On working in a Corporate Law Firm:

"Not for me. Breaking my life into 6 minute increments is the biggest waste of my life."

~ a classmate.

Change.

Once upon a time we talked to friends on telephones...

Now we blog to the universe. If we're lucky, our friends may read and reply.

Once upon a time, through a letter... a conversation over tea... a slumber party.... we unfolded our feelings.

Now we tweet every passing thought... to the universe.

We used to celebrate great acting on television. Lucille Ball.

We now celebrate reality, as if a trip to the convenience store is news worthy. Kim Kardashian.

OMG and LOL are in the dictionary.

Sometimes I really think I miss the old days... but I'm into Keeping up with the kardashians and blogspot.com. I Facebook and one day I may tweet... I say OMG at least 10 times a day, and I text much more than I call.

I suppose tonight I'm just feeling the growing pains of CHANGE.

God Restores, Let Him

I used to think that people who sat in church and scribbled notes furiously were either 1) bored and trying to stay awake, 2) showy and trying to impress their neighbors with their display of righteousness, or 3) just dramatic... you know the shout-hallelujah-hop-all-around-the-sanctuary-waving-their-hand-and-screaming types... Wow! Praise God for spiritual growth and maturity. I was that person this Sabbath - notebook in hand, hand involuntarily lifted and uttering the occasional hallelujah and amen. The sermon was on point, and the pastor referenced a passage that we'd meditated on just a few days before...

Hebrews 11 - GOD's Faith Hall of Fame. If you haven't yet been introduced - its awesome! The writer goes through a list of heavy hitters who did illogical things based on faith and were rewarded... I mean, things that make you seem silly for doubting God and hesitating to keep the simple commands that we struggle with today. My favorite part of that passage comes in verse 32, when the writer basically says

What more can I say? I don't even have time to tell you about Gideon, Barak, Samson.... and the list goes on!

If you are struggling to believe, just try it and be encouraged.

I digress... This Sabbath, my blessing came from the sweet reminder that God restores.This means that if you've been broken (hurt, embarrassed, injured, abandoned), if you've ever yielded to sinful temptation, if you've ever drifted away from your relationship with the Lord... its ok. He wants to restore the joy and peace in your life. His yolk is easy and His burden is light. But here's the thing - we have to let Him. Did you know that we have the power to block our own blessing? Let Him change your life from sad to glad again. Its awesome.

A Good Time

... is often as simple as driving the extra mile to Publix even though you'll pass Kroger and Walmart on the way. I did that last Friday, and was so inspired by the clean floors and pleasant smiles that I bought things I never would have considered in another grocery store. Things like strawberries and peach preserves. I bought Pillsbury flaky croissant rolls and almond paste. Sometimes, all you need to have a good time, is to slow down in the middle of the grocery store and google a new recipe on your cell phone. I did that during my Publix trip... and later that night I came up with this!!!!

Dessert pizza! (actually pretty tasty)

Of course I also had to grab out-of-the norm toppings for the dinner pizza as well... Tried turkey pepperoni for the first time (thanks to Chris) and it was delish!

This is my boo, doing his thug thizzle in the kitchen with the pizza dough!

notice that his half (L) has meat and cheese while mine (R) has more refined ingredients like spinach and feta....

Our generous hosts and great friends!

It certainly pays to be easy to please! For me, that extra mile and a few fruits and veggies just made my night!

Spring in Bellevue

For Engaged Girls...

11 tips ...because I just married my best friend, and it was great! ...because the excitement is still hard to contain, and the details are still fresh. ...because when I was a bride-to-be, I asked recent brides for their best advice.

Here goes... Take em, or leave em! (They are in no particular order)

1. Involve your fiance enough to let him know that it's his day too. Listen. Incorporate the things that are important to him. It actually is his day too. Exclude him enough to get the job done. ALWAYS keep the lines of communication open.

2. Only spend what you have. It's ok to go over budget a little here and there, but think hard before you go into debt. After the day is done, you'll still be married. (How to stay in budget - prioritize your list with "must haves" at the top. Don't be afraid to chop the things on the bottom of the list when the money runs out).

3. DIY projects: only for creative brides with lots of free time. No experimenting with new craft/makeup/hair/sewing projects on your wedding day.

4. Only put things on your gift registry that you actually want.

5. DO NOT skimp on the money that you spend on your dress (unless that's just not your thing).

6. DO NOT skimp on the money that you spend on your photographer. Period. The pictures (and videos) are the only things that will last beyond the day. Great photos can make an inexpensive wedding look like a million bucks. A wack photographer can make your million dollar wedding look like hot cheese.

7. Be calm, respectful, and polite to all who are involved in helping you. Be gracious and properly thank people who were awesome during the process.

8. Keep God first in your relationship. Don't let the wedding-planning come before having worship with your boo, going on dates together, and being loving towards each other.

9. Don't send out invitations with a date and venue listed before you actually book the venue on that date... and don't start announcing a venue before you are certain that it's THE ONE (that you can afford and that you LOVE).

10. PACK YOUR WEDDING WEEKEND BAG like two weeks before the big day. Underwear, cute changes of clothes, socks, makeup... everything! If you're spending the weekend in a hotel, you don't want to be scattered all over the city trying to find your things. The last few days will be a whirlwind!

11. Remember why you are planning a wedding - its not for the wedding day, its for the marriage. So, don't sweat the small stuff!

Congratulations! You'll be beautiful! Smile pretty :) Everybody is taking your picture.

What am I going to do after I graduate?!?

That's what everyone is wondering...

Just a few years ago, a student at a T1 law school would win any bet on having a firm job. At firms big and small, 1st year associates were welcome... money was flowing. Now, things have changed. Thankfully, God has a plan for my life - one greater than any plan that I could come up with on my own. For those who do not rest in that sweet confidence, this is a very stressful time.

This month's ABA Journal included a story about a law student who decided to create (or rather, modify) an online bidding service where clients can select lawyers who bid the lowest rate hoping to get some work! Pretty sad that we have resorted to "E-bay lawyering..." Still, I say kudos to the kid who came up with it. It's time to embrace the change in times and think outside the box. I'm thinking of teaching and business and art... Not because I am afraid of the law. I'm actually grateful for the recession which has given me an "excuse" for boldly switching gears.

For anyone who considers harshly judging a graduating law student who has chosen a different path... think again (after reading some stats on the job market).

Perspective: Spring at Vanderbilt

Photography is more about creativity and perspective than equipment or "skill." The photographer's eye is trained to aim from artistic angles to capture depth in a flat frame... trained to compose a photo so that the simplest of subjects can be interesting... The great photographer's mind is bright and ever active.

Oh to be...

I am blessed to study on such a beautiful campus!

Love love love the cherry blossoms!!!

God is the master artist!!!

Love photos of things in a row for some reason... I always think that there is meaning in seeing the whole picture instead of focusing on the one tree or "thing" in front of you...

Finally learned how to focus and blur the background!

These next shots make me nostalgic in advance... these are my final days in school! (probably forever!!!)

I am such a HUGE fan of cherry blossoms and dogwoods... Shameful that we only have them for a short time at the beginning of the year.

This is depth.

Raquel Buzz Words... and thoughts to follow them.

Law School: over in 56 days. Hallelujah!

New husband: at work... I miss him.

Photography: difficult, but exciting. I recognize my need for training and practice.

Work: I am boss. If I work for a traditional employer, then I am my boss with only one client. My ideal is to be a boss with many clients. Excited to see where that goes...

Art: still intriguing.

Immigration: still intriguing...

Money: necessary evil.

The "funnest" day of my life...

in photos.

...so far marriage is just sugary sweet!