deadlines and decisions

I've given it much thought, and I've decided to go to Tulane Law School. Tomorrow I'll submit my decision and commitment deposit to the University, and commence with frantically planning The Move.

Meanwhile, April 15th looms ahead with a hefty tax bill to pay, and the first draft of my research paper for Women's History is due that day, too. Right now I'm taking a break from transcribing notes and thinking about how I shall compile the thoughts I've had and research I've done over the last several months into a coherent narrative. I take comfort in the fact that my submission for Wednesday is really and truly a first draft, and that I'll have two more weeks still to tweak it for a final grade. This also leaves me plenty of time to spend at the Archives in an effort to dig up some biographical info on my main cast of characters, who are still just plaintiffs and defendants at this point since all my primary source research thus far has taken place at the Law Library where little biographical info is available.

Honestly, though, I'm struggling to maintain momentum and muster motivation. The more I think about moving to New Orleans and going to law school, the more excited I become about the prospect, and the less I find myself concerned about my performance in these two grad school classes at JSU. I'm convinced that my future success lies along the legal tract, which leaves me without much care as to putting forth the effort to be a stellar grad school student in these last few weeks of the semester. That's not a productive attitude, however, so I'm reminding myself that this paper is not just for class requirements; I do, after all, intend to submit a polished version for possible presentation at the Preyer Panel at the American Society for Legal History 2009 Conference. So I'm working through the ennui, but struggling to do so.

And thoughts about The Move await in the wings all the while. I'm really not sure how we will accomplish it; I've never moved so far before! I don't know how to find a place sufficiently ahead of time but not so far ahead of time that we would have to pay 2 rents for 2 or 3 months - which we can't feasibly do! - in order to snag it up before some other student does. All the challenges aside, I'm eager and excited that we will make it work, somehow.

I also find myself preoccupied with anticipation of transitioning from grad student to law student. (Which will mean re-naming this blog!) I've been talking to my boss, who survived law school 20-some years ago, about what it's like to be a law school student, and from what she tells me I've got a rough row to hoe during the first year. And to make things more challenging, it will be nothing like the schooling I've grown accustomed to. We both know I'm up for the challenge, though, and I know I'll find it all immensely interesting, and so it is just one more aspect of this whole newfound-direction-for-my-life that I am eager to embrace. And one that easily distracts me from the tasks at hand.

For now, it's back to the research paper. Tomorrow I've set aside time for taxes and budgeting and other planning for The Move, but break time is over and so I shall end this idle screed.