Happy Easter!

Ah, finally. After the long wait, the glorious day has arrived: where I can once again celebrate the Greatest Miracle. Coffee. I forgot how much I missed it, how miserable I was in the mornings without it. I would wake up, expecting it to be there, and would be so disappointed to realize it was gone. But there is a happy ending! We have returned, like old lovers rekindling their passion. And I don't mean "elderly" lovers because that's gross. Nobody wants to see that. Except maybe Teddy, or his Indian version, Savith. Or maybe Teddy is the White Savith. Hmmm... See? I have coffee in my system once again, and I continue to the incessant, nonsensical rambling. Oh, how I've missed it.

Anyway, Easter was a wonderful day, even if it was colder than on Christmas (according to Kendall, according to the weatherman). I started the day off by going to Mass with Kendall and her mom, who was visiting for the weekend. Then, I made dinner (lemon/garlic marinated pork tenderloin, herb-seasoned potatoes, and apple/Manchego cheese salad... quite tasty) for Savith, Katie, Chris, Jordan, and me. Then it was off to the library where I tried to focus. This proved to be rather difficult, since I had eaten so much food, I thought I was going to die. Topped off with my 3rd cup of coffee for the day. And after a 40-day hiatus, it packs a punch.

Well, now that I have reunited with my dark-roasted Love, I suppose I no longer have an excuse for being grumpy, not getting work done, or taking long naps. What have I done?

I Want My 75 Cents Back
(And other rants involving my return to law school)

1. So, I'm attempting to purchase a Diet Coke during our break in the middle of Contracts. It's about 4:00, and I'm needing some caffeine to get through the remainder of class. Now, I don't remember having to pay $1.25 for my bottles of coke last semester, but I could be mistaken. Regardless, as I put my dollar in to purchase the $0.75 can of coke, I am informed that it is sold out. So do I get my dollar back? No. The machine gives me two dimes and a nickel. Bastard. I just lost money. And I still have no caffeine intake. Furthermore, I begin thinking: in the contract between me and the coke machine, what would the damages be under expectancy, reliance, and restitution? Then I began to hate myself for seriously considering that. Yep, I'm back in law school.

2. Ok, I don't consider myself the most "patient" of people in the world, but when I want, I think I can be very nice, filled with social grace, tact, and politesse. Well, I foresee myself cracking at some point this semester. I do love my section, but I'm not going to lie, there are some people who just get on my nerves. Hey, it happens when you spend every day of the week with these people. Perhaps I had hoped that the annoying little habits that certain people have would have disappeared. I don't know, maybe in the desire to improve oneself, New Year's resolutions would have been made. Namely: "I resolve not to annoy Andrew." Ok, I'm not the center of the universe, even though I may act like it. But it's not just me. Without naming names, I'm thinking of certain people with habits that distract and annoy everyone around them, and potentially the entire class. So, as I'm thinking about this, I realize I'm going to take this opportunity of the new semester and try and be as considerate towards others and as unannoying as possible, thereby setting an example. I encourage everyone else to do the same. Because you never know when your neighbor is going to snap and just bitch-slap you. The bell tolls for thee.

3. Motivation. That's what I need. The system of three-weeks off, exams, a week and a half off, then return, with electives starting in another week has just messed me up. I need my groove. I work with routine. Structure, stability, comfort: these are values to me. And until I attain them, I don't really feel as though I'm back yet. I'm not really "in it" or mentally prepared. It was much easier in college, what with "Syllabus Week" and all. Sigh. Now, I'm supposed to be ready, prepared, and intelligent from Day One? We'll see how well that goes. Especially since I know I'm on deck for Contracts today. I think I understand the material, but I'm just hoping it doesn't all leave my mind when Prof. Coates calls on me.

4. The future. It's all any of us can seem to talk about or think about. Whether it's our personal or professional lives, this is it. It's now really hit me that I need to start thinking about the future. Of course, I did this to an extent before, but now it needs to be in earnest. I'm not saying I feel the need to plan out the rest of my life, but I really do need to think where I actually want to end up post-graduation. This comes into play when I'm considering taking the offer from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Madison, as I keep debating for and against returning to Wisconsin for the summer. Part of the problem is that I'm not worried about making "the wrong" choice (since I don't think there's such a thing) as much as I'm worried about what is "the best" choice for me. This, of course, assumes that such a thing exists. Sigh. Because that always comes so easily to me!

5. Oh right, did I mention I have found 3 grey hairs since coming to law school. Start playing "Push It" (Note the Salt-N-Pepa reference).

Winter Break 2: Milwaukee Boogaloo

Now, I know what you're thinking: of all the exciting, exotic locales I could visit for my post-finals break, why choose Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the middle of January? It certainly wasn't for the snow.

Upon arrival, Julie and I did perhaps the most Milwaukee thing there is: a tour of the Miller Brewery. Now, I'm not a big Miller fan, personally, but hey, if it's free, I'll take it. Although, I did have to draw the line at the Leinie's Sunset Wheat (rotten cranberries!). Working on a light buzz from a few beers and no food, it was time for Chipotle. Oh, how I've missed the 'potle. The resulting burrito coma required that I watch Beauty and the Beast with Julie and her brother, Chris (aka, "Yaley McFreshman"). Julie promptly fell asleep, so Sara V. was a little confused when Chris and I were watching B&B together in the dark. Don't judge. The night went on, and Paddy's Irish Pub called out our names. All the cool kids went: Julie, Mia, Ellen, Dan O, Mark, Manning, Katie M., Kathryn Bilhorn, oh it was good times getting to see the gang again. Even if the owner wouldn't let me sit on Mark's lap in the big chair. Since coming to Boston, I had forgotten just how smoky the Milwaukee bars could get. We moved on from there to Caff's. Even though I graduated only last year, it was weird to be back at the campus bar. First, I just felt out of place. This was clearly a college bar, and I am not a college student any more (and glad for it). Second, it required a lot of rounds of people I recognized, old residents, and randoms that I vaguely recalled but couldn't remember their names. While it was no longer "my" bar, it was a good night.

Sunday was another great day. I went out to lunch with the bro, played with Dana and Julie, had some glorious Chinese food for dinner with Ellen, Dana, and Dan O (including fantastic spicy crab rangoon), and played with Dana and Julie some more. Did I mention I got some kick-ass gifts? Orange Pez lip balm! Finally, I went down to Straz to visit the Bergens, then Dan and I split a pitcher down at Miller Time Pub. Ah, the moment that we had both waited for. No longer supervisor/employee, but two friends sharing drinks and great conversation.

Monday was filled with more great visits. I had coffee with none other than the great Karen Nelli. It's always such a great experience getting to see the students I worked with grow and develop into such wonderful leaders and such amazing people. Jackie was back in town from Africa, and was now conscious.

Tuesday was a long day. After waking up from a late night and little sleep, I had to get ready for a day of interviews in Madison. So between the driving and the interviewing, it was draining. But the great news is that the U.S. Attorney's Office in Madison offered me a position for the summer! So, it's a huge relief to know that I have a job (especially when what I want to do is work for DOJ). I haven't decided yet, but since I still have to hear back from some of my other interests, but it's looking like I might be going back to Wisconsin for the summer. After getting back to Milwaukee, I popped over to the NRHH folks at MULC 2. It was a treat to see so many great people and the great new directions as well as traditions. Cap the evening off with P.F. Chang's and me collapsing on the couch around 10:00.

Wednesday, my last day in town was a morning of interviews. I did get to check out the top of the US Bank building, though. I think it went well. After popping in to the old Apartments' office to see Dan, Stacie, and Erin, I had to pack and fly back to Boston.

What more could I have asked for in a vacation? I got to stay with Julie and Jackie (great couch, by the way. Seriously, so cozy, I miss it.). I got to see some of the most important people in my life, let them know just how much they mean to me, and enjoy the presence of their company. What more is there?