Summer Reads: Part 2

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

Genres: Horror fiction, Fantasy, Humorous Fiction

Rating/Success: 92%

Drama: check, apocalypse: check, angels and demons: check, hilarity: for sure.  The son of Satan has been born, and the end of the world is imminent.  Every single day that passes, the poor, defenseless humans have no idea what is coming their way.  However, this is not the case if the angel Aziraphale and the demon Crowley have anything to say about it.  A little switch at the hospital, and the End of the World does not seem so inevitable... but there is a demon and an angel that both face a ton of trouble coming from their bosses.

I could not put this book down.  It had me laughing at the wry humor and amount of mishaps that happen.  How could God and Satan both lose tabs on a plan that they have been brewing since the dawn of time?  It has innumerable plot twists.  We are talking about the end of the world, people!

Dragon Teeth by Michael Crichton

Genres: Adventure fiction, Historical Fiction

Rating/Success: 88%

The Bone Wars in the American West during the 1870s.  There is intrigue, betrayal, and secrets that are worth keeping.  Everyone from old professors to adventurous students try to manipulate and scheme.  All of the fossil fanatics that travel out West are looking for the fame and recognition that comes with finding the biggest, baddest fossils.  With the exception of William Johnson--who heads out to the frontier on a bet.  Johnson never lost a bet, and he was not going down for this one.

Interesting characters always make for an excellent story.  The character development in this book is astonishing.  You watch Johnson change from a careless rich boy to a hardened, intelligent man.  He realizes that there is more to life than popularity and the simplest forms of the reputation.  Originally written as a precursor to Jurassic Park, it shows Crichton's penchant for dinosaurs and the history that they represent.

Journaling: Putting Your Thoughts on Paper

Coming from my peers, I found that a lot of people are actually afraid to start journaling.  Some people did not want to put another "commitment" on their plate, some did not want to do it incorrectly, and some just couldn't  imagine putting their thoughts into words.


I personally find journaling very therapeutic.  If I am having an internal debate, sometimes I will write down the pros and cons circling around in my head and the visual aid will help me in making my decision.

No Right or Wrong

Journaling is one of the few places where there are no right or wrong answers.  I’ve come to enjoy this—there are not many places where this is the case.  In all parts of school, you are expected to produce a certain work product.  That isn’t the case here, your journal is for you and you alone.  Do what makes YOU happy.

I love letting my thoughts race freely from my head to the paper.  If a song is stuck in my head, that goes in my journal.  It’s freeing and fun, especially with all of the regulations in legal writing.  Let your journal reflect you.

Be-You-tiful

I’m not one for sharing my journal, so I can put anything and everything down on paper.  Yes, I guard my journal with a fervor.  But, it’s like protecting my inner-most thoughts.  There is nothing with having some personal boundaries.  You need a space of your own, and it’s okay if your journal is yours.  And, there is no need for a fancy, leather-bound book.  You can have a small notepad with paper covers.  It’s all you.

Feel happy and free. Enjoy your paper adventure!

Summer Reads: Part 1

As we all somehow find some more free time during the summer, I will share some of the books that I am able to read for fun over the summer.  It will come in installments as I finish books and am able to post.  Welcome to part one.

You by Caroline Kepnes

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Fiction, Romantic Suspense

Rating/Success: 89%

Joe Goldberg, a small bookstore employee meets Beck.  He is instantly enchanted by her and finds her on Twitter--intrigued by her every move.  After orchestrating a "chance" meeting again at a subway stop, they start a whirlwind romance with more ups and downs than the world's most intense rollercoaster.  As time passes, Joe's oddities come to light, and Beck's friends begin to warn her against Joe.  He can't have that.  He must have Beck, and he won't stop at anything to keep her in his grasp.

I could not put this book down.  It wasn't like a traditional cheesy romance novel.  Yes, there was the appropriate amount of mushy stuff, but the plot twists and the scary moments kept me glued to the pages.  This book shows that there is more to every person than meets the eye--and first impressions do not reveal everything you need to know about a person.  Those who seem the most harmless can actually be the most dangerous.  If you like a bit of a mystery, but you are not a fan of anything too frightening, I really recommend this book.  Grab it for your next long flight or car ride!

ISBN: 978-1-4767-8560-8

Happy summer!

Exercising in Law School, Yes it is Possible

Make a Plan That is Easy to Follow

As it is with anything in law school, you have to make everything as simple as possible.  That includes your exercise routine.  Generally, if you focus on one part of the body for each workout, then it creates a goal that is easy to reach.  And it avoids you from getting discouraged.  It takes a person an average of 66 days to create a habit so, that just means you need to stay on top of it for a month and one week.  That doesn't sound so impossible, now does it?

Get Guidance if Needed

Most people have no clue what they are doing (and that still includes me) when they try to create workouts.  The best part is that there are many options here to learn more about how to move your body.  Some people prefer to use a face-to-face personal trainer that can guide them through the movements and teach them how to use machines.  Some people prefer to participate in group classes, which are available at almost every single gym.  Some people even prefer to use a workout app to guide them along the way at their own pace.  No matter what works for you, there is a multitude of options.

The one grave mistake that must be avoided is signing up for a membership to something like Pure Barre or Soul Cycle if you know that you will not keep up your commitment.  These memberships can be quite expensive and create a black hole in your wallet if a location is just a little bit too far to be convenient, or if you only have time in the early morning or late evening.

But before you pay for any membership, check with your school! Some schools offer free admission to their fitness centers if you are enrolled as either a part-time or full-time student. This could save you hundreds of dollars in the long run!

My Personal Favorite

(This is not a sponsorship or encouragement to use this service; I just find that it works best for me and my schedule.)

I use Sweat: Kayla Itsines' Bikini Body Fitness Workouts.  It is super convenient, and it comes on a multitude of platforms.  You can log on using your computer, or you can download the app.  I like to do the workouts in the middle of my living room with a workout playlist pumping through my Bluetooth speaker.  The workouts are 30 minutes long with 30 minutes of cool-down stretches.  Minimal equipment is required because most of the moves are body-weight focused.  To me, this means no travel time to the gym, little to no clean up, and I can get back to my assignments right away.

Accountability Buddies

I love having a workout buddy.  This year, I had a fellow friend that would always remind me the days that we promised to work out together during the week, and we would challenge each other to either make or find the best workout playlist of the week.  She lived within walking distance of my apartment, so we would go to my place after class and walk home.  Sometimes we even rinsed off real quick and studied together.  It made the workouts super fun, we could socially chat and take our minds off of school, and then get back to the grind.  Both of also appreciated the fact that we got some blood flowing before we sat back down.  We did it Elle Woods style.

Gym Fear

If you do choose to enroll in a gym program or some type of membership, just remember--no one is actually watching you.  Okay, the guy that keeps peeking over might be checking you out, but what's the harm if he ends up asking for your number?  A free coffee?  A nice meal?

Most of the other people at the gym are there for the exact same reason that you are--to have a fantastic workout before they have to face life again.  Do not be afraid of the "gym bros" or the people who like to watch themselves do reps in the mirror.  They are wrapped up in their own world anyway, and they are not paying you any attention.  The gym is actually a judgment free zone, so do not be afraid to step off of the treadmill and lift some weights.

You can do it!

What's A Social Life?

This is the question that every law student asks themselves...

Yes, from the first day of law school, it seems like your schedule is always packed with assignments, club meetings, and studying.  It is important to keep on top of your school work and obligations, but you cannot function on all of this alone.  Every person, even a law school girl, needs to come up for a breath of fresh air from time to time.  Social interaction and free time is just as important as studying--even the ABA agrees with us.

Make Breaks Productive

When you do decide to take a break from your studies, make it as useful as possible.  If you are feeling extremely stressed, choose an activity that will actually relax you.  Do not pick something that will cause other issues to weigh on your mind, this will make you even more stressed.  You should also pick one day a week where you push law school out of your mind and fill your day with fun activities.

"Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy."

Elle Woods was correct on this point.  A run around the block, a quick workout video, or a SoulCycle class with a friend can make a strong positive impact on you and your body.  Working out can actually give you a boost of energy, and it can help you power through reading a tough case.  It also helps you keep a healthy lifestyle during a time where it does not seem that you have the time.  Law schools are notorious for their free food to attract students to attending events.  Usually this food is not the healthiest (cookies, pizza, donuts, etc.).  Making exercise part of your weekly routine can help balance this out and keep you awake and alert.

A Clean Home is a Happy Home

I know, I know, this is such a cliche.  And cleaning your room/apartment/house sounds like the the last thing you want to do when you get home after class.  However, it is very true.  Clutter in real life equals clutter in your brain.  I feel guilty even putting this suggestion up here because I don't always follow my own advice on this.  I can say that when all my dishes are clean and put away, my laundry is done, and my carpet is vacuumed I feel physically better.  One of my favorite things to do while doing the housekeeping is blasting my favorite music and singing along.  It makes chores seem less endless, and you can even bust out into your most embarrasing dance moves.

Read a Book for Pleasure

Looking at more words on a page may sound like the last thing you want to do after reading hundreds of pages of legal jargon, but allowing your brain to stretch creativity can actually help with problem solving.  If you don't want it to be a solitary activity, you can make a small book club among friends with no deadlines, pressure, or expectations.  The creative part of your brain can actually kick in when writing your law exams--you may see something that other students don't, or come up with another solution that your classmates may not consider.  Even rereading an old favorite can help, making your mind more perceptive.
 

"He drinks a whiskey drink / He drinks a vodka drink / He drinks a lager drink / He drinks a cider drink."

Tubthumping may have enjoyed staying out all night partying, but they did not need to get up the next day to finish a twenty-something page brief.  Drinking to cope is never the answer, and pushing yourself past your limits can lead to some really regrettable consequences.

Everybody Loves Game Night

Being social does not mean that you have to be the life of the party.  Sometimes the best thing to do is have a low-key game night where everyone brings their favorite snack or splurges for some take-out.  For this activity, it is best not to let your competitive side get the best of you.  Pull out a game that doesn't have high stakes.  Cards Against Humaniy, Uno, Clue, and Scrabble are some of my favorites.  They are not complicated games, everyone knows the rules, and you can basically start and stop the game whenever you want.

Avoid Staring at Another Screen

Netflix and Chill is never the best choice.  You are already straining your eyes so much during the week, that staring at another screen is just going to deteriorate your vision even more.  I know, sometimes you feel like you need to watch a mindless episode before bed, but the light from the screen will actually keep you up and make you have less fitful sleep.  If you want to do something that does not require too much thinking, have your friends come over for a casual night in for just talking and laying out on the couch.

You Don't Need to Impress Anyone

Do not let yourself feel pressured to go out just because everyone else appears to be doing it.  This is the along the lines of the "if everyone jumps off a cliff..." argument.  If you are in the mood to go home and use your freetime to take a nap, go for it.  If you just want to play fetch with your dog, you do you.  If running around the house with a cat toy tied to a string sounds like your idea of a good time, then that is what you should do.  The only person that you need to impress is yourself and future employers.

Love and luck to all,