Monday, February 23, 2009

one more question

Okay, so it's nearly 1:30 a.m., but I can't go to sleep. I have a lot of thoughts racing through my head, and since this is intended to be as much as a journal for me as it is intended for anyone else, I thought I'd tell a story that I don't want to forget ...

At 8:13 p.m., I received a phone call from Aaron Garrett, the current editor-in-chief of the law review. Having wrapped up a week long interview process for editorial board positions more than 4 hours before, I was lounging comfortably but was excited to see a call from an unknown number. And then I heard those dreaded words: "We have a few more questions for you. How quickly can you get to the law school?"

My mind went to work. 15 minute drive. Changing back into hose/suit/heels. "Twenty minutes?" "Okay, just get here as fast as you can."

I pulled on my grown-up clothes, hoping that my face didn't have any "sheet marks" from the nap I had taken earlier in the afternoon, and I ran out the door. On my way to the law school (driving a cautious 3-5 mph over the speed limit the entire way), I wondered if this was a set-up or if I was about to face a barrage of questions that would forever determine my editorial fate. I pulled into the parking lot, entered the law school lobby and heard the sound of boisterous conversation coming from the direction of the faculty room.

Hurrying into the room, I was greeted by comments of "thanks for coming back," to which I hastily responded that it was not a problem. I was cold (I failed to mention that it had showered a "wintry mix" on my way to the earlier interview), and I was nervous about what this final interview might bring.

Then Aaron said, "We have one last question for you ..."

At this point I knew what was coming next, but I waited for what I was certain would follow ... and sure enough it did. "We have selected you as Editor-in-Chief. Will you accept?"

It was kind of overwhelming to react in front of the entire past year's editorial board, and I didn't see many of their faces, but the excitement was there. And after many congratulations and thanks showered around, I was on my way back to my house, to make my phone calls and celebrate the night away.

So how does this editor-in-chief-elect celebrate this sort of an honor? Go see a late night chick flick, of course! I convinced (though it didn't take much arm twisting) my wonderful roommate Sara to come along and we frittered away our evening with "He's Just Not That Into You." And now here I sit, trying to shut my mind off for the evening because my alarm will go off all too soon.

I'm overwhelmed and humbled. I'm nervous and excited. And I am so honored to be selected by my peers. I hope that I can live up to all of their expectations.

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Thursday, February 19, 2009

thirty seconds or less

Okay, so I've got a sufficiently voluminous to-do list and, much as I'd love to wile away an hour writing an interesting and witty post for the blog, I've procrastinated enough lately. So I'm going to attempt to give you an update on my life in 30 seconds or less. Ready, set, GO!
  • Spong came, Spong went, met judges, wore heels, feet sore, Krysta tired.
  • Ed board interviews (5), decision Sunday, hope they make good choices
  • Met Sandra Day O'Connor, meeting Paul Clement
  • L and I both gave each other $15 iTunes gift cards for VDay
  • good visit in Norfolk with Sarah; cute keychains
  • Sing nostalgia
  • tournament brief due soon!

Okay, that was more like one minute, but I won't tell if you don't!

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Tuesday, February 3, 2009

if everyone else jumped off a bridge ...

... apparently I would do it too. Because, as silly as facebook can be sometimes, it really has been fun to learn things about other people. Furthermore, it's caused me to contemplate my answers to the questions. So without further ado, here are my 25 things:

1. I absolutely LOVE to get all dressed up. I think there's something so energizing about having the right outfit for the right occasion and really feeling like you're putting the best version of yourself out there. I have neither the time nor the wardrobe to accomplish this feat everyday, but I sure do feel better when I do!

2. Sometimes I wish I could hop on a plane, fly to Mongolia and leave it all behind. I love America and the opportunities and education that come with it, but I wouldn't be shocked if I lived in a 2nd or 3rd world country for awhile, even if it was just for a sabbatical.

3. My sister is my best friend, and most of my favorite memories include my family. When I get married, much as I'll love my bridesmaids, all that I want to do the night before the wedding is hang out with my family and watch a movie.

4. I generally am more productive when I'm busy, but I always yearn to have more free time. Of course, when I actually have free time, I get bored.

5. One of my biggest goals is to become a runner. And what I mean by "a runner" is one who doesn't do it for better health or to meet some sort of goal but just because of the pleasure and contentment she gets out of running. I'm definitely not there yet.

6. I eat food in order of preference, from least favorite to most favorite. Only if I can't decide between two dishes will I alternate back and forth. So if you ever have me over to dinner, I guess you'll know what I liked best!

7. The volume always has to be on an even number. It really bothers me if the best level is odd -- but ultimately I'll just pick the one below or above.

8. I've been to something like 37 states (I'm too tired to count them all now). I've also been to 4 continents. My dad is going to catch up with me on continents this summer, so I'm working on a way to get to Africa or South America : )

9. I'm not a big sports fan (and even that may be an understatement), but I wouldn't be surprised if I married a coach. If not a coach, then I suspect I'll marry someone in the ministry. Of course, I could be wrong on both counts.

10. I temporarily played the bassoon. In reality, I had it at my house and messed around with it occasionally. I never had time to take lessons (since I already was playing flute with the band), so I turned it back in to the school.

11. If I'm wearing a rubberband in my hair, it has to either match my outfit or be neutral (brown or black, depending on the outfit).

12. I make to-do lists and schedule out my life constantly, but rarely do I actually refer to these lists and schedules. It just helps me think through my commitments and plan ahead.

13. I prefer my right to my left. Blame my parents.

14. I get caught up in musicals, opera, ballet, etc. A really good show actually leaves me a little sad when it's over and I have to disengage from the alternate reality it created.

15. I like having only one sibling because we each have our own unique relationships with our parents. But I also wish I were part of a big family. We'll see how that plays out if and when I have kids.

16. I edit my text messages, emails and facebook posts for correct grammar and spelling. I'll actually delete and repost a message on facebook if there's an error.

17. I feel like you could categorize my life by what church I was a member of at the time. That would explain a lot.

18. I used to say that I wanted to live in Rhode Island. I'm not sure where I'll end up now, but I don't think that Rhode Island is it.

19. I love flying, but I also have a slight fear of heights. It doesn't affect me in an airplane, but you won't see me getting too close to a guardrail on the Eiffel Tower or a skyscraper balcony.

20. I miss my grandfather a lot. I don't think about it very often, but when I do I am reminded of what an amazing man he was. I hope that my life makes him proud.

21. I'm absolutely cursed when it comes to technology. In fact, I'm writing this on a school computer because my laptop is in the shop.

22. If you gave me a list of numbers, I could rank them in order of preference.

23. I have had exactly one sip of champagne and one sip of wine. I greatly disliked both, so I'm pretty sure I'll have chilled Dr. Pepper on my honeymoon : )

24. I used to write songs a lot. I haven't written one in a long time -- maybe it's time to.

25. I have big dreams, big plans, big fears and big hopes, but I enjoy the little things in life -- Sunday afternoons with nothing to do, drives with the beauty of fall all around me, breakfast out with my mom, phone calls with friends. My biggest regrets have to do with little things I missed and my fondest memories are the little things I've experienced.

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