Living the High Life of Law School

That's All She Wrote Folks...

2008-12-17T20:36:00.000-08:00

Months of studying, days interwoven with successes and failures, four tests and it was done. My post finals crash has inhibited me from writing sooner. Even now, four days later, my eyes are blurry, my brain is fuzzy and it is taking all my energy to sit down in front of a keyboard and write. It's amazing how you can be running at full throttle for so long and once you let up, just a little bit, your body doesn't know what to do. I've been so tired the last couple of days I just want to crash out on the new uber comfy couch in my mom's living room and stare at the white wall she keeps threatening to paint. On the other hand when I try to do the former scenario, I feel like I need, need, need to be doing something! No matter how tired I am my body is screaming that it needs to be up and busy. Very weird phenomenon. I'm sure if I'd gone to medical school I could have dissected the issue and gotten to the root of the problem. Since I am in law school instead, I will never know if this is normal or if I am a medical abnormality. Oh well...just something for my mind to keep itself busy with over the next four weeks!

Yes, as I said earlier finals are OVER!!! Friday at noon I submitted my Torts final and said goodbye to my first semester in law school. For better or worse it is done. I will say it was a little anti-climatic. Really weird to not have to race off and start studying for the next final. Amazing to know I could do anything I want wherever and whenever with no guilt of not studying hanging over my head. Thank you so much to all of you who have encouraged and supported me these past few months especially during finals. There were multiple times I was throwing in the towel and you were there to spur me on to completion. For that I will be ever grateful. Regardless of the outcome, it is an amazing feeling to know that I finished and that I gave it my all and did my best.

Now...I get four weeks to recoup and relax before it begins all over again. I stayed down in Salem for a couple of extra days. It was nice to spend some time in the town that I now call home, but never see. I loved being able to enjoy the beautiful apartment my roommate and I have been blessed with. Now, I am back in Lynden enjoying the snow, seeing old friends and looking forward to a well deserved break! It will be interesting to see what the next four weeks and the next semester hold!

One...and I'm DONE!!!

2008-12-09T16:50:00.000-08:00

It is amazing to me how I feel like I have been stuck in finals for the last 6 months and at the same time it feels like they just started yesterday. Regardless of when they started or how long they have been going...this I do know...I am tired! Exhausted. Willing myself to put one foot in front of another...to keep holding my head up and not let my puffy swollen eyes, which haven't seen make up on them in nearly two weeks, close indefinitely. During the many hours of studying I have often daydreamed about manual ways to keep my eyes open so I could study more...tape...toothpicks...both I believe already tried, tested and proven not to work by good old Tom & Jerry!

So...today was test number three. I can hardly believe I am three for four and there is but one more! I get a silly grin on my face when I start fantasizing about what life is going to be like come noon on Friday. No more tests...no more reading...no more hours of studying...no more school obligations weighing heavily down on me so that no spare moment can be freely enjoyed...can you tell I haven't thought about this at all?!?!? :-)

This morning I had my Contracts test. Like I said in an earlier post, it was really difficult getting geared up to study for this test. I almost had a repeat of the Sunday before where I wanted to dig my heals in and tell God "No more!" It is at these times, when I feel overwhelmed and faced with the impossible that I am so vulnerable to be driven by my deep seeded desire to get things done on my own. How hard it is to submit and get done what needs to be done.

So obstinate little me struggled with rebellion and lack of desire to do the work that needed to be done. Saturday...I will be honest...not much got done. I sat for the majority of the day staring at my class outline with words and concepts swimming before me and no desire to figure out what the pieces where and how they all fit together. After so many wasted hours of pretending to myself that I was accomplishing something I decided to face reality and call it a day. The fact I had in my mind wasted a day was defeating. Difficult to not just give up and not return for another day. After taking a quick nap, I drug my sorry sad self to church...which as usual was where I needed to be. There is such a comfort in taking time to stop and thank God for what He is doing in your life and giving Him back the driver's seat. So not easy nor very often fun for me.

After church, since I had already conceded the day, I decided to go with it. I spent the evening helping Wendy get her very first Christmas tree in her very first house. (Imagine that...my truck coming in handy again!) Much fun to be a part of that. More fun to be able to help her decorate the tree and if but for a short two hours, enjoy the fact it is Christmas time.

So...since Saturday was a loss and previous multiple inquires left me firmly believing none of you were going to let me quit, I really had to pick it up and lay it down on Sunday to make up for lost time. Although many personal contracts with myself to not physically get out of my chair for a stipulated period of time were required, a lot was accomplished on Sunday. I worked my way through damages and began tackling offer and acceptance. Many hours were also put in on Monday, but dread and the feeling of unpreparedness hung heavy over my head. I found studying for this test difficult for a couple of reasons other than just tiredness or lack of motivation. This test was difficult to study for because it was an open book, open notes test. Sounds simple, but not so. May actually have been more difficult to prepare for then the previous tests. Because I wasn't working so hard to commit every little detail and buzz word to memory I didn't feel like I had a grasp on the information.

Weirdly, I was ok with the fact I might have been unprepared and freakishly calm about it! Last night was the best night of sleep I have had before a final ever. Didn't even think twice about my test. Got up this morning with the same sense of peace. Really felt if this is where God wants me to be worrying was a waste of energy especially since I had done the studying that needed to be done.

After completing my morning test routine of coffee with a bowl of granola and yogurt while reviewing my notes at The Beanery, I meandered my way over to the law school. Today pre final time went smoothly. No panic run back to the truck for a forgotten book. Laptop fired up smoothly and highlighters were strategically positioned on the desk. I was settled into my seat in the back row with 7 minutes to spare. All in all, I think my test went well. Surprising since I felt so unprepared going into it.

There were seven questions to be completed in three hours. So...just for some background, it can be reasonably assumed my contracts professor had some nerves going into this final as well. This was his first semester teaching contracts and as such it seems like he tried to test us on every nuance we learned over the semester. Because of that it was crazy hard getting the questions answered appropriately and sufficiently in the amount of time given. I seriously think if we had just four questions instead of seven I would have still ran out of time. Honestly, there was so much more I could have written. I am glad I am saying that and not saying I didn't have anything to write. That would be bad because at no point on a law exam should you not have more to write! Anyhow...I am happy now. Happy I feel good about my Contracts test. Happy that the Contracts test is over. Even happier that in less than 72 hours my first semester as a law student will be, for better or worse, OVER!!!

An Arduous Process...

2008-12-06T09:47:00.000-08:00

Let me tell you...finishing an exam and having to turn on a dime, dig in, consume and understand the next class' massive amounts of information is an arduous process...an exhausting one quite frankly. It kind of makes me think of drag racing. You are sitting on the track, your engine is powered and only firm pressure on the brake is keeping you on the starting line. Then the flag drops...and your car catapults to the finish line at full throttle, straining with every bit of its energy to cross that finish line first. Regardless of how you place, in the blink of an eye its over. All that work for 10 seconds of action...followed by a massive adrenaline rush...then the adrenaline crash!

An adrenaline crash it is! Yesterday, I felt sooooo good knowing two test were done. This morning is so hard to get motivated know there are two tests to go. My eyes are literally have a hard time focusing on the page in front of me. Every minute I waste not studying and distracting myself with such things as writing this blog is a minute I know I am going to wish I had back on Monday evening when my stomach is a knot wishing I had just one more day to study for the following morning's test. It's inevitable, but here I still sit with my Contracts outline staring at me...almost taunting me to give it my full attention. Guess whether I want to or not...it's time to jump in!

Two More...

2008-12-05T16:58:00.000-08:00

One week of finals down. One week of finals to go. Only two more test! Can I just say...Woo Hoo! I am so excited right now to have finished my first two tests. I can hardly imagine what I am going to feel like next Friday afternoon. Can't imagine and can't hardly wait!

So, since my test on Tuesday it has been study, study, study! I will admit, Tuesday evening, like tonight was really hard to focus and get much accomplished. I think it is the crash from all the adrenaline and stress leading up to the test. Wednesday...luckily...my study juices kicked in...my eyes refocused and my brain began to reabsorb...thankfully. I got to my top secret study spot (apparently not so top secret anymore because there are a couple of 1Ls up here tonight unfortunately) at about 9 in the morning and didn't leave until 11pm. I spent the majority of the day covering the second half of my Civil Procedure class which was mainly the trial process and applicable rules. Fun, fun..."right" she says dripping with sarcasm! I was so glad to get so much accomplished on Wednesday because I only had Thursday left to be prepared for today's test.

Thursday wasn't quite as smooth as Wednesday. About halfway in I started to get overwhelmed and defeated thinking there was no way I was going to be able to retain all the needed information. Thankfully, I was able to calm down and refocus. It was also really helpful that when I started working on the first half of the class I had a really good grasp on the information. Now whether I REALLY had a good grasp or not is left to be determined. After calling it a night at about 10pm and figuring it was going to be as good as it was going to be I headed home.

The night before today's test was a lot different then the night before my Crim Law test. There was a surprising calm and hint...let me stress hint...of confidence. This morning that feeling remanded with me until about 45 minutes before the test and that is when I felt my nerves getting the best of me and I had to fight to regain control. Sticking to my routine I created on Tuesday...out the door by 7am...to The Beanery for granola, yogurt and coffee as I reviewed my notes...all went well until 8:17am, just 13 minutes before the test was to commence.

Why that exact minute? Well, it was at that exact moment, as I scurried toward the front entrance of the law school, that I noticed one of the students holding his Federal Rules of Civil Procedure book, which I unfortunately was not holding in my hot little hands! My stress level went from 0 to 10 in about 1 second flat! That book was authorized to be used in the final. Because of that I had painstakingly highlighted, tabbed it and whited out any comments I had scribbled inside so it could be my trusted ally and sidekick as I wrestled my way through the exam. Now...I had a mere 13 minutes to retrieve my book, get back to the school, get my exam packet, find the classroom it would be held in, set up my laptop and exam software and go to the bathroom all before the proctor said "You 3 hour exam starts now!" This was a tall order considering my truck was on the other side of campus. (Isn't that typical? All student parking at a college is a far away as possible from the building the student has classes in? Never fails! Ok...small side rant!)

So...I hustled and I mean hustled, with the cold morning air nipping at me, to my truck and back to the law school. I snagged a test, scooted down to the classroom, did all other necessary tasks and slid into my seat seconds before the exam began...literally seconds. So, for any future test takers out there...don't follow my lead! This is NOT a good way to start off a three hour test. Here are a couple of reasons why....my ear plugs were rendered useless for the first 20 minutes because of my heart furiously pounding after its unexpected brisk morning workout. Secondly, cutting it close made me forgo my strategic seating plan resulting in my sitting in the coldest spot in that classroom, a seat very well known to any student who has had a class in that particular room. Finally...my little unplanned detour 13 minutes before the test just plain wasn't fun! Not recommended.

So...once I settled in, it was time for the test. Good news! It was composed of four questions instead of one gigantic manic fact pattern. I think I liked that much better! So, because of that, I allotted 45 minutes per question. First two questions went down smoothly and I was as cool as a cat thinking..."Wow, I might actually be able to do this law school test taking thing!" Then question three rolled up. Yeah...I am still wondering if that question was written in French or some other foreign language unbeknown to me. I kept getting lost and confused and had to fight so hard not to get discouraged. After wrestling with it for 25 minutes to no avail I decided to move on to the final question. Thankfully I was able to knock that question out quickly and sufficiently so that I could go back to the final question for about 35 minutes. Still, I tanked that question. Luckily, I was able to find the applicable statutes but I still didn't unpack the issues as completely as I wanted to and won't garner enough points. Hopefully, the other three will be sufficient for me to pass the test. If they aren't, I will be so disappointed, but I really knew that class. At least I will leave law school confident of one thing...I will know the procedures from removing a case to federal court and remanding it to state court. Never know how much that answer will get me on Jeopardy!!! Thanks for your prayers. One more week!

One Down...Three to Go...

2008-12-02T14:16:00.000-08:00

So Tuesday, December 2, the day that has long been looming on the horizon is finally here. Today was my Criminal Law Final...let me give you some background leading up to today.

The few days prior to this morning were intensely devoted to studying for my crim final, but there were some bumps and a few emotional breakdowns along the way. Friday, after saying goodbye to my mom who came down for Thanksgiving, the fun started. I spent the majority of that day trying to get my bearings on the information. Saturday is where doubt and desire to flee began to raise it's ugly head. The day started with frustration of not being able to find a good place to study. Finally landing in the "Fishbowl", a glass rotunda over in the undergrad library, I buckled down and dug in. After eight hours of reviewing and studying I left overwhelmed and defeated. On Sunday, the beast of "failure" continued to grow within me. By noon that day, I had justified why I could drop and not take any finals. With that firmly established in my mind, I didn't study all afternoon, enjoying all the tv shows I haven't seen because in law school there is no time for tv!

Well, God has a sense of humor doesn't He? Even though I made it very clear to Him I would be dropping out of law school and working at Starbucks, He let me know otherwise. Sunday evening, I had planned on meeting with my friend Wendy, who has been my mentor and major support over the last couple of months. After confidently laying out my decision to her I was told I would be taking the test. Hmmmmm...I wasn't too happy with that, but in the end Wendy was right. Not only did Wendy set me on the straight and narrow, she graciously devoted her valued time demonstrating to me that I really did know more than I thought I did. So, Sunday evening we spent 5 hours dissecting murder (ick! gross visual!), discussing strict liability and complicity among other things.

Monday, I really felt God's presence as I raced to make up for lost time. For the first time, things started "sticking" in my head to the point that I could finally recall them encouraging me to persevere. Again, Wendy took me under her wing spending her lunch break reviewing with me and helping me a plan of attack for the test. By the time I finished studying on Monday I felt like I would survive the test. No, I didn't feel like I was as prepared as I wanted to be, but worrying over that was a waste of energy and a lack of trust in God's desire to bring me through this adversity strong and wiser.

So...this morning...game on! Time for my first law school final. I got up about 6:30am. For many of you that know me, 6:30am is a time of day I avoid at all costs. Unfortunately, that was not an option today! I left the house by about 7am and headed to The Beanery, a local coffee shop. I spent an hour have a good breakfast (yogurt and granola), drinking coffee, spending time in prayer, reviewing my notes and trying to stay as calm as possible!

I arrived at school at about 8:10am, about 20 minutes before the test. You could feel the tension in the air as the school buzzed with 1Ls darting around attending to last minute details before the test began. Some were oblivious to the world with Ipods blaring in their ears, looking like an athlete before the big game. Others relieved their tension by joking around with friends, many of whom had not seen each other in a long time because all have been in hiding studying. Still others kept themselves busy by hunting for the perfect seat to sit in and take their test. This often required multiple failed attempts of setting up one's computer, setting out all the necessary writing utensils and assess the annoyance level of the students who settled in around them only to discover after all that work that a seat three rows down and five seats to the left look much more attractive...time to pack up, move and start all over again.

Amazingly, the last couple of minutes were filled with cheesy questions...what's my exam number? What class is this? How do I turn the software on? I was a little surprised considering we are all hyper type A personalities with strong tendencies to check, double check and triple check all elements of an objective and which elements could weaken the successful completion of the objective, passing the crim law exam. Apparently a few non type A personalities have slipped into our ranks! Oh, well...variety is good and provides for good pre exam entertainment and distraction.

About two minutes before the start of the test the IT guy came in to make sure we all had access to the exam soft so we could be off and running when the starting gun sounded (well...not a literal starting gun!). He was shortly followed by the exam proctor. After a couple of brief instructions, the clock started to run.

The air in the room was tense and filled with the sound of students ripping into their exam envelopes to extrapolate its contents. Inside the envelope, I found blue books, scratch paper, a pencil (which I wish I would've known it was in there!), scan tron and a twelve page exam...yes 12 pages, which included a 6 or 7 page fact pattern filled with murder, robbery, conspiracy and death. Have to admit, never had quite the amount of entertainment reading an exam in undergrad as I did this one. So, the next three hours flew by as I answered the multiple choice questions (there were only 10) and worked on solving the fact pattern riddle. All in all I am happy...happy the test is over...happy I didn't spend 3 hours staring at a computer screen with nothing to say...quite the contrary...I had too much too say and massively ran out of time.

So, it is a guarantee this final will not grab top paper honors. I am just hoping it garners enough points for me to pass the class. We'll see. It is entirely out of my hands right now and once this blog is posted I will be putting crim law out of my head! Now, it is time for some serious Civil Procedure cramming! That test will be this Friday at 8:30am. Again with the 8:30am. I think they need to make accommodations for the students that aren't morning people! I can already hear their arguments as to why they don't :-)

Finally, I just want to thank people for their prayers. I felt so supported by my family and particularly my Salem Alliance friends, many of whom I don't know, but who have adopted me, kind of like the stray cat that I am. God continues to reflect His love and care for me through others. Ultimately...this little law school project is His gig! I'm just along for the roller coaster of a ride!

A Knot in my Neck...

2008-11-26T19:01:00.001-08:00

So...this persistent knot in my neck is a tell tale sign I'm hitting my breaking point! What I wouldn't pay for a massage right now...that is if I had money to pay :-)

As I sit here ignoring my studying by writing this blog, I can't turn my mind off from all that I have to learn. Today, we had our last class and it is now officially game on! Since class I have reviewed torts...not sure how much good that did and have worked on Crim Law. I so don't feel like anything is sticking in my head. I know what my problem is...I don't have a clue of how to tackle this stuff. I haven't figured out my game plan right now so I am just shooting from the hip. I don't have much more time to get this figured out. I am going to take tomorrow off from studying...my first full day off (if I actually accomplish it) since August. My mom is going to be here tonight for Thanksgiving and gives me a good excuse to close the books a bit. Friday I have to get things figured out if it kills me. One thing I have figured out...I have to stay away from other students because what little confidence I do have flies out the window when I am around them. They all seems so confident and on top of it. The funny thing is...I REALLY want to understand it. I really want to do well and that is a big heart change from even just 6 weeks ago. I really am starting to enjoy it. I really just need to start understanding it!

Anyhow...I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving with your families!

Lawyer or Scherpa?

2008-11-22T13:18:00.000-08:00

So...as I hiked down the street to my study spot yesterdy I deeply contemplated whether I signed up to study for a new career in law or for a new career as a scherpa? It sure seems to me that on a highly regular basis I am carrying my weight in books from one point to another. Now that's a serious amout of books! Often the word for it is "painful"!

This last week was my final full week of classes. Next week there are some sporadic class requirements, but beyond that it is full throttle finals. Right now, as I type, I am sitting in a windowless computer lab in the basement of the law school library waiting as all my criminal law notes print slowly...very slowly...on a rickety old printer which wheezes and squeaks with every print leaving one to wonder if it will successfully accomplishes its task?!?!?

Earlier this morning I attended an Torts test taking prep class. I am trying really hard not to get discouraged. That can be an unfortunately slippery slope. The teaching assistants gave us 3 test questions. On the first question we had 10 minutes to spot issues and outline what our answer would be. I did ok in spotting the issues, I just didn't know what they meant by outlining it. It was really helpful to see what they meant.

On the second question, which had two parts, we had 20 minutes to spot issues, outline and write an answer for part A. For some reason I seriously froze on this question. Drew blanks! Everything looked familiar and I could see there were issues, but I couldn't for the life of me articulate them. I could easily answer the second part of the question, but that was not what was asked of me.

Finally, the third question. I had 45 minutes to spot issues, outline and write my answer. This time I was able to use my notes. Was so-so, nothing spectacular and I was not just super slow...I was super duper slow! All in all I think this was a really good learning opportunity and if I am not careful a really good opportunity for me to slid into the abyss of "I stink at this and am going to fail miserably!". I am really having a hard time recalling what I am learning and figuring out how it all interacts and applies. Over the next week I am going to have to have an awe moment on this stuff or I am basically screwed. The funny thing about that is I suddenly don't want to flunk out and want to make it to the next round.

Ok...my massive quantity of notes have finally stopped printing. (Where's Todd G. when I need him? He would be astounded by the miserable print quality and quickly make it all better for me!) So...I am off to wade my way through criminal law!!! Thank you again for your continued prayers!!!

10 minute break...

2008-11-18T14:07:00.000-08:00

So...I am giving myself a 10 minute break to do a little blogging. Seriously...I have to limit it to 10 minutes otherwise I will procrastinate for a good hour during which I should have been studying!

Today is "Two Week Tuesday"! Huh?!?!? you ask...Two weeks from today I will have completed writing my first final for law school. Can hardly believe it is only two weeks away! Still so much studying to do between here and there especially since I haven't done any studying for that final yet. My goal is to finish my Civil Procedure outline by Thursday. Work on Torts again on Friday and Saturday morning. Starting on Saturday afternoon, nothing but Criminal Law until the final on Tuesday, Dec. 2. I hope that is a good plan. We'll see. Everything is so suspect because I've never done this before and don't know if I am going about it correctly.

You would be amazed at the changes around school as finals approach. The student lounge is often empty even in the middle of the day where normal it is packed with students hanging out, laughing and having a good time. Any students in the lounge tend to be busy studying...go figure! The library is nuts. I haven't studied there for weeks. Too many people around equals too much noise. Luckily, I have been blessed with a couple of sweet study spots that seem to be working for me right now. Also, you see a lot of students with Ipods on and not necessarily for the "coolness" of it. Ipoding right now is a brilliant thing. It allows you to avoid the head games that go on. I have a really hard time hearing people talk about all the studying they have done and freely demonstrating their knowledge of a subject. I often have to battle my mind and not compare myself. Putting on headphones or avoiding other students has really helped me. Unfortunately, it is very isolating, but I figure it is just for a couple of weeks and then I can reenter society.

I have found myself back in the gym of late. This is a good thing although sometimes it is hard to close the books, put my tennis shoes on and work out. Such a stress reliever and for that one hour of workout my mind is often free of school and life. Also good because I really need to get back into the gym and take care of my physical self. Thankfully, God is giving me support in this area. A couple of my friends drag me into the gym with them. Accountability is a good thing.

Ok...my ten minutes is up! Gots to go back into isolation mode! Hope you are all well!

Finishing with the Prosecution...

2008-11-12T21:10:00.001-08:00

Hey, Hey...So tonight the Don Turner Moot Court competition ended. How lucky was I to get to witness with the winning team? Over the last four nights I have learned a lot and my appetite has been wet for the court room.

Tonight, my team...Kelly Ireland and Jason Seibert, both 3Ls, represented the prosecution in a murder case. They did a great job. It was a lot of fun watching and learning from them.

Another great part of tonight, was that Oregon Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul De Muniz, presided over the trial. It was interesting to watch him guide the trial and listen to him share his wisdom and experience with the contestants at the end of the evening. Just another perk of being a student at Willamette College of Law. Oh...here is a look at the final tally sheet. It was a close competition! (You can click on the image and it will be enlarged. Kinda cool!)

30 Days and Counting...

2008-11-11T22:48:00.000-08:00

Seriously...hard to believe just 30 days from now I will be sitting here without any reading or research hanging over my head! As much as I am looking forward to that moment, it's the moments in between that are taking me to levels of stress I've never experienced before. Am trying to find a way to balance it and be ok with what I am doing.

So...besides regular class work and working on outlines...I've spent time helping with the Don Turner Moot Court competition this week. Monday night I got to be a witness for the defense playing the part of the accused's mom. Tonight, I was a witness for the prosecution. My heels came in handy as I played the part of Buffy, the slutty wife of the accused. Besides being a lot of fun, it is a great learning experience. Watching the teams compete and getting to hear input from the judges is really beneficial. Tonight's judge left me with a little bit of a ray of hope. After watching him run the competition, hearing his litigation stories and learning about his success in law, I was thinking...this boy is definitely a smartie. A graduate of Willamette in 2004, he provided some information that just brought sunshine to this 1L's life. He told us that he graduated second to last in his class!!! Yes, you read that correctly...second to last!!! Now, this is what made me laugh...he said every year he and the guy who graduated last in his class take a trip together to Vegas to celebrate. Isn't that great! Comforting to know that rank doesn't determine success. Now I just need to get that burnt into my brain!

Again...rank doesn't determine success! Hope you are all well! Drop me a line if you have time. Would be so nice to hear how you are doing! I miss hearing from people. I have to remember it's not all about me :-)

5 Weeks and Counting...

2008-11-07T23:05:00.000-08:00

Crunch time is on and boy am I feeling it. I have 2 1/2 more weeks of classes and then finals get rolling. I will be honest I am absolutely FREAKING OUT right now! I have never felt something so impossible lay in front of me before. I worked on studying Torts today and feel like I know nothing let alone know how to apply anything. My mom reminded me of myself the other day. When I was four-years-old I couldn't clean my room because it was too overwhelming for me. So instead of cleaning, I just didn't do anything. I think it is that same reaction I am having right now. I feel so overwhelmed with the amount of work I need to finish to be prepared for finals.

So...this week I am supposed to be getting completely prepped for Torts, which will be my last final on December 12. Next week, I will outline and study for Contracts, my third final on December 9. The following week I will finish my outline for Civil Procedure, my final on December 5. The week of Thanksgiving, I have to get Criminal Law under control. Crim Law is unfortunately my first test and the test I think is going to be most difficult for me. There is so much to know and memorize and I am absolutely lost and overwhelmed.

In a nutshell, I feel so incapable right now. There is no way I can do this own my own power and that is a very unusual, uncomfortable position for me. I want to do well, but right now that seems so impossible. Please keep me in your prayers...

Tuesday Triumphs!

2008-11-04T23:56:00.000-08:00

So...today should have been a typical Tuesday...get up, go to class, study...study...study! Took a little bit of a twist today. Since I have spent so many hours studying the last two weeks getting this memo done...I allowed myself a bit of a break...sort of :-) Although I gave myself a break from the books, which I will probably be severely regretting tomorrow! I spent the afternoon getting tons of things done that have been ignored for weeks. One thing I've been ignoring is buying groceries. One hour and a shopping cart full later, I think...actually hope...I don't have to grocery shop again for the next 5 weeks. Eating can sometimes be such a big inconvenience. Came home, and after schlepping all $125 worth of groceries up to my third floor apartment I tackled other projects that have been put on the back burner for weeks...well maybe more like months. Cleaned the kitchen. Amazing how dirty something is when you actually look at it. Made pulled pork sandwiches. All I can say is yum, yum, yum. Home cooked food is always a good thing, but a very rare thing in this law student house. Did my laundry...all four loads of it! Yeah...translated into a family of four terms for relevance...that would be like 50 loads for one week. Total crazy amount of laundry for me. Went to workout. Took a spin class. Always a good thing and something so incredibly missed in my life right now. After class, enlisted my roommate to help me color my horribly gray hair. Amazing what a $8 box of hair color can do. Amazing what the life of a college student has reduced me to :-( A lot dark, but I am hoping a few washes will lighten it up. Will be honest and say I am missing my salon colored hair just a little bit! Something to look forward to over the Christmas break! So...I've uploaded a couple of pictures for you to enjoy of my adventures of hair coloring! So...today...although a break from studying...I got a lot done to get me set up for the next 5 1/2 weeks of intense studying. I hope I can get focused and begin easily absorbing the massive information I need to retain to do well. The countdown to finals is ON! The clock is ticking!

Signed...sealed...delivered!!!

2008-11-03T23:54:00.000-08:00

Oh, happy day! I finished my memo today. Well...almost. I still need to read through it one more time, print it and turn it in, but that is as good as finished! Let me just tell you how sweet it is to have this project done. When I first got my syllabus for Legal Writing and Research, November 4th burned itself into my mind. Not because, it was election day, but because for me to get to November 5th, I was going to have to get this hellacious memo written. Why so tough you ask especially for someone like me that has a writing background? Because legal writing goes against anything I have ever learned before. It is unbelievable restrictive and technical. You know me if it is not perfect I can't handle it. Well, I am widely embracing the fact that right now, until I understand the process better, perfection and I are going to be at odds.

So...this memo process started about two and a half weeks ago when Professor Mazur-Hart emailed out our fact pattern for the assignment. Ultimately, I had to research whether a restaurant and bar owner had a duty to protect a customer from being shot by an armed robber if the incident was not foreseeable and if the owner and his employee had an independent duty to comply with the robber's demands while the robbery was in progress in an effort to protect the customer. So, that information in hand...I headed to the library. That is where this whole process started to go horribly wrong!

Amidst the stacks and stacks of digests, ALR's, restatements.....I became very dazed and confused. For some reason the process of legal research is so all encompassing and overwhelming for me that what should have taken 5 hours took me 2 1/2 days! Yeah...seriously, painful! Not until someone came and walked me step by step through the process did I understand it enough to forge forward. Thank goodness of people who are generous with their time and no question is a dumb question. These days I seem to be filled with LOTS of questions!!!

So after days of wading through research, I finally compiled sufficient cases to begin the writing process. Another roadblock! I get so lost in the minutia of the cases, I discount them as being applicable when they are highly applicable. I can't begin to tell you how many hours I spent reading and re-reading and organizing and re-organizing and walking away with no progress...being no closer to completing the 15 page requirement.

Apparently, I need massive pressure and LOTS of prayer to get things accomplished this weekend. Friday, I spent until 11:30p working on it and walked away with about 3 usable pages. Saturday I worked on it for 9 hours with a total 8 roughly written pages. Sunday, after embarrassingly meeting with a teaching assistant (embarrassed because I was so far behind in my opinion!) and after tons of prayer from family and friends I was able to knock out a chunk of the writing and this evening I finished. Of course I could spend days revising and adjusting, but I am so thankful I have something to turn in I am satisfied with.

Ultimately, no matter how much work this project was and no matter what grade I get (as long as I don't have to rewrite!), this project has been a huge success. I have made advances in my ability to do legal writing. I have a better understanding of how to research. I am learning how to be ok with ok and not beat myself up over having nothing less than a masterpiece. Most of all...at no point during these 2 1/2 very, very trying weeks was I trying to hatch an escape plan! I'd say that is progress!

Now on to bigger mountains!!! FINALS!!!!

A little glimpse...

2008-10-30T15:55:00.000-07:00

So...here I sit in the John C. Paulus Great Hall in a make-up Torts class. I thought you might enjoy a little glimpse of my world. I stealthfully took a little video of Professor Richardson lecturing. You probably won't be able to hear what he is saying, but I vaguely remember him discussing "getting a beer from a vendor at a ballgame". Can't quite remember how he was applying that to assumption of risk. I am sure it was relevant though. Professor Richardson definitly has some entertaining stories. He is the professor who has so given me my favorite line so far...when discussing a fight he got into with the school bully when he was freshman in high school in the late 50's he explained how in the heat of battle he lost control and pummeled the bully...think of "A Christmas Story". His closing comment in refering to the bully, who was the instigator of the fight, was "that's what he [the bully] gets for stepping on superman's cape!" Enjoy!

The countdown...

2008-10-29T19:08:00.000-07:00

Hi...everyone! I am making time to write a post today. Thought it would give me a little bit of a study break. First, I thought I'd include some pictures of some of the beauty I get to walk through as I cruise across the campus to class. The colors of fall are amazing. Pictures don't even do it justice!!! I love the crunch, crunch, crunch sound under my feet as I walk. God definitly has an eye for incredible beauty.

So...back to school :-) Right now all 1Ls are experiencing a law school endurance test and counting the days until Nov. 4. Some counting in anticipation. Some counting in fear and no not because it is election day. November 4 1L students have their final memo due. For my class it is an open research memo on a tort issue. So, a lot of time is being spent in the library searching through dusty volumes of reporters, digests, plus any other publications that will provide guidance. The fact pattern for my assignment requires me to research whether a restaurant owner owes a duty of care to a customer in an unforeseeable attack by a third party. Also do the owner and employee owe a duty of care to the customer when an attack is already in progress? Burning questions we all want to know, huh?!??

I have really struggled on this project. It is all so new and pressurized. I will say as hard as it is, I haven't been contemplating escape plans on a daily basis. This is good, huh?!?!? As soon as I get this memo done and turned in, it time to crank up the dial on studying for finals. Next week I will spend the week studying for my last final torts. The following week will be for my third final contracts and so on and so on until finals start which is on Dec. 2. They end on Dec. 12 and I am so looking forward to four weeks of veggin' and hanging out with friends.

Yesterday, we had a madatory meeting with Career Services. Things are already getting moving on getting summer laid out...do I work...do I study abroad...do I do something absolutely not related to law? I'll be honest, thinking about summer is so far from my mind right now. Too much other stuff to think about and process.

So lot of school on the horizon over the next 6 1/2 weeks. If you don't hear much from me it is not because I don't love you, it's because I am consumed!!! Thank you so much for keeping me in your prayers I sooooooooooo need them, I can't even tell you!!!! Also...thanks for praying for my niece Ruby...she is doing much better. The antibotics are having a good result on the staph in her foot. It was really scary having her in and out of the hospital, but God is a healing God and we are so thankful for that!!!! Thanks again!

Rocky at the Top...

2008-10-18T01:12:00.000-07:00

So...today mark the official halfway point...the top of the mountain pass where it is all supposed to be downhill from here. I'm not sure I would describe the halfway point as the top of the mountain...mountain tops symbolize beauty, peace and tranquility to me (where I should be twirling and singing "the hills are alive with the sound of music...falalalalala")...none of which aptly address my state of mind right now at the "halfway point" of my first semester of law school. I think a better analogy (one I will steal from Bob Marvel and twist for my own intents and purposes!) would be that of being in the bowels of the bat caves with no functioning flashlight or even an indiglow (sp?) watch to guide myself out of the inky, pitch blackness I feel engulfing me right now...and engulfed I feel right now. I will say law school is an emotional roller coaster and today I got hit by a mack truck!!! I feel like I know nothing or at least I can't apply anything I've learned and that is so not a good thing! Please keep me in your prayers. I don't understand why I am here and I don't know if this is where I should remain, but until further notice this is where I am. As stupid and miserable as I feel and as much as I don't want to crack another book or sit in the library one minute more, I need to try to move forward until God tells me otherwise. This is so underscored by an email I got from my law mentor...of which I do not believe it was an accident I have been matched with...here's what she sent me...

This is from my application section of my Bible study this week. I think we both need to hear and heed it. "Have you encountered a difficult person or circumstance and begun to think that you must be out of God's will? Learn from Moses the important truth that difficulties encountered doing God's work are usually evidence that you are right where God wants you! If you determine to obey God and follow Him, He will orchestrate circumstances to test the sincerity of your commitment. ..... He will also bring you into a spacious place where He will give you the very things He has caused you to desire. Will you keep on, even when things seem to not go well? How will you trust God to bring you through the difficulties?"

So...things that make you go hmmmmm. So, I hope this post hasn't been too much of a downer for you. Oh...I did get some fun in today. My classmate Amy is celebrating her birthday on Sunday. Because of that I got to enjoy an amazing tapas dinner with Amy, her husband Brian and some of their friends in Corvallis. It was so fun to be in a super fun restaurant, having fun with friends and forgetting the realities of law school even if but for a couple of hours. For you visual folk...enjoy the picture of myself, Amy and Brian. (Sorry I still haven't figured out how to do captions!!! The girl can get into law school, but can't figure out captions!!!)

Memos...Rewrites...and more Memos!

2008-10-11T17:10:00.000-07:00

So...it's a beautiful fall Saturday here in Salem, Oregon, or at least it looks that way from the third floor of Willamette College of Law's law library. Today, I am attempting to make my closed universe legal memo all things glorious. You know...the C+ memo I refered to earlier? Apparently, some hard work and I can turn it from a C+ into an A. Now for the hard work! Let me just tell you, legal writing has been a humbling experience for me. My history with writing has been pleasurable and easy until now. Legal writing challenges every rule and writing skill I have. It attempts to undo all that I know. What works in AP style doesn't always jive in legal writing. My persuasive PR background doesn't not apply to this project. Objective and straight to the point is the goal...is the challenge! Below is a snippet of the project. Enjoy. Don't fall asleep :-) For my lawyer friends of which I know there are few, don't laugh. I'll get better I promise!

To: Senior Attorney
From: Lori Reese
Date: October 16, 2008
RE: Client Tom Jones

Questions Presented

1. In California, does a drive-through Automatic Teller Machine (ATM), housed in a metal structure not internally attached to the bank building and covered by an overhead structure, which is attached to the bank building, constitute a “building” for the purposes of satisfying the “building” element in burglary?

2. If so, is “entry” made when a person uses an ATM card he is not authorized to use by inserting it into the ATM and using the card’s Personal Identification Number (PIN) to withdraw $500?

Short Answers

1. Probably yes. A drive-through ATM will in all probability be defined as a “building” under the statute. Because the statute has a legislative intent for a broader interpretation of “building” then the common law interpretation, the ATM’s characteristics of having four walls and a roof should meet the test of what defines a “building.”

2. Probably yes. The element of “entry” as defined under the statute will probably be met. Case law establishes “entry”, whether it is physical or with the use of a tool. The use of an ATM card, which can be classified as a tool, to access the property stored inside should meet the test of what defines “entry.”

Statement of Facts

Our client, Tom Jones, has been charged with Second Degree Burglary as well as some additional charges. The charge of Second Degree Burglary results from Mr. Jones’ unauthorized use of an ATM card at a drive-through ATM where he withdrew $500.

Mr. Jones, while walking in a park, took possession of an unattended purse. Concealing the purse, he carried it to a park restroom where he removed its contents, including a wallet. In the wallet he found an ATM card as well as the corresponding PIN number for the ATM card.

Leaving with the ATM card, he drove immediately to the bank from which the card was issued. Banking operations had ended for the day. He drove his car up to the 24-hour drive-through ATM machine, located on the third bay of the bank’s drive-through lanes, the bay furthest from the bank building. Stopping his car beside the drive-through ATM, he inserted the ATM card. Following the promptings of the ATM, including the manual entry of the PIN number on the adjacent keypad, he withdrew $500 from the machine. Once the transaction was completed, the machine returned the card to him.

The ATM is housed in a metal structure under an overhead structure that extends from the bank building, to which it is attached. The overhead structure spans the three bays of the drive-through and is supported by pillars. Where the structure connects to the bank building, there is a wall. The other three sides are not enclosed. The ATM, which is constructed of metal and measures about five feet high, four feet across and about two feet wide is not attached to the structure and is not connected internally to the bank building.

Applicable Statute

The applicable portion of the California statue reads as follows:

Every person who enters any . . . store . . . outhouse or other building . . . with the intent commit grand or petit larceny or any felony is guilty of burglary.

Cal. Penal Code Ann. § 459 (West 2008).

Discussion

1. Building
Although the statute does not specifically define an ATM or the structure under which it sits as “buildings,” the California Supreme Court has held a “building” consist of four walls and a roof. State v. Gibbons, 273 Cal. 32 (Cal. 1928).
The California Supreme Court held that although California’s definition of burglary is much broader than its counterpart meaning under common law, the more inclusive definition still requires “buildings” to consist of four sides and a roof. Id. at 32. State v. Brooks holds a loading dock, with two of its four walls constructed out of chain link fencing, constituted a “building” because the loading dock met the statutory definition and by being located at the rear of the store and sharing a common wall, it is an integral part of the store “building.” 183 Cal. Rptr. 773 (App. 2nd Dist. 1982). State v. Stickman, 34 Cal. 242, 245 (holding the language [of the statute] broad enough to include buildings of any kind and used for any purpose). Brooks found the definition of “building” to be broader than just a structure with four walls and a roof. Id. at 776. State v. Buyle, 70 P.2d 955; State v. Alexander, 53 Cal. Rptr. 65; State v. Miller, 213 P.2d 534 (holding a building has been defined as “a structure which has capacity to contain, and is designed for the habitation of, man or animals, or the sheltering of property). The court in Brooks when discussing the construct of the bin’s walls concluded the test should be to determine if “the walls act as a significant barrier to entrance.” Id. (Do I need to re cite here or is Id. sufficient?) Also, the Brooks court determined it not necessary to define the loading dock as a building when the store it was attached to meets that definition. Id. at 777. In re Christopher J., 162 Cal. Rptr. 147 (holding with respect to a carport appurtenant to the dwelling house, the requirement of a structure with four walls is satisfied by the dwelling house itself and it is unnecessary to find . . . the carport alone satisfies the definition of a separate building). (Does this need quotation marks?)The holding in State v. Franco, states when a structure which is completely enclosed, like the showcase in that instance, is sheltered by the roof of a building, it is in effect part of the store proper and thus a building. 250 P. 698 (Cal. Dist. App. 1st Dist.1926).

And on and on it goes! I won't bore you with the rest!

Posting on a Thursday...

2008-10-09T19:00:00.001-07:00

Hi, everyone...Just a quick post, maybe more to prove to myself that I can post more then once every two weeks. The weather here in Salem took a sharp turn into Fall today. Fall...my favorite season...well, there's something about every season that I love. The trees here on campus and next door at the capitol building are gorgeous. They paint the campus in bold reds, yellows and oranges. I just love the feeling of walking across campus in the crisp air with leaves crunching under my feet and as I draw near to my truck in the parking lot the sound of acorns plummeting to the ground joins the the Fall symphony. I try to ignore the potential damage the falling nuts may be making to my truck on the days the only spaces left to park are directly under the tree.

Although the weather outside is turning windy and cold, my life as a first year law student continues to heat up and pressurize. Last week we got our first legal memo back. I got a C+. Yes, I know...shocking! I don't remember the last time I got a C+ in my academic career and I honestly don't like it. Apparently though, not many students got a grade higher than that. Thankfully, this is a learning process and I am seeing my memo as such and not as I would normally view it...as a failure. According to the prof...she's had students who got Ds on their first memos who still got honors in the class. All things are possible. I will tell you, struggling to stay on top of my grades is an exhausting, humbling experience. So, with that said, thirty pages of Criminal Law stand between me and my head hitting the pillow for the night. Thank you everyone for your continued prayers and support. I can't tell you how much I need them and how impossible this endeavor is without them!

Lori's New Office

2008-10-06T18:11:00.000-07:00

Here's a picture, for you visual people, of my home (carrel) away from home (Salem apartment) away from home (Lynden house). Although fancy indeed, it doesn't quite compare to my beautiful office at NCCTK. Yes, I will concede there is a window, but seeing as I am in the basement it is the window to no where. Also, note...no door! Lately, I haven't been spending as much time down here because the neighbor boys can get a little chatty. We are working on their "library" voices. They are all very nice boys though. So...today, my carrel looks a little bare since half my books are in my locker and the other half are still in my truck from my trip home. I have a guy who shares my carrel with me, but I'm not quite sure he even knows where this carrel is at since he is not a carrel studier which makes me a lucky girl to have a carrel all to myself.

Here is a picture of who I often get to see on the other side of my carrel...Andrew, big man on campus (because he is a second year student). Have to admit...there's a little jealousy there, lucky dog! It's been great having Andrew on the other side. He has been a huge encouragement and can get me laughing when it seems there is nothing in the world to laugh at! He's also proof that successful completion of 1L is possible!

Ok...so have to go get my research project done now! Am so far behind. Wish me luck!

Now entering week 7...

2008-10-06T16:19:00.000-07:00

So...everyday starts with good intentions to post a little blurb about continued life here at law school and as you can see I've not been too good at that!

Today is the start of week 7. Just when I feel I am getting on top of things the heat cranks up about 10 notches! This week is the kick off of what I affectionately refer to as Legal Research and Writing hell! I have a reasearch project due Thursday, a memo rewrite due Tuesday, and all that an open memo entails. Being a writer you'd think this class would bring joy into my world, but not so. It is just lots and lots of work. Guess it would be ok if someone told me how to do the projects, but apparently there is a method to the madness of setting us loose to figure it out on our own.

So...along with the guts of law school, there are also outside elements that impact a law student's sanity and frame of mind. This past weekend I had the opportunity to go home unexpectedly. Thanks to my Granny unsuccessfully practicing her break dancing moves in her garage, resulting in a fracture, I had the opportunity to go home and visit her. She is doing amazingly well as she adjusts to her surroundings at the Christian Health Care Center. Thank you to everyone for your prayers.

Besides spending time with Granny and LOTS of studying, I had an opportunity to attend the Saturday evening service at North County Christ the King. With some nerves, I snuck through the office and attempted to stealthfully find my way to a seat. Why the nerves you ask? I believe they were two-fold with the first being that I feared sitting in the service desperately wishing I had never gone to law school and still had my job with the church. I'll be honest, those feelings are there and something I will have to struggle with. Secondly, I didn't know how I would be received...as an outsider?...as someone just filling a seat?...as a family member come home? Luckily, my fears were unfounded. Within seconds of finding a seat that question was answered when my boss flew over and gave me a huge hug. It meant the world to me...I can't even put it into words. I can truly testify to the element of family at NCCTK. I have never felt so welcomed home as I did this weekend. Sometimes you need to leave to appreciate what you had. Boy do I appreciate it and often do I miss it!

PS...I can't figure out how to lable my pictures in this program :-( So the picture above is one of me and my Granny sitting in her room. Although there is pain and walking is tough, she is doing amazingly well!

Highlights from Law School! Yes, there are some!

2008-09-24T23:08:00.000-07:00

So...even though today was packed from sun up to sun down...this day was packed with highlights. Class ran back to back for the first four hours of the day. Highlight...didn't get called out without having the appropriate answer! Always a good thing! Got quality study time in before the lawyer mentor reception...another highlight!

So...are you scratching your head wondering what the lawyer mentor reception is all about? Well, let me explain. Willamette University College of Law has a program that matches local lawyers with students. I like to think of it like the law version of Big Brother Big Sister :-) To participate in the program the lawyer and the student both fill out applications which are then used to match pairs.

So, I've been matched with Wendy Johnson, the Deputy Director and General Counsel for the Oregon Law Commission. Now this is the highlight or maybe I should say divine connection. Before I even knew about this program, I had met Wendy at a BBQ. We definitely had a connection with our backgrounds, especially the fact that she is a Christian. Apparently, our applications modeled each other...so much so we were matched. Tonight, the brief time I had with her and some of her friends, was so encouraging for me. My struggles with wanting to quit...normal! My struggles with feeling like I am not smart enough for this...normal. My struggles with being overwhelmed...normal. Although they are normal, they are still hard, but thank goodness God is putting people in my life to provide the support I so miss. I am excited to see how God continues to provide!

Making Time...

2008-09-23T21:49:00.000-07:00

Apparently this law student doesn't have a future career as an internationally renowned blogger. It even amazes me how many days I have been leaving between posts. For this I apologize! So, if I were to make excuse for my lack in posting...this would definitely be one---law school is incredibly time consuming!!! I think this has been part of my struggle with life as a law student. My time is basically consumed from the minute I finally decide to get out of bed until I finally can lay my head down back late in the evening.

So...are you wondering what a day in the life of a Willamette 1L student looks like? Well, let me take you on a little journey through my schedule. Tomorrow is a great day to walk you through. Wednesdays are my long days :-) Long in this instance is all relevant!

So...tomorrow looks like this...

7:30 am
Wake Up.....................................8:00am if I keep hitting the alarm and don't care how I look!

8:50 am
Drive to School..........................praying that I make all the lights! No room for red lights!!!

9:00 am
Park and Walk to Class...........this is where the schedule has potential for disaster!!! So far haven't been late to class. That's not a good thing here at Willamette!

9:10 am
Torts Class................................An hour four times a week to learn everything I never knew I wanted to know about tort law...and Professor Richardson's childhood.

10:20 am
Civil Procedure.........................Professor Tamayo's class. Don't show up unprepared for this class!

11:30 am
Contracts Class........................Why are damages so complicated? I don't understand?!?!

12:40 pm
Criminal Law.............................Starting homicide tomorrow. Apparently Law and Order is not a
recommended supplement to the class!

1:40 pm
Study Time.................................I would like to believe it will be study time, but let's be honest it will
probably end up being a time for lunch and a little facebooking!

3:00 pm
Finding Balance Class.............If I were to take this seminar literally, I would skip it so I could have a "balance" in my life and get more studying done!!!

4:00 pm
Study Time................................Seriously! I have to get some serious studying done in this brief
window of opportunity.

5:15 pm
Cocktail Party...........................Now this is not the norm on my Wednesday schedule!!! Just so you
don't all start worrying about having an intervention with me!!! Not necessary! I will be attending this to get connected with my lawyer mentor. Should be fun.
7:00 pm
Study! Study! Study!................What more can I say then STUDY!!!!

11:00 pm
Head home!..............................Finally!

11:30 pm
Lights out!!!...............................My FAVORITE time of the day!

So...Note my life is no longer a life of a life of leisure. No more leisurely coffees at The Woods...by the way...seriously miss The Woods. No more dinners with amazing friends. No more cozy evenings by the fire reading a book. Nope...no more! Ok...gots to go. My Crim Law book is staring me down!

Back on the Blog!

2008-09-12T20:41:00.000-07:00

So...things have been a little silent on this here blog! There are multiple factors contributing to that...tons of studying...lots of time in class...and conflicting feelings on how I feel about what I am doing. As some of you know last weekend was an SOS weekend. It is amazing I haven't packed up and moved home. A lot of that has to do with all the prayers so many of you have sent my way! Have really struggled with not feeling smart enough for this. Have really struggled with feeling I am drowning in information. Have really struggled with lack of control over my schedule. As I tried to figure out who to tell I was quitting school, I couldn't shake that feeling deep inside that I have not ended up in law school by accident. God has specifically put me here to move me forward in the plan He has for my life. I would be a fool to stand in His way even though I constantly try! So...the nuts and bolts of it is I have finished my third week of law school and am still alive! Thank you for all of your prayers!!!

I'm a REAL law student!

2008-09-03T16:57:00.000-07:00

Yes, it true. I have officially became a legitimate law student today. I am a poser no more! No turning back. Nope, not now! Why today you ask? Why not yesterday or last week? Today was my first experience of having a professor analyze a case with me as the analyzer. It is every first year law student's fear...getting called on, being asked a ton of questions, not having answers for them and ultimately looking unprepared and not smart enough to be in law school. When I got up today I should've automatically known today was going to be my day. I should have known because I woke up tired, foggy and had remnants of a migraine from the day before. (No, not a hangover, a migraine! I'm not at Wazzu anymore!) Please...let me now recreate the scene for you, so you too can experience the joy law school :-) This glorious moment came at the beginning of my fourth class for the day. The fourth class of back to back classes. (Wednesday is considered my "busy" day...even though I am under the firm impression that Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays are also my busy days. I could be mislead in that thought, but I don't think so!) As I settled into my seat, got my laptop plugged in and opened my casebook, Professor Appleman walked in. Right then, in that moment I sensed my name was going to be called. As I sat quietly, trying to blend into the crowd, the professor perused the setting chart picking her victim. (Darn seating chart. It kind of sabotages one's ability to keep a low profile!) Then it happen. I heard those oft feared words, "Miss. Reese, please give us a break down of Martin v. State." To my luck, the fog cleared and answers for the questions continued to materialize. Note, when you are called, you never know how long you will be on the hot seat until you are told you are off. Luckily, my seat only remained toasty for about 15 minutes. With great joy and sense of accomplishment, I survived with no fatal battle wounds. After getting my first true taste of this oft dread tradition of law school and surviving it, I was left thinking...not so bad. I can do this! I just have to keep shoving the idea that it wasn't so bad...this time...out of my mind!

Funny thing happened on the way out of the library!

2008-09-02T22:25:00.000-07:00

So...just a quick update to my earlier, unfortunate rant! So, shortly after down loading my stress by posting it on my blog, I went to the action plan I should have probably gone to first. I down loaded my stress in prayer. Would you believe with in the next 10 minutes both, yes I said both, books were found! I am super excited and thankful for answered prayer. Mind you, one of the books had been missing since early last week! Now they are back in my hot little hands ready to read, highlight and underline. I am excited not to have to rebuy them. Now, let's just pray my mind stays intact and I stop misplacing books! Other then the book debacle, today has gone relatively well. I met Andrew, a 2L student who gave me lots of good advice and insight into the perils of life as a 1L. I've come to the conclusion that I need to study more. Now is just a matter of trying to find time to study more! Tomorrow is a long day of back to back classes so I should probably get some sleep so I am not falling asleep in class!

Losing my mind?

2008-09-02T14:07:00.000-07:00

I think it is way too early in my law school career to feel like I am losing my mind, but it is very possible I have done just that! I have lost yet another book today!!! It is the second time and makes me want to cry! I never lost a book in undergrad and now I've lost two books in a week! When I think back over where I last had it, it always seems to lead back to the locker area. My last recollection is both books were in my locker and now both books are gone. The books disappeared on different days. How incredibly random is that. So want to cry! I am not financially in a position to keep re-buying books that were already expensive!

Here we go again...

2008-09-01T21:45:00.000-07:00

A new week is here! Week 2 of law school. Only about 95 weeks left give or take a week or two! So, how do I feel so far? Very mixed emotions. Besides my brain feeling like Swiss cheese filled with holes that limit my ability to retain the massive quantities of information I need to digest, I worry that I am not studying right, hard enough or efficiently enough. I fight thoughts of everyone else being smarter at this and understanding it more quickly then I do. I am finding weekends to be hard, filled with battles of insecurity and loneliness. It has been hard not having freedom to do what I want when I want, something I haven't had to think about for a long time. Thankfully, there are slivers of hope when a case interests me or I remember the different theories of punishment without having to look them up again. Those moments make me think I can do this which counterbalances my development of an escape plan! Often I fail to remember the ease of which this whole opportunity fell into place. Often I forget to recognize God's guidance in this whole process. Often it is easier...simpler...to focus on me and my miseries then to focus on God and His glories, without which this whole endeavor is truly an impossible!

Drum roll...please!

2008-08-31T19:44:00.000-07:00

Well, the final decision is in and my dream study desk will be remaining just that, a dream! It will be a dream I can continue to strive for next year. Thankfully, my new home away from home is just on the other side of my first choice. Guess it could have been a lot worse. Have spent the day breaking in my carrel. Books are scattered about. Pens for every highlighting opportunity lay in wait. Post-its sit silently waiting to be stuck. I have been here since 1pm. It is now 8pm and I still have a couple of hours to put in. Trust me, I am not an over achiever. Right now I just feel like I am trying to stay caught up and keep my head above water. There is such an amazing amount of information to first consume, then digest and finally retain. Consumption and digestion remain a tug of war between easy and "What did that just say?!?!? I don't speak Latin!". My bigger struggle is probably retention, remember what I read, what it meant and how to apply it to the bigger picture. Some days are better then others. Today, like last Sunday has been hard. I think continual study as well as very limited personal time is very difficult to get adjusted to. Sundays I am often alone and even though I study it is amazing where my mind wanders, something I am constantly having to reign in. Please keep me in your prayers.

Holding my breath...Crossing my fingers!

2008-08-28T13:59:00.000-07:00

In just four days of law school, it is quite possible that I have literally read more then I did in over half of a semester in my undergraduate studies. In just four days I read and am trying to apply such concepts as diversity jurisdiction, doctrine of minimum contacts and vicarious liability. Everything is swirling around inside my brain, trying to take hold so it will never be forgotten again. One concept of law school that has taken hold and required little processing is competition. From the day I submitted my application for law school, competition began. It permeates the hallways...the classrooms...the library. It is here in the library I sit competitively staking out my territory for the best study carrel. The carrel requests for 2L students ends at 3pm and then it is turn for 1L students to throw their hats into the ring. As I sit here waiting to submit my application for my dream carrel, other 1L students are scurrying through the halls, map in hand trying to find the best carrel for them. Hearing competition is high for carrels on the third level of the library, I thought it best to start my search on the 1st level amidst the dusty old periodicals. It is there I first laid eyes on the carrel of my dreams, 105 B and it is there I now sit holding my breath and fingers crossed hoping the carrel is still available when my request is processed (and doing a little mental interior decorating of what I hope is to become my home away from home!). Situated snugly in a small back corner of the 1st floor I hope it goes unnoticed by others. Now, it is just a matter of waiting to find out if today will be the last day of my relationship with Carrel 105 B. I hope it is not!

Taking the detour! Join Me for the Wild Ride!

2008-08-27T23:55:00.000-07:00

Have you ever planned to go on a trip? Sat down with your map, or I guess these days pulled up mapquest, and plotted out your exact course, but when you actually start driving down the road the trip has unplanned detours, stops and surprises? That is how you could describe my life right now! Over the last year, with God's guidance, there has be a major detour in my life, in a direction I would have never foreseen, yet alone believed. No longer do I live a carefree life filled with fun, friends and lots of "me" time. Nope, life is now filled with dusty books, very tight schedules and lots of study time. This blog is an opportunity to share my experience with my friends and family, many who have encouraged this detour and many of whom I miss dearly. I hope you enjoy getting a peek into my life as a law student as I enjoy writing it for you! I would love for you to visit my blog often and join me for the wild ride through this incredible adventure!