Recently Read is a bi-weekly feature of The Paralegal Club and it aims to showcase some of my favourite blog posts from the week. Due to it being bi-weekly, the posts themselves may be two weeks old, but I've only stumbled upon them whilst researching for this blog post. It's a mish-mash of everything! Food, fashion, law, lifestyle posts or just a good ol' journal entry. I love it all! 

If you're a blogger and want a chance to be featured, please head over to my contact page and flick me an email!

#01: 5 Strategies for a Healthy Lifestyle When Working from Home - Laura Platts

Laura's blog, The Workher, has been put on hiatus, but she still has some amazing content for women entering the workforce. I wish I had found her blog sooner! I have been studying from home for the last two years, so I have a pretty set routine for myself, but I found her post reinforced my own logic and was a very friendly pat on the back. It will definitely help anyone working or studying from home or thinking about attempting the transition! 

#02: Why You Need a Morning Routine - BecauseGirls

I thrive on routine. I am dependant on it, right down to my bowl of oatmeal and cup of coffee in the morning. I've found what works for me - now you can do the same! BecauseGirls gives you a neat list of things to try in the morning to help with your routine and set you up for the day.

#03: How To Know If Online Courses Are Right For You - Kayla Karrandjas

90% of my life is online. It was strange and jarring at first, but I've found a nice routine and it really works for me. I've found I'm much more flexible with my time, routine, and general daily life. I'm not rushing around and panicking about being stuck in traffic for a class that lasts fifty minutes. It's heaven!

#04 & #05: Where Should You Go To Law School / Another Law School Will Let You In Without Taking The LSAT - Above The Law
Picking the college that is right for you is stressful. I've heard the LSAT prep and test is stressful. I don't know if anyone is thinking about going to law school, but these posts are definitely worth a read!

#06: Career or starting a family? As women, can we do both & are we holding ourselves back? - Sophie
My goodness, it's like this girl reads my mind! A few posts back, I talked about having some pretty lofty goals for myself. Most of them are career-driven. I have a few friends who talk about wanting to climb the career ladder but are hyper-aware of the biological clock. They're in conflict with themselves and they're bringing it upon themselves! Can we have it all? Check out Sophie's post and chime in on the conversation!

#07: Studying Playlist - Fit Future Attorney
I've just started listening to music whilst studying as well and I think it really helps! My go-to is Vitamin String Quartet, but check out this blog post if you're needing inspiration!

#08: Motherhood: Self-Care isn't Selfish - Megan Gilger
I feel like on a soul-level. I'm a mother, so my wants and needs are always at the bottom of the ladder. The amount of sacrifice that goes along with being a parent is extraordinary and something you won't understand until you're in the position yourself. It isn't just giving up the random online splurges, triple shot flat whites or lazy Sunday lie-ins, but it's about giving up your absolute essence (temporarily) so you can help this tiny, helpless baby thrive in his (or her) new environment. Self-care is something I'm trying to practice more, so this post really hit home for me.

#09: The yummiest banana and coconut bread - Nicola
It's like I turned twenty-four and a flip switched in my brain. Suddenly I'm Betty Crocker and I have all the time for baking. I don't think my son will be complaining about that! I'm a huge fan of banana bread (any bread #breadlife) so I think this will be my next endeavour!

#10: The Last Phase of My Twenties - Sophie Cliff
It was my birthday this week, so I have a certain affinity for 'my life is changing but I'm going to enjoy it to its fullest' posts. This is the post I'm talking about. Thirty is an age that is taunted and daunted by a lot of people. Hell, I had a quarter-life crisis at the ripe ol' age of twenty-four! Sophie, however, has put such a positive spin on things that you just have to go have a read. Even if you don't turn thirty for another six years. 

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What have you been reading lately?

April 25th.

It's a day to honour all New Zealanders killed in action and the servicemen and women who managed to make it home. The day itself marks the anniversary of the landing of New Zealand and Australian soldiers on the Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915.

The Gallipoli Campaign led to thousands of people losing their lives: French, British, Australians and New Zealanders. Although New Zealanders fought on the other side of the world, we fought for something we believed in. A sense of duty had been instilled and is still referred to in this modern day. We will remember them. The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps showed great courage, endurance, and discipline, which are characteristics that live on and are instilled in our forces today.

Allies landed on Gallipoli on 25th April. British and French landed at Cape Helles whilst the ANZACs landed in the middle of the peninsula, several kilometres away from their intended landing place. They encountered Ottoman forces on the hills and clifftops above and were unable to make any significant headway. They battled to maintain control of the beach, but it resulted in significant and unavoidable bloodshed.

Anzac Day is celebrated in a particular way, consistent with a form of military funeral. The day is marked as a public holiday, so anyone in New Zealand can attend services and pay their respects. Many people in New Zealand attend a dawn service and the parade. During the dawn service, family members of the servicemen and women march to the local war memorial, usually joined by other members of the community. The service includes hymns, prayers, dedications, a minute silence and the national anthem. Alternatively, family members of the servicemen and women wear their medals and march behind banners for the Anzac Day parade. They, too, are joined by other community groups including armed forces, cadets, the Red Cross and other armed forces veterans. They march to the war memorial and perform another ceremony, which includes laying wreaths at the foot of the memorial statue.

The red poppy is our symbol for the remembrance of the war. People wear the red poppy for the week leading up to Anzac Day as a way of symbolising remembrance of the war, not just on Anzac Day but every day. The poppies are sold to support current and ex-service personnel, which includes the police and their families. They were the first flower to grow on the battlefields of Flanders in Belgium during World War One, which makes them an apt symbol for remembrance.

Yesterday, I made Anzac biscuits as a way of commemorating the time and showing my respect for the soldiers. It was a small act, but one I shared with my son, so it is one I will treasure. Anzac biscuits are made with cupboard staples, including rolled oats, flour, brown sugar and coconut. During World War One, the biscuits were sent by wives and women's groups to the soldiers abroad because the ingredients do not spoil quickly and keep for ease of transportation.

When I was in primary school, I joined Girl Guides and attended dawn services. The emotion in the room was overwhelming and eye-opening. I have never felt so connected to other New Zealanders as I did in those moments. I didn't attend the services this year (my son and I were sick) but I'll be taking him to services in the future.

You're never too young to show respect for your countrymen and women.

~

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I know people who eat on the train, heat up oatmeal in the work kitchen or count coffee as "breakfast". These "people" used to be me. I didn't have time for breakfast. I was "too busy" to take time out to nourish my body with proper food.

My day would consist of coffee and a banana (because I was #busy), a salad for lunch and approximately 1, 879 calories for dinner. I worked as a kitchen hand, so it wasn't unusual to buy a punnet of chips as my "dinner" and have "second dinner" when my shift ended. I would be sore from standing on my feet all day and tired from studying so I would skip working out, opting for Netflix and chill instead. Needless to say, I was the epitome of health and wellness.

I was permanently tired, my skin was constantly breaking out, and I just felt 'blah' in myself. I wish I could say this was my wake-up call. That happened when I found out I was pregnant.

Suddenly, it wasn't about me anymore and my habits changed - starting with having a healthy breakfast whilst fitting in this "busy millennial" lifestyle.

How did I make it happen?

By using quick and nutritious breakfast recipes (if you can call it that).

01. Chia seed pudding

Do you only have fifteen minutes for breakfast? Good, because I have something that can be ready in ten. This was my ultimate 'go to' breakfast when I was under a serious time-crunch. Chia seeds have major health benefits which is an automatic tick in my book. I would dash into the kitchen and mix some chia seeds, milk, and cacao powder to create a deliciously chocolate-y pudding for breakfast. I would top it with fruit (usually banana, strawberries or raspberries) and go! Seriously. Choose a large (ish) container, mix in your fruit and go!

02. Smoothies

They're the hero of the breakfast world. Have a bunch of random stuff lying around? I'm 89% sure it'll be brilliant in smoothie-form! During summer, I become somewhat of a smoothie addict. I made them for myself. I made them for my son. I made them for my family. My 'go to' smoothie includes a banana, some strawberries, Greek yoghurt, spinach, chia seeds, vanilla paste, cinnamon and ginger, and some oats, just for good measure. It sounds like a lot, but it's just a matter of finding the ingredients and throwing it in! My son's smoothie consists of weetbix, almond flour, milk, a dash of yoghurt, zucchini, banana and some peanut butter or spices, depending on how I feel. Sounds delicious, right?

03. Overnight oats

I bet you saw this one coming from a mile away. I'm a bit of an oatmeal fanatic (especially in autumn and winter!) so that one was always going to make the list. Are you ready for this? It has six ingredients and is super simple! For my overnight oats, I mix oats, cacao, peanut butter, chia seeds, milk, and a dash of plain yoghurt. Pop it in the fridge as you go to bed and you'll wake up to a smooth, creamy, delicious and nutritious breakfast! I mean, have you seen these overnight oat recipes? *drools*

Want to know the best thing about all of the brilliant breakfast ideas in this post? They're all portable! You have absolutely no excuse to skip breakfast. It doesn't have to be some calorie-laden junk fest or some super restrictive (and boring!) affair. That doesn't count as a breakfast. 

Your body needs proper nutrition and fuel to function. Coffee and bananas are great for a while, but that won't help you perform at your peak.

It's all about balance and what works for your body. We're not all made the same. Some people can handle a lot of carbohydrates (curse you!) whilst other bodies can metabolise fat better. It's all about being in tune with your body and giving it what it wants (in moderation and with healthy options). I'm all about the 80/20 life.  I developed a sweet tooth after having my son. Suddenly, I love chocolate, so I add some cacao to my breakfast and away I go! My sweet tooth is satisfied and my diet hasn't been obliterated before 9am. Win-win.

After all, a lifestyle change lasts much longer than a fad diet ever will. Believe me.

What's your breakfast 'go to'? What's your standard coffee order? Are you a brunch person or a happy hour person?

It's the interview question you always get, but the one I find hardest to articulate an answer. Simply because everything about it interests me. 

I can't remember how I started reading criminology books. I think I got lost at my university's library and ended up in the wrong section. Rather than looking like an idiot, I started pulling books off the shelf. One of them happened to be a criminology book. The interest began.

I met a junior solicitor in a general practice and went on a few dates with a criminal law barrister. My interest only grew. They never really talked about what they did, but their level of knowledge was astounding, something to aspire to.

Somehow, I feel like the answer of "I just love it" is insufficient.

Now that I've begun studying parts of the law, I have a better answer.

I like that - at the core of law - we're all the same. It doesn't care if you're rich or poor, European or Maori, where you live, how you dress or how many friends you have. It isn't made to be fairer on either party. It just is. 

The structure is geared towards the research side of my personality. I can chase the damn rabbit down the hole as long as is required, without complaining. So far, that's what I've found with legislation. You chase down one thing which leads you to another and another, and so on. It's easy to get caught up in all the legal jargon and sometimes you lose sight of the actual question, but the journey is fun. 

I like helping people. It can be something as simple as holding a door open for a mother with a stroller, editing my sister's assignment or calling someone on behalf of another. Just simple tasks that are difficult for another person or they simply don't have the time to do. Some people turn to the law for a positive reason - like acquiring a business - and some people turn to the law for a negative reason - like a marriage dissolution. Regardless, everyone needs help at some point in their lives and I would like to be able to help others in a productive way.

Part of my reason for pursuing a career as a legal executive was to understand the rights and regulations of my life. Through study, I am beginning to see how laws shape different aspects of the country and the governing bodies that run New Zealand. It's fascinating. Many people say that the law is unfair, but they only see the surface level of what is portrayed. You get a glimpse, but not enough to see the bigger picture. I'm a big picture person. I like to know how things operate so they can serve the whole. After all, ignorance of the law is not a satisfactory defence. 

The law is constantly shifting and changing with modern times. Acts are being amended, codified and consolidated, processes are being reviewed, and new legislation is being established. It is a living, breathing entity that is upholding the safety of the country. Ask yourself: Where would we be if none of the laws existed?

So, why law? What's your favourite area of law?

BLOGLOVIN / INSTAGRAM / TWITTER

Hi. That was my impression of your alarm clocks ringing from various locations in your bedroom. What do you do? What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?

Maybe you have snarky flatmates and you're worried the incessant noise will rock the boat. Maybe you have a baby, which means you don't need an alarm in the morning (me!). Maybe you get up to escape the snores of your partner. Or, realistically, you get up because you damn well have to do it.

Autumn has arrived in New Zealand, which means my motivation levels are starting to dip. Even the lure of a hot cup of coffee is failing to get me out of bed in the morning.

I can't stay in bed, as tempting as that thought is. I have a baby, I have to study, and, gosh darn it, I need that coffee (as much as I'm trying to kick the habit). 

I've been a student for five years (ew) so I have tried and true methods of staying motivated and productive throughout the colder months and general hard slog of student life.

01. Set a big goal
I'm talking about a goal that will be realised way in the future. Write it down. Say it out loud. Tell someone about it. Does it scare you? Are you hungry for it? Good. That means you really want it and it won't be a throw-away goal you forget about in a month or two. I realised a few of these goals in the last few days and they are terrifying, intimidating, and exciting. I'm not ready to talk about them on my blog (yet) but never say 'never'.

02. ...And a few smaller goals.
It would be hard to stay motivated if you were focusing on a goal that only comes to fruition in ten years time. Set a few smaller goals that can be accomplished in weeks, months, or a year and work towards them. This is the chance to break your big goal into bite-sized chunks so you don't a) get overwhelmed, and b) burnout.

03. Have a 'to-do' list
If you've seen my Twitter, you would see that I have intentions for the day. Sometimes I post them, sometimes I don't; however, I find my motivation levels increase 100% when I know my goals are 'out there' for other people to judge. I am a list person. I have a 'to do' list on Twitter, written down in notebooks, diaries, and my phone. I check in on my lists several times throughout the day to see if I'm 'on track' or if I need to step it up a notch.

04. Be realistic
This is one I struggle with because I have so much to do. Don't we all? Sometimes the amount to do can be crippling and my motivation levels dip. I've found that choosing five (or so) goals for the day is a reasonable expectation and seeing them being crossed off my list keeps me motivated.

Photo by Mikayla Mallek on Unsplash

05. Rewards
Intrinsic or extrinsic - rewards work for me. I'm a coffee fiend, so I tell myself that I can have a really nice coffee (or two) when I drop my son at daycare on Thursday and Friday. I set a deadline and away I go. The key is picking a reward that isn't instantaneous or achieved in a day. I'm motivated to keep my behaviours consistent the whole week if I know I can get my caffeine fix at the end of the week.

06. Review, review, review
Are you constantly setting a goal that you don't achieve? Why is that? Go back and look at your actions in the last week. Were you working towards your goal or were you actively avoiding it? Did you get stuck at the starting block or was there a hurdle in the middle that you didn't expect? Look at your processes and see what works for you and what doesn't work. See where you're spending the majority of your time and create new goals in that area.

07. Routine
I know some people have a set time to go to the gym with a friend or simply time out to read their book. I am a stay-at-home-mum, so I'm confined to my son's routine. Or, as I like to say, "what routine?" Being a parent is the ultimate test of time-management. I know I have specific chunks of time to accomplish household chores, self-care, and study. I achieve what I can with a toddler-sized shadow and then go like the clappers when he's in bed.

08. Self-care
Take a break. Look after yourself. Be kind to yourself if you don't achieve all your goals for the day. It happens. Schedule in "me time" every day so you actually feel like a human, rather than a robot just going through the routine of everyday life.