Late Nights

As a lowly 22 year old with an unsullied bachelors degree, adolescent accolades, and a lack of extensive experience in anything except school, the cubicle and the copier seemed destined to be centerpieces of my day-to-day existence.

Instead, the clouds have parted.

My internship does not end at 5 o'clock. One afternoon early on in the semester, I left around 4, but recently I've been choosing to stay until around 7:30 on a regular basis. I know its 7:30. Yes, I’m tired and hungry by that point. But going home is not in the forefront of my mind, and I believe I've figured out why.

It is not some noble cause. It is not some superior desire or drive to excel. It is not the pretty law clerks either. It is simply that I enjoy my work. It is that I am doing something important--tasks that will make an impact in other people’s lives. They are my clients, but they are also people in crisis that need legal assistance. Providing that service as the dark settles in is nothing less than enjoyable.

During my job I have been mistreated, mislead, threatened, lied to and disrespected.

During my job I have also been thanked, complimented, taken care of and respected.

And the truth of the matter is that is just about all I can tell you. I can’t tell you about the case we should not have lost today. I can’t tell you about my testimony and the cross examination the wonderful prosecutor subjected me too. I can’t describe to you the 17 year old kid from the projects in southeast who described to me exactly what he is talking about when he says “At my school it gets real live in the halls." But I can tell you those conversations will stay with for some time.

Who knows what would have happened if I went home at 5?

So… yea, give me a call but I probably won’t be home before 8...


IW

D.C. Directions: Up, Down, Up

Last week I helped a client earn a great plea. This week it fell apart because of a negative drug test.

This morning I was on top of the world (doing my best Denzel investigator face in the rearview) ready for a busy day of interviews and statements.

This afternoon I was sweating in traffic after being lost for (no exaggeration) 5 hours. Yes, I had a map, but D.C. thought it was clever to have the same street names in 4 different quadrants of the city. Within such a transportation pattern, a stranger (who mistakenly rushed his plans at the office this morning) could drive to Alabama Street in the far NW corner of the greater metropolitan area, when in fact; he wanted to go to Alabama Street SE, which is exactly what I did.

The day was far from lost. Once I got to my real destination, I was able to speak with some witnesses and found some information about the scene of the incident that the attorney was looking for. As you can imagine, I’m exhausted.

And it’s only Wednesday?

Monday seems like weeks ago but it was another memorable one…

There were several cases that needed to be worked on and we were having luck so I did not want to leave for the first lecture in TWC’s Presidential Lecture Series until I absolutely had to. Another intern also was planning on going and was worried about how long it would take to get there but I convinced her we would be fine if we left an hour early.

Well, once we got on the metro we both knew we’d be lucky to make it. I deservedly got an earful for not leaving when we should of (and I felt terrible) but we ran, (laughing at how ridiculous we felt running in business suits in downtown D.C.) and showed up just in time…

Just in time to hear an inspirational speech from two-time cabinet member Secretary Norm Mineta (the first Asian American to be a member of the Cabinet during the Clinton administration and the first Cabinet member to switch directly from a Democratic to a Republican Cabinet.). After the speech, I was able to exchange greetings with Secretary Mineta.

On the way out Secretary Mineta and the Managing Director of Internships at The Washington Center were walking in the same direction as my friends and I, so we chatted as we got ready to cross the street. The Director suggested I call him for lunch next week--another great opportunity.

My friends and I finished the day by taking the long way to the Metro. We passed directly by The White House and the Washington Monument, made a stop at the WWII Memorial and pointed out the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials as the lights that illuminate the statues came on…

We’ll see what happens tomorrow,
IW

Grin and grip

The term is “grin and grip”-- it’s a networking reference I’ve heard several times at Washington Center programming. It implies making the same eye contact and extending that ideal handshake we have all been taught since childhood, but this time it means something. This time we are intently grinning and gripping at our offices, lunches, and happy hours--making the connections that all TWC students are hoping to find in D.C.

In my first blog I neglected to mention the one and only place I haven’t found myself doing the "grin and grip"--the D.C. Metro. The Metro in the morning reminds me of my college library; it's a sort of social vacuum in which reading is the norm and conversation is minimal. However, I’ve found a way through the groggy-eyed dodgers…act utterly lost.

Of course this piece of information was not obtained through any sort of orderly experiment but rather my indoctrinated snoozyness (adopted from every other person on the Metro).

One morning I realized the part of the city I was admiring was a place I had never seen before. I promptly jumped off the metro and began studying maps when suddenly, I had more help than anyone could need.

“Next stop” and “next train connection” suggestions abundant, I had made my first Metro buddies…before I got back on track (pun intended) I had 4 business cards…that’s D.C. for you.

In my youth I would have been appalled at the statement I'm about to make...but it has become quite clear that my growing business card collection will be much more valuable than my baseball card collection. Yes, I’m still proud of my Ken Griffey Junior rookie card but in terms of VALUE it’s likely that the grinning and gripping I’ve grown fond of here in D.C. will come to fruition before Fleer (Sports Card Company) provides me with a career opportunity.

Speaking of opportunities, today I received 8 (otherwise known as things to do this week) from my TWC advisor. Among them are: attending the Defending the American Dream Summit, a Civic Engagement opportunity, an Aids Walk, 9/11 weekend tributes, and an update on our Presidential lecture series next week. Well...

Wish me luck,

IW

Here's Looking At You, D.C.

From the opening orientation to my first training session at the Public Defender’s Service its become crystal clear I’ve got some experiences to look forward to here in D.C.

Walking into Friday’s orientation was like sitting in the front row on the first day of class; it was clear I have surround myself with a group of young people with a high drive to succeed. I’ve been there before, in an eager and competent group of youngsters, but never in D.C.--where youth walks in suits, and opportunity is a short Metro ride away.

I have met lobbyist interns from Texas, aspiring international businessmen from South Korea, future free trade experts from Mexico, and a Boston-raised Dominican ready for a hands on look at Federal Law enforcement. And that’s just the people in my apartment building.

Looking out from the 16th floor on a sun-drenched evening and seeing the Washington Monument, Capitol Building, sailboats, and jets landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport isn’t so bad either.

A guarantee that at least 80 percent of the time an intern spends in the office is going to be filled with meaningful work (tasks that mean real experience in an exciting profession) is not easy to find. See my last 3 month internship in a law office. I don’t think copier proficient is going to enhance my resume much…

When the assistant director for the Public Defender Service of Washington D.C. induced a jaw dropping silence (the pulsing, I hope he doesn’t call on me kind) during my first day of training with a speech about trial by ambush in the Nation’s Capital, throwing out a string of hypothetical quandaries, it became obvious that confrontations with copiers have been replaced by confrontations with my preconceived notions about legal ethics and a daily dose of high intensity investigations.

With an internship like the one previously described, a TWC law and criminal justice course, an LSAT prep class (payment assisted by TWC), a Congressional Speaker Series, tours of places like the Pentagon and law school applications, I doubt I’ll have any trouble finding material or motivation to write this blog.

*Please forgive omissions of other great D.C. moments...Ex: pretty girls at ice cream socials (don’t worry sweetie, I’m just networking) and booing Barry Bonds at a National’s game (other people were doing it too, Mom).

Writing a bog about the big city is a dangerous job…and somebody’s got to (be lucky enough to) do it.

Until next week,

IW