Supreme Court 2007

Some member of the ACS group did a little fieldtrip to the Supreme Court of the United States to hear oral arguments and meet Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The oral arguments were for the cases U.S. v. Rita and U.S. v. Claiborne. They are both about sentencing guidelines. This was my second time sitting in on oral arguments, as I visited the court when I was an undergraduate at George Washington University.

Meeting Justice Ginsburg was especially wonderful and she told us a number of stories including about the retirement of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Such a wonderful experience.

Photo with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

 

Our fearless leaders Richard and Brandon

Me in front of the Supreme Court 

At lunch with Elizabeth and Aaron

Gena and me

Dinner with College Friends- October 2006

Saturday, in lieu of actually attending our college reunion, Kevin and I had dinner with my college girlfriends and their significant others. We had a delicious dinner at DC Coast. I'm always so happy to see them, but it's especially happy being surrounded by my wonderful friends and the loves of their lives. What a happy time!

Megan, Christina, me, Janice

DC Coast mermaid statue

Megan and Ed are engaged! I'm so happy! So are they.

Christina and Dan

Janice and Darren

Kevin and me

Brooke, David, Jordan 2006

After the Arboretum, we met Brooke, David, and Jordan for lunch at The Dubliner on Capitol Hill. I went to grad school with Brooke and David and we often had drinks after class at wither The Dubliner or Irish Times. Jordan is David's girlfriend and it was awesome to meet her, plus she helped translate for us. David is deaf, and Jordan is a sign language teacher. In grad school we used to get by with a combo of note writing, lip-reading, and a few signs that we managed to pick up. David even gave us sign language names. My name was E-Cuba or E-Palm-Tree-Head.

Brooke, David, and Jordan outside The Dubliner

Grad School Buddies

Kevin and me

David and Jordan

National Arboretum 2006

dOn Saturday morning Kevin and I went to the National Arboretum. This is a little trickier than it sounds. Even though the park is huge it's a little difficult to figure out how to drive up to it. There wasn't a lot flowering in October, but the park is still very enjoyable to walk through, and some of the leaves were changing colors.

The National Capitol Columns

Kevin checking out the columns

Scary koi

Gardens at arboretum

In front of the children's garden

Got someone to take a picture of us

National Bonsai & Penjing Museum section of the Arboretum

In front of the Chinese Pavilion

Beautiful garden

Visiting Cory and Robin 2006

Kevin and I drove to DC Friday night in time to make a short appearance at my college 5-year reunion welcome party. There was a band and some appetizers and I spoke for a little while to my friend Adam, but overall it wasn't too exciting so we left after a short while to meet up with Cory and Robin at Busboys and Poets.

Cory and Robin

I met Cory in Charlottesville last month, but this was my first time meeting Robin. It was fun spending time together, we really had a chance to talk. I love Busboys and Poets. I'm not sure if I ever went there during my undergrad, but I don't think I did.

Me and Kevin

Busboys and Poets

First group picture!

Call- Back In DC 2006

On Monday I had a call-back interview in DC. Kevin drove me up Sunday night and we drove back Monday after the interview. They put me up at the Fairmont hotel, and got me a suite with a living area. It was nice.

Kevin chilling in my hotel room.

Not sure that the interview went that well. I think I made a mistake in answering one of the questions truthfully. It's a mistake that someone with an attorney in the family would never have made. But I didn't know what they wanted in advance. Oh well, I guess I'll know better next time.

Northern Virginia Trip- August 2006

So the reason I went to DC this weekend was to go to Anna and Mike's baby shower.... but since it was a surprise baby shower and I invited everyone out who I know in DC/NoVa... and I invited them too- they came! I got to spend two days with them while I was here. Haha, they probably would have skipped it though if they knew I'd see them tomorrow. We started out our night with dinner tapas at La Tasca in Clarendon.

Mike, Anna, and me at La Tasca (also baby-to-be)

I got to meet Johnny's lovely and friendly new girlfriend, April

With my buddy Janice

Then we went to Mama Quans Tiki Hut for some outdoor drinks. I'd never been there before and I really like it.

Brooke at Mama Quan's

Darren giving Janice sexy-side-eye at Mama Quan's

Laura, Brooke, and I can never give up the party so we went on to Cheesecake Factory for a little dessert and some more drinks.

Laura and Brooke- cheers!

So happy I got to see everyone!

Audra's 23rd Birthday 2006

For Audra's birthday some of her friends came in town from California and we decided to meet them in DC and go dancing there. We went to a bunch of bars in Georgetown. General craziness. Ended with brunch at 4 am. Happy birthday, Audra!

Partying in Georgetown

Visiting DC- January 2006

Though I was recently in DC for New Year's Eve and stayed with Janice, I came back this weekend for Anna's wedding and stayed with Janice again through Tuesday. I took the bus down to DC on Friday, went to Janice's to take a nap, and then met up with our other friends at Ozio's for Happy Hour. (For some reason, I failed at photos here.)

Janice walking Crash

 

Crash is blind so she might not know what's what's up with the couch.

Saturday was Anna and Mike's wedding but it was over fairly early so Cathy and I met up with my law school friend Akure afterwards. We went to my old hang out the Deluxe Diner in Crystal City.

Me and Akure at Deluxe Diner

Akure and Cathy bonding

Monday I went to the Spy Museum and crawled through some fake air ducts to prove how 007 I am. Monday evening I went to Bethany's poetry reading at Bossa Bistro on 18th street in Adams Morgan. Fun! Anyway thanks for hosting me Janice, and thanks to everyone that came out to hang out! I can't wait to come bug you again soon.

The least serious-looking spy you ever saw... in air duct

New Years in DC 2005-->2006!

Janice invited us and anyone we wanted to bring to a fancy New Year's party with martinis and a chocolate fondue fountain. And after midnight I might have started a dance party. I don't know if other people were dancing actually. I just remember that I was dancing. Happiness.

Janice, Laurie, Jamie, and me

Jamie and Rich with the chocolate fondue fountain. Fancy!

Some law school peeps Roger and Akure


Janice and Laurie


Buddies Seth and Akure

Getting the champagne and toasting going

After the countdown! Sipping and mingling.

We also started 2006 right with a big unhealthy breakfast at Siné Irish Pub. Happy New Year!

Me, Laurie, Stephanie, Rich, Janice, Jamie

Goodbye Party 2005

Last week was my last week of work! I've been at the same place for the last three years so it's a big change to leave and I was a little sad. Luckily my DC friends and a few people from work met me for a last day happy hour goodbye party.

College buddies

With my (former) boss Drew

Brooke , Davis, Tim, Laurie and me (grad school + coworker friends)

hi

Law school friends

Justin, me, Ben, Laurie

Megan and Ed- First time I met Ed!

Dan, me, Johnny

Laura, me, Natalie- college friends