Unbelievable!

There are some things you just don't imagine you will see. Yesterday, coming home from the dentist at about 4:40 in the afternoon with my son driving, we stopped at a red light at an intersection in the northwest part of town (Marks and Herndon). We were in the left lane, with 2 lanes of left turners next to us. My son and I tease around alot, so when he said that the person in the car next to us was doing some kind of drugs, I thought he was kidding. Then I looked. Being the goody-two-shoes who has never done anything like that or been exposed to it, I can't tell you exactly what we saw, but the driver of this car was putting something in some kind of drug paraphernalia and smoking it! I have no idea what it was....meth? crack? I dunno.

I was so stunned to see that in my part of town, in the middle of the day, out in the open, by someone who was driving, I didn't even know what to do. She turned left when her light turned green. Later I kicked myself for not getting her license plate number and calling it in to police. All I could remember was that it was an older dark blue Honda with a white female with long brown hair driving it.

I thought it interesting how last night's Crim Pro last tied in with this experience. The professor came in for a couple minutes, set his stuff down, went out to get his roll sheet, came back in, and left to get a soda, but before he left the second time, he gave a stack of papers to someone and asked them to distribute them and have us fill it out. On there we were to provide: the color of his shirt, his tie, his suit, his hair, etc. I wasn't paying that close attention, but did get most of it right.

The class was about suspect identification and the issues it raises. Both the class experiment and my experience earlier in the afternoon showed me that I myself don't pay that much attention to details, and really, most witnesses don't either. There will probably always be discrepancies in descriptions because no 2 people will have the same motivations to remember things nor place the same importance on what is worth remembering.

Interesting, and really proved the professor's point that if all you have is the witness's identification, you are probably out of luck.

Public Humiliation

This weekend should be interesting. A couple years ago, my family (all 15 of us) went to Cabo San Lucas for vacation. One of the activities we did for the week was have a digital photo scavenger hunt. Each individual family came up with several ideas, and I put together a master list. Once there, we had about 5 days to get as many of the pictures as we could. We had stuff like "someone buried in the sand", "a pink convertible", "a bullfight". Everyone was so creative in finding all of the items!

Superbowl Sunday has been a big celebration in my family for probably 20+ years. It's not so much that we are football crazy, but we have a bunch of snacks and appetizers that we only make once a year. So we get together, make all these yummy things, watch the game and just hang out. It is a lot of fun and probably the biggest "holiday" we do after Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter.

Anyway, we decided to add more fun to the weekend by combining the 2 ideas and having a pre-Superbowl digital photo scavenger hunt. I'm collecting all the ideas right now, and will be sending everyone the final list on Friday morning. The pictures cannot be taken before the list is sent, and must be done by the time we show up for the party on Sunday.

My family is so horribly competitive that a lot of the items on the list are of a embarrassing nature.....to see how badly people want to win and how far they will go to do so. I am sure I will have some good stories to tell on Monday. But this is my warning....if you see me around town doing something stupid this weekend, I am blaming it on the scavenger hunt!

3rd Year Schedule

I've been trying to figure out what my schedule will be for this summer and next year. I think I finally have it decided. This summer I will take Professional Responsibility, Moot Court and one 2 unit elective. (Yes, this will make for a crazy 5 weeks, but I learned last summer that the summer school electives are very laid back and not as rigorous as those classes offered during the school year.) I will also try to line up some kind of clinical units (need 144 hours worth) to do over the summer, though probably not at the same time as summer school.

In the fall, I will have to take the 3 required, year-long classes (Remedies, Wills & Trusts, and Evidence). I will then have to have a one semester long class in Community Property and a one semester long elective. If I take all 5 of those in the fall, I can "relax" a bit with only 3 classes my final semester. Of course, this is also assuming I complete my law review article (which is currently on hold in its outline status) so that I can use the 3 units granted for that instead of having to take the advanced research and writing class. I am still planning on doing so, but honestly, taking 5 classes and having a husband, kids and a house to take care of does tend to fill up your time. (I give big kudos to those in my same situation who were able to finish their comment last semester!) If need be, I will do it over the summer at the latest.

So, it looks to be a very busy summer. Of course, that will make my final year a bit more enjoyable. In addition, if I end up finding out that I like the work I do for my clinical hours and they like me, it will also be possible to continue working there part time once school starts in the fall.

Construction Annoyances

I live in a gated community, and only about 3 of the 130 lots here have yet to be built. Unfortunately, one of those is right next door to me. I had hoped that maybe they wouldn't get around to starting construction until after we've moved, but I wasn't so lucky. A couple of months ago they began, and now, beginning at 7am Monday through Friday I hear the construction workers hammering, sawing, and yelling at each other. My office is right next to this lot, so I have ended up doing most of my work in my bedroom on the other side of the house. Of course, part of the bedroom sticks out away from the bulk of the house, so I don't really think the noise is any less being in here.

A couple weeks ago, one of the workers had the bright idea to bring a boombox to work. Then I had the "pleasure" of listening to their choice of music as I struggled to read such engaging subjects as Constitutional Law and Business Organization. Don't get me wrong, I love a good mariachi band as much (or more!) than the next person, but certain kinds of music are just not conducive to trying to read and/or study law! (I will admit to being one of those who cannot work with any music on however. I really need quiet or I can't concentrate!) At least the owner of the lot had told us to let him know if there was anything about the construction bothering us. The music crossed the line for me. I understand that there will be construction noise in building a new house and I can't do anything about that. But this is supposed to be a quiet community, and I shouldn't have to listen to their music 8-10 hours a day! The owner talked to the workers and the music has since been silenced. Thank goodness!

Then this morning, while in the kitchen in my pajamas, I looked out my window to see a construction worker on the roof next door, looking at me! UGH! Now I don't even have privacy in my own home! I don't feel like I can complain about this, because the music complaint could have come from anyone at our end of the lake, but if we complain about looking in the windows, it is obvious we are the ones complaining. I don't want to be retaliated against. Seriously, they are going to be building this house for the next 9 or so months. It is already driving me crazy.

I'm just hoping they can hurry up and finish the outside so most of the work left to do will be on the inside, where hopefully I won't have to hear or see it. UGH!

Opening Statement

Tonight we had our opening statements in Criminal Trial Practice. I spent the weekend preparing for it, including spending about an hour in the courtroom at school, practicing and getting "used to" the space. That was extremely helpful. Our professor had suggested not to practice it more than 3 times, but since it has been over 20 years since I did a oral presentation in a setting similar to this, I did it a lot more than that- probably a dozen or more times. I only used a brief outline, and didn't really even need that.

I am SOOOO happy! My professor's comments on my performance were, "very, very good" and "very polished". I did really good! I want to do this (be a prosecutor) after school, and I am so excited that it went this well. I had been afraid that if I didn't do well, I was going to have to figure out some other direction to go. It's just so cool, like being on a natural high, to do something that was kind of scary, but do it and succeed.

This class is only pass/fail, but it is the most important class I am taking. I want to learn everything I can in and from this class. My professor is so helpful, with all the practical, real life stuff he tells us. I'm just trying to soak it all in.

Met with a Professor

I had an appointment this afternoon with my Bus. Org. professor. In class he is completely intimidating (at least to me), but I had heard he was nice if you met him in his office. He was! I'm glad I did so. First, because it's always nice to hear that you did really well and don't need to do much to improve. Also, it is good to know exactly what the professor thinks you should do to better your grade. Finally, I think a little face time never hurts.

I emailed my Crim Law professor to try to meet with him, as I did get a copy of my exam but he didn't make any notes on it and you have to have an appointment with him to get to hear what his notes he kept on you say. He hasn't emailed me back.

My Con. Law professor gave us a sample answer and a detailed analysis of our exams, so I don't really need to meet with him. (BTW, I actually enjoyed the class for once last night! I was "on call" for briefing, and had spent 3 days pouring over the 80 pages and 3 dozen cases to be prepared. It did help, but I just can't afford that kind of time every week.)

I'm not bothering with my Tax exam, but I still do need to set an appointment with my Property professor. I need to make some notes about my exam before I do that though.

This weekend I'm going to be concentrating on my opening statement for Criminal Trial Practice, which I will be giving Wednesday night. I have some general ideas about what I want to say, but I need to pull it all together and practice it. I'm excited and scared at the same time as I think about it.

American Idol

LOL!!! That show is so funny- some of the contestants are just so embarrassing. It is hard to believe they want the country watching them. Anyway, makes for a great distraction from law school reading...

Reflection on 1st Semester/2nd Year

1. Tax is a big waste of time. NEVER bother reading for that class. It's not worth the possibility of 5 points towards your grade. Better to use your time making good notes in your tax code book for the exam, including the exact wording for the first question (on determination of income), as many multiple choice questions and answers as you can, and the formula for the income tax question, along with tabs on all relevant code sections.

2. I hate Con. Law, and thankfully only need a 45 on my final in there to pass that class. It's like gagging to make myself read that book. I can't be done with that class fast enough.

3. I feel like I have no clue about Bus. Org., yet it was tied for my highest grade, so I obviously don't know how to read anything about that class.

4. Crim and Property are my favorite classes, but I obviously need to put a lot more into my answers to get them into a higher grade level. Apparently my Crim professor likes you to blab on and on (not good for my succinct style), and I need to refine spotting the minor issues in Property for full credit.

5. Night classes aren't that bad, when you get used to them, and if you don't have an afternoon class the same day, and if it isn't Thursday night.

6. Even though it is more work and they aren't as "pretty", I prefer doing my outlines on my own, rather than jointly with a study group, as I did last year.

7. Law school isn't really that big of a deal. Just a lot of jumping through hoops (and trying to figure out what, where and how high those hoops are).

8. I'm so glad I'm doing the 3 year program and couldn't even begin to imagine spending a year or more longer than that. I'm ready to be out of there NOW!

Jack is Back!

As a 24 fan, I have spent the last 7.5 months waiting for tonight's premiere. Jack had spent the last 20 months in a Chinese prison, but he did not disappoint and got right to the kind of action we have come to expect of him. Fortunately, since tomorrow is a school holiday and I don't have class in the evening, I won't have to watch the conclusion of the premiere delayed.

My daughter, who is another fan, watched the show, east coast time. I had emailed her and asked her not to tell me what happened, but asked if it was good. Her response was "JACK BAUER ROCKS!" I would have to agree. Gosh, I love that show!

I'm Such a Wimp...

for my kids. My daughter flew back to school (MIT for anyone who doesn't know yet!) yesterday. When she left in August, I had a horrible time adjusting to her being gone. After her visit at Thanksgiving though, I felt much better and the month until she returned at Christmas went by very quickly. I guess I thought I had gotten it out of my system. But no. Yesterday at 5am at the airport, there I was crying as she left and went through security. And there I was crying much of the day.

She did call me as soon as the plane touched down, and again when she made it to her dorm. I'm still struggling. Yes, I want her to succeed and be independent and all that good stuff, but I miss her and just like having her with me!

Anyway......now that I have all my grades, I guess I'm pleased. I don't think I could have scored any higher on Bus. Org., Con. Law, or Tax by studying any more, though I do think I may have done a little better in Property if I had studied more. I think my answers, after reviewing them, were pretty good, but there were several minor things I could have added in. In Crim, after hearing the professors comments the other day, I don't know if studying more would have done me any good. COnsidering the time spent, I think it's all good.

Crim Law Grades Online NOW

Just checked, and they are posted....

Crim Law Grades to be Posted SOON

After my afternoon class, I had an appointment to make a copy of my tax final. The grades for my Crim Law class had just been turned in by the professor, but I wasn't allowed to see mine because they haven't been posted online yet. I'm not sure if it will happen today or tomorrow, but it should be soon. Apparently we will not get our tests back in class, and will need to make an appointment to see and copy them too.

I got my Property midterm back in class today. There were 2 essay questions and one section on Future Interests. Surprisingly, I did best on that section, though I only had one point less on the first essay question, and I guess it is more equal, since the FI question was worth 34 points, while the essays were worth 33 each.

My daughter is flying back to MIT on Wednesday morning. It has been so nice to have her home, but I know she is anxious to get back. This time I won't see her for 4.5 months, as she is going to the Virgin Islands on spring break. I can't say I blame her. That sounds a lot better than sitting around Fresno for a week!

I feel so blessed to have both of my kids. I could never have asked for or imagined that I would have such wonderful children. I love them both so very much and feel so privileged that they were entrusted to me. It's just hard now letting them grow up and out. Thankfully, I have law school to distract me from a lot of it!

Oh yeah....

What a great way to start a semester....both night classes got out early and I found out that I got the 4th highest score on the dreaded Bus. Org. midterm! (Also doesn't hurt that I have a very attractive male professor for one class this semester!)

I'm already loving Crim. Trial Practice. It's the type of thing that I'm kind of scared, but excited by it, and already looking forward to everything I'm going to learn in there. The hardest part is going to be making myself not put all my effort into this class. It is pass/fail only, but I really want to learn all of this class and take full advantage of it, so it seems like I won't be putting any less of an effort into it than my other classes.

In more good news, I don't have a night class tomorrow (thank goodness Tax is only a one semester class!). So after my afternoon class, I'm done for the week (and can watch the 2 movies I rented last weekend that I have yet to see).

GRADES ARE UP!

I had checked earlier today and nothing, but everything except Criminal Law is there now. I got one point higher than my Property grade for both Tax and Bus. Org, and a bit lower for my Con Law grade (but still a good and decent score). I'm quite flabbergasted that 2 of the classes I dislike the most I have my highest grades in (Tax and Bus. Org.), but mostly stunned by Bus. Org., because I felt like I did soooo horrible on it. I'm now anxious to go to class and hope the professor will hand the tests back.

I am kind of surprised that I didn't do as well on Con Law. Even though I dislike the class (not the professor), I thought I did really well on the exam. My score is ok, certainly well above passing, but I would have thought my score would be higher. I have no idea what this makes my current GPA, and I'm too lazy to figure it out right now.

Overall, I'm happy. I have to admit that I did spend much less time preparing and studying for these exams that I could have and probably should have, so to get these kind of grades with little preparation is fine with me.

Back To It

Registration for the spring semester is this afternoon and my first class (CrimPro) meets tonight. I spent the weekend doing my reading and have gotten through the first week and a half of it. The most interesting was that for my Criminal Trial Practice class, as it wasn't your typical law school case book, but more a practical book on how to prepare for a trial. I anticipate really enjoying that class, so I'm very eager to go to that one tomorrow night.

My prediction about the grades (no more being posted until at least Jan. 2) was right. I kind of doubt any will be posted today, though I do hope we get back our tests in Crim tonight. It would be nice if we got the rest of our grades this week, but somehow I don't think that will happen.

My son doesn't start classes until next week, and my daughter doesn't go back to MIT until next Wednesday, so they are going to visit my sister in LA and go to Disneyland for a couple days this week. It will give them something fun to do and give me a nice quiet house for a few days.

I think this was probably the nicest Christmas I had in a long time. I guess I'm sad to have to get on with real life now.