An end to the blog?

I think this may be an end to the blog. I've come to question the value of putting everything out there on the www for just anyone to read. I've stopped wanting to share so much information. Which is too bad, b/c looking over my old posts, I love reliving those memories. I'm trying to find a solution - maybe a personal journal... How did my generation come to be so bold about their dear diaries... This isn't so different from Facebook, I guess.

Sorry... I've neglected you

I've been cheating on this blog with another blog. I started blogging with my sisters & mom on developing healthy habits. The good news is I lost my "bar exam" fat and have dropped 2 dress sizes and a couple inches! Hot momma!

My portion of the healthy habits blog is http://blackdressclub.weebly.com/amandas-blog.html

I will be better about keeping this one updated. :)

Joshua's Tree Decorated with Love

Our first "real" Christmas Tree.... not a rosemary bush.

A new lawyer. Really? We need more? LOL.

Watch out, world. Texas has licensed yet another lawyer.

The most important part of the 2008 Texas State Bar Exam Pass List:

Chapman,Lauren Jennifer, , ,3602
Charnitski,Jonathan Wotell, , ,3053
Chase,Amanda Lynn, , ,3160
Chase,John Harold, , ,1056
Chastain,Laura Lee, , ,1783
Chelly,Frank David, , ,1770

I had a dream the other night. I was back in college at the University of North Texas. We were sitting in the courtyard at the dorm. My friends were asking me, why are you so old. I told them, "I'm only 27, that's not old at all." But then I thought, no, I'm still 23. How did I get to be 27? I was really troubled about this in my dream. I went through my life sequence. Graduate high school 18, Begin college, Father dies 19, Second year college, Third year college 20, Fourth year college 21, Meet Joshua 22, Move to D.C., Get married 23, Move to Houston. Then, I couldn't remember anything. Total blank. What happened after I moved to Houston between 23 and 27? Oh dear. I've been in a coma, or a time warp, or worse.... law school. I didn't figure out what happened during those years of my life until I woke up, rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and rolled over to look at sleeping Joshua. My subconscious had completely removed law school from my dream world. How lovely.

I became a new person in those three years. A more critical, concerned, and careful person. A more cynical person. I learned to think. I learned to listen. (Thank you Professor Weigel.) I learned how to learn. I grew. I became hermit-like. I developed a love for sushi. I forgot how to read for pleasure. Reality shows like Project Runway were great escapes, but made me feel very guilty. Saturdays were work days. Bedtime was negotiable. I now type at superman speed. Overall, I wouldn't have done it any differently. Though, I'm not sure I would do it all over again.

I have struggled with whether I should encourage my youngest sister to go to law school. She is far sharper than me, and a million times more compassionate. She would excel. She could and I'm sure will, take over the world one day. But its impossible to describe the kinds of changes that must occur within you in order to excel. Are those changes good? Is the responsibility too great?

I did my absolute best in preparing to take the Bar Exam. Never have I been so disciplined, every day, hour after hour. Before the exam began, I reassured myself that there was nothing else that I could have possibly done. I completed every task assigned. I used every hour that I could. I took as many tests as time allowed. I managed my sleep, my health, and my time to the best of my abilities. I knocked my socks off. I was impressed at my stamina. And at the end of three months, I was worthless. So, how do parents do it - raise kids - for years - every day, every hour? Thats the only thing that I can imagine compares to the kind of effort we put forth this summer.

Joshua was my king. So supportive, so sweet. Helped me to balance life this summer. Keep things in perspective. Reminded me that the world would not, in fact, end tomorrow if I did not pass. Can't describe how much I love him. He knows it without me saying so. :) I talk enough as it is.

My only advice for future Texas Bar Exam takers is to do your very best, every day, starting at the beginning of the summer. The better you can get ahold of concepts early, the more you will be able to memorize at the end of the summer. Memorization is basically the heart of the exam. I freaked out less because I was diligent early. It kept me calm, and in control. My mental health the three months after the exam before results came out was significantly better than some of my peers because I knew I had done everything that I could over the summer.

Very grateful for the love and support of family and friends in this 3 year journey. Couldn't have done it without you. Much love - ALC

12 classes remaining

I realized that I only have 12 more classes to attend. To memorialize the occasion, I wrote yall a song.

Twelve Classes Remaining to the tune of "Twelve Days of Christmas"

On the first class I attended, my prof said to me, Civ Pro is pretty lousy.

On the second class I attended, my mom said to me, I think you need a hug, and Civ Pro is pretty lousy.

On the third class I attended, my friend said to me, OMG we're almost done, I think I need a hug, Civ Pro is pretty lousy.

On the fourth class I attended, a 1L showed me, A digital bird, said OMG you're almost done, I think you need a hug, Civ Pro is pretty lousy.

On the fifth class I attended, a student said to me, you're watching lord of the rings?!, digital bird, OMG you're almost done, I think I need a hug, Civ Pro is pretty lousy.

On the sixth class I attended, my study buddy said to me, Joshua needs some laying, you're watching lord of the rings?!, digital bird, OMG you're almost done, I think I need a hug, Civ Pro is pretty lousy.

On the seventh class I attended, my classmate said to me, let's skip class and go swimming, Joshua needs some laying, you're watching lord of the rings?!, digital bird, OMG you're almost done, I think I need a hug, Civ Pro is pretty lousy.

On the eigth class I attended, my boss said to me, my coffee needs some milking, let's skip class and go swimming, Joshua needs some laying, you're watching lord of the rings?!, digital bird, OMG you're almost done, I think I need a hug, Civ Pro is pretty lousy.

On the ninth class I attended, my brain thought to me, my head is really drumming, my coffee needs some milking, let's skip class and go swimming, Joshua needs some laying, you're watching lord of the rings?!, digital bird, OMG you're almost done, I think I need a hug, Civ Pro is pretty lousy.

On the tenth class I attended, my mentor said to me, know where I can get a crack pipe, my head is really drumming, my coffee needs some milking, let's skip class and go swimming, Joshua needs some laying, you're watching lord of the rings?!, digital bird, OMG you're almost done, I think I need a hug, Civ Pro is pretty lousy.

On the eleventh class I attended, a 2L said to me, stop that horrible dancing, know where I can get a crack pipe, my head is really drumming, my coffee needs some milking, let's skip class and go swimming, Joshua needs some laying, you're watching lord of the rings?!, digital bird, OMG you're almost done, I think I need a hug, Civ Pro is pretty lousy.

On the twelth class I attended, the dean said to me, you 3Ls should be leaping, stop that horrible dancing, know where I can get a crack pipe, my head is really drumming, my coffee needs some milking, let's skip class and go swimming, Joshua needs some laying, you're watching lord of the rings?!, digital bird, OMG you're almost done, I think I need a hug, Civ Pro is pretty lousy.

YIPPIE! ONLY 12 MORE CLASSES BEFORE WE GRADUATE!!!

Renter Wanted - Houston Medical Center Condo

Beautiful Condo in the Houston Medical Center, 1711 Old Spanish Trail

http://houston.craigslist.org/apa/607988101.html

For more pictures:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/83029920@N00/sets/72157603972552763/

Crystal Kitties & Crashing Helicopters

My poor cat-babies. The PH in Foggy Bottom's urine was tooo high, causing him to have crystals in his cat-pee, and pain when he had to use his litter box. Foggy Bottom, how appropriately named, has to be on special cat food to help the PH levels get back down to normal. Unfortunately, Shady Grove hates the food, and while she will lick her own booty, won't touch the new kibbles. I've tried a variety of things. I tried mixing the new wet food w/the new dry food, putting out the new wet food and dry food alone, putting a little cheese on the food (don't be mad at me Dr. Oeben), mixing their standard kibbles w/the new kibbles. This last technique has proved the most successful, except that I found Shady rooting around for the standard kibbles and avoiding the new kibbles this morning. What a tricky little cat.

Shady Grove does serve as an excellent exterminator, however. Our new house has beautiful shady trees, which creates an area that attracts giant winged mosquitos. Shady Grove is like King Kong Kitty sweeping helicopters out of the sky when she attacks these pests. Her jaw makes a terrific chomping sound as she shovels the bug into her mouth. When the kitties spy a bug, its like tunnel vision killing.

Can't wait to have yall to the new house. Its so beautiful and Joshua & I couldn't be happier. We are still only 1/2 unpacked, but next week is Spring Break, and I'll have a few extra hours to play house. :) Much love from the cat family -

Lien Free!

The seller on our adorable little house got the IRS to remove the liens! Closing is Feb. 29, so maybe we only pay property taxes every 4 years, yeah? Also, I look like an authentic Texan b/c Joshua & I bought our first truck today. Perty black 4 wheel drive Toyota Tacoma w/a big grill and fancy leather seats. On the way home tonight, we tackled a couple of curbs b/c there are no hills in Houston, the heartland of the Texas Concrete Mall.



Our Public Interest Law Society Career Fair and Silent Auction went very well last week. Thanks to faculty donations (faculty dinners, golf w/faculty, faculty books, etc) and the generous bidding students, we raised $4,135 for student public interest scholarships. Also, about 20 employers showed up to the Career Fair to interview our students for summer jobs. Couldn't have been happier.

Just a few more months till graduation and then just a hop skip and a treacherous jump to the bar exam. Will be very excited to begin working and wrap up school. Sending much love -


moar humorous pics