"Winter" in New York

Last Friday, I have reported about snow. In order to achieve the utmost contrast (and to calm all anti-snow-fans), today I will write about sun, beach and 25 degree Celsius. In the middle of February, the month which is said to be the toughest in New York? Yes.

When I started thinking about the blog post, I was planning to tell you about my trip to Miami last weekend. Freshfields invited German and Austrian law students to “Step into sunshine” – or better to a recruiting event. Miami beach, hanging out in outdoor pools, wearing shorts, doing an M&A workshop and getting to know the law firm world seemed to be the perfect alternative to the snow chaos in New York. Hence I wanted to conclude and ensure to all those, who are tired or afraid of snow: Miami is definitely worth going for the weekend. It is not too far. A two to three hour flight, and you can get a sunburn on famous South Beach. No need to be afraid of New York winters.

But as I have learned this week, Miami is not the only solution: for those of you, who have more stamina to survive the snow: you just need to survive a week! This weekend, entire New York – all dogs, all kids, all workaholics – was in Central Park. Why? Because there was no need to flee to Miami anymore to get a sunburn: 21 degree Celsius, sun all day – in short: shorts-weather.

So, for everybody who is afraid of the terrible, never-ending winter in New York – this seems to be a fairy tale. And if you don’t believe it, there is still warm winter clothing – who knows, maybe we will need it again tomorrow…

P.S. If the last blog posts gave the impression that the spring semester doesn't include readings or work - unfortunately, I have to disappoint your hope...we do have readings...a lot...

Snow Day

On Wednesday, I was planning to write about the “winter” in New York. It was 14 degree Celsius. The sun was shining. Birds were singing. People on the street did not even wear jackets. Some were even wearing only t-shirts. Remember, it was February, 8. – when New York is said to be terribly cold, terribly windy, and terribly uncomfortable.

And February 8 was no exception so far. The perfect topic for small talk, the weather, was even more suitable for small-talk, as we could also complain that nobody knows what to wear. One day, it was 0 degree Celsius, another day we had 10 degrees. Twice, we had a little bit of snow, which melted however soon. Mostly, it was “spring”. People started complaining that they bought expensive winter jackets and boots.

But, on Wednesday, suddenly, we received worried emails. Law School Alert. The Emergency Management Operation Team addressing us. A storm is coming. Snow. Ice. Cold. It was hard to believe, sitting in the sun and enjoying lunch outside. Yet, they seemed to be serious. One night later, New York was shut down. The University had canceled all classes and activities. All events were canceled. Transportation was operating with delays and reduced in service. Shops closed. Public Schools were closed. Even the entire United Nations, where I am currently doing an externship, announced to be closed. Snow day.

Within 8 hours of snow and storm, New York was covered in white. And work life stood still. Just Central Park was crowded, with children playing in the snow, with couples romantically wandering through winter wonderland, dogs being confused about the shoes they were supposed to wear or wondering why they were carried.

I am not sure if it was absolutely necessary to shut down the entire city, because of 20 cm of snow and some wind. But in any event, everybody enjoyed a free snow day.

Super Bowl LI

In the beginning, there was an advertisement. But soon, it was a night of sport history. What a thrilling, exciting game. February 5, 2017. Super Bowl LI. Commercial.

Everything started off like usual – everything was very American: a big TV screen, chicken nuggets, chips, chips, chips and beer and chips. Only the bowl of green salad revealed that it was our first Super Bowl here in the US. A group of LLMs gathered to follow the biggest event in the US and to eat chips. Only as a side note, why does everyone have the same idea and bring chips? Something, you should consider for your LLM… Nothing uncommon happened. The American anthem. Advertisement. Advertisement. Coin flip by President George H.W. Bush. Commercial. Kickoff. Advertisement. First drive. Advertisement. The Falcons basically overrunning the Patriots. Advertisement. Touchdown Falcons. Advertisement. Half-time show with Lady Gaga – without the expected political statement. Advertisement. Again, the Falcons dominating, while the Patriots even missed an extra point. Advertisement. But suddenly, it was more than just advertisement. Suddenly, it became a real football game – exciting, thrilling, insane, unbelievable. The Patriots came back with a 28-3 second half deficit to defeat the Falcons in the first overtime ever in the history of Super Bowl. Even we non-Americans were thrilled, standing, screaming, hoping, arguing and cheering. Some were hoping for the Falcons, some for the Pats. What a game. What a feeling to have the privilege of watching this great sport at a reasonable time (and not in the middle of the night). What a privilege to follow this event with a group of people coming from four continents.

In the beginning, there was only advertisement – for cars, beer, mobile and again cars. In the end it was an advertisement for American Football, uniting America for a moment, and uniting some LLMs in a night of sport history.