survivor!

Hello Friends!  It's been too long, and I apologize for being MIA for most of the summer.  As you all are well aware, my summer is just now beginning after many weeks studying for the bar exam.  I am happy to report that I did make it out alive, and now I just hope and pray until the results come back in September.

I know you all are sick of hearing about studying, but I want to document a few things about my experience this summer.  If you want to stop reading now, I won't blame you one bit...I promise to be back to normal posts after today.

Things I learned while studying for the bar exam

Disclaimer: I am a pretty level headed person who works hard but doesn't generally stress out too much over any one test.  This one was a little different...  

1.  If anyone tells you preparing for the bar exam isn't so bad they are lying. 

I can't tell you how many people told me that when I was going into my bar prep summer.  While I think they were trying to make me feel better, it makes me all the more confident that they are either suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or have completely blocked out the experience.  I can say without a doubt that it was the worst thing I have EVER done in my entire life.  I don't want to sound overly dramatic, but I don't know that I can describe the feeling of studying hours upon hours, not seeing friends or family, and not taking a day off for more than 12 weeks.  (I did take 3 days off from May 14-August 1 to move into our new house.)  The stress was intense and prolonged, but I am telling myself that the naps after the bar were so wonderful that it makes up for a spike in my blood pressure.

a horrible picture but it captures the essence of the summer...learning that stack beside me, no make up, workout gear

2. While studying really was terrible, it was also extremely empowering.  

While I definitely had my moments (ok days and weeks) of self doubt, I have to say that learning that much material in a short period of time made me confident that I can handle almost anything thrown my way.  If law school and studying for the bar taught me anything, it's that learning about an extremely daunting subject area is possible if you put your mind to it...even if those topics are secured transactions and commercial paper.

my "war room"

3. I imagine studying for the bar is a little like a shortened pregnancy.*

While I have never been pregnant, I do think I experienced almost every cliche "pregnancy" emotion, craving, etc. while studying.  I would literally go from energized and excited about getting a question right, to a giant puddle of tears, to angry, back to calm and collected all in the course of 10 minutes. And then there were the cravings.  I got into quite a routine of petit fours at 11 am,  coffee 4 times a day, and cheese at 5pm.  To say I am detoxing and running a little longer every day to recover is a bit of an understatement.

*Just so we're all on the same page, I understand that pregnancy is obviously significantly harder than the bar exam...it was just the closest thing I could come up with to make the experience relatable.

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just about every emotion right here...

4. "Re-entering" the real world is no joke.

Aside from catching up on all the news I missed over the summer (Royal Baby is a boy!), I felt like I really needed one of the stylists from the Hunger Games to come buff and scrub me.  Some of the first things on my list post-bar were getting manicure and pedicure, haircut, and facial.  I kept laughing because I don't think I have ever been so pampered and polished only to still look so tired.  Not only did my re-entry involve some beautification, I also struggled for a few days with not being sure what to do with myself.  I had gotten so into my routine that suddenly having nothing to do was more daunting than I expected.  After plenty of naps, HGTV shows, and a few days of doing nothing, I am happy to report that I am loving my "no routine" routine.

via pinterest

5. I have the most amazing family and friends on the planet.

I don't know that I can tell you how humbled and blessed I felt throughout the bar prep period by the utter outpouring of love and support I received.  As I mentioned before, the bar exam is the hardest thing I have ever done.  I have no doubt in my mind that I would not have made it through without so much encouragement from everyone around me.  I  made a post-it note with hashmarks every time I got a card, text, email, love gift, etc. and I looked at those hashmarks every time I felt my confidence start to slip and I was instantly encouraged.  With so many people pulling for me, it was impossible to give it less than everything I had day in and day out.  If you are still reading, thank you all.  I know I wouldn't have made it through with each of you and I am more grateful you will ever know.

thank you, thank you, thank you

xo,

thought for the week: living

We all do it.  Sometimes life just gets too hectic and too crazy and we go into cruise control.  We exist without really living and without really appreciating the wonderful (yet hectic and crazy) pieces of the day.  

I have been EXTREMELY guilty of existing this summer.  Anyone who has spoken to me will tell you that my mantra is "August 1."  I have been putting off exercise, cooking, decorating, and seeing friends.  If that's not just existing, I don't know what is!

While a certain amount of focus is a necessary evil of this bar exam process, I have decided that I can't let it continue to rule my everyday existence.  I will certainly still spend the majority of my days (and nights) studying, but I am also determined to enjoy the little parts life that come daily.  Somedays living might mean taking the pup for an extra walk to enjoy the new neighborhood.  Other days might mean whipping up a batch of my favorite chocolate chip cookie dough and indulging in some HGTV.  Sometimes I might get really wild and have dinner out with Josh or friends.  Whatever living means on a particular day, my goal is to enjoy each day, not just exist until August.  

I started this weekend with a run on Saturday and Sunday and the soreness of my legs is a good reminder to keep living.  What do you do to enjoy your days and really live rather than just exist?

xo,

friday loves

PHEW!  We made it to Friday...its been a long last week of June, and I am anxiously awaiting July.

Call me crazy, but I just want the bar to be here and OVER and July marks the final, final stretch.  

As an aside, thank you to Josh who notified me that I am 96.8778% of the way there...counting LSAT study time, law school, internships, and now bar studying (such an MBA comment.)

In the midst of the studying, here are some of my current "loves" that are keeping me going strong...

1. Starbucks Blonde Coffee - I could drink this ALL day long with just a splash of milk.

via

2. Fresh flowers make the biggest difference...try an orchid next time you want flowers that last longer than a few days.  This one is going on 2 weeks plus!

3. Finding that quote on pinterest that perfectly describes my life!

via

And last but not least - this tumblr page devoted to the terrors of studying for the bar exam.  I literally laughed out loud for a good 5 minutes this morning when two of my friends shared this gem with me. 

Happy Friday and have a great weekend!

xo.

thought for the week: planning

drawing via

Can't we all relate to this one?  While I do get up each morning determined to change the world and have a good time, this summer has thwarted my plans just a touch.  While I think I am in a good place with my studying, I only want to go through this process once, so I am devoting all of my time to the world of multiple choice questions, essays, and legal terms.  

That being said, while blogging is a wonderful outlet for me and something I plan to continue, my schedule may be a little off or reduced in the coming weeks.  Please know that I will be posting as regularly as I can but sometimes planning my day (and fitting in the hours of studying) will be difficult.  July is quickly approaching which means that August 1 and a return to the real world is just around the corner.  Thank you in advance for sticking with me, and as always thank you for all of the support!

xo,

happy memorial day

Happy Memorial Day!  I hope you all have a fabulous day planned.  Regardless of how you plan to celebrate, take a moment today to be thankful for those who serve.  

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AND now, before I go any further, I have to brag...

Remember this post, where I told you about my little sister booking a national Dairy Queen commercial?  Well, it began airing this weekend and she made the cut!  She may be in others that are released throughout the summer, but in the meantime, we have stopped fast forwarding through DVR'd shows in the hopes we will see her in all her DQ uniformed glory.  Way to flip that Blizzard, Chicken Little!

Click here to watch the full commercial.  She appears at 15 seconds.

screen shot from the full commercial

While I spent some time with my books this weekend, I also got to sneak in some fun.

Friday, we went to dinner with the Skinners and the Coopers,  and Josh and I got an education in eating pizza with toddlers!  The littlest members of our party (ages 1 and 2) were so adorable that we kept them up past their bedtime and sugared them up with ice cream before we called it a night.

gotta have those sprinkles to make it a true yobe experience

Saturday, we celebrated our family friend's graduation from high school!  Javi is headed to Florida this summer and we could not be more excited to have another Gator!

rebecca, josh, and annie waiting to toast the graduate

"kids" (+ "the mom" according to one spectator...)
javi is in the orange and blue tie- perfect for bolles graduation and upcoming gator games!

Sunday was spent catching up on Florida Civil Procedure and Contracts.  I wish I could say it was riveting reading, but instead I have to be content with the fact that it will be over soonish.  I also snuck in a little poolside takeout with Josh and Rebecca as a treat at the end of the day.

nothing like chicken fingers and the pool

Now, what can we do to make every weekend a three day weekend?!

xo,

graduation and mother's day

What a weekend!  Between Mother’s Day, Graduation, and family in town, we had a weekend FULL of celebrations.   Receptions, brunches, dinners, and pizza nights with wine in solo cups gave us plenty of time to catch up and enjoy Chapel Hill, but as my sister, Rebecca, put it… we all need to eat only veggies and water for the next few weeks.  Before I go any further, please excuse the somewhat blurry iphone photos and the length of this post.  There was just so much packed into the weekend, I couldn't fit it all into a short, quick blurb.  

The weekend truly began on Thursday when my parents and sister and Josh’s parents arrived in town.  While we had dinner with my Dad’s Godparents on Thursday night, Josh’s parents spent some time with their grandchildren and Cotton and May.

no pictures from thursday night, but my dad, me, and my dad's godfather, sherwood at the reception on friday

Friday, we did a little packing in the morning before a reception at the Law School.  The reception was beautiful and gave the entire group a chance to meet some of the students, faculty, and administration that have shaped my law school experience.  After the reception we enjoyed the first true spring day in Chapel Hill and enjoyed dinner on the patio at Glass Half Full. 

dean kasprzak

brightly colored sheath dresses with meriwether

class of 2013 with josh after dinner on friday night

Saturday morning, the graduation ceremony was held in Carmichael Arena.  (For all you sports fans, that’s where Michael Jordan played when he was a student at UNC.)  The ceremony was wonderful, but the highlight of the day was milling around with friends in the hour or so before we officially began.  With the chaos of the weekend, that turned out to really be the last chance I had to see everyone and give hugs and say goodbye.  Though goodbyes are always sad, I think it is safe to say we were all elated to walk across that stage and know three years of hard work (and more than 20 years of formal education) had paid off. 

class of 2013

with dad post-ceremony...two law degrees exactly thirty years apart

traditional self-portrait with josh

with mom post-ceremony

one last time on the steps of van hecke-wettach

with whitney in the madness after the ceremony

Saturday night we had a fun dinner with the entire group (including Cotton and May) at Crook’s Corner.  It was delicious and a fun chance to celebrate with ALL of my family in Chapel Hill.

a rough shot of the entire group

For Mother’s Day on Sunday, Josh and I divided and conquered.  Josh went to lunch with his parents and Cotton and May’s family, while I went to brunch with my parents and sister.  We had a great (though much larger) than anticipated meal at Weathervane and shopped at Southern Season afterwards. 

mother's day brunch

Sunday afternoon, we all shifted in packing mode, and the Bryans took a full carload and our puppy, Mac, back to Florida.  My parents stayed for an extra night and we spent the day packing our final boxes and securing large pieces of furniture.  One of my favorite parts of the entire weekend was eating pizza amidst the boxes of our living room and drinking wine from solo cups.  Although it wasn’t fancy, it was so nice to spend the last night in our house with the family. 

All in all it was an incredible weekend and I feel so lucky to have such amazing friends and family.  Though I'm sure you stopped reading ages ago, thank you to everyone for the love and support over the past three years – I am truly blessed.  

xo,

celebrations

Happy Friday and let the celebrations begin!  Law school graduation is tomorrow and the family has arrived from Florida.  Just a few more days here in Chapel Hill and I plan to make the most of them.  Be back next week with a graduation recap in the midst of the big MOVE.  

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

xo,

transitions

Today my family arrives for my graduation from law school.  I am beyond excited to see them, and I feel so loved and blessed to have them here to celebrate, but it also makes me just a little sad.  Their arrival truly marks the end of our time in North Carolina and the start of a new phase in our life in Florida. 

Don't get me wrong, I am very excited to be headed back to Florida.  I think my sadness comes primarily from leaving the people and places that have become so dear to me in North Carolina.  I have found amazing friendships here and had experiences that I can only hope to recreate one day.  Though it sounds cliche, I have been exposed to new ideas and new ways of thinking that have broadened my perspective.  I have grown as a person, and I have had incredible mentors to help me along the way.  I will forever be indebted to everyone I have had the opportunity to work with, learn from, laugh with, study with, and just have fun with during my time here.  

As a self-proclaimed control freak and planner, transitions and change have always been tough for me.  In this case, change means a new routine, a new house, a new state, a new job, and leaving great friends and family in North Carolina.  At the same time, this change will mean being closer to other family, closer to wonderful friends, a chance to try something new, and an opportunity to create new routines and find new favorite places.  When framed as an opportunity, change is exciting and makes leaving just a little bit easier.  

As we finishing packing up our house and the celebrations begin, I will be seeing this transition as an opportunity.  Though I am certain I will be shedding some tears when we leave, I think I will also be repeating this as my mantra...

xo,

life via iphone

Good Morning!  I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!  Ours was spent in the midst of boxes, bubble wrap, and packing tape, but we are making great strides in packing up.  The most surprising thing has been the amount of STUFF we have.  We have a little house and I am pretty vigilant about purging often, but the number of boxes just keeps growing.

All that to say, I don't have too many fun weekend adventures to share, but I have taken a few iphone pictures over the past few days that capture some of the highlights of the past week.  So, without further ado, here's a quick recap through the lens of my iphone...

dress up with our sweet nephew jake....future JD?

paint your pet/house night for jake's birthday

turned in my LAST paper EVER...officially done with law school!

a little graduation photo shoot with lauren's new puppy,  raleigh

packing peanuts and boxes

making progress

brixx pizza and wine...sunday night tradition coming to an end, but a great moving meal

xo,

exam time

Happy Monday.  The time has finally come for my two exams within 36 hours.  SO... I'm taking a short break from the blogging until later this week so I can make sure I have my head on straight.  I promise to be back with a recap of an amazing weekend away (hence the extra need to study now.)  Have a wonderful week loves!  

xo,