Minne...sconsin?

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I've been terrible at posting lately. And there's been a good amount of excitement in our apartment, too! 

This past weekend, Andrew's parents came to visit! It was so, so great to have them here, we were so glad to take them around the city. We love visitors (hint hint, family and friends), and not just because it gives us the perfect reason to go out and enjoy Milwaukee, but because we love having people stay with us! Our apartment at home in MN was always a gathering place, and we've really missed not having people stop by or stay over. Of course, I failed and didn't get any group pictures of the four of us...I always want to, but because getting everyone in it without leaving someone out to take the photo involves asking random people to step up, I forget about it. So the only picture I could come up with that best encapsulates the MN-WI love from the weekend is the one above. Don't you love it? I actually saw someone wearing it last summer on a walk we took on Stone Arch; how appropriate. 

Onto more double state news - I was sworn in today as a Wisconsin attorney, and can now officially practice in both Minnesota and Wisconsin. The ceremony was in Madison, and, I have to say, beat out the MN ceremony last October on nearly every level except for the fact that I knew no one there. It was much (much) shorter, held inside the Supreme Court Chambers at the Capitol building, and my name was pronounced correctly! Sorry, dear MN, but you lose this one. 

In other news, we'll be home in ONE MONTH for my sister's graduation from the University of Minnesota! Fight that senioritis (although I fear it may be too late for that) as hard as you can, D, and we'll be sure to celebrate lots and lots when you're done.

 Hugs, like the shirt, from the 414. 

Thoughts, post-bar.

While I have been through this lovely ordeal once before (and thankfully, came out of it both alive and successfully), taking the bar a second time has definitely taught me a few things about myself. Some of these thoughts are new, learned from this most recent experience, and some I was already aware of but had forgotten, thanks to the distance that a whole seven months provides...

One. Taking the bar exam is tough. It's a marathon of studying, memorization, highs, and lows; the process really takes over your life and can quickly put an obvious strain on your relationships. I know that I wasn't always the brightest, happiest, most likable person to be around while studying for this beast, and I truly do feel badly about how often I would let my own insecurities get to me. But I know, 100%, that there would be no possible way to get through this without my loves. Andrew has been amazing (both times, but especially for this last exam), despite how much work he has to do for his own classes. I remember a friend of mine from law school said that if she and her husband could get through the summer of the bar, they'd be able to get through anything. So I think this means Andrew and I have a pretty good shot at "making it" - we've survived two bars. My mom and sister, and Andrew's parents, too, have also been incredible with their words of encouragement and support, but I must say it was definitely harder to to not be able to come home for a blueberry scone break on rough days like I did last summer or study outside on our patio with Medyk in my lap. Thank goodness for FaceTime, text messages, and phone calls. Of course I already knew my favorite people in the entire world would get me through anything, but everything they did in this last month was so, so appreciated (and so needed). I love them more than words can say.

Two. When I say the exam takes over your life, I mean it really does, so that nothing else that you might normally enjoy can be done without the sound of a voice screaming in your head, "YOU SHOULD BE STUDYING NOW!" All I've wanted to do for the past month is to go to the gym without flashcards or outlines. And enjoy cooking dinner without trying to recite legal rules in my head. And drink wine without feeling that I should be doing practice MBE questions. And start making pysanky. And relax with Andrew. And do laundry and clean (you have no idea how badly I'm looking forward to cleaning this apartment from top to bottom).

Three. The fact that Wisconsin law students don't have to take the bar is extremely unfair. I know there's absolutely nothing I can do about it and it's something that's completely beyond my control. But really. I've already taken one and passed it - shouldn't that be enough?

Four. I took this for granted last summer: there's a lot to be said about studying at the same time as your classmates and friends. As much as any of my other friends would try, the bar is something that only those who have worked for it and taken it can understand. Studying for this test was a lonely experience at times, more so than last summer, and I really am glad it's over.

Five. I absolutely cannot wait to get to some serious wedding planning. I've been trying (mostly successfully) to hold off on doing too many things because I've wanted to save it as a reward for myself after the bar. Finally, the self-imposed ban is over and I can happily browse wedding websites without feeling guilty. We are now less than six months away; it's hard to believe I actually need to start getting things done, because for the longest time, I told myself it was too early to do anything!

This weekend we're keeping things pretty quiet - I'm still relishing the fact that I can sleep through the night without waking up...for a long time, I wasn't sleeping well and would try to lull myself back to sleep with legal rules. No, that never worked, and yes, I was crazy.

I'm going to see Andrew present at another conference this afternoon and start my pysanky production factory this evening. And in two weeks, we'll be at home, hanging out...with our family. I can't wait.

Have a wonderful weekend, friends. And happy March!

Blue is the color...

Congratulations, Mr. President! 

As I've mentioned before, we're definitely a House of Blues, but in more ways than one. After what has seemed like a never-ending campaign filled with negative ads, ridiculous and oftentimes hostile Facebook posts, and constant commercials for both parties, Barack Obama was reelected to the presidency. YES! 

Here are some more photos from last night (and here, like the ones above, both from the Chicago Tribune). And with all the electoral maps and state-by-state, county-by-county analyses from last night, the wonderful simplicity of this site says it all. 

We were cheering on Obama here in Wisconsin, and were thrilled to see our new state go blue. We closely watched all the proposed amendments at home, as well, and this morning we're both proud to be Minnesotans and happy to see so many other important social issues being brought to light. Obama's speech last night was inspirational and moving, but we expected nothing less than an amazing and unifying address. Even though I was almost sleeping, it was something I knew I couldn't miss. 

Here's to hoping that both parties can now move on and work together to get things done, and of course, to four more years!