11-11-11

This was a momentous Veterans Day because it was the last one for us to celebrate with the middle school's wonderful program honoring the armed forces, and this particular date of 11-11-11 only comes around once a century. It was reminiscent of when Armistice was signed originally on the 11th day of the 11th hour 93 years ago in 1918 at the end of WWI. Last year my grandfather was able to join us for Veterans Day and attend the middle school program. We missed having him with us again this year. He is doing well, slowing down slightly but that's understandable! He limits himself to 3 dances in a row and isn't walking around Lake Murray anymore. Instead he has recently surfaced on facebook and discovered Ham Radio on the internet. Grandpa approaches his 92nd birthday on December 1. There's not too many WWII Veterans around to honor in person anymore. Last year there were a handful at the middle school program and this year only one. Several Veterans attended who served our country in the Korean War, Vietnam and the middle east conflicts. We remembered my grandfather, my dad, Mike's dad, cousins and others who served, and keep in our prayers those still serving in the armed forces today. Mike's sister Crystle, is married to a marine on his second deployment to the middle east. We remember Matt and his family in our prayers often.

Here is a snippet of video from the middle school program. Mariah took part as a Chorus student in a song and dance number to Bugle Boy from Company C. She wasn't fond of the dance moves, but I told her they were era-appropriate! I can't wait to see the video on TV. I didn't have a good angle so will have to wait for it to air on TV to see Mariah bust out her moves! Here is a snippet of one of the closing numbers. The gentleman singing comes every year and just retired from active duty. It will have sound when Mike figures it out for me :) I can hear it on the file before I uploaded it, so I don't know why it isn't working right now. Mariah is in the front row, red shirts, second from the right.

Samford

On Saturday, Gib and one of his high school buddies toured Samford University on a college preview day. This is a pic of the entrance I pulled off the internet. I took many while on the tour with the guys and they are on my facebook wall. But I didn't get this shot of.... Sherman Lane! How cool is that?!

The university seemed to fit the bill on all levels. Academic excellence, scholarships, only 3 hrs from home, all you can eat cafeteria, more girls than guys on the nearly 5,000 student campus, and it's gorgeous there. That is a combination of the things I thought were important, and the things the guys liked. :)

The only thing we didn't like was not having enough time to talk to everyone at the Degree Fair. Hey, I've got questions and this is how I gather the good stuff Gib will need to know when he is interviewing for scholarship money, and even more importantly how to get him positioned to be invited to compete for the moulah. When we realized people were packing up and leaving (important football game just outside the doors!) we had to hustle to catch the head of the Business major so Gib could ask him several questions. I was very proud of Gib for 1) having questions and 2) sounding intelligent. Good job Gib!!! Seriously though, Gib did great. He spoke clearly, looked 'em in the eye, smiled, shook hands, thanked them for their time. He demonstrated interest and followed up with questions. Can't ask for more than that. The Math, Sociology, Classics, and English profs were very effusive about their subjects and we spent alot of time with them. I have no idea what we missed when everyone bugged out. I'm definitely going to point out in the online eval that more time would be a good thing. I think we missed lunch over the delay too. Now that's just poor planning. But we got to sample the cafeteria which is really a better idea anyway. What they feed you at the Preview Day is not what you'll be eating every day!

One funny thing - at least I found it funny. Actually, I embarassed the kids at least once and THAT is funny. Anyways, I had one burning question for the Communications Majors. Gib and Keaton didn't believe me when I said I only had one question. So I stepped up and asked, "Why do so many students here major in Communications?" Puzzled looks are not what one wants to see when speaking with intelligent people, although I get that alot, and let's be honest... they WERE Communications! Using the other side of the brain people. I like them. So I added, "I noticed alot of the recruiting staff were majoring in it, so is there something special about your program that distinguishes Samford in this area?" Whew, I really hoped I sounded halfway intelligent right about then. The answer cracked me up. I turned away only to see two very surprised faces and the comment "wow you really did only have one question! What was it?!" I told them, and the answer was..... "Our program is very good, but probably the reason why you noticed so many Samford students with that major designation at Preview Day is because they are the ones we can put them in front of people to speak!" Hahaha! I hadn't thought of that! Oh well, even if I didn't score intelligent mom points I got a couple laughs out of it. That's good too. Never underestimate the value of a fun and interesting person (even if it is your mom... ask Indie!) vs. boring single-dimension smarties.

Gib is tenatively thinking Business and Communications (even though he didn't even speak to the communications people. Probably too embarrassed after his Mother was a dweeb). I got to say, though, the Math Department certainly gave it their best shot to sway him to the dark side. He liked the Classics guy and the Great Books program that Fellows Scholars at Samford take. Gib would have to compete for one of the 40 spots in the Fellows program in the incoming class, which is basically their version of an Honors Scholar. Never fear though, I drilled the student on what characteristics were considered most important in the selection process. While Gib would do well with the reading and writing intensive program of study, he feels especially called to Rome and Greece, where the Fellows get to go. If I understood it correctly, your Sophomore year the trip is free. Yeeeah!

So all in all, we loved the university and it is on the short list. Speaking of lists, I now realize I need to make a list of all the interstate exits with decent pitstops between here and there. Gib drove home so he could consider the drive aspect (see how smart he is?!) but he lacks a Rest Area or Cracker Barrel honing instinct. I told him his future wife would appreciate him working on mastering this (not to mention the more important people like his mom and sisters). Never fear, we ARE raising the perfect man, and we will hopefully have a reason for a second, maybe even a third, visit to this university and Gibbie can master an essential life skill in the process.