Since I am no longer a law student, I can no longer boast that my blog provides to its readers tales of a (somewhat) regretful law student. I am no longer a law student, but not yet an attorney so, for now, I am "in medias res," which is my academic and somewhat snooty way of saying that I am stuck in the middle of a lot of things.
Maybe I'll come up with a cleverer title in a little while, but for now, this is it.
I finished my last final, turned it in, went to the post office to get a (PERMANENT) change of address form, came back and cleaned my apartment with a violent ferocity I did not think myself capable of. Everything is pretty much clean now (or at least, the stuff I can get to for now) and my landlord is coming tomorrow at 12:30 to do my pre-move out check which will hopefully demonstrate that I am deserving of a full refund of my security deposit.
I'm also planning on setting my alarm promptly for 4 am tomorrow so I don't miss a second of royal wedding mania. Silly? Probably. Unrelated to my real life? Definitely. But I've never been the kind of girl to miss out on some good-natured frivolity. I love weddings, I love British history, and really, really love this whole fairy tale thing.
I'm not loving the new title. But maybe that's just a function of missing my law student identity, which has been gone for all of four and a half hours.
We'll see what happens as my life develops.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Identity Crisis
This morning is the last time that I ever write anything as a law student.
My last exam, a take home for Employment Law, is due today by 3:30. And once it's turned it, that's the end of my law school career.
It's hard to believe. I feel like I'm stalling because I'm not really sure how much I want it to be over. As much as I've complained about it (and as much as sometimes I've genuinely hated it), it's hard to face the end of one phase and truly feel prepared for what the next will bring--when you're not even sure what that means. I've been a student for a really long time. Some of my friends have taken years off, but I'm not one of those people. I'm 25, and I have been in school every single year since four year old preschool started. That's more than two decades worth of school--and the time of my life where I wasn't in school, I don't even remember.
The whole bar exam thing is really pretty inconvenient, because it means that I have several months of limbo where I'm nobody--not a student, not a working person. But I guess being a bar studier is a respectable thing. And I'll work for my dad sometimes, and part time bait girl is a part of my identity that has existed since I was 15.
I'll keep blogging, but I'm going to have to be something more than a (somewhat) regretful law student, since I'm only a law student for a couple more hours.
And it's funny that it turns out that maybe I'm not so regretful after all. This may have been the best choice I've ever made. After all, I have never been so excited about the prospect of any kind of job as I am about the one I have back home. People keep telling me how many hours I'll have to work, and I respond with, "OMG, I hope so!" I can't wait to make my mark, can't wait to belong to this firm, can't wait to decorate an office and make my case in court and make my own money and prove to everyone (including myself) that I can hold my own in this setting. It's the most exciting, the most intimidating, and the most rewarding thing I have ever faced and, right this minute, I sort of feel like every tear I shed, every time I was worried I'd fail, every single time a professor Socratic-method-ed me---was totally worth it.
Of course, I am viewing the world through the rose colored lens of the newly employed (but yet to start working). Still, I really don't think that my opinion will change. I was so deeply impressed with the people from the firm that I met at my interview, and I eagerly anticipate the next time I get to have contact with them--they're that cool. Who gets to work with people that they'd totally want to hang out with anyway? Yeah--this girl.
If I didn't have a job, I wouldn't be nearly so eagerly anticipating being finished. It's hard to believe that, out of all the promising talent and impressive resumes that I have been surrounded by for the past three years, I was one of the elite few to have been singled out for employment pre-graduation. It's not like I'm more talented that my classmates. Certainly not smarter. In fact, in many situations, I'm much, much dumber. I got lucky. That's the truth. I found someone who appreciated me for my personality and was able to interrogate me and got what he wanted out of it, and I got hired more because of my emails and quirky personality than because of my law school career. I guess he figures, as I have long suspected, that we're all really pretty even anyway. Even the ones who are good at law school may not be good at being a lawyer--or maybe we're all equally good at being lawyers, once we get going. But law school doesn't teach you how to be a lawyer--I saw that when I worked in clinic. Law school teaches you where to find stuff, but many of the things that you have to do in real practice are not anything like what you get taught in class. And, it has to be said, legal research and writing is the biggest crock of shit I have ever heard of in my life.
I hope that all my classmates find the kind of job I've found: one that is exactly what they want. I know how scary it is to be unemployed, especially if you feel unconnected to the profession as a whole (because your daddy isn't a lawyer). I really do hope that my closest friends, especially, find something soon that eases their mind and makes them look forward to the transition. They deserve it. We all deserve it. We're pretty awesome, it has to be said.
In a few hours, I will be done with law school. I wonder how that will feel. I've always said that turning in an exam, and then turning around to walk out the door of the classroom--is one of the most rewarding experiences there is. I love the feeling that you've done something, done it well, turned it in...and now you're free. You can walk away and, tonight, you won't even have to study for it. You can set that book aside, because you've been there, done that. I've always relished that feeling and looked forward to the next time I'd experience it. Today, for me, is the last time.
Yesterday I also found out that my landlord will be replacing my carpet in my apartment, so I don't need to have it cleaned, which means three things.
1. I save $80. Sweet.
2. I can watch the royal wedding and related television programs all day in the privacy of my own home without being disturbed.
3. I can go home early instead of waiting.
Although number 2 is probably the most important of the three, number 3 is also interesting. I planned originally to have my landlord come look over my apartment with me on Monday morning, because on Friday it'd take like 4 hours for my carpets to dry and stuff and I was afraid I wouldn't have enough time to get everything really clean before Monday (since I figured I'd be working on exams through today). But that's not the case. I've been pretty free, and even had time to go shopping on Tuesday and get a pedi yesterday. So I'm going to call my landlord today and see if she'll come look my apartment over tomorrow (afternoon, of course, I don't want to miss any of the wedding). And then I can leave on Saturday morning.
Can you believe it? Two days and I can be gone. It's bittersweet.
In a few hours, I won't be a law student anymore.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
My Perfect Plan
I finally found a breeder in my general area that has yellow lab puppies available on May 30th, which is conveniently the weekend after I begin studying for the bar. I'm thinking that's a good time because (1) I will be so miserable that I will need a fun, puppy-filled break and (2) I deserve it, damn it.
I can't think of anything else I want so much as a puppy. This puppy.
Look how cute she is, with her little six week old mouth too small to hold a little tennis ball. She's so perfect. Unfortunately, this one is taken--but she came from the breeder I'm looking at (sorry, I want her to be purebred, it's important to me)--but the parents are different.
Here's another from the same litter... look how little her nose is! When I see these pictures, I am overwhelmed with a desire to pick them up and hug them and never, ever put them down. It makes my heart hurt I want one so badly.
This one's a boy (obviously) and I'm in the market for a little girl, I think, but look how freaking cute! He's like, "I'm gonna be soooo bad! Just wait til I get hold of your shoessssssss!"
Now, here's the pictures of the puppies I COULD actually adopt. This is the most recent litter. They're like 3 weeks old now and will be available in another 5 or so. Pretty soon, the breeder will start separating them--each one gets a little collar with a number so you can see them grow and tell which one is which. I like that. Look at the little nose and teeny tiny little ears!!
I don't know why, but I love the little puppy butts. Little bitty fat tails. Ahhh, my heart hurts.
Look how FAT the one on the bottom is! What a little porker. The other ones are like "mmm, this humongous pillow is so comfy!" Is it bad that I think the fatter the puppy, the cuter?
I am so in love. Okay, so maybe I should have talked sense before I started posting pictures that make making legitimate, unbiased decisions virtually impossible.
Anyway, the breeder is from a place that is about 3 hours away from me. You want to know what ELSE is three hours away from me? My best friend, Erin. Now, technically, these things aren't in exactly the same place--the breeder is about 45 minutes away from where Erin lives. But I was planning on taking a weekend before the bar started to visit with Erin and it is possible to go visit the breeder and pick a puppy when I go.
I also need to visit Erin because my friend, Adam, who graduated law school last year, passed the bar on his first try and is now practicing as a public defender, conveniently in the same city as Erin, has promised to give me some bar prep materials. So, not only is this useful for (1) my social life, (2) because there's a J. Crew factory store there and I need a dress for my friend's bridal shower, (3) I need bar prep materials, (4) I need to celebrate my graduation, and (5) I could pick out a puppy.
Does it sound like a good plan? Because I think it might just be.
I need a little puppy that is too small to fit a tennis ball in her mouth.
After all, employed people can afford puppies. And I will be an employed person very, very soon. Employed people deserve puppies. And employed people who graduate law school in like three weeks deserve puppies even more.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Gregor
In other, unrelated news, there is a many legged insect of some kind that is currently residing on my wall, past the point where I can reach, and just above my bed.
I think this is about the most uncool news I've had in a very long time.
I would give him 24 hours to vacate the premises, but since he is above both the point where I can realistically reach and my bed, jumping and trying to kill him seems like a very foolhardy plan. In fact, that seems like the way to end up with a many legged insect (1) in my hair, (2) down my shirt, or (3) hiding maliciously in my bed. Since I really dislike all of these options, I am forced to leave him where he sits, though I do tell him every time I look up at him that I do not like him and it would be better for both of us if he found another corner in another apartment to hide in.
Even though I have no furniture and am mostly alone, a buggy friend is not one I wish to have.
I think he may be the same many legged insect that ran across my floor the other day. I did not like him any more then than I do now and I am going to be very distressed if he continues to reside in his current spot.
I will call him Gregor, but only because it takes too many syllables to say, "damn you, many legged insect!" Not being an insect expert, I can't identify him and, even if I could, it would probably be a word with a lot of syllables, too. Though I do find the name Gregor somewhat humorous, I would not find it at all humorous if it turned out that Gregor was a member of the human-turned bug variety. I have walked naked past him too many times for that to be a comforting thought.
I don't like bugs with too many legs, like this one, but I also dislike ones that can fly, particularly when they fly haphazardly and don't seem to have much motor control. The thought of them flying into me, and then walking over me with their creepy little legs give me the heebie jeebies.
I believe he is a centipede of some kind. His presence is making me very unhappy, and I just thought you needed to know.
Gregor, you have to go.
I think this is about the most uncool news I've had in a very long time.
I would give him 24 hours to vacate the premises, but since he is above both the point where I can realistically reach and my bed, jumping and trying to kill him seems like a very foolhardy plan. In fact, that seems like the way to end up with a many legged insect (1) in my hair, (2) down my shirt, or (3) hiding maliciously in my bed. Since I really dislike all of these options, I am forced to leave him where he sits, though I do tell him every time I look up at him that I do not like him and it would be better for both of us if he found another corner in another apartment to hide in.
Even though I have no furniture and am mostly alone, a buggy friend is not one I wish to have.
I think he may be the same many legged insect that ran across my floor the other day. I did not like him any more then than I do now and I am going to be very distressed if he continues to reside in his current spot.
I will call him Gregor, but only because it takes too many syllables to say, "damn you, many legged insect!" Not being an insect expert, I can't identify him and, even if I could, it would probably be a word with a lot of syllables, too. Though I do find the name Gregor somewhat humorous, I would not find it at all humorous if it turned out that Gregor was a member of the human-turned bug variety. I have walked naked past him too many times for that to be a comforting thought.
I don't like bugs with too many legs, like this one, but I also dislike ones that can fly, particularly when they fly haphazardly and don't seem to have much motor control. The thought of them flying into me, and then walking over me with their creepy little legs give me the heebie jeebies.
I believe he is a centipede of some kind. His presence is making me very unhappy, and I just thought you needed to know.
Gregor, you have to go.
The Office
This morning I spent some time daydreaming about office design. In a small space, you have to organize things effectively--and prettily. Since all my clients will be women, they will appreciate it and not feel out of place with a bunch of feminine-colored things. I probably am not allowed to paint the walls, but I can buy furniture and paint that. Like, what if I had colored bookcases? I'm not really sure if I'm going to do it, or just use colorful accessories to make white shelves pop, but I have months and months to plan.
I like the contrast here, the colorful lamp shades and the boxes organized on the shelves in different shades of blue. I probably won't do anything with shades of red because, although I really do like the color, I don't feel like it's a real expression of my personality. I generally avoid wearing red because I don't feel like it shows me to my best advantage. Red is better on girls with darker hair or darker complexions. It washes me out. But there is something happy and pop-y about red.
Still, I don't want to do red. But this backdrop here makes me think that I could probably stretch some fabric over a canvas and cover a wall in a big way with colors that I like better. A damask or something would probably look neat. Or even a solid color, like a painted wall, but without the paint. Obviously my desk wouldn't be pushed up against the wall, the desk will be facing the room (and the clients) and the canvas would be behind me. So it has to be a flattering color and not so dramatic that it clashes with things I wear. Just food for thought.
I love the pastels and pretty feminine touches in this option. I'm really into antique-y looking armchairs, too. I want everyone who comes in my office to be like "wow! I wish I lived here!"
Okay, and this is what's going to be. No ifs, ands, or buts. I will have my big, beautiful iMac desktop computer. A PC just doesn't do it for me. Love it.
Love this, too. I also love that it has a table but, of course, there's probably not enough room in my office for a whole table...I will have to settle for armchairs and have the table as an option when I make partner and have a huge corner office.
There's just so many possibilities! Obviously I sort of have a scheme in mind--I like white stuff, and antique armchairs, and flowers.
I hate to think it, but I probably ought to get back to studying. I do have an exam due today before 3:30, and another due on Thursday. I hope textbook buyback opens up soon!
When coping with finals, I've found it is best if you indulge a little in whatever makes the studying less bothersome. Whether that takes chips, or ice cream, or a little shopping trip--you have to do it. Yesterday, I bought some sour gummi worms. That does it for me. For now, at least. Whatever it takes.
I like the contrast here, the colorful lamp shades and the boxes organized on the shelves in different shades of blue. I probably won't do anything with shades of red because, although I really do like the color, I don't feel like it's a real expression of my personality. I generally avoid wearing red because I don't feel like it shows me to my best advantage. Red is better on girls with darker hair or darker complexions. It washes me out. But there is something happy and pop-y about red.
Still, I don't want to do red. But this backdrop here makes me think that I could probably stretch some fabric over a canvas and cover a wall in a big way with colors that I like better. A damask or something would probably look neat. Or even a solid color, like a painted wall, but without the paint. Obviously my desk wouldn't be pushed up against the wall, the desk will be facing the room (and the clients) and the canvas would be behind me. So it has to be a flattering color and not so dramatic that it clashes with things I wear. Just food for thought.
I love the pastels and pretty feminine touches in this option. I'm really into antique-y looking armchairs, too. I want everyone who comes in my office to be like "wow! I wish I lived here!"
Okay, and this is what's going to be. No ifs, ands, or buts. I will have my big, beautiful iMac desktop computer. A PC just doesn't do it for me. Love it.
Love this, too. I also love that it has a table but, of course, there's probably not enough room in my office for a whole table...I will have to settle for armchairs and have the table as an option when I make partner and have a huge corner office.
There's just so many possibilities! Obviously I sort of have a scheme in mind--I like white stuff, and antique armchairs, and flowers.
I hate to think it, but I probably ought to get back to studying. I do have an exam due today before 3:30, and another due on Thursday. I hope textbook buyback opens up soon!
When coping with finals, I've found it is best if you indulge a little in whatever makes the studying less bothersome. Whether that takes chips, or ice cream, or a little shopping trip--you have to do it. Yesterday, I bought some sour gummi worms. That does it for me. For now, at least. Whatever it takes.
Monday, April 25, 2011
A Little Like the Log Flume
In college, I took a study abroad trip to Greece, Turkey and Italy. I had wanted to go since my freshman year, begged my parents, got a job to help pay for it during the school year, and pretty much thought of nothing else until my junior year, when I was finally allowed to go. I was so excited I could hardly contain myself. I've always dreamed of traveling to exotic places and Greece, Turkey, Italy was my first shot. I couldn't believe my luck. I signed up--and so did my best friend. I was totally giddy.
Up until right before we left. The week before, I got serious anxiety. Did I really want to go? What about my boyfriend back home? What about my parents? I would miss them. And how did I know I'd even LIKE Turkey? After all, we had gotten warned about covering our bodies and being appropriate...it didn't seem like the most fun place in the world, now that I thought about it. When my mom drove me to the airport, part of me wanted to jump out of the car and run the other way.
It was like when I was a little kid and rode the Log Flume at Busch Gardens. I rode it one day, loved it, and couldn't talk of anything else. I begged my mom to take me back again. When I got to the top of the flume, though, I freaked out and had an attendant take me off the ride. My mom was pretty furious.
I couldn't have the attendant stop study abroad, and, after all, I had talked of nothing else for three years. I had to keep my cool. I had to go. Bear the burden for the weak and be a symbol of hope for all. You know, martyr stuff.
Well, I got there and fell in love with Turkey. In fact, I can't think of a place in the world I'd rather revisit than Istanbul. (To be fair, I loved a city in each country--Istanbul in Turkey, Santorini in Greece, and Rome--obviously Rome.) But Istanbul will remain in my heart forever.
Today, I'm reminded of the pre-study abroad feeling. My parents came to move my stuff out today and now there's no furniture in my apartment and I'm typing from an airbed (borrowed from Savannah) on the empty floor. I sorta feel like calling my parents back and saying, "Never mind! I'm not ready to graduate after all! Bring my stuff back!"
Okay, so I don't handle transition so gracefully. In fact, it terrifies me. I have a sicky sinking feeling in my stomach that says it would like nothing better than to stick to the status quo. (Do you want to break out in song when I say that, too? "If you wanna be cool, follow one simple rule, don't mess with the flow no, no....)
Change is not fun. It's hard to imagine not being a student anymore. And even though I haven't exactly loved every single minute of it, it's really, really scary to think that my whole life is going to change--and I won't get spring break and summers off. What if I start my new dream job and then start to wish I was still in school? School may suck sometimes, but at least I know what I'm getting--and signing up for more education would at least keep my life more or less the same. Do I want it to be the same? Well, there's some comfort in it, to be sure.
Kicking and screaming for my bed to come back probably wouldn't look very mature, but I can't help that deep in my heart, that's what I wish I could do.
Change makes me nervous. I do not like it.
I also do not love sleeping on an airbed. My beautiful, beautiful bed is far away and I probably won't get to sleep on it again until I have a place of my own.
I'm not trying to be all sentimental. I'm just sayin', I may be all lawyered up now, but I still feel like the kid at the top of the log flume.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
How Icky
My best friend from high school is getting married and she asked me to be her bridesmaid. I knew she would. Ever since about ninth grade, we signed each others yearbooks as "bridesmaid" and constantly discussed our plans--long before there were any potential grooms in the mix. I have been looking forward to her wedding literally for years, and until yesterday I was super duper excited about the whole thing.
Then I saw the bridesmaid dresses. Please look.
I like that it's going to be yellow, and I like that it has pockets.
...But that's where the things that I like end.
Of course, I'll never say anything to her. That would be mean. This is her day and she should get to pick whatever she wants. Certainly when it's my turn I will want my bridesmaids to wear the dress, damn it, and smile while they do it. But this is a venue for me to complain, and where she will never, ever stumble across my complaints.
My biggest complaint: Bubble hem.
What else don't I like? It's shiny. Gross.
And the neck? How weird. Weird, weird, weird.
And the clincher? David's Bridal. Ick. David's Bridal is like the assembly line of wedding shops; cheaply made and mass produced. No, thank you.
I guess there is one more thing that is good: the dress only costs $129. Of course, that's a lot of money to spend on a one-time thing, but it's better than, for example, my sister's bridesmaid dresses, which cost like $250 (that was fine, though, because my momma paid!). It's cheaper than a lot of dresses she could have chosen, but, of course, it is also David's Bridal--so really its incredibly overpriced for as shoddy as their dresses are. Why do so many people go there? I guess because they're everywhere. Personally, I can't think of a place I am less likely to go. But if I WERE to go there, I could find something better than this.
I'm a bad person. But I have to get it out. When I talk to my friend, I will be positive and not say a single bad thing about it. I will have to gush about the pockets.
What would I do? Well, I have sort of stopped thinking about it, because a certain finger on my left hand is still very, very naked, but for the sake of this discussion, I will show you a few things that are more like what I'm thinking.
Not in this color, but the silhouette of the dress. Check out the back...
Usually I don't like strapless, but I do love this one... And the color is just about perfect. I'd really like to let my bridesmaids choose sassy shoes to go with it. Definitely heels. (Another problem with my friend's wedding: she wants me to wear flats! I'm 5'3" and I need all the height I can get, especially since the bride and her sister are 6' tall!)
In fact, the more I look at that one, the more I absolutely love it. It's simple, but still really pretty and elegant. And with some super fun shoes? My wedding would be so pretty! Besides, blue and white always look clean and fresh together.
Okay, I'm done complaining. I just had to get it out. Usually my friend has fantastic taste, I wonder what on earth possessed her to choose these dresses. Hopefully it will end up being better than I think it will, but then, as soon as I think that, I think--oh dear, a bubble hem.
Please tell me that you don't think it's that bad. Even if its a lie, because I know it is. I do hope she doesn't find out that I think it looks like what an unfashionable sixteen year old would pick to go to a homecoming dance. And if you do, I will deny it til I die.
Also, on a completely unrelated note, my brother shot a 20.4 pound turkey yesterday at our farm in southeastern Virginia and, earlier in the week, my dad shot a pretty decent one (not sure of the exact weight) at our NEW farm on the eastern shore!
Here's Mason, with his turkey. Isn't he the cutest?
Here's Mason, with his turkey. Isn't he the cutest?
Here's my dad's turkey--he said he got lucky because he was sitting on my pink stool! Haha!
Who else writes about bridesmaid dresses and turkey killing in the same blog post? Haha. Well, it's my diversity that was part of the reason why I got hired at my new firm. Men like girls who can hang with the boys, and I can totally do it. I'm just brought up that way. Maybe it's not like a lot of the other girls in law school (I find that they are mostly kinda snobby), but, well, it works for me.
Except for that dress, life is pretty good. And, of course, I'll get over the dress. It was just a little bit shocking when I first saw it.
Exam #1 (Crim Pro) tomorrow, then my parents come to move me out! Exam #2 due Tuesday, and Exam #3 due Thursday--can you believe it? Almost done!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
I'll Take a B, Please
Okay, I'm burned out.
Maybe that's legit. After like seven years of higher education, and two sets of grueling finals weeks per academic year, I can safely say I've had enough.
Yesterday, I tried to study for Crim Pro, but mostly shopped online for houses and puppies. Today, I tried again. I did some CALI lessons. I watched some movies. I did a little more CALI. And then, I gave it up as a bad job, and went back to trying to finish my take home finals. I've pretty much got Employment squared away, I re-wrote one of my essays for Jurisprudence, and then I stared a little more at CALIs. It's hard for me to just study, blindly study, when I could actually produce something. I much, much prefer to write a final than just vaguely study randomly for another final.
Fortunately, Crim Pro has just twenty some multiple choice and one essay--and we get seven choices of essays, too. So I'm thinking it should be fine. But who wants their GPA to drop at the last possible minute, when they've worked so hard to build it up?
I set a timer on my TV for 9:00, when I would watch the William and Kate Lifetime movie, which is sure to be cheesy and ridiculous and delightful. Right after it started, though, Andy called. Unable to resist his charm, I had to answer the phone. But he talked to me for just long enough that I couldn't go back to the movie. Luckily it's showing again tomorrow at 9, so I will have to be sure to catch it then. I have to see this.
Instead of studying, I also did a bit of blog reading. I recently discovered the hyperbole and a half blog (which is linked on the side in the blogs I follow list)--and, I have to say, it's delightful. If you need a laugh, please read. The ones about the simple dog make me laugh so hard my side hurts. Soooo funny. Probably the best blog. Ever. Check it out.
I think that me writing another blog entry today is a sign that the studying just is not going to happen. I have reached my max.
And you know what? That's probably okay.
I feel pretty comfortable with the subject matter. I did do the reading and stuff all semester, after all. I hope it'll be okay. I just want Bs across the board. That'd be great.
Bring on the Bs.
Welcome Home
It's finally sinking in, and I really don't think I could be happier. I have a job. A real job. And not just any job, not just some BS job with a solo practitioner who really doesn't need me but took me on as an act in charity. A job with a private firm. A firm with a great reputation. A firm that practices family law. Can you believe it? Doing exactly what I want to do! And with an office in city center. Let me show you what I mean about city center.
This is an aerial shot of the whole thing. As you can probably tell, it's pretty new. Built just before the recession, but still a developing and super classy area back home.
Here's one of the entrances to the shops--yes, the shops! There's lots of cute little boutique places and some upper end clothing stores---you know, Ann Taylor, Chicos, Banana Republic, etc--and restaurants. A few bars, classy ice cream places, cute little dressed up bohemian restaurants and all sorts of fun stuff.
City Center is also used for a lot of events. There's a little city square thing in the middle where a lot of parties and concerts are hosted. Even fireworks on the fourth of July! Apparently these signs, visible from the road, cost a fortune to build, and, really, I think they look a little ridiculous, but oh well.
Instead of going for lunch, I can always go shopping! Isn't it cute? Don't you just love it?
I just can't believe my good luck. Of all the people to get lucky, I really can't believe it's me. Because, really, all my friends in law school are equally qualified and, as far as I know, none of them have gotten such a good offer. I'm not on law review, or moot court, or top 5 in my class. I'm just ridiculously lucky, and I will never forget it. I'm sorry to gush, but I just feel so unbelievably fortunate. When I walked into that interview on Tuesday, I just hoped it would go well. I never imagined that he would start talking to me immediately like I already had the job in the bag. I didn't expect to discuss where my office would be located (omg, my office!) and I definitely didn't expect to go out to lunch.
Another thing I didn't expect? After I sent my thank you's for the interview, I got an email back with just three words in it.
"Welcome home, Katie."
Serious warm fuzzies. I can't believe I walked straight into a job when, just a week ago, I would have said that I would definitely not have a job at graduation. I guess you just never know how things will work out. And they have worked out for me better than I ever expected for my first job.
Nowadays, I daydream about the houses I can buy, the new android phone I will get (hey, it's a work necessity), and all the shoes that will line my closets. (Please note that closets is plural.)
I also daydream about how to decorate my office. You know, the one in city center.
I envision a desk with a beautiful new iMac computer on it. And some kind of artwork in the background. But beyond the computer, really, I haven't gotten that far. Luckily I have a few months to figure out all the interior decorating. I definitely want some pretty potted plants with colorful flowers. I need some ideas to figure out how to mix professional elements with my love of feminine, colorful things.
See, I particularly like this one. And that's professional, right? But still pretty, and the kind of room that you'd want to spend some time in. Well, I'll figure it out, but for now I'm just looking at pictures and really hoping that I'll be able to afford some Pottery Barn furniture, too!
Well, it IS finals week, so I should probably get back to studying, but I did want to take a few minutes to be shamelessly happy about my future. All that remains is to finish my Jurisprudence and Employment take homes (but I have a good start on both), take my Crim Pro final Monday, and turn in my last Business Transactions Drafting contract! This time next week, the law degree will be FINISHED and all that will remain is to get the diploma in the mail. It's really hard to believe, but it's all coming together.
Welcome home.
Oh my goodness, yes!
This is an aerial shot of the whole thing. As you can probably tell, it's pretty new. Built just before the recession, but still a developing and super classy area back home.
Here's one of the entrances to the shops--yes, the shops! There's lots of cute little boutique places and some upper end clothing stores---you know, Ann Taylor, Chicos, Banana Republic, etc--and restaurants. A few bars, classy ice cream places, cute little dressed up bohemian restaurants and all sorts of fun stuff.
City Center is also used for a lot of events. There's a little city square thing in the middle where a lot of parties and concerts are hosted. Even fireworks on the fourth of July! Apparently these signs, visible from the road, cost a fortune to build, and, really, I think they look a little ridiculous, but oh well.
Instead of going for lunch, I can always go shopping! Isn't it cute? Don't you just love it?
I just can't believe my good luck. Of all the people to get lucky, I really can't believe it's me. Because, really, all my friends in law school are equally qualified and, as far as I know, none of them have gotten such a good offer. I'm not on law review, or moot court, or top 5 in my class. I'm just ridiculously lucky, and I will never forget it. I'm sorry to gush, but I just feel so unbelievably fortunate. When I walked into that interview on Tuesday, I just hoped it would go well. I never imagined that he would start talking to me immediately like I already had the job in the bag. I didn't expect to discuss where my office would be located (omg, my office!) and I definitely didn't expect to go out to lunch.
Another thing I didn't expect? After I sent my thank you's for the interview, I got an email back with just three words in it.
"Welcome home, Katie."
Serious warm fuzzies. I can't believe I walked straight into a job when, just a week ago, I would have said that I would definitely not have a job at graduation. I guess you just never know how things will work out. And they have worked out for me better than I ever expected for my first job.
Nowadays, I daydream about the houses I can buy, the new android phone I will get (hey, it's a work necessity), and all the shoes that will line my closets. (Please note that closets is plural.)
I also daydream about how to decorate my office. You know, the one in city center.
I envision a desk with a beautiful new iMac computer on it. And some kind of artwork in the background. But beyond the computer, really, I haven't gotten that far. Luckily I have a few months to figure out all the interior decorating. I definitely want some pretty potted plants with colorful flowers. I need some ideas to figure out how to mix professional elements with my love of feminine, colorful things.
See, I particularly like this one. And that's professional, right? But still pretty, and the kind of room that you'd want to spend some time in. Well, I'll figure it out, but for now I'm just looking at pictures and really hoping that I'll be able to afford some Pottery Barn furniture, too!
Well, it IS finals week, so I should probably get back to studying, but I did want to take a few minutes to be shamelessly happy about my future. All that remains is to finish my Jurisprudence and Employment take homes (but I have a good start on both), take my Crim Pro final Monday, and turn in my last Business Transactions Drafting contract! This time next week, the law degree will be FINISHED and all that will remain is to get the diploma in the mail. It's really hard to believe, but it's all coming together.
Welcome home.
Oh my goodness, yes!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Omigod, Omigod You Guys
Today is my last day of law school classes and, it's kinda funny, but the last day feels an awful lot like the first. It's exhausting, I'm in the middle of moving, I can't get enough done in a day, and I'm terrified for the future because it's still unknown.
It's a bit less unknown now than it was a few days ago, though, because I'm pretty sure I just landed my dream job. At the interview the other day, I walked in and it was like they had already made a decision. I was interviewed by two lawyers--the man who heads the firm (the one I've been emailing), and the woman who heads the office where I'll be working. He told me that he didn't have a position for me exactly but that he felt like the market was on the upswing and that "if you lay the tracks, the train will come." He said he wanted me to come help out the woman because she is currently managing the whole office pretty much on her own and he wants her to work less--plus he also wants to generate more business in our area. He said that I could start on a provisional basis after I take the bar, and then after a couple of months they will make it legit. He was everything I hoped he would be, and the dynamic between the two lawyers was really, really inspiring. They obviously have a great deal of mutual respect and affection for each other--he, after all, opened the office where I'll be working just so she could have an office closer to home. What an amazing person! How often do you meet lawyers like that? And he trusted me right off the bat; he said he knew I was qualified and that I'd be great, he just wanted to meet me and make sure I was a real person. The emails did the trick, can you believe it? He liked me instantly and started talking about when I'd start immediately. I could hardly believe my good luck--and I still feel that way. How could this be happening to me? A job, practicing family law, in a seriously good private firm, with an office in city center (I know, I know, you're not from where I am--but, believe me, its fancy), and all even before graduation. They warned us at school that few people were getting jobs before they got their bar results back and it was likely that at least 50% of us or more wouldn't have jobs on graduation day. But I am one of the lucky ones--how did that happen?
I'm feeling a bit tentative because I'm still afraid something will go wrong. Like maybe they'll change their minds and say, "Yeahhh, we didn't realize _____________, so sorry...." I mean, I don't REALLY think it will, but I am worried and I'd like a little more validation. Yesterday I sent my thank you notes for the interview, so I'm hoping I'll have some written validation that I can read when I'm feeling anxious. Something that says, "You totally have a job and you're the smartest girl we've ever met." Because being away from the interview, its easy to believe I dreamed it all up.
It is possible, though, that I am THE. LUCKIEST. GIRL. ON. EARTH.
It is also possible that I will soon have an office to decorate. In fact, on the way out to lunch (yes, he took me to lunch, too!) he started talking about renting an office and making sure that there were two right next to each other--and she said that the office next to hers was empty! Can you believe it? An office in city center! All mine! Right out of law school! Then he said he was dangling the bait in front of me to motivate me to pass the bar--well, dangle away--if I wasn't motivated before, I sooo am now. He said he was going to make sure this happened because he liked me. I thought that things like law review, moot court, stellar grades, etc were the things that got law students jobs--but it turns out, he likes that (1) I'm local and have business connections in the area, (2) I was an English major, (3) my writing sample was good, and (4) that I took his interrogation well. Who would have thought?
I feel like it hasn't really sunk in yet. But hopefully it will, because I could use being deliriously happy about something. And what is more important than something like this? I can't think of anything I would have rather had happen. I really am pretty sure that this is my dream job.
It's hard to believe I've reached this point. Just three exams (one of which is mostly finished), and one contract, and I'll be done with law school. My parents are coming on Monday to move out my furniture, and I'm moving out for good the following Monday. It's cool, I can sleep on the floor for awhile.
One thing that bothers me, though... According to my lease, I have to get my carpets professionally cleaned... And so I called and made an appointment. Unthinkingly, I made it for Friday, April 29th--don't see the problem? That's the day of the royal wedding! I was planning on spending all day in front of the TV, but since I can't be in my apartment, I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I guess I'll go up to the law school and watch it online. But its really inconvenient that I cant enjoy the wedding in the privacy of my own home without people judging me for being waaaaay too interested for my own good. I wish I had the presence of mind to have thought of that when I was making the appointment, but, at the time, I was just excited to be getting out of West Virginia and was really eager to make an appointment. Now I'm mad at myself. But don't worry, I won't miss the royal wedding.
Still, it's hard to believe I'm moving on to a new phase.
It's definitely a huge jump from bait girl.
It's a bit less unknown now than it was a few days ago, though, because I'm pretty sure I just landed my dream job. At the interview the other day, I walked in and it was like they had already made a decision. I was interviewed by two lawyers--the man who heads the firm (the one I've been emailing), and the woman who heads the office where I'll be working. He told me that he didn't have a position for me exactly but that he felt like the market was on the upswing and that "if you lay the tracks, the train will come." He said he wanted me to come help out the woman because she is currently managing the whole office pretty much on her own and he wants her to work less--plus he also wants to generate more business in our area. He said that I could start on a provisional basis after I take the bar, and then after a couple of months they will make it legit. He was everything I hoped he would be, and the dynamic between the two lawyers was really, really inspiring. They obviously have a great deal of mutual respect and affection for each other--he, after all, opened the office where I'll be working just so she could have an office closer to home. What an amazing person! How often do you meet lawyers like that? And he trusted me right off the bat; he said he knew I was qualified and that I'd be great, he just wanted to meet me and make sure I was a real person. The emails did the trick, can you believe it? He liked me instantly and started talking about when I'd start immediately. I could hardly believe my good luck--and I still feel that way. How could this be happening to me? A job, practicing family law, in a seriously good private firm, with an office in city center (I know, I know, you're not from where I am--but, believe me, its fancy), and all even before graduation. They warned us at school that few people were getting jobs before they got their bar results back and it was likely that at least 50% of us or more wouldn't have jobs on graduation day. But I am one of the lucky ones--how did that happen?
I'm feeling a bit tentative because I'm still afraid something will go wrong. Like maybe they'll change their minds and say, "Yeahhh, we didn't realize _____________, so sorry...." I mean, I don't REALLY think it will, but I am worried and I'd like a little more validation. Yesterday I sent my thank you notes for the interview, so I'm hoping I'll have some written validation that I can read when I'm feeling anxious. Something that says, "You totally have a job and you're the smartest girl we've ever met." Because being away from the interview, its easy to believe I dreamed it all up.
It is possible, though, that I am THE. LUCKIEST. GIRL. ON. EARTH.
It is also possible that I will soon have an office to decorate. In fact, on the way out to lunch (yes, he took me to lunch, too!) he started talking about renting an office and making sure that there were two right next to each other--and she said that the office next to hers was empty! Can you believe it? An office in city center! All mine! Right out of law school! Then he said he was dangling the bait in front of me to motivate me to pass the bar--well, dangle away--if I wasn't motivated before, I sooo am now. He said he was going to make sure this happened because he liked me. I thought that things like law review, moot court, stellar grades, etc were the things that got law students jobs--but it turns out, he likes that (1) I'm local and have business connections in the area, (2) I was an English major, (3) my writing sample was good, and (4) that I took his interrogation well. Who would have thought?
I feel like it hasn't really sunk in yet. But hopefully it will, because I could use being deliriously happy about something. And what is more important than something like this? I can't think of anything I would have rather had happen. I really am pretty sure that this is my dream job.
It's hard to believe I've reached this point. Just three exams (one of which is mostly finished), and one contract, and I'll be done with law school. My parents are coming on Monday to move out my furniture, and I'm moving out for good the following Monday. It's cool, I can sleep on the floor for awhile.
One thing that bothers me, though... According to my lease, I have to get my carpets professionally cleaned... And so I called and made an appointment. Unthinkingly, I made it for Friday, April 29th--don't see the problem? That's the day of the royal wedding! I was planning on spending all day in front of the TV, but since I can't be in my apartment, I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I guess I'll go up to the law school and watch it online. But its really inconvenient that I cant enjoy the wedding in the privacy of my own home without people judging me for being waaaaay too interested for my own good. I wish I had the presence of mind to have thought of that when I was making the appointment, but, at the time, I was just excited to be getting out of West Virginia and was really eager to make an appointment. Now I'm mad at myself. But don't worry, I won't miss the royal wedding.
Still, it's hard to believe I'm moving on to a new phase.
It's definitely a huge jump from bait girl.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Quasi Job
Today, I got a quasi job offer. A "work for a couple of months and we'll see how it goes" kind of offer. Well, I'm grateful. That's better than nothing. And when people ask, "Do you have a job yet?" I can look them in the eye and say yes. It's certainly a step in the right direction. But it's not, "OMG, yes, you're brilliant and we have to have you!" So we'll see what happens.
My job interview with the lawyer at the divorce firm who sent me all those emails is tomorrow, so I'm hoping that will turn into something more promising. We will see what happens, but I would be lying if I said I didn't have super high hopes. My mom says that my gray suit will be lucky. I tried it on this morning with a black top and, I have to say, it does look pretty good. The skirt is really flattering. I wish I could wear it with the pink jacket, but, unfortunately, job interviews are so serious that I am afraid this would be damning evidence against me. Why does the criteria have to be so strict? Look really put together, of course, but why does it matter what colors you wear? It seems like, in a sea of black suits, how can we even stand out? If we ALL wear pearls, does it make my pearls seem less special? I think it must, and I do wish that I could somehow break through this job interview monotony and be a breath of fresh air--but how does a girl do that without some pink? I guess I have to use my sunny disposition. I'll polish up the charm tonight.
I'm also gearing up for Andy's birthday. When I asked him what kind of cake he wanted, he said he didn't know. But I know that he lives and breathes for key lime pie, so I decided to make that. But then, when I went to world market and found that delicious raspberry dessert wine, I thought, "maybe THIS will make him marry me" and planned to make cheesecake instead. Then I started wondering--but what would he REALLY prefer? I have the wine, but he loves key lime---why not make both? So, this morning, that is what I did.
Here's my key lime pie.... It will be garnished with fresh limes and whipped cream, but whipped cream sinks down if you put it on too soon, so it has to stay bare until dessert time!
Here's the cheesecake before I cooked it.... It just looked and tasted so yummy, I had to save the picture. Mmmm. Good thing you can't see where I stuck my finger in to have a little tasty taste. My dad says no good chef doesn't taste his own creations, and I have grown to live by that model.
Here's the finished cheesecake, cooling on the counter. I read online that the top breaks like that because it is slightly overcooked, but whenever I try to cook it less, it is too goopy in the middle--so I figure I'd rather have a few small cracks in the top than a goopy mess. Cheesecake does happen to be one of my specialities anyway. My family always requests it. Usually I make a raspberry sauce or do a chocolate (or pumpkin) swirl, but I'm sticking to the plain, tried and true, perfect cheesecake today--and hopefully Andy will love the dessert wine, too. It's very high in alcohol content, which is promising, too. A night full of fun awaits, I hope.
So here's my brilliant plan: Tonight, we're going out for Thai. (Our favorite: Pad Thai and red beef curry---omg, heavenly.) Then, we'll maybe rent a movie (his choice, he's the birthday boy), eat some cheesecake and drink some raspberry deliciousness. When I go to pick him up from work, he'll see the cheesecake and think that's it. And he'll be thrilled (I hope).
Then, tomorrow, I'll whip out the key lime pie and I will go from the awesomely amazing girlfriend with the cheesecake and raspberry wine to the best girlfriend in the world, bar none, because I did cheesecake AND key lime pie. And a pretty great present, if I do say so myself. (And I do.) Plus we're going out to dinner with his friends and taking the boat up to the restaurant, so that should be fun, too. And his dad is coming down from Richmond to go fishing with him during the day, so I can go to my job interview without guilt.
It seems like a recipe for success to me.
My job interview with the lawyer at the divorce firm who sent me all those emails is tomorrow, so I'm hoping that will turn into something more promising. We will see what happens, but I would be lying if I said I didn't have super high hopes. My mom says that my gray suit will be lucky. I tried it on this morning with a black top and, I have to say, it does look pretty good. The skirt is really flattering. I wish I could wear it with the pink jacket, but, unfortunately, job interviews are so serious that I am afraid this would be damning evidence against me. Why does the criteria have to be so strict? Look really put together, of course, but why does it matter what colors you wear? It seems like, in a sea of black suits, how can we even stand out? If we ALL wear pearls, does it make my pearls seem less special? I think it must, and I do wish that I could somehow break through this job interview monotony and be a breath of fresh air--but how does a girl do that without some pink? I guess I have to use my sunny disposition. I'll polish up the charm tonight.
I'm also gearing up for Andy's birthday. When I asked him what kind of cake he wanted, he said he didn't know. But I know that he lives and breathes for key lime pie, so I decided to make that. But then, when I went to world market and found that delicious raspberry dessert wine, I thought, "maybe THIS will make him marry me" and planned to make cheesecake instead. Then I started wondering--but what would he REALLY prefer? I have the wine, but he loves key lime---why not make both? So, this morning, that is what I did.
Here's my key lime pie.... It will be garnished with fresh limes and whipped cream, but whipped cream sinks down if you put it on too soon, so it has to stay bare until dessert time!
Here's the cheesecake before I cooked it.... It just looked and tasted so yummy, I had to save the picture. Mmmm. Good thing you can't see where I stuck my finger in to have a little tasty taste. My dad says no good chef doesn't taste his own creations, and I have grown to live by that model.
So here's my brilliant plan: Tonight, we're going out for Thai. (Our favorite: Pad Thai and red beef curry---omg, heavenly.) Then, we'll maybe rent a movie (his choice, he's the birthday boy), eat some cheesecake and drink some raspberry deliciousness. When I go to pick him up from work, he'll see the cheesecake and think that's it. And he'll be thrilled (I hope).
Then, tomorrow, I'll whip out the key lime pie and I will go from the awesomely amazing girlfriend with the cheesecake and raspberry wine to the best girlfriend in the world, bar none, because I did cheesecake AND key lime pie. And a pretty great present, if I do say so myself. (And I do.) Plus we're going out to dinner with his friends and taking the boat up to the restaurant, so that should be fun, too. And his dad is coming down from Richmond to go fishing with him during the day, so I can go to my job interview without guilt.
It seems like a recipe for success to me.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Happy Happy Joy Joy
Let me say, first and foremost, I am not (nor was I ever) a Ren and Stimpy fan. But, sometimes, even the most ridiculous cartoons say give you a phrase that is so fitting that, like it or not, you have to use it. Hence the "happy happy joy joy" title here. Anyway, moving on.
Life at home is so wonderful, I really can't wait until I can move back here permanently. When I came back home, the wine that I ordered online was here... And all the bottles are so beautiful! After I ordered the wine originally, I looked up a review of the company I ordered from, and saw so many negative reviews that I was really nervous. A bunch of people said that their wines came super late or didn't come at all, that the customer service people were smug and very rude, and that the company randomly substituted in less expensive bottles of wine that were not what customers ordered. I started to be sooo worried that what I ordered wouldn't come at all. Not only did my wine come, it came incredibly early. Like, super duper early. I ordered it on a Monday, and it was there on Thursday when the website told me that it would take 10-15 days and I was expecting it to come the following Thursday or possibly even later. They DID substitute a bottle--I ordered a Chenin Blanc and they sent a Pinot Gris--but, since I ordered the least expensive wines on the whole site, they couldn't really have substituted a less valuable wine--and, even if they did, I only ended up paying like $5.30 per bottle with my Groupon, so I am hardly in a position to complain. And, I have to say, the bottle on the Pinot Gris is far prettier than on the Chenin Blanc I originally ordered. Haven't tasted it yet, so I can't comment on that, but the bottle certainly recommends it to me.
I also had the opportunity to work some over the weekend, which is super awesome. I bet in 1954 when my granddad first started digging his own worms to build a business, he never imagined he was doing it just for his granddaughter's convenience. Nowhere else would let me pick up random hours on weekends when I just so happen to come home. And working makes my life so much easier.
After work, my mom took me shopping. We like to go wine tasting at the local World Market on Saturdays, and we also decided to make a pit stop at TJ Maxx. At TJ, we found a grey suit--and it just so happens that I've been looking for a grey suit for a very, very long time. My mom bought it for me (looove her!) and also bought me this ADORABLE pink jacket--I will post some pictures soon. I may wear the grey suit to the interview on Tuesday if I can find the right top to match. I'm pretty excited about it.
I'm also really excited about my Lexis and Westlaw rewards. My casserole dishes came in the mail and were there for me when I came home on Friday morning, but I only took pictures of the one.
Beautiful, yes? Just imagine all the casseroles and pot roasts I'll be able to make in this beautiful, beautiful thing throughout the years. I will treasure it. And it's red and shiny. Man oh man it makes me happy. I keep taking my phone out, looking at my picture, and feeling ridiculously happy about it. This is part of my "become a perfect housewife" project.
My Lexis Nexis gift cards came in too--also very exciting. I think I'll probably use it to buy some new dress clothes to take the bar in, but I am pretty sure I'll wear the pink jacket my mom bought me yesterday. It's pretty freaking sweet. It's a pale, pale pink--professional and feminine. Yess!
When we went to World Market, it was a wine tasting extraordinaire. They had like 22 different kinds of wine (would only let us taste 10, but that's ok)--and I loved so many of them. I decided to buy three bottles--two reds for Andy, one that I tasted and one that I didn't (but it got 88 points from the wine people which is pretty good), and one raspberry dessert wine. I'm pretty excited about the raspberry. I think I'm going to bake Andy a cheesecake for his birthday and also buy some chocolate ice cream--and we can eat them with the wine and it should be the most amazing experience that he will propose instantly. Instantly. Okay, well, maybe not, but that is my vision. And cheesecake just so happens to be my particular specialty. He's lucky I go to so much effort for him. Another part of the perfect housewife plot. Andy is a lucky beneficiary.
All in all, it was an amazing day! And today we're taking the big boat down to Virginia Beach for a party which should be pretty great, too. I'm really looking forward to it. I think I'll take my camera and get some pictures, and hopefully I'll be able to share them too.
I hope everyone is having a great weekend, full of sunshine, outdoor activity, and a little bit of wine to warm the soul.
Life at home is so wonderful, I really can't wait until I can move back here permanently. When I came back home, the wine that I ordered online was here... And all the bottles are so beautiful! After I ordered the wine originally, I looked up a review of the company I ordered from, and saw so many negative reviews that I was really nervous. A bunch of people said that their wines came super late or didn't come at all, that the customer service people were smug and very rude, and that the company randomly substituted in less expensive bottles of wine that were not what customers ordered. I started to be sooo worried that what I ordered wouldn't come at all. Not only did my wine come, it came incredibly early. Like, super duper early. I ordered it on a Monday, and it was there on Thursday when the website told me that it would take 10-15 days and I was expecting it to come the following Thursday or possibly even later. They DID substitute a bottle--I ordered a Chenin Blanc and they sent a Pinot Gris--but, since I ordered the least expensive wines on the whole site, they couldn't really have substituted a less valuable wine--and, even if they did, I only ended up paying like $5.30 per bottle with my Groupon, so I am hardly in a position to complain. And, I have to say, the bottle on the Pinot Gris is far prettier than on the Chenin Blanc I originally ordered. Haven't tasted it yet, so I can't comment on that, but the bottle certainly recommends it to me.
I also had the opportunity to work some over the weekend, which is super awesome. I bet in 1954 when my granddad first started digging his own worms to build a business, he never imagined he was doing it just for his granddaughter's convenience. Nowhere else would let me pick up random hours on weekends when I just so happen to come home. And working makes my life so much easier.
After work, my mom took me shopping. We like to go wine tasting at the local World Market on Saturdays, and we also decided to make a pit stop at TJ Maxx. At TJ, we found a grey suit--and it just so happens that I've been looking for a grey suit for a very, very long time. My mom bought it for me (looove her!) and also bought me this ADORABLE pink jacket--I will post some pictures soon. I may wear the grey suit to the interview on Tuesday if I can find the right top to match. I'm pretty excited about it.
I'm also really excited about my Lexis and Westlaw rewards. My casserole dishes came in the mail and were there for me when I came home on Friday morning, but I only took pictures of the one.
My Lexis Nexis gift cards came in too--also very exciting. I think I'll probably use it to buy some new dress clothes to take the bar in, but I am pretty sure I'll wear the pink jacket my mom bought me yesterday. It's pretty freaking sweet. It's a pale, pale pink--professional and feminine. Yess!
When we went to World Market, it was a wine tasting extraordinaire. They had like 22 different kinds of wine (would only let us taste 10, but that's ok)--and I loved so many of them. I decided to buy three bottles--two reds for Andy, one that I tasted and one that I didn't (but it got 88 points from the wine people which is pretty good), and one raspberry dessert wine. I'm pretty excited about the raspberry. I think I'm going to bake Andy a cheesecake for his birthday and also buy some chocolate ice cream--and we can eat them with the wine and it should be the most amazing experience that he will propose instantly. Instantly. Okay, well, maybe not, but that is my vision. And cheesecake just so happens to be my particular specialty. He's lucky I go to so much effort for him. Another part of the perfect housewife plot. Andy is a lucky beneficiary.
All in all, it was an amazing day! And today we're taking the big boat down to Virginia Beach for a party which should be pretty great, too. I'm really looking forward to it. I think I'll take my camera and get some pictures, and hopefully I'll be able to share them too.
I hope everyone is having a great weekend, full of sunshine, outdoor activity, and a little bit of wine to warm the soul.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Three Long Weeks
I don't have a ton of things to say today, except that tomorrow three long weeks away from Andy is finally, finally at an end. We have never been away from each other for this long, and I am really, really hoping that we never have to do it again. With the awards ceremony last weekend and the job interview this week, everything got thrown off schedule. But this is my last trip home for just the weekend--the next time I come home, it will be for good.
This time last year, Andy and I both caught citation bass... His WAS slightly bigger than mine, but he did catch it on a spinner bait he rigged up for me to fish with. But I caught two. And I caught mine on pink plastic worms. Pink baits are the best!
It's also spring turkey season. Last year, we took a trip up to my family's farm in western Virginia. We hunted in the morning, and fished in our little pond in the afternoon. Well, Andy and Dutch were fishing--I was obviously just taking pictures. It was such a nice weekend!
As much as I miss Andy, I also miss the red dog. Isn't he funny? He loves his dad most of all, but whenever I come home, I get a little red dog song. So sweet. Love himmm.
This time last year, we also did some striper fishing. I know my hair looks stupid, but this is another fish I caught on a pink plastic bait--this one was pink on the bottom with glittery shattered nail polish looking stuff on the top, and the striper ate it up. Yess.
It's a great time of year, with so many things going on. Andy's birthday is on Tuesday and we have so many totally fun things planned. Drum fishing on Sunday, for example, and a birthday dinner with a bunch of Andy's friends Tuesday night. I'll even bake.
Three long weeks are at an end. And when I come back, I'll be ready to finish up the semester--and my law school career. Heck yeah.
This time last year, Andy and I both caught citation bass... His WAS slightly bigger than mine, but he did catch it on a spinner bait he rigged up for me to fish with. But I caught two. And I caught mine on pink plastic worms. Pink baits are the best!
It's also spring turkey season. Last year, we took a trip up to my family's farm in western Virginia. We hunted in the morning, and fished in our little pond in the afternoon. Well, Andy and Dutch were fishing--I was obviously just taking pictures. It was such a nice weekend!
As much as I miss Andy, I also miss the red dog. Isn't he funny? He loves his dad most of all, but whenever I come home, I get a little red dog song. So sweet. Love himmm.
This time last year, we also did some striper fishing. I know my hair looks stupid, but this is another fish I caught on a pink plastic bait--this one was pink on the bottom with glittery shattered nail polish looking stuff on the top, and the striper ate it up. Yess.
It's a great time of year, with so many things going on. Andy's birthday is on Tuesday and we have so many totally fun things planned. Drum fishing on Sunday, for example, and a birthday dinner with a bunch of Andy's friends Tuesday night. I'll even bake.
Three long weeks are at an end. And when I come back, I'll be ready to finish up the semester--and my law school career. Heck yeah.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Presents Galore
I may have mentioned it before, but I love to buy presents for people. I try to listen all the time and then, when an appropriate event comes up, pick up one of the things that I've filed back in my memory from another time and get it for that person.
Right now, I have a ton of events coming up, and I've taken care of two of them. First, it's my cousin's birthday on April 17th--and she has a lot of things going on in her life. It's her birthday, she just bought a new house, and she just recently got engaged. That's a whole heck of a lot of stuff going on all at once, so I figured I'd try (on my meager budget) to do a birthday/engagement/housewarming present all in one and get her something she's mentioned she wanted for awhile now.
First of all, here's the card. Totally cute right? I love cupcakes. So pretty. And pink and brown is a nice motif, too. (I wrapped the present in brown craft paper to be shipped, too. Color coordinated: check.)
Okay, so I KNOW it's small... But it is something she has mentioned that she wanted for a very long time. I got one a couple months ago and its pretty amazing. I make beautiful pizzas now--and pizza is one of most boy's favorite things, so I think its a pretty good thing to get really, really good at. I hope she likes it. (I also hope she doesn't read my blog before it ships. She doesn't read much so I feel pretty safe or I wouldn't post this.)
I also got a birthday present for Andy. He asked for this rain jacket which is probably the most expensive one on the market, but that's just the way he is---the best of the best. I hope he likes it. I'm much more excited about the gift bag and the matching tissue paper. I think it will look really cute all put together. I can't wait for him to see it. I think he'll be really excited.
I haven't picked up a card for him yet, so I'll probably do that today. I don't know why, but I have a really hard time with cards. I am very anti cheesy stuff. Anything red and shiny with roses or scrolly writing is pretty much automatically excluded. So it's a battle to find anything. But hopefully I will succeed--I really liked the one I found for Valentine's day!
Andy's birthday is really shaping up. I think it will be so much fun! His friend Chelsea just told me that she could make it to his birthday dinner, and Brett and his latest love interest are also coming. And the biggest news yet: Andy's dad says he's coming to go fishing with Andy during the day and then coming to dinner. He's even bringing his ladyfriend, Anne, who (when she's in a good mood) is tons of fun. I bet I can bake a cake and bring it to the restaurant and we can do the celebration there with all his friends. I have a few other people I'm trying to convince to come, but even with the people we have now, I think it will be a really nice party. Plus we're taking the boat over to the restaurant and I can take a bunch of pictures of everyone--I think it will be really good. Good girlfriend: check.
I also think I deserve a present myself. See, this is what I did.
It looks better in real life, but even so I feel pretty excited to have gotten recognized at an awards ceremony at school. There were pictures up around the ceremony and I was in several of them--it really makes me feel like I've had a presence at the school, even though I've gone back and forth every other weekend. It's been tough and sometimes I've hated it, but its almost over. Law degree: check.
So, here's the present I bought to myself. Well, it's a present for me and for Andy. My rule is that, whenever I buy a bottle of wine for me, I buy one for Andy, too. I am in the middle of my "test every Moscato" project, and this new bottle is my next attempt. I also bought a yummy red for Andy, too. Even better girlfriend: check.
I totally deserved a present.
Next up: Andy's sister, Molly, is graduating college AND has a birthday May 1st. Workin' on that.
Right now, I have a ton of events coming up, and I've taken care of two of them. First, it's my cousin's birthday on April 17th--and she has a lot of things going on in her life. It's her birthday, she just bought a new house, and she just recently got engaged. That's a whole heck of a lot of stuff going on all at once, so I figured I'd try (on my meager budget) to do a birthday/engagement/housewarming present all in one and get her something she's mentioned she wanted for awhile now.
First of all, here's the card. Totally cute right? I love cupcakes. So pretty. And pink and brown is a nice motif, too. (I wrapped the present in brown craft paper to be shipped, too. Color coordinated: check.)
Okay, so I KNOW it's small... But it is something she has mentioned that she wanted for a very long time. I got one a couple months ago and its pretty amazing. I make beautiful pizzas now--and pizza is one of most boy's favorite things, so I think its a pretty good thing to get really, really good at. I hope she likes it. (I also hope she doesn't read my blog before it ships. She doesn't read much so I feel pretty safe or I wouldn't post this.)
I also got a birthday present for Andy. He asked for this rain jacket which is probably the most expensive one on the market, but that's just the way he is---the best of the best. I hope he likes it. I'm much more excited about the gift bag and the matching tissue paper. I think it will look really cute all put together. I can't wait for him to see it. I think he'll be really excited.
I haven't picked up a card for him yet, so I'll probably do that today. I don't know why, but I have a really hard time with cards. I am very anti cheesy stuff. Anything red and shiny with roses or scrolly writing is pretty much automatically excluded. So it's a battle to find anything. But hopefully I will succeed--I really liked the one I found for Valentine's day!
Andy's birthday is really shaping up. I think it will be so much fun! His friend Chelsea just told me that she could make it to his birthday dinner, and Brett and his latest love interest are also coming. And the biggest news yet: Andy's dad says he's coming to go fishing with Andy during the day and then coming to dinner. He's even bringing his ladyfriend, Anne, who (when she's in a good mood) is tons of fun. I bet I can bake a cake and bring it to the restaurant and we can do the celebration there with all his friends. I have a few other people I'm trying to convince to come, but even with the people we have now, I think it will be a really nice party. Plus we're taking the boat over to the restaurant and I can take a bunch of pictures of everyone--I think it will be really good. Good girlfriend: check.
I also think I deserve a present myself. See, this is what I did.
So, here's the present I bought to myself. Well, it's a present for me and for Andy. My rule is that, whenever I buy a bottle of wine for me, I buy one for Andy, too. I am in the middle of my "test every Moscato" project, and this new bottle is my next attempt. I also bought a yummy red for Andy, too. Even better girlfriend: check.
I totally deserved a present.
Next up: Andy's sister, Molly, is graduating college AND has a birthday May 1st. Workin' on that.
My Weekend In Review
This weekend, I went to my sister's house and stayed from Friday afternoon until Sunday morning. My parents came up on Saturday to meet us and then went on with me to West Virginia for my awards ceremony. It was such a great weekend.
Since my parents were coming, my sister and I decided we'd do all the cooking, which was really fun. On Friday night, we did the grocery shopping and put together our appetizer, this brie in crust.
It was soo good! I made it before, at my sister's bridal shower, but I was so worked up about making sure everything went off without a hitch that I don't remember if I even tried it. It's a great thing to do because you can make it the night before, put it in the freezer, and then just pop it in the oven 30 minutes or so before your event and its done and delicious! And so simple too--it's just brie and green onions in there, but you could totally put a bunch of different stuff in there and it would be so delicious when it all melts together. I love brie. Love, love, love.
We also made a bunch of other stuff that I didn't take pictures of because I was too busy socializing with my family. For dinner, I made a roasted red pepper cream sauce that we put over linguine, and my sister made some herb-baked chicken that was pretty awesome, too. For dessert, we made one of my sister's husband's grandmother's recipes--it's called death by chocolate, and its layers of brownies (soaked in kahlua chocolate syrup), chocolate mousse, (which I made myself and was quite delicious), crushed heath bars, whipped cream, and then each layer over again. It was pretty good.
It's probably kind of silly, but its nice to do something for my parents for a change. It was nice to spend the time cooking with my sister, too. She doesn't love to cook or anything (in fact, she spent most of her time telling us that she would never, ever cook), but we had a really nice time and it was pretty fun. My parents really appreciated it, and we were able to spend a lot of time together, just talking and hanging out.
On Sunday morning, we got up early and went to breakfast with Sarah and Kyle. Then my parents came to West Virginia with me. My poor dad is really uncomfortable at any event where he has to dress up, and this was no exception. Plus, as I'm sure you can imagine, in a lot of cases there's a lot of pretentiousness in law school and my dad is a bit uncomfortable around it. Poor dad. But it was still really cool to have my friends get to meet my parents--they hadn't been to WV since they moved me in.
I got my award for having the highest grade in my health care torts class and got called up for being a class officer and then again for getting an exemplary group award for the family law clinic earlier in the year. It was nice, and I had a cute outfit too.
It's blurry because I took the picture with my phone, but you get the idea anyway. Anyway, I hope everyone else had a great weekend, enjoyed the beautiful weather, and spent time with their families, too. Because there's nothing quite as nice as appreciating, really appreciating, all the blessings that make up your life.
Since my parents were coming, my sister and I decided we'd do all the cooking, which was really fun. On Friday night, we did the grocery shopping and put together our appetizer, this brie in crust.
It was soo good! I made it before, at my sister's bridal shower, but I was so worked up about making sure everything went off without a hitch that I don't remember if I even tried it. It's a great thing to do because you can make it the night before, put it in the freezer, and then just pop it in the oven 30 minutes or so before your event and its done and delicious! And so simple too--it's just brie and green onions in there, but you could totally put a bunch of different stuff in there and it would be so delicious when it all melts together. I love brie. Love, love, love.
We also made a bunch of other stuff that I didn't take pictures of because I was too busy socializing with my family. For dinner, I made a roasted red pepper cream sauce that we put over linguine, and my sister made some herb-baked chicken that was pretty awesome, too. For dessert, we made one of my sister's husband's grandmother's recipes--it's called death by chocolate, and its layers of brownies (soaked in kahlua chocolate syrup), chocolate mousse, (which I made myself and was quite delicious), crushed heath bars, whipped cream, and then each layer over again. It was pretty good.
It's probably kind of silly, but its nice to do something for my parents for a change. It was nice to spend the time cooking with my sister, too. She doesn't love to cook or anything (in fact, she spent most of her time telling us that she would never, ever cook), but we had a really nice time and it was pretty fun. My parents really appreciated it, and we were able to spend a lot of time together, just talking and hanging out.
On Sunday morning, we got up early and went to breakfast with Sarah and Kyle. Then my parents came to West Virginia with me. My poor dad is really uncomfortable at any event where he has to dress up, and this was no exception. Plus, as I'm sure you can imagine, in a lot of cases there's a lot of pretentiousness in law school and my dad is a bit uncomfortable around it. Poor dad. But it was still really cool to have my friends get to meet my parents--they hadn't been to WV since they moved me in.
I got my award for having the highest grade in my health care torts class and got called up for being a class officer and then again for getting an exemplary group award for the family law clinic earlier in the year. It was nice, and I had a cute outfit too.
It's blurry because I took the picture with my phone, but you get the idea anyway. Anyway, I hope everyone else had a great weekend, enjoyed the beautiful weather, and spent time with their families, too. Because there's nothing quite as nice as appreciating, really appreciating, all the blessings that make up your life.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
I Feel a Challenge Coming On
Emily, a fellow blogging friend, recently shared something very critical with me: apparently there is a recipe you can make to help entice your boyfriend to propose. Yes, yes, I was surprised, too. I thought if anything would do it, it would be my cakes and pies, but no, Glamour magazine insists that it is chicken that will do the trick. Well, I'm willing to try anything at this point. I'm on the verge of graduating and am quite ready to think about tying the knot. I am almost completely done with school and what time is there like now?
Now I'm going to have to try this recipe and I will consider it a challenge. I love a good challenge. Unfortunately, though, being the type A personality that I am, as much as I love challenge, I hate defeat or losing in any shape or form. And this is a challenge that, if I fail, the consequences are far graver than if it were, say, a game of Scrabble. (And, I assure you, I take Scrabble very seriously.)
Still, it's worth a shot. It does look really yummy and, even if he doesn't drop immediately to one knee and pull a diamond out of his pocket, at least he will be well fed and that could lead to many other good things. And, as I mentioned before, he does have a birthday coming up and I feel like I have to make it extra special since I have to go to a job interview on the day of his birthday. Engagement chicken, perhaps?
If I do serve this, I will have to find a different name to call it. Lemon and herb chicken? I think that sounds a little less intimidating to a boy than engagement chicken. Although we'll all know what it really is and what the purpose is. But he need not know. Pair it with some nice wine, some asparagus, and homemade bread (see, that's what I think should entice a man to propose!), and I don't see any reason why he wouldn't be convinced that marriage to me would be a very wonderful thing. At least he won't starve. Then I'll whip out dessert (key lime pie is his fave, but he's not too terribly picky) and I will be the most perfect girl in the world. For a moment or two, at least.
I hope I can make him feel like his birthday really is a top priority all while successfully interviewing for this job.
I feel this this is my big break. Well, maybe I have two big breaks--I've got a marital opportunity with Andy, and an employment opportunity at this firm. Is there employment chicken I can make, too?
Now I'm going to have to try this recipe and I will consider it a challenge. I love a good challenge. Unfortunately, though, being the type A personality that I am, as much as I love challenge, I hate defeat or losing in any shape or form. And this is a challenge that, if I fail, the consequences are far graver than if it were, say, a game of Scrabble. (And, I assure you, I take Scrabble very seriously.)
Still, it's worth a shot. It does look really yummy and, even if he doesn't drop immediately to one knee and pull a diamond out of his pocket, at least he will be well fed and that could lead to many other good things. And, as I mentioned before, he does have a birthday coming up and I feel like I have to make it extra special since I have to go to a job interview on the day of his birthday. Engagement chicken, perhaps?
I hope I can make him feel like his birthday really is a top priority all while successfully interviewing for this job.
I feel this this is my big break. Well, maybe I have two big breaks--I've got a marital opportunity with Andy, and an employment opportunity at this firm. Is there employment chicken I can make, too?
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Worst Girlfriend Award
I'm having a bit of a rough day. Well, it started last night. The lawyer finally emailed me back and set a date with me for an interview which you would think is 100% good news. But he scheduled it on Andy's birthday.
I know that, in this economy and with the very, very few opportunities that I've had, a job interview is one of the most important things in the world. But I also know that it feels really crappy to not be able to be there and do as much for Andy as I would like. We can pretend that birthdays are less and less important as we get older (and, maybe, in terms of gifts and elaborate parties, its true), but the truth is that its really, really nice to be remembered and have a special day where people really take the time to think about you--just you.
At first I thought about rescheduling, but I really do think that would be foolish. This guy is keeping count of every mistake and isn't afraid to remind me of them. He reminded me of the extra 1/4 page I wrote and asked me what I could do to make up for the prejudice that he had against me because of it. If I ask to reschedule for personal reasons, I might as well wave a little white flag and surrender right now. And I can't do that. This is too great of an opportunity. I mean, after all, he has spent so much time corresponding with me, and he even told me he's giving me a chance despite the fact that he just hired someone--which suggests to me that he's probably not even interviewing anyone else. So, really, this is a great (if not a once in a lifetime) opportunity. I don't think there's any debating that. And in the grand scheme of things, this job is most important--this job is what will make my life (and Andy's life) possible.
But I still feel like the worst girlfriend in the world and I have to figure out some way to make it up to him. Maybe I'll make a bunch of different desserts for him. I was trying to figure out what kind of cake he would like the most, but what he really likes best is key lime pie... so maybe I should make a couple of those. I could also take him out to dinner... And maybe buy tickets to a baseball game... I already got him a present, but I really feel like I need to go above and beyond now that I won't be there for most of the day. He always takes off work on his birthday (must be nice, I went to school and then drove home for 6 hours on mine) and I know he wants to go fishing for drum. Because of this interview, I will miss all of that.
So, I guess what I am saying is... I'm taking suggestions. If you have thought of anything to make a birthday really special, please let me know. I'm all ears, because right now I'm feeling pretty much like the worst girlfriend in the world. And that sucks.
I'm really excited about this interview in theory. It's a great opportunity and an awesome firm with a really, really good reputation. And this guy has taken a long time to get to know me. Much better than any other lawyers I've corresponded with. After all, its harder to turn down someone that you know than it is to turn down someone you barely know at all. I feel like this may be my chance...and its something I've been obsessing over for weeks and weeks. It's not like I can turn down the opportunity, but I feel terrible about it. I have to fix it somehow. I'm not really sure how, but I have to make it better.
Everyone I've talked to thinks I'm doing the right thing--or, if they think I'm not, they're not telling me. I hope I'm making the right decision. Unless I don't get the job, and then I'll probably feel terrible for a long time. I have to buy some baseball tickets. That will help assuage my guilt.
I know that, in this economy and with the very, very few opportunities that I've had, a job interview is one of the most important things in the world. But I also know that it feels really crappy to not be able to be there and do as much for Andy as I would like. We can pretend that birthdays are less and less important as we get older (and, maybe, in terms of gifts and elaborate parties, its true), but the truth is that its really, really nice to be remembered and have a special day where people really take the time to think about you--just you.
At first I thought about rescheduling, but I really do think that would be foolish. This guy is keeping count of every mistake and isn't afraid to remind me of them. He reminded me of the extra 1/4 page I wrote and asked me what I could do to make up for the prejudice that he had against me because of it. If I ask to reschedule for personal reasons, I might as well wave a little white flag and surrender right now. And I can't do that. This is too great of an opportunity. I mean, after all, he has spent so much time corresponding with me, and he even told me he's giving me a chance despite the fact that he just hired someone--which suggests to me that he's probably not even interviewing anyone else. So, really, this is a great (if not a once in a lifetime) opportunity. I don't think there's any debating that. And in the grand scheme of things, this job is most important--this job is what will make my life (and Andy's life) possible.
But I still feel like the worst girlfriend in the world and I have to figure out some way to make it up to him. Maybe I'll make a bunch of different desserts for him. I was trying to figure out what kind of cake he would like the most, but what he really likes best is key lime pie... so maybe I should make a couple of those. I could also take him out to dinner... And maybe buy tickets to a baseball game... I already got him a present, but I really feel like I need to go above and beyond now that I won't be there for most of the day. He always takes off work on his birthday (must be nice, I went to school and then drove home for 6 hours on mine) and I know he wants to go fishing for drum. Because of this interview, I will miss all of that.
So, I guess what I am saying is... I'm taking suggestions. If you have thought of anything to make a birthday really special, please let me know. I'm all ears, because right now I'm feeling pretty much like the worst girlfriend in the world. And that sucks.
I'm really excited about this interview in theory. It's a great opportunity and an awesome firm with a really, really good reputation. And this guy has taken a long time to get to know me. Much better than any other lawyers I've corresponded with. After all, its harder to turn down someone that you know than it is to turn down someone you barely know at all. I feel like this may be my chance...and its something I've been obsessing over for weeks and weeks. It's not like I can turn down the opportunity, but I feel terrible about it. I have to fix it somehow. I'm not really sure how, but I have to make it better.
Everyone I've talked to thinks I'm doing the right thing--or, if they think I'm not, they're not telling me. I hope I'm making the right decision. Unless I don't get the job, and then I'll probably feel terrible for a long time. I have to buy some baseball tickets. That will help assuage my guilt.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
I Wanna Be a Producer
It's no secret, I'm a fan of musical theater. Okay, more than a fan. I absolutely love it, and I have loved it since I was a kid. I watched Disney movies, of course, (which are musicals, too), and my mom filled our shelves with VHS tapes of things like the Sound of Music, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, My Fair Lady, South Pacific, Oklahoma!, Meet Me In St. Louis, etc. etc. I loved it then, and I still love it now. And since I can't sing or dance, the only thing I can do is enjoy it.
One thing that many producers have been doing lately is making shows that fabricate a story out of all of the songs that a particular singer or musical group produced in their lifetime. Like Mamma Mia, Movin' Out, and Jersey Boys, to name a few.
Now, if I were a producer, I would do the same thing. Only I would do it with Garth Brooks. He is probably my favorite of all time and, with such a long career, there's a lot of music to work with. Here's my pitch:
Obviously, it has to be about either a truck driver or a rodeo man. I'm much more interested in rodeo, so that's what I'd pick. He's got to have two loves--one that ends dramatically, and one that's a real love. I think it's probably easier to have the true love first. Then we can end on a more dramatic note. This is my basic run down of songs... Of course, you have to know Garth like I do to really appreciate the beauty of my organization.
Ain't Goin' Down Til the Sun Comes Up
The River
Callin' Baton Rouge
Whatcha Gonna Do with a Cowboy?
Shameless
Somewhere Other Than the Night
Two of a Kind, Workin' on a Full House
Friends in Low Places
The Dance
Intermission
American Honky Tonk Bar Association
Much too Young to Feel This Damn Old
Learning to Live Again
Rodeo
Longneck Bottle (meeting other women and partying)
The Thunder Rolls (with lyrics re-written a bit because she's not going to kill him)
The Beaches of Cheyenne
The Dance
I think I probably need some more songs in here, I do have a basic idea. It's your general cowboy meets girl story, but with a twist. Because you have to get at least a few angry Garth songs in there. He's never the same again, but eventually meets another woman. He thinks she will fill the empty place left by his first wife, but the truth is that she never really replaces her. He's a pretty lackluster husband, consumed by rodeo dreams. She, of course, completely adores him, but she's third best--first is the original wife, second is rodeo, and third is poor little wife #2. All the way through, he dwells on the first wife--and has a bit of trouble with alcohol, some of it more fun-loving bar-type fun and other parts a little bit darker, more consuming and dangerous. There are other women, too--nobody serious, but he crosses the line a few times. Eventually we come to the Beaches of Cheyenne. Cowboy and wife 2 get in a huge fight and he goes off to the rodeo and dies with his boots on. She haunts a beach, driven mad by grief and jealousy. The song ends with The Dance, focused on the love he had for his first wife.
I think its genius. Genius!
Can you tell I'm tired of doing work? Well, I am. This weekend, I've finished my whole to do list (which was to finish reading everything for my classes for the semester, plus do my BTD contract), addressed my graduation announcements, went to the most horrible moot court argument I've ever seen for a class makeup, written ten new cover letters, printed the cover letters and resumes up, cleaned my apartment, packed stuff... It was a lot.
Plus I'm not feeling well. Yesterday it snowed, today it was 50 degrees, and tomorrow its a high of 73. I think that all the temperatures and barometric pressures changing is what has made me feel really crappy. So I needed a happy diversion, and that was planning my hypothetical musical. Maybe nobody else would like it, but if somebody made that musical, I'd totally buy tickets.
You could also make a musical out of Jimmy Buffett songs.....
One thing that many producers have been doing lately is making shows that fabricate a story out of all of the songs that a particular singer or musical group produced in their lifetime. Like Mamma Mia, Movin' Out, and Jersey Boys, to name a few.
Now, if I were a producer, I would do the same thing. Only I would do it with Garth Brooks. He is probably my favorite of all time and, with such a long career, there's a lot of music to work with. Here's my pitch:
Obviously, it has to be about either a truck driver or a rodeo man. I'm much more interested in rodeo, so that's what I'd pick. He's got to have two loves--one that ends dramatically, and one that's a real love. I think it's probably easier to have the true love first. Then we can end on a more dramatic note. This is my basic run down of songs... Of course, you have to know Garth like I do to really appreciate the beauty of my organization.
Ain't Goin' Down Til the Sun Comes Up
The River
Callin' Baton Rouge
Whatcha Gonna Do with a Cowboy?
Shameless
Somewhere Other Than the Night
Two of a Kind, Workin' on a Full House
Friends in Low Places
The Dance
Intermission
American Honky Tonk Bar Association
Much too Young to Feel This Damn Old
Learning to Live Again
Rodeo
Longneck Bottle (meeting other women and partying)
The Thunder Rolls (with lyrics re-written a bit because she's not going to kill him)
The Beaches of Cheyenne
The Dance
I think I probably need some more songs in here, I do have a basic idea. It's your general cowboy meets girl story, but with a twist. Because you have to get at least a few angry Garth songs in there. He's never the same again, but eventually meets another woman. He thinks she will fill the empty place left by his first wife, but the truth is that she never really replaces her. He's a pretty lackluster husband, consumed by rodeo dreams. She, of course, completely adores him, but she's third best--first is the original wife, second is rodeo, and third is poor little wife #2. All the way through, he dwells on the first wife--and has a bit of trouble with alcohol, some of it more fun-loving bar-type fun and other parts a little bit darker, more consuming and dangerous. There are other women, too--nobody serious, but he crosses the line a few times. Eventually we come to the Beaches of Cheyenne. Cowboy and wife 2 get in a huge fight and he goes off to the rodeo and dies with his boots on. She haunts a beach, driven mad by grief and jealousy. The song ends with The Dance, focused on the love he had for his first wife.
I think its genius. Genius!
Can you tell I'm tired of doing work? Well, I am. This weekend, I've finished my whole to do list (which was to finish reading everything for my classes for the semester, plus do my BTD contract), addressed my graduation announcements, went to the most horrible moot court argument I've ever seen for a class makeup, written ten new cover letters, printed the cover letters and resumes up, cleaned my apartment, packed stuff... It was a lot.
Plus I'm not feeling well. Yesterday it snowed, today it was 50 degrees, and tomorrow its a high of 73. I think that all the temperatures and barometric pressures changing is what has made me feel really crappy. So I needed a happy diversion, and that was planning my hypothetical musical. Maybe nobody else would like it, but if somebody made that musical, I'd totally buy tickets.
You could also make a musical out of Jimmy Buffett songs.....
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