Dura lex sed lex is a legal maxim which stands for “The law is harsh, but it is the law”.
No! I will not discuss on the subject of LAW here. Not yet. This page will be about my dream of becoming a lawyer.
It was February of the previous year when I took the College of Law Entrance Exam. It was a big deal for me since I am really not so gifted. (Well, at least I look like one. Haha!) I was graded average on my early education and I am even a late bloomer. However, my edge is my positive outlook in life, balance self-esteem and faith in God. I am always certain of what I wanted to become in the future. Glory to God, I passed the exam and had an oral interview thereafter.
I am always confident with interviews. I like it more that written examinations. Yet this one petrifies me.
As my name was called, I walked to the door and entered the room. There I saw at least 5 male lawyers sitting behind a huge and long table, all eyes on me as I strode to the single chair fronting my interrogators. In order to ease the tension, I greeted them with all clarity, confidence and sanguinity that I could muster. To my bolt from the blue, I receive no reaction. Not even a trace of smile on these lawyers. My face turned red. It was one of the most awkward moments I’ve ever experience.
Long silence….
And finally! The attorney sitting in the middle told me to take my seat. He took my profile, read it and started asking questions.
Interrogating…
Terrorizing…
The question that struck me the most is still from the same attorney seated in the center.
“Do you think you’re beautiful?” he sarcastically asked.
That keeps me on my toes.
Humbly, I replied “I’m not blowing my own trumpet sir but yes! I think I’m beautiful”
Tsadaaaa!! They all smiled at me. The first ray of light!
“Yes. I think you’re beautiful inside and out.” was the reply.
Then, he handed me a sheet of paper with the requirements for enrollment. I was the happiest that moment.
Sometime in June, I enrolled to the university. I am a certified law student!
At home, everybody is calling me attorney. My dad, friends, relatives and even my neighbors. It feels like I just passed the bar.
Days passed. Another school year started but not yet in law school .I was just waiting… waiting… and then…
I went on the first day of class with all of my high hopes tuck in. I was really excited. New environment, new people and a whole new endeavor…
I felt nothing but fun, excitement and enthusiasm on the first week. We get to introduce to higher years, found our buddies, law fraternities courting, invitations here and there…
Until the second week…
THE REAL BATTLE COMMENCES… SKIRMISH OF WITS AND BRAINS.
That week was a struggle. We formally meet our professors. The lawyer seated on the center during my interview was my professor on one subject. They laid down their rules and expectations from us. Each of them varies in their style of teaching. Some are like terrorist, others are like a godfather and there’s one making us meditate before his class. Then, they gave us cases and loads of readings. We didn’t know what to do and where to start. Most of us are cramming for the upcoming recitations.
Then, we got used to it. Law books became my best friend and reading had been my past time. I’m used to reading though. I love to read. But, there’s a huge difference from leisure reading and understanding the law.
And so, my life has changed since then. I only have 6 hours of sleep a day, I can’t go malling and watching movies as much as I want like I used to do. But, through it all, I’ve become more studious and responsible.
Indeed, law school is hard! But with the Lord, all things are possible.
There’s a cliché yet honest thought that says- when you dream, make it big. Really big.
So, let me rephrase my earlier statement. I just don’t want to become a lawyer stuck in the four walls of an air-conditioned office. Instead, I’d like to be the most feared female lawyer in the country. Hard but achievable.
It’s funny that before, whenever asked why I wanted to be a lawyer, I just thought its kick ass! However, as I become mature, my perception and view about lawyers had changed. They aren’t just for courtroom but in every aspect of life as well because there’s always a law that guides us from womb to tomb.
Hopefully, I will live that dream and become a lawyer.
Someday… somewhere… somehow…
As for now, I just have to enjoy all the drama and challenges in this new endeavor. This hardship will eventually benefit the community.
When the going gets tough, the tough gets going…
