Musings on Dating, in Law School and in General

My fellow classmate and intern, as well as prolific blogger Cato, of Logos Over Pathos recently wrote an insightful piece that nicely sums up the first year law school experience. I won't rehash most of it, as I believe he did a wonderful job. I will expound further on one point he made, though - relationships.

Relationships have never been my forte. I've never had one last longer than a month or two. I have found this is usually due to a "like" imbalance - either I like the guy more than he likes me, or he likes me more than I like him. Opposites may attract, but I think the "like" factor has to be pretty well balanced for a relationship to work out. Add the pressures and time crunch of law school and things get messier.

I was in a relationship at the beginning of law school. It was a fledgling relationship, and I ended it about three weeks after school started. No, not because all my free time was being eaten up by studying, reading, and outlining. In fact, I'm pretty good at balancing my time and responsibilities, especially if something is high-priority. Rather, the more I got to know this person, whom I shall call Jealous, the more I realized he was, wait for it, jealous, and even a bit paranoid. I remember going to a baseball game with a (male) friend from college (that I had planned long before I was dating Jealous) and receiving numerous texts from Jealous inquiring as to my whereabouts, etc. I am far too independent to be with someone so insecure and untrusting that he feels he had to check up on me during a three hour Red Sox game.

Anywho, fast forward a bit. I will admit, I got sucked into the vortex of school and work and didn't socialize with many people outside of my study group. I am guilty of having massive crushes on guys and then not acting on them out of fear of rejection. I tend to be very much an introvert when I'm first getting to know people (until I get to know them well, then I never shut up) and tend to not make first moves. In addition, my mother is harping on me to find a boyfriend ("Is it that hard to find a nice Irish Catholic boy at law school in Boston?"), like it's as easy as going to Target to buy a bottle of pretty new nail polish, is not helping.

But they say one of the best ways to find a significant other is to pour your time and energy into... yourself. Numerous magazines very scientific sources I've flipped through on the elliptical read say that you need to be comfortable with yourself before you can be comfortable with someone else. And they can't all be wrong (well, maybe Cosmo's not that trustworthy, but surely Oprah can be believed). So I've been pouring my energy into things that make me happy, such as reading and my newfound hobby of running, and basically trying to stop thinking about my single-ness altogether (although it's hard every time I see a cute ADA in court...)

Several of my friends survived 1L year with their relationships intact, so it can be done. That being said, I probably won't start actively looking anytime soon. What will be will be. I'm not even 23 yet, so there's plenty of time ahead of me.

Hump Day

Ah, Wednesday, also affectionately known as Hump Day. If you've made it to Wednesday you've crested the hill of the workweek and can now begin the wonderful descent into the weekend. It's also an excellent day for productivity, as you're neither as bitter as you were on Monday nor as lackadaisical as you'll be on Friday.

Since my week is split into three days interning in court and two days working at school, I am mostly immune to the Hump Day effect. If I can figure out which job I'm going to and what way to drive in the morning it's a good day. Recently, however, I discovered the hump day effect on running.

Running has been an uphill battle for me. Training for the last three months has been arduous, and even a little painful at times. I have always been (and probably always will be) slow. But after completing my first race, and joining some of my teammates for a group run the next day, I came to a delicious realization... I can do this. My huffing and puffing for the last three months has paid off, and the thing that was holding me back was that little voice inside my head. I assumed I would never run for 30, 20, even 10 minutes at a time, but I can. It's not fast, and I'm sure I look like a sweaty penguin, but I can. I don't think I've ever been in shape, and will soon weigh less than I did when I started high school.

I owe a big thank you to my mentor, Michelle, whose support has been unwavering, especially when I had a bad week or a flare-up of shin splints. Her belief in me, even when I thought I was crazy and in far too deep over my head, has made me realize that I can do this. I may never be able to run a four minute mile, but I can complete a 5K without coming in last place. And I'm looking forward to running my first half-marathon in September with my wonderful teammates, who have taught me that runners come in all shapes, sizes, and paces.

Happy Hump Day - wog on.

First Race!

Well, I did it... I officially completed a 5K without dying, crawling, or coming in last. And I'm hooked! Which is good, seeing as I have a half marathon in 6 months. Thankfully I'm one of those people who thrives under pressure, so the crowd and music got me really going and I turned in some of my fastest mile splits yet.

The race was the Steven Hussey Memorial Walk/Run. It was the inaugural year, and considering it was organized by Steve's daughter's college-age friends, I would say things went very smoothly. There were raffles, music, food (didn't stick around for that, had to make it over to the Farmer's Market at the Town Green before noon to get some Renaissance Cooking garlic dill pickles!), etc. and a hearty crowd. I also liked the course... not too hilly, but definitely more challenging than my flat neighborhood. Part of the course was on the street I lived on until I was five, which was cool.

The race was actually a little longer than a 5K, about 3.3 miles, and I was taking it slow out of fear of a plantar fasciitis flareup, but I'm really happy with it. The next race planned is the Plymouth Rock 5K in September, but I'd love to find a local race next month.

Happy wogging!

Winnie the Pooh and Law Review Too

I made Suffolk's Transnational Law Review! Woohoooooo! Those two weeks of feverishly researching, writing, and editing were worth it after all! We were actually supposed to hear back yesterday, but I didn't hear anything and was a bit disappointed. But I got the call from the editor first thing this morning... as it turns out he was on vacation and didn't have cell service!

So now to celebrate, I am going to Disney World tomorrow. No, really - we've had the trip planned for months - six days at the Boardwalk Villas is just what the doctor prescribed to relax from the stress I've been under since classes started last... August. And now I really have something to celebrate! I wonder if Disney has "I'm Celebrating Making Law Review" buttons...

Putting the Fun in Fundraising

I have to admit, when I first signed up for Team All Ears the thought of raising five hundred dollars, even for a good cause, seemed like a daunting task. But, once the school year wound down, I began my fundraising effort in earnest. I am planning a group Zumba lesson to benefit TAE, and typed up letters to solicit items for door prizes from local businesses...the hair salon my mom goes to is putting together a fabulous gift basket!

I also typed up another letter to ask friends, family, and neighbors for donations. During a walk last week I put them in my neighbor's mailboxes, and have been carrying copies in my purse for any friends I may run into while out and about. The response has been overwhelming! I have discovered that many of my neighbors have a connection to running, breast cancer, or both and are more supportive of my endeavors than I ever could have imagined. One generous donor even gave me a hundred dollars!

So, to all my fabulous donors I say... THANK YOU!!! You are making my work so much easier. I have a running list of all donors on my Donations page, so look for your name!

A Trip Down Memory Lane (And Other Random Mutterings)

Thanks to my fellow Team AllEars member Steven (also a BU alum, even better!) I am the proud holder of two tickets to tonights New Kids On the Block/Backstreet Boys concert at Fenway Park!!! Excuse me while my twelve-year-old self goes into the other room and screams. *WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!* Ok, twenty-two year old baby lawyer is back. Ahem. Prepare yourselves for a report in the near future. Steven and his wife will be the first TAE members I've met in person, so I'm quite excited for tonight (the rain better hold off)!

In other fun and exciting news, I got an iPhone last night and I will be in Disney World in exactly 10 days. Almost not sure which one of those things I'm more excited about at this point. I've already downloaded a special photo app to use in the World, along with some park maps and wait time apps. The whole family (and by whole I mean all four of us) is very excited to stay at the Boardwalk Villas, our favorite resort. I'm looking forward to scoping out the nice jogging trail around Crescent Lake... I think it will help me get in the mood to amp up my training for the half marathon in January!

Speaking of jogging wogging, my training has been going really well since school has ended for the summer. My schedule of working two days a week and interning three days a week actually seems relaxing. My average wogging pace now is slightly under 12.5 minutes a mile, I've upped my jog-to-walk ratio, and I've gone over four miles... maybe I can even aspire to finish the race in *gasp* under 3 hours! Probably not, with the fun character stops along the way and the inevitable potty breaks, but it's something to aim for.

As far as race day goes (210 days away!), I have taken the advice of my wise and all-knowing mentor, paid the Mouse a little more money, and sprung for the Race Retreat package. It provides temperature controlled tents, a seating area, beverages, snacks, and private potties (forget the rest, this is worth every penny IMHO) before the race, and a place to die and have a snack/drink and receive a goody bag afterwards. Thanks for the tip, Michelle! The Disney half will be my first half marathon and it will be nice to have a place to attempt to calm the jitters without being herded like livestock for an hour.

In every more fun and exciting news, I think my mother is going to sign up to walk the Marathon Weekend 5K! Another teacher from her school will be down there walking it, so my mom is seriously considering it. It seems a wogging revolution is brewing at our house!

Wog on!

And That's All She Wrote

Well, I officially survived the Transnational Law Review Open Write On. I had my competition piece collated, stapled, and delivered with over an hour to spare. Now I just have to sweat it out for the next two weeks until membership offers are given out *bites nails*. But, even completing the 45-page submission (in a two week period) is more than most people do, so I've accomplished something nonetheless. I don't know how I will fill my time at work now - a school computer lab is only so busy during the summer!

Now I can devote more time to training. My mile paces, even at a walk, are improving. The Donald medal will be mine, even if I have to wog it! Muahahaha!

And, in other fun news, I am planning a Zumbathon fundraiser, Cha-Cha for Your Ta-Tas! We're still trying to secure a location, but it will be in mid-August and a great way to donate to breast cancer research while enjoying a fun workout! More information will follow as the details are worked out.