2011: its almost over (thank god)!!!

I was going to make this long post abt the ups and downs of this horrendous, no good year but since it's so close to it being over, Ive decided to j let things go. its been bad enough and I j need to let things go and move on!  Whatever happened happened and theres nothing I can doto change it and im j ruining my head and body by still stressing abt all that nonsense.  

From this point forward, I am looking ahead to 2012 and all the amazing things that will come in the new year!!!!

I am soso excited about 2012. its also my 26th birthday in roughly 6hrs/15 mins and I cant wait! So many great things to look forward to in 2012-- Summer Olympics, hopefully passing the bar, moving out of NC/back to VA, running more/new races, the possibilities are endless.  I have the power to make 2012 amazing and happy. I came up w a few resolutions for 2012 during my run this morning that I'd like to share:

• Stop letting calorie counting run my life and make healthy choices re: food
• Living a healthy lifestyle of various exercise & eating healthy
• doesnt necessarily mean cutting out all the good things in life but j having like 4 pizza rolls instead of 10
• trying new forms of exercise-- my mom got me an exercise bike for my bday and I've started some dvd workouts too!
• Stay focused and motivated in my ultimate career goals (i.e. passing A bar exam, finding my 'happy job', moving back to VA)
• control my temper and improve my familial relationships
• Run at least 2 half marathons (1 new one!) and at least 2 races longer than 5Ks (i.e. 8K, 10K, or 15K)

Ultimately, 2012 has the likelihood to be amazing and life changing.  Im looking forward to change for once in my life and get through each day w a smile on my face!!

Happy New Year friends! I can't wait for it to get here!

xoxoManisha:)

2011- Year in Review:Weight Loss, Running, Etc.

SOOOO this yr has def had its ups and downs of my weight loss.  I literally started the year off puking my brains out on my birthday from too much Champagne on birthday eve (due to a sickness/illness that ive finally come to terms with as some sort of ED/eating issue).

At the beginning of theyear, I had dropped nearly 20lbs since I got sick Thanksgiving 2010.  Pretty much until mid-february I wasn't eating, socializing, etc and became depressed &pretty closed in and fleeing to my parents nearly every weekend and day I was free from school.  Then came the end of February.  I had gone to the hospital, had number of DR appts and tests done but nothing was internally wrong w me other than low iron counts.  The dR amounted the weight loss, hair loss, etc to extreme stress.  

Even though I was going through all of this, I ran my first half marathon on Feb 27,2011 in DisneyWorld at the Disney Princess Half Marathon w one of my sorority sisters.  My entire family flew down as well to cheer me on in this intense, high-scale race.  My mom was pretty concerned abt my health given that two weeks prior I had an endoscopy and was in the hospital for xrays.  She told me that she thought an ambulance would have to pick me up half way through! It was pretty insane because the previous Sept/Oct 2010 I was running a 6min mile.  I finished the half marathon without passing out and in 3hr 27min.  This was definitely far more timethan I had planned but was good enough for me. It was the culmination of my weight loss goals since Aug 7, 2009.  I had ballooned to 222lbs on that date and that was when I set a goal for myself to get healthy and not succumb to the health issues I am inevitably going to face later in my life (both parents have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc.).

Crossing that finish line in Epcot Center after the grueling 13.1 miles was amazing. I was literally in tears by the fact of what I had accomplished.  There's no other way to describe that feeling.  I had lost nearly 75lbs and was more healthy than ever before in my life.  Even though I completed this incredibly difficult goal, I was in a pretty depressed state.

Basically got through the rest of the semester doing random 5Ks here and there and then ran consistently during June while studying but in July I cut everything out that took away time from studying and I gained about 20 lbs frm July-end of August.  Ive been desperately trying to lose all this excess weight but Ive been on an emotional roller coaster the past few months so it's been hard.

Since Sept 1, I've been in a pretty bad funk when I found out I didnt pass the NC Bar Exam (the attorney licensing exam, so now I'm pretty much a non-practicing lawyer until I pass the Bar).  I pretty much didn't get back into my running until the end of Sept/October when I began srsly training for my half marathon and forced myself to get out of this bubble world I had been living in the past month.  Running again felt good and I even ran outside (I had been doing all of my training on the treadmill) in my parents' neighborhood which was amazing.

A positive note from the crazieness of the past four months is that I ran my Second Half Marathon in November!  I cut my time down by about 17 mins since February so I'm happy! Ive been carrying probs 20lbs more now than I did in Feb but I'm overall much more healthy (and my hair has greatly decreased in the amt of falling out, etc).  

So here I am, December 2011, three wks from closing out one of the worst year's in my life (this pretty much goes down w 2007) and weighing in at around 163-165lbs.  Im desperately trying to lose these 20lbs but I'm taking my time losing weight this time and not getting too severe abt punishing myself for eating certain things and then starving my body if I do. That does not=healthy and I knw that now.

I've been in a slump since the half though and it has now been one month exactly since I last ran.  I need to get back into it going into 2012 so hopefully I can be ready for my next half marathon in the spring!  I think my mom is getting me an exercise bike (like the ones you spin on) for my 26th birthday (in 19 days!!!!!) so I am definitely going to use that to get my legs back in shape and toned like they used to be!!! I also purchased the following 3dvds: Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred, Jillian Michaels 6 Week 6Pack, and Jillian Michaels Killer Buns& Thighs.  Im hoping to start the 30 day shred soon (i.e. by this friday once I get a chance to purchase some light weights-- I only have 10, 12, &15) and see how that works out for me.  

Ultimately, 2011 was an up and down year for me, health-wise.  I am literally counting the days until this horrendous year is over and I can start fresh in my life in 2012 and meet my weight loss and running goals again. 

xoxoxoManisha

Here's a rundown of my Races in 2011 and the times that I can remember:

Disney Princess Half Marathon--> 3:27

WLA Race for Women's Health 5K--> ~38mins (a WEEK after my half marathon)

Danville Shamrock 5K--> ~34mins

Danville Nestle 5K Walk--> ~58 min I think? (I walked this one w my older sister bc she doesn't run)

Danville Half Marathon--> 3:15

planning to do the NC Half Marathon in Concord NC on March 24, 2012 yay! 

VIRGINIA TECH

"Being a Hokie is not a mercenary relationship. It is not a business proposition. It is not an exchange of goods and services for money. It is a shared bond, a love that comes from somewhere we don’t understand and can’t explain to others. We do not take from this university; it gives to us. Perhaps when we first arrive on its campus, we have our own selfish interests in mind, but by the time we leave, we are transformed. We are Hokies."

William Neal Stewart
Virginia Tech, BSEE 1987

Please keep Virginia Tech in your thoughts & prayers

"From the outside looking in, you can never understand it. From the inside looking out, you can never explain it. Virginia Tech is more than a school.. It's my home and family. Our campus does not deserve this heartbreak. neVer forgeT & pray for Virginia Tech. We will always prevail. ♥ Stay safe, Hokies"

Insomnia is the worst

I cant sleep. Havent been sleeping at night straight since like September. it is now DECEMBER. my head hurts.

over the past few months, in my bought w insomnia, i watch late night w jimmy fallon. not only does this show keep me occupied while everyone sleeps, Jimmy Fallon is probs, wo a doubt, the funniest man alive. AND bc he is so ridiculously hilarious, he is so incredibly hot to me. and lets be real, i dont really go for the white dudes either. srsly, having a sense of humor is probably one of the hottest things abt dudes.

anyways, i digress.

I need to figure out how to sleep. ive started studying but i need to get rest andstart sleepingon a normal schedule.


anyways. took some benadryl around 1am so hopefully ill sleep soon. big day tom--the chapter of my sorority that I advise is having officer training and our monthly Executive Council mtg w the new officers. I made the girls some brownies &peppermint bark to enjoy during the meeting.

AND THENNNNN: ACC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME TOMORROW NIGHT GO HOKIESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS F CLEMSON

also, going on a date w a dude on tues. its gunna be interesting but at least its j drinks and like lowkey/. annnd were going to my fav winebar here so at least thats a plus hahah ok i cant be a negative nancy abt everything hahah oh welllll.

GO HOKIEESSSSSSS

In preparation for tomorrow, a little joke:

A man dressed in Chicago maroon and burnt orange walks into a Charlottesville sports bar with a small dog under his arm. He says to the bartender: "Hey, can I leave my dog here while I go the VT/UVA football game?" "A dog in my bar? No, absolutely not." "But He's a special dog", the VT fan says. "In what way?", the bartender asks. "Well, he'll watch the game on TV with you. When Virginia Tech scores he will walk up and down the bar on his hind legs. When Virginia scores he will walk up and down the bar on his front legs. When Virginia Tech wins, he will do back flips all the way down the bar and back." "Wow!" the bartender says. "That's amazing. What does he do when Virginia wins?" "I don't know" says the Hokie. "He's only seven years old"


bhahahaa uva is so f-ing lame. excited to see my hokies crush all of those poor uva souls' hopes and dreams tomrorow. 

Giving Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am so so so thankful for so much this year. Even though things havent gone exactly like I wanted or had planned, there is so much I am thankful for this year.  I'm thankful for my health & especially my family (my mommy esp)& my friends who have been there for me throughout the ups and downs of 2011. I am most thankful that this horrendous year will be over in roughly 5wks.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day and enjoy the craziness of Black Friday!

xoxoManisha

Half Marathon #2= DUNZO! (and other concerns abt life)

well. last saturday I finished my second half marathon! exciting to finish and it was abt 15 mins faster than my half I did in February. And it isnt too shabby given that I didnt start srsly running/training again until October (abt 5ish wks before the race).   I had hoped to set a PR by 30 mins but miles 7-9 were all literally uphill and I ran half/pwr walked half of that mtn and I was so wiped up by the time I got to the 10 mile marker I knew I wasnt going to make it by my goal.  I was super disappointed when I finished but my mom reminded me that finishing was an accomplishment in iteself and everything I've gone through these past few months that I have nothing to be ashamed about. She also reminded me that so many people cant even run 13.1 miles so that was a nice thought hahah
I havent been super sore the past few days after the race but I usually run up and down my stairs at my house and that has been difficult this wk bc my ankles feel like they are going to break in half! I guess that is because I'm so much heavier than I was in February (probs 15ish lbs more) but I'm only abt 10 away frm my goal weight. I was super sick from last Dec 10-March 11 and so I lost abt 25ish lbs then frm my healthy weight so im j trying to get to a healthly placce.  Im trying not to obsess abt it but its kinda hard. W my studying starting up in a few wks, I j need to make sure that I stay on track this winter w studying and being healthy.

Its pretty depressing that after all that I put into studying and preparing for the bar exam this past summer for the July exam, I have to do it again. for another 3 months. and then take that mf-ing exam again in February (28-29 to be exact). Sometimes, I feel like I will pass it so bad this tiem around and I only have to do 4pts better than I did last July but then I have thoughts like 'Can I really do all of this, again???" I just dont know what to do other than stay focused on my overall goal-- becoming an attorney at law because lets be srs, I will not take the bar exam a third time. If I dont pass in February, then I guess I will j have to find a new profession. And i really dont want to do that because it has been my dream since I was 14 to be a lawyer, ever since I debated the constitutionality of the death penalty in my 8th grade forum.
(OK SO THIS IS WHERE MY F-ING SAFARI CRASHED AND DIDNT SAVE THE REST OF MY BLOG AND IM PISSED SO THIS IS GOING TO BE SUPER SHORT)

ok so next I blabbed on abt the book im reading-- Mindy Kailing's new book " Is Everyone Hanging out Without Me (And other Concerns)". it is pretty much amazingness. she and i basically had the same childhoods other than shes 7ish yrs older than me. I too was a chubbster as a small child that embarrassed my older brother haha pretty much it is an AMAZING book that eveyrone should be reading right now.

um what else did I mention?? IDK IDK IDK.

OH, I am pretty much in love with Virginia Tech. more than usual. we j beat unc tongith and my sister got tickets for her my dad and i to go to the VT uva game in charlottesville. cantwait.

ok thats all im going to sleep for reals. finishing up soemthanksgiving cards and then benadryling up!
xoxoxomanisha

ps here are some pictures frm life recently--diwali/bhaibij w the famjam in clt, my half marathon, hokie football

Homecoming w my friend Kori!

 Diwali/Bhaibij at my Masi's place in Concord-- I made food for everyone(salad, spinach artichoke dip, lasagna, pasta salad, pesto pasta, brownie trifle)

before the half marathon started

DUNZO

Danville Half Marathon

I'm running my fall half marathon tomorrow. I originally signed up for the Disneyland at the beginning of August but life was OOC after the Bar & Hawaii so I figured it wasnt the best to spend a crapton of $. I knew Danville was having a race when I went to a DR's appt last spring and took the local "Danville Magazine" frm the waiting room that listed all the races in the Danville area!

I'm really excited about this race tomorrow. Im nowhere near my pace frm last year this time BUT I am healthier than I was last February when I ran my first half marathon at the Disney Princess Half Marathon.  My legs are stronger, I'm not puking all the time, Im not nauseous all the time, etc. Im literally a different person than last February. The only thing bothering me is im abt 15-18ish lbs heavier than last Feb but its ok, I'm a work in progress I figure..

Got my nails did, have my hokie outfit all ready, my orange spibelt, my new running playlist ready, and my diamonds in.  Going to pickuup my race packet and bib tonight then carb-ing up at dins  at my fav italian/pasta place in Danville tonight.

hopefully my next post will include pictures w my new medal!
wish me luck!

xoxomanisha


PS> LOVELOVELOVE my hokies for winning last night in ATL. amazing game. All i have left to say abt that is: David Wilson: Danville's finest.

'Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.'

-Steve Jobs

Reality Check: Living for 32

I feel like this past month I have been in a deep hole of depression that quite frankly, is like something I haven’t experienced in nearly four and a half years..  I found out about 4wks ago that I didn’t pass the NC Bar Exam that I took at the end of July, after 10 grueling weeks of 12-15hr days of studying throughout the summer.  It has taken me a long time to really grasp this because throughout the past month or so, I have gone over in my mind what I could have done differently, what happened on the days of the exam that could have shaken my confidence, etc.  My mind has been constantly racing w ridiculous thoughts nonstop for the past month I honestly think Im going crazy.  Anyone who knws me knows that Im not one to dwell on what other people think of me, or their opinions abt in general but there’s something different abt this.  I have had so many feelings of embarrassment and being ashamed that I didn’t pass and I have no idea why I care so much abt what ppl think abt me not passing the bar. What baffles me so much is why I have these thoughts of what the ppl frm school are thinking.. obvi I realize that I am not on everyone;s constant thoughts but this was moreso right after I found out at the beg of Sept.. Why this is confusing to me is bc I rly wasn’t super close to a ton of ppl frm school, I had my group of close friends and that was pretty much it but idk.. I honestly haven’t felt more like a failure than the past few wks. I mean, come on—my father is a doctor, my older sister is a pharmacist (who makes 6figs, owns her own home, pretty much amazing), and my older brother is a doctor now too in his second year of his Surgery residency (both of which passed all of their licensing exams on the first try wo any problems)…I, on the other hand, took the unmentionable route in my family and went to law school (which is clearly looked down upon in my family) and I can’t even pass the bar exam. It’s pretty embarrassing in my family and kinda hard not to feel like a failure at this point..

Also over the past two (maybe even 3??) months, Ive realized who are true friends and those who are not.. clearly I am not going to call bitches out but I find it amazing how people use you for whatever they need (prime example:all of 3L yr) and then they j vanish frm your life over some immature reasons (what I presume based on past actions) but it really is surprising. I thought at this point in life people would act like adults and if there is a problem or awkwardness or issues, then come to me, don’t be some passive aggressive bitch. That is how people are cut out of my life and I have no problem at all excising all of that nonsense from my life. I have no time for that immature bullshit/drama in life.

On the other hand, I have srsly realized who I can really depend on and lean on for support during one of the lowest times in my academic/professional(?) life/career.  These people are amazing, and it isn’t that I have to talk to them everyday or see them every mothn (b/c lets be honest, I live in the hellhole that is nc and there is probs no one here I can lean on for support, other than my sister or aunt who is like a second mother).  I honestly do not know how I would have gotten through the past two months w/o my 2 bffs April and Adrienne and I hope they knw hwo special and amazing they are to me.. (I wish I was physically closer to them but hopefully if things work out, I will be back in VA for good soon)

I have pretty much j been a mess this past month…Ive desperately been tryingto lose the weight I gained at the end of the summer but all of this stress is not helping.. yesterday was the first time in about 3 months that I seriously ran and actually enjoyed it… I haven’t been sleeping at night, I probably haven’t slept the whole night since the night before the bar exam in july.. or maybe a night or two in Hawaii (obvi frm the jet lag).. and Ive been taking multiple benadryls at night or melatonin (neither 5mg nor 10mg have worked thus far) or even the supposed lovely combination benadryl AND melatonin.. Im still struggling w this but I have to be rested and in a better mental state before I start preparing for the February bar exam..

The reason prompted me to come to terms w failing the bar exam (there I said it) was that this past Sunday morning, after I returned frm Baltimore (visiting my mom’s brother/uncle who had the heart attack a few wks ago), I saw that ShowtimeHD was playing the documentary “Living for 32” that was made by Colin Goddard (a survivor frm April 16^th) and I finally felt ready to watch it and come (somewhat) face-to-face w everything that happened that day.  Watching the news footage frm that day, seeing the wind blowing on the drillfield and realizing that I was practically at Norris when I was rushed back onto the dirllfield that morning..made me jump back to reality. I was rushed back to that moment in 2007 that I decided that I am going to Live for 32.  I was going to get through that difficult and trying time and live my life for my fallen classmates and Hokies who will never again have a chance enjoy the little things or even appreciate the air that we breathe and take for granted each and every day.  I was laying in bed watching that documentary showing what happened on my campus that day and I was struck with the thoughts and feelings of how self-involved I have been the past few months.  While not passing the bar is a major setback in my professional life (no lie, the wk after I got the disappointing letter, I got 2 v. promising interviews for associate positions and I had to inform the firms that I didn’t pass and they were basically like ‘see ya’), I still have the chance to do something with my life.  Obviously I am taking the option of trying again and taking the bar again but if I do not pass, it does not mean I am forever banned from all professions, all jobs, etc.  I remembered that April 2007 where I pledged my life to live for 32 and I clearly did not keep that in mind over the past few months. I;m going up to Blacksburg this coming wkend and I hope this is exactly what will help me get me back to my old self and ready to start living for 32 again..

All of this got me thinking back to that time, April 2007, and I found me old Xanga (yeah I totes have been blogging since 2003, j on different sites) and reading my post frm 04/16/07 had all those emotions rushing back.. a few entries that helped me remember what it felt like and remember that I need to get back to forever Life for 32.

Tuesday April 24, 2007

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

I am going to try and move forward from this and hold myself to Living for 32.  I will take the bar exam again. One day, I will practice law, and if not, I will find what I am meant to do in life (career-wise, etc) and I will live life fully for the 32 Hokies I will forever hold in my heart.

neVer forgeT.

update coming soon.. when I stop being so lazy.

so many things to update abt life:

1. Bar Exam
2. Weight-Loss Journey/lifeplan
3. Post-Bar Exam Life
4. Job Searching

I guess I'll take on one of these topics in each of the next few days...BUTTT I'm leaving for my Hawaiian Vacation (happy graduation to me!!!) tomorrow morning so today will be pretty busy going back to GSO and packing and whatnot! expect some updates from the beach! :)

xoxo,
Manisha

EEEEEEEEEEEK.

https://twitter.com/#!/mppvt08/status/94370157744492544


expect a ginormous post circa next fri when im trying to figure out what to do w my life.

too much espressO

ive had far too much espresso in the 4 hrs ive been awake. also, I HATE CONTRACTS. ucc, common law, restatements, etc. i hate it all. i swear my numbers would go up so much if Ks werent on the MBE.

so much to do, so little time. MAJOR SADFACE.



this time next wk ill be on my way to raleigh for the bar exam. eeeeeek.

words of motivation.

j saw this tweet from @DonnieWahlberg (my fav from NKOTB) frm last night-- definitely how I feel abt life these days...i just need to make it to the 28th..

@DonnieWahlberg
Today! You have weathered storms before. You have faced pain before. You have come this far- There is nothing coming that you cannot handle!


when i feel like I won't make it or it will be the end of the world if I dont pass, reality checks in and reminds me of some of the things I've gone through and things other ppl have gone through and rly puts all of this Bar exam bubble in perspective.

I will pass this exam.


ok, enough w the distractions. going hard for these last 5-6ish hrs!

bar exam bar exam bar exam bar exam bar exam bar exam bar exam bar exam

The North Carolina Bar Exam is on July 26-27.

as in 10 days.

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkkk.

must stay calm. must not panic. must stay calm. must not panic. must stay calm. must not panic. must stay calm. must not panic. must stay calm. must not panic. must stay calm. must not panic. must stay calm. must not panic. must stay calm. must not panic. must stay calm. must not panic. must stay calm. must not panic. must stay calm. must not panic.

I noticed something lately..

what is going on w ppl this days? I feel like every female I know and their sister are getting married and then after they get married, they j sit at home, quit their jobs, and get preg????? srsly, is that why people spend 4+ years in college/grad school?


B-A-N-A-N-A-S.

That is definitely not the life for me but I've j noticed that happening a lot w a lot of female friends, acquaintances, etc that I have on fb and elsewhere.

idk. ridic.

Ughhh I hate life right now..

Studying for the bar exam is literally sucking the life out of me.. I'm under 4wks away frm the exam and I j feel like I'm not going to make it... Not that I'm doing poorly on the practice essays and mc but my multiple choice work definitely has room for improvement. It's j rly overwhelming that literally my career rests on those 2 days of exam taking..... I've j been in a ridiculous funk this week and I just can't seem to stay on track of my schedule this wk and I can't keep all the law in my head, I.e. If I am doing well on property law, then I'm struggling w torts or contracts. It's ironic that one of my best classes in law school (torts) is one of my most difficult this summer and vice versa...

On top of being in a terrible rut this week, I've been feeling really alone lately. I miss my mom (haven't spent more than 10mins w her since memorial day) and I miss my friends... Living w my sister is rly difficult too. It's like she thinks that j bc I'm staying here w her means we're bffs and have to do everything together (eat, talk, tv, etc) and it's j not how it's supposed to be.. Before I moved here I had a talk w her that I'm not going to be the easiest person to live w this summer and that I'm gunna be stressed out 24/7 And I'm j not going to be a pleasant person to be around and she was like that's fine. And now she gets upset w me when I come back to her house after 10hrs of studying at wfu law and I don't want to "chat" or talk, etc. And then when I eat dinner(I'm on a v strict schedule so i can get enough work done in the day) and she gets mad if I want to watch something dumb like 16&preg or MTV real world road rules challenge ... Idk it's j so frustrating but I guess I can't complain too much bc I'm the one who wanted to study at wake, little did I know or else I would've studied in Gso...I have 2 more weeks of barbri left and then I'll be back at my own house. I can't wait. Butttt that means it'll be abt a wk before I have to go t Raleigh for the bar.. Oh well.

I'm guess im j feeling sad today and lonely. I'm excited though abt the wkend bc I talked to one of my close friends frm law school today and since we have the 4th off (I'm still gunna review a lil that day) so I'm going to meet her at concord mills and do a little outlet shopping and some macados for lunch (it's not Blacksburg but it'll get the job done) w a macados madness.

Anywho here is my sad, depressing life update coming to you frm my supercute iPad.

Ps sorority sister rachel's wedding last weekend was amazing. She looked beyond beautiful and I loved seeing her and Josh(the new hubs) so happy. Love her in my life-def wouldn't have gotten through the past 3yrs of law school wo her in my life!!!,!



Ok goodnight. I'll be in gboro after lecture Tom. We have criminal law tomorrow, or maybe criminal procedure?

Summer 2011= LAMEEEEEEEE

ok this isa quick one--

this summer= lame.

I'm 10lbs down frm my post-sickness weight gain. abt 12ish more to get to my pre-sickness healthy weight. im starting to work out again on a regular basis and im eating better and keeping my food journal again and it's really helped me frm eating endless amounts of laffy taffy or any other kind of candy in stressed/panic moments..(bc lets be real, im having shittons of those lately)

goal deadline for the last 12lbs= august 13 bc.....WE'RE GOING TO MAUI (HAWAII) FOR MY GRADUATION/POST-BAR EXAM TRIP!!!!!!!!!! 6 days, 5 nights in a hawaiian villa in Maui.

I. CANNOT. WAIT.

studying is going ok. i had a headcold all last wk which sucked but its like whatifs now. I'm going about 11-12hrs everyday but im still getting in break time and about 7-8hrs of sleep. id prefer a full 8 everynight but sometimes it j doesnt happen.  im working out/running/kettlebell lifting every other day so that is good too--major destressor.

i miss my friends and talking/seeing them but i j need to get through the next 5 wks. yes, that is right, NC BAR EXAM IN 5 WKS.

commence panic attack.


ok time for a smartones for lunch and diet aw root better then back to it until 630/7. its gunna be a tough day, lot of work but im eating a light lunch so i can reward myself a vegetarian burrito bowl at chipotle for dins (and only 420 calories too!!!!!) and 1/4 cup of haagen das mango sorbet ( ithink 100-or less- cals for 1.4 cup!)! YAYAYAAYAYAYAYAY

real post coming this evening..in the meantime..

this summer is LAME LAME LAME. studying for the bar exam is no fun. i keep telling myself its going to be worth it in September when I've passed the bar and all the people out enjoying life this summer have failed and have to retake in February. I really want to pass first go around, otherwise, Im not celebrating  birthday #26 in january.

bar exam,
you are mean and lame. be more realistic/nicer.

love always/never,
manishappatel, jd

NKOTBSB

Also, I'm obsessed. even moreso than before. Anyone who has met me probs has not gotten through at least one convo w me re: backstreet boys and I love them!!!!! NKOTB too. I went to their concert last friday in DC and it was AMAZINGGGGG. Love me some donnie+nick. my life is pretty much complete now. saw this epic show, lady gaga last fall, britney 2x in 2009, maroon 5 last summer. bam. life is happy.  I will ahve to post some pictures one day this wkend!

i currently have a playlist of the NKOTBSB album, NKOTB Greatest Hits, BSB every song on every cd, the new Gaga album and some randos thrown in (i.e. new weezy song, new enrique/ursher song, adele, etc) and its making bar studying so much more amazing.

here are some of my favorites:
NKOTBSB- Dont Turn Out the Lights
BSB- I want it that way
BSB- THe One
BSB- THe Call
BSB- As Long As you Love me
BSB- Quit Playin' Games
BSB- Inconsolable
BSB- Incomplete
NKOTB-Ill be loving you forever
NKOTB- Cover Girl
NKOTB- Step by Step
NKOTB- Tonight
NKOTB- Didnt I (Blow your Mind this time)
Britney Spears- HOLD IT AGAINST ME (current fav song in life)
Britney- Till the World Ends
Britney- I wanna go
Enrique/Ursher/Weezy- Dirty Dancer
Weezy- How to love
Keri Hilson- Pretty Girl Rock
Luda- Welcome to Atlanta
Jay Z- Young Forever
Lupe Fiasco- Kick, Push
Gaga- Edge of glory
Gaga- Hair (loveeee this one-- I'm free as my hairrrrrrr)


OK enough break time. going hard for the last hr before an hr break at 'home' for dinner/tv.  ive been here since 830am. no way im not gunna do everything in my pwr to not fail that B- i mean the bar exam.



catch up post soon. maybe fri nigth break before bed? Ill be in GSO this wkend, so soso excited. I miss my house, my bed, my shower, my VT snuggie, etc.

post coming soon? (?)

started barbri/bar prep studying for july 26-7. i still have the post i started back in may. one day ill finish it. this is literally sucking the life out of me. 12-13 hrs of studying everyday.  sadface.

ok back to it.

hoepfully ill make it to august..

LAW PROM!!!

My last ever Barrister's Ball is tomorrow night! I am so excited! I love my fancy new dress! I will post pictures one day!

YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

exhaustion.

I am literally so exhausted I couldnt make it up my stairs to my bedroom. I finally make it up here, andddd I cant fall back asleep. My whole body aches (the 7.654mile run today WORE ME OUT), my brain hurts (didnt even use it much, only one class today), and yeah. Also, I dont really care about this bball game tonight but I;ll j say that I hope Butler wins b/c Brad Stevens is so cute and uconn is a school full of cheaters (and their sleazy coach) and its gross.

My eyes burn frm all these OOC allergies! I cant believe how bad it got so quickly today. It was so pretty but the pollen is ridic!

In other life news, Barrister's Ball (aka LAW PROM) is this coming Friday night. It srsly is prom.  My group of friends and I are going out to a nice dinner, then pregaming at a friend's apt then going to prom. I don't think we could be anymore high school if we tried. We've got the fancy dresses too. My dress is royal purple and I have a gold michael kors wristlet and gold strappy heels to go with my dress. Im so excited to wear my dress! For srs, I think that is all I care about-- my new dress. I'm excited to hang out with my friends too though, it'll pretty much be the last time until Graduation that we can hang out since we have finals and papers coming up so soon!

I'm going to Blacksburg April 15-17. I am really excited to go back, I haven't been since my brother's graduation last May so this will definitely be great.  I just feel like this year, especially with so many changes going on in my life, I already feel emotionally unstable and I just dont think I'll be able to handle it being away from campus on the 16th.  Last year, I didn't have a choice because I had a job interview but this year is different.  I j feel like I need to be there.  I don't think that there will be that many people there that I still know though... Ive kept in touch with some of my sorority sisters who are still in undergrad so they said they'll let me see the new house, I am so excited! Im also doing the 3.2 Run in Remembrance too. I'm excited to do this, even if I don't get running the whole time-it will be  the perfect way to remember my 32 hokies and see and enjoy our beautiful campus. My best friend from law school is also coming up with me.  I am honestly, so happy she is coming with me because I know I'll need someone there with me and I definitely want to show her Virginia Tech and Blacksburg and of course our favorite dt locations! It will be so much fun! I am really excited about this trip if you cant tell!

Other than that, nothing else is new in life...here's a rundown of some important upcoming dates in life that might keep me frm updating this baby..

• April 8= LAW PROM
• April 15-17=BLACKSBURG!
• April 29= Last day of school EVER. (maybe??)-- also, 2 papers due at midnight AND the Royal Wedding!!!!
• May 4 or 5= Federal Income Tax final (I rly should figure out when this is for sure...)
• May 7= Bar Refresher Final--Last Final of my Academic Career!!!!!!!!

May 7-21= 2 wks off before graduation!

• May 14= Nestle 5K in Danville/Festival in the Park!
• May 21= Dean's Reception w my fam jam at school
• May 22= GRADUATION FROM LAW SCHOOL

May 23-July 2011= BarBri/Bar Exam studying induced hibernation

• June 3-5= Washington DC for the NKOTBSB Concert!!!!
• June 25= Rachel's Wedding Weekend!!!!
• July 26-27= NORTH CAROLINA BAR EXAM
• July 31= Washinton DC for Britney Spears Concert!!!!
• August 6= Becky's Wedding
• August 7-21= HAWAIIAN VACATION!!!!!!

ok those are the important ones. time for sleep for rls.

xoxoManisha

SNOW in March!

I know its the first day back from spring break and its snowing but I swear, there is something about snow that just instantly makes me so happy! And srsly, after four winters in Bburg where it pretty much snowed from October-April, I cant deal with all the lame people who cant deal with snow in March. Its like a gift we've been given by the weather gods, srsly, j enjoy it already!!

I am off to take a nap now! I just turned in the first draft of the Elder Law article so Im taking a nap then preparing for income tax class this afternoon.

Happy Monday Friends!!!

Disney Princess Half Marathon!

Lets be honest, I started this post on um, feb 28, 2011 and I've put it off almost a whole entire month. The past 4 wks since my half have been absolutely bananas but Ill start w a recap of my disney princess half marathon weekend (which was amazingness/best wkend in life in FOREVERRRR)

(resume post from 02/28/11)

WELL. I did it. On February 27, 2011 I finished my first half marathon! 

I was extremely worried that I wouldn't be able to finish because of my illness that kept me from running/training at all from December-mid February.  I took the last 2 wks before the race to get back in shape in hopes of being able to keep pace and make it through the finish line. I ran abt 8 times in the last 2 wks before the race and I even got my longest run in ever at 13.6ish miles on the Thursday before I left for disney and it was great!  I was still worried about finishing in general the entire wkend up until starting because I was just mentally so out of it being sick and miserable for so long.  The wkend was just amazing though! I packed in a rush the thurs night before we left b/c I had class until 5ish.  Then my mom came that night and my dad later too since we were all leaving out of CLT in the morning.  my parents were bickering like small children so I had to play parent and keep them from yelling at each other haha.

Friday, February 25, 2011
we get to the airport like ridic early b/c my dad is panicking about time as always so we get there like 2 hrs early for our domestic flight to Orlando and we find out our flight is delayed from 10am to 1pm. My bro flew out of detriot in the morning while we were waiting and he even got to tampa and drove to orlando before we even got on the airplane in CLT haha. ridic. so we finally get to Orlando, I'm estatic because Im so excited about life at this point.  We get off the plane and then my dad goes berserk again panicking abt our checked bags and I was all like 'daddy, srsly we are doing Disney so the magical express is taking our bags straight to the resort and our room!" and he didnt believe me so my dad stayed at baggage claim trying to find our bags and I went down to the magical express counter to get official proof to tell my dad that the bags were going to our resort b/c obvi the papers I had werent' proof enough. my mom got fed up w my dad so she went downstairs trying to find me.  My ridic berry was also dying at this point so all the phone calls w/ my parents were getting cut off too. it was bananas.  Both of my parents got lost trying to find me by the Disney Magical Express. My mom got lost b/c she went all the way outside and my dad finally came to the Disney Magical Express after he talked to someone who worked at the airport and they told him the bags never even come into the airport, they go straight to the resort from the airplane.  While I waited for my parents, I saw 2 shuttles leave for our resort, so annoying.  Well, we finally waited in line for the magical express, my dad was livid that we were "herded like cattle" so he j sat down in line like a small child but whatevs. I was so excited no one could bring me down.  We finally got on the shuttle and made all the stops to the other resorts before getting to ours, I was sosososo excited.  My brother was already there and had a rental car so he was liek call me when you get there, the walk frm the front desk to the room is long. (but rly, it wasnt, hes j out of shape hahahaha) but OMG I was so excited. We were in the Mighty Ducks building. OMG It was like a dream come true. my sister was getting in later that night so we went to the ESPN Wide World of Sports for the Fit Like a Princess Expo! I had to pick up my race packet and see all the fun vendors. It was so much fun and I was so excited too! My number was 9697 and I got some awesome things at the expo (a much needed spibelt to carry my berry and camera for the race, a finishers tshirt we ordered for my official time that I should get any day now, princess ears, princess waterbottle).  After the expo, we went back to the room I think? No, we went for dins but my dad and bro made a big deal about finding an indian restaurant for dins but I was all like 'I cant eat that" (b/c my stomach was already in knots over the race and I still, to this day, cant handle ANY food w/ spice b/c Ive been eating literally bread/buttered toast since January). But nooo they didnt care so we went to this indian restaurant that was in an indian shopping center in Orlando (about 30 mins away from Disney, so yeah we went on a ridic car ride too).  The food was ok b/c my mom and I were like " I need bland, white-ppl/American version of indian food" (no offense my white-ppl friends, but its j how they describe it at restaurants to other indians haha). Afterwards, I went to the indian grocery store next to the restuarant and got some ice cream and mango juice to soothe my stomach.  afterwards, it was soon enough and my sis didnt want to wait for the disney magical express and so we went to the airport to pick her up. Then, back to the resort.  BUT OH WAIT. I was so excited about Disneyworld, I forgot to pack some pajamas and my mom forgot her camera so we made a stop at a local walmart. Not gunna lie, I never loved walmart more than this one, there was so much of Disney souvenirs, etc that I had seen at our resort Disney store so I totes got it (tshirt, mug, etc) for like $5 less! Yay! I got some cheap pjs and apparaently they were out of all cameras of any sort and my mom was not having any of the disposable kind so we j peaced out and tried to plan the next day back in our room bt my daddy and bro were in a food-induced coma so we got frustrated, got ready for the morning and went back to our room for sleep!

Saturday, February 26, 2011
The next  morning, we woke up super early to go to the parks. I originally wanted to j go to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom but since MGM Studios (i knwo is hollywood now but its j not the same anymore) had Extra Magic Hours, we got 1 day parkhopper tickets for my mom, dad, sis and I b/c my bro was lame-o and ddidnt want to come with us.  IT. WAS. AMAZING. we went on tower of terror wo any wait, the great american movie ride too. Then, we left before the park opened for regular people so we made our way to Animal Kingdom. We went to Asia (obvi) and did the Kali River Rapids (omg sososomuch fun) and then had some Mickey ice cream, did the Safari in Africa (amazingggg) and then walked aroundsome more too.  Then we went to Epcot Center.  This was always my least favorite place in Disney World but my fam loves it so we went.  At this point, I hadnt eaten anything all day so I was starving and trying to find something to eat.  No luck in Mexico (overpriced "nachos" w.o any veg options), Im not a fan of Chinese food, the lines in Italy were inappropriately long, dont like Japanese food, and finally made it to Morocco.  There, I found a falafel with a couscous salad. It was pretty amazing. While there, I ran into Aladdin hanging out with that whorish jasmine but I didnt throw rocks at her like I wanted b'c I didnt want to scar the small children.  While eating, Maggie (my sorority sister) found me so we caught up some and talked about the ooc airplanes and the parks so far. We planned to meet at the Mighty Ducks pool at 315am the next morning to go to the race together. I was so nervous/anxious at this point about the race but being in Disney calmed me down.  We walked through the rest of Epcot and then decided to go for it and took the monorail to Magic Kingdom/happiestplaceonearth. I was so happy there, I was literally jumping up and down to the entrance as soon as we got off the monorail!!! Took some amazingpictures too.  We watched the show by Cinderella's castle, which was so fun then made our way around to all the different areas but the waits were far too long for Big Thunder Mtn Railroad and Splash Mtn so we decided against going on those since I had to eat dins and get to bed soon (which didnt happen) bc I had that little task of running 13.1 miles in less than 12 hrs.  We did however, ride the crazy teacups ride. my mom and I were literally abt to puke when we got off but it was so much fun. We then walked around some more and then eventually make our way back to the resort exhausted, etc.  Back in our room, we cleaned up and then my bro said we were going toOlive Garden for dins b/c I needed to eat pasta before the race (which was a good idea in theory but not in actuality..). We went, had to wait forever, had terrible service, and then got back to the resort by like 9-10 (and yes, I had planned to go to bed by 8pm).  THEN, stupid ooc me, stayed up to watch my VT HOKIES beat Duke. It was pretty amazing and I then felt relaxed for the first time in forever b/c I took it as a good sign that things were going to go well with the race the next morning/in 6 hrs.  I didnt end up falling asleep until after 1230am and was up at 245 to get ready for the race. Yes, that is right, I ran 13.1 miles on about 2hrs of sleep. B-A-N-A-N-A-S.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2011
The race was so intese. I didnt realize how many people were going to be there and I was definitely not prepared b/c I didnt plan my bfast in the morning so I got a banana when Maggie and I got to the race and she gave me some of her fruit loops too. After getting to the race start, we went to our corrals, I was in D, she was in B out of F corrals..  I was literally abt to puke I was so anxious abt the race and all the people.  Per usual w nerves, within the first 2 miles I had to pee. I was scared to go in the woods to save time so I stopped at a gross portapotty.  I wasted so much time but I felt so relaxed after and got my pacing again and I was still within my corral's people so I wasnt too far behind.  I ran for about the next 5 miles straight through Magic Kingdom and after I hit 7 miles, I was so exhausted. My ankles hurt, I was dripping with sweat it was so hot, and I was j so tired. After we got through MK, that is when I started my run/walk breaks. I think I walked more than ran the last half but I at least kept up my jogging instead of walking, until mile 11. This one was ROUGH. I honestly didnt think I could make it, I kept counting on my hands how many miles I had left and then I tooka quick stop at the top of this overpass where we were running, saw all the people behind me and felt a LOT better that I wasnt at the end.  I took a break at the next medical stop and got some tylenol, got some goo for my legs/muscles/the soreness, and some people congratulated me on VT's big win over Duke the night before.  That was just what I needed so I got going again and finished out hte last 2.1 well. Eminem came on and it was just what I needed after listening to Destiny Child's Survivor.  The last part of the race, inside of Epcot, was rough. This is where I walked more than run/jogging but I got through the first half of mile 13 and then the last .6mi of the race I sprinted as fast as I could. It wasnt what I needed to make up for the times that I power walked more than I needed to run but its ok.  I finished. MY time was pretty horrendous but I finished and ultimately, thats all that matters. I had been training for a 2:30 time but with my 3 month sickness, I think I did ok even though my pacing was way off.  My family was so happy seeing me cross the finish! I met up with them after I got some snack items and water/powerade. We looked at my medal some then they went to the tshirt part and got them to make me a personalized tshirteven though we had ordered one at the Expo.  I met up with my classmate from law school who also did the race to take a picture (srsly, who lies abt your finishing time? who cares as long as you finished? srsly, lame.) and then my fam and I peaced out b/c we had to check out of our hotel by like 11 I think and it was liek 1015 so I needed time to not only shower/clean up but pack too. It was ridiculous. Maggie finished so much earlier than me,she was already back at the resort and getting ready to hit another park before her flight that night but our flight was in the afternoon so the DME was taking us to the hotel at 2pm.  My bro still had his rental car so he took us to ANOTHER disgusting indian restaurant that he and my dad wanted to go and I was too exhausted/sore to do anything about it so we went, I barely ate anything, and drank my own powerade.  It was absolutely ridic bt thats j how my bro and dad are sometimes. Oh well. We got back to the resort in time to catch the DME and my moms got me ice cream in the airport after we got through security so that was nice.  At the airport, ppl were furious b/c the flight before ours was cancelled/something happened, got hit on by some creepers in the Orlando airport, but then got on the flight home.  We made a pit stop at my Aunt's crib in Concord, NC on the way home b/c she made me food b/c I hadnt eaten all day and was so exhausted/hungry still after my race.  My cousin was visiting my aunt for the wk so we got to play with the new baby for a little too.  She wouldnt stop crying and it got late so I was like 'ok lets go home" so we got home, and I couldnt even make it up my 2 flights of stairs in my townhouse to my bed. My ankles literally felt like they were going to break and give out.  BUT, it was a reallllly good feeling :)

Since the half, I had my prof. ethics exam the next saturday so I took a break from running to study that week. then I ran 5Ks the past 2 saturdays.  the 5K on mar 12 was particularly rough b/c I j wasnt mentally there b/c of drama at work, etc and I was really disappointed in myself and my time, etc. It was probs one of my all-time lows but I just needed to take time to get all back into it.  Last Saturday I ran a 5K in my hometown and although the race was very poorly organized, I still was back to my half marathon pace.  It wasnt the best pacing but good that I didnt let myself go too much after the half.  Starting monday, when I get back from spring break this year), I think I am going to start throwing myself into running again circa july 2010 (running nearly 160-170 miles/month).  I need to lose these last 15 lbs that have resided on my hips and stomach and I want to get healthy before I start studying for the bar.

Some exciting news--I signed up for the Disneyland Half Marathon in Anaheim, CA in September with my sorority sister Maggie.  I am very excited about doing both the DisneyWORLD and DisneyLAND races all in one year.  In training for the Disneyland Half, I am going to srsly train properly. I decided to do Jeff Galloway's training program for the half.  I am hoping that I can break 3hrs this time and hopefully get some runs in outside this summer as a break from Bar Studying (the stress/anxiety about that is for another blog post haha).  I've heard a lot about his program and everyone I've talked to loves it and his book is great so that's my goal for September.  Starting in April, Im going to get back to my 100 miles in 30days goals that I stopped in December.  I'm physically feeling fine unless I eat somehting not good (i.e. last night) and then Ill be sick for a while (i.e. all day today) so I j need to keep my diet in check too.  I hope it goes well.

Here's a little rundown of my past races and times, which I'm nervous abt publishing to the world but I tell myself I have nothing to be ashamed abt because finishing these races is a good start. going into my second year of srs running, I am going to work on my pacing and times for all my races from here on out.

Past Races

WLA 5K- 03/2010 (40:55)

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure: Charlotte NC- 10/2010 (38:42)

Disney Princess Half Marathon- 02/2011 (3:27:07)

WLA 5K- 03/2011 (~41:00)

Shamrock 5K: Danville VA- 03/2011 (35:48)

Upcoming Races

3.2 for 32: Blacksburg VA- 04/2011

Disneyland Half Marathon- 09/2011


XOXO, MANISHA!

Is there anyone out there cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe...

WELL, life has been ooc since I last updated this lovely blog of mine.
February has been tough for me.. I've been to the dr a number of times, had an endoscopy, biopsy, about 8 vials of bloodwork done and there's still no knowing what is wrong w me and why i've been so sick since the end of last Nov.  I have another appt a wk from Monday to get the results of the endoscopy and biopsy and maybe that will give us some idea of what I need to do from here... one thing my DR told me is that I am extremely anemic and so he prescribe a strong version of iron pills for me to start taking and I have a followup appt in the end of april too so thatas good too I guess? I'm just so tired of being exhasuted and sick all the time.  The good news in life is that I'm getting more energy back b/c ive been forcing myself to eat, even if it makes me nauseous or feeling ridic.  B/c of my extra energy these past two weeks, I've started running more almost back to my running from last October/November.  I've still lost quite a bit of weight since last nov (probs about 12lbs total) because I've gained some back but it is ridiculous. sometimes i dont feel like eating anything so ill eat a bowl of blue bunny reduced fat, no sugar added double strawberry ice cream for dinner and then the next day I'll have lost 2lbs. it is bananas, my body.
ANYways, back to my running.  Last wk I was running about 30 mins 4x a week and this week I did much more! I ran my first 10+ mile run since November on Monday, then I had a light run on Tues and yesterday (abt 4 miles each) and then today, oh today. I ran about 85 minutes, 13.66 miles.  I am still so sore and tired but its a good feeling to be like this again.  It has been so long but its nice that I am getting more energy back and am able to run liek this again.
The most exciting part of my life right now is the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend! I am leaving bright and early tomorrow morning for DISNEY WORLD!!!!! I am sosososo excited! I have been working towards this life goal since August of 2009 when I weighed about 218lbs.  I'm now abt 70ish lbs lighter and in shape and ready for this race! One of my favorite sorority sisters is running also and staying in the same Disney resort as my family and I so we are catching the bus to the race together and then meeting up afterwards to take pictures with our medals :)  I am so excited! I need to figure out where I am going to meet up with my family when I get done or what to do with my phone b/c I have no way of contacting them after so we will see I guess....I need to make sure I print everything out and whatnot before going to bed tonight.

Also, I havent even started packing. I mean, I have a pile of clothes in my room that I need to put in my carryon bag and rolly bag so I need to get on it. I need to find my old nike shoes to wear when we go to the park on Saturday. I really want to wear my stretchy yoga pants the day we go to the park but IDK I might wear jeans so it'd look nice when we take pictures w/ characters and whatnot. I j want to be comfortable and in unconstricting clothing b/c it makes my stomach hurt when I eat ANYTHING so Idk. We will see but I'll pack everything j in case.  I want to go to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom but now I am thinking I want to do Magic Kingdom and MGM (which apparently since I was last there in 2002, they renamed to hollywood studios? LAMMMME.) but we'll see what my family wants to do...

I just hope my dad doesnt ruin this for me and make it even more stressful like he does to most things in my life that I am most excited for so we will see I guess.

School is already stressful and so is work. I've been trying to find jobs for next year and I've already applied to quite a few but who knows what will happen.  I'm taking only 4 classes but I have a total of 13 credits so its still alot of work. For my elder law class, I have a 20pg paper due on the last day of classes, for my advanced family law practice class I have a 10pg memo due on the last day of classes too.  THEN, I have 2 finals, one for my Income Tax class and then my Bar Refresher course, which is my last final, ON A SATURDAY hahaha. I have a break b/w my last final and graduation from May 7-22 but there is a Dean's Reception on the 21st my family and I are going to as well.  I am just really excited to have 2 stress free weeks before starting intense bar studying. OK, I dont want to think about that j yet and get stressed out.

Its almost 730 already and I still need to put my laundry in the dryer and pack. I think I will go upstairs to back in like 15 min to watch Jeopardy as I pack everything for this weekend!

I will definitely be better about posting later on now that I am feeling better finally.  I will also be sure to post pictures from my half marathon on sunday next wk sometime.  Next wk will be hectic for me too b/c i have plans to meet up with friends for dinner on monday, lunch on tues, Alpha Gam EC in high point on tues night, dinner w friends on weds night, and then on thurs, a WLA Exec meeting at lunch, Judges Panel on Thurs night, and then the MPRE (multistate professional responsibility exam). I took it in November but I didnt pass by like only a few points and that was probs one of the most depressing things in life.  I am for srs gunna have to pass next Sat or else I will be stuck having to RETAKE that damn exam again in August, the morning of one of my friends' wedding. it will be interesting. I am j going to study as much as I can the next wk and half so I can pass. I hope Im ethical enough this time around for North Carolina.


ANYWAYS, time for some Jeopardy and packing!

xoxo, MANISHA!

New Design YAYAY!

I figure since its a new year, it's time for a new design to my blog! I love the orange and the designs and the fun fonts yay! Hopefully this will be more fun to look at than that boring grey from before haha

On another note, I still want to see Black Swan. so many other movies. I wish I had the energy to actually get up and go and do something. 

I exercised for the first time today since Dec 22.  It was really hard and I was seeing spots and dizzy after so I stopped after 30 mins.  I could barely get my weight lifting in, I only got 2 reps on each arm before I had to quit.  I was so drained at the end of that 30 mins I literally had to lay on the floor for 30ish mins until I could move again. I guess I pushed myself too hard today.  I am going to take the next two days off and try again monday morning.  i was even feeling somewhat good this evening after running to school to get a book and then to the bank so I tried to eat a lean cuisine for dinner. I didnt even finish it and the tomato sauce in it has upset my stomach for the past 4 hours. I feel so sick to my stomach i wish i could just throw up and feel better at thispoint... i already have eaten like 8 tums but idk what to do anymore. 

im laying here watching say yes to the dress right now.  theres a girl who ordered her dress over a year ago, is there for her first fitting oh and shes preggo now. srsly? the dress was too small when she got it thinking that she could lose 15lbs but instead shes now having a baby and the dress doesnt fit and like even ripped. OOC. thank god for indian weddings--they may be a headache but i know that id never have a problem like that. saris are like a one size fits all. AND I dont even have to go shopping, my mom has already given me her wedding sari for my wedding (if that ever happens).  its like plain compared to modern styles but you know what, whatevs. its from 1975 and my mom wore it when she married my daddio in the motherland so that is more special than any amount of bling. its so beautiful I remem when i was little always asking my mom to show me her wedding sari.  its in my closet at my parents house right now so maybe I will bring it to my house next time Im in danville. at the very least, if i never end up getting married, at least I have something pretty to look at in life :)

well, my stomach is rly not feeling good right now so i think im gunna call my moms and see what to do. im really anxious to see what this preggo bride is gunna do on Say Yes to the Dress..

Its been a while....

Yeah ,its been quite a while since I last posted on here... to be quite honest, I've been in a really bad place the past few months..pretty much in every sense but then I think that you know, I have clean air to breathe, I beautiful home, a fantastic education (debt free, thanks mom+dad), and a wonderful family so in the long run, I am really lucky.
I've been pretty sick since the Monday after Thanksgiving last Nov.  I had my treadmill accident on Nov 13 and  so finally my wounds are better, still itching and scarred but at least its not painful and unbearable.  WELL, since the Monday after T-giving, I had a really bad bout with the flu.  Afterwards, I would randomly throw up and not be able to keep any food in my system (I was even sick during my family law final, bananas, right??!) well, I finished my finals on like Dec 5th and so I started working intense afterwards until my family's Christmas trip to NYC.  My family celebrated Christmas at home (at my house for the first time ever I hosted!!!!) and my aunt and her fam came here as well. It was such a fun weekend and my brother was here too b/c he took off the last two weeks of 2010 to spend with family and his friends. Well, I was ok during the NYC trip (which is another intense story in itself--see below) but I still couldnt really eat much without getting sick one way or another and rarely had an appetite, which was unfortunate bc NYC has some of the BEST restaurants ever ever.  Well, our NYC trip was pretty much doubled in length b/c we were stuck in the Christmas blizzard there.  We were supposed to come home the Sunday after Christmas, but we ended up leaving Manhattan right as it started snowing a lot and sticking but made our way to La Guardia.  WELL, we ended up stuck in the airport for nearly 9 hours and after 3 cancelled flights we made new reservations and made our way back to the City bc the next flight we could get to Raleigh= WEDNESDAY (yes, it was sunday so that means- 3days 2nights more in NYC).  I was ok the second half of hte trip and then we got back, I did a little quick shopping b/c the next day (Friday) was Birthday Eve and I was meeting my bff April in Richmond va to celebrate my turing quarter of a century.  WELL, birthday eve was all good and fun and low key, just what I wanted after an exhausting week traveling and stuck in the snow for like ever (i lovelovelove snow but that was ooc.).  I didnt even drink that much, maybe like 3 drinks over the course of 8 hrs.  All through the night and all next morning, I was so sick and I just thought I was hungover bc I hadnt really had anything to drink more than a glass or two of wine since November. WELL NO. I was so sick all day. April and I went to this doughnut shop b/c I wanted one so bad for my bday (since I never let myself eat them since before aug 2009) and I couldnt even keep 1/4 of my bagel down or any gatorade or water.  It was pretty terrible and I just coudnt stop throwing up.  I barely made it out of richmond and I not only stopped on the side of the road 2x to throw up, but I had to stop at a sketch gas station b/c I couldnt drive anymore, threw up some, and then talking to my mom on the phone, she siad to just sit in my car a little and try and drink some gingerale until I get energy to drive the rest of the way to my parents' house.  well, i ended up falling asleep in my car at the gas station for nearly 2hrs until some lady thought i was dead and got an employee from inside and they were knocking on my window to make sure I was ok... remem that this is my bday. I pretty  much trhew up nearly 20x on my birhtday and my parents met me halfway from danville and one of them had to drive my car home bc I was such a mess.  the week after my birthday was pretty painful too b/c ever since the ridicness on my bday, i lost all appetite, i am nauseous all the time and the smallest things will make me sick to my stomach.  Ive been to the dr 3x since the week after my bday and none of my dr's know what is wrong with me.  I've had blood tests and other tests and the first thing my dr diagnosed was gastrointestinitis (which is NO FUN AT ALL) but I should be better by now but I still have no appetite for any foods (even all the bad stuff I havent let myself eat for the past 1.5years) and Im nauseous a lot of the time and super dehydrated.  Im just really weak in life at this point. I have even had trouble sleeping, waking up 3-4x a night and barely sleeping 4-6hrs each night.. and even when I try to eat, I get this intense pain in my stomach liek nothing ive ever experienced before...  Since my bday, Ive lost about 12ish lbs (i even ate like doughnuts, toast, string cheese, and gingerale for a few days and i lost 2 lbs, srsly???!) Ive been pretty depressed and stressed lately b/c I just feel terrible all the time, I feel so lonely all the time (hence my constant trips to danville and the wkends iM not there my mom has been here with me) and I just dont have the energy to even see my friends since classes started last Tuesday.  Im just really sad really in life. I am just constantly feeling terrible and weak and so I guess I've just been secluding myself. I come home in b/w my breaks in class to nap and I cant ever seem to sleep enough at night (except on thurs-sat nights b/c i take 2 benadryls to sleep 12+hrs w/o waking up). its j been pretty bad lately...I have a colonoscopy shceduled for next friday so hopefully that will lead to some insight to why ive been feeling so terrible for so long. my brother the surgeon has been telling me to try a gluten and lactose free diet for the past few wks but its just so hard b/c that is wiping out the one thing I actually can eat (toast) but IDK, maybe I should try it? My mom and bff April suspect that all of this is stress induced and I am literally making myself sick. Idk what is going on but Ive made quite a few changes in my life to

so there you go, thats why ive been so mia lately.  my family has been amazing though through everything. my mom (while shes still recovering from surgery on her right hand) takes care of me when i come to danville or she will come to greensboro and take care of me here so I dont expend too much energy of what I have. she has been so amazing these past two months (the last 4 wks especially) Idk if Id even be here if it werent for her in my life.  she really has been my strength through all of this...

in other world manisha news:
Christmas Trip to NYC
well, this trip was just amazingness. spent a lot a lot of money but it was so much fun. for our planned portion of our trip, we stayed at the W Time Square.  It was rather modern for my family but we didnt really spend too much time in the hotel other than sleeping (well for my sister and i at least).  we saw quite a few shows (Mamma Mia, Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall w the rockettes, West Side Story) and got to do a lot of fun touristy things I always wanted to do (NBC Studios tour, Top of the Rock, seeing the tree at Rockefeller Center, walking 5th avenue, seeing all the store christmas window displays) and I got to do a ton of shopping during the whole trip (one of my all time favs--H&M, famous flagship Macy's on 34th Street, Bloomindales, always.).  It was just a ton of fun.  Other than spending 2 days in the airport it was pretty much amazing. my bro found this delish indian hole in the wall restaurant for christmas (haha of course we would) and it had the best raasam ive had in my entire life, hands down.  On our second half of the trip, we ended up staying at the Westin Times Square and it was pretty much amazing. Im not gunna lie, I really love the Westin.  I really wish we'd stayed at the Marquis again but the Westin was amazing so no biggie.  ALSO, I had some of the most amazing NYC pizza, it was delightful. We ate at the same local pizzaria that my mom sis and I ate at when we stayed at the Westin during our summer 2007 trip. so deliciously amazing. it was pretty much like heaven in food form.  On the second half of the trip is when we made it to Macys and Bloomingdales.  And we got to see the tree again with snow it was just so beautiful.  Loveed the shopping but all the ooc people made me not even want to look at all the amazing sales, sadright? well even with the extra days, I was able to meet up with some of my favorites Derrick and his wifey Leigh for bfast, that was fun. ANYways, we were supposed to leave nyc the 29th at like 6am but it was the first day airports were open since all of the snow and all of the flights already sched for that day had to go first. we were on the 6am flight, supposed to leave our hotel on the shuttle coming to pick us up at 3am frm the hotel but around 1am, my brother woke up suddenly getting a bad feeling so he called American Airlines to check on ourflight and what do you know, it was CANCELLED. so frm that, he spent nearly the next hour and half getting all 5 of us on flights, we were all willing to split up and travel separately if we could just get to NC. My dad and sister had to go to work so they got the earliest flight. They were on the first open flight to Charlotte getting to NC around 11am. My mom was on a flight that would get to Raleigh NC around 7pm by way of Dallas/Ft Worth (w a 2hr layover there). And my bro and I. well, my brother and I got a flight to Raleigh leaving frm JFK airport (remem that we are in La Guardia at this point since about 4am) arriving to Raleigh at 1030pm by way of MIAMI. Yes, that is right, we flew 3+hrs frm NYC to Miami, then frm Miami 1.5 hrs to Raleigh. My dad and sis's flight to charlotte was cancelled. At this point, my mom had left for dallas/ft worth and the rest of us were so fed up, we got a rental car but they got on the later flight straight to Raleigh so they left on that direct flight.  Apparently all of our checked bags were sent to CLT on that first flight at 6am since we checked in so early so we didnt end up getting our bags until the next evening.  My dad and sis got home to danville around noon that day. my mom's flight took off well to dallas and then once my dad and sister's flight took off my bro and i waited for the shuttle to JFK and got to the beautiful JFK airport. srsly, it made la guardia look likethe ghetto.  well, our flight was packed to Miami and it was ridiculous b/c we waited nearly an hour late to take off bc there were ooc ridic people who didnt understand english and they were standing around in the plane and wouldnt shut up in spanish or sit down and they put all their crap (srsly more than the allotted 1 bag and 1 personal item) in the overhead compartments so there was literally no room anywhere.  Also, they had the loudest small children I wanted to punch repeatedly.  We ended up getting to Miami an hour late and my brother and I's flight was supposed to take off right as we landed in Miami.  We basically talked to the flight attendants to see if the people w connecting flights get off first (we were in the back of the plane on top of it!!!) and so we finally got off, tried to run through the jetway but more people with ridiculous small children wouldnt move fast or get out of the way and my brother and I literally had to knock people to the side so we could get into the terminal. We had to run 15 gates in less than liek3 mins.  we got to the gate and everything was closed at that point and we got the guy to open the door again and he basically told us they gave our seats away and talk to the flight attendants when we get on the plane and they just told us to sit whereever there were open seats. We literally sat down and the plane took off. it was BANANAZ. we finally made it to Raleigh and my dad sis and mom were there waiting for us. but yeah, there is my christmas NYC trip the short version.

Winter Term 2011
well, winter term was supposed to be my time to work and make a lot of money and enjoy my time away frm the place that is called elon law but I was so so so sick, i didnt really get to enjoy any of it and i didnt even get to see my friends at all.  it was a pretty stressful time too because i was/have jsut been so sad and depressed and sick that it was terrible.  I had a pretty low night the week before classes and mym om and sister almost came to my house that night but i just ended up going to bed really early and getting rest. winter term really was just lame b/c i didnt get to enjoy not having school but whatevs i guess.

Spring 2011 Semester
well, classes started 2wks ago, I have class only on M-Th.  I have one class on M and W so I go to work in the mornings before and then on T and Th i have 3 classes so Im really exhausted on those days.  Im taking Federal Income Tax, Advance Family Law Practice, Bar Refresher, and Elder Law.  My classes are pretty good and interesting but I never wouldve imagined that 13 credits would be so exhausting.  Tax is just intense in all sense of the word so i really am focused and pay attention in that class. AFLP is not hard at all because of my experience with my job and really, the past two classes my prof has just verbally briefed our assigned cases and read statutes to us so its been kinda boring but she assures us that it will get better after we get through the bulk of the law.  Bar class is intense but gives me confidence that I can make it through the summer. I j need to stay focused and study really hard.  We had our first quiz today and I did a lot better than expected (8 out of 10 right yayayay) so its giving me a lot of confidence going into the semester.  My elder law class I chose b/c I did the Wills clinic last semester and really enjoyed it and I want to practice in estate planning in life so I feel like this class will help me have a well rounded background going into the workforce (hah).  I have a big paper due for this class instead of a final so I am looking forward to spending some time on writing an amazing article (hopefully sending it somewhere to be published hopefully!!!!!!) and have an amazing writing sample for jobs.  I am in the beginning stages of narrowing my topic but I am thinking of doing something dealing with the cultural and societal differences of how elderly people are treated and cared for in the United States and India. I am hoping to incorporate the law with issues about public assistance (medicare, assisted living homes, etc in the US, and um, NOTHING in India b/c old people are taken care of their families, primarily the sons when they are old). I am still trying to figure out how to focus my research at this point and bring in the law but hoepfully it will turn out amazing. I will definitely post updates as to how it's going! YAY.  Also, I got all my grades back frm last semester on last wkend.  It was a pretty great semester for me and my summer school grades definitely made my gpa the best gpa Ive had for a semester since high school (true story, i didnt do crap in college other than drink, go to class, be involved in student orgs, and sleep).   it was a pretty great feeling. my law school gpa (w one smester left) is already higher than my 4 yr cumulative gpa from VT. pretty f-ing amazing if you ask me :)

Family
Srsly, I love my family, they are the best. Idk what I would do without them.  My sister took my dad and I to the Duke/wake forest bball game 2 wkends ago and then she took me to the US National Figure Skating Championships last wkend for the womens short program and free skate. it was pretty amazing seeing it in real life versus just watching on tv.

Friends
well, Im not going to be catty and post my social life issues on my blog for the world to see but things are ok with my friends. I hate that i dont have the energy to even hang out and see them outsdie of school. one of my closest friends here wanted to do a belated birhtday dinner for me once the spring semester started and my close group of friends was back but ive been so nauseous i cant even stand being in a public restaurant b/c the smells make me so sick.  so it just kinda sucks.  next wk, i am definitely going to try and spend some time w friends outside of school so hoepfully things will get better...

Running/Weight loss
well, weight loss is not on my radar but I have come to terms with the fact that my weight will shoot up when I get better and start eating normally again. my running has been non-existent since Dec. 22, 2010.  This is the most unfortunate thing about the past month and half because ever since Aug 2009, I have planned to run the Disney Princess Half Marathon on Feb 27, 2011.  I used to have a 6-6:30 minute mile and would run 7to 11 miles on a daily basis and I am so out of breath going up my 2 flights of stairs in my townhouse. I am really worried that I wont be able to run, let alone finish.  I hope that I can  make it. I think if i get a good amount of sleep tonight, I am going to try and exercise tomorrow for the first time since Dec.  I willl probs j try power walkng on my treadmill for a little bit and maybe use my rly light weights and do some arm exercises b.c it is srsly flabby and unfortunate looking :( my mom wants me to try Yoga to help me with my stress issues so Im goingto try the yoga dvds she got me and I finally opened my Wii Fit Plus that my sister got me for my birthday and see how that works for me but I might save that for next week. I really dont want to do too much too quickly and wear myself out before I even get to disney world.  before I got sick, my goal was to finish in under 2 hrs but at this point, I want to finish and be under 3 hrs. based on my pace frm my first race last March, I had about a 13 min mile and so I did the calculations and even with that pace its under 3hrs so hopeuflly i can make it. my whole family is coming with me to cheer me on so I am really excited.  This has been my goal for so long, I just want to accomplish something to show some meaning to all of my hard work in my weight loss journey since 2009. I used to be nearly 220lbs back in Aug 2009 and have lost over 70lbs so I want something to show for it hah.

ok well, i am exhausted and I swear to keep this updated more consistently in 2011. its going tobe a rough year with the bar exam but I am taking the NC Bar Exam in July of this year so hopefully I can make it to August and my Hawaiian post-bar/graduation trip!

here are some imp dates in life for 2011:

• Feb 25-27 --> Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend
• March 18-29--> Spring Break (perhaps a cruise/somewhere warm vacay w my moms depending on potential job interviews in raleigh<--cross your fingers for me)
• April 15-17--> Blacksburg for 04/16 and the 3.2 Run for Remembrance
• April 29--> Elder Law Paper/Article due
• May 4--> Federal Income Tax Final Exam
• May 7--> Bar Refresher Final Exam (a 4hr final for a p/f class, srsly life???) 
• May 9-20--> Alcoholism at it's finest/tying up loose ends at work ;)
• May 21--> Graduation Reception with Family and law school people
• May 22--> CLASS OF 2011 GRADUATION FROM LAW SCHOOL!!!!
• May 23--> Barbri starts. hello 15hrs/day bar studying and no life.
• June 2-3--> DC for NKOTBSB!!!!!!!!! fangirl for life.
• June 24-25--> best girlfriend/sorority sister's wedding in the GSO! Love her cant wait to be her bridesmaid!!!
• July 25-27--> NC Bar Exam
• August 6--> Friend's Wedding in Thomasville NC
• Aug 7-15/16--> HAWAIIAN VACAY

ok, thats all I can think of right now. time for 2 benadryl sleep. 

loveme. <3