Basically, I have two things on my mind these days: the law and school, in other words, law school. Being nearly past the two month mark, I think maybe possibly there is a chance that I know what I’m doing. AKA, I have no idea. But things are getting easier as the days go along. Cases only take one read-through nowadays and my teachers don’t seem like all-knowing, riddlers speaking in legal tongues. They seem like teachers. In fact, there was only one day when I felt like the dumbest person on earth but then I remembered: nope, I’m just the dumbest person in law school and that ain’t bad!
While it is easy to get lost in the day to day assignments and in the all-encompassing life of homework as a first-year law student, a part of the old me is still in there. The reason I’m writing is because I went back and read some of these blogs tonight as I was procrastinating on my criminal law case briefs (least favorite class since guns, sex, and violence don’t really excite me; but contracts do). Remembering Yovan, Maama Lubega, and Northern Uganda in detail was nice again. And it made me think about how I left that post (R.I.P.) with a dream deterred.
I was wavering between adjectives on that African Dream—deterred? Absurd? Cured? Blurred? But now, being five months away, the prevailing feeling is: a dream preferred. And that’s a wonderful feeling in my eyes especially after reading that sad post.
In truth, every time I hear about a new career possibility, my daydreaming wont let the thought in unless it passes a simple test: Is it going to prepare me to get more jobs into rural Africa or is it not? If it’s the latter, it’s out; the former, then I’ll think about it. But basically, this is for you all to know, that I know, that the dream has not died. In fact, I refuse to accept death myself until I have made a difference. Stubborn? Always have been.
On that same note, there is a possibility that I will be going back to Uganda within the next few years. There are just too many possibilities and too much that I want to do with a little law under my belt. Before you think it, I’ll say it: Slow down, tiger. Two months in and I’m ready to start swinging a white wig around in rural Africa. But really, I’m ready; I just have to get more prepared. Until then, I’ll be studying, so if you need to get in touch with me, I’ll be at 900 Albany Street Los Angeles and I’ll be in the library next to the real estate section with pink highlighter on my face. And I’ll probably be thinking about how I’m going to get there—to the dream that is.
(Transitioning to Legalese)
Hypo: The cool law school lingo for “hypothetical situation” where we test the application of the law to new facts. So here’s one for you…
A girl walks into rural Africa with a law degree and a smile…
Until next time, dear readers, I’ll be studying.
This might be my favorite post yet. Probably because it encompasses all posts previous as well what you’ll be writing about several years from now. It’s a win for the past, for the present, *and* for the future. Can’t beat that.
Study well, you studious law student you. For yourself and for rural Africa. (Oh, and you might want to get that highlighter off your face…)
Long live the dream!