My Law School Mojo

"Where in the world is Megan's law school mojo?" (Sing to the tune of Carmen Santiago)



Seriously, where is it? It seems as though I've misplaced it. I keep expecting to find it in a jar or something, like in Peter Pan (marbles...). I was on a roll, then I gave myself 1.5 days away from my law school studies and I lost it; maybe it is in Pittsburgh. Wherever it may be hiding, I REALLY need to find it. I only have three more weeks of classes and then finals! Yes, finals! A friend from high school posted on FB yesterday (yes, FB, I know I ranted about it in my last post, but it is good for some things right?) how she missed the days of being able to study for one day prior to an exam. She also missed not worrying about finals until that day before. I responded, "Me too!!!". When I was a student at MU in my Atmospheric Science program, I was the worse student (I really was. It is amazing I was allowed to attend law school). I would not think about finals until the end of the semester, then I would spend the day or two before finals learning the material. I didn't have the best grades, but I made it. Now, fast forward to law school: Three weeks before classes have even ended and five weeks before my first final, I have almost reached full-blown panic mode. Insane if you ask me.


I have done all of my reading, I have my outlines caught up for the most part, but I am still insanely worried about my exams. I blame it on my lack of law school mojo and all of the other fun things going on in my life.



For example, Scott, the kids, and I drove up to Kent last weekend, then Scott and I went to Pittsburgh to witness two of my most favorite cousins get married (not to each other :-). We had such a good time. The kids had a good time. Not to mention it was my birthday, our anniversary, and Aida's birthday.



This weekend, my in-laws and the cousin who got married are coming to Columbus to hang out. Scott has to work all day Saturday, Jackson has his football banquet on Saturday, I have a baby shower to attend, and Aida's princess dance party is Sunday morning. All of this other stuff is way more fun than law school and distracts me...in a good way! I would much rather hang out with my family then decipher the meaning of the U.S. Constitution and figure out why Plaintiff X can or cannot bring suit in the Middle District of Tennessee. Not to mention trying to figure out whether to object to impeaching the credibility of a witness.




So after this weekend, I have promised myself I will buckle down and start officially studying for finals, whether I've found my mojo or not. But if you happen to see it, send it back my way. I could really use it.

My cousin (the bride) with her new husband and our grandparents.

Scott and I overlooking downtown Pittsburgh.


Jackson and I overlooking downtown Pittsburgh.

The Internet and Social Media

I am going to rant, so just bear with me. I have so many other things to worry about in my life, but for some reason I get sucked into the Internet and social media only to get pissed and irritated at the stupidity of people I've become acquaintances with over the years.

Before I begin here is my disclaimer: If you are family. This does not apply to you. If I've known you for more than ten years and we've talked more than twice in the last ten years, this does not apply to you. If I've commented, positively, on any of your statuses in the last year, this does not apply to you.

So maybe it's my fault. I know I don't have to friend everyone and usually I don't. There are lots of people from high school that I just simply don't remember that I have politely ignored their request. I like Facebook to catch up with old and new friends. I'm happy to hear about your kids, jobs, school, and nights of partying. I'm happy to see pictures of your kids, weddings, vacations, and nights out on the town. What I don't want is your daily rants about society, politics, how much you dislike Obama and how black people are abusing the system. I also don't care to hear about all the praying that you do (because you are SUCH a good Christian/Jew/Muslim). I also don't care to see pictures of you and your significant other tonguing each other right after you wake up in the morning. Lastly, there is no reason, as grown adults, that we should be spelling "ur" "u" or "jus". If you are SO smart that you know how the country should be run, please, please, make yourself look a little smarter and spell out simple words.

In general, I find Facebook and the Internet very annoying. The Internet is just a anonymous forum for all the racist, homophobic, sexist elistist to post their politically-incorrect thoughts. Those that are little more brave post their racist, homophobic, sexist elitist thoughts on Facebook. I recently decided to spend more time on Twitter and I find this a much better forum. Most of the people I follow on Twitter I don't know. This is refreshing.

I'm sure seven years ago before Facebook was open to all us commoners it was a much better place. Now Generation X and Baby Boomers have cluttered its pages with political rants and religious commentaries. Why can't we just use Facebook for fun? Post a few pictures, tell us what you're doing and where you're going. Tell me something funny. Show me something funny. Let me know when your favorite team wins or loses, but for goodness sakes stop with the controversial, uncomfortable crap.

If you don't "like" this, unfriend me. If you don't "like" the pictures of my kids, unfriend me. Facebook is about catching up with old and new friends, not making your old and new friends feel uncomfortable.

Mini Black!

Pee Wee football is over. The tense Saturday afternoons, worrying about Scott yelling expletives at the coach and other parents, and three-nights-a-week practices are over. I thought about putting an exclamation point, but now that it is actually done, well, it's kind of sad (Well except for being worried about Scott embarrassing me): I thoroughly enjoyed watching Jackson play. I started to get to know the other parents and Jackson was just starting to really understand the game.

Mini Black lost today, but the boys improved tremendously over the season. Jackson became a decent football player. Today he had a good blocks and tackles and ran the ball twice for a couple of first downs. Dare I say: I am looking forward to next season! (Exclamation point)



As for everyone else: The Weidners visited this weekend to see Jackson play so the kids had fun with their grandparents and Scott and I had a chance to go to dinner last night. Aida is Aida and Ivie is really becoming her own little person. I have an Evidence midterm tomorrow that I'm just not sure about. I know the rules, but I seem to have trouble applying the requirements. I hope something clicks by tomorrow at 6 p.m. Scott...well, it's football season...need I say more?!?

Jackson and I being tough.

Three generations of Weidner boys.

Catch Up

Well. It's not that I have neglected my followers (I say followers like I have crowds of people sitting impatiently in front of the computer screen waiting for me to talk about nothing), we have been super, duper, insanely busy lately .

Scott

Scott had an employee up and quit about three weeks ago. Because of the grill cook's unexpected departure, he has been doing extra work which entails extra hours. After working long hours and answering responses to his craigslist ad, I think he finally has caught up. Today he stated, several times, "This is the best day ever." Now, as much as I like to think he said this because we've had a nice family day, I'm a realist and I realize it is because for the past seven hours he has burrowed himself into the corner of our couch, flipping between various college football games and the Cardinals' game, while me (his wife) didn't say a word to him (because I'm busy working on school), his son is at a friend's house and the girls have been quietly playing by themselves. I suppose after a rough few weeks at work, I'm cool with whatever makes him happy.

Jackson

Jackson has adjusted well to school and his busy football schedule. The first few weeks were rough, but he seems to be doing much better. He is doing better in school and slowly making progress on the football field. He is still a little timid when it comes to tackling and blocking, but I think once the concept that he actually has to hit people "clicks", he will be a very good ball player. Tonight he is spending the night with one of his teammates. This was a HUGE step for me. This is the first time he has spent the night at friend's house. I think I handled it surprisingly well. I miss him though.


AidaAida is back in school as well. She has preschool two days a week, dance once a week, and music every other week. She has grown up so much in the past couple of months.

Ivie

Ivie has started to walk! She learned, just this weekend, that walking is way more fun than her funky hitch crawl. She has been walking, rather drunkenly, around the house. I can't believe my baby, my last child is walking!


Me

Well, this time around law school isn't as "fun" or "exciting", but it is not as excruciatingly hard either. Now, don't get me wrong, it is hard and a shit ton of work, but this year, since I know what to expect, I have managed my work load much, much better. I've already started preparing myself for finals, which I think has made the end less scary. I still spend most of my time briefing, outlining, and preparing for class, but I do this with much more confidence than I did last year. This semester I am taking Constitutional Law, Evidence, and Civil Procedure.

10 Years

Ten years ago today, at 20 years-old, I packed up my things, left my mother at the airport, and flew to St. Louis, Missouri. Awaiting in Missouri was not only my wonderful Aunt Laina, but a new life, new friends, and a new Megan. I had no idea what would be waiting for me. I had no idea who I would become. Moving to Missouri has proven to be one of the best decisions of my life. It's not that I don't love my hometown of Kent or my home state of Ohio, but in order for me to truly realize my own potential and become the woman I am today, I needed Columbia, Missouri.

I lived in Columbia for five years before relocating to South Carolina. While I lived in Missouri, I experienced every possible emotion that our hearts and minds allow us to feel: fear, anger, disappointment, frustration, hurt, confusion, fatigue, and love. I experienced life and grew from an insecure 20 year-old girl, to a woman and most importantly a mother. When I left Missouri, I left with a three week old baby boy who changed the course of my life and the capacity of my heart. I also met so many good friends that I can't even begin to name. Our dysfunctional lives intertwined and created a pseudo-family for all of us displaced souls. Out of those wonderful friends, I also met my future husband. When we met, I was an annoying server/bartender with a crush on the kitchen manager. Our beginning was non-traditional, dramatic, and confusing, but somehow we have emerged ten years later married, with three beautiful and healthy children, and a pretty happy life. Had I not made the unresearched, completely impromptu decision to move to Missouri, I would not have the husband, kids, and life I have now.

My main purpose to move to Columbia, Missouri was to obtain a degree in meteorology. I did it, but not until I suffered (I say suffer because it was an extremely hard program) through four years at the University of Missouri. Although the degree is completely a calculus-based scientific program, its high expectations and rigorous course work has prepared me for my current study of the law.

I am thankful for my courageous decision, at 20 years-old, to move away my family and friends, my hometown, and what I knew to go on an adventure towards the unknown. I had no idea life was waiting for me and had no idea the significance of my decision; ten years later I do. Without Missouri, I would not have continued my education to receive a Master's degree. I would not be enrolled in law school now. I would not have lived in South Carolina and met my wonderful friends there or began my career in the environmental sector.

Ten years ago, I had no idea. Ten years later, I know.

Back to School

Both Jackson and I are back in school. Jackson started last week as a first grader in his new school. I started Monday as a 2L.


It's been an emotional couple of days for me as I sadly said goodbye to a wonderful summer. I know the next three months will be so busy, not leaving much time for relaxation, family, and myself. The kids and I had such a great summer: We spent time at the pool, the zoo, and outside enjoying the weather and our time together. After seeing Jackson off on the bus last Wednesday, I walked in the house and cried. I had no idea it was going to be so hard for me to see him ride off on the bus. The combination of him growing up, riding the bus, and the summer ending, tugged on my emotions. After posting on FB my sadness, I realized that most mothers go through this; one of those things about motherhood that no one tells you.


This semester I am taking Evidence, Constitutional Law and Civil Procedure. Sound boring? Well kind of, but I think I am really going to like Con Law. Think about it: The Constitutiion, written over 200 years ago governs every aspect of our country. Pretty amazing if you ask me.


Jackson has his first football game on Sunday. Should be fun! Aida starts dance next week, maybe singing/music lessons, and then starts preschool after Labor Day. Ivie gets to hang out with me (which she prefers anyway) and is making great progress with her communication and gross motor skills. Scott is doing well too. His job is keeping him very busy, but he is still doing a great job.

Fast Week

The weeks are flying by as I count down to the beginning of my second year of law school. This time last year I was "excited" and "looking forward to" beginning my career in law. This year reality and my first year of school has made me a realist, cynical, and leery of a law school education. I am not "excited" or "looking forward to" my second year. In fact, quite the contrary: I'm burned out and drained and the semester has not even started yet. I'm holding on to my last few weeks of my much-needed and much-too-short break. Once I get back into the swing of reading and briefing, I'm sure I'll be just fine.


The kids and I have been thoroughly enjoying our summer. I probably won't get another opportunity like this to hang out with them during the summer. We've had a special time. This week Scott went out of town for training. Wednesday evening, a friend of mine from OU, her husband and three kids came over for tacos and Wii "Just Dance". We had a really good time.

Jackson, Albert Jr., and Tosha getting down to Wii Just Dance.

Thursday I took the kids to the Columbus Zoo; so much fun!

Gotta wonder what Ivie is thinking and what that gorilla is thinking.

This is the oldest gorilla born in captivity. Doesn't he look like a wise 'ole fella?

Aida standing like a pink flamingo.

Aida and Jackson looking up at the polar bear tank. The polar bears were swimming above us.

Jackson is playing football this fall. Which I have quickly realized involves A LOT of time. I'm not sure if I would have signed him up had I known. Oh well; we're in it now. At first, Jackson was very unsure and reluctant, but he now seems to be enjoying it. This week and next week is conditioning. Yes, conditioning. Coach Matt had the kids running suicides. Funny. Watching Jackson run suicides brought back horrible memories of running those painful things over and over again in basketball and softball. SOOOOOOOOO glad those days are over for me. For Jackson, they've just begun. Today he received his pad and helmet. He is a happy little boy. He chose number 27 in honor of his Uncle Marc who played football at Ohio University.

Today, Scott and I worked in the yard. He taught me how to use the new tractor. He acted like this was a friendly gesture to bring me into his world and let me play with his toy, but I see it for what it is: It was I-am-not-always-going-to-mow-this-big-ass-lawn-myself-so-Megan-needs-to-learn-so-she-can-mow-too gesture. Just saying.

Another great weekend.