I Can Walk Too!

When I got my robes, the lady at the graduate table automatically assumed I was getting a master's degree. Should I be offended?  

Ok, so Commencement day comes, and we take about a million pictures.  Actually, its like 120. It was a ton of fun. We also have to help dress each other, and by "dress," I mean help get our hoods on.  Then we are hustled into the Moot Court Room to take our class picture, and its pretty awesome.  And I may or may not say awesome a lot.  

Then, we took more pictures, and basically hung out in the Fishbowl to put off going to the ASB parking lot and stand there. I mean, we were hot enough wearing our Cap & Gown and Hoods in an air conditioned building, let alone outside on a hot day.  Finally, it was time to walk over. And then we were herded into a line, but we wern't cooperating and getting into a straight line. Then, we are still standing when I see these boys freaking out. Apparently, a bee flew down someone's collar, and they shoved a cap as far down it as possible, and started to pound on the cap/boys neck trying to kill it. Eventually it flies out, but it was pretty funny to watch. 

Well, then we walk across the bridge to the Marriot Center and we get in, and we get to sit on the floor, front and center!  The cool seats. And when Dieter F. Uchtdorf and Russel M. Nelson come in, we are pretty close, and ergo can get pretty good pictures.  We even take pictures throughout, and its kind of fun despite it being commencement, and generally boring.  But when CAC sit together, it works. 

After, we take pictures. We even do a cheer with our hands in the center and everything. We look ridiculous, and I'm pretty sure the people around us don't believe that we are Doctors...haha, oh well!  Then I find my parents and take more pictures.  

Our next stop is to meet up with everyone else and go to dinner. Stacey comes along, and we go to our usual Chinese place with bad service...Then we go to Bountiful to see Brooktynn and Ryan, and my mom is trying to make Stacey a surprise for Brooktynn, but spoils her own surprise.

The next day I go to meet the President, which is ok, and then we get Ruben a birthday present, even though I told him his present was watching me, and it took me 3 years to be able to give him this, and thousands of dollars. He was unimpressed.  

Well, we finally arrive to the Tabernacle and of course, I take millions more pictures.  Oh, and Ankitha arrives! She drove up from Vegas and forgot about a time difference! It was supposed to rain, but as we lined up and finally started to walk in, I yell to the skies to hold it, and it does!  I didn't stay in line, PS.  I didn't really know the people at the end of the line, and its not like I couldn't remember where I went, being that Z was last.  But finally, we get in the Tabernacle and sit down.

Ok, so we the end of the line finally makes it into the Tabernacle and I'm in 4 inch heels trying to keep up, but I need good pictures, so its not like I'm rushing.  And according to my America's Next Top Model watching, Tyra says to walk forward but at an angle for the best red carpet photo. It wasn't a red carpet, but I figured the advice would work.  And yes, people were making fun of me, but I got some good pictures, so whatever!

So, I get to the top section where we are supposed to be seated, but apparently counting to 149 is hard and not enough seats were saved. Some of my friends had to sit on a bench along a wall, and not seats. I almost had to sit with my friend's husband, but then Ben made some people scoot over. And then I had them scoot over more so another girl could sit on something besides the stair.

Speeches: Naseem went first, and she sounded like she was going to cry, which almost made me cry. Eric said he would speak 5 minutes and took about a half hour.  Lawyers lie.  And he didn't even talk about me.  Both talked about how we were the "social" class. I thought they called us the "lazy" class, but I guess social sounds better, especially when Elder Oaks and President Samuelson was there. (Elder Oaks' granddaughter was in my class. I saw Samuelson and was like, oh, nice, he came to our graduation...then I realized, that he probably came because Oaks was there. Thanks Tiffany!) Then another judge spoke. I didn't really pay attention to what he said. I remember he spoke about being in front of Scalia, and I'm pretty sure the only reason to say that story was to brag about how he was in front of Scalia before.

Now it was time to get hooded. I was pretty sure I was going to fall, but I didn't. So yay me! Once again I sauntered up to the stage. I needed good pictures, this was for posterity!  Charley was there waving saying hello over and over again!  I took my time to walk down, and it was fun. By the time I got to the stage I was feeling like I was super excited/wanted to jump/puke/cry.  I got my hood on, then Dean Gordon shook my hand and told me that, like he told my father, they save the best for last!  Then I get to shake Elder Oaks' hand!  And the crowd goes crazy for me, or rather for all the graduates, but part of the charm of going last is that you can say all the applause they hold til the end is for you!  

Well, as I'm walking to the back to get to the stairs to go back up, all the people turn to applaud at the graduates, but I'm still walking! I want to say, I'm here too! Look at me in all my glory! I almost decide to run down the hall with my hands up victoriously, running through the cheering crowd, but I don't. I save the running til I get to the stairs and rush up.  I get to the top just as the cheering stops, but that doesn't stop me from pumping my fists in the air victoriously!  

Then, There is a spot next to Ben, so I sit by him. And then, I'm super hot. I mean, it was already hot in the Tabernacle, then we're on the top, and heat rises, and we're in robes and hoods and caps.  And then to top it off, I ran upstairs.  I was going to die.  BUT, then the Alumni speaker was in my Dad's class, and she mentioned me! She said, she saw my name on the list and leaned over and asked if there was a chance Jordan L Zendejas was related to Ed Zendejas, then was told I was his daugher, and the second daugher to graduate from Law School, ta-daa!  I'm famous!  It was a great moment in my life!

Then when its over we go outside--still hadn't rained!  And we take a million more pictures!  And a few friends had made Candy Leis, which was fantastic.  CAC takes another picture, this time with 1%.  Not going to lie, I loved the attention.  It was a fun afternoon.  Then we had a joint dinner with Ben's family.

Later on that night my girls and I met up with Ankitha before she left town again!  It was fun to catch up!  What a day. Super fantastic. The only thing that could make it better was if Jen Tarazon could make it.  

Is there a DOCTOR in the house?

Jordan L. Zendejas

Juris Doctor

This Thursday and Friday I graduated from law school.  It was pretty awesome.  And although the robes and hood increased the heat level from a 3 to a 12, it was still awesome. Awesome.  

It was all a bit surreal. Like it wasn't happening, or that it was just another function we had to go to, but in the fall we'd still trudge back to our carrels and hang out.  At one point a friend was like, save that story for Gossip Club, and then we realized, with school out, and people moving away, it was over!!!

More later, but, I also watched Princess Diaries II the other night.  My favorite part has to be when she makes a motion at the end (Spoiler Alert!) to end the marriage ban for queens.  I apply it to myself thus, 

"I stand here ready to take my place as you [Doctor, Juris]...WITHOUT a husband!"

Enjoy.

Order of Importance

My friend, my colleagues (Prof. Woodism), it is true, I do not have the best luck with cars.  About a week ago I was turning in my tax forms when I decide to stop by the near McDonalds.  Well, as I am leaving there is a HUGE pothole that I drive over/in.  And then my car feels weird, and my car lets me know that my tire pressure needs checking. So I pull over into the nearest parking lot I can see, which is the KMart.  I get out, and YES, there is a flat. Great.  

So, it starts to rain, and I get in my car and start calling boys.  I decide against my brother, because he is 30 minutes away and I'm pretty sure he wouldn't know how to change a tire anyways.  I call my brother-in-law.  No one picks up.  I think about calling my home teachers, but decide to first call boys I hang out with on a non-required monthly basis. So first up is this boy named Nick. We've been friends for about 2 years, good friends who hang out and go to lunch this entire year.  I call him. I tell him that my tire is flat, and he responds something like, 

"I've never changed a tire before, and I'm watching basketball. Can't you call AAA?"

Then that is when I remember I have a year warranty on my car for roadside assistance. So I call them. Then they say they can't be there for another 45 minutes.  PS this is like, 10 at night, and now it is beginning to snow. 

So, now with willing help on the way I am just looking for ways to pass the time. So I start calling people.  Finally, after silencing her calls from me, my friend Nancy listens to her message, sees that it is late night and snowing, and rushes to sit with me.  Which is great, because I can't sit in my car when the tire is being changed, and it is snowing outside. Hard. I can sit in her car. Not to mention there will be a witness in case the car guy is crazy and tries to kill me.

PS. the guy comes, and he's starting to take my tire off, when he announces he has to pee and that he'll be back.  That is when Nancy shows up and she thinks its the most hilarious thing ever. And we take a photo shoot.  

Long story short: Flat tire, boy wont help, snowing late night, crazy car man shows up, Nancy and I photograph.  FINALLY, around 11:30 I can go home.  

The BEST part is a few days later I am talking with a fellow midwesterner.  She told me Nick was driving home with her, and then he is flying back to Utah.  

WAIT a second...so he'll drive over a thousand miles, approximately 14 hours, to help her out, but he wont get out of his bed to drive 5 minutes to help me out. At least make sure while I was stranded in a parking lot with a flat that no one killed me...thanks.

I ask him about it.  Its apparently very different situations.  It was the last night of final fantasy basketball.  So, order of importance:
1. Jazz 

2. Fantasy Basketball

3. Bed

4. Single Stranded girl in the snow late at night.

Flashback

I just took my first out of three finals. It was my half final that I didn't really worry about. But it was 15 questions and 1 hour and 15 minutes.  You know its bad when it takes you the first half hour to find the answer to the first question.  I guess it wasn't that bad...but you get the idea.

The last 2 questions were on trademarks, and I had one minute to answer them.  So, I just started writing words.  

It reminded me of when I took my 1L year Civil Procedure final.  I had 5 minutes to write an essay he said should take 1/2 hour.  So, I just started writing words: Eerie Doctrine, Quasi in Rem II. Helicopteros!  

Fun times!  

Tomorrow: 14th Amendment.  It is my plan to write what I can, and then at the very end say

If you don't pass me, I'll just have to come back next year and make more awkward comments. You decide.

Senioritis

So, finals start today. My first one is tomorrow. I have 2.5.  Which means, I have 2 real finals, and a 1/2 final, and because its a Professor Wood's final, I am not even worried. I mean, I know absolutely NOTHING about administrative law last year and still get one of my highest grades in his class.  That is how worried I am NOT about his final.  

The other 2 are 14th Amendment, and Professional Responsibility. I will study, because that is what peer pressure makes me do. But if it were up to me, I might just ask to take them all right now, as is.  I am just so ready to be done. 

Would this be a bad idea? I'm not sure I even care anymore.

Tp recap:

Sad about ending law school. NOT sad about my last finals.

My Life Would Suck Without You!

AHHH!

I am freaking out.

This is my last week of school EVER! 

What the --!

I've never been so sad to graduate.  Real life is going to suck.  I'm going to miss seeing my friends everyday.  I've learned to lower my expectations, but I'm guessing my employers wont!  They will expect results...actual work...

When I graduated undergrad I almost wanted to delay law school a because I couldn't possibly think of another 3 years of school.  Now these 3 years have gone so fast! Why can't I be a perpetual student?

I'm just going to say it, Damn!

My Life Officially Sucks

So, yesterday I wake up to find a note on my car. It said, "Sorry, I hit your car and dented it. Call me."  

For the love of all that is holy....

I checked (in the snow as I was late for classs) for a dent. Didn't see one. Hoped it was a stupid April Fool's joke.  I checked again for a dent when I got to school, again as it snowed.  Still saw nothing.  After an abbreviated class I called the girl who supposedly left me the note.  She said she had a few calls already must be a joke.  I keep the note tucked away in case I find a dent and she is just trying to avoid liability.

Today, was a sad day.  It tore a little piece of my heart.  

I had to get a Utah Driver's License.  

To work for Utah County, you need a Utah license.  I think that is crazy.  Its not like I drive for my job, or that this job will last longer than a year, two at most.  So, I had to part with my Nebraska license.  

I wake up this morning, too early!  I had to do 3 loads of laundry last night. My roommate washed her clothes from the Hare Krishna Festival of Colors chalk throwing extravaganza, and it stained the washer.  And to ensure that no stain leaked onto my clothes, I did a load of towels and bedding. I figured, should I see a stain on a towell, it doesn't matter.  But to do all that took me til 3am.  And then a phone call woke me up at 8.

So, I got ready, went to the Provo Office to get a new license, but they don't do them in that office. So I'm referred to the backwoods Orem area.  I stand in line.  They say to get a new license I need my current License, my social security card, and 2 letters as proof of residency.  

That sucks. Who carries letters? And there aren't any utilities in my name. But then he said it can even be junk mail. And Hallelujah! I have two letters with my name and address on it. Saved! I KNEW large purses with Mary Poppins-like qualities would come in handy one day.  

I fill out a form, I re-stand in line to get a number.  Then I have to take a 25 question test that takes about an hour to do, because I'm looking up every question to find out how many feet I have to park away from a fire hydrant, and what not. Then I take a picture, and gone is my Nebraska license days...

I just have a temporary license right now, so I get to keep my Nebraska's as well. Although they stamp holes in it!  I was so sad to lose my non-Utahn ness I almost wanted to take a picture of my old license for memory's sake.  My pack rat tendencies is another story though. 

And then as I drive to school I am cut off like, 3 times.  And then this huge truck behind me honks at me when I don't immediately drive off when the light turns green. Really truck man? Your truck literally goes 3 miles an hour.  You aren't getting to your destination any time soon so quit honking at me!  I guess I am just being introduced (officially) to Utah drivers.