We’ve been busy lately—busy soaking up as much summer sunshine as we can get. Amelia and I have filled our days with everything lovely about summer. We’ve spent afternoons on a blanket under the shade of green-leafed trees.

We’ve picked strawberries straight from the garden and sucked down their sugary-sweet juices.

We spent Memorial Day grilling and swinging at the park with friends from the ward.

We’ve gone on family bike rides around the neighborhood. (Notice Scott’s new ride? We’re still looking for one for Miss Amelia. Until then she gets to be our Little Mermaid, and we think she enjoys it quite a bit.)

We’ve purchased a swing of our own, so Amelia and all the other neighborhood little ones can enjoy flying through the air. Honestly, Amelia can’t get enough of the swing. She’s even learned how to wave.

We’ve sought out reasons to don bathing suits and enjoying splashing around in water with good friends. We headed back to the Bunny Park, not for the last time, I bet.

Scott and I have even found a few excuses—the Columbus Arts Festival being one of them—to sneak away and leave a sleeping baby behind. We’re planning on finding more reasons for date nights, too! So far we’ve had an excellent summer. Columbus really does know how to treat you right after a long, cold, and snowy winter.

But, I’ve developed this itch that doesn’t seem to go away. I’m ready for change, for something new, for something different. Perhaps it’s that I always envisioned major life changes after Scott’s graduation. I pictured boxing up our house amongst graduation celebrations. I pictured selling our cars driving across the country. Setting up house someplace new. Buying much-desired and sorely-needed new items (what I wouldn’t give for a new couch or a car with AC). Redesigning and recreating our living space. Adjusting to a new locale and meeting new friends. And then, none of that happened.

We stayed. Others moved. And our lives continue unchanged. I still feed Amelia each morning in the same chair. Scott still heads to school each day to study. We eat all our meals at the same table. I do our grocery shopping at the same store. We have no need for new library cards. I’m still driving around in my hot car and sitting on my ripped sofa.

I envisioned jumping from one side of the river to the other via a quick and easy bridge. Instead, I find ourselves walking along the same bank looking for large enough stepping stones that will eventually lead us to the other side. Right now, I’m antsy for different. For new. For change. And I know it’s coming. Like Pocahontas, I know it’s just around the river bend, but it’s not here quite yet.

Consequently, I find myself looking for reasonable ways to inflict not-too-drastic change into our lives, since there’s no real point in spending too much money or time. Here’s what I did today:

I pulled all the books off of my bookshelf and got to sorting and reorganizing.

By the time I was done, it looked something like this. Despite my master’s degree in library science and much to Scott’s amusement, I prefer aesthetics over the Dewey Decimal system when it comes to my bookshelves.

I rather like my rainbow display of novels (who knew there were so many purple novels out there?). And, while it might not be the life altering change I’m itching for, it is at least something. It’s like scratching a mosquito bite—it helps for the moment, but the bite is still there. And that bugs (just a bit). Until then, though, I’m soaking up the summer while I’m still in Columbus to enjoy it.

Law School, Life in OH-IO, Lonica Stuff, Proof of the Existence of Four Seasons | 9 Comments »

While Dave, Candace, Paul and Robin were still in town, we decided to head up to Cedar Point–The World’s Greatest Amuseument Park.

We’ve had great times at Cedar Point before, but this one left us in a bit of doubt about it’s “greatness,” as we hit broken down ride after broken down ride.

We waited in line for the Maverick for two solid hours–during a good portion of which the line moved nowhere, since the coasters weren’t working–before finally making it on the ride.

From there, we headed over to Top Thrill Dragster, where we waited in line for a good hour and a half before the ride broke down once more. We stuck it out for another 30 minutes, since we were super close to the front of the line, but it never reopened. So, we ditched that line and went on the Millenium Force instead.

There, we waited for almost another two hours before we finally made it on the ride. We arrived at the park by 10:00 am and by 5:00 we had only been on two rides. That was without any stops. No lunch, no sitting down and relaxing, nothing but rushing from one ride to the next and waiting in line.

This little one was a trooper–she never complained and tagged along great!

After Millenium Force, we headed back to the Top Thrill Dragster, only to find that they weren’t letting anyone in line since the ride was once more closed.

Needless to say, we were a bit frustrated. Paul made some calls to Customer Service, who sent him over to Operations. By 5:00 I believe Paul had the number for Park Operations on speed dial and their scripted message memorized: “We understand you are frustrated, sir.”

Paul talking with his “friends” in Park Operations.

We had a brief scare once more as we waited in line for the Magnum XL 2000, since the line came to a stand still for about 5 minutes and people started ditching out. Luckily, things picked up and we didn’t have to wait much longer before enjoying a surprisingly good, but noggin’ shaking ride.

With a ‘Go Big or Go Home’ attitude, Scott declared that we weren’t leaving the park until he had ridden on the Top Thrill Dragster. He got in line and waited the long haul. Candace and I snuck off to squeeze in a few more less-in-demand rides and rejoined the boys in line. Finally, after much waiting, we got to board our car for the Top Thrill Dragster.

And then, buckled up and ready to go, with stomaches started to flip-flop, Dave announced that he wouldn’t be too sad if the ride did break down, as it would prevent him from having to “overcome his fears.” He spoke too soon. The ride did break down. We could hardly believe our poor luck!

Buckled in and ready to go. Too bad the ride wasn’t ready.

Let’s just say that Dave did seem to care about not getting to ride. And, as the saying goes, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. We got quite a bit of “grease.” After speaking with the manager of the rides, we were given permission to cut the line and enter at the exit of any two rides we chose.

We finally conquered Top Thrill Dragster.

We whizzed through the Millenium Force once more and the Mantis before heading out of the park, happy with our increased ride to wait ratio. Cedar Point deserved the superalative “Greatest” afterall. Despite the setbacks of the day, we had a great time hanging out, listening to Dave scream, “Oh Crap! Oh Crap! Oh Crap!” as the coasters climbed the hills, and eating more than our fair share of fried and greasy food.

Yes, that clock reads 12:40 am. We got home at about midnight to swap pictures and prepare for everyone to return home the next day.

A special thanks to everyone for coming to visit, to Robin for watching The Peanut during our day of roller coaster riding, and to Dave and Candace for reminding us once more why Columbus is so much better when they are around!

Law School, Life in OH-IO, Lonica Stuff, Vistors! Visitors! | No Comments »

This past week was a busy one. You have reached a lot of milestones and I am proud of your accomplishments. You started the week out by finishing your last final as a law student. Afterwards you did your best to convince two employers that you are best suited for the job. You topped the week off by walking across the stage and receiving you law degree.

Cheering on our graduate.

The highlights–for those of you who weren’t able to make it in person. We missed you!

You’ve worked hard these past three years. There have been countless hours of studying and many late nights. There has been lots of stress and lots of good moments and memories. You’ve purchased many text books, made a home of your library carrel, and written many class outlines.

As one of Scott’s last finals, he had to act as a prosecuting attorney for a murder trial. I got to come watch and act as the star witness.

Scott with his co-counsel, “West Point” Emily, as she is known around here.

Counseling with the judge during the mock trial.

Persuasive closing arguments.

You’ve written contracts, participated in negotiations, and acted as council in a mock court. You’ve learned the meaning of many difficult-to-pronounce Latin terms and I’ve quizzed you over aspects of the law. I even managed to portray a heart-broken Brooke Thompson.

Kristen Carl and Scott worked together during his 1L summer.

You’ve made lots of friends and helped many along their own law-school road.

Erin Hopper lived down the street from us and is a good friend.

You’ve spent hours working out at the gym, watching what you eat, and losing weight. You can now run a mile and a half in 10 minutes and 30 seconds. You’re single-minded dedication in achieving your goals is really admirable.

Despite your long hours studying and working, you’ve still managed to be a fantastic dad and husband. Amelia lights up when you enter the room and I always breathe a sigh of relief. You’ve blessed us with your gardening abilities, countless gourmet meals, and ever-present sense of humor.

Dave and Candace made us feel right at home, upon moving to Columbus. Our law school experience was all the better for their friendship, it wouldn’t have been right if they weren’t there for graduation!

You’ve spent summers working for other lawyers—both here in Columbus and in San Antonio. You’ve written many, many cover letters, and applied for even more jobs. You’ve interviewed, received rejections and call backs, and done your best to overcome a tough, tough economy. You work hard to provide for us.

We had lots of company and support on graduation day!

Despite all this work and your long-anticipated graduation, you still have more work ahead. The Bar Exam looms in the future and you have yet to fully secure a job, but you take this in stride with little thought to complain. Your positive attitude, in a decidedly unfair and negative situation, is impressive to me. While we may not know exactly what is in store for us, I do know that I can count on you.

Congratulations on all your hard work! Amelia and I are very proud of you!

I have your back,

Lonica

Law School, Life in OH-IO, Lonica Stuff, Scott Stuff, Vistors! Visitors! | 11 Comments »

…and it has nothing to do with the fact that neither Scott of I have any sort of regular income, or the fact that we don’t have any regular sort of income anywhere near on the horizon, or the fact that we are currently living off savings and student loans, or the fact that I drive a slowly-breaking down car and sit on a couch with ever-widening holes, or the fact that our student debt is growing faster that the recession-induced economy.

I feel rich because I’ve achieved two major accomplishments this year, as my mom was kind enough to remind me.

I feel rich because I get to bask in the joy of fall.

I feel rich because I have a little peanut who can always make me laugh—with her Heil Hitler arm which indicates her tummy is full; her sideways eyes (which move from one corner to the other like a spastic typewriter) when she’s attempting avoid sleep; and her every changing faces, especially when we tickle her bottom lip in an attempt to make her smile.

I feel rich because I married a man who, when questioned about whether we should have lunch at “Dream Girls” (a closed-window establishment at which I hope he never decides to have lunch) or Wendy’s he replies, that his dream girls are already in the car. Such endearing one-liners certainly make me feel rich, indeed.

Amelia Marie, Law School, Life in OH-IO, Lonica Stuff, My Dewey Decimal Degree | 5 Comments »

Back in November, I expressed my gratitude about Scott’s summer clerkship. As the economy has continued to plummet down the drain, my sense of great fortune has only continued to deepen. Honestly, someone up there has definitely been looking out for us.

Scott has kept me apprised of the falling law market, mostly through e-mails that contain links to news articles. Apparently, large firms have been laying employees off right and left. So many employees in fact, that one particularly Thursday has been dubbed “Bloody Thursday,” by nerdy legal followers, because a large number of lawyers were told to take a hike on this particular day.

Obviously, if paid, educated, experienced, and ‘barred’ (that’s my possibly made-up term for a lawyer who’s passed The Bar Exam just so that I can take advantage of this opportunity for single quotes, Jenny) lawyers are getting the boot, poor, less-educated, and groveling legal students looking for a summer handout don’t even stand a chance.

This rather unfortunate set of circumstances has led to a number of horror stories circulating around the law school. Third year law students in the top 5% of their class, with excellent job prospects find their anticipated law firm suddenly a non-entity. Months before graduation, students are randomly selecting a state on the map, studying for a the bar exam, and keeping their fingers crossed that one day they will find a job in that locale. Second year students who had dreams of working on Wall Street and making the big bucks, are now aligning their stars in the hopes of a landing a much-lesser paid government option. These first-hand accounts have soon-to-be lawyers shaking in their boots at the rapidly declining legal market.

Upon perusing the listing of law firms laying off willing employees, Scott has discovered that nearly every firm he interviewed with this last fall has laid off a portion of their work force. This fate has seemed to escape the Texas legal market almost completely, and San Antonio is among the best markets in Texas.

In fact, San Antonio is reputed to be one of the most stable markets in the nation, according to one news article Scott was kind enough to send my way today.

Despite the horror stories, we maintain hope that Scott’s position will hold out. We take today as proof. I came home from work to find a rather large and unexpected package on our doorstep. Curious, I opened the box to find a selection of Texas salsas with a rather complimentary note proclaiming the firm’s excitement of having my husband as their employee. Clearly, not only is the firm willing to invite Scott for the summer (and potentially retain) as a valued employee, but they are still willing to fork over bonus salsa collections in order to keep us in their good graces and sell us on the fact that Scott should come work for them—as if we needed any enticement not to go searching for alternative employment. I certainly had no qualms with popping open the salsa and finishing off our bag of Tostitos. I’m starting to not even mind the cliché of Texas-slang-inspired advertising. Companies like “Buckeye Dry-cleaning” and “Brutus Catering” are making me a little numb to the cutesy, localized titles.

Law School, Lonica Stuff | 5 Comments »