Now it really begins
Today was my last day of Intro to Legal Studies. We had to write a brief “essay” (much like an exam answer) in the legal writing class, and we had a one essay question “exam” (on adverse possession, which, for you non-legal folk, has nothing to do with head spinning and pea soup) in the legal analysis part. I’m confident I did well enough on both of them, but I actually felt better on the exam than the other. Go fig.
Now the real, substantive courses begin. Tomorrow I have Legal Skills 1 and Property 1. I’ve done my reading for both, and briefed the John Marshall-written Johnson v M’Intosh (yes, M’, not Mc). I even did some online research to make sure I understood that case (it’s from 1823 so the language is particularly obscure in places). I have my notebooks, folders, pens and highlighters, but still my old iBook (just killing me to wait to get a new one) and my old backpack (I need to get a rolling one–these books are HUGE). So, I’m ready… enough.
Prepping for this moment, even with all the practice I had in the Summer Enrichment class and the Intro to Legal Studies, brought a new set of feelings. First, I have to say that it feels like a crime to write in the casebooks. They cost $140+ each, and the first time I laid highlighter to the page, I felt terrible. I’m sure I’ll get past it, but it bugs me.
On a bigger level, taking the plastic wrap off the Property casebook (the first unwrapped) brought home the fact that I’m accepting the commitment to this. By slicing into that plastic, I was taking the final step of leaving the life I’ve known, and immersing myself into this new world.
It’s a different world. It’s got new rules and customs, new geography and, clearly, a different language. It’s terrifying and exhilarating and I’m sure it will be thoroughly confusing at times.
I so hope I’m up to the task of learning its ways.