Olive Garden takeout for dinner. Yummy awesomeness.
Watching Monk later on tonight. Favorite show. Last season. Boo.
Just got an e-mail about an Ice Cream Social to welcome new grad students to the Intervarsity Graduate Christian Fellowship. Sweet (and yummy).
Nervous about law school. Excited about law school.
And that's all she wrote. :)
Friday, August 21, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Textbooks, Orientation, and Stuff
The countdown is on! I have officially ONE WEEK left before I leave for law school.
I've bounced between feelings of nervousness and excitement pretty much all summer. I've heard from law students that feeling like you are in over your head is normal for a 0L (mostly because you pretty much are in over your head). At times, I wondered what the heck I was thinking when I applied to law school. At other times, I knew without a doubt that law school was the right decision for me. Up and down. Like a crazy roller coaster that you force yourself to ride just so you can say you did it.
With only a few more days to go before orientation, I am feeling 70% excited and 30% nervous. I'm excited to meet all my new classmates, to live in a new town, to attend a GREAT university, and to finally begin a program that will teach me a career. I like that I will be learning a definite set of skills that will translate into a job upon graduation.
College was great fun and I learned a lot, but I realize now that half the majors available for study really don't pave the way into any definite career. If you're just starting out in college, make sure you double major. Study what you love, but also study something that can eventually lead to a paycheck one day. I picked smartly without even really knowing what I was doing - I have an education degree with a teacher's license, and I also have a history degree - which led to law school.
In other news, my apartment is totally set up. I LOVE it! My Mom and I decorated it completely from secondhand stores. I swear, Design on a Dime needs to do an episode covering my apartment. Everything from the silverware (a 60 piece set of Oneida silverware which I snagged for 12 bucks from a retiring caterer at a garage sale) to my vintage Chromcraft kitchen table with 6 chairs which I bought from Habitat ReStore for 40 bucks (and sells for hundreds in antique stores) was bought secondhand. It was addicting....you never really knew what you were going to find!
The only new thing in my apartment is my 32" HDTV. And some computer stuff. Oh yah. Be jealous. :)
Anywho, I read my first case from one of my textbooks!! I couldn't help myself. Specifically, it was Johnson v. M'Intosh (1823), and it was in my Property casebook. Oddly enough, I found it to be a very interesting read. And I understood it. (Or, at least, I think I did.) The plaintiff in the case said that he had the rights to a certain piece of property because it was deeded to him by the Indian chiefs of the region. Another man claimed he owned the property because the government deeded it to him (even though it was at a later date than the plaintiff). The court ruled in favor of the defendant because precedent dictated that Indians were allowed to occupy their land, but they were not allowed to sell or deed their land to anyone. European precedence robbed Indians of their sovereignty. Indians could live off the land and had a right to live on the land, but they were not ultimately in control. It's acquisition by discovery...when a person discovers a land not previously known by Christian peoples, they are the rightful owners of that land.
That's a tough decision to swallow, but it's amazing to see how much history and society can influence the law. Am I sensing a future in real estate law? Hmm.... ;)
I've bounced between feelings of nervousness and excitement pretty much all summer. I've heard from law students that feeling like you are in over your head is normal for a 0L (mostly because you pretty much are in over your head). At times, I wondered what the heck I was thinking when I applied to law school. At other times, I knew without a doubt that law school was the right decision for me. Up and down. Like a crazy roller coaster that you force yourself to ride just so you can say you did it.
With only a few more days to go before orientation, I am feeling 70% excited and 30% nervous. I'm excited to meet all my new classmates, to live in a new town, to attend a GREAT university, and to finally begin a program that will teach me a career. I like that I will be learning a definite set of skills that will translate into a job upon graduation.
College was great fun and I learned a lot, but I realize now that half the majors available for study really don't pave the way into any definite career. If you're just starting out in college, make sure you double major. Study what you love, but also study something that can eventually lead to a paycheck one day. I picked smartly without even really knowing what I was doing - I have an education degree with a teacher's license, and I also have a history degree - which led to law school.
In other news, my apartment is totally set up. I LOVE it! My Mom and I decorated it completely from secondhand stores. I swear, Design on a Dime needs to do an episode covering my apartment. Everything from the silverware (a 60 piece set of Oneida silverware which I snagged for 12 bucks from a retiring caterer at a garage sale) to my vintage Chromcraft kitchen table with 6 chairs which I bought from Habitat ReStore for 40 bucks (and sells for hundreds in antique stores) was bought secondhand. It was addicting....you never really knew what you were going to find!
The only new thing in my apartment is my 32" HDTV. And some computer stuff. Oh yah. Be jealous. :)
Anywho, I read my first case from one of my textbooks!! I couldn't help myself. Specifically, it was Johnson v. M'Intosh (1823), and it was in my Property casebook. Oddly enough, I found it to be a very interesting read. And I understood it. (Or, at least, I think I did.) The plaintiff in the case said that he had the rights to a certain piece of property because it was deeded to him by the Indian chiefs of the region. Another man claimed he owned the property because the government deeded it to him (even though it was at a later date than the plaintiff). The court ruled in favor of the defendant because precedent dictated that Indians were allowed to occupy their land, but they were not allowed to sell or deed their land to anyone. European precedence robbed Indians of their sovereignty. Indians could live off the land and had a right to live on the land, but they were not ultimately in control. It's acquisition by discovery...when a person discovers a land not previously known by Christian peoples, they are the rightful owners of that land.
That's a tough decision to swallow, but it's amazing to see how much history and society can influence the law. Am I sensing a future in real estate law? Hmm.... ;)
Friday, August 14, 2009
Why Tylenol is My Worst Nightmare...
I can't swallow pills.
Seriously. I haven't been able to swallow a pill in years and years. I get the pill on my tongue, and my throat starts acting like an iron vice. It's a pain, since I've been forced to take liquid tylenol (which tastes like rotten cherries) for near a decade now.
So, today I am at the grocery store and I see this little box of tylenol on sale. It promises to be an EZ tab...easy to swallow due to its peculiar shape and sweet coating. "Great! Finally something to help me manage to swallow a pill and toss the liquid junk," I think.
Yah. I haven't had to actually take any tylenol as of yet...so, the final verdict isn't in.
I have, however, spent some time researching different methods for swallowing pills. (Which is incredibly nerdy and something only a die-hard researcher and over-achiever like myself would do. I am well aware.) Turns out tips for swallowing pills are a dime a dozen.
One lady recommended practicing beforehand using "pill-like" foods. Smarties...M&Ms...etc. I love Smarties and M&M's, so I really don't want to ruin my love of them by pretending they are pills. I decided to use peas....cooked peas, of course. I used them in a dish tonight for dinner....I didn't just randomly decide to cook up a bag of frozen peas. :)
Anywho. I think I may have found my method. I put the "pill" on the middle of my tongue. I furiously sip a juice drink through a straw while tucking my chin down. And the pea is swallowed whole. I hope this transfers to pills. And, yes. I just blogged about my trouble with swallowing pills. Does anyone else share this problem? Any suggestions for how to break the problem? And that, readers, is why Tylenol is my worst enemy.
Seriously. I haven't been able to swallow a pill in years and years. I get the pill on my tongue, and my throat starts acting like an iron vice. It's a pain, since I've been forced to take liquid tylenol (which tastes like rotten cherries) for near a decade now.
So, today I am at the grocery store and I see this little box of tylenol on sale. It promises to be an EZ tab...easy to swallow due to its peculiar shape and sweet coating. "Great! Finally something to help me manage to swallow a pill and toss the liquid junk," I think.
Yah. I haven't had to actually take any tylenol as of yet...so, the final verdict isn't in.
I have, however, spent some time researching different methods for swallowing pills. (Which is incredibly nerdy and something only a die-hard researcher and over-achiever like myself would do. I am well aware.) Turns out tips for swallowing pills are a dime a dozen.
One lady recommended practicing beforehand using "pill-like" foods. Smarties...M&Ms...etc. I love Smarties and M&M's, so I really don't want to ruin my love of them by pretending they are pills. I decided to use peas....cooked peas, of course. I used them in a dish tonight for dinner....I didn't just randomly decide to cook up a bag of frozen peas. :)
Anywho. I think I may have found my method. I put the "pill" on the middle of my tongue. I furiously sip a juice drink through a straw while tucking my chin down. And the pea is swallowed whole. I hope this transfers to pills. And, yes. I just blogged about my trouble with swallowing pills. Does anyone else share this problem? Any suggestions for how to break the problem? And that, readers, is why Tylenol is my worst enemy.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Hello!
Welcome to the first update from the Girl in the Law Library!
I suppose I should start out this first entry by explaining a bit about the purpose of this blog. My reasons are threefold....
One, I wanted to have a place where I can write updates for my family and friends about my wacky adventures, triumphs, and trials while in law school. As a 0L, I've yet to really know exactly how true all the rumors of the 1L year really are. From what I have heard, the upcoming year is going to be a trial (no pun intended) like no other. This blog is my attempt at making sure I keep in contact with everyone who may be interested in keeping up with the goings on in my life. :)
So, I promise to update as often (and with as much detail) as I possibly can. We'll see how far that promise goes, but you can be perfectly sure that my intentions are completely honorable.
Secondly, I've scoured the internet for blogs written by law students. I've searched and searched, and what I have found isn't entirely promising. There are a few blogs authored by law students here and there, but they are always negative or grossly crude. There are also the plethora of lawyer joke blogs, which provide nothing for those of us seeking to read about the experiences of law school. Since I'm a glass half-full kind of girl who dislikes the debasement of the English language through crudeness and vulgarity, I am fairly certain my blog is unique. I'm setting up blogging shop in an area that has been neglected.
Whether this is because of a true lack of optimistic lawyers, or simply just an oversight...we shall see.
Anywho, this will be a blog about a girl who is learning how to be a lawyer and experiencing everything that law school is...and isn't. A sort of journalistic recounting of the day-to-day. It's a record of everything (or, at least, some things) a 0L wants to know but doesn't know who to ask or where to look.
I want this to be the something akin to the blog I never had, but desperately wanted, to reference as a 0L.
Thirdly (and finally, I swear), I want to have an outlet for myself to write about thoughts, events, and experiences. I write a lot...so I just don't think I can stop writing for personal enjoyment simply because I am suddenly inundated with required writing. It's just my personality to write everything down...so why not share?
So, there you have it. I'm a 23 year-old recent college graduate fulfilling my lifelong dream of becoming a lawyer. I've been accepted at the law school of my dreams, and I am literally days away from starting out on the next three years of my life. It's going to be a lot of work, but I know that God is faithful and He will lead me along the path He has laid out for me. I suppose I'll close with a little message one of my friends gave me recently:
"I can do THIS through Christ."
It's sort of become a catch-phrase for tackling life. The Bible says we can do all things through Christ, so that naturally translates into being able to do the current task set before you. Applying God's promises to the here and now...and all that. :)
Till next time, Mel
I suppose I should start out this first entry by explaining a bit about the purpose of this blog. My reasons are threefold....
One, I wanted to have a place where I can write updates for my family and friends about my wacky adventures, triumphs, and trials while in law school. As a 0L, I've yet to really know exactly how true all the rumors of the 1L year really are. From what I have heard, the upcoming year is going to be a trial (no pun intended) like no other. This blog is my attempt at making sure I keep in contact with everyone who may be interested in keeping up with the goings on in my life. :)
So, I promise to update as often (and with as much detail) as I possibly can. We'll see how far that promise goes, but you can be perfectly sure that my intentions are completely honorable.
Secondly, I've scoured the internet for blogs written by law students. I've searched and searched, and what I have found isn't entirely promising. There are a few blogs authored by law students here and there, but they are always negative or grossly crude. There are also the plethora of lawyer joke blogs, which provide nothing for those of us seeking to read about the experiences of law school. Since I'm a glass half-full kind of girl who dislikes the debasement of the English language through crudeness and vulgarity, I am fairly certain my blog is unique. I'm setting up blogging shop in an area that has been neglected.
Whether this is because of a true lack of optimistic lawyers, or simply just an oversight...we shall see.
Anywho, this will be a blog about a girl who is learning how to be a lawyer and experiencing everything that law school is...and isn't. A sort of journalistic recounting of the day-to-day. It's a record of everything (or, at least, some things) a 0L wants to know but doesn't know who to ask or where to look.
I want this to be the something akin to the blog I never had, but desperately wanted, to reference as a 0L.
Thirdly (and finally, I swear), I want to have an outlet for myself to write about thoughts, events, and experiences. I write a lot...so I just don't think I can stop writing for personal enjoyment simply because I am suddenly inundated with required writing. It's just my personality to write everything down...so why not share?
So, there you have it. I'm a 23 year-old recent college graduate fulfilling my lifelong dream of becoming a lawyer. I've been accepted at the law school of my dreams, and I am literally days away from starting out on the next three years of my life. It's going to be a lot of work, but I know that God is faithful and He will lead me along the path He has laid out for me. I suppose I'll close with a little message one of my friends gave me recently:
"I can do THIS through Christ."
It's sort of become a catch-phrase for tackling life. The Bible says we can do all things through Christ, so that naturally translates into being able to do the current task set before you. Applying God's promises to the here and now...and all that. :)
Till next time, Mel
P.S. ---> If you read this, please comment. I like to know who's reading my stuff and what they think.
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