The Happy Gnome in St. Paul

My LSAT adventure appears to be over, FINGERS CROSSED, and I cannot be more happy! I receive my ever-anticipated score at the end of June.

With that chapter of my life over (believe me that chapter blew), I have all this free time! Granted, much of my day is filled with work, homework, school, and law school preparation in the form of my personal statement and applications. Sounds fun, right?

Before I began all that, my friend Katie and I decided to celebrate our LSAT completion after the test. Immediately after the test, that is. We went out with fellow LSAT students with our Kaplan instructor. Call me geeky, I get it. In my defense, geeks will inherit the earth.

The bar we went to, I had never heard of, but can see myself going back for more. The Happy Gnome, located in St. Paul is more than just the typical restaurant/bar. The Happy Gnome, clearly creative, is a craft beer exploration experience. The bar has more than 70 taps with exclusively domestic craft and quality import. The beer doesn't stop at the 70 rotating taps, the Happy Gnome also features an eclectic bottled beer selection. My favorite beer, so far, is the "Surly Bender".

The Happy Gnome describes the Surly Bender as this: Malty/Sweet; Here's what happens when substance meets smooth. An easy-drinking ale with many layers of satisfaction.

While I love the corporation scene of America, I appreciate the 'homey' feel of the Happy Gnome. How Gnome Sweet Gnome. This is the first bar I've been to in America that threw me back to my time in Scotland. I felt as though I was in a small town pub where order substitutions are readily accommodated and heels are replaced by comfy Birkenstocks.

I really cannot wait to go back and explore my way to becoming a beer aficionado.

Final Moments in LSAT Preparation

The time is winding down on my 6-month study hiatus. In one week I will have completed my LSAT examination and already have 24 hours of celebrating under my belt (18 if you subtract the time I will be in class actively not celebrating).

Thinking about next Tuesday brings me a huge feeling of relief. Don't get me wrong, I am nervous for the test, but not in ways you might think. I am not nervous for the questions - I know them. I am not nervous because of the stress - I have been stressed for months and have been able to manage it. No, I am nervous for what comes after the test. Logical reasoning, strategic reading and logic games have been my life for half a year now. When was the last time you were committed to anything for that long that 1) isn't caffeine and 2) you weren't financially compensated for.

When those 3 aspects are cut from my life after a four hour period during which I reach the upper epsilons of what the human brain can handle (this is actually true by the way) I might feel a little lost... I can't tell you the hours I have logged in the library pouring over inferences, paradoxes, assumptions and the like. The meltdowns that have ensued from and the time consumed by topic, scope, purpose and main idea. Or the actual enjoyment I get from solving sequencing, distribution and selection games.

While I am nervous, I am also excited. I can't wait to visit schools, apply to those school and start living my future.

In the meantime though, it seems as if I may need a hobby.

Life Update

This week, for me, is mega-stressful. I will be taking my LSAT exam this Saturday. I have been studying for this beast for a little over two months now with an average of 2-3 hours a day. And it all comes down to Saturday.

When I go to sleep at night, my dreams are filled with logical reasoning, logic games, and reading comprehension. I am continually analyzing arguments, making deductions, short-handing formal logic, and reading strategically. Basically... I am going crazy.

Please, wish me luck!

Before you feel too bad for me, I turned 21 on Sunday. Yes, Super Bowl Sunday! My birthday was pretty low-key because I am actually renting a party bus to celebrate my birthday and the completion of my LSAT on Saturday. My friends and I will be roaming the bars of Minneapolis and St. Paul Saturday night. This sounds like a plot parallel to that of "The Hangover".

I'll have the details for you soon!