When Life Throws You Color...

Hey everyone!

It's been a while, as usual. I just wanted to fill you in on this past weekend. I had the opportunity to run a 5k this past weekend. It was a special 5k though, called The Color Run.

The Color Run was amazing!!! For those of you who don't know, The Color Run is a 5k, and at each kilometer, they throw a different colored powder on you! There's a yellow station, pink station, orange station, and blue station. Then at the very end you have your own packet of color that you get to throw on yourself/others. In our group we had pink, orange, purple, and blue. This was by far the most fun thing I have ever done. It truly is the happiest 5k on the planet!

The other great thing about this run was that I had my own goal as well. This race was literally for fun. There was no official time or anything (which is good because there were over 15,000 people there). However, my personal goal was to run the whole thing. Originally my goal was to do it in 30 minutes, but when people are throwing colored powder on you, you really want to get as much as possible, which means a little bit of walking. So I changed my goal to 36 minutes. And you know what? Even with the walking at each color (there was a little bit of a back up at each one), I did it, with the help of my friends in just about 35 minutes!!!

My friend Robyn and I made matching shirts that said "When life hands you color... run with it!" on the front and it had our nicknames and a quatrafoil on the back. Robyn got to do this with me because one of my other friends dropped out. There was also a team of law school students doing it, but 3 of the 4 of them dropped out. So since we had some open spots, we got another law student to join us and then my mom and her friend got to do it as well. Robyn had some of her friends doing it too. So when we started, there was about 10 of us starting together. We split up pretty quickly because myself and the two law students were trying to run the whole thing, which we did, with the encouragement of each other.

I wish I had gotten some pictures while we were running, but I was concerned for my phone and camera. However, I did get some good pictures at the beginning and end.

Basically as soon as I got done running and throwing color on everyone in sight, I went back to Robyn's house and grabbed a shower. It took about 25 minutes to scrub all the color off, and I still missed some, but it eventually all came off. As soon as I got out, I drove home to Oxford, got changed for the Grove, and headed out. In the span of 3 hours I finished the Color Run, showered, drove to Oxford, and went to the Grove. It was pretty awesome.

I enjoyed the Grove (tailgating) this week. We played Auburn, and beat them!!! It was our first Conference win in about 2 years, so needless to say, Ole Miss fans were pretty excited. The game was at 11:20 am, so we had the whole afternoon in the Grove on a beautiful day. That evening Kevin and I went out for a late dinner with friends. I pretty much crashed after that. I had gotten up at 6:45 that morning and run a 5k. Hahaha.

Today was spent watching football and reading for class. Pretty boring. However, for your enjoyment, I'm including some pics from the Color Run below. Have a great week!

Robyn and I before the race.

The back of our shirts.

Me, Haley, and Katie (law students)

Mom and I before the race.

Running through the first color (yellow)

Mom and her friend running through the second color (pink)

Robyn and I at the end of the race.

Mom and I at the end of the race.

Haley, Katie, and I throwing our colors at the end.

Me, Haley, and Katie at the end.

We made it!!!!

The Last Year Begins

Well folks, I am once again at the beginning of the end. I am starting my last year of law school. I am definitely going to be busy this semester. I am only taking 14 hours (as opposed to 15 or 16 hours like normal). I have 3 classes and a clinic.

My first class is Bankruptcy, and it is Mondays and Wednesdays form 1:30-3. I am very excited for this class. I am still not entirely sure about the material, but it's taught by the same professor who taught me Secured Transactions and I understood that very well. Also, everyone who took Bankruptcy last fall said it was a great class. On top of all of that, it is completely full of some of the best people in our 3L class. It's just great being in a class with about 60 of your friends.

My second class is Corporations on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30-11. That class I am less thrilled about. The professor talks more business than law, and there are 115 people in there. It's crazy! However, everyone I talked to said that the final exam was fairly easy. The main reason I'm taking the class is so when I get to the bar review next summer, I'll (hopefully) have some idea of what's going on.

My third class is Depositions and Negotiations on Tuesdays from 6-8:30. This class is one that I am very excited about. It is a pass/fail class, which is nice, and there are only 20 of us. For those of you who don't know, depositions are an important part of the law practice. They are basically interviews between a lawyer and a witness or defendant or plaintiff. It is used to get facts from a witness, and essentially find out what their testimony will be before trial. There is also an opportunity to cross them if you so choose, and there are limited objections, so you can get more information that could lead to admissible evidence in court. So we will learn how to conduct these depositions, and how to use them. We will actually conduct depositions as well. Obviously, the second part of the class is negotiations. We learn how to negotiate in a litigation setting, in a deal setting, and in a multi-party setting.

The last academic thing I am doing is the Child Advocacy Clinic. We have class periods on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30-5. I will also be assigned actual cases involving children (generally custody cases), and we'll be in charge of them. My partner and myself will interview the clients, and anybody who may have an opinion or information. Then we will make a recommendation on where the child should go. We will literally have their future in our hands (scary thought). For this class, it is a 5 hour graded class, but there is no final. I will have to complete 150 hours of work over the semester though (which makes me nervous, that is a lot of work). I am very excited to get going though. We get our first cases assigned to us on Monday.

In addition to school this year I am doing ballet again. I had so much fun last year doing it, that I am definitely doing it again. I have also joined a church choir. I am really excited. I've sung the past two Sundays with them, and it was so much fun. I'm looking forward to doing that this semester. And lastly, I am continuing with my other physical activities. Specifically, Zumba on Mondays with some friends, Yogalates on Tuesday/Thursday mornings (partly to get a parking spot, and partly because I enjoy it), and I am still training for a 5k. I am running a 5k Color Run in October. At each kilometer along the way they throw a different color on you so at the end you're a rainbow! My goal is to run the entire 5k in less than 36 minutes (which is a little bit faster than a 12 minute mile).

So that's my life! It's a good one so far. College football begins on Saturday, and I am very excited about that. Go Rebs!

Charleston with the Charles

Hello friends and family.

I know, it's been a long time. I am absolutely horrible at writing in this thing, but I do try.

So on June 29th I left for vacation. I was invited to go to Charleston, South Carolina with my boyfriend and his family. I was a little nervous, of course. I mean a week with my boyfriend's family. I have done that before in undergrad and it didn't really end so well... I was excited as well though.

The first weekend I spent in Atlanta visiting my college friend Stephanie. I got to see her new (to me at least) house that she is renting with her roommates. It's really nice. She has the two smaller bedrooms with a bathroom in between. We spent Friday night at a Braves game, which they lost, but ended in fireworks. Saturday we went to The World of Coke which was a lot of fun. I tried several coke products from around the world (don't ever try the Italian product, Beverly). Then we hit up The Varsity, a restaurant that can only be found in Georgia. That night we went to Stone Mountain Park to see the laser light show. We brought a picnic dinner and just hung out there for a few hours waiting for it to start. It was a lot of fun. 

 The vault where the Coke formula is kept

Stephanie and I are excited to try some Coke!

Mmmmm... Hotdogs and fries!

The laser light show at Stone Mountain is done up where that carving is.

The next morning, I left to meet Kevin at his parents' house in Eatonton. After meeting up there, we hit the road to Charleston. We actually stayed on the Isle of Palms, which is 20 minutes from downtown Charleston. We stayed at the Wild Dunes resort in a 2 bedroom, loft bedroom, 2.5 bath. It was Kevin, myself, his mom and dad, and his sister, brother-in-law, and 2 year old niece. Sunday night we ate dinner, and then went to the beach for 20 minutes before a storm blew in. Then Kevin, myself, his sister Katie, and brother-in-law Josh went out for drinks on Sullivan's Island, which was 15 minutes from where we were staying. We hit up a small pub, and the guy they had singing was pretty good. We all had a good time.

Monday we went to the beach for 3 or 4 hours. That afternoon Kevin and I went into town to check out the market while Claire (his niece) took a nap. We went to the Grand Pavilion that night for some ice cream and to watch the sun set.

I got to go run on the beach in the mornings as well. It was beautiful. Also, breezy, so that was nice.

Getting some sun at the beach!

I really like this picture of the two of us

Tuesday we all went into Charleston. Kevin and I went to the market again, and then went on a carriage ride through Charleston. Our guide was really funny and very knowledgeable. I learned a lot about the history of Charleston. That afternoon and evening was chill because Claire wasn't feeling well.

Our guide and horse taking our group around Charleston

This is the market. There are all sorts of vendors in there.

Wednesday was the 4th of July. Kevin, his dad, and Josh all went to play 18 holes of golf that morning and into the afternoon. Kevin's mom, Katie, Claire, and I all went to the beach. When Claire and Katie went back for Claire's nap, we stayed at the beach. Kevin's great Aunt is the City Manager of the Isle of Palms and had arranged for a fly over from some military planes across over the beach, and so she came out to see that with her husband. They brought some food as well. That  evening, we went over to their house to have dinner. There was burgers, hotdogs, BBQ, and Brunswick stew (a dish that Kevin's mom makes). They were so nice, and such great hosts. His great even invited us down to the pier where they were setting off the fireworks that night. It was so cool being that close.

Waiting for the fly over...

Just hanging out on the beach, getting some sun (yes, we did get in the water occasionally) 

Very happy to be on the beach!

Checking out the fireworks pre-show

Aren't we cute?

Ooooooo Ahhhhhhh

Thursday we all went out on his great aunt and uncle's boat to a small island. We had a blast. That afternoon I'm pretty sure we all took a nap. That evening we all went out for dinner at the golf course club house next to the condo we were staying in.

Claire and I hanging out on the boat together.

Kevin's mom (Lisa), Kevin's sister (Katie), Kevin's niece (Claire), and Kevin

Friday we all went into Charleston again. Kevin and I went out to Fort Sumter, which was pretty awesome. Also, if I didn't know how South Carolina started the civil war before then, I sure do now. It was explained to me at least 3 times. :) After that, we went to the USS Yorktown, an aircraft carrier, and explore it. It was pretty cool as well. That night all of us, including Kevin's great aunt and uncle, went out for one last dinner together. We ate at a restaurant down by the marina. I had almond encrusted flounder, and it was sooooooooooo good. I ate all of it and wanted more. After dinner we went out on the boat again.

Fort Sumter, we had to take a ferry to get there.

The USS Yorktown, a WWII aircraft carrier (small by today's standards)

Saturday we all headed back, but before Kevin and I did, we went to the Battery. It was pretty nice, and the houses around there date back to the colonial time period and some are still owned by the same family that built it! We headed back to his parents' house afterwards, and I spent the night there. The next morning, I got up and headed back to Memphis (hitting Oxford to pick up my mail on the way).

Row of houses leading to the Battery (there were quite a few for sale if anyone wants to loan me a few million dollars)

White Gardens Park, along the Battery

I had such an amazing time. And I think it's safe to say that his family is pretty ok with me (although I'm pretty sure they liked me before this too). It was never awkward, and I just felt like part of the family. I'm so glad I got to go.

Also, I got my birthday present from Kevin early, a Keruig Machine. Basically, a coffee maker that makes single serving sizes. (see below)

Anyways, I'll try and update again before the end of the summer. I can't believe there's only a month left. :(

Summer Plans

Ok, I know it's been a while. But in my defense, it's been a little busy.


My 2L year is done, and grades are due out tonight (why at 10pm is beyond me, at least make it 5 or 6).

I survived my 3 finals (Family Law, Civil Procedure II, and Secured Transactions). I also got my paper turned in for my space law class. It was about how the new Patent law in America will affect space inventions. The short version is, they don't. Woo! a 13 page paper that can be summer up in 3 words!!! Yeah, it was rough trying to put as much space stuff in there as possible.

This summer I'll be interning at one of the courts downtown in Memphis. I'll be in circuit court, which I think will be fun. I already had to figure out a wrongful death suit, which took a while because the lawyers did not write enough information and I had no clue what "in camera" meant (for you reference, it means produced to the judge only so they can make a ruling on the evidence). I'll be working there Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday afternoons and then Friday mornings.

This summer I'll also be coaching the Rhodes Swim team with my mom. I'll be doing that Mon-Thurs mornings and Thursday nights. I'm really excited for that and getting to spend time at the pool and work with the kids. I'll also be getting paid, which is always nice.

So I am really bad about watching what I eat at school. Usually because I'm too stressed or busy to care what I eat or go work out. I haven't gone up to my pre-law school weight, but I'm back up higher than I want to be. I'm going on vacation for the week of Fourth of July, which is 6 weeks away. I am determined to lose some where between 10 and 15 pounds between now and then. I would like to get down where I want and then maintain it.

I actually did really well last week, and then I went a little too crazy this weekend, but there was a lot of stuff going on. I know, I know, I shouldn't make excuses.

It's a good goal, but it will be a little difficult I am sure. I'm putting it on here, because I'm hoping it will keep me honest and get some people to keep me honest as well. So people, if you see me or follow me, ask me how it's going and if I'm keeping to it. Hopefully once I get on a schedule with jobs and such, things will be a lot easier. Things are always easier when I'm on a schedule. I hope that doesn't make me boring.

This week is another somewhat down week. I worked this morning and I'm working Thursday, and that's it. Starting next Tuesday swim team and my normal intern schedule will begin.

I hope everyone has a good summer, I plan to (considering it's my last one before the real world).

These.... are spirit fingers!

Pardon the reference to "Bring it On" in the title, it just seems appropriate.

So my life, it's been quite a whirlwind. I started back to school three weeks ago and this was the first week I haven't felt stressed to the max, which is nice. It was a pretty normal week as far as classes go. I am not always the best at paying attention in class, especially when professors go off on tangents (which happens more often than not, sorry to any professors who might stumble upon this post), but I am determined to pay attention in Civil Procedure II each class period, all class period. This is mainly b/c that class of 19 students is full of my classes top ranked students. Literally. About half that class amjured (got the best grade) in one of their classes last semester. It's a little nerve wracking, and if nothing else, if I end up at the bottom of the curve in this class it will not be from lack of trying (not that that particular problem has ever been an issue for me, but you know what I mean).

The best part about this week is that ballet started up again! Last fall I started taking adult ballet classes once a week with a law school friend of mine who teaches them. I loved it! It was something completely different, it was a pretty good work out, and it was a great way to just escape law school for an hour. We're going to be learning some actual routines this semester, and I'm pretty excited about that. I also did two dance company workshops this week. The local dance company "Hinge" is having tryouts this week, and to prepare they offered workshops Wed and Thurs to teach the combinations that would be used in tryouts. Now, i'm not trying out, but my friend (who teaches the ballet class and is a part of Hinge) invited me to come and do the dances.

Now, I'm not going to say I was amazing or the best one there. Not even by a long shot, but I can honestly say that I hung with those girls who had been dancing for years! I kept up, I stayed on beat, I could do all the moves, and I looked half decent doing them! If you had told me 6 mo. ago that I would have been able to do that after one day a week of dance for a semester, I would have laughed at you. It was a great feeling though. I'm not sure I'll ever get to the point where some of those girls are, but I absolutely love dancing, and I will continue to do it for the foreseeable future (or at least through law school). I think I love it almost as much as I love softball, and for those who know me, that's a lot. :)

Another big thing this week, was that I signed up for the Spring Moot Court competition. This time around it is a mock trial. We got the problem yesterday evening, and we begin in a week. I'd be lying if I said I didn't have doubts about doing this. I literally sat, with check in hand, for about 10 minutes after the end of the informational session debating on whether to turn it in. However, in the end, I decided to go ahead and enter the competition if for no other reason than practice.

The last big thing that happened this week (and last week) is very exciting. Last week I sent out over 25 copies of my resume to Memphis judges seeking an internship for the summer, and although my first couple responses were not very promising, I've gotten a few responses offering me unpaid internships, which is fine because I will be living at home. So I'm moving forward with those, and with any luck I'll have a for sure job/internship for the summer. :)

That's all from here! Hope everyone's well. I'll update again soon.

Back to School I Go

Well, I have survived my first week back to school. I think it's going to be a pretty good semester as far as classes go. I've got Family Law with Professor Bell who is highly respected in the family law realm in MS. Secured Transactions, which is a business law class. Civil Procedure II which is a very practical class since it teaches you how to actually file a lawsuit. US Space Law with the foremost professor on Space Law. Ole Miss has the most respected (and one of the few) Space Law programs. Last, but not least I am taking Federal Trial practice which is a class on how to conduct a trial.

Overall, it will be a very informative and practical semester. However, my schedule leaves me somewhat wanting, mainly because the only days that are the same are Mondays and Wednesdays, and that is somewhat annoying, but oh well. Here is my schedule:

Monday - Family Law 9:30-11 and Secured Transactions 3-4:30
Tuesday - Civ Pro II 9:30-11; Space Law 12:30-2; and Federal Trial Practice 2-5
Wednesday - Family Law 9:30-11 and Secured Transactions 3-4:30
Thursday - Space Law 12:30-2
Friday - Civ Pro II 9:30-11

Like I said, a little random. This first week has been a little hectic because I've had to run errands and get my schedule/routine down. Luckily, I have a 3 day weekend to get caught back up (I'm already behind, how crazy is that?) and I'll be using it.

I have also begun sending off more resumes for summer internships. I know. I know. I should have done it over Christmas, and I did to an extent, but now the motivation is really there. So wish me luck, and if you know any lawyers/law firms that need a summer clerk let me know! :)