I know I said I wouldn't blog again until after exams...

...but I just couldn't stay away. Plus, I've studied pretty much on and off all day. Between short naps, lots of wine, coffee, obsessing over exams, calling my law school friends to obsess over exams, calling my husband in Florida to obsess over exams. I deserve a few moments on my blog...to obsess over exams.
But I'll spare you.
Instead, I wanted to blog how cool life is. I was was thinking about my life objectively (between obsessive-exam-type-thoughts). From the time I was six until I was a young teen, I lived in a very small town in a very small province in Canada that most people have never even heard of. I left that place forever at seventeen (after spending more than a few years away: first in Mexico, then in Puerto Rico). Through the power of facebook, I have "hooked up" with many old school mates. They are still there. Still in that small town, raising families or pursuing careers. It makes me think about the decisions I've made in my life and, gasp, I am actually grateful. Grateful for my life. I think I could honestly say I've had a cool one. Maybe even really lived. At least it's interesting. Judge:

1) spend younger life in strange hippie-on-acid existence
2) travel to Mexico alone at 11(eleven!) for entire summer and learn...well, that's another story...
3) live in Siberia, Russia and Southern Africa having many outrageous adventures and making life-long friends (and some great friends in Texas, too!)
4) move to Miami and model *dance on a LOT of tables* drink lots of Tequila
5) get serious about school
6) win scholarship to Oxford
7) graduate 3rd in class
8) get married in Oaxaca, Mexico in the middle of a riot to a wonderful, wonderful man
9) decide you hate yourself and attend law school in a beautiful, mountainous city

OK. So, looking at it from an outsider's perspective, I have experienced something in my life. I don't know if it's good or bad or indifferent, but it's something. When I had a choice between change and inertia, I chose change, even when it was scary. I am proud of that. And it feels good to be proud of yourself when you're going into something as scary and overwhelming as a law exam.

Couldn't help myself.

Exam Prep

Excuse me while I put my head down for awhile as I will be snuggling into a deep dark hole preparing for exams. I will re-emerge around Cmas with more posts. Cross your fingers for me!

I Miss My Baby

I got so used to having him here, just to have him ripped away again. This month better just fly by because a whole thirty days is too much. I love you, Baby, and love sharing my life with you.

Come home!

My Husband is Home and I Love Him!

We had a fantastic week:
1) He came in last Friday and we stayed in a nice hotel overlooking the river. Then, a nice big breakfast and I was off to the library (to write a paper, which I am supposed to be finishing now, but I'm writing THIS instead.)
2) Sunday, we went to Granville Island early in the morning, ate breakfast outside on the dock, browsed the fresh cheeses, breads, veggies and pastries and sipped coffee while picking out birthday gifts for family members. Then, we boarded a ferry to the Island with B.
3)Monday, we prepared a big feast for dinner (each of us made an appetizer and my sister and dad made Coquilles St. Jacques) and did some homeware shopping. Tuesday, my sister graduated from law school. Lucky girl! We took the late night ferry Tuesday night and I was back in class on Wednesday.
4)Thursday, Matt got hired here in Vancouver and is in the process of getting his work visa. He should be here for good by Christmas.
5)Friday. Matt met me at school after class and atteneded a comedy guild held by the law school every year where law students compete for a $1000 prize. V. funny and nice for me to enjoy that with him. Then, off to a romantic dinner in Point Grey, with lights in the trees and yummy butter chicken. Coffee and then home, where more wine awaited me. Thanks, Sweetie!
6) Saturday. I'm here in the library now. We did some banking earlier this morning and Matt is booking his ticket back to Florida. I'll miss him so much. Tonight, we have plans to see my siter in North Vancouver and then tomorrow morning back to Granville Island. Such fun having Matt home!

"What's Mine is Your's to Make Your Own"

Matt's home. I always forget how happy I am when he's near. The next ten days will be glorious! When I think about our relationship, this song fits pretty well:

The Fray: I Look After You

"When I'm losing my control, the city spins around
You're the only one who knows, you slow it down...

"It's always have and never hold
You've begun to feel like home
What's mine is yours to leave or take
What's mine is yours to make your own"

In honor of one of our first mutual interests, here is that song done to a Buffy montage.

"Did I ask too much? More than a lot?"

Today is my mother's 59th birthday. This song is for her.

Matt Comes Home Tomorrow!

Only for a week or so, but he's been so missed. It will be wonderful to greet him at the airport, hug him, kiss him, hold him tight. I miss all the small domestic things we always did: the morning coffee, discussing the news, diving up chores, deciding to be really naughty with an 11 PM snack.
I think once I remember what I'm missing, I'll never want to let him go.

Proud of Myself

Props to me! I've been so on the ball about my homework and doing small exams b/c my husband is coming soon and I want to have time for him. I haven't finished either paper yet (or, in the case of one of them, really started yet) but I am determined to do a lot of good work tomorrow and the next day. So, here's to that. Oh, and Loxy? Have fun in Mexico!

It Happened Again

We were in Criminal law class today discussing wilfullness and intent in relation to sexual assault when the prof. mentioned that sexual consent in Canada's criminal code is explicit only. No more implicit consent, as rapists have a tendency to see anything a woman does as consent (ie: if she struggles, she really wants it but wants me to know she a 'good girl'.) Guys in our class were snickering and muttering, "Guess we need to get signed waivers." Ick. After class, a friend of mine attempted to discuss the issues of implicit consent further with some of the guys from our class. I didn't get involved as I feel I'm still too emotional and raw about the issue and cannot engage in dispassionate debate. She didn't seem to get too far with them, maybe I'm wrong. I left right about the point where one of the guys was saying, "Even if 99% of the cases brought to court are true sexual assault" there are still a lot of innocent guys in that 1%. True male attitude: screw the 99% of women, we need laws that better protect that 1% of men. Yes, because white men need so much protection in this society.

I Got to School

I leave the house this morning at the usual time: 6:30. I used to leave earlier but now give myself an extra half-hour of sleep. 'Cause I'm lazy these days.;-) Anyway, I walk nearly all the five blocks to the bus stop and find the whole area blocked with police lines, police cars and, curiously, movie vans. Oh. So, I head up a few blocks and ask what I believe are policemen (in their reflective jackets) where to catch my bus. "We don't know," they reply. "We're movie people." Oh. I walk up to Starbucks to call a cab and overhear from a fellow coffee-sipper that the buses are being re-directed on another street. Since it's only 6:45 (class begins at 9) I walk over to that street and wait. And wait and wait. I see "my" bus zipping by without stopping. For although the buses are being redirected up this particular street, they are not stopping but rather using the street for access to get back on their normal routes. Oh. Eventually, I find a bus to talk me halfway, change buses and get to school. Ironically, though I feel I've trecked to Mecca, I'm still one of the first people here. Feeling of accomplishments ensue. Now, it's off to the library that just opened its doors to do a bit of Contracts work before class.
Take that, movie industry! You can't make me miss my morning class or pay for a cab. I'm a pernicious student!
Update: I found out it wasn't a shoot but a "shooting" as in drive-by shooting. Fabulous.

Another of My "Kids" All Growed Up

Such a beautiful young woman now but a naughty, naughty young child. Eww, so naughty: pushing me in pools, kicking me on the trampoline. She definitely gave her caretakers a run for their money. I knew her from age 4-6 and haven't spoken to her since but have watched her from afar. She has dealt with a lot of sorrow in her young life. I'm so proud of her for making her own way.

Celebrating Perspective

I am very proud to say that although I have spent all morning in the law library (with many hours of reading stretching out ahead of me), today is a day where I was able to keep perspective, remind myself that whether or not I grasp the intricies of contract law, the sun will still be there to shine for me tomorrow. I want to hang on to these moments, because such clarity is usually lacking in my life.

A Long Day is Ended

I am feeling very much like I've gone through my own civil war: making the long trip from North Vancouver to the law library in the morning rain. Then seven hours of research and paper writing, then home, dinner, three loads of laundry, hair wash and dry (a big production for some reason) and I should be printing off my research for tomorrow's paper but...I'm not. Done for the day. I'm sitting in front of the TV watching one of my favorite movies, "Gone with the Wind." In one hour, I hope to be asleep and gaining an hour. I love it when we turn the clocks back.

Mock Trial

I'm a witness in a mock trial competition at school this morning. I'll be grilled by the defence, so it should be nasty. Only one more week until my husband arrives! And my sister is coming for a conference next week, so I'll see her, too. In two weeks, she'll graduate from law school. So many fun things to happen in the next few weeks.

Trouble Sleeping

I have been trying to keep up with everything but am having trouble sleeping at night. Then during the day I cannot concentrate, I have difficulty keeping up with my studies. It's a vicious cycle. Luckily, my husband is coming next week! That's a great stress reducer. Also? We're getting a new bed next weekend. A brand new bed may help me sleep and it can't hurt. It may or may not help with my stamina. I'll have to wait and see.