The first week of my second to last semester is over. I would like to say that it went smooth, and for the most part it did, but there were a few hiccups. I have learned that the administration side of law school is pretty unorganized and often times very frustrating to deal with. All I kept thinking was: "After this, only one more semester!" Seems to make everything better.
I had a massage last night to try an soothe away the first week stress. I recommend this to any law student. The first week of classes and the the day after finals are good times to have those knots worked through. What always amazes me is that often times we will think we are not stressed, and then we realize that our shoulders or back are like blocks of wood. Law students are good at taking care of the brain, but not the rest of the body. Exercise, a good diet, and massage can go a long way to help ease the stress.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
My Child's Reaction......
So this week I have returned to the crazy stressed out loon of the law student. I actually have knots in my neck the size of Mt. Hood and it is quite painfu to turn my neck [this is due to carrying that 70 pound backpack again].
Anyway, I came home to a child that was not ready to go to dance the way I told her to be before I left that morning. I had been up since 6 am, worked from 7:30-2:30, picked my child up from middle school orientation, and back at the school at 4:00 for class. I run home after class to rush her to dance, and she is not ready. I freak out!! Started yelling. She looks at me with these huge blue eyes and says, "Who are you, because I don't even recognize you!"
This is the hardest part.....the fact that my looniness effects my child in some pretty crazy ways.
Anyway, I came home to a child that was not ready to go to dance the way I told her to be before I left that morning. I had been up since 6 am, worked from 7:30-2:30, picked my child up from middle school orientation, and back at the school at 4:00 for class. I run home after class to rush her to dance, and she is not ready. I freak out!! Started yelling. She looks at me with these huge blue eyes and says, "Who are you, because I don't even recognize you!"
This is the hardest part.....the fact that my looniness effects my child in some pretty crazy ways.
The Madness Begins.....
Yep, that's right, school is in session and no longer out for summer. This week has been a mix of stress. I just moved, my daughter has not started school yet, I am still working, and oh yeah---school is added into the mix.
I did do a few last minute changes to the 'ole schedule for the first time. I dropped Terror Detainees because I go in to Oregon Criminal Procedure and Practice taught by Oregon Chief Supreme Court Justice Paul Demuniz. I also dropped International Enviornmental Law in favor of Sexuality & Discrimination.
This week, I have had fun catching up with people I have not seen all summer. Also, checking in with Professors, and just plain seeing what my classes and schedule will be like. But with that comes the reality that again, my life is not my own.
Chief Justice Demuniz is a riot. The man is intensely intelligent, and witty to boot. He said on the first day of class, that at law school we are taught by professors to throw all the shit at the wall when we write. He said as judge, "We don't have time to read all that crap. So what I am going to do is teach you how to write for a judge." YAY--something practical.
The third, and final year, comes with a sense of excitement. The end is in sight and it is both exilerating and terrifying. I am ready to move into the real world, but the scary thing is that I don't know what that real world will look like. There are alot of unknowns involved.
Also, knowing that it is my last year, that I have real world experience in the courtroom, had leant itself for a good amount of confidence in myself that maybe I was lacking before. I am reminded of why I started this journey and how worthwhile it has been.
But finally, entering my first year, makes me want to give back to the entering 1L's. I have survived and I guess I want to pass on some hope that they too, will make it through this journey to join the exclusive law school alumni club.
I did do a few last minute changes to the 'ole schedule for the first time. I dropped Terror Detainees because I go in to Oregon Criminal Procedure and Practice taught by Oregon Chief Supreme Court Justice Paul Demuniz. I also dropped International Enviornmental Law in favor of Sexuality & Discrimination.
This week, I have had fun catching up with people I have not seen all summer. Also, checking in with Professors, and just plain seeing what my classes and schedule will be like. But with that comes the reality that again, my life is not my own.
Chief Justice Demuniz is a riot. The man is intensely intelligent, and witty to boot. He said on the first day of class, that at law school we are taught by professors to throw all the shit at the wall when we write. He said as judge, "We don't have time to read all that crap. So what I am going to do is teach you how to write for a judge." YAY--something practical.
The third, and final year, comes with a sense of excitement. The end is in sight and it is both exilerating and terrifying. I am ready to move into the real world, but the scary thing is that I don't know what that real world will look like. There are alot of unknowns involved.
Also, knowing that it is my last year, that I have real world experience in the courtroom, had leant itself for a good amount of confidence in myself that maybe I was lacking before. I am reminded of why I started this journey and how worthwhile it has been.
But finally, entering my first year, makes me want to give back to the entering 1L's. I have survived and I guess I want to pass on some hope that they too, will make it through this journey to join the exclusive law school alumni club.
Monday, August 3, 2009
My job gets to me sometimes.....
The subject matter can be wearing. Dealing with terminating parental rights means that I read about the dregs of humanity. Kids are abused, neglected, and the list goes on. Meth is the bain of humanity. We no sooner terminate on a mother for her four kids, and she is pregnant again. Lots of parents in prison, but seem to think they can still parent their child[ren].
But increasingly, I am finding it harder and harder to look the parents in the eye. Sometimes I feel quite mean. This morning I appeared in court to set dates for trial in December. The mother sat next to me, looked at me and said, "I really love your suit. I have been looking everywhere for one like that." She went on being really nice. Now, admittedly this woman is not innocent, but somehow I felt like a toad. She somehow because human to me this morning. She did not appear to be what the file says about here. She is no longer faceless. She is no longer another case of bad mothering. She is human----and I feel bad for her. I feel even worse that she has the defense attorney she does because this person is not impressive.
Why it has taken me a year to get to this point, I don't know. I only know I am here right now and really struggling. I love going to court. I like knowing that I am helping kids. It was easier before I had to look at the parents. These are real people, with lives, who no matter how bad of choices they make, most of them honestly love their kids.
But increasingly, I am finding it harder and harder to look the parents in the eye. Sometimes I feel quite mean. This morning I appeared in court to set dates for trial in December. The mother sat next to me, looked at me and said, "I really love your suit. I have been looking everywhere for one like that." She went on being really nice. Now, admittedly this woman is not innocent, but somehow I felt like a toad. She somehow because human to me this morning. She did not appear to be what the file says about here. She is no longer faceless. She is no longer another case of bad mothering. She is human----and I feel bad for her. I feel even worse that she has the defense attorney she does because this person is not impressive.
Why it has taken me a year to get to this point, I don't know. I only know I am here right now and really struggling. I love going to court. I like knowing that I am helping kids. It was easier before I had to look at the parents. These are real people, with lives, who no matter how bad of choices they make, most of them honestly love their kids.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Schedule Changes......
I changed my schedule. There was no way I could sit through Real Estate Transactions....not interest whatsoever. So I am now taking a Class in Adv Gov't and Con Law called Terror Detainees. This should prove to be an interesting class. The class is taught by Professor Dillar, who I had for property my first year in law school and really liked. I shall keep you posted on what this class ends up being like.
Summer Learning......
I have been quite neglectful in posting on my blog for all the followers. Being busy and learning new things has been quite exhausting. When I come home, half the time I just want a nap!
I am learning alot this summer. One thing that I am learning that is invaluable is the saying that honey goes much further than vinegar. There is an attorney in the office that plays a bit of the favorites. I really like this attorney, but have been wary around this person because I had heard alot about the shennanigins that has been created in the past by him/her. Anyway, I have made it my mission to be sweet and indespensible. And in the process I have learned so much from him/her. Court procedure, drafting motions, trial stradegy.....so on.
Court: Whoo, this has been a trial by fire experience. The judge is a formal, southern guy. My first two appearances I have received, "I am not going to do your work for you" for simple things that I feel are unnecessary. For instance, I requested that he order a parent to stay in court until I could have the person served--totally within his realm, it would have been 2 minutes, but he refused to do it. So, I have learned that knowing your judges personality and idiosyncracies is IMPORTANT. This judge likes a woman who talks soft, is feminine, and real polite--basically not me! LOL. But I have learned to give him the image that he wants, and in doing so, I get what I want. Sell out, I know, but hey----I win in the end.
Lawyering: I have learned the art of making and argument to the court. I have spenct countless hours researching for an argument, and we get to court, and the unthinkable happens, and the next thing I know, I have to argue for the unexpected. I have learned that I can do so and win.
Other Lawyers: I have learned that older lawyers take advantage of the newbies and try to be snarky jackbutts in court. I had a lawyer say I was "misrepresenting facts" though what I said was exactly right and supported by the record. Yikes!
Court Again: I have learned how to build a record. As well as when to argue something, and when to let it pass you by because in the end it does not matter.
Office Politics: I have learned that state offices are the den of office politics. I was shocked by how brutal and ugly as well as how back stabbing some people can be. Eyes wide open on this one now. Watch your back. If someone has worked for the state, in the same department for 20 years, watch it. There is a reason why they have been there for so long.
So, that is not all I have learned, but just the highlights. School is getting ready to start soon. I have 3 homework free weekends now before the start of school. The 4th weekend before school starts will be used to move and reading for that first class period. Can I share that I am so glad this is my last year? What a journey.
I am learning alot this summer. One thing that I am learning that is invaluable is the saying that honey goes much further than vinegar. There is an attorney in the office that plays a bit of the favorites. I really like this attorney, but have been wary around this person because I had heard alot about the shennanigins that has been created in the past by him/her. Anyway, I have made it my mission to be sweet and indespensible. And in the process I have learned so much from him/her. Court procedure, drafting motions, trial stradegy.....so on.
Court: Whoo, this has been a trial by fire experience. The judge is a formal, southern guy. My first two appearances I have received, "I am not going to do your work for you" for simple things that I feel are unnecessary. For instance, I requested that he order a parent to stay in court until I could have the person served--totally within his realm, it would have been 2 minutes, but he refused to do it. So, I have learned that knowing your judges personality and idiosyncracies is IMPORTANT. This judge likes a woman who talks soft, is feminine, and real polite--basically not me! LOL. But I have learned to give him the image that he wants, and in doing so, I get what I want. Sell out, I know, but hey----I win in the end.
Lawyering: I have learned the art of making and argument to the court. I have spenct countless hours researching for an argument, and we get to court, and the unthinkable happens, and the next thing I know, I have to argue for the unexpected. I have learned that I can do so and win.
Other Lawyers: I have learned that older lawyers take advantage of the newbies and try to be snarky jackbutts in court. I had a lawyer say I was "misrepresenting facts" though what I said was exactly right and supported by the record. Yikes!
Court Again: I have learned how to build a record. As well as when to argue something, and when to let it pass you by because in the end it does not matter.
Office Politics: I have learned that state offices are the den of office politics. I was shocked by how brutal and ugly as well as how back stabbing some people can be. Eyes wide open on this one now. Watch your back. If someone has worked for the state, in the same department for 20 years, watch it. There is a reason why they have been there for so long.
So, that is not all I have learned, but just the highlights. School is getting ready to start soon. I have 3 homework free weekends now before the start of school. The 4th weekend before school starts will be used to move and reading for that first class period. Can I share that I am so glad this is my last year? What a journey.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Expert Witnesses
I have been in court all week watching an interesting trial. What has struck me this week is the how much some expert witnesses enjoy taking on the attorney's. Two doctors of psychology testified. One for the state, one for the respondent.....Each one enjoyed their time on the stand thouroughly. Each listened intently and did not allow the attorney from the opposing side to corner them or trick them. At one point, one doctor said, "I love arguing with you lawyers" with a big, fat smile on his face. And you could tell he did enjoy it.
One attorney said, "Isn't it true that the largest part of your practice is DHS referrals?" And the child's attorney said, "Objection, we are all whores to somebody." lol......To which the judge even laughed.
I have learned alot this week in the courtroom. #1 thing, you are not likely to trick a psychologist. I think they just might be more cynical then attorney's.
One attorney said, "Isn't it true that the largest part of your practice is DHS referrals?" And the child's attorney said, "Objection, we are all whores to somebody." lol......To which the judge even laughed.
I have learned alot this week in the courtroom. #1 thing, you are not likely to trick a psychologist. I think they just might be more cynical then attorney's.
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