One More Week Down

At the end of each week, I feel like the previous weekend was a whole lifetime ago. Ironically, the week itself doesn't feel that long when I'm in the middle of it, something for which I can be thankful!!

This week was shortened by a day, due to a trial observation in Dallas on Friday. And a short week was much needed after 3 memos on Tuesday and 5 on Thursday. Yes, all from our PC II professor. Some days, he's just on a warpath, and there's nothing you can do except recognize that he's being unreasonable and try not to scream the curse words that are collecting in your brain.

Yes, I'm ashamed to say that I was screaming curse words in my head during class on Tuesday. It was not pretty. But, on to more pleasant things...

On Wednesday, I attended an actual trial to watch a witness being examined. In addition to our reading homework, we are required to complete three trial observations over the course of the Fall and Winter quarters: (1) a witness examination; (2) voir dire (jury selection); and (3) closing arguments. I decided that since life isn't too terribly busy right now, I would go ahead and get one out of the way. It was actually really encouraging to see how much I have already learned. While I never want to be in court, seeing real attorneys do it made me realize that I will be capable of litigating when I get out if the need ever arises (and I hope it doesn't).

The highlight of my week was getting to take a trip to Dallas. I forget how therapeutic it is to have a change of scenery every once in a while. On Friday, the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers hosted a full day of trial training. We were able to sign up in advance, and it counts as a "wild card" for our trial observations.

So on Thursday after class, I headed up to Dallas to stay with a friend who lives downtown. She is amazing, and I always come away from visits with her so refreshed! We had dinner at Central Market (hurray for sushi!), and then had pumpkin scones and coffee at her house.

She has a cat, and I am SOOO jealous!! Isn't he adorable?!?!? The best part was Friday morning when he wanted to be fed, so he let us hold him and purred.

After the program on Friday, my parents came downtown and took me out to dinner at the Spaghetti Warehouse. They were wonderful and let me talk their ears off about everything that's been happening at school for the past four weeks.

Well, that's about all...I've spent the whole day in pajamas doing homework. I was utterly exhausted last night, so I needed a lazy day. And what better way to celebrate the first day of fall?!? Now if the weather would just cool down... :)

3/11

Equals 27% done!!

Or 14 out of 47 days, which equals 33 left.

I prefer the first calculation, because the number sounds so much bigger. :)

This past week I had my first advocacy exercise - Opening Statements. As soon as the schedule came out, I started praying that I would NOT get Powell in my room. Guess who walked in on Wednesday?

Yep - Powell.

My first reaction was a sinking feeling. Did I tell you he gave a memo to a friend of mine on Monday because she didn't know something we haven't learned in class yet? Or that he gave three memos on Tuesday?

The next thing I did was brace myself for a looong session, plus a research project after. Miraculously, no one in the room got a memo. Thank you x a million for all of you who are praying. I have no other explanation for how things went other than the Lord was protecting me.

After two encounters with Powell this week, this is my motto: "All I have need of, His hand will provide. He's always been faithful to me."

The Lord also showed me that PC is all a mental game. Everything Powell does is to make us afraid of him, and to put us under so much pressure that we can't think. I can't tell you the freedom I have gained from this realization. Sure, it doesn't make the thought of getting a memo any less irritating. But, I feel this amazing sense of calm. I can only do the best I can do, and if Powell wants to give me a memo, he's going to, no matter what I do. But I can choose not to be afraid and to remain calm under these circumstances. And really, if he can't scare me, what can he do to me?

Hurdle #1 - Check!

Well, my invisibility disappeared today, and I got called on in PC II (yes, this is the professor I dislike).

Here's a glimpse into what was going on in my head while I was standing there listening to questions:

"Remain calm. Breathe deeply. Listen carefully to the question. Don't answer more than absolutely necessary. Take a breathe. Smile if you can - not only will it help you feel better, but it might also show him you're not afraid."

[Answer a question]

"Okay, that seemed to satisfy him. Take a breathe. Don't get flustered, just take each question as it comes. Don't show you're afraid - you've got this!"

Thankfully, I seemed to answer his questions satisfactorily, and he let me sit down after only about 20 minutes.

However, even in getting called on, I could see God's mercy to me. I could not have answered the questions asked to the guy who got called on after me. I knew the right answer, but I couldn't remember where I read the rule.

Additionally, I was really amazed at how clearly I was able to think while I was standing up. Thank you all for your prayers - I definitely felt them! Please keep them coming - tomorrow I have my first advocacy exercise!

In addition to being thankful for how I did in class, here are the other two items on my list for today: (1) going for a run in Cameron Park; and (2) having time to take a break to watch an episode of "The Big Bang Theory" during dinner. :)