So lately I've been focusing on my workload lately and haven't been really been finding much that really fit into the theme of my blog to write about until like last week. My assimilation theme or lack thereof continued on yesterday, and again it was something that my partners and I conduct with the utmost pride and care. Now I won't sit here and divulge all of the marketing tactics of my great firm, but just know that we have somethings up our sleeves; besides in a business where the abundance of perspective representation may cloud the judgment of those seeking quality, you have to do things that separate yourselves from the rest of the field.
I am an advocate for my people, in fact, I'm so pro-black that I often struggle with the fact that others may consider me a racist. The funny part is that sometimes I think of myself as a racist and I think that my defense that I can't be a racist because I have white friends is evidence towards me being racially insensitive. However, I was raised in the deep, deep, dirty south where ignorance is a way of life that exceeds the traditional boundaries of race and upbringing. And I think that's what propels my dislike for SOME (note I said some not all) people and racial groups because their ignorance propels them to do stupid things.
As a young black man with an "ethnic" hairstyle, an "urban" vernacular, and a light-hearted nature, I may not be as conservative as others may expect, but, for lack of a better phrase; "bitch, I'm me!" One would think that someone with such a high self-esteem wouldn't let the ignorance of others disturb him, but it's something that you would imagine would not occur with the frequency that it did more than 40 years ago. Well as I'm standing in the veranda of one of the Harris County courtrooms with my partners discussing the day's events, another fellow attorney walks out of the courtroom and stops because two of my partners are blocking the walkway. After they excuse themselves and move the other attorney pauses for an awkward 10 seconds or so and remarks, "is this an illegal meeting?" Everyone else pauses mid-statement, mid-text message, and the only response that could be uttered was the question "of lawyers?" The attorney who thought he had interrupted an "illegal" meeting only walks out of the courtroom, and I wonder if it was because he didn't hear the question, or realized just how inappropriate his question was?
What could possibly cause this man to formulate the idea that he was interrupting an illegal meeting? Was it because he walked in on four black men and wanted to make an informal "witty" remark that would amuse us? Or was it because four black men talking in a courthouse, despite their business attire and briefcases, could not be involved in anything other than illegal activity? Now despite the beginning of this post, this is not a racial post, its on questioning ignorance. Since I've began working as a licensed attorney, I've heard a lot of negative commentary about the practices of my firm. We've been affectionately referred to as "the brain trust," an entourage, "the Harris County Dream Team," and a "gang," and have heard things like "it takes three of those guys to work a misdemeanor." I would imagine that in a county where at least 3 prosecutors sit in every courtroom, feed each other questions in voir dire and other hearings, fellow defense attorneys would be glad that one entity is taking it upon themselves to "even up the odds." Maybe its just blatant hating, Nas told us that people fear what they don't understand, hate what they can't conquer, that such is probably the theory of man. Maybe its just the intimidation that we possess over those who oppose us in getting this money or those who oppose the interests of our clients but is it our fault that we come prepared while you brought a knife to a gun fight? Or does it bother you that we'd rather get it in together instead of being all out for self?
The stupidity that encompasses the legal community amazes me but I'll continue to do me. In fact, I'll be in the courthouse tomorrow, four deep, ensuring that justice will be served equally to all; where is the illegality in that???
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
The World is Mine...But Assimilation is Not!
My third post in just as many days...wow maybe I'm being overly inspired or overly pissed...but hey, I can do whatever I want, this really is my space...
Today was a rather eventful Tuesday in the Harris County Criminal Justice Center. I was asked by one of my partners to go get an offense report that he requested from the District Attorney's office. Well, that turned into a whole ordeal that I won't really get into details about but I got carded for the second time in three weeks. It took for my partner to call the front desk and validate my credentials in order for me to get the damn offense report and when I asked the woman at the desk why she put me through such a rigamaro, she replied that my hair is not the type that she would expect to see on an attorney. This remark greatly upset me, but I just shrugged it off and moved on. So then when I arrived at the elevators, I ran into another woman and engaged in small talk with her;
Me: How are you doing?
Woman: Fine, and yourself?
Me: I'm okay just trying to make it.
Woman: Me too. Speaking of making it, you just missed three elevators that were going down.
Me: It's okay I'll just wait for another. Can I ask you a question?
Woman: Sure.
Me: If you saw me walking down the hallway, would you take me for an attorney?
Woman: No, because of your hair, it's not really the conservative look that most lawyers go for
Elevator arrives
Woman: Well, here's my elevator, you have a nice day
So on the elevator by myself, I am thinking of the song, I Am Not My Hair, previous blog postings, and I'm starting to wonder if my "individuality" will be a burden on my success. I'm sitting there feeling rather distraught because if people I interact with in the courthouse cannot take me serious as an attorney, how would I ever expect the legal community, and potential clients to. The elevator then stops on the 19th floor and I meet up with another one of my partners, and I tell him about the events of earlier. He laughed and asked for the races of the women (the receptionist was Asian, the elevator lady was white), then proceeded to tell me that dreadlocks are a symbol of strength for our people, something that we culturally identify with. They are often misunderstood, and as a result, are dismissed as inappropriate. He went on further, that he cannot recall seeing any other male criminal defense attorney in Harris County who wears their hair like I do with mine, and that it would be noticed by potential clients because it sets me apart from the field. So now that people think that I can't possibly be a real attorney, I'm embarking on another one of my asshole-ish tirades to prove them all wrong and laugh all the way to the bank, REAL TALK (TYPE), lol
Today was a rather eventful Tuesday in the Harris County Criminal Justice Center. I was asked by one of my partners to go get an offense report that he requested from the District Attorney's office. Well, that turned into a whole ordeal that I won't really get into details about but I got carded for the second time in three weeks. It took for my partner to call the front desk and validate my credentials in order for me to get the damn offense report and when I asked the woman at the desk why she put me through such a rigamaro, she replied that my hair is not the type that she would expect to see on an attorney. This remark greatly upset me, but I just shrugged it off and moved on. So then when I arrived at the elevators, I ran into another woman and engaged in small talk with her;
Me: How are you doing?
Woman: Fine, and yourself?
Me: I'm okay just trying to make it.
Woman: Me too. Speaking of making it, you just missed three elevators that were going down.
Me: It's okay I'll just wait for another. Can I ask you a question?
Woman: Sure.
Me: If you saw me walking down the hallway, would you take me for an attorney?
Woman: No, because of your hair, it's not really the conservative look that most lawyers go for
Elevator arrives
Woman: Well, here's my elevator, you have a nice day
So on the elevator by myself, I am thinking of the song, I Am Not My Hair, previous blog postings, and I'm starting to wonder if my "individuality" will be a burden on my success. I'm sitting there feeling rather distraught because if people I interact with in the courthouse cannot take me serious as an attorney, how would I ever expect the legal community, and potential clients to. The elevator then stops on the 19th floor and I meet up with another one of my partners, and I tell him about the events of earlier. He laughed and asked for the races of the women (the receptionist was Asian, the elevator lady was white), then proceeded to tell me that dreadlocks are a symbol of strength for our people, something that we culturally identify with. They are often misunderstood, and as a result, are dismissed as inappropriate. He went on further, that he cannot recall seeing any other male criminal defense attorney in Harris County who wears their hair like I do with mine, and that it would be noticed by potential clients because it sets me apart from the field. So now that people think that I can't possibly be a real attorney, I'm embarking on another one of my asshole-ish tirades to prove them all wrong and laugh all the way to the bank, REAL TALK (TYPE), lol
Monday, June 1, 2009
The Disease Called Mediocrity Strikes Again...Let's Have a Pity Party!
So, I'm coming to the realization that I may not have the level of tact that I sometimes criticize others for having, but I have not ever been the one to criticize someone for things that they can't control, and that will be my disclaimer for this post...
About two weeks ago a friend of mine contacted me for some "kind words" as she informed me that her wallet had been stolen. When I inquired into where she was when the wallet was stolen, she ever so matter-of-factly replied; "Starbucks." Then my kind words went out the window and I proceeded to rain on her pity party. Now I've been at Starbucks many a night, have left my laptop on the table to go smoke a cigarette, but never have I been the victim of theft there. Maybe because I take easily concealed items with me, always ask fellow patrons to watch my items in my absence, or I'm not scatter-brained like the one whom I'm referring to, yet I digress. Again, I will haze someone up for incidents that they are completely at fault for, so people should not expect me to show compassion for their fuck ups. My friend became bewildered at how I could seem not to care, but as I've expressed to her, someone's situation is always worse. Take me, for example, in my first year of law school I dealt with Katrina and all its effects less than a month after school started and saw my son come into this world less than a month before comps. My mind was in another place for most of the year, so why should I express sympathy for someone who was dumb enough to leave their wallet unattended in Starbucks. Besides credit cards can be cancelled in a matter of seconds, and the worst part about getting a new ID is standing in line. My soul still hasn't recovered from the storm, and I'm still struggling to provide for my son financially. But some never really appreciate how well they have it even in light of the misfortunes of others...
Case in point number two, I have another friend who posted on facebook today a status update about how she had to read 80-some-odd pages by tomorrow for a history class. I told her to multiply the figure by about 3 if she wanted an insight into my daily reading requirement for law school in addition to my sympathy. She took offense to my statement, remarking that today was her return to school after a two year hiatus, and that I should be more sympathetic to her plight. ARE YOU SERIOUS? First of all, I applaud your efforts as a single-mother to return back to school and make an effort to better life for your daughter, but as they say, nothing worth having comes easy, and you have to be willing to fight for what you want. Second, if you weren't on facebook searching for inspiration or people to make you feel better about your menial assignment, you could have easily did 10-20 pages of reading in the time you were bickering with me. But no, she remarked that when I was studying for the bar no one treated me in such a manner, although I never asked for the acceptance of the facebook community when it came down to my daily requirements for studying for the bar either time. Taking the bar was something that I brought on myself and it was up to me to see it through fruition. And I did just that, some people just need to realize that the world will not be handed to them and take things as they come and do what they need to in order to make their dreams a reality....
I'm putting to soapbox up now, but with 2 posts in 2 days, believe I'll have more ammo tomorrow!
About two weeks ago a friend of mine contacted me for some "kind words" as she informed me that her wallet had been stolen. When I inquired into where she was when the wallet was stolen, she ever so matter-of-factly replied; "Starbucks." Then my kind words went out the window and I proceeded to rain on her pity party. Now I've been at Starbucks many a night, have left my laptop on the table to go smoke a cigarette, but never have I been the victim of theft there. Maybe because I take easily concealed items with me, always ask fellow patrons to watch my items in my absence, or I'm not scatter-brained like the one whom I'm referring to, yet I digress. Again, I will haze someone up for incidents that they are completely at fault for, so people should not expect me to show compassion for their fuck ups. My friend became bewildered at how I could seem not to care, but as I've expressed to her, someone's situation is always worse. Take me, for example, in my first year of law school I dealt with Katrina and all its effects less than a month after school started and saw my son come into this world less than a month before comps. My mind was in another place for most of the year, so why should I express sympathy for someone who was dumb enough to leave their wallet unattended in Starbucks. Besides credit cards can be cancelled in a matter of seconds, and the worst part about getting a new ID is standing in line. My soul still hasn't recovered from the storm, and I'm still struggling to provide for my son financially. But some never really appreciate how well they have it even in light of the misfortunes of others...
Case in point number two, I have another friend who posted on facebook today a status update about how she had to read 80-some-odd pages by tomorrow for a history class. I told her to multiply the figure by about 3 if she wanted an insight into my daily reading requirement for law school in addition to my sympathy. She took offense to my statement, remarking that today was her return to school after a two year hiatus, and that I should be more sympathetic to her plight. ARE YOU SERIOUS? First of all, I applaud your efforts as a single-mother to return back to school and make an effort to better life for your daughter, but as they say, nothing worth having comes easy, and you have to be willing to fight for what you want. Second, if you weren't on facebook searching for inspiration or people to make you feel better about your menial assignment, you could have easily did 10-20 pages of reading in the time you were bickering with me. But no, she remarked that when I was studying for the bar no one treated me in such a manner, although I never asked for the acceptance of the facebook community when it came down to my daily requirements for studying for the bar either time. Taking the bar was something that I brought on myself and it was up to me to see it through fruition. And I did just that, some people just need to realize that the world will not be handed to them and take things as they come and do what they need to in order to make their dreams a reality....
I'm putting to soapbox up now, but with 2 posts in 2 days, believe I'll have more ammo tomorrow!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Boy Meets Girl...Boy Gets Girl...Boy Loses Girl...
PLEASE PRESS PLAY TO GET THE FULL EFFECT
Okay let's be honest for a frank second, I am a hopeless romantic. From holding hands, to (classy) PDAs, all the way up to nights spent in close quarters absent any sexual tension just talking about random events, I LOVE LOVE. But for some unknown reason, love doesn't really feel the same about me. Perhaps it's due to the fact that the mistakes of my youth are catching up to me, and God feels as though I need to learn pain before I can actually experience true love, or maybe because I'm just too damn selfish and unconforming to what love actually requires to have it work for me. I mean I have mastered the art of "the chase," and have realized what it takes to get a woman on my team, but love seems to always fall into the trap of the title of this posting.
Kellen meets girl, Kellen gets to know girl, Kellen becomes intimate with girl, Kellen believes girl will become a fixture in his life, Kellen does the same things he did when he met girl, Kellen loses girl, but girl still wants to be intimate.
I guess maybe I'm just not boyfriend material, however, I feel as though if I change, I would be cheating the woman out of all that is me and changing for her. Now I don't think that changing is wrong within a relationship, but I do know that if you sacrifice the person you are for the person your mate wants you to be both of you will eventually wind up unhappy. That is why I've never been one to play with "fixer-uppers" as it comes to a mate because if you were to encounter someone who catches your eye but isn't quite what you hope them to be when you get to know them you're not feeling that person, you are feeling the person you want them to be. I've discussed and posted blogs about my feelings in regards to love but I think I got it, but in the end, love doesn't love me.
I found myself involved with a woman who was a master of surprises of sorts, demanding things of me that she was unwilling to reciprocate, and i broke my cardinal rule, I didn't have a back-up plan. So now I'm back on the prowl, trying to find what I need in a woman to be happy, wish me luck
Okay let's be honest for a frank second, I am a hopeless romantic. From holding hands, to (classy) PDAs, all the way up to nights spent in close quarters absent any sexual tension just talking about random events, I LOVE LOVE. But for some unknown reason, love doesn't really feel the same about me. Perhaps it's due to the fact that the mistakes of my youth are catching up to me, and God feels as though I need to learn pain before I can actually experience true love, or maybe because I'm just too damn selfish and unconforming to what love actually requires to have it work for me. I mean I have mastered the art of "the chase," and have realized what it takes to get a woman on my team, but love seems to always fall into the trap of the title of this posting.
Kellen meets girl, Kellen gets to know girl, Kellen becomes intimate with girl, Kellen believes girl will become a fixture in his life, Kellen does the same things he did when he met girl, Kellen loses girl, but girl still wants to be intimate.
I guess maybe I'm just not boyfriend material, however, I feel as though if I change, I would be cheating the woman out of all that is me and changing for her. Now I don't think that changing is wrong within a relationship, but I do know that if you sacrifice the person you are for the person your mate wants you to be both of you will eventually wind up unhappy. That is why I've never been one to play with "fixer-uppers" as it comes to a mate because if you were to encounter someone who catches your eye but isn't quite what you hope them to be when you get to know them you're not feeling that person, you are feeling the person you want them to be. I've discussed and posted blogs about my feelings in regards to love but I think I got it, but in the end, love doesn't love me.
I found myself involved with a woman who was a master of surprises of sorts, demanding things of me that she was unwilling to reciprocate, and i broke my cardinal rule, I didn't have a back-up plan. So now I'm back on the prowl, trying to find what I need in a woman to be happy, wish me luck
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Look What U Did!
Now that the initial shock has died down, and I've sobered up (lol), I can finally retire away to my sanctuary and post an "I'm proud of myself" blog. From my last post, you all can see that doubt had been creeping up on me, but I think I managed to put it away. The funny part is that the first time I took the bar, I had nightmares about failing, and people knowing before I did, well, let me tell you how dream echoes reality...
THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2009 approximately 3-something PM: I am in the midst of doing something that catered to my creative side, and I'm focused, like really focused. I was drawing, something that I enjoy doing but I don't do that frequently, I guess I do it when I feel like it, kinda like my blog, lol. Well anyways, I get a phone call from my homeboy, Earl, in which he responds to my "hello," by screaming "LET'S GET THIS MONEY." Well my initial response is, "what money?" To which he follows up with "LET'S GET THIS MONEY, COUNSELOR!!!" Now, Earl and I have been friends for about 10 years or so, and he and I have pretty much been pillars for each other to lean on through the stresses of our legal curriculum, so I thought he was trying to hit me with some inspirational words while I was waiting on my scores. But he had seen the pass list before I did, and my dude was calling me to wish me well and be the first one to hit me up with a congrats. And when he finally explains to me that I had passed the bar and I am in a fury in trying to load up the Texas Board of Law Examiners website to see my name on the list for myself, I get congratulatory text messages coming through on my phone and realized that it was true; I HAD PASSED THE BAR! After talking to Earl later that night, we both laughed at on a day when most people were overly nervous, I was almost "zen-like."I don't know if I was content that it was God's will, that I always produce when it's on the line, or something else, but I passed and wasn't really concerned about it. But Texas, you have unleashed Kellen A. Daranda, Esq., LOOK WHAT THE EFF U DID!
THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2009 approximately 3-something PM: I am in the midst of doing something that catered to my creative side, and I'm focused, like really focused. I was drawing, something that I enjoy doing but I don't do that frequently, I guess I do it when I feel like it, kinda like my blog, lol. Well anyways, I get a phone call from my homeboy, Earl, in which he responds to my "hello," by screaming "LET'S GET THIS MONEY." Well my initial response is, "what money?" To which he follows up with "LET'S GET THIS MONEY, COUNSELOR!!!" Now, Earl and I have been friends for about 10 years or so, and he and I have pretty much been pillars for each other to lean on through the stresses of our legal curriculum, so I thought he was trying to hit me with some inspirational words while I was waiting on my scores. But he had seen the pass list before I did, and my dude was calling me to wish me well and be the first one to hit me up with a congrats. And when he finally explains to me that I had passed the bar and I am in a fury in trying to load up the Texas Board of Law Examiners website to see my name on the list for myself, I get congratulatory text messages coming through on my phone and realized that it was true; I HAD PASSED THE BAR! After talking to Earl later that night, we both laughed at on a day when most people were overly nervous, I was almost "zen-like."I don't know if I was content that it was God's will, that I always produce when it's on the line, or something else, but I passed and wasn't really concerned about it. But Texas, you have unleashed Kellen A. Daranda, Esq., LOOK WHAT THE EFF U DID!
Friday, April 24, 2009
My Time Has Come?
Okay, so I am approximately a week away from receiving the biggest news of my life (again) and unfortunately, I am on pins and needles.
After receiving my MPRE score from the July 2008 administration and my bar scores, I remarked via my facebook status that I was not going to beg the bar examiners for 14 points or ACT for 1 that I was just going to take them. So I approached both exams with a renewed fervor and my desire to succeed paid off with the March 2009 administration of the MPRE as I bested the score I was shooting for by 25 points. Usually, when one gets those types of "signs" their confidence level usually increases tremendously. However, the thing with me is that law school, its exams, and my attempts to become a licensed attorney, have taught me that despite my firm belief that God only answers the prayers of those who do the initial leg work before putting it all in His hands. The past year has humbled me into realizing that HIS will, not mine, will be done. The only problem is in the acceptance portion when the desires of one superseed the expectations of the other and vice versa.
I will not say that I wasn't prepared in July, I just have come to terms with the fact that it simply wasn't my time. Now, i'm faced with the daunting task of waiting to make my next move. And that's the worst part of attempting to gain certification in the legal profession, the wait. I cannot and will not question the will of my father, but I believe that I am ready. I have obtained the education, engaged in the preparation, and did my best on the bar exam. Furthermore, it seems as though everything is falling into place. I've passed the MPRE after 4 attempts, I've succeeded in gaining temporary employment in order to pay my bills, I have a strong possibility that I will be working with people that I trust, doing something I enjoy, and following a plan that I totally agree with, and most importantly my demeanor has been more upbeat lately. I wouldn't quite say that I have reached the plateau of happiness that I am searrching for, but I am damn close.
So if not now, then when? I have had conversations with friends, associates, frat brothers, and random people that I have met where they all express confidence in my abilities in knowing that I have passed this time around but I wonder why I can't feel the same way. As opposed to how I felt in october of last year, I will not say that I think I failed because I honestly do not believe that I did, but that damn "what if" has managed to creep into my thoughts yet again. What if I didn't pass? What if folks were only telling me that they believed in me because it was the right thing to do, not because they genuinely felt in such a manner? What if I have to move back home? What if? WHAT IF?
So i'm saying this now on April 24th, I believe that this is my time, my chance, and I intend to make the most of it. I have done all I could and will accept whatever comes my way the same as always, but it's in God's hands now and I'm okay with that!
After receiving my MPRE score from the July 2008 administration and my bar scores, I remarked via my facebook status that I was not going to beg the bar examiners for 14 points or ACT for 1 that I was just going to take them. So I approached both exams with a renewed fervor and my desire to succeed paid off with the March 2009 administration of the MPRE as I bested the score I was shooting for by 25 points. Usually, when one gets those types of "signs" their confidence level usually increases tremendously. However, the thing with me is that law school, its exams, and my attempts to become a licensed attorney, have taught me that despite my firm belief that God only answers the prayers of those who do the initial leg work before putting it all in His hands. The past year has humbled me into realizing that HIS will, not mine, will be done. The only problem is in the acceptance portion when the desires of one superseed the expectations of the other and vice versa.
I will not say that I wasn't prepared in July, I just have come to terms with the fact that it simply wasn't my time. Now, i'm faced with the daunting task of waiting to make my next move. And that's the worst part of attempting to gain certification in the legal profession, the wait. I cannot and will not question the will of my father, but I believe that I am ready. I have obtained the education, engaged in the preparation, and did my best on the bar exam. Furthermore, it seems as though everything is falling into place. I've passed the MPRE after 4 attempts, I've succeeded in gaining temporary employment in order to pay my bills, I have a strong possibility that I will be working with people that I trust, doing something I enjoy, and following a plan that I totally agree with, and most importantly my demeanor has been more upbeat lately. I wouldn't quite say that I have reached the plateau of happiness that I am searrching for, but I am damn close.
So if not now, then when? I have had conversations with friends, associates, frat brothers, and random people that I have met where they all express confidence in my abilities in knowing that I have passed this time around but I wonder why I can't feel the same way. As opposed to how I felt in october of last year, I will not say that I think I failed because I honestly do not believe that I did, but that damn "what if" has managed to creep into my thoughts yet again. What if I didn't pass? What if folks were only telling me that they believed in me because it was the right thing to do, not because they genuinely felt in such a manner? What if I have to move back home? What if? WHAT IF?
So i'm saying this now on April 24th, I believe that this is my time, my chance, and I intend to make the most of it. I have done all I could and will accept whatever comes my way the same as always, but it's in God's hands now and I'm okay with that!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
It's About That Time
I have been wanting to write in my blog again for the longest. I wanted it to be more like a cyber journal (diary is kinda homo) because I have always looked at how unjudging and welcoming a pen and pad or keyboard and word processor can be as opposed to people. But I guess I'm not totally living my life on the up and up in order to turn my blog into a tell-all. Some of the things i do in my personal life are still no ones business other than my own. But then again, my blog is for my own release so why should I care who I hurt and what people think. I'll do better. But on to my posting for today.
About a month ago I went to see Slumdog Millionaire, a movie that impacted me when I first saw it, but with the turns that my life is encountering I'm really starting to get it. The movie opens with a title card displaying the following message; "Jamal Malik is one question away from winning 20 million rupees. How did he do it? (A) He cheated, (B) He's lucky, (C) He's a genius, (D) It is written." As applied to my life this statement would read;
Kellen Daranda is 12 days from getting one step closer to happiness. How did he do it?
(A) He cheated
(B) He's lucky
(C) He's a genius
(D) It is written
In 12 days I am going to receive my results from my second sitting of the Texas State Bar Examination, and surprisingly I'm not nervous this time around. This is probably largely attributed to the fact that I believe in predestination, and the way everything is happening. This time, I approached the bar without the sense of inferiority I had before, believing that I was sub-par because I had graduated from Texas Southern. I came at it this time around, not looking to prove anything to anyone, but with everything to lose. I came to sit with the strong potential of employment, and with a threat that if I did not pass I would be forced to move back to New Orleans after 6 years of being out my parents house and in essence start all over. As much as I love New Orleans, and yearn to return, I intend to do so on my own terms.
But since that time, I have managed to find me a temporary job, that despite how tedious and boring it is, is still a pay check. INCOME, YAY! In addition to that, I passed the MPRE with a 110, managed to find me a bit of a social life, and have a strong possibility of not being single at the end of summer 09. Maybe its just my time to shine...
About a month ago I went to see Slumdog Millionaire, a movie that impacted me when I first saw it, but with the turns that my life is encountering I'm really starting to get it. The movie opens with a title card displaying the following message; "Jamal Malik is one question away from winning 20 million rupees. How did he do it? (A) He cheated, (B) He's lucky, (C) He's a genius, (D) It is written." As applied to my life this statement would read;
Kellen Daranda is 12 days from getting one step closer to happiness. How did he do it?
(A) He cheated
(B) He's lucky
(C) He's a genius
(D) It is written
In 12 days I am going to receive my results from my second sitting of the Texas State Bar Examination, and surprisingly I'm not nervous this time around. This is probably largely attributed to the fact that I believe in predestination, and the way everything is happening. This time, I approached the bar without the sense of inferiority I had before, believing that I was sub-par because I had graduated from Texas Southern. I came at it this time around, not looking to prove anything to anyone, but with everything to lose. I came to sit with the strong potential of employment, and with a threat that if I did not pass I would be forced to move back to New Orleans after 6 years of being out my parents house and in essence start all over. As much as I love New Orleans, and yearn to return, I intend to do so on my own terms.
But since that time, I have managed to find me a temporary job, that despite how tedious and boring it is, is still a pay check. INCOME, YAY! In addition to that, I passed the MPRE with a 110, managed to find me a bit of a social life, and have a strong possibility of not being single at the end of summer 09. Maybe its just my time to shine...
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