The Countdown

Ok, so us lawyers take this thing called the bar. It's different in each state and in some states you just have to graduate (not fair Wisconsin, but come on who wants to practice in Wisconsin?). Well in Texas, its a three-day test from HE-double hockey sticks! (I'm not exagerating).

The first day you take a procedure & evidence exam and the practicum-type written exercise. Not bad. Day 2 you take the dreaded MBE (200 mutiple guess questions from hell (opps I said it)). Day 3: Texas really likes to stick it to us and we have state-specific essays. Yes, people essays, plural, as in 12 of them! They are over specific subjects and require immense amounts of memorization of laws. You get a small fact pattern and then BOOM! Give us the answer, who gets what, why, etc...

Oh, did I mention that you do this in a large convention center filled with what feels like thousands of people typing away... And you get to bring on a baggy that contains your keys, pencil, and if you proctor is nice kleenex? I was ok with days one and two (though a little upset about the capias debacle). Day three morning went swimmingly, and then the afternoon hit!

I got to an essay on trusts, trusts, yes not guadianship.... (thank you BARBRI), and froze. I mean I had like one of the best professors for trusts in the world (he did write a book on it) but I just could not remember this one little rule. Like the one little rule I needed to decide who gets what and why! panic.... hot sweats, red cheeks, dry-mouth, and then yes.... TEARS!

I sat there and changed my answer about 10 times and then just trusted my gut and stuck with one. I shook as I shut down my computer and left the room. Done, that was it, my entire life and career saved in cyberspace. I took my plastic baggy and headed to my car. I was brow-beaten, tired, emotional and just plain exhausted. I got in the car and called my mentor. I cried and she assured me I would be ok. It was the stress and exhaustion from the week. I know I know... but still she just did  not understand.

That was July 28. Since then I have gone on vacation, started a new job and worked for two months, all under the guise of passing this test. Yes, you read that right, July 28 and November 4, this Friday I find out the results. (yeah don't ask me why they feel the need to torture us for this long.) So the pressure and stress has hit me. I have just a few more days of hoping and waiting (and maybe a job) before I get the big results.

So I'll try to be patient and not worry, but come on people, its life or death here! JK but only a little. Waiting impatiently~Illegal Blonde

Please don't look at my nails

EEK! My nails look atrocious!  I mean yes, they have a nice nude shade of polish (Butter London's Yummy Yummy), but they are short, chipped and dry! Oh did I mention the hangnails? Oh for the days when I had a perfectly manicured hand. Now, I push paper all day, type a gazillion words, pulls files out of teeny-tiny places and wash my hands at least 30 times a day. This is why my nails look like hell!

I blame this on my job. I mean, I get up at 5, so caffine is a must, thus on cup number 3, my bladder is full, thus begins the constant trips to the potty room, which requires the copious amounts of handwashing, with sub-par soap and scalding water. Or maybe its the overstuffed files I week through every day in an attempt to "look like I'm doing something" or pretend I'm busy.

And then there is just the stress-related picking. I finally stoppped biting my nails,  but now its just picking. Which leads to chips, and hangnails! So, yes ladies, a bad-manicure is a work hazard in this profession. Guess it means I should keep a small kit in my desk and  give myself mini-manicures at lunch. Meanwhile, I guess I should get back to those discovery requests! ~The Illegal Blonde

Check Out This Great Chance at Cute Christmas Cards

http://happilyalawmama.blogspot.com/2011/10/shutterfly-christmas-card-giveaway-for.html?showComment=1319549216487#c1367305557287779007

I'm That Awkward Person I hate

I shy away from confrontation, would rather leave a memo in someone's box than hand it to them in person, I tell random stories that make no sense. I am random, awkward associate! (hand me a pink cape and brand me with an 'A') Ok, so maybe its not me that is awkward, maybe I am avoiding those awkwards moments in a partner office where I'm not sure if they want me to explain what I found or they just want me to hand them the research and leave. It's the internal debate I have when I approach their closed doors and ask myself, ok so do I knock and risk interruppting them, or do I just wait until they emerge and risk a weird conversation where I put myself out there and hope not to be wrong! I cave, I place the memo in their box and see if they respond.

I know I should be more assertive, but that is just not me. I think its my fear of rejection. I hate that feeling that I have done something wrong or that my work is sub-par. In my old life and job I didn't really have that same fear. Perhaps its because my bosses were women and I had worked with them since I was 18. Or that I was confident in my work, I knew what I was doing. Here, I'm still unsure and constantly wondering if I have totally screwed up. I mean, this job costs people money, etc... my old job was events and such (little less to lose.)

So I know I need to gain confidence and just walk in like I own the place, but until then I will sheepishly knock on doors and leave memos in in-boxes.

Just Call me Super Wife!

Yup, you heard it here people, I AM SUPER WIFE! Pork chops for dinner and a workout? Been There. Chili for dinner tonight? Done That!

When I finally left the office last night, and was slowly making my way home ( I promise I only rolled my eyes 5 times and said 3 curse words) I called hubs to ask him to turn on the oven so the pork chops could immedialty go in the oven. Well, I get home only to find hubs at neighbor's house borrwing a chainsaw (future post I'm sure). So I run in house, turn on oven, change into workout gear, sear pork chops, put them in oven and set timer. Hubs returns, I just roll my eyes.

I did my workout in the backyard and asked hubs to steam green beans with 10 minutes left on the chops. Baby steps for him. Finish workout, pull out dinner and we had a great dinner! I must have talked for about 30 minutes about the mindless things I did at work, from the crazy client we fired, to the awkward boss. It was so nice to just talk to him.

So dinner over, grab quick shower, back into the kitchen. Chopped three bell peppers, one large onion, one glove garlic and browned turkey meat. Set all this in fridge for the morning. Then I unwrapped new coffee maker and grinder, ground yummy vanilla hazelnut beans and set pot for the morning. Woke up this morning, got ready, put all the chili ingredients in the crockpot, brewed coffee, packed my lunch, fed the dog, gave dog two treats (she looked so sad that I was leaving) and headed out the door!

Did I also mention that Super Wife/Attorney also will be delivering window screens to be repaired after work today? Yes, that's me, new attorney by day, Super Wife/Cook/Maid/DogWalker by night!

But it was on Sale

Ok, so I know I am one of those boring lawyer people now, but hey a girl can still look good, right? So that is exactly why I spent half my paycheck and several hours shopping for the perfect "lawyer" wardrobe. I did not go as far as to sport the pink suit Elle wears in Legally Blonde 2, but I did manage to find some cute work-appropriate items.

I am a HUGE fan of Banana Republics suits. I actually have one in navy, grey, and now brown!

I also have the pants!

BR's suits are comfortable, and easy to wear! I also love that they come with both pants and skirt, so I can mix and match! I also decided I needed the "classic trench," but hey I'm a fashionista, so this one has a twist!

mine is lavender!

It's waterproof and so cute! Hello lawyer-chic! I also bought several pair of pants, as one of our secretarys pointed out that she had never seen me wear slacks. It's true, other than suit pants, I did not own a pair of slacks that fit me anymore! So, Ann Taylor Loft scored major points with their slack selection. From wide-leg, to basic black, I am covered!

Now I can add in several bold colored sweaters and I am ready for the office, or court-room. (not that I will see a courtroom anytime soon) So, I may not be licensed yet, but I look great pretending!

Make every blonde moment count

I learned today that one of my sorority sisters passed away suddenly. 27 years old. It seems so unfair. She was young, vivacious and beautiful. She was a blonde too, a flight attendant and ready to take on the world. Life is so precious and her passing has made me realize this even more.

Live for today, live like today is your last day. Smile at the small things and revel in the rays of God's gifts. Make every blonde moment count!