2L

2L.
I had to leave it at that because to a law student it could have several meanings to it. To me it means that I have two more years of reading, writing, critical thinking, and sleepless nights. It also means that I made through my 1L.

It was not easy getting here. In so many ways I am disappointed because I thought I could do better than I did. I am still not used to the parking situation and it is getting more complicated.

Well, I had a great summer. My South African trip was wonderful and the rest of the break was nice. It feels good to see my law school buddies and exchange summer stories. This also means that we all have to start thinking about JOB. Yes, I said it, the word that scares me most. Not just the summer job but hoping that they will call you back after.

Classes have started and I am taking 16 credits. Life is not as fun as I thought being a 2L, but time will tell.

What is the price of freedom?

I love South Africa, it is a nice place. But, I am not happy with the way things are. Just like one of the South African students said in class, apatheid may be a thing in the past, but the majority are still in boundage. Majority of the economy are being controlled by "former" Mr. Apatheid.

You can actually feel the tension in the air. You can see the sad look on their faces. The characterization of skin color/race makes it more complicated. I think the freedom movement is moving at a slow pace. I visited one of the townships the first week I was here and was shocked at the space that men share.

I don't know how these people could have justified their actions because it is inhuman.

Life.....

South Africa

I don't have the words to describe this place, but I have to say that the place is beautiful. Still exploring the place and getting used to the diversity. It is quite a handful, but I think I should cover enough before my stay is over.

South Africa is amazing. The place is full of history and nature.

I am enjoying myself here. I made new friends and the South African students in the program are amazing.

I know you were expecting more...tune in later

"Resuscitation of Facts?"

LOL...law students say the darnest things when they are nervous

I had my oral argument today...I was nervous at first but thank God the judges attacked me with questions right up front.

I am so ready to be a 2L...can't wait to hear the 1Ls cry about their all-nighters and oral arguments.

Exams starts in less than a week and then off to South Africa for the summer. I am excited and looking forward to it.

Well, I have to say that law school is not that bad once you get hold of it...I think.


Word of advice for law students and future students...don't invest much on study aids...there is not much time to read them all btw outlines, textbooks and class notes. If you must, just one and READ IT.



I can't tell you which one is better but for Property Law...make sure you buy the nutshell...makes it so much EASIER!



That's all for now...soon to be 2L signing off

TGIF

Thank God it is Friday. You know I wish everyday cld be Friday. I seriously think we should not have classes on Fridays because it is either half of the class will be missing or or to be fair 90% not paying "full attention."

My morning class was canceled today..whooooooooooooooh but I had to attend my fav class K in the afternoon. Let's say it was productive because while giving Prof my "full attention," Victoria Secret (God bless the angels) sent me an email about their special sale. Well, what is a girl supposed to do? So I multi-tasked. While taking K notes, I also happened to order 2 hot shoes....their 2/$89 special. Yep...can't complain....it was a good day. Friday for that matter.

God bless the spring break. Every student is looking forward to it. I doubt if I will work on my outline, but I will try and take some supplements with me. LOL....as if I will open them. Crunch what???????

Well...that's all. Nothing to report this week. Nothing fun or exciting. Oh one of my friends got a job with a BIG law firm and will be paid $1,600 a week starting May. I am so proud of her, she deserves it honestly. A good break for her.

Well...be kool and later.

Still standing

I survived the brief....I actually finished a day before it was due but used the entire due day to proof read and edit. It was not bad. Funny enough I am the only one in my section with a positive attitude about it. Everyone complained how difficult and confusing which I agreed with them. However, I told some of them that it was easier to write persuasively than the memo where one has to write objectively. I did some of that with the appellate brief but not so much.

We had our first ConLaw quiz today. Don't you hate it when you know the answer but pick the wrong one!...dumb....at least it is one of the many quizzes and we get to choose which ones we want to drop or keep towards the end of the semester.

Nothing much is going on in sch. I think everyone is ready for the spring break which is in 2 weeks. I know I am. I can't wait to visit family and friends and sleep in late. I will take my books with me but I doubt if I will be doing any reading while on spring break....LOL

And I am excited that I will be studying abroad this summer. Words can't explain it. I will be joining Howard University School of law to South Africa. I have to say that I am definitely looking forward to the experience. One of my close friends is going to Costa Rica for her study abroad and will be working with UN while there. I know we both will have so much stories to exchange come August.

Well...there you have it...my life as a 1L will soon be over...exam starts first week in May and from there is a new ball game. Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Later

STANDARD OF REVIEW

You know you've got it bad when u get chased by your keyboard or what appears to be "appellate brief" in you dreams.

Our 25 page appellate brief is due on Thursday and I am just on page 1 of 25. Let me confess right now that I am still confused as to the issues in the case. I hope I am not the only one.

I have done my research, hopefully. I really don't know if I can get it all done, but I know that by Thursday I better have at least 20 pages.

Wish me luck with the procedural history and what not. I don't think I am getting any luck with the Fed. Civ. Pro. but I will get it before Thursday...I think.

See yah...by the way...Law school rocks!

At least when u are not having nightmares about your brief, or scared thinking of the oral argument part. But heh! ain't easy trying to be an ambulance chaser...that is why we charge to make up for the bad times...LOL

THE CASUALTIES....

THE CASUALTIES: John Pepper Clark

The casualties are not only those who are dead;

They are well out of it.

The casualties are not only those who are wounded,

Thought they await burial by installment

The casualties are not only those who have lost

Person or property, hard as it is

To grape for a touch that some

May not know is not there

The casualties are not those led away by night;

The cell is a cruel place, sometimes a heaven,

No where as absolute as the grave

The casualties are not those who started

A fire and now cannot put to out. Thousands

Are burning that had no say in the matter.

The casualties are not only those who escaping

The shattered shell become prisoners in

A fortress of falling walls.

The casualties are many, and a good number well

Outside the scene of ravage and wreck;

They are the emissaries of rift,

So smug in smoke-room they haunt abroad,

They are wandering minstrels who, beating on

The drum of human heart, draw the world

Into a dance with rites it does not know

The drum overwhelm the guns…

Caught in the clash of counter claims and charges

When not in the niche others have left,

We fall.

All casualties of war,

Because we cannot hear other speak,

Because eyes have ceased to see the face from the crowd,

Because whether we know or

Do not know the extent of wrong on all sides,

We are characters now other than before

The war began, the stay- at- home unsettled

By taxes and rumor, the looter for office

And wares, fearful everyday the owners may return,

We are all casualties,

All sagging as are

The case celebrated for kwashiorkor,

The unforeseen camp-follower of not just our war.

Another favorite poem. We were forced to recite it off-head as a child. We are all casualties. I am dedicating this poem to America. Esp. to those that have lost someone since 911. My heart goes out to them and to all the soldiers holding it down on the war front. Please be safe.

AFRICA MY AFRICA

AFRICA MY AFRICA...Poem by David Diop

Africa my Africa
Africa of proud warriors in ancestral savannahs
Africa of whom my grandmother sings
On the banks of the distant river
I have never known you
But your blood flows in my veins
Your beautiful black blood that irrigates the fields
The blood of your sweat
The sweat of your work
The work of your slavery
Africa, tell me Africa
Is this your back that is unbent
This back that never breaks under the weight of humiliation
This back trembling with red scars
And saying no to the whip under the midday sun
But a grave voice answers me
Impetuous child that tree, young and strong
That tree over there
Splendidly alone amidst white and faded flowers
That is your Africa springing up anew
Springing up patiently, obstinately
Whose fruit bit by bit acquires
The bitter taste of liberty.

This poem is special to me. As a child I was made to understand the importance of my history. I remember as a curious child questioning each verse. I think I even scratched myself to see if my blood was black or red....LOL...Kids and their darnest curiousness. I will never forget you MOTHERLAND.

Life as a law student so far...

Def' not a bed of roses. I love it...so far. Last semester was not that great for me. I guess moving from East Coast to Mid West was a shock and then to realize that all that 4.0 in undergrad and grad school was nothing compared to the classes.

So much going on now. We are working on our 20-25 page appellate briefs. I can kiss the little time I have to play now. I have made new friends here...love them.

Each of them are unique and I love them so much. We are not hanging out as much as we would love to this semester, but we still keep in touch. Classes are going on great. You did not hear this from me but I think at least 70% of the time some of us are either facebooking, aiming, instant messaging or texting. But don't be fooled, those are the ones that kick up the curves...hahahhahahaha...or not...but who caresssssssssssss!

My Professors rock. Some of them makes it worth walking almost a mile in the morning to class. Either bcos my ass did not wake up on time or I did not get to school on time to scramble for parking. And I live like 2-4 blocks from school...HAHAHAHA...Yeah...it sucks to look for parking early in the morning, especially Monday mornings. And during cold weather. Arghhhhhhhhh. I hate the cold and Mondays...Then again I hate any weekday...LOL

I don't know, but I am actually having more fun this semester. I recall vowing to transfer back to East Coast this fall, but I think I am going to stay here till I graduate. Not bad at all. I still hate the cold, but some of the people here makes it worth staying. (I know what you are thinking, I did not change my mind bcos of a man...nada for tata...LOL. I just made peace with it. I am not a quitter...yet!

I hope to blog more...then again I said that last yr...

Say what?

One of my friends pissed me off today before class. I don't know why he made the racial comment to me. I am still furious at him. Yes he apologized, but since when is it ok to make jokes about slavery. Seriously people at this age and time in life people are still shooting from their behind? And to piss me off during BLACK HISTORY MONTH!...God have mercy on ignorant fools.

I am sure you are curious to know what happened. Yesterday while browsing in class...shhh.... I discovered this site http://www.tshirthell.com/hell.shtml. Some of their products are funny as ish but there is one with the caption "Slavery gets shit done." I saw it, didn't say word...today my friend who happens to be white came and asked me what my thoughts are about the tee, ain't they kool, he is thinking of getting one them or whatever else he was saying. " ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!!!

Well, after class I kept it professional, and told his ignorant ass what I think of him and his ignorant joke. Yeah...