It's Over.

This is it.  The last day.  I cleaned my locker out on Monday after the last oral argument I will ever give in law school.  After I was done the judge said, "you have a very comprehensive vocabulary... that's a good thing... considering the last President."  I didn't have any idea what he meant or if that meant my arguments went well but in hindsight, they did.  

I was able to end this whole ordeal on a high note.  It's strange being in another city when your family, friends, and classmates you spent two long years with, and shared the third in spirit, are celebrating without you.  But I am reminded of what lies ahead for this Green New Yorker- post graduate employment, aka, paying the bills.  I am going to start off with construction and work on getting my contractors license.  Then working with an array of characters on small business startups.  I have my own projects and it seems this whole law school thing just might pay off, in an unexpected way.  So let's see what NYC has to offer.  

There were two things I wanted to do before I bid farewell to CUNY.  The first was play a game of pool.  I had walked by the commons area where the table was located and had never taken the time to play.  The second, was talk to Ruthann Robson, a professor and founder in law and sexuality and discrimination law.  4 classmates of mine studied her last year at Seattle University and produced a documentary regarding media, law and sexuality.  I was hoping to introduce myself and at some point get her the video.  

So with 35 minutes until I had to argue, my study partner rehearsing her arguments, finding last-minute cases, and basically freaking out, I went out to explore.  Robson wasn't there but I commended myself for trying and figured I would just email and try again some time this summer.  Then, commons area empty, I decided to go in and play pool... alone.  Luckily, a classmate had the same idea, a mere 30 seconds later, and wanted to play before his arguments as well.  

Turns out, he is from Portland and will be pursuing a PHD in literature and education after law school.  Serendipity?  We chatted and managed to get 3 games in before dashing to arguments but it seemed to just go perfectly from there.  Sometimes you have to stop and smell the felt.  

This whole ordeal wasn't without its consequences.  I have lost roughly 15 pounds since starting 3 years ago, unfortunately of muscle.  I look a little worn for the wear and have had to forego other things.  And after 2 weeks of finals, I have been suffering malnutrition, sleep deprivation, and every muscle in my back is either cramming or in spasms.  But it's over.  

And I have learned some wonderful things.  First I learned balance.  Law school can consume you.  But I managed to balance the important things, make time for those great chats, and have some fun.  Which also lead me to taking control of your own life.  Tons of choices out there and only you can really "make" the tough ones.  It's your life and you only live it once.  I have also gained a lot of academic insights, particularly relevant to my own edification as well as a focus I think I was lacking before.  These are all necessary things for making a run at NYC but I feel prepared, inspired, and hungry... in more ways than one.  

Coming up next- The Law School Greatest Hits: a photo montage.