Devil’s Advocate

Stories happening around the Chapel

Archive for September, 2006

Debut!

Posted by richardcjy on September 27, 2006

Due to the extreme laziness of this blogger, and too many external distractions, such as endless assignments and BDay parties, nothing has been posted in this blog. As you might agree, the first step is always the most difficult part. Once you started, it’s easier to follow up. Based on this theory (and excuse as well), I’d love to wrap up some general impressions of school in the first month in this diary rather than trying to write detail reports of everything happened. I wish it would be a good first step.

First Impression: Duke Blue? It’s GREEN everywhere!
After the crazy flight from France to Taipei and then to the east coast, banking tons of frquent flyer mileages (what? still not enough for a free ticket!), I arrived the school in the forest. I mean the FOREST literally. North Carolina is a great state with beautiful natural scenes, and the University is located in a quiet, comfortable, beautiful, small southern town, which is great for academic studies. Translation: kinda boring.

This is totally new for an urban guy like me. But you know, it will probably benefit my body and clean my minds. Yes, I will become a philosopher and THINK a lot. Thanks to the power of nature.

Special thanks to Hans, who picked me up in the airport in early morning:)

Roomie is the key to survive

First classmate I met here is my roommate. He really helps a lot to get me familiar with the school, especially in the situation that I arrived late. Having a wonderful roomie is probably one of the most important thing to survive here. A warm home is always the best place to go.

My roomie, who will share the great five-star resort (after the experience at Chapou in France, I am thinking about upgrading here to 7-star, that’s another story. i hope i can get to it later in this blog) with me this yr, is a great guy from Thai. Not only easy-going and friendly, he’s also a Michelin-TWO-star chef. You know what? This guy deserves a full post, so i will stop here for now.

The DLS

Duke Law is without any doubt one of the most prestige law school in the States. I rushed to the orientatin shortly after my arrival to school. The International Dean is very nice, every one is willing to help you. Great faculties, and great students here.

The size of the school is medium compares to other leading law schools. It’s a great fit for me since I don’t really want to go to huge schools andnot able to know people well. We integrate with American students well,that’s another plus.

Gothics

This campus is famous of its Gothic buildings. The landmark in the campus is the Duke Chapel. The statue of Mr. Jame Duke stands in front of it. Wanna get married here? Better get in line fast:)

Walking in the Forest

In a lovely sunny morning, it’s just perfect to walk through the Sarah Duke Garden to the Law School. However, you want to make sure that you have plenty of time ahead. The campus is BIG. We are already used to a high density of population in Asian cities. Here it’s totally a different story.

Living at Duke without a car is just like handicapped. You can’t go to the supermarket, you can’t go to the baseball games, you can’t go to the restaurants off campus. You will live in your warm cottage happily ever after for GOOD.

I wish I will start another post with “driving in the forest” very soon!

Still so many happen this month, but I think it’s good enough for the debut. I hope I will write again soon.

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