Not to be all cheesy, but blogs are actually pretty awesome. Last week I was able to have dinner with a couple of friends who I hadn't seen in a few years while they were visiting in Boston. We were supposed to spend a couple of hours together, but sadly, due to circumstances beyond our control*, we only got about 45 minutes to have dinner and catch up. But since they both have blogs, I kind of felt like I already knew what was going on in their lives and we could just chat like it hadn't been 4 or 5 years since we had seen each other.
Then earlier this week I found the blog of another friend. It's funny because this friend and I have never actually met. Years and years ago we were both part of a small listserv and struck up an email and IM friendship off the listserv, but a couple of years ago we lost touch. I commented on her blog and emailed her and now we're chatting again. Maybe someday we'll actually meet.
Blogs also allow me to keep up with completely random people who I might have completely lost track of over time. As I learned while filling out the RI Bar application, I've lived in 6 states since I turned 18 and in each of those places there have been close friends and not-so-close friends who I've recently connected with through blogs. Although we're all so spread out now, we have the capacity to stay close through words and pictures on the computer.
I should do ads for Blogger.
* A car was on FIRE on 93. So they closed the whole thing down. Thankfully, Jason's brother and sister-in-law lived in Southie for a year so when we finally got off the completely closed and backed-up highway, we knew how to drive the backstreets and get back on 93 north of the car fire.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Tiny's Tail
Tiny has a tail awareness problem. He walks delicately along a table or the back of the couch or just through a room and, after his body passes, his tail whips out and knocks over whatever isn't nailed down in the general vicinity. Then he whirls around as something crashes to the ground and looks at us like, "What was that?! Did you guys see that?"
There have been many times when we've had to lock him in the guest room while we're eating because, even though he's being good and not poking his nose in our food, he keeps pacing next to the coffee table where our plates sit, completely oblivious to the fact the the end of his tail has curled over the edge of the table and is dragging through our food. He looks at us like we're insane when we exclaim and shout because our dinner now has cat fur deposits in it. We always feel guilty when we lock him up because he has no idea why.
Yesterday I glued together a broken lampshade and set it on a box to dry. Tiny came prancing along, passed the lampshade and then, Whack!, his tail flicked to one side and knocked the lampshade off the box with a spectacular clatter. Tiny jumped and turned to look at where the lampshade was still rocking back and forth on its side. Then he looked at me as if to say, "There is some crazy stuff going on around here..."
There have been many times when we've had to lock him in the guest room while we're eating because, even though he's being good and not poking his nose in our food, he keeps pacing next to the coffee table where our plates sit, completely oblivious to the fact the the end of his tail has curled over the edge of the table and is dragging through our food. He looks at us like we're insane when we exclaim and shout because our dinner now has cat fur deposits in it. We always feel guilty when we lock him up because he has no idea why.
Yesterday I glued together a broken lampshade and set it on a box to dry. Tiny came prancing along, passed the lampshade and then, Whack!, his tail flicked to one side and knocked the lampshade off the box with a spectacular clatter. Tiny jumped and turned to look at where the lampshade was still rocking back and forth on its side. Then he looked at me as if to say, "There is some crazy stuff going on around here..."
Monday, September 08, 2008
Bailout
Is it too simplistic to be angry because the taxpayers are going to be bailing out all the people who took on mortgages they couldn't afford?*
I highly recommend This American Life's program "The Giant Pool of Money" for a surprisingly balanced*** primer about the mortgage crisis.
* I realize there are circumstances where people lost jobs and thus couldn't pay their mortgage. However, there were also a lot of people who got into mortgages with adjustable rates and no money down and no background check or employment verification that they would in no way have qualified for when lenders were showing some sense. There were also brokers who were making a lot of money off of telling uninformed** people that they could afford this mortgage.
** Although if I was going to borrow several hundred thousand dollars, I would make darn sure that I was informed about the terms of the loan and what could happen.
***Because I realize it's a very liberal show generally, but this particular episode appealed more to facts than emotion. Jason is more conservative in a lot of ways than I am (particularly fiscally) and he thought it was a good analysis.
I highly recommend This American Life's program "The Giant Pool of Money" for a surprisingly balanced*** primer about the mortgage crisis.
* I realize there are circumstances where people lost jobs and thus couldn't pay their mortgage. However, there were also a lot of people who got into mortgages with adjustable rates and no money down and no background check or employment verification that they would in no way have qualified for when lenders were showing some sense. There were also brokers who were making a lot of money off of telling uninformed** people that they could afford this mortgage.
** Although if I was going to borrow several hundred thousand dollars, I would make darn sure that I was informed about the terms of the loan and what could happen.
***Because I realize it's a very liberal show generally, but this particular episode appealed more to facts than emotion. Jason is more conservative in a lot of ways than I am (particularly fiscally) and he thought it was a good analysis.
Friday, September 05, 2008
Brain Trust
There's a link to an article on Yahoo about avoiding an email scam and the subheading says, "Even Paris Hilton has fallen prey to this hacker's scheme to steal passwords."
Because, you know, when I'm thinking of someone who would have the smarts to avoid a hacker scam, Paris Hilton is the first person who pops into my head.
Because, you know, when I'm thinking of someone who would have the smarts to avoid a hacker scam, Paris Hilton is the first person who pops into my head.
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Job
So I don't think I ever made this announcement officially here, but I thought you would like to know that I'm now employed full-time at the firm in Providence.
Pros:
Pros:
- I have a real job like a real grown-up.
- No more compartmentalizing my brain into two different jobs with two different sets of responsibilities and two different piles of papers on two different desks. After doing that for over a year, it was starting to get old.
- I work 2 miles from my house and on nice days I like to walk home.
- No more commuting 40 miles each way to get to work.
- Much, much, much lower chances of my commute ever taking 8 hours again.
- There's really only one. It used to be relatively easy to meet up with Boston friends on the days I was working up in Boston. Now it's more of an effort, especially since I usually don't leave work until 6:30 or 7.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Superstar
We went kayaking again yesterday to celebrate Labor Day and the end of summer. It was kind of the most beautiful day ever, so I'm glad we were outside.
This time I had my own kayak, whereas last time Marissa and I shared a tandem kayak. I was nervous and I actually took a spill at the end of our initial trek down to the beach, but that was only to avoid getting taken out to sea by the current. I doubted my abilities to kayak my way out of the ocean. I headed toward shore and while the nose of my kayak hit the sand, the tail was flipping around behind me and headed out to sea. So I tipped over. Some nice people helped me and my kayak onto the shore, and one person downriver a bit grabbed my shoe that had fallen off my foot. The current was so strong that, after beaching the kayaks, Marissa and I walked out into the river, lifted up our feet and were carried, fairly rapidly, into the ocean without any effort on our part. Kind of like a ride.
After we jumped around in the waves for an hour or so, we decided to head upriver, which is when I discovered I'm kind of a good kayaker. It was only my second time ever kayaking and I beat Dr. K getting out of the current. He said, "I have to beat Kellito" and I thought, "I don't think so" and I paddled hard and he didn't beat me. His trail-running legs were no match for my swimmer arms apparently. I just kept paddling and before I knew it only me, Dr. K and Pei-Yu (another guy from Jason's lab) were around. I could see everyone else in the distance behind us. Honestly, I didn't mean to be that far ahead, it just kind of happened.
My shoulders are sore today, but I kind of feel like a rock star.
I also felt very humble and grateful yesterday, paddling along the riverbank on such a gorgeous day.
This time I had my own kayak, whereas last time Marissa and I shared a tandem kayak. I was nervous and I actually took a spill at the end of our initial trek down to the beach, but that was only to avoid getting taken out to sea by the current. I doubted my abilities to kayak my way out of the ocean. I headed toward shore and while the nose of my kayak hit the sand, the tail was flipping around behind me and headed out to sea. So I tipped over. Some nice people helped me and my kayak onto the shore, and one person downriver a bit grabbed my shoe that had fallen off my foot. The current was so strong that, after beaching the kayaks, Marissa and I walked out into the river, lifted up our feet and were carried, fairly rapidly, into the ocean without any effort on our part. Kind of like a ride.
After we jumped around in the waves for an hour or so, we decided to head upriver, which is when I discovered I'm kind of a good kayaker. It was only my second time ever kayaking and I beat Dr. K getting out of the current. He said, "I have to beat Kellito" and I thought, "I don't think so" and I paddled hard and he didn't beat me. His trail-running legs were no match for my swimmer arms apparently. I just kept paddling and before I knew it only me, Dr. K and Pei-Yu (another guy from Jason's lab) were around. I could see everyone else in the distance behind us. Honestly, I didn't mean to be that far ahead, it just kind of happened.
My shoulders are sore today, but I kind of feel like a rock star.
I also felt very humble and grateful yesterday, paddling along the riverbank on such a gorgeous day.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Tomates
Remember my little tomato plants?
Sprouts, March 30
Bigger plants, May 28
Last night
(see the teeny tomato in the middle of the plant on the right?)*
They look a little chaotic because I've tried to keep them under control by tying them down, resulting in branches twisted all around each other. However, the tied down branches just curl around and start growing up again. If I let them keep going, I'm sure they'll reach the ceiling in no time. I find it kind of hilarious that the Patio tomato is considered perfect for container gardening. Okay, yeah, the fruit is tiny, but the plant is HUGE and shows no sign of stopping.
We have eaten a couple of the teeny tomatoes that have ripened so far and they are amazingly wonderful. I used to think I didn't like raw tomatoes, until I figured out I just don't like store-bought raw tomatoes. Right off the vine, I LOVE them. Both plants have lots of blossoms and baby fruit in various stages so I'm sure we'll be inundated with tomatoes soon.
When I transferred the plants to their own containers, I had two containers, but 3 plants. So I planted one outside by our parking spaces, figuring the landlady wouldn't really mind. It's thriving and has 4 little green Roma tomatoes on it.
Oh, also, remember the cinnamon basil?
You can see it in the bottom left of this picture, next to the tomatoes.
Jason told me I should thin it out, but I have this thing where I feel guilty killing the plants that are growing so well for me. So I just make sure to use basil a lot and the plant seems to do just fine, even if it is a little crowded.
*The ladder outside the window is part of the shinglers' makeshift scaffolding.
Sprouts, March 30
Bigger plants, May 28
Last night
(see the teeny tomato in the middle of the plant on the right?)*They look a little chaotic because I've tried to keep them under control by tying them down, resulting in branches twisted all around each other. However, the tied down branches just curl around and start growing up again. If I let them keep going, I'm sure they'll reach the ceiling in no time. I find it kind of hilarious that the Patio tomato is considered perfect for container gardening. Okay, yeah, the fruit is tiny, but the plant is HUGE and shows no sign of stopping.
We have eaten a couple of the teeny tomatoes that have ripened so far and they are amazingly wonderful. I used to think I didn't like raw tomatoes, until I figured out I just don't like store-bought raw tomatoes. Right off the vine, I LOVE them. Both plants have lots of blossoms and baby fruit in various stages so I'm sure we'll be inundated with tomatoes soon.
When I transferred the plants to their own containers, I had two containers, but 3 plants. So I planted one outside by our parking spaces, figuring the landlady wouldn't really mind. It's thriving and has 4 little green Roma tomatoes on it.
Oh, also, remember the cinnamon basil?
You can see it in the bottom left of this picture, next to the tomatoes.
Jason told me I should thin it out, but I have this thing where I feel guilty killing the plants that are growing so well for me. So I just make sure to use basil a lot and the plant seems to do just fine, even if it is a little crowded.*The ladder outside the window is part of the shinglers' makeshift scaffolding.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Furniture
Our living room goes through cycles: it's full of stuff, it's clean, full of stuff, clean, full of stuff.
Yesterday morning it was basically clean. Other than the soda cans. By last night: full of stuff.
Marissa is moving to Seattle. She has to be out of her place by Monday. She and Jason will be driving to Seattle starting next Saturday. In the interim, she and her stuff are living with us. Yesterday, Jason, with some help from Taylor and Jason's friend Will, mostly moved Marissa out and did some furniture musical chairs, which will be continuing over the next couple of weeks.
First, the bed. Since Jason and I got married, Marissa has been sleeping on my bed because Jason already had a queen-size bed and Marissa had none. However, my mattress was nicer and I was sort of hoping we could finagle a way to get my bed down to Providence rather than selling it, although if you have ever dealt with moving a queen-size boxspring in and out of a converted Victorian home, you can understand why I thought that might not happen.
However, Brandon and Sarah have a bedframe they need to sell when they get back from India and Will from Jason's lab just happens to need a bed. $50 and some moving assistance later, Will has Jason's old mattress and boxspring, and will get the bedframe when Brandon and Sarah get back, and we have my mattress and boxspring down in Providence.
Second, the dresser. Brandon had this pretty dresser, which Marissa inherited when Brandon moved to India. Since Marissa is minimizing, she's not taking the dresser with her and I staked my claim to it. One of the back corners is a little busted, but you can't see that where I'm putting it and it's bigger and more aesthetically pleasing than my current IKEA dresser, which everyone in the world who has ever shopped at IKEA also owns. My new dresser body is in the living room, with drawers strewn about the living and dining rooms just waiting for me to make the transition. Then my IKEA dresser will sit in the living room until I Craigslist it.
Third, the desk. I've had qualms in the past, but I think it's definitely time to get rid of my desk. Jason has a HUGE desk, and we have determined that if (or rather, when) he gets it organized, there will be space for me to put some things in it as well. My current desk is not really my style anymore, takes up a lot of space, and is never used as a desk because the lowest shelf of the hutch is too low for me to open my laptop. Basically it's a large storage unit at this point. Marissa had a small bookshelf (which was actually mine, but I left it for her to use) that Jason carted down yesterday. It's smaller than the desk and will hold many of the things that are currently in and on the desk. Then the desk will move into the living room until I can sell it.
There is also a pile of stuff that has been accumulating in the dining room for, oh, the last year, waiting to be sold. We're going to have a Craig's List extravaganza!
Also, and I am SO excited about this, Jason is letting me throw away his ratty old armchair that is currently covered in an ill-fitting slipcover and about 3 pounds of cat fur. The last time I sat in that chair, I got hurt by some sort of tack. It's not a friendly chair. And I get to just put it out on the curb to be hauled off by the garbage men. Hurray!
Yesterday morning it was basically clean. Other than the soda cans. By last night: full of stuff.
Marissa is moving to Seattle. She has to be out of her place by Monday. She and Jason will be driving to Seattle starting next Saturday. In the interim, she and her stuff are living with us. Yesterday, Jason, with some help from Taylor and Jason's friend Will, mostly moved Marissa out and did some furniture musical chairs, which will be continuing over the next couple of weeks.
First, the bed. Since Jason and I got married, Marissa has been sleeping on my bed because Jason already had a queen-size bed and Marissa had none. However, my mattress was nicer and I was sort of hoping we could finagle a way to get my bed down to Providence rather than selling it, although if you have ever dealt with moving a queen-size boxspring in and out of a converted Victorian home, you can understand why I thought that might not happen.
However, Brandon and Sarah have a bedframe they need to sell when they get back from India and Will from Jason's lab just happens to need a bed. $50 and some moving assistance later, Will has Jason's old mattress and boxspring, and will get the bedframe when Brandon and Sarah get back, and we have my mattress and boxspring down in Providence.
Second, the dresser. Brandon had this pretty dresser, which Marissa inherited when Brandon moved to India. Since Marissa is minimizing, she's not taking the dresser with her and I staked my claim to it. One of the back corners is a little busted, but you can't see that where I'm putting it and it's bigger and more aesthetically pleasing than my current IKEA dresser, which everyone in the world who has ever shopped at IKEA also owns. My new dresser body is in the living room, with drawers strewn about the living and dining rooms just waiting for me to make the transition. Then my IKEA dresser will sit in the living room until I Craigslist it.
Third, the desk. I've had qualms in the past, but I think it's definitely time to get rid of my desk. Jason has a HUGE desk, and we have determined that if (or rather, when) he gets it organized, there will be space for me to put some things in it as well. My current desk is not really my style anymore, takes up a lot of space, and is never used as a desk because the lowest shelf of the hutch is too low for me to open my laptop. Basically it's a large storage unit at this point. Marissa had a small bookshelf (which was actually mine, but I left it for her to use) that Jason carted down yesterday. It's smaller than the desk and will hold many of the things that are currently in and on the desk. Then the desk will move into the living room until I can sell it.
There is also a pile of stuff that has been accumulating in the dining room for, oh, the last year, waiting to be sold. We're going to have a Craig's List extravaganza!
Also, and I am SO excited about this, Jason is letting me throw away his ratty old armchair that is currently covered in an ill-fitting slipcover and about 3 pounds of cat fur. The last time I sat in that chair, I got hurt by some sort of tack. It's not a friendly chair. And I get to just put it out on the curb to be hauled off by the garbage men. Hurray!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Foodie
I thought this was pretty fun, although I don't know if I agree with some of the things that are on this must-eat list. Regardless, I'm progressing well toward having a complete list.
1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating. (I made them red because I can't cross out in Blogger)
4) Optional extra: Post a comment here at Very Good Taste linking to your results.
I also took the extra step of italicizing all the things I can't try due to religion. Out of the 88 things not prohibited by my religion, I've tried 51. Pretty good.
1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating. (I made them red because I can't cross out in Blogger)
4) Optional extra: Post a comment here at Very Good Taste linking to your results.
I also took the extra step of italicizing all the things I can't try due to religion. Out of the 88 things not prohibited by my religion, I've tried 51. Pretty good.
The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred:
1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile (I count this as a yes because I have had Alligator)
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. Peanut butter and jelly sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomato (for shame on me. Next year I'm growing an heirloom tomato)
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese (no, no, no. My grandpa ate this stuff. The smell was enough to put me off forever)
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi (not salted. I've had sweet lassi actually in India, so I think that should count for half a point)
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects (chopped up insects I would probably try. Maybe something in a nice casserole)
43. Phaal (maybe. Probably not since it has a reputation of being insanely hot according to Wikipedia, but I did have some pretty spicy stuff when we were in southern India)
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear (I'm counting this as a yes even though I've never had the prickly pear pad itself. They used to serve us prickly pear fruit jelly on the PB&J in elementary school. Things that happen when you grow up in Tucson)
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian (in a shake. What a way to mess up a perfectly good shake)
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini (I've had each separately. Versus a caviar-stuffed blini)
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant (maybe. I've eaten selections at a couple of fancy places during Restaurant Week)
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake
Monday, August 25, 2008
Busy Busy
We have begun the month-long adventure with Jason's siblings. Jason's youngest brother Taylor is in town and we met each other for the first time on Thursday since he was on a mission when Jason and I got married. He seems pretty fun so far. Unlike the other brothers he's kind of an extrovert, dresses fashionably, uses hair product, and has absolutely no problem calling restaurants to make reservations*. Jason says they're not quite sure where Taylor came from.
Taylor and Marissa stayed with us this weekend. On Saturday we went kayaking on the Narrow River. We paddled down to Narragansett Beach, parked our boats on a sandbar and went swimming. Then we paddled back. Paddling upriver - kind of hard actually. Taylor almost got swept out to sea, but he fought his way out of the current. My shoulders are still sore. I had never been kayaking before and I really liked it. So much so that I told Jason we should look into getting one, but then he pointed out that we have no place to keep it. Darn.
Yesterday we watched the Olympics and they played a lot of Rock Band while I cleaned up my desk and cooked dinner. I know, it sounds like I'm a bedraggled housewife whose husband parties while I do all the work. But I've been wanting to clean my desk for awhile. When Jason saw me working so hard he stopped playing and asked me what he could do to help. I told him nothing since I was cleaning up my own stuff. Sweet of him to ask, though.
Last night I made Soyaki marinated pork chops, sesame steamed zucchini and tortellini. I was going to make rice to keep with the Asian theme, but meal moths had gotten into the bag. I don't think rice is supposed to wiggle...
Taylor leaves Friday, but as of September 1, Marissa is moving in with us for a week. then she and Jason are driving to Seattle to take her to grad school. I'm really going to miss having her around and I know Jason is too. All of his siblings have moved away from him now. However, soon after Jason gets back from Seattle, Brandon and Sarah are coming back from India and will be staying with us for several days while they figure out what to do with the things they left behind in storage in Boston before they move to California.
Good thing I like Jason's family.
*The rest of the siblings have mild to severe phone phobia. It was kind of nice to not be the only one making those calls this weekend.
Taylor and Marissa stayed with us this weekend. On Saturday we went kayaking on the Narrow River. We paddled down to Narragansett Beach, parked our boats on a sandbar and went swimming. Then we paddled back. Paddling upriver - kind of hard actually. Taylor almost got swept out to sea, but he fought his way out of the current. My shoulders are still sore. I had never been kayaking before and I really liked it. So much so that I told Jason we should look into getting one, but then he pointed out that we have no place to keep it. Darn.
Yesterday we watched the Olympics and they played a lot of Rock Band while I cleaned up my desk and cooked dinner. I know, it sounds like I'm a bedraggled housewife whose husband parties while I do all the work. But I've been wanting to clean my desk for awhile. When Jason saw me working so hard he stopped playing and asked me what he could do to help. I told him nothing since I was cleaning up my own stuff. Sweet of him to ask, though.
Last night I made Soyaki marinated pork chops, sesame steamed zucchini and tortellini. I was going to make rice to keep with the Asian theme, but meal moths had gotten into the bag. I don't think rice is supposed to wiggle...
Taylor leaves Friday, but as of September 1, Marissa is moving in with us for a week. then she and Jason are driving to Seattle to take her to grad school. I'm really going to miss having her around and I know Jason is too. All of his siblings have moved away from him now. However, soon after Jason gets back from Seattle, Brandon and Sarah are coming back from India and will be staying with us for several days while they figure out what to do with the things they left behind in storage in Boston before they move to California.
Good thing I like Jason's family.
*The rest of the siblings have mild to severe phone phobia. It was kind of nice to not be the only one making those calls this weekend.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Dating and Marriage
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.
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.
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?
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