Has it really been FOUR years since my last post?

There’s so much to cover.

THE END OF AN ERA

I know I was rebranding into a travel blog but I haven’t made any travel posts because I enjoyed making traveling vlogs more than writing traveling blogs. With only a week or two in a foreign country, it was hard finding the time to vlog, blog, and enjoy myself. But more importantly, I haven’t left the States since 2020.

WHAT HAPPENED

I’m not a world traveler anymore because I’m in… law school. This is certainly not where I thought I’d end up when I started this blog – back when I was thirteen years old – but it’s fun to see how I got here. I’m twenty-four now which means this blog has been around for eleven years… yeesh. It’s a little crazy (scary) to think that my digital footprint goes so far back. Let’s hope this won’t affect my legal career.

Proof that I’m really in law school.

When I started TheWritingMonkey, I had big dreams of becoming a published fantasy author. And I made a real effort at reaching that goal (I did self-publish a book after all). But the older I got, the less interested in creative writing I became. I struggled to stay consistent and it started to feel like a chore. It was clear that I had moved on.

I toyed with the idea of law school (as a kid, I loved the game Ace Attorney) but after graduating from UW-Madison, I moved back in with my parents to save money and work as a content creator – I’m still a creative person at heart. This blog actually helped me land the job since the company wanted someone who knew WordPress! I had a lot of fun but I quickly realized that marketing just wasn’t for me. I didn’t like having to follow rules when it came to my creative designs!

So, I said, “Why not law school?” and applied to schools all around the country.

CONTENT CREATOR TURNED LAW SCHOOL STUDENT

I feel like I’m the luckiest person on the planet because of all the blessings that have come my way. Years and years ago I wrote a post that I went to UW-Madison because I got a full tuition scholarship. Well, it happened again. Maryland Carey Law not only accepted me but they offered me a full tuition scholarship to attend. I cried at work when I got the offer. There was nothing more for me to do but submit my seat deposit, pack my bags, and move across the country to Baltimore, Maryland.

I’m not exaggerating when I say that my first year of law school was incredible. I’ve made some wonderful friends and mentors who have helped me survive and thrive here and I’m so grateful to Maryland Carey Law for the opportunity to pursue my dream. There’s nothing more exciting than realizing you’re finally where you’re meant to be, and I know that this is the place I’m meant to be.

WHAT NOW

I’m about to start my 2L year – which still feels weird to say – and while I have a lot on my plate, I’m pretty excited. I’m the President of the Asian Pacific American Law Student Association, member and Public Relations Chair of the Maryland National Trial Team (clearly content creation still plays a huge role in my life!), and interning at the Maryland Office of the Attorney General. Whew.

Lawyer-in-training!

Creative writing may not be in my future, but I still greatly enjoy reading. I picked it up again during the pandemic and “voracious” does not come close to describing my reading habits. Last year, I read 151 books and this year my goal is 180. I always say that law school students get to have one single hobby and mine is definitely reading. But I also review books! Writing book reviews still feels like blogging, albeit a shorter form of blogging, and I’d like to think I’m keeping the spirit of TheWritingMonkey alive through this.

Guess it’s time to update this blog’s blurb from “A kid, a girl, a monkey who writes,” to “A monkey who sometimes writes,” what do we think?

LOOKING AHEAD

It’s been an incredible four years since the last time I’ve posted on this blog. And I’m sure that the next time I post on here will be no less exciting (at least, for me). I knew coming into law school that I wanted to do criminal law and I’m hoping my internship at the Maryland Office of the Attorney General will transform into full-time employment soon after I graduate.

Until next time! When is next time? Maybe when I graduate from law school… Here’s to hoping that the next time I post, it’ll be because I’ve finally become a state prosecutor!

KEEP UP WITH ME

My blog posts will be sporadic at best but if you’re interested in seeing more of me, you can follow me on Instagram. I’m way more active on there than I should be.

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