Shame on You Random 1L Boys!

"Let no one every come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness." ~Mother Teresa

So I am feeling a soapbox week coming for the blog. I figure this is as good of place as any for me to get out my frustrations!

2L is a 2L (second year) in law school. She and my friend, Aggie Friend, are partners for the trial practice class. For those of you who didn't go to our law school, let me explain. You take this class, are given a case file, work for MONTHS on getting ready, then you go to the courthouse with actual judges and jurors and put on a mock trial. It's like half your grade in the class. Trial date was this last weekend. So...needless to say, things were pretty stressful!

On Friday morning, 2L's husband got very ill and had to go to the hospital. So here she is with trial prep coming out her ears, a husband in the trauma room, and three kids. Apparently she spent part of the day hunting a babysitter for her kiddos so that she would be able to go to the trial on Saturday.

Here comes the soapbox......apparently a couple of 1L boys offered to help her out, but they had all these conditions, including certain time limits AND THEY INSISTED SHE PAY THEM!! Yea. Grrrr.

I am sorry, but I just cannot even imagine. Whoever you random boys are, you better be glad I'm not at the law school anymore because I'd track you down and give you a come to Jesus lecture like you wouldn't believe. Did your mama's not raise you right? Seriously!

Where I come from, we help each other when someone is in trouble. You don't expect (much less demand) anything in return. You help because you are a good person, because it's the right thing to do, and becuase it's what you'd want someone to do for you if, God forbid, you are ever in that situation.

And you know what, our law school is supposed to be that way too. My class constantly went out of their way to help each other. People would send outlines and oral argument scheduled and class notes and bring pick-me-up gifts or cards when someone had a bad day. That's one of the best parts of that law school. This was a legacy I think my whole class worked hard to leave, and I don't apprecite people ruining it by acting like this.

So, in case this is something that needs to be said to people, please don't be a jerk when someone is in a sitution where she needs help. Put yourself aside for one minute and picture yourself in her shoes. Life is hard enough without people making it worse on each other. Remember that the next time someone needs your help!

Prayers for the Cabaniss Family

"The angels are always near to those who are grieving, to whisper to them that their loved ones are safe in the hand of God." ~The Angels' Instruction Book

My good friend and her family are laying her mom, Pam, to rest today. She passed away on Monday after a long stuggle with cancer. Please keep their family in your prayers as they go through this terrible time.

GUEST BLOG BY SARA: The Choices You Make....

"Your friends will know you better in the first minute they meet you than your acquaintances will know you in a thousand years."~ Richard Bach


For today's guest blog Friday, we have my dear friend, Sara! I usually explain how I met my guest blogger, but Sara's whole blog is about that, so I'll leave that part out. I will say Sara is one of my favorite people....she's funny and beautiful and I love her to death! When our group of girls gets together, you just never know what is going to happen! We've been through a lot...good and bad.... but she's so sweet and positive and just all round great!

So.....here's Sara!

Well when Tiff asked me to do a guest blog I was very excited, but unsure of what I would write about. Now I’m not the type of person that has all this great advice to give, or is good at writing interesting stories, so this is quite a challenge for me. With that I have racked my brain all week trying to decide what to write about, and I have decided to share my first encounter with Tiff.

Tiff and I didn’t grow up together, go to high school together, and if it wouldn’t have been for my BFF’s boyfriend we would have never met. You see Tiff attended a Junior College in Kansas and I attended a Junior College in Oklahoma and somehow our paths crossed and she will be in my life forever. Since growing up, moving out of the house and going to college I realized real quick that all the choices you make are for a reason. And, in my experience it is to meet people that will change your life…

To set the background, I grew up in very small town called Copan, OK, which is an hour North of Tulsa, OK right on the Kansas border. As a young lady all I wanted to do was graduate High School and go to a College far far away from home. So, I decided to attend Eastern Oklahoma State College with my high school best friend. This school was located in another small Oklahoma town called Wilburton, which is 3 hours from Copan down by the Arkansas border. This was no great College that all the kids in the surrounding high schools dreamed of going, but it was far away from home.

While there I met my best friend for life and through her ultimately I met Tiff. You see my BFF and I decided to go back to Straford, which was the town my BFF is from, for the weekend. You may ask why any college kid would want to go home for the weekend and they would tell their parents it’s because they miss them, but we went home so we could meet up with my BFF’s boyfriend at a hotel in once again another small town called Pauls Valley.

You see my BFF never dated anyone from Eastern and was known for her long distant boyfriends. Well this one defiantly fell into that category. The boyfriend went to a small junior college in Kansas. And the reason we were able to meet him at a hotel was because he was on his way to a college livestock judging contest. You may be asking how he was able to convince his judging coach to stay at this hotel and I to this day still don’t know…

Well, once at the Hotel my BFF and I get escorted to a room full of livestock judgers. My BFF and I get introduced to everyone, and then I got left in the room alone with all these strangers. If you find yourself asking what happened to my BFF and the Boyfriend I have no idea… All I know is that I was in a room full of complete strangers. In the room was the livestock judging coach, a very loud and opinionated girl from Canada, Tiff and some other random boy from Kansas. Needless to say Tiff and I hit it off and became close friends.

Tiff was a life saver that night and has become one of my all time closest friends. If I had chosen to go to just some junior college close to home I would have never met my BFF, and would have never went to some random hotel in Pauls Valley with her to meet a random livestock judging team were I met Tiff. So, like I said in the beginning of this story the choices you make are for a reason.

Throwback Thursday #3: Fete Nationale Suisse!

"He who does not travel does not know the value of men." ~Moorish proverb

As I've previously mentioned, our first day in Switzerland was Swiss National Day (aka Fete Nationale Suisse!) which would be similar to our Fourth of July. Sean's little village had a great festival going on. There were great food (and wine!) vendors, yodlers, horn players, a carousel....

There was also a village-wide boat cruise. This created some interesting drama. Cousin Swiss Mister doesn't speak much French. Sure, he can order wine and filet de perch, and can probably drop a few inappropriate lines on a cute girl.....but he's not great at the language! Anyway, he didn't realize that you had to get tickets for this boat cruise. So there are tons of people from the surrounding villages in town (I think like 4 villages shared a boat) and everyone seemed to have tickets but us. We learn that you have to get them from the cop. Then we learn Cousin Swiss Mister has some history with this cop....something about illegally parking his car. I was ready to give up the boat cruise and just hang out in the village, but he came through and got the tickets. He was so proud. Here he is holding them.

So the time came and we loaded up on the boat with the rest of the villagers. We went on a cruise all over Lake Geneva---we went first what I imagine was east along the shore to Vevey and Montreux. Then we headed back west to Lausanne, and finally back to Cully. Here's the awesome boat and a picture of the beautiful Swiss countryside from the cruise.

It was a beautiful day for being out on the water---some sailboats were taking advantage as well.

As we went towards Montreux, we got closer to the Alps and you could see snow on the mountains. In August!

There was lots of entertainment on the boat as well. Here, you see the Swiss drinking out of shot glasses. But what was crazy is they were drinking wine from the shot glasses. Apparently that's normal there. At the dinner and fireworks later, all the wine was served not with goblets, but with shot glasses. Made for a cool souvineer!

There was also a full band on the boat that played the whole cruise. They were cool, but I would have enjoyed them having the yodlers come along....it was just beyond amazing to me to be listening to yodlers in Switzerland!

Then the Swiss Air Force did a flyover of the boat. Also pretty impressive!

Here we are enjoying our time on the boat cruise!

And then the sun set on our lovely cruise. However, the night was still young and the fun continued! They had great music playing and fireworks back on the shore in Cully. They also had some great wine and food for everyone.....pictures of food will come in a later blog all about food in Europe, but there was an interesting type of hot dog you'll have to see! Oh, and I didn't get a picture because I inhaled it, but there was the BEST crepe I ever had full of Nutella....sigh. It's amazing I didn't gain 30 pounds! It was all the walking....

Stay tuned next week for Day 2 of our European Vacation.....which includes Lausanne, France, and a fight amongst our water taxi drivers!

What Am I Watching?

"I'm going to name my first wife after him." ~Hawkeye (referring to Radar) on MASH


So I've learned I watch far less tv now than I used to! By the time I go to work and the gym and eat, I don't have a lot of time! Additionally, I frankly don't think that current tv can TOUCH the old school programs that I used to love. I'll discuss a few of those here too.


There are a few shows I keep up with currently.

1. College football. Shocking, I know. Every Saturday you can pretty much bet I spend a great majority of the day and night curled up on my couch watching. LOVE IT!

2. The Amazing Race. I've blogged about this before too, but I love this show! It's great--competetion, traveling, drama....I think it's the only reality show I watch!

3. Friday Night Lights. Best show on tv. Hands down. You guys are missing if you are not watching. It is SO realistic....small town America obsessed with sports....can we say Logan?? Seriously, I watch this show and think, "So and so acts JUST like a person in Logan!"


4. Brothers and Sisters. Great show about this crazy disfunctional family. The writers are good...usually I don't see the twist popping up next.


5. Private Practice/Grey's Anatomy. I watch them both....I used to like them so much better. I'm sort of growing bored lately.



6. Army Wives. Another show that I think is probably pretty realistic and makes you realize the sacrifices, not only by our service men/women, but their families.


Now, for the oldies, but goodies!!


1. MASH. Gran watched this every day at 4:00. Reminds me of my childhood, happy times. If I had to pick an all-time favorite show, this wins. Hands down.


2. Friends. Classic. Show that probably relates most to every day life. Everything that happens can be traced back. I think I've blogged about this too before.


3. Alf. I loved this show. I used to laugh my head off and I still think it's funny. Even had the Alf doll. Seriously.


4. ER. The old ones. Like at the beginning with George Clooney and Anthony Edwards and Julianna Margulies. Not any of the more recent ones that didn't live up to the original casts.

What Am I Reading?

"Tell me what you are reading and I'll tell you who you are." ~Francios Muriac

So....I'm sort of a funny reader. My roomate in college was able to read for hours.....I can't do it. I can't sit still that long and I get bored. And tired. So the way that works out is I have several books that I read at a time. That way I have a little something I can read, no matter what mood I'm in. Here's what's currently on my nightstand.

1. Heaven by Randy Alcorn: This is a great book that discusses what Heaven will be like. But instead of just supposing, he backs up what he has to say with scripture. I'm only maybe a quarter of the way in, but it's a good one!

2. Annie G. Freeman's Traveling Funeral by Kris Radish: This is my current fun book. It's fantastic about these middle-aged women who go on a traveling funeral for one of their friends. I think I'll blog about this sometime soon.

3. 20 Something 20 Everything by Christine Hassler: This is a book I haven't really gotten into yet. I need to keep trying becuse I've heard good things. It's all about twenty-something women finding balance and direction in their lives. Seems useful....

4. Luckiest Man by Jonathan Eig: This is biography of Lou Gehrig. As I watched someone very close to me die of Lou Gehrigs disease, I saw Gehrig's famous speech where he spoke about how he was the luckiest man alive, even though he was dying of such a terrible disease and having to retire from baseball. If you haven't seen the speech, here is a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4msaZTJrTA The speech was really touching, especially considering my personal connection with the disease. I haven't gotten very far into the book yet, but I'm excited to read it.

So those are the currents. I also wanted to make a list of some of the better books I've read. You will notice, I'm not very intellectual when it comes to book choices. You won't see any classics on my list.....not my thing. I really like books that are more biographical best I think. Here we go.

1. Traveling Light by Max Lucado: Great book about letting go of our problems, worries, issues, etc. Probably my number one favorite book.

2. The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch: I got this after watching the lecture given by Mr. Pausch as he was dying of cancer, at age 47, and leaving behind a young family. If you haven't seen the lecture, here's a link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo

3. Dead Man Walking by Sister Helen Prejean: This is the book that the movie was based on, written by a nun who worked with death row inmates. It's a great book, horribly sad, and I think it's something that everyone should read before you make up your opinion on the death penalty.

4. The Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw: Great book telling stories of the World War II generation.

5. God Underneath by Edward L. Beck: This book is by a Priest and tells great short stories about people's spiritual encounters and experiences, but in a really funny manner.

6. Alcatraz Justice by Earnest B. Lageson: After going to Alcatraz like 57 times with everyone who came to visit me when I lived in San Francisco, I got this book about the murder trial for three inmtes who were part of the riot at Alcatraz. The author is an attorney, so he talks a lot about trial strategy and court rulings, so it may not be for everyone.

7. Presumed Guilty by Matt Dalton: This book is about the Scott Peterson murder trial for the death of his wife, Laci and their unborn baby, Connor. I don't profess to have an opinion on his guilt or innocence, but this book will really make you think. Particularly about three things--first, whether he is guilty; second, what affect the media has on trials; and third, how confident you are in the death penalty.

8. She Said Yes by Misty Bernall: Really sad story about one of the teenage girls who was killed at Columbine High School back in 1999.

9. Five People You'll Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom: Interesting view that in Heaven you will meet five people that will help you make sense out of events that happened in your life.

10. He's Just Not That Into You by Greg Behrendt: I think this book is a just a good reminder for girls, no matter how independent we try to be, to read every now and again. You might think it's something that makes girls feel bad, but I think it has quite the opposite impact, at least on me. It makes me feel impowered and reminds me not to settle for someone who doesn't treat me well!

What are you reading?? I'm always looking for ideas!

What am I Listening To?

"When people hear good music, it makes them homesick for something they never had, and never will have." ~Edgar Watson Howe

So.....I was just listening to the "Purchased" list on my iTunes playlist and got a kick out of the last 10 or so songs. It really is the most random list of songs you could think of! I thought I'd share.

My last 10 purchased songs:

1. Delta Dawn by Tanya Tucker (country classics---gotta love those!)

2. Never Gonna Be Alone by Nickelback( first off love the band---second off this song is adorable)

3. Jump by FloRida (got hooked on this in my Turbo Kick class and I now love it for running!)

4. I Look So Good Without You by Michelle Branch (this is one of my FAVORITE songs right now---excellent girl power/breakup tune!)

5. Closer to Love by Matt Kearney (love the line about how we're all just one phone call from our knees)

6. Mary Jane's Last Chance by Tom Petty (another classic...)

7. Remember The Name by Fort Minor (my favorite running song....it's my power song on my ipod!)

8. If I Could Do It Again by Corey Smith (wonderful Texas country song---my ring tone on my phone)

9. I Can Love You by Gary Allan (probably my favorite sappy song....downloaded it so I could get it down on the guitar)

10. Her Diamonds by Rob Thomas (just a great song)

So what's on your playlist? I'm always hunting new songs, especially for running!

What Am I ________ Week

"Life isn't about finding yourself. It's about creating yourself." ~George Bernard Shaw

Today I was writing a blog about what songs I've recently added to my iTunes, and decided to do a little theme for the week.


So this week will be "What Am I ______________ Week!" I'm thinking I'll do what am I listenting to....what am I reading (don't worry...I'll exclude legal stuff!).....what am I watching.....I need one more idea, so someone give me something!

Don't worry, I'm still going to have the regular Throwback Thursday and Guest Blog Friday. :)

Stay tuned for Monday!

Single Girl's Checklist

"It's really hard to walk in a single woman's shoes -- that's why you sometimes need really special shoes!” ~ SATC

I didn't write this, but most of these (with the exception of the cat and fuzzy toilet cover!!) sound like pretty good ideas to me.....

It doesn't matter if you're planning to tie the knot with your man in the next couple of years or if that trip down the aisle isn't even on your horizon. There are some things that you better indulge in now, because once you're hitched? Forget about it.

1. Date a guy who's totally wrong for you just because he has amazing abs. So what if he's five years younger and your polar opposite? The joy of running your hands across his six-pack is a perfectly legitimate reason to go out with him. (If you see one, send him my way!!)

2. Collect at least six country stamps on your passport, including one from a place that until recently you didn't even know existed. Yes, it's fun to travel with your man, but you also have to have some solo adventures under your belt before you start sharing your life with him 100 percent. (Over halfway there....Mexico, Italy, France and Switzerland!)

3. Embrace feminine decor. Don't go so far as to paint the walls pink — that'll freak out any guy who sets foot in your place — but stock up on stuff that appeals to your girlie side. When you're building a nest with him, you'll have to compromise on furniture and accessories, so pile ..e throw pillows while the decorating is all up to you (because here's a tip: Guys hate the things). (My pictures everywhere should count for this one!) :)

4. Wear a hip, fabulous ring on your left hand. Once you have an engagement band, you won't want anything detracting attention from the ring. (Need to get on this one....)

5. Take advantage of the whole bed. You have the rest of your life to stick to "your" side when you sleep next to your man. Right now, place your pillow smack-dab in the center and make like a starfish. (Oh, no worries...got this one down!)

6. Spend an embarrassing amount of money on a designer bag you love or heels that make you feel incredibly sexy. Chances are, when you have a joint account with your hubby, he's not going to get why a purse might be worth the GDP of a small country. (Haven't done it, but I'm excited to try it!)

7. Learn how to change a tire and work a drill. It's easy to relegate all those "guy" tasks to your man (and you totally should enlist his help), but there's a sense of power that comes with being able to fix something yourself. (Well....I'm not totally helpless....but I do tend to have boys on speed dial for these things.)

8. Slip one of those furry covers on the toilet. Once it's there, he'll have to accept it (and psst, they make it impossible for men to leave the seat up). (Nope....not going to happen either.)

9. Throw blowout bashes. Sure, it's nice to have a mellow get-together with your girlfriends, but that shouldn't be the extent of your social life. Before settling down, let your wild side reign. (Dancing to Vanilla Pop and crazy fun nights at the Penny count??)

10. Get a grip on your dough. Sign up for a retirement plan and invest extra income in stocks or CD accounts. Take charge of your own cash flow before merging moola with your guy. (I'm on this one too! I'm so old and responsible....)

11. Have your dad take you out to dinner as often as possible. The reasons: It's great bonding time, and his open-wallet generosity will dry up once you're hitched. Face it: Your reception is the last meal that'll be his treat. (My dad's paying me to elope....I better eat a lot now!)

12. Want a cat? Heed this advice: Buy it now. Call it Snowflake. Let it sleep next to you in bed. If you wait to get a pet with your betrothed, it will end up being a big, slobbering Lab called Bif. (I am such a tomboy girl. I want the dog....)

13. If all you feel like eating for dinner is ice cream and diet soda, buy a cone and pop a Coke. When you and The Mister mangia together all the time, you'll be less likely to indulge those bizarre — but oh-so-satisfying — cravings. :) (Yea...don't drink coke but I do love my ice cream!)

14. Use tons of hot water in the a.m. (I prefer the extra sleep to the extra long shower).

15. Take your celeb crush to the max. Plaster a poster of Ryan Gosling in your hallway, and set your computer wallpaper to a topless shot of him. (This seems sort of 16 to me.....probably not!)

16. Plan your fantasy wedding. Now's the time to let your imagination roam — rip pictures of dresses from magazines, size up ceremony venues, and try on some rocks at the jewelry store. This stuff wigs guys out if they witness it, so get it out of your system now. (I never really thought I wanted a wedding....then Kristin and Jon and their stupid perfect relationship had to ruin that for me. But luckily, I've been in enough to know what's good and bad!)

17. Start a pleasure ritual that a change in your relationship status can't disturb. Regularly treat yourself to something you love, whether it's a manicure, yoga classes at the fanciest studio in town, or a superrelaxing massage. (Now that I have income...maybe I'll look into this!)

18. Set up your home in a way that fits your needs. Maybe keeping the coffee machine in the bathroom so you can get your caffeine boost while you put on makeup in the morning works for you. Until you have to deal with someone else weighing in on your unusual arrangement, customize. (I don't plan on re-arranging for someone....you think that's a problem?)

Growing Up....GUEST BLOG by Marianna!!

"We grow neither better nor worse as we get old, but more like ourselves." ~ May Lamberton Becker

I'm so excited to have one of my closest, and oldest (meaning longest time....not that she's old!) friends guest blog today! Marianna and I have been friends since the 4th grade. Although we had a year or two of not getting along (circa middle school.....go figure!), we have been really close ever since. Sooooo many of my favorite memories involve her! State Fair dorms, double dates in Grady, her chasing her twin brother with a butcher knife.....I could go on forever. She is one of the sweetest, strongest people I know and I'm so grateful to have her in my life. I think her blog topic is just great, hope you all do too!

So......here's Marianna!

I have realized that as the years pass by and we age one more year, that each has held something great. Growing up is definitely a hard feat and if it were easy everyone would do it. When Tiffany asked me to write on this wonderful blog, my mind went through all of the different stories I could tell or the different events that have happened in our lives. One of the main ones that kept coming back was the idea of when I knew I was ‘grown up’.

· When my hero went from a guy throwing around a football or singing a country song to my dad.
· When Chester and I could actually be together for more than a day and not fight (and if you knew us we sure could! There are great fighting stories that still circulate!)
· When I stopped caring about how other people looked at me.
· When I knew it was OK to express emotion.
· When dad calls me and I don’t think ‘Oh I am too busy to talk right now.’
· When I look back on my childhood and realize how blessed I was to have strict parents.
· When I yearn to have land and cattle.
· When I knew I didn’t have to agree with EVERYTHING anyone talked about.

Growing up is definitely a process that enriches the soul. In one hand, growing up means more responsibility, but on the other hand it means more freedom to spread your wings. Every day you are becoming more like yourself.