Lucky girl

Work is starting to wind down now; we counted, and not including weekends we only have 11 days left. It's strange how quickly the term went by. I know it's only a year, but I feel like I came in for my interview just yesterday (even though technically at this point, it was almost 2 years ago), and like I still have the whole year ahead of me. I'm so incredibly lucky to have had this opportunity; not only have I been treated like an equal by one of the greatest legal minds in this country, but I've been treated like a friend, a daughter. The environment he fosters in this office is nothing short of incredible.

I don't want it to end. I know every clerk in my position has said this before. But I've been saying how much I loved this job since day 2 (day 1 was orientation, after all), and I just learned yesterday that apparently people generally don't get to that point until 2-3 months in.

Sometimes I turn work in and I wonder, "How did I even get this clerkship?" I mean, really. The country's best and brightest compete for one of these 3 positions, and here I am. I don't know how I got here. I worked hard in law school, I know that. I worked hard at all my other jobs. I worked hard on honing my legal writing skills (because, as a liberal arts undergrad, the writing was SUBSTANTIALLY different). I worked hard at every position I was honored with. I guess it paid off.

Each day I've been here I've counted my lucky stars. Not only have I actually LEARNED (and I didn't realize that until last night, when I was trying to distract myself and the only thing that truly distracted me was going through the four sub-parts of the best-interests-of-the-child standard, going through the Appellate review standards, de novo standards, standards for allowing a municipality to 'hinder' free speech, etc), but I've made friends here. Never in my life will I find another job where I can be so open about my opinions; where I can just blurt out the first thing that comes to mind and know that they won't judge me, that they'll probably laugh, agree, and then blurt out something equally as ridiculous.

I just can't believe how lucky I've been. Well played, universe. Thank you.