<p>Snowball, you were at Costco too?? Too funny!! We’ll have to do it again and all meet! </p>
<p>The other funny thing-- we drove the short (very short) distance from the restautant to the Costco in her mini cooper (in case we bought something we couldnt carry). The parking spot we got was being vacated by a mini cooper that looked asolutely identical to binx’s! (Same 2 tone paint job and everything). We waived at each other. Great parking Karma!</p>
<p>Yes, I am in the northern burbs!</p>
<p>Okay, next time it needs to be all three of us! But we’ll go in jym’s Lexus - riding in the backseat of the mini is not nearly as enjoyable.</p>
<p>So sorry, snowball! I’d forgotten that!! Lets do it again !</p>
<p>I’ve really enjoyed meeting soozievt and great lakes mom. Also iaquilter, SoCal Dad and faithsmom, whose kids are at school with my kid. And I’ve met 2 student CCers at Pomona, alacrity and chopsticks. I feel like I’ve met mythmom, but that’s a pleasure reserved for the future. Everyone has been great.</p>
<p>I’ll explain the story behind the car (I already told binx the short version). I love the car, but I refer to it as " a years college tuition under my butt!!"</p>
<p>Wow bethievt- you’ve met a lot of cc’ers . My kids roll their eyes whenever I mention such a possibility! Oh well-- I just ignore them! They just hate that we talk about them.</p>
<p>It’s a beautiful car! Her story sounds a lot like the one I tell people about buying our house - more than we wanted/needed at the time, but just sort of fell into it.</p>
<p>Snowball - how in the world did you come up with that name in Atlanta? No wonder we forget where you live.</p>
<p>I’ve met the Doddsparents a few years ago, and a student poster at my D’s school, and have spoken by phone to a couple more. But I feel like bethievt - like I’ve met a lot more!</p>
<p>Snowball was the name of a beloved family pet.</p>
<p>I would loved to meet up the next time!</p>
<p>Oh, jym, forgot to answer your question. In 2008 I will be turning 39 - for the 12th time.</p>
<p>^^^ Child! You are a babe in the woods, binx!</p>
<p>My oh my, we are… REAL? I can’t believe this ;)</p>
<p>Bunsenburner–
Are you and Woody in cahoots? (see post #8)</p>
<p>OK, I confess. Our expat experience was in London in the Cool Brittania '90s. Not much to complain about there. I had just gone back to work with the children in school so, I wasn’t giving up much on that front either. H’s employer was beyond generous but of course, all good things must come to an end. I don’t think I would be too eager to run off to the flemish woods either!!</p>
<p>Bunsenburner and Woody - yes, we are real. Except for Mythmom.</p>
<p>jym - you’re supposed to be surprised at how OLD I am, because I look so much younger. NOT be surprised at how young I am… I think my feelings are hurt. [I choose to believe it is because I have an almost-25 year old, that people tend to think I am older than I am.]</p>
<p>I loved being an ex-pat in Germany. But we were near a large city. Dh worked in a lab filled with people from all over the world. I spoke pretty good German - good enough that I was able to get a job within a few months after a brush up at the Goethe Institute. And we did not have kids until our last six months there. I did do 90% of my socializing with Germans and went to German doctors, churches, stores etc. We very occasionally went the English language movies. I’d also lived abroad before - both on my own during a gap year and as a foreign service brat (where you are relatively insulated.)</p>
<p>
LOL, subtle and clever, binx. So you are old and wise??
But, per my calculations, you are younger than I by a coupla years. I guess we are just old broads with young kids (well, except for your 25 yr old… who qualifies as an old kid). I remember testing someone once who was 35 and grandmother twice!! :eek:</p>
<p>I am happily OLD–I had my one kid when I was 37. Even though I haven’t met mythmom, I’m sure she is real. You all are a lot of fun.</p>
<p>College Confidential at Costco or Coffee Clatsch Celebration?</p>
<p>Mythmom, I thought was real, but perhaps her name is mythmom for a reason…(just playing, dearie)</p>
<p>Thanks for all the expat stories. I moved with my dad and his then new wife and her son, to HK back in the dark ages. Despite being 23, I could go as a dependant, and took full advantage! I lived with them, found jobs, and appreciated it partially as a great family bonding experience. We loved exploring together, discussing culture, studying language. The loneliness got to me as well, as I was too young for their friends, and had a hard time finding my own. But comparing that to '70s family life in the USA, I was all for expat life, and wanted it for myself. The ex and I planned that sort of life, but twists and turns took us in other directions. And I love where I have raised my kids and this community. </p>
<p>Some of my best friends are career foreign service people. We can happily compare and contrast, and envy each other’s lives. I want their travel and adventure, they want my stable community and home.</p>