September 1st….

Allow me to reintroduce myself
- Jigga

If you have been following my twitter, you would have realize that my summer was jam-packing with less exciting activities. It started off in Geneva for a mandatory class trip and it’s now ending with me packing up to head to Washington, DC for a three-month long internship. In between, I worked on getting the said internship among others, that transitioned to many job applications and interviews that led to one awesome job offer, while trying to balance finishing up my last class assignment, writing and re-writing my thesis proposal leading to the eventual throw-my-hands-up-in-the-air moment, revising for my LSAT and my side hustles  - admin jobs.

Needless to say, I had an eventful summer. As a result, this blog suffered.

Lately, I have been toying with the idea of just letting this blog die, like the rest of my blog attempts. After, reading my incredible little cousin’s blog, YoCellie just a couple of days ago, I decided to give it another go but change the rules a little bit. Instead of concentrating only on my attempts at law school and my opinions of trade issues, I am going to bring it more closer to home and talk about my life in a limited way because I juggle so many things and have so many goals.

Since, I am a list girl who loves goals. I am going to base my blog around all the things I would like to accomplish this Fall.

My Online Writing and Presence

I always liked the idea of keeping a personal blog about my life. I had a livejournal in college (yes, kicking back to the old school) and I love going back and reading to posts. I grew so much in college and learnt so many lessons. It’s nice to be back and just reflect on that period of my life.

In this blogging attempt,  I am going to take a way less personal approach. This will remain quasi-anonymous (no names, no face pictures, not too much detail). However, I will talk about my life and its happenings. I will also be keeping a tumblr that will be more visual featuring more of my causal interests of popular culture, music, fashion and politics with dashes of personal pictures and adventures.

I am also going to be working on a more professional collaborative blog with a few classmates and colleagues talking about issues facing our region. It is really an attempt to give young professionals working in economic and social development an outlet for their viewpoints on pressuring issues facing the region. You probably won’t get to see that blog. *sorry* I am definitely going to take everything I learned from running this blog and utilizing social media  into that project.

LSAT and Law School

As this blog title implies, one of my goals is to study law to complement my Masters in Trade Policy, to enhance my skill set within the area. Hence, I am taking my dreaded LSAT that I have been postponing for about 3 years now. All summer, I have been reading and going over the Logical Reasoning aspect of it and developing a comfort level with the exam. However, my whole study schedule has change numerous times, due to … well just read my earlier posts.  Finally, I decided to push it back to December 2010 when I confirmed my internship position in Washington, DC.

So I have revamped my LSAT Schedule and I will concentrate that aspect of my blog in providing helpful insights that I may come across about studying for the exam. You can read my earlier blogs because I covered a bit on my progress this summer. I decided to spend about three hours at least three times a week on it, while using my weekend time to take tests.

Being in DC, I would also get the chance to visit a couple of law schools with trade law specialties. Even tho, my heart is set on studying in NY. I have registered for the official LSAC Law School Forum and Mid-Atlantic Pre-Law Conference. I plan to work on about two applications for schools I wouldn’t mean starting school in Fall 2011, if time and obligations permits. It’s a Plan C.

My Internship/Networking/Job Hunt

Well, the grind continues. As I mentioned I will be interning with an international/regional organisation within a Department that deals with an issue very relevant to my region and linked with trade in services (the final topic of my paper) as the last part of my Masters programme. However, it will be a great platform to do my least favorite thing – networking. Although I have a job offer that still in the negotiations stage, I still have to keep my options open.  Building a career is a hell of a process.

Spanish

My Spanish oral skills are horrible! Even tho, my written and comprehension are so much better. The organisation I am interning with is predominately Spanish so what good am I if i don’t attempt to speak to my fellow interns in their native tongue *roll my eyes* — So I am loading up Radio Lingua Coffee Break Spanish podcasts for my morning commutes and hoping for the best.  Pray for me.

Book List

I am a reading junkie, however, I have been neglecting my hobby for a while aka about a year and half. So I am going to try to read a couple of books that I have been meaning to read or re-read.

One L – Scott Turow
I have yet to finish this book, I have been reading and losing and picking back up this book for about a year and half now.

The House of Mirth – Edith Wharton
According to The New Yorker’s Book Bench, it is the must read for the must-read book for all jeunes filles à marier in their twenties and it was on my bookshelf. I was begging to be read…
The Mimic Men – V.S. Naipaul
One of my favorite books by my favorite author. This summer, I found myself picking it up and just reading passages and having a slight aha moment. So I deserves a proper read through.
The Deep End of the Ocean – Jacquelyn Mitchard
I have been threatening to read Oprah’s Book Club selections for years now. Since her show is ending, better late than never and why not start from the beginning.
The Audacity of Hope – Barack Obama
I will be in DC and I plan on going to Chicago to see Northwestern. I think that warrants a re-read.
Hardball For Woman: Winning at the Game of Business – Pat Heim
Another one from my bookshelf…begging to the read since I am going into the jaws of an international organisation.
Through the Window – Floree Williams
This is a late addition. A book by one of my childhood friends.

My Life

In between all of this, life will happen – my frequent trips to see my long-term boyfriend in NY (my favourite city of all time), best friends and college roommates, my times of dismay and my explorations of a new city….

See Me Luck!

Guess Who’s Back?!?

“Experience is a brutal teacher, but you learn. My God, do you learn.”
— C.S. Lewis

So I have taken a long long break! I have been researching my not-quite-finished paper and just dealing with life circumstances. I have decided to push back my LSAT to December because I will be starting an internship in DC around the same time of the October LSAT date. Therefore, I didn’t want the pressure of the exam along with starting a new experience and moving so I am pushing it back to the endtail of my internship.

I have re-engineered my LSAT schedule and extended it to the December LSAT Date but I am already behind in my schedule. I really need to work on my time management. :-/

Last week, I finished up the Logical Reasoning First Family of Question Types, excluding Flaw in Reasoning question type. However, I didn’t get a chance to work on the Prep Test Sections. – ekk! I did particularly well with these question types. I am still getting the hang of Method of Reasoning questions but I did particularly well with Parallel Reasoning questions surprisingly. I killed Point of Issue types but those questions have always been my strong point. (the most abstract question type – go figure!!) I am also trying to continuously review the points on Conditional Reasoning and Causality because these pointers are the key to my improved progress in these question types. I just need to practice practice practice.

Tonight, I am going to work on a page with the results of my two previous Prep Test Sections with the question types that I got wrong. I have realized when I revise a certain question type section that my accuracy improves — the ultimate goal at this stage of studying. I am also going to try and revise some of the LSAT posts from LSAT Blog.

Next week, I am going to work on Flaw in Reasoning and Weaken Chapters, as well as the chapter on Numbers and Percentages but the main focus will be on completing as many Prep Test Sections as possible.

I have also included interesting blogs, mainly dealing with LSAT prep and updated my blog roll, but I have included one or two about the experience of law school or just random experiences in general. They are quite informative and some are really funny.

Wish me luck, folks.
Miss. B

Interests..Interests..Interests

From studying political science and going through trade issues in my current degree, I have come to one conclusion national interests are no differ from corporate interests.

Reading and watching this whole BP mess unfold, it just heartbreaking, especially when you see pictures of innocent wildlife just suffering. I can’t believe there are people out there who are chastising Obama for his comments because if I was in his position, I would want to know who’s ass to kick too. When it all boils down to it, once again a big corporation was trying to maximise its profits in the short term while not looking at the long time effects.

In trade, this seems to be the recurring theme of the current multilateral trade negotiations, Doha Development Round. The current impasse that is holding up the conclusion of the round is vastly blamed on the United States and other developed countries in their unwillingness to seek a compromise position on many issues. This is because they are ‘protecting their national interest’, resulting in a reactionary defense of  developing countries to halt any further concessions or negotiating positions that could move the process forward.

A clear example - Brazilian Cotton Case against US subsidies programmes

In a recent editorial in the Washington Post, the editor commented on the wastefulness of the cotton subsidies programme that is now costing the US $147.3 million more per year, in addition to, its subsidies payments. Even tho, National Cotton Council of America claims that farmers are getting zero payments this year. All in the name of where the interests lie, and it is obvious that those cotton farmers lobbyist on Capital Hill are gifted in the act of suasion.

Yet, in a recent consultation of the Sub-Committee on Cotton to review trade distorting policies, the US failed to make a substantial commitment to rectifying the issue. Although they have committed to do so  as part of the agreement in the Brazil cotton case.

In comparison, the US government is playing the same type of ‘weaving and bobbing’ game with developing countries at a multilateral level that BP is playing with the American people. I am not saying that what BP is doing can be justified because it can’t. However, what the US is doing to developing countries in the trade arena cannot be justified either because ultimately they are playing with the lives of people in the South, which is more than 2/3 of the world’s population on rough estimate.  All in the name of national interests….

Up Next:- ‘don’t get mad, get strategic – my people of the South’

Geneva….Land of Trade Negotiations

For the past nine months, I have been engrossed in trade issues for a Masters programme at a University somewhere in the prettiest region in the world – ok, maybe I am a little biased. As part of our graduation requirements, for the latter part of May 2010, I have been touring  international organisations affiliated with trade issues in developing countries.

Disclaimer: – For the last part of 2010, my goal is to be more positive as I have a tendency to accentuate the negative rather than the positive. So I will start with the positive aspects of the trip.

Geneva is amazing. It is one of those cities that you have to see in person, not for a day or two but really intermingle with the people and the culture. It is definitely the most pristine cities I have ever been, with an unreal element to it, kind of like Disney World without the rides. Sometimes, you may venture into an area that is less immaculate than say, Palais de Nations or Rive but it still has a kind of order, and cleanliness that is so not real but comforting.

Switzerland, on a whole, is an interesting country. I ventured on my free weekend to Lausanne, Montreux, and Vevey. All the cities were an experience, but Vevey was breathtaking. The walk on their lakefront is the most serene experience. It’s like you found a little secret of nature because the Alps were so close, you felt like you could just reach out and touch them. I could have sat on that lakeside forever, listening to Bob Marley. It is the same feeling I have when I return to the beach after a long absence.

However, Geneva was not all play but work and study too. We were hosted by the UNCTAD Virtual Institute and most of our sessions were in the famous Green Room, where the negotiations for the formation of the League of Nations were held.  The history in the whole compound of Palais de Nations was amazing. Historically, it beats the UN HQ in New York hands down but even though, we were there during an annual WTO conference, you didn’t feel the electricity associated with being around ambassadors and diplomacy that is synonymous with the UN HQ.

We were introduced to the work of UNCTAD, particularly the programmes providing specific technical assistance in competition policy, business links of SMEs and TNCs, creative economy and other areas related to building and diversifying trade in developing countries. In addition, we took site visits to and were briefed on the work of WIPO, IOM, ILO, ITC and think-tanks, like South Centre and ICTSD. However, our trip to the WTO was like  a pilgrimage to mecca for us because we have been working from WTO agreements from the beginning of our studies.

Needless to say, we enjoyed the experience of visiting and engaging with professionals in their field. However, here is the rub. We learned very little added knowledge, because i don’t think that the presenters knew that we were Masters students in trade policies so certain issues we would know like the back of our hand, especially for developing countries.  In addition, we are introduced to a lot of programmes and resources that could aid our region in facilitating trade and when we inquired about the region’s participation, it seem like the region didn’t exist. Now, I understand that enhancing the profile of small states, such as the Caribbean, is a task in itself in a world being run by developed countries and slowly being taken over by the BRIC countries, Brazil, Russia, India and China and the SouthEast countries, who are just as small as our islands but a hundred times more strategic.  However, excuses are for losers and our region has been pumping out intellectuals and university graduates for almost a century now. We have Noble Peace Prize winners and internationally known experts in almost every field, yet we clearly not on anyone’s purview.

A week into our trip, we definitely got our moment in the spotlight with the unrest and state of emergency in Jamaica. What a time to be overseas, when your region is making headlines on major news stations and front page of every newspaper.

However, the trip was a little bit of an awakening for me. I have been toying with the idea of staying in the region and building my career here but I realize I have to know the beast to conquer it metaphorically. I need the exposure outside of the region to understand what to do inside of the region.

Word of the Day: Procrastination

So what did I do today? Nothing. I had big plans today too. *sigh * Mypost-exam exhaustion was more serious than I let on, a week and a half after the fact. The only cures are Law and Order: Criminal Intent, chocolate and sleep.

As a result, I may have to push my LSAT Schedule a little further back than I would like, but these are the stories of my life. Thank God for the scheduled ‘Catch-up Weeks.’ I am leaving on a little class field day across the Atlantic in two days. I was holding out that between the Eyjafjallajökull’s Ash and British Airways strike-loving crew that I would get off scot-free to buckle down on a routine of writing, job seeking and LSAT. Anyways, I am counting our blessings and making it work.

Hopefully, by Thursday, I would be able to put in at least three hours of LSAT in between the hairdresser and packing. During my long plane ride, I have to put in at least five or so hours with my LSAT books and the rest on working on my thesis. Tomorrow is scheduled as the run-around day.

In other news, in between the 1009334 terrorist attempts in Times Square New York and the sporadic once a month natural disasters around the world,
- UK managed to agree open a new PM, a Torie, David Cameron leading a coalition government.
- EU agreed and approved a 440 billion Euros plan to stabilize the European’s shaky economies.
- China has rebounded into a trade surplus * surprise surprise*

However, the nomination of Elizabeth Kagan for the newly open seat of 90-year-old, highest GPA in Northwestern Law School, Justice Stevens. Even tho, I was tad disappointed that the nominee wasn’t a person of color, it was quelled at the fact that she is woman, with an activist background. On the ironic side, I was so disillusioned at the fact that if Kagan is appointed, the US Supreme Court would now consist of three Princeton undergrads and all from Ivy Law School graduates – 5 Harvard Law, 3 Yale Law and 1 Columbia Law. When you really analyse this little statistic, it speaks volumes about how seemingly like-minded these ‘interpreters of the Constitution ‘ really are or could be… A thing that makes you go ummmm….

Time for some winks of sleep.
Starry Nights

“Indecision is the graveyard of good intentions”

No one would ever believe that my relationship with the LSAT started some four years ago at a Barnes and Noble table on 66th and Broadway with a hot chai tea and a sugar cookie. This just a couple weeks after taking the United Nations Competitive Recruitment Exam that humbled me to say the least. As a consequence, I decided to move steadfastly unto Plan M, Law School, after being coaxed by friends and my boyfriend over many brunches, lunches, picnics and tears.

I remember staring at the Princeton Review LSAT book for about 30 minutes chanting ‘I think I can…I think I can…I think I can’ in my head. After reading, and revising the exercises diligently, I decided to take a practice test and to my surprise I scored in the 75 percentile range.  I thought it was a fluke so I kept it as the most guarded secret. Sure enough, the next test was in even lower range and much more ego damaging.

I keenly decided that Princeton Review was not working for me and moved on to Kaplan, and then life happened. New York became a chore for me after only a year. It still exhilarated me, but in a jarring way. Home was calling with its pleasant weather, and nurturing ways. I abandoned ship and went running back to my island home, while taking study guidance from Kaplan and watching my score and percentile range drop with each timed test. I quickly rushed an application to the regional University for its Bachelor of Laws (LLB) first degree and tossed my KapIan book aside.

Then indecision set in, the questions started to roll through my head like a ticker.
Do I really want another first degree?
Do I really want to spend another five years in school to get it?
Would it make my first a waste of time and resources?
Was the legal profession for me?
Would this degree put me in an uncomfortable niche?
Maybe I should gain some work experience some more and make up my mind?
What did I really want to do with my life?

As fate would have it, I got in to the LLB program but I also got a tempting job offer. I chose the money and the experience, while burying my LSAT Study Guides even deeper and removing it from my conscience. After a year and a half of working and loathing every work day’s static routine, I started to browse Law School and LSAT related websites, I decided to order Powerscore materials, and some real LSAT tests (which I never bother with before), just for some insurance.

In the process, I left my job to be closer to my family and friends who were going through a difficult loss and sudden change. I decided to take some classes at the university, including Competition/Anti-Trust Law and Policy which turned into me enrolling in a one-year Masters program with an emphasis on trade law and policy. This was my opportunity to engage and learn more about the geopolitical environment of the Caribbean and its economic development while exploring an interesting topic, trade relations and negotiations.

During this program, through countless inquiries about job options, career flexibility and longevity of the legal profession in the region and international arena, my indecision about Law School quelled and my interest intensified, taking me to this period of my life of juggling my interest in the legal aspects of trade and trade disputes at the regional and multilateral level.

With one paper, a thesis, a study tour and an internship away from moving from a Masters candidate to a Masters graduate and an eager Law School Applicant 2011/2012, I am excited to share my journey through my blog Legally Tradable.