Law and Order...and Jury Duty

When I got my jury duty summons in the mail, I wasn't surprised. This is my THIRD time being called to serve. (9 years ago I was called on Long Island and was chosen for a civil case but it settled out of court. 6 years ago I was called in for grand jury duty but deferred it since I was heading to Italy to study abroad). Without a good excuse, I decided not to postpone my jury duty and just get it over with. After all, it is a certainty that they would track me down (especially with my track record).

My first day of service was on 9/11 and it was eerie to be down town near ground zero in a room full of New Yorkers on such a significant day in NYC history. On a somber note, we watched an instructional video featuring Diane Sawyer. After a short announcement, the waiting began. A few juries were called and my name wasn't pulled from the ancient looking lottery ball. I had just settled into the idea of being one of those people who sits around the jury room and reads an entire novel in 2 days...Then a police officer announced that 70 names would be called for a criminal case and, of course, my name was among the first announced. All of us filed over to a building across the street to do some more waiting before we were called into the court room. The judge told us about the case and weeded out people that would not be able to be unbiased. The voir dire was serious and long - we were there for 2 whole days going through jury selection. I was among the last 11 unselected people in the court room. After the final round, the clerk called out my name - Juror Number 12, Toni Rosenbaum.

We filed into the jury box for the first day of trial and it felt a bit like Law and Order (without the fun sound effects and dramatic outbursts). The opening statements were compelling and I kept an open mind as the trial began. The situation was interesting and gory, scary and tedious. We heard testimony from many parties involved - all called by the prosecution. The prosecution rested and the defense didn't call anyone. After hearing the closing statements from both sides and some detailed instructions from the judge, it was time for us to deliberate.

Deliberation took a day and a half. It was so difficult to pass judgement on someone but in the end, we came to a unanimous decision and submitted our verdict. Each juror was different and most were outspoken and brought interesting points of view to the table. We took our time coming to what we deemed was the right decision. It was extremely emotional to watch the defendant (and his father who was present in the audience) cry as we convicted him of attempted murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree, robbery in the first degree with a weapon, robbery in the first degree causing serious injury, and robbery in the second degree with an accomplice.

Although it seemed annoying being called for jury duty, seeing the defendant at the table and knowing that his future was partially in my hands felt like a huge responsibility. It was no longer about getting lunch in Chinatown, not being able to use my cell phone, and missing work, it was about justice.

A Lot On My Plate

As summer cools off and makes way for fall, I find myself with a busier schedule than ever and a lot on my plate. Exciting new opportunities have just kind of fallen into my lap and it seems as if my luck has turned around.

During one of my outdoor summer concerts, the conductor of the orchestra asked me if I would be interested in expanding my fundraising career. So, I took on a job with the Nassau Pops as a grant writer. This is an awesome opportunity and a really great way to earn some extra cash! I've just begun the process and it's quite an undertaking. I have a ton of work to do. Hopefully, I will bring in some serious dough for our upcoming season.

Summer semester at NYU was awesome and I have decided to continue with the Professional Certificate in Fundraising that I began. Starting something and not following through is just not my style. Plus, it's hard for me to resist a challenge - I tend to get restless when I'm not working toward goals. This fall I'll be taking "Fundraising Research and Information Management." It's another short class and only meets 4 times so hopefully I won't be too bogged down with school work.

After a complete turnover of Board members with the UD NYC Alumni club, I was promoted to the Communications Chair. After a year of serving on the University Events Committee, I'm ready for a change and I really love serving on the Board. My very last event will be a tour of the Cloisters on September 29th complete with a UD Art History professor as our expert tour guide and a luncheon talk back in midtown. After that, I will be assuming my new position and will have a ton more responsibility. It's a new adventure and I'm ready for it!

And speaking of adventures, Alex and I celebrated the anniversary of our first date with a delicious meal at a romantic wine bar and an off-Broadway show at Roundabout starring Jake Gyllenhaal. We talked about all of the awesome times we had over the past year and the incredible time we had in France. It was the perfect time for us to begin planning our next vacation. In January, we'll be going to Peru - splitting our time between his family's hotel and an excursion that we have yet to plan. I'm really looking forward to our next vacation together!

It's hard to believe that a year ago, I was working at Juilliard and Alex and I had just met while hurricane Irene was fast approaching. That feels like days ago. Years go by faster and faster as I get older and busier. I'm happy to fill up my plate with more responsibility and I'm excited to see what's in store for the future. I think I'm getting the hang of this growing up thing...

Girls Girls Girls

It had been 3 years since Nicole, Michele, Sara, and I had been away on vacation together. We were long overdue for a reunion and a trip away with just us girls. For a weekend in August, we escaped reality and had a girls only weekend.

I took the bolt bus from NYC to Philly and hitched a ride with Nicole and Sara down to Rehoboth Beach. After 6 hours of traveling, we were finally at our destination with drinks in hand. We lounged by the pool for a bit before Michele arrived and we enjoyed some free wine served in our hotel lobby. The 4 of us headed to The Cultured Pearl for a delicious sushi dinner complete with cocktails and some live music. We took the Jolly Trolly (yes, that's a legit form of public transit in Delaware) to Bottle and Cork to listen to an insanely awesome band called Go Go Gadget play a few power hours where each minute for an hour, they play a different tune - amazing.

We attempted to make Saturday a beach day. After a few hours of sun, the rain came and we ended up having to pack up our stuff and rush back to our hotel. As soon as we arrived at our hotel, the rain let up a bit and we lounged in the pool before the storm clouds rolled in again. After a quick lunch at Fin's, we had officially run out of sun - it was the perfect excuse to do a little shopping. The beachy shops are fun and kitschy. We browsed the shops and I picked up some salt water taffy and fudge for Alex.

After a serious freshening up, and some complimentary wine and cheese from our hotel, the weather cleared up and we grabbed a quick dinner before going to North Beach - a bar on the beach where we could enjoy drinks with our toes in the sand. The guys were a bit aggressive but we had a good time relaxing and having girl time.

Sunday was a gorgeous day and we got to spend the entire morning at the beach before heading back to Philly. Michele headed back to Baltimore while Sara, Nicole, and I grabbed a very healthy lunch of Thrasher's fries and ice cream cones. A quick stop at the outlets and we were on the road to Philly.

As we drove back up north, my mind wandered. Being in "slower lower" Delaware reminds me of John - the life I could have had with the country boy who I once loved. It's strange to think that a little over 2 years ago, I contemplated moving down there and trading in my stilettos for a pair of work boots. Thinking about John makes me feel happy about our decision to part even though we cared about each other. It was very mature of us and it worked out for the best.

Once we were back in Philly, Nicole and Sara picked up their significant others and the 5 of us grabbed dinner at an adorable Italian wine bar in Philly - clinging on to those last few moments of a vacation weekend. Sara and Steve headed home and with an hour still to kill before my bus took off, Nicole, Joe, and I got a pitcher of beer at McGillan's, one of the oldest bars in Philadelphia, and watched the closing ceremony of the London Olympics.

I made it just in the nick of time to catch my bolt bus back to NYC. The night was breezy and warm so I decided to walk back to Alex's apartment. The crowded streets of mid-town are still buzzing with people and the lights are still bright in the city - even at 11pm.

After a quick shower to wash the beach out of my hair, I crawled into bed and looked out of Alex's window to a beautiful view of world wide plaza.

Although it's nice to get away every now and then, the city is just so alive. I felt calm and happy. The soft hum of a bus passing by reminded me that I'm home and I started to doze off. NYC - this is where I belong.