So it's been forever since I've given you all (meaning the maybe 2 of you who might read this) an update!

But I'm bored and alone so I figured I'd give it a shot...

So Jordan and I are BACK in Lawrence! We moved from Chicago in early June, so we've been back for about a month and are so happy about it! Moving was a little rough (like it always is) but so well worth it. There are certain things I miss about Chicago like M. Henry (the amazing breakfast restaurant we fell in love with), the skyline, the fun things to do. But overall we are much happier here - and it's so much cheaper to live here too!

I have been working this summer - I got my teaching/tutor job back at Kaplan so I have been teaching non-native speakers General English classes and then I will start teaching an LSAT class on Sunday. I am also working back at Best Buy (holy crap!) and big surprise: I hate it. I basically took the job because an old manager said he needed people and I was desperate for money. But yeah, I am hoping to quit ASAP. I am making pretty good money with Kaplan, and once I start school I won't really be able to have any hours at Best Buy anyway.

In a couple of weeks I'm leaving for Louisiana with Countryside's Youth Group for a mission trip to Lake Charles. We are going there to help out with the wreckage that's still left over from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. I'm really excited because:
1. I've been wanting to get to this area to help out for a while.
2. I'm hoping it will help get me in shape physically.
3. It will be good for me mentally and spiritually.
4. I don't have to go to work all week and it's a free trip. YAY!
So yes, I'm looking forward to that. Should be a good way to do something different before I get thrust into the world of law school.
I just got my first week assignment for law school and I have to read quite a bit before day 1, which should have been expected I guess. haha I'm slightly intimidated but overall I am excited to get started and get back into the school swing of things - it's been forever! Seriously I haven't been in class since December!

Jordan is gone right now - he's being an adult leader at Bartle (this boy scout camp he goes to in Missouri). He loves it, so I'm glad he's getting to do that, but I miss him - he's going to be gone for a week and a half. And I don't really get to talk to him much while he's gone either so it's sort of lonely.

OH! And we got a new kitten!! His name is Gizmo and he's super tiny and fun... although lately he's made a game out of chasing me feet constantly - biting them whenever he can. But he and Scout are getting along well (although it didn't start out that way). They play a lot and when they think we're not looking, they cuddle up together and sleep. Super cute. So our family is now 4!

Well that's about all I can think to update at the moment. I am pretty tired and have had this nagging headache all day, so maybe I'll read a bit and go to sleep early before getting up to teach in the morning.
Hope all is well in everyone else's neck of the woods!

Cheers,
Amanda

PS - Viva la Vida is my new favorite song of all time.

Wow.
So I am officially done with my law school applicatons.   I just sent them in last night.  And I took the LSAT a week ago and I actually think it went really well!!   At least I'm pretty sure I did at LEAST well enough to get in to KU and Washburn. 

I did get to go visit law schools while we were back in KS and I enjoyed it - although it made me a little nervous.  I know I'm applying late in the game and I hate that....  so I know my chances of getting wait-listed or denied are a little stronger just because they have already given out so many letters of acceptance.  Hopefully enough of those people will respond with a "no I'm not attending" to make room for all of us who took the LSAT in February.  Washburn I'm not quite as worried about - their admissions people seemed to think I'd be in just fine shape.  The lady at KU was a little more realistic - saying she just couldn't make any predictions, but offering me advice about what to do to up my chances.  And even if I get wait-listed, it's not the worst thing -I know lots of people get moved up to acceptance because so many others wait forever to turn in their committment/non-commitment letters. 

Overall, I liked both law schools.  I think at this point I'm leaning a little more towards KU.  I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the class I sat in on there.  And I would enjoy not having to commute from Lawrence for sure.  And hell, I've always wanted to be a Jayhawk for real. lol   But Washburn had a great family-type feel too, sort of reminded me of Baker.  And Washburn gives more scholarships I think.... but it's also more expensive than KU.  So we'll just have to see what happens I suppose.  It would be nice if I got accepted AND got a scholarship to KU.   That would make the decision pretty darn easy. 

Well, now it's applying for jobs time  --- I am horrendously broke.   It sucks.   I really wish I could just move back to KS tomorrow - it would save me so much money!  So I think Jordan and I are just sort of hoping that our apartment complex gives us 60 days notice SOON so that we can start making plans to get the hell out of here.  Even if I had to stay at my mom's for a while and put my stuff in storage, I would be okay with that. 

And in other Chicago news - it's deciding to be ridiculously cold again - 2 degrees.  Which makes our apartment heat not work very well - it can't combat with temperatures like that I guess.    Uh.  And we pay 1350 a month for this!  ?!?!?!?!??!

Other news:  The Giants won the SuperBowl!!  YES!  I hate the Patriots soooo much, so I was happy to see them lose.
KU is moving along quite well - although our last few games have been sloppy.  I hope we pull it together against Texas and destroy them on Monday!!!   I have high hopes.
Barack Obama is doing really well.    A sweep of the states last night, and I think we'll see a potential sweep of the states coming up in the next few days.  I just can't say how excited I am for this man, and I truly hope he gets the nomination!
I've also decided that since I don't have any more academic stuff to think about, I am going to start reading for pleasure and hopefully I'll get a few books done this semester.   First up, to finish "The Abstinence Teacher" by Tom Perrotta.  Great book.

Well, that's all - hope everyone is doing well!
Cheers! and Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

So I know I never update this thing - and that was just clearly brought to my attention (Thanks Nate) but I guess right now there's a lot to update.  I don't quite feel like sharing it ALL but...
Suffice it to say that this break has been one of the most life-changing for me.  I've made a lot of new decisions.   They can probably be summed up in the following statements:
Jordan and I are looking for a duplex in Lawrence for next fall.
I am taking the LSAT on Feb 2nd.

 
And honestly I am sooooo happy with those decisions.  Also, things in general are just getting clearer.  I love my mom's new house - and I finally have a place that TRULY feels like home, which is awesome.  Things with Jordan are good and always getting better.... Our little kitten Scout is the best - although he's a little psychotically hyperactive, and I really want to get him a friend soon!  I love my friends - they are so supportive and I hate that I even was worried about how the people in my life would react to my decision.  I have been so strengthened by family and friends in this time. 

I've had such a great time being back in Kansas for break.  I really don't want to go back to Chicago - but there's lots of work to get done and things to tie up.  (wow... that sounded weird).
So if you want to come visit in Chicago - you've got precious little time - so do it soon!   We love visitors!

That's all for now..   2008 is going to be one hell of a year and I'm very excited for it.  I'll try to update a little more often if possible.  I'll try to remember.   (If only for you, Nate...  if only for you.) haha

PS - I heart Barack Obama and can't wait to see the next month unfold!