3 years ago yesterday Jason and I went out on our first date.
It's been kind of a strange 3 years, to be honest. Neither of us were looking for a relationship when we went on that first date that wound up lasting 9 1/2 hours. I was moving to DC in 4 days, he was trying to move on from someone else who had been a big part of his life. During the 2 years we were dating I tried to break up with him several times, but he would never let me. Kind of like, "I do not accept this break-up." It is very difficult to break up with someone you love who also loves you even though there are many dysfunctional issues and it may not be the best thing in the world for you and your sanity.
Sometimes we reflect on the weirdness of it all.
However, now things are really, really good. I feel like we've gotten over some of the roommate issues (though I don't think he will ever be tidy enough for me and I have a feeling that we will always have an assortment of empty Fresca cans on the shelf behind the couch, at least until we move and those two pieces of furniture are not together anymore. Then I guess the cans will be on the floor next to the couch). We always have a lot of fun and make each other laugh. I tend to be dramatic and emotional and Jason is a pillar of logic. Sometimes that can be extremely infuriating, but more often he is the voice of reason that I need when I feel like the world is collapsing on me.
I had a realization a couple of weeks ago that maybe should have come before we got married, but let's not be picky. Basically, I realized that Jason is the one who will be there in life from now on. Friends come and go, some are ones that I will always be in touch with even though we're not in each other's daily lives. But it's Jason and me now. We are this unit who will be experiencing life together from now on. I know I knew this, but somehow it's more real now. Perhaps it's because we have had friends move away, and potential new friends come into our lives. We are the constant in each other's lives.
In 2 months we'll have been married a year. I told Jason last night that I'm really glad we got married. He said he is too.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Business Professional
I'm looking for a nice work bag. I've been using this giant black bag I got at Target for $30 for so long that it's starting to come apart. It's been handy, though. As I mentioned, it's giant. I can generally put a couple of files, my wallet, cell phone, business card holder, lipstick, lotion, book for the bus, lunch AND high heeled shoes in it and head to work. Plus, it has a really snazzy bright green lining.
I hit the Wrentham outlets today after work. First off, there's a new Kate Spade outlet there. I stopped in and wanted to buy 10 or so bags, plus a wallet, and this wee little pocket mirror wrapped in light blue leather. But I restrained myself even though they were all so very cute. Alas, no large black professional-looking bag.
Then I went to the Coach outlet. Plenty of cute bags, but nothing appropriate.
Then I kind of got sidetracked at Banana Republic and the brand new Ann Taylor Loft outlet. I bought a few tops and a new pair of sunglasses all at amazing outlet prices. I really need some professional clothes because a lot of my stuff is either getting too raggedy or just doesn't fit anymore since I've gone down a couple of sizes since the last time I did any serious business clothes shopping. I was going to stop at some shoe shops too, but while I was in Ann Taylor Loft the shops all closed. The problem with going after work is that I really only get about an hour and a half and there are a LOT of stores.
On my way out, I noticed the Burberry outlet, but by that time it was closed. I don't know if they'll have a business bag, but I would just like to own something in Burberry plaid and the outlet seems like the place to make that sort of investment.
Fancy.
The truth is, I found the perfect bag at the Coach store in the mall a couple of weeks ago when I went shopping with my friend Deborah. It's called Madeline and is $500. Yeah, so that's not happening. But, see, look at the pretty:
It's big enough for files and other things, but not quite as obscenely big and ostentatious as the bag I've been using. And the thing you cannot even see is how the lining is this very delicate lilac color. It made me go, "Oooooo..." So it's kind of hard to find a suitable bag when I feel like I already found the perfect bag.
The search for the second place bag continues.
I hit the Wrentham outlets today after work. First off, there's a new Kate Spade outlet there. I stopped in and wanted to buy 10 or so bags, plus a wallet, and this wee little pocket mirror wrapped in light blue leather. But I restrained myself even though they were all so very cute. Alas, no large black professional-looking bag.
Then I went to the Coach outlet. Plenty of cute bags, but nothing appropriate.
Then I kind of got sidetracked at Banana Republic and the brand new Ann Taylor Loft outlet. I bought a few tops and a new pair of sunglasses all at amazing outlet prices. I really need some professional clothes because a lot of my stuff is either getting too raggedy or just doesn't fit anymore since I've gone down a couple of sizes since the last time I did any serious business clothes shopping. I was going to stop at some shoe shops too, but while I was in Ann Taylor Loft the shops all closed. The problem with going after work is that I really only get about an hour and a half and there are a LOT of stores.
On my way out, I noticed the Burberry outlet, but by that time it was closed. I don't know if they'll have a business bag, but I would just like to own something in Burberry plaid and the outlet seems like the place to make that sort of investment.
Fancy.The truth is, I found the perfect bag at the Coach store in the mall a couple of weeks ago when I went shopping with my friend Deborah. It's called Madeline and is $500. Yeah, so that's not happening. But, see, look at the pretty:
It's big enough for files and other things, but not quite as obscenely big and ostentatious as the bag I've been using. And the thing you cannot even see is how the lining is this very delicate lilac color. It made me go, "Oooooo..." So it's kind of hard to find a suitable bag when I feel like I already found the perfect bag.The search for the second place bag continues.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Getting Social Again
I'm making an effort to expand my social circle in Providence, now that the Bar is over and I have some free time again. Last night some ladies in the ward got together for what they're calling Project Night. Basically, if you have some unfinished project that you're working on, you can bring it and work on it. Or you can just sit and chat and eat treats.
I pulled out one of the several afghans I'm crocheting right now and did a few more rows. A few women brought knitting (and one of them is going to teach me!). One woman hemmed some pants. Another woman just joined in the conversation. We watched the Olympics too.
It is a fairly diverse little group. We're all in our late 20's/early 30's, but are a motley set when it comes to kids and marriage. So it's fun to talk about our different experiences. One of the women is my age, but has an 11 year-old, which means she was the same age as my mom was when she had me. I cannot even fathom having an 11 year-old right now.
I got a ride with a couple other people and on the way home we were talking about other ideas for gatherings. Someone suggested a monthly cooking group and we got all excited thinking about doing theme nights or doing it Iron Chef-style, with a secret ingredient that everyone has to use somehow. Getting out and about makes me feel less isolated down here in Providence. And then I came home to a husband and kitty who were both happy to see me. This is good.
I pulled out one of the several afghans I'm crocheting right now and did a few more rows. A few women brought knitting (and one of them is going to teach me!). One woman hemmed some pants. Another woman just joined in the conversation. We watched the Olympics too.
It is a fairly diverse little group. We're all in our late 20's/early 30's, but are a motley set when it comes to kids and marriage. So it's fun to talk about our different experiences. One of the women is my age, but has an 11 year-old, which means she was the same age as my mom was when she had me. I cannot even fathom having an 11 year-old right now.
I got a ride with a couple other people and on the way home we were talking about other ideas for gatherings. Someone suggested a monthly cooking group and we got all excited thinking about doing theme nights or doing it Iron Chef-style, with a secret ingredient that everyone has to use somehow. Getting out and about makes me feel less isolated down here in Providence. And then I came home to a husband and kitty who were both happy to see me. This is good.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Saturday Cookery
Saturday we had a going-away party for our friends Molly, Garrett and Baby Liam. They're moving to DC this week and we're very sad to see them go.
However, throwing a party gave me a chance to whip out my cooking magazines and favorite recipe sites and find a few things to make.
Garlicky Lima Bean Spread
I used this as more of a dip than a spread and it was great with fresh veggies and baked pita chips. The recipe calls for roasted garlic paste, which I couldn't find after looking in a couple of different stores. So I used my terracotta garlic baker and baked 6 cloves of garlic, smushed them up and threw them in. Honestly, I think it probably could have used more. But then, I love garlic.
Speaking of fresh veggies, this is a zucchini from my friend Jessica's garden.
Yes, that's a roll of paper towels. The zucchini is actually slightly longer than the paper towels. She brought me 3 zucchinis of this size, plus a cucumber around the same size. I need a garden.
Coconut-Almond Macaroons
Since this is a Cooking Light recipe, I call these relatively-healthy macaroons, which is great for me because I love macaroons. They were a little sticky, but very tasty.
Lime Meltaways
I really like limes, and I like key limes, which the recipe calls for, even more. (Seriously, Diet Coke with key lime juice squeezed into it is pretty great). However, I did have limes on hand and did not have key limes. I'll have to try this again with key limes when I get a hold of some.
Anyway, these are great, nutty-tasting cookies with just a slight tartness from the lime juice. And as a bonus, I have some leftover dough. See, the recipe calls for 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) of butter. It didn't occur to me until after I had started mixing that the author used the 4 tablespoon sticks, rather than the 8 tablespoon sticks that I use. So I started out with 24 tablespoons of butter. After I realized that, I just doubled everything and I have two extra dough logs in my freezer waiting to be thawed and sliced at a moment's notice. You know, if we have a cookie emergency.
However, throwing a party gave me a chance to whip out my cooking magazines and favorite recipe sites and find a few things to make.
Garlicky Lima Bean Spread
I used this as more of a dip than a spread and it was great with fresh veggies and baked pita chips. The recipe calls for roasted garlic paste, which I couldn't find after looking in a couple of different stores. So I used my terracotta garlic baker and baked 6 cloves of garlic, smushed them up and threw them in. Honestly, I think it probably could have used more. But then, I love garlic.
Speaking of fresh veggies, this is a zucchini from my friend Jessica's garden.
Yes, that's a roll of paper towels. The zucchini is actually slightly longer than the paper towels. She brought me 3 zucchinis of this size, plus a cucumber around the same size. I need a garden.Coconut-Almond Macaroons
Since this is a Cooking Light recipe, I call these relatively-healthy macaroons, which is great for me because I love macaroons. They were a little sticky, but very tasty.
Lime Meltaways
I really like limes, and I like key limes, which the recipe calls for, even more. (Seriously, Diet Coke with key lime juice squeezed into it is pretty great). However, I did have limes on hand and did not have key limes. I'll have to try this again with key limes when I get a hold of some.
Anyway, these are great, nutty-tasting cookies with just a slight tartness from the lime juice. And as a bonus, I have some leftover dough. See, the recipe calls for 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) of butter. It didn't occur to me until after I had started mixing that the author used the 4 tablespoon sticks, rather than the 8 tablespoon sticks that I use. So I started out with 24 tablespoons of butter. After I realized that, I just doubled everything and I have two extra dough logs in my freezer waiting to be thawed and sliced at a moment's notice. You know, if we have a cookie emergency.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Wedding Flashback
I'm finally getting around to organizing our wedding pictures and figuring out which ones we want to get printed and framed and such. As I've been looking through the DVD, the photos have reminded me of what a lovely Fall day it was. Yesterday morning Jason said, "Fall is coming soon" with a little bit of excitement in his voice. We both love Fall and October is my favorite month (and not just because it's the month in which I was born). October in New England epitomizes everything that's perfect about the season. I'm glad we were able to get married in October and have pictures like this:
Yes, we're in a cemetery. Mount Auburn Cemetery, the country's first garden cemetery. It's lovely in all seasons. Take note that permission is required to take wedding photos there, which we found out a half hour after we got there and one of the caretakers came over and told us. Whoops. She nicely let us finish since we were already there.
These two are outside the church where we were married.
Just for fun, here's one of my favorite pictures. I love the treatment our photographer used. It looks like an antique.
Yes, we're in a cemetery. Mount Auburn Cemetery, the country's first garden cemetery. It's lovely in all seasons. Take note that permission is required to take wedding photos there, which we found out a half hour after we got there and one of the caretakers came over and told us. Whoops. She nicely let us finish since we were already there.
These two are outside the church where we were married.
Just for fun, here's one of my favorite pictures. I love the treatment our photographer used. It looks like an antique.
Blurg
I'm sick. I get annoyed when I'm sick because I've just got too much to DO. I'm sure it's partly the letdown from the Bar stress. I used to get sick at the end of every semester, once I gave my body a chance to rest.
The thing is, I started back to work slowly and am working 3 days this week, taking yesterday and today off. I had grand plans to clean the entire house, which it desperately needs, especially since we're having a going-away party for some friends on Saturday. To give you an idea of the shape the apartment is in, it took me 5 hours on Saturday to clean the bathroom, kitchen, and dining room. And I didn't even vacuum the rug in the dining room, just swept the floor. But I just can't seem to get motivated to clean. My head is stuffy and I feel like I'm moving at about half my normal speed. I've gone through some piles of mail and things, but the heavy lifting just feels like way too much.
So my alternative plan was to loll on the couch and make my way through old Netflixed movies that I haven't had a chance to watch. However, the shinglers are still here. Moreover, today they're working on the area in between the first and second floors outside of the living room. Meaning I was just sitting on the couch and realized there were two men standing in my living room window directly across from me. Not that they were looking in, but it doesn't make for easy-going relaxing on the couch.
Plus, they're using saws and sanders and other loud tools making it impossible to watch a movie without blasting out the TV speakers. So I've moved into the bedroom with a pile of magazines that I haven't had the chance to read yet.
Earlier I thought I could at least handle doing a few loads of laundry. I went downstairs and the washer is unplugged and all 4 outlets have some sort of power tool plugged into them. Oooookay. Jason noted that it's unfortunate that this whole project started during the only time of the whole year that I'm going to be spending my days at home. Yes, bad timing indeed.
The thing is, I started back to work slowly and am working 3 days this week, taking yesterday and today off. I had grand plans to clean the entire house, which it desperately needs, especially since we're having a going-away party for some friends on Saturday. To give you an idea of the shape the apartment is in, it took me 5 hours on Saturday to clean the bathroom, kitchen, and dining room. And I didn't even vacuum the rug in the dining room, just swept the floor. But I just can't seem to get motivated to clean. My head is stuffy and I feel like I'm moving at about half my normal speed. I've gone through some piles of mail and things, but the heavy lifting just feels like way too much.
So my alternative plan was to loll on the couch and make my way through old Netflixed movies that I haven't had a chance to watch. However, the shinglers are still here. Moreover, today they're working on the area in between the first and second floors outside of the living room. Meaning I was just sitting on the couch and realized there were two men standing in my living room window directly across from me. Not that they were looking in, but it doesn't make for easy-going relaxing on the couch.
Plus, they're using saws and sanders and other loud tools making it impossible to watch a movie without blasting out the TV speakers. So I've moved into the bedroom with a pile of magazines that I haven't had the chance to read yet.
Earlier I thought I could at least handle doing a few loads of laundry. I went downstairs and the washer is unplugged and all 4 outlets have some sort of power tool plugged into them. Oooookay. Jason noted that it's unfortunate that this whole project started during the only time of the whole year that I'm going to be spending my days at home. Yes, bad timing indeed.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Ugh
Dear Subconscious,
In case you didn't get the memo, the Bar is over. No need to have crazy nightmares in which I somehow lose 15 minutes of essay writing time and wake up all panicked. Also, when I do wake up all panicked, there's no need to go over all the elements of "Best Interest of the Child" that I didn't get a chance to list in my domestic relations essay because I ran out of time. Not helping my confidence level.
Cut it out.
Sincerely,
Me
In case you didn't get the memo, the Bar is over. No need to have crazy nightmares in which I somehow lose 15 minutes of essay writing time and wake up all panicked. Also, when I do wake up all panicked, there's no need to go over all the elements of "Best Interest of the Child" that I didn't get a chance to list in my domestic relations essay because I ran out of time. Not helping my confidence level.
Cut it out.
Sincerely,
Me
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Block Island, or, The Baby Liam Show
Yesterday, we went to Block Island with our friends Molly and Garrett and their baby Liam. I discovered that maybe the Northeast actually does have something to offer in the way of beaches and Baby Liam discovered that sand plus waves equals mud and that is pretty awesome.
I admit to being kind of a beach snob. I grew up going to the beach in South Florida where the water is clear and warm almost the whole year. I discovered yesterday that in August the water is also clear and kind of warm on Rhode Island beaches too. I swam out to probably about 8 feet deep and the water was perfectly clear. Then I saw a jellyfish about 2 inches in front of me and I turned around. But the point is, the beach was wonderful and I have the sunburn to prove it.*
We arrived on the ferry at about 10:30 AM.
It was Molly's birthday and she had planned out the day. First, we walked to the Southeast Lighthouse, which Molly thought was maybe three-quarters of a mile from the harbor. After walking, and walking, and walking some more, we finally got to the lighthouse. I mapped it out this morning, and it was actually about 2 miles from the harbor. And it was kind of hot out.
However, all along the way, we were treated to views like this:
Southeast Lighthouse
And, you know, the heat wasn't anything a sippy cup couldn't solve.**
After walking around the lighthouse we made the executive decision to take a taxi back into town. I'm just going to tell you right now, don't take a taxi on Block Island. That 2 mile cab ride back to the harbor cost $17. SEVENTEEN! Insane.
We had lunch*** and then made our way to the beach.
Then it was time to get on the ferry and head back to the mainland.
We were pooped when we got home. Jason came upstairs from getting the mail and exclaimed, "New Chinese place menu!" Yes! Dinner is served!
* Darn living in the north! I used to never burn.
** We call this Liam's big fat party animal picture.
*** Whole belly clams. Yum!
I admit to being kind of a beach snob. I grew up going to the beach in South Florida where the water is clear and warm almost the whole year. I discovered yesterday that in August the water is also clear and kind of warm on Rhode Island beaches too. I swam out to probably about 8 feet deep and the water was perfectly clear. Then I saw a jellyfish about 2 inches in front of me and I turned around. But the point is, the beach was wonderful and I have the sunburn to prove it.*
We arrived on the ferry at about 10:30 AM.
It was Molly's birthday and she had planned out the day. First, we walked to the Southeast Lighthouse, which Molly thought was maybe three-quarters of a mile from the harbor. After walking, and walking, and walking some more, we finally got to the lighthouse. I mapped it out this morning, and it was actually about 2 miles from the harbor. And it was kind of hot out.
However, all along the way, we were treated to views like this:
Southeast Lighthouse
And, you know, the heat wasn't anything a sippy cup couldn't solve.**
After walking around the lighthouse we made the executive decision to take a taxi back into town. I'm just going to tell you right now, don't take a taxi on Block Island. That 2 mile cab ride back to the harbor cost $17. SEVENTEEN! Insane.
We had lunch*** and then made our way to the beach.
Then it was time to get on the ferry and head back to the mainland.
We were pooped when we got home. Jason came upstairs from getting the mail and exclaimed, "New Chinese place menu!" Yes! Dinner is served!
* Darn living in the north! I used to never burn.
** We call this Liam's big fat party animal picture.
*** Whole belly clams. Yum!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Day Two
Done! And you know what? I don't even care anymore. I mean, I'll care midday on October 20, 2008* when the results are released, but until then I'm just so, SO happy it's over.
Today was the Multistate and I don't really know what to say about that. The Multistate sucks. It just does. I have no idea how I did. Last time I felt like I failed for sure, but I passed anyway. There were some questions that I definitely knew the answers to and others where I basically did the equivalent of closing my eyes and pointing at the page. I know everyone else basically felt the same and they can't fail us all so I just have to get a marginally decent score and I'll be golden.
At the very end of the afternoon session I thought to myself, "This is just a miserable exercise." I knew that of course, but hadn't articulated it to myself so succinctly.
So anyway, I did not eat ice cream, but instead got taken to the French restaurant and had Seafood Mac and Cheese (shrimp, scallops, lobster, mascarpone, fontina perfection) and a lovely dark chocolate pot de creme for dessert. I think I might get some filthy rich ice cream after I sleep in and get a massage tomorrow.
Then it's back to the whole eating healthy and exercising thing because I've probably put on 5 pounds in this last week alone.
*Also our 1st wedding anniversary. Huh.
Today was the Multistate and I don't really know what to say about that. The Multistate sucks. It just does. I have no idea how I did. Last time I felt like I failed for sure, but I passed anyway. There were some questions that I definitely knew the answers to and others where I basically did the equivalent of closing my eyes and pointing at the page. I know everyone else basically felt the same and they can't fail us all so I just have to get a marginally decent score and I'll be golden.
At the very end of the afternoon session I thought to myself, "This is just a miserable exercise." I knew that of course, but hadn't articulated it to myself so succinctly.
So anyway, I did not eat ice cream, but instead got taken to the French restaurant and had Seafood Mac and Cheese (shrimp, scallops, lobster, mascarpone, fontina perfection) and a lovely dark chocolate pot de creme for dessert. I think I might get some filthy rich ice cream after I sleep in and get a massage tomorrow.
Then it's back to the whole eating healthy and exercising thing because I've probably put on 5 pounds in this last week alone.
*Also our 1st wedding anniversary. Huh.
Early Morning
It's almost 4 AM Wednesday morning and I am pretty much wide awake. I woke up about a half hour ago. It's so early that instead of yelling at me to feed him when he saw I was awake, Tiny just curled up at my feet to keep me company while I read and re-read blogs.
I woke up with my mind racing about what I maybe should have said on the essay questions that I had no idea about. I thought about looking up the law when I got home yesterday to try to figure out what I should have written, but decided that would only be depressing and counterproductive. I'm trying to have the same philosophy that I did last time: it's done. There's nothing I can do now. Move forward to the next part.
So last night Jason and I ate sushi and watched Alias reruns and I downed Excedrin to try to kill off the headache I got about a half hour after the exam finished. I switched to Ibuprofen this morning and I think it's finally starting to work since the main issue isn't really my head per se, but the tightness in my right shoulder, which is where all of my stress lives. Yesterday after writing for about an hour and a half straight I finally looked up from the exam and realized my neck was so stiff that I had to roll it around a little before I could actually lift my head all the way.
I miss being able to talk with people about the test this time around. Although all of my friends and I had an agreement that we would NOT rehash the exam, we did talk about general impressions. It's comforting when you know that every single person you know also feels like they completely bombed the Multistate. We couldn't have ALL failed (and no one I know did). I saw a few people yesterday from my Barbri class and we said hi and wished each other good luck, but I don't really know any of them well enough to call and discuss how we felt about the whole thing.
So I feel kind of alone in my angst this time around, chiming in on other people's conversations and eavesdropping to try to get a general impression so that I don't feel like I'm the only one who is wallowing in suckitude.
I am grateful to have Jason this time around. As aggravating as he has been at times over the past couple of months, and as much friction as my Bar stress has generated, right now he is full of encouragement and tenderness. In fact, he just woke up and wandered out to the living room to see where I was. He told me to come back to bed and go to sleep because I need my sleep for my big exam today. I'll try that in a little bit - if I feel tired. Last night he offered to take me out to one of our favorite fancy restaurants tonight. I told him I would love that if I'm not the aforementioned pile of goo tonight after the Multistate. He's a pretty nice guy.
I woke up with my mind racing about what I maybe should have said on the essay questions that I had no idea about. I thought about looking up the law when I got home yesterday to try to figure out what I should have written, but decided that would only be depressing and counterproductive. I'm trying to have the same philosophy that I did last time: it's done. There's nothing I can do now. Move forward to the next part.
So last night Jason and I ate sushi and watched Alias reruns and I downed Excedrin to try to kill off the headache I got about a half hour after the exam finished. I switched to Ibuprofen this morning and I think it's finally starting to work since the main issue isn't really my head per se, but the tightness in my right shoulder, which is where all of my stress lives. Yesterday after writing for about an hour and a half straight I finally looked up from the exam and realized my neck was so stiff that I had to roll it around a little before I could actually lift my head all the way.
I miss being able to talk with people about the test this time around. Although all of my friends and I had an agreement that we would NOT rehash the exam, we did talk about general impressions. It's comforting when you know that every single person you know also feels like they completely bombed the Multistate. We couldn't have ALL failed (and no one I know did). I saw a few people yesterday from my Barbri class and we said hi and wished each other good luck, but I don't really know any of them well enough to call and discuss how we felt about the whole thing.
So I feel kind of alone in my angst this time around, chiming in on other people's conversations and eavesdropping to try to get a general impression so that I don't feel like I'm the only one who is wallowing in suckitude.
I am grateful to have Jason this time around. As aggravating as he has been at times over the past couple of months, and as much friction as my Bar stress has generated, right now he is full of encouragement and tenderness. In fact, he just woke up and wandered out to the living room to see where I was. He told me to come back to bed and go to sleep because I need my sleep for my big exam today. I'll try that in a little bit - if I feel tired. Last night he offered to take me out to one of our favorite fancy restaurants tonight. I told him I would love that if I'm not the aforementioned pile of goo tonight after the Multistate. He's a pretty nice guy.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Day One
First of all, thank you, thank you to everyone who wished me good luck! I really appreciate it. It means a lot going into this knowing that people are rooting for me.
Last time I came out of the state day feeling pretty darn good about myself. Today...it's a toss-up. This morning was actually pretty awesome. First was the MPT. I'm pretty sure I spotted the appropriate issues, analyzed the cases well, etc. etc. Then we had a little break and then the 3 Rhode Island essays. Which I'm pretty sure I rocked. I left for my lunch break feeling sooooo much better than I did when I showed up this morning.
Then came the afternoon and the 6 Multistate Essays. I've decided that I kind of hate the National Conference of Bar Examiners. They're the ones who wrote those things. I was basically talking out of my a** for 2 1/2 of the 6 essays. Question 1 in particular sucked, which is not a very nice way to open up an essay exam. NCBE, I'm looking at you.
I told Jason about the 2 1/2 essays and he pointed out that everyone else was probably making stuff up too. At least I was definitive about my BS. I wrote like the law I was making up on the spot was true and correct.
I felt a little better when I heard one girl say to her friend, "It's easy to leave early when you don't have anything to say."
The good news is, the MEE questions are graded locally. So I just have to hope other people in Rhode Island were as befuddled as me. The other good news is, I'm pretty sure I rocked the other 3 MEE questions, including one on Civil Procedure which is pretty awesome since as of 2 days ago I knew little to nothing about Civil Procedure. Let's hear it for short-term memory! I just have to hope that the morning's performance, plus the 3 MEE's I think I did well on, get me through to passing. Oh yeah, I still have the Multistate tomorrow. I will probably be a pile of goo on the floor after that, so don't expect to hear anything from me.
Rhode Island is, shall we say, not so professional as Massachusetts when it comes to administering the Bar. There were probably about a third of the number of people taking the entire RI Bar as take the Massachusetts Bar in Boston (they also administer it in Springfield). Instead of the standard one hour lunch break the proctor took it upon himself to only give us a half hour because he wanted to get us in and out of there. They ran out of copies of one of the Rhode Island essay questions. Um, you did know how many people signed up to take this test, right? They gave us ID badges and the date I signed it and half my signature was cut off, as well as part of my forehead in the picture. So, yeah, not really a top-rate show.
My hand is tired.
Last time I came out of the state day feeling pretty darn good about myself. Today...it's a toss-up. This morning was actually pretty awesome. First was the MPT. I'm pretty sure I spotted the appropriate issues, analyzed the cases well, etc. etc. Then we had a little break and then the 3 Rhode Island essays. Which I'm pretty sure I rocked. I left for my lunch break feeling sooooo much better than I did when I showed up this morning.
Then came the afternoon and the 6 Multistate Essays. I've decided that I kind of hate the National Conference of Bar Examiners. They're the ones who wrote those things. I was basically talking out of my a** for 2 1/2 of the 6 essays. Question 1 in particular sucked, which is not a very nice way to open up an essay exam. NCBE, I'm looking at you.
I told Jason about the 2 1/2 essays and he pointed out that everyone else was probably making stuff up too. At least I was definitive about my BS. I wrote like the law I was making up on the spot was true and correct.
I felt a little better when I heard one girl say to her friend, "It's easy to leave early when you don't have anything to say."
The good news is, the MEE questions are graded locally. So I just have to hope other people in Rhode Island were as befuddled as me. The other good news is, I'm pretty sure I rocked the other 3 MEE questions, including one on Civil Procedure which is pretty awesome since as of 2 days ago I knew little to nothing about Civil Procedure. Let's hear it for short-term memory! I just have to hope that the morning's performance, plus the 3 MEE's I think I did well on, get me through to passing. Oh yeah, I still have the Multistate tomorrow. I will probably be a pile of goo on the floor after that, so don't expect to hear anything from me.
Rhode Island is, shall we say, not so professional as Massachusetts when it comes to administering the Bar. There were probably about a third of the number of people taking the entire RI Bar as take the Massachusetts Bar in Boston (they also administer it in Springfield). Instead of the standard one hour lunch break the proctor took it upon himself to only give us a half hour because he wanted to get us in and out of there. They ran out of copies of one of the Rhode Island essay questions. Um, you did know how many people signed up to take this test, right? They gave us ID badges and the date I signed it and half my signature was cut off, as well as part of my forehead in the picture. So, yeah, not really a top-rate show.
My hand is tired.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Things I Am Looking Forward To After the Bar
- Massage on Thursday
- A big giant treat from Cold Stone right after the Multistate on Wednesday
- Maybe a steak from the Texas Roadhouse
- Going to Block Island with some friends on Friday without the Bar hanging over my head
- Cleaning my apartment (ongoing struggle between Jason and me. We have different ideas of clean, in that as long as there is enough space somewhere for him to sleep and check his email, he is A-OK. Said space being sanitary is not a prerequisite)
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Put A Fork in Me
Today I reviewed and outlined about 16 essays and did some Property Multistate questions. I also reviewed my Agency and Partnership notes and then went over some Agency and Partnership essays and thought, "I think I get the concept."
I plan to go to work with Jason tomorrow and finish cramming bits of state law into my short-term memory. I also have a couple of lists to memorize and I plan on reviewing the last essays in the essay books because they are the most recent ones and thus will hopefully be a good indication of what is to come on Tuesday.
I have a stack of books and notecards sitting next to me that I will load in my backpack and take to Brown tomorrow. Tonight I'm going to watch my usual Sunday night cartoon line-up and get a good night's sleep. I'm sure I'll wake up at 6:45 tomorrow morning like I have the last couple of mornings.
So 1 day and about 12 hours until I show up at the convention center and do this whole Bar thing again. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this whole thing, here's what I have coming up:
Tuesday
3-hour morning session
1 1/2 hours for 3 state essays (yes, that's a half hour per question)
1 1/2 hours for the MPT (a practical test that I'm actually looking forward to. They give you a scenario, law and cases and you have to write a memo to a partner or a letter to a client explaining the issues. So it's kind of like what I've been doing as an associate attorney. I have done one practice MPT and nailed every single issue they mentioned in the model answer. Thus, I have spent the rest of my time learning law and not worrying about the MPT)
3-hour afternoon session
6 Multistate Essay questions (again, a half hour per question)
On the state day they can test us on Wills, Trusts, Agency, Partnership, Secured Transactions, Commercial Paper, Civil Procedure, Federal Jurisdiction, Torts, Property, Contracts, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Evidence, Constitutional Law, Conflict of Laws, Equity aaand...I'm sure I'm forgetting something. But, you know, a lot of stuff.
Wednesday
2 3-hour sessions of 100 multiple choice Multistate questions
Multistate topics: Contracts, Torts, Property, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Evidence
In Massachusetts the state day is on Thursday. While it's kind of a bummer to lose a day of studying this time around, it will be nice to be done a day sooner.
I feel okay and am just hoping that the state tests on things I actually know and that I really do know enough about the Multistate topics. This time I think I'll sleep okay the night before (versus last time when I got 2 hours of sleep before the first test day), but I know that I'm a bit stressed because my shoulders feel like a solid chunk of tensed muscle and if I sit still for too long, I kind of have to roll my neck around a little to get it to turn properly. I'm getting a massage Thursday afternoon.
{Deep breath}
I plan to go to work with Jason tomorrow and finish cramming bits of state law into my short-term memory. I also have a couple of lists to memorize and I plan on reviewing the last essays in the essay books because they are the most recent ones and thus will hopefully be a good indication of what is to come on Tuesday.
I have a stack of books and notecards sitting next to me that I will load in my backpack and take to Brown tomorrow. Tonight I'm going to watch my usual Sunday night cartoon line-up and get a good night's sleep. I'm sure I'll wake up at 6:45 tomorrow morning like I have the last couple of mornings.
So 1 day and about 12 hours until I show up at the convention center and do this whole Bar thing again. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this whole thing, here's what I have coming up:
Tuesday
3-hour morning session
1 1/2 hours for 3 state essays (yes, that's a half hour per question)
1 1/2 hours for the MPT (a practical test that I'm actually looking forward to. They give you a scenario, law and cases and you have to write a memo to a partner or a letter to a client explaining the issues. So it's kind of like what I've been doing as an associate attorney. I have done one practice MPT and nailed every single issue they mentioned in the model answer. Thus, I have spent the rest of my time learning law and not worrying about the MPT)
3-hour afternoon session
6 Multistate Essay questions (again, a half hour per question)
On the state day they can test us on Wills, Trusts, Agency, Partnership, Secured Transactions, Commercial Paper, Civil Procedure, Federal Jurisdiction, Torts, Property, Contracts, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Evidence, Constitutional Law, Conflict of Laws, Equity aaand...I'm sure I'm forgetting something. But, you know, a lot of stuff.
Wednesday
2 3-hour sessions of 100 multiple choice Multistate questions
Multistate topics: Contracts, Torts, Property, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Evidence
In Massachusetts the state day is on Thursday. While it's kind of a bummer to lose a day of studying this time around, it will be nice to be done a day sooner.
I feel okay and am just hoping that the state tests on things I actually know and that I really do know enough about the Multistate topics. This time I think I'll sleep okay the night before (versus last time when I got 2 hours of sleep before the first test day), but I know that I'm a bit stressed because my shoulders feel like a solid chunk of tensed muscle and if I sit still for too long, I kind of have to roll my neck around a little to get it to turn properly. I'm getting a massage Thursday afternoon.
{Deep breath}
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Failure is Not An Option
So I've hit this point where I have convinced myself that I know nothing and that I'm going to fail because I haven't done nearly enough to study. I don't remember if I felt like this 3 years ago. I'm sure I must have, right? Those of you who knew me then, did I? Was I convinced that failure was imminent?
I have spent today condensing the Multistate topics into tidy 2-page outlines with just the very basic ideas. After finishing that I thought I should try some Multistate questions because since I've just spent 8 or 9 hours reviewing and condensing these topics, I should do pretty well on those questions, right? Not so much.
I'm trying to decide if I really know nothing or if I'm just kind of burnt out for the day. Maybe I have hit a Multistate saturation point. I'm doing worse than I was a couple of weeks ago. I think in the past week or so I've done about 800 Multistate questions. I've probably done 1200 total.
I think I'm going to have a big bowl of popcorn and stew in my panic for the rest of the evening.
I have spent today condensing the Multistate topics into tidy 2-page outlines with just the very basic ideas. After finishing that I thought I should try some Multistate questions because since I've just spent 8 or 9 hours reviewing and condensing these topics, I should do pretty well on those questions, right? Not so much.
I'm trying to decide if I really know nothing or if I'm just kind of burnt out for the day. Maybe I have hit a Multistate saturation point. I'm doing worse than I was a couple of weeks ago. I think in the past week or so I've done about 800 Multistate questions. I've probably done 1200 total.
I think I'm going to have a big bowl of popcorn and stew in my panic for the rest of the evening.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Friday
Today I:
Either outlined or read 32 essays
Reviewed Domestic Relations, Wills, Trusts, Conflict of Laws, Equity and Corporations
Did 20 Torts MBE's
It doesn't seem like much, but I'm kind of pooped. I have a goal to get 20 more problems in each MBE topic done tonight, but we'll see. I mean, I still have 3 days, what am I worried about?*
We're baby-sitting for some friends tonight and I'm kind of excited because the baby might actually be awake when we get there instead of asleep like usual. He's a really cool baby.
Usually when we baby-sit it entails entertaining ourselves while the baby sleeps. Our friends are always really grateful, but we tell them, Hey, we could watch TV at your house or watch TV at our house. Doesn't really matter.
* That would be heavy sarcasm because ohmygosh! 3 days?! That's all?!
Either outlined or read 32 essays
Reviewed Domestic Relations, Wills, Trusts, Conflict of Laws, Equity and Corporations
Did 20 Torts MBE's
It doesn't seem like much, but I'm kind of pooped. I have a goal to get 20 more problems in each MBE topic done tonight, but we'll see. I mean, I still have 3 days, what am I worried about?*
We're baby-sitting for some friends tonight and I'm kind of excited because the baby might actually be awake when we get there instead of asleep like usual. He's a really cool baby.
Usually when we baby-sit it entails entertaining ourselves while the baby sleeps. Our friends are always really grateful, but we tell them, Hey, we could watch TV at your house or watch TV at our house. Doesn't really matter.
* That would be heavy sarcasm because ohmygosh! 3 days?! That's all?!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
I Don't Know Nothin', Coppers
If watching Netflixed reruns of Alias has taught me nothing else, I think I can affirm that my house is under surveillance. Or maybe the neighbors' house. There has been a big white van from the electric company parked next to our house for several hours now. I haven't seen any work being done, although they did make a small effort by scattering some random orange cones in the general vicinity of the van. Yeah, I won't believe it until someone either starts digging, or scurrying up a telephone pole.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Sadists
Just to give you an idea of the insanity, I just finished a Property problem set in which I was only supposed to get 16 out of 35 right. I wound up getting 17 right (but most of those had second choice answers that I was really close to picking). I just have to keep reminding myself that not all of the real Multistate questions will be impossible and evil - only some of them.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Impatient
Yesterday was panic day. One of the attorneys I work with who took the Bar last summer loaned me his PMBR books so I could have some more Multistate practice questions. I bombed. So last night I was panicking. I only have a week left! I'm going to fail! What have I been doing with my time?!
This morning I emailed the attorney who loaned me the books and asked what sort of percentages he was getting on the questions when he did them. He wrote back and said Haha and told me not to worry. He and all of his friends felt good to get half the PMBR questions right and they all passed the Bar. PMBR delights in picking obscure little tidbits of law and asking about them.
So that made me feel better. Because honestly for about half of those questions I did yesterday I read the question and answers and then read them again and then thought, "What are these people talking about?!" That doesn't feel good when you've supposedly been reviewing this stuff for 7 weeks.
I feel pretty good in Criminal Law and Procedure, Property and Torts (yeah, Torts. The class I did the worst in my 1L year. Who knew?). I feel middling in Evidence and Contracts. Constitutional Law is hit or miss. Oddly, most people do the best in Con Law, but it's always seemed elusive to me.
I told Jason tonight I know there are a few things I still need to memorize and solidify, mostly for the state day, but generally I'm getting antsy and just kind of feel like, let's do this thing already. I want to get back to my life.
This morning I emailed the attorney who loaned me the books and asked what sort of percentages he was getting on the questions when he did them. He wrote back and said Haha and told me not to worry. He and all of his friends felt good to get half the PMBR questions right and they all passed the Bar. PMBR delights in picking obscure little tidbits of law and asking about them.
So that made me feel better. Because honestly for about half of those questions I did yesterday I read the question and answers and then read them again and then thought, "What are these people talking about?!" That doesn't feel good when you've supposedly been reviewing this stuff for 7 weeks.
I feel pretty good in Criminal Law and Procedure, Property and Torts (yeah, Torts. The class I did the worst in my 1L year. Who knew?). I feel middling in Evidence and Contracts. Constitutional Law is hit or miss. Oddly, most people do the best in Con Law, but it's always seemed elusive to me.
I told Jason tonight I know there are a few things I still need to memorize and solidify, mostly for the state day, but generally I'm getting antsy and just kind of feel like, let's do this thing already. I want to get back to my life.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Today's Events
Today was Contracts. I met the marks that Barbri set for their Multistate questions so that's good enough for me. I have officially decided that 1 1/2 columns in a 2 column page is too long for a hypothetical question. That's all I have to say about that.
When the temperature inside my apartment hit 87 (and muggy) I had to escape to the air-conditioning of Jason's scientific lab type building. It was glorious. I also ran into another person with a Barbri book whose spouse works in the building. I suppose that happens when you're in a state this tiny.
Tonight we're going to one of our favorite fancy restaurants for Restaurant Week. Last year their chocolate dessert blew my mind and they have the same one on the menu this year. I can't wait!
When the temperature inside my apartment hit 87 (and muggy) I had to escape to the air-conditioning of Jason's scientific lab type building. It was glorious. I also ran into another person with a Barbri book whose spouse works in the building. I suppose that happens when you're in a state this tiny.
Tonight we're going to one of our favorite fancy restaurants for Restaurant Week. Last year their chocolate dessert blew my mind and they have the same one on the menu this year. I can't wait!
Property Queen
Last time I took the Bar I was a Criminal Law expert. This time, it appears Property is my subject. I did one of the hard sets yesterday wherein I was only supposed to get 45% right to be doing well, and I got 65% right. Including all 3 questions based on a kind of insane fact pattern. I was particularly proud of those.
The only problem is, I did so well, that I was kind of a slacker for the rest of the evening. Today is Contracts. I have a feeling I'll be more humble by this evening.
The only problem is, I did so well, that I was kind of a slacker for the rest of the evening. Today is Contracts. I have a feeling I'll be more humble by this evening.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
My Eyes Are On Fire!
This morning I took the train up to the Boston office to get my picture taken for the firm's website. I got my hair and make-up done and when I got home I promptly scrubbed all the make-up off. Gah! So. Much. Color. On. My. Face. Though I'm sure it will look lovely in the pictures.
The make-up artist was great, but she was a bit heavy-handed with the mascara and eyeliner. I used about 10 eye make-up remover pads so now my eyes are red and a little burny.
I took my Property flashcards with me and studied on the train. I kind of feel like I've got Property except for that whole Future Interests/Rule Against Perpetuities hullabaloo that I will never ever ever need as a real-life attorney. I reassert that the Bar is just a big hazing ritual.
The make-up artist was great, but she was a bit heavy-handed with the mascara and eyeliner. I used about 10 eye make-up remover pads so now my eyes are red and a little burny.
I took my Property flashcards with me and studied on the train. I kind of feel like I've got Property except for that whole Future Interests/Rule Against Perpetuities hullabaloo that I will never ever ever need as a real-life attorney. I reassert that the Bar is just a big hazing ritual.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
I Heart the Internets
I have been tucked away in my apartment studying Evidence all day, with a mid-day trip to the grocery store to pick up some necessary items. And then I got home and realized I forgot something. I hate that.
Anyway, I've been memorizing flashcards and doing sets of multiple choice problems. I did really bad on my last set. Really bad. So I was sitting here, feeling like I was going to cry, and then I decided to do a Google search for "Barbri" "impossible questions" "screwing with my head" or something like that and came across this message board of people who are also studying and griping about Barbri.
Someone mentioned that in the back of the HUGE question book is a single page telling you how many of each set you're supposed to be getting right. Apparently on that most recent one, I was only supposed to get 45% right. I checked the Evidence sets I did today and the other subject sets and I'm pretty much right on target. That's a relief.
Something else to keep in mind is how impossible the Barbri model essay answers are. They quote cases and obscure law and total a couple of pages per essay. Hi, I will have 3 hours to write 6 essays. That will not be high-quality writing, I can guarantee. I will be spewing out whatever I can think of that might possibly relate to the fact pattern and moving on to the next question.
In other news, the landlady picked yesterday to begin the large project of stripping the exterior of the house and reshingling. Which needs to be done, but what a way to kick off the two weeks before the Bar. The pounding is so hard that pieces of caulk are falling out of the kitchen tiles onto the countertops. It's kind of disconcerting to go into the kitchen and have two guys standing outside the window pounding away at the house. Eventually they and their ladders wil. come around to where I'm sitting in the living room and I'll have to change rooms since we don't have blinds.
I'm pretty good at tuning out the pounding, but at a couple of points today it got a little intense. Time to head to either the beach or the library I think.
Anyway, I've been memorizing flashcards and doing sets of multiple choice problems. I did really bad on my last set. Really bad. So I was sitting here, feeling like I was going to cry, and then I decided to do a Google search for "Barbri" "impossible questions" "screwing with my head" or something like that and came across this message board of people who are also studying and griping about Barbri.
Someone mentioned that in the back of the HUGE question book is a single page telling you how many of each set you're supposed to be getting right. Apparently on that most recent one, I was only supposed to get 45% right. I checked the Evidence sets I did today and the other subject sets and I'm pretty much right on target. That's a relief.
Something else to keep in mind is how impossible the Barbri model essay answers are. They quote cases and obscure law and total a couple of pages per essay. Hi, I will have 3 hours to write 6 essays. That will not be high-quality writing, I can guarantee. I will be spewing out whatever I can think of that might possibly relate to the fact pattern and moving on to the next question.
In other news, the landlady picked yesterday to begin the large project of stripping the exterior of the house and reshingling. Which needs to be done, but what a way to kick off the two weeks before the Bar. The pounding is so hard that pieces of caulk are falling out of the kitchen tiles onto the countertops. It's kind of disconcerting to go into the kitchen and have two guys standing outside the window pounding away at the house. Eventually they and their ladders wil. come around to where I'm sitting in the living room and I'll have to change rooms since we don't have blinds.
I'm pretty good at tuning out the pounding, but at a couple of points today it got a little intense. Time to head to either the beach or the library I think.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Nose to the Grindstone
Jason thinks Multistate questions are fun. He likes having me read him the questions and answers and he chooses which ones he thinks are right. He gets about 50% right, which is a little annoying considering I'm the one who spent 3 years in law school and then 3 more years (mostly) as an attorney. However, I have the chance to feel superior when the question hinges on some arcane bit of law that I know because it's written on one of my flashcards.
Anyway, tonight I finished writing a mini outline for Equity and then I sighed a deep sigh of relief and said, "I'm done!" Jason asked, "You're done?" I said, "Well, I was going to do a set of Multistate questions tonight, but it took me a long time to do all the mini outlines so I think I'm done." Jason said, "Oooo, yeah, let's do Multistate questions!"
Then I figured out that I've been at this for about 11 hours today (if you include my 3-hour class) and I made the executive decision that I was done for the day. I think that's reasonable.
At least I started my day with a good swim. I need it to work off the stress and help me sleep at night.
Anyway, tonight I finished writing a mini outline for Equity and then I sighed a deep sigh of relief and said, "I'm done!" Jason asked, "You're done?" I said, "Well, I was going to do a set of Multistate questions tonight, but it took me a long time to do all the mini outlines so I think I'm done." Jason said, "Oooo, yeah, let's do Multistate questions!"
Then I figured out that I've been at this for about 11 hours today (if you include my 3-hour class) and I made the executive decision that I was done for the day. I think that's reasonable.
At least I started my day with a good swim. I need it to work off the stress and help me sleep at night.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Studying
Tiny has very definite ideas about when studying should and shouldn't be happening. Usually when I've been hitting the books for 2 or 3 hours, he will let me know that it's time to take a break.
Like so:
Yesterday he plopped down on my book, but I still needed to do some work, despite what kitty thought. So I moved him down to my lap and he sat there purring for the next hour or so. Jason was at work so I took this picture to show him how Tiny was helping me out.
Tiny's a giver.
PS Please pay no attention to the mess in the background. In two and a half weeks this will all be over and I'll have time to clean the house again.
PPS Saying this will all be over in two and a half weeks kind of makes me hyperventilate a little.
Like so:
Yesterday he plopped down on my book, but I still needed to do some work, despite what kitty thought. So I moved him down to my lap and he sat there purring for the next hour or so. Jason was at work so I took this picture to show him how Tiny was helping me out.
Tiny's a giver.PS Please pay no attention to the mess in the background. In two and a half weeks this will all be over and I'll have time to clean the house again.
PPS Saying this will all be over in two and a half weeks kind of makes me hyperventilate a little.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Score!
Today is my last day of work until after the Bar exam. I've been organizing my desk, making piles of files for our secretary to refile*, removing my shoes from my shoe box under my desk where they live so I don't have to lug my dress shoes back and forth every day since I like to be comfy on my way to and from work.
Well, I opened up one drawer of my desk and discovered a bag of Extra Dark Lindt chocolate truffles that I had completely forgotten about. I bought the bag a few months ago and have been gradually eating one here and there when I wanted a treat. There was one left. I just ate it. It was awesome.
I wish every day could be a discovering Lindt truffles kind of day.
* I know this is all part of being an attorney, but it's kind of weird to have a secretary. I have to keep reminding myself to let her format the letters and type in the edits and such. My boss gave me back a letter I wrote one day with some mark-ups and I diligently entered them in and asked if I should go ahead and print it on letterhead. He said, "I just gave that to you to show you what changes I made. You should have had P make the changes and print it out." Oh. It's become this game with myself of figuring out what I need to spend my billable hours working on and what I need to give to her.
Well, I opened up one drawer of my desk and discovered a bag of Extra Dark Lindt chocolate truffles that I had completely forgotten about. I bought the bag a few months ago and have been gradually eating one here and there when I wanted a treat. There was one left. I just ate it. It was awesome.
I wish every day could be a discovering Lindt truffles kind of day.
* I know this is all part of being an attorney, but it's kind of weird to have a secretary. I have to keep reminding myself to let her format the letters and type in the edits and such. My boss gave me back a letter I wrote one day with some mark-ups and I diligently entered them in and asked if I should go ahead and print it on letterhead. He said, "I just gave that to you to show you what changes I made. You should have had P make the changes and print it out." Oh. It's become this game with myself of figuring out what I need to spend my billable hours working on and what I need to give to her.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Um, So the Stressing Out Is Starting
The Bar is 3 weeks from today. Holy cow, where did the time go?! I spent so much time after I got this job thinking I didn't have to worry about the Bar yet that it has been kind of hard to convince myself that no, really, this is the time to worry.
I did a bunch of practice questions on Saturday and did well enough on all subjects to pass. However, this morning I missed a bunch in Criminal Law, which last time I took the Bar was my GOOD subject. So I spent some quality time with my flashcards. It's just a matter of cramming all of this information into my head. It was in there 3 years ago, surely it can go back, right?
My last day of part-time work is Friday. I decided to take off 2 whole weeks to study, and I'm really glad I did. I'm not going to class for the first few days of this week because it's a review of the practice test we took last week. They gave us a book with explanations in it, so I decided to save myself the hour and a half drive and just go over them on my own. However, in the morning I go for a swim and settle in to study and hit a nice groove and then all of a sudden it's time to get ready for work. It will be nice to have the whole day to study.
FYI, having a really super smart husband who basically remembers everything he ever reads is not helpful at this point. He doesn't understand why I don't already know everything on the flashcards. I mean, I made them, after all, shouldn't I know what they say? I got really ticked last week actually when I felt like he was critiquing my study methods. I had to explain that unlike him, I don't remember everything I read the first time I read it. Or write it. Or hear it. Or whatever. Flashcards worked the first time, so I'm sticking with what I know.
I did a bunch of practice questions on Saturday and did well enough on all subjects to pass. However, this morning I missed a bunch in Criminal Law, which last time I took the Bar was my GOOD subject. So I spent some quality time with my flashcards. It's just a matter of cramming all of this information into my head. It was in there 3 years ago, surely it can go back, right?
My last day of part-time work is Friday. I decided to take off 2 whole weeks to study, and I'm really glad I did. I'm not going to class for the first few days of this week because it's a review of the practice test we took last week. They gave us a book with explanations in it, so I decided to save myself the hour and a half drive and just go over them on my own. However, in the morning I go for a swim and settle in to study and hit a nice groove and then all of a sudden it's time to get ready for work. It will be nice to have the whole day to study.
FYI, having a really super smart husband who basically remembers everything he ever reads is not helpful at this point. He doesn't understand why I don't already know everything on the flashcards. I mean, I made them, after all, shouldn't I know what they say? I got really ticked last week actually when I felt like he was critiquing my study methods. I had to explain that unlike him, I don't remember everything I read the first time I read it. Or write it. Or hear it. Or whatever. Flashcards worked the first time, so I'm sticking with what I know.
Monday, July 07, 2008
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
What?
Sports Guy Hurts Himself With Pillow
OK, so I'm not trying to be all judgey here, but while everyone else is focusing on the fact that this baseball player hurt himself adjusting a pillow, and, oh isn't that delightfully funny, I'm more weirded out by the fact that his son sleeps with him and his wife.
Um, I think toddler boy needs a big-boy bed of his own.
OK, so I'm not trying to be all judgey here, but while everyone else is focusing on the fact that this baseball player hurt himself adjusting a pillow, and, oh isn't that delightfully funny, I'm more weirded out by the fact that his son sleeps with him and his wife.
"I have a 3-year-old son who sleeps in the bed with my wife and me," Inge said. "I was trying to push the pillow down behind his head..."Not, my 3-year-old son had a bad dream and was sleeping with us. Not, my 3-year-old son was sick and we wanted him close while we all slept. It's my "3-year-old son who sleeps in the bed with my wife and me." Period. End of sentence.
Um, I think toddler boy needs a big-boy bed of his own.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
CONTAC
That's the acronym I invented for self-authenticating documents 3 years ago while reviewing Evidence. If anyone else is studying for the Bar, hi, feel free to use it.
I'm starting to feel a little stressed. I am making all my flash cards like a good girl, but I haven't actually had a chance to study them yet. I've completed about 3 of the practice problem sets (out of 26), turned in one essay, and completely missed the fact that I was supposed to turn in another essay yesterday. Whoops. Whatever, the essay grading is kind of a scam. They score your first essay low and then the second essay a little higher and by the third essay you're a rock star. How do I know it's a scam? I turned in a pretty flawless first essay. I wrote it and then checked the answer in the back of the book and it matched pretty closely. They gave me a 4 out of 6, but didn't really mark anything as being wrong.
Next Thursday we have an all-day Multistate practice test. Just FYI, Barbri will tell you that the average is 125 and most people raise their scores by 10 points by test day. They tell you that to psych you out. I got a 104 on my practice test. One of my friends got a 90-something. Most of my other friends were also in the very low 100's. We all passed.
Anyway, I don't know if you know, but next week is July. The Bar is July 29th and 30th. I know I've passed this mother before, but it wasn't fun. It's still not fun. I don't think I'll get as freaked out as I did last time, but maybe I'll feel differently the evening of the 28th. I am feeling kind of overwhelmed by the class and working and studying. I was planning on taking the week before the Bar off of work, but I may change that to 2 weeks.
Also, it's hard having a husband through all of this. I mean, it's great in a lot of ways, but he's a very useful distraction. Oh, have to watch TV with and cook dinner for the husband! Bonding time! Got to keep that marriage strong!
I'm starting to feel a little stressed. I am making all my flash cards like a good girl, but I haven't actually had a chance to study them yet. I've completed about 3 of the practice problem sets (out of 26), turned in one essay, and completely missed the fact that I was supposed to turn in another essay yesterday. Whoops. Whatever, the essay grading is kind of a scam. They score your first essay low and then the second essay a little higher and by the third essay you're a rock star. How do I know it's a scam? I turned in a pretty flawless first essay. I wrote it and then checked the answer in the back of the book and it matched pretty closely. They gave me a 4 out of 6, but didn't really mark anything as being wrong.
Next Thursday we have an all-day Multistate practice test. Just FYI, Barbri will tell you that the average is 125 and most people raise their scores by 10 points by test day. They tell you that to psych you out. I got a 104 on my practice test. One of my friends got a 90-something. Most of my other friends were also in the very low 100's. We all passed.
Anyway, I don't know if you know, but next week is July. The Bar is July 29th and 30th. I know I've passed this mother before, but it wasn't fun. It's still not fun. I don't think I'll get as freaked out as I did last time, but maybe I'll feel differently the evening of the 28th. I am feeling kind of overwhelmed by the class and working and studying. I was planning on taking the week before the Bar off of work, but I may change that to 2 weeks.
Also, it's hard having a husband through all of this. I mean, it's great in a lot of ways, but he's a very useful distraction. Oh, have to watch TV with and cook dinner for the husband! Bonding time! Got to keep that marriage strong!
Monday, June 16, 2008
How You Know You're Settling Into Marriage
When you sniff your fingers after cooking a delicious supper for your husband that involved mincing 5 cloves of garlic* and say "Ewww, I smell like garlic!" and your husband who is sitting on the other couch 6 feet away from you looks up from his computer and says, "Yeah, you do."
Thanks.
* I heart the garlic press.
Thanks.
* I heart the garlic press.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Monday, June 09, 2008
99
Right this second it's 99 degrees. In Providence, Rhode Island. Saturday it was 90-something, yesterday was 90-something, tomorrow is going to be 90-something.
My family in Tucson is saying pish-posh and that I am whiny. This has nothing to do with dry versus wet heat.* It's just really hot outside and the majority of people (read: me) do not have air conditioning in their homes. It was 87 degrees in my apartment yesterday and there wasn't really anything I could do except lie prostrate on the couch.** Tiny would wander into whatever room I was in, give a pathetic little meow, and then collapse on the floor, enjoying the relative coolness of the hard wood floor.
This morning I went swimming and now I'm trying to soak up all the coolness while I'm at work.
Anyway, between the heat and the wind that will not die and makes it impossible to wear skirts if you're going to be outside for any protracted period of time, I say that's quite enough, New England.
Srsly.
* Because, really, when you open your front door and feel like you just opened a 400 degree oven, it's really hot, even if it is the desert and a "dry heat".
**Actually, I think we have an AC or two in the basement, but I can't lug one up two flights of stairs by myself. Those things are heavy! Jason is back today so maybe that will be our project for the evening.
My family in Tucson is saying pish-posh and that I am whiny. This has nothing to do with dry versus wet heat.* It's just really hot outside and the majority of people (read: me) do not have air conditioning in their homes. It was 87 degrees in my apartment yesterday and there wasn't really anything I could do except lie prostrate on the couch.** Tiny would wander into whatever room I was in, give a pathetic little meow, and then collapse on the floor, enjoying the relative coolness of the hard wood floor.
This morning I went swimming and now I'm trying to soak up all the coolness while I'm at work.
Anyway, between the heat and the wind that will not die and makes it impossible to wear skirts if you're going to be outside for any protracted period of time, I say that's quite enough, New England.
Srsly.
* Because, really, when you open your front door and feel like you just opened a 400 degree oven, it's really hot, even if it is the desert and a "dry heat".
**Actually, I think we have an AC or two in the basement, but I can't lug one up two flights of stairs by myself. Those things are heavy! Jason is back today so maybe that will be our project for the evening.
Friday, June 06, 2008
Reshuffling
I forgot about Chemerinksy's puns. I totally respect him as a Constitutional Law genius, but I stand by my assertion that puns are not funny. Especially a lot of them over the course of 3 hours.
After three days of the crazy schedule, I realized something was going to have to give. Yesterday, I had a discussion with my boss and we decided I would come in 4 days a week instead of 5. I'm going to take Wednesday afternoons off to do catch-up studying. Except for I have today off since I just came up with the idea yesterday.
I can't tell you how relieved I feel, just to know I'll have that one afternoon to study, and have that one day when I'm not going going going for 16-17 hours straight. I will need to be sure to get in at least 5 hours per day at work so that I am literally there part-time, but now that I have some scheduled time to catch up, I feel better about being at work a little later.
So Wednesday afternoons and Saturdays will be catch-up time, and I'm going to get as much done as I can on the other days. Sunday is for rest, because that's how I roll. Also, it's really only a rest day after 1 PM, after Primary is over.
Speaking of which, in addition to studying tomorrow, I need to write a talk and prepare my Primary lesson.
After three days of the crazy schedule, I realized something was going to have to give. Yesterday, I had a discussion with my boss and we decided I would come in 4 days a week instead of 5. I'm going to take Wednesday afternoons off to do catch-up studying. Except for I have today off since I just came up with the idea yesterday.
I can't tell you how relieved I feel, just to know I'll have that one afternoon to study, and have that one day when I'm not going going going for 16-17 hours straight. I will need to be sure to get in at least 5 hours per day at work so that I am literally there part-time, but now that I have some scheduled time to catch up, I feel better about being at work a little later.
So Wednesday afternoons and Saturdays will be catch-up time, and I'm going to get as much done as I can on the other days. Sunday is for rest, because that's how I roll. Also, it's really only a rest day after 1 PM, after Primary is over.
Speaking of which, in addition to studying tomorrow, I need to write a talk and prepare my Primary lesson.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Kitty Needs Attention
Tonight I got home from work, ate dinner and started making my Criminal Procedure flashcards*. I fed Tiny as soon as I got home, but I didn't cuddle him like I usually do. After he eats, he likes to be picked up. It's very endearing since he lays his head down on my shoulder and purrs and purrs.
After pacing around for an hour or so, meowing, and weaving in and out of my feet while I made my cards, he finally jumped up on the table and stood right in front of my face. I gave him a few rubs and he went nuts and started purring so loud and head butting me. I told him I was almost done, could I just have a few more minutes? In response, he took a few steps to the left and plopped his bum down squarely on my notepad. You know, with my notes from today's class in it. Since I was on page 16 of 17, I didn't feel too guilty picking him up and putting him on the floor, but I made sure to give him some love as soon as I was done.
He's kind of needy.
* As a side note, with my schedule so booked solid, I'm not sure exactly when I'm supposed to memorize all these flashcards, but I'll worry about that later.
After pacing around for an hour or so, meowing, and weaving in and out of my feet while I made my cards, he finally jumped up on the table and stood right in front of my face. I gave him a few rubs and he went nuts and started purring so loud and head butting me. I told him I was almost done, could I just have a few more minutes? In response, he took a few steps to the left and plopped his bum down squarely on my notepad. You know, with my notes from today's class in it. Since I was on page 16 of 17, I didn't feel too guilty picking him up and putting him on the floor, but I made sure to give him some love as soon as I was done.
He's kind of needy.
* As a side note, with my schedule so booked solid, I'm not sure exactly when I'm supposed to memorize all these flashcards, but I'll worry about that later.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Bar Study Methods
Well, it's after 11 PM now and I just finished talking to Jason after completing my Criminal Law flashcards. I nearly laughed out loud today when the Barbri rep explicitly advised against NOT making flashcards. OK, lady, whatever. Flash cards got me through heavy memorization as a History major and they served the same purpose 3 years ago when I studied for the Massachusetts Bar. I'm sure not everyone thinks like this, but when I think of each topic, I actually picture the card in my mind. Which is one reason I like using colored index codes and red ink to mark the really important stuff. I mean, if I'm going to have a picture, I might as well make it interesting.
The Barbri lady also said today that the best thing to do would be to go home and make a mini outline of the notes we took today. Actually, I found that making mini outlines worked really well at the END of the studying process. About 3 days before the exam I whipped out these 1 1/2 to 2 page outlines for every subject. By that time I had the details memorized, and I just wrote out the major elements of the subject matter in the outline, knowing that I could fill in the details. On test day, during the essays, I would figure out what subject they were testing and what aspect of the subject and then write out that section of the mini outline in the margins just to make sure I didn't forget anything.
I think the moral of the story is that you just have to do what works well for you.
I talked on my other blog about the importance of staying healthy through this whole process. I honestly think one of the best pieces of advice I ever got pre-Bar study was to be sure to exercise often. It kept me sane. So this morning I swam 80 laps first thing.
My schedule is going to be pretty crazy for the next two months, as I'm realizing. Very different from the last time, when all I had to do was study. Today:
The Barbri lady also said today that the best thing to do would be to go home and make a mini outline of the notes we took today. Actually, I found that making mini outlines worked really well at the END of the studying process. About 3 days before the exam I whipped out these 1 1/2 to 2 page outlines for every subject. By that time I had the details memorized, and I just wrote out the major elements of the subject matter in the outline, knowing that I could fill in the details. On test day, during the essays, I would figure out what subject they were testing and what aspect of the subject and then write out that section of the mini outline in the margins just to make sure I didn't forget anything.
I think the moral of the story is that you just have to do what works well for you.
I talked on my other blog about the importance of staying healthy through this whole process. I honestly think one of the best pieces of advice I ever got pre-Bar study was to be sure to exercise often. It kept me sane. So this morning I swam 80 laps first thing.
My schedule is going to be pretty crazy for the next two months, as I'm realizing. Very different from the last time, when all I had to do was study. Today:
- 6:10 Wake up, sort of. I have become a morning person by necessity, not by nature.
- 6:30-7:15 Swim.
- 7:15-8:30 Get ready for class/work, put together meals, pack bag.
- 8:30-9:15 Drive to class (Bristol is far away. Well, not far really, just inconvenient since the majority of the drive is on a two-lane road. I understand having the class at the only law school in the state, but it would have been awesome if they had a class in Providence too).
- 9:30-1:30 Class (they won't all take the full 4 hours, thankfully).
- 1:30-2:25 Drive back to Providence and look for a parking spot since I refuse to pay some exorbitant amount for a parking garage for only a few hours. Gradually realize that I'll probably need to park near Brown.
- 2:25-2:40 Walk to work from parking spot.
- 2:40-6:30 Work like a crazy woman.
- 6:30-7:15 Walk back to car and drive home with a quick stop at Whole Foods for a few things I'm out of.
- 7:15-7:45 Cook dinner and do some dishes.
- 7:45-8:30 Eat dinner and enter calories into SparkPeople. Watch about 30 minutes of TV.
- 8:45-10:30 Make flash cards from Criminal Law notes.
- 10:30-10:45 Put together part of breakfast, lunch and snacks for tomorrow. I'm realizing it takes me WAY too long to do this in the morning so I'm going to start doing it at night instead.
- 10:45-11:00 Call Jason to say good night.
- 11:00-Now Hop on computer to read a couple blogs and write a little.
- Soon - go to bed.
Monday, June 02, 2008
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Alone, Alone, So Alone - But With A Cute Kid Story
Seriously though, don't worry, I'm not depressed. Jason is out of town this week and I am on my own until next Monday.
One of our little punks in Primary has totally endeared himself to me, even though he's still a pain about 2/3 of the time. Today I got to church late, as in I missed Sacrament Meeting and just headed down to Primary. I drove Jason to the airport this morning at 5:30 and when I got home I couldn't get back to sleep right away and then I finally did get to sleep and it felt so good to sleep, and Tiny thought so too because he curled up next to me all nice, and I just couldn't wake up when I was supposed to.
Anyway, the kid (I will call him Leo) came downstairs to the Primary room and saw me. He looked shocked and said, "Were you upstairs just now?"
"No, I got here late."
"Oh okay. 'Cause I didn't see you and I was all, please let Mrs. W be here, please let Mrs. W be here."*
So okay, awwww. Am I right?
Then he sat down right next to me. Later on when the little kids went to their classes, we all moved up to the front row. Leo scoped out two chairs that I think he wanted us to sit in, but was disappointed when another kid sat in one of them. I just sat down on the end of the row and another kid sat next to me. Leo sat down on the other side of the kid. Then he leaned over and tried to convince the kid to change seats with him, which he wouldn't. As soon as the kid got up to do something at the blackboard, Leo slid over to the seat next to me.
This is all very endearing, and makes me root for him when he has a hard time finishing the little crossword puzzle I made for the class, or can't read the picture captions perfectly.*** The two other kids in the class are pretty darn smart, and I think Leo has a tough time not measuring up sometimes. He really likes the plays we do, though.
* The whole keeping my last name thing kind of eludes these kids, so they all call me by Jason's name, which is fine.**
** The whole Mormon "Brother" and "Sister" titles elude them as well, so we are Mr. and Mrs.
*** Jason makes slideshows every week for part of the lesson and we let the kids read them in rotation. If they read perfectly, they get a sticker. Who knew a couple bucks at Staples would bring such joy?
One of our little punks in Primary has totally endeared himself to me, even though he's still a pain about 2/3 of the time. Today I got to church late, as in I missed Sacrament Meeting and just headed down to Primary. I drove Jason to the airport this morning at 5:30 and when I got home I couldn't get back to sleep right away and then I finally did get to sleep and it felt so good to sleep, and Tiny thought so too because he curled up next to me all nice, and I just couldn't wake up when I was supposed to.
Anyway, the kid (I will call him Leo) came downstairs to the Primary room and saw me. He looked shocked and said, "Were you upstairs just now?"
"No, I got here late."
"Oh okay. 'Cause I didn't see you and I was all, please let Mrs. W be here, please let Mrs. W be here."*
So okay, awwww. Am I right?
Then he sat down right next to me. Later on when the little kids went to their classes, we all moved up to the front row. Leo scoped out two chairs that I think he wanted us to sit in, but was disappointed when another kid sat in one of them. I just sat down on the end of the row and another kid sat next to me. Leo sat down on the other side of the kid. Then he leaned over and tried to convince the kid to change seats with him, which he wouldn't. As soon as the kid got up to do something at the blackboard, Leo slid over to the seat next to me.
This is all very endearing, and makes me root for him when he has a hard time finishing the little crossword puzzle I made for the class, or can't read the picture captions perfectly.*** The two other kids in the class are pretty darn smart, and I think Leo has a tough time not measuring up sometimes. He really likes the plays we do, though.
* The whole keeping my last name thing kind of eludes these kids, so they all call me by Jason's name, which is fine.**
** The whole Mormon "Brother" and "Sister" titles elude them as well, so we are Mr. and Mrs.
*** Jason makes slideshows every week for part of the lesson and we let the kids read them in rotation. If they read perfectly, they get a sticker. Who knew a couple bucks at Staples would bring such joy?
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Trust Your Gut
Neighbor Update: The worst one moved out Saturday. Hurrah! We dedicated our bi-weekly trip to the Texas Roadhouse to the moved out neighbor. The other ones are moving out at the end of the month.
Here's the crazy thing. We thought they were hoodlums, but we kind of thought we were exaggerating. Turns out, not so much.
Jason noticed a letter in the mail pile downstairs from the public defender so he looked up the neighbor in the court system. Domestic assault. Nice.
There was a no contact order, but it was lifted and I'm sure his little girlfriend went in and said it was no big deal, etc. She's this tiny thing and I'm sure he could really smack her around if he wanted. I've heard them arguing in the stairwell and I know there was some sort of drama, but I didn't know it was that bad.
So, yeah. If he hadn't moved out, Jason would have discussed this whole "assault" thing with the landlady and I think we would have been rid of them (or at least him) anyway.
Here's the crazy thing. We thought they were hoodlums, but we kind of thought we were exaggerating. Turns out, not so much.
Jason noticed a letter in the mail pile downstairs from the public defender so he looked up the neighbor in the court system. Domestic assault. Nice.
There was a no contact order, but it was lifted and I'm sure his little girlfriend went in and said it was no big deal, etc. She's this tiny thing and I'm sure he could really smack her around if he wanted. I've heard them arguing in the stairwell and I know there was some sort of drama, but I didn't know it was that bad.
So, yeah. If he hadn't moved out, Jason would have discussed this whole "assault" thing with the landlady and I think we would have been rid of them (or at least him) anyway.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Plants
Update on our in-home gardening:
Tomato plants
The taller one is a Patio tomato plant we bought at Home Depot, so it was already a pretty established little plant. The two smaller ones are those Roma seedlings I started earlier this Spring. I know I need to thin them out, but I feel guilty killing 5 of the plants to save one to flourish. But if I don't, they'll all die. Maybe I'll see if anyone at work wants a small tomato plant.
Cinnamon Basil
The AeroGrow
The dill is threatening to take over the kitchen. This picture was taken after I pruned it.
We have also started some cilantro, oregano and lavender seeds, which sort of poked their heads out and then went back under the soil. Jason tented them with plastic wrap yesterday to create a greenhouse, so we're hoping they sprout again.
I made a yummy tomato sauce for chicken and pasta on Sunday night where I used all 3 basils that we currently have growing in our house. It turned out great. I can't wait to actually have fresh tomatoes to use in the tomato sauce.
Tomato plants
The taller one is a Patio tomato plant we bought at Home Depot, so it was already a pretty established little plant. The two smaller ones are those Roma seedlings I started earlier this Spring. I know I need to thin them out, but I feel guilty killing 5 of the plants to save one to flourish. But if I don't, they'll all die. Maybe I'll see if anyone at work wants a small tomato plant.
Cinnamon Basil
The AeroGrow
The dill is threatening to take over the kitchen. This picture was taken after I pruned it.
We have also started some cilantro, oregano and lavender seeds, which sort of poked their heads out and then went back under the soil. Jason tented them with plastic wrap yesterday to create a greenhouse, so we're hoping they sprout again.
I made a yummy tomato sauce for chicken and pasta on Sunday night where I used all 3 basils that we currently have growing in our house. It turned out great. I can't wait to actually have fresh tomatoes to use in the tomato sauce.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Happy Memorial Day!
First of all, I want to say hi to my Papa who was in WWII and carried on the fine family tradition of serving in the U.S. military and making it through.* I looked for a nice card and/or e-card to send him, but couldn't really find anything fitting for a veteran who was still actually alive. I know it's "Memorial" day, but can't we remember the service of the veterans who are still with us? I just want him to know that I love him and am proud of his service.
I also want to give a shout out to my cousin Greg and his wife Rosie who served in Iraq. It worked out pretty well for them because where else would a guy from Tennessee meet a girl from Minnesota? Love you guys.
We celebrated the beautiful Memorial Day here in Rhode Island with a quick road trip to Conanicut Island. Bit of trivia: Dan in Real Life with Steve Carrell was filmed there. We watched that movie several weeks ago and wondered where it was filmed because it looked kind of like the Cape, but not quite. Turns out, it was right here in Rhode Island, across the water from Newport.
We had lunch with some friends and then headed out. Jason, Marissa and I drove down and spent some time walking along the ocean cliffs in the state parks.
It was a bit windy.
I love this picture.
We drove to the other end of the island and wound up driving through some pretty houses and a wooded area. These two deer were just standing among the trees, watching us drive by.
Hope you all had a great day!
* Great-great grandpa Sam was in the Civil War and ended his years in the 1930's, giving cave tours in South Dakota. Great-grandpa Keith was in WWI, was gassed in the trenches at one point and lived to an active old age. He died shortly before I was born.
I also want to give a shout out to my cousin Greg and his wife Rosie who served in Iraq. It worked out pretty well for them because where else would a guy from Tennessee meet a girl from Minnesota? Love you guys.
We celebrated the beautiful Memorial Day here in Rhode Island with a quick road trip to Conanicut Island. Bit of trivia: Dan in Real Life with Steve Carrell was filmed there. We watched that movie several weeks ago and wondered where it was filmed because it looked kind of like the Cape, but not quite. Turns out, it was right here in Rhode Island, across the water from Newport.
We had lunch with some friends and then headed out. Jason, Marissa and I drove down and spent some time walking along the ocean cliffs in the state parks.
It was a bit windy.
I love this picture.
We drove to the other end of the island and wound up driving through some pretty houses and a wooded area. These two deer were just standing among the trees, watching us drive by.
Hope you all had a great day!* Great-great grandpa Sam was in the Civil War and ended his years in the 1930's, giving cave tours in South Dakota. Great-grandpa Keith was in WWI, was gassed in the trenches at one point and lived to an active old age. He died shortly before I was born.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Hold the Phone
Ok, no one freak out quite yet, but it appears that one, if not both, of our neighbors is moving out. Could we really be that lucky?
This is actually perfect timing. Last night I told Jason it was time we gave the landlady an ultimatum: they go, or we go. As much as the idea of moving fills me with dread, I just can't handle it anymore.
After being woken up twice this week at 2 AM by someone dropping, I don't know, a bowling ball, right over my head, we came home last night to no parking spaces. Jason went upstairs and asked them to move one of their cars. He came back down and we waited.
And waited.
Finally after several minutes Jason went upstairs again while I waited in the car. He told me later that their conversation went something like this:
Rude Neighbor Guy: Yeah, I know, we're trying to find him.
Jason: Well, there are 4 cars down there so someone needs to move one of them.
Trying to find him? What, is the apartment so vast that they can't quite locate one person to move one car in the span of several minutes?
That's about the time I started honking loudly and repeatedly. The guy with the HUGE pick up truck that he always parks diagonally finally came downstairs, swearing and huffing and puffing, according to Jason. He got in his truck, pulled out violently and pealed out, narrowly missing hitting me. What exactly was he so ticked about? Two of those spaces are ours.
When we were grabbing our stuff out of the car I was seething and I may have uttered a swear word or two myself.
Well, we woke up this morning to a U-haul van in the driveway and they've been taking loads somewhere all day. Fingers crossed!
Fingers also crossed that this doesn't just mean they're going to be replaced by some of their punk friends.
This is actually perfect timing. Last night I told Jason it was time we gave the landlady an ultimatum: they go, or we go. As much as the idea of moving fills me with dread, I just can't handle it anymore.
After being woken up twice this week at 2 AM by someone dropping, I don't know, a bowling ball, right over my head, we came home last night to no parking spaces. Jason went upstairs and asked them to move one of their cars. He came back down and we waited.
And waited.
Finally after several minutes Jason went upstairs again while I waited in the car. He told me later that their conversation went something like this:
Rude Neighbor Guy: Yeah, I know, we're trying to find him.
Jason: Well, there are 4 cars down there so someone needs to move one of them.
Trying to find him? What, is the apartment so vast that they can't quite locate one person to move one car in the span of several minutes?
That's about the time I started honking loudly and repeatedly. The guy with the HUGE pick up truck that he always parks diagonally finally came downstairs, swearing and huffing and puffing, according to Jason. He got in his truck, pulled out violently and pealed out, narrowly missing hitting me. What exactly was he so ticked about? Two of those spaces are ours.
When we were grabbing our stuff out of the car I was seething and I may have uttered a swear word or two myself.
Well, we woke up this morning to a U-haul van in the driveway and they've been taking loads somewhere all day. Fingers crossed!
Fingers also crossed that this doesn't just mean they're going to be replaced by some of their punk friends.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Happy Birthday to Me!
Yesterday I got my birthday present from Jason. You might say, wasn't your birthday 7 months ago? Why yes, it was. The thing is, I told Jason not to get me anything last year since we got married just 10 days later and all of our spare funds and attention and everything were focused on that, which is what I wanted. He still managed to pull together some of my friends for a fun dinner at the Border Cafe on my birthday. Very sweet.
About a week ago he announced to me that my birthday present was on the way. What? He said it was actually something he was thinking about getting me and then it took a little while and that's why it's really late. Whatever the reason, birthday present! Yay!
Yesterday he got it in the mail, brought it home, and wrapped* it. When I opened it, I could see why it took so long.
It's a photo book called The First Two Years full of pictures of me and Jason (and Tiny) while we were dating. It's an actual, bound, hardcover book. The front has a picture from our engagement photos and the rest is full of pictures from the places we went and the things we did. I was kind of blown away and almost started crying.
My friend Natacha told me I'm never allowed to say Jason is not romantic again. I think she might be right.
* Angie, Chrissy, Deborah and anyone else at my 30th birthday party, he can learn!
About a week ago he announced to me that my birthday present was on the way. What? He said it was actually something he was thinking about getting me and then it took a little while and that's why it's really late. Whatever the reason, birthday present! Yay!
Yesterday he got it in the mail, brought it home, and wrapped* it. When I opened it, I could see why it took so long.
It's a photo book called The First Two Years full of pictures of me and Jason (and Tiny) while we were dating. It's an actual, bound, hardcover book. The front has a picture from our engagement photos and the rest is full of pictures from the places we went and the things we did. I was kind of blown away and almost started crying.
My friend Natacha told me I'm never allowed to say Jason is not romantic again. I think she might be right.
* Angie, Chrissy, Deborah and anyone else at my 30th birthday party, he can learn!
Monday, May 19, 2008
Dill Veggie Dip
As I mentioned on my other blog, yesterday was not a stellar eating day. Or maybe it was, depending on if eating lots of yummy, fatty foods is a good eating day in your book. I guess it could go either way.
We were busy all day and I didn't cook some big production of a dinner. However, I did make a dill dip that turned out pretty well. The dip was inspired by the AeroGrow, which is completely out of control. I need to take another picture so you all can see. We've already enjoyed some GIANT basil leaves with tomatoes and mozzarella, and the dill is crowding out everyone else, so I figured for the good of the rest of the herbs I should cut it back a bit.
The dip was also inspired by late nights in my old Chicago apartment right next to the El*, eating carrots and Marzetti's dill veggie dip with my roommates. The Marzetti's dip is amazing and also really bad for you.
I did a little online research to find a healthy dill dip recipe and just made up my own in the end because I didn't have light mayonnaise or fat free cream cheese on hand, but I did have plain yogurt.
Dill Dip
2/3 C. fat free plain yogurt (I'm partial to Trader Joe's or Stonyfield Farm)
1/2 t. lemon juice
A big pile of chopped fresh dill (I'm going to say 1/4-1/3 C.)
1 minced garlic clove or 1 t. garlic powder
When I made the dip, I just sort of tossed things in, so my measurements are rough, but I think they're pretty close. I haven't figured out the calories on this yet, but since 1 cup of yogurt is only 110 calories, I think it won't be much more than 75 or so.
* Seriously, right next to. Our apartment shook. Occasionally when the train slowed down before heading into the Addison station we waved at the people in the cars.
We were busy all day and I didn't cook some big production of a dinner. However, I did make a dill dip that turned out pretty well. The dip was inspired by the AeroGrow, which is completely out of control. I need to take another picture so you all can see. We've already enjoyed some GIANT basil leaves with tomatoes and mozzarella, and the dill is crowding out everyone else, so I figured for the good of the rest of the herbs I should cut it back a bit.
The dip was also inspired by late nights in my old Chicago apartment right next to the El*, eating carrots and Marzetti's dill veggie dip with my roommates. The Marzetti's dip is amazing and also really bad for you.
I did a little online research to find a healthy dill dip recipe and just made up my own in the end because I didn't have light mayonnaise or fat free cream cheese on hand, but I did have plain yogurt.
Dill Dip
2/3 C. fat free plain yogurt (I'm partial to Trader Joe's or Stonyfield Farm)
1/2 t. lemon juice
A big pile of chopped fresh dill (I'm going to say 1/4-1/3 C.)
1 minced garlic clove or 1 t. garlic powder
When I made the dip, I just sort of tossed things in, so my measurements are rough, but I think they're pretty close. I haven't figured out the calories on this yet, but since 1 cup of yogurt is only 110 calories, I think it won't be much more than 75 or so.
* Seriously, right next to. Our apartment shook. Occasionally when the train slowed down before heading into the Addison station we waved at the people in the cars.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Meme-a Reme-a Ding Dong
I have 2 memes I've been meaning to do. Here's one from Beckie:
1.YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) Topaz Elantra
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) Cookies 'n Creme Molasses (that just sounds like a super ice cream flavor)
3. YOUR "FLY Guy/Girl" NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) K McG (in da house)
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) Kelly Green Fish (Maybe that should be Kelly Greenfish. And no, the color isn't just because I'm narcissistic)
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) - Eileen* Boynton Beach
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) Mcgke
7. SUPERHERO NAME: ("The" + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink) The Crimson Mocha
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers) George Thomas
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother's & father's middle names ) Lynn Isham
11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher's last name, a major city that starts with the same letter) Peress Poughkeepsie
12. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower) Autumn Dahlia (awesome)
13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you're wearing right now + "ie" or "y") Appley Sweatery
14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree) Pumpkin Muffin Maple
15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: ("The" + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + "Tour") The Swim Lightning Tour
So I'm not really going to tag anyone because I am so bad at doing these things myself. But if you want to do it on your blog, feel free.
*Yeah, family, I know I spelled it wrong. I'm trying to keep a little bit of anonymity.
1.YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) Topaz Elantra
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) Cookies 'n Creme Molasses (that just sounds like a super ice cream flavor)
3. YOUR "FLY Guy/Girl" NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) K McG (in da house)
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) Kelly Green Fish (Maybe that should be Kelly Greenfish. And no, the color isn't just because I'm narcissistic)
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) - Eileen* Boynton Beach
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) Mcgke
7. SUPERHERO NAME: ("The" + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink) The Crimson Mocha
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers) George Thomas
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother's & father's middle names ) Lynn Isham
11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher's last name, a major city that starts with the same letter) Peress Poughkeepsie
12. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower) Autumn Dahlia (awesome)
13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you're wearing right now + "ie" or "y") Appley Sweatery
14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree) Pumpkin Muffin Maple
15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: ("The" + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + "Tour") The Swim Lightning Tour
So I'm not really going to tag anyone because I am so bad at doing these things myself. But if you want to do it on your blog, feel free.
*Yeah, family, I know I spelled it wrong. I'm trying to keep a little bit of anonymity.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
I Am A Card Shark
I played poker last night with Jason and 2 of his friends from his lab and I totally dominated!
Have you ever noticed how with some people when they win it's all about skill, but if you win it was just "lucky cards" or lucky something? Yeah, Jason can be one of those people and it's very unattractive. Granted, I had good cards. Anyone who wins poker has to get good cards to some extent. But I also played well. Jason just really hates to lose.
At one point my chip pile was pretty big so I was matching one guy's big bet for big bet in the hope that I would get a flush. Then he went all in and I called it. The last card that flipped over was my flush and he was SO mad. Jason asked me why I kept betting when I didn't really have much. Well, A) I had a big pile of chips and even if the guy had won with his all in, I would have still been fine, and B) it's fun!
Apparently, "it's fun!" is not a legitimate reason to place bets in the very serious world of geneticist poker. Well, sorrrrrry.
I still won.
Have you ever noticed how with some people when they win it's all about skill, but if you win it was just "lucky cards" or lucky something? Yeah, Jason can be one of those people and it's very unattractive. Granted, I had good cards. Anyone who wins poker has to get good cards to some extent. But I also played well. Jason just really hates to lose.
At one point my chip pile was pretty big so I was matching one guy's big bet for big bet in the hope that I would get a flush. Then he went all in and I called it. The last card that flipped over was my flush and he was SO mad. Jason asked me why I kept betting when I didn't really have much. Well, A) I had a big pile of chips and even if the guy had won with his all in, I would have still been fine, and B) it's fun!
Apparently, "it's fun!" is not a legitimate reason to place bets in the very serious world of geneticist poker. Well, sorrrrrry.
I still won.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Saturday Night Dinner
Tonight I just made pork chops and baked onion rings. But last night I made relatively healthy moussaka and it turned out really well. Jason wanted to eat half the pan all by himself.
Moussaka
1 Eggplant, 1-1 1/4 pound
1 lb Ground Turkey
24 oz No Salt Added Tomato Sauce
1 C. Onion, chopped
3 cloves Garlic, minced
1/2 C. Red Wine or Red Wine Vinegar
1/4 C. Flour
1 C. Skim Milk
2 T. Parmesan Cheese
1/2 C. Feta Cheese, crumbled
2 t. Cinnamon
8 Kalamata Olives , chopped
Slice eggplant very thinly.
Brown ground turkey with onion and garlic. Add tomato sauce and red wine. Let simmer for 15 minutes. Add chopped olives.
Layer eggplant then meat mixture in 13 x 9 pan, ending with meat mixture. You will probably have 2 layers of each.
Add milk to a saucepan on medium heat. Slowly stir in flour a little at a time until sauce thickens. Add feta cheese, parmesan cheese and cinnamon. Stir until well blended.
Pour white sauce over the meat and eggplant.
Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes at 375 degrees. Remove foil and cook for 30 more minutes.
Number of Servings: 8, 204 calories, 7.6 grams fat, 280.6 mg sodium
Moussaka
1 Eggplant, 1-1 1/4 pound
1 lb Ground Turkey
24 oz No Salt Added Tomato Sauce
1 C. Onion, chopped
3 cloves Garlic, minced
1/2 C. Red Wine or Red Wine Vinegar
1/4 C. Flour
1 C. Skim Milk
2 T. Parmesan Cheese
1/2 C. Feta Cheese, crumbled
2 t. Cinnamon
8 Kalamata Olives , chopped
Slice eggplant very thinly.
Brown ground turkey with onion and garlic. Add tomato sauce and red wine. Let simmer for 15 minutes. Add chopped olives.
Layer eggplant then meat mixture in 13 x 9 pan, ending with meat mixture. You will probably have 2 layers of each.
Add milk to a saucepan on medium heat. Slowly stir in flour a little at a time until sauce thickens. Add feta cheese, parmesan cheese and cinnamon. Stir until well blended.
Pour white sauce over the meat and eggplant.
Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes at 375 degrees. Remove foil and cook for 30 more minutes.
Number of Servings: 8, 204 calories, 7.6 grams fat, 280.6 mg sodium
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
I Miss Girls!
I was just whining about this to my sister-in-law, so I figured why not magnify the whining?
So I love Jason and all, but I miss my girl friends. I feel like most people who I've managed to keep a connection with in Boston since I moved to Providence are gradually moving away. Even those who aren't, it's not like we see each other every Sunday at church anymore and connect at there or at home (Hi Angie and Chrissy! I miss you guys). I live an hour away now and am just not included on those emails and phone calls to get together on the spur of the moment. It's a huge effort to figure out schedules and meet up, and while definitely worth it, the friendships just don't seem as organic anymore. It's become this one or two hour catch me up with your life, ok, bye bye, rather than easily flowing in and out of each others days and weeks.
There are a few women in my new ward who I wouldn't mind getting to know better, but they have kids. One in particular who seems really cool has 3 kids. Not that I don't like kids and I have no problem hanging out with the kids, but the kid/no-kid schedule doesn't really mesh that well. I can't make the playgroups because I'm at work, and they're busy in the evenings with dinnertime and sleep schedules.
And now, 3 of our Providence friends are moving away this summer. How do you meet friends as a grown-up whose not in school and works in a small office?
Anyway, just feeling a little lonely in Rhode Island.
So I love Jason and all, but I miss my girl friends. I feel like most people who I've managed to keep a connection with in Boston since I moved to Providence are gradually moving away. Even those who aren't, it's not like we see each other every Sunday at church anymore and connect at there or at home (Hi Angie and Chrissy! I miss you guys). I live an hour away now and am just not included on those emails and phone calls to get together on the spur of the moment. It's a huge effort to figure out schedules and meet up, and while definitely worth it, the friendships just don't seem as organic anymore. It's become this one or two hour catch me up with your life, ok, bye bye, rather than easily flowing in and out of each others days and weeks.
There are a few women in my new ward who I wouldn't mind getting to know better, but they have kids. One in particular who seems really cool has 3 kids. Not that I don't like kids and I have no problem hanging out with the kids, but the kid/no-kid schedule doesn't really mesh that well. I can't make the playgroups because I'm at work, and they're busy in the evenings with dinnertime and sleep schedules.
And now, 3 of our Providence friends are moving away this summer. How do you meet friends as a grown-up whose not in school and works in a small office?
Anyway, just feeling a little lonely in Rhode Island.
Monday, May 05, 2008
Confession
Sometimes I think about starting another blog in which I post all the profane and dirty comments and observations that Evil Kelly keeps running through my mind. I usually keep her pretty reined in.
Friday, May 02, 2008
RI Bar
2 steps down to this whole RI Bar process.
1) Take and pass MPRE. Check.
2) Turn in Bar application. Check (yesterday).
The only thing left is to take and pass the Bar exam. Yeah. If any of you remember the last time I took the Bar, you know you'll be hearing ALL about this during June and July.
So Rhode Island is already on my crap list for a couple of reasons. 1) They're the smallest state in the country and they're making me take the entire Bar even though I've already done this before and passed. Passed well enough to waive into DC even. And even though their laws are really, really similar to the laws of Massachusetts because in a lot of ways they're like Massachusetts Junior. 2) They made me retake the MPRE because I hadn't taken it within the 2 years of taking the Bar, which was just adding salt to the wound. I'm not positive, but I think Rhode Island may be the only state with this stipulation.
You would think this would have prepared me for the ridiculousness that is the application for the RI Bar, but I was still shocked. Here's all the information I've been gathering for the last few weeks:
There's another attorney at my firm who took both the Rhode Island and Massachusetts Bars and he assured me that the hardest part of the RI Bar is the application. So I still have the Multistate to stress about, but I think I'll be ok with the state part of the exam.
1) Take and pass MPRE. Check.
2) Turn in Bar application. Check (yesterday).
The only thing left is to take and pass the Bar exam. Yeah. If any of you remember the last time I took the Bar, you know you'll be hearing ALL about this during June and July.
So Rhode Island is already on my crap list for a couple of reasons. 1) They're the smallest state in the country and they're making me take the entire Bar even though I've already done this before and passed. Passed well enough to waive into DC even. And even though their laws are really, really similar to the laws of Massachusetts because in a lot of ways they're like Massachusetts Junior. 2) They made me retake the MPRE because I hadn't taken it within the 2 years of taking the Bar, which was just adding salt to the wound. I'm not positive, but I think Rhode Island may be the only state with this stipulation.
You would think this would have prepared me for the ridiculousness that is the application for the RI Bar, but I was still shocked. Here's all the information I've been gathering for the last few weeks:
- Every place I've lived since I turned 21.
- Every place I've worked for more than 6 months since I turned 21, plus an employment verification form from each of these employers.
- 27 references. TWENTY-SEVEN. That's 5 people generally, none of whom are related to me, have employed me, or went to law school with me. 2 people to fill out affidavits of my good moral character (Thanks, Jenn and Dave!). And since I've been a practicing attorney for a few years, as an added bonus, 3 attorneys and 2 clients, plus 5 upstanding people in each of the jurisdictions in which I've practiced law (which is 3 jurisdictions).
- A handwriting sample certified by my law school. Which makes me wonder what the people do who are trying to get admitted when they've been out of law school for 20 years. Thankfully I work down the street from my law school 2 days a week and the lady in the dean's office was VERY familiar with the RI Bar process.
- A copy of my law school application.
- A certified copy of my law school transcript.
- A copy of my credit report.
- A list of all of my debts and credit cards (even if they have no balance).
- Criminal background checks from every state I've lived in since I turned 21, which for me is 6 states. Thankfully two of them will only give that information to government agencies (Thanks, Arizona and Vermont!), so I only had to get 4 of those.
- Certificates of Good Standing from the two jurisdictions where I'm admitted to practice law.
There's another attorney at my firm who took both the Rhode Island and Massachusetts Bars and he assured me that the hardest part of the RI Bar is the application. So I still have the Multistate to stress about, but I think I'll be ok with the state part of the exam.
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