College Students! discussion

Kimberly-- I am so sorry to hear this. Will be keeping you all in my prayers.



Another thing to keep in your thoughts and prayers-- My best friend from high school and neighbor from across the street just lost his father. Really tragic. It breaks my heart because I just see what is going on over there--people coming over and them making the calls outside. I haven't talked to him in a while but I just feel horrible. So horrible for what they are going through. I wish that he and I had stayed in contact so I could be there for him.

Kimberly, that is horrible. Cancer Sucks! Hope things turn out better than they expect.

Jamie, you still can be there for him. I am sure any love and support will be welcome, and a good way to get back into contact. I have a few friends I have gone years without seeing or talking too, but when we do get together, it is like things have never changed.

Kimberly, I'm so sorry! You and your family will be in my thoughts.

Jamie, I agree with Tami, I think he would appreciate you going to see him even if you haven't been talking much lately.

Thank you everyone, your thoughts and prayers mean a lot! We talked to her son last night, and it's weeks, not a week. Not much better, but it's something.

Last week I was looking for internships and I came across one that interested me. I emailed the contact person and she responded that same day. I was at work when she got back to me and by the time I got home it was past 11pm and did not want to email her so late at night (didn't want to seem unprofessional). So last Wednesday I emailed her again and have been waiting for a reply ever since. I thought she might have been busy because of the long weekend so it was taking her longer to reply.

But I just checked my spam folder (I don't check it often) and when she emailed me back that's where it went. She replied an hour after I emailed her last Wednesday.

So now I feel weird getting back to her because its been a week. I don't want her to think I'm unreliable and irresponsible. I know I should just respond and apologize for taking so long...but I feel awkward now.

Stuff like that happens a lot. Just tell her that it had been in the spam folder.

Hmmm, I'm not really sure where to put this... My youngest brother is a freshman in college this year and he's been having a really tough first week. My mom is really worried he's not going to make it through his first semester. I tried talking to him and giving him as much advice I could about how to deal with moving away from home etc. but I know the next couple weeks are probably going to still be pretty difficult for him.
Anyway, I want to send him a care package but I'm trying to figure out what to put in it. Any suggestions on stuff to include that you might have liked after just moving away from home for the first time? Any book suggestions that might offer advice on how to adjust to college life? (He's not much of a reader, so if it's funny, that'd be best). Thanks guys!

Does he read the comics in the paper? Maybe you can find his favorite strip in a book collection and send it to him. Maybe send him his favorite food. (Depending on how easy it is to mail.)

My first year of college was the worst! I was so miserable, so I can sympathize with your brother. And I agree with Kimberly about the food. It's awesome to receive a bunch of junk food. That's what I'm always hoping for when I receive care packages. :)

I'm sorry I can't help you with any book ideas. I don't read humor books much.

Heather wrote: "Hmmm, I'm not really sure where to put this... My youngest brother is a freshman in college this year and he's been having a really tough first week. My mom is really worried he's not going to make..."

Maybe you can send him a DVD or a new video game if he's into stuff like that; like you said food is always a winner. I know you said he isn't much of a reader but maybe you can get him something by James Patterson. I have a guy friend who loves him. Check out the Daniel X series or maybe you can send him The Hunger Games-something with a lot of action because I'm guessing guys love that kind of thing. I hope your brother cheers up and have a great time. He must have a really great family if he misses you guys so much.

As I mentioned before, my aunt had been diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer. She died on Wednesday, and tomorrow is the funeral. It hasn't really sunk in yet. Just a little over a month ago we were all at her house. Eating lunch that she had made for us (and her AMAZING strawberry jam with homemade bread), sitting around playing the guitar and singing, walking around her ranch. She was always one of those timeless people to me. It was like she got to a certain age and just decided to stop aging. She was 87, but looked like she was in her 60's. She could still probably shoot a chicken through the eye from horseback like she used to. (Never saw her do it personally, but I heard the stories. And when we went target shooting she was the sharpest out of all of us)

It's horrifying how quickly cancer can destroy someone's life. Three weeks ago she had no idea that she was sick. I find it ironic that tonight was the "Stand Up 2 Cancer" thing on tv.

Oh Kimberly I am so sorry to hear that :( Cancer really does destroy your life in the instant you find out--I will never forget the day my mom was diagnosed. If you need to talk, you know how to contact me! Love you girl!!

I'm so sorry Kimberly! Cancer is such a horrible disease. You and your family will be in my thoughts!

oh no I'm so sorry to hear that Kimberly. You and your family will be in my thoughts! We're here for you if you need anything.

Kimberly wrote: "As I mentioned before, my aunt had been diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer. She died on Wednesday, and tomorrow is the funeral. It hasn't really sunk in yet. Just a little over a month..."

That's so awful, I'm sorry to hear that :( my grandmother died of cancer 10 years ago and I remember little other than how quickly it all happened, like it took over her body before anyone had a chance to come to terms with it. I definitely know what you're going through *hugs*

Thank you so much everyone. I really appreciate your support. It means a lot. :)

I hate having to borrow money, I really do hate it. I'll lend money to anyone who needs it, I love helping, but I really hate it when I have to borrow money. Because of my school schedule my hours at work got cut a lot, and then tuition went up and then I needed to have maintenance done on my car. My dad pretty much forced me to take money from him. (When your dad is a banker and knows your account number, it makes it really easy for him to put money in your account without permission.) I'm really grateful for the help, but I feel so guilty that I'm taking money from him. I'm 21, I feel like asking my parents for help is wrong.

I'm the same way! I would rather starve than borrow money. If it makes you feel any better..I'm 25 and my stepdad just had to pay for some work on my car because I couldn't. I feel so bad..like I'm 25..it shouldn't be like this! But such is life when the job market sucks..

I know what you mean! A couple weeks ago also needed stuff done on my car and my parents paid for it because I couldn't afford it. Then I was driving my dad's car for three days last week because one of my headlights wasn't working and I thought it would be nice if I filled his gas tank. But instead he told me I shouldn't have done that and I shouldn't have had to spend my own money to pay for gas for his car (even though I had had it for a few days).

Jen I am with you. When I had to borrow others cars, they always received it back with a full tank and usually freshly washed. It was the least I could do for them allowing me to borrow it. My uncle used to get mad about the washes. He said it always smelled like a girl when he got it back. I am allergic to a lot of smells, so I never put air fresheners in but still. :)

Send all your happy thoughts, prayers, good vibes, etc. our way please! Two different reasons:

1: Our county is flooding bad! Sand-bagging in all areas and roads are closed.

2: My cousins wife had their baby last night and it is in the NICU. Not sure exactly what is wrong.

Such a rough way to spend a holiday!

I'm sending lots of good thoughts your way! Flooding is horrible. We got flooded pretty badly earlier this year, one of the malls finally just reopened a month or so ago.

Hi all, I am not a doctor but I am a survivor of depression and suicidal thoughts, and in fact, my purpose for writing the book Bad Girl Gone Mom was to help others who are struggling with these same issues.

I haven't gotten over my seasonal disorders, or my bi-polar but I have learned to live with it, and manage it so that it doesn't manage me. The way I do that is to stay in a state of constant learning and applying what I learn in new ways. When I have a project that I am passionate about, it keeps me manic and happy.

Bad Girl Gone Mom

I would love to hear your thoughts if you get a chance to read it. My website is at http://kbalbify.com

SPAM?

If you consider it spam, I will delete it. No harm intended. Trying to help only. K

You know whats really hard? Going for a long time not finding any guys that catch your interest and then meeting one that's absolutely amazing... and then finding out he's interested in one of your best friends.

:(

Oh dear... I'm sorry Kimberly. :(

Thanks, Tahleen.

I feel like I use this thread too much...

We had to put my dog, Libby, to sleep yesterday. We'd had her for more than half my life. She had cancer and had been sick for so long, so it's better this way I know. But still.. It's just so hard, why do we have to become so attached to our pets? I don't know what hurts worse, her not being there at the top of the stairs waiting for me to get home each night(she refused to move from that spot until I was home.) Or seeing how torn up my parents are about it.

Oh no! I'm so sorry! :( :(

I'm so, so sorry Kimberly! It's so hard to loose a pet, especially one who's been with you so long! I still miss the dog we had growing up, he died 4 years ago, he used to always curl up next to me when I was home.
Hang in there!

I really feel like I am the luckiest girl in the world. Tonight I realized just how amazing my friends are, and how lucky I am to have them.

I had a date tonight with my boyfriend, his radio station was hosting a live recording of "Wait, wait... Don't Tell Me!" I took the train out to the city because it's free and I'm broke. Plus there is no where to park downtown. Anyway, the moment I entered the reception room, I could smell the alcohol. I don't drink but it doesn't bother me when others do. (Responsibly, of course.) But there was so much alcohol in there, I don't like the smell and I felt like I couldn't breath. Because he wouldn't be driving anywhere (he lives just a couple blocks away) my boyfriend drank too. Which was fine. It made me a bit uneasy, but he doesn't have all the same beliefs I do, so I respect that. He can drink, he enjoys that. Anyway, the show started late and then ran late enough I missed my train. And because I missed it I needed a ride home. Problem? My boyfriend had been drinking and couldn't drive me home. To top it all off, I was downtown, and my cell phone was dying.

My friend Bre rescued me. She came and picked me up and drove me to where my car was. An hour drive round trip for her. All she said when I thanked her was "That's what I'm here for."

My closest friend, Cadie, got home yesterday after being gone for 18 months. I texted her to see if she was awake. I needed someone to talk to. She's on her way over to my house right now. It's almost midnight.

My friends are incredible. I don't know how I ever got so lucky to have them.

Kimberly, that sounds like it could have been pretty scary for you. I hate not knowing how I'm going to get home or if I have no way to get where I need to be. It's great that you have friends like you do. Good luck with everything.

Kimberly, That's great that your friend did that for you! I would have hated being stuck somewhere without a way of leaving, so I relate and am glad you found your exit.

How is everything working out with the new boy?

Yes, it really could have been a bad situation for me. Luckily, I was in a relatively safer part of the city. It was late, but there were still people out and about. I was still very grateful when my friend pulled up to the curb.

And... things aren't going as well as I would like with the boy... He's... I really am not sure at the moment, but his personality has changed a little as we've been dating... Not really sure how to describe it.

I'm sorry to hear that, Kimberly. If it bothers you and you care enough about the relationship, I would talk to him about it. You can subtly try to figure out what is going on. And if he cares about you, he'll be receptive to talking and figuring out a solution.

I'm sorry Mitzi. :(

Mitzi, this is a really late reply but I'm so sorry. I had one of the best relationships with my Grandpa, he is, in my opinion, the greatest man to ever walk the earth. (Not that I'm biased, of course) I wasn't his only granddaughter, but I lived the closest and spent a lot of time with him. I spent more time at his house than my own. He died when I was 17, just before my senior year of high school. It's one of the most horrible things I've ever been through. It's been almost 6 years and I still miss him like crazy, especially when something exciting or new happens. My first thought is still to give him a call to tell him about it.

My thoughts are with you, I know how horrid it is. :(

I could use a bit of advice. I broke up with my boyfriend a few weeks ago, it was seriously the easiest and least painful breakup anyone could ask for. We both talked and realized a relationship wouldn't work because we are so busy, we'd see each other once a week at most. So I basically said that we end it then, so that we could remain friends. He completely agreed and was relieved. I wasn't all that upset about the breakup, I'd been feeling for a while that it wasn't going to work, we both had things that we're passionate about, or care about a lot. In his case, it was Politics, I really don't like Politics. I'm religious and hold my religion close to my heart, he didn't understand that. I never pushed that, but I know he would get frustrated if I went to church instead of date with him. (His family is also bitterly against my religion, and I think part of that has affected him.)But there were two things that were really in the way. I spend a lot of time with my family, if I'd had something planned with my family weeks before, I wouldn't cancel on them to go on a date with him last minute. He didn't like that, he lives on the opposite side of the country from his family so he didn't understand my dedication to my family. And he's also VERY introverted, there is nothing wrong with that at all. Except that most the time when I was with him I was worried that he was uncomfortable because he hates social situations. I'm the opposite. I LOVE going out and talking to people, being in groups, meeting new people...

Anyway, when we broke up he told me he still really cared for me, and I've already started to let that go.

He has a show coming up and I always support former cast-mates and friends in their shows. I had planned on going to the show... But I'm afraid that it will be too hard for him. He invited me and said he really wanted me to come... But I'm not sure what to do.

Okay, that was a long explanation for a question.

Basically. Should I go to the show? Or would it just be hard on him?

I'm sorry it didn't work out between you two Kimberly! But as for going to the show, if you feel comfortable going, I'd say go see it. He's asked you to come, so I think he'd be disappointed if you weren't there.

I agree with Daisy. He wouldn't have invited you if he didn't want you to come. And I am sorry that it did not work out.

Thanks, ladies. :)

Kimberly, congratulations on being so calm and cool with the break-up. It sounds like you know what you want in a relationship, which is something some people never figure out. Best of luck with that in the future!

As for the show, I would go, especially if you still would like to be his friend. If he invited you and isn't comfortable with you being there, that's his fault, not yours. I think he will be fine since he wants you to come. Hope that helps!

Thanks Tahleen!

Oy, I'm feeling sad I haven't been reading or writing or doing other activities that I enjoy lately. I've been in audition-or-die mode and apparently it takes up all my time! I was told to be prepared for rejection, but no one prepared for me for the apathy, the lack of interest, and the restless boredom that would be radiating behind the table like gamma rays of death. I love what I do and I am confident in my abilities but I really hate the audition process! Bah! End sad rant.

Aryn, I can completely sympathize with the pains of the audition process. I wonder sometimes why I keep doing that to myself. The anxiety of the audition... Did I pick the right song? Did they notice that I made a mistake? Were my steps sharp enough during the dance portion? And then the waiting. Constantly checking to see if the list is out. Them the pain when you look at the list over and over and your name isn't on there. Or if you ARE called back, the stress of callbacks.

And then I finally get into a show and I remember the why.

Not sure where to post about this, I wasn't really MAD so I didn't do it in the rant section, just sort of fed up. LIFE is so strange right now.

My family is really close, but my mom lives with me at my house so I see things that my sisters and brother don't. She is getting old. They seem to think she should be able to do things she can't and they get frustrated with her and make her feel even worse.

She has been having medical issues for a long time and financial issues now, and to top it off this morning: I went out to get in my car to go to work, and the garage door is open, there is a bike there that isn't ours, and my moms car is gone! Someone stole her car.

What is really strange, besides the fact they left us their bike, is that my car is parked on the covered awning outside the house and hers is in the garage, yet they didn't take the car that would have been easier to grab. Weird!

I just hope this doesn't push her into a deeper depression. UGH!

Tami, I'm so sorry! And you're right, it weird that they decided to break into the garage to steal a car when yours was right outside (not that they should be stealing either of the cars at all, but still weird). I hope your mom's ok!

Oh, Tami! I am so sorry to hear about this. It's hard to notice how people are acting and feeling when you're not there all the time to see. I hope the police are able to find her car and insurance can replace anything that is broken or gone.

They found it! So weird. Yesterday around 11:00 or so she got a call from the police from the county above ours. They found her wallet and some items on the side of the road. They were worried because their were a bunch of shotgun shells around them and they thought she may be a missing/endangered person.

Since they didn't seem to know that the car had been stolen, I asked mom if they contacted our police to let them know this stuff had been found. She wasn't sure, so she contacted the officer that filled out the missing car report.

Then about 3:00ish yesterday afternoon, she received a call that they had found her car. They also said there were some things inside that were damaged, but that the car seemed to be in good shape.

My sister and her husband and kids are driving her up there today to pick it up, but she is a mess. It is 5 hours away so I hope my sister and her family are smart enough to keep their mouths shut and not make it worse.

I'm glad to hear they found it and that is seems to be in OK order (despite some damages). I hope the rest goes smoothly.