winter blues

so apparently Punxsutawny Phil saw his shadow last week, meaning we are in for six more weeks of winter. what a lame groundhog. who appointed him the king groundhog anyway?? however, i did hear that several other groundhogs around the world did NOT see their shadow....which if they are right, means we dont have that much longer for winter after all! i am personally going with the majority vote here, and telling p.phil to stay in his little hole where he belongs.

i am bitter about winter- can you tell? it has snowed the past two weekends in virginia beach. not the blink-and-you-miss-it kind of snow either- i'm talking DEEP snow. At first I was loving it- although i was in Texas (w/ erik- who by the way is doing GREAT recovering from surgery!!) when the big snow storm hit, i got home just in time to see EVERYTHING covered in pretty white snow...and i mean everything. James and Ryan wouldn't let me drive my car on the icy roads of course, so they came to the airport that Sunday to pick me up (complete w/ cowboy hats, boots and all- since they figured i would be sad that i had to leave Texas) and I was ushered back to the Lodge to stay the night "in safety" (like there were snow monsters outside or something?!?) but I didnt complain- i was tired and COLD and in no mood to argue with them. Class got cancelled the next day and my Office shut down (Va seriously shuts down at the first sight of a snow flake- just like Mississippi, so I'm totally used to it), so I was at least able to take advantage of the snow problem that seemed to be halting life all over Virginia. However, after about a day of laying around and staring at the snow, I started going stir-crazy. I couldnt drive anywhere because of the roads, and all i wanted was to shower in my own bathroom and get some sweatpants from my house. I finally got to go home the next day when the roads were cleared a little, and from that point on, i was SO OVER the snow. However, the snow was obviously not over me yet, and paid a visit AGAIN this past weekend while me and Katie were in the middle of a drive to Newport News to look for wedding dresses (for her, not me...dont worry). I won't even admit that it was really pretty coming down, because when I think about that, I immediately remember the biting cold that the pretty snow brought with it and just want to cringe. 

some pics:

my snow-covered beach. (ok i will admit, this was pretty)

the lodge monday morning.

front yard.

large snow mound...these were ALL over the place!

my car after the 2nd snow- only a couple hours into it! yuck!

I just cant believe I live in a BEACH TOWN, yet it wont stop snowing! there is something just wrong about that, don't you think?! I am so ready for Spring. I can already imagine it---riding down the boardwalk on beach cruisers, eating on the open porch at Doc Taylor's, wearing linen and seersucker on a regular basis, making MULTIPLE trips to Mississippi....oh, how I hope you are wrong about more winter, p.phil! 

soulmates.

as i write this post, erik is going into surgery to have his appendix taken out. obviously, having an appendectomy is NEVER a good thing....i would know. I had my appendix taken out almost a year ago, and it was the worst pain i have ever experienced. So when Erik called me this morning at 4 am to tell me he was going to the hospital with a really bad pain in the lower right side of his stomach, i immediately knew what was going on. The crazy thing is, last night we were skyping, and I was complaining b/c my stomach hurt really bad...and as we were talking, he started getting a stomach ache too. When i finally said good night and went to bed, mine was starting to feel better. He never brought it up again, so I just figured he was feeling better too. Little did I know, he was getting WAY worse. I never ever hear my phone when I am sleeping (i can sleep through anything), but for some reason when he called me in the middle of the night, I jumped up and answered it without even thinking about what time it must be. As soon as he told me he was at the hospital getting it checked out, I knew what was happening. Sure enough, he called me back an hour later to confirm that he did, in fact, have appendicitis and would be having surgery first thing this morning. I got out of bed, grabbed my suitcase, and started packing. I'm flying down there in a few hours to stay with him for the weekend-I figure I would know better than anyone how to take care of him since i know EXACTLY how he feels/will feel when he gets out of surgery. I mean, what are the odds of BOTH OF US getting appendicitis within a year of each other!? There is only one explanation I can think of for my feeling the symptoms even before he did, for my waking up to his call in the middle of the night, and for knowing immediately what was wrong (since i have already been there, felt that) when he called....we're soulmates. :)

please say a prayer for him if you are reading this in the next few hours, and also that i make it on my flight- I don't have an ID (i lost mine in LA and my duplicate copy is in the mail at this very moment) but I am praying they will allow me to get on anyway. thanks!!

change of plans?

a potentially MAJOR update:

so i found out today that i am eligible to "visit" another law school next spring for my final semester of law school. As in, one in Texas. (insert a very excited shrieking noise). It just so happens that Erik goes to one of the law schools in Texas that would approve me to take my final 6 credit hours. coincidence? i think not. I need to take several classes that are heavily tested on the Texas Bar and Regent doesn't offer them, and so it is kind of perfect that I can do this. Me and Erik have spent the past few weeks in CONSTANT prayer about God's next steps for us, both as a couple and individually, and as soon as one of my law professors heard about our long-distance relationship and how serious it is getting, she suggested the possibility of either graduating early or visiting the last semester. Apparently, I have too many credits to try to cram into one final semester, and the probability that the Dean and Academic Committees (3 separate hurdles) would approve me to visit another school (without a VERY good cause...i.e. already married and have to move w/ husband) was almost an impossibility. At least, according to everyone I talked to...until today. I am the Dean of Students' Graduate Assistant, so I had a meeting with him today about something totally unrelated- but I took advantage of having some time to talk with him and just asked his advice about my "predicament." He actually met Erik during one of E's visits to Virginia, so he knows about us and how we are doing the whole long distance thing. He told me about his own engagement being long distance (disclaimer: i am NOT engaged- i am just stating what our conversation included) and how it was so hard for them, so he completely understood my situation. Long story short, he told me that he would approve anything I needed to get me to Texas for my final semester. Since he is the Dean of Students, he has the final say in all matters concerning transferring, visting, etc. at Regent. Coincidence that I already had a great relationship with him before knowing transferring would one day be an issue? Again, I think not. So anyway, it seems like doors have been just flying open all over the place the past couple of days- both me and Erik are discovering TONS of legal contacts that we have in the Austin/San Antonio areas.

I also found out today that I am eligible to get my 3rd-year practice certificate, which would allow me to try cases on my own in court before I even graduate...and it just so happens that I am allowed to take up to 2 more externship credits that would count towards the hours I need to graduate. How does this fit together? Well, there is an externship opportunity this summer at Legal Aid, a non-profit organization in Norfolk that offers pro-bono services to low-income citizens who really need legal assistance but cant afford it. (ps, WHAT A GREAT SERVICE!) The best part about this story/opportunity is that I did not know anything AT ALL  about it before this afternoon- the professor I would be working with for the externship credit hours approached ME in the hall (not knowing at all who I was or anything) and just started chatting it up with me...asking about life, interests, etc. After hearing that my interest is mainly in non-profit law, she started telling me all about the externship and how it would be a good opportunity for me to experience NPO's first hand. Oh and then the part about trying cases-on my own, as a student, came up. Um, that's all she neeeded to say- I was already sold.

All I can say, is that God is SO FREAKING cool, and awesome, and WISE, and creative in his plans for our lives. I cant stop thanking him for what he is doing in my life right now. wow.

                  if those dimples aren't a good enough reason to get to texas, the muscles should do it. :)

the life of a professional traveler.

the past month has been nothing short of CRAZY. i know, i know, i feel like every time i finally get around to blogging I end up saying that, but I promise the combined months of December/January take the cake. As if finals weren't crazy-stressful enough themselves, I spent the weekend before finals in Mississippi for Bo and Em's wedding. Taking a break was totally worth it- the weekend was SO MUCH fun and so so sweet- it was a memory I will never forget. Two weeks and 5 finals later, I hopped on a plane and flew to Texas for the weekend to see Erik and hang out with his family. had a great time and LOVED the family. Then home to Mississippi for about a week for Christmas....the best part of the break for sure! I got to see MARGARET the night I flew into MS for our once-a-year get together, and I made it back to Starkville just in time for the S'ville Christmas Party at Barrister's the next night to see all of my old friends. so fun. The weekend after Christmas, we (me mom and dad) headed BACK to Texas to visit Erik in Austin and then to Houston to help Bo and Em move into their new apartment. It was a crazy few days, but we got them all moved in (they have an awesome place in Midtown) and Erik even came and helped move one night....what a doll. The day before NYE, I flew to New Mexico to spend a few days with Sarah in AngelFire, where her family lives and has a cabin near the resort. We snowboarded for a few days (well, until my butt was literally numb from falling down so much) and spent the rest of the time sledding, hiking, eating, and sleeping. I don't know if I am necessarily sold on snowboarding after that trip, but I definitely enjoyed the challenge. I did hate the cold weather though...too much altitude for my preference....i think I will stick with the lake and wakeboarding from now on. :)

After spending TWO days back at school, I unpacked, repacked and left again for California to go to the National Championship Game in Pasedena (my Christmas present from E) and then spent the weekend in Santa Monica with Erik and his friends. It was definitely one the best trips I've ever taken....we stayed at Erik's aunt and uncle's house (in a legitimate mansion....think elevator, maids, etc.) and the view from the balcony in my room overlooked- the mountains to the right, city to the left, and ocean directly in front. not bad. We spent the weekend hanging out in LA, riding bikes from Santa Monica to Venice Beach, and eating some really good meals. The weather was perfect the whole time- needless to say, I did NOT want to come back to Virginia to the cold and tons of school work piling up really fast.

I am FINALLY home for a couple of months- I have enjoyed getting back into a routine and getting school under my belt....i have a really tough load this semester so I am trying to stay on top of things before Younglife and my internship kick back up full force. But if this month is any indication of what the rest of the year is going to be like....all i know is that it's gonna be a good one. :)

thankfulness

i stole this from LT's blog....i LOVE lists and i also have so much to be thankful for, so i knew this would be fun to do!

my ABC's of THANKSGIVING

Abraham Lincoln. he was a very good man...wish we still had a President like him.

my Beach House. coming home to the beach is consistently the best part of my day.

Christmas. both for the festivities and for the reason we celebrate it.

The Davidsons- my Virginia Beach family (and best friends)

Erik. the most amazing boyfriend in the entire world. (even though he refuses to read my blog)

Food. any and all.

God. He's so good to me.

the Hollands. I have the coolest family.

my Immune System...it fought off MONO...and won.

Juris Doctor (J.D.)---> my official title/degree in only year and a half!

Kids. i love everything about them.

Lentz Bergethon, LLP....my law firm. they make work exciting.

Music. worshiping, running, driving, sleeping, studying...it is vital for every activity in my life.

New Beginnings.

Ozark. that place changed my life.

Panera. one of the only reasons i made it through my first year of law school (free wifi, unlimited coffee, french onion soup)

Queso. (see also, F and T)

Regent Law School. good professors, beautiful campus, encouraging classmates.
Seasons. i love the way everything changes every once in a while.

TEXAS. my future domicile.

U. if you are reading this, there is a good chance we're close friends....so thank U for being in my life.

Vegas...Starkvegas, that is.

Winter Clothes. i LOVE dressing warm in cold weather- boots, coats, sweats, scarves, etc.

X-rays. It found my appendicitis last year (just in time, so that i didn't die of a ruptured appendix!) it's a stretch i know...but i'm still thankful for it!

Younglife. my girls are SO AWESOME.

Zzzzzs...although rare with my schedule, i love it when i actually get more than like 5 hours of sleep at a time.

happy thanksgiving, everyone! gobble gobble.

i'm alive, in case anyone cares...

imagine the scene:

i wake up on a miserable thursday morning (as in, the weather outside was miserable), with one thing on my mind- i have to finish a massive research brief before this day is over, and i still haven't packed for NYC, and we are leaving at the crack of down the next day. as i grab my phone to turn the alarm off, i notice that i have 5 new emails- each informing me that school is cancelled---due to the huge storm is currently hitting Virginia Beach. my first thoughts: SWEET, no school, i can spend all day on my paper! my second thoughts: wait, what storm?? Fast forward 30 minutes...sitting on my bed, papers spread all over the place, laptop open...ready to knock this paper out. and BAM- our power goes out. Now what!? No big deal, I have a Mac- these things have an incredible battery life...I should be good for at least a couple more hours before i have to move to another location. Fast forward 15 more minutes...my roommates bust into my room and inform me that we have to EVACUATE my house/the beach within the next hour or else we wont be able to make it out at all the rest of the weekend (due to heavy wind/flooding...., i live ON the beach....the waves were enormous at that point). SERIOUSLY, is this really happening!? all i can think about is finishing this stupid paper, and i still have to pack for the entire weekend before i leave the house- within the hour! I get up, shove all of my books/papers into my bag, grab every suitcase i own and throw almost every jacket, sweater, scarf, boots, and pair of jeans in my closet into them. Pretty sure i set a world record both for "the most clothes fit into a suitcase for one weekend" and the time in which i did it. So i get all 7 bags (seriously) down my 4 flights of stairs, move my car to the garage, and James finally pulls up to get me (he has an SUV and didn't want me driving my car on the roads in the crazy weather) all before our "evacuation time" has elapsed...craziest hour of my life i think. we make it safely to the Lodge- which fortunately had power the entire day- and i can FINALLY sit still and and work my paper! As the day goes on, the backyard of the Lodge begins to flood (as in, the docks were floating around IN the yard) and the boys spend all day wading out into the yard...just to "check the water level" (as if they can't tell just by looking out the window?!) Around dinner time, we think we should brave the storm because we are hungry and there is no food in the house. We get in James's SUV, pass VERY slowly through the raging waters flooding into the road from the lake-which Ryan happily stripped down to his boxers to wade out into to check the actual depth-and we MAKE IT OUT!! we are so proud of ourselves.....we fought the Nor'easter....and we have conquered it.

our victory dinner was held at "Just George's," my new favorite restaurant in VB.

so i finished my paper late that night, re-packed my clothes for NYC before going to bed, and we were able to safely make it out of the city around 8:30 am the next morning (after the bridges opened up again). we arrived in the Big Apple about 10 hours later (due to traffic and a GPS malfunction), ready for a much needed vacation from Virginia Beach and the Nor'easter!!

The weekend was SO wonderful- tons of sight-seeing, eating, walking, laughing, and hang-time with some of my favorite people in the world. I'm already ready to go back- hopefully next time, the preparation for the trip wont be quite so stressful!

i heart november.

november has always been my favorite month of the year, mainly because of my birthday (the 22nd) and thanksgiving, but november this year has been/will continue to be exceptionally great. Every single weekend of this month holds something exciting for me. Beginning with this past weekend- the first full weekend of the month- all of the Younglife schools from Virginia Beach went on Fall Weekend in Rockbridge, VA. It was THE BEST weekend- there were beautiful mountains and trees all around the (really fine) camp, i got tons of hang-time with my high school girls, had some pretty amazing conversations, and ate way more than any human being should. I got about seven hours of sleep-TOTAL-the entire weekend and ZERO amount of school work done, but it was so worth it. Now for the only sucky part of the month- I have a huge research brief due on Friday that I still have SO much to get done on, but I know it will all work out- it always does.

Then onto the next fun weekend- I am going to New York City this weekend!! I have never been before, and I had been telling some of my friends that I really wanted to go one weekend for my birthday since it's only about a 6 and 1/2 hour drive from VB. Well, wouldn't ya know it, Erik just happened to already be going this weekend anyway to attend the Queens Film Festival- how convenient! He wrote a screenplay a while back and submitted it to the Film Festival, and he got chosen as a FINALIST- which means he gets 10 free V.I.P. passes to the Festival/after-parties in NYC. Not only did he give me and some of our friends the passes, but he got us two hotel rooms IN Times Square for the weekend! I cant even concentrate on life right now because I am so excited...He wont find out if he won or not until the awards ceremony on Sunday, but I have read over it some and I think he has a really good shot at winning something. Baller.

To continue my best-month-of-my-life streak, the very next weekend is my birthday! As most of you know, my birthday celebrations last at LEAST a week...my amazing friends have already started planning a huge party and Erik is coming too!! I have talked E into running in a 5K (to benefit adoption) at Regent that Saturday morning, which I am sure we will make into quite a show. I should probably start training for that. nah.

And of course, to finish off the best month ever, THANKSGIVING is the following week! Although I will be studying most of the weekend, I am going to be participating in any and all food-related events all over Va Beach and watching football whenever I can...especially the Egg Bowl. GTHOM.

so i say this with as much enthusiasm as possible.....HAPPY NOVEMBER!!!!!!