Arizona Bound

Miracle Boy is off to Arizona in August. I can hardly believe it. My baby is going off to college in 3 short months. I'm so damn proud of him.

University of Arizona was his first choice. But, being out of state, it was not necessarily my first choice. Distance and cost were my concerns. Out of state tuition is rediculous! 3 times in state tuition in this case.

But Miracle Boy pulled it off. He received 2 scholarships and 1 academic award from Arizona. Enough to bring the costs within a couple thousand of attending the local in state university. It means he will have to take a small student loan. But its what he really wants; and we will honor his decision. Even Mr. Fixit, who is always bottom line conscious, agreed that this was the right choice.

This is such a big step. And I've been so excited for him. And then we went online and paid the registration fee. And the panic hit. It was so unexpected, it really through me off, this feeling of terror. He'll be several states away. Basically on his own. We're not just a quick car ride away. I hope he's ready.

The Onslaught of Mail

The mail at our house has gotten a bit ridiculous. Now, instead of asking if anyone has gotten the mail today we ask if anyone has gotten Miracle Boy's mail. Miracle Boy is a fairly good student and did reasonable on the SAT. Apparently that means every school in the country has to send him mail. And I'm not kidding. He gets at least 8 pieces of mail a day.  Every.Single.Day. Our mail box is littered with postcards, letters, DVDs, and 8 x 10 full color, glossy, multi-page catalogs. I cannot imagine the expense that goes into producing these. Perhaps tuition wouldn't be so high if they weren't sending out these catalogs.

I do not remember this from 30 years ago when I was a Senior in high school. And I wasn't a slouch. I was in a comparable position to Miracle Boy. Yet I do no remember getting an onslaught of advertising from every college or university in the country. I find it irritating. And may possibly wallpaper the playroom in college advertising. It is bright and colorful and full of promising looking young people. Perhaps it will inspire the other 2 kids.