This too shall pass, amigos!

Today is my last day of law school.

I have finally reached that light at the end of what often seemed like a never-ending tunnel.

I know I have not blogged in a few weeks or months (yet, again) however, this post is officially my last as a technical 3L law student. Of course, I do have some additional work to fulfill prior to graduating (an article, a research project, and a take-home final exam). So I will be kept busy in the next couple of weeks, but as far as classes are concerned, today, Thursday, April 12, 2012, it all ends by 8:05pm or so (depending on how long my final Negotiation class lasts).

And wow, I just cannot sleep today. Blame it on the double shot espresso at Starbucks, or rather on the excitement of being done . . . three years of law school are finally over!

All those moments of feeling like running away or hiding until the work went away (which might be somewhat realistic and occur again considering the work I have to still complete in the next few weeks) are soon to be finally at their end. Next, comes moving back to the west coast (yay!) and beginning my bar exam studying (ugh). But, let's focus on happy things instead.

Like for example, my survival of law school through hot sauce, salsa, and other spicy foods. I attempted to limit my intake while in law school, partly to not get sick (I used to eat pure hot sauce as a snack, before breakfast, when I was in elementary school which you can imagine was not good for my health), but also in order to make my stash of goodies last until either my next visit home or my next survival package. I should add that apparently some research has proven that there are nutrients in most peppers that contain chemicals that produce endorphins, which in turn make a person eating those peppers feel happy. Google it if you don't believe me.

To me this research makes complete sense because whenever I am feeling stressed or overwhelmed, I can definitely boost my attitude by enjoying some spicy Mexican candy, some chips or popcorn with hot sauce (yes, they taste awesome), or else simply add some chili powder or salsa to whatever meal I might be eating.

So yes, spicy foods are quite importante on my list. And they can be credited to my survival of some dire momentos, particularly those while I've been in law school!

But another extremely important contribution for my completion of law school has been the support of my familia and my amigos and amigas.

I got a bit nostalgic this week and took time to look through some of the many notes, letters, postcards, pictures, and cards that I have received since I began law school, and wow, I am sooo blessed! From encouraging words, to reminders of God's character, to simply notes indicating their love for me, all my familia and my amigos and amigas are simply incredible!

And I am so thankful for getting this far. We did it! I know that I have not been alone. Even when I questioned so much (and so often), yet my heavenly Father did not leave me, not once.

I have been listening to the Britt Nicole song, "All This Time" pretty much on repeat this week. This YouTube video of the song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8xv3Qy3dtg&feature=related) is extremely on point for me since I can definitely attest that throughout my time in law school, most of those Bible passages shown in the video have been essential to my life, every single day.

Like the lyrics of the song share, for me, it is very true that:

"All this time, from the first tear cried,

'til today's sunrise,

and every single moment between,

You were there,

You were always there,

it was You and I,

You've been walking with me,

all this time."

I know that I have never been, and never will be, alone. One of my biggest lessons in life, and definitely exercised while in law school, has been my need for a continual reliance on God -- He alone gives me the ability to get through each task, each day. I am thankful that my Savior is alone ever-faithful, loving, merciful, and all-powerful. I can rest assured that no matter what life after law school brings, from the bar exam to any of the future challenges I will face, it is not ever Keila that gets things accomplished on her own. If it were, this girl would not be weeks away from graduating from law school.

Inscribed in my high school graduation announcements, and kept as a reminder on my desk in law school is the following verse (Isaiah 40:31) with a picture of Neuchswanstein Castle in Germany (a gorgeous place I visited after my first year of law school), which is a symbol that God allowed me to "mount up with wings" like an eagle that first year of law school.

As I complete this other stage of life, I pray for renewed strength and renewed focus on that which God has for me to do next. GRACIAS for reading this blog. I encourage all of you to also seek and rely on God's strength for your life.