Life, the universe, and everything.

Weirdest thing ever. My whole "job" right now is to think. This is what it is like to be "just" a student. My job is to ponder the larger meaning of criminal law in the world. It's so weird. I'm so unaccustomed to really having the time to think. It's been a luxury for me. Typically if I have any down time, I'm so exhausted that thinking is beyond me. I really just want to empty my brain. But I'm catching up on my sleep & now I'm starting to relish the opportunity to just think about life, the universe, and everything. I am not so exhausted from the insane routine of work & school that I don't have time or energy to think about what I'm doing. Normally when I would take a couple of days to study during finals, I would be cramming material from an entire semester into 2 or 3 days of studying. Not such a good plan. No time to ponder. Now I have a ton of pondering time.

Leah & I entered into a long, erudite discussion on women and the law last night. It was fun. It eventually regressed back to me quizzing her on "do you know what you're doing?" Meaning - does she fully understand and consider WHAT she is giving up in order to raise kids at home, such as opportunity costs and decreased income. It would seem that she has considered it. So many homemakers are in total denial about their choices. They don't realize that when you leave the workforce, you forgo a lot of opportunity for income and career development. People in business ask what you've been doing for the past 15 to 18 years and when you say "raising my kids" they check you off the list. Not that I think that this is RIGHT - because it is the female dilemma. What to do because there really isn't a perfect option. No one wants to say it out loud because it might upset all the stay at home moms - but it needs to be said. It is not to judge their choice, but to assure that the realities are thrown out there and that they are well considered and accepted. It is just fine if that is your choice, but don't get torqued when you aren't as marketable in the job market. Don't get angry with ME for taking "your" opportunity if I've been in the workforce. You will never catch up. It's awful, but it's true. I really grilled her on "what about Matt?" I worry about her. I told her that I reserve the right to worry about her because she will always know then that someone cares enough to worry.