Course registration went about as well as it could have--I got all the classes I wanted to take. To be honest, with all that I worried (unneccessarily) about getting certain classes, I had no trouble. On the other hand, other students I talked to later on registration day weren't so lucky. I'm pretty happy though, because the fact that I got all the classes I wanted means it'll be a lot easier for me to do a semester abroad in my third year.
Exams are a-coming, and of course I'm more than just a bit nervous, but I feel like I've done more work this year than in my entire 3 years of undergrad put together, so they can hardly flunk me. I've got to at least pass or else there is no justice in the universe. And it's not the end of the world if I have to take Property Law again (in fact, it might be more enjoyable the second time around, since I would probably actually know what was going on).
Everyone is getting their plans for the summer solidified. Unfortunately, due to the economy (it seems like when anyone has a problem nowadays, they can peg it to the economy) a lot of people in my class at school and who are my age in general are having trouble getting a summer job. I'm lucky enough that I've worked for the government during the summer the past couple of years, so I got priority when they were doing re-hiring. Also, I get an automatic raise for coming back (not to rub it in or anything).
This means that I'll be going back home for the summer. It'll be nice to be with the family again, especially my niece and nephews who are all changing so quickly. It's likely that things won't be too exciting this summer in regards to huge trips or anything like that--but I'm hoping to make a road trip to the west coast at some point (whether it's to Victoria, BC or Seattle, WA depends on how fast I renew my passport!).
Matt Costa, the artist of the week, is one of the many artists to whom I was introduced by one of the roommates I had last year. He has some great acoustic-y music that's nice and cheerful in sound but not always in lyrics. I highly recommend both this song and his album "Unfamiliar Faces" if you like acoustic music with the occasional touch of bluegrass.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Title and Registration ~ Death Cab for Cutie
The semester is rapidly drawing to a close--yet although exams seem to be coming up fast, the days are getting longer. My ability to pay attention in class or while reading long cases is definitely waning. Oh well, I'm almost done. This summer is without a doubt the most highly-anticipated summer I've ever had. I cannot wait for a break.
One of the diseases that inflicts law students, and indeed many post-secondary students in general, at this time of year is registritis. It's when all conversations and thoughts are consumed with what classes to take, when to take them, and how you can somehow sabotage other students' alarm clocks so that they don't wake up in time to be the first to register at 6:00 AM tomorrow. Yes, that's right--registration opens 6:00 AM tomorrow online. The computer system is probably going to crash, and with my luck my Internet won't work, so I'll have last pick of all classes. I guess we'll see how it goes. If I have to take Law of Road Construction because nothing's left, I'll take it.
Wow, this blog was pretty negative. For something a little more upbeat, the band of the week is Death Cab for Cutie--definitely one of my top 5 bands. I discovered th
em a couple of years ago and am pretty much addicted to them. I have 4 of their albums, and my income tax return (or rather, part of it) is going to be dedicated to rounding off my collection with the rest of their albums and their EPs. Their music is not catchy immediately all of the time--but the more I listen to a given song, the more I love it. It's interesting music with interesting lyrics. I'm sure anyone reading this blog has heard of them, but if you haven't had a chance to check them out in detail, I would suggest checking out their album "Plans" first, then probably "Transatlanticism" (the song of the week, one of my favourite Death Cab songs, is from this album), although "Narrow Stairs" and "The Photo Album" are fabulous, too (those are the 4 that I possess currently).
One of the diseases that inflicts law students, and indeed many post-secondary students in general, at this time of year is registritis. It's when all conversations and thoughts are consumed with what classes to take, when to take them, and how you can somehow sabotage other students' alarm clocks so that they don't wake up in time to be the first to register at 6:00 AM tomorrow. Yes, that's right--registration opens 6:00 AM tomorrow online. The computer system is probably going to crash, and with my luck my Internet won't work, so I'll have last pick of all classes. I guess we'll see how it goes. If I have to take Law of Road Construction because nothing's left, I'll take it.
Wow, this blog was pretty negative. For something a little more upbeat, the band of the week is Death Cab for Cutie--definitely one of my top 5 bands. I discovered th
em a couple of years ago and am pretty much addicted to them. I have 4 of their albums, and my income tax return (or rather, part of it) is going to be dedicated to rounding off my collection with the rest of their albums and their EPs. Their music is not catchy immediately all of the time--but the more I listen to a given song, the more I love it. It's interesting music with interesting lyrics. I'm sure anyone reading this blog has heard of them, but if you haven't had a chance to check them out in detail, I would suggest checking out their album "Plans" first, then probably "Transatlanticism" (the song of the week, one of my favourite Death Cab songs, is from this album), although "Narrow Stairs" and "The Photo Album" are fabulous, too (those are the 4 that I possess currently). Thursday, March 12, 2009
The Resolution ~ Jack's Mannequin
Well, I have finally reached the peak of my first year in law school--the point which every (sane) student dreads from the very first day: the moot.
What is the moot, you ask? Us lowly first-years prepare an argument for a fake case and argue it before a fake Court of Appeal. Leading up to it, we write a 20-page factum to argue our case in full (the oral argument is essentially the highlights of the factum and a chance for judges to ask questions for clarification). So, although at the beginning of the year I don't think I was too worried about it, as time went on and it loomed closer and closer, I began getting quite nervous.
In my case, nervousness translated into over-preparation.
I spent so much time preparing for the moot (which is only worth 10% of one of my 6 courses) that I got a bit behind in my other classes. Fortunately I've caught up in most of them now.
I went into the counsel chambers off of the moot courtroom and got on a barrister's gown that smelt a bit like someone had been sweating in it. They had a plate of cookies on a table, trying to make us feel at ease. Although I do love cookies, I believed nothing was going to make me feel less nervous for this.
But strangely, as soon as my teacher let us into the courtroom itself, I felt much more calm. When I got up to make my argument, I felt not nearly as nervous as I thought I would. I got asked questions that I actually knew the answer to (or at least for which I could make up a plausible answer). It was actually the teeniest bit fun. Perhaps this is all due to my years of musical performances growing up, but when I got up to the podium, I was in the zone.
Even so, I was supremely relieved when it was done. It's a huge weight off of my shoulders. And now I know I can do the court thing (I wasn't so sure before).
In other news--wait. I don't really have any other news. I guess I need to get a life. I'll endeavour to write about something not law-related next week.
What is the moot, you ask? Us lowly first-years prepare an argument for a fake case and argue it before a fake Court of Appeal. Leading up to it, we write a 20-page factum to argue our case in full (the oral argument is essentially the highlights of the factum and a chance for judges to ask questions for clarification). So, although at the beginning of the year I don't think I was too worried about it, as time went on and it loomed closer and closer, I began getting quite nervous.
In my case, nervousness translated into over-preparation.
I spent so much time preparing for the moot (which is only worth 10% of one of my 6 courses) that I got a bit behind in my other classes. Fortunately I've caught up in most of them now.
I went into the counsel chambers off of the moot courtroom and got on a barrister's gown that smelt a bit like someone had been sweating in it. They had a plate of cookies on a table, trying to make us feel at ease. Although I do love cookies, I believed nothing was going to make me feel less nervous for this.
But strangely, as soon as my teacher let us into the courtroom itself, I felt much more calm. When I got up to make my argument, I felt not nearly as nervous as I thought I would. I got asked questions that I actually knew the answer to (or at least for which I could make up a plausible answer). It was actually the teeniest bit fun. Perhaps this is all due to my years of musical performances growing up, but when I got up to the podium, I was in the zone.
Even so, I was supremely relieved when it was done. It's a huge weight off of my shoulders. And now I know I can do the court thing (I wasn't so sure before).
In other news--wait. I don't really have any other news. I guess I need to get a life. I'll endeavour to write about something not law-related next week.
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