Chicago family weekend over and out. Unlike the PEA ones, this was less about sniffing around the mysterious place that our child calls home- weekends where we attended classes and met teachers and peeked behind the curtain. The college version was more snatching him away to comfort and good food for a few days. We spent a bit of time on the campus, but being the jaded empty nesters that we are, saw little need to attend every seminar that was offered. It is so nice how much more relaxed it is to visit him in college. High school was just a rush-he seemed to be biting his nails more-and he was considered among the most zen of zen there. He met us for dinner near campus the first night- a place that features Southern Cooking. Mon Dieu..it was like going to a foreign country. We were a small minority of white people...and were a tad confused by the menu. (what is a grit exactly?) Lots of calories and lots of fun. MMB is now a full convert to the whole corn bread okra scene.
The take away is the kid is cruising- cruising through classes (three of which he took two years ago, thanks Exeter) and playing a jolly game of tennis every other day against all manner of French graduate students, engineering undergrads, and other bon vivants. He goes to the occasional frat party, where he drinks a cheap beer or two and then calls it a night. As I write this, I must admit that it sounds suspiciously like those kids who tell their parents they are going to college, but are in fact pocketing the tuition money and using it for drugs, or worse- a start up dating app for physics buffs. "Everything is great Mom! I have gotten a 100% on every test I have taken and am drinking very little! In fact I am using my free time to tutor other kids!! But could you please forward the money for next year directly to my account?"
But it won't last long- he has heard time and again that the fancy private school boost only lasts for the first year, so he should work on the backhand while he can.
Speaking of sports, the distance between our hotel and the University is about 10 miles and of course Thomas walked back twice, until Friday night when Frederick finally checked into the hotel. He is starting to resemble an Aboriginal Indian embarking on his final walk into the desert.
MMB and Ron went to every museum as well as a talk on statistical physics where they learned how to approximate important things like: how many atoms of Aristotle's last breath are in this room? How many taxi drivers are in Chicago? or, If a balloon is filled with helium in a car, and the car accelerates, will the balloon move forward, back or stay upright?
The most exciting news is Frederick has submitted his room for "best looking dorm room" for which he has me alone to thank. Feast your eyes below on the gray Berber rug from Target and the custom altered pottery barn curtain and the ETSY wall art. The weird blue lighting and space tapestry are his additions, so if he loses it's on him. Winner gets to be in the UChicago catalogue.
I asked if his room was the place everyone came to because it is agreed on his floor that his is the nicest. He said people only come when they have "a problem", and need counseling. Oh I said..does the patient lie on the bed in lieu of a patients couch? "No" he said "...the patient sits in the hard, cheap wooden chair that came with the room; I sit in the fancy leather desk chair, and the kid who is the shrink lies on the bed."
What can I say? in Chicago they don't coddle the sick.
He says that the gang has three "mothers" of which he is one. The mothers are the ones that say everyone should perhaps call it a night or not go home with that guy they barely know or remind people to do their homework. There are apparently a few kids who are already totally underwater, because they are having such a grand time drinking cheap vodka in a sub optimally decorated dorm room (S.O.D.D.R.).
Took a trip to the aquarium, where Frederick and I made a bee line for the shark tank, and then proceeded to try to find piranhas. Thomas slowly made his way through the rainforest/amazon carefully looking at ever little frog and tropical fish. Frederick started to look bored after about 40 minutes, just like he did when he was little.
The planetarium was better of course...and all of them are these large expensive building built right onto the turquoise blue lake, so it's quite nice to hang out there.
Alas, all of them also have signs of little guns with lines drawn through them.
Went to Second City where we were worried MMB would somehow get on stage with the comedians. It was way more about Trump than the last time we went- more lingering between despair and humor like at a funeral- that place of crazy laughing where you could just as easily cry. Luckily we landed at Kinzie's Chop House- a very un-Wehlen like place...but it was lovely. All very old school Chicago with steaks and all manner of sauces, and the best truffle fries I have ever had.
Before I left, I went to this meditation class at Laura P's house and someone said it was a special day in various traditions so it was important to ask yourself what it is you worship. What are you in awe of?
Me- that's easy: the ocean; knowledge seekers and smart people in general, starry skies; big mountains; the occasional truffle fry- and these days, Nancy Pelosi.
(Om Shanti Shanti Truffle shanti OOOMMMM Nancy Nancy Hare Hare Krishna!!!!!)
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| Chinese food at Shanghai Terrace at our hotel. |
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| Portraits of a budding astrophysicist bored out of his mind in front of a exhibit of amazonian agriculture. FCAW apparently does not bow to tropical fruit. |
