On September 3, I woke up at my
usual 5:30am but with an unusual chutzpah: it was the first day of law school
at UNB. The agenda provided in advance listed orientation-like activities
including registration, a welcome lunch and greetings from the dean and members
of the local legal community. Amidst the flurry of activity since arriving in
Fredericton including moving into my apartment, buying pieces of furniture that
we couldn’t shoehorn into the Flett-caravan and touring the city, I didn’t
notice that it was also picture day. PICTURE DAY!? A shave and more meticulous
clothing selection was quickly added to my morning To-Do list.
But first, a run. UNB and my
nearby apartment is situated close to the St. John River which curves through
the city. Waterloo Row traces the shoreline, connecting the campus to downtown.
I took in the impressive views along the river and from the Marysville bridge
while the sun slowly rose upon Fredericton. Occasional raindrops reminded me of
the typical Maritime weather. The jog was special as I anticipated the day. I
imagined many more runs along this route, but none on a day with the same
importance.
Clean shaven and dressed – I
opted for a jeans and a long-sleeved collared plaid shirt with sleeves rolled
up; a little bit dressy, a little bit casual (this took considerable thought!) – I had time to spare before my
walk to Ludlow Hall. Anyone who knows me knows of my obsession with figure
skating, both as a participant and spectator. Without my TV cable installed, I
flipped through some skating DVDs to fill the time and chose the 2012 US
Nationals ladies final.
Ashley Wagner won that year and I
was both reminded of and motivated by her story. Wagner won bronze in 2008 with
an impressive senior debut and fans next move. Botched performances in 2009,
2010 (Olympics) and 2011 kept her off the world team. Ashley put herself on a
new path in 2012 with a new coach, new training centre, new artistic
appreciation and more technical consistency. Given the changes in my life, I
couldn’t help likening her path that season to the one I had chosen. I was
desperately hopeful my choices would bring my own success: new friends, a sense
of community in Fredericton and academic success in law school.
My favourite split second in her
long program was her mid-program landing of a triple loop (jump to 3:20). Provocatively, she
attempted the jump directly in front of the judges, landing it with a fierce
expression that oozed “look at me now, judges.” I committed that look of
confidence to memory as I ventured to school.
Climbing
up the steep hillside campus on that rainy humid morning, I arrived at the law
school breathless, flushed and sweaty. I wiped my face with my sleeve, took a
deep breath and opened the front door of Ludlow Hall and stepped in, ready to
take on the day.
