00

This morning I had a little free time in the office. It was one of those occasions where it is really slow, but you know it is only a matter of time before it gets insanely busy.

Instead of relishing my quiet time, I started to think about all of the things that I have to do in the next two weeks. Then I started to get panic-y and felt the need to do them all---right then. But, I couldn't leave.

"Hi, Mr. Supervising Attorney Guy! I know I took a long weekend and shortly I will be taking a nice hour and a half lunch. But, I'm not sure if you are aware, I am starting law school in two weeks......Oh, thanks I'm excited for myself too. Uhmm, anyway, I just thought of a whole bunch of shit I need to do by then, so I was wondering if I could leave for a few hours, run some errands, but be back in time for you to take me to that expensive place for lunch? And while I'm gone, would you mind writing me up a nice little reference letter. Oh thanks, buh-bye!"

Well, I didn't exactly do that. Instead, I sat at my little desk, having a silent panic attack. A smart person would have taken the opportunity to write all the things that were popping into her head down. Unfortunately, I didn't. Now, they have escaped my mind completely. Excuse me while I hyperventilate.

Randoms

2005-08-09T13:56:00.000-07:00

Shh!!! I'm at work. Don't tell.

1.) Should buy all of the seasons of Sex and the City on DVD? I'm a big Sex and the City fan, but initially didn't want to buy the DVDs. However, I have started watching the show on TBS, which is ruining it for me. Now, instead of having true memories of the series, the episode I remember are all pure, with no foul language, nakedness and most of the fun removed.

2.) Need to discuss cable situation with future roomate. I just don't know. Will it be to distracting from my school work? Or will it allow me to veg when I really need to? Hmm....

Not 100%

2005-08-08T18:30:00.000-07:00

I'm not quite sure I like what I'm doing.

I didn't want to come right out and say it in the beginning. I wanted to give it a little bit more time and not make any rash judgements. I don't hate it. But I'm not sure I like it either.

There are definately positives.

1.) Now, now, now. There is a break neck speed to everything. If something needs to be done, it needs to be done right now. The attorneys seem to have an hour in the morning and two hours in the afternoon to do research, return messages, have in-depth client conversations and generally shoot the shit. This is pretty much how I like to operate. I don't want to have a nice calm day. I want to be busy, so the time goes by quickly and I get shit done.

2.) Independence. Maybe I just don't see it, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of management of the attorneys. Of course, there are people who are in charge. But, everyone sort of does there own thing. Once a week there is a staff meeting where everyone sits around and discusses their cases and clients, but other than that, it is pretty much every attorney for themselves.

3.) Vacation. People get a lot of vacation time here. Maybe it is because they work so hard (60 hrs a week is common, which attorneys say is a lot for non-profit types) but they also take three weeks to go to the Bahamas or two weeks to go backpacking with their kids in the Rockies. Maybe it is just because I am here in August, but every week someone else comes back talking about the incredible experience they had fly-fishing or someone is leaving to go to Istanbul.

4.) Court time. This job has showed me that I cannot be in a position where I sit at my desk for four hours, get up for an hour lunch and then sit back on my tuff for another 6. These people are in and out. Most attorneys are in court at least 4 times a week and the other ones are out and about doing something.

Negatives

1.) Dealing with new legal topics, zippo. There are only so many times you can do the same gd motion to suppress. Not to sound like a legal snob, but don't they get sick of having the same exact cases (just different names) with the outcomes. It is sort of like banging your head against a brick wall. I am all for activism and for a cause, but doesn't it just frustrate you? You aren't doing anything new or different. Just the same thing over and over. I have only been here for a month and its already frustrating me.

2.) No room for growth. No matter how long you work there, you are gonna be doing the same thing.

3.) Money. Ok, I know a few weeks ago I said I don't care about money. And, I really don't. But when the local McDonald's worker earns about the same amount as you, you have to wonder. I don't need to be rich, but poverty doesn't agree with me either. Give me $55k a year(enough to eat, live, pay off future law school debts and have a little savings) and I can survive.

Complaint

2005-08-08T16:18:00.000-07:00

I keep writing posts and they keep disappearing. Also, none of my old stuff is archiving. It all stays on the first page. Any advice?

I need some Mac&Cheese

2005-08-05T12:05:00.000-07:00

This should be a food craving blog instead of being law related.

In far corner of old city, on a rat-filled street where only the bravest of souls went, there stood a little BBQ place. Although not known to many, it was highly revered by the knowing few. Brisket, texas sausage, mashed potatoes and cornbread. You name it, they could make it.

How did I stumble upon this place? It still remains a mystery although my taste buds refuses to believe there was a time when I hadn't tasted the deliciousness of there food.

Once a month, if I was feeling paricularly happy or particularly sad, I would head to BBQ place. This was a long trek, requiring a 20-min ride on public transportation, followed by a 15 min walk. But, at the end of the trip, I was never disappointed. I tasted everything once. But no matter what I got, I would always get a side of mac&cheese.

When I think of old city, I can almost taste the delicious mac&cheese. I have tried to recreate it. I know that it had flavor of cumin, paprika and countless other spices. No matter what I do, I know the only way I will be able to taste it again is to return to old city.

Books, books and more books

2005-08-05T11:12:00.000-07:00

______________________
after writing this post, I
almost deleted it because
it has absolutely nothing
to do with law school.
However, since this is my
blog and I can write whatever
I so please, I decided to keep it
______________________

In old city, libraries were non-existant. Well, I'm sure they had a few, but:

a.) I wasn't a state resident, clinging tightly onto my old city and state.
b.) they were very inconveniently located
c.) bookstores were social centers, like bars, gyms, etc.

and most important

d.) I was earning money, income, cash-o-la. If I wanted a book, might as well go out and buy it.

Now that I am back home, the library and I are getting reacquainted. And really, whats not to love about the library. A total commitment phobe, the library is my best friend. I'm not buying the book. I'm not saying, "Hey, this is a book that I want and intend to keep for most of my natural life."

Instead, I can read random stuff that I have a small interest in, but don't want to make a commitment to.

My new interest is Vermeer. Although I studied his paintings in College Art History classes, I wasn't struck by them until my trip to Amsterdam. It seemed as though every Dutch Musuem we visited had some gorgeously simple painting by Vermeer. I love the colors, the brush strokes and the fact that he painted women in such everyday indoor setting.

So, I have been getting out these huge art books and pouring through them, reading about Vermeer's life and his works. Today, I finished "Girl in Hyacinth Blue." I really liked the novel.
It really got me started thinking about the subjects of paintings and how many lives an individual painting can touch. So, now that is my new, new interest. Off to the library again!

August is the slow month....

2005-08-04T15:03:00.000-07:00

I just got home from work. Thats right. Its 3:00 and I am done for the day!!

I was working on some reasearch that doesn't have to be done until October. My supervisor came in at about 2 and said, "I'm sorry this has been such a slow week, why don't you leave after you finish that and take tomorrow off to get a head start on your weekend. We really appreciate all the work you've been doing."

It is nice to be appreciated. Also, lots of stuff has been piling up since I have been so busy with my internship. I haven't read a blog in 2 weeks, I haven't finished packing for school and I haven't returned phone calls for a while. Not to mention the fact that I am leaving soon and I haven't seen my family for more than two hours at a time.

Thanks to the headstart, I hope to get a lot accomplished this weekend.

sick of law school already

2005-08-01T14:44:00.000-07:00

I wrote a nice long post last week. It was about work. Very insightful. I was typing it up on my laptop when my mom walked into my room. She started talking to me and I looked up from the computer and had a 15-minute conversation with her. When I looked back down, I realized that my latop had turned itself off.

No warning, no reason, just off. Thankfully, I have my new laptop now. Still, it makes me sad that the post was lost.

I do remember what I wrote, I just don't feel like typing it up all over again.

In other news......uhm.....I don't really have anything to talk about. I don't know if it is the amount of work from internship or the fact that it is now August and law school is right around the corner, but I am just tired. Sleepy and tired. Tired and sleepy. And if one more person asks if I am excited to start law school soon I may scream.

Whenever I am introduced to someone, one of two things happen. Either the person who is doing the introducing says, "Oh, Breach of the Peace is starting law school in the fall," or the person asks the dreaded, "And what do you do...."

Then I have to put that blasted fake smile on my face. And I have to answer the persons stupid annoying questions.

I know. I am an evil person. But, I am just sick of it.

Ugh!! Stop asking me questions about my future!

2005-07-24T10:41:00.000-07:00

I just bought my laptop!! I can't wait for it to get here. A whole new piece of technology to play with. It was expensive, but, what are you gonna do?

I also found my apartment. I am moving in with one of my undergrad friends. We haven't seen each other in a while, but it is only one year and if we end up hating each other, I won't be home that often anyway. She is going to grad-school part-time and working full-time so we probably won't see each other except in passing. From what I remember, she was always pretty quiet and although she has a lot of dinner parties, she isn't wild and crazy, so we will get along fine.

Anyway, she was already in new city and said she would find us a great apartment. I was nervous renting something sight unseen, but she sent me a lot of digital pictures of places while I was away. After talking last week, we decided on a 2 bedroom, 1 and a half bath downstairs apartment in a townhouse. It is about a twenty minute walk from my school. Also, I walk right by the gym on my way to school, so maybe that will be inspirational.

Since I will be poor, future roomie is paying extra to get the master bedroom and the parking space that comes with the place. So, she will be paying $900/month and I will be paying $725/month. Utilities except phone and cable are included. Although it is more than I wanted to spend, it is still less than I was paying in former city.....so I guess it is a deal. I am also a little nervous that we are sharing walls with other people, since I like to study at home.

She signed the lease and is overnighting it to me. The lease is supposed to start August 15th, but I won't be moving in until a few days before orientation since I have to finish up my internship.

So much

2005-07-24T09:58:00.000-07:00

So much to talk about, so little time.

I started my internship on Wednesday. All in all, it was a good week. I will wait a little while longer to place final judgement. I signed a confidentiality agreement and all, so I will try to keep the place as anonymous as possible by being as ambiguous as possible. The place would probably be considered a legal aid type outfit. There are about twenty full-time attorneys in the office and another six or seven who come in and out as volunteers, part-time associates and consultants for their different specialties. There are also a gaggle of secretarys and paralegals. There are also a few full-time board members who aren't attorneys.

I met all of the other summer associates, most of the attorneys and did the normal tour type stu ff. I also went to court with one of the attorneys and got assigned a few research things.

The other summers there are 1Ls and one 2L from local smaller law schools. They all seem very nice, although they don't really seem to talk to each other outside of the office or hang out or anything. There are five of them total. They are all splitting their summers in some way or another, which does make me feel a little less weird about coming in during the middle of the summer.

The six of us are split into two groups and two offices. My group is sort of labeled as the "criminal summer associates" and the other group is more focused on civil law. Although, from what I saw last week, it really doesn't matter. Since I really don't know what I am doing, I am sort of overflow girl, which I don't really mind.

The first 1L (we'll call her Stacey) has been splitting her time all summer between our office and a paid position at a small one-man type shop. She works there Mon, Tues and Wed and works at our office Thurs and Fri. She seems nice. She is two or three years older than me and married.

Everyone else is there M-F. The only person who isn't very approachable is the 2L. She is very intense. Of course, its because she needs to get an offer while the rest of the summers seem very relaxed. This means that when attorneys come in with projects, she jumps all over them. The rest of us just sit back and watch, content with the fact that there is more than enough work that has to be done and we will get a project soon enough.

Anyway, so far I like it.

It feels nice to be working for a cause that I believe in, while hopefully getting some good experience. We shall see, we shall see.

---Good News---

2005-07-19T14:20:00.000-07:00

Some people find talking about money crude and vulgar. I am not one, but if you are, skip this post.

I have been grinding out a budget since I discovered just how expensive law school really is. Being a constant pessimist, I calculated that by the end of law school I would be about $130k in debt.

While I was on vacation, I got good news and bad news.

Bad news-I didn´t get the scholarship I applied for. Rejection. Ain´t it a bitch. The scholarship was only for $5,000 a year, but every bit would have helped.

Good news-I have just found out.......drumroll please......I am not going to be as poor as I thought I would be!!

Oh, don´t misunderstand, I will still be poor. Just not as poor.

Thanks to my splendiforous parents (who have agreed to pay for my new laptop and moving costs to law school), my splendiforous parent´s insurance company (they sent me a letter saying I could stay on health insurance till I was 25) and my own splendiforous budgeting tactics (which include a no more starbucks pledge) I think that I will now be able to sqeak by with just $110k in debt.

I know. IT IS JUST A $20,000 difference. But, come on now. You have to look on the bright side. That is what I keep telling myself at least. Sure. I will be in debt. But not as much debt.

OMG!!

2005-07-19T02:18:00.000-07:00

Leave for two and a half weeks and JD2B has completely changed!

Ok, in retrospect it is just a color change, but I was shocked to not see the normal khaki color scheme.

YUM! YUM!

2005-07-19T02:11:00.000-07:00

So, my internal clock is fucked.

I just woke up an hour ago and started to unpack my first bag. While I was unpacking, I discovered my food goodies that I brought. So I am now typing and enjoying this. Delicious!!

P.S.

2005-07-18T12:54:00.000-07:00

So, I haven't fallen asleep yet.

We didn't end up going to London. Instead, we spent some extra time in Amsterdam, a few days outside of Giverny with some relatives and an extra long time in Paris.

I am sad that I didn't get to experience the whole London situation, but I LOVED MY TIME IN France. It was an awesome experience, complete with long lost relatives, lots of croissants and sexy French-men.

Ohhh.....just thinking of it makes my stomache rumble. What I wouldn't give for another delicious rhubarbe tarte from the patissier around the corner.

Now I am really going to sleep. Or to unpack. Either one would be productive.

Home Sweet Home!!

2005-07-18T12:01:00.000-07:00

Yeah!!

I am back. I arrived, hmm about 2 hours ago. Blogging was high on my list of priorities, but now that this post is done, I may go to sleep for a decade. Or just a few days. I will catch everyone up when I resurface.

European News

2005-07-09T01:04:00.000-07:00

Due to the terrible UK bombings, I may or may not be headed to London this afternoon. We shall see.

News of the bombings really saddened me. My thoughts are definately going towards those people's familys. Although I really think that London will be safer right after the bombings, my mom is pretty shook up, especially with the whole, Ïf that had been two days earlier, it could have been us thing."

I already checked EuroStar, which says all trains headed to London are on schedule and I keep checking the Dept. of State's website to see if they ever actually advise against traveling there, but as of this time it doesn't specifically say that.

EUROS

2005-07-07T22:02:00.000-07:00

I have spent $120 in three days. This makes me sad as whatever I don't spend goes back into my ''I don't want to be in debt forever" law school fund.

Then again, how many times does a person go to Europe??

2005-07-07T09:11:00.000-07:00

The people we are staying with have high speed internet!! When I got back last night, I was complaining about the cost of the I-Cafe and they told me I can just use theirs!! Yeah!! But the keyboard is European, so it is a little confusing.

The canals are beautiful, the smell of cannabis is thick in the air and people are colorful and have no inhibitions.

These are my first impressions of Amsterdam. I think I could definately live here. Any firms need a soon-to-be-1L to relocate to Amsterdam??

Then again, I had some fries here last night. Nothing like the American version. They aren'tbad, just not the same.

Amsterdam!!

2005-07-06T22:13:00.000-07:00

We just arrived in Amsterdam. We will be staying here for two days before we move on to London by way of Brussels.

Our trip was hellish as both of our flights were delayed. There were storms that caused our first plane to show up two hours late. We thought that we were going to miss our connection as the first plane would have arrived 20 mins past our expected departure. The customer service rep said that our connection was not delayed and we would never make it. Because the delay was due to weather, they wouldn't book us a direct flight to AMS through another airline. UGH!! She advised us to go home, as there was only one flight that night. We would be stuck in the connecting city if we didn't make the flight to AMS. My mom and I wanted to go home and just try for the next day. My stubborn sister insisted that we go and try to make it. Luckily, we just decided to go for it.

When we our first plane arrived, we raced through the concourse. Our flight arrived at C27 and we ran to C7, about 10 minutes aaway. Finnally, we got to the gate twenty-five minutes after the plane was supposed to depart. The sign at the gate said the plane was departing for Munich. We raced up to the airline agent, asking if the plane to AMS had departed. She said that we were actually at the wrong gate and we ran all the way back, past where we had arrived to D5.

At D5, we were exstatic to learn that our flight to AMS was three hours delayed. We were probably the only ones! Everyone was grumpy!! I guess there had been problems on the AMS flights for days and there was one family that had been trying to get on an AMS flight for three days!! We were just happy that our European vacation wouldn't have to be cut short by one day.

We waited the three hours and then loaded onto the largest jet I had every flew in. First class was sumptuous, bussiness class was gorgeous and Economy Plus was spatious. By the time we got back to regular Economy, I was a little sad to see the small space between the seats, but I was just happy to be going. The flight ended up being fine and I finnally got to see Ocean's Twelve and Million Dollar Baby on board.

Anyway, it seems as though my time at this I-Cafe is almost up, and I haven't even checked my e-mail......will post more later!!!

Exhausted!!

2005-07-01T14:32:00.000-07:00

After a whirlwind 2 day shopping trip, I cannot wait to leave for Europe! I started packing this morning. Our flight leaves on Monday, so my posting will be slim to none for the next two weeks.

We will be doing all the touristy stuff (or at least all the touristy stuff you can accomplish in two weeks) and will visit London and Paris. If you have any suggestions as to how to spend our time, let me know!!

(no subject)

2005-06-30T07:29:00.000-07:00

I actually got something from Chosen Law School in the mail yesterday.

Yeah!! Progress!!

It was just immunization forms, request for a current transcript and some info about orientation. Still, it made me feel loved.

In other news, today will be filled with pre-trip shopping. My sister needs flip-flops, 2 pairs of shorts and matching shirts. My mom needs a raincoat and one of those around the neck travel wallets. I, being the consumate shopper, need nothing. I have already bought it all and I am just going to consult.

I love to shop, but it seems as though everyone else in my family shudders at even the thought of a day spent in a mall. The stuff doesn't even have to be for me, I just love the thrill of the chase. It will probably torture getting them to even try anything on.

Oh well, more later!

To knit or not to knit....that is the question

2005-06-29T09:15:00.000-07:00

Am I an idiot??? Wait, wait, that was a rhetorical question. So, last night after I had taken a nap and unpacked a little, I opened up the knitting kit I bought at Target. It took about 2 mins before I determined, "Hmmm.....I don't think I can do this."

Maybe it will get better after I watch the instructional DVD, but as of now, I think that I'll probably go my whole life without trying to knit again.

Is it just me? Read these instructions and let me know if you know what the heck they are talking about.

Casting-On

1. With your left hand, wrap the yarn over the thumb and index finger. Leave a 20-inch tail depending on the number of stitches being cast-on.

2. Hold the needle in your right hand, insert the needle under the yarn btw the thumb and index finger. Place your right index finger on top of the yarn on the needle. Move the needle and yarn so they are opposite from the left hand thumb and index finger. (I can do up to step two. It is step three that made me go, "Huh?")

3. Insert the tip of the needle under the loop on your thumb. (What loop?? I have no loop) Move your needle toward your index finger. Place needle over the yarn on your index finger, move then needle down to pick up the yarn.

By the end of this, my yarn was definately not doing anything but sitting there flat. There were no loops, no stitches. I kept trying until I was so frustrated, I just wanted to throw the yarn out the window and rip my own hair out. So, needless to say, knitting will probably not become my relaxation technique.

Sigh.....I can't even cast-on. That is the first in a long list of steps. I feel a little inadequate.

Noise

2005-06-27T23:50:00.000-07:00

Psst.....I know I just posted and said I was going to bed. However, I have already noticed a difference between locations. People here at home seem to have an odd fascination with firecrackers.

I know it is almost July 4th, but back in old city, you would never know it. Here, it is all pop-pop-pop. I feel like I am living in a war zone. Oh well. Goodbye loud ambulances and police sirens and bells tolling at all hours of the night. Hello to firecrackers and loud teenagers swearing outside my window.

I'm Here

2005-06-27T23:43:00.000-07:00

Guess what!! I made it!! I am home. My sense of time is all wacky, but that seems to be my only loss in the whole moving process. We'll wait until I unpack untill we make that official.

This also means that I am now limited to my parent's dial-up. Sigh, how barbaric!!

Anyway, off to get a long nights sleep and I promise tales from the road (or maybe just tales from home) when I awake.

In Transit

2005-06-26T06:59:00.000-07:00

I almost forgot to mention--today and tomorrow, I will be making the big move home. This means I will be largely incommunicado till I get settled in at home.

I have to say thank you to Cody, for letting me crash at your place for so long. You will always have a home where ever I live! To all my friends who I didn't get to do lunch with or who missed my goodbye party, I will be back (the harshness of law school permitting), so keep in touch.

Goodbye adopted city!! Even if you don't believe me, I will miss you. I know I constantly talked smack about you and labeled myself an east-coast girl, refusing to allow anyone to mistake me for one of your permanent residents. Despite all of that, you were always good to me and I will always look back on the time I lived in you with fondness.

Hobbies

2005-06-25T16:47:00.000-07:00

Today I was at target and I saw these cute little pre-packaged knitting things. I think they are called "Knit-It." They are little cylandrical packages, with yarn, instructions and a dvd. They range from $9.99 to $19.99 and come in beginner, intermediate and expert.

I saw them, and they looked like a fun little project, so I picked up the knitted belt pack. I was deciding between that and the "Summer Tote", but they also had a cute little baby pack with a bib and footies, a knit string bikini and even knit dog and cat toys. It seemed like a small commitment thing in comparison to picking up my own yarn and stuff when I know nothing about knitting.

My aunt knits and she is no beginner. She has been doing it since she was a kid and most Christmases I end up with a pair of knit slippers under the tree. I have never really had any interest in knitting, but I find myself taking up random projects lately. I start new things with the mindset, "maybe I will like this", or more often, "maybe this will be my way to relax."

I figure with law school coming up, I will soon be super stressed and I want to have my relaxation technique down. I already know that the way that most students relax (excessive drinking) probably isn't the best idea. My old relaxation hobby, reading, may not seem that therapeutic after a day of classes and constant studying. So far, I have tried yoga, meditation and the gym.

Nothing has stuck yet. Maybe knitting will end up being my serenity?? Who know.

Thoughts on Law School Confidential/Ramblings on My Future

2005-06-23T10:19:00.000-07:00

I started the book yesterday. I am only about 100 pages in. So far, it hasn't really taught me anything. It has depressed me though.

I have always wanted to be a lawyer. In second grade, we had one of those career days, where you have to dress up as your chosen profession. My mom asked me what I wanted to be, and I said, "A lawyer." I don't think I really knew what a lawyer did. There were no attorneys in my family. But, I thought that attorneys helped people.

So, I decided that I wanted to become an attorney to help people. It seems like an easy enough premise. I didn't decide to go to law school for the money and have never had a desire to work for a big corporation in my life. If I wanted to work for a corporation, I would have done marketing or business. I want to become a lawyer to actually practice law.

As time went on, my interests have become more diverse. I would love to focus on human rights, environmental issues, housing discrimination or something along the lines of a public defender. Basically, I don't know what I want to do, but I know that I am likely to be at the bottom end of the pay scale for lawyers.

Now here is where I might have messed up (or at least the book makes it seem as though I did.) I was offered a pretty much full-ride to a lower ranked, regional school. I was also accepted to a highly ranked (extremely expensive) school with minimal financial aid. After visiting both schools, I decided that I really liked the expensive school and felt that the quality of education was better. So, I said bye-bye to the ginormous scholarship and hello to years of debt. (think 20k of debt compared to 100k of debt.)

Does this make me an idiot? I don't know. The book certainly says that it does. Knowing that I am not going to be making a ton of money anytime soon, they say that I should have gone to the less expensive school. However, what about quality of education and happiness. If i am going to go into debt for something, should I get the most that I can out of it? Everyone says that law school is so miserable, so shouldn't I do what I can to make the experience easier on myself?

On the other hand, I don't want to end up like on of the attorneys in the book. She says that she had always wanted to work in the prosecutor's office, but after graduation, she just couldn't afford to take a position there due to her debt. Instead, she wound up doing corporate law at a big firm. I don't know, a certain part of me would like to think that I'm not like that. If put in the same position, I would do what I wanted and just live with the debt, paying it off as fast as I could. Realistically though, I know that I hate not being financially stable.

Sigh, maybe I will just find a sugar daddy who want to fund my legal education. Or better yet, a rich long lost relative. Then again, a scholarship would also work.

2005-06-22T13:31:00.000-07:00

I just ate some pudding. It was good, but not nearly as fufilling as I had hoped. I was looking around on the net and thought about putting a counter up on my site. But, who really cares about the number of people who come to read my random ramblings??

In other news, I am completely bored. I am so bored that I may go to lunch tomorrow with people from work. What sense does that make? None, I know.

I think I may even go out with work people tonight. Nothing serious, just a little drinking.

Day Re-Cap

2005-06-22T11:29:00.000-07:00

So I did end up watching the Real World last night. It made me feel old. All of the cast mates (other than virgin girl) are drunken violent party-people. Same storyline as always.

I also finished "The Next Big Thing" today. It is a cute fluff-chic lit book. I read the whole thing while sitting at Starbucks. When I was employed I used to get extremely jealous of all the people sitting in Starbucks reading during normal business hours. Now I am one of those lucky few!

Next I start "Law School Confidential" which was given to me by one of my law school friends. Anyone have any law related book suggestions??

Real World

2005-06-21T15:33:00.000-07:00

Does the new season of the Real World start tonight or is it just my imagination? And does anyone care?

Being the tv junkie that I am, I will check the new season out. However, I have a feeling that the Real World is pretty much over.

Last week I caught one of those preview shows where they introduce the new cast. It is the same group of people:

-Young, overly sexual blond hunk guy (think Abe or Theo)
-Virginal, raised by conservative christian, judgemental girl (think Julie)
-Token minority person who really isn't all that interesting and doesn't grab the spotlight
-I have been through "so much more than everyone else" person who that doesn't get along with others because they "just can't relate to what I have been through" (this season to be played by soldier girl, in the past this role has been filled by, "I have lime disease" girl and "I have some disease that shortens my life span." This role can also be filled by "One of my parents has died" or "I am gay so you can't relate to me."

and of course

-Slutty girls

It is the same stereotypes walking around. All that changes is the city, and Austin isn't particularly intriguing to me. I'm just saying, how many times can you watch the same characters do the same things over and over?

First Day Blues

2005-06-21T14:25:00.000-07:00

I would love to be able to post about some exciting adventure I had on my first day of unemployment. How I spent the day packing to go to Europe, reading all of those novels I've been putting off or just curing cancer.

Unfortunately, today I spent most of the day doing the same thing I do at work. Cruising the net and scratching my butt. Only, I didn't get paid for it.

Ah well, it is good I am leaving for Europe in 11 days. I get bored fast and I can see that unemployment is just a little to much free time for me. I like to be busy.

I called my mom, to make sure there are no life threatening illnesses that are in the works to cancel our trip. I will be headed home this weekend. After being home for a few days, we will be flying out on July 2nd and spending two weeks crisscrossing Europe. Then I start the internship (which I am unbelievably excited about.)

This means that in the next 11 days I have to:

-Move home
-Unpack
-Repack a 2 weeks of clothing into an itty-bitty carry on bag
-Learn conversational french (par le vous ingles?)
-Find a cheap suit for internship (jcrew.com actually has some on sale, if I buy online I can just have it shipped home and that is one less thing I have to pack)
-Figure out a way to fake through the internship so they don't know that I don't know what I am doing.
-Somehow convince my school that they really want to send me the medical forms I have to fill out before I come to school. I will be going off of health insurance at the end of this month and I need to get any neccesary shots before then.
-Discover a way to get along with my family members for more than two days (i don't actually expect this one to happen unless they have a fast track in family therapy)
-Buy lots of film (or buy a digital and be a member of the 21st century)
-Practice posting via e-mail so I can post with minimal ease from a different country

Yup, that should keep me plenty busy.

HALLELUJIAH!!!!

2005-06-21T10:16:00.000-07:00

The time has officially come!! I am now unemployed!! (This blog has showed me how important exclamation point are to my life)

Yesterday, the kind folks (I can look back at them and view them as kind now that I no longer have to see them on a daily basis) at my job took me out to lunch. This is the usual at my work and people generally get up and give a little speech about how they have enjoyed there time here.....blah, blah, blah.

Anyway, speech-giving time rolled around and I looked up, to pretend to listen to the person saying their goodbyes and, wait a minute....Needless to say it still hasn't hit me that I am unemployed.

Today, my alarm clock went off as usual, I rolled out of bed and was halfway through lathering up before I realized, I don't have to go to work today!

Needs

2005-06-13T10:00:00.000-07:00

I need a cheap suit for my summer internship. Any ideas? Something classy, summery and not to trendy. I am thinking maybe khaki or a light grey pant-suit?

Qualification-when I say cheap, I don't mean "cheap for a lawyer" I mean "cheap for someone who is about to be unemployed for 3 mos and then go into $150k of debt."

Sadness Strikes.....

2005-06-13T09:08:00.000-07:00

On my way to work this morning, I stopped at my favorite deli-breakfast place. After working here for more than a year I finnally found the yummiest places to eat everything and now I am packing up and leaving!!

I will have to find new places to get the perfect chai, crispiest fries and best drunken noodles! What will I do without my favorite lunch time Mexican whole-in-the-wall or the place with the absolutely delicious apple crisps. Sigh! I am starting to feel melacholy.

This weekend I spent time visiting more of my favorite restaurants and places, saying goodbye to my city. Next weekend will be filled with goodbye parties and trips to my friends favorite bars. I am starting to feel then sadness of leaving someplace I had just started to call home. The fact that I may never return here (or at least never again live here) is killer. There are a few close friends here that I know I will always talk to, but there are others that I will say goodbye to forever. A large chapter of my life is ending.....and it is hard not to feel a small ache even if I know that I am moving on to bigger and better things.

One week to go and I am sure I will only get more sentimental as time goes on.

Now that I have a blog, I can do this fun stuff.........

2005-06-10T15:03:00.000-07:00

Friday Spies care of Begging the Question:

1. What is the earliest movie you remember watching in the theater?

Bambi. I don't have a lot of memories from my childhood, but I distincly remember sitting there in the theatre next to my mom and watching Bambi's mother get shot. I must have been 3 or 4 and I think that was my first naive realization that, whoa people die and beyond that, whoa mom's die. It was a little traumatic. I also remember when Bambi slid accross the ice on his butt.

2. If you could strike one word from the English language, which word would you choose and why?

Hmm.....I can tell you one word from the English language that I love. Onamatopoeia. I remember in fourth grade (or whatever gade it was) when they teach you that word and you think it is the coolest thing ever.

There probably isn't a word I would strike. Maybe schlong. Ewww. Just typing it made me feel dirty.

3. If you were a superhero, what would be your kryptonite?

Ignorance.

No it would probably be bad french fries. They are just fried potatoes, but how come so many people can make them so wrong?

4. Would you rather win an Emmy, Grammy, Tony, Golden Globe, Oscar, Pulitzer, or Nobel Prize? What work would you win it for?

The intellectual within me wants to say Pulitzer. Nobel Prize for Peace would be cool too.

On the other hand, the evil part of me would love to write some long, boring and horrendous children's book and win the Caldecott or the Newberry and have the school systems force kids to read it over their summer breaks.

5. What is your catch phrase? Don't have one? Then make one up!

Being from the Northeast I do say "wicked" a lot. I am starting to grow out of it though. I am sure my friedns would be able to think of something that I annoy them by saying.

**UPDATE**

I know realize my catch phrase. By writing this down, it will make me instantly recognizable to at least five people in my life. Oh well. My catch phrase is "No more PENISES!!" and this has been my catch phrase throughout college. This is generally yelled by me at the top of my lungs towards the end of a Friday or Saturday night, when a fair amount of alcohol had been pumped into my system and I just want the guys who insist on rubbing their hard member up against me to go away and leave me alone. It is usually the result of the fact that I have stayed out longer than I should and just want to be under my covers sleeping away my drunkedness. In fact, it has gotten to the point that when I go out with my college friends and I get a certain look in my eye they say, "We better leave, it is getting to be NO MORE PENISES time."

Tommy Hilfiger

2005-06-10T12:35:00.000-07:00

I know my blog is supposed to talk about important shit........but come on now. Bear with me!

Did anyone get desparate enough to watch The Cut last night? That is an hour and a half of my life that I will never get back (I finnally gave up on the show and didn't watch the full two-hours.)

As a big Project Runway fan, I thought The Cut seemed like a good premise. The fashion challenges of Project Runway mixed in with the business challeges of The Apprentice.

But, The Cut just didn't do it for me. First, no matter how many times the people at CBS said they weren't imitating Project Runway, come on now. You basically took two different reality shows, jumbled it together and then pretend that it was a new idea. Also, The Cut doesn't have the most important things that made Project Runway a success.

First, Heidi Klum was the shit as host. No one else, without her uppity European accent can make the contestants feel like such a loser when they get cut.

Unlike Project Runway and The Apprentice, teams on The Cut don't get the fun bitchy mentors to point out the shortfalls that the viewers at home notice. There is no Tim from Parson's to point out as the designer is working that the dowdy look isn't gonna cut it. Nor is there a Carolyn to give one of her horrified faces as someone does something utterly stupid.

Plus as of yet, there are no bitchy runway models. I think people really underestimate what a group of young, attractive, crazy model chicks can do towards making a reality show succeed.

Not to mention that personally, I just don't like Tommy Hilfiger. He is a pretty common old white guy who isn't all that awe inspiring (at least to me) in the world of fashion.

I don't know. Maybe I will give it another try next week.

Movies

2005-06-10T10:38:00.000-07:00

As the movie fiend that I am, tonight I will be going to see "Mr and Mrs Smith" and "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants." I will be sure to let everyone know what I think.

Of course, I am prepared to be disappointed as they could never live up to the last movie I saw, "Crash." That movie is incomparable to any other and was one of the few movies I have seen that I truly loved.

Before seeing "Crash", I had already decided that I wasn't going to like the film. From the previews, I thought that there would be to many story lines running through the film in an unrealistic way. Comparing it to "Love Actually"(which was ok), I assumed it would seem a little contrived. From what the critics were saying, I also assumed that it would be extremely depressing. And, although I must have cried at least 5 times during the movie, I thought it was the best thing ever. Or at least the best thing since "Maria, Full of Grace." I loved all of the characters (even the ones you loved to hate), the dialogue, everything about the movie. Don Cheadle was amazing and Sandra Bullock was surprisingly believable playing her bitchy character. I love Larenz Tate, so it was no surprise that he was awesome! Even Ludacris surprised me by doing a great job. The only person who didn't overwhelm me was Brendan Frasier and I didn't really know why he got top billing for a movie where he has about 10 lines total. It was also a very realistic depiction and didn't need to use stereotyping or one dimensional characters to prove its point. It definately went on my top ten list.

I tend to see movies in blocks, like once a month I go and do an all-day movie fest. On the same day as "Crash", I saw "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy." Eh, it wasn't that good, but it wasn't that bad either. I thought the acting was good and I could tell from the movie that I would probably enjoy reading the book. However, it really didn't capture me. It was pretty adequate, which is a lot more than I can say about most films. I also saw "The Interpreter" on that occasion as well. I am probably biased since I love Nicole Kidman. Sean Penn really doesn't do anything for me, especially in the last scene when he is sitting on the handrail in his ugly Nikes, but other than that, the movie was ok.

I don't really expect "Mr and Mrs Smith" or "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" to come anywhere close to "Crash" since the are totally different genres and marketed at a different group of movie goers. I am not intrigued about seeing Brad an Angelina together. I like both actors apart, but I am not sure how they will do on this movie together.

Moods

2005-06-09T10:18:00.000-07:00

I just installed UnkyMoods which seems like a fun idea.

I must admit that I got said idea from one of my fav lawyer-bloggers at Blonde Justice

Unemployment Beckons

2005-06-09T09:16:00.000-07:00

Today is the type of day that makes you forget how you have gotten to know these people at work over the past two years. How you have bleed and sweat for the same goal.

It makes you forget how much you are going to miss them and just makes you realize how happy you are that you will not be stuck here much longer.

Gotta look on the positive side: I am getting out!!!! :)

I'm an Idiot

2005-06-08T12:06:00.000-07:00

I had Mongolian BBQ for lunch today. MmmmmmHmmmm!! Delcious!

It was my first time and since I am anonymous, I feel that I can ask the very uncorrect question on the tip of my tongue. Who are the Mongolians?? And is Mongolian BBQ actually a product of Mongolia or is it just something we Americans couldn't think up a name for and decided, "Hmm, Mongolian BBQ. That has a nice ring to it!"

Life Outside of Waiting for Law School News

2005-06-06T11:39:00.000-07:00

Planning my very quickly approaching trip I have become a fodors addict. Seriously, the message boards are a great place to get advice and find out information that you didn't even know you needed for your trip. I also love trip advisor. If anyone has any other travel websites or tips to share, please let me know. I am an extreme planner and every little bit helps.

Also, I forgot to say that I read The Washingtonienne this weekend. Eh, what can I say. I didn't like it that much.

I heard about the whole Jessica Cutler thing from Wonkette when it first hit, although I didn't know she was coming out with a book. Walking down the street on Saturday I passed Barnes & Noble where the book was in the window. Interesting cover at least. I immediately walked on in, grabbed a cup of java (curse you starbucks addiction!) and started to read.

I love the fluff, chic-lit genre. However, this book was just depressing to me. Basically, the book is Cutler's story with names changed and a little exaggeration.

Perhaps it's because I knew a lot of girls like Jessica Cutler in college, but the book just made me sad. Sad that there are 20-somethings out there having sex for money (while proclaiming your not a prostitute; the guy just wanted to help out), snorting coke on the weekends and drinking everyday to make life go by faster.

I can't completely knock the book. However, I know that to much of the story is all too true to find it a humorous read.

Homeless

2005-06-06T07:41:00.000-07:00

This weekend was interesting. Since I am leaving my current place of residence shortly after I quit my job on June 20th, I moved out of my apartment when my lease was up at the end of May. This means that I am homeless for the next three weeks.

Of course, I am not really homeless. All of my friends have offered me a place on their various sofas, pull outs and air mattresses. I am apartment hopping from one friend to the next. I am thankful to my friends, but I really miss being able to come home from work and do whatever I want.

This past week, I have been staying with my friend C. Out of all of my friends, she works closest to my work and in the safest neighborhood, so C it was. Things were fine during the week as she leaves for work about an hour after I do, gets back an hour later and we both have active social lives that keep us running in and out of the apartment.

This weekend was different. She and her on-again, off-again boyfriend, are back on. Now, I don't have confirmation that they were mating like rabbits the whole weekend, but I only saw the two of them come out of the bedroom to pee and eat. Needless to say, I was a little uncomfortable, so I spent the weekend doing all of the touristy stuff there is to do in my town. This also resulted in me going to Starbucks at midnight last night (it wasn't opened, but I sat on the outdoor chairs that were still out there) and calling every single person that is in my cell phone.

So, if you got a phone call from me at like 1 am, I apologize.

Two Things

2005-06-03T13:30:00.000-07:00

I sort of wish that I couldn't go back and edit my posts. Well, that anyone could edit their posts. It sort of allows you to play God and take back things you didn't mean to say or change mistakes you made. I don't really proof my grammar and spelling and stuff when I create a post, but then I go to the site, notice a mistake and edit it. Blogging could be a little bit more real then. Or maybe not.

Blogging is like freshman year of college. No one really knows you or what your all about, so you can pretty much reinvent yourself if you want. You are introducing yourself to people whom you will never meet or have real interactions with, so you can always be something your not or something you wished to be.

________________________________________________________

Anyway, that wasn't what I wanted to talk about. Two things:

1. For those of you who don't know, today is doughnut day at Krispy Kreme. Personally, I prefer Dunkin Donuts, but to each his own.

2. (this will be long) Although I have always wanted to be a lawyer, going to law school is making me a little apprehensive. I have had 1 full-time job in my life and a bazillion part-time jobs and internships (I have had a job since the day after my 12th birthday.) However, I feel like there are a lot of interesting jobs that I would like to try in my life. If only for a few day. Most of them are random minimum wage stuff that most people who actually do probably hate, but I would just like to experience. I feel like 90% of jobs that I have had, have been stuff that was interesting to me, but kind of serious. I would like to have a chill, fun job.

I would love to be an ice cream scooper at Ben & Jerry's. Now tell me you don't think that would be fun. Even waitressing, I have never been a waitress. There is even some serious stuff that I would love to dabble in. Real estate, interior design, teaching elementary school, etc.

Not to say that I will never do any of these things, but I feel that I have been working towards law school and being a lawyer has been my goal for so long that once I am there that is it. Once I am a lawyer, there is no going back. I know some of that is unfounded in that I can always change career fields and I can always do something else, but on the other hand I am not sure that I really believe that. I do want to practice and there is so much within the legal field that I want to experience, but there are other things that I want to do with my life as well.

I guess it is part of being young, but I just want to do so much, and I really don't think it is all possible..............

I Will Not Have to Work Here Anymore!!!!!

2005-06-03T10:34:00.000-07:00

2 weeks! 2 weeks till freedom!

June 20 is my official last day of work. I have worked here for two years so you would think that I would be sad to go, and you would be wrong.

This is glorious in the fact that my time will be my own and I will not have my soul sucked out of my body on a daily basis. It is unfortunate in that I will no longer have a steady stream of income coming, which makes me nervous. Also, I don't really do that much at work, so it is like getting paid to play on a computer with high speed internet all day with small 20 minute breaks of doing actually work.

My plan was to have a nice relaxing, boring summer filled with tv watching, book reading and family bonding. This plan was foiled by my own subconscious need to constantly be busy and thwart my attempts at serenity.

So, I will be leaving work, moving home, relaxing for 1 week and then the insanity will begin. My mother, teenage sister and I will be going on a whirlwind (and I mean whirlwind) 2 week tour of Europe. Never having been to Europe, I am extra excited. However, the three of us have not spent more than 1 day together 24/7 in the past 5 or so years. I am not sure if we are capable of getting along and not killing each other for that long. Add to that the fact that we will be staying with even more relatives, I think the trip may end in one big bloodbath.

If I make it through that debacle, I will be returning home to intern full time for four weeks at an attorney's office. Do I have any skills that would allow me to get through this internship without making a fool of myself??? Good question. The answer is, probably not.

A few months ago, I decided it would be a good idea to send my resume out to a few small firms in my hometown to see if they would let me shadow an attorney (this was when I thought my summer was going to be boring and I figured it would be a learning experience.) One of said firms, then offered me a full fledged space in their internship program. They said a lot of their summer associates split their summers anyway, so the fact that I was going away would have no bearing on my ability to be a part of the program. Being awe struck, I immediately agreed to work full-time, from the day after I return from Europe (jetlag will be a bitch) until the last day of the week before orientation.

Although I took a few pre-law classes in undergrad, none of the knowledge that was imparted to me has managed to stay in my head. This means that me, a pre-1L, will be interning with real attorneys, and real law students who expect me to be able to assist them. How will I do this you may ask? I don't really know. I imagine I will be faking it a lot.

Anticipation

2005-06-02T09:22:00.000-07:00

Another reason that I started this blog is because I am very, very anxiously awaiting the start of law school. This is one way that you can guarantee that you are in fact a geek. If you look forward to the beginning of law school the way you looked forward to your prom, you can come over to the dark side with me.

I have yet to receive a schedule, information about orientation, or even immunization requirement forms. Maybe it is left over energy from when I was still getting law school decisions in the mail, but every day I still rush home and peek in my mailbox, hoping there will be something from my chosen law school in there. Something, anything. Throw me a bone here people. The last communication I got from you was loan stuff and that just made me depressed. (these are the reasons I call myself intense.)

Seriously, the administration people at my school hate me already and I'm not even there yet. I probably call at least once a month, telling them that I haven't received this or asking about the status of that. Oh well, I know I need to take a chill pill, but come on people!

I know it will soon get even worse. Once I am unemployed (t minus 14 days) I will have nothing to do and all of my time can be spent stalking my law school.

Me, me, me

2005-06-02T08:40:00.000-07:00

Okay. This is my first web log, so now that I have gone to blogger and played with all the shiny buttons and settings, I am feeling a little bit more confident.

Oh, so you want to know more about me?? (I honestly don't know why I am pretending to talk to someone here, but hey, just gonna go with it!)

Me: 22-year old, somewhat single female (why does this sound like a personal ad???)

In the fall I will be starting my first year of law school!! I am one of those weird people who actually wants to go to law school to become a lawyer. I know, shocking. I have wanted to be a lawyer since forever.

I am starting this web log for myself, to keep me sane, and to remember my law school experiences. Also because I am pretty bored right now and it seems like a good idea.

I like to write, although I have an alarming love of comma's and at times surprisingly bad grammar. I am also very introspective and I am sure that if my writing comes out anything like my conversations go, my posts will just be stream of conciousness writing (meaning long and winding.)

I am a little intense, always like to get my way, always think I am right, but other than that, I am a pretty fun person.

I love reading other people's blogs, traveling, reading, partying with my friends.

More soon........

Woo Whoo

2005-06-01T08:31:00.000-07:00

Duh, duh, duh, duh........

First Post! Seems like it should be exciting............

So, um yeah! First post.

Well, then. That was fun...............