It all started when my mom and I almost missed our flight. For some reason, we had two early departures going and coming home. While we left the house in plenty of time, my mom forgot her phone, causing us to turn around. As you are probably guessing, we did not get to the check-in on time. The lady was not going to let us in. Mind you, we arrived twenty minutes before the flight, but nonetheless, we were there. After much pleading and conversing (and realizing that we already checked in online) she let us go through to security. I know that most of you are probably surprised by this next bit of information if you know me at all, but I packed (or crammed rather) all of my belongings that I would need for the trip into a carry-on sized suitcase. This was a rather large success for me considering I needed dress clothes for this venture to visit the law school. So, since we were too late for baggage check-in, we were able to carry our bags on the plane. This was quite a humorous experience. I plopped my suitcase on the surveyor belt and explained (or said in a hurried tone) for the security man to take whatever he needed out because all I needed to do was get that plane! This was no small task. My clothes were flying everywhere, I made the metal detector go off, and I even forgot to follow some rules, such as taking off my shoes and hat. All that to say, we passed through security and I got to keep all of my items over 3 ounces for some odd reason, including 12 ounces of contact solution. Maybe I reminded the old man of his granddaughter.....
I decided to run ahead to the gate and tell them that my mom was coming. Unlike myself, she did not get the kind old man and was having difficulties getting through security. As I hurriedly walked to the gate, I heard this over the loud speaker: "Would passengers Amy and Judy Duncan please come to gate 20. Your flight is now leaving!" I came flying around the corner. After some questioning as to who I was, the lady was going to let me on the plane. The only problem was, my mom had not yet made it. Finally, she arrived, to our next dilemma: she had three carry-ons as opposed to two. Easy solution: she put her purse inside her carry-on. The only problem was that it was not "inside" and was sticking out. The man taking tickets looked at my mom with a rather odd expression as if to say, "What do you think you are doing?" My mom responded as if she was reading the man's mind, "There! It's one!" The man looked at me, rolled his eyes, said something the effect that he hoped the FAA didn't find out about this, and graciously let us on the plane! This was a miracle. So, while the beginning of our trip was an interesting one, we made it! Little did we know, this was only the beginning of an odd week.
Once we go to Charlotte, we got some Chili's and sat down to rest during our three hour layover. We replayed the events of the morning, and laughed over and over again about the miracle of how we made it through security with all that stuff. If we were flying out of DFW, there would be no way that would have happened, but since we were flying out of the ATX, it somehow worked. I guess the principle "Keep Austin Weird" did something for us that morning. Here is a picture of me rejoicing that we had made it to Charlotte, NC.
After we filled our tummies, we headed back to the gate to await our plane! This is where things got interesting again. First of all, the plane had a grand total of 8 rows and we had to go outside and walk onto the plane! Then once we finally got the full plane loaded and started to take off, there was a rather pungent smell of gasoline inside the cabin. So, what did we have to do? You guessed it! We had to go over to maintenance and haul off the plane for about a thirty minute delay. This was turning out to be the longest day of our lives. But, despite all of the complications, we arrived in Lynchburg that afternoon. It was icy and FREEZING COLD! Apparently, the fact that the weather was like this was unusual even for Virginia, which was good to hear, but unfortunate that it had to be during our visit. It is hard to get a feel for the city when you can't even see it due to the fog. Thus began our trip! Here are some pictures to prove the weather. Somehow, even though it was immensely foggy and icy, it was still beautiful, especially all of the trees covered in ice!
Wednesday and Thursday I was to make a visit to the law school. Wednesday was to be an information and tour trip, and Thursday was to be a day where I sat in on a couple of classes. While, I did do both of these things on these days, it was delayed two hours due to the ice on the roads. The only thing that I did not get to do was attend the university wide convocation. While I really would have liked to get a feel for the university in this manner, I felt that it was more important to get a tour and feel for the law school while I was there.The law school really was pretty. There were three courtrooms for mock trials and even a courtroom built after the Supreme Court. The dimensions, decor, and seating were to the Supreme Courtroom to a T. It was such a pretty room! They have people from all over come and do mock trials before going before the Supreme Court. So neat....
As far as the classes go, they were really interesting to sit in on. All of the students were very laid back and down to earth, which is unusual for a law school setting. They were immensely friendly with each other. At one point a student was called on to stand up and brief a case and the other students started chanting his name, as if to say, you can do it! It was rather endearing. While there was a laid back atmosphere, you knew that the students were serious about their education and calling to be lawyers. They were all very prepared for class and engaged in what the professors were saying. As far as the professors go, they were all very friendly! I feel as if most law school professors are intimidating and flat out mean. While these professors did have an intimidation factor about them (probably because law school is just intimidating in and of itself), they were not scary, and you could tell that the students did not fear them at all. They feared them in the sense that they respected them, but were not afraid to talk to them. They have an open door policy and this is something that is so key to me as I am looking for further my education. So, overall, the people at the law school were super friendly, positive, and supportive. I think I would thrive much better in an uplifting environment rather than a condescending one, so this law school seems like it would fit me quite well! Although, everyone is called Mr. or Mrs. and then their last name. So, I was Mrs. Duncan all week, which was rather odd. I wanted to scream: "My name is Amy!" Instead, I smiled and nodded. This formality will take some getting used to for me I suppose. Here is a picture at the law school with the icy tree. I did not get any good pics at the actual school in front of the signs because of the horrible weather and fear of humiliating myself in front of the "cool" law students. The second day the sun finally came out, thus the beautiful second picture of the school emblem on the mountainside!
In the afternoons, my mom and I ran all over the city looking at apartments. The head of admissions of the law school was kind enough to give me loads of information on the appropriate places to live, so that was helpful. As far as running all over the city goes, it was not difficult to do because the city is not large by any means. I would equate it to the size of Waco, with less attractions....GASP! I know....that will be interesting, but I suppose as a student, I should be studying and not out gallivanting around town. I will say that it would be nice to be able to see a movie every now and then and even this small luxury will not be easy to come by. The movies showing were small in number and all very outdated, most of which were already released on film. The town is small and conservative, which will take some getting used to as well, but it was so friendly and really pretty. The mountains made it hard to want to leave. It is also an hour from Roanoke, a few from Richmond, and three from Washington D.C., which is where I will have to take weekend getaways when I am in need of some good shopping. Speaking of which, this city is also SERIOUSLY lacking in the shopping, with the mall being smaller than the mall in Waco, making it more like a hall. For those of you that know me, this will also make it a rather difficult adjustment for me. Although, life will go on without good shopping. Here are some neat pictures of some of the buildings in historic downtown Lynchburg. It sort of reminded me of a little bit of Cambridge...little being the key word. You can in one way compare this city to the wonderfulness of Cambridge, England. 
Lastly, I would like to add, the fashion of the people that live in this small, conservative town seemed to be impeccable. I had a certain fashion envisioned in my mind (similar to the fashion on the show "17 and Counting"), but I was pleasantly surprised to see red high heels, bright pink sweaters, dresses and tall boots, and even a pink mac book. I guess there is an Elle Woods in every law school, and I am completely okay with that....It is nice to know that there is always someone more over the top than I......So that is my trip to Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia in a nutshell. It was a very good trip. I really enjoyed visiting the law school and getting a feel for the community. I am glad I didn't just decide to move up there on a whim without a visit. While I am still not certain I am going to attend, the trip did bring some perspective to my choice. I would have liked for there to have been more clarity, but I know that the answer to my future will come in the Lord's timing only. I am doing myself no good by trying to rush the answer or decision. I guess I just thought that my visit would be similar to that of Baylor when I was deciding on my undergraduate education. I stepped onto that campus, and I knew that was it for me....so much so that it was the only place that I applied to! That did NOT happen at Liberty. The beauty of the city did make a small portion for the lack of the beauty of the actual campus, but I guess I am more of a pretty campus kinda girl. I guess I got spoiled going to Baylor, which truly is a BEAUTIFUL campus, even in the heart of dry, flat Texas! While certain clarity was not afforded through this trip, I have not written it off, and I know that the Lord has wonderful plans in store for me, whether that be through a law degree and education at Liberty University or somewhere else!
On another, but similar note, last night, I went to see "Legally Blonde: The Musical" at the Bass Hall in Austin with the girls from my accountability group. These girls have been such a blessing in my life as I have made the transition to life after college in Austin. We are all girls that have just graduated or are about to graduate from college and are all experiencing the same phase of life-2 being from UT, 2 from A&M, there is me from Baylor, and our fearless leader went to OU! It is really neat to see how God crafted this beautiful group of girls together! I have been looking forward to going to this show for about a month now, and it was a blast! The music was SO cute. We decided to dress "pretty in pink," and we were not alone in that idea! There were so many people getting in the "Elle Woods" mood by wearing obnoxious amounts of pink! It was one of the most fun evenings I have had in a very long time! We went to eat at this restaurant called Vivo's that gives out roses to all the women. The color choice for roses that evening just so happened to be pink! It could not have been more perfect! The timing of the show also worked out perfectly, having just come back from visiting the law school! I LOVE the movie, so the music, costumes, and live performance only made it that much better! Here is a picture of the "pink ladies" during our night out on the town-doing the bend and snap, of course!
Well, I guess that pretty much sums up my "Elle Woods" experiences as of late! I hope that you can tell that I am having so much fun during my time off of school and absolutely, genuinely love my life! I know I say this often, but I am immensely blessed! I hope that everyone is doing well!
Until next time, be blessed!
