Brief, brief, busy busy blog entry.
- Apparently I'm not allowed to fly into Bradley without a problem. This time I got stuck in Nashville for an extra 3 hours.
- Thanksgiving was wonderful, Lynn surpassed herself, and it was lovely to see the family (if only segments of it) again.
- Papers are argh, thank you for asking.
- Editing work is currently non-existent.
- I am not sure whether or not I have class tomorrow, or what I should do for it.
- I have no food, and no clean clothes. Goody goody.
- I sang at another OM with my Dad, and it was fun.
- I miss AZ. It was warm there, and people fed me.
- 21 days!
- Moving is being difficult. Again.
- Lynn beat me at bowling, and attempted to drink me under the table.
- My mum sent me an amazing online advent calender- which doesn't work on Linux. Grumpy face.
- Problems with laptop registration continue.
- Got told today that "you girls are having far too much fun to be in law school." Which I think is good.
- Very excited for Christmas!
- Want to cook- cannot wait to have a proper kitchen again.
- Going out tonight- not sure when, or how I'm fitting it into my timetable, but am doing it anyways. So there.
JJ
Tuesday, 30 November 2010
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
Wild Wild West
This blog entry is coming to you all the way from my Dad's kitchen table in Arizona, where I am watching him and Lynn play cribbage- card game of the Carters, apparently. Have been here since Saturday evening, and so far have successfully avoided all and any mention of essays, reading, and the like. Which is nice. Am definitely feeling less stressed than I was last week, and am sleeping better. Not sure how well I'm going to cope with this whole '3 square meals a day' thing though.
Lovely Laura (and Siobhan, and Annemieke) dropped me off at the airport Saturday morning, on route to a day out at Ikea (as you do...), which was amazing- although of course the problem with making new friends is that they always seem to result in more people to miss...
Since I've been here I've mostly been chilling- played at an open mic night in a wonderful coffee shop (not-for-profit charity for the victims of domestic violence) on Saturday night, went to a 'Wild West' festival on Sunday and ate 'fry bread' which is yummy, but probably will result in an early death, took the written component of the AZ driver's test on Monday, and today took the practical component of the test and went to see HP7.1 for the second time. On an IMax screen. Close ups have never been more terrifying. And yes, I approve- yes, it was severely cut, but at least we didn't end up with another 'burning of the Burrow.'
And yes, I'm proud to say that I passed my drivers test- again. Slightly worried by the ease with which I obtained my license- arrived at the MVD at 12.20, and was on the freeway home an hour later. The test itself consisted of a 3-point turn (with cones, of all things!) and driving around two blocks. And yes, I tried to drive in a bike lane- dem got big bikes out here in the West- but somehow still passed. Must say that I was terrified by our return to the MDV within 10 minutes of leaving- was pretty sure I'd managed to pull an 'illegal' and was about to be fined...
Still not sure what I think of the test here- on the one hand, as my Dad says, they actually look at how you handle the vehicle and how you interact with other road users, rather than on whether you physically turn your head during 'mirror signal maneuver,' but on the other hand, they are practically giving the freakin' things away! Darwinism is all well and good, but not when it puts other people at risk...
Still trying to get used to the further time difference as well, but am hoping that with this week off I'll not only be able to get my essays completed (it's getting to that point now...) but also will actually be able to have a proper chat with certain people from home who I miss a great deal and who I haven't talked to in far, far too long. Plus, Cora and I have a party to arrange!
JJ
Lovely Laura (and Siobhan, and Annemieke) dropped me off at the airport Saturday morning, on route to a day out at Ikea (as you do...), which was amazing- although of course the problem with making new friends is that they always seem to result in more people to miss...
Since I've been here I've mostly been chilling- played at an open mic night in a wonderful coffee shop (not-for-profit charity for the victims of domestic violence) on Saturday night, went to a 'Wild West' festival on Sunday and ate 'fry bread' which is yummy, but probably will result in an early death, took the written component of the AZ driver's test on Monday, and today took the practical component of the test and went to see HP7.1 for the second time. On an IMax screen. Close ups have never been more terrifying. And yes, I approve- yes, it was severely cut, but at least we didn't end up with another 'burning of the Burrow.'
And yes, I'm proud to say that I passed my drivers test- again. Slightly worried by the ease with which I obtained my license- arrived at the MVD at 12.20, and was on the freeway home an hour later. The test itself consisted of a 3-point turn (with cones, of all things!) and driving around two blocks. And yes, I tried to drive in a bike lane- dem got big bikes out here in the West- but somehow still passed. Must say that I was terrified by our return to the MDV within 10 minutes of leaving- was pretty sure I'd managed to pull an 'illegal' and was about to be fined...
Still not sure what I think of the test here- on the one hand, as my Dad says, they actually look at how you handle the vehicle and how you interact with other road users, rather than on whether you physically turn your head during 'mirror signal maneuver,' but on the other hand, they are practically giving the freakin' things away! Darwinism is all well and good, but not when it puts other people at risk...
Still trying to get used to the further time difference as well, but am hoping that with this week off I'll not only be able to get my essays completed (it's getting to that point now...) but also will actually be able to have a proper chat with certain people from home who I miss a great deal and who I haven't talked to in far, far too long. Plus, Cora and I have a party to arrange!
JJ
Tuesday, 16 November 2010
Article 3 cases are decided on the circumstances of the case: "Article 3 cases are decided on the circumstances of the case."
This will only be a brief entry, mostly to show willing. I have asked, pithily (and procrastinatingly) whether it would be acceptable to post a blog consisting essentially of "essays, Royal Wedding, Harry Potter, Thanksgiving, essays." Hopefully this will be a little better than that, but I can't guarantee it'll be by much.
So:
- I am still writing my essays. CCL is still ahead, although I have hit a bit of a roadblock in my breakdown of Soering; hence the title. Last night I had a dream that Sherlock Holmes laughed at it and then threw it away, so I must be doing something right.
- I am going to AZ for Thanksgiving on Saturday and am unprepared. Argh argh etc..
- I went out to the Arch St Tavern on Saturday to listen to a band doing 90 covers, and had fun, and danced, and played with a fluffy hat.
- Two of the International girls made dinner for the group (with the addition of an amazing Russian salad from our local representative) on Sunday, and I went along, and had fun, and played with dominoes.
- Lynn, my Dad's girlfriend who I generally call my stepmother just to make things easier, appeared on the AZ Music Cafe- a weekly show on KKNT Radio (whatever that may be)- playing some of her own pieces, and was generally fantastic. And my Dad also got a look in with a song about aliens. As you do. Well done to them both, anyways.
- I have started reading the Complete Sherlock Holmes as a distraction, which, it turns out, is aiding and abetting in my sleep-deprived nightmares.
- I am going to see HP 7.1 on Thursday at midnight, and am all ready to complain about inconsistencies etc.
- I watched Atonement for the first time, and yes, I prefer the book.
- I am still writing these bloody essays.
- As may or may not be apparent, I haven't had much sleep.
JJ out.
So:
- I am still writing my essays. CCL is still ahead, although I have hit a bit of a roadblock in my breakdown of Soering; hence the title. Last night I had a dream that Sherlock Holmes laughed at it and then threw it away, so I must be doing something right.
- I am going to AZ for Thanksgiving on Saturday and am unprepared. Argh argh etc..
- I went out to the Arch St Tavern on Saturday to listen to a band doing 90 covers, and had fun, and danced, and played with a fluffy hat.
- Two of the International girls made dinner for the group (with the addition of an amazing Russian salad from our local representative) on Sunday, and I went along, and had fun, and played with dominoes.
- Lynn, my Dad's girlfriend who I generally call my stepmother just to make things easier, appeared on the AZ Music Cafe- a weekly show on KKNT Radio (whatever that may be)- playing some of her own pieces, and was generally fantastic. And my Dad also got a look in with a song about aliens. As you do. Well done to them both, anyways.
- I have started reading the Complete Sherlock Holmes as a distraction, which, it turns out, is aiding and abetting in my sleep-deprived nightmares.
- I am going to see HP 7.1 on Thursday at midnight, and am all ready to complain about inconsistencies etc.
- I watched Atonement for the first time, and yes, I prefer the book.
- I am still writing these bloody essays.
- As may or may not be apparent, I haven't had much sleep.
JJ out.
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
"Constitutional limitations on the state's power to extradite," and other topics which only lawyers find interesting...
In terms of real life, this week has been a quiet one. The general consensus on campus appears to be that, with the addition of a few dorms and a shower block, the library actually wouldn't make that bad of a home- that, and that "How is your paper?" "Ick." constitutes a full and fulfilling conversation. My own papers are currently in what I like to call the intangible stage- that is, I have a lot of information, and a very strict structure, and now I simply have to go through the process of somehow welding the two together. Rants expected in the near future.
In terms of my online life, though, I've been a little more involved- have managed to talk and be exceptionally silly with several of my friends from back home, which has helped a lot with the homesickness- although not so much the whole avoiding procrastination thing. I personally think that the one outwieghs the other- I went through a period of very severe homesickness and general stress, and anything which can alleviate that is to my mind a good thing! The homesickness issue is an interesting one- this appears to be the part of the semester when everyone starts noticing the cultural differences more, and looking forward to the plain familiarity of home. I do wonder whether part of it is a reaction to the fact that by now we are quite integrated into our surroundings, and have become pretty much used to the USA way of life- although of course the sheer proximity of Christmas is probably also playing a role! Generally, though, I think that we are all pretty happy out here, and definitely would not say that we regret coming- the collective homesickness if anything has helped to tighten ties in the international group, and I would say that we all act as support for each other. Which is nice.
Speaking of the group, and being nice- this Friday we should hopefully be leaving campus, if only for a little while, and heading out to a Huskies basketball game. Which means, of course, a mass exodus to Wiki to find out what on earth the rules are- and, for that matter, which team we are... But it should be fun- and we do love cheering along!
As to law- well, after today's lecture on the ADA and employment discrimination I am now seriously considering sitting in on the Employment Law lectures next year, if only to confirm to myself that the Brits do it much more logically- apparently you can only discriminate against someone with a disability if they suffer from a limitation of a 'major life activity.' And don't even get me started on section c and the whole 'regarded as' issue. Grumble, growl.
In terms of my online life, though, I've been a little more involved- have managed to talk and be exceptionally silly with several of my friends from back home, which has helped a lot with the homesickness- although not so much the whole avoiding procrastination thing. I personally think that the one outwieghs the other- I went through a period of very severe homesickness and general stress, and anything which can alleviate that is to my mind a good thing! The homesickness issue is an interesting one- this appears to be the part of the semester when everyone starts noticing the cultural differences more, and looking forward to the plain familiarity of home. I do wonder whether part of it is a reaction to the fact that by now we are quite integrated into our surroundings, and have become pretty much used to the USA way of life- although of course the sheer proximity of Christmas is probably also playing a role! Generally, though, I think that we are all pretty happy out here, and definitely would not say that we regret coming- the collective homesickness if anything has helped to tighten ties in the international group, and I would say that we all act as support for each other. Which is nice.
Speaking of the group, and being nice- this Friday we should hopefully be leaving campus, if only for a little while, and heading out to a Huskies basketball game. Which means, of course, a mass exodus to Wiki to find out what on earth the rules are- and, for that matter, which team we are... But it should be fun- and we do love cheering along!
As to law- well, after today's lecture on the ADA and employment discrimination I am now seriously considering sitting in on the Employment Law lectures next year, if only to confirm to myself that the Brits do it much more logically- apparently you can only discriminate against someone with a disability if they suffer from a limitation of a 'major life activity.' And don't even get me started on section c and the whole 'regarded as' issue. Grumble, growl.
Tuesday, 2 November 2010
Morris Men and Madness
I have been told that it would be much easier on everyone involved were I to post 1 short entry a week rather than a monthly wall of rambling text. In fact, my dearest darling Dad went further, to the point of providing me with a template for the ultimate concise and effortless blog entry. As such, in order to to prove myself a dutiful daughter (and comply with my student advisor's advice that I develop more structure in my day-to-day activities), I have decided to give it a go and see how it works out.
So:
In the past week I:
- Returned safely from NYC, where I had spent the weekend at the annual International Law Convention at Fordham Law School, and of course, engaged
in sightseeing and general touristy-ness. NY is definitely something else, and the experience should by all accounts be on everyone's to do list. As great a time as I had, though, I don't know that I could ever live there permanently- though I can cope with (and work!) the subway and the grid system, it is simply too big, too busy- too consumerist.
It did give me an excellent opportunity to play with reflections and other fun photographic whatnots though, so I guess I can't be too hard on it- this time ...
- In direct contrast, I also took a solo trip to Amherst, MA, from Wednesday until Friday. In a bizarre situation my 'Sidmouth friend' Martin had been invited with his rapper team to compete and do other high-class dance team stuff in and around Boston, and part of their tour involved a few nights staying with a wonderful folky family in Amherst.
Suffice it to say that I has a wonderful visit, drank probably one too many pints (sorry, Sallyport), took far too many pictures, sang, danced (while avoiding chairs and holding a beer), climbed a mountain, and had far, far, too much fun with the side's decapitated rubber hand. Facebook is now flooded with pictures and videos, and I think it will be some time before I stop telling people that I have been invited to dance with the 'Ladies in Green,' an Amherst cotswold and border side whose name I cannot for the life of me remember.
- I also dressed up as Alice in Wonderland (the Burton version, obviously), went to the SBA Halloween party, gave out sweets to children trick-or-treating, and enjoyed it for the most part, although the party had to end after one poor lad reportedly broke his leg (although I think the truth is that he twisted his knee), and jumping up and down every three minutes to grab the sweet bowl is exhausting- especially when the teenagers don't even say thank you.
- Finally, I got into a debate about original intent theory in class when I said that to my mind it was the weakest out of a number of constitutional arguments in a certain case. This was in complete opposition to the American students, all of whom were aided by the knowledge that- bizarrely- it was one of the arguments most likely to be accepted by today's Supreme Court. I found this very odd when compared with the UK system, where Parliamentary intent is only considered as a last resort, and then only in the context of the interpretation of one particular stautory provision. Bizarre. After all, the Framers were only men- clever men, yes, but not infallible.
And that's a rather long summing up. Hopefully, this time next week will produce something rather more concise- as yet I have no plans!
A very folked-up
JJ
So:
In the past week I:
- Returned safely from NYC, where I had spent the weekend at the annual International Law Convention at Fordham Law School, and of course, engaged
in sightseeing and general touristy-ness. NY is definitely something else, and the experience should by all accounts be on everyone's to do list. As great a time as I had, though, I don't know that I could ever live there permanently- though I can cope with (and work!) the subway and the grid system, it is simply too big, too busy- too consumerist.
It did give me an excellent opportunity to play with reflections and other fun photographic whatnots though, so I guess I can't be too hard on it- this time ...
- In direct contrast, I also took a solo trip to Amherst, MA, from Wednesday until Friday. In a bizarre situation my 'Sidmouth friend' Martin had been invited with his rapper team to compete and do other high-class dance team stuff in and around Boston, and part of their tour involved a few nights staying with a wonderful folky family in Amherst.
Suffice it to say that I has a wonderful visit, drank probably one too many pints (sorry, Sallyport), took far too many pictures, sang, danced (while avoiding chairs and holding a beer), climbed a mountain, and had far, far, too much fun with the side's decapitated rubber hand. Facebook is now flooded with pictures and videos, and I think it will be some time before I stop telling people that I have been invited to dance with the 'Ladies in Green,' an Amherst cotswold and border side whose name I cannot for the life of me remember.
- I also dressed up as Alice in Wonderland (the Burton version, obviously), went to the SBA Halloween party, gave out sweets to children trick-or-treating, and enjoyed it for the most part, although the party had to end after one poor lad reportedly broke his leg (although I think the truth is that he twisted his knee), and jumping up and down every three minutes to grab the sweet bowl is exhausting- especially when the teenagers don't even say thank you.
- Finally, I got into a debate about original intent theory in class when I said that to my mind it was the weakest out of a number of constitutional arguments in a certain case. This was in complete opposition to the American students, all of whom were aided by the knowledge that- bizarrely- it was one of the arguments most likely to be accepted by today's Supreme Court. I found this very odd when compared with the UK system, where Parliamentary intent is only considered as a last resort, and then only in the context of the interpretation of one particular stautory provision. Bizarre. After all, the Framers were only men- clever men, yes, but not infallible.
And that's a rather long summing up. Hopefully, this time next week will produce something rather more concise- as yet I have no plans!
A very folked-up
JJ
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