What a ride - and I haven't started class yet

Wow.

My first week of law school literally came and went in a flash. As did the second and third. I totally planned to write my first blog post after my first week. But, given the nature of the program I'm in, my 'first week' was actually three consecutive weeks and no part of my brain was functioning, let alone able to process what just happened.

For those of you who don't know, I'm currently studying in the Dual J.D. program at the University of Windsor (joint with the University of Detroit Mercy, 10 minutes away). We had the honour of starting class two weeks early, and also taking part in the Academic Orientation of the University of Windsor Single JD program. If you don't get it, don't worry. Pretty much, every other law student in Ontario has their Orientation jammed into one week, I experienced three times as much over three weeks. Our program is also comparative in nature, meaning that we learn both the US and Canadian Law in comparison to the other. Double the work but also double the knowledge!

Back to how I got here, to Windsor. On the 15th of August we packed up from the comforts of our homes in one of the greatest cities in the world for a four hour trek on the 401 to Windsor, Ontario - which is apparently known as the City of Roses... the only reason I can come up with is because of Outkast's song. This city is not as awesome as roses. It also definitely does not smell like roses. Or look like roses. Strange.

Anyhow, much of the move was a blur to me. Hopefully the picture above puts it into perspective - thanks to Mr. Renshaw, I had a truck and a trailer that would let us carry all the big furniture. Thanks to the Barbieri boys for taking that thing back to Toronto!! So I went from work on the 14th, to packing at home, to waking up bright and early and eventually arriving in Windsor at 6PM on the 15th. My roommate (Sal) and I had our parents with us to help clean the place and put together IKEA things without IKEA directions. The first night in Windsor consisted of some 4.99$ PIZZA PIZZA specials (my dad's favourite)  and some sleep.

Papa's Kiss - Sweet boat!

On the morning of the 16th we had to head to the border to process our student visas and then pretty much explore Windsor. One thing about Windsor, you'll never understand this place until you're here. We had the luxury(--not really) of being here when majority of students hadn't moved in yet. It was very quiet, borderline deserted. It is a city that survives off of students. Starting this past week the students all arrived here and there are parties everywhere (and just our luck, we happen to live on a lively street). But I'd rather have that then the quiet, creepy Windsor of the first two weeks.

The next day our girlfriend's arrived so we could show off our new home for three years. Luckily for us, Sal's family friend is a very well known person in Windsor and was able to show us the better sides. We pretty much had a day on this luxury boat and went about five hours on the boat, travelling from the port in Walkerville to the edge of Lake Erie. It was an awesome day, great weather and just a sweet experience. Also, I think we impressed the girls enough that they LOVE WINDSOR!!! ;) (joking) The night ended with dinner in Little Italy (and a creepy waiter trying to make us all take tequila shots....at an Italian Restaurant....) We spent the last day with the girlfriends, luckily getting to see an awesome firework show on the waterfront and then just exploring Windsor. TIP: Windsor does not have ice cream shops near the school open late at night.... or at all. We went to McDonalds. There are tons of McDonalds'.

Detroit Skyline from our Boat Cruise (a little slanted thanks to iPhoto)

So starting on Monday, we began our first day of orientation. For the week, we would travel to UDM (in Detroit) to take part in orientation there. During Orientation week you're just thrown an assortment lectures/presentations/etc and it does become pretty overwhelming. We took part in the basic's of law school (case/statutory analysis) and discussed everything and anything about the next three years of our life in this program. We had homework, readings (tons of them) and assignments. Good start.

The end of the week consisted of a start to our Legal Writing Class. The way our program works is that our classes are split between Windsor and the University of Detroit Mercy. Our only class in Detroit this year is the Legal Writing Class, which is twice a week. The class is probably the most hands-on of a class that you can get in law school, and it happens to be the only one we will take in our first year that doesn't have one huge final exam, but rather various assignments throughout the year. Besides that, we actually haven't started any class other than this one. Our second week of orientation consisted of 4 hours of our Legal Writing Class each day.

Highlight of the week? American-style deep dish pizza. Best pizza I've had in my life. And it's probably mediocre by their standards. It was free too. Win-win for me.

This past week was orientation all over again. The Windsor Single JD program students began their orientation this week, and as students of the dual JD program, we were required to go through this orientation as well. Safe to say, a lot of it was repetitive. And, after having technically been in law school for two weeks, it was definitely a little bit of a slow down from the routine that I was getting into. Good news is that must of us Dualies (thats what we're called here at Windsor) have been together for three weeks so we're pretty friendly with each other and make time fly by. Windsor is a place where you never want to be bored because you might go crazy. So, with all of our work and some downtime hanging out with everyone, its definitely bare able.

So anyway, I want to talk about some of the questions people have already asked and will ask me about the past three weeks.

First, how scary is Detroit?
I'll be the first person to admit that I was not looking forward to travelling to Detroit two times a week for class. I've been scarred for life ever since my car died in downtown Detroit as we were on our way to see a Red Wings Game a few years ago. It was pouring rain. T.I. was about to go to jail so he had a last minute concert in Detroit. And NOBODY wanted to give us a boost. We ended up getting a boost but missing the game because going to it would probably mean the car wouldn't start again. I vowed never to go back.

Now i'm there twice a week!

Detroit is actually pretty cool. Firstly, the skyline looks amazing from Windsor. The underwater tunnel from Windsor to Detroit is 1.5 KM and gets you there in about 2 minutes. Its actually pretty cool the first few times. Then, not so much. Secondly, it's pretty much a normal city during the day. Obviously coming from the mecca that is Toronto, nothing will compare. But, Detroit definitely doesn't live up to its bad reputation. Mind you, I haven't really been there at night (and don't plan on it) but I have driven and walked around a fair bit. It is deserted (bankrupt!) and a little worn down but it looks like a city that could (and probably will) one day be thriving again.

The best experience that I had in Detroit was when we got to visit the Detroit Criminal Court. The court is nicely situated beside Ford Field (home of the Detroit Lions) and Comerica Park (home of the Detroit Tigers) and across the street from the Wayne County Jail. Great city planning. Detroit is just funny like that. Anyway, sitting in on criminal proceedings (and a semi-trial) in that court was awesome. Definitely something I won't forget. Ask me about it if you want to know what we saw.

UPDATE: THIS(http://www.freep.com/article/20130909/NEWS01/309090075/prisoner-escape) just happened at that same criminal court this morning. 

Second, how sketchy is Windsor?

Windsor is a world of its own. In the words of Sal, "Windsor is a freak show".  The Caesar's casino is awesome. The pubs on the main strip are actually surprisingly fun. But coming from Toronto, nothing will ever come close. Some positives? Cheap gas in Detroit (90 cents/litre), students EVERYWHERE you go, and one of the warmest places in Canada. Also, pretty close to some great sports in Detroit, and tons of great concerts nearby. (We're already planning to go to Kanye's concert and J Cole's concert in the D)

I've been super lucky to have some great friends already in this city and studying at Windsor in one way or another. I'm actually looking forward to finally starting law school - the learning part. All I've heard so far is that I'm not ready for the hell that is law school, or that I'm going to hate law school very soon. Pretty intense stuff. But one guy who has kept me sane is Mike Alvaro. Mike's a third year student in the Dual JD program and has an awesome career ahead of him (he's actually my hero). He's also a great friend from undergrad and SMCSU. He's gone out of his way to make sure Sal and I are comfortable and have a grasp of what we're about to get into. Safe to say, he's been a huge help and shows us that all the hard work will be worth it! He also

Anywho, tomorrow marks Week 4 in Windsor and Week 1 of school. I'll check in in the next week or two with a recap of how things are going and let you know about some of the things that I'm getting involved in.

Back in Toronto this weekend. Cold Tea on Friday!

Token first day of class photo that our parents took. Don't mind the pink curtains.