So pysched to report that I have been chosen as the Managing Editor of Student Works for law review!!! In our application package we had to submit our top three choices, and this position was my number one choice.
As Managing Editor of Student Works I will be responsible for training all law review members in the publications process. I will assist the members in writing their notes (2Ls) and comments (3Ls). I will be primarily responsible for guidance and training to the 2L candidates this summer/fall. During the summer, I will be responsible for running the law review's write-on competition. The best news is that most of my responsibilities will essentially be complete by the end of fall semester, and I wll be able to devote spring semester to studying for the bar while still maintaining my position on the editorial board. In addition, I get my own office in the law review suite where I can work and study, which will be "sweet."
I believe that I could have been a candidate for the editor in chief position; but after a tremendous amount of thought, prayer, and consideration, I decided to let someone else take that position/headache. The only thing I admire about that position is the title; working insane hours for the next 52 weeks is not worth having a grand or glorious title. And, as per the candidates' applications, a lot more members were running for my position than for editor in chief. So, I'm thrilled. Woo Hoo!
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
The Gift of Fear
A few weeks ago I was home for a dinner break and found myself watching Oprah. Her guest was Gavin de Becker, author of the book, The Gift of Fear. By the end of the show, I had already ordered the audio book for me and the print copy for my daughter. The next Sunday my daughter had lunch with me and I told her about the show and the book. It's basically about recognizing danger signs, listening to your body, and realizing when someone is dangerous before becoming their next victim. It is NOT about living in fear; it is about listening to the gift called fear that is built into each of us (human and animal) that is there to save us from danger.
The book finally arrived, and when my daughter stopped by tonight to pick up her copy, she told me this story. Last night, she and a friend went to the movies. She said they were the first ones in the theatre and, by the time the movie started, they were still the only two there. About five minutes into the movie she said she started feeling "weird." She couldn't keep her eyes off the door and her heart was racing (for no apparent reason). She tried to discount the feelings, but they just wouldn't go away. It was then that she thought of our conversation from the prior Sunday about the book that had made such an impression on me. After another moment, she decided to lean over to her friend, Jennifer, and say, "I'm feeling weird. Would you mind praying with me?" When she leaned over to her friend, she said, "I'm feeling weird." And Jenn immediately said, "Me too. There's something wrong here." My daughter immediately said, "I don't care about the $8.50 (for the ticket)....let's go." And they did. By the time that they got back to the apartment and talked it out, they realized that they both--independently--were feeling the same thing.
What could have happened? I don't know, and am glad that we didn't find out. I'll just accept it for what it is--a gift.
I am so happy that I saw that show. I am happy that I ordered the book and even happier that I told my daughter all about it before she could even pick up her copy! I highly recommend this book, especially for young women. Get the audiobook, get the print copy; go to a used bookstore or the library, but get the book--and never second guess that instinct--that inner voice--again. Here is a URL if you want to get official info: http://www.enotalone.com/article/4555.html
The book finally arrived, and when my daughter stopped by tonight to pick up her copy, she told me this story. Last night, she and a friend went to the movies. She said they were the first ones in the theatre and, by the time the movie started, they were still the only two there. About five minutes into the movie she said she started feeling "weird." She couldn't keep her eyes off the door and her heart was racing (for no apparent reason). She tried to discount the feelings, but they just wouldn't go away. It was then that she thought of our conversation from the prior Sunday about the book that had made such an impression on me. After another moment, she decided to lean over to her friend, Jennifer, and say, "I'm feeling weird. Would you mind praying with me?" When she leaned over to her friend, she said, "I'm feeling weird." And Jenn immediately said, "Me too. There's something wrong here." My daughter immediately said, "I don't care about the $8.50 (for the ticket)....let's go." And they did. By the time that they got back to the apartment and talked it out, they realized that they both--independently--were feeling the same thing.
What could have happened? I don't know, and am glad that we didn't find out. I'll just accept it for what it is--a gift.
I am so happy that I saw that show. I am happy that I ordered the book and even happier that I told my daughter all about it before she could even pick up her copy! I highly recommend this book, especially for young women. Get the audiobook, get the print copy; go to a used bookstore or the library, but get the book--and never second guess that instinct--that inner voice--again. Here is a URL if you want to get official info: http://www.enotalone.com/article/4555.html
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Sleep is optional.
The brief was due Monday. I hate writing briefs, especially law school briefs. A "real life" brief cannot be this painful because in "real life" we are dealing with a real judge and a real file and real clients. But, all of the whining about why I hate writing briefs will not spare me from submitting a brief by the deadline.
I invest minimal time working on the brief over the weekend. By Sunday afternoon, I realize that it is "time to get inspired." Actual inspiration does not kick in until about 2:00 a.m. Monday morning. This is the time that I should be "proofreading" and "perking it up." Instead, I am still researching and praying for a miracle. And, I am not the only one. All night long I am IMing with the other procrastinators who have delayed the inevitable.
By 6:00 a.m. I am about 75% done with the brief. My decision to skip school is quickly overruled by an email reminder from my boss about a promotional I have planned for the computer lab. Great; well, if I must go to school for the promotional, there's no reason to skip class. Anyway, I hate skipping class when I've actually done the reading. So, I drop the brief long enough to get ready for school, and I am in class by 8:30 a.m.
Out of class by 11:30 a.m. And then I contribute two hours to the promotional table. By 2:00 p.m. I am back on the brief. I have one more argument that needs some support (research) and then I need to proofread. By 4:00 p.m. the work is done. I am home and in bed by 5:00 p.m. I sleep for almost 10 hours before getting up in time to read for Tuesday's classes. In spite of the sleep, I am still tired today. Hopefully, I will catch up on my sleep, and not pull another "all-nighter" next Sunday when there is another deadline for another brief due next Monday.
I invest minimal time working on the brief over the weekend. By Sunday afternoon, I realize that it is "time to get inspired." Actual inspiration does not kick in until about 2:00 a.m. Monday morning. This is the time that I should be "proofreading" and "perking it up." Instead, I am still researching and praying for a miracle. And, I am not the only one. All night long I am IMing with the other procrastinators who have delayed the inevitable.
By 6:00 a.m. I am about 75% done with the brief. My decision to skip school is quickly overruled by an email reminder from my boss about a promotional I have planned for the computer lab. Great; well, if I must go to school for the promotional, there's no reason to skip class. Anyway, I hate skipping class when I've actually done the reading. So, I drop the brief long enough to get ready for school, and I am in class by 8:30 a.m.
Out of class by 11:30 a.m. And then I contribute two hours to the promotional table. By 2:00 p.m. I am back on the brief. I have one more argument that needs some support (research) and then I need to proofread. By 4:00 p.m. the work is done. I am home and in bed by 5:00 p.m. I sleep for almost 10 hours before getting up in time to read for Tuesday's classes. In spite of the sleep, I am still tired today. Hopefully, I will catch up on my sleep, and not pull another "all-nighter" next Sunday when there is another deadline for another brief due next Monday.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Good days and bad.
Monday was not a good day. Decisions had to be made that, unfortunately, I may pay for in the future. I had volunteered to participate in an in-house ADR tournament (i.e., a negotiations tournament), which would consume most of Wednesday, Friday and Saturday of this week. I have been on the ADR Board since its inception (last year), and I really enjoy negotiating and mediating cases, so I was quite excited about participating in our first in-house tournament . . . until I received the factual scenario last week.
I realize that with the first tournament, mistakes are going to be made by the committee. I think the first mistake was choosing a very complicated factual scenario (dealing with natural resources, IPOs, and generating capital). This tournament is open to the entire school, so it really puts the 1L class at a disadvantage. The 1L teams are so excited about the tournament; they have no idea they are going to be annihilated based on the subject matter alone.
The second disadvantage was that all teams were only given one week to work on the scenario. Once I received the scenario last week, I knew that I was over my head. Worse yet, my negotiations partner was out of town at a moot court tournament, so we couldn’t even prepare until Monday. By the time Monday morning rolled around, I realized that this was going to be a very busy week, even if I didn’t participate in the tournament; so, my partner and I bowed out, which effectively pissed off the entire tournament committee and ADR officers.
Some of these people actually confronted my partner, but no one has yet approached me. Frankly, I only feel bad about committing to the tournament and then bowing out. But, I/we didn’t ask for a refund of the entry fee, and I/we bowed out as soon as we knew we weren’t going forward. The tournament committee needs to learn some valuable lessons through all of this, like (1) have a Plan B; and (2) give teams ample time to prepare; and (3) be aware that the students who are participating in your tournament are doing so on a voluntary basis and it is possible that school work, graded assignments, or readings may actually take a priority.
Honestly, though, I do feel badly about bowing out and I know that I need to learn some valuable lessons, like it's better NOT to over commit than to over commit and then back out; and it's better NOT to over commit and then kill yourself trying to keep all those commitments. I guess all I can say is . . . I'm trying.
By March or April we will be electing a new editorial board for the law review, and I really want a seat on the editorial board because (1) it is prestigious; (2) looks good on the resume; and (3) is twice as many credit hours as simply being a "senior member" of law review. But, many of the members of the ADR Board are also on the law review nominating committee, so I may have sealed my fate for an editorial board position. Only time will tell about that, but I realize that it is a possibility. I'm going to try to pray about that matter and let it go. I do not have any control over what has been done nor is there any benefit in fretting about what will be. Time will tell, and I'll go forward from there.
Tuesday was a great day. I had a job interview with a firm that I really, really like. They are the largest firm in the region, with offices in North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. The interview went great! The attorney really loved me. Thought he was going to ask me out on a date...which would have been fine. (I really don't have any ethics when it comes to getting that first job, ya know. ;-) Anyway, then he dropped the bomb....oh, he's not on the recruiting committee, and he doesn't know if the firm will even let him hire summer associates, but he wants to, and he wanted to meet some of the bright students at the law school. Isn’t that precious? Well, concentrating on the bright side, it's a step in the right direction and I'm trying to have sufficient faith to believe that something good can come of this. I really do like the firm and thought the interview went well. He told me, "You aren't going to have any problem finding a job." From his mouth to God's ears.
So, now it’s Wednesday. My motion (due today) is in its final stages. I have to prep for three classes tomorrow (my busiest day of the week), and I have to start researching a brief that is due Monday. I’m hopeful that today will be a follow up to Tuesday. I really do prefer the good days; don’t we all.
I realize that with the first tournament, mistakes are going to be made by the committee. I think the first mistake was choosing a very complicated factual scenario (dealing with natural resources, IPOs, and generating capital). This tournament is open to the entire school, so it really puts the 1L class at a disadvantage. The 1L teams are so excited about the tournament; they have no idea they are going to be annihilated based on the subject matter alone.
The second disadvantage was that all teams were only given one week to work on the scenario. Once I received the scenario last week, I knew that I was over my head. Worse yet, my negotiations partner was out of town at a moot court tournament, so we couldn’t even prepare until Monday. By the time Monday morning rolled around, I realized that this was going to be a very busy week, even if I didn’t participate in the tournament; so, my partner and I bowed out, which effectively pissed off the entire tournament committee and ADR officers.
Some of these people actually confronted my partner, but no one has yet approached me. Frankly, I only feel bad about committing to the tournament and then bowing out. But, I/we didn’t ask for a refund of the entry fee, and I/we bowed out as soon as we knew we weren’t going forward. The tournament committee needs to learn some valuable lessons through all of this, like (1) have a Plan B; and (2) give teams ample time to prepare; and (3) be aware that the students who are participating in your tournament are doing so on a voluntary basis and it is possible that school work, graded assignments, or readings may actually take a priority.
Honestly, though, I do feel badly about bowing out and I know that I need to learn some valuable lessons, like it's better NOT to over commit than to over commit and then back out; and it's better NOT to over commit and then kill yourself trying to keep all those commitments. I guess all I can say is . . . I'm trying.
By March or April we will be electing a new editorial board for the law review, and I really want a seat on the editorial board because (1) it is prestigious; (2) looks good on the resume; and (3) is twice as many credit hours as simply being a "senior member" of law review. But, many of the members of the ADR Board are also on the law review nominating committee, so I may have sealed my fate for an editorial board position. Only time will tell about that, but I realize that it is a possibility. I'm going to try to pray about that matter and let it go. I do not have any control over what has been done nor is there any benefit in fretting about what will be. Time will tell, and I'll go forward from there.
Tuesday was a great day. I had a job interview with a firm that I really, really like. They are the largest firm in the region, with offices in North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. The interview went great! The attorney really loved me. Thought he was going to ask me out on a date...which would have been fine. (I really don't have any ethics when it comes to getting that first job, ya know. ;-) Anyway, then he dropped the bomb....oh, he's not on the recruiting committee, and he doesn't know if the firm will even let him hire summer associates, but he wants to, and he wanted to meet some of the bright students at the law school. Isn’t that precious? Well, concentrating on the bright side, it's a step in the right direction and I'm trying to have sufficient faith to believe that something good can come of this. I really do like the firm and thought the interview went well. He told me, "You aren't going to have any problem finding a job." From his mouth to God's ears.
So, now it’s Wednesday. My motion (due today) is in its final stages. I have to prep for three classes tomorrow (my busiest day of the week), and I have to start researching a brief that is due Monday. I’m hopeful that today will be a follow up to Tuesday. I really do prefer the good days; don’t we all.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
All I want is a pretzel
What has happened to customer service? Does it even exist anymore in the American marketplace? Of course, I do not expect customer service when I have opted for "self-serve"; but I'm talking about the folks across the counter who have what I am willing to buy. Why should I have to beg them to take my money?
I was passing through North Carolina today and decided to stop at one of my favorite malls. While there, I remembered that there was this small shop that sold delicious pretzels. First I had to find a directory, then I had to locate the shop on the map, then I had to make my way through the maze of twists and turns to get to the delicious pretzels. By the time that I saw the sign, I was already salivating. I envisioned taking my warm treat and a big fountain drink straight to the truck so that I could munch and slurp on the ride home. But I couldn't get anyone to wait on me! There were four employees behind the counter. One employee was waiting on the lady in front of me. Another employee was making pretzels. Another employee was toying with the cash register. And the fourth employee was talking to the one toying with the cash register.
I stood there for at least two minutes--which is quite a long time for a person who hates to wait in line. The lady in front of me had two children with her, and they seemed as excited as I about the prospect of the pretzels. I really didn't fault them for taking their time, because that's exactly what I intended to do. But, I was inflamed by the two other workers behind the counter who absolutely refused to acknowledge my presence. Couldn't one of them take my order? I don't know, because even though we made eye contact, they never uttered a word to me. Even a simple, "We'll be with you in just a moment" would have been nice. But I got nothing. So, I made a drastic decision (that I hoped I wouldn't regret), and I walked away.
I decided that there are numerous covenience stores that sell those tasty pretzels, and I stopped at one of my favorite stores on earth (Sheetz--highly recommended) and picked up a yummy sandwich and fresh, warm, soft, salty pretzel. It was yummy, and worth the wait.
I don't want to seem like an Andy Rooney sound bite, but what has happened to customer service? My daughter went to the cell phone company last week to get some answers about a charge on her bill. The young girl who waited on her was "quite helpful" according to my daughter, but do you know what help she offered? She told me daughter that she would have to call the 800 number on the phone bill to resolve the matter!!! Once again, I was enraged when I heard this! How assinine is that system? If I were to walk into this same cell phone store and want to pay my bill or change my service or buy a phone, they would gladly help me; but, because I have a question about my bill I have to call an 800 number? Aren't YOU the company that I am calling about this charge?
As much as I wanted to get involved in that scenario, I just did not have time. But all I want is for the server at the restaurant or the cashier at the counter or the paper boy or the sales clerk to do their job and their job is taking care of the customer. I do not need to be caudled; I just want to be served--even when all I want is a pretzel.
I was passing through North Carolina today and decided to stop at one of my favorite malls. While there, I remembered that there was this small shop that sold delicious pretzels. First I had to find a directory, then I had to locate the shop on the map, then I had to make my way through the maze of twists and turns to get to the delicious pretzels. By the time that I saw the sign, I was already salivating. I envisioned taking my warm treat and a big fountain drink straight to the truck so that I could munch and slurp on the ride home. But I couldn't get anyone to wait on me! There were four employees behind the counter. One employee was waiting on the lady in front of me. Another employee was making pretzels. Another employee was toying with the cash register. And the fourth employee was talking to the one toying with the cash register.
I stood there for at least two minutes--which is quite a long time for a person who hates to wait in line. The lady in front of me had two children with her, and they seemed as excited as I about the prospect of the pretzels. I really didn't fault them for taking their time, because that's exactly what I intended to do. But, I was inflamed by the two other workers behind the counter who absolutely refused to acknowledge my presence. Couldn't one of them take my order? I don't know, because even though we made eye contact, they never uttered a word to me. Even a simple, "We'll be with you in just a moment" would have been nice. But I got nothing. So, I made a drastic decision (that I hoped I wouldn't regret), and I walked away.
I decided that there are numerous covenience stores that sell those tasty pretzels, and I stopped at one of my favorite stores on earth (Sheetz--highly recommended) and picked up a yummy sandwich and fresh, warm, soft, salty pretzel. It was yummy, and worth the wait.
I don't want to seem like an Andy Rooney sound bite, but what has happened to customer service? My daughter went to the cell phone company last week to get some answers about a charge on her bill. The young girl who waited on her was "quite helpful" according to my daughter, but do you know what help she offered? She told me daughter that she would have to call the 800 number on the phone bill to resolve the matter!!! Once again, I was enraged when I heard this! How assinine is that system? If I were to walk into this same cell phone store and want to pay my bill or change my service or buy a phone, they would gladly help me; but, because I have a question about my bill I have to call an 800 number? Aren't YOU the company that I am calling about this charge?
As much as I wanted to get involved in that scenario, I just did not have time. But all I want is for the server at the restaurant or the cashier at the counter or the paper boy or the sales clerk to do their job and their job is taking care of the customer. I do not need to be caudled; I just want to be served--even when all I want is a pretzel.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Spring is here . . . and then it isn't
My day started at 4 a.m. I had to finish preparing for one class; but, more importantly, I had to prepare for a negotiation assignment. The morning slipped away from me, and I did not have time to exercise before school (a recent ritual I have added to my morning routine). I arrived at school at 7:30 a.m. to meet with my partner, review a few final details regarding our strategy, and then we entered the negotiation room at 8:00 a.m.
Fast forward seven hours, and it's 3:00 p.m. I have been in classrooms or the library since arriving this morning, so I am absolutely delighted when I hit the doors and find that it is sunny and 75 degrees. I heard the weather man say it would be "unseasonably warm" today, but who knew he was talking about 75 degrees? On the ride home, the windows are down, and I am quickly developing a plan that includes me and sunshine for the afternoon.
First things first, though. I take Abby on a long walk so that she can enjoy the sunshine as well. I notice that the ducks have returned to our pond--Mallards, two male and one female. They weren't here this morning--at 5:00 a.m.--when I last walked Abby. For whatever it's worth, I'm taking their return as a sign that the worst of winter is behind us.
After taking care of Abby, I quickly changed into a t-shirt and a pair of shorts. I packed a few books in my bag and decide to do tomorrow's reading outdoors. The plan is to pick up something quick for an early dinner, then return to campus and soak up some sunshine while doing the obligatory reading assignments. Afterward, before day's end, I will catch up on the exercising that I had to skip this morning--perhaps with a walk around campus or a jog at the track.
By the time I make it back to campus it is 4:00 p.m., and I head for the baseball field. There's a wonderful grassy hill that runs along the first base line. On almost any warm day you will find students lined up along this hill studying, reading, picnicking, etc., and today is no different.
Clouds were moving in and the wind was picking up by the time I unpacked my books. I settled in and started reading. The wind was brisk, and I didn't bring a blanket or coat. Just a few minutes earlier I had left the house in shorts and a t-shirt, and now I seemed woefully under-dressed. Within 15 minutes, I looked around, and I was the only person left on the hill . . . and I was freezing! I just couldn't believe how drastically the weather had changed in such a short time; but, by this time, the temperature had dropped to 65 degrees, and the wind made it feel cooler than that.
By 5:00 p.m., I am home and wondering how such a good idea could turn into such a bad idea in such a short amount of time. In short, there was no wonderful afternoon of studying on the hillside, and there was no exercising on campus. I made a point of coming home and crawling under a blanket while I watched the early evening news. And I can't help but wonder if those ducks are warm tonight.
Fast forward seven hours, and it's 3:00 p.m. I have been in classrooms or the library since arriving this morning, so I am absolutely delighted when I hit the doors and find that it is sunny and 75 degrees. I heard the weather man say it would be "unseasonably warm" today, but who knew he was talking about 75 degrees? On the ride home, the windows are down, and I am quickly developing a plan that includes me and sunshine for the afternoon.
First things first, though. I take Abby on a long walk so that she can enjoy the sunshine as well. I notice that the ducks have returned to our pond--Mallards, two male and one female. They weren't here this morning--at 5:00 a.m.--when I last walked Abby. For whatever it's worth, I'm taking their return as a sign that the worst of winter is behind us.
After taking care of Abby, I quickly changed into a t-shirt and a pair of shorts. I packed a few books in my bag and decide to do tomorrow's reading outdoors. The plan is to pick up something quick for an early dinner, then return to campus and soak up some sunshine while doing the obligatory reading assignments. Afterward, before day's end, I will catch up on the exercising that I had to skip this morning--perhaps with a walk around campus or a jog at the track.
By the time I make it back to campus it is 4:00 p.m., and I head for the baseball field. There's a wonderful grassy hill that runs along the first base line. On almost any warm day you will find students lined up along this hill studying, reading, picnicking, etc., and today is no different.
Clouds were moving in and the wind was picking up by the time I unpacked my books. I settled in and started reading. The wind was brisk, and I didn't bring a blanket or coat. Just a few minutes earlier I had left the house in shorts and a t-shirt, and now I seemed woefully under-dressed. Within 15 minutes, I looked around, and I was the only person left on the hill . . . and I was freezing! I just couldn't believe how drastically the weather had changed in such a short time; but, by this time, the temperature had dropped to 65 degrees, and the wind made it feel cooler than that.
By 5:00 p.m., I am home and wondering how such a good idea could turn into such a bad idea in such a short amount of time. In short, there was no wonderful afternoon of studying on the hillside, and there was no exercising on campus. I made a point of coming home and crawling under a blanket while I watched the early evening news. And I can't help but wonder if those ducks are warm tonight.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Goodbye, my friend.
We are a mere three weeks into this semester and already it has been quite tumultuous. While I have a few minutes, let me see if I can do this story justice.
For whatever reason, law school professors have a difficult time grading exams in a timely fashion. So, we received our fall grades on the Friday before spring semester started. Like most students, we all arrived at school on Monday ready for classes, but also ready to catch up with friends that we hadn’t seen since the hell of final exams six weeks earlier. By the end of Monday, our class involuntarily lost two of its members. They were there on Monday, and then they were gone. The assumption is that they were on academic probation and did not make satisfactory progress. Both had meetings with the dean on Monday and both did not return; thus, the assumption.
One of these classmates was a dear friend. We studied together during finals, and we spent a lot of time together during the semester. I remember one day as we were walking into tax class I told her, “If he calls on me today, please help because I didn’t do the homework.” To which she replied, “What? Well, I was counting on you to do the homework because I didn’t do it either.” First of all, let me state the obvious, i.e., I always do my homework . . . well, almost always; but, a girl has got to sleep some time.
During the five minutes that we had before class started we were trying to skim the material and quickly realizing that it was quite detailed and we were sufficiently screwed. I was starting to panic and hyperventilate. Not to mention that the “unprepared” neon sign was flashing over my head.
By the time the professor walked into the classroom, fear suddenly engulfed my entire body. I did not want to be the student who was humiliated in class for being unprepared and then asked to leave. I looked at my friend, and she looked at me. In her eyes I could see that same fear. We knew what would happen if either of us were called on during class. I said, “Let’s skip.” She said, “Ok.” And we both just walked out of class. We didn’t close our books. We didn’t take our laptops. There wasn’t time for that! Class was about to start, so we just walked out.
Since this was such a spontaneous decision, we also didn’t have a plan. There wasn’t too much we could do since we had another class in an hour; so, we ended up spending the hour at Sonic, laughing at the irony of the situation. When the hour was over, we walked back into the room and just traded out our books for the next class—for which we both were prepared.
And now she is gone. Not only is she gone from school, but she is gone from my life. She won’t return phone calls. She won’t respond to e-mails or text messages. I know she is upset and that this is going to take time to heal, and probably the last person she wants to talk to is a law student. Last week she moved out of her house and returned to her home state. I doubt that our paths will ever cross again. Another classmate now occupies her seat. But I hope I was more than a law student or classmate to her; I hope I was her friend. Better yet, I hope I am her friend. And I hope that, in time, when the hurting has healed, she will reach out to me.
So much more is happening. Law review has been hell. I almost quit law review last week, but that story will have to wait for another day. Some of my professors just make me want to bang my head against a wall; other professors convince me to do otherwise. The plans for the summer are still up in the air, not to mention plans for employment. And life goes on for this mature—yet tired—law student. And that’s about all the time that I have for today.
For whatever reason, law school professors have a difficult time grading exams in a timely fashion. So, we received our fall grades on the Friday before spring semester started. Like most students, we all arrived at school on Monday ready for classes, but also ready to catch up with friends that we hadn’t seen since the hell of final exams six weeks earlier. By the end of Monday, our class involuntarily lost two of its members. They were there on Monday, and then they were gone. The assumption is that they were on academic probation and did not make satisfactory progress. Both had meetings with the dean on Monday and both did not return; thus, the assumption.
One of these classmates was a dear friend. We studied together during finals, and we spent a lot of time together during the semester. I remember one day as we were walking into tax class I told her, “If he calls on me today, please help because I didn’t do the homework.” To which she replied, “What? Well, I was counting on you to do the homework because I didn’t do it either.” First of all, let me state the obvious, i.e., I always do my homework . . . well, almost always; but, a girl has got to sleep some time.
During the five minutes that we had before class started we were trying to skim the material and quickly realizing that it was quite detailed and we were sufficiently screwed. I was starting to panic and hyperventilate. Not to mention that the “unprepared” neon sign was flashing over my head.
By the time the professor walked into the classroom, fear suddenly engulfed my entire body. I did not want to be the student who was humiliated in class for being unprepared and then asked to leave. I looked at my friend, and she looked at me. In her eyes I could see that same fear. We knew what would happen if either of us were called on during class. I said, “Let’s skip.” She said, “Ok.” And we both just walked out of class. We didn’t close our books. We didn’t take our laptops. There wasn’t time for that! Class was about to start, so we just walked out.
Since this was such a spontaneous decision, we also didn’t have a plan. There wasn’t too much we could do since we had another class in an hour; so, we ended up spending the hour at Sonic, laughing at the irony of the situation. When the hour was over, we walked back into the room and just traded out our books for the next class—for which we both were prepared.
And now she is gone. Not only is she gone from school, but she is gone from my life. She won’t return phone calls. She won’t respond to e-mails or text messages. I know she is upset and that this is going to take time to heal, and probably the last person she wants to talk to is a law student. Last week she moved out of her house and returned to her home state. I doubt that our paths will ever cross again. Another classmate now occupies her seat. But I hope I was more than a law student or classmate to her; I hope I was her friend. Better yet, I hope I am her friend. And I hope that, in time, when the hurting has healed, she will reach out to me.
So much more is happening. Law review has been hell. I almost quit law review last week, but that story will have to wait for another day. Some of my professors just make me want to bang my head against a wall; other professors convince me to do otherwise. The plans for the summer are still up in the air, not to mention plans for employment. And life goes on for this mature—yet tired—law student. And that’s about all the time that I have for today.
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