<p>Need advice. Growing up we didn’t wear white before Memorial Day. Does that hold true in the South? Can I wear white jeans this next week? oh to worry about the really important things!!</p>
<p>Go for it! I have seen people already wearing white jeans here in Maryland. And if I’m wrong and we see you on Fashion Police - I’ll just pretend I didn’t encourage your fashion faux pas!</p>
<p>I have shlepped matza with me on several college visits…it just worked out that the best time to do the trips was over Passover. it really is a good time to check out the jewish vibe on campus. Often Hillel has meals that are kfp and welcome you to come eat (for a small donation). </p>
<p>@samtalya: you can definitely wear those white jeans!</p>
<p>samtalya: I can’t speak for the whole south but in the San Antonio Area white and spring colors come out with Fiesta, and that is this week.</p>
<p>My final Pesach post for any other GLEE fans!!!
The Four ‘Sons’ as Characters From ‘Glee’</p>
<p>[The</a> Four ?Sons? as Characters From ?Glee? ? Forward.com](<a href=“http://forward.com/articles/136960/]The”>The Four ‘Sons’ as Characters From ‘Glee’ – The Forward)</p>
<p>Chag Sameach. We’re going to stop in on ShawD’s school number 2 for Sunday and Monday before hitting the inlaws for Pesach. I’ve decided to volunteer to lead the first seder as my sister-in-law, who is professionally and religiously a lefty vegetarian has been leading the seders and has transformed them into a PC-fest. For example, she has done things like omit the plagues because she doesn’t want the kids to hear about violence. She’s a little miffed that she’s not in control but after years of her doing it, it’s hard to say no to someone who says, “I’d like to lead it this year and take some of the load off you.” Her control issues are largely well-intentioned – she wants to save us all for bad food, bad lifestyle, bad cultural influences etc. although she doesn’t seem to think it is odd that she’s the one to decide for everyone else what’s approved and what’s not. So, I went out and bought a boatload of Hagadot (the Elie Wiesel version). </p>
<p>We’ll see what happens on visit 2 – school with a big Hillel – but they are in exam week, so we can’t see classes. Visit with prof, student, disability services, etc. Then it will be decision time.</p>
<p>I guess this is a slight derail…but…although we certainly recite the plagues…I am disappointed about all of the commercial product available with the plagues! There are plague finger puppets, bags of plagues, etc. Not exactly something to celebrate! (It is…afterall…one of the reasons given for dipping the wine out of our cups.)</p>
<p>Why couldn’t there be “Dayenu” or Had Gad Ya finger puppets of "bag O’ "? Couldn’t they be commercially successful, too?</p>
<p>2boysima, i think you have yourself a business idea!!</p>
<p>We are sitting in Philly airport on way to IU. Our flight was cancelled, and since we havea 6 hour delay, I thought I would use this time to share our visit with U. Delaware.
We arrived late Thursday, andvthe weather was great. A girl From our town took us on a wonderful tour. As a reminder, I visited thRee years ago with d1. I forgot how nice the campus was. My d could not believe how nice it was. She loved the traditional architecture, and the quads are beautiful. We had a nice dinner on Main street.
After dinner, our friend showed a a few frosh. Dorms and rooms. Very small, cinderblock. We met a number of kids. Al were friendly, lovely, smart, and impressive. My daughter picked up that there were many Jewish kids on the campus. I thought there were a high percentage as well. She seemed to like it.
She spent the night pre gaming with aephi sorority, and then going to a frat party. She loved the kids, and all things social.<br>
The info and tour were what you expect. I learned that the school does not really considers itself a public school. They say they are privately run and take only 20% of their funding from the govt. They have a billion dollar endowment, and are very healthy. Of course, I
like that it is cheaper than a real private. Almost 70 percent are out of state.
By now my d was in love. She felt very comfortable with the size, kids, campus, everything. In her limited view, this is the perfect school for her. Then it was on to meet our California admissions rep.
My d spent 30 minutes alone with the nicest, person. As many of you know from my previous rants, d2 has ADHD and tourrette’s. Apparently, my d gave an amazing presentation of her condition, struggles, perseverance, accomplishments, and more. She told the rep while she was not their ideal academic student, she was the kind of person that the school should embrace. My d brought her transcripts and went over them with her. She was told what to take next year, and encouraged to continue doingwhqt she is doing. They discussed her poor test results, and was given encouragement.<br>
I joined their meeting at the end. Basically, we were told that this woman would personally take her application though the system. She was moved by my d, and believes in her. She told d to try to get a 1500 on her sat’s, continue doing next year what she has done thus far, and she would lead her thru the process. While no promises were made, my d may have found a compassionate angel. We left elated. My d had a glow about her. I have had tears since.<br>
She is now sitting in the terminal, studying for sat test, and says she now has more motivation.
I can’t wait for the rest of our visits. She blew me away and I am so proud of her.</p>
<p>Thanks for letting me share,</p>
<p>Forgive typos. Above. Tough to do without computer. I missedcthem</p>
<p>I promised myself I would take a break from cc today and just skim through my favorite threads, but I just have to post:</p>
<p>That is just WONDERFUL news socaldad. Your D sounds like exactly the kind of student schools should be proud to accept; motivated, earnest and engaged learners.</p>
<p>socaldad, the daughter of one of my close cousins just graduated from Delaware. She’s from a very religiously active family and she loved Delaware. So, she would second your perceptions. Glad that your daughter liked it as well.</p>
<p>Socal so happy for u. What a great visit.</p>
<p>We r sitting in newark airport with a 2 hour delay. Hope we make it out. We have a mEeting in the morn so cancellation would stink. </p>
<p>My S is excited about seeing schools and warmer weather. </p>
<p>Let’s hope for easier travels for everyone this week.</p>
<p>Happy Passover to all!! from sunny California…samtalya: ugh; why are you delayed on a Sat afternoon?? annoying…</p>
<p>socaldad: what a wonderful visit you had!!! and what a wonderful post…</p>
<p>safe travels to all this week; seems like alot of us are “on the road” again…</p>
<p>Rodney, pouring rain and wind. Tornado warnings south and north. Will be delayed another 45 but hopefully won’t cancel like socal.</p>
<p>socaldad: Wonderful to hear about your visit to UD! Your DD sounds like she had a great experience there! I have to say that, from my DD’s experience there, it continues even after they start their freshman year. Looks like your trip is starting out perfectly! Hope the rest of the week is as successful (although you know I always root for UD!).</p>
<p>DD will be home on Monday for the first seder (I think she’ll be home 14-15 hours total) - I have a lot to tell her about kids starting UD in the fall, others who want to talk to her about dorms, another who wants a tour next week.</p>
<p>We head out on our college trip (DS and me) on Wed am. Hope the weather cooperates (we are driving). Sorry to hear about all the airport problems today. </p>
<p>I think the shopping for Passover is done. We have a new Shop Rite about 20 minutes north of here - I was so excited to see the five aisles of Passover goods that I even bought plastic frogs for the table (I’m ok with some commercialism). My niece and nephew are young (12/10) and don’t have any religion (another story) so I want to have some seder fun with them.</p>
<p>Happy cooking and happy college visits!</p>
<p>Samtalya and Socaldad: Sorry about the airport delays. We’re having miserable, stormy weather here. I guess you caught some of the same.</p>
<p>Socaldad: I’m glad the visit to Delaware went so well. I loved the campus when I visited with my daughter. You must be very proud of the way your daughter advocated for herself. I hope the rest of your visits go well also. </p>
<p>Linymom: I’m glad that your daughter continues to thrive at Delaware and that she can make it home for the sedar. My D1 and my niece are both coming home for the first sedar. I’m not hosting a seder, but I’ve still got some cooking to do. I’m jealous to hear about 5 aisles of Passover goods. I was excited with the 1/2 row our grocery store had.</p>
<p>Linymom,</p>
<p>Thanks. I hope that u del. Comes to fruition. There is so much to like. I love that You can easily get to NY, phil, Balt., and DC. Hope one day we can get advice from you and d.</p>
<p>socaldad, very moving story about the admissions counselor. I hope that she gets in.</p>
<p>We found that a bit after admissions. My son is severely dyslexic but was able to perform very well in HS by force of character, extremely high IQ, a real strategic sense, and help from his family. He was exhausted and sick a lot, but pushed himself to use the resources he had (teachers, me, tutors) to learn to write (he couldn’t do that well prior to sophomore year). He applied to lots of schools – including Ivies and elite LACs – and got in to a fair number. At the schools he liked best among those that admitted him, we visited the head of disability services at each. At one elite LAC, the Dean for Disability Services said to me, “If we admitted your son, we’re going to do everything we can to make it work.” He went there, largely because of her. And, they have done their bit without any grousing. Fortunately, he’s been able to do his bit as well. So far, no grades below A-, A+'s evenly balancing out A-'s, and a prize for academic performance at the end of freshman year. He can count on this Dean for help when he needs it. Hopefully, your daughter can find that person as well.</p>
<p>Shaw…
A great story. I will remember to engage those departments when the time comes.</p>
<p>I appreciate all the kind words back from all.</p>
<p>Btw…stillvstuckbhere in Philly airport. Been here 13 hours and counting tryingvto get to IU.
Unreal…</p>