<p>I'm visiting Smith this weekend on the first cold days of autumn. The leaves have not yet changed, to my surprise. The color is just starting, which may mean that the trees will be gorgeous next week for Family Weekend. (I think we have more color back in Pennsylvania.) Alas, we couldn't make it next weekend, and so chose the week before.</p>
<p>We took a bunch of girls out to dinner -- and had great conversation and fun. Midterms seem to be mostly over for my D, unlike last year when we arrived for Family Weekend to find that she had three midterms on Monday and Tuesday. (Warning to first year parents: it may happen to you, too, since there is no set time for midterms.)</p>
<p>I love it in Northampton -- except when I'm driving. I've already gotten stuck in the traffic jam on Route 9 going into town. At least I'm getting better about avoiding left turns at non-traffic light intersections in town!</p>
<p>I hope the trees change colors this week...we get in Thursday night. </p>
<p>About driving in NoHo: the white lines on the streets appear to purely decorative and there appears to be something called the Synchronized Crosswalk Team, wherein one member will step into the cross walk just as the first one is exiting the cross walk and the second is at the middle.</p>
<p>Anent tests, D said that it seemed that some profs seemed determined to cram a full weeks' work into the three days after Fall break.</p>
<p>I want a full/fall description of family weekend from youall to make up for the fact that I probably will never make it there. My BIL will be taking D out so she won't feel too lonely. I specially want a full report from TD and others who are on their last lap. Take some pics for me of the leaves!</p>
<p>Some years the colors are just bad too. This has become a considerable problem as the autumn has gotten too warm and wet to support good foliage. Sorry to rain on your parade, but blame global warming.</p>
<p>I dunno. The palm trees might fit in with the new science building, since each building is supposed to reflect the era in which it was built. :)</p>
<p>Am in Amherst and staying at a B and B. Fall colors are beautiful but not at peak. Will take daughter to Deerfield for an excursion, and then take out some of her friends for dinner. Looks like a nice day today. My host has offered the use of his bicycle and has suggested biking along a trail that goes between Belchertown and Northampton. Will take him up on it tomorrow if I can fit it in. Hope all parents are having a great time with their daughters!</p>
<p>Shrinkrap, I think you're in luck...the colors are just okay right now, I think they'll be much better in two weeks. D's "little sister" fell in love with Smith at a Women of Distinction weekend.</p>
<p>Well, it's 2800 miles or something like that for D and it hasn't been a problem. I think distance from home is the most overrated concern. Imo. I see a lot of fretting about it that just isn't warranted.</p>
<p>^^I agree. Unless they are experiencing some kind of crisis (hate the school, medical issues, academic failure), they tend to ignore parents except at their convenience, no matter how close or far. I realize that distance sometimes translates into extra expense if the student can't get back and forth without flying.</p>
<p>I have to laugh, though, about what "too far" is for some people. Sure, any distance that requires a plane qualifies. I am often asked why my D chose a college "so far away" and why I "allowed" her to go. It takes us only 4.5 hours to drive!</p>
<p>Just got home from visiting D. I had yak dumplings (!) for lunch at the Tibetan place in downtown Northampton, a giant ice-cream at Herrell's, and a huge Indian dinner, so I'm recovering today! I don't recommend the yak, but everything else was delicious. We skipped the jazz brunch this year, and focused on the mall instead!
D loves Smith, which she considers the perfect school for her.</p>
<p>"mom" ( waiting) and "dad", that IS re-assuring. I know next year this time this process will seem funny, but right now everything seems so dramatic. It is the crisis you mentioned I think about. Sometimes it seems the farther the better; at other times, even physically touching doesn't seem to be close enough. We visited UC Davis Friday where several friends attend. It is maybe 20 miles away, and sure enough, reportedly they "never" come home.</p>
<p>Distance does mean expense in terms of flights and even storage during the summer break. But, believe me, distance is nothing if your daughter is happy and thriving. In a way, it's probably healthier all round if our growing-up-fast kids can't run home at the slightest hitch. As Mwfn says, cell phones, skype and the internet in general make distances seem negligeable. My US friends actually talk less to their college kids than I do!</p>