I need to start writing… again. I have realized that the longer I stop writing (on a personal basis), the more my writing becomes devoid of meaning. As a result of my present studies, my writing, I find, has become dry and bare. It has become mere reporting; a mere repetition of facts; regurgitation. It irks me. It annoys me to bits. And I have realised that there is no reason to stop writing here – because there simply is no reason.

Even after a year, I am still grappling with the effects of law school. Never in my life have I studied so hard for an examination, but never in my life have I ever been so focused or concentrated in my work. And after I started studying property law and finished my internship on matrimonial law, I have discovered some aspect of the law that piques my interest. I think, I have gotten past the stage where I abhor the studying or reading of law. A year ago, I nearly decided to transfer out because I felt that this wasn’t what I really, truly, wanted to study. But I am glad I stayed on.

Besides studying this year, I am very grateful to my mentor for giving me a chance to have a photography mentorship. From this internship I have recognised the similarities between law and photography and I am glad that my training in law has helped me, in some subtle way or another. That said, once my examinations end, I will be going full steam ahead with my photography project. It is four weeks into the internship and I still don’t feel satisfied from my work. I find that there is something amiss in my work. But I am not worrying (for now). With my mentors and my teammates help, surely, I believe, I will be able to create a beautiful project.

I re-read Lord Denning’s judgment on Miller v Jackson – a case which I came across when I was first matriculated as a law student a year ago. I remember I learnt it torts and relied on the set of “muggers” my seniors handed down. But the beauty of Miller v Jackson cannot be found in any set of “muggers” because the most best part of the judgment (from a literary perspective, let me qualify my statement) is Lord Denning’s opening statement (which will never be put in “muggers” anyway because it is not the most relevant prose to the case). I love his language and his words. And in the course of this 2 years, I believe I have read some of the most astounding judgments that have changed the course of history – in torts, contracts, property, company, and I believe, more. On retrospect, I would never have known of Lord Denning, or be so intrigued and mesmerised by his words, should I have decided to turn down law for another subject. Every time I read this specific judgment from Lord Denning, I can’t help but smile to myself and feel very blessed to be here; that I am here and reading something that I probably wouldn’t have known if I went elsewhere.

Slowly, gradually, I find myself falling in love with the common law, especially after reading more and more essays on comparative legal traditions, such as that of the French Code Napoleon and the German BGB. You may find this hilarious, or funny, but I am extremely proud that I have something in common with all the other common lawyers – and this commonality involves a snail in a bottle and a smokeball.

What a long post. But I am glad I wrote it out. I have now come to terms with myself. If I had a chance to study something else now, such as business, history, or even linguistics, I would still pick law. Because I have fallen in love with the law.

Diese zwei Wochen waren sehr fleißig und ich jetzt bin ich total angestrengend, aber ich habe viele Erleuchtungen bekommen. Ich habe erfunden, dass ich Französisch lernen muss.

Warum?

Denn ich denke, dass Französisch die Sprache des Kunstes ist. Eine Frau, die ich mich aus die Ausstellung meines Lehrer getroffen habe, redete über die Fotos des Robert Doisneau. Ich liebe seine Fotos gern und er ist Französisch. Nach einer Woche stellte mein Mentor die Arbeit der Sophie Calle vor und ich mag ihre Fotokonzepts. Und sie ist auch Französisch. Ich muss Französisch lernen, um ihre Idee und Kultur zu verstehen. Jawohl, ich muss und ich will sie lernen.

Inzwischen werde ich mein Deutsch verbessern und Finnisch weiterlernen. Ich freue mich auf das Ende von Schule, sodass ich Zeit habe, für meine Sprachen zu lernen. Mmhmm. Ich habe gar keine Zeit zu verloren!

Just finished my trial advocacy module, and I am so relieved that it’s over. I am very thankful to everyone who helped me.

I just want to say I am extremely grateful for everyone who has helped me, and that I feel very blessed for all these opportunities.

Time flies really really quickly! I am now on my third week of school and buried under piles of Company Law, CLT and Property Law readings. Property law has been quite a killer since we are going to have lectures on Mon, Tues and Wed for three consecutive weeks. Goodness.

Anyway, I am starting to get used to school life again – which means an insane amount of tea/caffeine, sitting on the dining table surrounded by tutorials that I have to finish by the next morning and also, excessive use of my lovely (and one year old!) Mac for work related purposes, though I have used it quite extensively when I flew to Canada and France. Luckily I got InDesign and Adobe Photoshop installed. Very useful tools for photo editing and work!

Since school has started, this also means that I am back to… browsing aeroplane tickets hahahahaha. I have NO idea where I want to go yet, although I am quite sure that I want to visit Maria in Finland sometime next year (regardless of whether I get an exchange position or not), and maybe travel around Europe. I also want to complete my open water diving certificate – hopefully during this semester break – so that I can do some proper diving and do some underwater photography. Mmmm. Maybe I ought to do it this recess week or at the end of the school term.

Okay, back to company law and no more dreaming of getting out of Singapore till I finalize stuff. Bleh!

I finally found my purpose in life. I finally did. I am happy and elated, after all the past few sleepless nights.

And I will start working towards it.

Thank you all for such a wonderful birthday!

It feels good to be remembered. And it feels really great to be given well-thought of presents. I love you all!

Happy 20th! One more year till you’re officially an adult…