Meeting Soren 2016

On Saturday, Kevin, James, Miranda, and I met Soren at 11 weeks old and had a wonderful visit with his parents Jackie and Rob. They are in the warm sleep-deprived glow of new parenthood. How I envy them! We came with yummy Cuban sandwiches in tote. Here are all the pictures I couldn't reduce for the sake of the upcoming "Spring Break" post.

Soren is cuuuuuuuuuute. I mean seriously!

Miranda loves babies now.

Clou kids versus the BEAR- Jackie saves them

More bear fun


James, Bear, Yossi

Rob let James and Miranda "walk" Yossi

Kids having fun in the playroom. Soren will soon!

Secret bear kisses.

Justice Scalia Passed Away 2016

I don't usually talk about news items on the blog. I certainly didn't know Justice Antonin Scalia personally, so I debated writing about his passing. However, it's been very much on my mind for the last few days. Justice Scalia was the most conservative justice on the Supreme Court and as such, I've never agreed with him on much. Nonetheless, I was saddened to hear he passed away for a number of reasons. Of course, I was sad because he was a person, not just a Court opinion, and of course I'm very sorry for his family.

Also, although he went to Harvard Law, he was formerly a UVA Law professor and he remained loyal and helpful to UVA. I saw him speak at UVA Law in 2008 and while I vehemently disagreed with the content of his talk, I was still grateful that a Justice of the highest court had come to talk with us and that I was able to go. I also saw him in Supreme Court Oral Arguments, twice. Once while I was a college student at GW and once while I was in law school. He was intense! Better to live out your convictions than to sit silently.

Justice Scalia  giving a talk at UVA Law in 2008 (with Dean Jeffries)

In 2006, someone got him to briefly participate in a skit via video recording for the Libel Show. It was really funny. And how awesome that he did that for us?

 

Justice Scalia in the Libel Show 2006

Justice Scalia has also had a number clerks that were UVA Law students. One of these students was my friend Donald who had the huge honor of clerking for Scalia in 2012. But more than that, Donald and his wife Sarah got to know him personally and he was always kind to them. Scalia also had yearly events for his clerks so everyone stayed in touch through the years. I'm truly sad for them to lose him in both a professional and personal capacity.

Donald and Sarah at the Supreme Court on a weekend in 2012

when Donald was still clerking. Sarah was pregnant with William.

Last weekend, Donald also participated in the ceremonies where Scalia is in repose in the Supreme Court while the public is invited to pay their respects. President Obama and the First Lady also came to pay their respects right before Donald was slated to stand at the casket. The First Lady looked noticeably teary-eyed, and it was really moving to see real affection between public servants despite opposite politics in such a politically divisive time. Both Donald and Sarah, and a number of UVA Law professors attended the wake and funeral.

Scalia's former clerks on the steps of the Court as casket is brought in on Friday (on CNN/CSPAN)

Which is all to say that I am very sorry for the Scalia family, so many people in my law school community, and Donald and Sarah in particular.

Baby Soren 2016!

This is a very special post because in a past life, Jackie was a unicorn. And now, she's had a baby. It's Rob's baby too and he's also special because he's married to a unicorn. And now he has a half-unicorn baby. If you're confused it has to be because you haven't met Jackie. If you'd met her, you'd understand. Let me help you.

Baby Soren

He's already ridiculously perfect and needs no accessory. But that is not how Jackie rolls.

Baby Soren-Yoda

So thank you Jackie and Rob for bringing some more magic to the world.

Baby Wesley 2015!

Jane and Rob had a beautiful son, Wesley last week! We didn't even know she was pregnant! Two children is more than twice the fun because seeing them love each other is so amazing! Congratulations Jane, Rob, and Luke!

Pretty much the definition of scrumptious!

Baby Ezra 2015!

Roger and Lina had their second son Ezra this month! I was wondering if lightening would strike twice and they would have another red-headed child, but this time the baby shares their hair color. He's just as adorable as his older brother though. Congratulations! I can't wait to meet the newest addition. Hopefully my kids will learn enough Spanish to have secret talks with Caleb and Ezra. Congratulations, Roger, Lina, and big brother Caleb!

Baby Ezra is perfect.

Brothers meeting

Baby Robert 2015!

Sarah and Donald just had their second gorgeous boy! I am so excited to meet him soon!

Robert Joseph- total perfection.

Jackie and Rob's Wedding 2014

Our friends Jackie and Rob got married in Manhattan! It was super fancy! The bride was my sometimes-partner-in-crime at law school. Now she fights injustice by day and runs marathons on the weekends. Yes, that's the description of a modern-day super hero.

The event was black tie optional, so Kevin and I were feeling pretty cute when we walked into a welcome area hour with wine and champagne. So we were off to a great start already! Eventually we were ushered into the ceremony. Jackie converted to Judaism so the ceremony was Jewish. I've been to a few Jewish weddings and I never get tired of the little touches that make it awesome, such as both parents walking the bride and groom down the aisle and the glass smashing. I particularly enjoyed the excitement with which Jackie enunciated the word "husband" in "I take you to be my husband."

The new Mr. and Mrs.!

The first ceremony was pretty brief and then we moved into the most serious cocktail hour I've ever attended. I couldn't try all the appetizers because there were too many but each one I tried was a delicious culinary adventure. And also, I was the first one to find the sushi bar... I tried to save some sushi for the other guests. I did my best, you guys.

The reception was officially opened by Jackie's dad's speech. He is the cutest funniest person. He poked fun at Jackie during his speech and you could tell how much he loves her. Rob and Jackie changed into some beautiful traditional Korean clothing for the cocktail hour. This was also a good heads up that the cocktail hour would be followed by a traditional Korean ceremony.

This might be one of my favorite pictures at a wedding ever (Cocktail hour)

The Korean ceremony is called a Paebaek ceremony, and traditionally it involved the bride being presented to the groom's family but in modern-day celebrations the groom is also presented to the brides family. Obviously this involved another fabulous change of outfit. Everybody bowed to one another, Rob and Jackie shared some wine, some "elders" gave some astonishing words of wisdom. One particularly amusing part of the ceremony was that Rob's parents had to throw dates and chestnuts and Rob and Jackie were supposed to catch them on a long piece of fabric. They caught 24 in total, after which we were told this indicated the number of children they would have. I hope, for their sake, that 24 is actually the number of children and grandchildren they will have.

Rob and Jackie during the Paebaek ceremony

Catching a lot of kids!

Thanking Rob's parents for the 24 children (cute!)

I missed getting a picture of the Western ceremony kiss but this one is better!

The Paebaek ceremony ends with the groom carrying the bride out on piggy back!

Then they changed back to their black tie outfits from the Western wedding ceremony for their first dance. We dined, we danced like crazy, and then we jumped around in slow motion for Rob and Jackie's video pleasure.  The band was amazing, and at one point Kevin and I actually looked up to see if Nicki Minaj had taken a hold of the microphone. The woman singing was decidedly not Nicki Minaj but could have fooled a radio listener. Everybody was dancing! We had the possibly the biggest group dancing the Hora in all of New York. (Well, perhaps on that evening.)

First dance

Lifting Jackie and Rob up during the Hora. (This is the best view we got.)

Okay, so they had a video area set up, where anything you did in 24-second increments was made to look awesome when it was converted to slow motion. However, no one warned us that there would also be still photos of the insanity.

The law school group and spouses

Rob and Jackie kept the party going all night long and went to sing Karaoke after the reception was over, but Kevin and I had to head home because Miranda was not doing great on her first night away from me. But we had a wonderful magical night, Miranda forgives me, and I can't wait to see Jackie and Rob again and hear about how amazing it was for them. You can see how happy they are together when you're with them. And if marriage is a marathon and not a sprint, well, Jackie is supremely well-prepared! Congratulations!

Baby Maxwell G. 2014!

Josh and and Anna had a baby boy named Maxwell! Check out the cuteness! I wish he didn't live so far away so I could snuggle him!

Maxwell

This means that of all my law school friends who have had babies so far, all of them had a boy first (and I'm the only one with two yet): James, Carter, William, Luke, Caleb, and Maxwell! In fact, the blog babies are now 21 boys  to 15 girls! (And two of my friends are responsible for 6 of those girls!)

• Josh and Anna's wedding celebration in 2011
• Recent baby announcements

Introducing Baby Miranda 2014

Miranda Rogers

was born on 

April 20, 2014, at 5:28 a.m.,

weighing 9 pounds and 6 ounces 

and measuring 21.5 inches long.

Miranda's first day

Our first family photo, 4/22

With Nana Ana, 4/20


Miranda's 5th day, 4/25

With Grandma Kathy, 4/26

Her name is courtesy of Shakespeare (The Tempest). Her middle name is from Kevin's family.

Baby Caleb 2013!

Roger and Lina had their baby boy Caleb Alejandro this weekend. He's a darling little peanut! He came a bit early as he was due at the beginning of January, but a bit more surprisingly he is very blond. Really wasn't imagining him blond! Haha! He's our own little New Years Baby this year. Welcome, Caleb!

Baby Luke 2013!

Jane and Rob had a beautiful baby boy Luke this week! They waited to find out if they were having a boy or a girl so it's kind of a fun surprise for everyone. He's is beyond adorable! Look at that full head of hair. Absolutely everyone is already in love with him.

Baby Luke on the day he was born

Congratulations, Jane and Rob! He is quite the treat!

A Look Back: UVA Law 3L Year 2007-2008

To celebrate the five-year anniversary of my law school graduation today, I've been reviewing my three years at UVA Law. I already did my 1L year, and my 2L year, and this post is about my third year and graduation!

August 2007
I was in New York City for my summer associate position at a law firm. At the beginning of the month we got job offers for work after we graduated and we had a farewell party-- no dinner, just drinks. Recipe for disaster!  Before I left the city, my parents and I went out for dinner and drinks.  After that, we had several weeks to vacation in Charlottesville and Cape Cod. When we returned to Charlottesville for good, Donald and Roger had an apartment-warming party.

Steph, Sarah, Donald, Jon at Roger and Donald's party


Roger making delicious drinks

Rob, Audra, and Jackie

September 2007

Some of Sarah W's friends threw here a big 23rd birthday party. Sarah H. B. and Donald started secretly dating, but we figured it out almost right away, and pretended we didn't know. A bunch of us went to the UVA v. Duke football game, and then Kevin and I had a big cookout at our new place.  All the while, Sarah and Donald tried to act casual. Ha ha. And then, one of my favorite events of the year: Fall Foxfield!

Sarah W's 23rd birthday party

Fall Foxfield 2007

October 2007
Donald and Sarah had now been secretly dating a whole month and the rest of us were still pretending we didn't know. Really! My parents visited me and Kevin at our new apartment. Brian and I went to a Maroon5 concert. A bunch of us went to the 3L Bonfire to celebrate our last year at law school.  We roasted marshmallows, and somehow Brian ended up going for a swim.

My parents on the Downtown Mall 2007


3L Bonfire 2007

November 2007
Brian, Roger, Katy, and I went to the Vermont v. UVA basketball game and sat in the student seats, while Kevin, Brady, Cory, and Chow went to the game but had to sit in the public seats. Going to games "together" like this was a regular occurrence.

Before my 3L Public Interest Law Association (PILA) auction and semiformal dance, we had people to our place beforehand. After two full months, we finally "officially knew" Donald and Sarah were dating and they went to the dance together. I got jealous when Kevin talked to Roger's date for too long (she was from Cape Cod).  Little did I know that Kevin had already bought me an engagement ring. Ha!

Before the semi-formal, 2007

Kevin planned a trip to New York, and took me to go see my mother at work first. She was in cahoots with him, and had picked up the ring delivery for him, and slipped him the ring while I was in the bathroom. Then he took me to the New York Public Library, where he proposed on the steps on November 21.

Proposal, November 21, 2007

December 2007
More finals. We were old pros at exams, so we didn't make a fuss anymore. Some of us celebrated the end of semester with wings at Buffalo Wild Wings. Yum.

Me and Roger


Jackie and Brandon

January 2008
We came back from winter break mid-month. Kevin and I had gone to the Caribbean to celebrate our engagement. Unlike some Januaries where I'd wear tank tops and marvel at the crazy weather, we had some pretty snow this year. Brian finished up his term as Student Bar Association President.

Snow at UVA Law

Brian working hard in the SBA Office

February 2008
Kevin bought Chris Long a beer at Mellow Mushroom. The chatted about his draft prospects.

A group of us went to our 3L Barristers Ball which is like law school prom. My parents co-hosted a little engagement party for me and Kevin in Charlottesville.  Sarah B., Sarah W., and I watched the lunar eclipse. A group of us had brunch at Professor Kitch's house, and that evening Sarah and I joined Audra on her bachelorette party.

UVA Law's Barristers Ball 2008

March 2008
My law school friends and I went to  Edisto Beach, South Carolina for Spring Break. We stayed at my friend Katy's beach house, and went into Charleston one night for dinner and walking around. From there we went to Audra and Rob's wedding.

Edisto Beach, Spring Break 2008

Audra and Rob get married!

 

At Audra and Rob's wedding

My 29th birthday came and went without a party, as I was busy playing an elaborate game of "Assassin" at law school. We threw a big party for the Latin American Law Organization. I finally won the  fundraising game of Assassin! My law school friends and I went to our last Libel Show together.

At the Libel Show in 2008

April 2008
My law school friends and I went out to celebrate Katy's acceptance into NYU's LLM progam. We went to a service at Roger's temple to hear him read. The 3Ls finished their year-long Seminars in Ethical Values. Some of us were lucky enough to have the 3L toast with Professor Leslie. Brian and I went on a 3L Vineyard Trip, and a UVA lacrosse match the next day with Kevin and Katy.

My Seminar in Ethical Values class

We love Professor Leslie!

3L Vineyard Trip- does it get any better than this?

My law school friends and I went to dinner at Maya Restaurant to celebrate our last day of law school classes. Brooke, Brady, and Cory came to visit and we went to my first Spring Foxfield.

Brooke, Brady, Cory, me, and Kevin at Spring Foxfield in Charlottesville

With newlyweds Rob and Audra (it looks like we all coordinated our outfits)

May 2008
I finished taking my last finals ever. My law school friends, Kevin, and I spent the week before graduation at Sarah's beach house in North Carolina. We even raced go karts!

 

Sarah and Donald at the beach house- I love this picture of them

We graduated law school!

 

We're law school graduates! Woo!


Ceremony on the lawn


After my graduation

Then we immediately started bar review classes to study for the state bar exams, in my case, New York.