Pomp and circumstance

Many good things have happened in the past few weeks, my friend. First things first: I have officially finished my law school exams! As long as I pass all my subjects – of course, you can leave it to a future lawyer to put a caveat in here – I have finished law school. Hurray! I cannot tell you what an amazing feeling that is.

Writing my exams was actually kind of fun. They took place at the Royal Exhibition Grounds in Carlton Gardens, about a 10-minute walk from Melbourne Uni campus. For three weeks, at 9am and 2pm each day, thousands of students swarmed nervously into the massive and ornate Royal Exhibition building. No one could pay attention to the building’s beautiful moldings and majestic architecture because they were too busy scribbling answers to defamation law questions or calculus problems.

The best part of any exam was, of course, that joyous moment at the end when the invigilator announced that we could leave. Thousands of students swarmed excitedly out of the building, back into the hot air of the day, chatting loudly and smiling widely. Outside, the fountain gloriously trumpeted water and the city skyscrapers loomed above the lush green trees. Everything was happiness and triumph!

After my last exam, I walked out, stunned and thrilled. Channie, my Korean girlfriend, somehow found me in the crowd (she had been writing her last chemistry exam) and she ran up to me, simultaneously grabbing me, jumping up and down and squealing. We giggled and danced all the way to the Lincoln Hotel where we met up with three Aussie girls from my law class and Rachel, who had just arrived in Melbs to help me celebrate. We all celebrated on that long Thursday afternoon with many bottles of champagne and a box of chocolates…it was the perfect ending to my degree.

My law degree has meant so many things to me. Over the past four years, I think I became an adult (well, mostly). I have learned the requisite skills of research, writing and critical thinking. But, more importantly, I discovered the power and satisfaction of having one’s own career. I am so excited to do interesting and challenging work in my life. Perhaps the greatest gift has been developing the confidence in myself to create this beautiful reality.

All that being said…I don’t start my lawyer job for another five months. What to do with my time?! Yes, you guessed it: more travel adventures! After our champagne afternoon, Rachel and I put ourselves to bed early and the next day we were off on a road trip. More news from the road to follow soon – lots of love to everyone back home.