Third Day in D.C.

Today started off a little bit dry with a talk at the CIEL. We had a couple of speakers but I don't think we discussed anything really very memorable. Then we had lunch at a sandwich place called Cosi. The meal I had (grilled chicken melt and hot chocolate) cost me US$10.25! I think I will become a pauper if I do not leave DC soon. So far I've been spending on nothing but food! Yesterday we had dinner at Sequoia restaurant in Georgetown and it cost me US$40. Woo~

The restaurant was very under-patronised yesterday night and we gathered that it was because of the recession getting into everyone's consciousness. It leads me to think: and I am spending so much in a time like this! But guess I have no choice since food is a necessity. I have to eat to live.

After lunch we moved on to the US Institute of Peace. The session was good as we had a good discussion with the lawyers from the "rule of law" department. One of them is slightly more intimidating than the other. The less intimidating one, however, is more knowledgeable and answered our questions more directly I think. I was just thinking, if I were to pick up mooting again, I would like to come across like he did-direct and sincere in answers.

Morgan, Peter, Gustav, Alex and I found some time to visit the Lincoln memorial and the Vietnam War Memorial before we headed to the law firm reception. The marble slabs, pillars and statute of Abraham Lincoln make up a very impressive piece of architecture. The view of the monument from the steps of Lincoln memorial was quite breath-taking as well! I bought some postcards from the bookshop in the memorial...I will send one home and for the remaining two, I have no idea who to send to yet.

The last event for today was a reception with Ian Laird from the firm Crowell and Moring LLP, apparently a very big firm in DC with a few hundred lawyers. The lawyers are from the international law practice group and specifically, international investment arbitration. All of them are very well-qualified; Ian has an LLM from Cambridge and the other 2 have LLMs from Georgetown University, which is a very good university for international law studies I've learnt. Their head of department is very experienced and spoke to us at considerable length on his professional background and advice for us. I wish I could acquire his air of erudition and eloquence.

All the lawyers were very sincere in offering us advice on our careers and surprisingly, had no airs at all. It was a fruitful session for me as I went away contemplative on my approach to choosing my career path. I also left with a sanguine feeling that being a top-notch lawyer is not outside anyone's reach., including mine. Dilligence, acuity, business sense and eloquence in communication can be cultivated, and don't think it's too late for me to start now.