On December 14, 2011, I became a lawyer. A full-on licensed attorney. In fact, just the other day, I drafted a letter with Esq. at the end of my name. I felt this weird sense of fulfillment, more than I felt at my swearing-in ceremony. I'm sure that excitement will last but a few days.
There you have it. But I remember mentioning to someone that, after fighting for such a long time for something, once you get it, it sort of seems so natural - as if you were always going to do it from the start. That is, if you actually put in the faith, endurance, and courage to do it - no matter how grueling it may be - that process is what you remember more than anything. The results sort of just happen, and sometimes too fast for you to really know what just happened.
But that's how it should be. It makes me more humble. And it confirms the reality that, in the end, status and titles are secondary to your character. So here I am, Eric Kunimoto - the same son of my parents, and the same stubborn yet persistent middle-child from Ellicott City. Thank you for everyone who have allowed me to become who I am. I promise to be a contributing and happy lawyer.
Boss took us out to the new Phillips at the Harbor. Excellent!
Of course, with every new ending, there is a new beginning. There are many things in front of me, such as my employment situation next year, etc. And maybe it's because I'm on winter break, or maybe it's because I'm high on tea, but I feel very excited for this year.
In response to a few messages I sent Sensei over the course of Bar Prep and the Bar results, I received a message and picture from Shinanomachi, from him, which reads:
共々に
創価の同志と
三世まで
断固勝ちゆく
勝利王たれ
The message also includes a beautiful picture of Mount Fuji. I will definitely frame this - it is a life treasure from my mentor.
Every Sunday, after watching a good days worth of football (if I have the chance), I'll take a deep breath, and begin mentally preparing for the onslaught that the week will bring.
Of course, a lot has been happening. My last post was about 朝ゴンhelping. Almost instantaneously, I've gotten some results. On Thursday, I went to a Baltimore City Bar Association event at the Silo Point Penthouse and met my old internship boss at the City Law Department. I established a really close relationship with her and the rest of the office, so I was very happy to see her at the event as well. According to her, there are some potential employment opportunities that may pop up and she's been recommending me left and right. The jobs are right up my alley - they involve zoning and land use matter.
@ Silo Point
I also started karate again, and I think I'm progressing fast. It's been nice to have something to look forward to, and also a reason to get back into shape. I'm nearly back to a full split and the Senseis have recognized my potential, or so I think. Last Saturday's class was cancelled due to a Shodan Belt Test. Five people earned their black belt. It was enjoyable watching the testing :)
The biggest news is that my older brother is moving to Santa Monica. He was selected as the YMD Study Fellow. It'll last 2 years. There are, of course, collateral effects of his moving to California, so I have to prepare for more here after he leaves. I'm happy for him. If I had to choose one person to establish a solid study program for the SGI-USA, there's no doubt that I would choose him. He's moving at the end of the year, so that makes two Kunimoto's within a few months of each other moving to Cali.
We've had a bunch of going-away celebrations for him. Just yesterday, we got together with a few of the YMD leaders at Matthews 1600, a local restaurant/bar in Catonsville. It was nice to chill and do some good ol' heart-to-heart, but I drank one too many (which is, for me, one beer).
Justin and Richard
This wednesday will mark the first official step of my professional career as an attorney. I'll be sworn-in on Wednesday in Annapolis, and will become an Esquire! As much as I would like to be excited, I can't get myself pumped up since all the hard work was done earlier this year. This Wednesday is just a formality, but it certainly is a big step for me :)
At yet another going-away for my older bro, I had time to reflect with some other members about the contributions that he has made to this region, and it's made me realize how fortunate I am to have grown up in this family and in my circumstances. For all the problems that an older brother creates, to be a younger brother of someone who pushes himself for kosen-rufu is truly, truly a humbling experience. Aside from my mother, my brothers have had the most positive impact in my life because of their connection to Sensei. So, thank you to my family.
I forced Ryan to take a picture with me at Daniel's going away at the Community Center.
Finally, "Headlights," by Monkey Majik, which I referred to a month ago, is finally out in its full version! Check out the PV and a cover by CREAM.
In the literal sense, that's what I've been training to do in my karate class. Just the idea of going to class get's me excited. I even trained today. I do this obscure exercise I created back when I was in highschool - I put leg weights around my ankles, place a stool or chair about two feet in front of me, and do roundhouse kicks over the chair. The motions have to be slow and controlled. It has always helped me with my form, but it ultimately helps with power. The point of the exercise is not to touch chair, obviously, but also extend out to a full roundhouse, and return back to starting position. It trains an obscure part of your body - the sides of your gluts - which many people overlook (and laugh at). In fact, it's one of the most important muscles for effective roundhouses. I abused that kick in tournaments, and it always caught people off guard.
Obviously, I'm glad I started karate again.
But I'm "fighting" in a more general sense as well. I've been having a tough time at work for various reasons, and I knew in my head that I needed to start my day with strong daimoku, but I never got myself to get up on time to chant. Of course, when it dawned upon me too late that I could simply ask my SGI fam for support, a men's division leader extended a helping hand. So I got up at 5am, drove to his place, and chanted for an hour. I thought that the first day would be difficult, but actually, I had so much more energy today than I've experienced for quite some time. I even got to exercise, like I said before.
And maybe it's the combination of the two happenings I mentioned above, but I'm not stressing out about my ambitions. I have this bad tendency to fret over things that I want to achieve - which, objectively, seems ridiculous now that I say it. Shouldn't I enjoy pursuing things I want? But that's I feel right now.
For example, there are a handful of firms I would love to work for around D.C., and I have no problem with the fact that I may have to provide free labor for them before I can land a job with them. It's actually exciting - the idea that I would be building experience and earning some survival money on the side waiting tables. I figure, I'm young, I'm reckless, and I should embrace the struggles in my professional life.
But that embrace is only possible because, I guess, I am doing what I need to do now. Which reminds me that I need to save money in case I am jobless for a bit :)
"Most things begin here in the city.
When the A train runs uptown
it rattles am orchard in Texas
causing fruit to fall from trees.
And when a glass of beer is knocked
over in a bar on Tenth Avenue the sunset
spills across the sly on the West Coast."
