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! 

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‼‼‼