Martin Luther King, Jr. - Inspiration for Us All

It has been quite some time since I've had the chance to sit down and update my blog. In all honesty, I don't have an adequate amount of time to blog at the current moment. However, I felt compelled to do so in honor of this national holiday that celebrates the life of a man who was and still remains an inspiration to us all - Martin Luther King, Jr. 

King once stated that, "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." Although I have chosen to live a life where I try to nurture my dreams with a bit of hard work so that they'll ripen into reality, one thing that has remained constant is my inability to see the entire staircase. I'm not certain of where my first place of employment will be. I'm unsure of when I'll purchase my first home. I'm even uncertain of how I will impact the community that I live in. Despite those uncertainties, there is one thing that I am sure of - I will be someone who makes a difference in this world! Hopefully, in reading this, you too will be inspired to ignite a positive change in your own life and the lives of others. 

Today someone told me that you don't have to be the best, you simply have to care the most. With faith, love and the courage to act, I'm sure that we can make this world a better place. King's legacy lives inside of all of us. Stand up! Act! Let his legacy and the premises upon which he stood for be your fuel for change. It only takes faith and a step to begin a new journey. 

Define Weekend!?

If I were to ever create a Dictionary for the Incoming Law Student, the very first word that I might define would be weekend! 

Various dictionaries have different definitions for the word weekend. Almost all of them, however, will display a common theme of leisure, respite or rest. It's possible that you too may agree that weekends should be a time of rest and relaxation. Nevertheless, many law students have personally experienced that such definitions are gravely inapplicable to us! 

In order to mitigate the extreme errors found in the common definitions of the word weekend (and to simply provide comic relief to my classmates who are currently reading on a Saturday night), I've decided to create a few of my very own definitions! 

weekend (wēkˌend), n. The period of time allocated for reading, briefing, researching, cleaning, outlining, memorandum writing, sleeping, or otherwise relaxing when classes are not in session for a limited time under which there is unfortunately not enough time to complete even half (½) of the aforementioned tasks. 

weekend (wiːkˈɛnd), n. The days of the week that are akin to Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, except that in lieu of an absurd amount classes and meetings, one has an absurd amount of work to complete in preparation for future classes and meetings. 

weekend (week-end), n. An urban legend similar to unicorns, mermaids and leprechauns in that it is spoken of, but neither seen or actually experienced. 

How would you define weekend?  

A Bit of Advice Before Bedtime

Today has been a heart-wrenching, unending day for me! While preparing for for bed this evening, I discovered something that's quite mind boggling to me: I typically read and analyze cases twice as much as I sleep.

If only I felt comfortable reading cases more quickly, then I most certainly would. Unfortunately, I'm sure that whizzing through cases would do much more harm than good simply because I would not remember, understand or internalize any of the material. So, what do I plan to do? Well, I'm going to rest for a little while and wake up with a fresh start to a brand new day!

Trying to stay motivated isn't easy, but there are things that may make it easier. Here are a few tips that I used to stay motivated:

• When frustration begins to hinder me from comprehending material, I stop reading! I relax, eat dinner, and/or take a nap if I have time. Later on, I go back to the assigned task. Returning to readings that may have initially seem overwhelming to me tend to appear a bit less daunting the second or even third time around. 
• I also reward yourself after meeting or exceeding the goals that I've set. For completing an assignment or two, I may reward myself by not doing any reading outside of class the next day or by even taking a well deserved nap. For surviving a long, arduous week, I may go bowling, salsa dancing, or skating. One thing that I try not to do though is reward myself when I don't deserve it. It may seem trivial or cliche, but it works for me. 
• I smile a whole lot! Even when I'm upset, exhausted, or disappointed, I try to keep a smile on my face. There's a quote that says, "Life is a mirror; we get the best results when we smile at it." Sometimes a simple smile helps me feel better about whatever situation I'm in. It reminds me that no matter what is going wrong, I still have something to smile about!  

I think that's it for now! I should get some rest. If I haven't told you yet, thanks for visiting my blog! 

Every Day Isn't Dandelions and Apple Trees

Today has been the most difficult day I've had as a law school student. I haven't had time to synthesize last week's materials. My readings for this week are most definitely piling up. (In other words, I have roughly six hours of reading to complete for Tuesday alone.) I'm also having quite a bit of trouble finding relevant sources for one of my most important early assignments. My work ethic is working against me. My motivation seems to have gone down the drain. Nothing has gone smoothly all day and, as always, time is not on my side. 

Am I angry? No. Am I frustrated? A little. Am I worried? Absolutely not! 

Chemists, who hold dear the teachings of Isaac Newton, agree that, "For every action there is an equal and opposition reaction." Grammy award winning singers Mary Mary remind us that, "We all need a little dirt to grow." When problems arise in our lives, no matter how great or small, it's important to stay encouraged and continue to do our best. Every day isn't dandelions and apple trees. Matter of fact, some days can be more like ferocious lions and bumble bees! Nevertheless, it's hard to appreciate the good things in your life if you never have a few hardships. It's during those times that it becomes important not to give up, but to take baby steps. You can still get where you want to go! Just keep walking! 

My First First Day of Classes!

Today was my first first day of classes! I only have two more first day of classes, and then I'm done with law school and off to the real world! I'm guess I should back up and slow down for a few moments though, so that I won't get to ahead of myself. However, I'm sure I made it quite clear that I am quite excited about classes beginning!

This post will be very short considering the dozens of pages that I have to read, the four cases I should brief, and the short essay I will have to edit this evening. Needless to say, I had a delightful first day of classes today! I really, really did! I woke up at 5:30am, got dressed, ate some breakfast, and had four classes and quite a few interesting conversations. I'm quite excited about the rest of this semester and the rest of my law school career for that matter. My only hope is that the cases and readings continue to intrigue this mind of mine. 

Now, many of you know that I typically have a moral or take-away each time I write. This time I'll say this: Just because something seems too difficult, too nerve-wrecking or beyond your reach doesn't mean you shouldn't at least try! You may be surprised. Matter of fact, you may surprise yourself and even the others around you! Plus, you'll always get an A+ for effort in my book! Set goals! Be optimistic! Encourage others! And be encouraged! 

Such a Splendid Spontaneous Summer Social Soiree

I had the wonderful privilege of meeting about twenty of my fellow law school classmates yesterday evening. From the onset, however, it seemed as though our soiree was going to be a failure.

Being the first to arrive at our planned location, I naturally became fearful that no one would show up. After all, this was a spontaneous event created by a few of us anxious incoming law students, hence the use of the word in the title. By 6:30pm after sitting at a table drinking lemonade alone for nearly ten minutes, I was nearly overcome with nervousness. Outwardly, I'm sure that I appeared quite normal, but inwardly, I was full of doubt. No one was early except for me. The thunderstorms would probably keep everyone indoors. Maybe no one really wanted to come anyways. I even began planning when I could give up and go home. If no one shows up by 6:45pm, then maybe I should just leave. I'M SO GLAD THAT I DIDN'T!

After a few moments of panic, the first of my classmates arrived. Within the hour, many of us were sitting in a large circle laughing, connecting, and forging friendships that I know will grow much stronger over the years. At some point, mid-conversation, it became apparent that about 90% of our group hadn't eaten dinner, and well, if you know me, you know exactly what I did! I excused myself and walked right into a widely known restaurant a few blocks away. Once inside, I asked the hostess if they had enough seating capacity and available staff members to handle such a large group. She said yes!!! In no time we all happily walked over together to restaurant. The live music was pleasant. The food was delicious! The company... the company was even better.

As a result of yesterday's events, knowing that I've made some good decisions in my life and some not-so-good decisions in my life, I'm almost certain that this decision was a great one!

For those who are counting down with me, orientation is in three days and classes begin in a mere eight days! 

Less Than Two Weeks Away!!!!!!!!!

It's August 6, 2011 already! Unbelievable! That means that there are only a few days left of my summer. On the seventeenth I will take one of the largest steps that I've ever taken in my life! It'll be one small step for me and one giant leap for mankind! (cue dramatic music) 

In all actuality, whenever I think about the big picture of my life and the lives of those of whom it will impact, it makes me happy... beyond happy! Unfortunately, for every action there is a reaction and for every good thing, there's usually something that's not so good.

Briefing hundreds of cases? Not so good. Sleeping an average of five hours a day? Probably even worse. Reading for about seventy-five hours a week? Heartbreaking! Changing the world like my best friend and many of us other Oberlin alums plan to do? Priceless! (Feel free to view my best friend's blog "Operation Change The World.")

I know that many of you wondering whether I am really ready for law school? The short answer to that question would be yes. The long answer would be, "Well, it seems like I have so much to do before classes begin. I have already been assigned readings not only for the first day of classes, but also for the first day of orientation! I feel so unprepared. Time has become my greatest enemy! I have yet to go grocery shopping! I barely read one-fourth of the books on my summer reading list because I was working fifty hours each week. I haven't bought a new dress for orientation day, which is a must-have! Plus, I've been sleep deprived for a good portion of the summer. Despite all of these things, I wouldn't have it any other way! I've had a surprisingly enjoyable summer. More importantly, I've had the pleasure of meeting and working with several amazing individuals. I know what receiving this law degree means to me, my family, my future, and all of those who are connected to me, whether they are living here on Earth or looking down on me from heaven. Classes don't begin tomorrow, which means I have time. The little time that I do have will be well spent. I may not necessarily feel ready for law school at this present moment, but once the curtains are drawn, the show will begin and I will be ready for my closeup!"

P.S. I was rather sleepy while writing this post. I may think twice before doing that again. I have a tendency to become really silly when I need rest. 

Disc Golf and Other Things

Have YOU ever heard of disc golf? Well, I didn't know about it until Sunday afternoon. 

Three of my new friends here in Illinois asked me whether I wanted to join them in a game of disc golf. I didn't understand what game they wanted me to play - mainly because I thought the were saying diskov, which isn't a word in the English language - but I went anyways. When we arrived at the field, I saw a sign that read "Disc Golf." It wasn't until then that I knew the actual name of the game. We drew sticks to pick teams fairly and began. My teammate and I ended up losing horribly. By the time the game was halfway over, we were so far behind that it would have been nearly impossible to catch up. I did get to see a toad though‼ Since I've never seen a toad before, it kind of delayed the game for a few minutes. Overall, I learned a lot about the sport, and I figured out why I've never drawn sticks or straws before. Rock, paper, scissors is much better‼‼

Here's a small list of a few other things that I learned this week: 

• Google+ is great‼ The hangout feature on this site is utterly amazing‼
• I really enjoy both of the jobs that I have right now.
• I'm excited to begin law school next month. I'm even more excited to write case briefs, which is a bit weird.
• I really, really, really like grapefruits. I think that it may be because they remind me of my grandmother. She used to eat occasionally when I was a little girl.
• The month of July is whizzing by rather quickly.
• Trying to understand the motives of another person is the equivalent of trying to fly a hot air balloon with cold air. It's useless and will most likely be a big waste of time. It's usually better to simply be open and hope that that particular person will tell you the truth.
• I should take my own advice more often‼‼‼

The Bittersweet Truth in Five Seconds Flat

 

The Cookie That Drove Me to Tears

There I stood gazing out of a window from the thirty-eight floor of one of the tallest, most beautiful buildings in the Windy City. Below me were hundreds, no, thousands of strangers, many of whom I would never meet. Beside me were a handful of law students with whom I had just become acquainted. In my right hand was a cookie, a delicious, half-eaten M&M's® cookie. It was the first one that I can remember eating in well over a month. I stared down at the cookie happily, fully understanding all that it symbolized, and burst into tears‼

My recent trip to Chicago was more than another networking adventure or a business trip. It more accurately represented a glimpse of my future reality - a reality, that before last weekend, had not been clearly visible to me. Over the course of the weekend, I was introduced to some of the most prominent lawyers, judges, and legal scholars that reside within this nation. I was able to engage in conversation with many of them during panel discussions, mentoring sessions, and unimaginably delightful meals. One meal in particular gave me the feeling that I was long-lost princess finally returning to the place that she'd be arduously searching for for so many years. Simply put, I will never ever forget the experience that I had in this particular restaurant. After tea and drinks were provided for myself and the other attendees, restaurant servers walked amongst us carrying dainty hors d'œuvres on fancy, wooden boards. Following the starter course, our hostess welcomed us into a separate display area filled with a plethora of soups, salads, and bread selections. Later on during the meal several chefs began to circle the dining room offering various samplings of their prized creations. As a means of describing just how unique and wonderful this dining experience was, I consulted with two of the servers in order to comprise the following list: 

Fire Grilled Ribeye

Wagyu Beef

Spit Roasted Leg of Lamb

Curry Lime Red Snapper

Amaretto and Pistachio Duck Breast 

Linguica Pork Sausage

Asian Pork Belly 

Bottom Sirloin 

Moroccan Chicken 

New Zealand Venison

The aforementioned foods were the tableside samplings that were provided during the main course , along with some of the most additively yummy spinach dip and other small dishes.  I sampled each one of the meats except for the pork belly and venison. Just when I thought I couldn't possibly eat another bite, dessert was served. Charming little cheesecake squares, brownie bites and other pastries filled the center of each table. My taste buds were overwhelmed‼‼

Now, why I'm sharing this story? Well, I may not be a philanthropist at the moment, but I can definitely donate my time and a few encouraging words. Many people agree that, "Hard work pays off." Yet, there are so many others that are not willing to put in the hard work necessary to realize such a worthy payment. Education, in my opinion, is one of the best routes to success‼ The wonderful thing is that as long as there is breath in your body, then it is not too late. Ken Wilde, a Holocaust survivor, received a master's degree in history at age eighty-six. His inspiring story should do exactly what it is set out to do - inspire‼ Hopefully, my story will inspire as well. 

(It's also worth noting that I do not mind editing essays, helping with resume writing, or sharing my perspective. Whether that be tonight or years down the road, I will try my best to make time for what's important. Someone helped me, mentored me, and advised me. With each step that I take I am one step closer to doing the same thing for someone else and making a larger impact in my community. That's what it's all about‼‼‼)

What Happened to June?

"IT'S JULY‼‼??‼?‼??‼"

That's the first thing that came to my mind when I woke up earlier today. Panic ensued shortly afterward.

I have yet to make plans for the Fourth of July. Training for my second job will begin next week! My first business trip is less than two weeks away‼ The first bills I've ever paid will be due this month!!!! LAW SCHOOL WILL BEGIN NEXT MONTH‼‼‼‼‼‼‼ AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH‼‼‼‼‼‼‼‼‼‼‼‼‼‼

Can someone please tell me what happened to June? Did two or three weeks of the month of June somehow get misplaced? Will July speed by in a similar fashion? Will I have enough time to read all of the books on my book list before the summer ends? Will I be well-rested by the time classes begin?

I most certainly don't have the answer to all of these questions, but there is one question that I can do my very best to answer affirmatively. I can try my hardest to be well-rested by the time August 17, 2011 rolls around. I think that I may even start a new goal - to get at least fifty-five hours of sleep each week until orientation begins. I know what it's like to start the semester off on the wrong foot. Once you're behind, you're always behind... or at least it seems that way‼ Sleep is more important than most people think. It's also one of those things that many of us take for granted. Science tells us that getting an adequate amount of rest reduces stress, improves memory, reduces the chance of diabetes, and helps one to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system - all of which could benefit me in both the long term and short term. Therefore, this new goal of mine will take effect immediately‼‼ In other words, goodnight everyone‼‼‼

A Whole New World of Articles!

For the past few days, I've been reading books, watching tutorials, and browsing articles way into the wee hours of the morning. The various articles that I've been reading tonight have been so intriguing, that I've decided to share them all. Here's a short list of all of the tabs that I have open in my browser at this very second:

• It's certified: These firms empower women 
• This list is definitely going in one of my Word documents. It's very informative‼
• Studying for Bar Exam? Despair May Stalk You
• I really liked the end of this article and the storytelling element of his writing style.
• YouTube - Karen Clark Sheard Couldn't Tell It pt. 1 
• Amazingly, I can listen to music and read at the same time without getting distracted by her magnificent voice. 
• Lawyer's Motion Objects to Opponents Use of Possessives 
• The opening line of this article is beyond words‼‼‼
• The comments provided underneath the article only put the icing on the cake. 
• How the iPad Can Increase Lawyers' Productivity 
• I love the irony in the placement of this article directly after the aforementioned article‼
• Also, does this mean that I need an iPad? I've never used one before, and I probably shouldn't get too far behind with technological advancements, right?
• Blogger.com
• That's right. I have a tab open for this site as well. How else would I be typing all of this information?

Well, I hope that you enjoyed taking a peak into my nightly adventures. Each adventure is different. Last night, I read a few chapters of a Debbie Macomber book and a few passages of scripture before going to sleep. It's just so very refreshing to read. I guess as time goes on, my reading will focus more on legal matters. So, it's probably fantastic that I'm already getting interested in such things already.

For those of you who would like recommendations for fiction or non-fiction books, let me know‼ I've read some great things over the course of the past few months.

Enjoy your slumber, everyone‼‼‼‼‼

So Exactly What Are You Doing Right Now?

That seems to be the magic question for me now-a-days‼ Graduating from one college and immediately moving to another college twelve hours later isn't exactly something that students do regularly; so I can understand why some of my friends and family members may be a bit perplexed. Hopefully, this post will shed a bit of light into those gray areas.

I am pretty sure that surviving my first year of law school will be no easy task‼ Completing my first year of law school while balancing grades, a part-time job, and participation in a few organizations will prove to be even more difficult. That being said, when I was trying to decide what to do this summer, I knew that I didn't want to do something that would be strenuous or stressful in any respect. I am pleased to announce that my plan is working‼ I've been fairly relaxed for the past week.

I have two jobs here on campus doing things that I love to do - meeting new people and communicating with constituents via the telephone. When I'm not at work, I'm able to continue to do things that I love - explore the neighboring cities, watch films on Netflix, and sleep‼ Being able to take unexpected naps in the middle of the day is one of many blessing that this summer has offered me‼

In a way, I'm kind of hibernating right now. For the remainder of the summer I hope to conserve my energy and brain power as I recuperate from the past four years of intense essay writing, sleepless nights, and final exams. By orientation I should be refreshed, well-rested, and ready to take another step closer to the real world.

What's In A Subtitle?

Next City? Next Goal? Next Step?

Does such a subtitle have the potential to accurately describe the current road upon which I traverse? In simplest terms, yes, it does‼

To begin with, I am in a brand new city‼‼ Coming to Illinois has been a wonderful, yet occasionally difficult experience, e.g., my constant inability to make phone calls in my apartment. Luckily, I've already encountered some equally wonderful people here who have been able to help me with my transition. I haven't even been here a week, and I know that I'll be able to comfortably call this place home soon enough.

So about that next goal. I actually did have a goal in mind when I added those words to the subtitle of my blog. Generally speaking, my next goal is to obtain a Juris Doctor degree within the next three years. Sounds easy enough, right? Well, maybe not, but when considering other extremely arduous circumstances through which I preserved; this next goal seems much more feasible to say the least. 

Now how could I possibly explain that next step? I guess that next step can be best described as more of a series of small steps. Matter of fact, it may even correspond more closely to a dance, seeing as many of those steps will not continue along a linear path. They will be more like a dance or a performance. Just like in every performance, once the final steps have been made and the curtain has been pulled, life still goes on, but something has changed. That performance is over. Once it is over, a new focus with new steps and a new routine will emerge. You could say that now I'm taking my own steps, creating my own dance and getting ready to give my curtain call in only a few short years. Once the crowd stops applauding for me at my next commencement ceremony, I'll be One Step Closer... to the Real World.