Hello All! Sorry for the long long time between blog updates. I had an ABSOLUTELY amazing summer - however I didn't spend much time on my computer when I was at home. I spent the summer as a Summer Associate at Quinn Emanuel Urqhart Oliver & Hedges in NYC. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the life of a summer associate it goes a little something like this:
During the week you work - yes, I did actually work. I had some incredibly interesting projects including trademark cases, criminal cases, and work on an arbitration. Many afternoons you lunch at very very yummy restaurants with associates and partners from the firm. I've discovered many new favorites in New York. At least once a week you have an evening event (Cooking Class, my personal favorite, Yankees Game, Dinners, Bowling, etc.) where you also have the opportunity to get to know people at the firm.
As I've said before - Quinn is not the typical law firm - so our summer also included a week in L.A. at our headquarters for Mock Trial and a party at the Rose Bowl (my Dad was very excited when I called from the field of the Rose Bowl). Our firm retreat was 3-day, 26-mile hike through the Beartooth Mountains in Montana. It was hardcore and amazing. I carried everything I needed on my back, did not get eaten by bears, and climbed over 2000 feet in three days. I've included pictures below to give you an idea of what it was like. In one word - amazing.
When I wasn't working or enjoying work related activites I spent the summer relaxing, traveling and enjoying the East Coast. Dating someone with a car has proven to be incredibly intelligent - Andrew and I spent most of our weekends that I was in town at the beach on Long Island, enjoying the Ocean. I also was able to visit my dear friend from Hamline, Alyssa in Chicago where we took flying trapeeze lessons (I would have pictures - but Lyss hasn't sent them to me yet;) ). I returned to Chicago again for a girls weekend with my forever friends, Cassandra, Leah & Shana.
The summer ended with a fantastic ladies weekend with my Mom & Sisters, Michelle & Andrea in New York. It was fabulous to have my family visit and to show them around my adopted city. We did tons of fun things, including a sail through the NY harbor, rickshaw rides through Times Square, seeing my new favorite Broadway play - The 25th annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and a trip to Coney Island. I then returned home to Iowa and Minnesota for a few days to hang with my family. The highlight of the trip was Valley Fair with the Klopfensteins where my 9 year old neice, Courtney and I, went on her very first ever roller coaster ride. I"m proud to say she completed all 5 roller coasters in the park before the day was over. (More than her Mom!)
School has started again and I'm enjoying it all in the glorious style of a 3L. I went to Boston last weekend with Andrew to see his family and met up with Alyssa and her boyfriend Jeff from Chicago. This weekend I attended a NASCAR party (silly boys and there theme parties) and a friend from Quinn's birthday party. I'm heading to MN for the weekend for Brenda's advance and I'm excited to see many of you.
Sorry about the length of the blog - there are tons of pics below. Hope you enjoy. Miss you all!
Nicole
