My Summer

All of my Kaplan Bar Prep books

I start class tomorrow in Montgomery.  This week, I'm in class every day from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 until 4:00.  After this week, I'm in class every Monday to Saturday and usually from 9:00 until 1:00, with some day going longer.  Just because it is a shorter 'in class' day, I still have to 'study on my own.'  I'm dreading this summer more than I've dreaded any summer of my life. 

BUT all of this means I did graduate law school (on Friday, May 13) and am now back in Alabama.  I'm living in Montgomery this summer in an extended stay hotel - sound familiar, Mellie?  Miss Macy will be with me, though.  I think this will be an interesting experience!

Well, with that said, I will try to update sometime soon and put up some pictures from graduation, but no promises.

Weekend #1

So, this was my last real weekend in Jackson.  Absolutely ridiculous.

CINCO DE MAYO

Thursday was Cinco de Mayo.  After spending the entire day at the pool with Katie B., I thought it would be fun to celebrate at a Mexican restaurant.  Luckily, some of my friends finished their finals that day or at least had a good break until their next final, so a few people wanted to celebrate.  We met at our favorite Mexican place out on Lakeland, El Sombrero, for delicious food and cheap margaritas.

Jamie and Chris and their "Corona-rita"

Karlia, BB, and Kip on my side of the table 

I was supposed to meet some other friends downtown so I asked these kids all if they would like to go, too.  We all went to George Street, which has Ladies Night on Thursdays, and met some of our other friends, too.  It was actually a really fun night.  The weather was kind of cool and GSt had the patio from the restaurant next door open.  There was a band outside on the patio and since it was cool, it was a lot of fun.  Then there was a dj upstairs so if you wanted a different kind of music, you could go up there.  It was PACKED, too, and a few other law students were there.  It was a good night!

The dinner crew at GSt

Chris and BB are standing

Jamie, Jess, Kip, and Karlia are sitting

We ran into these boys who were out right smack during the middle of their finals

Patrick, Frank, and Griner 

I was upstairs dancing and looked up and there was good ole' Robbie, one of my favorite 2Ls 

Me and BB are ready to go home here 

GIRLS' NIGHT

Friday night was girls' night.  After having a late night Thursday night, we decided we didn't really want to do anything too big and since Katie and Brandie will be starting Bar prep next week and then I'll be moving shortly after, we decided it may be our last girls' night.  We went to Newks and then to see Something Borrowed.  Lacey recommended that book to me a few months back and I read it and enjoyed it and was excited to see the movie.  I will say that I am hard to please when I read a book fist and then see the movie, but I actually really enjoyed this one.  It was cute and I liked the actors/actresses.  If you need a good, fun movie to see with your girlfriends, I recommend it!

DATE NIGHT

After sleeping in on Saturday and then spending the rest of the day doing laundry and straightening our house for the tons of guests who are coming into town, I was sooo excited to get to spend Saturday night with my very favorite British fellow!  Martin is a law student from Manchester, England, who has been here in Jackson since February interning with the Office of Capital Defense Counsel here in Jackson.  He's leaving on Wednesday to head back to England, so since it was his last weekend, too, we finally had our date night.  We went to dinner at Philip's on the Rez (where I will be taking my family later this week).  I love Philip's because it really is ON the rez and they have a huge deck overlooking the water so we got to watch the sunset over the water and then watch as the boats came in.  They also have live music most every night on the deck, so we got to enjoy some great music as we ate dinner.  It was a lot of fun and we stayed there for quite a while.  Then we walked next door to go to Pelican Cove.  It, too, is on the water but a little 'less classy'.  We had a couple of drinks there and just chatted.  We then went to Shuckers and met Stephen and Katie and a couple of other people.  Shuckers is always entertaining and that was Martin's first time so I was able to introduce him to the concept of 'the cougar.'  I loved it.  After everyone else left, Martin and I stayed and enjoyed a couple more drinks and danced with the band.  Around 1:30 when they were getting ready to shut down, we left.  Since it was so late and there's not much open and we weren't in a 'party' mood, we decided to just go back to Martin's apartment downtown.  We sat and chatted and played a couple of silly games.  It is fun talking with Martin because he does not hesitate with his questions.  He asks everything from questions abour Mississippi culture to racial tensions to about my best friend from growing up.  If he's curious, he asks, so there's never a quiet moment.  He's fun and I'm sad he's heading back to England sooo soon. 

Sunday was a lazy day.  Kip and I just sat around and didn't do very much.  It was a nice, relaxing day!

My family is starting to get into town tomorrow.  I'm kind of excited.  Graduation is SO soon!!!

DONE

with law school.

Just call me Keri Wood, J.D.

(even though that won't be official until May 13)

Weekend #2

WOW!  This was my second to last weekend in Jackson.  CRAZY!!!

My weekend started Thursday night.  The LSBA (= to student government) booked the Friendship II, a party boat on the Reservoir, for us 3Ls.  It was the last night of class, so no one had anything pressing to do on Friday, so it was a last chance for us 3Ls to get together - just us - and have fun.  The boat had a huge lower deck, most of which was covered, where we had food and sodas and air conditioning.  Then, there was a great top deck with tables and chairs and a dj and dance floor.  Oh, it was SO much fun.  We left the dock around 6 and didn't get back until about 10.  We just floated around the Res, dancing and enjoying hanging out with all our classmates.  PICTURES!

Jamie, Ryan and I

Jamie's my law school BFF and we have known Ryan since 1L year.  Ryan also worked with Gov. Barbour this semester while I worked with Treasurer Reeves, so we worked together a good bit.

Katie, me, and Brandie

We've all been friends since 1L year, too, but we've really gotten close this year. 

3Ls breaking it down (Cupid Shuffle, maybe?) on the deck of the party boat 

Justin and I

Again, friends since 1L and then we had all our tax law classes together, so that is automatic bonding over that terrible stuff! 

After the 'cruise' ended, we all went to our favorite bar on the Res - Shuckers.  It was just a continuation of the party and since it was a Thursday night and Shuckers is so far out, it was basically just us so it made it even more fun!

This is Mitch.  Same last name.  Families from the same area.  We pretend we're related.  All the time.  Seriously, I think people think we're legit cousins, if not siblings, because we joke about it so much.

Pete, me, and Ron

Again, friens since 1L year.  Love these boys! 

Jared and I

He and I became friends this past year when we were 'studying' in the library.  Jared graduated in December and just found out he passed the MS Bar! 

Ryan drove us around all night in Ron's Tahoe.  Emily and I always got stuck in the back back because the boys are rude.  haha 

The 3L Night was so much fun.  It made me realize, yet again, how many friends I've made since I've been here in Jackson and how much we've all gone through together.  These kids are family now.

Friday, Katie, Brandie, and I had another POOL DAY!  We laid out at Steve's pool and just chatted and caught up.  I love those girls and our 'girl time.'

Friday night was a calm night.  Kip was out of town, so Macy and I just hung out and watched a movie on demand.

Saturday I went to the school library for a while.  Then, Saturday night, I went and hung out with some of the kids that were in my orientation group last year (meaning their 2Ls).  I haven't gotten to hang out with them in a while, so it was so much fun just catching up.  No pictures that night.  :(

Today, ugh.  Library all day.  I felt like a 1L because I was still there at midnight when they kicked us out.  I was actually the last person to leave the library.  That should be a crime.  ha.  BUT, I'll take one late night at the library to be FINISHED with law school on TUESDAY!  Woohoo!