<p>Happy birthday Eddie and belated to PRJ.</p>
<p>Thank you all for the birthday wishes. I had the best day. As usual, I liked the book better than the movie (Lovely Bones). And I believe if I hadn’t read the book, may have been left in the dark a little bit. Is was an okay movie - I wouldn’t want to see it again or rent it. Once was enough. Hubby went to see The Book of Eli while we went to see Lovely Bones. Again, he said it was “okay”. Not terrific. It was good to see Odessagirl. She is on January Term and will finish up on January 27th. Then she’ll be home for 4 nights and go back for Spring Term. I am a happy girl tonight.</p>
<p>S texted me today: “Will you please send me my passport. I will pay you for speedy shipping.” </p>
<p>All I could think was… umm, where the heck do you think you’re going and how, pray tell, are you getting there? And oh, by the way… you have money for this? Don’t you have stuff to do? What is this J-term stuff, anyway?</p>
<p>In reality, I just texted back… “why?”</p>
<p>In other news, I finally sent S a foam memory mattress topper for his bed at school (he’d been complaining since the beginning of the year). He claims it has changed his life. Glad he is sleeping better and his back isn’t killing… but if it’s working so well, one might wonder why the heck he wants to leave the country!</p>
<p>Modadunn DDs are also on a 4-1-4 and twink’s status on fb at the first of the month was “twink is majoring in Jan term.” I don’t begrudge them the break after a really demanding fall term but it sounds a bit like unsupervised summer camp for the 18-22 y/o set :eek: Big fun all around me thinks!</p>
<p>woody, is your D a swimmer? Sorry I don’t remember her sport.</p>
<p>Eddie, my cousin went to see the LB last night and she had a similar review to yours. I think I’ll watch on Net Flix when it comes out.</p>
<p>On a disgusting note did anyone else find out that their kid hadn’t actually made use of that second set of sheets all term? YUCK!!!</p>
<p>historymom, if we bought a second set of sheets, I’d be considerably that it was never used. </p>
<p>Moda, I bought a mattress topper for ShawSon in August at the suggestion of my Princess/assistant who couldn’t imagine anyone going to college without a mattress topper or new mattress. He loves it and his roommate’s parents bought him one.</p>
<p>cardinalfang - many hugs for you as you both work it through…</p>
<p>I am hoping that at the least S actually changed his sheets when he put this memory foam topper on his bed. I also sent him the link on Amazon because at least one of his roommates wanted one as well. I do know that he is fairly anal when it comes to pillow cases, so even if the sheets themselves could walk themselves to the washing machine, I am pretty confident the cases have seen a little soap and water.</p>
<p>The J-term thing. Truth is, he has lots of friends just now going back to school and while he’s been back in “class” since the 4th, I think it works out well as a nice transition to get back into the swing of “school” without the heavy pressure of “school.” He did send me some of his work from his art class and have been impressed with his improving skill even if I’d really like an artist statement to understand the inspiration a little more. It’s for credit and takes care of the art requirement, so at least it’s not just fluff I suppose. I also know he’s working out as he would regardless and his schedule gives him the time. But, let’s face it - I don’t “know” anything, but am assuming. And while it’s not his facebook profile, there’s enough blogs and written about enough in the school paper that it seems that most students look at J-term as a break and more of a good time than any kind of hard work.</p>
<p>I attended a 4-1-4 school, W-A-Y back in the day. I spent 2 Jan Plans on campus and 2 off. The on-campus terms included a lot of parties. My senior year I spent January in FL – not a bad change from ME.</p>
<p>Woody D skis. And Modadunn, I bet Moda S is going to Montreal where in my son’s words the temps are cold, the girls are hot and the beer is legal.</p>
<p>“Is she planning two years at CC?” Yes, 2 years with the goal of an A.S. degree, as per an articulation agreement that guarantees that CC general ed. credits will transfer to other participating schools if you obtain the associates degree.</p>
<p>The CC honors program allows early class enrollment. They offer about 10 honors classes per semester; you have to take one per sem. to stay in the program. These courses replace general ed. courses and are taught by more seasoned profs. Discussion sessions were good in her English class, she says. The papers she got back from the English prof were wonderful - valid criticisms, helpful comments, etc.</p>
<p>Scheduling at the CC is far trickier than I thought it would be. They have a zillion sections of English 101, for example, but advanced classes useful for eventual transfers (e.g. Calc II) are typically only offered once per day. Physics III is only offered in the summer. Best tip I ever got here at Coll. Conf. was to check college course schedules, and that’s what we’re doing as we try to identify a good transfer school.</p>
<p>Re: Montreal</p>
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<p>I would say this probably nails it. That the temps have barely gone below the 20’s since he’s been back, so far he’s enjoyed a much warmer winter climate than anything he grew up with or is used to. And S has made good use of the ski pass we bought him for Christmas. Therein lies a benefit from making the kids go to ski school every time we went to visit inlaws in colorado mtn town. Of course, I remind him of the time where we saw our name on the bottom of the lift blackboard only to find out he had run away from ski school at age 5. Yes, he was always a little suspect of new situations. He was back the next day of course, but this one truly tried my limits.</p>
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<p>Umm…yes…even more disgusting: towels.</p>
<p>Son came home for the long weekend to celebrate his birthday. Yesterday were all at the youngest D’s cheer competition (I’m getting ready for day 4 of 4 of cheer…yikes!) We have an '11 D and I must day that I’m so glad to have her “back.” This is the 4 day weekend between semesters and she’s relaxed and human again. Junior year is so stressful…it makes me wish she’d taken all regular classes so she could be stress-free all the time. </p>
<p>OKay, off to apply red glitter eye shadow on D’s lids. Moms of sons, envious?</p>
<p>A little late but Happy Birthday, eddie. I’m glad you and your D had a nice day. I had to chuckle when you mentioned that your H saw a different movie-I can relate. I almost always see movies with a girlfriend, D or go by myself as H and I have totally different tastes.</p>
<p>D2 still home. Doesn’t go back until next Sunday. H and I leave for Florida on Friday so she has to get organized, packed and lock up the house on her own. I am sure there will be many items left behind…I just want her to make sure the house is nice and secure!
Trying to get her to fill out summer employment apps and deliver them this week. Not much movement there. If she doesn’t get a job we will push summer school.</p>
<p>red glitter eye shadow! Wow… and the hair?? Pictures please. :-)</p>
<p>happy belated birthday to eddie and missypieson…birthdays are on my mind as D is across the country and her bday is coming up. For those with older kids or who’s '13 kids have already had birthdays who won’t be home, what have you done? We don’t traditionally give gifts to our kids on their birthdays as, well, they get plenty and we first paid for parties and then for dinners or whatever evolved as they’ve gotten older…this is my first for a child that doesn’t live with my anymore :{ Would like to do something!</p>
<p>college1- I’ve been wondering the same thing, but D’s birthday isn’t until April so I have some time. Maybe you could start a thread on this in the cafe.</p>
<p>Both of my kids are too far away for me to see them on their b’day and both are typically at school although perhaps just. S went back 3 days before his b’day this year and D will either come home 1 day before or on her b’day. Regardless I always send something. We do presents but when they are home - meaning if it’s not exactly on their b’day it’s okay. I typically send a card with some cash in it for them to treat themselves to a dinner out with a friend or two and I send something. S likes edible arrangements (he likes fruit) so I’ve sent that with a balloon. This year I sent him whoopie pies from a website someone posted here. For D this year I’m going to send a cookie cake - still debating from where. There are also cookie bouquets that I’ve run across that look fun. Just some ideas…</p>
<p>I usually send a gift card for Applebee’s or Texas Steakhouse (the local places to eat in her little town) to D1. She can invite a few friends to go out and celebrate. I also mail a gift.</p>
<p>Sheesh… we slipped to page two… now, that’s just not right.</p>
<p>I am curious (and a little worried) about Fang jr and hope everything is alright. Last we heard, Dad was on his way to help with the packing. I have to admit I looked to see what kind, if any, refund policy Son’s school has and if Fang jr is anything like son’s school and they didn’t have insurance for that purpose, I’d have to say that the school did them a huge favor on way too many levels. </p>
<p>Also… I am headed over to NMN house to hide in her lugguge so I can go to Fla too! A duffle will probs work best.</p>