Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Summer Vacation Before Law School

During the registration day, the upperclassmen advised us to make the most out of our "days of freedom". And it's exactly what I did today.

I was supposed have lunch with best friend today, she was going to introduce her boyfriend. My university is very far from hers so I didn't have the chance to meet the guy. However, something came up so we had to reschedule. I was then free for the day.

The first thing I did was watch Bride for Rent with my little sister (which explains my previous blog post). When we were almost finished watching the film, my mom arrived. She bought me my very own electric hand mixer!



I was so overwhelmed that I started making a dessert, in time for my little brother's return tomorrow! Good thing we had the ingredients enough to make an Oreo cheesecake!

My cousins arrived a few minutes after I started making the crust. They really like cheesecakes you see, haha! There were extra grahams so I decided to make graham balls :D



After our kitchen bonding, we decided to paint. My little sister has complete sets of art tools since she's into art. I copied my favorite painting at home. It was Dad's gift to Mama before they were married. I am not artistic so this is all I could come up with.


The trees spell "I Love You" :")

I really had fun today. Time spent with family will always be priceless!

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

"Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko" English translation (Bride for Rent soundtrack)

I just finished watching Bride for Rent. The movie was nothing special, to me at least, but it did live up to its classification as a RomCom. The message of the film was nice. I, too, don't believe in a perfect forever. But I am open to the fact that the are people who can bear with their significant other's imperfections and will still choose to be with them,  whatever the cost may be. With that said, I really like the soundtrack of the film. It's a classic.


I wrote an English translation  for the non-Filipino speakers to understand the song. You'll find the song really sweet if you can speak Filipino. I tried to get the meaning across as close to the original as possible.

Even When My Hair Turns White

When we grow old
I hope we won't ever change 
At any time, in any place
This will be my dream
Can you still bring yourself to
Hug me and be with me ooooh
Until the day we both age
I wonder
Would you still love me
When my hair turns white

When the time comes
Your hair, my dear
Will turn white, too
We will together reminisce
things from our past

We will relive our memories ooooh
I will remind you, my dear
Of my promise
that my love will always only be yours
Even when my hair turns white

We will relive our memories hmmmmm
I will remind you, my dear
Of my promise
that my love will always only be yours
Even when my hair turns white
Even when my hair turns white

Note: "maputi" (adj.) means white; "puti" (n.) means white
In Filipino, hair that is "maputi" literally means white hair, if you're not comfortable with the phrase, you can substitute "white" with "gray" since they still mean the same

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Introduction: Why Law?

This blog is a continuation of my previous one. I write this blog as an account of my life in law school (and maybe beyond that). 

Why Law? 

                                           (read comic strip from right to left)
(source: http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs15/f/2007/097/3/4/Phoenix_Wright__courtroom_by_yesi_chan.jpg)
                                      
When I was younger, I loved tagging along with my dad to his office (in a trial court), arranging and cleaning his desk, and watching trials in court. I know it may be boring to some, but to me the lawyers looked dashing because of their composure and manner of speaking; and the judge looked the wisest of them all. I wanted to be like them. Whenever people asked me what I wanted to become, I always gave the same answer-- to be a lawyer. But one word would always boggle my mind. "Why?"

Truth be told, I was not sure if I really wanted to study law or whether my mind was just conditioned to choose the law career. If my memory serves right, my first ambition was to become a medical doctor. I remember I had a complete set of doctor tools (toys) and I treasured them dearly. I also remember telling my grandfather that I wanted to become a doctor. I recall him telling me to become a lawyer instead, and I remember agreeing without a moment's hesitation. Maybe that was the start of my "wanting" to pursue the law career. Maybe I ended up "liking" law because I was conditioned to like it. I have many other interests. What if I end up not liking law after all? What if what I want to do for the rest of my life is far too different from the legal profession? I like playing the violin, what if I want to become a musician instead? 

(source: http://media.tumblr.com/acc6cfb2c1f8a4c482630251e0f491d0/tumblr_inline_mnqz46XJ5C1qz4rgp.gif)

I was torn. A few years ago, I was asked the same question. "Why do you want to pursue law?" I still could not find a sincere answer. I can say all the altruistic answers but I would be lying if I uttered any, at least during that time. Two years in UP and I still could not give any honest reason. Indeed, why law? Why do I want to go through more hardships? Do I really want this enough to want to go through hell? I REALLY love playing the violin, do I REALLY want to become a lawyer? I could not find an answer, not until a year after.

I took an elective under a prosecutor who was, at the same time, teaching in UP. The course was an introduction to the Judiciary. It was relatively less of a hassle. The professor was kind, and he surely was not a demanding one. The classes were fun. And the number one reason why I love the class is that the professor was passionate in teaching the course, and he was so passionate about law. There are things that will lead you to acquire a great deal of stress but you keep doing them anyway. For my professor, practicing law was evidently one of them. He really loves what he does. It was so inspiring.

Law was put in a context that was outside the courtroom. I never really grasped HOW the law can affect a person's life, a community, an economy, and a country, at least not until I took the class. He made me realize the importance of the law and the essence of the Judiciary in society. Most of all, he made me realize that I want to be part of that Judiciary, or at least know the law far too well (to be very able) to help other people know and fight for their rights. I know the reason may be cliche, but I actually mean it when I say it now. And I am not joking when I say that I have come to love reading the Bill of Rights. 

I finished all my undergraduate requirements and I am not presumptuous in saying that I will graduate this April. Ateneo Law School accepted my application and I have already enrolled. I am entering law school and I will put my best put forward! This post may sound idealistic to some, but I am well aware that I will not succeed with principles alone. This is going to be a rough adventure, but I will try to have fun. I want to become a lawyer. I will become a lawyer!

(source: https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/374099644/Phoenix_wright_0017.jpg)