A Day in the Life of a (Struggling) Law Student

the title says it all

ever got into a damn-if-you-do-damn-if-you-don’t situation? that’s probably the common rut these days. funny how sometimes, life doesn’t really turn out the way one wants it to. it is indeed a long string of surprises. all the time, rather than retreat, one just has to face the music and sway to the tune. sure, it may be a totally different song altogether, but for sure, in time that new melody will eventually be one that one’s ears will become accustomed to.

this brings to mind existentialism, which was one of my favorite theories in 4th year lit class. (i hope ma’am Pena’s soul is resting in peace). from that, i was able to gather that life is actually what one makes it, such that one should always be responsible enough to face the consequences of his actions and decisions in life. right or wrong, some life choices are unfortunately irreversable. however, they do not need to remain regrettable - indeed one’s attitude and how he responds to seemingly insurmountable challenges hugely determines how positively or negatively he may respond to a situation at hand.

translation:
i actually feel so helpless and frustrated right now. the one i should count on, i can’t seem to really count on. which is so sad and pathetic. i know i’m not really alone…but i feel like i am. my pleas seem to fall on deaf ears and i don’t know if i can still bear it. but thank God for people through whom He comforts me. through them, i feel blessed.
i know all things happen for a reason. and i thank God that He is all powerful and all-loving that He could make sense out of the mess(es) i tend to get myself into.

may i continue to exhibit grace under pressure. wisdom amidst the confusion. peace in the midst of turmoil. forgivess despite possible condemnation. acceptance devoid of rejection.

i just have to share, though i wouldn’t want to dwell on this coz it’s counter-productive:

yesterday, i saw a friend’s photos on friendster. that friend now owns a vehicle & a place to live in, as in from sariling sikap & pawis. i’m happy for my friend. but i admit, i kinda feel as if i’ve been “left behind”…like i had the chance to have those things before but i threw that chance away. and i actually don’t know if i’m better off now, or if i’ll be better off eventually. i don’t know if i have made or am making the right choices in life.

but i just have to pray along the way and to trust God that He’s in control, even when i’m not.

i saw this posted in the fifth division courtroom of sandiganbayan while i was RVC’s (pretty litigator i tagged along with this afternoon and from whom i’m actually learning a lot, i just realized) turn to cross examine this witness.  as i found it quite nice, i shall be posting, as well (only online, this time)…

THE WORLDS NEEDS MEN

…who cannot be bought;

…whose word is their bond;

…who put character above wealth;

…who possess opinions & a will;

…who are larger than their vocations;

…who do not hesitate to take chances;

…who will not lose their individuality in a crowd;

…who will be as honest in small things as in great things;

…who will make no compromises with wrong;

…who will not say they do it "because everybody else does it";

…who are true to their friends in adversity as well as in prosperity;

…who do not believe that shrewdness, cunning and hardheadedness are the best qualities for winning success;

…who are not ashamed or afraid to stand for the truth when it is unpopular, who can say "no" with emphasis, although all the rest of the world says "yes"

WHOSE AMBITIONS ARE NOT CONFIED TO THEIR OWN SELFISH DESIRES.

wow.  just had to re-post it.  i was inspired anew, re-filling the fuel of this engine of idealism.

i’m looking for a job i could maintain while a law student serving  as bar ops head & VP of the student government.  requisites are that the job:

1.  …has to provide sufficient pay - i’m not really looking for much.  even less than what i’m currently earning in my part-time job will do.  even a net amount of P10T/mo would be fine for my needs.  but of course, more would be better.

2.  …would give me sufficient training in either or all of these fields:

• corpo law
• tax
• procedural law (sige na nga)

3.  …should not demanding as to time - should be output-oriented rather than time-based.  in case reporting hours are required, work should be from 9-2 at most (flexi-time)

4.  …should not be too far away from UP - distance & convenience of travel is important.  the workplace shouldn’t be stressful to go to.

as if ako yung mag-d-dictate no?  but i’m really praying for such a job so i could juggle my multiple priorities in being a law student with extra-curricular activities.  at the same time, i’d want something which would help bring me steps closer to the end in mind.  having interacted with some lawyers during my internship has given me fresh perspective as to what to do with my career.  although i’m still clueless most of the time, at least the following are being affirmed to me:

1. working while in law school is good.  it broadens one’s horizons through exposure.  it’s an excellent opportunity for networking and is a great way to make those legal concepts learned inside the classroom come alive.  of course, this is provided that the job should be law-related.  (God, i want & need a law-related job).  as LJP said yesterday, were he to go to law school all over again, he would have worked.  (and now, i still have a chance to do this)
2. tax/corpo practice is the way to go. especially when one has a business/accounting background, one could find a niche here.  tax practice is flourishing in the philippines.  that is where the big bucks are.  at the same time, of course, while earning, one gets to help other people (minimize their tax liabilities).  that’s where my fulfillment will be coming from, while at the same time not losing sight of practicality.
3. life as a law student is not as hell-ish as it seems to some.  - this is contrary to my angsts everytime i get a bad recit or a not-so-good grade in an exam despite having studied my brain off for several days.  however, seeing the responsibilities that lawyers are taking on has helped put some perspective in this wacked brain of mine.  it’s nice to study…learning is always an enriching experience and after finishing a degree, depending on how one has handled it, one could, and most often emerges as a better person.   

(reflection: while i may not be financially-better off now that i’m in law school compared to my P&G days, and probably would earn a lot less as a lawyer than as a hotshot key account manager in a multinational, i’m happy where i am and where i’m going.  i may be struggling occassionally, but who says i have to keep on struggling when i could choose to rise above the struggles, right?)

sa sobrang ka-busy-han at ka-hectic-an ng buhay (with my internship, bar-ops, portia and mike’s job, weekly badminton games), nakakalimutan na namin kung ano ba ang mga gusto naming panooring movies.  so gaya ng sabi ko kay mike over dinner last night (or was it the other night?), i’ll be typing the list of movies that we wanna watch in this blog (para di malimutan)

1.  cars
2.  da vinci code
3. mi3