Spring Break

Pardon the interruption, but I took a few weeks off for spring break. Classes officially resumed today, and spring break is just a fond memory. Before I tell you about my favorite things from spring break, let me tell you what I did not do:

1. I did not study. I did not crack a book.

2. I did not update my outlines. I did not look at my outlines. I did not say the word "outline."

3. I did not work on any projects. Yes, there are projects due (and soon), but I did not burden myself with these matters.

4. I did not read ahead. I prepared for Monday's class, and that was it.

5. I did not spend an inordinate amount of time in the library. I tried, but I just couldn't. I had the best of intentions, but absolutely no motivation. So, my library visit consisted of one afternoon where I opened the books and computer and then proceeded to waste away four hours of my life looking busy in the library. I decided that I could look just as busy at home in my pajamas and forego the trip to the library.

Whether I'll regret all of the things that I didn't do on spring break is yet to be seen. I can testify, however, that (so far) I do not regret the things that I did do on spring break. Let me tell you about my favorites:

5. Cooking.
I was able to get in the kitchen and whip up some country fried dinners that would make any southern woman proud. There were mashed potatoes, fresh green beans, and cubed steak with gravy; there was fried chicken; chicken pastry; and veggie soup with grilled cheese sandwiches. The cooking was better than any therapy session. I haven’t cooked in a while, and it was good to put something together that didn’t include curbside service, delivery, or a microwave.

4 Surprises!
I love surprising folks with a visit. Not many folks knew that I was coming home to NC for a brief visit, so I was able to surprise quite a few friends. My first surprise was when I popped in on my friend Phyllis. She had no idea that I was coming into town and it was a lot of fun driving up in her front yard and watching her run out of the house! The next surprise was Friday morning as I was leaving town. I stopped by Don Clark’s office and spent a few minutes exchanging law school stories with him. Then I stopped by the firm and got a few hugs from Bob, Shannon, Kathy, Jeff, and Karen. Bob always chokes me up because he starts every conversation with “You know we’re proud of you.” Just getting a few hugs from these folks was enough to choke me up. I had to make that visit a quick one or else I would have been an emotional wreck!

3. Going home.
I always enjoy a quick visit to North Carolina. I like to make the trips quick and pack as much as possible into them. This trip home was less than 24 hours, but I managed to get my money’s worth out of every minute. I visited my hairdresser, dentist, mechanic, and favorite bakery. I then took my mom to dinner and visited with Wes. I also squeezed in breakfast and lunch with friends. Twenty-four hours wasn't enough time to visit everyone--and I regret that--but I did squeeze as much as possible into the quickest of trips.

2. Exercise.
I really do enjoy exercise when I have the time to do it right. But, when my schedule is packed to the max, exercise is the first casualty. The weather during spring break was fabulous! And, once I recuperated a few days, I was ready to go walking and biking and hiking. It was a lot of fun to spend the afternoon in the park or just walking through the neighborhood with Melissa and Abby (the pooch).

1. Sweet Sleep.
I went to bed early and slept late. I took a nap most days; and, some days, I took two. It took at least three days for the throbbing to subside and for me to feel human again. The first three days of spring break had to be the equivalent of law school detox. But, afterward, the sleep was the most luxurious and decedent part of spring break. I’m gonna miss it.