This Month in the Life of Michelle

1. I started semester 2 of law school.

While I'd like to say that I've mastered the art of accomplishing more than any human should be expected to accomplish in any one, I have mastered another -- looking as though I am accomplishing more than any human should be expected to accomplish in any one day.

More on this at a later date.


2. I moved to Oaklyn, New Jersey.

Two weekends ago I packed up my life in Trenton and moved it about 40 miles south to Oaklyn. It's been two weeks, but the majority of my things are still in boxes, I don't have a kitchen table (or chairs), a desk, a t.v., or a bookshelf large enough to fit more than a handful of books, and as my friend Adam says, the place "looks like a dump." It has great potential though, and with a few purchases and some organizing, it will be ready for company.


3. My brother left for Marine boot camp.

This past Monday my brother left for Marine boot camp. For those of you who have not experienced such an event you will be interested to know a bit about the enlisting process.

A recruiter calls your little brother and tells him wonderful things about the Marines. The recruiter then picks up your little brother at the house and takes him out all day, telling him wonderful things all the while. The recruiter talks to him frequently, telling him all wonderful things. The recruiter comes back one unsuspecting Saturday morning and takes your little brother out all day -- again. Your brother comes back around 5, and he is officially a Marine reserve.

About 2 months later, the recruiter comes back to pick up your little brother. The recruiter calls your little brother and tells him he is on his way to the house. The recruiter comes at 5 a.m. while it is still dark outside. The recruiter does not come to the door to say hello to your family. The recruiter waits in the driveway, in the pitch black, in a car you can't describe and waits until your little brother gets into the car. The recruiter takes your little brother from you for 13 weeks -- to swamp-land South Carolina, with Marine-made glasses and Marine-made boxers and tees.