Philadelphia Skyline

Friday, February 12, 2010

Before the snow...






It won't stop snowing...

Ok, I know it has been FOREVER since I have written. I really have no excuse, other than the fact that it has been snowing like crazy and nothing has really progressed in the past week. Apparently east coast cities don't know how to handle snow, which is kind of shocking. Everything has shut down, classes have been cancelled, and my internship has postponed my start date. So I have spent the last week sitting in my apartment watching people below slip and slid trying to cross the intersection. Two days ago, before another blizzard came through, I went grocery shopping, trekking through a mile of snow to reach Whole Foods. Unfortunately I still haven't learned how to limit my shopping to what I can carry home. So as I was ringing up my items it dawned on me that I had to carry all of my super heavy new purchases home with me. And the blizzard had started. So my roommate and I packed six reusable bags with all of our cans, jars, and boxes, and proceeded to trudge home. Every two blocks or so we would pause and take a break and readjust, brushing the snow off of each other. By the time we got home we were covered in snow and we felt as though we had just gotten out of the weight room. Our arms were dead! But now our cupboards are fully stocked in preparation for the next blizzard on Monday.
On the internship front, I have received offers from all three of the places that I interviewed (a private firm, the Defenders Association, and the District Attorney Homicide Unit). I officially accepted an offer from the District Attorney's Office and was supposed to start there yesterday but the office was closed due to snow so I will be starting next week (Wednesday) instead. My supervisor, who is an Assistant District Attorney (ADA) just started a new trial so I will be jumping into the middle of all the action as soon as I start work. Unfortunately this means that I had to buy a pantsuit for court which was one of the most horrible shopping trips I have ever been on! But I know it will all be worth it in the end when I am sitting in court with the lead prosecutor on a murder trial.

Well, it's a short blog this time. Life has been slow, snow hasn't let up. Hope everyone on the west coast is enjoying life!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Apartment Pictures






Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Busy Week

Whew. I am currently sitting here in my apartment soaking up the sun, listening to Jay Z (what did Botswana do to me?), and contemplating how I am going to juggle two internships, two classes, and a part time job. Yesterday I interviewed at the District Attorney's Office and I think it went well! I have a phone interview today with an Assistant District Attorney in the Homicide Department which I am a little nervous about. And on Thursday I have an interview with the Chief of the Defenders Association (The Big Cheese as my advisor calls him). Hopefully all goes well!

On the photography front, life couldn't be going better. My advisor has invited me over to work on a project or attend a photo shoot everyday since my first interview with her! Last night I walked over to her studio and watched her complete a shoot that involved three ballet dancers. When we met the dancers Deb introduced me as her 'intern extraordinaire'! She taught me all about lighting and as soon as she started the shoot she had me up and about changing lighting as she directed. She would also show me the photos she was capturing and would tell me about the technical information needed to get the shot. I felt like I was a big help but was learning so much at the same time, which, in my opinion, is my idea of what an internship is supposed to be. I am returning today to help her with some team photo distribution and tomorrow for another photo shoot. We have been getting along wonderfully, editing photos while drinking tea in her house. It is totally laid back which is going to be a great contrast to my law internship. It's the best of both worlds!

Then I have my classes! One day a week I have two seminar classes (3 hours each), one titled Power and Authority and the other titled Social Justice. I have a paper due for each class every week as well as a significant amount of reading. The teachers have set up the classes to be like grad school classes, designed to give us an idea of what it would be like to be attending grad school while working full time.

Speaking of working, I took a part time job working at The Philadelphia Center. I work one or two nights a week, and the work is pretty low key. My first shift is tonight so I will let you know how it goes (but I don't think it will be all that exciting).

Philadelphia is an amazing city. The whole downtown grid is walkable, and all of the neighborhoods are right next to each other so I can be in Chinatown one minute and Olde City the next. My friends and I, due to our busy schedules and in an effort to save money, have been spending most nights at home, but we still have fun! We have been making group dinners, hosting class in our apartment, and having Glee marathons with other students in our building. But this weekend we are throwing all caution to the wind... we might go see a play.