An Address for James!

SSG James Pescia
214th MP CO
PSC 903 Box 4
FPO AE 09859

Occasionally how I feel while briefing cases upon cases

Lake Life

When I spoke with Gabe and Whitney Friday afternoon and they mentioned spending Saturday at the lake, I thought what a great way to take a break from a busy first week of law school. It's still not too overwhelming yet, so I may as well get in some fun time while I still have a chance. Yesterday morning I packed up my backpack (it couldn't be a completely law school free day) , put on my bathing suit, and Toby and I headed out to the car to be on our way to a fun-filled day!

To say that Toby had a great time would be a DRASTIC understatement. The dog loves water, in fact I'm wondering if he may be part fish. He swam for the better part of 5 hours, almost nonstop. He even started going under the water to see what he could find down there...thank goodness he didn't come up with anything crazy. He thought he could fly for a minute as he sprinted down the pier to sail off into the water...bellyflop...and then he would swim around and do it again. Needless to say we both slept like babies last night.

I almost feel bad though, having fun days like that when I'm on the phone with James knowing he's bored out of his mind in Kuwait. I'm definitely ready for him to be back, joining us not just on our fun-filled days like yesterday, but also on our lazy do nothing homework days like today. I let him know that, after yesterday, Toby is probably going to require a lake house and that he should probably plan that somewhere into our future ;) haha

Shane made it Iraq recently and he sent me an address

SGT McDonald, Christopher 1st Plt
214th MP CO
COS Marez, Iraq
APO-AE 09334

So start sending him lots of packages! He prefers anything Auburn, or blue an orange! Ok, not really...unfortunately he belongs to the dark side of Alabama football. If I ever get any requests from the boys I'll be sure to post a list in case anyone wants to send something their way but doesn't know what to send.

Time to spend day reading property and torts for tomorrow, and organizing contracts and civil procedure notes. Thank goodness I finished most of my legal memo and organizing notes for the other classes yesterday at the lake...I'm pretty proud of myself for being productive out there!

First day

not for me, obviously, but as all you facebook friends keep reminding me, today is the first day for undergrad..and grad school too I suppose. As I reflect on my undergrad years, the difference between that and law school is the same as that of day and night. For this, I must say, I am extremely thankful.

My property professor insisted today that we "demand a refund from our undergraduate institutions," and I'll just leave it at that.

Words To Live By

I believe that this is a practical world and that I can count only on what I earn. Therefore, I believe in work, hard work.

I believe in education, which gives me the knowledge to work wisely and trains my mind and my hands to work skillfully.

I believe in honesty and truthfulness, without which I cannot win the respect and confidence of my fellow men.

I believe in a sound mind, in a sound body and a spirit that is not afraid, and in clean sports that develop these qualities.

I believe in obedience to law because it protects the rights of all.

I believe in the human touch, which cultivates sympathy with my fellow men and mutual helpfulness and brings happiness for all.

I believe in my Country, because it is a land of freedom and because it is my own home, and that I can best serve that country by "doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with my God."

And because Auburn men and women believe in these things, I believe in Auburn and love it.
-George Petrie (1945)

And so it begins

Although this is technically being referred to as "orientation," I think it is safe to say that law school has officially begun. Civil procedure reading assignments on top of legal research and writing assignments, although fairly easy for now, are definitely characteristic of school being in session! The first day consisted of several individuals speaking to us on what we have gotten ourselves into, which continued into today, but today we also started playing our law student role in mock classes; however it turned out to just be the first class in Civil Procedure, nothing "mock" about it! I do love it though, and I have been waiting since December for this week! Bring on the first semester!

James called today, which was much needed since the last time we spoke the phones cut out, and I hadn't spoken to him since (other than a couple of emails). It's still not easy for me. Not at all. I suppose I'll keep taking it day by day, and hope communication is easier from Bahrain. I do get a little peace with 'no more Iraq tour' at least. As I've said before surely law school will keep me busy, and that will help.

It's time to go look over a couple cases, read in my Legal Writing and Analysis book, and start getting used to this life! I've never been a coffee drinker, but from the advice and stories of those who have gone before me, it seems like that's not far off in my future!

Also, happy (late) birthday to my old roomie Hilliary Patterson! Finally 21! I didn't make it to your celebration but I will no doubt make it up to you my love!

Sunday Night Sex & The City

"Later that day I got to thinking about relationships. There are those that open you up to something new and exotic, those that are old and familiar, those that bring up lots of questions, those that bring you somewhere unexpected, those that bring you far from where you started, and those that bring you back. But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous."
-Carrie

Carrie : Honey, if it hurts so much, why are we going shopping?
Samantha : I have a broken toe, not a broken spirit.

"I make mistakes. That's what I do. I
speak without thinking, I act without
knowing. I drink so much that I can
barely walk...I'm a fantastic lover
though, and an amazing friend. God
knows I mean well."
-Carrie

Contracts, Torts, and Property Oh My!

Add civil procedure as well as legal research and writing and you have my life for the next 5 months! Law school orientation starts in the morning and lasts for the next 4 days and then the semester begins! I am beyond excited because since I graduated in December, I've just been waiting to get back in the swing of things! Don't get me wrong, having a break was nice but it's time to get back to school!

When James called this afternoon from his "unavailable" Kuwait number, he was definitely glad the time is here for school to start so he doesn't have to hear "I wish I were in school, I wish school would start already, I can't wait for school to start so I will have something to keep me busy" every other sentence! I'm hoping being crazy busy with school will make this time apart go by so much faster!

Although I'm not able to talk to him whenever I want or send any text messages when I think of something I need to tell him, he's called at least once a day which has been a blessing since I had planned on not hearing from him for a while. He's in Kuwait where it's 120 degrees and an 8 hour time difference from home, but doing well :) I'll be sure to put an address on here as soon as I get it in case anyone wants to brighten his day with a package (I know Amber and Laura have already been planning it)

On another note, I am back in the blackberry world with a brand new Blackberry Bold thanks to my wonderful mommy. It only took an hour and 15 minutes at the Verizon store which I won't even get in to...

Toby and I are heading out for a nice long walk before dinner to end up our weekend...hope everyone had a good one and if you are having a bad week this week just remember you could be reading about torts everyday for the next 5 months...then maybe it won't seem so bad :)

All Grown Up

I spent most of my Saturday today sleeping since I wasn't feeling up to par, but I did manage to make it to Mary Jeanne's graduation party tonight for at least a couple of hours. I can't believe 4 years ago we were moving out of Scottsboro into our first dorm room, and after Monday we will both be college graduates...just waiting on her to join me in the club!

Tomorrow also marks my last day of freedom before Law School takes over my life. Orientation is next week, with classes starting the following Monday. Let's hope I'm good at this thing. And remind me of how ready I am to be back in school when I start complaining about it in a couple of weeks!

Also, Toby is back home where he belongs! It just didn't feel right around here without him! Mom brought him back yesterday and she is staying through the weekend, and hopefully she will be getting me a new phone tomorrow :) If any of you have seen my phone lately you know it's barely hanging on!

It's time for bed. Good Night!

A Good Laugh And A Long Sleep Are The Best Cures In The Doctor's Book

A six-year-old boy told his father he wanted to marry the little girl across the street.

The father, being modern and well-schooled in handling children, hid his smile behind his hand.

"That's a serious step," he said. "Have you thought it out completely?"

"Yes," his young son answered. "We can spend one week in my room and the next in hers. It's right across the street, so I can run home if I get scared of the dark."

"How about transportation?" the father asked.

"I have my wagon, and we both have our tricycles," the little boy answered.

The boy had an answer to every question the father raised.

Finally, his dad asked, "What about babies? When you're married, you're liable to have babies, you know."

"We've thought about that, too," the little boy replied. "We're not going to have babies. Every time she lays an egg, I'm going to step on it!"

Last Call

It's time for the cell phone to turn off...no more texts, and no more of James's ringback tone right before he says hello. After today I won't be calling or texting those 10 digits that have received so much action from me over the past year. This could take a while to get used to...

A Girl's Best Friend

Now that I am back on the wonderful plains I realize more than ever what has been missing for the last several days...my sweet Toby. He wasn't able to make the trip to Philadelphia so my mom took on the task of dog sitting while I was away, and for supposedly not liking my baby boy, she sure has been spoiling him. He will be coming home with a new kennel, a new bed, some new toys if he hasn't managed to demolish them, and quite possibly some new food and water bowls because as of yesterday mother had decided he needs bigger ones. He is also coming home without something he's had all his life...I won't go into detail but for those of you who know our dog, you know he was "well-off." Apparently he has been doing fine, and contrary to popular belief that this may help calm down dogs, I feel like Toby will be the exception. I'll keep you updated!

"We only part to meet again"

Waiting at the airport for the plane that would take me to see the boy I said goodbye to so many weeks ago, was the longest morning I can remember. Sitting on the flight to Philadelphia, which they said would only take 2 hours, felt like days. Those few minutes waiting at the airport in Philadelphia took hours. But it was all worth it when I realized that the guy standing behind me at baggage claim in the Army uniform was just the guy I had been waiting to see! I wish I could put into words the excitement and the happiness that overwhelmed me at that moment, but it's near impossible.

I am beyond thankful to have had the past 5 days with James before he goes overseas. We enjoyed a much needed vacation and some much needed time together! We saw the sights Philadelphia had to offer, did some shopping, and had some amazing food, and it was just as though he had never gone away, we had never missed a beat, the real us.


Then yesterday came and another goodbye was in store. I'm not good at them...at all. I'm a cryer for the most part, and I never want to be. I try to hide it, I try to stop it, but I just can't help it, and saying it out loud triggers it most. I did alright or so I thought, and headed up the escalator to my gate where I started walking and realized what just happened, and then I cried a good cry as I ate my piece of pizza, which eventually ended up in my lap. So there I am with my red puffy eyes, mascara face, and red stained shirt alone in an airport...as sad as it sounds I remind myself how incredibly lucky I am to be in love with such an amazing guy and that I'm blessed with someone to miss.



And thank you to the sweet old lady who sat with me on the flight back to Atlanta, consoling me and getting me tissues, and making sure to pray for James.

And thank you to Laura who picked me up from the airport, and made sure I had an entertaining ride back to Auburn!