2008 isn't over yet, but thus far, it's been a rough year. So it's nice, as I take a break from studying for the bar exam, to think about all I want for the next year, such as (in no particular order):
1. Passing the bar exam/getting my license to practice.
And when I mean passing the bar exam, I mean to say that when I sit for the bar exam in New York on February 24 and 25, 2009, I will produce responses that let the New York State Board of Law Examiners know that I am competent to be an attorney and accordingly, they give me a score higher than a 665 (or whatever the passing score will be). And then passing the character and fitness assessment. And then whatever hoop they want me to jump through.
*Sigh*
The young man pictured to the left is Thurgood Marshall, one of the greats in American jurisprudence and a source of inspiration as I pursue my legal career. The work that he and other attorneys did with the NAACP LDF has much to do with how I was even able to obtain the level of education I've obtained! When I read things he's written (court decisions, case briefs, etc.) and about other things he did in his career for people of color, I can't help but to feel that 1 - I belong in the legal profession and 2- he's my forefather and that it's up to me to carry on the legacy in my own special way.
Kinda hard to do that without a license to practice law though.
2. Land my first career position.
*Sigh*
The young man pictured to the left is Thurgood Marshall, one of the greats in American jurisprudence and a source of inspiration as I pursue my legal career. The work that he and other attorneys did with the NAACP LDF has much to do with how I was even able to obtain the level of education I've obtained! When I read things he's written (court decisions, case briefs, etc.) and about other things he did in his career for people of color, I can't help but to feel that 1 - I belong in the legal profession and 2- he's my forefather and that it's up to me to carry on the legacy in my own special way.
Kinda hard to do that without a license to practice law though.
2. Land my first career position.
(From the September 2007 issue of Vogue).
So I'm currently working in my first job out of law school. It's a temporary gig and so far it's been a great learning experience but it isn't my first career position, at all. In 2009 (early 2009) I'd like to work in the first job where I'm doing work that is identifiably the work of an attorney. Since it'd be my first job, and also due to the nature of legal work, there is bound to be parts of this job that will not be identifiably the work of an attorney, and that's fine. But I would like to have a job that makes use of the full extent of reasoning, analytical, writing and research skills I gained while earning my JD and puts those skills to good use. And I would like that position to be what positions me on the road to greatness in my career, much like the story of Lady O, above. (And please note, she would not have ever been Mrs. Obama if she wasn't the greatness that she was then and still is.)
I'm sure it won't be easy, but we weren't put here for comfort - but for greatness, for good.
3. 702 sounds a lot better explaining this one.
I came across this oldie but goodie from the Goodburger soundtrack recently and realized that they were singing MY song. Listening to it again right now and I realize that what they're singing about isn't ALL that I want, but it's definitely a start. And I'd like for it to start in 2009.
4. 80 pounds lost and never to be found again.
It's about my health mainly. Apart from that - it's a little bit about making some haters feel bad about themselves (honestly, NOT the best reason, but honestly, the truth). It's also demonstrating to others, and myself, that what seems inconceivable to do can be done, that the extremely difficult is doable, nevertheless . It's also about getting into this dress:
Generation Mini Dress by BCBG. $132 , Newport News.
So I got this dress with a pretty good discount (score!) and I have to say that it looks better in person than online. I can't wait to wear it sometime next year!
5. Running in a marathon.
Not sure which marathon. NYC's marthon would be cool. I just want to run in one. And be in the right shape to run in one. This one is inextricably linked to #4. And it's just about proving it to myself that I can do it.
6. Organizing my life.
They say dull women have immaculate homes. If so, then I might be the most interesting woman anyone has ever met.
I'd show you a picture but it might scare you. And I wouldn't want to do that. Just know I'm really not fussy about things like this, so if I have a problem with it, then it is REALLY bad. I find that my room often reflects my state of my life- and so if you see my room, you will know just how much stuff I have going on. Things are hectic and my room reflects it. I think in March, when the exam is behind me, I will have to organize my room to start the process of organizing my life.
7. Eliminating my credit card debt.
So I basically took out a mortgage for my education (and please believe one's degree is actually their property) so I will have that piece of debt for a lil while. The consumer debt in my name, however, will be eliminated in 2009. Somehow, I will have to find a way to knock that out and pay my loans on time. And I will find that way and execute the plan in 2009.
8. Improving my finances overall.
This means improving my credit score (nowhere to go but up at this point), eliminating my consumer debt (see above), saving SOMETHING (hard to do that when you have loans to pay back, but where there's a will and a plan...) and finding extra sources of income apart from my first career job (see above). I signed up for Mint.com's services and I think this site will be key to my success.
9. Getting published.
Not sure what and not sure how, but I intend for 2009 to be the year that some publication features something written by me. I actually have seen my name in a by-line (in college) but since rediscovering my love for writing (long story!) I have been dreaming of actually writing something (preferably something creative) and having some publication say that they'd love to include it with whatever else they do.
I'm sure if I had the time, I could come up with a couple of other things to add to the list. I think this list is a pretty good start though. One great thing I learned in 2008 is that when it comes to goals and ambition - listing, planning, executing, focusing and such is all important and necessary, but so is trusting in God (or the Universe, if you prefer) that it will happen. And with all I have experienced in my life, and in this year alone (crazy times!) my trust in God is stronger than ever.
I'm sure it won't be easy, but we weren't put here for comfort - but for greatness, for good.
3. 702 sounds a lot better explaining this one.
I came across this oldie but goodie from the Goodburger soundtrack recently and realized that they were singing MY song. Listening to it again right now and I realize that what they're singing about isn't ALL that I want, but it's definitely a start. And I'd like for it to start in 2009.
4. 80 pounds lost and never to be found again.
It's about my health mainly. Apart from that - it's a little bit about making some haters feel bad about themselves (honestly, NOT the best reason, but honestly, the truth). It's also demonstrating to others, and myself, that what seems inconceivable to do can be done, that the extremely difficult is doable, nevertheless . It's also about getting into this dress:
Generation Mini Dress by BCBG. $132 , Newport News.
So I got this dress with a pretty good discount (score!) and I have to say that it looks better in person than online. I can't wait to wear it sometime next year!
5. Running in a marathon.
Not sure which marathon. NYC's marthon would be cool. I just want to run in one. And be in the right shape to run in one. This one is inextricably linked to #4. And it's just about proving it to myself that I can do it.
6. Organizing my life.
They say dull women have immaculate homes. If so, then I might be the most interesting woman anyone has ever met.
I'd show you a picture but it might scare you. And I wouldn't want to do that. Just know I'm really not fussy about things like this, so if I have a problem with it, then it is REALLY bad. I find that my room often reflects my state of my life- and so if you see my room, you will know just how much stuff I have going on. Things are hectic and my room reflects it. I think in March, when the exam is behind me, I will have to organize my room to start the process of organizing my life.
7. Eliminating my credit card debt.
So I basically took out a mortgage for my education (and please believe one's degree is actually their property) so I will have that piece of debt for a lil while. The consumer debt in my name, however, will be eliminated in 2009. Somehow, I will have to find a way to knock that out and pay my loans on time. And I will find that way and execute the plan in 2009.
8. Improving my finances overall.
This means improving my credit score (nowhere to go but up at this point), eliminating my consumer debt (see above), saving SOMETHING (hard to do that when you have loans to pay back, but where there's a will and a plan...) and finding extra sources of income apart from my first career job (see above). I signed up for Mint.com's services and I think this site will be key to my success.
9. Getting published.
Not sure what and not sure how, but I intend for 2009 to be the year that some publication features something written by me. I actually have seen my name in a by-line (in college) but since rediscovering my love for writing (long story!) I have been dreaming of actually writing something (preferably something creative) and having some publication say that they'd love to include it with whatever else they do.
I'm sure if I had the time, I could come up with a couple of other things to add to the list. I think this list is a pretty good start though. One great thing I learned in 2008 is that when it comes to goals and ambition - listing, planning, executing, focusing and such is all important and necessary, but so is trusting in God (or the Universe, if you prefer) that it will happen. And with all I have experienced in my life, and in this year alone (crazy times!) my trust in God is stronger than ever.
