Guess What?

I did it! I passed the California Bar on the first try! Currently celebrating in Vegas with my entire family! I think the smile is permanent. It's been a long week, but a very happy ending! I'm just incredibly relieved and happy! My family went all out!

12 Hours of Law

One day down! I apologize to anyone who is annoyed with my personal posts regarding the bar, but it's such a big hurdle to wedding planning that I feel the need to post about it!

So day one was a mixed bag. The first three hours consisted of the usual 3 essays. There are 14 possible subjects (give or take depending on how you break them down). Today we got: Professional Responsibility (legal ethics basically), Con Law (super hard question about terrorism and the 4th amendment) and Contracts (not my favorite subject--and a super long 3rd question). I managed to stay calm and even though the second question was tough, I made it through and was typing up until time was called.

The "venue" is the Sacramento Convention Center. It is a huge, dungeon-like hall. There are probably just over a thousand of us in there. It's actually not as bad as I was anticipating. My seat is pretty decent, and they actually provide water in the back ( I was really nervous about not being able to bring water)

source

After a lunch break we came back for the performance test. It consisted of writing a memo to a supervising attorney with 4 cases and a client file. I felt so tired once we actually started the last three hours, but as soon as I started reading I found my zone. It's recommended that you get up and stretch your legs after 90min of reading the hefty client file and cases, but for some reason I just kept typing. I was so focused I literally couldn't stop. I've never had that experience in my life. I hope it means good things.

I came back to the hotel and heard about the earthquake that hit LA today. I cannot imagine experiencing a huge quake while trying to take the bar exam. Talk about distractions! While I've been through quite a few since I grew up in socal, I know how unnerving that feeling can be. Apparently, several centers were effected. Of course, people kept typing.

While I am SO glad I chose to stay in the hotel, I am less than impressed with the "Grand" Sheraton Sacramento. For the price I paid I was really expecting it to be nice. Nope. Let's just say that calling it a rip off would be an understatement. But it is right across the street from the test, and I got to come "home" during the lunch break, and at this point that is invaluable.

Ok, I just realized that I should probably not type anymore. Give myself a break. Tomorrow is multiple choice...

Thank you for the kind comments! I cannot wait to unleash full-blown wedding planning. I already have several posts lined up once this is all over. Get ready!

18 Hours of Law

Right now, it's actually Sunday at 4pm. I sit in my private study room in the library, papers scattered, books open, coffee, water, pens.....

But I'm scheduling this to post at 9am on Tuesday. Right now I am sitting before the bar exam, reading the first essay question. I probably have a huge knot in my stomach. I am probably holding my breath, probably clenching my jaw. I hope these thoughts transcend, and bring me the peace and focus I need to pass the hardest bar examination in the country:

Amy,

You know you are capable of passing this test. You have spent 20 years dreaming of the day when you become an attorney. Don't allow stress, anxiety and outside influences (like the guy next to you who probably smells and is chomping on gum and shaking his leg) to come between you and the biggest dream you've ever had. Allow your mind to open, see the question and the facts. Let it speak to you. You can answer any question they ask you. You can do this. Breath. Think. The bar exam is not about excellence, it's about competence. And you are more than competent. Do this, do it so you never have to do it again!

Any positive thoughts, prayers, messages are welcome! The bar exam is three days long, 6 hours each day. I'll be staying downtown at a very nice hotel so that I don't have to fight traffic or put anyone on the road at risk since I am rather preoccupied.

It's been a long, difficult journey. It's time for all of the work to pay off.

So long Law school!

That's it! I've been JD'd. It sure feels good! I know passing the bar will feel even better. I'm trying to wean myself off of wedding blogs this week so I'm not too distracted this summer!

The only one with color coordinated shoes. They matched the purple in my robe perfectly!

Our lil Maverick enjoying the party in our backyard

That's me!

I'm still recovering from a VERY celebratory weekend. I will be in the thick of bar studying next week!

The Final final

I took my last final today.

own it! Image: The Law Project

Three years, 30 exams, dozens of papers, thousands of hours, xxx dollars and countless sleepless nights later I am officially done with law school. I've never had a more poignant love/hate relationship with anything in my entire life. I wouldn't wish law school on my worst enemy, but I can't imagine my life without it. I keep telling myself that eventually, it will all seem worth it. But for now, I'm trying my darndest to enjoy the next two weeks. I graduate next Saturday and get to enjoy some time off between now and then and another week off before I start Barbri classes. Of course, I'll be working during this "off" time, but after law school being able to just work really seems like time off!

DF and I celebrated with a nice dinner out, some drinks and a visit with our friends. I'm exhausted from finals but can't wait to enjoy a nice normal Saturday again! Hope everyone has a great weekend!