Kalatches

Hi everybody,

Law exams are finished for the year. Still one more assignment to hand in, though…as well as a huge, looming business exam, but let’s not think about that or else I may go insane. Just one more day separating me from the welcoming arms of summer break. I’m torn: on the one hand I want Monday to pass right this second so that I can vegetate party with friends for the next 3 months; on the other hand I don’t want it to come at all because that way I can pretend that those final two assessment pieces don’t exist. I know we’ve all been there.

In case people get bored over summer, here are a few ideas to get you through those boiling days and nights: read Crime and Punishment, The Book of the Dead and Inferno. Go rent out “Kung Fu Panda” — you won’t be sorry; the humour is great. Watch tennis. In fact, there’s the Brisbane International next January, which I highly recommend you to go attend. Of course, there’s always the Australian Open. You must should all watch the tennis this summer.

It’s been a long and winding journey…as they say…but, in restrospect it’s actually been pretty fun. Don’t get me wrong, though: procrastination is not fun, and never will be. Making friends with procrastination is not a good idea, at all — so don’t do it. Don’t ask me why. You know why!

See you around!

Sherryinabottle

Like Patience on a monument, smiling at Grief.

Hi folks,

Well, today I officially finished my first semester of university. That’s one tenth of my tertiary education over. I wish I was deluded enough to be able to say that I passed with flying colours — I am content with having survived this initial hurdle. Things are supposedly meant to be ‘easier’ (in the strictest sense of the word) from now on, so we’ll see if I manage to stay (relatively) sane next semester.

The 142 exam was very interesting. That is to say, it allowed us a lot of scope for our content, and I enjoyed that. The 141 exam was this morning. Is it just me, or were the first two questions absurdly longer than expected? I didn’t get time to even substantially flesh out the third question; I think I wrote about two paragraphs and then time was up. Not a happy camper about that. However, my 141 assignment mark brightens me considerably.

Next semester I’m off to do Legal Research and Writing, and Laws and Global Perspectives. At the risk of sounding completely off-the-bat, they sound neat. This whole first semester law experience has been quite positive overall. Having had a little bit of time for some general reflection, honestly I can’t wait to sink my teeth into some more law. I also acknowledge that the examination time-tabling was very kind to me — it’s fortunate to have such a long break, and I am fully aware that such fortunate time-tabling is a luxury that I am most unlikely to experience again.

Holiday plans: stay up overnight watching Wimbledon for two whole weeks (sleep deprivation, indeed), draft more on screenplay, re-read Austen novels, attempt writing companion vignette to Soldier Boy (has anybody heard this song? — movingly sad), and earn some more cash for uni fees. Excellent.

See you all around (maybe even at the Justice Kirby lecture),

Sherryinabottle

PS: One huge dampener on this post-semester mood is the ridiculous French Open result of my tennis person. He has faced humiliation at the hands of ‘he who shall go unnamed’. I am so glad it’s now the grass season.

Why, Justine?

Hi everybody

End of week 12! That pretty much says it all.

Don’t know about you, but I find doctrine of precedent logic hard to wrap my head around. At the same time, however, I find myself coming back for more — sort of like a drug. Yes, tackling question after question about case precedent is like a drug.

After many weeks labouring over statutory interpretation questions, I’ve taken a liking to them. It’s aggravating that almost everything can and will be rebutted – if not by my own ‘critical onlooker’ then by my tutor – yet pedantically analysing a piece of legislation, word for word, is peculiarly satisfying. One comes to realise just how limiting words can be. Nitpicking the English language is a great way to pass time.

Gave blood again. This time, when the needle came out, my wound refused to stop bleeding. I think the nurse ended up bandaging me three times. Now my iron levels have hit a new low, from all that loss of blood. Fascinating that I haven’t fainted yet.

Finally got to see Phantom of the Opera. As in, the actual opera. Live. Only got the understudy lead but he was so utterly good that nobody cared it wasn’t Anthony Warlow. The show was simply phenomenal. You know, that feeling: when you know exactly what’s going to happen because you already know the story back-to-front, and yet the performers are so good that they can still stun you and send chills down your spine. They handled the ending very well.

Also watched Made of Honour. What was with the random appearances of the random dogs? Anyway, French Open draw comes out later tonight, and play starts late Sunday. Henin, dear dear Henin. She will be sorely missed. Women’s tennis has a huge void now.

See you all later,

Sherryinabottle

What is LEX?

By now you should all have heard of LEX, QUT’s feedback mechanism on teachers and units. I thought I’d give you a little bit more information by having a chat with Melinda Shirley, the Assistant Dean (Teaching and Learning). You can download the podcast here.

Up, down, bottom, top, strange, charmed

Hi everyone

Despite my initial misgivings, in hindsight the 141 exam wasn’t very harsh. Not sure if my feelings will change once I receive my grade. However, am keeping optimistic.

My tennis person won Estoril. Granted, his opponent pulled out, but that’s beside the point.

Today is Shakespeare’s birthday.

If you haven’t already, then read In Search of Schrodinger’s Cat. I also highly recommend that you read A Brief History of Time. And add In Search of the Edge of Time to the list. This trio is guaranteed to tickle the taste-buds and stir up hours of personal philosophising.

Lastly, I will be at the ANZAC dawn service. See you there!

Sherryinabottle

Catching up should be an Olympic sport…

You know, being behind at Uni is rather fun.

Seriously.

I like challenges, so I’m weird like that. I’ve totally missed way too many science lectures, and a few Law ones to boot! Awesome, I reckon. Now I’m competing that that wicked long-distance event called “catching up”. It’s a slog, I’ll tell you that much. Got to have the right technique, otherwise you’ll get yourself a red flag. DOn’t want to fail right before you get the gold (like an infamous Australian once did, 10 points if you know who I’m talking about!)

I’ve got two assignments that I know of. Hehe. One is easy (SCB111), and one is interesting (LWB142). Looking forward to getting ‘em done next week on my break…

…as I attempt to run my own business. Gah. I need the money too, my laptops screen just died.

I’m a sad panda.

The Seth Cohen of qut

This week has been somewhat less busy than my last but I still can’t help feeling overwhelmed all the time! Someone this week informed me that I’m currently on overload and I definitely fit that description. My head is always buzzing with facts about the history of how the law came to be or random words that I have probably highlighted (because thats what you do when a word looks important) like legislature or magna carta. Due to all this stress I made a resolution to eat lots of vegetables this week. I thought I would fill up on the good greens and become energised for the next blast of classes that are always looming around the corner on that not to distant Monday. So anyway, this week I have eaten quite the share of eggplant, mushrooms and spinach and perhaps it is working because I feel ready for Monday which I have to add is strange because we have the first assignment due – Worksheet One. I have to say I actually quite enjoyed doing this assignment. It was really easy, pretty much just revising everything we have done so far in the subject. I’ve already handed my assignment in electronically (technically 18 minutes ago) so that is the first (and probably only) time I have handed an assignment in early. I feel pretty organised.

I also feel like I’m starting to fit in around campus. I no longer require a nerdish map to find my way around campus and I’m really liking the close friends I am making.

Another reason to enjoy the classes on mondays is the fact that there is an incredibly shy boy in one of my tuts who resembles none other than Seth Cohen. The man of my dreams. I always wanted to date a boy who had the finely chiselled features of my favourite OC character, now I just have to find out if behind his shy mask he is humourous and wears  a spiderman mask as  rainproof gear… anything’s possible!

No brainwashing necessary

Hey everyone!

Tried the middle-rows this week. Was still blasted with cold. So I give up. Jackets are currently being ordered in bulk. Plus jackets hide that hideous bruise on my arm from my ‘needle day’. So annoying that it still hasn’t gone away.

One thing that’s going to take some getting used to: calling lecturers and tutors by their given names. Half the time I’m worried about coming across as too disrespectful; other times I feel like I’m turning into a pompous prude. Must get a grip here, and fast.

This week has focussed a lot on legal history. It’s excellent fun; the content is nice. I enjoy the fact that 141 and 142 complement (and parallel) each other. It makes the content just that much easier to understand. Can’t believe I’m admitting this, but I quite enjoy searching for and reading legislation. Maybe the novelty will wear off, though I hope it doesn’t.

Before I go, can I just say that everyone should read Beowulf. It’s too good not to read. Seriously, read it! No, this uni student is not trying to coerce anyone…

Laters,

Sherry 

To cheer? Or not to cheer?

Howdy.

Well, yet another busy week begins…and although I don’t actually go to uni until tomorrow…Just thought I’d post a few choice thoughts.  Sat down on Saturday to do my homework/readings etc…now..maybe it’s just me..but I seemed to have an epic amount of reading to do..and some of the questions…I was like…ergh.   However; I believe I have conquered the questions (to some extent) and almost finished my legal citation exercise…although I have this ghastly feeling that I have done some of it wrong…very wrong.  Ah well.  We shall see.  But all I can say, is thank god for legal dictionaries.  Aside from that about 15 hours of work, cleaning and seeing Phantom of the Opera (which was magnificent….go see it..seriously) my weekend pretty much disappear in a flash.  One question for anyone (my one reader….) does anyone know who to contact about the QUT Cheerleading team?  Being an ex head cheerleader (its not as bad as it sounds ok) I’d love to at least try for a new team..but I somehow managed to totally miss market day and everything that went with it…so If anyone knows someone in it..or the coach…or something..let me know.   Also thanks for that blog about giving blood….guess what I’m doing after uni Friday? Yeah…going to visit the vampires….*shudder*  Also has anyone noticed a slight rivalry between the faculties…say…engineering and law??? Maybe its just me….or maybe something deeper lurks beneath the calm surface….dun dun dunnnnnnnnnn.  Dramatic mood much?  Anyway, I’d love to hear how everyone else is going with their legal citation exercise….and anything else….just so I know someone else has actually stared it..(anyone???).  Anyway.  My kitten has decided to now chew upon my precious legal dictionary so I must go rescue it from its furry grave.

Good luck everyone

Xx

K

A “doublie’s” first days

HI TO ALL!

About me

My name is Sherry and I am studying a Law/Business double degree, with a major in accountancy.  For those of you who are interested, I was born in Shanghai and moved to Brisbane when I was very young. I hold a crazy obsession over tennis, so if there are any tennis nuts out there, please let me know! I’m also into Star Wars, Star Gate SG-1, and I love a good Jane Austen novel. On the music side, I can’t go past Chopin, Brahms, Tchaikovsky and Hayden.

Week so far

I’ve been to four lectures, three of them being law. My first tutorial will be tomorrow afternoon. Came very close to missing the train on Tuesday – 8 o’clock starts are going to take some getting used to : ) I’m getting to QUT by catching the train to Southbank and then walking the Goodwill Bridge (apparently I need the exercise).

This week hasn’t been too stressful, mainly because the lectures are very introductory. That said, there is already a tonne of law material to read. Mainly I’ve been trying to read chapters at least a day before that unit’s lecture, just so I can get my brain into gear again after the summer break, and also to make sure I don’t get too overwhelmed come the weekend. One thing I will say about lectures is that the air-conditioning is ferocious in the front row – so bring a jumper and jacket, even if you’re just there for an hour. Next week I may try the middle and/or back rows to test out the air-con in those areas, so watch this space.

Being a direct school-leaver heading into uni, I hadn’t much idea of what to expect in this environment. In these first few days, I’ve found that I have a lot more free-time to myself. Assessment is still some weeks away but I’m already a bit anxious (I’m kind of a stress-head). If you enjoy reading, then law is a great area to study because the reading lists are long and the recommended reading lists are almost as long, if not longer. I loved English back in year 12 so, as weird as it sounds, I’m really looking forward to hitting the books over the next five years.

If that wasn’t incredibly nerdy enough, here is where I must convince you to go check out the brand new law library! I don’t know what the old one was like so I have no basis for comparison, but I swear this library looks like something out of a 23rd-century novel (think Jules Verne). It’s pretty amazing; a really fantastic place in which to study.

Well, hope this insight into my first week hasn’t bored anyone to sleep. I’ll put up a more relevant avatar by next week (this one is in response to the freezing conditions in the front row). Please feel free to leave a message – share anything you’d like.

Sherry