Bar Prep: Week One.

We had to create study plans for a Bar Prep class I was in last semester. I had written that I would wake up everyday at 6 AM to exercise, have a quiet time, shower and just generally get ready to face the day. Then I would work for 4 hours non-stop; eat lunch; another 4 hours; dinner; kids; another hour or so; bed. 

That plan has already been thrown out as inconceivable. 

First-I found that giving myself an afternoon break to workout and shower was WAY better for me than doing it all in the morning. I still get up at 6 and do multiple choice questions, but save the other stuff for later on. 

Second-I cannot work for 4 hours straight on anything. I can work really hard for a couple hours, but then I need a break. I have to take a minute or two to breath-mentally and physically. 

Third-I underestimated my need for other activities. I NEED to do other things. I need to have ice cream dates with the kids. I need to sit on the porch with Corey and drink coffee. So I've made time for those things too. I have even added a couple new activities. One of which is contributing to a blog called The City of Morgantown. It is run by a guy named Sam. It is photos and articles and other random stuff about this town written by people that are from here. It is a fun outlet to take my mind off the bar exam. Check it out if you have a spare moment.

Finally- Having a day off is going to be necessary. My original plan had all 7 days accounted for. But I need a day off. That might mean that I have to work harder and longer the other 6, but I am willing. I did not do that this week, so the rest of my afternoon has to be spent learning about Constitutional Law--BOO. I didn't like it the first time around. I like it less that I have to do it while the rest of my lot is having fun. 

No sure what this blog will look like this summer. I pre-apologize if you are not riveted by my dive into the bar exam. It's what is going on with me right now-at least for the next 10 weeks.

changing things up...

I have struggled through the summer to figure out what my blog is. It is a place where I share what? Does it matter? Do I enjoy blogging?
Well, for the record, I do enjoy blogging. It is fun to write and document the lovely and not so lovely parts of life. But my very ordered brain really hates the chaotic posts and disorganized nature of what my blog is currently.

If my blog was a picture--it would look like this... 

when I really want it to look like this...

All that being said, this blog is my space. (thus the title-A Space of My Own) I share my life with a great man and two beautiful kids, not to mention friends and extended family and church and school. So this blog is where I get to process it all--where I get to share what works and what doesn't--where I get to talk about the things that I really love!
So I am introducing some specific posts that highlight the areas that I care most about or are just a big part of who I am right now. So here are a few new pieces to my Space...

• Book Nook: I am revamping Book Worm series. This is where I share about books that I love or am reading or that I hate (hated books are a very short list, really I can only categorize ONE book as hated "The House of Mirth." - ugh, terrible).
• Kitchen Adventures: FOOD. I love food and cooking and baking. (oh and the eating part isn't too bad either). The hubs and I have become much more adventurous in our kitchen-with ingredients, with recipes-and I love to share what works, other foodie blogs, and tricks and tips I pick up along the way.
• The Office: I work. It is part of my life. I am a wanna-be property attorney, and I don't want to forget to talk about this piece of who I am right now. I love my job-it can certainly be draining, but law school was one of the best decisions I ever made (right after marrying Corey and popping out our kiddos). 
• Walk-In Closet: I am a fashion infant--I make other people (cough-Danielle and Lauren and Britt) dress me. But when I create an outfit or buy some fun pieces, I like to share my successes with the blogging world.
• Law Library (aka Lawbrary-at least to @LDCMcIntosh): Again. I go to school. It is a BIG part of my life right now. It is not always fun. But the friendships that have been forged and the opportunities I have been given here are really extraordinary and should be documented.
• cityChurch: I have a really great church. I love sharing about what Jesus has done in my life through these incredible people. 
• Living Spaces: Everything else. I can talk about places we go and the people we see. Probably a lot of coffee mentioned... cause you know-I love it. My life is full of interesting happenings--even though I sometimes think it is all very boring! 

I think it is reasonable to think that I will post more about some than others. But I hope to get one of each at least MONTHLY. Am I missing anything? I love feedback, so don't be shy :)

images via pinterest

the benefits of a run...

I have been off... to say the least. So many things to do-not enough hours. I had all these deadlines at work, Children's church to plan, papers to write, finals to prep for, laundry and ironing and a messy house...

I found this the other day and laughed out loud in my office--the story of my life

But I knew it was bad because even the chocolate was not bringing the happy back :)

Saturday was spent trying to check some things off the To-Do list as well as spend some Q-time with the kiddos (we took a fun walk on the trail, played at the park and went to the movies). So come Sunday my tank was empty. I thought that I would be able to work on my final in the afternoon, but it didn't open until 9 pm. Soo... I made the executive decision to run instead. I needed some time outside to myself. AND WOW. I think a HUGE reason that I was so stressed was just my lack of exercise. My whole being needed some endorphines--and a release of all that tension I was holding in.

It also helps that we live in such a beautiful place with great trails! It was so green and lovely. The temperature was just right! Sometimes the mental break-a deep breath of sanity is just as important as all the physical benefits of a run. But man, I can tell you, I feel like myself again.

I still want dessert :)

After tomorrow...

I AM DONE...

pretty much.

I still have a paper to write, but it isn't due for a week AND it is my opinion on healthcare reform. Not really a stressful final project.

That said, finals have not been that bad this semester. I am not saying that the tests themselves have been easy or even that I have put in more time preparing. In fact I have put in less time. But my attitude is not stressed. I have worked hard and relaxed. I have spent time with Corey and the kiddos. I have gotten up early. I have spent time in the Word. I have spent time on the trail. I am really trying to get this whole BALANCE thing.

(liking this quote today, that I found here. Yoda was wise :)

Today my friend Britt worked "hard" on payment systems. We spent the last couple of mornings doing questions. This afternoon as a reward, we hit up Black Bear for lunch (I got the gouda riddance with tofu-YUM) and then took a really lovely walk in her neighborhood/up to the law school. It was great! If the wind hadn't been blowing so hard and the sky hadn't been so ominous, we may still be out there :)

This is Britt and I at a coal mine in Kentucky. We look pretty awesome, no?

Now I am looking over notes and having a glass of wine. Tomorrow I will proofread my take home exam and then take my last in-class exam. And then I am done... pretty much. WOW. Thanks for bearing with the finals posts/hiatus/boringness. Hopefully some new topics and additions will be made next week. Stay tuned.