Fighting to be Free & Easy

I found some time in the midst of my chaos to write recount my war stories. The list below contains a list of all the activities that's been consuming me, though of course, it's not exhaustive. I'm sleep deprived, so I apologize for any of you who are ridiculous enough to read this for any uncomprehensible statements.

SGI. The training grounds. Lately I haven't been able to attend as many activities as I have wanted to due to the list of obligaitons below, but everytime I'm able to attend, I feel great. We had a great shakubuku meeting last wednesday at a YMD's house, and I found myself being encouraged just from being there. Somehow we lose the 'essence' of our buddhist practice in the monotony of day-to-day tasks. After the meeting, as with most, I felt a self-resurgance.
Also, every week we hold youth damikou toso and study sessions from 9am-12 on saturdays, and meet with chapter leaders on sunday from 7-9am. These have been critical in setting the rhythm for the weekend, which doesn'tfeel too much like a weekend because of the list below. And a home visit every tuesday night! These activities have sustained my well-being throughout the seemester, and without these I would be helpless!
We're also in the middle of looking for a community center to move into in January.

Moot Court Board. On a professional level, this is my most prized possession. As many of you know, I chanted and worked tirelessly to get onto the Board. Now that I'm on it, I'm consumed with all of its activities. For those of you who don't know what moot court board is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moot_court. As a part of the school team, three of us will be participating in the American Bar Association's National Appellate Advocacy Moot Court Competition (phew!). I dont remember where the local and regionaly rounds are held. I have a feeling the first round is in Boston, and the second round is in D.C. The final rounds, I believe, are held in Chicago. Either way, I'll be traveling a little in February :) The problem was just distributed this monday and, although I won't have time to look at it until finals are over, I'm excited!
Tomorrow, I'm helping another team practice their arguments, but I haven't read their briefs yet! Tonight will be a long night. Other than that, I'll be writing a brief of my own to test out a problem that the Board is distributing to professors as an assignment for first-years. We're still in the middle of writing and vetting the problem, but I think this should end by thanksgiving.

Teaching Fellow. This has by far taken the most energy and time. My primary task is to act as a Teaching Assistant to a Professor who teaches Legal Writing to first-year students. They have regularly due assignments and, on top of my regular school work, grading these memos take about 15 hours out of my week. It's great to know that I'm helping others write, which has always been a hobby of mine, but it takes a toll!

Research Assistant. As  posted earlier, I took a RA job with a Fullbright Professor who is going to China to teach. I don't regret taking the offer, but as wither everything else, it takes a substantial commmitment. Fortunately my professor isn't that hard on me in terms of timing, but preparing memos for her on community development and land use rights seems esoteric in the face of my job-hunt. Unfinished RA work, compounded by everything else, does a little something to stress levels!

Court internship. The best experience I've had interning has been here with the Federal District Court. I've learned a lot about the way that lawyers actually do things, which is nowhere near the hypos tested in law school. Because I recently took the MPREs, the multistate professional responsibility exam, I had to make up internship hours this past week. Now that I think about it, I only have a few more opportunities in the office before I end my internship right before thanksgiving. Better make the most of it.

Job Search. Ah-- the neverending search. The legal market's been hit hard. I try to apply to a few jobs every week, but the market is so saturated. I've talked to CDO, searched on symplicity and other job-search tools, but what I really need is more daimoku. Overcoming my fear of this will be critical in becoming a "capable person."

School. Goes without saying. I've fallen behind in some readings, and I need to catch up this weekend!

All in all, I don't really know how I'm doing what I'm doing, but this episode is almost over. Just a few more weeks. Ganbare, Kunimoto!