Notes and queries

[raven]

Firstly: I am taking medical leave for the rest of the academic year. This is less extravagantly melodramatic than it sounds - the rest of the academic year is, after all, about a month, followed by exams and research-project submission. I could try and stick it out, I suppose, but, in the end it comes to the question of whether I should use my limited energy to be a functional depressed person who, you know, eats, and washes her clothes, and whatnot, or use it for... um... law school. Given that I still have about 5000 words to research and write on special measures directions, plus the end of the equity and public law syllabuses, and revision for the last three exams, Not Dealing is my preferred strategy right now.

(edited to add: okaaaay, there is a case at the Old Bailey today that is going to necessitate re-writes of my baby-dissertation. Why do I insist on being interested in current affairs?

Note: it is a very horrible case, about abuse of a child. Don't click, if you'd rather not.)

So through some bureaucratic jiggery-pokery, I am going to be a sort-of law student at Liverpool for a bit, and I was very impressed by the efficiency and kindness with which Brookes have achieved this. forthwritten has already promised me company and good things, and my parents were remarkably unfazed by this whole revelation. (My father noted that when he was my age, he had a similar revelation whilst reading for his MD exams. "Of course, in my case I was only six miles from home and I came on the Vespa. But it's the same principle without the Vespa.")

I'm pleased, or at least, as pleased as you can be about these things. I'll miss shimgray, but other than that, I think, this is a good plan for the time being.

In other news. Justice Souter is stepping down from the Supreme Court... two days after the Democrats have a filibuster-proof majority. Souter has generally tended to baffle me, but he seems to be a liberal now, sort of. The make-up of the court may not change all that much, but I'm actually hopeful about the potential nominees for once. One hundred days, and the novelty hasn't worn off. I hope it doesn't.

Amd so this post is not all a) law and b) my broken brain, I say my obligatory Dreamwidth bit. foreverdirt bought me paid time over there! I am still not sure what I am going to do with the account, but we shall see. My username, by the way, has changed (due to aforementioned crazy, please don't ask) - I'm now raven, and if you should wish to give me a poke over there, please please do.

Comments

[flickgc.livejournal.com]

I am taking medical leave for the rest of the academic year.

I'm not going to sy this is a bad thing.

Annoyingly, I am too pissed off about something else to say anything else.

But srylsy, I do think it's sensible.

[brewsternorth.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a needful thing. Besides, your own decision to make.

(and yeah, tell me about current affairs getting in the way of things.)

*waves* Added you!

[soupytwist.livejournal.com]

That definitely sounds like a good plan for you. *hug* I hope it works out with the best of all possible outcomes.

(I am desperately nosy and totally want to know how the case relates to what you're writing about, but totally understand if you don't want to explain/think about it!)

[coriolis]

I have added you on DW, and I'm Coriolis over there. Just so's you know it's not a random creeper *l*

[sophiahagia.livejournal.com]

Welcome to the medical leave club. It's good times. Also *hugshugshugs* Much love.

[kuteki.livejournal.com]

I am sure that you have made a wise decision, health > other stuff, and less stress is very much a good thing. *hugs and good thoughts*

[subservient-son.livejournal.com]

Nothing's more importnat than your sanity. You've been doing a lot of exams recently, so I'm sure an extended break is a very good idea. *hugs*

[tau_sigma]

I am sorry to hear that, just because it means, you know, you're ill and need this time, and that's sad. You should be happy, Iona; you make a lot of other people happy. *hugs*

But good, that you are taking this time out, and that you have found this way of approaching it, and I hope it does some good. How will your sort-of studying in Liverpool work, but also, does this mean you will no longer be around in Oxford to visit? You are still very much welcome to visit me; I finish exams on the 25th May I believe, and I would love to see you. *g* On that note, perhaps I could phone you sometime soon?

[apestaartje.livejournal.com]

::hugs:: I added you at DW. I'm sarahharas there.

[rosariotijeras.livejournal.com]

This is quite late to be asking now, but if you weren't doing law school, then what degree/program were you at Oxford for?

Also, yeah, Souter. I never got him either. I truly hope and mostly believe that Obama will pick someone who is not the traditional appeals court stooge, and almost certainly a woman.

[gamesiplay.livejournal.com]

*HUGS FOREVER*

I'm not glad to hear this in the sense that, in an ideal world, you wouldn't be having a tough enough time to need a respite, but-- I am glad that, given the situation, you're doing it. Does that make sense? It's really, really hard to recognize that although you can physically/intellectually do something (law school in this instance), that doesn't mean you should burn yourself out emotionally doing it. I have endless admiration for you, that you've been able to negotiate that tricky headspace and do the right thing for yourself.

Does this mean you'll be finding a place of your own in Liverpool, or staying at home for a bit, or...?

*loves*

[the-acrobat.livejournal.com]

*snuggles*

[jacinthsong.livejournal.com]

My girlie. *cuddles* I think maybe I will push forward a visit to Liverpool?

[hathy-col.livejournal.com]

This seems... the best decision? Um. It's hard to phrase it, really, a sort of 'sorry you aren't in the best place' mixed in with 'at least you're taking some time out'. Er. I am rubbish at phrasing this. Basically, *hugs*

[flashofalchemy.livejournal.com]

Taking a break definitely sounds like A Good Thing. Plus as you said, not long till the academic year's over anyway! xxx

[pinkdormouse.livejournal.com]

Medical Leave sounds like a very good idea. Hoping very much that it works for you.

[sunlightdances.livejournal.com]

*squishes* I hope this goes well and you get to rest and such.

[biascut.livejournal.com]

Lots of luck! And congratulations on making the decision - knowing when to take care of yourself by stepping back is really, really good. I hope Liverpool is a good and safe resting place and that the time you need it for is short.