How was Parents' Weekend?

Yalemom2 · 10-14-2009, 05:11 PM

Just wondered how any of the freshman parents liked Parents' (whoops, "Family") Weekend? What was the best part? Did any of you participate in bladderball?

Hunt · 10-14-2009, 05:21 PM

We had a good time, although our son was so busy with rehearsals and performances we didn't get to spend much time with him. We enjoyed eating in the dining hall (we were both in that same college as undergrads, so that made it really special). We enjoyed the football game (son is in the YPMB). We saw the bladderball for just an instant when it was about to enter the Old Campus, but it never made it inside. Then we went and saw the Spizzwinks.

stringkeymom · 10-15-2009, 01:02 AM

The food was rather impressive, especially the Harvest Festival dinner in the Residential College, and the organic coffee selections are much appreciated by this caffeine addict. I've now eaten in most of the dining halls and think that my son's college has the best food. I enjoyed the weekend very much. I got to see my son perform with the Madrigal Singers and the Yale Symphony Orchestra. The YSO concert also featured three pieces by the Concert Band, and a set by the Yale Glee Club, which sang Gaudeamus Igitur and their Football Medley and they waved white handkerchiefs, all of which the audience vastly enjoyed. We missed Spizzwinks which we regretted, especially as my son's roommate is in that ensemble. Somehow we also completely missed bladderball. I think my son was in rehearsal then and I was shopping at the Yale Bookstore. We intended to go to Sterling Library, but somehow it never happened, and we also failed to get to the Yale-Dartmouth game. I did get to meet several of my son's friends from the Yale Political Union and in the college.

Yalemom2 · 10-15-2009, 07:08 AM

Even though we're not freshman parents, since we live fairly nearby, my H went to two lectures on Friday which he thoroughly enjoyed and we both went to a Tangled Up in Blue concert which was wonderful. Kids were dancing in the aisles!

centraleagle · 10-15-2009, 10:55 AM

I hope to go next year, as this year DS seemed too happily ensconced in his new life to really want a visit from the 'rents so soon after leaving home. Hard to miss, but seemed right (and economical, being far away). After all, he comes home for a full week at T'giving. His aunt went in our stead and said Saturday was glorious, b-ball a bit chaotic but great fun, and simply a lovely time.

memake · 10-15-2009, 01:26 PM

Sadly, we weren't able to go....too many upcoming trips, too busy, too expensive. But detailed reports from other parents are welcome! We're looking forward to Thanksgiving too.

MC2013 · 10-15-2009, 02:50 PM

It was great to see my D, her 1st year, but she was sick with a bad cold, tonsulitus and bad side effect to the painkiller (Codeine), she was hospitalized for 1 day due to dehydration.

The doctor FAILED to ask my D any questions about her medical history or if she is allergic to any meds, he/she just prescribed the painkiller and sent her away. I'm so disappointed of the doctor's behavior, Yale suppose to be 3rd best in the nation when it comes to medical, healthcare, etc... (Havard is 1st and Cambridge in England is 2nd).

MC2013 · 10-15-2009, 03:32 PM

Besides my D was sick, I forgot to mention how beautiful Yale campus & the weather (Saturday evening & Sunday) was. The food & dining halls was awesome! Enjoyed the weekend a lot, we attended the concert, theatre play and went shopping. She gave a tour of her hangouts (classes, activities/events, study, library, etc.). Got to meet her friends & suitemates, but didn't get to meet her professors, was hoping to.

EngProfMom · 10-15-2009, 07:59 PM

Bladderball was highly entertaining. I do not envy the Masters and Deans their efforts to rope that in. Went to an excellent concert of Whiffenpoofs and Whym n rhythm, if I am spelling that correctly. Did not eat in Dining Halls but rather took D out, fed her, bought badly-needed winter clothes, went to a reasonably good lecture on Friday, wished I could have gone to more. High point of weekend: walking around the streets, eavesdropping; art museum. Room for improvement: well, I took a giant stack of student papers with me to grade, but I worked on an article instead, and worked on the plane, and I still have that giant stack of student papers yet to grade.

50isthenew40 · 10-15-2009, 08:14 PM

We loved it! It was so great to see dd and to meet her friends. We were very impressed with the food. Dd says it's just as good when the parents aren't around! We took a couple of her friends out to dinner because their parents weren't there. We went to 2 different improv comedy group shows, and the Spizzwinks acapella show.

Our younger dd who is a junior in high school stayed in her sister's suite and had the time of her life! The only downside to the weekend is that now she is moaning about having to wait 2 years to go to college and worrying that she won't get into Yale.

stringkeymom · 10-15-2009, 10:38 PM

MC2013 I'm so sorry to hear your daughter was sick and that she had such an experience with the doctor. i advised my son (who is also allergic to meds, penicillin, etc) always to ask the pharmacist when he's picking up a prescription to double check for him. doctors are just too busy and they should ask but sometimes forget. i hope your daughter is feeling better! it sounds like you had a good time in spite of her illness.

DS reports it is sleeting at yale today. his winter hats, gloves and coat are all at home because he's coming home this weekend, just in the nick of time, it would seem.

EngProfMom, i sympathize with your grading agonies and hope those papers are graded by now. I confess I abandoned my War and Peace translation and annotation project to go up for parents' weekend. i really should have dug in for the weekend, but found i couldn't stay away.

MC2013 · 10-16-2009, 11:10 AM

stringkeymom, thanks for your concern & great tip, she is feeling great on Thursday and is leaving for NYC this Saturday for a class field trip. Have a great time with your S.

Already? Yale saw its "first snowfall" Thursday evening. Thursday was also the "coldest" day of the school year so far. Get ready for 5 more months of winter!!!

My D first time of seeing snow, she'll get tired after 5-months or maybe sooner. She got all the necessary winter clothes, hope she'll use it, she is born in Texas & not much of winter here, only HEAT, so this is a new experience for her!

wjb · 10-16-2009, 12:01 PM

Well, my son describes today's snow more as "chubby rain." (We're Northerners.) But his roommate, who's from the Deep South, has been excitedly phoning everyone he knows.

Hope your D is feeling better, MC!

MC2013 · 10-16-2009, 02:35 PM

wjb, my D is feeling much better, thanks!

NEJsMom · 10-16-2009, 04:25 PM

We live in South Florida, still in the high 80s everyday. D used to love seeing snow on her ski trips. But she has been complaining about the cold weather in New Haven in recent weeks. I guess it feels differently when you are a one-week visitor vs. a 4-year permanent resident.
D is going to the mall tomorrow after freshman barbecue, to shop for warm clothing and boots.