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Choosing the Right College: How on Earth Did That Happen?

Today while on a walk with a girlfriend, the subject of choosing colleges came up in the conversation. And it was decided between the two of us that wow, that’s a big life decision you’re making at the age of seventeen or so.

I decided early on in the college searching process that I wanted to go to a small college. The idea that Indiana University had the same number of students as the entire population of my hometown was overwhelming to me. I’m sure my parents had a bit of a heart attack as brochures came in for schools that were twice the amount of in-state tuition, but for the most part, they held their tongue.

They drove me all over the midwest — to Beloit College in Wisconsin, to Kalamazoo College in Michigan, to St. Mary-of-the-Woods near Terre Haute. I’m wondering if senior vists are cut down today by the advent of the Internet. Had my mom seen the condition of St. Joseph’s College in Renselessar on the internet, she would have saved the gas money.

My girlfriend laughed when I told her how I chose Marian — I had a stack of applications and I completed Marian’s application first because it didn’t require an essay. I mailed it in first, and had every intention of getting started the essays required for all of the other schools. Then I got busy being yearbook editor and stage manager and you know, being a senior in high school.

And I got accepted into Marian with a great financial aid package before I ever even started writing a rough draft of an essay for any of those other schools.I visited one more time, thought it was good and made the decision to attend. I then got back to being a senior in high school.

As it turned out, I made life long friends, got a solid education, and developed a fondness for the city my family now calls home……..but conversations like today sometimes make me wonder what would have happened if I had even just applied to one more school.

And I wonder if I will be able to give MaM and Junior the wide berth my parents’ did when it came to choosing a school. I mean sure, it was my education, but it was their tuition money. Years later my mom told me she was incredibly relieved that I chose Marian over all the other schools we’d visited — it was Catholic, it was small, it was affordable w/ financial aid, and it was a drivable distance from home. As I type this, I realize maybe once they figured out that I was happy with Marian, they’d just keep their mouths shut and thank their lucky stars.

How did you choose your school? Was it a process? Were your parents very involved? Was the internet involved in your college search at all (it wasn’t in mine)?

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Amazon Boycott, Alternate Title: Getting Violently Ill Whilst Reading

Earlier today, while on Twitter, I heard about parents starting a boycott of Amazon. I followed a few conversations, and figured out that there was a e-Book in their Kindle store that was causing a stir. Clicking on the link, I found that it linked to book that is basically a guide to pedophilia.

I couldn’t believe it — I mean, I’ve purchased things for my children on Amazon.

In scanning articles tonight, it appears that Amazon is holding to its position that it will continue to sell the e-book. Their statement in response to the criticism is as follows: “Amazon believes it is censorship not to sell certain books simply because we or others believe their message is objectionable. Amazon does not support or promote hatred or criminal acts, however, we do support the right of every individual to make their own purchasing decisions.”

Amazon just made it very easy for me to make a major purchasing decision — I won’t be shopping there unless that book is taken down.

Do I believe in Free Speech? Of course.

Do I believe in the Free Market Place? Of course.

What I don’t believe in is the promotion of the exploitation of children.

I don’t believe in a company so lacking in morals that it will make money selling formula, baby toys, and children’s clothing on the exact same domain name that caters to pedophiles.

They are not doing a public service by allowing this e-book to be purchased. They are doing nothing but taking an opportunity to make some money on a book that could possibly destroy children’s lives. They are looking only at the bottom dollar of what they may make on this book.

Which is really too bad for them.

If you want to read more, follow #boycottamazon on Twitter, type that search term into Google or Facebook  or try this article on Tech Crunch http://techcrunch.com/2010/11/10/amazon-defends-pedophile-how-to-guide/

(Warning: it contains an excerpt from this filth. I started physically shaking, and almost threw up reading it. It is sick, it is wrong. It is in bad taste.)

IT IS A DANGER TO CHILDREN AND NEEDS TO BE REMOVED.

I’ll keep you posted. Til then, I’m sitting on my Amazon credits. I’m not posting affiliate links. If this all dies down (as causes and boycotts sometimes do) and the book is still available, I’ll use up my credits on some more items for the Pajama Program and call it a day.

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My Ode to Coffee

Cow-pee: When MaM was younger, she called it cow-pee. It was super cute. Also? My kids don’t serve tea with the tea set. They serve coffee.

Often: I make coffee quite often — now that I’m home more, I find myself making a pot either before or after the 3pm school pick up.

Friends: Coffee always tastes better with friends, whether we’re in a diner, a coffee shop or around the kitchen table.

Fresh: I love the smell of fresh coffee

Espresso: I’m not really a fan of espresso, my love is for regular drip coffee

Everyday: It’s true, I drink coffee every single day.

My love for coffee runs deep. I start every day with a cup, and if we’re out, it’s motivation for me to go to the store that very day (in contrast to when we run out of bread, and we just eat tortillas or crackers til the next shopping trip). So when I had the offer to have three bags of Dunkin Donuts Holiday Flavors delivered to my door, how could I refuse?

Dunkin Donuts is known for having outstanding fresh coffee in their stores, and I have to say that the packaged version has the same qualities as restaurant fresh. It’s not quite the same, but it’s really close & I don’t have to drive to get it, so it’s a good substitute. What I like about these flavored versions is that the flavor is subtle – it’s not “Hmmm…is there coffee in my vanilla nut drink?” Of the three I sampled — Pumpkin Spice, Vanilla Nut and Mocha Mint, my favorite was Mocha Mint. It hinted at chocolate and it hinted at mint, but wasn’t over powering. All three coffees were smooth, and the right type of mellow for me (these are not bold coffees). Which is kind of ironic, I know, to judge a coffee by it’s mellowness, because coffee has a reputation for not inspiring the mellow in people. But if you ask my kids, I’m sure they’d agree– I’m a kinder, more mellow mommy with a little java in my veins….

Disclosure: “I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Smuckers and received necessary products to facilitate my review. In addition, I received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.”