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I suggested to my college kid, currently studying abroad in Seoul, South Korea, that he needs to go to the US Embassy there (not far from campus), find a Marine guard, tell them his dad is a Marine and he's currently receiving the USMC scholarship, and he should party with them for July 4.

It would be insane, but at least it isn't for the USMC birthday, which sometimes involves deaths.

He's considering it.

GORDON wrote: ↑Tue Jul 02, 2024 9:46 pm I suggested to my college kid, currently studying abroad in Seoul, South Korea, that he needs to go to the US Embassy there (not far from campus), find a Marine guard, tell them his dad is a Marine and he's currently receiving the USMC scholarship, and he should party with them for July 4.

It would be insane, but at least it isn't for the USMC birthday, which sometimes involves deaths.

He's considering it.

Well, did he?

Also, I'm glad he shaved, he looks much better.

I have to go this weekend to pick up my skinflint kid from Chicago O'hare, because the plane ticket was $300 cheaper than Detroit. 10 hour round trip for me, instead of 2.

Something I never noticed.... O'hare isn't actually in Chicago.

It's in a suburb called Des Plaines.

Heh.

edit - Kinda/maybe. I always stay overnight in the hotels at the entrance, and the addresses are always Des Plaines. But looking at the map there are suburbs all around.

GORDON wrote: ↑Wed Jul 31, 2024 12:18 pm I have to go this weekend to pick up my skinflint kid from Chicago O'hare, because the plane ticket was $300 cheaper than Detroit. 10 hour round trip for me, instead of 2.

He's saving $300, but it's costing you money and time. He needs a beaten'.

Never noticed des plaines was right next to ORD, and I flew into that city for half a year.

He can take a train. Or bus.

I push the train, but Amtrak schedules suck. He'd have to wait 12 hours for a train, after 36 hours in the air. I'm not that mean.

I have considered the bus, but meh.

Well, aren't you a pussy good father.

He's very self sufficient. What happens if I stop doing EVERYTHING? He takes care of himself and I don't get.a long car ride to talk to my kid before he moves back to college in a few weeks.

Kid's moved back on campus, beginning sophomore year. The empty nest blues strike again.

GORDON wrote: ↑Sat Aug 24, 2024 6:26 pm Kid's moved back on campus, beginning sophomore year.

Ditto, but my nest isn't empty.

Pro Tip: If your kid is going to school more than 100 miles from home, and doesn't have the car, some car insurance companies will give you a "Distant Student Discount." Progressive does. Just saved $90 per half.

Colleges are not preparing students for the workforce.

Shocker.

My kid went to a science-oriented job fair, and they all want lab experience. He doesn't know how a college student gets lab experience before he has a job. I told him to reach out to profs, and ask that.

Cuz that's how networking is done.

GORDON wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2024 7:59 pm I told him to reach out to profs, and ask that.

Yep. This is the way.

Our oldest is a senior. Got accepted into several colleges, 1 deferral so far. She got into her top 2. One is private, one is public. Here's hoping for public.

Ha.

FAFSA may not be YOUR friend.

GORDON wrote: ↑Fri Dec 20, 2024 3:17 pm FAFSA may not be YOUR friend.

FAFSA is definitely not my friend.

FAFSA is open. Easier this year, they didn't ask about income at all. I assume they're going going straight to the IRS for.it, and that's like finally, welcome to 1999 when computer systems can easily communicate with one another or 2005 when people realized their shit had to be cross platform.

GORDON wrote: ↑Sun Dec 29, 2024 3:27 pm FAFSA is open. Easier this year, they didn't ask about income at all. I assume they're going going straight to the IRS for.it, and that's like finally, welcome to 1999 when computer systems can easily communicate with one another or 2005 when people realized their shit had to be cross platform.

Ours failed to pull from the IRS and we had to enter it manually.

I didn't even see it try. It asked who I was, who my kid was, and that was pretty much it. It said they would email him to do the student section.