December Obsessions

Obsession — “An idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person’s mind.”

-Oxford’s English Dictionary



Wow, I was really bad about posting in December and I actually had the whole month planned out as well, with articles about how to spend your Christmas break and what to get law students for Christmas.  But I guess I took my advice on how to spend Christmas break way too literally with the whole do nothing thing.  But I thought I'd post one last time for 2017 about what I fell in love with during the month of December during my short break from blogging. (Spoiler Alert: A lot of these were Christmas presents I received from my family and friends.)

Building a Professional Network

Network — “A usually informally interconnected group or association of persons (such as friends or professional colleagues).”

-Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary

When I started this professional development series, I had envisioned devoting an entire month to certain types of posts, but finals got in the way of that plan.  However, I promise I’ll be more on top of it once finals are done!  So without further ado, here is the next installment in this series about creating a professional network.

November Obsessions

Obsession — “An idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person’s mind.”

-Oxford’s English Dictionary

November seemed to go way quicker than any other month this year.  Probably because I only actually had two and a half full weeks of class this month and my school’s finals period officially starts tomorrow!  So here are my obsessions for November!

The Value of Pro Bono Service

Pro Bono Publico — “A Latin term meaning for the public good.  It is the provision of services that are free to safeguard public interest.”

-Black’s Law Dictionary

So with the Thanksgiving holiday being last Thursday and today being Giving Tuesday, I thought the most appropriate installment of my professional development series would be to focus on pro bono service.  Doing pro bono service really helps me to be thankful for all of the blessings I’ve had and to take an opportunity to give back to others.  Since academically I enjoy more corporate and “cold” matters, like contracts, I find that doing pro bono service allows me to actually help people, rather than just focusing on money and other similar business issues.

Cover Letters: First Intro to Future Employers

Cover Letter — “A letter that is sent with something to explain the reason for it or to give more information about it.”

-Merriam Webster’s Dictionary

I’m back with part two of my professional development series, and today’s topic is cover letters!  To be honest, I actually don’t like writing cover letters at all.  Prior to law school, I had never written one and, to this day, I still get writer’s block when trying to write one.  So here’s my brief introduction on how to write a great cover letter!

Polishing Your Legal Resume

Resume — “The presentation in a formal document or form of a person’s employment history and skills they possess.” 

-Oxford’s English Dictionary

I’ve been really inspired to do a monthly theme for my posts, and this month, I decided on the theme of professional development.  My first post is on what I consider to probably be one of the most important things a law student has, your legal resume!  I’ve had an ever changing resume draft since high school; however, a professional resume needs to highlight the skills you can bring to a potential employer.  Read on for tips on how to perfect your resume!

October Obsessions

Obsession — “An idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person’s mind.”

-Oxford’s English Dictionary

October went by so quickly, probably because of fall break and a family wedding I went to.  That being said, I found a lot of different things that I loved during the month.  Check out my picks below!

The Best Apps for Law School

App — “A computer program that performs a special function.”

-Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary

Since basically everything I do involves my phone in some capacity, it’s only right that I have a whole folder on my phone dedicated to law school.  Here are my votes for the best apps for law school!

Utilizing Legal Research Resources

Research — “Basic or applied method of increasing the knowledge by finding new information.”

-Black’s Law Dictionary

During law school, the research tools available to you will become your best friends.  Honestly, I feel like I used at least one of them every day during my 1L year and my summer internship.  The trio of legal research resources every law student is exposed to consists of LexisNexis, Westlaw, and Bloomberg Law.  Everyone has their own favorite, but it’s good to know how to use all three because most employers only pay for one.

FabFitFun Fall 2017

Autumn — “The season between summer and winter comprising in the northern hemisphere usually the months of September, October, and November or as reckoned astronomically extending from the September equinox to the December solstice.”

-Merriam Webster’s Dictionary

When fall break happened, I took that very seriously in both my schoolwork and my blog by taking a small break from being on top of my reading and my blog posts.  However, I’m back and it’s one of my favorite posts to write about!

September Obsessions

Obsession — “An idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person’s mind.”

-Oxford’s English Dictionary

I can't believe it's already the end of September; this school year has been flying by.  I got a lot of new things this month and I have to say I probably could have added a couple more things to this list!

What Kind of Law Do You Do? Part Four

Compliance —“A confirmation that a manufacturer can do what they say they can according to the rules and standards required by a contract.”

-Black’s Law Dictionary

Guess what’s back, back again?  You guys really enjoyed reading my posts last year about different legal careers so I thought I’d bring it back!  Also, one of my requirements this semester could be completed by going to another one so I thought I’d fill you in on what this is about.  This year, my class schedule excluded the opportunity to go to a lot of them, but I actually could go to one that I was really excited about attending: a panel about compliance law.  When I saw where the panelists worked, I knew I had to go to this.

Dressing the Part: Class Apparel

Wardrobe — “A collection of wearing apparel (as of one person or for one activity).”

-Oxford’s English Dictionary

Since I've blogged about what my legal wardrobe for interviews and internships consists of, I thought I’d give some insight on what I personally like to wear to class and find is the best for class.  Honestly, after wearing uniforms for 12 years of my life prior to college, I still find it super hard to figure out what to wear every day.  So I usually try to find the easiest things to wear to class every day.  I feel like Kate Sanders would totally call me an outfit repeater since I wear the same thing all the time.

Top Fall 2017 TV Show Picks

Television — “Programs that are broadcast by television.”

-Merriam Webster's Dictionary

The start of school always made me excited not just for school supplies, etc., but it’s also the beginning of the new television schedule.  Before the start of every new fall season, I also pick out a list of shows that I want to watch and, depending on how good the shows are, I typically reduce the list over the season.  Some of these are returning favorites and some are new shows that I’m interested in watching.

Continuing

Dance Moms (9 pm Tuesdays, Lifetime) – After so many seasons of Dance Moms, I’m still watching to see what the ALDC has in store.  Spoiler: I’m so glad Chloe’s back as she was my favorite dancer.  Honestly, I’m not sure how long the show will be on, but I’ll probably keep watching until it’s over.
Worst Cooks in America:  Celebrity Edition (9 pm, Food Network) - Food Network is one of my go-to channels on television because I absolutely love food.  Worst Cooks is one of the most inspiring shows on the channel because it shows that anyone can become a good cook.  Also, I really enjoy seeing what kinds of foods they have to make on the show.

Wednesday, September 6^th

Total Bellas (9 pm, E!) – I got hooked on this show from its precursor, Total Divas.  I really like watching reality tv when the show isn’t totally about drama.  This show focuses on how the Bella twins are growing their empire, and it’s super inspiring to see them build their own business from the ground up.  And yes, professional wrestling does come up now and again.

Eric & Jessie (10 pm, E!) – Another reality show, I know I know.  This one also focuses on the empire that a woman is running and also how she balances it with having a family.  It also follows her and her husband’s struggles with his football career.  And plus, Eric Decker gives a dose of eye candy.

Monday, September 11^th

Counting On (9 pm, TLC) – So I feel no shame about what I’m admitting right now, but I’ve followed the Duggars probably since their first special on TLC.  Since I’ve seen the older Duggars grow up on tv, it’s crazy to see them getting married and having children themselves.  Tbh, Jinger is my favorite (probs since she’s taking time to be an adult outside of her parents’ house before having children).

Monday, September 18^th

Dancing with the Stars (8 pm, ABC) – DWTS is having its 25^th anniversary season this season, and they picked the best cast because I actually know a lot of the celebrities.  I actually really want to take ballroom dance classes so it makes me jealous that they get to learn.

Tuesday, September 19^th

The Little Couple (9 pm, TLC) – Bill and Jen are probably my favorite people on television because 1) they haven't let anything get in their way of becoming a successful businessman and doctor, respectively, and 2) Jen's style is absolutely amazing.  I've watched them since their show started and I've loved getting to see how they've grown their family through adoption.  They just seem like such genuine people, and it's great to see how their lives play out.

Monday, September 25^th

*Young Sheldon (8:30 pm, CBS) – I’ve seen random episodes of The Big Bang Theory, but this prequel to it has me so intrigued.  And the actor playing the younger Sheldon is adorable and I can’t wait to see it.  The previews of this show looked really funny, and since Sheldon is a prodigy, his experiences as a 9 year old in high school are guaranteed to provide a lot of humor.

Tuesday, September 26^th

*The Menendez Murders (10 pm, NBC) – One of the best shows I watched this year has been The People v. OJ (even though I keep putting off the last episode).  This show really intrigues me since it’s a similar style of show.  However, I’ll probably wait until the show is on Netflix because I don’t like waiting for the next episode in shows like this.

Wednesday, September 27^th

American Housewife (9:30 pm, ABC) – Oh my gosh, I think this is the funniest show on tv right now.  If you’ve ever seen Four Christmases, the sister-in-law of Vince Vaughn’s character plays the mom in this series.  It follows her as she navigates the cutthroat world of moms in a rich suburb.  It’s similar to Bad Moms, but not as raunchy.

Thursday, September 28^th

Grey’s Anatomy (8 pm, ABC) – Grey’s has been a favorite of mine for a while, even if they keep killing off my favorite characters (I’m still not over Sloan and Lexie).  Some of the plots are a little out there, but the season ending cliffhangers always bring you back the next season wanting more.

How to Get Away with Murder (10 pm, ABC) – I was very reluctant about putting this on my list, because the last season bored me.  I know it’s not really an accurate description of law school, but it’s part of what drew me to it.  I’m going to give it another chance this season, but we’ll see if it stays on my list next season.

Sunday, October 1^st

Shark Tank (9 pm, ABC) – My business background makes watching this show so much fun.  I usually try to guess whether or not each inventor will be backed by a shark, and it’s fun to see if I’m right or not.  I’ve also found some really interesting new products that I’d love to try out.

Friday, October 6^th

Once Upon a Time (8 pm, ABC) – I’ve watched this show since the beginning and have followed along with all of amazing storylines and not so great ones.  The Season 6 finale introduced a completely new story about Henry and his adventures as an adult.  While I’m sad a lot of the original characters won’t be regulars any more, I’m excited about the new twists OUAT will put on classic fairytale characters.

Wednesday, October 11^th

Riverdale (8 pm, The CW) – I actually just binged the entire first season of this show like last week, but I fell in love with the storyline and the characters.  It blends the classic Archie characters with the mystery and intrigue of a show like Pretty Little Liars.  The first season is on Netflix so you definitely have time to catch up on the drama before the new season starts.

*Dynasty (9 pm, The CW) – This show is a remake of a hit 80s show about the dueling oil company owning families and all of their drama.  I really enjoy shows like this, which are something so different than I’ve ever experienced.  Soap opera type shows like this engross me in their storyline.  I’m hoping this one lives up to my expectations.

* new shows on tv

Because of my school work, I typically don’t watch all of these shows when they first air.  I typically watch them later On Demand when I’m relaxing.  I’m also the type of person who likes having background noise when I study so I’ll watch some of the shows when I’m reading for school.

Class Preparation Update

Preparation — “In anticipation of a future event, preparation helps to make something ready to be utilized."

-Black’s Law Dictionary

In prior posts, I’ve talked a little bit about how I get ready for class.  However, I’ve changed some things that I do before class because some of my classes this semester have necessitated it.  I still keep the same basic routine, but I thought I’d update you on the changes I’ve made.

What's In My Bag? Law School

Supplies — “The provisions and equipment necessary for people engaged in a particular project or expedition.”

-Oxford English Dictionary

Throughout my posts about school, I’ve discussed what school supplies I use on a daily basis but I haven’t written a devoted post on them.  So, here it is!

2L Fall Semester Overview

Overview — “A general review or summary of a subject.”

-Oxford English Dictionary

After a crazy first three weeks, I thought I’d give you guys a little insight into my Fall 2017 schedule.  This semester, I’m really excited about my classes because they’re the type of classes I’ve been dying to take since I started law school.  My schedule is really great this semester because I only have one class on Thursdays and no classes on Fridays (the first time ever since I started school!).  So without further ado, here’s the list of the classes I am taking this semester!

August Obsessions

Obsession — “An idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person’s mind.”

-Oxford’s English Dictionary

And just like that, it's time for another Obsessions post about what I loved during August.  This month, I tried a lot of more trendy things and definitely loved them!

Disney World 2017 Travel Blog Part Two

Travel — “To go on or as if on a trip or tour.”

-Merriam Webster’s Dictionary

I’m back with the second part of my Walt Disney World Summer 2017 trip recap!

Disney World 2017 Travel Blog Part One

Travel — “to go on or as if on a trip or tour.”

-Merriam Webster’s Dictionary



I went on vacation around the end of July so this is super late, but trying to get through all of the videos and pictures I took on vacation took forever.  This trip was amazing and I didn’t want to leave.  I think every time I go I think it was the best trip, but this definitely is at the top of the list.

On-Campus Interviewing Process

Interview — “a formal consultation usually to evaluate qualifications (as of a prospective student or employee).”

-Merriam Webster's Dictionary

The beginning of 2L year marks the start of the job search for next summer, scary I know.  While most of this happens during the summer, firms and businesses are still taking applications for on-campus interviews.  What’s really stressful, at least for me, is a lot of these opportunities are not just for next summer, but can lead into a full time job after graduation.  If you’ve read my About Me section before, then you likely know that I would love to have a career in corporate law.  However, not a lot of people end up working in-house for a company right after law school, that means a firm life is likely what I’ll have until I gain enough experience to interview in-house.  That being said here’s an overview of the process of on-campus interviewing!

Orientation Essential Posts

Advice — “Recommendation regarding a decision or course of conduct."

-Merriam Webster's Dictionary

It’s that time of year again, orientation and the start of a new school year!  Starting something new can always be a bit overwhelming, and I personally read almost anything related to law school that I could get my hands on.  So for your reading pleasure, here are some of my posts from last year when I was just starting out my 1L year and going through orientation!

Reflecting on My Summer Internship

Reflection — “Consideration of some subject matter, idea, or purpose.”

-Merriam Webster's Dictionary

I honestly cannot believe my summer internship is already over.  I finished my ten weeks working with a local trial court judge last Thursday and I’m missing it already.  I really enjoyed my experience and saw so much during my time there.

Dressing the Part: A Basic Legal Wardrobe

Wardrobe — “A collection of wearing apparel (as of one person or for one activity).”

-Oxford’s English Dictionary

If you’ve been reading along since the beginning of my blog, then you’ll likely know that I work at Banana Republic part-time.  This basically means that outside of law school, my life revolves around fashion.  I absolutely love clothes, and the fact that I have three full closets of clothes between my school apartment and my bedroom at home should indicate that I take my clothing seriously (or haven’t grown in ten years so I can still wear things I bought when I was 12).  And going to law school means starting a wardrobe fit for a lawyer.  You might be thinking, “I’m only starting my 1L year, why do I need a dressy wardrobe?”  Well, you’ll be using some of these pieces sooner than you think, and purchasing one item at a time over a couple months will have you set for your 1L summer internship.

July Obsessions

Obsession — “An idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person’s mind.”

-Oxford’s English Dictionary

And just like that, it's time for another Obsessions post about what I loved during July.  If you didn't guess already, a lot of my favorite things this month revolve around Disney World since that was where I was vacationing this month!

What's In My Bag? Walt Disney World

Must-have — “Something that is essential to have or obtain."

-Oxford’s English Dictionary

Since I enjoyed writing about what's in my bag for my internship, I thought I'd share what I typically bring with me to the Disney parks.  Some of these things are recent additions to my Disney essentials, but I think they're definitely things that will make your trip so much fun!

The Bag Itself

Clearly I love Longchamp bags because I use a Longchamp backpack when I'm in the parks.  I like using a small backpack for the parks because it fits a lot of items but isn't too heavy to carry around all day.  This bag is also perfect for packing because it folds up into a small square that can easily fit into your carry-on when you're traveling to the parks.  The only downside, much like it's larger counterparts is the lack of pockets in it.  It does have one relatively big pocket in the front which is great for fitting your phone, but that's the only pocket.

My Essential Items

Minnie Mouse Ears

No trip to a Disney park would be complete without some sort of Disney related headgear.  I personally have two different pairs of Minnie ears:  one from the Disney Parks and another pair I specially ordered from Aloha Ears Designs.  The Disney Parks pair is one that a lot of people have so I like that I know have a pair that are different than everyone else’s.  Pro Tip # 1: Make sure you take your ears off before going on thrill rides, like Splash Mountain, or you just might lose them, like my dad did!

Maps, In Park Activities, Pins

This one is definitely helpful if (1) it's one of your first times to the parks and (2) you have kids or are a kid at heart.  The Disney parks are huge so maps can definitely come in handy if you need to know where the closest bathroom is (I now know where they are all from when I was younger lol) or you just want to find Splash Mountain.  The My Disney Experience app also works because it has an interactive map that can even give you step by step directions to anywhere in Disney World.  Pro Tip # 2:  Maps can also be a great way of helping you remember what you've done during your trip as a travel log!

Since Disney World was built as a place where kids and adults can both have fun, there's no shortage of activities for everyone, like Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, Wilderness Explorers, and pin trading.  I personally partake in all three of these activities so I carry all of those essentials in my bag during my trip.  Pro Tip # 3:  Disney pins are a lot cheaper on eBay than in the parks so buy them ahead of time to save some money!  Pro Tip # 4:  The in park games can be continued over multiple trips so if you don't collect all of your Wilderness Explorer badges during one trip, bring your book back for your next trip!

Phone Essentials

Since smartphones are now like mini-computers, digital cameras, and camcorders all in one, having various phone accessories is a necessity.  I like to carry a portable charger in case my phone dies while I'm in the park.  Two recent additions to my phone accessories are a phone stabilizer to take videos of new attractions and experiences and an iPhone USB drive to offload all of my pictures and videos.

Water Bottle

Florida is hot.  And when it's hot, it's important to keep hydrated while in Disney World.  I like to bring a plastic water bottle that I fill up with water and ice before I leave for the parks.  Pro Tip # 5:  Disney Resorts sell cases of water at some of the merchandise locations at the resort and it's a lot cheaper than buying a water bottle in the parks!  Pro Tip # 6:  Quick Service restaurants in the parks will give you a cup of ice water when you ask for it!

Gum

Pro Tip # 7:  Disney Parks do not sell gum at all as to not have chewed gum all over the park.  So if you're like me and need gum, bring your own.

Sunglasses/Sunscreen

Sun care is a must, especially during the summer.  I lather myself in so much sunscreen when I go to Disney and always bring more with me to the parks to reapply.  A lot of Disney attractions take place indoors so the sun seems extra brutal when you walk outside.  I always put them on right after getting off a ride.

Instant Camera

I just recently got this for my birthday and it's a total throwback to the old, clunky Polaroid cameras.  This one isn't as bulky, but still gives the old school vibe to the pictures it prints automatically.  This is great for still photos, like of Cinderella’s Castle or the Tree of Life, and it looks super cute when you carry it around the parks!

Shower Sheets

Walking around Disney World can make you hot and sweaty so shower sheets or something similar is a definite must to wipe off all of the sweat or to clean yourself up a little before you grab a bite to eat.  WetOnes or baby wipes can also do the trick.