The nation’s leading breast-cancer charity, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, is halting its partnerships with Planned Parenthood affiliates — creating a bitter rift, linked to the abortion debate, between two iconic organizations that have assisted millions of women.

The change will mean a cutoff of hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants, mainly for breast exams.

Planned Parenthood says the move results from Komen bowing to pressure from anti-abortion activists. Komen says the key reason is that Planned Parenthood is under investigation in Congress — a probe launched by a conservative Republican who was urged to act by anti-abortion groups.

Source: Associated Press

Komen – which is no stranger to controversy – has been facing pressure from many anti-choice groups lately. The organization also recently brought former Georgia GOP gubernatorial hopeful Karen Handel on board as their new VP of Public Policy. It then announced its decision to un-fund Planned Parenthood after implementing “newly adopted criteria barring grants to organizations that are under investigation by … federal authorities.” I find it hard to believe that the timing  of this decision was entirely coincidental with Handel’s arrival, especially given the fact that during her run for the Governor’s Mansion, she stumped for the elimination of state funding to any organization that provides abortion-related services (even though that funding, by law, would never directly fund abortions).

The Real Deal

With so much media attention and political chatter swirling around this issue, I thought it might be helpful to provide a few of the salient facts:

• The funding provided by Komen was never used to provide abortions. In fact, it was specifically earmarked for breast cancer screenings.
• A mere 3% of all services provided by Planned Parenthood are abortions (and an estimated 277,000 abortions are prevented each year through their provision of free and low-cost contraceptive services).
• Cancer screening and prevention constitute 16% of their services annually.
• Funding from Komen to Planned Parenthood covered 170,000 breast cancer screenings each year.
• 1 in 5 women have visited a Planned Parenthood facility in their lifetime.

Source: Planned Parenthood; FactCheck.org

The bottom line is that the vast majority of the services provided by Planned Parenthood are health and wellness screenings and contraceptive services for women who are low-income and/or un- or under-insured – services that save lives and prevent unintended pregnancies (thereby averting thousands of abortions).

The Silver Lining

The good news that has come from this controversy is that within the last 48 hours, Planned Parenthood has received $650,000 in donations – almost enough to replace the funding from Komen – so it can continue to provide life-saving screening services to those who couldn’t otherwise afford them.

I know many people (including my grandma) who are withdrawing their support from Komen, but are unsure where to redirect their contributions. Some are giving directly to Planned Parenthood, while others want to continue to support organizations dedicated to breast cancer research, prevention and/or treatment. If you fall into the latter category, here are some ways you can ensure your charitable contributions are as effective as possible.

Now that I’m no longer in school, marking my progress by exams, semesters and academic years, I’ve turned to using the calendar year to measure successes and milestones. Last year was the first time I purposefully put my goals in writing for the world (or at least my little corner of the interwebs) to see. I’ve reviewed that post periodically throughout the year, and now it’s time to celebrate my successes and call myself to task on the things I didn’t do.

How Did I Do?

In yesterday’s yoga post, I mentioned that 2011 hasn’t horrible, but at the same time, I won’t really mourn its passing. Certainly, this year hasn’t been the nightmare that 2009 was, but it definitely lacked the awesomeness of 2010; the only word that comes to mind is “mediocre.” I’ve had mixed success in meeting my goals for this year:

• Become spin instructor-certified. I didn’t do this. After talking to several instructors, it became abundantly clear that the ROI would be minimal, particularly where I could only teach outside business hours.
• Complete 6 public speaking events. I am proud to say that I actually exceeded this goal. Through opportunities to speak at my amazing Toastmasters club, as well as work-related fundraisers and outreach events, I exceeded my goal of six public speaking events. More importantly, I have noticed a significant decrease in the nervousness and apprehension I feel when getting up in front of a crowd.
• Finish a century. I didn’t complete a century (100 miles) ride this year, though I did do another metric century (100 km). A couple of scares out on the road and the distraction of learning tennis kept me off my bike a lot, but I am planning to get back in (on) the saddle.
• Create more savings. In that I have more money saved now than I did this time last year, I achieved this goal. I was more purposeful in my spending and was able to absorb a couple of large (for me) expenses that I would have had to borrow for last year. I did still have to borrow for a couple of major car repairs this year, but worked hard to pay that money back expediently. But would I be able to handle a financially catastrophic event on my own? No.
• Learn to say “no.” I feel like I have gotten better at this (though I am still far from where I want/need to be). I stepped off of a non-profit board because I felt overwhelmed and overcommitted. I gave the nominating committee of another non-profit on whose board I currently serve a resounding “no” when asked if I want to serve again next year. Several times at work I have told people “no” when they asked me to meet unrealistic deadlines or to conduct a meeting just for the sake of having a meeting. More importantly, I have also learned not to feel bad for saying “no.” I’m still a people-pleaser at heart, but I have learned to be proud of myself for putting my foot down and saying “no” when facing unreasonable demands or feeling overcommitted.
• Be more intentional with my words and actions. I knew last year this was an amorphous goal, and so my success in meeting it is equally difficult to pin down. However, I have really tried to be mindful this year of what I say and how I say it. I challenge myself to write no more than five sentences in an e-mail, where possible. I ruthlessly edit my written communications. I (try to) listen more intently and pause to collect my thoughts before I speak. I am far from perfect, and I know that even now I am often intemperate and thoughtless, but hope that I have made some improvement this year. Certainly, this is a goal with no end date in sight.
• Learn to knit, and complete at least one project. I confess, this is another goal I did not achieve. I got about four inches of a scarf done and put it down, yet again. My sweet friend Victoria is so patient, but I fear I am rapidly approaching the limit to the number of times I can ask her to teach me. At this point, it’s a matter of just sitting down and doing it until muscle memory kicks in.

I’ve spent hours beating myself up over not being able to place an unequivocal check mark by each of the items in the list above. At the same time, goals and priorities can and do change, especially over the course of twelve months. I have a hard time achieving the proper balance between these two concepts (and also in most aspects of my life). In looking back I realize that perhaps some of my goals were not well-thought out; they merely state a result without a clear understanding of the underlying purpose. I suppose that goal setting, like anything else, is a skill that is learned and improved over time.

Off the Grid: Unanticipated Achievements

I also don’t want to overlook some of my achievements in 2011 that are unrelated to the goals I put down on paper, but are noteworthy nonetheless. This year, I:

• Learned to play tennis (and even won a couple matches!). I have no idea how I just now discovered it. Tennis is equal parts challenging, frustrating and rewarding. It’s as much mental as it is physical. I truly have the best, most patient tennis coach I could ask for; thank you for introducing me to this great sport, Dave!
• Asked for a raise (and got one). I hate, HATE asking for things. Especially things for myself. But, I have also learned that I have to look out for myself, because no one is going to do it for me. After being undercompensated for a year, I asked for a raise. I didn’t get the full amount that I want (or that the Board would like to give me, for that matter), but it’s a start.
• Resumed a yoga practice. I love yoga. It makes me feel strong, capable and grounded. I don’t know why I took such a long break from it. But, a LivingSocial deal for one month of unlimited classes at a local studio got that fire burning again. Of late, doing the 21-day challenge has inspired me even more to continue a regular practice.
• Blogged more regularly. I’m still somewhat sporadic but have improved a lot. Doing the 21-day challenge and blogging about it has taught me that my writing topics don’t have to be earth-shattering; that the best topics are those that interest me (instead of those I feel like I “should” write about); and that the more often I write, the more I enjoy it.
• Followed through more. I’m sometimes flighty, inconsistent, and more talk than action. But this year, I’ve made an effort to really follow through on things. Several work projects, this annual retrospective, my literary year in review (in process now, to be published next week sometime which you can check out here!), a silly monthly crochet square swap I joined – big or small, I absolutely love the feeling I get when I see something through to its conclusion (or from year to year).

What’s in Store for 2012?

In assessing my new goals for 2012, I was tempted by my shortcomings and mediocrity this year to lower the bar for next year. However I am determined to make 2012 a better year, which calls for better goals:

• Develop a fitness routine. I have slacked off significantly, and my waistline has paid the price. But rather than focus on “pounds lost,” I prefer to view this goal through the lens of “fitness gained.” I know I need to refine this goal to make it measurable and determine what is realistic. Perhaps this will be a good blog topic for mid-January.
• Improve my tennis skills. I have enjoyed playing tennis, have seen my skills improve dramatically over the past six months, which has been rewarding. I hope to continue to improve so that I can play in a 3.5 level singles league in the fall.
• Practice yoga consistently. The 21-day challenge has been so beneficial from both a mental and physical perspective. I feel stronger and more flexible, and I know that I am also easier to be around when I practice regularly. I feel satisfied and accomplished each time I finish each day’s practice. My goal is to practice three times a week. More importantly, that involves not just going through the motions, but being present in the moment and accepting of myself (things I struggle with). Additionally, Victoria and I have set a joint goal of treating ourselves to a live yoga class together once a month.
• Increase my earning potential. I am hesitant to go into the details publicly, but I do have the specifics of this goal laid out for myself.
• Finish a century. I’m disappointed that I lost focus of my riding goals last year. I may only do one century ever, but it’s something I’ve had on my bucket list for a while.
• Learn to knit. Even if I only make an ugly garter stitch scarf, I’m determined to do it.
• Blog regularly. As I mentioned earlier, the more frequently I write, the more enjoyment I get from it. My goal is to blog at least once a week this year.
• Complete my Competent Communicator award. In Toastmasters, the Competent Communicator award is the first milestone, consisting of ten speeches. So far, I have completed three. That means I have seven to go, and my goal is to finish by June.
• Complete my Competent Leader award. Toastmasters has two tracks – leadership and communication. I have made more progress towards completing my Competent Leader award than my Competent Communicator award. I hope to finish it no later than June as well.
• Talk less, listen more. This is another one of those squishy, hard-to-nail-down goals (of which I have many), but it’s something I want to ensure I keep in mind throughout the year. I suppose technically this is better classified as an “intention” (somewhat akin to, “strive to attain balance in all things”) rather than a “goal,” but I am listing it here as a reminder to myself.

According to the Chinese calendar, 2012 is the Year of the Water Dragon, a mythical creature associated with creative, visionary intelligence, as well as being an innovative and successful leader. I’m aspiring to be a Water Dragon each and every day of this coming year.

You’ve read mine; what are your Water Dragon goals for 2012?

In other news, my Christmas cards have still not gone out, but I was thrilled to find that I can continue to procrastinate on my Christmas shopping until Wednesday and still get guaranteed pre-Christmas delivery with Amazon Prime!

Also, I’m sure everyone has heard that Kim Jong-il died over the weekend. He apparently overexerted himself while looking at things. While the world will (probably? depending on how evil his son is?) be a better place without him, it will also be decidedly less entertaining. Around this time last year, I read Barbara Demick’s excellent Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea, which provides an amazing insight into a country that is notoriously un-transparent. In fact, it was on my Top 5 of 2010 list (of course, the 2011 edition will be out next month).

In the meantime, I’m hoping I’ll be back in asana-ing shape in no time.

Forty years ago today, the New York Times published the first in a series of articles that excerpted the leaked Pentagon Papers. Today, the government released the full text of the Pentagon Papers to the public, including over two thousand pages of previously unreleased material. But between the bookends of the Times publication and today’s release is a landmark First Amendment case protecting the rights of the media to publish classified information, absent a highly compelling national security interest to the contrary. That decision remains just as important and relevant – perhaps even more so – today.

There’s Five Sides to Every Story

The documents were from a report commissioned by the Nixon administration detailing the purposeful escalation of the Vietnam War by his predecessors, Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, despite their contrary claims to Congress and the public. Essentially, the Papers revealed systematic lying to the American public about the country’s involvement and shady wheeling and dealing in Vietnam. Large portions of the report were surreptitiously leaked to the press by Defense Department analyst Daniel Ellsberg. While Nixon was thrilled to have Kennedy and Johnson thrown under the bus, he was none too pleased about the leak itself.

Under a claim of executive privilege, the Nixon Administration sought – and obtained – an injunction against the Times to prevent them from publishing any more of the classified material in its possession. The Washington Post began running its own series of excerpts of the Papers, which the administration also sued in order to stop.

A Crash Course in Prior Restraint

The cases were appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court and consolidated. The issue before the Court was whether the national security interests cited by the government were sufficient to justify prior restraint – barring the press from releasing the information. In essence, the government was asking the Court to suspend the media’s First Amendment rights.

Historically, prior restraint was a particularly insidious infringement on the press that the British exercised frequently during colonial times. Publications had to obtain a government-issued license in order to operate, were subject to numerous taxes and were forbidden from criticizing the government. Indeed, these British laws were exactly the types of restrictions in the forefront of the Founders’ minds when they drafted the First Amendment to the Constitution: “Congress shall make no law… abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press….”

There are a few narrowly defined exceptions to the freedom of the press afforded by the First Amendment, e.g., child pornography and other obscenity, speech that poses a “clear and present danger” and speech that would cause “direct, immediate and irreparable damage”. The government argued the release of the Pentagon Papers should fall into the latter category.

In a very brief 6-3 opinion, the Supreme Court sided with the press in deciding that the government did not meet the extremely high burden necessary to justify such a draconian restriction. Though the six Justices in the majority agreed that the government failed to present sufficient justification for prior restraint, they had varying reasons for their decision. So, the majority then issued five separate concurring opinions detailing their reasoning. While there is no prevailing precedent emerging from the case, it nevertheless remains a critical part of a long line of First Amendment case law.

The Legacy of the Pentagon Papers

As Justice Stewart wrote in his concurring opinion, “In the absence of governmental checks and balances, the only effective restraint upon executive policy and power… may lie in an enlightened citizenry – in an informed and critical public opinion which alone can here protect the values of democratic government.”

In today’s post-9/11 world where governmental presence is ever expanding and “national security” is a frequently-cited reason for restricting just about anything, the Pentagon Papers case is especially relevant. Ellsberg, the former Defense Department analyst who leaked the Papers, suggests the newly released portions don’t contain any major bombshells. However, today’s release highlights the need to view the case in a 21st century context and also serves as a pertinent reminder of the importance of a free press and an engaged public.

Justice Stewart’s “enlightened citizenry” is attained largely through a responsible and responsive press. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a staunch defender of the First Amendment. However, I’m disappointed in much of the media as of late. Sensationalism and ratings seem to take precedence over real news. As the “fourth estate,” the media is the only constitutionally protected private institution. But with that freedom comes a responsibility to help create an “informed and critical public.”

The recent publication of the WikiLeaks material by the New York Times and other media outlets was brave and admirable, and a great reminder of what a strong, free press looks like. But the release of that information – some of it as damning as that contained in the Pentagon Papers – seems to be a distant memory just a few months later.

The media is not solely to blame, though: We as Americans have grown largely complacent, more concerned with Weiner’s weiner and President Obama’s birth certificate than with the important actions taken by our government in matters large and small. We should be concerned about issues like the staggering national debt, our military action (or inaction) in other countries and how to solve the healthcare cost crisis.

If we as a nation are to preserve the legacy created for us by our Founders and persevere through the challenges we face today, it’s not simply our right to be an “enlightened citizenry,” an “informed and critical public” – it’s our responsibility.

A Little Background

This post originated as an e-mail I sent to a group of like-minded bibliophile friends at the beginning of this month. As you may have guessed, I love books. A lot. I’m always looking for new books to read and find myself frequently swapping recommendations with many of my friends over coffee. The problem is, I forget most of them later because note-taking isn’t a habit of mine, at least not during coffee dates with friends.

How neat would it be, I asked myself, to get all these recommendations in writing, in one place? After getting a warm reception from my kindred-spirit bookish friends, I decided to throw this out on the Internet in case anyone else wants to participate.

Your Mission

It’s this simple: Keep track of the books you read this year in whatever way you choose. For you OCD types, that might involve a spreadsheet; for others, it may be a matter of simply reviewing your Amazon.com purchase history in December.

The details:

• The books don’t have to be released this year.
• Fiction or non-fiction, anything goes.
• Don’t stress; this is a pretty informal exercise.

Near the end of the year, I’ll post another entry asking you to submit the best five books you read in 2011, along with two or three sentences about each one and why you recommend it. I’ll compile the responses and post the list here. Hopefully everyone will discover some great books to read in 2012. It’s like a more personal version of the New York Times‘ annual “100 Notable Books” list!

A Jump Start: My Top 5 from 2010

To get you started on your 2011 lists, here are my five favorite books from 2010:

The Millennium Trilogy, by Stieg Larsson: Maybe it’s cheating to list the three books together, but I didn’t want to have 60% of my list knocked out in one fell swoop. The books combine intriguing characters, intelligent writing and plots that hook you in and don’t let you go until you’ve finished the last one. After reading them, I briefly considered moving to Stockholm. Bonus: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo is being made into a movie with Daniel Craig playing main character Mikael Blomkvist.

Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea, by Barbara Demick: This book made such an impact on me; I’m sure I chattered incessantly about it to the people I see frequently. It provides an in-depth look at life in North Korea, as told to the author by six defectors. The reality of everyday life in post-war North Korea is bizarre and fascinating and sad, and keeps you turning the page just to see what strange, desperate antics Kim Jong-il & Co. will come up with next in order to hold on to power.

Faithful Place, by Tana French: A police procedural mystery, set in working-class Dublin. Main character Detective Frank Mackey has to go back to his old neighborhood and face his estranged, dysfunctional family in order to solve a very personal cold-case murder. The dialog is sharp and makes you feel like you’re in Ireland, without sounding cheesy or leprechaun-ish. The downside: It’s not set to come out in paperback until mid-2011, so scour the used bookstores or download it on your e-reader if you can.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: Admittedly, I had never read any of the Sherlock Holmes stories until this past year. I got my e-reader for Christmas in 2009, and promptly began downloading free(!) books from Google Books‘ collection of public domain material. The stories are quick and fun, and often surprising. I read so many of them that I found myself trying to out-Holmes Holmes!

Special Topics in Calamity Physics, by Marisha Pessl: An intriguing book written from the first-person point of view of an unusual girl, Blue, who has a keen intellect and a huge cultural lexicon that help her to solve two murders (one of the victims is a mysterious and beguiling teacher at Blue’s school). It keeps you on your toes, and though you often wonder where the story is going, it picks up quickly in the second half of the book and doesn’t stop until the end. I am looking forward to the highly-recommended audiobook narrated by Emily Janice Card.

BONUS (aka, I couldn’t just keep it at 5):

Freedom: A Novel, by Jonathan Franzen: I didn’t put this in my top 5 because – though many will disagree with me – I felt this much-anticipated follow-up to The Corrections (which is an excellent, excellent book) didn’t quite live up to the hype. Franzen has a knack for creating novels that capture the cultural zeitgeist and Freedom is no exception. Maybe precisely because of that, the overarching themes (extended war, economic depression, corruption, etc.) were a bit too depressing and close to home. I think that if I re-read it in a couple of years after hindsight has a chance to kick in, I’ll enjoy it better.

So, there you have it: my top five books from 2010. I hope you find something you enjoy in this list, and I look forward to reading and compiling your lists in December!

Happy New Year, and Happy Reading!

For me, the end of the year is a good time to reflect on everything that has happened over the past twelve months. It’s not because I’m particularly nostalgic this time of year, but rather because I’m a goal-oriented person, and having a pre-determined (albeit arbitrary) start and end date for evaluating my progress seems convenient.

This year has been a busy and interesting one for me, and I look back on it with a sense of accomplishment, but also with a mind toward the goals that I want to achieve in the coming year.

A New Career

The other day I realized it’s officially been a year since I took a sojourn from practicing law. At the time, I didn’t know if it would be a temporary break or a permanent one. In all honesty, I still don’t know, but what I do know is that – at least for the time being – I’m perfectly content being a non-practicing lawyer.

My new endeavor working for a non-profit organization has been both challenging and rewarding. It has been stressful, no doubt, but in a different way than practicing law. I have been pushed out of my comfort zone more times than I care to count and have had the opportunity to work with people and develop skills I otherwise wouldn’t have if I were still a slave to the billable hour. Among them: delegation, financial and budget management, and public speaking, just to name a few. I try to remain mindful of the many areas in which I need to improve.

A Fit Year

I have written a lot about cycling this year. I’ve come to love it in a way that I previously didn’t comprehend, and now need it like I need water or sleep (and I do need lots of sleep).

Although modest by most standards, I’m proud of the progress I’ve made this year. I learned to love my stocky, muscly legs, funky tan line and all. I was ecstatic when I was finally able to hang with the guys, and even more so when I was able to drop some of them. I realized I could pedal for four straight hours and then some – something I never dreamed I’d be able to accomplish. To date this year, I have ridden:

• Over 1,200 miles since I got my new bike in April
• 1 half century
• 2 metric centuries, including the 3 State 3 Mountain Challenge
• Several 100+ mile weeks

I know that doesn’t seem like a lot to you hardcore riders, but for me it’s been a pretty darn good year.

I pledged to keep riding throughout the winter, and I have been out a time or two. However, I’m finding it harder to get motivated to go outside when the temperature is less than ideal, and instead retreat to spin studio at the gym. I try not to descend into a wretched spiral of self-loathing, and instead focus on the things that I am able to accomplish to maintain my fitness over the winter.

Getting Personal

Because this year has been full of newness and change, I’ve spent a lot of time really trying to get to know myself – my strengths, weaknesses, motivations, and goals. I’ve found this can be an uncomfortable process, full of less-than-fabulous revelations about myself. But, it’s also been empowering and enlightening as well.

I have tried to make a conscious effort to be a better girlfriend, daughter, sister and friend this year. I have endeavored to be less selfish, and to take into account the feelings and perspectives of other people before I speak or act. I’ve also tried to get more organized in all aspects of my life (with mixed success – my car and closet: good; my home office: not so good). And finally, I’ve tried to be more productive, putting my mind to work on creative and useful things, rather than blowing my time idly (the pull of the Internet is hard to resist, my friends). I know that I have a long way to go before I’m the person I would like to be with the habits I’d like to have, but I do take comfort in knowing that we are all works in progress.

Looking Ahead

Because I’m a goal-oriented person by nature, I feel the need to set benchmarks for myself at the beginning of the year (some people call them “resolutions”; I prefer “goals”). In order to make my goals – both personal and professional – meaningful I try to adhere to the SMART goal concept: Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-based.

This year, I’ve decided to put some of my goals for 2011 in writing in order to hold myself accountable for making meaningful progress. Though I haven’t yet made each and every one of them “SMART” yet, I think this is a good start to what is sure to be a great year:

• Become spin instructor-certified. Even if I don’t end up teaching regularly, this is something I’ve wanted to pursue for a while. At the very least, it will help me craft better and more effective workouts for myself.
• Complete 6 public speaking events. Public speaking has always been one of my fears and weaknesses – complete with the flushed face, clammy hands, and halting brain. I will actively seek out opportunities to improve my public speaking skills.
• Finish a century. I did two metric centuries this year, and with the right training, I am confident I can do a full century in the coming year.
• Create more savings. I know I haven’t put a dollar amount on this yet, mostly because I don’t know what is realistic, but I do know that I need to start planning more effectively for both my future, in both the long- and short-term.
• Learn to say “no.” I tend to take on too much, and I know that I need to learn when and how to graciously decline taking on even more obligations. I also need to lighten my current load and find more balance in my life (though I have come a long way).
• Be more intentional with my words and actions. I often shoot my mouth off, or act impulsively, and later regret it. Though this is a fairly nebulous aspiration, I will seek to be more mindful and thoughtful.
• Learn to knit, and complete at least one project. I have wanted to learn to knit for some time, and my gracious friend Victoria has taught me the very basics. My goal is to really become comfortable with it in the coming year. More than anything, this is an exercise in patience for me.

I am sure that I will formulate more goals as the year progresses, and I know that I need to pay specific attention to setting some professional goals for myself. But, I think this is a good start, and hope that you all will hold me accountable for my progress in the coming months.

Now It’s Your Turn

So, now it’s your turn: What are your goals for 2011? Have you made them Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-based?

Wishing all of you a safe, happy, and productive 2011!

Not surprisingly, the post-clerkship world of practicing law was not the rosy one I’d envisioned.  After working as an attorney for a couple of years and in a couple of different firms, I realized the job made me stressed, anxious and unhappy.  Unreasonable clients, billable hours and fourteen-hour days were just not my style.  

So, I capitalized on the connections I’d made in all of the community volunteer work I had been doing, and got a job as Executive Director of a small nonprofit organization in the suburban community where I live.  Even though the pay is less and the job can be stressful at times, I’m a much happier and balanced human being now.  I’m a better daughter, sister, girlfriend and friend to those I love.

After a fairly extended hiatus from blogging, I’ve decided to come back to it with a broader – and more balanced – focus.  Though I’ll continue sharing my gift of snark with the interweb tubes, I’m also going to write about things I love, enjoy and find useful: Cycling, books, cooking, do-it-yourself projects and other creative endeavors.  I’ll still answer questions about law school and transferring as I am able, though the minutiae of those days are quickly becoming vague memories.  I hope you’ll stick around and enjoy this latest incarnation.

Image by D. Sharon Pruitt and used under the Creative Commons 2.0 license.

In trying to look on the bright side of being 2+ hours away from AB, my friends and family for a year in a city that is hotter than hell and slower than molasses, I needed to look no further than across the bridge into a neighboring state, where I can get Yuengling Lager, also known as Sweet Sweet Nectar of the Gods, or Where Am I And What On Earth Happened Last Night?

Seriously, this stuff is worth crossing state lines and venturing into uncharted redneck-ville for. Way back when I was but a wee undergrad, Yuengling was only distributed in Pennsylvania. So every time a PA native headed home, we sent them on their merry way with cash and orders to bring back lots of Yuengling and Utz Party Mix.

While I was happy to resume saying “y’all” and shed any vestiges of Yankee-ness that I inadvertently acquired while living north of the Mason-Dixon, I was sad to leave behind my favorite beer. Needless to say, I was thrilled when I learned it was being distributed along the entire East Coast. Except for my Great State, that is (probably due to our odd and archaic distribution laws). Nevertheless, being a stone’s throw away from a state where I can get it is pretty sweet indeed.

The temperature reportedly topped out at 106 degrees today.  Though I don’t always never carry a thermometer with me, I can say that walking across the parking lot after work today, I nearly spontaneously combusted.  I am also relatively certain that I will have to sell one of my kidneys in order to pay my power bill next month.

The city is probably a good two hours away from the coast, but is situated on a big, soggy river that makes the air thick enough to chew.  I didn’t even know where this place was when I interviewed for the job (cut me some slack, I never took Geography as a kid!), and it’s a good thing I didn’t, otherwise I might have run screaming.

After giving it some serious thought, I might be better off practicing law in Afghanistan.  Or Antarctica.  Or anywhere that is (a) 30 degrees cooler, and (b) won’t make me take the bar exam again.

It’s a good day when I go to class, and a great day if I actually manage to do most or all of the reading before class actually starts. I have nary an outline to show for the semester and the two papers that I have to write this semester are still just a figment of my uninspired imagination.

As the weather gets warmer and sunnier, the patios of the downtown bars — not-so-coincidentally located a mere block or so from the law school — suddenly become more alluring. Consequently, my sharp decline in motivation is directly correlated with an increase in beer consumption on warm, sunny patios. I justify it by reflecting back on the wise words of Professor Entertainment-and-a-half. As a matter of fact, I have taken her at her word and not bothered to show up for Entertainment Law in weeks.

Strangely enough, I have seen the 3L apathy shared by myself and my comrades spread to the 2L class like an insidious infectious disease that eats your brain and gives you the overwhelming desire to drink massive amounts of booze and wake up in a gutter.

Now, I’m sort of baffled about this because 2L’s just aren’t allowed to share in our sloth and apathy. They still have to care. It’s sort of like a rite of passage where you are not allowed to completely let yourself go until spring semester of your last year. After all, law school is essentially just a three-year hazing process. Except, the reward is nothing more than a pretty piece of paper and a staggering amount of debt.

As the real world of nine-to-five jobs and Ann Taylor suits draws frightening near, I have decided to embrace my apathy and revel in spring fever. After all, when else in my life will I be able to sleep in the middle of the afternoon, not show up if I just don’t want to, and drink a bottle and a half of wine on a weeknight?