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So this is my first TL blog post, but not my first blog post ever written. However, after reaching a major milestone in my life, I feel like some thoughts needed to be shared with people who have similar passions and share the same lifestyle as me.
Firstly, I'd like to explain the significance of my blog name- All From My Desk. What I wanted to express is the fact that, while I believe I have had many successes in life in sports and in activities away from home, what has always kept me sane has been the fact that at the end of a hard day I can come home, sit down at my desk, jump into a virtual world and just forget about everything for as long as needed. Essentially, I would like to give credit to video games for many of my successes and for helping shape the person I am today.
But who am I? I'm a Canadian male, who just yesterday received arguably the greatest news I've heard through my 21 years of existence; acceptance to law school. What I'd like to share in this post is how this milestone ties into the title of my blog...the fact that gaming has been what's kept me going, and how it hopefully will continue to moving on.
It all started at the age of around 13, when two of my best friends and I watched arguably the greatest episode of the greatest cartoon show ever; the WoW South park episode of course  It was from that show that I discovered World of Warcraft, which became my escape for the next 8 years (on and off of course). I wasn't your average high school kid because I was a combination of many types; I was extremely tall and athletic for my age, however, I had acne, did well in school, loved to play video games and was petrified of the thought of having to interact with anyone of the opposite sex.
So I went through the "motions" (pretty well in my mind, although I must say I believe I was quite lucky to be given the talents I had): I was the star quarterback of my football team, I made the honor roll every year, I played competitive baseball during the summer. I also didn't talk to girls, didn't drink or attend a high school party until grade 12 (my last), and went home after every single day of school to play WoW.
I would say the happiest moment in high school came in grade 10, when we won the city championship in football (I'm really hoping that this doesn't sound like bragging at all, I swear I am usually a very modest guy). We all took turns with the trophy, and finally the team started calling my name for my turn to lift it up. I still remember it like it was yesterday....I grabbed it, lifted it into the air, and everyone surrounded me, cheering. Up until that point in my life, I hadn't experienced pure bliss until that very moment, and it felt unbelievable.
But life went on...and I'm sure that the night of that game, I probably went home and played WoW. While everyone grew up and college applications began, I always had one constant in my life: my desk, chair, and max level tauren warrior. I hated the everyday cycle of high school, and truly believe that gaming was what made me able to wake up each morning. However, I always knew there was something out there for me, some truly great accomplishment to work for and to feel satisfied about.
So I continued on to university, played baseball for the school team, continued to make the Dean's list, and continued to play video games consistently. Honestly, not much changed, except for the games. I got into starcraft, have played some moba's, bought D3, etc. But games remained in my life, kept me going, and allowed me to continue to succeed in a system that I truly didn't understand or enjoy (I could argue over the failure of the education system for hours).
And then last summer came around; I had known for a while that I wanted to go to law school, I knew that I had what it took, and I knew that the profession was something I would be interested in doing as I moved on to the next chapter in my life. So I wrote the LSAT after two hard months of preparation and did well.
Fast-forward to yesterday (although, as I'm sure you can tell, I could probably go on for ever, and thank you for reading up to this point)....I check my status to one of the law schools I had applied to, and had been accepted....no words...no thoughts...no emotions...at first. Excitement took a while to set in, but once it did it was almost overwhelming. My family was SO proud it was almost shocking, and it wasn't until it really sank in that I began to understand and put words to how it felt.
From what I could remember, accomplishments were satisfying for sure, but only one or two really stuck out. While there were difficulties along the way, I would say that overall I've had a pleasant life. But to combine 21 years of life into an accomplishment so satisfying, one that required years of good grades, extra-curriculars, athletics, and overall just being a good person, I once again got that feeling of true bliss...the feeling of success that only comes around often enough to feel THAT special.
I really should wrap this thing up....However, I feel like many of these details were needed in order to get my message across. I've reached another big stage in my life, one that really means something to me...but hear I am, typing away on my computer, at the same desk that got me through high school, got me through university, and helped meld the type of person I am today.
Will I be able to game every night starting in September? Probably not, due to what I hear is a heavy course load. But I'll never forget the countless hours, alone or online with friends, that have helped to get me to where I am today....all from my desk
(edited for paragraph spaces )
 
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Congratz! Hope you do well in law school and after it too!
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Hnnnngg hurts my eyes. Paragraphs, man. Paragraphs.
(The proper spacing of course).
Congrats anyway.
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congrats, where you going?
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And then last summer came around; I had known for a while that I wanted to go to law school, I knew that I had what it took, and I knew that the profession was something I would be interested in doing as I moved on to the next chapter in my life. So I wrote the LSAT after two hard months of preparation and did well.
congrats but, can you elaborate on this? Why do you think you would be interested in doing law?
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Nothing to celebrate... you have years of soul-crushing research and essay writing ahead of you only to have the chance of entering a profession that is notoriously difficult for new graduates.
You only get to celebrate when you get to work on your first case. (or whatever unit of work you will get in a related position)
I mean, congrats and GL and all but Law is a beast of a discipline.
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lmao heavy course load
About a year ago I switched from biomedical sciences to law, now my average schoolweek went from about 10-20 hours to 0-2, except the week before exams, easiest major ever. Ofcourse you have to write and read a lot, but then again that should be one of the main reasons for choosing law.
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I'm in my first year of law school, over internet highfive!
Don't excpect too much, law can be very boring at times too :p
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Just to clarify, I live in Canada and got into my hometown law school in Ottawa (although I'm still waiting to hear from some other before I make a decision). I'm definitely aware of the difficulty in finding a good job, but luckily my dad has some very good contacts/family friends in the field that I'm sure will help out down the road.
As for why I wanted to get into it, that's sort of a tough question to answer which I realized while trying to answer it for the essay you have to write when applying. I've always known I wanted a business undergrad (which I will be graduating from in April), and business law has always seemed interesting to me. As well, being a big fan of public speaking has always given me the idea that I would enjoy being in court, dealing with customers, etc. I also love the idea of becoming a "professional", and I would be the first in my immediate family.
I know that it all won't be this lovey dovey pathway full of happiness and money, but up to this point I believe it's the path that I'd like to take and that will make me the most satisfied.
I appreciate all the responds/concerns :p
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On December 02 2012 07:08 schach wrote:It all started at the age of around 13, when two of my best friends and I watched arguably the greatest episode of the greatest cartoon show ever; the WoW South park episode of course It was from that show that I discovered World of Warcraft, which became my escape for the next 8 years (on and off of course).
Wait, what? That episode was what got you into WoW? Talk about adverse effect...
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I don't know what law school is like in Netherlands/Belgium, but I suspect it's pretty different. Can't really say that because it's easy/boring over there, it's gonna be the same thing over here, any subject can be easy/boring, depending on how you teach it.
I don't want to discourage you, I'd say law is still a decent profession in Canada, but as a fellow Canadian 3L, I feel obligated to point out the following:
1) I'm a bit concerned because the reasons you posted don't seem specific enough, what you said is fine, but when you get to OCIs interviewers will ask you this question and ideally you should give them a 1-2 minute blurb, instead of a 10 second blurb (but I realize you probably have more reasons, I'm just saying this because I've met a number of people who didn't think hard enough about their own reasons for wanting to go to law school, and now they are regretting it).
2) From an economic perspective, you are sinking 3 years and 40k straight up and forgoing 120k in opportunity cost (50k over 3 years of working then deducting tax). Again, I think one should balance this against the reasons for wanting to go to law school. Bay street hiring is down another 6% this year (it's at its lowest level since 2003, this is despite the fact that the economy is starting to recover) Now from a business perspective, if you met a friend who told you that they plan on investing 160k over 3 years in a declining industry (even when the economy is recovering), what would you say to them??
3) If you are interested in being a business professional, there are lots of other ways as I'm sure you already know.
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On December 03 2012 02:21 Fyodor wrote:
uOttawa or Carleton?
Carleton doesn't have a law school. (it sort of have a 'legal program' but that is not the same thing as a law school, it would not qualify you for the license to practice)
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Correct, Carleton has a law undergrad I believe but that's it. To kalingingsong, I understand your concern and have definitely taken those words of advice into consideration. As far as the reasons for going, mine are definitely longer than the paragraph I quickly wrote out, and some of the specifics I did include in my personal essay which was a part of my application. It wasn't an easy choice, but I believe it's where I want to be. Sure, that may change in a year or three, but for now it's keeping me in school and working towards something that could make a career for myself.
Just curious, where are you currently attending?
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On December 03 2012 05:48 schach wrote:
Correct, Carleton has a law undergrad I believe but that's it. To kalingingsong, I understand your concern and have definitely taken those words of advice into consideration. As far as the reasons for going, mine are definitely longer than the paragraph I quickly wrote out, and some of the specifics I did include in my personal essay which was a part of my application. It wasn't an easy choice, but I believe it's where I want to be. Sure, that may change in a year or three, but for now it's keeping me in school and working towards something that could make a career for myself.
Just curious, where are you currently attending?
Attending at Dal, but plan on coming back to Ontario (Toronto) after I graduate (I did an engineering undergrad at Waterloo).
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EPT
