Run as fast as you can

 So, Joyce, that lovely lady that she is, made a comment on one of my posts about my new-found activity of running.  She challenged me to push myself, and I did.  In October, I ran in the Denver Half-Marathon.  It was an amazing experience, even though I couldn't feel much of it since my body was completely frozen due to the wet and freezing cold conditions.  However, I did get a picture of me running the final length of the race.  So congrats to me, and thanks to Joyce for pushing me to go further with the running--but please don't ask me to do a marathon!

Another Year Begins

So, I have ceremoniously changed my Xanga title to 2L since I am about to start my second year of law school on Monday.  I'm actually looking forward to school starting back up.  The summer was far too long and I enjoy school SO much more than working.  I am sure that this year will provide many challenges for me.  But I think after getting through the first year, I am definitely more prepared to handle whatever will come my way.  And as a bonus I just found out that my friend, Lexie, got into one of my classes!  Here are the classes for my first semester:

Advanced Legal Research

American Legal History

Legal Profession

Evidence

Topics of Constitutionality: Sexuality

So, let's rock on!

I've Got My Runnin' Shoes On

So, I completed my first 5k ever on Sunday.  I ran in the Stadium Stampede.  My kickass friend, Lexie, and her cute pup, Greta, ran it with me.  The run took us around Invesco (where the Broncos play) and along the Platte River, then back through the stadium to the finish line.  Not only was it gorgeous out, but the race was so well-run.  Afterwards, they had free food from Whole Foods, free massages, live music, and so much more.  Pics from this year's race haven't been posted yet, but I'm sure they'll be up shortly.

This was a great experience for me because I have never liked running.  Not that I couldn't do it physically, but it was more a mental thing.  I just didn't like it.  But doing this proved to me that I could accomplish anything that I put my mind to (as cliche as it sounds).  We ended up running it somewhere around 27 minutes...not lightening speed, but we kept a good pace the entire time, mostly thanks to Greta.  And all I can say now is that I can't wait to run it again next year...and maybe I'll even take on the Boulder Bolder 10k.

Moving Away from Academia

One clear difference between law school and college--the liberal-minded academics were checked at the door.  Law school aligns itself toward a practical knowledge (though I'm not sure how applicable the material I am learning really is) for a real-world career.  In college, I explored various interesting topics in politics and history and engaged in debate regarding the most fundamental of our beliefs, values, goals, and morals.  Now, I am forced to bring myself back to the everyday.  To understand that those discussions I onced craved and shined in will likely never happen again.  To see that people base their beliefs on very simplistic understandings of the world.  The complexities that once confused yet intrigued me have faded away to a seeming premordial ooze of ideas.  Now the question is, how do I make the adjustment?  Even in the legal field, filled with extremely intelligent people, many problems are explained down to the simplest terms, decisions are justified on the most ridiculous idea of "public policy," and people stop caring about the larger implications of actions and words.

My Theory on Tanning

So, I'm pale...I'll be the first to admit it.  I've done the tanning salons, the sunless tanning, and the natural, laying-in-the-sun tanning.  Lately, certain people (ahem, Andy, ahem) have been pointing out my paleness.  And others seem so disgusted with how pale they are.  Which has led me to the following theory:

The more sun and heat that you receive in the area where you live, the more inclined you feel to be tan.

Me, for example, being from the Pac Northwest, I only expect to be tan from June (maybe July) to September.  Because that's when Oregon receives sun.  During all other months, it rains and rains.  So, why would I feel like I needed to be tan if the sun isn't even out?

People who live in Denver complain about their "tanness" whenever we have a few days of beautiful, sunny skies.  I think this is because when the sun is out, the expectation is that a person should be darker than when it's not.

However, the worst, by far, are people from the South.  Not only do they receive a lot of sun, but they also get a lot of heat.  See, in Denver it's still cold when the sun is out, but people in the South get sun and 70 degrees or hotter.  So, it's understandable that they would expect themselves to be tan when the sun is shining.

My ultimate point is that I'm an Oregonian, so lay off the fact that I'm pale.  Come June or July, I'll probably be tanner than you!