<p>Creekland, does your son know of E. O. Wilson, whose research on ants is just amazing? He grew up in the backcountry of Florida…no scholars, no ambition around. Teaches at Harvard, has won every kind of award. His autobiography is wonderful, and might be very inspiring to your son. </p>
<p>That debt story is terrifying…and all too common. Horrors.</p>
<p>I was listening to an interview given by an occupier about 6 months ago. She insisted she needed to be taken seriously because she went to an Ivy and so she considered herself superior. She has been part of the occupy wall street for 2 months or more already.</p>
<p>Her demand - the government has to write off all student loans. Her loan - 120,000.</p>
<p>Son is home and it’s great just to check in and see him again. He’s loving school and even told us he hasn’t been this happy in years. He actually told me switching to the school we did senior year was the right choice at the right time, and the college was the right choice as well.</p>
<p>We got him the flu shot, supplies for his printer/computer, and he had a late arriving graduation card with money that will probably last him til Thanksgiving. </p>
<p>I think these breaks are just as much for us as them. He slept 11 hours in his own room last night. He’s got a big comfy bed, air conditioned, quiet and dark. When I woke him at noon he couldn’t believe he slept that late. </p>
<p>He leaves Tuesday night and it will be another 6 weeks before he’s home again. He’s mostly hanging with the gf and friends but we’ve got lots of time with him as well and I’m comfortable with how he’s doing.</p>
<p>Happy weekend everyone … especially those with kids home or for those of you traveling to parent’s weekends. I just returned from Boston for D’s parent weekend; finally as a senior she said we should come down. We had a great visit; so nice to see her and spoil her a little as she’s working so hard.</p>
<p>When we got back home we skyped/facetime’d my S and poof … he was clean shaven again. He decided his ‘beard’ wasn’t thick enough yet to grow out, plus it itched, so he cleaned it up. Best news of all is that he might come home next weekend instead of the outdoor trip. No problem for me!</p>
<p>Note to self … stock up on food.</p>
<p>We heard both S1 and S2 play in their college orchestra concert yesterday. It is so great that they are both able to be at the same school and share the experience - I understand what Creekland means about her sons sharing a common interest. The orchestra was excellent and the audience was enthusiastic and supportive. The concert hall was filled with students, friends, relatives, faculty and community people and all were cheering at the end. It was so fun - I am so glad they have this kind of environment there. Next week is the break so they will both be home. I think S2 grew another 2 inches in a month! I expect them to be sleeping until noon also. Yup - we better stock up on food also.</p>
<p>S took a quick trip home to see his sister in a show today. He was here only from 11 am until 6 pm, but we gave him lots of hugs and caught up as much as possible. He took the train back to school and is back in his dorm, presumably finishing up a paper due tomorrow. D was so thrilled her brother came for her show!</p>
<p>That was very sweet of him rerunagain.</p>
<p>A couple of years ago I took D2 (who has always wanted to be a scientist when she grows up) to hear a public lecture by E.O. Wilson. We hung out afterwards, and she waited in a long line to speak with him and ask a question: How do scientists determine speciation among bacteria, lacking sexual reproduction as a criteria? He didn’t really answer her question (it’s complicated!), but commended her for asking and encouraged her to always keep asking questions. He is great scientist with an inspirational life story. Also a fantastic speaker, so do go see him if you ever get a chance!</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I don’t know if he knows about him or not as he doesn’t share everything, but his birthday is coming up in Dec and now I know one present we can get him that he should love… thanks!</p>
<p>That question is exactly one I could be subjected to… and I remind him I’m physics/math, not bio many times. Fortunately this year his Advanced Bio and Animal/Plant science teachers get the questions. Usually they tell him they have to find out and will get back to him a day or two later.</p>
<p>We’re finishing up our time with middle son this morning… will be doing a URoc geocache that comes from a webcam (so we’ll have a pic online on the geocaching site!), then lunch at his choice of place, then we have a 6 hour drive home. That drive home is going to seem a lot longer than the drive here was. Fortunately, many leaves are at peak though the wind has taken a few down.</p>
<p>In hindsight, I wish youngest and I had taken a day off from school tomorrow… but middle son does need to study for Bio on Thursday (Wednesday is his packed with classes/labs day), so I suppose it’s best.</p>
<p>Glad to see others are having nice visits too! Breaks do a lot for our mental well-being!</p>
<p>Creekland, if your son enjoys nonfiction, E.O. Wilson’s debut novel, Anthill is worth a look. I haven’t read it yet, but husband thought it was terrific. [Anthill:</a> A Novel: Edward O. Wilson: 9780393071191: Amazon.com: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Anthill-Novel-Edward-O-Wilson/dp/0393071197/ref=la_B000AQ4776_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1349697638&sr=1-8]Anthill:”>http://www.amazon.com/Anthill-Novel-Edward-O-Wilson/dp/0393071197/ref=la_B000AQ4776_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1349697638&sr=1-8)</p>
<p>We just returned from a wonderful Family Weekend in Minnesota. What a difference six weeks makes: from a tearful, wrenching good-bye in August to a quick, happy hug and a cheery “Bye! Thanks for coming!” in October.</p>
<p>Family Weekend was a blast. So nice to see the kids school choices being validated. Our DD caught a cold over the week, So DW and her decided we would cut out of the football game at half time, get some hot food and she’d spend the night at home. What a difference “rest” makes! 24 hours later, got her dropped back off and received the “happy hug and cheery bye!” :D</p>
<p>It’s so great to hear that so many got to see their kids this weekend and a good time with them! </p>
<p>D is feeling better and had a sorority retreat this weekend that she said was very fun. No fall break at her school so we are counting the weeks until Thanksgiving!</p>
<p>and the $100,000 of student loans for a teacher is so scary to me… My friend’s D is pursing a teaching degree at a very expensive private school. What is really scary is that in Texas teaching jobs are getting cut left and right… Her mom is hoping she will change her major. As a parent I would really force the issue to do so or a change in schools.</p>
<p>giterdone, we bought the purple fleece blankets on the Plaza…and then went back to the motel and took a nap with them. 
It was just a little too cold on Saturday for our team spirit to kick in. Sunday was beautiful, though. We navigated around the Marathon runners and took a long walk by the river.</p>
<p>Got a text message this morning from D that after 2 weeks of illness, she woke up feeling 100% back to normal. </p>
<p>Parent weekend is in 2 weeks, but she swims out of town that Saturday, so we will watch her swim and skip the campus stuff. No fall break for her as her school is on the quarter system.</p>
<p>Just wanted to chime in and add a vote to the E.O. Wilson books. DS got to meet Dr. Wilson and hear him speak a few few weeks ago as Dr. Wilson kicked off a new speaking tour. (Wilson is a Bama alum)</p>
<p>DS said it was easily one of the most interesting presentations he has ever heard…</p>
<p>Just got a happy text from DS that he got an A on his Econ midterm. This is the first time he mentioned academic performance to me. Now I know he really is doing fine in college. I am really looking forward to his visit home this weekend (it’s the longest that we have ever gone without seeing him)! I think I will make him some welcome home cookies!</p>
<p>Oh, you’re all making me so excited for Parents’ Weekend this weekend! We also have never gone this long without seeing D (because she was such a wussy kid, never even sleepaway camp til dance camp in high school). I have a feeling I’m going to hug her too tight and she’ll start squirming and I’ll hear “Mama! I can’t breeeeeeeathe!” just like when she was tiny. </p>
<p>She made the dance company and loves her classes and the beach and her profs and the beach and her friends and the beach. She loves the beach maybe a little too much.</p>
<p>Jaylynn, I’m glad your D loves the beach! Enjoy your parents’ weekend!</p>
<p>hi everyone! Both my UR son’s have been home since 5:00 am Saturday (drove straight through the night). They leave tomorrow. Both seem very happy with school and life, so no complaints!</p>
<p>Wow, all you parents are seeing your kids during the semester! Give them lots of love and think of us parents who will only see our kids during Christmas break. :-)</p>