Over studying

I never felt like I truly applied myself at Baylor. I went to class, took notes, hardly ever read, and still made A's. Now I'm in law school, spending 12 hours in the library everyday, carrying about 35 lbs on my back, and trying to control my jitters I've acquired from my dear friends NoDoze and Red Bull.

To prepare for my property exam yesterday, I spent a month merging my outline, class notes, and others outlines. Then I worked through the Primer twice (a property workbook that is supposed to dumb down life estates for us...yeah...don't ask) and worked through several supplements/interactive CD-ROMS that were recommended by 2Ls and 3Ls. I spent so much time studying just to end up feeling like a complete failure at the end of the three hour exam. Go me.

As I study for my constitutional law test that I have TOMORROW, I'm starting to wonder: how much can my body take? I've been sick several times this semester, don't get enough sleep, and don't care about my hair anymore. I'm sure it's all due to stress. I was worried about dying from a caffeine overdose but a site we found online said it would take 94 NoDoze pills to kill me...but can studying kill me? Studying too much seems to be the root of all my problems these days - my frizzy hair, my awkward teen-like breakouts on my chin, my acid reflux, my lack of sleep...AM I GOING TO DIE FROM THIS?

A few friends of mine found a post online about a guy who died from overstudying constitutional law and had a panic attack mid-test. Not gonna lie, I wanted to start crying yesterday while figuring out who had a valid future interest in Blackacre and Whiteacre during the exam, but I managed to stay strong. Click here to read the article about the horrific conlaw death.

All of this law school stress does have its perks though. My parents feel really bad for me and are taking me shopping for work clothes this summer. Every law clerk should look fabulous so I'm on the hunt for the perfect black leather Kate Spade shoulder bag and a tote to carry my computer and portfolio. I never thought I would be this excited to shop for grown up clothes, conservative heels, and working 9-5 and sitting in traffic afterward. This summer is going to be such a relief from school!

Back to studying. The 7 Rules of Justiciability are calling my name.

Fratmusic.com

If you listen to Pandora while you study/party/clean your house on a rainy Saturday afternoon, you'll definitely LOVE this! Not only does it come in handy when you're at a rager on 10th (those days are long gone for me) but also when you're about to sit down and hit the books for 14 hours straight. Unlike Pandora, you can browse through other's playlists by genre, schools, and even fraternities!

Go to fratmusic.com, go to genre, and browse through whatever you love to fist pump to the most. Finals start TOMORROW, so naturally, my genre of choice is "Study". Didn't know that was a genre...

Anyway, within "study", I found several playlists that have string quartet versions of some of my favorite songs; like "You Shook Me All Night Long" and "Wonderwall". So browse around and enjoy this new way of sharing and discovering music!

In about 8 days, I will be jamming to the "Ma I Blew Out My Ears" playlist under the dance genre.

I'm taking a study break from conlaw and property so I decided to fill out a survey I found on my friend Kristen's blog. Tomorrow is the last day of school..my 1L year has almost come to an end. Now on to FINALS! They start next Monday and as you can see, I'm finding other, less-productive, things to do with my time.

A. AGE: 23

B. BED SIZE: queen
C. CHORE YOU HATE: cleaning my bathroom
D. DOG'S NAME: Cathy, Mikey, and Andy!
E. ESSENTIAL "START THE DAY!" ITEM: REDBULL!
F. FAVORITE COLOR: pink
G. GOLD OR SILVER: gold
H. HEIGHT: 4'11 3/4"
I. INSTRUMENTS YOU PLAY: none
J. JOB: full time student, full time procrastinator
K. KIDS: I sometimes think that my nieces (Ashley and Caleigh) and my nephew (Sean) are like my kids! I love them so much!
L. LIVING ARRANGEMENTS: living with my Dad and missing the apartment at The Village w/ Liz
M. MOM'S NAME: Elizabeth
N. NICKNAME: JackAttack or Jax or Jack...depending on who you ask
O. OVERNIGHT HOSPITAL STAY: in high school from food poisoning after I ate bad oysters
P. PET PEEVE: when people drive in my blind spots!!!
Q. QUOTE: "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm" - Ralph Waldo Emerson
R. RIGHTY OR LEFTY?: righty
S. SIBLINGS: one brother, one sister
T. TIME YOU WAKE UP: 5:30 a.m.
U. UNDERWEAR: granny panties
V. VEGGIE YOU DISLIKE: artichoke hearts
W. WAYS/REASONS YOU ARE LATE: I'm usually never late but sometimes straightening my hair takes a bit longer than expected.
X. XRAYS YOU'VE HAD: teeth at the dentist, and a few body ones in high school
Y. YUMMY FOOD YOU MAKE: SANTE FE CHICKEN - the only thing I know how to make!
Z. ZOO ANIMALS YOU LIKE: lions, tigers, and bears...oh my!

A Cautionary Tale

DISCLAIMER: THE FOLLOWING EVENTS MAY OR MAY NOT BE TRUE. WELL, THE MAJORITY OF THEM ARE. NAMES MAY HAVE BEEN CHANGED. AS WELL AS ODORS. AND THE DAY THE EVENTS OCCURRED. BUT REALLY, THIS REALLLLLY HAPPENED.

Once upon a time there was a sweet Asian girl named Ann. Law student by day, ninja by night. Because she had vowed at the tender age of 4 to use her ninja skills only after sunset on Friday night until sunset Saturday night (when crime is at its highest), she was not able to use her skills to fend off library bums this past Sunday (that's right, on the holiest of days). By library bum, I'm talking about a real life bum who invades libraries, not myself. I know I can be easily confused for a bum during the school week, except for Wednesday's because no one should ever look bad on hump day.

Back to Ann, the law school ninja. Sunday. Lunch break. 15 minutes. She's gone from her tiny study room for 15 minutes. The study rooms are the size of a half bathroom, but can fit two people. They are dimly lit and have small florescent lights above the desks to light our many possessions, such as Property by Dukenminier and our coveted Puppy Helmet Outlines. Who is Puppy Helmet anyway? Ninja Ann approaches her study room, well rested from her lunch break and only half full like the Japanese recommend for dietary purposes. However, Ann is Vietnamese. She turns the door handle slightly and notices someone covering the small window on the door. "WTH", she thinks, "Must be Preston." She SLAMS the door open and out pops a LARGE HOMELESS OGRE reading books upside down and speaking gibberish. Will likes to refer to him as Homeless Pete. Homeless Pete is angered that she would barge in his literary hour. She explains to him that she was there first, a rule we all learned in kindergarten. A ninja never forgets such lessons. He proceeds to GET KRUNK on her and argues that there are TWO chairs in there and he has the right to take the 2nd chair. He failed to realize that no one, and I mean no one, messes with Ninja Ann 1L.

Ann grabs her stuff and runs down the hall to Kristin's room. She drops off her stuff there and frantically recants her story about the library bum. Kristin said that she had seen him the whole week on that very floor. She said she could smell him anywhere...he has a distinct smell, like bleach and urine. Ninja Ann BACK FLIPS (like Kim Possible) to the front lobby where a member of our police force stands guard at all hours. Guess he wasn't paying much attention if he let that shifty Homeless Pete in all week long.

Ninja Ann told her story to officials and found out his name. As resourceful as she has proven to be, she runs a background check to find that HE HAS A HISTORY OF DRUG MANUFACTURING AND DELIVERY. HE WENT TO JAIL FOR 4 YEARS FOR MANUFACTURING, POSSESSION, AND DISTRIBUTION OF ILLEGAL NARCOTICS. That explains the bleach smell. The urine is just him being Homeless Pete. While he was being escorted out, his only possessions fall out of his pockets - comb, toothbrush, and toothpaste, and a recorder.

Now Ninja Ann travels the world telling her story to all that will hear her tale of Homeless Pete.

Beware, if this happened to Ninja Ann IL, it can happen to you too. Actually, it WILL happen to you. Tomorrow.

Law School = Addictions.

I heard from a classmate that many law students leave in 3 years with a J.D. and an addiction of sorts. I think she said something about 2/3's and that alcohol was the most common addiction. I stumbled upon a group on Facebook after I Googled "Law School Addictions" with hopes to find truth in this addiction hearsay and, instead, I found a group called "Addictions I picked up in law school to help me cope" with this posted:

"My small section hit the bars after our first exam was done. One of my friends (who I hope doesn't mind my telling this story, if he's reading this) came along and he wasn't drinking. Can't, because of all the meds he's on to counteract the pummeling law school is giving his brain and body. The rest of us were merrily boozing it up. I told my friend that his meds are a coping mechanism-precedent, while booze, for the rest of us, is a coping mechanism-subsequent. Yes, we'd just finished our contracts exam."

1. I just said hearsay outside of legal writing. The appellate brief really got to me.
2. Yes, law students do speak like the quote above. It may sound snooty to you, but it's actually really funny in our world. Everything we learn (after we actually learn it and it makes sense) in ingrained in us to the point that we start using legal terms in normal conversations and think that they're actually funny. For example, me using hearsay and saying something like "I need to 1406 this place, there's too much Ed Hardy going on in here and it's making me feel uncomfortable." 28 USC 1406 governs when a party can change the venue (aka the court) when it is an improper venue and allows you to transfer to a proper venue or file a motion to dismiss. Notice that to a lay person it may not seem funny, but if I busted that out at Pub Fiction around my law school friends, not only would they be impressed that I remember something from Civil Procedure but they will also think that I'm very clever and witty. 1404 is also a transfer of venue but when a venue is PROPER...but let's face it, when is a bar that attracts guidos ever proper? So next time you're at a lame party, just say you have to 1406 it.
   

Back to addictions. I started thinking, am I addicted to anything?! I don't go out, so it can't be booze. I gave up chocolate for lent and haven't really eaten chocolate since lent has been over. Narcotics are out of the question and I haven't touched my bottle of NoDoze since last semester...so what can I be? I look up and it's staring me in the face. REDBULL. I drink AT LEAST two of these bad boys a day. When I first started drinking them I would buy the sugar-free kind in the small bottle; because let's face it, a girl's gotta keep her figure! But now, I DON'T CARE! I NEED TO STAY AWAKE. I NEED TO OUTLINE. I NEED TO BE ALERT AND PAY ATTENTION TO HOW MANY SPACES COME AFTER MY PERIOD AND BEFORE AND AFTER MY "Id."'s! And let's not leave out my frequent buyer card at Luby's - after 8 cups of coffee you get your 9th one free. Let's just say that I've been through my fair share of free coffees, I feel bad asking for another.

In conclusion, my name is Jackie and I am a caffeine addict.

Here's a laundry list of random things I have become addicted to that you might want to do yourself if you're bored. Actually, they're just things I do everyday when I don't want to study or am "taking a break".

1. Stumble.com - A random websites generator. Once, I found one about how to be a samurai warrior!
2. Gilt and Rue La La - nothing beats online shopping for designer items at discount pricing!
3. LOLcats - YES, THAT'S RIGHT. I have 3 dogs but LOVE LOVE crazy cat pictures with ebonic subtitles. I can haz a break frum da bookz plz?
   
4. Sexypeople-blog.com and awkwardfamilyphotos.com. Nothing is more uplifting than laughing at the expense of others awkward pictures from the late 80s early 90s.
5. Finding indie bands by searching my favorite indie bands on cdnow.com and going through the "more like this band" listings. MY CURRENT FAVORITE: THE DIRTY PROJECTORS. LOVE IT. NOW.
6. Planning my wedding and reading wedding blogs. Reminder: I'm not even engaged.
7. Planning a spring break that is never going to happen because we have to study during spring break.
   
8. Looking at bags I can't afford and searching for them on ebay with Kaytlyn.
9. Youtube.
   

Stress

I remember studying for accounting in undergrad and thinking that that was the hardest thing I ever had to do. Then the LSAT - gosh, was that difficult. Last semester, I felt that the entire month leading up to finals was the hardest I had ever worked in my life. (All to make mediocre grades, btw). And today I turned in what might be the most important paper of my life. I had classes as a political science member who were graded solely on a midterm and a essay. The essays weren't that bad and I was usually able to b/s my way through them. I just finished the mother of all essays...mostly because an appellate brief isn't an essay, it's a legal document. I started researching for it the day after we got the assignment; so like a month ago. I have been writing relentlessly and thinking about different angles and arguments to win my case everyday for the past month. Yes, turning it in to day takes a giant weight of my shoulders because now I can focus on outlining and studying for finals. But, having the appellate brief out of my life doesn't make my life honky dory. I still think that it is the biggest piece of crap I have ever written in my life and am dreading the day I get it back. On top of that, I'm getting sick again. I was deathly ill from February 22nd - mid-march with an upper resp infection, bronchitis, and a tummy virus. I woke up Saturday morning with a sore throat and it has no escalated to a itchy throat, earache, and a stuffy nose. I swear, if I get sick to the degree I was not too long ago, someone will get hurt. There's no way I can study for finals if I feel like death.

Anyway, enough with ranting. I just subscribed to a website that will send me a daily piece of LOVE. Now, I get a daily devotional in my inbox every morning and Jesus' love is enough to get me through the day but this site sends you all kinds of quotes. Here's their site's description from their home page:

"The Daily Love is a free daily e-multivitamin for your soul! We read and search for the best morsels of inspiration through all the greatest literature ever written; from ancient texts to modern day gurus we bring you well rounded wisdom from all walks of life! The Daily Love has changed so many peoples lives, sign up today to begin your journey one dose at a time!"

The Daily Love aims to make you happy and the best part about being happy is sharing that happiness with others. If you have any friends that you think should get The Daily Love, please feel free to forward this email to them or sign them up at www.TheDailyLove.com

I haven't gotten my first e-mail yet but I will be sure to let y'all know if it's good. Oh and about the diamond earring conundrum from the last post - I found them! =)

HEY AGAIN!

I haven't blogged in months and I feel terrible about it. Law school doesn't allow me to do anything more than facebook and tweet but I will try to keep up with it from now on. Here are a few highlights since last summer:

• Jesse and I are still working on our alphabet dating. I will update soon about our dates since then.
• Law school has taken over my life. Everyone says it's hard but you really don't realize how much work/reading there is until you're there. If you want to go to law school: don't go unless you're ready to spend all of your days and nights studying and writing!
• My niece Caleigh is now 10 months and she is brilliant! She can already say "Jackie".
  
• I have made a lot of great friends in law school. Whoever said everyone was vicious and competitive was wrong.
• I got really into working out and then stopped because I had some weird illness last month that is now going away...I had it for about a month.
• I have a clerkship this summer! I don't suck at life!
  
• I still miss Baylor terribly! Speaking of...

TWO MAJOR THINGS HAVE HAPPENED IN THE PAST BAYLOR MONTHS THAT I WISH WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE I WAS A STUDENT, RATHER THAN AN ALUM:

#1 BAYLOR MENS AND WOMENS BASKETBALL ARE IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT AND KICKING BUTT!

This is LaceDarius Dunn. I like to believe that we are best friends.

I have several brackets and I only picked Baylor going to the championship game in one of them. I'm sure we'll at least make it to the Elite Eight. I have tickets for the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 - they're both here in Houston at Reliant Stadium. It will be weird to see Reliant set up as a basketball court rather than the Texans field or the rodeo dirt that was there the last couple of weeks. A lot of my friends from Baylor are driving in for the game(s) so I'm super excited to see them!

#2 Kappa Alpha Theta (my sorority) made Pigskin!!!

Every year Baylor greeks participate in the second largest off Broadway production in the country. It sounds a bit crazy when people hear that every fraternity and sorority practice everyday starting the first day of school in the Spring semester for 4 hours! Judges are flown in that are experts in dance/theater/vocals and judge the groups during each performance. The groups perform two weekends, Thursday - Saturday. The top 8 acts get to perform during Homecoming Weekend in the Fall in a short version of Sing called Pigskin.

Theta made it this year! (for the first time in 3 years!!!) Their theme was "Ring by Spring" and was a satirical view of a young freshman looking for love. So cute! I'm so proud of Theta! I can't wait to see what the girls stir up next Spring.



The next post will be an ABC dating update and a sequence of pictures from the months since I've been in law school.

SIC'EM BEARS!

Kate da Kat Lady

(Tommy sleeping on Kate's cases for her final memo, Fall 2009)

Tommy & Kate: A Haiku

Kate's cat is Tommy.
Tommy eats chicken at night;
Kate wakes up and yells.

It's been a while...

You would think that the reason I haven't blogged in a while is because I've been busy being my fabulous self (which is in part, true) but really I just haven't felt like it. Now, I'm not abandoning my blog, but aside from going to the movies every weekend, getting my wisdom teeth pulled, visiting my Grandma, and reading for law school - I haven't really done anything worth blogging about.

Alphabet dating had been put on hold the past few weeks. Once again, Jesse schemed his way to making E into another movie date with Harry Potter in 3D at Edward's Cinema. I was tired so I went with it. He failed at making watching Funny People (which was not as funny as expected) the F date. We need to come up with something original for F. Something that does not involve going to the zoo to see flamingos or ferrets because it's too dang hot in this city! We've gotten sidetracked by the weekend movie releases. One thing Jesse and I can't resist is a relaxing night watching the weeks "must see". We opted out of our ABC's this past weekend because I had just gotten back from El Salvador so we went on a romantic dinner (followed by a movie, of course!) to catch up on everything that had happened while I was gone. I really missed Jesse and hate being away from him that long, but we got to talk every day and our reunion dinner was so much fun! Distance really does make the heart grow fonder.

I have 11 days until I give myself completely to the study of law. Although this is technically my last weekend to run wild before law school starts, I can't because it is already consumed by something law related! I'm taking a prep course with Kaplan Saturday and Sunday from 9am-5pm. I know, crazy. Then on Tuesday I have a New Student Reception at the law school and orientation Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. I'm really excited/nervous to start this new chapter of my life. The work load is going to be intense but I'm looking forward to learning about subjects I am actually interested in. I cannot even begin to explain how exciting my Contracts reading is. I'm sure this feeling will fade once I'm knee deep in reading.

Lastly, guess who's helping with youth ministries?! ME! Jesse is all for me getting involved with our church, as long as I don't make him volunteer as well. Typical.

I think we might be going to a Stros game this weekend...F is for FANATICS?! We'll see what Jesse has up his sleeve!

Drama

THE HILLS SEASON 5 PREMIERE MONDAY APRIL 6 9PM...DON'T MISS IT!

So maybe I'm a little obsessed. I live for drama and seeing as how I have ZERO drama in my life and am too lazy to stir up my life I have nothing else to do but follow Lauren (LC), Heidi, and Audrina. The commercials have been driving me insane! Did Audrina and Brody "hook up"? Are Heidi and Lauren reconciling? The suspense is killing me! I want to know now! I know, I know...The Hills is partially scripted but it's still sooooo addicting! Betrayal, love, friendships, cat fights, and Lauren's amazing wardrobe - what more can you ask from a 30min MTV original series? This is the LAST season that Lauren Conrad will be on the show, so basically this is the last season of The Hills. I guess I'll have to get in to From G's to Gents now.

** According to Heidi Montag's Twitter, she and Lauren had an amazing time at The Hills photo shoot last week. Looks like one of my questions has been answered!

I am so excited for Heidi and Lauren! I never hated Heidi, I just think that sometimes girls let their boyfriends control them; especially if the bf starts doing that early on in the relationship, it becomes the norm from then on. Whatever happened between them I'm sure is just one big misunderstanding. It's the commercials about Audrina that I absolutely cannot stomach. How can she do that?! Hooking up with your friends ex is NOT allowed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPXC9oV224k

This week's must watch:

Tomorrow @ 7pm CW
Gossip Girl
Chuck loves Blaire, but is it a little too late?

Tuesday @ 7pm ABC Family
Secret Life of the American Teenager Season Finale
Amy has the baby...

Thursday @ 8 ABC
Grey's Anatomy
Can McDreamy and the rest of Seattle Grace save Izzy after all?

On to less important things...I have recently decided where I will be going to law school. After much heartache and careful thought, I decided on South Texas College of Law over Syracuse. I could post my pros/cons list on here as some of it would humor many of you (ex. Syracuse Pro - get to hail cabs on a daily basis) but I'd rather not. I was crabby throughout the whole decision making process and I'm sure Jesse wouldn't want me to pick the scab. As much as I would have loved to start a new life in NY, I'd much rather go back to Houston and be close to my family, friends, and Yao Ming.


I bought my cap and gown last week...goodbye college.