TGIF. really.

Ahhh!!! What a stressful/crappy-ish way to end the week. Just a rough afternoon at work. Things just weren't going as they should, although to be easier on myself a lot of it a) wasn't my fault and b)couldn't be helped. BUT still. I like to leave work on a happy note, enjoying the brisk walk to Union Station on a nice sunny summery day (which it finally finally was today. No rain, no humidity. It was lovely.) I will move on. but I'm still, clearly, a little worked up over it.

Otherwise, I would say that the job has been great all-around. I like giving lectures in the Courtroom (had my largest crowd yet. 260 people) and I love love love giving private tours. But mostly I just like answering questions and talking with visitors who actually want to learn more and are interested in the history and stories that go along with most things in the building. Been working on some projects, too, and just got the one that I will be doing for the rest of the summer. From scratch, coming up with a plan for people to "self-guide" around the exhibits and spaces that are open to the public. Sounds a little vague, but thats pretty much because I'm starting at the very beginning. Should be interesting.... But, its all been good. I like the time I spend there, don't get bored (which is amazing. Thats always been one of the worst things about past internships/jobs. the lack of variety), and I think, I hope, that I am right about this being the field that I want to go into.

Just a few more items about work-- J. Ginsburg passed right by me the other day and I just smiled the biggest grin you can imagine. I heart her. Haven't actually met met any of the Justices but I have now seen all of them, been in the same room, etc. Got to sit in the Non-argument session yesterday morning for the handing down of opinions. Gets a little over my head when they start talking about Latin phrases and past precedents and statutes but its exciting just to be able to witness them doing Court stuff.

OHH! Its been so long since I updated that I havent gotten to mention that I saw Pete Williams from Nightly News. Like 3 times now! The second time we actually passed each other in the hallway and I smiled and nodded. And afterwards kicked myself for not saying Hi and how much I love NN. He knows B. Will. and therefore I am that much closer by degrees of separation of knowing him myself. :)

I'm the only one home this weekend. Pancho has been in Boca for the past week. And then Phil went to a conference so its just me, some cookies from my mom, and a night of watching What Not to Wear. actually sounds perfect. I like our new apartment. Its a total sty right now, but its such a vast and superior improvement over the rowhouse. Its as if I was living in squalor there compared to this. lol.

Just started reading My Life in France by Julia Child. I saw a preview for a movie coming out this summer about a woman who decided she was going to make all 500-something recipes in the Julia Child cookbook and thought it looked good. And then I saw the memoir at B&N (sidenote: there is not a Borders within miles. like several faraway miles. I cant use my Rewards coupons! its annoying. but thats why I was at bn which is literally 2 blocks away) and I know basically nothing about her and I figured since I like most cooking related things, why not give it a go? And its great so far. Its humorous, getting some cooking tips obviously, I'm learning more about Paris, its even inspiring me a little bit to brush up on my French.

Found out one of the other interns goes to UF. The Gator Nation really is everywhere! :said with childlike glee and wonder: So it was nice being able to reminisce. Talked about how much I miss Flaco's. Oh, its painful even to bring it up. What I wouldn't give for a twisty pastry with guava and cream cheese...

Last little tidbit: How absolutely cool are these White House cupcakes? I dont know if I have the talent to make little SCOTUS ones though. lol

<3 Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is awesome. I started last week, and it has been amazing. The other interns are cool, we've become a little pack. Nice to know you always have people to go chitchat with or eat lunch together. We're going out for Happy Hour tomorrow after work. I'm still learning how to do things, but definitely getting the hang of it. Every morning when I walk up to the Court, I think OMG, I'm just walking in, no big deal. It's incredible. Haven't given my first lecture yet, but I think it might happen this week. I'm ready. Can go on at length now about the history, the justices, architecture of the building. I'm curious to know how long I'll retain these many many trivia facts. I love it. It's going to be a great summer.

Pancho and I are finally into our new place. Spent the last week moving in, along with being utterly exhausted from my first week at work (The 1.5 hour commute each way takes a little getting used to...). It's nice, no mice (!!! sweet victory!), I can walk barefoot. These are big accomplishments. The only downsides are that there isn't a washer and dryer nor a dishwasher in the apt. but I will take that tradeoff for the next 3 months.

a few random sidenotes--- Au Bon Pain has really great vanilla lattes. I enjoy the new season of Jon & Kate Plus 8 but think that they should stop filming. Those kids are not having a normal childhood. I'd like to stay up tonight to see Conan on his first night but 11:30pm is quite frankly late for me these days.