And so it all begins again!

Lectures have begun and the work is already pilling on! Again welcome to uni life! For those of you who have just joined us I give you a hearty welcome and I hope you enjoy your time at uni. For a lot of people it has not been an easy journey but who said it would? As well as all the parties and those sorts of things which I do not actually indulge in make sure you focus on your studies because although some say first year does not count towards anything it does go on your record and writing from experience it is not worth screwing up your chances thus make sure you attend and participate. Sorry for being such a nag but once you enter your third year of Law you will realise how much all these words make so much sense.

My personal aim for this blog this year is to try and make the whole “getting a career” process a heck of a lot easier. I myself find it utterly confusing when everyone starts talking about LPC, BPVC, training contracts etc so as I educate myself on these issues I will be passing that information on to you but of course do not rely on my words. Make sure if indeed you are serious about a career in Law that you do your own research.

As you know last Friday was induction and we were privileged enough to have with us QC Tim Barnes who is Chair of University of Greenwich Law Advisory Forum, who shared his wonderful wealth of knowledge with us and regards our university very highly. In his own words he described our uni as having an “extremely high reputation” and in regards to our mooting society said “the standards of mooting at this university is extraordinarily high”. My reaction.... YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY

From my personal experiences I have had several negative comments about this uni which I do not agree with and to have someone such as Tim Barnes say such amazing things is simply amazing for lack of a better phrase. Am sure last year I mentioned we were privilege enough to have Lord Neuberger to visit us. So everyone watch out for people coming this year!

Among his advice the first thing he mentioned which to me is key, is the matter of confidence; one must have confidence in oneself, something of which I lack completely believe it or not. “Seek advice from anyone who can provide it. Do not be afraid to ask.” Time and time again I mention in these blogs to go to your tutors and ask for help etc maintain a relationship with them because you will need their support at some point or another. It is all about NETWORKING!

I know I am being very preachy/naggy but we have been given such a wealth of advice that I cannot keep it to myself. The moment QC began talking I thought of writing a blog based around the advice he has given us. Another issue he mentioned is as obvious as it may sound we all make silly mistakes but to double check your work for those irritating errors such as typos, grammar, punctuation etc.

Use your vacations/holidays wisely. Try and try and try to gain as much experience within the legal field. You will probably be rejected many many times but if you do not apply you will never know so go ahead and try.

And along with all the hard work do enjoy yourself. This is a once in a life time experience you will meet all kinds of people from all walks of life therefore make the most of it whilst you can. You only live once so seize every opportunity.

Third Year Finally :-D

Hi Everyone!

I realise it has been quite a while since I last updated the blogs. To be honest I was awaiting the results letter to come so I could have confirmation of whether or not I go into third year. Anyhooo WebCT says I have passed so now I just await the letter. So Yaaay I guess. That was really hard.

I have also decided what my final modules will be and they are as follows: Family, Company and Partnership Law and placement (Law in the Community) and of course equity is compulsory.

Unfortunately as it hasn’t been much of a summer much of the things I wanted to do have not come to fruition, alas but never mind there will be plenty more opportunities in the near future. The days have been mostly filled with job applications, flat hunting and watching Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple and Poirot.

I would like to consider myself a movie buff so here are some of my favourite all time movies perhaps you all may enjoy:

·         You Can’t Take It With You

·         What Dreams May Come

·         Mr Deeds Goes to Town (the old black and white one)

·         Bringing up Baby

·         It’s a wonderful life

·         It happened one night

As you may come to realise these are mostly old black and white classic movies most of which are by Frank Capra (one of the best talents ever) which are probably better than most of the movies that come out nowadays.

A couple of weeks ago the last of the kittens finally went to his new home L but below are some pics of his time with me. I miss my lil babies so much but I know they have all gone to new happy homes.

In regards to starting third year I have mixed feelings towards starting the new academic new: scared, apprehensive, nervous, excited but yes, mostly terrified. I realise the mistakes I have been making over the last few years and look to correcting this in the months to come. I am sure you all share some of these feelings. Pray tell how do you all feel about starting?

Much Ado About Nothing & Carnival

Hi Everyone!

It seems to have a very long time since I last updated these blogs. In all honesty I have not been up to much. I have written an article for Sui Generis, the law paper for our uni, hopefully it will be used so if it does I’ll let you all know.

As for third year results shall hopefully be out next week and this time let us hope I actually pass and get in. I have been think a lot about my options and am contemplating whether or not I should go for the placement or not. I thought it would be a good idea to network and make contacts to help me further my career in law but on the other hand I much prefer the idea of studying the academics in more detail. Placement requires me to keep an up to date log and well the last three years have shown me that I cannot do this well so perhaps it is not the best of options. My other options are: Evidence, Family and Company and Partnership law. But as of yet I still have not made up my mind.

Last weekend was the carnival, the first one I have ever been to and it was so much fun. So nice to see so much talent, music and just a friendly gathering of so many people just out dancing and having a good time. I also went salsa the other night which was so much fun. Greenwich itself has a Zumba society to if you are joining us this year check it out J

Criminal Law Exam II

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Omg! My exam is this week! L

Part of me feels so panicky and the other half honestly does not care anymore. I am at a point, actually I think I’ve been at this point for a very long time, but I no longer really know if I am smart or clever or even wise. I just say a lot of things that I believe in whether am good at it or not is always for someone else to judge I suppose. Where was I going with this? Oh yes! Well I would love to pass but I have failed so many times I think part of me expects myself to fail because that seems to be what I am really good at. At the moment I am too hyped up on nerves for that to depress me or perhaps I am just so use to this thought that maybe it no longer bothers me. Who knows? What’s the word am looking for? Paradox? Yes I think that is it.

So criminal is on the 18^th August I hope you are all keeping your fingers and toes crossed for me. I really need it. Doing law has been my one and only ambition (apart from helping others etc) let’s hope I make it.

I did make use of one of my lecturers. He has such an amazing brain. The whole department have such amazing minds. Being in there presence I feel like a pebble compared to a mountain. So I wrote a few answers to some past exams questions. And guessy what? For rape I actually got & 72% yea miracles do happen and hard work does pay off. Of course there were some criticisms and also perhaps the fact that I did not do it under timed conditions may have helped in getting that grade. For the other paper which was duress by threats paper I got 64%. Now that’s all well and good but I do certainly hope I can manage that for my actual exam.

Oh here is a really useful tip: when you commence second year you might want to consider getting a mini suitcase thingy because carrying all those books can be quite heavy and bad for your back if like me you put all the weight on one shoulder.

If like me you are doing re-sits then I wish you all the very best of luck

P.s  Who likes the pics?

Third Riot, More to Come?

Yet again I find myself writing to you about the events of last night. Another night of mindless rioting. When will it end? This year 2010/2011 has been atrocious both personally and globally. I hope this nonsense shall end.

Despite wanting others to stay indoors and others warning me I did venture out initially to take pictures but my destination diverted to see my girl. But I must admit it was terrifying, perhaps I was watching too much news and seeing too many posts on Face Book and Twitter but what I saw speaks for itself. So many groups of youths some in balaclavas and others openly with them heading towards Wood Green, some on foot and others on bikes or in cars. My heart racing I focused on getting to my destination. Who knew that the mindless thugs would spread now hitting East Ham, Croydon, Peckham, Lewisham, Birmingham and Liverpool. Yet again more houses are set alight and people being robbed even whilst injured. Why do we have a group of mindless young folk acting out in such a despicable manner? They surely do not represent the rest of us who have ambition, who have manners and respect?

Walking down the high street this morning was weird, on a day like this it should be packed with families, youngsters and masses of people but it is unusually quote. There are still some thugs about; two were inciting the public to join the rioting. For shame!

At a time like this we need to come together as a community and clean up this mess. I would also like to clean up the thugs but let us leave that to the hands of the law and hope that justice shall be eked out swiftly and severely. Let us not forget the words of Lord Philip

“Justice must not only be done but should manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done.”

Seeing the Damage

Ok now I know I have just written a blog about this but I just went out to the local library and also met up with a friend so we could see the damage done. I should have taken pictures but the thought only just crossed my mind.

We walked around Wood Green and it is an appalling sight. So many shops have been looted, windows have been broken, so much stuff has been stolen, it is terrible. Carpetright and all the flats above it have been completely burnt to a crisp, the only thing that remains on the streets are remnants of bricks. When will the people learn? Amongst the retail casualties: HMV, JD Sports, Body Shop, N22, H&M amongst the few to name.

Our community in complete shatters. But then whilst walking down the high road everyone muddles through and tries to carry on as normal, you can feel the tense atmosphere, business is slow and some shops closed. Dark clouds above us and the heat of the night is still amongst us. People are thinking how long will this carry on? Let yesterday night be the last. So many areas have been hit by these mindless thugs: Tottenham, Wood Green, Enfield, Edmonton, Ponders End, Brixton and all the while the question on the public’s mind is why wasn’t anything done to prevent this atrocity?

We are living in hard times. Jobs are scarce, the price of education unfortunately has risen at an all time high, public spending has been so severely hacked at that we find ourselves asking what hope is there left? 75% of the budget for youth services slashed. When will the powers that be hear the voice of the ones that put them there? Don’t forget if they made you then they can break you.

Once the people are hungry enough they will come fighting. Let us hope things change quickly for the better soon.

For Shame Tottenham!

Dear Tottenham,

What on Earth is wrong with you?! The events of the last few nights have been appalling to say the least. I am disgraced and ashamed at everything that has happened. As if things weren’t bad enough already now it has got worse and I know for sure that we have not seen the last of it.

The streets were deserted, shops looted, businesses ransacked and homes burnt to cinders. Why? Why? Why? Are our lives so fickle that people must move to such stupid measures? Can people not realise that such idiotic acts will not get anyone anywhere? There is only so much violence and thoughtless acts will get you. Fair enough you may be angry and feel things are unjustified but ruining other people’s lives and means of livelihood will make them hate you all the more and these are the people whose support you really need.

But who am I kidding? I am talking to an audience that is not listening, that will not get this message. And yet as always I try.

I have grown up and lived in north London for the fair majority of my life and never have I seen such disgraceful acts right on my door step. Like I said to those of you who read this there is something that our educational establishments cannot teach and that is: courtesy, manners, chivalry, honesty, bravery.... you catch my drift?

Let there be no more of these mindless acts, let there be no more unjustified hate, no more relentless anger.

I am not saying don’t be angry or to ignore the other side’s wrong doing. I am merely saying as many before me have said to use that anger in a constructive manner that will not harm other people’s lives. We need to come together not to go loot Wood Green or Tottenham High Road and burn people’s homes but to strengthen our community, to make our streets safer to walk in, for the next generation to be able to play freely in. We should be proud of our diverse multi-culturism, it should not be something that racist people can attack us on and say to us to go back to our own country. We make London what it is.... diverse, friendly but most importantly welcoming to all others. We need to come together to reinforce this because this is what we really are.