R-Kansas

Well, I got to Arkansas a week ago tonight. It was overcast and cold then like it is now--no complaints. There'll be plenty of heat before it's all over. After a bit of sleep I quickly adjusted to life in this area again. The biggest change is no family down the road and I very much miss that. Sunday was probably the worst--Sunday after church when I wanted to drive down to spend a nice evening at home. Alas. But, it has been great to see many old friends: Pam & co., most of the Harp Elementary folk (the school I taught at) and everyone at the law office. It felt good to be loved and welcomed. And now I feel like I've been here for ages. For want of knowing how to express the dozens of things I could tell about, I think I'll just list 10 things that I'm happy about and it will give you an idea of what's going on.
1. Greenness. It is so incredibly beautiful here I ache from the joy of it. The rolling hills (it's Ozark mountain country), the trees, trees, trees, the awesome birds, the honeysuckle that perfumes the air, the fire flies, and on and on. Oh it's gorgeous.
2. Knowing my way around multiple towns, even though it's a "new" phase in my life. (The new communities, roads, etc. try their best to throw me for a loop, but they can't.)
3. My hair shrinking an inch at least--super curly and oh, so very cute (I'd take a picture if I had any idea where my camera is--now that's a rather unsettling thought.)
4. Finally getting my character report mailed out so maybe someday I can be admitted to the bar.
5. Working on awesome cases that are helping people!
6. Seeing my kindergartners all grown up. They didn't know me (I had no expectation that they would) but I so enjoyed peeking in at them and seeing them as big kids (3rd graders now!).
7. That I've been a very good girl and have studied lots this week for the bar exam.
8. Being "part of" Pam's family. It's SOO wonderful to have a place to stay and not be stressing out about that. And it's fun to have family dinners here and go to family night with the extended family and otherwise be welcomed.
9. Proposition 8 being upheld (I know, I know it's not about Arkansas, but it makes me happy.)
10. Fabulous grades from this past semester. Definitely my best from law school--a good way to end.
And a couple of bonuses
11. Belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I belong wherever I go. Sunday it felt so very, very good to be in a sacrament meeting, to sing the hymns, to renew my covenants, to feel the spirit. And even though I didn't know the people I knew what was going on and I felt at home. What a glorious feeling.
12. My funny story from this morning. Funny because it turned out so well. Here goes: I got up this morning and went running. I knew it was supposed to rain today, but it wasn't yet, so I didn't worry too much. I ran about 2.5 miles in a big loop around Tyson headquarters. About 2/3s of the way through it started being misty--just feathery sprinkles that cooled me off. I didn't worry too much; worst thing it could do was rain and I was already going home as fast as I could. Well, I got home, no problem. (Really hadn't even worried too much--sometimes you forget how wet real rain can be when it's not present.) Got home and lo and behold--the door was locked. No, I did not have my key or my phone or anything. I tried the back door. No luck. I didn't want to wake anyone, so I did a few stretches and tried again (maybe I was mistaken?). And then, about 2 minutes after I'd gotten home--oh, the tender mercy of it all--the heavens opened and dumped rain. I was extremely thankful to be under covering. Finally I knocked, rang the doorbell, etc. Still no luck. Sat for about 10 minutes trying to decide what to do. I needed to get ready and go to work and i knew it could hours before anyone woke up. And they have a sound machine in their bedroom, so I figured they probably weren't hearing me anyway. Sigh. Well, earlier in the wee hours of morning I had opened my window to let the cooling air in, so sidled over there-trying to keep up the eave so I didn't get too sopping wet. The neighbor across the street was out in his robe having a smoke, watching all this (I imagine--he was definitely out there, I didn't check to see if he was watching. I was a little more worried about staying dry and other things.) And happily, oh so happily, I was able to quite easily get the screen out and climb through my window. Whew. :) Could have been a disaster, but so wasn't. Worst effect of the morning was being sore from running lop-sided in ditches.

Okay, I just have to add one more happy thing. One of Kedron's (attorney at office) clients is from Saudi Arabia and she made us this huge meal and brought it in today. Delicious!!!