Kaulapi World

End of the year, amazed at how fast it went, lots of stuff going on in the world and in life. This time of year is good to look back and reflect, look forward to whatever is in store for the future. It seems like the past couple of days have been pretty crazy as well, a former president dies peacefully at home, a former dictator gets hung, my country hits a bloody mark of 3,000 citizen soldiers killed in a pointless war. Can’t help but feel a little guilty about the bounties of life that I have secured for myself so far one being that my choice of profession has not lead me to be stuck in a foxhole in the middle of a sandpit.

Spent the weekend taking a closer look at the city, bringing back memories from my summer as an intern living in Dupont circle, exploring the city and experiencing a new place, new job, new time. got a chance to hangout at Kramerbooks for the first time in a long while. Kind of missed the excitement of living someplace new for the first time, the gritty urban-ness of the city streets, riding the train at odd hours of the night, connecting with fellow young people from all over the country and the world.

Looking forward to what 2007 will bring. More work, more school of course, hopefully more just living life. Its been fun so far, lets see whats next.

Well, one more final down, and I’m almost pau with my third semester as an evening law student. Technically it’s past midnight, so it should be the 13th, but I’m too lazy to change the numbering. Have to say that I’m more or less exhausted now, both mentally and physically this field of study takes its toll on you. the sheer amount of information being crammed in, the pressure of the idiosyncratic grading scheme and the high stakes of the grades on your chances of being gainfully employed one day. Mix it in with a 9-5 job, especially a professional one, and all together it makes for a good recipe for a stressed out and strung out existence.

And I’m still not totally pau yet. I have some write-ups and memos to finalize, hopefully I’ll be able to tie it all up by the end of the week, and then really be finished. Its been an interesting but busy semester for sure, I’ve learned a whole lot about this field, got some real life experience, and conquered a few more classes. In some ways things are easier this time around, other ways not so much. At least it isn’t as cold tonight as it was last week.

Putting in the long hours you get to know (or get on the nerves) of the employees at various eateries and coffee shops in the city. I think after sitting in one place for 7 hours on end, you start to come across as more than just a dedicated student and more of a fanatic/loser - why would anyone be that engrossed in their books? Also the nature of this field is that it leads to lively discussions with your study partners on the principles and reasonings behind the concepts. Anyone within earshot of us that hasn’t studied this stuff probably thinks we’re fucking nuts.

Then theres those poor souls who have gone through (and survived) the trial by fire. either its the slight nod of acknowledgment from the old gentleman in a hat who mentioned that he went to an area law school many years ago and has since retired, to the caffeinated, middle aged woman pushing a stroller smirking at my conversation on felony-murder. They’ve been there, seen that. I still don’t know how much of it them saying “hang in there” or “well, sucks to be you. ”