My First Week

Note:  This was originally suppose to go up on Friday night, but my internet access stopped.
Adding it now, but post-dating it.

So yeah…on Tuesday, I had the option of lying about and doing nothing at my supervisor’s house.  But I just didn’t feel like doing nothing.  I didn’t have a jet lag at all.  In fact, I woke up around 6AM.  Quietly made breakfast, got ready for work, and then read the news online for 2 hours.  I felt focused and I had a lot of energy.  It was like some fast-talking broad from the 1920s ala Jennifer Jason Leigh from The Hudsucker Proxy took over and possessed me. I was raring to go!

Around 8AM, we left the house and took her daughter to the grandparents – it was her summer vacation time.  Then we made the long trek to work.  Well …it really is not long.   Only a few miles. However, the road is winds around the island and the speed limit is 25 mph, which is rigorously enforced.  And in some villages, they get loud and aggressive if you aren’t driving slower!  In all, it is about a 30-40 minute drive.

BUT here is my commute.

[Side note:  The sun is bright and big here.  I knew we were close to the equator but daaaammmmmmnnnnn.]

I will try to add a short video later.  My new co-worker and neighbor is letting me access his internet until I set up my account.  I don't want to steal all his bandwidth....I'll wait until he is asleep.

And here is the Executive Office Building…well the side of it anyway.

I really like this mural. It is painted by Robert Wyland, who is awesome!!!

Here is a link about the mural and artist, and they are more shots of the building.

Once inside I was led directly to my new office.

No windows.  But I am directly diagonal from the Attorney General.

My co-workers say that because of the constant change in staff, I will probably have an office with windows in no time.  I really don’t mind.  It’s not like we can open them anyway.

You do have a beautiful view of the mountainside and rainforests, but you also are on the same side as all the support staff and paralegals.  And I can get easily distracted.

I already found a matching red chair and got rid of that ugly gray thing.

Next week they will put in more bookshelves and a large filing cabinet.

There are hundreds….HUNDREDS of child support cases waiting for me.

Yeah….

My supervisor lent me her fan for circulation.

Once I decorate it with plants, fabrics, and pictures, I will post an update!

I had a good first week. I really like my supervisors and colleagues.  Everyone has been so positive and supportive.   I observed a motion hearing. We had a staff meeting and I introduced myself.  We went out for Taco Thursday, where tacos and enchiladas were only $1!  I felt so useless seeing everyone rushing to and from court.  I am not barred here yet, and I will submit my Pro Hac Vice application to practice law next week.  It will probably be about 2-3 weeks before I can appear in court.  So until then I am observing what I can and I am also devouring everything in the office on Child Support Enforcement in American Samoa, which is a creature entirely its own.  In time, I have no doubt that I will be longing for those days when I had nothing to do but read and pick my nose.