Winter Olympics

As I watch the opening ceremonies for the 2010 Winter Olympics, I remember my exchange sisters all over the world. I remember the customers, colleagues, and sales people from every continent that I had daily communication with at my previous employer.

Watching the Olympics makes me think of how I would love to have an exchange student reunion and how much I miss international business. It is a very small world after all.

More on Hiram

Christopher received a letter from Hiram yesterday. He received a $10,000 (renewable for 4 years) scholarship for academic merit. The shopper in me said, "That's like Buy 3 Get 1 FREE!"

Project Lead the Way

When Cameron was old enough to start rationalizing, he started looking at how things are put together, how to take things apart, and what exactly makes things run. Pher was never that inquisitive. He took for granted that his toys worked. Cameron wanted to know and explore the How's and Why's of his toys working.

Last night was Freshman orientation at Carroll High School. Cameron has gone back and forth on what he wants to be "when he grows up." Freshman year is time to get serious. He needs to start taking classes that will be the foundation for his college education. We walked through the different exhibits, and Cameron grabbed information pamphlets, but didn't ask any questions... until we got to Project Lead the Way.

Project Lead the Way is an academic program for high school students to study engineering. He was very interested in the displays that the teachers had on tables. All of the exhibits were designed, built, and tested by the students. The curriculum teaches how to be successful with all of these tasks.

Cameron started talking to one of the teachers. The man told Cameron about the program. I stood off to the side. This is Cameron's gig not mine. He needs to make choices regarding his class selections. We are around to guide him. So, the teacher was telling Cameron about the program. Cameron was nodding and listening attentively. Then he stated with much assertiveness, "I have an interest in Chemical Engineering." The teacher nodded and smiled. He then replied, "Understand this, there are Engineers, and they are really smart. Then there are Chemical Engineers, and they are WAY OUT THERE smart." Cameron smiled his beautiful smile, nodded his head in acknowledgement, shrugged his shoulders and then stated, "No problem."

That's my boy. Oh, and on the way home he told me he wants to go to Purdue because "ALL OF HIS FRIENDS" are planning to go to Purdue. I'm not going to push Rose-Hulman... yet.

One year ago today...

... I was in the ER at Parkview Hospital expecting the doctor to tell me I had appendicitis or gas (hoping for gas). I did not expect the perforated diverticulitis diagnosis. I did not expect to be told that I was lucky I did not die. I did not expect to be hospitalized for 13 days. I did not expect the bowel resection surgery or the colostomy.

I was supposed to go to Indianapolis on that Sunday morning to visit my sister... who was in the hospital. She was on bedrest in an effort to stop labor. So, our parents had a daughter in the hospital in Indianapolis and a daughter in the hospital in Fort Wayne. Cathy was fighting for the lives of her babies, and I was fighting for my own life.

It just goes to show that no matter how together you think you have it, life can be derailed in a split second.

Superbowl XLIV

February 7, 2010
New Orleans Saints 31 --- Indianapolis Colts 17
Rats.

Hiram's touch of class

Christopher has applied to the following colleges: Beloit, Knox, Wooster, Hiram, and Earlham. He was accepted at Hiram (we haven't heard from any of the other schools). A representative from the Admissions Office called to congratulate him and give him the good news. The phone call was followed by a traditional acceptance letter in the mail. I liked that little touch of class. It personalized a process that is driven by impersonal numbers... GPA, Class rank, & SAT scores.

This is really happening. My first-born is really growing up.

Advice from Matt

Facebook post a few weeks ago highlighted the following:
Matt to Madeline: "Daddy does know a few things."
Madeline to Matt: "Well, that's all you know."

During a phone conversation tonight, I told Matt that Pher is driving me CRAZY. It will actually be a relief when he is out of the house and learns on his own how easy he had it at home while in high school. Matt and I discussed Pher's plans which are currently "to go somewhere."

Matt told me to let him know that even if he doesn't want to go in to worship, he will always have someone to turn to and a phone to use to call for help by going into any church.

Yup, Matt does know a few things.