Advice for a Law Grad

This time last year I was about to graduate from law school. I had no idea what was in store for me. So this time around I am again headed out west, but its to hood a new law grad. So here's my advice to those of you about to embark upon the journey that is bar review:

• Yeah, you can still have somewhat of a summer during May and June... July, July is the real deal peddle to the metal time
• GO TO CLASS! I REPEAT: GO TO CLASS! Yes I know most of you are only sitting there watching a video, but do it. And do it on the day the class is assigned. I get that I did not go to every lecture, but I was watching it at the same time as they were.
• Take breaks, you do not need to study 24/7. Trust me your brain, nor your loved ones, can handle you stressed out and tired.
• Eat healthy foods. The last thing you need to do is sit at your desk slaving away munching on candy, cookies, and chips. You will feel like crap and your body and brain will be dead and sluggish.
• Do something fun each week. Go to a movie, see a concert, go out and see your friends (those one not also studying for the bar) You will need something other than bar review
• Do not think that you need to recreate the wheel. Do not attempt a new study pattern just because its the bar. Do what has worked for you in the past, just on steroids.
• Look at old essay answers, they let you know what the examiners are looking for.
• Memorize that DTPA opening paragraph (i think even my dog could repeat it by the end)
• You can cross out and re-write your answer on the procedure and evidence (3 times even) I did it and passed
• it's ok to finish before everyone else. Do not second guess yourself.
• it is ok to cry after the exam (or each essay)
• DO NOT LOOK BACK! Once you walk out of that room do not consult your outline. You cannot change the answer, so do not torture yourself.
• YOU ONLY HAVE TO PASS. No one cares what your grade was on the exam, first, last, its all the same to your employer or potential employer. Hence you overachievers, let it go.... just need to know enough!

Good luck to everyone! Meanwhile, watch out LBK I'm coming at ya!

It's Ok Thursday

Linking up again this fabu Thursday with Neely! It's ok.....

• that I'm terrified I'll miss a deadline, it'll keep me on my toes, right?
• that I want to eat cupcakes everyday?
• to eat something sweet after lunch (love me some 100 calorie yogurt pretzels)
• to need coffee before I can function
• that I'm driving to Lubbock this weekend by myself, because I get to hood one pretty awesome new attorney and get to see my bestie!
• that the boxes of files now residing in my office scare the every-living crap out of me
• that I asked whether condemnation and eminent domain were the same thing
• to look at my wedding ring and feel slightly green with envy
• to sit in my office with a sweater and my heater on... I'm little people and its cold in here!
• to gossip, as long as its done in the privacy of my own office or via email (right?)

What's ok with you this week?

Tales of a Pageant Girl

So, by popular demand here is a look into my life as pageant girl. These pictures are from my time as a Miss Texas Titleholder circa 2007 (oh to be 24/25 again!)

Me and the current Miss Texas, when she was Teen Texas

My Faith! Now one of my best friends, who sang in my wedding

With Pat Green

With Coach Gary Patterson from TCU!

Hubs and I long before he was hubs!

Mom, wearing her wig, this was duirng the height of her chemo

This is when I  met my sister!



New Beginings

In the attorney world I have found that people either work at one firm their entire career or they move on to better pastures. I know at our firm we have several attorneys who have only worked here. I'm not sure if that is the nature of the law or our firm, but I think it speaks volumes. I think it says our firm invests in associates to build them into partners. It means we are doing something right is so many people stay year after year. So, its sad when someone leaves. My husband laughed when I told him we have "last day cake." But this time its is "my person" as one of our partners called this associate.

To tell you the truth this person is awesome. I have been taught so much in such short by this person. Never tells me no or too busy; always there to lend a hand or ear; teaches me how to do things instead of criticising; patient when I ask a zillion questions about the same thing; and reassuring me that I can do this. Yes, as a partner put it this was my person.

As much as I will miss my person, I know that bigger and better things lie ahead for this person. I wish my person nothing but the best and extend my gratitude for being a wonderful teacher, mentor, and friend. Now, Its time to put on my big girl lawyer pants skit and keep calm and lawyer on!

An Ode To Mothers

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day! My loving pup Chloe Elaine gave me a super cute card and well I was so honored that she remembered! My day was spent with my mother in law and V. Hubs and I joined together the families and went for Mexican!

But Mother's Day is about so much more than my mom. See, I am blessed to have so many "moms." This child was raised by a village of moms who taught me what it means to be a mom. From my mom, to V to my best friend's mom Mrs. C, to HC, then add in the ladies I worked with for 7 years at TCU.... Yes, I am blessed. I have learned to cook, clean, sew, what it means to be loved unconditionally. I was taught about life, boys, and men. They have picked up when I was down, and raised me up when I was weak. They put me in my place when I was being a brat at 5, 15, and 25. They watched me graduate, graduate, and get married and I know they will all be there when I become a mom. I have so many people to look up to to show me the way.

Yes Mother's Day is about all moms, and for me... all my "moms." So thank not only your mom, but all the women who have taught you what it means to love.

My Most Used Products

These are my must have products that I use all the time! As you can see sometimes I indugle and other times I'm a CVS special!

Neutrogena makeup, $12
Fresh skincare, $95
Avon body moisturizer, $6
Butter London nail lacquer, $14
Bumble and Bumble thick hair, £21
Revlon Lip Butter ColorBurst, $7.49

All in (4) Day's Work

Alas, it is finished! That not so brief, brief.... yeah my name is officially on a Fifth Circuit brief! As stressful as it was, I am so glad I got the experience. I am grateful to the partner who indulged my writing and trusted my fact-finding. The hardest part proved not to be in the words, but the darn style! I'm not sure how many times we redid the pagination, table of contents, table of authorities, spacing... you get the point. I do not know how our secretaries do it! They are wonderful, and the paralegals... THANK YOU!! You are the glue that holds the mess of a firm together.

In other new, I got a makeover! Thank you to Jenn at MunchkinLand Designs!! She is awesome guys, seriously. Check her out, have her redo your blog. She knows just how to make you be more you! So leave me some love everyone, let me know what you think! And happy almost Friday.