<p>Just back from a long lazy holiday in the sun and am now faced with the challenge of helping D to decide how much of her 18 year old existence she can fit into 2 suitcases. Then on Sunday we fly to Boston for a few days of sight-seeing and kleenex sharing before we both catch our first glimpse of Smith. Thanks to you guys and your insightful remarks I'm slightly less petrified than she is, but as D Day ( or rather D-less Day) approaches, my heart seems to be sinking lower and lower into my sandals!</p>
<p>Hang in there, LiT. I confess, turning away from D to walk back to the rental car was one of the more emotional moments of the past five years. I recommend picking out a good place to have dinner and a couple of glasses of red wine and a good book for company afterwards.</p>
<p>While in Boston, imo the Museum of Fine Arts is a "must see." There's another museum within walking distance, blanking on the name at the moment, that has a rather interesting hodgepodge of material, arranged in the manner of the woman who founded the museum.</p>
<p>As far as the two suitcases goes, you could make it three...pack only one for yourself and put stuff for her your second. Your D will doubtless be leaving stuff over the summer and it's a virtual certainty that she'll acquire more anyway, so it's not as if she has to pack with an eye to what will come back.</p>
<p>"arranged in the manner of the woman who founded the museum."</p>
<p>The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Her life is as fascinating as the art she collected.</p>
<p>The museum was subjected to the largest art theft in US history. I don't believe it was ever solved. Boston rumor has it Whitey Bulger had a something to do with it.</p>
<p>Absolutely + Fogg where curator is close friend. Incidentally, I keep reading posts about how little storage space there is. Do you think Smith will be more generous for Internationals, or is it possible to rent storage cheaply somewhere nearby? D has a roommate in Park Annex.</p>
<p>Isabella Gardner, that's the one. The missing painting is rather spectacular. </p>
<p>One of the things I acquired a taste for while back East was John Singer Sargent, whose work I'd not been acquainted with. There are some nice pieces of his both at the IG and the MFA. Ordinarily, paintings of society women or families of the rich and famous would induce yawns in me, but he really brings a nice character-projecting ability to his work. Kinda like Bronzino but completely different.</p>
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<p>LiT, D says that some storage policies changed while she was gone and she's not up to speed. However, I believe I've read that there is a place or two that does storage in NoHo. I'd file the question under, "Follow up, but it will be taken care of." I also know some students have left some stuff with friendly civilians they've gotten to know in the area.</p>
<p>You can leave almost anything at Smith over the summer - as long as it is in a box. The exceptions are one tall standing lamp, a fridge, and a rug. There currently is no limit to how many things can be stored (and believe me, a number of students - myself included - leave many boxes at Smith over the summer).</p>
<p>Thanks, Borgin. I'd actually read the description in a Smith e-mail or on the website a while back but couldn't remember detail to save my alleged soul.</p>
<p>Have a safe and fun trip!</p>
<p>Thanks. Unfortunately I probably won't meet any of you this time as I am leaving before orientation, but please keep an eye on a cute blue-eyed kid with masses of hair, an English name and a French accent!</p>
<p>Is it possible that you would be able to come to Family Weekend in October? Fatherly duty and all that. <cough, cough=""> Not only could you check on your D but it's Smith at its most gorgeous.</cough,></p>
<p>Fatherly? hardly, puisque je suis une femme <cough, cough="">
Duty? It would be a pleasure, but being a teacher I can't choose vacation time.</cough,></p>
<p>Sacr</p>
<p>haha...cute conversation.</p>
<p>It might be too late for this advice, but don't bother bringing warm weather clothes. I expected New england to get real chilly by November, but thanks to global warming (and regular weather patterns), you can get by on fall/summer stuff easily until you go home for winter break. Save yourself the room and spare the coat, you won't need it.</p>
<p>Anent warm winter clothing, from where we are, it was better to send money with D and have her buy locally...not much, new or used, here in SoCal, that would be appropriate. As for France vs. NoHo, I'd query, "Where in France?" I don't think Paris has nearly the degree (no pun intended) of cold that NoHo does.</p>
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<p>Karen, I now wonder if I left LiT lost in translation.</p>
<p>I go to Belgium all the time in all seasons and can attest that it never gets as cold as it does even in Jersey during the winter. It's a lot worse in Mass so =/ Oh and my place is on the beach in belgium so it's colder there than everywhere else. </p>
<p>Lost in translation is one of my favorite movies. I've seen it way too many times for my own good. And I say you can give her the benefit of the doubt and assume she's just busy with something else.</p>
<p>The Dad, A for effort and C+ for the grammar! May I respectfully point out that my "mysterious" disappearances correspond to the time differrence and sleep time? As for Family week-end, I could always try to convince the school head that taking a whole class to Smith is vital for their education. On the other hand, where would I find accomodation for 36 teenagers?</p>
<p>LiT, you're very kind...TheMom just cringes at my French. Hers is better but slower. </p>
<p>I'm sure that some of the folks at Smith would put together accommodations for 36 French teenagers. The boys might be a little problematic but then again, perhaps not.</p>
<p>The Dad, PM coming up</p>
<p>Five days...and she's a senior! Yikes! She took the GRE's yesterday (aced them, but that's no surprise), so as to get them out of the way for the fall. Gonna take her drivers' test - never got around to that before. Filled out the papers that let continue on her parents' health insurance (good law in our state). Room is it's usual uproar. Taught her to play squash this summer - Smith has these magnificent courts, but I think she's barely ever set foot in the gym before.</p>
<p>New phase of life coming up. Probably scarier for me than for her. I'd say something appropo in French - but I don't know any! :)</p>