I'm the luckiest Mom in the world...

[Sherrilatte]

My 17 yr old senior has chosen to attend Eckerd College in St. Petersburg this fall...more visits to Florida... woo hoo!!

 

[wicket2005]

Lucky you.

 

[Sherrilatte]

We're already planning to maybe spent a couple of days at PBH as a treat after we help our freshman get settled in, in August.

 

[CPM]

SECOND LUCKIEST, mine is chosing University of Central Florida!!

Congrats to you too, that is a great school.

 

[dreamflight99]

Congrats to all the seniors off to college! Ours will be in ENGLAND (full time student, not the usual "international" semester/two program), for a minimum of three years (vs. our "4" in the states..) leaving in October! Talk about a HIKE for us! Then again, more trips to London/Europe for moi!!

 

[dgaston]

Congrats To All!

 

[wicket2005]

Congrats to all the seniors off to college! Ours will be in ENGLAND :

What a lovely experience it will be for her, at least, we speak the same language most of the time. I hope she very much enjoys her time in my country.

 

[dreamflight99]

What a lovely experience it will be for her, at least, we speak the same language most of the time. I hope she very much enjoys her time in my country.

Thank you! My DM has relatives from England, whom now reside in Nova Scotia (also a lovely place). DD has always felt a "draw and kinship" with the mother country (your country ) which is difficult to explain. She had the very BEST time when we were there last fall, visiting prospective schools offering consideration which all received her with a warm reception (Oxford, Cambridge, Westminster, L. School of Econ, Nottingham, Liverpool, etc.).

She has settled on the prestigious University of York, where she received and "unconditional offer" in an honors program (amazing medieval history in this city). She will be able to travel all over Europe from this base, and is planning to study pre-law *(emphasis in forensic Psych), with Oxford/Cambridge law to follow. She hopes to win a Rhodes Scholarship to Christ Church college in this university. She plans to travel home 3X in the initial year (at each break), but will more than likely taper this to just "two" the second year (as she wishes to stay over her 5 wk Easter break to travel & visit w/old friends flying in to see her).

I almost expect her to "stay" on, long after her schooling is completed. She wishes to work in Parliament, and live in London. We received the "warmest" reception from the citizens of your country while visiting last winter, truly incredible & heartwarming. Some called us "Yanks" (in a joking manner) and others referred to us as "from the states". I was amazed at how "open" topics of conversation are between strangers (ranging from politics & Bush, to Target Stores and Disney, the latter being whenever I wore a Disney Sweatshirt!). The "tube" was so fun, as were all the sights and "FEEL" of England. We had a great time on the London Eye, and even took a late night "ceremony of the Keys" at the Tower of London~!

You have an amazing country, and we are truly blessed to have our daughter live and experience life, history and culture embraced by such a wonderful community/environment. We actually feel cinsiderable less apprehension over safety issues, than we do with her attending some schools here in the states. Thank you again, for your warm response. So many friends here just can not understand "why" she would ever even contemplate traveling out of the country for college. We say, "why not?"

DF99

 

[Sherrilatte]

Dreamflight99...that sounds wonderful! You must be very proud

 

[dreamflight99]

Dreamflight99...that sounds wonderful! You must be very proud

YES!! Thank you.
Once the stress/anxiety subsided (which I believe most parents w/college-bound seniors experience), the "other" GOOD feelings began seeping-in! DH & I are both reserved w/DD bound for London this October! We'll be there close to three weeks, helping her purchase items and settle-in to her surroundings/accommodations.

We have to purchase just about everything, including transformers/adaptors for her American electronics! LOL. It will be a very FUN and adventurous time, for all of us. I imagine, the antics will begin when DH gets behind the wheel of the little mini-van we have reserved!! DD can hardly WAIT for this event to pass!! I'm sure there will be some VERY "light" moments in there somewhere.

TTFN...DF99

 

[Deb in IA]

Back to the original poster. . .

CONGRATULATIONS!!! More reasons to go to Florida is always a good thing!!!

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Back to the original poster. . .

CONGRATULATIONS!!! More reasons to go to Florida is always a good thing!!!

Ditto!

Congratulations!

 

[wicket2005]

She has settled on the prestigious University of York, where she received and "unconditional offer" in an honors program (amazing medieval history in this city).
DF99

York is only about 50 miles from me, I live up on the North East coast. It is a beautiful city and is steeped in history. It will be a lovely place for her to study and a far nicer one than being based in London. Thank you for your lovely comments. It will be such an experience for her living in another country and to be able to explore the country.

I know people here do feel close to Americans and I don't think it is just because we share a common language. There is such a strong link between our two countries, though we are far apart there is a bond there. We do stand side by side with the USA and have alienated ourselves quite often for doing so with countries close to us, eg France and other European countries, but to be honest I would rather be working with America than some of the countries closest to us.

 

[dreamflight99]

Sherrilatte~as I posted previously, CONGRATS on your Senior's choice! Eckerd College is wonderful, with a lovely campus. St. Pete is a beautiful place. I actually have a friend from Deland, Fla., whose own son attended Eckerd. He stayed in a special accommodations area, where he was permitted/welcome to bring his DOG to school with him (to LIVE with him!!). I've never forgotten this little piece of info, which I still find very special!

On staying at the PBH after helping your "freshman" settle-in! We LOVE the PBH. It's the first place we always visit after arriving in Orlando. We'll be there for five eves this summer, on CL. We all have AP's, and find the FOTLA the "only way to go" when playing in the parks! It's a nice feeling to know our seniors have made a decision, and are soon on their way to their own independent life!

wicket2005~I appreciate your supportive words and informative posts more than you know! England is a LOOOONG way from Southern California~! Your kind sentiments and comments with regards to politics and other world issues is indeed heartwarming. Yes, I agree with you about the special "bond" our two countries share/feel. It definitely felt like (in a sense), we were "going home" when we boarded the plane from LAX to London. DD speaks French, which helped tremedously while we were in Paris, but much prefers the English/England (warmer and more friendly). Your countryside is also alarmingly beautiful (witnessed mostly via trains). You are fortunate to reside in such a lovely setting.

I agree, the overwhelming opportunity this offer represents for her is not to be taken lightly. She received wonderful consideration and offers at numerous top US universities. Yet, in the end, I believe the proximity of YORK weighed heavily with her final decision. She also plays in a steel drum band, and has forged some contacts near York to help maintain/further this unique musical interest. Thank you, again.

TTFN...DF99

 

[cheerdancer11]

Wow, I'm sad about going 40 minutes away to college- let alone to another country :O. It's gonna be hard since I have such a great high school that I really fit well in. I'm gonna be so sad on graduation

 

[dreamflight99]

Wow, I'm sad about going 40 minutes away to college- let alone to another country :O. It's gonna be hard since I have such a great high school that I really fit well in. I'm gonna be so sad on graduation

Oh, Cheerdancer11, Being "sad" on graduation day is a very normal and expected emotion. You are leaving behind a comfortable, relaxing and more carefree time in your life...to take on more "adult" responsibilities. You'll make it through all of this, and look back with wonder and a sense of sentimental fondness. It warms my heart to read your post, and of your affectionate attachment to your HS experience. The staff there must be wonderful, having created an environment you are reluctant to leave. We certainly need more schools like this in our country.

College is a new and exciting challenge, another chapter in your book of life. Like the time you left Jr. High for HS, it's just another transition. I'm sure you will acclimate and make wonderful new friends, many of whom you will KEEP for life. Remember, they too...are also "away from home and family" many from different parts of the country/world, (therefore, you are all in the same boat). You will find you have much in common, and spend hours telling stories and laughing about your high school charades.

Yet...even though you dismiss the mere factor of 40 minutes as being insignificant, I consider the fact you ARE going away from home for College. Forty minutes, or 4,000 miles (or more...as in the case of my DD), it's all the SAME. YOU are NOT AT HOME! To us parents, we do not differentiate. If you are not in your bed at night...you are AWAY FROM HOME!!

This is how I'm able to "cope" with DD being SO FAR AWAY. She's our only child, which could explain the extra angst we're experiencing (compared with friends whom still have school-aged children). I simply figure, "she's only a plane-ride away" and smile at that thought. It wouldn't matter if she were in another state, or across the country. I'd still have to FLY to reach her, and vice-versa. Therefore, the "plane" image/icon has become my talisman. I even purchased the Virgin Atlantic "fleet" (limited edition miniature metal planes) during my last flight with DD, and have them all sitting atop a shelf here in my office. I know in advance the carrier she is returning on in December, and it sits to the forefront of the others. I just glance at them when needed, and envision her returning home (every 7 weeks, three times per year). Already, it has quelled some fears and sadness. With "light" at the end of the tunnel, positively projecting to the future, I am able cope. I'm sure this will alleviate a LOT of anxiety, and help me through the roughest times in the beginning. Just the sound of airplanes overhead proves comforting, as I envision the separation. DD finds it silly, and laughs in a light-hearted manner when I point out the plane, etc. Yet, I know she too is feeling stress about the impending changes.

Therefore, cheerdancer11 you are to be personally recognized and congratulated on your incredible achievement and success! I wish you the BEST time in College, and a lifetime of adventure and joy resulting from this monumental choice. Your family must be very proud of you too. Be sure to ENJOY all the FUN activities and celebrations associated with this ritual, and try to remain centered and "present" (in the moment), making the most of everything as it occurs! HAVE FUN!!!!

TTFN....DF99