So I just signed in, to see that my last post was posted on May 12 or something. Do I suck at posting, or what? (Although to be fair, I think it was even before that that most of the people who will read this posted so I guess I'm not that bad :p)
The problem is, I really don't have that much exciting to update. I guess the biggest and most important thing is that I got an articling position, starting next August. I know, it's totally crazy that the whole articling position search happens this summer, when we don't even start working until next summer. But that's the legal profession for you - nothing if not a big fan of ridiculous, extensive rules!
So I'm going to be working at a firm in Ottawa, and I'm really, really excited about it. I only applied to a couple of firms in Ottawa, because I didn't know if I really wanted to go to that city (even though I do love it there and have family there) and, yes I'll be honest, be that far away from Adam. So to be completely honest, I was kind of looking at that interview (it was my first one) as a 'practice one', and I almost even cancelled! But thank frigging goodness I decided to go, because the minute I got there I could tell that I would like it. The people were so laid-back and non-pretentious (trust me, I've been at enough firms in downtown Toronto to recognise the difference!), even though it's a huge firm and the Ottawa office is actually the national headquarters. This is a perfect example of the firm in Ottawa: the building they're in is on Elgin, just a few blocks from the Parliament buildings, all that stuff, so they have every reason to be pretentious. But I walked into that building in a full business suit, and people in the building (not in the firm, but still) were looking at me funny for being so dressed up! You go into a building of a Bay Street firm in Toronto, not wearing a suit, and people will look at you funny! So I immediately felt comfortable.
Then, the interview was so much fun. There was a lot of laughing and joking, and the people were SO nice. I met with the Director of Student Affairs (she is so nice, it's incredible, but also I think one of those no-nonsense people, which I totally appreciate!), and the head partner of their IP section (Intellectual property - as in what I want to do for the rest of my life, probably), and another partner from that section, and an associate from that section. So I'm taking that to mean that they're pretty much hiring me to work in the IP area, although I'll still have to do a rotation in the 'business law' and 'advocacy' areas as well. We also talked almost exclusively about IP (when we were talking about law stuff), so that was a big sign too that that's what they want me for. They have a really good IP department, especially since the Ottawa office is their national office, so it'll be an amazing experience for me to be able to learn the ropes there!
I managed to convince them that I wasn't a huge Toronto person, which is true, but I think everyone says that so they don't necessarily believe it. I would be completely content to not ever work in Toronto, although I probably will end up there eventually down the road. But I have no aching desire to be one of the Bay Street folks, and Ottawa is a seriously beautiful city (although I guess I don't really have to say that to most of the people who will read this!).
So yeah, basically, I'm excited! Next spring I will graduate, hopefully with honours (which I will need when I decide to go back and do my Masters and PhD), then I will do the Bar Licensing examinations for May, June and July, then in August I will move to Ottawa and start the practical side of learning to be a lawyer! And none of my Ottawa friends will be there anymore, which sucks, and a few of my family members won't be there anymore because they've moved to Guelph (haha, kind of ironic, so close to Toronto), but I still have some family and friends there, so I'm sure I'll have fun. Oh, and a girl in my class at law school is working there this summer (at the same firm), and is staying for articling, and I really like her, so that'll be fun!
So that's my big news.
The other big, exciting thing that happened to me this summer didn't actually happen to me, I just got to witness it. My best friend from back home got married! And I got to be the Maid of Honour!! It was SOO much fun, and one of the best weddings I've ever been to. It was pretty informal and laid-back (that's twice I've used that word in one posting!), but very pretty, and everything went pretty much exactly as the bride and groom wanted, which is amazing and rare!
I'm not going to post pictures of the wedding on here (except for one), because they're all posted on my facebook and those of you who don't have access to that can just contact me if you want to see pictures. But I am going to post one of me and the bride:
Isn't she a beautiful bride?? I love the colour combination of the yellow and the pink. So Melissa, and so pretty! Anyway, it was a lot of fun, the whole weekend, and I am SO, SO glad that I got to be there for it.Other that than, I really have no news. I've been working on my golf game (I now own my own clubs, gloves, tees, balls, and golf bag - yes, I'm becoming a true yuppie), and I'm getting better although obviously I still suck. But considering now I've played about 10 games of golf in my entire life, I think I'm pretty good for that little experience! But yes, I do still suck. I play with Adam mostly, which is good because I don't feel any pressure then, and he's really good about helping when I want help but saying nothing when I don't - he would be such a good teacher, if he didn't dislike kids so much! hahaha.... But yeah, I actually really enjoy playing golf, which is kind of strange since I don't like any other sports, but I guess golf is a different enough sport that someone like me can still be good at it (someday...).
Mmmmm... yup, that's about it. I spent my summer doing a fairly small amount of work, since the professor I was researching for was away most of the summer and didn't have much for me to do. I still got paid the whole time, which I was feeling guilty about until I remembered that I pay $12,000 a year for tuition, and the school is paying me for my summer work since it's work study, so I say to hell with the guilt! So mostly I spent a lot of time watching tv, playing on the computer (and yet I still didn't manage to blog), and travelling to Guelph and/or Toronto to see my man. I also got to go home a few times, which was nice, since usually it's a once-a-summer trip to see my parents. But my sister has a boyfriend who lives up there now (since last September, actually), so she wants to go up a lot, and when the two of us rent a car it's the same price or even a bit less than taking the greyhound.
Okay, so now that really is it. If I think of anything else interesting (although maybe this isn't even interesting!), I'll write it, but I doubt I will!
