got my paper // and i was free.

I graduated this past Saturday and it was bliss. I had graduation day played out in my mind for the longest time, so it was almost surreal when the time actually came, but it was so wonderful. The entire weekend was really perfect and I felt so surrounded by love. My family came into town -- parents, sisters, grandma -- and so did Boyfriend and his parents. All I wanted was to celebrate with the people I love most and it happened, so I was a happy girl.

I've been trying to compose my thoughts on the day, but there were just so many feelings that it almost transcends words. For me, law school was such a journey. I think it is for everyone, but it is amazing just how much of an impact these past three years have made on me. When I think back over what I've accomplished, it seems incredible...

I moved, by myself, to a different state to go on this journey for myself. I made new friends. I kept in touch with old friends. I freaked out over my 1L brief.  I clerked for a judge. I worked for a Senator. I spent a semester at Legal Aid. I went to NYC to argue my immigration brief. I fell in love. I was one-half of a long distance relationship. I took required classes. I took classes that interested me. I learned to like Louisville. I was an Editor on a journal. I, hilariously, took a hip-hop class. I spent so many late nights in the lawbrary. I slept in the journal office. I learned how to communicate. I learned the law. And then, I graduated in my fanciest dress robes. 

What else can be said?

I'm closing this chapter in my life and moving on to the next -- literally, moving. my bags are all packed to head back to Ohio. It was lovely, Kentucky.

P.S. 75 days until the bar. dammit.

P.P.S. Maybe I will post more pictures? They're all on my parents' camera; this Facebook photo is all I have for now. 

P.P.P.S. Yes, I am fully aware that octagon hat thing is awful. Don't even hate. I did not pick that thing out.

my life has got to be like this

 

I've never had this much free time in Louisville. I haven't been here without some kind of studying hanging over my head, so it feels weird to basically be on vacation in this city. At some point I should probably start packing, but I think I'm in denial // being really lazy.

I spent the weekend bouncing around between bars, meeting visitors in for Derby, looping the Gatsby soundtrack, catching a late-night spontaneous hibachi dinner, and end-of-semester house parties. This elated feeling of being done almost makes the last three years worth it. almost, I said.

I followed up the craziness of the weekend with a low-key girly date this afternoon. We sunned ourselves in NULU and ate fish + shrimp tacos on the street, went to the Butchertown market to find goodies for mothers' day, and finished up with a walk around St. James Court, which has to be the prettiest street in the whole city.

Being lazy agrees with me.

like a big pizza pie // that's amore

Life lately has been filled with good food, flowers, and friend dates, which I'm fairly positive are some of the best things in life. I finished my LAST final yesterday morning, which was a brutal three hours of multiple-choice Decedents' questions, and now it's time to play play play.

I managed to structure my studying and get out some during my reading days, which made finals infinitely more fun. I celebrated the end of classes with my 2L bestie at Hillbilly Tea, and then popped over to Garage Bar a few nights later with the ladies. Garage Bar was recently listed as the #1 pizza spot in Kentucky (like anyone ever needs another reason to eat pizza), so I had to go. It was yum city. Their honey lavender lemonade also cured me of my pre-finals stomachache; gracias, hipsters of NULU. Go there if you're ever in town.

With only a few weeks left here before I pack my bags and head back to the Heart of it All, I've promised myself to only have fun. There will be plenty of wine, playdates, and visiting my favorite places. Tons of hugs, karaoke, and a little trouble. Hoping for a fun, fond, farewell from this city.

Starting Fresh.

Hello.

I stepped away from blogging for a while to try and re-evaluate what I wanted to do with this space. This blog began, some three-ish years ago, as an outlet for my thoughts on both law school and navigating life in a new city. I never had any sort of expectation that anyone would read it, apart from my mother. I think I always thought that I would keep it until graduation, whereupon I would settle down, wear practical shoes, and probably turn in the keys to my little corner of the internet.

But, I've really enjoyed blogging. I'm not sure anyone really comes into it with any sort of expectations, but the community here is a fairly fantastic place to be, and I realized that I'd miss my outlet, my occasional pretty place, and all the wonderful people who interact with me via this site.

So, instead of ditching my page altogether, I've decided to archive all older posts, start fresh, and head forward from there. Having just finished my classes and feeling a little bit of freedom, now seemed like a time I might want to come back. While you're all welcome to read, I can't promise what this page will turn into, how regularly I'll post, or what sort of content will find its way here; even I don't know where I'm headed!

Instead, I'm going to make sure to chronicle the small joys in life, my adventures, and all the stepping stones along the way.

xo.