Forget every notion you have of a poverty-reduction organization....

I have been planning to write a really extensive blog post for quite some time now... the subject? Law firm websites.

Working at The Borgen Project (The BoPro from here on) has been a truly eye opening experience. I have learned a lot about global poverty (these are some interesting videos: http://www.borgenproject.org/population), spend a lot of time on the TED website (I sincerely recommend ted.com), made quite a few blog posts of my own (borgenproject.blogspot.com), and wrote a summary of the Water for the World Act of 2009 that was handed out to 70 Senators and Representatives - some of whom are now cosponsoring the bill (badass!). Some of my more monotonous, intern-y duties have involved asking businesses (with puppy dog eyes in tow) if they would please please please give us money and cosponsor our upcoming event (http://borgenproject.eventbrite.com... buy tickets from me please please please!). I have gotten a lot of hell no's but it has lead me to spend an incredible amount of time on law firm websites collecting contact information, which has been very eye opening. AND LEMME TELL YA....

There are 3 basic things that must, it seems, be included on a law firm website:

1. Seattle skylines

2. Empty office furniture

3. Creepy professional portraits

Some lawyers are named William H. Figeltaub AKA "Flig"

While some find it necessary to have an entire bio page for legal assistant, Texanna, who has a passion for mass transit:

While these realizations have not curbed my interest in becoming a lawyer someday, I have learned one thing: I don't plan on participating in Lawyerpalooza.

34 Days Until Paris.

Love,

Clara

Updates!

Hi y'all --

It's finally looking like summer.... a balmy 63 degrees (thanks washington!). And 4th of July tomorrow - I'm somehow feeling a little more patriotic than normal.

Okay so super duper great developments in my life. I have started interning at The Borgen Project (www.borgenproject.org) in downtown Seattle and will be doing so for the rest of the summer (just 6 more weeks, what????). I'm living with my awesome Aunt Barb in her apartment on Capital Hill. Every morning I wake up and walk 10 blocks downtown and feel super awesome and young and urban and professional in my biz cajj/cassh/cazzzsss/[insert some effort in abbreviating casual].... and every evening I walk uphill 10 blocks and feel completely exhausted and sweaty. Have you ever been on Capital Hill? It would be a great hill to sled down (and probably wipe out on... knowing me) but it is a lousy hill to walk up and is the bane of my existence... but it beats being lazy and paying $2 for a 5 minute bus ride.

I also have a skeleton in my bedroom. Yes... a human skeleton. well it's plastic, but you would never really know that. It sits in the corner on a pile of books. I'm not sure what is customary in rooming with a skeleton as I have never had a skeleton in my possession before. I'm thinking of naming him (her?) to humanize the whole thing (but what could be more human than a skeleton? or not human? i'm just not sure).... so open to suggestions on that one.

Capital Hill is also probably the sketchiest part of Seattle ever. The apartment is super nice, and pretty much every hospital ever is across the street (Capital Hill is referred to as Pill Hill) but I'm also sure that every homeless person in Seattle lives somewhere along my walk to work. Yuppies and the homeless - this new life holds a very odd collection of demographics. So far I have taken to packing a lot of food for my lunch so I can give some away during my "commute"... but so far no one has asked me for anything.

The Borgen Project is actually pretty much the shit. There are 6 interns (though one of them hasn't been around so I'm not sure if she exists) and Clint who is the main guy. Basically everyone is awesome and we do awesome work.... Here watch this video about it:



Everyone should know that it's super easy to call your senator and make a difference. Basically we're just trying to get people involved in the political process (and end global poverty! woo!), it's way more fun and effective that way. I'll probably post more about that soon.

Leaving Anacortes in 45 days and I'll leave for Paris in 52!

Love, Clara