L-School

Animal House

noreply@blogger.com (Camila) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 01:47:00 +0000

Well, Gail's dad bought her a freakin' house! Must be nice! But this house is great. It's got location: it's equally near to both downtown and the law school - in a veerrrryyy student friendly neighborhood [maybe too friendly?!]. It's got character: an old-craftsman style bungalow with a great porch, nestled in huge oak trees. It's newly updated: hardwood floors, central air, new kitchen, new paint. Oh, I love it and it's not even my house, but it will be home next year. Gail's asked Perri and I to move in. She's also looking for a fourth person, but as of now it's us three girls in this beautiful house. As if that wasn't great enough, rent will be less than I'm paying now and most of the utilities are covered, so I'll have some extra cash next year. I'm super excited!

The Mendoza Method

noreply@blogger.com (Camila) — Mon, 11 May 2009 14:38:00 +0000

I am trying out this new study weapon. Martino told me the story of X. Francisco Mendoza III--a famous recent alumni who graduated first in his class. Martino said Mendoza's study secret were long library sessions broken up by periodic mini-breaks, about once every two-three hours. On these breaks you're supposed to take a walk, by yourself, preferably outside, and think of a recent dream you had. This not only calms you down, but keeps your head clear and allows you to study for longer than if you just put your head on your desk for a few minutes.

We'll see how that goes today...

Pickle Paletas & A Mexican Coke

noreply@blogger.com (Camila) — Fri, 08 May 2009 18:20:00 +0000

It's officially the last day of school! I've got one more class and it's officially finals time, but not before the last day of school Bar Review tonight.

In honor of finishing (at least the classes part) my 1L year, Juan-L treated to me some hometown favorites. There's a little store about a block from the school-but it's really right behind the school if you cut through this obscure beaten path behind some bushes. It was the first time I had really been alone with Juan-L in awhile, he even apologized for his rudeness the last time we went out, so all-in-all I got to satisfy my sweet-sour cravings and I made up with Juan-L (he is my big brother after all). Pretty productive day so far.

It's stress, stupid.

noreply@blogger.com (Camila) — Fri, 08 May 2009 02:28:00 +0000

everyone is totally on edge and snapping at the smallest thing - today Suzanne called me a "dense human being" in front of the entire library. i almost cried from embarrassment.

Pomp and Circumstance

noreply@blogger.com (Camila) — Wed, 06 May 2009 16:26:00 +0000

My favorite thing of law school so far is clapping for the professor on the last day of the term.

Blah Review

noreply@blogger.com (Camila) — Tue, 05 May 2009 15:22:00 +0000

I just got out of law review's informational/recruitment meeting and I had to post:
The 1Ls are over it. 129 years of excellence means jack shit. If you can't find a way to be fresh and relevant then your endowment should be put to better use--the Food Court needs a smoothie machine.

Oh yes, and FELIZ CINCO DE MAYO!

Class Elections

noreply@blogger.com (Camila) — Tue, 05 May 2009 02:45:00 +0000

Class elections were today and it was a total scandal. Supposedly, the current class president, vice president, and treasurer [who all happen to live together and be best friends] took the ballots to their house and counted them over a keg and pizza! And that story wouldn't have come out if, Dougie and Maddy [aren't the names alone annoying?] hadn't won co-presidents. Dougie and Maddy just so happen to be in their the same clique. There have been complaints from the other candidates; rumors were flying all today, but no one knows yet if the administration will take action.

Splish Splash

noreply@blogger.com (Camila) — Sun, 03 May 2009 03:45:00 +0000

Next week is the last week of school. [thank f*ing god] I studied most of the day today - half in the library, half under my favorite tree, so I don't feel too guilty about taking tonight off. I've heard that for these last few weeks of school, there's a Bar Review every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and not just every Friday like most weeks - I guess just to make sure everyone has a stress relief outlet. But tonight, I'm just relaxing at home. I've scrubbed my bathtub and I'm gonna take a bath - something I never do because it takes too much time. Maybe read some Twilight.

Bendo might come over later too.

Volver

noreply@blogger.com (Camila) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:16:00 +0000

Whoa. What a nightmarish five months.

So, I've been gone for awhile and I'm not sure I'll even have the patience, courage, and nerve to write about my absence ... so I'm just going to lock it away for now. Besides - I kinda have to, FINALS are in a few short weeks.

So, here's to my first post back, salud!

As a final note: I know I'm backlogged on my emails, I've got about 1,000, but I promise to catch up soon.

Voto Latino

noreply@blogger.com (Camila) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:13:00 +0000

I VOTED FOR OBAMA/BIDEN TODAY!

Dia de los Muertos

noreply@blogger.com (Camila) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 16:40:00 +0000

So last night was the annual LLSS dia de los muertos party. Gail, Perri, Flor and I went together, although after we arrived I didn't see Perri for the rest of the night. Gail and Flor went to find Flor's 3L brother and I hung out with Juan-l and his migos for awhile. If I stayed two minutes with Juan-l and his friends, I'd be surprised. Juan-l's been pretty annoying lately in that he only talks about three things: his job search, the undergrad girl he screwed two weeks ago, or how I should date one of his migos. [i prefer this Juan-l] So, I left and wandered to the backyard.

I still didn't see Flor or Perri, but spotted Gail immersed in a conversation with a group of 1Ls. I joined them for awhile, but after someone said: oh my god it's tortious feoffment, I started looking around for Bendo. I didn't spot him, but I also didn't look very hard. I guess the most interesting part of the night was when Luis Jose [aka Joe-Lou] [don't ask] stuck his head in the trashcan punch. I walked home alone about 1:30--totally sober and bored. Dia de los muertos indeed.

Mom and Dad are meeting me for lunch today, I'm hoping that will brighten my mood a bit. In any case, at least I got turn my clock back an hour this morning.

Freaky Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Camila) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 00:58:00 +0000

There's something about halloween that makes you more alert, more analytical, and suspicious--or at least that's what happens to me. Halloween brings an energy that I feel all day, even as I'm doing very ordinary things like going to school. No matter what, if it's halloween, I'm constantly aware of this eerie subtext boiling beneath the surface of an ordinary day.

Ok, that doesn't really make sense, but I think you know what I mean. SO, my halloween started as a very normal Friday, I woke up grouchy and made my way to school. Of course, everyone was excited about their costumes and the law student halloween party at Rey Feo's that evening. I was excited about that too, but I was most excited--at least before 1 p.m.--about my meeting with Mr. Advisor. It was an unplanned event, he emailed me last week wanting this meeting, so naturally I was filled with curiosity as to what it was about. Maybe my jumpy excitedness was from halloween, but I was very eager. So it was a major disappointment--but perhaps expectedly so--when my advising session turned out to be a dud. Mr. Advisor wanted to talk about the latino law students society: he had heard I was a member and that we wanted to start an immigration clinic, he wanted to assist us and maybe serve as faculty sponsor. [our last sponsor took an indefinite leave of absence early this semester and so we've been sort of a pirate student organization ever since] I thanked him for the interest and told him I would get Ana, LLSS president to contact him. And that's it.

I was a little bit of a deflated balloon after that, but I quickly perked up with halloween spirit. The lawprofs and administration understandably can't, or won't, dress up too much, but I've been told each year they decide on a way to express their spirit very subtly and uniformly. This year they all dressed 1920's style, and most of them were very authentic and detailed in their outfits. Perlita even changed her usual bouffant do to a waved bob. It was actually pretty awesome and gave the school an aura of olden times.

Gail, Perri, Flor, and I went together to the Rey Feo party and it was fun. Of course, there were the lame-o l-school costumes, like Justice Scalia, a criminal defense attorney, someone even dressed up as a law book. Uuy! I went as the donkey lady, Gail a hula girl, Flor a bandida, and Perri the bride of frankenstein. We got wasted on eyeball goo punch and mummy's mojitos pretty quickly. In fact, I think everyone got wasted pretty quickly--I've noticed that's the way it is with law students: unwind fast because you don't get to do it often. I don't really remember half the night, but I did remember that Perri went home with a 3L. I spent all day nursing my good time and now I'm as good as new.

Gail will be here in an hour, we're going to do it all over again tonight for the LLSS party. Perri hasn't called all day, so it's still unknown if she'll make it.

The Diversity Club

noreply@blogger.com (Camila) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 03:00:00 +0000

Well, yesterday I slept in late on purpose and missed my first class. By 11 am, I realized it was time to stop pouting from Tuesday and get on with school, surprisingly no one laughed or pointed at me the whole day.

Today was law school as usual, except that my day ended with the inaugural meeting of Perri's Diversity Club. [R.I.P. FALSA] Perri asked if we could meet under my tree in the back patio. I agreed in return for Perri's notes from the class I missed yesterday [Perri's notes are basically a class transcript, very handy when your absent]

The turnout for the meeting was pretty good for such a vague function and it ended up being eight 1Ls from five different backgrounds sharing finger sandwiches and fresh fruit--courtesy of Gail--and swapping stories. I met a pretty cool girl named Flor from section 8 and all in all we enjoyed each other's company. Perri was happy with the result, but, as of yet, she has no plans for a second meeting.

Mock Trial

noreply@blogger.com (Camila) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 04:39:00 +0000

Today was our trial in contracts. I was the attorney for the defendant, a doctor who promised a little kid a perfect hand and then didn't perform. Let's just say my biggest accomplishment was not bursting into tears in front of my class.

I was very prepared; Gail helped me all last week and she even played one of my witnesses. But as we got started today, I quickly realized this wasn't an exercise in preparedness. My opponent, Humberto, started out aggressively; he was very into the whole charade--like a Mexican Perry Mason or something. I must admit, he caught me off guard, as I was approaching the whole thing like answering a question in class, not like a trial at all. After awhile, I started playing along--objecting here and there, etc. And things quickly turned ugly. Humberto was yelling, even rolling his eyes at my objections or even just the sound of my voice when cross-examining his witnesses.

And then it was my turn to present my case. I admit I was flustered. I stood silent for about three minutes trying to collect my thoughts and figure out what to ask Gail. I could hear sighing in the background. I freaked. My directs were jumbled and sometimes nonsense, but ultimately I managed to squeak out my arguments. At one point Humberto and I engaged in a mini-shouting match with James, the judge, over his objection that I was badgering my own witness. [!]

So, the whole trial was slightly mortifying and I lost the case. I definitely felt my face get hot multiple times throughout the arguments and I was silent on several occasions, much to my classmates' annoyance. But mortifying isn't as bad as humiliating. And lawprof's critique of the attorneys' performances was absolutely humiliating.

Lawprof started out by saying how wonderful Humberto was: forceful, believable, articulate. And then he not only described my performance as: weak, timid, and non-commanding, but he asked the class to comment and provide me with pointers. And they did. For ten minutes, lawprof and my classmates discussed my baffling, jumbling trial skills and the conclusion was that: I lack presence.

It was bad enough being thrown into the limelight like that, but I think the worst was listening to my peers discuss what they think of me while I sat silently in my seat. I felt conspicuously invisible--an awkward and almost impossible feeling.

Gail says this was my own self-fulfilled prophecy; I say: I told you so.

Sweet

noreply@blogger.com (Camila) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 03:06:00 +0000

Querido Corazon,

Today I got a letter from Pan Dulce [an obscure, perhaps only remotely in existence, lit mag] and they've accepted my story for publication. My instant reaction was that this is a sign--a sign that my true passion is yet to be found and is not law. But then I realized that this meant I was considering giving up higher education because of a magazine named after bread. I've officially entered a void.

Ciao pescao.

What a Week

noreply@blogger.com (Camila) — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 18:17:00 +0000

Sorry for the lack of posts. It was a whirlwind week, so I am going to do a fast and loose review to catch you up:

Monday - Gail and I spent the day in the library basement preparing for my trial; while in the basement we found a hidden elevator with an R button; like curious 5 year olds, we pressed the button and ascended, the doors opened to a little hallway that led to a short winding staircase and a door, the door opened to the law building roof. We were so excited with our discovery, we ended our night lying on the roof with coronas y chicharrones.
Tuesday - After all my preparation and a morning of nerves, lawprof postpones the trial until next week [!]
Wednesday - Gail and I help Perri hang flyers for her new venture: The Diversity Club.
Thursday - Mr. Advisor emails me; he wants a meeting next week.
Friday - A package arrives from Tia Maria, she sends me suerte serum and a St. Jude candle [with an electric flame because we can't burn candles in the dorm]

So, it seems like next week is going to be just as eventful as this one. I just want to get this damn trial over with.

I'm trying really hard to relax this weekend.

De Novo

noreply@blogger.com (Camila) — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 18:13:00 +0000

So, as you know, last night Sam and I went to the movies and I was determined to set things straight between us. All things were on pause for the movie, we were both unwilling to let our personal problems interfere with The Graduate.

Afterwards on the walk home, we stopped for ice cream, our conversation had mostly centered on the movie. I told myself after ice cream I would bring up us. But Sam beat me to it--to my great surprise and relief. Actually, we were both relieved because we knew this had to come out sometime. Neither of us could quite articulate our feelings and after about twenty minutes of trying, Sam suggested we just forget about trying to figure out where or why things got awkward. He asked to start from the beginning as friends, and I agreed.

And so I am happy. It was a good night.

"Friend or best friend or boy friend, let's just start over."

The Graduate

noreply@blogger.com (Camila) — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 01:35:00 +0000

Sam invited me to see The Graduate at the student union classic film series tonight. Like last time, I was hesitant to accept his invitation and when he first called me, I ignored it. But then I started thinking that I am being way too analytical.

This was roughly my thought process: Sam and I were friends before it got awkward between us and it only got awkward because of me, and in fact, he probably doesn't even know why I've been avoiding him and if he does know he'll think it's because of the night we spent together and not because our spark has dwindled and I can't let him think that because I do like Sam and if we are friends than we can talk about this. Ok? Ok.

So, after all that, I decided to call him back. I'll meet him there in a couple of hours. Of course, I can't wait to see this movie on a big screen with a tub of popcorn in my lap, but I'm really going to make myself clear the air with Sam. Analytical-overload-Camila is just way too much to deal with right now.

Slippery Slope

noreply@blogger.com (Camila) — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 01:50:00 +0000

I had lunch with Mr. Advisor today. The only word I can think of to describe it is: weird. First of all, we had lunch, at his suggestion, at The Hat. Who would have known that a shitty 1L bar would spend its days as a gourmet veg-mex cafe. [and a pretty good one too]

It was a pleasant lunch and Mr. Advisor is very cool. [we ordered hefeweizens with our spinach enchiladas] I got some good tips on exams and upper-level classes, and the whole conversation was very advisor-like and ordinary. But that was only on the surface, and bubbling below our outward appearance of propriety was a flurry of red hot tingles and spicy sexual tension--or so I thought.

And so. Here I am on a Friday night totally confused. I spent our lunch analyzing his words and his body language wondering things like is it just me, or did he just drop his fork on purpose? Even worse, it seems my confusion is twofold--not only was I trying to figure out whether my life was indeed about to become something you watch on lifetime movie network, but I spent the walk home baffled at my goofy behavior around this particular lawprof.

Regardless of my mental tangents, in the end I was able to laugh at myself, which is a good sign that I can get my shit together--afterall, he's my advisor for the rest of the year!

PutaMadre

noreply@blogger.com (Camila) — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 03:03:00 +0000

Contracts lawprof sent out an email to our section today. He's announced we are going to have a mock trial in class next Tuesday. We'll be playing out Hawkins v. McGee [yes, the hand case] So up to this point in the email, I'm thinking-- ok, cool, this is interesting and we won't have a reading assignment next Tuesday.

And then I continue reading.

Lawprof has assigned roles for the case: attorneys, parties, judge, jury, witnesses. Right at the top, I read that Camila, that's me, will play McGee's attorney [i.e. the attorney for the shady doctor who fucked up the hand] [!]

It's not McGee that bothers me. It's the fact that I will have to try a case [if even a mock one] in front of my entire section. I'm a fly on the wall and now lawprof wants me to be the lead in the school play?

I don't even know where to begin ~AND~ I am absolutely terrified. I know. I know. If I had this fear of public speaking, or, at least, trial-like atmospheres, why the hell am I in law school? And my answer is, a resounding: I don't know!

I'm sick. I'm really sick right now.

Strict Scrutiny

noreply@blogger.com (Camila) — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 01:50:00 +0000

So, today was the big day--the day I met Mr. Advisor. And he's just as handsome as I imagined, I really can't get over how much he resembles Jorge. [Perri says he looks more like George Clooney, but it's my fantasy dammit]

But his appeal isn't even the most interesting part, it was our discussion. Sure, we talked about all the expected advising crap: what type of law do you like, what classes interest you, how's it going this semester, ya ya ya. After three minutes of that, he started asking me about my background, how I came to l-school, etc. I'd answer and then he'd answer and before you know it we were conversing, but the conversation was full of innuendo and subtleties. I was getting really nervous and kept reminding myself that this is a professor afterall--but then I'd look at him and he was cool as can be, smiling, waiting for me to respond. I almost couldn't take it. And then, he said our next meeting would be over lunch. I know. I know. I practically dreamed about this--but I'm all hot and bothered just the same. We'll see how lunch goes.

"I'd very much enjoy a quick bite, Camila"

Knock Three Times & Whistle

noreply@blogger.com (Camila) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 04:58:00 +0000

Martino and I had our first study group meeting tonight. For the past couple of weeks we've been strategizing: book the creepy basement reading room in the law library so no one will care if we're loud and breaking rules; coordinate snack smugglers and a holding place in my carrel; and spread the word in a discreet manner to facilitate population control.

So, how did it go? Well, Martino and I decided to do the group for torts, which was a good move because nearly our entire damn section showed up!! After an hour of snacks and Gail's impression of spit-lip lawprof, we spent the rest of the night debating whether the Palsgraf facts could indeed be true. [Frank even told us about some weird conspiracy theory]

In the end, it was fun and I can tell the study group is going to be helpful, but what I liked best was the whole secret basement meeting with my fellow sectionmates--like Harry Potter or something.

Totality of the Circumstances

noreply@blogger.com (Camila) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 04:37:00 +0000

Sam wanted to go to a debate watching party tonight--which definitely sounded like fun, but I was hesitant about spending time with Sam. After our Bar Review night together, I've felt my attitude towards Sam change. And it's not because we had sex. Not at all. I've had a soft spot for Sam since initiation week, but the romance has never quite developed as I would have liked--not that I had a plan--there's just been a general feeling of disappointment everytime our relationship has moved forward. [let's not forget he may be involved with the whole rim job story]

But perhaps I'm not being fair. I haven't been able to get Bendo out of my mind since meeting him on Saturday. So, who knows. I'd like to figure this out, but I've got 300 pages of material to start outlining.

In the end, I told Sam I was too tired to go with him and then Gail and I had our own debate watching party in my dorm, complete with loaded nachos and a $7 bottle of malbec. [ahh student life]

Tingle-worthy

noreply@blogger.com (Camila) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 04:03:00 +0000

The first LLSS social was last night. Despite my previous statement, I ended up going with Perri. [I figured it was better to enter a new environment with a buddy] It was pretty much a house party at this 3L's house and was a really good time--although you could easily spot the 1Ls were--we were the cautiously wild ones, trying to let loose, but being extra-careful not to do something so ridiculous that we'd be banned [if even a self-imposed, shame-induced ban] from socials forever. Perri was talkative all night. In fact, I'll admit, she was actually pretty fun to be around and she even gave me a very luscious prospect.

His name is Ben. [actually Benardo and nicknamed Bendo] He's a 2L, very handsome, very sweet, and seemingly the coveted prize in the dating game: a good guy. Perri spotted him first and chatted with him for awhile. As I was passing them on my way to the bathroom, Perri pulled me aside and introduced me. As Perri left us to our own, she whispered in my ear: He's so tingle-worthy.

And oh is he ever! We talked most of the night and then he walked me home.We were both smiling the whole time. I'm still not sure why Perri passed, but I'm very thankful!

Tell Me How You Really Feel

noreply@blogger.com (Camila) — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 18:23:00 +0000

After asking the class a question and receiving no response, grumpy lawprof said to us today: Well. That's the difference between you all and Harvard law school.

Jerk.

BTW: Biden totally won the debate.