Rebirth of Our Website!

Stephanie started a website with photos and blog back in 2010 using Apple iWeb software. This worked well for a while but Apple stopped support of the program and website maintenance and software use became more complicated. I was never very comfortable with adding content and Stephanie drifted away from posting given the intensity of law school. However, once she completed law school she was on the lookout for new educational options. She signed up for some photo classes at the Honolulu Museum of Art School and had a great time. The timing of those classes did not fit well with my work schedule but then Stephanie mentioned a Saturday class, Building a Website with Squarespace, taught by Sarah Smith. The schedule worked well for both of us and we signed up. The class has been very stimulating and the first session helped us to get organized and then explore options on our own. As a result, the website is reborn with photos and this blog. Stephanie plans to republish some of the past travel blog entries and we will include travel photos. For those on Oahu, the class will be repeated in October and we highly recommend it!

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.