New Year, New Bar!

It's been so long since I've posted that I forgot my password and was too lazy to bother. I know I dropped off the face of the earth for a while there, and many wondered if I simply fled after the monstrosity of bar results day.

Again, I came perilously close. Heaven forbid they actually pass me. Within about 12 points. Enough time has passed that I now accept my fate and am diligently studying for the February exam. I've taken time off work and enrolled in BarBri's Essay Advantage. I was also going through some sick personal issues last year that is now well on it's way to resolving itself, so hopefully, that helps... I kind of thought of waiting until July, but really, I'm too impatient. I just couldn't go another year without even trying!

I also have that monster cold that's been going around, so I've been wheezing my way through Property today and let me tell you, nothing is absorbing...motivation is low and attention span is low. Headache is going strong though!

So, I'm back. And I will be blogging. =) Hope everyone else is doing well in their studies and their lives! Let's get this party started one last time!!

No!

I don't think I passed. I can't believe it. I'm glad the waiting is over, but I'm feeling pretty miserable. This has NOT been a good year.

I hope many of you passed.

Feeling Sick

The anxiety is going to kill me. I tried to put it out of my mind all day, and now it's about 40 minutes until results...I've decided to just let the craziness flow free.

As Last Call said, third time's the charm!

A special good luck to my fellow bloggers out there, especially Grand Poobah, Blondie, Last Call, and Richard...your blogs kept me sane!!

How are you going to spend your day?

I (unfortunately) remember this day well. It felt surreal last time. I went to spa, got a massage, and tried to relax. It didn't work.

So this time, I'm not going to a spa. What's the point? I'm too anxious. Best to just go when I can thoroughly enjoy it, which is NOT now. So, in the morning, I'm taking the day off and going to get my teeth whitened after sleeping in as long as possible. I'm going to try Brite Smile. Then, I may do some boutique shopping along Robertson followed by yoga and running. I think subconsciously, the plan is to work on my physical appearance via beauty treatments, clothes, and exercise so as to have an alternative (aka become a stripper) should that-which-cannot-be-named happen. If using the brain doesn't work, I'm going to have to resort to baser measures.

This is a new low.

I don't even know what kind of nonsense I'm spewing. I've been like this all week, particularly today. I actually just want to shuffle out in my pjs to Blockbuster in the morning, rent some sappy DVDs, cover my windows, order a pizza, and zone out in front of my tv. I literally don't want to do anything except curl in my bed, eat, and watch tv. Tomorrow, I will be able to function again because this limbo will finally be OVER.

How are you guys holding up?

The Pass Rate for July 2007 in CA is 56.1%!!

OMG OMG OMG.

The pass rate is already out. You can check it out at http://calbar.ca.gov/calbar/pdfs/admissions/Pass_StatsSummary.pdf

The pass rate is higher than it has been since July 2001...this is either fantastic or dismal, depending on what end of the spectrum you end up on. I can't believe that these people have the results all ready, our letters printed out and ready to go, and yet....we have to wait until Friday at 6:00 to find out our fate.

As it is, I can't function this week. I'm exhausted and my eye is constantly twitching. I wish they'd just post it as soon as they're done grading, as they obviously are if they're sitting around playing with their calculators and compiling pdfs of stats.

Ahhh....if there's one thing I've learned this year, it's that we are a resilient group.

They're Baaaaaack....

I missed my old friends, Bar Exam Nightmares. The other day, I had my first nightmare about the exam since, well, the exam. Something about being out with friends, desperately needing to check the internet to find out if I passed, and being unable to say anything or actually check because I didn't want everyone to pay attention to whether I passed. It turns out I didn't, and I woke up in confused terror.

No matter how much I say that I'm at peace with this (because really, the first time you find out you didn't pass is the most terrible), I dread that feeling of complete despair that comes in the minutes following the news that one did not pass. It passes and you bounce back to pragmatic optimism, but those times are so dark that I'm actually scared.

For me, I just want to freakin' KNOW. One way or the other, so I can move on with my life. I think I've said it before, but it's the limbo that kills me. It makes me feel better if I can just make a plan for the next few months. I've already planned to take next Friday off from work, and so has the other law clerk anticipating results. We've agreed not to talk about it and to not check each other's names on the pass list. I think we're going to pretend like this hell never happened.

May the days pass quickly...

Honestly!

There is nothing going on. I'm starting to feel a little sick and once November hits, I will be in agony until D-day, at which point, I will be better. Pass or fail, at least I'll KNOW. This limbo is the absolute worst!!

I've been working at a different law firm literally minutes from my house since the exam. I'm liking it much better! I get to do a lot of research and writing, and also have client interaction. It's been very good practical experience for me and I'm seriously loving the commute. I'm working about 35 hours a week, which is also great, with sporadic 4 day weeks. Kinda nice. Since I'm in this limbo, I'm not working lawyer hours! I'll only work lawyer hours once I'm an actual lawyer!!

My fellow bloggers have said the same thing, it's hard to blog when there's nothing going on pertaining to the bar! I'm actually still enjoying the feeling of coming home from work and having no studying to do. I absolutely relish this!

Some peripheral things going on...
- Watching Planet in Peril on CNN mixed with Kimora Lee's Fab Life show. That about sums me up.

- Reading Love in the Time of Cholera. This book has been around for awhile, is being made into a movie, and has been hailed by Oprah as amazing! The greatest love story of all time, despite the 600+ affairs this man has. This, I gotta know. ;) And for those who've seen it, this is also the "fateful" book in the movie, Serendipity! Love that movie.

- Went to Vegas and had way too much alcohol. Also lost much money. My throat is sore and my nostrils and pores are filled with smoke. Ick.

- Currently loving Britney's "Gimme More" song and dancing to it in the car. I know, I know, the VMA performance was a wreck. The song has grown on me and though it doesn't have the deepest lyrics (uh...gimme gimme on repeat?), it's got a great beat to dance to!

- Just bought Mario Badescu's famous Drying Lotion for use on a massive pimple on my chin. This stuff has a cult following and it's my first time trying it! It's supposed to be incredible, so I'll let you know how that goes. =)

- Liking the fall season because there's stuff to watch on tv. I tend to watch it online now. I've seen Samantha Who, which is suprisingly funnier than it looks, and Private Practice, in which the people aren't that attractive and lacks chemistry but I watch because I'm curious about what happens to Addison.

Like I said, not much going on! Plan on watching Elizabeth in the theater soon, and going out on Saturday for Halloween. Other than that, just watching the clock ticking.

And you know what? I refuse to believe I failed, but I am prepared for the eventuality that I may have to take this test again. It's been a tough year, and I will cut myself a break. At this point, the part of the exam I'm most confident about are the PTs...I'm hoping for 65s on both...and maybe it'll pull me through!

Hope everyone else is hanging in there!

Fastest Bar Exam Results...

It's been forever since I last wrote! Alas, much drama in the land of me, but...still chugging along. =) At least I'm working!

For the most part, I (like everyone else) try not to think about the bar. This is difficult when I am working in a law firm and constantly reminded of it, but I usually manage. It helps to have other distractions. However, I've given some thought to taking the bar exam in other states, and possibly even two states come February if CA doesn't pull through for me this time. I'm considering moving out of the state anyway, and this way, I'd have some options. Anyway, I can always practice certain niches of law in CA as long as I'm licensed somewhere.

Sadly, when weighing my options, my primary concern has been how long before exams results are released!!! I mean, seriously, I just CANNOT WAIT ANYMORE. It's torture. North Carolina seems to take about a month, and Colorado about two and a half months. I can't seem to find a comprehensive list, so does anyone else have any stats?

This is what it's come down to -- four years of college, three years of law school, and now, I can't wait a couple extra months. This process breaks you, it really does! =)

Eat. Pray. Love.

I just ordered almost $100 worth of books online, all non-law related with the exception of one, and that doesn't count because it's basically an account of how sucky law school was. =) I love to read, and before you think I'm this esoteric intellectual, please note that due to years of intense schooling, my reading for fun books consist of romance novels, chick lit, and the occasional Oprah's Book Club. But as I used to tell my mom when she refused to buy me Sweet Valley High and bought me Grapes of Wrath, "Hey. Reading is reading!" Which I truly believe. English is a hard language to grasp, really. I don't know about you, but I never remember rules of grammar and go with "what sounds right." And that not only works, but ends up being in touch with current lingo and sounds more natural.

Thus, this blog will now include brief reviews of books I've read. I know many of you love to read, and it's often difficult to find the gems amongst the trash (although the line is not distinct sometimes - a person's trash is another person's treasure...). As I've mentioned, I just finished reading Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.

I really liked it. It's broken up into 109 chapters -- 108 is the magic number for harmony or something, and used as the number of beads in a meditation necklace, with one extra outside of the necklace loop. She's broken it up into 3 (another magic number, the holy trinity, etc) chapters that talk about the 3 places she went to seek pleasure (Italy), prayer (india), and balance (Bali). The coincidences and the way the universe works in her life really reads like a fiction novel, made even more amazing in that this is, actually, non-fiction. Like I said, it's kind of Carrie Bradshaw meets yoga. I would highly recommend it for anyone who's ever felt anxious (hello, bar exam?!) about life and unsure of where your life is going (hello, bar exam results?!).

Step by step...

Whew! It's been a whirlwind weekend. Husband and I went away for the weekend to a wedding (seems we have 5-6 a year!) and every day was packed with people to see and things to do. SO nice to live like normal people and making plans without a great big cloud looming overhead!

I feel like a toddler taking her first steps in life these days...by that I mean that law school and the ensuing year has been fraught with tension, anxiety, stress, and uncertainty. You know what I mean. It's not regret so much as being, well, tired. I don't even know what I'm doing, and I find myself envying people who have regular, 9-5 jobs and a normal life. My life is defined by bursts of intense studying, months of worrying, and a yo-yo-ing career. Honestly, at this point, I crave routine and stablility.

I'd like to find some balance, and peace within myself. I've been reading a book by Elizabeth Gilbert called Eat. Pray. Love. and it's excellent. It was a NYT best seller and it's about a woman's pursuit of balance, love, and peace in her life. It's like Carrie Bradshaw finds yoga! But also very suitable for men to read. I'm looking for some good books to read these days, eating well, hanging out with friends, and watching movies. Rush Hour 3, anyone? =)

The Price of Looking Good

Ever find yourself getting used to seeing 9 year olds in Chanel sunglasses, drinking water bought at Sephora, and paying over $100 a month to join a gym? There's an overstimulation of the shallow here in LA. And after a while, you get somewhat desensitized. You don't realize that THIS JUST ISN'T NORMAL until, well, someone not from here tells you that it's not. Or when you've been out of the loop so long that you feel like you're not from around here and you get to see this world from a new perspective.

Ever since Those Days That Can't Be Named, I've been cautiously venturing out and meeting people. I have the week off work, and you know that with free time comes the spending of cash. Many of the meeting places with people are in shopping areas. Such is the nature of LA. I found myself buying a $15 deodorant and Beauty Water. I've also bought a lot of other things. And what I really want now is an Equinox gym membership. But at over $100 a month, it's a bit pricey...or is it?

I have an excellent gym in my apt complex, but it doesn't offer me classes, which I love. Do I need Mat Pilates, Yoga Glow, Boot Camp and Brand New Booty classes? And does it make sense that I'm sure to go to the gym more often if I pay so much for it? And really, considering how much people spend on cigarettes and Starbucks per month (none of which I do), isn't a mere $100 a month on my health and appearance justifiable?

Because really, after the post-bar blues, you at least want to look and feel fabulous. And in 100+ days, when results come out, you REALLY want to -- at LEAST -- look good.

Life is going on...

Well, my skin is getting better and I've had alcohol twice since the bar exam! In a lucky twist of fate, I don't have to return to work until Friday, so I've got some time to decompress and catch up on the details of my life that have been neglected for the past two months. I've packed my bar books away, unpacked everything, and have made a good start on organizing my place. Today, I'm going to do exciting things such as buy a rug, go to the grocery store, stop by the post office, return DVDs, and go to the gym!

My nesting instincts kick into full mode in these situations, when I need to have control over my life. I like to organize everything. I do believe that many eating disorders occur in situations like this, when people need to "control" something...not to fear, I will never have a problem eating!

Current Mood: Still trying to calm down, cautiously relieved, with periodic twists of anxiety.

Are we all happy yet?

I woke up this morning and did 50 PMBR questions before I realized I didn't have to anymore! Just kidding.

Just kidding!

I actually did wake up to thoughts of rule elements, and had a moment of the usual tiredness and grudging attempts to motivate myself though. And then that mood switched to jubilant gratefulness, and then back to a quiet despair. I don't do well post-bar exam, until weeks later and the memories subside. I'm not completely depressed, and VERY glad it's over, but I always feel very blah.

I didn't post yesterday because after the exam, I just wanted to get the hell out of there and I was driving back home for a couple of hours. I stopped briefly at home to upload my answers then went straight back out for a glass of wine. This glass of wine has been on my thoughts for the past 2 months. I had 2, and the bartender gave me a shot, and I was done for. It was weird being amongst people who had no idea what the bar exam was about. And again, I realized that for most of the world, this exam means NOTHING. Nice.

One particularly funny moment comes to mind when this guy asked me my name. I tried to ignore him, but he kind of grabbed my shoulders and turned me to face him. He asked again. I replied, "California is a community property state. All earnings during marriage are presumed to be..." HA! How funny is that? And I kept talking about rules! Every so often, one would spurt out, like a leak.

All right, on to Day 3 analysis. Again, I don't know. I never know. I'm never one of those people who walk out feeling good, and that's just because I really don't know! I'm sure I identified the subjects properly (yay, me) and seemed to have hit the major issues, but some rules were murky and analysis could have been shaky as well. I'm going to discuss what I wrote, and feel free discuss it. If you don't want to know, stop reading now.

Essay 4: Con Law/Crimes. I saw this one and a string of expletives almost came flying out of my mouth. Murder again. Free Speech AGAIN! WTF? WTF? WTF? It is painfully clear that these people are sick and M-E-A-N. But I forged on. I discussed murder, voluntary mansluaghter, involuntary manslaughter, and felony murder. Dismissed all of them, included felony murder because the underlying felony was a misdemeanor. Didn't discuss arson at all. I said that he didn't break the statute because of mistake. This is probably wrong, but I just remember thinking...if the law specifically prohibits only the burning of A, how can he be liable for burning B, unless the law includes intent (like knowingly)? Whatever. I thought he was funny and didn't want him to get in trouble. =) I then went into a full blown speech analysis, where I thought the meat of the points were. Content-specific, protected speech, strict scrutiny, it's illegal. It's like burning the flag. You're allowed to do it.

Essay 5: So gross. P sues S for specific performance. DISCUSS. Maybe P and S should talk it over at a day at the spa...maybe P should take S out for lunch! Have P and S discussed mediation? I mean, really! This could go everywhere! And it did. The bad thing about these problems is that it provides little guidance so you're looking everywhere, under every rock and in every crevice to spot issues. It also wreaks havoc on organization. The good thing is that everyone will be all over the place, so there's not going to be this strict standard you're held to if you fail to do what they've seen over and over again. I went into this with a element by element description of specific performance, the first of which was the validity of the contract. This was where I went into everything -- all the misrep/fraud, statute of frauds, offer/acceptance, consideration, promissory estoppel/detrimental reliance, accord and satisfaction, unclean hands, UCC, merchant (I said P was not, but am realizing it could go either way). My misrep rule was shaky. Something along the lines of, she misrepresented a material fact! And the other person relied on it! But not on purpose! I basically found there was no contract, and thus no remedy, but went on to describe what else was needed for SP if the court found there was a contract.

Essay 6: At first I smiled. And launched into my favorite little paragraph about CA is a CP state. The smile faded. It was weird. I went through it quickly. I had time to spare! I knew something was NOT right. Child support, separate debt, entitled to reimbursement. Education debt, separate, entitled to reimbursement. Law degree, community entitled to some of it applying the 10 year/other spouse gets an education too rule. I threw in a Lucas analysis of the joint checking account and quickly dismissed it doesn't apply because it's not SP funds in there. Goodwill. Always hated it and thought it was funky. I mean, it's not even a tangible thing. What the heck is it? But I put that the whole $3000 is not enforceable because W has a CP interest in it, she didn't agree to it, and the courts would look to other things when valuing it. Then I went into a Pereira/Van Camp analysis. I went with Pereira, but I should have chosen VC. But at least they're both in there. I know people disagree on this last part, but...I had time, so I put it in.

PTB: I love letters. I had nice letterhead. I even italicized the signature at the end. I'm hoping for design points. Oh, the content? I organized it by the three issues. First two were quick and based on the statutes. Last one, I organized it by statute and case precedent. I finished it on time, and was feeling really tired at the end.

And that was it. Note that I didn't discuss any new subjects at all, ever. I honestly didn't think of it, except in the Evidence q on Day 1, where I made the conscious decision not to include it. I udnerstand that people saw those issues yesterday, and I wish I threw them in there too. But hopefully, it was minor and maybe just "bonus" points. They called time, the room burst into applause, and I hit the road.

And by the way? NO CIV PRO. I was muttering rules on my way into the exam room and cramming that thing into my head all summer long. Can't believe it!

But it's aaaaallllll over now... I hope everyone enjoys their first day of freedom. I'm looking forward to hearing about your continued adventures as you try to re-assimilate into the normal world!

Day Two

Oh, who knows. It's so much easier to stress about Day 1 because I can nitpick, go over the notes, etc. With the MBEs, it's all a blur and much harder to remember what the heck happened. I thought PM was harder. I have no idea how people remember the MBEs in such detail and post them online. I remember last time, there were lists of like 50-75 questions, which is amazingly thorough.

I'm beat though. I have a headache and I can't stop eating! I don't eat breakfast because my stomach gets nervous in the mornings, so maybe it's okay? I don't know how to justify chicken, salad, a slurpee, Flaming Hot Cheetoes, a hot dog, and soon, a curry... I think it's the stress. I worked out yesterday because I was so freakin' sore and apparently, in my zombie like state, completely missed Blondie! She's a lovely lady with a rockin' French pedicure. =) It's good to see a friendly face around. Yesterday, I did end up going to Nordie's and it was weird being amongst the normal people. I felt like an intruder. I bought a YSL Touche Eclat lipgloss in number 11. It's a really great lipgloss -- long wearing, not sticky, simmery and that kool-aid punch look. I just needed to zone out for a bit. Then I went back and worked out, ate, and read over MBEs.

I'm going to say these are the issues to focus on for tomorrow: Civ Pro, with an emphasis on res judicata and collateral estoppel, Community Property, Remedies and Professional Responsibility. I'm also glancing through some Con Law Fed/State stuff and Agency stuff. I mean, Day 1 was all MBE subjects...we're bound to get CA tomorrow, no?

Everyone seems okay with Day 1. This probably means that the grading will be harder because people got the issues. Eh. I thought they were deceivingly straighforward until you tried to write about it, and then it got kind of funky because it was hard to organize. Also, what's interesting is that everyone I've met so far is a repeater...either I'm in the repeater section or February really sucked.

I'm seriously exhausted. I kinda took a nap after I got back because I just collapsed. I'm going to pick up my curry, read over my subjects and commit them to memory, and sleep. I may do a light workout.

One more day guys! Best of luck to everyone.

Day One

I need a massage. During the last hour, my head starting pounding and my neck and shoulders were killing me. Short of dry-swallowing my tension headache pills, I had to soldier as I was running out of time on the PT and NEEDED TO FINISH.

Lord. So do we wanna talk about this? I'm just gonna write down what I remember for the sake of my own recollection of this wonderful day. I don't talk about it with people at the bar exam because I don't want to subject anyone to a post-mortem that they don't want to do, so if you're one of those people, don't read on!

Essay 1: Property/Contracts. I wrote about tenancy (said it was periodic), duty to pay rent, breach of contract, duty to repair, quiet enjoyment...er...don't remember...

Essay 2: Torts. Products Liability with a funky Civ Pro twist. Surely we didn't need to talk about Civ Pro except to say that the motion should be granted or denied? Or God. So yeah..design defects, contributory negligence, comparative negligence, strict products liability analysis, negligence analysis, indemnification...

Essay 3: Evidence. Seemed scarily straight forward. Droned on and on about relevance, hearsay, exceptions, said one of the statements was nonhearsay (anyone else?) and I don't know...

PT A: Memo to the judge. It looked okay reading through it, and then when I started, I thought, "This is so broad!" What are the issues? Give me some guidance! But I muddled through and finished and said that the judge should rule against the motion based on my excellent, objective legal analysis. =)

I don't know know how people remember all the details afterwards. As you can see by my ramblings above, I barely remember what happened. And I'm doing my best to forget. I'm glad Day 1 is done. I think it's the hardest day, because like Richard said, anything goes. Day 2 is 6 subjects, Day 3 is narrowed down.

How do I feel? Murky. Everything is kind of murky. I'm gonna need to kick ass the next two days. Is it okay to feel depressed? Do people feel depressed after and still pass? I know they say they do, but I don't think it's true...I think deep down,they feel okay about it. I want to know about the people who, deep down in their bones, feel depressed and they still pass! =)

I'm sitting in the hotel main lounge, with free internet access. Blondie, if you're reading this, don't pay for it in your room! You can access it free in the lobby/bar area. Am debating hitting the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale because I feel like a zombie. Or partaking in a glass of wine. I haven't had wine in so long though, I'm afraid to start because I may not stop...

I hope everyone got through okay. May you all sleep well tonight and wake up bright-eyed and busy tailed for tomorrow!

Like trying to hold water in your cupped hands...

I'm afraid to shake my head too hard because some detail of law will fall out. I woke up today and tried to read through some MBE tips. I'm going to hit the gym downstairs while reading a "fun" book and do some light ellipticals, eat, pack, and head on over to the hotel. During the drive, I will risk an accident by going through my Hot Topics cheat sheets and attempting to hammer some details into my head.

I'll then check in, get settled, and meet up with Blondie. Followed by light review, relaxing again with "fun" book, hitting the Ambien, and in bed by 10:30.

Wouldn't it be nice if we had 2 days of testing? Then after tomorrow, we can say, "Oh, one more day!" I think it's psychological benefits would be monumental. ;) Anyway, to everyone out there who's read this blog, thanks for all your support and comments. It's been great having such acceptance and support from similarly situated people! You know as well as I do that it's difficult to find that in us law folks (i.e. law school!). This is my first and only blog, and I'm not one to share my dirty laundry, so it's been a very therapeutic experience for me. I really enjoyed following everyone else's blogs too -- I hope you'll all keep it up after the bar!

As for me, I'll try and post throughout the exam and will also continue posting afterwards. I think at this point, we can only look forward and not beat ourselves up about what we "should have" done. We have to do the best we can with what we have now. And most of all, let's keep this in perspective. We have our family, health, and our friends...passing the bar is a bonus.

That being said, let's rock this thing!

Performance Tests...

Man, these suck. I plan on looking them over, but I haven't done anything substantive. After all, I've taken this exam before, I've done full-length PTs. I usually do well on one with a 75 and screw up the other...

I was wondering if anyone has the point break down from the NCBE for the February 2007 PTs and if they'd be willing to email that to me? You can contact me at the email listed on the profile. Much appreciated!!

The Last 24 Hours

Well, Sunday's pretty much it for all day studying. Monday is spent getting to the hotel, settling in, and doing some light studying and basically just trying to get a decent night's sleep. Today, I focused on some spot check review on Contracts (always afraid of it!!) and had a thorough review of Remedies.

I'm nervous.

I know the stuff in theory, but it's hard for me to memorize elements for everything. Reasonable, foreseeable, justifiable reliance, causation, intent...these words are in everything in some combination or another and it's all just kinda muddles together sometimes! Oh Lord, I pray it comes together in time!

Tomorrow, I plan on trying to complete a full on MBE from the Strategies & Tactics book. If I can't do all 200, I may settle for 100 because I'm also fine tuning and printing out my Hot Topics checklists/rules for each subject. I also have to do laundry so I can have my bar exam outfits clean and ready to pack.

Monday will be spent going over the checklists, doing a review of new CA subjects, and reading through some PTs. I'm going to listen to PMBR CDs on the 2 hour drive to San Diego. Well, this is the home stretch...good luck, everyone!

The Girl Who Passed

I'm in Harry Potter mode. Guess what, folks? I stayed up all night and read Book 7. Yup, some might call it crazy...and really, it's not that I couldn't wait a week, but it was because it was going to be everywhere and I didn't want the book ruined for me! So I thought, you know what? Screw it.

And for 7 delicious hours, I lost myself in the world of Harry Potter. And yes, I'm paying for it today. I slept a couple of hours, woke up, and have studied. I will continue to study and go to sleep at a decent hour, dead tired. And though I'm tired, I do feel like I can study. And hopefully, this will jump start my sleep schedule to something resembling normal before the exam. I'm really looking forward to going to bed and actually falling asleep instead of laying awake, tossing and turning while my brain races for hours on end.

I needed the escape. And the book? It was damn good. ;)

We can make this happen!

I don't think we can underestimate the law of attraction and the power of our subconscious. In my last post, the comments discuss the probability of reviewing a subject right before the exam, only to have it show up.

It's a matter of thinking smart, and thinking positive. We've all heard the predictions. We know that though the CA State Bar Examiners are a vile group, the stats are still helpful. Last time, people were predicting Evidence as a certainty. Sure enough, it was there. By honing in on a couple of subjects, especially on Wednesday night after 3 essays are out of the way, we have an excellent chance of predicting an essay and getting it right. Now, I'm no math whiz, but odds are actually in our favor that we can predict an essay and be prepared for it. Can you imagine reviewing Civ Pro like a maniac RIGHT BEFORE the exam, opening the test, and finding a Civ Pro question right there?! The sense of relief alone would do much for the psyche.

And of course, anyone's who's read The Secret or anything on the law of attraction knows that if we think it's gonna be on there, we're sending out waves that will make it be on there! And you know what? At this point, I'm all for it!

So, this is what I think is a "must" for the exam:

1. Professional Responsibility is always on there to some degree. Know it.

2. Remedies is almost always on there. Know it.

The above two are almost guaranteed, so we need to milk those points.

3. I'm thinking Civ Pro and Community Property.

Other things that I'm hearing a lot of buzz about are Corporations 10b5, Con Law defamation/invasion of privacy.

Thoughts?