A Dolly and a Dinosaur

Well, early this morning, Grand-daughter Ashly and Gramma waved goodbye to Grandpa Fun to begin the drive toward the University of California at Riverside. It was "Transfer Day" for a group of community college students who had signed-up for the event. With a full schedule from 8:00 - 3:00, it promised to be an informative day.

I mentioned here 2 days ago that I couldn't believe that Ashly wanted Gramma to go along with her to this special day. I thought it would be like having a dinosaur tagging along. I had sent her the original notice received in my college email announcing this special event, but certainly never dreamed she'd invite me to tag along.

There is just no way to describe the joy I felt just spending the day with a grandchild who I love more than life, but to realize that she was not one bit embarrassed to have her grandmother along, makes my eyes fill with tears. She is such a lovely person--and I do know that she's really not a kid, now at 21, but for us she will always be young and sweet and innocent.

So the morning started with orientation: a welcome from the university undergraduate recruitment counselor; an infomative quick talk by the transfer department rep; great info from the financial aid rep; and then a keynote speaker who encouraged the students to aim for a future that did not include a job where they would be continually asking "do you want fries with that?" The entire event was put together by the STEM Program (science, technology, engineering, and math).

We criss-crossed the campus several times to tour various science and engineering labs and hear from several professors. Personally, I enjoyed the presentation from the professors in the seismology lab (I'm not sure of the official name)--they study earthquakes--very interesting.

It was extremely warm today--99 degrees--so that made the hike--twice-- across the campus less than pleasant, but I was pleased to capture several photos of the carrillon belltower and an iPhone video at noon as the bells chimed 12. We were also given a complimentary lunch in our choice of one of the three restaurants (okay, fast food), in the university commons, now officially called the "Hub." (Haven't eaten that much lunch since before Mr. Fun & I started dieting in mid-July.)

So it was an extremely meaningful day as Ashly's gramma and also as a community college professor.

Grandpa Fun drove to the university to get Gramma so that Ashly could head for her job at the hardware store in the Orange Crest region of Riverside. She not only works in hardware (a store that Grandpa Fun loves), but she also works half-days 5-days a week in the local school district as a teacher's aide with handicapped children, plus taking 3 community college courses.

This has been a fabulous day. Thanks for reading this far. Wishing you a lovely weekend. Good night from Southern California.
Rosie (& Mr. Fun), aka Carol

P.S. Thanks to everyone who cheered us on yesterday and sent congratuations regarding the current dieting adventure. Please know that we've need to do this dieting for at least the last 3 years, but probably more like the last 6 years. Since the end of 2001, the weight gain here at the "Fun" house has been much more than healthy. What we're doing wasn't needed, it was neccesary. Thanks for your encouragement.

P.P.S. Tomorrow is the 17th and the opening day to birthday month. The excitement here is mounting. You would think that at my age birthdays would no longer thrill me. I thoroughly enjoy birthday month. Sweet, sweet November and the 17th are just so much fun! Woohoo!