Be Not Another

thestuckduck@gmail.com — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 02:17:52 GMT

Ok, I have an honours degree and a masters degree, and I have never worked this hard in my life. And I still don't know if I'll be able to pull off this semester.

I've been at the library till closing every night this week (except for today, because the bus isn't running). The most social interaction I've had in about two weeks was the other day when Sarah, Steph, Janelle and I ate our suppers at Tim Horton's rather than sneaking it back to the library, which is what we usually do.

Also, I spent about 10 minutes watching hockey with Justin last night. It's the playoffs and this is the best year the habs have had for 15 years. Obviously we don't have time to watch, but a bunch of us listen to it online while we're studying. Last night's game went to overtime, and Justin and I dashed out and made it back to my place in time to see them win. Unfortunately they lost tonight. But it's ok, we'll win the next one. They won't dare lose in Montreal. They'd be crucified.

And Brett and I got Frappaccinos after the torts exam. We took them back to the library though. All the library rules are completely out the window.

Speaking of Crucified, Rome is the best show ever in life. Watch it now.

Criminal law is tomorrow, Property law later the week, next week contracts and constitutional, already done torts

Home two weeks from tomorrow!

thestuckduck@gmail.com — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 13:45:24 GMT

So, the whole Christmas week I was completely dead sick. I didn't leave my house for 7 days! That kind of sucked, but Christmas was nice. The first night I was really well enough to do anything, the Newfoundland law students had a Christmas party, so I went to Meg's and got massively drunk. Steve was just starting to get sick, poor guy.

I didn't do anything for New Years. The storm, combined with the fact that I was still recovering from the night before kept me home. It was alright. We had a Lost marathon. Favourite show ever. I've always thought that it's bad luck not to get kissed at midnight, and I didn't for this year. but the last couple years I did get kissed and those years weren't that great. In fact, this was the worst ever, I think. So maybe it's a good thing.

Yesterday I finally got out and had lunch with Erin, which was great because I've really missed her. Also, I'm reading Crime and Punishment and no one knows Dostoevsky like Erin. (No one that I know, anyway)

So anyway, Michael should be in today, and once he is we'll figure out about meeting everyone else.

Love!

Books of the Year

thestuckduck@gmail.com — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 23:39:29 GMT

Books 2007

Fiction in italics, non-fiction in bold. Listed in the order they were read.

The Cherry Orchard Anton Chekov
Joshua Then and Now Mordecai Richler
The Loved One Evelyn Waugh
The Medieval Art of Love Michael Camille
Constructing Medieval Sexuality Lochrie et al
Common Women: Prostitution in Medieval England Ruth Karras
Sexuality and Medicine in the Middle Ages Danielle Jacquart and Claude Thomasset
The Underpainter Jane Urqhart
The Unadulterated Cat Terry Pratchett
High Fidelity Nick Hornby
Family and Household in Medieval England Peter Flemming
Growing Up in Medieval London: The Experience of Childhood in History Barbara Hanawalt
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Mark Haddon
Marriage in Medieval England: Law, literature and Practice Conor McCarthy
The English Family 1450-1700 Ralph Houlbrooke
A Medieval Life: Cecilia Penifader of Brigstock, C. 1295-1344 Judith Bennett
A Medieval Home Companion Tania Bayard (ed/trans)
Bloodletting and Other Miraculous Cures Vincent Lam
Medieval Households David Herlihy
Holy Feast and Holy Fast: The Religious Significance of Food to Medieval Women Caroline Bynum
Medieval Children Nicolas Orme
Holy Anorexia Rudolph Bell
Food in Medieval Times Melitta Weiss Adamson
Eating Right in the Renaissance Ken Albala
The Nanny Diaries Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus
The Last of the Crazy People Timothy Findley
Confessions of a Shopoholic Sophie Kinsella
Everyone Worth Knowing Lauren Weisberger
An Ordered Society: Gender and Class in Early Modern England Susan Dwyer Amussen
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Rowling
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Rowling
Women in Medieval Europe: 1200-1500 Jennifer Ward
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Rowling
The Book of the City of Ladies Christine de Pizan
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Rowling
The Paston Letters: A Selection in Modern Spelling
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Rowling
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Rowling
Don't Get Too Comfortable David Rakoff
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Rowling
Villette Charlotte Bronte
Shopgirl Steve Martin
Jonathon Wild the Great Henry Fielding
Shopoholic Ties the Knot Sophie Kinsella
Empire of the Sun J.G. Ballard
The Blithedale Romance Nathaniel Hawthorne
Jitterbug Perfume Tom Robbins
Monsignor Quixote Graham Greene
The Fabulous Girl's Guide to Decorum Kim Izzo and Ceri Marsh
The Good Earth Pearl S. Buck
A Spot of Bother Mark Haddon
The Princess Bride William Goldman
The Celebrated Mexican Jumping Frog and Other Stories Mark Twain
Atonement Ian McEwan
Tempest Tost Robertson Davies

thestuckduck@gmail.com — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 06:17:35 GMT

Haven't done a doone adrunk lj entry fro a while, but tonight feels very '04. I've been really sick for the last week, so the first night i"m out? law schooo l peropel. steve, etc. kiss on the cheek. texting Nabil. stuff never changers

I miss you guys!

thestuckduck@gmail.com — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 13:38:47 GMT

Who wants to get together? When?

Planning plans

thestuckduck@gmail.com — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 18:44:12 GMT

I have no idea if this will work for anyone, but how about meeting up saturday afternoon for a cozy christmassy hot chocolate?

Meanwhile, life goes on. I've just about reached that point where I can't study anymore, but I'm coaxing myself through with long breaks. (I started watching Big Love, the HBO series about a polygamous family. It's actually pretty good. I was worried I wouldn't be able to get past my feelings on polygamy, but the writing's so good you can love the characters while hating their lifestyle)

I only have one more exam, property, on monday. I feel like I know it pretty well, but the proff is notoriously crazy about his exams. I left the midterm thinking I'd aced it, but I'd failed. See, the biggest problem here is that it's not about what you know so much as how you present it. You have to write things "like a lawyer". After 2 arts degrees I was very surprised when Professor Townsend said to me "You're obviously a smart girl, you just need to learn to write."! Nabil taught me a formula for legal writing, which is annoying as hell, but I've been using it. The only problem is because of various reasons the three assignments I've used this formula on haven't been returned to us, so I don't really know for sure if it's working. I guess we'll find out soon!

This whole semester is only worth 20% of our final grade, thank God.

Long Time, No Update

thestuckduck@gmail.com — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 14:55:44 GMT

A lot has been happening, school wise, life wise. No hope of catching up.

So, my immediate drama. Nabil and I broke up. We had to, because we were starting to get serious, and really care about each other, and we can't do that. Because he's moving soon, because I'm not Shia, etc etc etc. Anyway, was sad, but felt like the smart thing. We're good.

Turns out not so much. I have a huge exam on Monday in my worst subject and I can't focus. I study best when he's there (or when I know he's coming later and will ask me how much I did) I haven't eaten or slept at all. I didn't think I'd be this upset, but here we are. Also, I didn't realize how dependent I had become on him. I know that's just another good reason to break up, but it makes things harder now. Not just for things like driving and what to do saturday night, I have tons of friends and I can get myself around, but I didn't realize how much he kept my spirits up, when I was homesick or feeling inadequate with school. I don't know how to handle this place without him. I've been here for 15 weeks and we've been together for 13. I honestly don't know how to handle this without him.

I'm coming home!!!

thestuckduck@gmail.com — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 02:05:46 GMT

I'm arriving late night on the 18th and leaving on the 22nd. It's not long, but of course I'm really hoping I'll be able to see all my lovely friends! My first thought was that we'd do sun sushi and hava java, but then I realized that because my convocation is on the 19th saturday will be the only chance I'll have to have dinner at home with my family, which is absolutely necessary. So how about an afternoon coffee? Say, 2 at hava java on Saturday? I hope so! Please let me know.

Things have been crazy here. I'm home tonight because I'm dead exhausted. Yesterday we had our first major assignment. It was a fake court, worth 40% of our criminal law course. We had to dress in suits (my partner, Jack, got locked out of his house and had to beat it to the mall to spend $500 on a new suit, shirt, tie and shoes during the lunch break!) observe court protocol, etc. We were prosecution on a sexual assault case, so we'd spent virtually every waking moment in the past week reading sexual assault cases, which is not fun. But I think we presented a really solid case. Frustratingly, they don't actually tell us who won. And I was the only one who went so far that didn't run out of time. When I said "my colleague will present the remaining arguments" I had 30 seconds to spare! Jack got cut off just at the end of his section, but he'd already made all his arguments. We haven't gotten our grade yet, but I feel really good about it. Afterwards those of us who had to go on the first day (Myself, Jack, Laura, Chris, Desiree, Janelle, Tim, Steve, Struan, Josh and Tim) marched straight to the cellar in our court clothes and started downing pints.

Thursday is the biggest party night of the week at Ludlow. It's always the same but it's always amazing. I host a little wine and Ugly Betty party at my place. Jack and Alison are regulars and last night Sarah and Evelyn came too. Then we go to the Phoenix, which is completely taken over by law students every thursday. It's great, because the bar can have 100 people in it, but you know everyone so you can feel comfortable and safe. You can leave your jacket and purse on the table, and there's always someone to talk to. From 11-12:30 there's trivia, then dancing until 2, so there's something for everyone. Then 10 am property class in which Proffessor Townsend understands we will all be terribly hungover, and often brings treats. They say Dean Bryden always makes sure the nicest teachers have that slot, and that there are no super early friday classes, because he's always encouraging us to party as much as possible.

There are more assignments bearing down on us, but the next big thing will be preparing our application packages. We have to interview for our summer placements on October 26th! I'm interviewing at Cox & Palmer, O'Dea & Earle, Stewart & McKelvey, White, Ottenheimer & Baker and McInnis & Cooper. There are 5 positions for about 12 students who want to work in St. John's over the summer. If you don't get one of these you can always apply to one of the smaller firms, but my competitive side has taken over and I really want one of the tops. I'm willing to work for it too. I know Stewart & McKelvey requires a 70 hour work week, but the pay is unbelievable and you've pretty much guaranteed the rest of your career with that on your resume. I love these people, but I'm not going to let them pull ahead of me.

Believe it or not, I played in a soccer game yesterday

thestuckduck@gmail.com — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 12:35:55 GMT

And I actually had a really good time. It's this thing within Ludlow, you make teams and every two weeks you play a different sport. There's soccer, basketball, etc, but there's also ones like dodgeball, soccerbaseball and paintball. At the end they tally up wins losses and ties and make one team Ludlow Champion. It's a much coveted trophy. I was nervous about signing up, but they need an even gender split on the field at all times, so I figured I'd be valuable for that if nothing else.

Anyway, the game before us was particularly entertaining. Nabil was on one team and on the other were Steve, Tim, Chris and Josh from my class. So I got to see Nabil showing off until he hurt himself. Although it was still pretty impressive, considering it was 4:30 in the afternoon and he hadn't had a bite or sip since the night before. The other team had the opposite problem. They'd been up drinking until 7 that morning, then slept until about 3, then binged on samosas (they're served fresh at this fabulous saturday outdoor market) They weren't doing really well, although Steve and Josh were doing their macho competitive best. Tim tried to keep up with them, until he had to jog to the side of the field to throw up. I'm not sure if I'm sorry or relieved that I missed that party.

Our team won a spectacular victory, and Nicole and I didn't get in their way at all. I even had the ball a few times, but maintained a strict "pass to Hurley, Phil, Jen or Neil asap" policy. We had real soccer players on our team so we did really well. There was only one shot on out goal the whole game. Final score was 5-1. I didn't go to the victory celebrations, as I was still feeling a little knocked out from the week. I was worried I was getting sick, but after 10 hours sleep I'm feeling much better.

thestuckduck@gmail.com — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 10:21:00 GMT

In bed at 1, up at 6:30 tra la lala I love law school.

Actually, I kind of do. I'm getting into the swing of things here, and I've had a couple of right answers (although the whole Socratic method thing still fills me with abject terror) and the readings aren't really too much if you can refrain from drinking every night.

I'm seeing a fellow named Nabil, and it's very nice. He's a third year, plays hockey and soccer and has won 2 awards and scholarships in the two weeks we've been together (In which we got together just about every day) Also, he's fasting for Ramadan, which is a different kind of experience for me. He's got a flu, but he won't have a cough drop or even a sip of water during the day. Then after sunset he prays for 15 minutes, pounds back some cheese and crackers and about a litre of gatorade, then runs off to one of his many sporting events. He really eats only one proper meal a day, and that's usually around midnight. He promises me real dinner and movie and lunch dates after Eid.

I am also on a sports team! It hasn't started yet, but it's every 2 weeks and we play a different sport each time. This week it's soccer. I'm a little nervous, but it's just for fun.

Tonight I'm having a few girls over to watch the Ugly Betty premiere, and I'm so excited I might burst.

Miss you guys, but I'll be home from 18th-22. Love!

thestuckduck@gmail.com — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 20:58:54 GMT

My first big law school assignment is due tomorrow morning and I am one tenth finished. Obviously, this is a good time for a blog post. They told me there wouldn't be papers in law school, but I think at 1400 word take home exam could be considered a paper.

THe first two weeks we take this course called Foundations, and that's all we take. Our regular classes (like contracts, criminal law, etc) start tomorrow. Tomorrow's also when we'll be split into two classes, and never the twain shall meet again until next year. We already know which section we'll be in, so I know that most of the friends I've made so far will be in section one with me. I've also been told that we have all the best proffs, but will probably wind up having more work.

I've finally gotten all my furniture together, largely because Nicole's friend Nabil lost patience and came over to do it for me. I'm very happy about this and will have to do something nice for him. I 'm thinking he may have had ulterior motives for doing this, but I'll just leave that alone for now because I'm not sure how I feel about it. This place doesn't really feel like "mine" yet. I think I need to get some plants and pictures and things.

I'm starting to make friends, and they can be divided into three main groups: the third years, Ally and Nic and their friends Christian, John, Nabil, Phil and a few others. The back home crowd, Steve, Jaclyn, Kristen, Meghan, Chris and Tim. And then there are the ones who are in my peer mentor group: Jack, Jen, Fiona and Josh. I'm on pretty friendly terms with some people I just started talking to randomly, like Koren, Coady, Desiree, Jay, Michael and Jen. It's a little tricky sometimes navigating everything, because none of us really knows anyone very well. The pro is that I can always find someone to have fun with, the con is I don't really have anyone I know I can totally rely on. Nicole and Jack are pretty good confidants, though, so I guess the rest will come with time.

My birthday is in a week and I still have no idea what I want to do. I'm a little nervous about my first birthday away from home, and I guess I'll invite everyone but I don't know where it would be best to invite them to. Hm. I guess I'll have to see.

Fredericton

thestuckduck@gmail.com — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 20:13:04 GMT

Sorry I haven't written. I've either been studying or drunk pretty much every minute since saturday. Today was orientation, which was pretty dull. But holy cow, lots of swag.

Saturday a whole bunch of us went drinking and dancing. Sunday there was a party in Meg's room, monday Jay, Tim and I drank beer on sketchy patios. Tonight there's a friggin' huge party at Woody's. Classes start 8:30 am tomorrow. I'm having fun, but I'm starting to feel a little overwhelmed, like I don't even have time to breathe.

thestuckduck@gmail.com — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 14:18:18 GMT

One of my roommates is here now, Nicole, and she's fabulous. I hung out with her, her boyfriend Christian and his roommates Phil and Liam all day yesterday. I bought a desk and a nightstand, and the guys helped carry it to the apartment, which was great because I haveno idea how I would have managed it otherwise. Last night was my first night "out" in Fredericton. We just hung around the guys apartment, drinking and eating pizza, but fun times nevertheless. I have to go back to wal-mart today for the 127 things I forgot yesterday. Tonight I'm meeting a few people from first year. I discovered that the 5 or 6 bars in a 5 minute walk from my place is the entirety of the Fredericton club scene, which is convenient, if a little disappointing.

And now, a couple pictures.

This is Ludlow hall, where all my classes will be. There's also the law student lounge and the law library. I've been told that law students don't really go to the other buildings on campus.

This banner was hanging inside Ludlow Hall. Besides being thrilled that our tiny faculty cna produce a championship hockey team, I'm ridiculously amused that they're called the "litigators"

A sample lecture hall. I'm so excited!!

And now, off to market!

thestuckduck@gmail.com — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 04:27:10 GMT

Too many oogdelys btoyde/ But sgeourge stret, how can I sawy goodbye to you>? Danicing daayges and sooooooooooomeany boys. I msiis youolarelye!

thestuckduck@gmail.com — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 18:26:00 GMT

So on my ever-lengthening list of things to do before I move away, I've just reached "get glasses adjusted". I crushed them in my bag on the way to Bay Roberts nearly 2 months ago, and since then they've been a little askew. I usually wear contacts anyway, so no biggie. Anyway, today I dropped into Cowen's, explained to the girl, and took them off to show her. I wore the glasses there, I didn't have my contacts or another pair, and she just walked away with them into another room! I didn't expect that. I thought she'd show me to a chair or something, or lead me to where the adjustment took place. As some of you know, I'm virtually blind without my glasses. I never take them off if I can avoid it, and certainly never in unfamiliar surroundings. So I'm standing there, in a store, surrounded by faceless people, unable to tell where I should stand or what I should do. It really freaked me out. I haven't been in a situation like that before. I couldn't do anything but wait for her to come back, and I couldn't see where she was or what she looked like. It was hugely unnerving, I don't know if I've ever felt so helpless and vulnerable, and I was startled by the extremity of my reaction.

Final Plans

thestuckduck@gmail.com — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 18:16:59 GMT

Sun Sushi, Saturday at 7.

I'll make a reservation for Matthew, Lindsay, Helme, Maaike, Michael(?) and Myself.

Any changes I need to make let me know.

I Move in a Week!!

thestuckduck@gmail.com — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 15:25:39 GMT

I'm thinking about Saturday night for my going-away dinner. Thoughts?

I don't know who this is. Someone tell me?

thestuckduck@gmail.com — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 10:55:13 GMT

Your results:
You are Apocalypse

Apocalypse		70%
Dr. Doom		65%
Poison Ivy		62%
Dark Phoenix		56%
Lex Luthor		54%
Mystique		52%
Magneto		52%
Juggernaut		52%
Catwoman		52%
Riddler		50%
Venom		45%
Kingpin		39%
The Joker		34%
Mr. Freeze		32%
Two-Face		32%
Green Goblin		4%

You believe in survival of the fittest and you believe that you are the fittest.

Click here to take the "Which Super Villain are you?" quiz...

thestuckduck@gmail.com — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 18:34:33 GMT

Do you ever get the feeling that your life has changed completely in just a week?

On the 31st my boyfriend and I broke up, and the 1st I submitted my thesis. All of a sudden the two things that had occupied about 90% of my time and 99% of my thoughts were gone. It was a very strange feeling, like just getting off the highway. I woke up on the 2nd and literally had no idea what to do with myself. So I read for a while. I've read four books since then*. I had lovely friends offer to take me out, and was very rude not to call them back, but I needed a bit of a hermitage. I'll try to break out of it before I go. I did, however, make a concerted effort to go to the various social events for future law students. But that wasn't anything like how I usually go out. I wore clothes I don't usually wear, talked with people I barely knew (if I knew them at all) about topics I've hardly considered. It was almost like playing pretend. I don't mean that it was phony or anything, just a side of myself that is not usually expressed. I didn't stay out late or drink very much, because it's still very important that I keep my head straight and my emotions under tight control.

As important as these things were, I really enjoyed them. I liked the people I met and I was interested. The more I meet lawyers and law students the more I realize that this was the perfect choice for me. It's strange, because I came to it in such a backwards way. I guess that's just how life is, though

*Jonathan Wild the Great by henry Fielding, Shopoholic Ties the Knot by Sophie Kinsella, The Blithedale Romance by Nathaniel Hawthorne JItterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins

thestuckduck@gmail.com — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 18:00:30 GMT

I'm currently wearing a pinstripe skirt suit, pantyhose, heels and a pink blouse, getting ready for swanky lawyer event #3: Wine and Cheese at Stewart McKelland and Associates. I'll have more details on the various evenings requiring grown up clothes later.

If my life was a movie, this would be the soundtrack

thestuckduck@gmail.com — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 19:44:41 GMT

Stolen from Cousin Beth

So, here's how it works:

1. Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that's playing
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button
6. Don't lie

Opening Credits:
Wake Up Alone - Amy Winehouse

Waking up:
When I get home - The Beatles

First Day at Highschool:
And your bird can sing - The Beatles

Falling In Love:
Hopelessly Devoted to You - Grease Soundrack

Fight Song:
Diamond Mind - Rasputina

Breaking Up:
It's only Love - The Beatles

Prom:
It ends tonight - All American Rejects

Life:
When I'm 64 - The Beatles

Mental Breakdown:
Lodi - Creedence Clearwater Revival

Driving:
Get rhythm - Johnny Cash

Flashback:
In My Life - The Beatles

Getting Back Together:
Boys - The Beatles

Wedding:
Eight Days a Week - The Beatles

Birth of Child:
Pussywillows, Cattails - Gordon Lightfoot

Final Battle:
Haunt You Every Day - Weezer

Death Scene:
Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles

Funeral Song:
Norwegian Wood - The Beatles

End Credits:
No Reply - The Beatles

thestuckduck@gmail.com — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 11:55:47 GMT

Comment and I'll give you a letter. In your journal, list 10 of your favourite songs that begin with that letter.

I got "T" which is trickier than I thought it would be, so I'm allowing myself to count songs beginning with "The"

1. The End - The Beatles
2. Twist and Shout - The Beatles
3. The Ballad of John and Yoko - The Beatles
4. Ticket to Ride- The Beatles
5. The Night Before - The Beatles
6. The Word - The Beatles
7. Teddy Bear - Elvis Presley
8. Tambourine Man - Bob Dylan
9. The Sound of Silence - Simon and Garfunkel
10. That'll be the Day - Buddy Holly

thestuckduck@gmail.com — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 18:40:58 GMT

Yesterday I finished and submitted my masters paper. Today I returned my books. There were 46. I was a little stunned when I had them gathered together. It looked like a lot. I read nearly all of them, plus a few that I already returned when the library called them back. (As Tommy said, "I have trouble believing that anyone 'urgently requires' The Medieval Art of Cookery") Some I read a few times, like Carnal Knowing: Female Nakedness and Religious Meaning in the Medieval West and Doing Unto Others: Sex in the Middle Ages I read three times each. Holy Feast and Holy Fast: The Religious Significance of Food to Medieval Women was far and away my favourite. And The Medieval Art of Love

Most of these books have been in my house since september, I didn't want to let them go. I'm really tempted to go onto amazon and buy them all.

thestuckduck@gmail.com — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 17:38:12 GMT

Yesterday I was harsher than I needed to be. I have not been treated unfairly.

Over the last couple of weeks, we've come to realize that we simply don't have what we need to make our relationship work over the long-distance. Yes, we did it once before, but that was with a definite end in sight. I had hoped that we would make the best of the next three weeks, and really savour our time together. However, he felt that this would be too difficult, especially with other more stressful elements of his life right now.

I'm really, really sad that this ended. I put it down nearly entirely to circumstances. If we'd met another time and another place, it could have been really amazing. I think he feels the same way, which is some comfort

I'm still very sad and regretful. I wasn't ready for it to end like this, and certainly not so abruptly. But I'll be okay eventually.

thestuckduck@gmail.com — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 22:06:28 GMT

Well, he left me.

Yesterday's trash. At least it's oddly familiar.