One Month in Lexington

(Loren here) This is my law school class.  Classes started on Labor Day, and it was a busy week for me.  Everybody told me how much work it took to get ready for classes, but I just couldn't have imagined.  I spent 10+ hours a day studying this week, and some of my classmates put in more than that.  On my second day, my Torts professor told us that teaching law to first year law students is like teaching someone to fix a carburetor in German.  The law is complicated enough, but it's worse when we're using like non sui juris, habeas corpus, in personam, quasi in rem, ex parte, abatement, distraint, sina qua non, executrix, nudum pactum, corpus, legatee, recidivism, abscond, prophylactic, the list goes on and on!  No wonder dad is so good at scrabble.

It's been interesting to meet the professors.  They all have different methods -- some take attendance, some never do, most use the traditional law school "socratic method," ("cold calling" random students, and then asking them question after question, getting to the heart of the case), but all the professors have a different style.  Some take volunteers, mostly.  My Contracts professor is a young Canadian, but teaches really "old school" -- he hates "flashy powerpoints" and just calls on students and digs in.  Unfortunately, he called on me near the beginning of our first class.  There are two Lorens in that class, so I was hoping it was the other one, but he was looking straight at me.  "Gulp."  I got the first question okay, but then he asked me another question that I had completely missed in my brief (a summary of the case).  After my eyes glazed over and I started looking through my notes, he had mercy on me and went to somebody else.  It's hard for me to see how we are supposed to know all these facts and details about every case we discuss, and then our entire grade rides on just the final exam, which is only 3-4 questions!  

This is my Carrel (aka: home away from home) at the Law School.  I think I've got the best one in the whole school!  I'm right under the library in a corner, and I don't have any neighbor on my right or behind me.  Which means no traffic and no distractions.  

Thanks to the honor system here (which everyone takes really seriously here), I can leave my laptop or anything here or in the library without having to worry.  And I can go here or to the library any time of the day or night.  

Sunday has been so nice!  So good to come up for air and spend more time with Jamie.  We got callings today in our ward, I'm the Young Men's secretary and Jamie is a Sunbeam teacher in the Primary.  I'm sure we'll have plenty of fun experiences.

By the way, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to Mom and Dad Peck!!! 26 YEARS TODAY!

(Jamie) This week poor Loren had his work cut out for him. It's been different having him gone so much during the day, sometimes it's a little lonely but I know I should be enjoying this down time before the baby comes. I love hearing what he's been learning and have decided that there's never a plain answer when it comes to the law. He's been working really hard and I'm proud of him for all he's doing. 

   Lately I've been a little obsessed with looking at baby dresses and hair bows on Etsy. I decided that rather than paying $6 for a headband and flower, I'd make them myself for cheaper. Here's what I came up with:

I'm happy to have found my inner craftswomen. I had a lot of fun making them. 
   Loren ran into one of his teacher's from the MTC here who is coaching volleyball for Buena Vista. So Saturday we went to one of their games. I've never really been into volleyball but that game had us on the edge of our seats.

  We received quite the surprise this week as we got money and gift cards from our dear family in the mail. This has been SUCH a blessing and we can't express our gratitude enough for everyone's generosity! We're convinced we have the best family in the world. Thank you so much, it means more to us than you'll ever know. 
   Its hard to believe we have less than a month left. Week 36 has started and we're starting to feel the jitters and anxiety. This might be the longest month of my life just waiting for this girl's arrival. It's exciting though! 
   Thank you all for your love and support. We have felt it in abundance and it means so much. Until next week!