Saturday, December 29, 2007
My wishes and plans
I was planning this post to be aslo about my plans and strategies in the law school for the next semester. But I changed my mind. It is the middle of my break and I do not want to think about such thing as a law school :-)) however, I bought today this book by Turow named "One L." The author graduated from Harward law school. I think it will be interesting to compare my observations and thoughts with the author's who studied in number one law school :-)) I hope I will not get frustraited that I was not persistent in my studying comparing to a Harward law student, or I did something wrong (though, who knows how to do this right?).
Finally, tomorrow we will pack our staff for 6-day trip to Florida. I am kind of exciting, but I am not sure whether I am really excited. I think I am still under influence of my first semester, and I am still in thoughts about how I did it. But I bet I will change my mind tomorrow when I fold my sweaters into small luggage.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Finals are OVEEEEERRRRRRR WOOOOHOOOO
cheers.
Monday, December 17, 2007
I am back
Of course, my thoughts will be in connection with past exam. Actually with two of them, because the property was the taugh one too with the question what do you think about that and that case and opinion and why do you think the court is right or not. So far from my previous experience and also from realistic expectations, I assumed that the law school is teaching the law. Of course, the law is such a vague substance that you cannot learn all at once. Perhaps I even do not need to learn it but understand its principles. Maybe this is the reason why professors wants us to think as a lawyer looking into the substance of opinions and the regulations, into their purposes and goals and whatever else you want to add to this list. My question is why do I need to know whether the civil procedure regulations are good enough to find the truth from the parties, and whether they are strict enough to limit federal courts jurisdiction, or why the court made a mistake in its opinion?
Here how I think at it. The opinion was made and it is now the precedent, me or another party will apply it to win its own claim and it can work quite well to win. Many people may disagree with me and I will understand them. I think the deep substance of the opinion is useful to know for the understanding of the law and its application. But is it so important to put it on the test? Now look at this fact. I studied hard and learned the sections of the FRCP and property cases. But then another did nothing and came with the textbook and hopes that he/she will have enough time to look it up. Next, that person and I get general question about the goals of the procedure and other general stuff that you may come up with much of the knowledge. The person knows how to "pour water" and I have no idea. Who wins? I may assure the reader that not me. This is what frustrates me a lot. I jeopardize my own grades because I am punished for being not creative and for not thinking about things I did not study. yes, the work of the lawyer is grounded into creativity, but I see that creativity in the using the law regulations and strategies based on it. Not on the phylosophical doctrine.
Why to put such questions for the law students on the test? What is the purpose? Will it be helpful in law practice? Or will it be more helpful to be the professor? Do professors really think we need it?
All those questions seem to have sense and the answer "yes, you need to know this because you are the future lawyer and you have to think about it and know how to put it on the paper" may be persuasive. But is it? I am afraid I will find out after I begin the practice but it will be too late, because my grades will suffer unbearably. How will I explain to my employer that I think that those questions are not so significant to know? And even if it comes up that they are, how will I prepare myself to answer such questions?
Although I began the exams with light mind and a lot of hopes, now I have a feeling of dispair and the fear that I came back to the educational system where you learn what you need to get a good grade on the exam by knowing what the professor wants to hear from you, but not by the knowledge of law, that I think much more interesting and applicable in our life than mooshy doctrines and theories.
God help me to survive torts that also will have the question of policy.
My third exam and I wish last
From one side I should not worry about the grades, because it is only grades. But then the grades will help me to find first job. I wonder do I really need to worry so much about those stupid grades? Nevermind, my mind is off. I better go to do torts, another pain of my life.
Bye bye the times when I was a good student. Welcome time when I have C's instead of A's.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Tomorrow is exam and I do nothing
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
My first law school exam
I got up not easily because last nights I went to sleep late and I got up late, so my body did not get used to get up early. As a result I left the house as usual. After watching news about snowfall last night which continued into the morning of Tuesday - the day of my exam - I figured out I would better leave ASAP. As a result I forgot my coat and freacked out, while driving, whether I took my supplement (the only material allowed on the exam). I spent 2 hours and 15 minutes on the road. As a result I was at school after 9 am, when exam began at 8.15. Fun.. huh? but I was not nervous, which made me nervously think why I was not and was it a good sign to the outcome of the exam :-)))
I went to the registrar, fabulous woman, who without any wink sitted me to another class room for the people who is late. She said they were expacting even more people. Actually, I benefited very well from being late, because I was sitted in the room with other 3 students, while all other students were in the crowded room sweatening and worrying that somebody already switched to another question. Yep, I was alone in room's conner enojing reading of 52 multiple questions with my legs on teh chair next to me. Damn, I must admit I enjoyed this exam! Multiple questions went well (I am scared of this thought now, because I believe, that when I think it went well, it means it did not. So many times it was so... uhmmm). The essay was harder, however, now I am thinking that I wrote it not so bad.
Finally, I need to put aside my worries about the lack of worries and think of the next final - Property. Yeah, I will have much more writing there. I need now to finish my outline and go trhough law of Perpetuities. Then maybe try to write at least one exam. Uhhh... Instead I want to go to mountains and walk in the snow. Such a life.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
If you ask me who are new Russians, here is some part of the answer
The product of a culture where materialism was once the cardinal sin, they are itching to wag their status both at home and abroad. “In Moscow, they have their Mercedes and BMWs, their Versace and Armani, watch collections, armies of bodyguards, and estates on the outskirts of the city,” the Russian continues, “but it’s like having a fantastic party atop a minefield: Sometimes, there’s an accident, and somebody gets killed.”
The funniest thing that despite her family's money she wants to stay in US.
Her mom worries that Anna is losing her Russian, so this fall she is taking private lessons. She can’t envision moving back to Moscow, she said. “I belong here,” she insisted, even if her dad wished he could see more of her in Moscow.
So what can I say? I love you America!!
Monday, October 15, 2007
oh.... a half way through semester
Anyway, I have to read Property now, the class I really like despite of all the difficulties of perpetuities and trusts that we go through now. Then I have to think about memo for Legal Writing. Actually not only think but write at least something, because it is due on Friday.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Another week is passed..
So ABA sent out me this electronic letter with an article about shortage jobs in the legal field and accessive number of law school graduates at the same time. Result? Disaster for many graduates who has left a law school with thousands dollars of debts and with jobs of $50 grand per year. Sucks, does it not? Now what do you think I think about it? This news is definetly not the happiest one. It looks like the situation in my country repeats. Scarry. Sorry. this is it for today, because I am sleepy and I do not want to write who knows what.
G
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Law School began and already ate a half of my nerves...
During orientation week I hated 2 and 3 year students, who insisted on the fact how hard school will be for us, first year, and how scared we will be. Well, I did not believe them and I made a mistake. My first month was a hell. It is better now, but those first days of not understanding what is going on around me, put me in high distress and disbelief in own strenghth. Moreover, that spirit of competition that I feel each moment, kills me even more. Maybe I just imagine things, but this is how I feel. Huge amount of reading of the cases that contradict each other. My mind had hard time, and still has, switching from civil law system to case law. I mean, what the heck to dig into all those case law, if you can make rules, that still can be quite flexible and live by those rules. Well, of course, there are down sides (is it correct spelling?) of civil law in lack of flexibility. But I find case law superb wrong regarding too high role of the attorneys. Without attorney, even with a winning case, you will not do much, just because of lack of skills in research, knowing the procedure, what fact to stress and what case to use. It is good for attroneys, but not as good for people. On another hand, though, it is good for people, because with a losing case they still may win having a good attorney. Loose or win for a client, it is still will be always win for an attorney, just because he will be able to get his/her buck anyway. This a thought I have now. Possibly in another month it will change to something esle. The good thing is I begin getting used to case law and it makes to me some sense. But still I can be angry reading two cases on the same issue, that still contradict each other.
So my days are pretty busy. Mornings I go to swimming pool for 5.30 am or run, then I get ready and go to the school. In the school I am around 7.30 am, as a rule. I check my email, read before class and off to go for a class at 8.30 or 9.00 am (depends what day). An hour bentween classes is really helpful, just because I can sit down and read through what I have read at home. And, as I understood recently, it is a good thing to do, because after 10 pages for one class and then 10 for another, I loose the track of events, sense and everything else. So I try to go back to assigments and skim them.
What I really love about school is Internet everywhere. I assume you can get it even in a restroom hehehe.... for me, adict to Internet, it is great. The only thing is that I do not have much time to go to web sites and do something, even writing emails.
I am in real trouble with legal writing class. I love it, but I know I write total rubbish. Bless God tutors are really helpful. I think the theme of tutors I will continue in my next note.
Cheers,
G
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Yesssss.... I am freeeeeee!!!!!
- take more photos, practice and enjoying photography
- read books from my "this is what I plan to read' shelf
- walk around city, attend museums and numerous siteseeings. I have found a bunch of web site for this purpose
- learn Spanish. I had last Friday a client who speaks no English and only Spanish. I talked to her with an interpreter, and tell you the truth I was upset I could not talk to her by myself. Well, I will work on it.
This is my plan. Surely, something will be added along the summer. I LOVE summer and I am happy it came.
J.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
My tiresome day
A day went really crazy. I had a project to do for one of my classes (bless God this was the last one for this semester). So my wonderful team (another 5 students) decided to do nothing for that project. Of course, nobody told me that in my face, but they kept ignoring my emails and questions. So as a result, I had to spend all day yesterday to work on a project paper, to do work for which a credit will be shared between all of us. I was really mad, and I think I am still mad. Dane told I should not be, because it is always in life like that. it is almost like that TV commercial of chips and salsa, where guys do nothing but a girl finish the project and everybody praises a team. I hate such things. I don't like when people ride others backs to their aims. Anyway I have to relax and forget about it.
It was hot and nice day. I took pics of some bees. They are really awsome. I didn't touch my camera for so long. So I was happy. I already editted them and posted online.
I have another research paper to do, and looks like I don't have any strength and wish to begin it. Hopefully I will this evening.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Being sick sucks!!!!!
So what happened to me so far? Nothing special. I have finished Presumed Innocent and started Northanger by Jane Austine. I read last one in three days. I loved it. Now I am reading A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby. It is so-so. He touches a lot of problems of present humanity, but I don't think he did very deep. There are 10 or 20 pages left.
BTW, I decided to create my reading list on Amazon. It is a nice idea to track my own readings and to write my opinion. Not only because somebody will read, but also for myself. Spit it down wil help me to write more.
I am waiting when my mom comes. She promissed. I hope she will :-)
Take care
Friday, March 30, 2007
Nothing special


Hi all. I finally came back to blog. I went to visit my parents. It was short travel in my spring break, but it was fun. Otherwise, I would have sit at home and did nothing.
But I got sick today. Idiot me, went out without a coat outside. I thought it was a spring, and it is indeed, but snow came and cold wind. Here is the result of it - I am coughing, sneezing and hate myself for being so irresponsible.
Picture you see was taken on Hawaii. Nice isn't it? I just thought about starting my travel blog for my friends on my native language, because they don't speak English, at least not everybody. So if I put a blog it will be fun for them to read, and for me a memory. Looks like it works nicely on page. Plus, I can download any size. GREAT! I will start my blog right away.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
I am at home, but is it a home now
I am in real leasure, doing nothing. Maybe I will sit and read a book. However, I am glad I came here. Some changes are so good.
I know this I said some rabbish but I wanted to keep writing at least something in my blog.
G.
Friday, March 09, 2007
Open House
So back to a law school. I understood how great is American style of communication. I remember when I came to the US I didn't like such meeting and I didn't see any use of them. Now I think this is the greatest way to meet people and know more about them and about environment they live, work.
The most important thing that I realized is that I am positive, I am sure I will survive the law school. Before I really worried, because English as a second language could prevent me from successful study; however, I changed my mind after talking to law students. I noticed, that law students are same people, grad students as any other students. Not all of them are super smart people that do nothing but study. As I understood that also have free time to relax, watch TV and do other fun stuff of ordinary young people. Moreover, I talked to one of the international students. As I understood there won't be anything difficult, and that I shouldn't worry about anything. Well, of course, I will have to work and study, but I have a feeling that it won't be as awfull as so many people say about a law school.
I am sure I will survive, and I will do my best to be in the top of class.
Nice, I WILL BE A LAW STUDENT IN FIVE AND A HALF MONTHS!!!!
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
"What is wrong with me or those guys?" I asked myself many times with disguist to both. I was afraid of many things that possibly were wrong in my file, but the worst was I couldn't know what fact of my application prevented admissions committees to make such a RUDE decision as reject me. First I thought it is my transcript that is hard to be translated into American grade system. However, some schools sent to me rejection, although I submitted evaluation to them. Then I decided that the problem is with my personal statement and looks like I was right. I went to my tutor with it and asked her to tell me truth about what she thinks. She said it was great; however, I didn't sell myself in it. Possibly because of this it didn't work on the people who read it, actually not read by skipped through too many of essays they have to read during a day.
SELL MYSELF to employer, dean of admissions, co-worker, and maybe even to a friend. I think, a couple of years ago I wouldn't agree with it, because I would say I am as I am and if people don't see that it should be theie own problem. However, now, I understand how many things work. The problem is how to learn to sell myself. What should I have written in that personal statement? How great I am? That I am smart and intelligent? Maybe it was just a cultural that I cannot do that - write about myself with a high opinion, my opinion, not others?
I am happy with the decision I have and there is no doubt for me that I will go to that school. But inner voice said that I had a lot of time to prepare for this process and I didn't do enough to compete with others. Although I reached a goal I had, I still not satisfied with the way I acted and did all that. What would I do if I had another chance to do all over?
- I would spend at least a year for the prparation to LSAT, not as I did preparing only 2 months.
- I would not be in hurry with submission of applications. First, I would spend more time on my personal statement. Of course, it was difficult to me, because I never have done it in my life. Moreover, my wonderful tutor decided to take time off and I didn't have any person to talk about what I write and how well I write. So instead of "selling myself" I did tell a story about my life.
I think those are the points I would do differently. I understand that it is too late to cry out about my own mistakes and to be worried about my unaccomplishments in admission process, but I am really happy that my admission story has a happy end. Imagine, I even called to admission asking them whether it is not a mistake that I was accepted. That feeling of a satisfaction of the acceptance is a great thing after all survived rejections. Yes, the ambition was hurt, but what should be important for me? Process or result? Yes, the process was delightful even with all its anxiety, but I happy with the result and I don't want my mind to go back with any doubts in my own abilities. What I should take from all that is the lesson of "selling myself" and "writing better". Not sure about working harder, because I think my work was really hard those months of law schools preparations.
Thanks to God. I AM IN!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Did I forget abut Valentines Day again?
Beside Valentine Day I wanted to talk about friends and friendship. Did you ever had a friendship with a person who makes you think that you are the smartest person in the world? Well, I did and I do. I cannot call the relationship with that person as a friendship. Maybe she does, but not me. Our "friendship" (I love those quotes because they show unrealated character of the word friendship to my relationship to this person) was more as a consecuencces of my life. I knew her before, then we didn't see each other for a while, and now we live in the same city. Really interesting coincidence but I won't go into a lot of details.
So this person, sticked to me with her friendship, and I accepted for a while, but now I understood that our values are very different. I always hated narrow-minded people, who thinks that their opinions can be the only that are correct and that everyone has to stick to them and approve. Of course, it is great to have an opinion, and to be devoted to it; however, this opinion should be based upon not only own preferences to things how you want them to be but also upon simple results of brain work, facts, anlysis and other logical processes that every human being can have from the birth or through learning and development. The person I am talking about lacks all those abilities, leaving only her opinion about the things in the way how she wants them to be. In simple words, she wants her life and things in her life to be better then anybody's else. If they don't, she will be frustrated and aggrevated, jealous and envious, trying to complain about the things that don't go her way. I know I do the same way sometimes, however, I have some type of the flexability, because I know that I am in different country now and I have to be accustomed to the new culture I live in now and I am going to stay in till possibly my last day. her narrow mind doesn't want accept new rules, and she is trying to convience me that people around are WRONG, she is the one who is RIGHT. There is no respect to the customs and rules of others. Her mind also is clogged by laziness and the lack of curiousity. She lives here for a couple of years and doesn't know many aspects of life she lives in now. Unfrortunately, it looks like that she even doesn't want to be involved in the learning of the new living style she is in.
Oh, no, actually I am wrong. She enjoys to show herself as a person who is from the high class. Damn it. Does it matter that she doesn't have the best service in the airlines? Does it matter that somebody didn't answer all her questions and advised to come over and to spend time talking in person? No, she thinks that everybody has to bend themselves in front of her, becausse she pays money, because she lives now in the country where everybody has to give the best services, because a customer is always correct. Yes, partly she is right, however, you cannot demand what is impossible or what is not paid for by you .
Oh, God, she tried to introduce her friend to me, and I think that was over the edge. I could survive one person like this, but not two. Greedy, uninterested in other things beyond their make-up, good sales and husband's income. Narrow-minded, who doesn't want to adjust to the new conditions of life expecting everybody to adjust to them, to their wishes and desires. Why in the Earth would I be so stiff? why should I demand everybody to follow my princeples of life, when there are so many people in this country and over the world, who may demand the same. Why are there people, who cannot realize that their wishes should be compromized sometimes for the heck of others who is around you. That would make everybody's lives easier, first of all for the same person who doesn't want to be compromised.
I noticed this feature among many Russian immigrants. I guess, other nations who immigrated have the same problems, but the most of immigrants I meet and know are immigrants from the former Soviet Union. And I can tell you up front, that those people, of course not all, are demanding demanding demanding. They think they are the center of the world and everything should be done for them in return for nothing. demand demand and are lazy to do something for themselves. I HATE it. First months of my life in US were the same way, I demanded free English classes, less beauraucracy and other small things, that I could have found compromise for, but I didn't want to. Then I thought, "Hey, slow down, because you are in another culture, you are the one who should follow those rules, although they are new to you." What a relief I had to follow my own conclusion. Well, of course, my curiousity in all things around me helped me with that, because I am not that lazy ass who will sit on a couch waiting for help and complaining how bad things are (I do it sometimes, I must confess). I go to places, I ask questions, and I get flexible with the information and with the events.
Anyway, I guess that "friendship" is not for me, and I will try to part with that person, because all those "high society" minds make me mad, crazy and unstable.
Friday, February 09, 2007
I was going to write something serious, because I was in mood after my Fridays commitment, but after a glass (well, and a half) and a good meal I cooked, I feel so much relaxed. Now to the worst or the best I turned on Bravo channel and damn, there is Madonna's show. I love this woman. I know she is a bitchy and you can tell from her face. But her music is great. Her songs. Oh... when I am in bad mood I listen to her "Frozen", when I am in good mood I can listen to any of her songs. I wouldn't say I like very much her last show. Well, I expected new songs, but not remixes of the old ones. But I think it is ok with me, because now I can sit and recall the album her song is from. Nice. I love Fridays and Madonna. Look at her shape! Woman of .. how old is she? Her late 40s? I wish to be in the same shape, and with the same amount of money she has, and the engergy, maybe even the amount of men? I went too far. Who knows how I look in my 40s. I hope not with a big stomach and lazy ass.
What did I want to talk about? I wanted to tell that I am the person of nerves. I worry about everything: from mid term test to the word I said to somebody and I thought that it was too tough. My nervousness reflects on everything I am doing, including the human being. Like today. I was so frustraited with those stupid clients (not all of them are stupid but three of them were). People get into trouble and that blame everybody else, but not themselves about what happens to them. I don't think it is right. Sometimes I believe in the idea that a person builds own life and in many cases that person (which means me, you he and she etc) creates problems and then blames other people, expecting the help from the outside. Of course, there are so many cases where people just got in trouble despite they were very careful and smart about their life. But so many cases I see where people just negligent and arrogant about their own life. They do the stupidest things and then expect some Saint Peter will come to save them. The worst part of the story, that everybody will be blame for such unluck they have.
Sometimes I start blame myself for being so critical. You see my life was always safe. Well, my childhood was spent in parent's love, but we lived in freaken poverty. I wore second-hand clothes, we ate only potato that we grew on the garden field. I hate those times. But my parents took care of me. Now I am taken care of as well, so I didnt see VERY horrible times, when I had to take care of myself. But I don't think this fact says that I cannot critisize those people, because I care of my life and I am responsible (at least sometimes). If I do decision, I have to weight it and ask around to figure out whether I do the right thing. While those people think they can get along with their negligence without any bad consequences.
I think my mind goes somewhere far, so I will stop at this point. The only conclusion I want to say is that I don't want to work for public, because working for public is working in the field of taking decision for somebody and in the field of irresponsible people. I don't like irresponsability and the lack of mind. Too tough? Yes. I don't mind to help people who is in trouble by unluck or just by someone's arrogance, but I don't want to help losers who are looking for an excuse of their foolish and hollow mind.
I better go, because nice movie started, but I will be back to this subject not once, because it is too touchy to me.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
It is hard to start what I planned
Anyway, lately I am trying to keep myself busy, but I keep stucking on Internet. I surf someone's web site, blog, or just who knows what. However, I try to keep myself follow the plan.
So the things I want to do in the nearest future:
- read A Civil Action. because I am going to law school next fall I decided to read the recommended literature, and, bless God, among that recommended list I have found nice fiction. Also I found this bood in my library. I bought it a year ago or less in ARC.
- learn photoshop. I have the program. I have the photos. I have the BOOK. YEsss I hope in addition to this I have the imagination and creativity.
- learn Spanish. Yeap, I talked to my mom, and she is like, "hmm... if there are so many Spanish speaking people around, why won't you learn their language. It will defenetly help in you future work, whatever it will be." Thanks mom! You gave me wonderful idea. So I took first steps - I ordered online Spanish books and CDs. They didn't come yet, but I am excited.
- just relax. I have so much nerves recently. All those law schools just killing me. Some of them rejected me, which made me almost cry, and some don't give any response that makes me feel even worse. This thing will be the hardest to do. I will see.
So those vows were settled in my mind and I hope they will be in my actions. Just keep doing I guess.
G.

