Throw 'em the fake and then finagle...they'll never know you're just...a bagel...

Props to whoever can catch the reference...I'll give you a hint if you didn't grow up in a Broadway-house...its from a musical set in the 20s...

But anyway, I started my internship today (law schools call them externships...but for the life of me I can't decipher why they are any different other than the obvious grad school thing...I mean...small office...check...no pay...check...but you get credit..check...yep--- sounds like an internship to me!

I am working at the Utah Crime Victims Legal Clinic, which is a great non-profit in Salt Lake that provides free legal services to people who have been the victims of crimes. Think of it as legal aid (you know - what Sandra Bullock did at the end of Two Weeks Notice) with a uber-specialty - helping out just the victims of crimes, and usually only violent or physical crimes of some sort, protect their rights, e.g. getting reparations from the perpetrators, preparing and reading some sort of victim impact statement at sentencing or the hearing, getting a restraining order, etc.

So its cool -- and I think I will get to go to court a lot, which is pretty fun, because you see some fun stuff there, its like the bus stop but with some random people in suits thrown in the mix. And I am excited to be working with such dedicated attorneys - folks who could be making a killing (well in any normal market anyway) anywhere else but do this kind of thing because they really want to help people, especially in a very pioneering area of the law = victims' rights.

I am excited.

World Peace (Junior Miss 2010)

You know, some things just don't disappoint. I flew home for the weekend to Coeur d'Alene to see my little sister, Madison, compete in Junior Miss and wouldn't you know it...the girl won the whole thing. Here are some video clips --- and it really is a scholarship competition!

Sorry they are a little grainy but apparently blogger couldn't hack the full quality version.

So what's the record without capitalism?

Here is an interesting video of Milton Friedman discussing greed and self-interest. Very apropos considering the recent trends in nationalizing businesses (something the US used to harp on other countries doing because it artificially manipulated the market), and the changing sentiments like this poll, which show that only a slight majority of American adults believe capitalism is better than socialism.

Asked whether capitalism or socialism is a better system, 53% of American adults cited capitalism, 20% said socialism and 27% said they weren't sure.

Scary.

So if capitalism is so inherently evil, what kind of system will encourage people to innovate, create, invest, excel, specialize in a way that creates an efficient exchange of goods and ideas? Any takers? Who are these people who could divvy up resources without the human ills of greed and pride?

Craftiness...

I have been making a list (during study breaks) of fun things I want to craft/sew/make/do this summer.

You just can't sit in a tiny windowless, airless, artificially lit law library study room going over homicide flash cards without some breaks. Trust me.

I thought I would collect some of the crafty things I have done in the last year or so...but preface it with the disclaimer that I am still a beginner in many ways (e.g. the white thread you can see coming through these booties) especially when compared to crafistas extraordinaires like my mother. Mostly, I am interested in making the kinds of things that I would want and that I would want to give to my friends as meaningful gifts/mementos for special occasions in their lives.

Jets booties I made for baby Kate.

Vintage pillowcase dress for Gracie Jo.

Tissue pom-poms.

Striped recieving blanket with crocheted edge for baby Mylee (I know the baby is a lot cuter...but try to work with me here.)


Halter apron for public interest law auction (custom order).

Diaper wreath.

Daddy! I met a man in Rome! And he’s handsome, and brilliant, and we’re getting married!

We went to Tawni Griffits's wedding this weekend to Ryan Piggot in lovely Logan and had a blast just hanging out with family, eating some delish food, and generally reminiscing about bodas in general (some more than others...I picked up a bit of sarcasm when Mike remarked...it was....great....yeah...a great day.)

Men.

No stomach for the hours of prepping and planning that go into a flawlesslly orchestrated event with color schemes, wardrobe, music, lighting, you name it.

Here are some pics of us at the various festivities -- enjoy!







Thanks for a great weekend Griffitts!

The Barrister's Ball...AKA "Law School Prom"

Yes, just in case law school wasn't quite close enough to high school, we had our Barrister's Ball and Award Ceremony/Law School Prom last week. While that sounds like a mouthful, remember that attorneys are paid by the hour and that old habits die hard...even in academia.

So, the formal event was held in the historic Academy Library Building (original BYU campus). I wore a black lace and satin dress.

My husband wore a mohawk and red skate shoes.

Awesome.


My friend Marcie and I. We are snowboarding buddies and look significantly less hot in those outfits normally. Especially me (see frozen cheek smile faces in a previous post for any clarification).

We had a good time, especially since our whole study group made it out. Yeah for seeing folks outside of the law school... or just outside in general.

Holiday with Yoshi

Our good hometown buddy Chris visited last week (well, he was really visiting his fiance, but we like to think he was excited to see us too) and we had a good time doing all kinds of stuff.

Here the boys are looking up guns....sorry Chris, I mean "weapons".



Here is Jess with Chris's hot insulated pants at our quasi-campout. It was a lot colder than anticipated, hence the snow. Note to self - make sure there isn't any more snow before ascending to the mountains and planning to spend the night in tents.

Our campsite, the one area not covered in snow, but still covered in horse poo. Excellent.


Nature!

Hubby and I in smoky hoodies.



Chris and Tiff - cute!


Not so cute....no, it just took several shots to get Mike D out of the photo..shocker.


Us at the shooting range with Chris's new gun, a Glock .40.


Tiff shooting. With a little guidance from our neighborly West Point Cadet.