Buyers Remorse

Within hours of making my final payment for the PMBR course, I am starting to regret it. Almost everyone I have talked to recently has said it was a waste of time because you simply do a bunch of MBE questions even though you don't know the law yet. How much can you honestly learn about your weaknesses if everything is a weakness? It sure seems like I am spending a lot of money to take tests that are easily available in the PMBR books for a much lower price. Still, I can't bring myself to cancel the payment. I am definitely suffering from pack mentality and will do just about anything to pass.

This Happens To Good People?

When I graduated from college I didn't expect to be one of the first of my friends to get married, and I wasn't. That distinction fell to my friend Michelle who had dated another member of our group of friends. As I went on one dating disaster after another, she had a life that I envied. Her husband was sweet, smart, and dependable, and she had two adorable boys. Together they would go on camping trips and I would live vicariously through the pictures she posted on her blog of them happily hiking through the woods. I thought she had everything I wanted, until now.

I just found out that her husband had an affair with a woman that eerily looks much like Michelle. In addition to telling my friend that he no longer loves her, he also left her for the other woman. I feel terrible for my friend and really can't comprehend how something like this happens. Those two have been together for so long and they have children together. How can someone just walk away like that? It really has shaken my world. To add insult to injury, her soon to be ex-husband brings his sons around the other woman and she says things like, "your mom is ugly". How can a man that promised to love, honor, and cherish her in front of all his friends and family do something like this? How can anyone ever be sure that something this awful won't happen to them as well? My world is rocked.

So Close Yet So Far

I am still trying to finish up papers and finals. It doesn't help that I have writers block and no real motivation to keep working. It is so sad that I have taken a topic that I once loved and transformed it into something I can't stand. I wish I could just be done without all the work. This is what I get for being such a slacker all semester.

Writing Requirement Hell

Although I have made a significant dent in my writing requirement, I am probably about 10-15 pages away from completion. I never thought it would happen but I am completely out of BS. I know that is not supposed to happen to a future attorney, but it has. I am completely and utterly unmotivated to finish even though my advisor is probably going to kill me. I worry that this is a bad pattern for me. I often have to have my feet to the fire to get things done. Why can't I just be a normal person and be motivated to finish without a scary deadline?

Selfish?

Am I am selfish for not wanting to share my day with the orange jumpsuit people? The more I think about the protest, the more it irritates me. Although everyone faces unique struggles to graduate from law school, my journey was particularly difficult.

While just getting into Boalt was a great achievement for me, graduating three years later is probably one of the biggest things I will ever accomplish in my life. The pride of graduating from Boalt doesn't just belong to me, it belongs to my entire family.

Although I have no problem with a few people with some signs, it is starting to sound like the protest is morphing into more than that. Instead of my family peacefully making their way to the Greek Amphitheatre early Saturday morning, they will have to contend with people shouting at them and pushing offensive pictures in their face. The walkways to the amphitheater are narrow and it is likely the protesters will obstruct their ability to get to the graduation. It will probably be a nightmare to get my disabled family friend to the amphitheater.

Lastly, since the day of graduation is probably the last time I will see all of my 3L friends in one place, I was looking forward to drinking cheap champagne in the courtyard and introducing my family to the people who helped me survive law school. Maybe it’s selfish, but I don’t want to share my graduation with the protesters. Nothing they do is going to change what is happening. If I knew their protest would actually stop torture, I would feel differently. Instead, their actions will only have a direct impact on me and my family’s ability to enjoy the one day I have been given to celebrate the end to a very long journey. I don’t think it is fair they are using my graduation as a soap box. But then again, I should know better. I know life is often not fair.

So Annoyed I Could Torture Somebody

So it appears that Boalt is adding a new group of folks that want to protest commencement this year. Apparently some people think dressing up in orange jump suits and protesting Boalt's graduation is a fun way to spend a Saturday morning. Although the idea of sharing my hard earned day with Berkeley crazies is annoying, it is not as annoying as the comments on Nuts & Boalts. Some of those people take themselves way to seriously. If you want to spend your Saturday yelling at my grandma, fine. She is pretty tough and is more likely to laugh and shrug it off than get upset. I just wish they would stop being so sanctimonious. Wearing an orange jump suit and jeering at graduating 3Ls isn’t going to get Yoo fired, stop torture, change the world, or even change anyone’s mind. But hey, I think protesting is fun too, so I get it. Just don’t get in the way of me drinking my cheap celebratory champagne and nobody will get hurt.

Yikes

And so it begins....

27 Days

It is starting to sink in that I have less than a month standing between me and studying for the bar. Despite having lots of friends that failed I am staying optimistic. Although I didn't get the highest score on the LSAT, I also didn't get the lowest score either. I know I have enough brainpower to pass. I don't have to have the highest score on the bar, I just want to pass.

I am also trying to get prepared. I have begun cleaning my house from head to toe so I can study comfortably. I am also trying to be more disciplined. Being a 3L has not inspired me to be very disciplined, but I certainly have relaxed during this last year.

I found an interesting blog that teaches you how to become more self-disciplined. I think I am going to do the 30 day challenge and turn myself into an early riser. It might be a little painful, but necessary. I have to be ready to ramp up a mere day after graduation since I will be doing PMBR.

Morally Challenged

Unlike many of my other friends I am just getting around to finishing my moral character application for the bar. As I feared it has been very difficult to remember all the jobs I have held and where I have lived over the past years. I am curious to know how closely they scrutinize the application. Last year at least one of my friends had their application sent back because it did not have enough detailed employment information. I hope that will not happen to me.

You Know You Are a 3L When...

You know you are a 3L in finals when...

1. You had no idea where to sit during the review session because you only went to the first day of class.

2. You guilt a 2L into giving you all of their in-class notes for the class you never attended because you helped them during finals last year. (Thank God 2Ls at Boalt are still worried about their grades.)

3. You haven't done a single outline and spent all day trying to find a good one on the Internet instead of actually trying to make an outline. (Try Boalt.org)

4. You realize (30 minutes before your first in-class final) that you still haven't picked up your exam number.

5. You still make time for important TV shows even though you are technically in the middle of a take-home final.

Feel free to add your own!! Good luck everyone.

I Have How Many Days to Learn What?

Maybe it's just me but it seems like our reading period shrunk considerably since last year. I guess I should be grateful for the extra week of vacay we get for Christmas break, but I think a couple extra days to learn entire subjects would be nice. I always end up kicking myself right before finals start because I am never as prepared as I would like. I admit I have not used my time wisely at all. Even today, the day before finals week starts, I was cooking up a storm and cleaning my house instead of reading. What is wrong with me?

Has It Been 5 Weeks Yet?

As a 1L during finals I had a little countdown and rationed all the days I had left carefully to make sure I studied enough for each topic. As a 3L I admit that I don't pay attention to dates like that anymore. This time around I'm not worried about finals and couldn't tell you how many days I have left until my first final. Still, I am curious about my MPRE results. Although I am pretty sure I failed I need the official confirmation. If we really do get the results within 5 weeks after taking the test, those results should be arrive by the end of this coming week. Bummer.

Obsessed

I can't explain it but I am starting to get obsessed with the bar. Maybe I feel like I will be in greater control of my destiny if I know all the deadlines and important information. In any event I have come across some great resources. Below is some very helpful information for 3Ls to keep in mind. Don't be scared. Knowledge is power. (At least that is what I am going to tell myself)

GUIDANCE ON DATES, APPLICATIONS & FEES REQUIRED FOR ADMISSION TO THE CALIFORNIA BAR°

Registration with the Committee of Bar Examiners: Students must register with the California Committee of Bar Examiners as a law student. You likely did this during the first 90 days of our first year of law school. If you did not, you can still register, but you will be charged a late registration fee. Students can register on-line through the California Bar web site, www.calbar.ca.gov.

When: First year/NOW
Cost: $92 + late registration fee

Website: http://calbar.xap.com/Applications/CalBar/California_Bar_Registration/default.asp
Application for the Determination of Moral Character: A positive moral character determination is a prerequisite to being admitted to the bar and practicing law in California. The filing of the moral character application begins the process of character investigation which generally takes four to six months to complete, but could possibly take longer.

When: Now (at least 8 months prior to date you expect to be admitted to practice law in CA)
Cost: $431
Website: http://www.calbar.ca.gov/state/calbar/calbar_generic.jsp?cid=10115&id=3084

The California Bar also requires that all applicants to the practice of law be fingerprinted. Applicants are required to submit fingerprints through the Live Scan system with the application for Moral Character Determination. A list of agencies providing the Live Scan fingerprinting service can be found at the California Attorney General - Department of Justice website: http://ag.ca.gov/fingerprints/publications/contact.htm.

Multi-state Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE): This examination is administered by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) and is one of the requirements for admission to practice law in California (and in all but 3 of the other U.S. jurisdictions). The next test date is March 8, 2008. The regular registration deadline for the March MPRE will probably be in January. Note: It is necessary that you request that NCBE report your score to the California Committee of Bar Examiners.

When: Register in January; take exam in March (if not already completed and passed)
Cost: $55 ($110 for late applications)
Website: http://www.ncbex.org/multistate-tests/mpre/guidelines/dates/ and https://secureweb01.act.org/mpre/goFaq.do

Bar Examination Application: Students graduating from law school must file an application to sit for the bar examination in California.
When: Application available March 3, 2008; timely filing April 1, 2008
Cost: $529
Website: http://calbar.xap.com/Applications/CalBar/California_Bar_Exam/default.asp (this website is for the February Exam, but should be updated after the new year for the July Exam)

Laptop Certification: If you plan to use a computer for the essay portion of the exam you must apply for laptop certification. There are a number of steps that you’ll have to follow in order to register with the exam software. The link below is to the Feb. 2008 bulletin. There will be an updated bulletin for laptop users that will post for the July 2008 exam. Keep your eyes out when you complete your bar examination application in the spring.

When: March? (I think this application is available when you register to take the bar)
Cost: $119 ($15 late fee)
Website: http://calbar.ca.gov/calbar/pdfs/admissions/GBX_laptopbull.pdf

Testing Accommodations for the Bar Examination: Students who have received examination accommodations while attending law school must petition the Committee of Bar Examiners to receive accommodations for the Bar Examination. Students may petition the Bar any time after having registered with the Bar, and the Committee of Bar Examiners strongly encourages students to file their petitions no later than the beginning of the last year of study.

When: NOW, if applicable.
Website: http://calbar.ca.gov/state/calbar/calbar_generic.jsp?cid=10115&id=1015

Comply with California court-ordered child or family support obligations (if applicable): Applicants who have met all other requirements but who have been certified by the State Department of Social Services as being in non-compliance with court ordered child or family support will not be certified to the Supreme Court as qualified to practice law in California unless the appropriate release has been obtained.

When: NOW, if applicable.
Website: www.calbar.ca.gov

VERY HELPFUL WEBSITES:
State Bar Admissions General Information: http://calbar.ca.gov/state/calbar/calbar_generic.jsp?cid=10115
Summary of Requirements for Admission to Practice Law in California: http://calbar.ca.gov/state/calbar/calbar_generic.jsp?cid=10115&id=3922
Applications/Forms:
http://calbar.ca.gov/state/calbar/calbar_generic.jsp?cid=10115&id=1006
Bar Examination Information (for Feb. 2008 bar – to be updated):
http://calbar.ca.gov/calbar/pdfs/admissions/GBX/CBX_INFO.pdf
Additional information and the application form can be found under Bar Exam Admissions at www.calbar.ca.gov.
Scholarship from ABA: http://www.abanet.org/lsd/bar-bri.pdf

° THIS IS SEPARATE FROM ANY REGISTRATION DATES FOR EXAM PREP COURSES AND IS NOT INTENDED TO SUBSTITUTE FOR YOUR OWN RESEARCH. GUIDELINES ARE BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED AS OF OCT. 29, 2008 AND MAY NOT BE COMPLETE.

Tamales!

With the holidays arriving it is time to start making tamales.



First you start with a good salsa...


And then the meat...




Delicious!

At Least You Don't Have to Ask "You Want Fries With That?" For a Living

The California Bar Results went public on Sunday and I was stunned by how many of my friends did not pass. Even more confusing was the fact that there seemed to be no rhyme or reason to what happened. People who are double H magnets failed while people that didn't even show up to class their entire 3L year passed. It makes me more than a little nervous about my future.

So far I have avoided calling any of my friends that failed because I am at a loss for words. Theoretically I feel like even if you fail the bar, all is not lost. Given the hellish things I have lived through, I think there are worse things in life than failing a test which can be taken again. I still think my friends who have gone to Boalt are blessed and have a bright future ahead. Nonetheless, I know that I have not experienced the hell that is bar preparation yet and my own words probably wouldn't bring me any comfort if I failed too.

19 Hours Away

In a mere 19 hours a bunch of my friends will find out if they passed the bar. I truly hope they all passed and that Friday night will be a time of celebration for most if not all. I can't even imagine what it must be like to wait for the bar results. It seems particularly crappy for the California State Bar to make them wait until 6pm when the scores are obviously available earlier in the day. I seriously doubt that anyone waiting for their results is going to be productive at work anyway.

It is actually a little scary to watch all my friends worry and stress about getting their results. Unfortunately, I'll be in the same place this time next year.

Next Year

Ok, I know it is super late for a Halloween post, but I totally found what I am going to be next year. A chola! Bet my law firm will love me showing up looking like this...(hat tip:http://loteriachicana.net/)

Grateful

A friend of mine at Hastings told me that there was a suicide attempt there this past week. When I heard the story it made me wonder what could possibly push someone literally to the edge? It seems like sometimes the atmosphere of law school obscures what is really valuable and important in life. Although Boalt is less competitive than other similarly ranked law schools it is still easy to lose perspective. It is easy to devalue yourself and all your previous accomplishments when you don't get the highest grade in the class for the first time in your life. In particular, I remember feeling very insecure last year during OCIP as the wave of rejection letters steadily poured in. One of the things that helped me most was remembering to be thankful for all the good things in my life. And while I don't think writing down a list of things you are grateful for is a suitable solution for someone troubled enough to consider taking their own life, it is probably something most of us can benefit from. There really are so many things to be grateful for. Here is a list of some of the things I am grateful for:

1. Have the love and adoration of a wonderful guy
2. Have a roof over my head (this is especially nice considering the rainy weather)
3. I get to graduate from Boalt before Dean Edley jacks up the price again! (Sorry 1Ls & 2Ls)
4. Have On-Demand cable which means I never have to stop watching TV
5. Have great friends who enjoy chocolate and gossip just like me
6. Already have a good job to go to after graduation
7. Don't have to study for the bar for another six months

Did I Just Get Punked?

I woke up early Saturday morning and made my way to the MPRE testing center. The place was crawling with 3Ls with Barbri books stuffed under their arms. As I sipped on my coffee I made small talk with some of my modmates who were also taking the dreaded test. None of us really studied because everyone says that the MPRE isn't that difficult. In fact, I have more than one friend who has bragged about how they studied for one day and drank the night before the test. So as I cracked jokes and tried to figure out what schools various people were from, I had no idea what I was in for.

In fact, once I found my seat after a long and disorganized process of checking in, I had the nerve to feel calm. I even ignored the crazy girl behind me who was heckling the proctor for taking forever to get started. Still, I was a little surprised that this girl yelled out for the proctor to shut up and get the test started. I was also surprised that some people actually clapped once we were about to get started. Talk about lame. I hope none of those people were Boalties.

As I broke the seal on my test I thought for sure my cursory Barbri class had prepared me enough to pass. I was so wrong. That test was so difficult. Under the best circumstances I could narrow down the choices to two answers. But mostly I just had to guess and hope that everyone else was struggling like me. I haven’t found anyone that said that test was easy. I think I might as well re-register for the March test now to get a good test center.

So Easy To Say Goodbye

As I get closer to graduation I am surprised at how little nostalgia I feel about my time in Berkeley. I can't wait to get out of here. From dirty hippies living in trees to the nazi parking death squads, I am so over Berkeley. While cities like Oakland and San Francisco still give me plenty to be happy about, I can't find much to like about Berkeley. I am really ready to move on.