pd follow-up

I’ve been placed it recruitment group A and certified to the hiring authority. I’m in second round of PD interviews. Woohoo! Jump! High five! It’s time to put on my tough face. I’M SO EXCITED I’M GONNA DIE!

A few photos from the hike to half dome in Yosemite. All photos taken by Ken.

I sit at work looking at pictures like these all day. What a knee-knocking joy it was to be immersed in it for a couple of days.

memorial weekend

I spent Memorial weekend in Yosemite hiking half dome for the second time with Sung, Grace, Sarah, Grass and Ken. I will dedicate a separate entry to photos.

It was at once torturous and awesome. We woke at 3am to complete the 17 miles with time to enjoy dinner. The hike up was strenuous but enjoyable, complete with a proposal on a ledge on top of half dome by Ken. It was so special to be a part of the big event. The hike down was mostly torture as my legs, feet and back were aching. It is always a good thing to be reminded that nature is MAJESTIC and to be respected. Half dome, RESPECT. Some highlights included the mist trail (where I actually felt guilty for being able to see something so beautiful, the frosted logs that shimmered under the sun, the snow near the top, the moss, the enormous trees, and the avalanche witnessed from the top of the cables on our descent. A deep rumble.

The next day we returned home and I was invited to a very special al fresco dining experience on Clay’s patio. Apparently he missed me because he had a special night of eating planned! We started with a berry whiskey drink and blue cheese/walnut dip. We made margherita pizzas together and Clay rolled out the dough with a jar. For dessert we had mini chocolate cakes with whiskey whipped cream. Everything was whipped by hand. A sweet welcome-home :’)

Twinkly lights to boot!

job update

Two weeks ago I told my boss I was quitting come July to become a full time job seeker and enjoyer of summer (also known as a bum). At the beginning of last week, my boss offered to hire me as an attorney. Since then I have been wrestling with several different thoughts.

1. Whether to take the position, in light of the fact that I have no other position lined up if I quit in July.

2. Whether I can live with this feeling that I am somehow giving up or postponing my dreams/goals. (Which is not necessarily true since I am gaining valuable transferrable experience. But still. Private law firm. Cries!)

I have decided to take the position though. I am not a complete wreckless dreamer.

I never expected this but I am entering with fullness of heart. I am grateful for the opportunity, regardless of what I want or the fulfillment of my plans according to my schedule. Like I always say, it’s not about me.

I will remain involved in my pro bono guardianship and clinic work, and continue with my PD interviews. I will go to Colorado in July to climb and the shores of North Carolina in August for beach house fun. It’s a life unfolding better than I could’ve planned. A life of surrender and gratitude.

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nprmusic:

Regina Spektor’s first new studio album in three years, What We Saw From the Cheap Seats finds her scattering in several directions without losing sight of the sweet melodies that make her so accessible.

Stream What We Saw From the Cheap Seats now.

pd interview, round 1

Despite the intimidating warnings about the intensity of PD interviews, my first interview was very relaxed. I was prepared to do simulations and hypotheticals but what took place was a nice conversation. 8 questions were asked, the same 8 that are asked of every first round interviewee. They loved my resume and sincere passion for indigent defense work. However, given my soft voice and demeanor, they doubted whether I was tough enough to stand up against judges/prosecutors/juries/biases to zealously advocate for my clients.

I hope they put me through to the next round so that I can show them my tenacity. I can do it, I can. LET ME DO IT. I’M MEAN.

pd

I have an interview with the public defender’s office tomorrow and I am super pumped about it. 500 people applied for who knows how many positions. I’m still excited, slim as my chances may be! It’s a job that sounds to me, thrilling, humbling, terrifying, trying, and tremendously rewarding. I know that if the Lord wants me there I will be placed there, and if not, I won’t. So tomorrow I will go out in confidence that my life is not my own, and do my best.

Here are some resources I found on the internet as I prepared for the interview. Any one interested in a PD career or are preparing for a PD interview:

Harvard’s Careers in Indigent Defense

NYU’s PD Handbook

UVA’s How to Get a Job in a PD’s Office

UCHastings Acing the PD Interview

UCHastings Criminal Hypo + The Criminal Law Interview Process

Yale’s Sample Interview Questions

“Public Defenders stand alone, armed only with their wits, training and dedication. Inspired by their clients’ hope, faith and trust, they are the warriors and valkyries of those desperately in need of a champion. Public Defenders, by protecting the downtrodden and the poor, shield against the infringement of our protections and, in reality, protect us all.”
-Hightower v. State, 592 So.2d 689 (Fla. 3d DCA, 1991)(Gersten J., dissenting.)

"Mike, you know better than many what an unhappy home is and what it can do to others. Now you have a chance to make it come out the way it should. There is no greater happiness for a man than approaching a door at the end of a day knowing someone on the other side of that door is waiting for the sound of his footsteps."

From President Reagan to his 26-year-old son, days before he got married.

(Read the full letter here.)

On Sunday afternoon we had lunch at Tender Greens, ice cream for dessert then rode our bikes to the ocean. It was perfect. Lucky am I.