Notary Public

A year ago, I became a notary public in the State of Utah. (For those who don't know, a notary public is a legally authorized individual who can administer oaths and witness and authenticate documents. ) I decided to become a notary because at the time I was working for an attorney and we always had clients who needed things notarized, but had to go find a notary to do so.

The process is surprisingly simple, and it has been very useful to me in the past year.
To become a notary public in Utah, all you have to do is pass an online test (open book and not timed, how nice is that?), buy a bond (like malpractice insurance), and buy the stamp! The total cost is about $150, but you are certified for four years.


I've really tried to use my notary certification as a public service, and I have learned a lot about what documents my services are needed for. Here is a brief list:
1. Legal Bar applications
2. Divorce decrees
3. Affidavits (sworn statements from witnesses, kind of like a written testimony of what they would say in court)
4. Wills, Deeds, and Trusts
5. Power of Attorney
6. Long distance agreements

One important thing to remember about notaries: they can't notarize their own documents.

Rhetorically,
Rebekah

Utah Fourth District Court

This summer I was lucky enough to have two internships. The first was at the Utah Fourth District Court.

One perk about interning at the Fourth District Court: it's local (in Provo). I biked to work about half of the days, and it only took me 15 minutes.

Things I would recommend doing during your internship (if possible):
- Observe Drug Court and Mental Health Court. These are new programs that focus on rehabilitation and are unique from any other court hearing. I would highly recommend observing them to see how both justice and mercy are given through the court system.
- Tour the jail. If you haven't ever toured the jail before, I would highly recommend it. It's an eye opening experience.
- Help out with a jury trial. It was great for me to see the jury selection process and the different feel that a jury trial has as opposed to a bench trial.

I was sad to leave, mostly because of my great coworkers and the experience I had there. I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested (following the proper application procedure, of course).

Rhetorically,
Rebekah

1L Reflections

I really hope when people say the first year is the hardest, that they are right. Because that means the worst is over!

While I would agree that my first year was very hard and challenging, I feel that overall, I left with great friends and a good experience. 
My recommendations for incoming first year students:

• Decide what is important to you: Is it grades? (If so, move a small personal cot, your toothbrush, and a change of clothes into your carrel, because you probably won't leave the law school. Ever.) Is it sanity? (If so, plan on not getting A's in all of your classes. However, you will have time to go to ward activities and have personal time to yourself to exercise, watch a TV show, etc. You also might have time to sleep.)
• Have a study buddy (or two, or three). I personally struggled focusing in a study group that was larger than 4-5 people, so I would limit it. (Although you can be friends with lots more people, just don't study with them).
• For effective studying at your carrel, bring ear plugs and snacks.
• Be friends with 2Ls and 3Ls. It's nice to know someone who's already survived their 1st year and can give you advice and support.
• Join a club! (or two, or three). But no more than that. You won't have that much time outside of studying, although you should consider joining all the clubs who do lunches.
• If you don't mind used books, get them from Amazon. It possibly save you hundreds of dollars. I even bought a used book that was in a three ring binder. (Which turned out to be super useful because then I could just take out the pages I had to read, instead of hauling the whole book home.)
• Get a good externship. This usually requires taking the optional Career Services classes, but it is totally worth it. The Lecture Series was my favorite class. 
• Know that some things you just have to live through. Even though I received a lot of advice as a 1L, which would have benefitted me if I actually acted on it, some things you just have to experience before you understand. 

Rhetorically,
Rebekah

On a Personal Note

I'm engaged.

    FAQ's:

1. How did you meet? Our church single's ward.
2. When are you getting married? August 10, 2013
3. Where are you getting married? This place: 
   
   
   
   This is the Bountiful Utah Temple. It's the temple I grew up visiting the most, therefore, one of my favorites. For more information on temples, visit this site: https://www.lds.org/church/temples/why-we-build-temples/what-happens-in-temples?lang=eng
   
   
   Happily,
   Rebekah

Scotland/Ireland

Last October, the minimum age for missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to volunteer was lowered from 21 to 19 for the women, and 19 to 18 for the men.  This was a big change, and turned out to be perfect timing for my younger sister, who was just about to turn 19.  She faithfully wrote me every week of my mission, and I must say they were the most entertaining letters I ever received.  When the announcement was made, she felt a desire to serve.  She was called to serve in the Scotland/ Ireland mission, and entered the MTC today.  I am so proud of her.

This is a picture of her on her weekly "day off" where she can do some sightseeing:

Here's to my oldest friend and sister,

Rebekah

White Day 화이트데이

My boyfriend lived in Korea for three years and loved it. Consequently, I have learned a lot about Korea in the past couple months. One Korean tradition that I enjoy is their concept of Valentine's day. 

In Korea, Valentine's day is spread across three days: Feb 14 is for the men (women give them chocolate/ presents), Mar 14 is for the women (how we would celebrate Valentine's Day in America) and Apr 14 is for all the singles (they usually all go out to eat on this day).

I really liked this format because I always feel bad about the pressure guys get on Valentine's Day. Plus, no one in the US celebrates March 14, so I really felt special that day when my boyfriend surprised me by assigning each of my friends a "mission" (like mission impossible) to say a key phrase and give me chocolate at scheduled times throughout the day. It was one of the most creative operations I've ever seen. 

As an aside, I would highly recommend doing the "tangled disney movie" paper lanterns for a date. We got the blank white kind and wrote different messages on them for White Day as well (our own tradition, not Korean). 

Rhetorically,
Rebekah

I'd rather...

One of my favorite TV shows to watch (when I have time) is Psych.  On the show, Carlton Lassiter, a police officer, will occasionally say gems like, "I'd rather shower with a bear,"  "I'd rather learn to play the harp," or "I'd rather spend the rest of my life at the Lilith Fair."  While I personally may or may not share Lassiter's opinions (as they reflect things that he would normally despise doing to emphasize his distate for a suggestion) his quotes have inspired me to create my own:

I'd rather...

1. major in chemistry (while I appreciate those who study chemistry--as it means that I don't have to--this is a class that I successfully avoided taking in both high school and college. and will continue to avoid.)
2. sweep up maggots that are all across the kitchen floor (true story, actually. not only are maggots disgusting, but they don't easily sweep up. they are semi sticky and kind of roll into balls once you start sweeping, so you have to sweep them one by one. which can easily take several hours)
3. go clothes shopping (my sister once said, "don't take Rebekah shopping unless you really, really, desperately need her in a bad mood.")
4. abstain from eating chocolate for the rest of my life (no explanation necessary)
5. go on a road trip when I'm not the driver (this means I have no control over my return time, as I'm subject to the driver and other passenger's opinions and decisions. I tend to be non-confrontational, especially in close quarters like a road trip, and so I end doing what everyone else wants to. also, I get car sick)
6. read/ watch a tragedy where everyone DIES (I'm a happy-ending kind of gal. I figure I involuntarily see enough sadness in the world, why seek it out in movies or books? but that's just me)
7. shower with a spider (seriously, though, isn't this the worst? you see a spider anywhere in the shower and you instantly are trying to figure out if you should continue showering and hope it doesn't bug you, or if you should hop out, grab some toilet paper, and dispose of it. assuming, that is, that the spider is small)

We'll stop with lucky number seven. I'm sure there's more. Hopefully this post has inspired you to think of your own "I'd rathers."

Rhetorically,
Rebekah