Sunday, March 26, 2006

Law School Prom...and the Party Bus that took us there.


Laughing my butt off
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas.
This Saturday night was Barrister's Ball - better known as Law School Prom. My friends and I have a pretty strong philosophy that there are only so many times in your life you get to go to Prom, particularly Proms where you can legally drink, so you might has well make the most of it.

Every year we rent a party bus to take us from one of our houses (aka the preparty) around DC and then park outside Prom, functioning as our own personal VIP room. This year's bus had stripper poles and well what can you say - when the pole calls one must answer. ;) No, we all have to take the Bar someday so we behaved for the most part. I think I can safely say we all had a blast with no major mishaps...oh except the FIGHT on the bus.

That's right my dear friend Leslie who is the originator and organizer of the party bus (she has a spreadsheet people!) got in a fight defending the integrity of our executive coach. A 1L who shall remain nameless (until we figure out her name) got on our bus and when Leslie pointed out that we didn't know her, she didn't pay, and she should leave, proceeded to punch Leslie in the side of the face! Leslie, who is a peaceful girl, pushed her back by the throat. At this point, our friend Chickein interceeded and forced her off the bus. It was wild but to be expected really - jealousy is a sickness. ;)

Jamie Raskin for State Senate


Jamie
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas.
Recently, Jamie Raskin, a constitutional law professor at my school, announced his candidacy for Maryland State Senate. I have joined his campaign as his personal aide and the campaign's all around go-to-girl. I squeeze in as much work as I can right now and will work full-time this summer.

Jamie is running against Ida Ruben - a 32 year incumbent who is what we call a DINO (Democrat in Name Only). District 20 is particularly liberal so the entire race will be the primary, because the Republicans never run a candidate. Jamie is the candidate you always dream of working for - an incredibly intelligent man full of honor and integrity.

He garnered a large amount of attention recently when he testified before the Maryland State Senate on a gay marriage amendment. When a conservative Senator pointed out that the Bible defined marriage as between a man and a woman, Jamie replied, "Yes but Senator when you took your oath of office you placed your hand on the Bible and swore to uphold the Constitution, you didn't place your hand on the Constitution and swear to uphold the Bible."

Check out his campaign website.

National Democratic Law Students Council


At the conference
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas.
The second weekend of Spring Break I went to Boston (for the first time ever) for the Inaugeral Conference of the newly formed National Democratic Law Students Council at Harvard. It really was an amazing weekend with lots of networking and great sessions on "Running for Office" and Democratic Strategy. It really restored my faith in the party, especially our keynote address by Howard Dean. I made an unsuccessful bid for VP of Campaigns and Elections but in a runoff election. Overall, as silly as this sounds, I left feeling like I'd really broken into the inner circle. When our speakers looked into the audience and said there were future Senators and Governors in the crowd, it wasn't like how they said it in elementary school - they meant it. People encouraged me to run and thought I had some really great ideas. It's funny how being from a Red State lends you instant credibilty. ;)

Nicholas came with me and we fit in as much sight seeing as possible. We even got to see South Boston's (Southie to locals) St. Patrick Day's Parade. Besides their ridiculous public transit system, we really enjoyed ourselves and of course the accents were good for hours of entertainment.

Monday, March 13, 2006

London Calling


London Calling
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas.
As promised, I will related some of the details of my very quick, very tiring trip to London.

I arrived Friday night very late and spent several hours convincing myself I was tired. On Saturday, Brad and I went to Portobello Market and had (according to Jamie Oliver) the best fish and chips in all of London at George's. It was in fact pretty fantastic. From street market to super upscale, we stopped off at Fortnum and Mason's where I bought various English foods. When Nicholas asked why I was so excited because the British aren't exactly known for their food, I reminded him that they are masters at anything in a jar (jam, clotted cream, mustards, etc.). He thought this was bloody hilarious, as they say.

On Sunday, we the Tate to Tate ferry to the Tate Modern and had high tea at Brad's private club. Then I went up in the London Eye while Brad went to church. (He described it as charismatic Church of England, which didn't exactly interest me.) We ate dinner at this delightful (and highly recommended - Thanks Laura!) restaurant called Chelsea Kitchen. Monday and Tuesday I was pretty much on my own as Brad was finishing up his semester. On Monday, I went to the National Gallery and just generally explored the city before meeting Brad for some evening Wagamama and Shakespeare . On Tuesday, I took a bus tour to Stonehenge and Bath. Bath, in particular the actual Roman Baths, was incredibly fascinating and strikingly beautiful.
Wednesday, it was back home to American, which consisted of approx. 11 hours of travel.

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

THANKS DADDY!


Video iPods ROCK!
Originally uploaded by SarahorNicholas.
Last December, my 15-year-old brothers both got video iPods for their birthday. I protested because clearly I NEED an video iPod more than them. A couple of weeks later my dad got one and then I just started feeling left out.

So, I pointed out to my father that I was the only Stewart lacking a new video iPod and that my current iPod was acting a little wonky (I might have washed it in the washing machine). He then says those magic words every daughter from 2 to 24 likes to hear "Honey, if you want one I'll get you one." At which point, I jumped around the room because YEAH I'M GETTING A VIDEO iPOD!!!

We decided to send it to Nicholas's office in case no one was at our apartment to sign for it. Nicholas points out that since it's coming under his name to his work it is clearly his iPod. My dad hears him and says those words every son-in-law loves to hear "Tell Nicholas if he really wants one I'll get him one." Anyone who knows Nicholas can guess that his immediate reaction was to scoff and say he did not need a video iPod and he didn't want to burden my father WHICH is why I secretly emailed my dad and said yes he'd love one.

This would be the best story if I was able to keep the secret and it just showed up at his office but alas I have a freaking big mouth. It doesn't matter anyway. All that matters now is that Nicholas and I are constantly rocking it out with our new video iPods and that my dad is like the most generous most wonderful dad ever! (If this doesn't impress you, just ask him about going to a Korn concert with my little brothers!)