Today

Today started off well enough.

Late as usual, but awake, and prepared to hop on my 9am rail to school.
For those that caught that, yes, it's Sunday, a weekend, and I'm going to school--Library, Study Group, Legal Methods to be exact, .
Just like Next Saturday, I will be going to school, Writing Lab, 4 hours, grammar.
Life as a 1L.

I've learned, we're not graded on the curve that hinges on "imaginary competition, amongst colleagues." Undoubtedly that curve is their. As phrased by a 2L,
"Everyone fails, you just want to fail the least..."

No--the curve in law school is not about how you're doing compared to your neighbor. Its about how good "you" as an individual are doing at keeping up with the "learning curve."
Sure it starts off rough,....30 pages a night, 5 classes a week, week one.
the increments steadily increase. 40 pages a night, week two. 45 pages week 3.
Week 4, you are reading 50 a night and not blinking. In addition to reading you now have "Memo's due" and Cases to "shepardize." You have in fact stopped briefing all your cases for all your classes, and are realizing, "hey, I read."
***
But Lets catch up.

My Friday night

My FIRST Friday night out in weeks, maybe months? A baseball game, that one of the Law-clubs on campus sponsored. Being a would-be member of this organization, I thought it choice to attend.

Straight from school, I am picked up at 4:30 to arrive at the tail-gate at 5ish. I have not changed from my "conservative" school clothes, but have tried to "blend" and opted to wear a baseball cap that has my "School" name on it. (woo-hoo)
As I am being handed a wine-cooler, to my mentors astonishment, she acknowledges and admonishes, that still in my hand is my reading for Legal Methods along with five beautiful highlighters, for the ever revered multi-highlighting book brief shortcuts discussed in Law School Confidential-which indeed I have never read.

Unlike my group members, not present for said function, I realize I must play catch-up, and knowing I have NO Interest in Baseball, That I will be reading at this game.....
I'm let off the social "party-foul" hook, as I take my first drink.

3 and a half hours, 2 more drinks, and after witnessing my mentor do a Keg-stand, I am realizing that I desperately need to leave.

Of course, once again, I'm admonished and praised for being the better and yet most boring student of the lot.

***
Saturday

I ignore the social calls once more to go out for lunch, and settle for something "boxed" as take-out, only by promising to meet for dinner, I brought my highlighters and reading to dinner.

***
Today, Sunday.
I woke up. (I've learned, "that counts.")

I'm ready to leave, when, "where is the cat?" comes into my head, and out of my mouth.

"Kitty" "Time to come home"

-she didn't come...I walked for a block, looked up and down tree's and she didn't come. I missed my rail. I of course have 5 hours to make the next rail. (As study group isn't til 2:30 this afternoon. But, after my ride had left, of course, on my steps, is my beautiful blue cat. She's grounded. But relieved as I was, I let her curl up next to me, and was just happy to have her safe. The things that matter, right?

Speaking of which, I've decided to share some encouragement, before I delete most:
Here are the things (some of the text) that are currently in my phone, that get me through my day: [edited of course for readability and protection of identity]

"Improvise, adapt, overcome, and kill someone if you have to!" --Marine 5/3/05
"There comes a point in your life where you realize who really matters, who never did, and who never will. Send this to those who matter" -Mom 9/28/06
"A person you dislike is like a slinky. Useless until you push them down the stairs and it brings a smile to your face."-John Doe. 12/14/06
From my mother, asking me to send a msg to my father, after a divorce of 20 years, "Happy 28th Anniversary; I'm still happy because I got you" Mom, 6/16/07
"I love you too" My Favorite Sister 7/31/07
"All work and no fun makes..." S 8/1/07
"I am out in Texas now...Like I said baby just try and remember how you have pulled out of worse situations before. You're a soldier, remember beautiful." 8/7/07 -"Dirk"
"Good luck with everything out there. I know you will rock it" 8/10/07
"You need to know that it is about you now.  Honey, this entire struggle is your investment in YOUR life....If someone ins in your life now and they are not helping, they are in the way. Seriously, you have worked way to hard to let anyone bring you down. Just so you know, I am proud to know  someone that knows what they want, and that has the drive and stick-tu-a-tiveness.  Thats you honey. One amazing woman that has everything anyone couldask for. Be strong like I know you are. Soon enough you will be through school and your struggle now will pay off for the rest of your life. With love honey" "Dirk" 8/20/07
"Sounds like you're fighting your way to greatness. " S 8/24/07
"Good luck. I'm sure its hard to gauge any progress at this point, but in the long term you will do great. Just remember to take a second to look around" 9/4/07
After the posting of "Law School Musical" -"I know that you would make a hott mess compared to the guy in the video in that situation" S 9/11/07
"I read your latest blog..."  S 9/18/07

I guess my letters to No One do reach Someone, and maybe the "ideas" will reach everyone.

Time to purge the phone in hopes, that someone will fill it up again with an equal amount of encouragement. Wishing my little universe some hope...


http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-09-22-jena-tensions_N.htm