Keepin' On

Well, here we are... The end of another school year and the beginning of the summer season.  I successfully finished another school year.  The successfully part has to wait.  Still no grades.  If things go accordingly, this time next year I will be "Laura Houser Oblinger, J.D." and have begun Bar prep.  In the meantime, I managed to become even busier.

I started another journal article.  So that should be fun.  I have temporarily moved away from Topeka and back to Mulvane. The roommates are thrilled.  Tyler not so much as he stayed in Topeka to hold down the fort and bring home the bacon.  But the move is only temporary; I am interning in Wichita.  The Wichita internship seems promising.  Mainly because I got to join a softball team.  They have been pretty impressed with my mad-whack skills.

The 'Cats won another Big 12 Championship.  For all you keeping track, that makes three.  In one year.  This time in baseball.  They are currently playing in the College World Series.  Let's go Bat Cats.

Tyler and I also celebrated our one year anniversary this weekend.  I reckon we'll try for one more year.  ;)  It really has been a great year.  We were finally in the same town for the first time in four and a half years, and we decided we could handle it.  To celebrate we tried Newport Grill at Bradley Fair.  Quite tasty.  Watched Fast & Furious 6 afterward.  Not so impressive.  At one point, I acknowledged the ridiculousness of it all... Out loud.  Whoops.

We have also been debating adding a member to our family.  A member of the furry, four-legged kind.  And, no, I am not describing a mutant child.  I am talking about a dog.  For a while we were going through "The Great Dog Debate, Part IV" in which Tyler advocated for a lab while I pushed for a Brittany.  But I think we are back in agreement on a German Shorthaired Pointer.  Gluttons for punishment.  Either way, we will wait until after I graduate and take the Bar.  So I'm sure you all will be waiting patiently for that news.

I really think I have thrown too much excitement at you in one post.  This week brings River Fest food and the continued marvel at how different the roommates' utensils are than mine.  (They just don't mold to the hand like mine do...)  Until next time!

Didja miss me?

So it has been a while. Therefore, I am just going to do a stream-of-consciousness type post. Just to get caught up. And they are in no particular order... Probably not chronological either.

• March Madness... is obviously over. But it has happened since my last post so it fits in here. Tyler and I traveled with our friend Blake to KC to watch K-State play in the first second round. Let's just say it was rough. But whatever. Co-champs in football and men's basketball? I guess that will have to make up for it. But Wichita State had quite the run so that at least made the rest of the tournament fun. So there's that.

• It would seem I get to attend my first Cubs game this summer at Wrigley field. Totally thrilled. Just need to make sure I have the time off.

• I am starting my next article for the Law Journal. (And by starting, I mean getting ready to pitch my topic.) This time it is called a "Note." (FYI, the last one was called a "Comment.") Pre-law school, a Note meant it would need to fit on a post-it... two at most. Nope... in law school we're talkin' 35-50 pages. Woof. But the topics are a little more "loose" than the last go around. I'm planning to pitch a "guns on university/college campus" topic as Plan A. Here's hoping for publication this time around!

• K-State football is gearing up. Tyler and I received our "complimentary" Purple/White Game tickets in the mail this past week. We will be official season ticket-holders for the upcoming season. We are both pretty thrilled. The first game of the season falls on Tyler's birthday this year so we will be having birthday cake and hopefully a Wildcat victory to top off the night!

• My 2014 graduation date has been set. I will be finishing my academic career (fingers crossed) next school year. And celebrating all that hard work on May 17. Save the date now ;) Unfortunately, graduation just means I get to celebrate by preparing for the Bar. Halfway celebrating, halfway freaking out then. Sounds like law school.

• But before graduation happens, I have to pass this semester... And the next one and the one after that. Finals this semester start in two weeks (crap...). Good news: I am done by April 30 (paper due on May 8). I'll take that.

• With finals ending, I am going to need to add to my reading list. Any suggestions? I don't even know what's hip these days.

• Also since my last post, spring break has happened (...I told you not to expect chronological order). This year I went to Breckenridge, CO with a group from school. Had a blast, but I decided I am most certainly a "summer Coloradian" (Coloradan?). Definitely want to take the ATVs back in the summer. Here's hoping next year's spring break is somewhere warm! (C'mon, guys, a cruise is where it's at!)

• In other news, I am currently watching The Masters. Maybe one day I will get to go in person. But rumor has it, it will set me back $3,000/person. Woof. Tyler better be making the big bucks some day.

• Spring is for sure a favorite season of mine. Really need to step up the thunderstorms, though. And cut down on the sneezing.

• I am super disappointed that Scandal won't have a new episode until April 25... three weeks after the last new one. If you are not into Scandal, you should be. Coming from the person who doesn't watch The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Downton Abbey, Mad Men, Homeland... So take that for what's it worth.

• In about 2.5 months, I will be turning 25. Not quite sure how I am feeling about this. I'll get back to you.

• Then again, in about 1.5 months, Tyler and I will celebrate our 1 + 7 year anniversary. Feeling pretty stoked about that one.

• My middle brother Greg obtained his restricted license in March. He is now driving to and from school and track practice. In the Dodge Ram. Yikes.

• The youngest brother, Jeff, will try for his learner's permit in July. I am banking on him getting to drive the Honda CRV. Lucky dog.

• I am definitely getting old. 25 sounds terrible.

• Last week I attended my first Sporting KC game. Loved it. Who knew soccer could be so fun? Now I just need to learn the rules. Other than the "no hands" thing. I think I have that one down.

• People who follow me on Pinterest likely think I have an eating problem. I tend to only pin recipes. I'll really try to add some variety, Pinterest followers.

So that's pretty much what's up. Be back soon!

Things I Learned on the Cruise...

Alrighty, I'm back in Top City, and I didn't have anything better to do (taking down Christmas decorations, unpacking, and doing laundry are not important...)... So I thought I might as well share my musings from our cruise! Prepare yourself, though, these are tiny little nuggets of wisdom that may or may not change your life.

1. The City of Miami is my long lost home. As of yet, it has not replaced Portland as number one on my "future places to call home" list. But it is definitely up there. However, Tyler thinks I will have problems with the summer. Apparently I am not a pleasant person when I get sweaty? No idea what he is talking about...

2. I have a problem with carbs. A big problem. Let's just say I would never last on the Atkin's Diet.

3. The people may be speaking another language, but it is totally obvious when someone is getting their butt chewed. That's universal in any language.

4. Tervis cups are a lifesaver. Apparently comparing myself to a camel was inaccurate (thanks, Tyler)... So maybe a fish would be more accurate. Whatever it is, I love my water. And the little tiny baby cups will not cut it.

5. If I thought I walked funny on land, you ain't seen nothing 'til you watch me walk around a cruise ship on choppy water. I mean, I didn't even need to get drunk. I just always felt the effects. Heels were a particularly unique challenge.

6. Working on out on Deck 11 is a special kind of torture. Man. See number 5 regarding walking. And times that by two.

7. Bring more stretchy pants. So much food. And cutting back on it is out of the question. So I'll just pack more stretchy pants. Lots of elastic. And drawstrings.

8. If I lived in the Eastern time zone, I would not be able to watch late television shows live. They would always be DVRed. Who really stays awake until 11:00pm for that? I mean, I LOVE Scandal. But I would just have to wait until Friday to watch it. Nine 'o clock central is late enough.

9. Who even thought one-ply toilet paper should be manufactured? Honestly. Horrible idea.

10. I am ready to go back! Any time. So if you go, take me. Please.