Skip to main content

First Month

Having been here a month, I'd say that I've acculturated to the pace of life and have gotten into a comfortable routine. On weekdays, this involves catching the trains to school, sticking around after class to get some studying done and then hopping on the evening train back home. Sometimes, I'd opt to eat in the city instead of home, but this usually involves the company of friends or classmates. Otherwise, I'd much rather go home to rest, relax and read.

Weekends are fun here in New York. One never runs out of things to do here especially on a Friday or Saturday night, the highlights so far are the bars in Williamsburg or Brooklyn, gallery hopping in Chelsea, eating out in Chinatown or just chillin' and having a meal or drink in the Village. Admittedly, I'm trying to cut down one expenditure so that means less alcohol and eating out. I've also been making full use of my membership at L.A. fitness, since the NYU recreation centre is a little too overcrowded for my taste.

So far, I'm happy with the progress I've made in school , which include keeping up with my readings, writing memos or being part of the Suspension Representation Project. I've developed a stronger work ethic and a sense of professionalism which I feel are inseparable in the practice of law. Attention to detail and time managements are two areas that I'm striving to improve in, but I'm sure more exposure to the right crowds and training will take care of that.

My short term prospects are bright since I've been blessed with two internships to two of Malaysia's leading law firms: Shearn Delamore and Skrine. I'll be heading over there this Summer for a span of three months (or possibly more). This trip will be pivotal for me, since as some of you may know, I have a heart to return to and work in my home country. My experience there will weigh heavily in my considerations for the future. Nevertheless, I am excited to return already to visit my relatives and friends, and to reconnect with those who are special to me.

I'll stop writing for now and return to what's left of my weekend. A recent skype call with a long time friend (knew her since I was 5 or 6) has reminded me to continue exercising humility and to demonstrate the willingness to learn from others or from my own mistakes. I've realized that being patient and maintaining a positive outlook on life makes my pursuit of happiness all the more worthwhile. Often, I'd wake up to discover that I'm already happy and so immensely blessed.

I miss my family and friends back home in Vancouver. Here's to all of us finding our peace and happiness in the course of our busy lives.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reflections on New York: Part 2

The Team Triumphant UBC Team with our 'Outstanding Delegation' in the United Nations Headquarters, Manhattan, New York. We represented the Republic of Madagascar in the National Model United Nations conference. (April 1st-5th 2012) This is Part 2 of my reflections. Before I dive into what it was like to live in New York, I would like to say a few things about the people I spent a week with. Needless to say, we performed very well and our awards are the fruits of our labour. What impressed me the most was that everyone recognized the importance of this trip and prepared accordingly through research, speech preps etc. Most importantly, all of them realized their potential and took their individual skill sets to new heights. As the team's academic 'trainer' and one of its members, I viewed our achievement as an unequivocal success. It makes me smile to think that this victory will serve as a cornerstone or stepping stone (call it whatever stone you desire), to

Daughter Facetiming her Mom

Sitting here in a deserted section of the study lounge, I'm feeling the urge to write about an interaction progressing and unfolding in front of me right now. At the risk of being offensive or politically incorrect (ala Alexandra Wallace from UCLA), I'm just going to say it here that this post is about someone whose culture I'm still trying to grasp and understand. Allow me to explain. I write to achieve an end, it's sort of unspoken, but when I write I'm usually trying to understand something better or to arrive at some sort of epiphany (there's my A. Wallace again). Anyway, here goes. A young Chinese girl, maybe 19, is seated about 5 feet away in front of me, long hair with blonde highlights (I think), sporting rimmed spectacles, clothed in a Star-patterned pink knit-sweater, blue jeans and fur Winter boots. That's her physical profile, but I'm honestly more interested in the activity she's engaging in. In between mouthfuls of Mcnuggets, she is h

One Week in Kampung Sait: Day 1

Today I depart for Kuching. I don't have many expectations for the trip, but it is my first time going to East Malaysia and living, for an an extended period of time, in an Orang Asal village. I'll be part of an expedition called 'Impian Sarawak'. Frankly speaking, it is a politically sponsored volunteer program to visit a village and assist in the building of a gravity feed water system while having an opportunity to live amongst the villagers there. I hope to observe and learn about how they live and carry out their respective responsibilities. At the same time, this is a momentous occasion for Malaysian history, insofar as 'change' is concerned. I hope that as ambassadors of a growing movement for change and as fellow Malaysians who are committed to bring about systemic change, we can bring that care and genuine support to the villagers. As we identify with their problems and plight, I hope that I can personally find a common ground on which I can fight along