Bar Exam Aftermath

Now that I have finished the bar exam (for the second time) here are my observations.

I feel much better this time and dare I say it--I feel as if maybe I passed this time. That is a dangerous assumption to make regarding law tests. Sometimes you can feel like you aced it and you blew it. Sometimes you feel like you blew it and you did well. A lot of the time you can't tell.

But when I took it in July, I left feeling unsettled. Like I didn't reallly have a chance at passing. That if I passed, it would have been the miracle of the decade.

This time I feel much better, as if the uncertainty meter is more in my favor. That I have at least a decent chance at passing.

I worked harder this time on the MBE questions. Of course, I didn't spend as much time on them as I hoped, but I spent a doggone amount of time. I got to the point where I recognized quickly what kind of answer the question was looking for. And that is where you need to be for the bar exam.

The MBE questions during the morning session were really pretty easy. I felt on top of the world at lunch. The afternoon session was harder--but still easier to me than the MBE questions in July. Of course I was more prepared this time--and I guess that helped. But I had also heard that they were getting rid of stacked answer questions--the kind that asking you a question and then the answers are like this: I and II; I, II, and III, I only, etc. I guess they did get rid of them, because there were no such questions on this bar exam. And immediately makes it easier.

The essay portion is what really did me in last July. I had studied more for it this time, but still fell woefully below my target. I was mad at myself and slightly frantic the morning of the essay portion. What was I thinking? I asked myself. I only know a sliver of the information they could ask me today. I felt again like a lamb going to slaughter.

My feeling of doom only worsened when I saw the first question. It asked about a point of law I knew about, but not much. The question asked me to answer the question fully. Fully? Are you kidding? I barely can tell you what it is. I wrote down what I could, and felt like I should just get up and walk out the door. If the other 11 questions were as bad, I had no chance of passing.

But luckily, they weren't as bad. I am hoping I got a 135 on the MBE, because then I only have to pass seven essays. And I know I got seven right. Maybe even eight. Maybe even nine right. But I am iffy on that ninth one. But I might squeak by even on the ninth.

So all in all I have a fair chance of passing. Maybe even a good chance of passing. I won't know until April 17. So until then, I could use everyone's good thoughts my way.

Learning New Gadgets

Since I have been in law school, I have been slow to adopt new technology. Heck I just recently got my first digital camera, and my MP3 player is still not out of the package. But you don't really have much need for such things in law school. Well actually, I could have used my MP3 player to play my recorded class lectures. But there was never enough time to learn about the technology. You can get an sd card too. I am just thrilled about my digital camera, because that means I can put more pictures on this blog, and I have plenty of other uses for it too.

Falling Down On My Exercise

I am mad at myself, because I got a three month gym membership and did well for a couple of weeks--exercising three or four times both weeks. I tend to lose weight easily and firm up pretty quickly, so I was excited when I looked in the mirror (OK, not too excited--still had quite a way to go) and I was getting looks again from men in the first time in a long time. However, I have not been to the gym in the last week or so. I guess I can't blame myself with my bar study, and the gym is not very convenient to my house. I will get right back on the wagon after the bar exam. I am also still considering diet pills. Or maybe that green tea weight loss plan I keep hearing about.

Grameen America Success: Obama Needs To Tap Muhammad Yunus

Photo from Grameen America Website

Being a Vanderbilt alum, I am certainly aware of Muhammad Yunus. He is an alum of Vanderbilt University too. He went back to his home country of Bangladesh after teaching in the U.S. for a while, and put his education in action, starting the business of microlending. He lends small amounts of money to people, mostly women, so they can start their own businesses and pull themselves out of poverty. They repay the loans promptly, and the success rate is phenomenal.

Today on CNN, I learned that Yunus has now started a Grameen America Bank. I was so proud to hear the anchors talk about him on TV. The last time I heard him speak at Vanderbilt, he mentioned that Grameen Bank might someday tackle the health insurance problem in the U.S. He was only partly joking. I think he should take a crack at it, because I know he could do it. Obama really needs his expertise in the White House.

http://www.grameenamerica.com/

Buying Franchises

I have often thought it would be fun to own your own little business. And if you buy a franchise, you not only have the benefit of owning your own business but the name recognition that comes with the already established brand. This is probably not an idea for me, but it would be a good idea for others. Even in this down economy, people still need services and such, and something like auto parts franchises might be such an opportunity. After all, people may put off buying a new car, but they will need to keep their current car running smoothly and looking nice.

Don't Nag An Unemployed Friend

What do you say to someone who has lost their job? Good advice in this article from msn.com:

http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-1763-Career-Growth-and-Change-Talking-to-a-Jobless-Friend/?sc_extcmp=JS_1763_msnbc&SiteId=cbmsnbchp41763&ArticleID=1763&gt1=23000&cbRecursionCnt=1&cbsid=6040ff9f3df54801b2b2954c7d3c7007-287970489-J0-5

I Need A New Watch For The Bar Exam

Even though there will be clocks in the room in which I take the bar exam, they encourage you to bring your own watch. It is important to keep up with the time. For both the MBE and essay portions of the test, you are limited to a three hour block of time. Six essays in the morning three hour block, and three essays in the afternoon session. For the MBE, 100 multi-state questions in the morning three hour block and 100 in the afternoon three hour block. You need your own watch just in case the clocks in the room aren't working. You would think the school would have everything in working order, but I know from experience that is not the case. So I will go get a new watch. But I don't think they would want me to bring one of those talking watches. They get freaked out enough about cell phones going off!

Resume No-Nos

One of my good friends who had lost her job recently, maybe because of the bad economy, maybe not, has just found a job. I am thrilled! I was really worried about her, because jobs are basically nowhere to be seen, and she does not have a college degree. She also has lots of debt and no savings. Oy! But she found one just in the nick of time. She had to take a pay cut, but it is doable, and she is happy just to have a job. I am thrilled because I was afraid she might have to move back to her home state. A happy ending!

But for people who are job hunting, here is a reminder about some resume don'ts. It is always good to keep such info in mind.


http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-1770-Cover-Letters-Resumes-10-R%c3%a9sum%c3%a9-Missteps-that-Hurt-Your-Job-Search/?sc_extcmp=JS_1770_home1&SiteId=cbmsnhp41770&ArticleID=1770&GT1=23000&cbRecursionCnt=1&cbsid=d49f8fac29ae4ecdbc5a2e4f0f58a6e9-287933216-wz-6

Tools Of The Trade

Every business has its tools of trade. We have our pre-manufacturing tools and then our manufacturing tools. A lot of steps and tools along the way. Then we have our packing and shipping materials. Many times if an item doesn't fit a standard size box we have, we stuff the box with newspaper or packing peanuts. But sometimes clients want the boxes to fit their item snuggly, so we have to size the boxes to fit. For this, we use a box cutter. Something so simple as a box cutter makes the job for those in shipping so much easier!

Two Weeks Until The Bar Exam

Two weeks from tonight, the bar exam will be over. I hope I feel good about it. At least better than I did the last time I took it. To me, the essay portion of the material is much harder to study for than the MBE. I think that is because the different study aids are geared toward the MBE and have made it easier to study for that portion. The essay material tends to be formidable. But people do pass. I still have two weeks to go, and I feel more secure about it at this point than I did at the comparable point in July. Someone sent me an essay outline that I have been studying from. It may make the difference. The sad part is I think I had this outline last summer but didn't take the time to look at it to see how useful it is.

Traveling In California

I was just vacationing in California, and it was fun. I hadn't been there in a while, so it was nice to go back. I have traveled previously down the coast from San Francisco to San Diego. I would like to go back again, and this time travel from Seattle all the way down to San Diego, probably by train. I have seen a lot of attractions along the way but have never been to Disneyland. I would want to research online and find a great Anaheim California hotel. I am sure there is no dearth there!

Looking Forward To Remodeling

I did some remodeling a few years back and for the most part it still looks good. I wish I had chosen dark carpeting though rather than beige, because with animals, the beige already looks bad again. My second round of remodeling will involve new shelving for my closets and laundry room. Replace my carpet again, I guess. I'm also going to look at some kitchen sinks . I love how some of the new porcelain and other types look. That would upgrade my kitchen right away.

PMBR 3-Day Final Review Course

I signed up for all of the PMBR courses last year and did them all. I could not afford to pay for them again (and really wouldn't bother to go through them again) but I did keep all of my books and materials and have used them again this time. Last summer when I took the PMBR simulated all day test, I did badly, and I guess that was the writing on the wall. My mind was just scattered last summer, and I wasn't focused with a good study plan. So unlike me! I gave myself the all day test again yesterday and scored 20 points higher than I did last summer, which is good. I would have liked to have scored even higher, but the 20 points really made a difference. This time the writing on the wall looks good.

The Holodomor--Another Tragic Episode In World History

Have you ever heard of the Holodomor? You probably haven't, and neither had I. But a movie on the subject is coming out later this year that will probably educate a lot of us.

The Holomodor refers to a famine that occurred in the Soviet Ukraine in 1932-33, during which millions of Ukrainians died from starvation because of Soviet Union policies. It is considered one of the greatest peacetime catastrophes.

There is a big controversey as to whether this atrocity would be characterized as a genocide against the Ukrainian people or if the holodomor was just a bad Soviet policy that involved seizing grain from peasant areas to send to the West to sustain its rapid economic policies, which then resulted in the famine. The parliament of Ukraine has labeled it a genocide. The European Parliament calls the act a crime against humanity.

Apparently there is a huge rift between some groups as to this terminology. From this armchair, it comes down to the fact that bad is bad. Does it really matter whether it was a genocide or a failed but intentional policy that starved its citizens? If the latter, the intention to hurt the citizens was still there. Guilty on all counts.

Vanderbilt University Ranked By Forbes As One Of The Best 100 Companies To Work For

I am mighty proud. Vanderbilt University, my alma mater, has been ranked by Forbes magazine as one of the Best 100 companies to work for. And indeed they are. They pride themselves on being a "family" and they are. I am proud to be a part of that family. Another point of pride: They are the only university listed in the top 100. Dynamite!
http://sitemason.vanderbilt.edu/news/releases/2009/01/22/vanderbilt-named-among-fortune-100-best-companies-to-work-for.71274

Obtaining Good Website Content

A friend and I want to start a website, both to help others and to make some money. We have a good idea, and we have taken baby steps toward beginning the project. Unfortunately, my bar exam study has temporarily put it on hold. But we will get back on task soon. Since I am a professional writer, I will be writing and editing the content. I have spent years in the editing profession, and I live and breathe it. During my last years at my previous job, I was involved more and more with websites and email newsletters, so I am pretty comfortable with the online world.

But others who want to start websites--and who are not writers/editors--might have to buy content. Believe me, there are plenty of hungry writers and editors out there who can produce the copy you want. And it is easy these days to write and edit remotely. One such site is Purecontent.com.

Conviser Mini-Review: Excellent Bar Exam Study Aid

So far, I think the Barbri Conviser Mini-Review book is the best study aid. OMG! I can't believe I didn't even read it last time, and that is probably why I didn't pass. Whoever wrote that book got it just right--everything is laid out so well and is totally understandable. I am reading through it and will go back over the material and underline the main points. I think this will be the material I review the day or two just before the test as well. I always need something with some major points to review right before the test. I predict that my score will go up measurably this time just because of this one aid.