Update on Life…and an Embarrassing Confession

A quick warning: this blog is a little jumpy.

I know this blog is about D.C. and all, but I feel I need to continue with a discussion I started in an earlier entry about my uncertainty of life after undergrad. I think I have finally settled on a decision – apply for AmeriCorps (and hopefully obtain a position), then pursue a dual degree program for an MSW/JD. This is my best laid plan to date, and then I don’t have to rush to take my entrance exams. If you are trying to decide what to do, I strongly suggest taking a look at the AmeriCorps website.

But enough of that, you came to read about D.C. I was given the daunting task of drafting a motion to change a permanency goal from reunification to adoption. It sounds simple, but in order to write this, I had to go through all court orders and reports to find out services the parents were not participating in that had been court ordered. I also had to read a few mental health evaluations and a bonding study to state why adoption would be in the best interest of the child. So far, my draft is at thirteen pages. I have to outline which services were ordered, and how the parents violated the orders and services. For example, I could write, “Mom was court ordered to participate in parenting classes at XYZ at the Disposition Hearing on December 13, 2008. Mom missed the first two classes due to illness, but has yet to reschedule as of March 29, 2009,” or “Mom had a housing appointment on March 13, 2009 but did not call or show. The agent tried to contact Mom several times unsuccessfully. Then, the social worker also tried to contact Mom several times, leaving messages to call the agent back at such-and-such time in order to reschedule a time. Mom has not rescheduled the housing appointment as of March 29, 2009.” I also have to include background information on the facts as to why the child was originally removed from the home.

I want to start this paragraph by saying that I am fully embarrassed to admit this: back home before coming here, I couldn't really have cared less about the news. There, I said it! My name is Emily and I didn’t have a clue as to what was going on in the nation prior to January 28, 2009. I didn’t have a local paper delivered to my dorm, and I rarely watched the news on TV. My only news source was really whatever was featured on Yahoo! News, and even then, Yahoo! only shows four news stories on the section I glance at. Since I’ve been here, I grab a free paper every morning and read it on the Metro. I must say, the news is addictive. I always want to know what’s going on and if I don’t understand terms (such as economic and financial ones that have been thrown around since the AIG scandal blew up), I am eager to look them up online. I have now set CNN.com to my homepage on Firefox and I even check the Commercial Appeal, my local paper back home, online. It’s a strange craving, and I am always sad when I realize there is no free paper on the weekends.

As for civic engagement, on Monday I go to my orientation for Offender Aid and Restoration, so I will have more updates next week on this. I can only say that I am very excited! I still go to D.C. Area Books to Prisons Project and I still love it.

On a social note, Kevin, Yes, and myself went to Third Edition in Georgetown last weekend. It is a two story club/bar and is usually very, very crowded. The DJ plays really good music, too.

First, we ate at CPK (California Pizza Kitchen). If you haven’t ever had CPK, go find one – it’s so good!! Be sure to ask for bread with Ranch and Ranchito!

Before going out for the night!

Can you see all the people in the background??

Advice for the day:

I don’t have any advice for the day, but words for my Memphis Tigers: WE STILL LOVE YOU! You’ve made us all proud!

My friends Howie and Missy (along with me) at a Tigers game last fall. If anyone underestimates the fans’ love for Tiger basketball, just look at Howie’s face.

Changing Tides in the Emily Ocean

It has only taken me seven weeks to realize my workload and responsibilities at the OAG have changed drastically since February 2, 2009. I once complained of not being mentally challenged by the work set in front of me, and that I sometimes became bored. Now, I grasp the error in my remarks. In the beginning, my attorneys gave me file jackets in which I had to tab certain documents of importance, such as the petition, initial hearing order, stipulation, etc. Then, my attorneys passed on the task of pre-filling information into court documents. This consisted of typing in the child’s name, docket number, social file number, and other personal information into a template. Since my attorneys have seen my abilities in these basic assignments, I now have the responsibilities of drafting court documents such as the stipulations, joint pre-trial statements, and motions; filling out subpoenas and summons; and interviewing witnesses, such as social workers and doctors. One of my attorneys even used my notes from a hearing to refresh her memory on the case! Needless to say, my responsibilities as an intern have turned completely, and when given these new projects, I feel mentally challenged.

Last Monday, I attended a joint Law and Criminal Justice and International Affairs programs’ event titled “The Terrorist Threat and the Law.” I really enjoyed this event, which is totally different from my opinions on the previous Leadership Forum events! The speakers were both very interesting and kept their voices above a monotone volume level. I commend the second speaker, Mr. Charles Stimson, on his part of the lecture. What I liked best is that he laid out the political terms in simple, common terms that an average person could understand. This made the lecture more enjoyable and easier to follow. Both speakers were very knowledgeable on the subject (not to say other speakers are not), and I liked the fact that both sides of the political spectrum were represented. I wish every President's Lecture Series could also be like this event.

Spending a semester in Washington, D.C. is interesting, fun, and a little stressful. I really love this city because there is so much to do here for any age, not just people over the age of twenty-one. I enjoy being in a culturally and historically rich environment. I also like the fact that I am in the center of the policy making of America! I’m still not sure I’m going to ready to leave D.C. in May…

Sarah and I at an after work dinner at a Moroccan restaurant!

They had a belly dancer there who made Sarah and I dance with her!

What is stressful about spending a semester in D.C. is planning my course load for next semester without physically being there, and getting scholarships together before the deadlines. I have had to write essays and find professors to write letters of recommendations without being able to meet with them. Deciding on classes is a little more difficult when trying to communicate through email than I thought it would be.

Advice for the day: If coming to TWC, be prepared to balance work with class, TWC events, papers, and your home institution dealings. It is a little overwhelming, so buy a planner and use it!

The Beginning of a Strenuous, Stressful Journey…

The weeks here seem to be flying by! I can hardly keep my days straight and remember what I have been doing for the past week. The biggest event that occurred since the last journal is that I attended a Supreme Court hearing. The question at hand was whether a prisoner had a constitutional right to biological evidence after a conviction. I read that forty-four states allow it–this case came from Alaska, a state that does not allow prisoners this right. I have never been a big political science person, but this was really a neat opportunity. The Justices were only a few feet from me, and it was different than I expected. They were sarcastic yet funny and asked so many questions it made my head spin! I could not tell 100 percent which way they were leaning. The defense attorney brought up a good point when he asked why the prosecution would not allow his client access to this DNA when the prosecutor said the defendant was “slam-dunk” guilty. The defendant originally waived his rights to DNA tests at trial and later pleaded guilty, possibly to win parole, argued his defense attorney. A decision has yet to be made.

Angie and I waiting in the frigid snow storm for the Supreme Court hearing (I look like a boy….).

My friends came in town this past weekend, and while I enjoyed their visit, it made me homesick. I love D.C.; it just does not have my family and friends here. While they were here, we visited the White House, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, and the World War II Memorial. Although I have seen these before, they will always be breathtaking to me. Of course, we could not leave out the quintessential shopping in D.C.!

Me, Missy, and Angel at The White House

The Reflecting Pool was emptied for some reason, so everyone walked through it. Missy and I danced in it.

I came to a realization recently that I’m not sure what I want to do after undergraduate, and that I might take a year off from school before pursuing any other higher education since I can not decide between law school and graduate school. I have never even considered this option. My friends being here only added to my frustrations about everything. I loved that they came and really enjoyed their company, but I feel as if everything is going to be a whirlwind when I go back to Memphis. This is the beginning of a long, arduous process that will probably end in many stress breakouts and a huge consumption of comfort foods.

I spoke to an attorney the other day that took a year off and said it was the best decision of her life. She told me that many students come out of their education with the grades, but not the experience – and some employers are not impressed unless you have the experience with it. I plan on speaking with my attorneys later this month about everything they went through with law school. The attorneys are there for reasons other than work!

On a lighter note, Yes and I tried this so-called happy hour in the District a couple weeks ago and we were not impressed. It was probably because we ordered the drinks that were not on special and sat in a corner by ourselves. After our not-so-happy happy hour, we hit up a Thai eatery at the very end of King Street because we were starving. Let me tell you guys – best food ever and on top of that, best drinks that were inexpensive! I will try other happy hours to let you legal ones know which are the best.

Yes and I found the riverfront on King Street!

As for the civic engagement part of TWC, I can’t seem to resist the urge to keep signing up for projects! I already participate in Books to Prisons every Wednesday (for those of you in D.C., think about stopping by sometime! The address is on the website…take the red line to Dupont, then walk down P Street until you get to 16th. It is on the corner in a church, and starts at 6:30pm.), an organization that receives letters from prisoners around the country requesting reading materials and the organization, in return, sends those books per their requests. Check them out if you ever get a chance: http://www.quixote.org/ej/bookstoprisons/ , it’s a nice organization. The letters sometimes are brief and to the point; others tell their life stories.

I’ve also volunteered with Hope and a Home. I, along with others, entertain the children of parents who participate in workshops to create stable and strong households for their families (http://www.hopeandahome.org/). Hope and a Home is comprised of different elements that enable low income families to make positive changes in their lives. For example, they offer transitional housing, educational services, employment training, and much more.

I planned on attending an event tonight with House of Ruth, but thought I was coming down with a cold. I didn’t want to get the children sick if it was a cold – our job as volunteers was to play with the children. House of Ruth provides services to women, children, and families who are triumphing over domestic violence, homelessness, mental health disorders, and substance abuse (http://www.houseofruth.org/). The CFSA has ties to House of Ruth, and this is how I initially found out about the organization.

Another project I am starting on March 30 is volunteering with Offender Aid and Restoration. They initially offered me an internship placement, but I had already accepted at the OAG. OAR is located in Arlington, VA (http://www.oaronline.org/oar/index.asp) and offers assistance to offenders and ex-offenders in order for them to transition smoothly back in society. They provide an array of services such as supervised community service, reentry aid through classes and programs, employment counseling, and support for the offender’s family.

Advice for the day:

Always keep snow boots handy! They look ridiculous, but you never know when you’ll need them (such as last Monday during the snow storm…).