It was fall and I in New York. I was back at the Syracuse College of Law, only this time as a visitor instead of a student. My friends from 1L year were so excited to see me and give me a tour of the school. It felt so surreal to be in a place where I had spent sooo many hours while scoped out the school as if it were a brand new place.
I don't know why I had the dream but I guess it's because lately I've really been missing the cooler weather, changing leaves, and the torturous schedule that is law school.
Perhaps it's because it's the beginning of the last year for all my friends that I'm having "graduation goggles" (How I Met Your Mother, anyone?) for the end of law school. But the funny thing is, I'm not even there anymore! I decided near the end of my first year that, although I love the study of law, love the friends I made up there, and would be proud to put that J.D. behind my name, there was a different path for me.
I didn't want to practice law and I didn't want the massive debt when I graduated. I looked at my friends whose life-long goal was to be a lawyer or those who couldn't wait to work for a big firm or the D.A.'s office and I decided (after lots of tears and begging from my law school "family" not to go) that I would take my leave of absence - I'm still enrolled until spring 2012 - and return home to start my professional life.
Not only was I there for law school, but I was in Syracuse for the school, the city, the experience (I mean, I only applied to one law school - because I knew exactly where I wanted to go). Syracuse University is an absolutely beautiful campus and a great school and Upstate New York has the fall I can only dream about when I'm in Texas. Perhaps that's part of the reason I've been thinking about it lately.
I miss it sometimes. Ok, a lot. But I know I made the right decision in the end. It was a wonderful experience and I wouldn't trade it for the world, but I'm happy with my life. I'm married to a wonderful man and I have gotten to be with my little brother when he needed me most. I work for a company I love and I have made a tiny dent in the law school loans I've been paying back. And thanks to social media these days, I can still keep up-to-speed with all the latest going on at good old SUCOL. I am even going up to visit!
I can't wait to see my friends when I go up there in October and I'll be sure to bring my camera to take more pictures like the one I took above. Until then, take a look at the gorgeous pictures of the Syracuse campus. One that I hold dear to my heart for so many reasons.