Blackhole of Sickness

Clearly I haven't updated in a LONG time. B keeps reminding me that I haven't updated since December 23...yikes! However, I think I have a legitimate excuse - I was stuck in a black hole of sickness for about 12 days. That's right, a black hole. I literally feel like I lost time, and it all went by in a blur. It started off as a sore throat, and then suddenly I had no voice at all. Then, it turned into a horrible cough, and soon I was a snot factory. Gross, I know. I was sick for my entire trip to Seattle, and I was sick for a full week upon my return home. I finally went to the doctor on Thursday, and it turns out I have a sinus infection, an ear infection, and bronchitis. I got some amoxicillin and some powerful cough syrup, and finally I felt some relief. I think I slept for 15 hours on Thursday night! It was nuts.

Part of the reason I was so exhausted is because I had to push past the illness to work all week. I had a draft due, and I couldn't push it back. Fortunately I worked from home. I'm sure my coworkers are glad I spared them this horrible illness and the piles of tissues that surrounded me as I worked. It was not good. At least I finished the draft! Unfortunately, I had to miss this trial academy that I was signed up for, but there was just no way I could have made it. Too bad, as I had done a lot of the prep work already. Oh well.

I'm finally feeling mostly better, though still stuffy with a tight chest and quite tired. Regardless, I'm 100 times better than I was. I hadn't been that sick in a LONG time, and I didn't miss it. I hope that's the last bout of the season, but I don't have the best luck in that department. Fingers crossed - otherwise I may have to buy stock in the company that makes Puffs and Kleenex!

I'm officially an attorney!

Yesterday, I officially became an attorney, as I was sworn in to the Minnesota bar. This means that I can practice law in Minnesota and represent clients before all Minnesota courts. Pretty cool. I guess my moral character measured up!

The ceremony itself was slightly obnoxious. It was an official session of the Minnesota Supreme Court, and each member of the court had to be introduced. Then, we had to wait for what seemed like an eternity as all the people who have attorneys in their families were individually sworn into the bar. This part seemed especially obnoxious to me, but maybe that's just because I don't have any family members who are attorneys - it just didn't seem special to me.

Finally, after that, someone read the names of all the remaining candidates...all 500+ of us. It was sort of insane. The woman did a decent job overall (well, sort of), but she of course added a "T" to my name. I absolutely hate, hate, hate that. My name is spelled S C H M I D. Where is the T? Idiot. Anyway, we finally got through all the names and then we all stood to take our oath. I can't quite remember what I swore to do, but I'm sure I will do it. ;) After the oath, I figured we would be finished, but no. We then had to listen to a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association make a membership pitch. The guy literally listed the benefits of joining...at our bar swearing in ceremony! Ridiculous. Just provide the information in our packets and let us go on our merry ways. Finally, the ceremony ended and we were free!

To celebrate, B took me out to lunch at Kincaids, and we had an excellent lunch. Her landlord Kim works there, and she was working yesterday. It was great - she made sure we were treated like VIPs, and then she comped our lunch! What a fabulously nice thing to do, especially in this economy. Thanks, Kim! I highly recommend Kincaids (in Saint Paul) if you need a nice place for lunch/dinner. Check it out.

After lunch, I had to go back to work for a few hours. No rest for the weary. At least I'm legitimately an attorney now. I guess I better not screw up! ;)

My vote goes to the candidate who supports 3 day weekends!

Honestly, I might be able to put politics aside to vote for someone who pledged to implement mandatory, permanent 3 day weekends. Two days just aren't enough to get everything done, have fun, and rest. Hell, three might not even be enough. Let's go for four! Okay, okay, I'll settle for three. We do need some form of an economy in America after all...

This weekend was once again filled with activities. On Friday night, B and I went to the Twins game for the second time in one week. This time, we didn't bring good luck, and the Royals smoked the Twins 7 to 1 or something close to that. Ouch. Liriano looked awful, which might not bode well for the playoffs. I mean post season. Sorry B. Regardless, I still believe they can make it - Go Twins! Also, go Tigers, beat White Sox! Woo hoo!

On Saturday, B and I lazed around my place a bit and then ran a few errands. Later on, we got dressed up for our evening activities: dinner at Bellanotte and then Cirque du Soleil: Saltimbanco! It was a great date - great food and a great show. I had never seen any Cirque show, and B had always wanted to go, so I ordered tickets long ago. I really wasn't sure what to expect, but it was truly quite amazing. The performers did things that simply seem impossible: trapeze artists flying through the air and catching each other by their ankles with no nets below, climbing poles and hanging off them by their feet, crazy tricks on a bicycle, a man balancing in the air by holding onto another guy's head, and flying through the air over stacked people off of a swing amongst other things. Simply amazing. The performers have to be both incredibly strong and totally graceful all at once - not an easy combination to master! If you have a chance, I highly recommend checking out any Cirque show. Definitely better than any circus I've ever seen! :)

I slept in late on Sunday, and that was really nice. Definitely needed I guess. Finally finished the antibiotics for the sinus infection, and I swear it's still lingering. Maybe it's allergies. Anyway, after I woke up, I headed out to Chaska to visit my parents and especially my mom, who had her surgery on Wednesday. She seems to be in great shape, compared to her knee surgery anyway. Her pain seems manageable, and she's in good spirits. This is quite the relief, considering how awful things went after the knee replacement. Please continue to send good thoughts her way as she recovers!

While in Chaska, Dad and I stopped over at the church festival in town (for the parish I grew up in - my parents still belong). Immediately upon arrival, I ran into a grade school classmate. It's definitely a small world - great to see her. We also saw a bunch of other familiar faces, and I enjoyed a greasy homemade cheeseburger. Awesome. It's crazy how things change but stay the same all at once.

After the festival and a bit more time at my parents', I stopped at Target for groceries and a few other necessaries and then headed to B's. Once there, I made dinner, did some laundry, and did the dishes. Now it's already quite late, and I feel like I need an extra day. Thus the title for today's post. Two days simply aren't enough. I think we should all revolt and demand more leisure time. Together, we can do it! Ha. A girl can dream...from her office on Monday morning! :)

PS: An early Shana Tova to B and all my Jewish friends!