Now you know

I figured out this morning why they say don't put a metal spoon in a blender. I got up this morning to watch a segment on Good Day Utah about the Empress Theatre out in Magna. My brother and sister-in-law are ubber involved with this theatre and honestly when I can afford it I would like to invest in this cute little theatre. Here are the segments if you want to watch http://www.fox13now.com/news/gooddayutah/ Go to the Big Buddah segment and its parts 1-4 I think. I also now want to stop by the Kiwi Bakery and get some aussie treats. I actually like the Magna. But anyway, back to the blender. I was making a smoothie this manana when my fruit wasn't blending so I just poked it a bit while it was going and I hit the blade. Out spruts half of my smoothie! It was all over the floor, counter, and cupboards. And later I went to go pull my hair back and there was part of a raspberry in my hair. I washed it out and went on with my day. But now I know that you really shouldn't put your metal spoons in a blender. By the way if you are wondering about my smoothie here is the recipe.

chuck in some frozen raspberries
toss in a chopped up banana
squirt in some honey for sweetness
a spoonful of plain yogurt
and dash of skim milk.

It actually was really good. I might have to make those more often. I also got up before 8 for once! Go team!

I had a few thoughts...

I had a couple thoughts about A&E today. Not the Arts & Entertainment channel, Adam and/or Eve. As some of you know we are studying the Old Testament. I had a few thoughts while in Sunday school today. First thought, what do you think Adam and Eve talked about in the garden? I mean really, they have no knowledge and so what were their conversations? "Hey honey! There's a new flower over by the apple tree." Woo...stimulating conversation. Here is my second thought, Adam totally sold Eve out! I mean the Lord said "Adam did you take of the fruit?" Adam answers with, "dude you know that chick you gave me? Totally her fault." Isn't that like a guy? Those are just a few thoughts I had.

Empuje!

That means "Push!" in Spanish. No I'm not delivering a baby. That was the thought I had on my run this morning. When I was in Florida I loved pushing myself in my workouts. Making myself go further or faster. I would run my normal 5 miles then the last minute back to my apartment I'd make myself sprint. I decided I need to get back that desire to push myself. I know that I can do anything if I put my mind to it. So my run today I did an out and back, meaning out 1.5 miles and turn around and back 1.5. On the way back through the business park the head wind sucked!! It was horrible! I wanted to stop and walk so many times. I made myself run through the wind. Because my thinking was once I got out of the open business park back to the homes that there would be a wind barrier. So I said, "ok run to the end of the business park." I got to thinking while running though about "empuje" I decided that I would run through the neighborhood to the next stoplight. My theory by the way that the houses would kill the wind was way wrong! The houses just created a wind tunnel down the street. But I pushed myself. I ended up taking 2 minutes longer than I normally do on a 3 mile run, which by the way I need to really calibrate my ipod. Because its way off. I didn't meet my goals for this run, which were to finish in less than 2 minutes over and not walk. I did walk twice. But that just gives me the opportunity to push myself the next time. But it got my thinking what can I push myself to do better in other aspects? So here are some ideas I had for myself.
#1: Be a better member of the church: Push myself to get to the temple once a month. Hello! I have 4 temples within 30 minutes of my house! There is no excuse. I also can take my scripture reading and prayers more seriously. The biggest thing is to go to church for the gospel not to find friends.
#2: Push myself to be a better friend: I have been neglecting some friends lately and these friends have been with my for ages and they don't deserve to be pushed on the back burner. I will make it up to you all I promise!
#3: Push myself to be a better future attorney: I need to push myself in my bar studies. I do the minimum currently. When in reality I need to do the maximum. I need to fight for those people I want to help and the best way to do that right now is to take the bar seriously and pass.
#4: Push myself to be a better sister, aunt, and daughter: This means hang with my family more. Realize that out of everyone in my life they will always support me and will always be there for me. Some friends come and go but my family never will and I need to show them that I am there for them as well.
#5: Push myself to be a better member of society: What am I doing to contribute to the welfare of my fellow human being? Lars came up with a brilliant idea of traveling with purpose. Meaning when we take our vacations we would do a humanitarian project along with it. Not only can I help those abroad but I can help those here. I can get out and vote (for those that think that this means I am picking a political party, sorry no dice. I am still very NON partisan.) But getting out to vote gets my voice out there even if sometimes its very quiet. I can also volunteer for things. I used to love donating blood but I haven't done it for a while. That is one thing I can do that is quick. I better go eat some cream of wheat then. :)
Well that's word of the day, "empuje!"

What better way...

to break in a pair of new running shoes than by pounding the pavement? It was a great day yesterday for a run. So I put on my new shoes and ran 3.25 miles. It was glorious! I always forget how much I love running. I got a blister and it was worth it. I tend to have issues with my knee when I go from treadmill to pavement so it was not happy with me yesterday. I opted to not go to 24Set this morning and give my knee a rest. I decided that that was just an excuse. So I tried to get to the 9:15 24Set but I was too late. So I biked hills for 25 minutes then did weights for about 25 minutes. I should have done more. But the thing is I'm worried about hurting my knee. I try to tell myself that I'm just making excuses. But every time I stand up I have to walk on my toes until it stops hurting. It was probably a good idea to take a break. I'll get back to the run tomorrow. And while at the gym there is a really hot personal trainer at 24Hour Fitness. Going to get a personal trainer? Heck yes I am! No I'm not really. But I was embarrassed because I wore my High School Musical socks. Thanks Christi. Oops.
I forgot to share my stories about my experiences with the singles ward. So two weeks ago I was talking to this guy and he asked where I came from and I said I had just graduated from school. He asked what I graduated in and I said law school. He looked at me and walked away. Then last week I was talking to the branch presidents wife (I know the branch president and his wife. I worked at his insurance firm while in high school) and she asked if I had graduated from law school. I said yes and that I was taking the bar and then I'd be an attorney. This guy walking down the hall who I have never seen nor talked to before turns around and says "YOU are going to be an attorney?!" I said yes and the branch presidents wife asked why that was so surprising. He said, "Well uh there aren't a lot of women attorneys. I'm just kidding anyway." Riiight. Whatever. Anyway, its been fun going there. Ahem.
Moving on, so I decided that my blog can no longer be titled "Life of a Law Student" because I am no longer a law student. I'm thinking, "recent grad"? or "life of a bar prep student." Or leave it until I become and attorney then change it then. I don't know...I'll have to solicit suggestions.

The cloud gods are messing with me!

I was in some serious need of some sunshine today. It had been weeks since I'd seen it. I don't like my air looking nice and brown. I have never been so affected by the inversion my whole time being a Utard until now. I just have this sense of gloom with me all the time. I'm working on being more chipper. But its hard with no sunshine to help out. So I got up today did my homework for bar prep, worked out, went to lunch with Linds and decided to drive to Park City to see the sun. I was driving up the canyon and its starting to get lighter and I get excited! Round the top of the canyon and what the?! Its overcast in Park City! What the crap?! I came to you Mr. Park City to see some sunshine! You failed! Failed Park City! You are now on my stink eye list Mr. Park City! Actually going to PC did put me in a better mood. As I was leaving the sun finally peaked out of the clouds for two seconds. It worked. Made me happier. What also helped with my mood was buying a Columbia jacket that is normally $90 was on clearance for the end of the season for only $40. Go team! I like this jacket. It'll be great for hiking once the bloody snow goes away. I really need to get into snow shoeing or skiing or something so I will enjoy winter more. That's my goal for next winter. I want to be an ubber sporty girl and the best way to dot hat is get my workout back on and then get out and hop on my bike, pull on my hiking shoes and just get out there. I'm pretty excited for the spring. But in the meantime I'll work on getting in my daily workouts. Ok that's it for now...except for this one quote. This was from my torts lecturer. He was talking about someone ralphing into a toilet.

"She was what we like to say talking with Ralph on the big white phone."

Spoons...dirty? clean? Doesn't matter

Those of you that know me know that I have a habit of not washing spoons I have used at school. Christi is the most disgusted by this fact and often times would try to throw away my plastic spoon. She was disgusted that I didn't throw away my plastic spoon. I didn't see the point of throwing this said spoon because I thought it was wasteful and I could use it again. Granted every time I used it it tasted like the food I ate the first time. But I digress. So then I brought my spoons from home. There were times when I wouldn't wash my spoon for a bit. Disgusting? Yes. Did/do I care? Ummm...no. I'm the only one using it so who cares. Except those that kiss me I suppose. So here is the latest saga in the spoon story. I take yogurt, an apple and a luna bar to my bar prep classes for dinner. I have a spoon in my backpack that I use for my yogurt. Now I have washed this spoon actually a lot more than I ever have washed a spoon. Christi you would be proud! But I was eating my yogurt today and this guy that I have become friends with her at bar prep. His name is...uh...oh...dang...umm...Chris? Kurt? Kevin? Kyle? Ok so I don't remember but he's a nice guy. So I'm eating my yogurt today and I finish it lick my spoon and throw it back in my bag. He leans forward and says, "why do I get the feeling you never wash that spoon?" I laughed and he said, "eww." and leaned back. I think that my reputation has preceded me to bar prep. Maybe I should start washing my spoons...nah...like I said I'm the only one using it and I'm not getting kissed anytime soon. Especially from my new bar friend. :)

Looking Back on 2009

I got to thinking today that really last year was a great year for me. There are a few areas where it was, they are friends, family, experience, school, and personal growth.
Friends: 2009 started out with me hanging with my friends in Salt Lake. It was great to be back with old friends. Returning to Moscow I was back with a dear friend Christi. She was one of the first people to talk to me when I made my crazy transfer to U of I in 2008. She told me after our first meeting that she knew we would be friends and she was right. She's been a dear friend ever since. Blood sisters right Christi? ;) Christi just so everyone knows is my favorite ever! The next time I made dear friends is when we had a stake dinner shin dig and I was asked to go play capture the flag and fugitive. It was cold and rainy but a great time! That was the second time I ever hung out With Lara. See the first time I hung out with Lara I was hanging out with our friend Scott at my house when we were invited over to Lara's to play card games. Needless to say there was a girl there who was quite infatuated with Mr. Brinton and she was not nice to me. I after that figured Lara and the beasty were buddies and I figured it was best to stay away. Silly me. When we played capture the flag I agreed with Lara to hide the flag up in the tree. After that I knew we would be a good mischievous team. We then tormented Whitney with playing cards and have kept in touch since. I don't know what I would do without our daily chats. For the summer I decided to take classes and stay in Moscow. Best decision I could have made. First because Moscow in the summer is the greatest! Second, because I got to hang with someone I truly consider a sister, Trista! We had a great summer. Mostly we were preoccupied with school but on those days we got sometime off we went cliff jumping (or cliff falling off for me), the Lentil Festival, dates in Lewiston, finding Janet in Genessee and long night drives. I would not have survived the summer without her. I don't know how I will survive Utah without her either. There aren't words to even describe what this girl means to me. Next is Beth.Beth never really hung out with me until the beginning of this past semester and I am truly grateful she did. Beth understands me more than anyone I have ever met. I can talk to her about anything and she gives me the advice I need. Thanks for always being there Beth! I look forward to hanging with you this summer. Jetta, Jetta, Jetta. Where do I start? Jetta saved my life in BA and is one of the smartest people I know. There are times when I am talking to her when I realize I really am an idiot. :) Because of Jetta I went on a great camping trip and did a road trip to Canada. See Trista and I have these great plans but we don't really follow through. But you get Jetta involved and its done! Jetta and I have taken a great bike trip to Troy and plan on biking Hiawatha in May. Jetta is a good time. Landon is a first year law student and cracks me up. I have never had a more quick witted friend then Landon. He is an Arrested Development nut like I am and we have a good time quoting that show. I'll miss that kid. Hyrum
hmmm...how to begin this. Hyrum was one person (besides Trista, Lara, Christi, Beth, Jetta ok he is the only guy!) that I could be completely blunt and honest with and he would keep hanging around. I never understood why. I liked the fact that we could disagree about everything but it never ruined our relationship. But here is a word of warning. Once you date a good friend and it ends don't expect to stay friends. That was the worst part of ending it. I no longer have my good friend. Well that was depressing to end on that note. So we won't. I am excited for 2010 to reconnect with those friends that have been in Utah while I've been abroad. I also look forward to meeting new friends!
Family: This year I met two new nephews. Kyle and Carson.They both are getting to that really fun age. I also realized that while I enjoyed having my favorites I really enjoy all of my sobrinos. They all have something that cracks me up.
Experience: I have wanted to be an immigration attorney ever since my mission. I can pinpoint exactly when I decided I should look into it. It was my last week in the mission field. My companion Hermana Auxier and I were translating for Luis in a traffic suit. His attorney was meeting with him and we translated. I remember thinking that there needed to be more people like this attorney we were currently chatting with. I wanted to help the people that I had come to love during my 18 months as a missionaries. During the summer I was in the domestic violence and sexual assault clinic. But I also had the opportunity to work in the immigration clinic. I taught a "Know your Rights" class to a group of immigrant workers. They were a great reminder as to why I was in law school. I also worked with a lady to help her get her permanent residency and an asylum seeker get prepared for his interview. It was a great learning experience and I am excited to now move on to my career.
School: Like I mentioned I went to law school solely to do immigration work.
But while in school I realized that I find property law, criminal law and juvenile law were fascinating. While my motto has and always will be "law school makes you stupid", it has also made me a better person. I have become a more compassionate person. I learned that I really can go into a courtroom and hold my own. I also graduated in 2009. I finished a semester early. I have to say I am dang proud of what I have accomplished. I completed my undergrad in 3 years, served a mission and completed law school in 2 1/2 years. I have lived on the other side of the country and realized I could survive. Not only survive but thrive. I feel I've become a better person. Go team!
Lastly, Personal Growth: I felt on my mission that that was the time I truly found myself. That was true. I also feel this last year was another time for that. I found out that if I put my mind to it I could accomplish anything. I have goals for this upcoming year and I plan on completing them. Those include hiking Havasupai, running a half marathon, passing the bar, and doing what I can to make life better for just one person. We can always look back on our life and point out all of our regrets. Or we can continue to move forward and try to make life more meaningful for ourselves and others. Thanks to everyone who has shaped my life to what it is today. I love and am grateful for all of you. There is no where to go but forward. I look forward to the unknown and conquering it along the way.

Monica!

I was talking to my friend Monica and I was remembering some funny little stories about her. So I told her I was going to blog about her. Well its true I'm going to share some stories about her. Maybe every once and awhile I'll highlight a new friend. I have some dang funny friends!
Monica:The first story involves Treasa as well. Treasa, Monica and I decided to go to San Diego for the weekend. This was before my mission so this was in what? 2003? 2004? Some where around there. We went over Valentine's Day to spend our day at the beach and forget the fact that we were single. Oddly enough both of these two are no married and I...well lets move on. Anyway, we went to Sea World and it had rained earlier that day and Treasa and I were wearing flip flops and everyone was telling us to be careful we might slip. So Treasa and I walk carefully and Monica just walks along fine because she has tennis shoes on. Monica split up from us to get a map and Treasa and I were going to the gift shop. We then see this group gathered around someone and its Monica on the ground. She had slipped. Treasa and I make sure she is ok. Then laugh and say "hey we'll see you in the giftshop." We are ubber sensitive like that. It was hilarious though.
The second story is when Monica got a kitten. It was the first day she had it and she wanted to go to the store to get the cat stuff at night. I drove and Monica wanted to take the kitten. We are driving down the road and I started smelling something foul. I turn on the lights and the cat had pooped all over Monica. It was hilarious. We had to go back so she could change and leave the cat at home. Thankfully nothing got on my car. Oh Monica! There are other funny stories but we'll save her from the rest.
HAHA!! Man those were good times. These people should watch out for the next time! Carri, Trista, Janelle, Jacque, Jenny. There are a lot of J's there. Beware!! There are more but I currently can't think of more because I'm sick and I prefer to say that that is the reason I can't think. Anyway, peace out!

New Year's Resolooters

Yes you know who you are! You are the ones that decided "This year is the year! I'm going to the gym!" Then you stop going about February. You all have this great sparkly eyed ambition and you love it and pet it and then it dies. Reminds me of this clip. While I give you props for trying to make yourself better and healthier I do NOT give you props for stealing my spot in 24Set today. I finally found a parking spot at Trolley Corners and ran to the class only to find it completely filled an no where to set up shop. Disgruntled I left. Yes, yes I left! I could have ran on the treadmill, but I was sans ipod which I pretty much need so I don't kill myself with the monotonous running that is the treadmill. Running outside I can do it. So why didn't you just run outside? You are asking. Well see Salt Lake and the surrounding valley has this great thing we like to call an inversion. Its disgusting. The pollution just sits in the valley and you can't even see across the valley. It is not good to run with that kind of air. Which once again makes me miss Moscow and my clean air. I also have come down with a sore throat. I blame Nolan for coughing in my face. Although I don't think he had a sore throat so instead I'll blame it on the fact that its winter and that's just what happens. So being sick, plus cold winter air, plus gross disgusting air means no run at least outside. Now are you thinking why didn't you just go get your ipod and go back. Have no fear! I am going to the gym just not until after my bar prep class tonight. I had to come home and catch up on some barbri stuff. I slacked off on Sunday. I actually don't study on Sunday's but I was going to stay up and do it at midnight. Yes well that didn't happen. I have to take this more seriously or I am screwed. While I gave you new years resolooters some crap I do think that goals are a good thing. While I refuse to call them resolutions I am going to label them as goals. They are not year long ones but there are short term and long term. Anyway lets continue.

Short term: Complete all of the bar class requirements and take the classes seriously
Completion date: March 8, 2010

Short term: Pass the bar and the MPRE
completion date: March 8, 2010

Short term: Become a morning person...meaning get some sleep! Get up at 7:00 get to sleep by 11:30
Completion date: February 28, 2010

Short term: Keep up with the half marathon plan
Completion date: June 15, 2010

Short term: Sparkpeople continuous
completion date: February 1, 2010

Short term: Buy a house and figure out where, Utah? Idaho? Washington?
completion date: before May 1, 2010 so I can get my house credit!

Long term: get out of debt, credit card first, car second, school loans third.
Completion date: Who knows...but soon!

Ok there we go! I am going to go do my laundry and read some property law. Go team!