Well, it has been about 4.5 months since I have written
anything. I’ve been neglectful, I know. I’m sorry. Please find it in your
hearts to forgive me. Or at least to keep reading anyway. It has been a busy
few months with never-ending amounts of studying but I can proudly say that it
has all paid off and I PASSED THE FLORIDA BAR EXAM!!!! It’s amazing how
something you have worked and prayed for can shock you once you achieve it.
Last night, while eating dinner, I looked at Husband and said, “I spent four
months sitting at this table, from 8-5, 5 days a week, studying. And that was
before I got into it hardcore. I can’t believe this day has finally arrived.” I
am so incredibly blessed.
But back to justifying my absence. For about 1.5 months I
was home in Florida, soaking up the sunshine and the swimming and wearing
shorts and tank tops everyday. It was like Heaven. But a friend made a very
good point about my now dichotomous life.
I spent 30 years living in Florida, appreciating the warmth
but craving the cold. I would complain that we didn’t have a real winter. I
would pine for scarves and boots and pretty winter clothes. Fall was (and still
is) my favorite season because the evenings would cool down and the air would
feel crisp and my Sista, BFF and I would decorate for our favorite time of the
year. And we would take the Munchkin trick-or-treating and then sit outside in
the nice cool breeze giving out candy to rambunctious kids excited for
Halloween. And, of course, because of pumpkin spice lattes. They always make an
appearance before Halloween, and you can enjoy them past Thanksgiving, along
with other delicious pumpkiny treats. But the dichotomy begins upon recognizing
that I spent most of my life in Florida huddled next to the air conditioning
vent, begging for the cool air and stripping off my clothes. Well, at least to
the extent that it was legal. And then I moved.
I moved to the Emerald Isle (do they really call Ireland
that? I’m not sure. I heard it in a movie once. It’s definitely green
everywhere), and formed the other side of the dichotomy. I moved here in
January, with my huge coat, and my boots and my cousin’s soccer socks. I felt
like I was prepared for the winter. Man, I could NOT have been more wrong. And
apparently, I got a MILD one!! This so-called “mild winter” had me huddled in
many layers that I have previously mentioned, and basically strapped to the
electric heater or the fireplace. Well, near the fireplace. Fire safety is no
joke, kids. The weather has been pretty nice since I arrived back from my
summer in Florida, like Ireland has been trying to prove itself. Saying, “See??
You went to Florida where it was 92F/32C. That’s too hot for a regular human
being! Come to Ireland! Love us! It is in the high 60s/low 70s here! We know
how to do summer.” Although, some people still think this is kind of warm,
Husband included (if it gets into the mid-70s). But the dichotomy continues, as
I huddle up for warmth here.
And yet, I enjoy living in both places. Both places can be
very pretty. Both places have good and bad weather. Both have our loving family
and an awesome Baha’i community, although I don’t really have any friends here.
I’m trying, though. I have started taking a ballet class and have met a couple
of very nice girls. I will be seeing them tonight in our 3rd week of
class.
It all brings me to my final realization: we want what we
don’t have. Well….other than my family and friends being far away, I have
everything I want. I can put up with the dichotomous life for a little bit.
