Week two on the west coast.

As far as transitioning into a new life where I don't have any friends, contacts (outside of family an hour away) or knowledge...it's been a breeze. Since I've moved out here into the suburbs of eastern Los Angeles (note: 'suburbs' cannot be compared at all to those in TN. Suburbs here have a millions of people and cannot be differentiated aesthetically at all from metropolitan LA), it's been mostly business: buying all the necessary goods required of a new house, driving around learning about my area and preparing myself for my first year of law school.

I'll start with law school. I am taking a mock course, 'Legal Analysis and Writing.' It's a three week course (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings 6-9PM) taught by a professor from USC that consists generally of tort and criminal law cases. Each class requires reading of 3-4 cases that we are to brief and/or memo. During class, we analyze each and every possible aspect of the case. In addition, our professor prepares us for what we are to expect from our actual professors this fall. Each class, we are individually challenged (a euphemism for intellectually demolished in front of the class) on our briefing on each case. We have an exam upon completion of the course.

I can see why legal training for attorneys can be compared to physical training for the armed forces. The training is rigorous and competitive; an examination of endurance and will. This 'training' ignites a spirit of competition in myself that not many other facets of my life offer. I have to constantly be on my guard and prepared for absolutely anything that comes my way.

Apart from school, news is pretty good. My first week was painfully dull, with my time spent outside of class and errands in constant desperation for something productive to do. I spent some hours reading, setting up my stereo system, watching TV (a rarety for me outside college sports) and playing guitar.

Socially, things have really gone well, even this week. Not to sound narcisstic, but networking has never been a concern of mine (in fact, I view it as a distraction because I enjoy it so much). The first week was quite boring, as I stayed home. However, I've become on name basis with most of the 30 students in my class and become good friends with my future roommate Natalie, who moves in next week. I hung out with Natalie and a few of her friends in Orange County yesterday, and am going to Knott's Berry Farm (theme park) and the beach with some of her friends on Sunday.

As far as thoughts politically....I have quite a few, but this post is long enough. I'll wait for another day.

In conclusion, things are going great. I love my new life, but I miss Tennessee and every one of my friends back home. I am sure this year is going to go by fast...all I have to do is work my butt off and evaluate my situation in about ten months. If I succeed, rank high enough and find that law school is right for me, I can consider transferring to a nationally reputable school. The good news is that I am certainly not wasting my time...and in respect to a full tuition ride and future opportunities, not much money this year, either.