Tumble

Today I fell up the stairs at school. I fell hard, but I'll have a great little scab on my elbow to prove I'm a trooper! I left with all body parts, and most of my dignity, intact.

On my way home I stopped by Starbucks and bought myself a tumbler to make me feel better.

I'm learning to enjoy the little things in life.

And I was stopped at a stoplight...so it doesnt count as driving.

Lawnerds.com

I am loving lawnerds.com! Basically there are a few things they don’t take the time to teach you in law school…for example outlining. Now, I have always thought I was an outlining pro, but outlines in law school are WAY different. People pay big bucks from good outlines, and it’s encouraged as well. It’s not like buying an essay in undergrad (obviously a “no no”) but there are companies that specialize in these outlines. Law fraternities allow students to post outlines if they get an A or higher in the class, so they can share them. It’s a big deal. Why? Well I’m not sure yet!

However, lawnerds.com is slowly walking me through the process! It has to do with memorizing things as a cohesive unit, and understanding processes. You have to know all the “buts” for example:

     Hitting someone with a stick makes you liable
Unless it was in self defense
Or unless it was unintentional & unavoidable to a reasonable person
Or unless it was reasonable and intentional to prevent harm for another

Anywho, that’s the gist of law school! They tell you a rule, then they tell you all the reasons it wont work in given situations.

Tort Humor

One week down, 77 more to go

My first week in law school has now been conquered. So if I figure 13 weeks in a semester, which makes 26 weeks in a school year, and 3 school years…that puts me at 78 weeks total. Hence, 77 more to go. Or if it makes you feel better, that makes 539 days.


This first week has been much better than expected. As most of you remember, I was less than thrilled about starting law school. I few things I’ve learned.

1. Get a backpack. My side has bruises from my tote bag, but I managed to forget mine at home. Why get a backpack? Um…have you seen these books?!

Enough said.

2. Find your study place. Thankfully, Lincoln has an amazing law library, however I have yet to make much use out of it. I’ve found my desk in my room is more than adequate.

3. Not everyone got brought up using facebook or shopping at GAP during class. Very frowned upon. I was surprised to find I’ve only found one or two students all week that have pulled anything up besides notes. Every classroom moment has a reason, so don’t miss it.

4. Reread everything. From syllabi to textbooks, and cases to emails. There is so much information, so a second glance through can help pick up on everything missed.

I am NOT claiming to be an expert on law school. Certainly not! However, I am claiming to know a little about how to keep your head above water the first week! Keep your feet kicking and never let them see ya sweat!

Ahh… the benefits of being a native

To most everyone’s shocking disbelief, I have been able to make a few friends here at school. Finally, I am able to enjoy the wonders of being the native amongst many aliens of this fine state. From giving directions, to explaining the glories of Omaha, I finally feel knowledgeable about my college state.

For example, explaining a few of the glories of Nebraska to a Californian and Coloradoan (that’s how spell check tells me to spell it!)


• No toll roads! I mean, to where would they even go?
• Cicadas, yes they are loud and large, but check out their shedding skin left on trees
• Lightning bugs- glorious!
• Summer lightning storms
• Explanation of driving in snow
• Chiggers, not so much a glory…but a forewarning
• Yes, people do seem more genuinely friendly
• HUSKERS! (enough said)

Just a few of the basics were covered this first week, but I figure I was a pretty good teacher on “the good life”

A couple other exciting facts from this week! I have now been both to and from school without my GPS, in addition, I have made it to Alana’s house and back! No, I have not been called on in class still (phew!) And the nice kid whose car I made a small scratch on was exceptionally understanding.

Oh and I now have a shirt PROVING I actually go to school :)

“Painfully Slow”

As my Civil Procedures Professor so clearly dictated, "You will be learning to read like a lawyer, pulling out facts by reading painfully slow"


That statement is not only understated, but also may be my demise. I love a feeling of accomplishment. One of my favorite ways of acquiring that feeling is to finish a novel. If that is the feeling you are going for, I advise you not to attend law school.

However, I am afraid this school is lulling me into a false sense of security. They fully intend on making you feel overly confident in your abilities, and then begin to pile on the unnatural amounts of homework the 2L’s fervently warn against. Just a prediction! On the other hand, yes, that does mean things are going well and my time management has been fully balanced thanks to my new city, lack of friends, and GAP located too far to justify shopping.

Tort…like a tortoise? Tortuga? Tortilla? TORTURE?

Classes. I appear to have failed to give much description on my classes.
M/T/W: Contracts and Civil Procedures
M/T: Legal Writing (should have taken OC's prep course on that one!)
Th/F: Torts and Property
Sound boring? In my opinion, a student could not be calm enough to be bored…in large part due to the teaching method in law school. That is the Socratic Method. In layman’s terms that would be picking out one student by random and asking questions directed at the poor soul until he/she cries or class is dismissed. Did I mention “I don’t know” is not an acceptable answer? So the minute the teacher grabs the class roster, you hold your breath, close your eyes and pray the next word out of the professor’s mouth is NOT your last name.

I may be exaggerating simply in the sense that no one has cried. Therefore, I do not have reason to believe the professor would even cease to question a crying student. However, I have yet to be called on…

I will have to wait to test my theory until that day arrives.

Phase 5 Room 4111

To my pleasant surprise, someone broke into my bedroom this past weekend to recreate my mother’s childhood bedroom into my own personal phase 5 apartment. I now not only have adorable button bookends, but a corkboard, and a closepin ribbon photo holder across my mirror. Thank you for all the notes, they couldn’t have come at a better time. I’ve never felt so appreciated by everyone!

If you are wondering, yes this is better than Phase 5. I have a chef downstairs insisting to make dinner for me promptly at 5:00, and the roommates are so quiet I often forget I’m not alone. I even get to have a cat! (even though one could argue it looks remarkably like a beached seal)

Scared to Death

First day Jitters....that's an understatement.


Although I've gotten through Orientation, thoroughly scared and lacking confidence...it has only just begun. Thus far: the workload is manageable, the people are friendly and the books are heavy.


On my first day I got lost, went through 3 schools zones thus barely made it to the parking lot on time before I slightly nudged a neighboring parked car. I got the last seat that wasn't in the front row (phew!) before the guilt set in. After class I returned the scene of the crime were I left a note and a number for the poor soul with the HUGE car.


That was my morning, but the rest of the day seems to be going smoothly. 2 classes down, one more to go until I can hopefully sneak away to my car before meeting the owner of the automobile face to face.