I could not sleep last night. Procrastination and thoughts and joy. How sweet to s l o w l y savor the arrival of a time I have been so anticipating. I speak of Grace and other things.
I uttered the words “I’m quitting law school” too many times this quarter. I tried to enjoy each day, but it required more optimism than I had (this is the terrible power of lawyer college). I consistently lost grasp of the fact that my joy does not come from within. Desperately searched where none existed. Trying to be strong and positive only got me so far. It was in relenting to brokenness that I found peace again. In letting go of the details things fell into place.
It’s time to be outside now. Gentle warm sun, dance of tree and shadow; animals. Wind. Go see about a friend.
Praises and gratitude to start this weekend.
Seriously? How am I supposed to study for my last exam now—tax no less?
The last six hours have been a topsy turvy excited nervousness and completely counter to my efforts to be a good student. And it’s about damn time.
Stuart: Hello. Isn’t it finals week for you? Taking a break to climb?
Me: Hi. Yeah, I took my first one yesterday. I have another on Wednesday.
Stuart: (two beats) Well, I think you’re doing it just right.
Sometimes I see Stuart at the rock wall. We have 30 second exchanges that make me feel strong. It is an assurance that can only come from someone who has gone through law school…and so many other challenges.
If you’re feeling stressed or have a million things to do, remember to take some time to do something you love, even during finals week. There’s no need to imprison yourself. You’ll feel refreshed and better able to tackle responsibility.
Here I go. The law of intestacy.
I want a really good brownie. And I want to see a forrest of leaves change. Preferably at the same time. According to my research, it is peak viewing time in many northeastern locations.
I went to H.E.B. to buy a calculator before my 8a.m. final. I could see my breath as I walked. A worker asked from across the lot, “enjoying the cold weather?” I said “yeah!” and saw my breath again. It was dark.
The Bizorg final was 50 pages long. FIFTY. What a colossal waste of paper.
Prof. Bizorg distributed the exams dressed as the GRIM REAPER. It was actually scary. I appreciate her sense of humor. Ya know, that she actually has one. Even her face was covered with black cloth. Scary.
I liked the multiple choice format.
After the final, I was waiting to take a left out of the parking lot when a person in another mini waved at me. This happens less often in Texas but totally makes my day when it does.
Finals really are not so bad. Other than the constant stress of having to study, there is no other responsibility. The battle is half won if you have attended class diligently and reviewed throughout the quarter. And if you go to BLS, this is probably the case. Additional stress is self-imposed. You are going to be okay. I am going to be okay.
I never feel like I’ve learned anything until I sit down during finals week. This is some of the joy that I find in finals week. All those weeks scrambling in class feeling lost and uncertain about the big picture fades. Concepts come into focus. It would certainly be nice to see this big picture all along, but it doesn’t work that way for me (or hasn’t yet at least…I probably don’t study enough). I can’t make sense of anything until all the pieces have been laid out.
Parsing through some of the language in the Business Organizations Code has been entertaining. Do I still love words? YES. Would I rather be reading poetry? YES. Are both frustrating sometimes? YES (of course…hardly in the same way).
Here is some of what I have been dealing with. I present to you, §21.363 - shareholder voting on matters other than election of directors.
(a) Subject to Subsection (b)…the affirmative vote of the holders of the majority of the shares entitled to vote on, and who voted for, against, or expressly abstained with respect to, the matter at a shareholders’ meeting of a corporation at which a quorum is present is the act of the shareholders.
Are you still with me? That was only part (a). We still need to get through (b).
(b) …the certificate of formation or bylaws of a corporation may provide that the act of the shareholders of the corporation is:
(1) the affirmative vote of the holders of a specified portion, but not less than the majority, of the shares entiteld to vote on that matter;
(2) the affirmative vote of the holders of a specified portion, but not less than the majority, of the shares entitled to vote on that matter and represented in person or by proxy at a shareholders’ meeting at which a quorum is present;
(3) the affirmative vote of the holders of a specified portion, but not less than the majority, of the shares entitled to vote on, and who voted for or against, the matter at a shareholders’ meeting at which a quorum is present; or
(4) the affirmative vote of the holders of a specified portion, but not less than the majority, of the shares entitled to vote on, and who voted for, against or expressly abstained with respect to, the matter at a shareholders’ meeting at which a quorum is present.
Now can you see, reader, how this might be deadening to the soul, to creativity, to all that resembles living and changing and growing? See how the words in (b)(3) versus the words in (b)(4) are almost the same so that you feel like you’re reading the same thing again except the difference between (b)(3) and (b)(4) matters? Now imagine this ALL DAY for two days. It’s not a big deal it just drives a person up the wall. That person being…me.
Well, I am in the home stretch for “Business Organizations”. The exam is tomorrow at 8am. Can’t wait.
Last day of class tomorrow. Been studying for finals. And yet not at all.
I may have sprained (strained?) my knee. Taking all precautions: elevating above my heart and icing with a bag of frozen edamame. Even the rock wall sent me home early, urging me to study.
Back to the BOC—the Business Organizations Code. Which is about as fun as it sounds. But hey it’s not so bad. With each concept learned, a small victory to celebrate. Purpose upon purpose upon purpose. First final is this saturday, four hours of mostly multiple choice. First year was all about the essays (reasoning and “thinking like a lawyer”). It seems second year is all about multiple choice (getting the right answer, who cares how you got there).
Sleep has been elusive. Perfect for losing my mind in the true spirit of finals.
