A First Day

Today was my very first day . . . working in a law office. I have to admit, I didn't sleep very well last night. It was nerves mixed with me missing my pillow top bed I think. I just tossed and turned until I found the only comfortable spot/position in bed at 5:30am. Exactly 30 minutes BEFORE I was supposed to get up. Needless to say, it was pure adrelinine driving me today. I got up, showered, put on my power suit, and remembered that ladies are supposed to wear nylons. Dang. So, I rushed out the door while shoving a banana down my throat and sped to Fred Meyer to get the LEGGS, changed in the store restroom and got to the office with 5 minutes to spare.

The office is really nice and everyone was smiley. Those who says lawyers are grumpy meanies have not met these people. A nice young associate greated me, showed me to my awesome cubical and let me get aquainted with my computer for a bit. Then another nice associate took me around to meet all 25ish attorney's and 25ish more legal assistants. Everyone was so nice. My goal is to have everyone's name and face memorized by my halfway mark. Then I went to court and saw my first hearing be postponed. You can walk from the law office to the courthouse. Another reason I love Salem is everything is so close. Some of the attorney's took me out to lunch and gave me a lot of great advice. It was very enjoyable. Then I spent all afternoon on a really facinating research project. In all, it was a good first day. I feel like I have no idea what I am doing, but I'm happy and ready. Bring it on.

Today's Journey and a Beginning

My legs are sore and my bum is numb from sitting in the car for 13 hours. I've driven through three states today and made the long journey from Provo, UT to Salem, OR. It was a pretty uneventful trip except for a bird hitting my windshield and totally freaking me out. Poor bird. I drove it alone as Joe had to stay behind to work. I love Oregon. It is just beautiful here and it is great to see my family. But I have to admit, I miss him already. I better really focus on my extership or I can see these next four weeks as being very long and lonely without him.

I left early this morning and was able to make it here before dark. I love leaving for road trips early in the morning. They just go by so much faster that way. It was a beautiful drive. All of it (including Idaho) was green and lush. Spring is my favorite. I also was accompanied by a lovely Book on CD. I listened to The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. I'd heard great things about it and I have to say, it's a great "read." It's about an African women who opens a detective agency in Botswana Africa. It not only chronicles her work as a detective, but also tells the life journey of her and her father. Although there are some slow parts (it may just have been when I was getting tired driving), by the end all the events fall into place into a enjoyable resolution. It was a great way to pass the alone time on my drive. I hardly ever get to read anything for pleasure these days. So to be able to listen to a CD and listen to a whole novel in one day was really wonderful.

I'll be here in Salem for the next four weeks working for a local law firm and missing my husband. However, I am excited to get some "real world" legal experience and reconnect with Nathan and Cecily. Nathan is as tall as me now. I'm officially the shortest of all of my siblings. The oldest and the shortest. Ah well, there are worse things.

Balancing Act

I think finding balance in life is one of life's toughest challenges. There always seems to be something that dominates our focus or takes over our lives for a time, leaving us little time and brainpower for other things. Sometimes these dominate things are good and wonderful things such as children, school, church callings, and work. Other times it can turn normal benign activities into a destructive force such as with video games, television, the Internet, or excess shopping. The thing is, even when we are unbalanced regarding good things, it poisons other things in our lives. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing.

I remember listening in on a conversation between my mother and another woman when I was a child. I am sure they thought I wasn't listening, or they wouldn't have been having this conversation. The other woman was recently divorced and was discussing how she felt with my mother, her her how she thought she got to that situation. She said that throughout her whole 20+ years of marriage, she and her husband had been so focused on their children, that they had neglected to work on their own relationship. By the time their children were grown and out of the house, her and her husband didn't have anything in common anymore. After years of neglect, their marriage had fallen apart. That overheard conversation has stuck in my mind over the years because for so long it baffled me. How can doing something so wonderful, like being good parents, lead to something to tragic, like the end of a marriage? After years of pondering, I've come to the conclusion that it comes down to balance. Although I am sure there were many more factors than those I overheard, I believe that if there had been more balance, perhaps there would not have been such a tragic ending. Even too much of a wonderful thing can be destructive.

Even unbalance in little things can mean missed opportunities. As a high school and undergraduate student, school was the focus of my life. My parents had instilled a great value of education into my soul and I loved to learn. I desired to be independent and knew that being successful in school would help me to get that independence. I worked really hard, and got good grades. I took a two year break from college so that I might serve a mission for my church. I spent 18 months in Spain and met some wonderful people. Some of the most incredible people were the other missionaries that I served with. I was amazed at the talents and experiences that these people had had. Compared to them, I felt like a two dimensional character. I realized that while in school, I had never taken the time to expand myself beyond what was necessary to get the good grades. I had always only taken the classes I needed to take to get into college, get in my program, or get my degree. I didn't have time for any "fun" classes (meaning classes that didn't go toward any degree requirement). I was on the fast track to success and I didn't have time for those things. In fact, I didn't even have time for social things. I lived in Utah, with its glorious national parks and had not even hiked in the Canyon right up the street from me. I had been an athlete in high school, but became really out of shape within a few months of college. I had never taken an art class. I had never just explored something. I had never had a spontaneous adventure.

By the time I returned from Spain, I decided that this would change. The first thing I did was register for a psychology class and a bowling class. I didn't need either of them, but they were classes I had always wanted to take. (I really wanted to improve my bowling score. I had gotten a 25 with bumpers a few years before. Sad.) These classes didn't fulfill any requirement, and didn't help me earn any degree. They were just things I wanted to learn and I loved them. Over the next year I would take more classes like that, including sociology, cooking, and music. It was great. I also made a point to have more adventures. I hiked the Y (the local mountain here in Provo) with my sister and some friends. I joined a gym and discovered that I could run and it was so good for my body and spirit. I made friends and decided that my Friday and Saturday night dates with the library had to stop. When I embarked on these changes, I thought it would be a detriment to my grades. Boy was I wrong! My last two years of undegrad school I got the best grades I had ever received. Being balanced actually helped me focus better on the task at hand. It provided mental stability and body rejuvenation. It made me feel whole.

The truth is I am not perfect at this. In fact, if you looked at my life this last semester, you would think I was a big hypocrite. Life changes and there are things that do need our attention more than others at times. But we should never let that thing overtake us. We cannot let it monopolize us such that we start to identify ourselves with just that one thing. We are more than just the titles we hold or the responsibilities we have to fulfill. We are more than just students, employees, parents, spouses, and church workers. We have to be a summation of all those things. The truth is, we are divine and have so many talents to develop and responsibilities to fulfill. We need to be balanced to fulfill our full potential as children of God.

So how do we start? Well, we evaluate our lives. Is there something you have been neglecting lately? Make a list of those things and then make small steps to incorporate them back into your life. You can't do it all at once. It is too overwhelming. But with small goals, it will be manageable. Remember, you can never do it all. There are just so many things to be done. But you can feel good about what you are when your life is balanced. You will be a whole person.

I'm determined to get back to a balanced life. Will you join me?

For My Own Sanity . . .

I need to recap what has happened this week. It's Thursday, and I have officially been out of school for FOUR days. I feel like I should write a really deep post about what this last year of law school has taught me, or things I've learned over these last 5 months of marriage. But the truth is, I don't feel like it. In all reality I don't feel like doing much except healing. This last year has produced some pretty big emotional bruises and scratches. So, that's what I've been doing. I've been healing.

These last four days have consisted of:

sleeping for 12 hour straight

deep cleaning my kitchen, bathroom, and living room

hanging out with my girl Val

playing with Val's nephew Jacob (he seriously has the cutest cheeks ever)

sleeping in past 10am everyday

watching t.v. (biggest loser, you rock my world)

going to the temple (oh so needed that)

overcoming guilt for opting out of a school optional project

talking to my mom on the phone (Love. Her.)

playing tennis FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME

playing phone tag with Allie

making cookies and gave them away

doing a bazillion loads of laundry

going to IKEA and didn't buy a thing

going to Walmart and to buy body wash

cooking dinner EVERY NIGHT (it's been awhile since that has happened)

going to Costco and bought a lifetime supply on fruit loops

reading an insane amount of blogs

realizing my Dad has a blog (who knew?)

going for milkshakes with the husband (caramel praline yummmm)

reacquainting myself with Facebook

writing letters to my two favorite missionaries

texting friends I hadn't talked to in awhile

making plans for when my parents come to visit next week (so excited!)

going to the gym and pulled a muscle

getting some sun and put my new sunglasses to use

frowning at the snow (Come on, it's SUMMER already!)

taking Joe's car to Les Schwab

feeling happy again

OK, so I've been feeling kinda lazy. I think it is the fact that I have slept in past 7am, which is NOT normal for me.That's why I needed to write this down. But looking at this list, maybe I haven't been THAT lazy. I'm going agree with my Mom. I can be lazy this week. I've worked for it.

Almost There

Just ONE more Holy-moly final left! These finals have just about killed me, but I'm holding on!

And, today my dear brother Adam is going into the MTC to learn German so he can serve the good people of Germany. I'm so proud of him. He's all growed up. :)

Earring Fetish at Home Sweet Home

I met Brandy when I moved into her ward when I was 12. We went to the same high school and went to all the same Yong Women's activities. Nowadays she is an amazing mom of three and exhibits her crafty, creativity on her blog Home Sweet Home. Seriously, if you like to craft, check it out. You'll be inspired.

This week she is offering a SWEET giveaway of these cute earrings that she made. If you know me, you know how much I LOVE earrings and I would LOVE to have any of these! You can enter the giveaway too. Just head on over to Home Sweet Home.

The Check In Call.

Last night Joe and I got THREE hours of sleep. I had a final this morning and he stayed up with me. We were at Kinkos Fed Ex at 2:30am printing out class notes. They had really annoying loud music playing that is still ringing in my ears. Tonight is pizza night. He usually calls me on his way home from work. Here is today's conversation.

Ring! Ring! I answer my phone.

Joe: There is a lot of traffic. I’m not going to get home at 5:08pm. It will be more like 5:15pm.

Me: Ok, that’s fine. But what if the pizza burns!? (Really concerned, really.)

Joe: Well you can take it out of the oven before it gets all black and burned.

Meg: Ok, right.

Joe: Hey! I just saw a black person! (We get excited at any hint of diversity here. Utah is so UNdiverse.)

Meg: Wow. Chuckle chuckle.

Joe: Yes. So,did you make the cookies?

Meg: Uh, no. Should I have?

Joe: Well, I thought you were going to.

Meg: Well. . . (thinking of an excuse because the truth is a took a 4 hour nap this afternoon after my final while he was at work). . . I thought we can make them TOGETHER! (That sounds much more fun right??)

Joe: Yeah, Ok. So you want to hear a joke? (Obviously it doesn’t sound much more fun.)

Meg: Sure (Just say sure. Then you’re not lying and he doesn’t get his feelings hurt.)

Joe: You know how Carl Malone and John Stokton have a lot of car dealerships?

Meg: Yes. (Said confidently although I really didn’t know that. Who are they again?)

Joe: Well, don’t buy a car from them, you’ll never get the title.

Meg: Chuckle Chuckle.

……..Pause…….

Meg:, OK, I don’t quite get that.

Joe: They never won the NBA title. So when the sell the car, they will keep the title to themselves.

Meg: Oh, funny.

Joe: I’m getting on the freeway.

Meg: Ok, see you once you get here. (Understanding that that means he has to go. He has this thing about talking on the phone while driving on the freeway.)

Joe: K. Bye.

See, we are interesting people. Actually, we are not interesting and if you are still reading this post, well bless you. We are just really tired and boring. I just realized that this conversation makes me look like a really bad person. Maybe I shouldn't have included my thoughts. OK well, I'm really am not a bad person. Just tired and a bit anxious. Give me a break please.

Joe just called me again to inform me that he will call again when he is exactly 20 minutes away so I can put the pizza in then and it won't get all burned black. He's got my back.

Consequences of a Highlighter High

I think I am going crazy. I have used so much highlighter in the past 72 hours that I think I am on a little high. Sticky notes are everywhere. I have overtaken the kitchen table...well the whole kitchen actually. It looks more like an office. Several books are open to various pages. My backpack's contents are dumped all over the floor. I haven't actually gotten dressed since Friday. My bum is sore from sitting so long. I think my computer might overheat. I have consumed more calories in the last 72 hours than any person should eat in a week. I have no idea whether it is cold, hot, or just right outside. Every time my husband asks me a question, all that comes out of my mouth is some legal mumbo jumbo.

You've guessed it. The storm is approaching. Bring on FINALS!

I CANNOT tell you how excited I am to get this semester OVER with.

Pillow Talk

Conversation between me and My Joe last night while snuggling:

My Joe: We should have a baby.

Me: Honey, why do you want a baby so soon?

My Joe: So I can have a buddy.

Haha! Gave me a good chuckle. I love that sweet Joe of mine.

Walk With Me

I love going on walks. There is just something so cleansing about getting outside and MOVING! Even when Mother Nature has decided to forgo spring, I still can't help but get out and walk. And when you take the one you love with you, it turns into one of the best low-cost dates.

Joe and I walked the Provo River Trial. I've lived in Provo for (count them) 7 years and I never noticed that there is a "river" running through Provo. Maybe I should look out my window as a drive by more often!

Joe decided to play photographer.

Even though everything is dead with winter, this is still so beautiful to me. Maybe because it reminds me of my favorite sound: the rush of water.

You have to go hand in hand. It helps keep warm.

And lunch a ZUPAS is the PERFECT way to end. That soup really warms you up and you just HAVE to love the chocolate covered strawberries. YUM!