Heading towards 4th year or post grad/jobs

[Xenia]

Continuation of the previous thread for those of us with children who are just finishing their 3rd year at university (so either "graduating" in 2020 or going into year 4 in Autumn 2020)..........

My twins' degree results will be out in late July. Good luck to everyone else waiting for finals results.

My DF probably would win on latest 'graduation' photo ever... he left oxford with a BA after 3 years to join up at the start of WWII (I assume they kicked most of them out and just kept the high flyers to go on into research). Decades later they were allowed to trade up to an MA for a tenner. As he was a schoolmaster he already had a gown and the B hood (white fur trim); I think it was DM who insisted on getting the red M hood and taking a photo of him in it.

At least none of ours have to become Desert Rats.

DH is taking DD back tomorrow. Probably just in time, there are rumours that our area may be under a local lockdown at some point but fortunately not yet.

Well done BTM s dd , hopefully we'll have some masters grads next year to attend

DS1 refused to attend his grad ceremony last year. He just couldn't accept that I'd want to spend 3 hours clapping people I didn't know and take a photo of him in a rented gown. I just couldn't explain why I did want to, but I still feel miffed that I didn't get that photo of him after all those years of hard work (most of it ds's but some of it mine ) . I really hope all your grads get their moment in the sun wearing their caps n' gowns.

DS2 has lucked out and got his ambulance cleaning job back via the agency - not in the Nightingale hospital as originally planned but just our regular local hospital. The job involves sitting in a van (or deckchair) outside the hospital, equipped with wifi and occasionally having to spray and wipe a returning ambulance. It's meant he has been able to carry on attending online lectures and various live teaching sessions and watch a lot of netflix while getting paid!

Well done to your daughter BTM, that's great news.
My DD has to work before doing her Masters, because she's heading for a clinical doctorate which is hard to get on to she has to get work experience first - she started work in May so is on her way, university seems a long time ago already.

Errol I hope you don't have the lockdown. We don't but it feels like it as we can't see DD due to her job and we don't have a huge family - most are very elderly and in care homes so we can't see them either.

IKWYM re graduation photo @Haffdonga.

My DS1 messed around at uni and left half way through Yr2. I was gutted at the time but am over it now. If I'm honest, I always knew he wouldn't be suited to it. He's since gone on to be successful in his job and is earning good money, so he's ok.
I was definitely looking forward to seeing DS2 graduate though and now bloody Covid has put paid to that for the foreseeable. 🙄 Hey ho - I WILL get that photo hopefully!

Thanks!
I’m just hoping she’s watering my plants

Congratulations bigTillyMint's DD. Hope the plant watering is underway!

Nothing to report here. DD and BF have gone for another walk exploring parts of the SW Coastal Path. DD2 and I have done some baking together and walked to the next village together to get my dad's newspaper so she's a lot brighter. She wanted a re-scheduled birthday lunch with her school friends 4 months after the day, but better late than never. I suggested getting takeaway and having it at home under the gazebo and she was surprisingly amenable. All we need to do now is fix a date...

Well done to your dd bigTillyMint - lovely news about her result and MSc place.

I have two nieces, one in year 11 and one in year 13 so both would have had exams this year. I know dd feels that, in comparison, her situation was probably easier to bear.

It sounds like everyone's children are doing fine.

I have 4 students staying here - two boys, 2 girls plus one of my sons so I just hope they don't have covid 19. The new Nintendo Switch (lockdown present from me to my twins) is currently being used by 2 of the boyson the big screen ...... Everyone is happy.

Nothing to report here either. DS has applied for a few jobs locally just to try and earn some money to try and save for when things open up a bit.
He’s teaching himself some new musical instruments (why would anyone want to learn the Turkish zurna - my ears) and has been camping a few times but I think he’s pretty fed up really.

He read a piece he’d written at my Dad’s funeral last week. I was so proud of him.

Congratulations to bigTillyMint’s DD - that is great news.
Both DDs have currently gone away on UK breaks with friends as their holidays were cancelled. DH is working all weekend so I am actually going to have a peaceful weekend!

Have tried to persuade DD to start thinking about what she wants to take with her when she moves. She’s still waiting for her Visa and is enjoying having a lazy summer now exams and results are out of the way. She’s had quite an easy three years at Uni (doing languages when you’ve grown up trilingual) - work might be quite a shock!

Congrats to bTM DD too.

I've just moved DDs stuff to Dublin - including six houseplants !

DD didn't take her houseplants, she didn't think there would be room in the AirB&B she and her BF are in until they get the house with her other pals in September.
She did (with our blessing) take the picnic rug, it's already had an outing to Jesus Green. I want photos of its travels so I can live vicariously.

Sounds like they are all occupying themselves. Hotel Xenia is still in operation (only joking.....)... We had 2 boys last night plus mine but the girl left. One of those boys leaves today and a different girl comes who I think is staying until they go abroad on Wednesday just for a short break, a bit less than a week. My son is going with her and another girl - first flight for them since the lockdown. I am glad they are getting some kind of trip abroad this summer. The 3 of them have to have a negative Covid test to travel to the destination so are going together for the test from my house on Sunday. I just hope it is texted back to them in time for the flight and I think my son is going to drive the 3 of them and park at the air port as it is a very very early flight.

However his twin whose girl friend's family are being very careful of CV19 due to illness, has asked the exact time the flight lives as I think those 2 are coming back here as soon as all the others leave.... I should start taking bets on how many minutes I get in the house alone before those two arrive although it is very nice to have so many people keen to be here and everyone has been lovely and also quiet after 11pm which is helpful for those of us working to keep them.

Meanwhile daughter 2 and boyfriend are coming here twice on Saturday to clear all her furniture out of my garage so I might get a bit of space again.

Both twins have now had their year 3 deposits back almost fully refunded so other than degree certificates I think year 3 is just about over.

I see the Carriemac daughter has houseplants. My second daughter afetrr her 5 week stay here left most of her plants with instructions for the twins to water them. No one has been near them other than I have and one lost its only leaf but I think I have kept the rest alive and they are going tomorrow when she comes. Her new legal job is going well as is living with her boyfriend and she just relet her flat although the agents were a bi t deceptive saying the tenant could move in almost right away but in fact the place will be empty a month first. At least it gives her and her boyfriend time to sort out which furniture goes in which flat etc.

I want to stay at hotel Xenia - I need minding :)

My son and his friends have just left to play some kind of mini golf so I get a bit of peace now although I have my appointment at the council tip first and daughter 2 jus called - had massive fall off boris bike with people coming over to help but just seems to have some blood and bruises so could be worse. Apparently it was something to do with the kerb not having been changed consistently with new signs. No one else was involved so it's all fine. The council probably was half way through some covid 19 cycling changes.

Hotel Xenia sounds quite exotic.

Eldest son now booked to fly back to uni in 10 days - neighbours will be happy as he plays Call of Duty or Fortnite or something at full sweary volume. Plus the cat finds him very scary and spends a lot of time in hiding (no idea why he’s scary, as he’s never been unkind to her, just large and loud).

Hope Xenia’s DD is OK too.

Yes hope Xenia dd is ok - I've never liked cycling since I fell off my bike and skinned my knees . Like carriemac I think Hotel Xenia sounds lovely!

Hope she’s ok Xenia. I took a wobble off my bike last week stopping to answer a phone call going up a hill. Put my foot down on slippery greenery and went sideways.

Apparently she landed on her hip (not head) and grazed her elbow. She has to move in two van loads with her boyfriend all her furniture from my garages tomorrow and tonight furniture from his flat to the one she lets out so not great timing for moving 2 sofas, beds etc but she was back working (called me with a legal question by 5pm so I think she is okay). Bestls, I hope you are okay too. She was cycling with bare arms and legs she said so the grazes were worse. i was telling her one reason I do all my garden work with legs and arms covered is to reduce the injuries.

I am glad Sabrina's son has his flight booked. "Hotel Xenia" is quite popular as I am the only adult here rather than younger siblings and both parents in the living room all the time and I tend to stick to my office and bed room. Anyway they are out again now on Hampstead heath and one boy leaves from there and a girl comes back for the next few days with the other boy so I think that will be 2 guests again tonight. I don't cook or buy the food - my son does that so it's not too much trouble. I took them to the tube earlier and wll do the return journey too as long as it's not after my bed time.

Ouch, your poor DD @Xenia. Hope she's not too sore & achey tomorrow.

I’m glad he has his flight booked too - both my fridge and my wallet are empty. How did that happen? (Rhetorical question - it happens every time).