That’s right, after 8 long years i’m finally graduating from law!

Just in case you’re wondering how much reading is involved in studying law, a LOT!

These are only part of the recommended textbooks for each subject and obviously doesn’t include all the online reading involved – journals, caselaw, legislation, commentary etc… so you can probably multiply the above by 1.5x or similar.

For those curious, the books at the top called ‘College of Law (PLT)’ comprise the practical legal training component of law. In order to be admitted to practice as a solicitor in NSW you need your law degree (or equivalent) as well as the PLT component.

To view the slideshow from the wedding day click here.

Happy Easter! Went out to the Sydney Royal Easter Show again this year, and it’s just as enjoyable as ever! When I was younger I used to go for the showbags and the rides, but these days I find myself interested in the food (strawberries w/ cream & ice cream, $2 coon toasted cheese sandwiches, country womens association scones fresh from the oven) and the animals. The show is a great day out, and on Good Friday or Easter Sunday when all the shops and supermarkets are closed, what better way to spend the day?

I try to beat the crowds by getting there when the gates open (around 9am) and hitting the busiest parts first – the food & dairy pavillion, the arts & crafts hall, the animal areas etc… and then relax at lunchtime in the main arena before coming home early afternoon.

Also this year I had to try the new super-slide that just came over from Italy. We’re all big kids at heart

Mum wanted to go somewhere where she could shop, but also relax on a few nice beaches, so we ended up flying to Bangkok for three nights to do the shopping side of things, and then down to Koh Samui for a week to relax at the beach.

Overall the holiday was a great experience (Mum said it was the best holiday she’s ever had ) and I would definitely recommend Thailand as a holiday destination – the people are so welcoming, the food is delicious (just watch out for the chillies!), climate is great – and with the Australian dollar where it is, everything is relatively inexpensive!

In Koh Samui we stayed at Sandalwood Luxury Villas and if you’re looking for somehwere luxurious with great service close to Chaweng, look no further! The views from the hillside are breathtaking and the staff go out of their way to make you feel welcome. We would not hesitate to book and stay there again in future.

Overall it was a great holiday, you can view the entire slideshow here and a quick video below.

The main thing is that Mum had a great time and she was able to celebrate her 60th Birthday in style – Happy Birthday Mum!

1. Save a deposit and buy a place. Update: Still saving and still looking for the right place.

2. Finish my legal studies and be admitted as a solicitor. Update: I’m now doing my final subject, which means I finish that in March (hopefully!) followed by my compulsory Practical Legal Training (PLT) which should see me admitted later this year!

3. Volunteer at least once a month. Update: I volunteered once. Pathetic! More effort required…

4. Lower my cholesterol and keep it within the ‘normal’ range. Update: Cholesterol still high, lowering my dairy intake.

5. Think about becoming a father. Update: Still thinking!

6. Take the time to watch the sun rise or set at least once a month. Update: Done!

7. Ride 10,000km over a 12 month period. Update: Fell short – 7,100km logged on the GPS, probably 500km on the rollers so all up just over 7,500km. Will aim to break 10,000km this year.

8. Successfully complete the 3 peaks challenge. Update: Done! Stupidly signed up again for this year

9. Enrol in and successfully complete a culinary course. Update: Still on the to-do list. If you know of any good ones please let me know via the comment box below!

10. Have friends over and cook them a meal at least once a month. Update: So-so on this one – maybe once every two months!

11. Take a European or North American vacation. Update: On the list – maybe after I finish my studies.

12. Take at least 1 photo a day. Update: Hasn’t happened

13. Take the Camera Craft 3 and Lighting workshops at the Australian Centre for Photography. Update: Camera Craft 3 is done! Lighting hopefully this year.

14. Take a public speaking course to help overcome my glossophobia. Update: Took the NIDA presenting with confidence course last month, but it will be a long time before I feel comfortable speaking in front of a large group of people.

15. Read 1 non law-related book per month. Update: Nope. More work to be done here.

16. Make a will. Update: On the to-do list.

17. Take a group family photo at least once per year. Update: So far so good.

18. Learn to dance (don’t laugh!). Update: Still on the to-do list.

19. Photograph a complete stranger once every two months. Update: Nope. More work to be done!

20. Try and be a bit more sociable. Update: Trying, but difficult.

So there you have it. Only 3 of 20 completed. Plenty of room for improvement! What are your goals for 2012 and beyond?

Merry Christmas! My colleague JB got me this card for Christmas because the guy on the cover apparently bears a striking resemblance to me! I’ll let you decide if that’s what I look like but I have my doubts – at least with the hair coming out the bottom of the speedos! :p

To me, Christmas is all about family and friends and so I spent it up on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, where my Mum & Dad are based, as well as many uncles, aunties & cousins. Had a great time although I was only up there for 4 days. Below is a slideshow of some of the photos taken, or a link to the full gallery is here. I hope wherever you were at Christmas, that it was a good one!

(apologies for the poor quality – colleague’s iPhone and no image stabilisation!)

Had our IT Christmas lunch at Beppi’s in East Sydney today. Beppi’s is an institution and was established in 1956 by Beppi and his wife Norma and is still family owned and run today. Convenient location, friendly, knowledgable waiters and great ambience however i’ve got to say I was a little let down by the food – it wasn’t as good as I remember it. I had the beef carpaccio for entree, angel hair pasta with crab, prawn & lobster in a saffron sauce for main followed by strawberry crepes with grand marnier sauce. Both the entree and the main were quite tasteless, however the dessert was OK. Our table of five was also overcharged to the tune of $50 for dishes ordered by a nearby table. Don’t think i’ll be going back in a hurry.

I’m so full I feel like a beached whale…

Yep – another year wiser or so they say! Had a little tasty birthday cupcake for breakfast!

Not the nicest weather in Sydney today – maximum 20 degrees and showers – but it could be worse and hopefully there are some nice summer days just around the corner…