This week’s Friday Five theme is a reader suggestion and I’m really excited about it. We are sharing five things that were going on in our lives ten years ago. I love traveling down memory lane, so this was a happy one to write. Per usual, Iβm linking up with my girls Cynthia and Mar for the #Friday Five. You can read our linkup rules here. Please, please, please follow the rules! Note that if you donβt play nicely, we will delete your link.
So…ten years ago I was in law school. That’s pretty crazy to think about because law school feels simultaneously like it was just yesterday and like it was forever ago. Law school was such a fun period of my life. It was, of course, a ton of work. Learning to think like a lawyer was not easy but I enjoyed most of my classes and really feel like I learned so much (even now as a non-practicing attorney, I use knowledge from law school daily). But, by far, one of the best things that came out of law school was the relationships I made (both with my colleagues and also with some law school staff). So ten years ago…
- I was living in Charlottesville, Virginia. I went to UVA Law (go hoos!) and so had the chance to spend three fun years in what is now one of my favorite places to visit. Charlottesville is affordable, cute, and there is a lot to do. There’s great restaurant options and more wineries in a thirty minute radius than you can explore in a year. It’s a beautiful place and I loved living there.
- My priorities were so different. I was all about school and fun with my friends. That was pretty much all I cared about – I had very few responsibilities. It was a pretty carefree period of my life (outside of school, of course).
- I spent summers working in Birmingham, Alabama. In fact, ten years ago exactly, I was living in Birmingham working as a summer associate at a law firm. Also known as the cushiest job in the world. For real.
- I dressed up (not formally, but in costumes) for parties. A.lot. At UVA Law, there is a whole month of themed parties each February. It’s called Feb Club and the perfect thing to get you through a grey, dark month. By the time I graduated law school, I had a whole bin full of random costumes. Most of which, I’ve sadly parted with because I just don’t have an opportunity to dress up in a jungle-ish toga often. Sadly.
- While I knew I wanted to be a lawyer, I had no clue about what I actually wanted to do. I’m so lucky that my career has taken a few different turns because now I’m exactly where I want to be. I couldn’t have imagined it ten years ago, but that’s part of the fun, right?
Ten years ago, many things in my life were different, but luckily, most of the wonderful friends I had then are still wonderful friends today.
What were you up to ten years ago?
So funny. I was in Charlottesville working at the law school almost 20! years ago. It was a great place to work. I loved living there.
MCM Mama Runs recently posted…90 Real Races
Really? I’m not sure I knew that. So awesome! I love going back to Cville π
aww, young Courtney π
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Friday Five: A Look Back
Hahaha, yep π
I love Charlottesville. I almost went to U.Va. for undergrad and loved visiting the campus
It’s a wonderful place!!
It’s crazy how much things can change in 10 years, and so unpredictable as to what twists and turns are in store in terms of career and location and all that goodness! I’m still in school (sigh), but the end is finally on the horizon
I’ve visited Charlottesville a couple times, and am a definite fan of the food variety there! :]!
Farrah recently posted…Foodie Friday: Cinnamon PB Protein Balls
Yes!! Great food options and it’s just so gorgeous!
So cool learning a little bit more about you. I have a feeling this will be a fun topic to see what everyone was doing back then!
Agreed!! I’m excited to read everyone’s posts π
You could’ve probably saved a few of your costumes for a half or full marathon! I love seeing people dressed up for the races!! (although I never do it!)
Diane @runninrocker recently posted…Five Things I Was Not Doing Ten Years Ago
You brought me back to my my college days with this post. Great times and great memories !
Karen – Fit in France recently posted…Friday Five : 10 years ago
Love the theme of this week’s link-up – it’s good to look back and take stock every once in a while!
Karien @ Running the Race recently posted…Ten years; five lessons
I can totally relate to ten years ago being a carefree period of my life. I was living in a college town and waiting tables. One of my favorite past times was sitting by the pool, drinking margaritas. My how things have changed! π
I think for me also the biggest difference between now and 10 years ago is my priorities. I also had no idea what I wanted to do with my life (I was just a month out of college!) and its so weird to think about how much has happened since then.
Lisa @ RUnning Out Of Wine recently posted…June Runfessions & 5 Things I Was Doing 10 Years Ago
What a fun idea and how interesting. I always enjoy your 5 posts so I might have to get in not he fun next time!
Hollie recently posted…Summer Products
Yes, please do! Next week will be 4th of July themed and then we’ll put out a whole new set of themes.
I love that you ended with your friends. That makes this kind of flashback post so much more special. And themed parties are so much fun!
Lara @ Uptite Mamas recently posted…Friday Five – 5 Things I Was Doing 10 Years Ago
My dear friend went to UVA and races about Charlottesville. I need to check it out, especially the food. Ten years ago, we had a 2 year old and I traveled to Sweden with my hubby for work. First time overseas! π
Melanie recently posted…Friday Five: Five Things I Was Doing 10 Years Ago
That would be raves not races. Subliminal thinking. π
Melanie recently posted…Friday Five: Five Things I Was Doing 10 Years Ago
So fun to remember good times in school – looks like you had a blast! (Was Sarah Baker in your class??)
My biggest change was that was the last year we lived in NYC. My other 4 are remarkably similar to now!
Erica @ Erica Finds recently posted…Friday Finds: Five Things I was Doing 10 Years Ago
Awww young Courtney! Times have certainly changed π One of my favorite FF themes yet!
Jennifer recently posted…Friday Five – Things Ten Years Ago
Me too π
WAHOOWA GO HOOS GO! Ps how excited are you about our baseball team? So cool. And omg I totally forgot about Feb Club. Let’s just all go back to Cville, mkay?
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Speedwork Drills, Adaptation, and Perspective (Marathon Training)
Yes!!!! So excited about the baseball team! And yes please to going back π
So few lawyers seem to STAY lawyers, my dad & my brother being the exceptions.
It’s kind of sad that your law school experience sounds better than my college experience! But hey, I did meet my husband there.
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…10 Years ago I wasnβt a runner β Friday Five
Did I know you went to UVa law school? Did you know I went there for undergrad? I love this topic .. maybe I’ll hit it up a week late next week. I just couldn’t get it together this week. π
Coco recently posted…Three Books For Your Beach Bag
I did not know that! Such fun! And yes, please do write on this topic. It’s super fun!
Wow 10 years ago, I was preparing for my senior year of high school. The past 10 years I have been through college, law school and now in the “real world.” If you asked my 17 year old self if I would be living in South Carolina with a husband and a dog—I would have though you were crazy!! Funny how life works and I would not change a thing π
Haha, love it!
I miss being carefree. 10 years ago I was 20 so I was definitely much more carefree than now. Don’t get me wrong, I love my independence, but there are some moments…
Lesley recently posted…10 Years Ago: Baltic Cruise
Indeed. Sometimes it would be nice to just be a kid again!
I would have loved to have gone to school in Charlottesville! Such a fun little city!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Friday Five β Five Things I Was Doing Ten Years Ago
It was a wonderful place to spend three years! I would love to retire there someday!
LOVE LOVE LOVE all these pictures!! I remember those carefree days all too well. π Those theme parties sound like so much fun!
Salt recently posted…Back to the Future Part 2β¦thatβs the one where they go to the past, right? {The Friday Five}
They were the best. Also, you didn’t have to go to bars much because it was all house parties. So economical π
My brother went to UVA Law and loved it! Charlottesville is beautiful. π
Rachel recently posted…5 Things I Was Doing 10 Years Ago [Friday Five Link-Up]
Oh fun! Charlottesville is awesome π
Look at that hair, child! I almost didn’t recognize you! Oh, how we change…most of the time, for the better! π I love these pics and it is definitely interesting to think about where we were 10 years ago. I didn’t link up today, because I wrote off topic, but I can tell you that 10 years ago today I was working on my graduate degree and living in Guadalajara, Mexico; it was a blast! Hope you have a great weekend, Courtney!
Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…Friday Five
I actually read your post today (not sure that I commented) and saw you mentioned Mexico somewhere else. That’s amazing. Are you fluent?
It sounds like your law school experience was a great one! I love the idea of a month of fun parties to get you through winter. 10 years ago I was definitely not the social butterfly I am now!
Sam @ See Sam Run recently posted…13 year old Sam (Friday Five)
Law school was awesome π
This week was fun to look back. Feb Club sounds like it was fun.
John @ run. geek. run(disney) recently posted…Wayback Machine: 10 Years Ago | #FridayFive
Feb Club was awesome!!
I couldn’t agree with you more, 10 years ago my priorities were much different than they are today! I was more interested in hanging out with my friends as much as possible, Mortgages and kids weren’t on the radar at that point.
It’s nice to have grown up a bit π
Ha! I love the idea of Feb Club! Anything to keep away those sad, grey, grad school winter blues away π
Victoria at Ice Packs + Races recently posted…Friday Five: Five Things I was Doing Ten Years Ago
I love dressing up! I always get excited on theme days at work/school–I’m so *that* teacher who goes all out! π
helly on the run recently posted…Flashback Friday: 10 Years Ago Today
Haha, that is awesome π
I am enjoying the prompt for today and I still love a good costume party!!
Indeed!! Me too π
Crazy how things change so much over time. I would love to see some of those pictures of you dressed up for parties.
Haley recently posted…10 years agoβ¦..
Oh dear. There are a ton… π
I was in grad school 10 years ago, too! And away for my practicum. I was a distance student, so I didn’t get to party with my class as much. Your costume parties sound like a fun way to have something to look forward to in between tedious study session! I sound like your costumes would be a fun Friday Five post! π
Olivia @ balancingMommy recently posted…Friday Five: Β 10 years ago {link up}
I definitely had different priorities a decade ago. I thought I wanted to be an attorney and worked as a paralegal throughout college. Then, when it came down to it, I realized all of the jobs that truly interested me were in the field of social work. So, out went the idea of law school and the rest is history. I often wonder what life would look like if I traveled down the law school path!
Lisa @ Lisa Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…Friday Five: Looking Back a Decade
I love that you dressed in costume for parties! That’s so cool. Yea for Birmingham!
HoHo Runs recently posted…Five Runfessions (June 2015 Edition)
Ha! I love this!! Love the long hair too!
Cool peek into your life! I love what you say about law school, and I love that you’re using that degree even though it’s not in the way others expect!
Cynthia @ You Signed Up For WHAT?! recently posted…Five Things I Was Doing Ten Years Ago
It’s so crazy to look back ten years ago. so much has changed and I was so young! Law school while challenging sounds like at least it gave you a little bit of a fun outlet!
Sandra Laflamme recently posted…Fresh Friday Five. Five things I was doing ten years ago.
This looked like such a fun Friday Five and I was really looking forward to linking up; but alas, there is only so much time in a day and with so much to say about Ragnar WV, I just didn’t have time! Hope to linkup next Friday!
Debbie @ Deb Runs recently posted…Runfessions Of A Bunch Of Muddy Ragnarians
I’ve been loving your Ragnar posts!!
I love the pics from your younger days. 2005 was a great year for hubby and me. It was our first full year living in England and we made the most of it traveling, hosting customers at Wimbledon, and taking a mediterranean cruise with my parents. Many fond memories and far less gray hair then!
Pam and Christine recently posted…Friday Five: Getting on the healthy bandwagon!
Oh that sounds delightful!
Such a fun look back. 10 years ago I had just finished my first year of teaching and was working at summer school. I had also lived in Charleston for a year at that point.
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero recently posted…Orange Theory & Mizuno Running
This post was so fun to read!! How nice was life with so few responsibilities….
Lindsay T. recently posted…Look Ma – No Hands! Low impact workouts with no hands/wrists