explanation of why I'm taking the classes I'm taking

Hello girls and boys. A lot is on my mind but instead of sharing those thoughts, I will explain what classes I am taking and why. I am taking the following classes:

Partnership Tax
International Tax
Corporate Tax
Income Tax Treaties
Tax for Financial Instruments
Japanese Law

The simple explanation is that I want (?) to be a tax lawyer and since I am going abroad (losing out on a semester at Mich Law), I needed to take as many tax classes as possible. I am taking Japanese Law because I wanted to go study abroad at Waseda. The preceding sentences probably explain most of my motivations behind taking the classes. The Financial Instruments class was chosen because it was being co-taught by a person high up in EY. However, there is another (compelling) reason why I'm taking some of these classes now. It has to do with a part of me that is semi-uber-cheap. Please refer to this entry to read about what I do to receive free lunches.

I inherited some of J. Lafond's tax books. I inherited both his International Tax and Partnership Tax texts. In order to avoid the textbooks expiring on me (ie., a new edition being published), I was compelled to squeeze Partnership Tax into my schedule despite warnings that it would be the hardest class I would take in my life (I had dropped an elective with Prof. Avi-Yonah since I was already taking two of his classes...and taking three classes for the same semester with Prof. Avi-Yonah is definitely OVERKILL).  Partnership Tax is indeed the hardest class I've taken in my life that I could legitimately get a C- putting in much effort!

Also, even though I was planning on taking Japanese Law from day 1 of law school (or before, since I mentioned interest in my law school app), I inherited (or borrowed) it from the APALSA collection! Yay for textbooks that are current and free! Income Tax Treaties has no textbook! Yay!  I did end up buying two textbooks...one for Corporate Tax and one for Financial Instruments. It killed me a little when I had to purchase the two books.

The real reason why I'm still taking the Financial Instruments class is the book return policy of Ulrich's. I had purchased the book and opened its shrink wrapping before attending the first class. I hated the first class and desired to drop. Never ever take a class that is front-loaded and meets for 3 hours per session. Also, even though I don't think I'll follow my advice, don't purchase the textbook before attending the first class. Ugh. I am currently studying for a take-home final for this class which will begin next Friday. Because the book cost about $200 and was not returnable, I ended up just taking the class. Woes.

Anyway, after next Friday, I need to attack these babies published by Foundation Press. Wish me luck! I really really need it.