Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Where Do I Go From Here?

So I know I said I wasn't going to focus on my career anymore...but this is all very new and scary for me.  The area of law that I had planned to specialize in since undergrad, and most of my legal career has been devoted to is slowly becoming obsolete.  I am currently spending another $30,000 to kick up my specialization in this area to the next level.  So...with my savings currently dwindling faster and faster and no hope for a job in this specialization anytime in the near future or even in the next 3 years, what should my next step be?

I mean I guess it would be silly to stop working towards my degree.  Maybe things will change in the practice area.  Maybe Congress will figure out that at some point they are going to have to raise revenue to reduce the deficit.  I have already spent $15,000 dollars on the first semester.  I have signed a year lease in Gainesville.  I could really use that student loan money.  Also, I have already told EVERYBODY that I am getting a masters in tax law, so if I stop there will be the whispers about me being a quitter. 

But since I have NO money except for borrowed funds to pay rent, gas and groceries, I have to figure out at some point how I am going to get a paycheck eventually.  So if I continue my job search, what kind of job should I be searching for?  Should I keep lying to myself that I am going to be a tax lawyer?  Should I try to get a different law job and fake being good at litigation?  Should I plan on starting my own law practice to further myself in debt and starve for the next 5 years living with my parents?  Should I go back to my undergraduate degree and become a banker or do something in Finance?  Or should I just be an aerobics instructor?

I don't know what to do.  I know I am not supposed to be focusing on this, but I feel irresponsible for not having some sort of plan of what I am going to do with my life.  HELP!?!?

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Lists of Good Intentions

"What are your hobbies?" has always been an awkward question for me.  I don't really having any fun ones like sailing, horseback riding, etc. or even pathetic ones like knitting or scrapbooking.  I end up responding with reading and working out...but what I really want to say is that I watch a lot of TV, eat too much, and drink with my friends.  However, I think I may have figured out what my hobbies are.  I love planning and making lists.  I have excel spreadsheets that plan my life out in 30 minute intervals and goals for myself for months and years in advance.  I also enjoy reading magazines and internet articles about health, exercise, and nutrition.  I love knowing of ways that I can make myself better, live longer, and overall feel healthier. 

However, I don't actually act on either of these hobbies.  I may do the first couple of things on my lists, but I get distracted on the other ones and do something else.  Then I get distracted making a modified list.  If you looked at my excel spreadsheet for exam studying, you would think there is no way that she doesn't ace these exams because she has thoroughly studied every little bit of material that was covered in the class.  However, instead of sticking to my list, I end up watching tv, eat too much, and drink with friends. 

Also, if I told people that my hobby was nutrition and fitness, they would take one look at me and figure I am lying.  I don't exactly have the body of someone who treats her body like a temple and I am not one that really lives an active healthly lifestyle.  I read these articles and take mental notes of things that I should be doing to be healthier.  Also, I don't mind telling other people of ways to be healthier, but instead of acting on them, I end up watching tv, eat too much, and drink with friends. 

So last night...what did I do?  Well I didn't go out drinking with friends because it is almost time for my last exam.  But...I did stray from my exam study schedule excel spreadsheet, and I sat down and read about 6 or 7 Shape and Self magazines.  They were chocked full of workout routines, healthy recipes, and general ways to live a better life.  So what did I do next?  I sat down and started making lists of ways I can be healthier next semester.  I planned a gym/P90x schedule.  I fit in time each day to take my dog on a 30 minute walk.  I planned how much tv time I am going to allow myself each night(because people who watch more than 3 hours of tv a day have much higher % chance of dying of heart related problems).  I planned when I will do my ab workouts(I will get that six pack that those girls have in the magazines).  I made a list of healthy breakfast and lunch ideas that I should be eating during the week.  I even planned when I will be drinking my 8 glasses of water a day (Jennifer Aniston drinks 100oz of water a day).  So, if I finally stick to my lists and schedules, I am going to be a bad ass healthy woman...lets just hope I don't instead watch tv, eat too much, and drink with my friends (well maybe not drink too much with my friends).