2015 in Review

2015 was a year. I hesitate to put an adjective on it, because I’m not sure one exists that fully encapsulates the year. Parts were hard; parts were great. How do you say how the whole of such an expansive period of time was?

On the other hand, a year isn’t that long. In the scheme of things, it’s a mere blip. For lack of making a small thing a big thing, I’ll say it was a great year because hey, I was given another year.

Welcome to Emory Law!

I finished my second semester of 1L year, having taken Criminal Law and having my appetite for criminal justice only whetted.

I interned at the District Attorney’s Office in Cobb County and received wonderful training in what some of the best criminal prosecution looks like. I learned what a good cross-examination looks like, how to talk to a jury, how to select a jury, the ins and outs of criminal appellate work, and more. I got to watch trials and I got to dream about the day when I’d be the Assistant District Attorney speaking on behalf of the state and of justice. I got to wear a suit, work a 8:30-5 job, and be stuck in traffic – in short, to feel like an adult and have a glimpse at the future I hope to have. In short: it looks great! No job is without its problems, and criminal justice raises certain questions of justice, mercy, the problem of evil, and more. However,  those are the problems I’d like to be my problems. Those are the problems I would like to wrestle with. That is the sphere in which I hope to make a difference and be changed myself.

Visiting the Supreme Court to see oral arguments with a fellow intern.

I finished my first semester of 2L year and continued barreling down the path of criminal prosecution, taking classes such as Evidence (to learn what you can and can’t introduce into evidence in court) and Sentencing Practice (to learn what type of treatment a crime merits and how to be a moral, considerate prosecutor).

The Tobacco Road Marathon

I ran my first marathon, the Tobacco Road Marathon, and caught the marathon bug. I love the training as much as the actual race (maybe more?!). I love the long runs every week, the space to think or not think, to pray, to process, to run in time with music, to be out in nature, to just be. I ran my second marathon, the Silver Comet Marathon, and my third marathon, the Dallas Marathon. I ran a total of 1,524.27 recorded miles, maybe more. Lest I give the wrong impression, some of those are on a cross-trainer, to increase strength and prevent injury. Pure running might be more like 1,250 miles)

Gotta get those miles in! I couldn’t be happier on a fall day!

I moved into a new apartment, got a roommate, and got a 5 minute walking commute to  law school.

Christening the new apartment and a start to 2L year with a summer dinner party with friends.

I celebrated the 4th of July and my birthday with friends, and Thanksgiving and Christmas with family. I walked, biked, and ate around Atlanta. I celebrated life!

The Atlanta skyline, at sunset.

This sculpture is called Atlanta from the Ashes, more commonly known as The Phoenix. It symbolizes Atlanta’s rise from the ashes of the Civil War to become one of the most important cities in the world. I love it for the bold strength it embodies.

My new bike, courtesy of my generous grandmother. When I’d like a long ride uninterrupted by traffic, I go out to the same trail I do my long runs on. Otherwise, I ride to the grocery store, library, or around town.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I tried new recipes and I stuck with tried-and-true recipes. I expanded my cooking horizons… and I also learned how to make good meals quickly – the life of a 2L law student is busy!

Spinach, feta, and pine nut pie.

Pesto Skillet Salmon, green beans, a sweet potato, and a St. Germain cocktail.

Thanks for coming with me on the journey! Lord willing, I look forward to another year of running, learning, studying, growing, cooking, changing, embracing, pursuing, enriching, celebrating, laughing, hoping, and more! Here’s to 2016!

Gelato at the National Gallery of Art in D.C. My mom and I almost always go downtown to take in an exhibit there when I’m home, and we’ve made a tradition of stopping for gelato too. Art, gelato, and a fantastic mother and friend?! It doesn’t get much better.