*demand*

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Welcome to the service industry.

trial.

Yesterday I attended a trial with three parties and four lawyers - the Plaintiff and his lawyer, the Defendant and its lawyer, and the Third Party and its lawyers, i.e. boss and me. 

Boss let me conduct most parts of the trial, stepping in only when I really needed help.

I watched the lawyers as they joked around about kangkung before trial.

I smiled as my boss gave the other lawyer hints about procedure during trial.

I observed their passionate but civil debate about whose client was in the right or wrong over lunch. 

I listened as they commented on my performance. 

I huffed and puffed as we climbed the court's steep (to me lah) flights of stairs to the top floor after lunch for another round of trial.

Today, I received news that a pupil-in-chambers's petition to be called to the Bar was struck out because members of the Bar objected to his admission as an Advocate and Solicitor. The pupil was deemed unfit to be an Advocate and Solicitor because he had previously been found to be an uncredible witness who had tampered with evidence and abused his power in a previous matter.

Despite us being the butt of jokes and the "lawyers can't be trusted" I hear every now and then, 

I must say, 

I'm proud to be a member of this profession.

And I'm especially proud to be a member of the legal fraternity in good ol' Malacca. 

People say nothing ever happens here, 

but I say everything I need to be a good lawyer,

is right here.

=)

powerful thing.

it's a powerful thing - 

when you first experience the death of a friend you've been praying for.

it's been almost four years, but i still feel it today, although i know he's more than ok where he is now.

to date, three of my friends have passed on. 

news of death does something to you. 

a tiny gasp, a slight choke, a tear, a deep breath, more tears, deeper breaths.

kinda puts things in perspective. 

these eyes were made for greater things than seeing the faults of others,

these hands were made for greater things than temporal things, 

these ears were made for greater things than listening to gossip, 

this mouth was made for greater things than slander, 

this heart was made for greater things than grudges, 

this soul was made for greater things than Earth.

because the God who made them is greater than what our puny minds can imagine. 

was never a fan of resolutions. became less of a fan after i worked through the new year.

things aren't great where i am, especially in mgc. 

but you know what?

i have a duty to honour not only my God, 

but the memories of those who have returned to Him - 

His servants, my friends and fellow labourers. 

i have a mission to accomplish before my own return is due. 

no time to be miserable. 

no time to whine.

no time to mope.

no time to waste.

Father, 

let the harvest come.

favourite client.

Ok, I admit it. I have a favourite corporate client. 

The people there are always so nice, even if they're called to court to testify because someone dragged them into third party proceedings.

I always feel better after a chat with them.

Kinda changes my mind about people affiliated with the government.

=)

brain-fall.

I wish people would stop calling me when I'm working on submissions. 

It's like my brain dropped out of my head and I can't think anymore.

"Hi Lim, how are you today... hehe =)"

How am I?

Prayer meet tonight - can't wait to hear the first mini-sermon for the meet by Kenneth.

Musicians roster for Jan - Jun 2014 still not done, waiting for various parties' confirmation.

First Teens Club meet on 11.1.2014 afternoon, supposed to welcome the teens back to the Club. Nothing moving yet.

First Young Adults meet on 11.1.2014 evening, I'm in charge of backup games. (oklah, making people play silly games is fun for me)

Submissions due on 13.1.2014, the same day as the hearing date for a summary judgment application against our client.

Affidavit in reply due on 17.1.2014, must be sent to client to be affirmed by 16.1.2014 latest. Oh, and we haven't done the meet-client-to-decide-how-to-reply part yet.

Trial on 15.1.2014, I'll be counsel this time. (Whee! and Eee!) 

Wedding stuff (this one quite fun).

Bankruptcy notices not prepared yet because of the backlog caused by a certain clerk.

How am I?

I was feeling awful until that message came in.

Love-hate relationship with clients - they bring us trouble, but without their troubles, our profession holds no meaning. We're like the man of the appalling trade in Emily Dickinson's There's been a Death, in the Opposite House. maybe that's why we dress like we're going to a funeral.

Anyway.

Today's relationship is one of love. Thank you, dear client.