<p>right on kp2001
hope she gets what she (woops) the position deserves;;;</p>
<p>MAILING ! </p>
<p>Son is going away for liberty weekend. MAN, is he looking forward to it. But, or course, he needed a few essentials .... some of which are critical to traveling. I'm also sending back his replaced cellphone, which died a miserable death (under warranty--thankfully).</p>
<p>So, I've got this USPS thing down now. And for SOME reason decided to get teh $0.65 tracking for the package, so I can tell when it is delivered.
Son sent THIS message yesterday, from the academy:
Due to a shortage in staff, there will be no academy mail pick up or delivery for the following dates:</p>
<p>Thursday October 4th through Friday October 5th.
Tuesday Ocotber 9th through Friday October 12th. </p>
<p>During these closure periods, you can drop off your office mail bag directly to the mailroom via the Post Office window as well pick up any mail that may have arrived for your department. Before doing so, I would suggest calling the mailroom at x5292 to ensure that someone will be there to assist you. </p>
<p>Your on going cooperation is greatly appreciated and the Department of Administrative Services apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause however, there are only two Mail Clerks on staff and until the hiring freeze is lifted, these types of closures will continue to take place. Please feel free to call or e-mail me with any questions or concerns that you may have.
***</p>
<p>YAAAGGHHH ! So what was going to be a no-brainer by Friday is now a race to the finish line ! Hmm. learning a lesson about things when they "absolutely, positively HAVE to be there" :) </p>
<p>I also fully understand the staffing issues the academy is dealing with, and hope we can all to things to make that better. In the meantime, I hope they will give folks more notice of these outages in the future... Not being able to mail a letter OUT somethings isn't as critical as getting care packages/travel stuff IN.</p>
<p>the staff shortage doesn't apply to the m/n and our mail. it only applies to the different departments (waterfront, comandants, etc) who have their mail picked up and delivered for them instead of walking down to the mail room. our mail and/or packages will still arrive as usual.</p>
<p>AHhhh. Thanks for the clarification !</p>
<p>Okay ~ I did a global search and found all sorts of information on a song written for first ladies by KP music director, but no info re: graduation. Can someone bring us up to speed on Hillary's last KP visit? From your tone, it sounds like I might need 4 years to prepare for another :eek: .....but you're right kp & cj....of course, it would be with the utmost respect - given the Office of the speaker. :D</p>
<p>You can take a look at this thread: I think it covers most of the information</p>
<p>Stress is obviously being a registered democrat and walking the campus of USMMA.</p>
<p>Why are we politicizing what should be non-political? Are there those that honestly believe that one political party has a lock on being patriotic? There are scoundrels and heroes for all no matter what your political predisposition. Sanctimony always comes with such a bad smell,no matter which way the political winds are blowing. I've said it before-- our mids serve the nation, not one party or the other. We are extremely blessed to live in a country where the military follows the civilian government and not the other way around.</p>
<p>well said st. C
:)</p>
<p>St</p>
<p>I totally agree</p>
<p>and theres not a lick of difference tween
them all.</p>
<p>Professional politicians are all the same.</p>
<p>Here, in this country, the people are the patriots.</p>
<p>Agreed St C! As said, it would be another great source of pride to have the President of the United States at graduation - no matter who it is. We must always stand together for democracy to thrive. I know I'll be there with bells on!</p>
<p>I'm not that great with "utmost respect", I do alot better with "give them what they deserve"!!!!!</p>
<p>(Where do you guys get those little symbols?)</p>
<p>St. Crispian, thank you for the reminder that all of our sons and daughters--regardless of politics, religion, socioeconomics, geography, or you-name-it--have chosen to serve their country, and are in this together. Come to think of it, that goes for all of us parents, too!</p>
<p>Thank you, Seriously when I read the board yesterday and this morning, it was very difficult to show restraint. </p>
<p>I will continue to show restraint........</p>
<p>Thanks, for what you said St. Crispian. I totally agree with you.</p>
<p>its funny how all of you are arguing about stupid things about politics and whatnot. back to the original post about "stress"; im sorry to be the one that has to say this, but whoever is complaining about stress and academics their 1ST TRI has a long road ahead of them. id say about half the original class will actually graduate. if you are really that concerned about how to deal with the stress issue so early in the game (keep in mind that 2011 has not been to sea yet...) you might as well return your KP superfan t-shirts and accept the fact that maybe your kid was not cut out for this school. it gets harder, not easier as time goes on....</p>
<p>I think that the realization of the "long road" ahead of them is exactly why they are so stressed. </p>
<p>Everyone copes with it differently. My son's stress peaked the end of 2nd tri. He is taking everything in stride and seems to be coping well, presently. </p>
<p>I have heard from many people that it gets much easier in their second year and "wait until your kid goes to sea year, then he will know what is all about and love it". Some parent's have expressed to me that on the second leg of sea year their son or daughter was salivating at the prospect of getting back to sea. </p>
<p>That being said, yes many young people get out to sea and realize that a sailor's life is not for them. Some young people have taken the USMMA route not necessarily to continue in the maritime industry but as a gateway to the Marines, AF, Army, etc. Some have the ultimate goal of flying. If your son is one of them, just keep encouraging them to keep their eye on their prize and realize that although sea life isn't for them it will make them stronger more resiliant people. </p>
<p>And we all have heard the groaning about the sea projects! As well as a few night mare stories!</p>
<p>For many young people this is the first time they have been bonafidely academically challenged. Up until this point they studied and did very well in school. Students that made straight A's in HS now are coping with C's and worse!! </p>
<p>Going through the first two trimesters and observing my son's stress peak and seeing him now, I will say just keep encouraging them, tell them you believe in them and know that if this is what they want and commit to it, they can get through it. In his experience, it is getting better.</p>
<p>Don't turn in your superfan t shirts just yet. Just be steady in your encouragement, if this is what your kid wants and is comitted to it, he or she can do it.</p>
<p>What a treat and honor it was to have a group of Mid-West/West Coast plebes come to our home for the long weekend! These kids are "the right stuff" through and through...</p>
<p>Interestingly, plebe son took his KP buddies to see HS friends who attend a nearby "elite" University on Saturday night. I asked them the next morning if they thought they were missing out on anything and they responded with a resounding "NO!" They had fun, but thought the co-eds had too much wasted time, the party talk was "boring" and their dorms "were a mess". HA! </p>
<p>I showed them an article in this month's "Philadelphia Magazine" which reaffirmed what we already know: </p>
<p>"Study after study has shown that what really makes a difference in whether people thrive in life has less to do with where they went to school than with what internal traits they possess." </p>
<p>I told them that KP sharpens those internal traits like no college would likely do: discipline, respect, tolerance, self-control, resilience, patience, delayed gratification, time management - you name it - KP teaches it. Believe it or not by weekend's end, I got the distinct impression that these plebes actually appreciated what they had at KP and most especially appreciated each other. What a strong support network (friendship) they have created in just 3 months together! </p>
<p>I understand that October is notoriously the most difficult for plebes and going "home", I could tell the group was a little down (finals coming up). But it was inspiring to witness them energize and support one another on the long ride back and as they walked off, they seemed refreshed and ready to get back to work.</p>
<p>Oh and by the way.....not one made their bed the entire 3 days....and I loved it...... Can't wait until Fall Break!!!</p>
<p>My mid, different direction. Same result.
I was concerned that once they'd seen 'regular' college that the trudge back to Kings Point would be difficult.</p>
<p>Actually, hanging out at 'regular' college made him impatient to get back to KP ! :) :confused: (yay!) Lots of wasted time, lots of silliness. No real point. So, some intollerance on what they COULD be accomplishing. The girls couldn't understand why he'd brought books and was studying .... on a WEEKEND?!?. </p>
<p>All in all, my mid was looking forward to gettnig back among other kids with the same mindset and mission/sense of purpose. These kids are just different... in the most wonderful ways! I'm proud of them all.</p>
<p>Zonker & MMAMOm2011, Thanks for the optimistic forecast. My plebe had a Blast hanging out in Manhattan...Couldn't miss a Columbus Day Parade!</p>
<p>I'll see if he has the same impression of the "kids back home" when he takes his 10 day leave to San Diego Oct 26.</p>
<p>I hope, no I Pray for the same results ;)</p>