Just Keepin' it Real.

(Thank you bippityboppityboo for giving me a laugh.

want that tank in my life right away.)

Oh hey from week 11,000 of law school!

Just kidding guys, it's only week twelve.

Only 40 more days til Summer wahoo!

Ummm, that means only 26 days until finals.

Cue the freak out...now!

Ok, who am I kidding... I am not freaking out.

Check back with me at the end of April though. :)

 It's just that there have just been so many fun life happenings here recently that are SO much more fun to think about than law school..buttttt I do realize school right now is #1 and am trying my jim dandy-est to get it all done!

Things have been pretty great here at school this week despite the Seattle-like weather. I do have to admit than I am more than ready to see the sun shine it's perdy ole' head here sometime soon.

Are you there Vitamin D? It's me, Lizanne.

I need you. The end. Thanks!

Hopefully tomorrow on my class break I can sneak on down to Washington park and sit in the grass (achoo!) and work away at the final edits to my memo draft.

I've been spending quite a good amount of my time researching how to sue the U.S. government (specifically the Army) in a negligence claim.

Yes it's a purely made-up hypothetical, but I just feel like such a rebel...taking it to the man!

Statement of facts? Check.

Citations? Check.

Parentheticals? Check.

Discussion of Authority? Check.

Overall analysis and coherence? Hahah...well, we are getting there.

Let's just say I would much rather ramble to y'all on this blog than write 18 pages on how to sue the Federal Government.

Maybe...maybe I'm just not much of a rebel after all! Oh well!

Then there is wrapping my head around ConLaw.

Oh hey, Justice Marshall!

Thanks for confusing me on a daily basis.

....and there's always Sales.

Dear UCC, this relationship isn't really working for me. I think it's time we start seeing other people. Love, Lizanne

annddddd lastly, Civil Procedure.

Thank youuuuu Roger Clemens for keeping me awake in there on Tuesday. Sorry the whole suing in Texas thing didn't really work out for ya. Maybe you should just avoid the juice all together, brah.

Back to work!

I hope it's nice and sunny wherever you are!

I'm off to gym...tan...and law.

I keep it real.

(Ok sorry for saying I keep it real, I don't get out much.)

Love y'all more'n my luggage-

Lizanne

"Things were getting entiii-ly too serious... We needed to laugh!"

-Clairee, how I adore you.

Picture Happiness, Week 4.

Monday, March 21st

My first CASA case and official notebook

So happy to get started! I don't even mind that it's one that never was used by a retired CASA volunteer, Koryn, whoever she may be! Y'all start praying for the child I've been appointed to- Dexter- he's only 8 months old! Read more about my CASA adventures in this post if you haven't already!

Thursday, March 25th

My 9-year-old duct tape Bible.

("If your Bible is falling apart, usually your life isnt." -Pastor P)

Loooove a study break to listen to a great sermon.
David Platt's message on Ruth 3- "The Risk of Love" on the iPod. So amazing.

Wednesday, March 23rd

Happy birthday, Ashley! Thanks for reading!

Love you beautiful friend! For so many reasons!


Thursday, March 24th

Happy Birthday, Megan! Thanks for reading!

Love this old pic from our RH tacky sweater party!

And all our fun memories from growing up!

Let's play when I come back home. :)

Friday, March 25th

Sushi date with Eleanor!

Adore my sweet running partner, Section 5 friend, Bible study member, and future JAG!

(even if she is a Tar Heel :) Bless.)

Saturday, March 26th

SWEET GIRL in her Clemson attire!

Andrew's niece, Julianna. My gracious...too cute for words!

Hiiii to her equally cute and sweet mama, Amanda! :)

Sunday, March 27th

Watching NewSpring Church Online. Oh my.
Boohoo-ing over my laptop at 9am!

Ok, this isn't really a picture, but the service was lead by the students of NewSpring and they opened with one of my favorite Mumford and Sons song:

                         

One of the most powerful and sermons I have heard in awhile! Listen to it here if you want!
So thankful for the way NewSpring has done for me since stepping through their doors 5 years ago!

Mmhmm our God is so good and has amazing plans for us!
Rest in that, y'all!

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:8-10

This Week's News.

Happy Friday, everyone!
Here's some randoms for y'all...

I saved 70% on my grocery bill on Monday. That really excites me because I would rather spend the money on cute shoes. Here's the website I use to save! I highly recommend..if you're into that sorta thing. :)

Look! It's two of my favorite things merged into one! Exciting.

Yesterday was SBA election day again at school (like law school student government) which means I ate 3 cake balls, a doughnut, and 2 mini snickers. I was nice and hyper during ConLaw.

I'm currently wrapping up this book for my Legal Profession class.

So. Awesome.

I read three news articles today confirming my belief that Clemson will always be better than Carolina.

The first one didn't come as much of a surprise.  

However, these next two were really the nail in the coffin.

I mean can you expect smarts, much less common sense, from Carolina folk who party with their nationally-acclaimed (yet highly underage) recruit at their beloved 5 points on a school night?

Has it always been a prereq to get arrested at least once before you can play for the gamecocks?

Just curious....

Either way, Welcome to Carolina football, Clowney! Glad you've been properly initiated by your amazing Coach and team "leaders".

(Carolina people, before you email me, yes, I do realize y'all beat us in football this year. I was crying over my Contracts study review. This is not a lashing out- just some fun. Don't get your britches in a tizzy.)

I went on a run around the block that circles school yesterday (to clear my head..and burn off my election day calories) and was stopped by a sweet mom and her daughter.

"Excuse me, do you go to school here?"

"Yes ma'am I do, are y'all looking at Mercer?"

This turned into a 30 minute conversation (Where y'all from? Oh we have family in SC! My mother was an ADPi at Winthrop! Are you loving it here? How's the weather been?) and me giving the family a tour of the school and the neighborhood.

Mercy, I love the South.

This video makes me laugh. It's sooo true to my life!

Tonight, after I finish some studying, I'm going to some Cherry Blossom Festival events with some school friends. I'm ready for a relaxing weekend!

What are y'all's plans?

Love and lots of it-
Lizanne

"Sometimes it's Boring. We need less Law Stuff."

As promised, here is my post detailing Madison and Adam's tailgate wedding shower in Clemson last Saturday.

For those of you (Ok one of you, ahem, Mrs. Jamie O.) who have been anxiously refreshing their browser at work all week, I am sorry for the delay.

Secondly, for those of you who are reading who either:

1. Are not from the South

2. Do/did not attend a "big football" or "big baseball" university

3. Are not a fan of the best combination in the world of #1 and #2 which is Clemson University...

I have a few things to preface this post with.

One, bless your heart.

Two, I still love you and wish I could throw you all in my Yukon, drive up I-85, and show you how it's done.

Lastly, it is pretty important that I explain to you this so-called "tailgate wedding shower" so that you don't stop reading the rest of this post because you think I am weird for hosting a tailgate wedding shower.

Let's start from a vantage point.

Most of my readers are women, yes? (What?! You mean men don't want to read about my dirty dancing references and cupcake baking???)

So ladies..we all know what a wedding shower is right?

(Your friends say they're getting hitched. Hooray! Take them gifts and eat some food!)

And we all know what a couple's wedding shower is, correct?

(The poor groom-to-be has to be drug along to this one,

but it's ok because one of ten presents will pertain to him! Hooray!)

Ok great. Got it. So imagine that, plusssssss

A tailgate.

Once again, for my lovely readers who may not know exactly what a true, Southern tailgate involves, allow me to break down the elements:

A sporting event: in our case, baseball. (v. Duke. Go Tigers!)

A location outside of the sporting event: such as a parking lot or close-by field where you park your truck, pull down the tailgate (ah-hah!) and set up tables and chairs. (Some people even have nice tents and TVs and speakers, but I'm in law school, let's get real.)

A group of people: preferably your friends and family who like your same team. Even if they don't like your same team, or they're not really your friend, or you just met them walking to the location 5 minutes ago, bring em' anyways because:

It's going to be a party either way.

Food, food, food.

Catching up with friends.

Eating more food.

Talking life.
Talking sports.

And fun.

And sometimes even forgetting why you even came into this field or random parking lot in the first place.

(The sporting event, people!)

Are we all on the same page now?

Wonderful :)

So, mix it all together and here's what went down at Maddi and Adam's shower
(if I haven't bored you enough already):

See the tailgate? And the family? And the friends?

They're all here for the happy couple!

Hey Maddi and Adam!

See the presents?

Oh the presents!

And OH what a cute bride-to-be!

Thanks for letting me be a part of your special day, Weeza!

See the groom taking great pride in the present pertaining to him?

See the fun?

Fun friends!

Cute boy alert!

Cute Townsend Alert!

Mrs. Jamie O. alert!

Hey Jamie!

You're like..totally famous now.

I love that you read my blog!

And offer such sound advice on your thoughts as a regular reader.

My favorite as of late:

"Sometimes it's boring. We need less law stuff."

I agree.

I love posting about life outside the law school bubble.

It makes me feel almost rebelious that I'm not spending my Spring break studying.

And reminds that there's a whole big life out there outside of school!

That involves spending time with the people you love. :)

At these tailgate wedding showers.

Love it.

The end amen.

Love to you all!

Lizanne

Picture Happiness, Week 3.

Week three! Somewhat on time. Woohoo!

Tuesday, March 15th

Shopping with my sweet mama.

(Ok obviously not me...but the dress made me happy because it was the perfect orange..and on sale...and is now mine)

Wednesday, March 16th

Spent the day in a small(er) town next to my hometown where I went to lunch with my sweet friends from work and then out to dinner with my parents and grandmother. We talked about my late grandfather who made me so happy..obviously from an early age:

(No, y'all, as you may have guessed, I was not two in 2007 :). I took a picture of an old picture when he went to Heaven that summer! Most precious man on the planet!)

Thursday, March 17th

Time spent with long-time friends who I have missed so much!

This old picture makes me happy!

Friday, March 18th

Last-night-at-home dinner with my parents and their best friends who are like family. After dinner came the best part:

(Pretty self-explanatory. One of life's small joys. If you haven't visited the ole KK during "hot now" hours recently [or worse, never! bless your heart!!!] go soon. Grab some friends and grab a dozen. You're welcome.)

Saturday, March 19th

Tailgate shower for Maddi and Adam! Old friends, Clemson, and wedding fun!

(May 29th here we come! Sooo HAPPY for you two. A post on this later with more pics)

Sunday, March 20th

Sad to have to come back to school, but you can't help but be happy when you see Macon in the Spring

(It's Cherry Blossom Festival time! Read about it here.)

Taste and see that the LORD is good.

Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!

Psalm 34:8

A Call and Response.

Oh hey lovely readers! Hope y'all had wonderful weekends.

Ok, I'm about to get real honest.

Here I go.

Getting honest.

Ready?

Sometimes...

Sometimes...well... it's just hard to come back to school.

Eeek I said it. Don't judge. I'm not complaining so just hear me out. :)

It's just tough sometimes when you were away from it for a whole week and had the opportunity to:

1. Breathe

2. Love on your family and friends

3. Relax

4. Eat really good food

5. Get loved on

6. Have amazing Jesus dates

7. Hug hug hug

8. Breathe

I am soooo thankful for all of it!!

Yet it's hard to break away from the relaxation and get back into work mode!

Y'all ever feel that way?

(Please shake your head yes at your screen or something so I don't feel so weird about my confession.)

Or am I just being a brat?

(Don't answer that.)

Either way I've come to a conclusion.

I am choosing to be joyful!

Why?

Because:

1. God wants me to be successful. (See: 1 Kings 2:1-4 and Joshua 1:8)

2. He is NOWHERE near done with me yet! (Philippians 1:6)

3. This song, my anthem. My call, his response:

Isaiah 35:10 - "And the ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away."

Shouting Hosanna here in MacTown-

LA

Picture Happiness, Week 2.

Hey y'all! Here's week two of my little project!

Yes, I do realize I'm super late on this!
I had it saved as a draft and forgot to publish!
Forgive me?

This was a busy week before the beginning of screen break so some images aren't mine.
Forgive me again? :)

Monday, March 7th
Bible study with my favorite ladies.

(Photo courtesy of Google. Learn more about the book we are reading here.)

Tuesday, March 8th

Honestly, I was running around attempting to finish a memo and study for a midterm so I didn't take a picture today either. I did however search for "sunny places" and found this.

(Google. What a tease. Could totally live my life tanning and fishing and taking in God's beauty.)

Wednesday, March 9th
Found new Eric Church single on iTunes. Too excited for words. Loaded it on the ipod in preparation for my drive out of town the next day.

(Thanks again Google for picking up my slack)

Listen to the new single!

His new album is due around my birthday. (Knew he loved me all along)

Thursday, March 10th

Even better...this fella. Oh my. What a great way to start spring break.

(This is actually from my camera wahoo! We like each other.)

Friday, March 11th

Baseball game, BBQ, and downtown Clemson with these fun people!

Saturday, March 12th

Another fun day in Clemson. Cooking breakfast with friends, baseball game fun, and date night!

(Missed you Jordan and Sky!)

Sunday, March 13th

Returned home to see my wonderful family!

(Oh hey cutie parents! You make me happy)

Monday, March 14th

Met the newest member of the family, (sweet) Caroline (bop bop bop)

(Sooooo happyyyyy. So in love!)

Stay tuned for more pics :)

A happy heart makes the face cheerful...

-Proverbs 15:13

A Break(through).

Hey y'all!

I'm currently blogging from my lovely bed at my house.

Because it's spring break and I wanted to come home....

And smell my mama's kitchen and steal my daddy's hugs...

I missed it.

The end amen.

Sorry I've been slacking lately...

This "break" has been a lot busier than I anticipated.

All great things though that I love!

But I haven't sat down much at all..hence no blogging!

Here's a list of the highlights:

I have smelled my mama's kitchen and hugged her 14 times.

We've also gone shopping twice and plan to go once more tomorrow.

Just sayin'.

And I've stolen just as many if not more hugs from my dad.

We've got a breakfast date in the morning.

Love being home for our Friday tradition.

I visited the newest member of the family, Sweet Caroline!

That's me holding her.

This was about the time she smiled at me and I fell in love.

I've also spent a lot of time with old friends I've been missing since being away.

I put some finishing touches on a wedding shower this weekend for Miss Maddi

Hey Weeza!

Remember when we met and fell in love on our first day of college?

You were putting pictures on your bulletin board and we talked about our love for Steel Magnolias.

Then later that year, you brought home a sweet note from a guy at work?

And I told you that you should go on a date with him?

And now y'all are getting married?

Yea, I remember that too.

I've dug more into my new devotional that I am doing with sweet friends Steph and Ali!

(Oh, Beth! How I love ya)

Oh hey Ali and Steph!

Remember when we used to study Beth books on the sorority hall?

And dance around to Eric Church?

And go on road trips?

And to nascar races?

Now we read Beth and email since we live 3 separate places?

Yep, it's ingrained.

And I have visited Gracie and her classroom where she is teaching!

Oh hey Gracie!

Remember when we met at the high school you're now teaching at?

And then we lived together when we were Clemson babies?

And took silly pictures like this?

And now you're married?

Mmhmm, I remember. :)

I also had dinner with some other sweet high school friends, Amanda and Tiffany.

Hey Amanda!

Remember meeting me (and my middle part) in 6th grade at youth group?

Oh I remember.

I coveted your new American Eagle skirt that day.

Glad I know you now for more than just your cute clothes

...and that you forgive me for my middle part.

Oh hey Tiffany!

Remember when we rode in this convertible at Myrtle Beach?

And you took our picture without me knowing?

And I thought I was cool talking on my new flip phone with pull-out atenna because it had a colored screen and was picture message capable?

And now you're having a baby?

Oh yea, I'll never forget.

*News flash: outside the walls of law school, life is happening.

I love being home.

It's a great reminder of that.

Even if I'm just now realizing it while blogging in my bed.

Love y'all more'n my luggage-

Lizanne

(Featured friends- sorry for the old pictures. I was in a mood and needed them to make me smile. I know you'll get over it. Love ya. Mean it.)

Last Week in Law School I Learned, Volume 3.

Last week... oh my.

My MIA status was duly warranted.

I learned quite a lot though! And I took some notes for myself and figured I'd share with y'all!

In typical Lizanne fashion, I've put them in a Pro-Con list.

All you Type A's..enjoy!

All you normal people, check back here another time. :)

Cons:

Tough skin is important here.

And you lack in that area sometimes :)

Your teacher will tell you that you argue like an undergraduate.

 (and emphasizes that's never a good thing).

Another teacher will tell your classmate he's astounded a South Carolina resident made it to a good law school.

(so you wear your favorite Clemson t-shirt the next day)

And sometimes, your tired, cranky, coffee-deprived classmates get a little..well...sassy.

(so you just think to yourself "bless their heart", smile, and dust it off.)

When it rains, it pours.

If you get called on in your first class of the day, you will get called on in the rest of them.

On the day you have four classes.

And a final that afternoon.

The work never ends. (if you don't make it end.)

Duh, learned this August 10th.

But sometimes you just forget.

You get so caught up in the readings.. and writings.. and making note cards..and planning your internship...and meeting with your study group ...and stressing over the assignments...and pulling your hair out!!

Until!

Until you breathe, step away from your beloved desk, watch 30 minutes of trash TV, and brainlessly reflect on:

The pros:

The sweet souls at Hacienda Vieja are always sympathetic to law students.

"You want..eh you wanna..eh margarita mas grande, chica?"

The people that believe in you really aren't that far away at all!

(Jcup- the best coffee shop/home of the famous 1L Bible study)

A sweet friend from Clemson Gchat's you

Your boyfriend sends a funny email that makes you smile

You get a sweet text when running from one class to another

Facebook wall posts, messages, and comments that are so fun and kind!

Your mama calls you up on the phone to tell you she loves you and is proud of you

Your daddy BBMs you to say he's been praying for you

Your friends at Bible study pray for you and share in your joys and struggles....

(noticing a pattern?)

You couldn't escape them if you tried.

And on the days you can't do it anymore, they are there pushing you forward!

You are here for a reason.

If you'd put down that 18 page midterm review and pick up what's truly important, you'd see it right there!

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

So listen up, and quit complaining, ya stubborn head! It's His plans, not yours. And as long as you're cool with following Him, you can't go wrong. :)

You've come a LONG way since August.

If anything, your hair is much better than it was in your baby 1L picture.

When it was 98 degrees but you thought you looked soooo awesome in your black, spankin' new Ann Taylor suit and heels. (I'm so totally smart, y'all!)

And you were just sooo certain your freshly-pressed hair would survive and there was no possible way your makeup could melt off in the 100-yard walk from your apartment to school

Wrong.

So wrong.

Oh yes, you can do this, baby 1L.

The pros kick the cons' butt, sure 'nuff.

Y'all are the best!!

Lizanne