Bits of news too small for their own post:
- My tickets have been purchased for Japan! I will be leaving mid-June and returning at the end of July. I’m already excited, but Meiling & YaYu are going to come to Japan for two weeks mid-July, so now we’re excited together and making lists of all the places we want to go and things we want to do (with K) during our time together. It looks like we’ll mostly be eating our way through Tokyo LOL. Summers in Japan are hot and humid (and miserable), but I know we’re still going to have a wonderful time.
- Our son has been here for three weeks this past month, beginning with the grandkids’ spring break (they all went to Florida). We still had to pick up the kids a few times because of his work schedule, but all in all his visit gave us a much-appreciated break from grandkid related duties and a chance to spend time with our son. M leaves in a couple of days and we’ll be back at our regular schedule again next week. For our grandson’s birthday this year we gave him “A Day of Fast Food,” and took him out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the fast food joints of his choice, a treat for him (Brett and I only ate at one place though).
- Spring has definitely arrived in middle Tennessee. The weather has been variable but warmer overall, up into the mid- to high-70s some days (but down in the 30s on others). We’ve had quite a bit of rain this month as well. So far, my allergies haven’t bothered me too much, but flowering trees and such are not the main culprit for my suffering; summer grass is.
- The wait is over: our fierce girl YaYu was accepted into every grad program she applied to (including two Ivies) but will attend Villanova University with a full scholarship AND a monthly stipend. The award was a surprise – she had applied to the fellowship by mistake when she applied for regular financial aid and didn’t think she stood a chance of being considered, let alone chosen for it. She has been saving for grad school since the moment she graduated from Bryn Mawr two years ago, but will now be able to buy herself a car. We’re all super happy and excited for her, and proud beyond measure.
- We will end this month with only two gift cards left: half of what we started with on our Starbucks card, and the World Market card. This past month I found two tops I liked (on sale) at J. Jill, we’ve stopped twice at Starbucks, and we will use up our P.F. Chang’s and Ruth’s Chris Steak House cards this weekend. Our son and DIL surprised us with a second Ruth’s Chris card for our anniversary so our costs there should be fairly low!
The Occasional Nomads 
Wow, lots to celebrate on your end! The news about YaYu especially!
I had no idea that JAL had the roomiest economy seats. I will definitely keep that in mind if I ever return to Japan. In the meantime, I am really looking forward to hearing all about your trip 🙂
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March has been a great month! YaYu started out thinking she wouldn’t be accepted anywhere, would call after every interview and tell me she blew it, but then got accepted everywhere!
Thankfully I didn’t have to buy the JAL ticket because they are not cheap – our DIL got it for me but may get a discount because of her position? 34″ of leg room and a slightly wider seat is what’s available in some premium economy seats so it will be perfect for me. JAL service is superb as well – I’m looking forward to it!
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Such great news for YaYu! Congrats to her! She sure is s go getter — well, all your kids seem to be. 🙂
There’s nothing more exciting on a flight than a bigger seat and great service. And how fun to have your girls visiting while you’re there.
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We’re so, so proud of YaYu. Her reviews from professors and her work were phenomenal so we knew she’d get in, but the financial aid was a genuine surprise for all of us. Yeah!
We usually never fly economy for a long flight like the one to Japan, but this one looks very comfortable. Their service is amazing too, and the food has always been outstanding too. My only complaint is that the flight leaves at 7:00 am so I am going to have to be up at the crack of dawn for check-in and security which means no sleep the night before I leave.
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Well done to YaYu. How awesome!
I look forward to your posts in Japan.
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Thanks! She is so determined (always has been) and works hard to achieve her goals. We’re incredibly proud for and of her.
There will be lots of posts from Japan! I grow more excited about this trip every day.
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Congratulations to YaYu! And I will be very interested in hearing all about Japan and the fun you’ll have there. I never realized summers were hot and humid there.
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YaYu is living her best life right now. Besides work, she’s in the process of buying a car (and she HATES to spend money on anything so this will be interesting) and looking for a new place to live nearer to Villanova.
Summers in Japan are brutal. Back in our navy days, there was a lot of air pollution which made it difficult to breather, but that’s gone away, thank goodness. There are days the heat and humidity are so bad that loudspeakers put out announcements for everyone to stay inside if possible!
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Wonderful news!! I have a nephew who got his Masters from Villanova!!!! And Japan to look forward to.. exciting!! ENJOY all the build up TO the trip, and of course, the trip itself..we’ll all be looking for photos and reports!!
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YaYu’s choice for grad school was going to be program quality + financial aid. One of the Ivies also offered her sufficient financial aid but their program is not as well regarded as the one at Villanova (almost hard to believe but true). So Villanova won. Not her first choice, but not at the bottom either, and they came up with the winning combination.
The girls and I talk about the trip every day, although things will quiet down for the next three weeks while Meiling is in Italy on her honeymoon! There will be lots of reports and photos – guaranteed!
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Congrats to YaYu! My brother got his bachelor’s at Villanova and I took some classes there years ago. Is she going for her PhD? Since she went to Bryn Mawr, she’s already familiar with the area, so that’s another bonus. I just had cataract surgery a few days ago so I have to keep this short, but your Japan trip sounds so exciting! Looking forward to reading all about it!
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Yes, she is going for her Ph.D. but is heading to Villanova for her M.A. first. It will be interesting to see if she remains there for the doctorate or goes elsewhere.
I hope you cataract surgery was a successful as mine was. A year later and I still can see distances as clear as a bell. I was worried about scar tissue buildup but that didn’t happen (so far). I love being able to order readers only for far, far less than I used to have to pay for my prescriptions.
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I’m still early in the recovery process from the first surgery, but already my vision is 20/30. It’s amazing to be able to see both near and far (and be able to read) without glasses! Since I haven’t had the other eye done yet, my vision is a bit ‘off’ and I have to look at the computer with one eye closed, which means I don’t like to be on the computer for too long. I have another follow up visit on Monday and then I have the second surgery on April 9. It’s good to know your vision is still great after a year! I have friends who had it done 7 and 10 years ago who say their vision is still great, but one of them now needs readers, but that’s not a big deal.
Is YaYu’s ultimate goal to be a professor?
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I remember that weird week between surgeries! The immediate difference in my vision once the dressings came off though was like a miracle. I will always need to wear readers, but now they make progressive readers and they’re wonderful (and still so much less than a prescription).
YaYu’s ultimate goal is to become a therapist. She has a strong background in neuropsychology, but that was not the path she decided to pursue.
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I was wearing progressive glasses before the cataract surgery and they were SO expensive. I used to pay around $700 almost every year, so I’ll be glad to be done with that expense. I went for an exam yesterday and my vision is now at 20/20. Amazing! I can’t wait to have the other eye done next week.
I was a psych major in college and wanted to go on for a master’s and PhD in psych research, but my dad died right after I graduated and I could not afford to continue and had other responsibilities at that point. Once my eyes are fixed, I’m considering getting a master’s online just to fulfill that dream, but at my age it may not make sense financially. It’s great YaYu is following her dreams and finding ways to make it happen!
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My progressives were also hugely expensive in the past, even with good insurance. I just order my reading progressives online now – super cute and very affordable.
We really thought YaYu would stick with neuropsych as she’s our family scientist, but we’re happy she’s going the direction she is. You should go for it – you won’t know if you don’t try!
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I actually didn’t know progressives for reading exist so I will look into that if I need them at some point.
Just curious, do you know why YaYu decided to switch from neuropsych? There are probably more opportunities as a therapist but neuropsych does seem interesting. As for me, I wouldn’t want to take on the debt of grad school at my age but I will look around and see if I can find anything affordable to satisfy my curiosity.
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I get my progressive readers from lookoptic. They’re stylish and give good discounts.
YaYu is more into working with people; in neuropsych she would continue to work with rats. Pay is better in neuropsychology but not as rewarding to her.
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