Law School Road Trip

Law school can be toilsome and enervating at the best of times. I learned quickly to cherish any tidbits of happiness, hat I could muster during law school, no matter how insignificant. One of those rare moments of pleasure was the spring break of my first year of law school. A group of my fellow peers planned a spring break road trip to the great Southwest. This road trip led us to the vast deserts of Arizona and the plateaus of Utah.

The specific moment in the picture attached was an entirely spontaneous decision for us to get out of the car and take a picture of the Welcome to Utah sign at the border between Arizona and Utah. I then had the random idea to have us all spell out the word Utah. It was a great moment of solidarity and fun. This road trip reminded me that I needed to make time for myself, to sometime get away from all the noise, and make sure I have fun.

#RoadTrip #Utah

Recurring Dream

The Introduction:

Most people can't fully recall their dreams when they wake up, no matter how vivid it was. In addition, it's rare to have the same dream over and over again. Well, I have this one dream that I dream every now and then ever since I could remember. I don't remember when I first had this dream but I can recall every detail of it. In fact, I just had the same dream not too long, so that's why I'm writing this note. I beginning to wonder if the reason I keep having this one dream is because it means something or is it just a coincidence.

The Background:

Before I describe the dream, I need to give some background information about the dream so it makes sense. I came to America when I was about four by myself and lived with my grandparents for about five months while my parents were in Korea. My grandfather pretty much took care of me and I adored him. I followed him everywhere I could go, like a sheep to her shepherd. Well, he owned this produce store that he built from scratch. He literally cut down trees and built the whole store. In order to restock his supplies, he would go to this particular farmer's market and buy his produce there in bulk. I could only go sometimes because this farmers' market wasn't really appropriate for little kids and plus he left either late afternoon or in the middle of the night. But I didn't care at all and wanted to go every time he went. When he did go, he took this big, old, white semi-truck with the cargo attachment to put the produce. This dream is about this particular white semi-truck and the setting is my grandfather's store.

The Dream:

In the dream, I regress back to my four-years-old self and am in front of my grandfather's produce store. The truck is parked in the front and my grandfather is making one of his regular trip to the farmers' market. It's in the middle of the night. I don't know the exact time though. All I know is that it is very dark outside. So far, nothing is out of the ordinary. I see my eldest uncle and my grandfather discussing something in the corner of my eye and they seem to slowly fade in the background but I don't really pay attention to them. The truck is there waiting to depart and I get in through the driver's side in order to start the truck for my grandfather. I normally did that when I went with him. I would start the truck and scoot to the passenger's seat so that the truck would be ready to go when my grandfather entered the truck and was about to drive off.

However, in the dream, when I start the truck, the radio turns on and the truck locks the doors automatically. This is unusual since this truck is old and does not have automatic locks. The truck then begins to slowly move onto the main road, where it gradually picks up speed. Now I'm on the main road and I don't know how to stop the truck. After all, I'm only four in the dream. I don't know how to brake or slow down the truck. The only thing I do know is how to turn the steering wheel. Luckily, there isn't any other car on the road since it's the middle of the night. But it is eerily quiet except for the radio and creepy solitude. There isn't a single soul out there except for me. Anyway, so I'm in the truck, making turns after turns because I didn't want to crash into the side or trees. The doors still won't open and I couldn't jump out even if I wanted to because the truck is going 70 now (according to the speedometer). There's nothing but endless roads and trees and I just keep making endless turn after turn. The sun is beginning to rise in the distance and this is where I usually wake up.

So what do you think it means? What is your interpretation of the dream?

Top 10 Things I Wish I knew Before Starting Law School

1.    Law school is almost like another culture in itself.
2.    Get to know your upper classmates, not just your section mates.
3.    Most law students tend to be very territorial creature of habits. I could find my friends based on their study spot.
4.    Be wary of the library during final weeks.
5.    Go to your professors’ office hours weekly. If you have no questions, make one up.
6.    The answer to is everything is "It depends." or "Possibly."
7.    Turnip Rule: You can't squeeze blood from a turnip.
8.    What an outline was.
9.    Tell yourself to breathe.
10.  Bar Review is different from a bar prep.

December 2019 Gratitude Challenge

December 2019 Gratitude Challenge

This time of year, there’s a lot of pressure to think about what we want instead of what we already have. Every day for the month of December, celebrate what you’re grateful for corresponding to the theme of they day.

Sunday, December 1, 2019

What is something that makes you laugh?

Dry, witty comedy

Dark humor

Scare pranks (especially when Ellen DeGeneres does it)

Parents react videos

The memory of my paternal grandfather tickling me with his prickly, stubby, salt-and-pepper beard

Monday, December 2, 2019

Something about the current season you’re grateful for.

The cold that reflects my heart of ice

The abundance of hot cocoa (but not pumpkin spice flavored food and drinks)

Built in excuse to stay at home

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

What about your body do you love/are grateful for?

I’m not sure. Hmm, maybe my hair and eyebrows?

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Who is someone in your life that you’re grateful for?

My paternal grandfather

My parents

Adoptive grandparents

My mentor

My third grade teacher

My friends

Thursday, December 5, 2019

What is a book that changed your life?

In chronological order, not order of significance:

The Protector of the Small series by Tamora Pierce

The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

The Host by Stephanie Meyer

The Folk or the Air series by Holly Black

Friday, December 6, 2019

Think about something you’re good at.

Speed reading

Swimming

Lip syncing

Playing air guitar

Multitasking

Event planning

Getting under people’s skin (no matter how thick)

Saturday, December 7, 2019

What is a lesson you’re grateful you learned?

1) Don’t put your faith in people or objects. Only small children and animals will never disappoint you.

2) Hope for the best, but always be prepared for the worst.

3) Life moves on with or without you, so keep up.

Sunday, December 8, 2019

A basic need that has been met

Uhmm, the ability to breathe, walk, and think coherently and reliable shelter? Having all five physical senses intact? Not really sure what this is asking.

Monday, December 9, 2019

What are you most grateful for in the city/town where you live?

Public transportation may not be the best, but it is decent.

There are a lot of events and festivals going on year round.

There is a plethora of diversely delicious restaurants.

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

What rejection in your life are you most grateful for?

None, I abhor rejection of any form. I have never been grateful for being rejected from anything. I perceive it as a missed opportunity that could have changed the path of life. However, I am quick to get over it.

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Something you use every day

My car

My eyeglasses

My computer

My eyes

My brain

My legs

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Something you don’t need anymore

Mr. Teddy

Friday, December 13, 2019

Refuge – space you love in your home

Firstly, my bedroom

Then, my car

Lastly, my kitchen

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Item of clothing

My purple Try Guys funny quote shirt (I’m Right, You’re Wrong, Shut Up)

My black maxi dress

Sunday, December 15, 2019

Taste

Anything sweet or spicy. Or a combination of both sweet and spicy.

Chocolate Mousse

Gochujang

Apple juice

Monday, December 16, 2019

Touch

Anything soft or silky

Slime

Puppy

Plush blanket

Towel fresh out of the dryer

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Smell

Floral

Citrus

Apple

Lavender

Rain

Pineapple

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Sound

Babies and children laughing

Gentle pattering of the rain

Silence

Breeze moving

Songbirds chirping

Quelling ocean waves crashing onto shore

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Sight

Colorful like a double rainbow

Optical illusions

Bright flowers

Friday, December 20, 2019

Texture

Anything soft, plush, fluffy, silky, or velvety

Such as a brand new teddy bear, a fluffy dog, a silk camisole, or feathers

Saturday, December 21, 2019

Color

In this order:

Royal blue

Jet black

Crimson red

Sunday, December 22, 2019

A song that makes you happy

Lose Yourself by Eminem

Fighter by Christina Aguilera

Brave by Sara Bareilles

Monday, December 23, 2019

Type of weather you love

Slightly breezy, a bit chilly, around 60 F, with the sun shining out.

Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Professional who helps you

My mentor who mentored me since sixth grade

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Something you take for granted

Amount of time

The people in my life

The privileges and opportunities I had in life

Thursday, December 26, 2019

A TV show that you look forward to watching

You, Season 2

Brooklyn 99

Fresh Off the Boat

Leverage

Sherlock, Season 5

Friday, December 27, 2019

A movie you watch over and over

Life is Beautiful

Dead Pool

Kick Ass

Mulan

Saturday, December 28, 2019

An opportunity you’re grateful you had

Backpacking through Europe

Attending EDC

Earning the Take Stock In Children Scholarship

Sunday, December 29, 2019

A place you love to visit

Tokyo, Japan

Sydney, Australia

Canberra, Australia

London, England

Galapagos Island

Honolulu, Hawaii

Monday, December 30, 2019

A tool you find incredibly useful

Brain (even if some humans don’t use it)

E-readers

Eyeglasses

Blowtorches

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

A daily habit you’re happy you’ve cultivated

Sleep? Don’t really have a daily habit.

Meaning of the American Dream to me

The American Dream, the basis behind the moniker “the Land of Opportunity” and “the Land of the Free,” is comprised of the ideals and vision of our Founding Fathers, of every immigrant in the United States, of every minority, and of every American citizen alike. It is the driving force for laissez-faire economics and capitalism that gave rise to this country. The nexus between the notion of the American Dream and the just world bias demonstrates the rationale behind why American citizens strive to live up to the “Dream.”  Humans have this desire to think that decent people are justly rewarded and no maleficent deed goes unpunished. If a person works arduously and is resilient enough, then not only does that person has the capability to provide for his or her present household, but also the opportunity to ensure a better future for his or her progeny. The mere existence of a possibility of becoming self-made in this lifetime can motivate a person to go to great depths to fulfill the American Dream.

Because America as a country has such high expectations and standards of socioeconomic progression, it is important to have set limitations and protections in place to guarantee the continuance and stability of the American Dream. The role that employment law has in our society and legal profession is to safeguard what we consider the American Dream.

Live, learn, laugh, and lead

There is a diverse range of leadership styles and leaders. Some people believe leadership is knowing the strengths and weaknesses of those who serve you and delegating tasks accordingly. Others believe leadership is delegating tasks that are not popular and convincing their followers they want to do it. In the words of former U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, “Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.” It was not just Eisenhower who said this, but several past leaders, such as Tom Landry and Harry S. Truman, acted under this principle.

I, however, adhere to a different set of values and beliefs of what it means to be a leader. I believe the most effective form of leadership is leading by example. One leader who I admire tremendously best epitomizes this leadership quality: Mahatma Gandhi. There is a story about Gandhi that resonates with me and describes how he leads.

One day, a very concerned mother and her son went to visit Gandhi. The mother admired him greatly and walked many miles under the scorching sun and little rest to meet one of the world’s greatest leaders. It turns out that the little boy had a colossal obsession with sugar, and she sought out Gandhi’s help to break her son’s sweet addiction.

When she and her son arrived, she asked him to please advise her son to stop eating so much sugar. “Bupa! My son consumes far too much sugar; will you please, please tell him it is ruining his health?”

After listening to the mother’s desperate plea patiently, he looked at the mother, then the son. Gandhi refused to give the boy that advice and simply told the mother to return in two weeks’ time. The mother asked “Why! Why can you not do it now?” Gandhi held steady and told her to return in two weeks. The mother left perplexed and somewhat disappointed at Gandhi’s request but nevertheless respected his wish.

Two weeks later, they returned to Gandhi. Gandhi pulled the boy aside and told him, “It would be best if you quit eating so much sugar.” The son, who was happy to listen to Gandhi, said he would and did his best to cut back on all sweets. The confused mother then pulled Gandhi aside and asked why he needed two weeks and not the first time they were here. Gandhi gently smiled at her and whispered to her, “Two weeks ago, I too had an obsession with sugar and was not qualified to advise your son. I needed that time to cut back on sugar myself.”

We should endeavor to do things ourselves first before asking others to do it. If we are unwilling to do it ourselves, then what right as leaders can we ask of our members to do that very task? Otherwise, how else could we empathize with the people we are supposed to lead, know which directions are good or bad, or understand how we could improve to be a better leader? Gandhi best describes what it means to lead by example in this famous quote, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” So strive to live, learn, laugh, lead with this in mind: how can I change the world?

A Summary of What I Learned in 1L Year

Non-Legal Advice for 1Ls

1) Don't walk behind a tail-flicking horse. You can dislocate your retina. - Pat Brady v. R & R Stables, Legal Rhetoric

2) Playboy is classier than Penthouse - Keeton v. Hustler, Civil Procedure

3) The answer to is everything is "It depends." or "Possibly." - first day of classes

4) Sleeping Beauty can bring a tort of battery, and not assault, against Prince Charming for kissing her in her sleep (which is creepy if you think about it, a stranger kissing you while you're asleep). - Second Day of Torts

5) If a cat is given LSD, then the cat becomes CATatonic. – Torts

6) Being grounded usually doesn’t constitute false imprisonment. Apparently parents have some parental immunity. - Torts

7) The abbreviation for association is ass’n. – Torts

8) “Is it duress if someone threatens to chop off the pinky of your baby’s toe?” (The answer is yes.) - Torts

9) Money makes the world go round, so does torts. -Torts

10) Turnip Rule: You can't squeeze blood from a turnip. - Torts

11) You could probably get away with assaulting someone from behind. But battery is whole another story. - Torts

12) Wearing a short dress is not consent to be assaulted. - CREAC Workshop

13) Jack from Jack and The Beanstalk can be held liable for trespass to land, home invasion, murder. - CREAC Workshop

14) When your neighbor tells you that your fermenting hayrick will spontaneously combust, don’t tell that neighbor you’ll chance it.

15) Don’t suffer through law school just to die in as a drunk in a car accident. - Daly v. General Motors Company