Uni Freshers 2016 (second thread)

[soapybox]

A new thread!

Drama over- he's on his way back home for part 2 of reading week clutching a new stock of pills! On campus pharmacy deals with repeat prescriptions so all very handy, doctor very nice and from the sounds of it, thorough. Talked about possible different ways of dealing with the issue in the future, so all in all a positive if disruptive experience and he gets to bring yet more laundry home as a bonus

This had dropped off of threads I'm on. I guess we're all getting used to the new status quo and not posting so often?

DS1 stayed up most of election night with some new friends he's made in the Marxist society! He's never been particularly political before, so that's a turn up. (He hasn't joined it, I don't think, just has some friends that have.) I had a long chat via messenger on Tony Benn and the difference between socialism and Marxism. Obviously a bit shocked with the result, though.

DS1 has an American flatmate, over here for a term studying something like women, gender and politics. Apparently she broke down in floods if tears in their kitchen on Wednesday morning. DS1 has had some interesting chats with her over the last few weeks though.

Good news homebythesea!

EllenJane My DS also stayed up all night. Gave me quite a turn when I emailed to say hello (after a weeks silence ) and he wrote back that he was in a bad way. Luckily it's 'just' the results and nothing personal.

We're counting the days till December, though wondering how we'll get used to the new DS, who seems so independent nowadays.

My DD is studying in the States, so was watching the results on an American campus. She says that there are a few Trump supporters, but that the college is overwhelmingly distressed and upset about the result. Many didn't go into classes the following day, and in the classes DD went to, she said they spent the whole time discussing the result with individual students talking about the fears they had personally with Trump in charge. She said there is a very somber mood on campus.

And, Ellen, I do hope that this thread doesn't fade away. I like hearing updates about what the DC are up to!

getting the odd text now and again. He is now turning his attention to Christmas and what he wants for Christmas!

He is coming home next week and then it is only a few weeks until the end of term

I have the form here free dental treatment. I haven't looked at it but is there a separate one for prescriptions? I did glance briefly at it but seemed very complicated

I too hope it doesn't fade.

Perhaps at Christmas we will be all on here saying how lovely it is to have them but what a mess they are creating.

Or in my case how much washing. I am only doing two loads a week of clothing at the moment

I think we may be complaining about the amount of shopping too. Our food bill has gone down considerably and I've only just got used to cooking smaller amounts.

Lots of chat about finding a house this week- it seems everyone gets it sorted by Christmas. He's having trouble finding a group, another downside of not being in a flat this year it seems. He's got one definite housemate and he is aware of another couple in the same situation so I gently suggested they get together........Lots of stories of falling out and different expectations of affordable rents etc etc etc. I predict dramas to come!

And yes my fridge looks like we've had locusts through it 😀

DS1's latest cooking attempt. Beef in ale with cheese dumplings. That student cook book is coming in useful.

Looks good enough to eat Ellen! This is one of DD's efforts and she is the child who has never cooked so I was pretty impressed. Gnocchi with spinach, chorizo and mozarella

Looks delicious. And was that actual fruit in the background? You should be very proud.

I haven't been posting recently but still lurking.
My Ds comes home every 3 weeks or so and I still hate it when he leaves pathetic I know

Impressed with the cookery skills!

Unfortunately not her fruit! She's been fruit phobic since she was about 1. Can't understand it myself. She does eat veg though.

Ah, never mind. Spinach is impressive anyway. I think DS1 had more dumplings than stew!

So far DS has been away 6 weeks. I visited for a couple of hours after 2 weeks and he visited briefly after another 2 weeks. I'm going up next weekend (3 weeks later) then 3 weeks until Christmas holidays. That seems fair for his first term. I expect we'll see less of him next term and even less the one after. He does have a girlfriend back here, though.

DS has been away 6 weeks too, we visited for a few hours after 3 weeks and he is coming home next weekend. He is mentoring for County Youth Orchestra so will have his train fare refunded, win win!

Then it will be 4 weeks til Christmas. He said he might come up in between (girlfriend!)

Saw both DS and DD last weekend both are doing well. DS has decided to Change his course ( no discussion with us mind!) DD has an exam On 21st December so won't be home until then! We will go up for another visit to see her before then. DS will be coming home on the 17th. Neither them have heard any talk about looking for accommodation which is making me nervous!

DS2 has spent the last few days viewing houses for next year. There's 5 of them and hopefully will have it sorted this weekend.
To get somewhere near the uni and their college it's best to sort it this early and before they leave for Christmas. Small city, lots of students.
Hopefully we may have a text from him today with some news.

DD and three of her flatmates have decided they want to share a house next year. There is an awkward conversation coming up though as none of them get on with the remaining two boys but apparently they seem to think they are in on it too. I'm not sure its gone much beyond the discussion stage yet though as DD is still thinking about a semester abroad in year 2 and isn't sure how that will work with accommodation yet.