sorry doesn't feed the bulldog.

I guess we should be happy that Chris Brown is finally apologizing for the brutal beating of his girlfriend, Rhianna last February. I guess I've been in situations, and have experienced so much training that suggests an apology is simply one part of the abuse cycle, and sadly, not the end. (Hence, "cycle" means there isn't one). Too many times, domestic and sexual violence offenders apologize, re-entering what some call the "honeymoon phase" just to regain the trust of their partner.

Sadly, we don't hear apologies like this enough, and while I am glad Chris is supposedly seeking help, it feels like waiting for the other shoe to fall.

I am absolutely disgusted by the many women on Twitter, Blogspot, Facebook, and other social networking sites that are still expressing their love of Chris Brown. When will the day come that women will support eachother, believe eachother, and work together to create a safer world for all of us. Too often, we are called liars, and accused of "exaggerating" or "making it up for attention" when claims of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse are made. Since it is all too often that the justice system doesn't "believe" us, we owe it to our fellow women to show unconditional love and support for all victims, and unwavering reluctance to support offenders in any way. It's not just about changing the station when a Chris Brown song comes on. It's about standing up for all women, famous or not, and supporting the many wonderful organizations that seek peace and dignity in the lives and homes of all women.

Apology accepted. Behavior will never be.

Watch the video here..

http://www.tmz.com/videos?autoplay=true&&mediaKey=44b397df-cddb-48b7-970a-f1271464115c&isShareURL=true

Photo Courtesy NowPublic.com

swing vote.. a new favorite movie

Last night I watched a fabulous and inspiring movie that totally influenced my future plans.. even though I change my mind as often as my fave ice cream flavor (often). If you haven't watched Swing Vote, you really really really must. It tells a sweet story of a little girl who has faith in the American political system, and begs her daddy to vote on election day.. As the movie unfolds, we learn how his one vote decides the fate of the entire election. We see the fickle Presidential-hopefulls as they bribe and lie their way into his heart/vote.

One can only be happy to believe that each and every vote really does matter, even though we still use an electoral college, which I think is as absurd as carrying a wallet that doesn't match your handbag.

Not only was I lovin' every minute of this movie, the town, and the characters (in a Wayne County, small town, no one has any money kinda way) but I'm more and more seriously considering a career in some sort of politics. I do remember insisting to my mother in the car when I was a teeny thing (way long ago) that I could be the first female President. Thankfully, I think someone might beat me to it, which is fabulous, but I wouldn't mind a career in lobbying. I'd love to make a living convincing others that my way is the right way, and that my opinion is the right opinion. I do that anyways, in my daily life.

Photo Copyright www.Amazon.com

the women hater's club.. aka the criminal justice system

As many readers may know, I've been training with the Victims Information Bureau of Suffolk (VIBS) to become a certified Emergency Room Companion (ERC).. Sorry about all the alphabet soup.. 

This training has involved a great deal of fact-finding, all if which has been totally disturbing.  According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV.. couldn't resist), the average prison sentence for men who kill their female partners is 2-6 years.  Women, however, are sentenced to an average of 15 years for the same crime, even though most women convicted killed in self-defense.  As many as 90% of these women who killed were being attacked, battered, or abused at the time they killed.  I'll never forget the face of one woman in a documentary, testifying from jail about fearing for her life as her boyfriend raped her with a hot curling iron, yet she is in prison for life, for killing this heinous man.

What reason could possibly account for a female killer deserving 3 or more times the jail time as a man who has committed the same crime?  Let's (not) mention the fact that over 60% of violent crimes are committed by men in the first place.. Now I'm no math whiz, but it all just doesn't add up.  I can only hope that my life as an attorney will bring us closer to a more fair, just society for all.. especially my fellow ladies. 

food for thought.

As some of my friends and family know, I am currently going through training to become a certified ERC, or Emergency Room Companion through VIBS, the Victims Information Bureau of Suffolk County (www.VIBS.org). The role of an ERC is to provide support for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, etc., arriving to the emergency room or SANE Center when the incident is reported.

Tonight at training, as is the case in each training session, I learned a very awful, surprising statistic;

In New York State, we have three times as many animal shelters as we have shelters for battered women and children. Now, certainly, even the strongest of animal rights activists can admit that this really should not be the case.

In the time it took me to post this blog, 17 women were assaulted, raped, attacked or abused in America (One every 16 seconds)... I'm a fast typer.

Photo Copyright HumaneSocietyofMarionCounty.com

a timely response to today's economy..

So get this.. my law school just became $50K richer.  Democratic Senator Brian X. Foley of Blue Point, NY wrote a fabulous check over to Dean Lawrence Raful in response to the crisis affecting New York State, and specifically Suffolk County, NY.  The cold, hard cash will allow Touro Law to set up a cutting-edge foreclosure and bankruptcy law clinic, which will allow students and faculty to provide free legal advice and services to local residents in need.  Be it those on the brink of losing their home, filing for bankruptcy, or simply those who sweat when the phone rings in fear of credit collection agencies, Touro will respond.  

According to the Touro Law website, additional funding has been secured from local banks including a $30,000 three-year commitment from Capital One Bank and a commitment from Astoria Federal Savings.

Go to www.TouroLaw.edu for more information, and the full article.

Photo courtesy TouroLaw.edu.  From left to right: Touro Law Center Dean Lawrence Raful, Central Islip Civic Council Executive Director Nancy Manfredonia and Senator Brian X. Foley.

oh snap.

But.. I did get a new, pink digital camera (the Fujifilm Finepix).  I can only go so far.

my law school bag.

So, those of you who know me well, know that I'm a true shopaholic.. so as you can imagine, when I got my acceptance letter, I immediately got a new bag. "My Law School Bag" (has a certain ring to it, no? Like a fab children's book..) was purchased at Henri Bendel's flagship 5th Ave. store. Bendel's fabulous Disturbed Stripe Tote featured two sets of handles, and a chic black and brown scheme, with gold hardware. Totally professional, right?

I began "previewing" my bag back and forth to work, to make sure she would be good to me. I remember being a little kid and wanting to wear my new school clothes SO BADDDD before the first day of school, but I wasn't allowed. Well, now I'm a big girl and I can do what I want.

Well thank God I did, because after a month or so of relatively light use (meaning, no law textbooks yet) the freaking bag couldn't handle macbook and a train pass. I returned to my friend Henri, (I love pretending stores are real people, and my friends) and they were fantastic enough to give me a complete store credit in return for my battered bag with the broken strap.

After surveying the bunch, and there were many many many, I decided on a bag known as the Bendel Beach Tote. Now, you'd never picture something as durable and great as this bag.. but she is wonderfuuuul. Seriously, check out the depth on that bag.

So I was faced with a serious dilemma.. be true to form and go with the pink with orange piping, or tone it down with a little blue and turquoise?

Considering the title of the blog, and the fact that I'm a bit worried about being taken seriously as a law student, I totally went with the blue.

Did you SEE the way that professor looked at the girl with the pink laptop?! That will not be me.

Photo Cpoyright www.HenriBendel.com

booo financial aid.

So my latest rant is in regard to financial aid.. Basically, in addition to loans and whatnot, a student may qualify for need-based grants from the school.  Given the fact that my family doesn't make a ton of money, I was counting on a handful of need-based aid.  Welllllll due to the fact that I was awarded a partial-tuition scholarship, that disqualifies me from "need" as defined by Touro.  So while I work my tush off to maintain the required GPA to keep my scholarship, non-smart people get need-based aid with no requirements to maintain.  In my opinion, I should be able to qualify for both.  Since I'm smart, and poor, that is.

impatience. and anxiety dreams.

Sooooooooooo today I went to watch Jim's softball game and continued working my way through Law 101.  I'm about 2 months from school starting, and I'm totally wishing it was tomorrow.  I'm sure I'll be taking that back in a future blog post, but for now, I'm excited.  

So one of the things I never mentioned in my earlier posts is the nightmares I was having about school.  Apparently, many law students and hopefuls have similar dreams.  Weird thing is, all of mine take place in the bookstore.  I'm not sure why I'm so anxious about books, (aside from the fact that I'll spend an estimated $1,500 a year on books) but I'm definitely excited to check out this bookstore for real.  Maybe then, the cold sweats will stop..

things that have to wait until after law school.

So, obviously with three years worth of school ahead, there are a handful of things that now have to wait until I'm done.  Mixed feelings.

Marriage

Babies

Dogs (Weimeraners)

Vacations

Louis Vuitton Luggage

the bend and snap.

So last night, I was volunteering at VIBS, the Victim's Information Bureau of Suffolk, providing childcare while victims accessed their weekly counseling sessions.  When I got home, Jimmy was (still) working, so I turned on the tube and was excited to find the last half of Legally Blonde.  Fabulous.  And so apropos.  

When Jimmy got home, all he was interested in was freaking ESPN, so he went in the bedroom to watch it.  For whatever reason, I was soooo mad about this, like it would have been really all that torturous for him to sit through the end of the movie with me.  Ugh.

Anyways, as dubbed by my blog title, you can tell I'm relating a bit.  I'm sure my pageant life, and love of all things pink will seem a bit/lot out of place in Law School.  I'm totally nervous about not being taken seriously, but still being true to my(stylish)self. 

I've decided to leave my mac laptop white, and refrain from any pink business suits.  Hopefully, that will do the trick.  

Thus is my journey to (becoming an) attorney.   

bedtime stories.

I'm sure everyone thinks it's totally silly to try to prepare for law school, since I know that seems like an impossible task.  But as this is a blog of sharing, this is the book I read myself to sleep with right now.  Law 101 by Brien A. Roche.  It totally gives an overview of the legal system, and where laws come from.  The "behind the scenes" if you will.  

The main thing I'm getting out of it is a process of elimination of the types of law that interest me.  Example: the chapter I'm on is all about criminal law, traffic violations, etc.  I'll tell you this much.. it puts me fast asleep.  I obv have to take Criminal Law classes anyways, but I totally will need more Dunkin than usual to get through it. 

At this point, I'm leaning toward Estate Planning, Business Law and Finance Law.  My wonderful boyfriend is a Financial Planner, so in our quest for total world domination we kinda' need to become a power couple.  Our careers would go hand-in-hand.  I love money.  And I love people.  So it only seems logical.  

Touro even has a new bankruptcy clinic, which would be a fun type of law to practice since I practically filed for it.  Yes, friends, I am a shopaholic.  Check out this cool section of the Touro Law website for the scoop.  

yes. i'm a dummy.

Details, details, details are out of the way.  Today I’m watching reruns of old school “Land of the Lost” shows on the SciFi channel, and doing absolutely nothing other than that.  I’ve vowed to have a leisurely summer, so that my batteries are fully charged pre-law school.  My saint of a boyfriend got us a timeshare on Fire Island, so that we can soak up some weekend rays and indulge in fabulous frozen beverages this summer.  

I recently finished Law School for Dummies.  I know what you're thinking.. that if I'm a self-professed "dummy" maybe I should stay outta' Law School.  But honestly, I was so stressed about not having a clue what it's like to be a law school student, that I was searching for something, anyyyyything to help prepare me.  Honestly, I totally feel more ready.  Any other fellow Law School hopefuls: I totally recommend you read it.  In the very least, it's a networking tool.  So many lawyers on the train saw me reading and offered advice, business cards, etc.

price(less).

So I totally forgot to tell everyone, that until yesterday, I didn’t even know how much Touro was going to cost..  Yeah, so law schools set a budget of estimated student expenses, which determines how much you are allowed to borrow.  I applied for the max Stafford Loan, and was approved (thanks, Citibank).  In the meantime, I had to just chill and wait to see how much more I would need, less my scholarship. 

Yes, yes, yesterday I got some numbers..

Tuition and fees: $39,130

Books and supplies: $1,500

Living expenses: $18,691

Personal expenses: $2,116

Transportation: $3,200

I’d love to end this entry with “…Priceless” but it’s totally untrue.  There is a price.  A whopping $64,637.  Woah baby.  

it's official. i'm in.

A month or so ago I attended the Touro Accepted Students Reception, where I ate some great food, mingled with faculty, staff, and alum, and got a tour of the “campus” which is all one building.  At least I can’t get (as) lost. 

I sat in on a night class, in the last row, and watched the screens of 99% of the students’ laptops, as they donned facebook, espn.com, etc.  Fabulous.  And it was the week before finals.  Love ittttttt.

I turned in my financial aid application, and $800 to reserve my place in the class of 2012, via some Citibank fantastic plastic.  FAFSA was complete, (thought I said “good riddance” to that at Keuka College) and I was at yet another waiting game.  Yay Touro.

ahhhhhhhplying.

So it was time to start applying and such.  Long story short, Christmas came and I went out with the girls for some post-holiday cocktails.  Met a guy.  Fell head over heels.  (Wrote my essay) Went back to Long Island. 

I decided to apply to Touro Law College in Suffolk County, Long Island, New York Law School in TriBeCa, and Syracuse University, in the event I’d be missing the snow way too much.  Next, I spent a Louis Vuitton worth of dough on my LSAC account.  Law School Admissions Council.. they process your score/s, collect transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc. and allow you to apply to most schools online, instead of wasting ink and paper on real applications.  The other fab thing about LSAC, is that they can waive the fees on most online applications.  I had to pay like $70 for my app to Touro, but the other two were free. 

I received recommendation letters from my local Senator, Michael F. Nozzolio, and two Touro Law grads.

Soooo off the applications went.  Time to wait again.

one five three.

Aaaaaanyway.  I never understood how it could take so long to score a test when we use bubble sheets..  Seriously.  I am so impatient.

So eventually, the email came with a score of 153.  Totally fine.  In the meantime, I had been looking into a handful of schools in New York, and while UB was totally out of the question now, a 153 was good enough to get me into most private law schools.  I could have totally re-taken it, and maybe done a bit better, since I know I bombed the “games” section, but I’m pretty sure my brain was as fried as my wallet after the first test, and I didn’t feel like paying for another test.

did i mention there was an essay?

So the writing section was totally fun for me.  It had been so long since I was asked to write an essay.  Working in marketing and product development for the last three years has meant that my dialogue was all super-short and efficient.  No flowery words, and no frills.  Usually, I was communicating with vendors in China and whatnot, so my language skills have been “refined” to put it nicely. 

I was worried a bit about that, but then again, I’m sure out of a 20 page paper from my past, 11 pages worth was stuff that was totally b.s., unimportant, irrelevant, etc.  So I was trying to liken myself to Abe Lincoln, when he made that super-short speech and that one guy said that Abe expressed in a few words, what he had tried to say in a few hours.  Or something like that.

Did you know Abe Lincoln was designed by a man who was closely connected to the Deaf community?  Good ol’ Lincoln signed legislation way back in the day that allowed for Gallaudet University, the first Deaf college, to be established.  If you look at Abe’s hands in the monument, his left hand is loosely making the hand-sign for the letter “a” and the right is making a slight “l”, for his initials. 

Totally cool.  Totally random.

the day of (w)reckoning.

So I arrive at the test pretty early.  People file in a few at a time.  Most of the kids (and I totally say “kids” because they were allllll still in school) had taken the test before.  Many of them were all stressed out about getting some certain score or into a specific school. 

At this point, I had hoped to attend University of Buffalo, since it’s SUNY and would be a fraction of the cost.  They were totally competitive though (obviously so many people want to pay $16k a year vs. $60k.  Go figure.), and I assumed my scores wouldn’t be high enough. 

Sooooo then I start hearing about how every test has a secret section that is just for the purpose of helping them create new, better LSAT’s.  So every test-taker has one section repeated, but you don’t know which it is, until you’re done with the test.  The scores from the duplicate section are tossed.  Now the “kids” were totally cracking up because I didn’t even know about this.  They couldn’t believe I took my practice test just last night for the first time.  I think my being their comic relief helped them relax, which was fabulous.

practice makes perfect.

So December 4th rolls around.  It's the night before the LSAT.  I should've been nervous, but I figured if I didn't do well, I could re-test in February.  Most of the schools I was looking at accepted February scores, so I figured I'd just "wing it" and see how it goes.

I grabbed a glass of wine, my LSAT practice book (which didn't even have a broken binding or tattered pages..) and sat at my vintage Thomasville secretary's desk with a kitchen timer.  

La. La. La..

When time was up, I bubbled what I didn't finish (non-educated guesses, SAT style) in hopes to snag a few extra points via plain ol' probability, and scored my test.  158.  Totally not bad.  I was absolutely surprised and completely pleased with that score.  Now the trick was duplicating that score during the real deal.  

After some great home-cooked food a' la mom, I went to bed, practice book firmly in place under my pillow.  Who knows.. osmosis just might help a little.

Zzzzzz.

up to speed.

So in the event anyone cares, or decides to read, I'll catch you up on the road I took to law school.  When I was at my last "real job" I decided to sign up for the LSAT.  I purchased a plane ticket from Long Island to Rochester, NY for the first weekend in December, and registered to take the LSAT at Hobart & William Smith College in Geneva, NY, on December 5th, 2008.  

That week, I had to go into the city for a big, fancy-shmancy meeting and was early enough for a coffee and a trip to Borders, above Penn Station.  I grabbed a practice LSAT book, which would keep me busy on my LIRR train trips for the next few months, and went about my business.  

Late September (yeah, you totally have to sign up for the LSAT sooooo far ahead of time), things at work were totally uncool, (uncool being a total understatement) and I decided to just leave Long Island and head home to Upstate NY.  

ciao.

This is the beginning.  Actually... it's a little after the beginning.  I wanted to create a blog to "vent" about my life in law school, since I have felt so completely lost so far in the process.  Plus, when I'm in school, I'm sure I'll be a maniac, so I'd love to chronicle my life for the next three years.  I jumped on the twitter bandwagon temporarily, hoping it would serve this purpose, but it totally didn't.  So here I am at blogspot.  Glad to have you along for the ride.