COUPLE THINGS TO DODGE MY DD TODAY...
FIRST ASHER AND ERICA WERE crowned onto Barrister's Court --PROM KING/QUEEN-- AND TEH IS NOT A MORE DESEARVING PAIR I AM SURE....
Hi Carlene,
Asher and I went to our first Barrister's Ball (also known as Law School Prom) this past Saturday as first-year law students and had such a wonderful time! We - Asher's name was on there too - were on the final Ballot for Barrister's Court (aka Prom King/Queen) a couple of weeks ago, something that I never would have gotten on my own. We got the most votes of our 1L class, and were named onto Barrister's Court! I've never been part of the popular crowd before now, but then again, this is my first year with a Dane as a constant companion!
I was thinking today, as I went through all the pictures we took last night among friends, about why I had chosen the small, more personal school I did to attend law school this year over a huge one in New York: I was so uncomfortable walking and moving around in front of people, whether at work one-on-one with a client who didn't know me well, in court in front of law clerks and judges, or even just in casual administrative hearings in front of other lawyers. I'd feel their stares, even if I was just imagining them. Even in college, I dreaded award ceremonies because the thought of walking up in front of all those people was mortifying. I decided I needed a more close-knit campus to feel comfortable enough around people to get over that.
And while I'm sure the familiar atmosphere has helped, Asher has gotten rid of that insecurity completely. He helps me physically every day, but he's also given me such a unique way to meet people, start conversations, and he shifts the focus from my movement to him (and usually his huge size!). The Student Bar Association president called both of our names as the 1L winners last night and we took the long walk from our table to the stage together while the whole room watched, definitely a walk that I would have struggled to get through alone just a short several months ago. The room was so loud with people cheering and we weaved around some tight spaces, but it didn't faze Asher one bit. I'm convinced he knew he was walking up to claim his prize because his popularity comes as no surprise to him, and he smugly takes the reactions of his fans in stride, reassuring me with his "Yeah, whatever, we've got this" demeanor in the process.
To be crowned onto Barrister's Court by our classmates meant so much. Here, with Asher, I'm not the girl with the weird gait that people feel bad for. I'm Erica with the huge dog wearing the necktie as we go about our day like anybody else. People have gotten to know me for me, and Asher has been responsible for initiating most of those casual conversations, looks of surprise instead of uncomfortable stares, and friendships I have today. He's given me so much confidence - it doesn't matter who we're walking in front of when he's next to me.
I'll paste our Facebook post below so you can read it and attach some photos. I just wanted you to know that, while I'm so thrilled to win a fun popularity contest in the middle of my hardest year of school yet, I'm incredibly thankful for the opportunity I've had to live a different life these days; one where people can see through my physical differences and get to know me, and Asher too!
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SECONDLY--- THERE IS AN "ABOUT US" TALK BY CHARLIE ON THE START OF EXPLORE.ORG AND DOG BLESS YOU--WHICH IS SOMETHING WE ALL SHOULD KNOW ABOUT-- SOMEWHERE IN HIS TALK HE DOES MENTION SERVICE DOGS IN GENERAL AND GEOJump to ToolbarRGE SPECIFICALLY-- HIS HISTORY IS ALSO HOW/WHY WE ARE SUPPORTED BY THE ANNENBERG FOUNDATION.
https://explore.org/about-us must listen to... IT IS ABOUT 30 MINUTES LONG..AND WORTH THE 30 MINUTES.
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I made an unplanned trip to the Firestation this week. A little bird told me that Captain Dave’s Birthday was the 24th and he really likes brownies.
I quickly made a batch and my son helped deliver then. As we were pulling around to the parking lot, the big red fire truck followed us. Dave, not seeing me, ask my son, who was already at the door, if he could help and Kirk replied, “My Mom made some goodies for you” and at that moment he saw me sitting in the car. With a big smile he said, “Can I give you a hug?”. We wished him a happy birthday and was on our way.
Just having a little fun.
Ila Steutermann
Missouri
