JMLS_Micronesia

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The Countdown

DCStafford | 04 June, 2008 21:42

6 DAYS UNTIL I DEPART

For the past six or seven summers, I have had opportunities to travel to various locations around the world for work and studies. Some of the areas include Barcelona, Costa Rica, Vienna, Prague, Guatemala City, and Norway. Why travel so much? Experience has taught me that out-of-the-classroom adventures are the lessons that resonate the most and many times provide the foundation for what we eventually commit ourselves to. Yes, that is an overly-existential and somewhat corny statement, but one I subscribe to without hesitation. At the end of each past trip, I invariably said to myself, “surely that’s the last fun summer abroad; next year I have to settle down.” However, I have yet to follow my own instructions.

This year it’s Saipan, capital of the Northern Mariana Islands. It is a commonwealth of the United States and was a strategic launching point for attacks against Japan during WWII. My grandfather actually spent two years on the island, which gives the trip extra significance in my mind. While I generally enjoy flying, because getting on a plane means that I am getting to travel, I have a feeling that this particular journey is going to be exasperating. I first go to Detroit, then Nagoya, Japan, and from there on to Saipan. I leave on the morning of May 27th and arrive the morning of May 29th. Although I cross the international date line, it’s still a 26 hour trip. This will make flying to Europe seem like a trip to the grocery store!

5 MORNINGS OF MICRONESIAN POLICY “TRAINING” WITH DEAN BURCH

Last week I had the chance to learn about the political and judicial systems of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) from Dean Burch, who used to be an assistant attorney general for the State of Yap in the Federated States of Micronesia. There were a couple of out-of-the-ordinary pieces of info I would like to share. First, the relationship between the CNMI and the US is an interesting one. CNMI is a commonwealth, which means that they have slightly more sovereignty than a territory (such as the Virgin Islands or Guam). For example, their head of state is George Bush, but they have a local governor who for all practical purposes acts as the chief executive. Federal law applies in general, but the islands have their own immigration, customs, and minimum wage regulations. Appeals from CNMI courts in the area of bankruptcy are taken to 9th circuit federal courts in California. And on a humorous note, local court rules on the island specifically state that the parties and their lawyers must wear shoes.

I also found it interesting that judges can incorporate local customs and traditions into their decisions, specifically in the area of sentencing. For example, if a local man is accused of molesting a woman, the elders of that woman’s clan may order a severe beating to set the man straight. If the man is later formally convicted of the crime in court, the judge is allowed by law to take the beating in to account as a mitigating factor and lower his sentence accordingly. It seems rather primitive, but I respect the fact that such traditions are still honored.

4 BOOKS TO READ FOR PLEASURE

Pleasure reading is a concept that has become foreign to me. As a student, there’s generally not time for it, and even if there is I feel guilty for having a book in my hand that I actually chose to read. I still even find it difficult to justify a Grisham book! This summer will be different though. I’ve stockpiled four books thus far that I’m excited about getting into. First, The World Is Flat by Thomas Friedman. It’s a book by a radiologist turned economist who has outlined the effect that globalization has had and will have on our lives as Americans. It’s a bit academic, but the reviews say it’s interesting and easy to read. It should provide a good transition from Casebooks to fun books. Next, I Am America (And So Can You!) by my hero, Stephen T. Colbert, The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama, and finally Playing for Pizza (I had to throw a Grisham book into the mix). If I come across any life-altering info I’ll be sure to note it on the blog.

3 PIECES OF LUGGAGE WAITING TO BE PACKED

It didn’t really sink in that I was about to leave until Dean Burch gave me a packing list that she had compiled. It included the usual items that one would expect, such as dress shoes, swimsuit, etc.., but also some rather interesting items that only a local would know about. For example, meat tenderizer. Why? Apparently it’s the best remedy for jellyfish stings. She also recommended that I bring vinegar. The beaches in Micronesia contain a good deal of coral. Coral is a living crustacean, and if you step on it and cut yourself it continues to live inside you even after the wound heals. It can spread and be lumpy and itchy. Vinegar is apparently coral’s kryptonite, and pouring it into the wound is the best way to kill it quickly and avoid the later irritating side effects. Who knew?

2 WORRIED PARENTS

My younger brother and I generally put my parents though hell when it comes to traveling. A few quick stories: my brother is living in Johannesburg, South Africa for the summer. He is a musician and is playing in a church band on a college campus and generally doing good deeds. Yesterday we read on CNN.com that there have been riots galore in the past 24 hours in Johannesburg. The violence was sparked by and aimed at foreigners living in the city (mainly Zimbabwean nationals). 22 people were killed, 200 arrested, and more than 13,000 displaced from their homes. Although Kirk is not Zimbabwean, one can’t help but worry.

A couple of random situations I’ve gotten myself into:

- Accidentally flying into Nicaragua on the day the Sandinistas were overthrown,

- Getting kidnapped in Istanbul,

- My rental car got broken into the week before my wedding while I was in Costa Rica, and everyone’s passport was stolen but mine (sorry to bring it up again Tark and Koon),

- I had 6 machine guns pointed at my head at point-blank range in the Bangkok airport as a three year-old, and

- A band of gipsy prostitutes lifted my keys, wallet, and cell phone one late night in Prague. I just figured they were feeling me up because they thought I was cute; I took it as a complement! Turns out I was wrong.

While I don’t expect the blunders of the past to resurface in new form, my folks still shutter every time I break the news to them that I’ll be spending any significant time overseas. I must say that I can’t blame them.

1 ANXIOUS LAW STUDENT

I’m anxious to see a new land, anxious to meet new colleagues and friends, to try new food, to experience a new culture, to clerk for the highest court in the Northern Marianas, to live on the beach, and most of all, anxious to learn. What will I gain from this adventure? What will I learn? I anticipate great things; whether I will be correct is anyone’s guess. Nevertheless, I plan to work hard, play hard, and roll with the punches that will inevitably be thrown.


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