Life on the Kona Aggressor II

This was our second dive trip of the year, both of which were on the Kona Aggressor II.  Each time we have sailed, there has been turnover of captains and dive guides, but each time is always wonderful.  If you are kamaʻaina (you live in Hawaiʻi), this is the absolute best value for diving Kona.

Our crew consisted Captain Randy (our first time with him), Chef Kevin (second time), Engineer Cliff (three out of five of our trips), DMs Cameron (second time), Celia & Jeremy (both new for us).

Our fellow passengers were cousins Kari & Kirsten (east coast mainlanders), Seiko & Nobu from Japan, Ushesh from California & Stephan from Switzerland, Dean & Barb (also east coast mainlanders), and Gillian & Oliver from Zurich by way of New Zealand and Germany, respectively.

Our trip yielded 27 dives at 14 locations, one of which was new for us!  It's a rare trip down the Kona coast that gives us that.  Some of the highlights of the trip included a pod of dolphins, manta rays, frogfish, bi-color anthias, a viper moray, bandit angelfish, and tinker's butterflyfish!  And, naturally, the highlight of the trip was the "pelagic magic" night dive, 3 miles off the Kona coast.  Truly a magnificent exhibit of migrating deep sea life.

For a look at the Captain's Log, go to:  http://bit.ly/2ffYwjz

I passed!

Well, I didn't get the job, but I did pass the exam.  Now it comes time to study for and take the MPRE, and eventually be sworn in as an attorney.  I need to remember that the test writers are not my friend. 

FUUUUDDDDDGGGGGEEEE

Well, for those of you who are familiar with A Christmas Story, that's not quite what I said.  Or texted.  To my husband.  And my sister. 

This summer has been my personal hell - studying for the bar exam has created shades of fragility I did not know I had.  I have been pretty good all summer, studying six days a week, outlining all my essays, taking all my practice multiple choice exams.  But it doesn't really add up to a ball of rice at this point.  After the morning essays, the afternoon practical exercises, and two three hour sessions of multiple choice questions, I have absolutely had it.   

I was fortunate to have the support of Wayne this summer, and the tutoring of Bryan Henderson, a young attorney from Atlanta who has coached me in my essay writing.  I had a mini meltdown the Saturday before the exam, but Bryan was there with me for these last few weeks, and has helped me build up my confidence.

But, I mean, really, this exam was probably the two worst days of my life.  I pray that I do not have to do this again.  Not even watching former law students playing Pokémon Go outside of the Blaisdell has lifted my spirits at all.   

The one thing that is back is my appetite.  I am starving.  I'm glad that we stayed at the Courtyard Marriott, and that I was able to get a good sandwich for each day.  And tonight we will celebrate at Ruth's Chris for dinner.   

But I am burned out.  The MPRE was really nothing compared to this, and I still need to take that one again. 

Cross your fingers and say a good prayer for me, once is about the only amount of time that I want to spend preparing for this exam. 

To my fellow test takers, best of luck with your scores!  To me, please, please, please do not need to take this exam again. 

At Long Last, Graduated

A little over three years ago, I received a phone call from the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii.  Many, many years after my initial intent to go to law school, I was accepted and began the most recent phase of my life.   

In 2009, I turned to Wayne, unhappy with my life as a consultant, and suggested that I complete the pre-med requirements at our local community college.  Wayne countered with the thought that I apply for the Master of Social Work program instead.  I did, and on a wing and a prayer, I was accepted.  I thought that I would be going into mental health for military families, but it just didn't gel.   

While I was taking "Social Work and the Law" with Sandy Kato, I found out about the Court Appointed Special Advocate program in the Judiciary, and I applied to become a volunteer guardian ad litem.  The minute I stepped into the courtroom, I absolutely knew I needed to go to law school to give these families a better voice.

Wayne sent me the link - repeatedly - to sign up for a practice LSAT.  I signed up, took the test, and scored well enough to consider taking the exam for real.  So I did, and on December 2, 2012, I submitted my application after taking the exam.  Exactly one month later I had my score, and two weeks after that I received the call...the call welcoming me to law school.  Elisabeth Steele Hutchison became my new best friend.  Well, next to Kaki, my partner in crime and football for the three years of law school.  Go Etes!

And now it's done.  My parents are here to see their eldest get her doctoral degree, and kick off my summer of suffering while studying for the bar exam.  

I do have to thank my family for putting up with three years of silence, my husband Wayne for three years of nightmares relating to missing final exams, my new friend Kaki for being a sanity board, and my "old" friend Dianne for being my walking companion over the past three years.  It truly took a village to make it through the last three years. 

Soaring with the eagles today

Soaring with the eagles today