• Law School,  Work Life Balance

    Easy and Healthy Snacks for Stressful Times

    For people that knew me in law school, they may laugh that I’m about to encourage people to eat healthy during law school finals. I would laugh too. Not only did I tend to not snack healthy during school, but I wasn’t eating healthy–period. So, I totally understand how during this time in school, you’re more likely to say, “screw it,” and go to bed instead of packing a healthy lunch for the next day. Or more likely, say, “screw it,” and eat the free pizza that the bar prep course/student organization is offering instead of staying cooped up at the library. But it’s not just easy to eat poorly…

  • Issues,  Work Life Balance

    Happy Thanksgiving: Link Round Up

    We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!  We are on the mend of a really bad head cold (in fact, I just googled “can I harm my brain from coughing,” because this cough is still something fierce).  But instead of wallowing about being sick, I’m trying to enjoy having time off work and getting to spend quality time with family. Though I know for many people it’s the beginning of high stress season with finals approaching.  I mentioned on instagram that Thanksgiving as a 1L was so stressful and sad–so even though I’m sick, I’m still much happier today than when I had to work Black Friday and cram for exams…

  • Law School,  Work Life Balance

    Preparing for Law School Finals

    It’s almost that time.  Stress level is probably at an all time high.  You may be behind in some classes, trying to get all your reading done; finalizing your legal writing class memos; editing writing samples and resumes for your job applications; maybe even working on cites for journal, on top of everyday life.   First, I’m sorry. Second, have you started preparing for finals?  Because it’s time.  I know if you’re a 1L, it may seem like an impossible task, and as an upperclassmen, it’s just another layer of work you have to dig through.  But before you know it, you’ll be sitting for your tests so it’s vital that you…

  • Issues,  Work Life Balance

    Latinas and Political Representation

    Midterm elections are finished, and after a few months break the big race to 2016 will commence.  If you’re like me, you love political season.  If you’re like most normal people—you hate it.  Regardless how you feel about the systems and parties in this country, I want to introduce you to a new organization called Latinas Represent.  A nonpartisan group dedicated to helping Latinas get in the game.  Latinas compose only a little over 1% of elected officials, a dismal number.  As we’ve mentioned again and again, all women’s issues are Latina issues and often it hits us even harder.  So why aren’t we running to make things better? Latinas…

  • Issues,  Legal Practice,  Work Life Balance

    Latinas Are Leaning In, A Book Review

    Two summers ago, I brought the book Lean In with me on vacation to St. Martin and promptly threw it back in my travel bag because this is just not beach-reading material!  A few months later, I was having lunch with one of the few Latina lawyers I know and she highly recommended the book.  I started reading it and couldn’t stop.  It was so informative and compelling, not just because the stories and statistics provided illuminated problems women face in the professional workforce; or because the advice seemed practical and useful; but because it was a window into a powerful world that we are trying to join. First, from a…

  • Law School,  Legal Practice,  Work Life Balance

    Three Simple Ways to Reduce Stress

    The posts this week have been a little stress-inducing, right? Law school debt and rejection–not exactly something that keeps you calm. So, let’s talk stress relief!  Although I know some of us are in the midst of mid-terms, job applications, cases, LSAT prep, life in general, so things are hella hectic, and trying a new treatment might not be the best option right now. But I really like to emphasize the importance of healthy living because while many of us can handle heavy pressure, it’s very difficult to flourish under it. And I want to live a life where I thrive and grow–not just one that I can withstand. I…

  • Issues,  Work Life Balance

    In Defense of Hispanic Heritage Month

    September 15 marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month and for many Hispanic/Latinos it’s not such a happy occasion.  I get it.  It’s sometimes hard to swallow “celebrating” when we’re not just one culture and when there’s so much oppression and injustice inflicted on Latinos.   I get that this month can sometimes seem like lip service. But, nonetheless, I’m here to defend it.  Not the name, or the fact that it tries to encompass so many different cultures in one, but the general intent and the positive impact it can actually create.     Because while it may seem like pandering to some,  for other Latinos celebrating HHM can be…

  • Legal Practice,  Work Life Balance

    Quarterly Report: Setting a Budget

    Today’s post is brought to you by my “in-house” accountant and Reg. CPA (aka my husband Evan). Evan has kindly agreed to write some posts about finances every now and then (lucky us!). I know I’m a little bias but it’s no exaggeration when I say he’s a whiz at this kind of thing, and I’m very happy to be able to share some of his knowledge with you. Today’s post is about setting a budget–something I never, ever could do. Budget setting is tedious to do and even harder to stick to, but Evan is here to provide some tips to create, start, and stick with budget that matches…

  • Work Life Balance

    Friday Favorites

      First, thank you for such a great month! We were so excited to launch and worried about reception, but have heard such great feedback and positive reactions!  So, thank you!  We’re excited to move forward and have some good posts scheduled for next month.  Second, can you believe the month is almost over? For those of you starting law school, I hope you’re not feeling too nervous!  You’ll get into a pattern soon enough!   I hope everyone has a great Labor Day Weekend!  If you need a study break or have some time to kill this weekend here are some of my fave links from this past month:…

  • Uncategorized,  Work Life Balance

    Balanced Diet: Tasty and Healthy Shrimp Tacos

    One of my big pet peeves is the idea that food from Mexico and Central/South America is the height of unhealthiness.  I have even read articles about doctors shaming patients when they make blanket statements that all that X ethnic-style food is bad.  In reality, there’s so much fresh vegetables and fruits in “Latino” cuisines that you can make healthy dishes or just add a few alternatives and make favorite dishes a little healthier.  This Friday series of a well-lived life is about eating healthy, while still getting to enjoy the comfort food many of us were raised on. Now, I’m by no means an extensive cook or an expert in clean-eating…