The bar exam feels surreal and not entirely pleasant. It's like being slapped with something very familiar and common place, but used in an unexpected manner. Something typically not associated with violence.
Today must be my lucky day: I saw TWO Maserati cars! Whooohooo! It's unusual for me to see one, let alone two, in one day. It must mean something.
My kitty has been understanding and affectionate in light of my horrible ordeal. She immediately planted herself in front of me, splat on the table surface, and beseech-ed me to stroke her fluffy fur. She didn't care that I typed the equivalent of two lost worlds today. The only thing that mattered to her was that her petting quotient had not yet been filled.
Why is the weather so beautiful during this exam? It's effing freezing indoors, and then beautifully alive outside. It feels like frozen yogurt weather.
I need to take a nap. And some chocolate. And something spicy.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Bright, Shiny Faces
It's been a good day so far. It's 10:51 am. I've been up since 7am. I actually slept until the alarm went off even though I spent the hours between 4 and 6am doing multiple choice questions in bed. It's the best thing to put one to sleep, right? Can't read something interesting, might get too excited. The point being that I was asleep in the morning when my alarm went off.
The Bar Exam looms ahead. It is like going to war. Requires a lot of preparation and equipment and packing and deliberation. I've been focusing on strategy. Not just in the way I take the exam, but how I get there, the supplies I bring, my routine in the morning. I need to pack my lunch that contains minimum carbs, protein, fiber/veg, sugar/fruit, and soda. What am I going to do about tea in the morning? Gulp it all in one go and run to the bathroom a million times? I drink water like a fish. I drink so much of it I should have drowned in my sleep. No water permitted in the testing room. One must get up and go to a different part of the testing center for water. Sometimes, I imagine a boxing scene where the fighter is getting the pep talk, water squirt in the mouth, water squirt on the head, cold water all over his head to wake him up, wipe the blood from his eyes.
Stranger things are permitted in the exam: TENS units, paper clips, rulers (??), casts (prior to this permission, was the cast to come off in order to take the exam?), wallets, diabetic equipment. They fail to mention whether we could have a bag to carry all of this in. Or if we have to bring it in piece by piece? Unpack it from the bag and then discard the bag? Why do we need rulers? Should I bring it all just in case I need it all? Even things I don't need?
Yesterday whilst taking a multiple choice exam, the question used a very lofty word. It described the land as a "copse of trees." COPSE. How cultured, eloquent, refined, expressive, creative! I thought I was reading a Charlotte Bronte book for a split second. These little things make me smile.
I really really hope I get through this exam. I really really hope my wrists hold up and it doesn't hurt too bad the next day. I really really hope no trucks overturn on the highway and spill 100,000 cans of cream of mushroom soup on the asphalt.
The Bar Exam looms ahead. It is like going to war. Requires a lot of preparation and equipment and packing and deliberation. I've been focusing on strategy. Not just in the way I take the exam, but how I get there, the supplies I bring, my routine in the morning. I need to pack my lunch that contains minimum carbs, protein, fiber/veg, sugar/fruit, and soda. What am I going to do about tea in the morning? Gulp it all in one go and run to the bathroom a million times? I drink water like a fish. I drink so much of it I should have drowned in my sleep. No water permitted in the testing room. One must get up and go to a different part of the testing center for water. Sometimes, I imagine a boxing scene where the fighter is getting the pep talk, water squirt in the mouth, water squirt on the head, cold water all over his head to wake him up, wipe the blood from his eyes.
Stranger things are permitted in the exam: TENS units, paper clips, rulers (??), casts (prior to this permission, was the cast to come off in order to take the exam?), wallets, diabetic equipment. They fail to mention whether we could have a bag to carry all of this in. Or if we have to bring it in piece by piece? Unpack it from the bag and then discard the bag? Why do we need rulers? Should I bring it all just in case I need it all? Even things I don't need?
Yesterday whilst taking a multiple choice exam, the question used a very lofty word. It described the land as a "copse of trees." COPSE. How cultured, eloquent, refined, expressive, creative! I thought I was reading a Charlotte Bronte book for a split second. These little things make me smile.
I really really hope I get through this exam. I really really hope my wrists hold up and it doesn't hurt too bad the next day. I really really hope no trucks overturn on the highway and spill 100,000 cans of cream of mushroom soup on the asphalt.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Off with her Head!
Who was it that said, if the hand offends, cut it off? My head offends right now. I have a huge flipping headache. I try to sleep for the requisite 8+ hours but sometimes it's tough. Can't sleep through the night. And in the mornings, the beautiful weather brings with it some lovely, brilliant pollen that clogs up the rest of my senses. I look and smell like an old witch, huddled in the dark with my bottles of aromatherapy oils, trying to clear my sinuses, sipping on hot water.
The best advice I've been getting, and the most difficult one to remember is:
DON'T FLIP OUT. Stay calm.
Strangely enough, that's the most difficult thing to remember when you're in the middle of a downward spiral into the depths of hell.
I wish the stupid, massive construction across the street would SHUT the FRACK up. I hope they are putting in something really important that is going to serve the community. Something like a cyclotron. Or a wind tunnel.
4 days to go. 4 days. That's longer than some bugs live. Alright, enough jerking out, back to the grind. Turn off the internet. Turn off the phone. Turn the mirror to face the wall. Put on the gloves. And the hat. And try not to stain the furniture.
The best advice I've been getting, and the most difficult one to remember is:
DON'T FLIP OUT. Stay calm.
Strangely enough, that's the most difficult thing to remember when you're in the middle of a downward spiral into the depths of hell.
I wish the stupid, massive construction across the street would SHUT the FRACK up. I hope they are putting in something really important that is going to serve the community. Something like a cyclotron. Or a wind tunnel.
4 days to go. 4 days. That's longer than some bugs live. Alright, enough jerking out, back to the grind. Turn off the internet. Turn off the phone. Turn the mirror to face the wall. Put on the gloves. And the hat. And try not to stain the furniture.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Massive Flipping Failure
Why do they do this? Why? I raise my fists and shake them in anger. Grr!
Today was the simulated exam. 100 questions. 3 hours. A very low score. Flipping failure. Failure. Not even 65%. Failure on astronomical levels. WHY? It's so contrary to what I was doing this weekend: taking practice exams, getting good scores, elevating spirits and morale, general feel-goodness.
What started off as a great day (beautiful weather, high energy, good night's sleep without dreams of Nazi baby-killing conspiracy involving everyone near and dear) coasted me through until lunch. After 3 hours of continuous beating-my-head against a sharp and jagged rock, my sensibilities were a bit shaken. I tried to take a break by looking at advertisements that had arrived in the mail. Even pretty, useless pictures failed to entertain me. Worse off, I couldn't focus my eyes enough to see them. A bit of lunch would help.
As my food was warming in the microwave, I decided to correct my exam now and know the score rather than be ignorantly blissful. What a big flipping mistake. I am a big flipping loser. I can't score higher than a monkey pushing random buttons. I can't score higher than a rhino tossing his snuff. There's a higher probability of dolphins standing up on their tails and taking over the world than of me passing this exam. I'm doomed.
In less than 15 minutes, I had turned an otherwise lovely, brilliant day in to a self-loathing, moping, excrement-laced day. Excrement? I mean expletive. It was an expletive-laced day. My head was a dirty bomb of expletives, triggered by innocent inquires from my father. Though I did not show it on the outside other than a mopey face and slightly hunched over posture, in my head, I was walking around STOMPING-STOMPING-STOMPING like a ragged teenager.
The simulated full day exam was suppose to be extra hard to whip us into shape. But was this one too? Please say this one was super-duper hard and everyone got low scores. Please.
Let me not be the stupidest piece of concrete.
Today was the simulated exam. 100 questions. 3 hours. A very low score. Flipping failure. Failure. Not even 65%. Failure on astronomical levels. WHY? It's so contrary to what I was doing this weekend: taking practice exams, getting good scores, elevating spirits and morale, general feel-goodness.
What started off as a great day (beautiful weather, high energy, good night's sleep without dreams of Nazi baby-killing conspiracy involving everyone near and dear) coasted me through until lunch. After 3 hours of continuous beating-my-head against a sharp and jagged rock, my sensibilities were a bit shaken. I tried to take a break by looking at advertisements that had arrived in the mail. Even pretty, useless pictures failed to entertain me. Worse off, I couldn't focus my eyes enough to see them. A bit of lunch would help.
As my food was warming in the microwave, I decided to correct my exam now and know the score rather than be ignorantly blissful. What a big flipping mistake. I am a big flipping loser. I can't score higher than a monkey pushing random buttons. I can't score higher than a rhino tossing his snuff. There's a higher probability of dolphins standing up on their tails and taking over the world than of me passing this exam. I'm doomed.
In less than 15 minutes, I had turned an otherwise lovely, brilliant day in to a self-loathing, moping, excrement-laced day. Excrement? I mean expletive. It was an expletive-laced day. My head was a dirty bomb of expletives, triggered by innocent inquires from my father. Though I did not show it on the outside other than a mopey face and slightly hunched over posture, in my head, I was walking around STOMPING-STOMPING-STOMPING like a ragged teenager.
The simulated full day exam was suppose to be extra hard to whip us into shape. But was this one too? Please say this one was super-duper hard and everyone got low scores. Please.
Let me not be the stupidest piece of concrete.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
ConLaw is Horrible, so is Wills
There are times when I wish we lived under the rule of an emperor. All hail the emperor. All law is the emperor's desire. Because then there would be no Constitution and no Equal Protection Anal(ysis) and no First Amendment Anal(ysis) and I would not have to fret about this.
And when people died, all property belongs to the emperor again.
The past two nights I've dozed off while doing restorative yoga. It has been very very helpful in un-knotting my back. I have posture like a "?" where my hips jut out like an emo kid, and my shoulders are hunched over like a hipster, you probably haven't heard of it.
I just can't understand how things like interest rates, waste disposal and newspaper dispensers all get litigated under Constitutional Law. It's the biggest catch-all for whiny entitled people who need to be heard. If it doesn't put you in jail for life or cut off your hands and feet, it's really not so bad. Stop making up this law that I need to learn!
Oh, to be a lawyer about 90 years ago. First, women were not allowed, so moot point. Second, there was far fewer rules to learn. More judicial activism, but still, easier to make a Cardozo impact. And this was before the Civil Rights Acts which stirred up a whole different bunch of litigation (public accommodations, any one?)
And when people died, all property belongs to the emperor again.
The past two nights I've dozed off while doing restorative yoga. It has been very very helpful in un-knotting my back. I have posture like a "?" where my hips jut out like an emo kid, and my shoulders are hunched over like a hipster, you probably haven't heard of it.
I just can't understand how things like interest rates, waste disposal and newspaper dispensers all get litigated under Constitutional Law. It's the biggest catch-all for whiny entitled people who need to be heard. If it doesn't put you in jail for life or cut off your hands and feet, it's really not so bad. Stop making up this law that I need to learn!
Oh, to be a lawyer about 90 years ago. First, women were not allowed, so moot point. Second, there was far fewer rules to learn. More judicial activism, but still, easier to make a Cardozo impact. And this was before the Civil Rights Acts which stirred up a whole different bunch of litigation (public accommodations, any one?)
Life's Alternatives....Curve balls
Not to sound really dramatic, but the title is about baking, and not another indication of how I'm surely losing my ever-loving marbles due to the Bar. (5 days to go!) I haven't forced a countdown on you and I will not start now. Well, maybe in the margins or something.
The day started off really early and with itchy, dry eyes. Terrific. Then my backyard neighbor decided to play some funky deep beats. I couldn't hear the music through the ear plugs, but I could hear the bass. It was so deep I could feel the bass in Jamaica. Against my better, less confrontational, inner monologue, I went outside and politely lost my sh*t at him. Just kidding. Nothing was lost. But I did ask him to not play music so loudly since I'm STUDYING FOR THE FRACKING BAR and I'm THIS close to turning myself inside out. He was surprisingly sympathetic and nice, and I felt very embarrassed when I was done. Lots of apologising, lots of thank-yous, really appreciate it. Heh. This exam is making me act all sorts of ridiculous.
I'm baking. I'm making something that I thought I knew really well. It's a tried and true recipe. Yes, there was a small adjustment. Recently, I've gotten over my fear of baking powder.
Backstory: There was a period in early 2011/late 2010 when I really liked baking cupcakes. And I got sort of cheeky with the baking. Thinking I knew everything there was to know. And one day, I decided to make a brownie recipe that I found on the side of a box. Since I was so good at baking, I could modify any recipe and make it work! Well, that turned out to be really really false. I ended up with a batch of beautiful, dark-chocolate brownie-cupcakes that were moist and perfect looking. But tasted like BITTER CHALK. It didn't hit you until you'd swallowed. It was an aftertaste, something left on the tongue. A bitter, choking, drying, terrible, swallowed-my-tongue sensation. After this event, I never put more than 1/2 tsp in any recipe.
Last Week: I got over that fear with the lovely chocolate cake that tasted NOT bitter. Yay.
Today: I'm making Blondies. And they are looking a bit different. I added the requisite amount of baking powder and reduced the amount of sugar. Maybe that is where my defeat lies. In reducing the amount of sugar.
In August, I'm thinking of toying with a sugar-free month of baking. What do you think? They say, it barely tastes different. Sugar free treats. J doesn't think healthy alternatives are worth it because they usually taste highly inferior. Typically I agree. But there's a diabetic in mind that I want to impress.
The day started off really early and with itchy, dry eyes. Terrific. Then my backyard neighbor decided to play some funky deep beats. I couldn't hear the music through the ear plugs, but I could hear the bass. It was so deep I could feel the bass in Jamaica. Against my better, less confrontational, inner monologue, I went outside and politely lost my sh*t at him. Just kidding. Nothing was lost. But I did ask him to not play music so loudly since I'm STUDYING FOR THE FRACKING BAR and I'm THIS close to turning myself inside out. He was surprisingly sympathetic and nice, and I felt very embarrassed when I was done. Lots of apologising, lots of thank-yous, really appreciate it. Heh. This exam is making me act all sorts of ridiculous.
I'm baking. I'm making something that I thought I knew really well. It's a tried and true recipe. Yes, there was a small adjustment. Recently, I've gotten over my fear of baking powder.
Backstory: There was a period in early 2011/late 2010 when I really liked baking cupcakes. And I got sort of cheeky with the baking. Thinking I knew everything there was to know. And one day, I decided to make a brownie recipe that I found on the side of a box. Since I was so good at baking, I could modify any recipe and make it work! Well, that turned out to be really really false. I ended up with a batch of beautiful, dark-chocolate brownie-cupcakes that were moist and perfect looking. But tasted like BITTER CHALK. It didn't hit you until you'd swallowed. It was an aftertaste, something left on the tongue. A bitter, choking, drying, terrible, swallowed-my-tongue sensation. After this event, I never put more than 1/2 tsp in any recipe.
Last Week: I got over that fear with the lovely chocolate cake that tasted NOT bitter. Yay.
Today: I'm making Blondies. And they are looking a bit different. I added the requisite amount of baking powder and reduced the amount of sugar. Maybe that is where my defeat lies. In reducing the amount of sugar.
In August, I'm thinking of toying with a sugar-free month of baking. What do you think? They say, it barely tastes different. Sugar free treats. J doesn't think healthy alternatives are worth it because they usually taste highly inferior. Typically I agree. But there's a diabetic in mind that I want to impress.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Taking risks in the last week
I've been acting a bit risky. Yesterday, I ran around an uneven field full of holes, chasing a soccer ball. And almost broke my ankle 5 times. Then, I tried to hit the soccer ball with my hand/arm/wrist. And almost broke it. Volley ball, soccer, I get the two mixed up sometimes. With one week before the bar, it's probably not a great idea to break both ankles and my writing hand. But the exercise was great! Running, puffing, panting, chasing after the ball in the sun. I got a bit of color, and some exercise. It was a good weekend. Took my mind off the exam. Sort of.
The weather has warmed up again. This is both good and bad because I tend to get very sleepy in the warm weather, though I am more motivated and have the best intentions. My kitty has been acting like a cat would. Lying on every available cool surface. Alternating between cement, soil, tabletop, tile, whatever I'm working on at the moment for maximum interruption. I envy lower life forms. The toughest thing she has had to worry about: which side of her tummy to sun first. Oh, the life of a cat.
Since I've been more stressed out in the past 10 weeks than an ordinary person, I've had to adapt my coping mechanisms. Looking at pictures of cats is a great way to relieve stress short term. But the effects wear off after the pictures are gone. Working out is a good stress-reliever. It is especially helpful that working out is preferred over continuing to study. This way, a rigorous 45 min session can pass relatively eagerly. The last method is not advisable. It involves an epilator. And the hair on your legs. Or other body parts, but that can go south really quickly. An epilator is about the most ineffective way of remove hair, short of tweezing individual hairs with point tweezers. It uses the tweezing action, and slowly, repeatedly, attempts to yank hair out by the roots. Why would anyone use this? It's less messy than waxing and can be done by oneself. While it hurts, a lot, it's actually a bit amusing to watch. If you don't mind the pain.
I'm just kidding, the epilator is a terrible way to relieve stress!
The weather has warmed up again. This is both good and bad because I tend to get very sleepy in the warm weather, though I am more motivated and have the best intentions. My kitty has been acting like a cat would. Lying on every available cool surface. Alternating between cement, soil, tabletop, tile, whatever I'm working on at the moment for maximum interruption. I envy lower life forms. The toughest thing she has had to worry about: which side of her tummy to sun first. Oh, the life of a cat.
Since I've been more stressed out in the past 10 weeks than an ordinary person, I've had to adapt my coping mechanisms. Looking at pictures of cats is a great way to relieve stress short term. But the effects wear off after the pictures are gone. Working out is a good stress-reliever. It is especially helpful that working out is preferred over continuing to study. This way, a rigorous 45 min session can pass relatively eagerly. The last method is not advisable. It involves an epilator. And the hair on your legs. Or other body parts, but that can go south really quickly. An epilator is about the most ineffective way of remove hair, short of tweezing individual hairs with point tweezers. It uses the tweezing action, and slowly, repeatedly, attempts to yank hair out by the roots. Why would anyone use this? It's less messy than waxing and can be done by oneself. While it hurts, a lot, it's actually a bit amusing to watch. If you don't mind the pain.
I'm just kidding, the epilator is a terrible way to relieve stress!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Is "MALICE" even a word?
It's time to take a break from studying when you can't remember what "malice" means. Or the difference between 1º and 2º murder.
Sure, Rape, Burglary, Robbery, Kidnapping, Arson. Gotcha. But Murder? Um. The deliberate and intentionally killing of a human with malice aforethought. And 2º is without malice aforethought. But how can anyone deliberately and intentionally kill a person without malice? What is malice exactly? Is it like baking soda? Or allergies?
I was doing Contracts essays earlier. Rescission, Reformation, Modification, Mistake. It all sounds so similar.
Just remember to run down the escalator towards the offeree shouting, "REVOKE, REVOKE!!" at the top of your lungs. And if you are in a car accident, NEVER SAY you are sorry. You can say it silently, to god, while you pray, in church or to your friend-that-lives-in-your-head. But never say it out loud where someone might hear you and it can be used to impeach you.
As soon as I get employment, I'm going to start a tradition. I'm going to give weird hot sauce as presents for xmas. Or birthdays. Mostly xmas. Because I was looking at various hot sauces online and there are some with very funny names. I suspect they are mostly novelty hot sauces but there were also some very legitimate ones too. For instance, Marie Sharpe's Belizean hot sauce: a-MAZE-ing. It gives me tingles up my scalp and down my spine. I shiver just thinking about how wonderful that sauce makes me feel. Hot sauce causes endorphins to be released in one's body.
Sure, Rape, Burglary, Robbery, Kidnapping, Arson. Gotcha. But Murder? Um. The deliberate and intentionally killing of a human with malice aforethought. And 2º is without malice aforethought. But how can anyone deliberately and intentionally kill a person without malice? What is malice exactly? Is it like baking soda? Or allergies?
I was doing Contracts essays earlier. Rescission, Reformation, Modification, Mistake. It all sounds so similar.
Just remember to run down the escalator towards the offeree shouting, "REVOKE, REVOKE!!" at the top of your lungs. And if you are in a car accident, NEVER SAY you are sorry. You can say it silently, to god, while you pray, in church or to your friend-that-lives-in-your-head. But never say it out loud where someone might hear you and it can be used to impeach you.
As soon as I get employment, I'm going to start a tradition. I'm going to give weird hot sauce as presents for xmas. Or birthdays. Mostly xmas. Because I was looking at various hot sauces online and there are some with very funny names. I suspect they are mostly novelty hot sauces but there were also some very legitimate ones too. For instance, Marie Sharpe's Belizean hot sauce: a-MAZE-ing. It gives me tingles up my scalp and down my spine. I shiver just thinking about how wonderful that sauce makes me feel. Hot sauce causes endorphins to be released in one's body.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Birth of Athena
Zeus had a headache that was mighty powerful. It bothered him and pained him for days until finally he asked the blacksmith to split his head apart. And from forth the cleaved halves of Zeus' head sprung Athena, fully grown and armored, carrying a shield and spear. Some stories leave out the part about the blacksmith. Zeus' headache split his skull from the pressure alone.
My dentist put in a filling. Not a temporary one. A possibly permanent one so long as I don't break it within the next 24 hours before it sets. Soft foods for me. But also a splitting headache. Because as this filling sets, it EXPANDS a little. Yeah. It feels like there's a battleaxe buried hilt deep in the left side of my face. It feels great.
Certainly, this must be the best way to de-stress: get hurt in some other tangible, physical manifestation upon which all your energies can focus. My face hurts.
My dentist put in a filling. Not a temporary one. A possibly permanent one so long as I don't break it within the next 24 hours before it sets. Soft foods for me. But also a splitting headache. Because as this filling sets, it EXPANDS a little. Yeah. It feels like there's a battleaxe buried hilt deep in the left side of my face. It feels great.
Certainly, this must be the best way to de-stress: get hurt in some other tangible, physical manifestation upon which all your energies can focus. My face hurts.
Monday, July 11, 2011
What the hell?
My filling fell out. Again. It's 10 pm. The night before a "simulated" written exam. AND THERE'S A HOLE IN MY TOOTH.
Should I ignore it for 2 weeks until after the bar?
Should I get a quick temporary patch (again)?
Should I just suck it up and get it fixed for real?
I feel sick to my stomach.
Should I ignore it for 2 weeks until after the bar?
Should I get a quick temporary patch (again)?
Should I just suck it up and get it fixed for real?
I feel sick to my stomach.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
I'm up, I'm down. Sine Wave.
Two days ago, I reported an upswing of the Multiple Choice Question score (hereinafter MCQ). Today, the score went back down. And the average score on that particular practice test was 10% higher than mine. All because of 5 lousy questions. But in all fairness, the questions were pretty fracking stupid.
For instance:
A landowner invited some friends, including his neighbor, to a party in his backyard. A friend who showed up produced a large, dangerous-looking skyrocket and lit it. The skyrocket did not make it up into the sky, instead, it went to the neighbor's yard, hit the garage and burned the garage to the ground. The neighbor sues the landowner. Under what theory is the neighbor most likely to prevail? (NOTE: this is a paraphrase because I don't want to get SUED for copyright infringement, even if it is a very very thin copyright, thus NO exact copying.)
A) landowner failed to exercise due care in controlling the acts of his guests
B) landowner is strictly liable for harm from abnormally dangerous activities on his land
C) not important
D) not important
Which answer do you think it would be? Well, it wasn't. It was answer A.
This is typical of the MCQ. Sometimes, when it comes to Constitutional Law questions, it gets really hairy during the explanation of the answers. I did one a few days ago that pretty much had no reason, but exists just because. In a small infinitely dense ConLaw spot in the Universe. Unattached to anything else.
What is left of a person when you take away everything that they know? Everything they understand? And then give them one giant acidic stomach? How things have changed me. In this current state, I would not say I like food. Or eating. Or want to think about food. Neither cookie, nor cake nor tasty morsel excites my appetite. In fact, I tend to cough a bit whenever I get really nervous. Google tells me that it could be acid reflux causing the cough. It burns a bit in the back of my throat right before and after I cough.
I wrote a flashcard today that said: In other words, the Defendant was making world-saving goo and it got onto your property. Tough sh*t for you. Private nuisance action DENIED.
For instance:
A landowner invited some friends, including his neighbor, to a party in his backyard. A friend who showed up produced a large, dangerous-looking skyrocket and lit it. The skyrocket did not make it up into the sky, instead, it went to the neighbor's yard, hit the garage and burned the garage to the ground. The neighbor sues the landowner. Under what theory is the neighbor most likely to prevail? (NOTE: this is a paraphrase because I don't want to get SUED for copyright infringement, even if it is a very very thin copyright, thus NO exact copying.)
A) landowner failed to exercise due care in controlling the acts of his guests
B) landowner is strictly liable for harm from abnormally dangerous activities on his land
C) not important
D) not important
Which answer do you think it would be? Well, it wasn't. It was answer A.
This is typical of the MCQ. Sometimes, when it comes to Constitutional Law questions, it gets really hairy during the explanation of the answers. I did one a few days ago that pretty much had no reason, but exists just because. In a small infinitely dense ConLaw spot in the Universe. Unattached to anything else.
What is left of a person when you take away everything that they know? Everything they understand? And then give them one giant acidic stomach? How things have changed me. In this current state, I would not say I like food. Or eating. Or want to think about food. Neither cookie, nor cake nor tasty morsel excites my appetite. In fact, I tend to cough a bit whenever I get really nervous. Google tells me that it could be acid reflux causing the cough. It burns a bit in the back of my throat right before and after I cough.
I wrote a flashcard today that said: In other words, the Defendant was making world-saving goo and it got onto your property. Tough sh*t for you. Private nuisance action DENIED.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Don't beat the dead horse.
Last week, with 24 days to go until the bar, I radically changed my study strategy. I radically changed my review procedure. I also radically changed my outlook on Barbri. I'm not going to keep doing something if it's not working for me. And in my heart, with every angry little Asian sigh, I knew that the stupid Interactive Paced Program was not for me. Worse yet, I knew that listening to lectures was not for me. I have dyslexia of the hearing, if that's possible. Maybe it's more like autism. Maybe, after all this time, it turns out I'm autistic? That would be something.
I continued to listen to the lectures out of fear. Fear that they are going to say something equivalent to the Holy Grail and I'm going to miss it. Turns out, since I slept, worked out, baked and generally spaced out during the lectures, I missed it anyway! It's difficult to pick up on the tidbits of existence when one is asleep. So the first thing to go was pretending to listen to the lectures. The second thing to go was everyone's suggestion that I outline, then condense, then condense, then lather-rinse-repeat. Um. No. My typing is limited in duration. I'm not going to waste precious keystrokes on outlining. Third thing was NOT spending a whole day on a single subject, without really doing anything. Now that I look back on bar study, I had a lot of free time in the first 3 weeks. What was I doing that made me feel so overwhelmed? Certainly not what I'm doing now. I was pretty much not doing anything other than what they told me to do on Paced and it amounted to very very little retained. Very little retained. I vividly remember a lot of anger.
Oh, somewhere in between shedding my fear of the lecture and spending too long on one topic, I also learned to HATE the Conviser. It is stupid. It is useless. It was like stabbing bamboo splinters under my fingernails. Well, no, let me take back some. For topics like Contracts, it was useful. And for something else, hopefully. But for some topics? I would believe it if you told me that some 1L law student wrote it over the summer without understanding the topic.
And I made a delicious chocolate cake. Failed miserably on the frosting. Tried to make a milk chocolate ganache. Instead, I had a chocolate syrup/milk underneath a layer of milk chocolate ganache. It didn't detract from the cake (yes, I frosted it even though only the top half-inch solidified). It was a little bit runny. But still delicious. And yes, I have a tendency to sleep-walk, sleep-frost, and sleep-manicure/pedicure. Those are all things that I have done in my sleep. I wake up with a full set of pedicured toes. This morning I woke up to find that I had frosted the cake in my sleep. This cake was a traditional circular cake so unfortunately, I'm going to have to eat the whole thing. Maybe share with the parents.
Oh, back to the bar study switch-er-roo. I feel rewarded for switching my strategy because in one week, I raised my scores by 25%. Yes. I am golden on Criminal law and Evidence. GOLDEN. One short of Gold on Torts. Still suck at ConLaw and Real Property and Contracts. But. This is a definite upswing.
I will reward myself with going to sleep before 11pm. Time to start the winding down routine of hot foot soak, restorative yoga, reading Professional Responsibilities while TENS-ing my wrists. Did I mention I love my TENS machine? Love. I would not be able to get through this without it. I write my hands ragged during the day, electrocute them, and wake up freshly-nearly-without-soreness.
I continued to listen to the lectures out of fear. Fear that they are going to say something equivalent to the Holy Grail and I'm going to miss it. Turns out, since I slept, worked out, baked and generally spaced out during the lectures, I missed it anyway! It's difficult to pick up on the tidbits of existence when one is asleep. So the first thing to go was pretending to listen to the lectures. The second thing to go was everyone's suggestion that I outline, then condense, then condense, then lather-rinse-repeat. Um. No. My typing is limited in duration. I'm not going to waste precious keystrokes on outlining. Third thing was NOT spending a whole day on a single subject, without really doing anything. Now that I look back on bar study, I had a lot of free time in the first 3 weeks. What was I doing that made me feel so overwhelmed? Certainly not what I'm doing now. I was pretty much not doing anything other than what they told me to do on Paced and it amounted to very very little retained. Very little retained. I vividly remember a lot of anger.
Oh, somewhere in between shedding my fear of the lecture and spending too long on one topic, I also learned to HATE the Conviser. It is stupid. It is useless. It was like stabbing bamboo splinters under my fingernails. Well, no, let me take back some. For topics like Contracts, it was useful. And for something else, hopefully. But for some topics? I would believe it if you told me that some 1L law student wrote it over the summer without understanding the topic.
And I made a delicious chocolate cake. Failed miserably on the frosting. Tried to make a milk chocolate ganache. Instead, I had a chocolate syrup/milk underneath a layer of milk chocolate ganache. It didn't detract from the cake (yes, I frosted it even though only the top half-inch solidified). It was a little bit runny. But still delicious. And yes, I have a tendency to sleep-walk, sleep-frost, and sleep-manicure/pedicure. Those are all things that I have done in my sleep. I wake up with a full set of pedicured toes. This morning I woke up to find that I had frosted the cake in my sleep. This cake was a traditional circular cake so unfortunately, I'm going to have to eat the whole thing. Maybe share with the parents.
Oh, back to the bar study switch-er-roo. I feel rewarded for switching my strategy because in one week, I raised my scores by 25%. Yes. I am golden on Criminal law and Evidence. GOLDEN. One short of Gold on Torts. Still suck at ConLaw and Real Property and Contracts. But. This is a definite upswing.
I will reward myself with going to sleep before 11pm. Time to start the winding down routine of hot foot soak, restorative yoga, reading Professional Responsibilities while TENS-ing my wrists. Did I mention I love my TENS machine? Love. I would not be able to get through this without it. I write my hands ragged during the day, electrocute them, and wake up freshly-nearly-without-soreness.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Now with more Magic
I've been a frazzled bundle of nerves. July 4th marks some insidious, amorphous milestone in a Bar Taker's study. It previously wouldn't have bothered me if I had not listened to a friend that likes to bring up these scary markers. Let's call her Twiggy. Twiggy tends to ask other people about this experience. Call it what you will: gossip, recon, research; it's all heading down a bad path of psych outs. It can get to your head. And Twiggy likes to tell me about it. Is it because misery loves company? Or that she's trying to be a good friend and warn me about dangers? Or is she trying to EFF with my head? I genuinely believe that she is sharing her experience of being down and working really hard without payoff. But the things she says still EFFs with my head.
It must be done. I must get rid of this. I can't have these superstitious milestones if it keeps throwing me off my game. It's not even freaking me out in the proper manner to get me motivated, as Anthony would characterize it. I get caught up in this rat race. Twiggy tells me: "this is about the time when everyone freaks out." I think, "I should start freaking out. Why am I not freaking out? I'm freaking out about not freaking out enough." Then I work myself up into a small dust storm of uselessness and anxiety.
Even if Twiggy means everything in good faith and without a bone of malice, it's still unnerving. I never like superstitions.
Today I made Magic Bars. Now with more magic. No, I didn't take pictures. But I have some photos from previous baking attempts. My mother really likes the Magic Bars. The funny thing about Magic Bars is that even though it takes relatively little magic to make, they are expensive! The ingredients are top shelf. Things that I cannot make from ordinary general groceries. I have to purchase them special. I have not had any. One day I will make a version without nuts. But until that day, I hope everyone enjoys them. Baking Magic Bars is a bit like a chemistry experiment. Converting sugar!
(After looking at my most recent mixed subject multiple choice practice exam)
Ohgodohgodohgodohgod.
Um. Snarf. Um.
I need something. I need chocolate cake. With frosting. I need a slice of chocolate cake right now. Tonight. I don't know if I should break out the cupcake pan and make chocolate cake in that. For easy service and divisibility?
WHY AM I fussing about divisibility during this moment of psychosis? WHAT is wrong with me?
Yesterday I watched this British TV show called Inbetweeners. It was really funny in a coarse, crude, anti-high school musical, anti-Twilight way. There was one episode where one of the fellows was studying for his final exams. He freaked out in one scene. Exactly the same way that I freaked out last week. And this week. And will do again tomorrow. But silently and alone.
It must be done. I must get rid of this. I can't have these superstitious milestones if it keeps throwing me off my game. It's not even freaking me out in the proper manner to get me motivated, as Anthony would characterize it. I get caught up in this rat race. Twiggy tells me: "this is about the time when everyone freaks out." I think, "I should start freaking out. Why am I not freaking out? I'm freaking out about not freaking out enough." Then I work myself up into a small dust storm of uselessness and anxiety.
Even if Twiggy means everything in good faith and without a bone of malice, it's still unnerving. I never like superstitions.
Today I made Magic Bars. Now with more magic. No, I didn't take pictures. But I have some photos from previous baking attempts. My mother really likes the Magic Bars. The funny thing about Magic Bars is that even though it takes relatively little magic to make, they are expensive! The ingredients are top shelf. Things that I cannot make from ordinary general groceries. I have to purchase them special. I have not had any. One day I will make a version without nuts. But until that day, I hope everyone enjoys them. Baking Magic Bars is a bit like a chemistry experiment. Converting sugar!
(After looking at my most recent mixed subject multiple choice practice exam)
Ohgodohgodohgodohgod.
Um. Snarf. Um.
I need something. I need chocolate cake. With frosting. I need a slice of chocolate cake right now. Tonight. I don't know if I should break out the cupcake pan and make chocolate cake in that. For easy service and divisibility?
WHY AM I fussing about divisibility during this moment of psychosis? WHAT is wrong with me?
Yesterday I watched this British TV show called Inbetweeners. It was really funny in a coarse, crude, anti-high school musical, anti-Twilight way. There was one episode where one of the fellows was studying for his final exams. He freaked out in one scene. Exactly the same way that I freaked out last week. And this week. And will do again tomorrow. But silently and alone.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Happy 4th Weekend!
Though the 4th may be a bank holiday and the cause for much rejoice, it's the point-of-no-return for many bar students. At least that's what I keep being told. Everyone cruises along at their own slightly indifferent speed until the 4th weekend. And then. It all hits the proverbial fan. Some say that the realization of the impending exam gets pressed directly in our collective faces. Others say that the 4th symbolizes the time when things get really serious. And finally, a small separate group tend to agree because they cannot make up their own mind and like to be part of the larger decision-making process.
The weather has been very very fine these past few days with a high of 79 tomorrow. For San Francisco! Short shorts weather and tiny tops. Hula-hoop lessons in the park. Strollers out in force. And of course, Barbri. Because nothing completes your ensemble better than a huge, 900 page book full of insane scribbles and mutterings.
I finally got a really good day's worth of work in on Wednesday or Thursday. It was really productive. I nearly hurt myself on the typing but luckily stopped short of permanent injury. It's nowhere near completion but I feel as though I know the whole game plan now. Previously, I didn't know or understand what was the start, end, middle, scope, depth, etc. But now, I'm better informed. I'm making choices about how to study, what works for me. Most importantly, I'm discarding that stuff that does not work and trying something different.
As always, I'm still doing my restorative yoga at night before bed to help relax my hunched over body and rabid mind. I'm also starting to cocoon myself in many pillows when I sleep. It creates the comforting sensation of being supported. Maybe it also creates a sensation of being smothered because I have trouble getting up now. And when I do, I'm radically thirsty. But no night sweats. That's good.
Last night I resisted the urge to eat some deliciously spiced Indian food before going to bed. Very wise choice since the last time I made that mistake, I had cookie-monster dreams for the whole night. This morning, I woke up and had a few spoonfuls of the rice, with generous habanero hot sauce sprinkled on top. It created a delicious burn in my mouth, a tingle down my spine, and a general sense of well being. Endorphins. Cheap thrills! I've been telling people about this mood enhancer/endorphin rush from chili peppers. Some think I'm crazy. Crazier. Others are desperate to try anything to relieve the stress and anxiety (bar takers and other students, can't you guess by now?).
I've also been eating copious amounts of light yogurt. Studies have shown that yogurt contains a high percentage of tryptophans which encourage a calm sensation. Like turkey. And healthy bacteria for digestion. Sometimes when I eat yogurt, I feel a bit like the Cheesy Potato Freaky Eater on TLC. I think my only saving grace is that I'm not consuming 8000 calories a day via yogurt. Otherwise, I would turn into the Cheesy Potato Eater.
In other carb-filled news, yesterday, I ate nearly a whole baguette of bread. That's more bread than I normally eat in a month. With butter. Lots and lots of butter. I can't make up my mind whether I like bread or not. It's both really good sometimes, and not at all exciting.
Truth is, I'm trying to figure out what is causing my tummy troubles.
(Warning: don't read these next few sentences if you don't want to know anything remotely gross. It's not obscene. But it's normal polite conversation. You wouldn't discuss this with your boss. Or the Duchess of Cambridge.)
I've been suffering from acid reflux as of late. It occurs when I eat cookies. At first I thought it was the coffee I put in some of my cookies. So I took that out. Then I thought it might be the chocolate. So I took that out. But I've still been getting this horrible bitter taste in the back of my mouth. It makes my throat a little sore, and I cough occasionally. This bitter taste only happens when I eat sweet baked goods. Or cookie-dough. I finished up a batch of spiced chocolate chip bars and licked the batter off a spatula as I was washing up. Just one small lick. The majority of the batter was already in the pan, in the oven, baking. This was merely a smear of batter. And within 5 mins, I had that horrible bitter taste in my mouth. Part of the reason I ate so much butter yesterday was to test whether it was the butter. It's not. Was it the egg? I ate hard boiled eggs and was ok. Was it the gluten? I ate bread and was ok. Everything seems to point towards sugar. Or baking soda? It's some kind of cosmic joke on me. Taking away everything I love, one by one. Until I cannot enjoy anything.
(End of grossness)
Back to Corporations. Anyone need help drawing up Articles of Incorporation? I've never done it before, and I'll give you a great rate. Plus, I promise to devote all of my time to it if you hire me because you are my ONE client. Singular devotion. Absolute attention. That's me.
The weather has been very very fine these past few days with a high of 79 tomorrow. For San Francisco! Short shorts weather and tiny tops. Hula-hoop lessons in the park. Strollers out in force. And of course, Barbri. Because nothing completes your ensemble better than a huge, 900 page book full of insane scribbles and mutterings.
I finally got a really good day's worth of work in on Wednesday or Thursday. It was really productive. I nearly hurt myself on the typing but luckily stopped short of permanent injury. It's nowhere near completion but I feel as though I know the whole game plan now. Previously, I didn't know or understand what was the start, end, middle, scope, depth, etc. But now, I'm better informed. I'm making choices about how to study, what works for me. Most importantly, I'm discarding that stuff that does not work and trying something different.
As always, I'm still doing my restorative yoga at night before bed to help relax my hunched over body and rabid mind. I'm also starting to cocoon myself in many pillows when I sleep. It creates the comforting sensation of being supported. Maybe it also creates a sensation of being smothered because I have trouble getting up now. And when I do, I'm radically thirsty. But no night sweats. That's good.
Last night I resisted the urge to eat some deliciously spiced Indian food before going to bed. Very wise choice since the last time I made that mistake, I had cookie-monster dreams for the whole night. This morning, I woke up and had a few spoonfuls of the rice, with generous habanero hot sauce sprinkled on top. It created a delicious burn in my mouth, a tingle down my spine, and a general sense of well being. Endorphins. Cheap thrills! I've been telling people about this mood enhancer/endorphin rush from chili peppers. Some think I'm crazy. Crazier. Others are desperate to try anything to relieve the stress and anxiety (bar takers and other students, can't you guess by now?).
I've also been eating copious amounts of light yogurt. Studies have shown that yogurt contains a high percentage of tryptophans which encourage a calm sensation. Like turkey. And healthy bacteria for digestion. Sometimes when I eat yogurt, I feel a bit like the Cheesy Potato Freaky Eater on TLC. I think my only saving grace is that I'm not consuming 8000 calories a day via yogurt. Otherwise, I would turn into the Cheesy Potato Eater.
In other carb-filled news, yesterday, I ate nearly a whole baguette of bread. That's more bread than I normally eat in a month. With butter. Lots and lots of butter. I can't make up my mind whether I like bread or not. It's both really good sometimes, and not at all exciting.
Truth is, I'm trying to figure out what is causing my tummy troubles.
(Warning: don't read these next few sentences if you don't want to know anything remotely gross. It's not obscene. But it's normal polite conversation. You wouldn't discuss this with your boss. Or the Duchess of Cambridge.)
I've been suffering from acid reflux as of late. It occurs when I eat cookies. At first I thought it was the coffee I put in some of my cookies. So I took that out. Then I thought it might be the chocolate. So I took that out. But I've still been getting this horrible bitter taste in the back of my mouth. It makes my throat a little sore, and I cough occasionally. This bitter taste only happens when I eat sweet baked goods. Or cookie-dough. I finished up a batch of spiced chocolate chip bars and licked the batter off a spatula as I was washing up. Just one small lick. The majority of the batter was already in the pan, in the oven, baking. This was merely a smear of batter. And within 5 mins, I had that horrible bitter taste in my mouth. Part of the reason I ate so much butter yesterday was to test whether it was the butter. It's not. Was it the egg? I ate hard boiled eggs and was ok. Was it the gluten? I ate bread and was ok. Everything seems to point towards sugar. Or baking soda? It's some kind of cosmic joke on me. Taking away everything I love, one by one. Until I cannot enjoy anything.
(End of grossness)
Back to Corporations. Anyone need help drawing up Articles of Incorporation? I've never done it before, and I'll give you a great rate. Plus, I promise to devote all of my time to it if you hire me because you are my ONE client. Singular devotion. Absolute attention. That's me.
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