Texas Bar

"It's not the hours you put in your work that counts, it's the work you put in the hours." -Sam Ewing

Only 15% of people have been on a cruise. I read that the other day and thought it was interesting. Because of that I decided to add a new link on my page with my favorite articles I've run across. Of those 15%, they tend to go again because they enjoyed it so much.


So it is over, the Bar Exam is done. There has probably not been an emotionally stressful experience I could compare to what took over me due to this exam. It just grew and grew until it hit me so hard right before the exam. The toll it took on me this summer was large, but in the final week it was beyond compare. Fight or flight, and I don't think I have ever shut down so badly. Flight indeed. I was so disappointed with myself. As I made my decision to wait until February to take the test instead, I heard many supportive and comforting things from friends and family alike. I got advice from people I truly respect and that really influenced my decision. One random comment I'll never forget was, "The hardest part for me was actually driving to the bar exam, I don't know how I did it, but it was so extremely difficult." (paraphrasing due to memory). I don't think I could understand that statement before this. It came down to forgiving myself if I decided not to try and knowing I'd feel this same terrible way for the next 6 months. I did not sleep the night before, literally. Not that I was up studying, just insomnia and fear at its worst. The morning came and I felt every hour. I did my best for the following three days. I guess that is all I have to say about that.

My photos don't work anymore. Yahoo photos shut down I think so I had to transfer to flickr. I'm working on getting links working and trying to update.


There are so many things I have missed. The harry potter movie, the book, transformers and the Simpsons (oh and playing poker, haven't played in months). What to do first? I have a lot of catching up to do.

Now what? That was one of the lingering questions I asked myself as I stressed about post-bar life. What am I going to do about work, my late bills, my family, where am I going to live, what do I want?

you can't do it alone

Study

"What others think of us would be of little moment did it not, when known, so deeply tinge what we think of ourselves." - Paul Valery

Quickly, had dinner with Rino, Jessica and two of their two friends. One actually turned out to be related to me. Her and her new fiance just got engaged on the 4th. Here is the connection. Her grandmother was cousin's with my grandfather. Valerie and Rich were really cool and I enjoyed getting to know them.

Ana and Rick came into town. I didn't see her much due to my staying homeness, but I had lunch with them before they left. She is a great sister. Rick is great too. Ana gave me my bar exam ticket. I passed the background test, Go me! One part left.

I found Panna water! Only one person in this world is going to understand what a big deal that is to me.

I just wanted there to be a more current update.

February

Cats and Dogs

Halfway across the river, the frog suddenly felt a sharp sting in his back and, out of the corner of his eye, saw the scorpion remove his stinger from the frog's back. A deadening numbness began to creep into his limbs. "You fool!" croaked the frog, "Now we shall both die! Why on earth did you do that?"
The scorpion shrugged,"I could not help myself. It is my nature."
Then they both sank into the muddy waters of the swiftly flowing river.

- The Scorpion and The Frog

Friday was my last Barbri class. I still have a 3 day PMBR seminar left late this week. There is not much I can say on this front.

I am dog sitting for my cousing Rino while he is out of town. I am staying over at his place with his two dogs Rusty and Cha Chi. I have to say I have learned a lot about dogs in the last few days. I tried to use all my experience I have from reading Pooch Cafe to understand them, but I hate to admit it, but I am more of a cat person. I thought I would be a dog person, the idea of unconditional love and constant need for attention does draw me in. When I first arrived, they were both weary and barked and growled. Since I had met them before, I wasn't scared, but tried not to scare them by approaching too quickly. I wasn't worried about being bitten and they are not very large dogs anyway. After 10 mins of talking and petting and after few snacks, they loved me. They both love attention, but more so Rusty. It was like they instantaneously took a liking to me. They had probably showed me more love that day than my cats over a year. What really got to me was how easy it was, it was like there was no work for it whatsoever. I almost felt upset at them for not having more loyalty to Rino and not accepting me as a protest to him being gone. I guess I'm the only one with crazy loyalty views like that. The walks were hard to get used to and the licking. Oh there is so much licking. The dogs are wonderful though. At night they both slept on the bed with me. They were always so excited to play or go outside or really do anything. It was interesting.


Now Rino is back and I'm back at home. My house is really empty since Oscar and Danny are on vacation.

lock down

Einstein

"The worst thing in the world is to try to sleep and not to." -F. Scott Fitzgerald

I wasn't planning on writing, but today I received the most exciting news. Juan Carlos was accepted to medical school at Einstein in New York City. It is hard to describe how happy and proud I am. If there is anyone that deserves this, it is Juan. This was always Juan's goal, to be a doctor, and despite his hard work and dedication, he had yet to get into med school. He was about to give up on his dream and resign himself to teaching instead, but he just had to become a doctor. Then just as Jorge graduated from Einstein, today he gets the good news that is finally in. If I were up in NYC with them I'd be celebrating like crazy. This is really wonderful.

Today Rino and his girlfriend Jessica came over to drop off their keys. I'm going to be dog sitting for them for the rest of the week. I'll just be staying over at Rino's place taking care of his two dogs while they are out of town for a wedding. I'm happy to help out, I guess we will see how that goes.

This year is much different than my last two years of 4ths. The 4th will always be a special day to me. I have been very sick, and have been taking a lot of medication. I even had to miss a day of class. I'm glad I got this sickness out of the way now so that I can know I'll be healthy in the days in to come. I'm sitting feeling bad, but I'm getting better. I'm slept a lot and been feeling sorry for myself, but that is over now. I don't have any plans for today, so there won't be fireworks, bbqs or anything of the usual things I look forward to. I have a double day of class tomorrow, so I should rest up.

Today Herbert proposed to his girlfriend in DC. It is where he met her, but they both live in Cali. I've known about this for sometime and have been waiting to hear the details. I am happy for them and wish them all the happiness they deserve. Can't believe two of my friends are now engaged. I don't know who is getting married first, him or Jorge, but I can't wait.

Last Friday, Sam gave me a call and told me he was in town. He should be finishing his Phd in May I think. I met up with him in San Marcos at a piano bar. I brought Oscar and we met up with his friends and his sister. I had never been to a piano bar like this. There was a guy who played any song you wanted for money along with a drummer. I can't believe how many songs he knew, and he played them all well. I had a good time, but didn't get to hear my song because I left early (sister hazel), but Sam text messaged me to let me know when it was playing. I really needed this night to get me out of my funk.

On Saturday, my housemate Danny invited me to go with him to a birthday party by Lake Travis. It was a long drive, but it was very scenic. Danny's co-worker's grandmother was turning 85 and the family flew in to celebrate. The house was really nice with a lake view. The highlight of the night was creating a slip and slide down a hill that the adults really enjoyed. The area was really nice, but I don't know if I would like to live so far away from the city. The house had everything, from hammocks, to a real life tree house, sandbox and all kinds of things you wish you could have as a kid. A jacuzzi too along with a radio flyer in the lawn. It seems like a great place to grow up.

I am not happy about the Scooter Libby commutation of sentence but I did expect it. I hope he doesn't later get pardoned. Right now Hillary is still my candidate, but I don't know who I will support if Gore runs. Obama is my 2nd choice and Edwards my third. I'm really find with any of them, but I do wish they wouldn't attack each other so much. I'm still a fan of Nader and do not in anyway blame him for all the terrible things that have happened since Bush became president. I would vote for Nader if had a chance to win and hope he and Bloomberg run to make this a 4 way race. I hate the way democrats treat him, they act like republicans when it comes to Nader.

Oscar and Danny are both flying out to LA for vacation. I'll have two houses all to myself (Rino's where I'm staying). I hope they have a good time. It will be nice to get away from all this rain.

fireworks display