The past week was full of random, little tasks at work-I spent my week organizing case files, pulling notes of testimony, making exhibit lists, scanning in documents, dealing with prelims, etc.  It was a short week because Good Friday is a holiday here, so we didn’t have work on Friday.  I also had class on Thursday, so I left early that day.  Basically, I had a 3 1/2 day week-totally fine with me!  My connection with the DA’s is still growing: one tried to grab lunch with me on Thursday but our schedules didn’t work out so we rescheduled for next week and another DA bought me lunch on Thursday.  I seriously love these people!  I know that east coast people tend to have a stereotype for being snooty and high-class, but these people totally defy that stereotype.  I mean, I saw one DA jump over a cubicle wall last week!  It was hilarious.  These are literally some of the nicest, funniest, and most brilliant professionals I have ever interacted with.  One family friend told me before I came here, “I’ll say this for lawyers who go into public service: they’re good people.”  I’m beginning to find that more and more true.

I also stumbled upon this article today, and I know 90% of the DA’s mentioned in it.  These people are so inspirational.  I’m in awe.  I can’t even imagine holding 2 jobs when one is being a DA.  I’m already exhausted enough coming home from my internship every day, and I don’t even do half of what these DAs do.  Going to work until midnight at a completely different job afterwards is simply unfathomable.  These people are incredible.  I think one of the comments on the article sums it up pretty well.  It’s what I’ll remember, and it’s something that a 6-figure salary CANNOT buy:

“[Vega] and every one else who works for the DA in the city and barely makes ends meet ought to be commended. They’re trying to make the city and world a safer place, and they are all unsung heroes doing their jobs over and over and day after day.  All the people in the article work over time to pay bills, to stay afloat. They are sacrificing their personal time and lives to be a part of something , without which this city would fall apart more than it already has. And that something is called justice.”

This weekend was also tons of fun!  I didn’t work Friday, so I visisted one of my housemates at her internship, had lunch with her, and hung out for a bit.  It was fascinating to see what she does everyday, and just to observe how different her workplace is from mine.  The office set-up was very similar, but it was just so quiet.  A lot of people were probably gone for the holiday, but it really made me appreciate the bantering and joking that happens at the DA’s office on a daily basis.  People yell at each other from their offices, congregate in the hallway to recount funny court stores, and gather in people’s offices just to chat.  You can really tell that people love to be there and that they’re all friends and support each other.  It’s a huge part of what makes me excited to go to work each day.  If people didn’t greet me with a smile or exchange stories or tease/joke around with me, it would be a much more miserable place.  I’m a very social person, so I would hate to be in an office where I just sit at my desk and work all day.  I need to debrief my day with others and share what’s going on in my life.  I’m beginning to realize talking is a huge part of how I stay sane, so the type of environment I work in is perfect for me.  Visiting my housemate’s placement reiterated what a special place I work in, for which I’m extremely appreciative.

Another housemate of mine wanted to go shopping Friday afternoon, so we hit up Easy Pickins, H&M, and Urban Outfitters.  It took us several hours, and we stopped for frozen yogurt on the way home (which ended up being our dinner).  I ended up spending $7 on it. 🙁  Note to self: fruit is heavy and adds up fast!  I’ll have to keep that in mind next time.  We were utterly exhausted when we finally got home at 8:30, but my friends somehow persuaded me to go to Hard Rock Cafe later that night.  It wasn’t that great, actually.  Our waitress was slow and grumpy, and none of the menus had prices.  There was calorie information so you can feel bad about yourself, but there wasn’t a single price to be found.  It was really strange.

I was able to go for a run across the Ben Franklin Bridge to Camden on Saturday, and the weather was gorgeous.  55 degrees and sunny.  I walked around Camden and toured Rutgers a little, which is literally *right* across the bridge.  Saturday was also my housemate’s birthday, so we celebrated by having a sushi dinner (her mother was kind enough to fund all the ingredients) and acting like children by setting off party poppers, playing with kazoos, lighting sparklers, playing Pin the Tail on the Donkey, etc.  We’re young professionals, I promise.  The below picture illustrates that fact excellently.