A Conversation with Elizabeth
1998
In the Stars

From:          Elizabeth  
To:            LMixson@PEC.com
Sent:          Wednesday, May 6, 1998 4:33 PM
Subject:       In the Stars
 
The law school has an interesting history.  Just a few years back it was actually part of the Univ. of Alabama program, actually a distance campus.  Then, the Univ. of AL decided to shut it down.  The professors and local business people, etc., went in together to try and keep it open, but they lost the affiliation to UA and hence their accreditation nationally, although they have it for the Southeastern Colleges accreditation.  American Bar Association accreditation is very expensive; schools pay enormous fees, and there are all sorts of requirements.  One of the first requirements they set was a "new building" just for the law school.  As a result, I attend in a very lovely facility, that is immaculate, and with a very nice library, etc. 
 
My intuition was that full accreditation might be soon enough for me to benefit, because they had been working on it even before I arrived.  Also, it is so "convenient" to attend here.  I can't imagine this
convenience anywhere else.   As we spoke of, I can't imagine coping with a "big" campus once again, all the parking hassels, and lines, etc. (Although I miss the academic environment of having speakers and films, etc.)  You hear me "complain" about what doing law school this way takes out of me.  I can't imagine coping with anything more.  Also, I couldn't afford going elsewhere.  I think going here was "in the stars" for my being here in Montgomery and wondering the first year, in the midst of what felt like a major depression, "Why on earth?"  And my professors have turned out, for the most part, wonderful, and that is saying something for me, because I've seen 100's of them.  Last night my prof said, "I care very, very much about your education, and I want you to finish this course, pass the bar, and get on with your lives.  But, as a consequence I expect you also to care.  So, to remind you, those of you who have had me before.  I haven't changed.  I'm reminding you, don't ever, ever think of coming to my class unprepared."  Last night, the first night, she asked a question of someone--and it appeared he had not been listening.  She has a gracious, but bulldog way of then not letting go of that person.  She's not harsh, nor sarcastic--it's hard to explain--but by the time she got finished with him, he probably vowed to never let his mind wander again--or drop the class one.  I have to confess her classes can be pretty anxiety provoking, but it's beneficial.  When you've had her classes, you definitely come out knowing the law.
 
A moderately slow day.  My "resistance" is partially anticipatory fatigue, the futility of the whole trip, low finances at the moment, anger at my sister (residual).  Have you ever been in a nursing home?  I find it difficult.  Last time I was there a man came up to me.  He was very pleasant and nice looking, elderly.  He said to me, "Please Miss, can you help me?  I've tried and tried and none of these doors will let me out?"  My mother said to me one day when I arrived, "How did you get IN."  The very first time I visited she got very upset, wanting to be taken out.  She got angry--later

Closing