Thanksgiving in the Lake District

The Parents are coming!!!

Well I've just about made it - just have 3 more hours of work to go. Again I have recorded 60 hours this week, so it has been stressful.

Our witness proofing session went well on Monday and was interesting to see the process. But it has taken me all week to find the time to write up the attendance note and get the changes into the witness statement. I still don't think it will be done by the time I have to leave this evening - but at least we were granted an extension and do not have to file the statement until after Christmas :)

I also had to take a test on the Lloyds market yesterday - which I didn't really start studying for until Saturday...... nevermind. I'm just hoping I passed - it will be really embarressing if I don't.

But all of that will not be on my mind over the next week cuz Mom, Dad and Spencer are all coming to visit!!!!! I cannot wait to pick them up from Heathrow tomorrow. It is going to be great.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Witness Statement

This week I recorded 48 chargeable hours. (My target is 32.5). When you add the non-chargeable hours I also spent in the office (12), you get 60. It would have been more but I had to leave at 6pm on Wednesday to go to a concert (more below).

It's official - I am becoming a lawyer.

I would say 40 of those hours were spent writing a 60 page witness statement from scratch. The witness statement is going to be used in one of the biggest pieces of litigation going on in the UK at the moment - basically a class action-type case against hundreds of law firms. Probably every professional negligence litigator in the country is going to read this statement.

This is not a normal task to ask of a second year trainee (not even qualified as a lawyer yet). Needless to say I have been stressed. Poor Justin took the brunt of it.... and I think I lost about 10 lbs cuz I didn't eat anything. Not sure I'm ready for that stress.

Of course the statement is going to be revised and redrafted by more qualified lawyers and barristers before it is lodged in court, but I got the words and concepts on the paper. I must admit I am proud.

Anyway - Wednesday Justin and I went to a concert of Ludivico Einaudi at the Royal Albert Hall. He is a fantastic Italian modern composer and I really enjoy playing his stuff. You can go here to find out more about his music: http://www.myspace.com/ludovicoeinaudispace

It was so nice to have 3 hours to sit and listen to beautiful music and relax (although I must admit it was hard to get work out of my mind). I really need to start learning how to cope with the stress and pressure. Otherwise I don't think I'm going to last too long.

Weald Country Park

Today we had to get out and enjoy the autumn sunshine. I swear it has been warmer this autumn than it was over the summer. Pathetic! Anyway, we drove (in my Mini!) to Weald Country Park, which is just in the next town over called Brentwood.

They are going to host the mountain biking there at the 2012 Olympics. And what better place!?! It is gorgeous. I swear the trees this year have been spectacular. We always get the nice fall colours that Californians miss out on - but this year, with the warmer temps and the lack of wind, the leaves have just stayed on the trees and turned gorgeous shades of red, orange, yellow, brown. Amazing! I think we could give the northeast of the US a run for its money. (Don't tell anyone though, I don't want them all flocking to Essex and ruining our peaceful walks through the park).

I just can't believe I forgot my camera.