Patience

It's amazing how one little word stikes fear in people. From the time I was young I was told "patience is a virture." Well, what the heck does that mean.... (this is like 5-29 year old me talking). Mothers tell their children to be patient, you hear "good things comes to those who wait" and my personal favorite of my mother "this too shall pass." These are all ways in which we say that patience is a virture.

It's something most people want, but don't have the time for (ironic huh?). I think back at all the times I have been quick to yell, blame, or take offense, and realize if I has been more patient perhaps life would have surprised me. That seemingly offensive remark was but a subtle joke, or the all caps on a text was an accident.

Patience is something I have learned is loved and hated in law. Lawyers expect their clients to be patient with them and explain that they must be patient with the legal system as its a slow process. Associates want partners to be patient with them as they learn how things work. (I'm lucky in that most of mine are!) But then we see the opposite, opposing counsel was late with that request for production... sanctions!;  they want to depose my out of state witness next week... motion to quash!; I needed that discovery yesterday!

Relationships work the same way. We ask our partners to be patient with us while we mesh households, learn each other's everyday routines, and well become a cohesive unit. Yet we want it to happen TODAY! So for today, let God guide you.

I was given a gift from a good friend and I'm hoping it will help me become a better me. Lesson 1: Patience. :Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger." James1:19 ~ The Illegal Blonde

Building is Believing

OK, so I am the self-proclaimed Grinch! It's not that I do not like Christmas per se, its more than I hate how people get so stressed about it. The presents, the decor, the meal, making it to everyone's house... its overwhelming. My hubs told me that we get to start anew, make our own traditions.... you know those things I did not quite have growing up. So I'm trying.

I truly believe that if you build something from the ground up its real. Perhaps making our own way through the Holidays is what I need to let go of past memories gone awry, and thoughts of less than sugar plums dancing. So we decided to build it our way, I hope...

We built the first fire in our new home, hung up the stockings, and built the first Christmas tree. (We only had one small debacle, the colored v. white lights debate.) I gave inm he is the Christmas person, so colored lights it is! But toned down ornaments, to meet my tastes. Winter blues and snowflakes, a fairy here and there.... its a compromise I know, but its a start. Its building our communication skills as to what each of us needs to make the holidays more manageable and enjoyable.

So we will build our holiday memories one year at a time and believe it will make us stronger. ~The Illegal Blonde

A Time to Give Thanks

So I know tomorrow is actually Thanksgiving, but today I wanted to stop and give thanks for the many blessings in my life.

• I have a job where I am surrounded by people who want me to succeed
• I am surrounded by family (real & adopted) who love and care for me
• I have at best little sister in the world who I could not be more proud of
• My puppy loves me to death and I love her
• The food on my table everyday
• The men and woman who protect our freedom everyday
• The civil servants who patrol our streets and keep us safe
• The best friends a girl could ask for, you may think us ex-pageant queens are petty and mean, but I am constantly amazed that they are some of my closest and best friends
• The ability to obtain an education
• God.
• (and that I do not have to work Friday....) :)

God Bless everyone and have a safe and abundant Thanksgiving. ~ The Illegal Blonde

Worth It?

I happened upon a small blurb on Above The Law Today that talked about whether or not law school is worth it. I have often pondered this same thought. Will I recoup my financial investment? Will I like what I do? Am I a better person because of it?

I'm not sure I can answer these questions now, but I know that I have no regrets, I can't. I made the conscious decision to quit my job, leave my friends, move 300 miles aways and embark upon a journey. Perhaps its because its something I had on my bucket list, or said I wanted to do when I was in undergrad. Or maybe it was pressure to be something more, either way it was my decision and I worked hard. I never thought about the payoff at the end really. I never sat down and thought how long will it take me to recover what I paid for my education. I went into law school like I approach everything else: full speed ahead. Work hard, do well, be the best.

Not everyone goes to law school for the same reasons, and I respect that. It's what makes each class so  interesting--the mix of people who surround you. What I can tell you is that I have a better appreciation for those in my profession. They sacrifice time, life, and family sometimes for something they want to do. They work hard and study a lot. They ensure emotional pressure and pain. We are the few, the proud, those who survived. We are those crazy people who bill you over $100 an hour. Love us or hate us, we did what you didn't! ~The Illegal Blonde

Too much engagement in social media in the law?

Too much engagement in social media in the law?

Interesting thoughts on blogging in the law world.

Haste Makes Waste!

Ok, so I had my first small breakdown at work. For those of you who know me, well know any lawyer, you understand how Type A tendancies. We strive for perfection, as quickly as possible. Well, lesson learned. If my attempt to find the answer and get it to partner quickly, I screwed up!

I blame this part on the computer, part on law school, but mostly on myself. In my effort to get my memo to the partner quickly, I did not do a very thorough job of editing my work. Sure, nothing was misspelled, but it did not exactly read well. My answer was correct and such, but I would have been embarressed to send it to a client. I am lucky I had trusted friend who gently pointed out my mistakes. So what did type A me do, editted and send an over apologetic email to partner with the corrected memo.

So, the lesson here: haste makes waste. Even if you get the right answer, if its unreadable and looks like a second-grader composed it, its not worth it! Perhaps this is the time when young associates should stop and realize that in our rush to bill hours and show partner we can produce wrk quickly, that quick doesn't mean correct.

Print out your memo and read it like your shelf-checking! Ask you secretary to take a look at it, those fresh set of eyes can do wonder for a jumbled mess. But most importantly, if you need to cry (and I promise you we all do at some point) make haste to the closest bathroom stall and get it out! ~The Illegal Blonde

Love a Law Student Month

So in honor of "6 weeks out" I dub this Love a Law Student Month! Not too long ago I remember th pang of angst I felt when I got to that day on my calender which marked 6 weeks until finals! For of those of you non-law people, its the point in the semester where most law student start buckling down, honing in on outlines, and beginning the making of copious flashcards! (I do not miss these days,) but I remember and understand. I also know how lonely this time can feel, especially as the holidaus approach. Many law kids do not go home for Thanksgiving because they have finals when they return. They miss much-needed family time in order to stay mentally alert and get in as many hours as possible.

It's at this time of year that the law school library begins to look more like an Occupy Wall Street Camp, than a place of learning. Carrels are packed with snacks, red bull, and coffee. PJs become the outfit of choice and no one even thinks to wear their contact lenses. law students everywhere return to lonely apartments and rent houses, tired, weak, hungry, and beat down.

So, remember, if you have not gone to law school you do not understand the stress level, you cannot compare it to anything, and no its not just a test... IT'S THE ONLY GRADE I GET IN THE CLASS!!!!! It is times like these when law students needs your love, support, and goody baskets! Tell them you love them and offer them a drink when they are done! To all my law school friends, hang in there!!! But enjoy the fact that you get Christmas Break.... ~The Illegal Blonde