Texas (Part 1)

Let me preface this by saying that if we didn't have bad luck...

we wouldn't have any luck at all!I promise this is a true story!

Thursday morning we awoke to a little snow storm but continued to get ready and load up the car to head to Salt Lake International Airport. We made it through the storm safely and proceeded to check in (FYI - American Airlines charges per bag (good thing we only had 1). We found some seats at our gate and got busy on our homework. We found out because of snow in Dallas (ya, we were shocked too) that our plane would be delayed an hour or so...no big deal...back to studying. Roughly 15 minutes before our delayed plane was to take off...they cancelled our flight!

Chaos ensued and Phillip ran to the check-in counter and was frantic for a flight out anywhere! I made my way up to him and we were asking anyone in line if they knew the next closest city. Within minutes we were re-booked to Delta with a flight out to San Antonio.

We had just enough time to go get our bag and re-check in. Of course we got to go through security AGAIN (Phillip's favorite part - I say that sarcastically). Let's just say that it was a LONG 2ish hours. We were the very last seats in a 80 seat plane. We didn't have a window and my ear was right next to an engine. Luckily my hubby had earplugs. We tried to sleep on the plane (haha) so that we could drive all night to Abilene. We arrived shortly after midnight.

Remember how we were supposed to fly into Dallas?! Well we had to cancel that rental car (which was already paid for) and while we were in the air my mom was trying to book us a new rental in San Antonio. We successfully got our rental car and got on the road.

The weather was great and there was no rain or snow (crazy Texans), but there was plenty of deer. We arrived at our hotel at 5:30 am and begged the hotel staff to let us have breakfast a little early. After hearing our sob story they caved in and let us have some fruit and danishes. After eating we promptly went to bed where we got a whoppin' 4 hours of sleep!

The next morning we were scrambling to get ready and look our best (how do you hide tired eyes?!). I quickly took this picture of Phillip as we were leaving. The guy was so nervous about what he was wearing but I think he pulled off the "business casual" look perfectly!

We had a great experience at ACU! We were fed lunch when we arrived with all the current students where the atmosphere was a little lighter, but everyone was being paranoid because they were watching our every move. After lunch some of the professors spoke and explained the program (which is a rigorous 2 years). We were also able to visit the clinic where Phillip will begin seeing 20 hours of clients in his first year (if he is accepted of course). The most informative part was the student panel where no professors were allowed and any question was fair game. Phillip asked awesome questions! We also enjoyed a campus tour then had an hour to change into casual wear (jeans). We did snap just a few pictures of the campus but we won't bore you with those.

The dinner was what they called real Texan bbq - we'll keep our opinions to ourselves - but we are grateful nonetheless. We were able to mingle with the students/spouses and faculty/spouses. This was great because we could talk to the wives about not having a husband for 2 years and how to find quality time to be together. Needless to say when we were done we went back to our hotel and crashed!

The next morning was probably the most nerve racking. I debated on going...Phillip changed his outfit choice...while I ironed I quizzed him on questions...and we both had butterflies. Finally I just hurried and got ready. I didn't even noticed that we matched, which the chairperson pointed out (blush). When they came to get him they invited me too and I graciously said I was there for support and she said oh no we interview spouses too. WHAT?! So we walked back to the interview hand in hand. It was quiet and there were 5 other people in the room. No time for small talk, they got right down to business. What can you bring to ACU? He answered, then they had me answer after each question. What do you hope to get out of this program and what would you do with a master's degree? Would you ever consider opening a pornography support group here? How do you feel being the minority when it comes to your religion? Will we see the GPA Phillip or the GRE (he had a bad semester, but a rockin' GRE score)? And of course do you have any questions for us? There might have been a few more, but these stuck out the most. And as quickly as it started...it was over. We'll let you know March 1st was the last thing they said to us.

Stayed tuned for more drama in Texas (Part 2)!