Please help me finish my paper!

[Natasha]

I have to write an analytical paper for my grad. law school course. In fact, I have to make very significant progress this weekend and very early next week, or I'm cooked.

So...this is how you can help. (Don't worry - I don't need help researching or writing it.) http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif Please nag me about it and tell me to finish it already! I could use the pressure (and moral support) from y'all. Thanks!! What does this have to do with Healthy Living? Why, the sooner I get it over with the better for my health, and also I'll have more time for activities and healthy cooking once it's done. Right?

If anyone else has any upcoming tasks or might be procrastinating about anything, and wants moral support (and nagging), please share it as well. I can't be the only one! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif

[This message has been edited by Natasha (edited 01-19-2001).]

[SusieO]

Natasha, you can do this.
I would suggest writing a to-do list, with a fair amount of detail so you can cross items off frequently. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

I know you'll produce a fabulous finished product, and when you do be sure to celebrate in style!

[hhcowgirl]

Hey, Natasha. Arghhh!!!! I am right there with you. I have to write a paper/complete a presentation for my health law and policy seminar. You are probably just as sick of Lexis/Westlaw as I am. But I don't understand--if you are already an attorney, why are you still taking classes?? Is it some CLE thing? Please don't tell me this stuff never ends!!!

[Laura]

Natasha-

I feel your pain. I am here trying to make heads or tails out of some PPO's and determine if there was self dealing and fraud when most of my legal career I have been an appellate attorney. Why then, you ask, have I ventured into the realm of securities law? Because that is what is paying the bills right now. Colorado Springs has no boutique appellate firms, and as I still only maintain my CA license, I am doing contract work for a firm that does mainly securities and real estate law. Oh well. You motivate me and I will try to motivate you. Best wishes. I know you can do this. I have found that a good run (or bike as I have been limited to recently) does help. When we are both done we can have virtual margaritas/wine/beers/drink of your choice together. Laura

[This message has been edited by Laura (edited 01-19-2001).]

[Natasha]

Thank you all so much!

Susie, I love the list idea and will start one tomorrow. I will make sure I put each little tiny item down on it, like you said (e.g., read page of article, turn page, read next page, turn to footnote and read it, go back to full text...) http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

hhcowgirl - I m already an attorney but after a few years of practice I did what I said I would never do and chose - yes, chose http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif - to go back to school. It s not CLE, but rather a part-time program for attorneys to do a specialization in a particular area of law at a higher level. I wanted to get the chance to delve into policy issues and write analytical papers, discuss things, etc. Crazy, I know! I m still a full-time lawyer, though, so it can get kind of hectic. I usually enjoy it (also crazy), but due to so many other demands haven t yet had the chance to finish this paper...Anyway, best of luck with your paper. I hardly ever, ever, ever use Westlaw or Lexis myself these days but spent a bit of time on Lexis this afternoon, so I hear ya on that!

Laura - Good luck with the PPOs! My background is also litigation and I love it. I also have a feel for just how complex securities is, having worked in a corp. boutique firm that really concentrated on secs. (Fortunately, I managed to stay away from it for the most part; I like it, but only to a point!) Well, hang in there and I will do my best to keep you motivated. Virtual drinks? You re on. Anything will be fine. If I can finish most of this stuff this weekend I ll be so tired I won t even know what I m drinking. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

And now for a big bowl of black bean soup, a glass of wine, and a relaxing and cozy evening. Tomorrow morning I ll hit the nasty stack of new articles and reread the cases. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/redface.gif I feel better already knowing you re all there with me!

[kwormann]

I will be happy to nag if you will...I have been teaching in an urban school and would really like to move to the burbs next year....need to fill out the apps, contact references, etc.....GAG! I am not looking forward to it!

Natasha, when I have things to do, I pop an I Love Lucy tape in (I have one with 6 hours on it) and get crackin.. I hope to take the day next Saturday to do this....
would pairing it with something pleasurable (like Lucy is for me) help you?

Good luck and keep us updated!
Kim

[Jodi]

Natasha,
You can do it! I say this as I sit here on a deadline myself (I moonlight as a freelance writer in addition to working full-time in book publishing) but instead of typing my article, I am surfing the web http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif You are definitely not the only one who's been bitten by the procrastination bug!

Good luck!
Jodi

[Pat58]

My Dear Natasha,

I am a litigation paralegal, and right now am so mad at my boss for taking on too many stupid cases (when he has so many good ones) that are draining me to the point where I'm sick, that if you gave me your address, I'd love to come over and stand in a corner of your house and nag, nag, nag, nag, nag, ......... until you wrote a nice thesis regarding the cons of taking garbage files just because one can't say "no", frying out their paralegals on them, and then when a big case comes ready for trial, suddenly realizing (despite my nagging, nagging, nagging) that experts haven't been deposed, evidence hasn't been fully developed, etc., etc., etc. I'm sorry - but you asked to be nagged! Now be a good lawyer and go do your homework - you are under deadline! From a paralegal in the trenches. (P.S.: Good luck with your paper! Let us know how it turns out.)

[Natasha]

Pat,
You are TOO funny! Thanks SO much for the good laugh. Believe it, I think I would rather write my thesis on the topic you suggested; it would make for more interesting reading! Is it too late for me to change my topic, I wonder? Anyway, hang in there and I hope you re feeling better. Also, take comfort in the fact that it s Sunday (I m hoping that you don t have to work today...).

Kim,
Thanks for the advice and I will be sure to nag you next weekend about your applications. (You asked for it!) http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

Jodi,
Thank you too, and good luck. I hope your article is typed by now, or else on its way to being typed. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[LGBurns]

Natasha: Okay, you have inadvertently nagged me -- thank you! I am sitting here reading this BB when I should be reading about the French Revolution. So, I bid you all fairwell as I GET BACK TO WORK! Good luck on the paper Natasha.

Linda

[hhcowgirl]

Natasha and you other legal minds out there: okay, so which is it? In your opinion, should I try to work for a large firm or a small firm? I am splitting my summer between 2 firms, one of which is smaller and one of which is much, much bigger and I am just wondering which one y'all would recommend. I want to do litigation, if that is relevant at all. Hope the paper is coming along well!!

[Natasha]

Thanks Linda. How goes/went the reading? I love history from the French Revolution era (among other eras). Is history your major?

hhcowgirl - You re going to hate this, but I m going to give you the lawyer s standard response: It depends. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif Depends on the particular firms, on whether you think you might eventually want to work at one of those firms, on how much hands-on experience you would get, on how interested you are in a particular specialization that only the larger firm might offer (though actually, as a summer student you might not end up working in that specialization anyway, plus you probably shouldn t discount any possibilities at this point), etc., etc. Actually, if you re going to split your summer anyway, that sounds like a good opportunity to see what you like. I know some people love working for larger firms, while others prefer smaller ones...but really it depends so, so much on the particularities of the firm and the people you re working with. Sorry I can t be more helpful. Laura? Beth? Anyone else?

BTW, how is your paper coming along? Well, I hope!

[This message has been edited by Natasha (edited 01-21-2001).]

[Meg O'C]

Hi Natasha-

Hope you had a productive weekend and work on the paper is going well. I am the queen procrastinator! I am approaching my 5-month wedding anniversary and am still shamefully struggling through the thank yous! I always find something else to do ahead of them . . . like this for instance!

Good luck! There is nothing better than the feeling of having it all done. Make sure you treat yourself to something when you are done! You deserve it!

[jabaNOmore]

Dear Meg O'C

I have a suggestion to help you get those "Thank You" notes done. Use your "restroom" time by sitting backwards and using the tank as your desk. I read this in a helpful hints column and tried it. The thought of it took time to get used to, but, who else will know?

Best of luck.

[LGBurns]

Natasha: Well, once again I should be reading (this time about American Slavery). Yes, my major is history -- I'm getting my bachelor's and my teaching certificate and plan to teach high school. I hope my students are better about doing there reading than I am right now.

Glad to hear your paper is going well. Now I better get back to work myself!

[Laura]

hhcowgirl-
I never worked in one of the "mega" firms so I can't really answer the question. I prefer smaller firms; less politics and more experience. That being said, you are likely to get more pay from a bigger firm. I worked at a large LA firm (but not a national one) and hated most of my time there. If it wasn't for the friendships I made, I wouldn't have lasted. I must say though, that my passions about the law have changed and so has my career. I am very content to sit in the library all day, research and write briefs and get out to argue appeals when I can. If I never have to take another depostion, or deal with an obnoxious opposing counsel, I will be extremely happy. Give me my books and appellate judges any day.

[This message has been edited by Laura (edited 01-22-2001).]

[hhcowgirl]

Natasha and Laura--thanks for the info. I am a 2L and am just really freaking out right now, as I am working in 2 different cities this summer, don't know which one I want to be in OR if I want to just stay in Nashville, plus I don't know what SO is thinking, although he says he will go wherever I go, but WHAT DOES THAT MEAN??? Okay, sorry for venting, but I am really frustrated right now trying to read his mind as far as getting engaged, etc. and I don't want to bring it up and seem like one of those girls who only cares about getting married. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

[SusanD]

I understand your frustration - that's a tough call! After college I moved to another city to be with my boyfriend of 3.5 years. Guess what - exactly one week after I got there he dumped me! I stuck around anyway (instead of moving back home) and shortly after that fiasco I started dating a guy who also lived in another city (am I a glutton for punishment or what?). We dated for 3 years long-distance, I moved to be w/him and now we're married with a baby on the way and I couldn't be happier! I guess what I'm trying to say is that you can't really predict these things, so do what makes YOU happy first and foremost, and if it's meant to be then things will work out! Hope that helped! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by SusanD (edited 01-23-2001).]

[Laura]

hhcowgirl

I would think your SO knows the choices that are going to have to be made in the next 6 months about you accepting a position. I tend to agree with SusanD, make the decision for yourself unless he has come forward with something more specific. If he says he will go where you go take him at his word and pick the job that works best for you. You can find out his likes and/or dislikes about the places you are looking at in just talking to him about the decisions you need to make.

[hhcowgirl]

Thanks, guys, for all of your advice. More is always welcome of course. Why can't I just sit back and let things take their course? I always have to be worrying about something . . .Anyway, thanks again.

[Natasha]

Thanks, Lindrusso! What a cool graphic!! Good luck with your renos. You can always keep looking at kitchen before and after pictures in magazines to keep yourself motivated, right?

hhcowgirl - Good luck with your dilemma. I m sure you ll make the right decision. As for always having to have something to worry about, hey, that s normal.

As for the paper, well...it was going pretty well until I started suffering from paper burnout last night, followed by a near sleepless night. Today was a crazily busy day today of work (a conference), socializing (much fun) and my class (mind-boggling) http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif , so it was absolutely impossible to work on the paper. I ll have to make some headway tomorrow. Now off to bed I go. Good luck, everyone, with your dreaded tasks!

[lindrusso]

Hi Natasha! You are NOT alone! My projects are home-oriented - cleaning all closets/drawers and painting our dark trim (or Brady Bunch trim as some like to call it)! The organization project was supposed to be completed in January and I haven't even started yet. Ack.

Anyway, for all of those who need inspiration, here's a little cheer - You can do it!!!!!

http://members.aol.com:/lindrusso/cheer.gif


[This message has been edited by lindrusso (edited 01-23-2001).]

[This message has been edited by lindrusso (edited 01-23-2001).]

[hhcowgirl]

Catharine--
I think that is a hard question to answer w/o knowing what school you go to. Maybe I am just a wimp, but I rely on my school's career services office for everything. LAst year when I didn't have a job as early as many of my friends, the Office became like my moms away from home! They offered such wonderful moral support, plus I learned to pick their brains for job ideas. So I suggest startin there!

As for general job advice, there are probably very few firms right now that are still hiring for the summer, as I'm sure you know. I would recommend doing what a lot of my friends did last summer: intern for a District Attorney's office or Public Defender. Apparently, law firms look very favorably upon this kind of experience. There are also lots of public interest organizations who are always looking for additional (if unpaid) help in the summers.

Once again, I cannot emphasize enough what a wonderful career center we have. I adore thses hardworking ladies, and if you have anyone even remotely like our women, I would recommend leaning on them and allowing them to be your sounding board. Good luck with the search! Keep us posted.

[Laura]

Catherine

Many firms that don't have "summer clerk" programs per se, still hire law clerks for the summer to do work. I don't know if your school is in a big area or not. I would send out mass resumes. You also might want to send yours to corporations that would have general counsel. Good luck and don't get discouraged. I ended up working for some very good firms and I was not top 15%. But I supplemented my resume with good work experience and being on moot court (which was my strength and really gave me an idea of what I wanted to do.)

[catharine]

Wow, so many lawyers/law students. Perhaps you can offer me some help with my two quandaries.

I need to write a seminar paper for my legal aspects of bioethics class (I am a 2L). I love the class and think that many different subjects would be interesting. I am really interested in healthy lifestyle issues (nutrition, exercise, etc.) Anyone have any ideas for a good paper topic?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[This message has been edited by catharine (edited 03-12-2001).]

[Natasha]

Well, it s time for the final readthrough and cleanup of the paper that has loomed in the background and then foreground of my life for all too long. I will send it off tomorrow morning. Just wanted to thank you all again for your support and kind words. Hope you all achieve/have achieved the things that you mentioned on this thread too.

It occurred to me the other day that I have to have my proposal for the next paper ready for Tuesday! Not much of a break, huh? Oh, well...I promise not to whine about this paper as much. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif