I got a new job. I decided last month - almost exactly month ago - that I was unhappy and needed to find another law firm to work at. After sending our 5 resumes, I got called in for 2 interviews. The first one was for a Social Security firm and I thought I had a great shot at that. I got the rejection on Presidents Day. The next day, I had my second interview and it was AMAZING. I went back last Friday for a second interview and had such a great rapport with the other attorneys and the firm seemed really relaxed and the lawyers were HAPPY! Today I got the call and I accepted right away. I start on 3/16 and will give my notice tomorrow.

Work has been super crazy. In fact all I seem to do is work. I am totally getting hosed by my salary, but it will be revised in January.

I spent a small fortune on getting my degrees and certificates framed.

I may be buying my grandma's house - I'm meeting with mu uncle next week to see if there is enough for a down. If there is, I will get an AWESOME deal on the house and we can keep it in the family.

I passed the bar. Swearing in is next Thursday and I will officially be a lawyer.

I just got back from the Grand Canyon/Las Vegas trip and the southwest is absolutely stunning. Pics to come soon.

Aaron and I are moving this weekend - then it is back to work Monday and I hope I don't kill the new receptionist.

Pics from our trip to San Francisco in May are here.

I have been so busy with work that I have neglected the internet.

Before school started, I was working about 50 hours a week. Also, I was doing stuff for the legal journal I am on and studied for and took the MPRE (the professioanl responsibility portion of the bar requirements).

Since school started two weeks ago, I have still been working full time, including going in on Saturdays. The good thing is that I am only taking four classes and my hours should be greatly reduced in the next couple weeks since we hired a new legal assistant to take over the work I am doing now, so I can go back to being a law clerk.

School went really well last year. So well, I was awarded the scholarshp for most improvement in my class. I am ready to be a lawyer though. I am turning in a resume for one of the larger downtown Portland firms. I just want an interview. I kind of hope that the firm I am with now offers me a position, but I don't know if they can pay me enough. I need to make at least $50k a year starting out so I can afford to pay on my student loans and be able to afford the expensive rent in the Portland area.

Personally, things are going well. Becektt graduated from obedience school. He still acts like a butt sometimes, but he knows some commands and will calm down when we instruct him to. However, he started chewing on my shoes a couple weeks ago. He destroyed my favorite kitten heels. I guess it just gives me an excuse to go shoe shopping.

I have lost about 15 pounds since I started Weight Watchers with my mom. I went clothes shopping the other week, and bought way too many clothes. But, I needed more professional looking stuff.

Mom and I went to Ikea yesterday. She thought it was the best shopping expereince ever. I got a dresser and some new kitchen chairs. I also got a few colorful plant pots so I can move my geraniums insider for the winter.

Oh, ny cousin Colin is going to be on People's Court - how fantastically trashy is that?!

I WON!

I am doing my first real trial next Friday.

This has made me sick all day. I am one of those weird people that spend way too much time worrying about the direction this country is headed. So, when I heard a little snipet about how the feds had searched their database and found no evidence that Seung-Hui Cho had taken anti-depressants I was confused and shocked. The government has access to a database that contains information on what presecription medications we take?! The more I learn about the Consititution in law school, the more sick I become and the more disgusted I am with the government.

You know, with all this stuff with my sister, I forgot to write that I got a new job at a fantastic firm in Salem. I am so happy there. It is by far a much better situation than the one I was in when I worked for Jody. The staff is really nice and the attorney's are actually there and teach me things. Plus it pays 25% more than I was making at my old firm. I feel so blessed to have this position.

I finished my third year paper last night - a full year early. I had it bound today and will turn it in tomorrow - a full two days early. Go me!

We got a got a dog today - here are the pictures.

I have bangs!

I made cookies today with the brand-spanking new KitchenAid mixer that Aaron got me for Christmas. He's such a good boyfriend :)

I played the Wii and it was brilliant.

After waiting in line for a few hours yesterday, I was the first to leave the store with a Wii in my hands. The crowd that was still waiting outside applauded - which I thought was odd. As I started driving away, Evin grabbed my hand and said, "I'm so excited that I think my heat's gonna stop." He can't play his Wii until Christmas, but he get Zelda on his birthday in two weeks. We cracked open Dustin's Wii and bowled. It was amazing. It is really what everone said it was - the controls were intuitive and the gameplay was so much fun. I can't wait to see Zelda in a little over a month.

I sent in my ballot today. Even though I love that Oregon has mail in ballots, I wish I could go to a polling place. I remember when I was little, my dad would always let me come in with him to the voting booth at our local school. It was always so exciting.

Evin is turning 15 in a little over a month - that makes me feel so old. I just ordered his birthday present. Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess for the Wii. I am the best sister ever!

I've been sick with an awful cold the past few days. I stayed home on Thursday and Friday - I hate staying home ans missing school/work. Aaron is super cranky right now; I think I am going to hit him. There is another College Fair that OWu asked me to be at next weekend - should I do it?

Moving on Friday. This is the thrid time in as many years, but I am super excited about this move. I am FINALLY getting my uncle's couch and Aaron's friend (the one who divorced his MMR wife so he could date a BIF woman) is giving us a TV, so I am giving my mom mine. Aaron asked why we couldn't have 3 TV's, and I told him it would just be silly to have that many TV's. Last weekend, I made pillows for the couch out of some kitchen towels that mom got me last year - they turned out so well. School is good. I am super busy, and very tired much of the time. But, hopefully, that will change once we get settled into the new place and I get used to my routine.

I started packing last night. I always forget how much stuff I have. This is the third time I've moved in the last three years, but I am really excited about this one. I have all these projects I want to do. Last year my mom found some super cute dish towels that I want to turn into pillows. Then, I want to make a tablecloth (Aaron hates my table - he has no taste).

I am having a terrible time with US Bank and Willamette's financial aid office - so if anyone has $7,500 laying around, it would be great if you could send it off to me.