7/28/2021

What have I been listening to?: Claws - Charli XCX

What have I been watching?: Superstore

Last book I read: Water for Elephants

I have much to catch up on. I don't remember exactly where I left off last. I ended up coming home to Wisconsin just before the 4th of July, so I spent the 4th at home with my family. I love seeing the new puppy, Finn, who had grown noticeably even in the short span of time since I'd seen him last. He's still quite a biter, which he will hopefully grow out of. It's so fun to just be able to swoop him right up so easily and carry him around. He's so cute. 

Me and Finn on the 4th

I also spent a bit of time in Madison with my brother and sister in law. I had an interview scheduled in Milwaukee for the 9th, so ended up deciding I'd spent the night before in Madison since then it was only about an hour and twenty minute drive to Milwaukee from there. Tim and Taylor and I enjoyed playing some good tennis in the sun. 

I was understandably fairly nervous for my interview on the 9th. I ended up deciding not to wear my suit in the car on the drive because I wanted to keep the pleat in the pants nice and didn't want to sweat in the suit more than I had to. So I changed into it in the parking garage hahaha. It was my first time going to Milwaukee, so there was the added anxiety associated with driving in an unfamiliar city, finding a place to park, getting set in the parking garage, and timing everything out. Luckily I timed everything quite nicely, so I had plenty of time to get changed in the garage and get everything together to bring into the courthouse. I was so concerned about little details that had absolutely no bearing on anything--like how to do my hair and whether I should touch up my makeup.

I won't get into all the details of my interview, but it went quite well and I left feeling pretty exhilarated and excited because I was given very positive signs that I was going to get an offer. Fast forward to about 8 days later, and I did indeed get an offer, to start Fall 2022. This has been very exciting and really turned my general mood around because I felt like I was really needing a win after a fairly meh year. It had been such a disappointing and drawn-out job search for this summer, so to be able to get this job set up for after graduation is such a wonderful thing. It is precisely the kind of work I wanted to do, and I think it will be awesome to be in Milwaukee. After my interview, I was able to walk around downtown a bit and walked to the lake. I saw the art museum on the lake front and walked down the lake shore a bit. It seems really nice and kind of similar to Cleveland, actually, in the sense of being positioned right on the lake. I am already quite excited to look into where I want to live when I move. I think it would be sick to be right in downtown so as to be close to the courthouse and to fun things to do. It is very exciting to look at nice apartment buildings and look forward to living in a new, modern building where I can have a balcony, elevator, amenities, beautiful big new windows, etc. I am hoping to get a pet as well--I think a dog. 

I believe this was part of the art museum, on the lake front

Since returning to Cleveland, I have been feeling a bit more positive about things. It is wonderful to have this good thing to look forward to for after graduation. Although I still don't particularly look forward to work most days, I at least am no longer waking up with an immediate weight of dread in my stomach. It has also been great to be able to see some friends and classmates recently, after a very antisocial year. I have been hanging out a bit with some of my classmates that I work with in the school's law clinic. We went bowling for one of their birthdays and followed it with Thai food at a restaurant we were trying for the first time. I have also been hitting the beach at least once a week--every weekend--for the last month. I really enjoy laying out, people watching, listening to music or reading, and just relaxing in the sun. Edgewater Beach is pretty nice and usually fairly busy, so there's lots of peoplewatching to be had. The volleyball courts are usually active, people bring spikeball and other games, and there's lots of activity. I have also found some folks to play tennis with here, which is great because I really enjoy tennis but never had anyone to play with here. We've only played twice so far, but played for about three straight hours each time. My body was absolutely wrecked after the first time--my lower back was killing me. We are planning to play regularly each week. 

Yesterday I went into downtown Cleveland after work to meet up with a bunch of classmates for happy hour. There was an Indians game so it was an absolute bitch trying to find a place to park without bankrupting myself. I have gone into downtown Cleveland on very few occasions, so it is nerve-wracking driving around down there and trying to figure out where to park. It was nice to chat with some classmates and see a bunch of people I hadn't seen in a while. Most of them were dressed quite nicely, just having gotten off from their summer associate positions downtown. Meanwhile, I had worn jean shorts to work that day. Bar scenes aren't my favorite, as I do not drink and it is not always easy to converse properly with whoever you end up sitting near, but it was alright.

After a couple hours, myself and two classmates decided to get food. We ended up at a pizza place in Lakewood called Angelo's that I've been to twice before. It was really nice spending some more time with them and catching up. 

It is amazing what some good news, some good exercise, time in the sun, and some socialization can do to fix your outlook and mood. I am hoping it persists as I finish up the summer's work here soon and will have some time off before school starts to hang out with some people. Then it'll be fun to get back in person at school and meet lots of new 1Ls and 2Ls.