family lessons at law school.

I'm an only child, and I've always wanted to have siblings but of course I've never been able to really experience what that's  like. When I think about families I usually think of the unity, closeness, warmth,  love that's supposed to exist, and not as much about the drama, competition, favorites, rebels, cliques, head-butting, loneliness, or even awkwardness that can also exist in families, especially ones with lots of people in it. 


So far I've felt all of these things in school, and in the beginning (or up until a few weeks ago.. woops) I found myself complaining about law school because it feels too much like high school sometimes. Luckily, probably for me most of all, I'm realizing the truth of a quote that says, "love is what you go through together." I really believe that's true. 


This past weekend I remembered/though of a few other quotes that illustrate the same principle.


"I used to think love was an attribute, until I realized it was a commandment. And it becomes an attribute only after you keep the commandment."
-Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin


"A major reason the family is so important to the plan is really quite straightforward: it is the only place where we cannot hide from who we really are as we strive to become what we are destined to become. 


"In essence, a family is the mirror through which we become aware of imperfections and flaws we may not be able or want to acknowledge. Thus the family is the ultimate laboratory in mortality for the improving and perfecting of God's children."
-Elder David A. Bednar


Yay life and learning :). I'm so grateful.

pictures of smiling dogs.

I think this is really funny. 


see more pictures of smiling dogs. it will make you laugh!

i love the law and law school, part II

3. the nature of law school helps you learn to give your best without comparing yourself to others (i think, although i know some would argue). you don't ever really know how you're doing in law school, and sometimes i've found at least for me, when i do know how i'm doing compared to everyone else, there is the temptation to perform based on the way i perceive others as doing--which could mean you either perform lower than what you're capable of bc that's all that seems necessary, or you don't try bc everyone else is so far ahead of you it's not worth it to do more bc you'll never catch up. i think those things can still happen, but it seems to happen a lot less, at least it does for me. (that's why this is i love the law and law school.)


4. law school cares enough about you/believes in your capacity to succeed that it pushes us to do hard things and doesn't respond to moments of weakness where we yell, "stop!" "no more!"


Additional thought from CS Lewis..
"So god is something like a divine physician. A cruel man might be bribed--might grow tired of his vile sport--might have a temporary fit of mercy, as alcoholics have temporary fits of sobriety. But suppose that what you are up against is a wonderfully skilled surgeon whose intentions are solely and absolutely good. Then, the kinder and more conscientious he is, the more he cares about you, the more inexorably he will go on cutting in spite of the suffering it may cause. And if he yielded to your entreaties, if he stopped before the operation was complete, all the pain up to that point would have been useless."

recipes to make. :)

one of these days i will make.

desserts.

:: honey ice cream

:: pear-banana-hazelnut crumble

warm things.

:: apple and butternut squash soup

:: butternut squash soup with pear, cider, and vanilla bean

:: very easy pea soup

:: green lentil soup with coconut milk and warm spices

i love joseph smith.

i seriously love joseph smith. he is so amazing and i am continuously so impressed by him.

"All difficulties which might and would cross our way must be surmounted. though the soul be tried, the heart faint, and the heads hang down, we must not retrace our steps; there must be decision of character."

"what god may do for us i do not know, but i hope for the best always in all circumstances."

"god ruleth all things after the counsel of his own will. my trust is in him."

read more about joseph smith's teachings by clicking here.

i love the law and law school.

reason #1.

i think the law school encourages really effective learning. i like that.

reason #2.

i feel like the law is somewhat like me.. not perfect and with flaws, struggles every day, but still trying to give my best/what i'm capable of right now. the law, like us perhaps, doesn't need to be perfect. maybe there is something more important than that. :)

vocal point on nbc's the sing off.

wow so good! i am so impressed. yay vocal point!

watch here on youtube!

wish list.

I decided recently to make a wish/to do list, which i'm really excited about. :)

a few things on the list..

-horseback riding in the mountains

-make homemade gingerbread house

-night games--commando! i love that game!

-murder mystery dinner

-start writing poems

-motab christmas concert!!!

words of comfort.

from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf..

"At the time Big Spring, despite its name, was a small, insignificant, and unknown place. And I often felt exactly the same way about myself--insignificant, unknown, and quite alone. Even so, I never once wondered if the Lord had forgotten me or if He would ever be able to find me there. I knew that it didn't matter to Heavenly Father where I was, where I ranked with others in my pilot training class, or what my calling in the Church was. What mattered to Him was that I was doing the best I could, that my heart was inclined toward Him, and that I was willing to help those around me. I knew if I did the best I could, all would be well.

And all was well."

read full article here.

I think that is so encouraging. I really needed to hear that/be reminded of that. :)