Categories
Daily Dose Law School

Fierce & Fabulous!

Our Law School awarded us Spring Break last week, after a series of midterms. We were in bad need of some time off. My brain needed the break. I was dreaming about studying and forgetting (in the dream) to bring my pencil [for an electronic exam], which resulted in major waterworks and a few mini-panic attacks…all while sleeping!

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Sure, it sounds far-fetched, but law school is a tough nut to crack and I made it just a tad bit more complicated because I couldn’t sit still. In a meeting of chance (see, these opportunities do come along), I was offered a Clerkship [paid position] with the Probate Court and I took the job! I have learned more than I can type in one post, and get to work directly with one of the Judges. I am working my Clerkship and attending classes, while juggling other extra-curricular activities. Worth it? YES! 
I am in a perpetual state of exhaustion, which a girl can get used to; but burning the candle at both ends takes a toll. Which is why you need to get good at the balancing game: Going out v. Staying In.

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Ok, I obviously cannot take full credit for this idea, but I will take credit for reminding you to take a damn break! Read for fun! [Gasp, I know. But, your neurons will thank you for the time away from taking in Tacking and Tolling statutes or even The Model Penal Code.  Trust me. This past week I only took one day off, despite being on Spring Break. I continued to work through the week, because I honestly love my job. However, the Judges knew I did not have class and refused (yes, they completely opposed) to see me on Friday, effectively forcing me to take the day off. Why? Well, because they were law students once and remember the daily grind. Do you understand? Taking time for yourself is NOT a luxury, it is a necessity. It’s a lesson I grapple with every day, but I am getting better at it.

This weekend I spent some time with a few of my best friends, and even managed to sneak in a BRUNCH at a new (to me) spot in the Harwood District of Dallas! My friend, Adriana, celebrated a birthday and I was able to munch on breakfast pizza and bloody mary’s. Which, I would like to experience more in my life. The combination was wondermous!

Soooooo goood! I will most definitely return to Saint Ann’s Restaurant. Everything was scrumptious. We tried the pizza, everything omelette, biscuits and gravy, and strawberry shortcake french toast! Their mimosas were (per Adriana and Amanda) delicious. We enjoyed multiple carafes of their morning alcoholic beverages. Don’t judge me, we were relaxing a tad before reading Civil Procedure for our Monday class! Honest. 

 

Adriana is fierce and fabulous. She always manages to find the best deals on clothes and accessories. Anyone who can walk into exams looking like a #boss should be celebrated. I am thrilled to call her my friend and am so happy that law school brought us together.

Remember that tribe I told you about? She’s a bona fide member. Love your peeps. They are your greatest asset (and those talks result in awesome deep-belly laughs, which is basically like doing crunches…so she’s a multi-tasking friendship).

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Happy birthday, love! I hope you enjoyed your break! <3

As for you, my wonderful reader, please take a few moments to recognize the wonderful people in your life. Thank your support system, make them feel cherished. Remember to get your nose out of the books and enjoy your life. Don’t stray too far from why you’re working so hard – otherwise, you may lose sight of your goal.

Be awesome, y’all!

Categories
Law School

Lawyering: A Starter Kit for Networking 1Ls

As a 1L, the question you get asked the most (besides, did you read for class?) is “What do you plan to practice?”

I’m almost through my first year and I honestly have no idea which field I will choose. What I can tell you is how I started putting feelers out. It was both purposeful and accidental, all at once – and happened because I shook a few hands!

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Really! I met a charismatic 3L who introduced me to the Sports & Entertainment Law Association (which also houses the IP and Patent Law Interests). I joined and ran for an open Executive board position. The added responsibility of helping run and organize student events meant my calendar was filling up fast! This new addition also meant I met more of my peers, which allowed me to branch out from my original group of friends.

In meeting new and wonderful people, I met Aubrey. She’s a fierce and talented young professional who swept me up in a flurry of conversation centered around: feminism. We had the best talk about everything from prepping for finals to the patriarchal society in which we live (it’s law school folks, the conversations are deep and thought-provoking). The end result from our first few conversations led me to run for a position on the Executive Board for If-When-How and I have had the privilege of working with some amazing women.

We attended a luncheon recently to support Planned Parenthood. The men and women we met were inspirational! They offered advice on where we can lend a voice, how we (as 1Ls) can help the cause, and invited us to Lobby Day at the State Capitol! We will not all be able to attend, but the simple fact that some of my friends and colleagues set up a caravan plan immediately gives me so much hope for the kinds of attorneys they will be.

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To think, it all started with a handshake…is so simple. The key to moving yourself forward in this career, or any other, is to take the time to make your mark. Join a conversation. Say Hello. Do your best to jump in on conversations that make you think!

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The people you surround yourself with are your tribe. Love them. Hard. Be good to them.

Networking does not have to be a chore. All you need to do is introduce yourself to those colleagues around you. Believe me, doors will open for you.
A word of caution though – do not expect for opportunities to fall in your lap. Those possibilities do not come around often (though, they certainly do come up). Jump at the option to smile and meet a new face. Make a friend. Do what you can to make a positive impact in the world.

Categories
Daily Dose

3 Tips for Keeping Your Relationship Afloat In Law School

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In case you don’t already know – Law School is difficult. It’s an experience no one can understand until they’ve been through it. Yeah, you’ve heard that before – but it’s completely true. I feel that in order to get past the crappy parts, you need to pick a point in your near-future and focus on it like your entire life depends on getting there. If I break my concentration, letting other minutiae get in the way, then I not only derailed myself, but I get too lax with my thinking. It’s important to remember: the goal comes first.

The problem with that thought though? My goals are not wholly my own.
My entire being revolves around the existence of my other half. If I forget that he is part of my goals, then my anchor is missing. That just will not do. 

Before beginning my legal education, I met with multiple professors (and Deans even) – all of whom said something about how relationships fail, in fact, “it’s expected!” Many of them had a horror story or two tell me about their own romances; each one left me more bummed than the last.

It didn’t help that we were required to read “1L of a Ride.”
No siree, that little gem only made me feel worse about beginning my legal education.
As midterms are fast approaching, I felt it prudent to dish out a few ways the Beau and I make our relationship work because, let’s face it – there will be no cooking, cleaning, organizing, or much talking from me for the next two weeks. Lord knows you’re going through this too, which means you may need to pass this to your significant other so they can get a glimpse of the madness that goes on in the mind of a law student. Or, you know, so they can see they’re not the only one being neglected…

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  1. We work to make each other laugh. He’s an engineer and I’m in law school – which means that we have healthy debates about everything from furry socks to download internet policy law (seriously). But, in between the long talks and coffee runs, he makes me laugh! The deep down, belly-ache type of laughter that brings tears and snorts to my daily life. By comparison, he might catch me talking to the vegetables or dancing with chicken in the kitchen (yeah, I have some flair).
  2. Set time aside for the people you love. I plan my life around campus activities, meetings, classes, and study time – but there’s also brunch, coffee runs, and gym time! I’ve said this multiple times….ORGANIZE your LIFE!
    Sure, adding calendar events may seem tedious, but having the reminders to work on assignments (or even to eat lunch) are crucial to acing your legal education. As an added bonus, your family will appreciate the time you make for them in your crazy-hectic law school soap-opera lifestyle.blogcalendar
  3. This last one is the most important. You need to remember that even though your end goal is to become a badass attorney, you also need to make time to build yourself up. It is necessary for you to carve a few minutes out of your week to do something that makes you insanely happy. My happy place? Anywhere, surrounded by books.
    No, I don’t lurk around our law library (okay…sometimes). I enjoy walking around Half-Price books, Barnes and Noble, or even the local Dallas Public libraries. My heart feels happier when surrounded by the magical tales and giant encyclopedias.
    You need to find your happy place. Make time to focus on yourself, for a few minutes a week. The reason this helps (your relationship and your studies) is because by focusing on what makes you happy – you are physically and emotionally re-centering your life. Balance is a key to any major endeavor; in law school, you need it in spades.

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Now go out there and be amazing.

Categories
Daily Dose Reviews

Law Student Reviews: Hello Fresh

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Balancing a schedule is beyond hectic in law school. I imagine it’s similar to actually practicing law. There are deadlines, meetings, prep sessions, after-hours events – the list continues…

What I find particularly challenging is working out and eating well between reading and briefing cases. Since I’ve been sorely lacking in the “workout plan” department, I felt I should pick up the slack on the healthy eating. Because, I can get pretty comfy with Mountain Dews and a granola bar. That’s sorta healthy – right?

Honestly, I will zone out pretty much anything and everyone while I’m reading and prepping for class. If my stomach growls, I usually have a protein bar on hand. That’s the extent of fancy. For this simple reason – I meal prep. Funnily enough, I don’t meal prep the same thing five days in a row. I love leftovers, but not three meals in a row.

So I plan meals for the week and make a few on Sunday. If I forget to prep, my wallet takes a huge hit. Since classes are downtown, I can get virtually anything delivered via Favor, UberEats, or DoorDash; a marvelously quick way to eat through my coffee budget. :[

In an effort to help me balance my life a bit better, I decided to try Hello Fresh
Plus, this week we’re getting back into the GYM! #summergoals

I surprised the Beau [mostly because he paid for it and had no clue until the box arrived]. He seemed pretty excited to open the box, though. HelloFresh sends all the ingredients (aside from Salt, Pepper, and Oil) in one refrigerated package. It sits patiently on your doorstep until you get home to tear it open and exploit its yummy goodness. Um, you know – cook the things. 

I was happy with the packaging. Each meal fits perfectly into rectangular boxes, but the meat is packed separately (for obvious health reasons). The box includes a recipe book, which is usually about 6 steps or less and includes pictures! Super neat.

We started with the Broccoli Beef recipe. What made me chuckle is that I already had nearly all of the ingredients in my pantry for this dish. It’s clearly a family fave! I was happy with the overall turnout, but I think the flavor could have packed a bigger punch – possibly improving the beef seasoning.

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Following the recipe was simple and satisfying. If you are new to the kitchen, or maybe not so comfy with your current chefiness, then HelloFresh is perfect for you! If you’re already adept, then I’d say you should try a box anyhow! I enjoyed the speedy delivery (waited only 3 days for my first box) and the convenience of groceries delivered straight to my home. Sure, Tom Thumb and Sprouts (partnered with Amazon) are providing home delivery options – but the terrible experience with Sprouts has me worried about any other grocery delivery methods.

We will likely only use HelloFresh on a monthly basis, or during weeks when I know my schedule will be off the charts. The Beau can even follow instructions and cook our dinner for a change of pace! Wouldn’t that be scrumptious?

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How do you prep for your busy days?
Let me know!

I hope you have a wondermous week. Be awesome.

Categories
Daily Dose

Brunch is still Legal…I think

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After all these Executive Orders, I’m happy to report on a happier topic.
The Bestie & I tried a new (to us, anyhow) brunch spot in Dallas.

Sissy’s Southern Kitchen is a kitzschy country kitchen on Knox-Henderson. We’ve visited twice and, with a bit of help from family, tried all (but one) recipes on the menu. Since brunch is basically my favorite meal, I believe I found my happiest place in Dallas. Which, let me be clear, is an amazing feat! I mean, this glorious little once-was house, tucked away behind a few trees and their own Valet stand, rivals bookstores and my own kitchen.
Color me impressed.

If you’re ever in Dallas and need to loosen your belt a few notches, stop by Sissy’s. They’ll be more than happy to whip up a lil’ something for you to nosh on.

These squash puppies are accompanied by whipped butter and a house-made jalapeno jam. Honestly, I could deal without the puppies, but this jam needs to be in my life. It is sweet, with a surprising bite of spice and sass that battles taste buds.

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I’d never tried Fried Green Tomatoes – nor have I read the book – but my Mimi said I was missing out. So we just had to order them. Cut to this interesting take on tomatoes landing in front of us. They’re moderately thick tomatoes, evenly sliced, and generously coated in a cornmeal batter; fried to perfection, accompanied by a shrimp remoulade, green peas, and scallions. Did I say, perfection already?

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The short rib hash is basically a pot roast, diced potatoes, and sunny side up eggs. I wanted to be more impressed, but this just was not among my top favorites. Don’t get me wrong – it’s still quite tasty, but this hash is simply not Sissy’s best effort here. This dish left me feeling underwhelmed.

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Do you see all that buttah? Butter is an essential need to this brunch menu and it’s probably why I love Sissy’s so damn much. The bacon arrived sizzling and introduced the waffles quite nicely.

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This. This here. The crab cake mac and cheese has been a Sissy’s special for a few weeks now. I must say, the chef makes a glorious mac and cheese. Don’t believe me, watch the video below. It’ll make your tummy tingly in all the best places.

 

Now, we were pretty full (jeans unbuttoned) by this point. Then the waitress said they made the best chocolate cake in Dallas. The reigning champ, in case you’re wondering, is the Cheesecake Factory’s Linda’s Fudge Cake. I had no choice but to order dessert.

Sadly, they looked better than they tasted. Good, but not nearly impressive enough.

 

I hope you have a chance to brunch here. You’ll thank me for the suggestion.

Categories
Daily Dose Law School

1L: Getting Through Winter Break

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“Law school attracts all kinds of crazy. Yourself included.” – One of my Best Friends

Honestly, she’s not wrong. Law Students are a special breed of student. We get kicked in the teeth every single day, and keep coming back. There is a level of mental anguish that we simply become comfortable operating at, existing moment by moment on the brilliant notion of adding two letters to the end of our name. We are engulfed by a three-year long tunnel, with high hopes of emerging as attorneys.

The sad fact is that we won’t all get to the finish line.
But there’s a sliver of success for you yet – if you’re willing to work.

Most law students appreciate the time off from class, away from the deadlines and ever-flowing series of emails with assignments and required readings. Many of your classmates will take the time off to feel normal again. Taking time to decompress is necessary, but do your best not to throw the entirety of your break away on Blue Bloods episodes or trying to eat your weight in holiday foods. Plant those feet back on solid ground and get to work after some hard-earned rest for surviving finals week.

You need to get out there and make the most of the time you have away from class because nothing feels worse than sitting across from a potential employer and not having any experience to speak of; crickets in an interview are no bueno.

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You should apply to a judicial internship. If you have the time [and can afford not to be paid for six to ten weeks] then you should go for it! My Abuelita  always says “A veces, hay que frijoliarlo.” Which basically translates to – “when times are tough, get by on what little you can – but don’t worry because  it won’t be forever.” I’m telling you this because most legal internships are unpaid. Count yourself among the lucky few if you land a great paid position for the summer. There are scholarships available – so make sure to look into those options as well!

Here are three stellar options for Summer Internships:
1. DAYL
2. JIOP
3. Equal Justice Works

You should also apply to SCHOLARSHIPS! Law school is, as you already know, a weight on both your shoulders and your wallet. Take the time to apply for different types of grants and scholarships in order to ease the cost of attendance. Worst case? You don’t reap the fruit of your labor. But, if you decided to forego the applications altogether – you’d still be left with a full tuition balance to cover. You’ve really got nothing to lose. So get started on those applications!

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Take A Deep Breath & Go Handle Your Business.

Keep up the hard work. I promise – it will pay off!

Categories
Daily Dose Law School

7 Tips: Prepping for Finals in Law School

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Law School finals are beastly. The preparation that goes into studying goes far beyond the scope any student experiences during undergraduate years.

Side note: I walked into senior year finals at Baylor in pajamas. [No, really – I did. You try studying for Anatomy & Physiology while working on a Medical Genetics Term Paper and a Biomedical Engineering Presentation.]

Law school is different. The stress levels are palpable. I’ve told you it was different, but this is where the pack starts to separate. Finals prep begins to show rifts in friendships as well as study groups, mostly because your friends are your study buddies. By this time in the semester, you should know who to study with, and who to walk away from. I don’t mean for this to sound rude, but some friends are too distracting to be around while you study. Take a step back and analyze how helpful certain friends are to have in your group sessions, who is better to maybe work one-on-one with; in other words, assess your study effort and align it with your educational needs.

At first, it feels like you’re being rude; rest assured, you are not. Preparing for finals is practically an art form, and here are 7 tips for acing those exams!

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  1. Create and fill out your course outline!
    • It simply is not enough to write up an outline. During those formative undergraduate years (and maybe for some of you lucky ones who learned to study in high school) you learn that an outline is a quick overview of topics; items to peruse and memorize. In law school, it is crucial to understand that a damn good outline is one that has not just the cases and posturing, but how the cases link to examples covered in class or questions asked (and answered) by the professor.
    • Start by making each topic a heading
      • Each Case, A Sub-heading
        • Each sub-heading should have key notes for law concepts
          • Then, include hypos from class
            • Especially highlight the sections that introduce new applications that build upon previous concepts
    • This is how you need to study. You must break down each concept into its component parts and then use those parts to build an analysis for any hypo
    • It is not enough to study the material – you need to work with it! Apply it. Change the facts in a scenario, and answer the updated question. Mess with everything so that you know your material, cold!
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  2. Reserve Study Rooms (a.k.a. – Find your STUDY Space!)
    • I prefer to study in the Gryffindor Common Room, but your preference may be completely different. I am happy to study virtually anywhere, so long as the ambient noise is conducive. You need to figure out if you prefer the chatter of a coffee shop to the hustle and bustle of group studying in a single library room. I recommend finding your own groove before letting people into the mix. Whether it’s a Starbucks (free wifi) or your bedroom and childhood desk, make it work for you. Study hard, my genius friend. 
  3. Schedule block study time-frames.
    • How many times have I mentioned that you need a calendar? Answer: Soooooo many times!
    • If you haven’t listened to me yet, then please hear me now – plan your life! The next three weeks of my life are dedicated to a myriad of activities and tasks, but they are planned! Do not study for 6 hours straight. That simply is not an effective means of retaining information.
    • Block off your study time in (at most) 2-hour chunks. Your brain will thank you for not over-loading it with the material that you (be honest) have slacked on reading these last two weeks.
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  4. Meal Prep
    • Yeah, I know this sounds weird. Who has time to cook? Well, I do. Most days, because it’s cheaper to feed myself versus eating out and ending up with a greasy pizza or a box of donut holes.
    • Take the time to prep several meals in advance. TRUST ME. You will likely be much more productive if you have sustenance for the hellacious study binges you are about to endure.
    • If you prefer, buy a pack of Uncrustables (my go-to fave for a lazy day sandwich) or a bunch of frozen meals. The point is, make sure you are eating. If your brain is weak, you will be too, and the studying you are putting in is wasted effort.
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  5. Designate study group hours on particular days.
    • I am adding in this suggestion because I believe that individual study time is critical to success in your legal education (or any other educational venture). The problem is that this is your 1L year and so many peers are terrified of alienating other students. Here is what I say to you – “Get over it.”
    • Yes, you need to make friends in law school. You need to make sure that someone’s got your back (and you have theirs) when you need to miss class. By all means, make friends. But do not hinder your own success by trying to bolster those around you. You will sink.
    • Study groups are great for sharing outlines or bouncing off hypos. If you enjoy studying with others, then this is a powerful tool to review material. A word of caution, however – do not use this as a social hour. Finals are upon us, and we have ZERO time for wild tangents or shenanigans (barring, of course, during break time!)
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  6. Schedule break times.
    • Speaking of break time…learning the law is a brain-buster. You’ve got to give that organ a rest. I have learned that doing so is easier said than done. Take my experience last week –
      • I was working on a case brief and ended up having to search for it on Quimbee. Then, after reading through the case and cross-referencing example cases…well, it was 3 hours later and I had no idea how I’d gotten there. I fell down a rabbit hole attempting to learn a concept that another friend managed to explain in less than 5 minutes. My point is…distraction comes easy. It is even easier to get pummelled with cases where you find yourself doing more research and then realizing it is dark outside. Was the sun up when I got to the library? How much time has passed?
    • So avoid the mess of forgetting to schedule a break. Your brain truly cannot process more than two hours’ worth of new information. There’s no need to stretch it too far in one day. Remember, it’s a marathon!
    • I prefer 1-minute dance parties, coffee runs, mini-shopping experiences (like picking up a bottle of Peach Moscato from World Market!), or reading a chapter of a favorite book.
      • The key here is to re-read. Otherwise, you will get sucked into the pages. It’s a dangerous game trying to pick up new and entertaining reading material before finals. But if you do, well hey – enjoy.
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  7. Rest up!
    • I will never, ever, recommend studying the day before an exam. You should certainly read through your outline and maybe quiz yourself on a few hypos. Aside from that – do something fun. Watch a movie. Go for a run. Learn to make paella. Whatever works for you to get your mind off of the exam.
    • Make sure that you rest enough and push the stress away. A clear mind is better than a stressed one. The anxiety of an exam can weigh you down, therefore it is imperative you lighten the mood.

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Preparation is key to success in pretty much anything.
In our fundamentals class, a 2L student shared this piece of wisdom:

Proper Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance.

No truer words have been spoken. You made it this far. You got into law school. Now, you need to fight for your right to stay. So focus that drive and ambition; give it everything you’ve got, because if you don’t – you’ll only be left with regret.

Happy Studying!

Categories
Daily Dose Law School

Staying Organized in Law School

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Law school is not for the faint of heart. There are hundreds of tasks to complete throughout a semester, from reading and briefing cases to writing memos; all the while you’re trying to keep yourself afloat.

As far as I know, no one in my class (including the few paralegals) feel this experience is easy. In fact, everyone struggles at some point. Everyone.

As I’m battling my way through this semester, and learning to deal with my own academic inadequacies, I felt this post was necessary. Many of my classmates have asked my opinion regarding the organization skills. As a former teacher, I can say – with confidence – that organization is critical to success.

 

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As a law student, organization plays an immense role in my daily routine. You should know, especially when considering attending law school, that you have to set a schedule and daily goals because learning to deal with law school [and all the expectations that come with the job] is akin to holding your breath under water while someone continually adds weights to your ankles. Trust me. 

In order to avoid that drowning sensation, here are 5 tips that will serve you well through your 1L experience and beyond.

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  1. Use a Calendar! 
    • My calendar preference is Google, but your options are certainly not limited. As a backup to my digital calendar, I also have a softcover Moleskin Calendar, which I love because it breaks my day up by hours. I carry it with me and cross off my daily tasks, but also have the Google Calendar to send me reminders about due dates and important assignments that need attention.
  2. Schedule Time OFF. 
    • I have one evening off every week. You need to schedule time off where you do absolutely nothing related to law school. You will thank me for this tip. Make time for your significant other, your sibling, your bestie, your mom, or even yourself. I reserve my evening off at the end of my week because trying to have a day off in the middle of lectures is simply not realistic.
    • I also make time for my family by setting up a weekly brunch. Law school keeps me busy! Which means I don’t have nearly as much time to spend time with my mom. I can easily send her a repeating calendar invite and message her when I might not be able to make it. It’s important to let your support system know that you care – don’t forget this!tumblr_o1glvhdx1b1uoxrxpo1_500
  3. Plan your meals.
    • We’re in law school. Tuition and related expenses can be costly, so you’ll need to get smart when it comes to managing your finances.
    • I found that buying coffee every morning, and eating out for lunch, is not ideal. Since I have such a passion for whipping up tasty treats, I’ve made it a point to pack my lunch most days. This means I get to relieve stress by coming home and making something delicious, while also relieving strain on my budget. Sure I have to make the meal, but it is worth the effort!
  4. Outline Weekly.
    • Set aside time in your schedule either at the end of class or on Friday to hammer out your outlines. Feel free to use a canned outline as your backbone, and then add your own notes and information. Start this sooner, rather than later, or you’ll feel even more of a crunch while prepping for exams.
    • Make sure to use COLORS! Studies show that size differences and font changes within notes help you remember the information better. Use every tool in your toolbox to learn and retain the material, friend!m-scott7
  5. See Your Professors Twice a Month. 
    • At Least! You need to make sure that your professors know who you are. Nothing feels worse than raising your hand, and not getting noticed or called on. I know that may seem dumb, but as a former teacher, I can tell you that some professors have a problem “seeing” you if they don’t know you. Make sure you sit and meet with them, not just to clear up your misunderstandings about content, but so they know you have a grasp of the material and will not likely lead their lecture off course.anyone

You’ve got all the tools you need to be an amazing student, but you’ll be standing in your own way if you don’t put in the effort. Work Hard – Be Awesome. 

Categories
Daily Dose Law School

Study Break @ The Crafty Irishman

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Law school is stressful. Sure, there are those who shrug off the reading assignments and make it look easy – but I’m pretty sure they go home, throw off the facade and the panic attack ensues. Maybe it doesn’t, and you’re doing so great in school…but that’s not the case for me

Every now and then, the reading gets too dense and I need to take a break. Being at school in downtown Dallas makes it pretty simple to walk away for a yummy lunch, where we don’t utter a word about classes or assignments. 

We’re serious about it too. My friend Matt actually made us put our phones in the middle of the table for a lunch recently and said, “You grab it, you buy for the group.” Annnnnd…since we’re all basically broke graduate students, we left our phones alone until the end of lunch. I highly recommend you do this from time to time and get to know your peers. Most of them are pretty amazing. :]

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Right before midterms, a small group of us went over to The Crafty Irishman. It’s such a great place to snag a quick bite and (from what I hear, because I don’t drink them…) the beer selection is wonderful! This little gem opened a couple of weeks into law school this semester, and it has quickly turned into a class fave.

The fish and chips are good, but they’re deceiving. The batter looks crispy – that’s not the case. Which, is soooo disappointing. Sure, it’s flavorful, and the fish is (usually) well cooked, but this girl needs some crunch! Fish and chips should not be soggy. Sadly, this second trip was underwhelming. However, I will be back and hope that this dish has improved. I’m looking for some flaky-melt-in-your-mouth goodness, that was sorely lacking here.

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Whit and Patricia ordered the Shepherd’s Pie. It must have been scrumptious because I wasn’t able to snap a picture of either dish before it was gone. Thankfully, Shel is a bit more patient (and possibly not quite as ravenous as the rest of us). She enjoyed the Scotch Eggs and said they “sound disgusting but are totally delish.” For those that don’t know, these are egg-stuffed sausage rounds that are then deep fried and drizzled with a mustard creme sauce. Though I haven’t tasted them yet, I can tell you – she didn’t leave a morsel on the plate. I’d say that’s high praise.

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I for one am glad the Irishman is up and running. The owner is very approachable and always nice to the customers (except when you want to mix Irish Beers with “American Piss”) and the service is superb. I look forward to trying a few more dishes here, and maybe even sample some drinks. Lately, we’ve enjoyed lunch here; which is right before one of our classes. It’s not the easiest thing to recite case briefs and try to digest vodka. Take that as a tip, friends. Don’t drink and then go to class!

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Categories
Daily Dose Law School Recipes

Things to Avoid Eating in Law School

You should probably avoid pretty much anything I stress bake.

That’s right, I stress bake. Here’s a quick little reminder for you guys who are not aware of my sordid love affair with decadent chocolate cake and anything bathed in a creme.

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I mean, come ON! How are you not salivating?  You see, I have a real love and passion for food. I wouldn’t say I’m as adventurous as Andrew Zimmern, but I do enjoy tasting new and interesting foods – especially when they both smell and look delish!

During midterms, I baked double dark chocolate brownies, some with a hearty layer or mint chocolate; plus there were chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, waffles, and capellini with homemade marinara! Should I have been studying? Probably. Did I need the brain-break? YES.

Once I got through the thick of exams, though, my brain kept re-thinking the exam questions and trying to remember my answers. I re-lived new hypos (hypothetical questions and scenarios on the exam), trying to see if I could apply the law to my own ideas.

  • Note: You should really avoid this kind of cyclical and tedious behavior. It’s not good for you and ends in tears. Trust me. 

 

I ended up getting myself worked up and decided I needed something to focus on, so I dug deep into my belly and decided that what my little heart craved most was capirotada. 

I know – what in the ever-loving tort law is capirotada?

Capirotada is a Mexican Bread pudding that is traditionally eaten during the lenten season. One of my Tias (Aunts) is an absolute expert at all things Capirotada and I decided to make my own recipe, inspired by her yummy treats and hilarious jokes.

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I guess you can say law school has me feeling all sorts of ways and I needed to re-ground myself. Clean the slate. And, erm..avoid studying for contracts just a bit longer.

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Vanilla (I used Mexican vanilla, but I’m not convinced that another form of liquid vanilla would taste too different)
  • 6-7 bolillos (small french bread like loaves, usually found in the bakery of your local supermarket)
  • 2 cups of water
  • 2 piloncillo chunks (piloncillo is a Mexican Brown sugar, packed tightly and in a small cone-like shape about the length of your hand)
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 6 eggs
  • 4 star anise flowers
  • 1 can of sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 cup of milk
  • 1 cup of raisins
  • 1 cup of cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup of pecans (I picked up some candied pecans, and will not justify this delectable choice)

Steps: 

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  2. Grease (use butter, vegetable oil, or cooking spray) a 9 1/2″ x 13″ pan. Set aside.
  3. On the stove, place the piloncillo, star anise, cinnamon, vanilla, and water into a pot and simmer the ingredients until the piloncillo is completely dissolved and reduces by about a quarter. [This is the step where your house starts to smell like Christmas and all things wonderful and warm!] Set aside for about 20 minutes to cool.
  4. Cut the bolillos into bite sized cubes. Set them in a large mixing bowl.
  5. Take the star anise and cinnamon sticks out of the syrup.
  6. Scramble the eggs in a medium sized bowl. Carefully and slowly, add the cooled syrup into the egg mixture. Scramble again. [You should add the syrup a couple of ladel-fulls at a time.]
  7. Once the eggs and syrup are combined, pour half the mixture over the bread.
  8. Add half a cup of cheese, half a cup of raisins, and a 1/4 cup of pecans. Toss gently to combine the ingredients. Transfer them to the pan.
  9. Repeat step 8 with the rest of the raisins, pecans, cheese, and syrup.
  10. Now you place the casserole dish into the oven and bake, uncovered, for 20 – 30 minutes, until the top is slightly brown.
  11. While you’re waiting, you can make the glaze!
  12. Whisk the condensed milk and half a cup of milk in a small bowl. You can use less milk if you want a thicker, creamy glaze.

Once the capirotada is done, pull it out of the oven and pour the glaze over it.
Feel free to serve yourself a heaping slice with a nice glass of milk. You can eat capirotada cold or warm, but I’m pretty sure it’ll be gone before it has time to cool off.

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If you’re feeling like a daredevil and not counting any calories at all…you should try this with a small mound of vanilla bean ice cream. Oooooh!