Blessed

Whenever I embark on something new and scary I invariably fall back to the things that have always helped me persevere. Although many may not know this about me, I am actually pretty religious. I feel very strongly that the only reason I have gotten this far is because of God.

Although it may seem a little lame, I have depended on God to help me through even the smallest things (like learning to drive). When I first learned how to drive I was so petrified, that I would only listen to gospel music in my car. It took almost 6 months before I could give Yolanda Adams a rest and just start my journey on the freeway with a simple prayer. Now, as I face the bar I find myself doing the same thing I have always done. Aside from making a new gospel playlist for the ipod, I have also starting praying more regularly again. I hope God doesn't think of me too much as a fair weather friend since I seem to become more devoted during times of difficulty. Given his omnipotent status, I am sure he knows how thankful I am for the blessings he has given me (even if I don't go to church as much as I should).

I am comforted by the fact that God has never ever failed me in my entire life, and I know he won't now. That doesn't necessarily mean that I will pass this time around (but I think/hope I will). It just means that no matter what happens I know God will look out for me and I will be ok. I am grateful for that feeling of peace, because it is the only thing standing between me and buying some ice cream to self-medicate because of stress.

Unsolicited Advice

As someone who got an offer from my law firm last year, I feel like I can give unsolicited advice about getting an offer. Some of this is obvious, and some of it depends on the firm you are at, and its overall structure/culture. This is not an exhaustive list.

1. Communicate!
When you get your assignment, make sure you ask your reviewer tons of questions. Ask them if they recommend any sources to start with, how long they anticipate the assignment should take, and what is the drop dead deadline. If you start having trouble with your assignment communicate that right away. I have heard from many attorneys that communication is a big weakness for many summers, because they are too afraid to speak up when they need help.

2. Don't Be Shy
Reach out to people in your practice group and ask them if they would like to go to lunch or grab coffee sometime. Since the firm is bankrolling their java fix or lunch, they should be more than happy to take you (unless they are really busy). This is a great way to find out if you are a good fit for that practice group.

3. Make Sure People Know You Are Working
This might seem like odd advice, but keep your door open or cracked so attorneys walking by can see you working. Some people like to keep their doors shut while they work, but this can often look like you are not in your office. Also, if you happen to work late one night, make sure to take a quick stroll down the hall or near the office of your reviewer so they know you are a hard worker and willing to work late when necessary. (Obviously if you work at a firm that strongly discourages working late, don't do this. Also, don't do this all the time or it might seem fake. Do it just enough for them to know you are a hard worker.)

4. Go to the Major Events (and events specific to your practice group)
Although you don't have to go to all of the events, it is important to be seen and to interact with others. Everyone wants to know that you will be a pleasant person to work with. Also, make sure you go to events specific to your practice group to get a head start in making friends, and identifying people you will want to work with when you return the next year.

5. Get an Ally on the Summer Committee
If possible, get to know some of the people on the summer committee and try to develop a relationship with them. You can try do this by inviting one of them to lunch or coffee. If you are able to cultivate a relationship with someone on the committee, it is likely that you can find out if there are problems ahead of time, and that person can also vouch for you when it is time to give out the offers.

Although I can probably come up with more, those are my top five. Anyone else have any other suggestions?

Tequila!

This is how I celebrate three years of hard work. Congrats to everyone else that graduated too.

So Hood

I hung up my graduation gown to shake some of the wrinkles out today, and was admiring how much the hood looks like colorful butterfly wings or something like that. I think that it is especially fitting since my favorite book as a child was the hungry caterpillar and I always thought it would be cool to be a butterfly. I have to admit that even after reading the 5 part instructions on how to attach the hood, I have no idea how the fancy hood thing works. Still, it looks pretty cool and way better than my high school and college graduation gown.

Charge It!

Although I am not yet done with finals, I have been out shopping. Given that it should be fairly warm in the East Bay this summer and air conditioning is scarce, I thought I should get a whole new cool and comfortable wardrobe. Every time I pick through a clothes rack and pick another thing to buy I think, "you should buy this, it will help you pass the bar". While I hardly need an excuse to shop, I love using this rationale in my head. Yes, you "need" those shorts. How can you concentrate in Barbri if you don't have a cute pair of shorts that keep you cool and match the new top you bought? It makes sense to me. I blame the blog, a girl walks into a bar exam for giving me the idea.

Best Things About Berkeley?

Now that I am in full procrastination mode, I was trying to think up all of the things I will miss about Berkeley once I leave. So far I have only come up with Yogurt Park. Maybe if I procrastinate some more I can think of some other things I will miss. Don't you just love finals and the way they can prompt you to do anything but what you are supposed to be doing? Is there anything you would add to a list of good things about Berkeley?

The Full "Berkeley" Experience

After warning my family about the Yoo protesters, I have changed my mind about not wanting them to protest. It turns out that every family member I have told is getting a big kick out of the idea that there will be protesters. They feel like they are going to get the full Berkeley experience. Out of everyone, my grandmother was the most enthusiastic about getting to see the orange people. So, protest away orange people, I support you!

Buyers Remorse

Within hours of making my final payment for the PMBR course, I am starting to regret it. Almost everyone I have talked to recently has said it was a waste of time because you simply do a bunch of MBE questions even though you don't know the law yet. How much can you honestly learn about your weaknesses if everything is a weakness? It sure seems like I am spending a lot of money to take tests that are easily available in the PMBR books for a much lower price. Still, I can't bring myself to cancel the payment. I am definitely suffering from pack mentality and will do just about anything to pass.

This Happens To Good People?

When I graduated from college I didn't expect to be one of the first of my friends to get married, and I wasn't. That distinction fell to my friend Michelle who had dated another member of our group of friends. As I went on one dating disaster after another, she had a life that I envied. Her husband was sweet, smart, and dependable, and she had two adorable boys. Together they would go on camping trips and I would live vicariously through the pictures she posted on her blog of them happily hiking through the woods. I thought she had everything I wanted, until now.

I just found out that her husband had an affair with a woman that eerily looks much like Michelle. In addition to telling my friend that he no longer loves her, he also left her for the other woman. I feel terrible for my friend and really can't comprehend how something like this happens. Those two have been together for so long and they have children together. How can someone just walk away like that? It really has shaken my world. To add insult to injury, her soon to be ex-husband brings his sons around the other woman and she says things like, "your mom is ugly". How can a man that promised to love, honor, and cherish her in front of all his friends and family do something like this? How can anyone ever be sure that something this awful won't happen to them as well? My world is rocked.

So Close Yet So Far

I am still trying to finish up papers and finals. It doesn't help that I have writers block and no real motivation to keep working. It is so sad that I have taken a topic that I once loved and transformed it into something I can't stand. I wish I could just be done without all the work. This is what I get for being such a slacker all semester.

Writing Requirement Hell

Although I have made a significant dent in my writing requirement, I am probably about 10-15 pages away from completion. I never thought it would happen but I am completely out of BS. I know that is not supposed to happen to a future attorney, but it has. I am completely and utterly unmotivated to finish even though my advisor is probably going to kill me. I worry that this is a bad pattern for me. I often have to have my feet to the fire to get things done. Why can't I just be a normal person and be motivated to finish without a scary deadline?