<p>congrats notakid on the columbia orchestra -my son is still talking about how crazy talented and involved everyone is that he is meeting. He is still overwhelmed by how his classmates are so interesting and eager to do so many different activities - and they are soo talented. He said it is humbling - for example only 10% of the kids who auditioned actually got placed into an acapella group - and many of these kids were the ‘stars’ f their high school groups. he is loving it but it is definitely tricky finding the time for everything and his school work
unfortunately he bought that expensive calc book - wish he was in a section that did not use that book!</p>
<p>Does spending Sunday afternoon together at a HackerSpace, replacing capacitors in a broken DVD player, count as second honeymooning? (Yeah, there’s a reason my kid’s an engineering major.) :D</p>
<p>notakid – it stinks to lose $150 on an unused textbook, but the bookstore cannot sell it as new if the shrinkwrap has been removed. </p>
<p>By comparison, the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra (also a 2-unit class) rehearses twice a week (2.5hrs each), has already done one weekend retreat, and is preparing three pieces (Stravinsky, Song of the Nightingale; Bart</p>
<p>mihcal1, if the orchestra is dong all that by Sept 21 they must require great sight-reading! D is used to having a whole semester to work on a concert, and I think that makes more sense for a student orchestra. I’ll miss hearing and recognizing violin parts from favorite orchestral pieces being practiced right in my own home. Great to hear the progression over time. I’ve heard the Harvard student orchestra, and it sets a high standard. We’re looking forward to hearing Columbia’s in December.</p>
<p>itsthatime, being among so many high achievers can both inspire and intimidate, I’m sure. My D’s experience at a summer music program with serious student musicians made her want to take her playing to the next level, where a number of them already were. She wanted to be part of that community of excellence. But if they had been way, way beyond her, she might have just gotten discouraged. We have to assume that selective admissions serve the purpose of putting kids in a place where they are likely to thrive.</p>
<p>The chamber program seems to be a more appropriate pace. They have a whole semester to prepare for December concert. </p>
<p>D she says the pianist is great (plays beautifully, and is very nice), but the violinist missed their first rehearsal. If violinist continues to be flaky, maybe it’ll become a duet.</p>
<p>I miss the hearing D rehearse, too. I find myself tearing up if I’m driving and one of the pieces she has played over the years comes on the classical radio station. I’ve asked her old cello teacher to please keep me on the email list for her studio recitals. No, it won’t be the same without my D, but I still want to see the younger kids in the studio as they grow and progress.</p>
<p>My DD has been away for nearly a month. Everytime I walk into her room, I am amazed at how clean it is. ;)</p>
<p>Glido- I can’t wait to see a clean room. Though I know when I first walk into her room it will be a disaster zone. I don’t hod any hope that she will leave it clean.
We leave Friday and I can tell she is getting stressed. Just a wee bit cranky!</p>
<p>glido–that’s too funny! My D1 moved into S1’s room last spring. When she left mid-August, I cleaned and organized it, marveled every day at its neatness. S1 is back with his stuff because he started a new job 3 hours away and doesn’t move into his new apt until Friday. I looked in this morning and thought how did this get to be such a mess already? Oh yeah, S1 dumped his stuff and only took a week’s worth of clothes with him.</p>
<p>This too will pass…D2’s room is doing pretty well for now.</p>
<p>Wow I can’t believe D has been gone for a month already… I am sorry I haven’t checked in life seems to be going along quickly.
D is settled in pretty well, she is in a sorority and was picked for a Women’s Business group last week. She has also found a dance group, but has not been able to attend much do to constant homework… </p>
<p>I could not go to her room for the first two weeks… Finally got it all cleaned up and reorganized. Its nice to see it clean! I miss her a ton but it is getting easier. </p>
<p>Hope everyone is having an easy transition!</p>
<p>My D1 has been gone almost a month as well. D2 moved into D1s room. She rearranged it and is much neater so that makes it easier to walk by the room without missing D1 so much. </p>
<p>So far things seem to be going well for D1. H is worried she has become involved in too much, but it sounds like she is managing her time well. The first exams and papers are due this week, so I hope I’m right.</p>
<p>D2 called me for the first time to vent. She wrote 3 different essays for her first philosophy writing assignment, which the professor tore them apart (during the office hour). She is back to the drawing board tonight. I told her that at least she found out before she turned the paper in. She said she is not sure if she could do it. I am thrilled that college is stretching her limit. This assignment is worth 10%, next essay will be 20%, and then 50%.</p>
<p>This past weekend D2 also went to some Jewish New Year celebrations because of her new friends in college. It is something she has never done before. Happy New Year.</p>
<p>5boys … pay attention! My S just called all excited about the Outdoor Club at SLU and his bio class. He talked to his professor today about Borneo and Costa Rica and ways he could apply biology in other countries. He’s so excited and I can’t believe he called us to tell us his excitement about these possibilities. He also gave us a heads up that next summer he may want to work at an outdoor type camp full time, as described to him by his new Outdoor Club friends.</p>
<p>I miss him terribly, but I’m so happy that his is loving his new place.</p>
<p>Congrats to your D, notakid! </p>
<p>My daughter did her first “student rush” for Broadway tickets and saw Once on Saturday. She called Sunday and we talked for quite a while. She’s been checking out a lot of different organizations. She said the Columbia Democrats meeting was really crowded. She is also (finally!) applying for jobs as she realized her funds are getting pretty low. It is time for her to start budgeting and focusing on making some money, instead of just spending it.</p>
<p>My D skyped with us today and made her brother walk around the house so she could see it (like it’s changed in 16 days, lol) and next thing you know he’s chasing the cat with the computer so she can see her cat, the cat is freaked out, and little brother is running around with the laptop laughing like a maniac.</p>
<p>Thanks, 2016BarnardMom. D planning to work at daycare job, but signed on for times she actually had conflicts, so not sure how that will end up when she tries to try to change hours. Supposed to start tomorrow, I think.</p>
<p>Cute, Jaylynn!</p>
<p>I wish my son would communicate more. A text here and there would be good. A one-sentence email. I did speak to him for a while last Thursday. My middle son didn’t call too often when he was in college, but he was only an hour away. DS3 is 3,000 miles away and when his sister was far away, we were in constant touch. She’d call on her way to class or waiting for the night shuttle. We also had a constant email conversation going. He’s probably more in touch than a lot of boys. I just wish there was a little more between calls. I see just enough on facebook to be able to tell he’s doing well, but I’m a little surprised he isn’t more communicative. He was the master of witty texts in high school.</p>
<p>Well, middle son is now “single” according to Facebook. We warned him that would happen before he left, so it’s not a surprise for us. He sent a quick e-mail saying he was studying for a test today and would call after it was over. He also said everything was going well (pending test I presume), so I don’t think he’s as upset as she is.</p>
<p>When oldest moved out, youngest took over his side of the room (they shared). Now that middle has moved out, youngest has started sleeping in his (middle’s) room, but most of his stuff is still in his own room. I don’t think either room will be clean for roughly 2 years (youngest is a junior in high school).</p>
<p>When middle comes home for break he might be a wee bit miffed. He ALWAYS kept his room clean and organized… I’m not sure youngest knows how to “restore” it.</p>
<p>D called me at work yesterday. Since the dentkids are only to call the office for emergencies, I picked up the phone with what’s up? Oh, just called to talk. Really? I told her I was working. Yeah, she knew, but she thought maybe I wasn’t busy. Really? Hahaha, the life of a student.</p>
<p>We will reconnect this morning. First time she’s wanted to chat for more than a few minutes since she left. Hurray!</p>
<p>don’t have the time to back-read, but sounds like we are all having similar lack of communication/I get my info from other sources like FB postings!</p>
<p>D is loving school so I guess I am good!</p>
<p>“My D skyped with us today and made her brother walk around the house so she could see it (like it’s changed in 16 days, lol) and next thing you know he’s chasing the cat with the computer so she can see her cat, the cat is freaked out . . .”</p>
<p>LOL! Made my day Jaylynn!</p>
<p>Best wishes on the launch mom60 :)</p>