A sonnet (Shakespearean — ababcdcdefefgg rhyme scheme in iambic pentameter) I wrote for my Valentine, NN. In honor of both of us!

I had a great time this weekend, even though it’s tough staying positive sometimes, especially when you’re reminded of what it is you don’t have. MSOUL recently gave me an encouraging quote though. While it’s something I’ve been trying to convince myself of for quite some time, it’s nice to hear it from someone else all the same.

Turning in early tonight. I will try to vivify this blog a bit by updating more frequently. For now, good night, world.

And always tired.

Applications have been coming along slowly and even though I had debated sending in several more, I think I’ll save the money and effort. It’s a bit late in the process anyway.

So far, I’m complete at UC Hastings, UW, UVA, Fordham, and Loyola (LA). LSAC is lagging on Northwestern (I don’t think we’re meant to be) and for seemingly no reason at all, is holding up my Davis application by not queueing up and sending my second letter of recommendation. Later on, I’ll put up a more comprehensive post listing all my potentials and hopefuls. I fear I lack the vivacity to produce any kind of analysis at this point. All I do know is that I want to minimize my debt and maximize my employment prospects — which would have been much easier to do if my GPA were higher. C’est la vie. I have to do my best with what I have.

Occasionally I entertain the idea of infamous ‘BIGLAW’, but I think when it comes down to it, I would never take it over work that is meaningful and significant, to me, if to no one else. I suppose money can serve that function for some. They’re only cheating themselves. To keep me encouraged, I’ve been reading a lot of PD and DA blogs. There are a lot of compelling stories to be told; many injustices on both sides of the system; inadequacies and shortfalls in policy. But you also have women and men who have dedicated their lives to challenging these imbalances (especially on the side of defense). I want to be a part of that stand.

May this drive never burn out.

The Significance of the Flubbed Oath: To my mind, the flubbed oath at today’s inaugural teaches one important lesson: The answer to the question, “How many former editors of the Harvard Law Review does it take to administer the Presidential oath properly?” is “More than two.”

In case you missed it:

- Bob Kelso, Scrubs – Season 8 – Episode 4

Anyhow. I’ve lost my way, so to speak, religiously, over the past several years. I can’t say I believe anything right now. I think I’ll forever be agnostic, just in the sense that we can never know with any certainty the nature of our provenance or the meaning of our existence. Yet a huge part of me wants to return to my religious tradiiton and upbringing — religion gets a bad rap in the media and in academia, but if you’ve actually been to church, you know it’s a nurturing environment full of good-hearted people. Atheists can be just as dogmatically narrow-minded. The point is there are plenty of people in the middle of the spectrum. I sort of miss the sense of sanity and discipline I had when I did go. There is one condition I have though, for attending services again: the sermons/teachings have to be based on practicality and living a good life, not on evangelizing and ‘steps’ and ‘principles’ that are mostly abstract. I’m still ecumenical in my religious views. Wasn’t that Pope John Paull II’s stance as well? Good man.

I feel I have a pretty good sense of conscientiousness, socially and morally. I care about others and take steps in my own life, even if small, to further the end of social justice. And sometimes it’s hard to go about it alone.

One thing is for certain: The strongest statement you can make is with your actions.

• Nostalgia is ridiculously powerful.
• One measure of apathy is far more devastating than heaps of ire.
• Those who deserve the least seem to get the most.
• I’m awake at 5 a.m.
• On a Saturday.
• I’ve made a resolution to go to Europe in the late spring or early summer.

I’m particularly fixated on points 2, 3, and 6.

All my timestamps since November have been incorrect, since WordPress does not automatically adjust for Daylight Savings. The inaccuracy ends here.

The following is an excellent descriptor of my mindset/approach/experience:

I know everyone’s heard the original way too many times. I promise you this one is different and worthwhile.

I’ll still apply. I doubt I’ll get in, but hey, it’s a free application.

I will track my progress once all my applications are considered complete. Thanks for tuning in!