Okay, since I have already spilled the beans and admitted in a previous post that I am enrolled in a law school, I might just talk about it here. Not that I am keeping it a secret, but sometimes I get the flak about this endeavor from people I know personally. Some say it’s too late, that I’m too old, that I’m just wasting money and time and that it would be wiser for me to devote my spare time on my family or other worthwhile activities from which I could profit financially. Others say with a tinge of mockery when they meet me - “O, kumusta, attorney?” (How are you attorney?) or “O, kelan ang hearing mo?” (When is your court hearing?)
These varied negative and sarcastic reactions to my studying law affected my disposition with regards to my schooling that there are times when I would hide the matter from people when they seek appointments with me at a time that would conflict with my class hours from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Mondays to Saturdays.
Friend: Hey, let’s have dinner tonight.
Me: Oh, I’m sorry, I can’t. I have an earlier appointment.
Friend: Why do you seem to be always having an appointment every afternoon, and even on Saturdays?
Cornered, I just fumbled with excuses.
When I started this blog last January 2006, I wanted very much to write in my entries some bits and pieces of the things I learned in law school. Incidentally, I came across this site of a graduating law stude who was then reviewing for the 2006 bar exams. He left a comment in an entry I posted here on American Idol Kelly Clarkson which is how I got to track his blog.
Cleverly, law stude used his blog in posting his reviewers, in the hope that doing so would help him retain the “gazillions” of laws, statutes and jurisprudence. Reading his blog, I felt encouraged to do the same in my blog, though perhaps only intermittently. But I held back. I got cold feet. I was afraid people would judge me again here.
Last week however, as I was slaving for my mid term exams in Torts and Damages and Taxation II, it suddenly dawned on me - why the hell am I ashamed to tell others that I am studying law? Why do I allow myself to be intimidated by people who mean only to put me down when I want to go above the surface and see the light?
I chided myself for regarding my being a law student like a skeleton in my closet that I feared for others to discover. Enough of this.
Now, I am announcing to the world:
Here I am, a married woman in midlife with three grown children, still aiming to fulfill a childhood dream.
To my detractors: “May reklamo?” (Any complaints?)
Side Note: This entry is inspired by the following blogger friends: (Thanks to both. Now I feel liberated from a nonsensical anxiety.)
Señor Enrique’s reply to my comment in his blog:“I trust you’ll make a great lawyer who will uphold the law and help out those who are unknowledgeable about.”
Sexy Mom’s comment in a previous post:
“as to schooling, it’s not too late, again, another inspiration. me, i took my MBA only 3 years ago, i graduated last august (ang malas pa, i could not attend it, i had to go to bangladesh for a 2-week assignment).”
this question came to my mind, “oh may hearing kaba” hehe..
But that’s a serious venture.. good luck po.
That’s why there’s is what we call continuing studies courses offered in all our colleges here to offer new and unexplored knowledge to those who wish to expand their world.
Me, I can’t wait to retire, to go and do more studies, maybe try the degree in law, hope that my degree in commerce will give me some credits. I remember when I was in college, we had a classmate whose children were all graduates and he was exempted taking ROTC, but always there to watch us and of course being well-to-do had always something for our snacks during breaks…maybe with my good pensions, I may be able to repay my future classmates..
oh, Rhodora - you’ll make a good lawyer, i know! a loving lawyer at that. i haven’t told you, but my 23-yr old daughter is in law school (3rd year) at the ateneo. she wants to take up medicine after law school, so she can be a medico-legal. i told her it’s ok, that’s a decision she has to make 3 years from now. at the moment, i can only support her.
and boy! you must be reading a lot! good luck, dear!
As I always say, to hell what other people think. It’s MY life and it’s MY choice… enuff said.
Good luck on your endeavor, Rhodora
…and you’ll be a good lawyer too!
I can only admire this! I find it quite extraordinary that you have the passion and the enthusiasm to start law school! Your quest for knowledge will keep you young while your contemporaries will be old people…
Wish you all the luck with this big challenge. But I guess you are very smart !
wooow, you’re a super mom! good luck on this endeavor. a new environment is always welcome, it gives a different feeling of growth & maturity.
everytime friends would tease/discourage me on things that i am passionate about, i always tell them - “walang basagan ng trip”. to each, his own.
p.s.
my lolo is from dagupan & lola is from calasiao. my mom and i would talk in that dialect when we have a secret haha!
Hello there! I am glad that even in my own little ways - thru blogging, I have somewhat an effect on you. It is true, I used blog specifically to remind me of topics I need to know for my 2006 BAR. After the BAR however, I tend to just blog about anything and everything which I can think of that will help me keep my mind-off the exams. Rught now, since the result of my exams is just around the corner, I need all the support and prayers I could get… and I am really surprised on how supportive most of the bloggers are. Thank You!!!
Dimaks, ha… isa ka rin.. hahaha! Yes, indeed, it’s a serious venture.. ewan ko ba, napasubo ata ako…
Naku, Vic, suwerte naman ng mga magiging classmate mo! LOL! Of course, you can try law.. with your style of writing and the insights you have on law, life, etc.. I’m sure you’ll just breeze through it.
Thank you, Dine! Oh, yes, I read in your blog that one of your daughters is a law student. Tibay niya, ha.. Ateneo! I’m also in my third year now, like her. Wow! medico-legal ! Bilib ako sa daughter mo!
Snglguy - yup, you did hit the nail on its head! Now I know better than listen to those who try to discourage me.
Pining, thank you!
Thanks, Sidney. Yes, I agree with you, thirst and quest for knowledge can make one young.
This is indeed a big challenge, but you know what - I don’t want to pressure myself too much. I want to enjoy my studies. And of course, I need to be realistic too, because at my age and status, I can never tell what may happen around the bend on my next move. And at all times, MY PRIORITY IS MY FAMILY. With my studies, I will go as far as I can go, and as far as God will allow me.. Now, if God so wills that I finish and be able to take the bar, then, so be it, I’ll be most thankful and happy…
Uy, Eye! Kabaleyan! Really, your lolo and lola are from my province, your lola from Calasiao - so you are familiar with Calasiao puto , and lolo from my city in Dagupan - so you know how Dagupan bangus tastes like?
Thanks, Eye! Good luck on your endeavors too!
I am one of those praying for your success, Lawstude! Give me an alarm about the BAR results, will you? Can’t miss the chance to congratulate you…
spent all my summer childhood years in Calasiao — grew up with puto, kulambo, panucha, bagoong, burong isda, bangus, etc. aargh, narasan ak la!
Wow, first time for me to learn about your “hidden” endeavor! Good luck, good luck! Kaya mo yan. I know someone who pursued her PhD way after her children were full-grown. She would always tell others, “It’s NEVER too late!”
I admire your patience and spirit. Best of luck ulit. 
Oh, Rhodora. Am so proud of you. Pursuing a childhood dream — and I have no doubt you can do it. And you have been keeping it under wraps! In your place I would have crowed about it.
Now, you can go out in the open and blog about the secret life of a mom-wife-blogger-paperchaser. Bigat!! Sikat!!
Too old? In fact, those accumulated life experiences will become valuable assets when you practice law.
Congratulations for being proud on what you’re doing. Don’t pay those unpleasant folks no mind. Did you know that their sarcasm may be attributed to “inggit?” Not too many people, as we know, have the opportunity or courage to “follow their bliss.”
Go for it, counselor
I know kaya mo iyan. Kapag ginusto at masaya ka sa ginusto mo, the rest will follow. I just hope isa ka sa mga lawyers na babaguhin ang salitang “Abogago!”. Kaya mo iyan Dude!
Hi Rhodora, your kids must be so proud of you! My mom went back to school when my brother was about to enter college. She’s a chemical engineer but became a full-time mommy since my brother was born. Anyway, she enrolled in Women & Development in UP, thinking it was a course in entrepreneurship - only to find out that she has to study feminist theories, Marxism and Friere! I think we all got our degrees the same year - got my MD, my sister her MBA and my mom her MA.
Good luck!!!!!
Ang galing-galing talaga ng mga supermoms like you!
Don’t know what these people are up to but if I were you I won’t give a care. It is common knowledge that people who are in their middle age long for upgrading their education. In fact here in Canada evey university seems to have created what they call School for Continuing Education. They normally offer one year certification programs to upgrade their knowledge and boost their professional qualifications and it can be in the areas of technology management, early childhood edudaiton, paralegal, technical writing, etc… THese certifications can serve as credits for bachelor degree programs as well.
What you are going through is absolutely normal
It’s just a case of some inert if not abnormal people not understanding what normal people feel so I would ignore them 
Eye, sempet kad dia ta ikalutan ta kay Bonuan bangus!
Thank you, Kathy. Well, it ain’t ‘hidden’ no more.. hahaha!
Naku, Anna, don’t expect too much, nakaka nerbyos.. hehehe..
Eric, siguro nga, inggit lang sila… kasi ako at least, kahit trying hard, trying pa rin, e sila - never tried! ay, ano ba yun..
LAR, ayaw kong matawag na ‘Abogago’.. . di ba, male gender yun? hehehe… Seriously, thank you for your encouragement, my friend..
Midnight rainbow, I salute your mom! You must be very proud of her too.. I hope my kids are too, with me..
BW, you know, I shouldn’t be saying this because I am a Filipino and I live here in the Philippines, but you know what? Most Pinoys are judgmental… and you know the crab mentality? They love pulling one down and rejoicing over another person’s downfall. Ayaw nilang nakikita ang kapuwa niila na umangat at magtagumpay. Kalungkot talaga. .
Ate Rhodora:
Wow! I’m so happy for you for pursuing your studies in law. No one is too old to go back to school as long as the desire is there and you can afford it, I see no reason why not.
We will cheer you on!
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