Lifestyles of the poor and nameless

There's a saying that "God never takes away except to give us back something better. It means we must be brave enough and determined enough to wait...because it often takes God time to turn a painful situation to good. It means we can embrace our pain and not resent it because a blessing is coming!" --Ann Kiemel Anderson

I don't always remember this phrase when something bad happens. Last year, when I failed the bar, I was devastated. I tried to put on the strong face, but behind it all, I was hurt, disappointed, bitter, etc.

Out of my whole "crew" from school, I was the only one who failed. Yes, I had the flu and a fever on the day of the exam...but I still felt like that shouldn't have mattered. I just wanted to pass the first time like everyone else. :-/.

In hindsight, I look at how my life is different because I failed the first time. I wouldn't have taken my present job, gotten my own apartment and I definitely would have missed out on at least one good friend. The failure kept me grounded; it humbled me.

The NY Bar results were officially released today. I passed :-). I can't even begin to describe the euphoria that resulted from seeing my name on that list. As an unexpected bonus, I found out that I did well enough to waive into the D.C. Bar without having to sit for the exam all over again.

Now I just gotta get through NJ in July. But no matter what, I feel happy and blessed to have achieved this much. I thank God for His mercy, and my friends for their support.

The Bar results were released this week and Sunday is Fordham Law's graduation. Everyone's got something to celebrate. We're gonna party like it's 1999! :-)