College application time!!!! Do I need a college application boot camp?

Hard to believe, but my oldest is starting high school next year.  I have been thinking about college for many years, but mostly just kind of vague thoughts, like "oh, I hope he gets some great scholarships!"  :)  I have set up a 529 for him, that I've contributed to regularly.  Hopefully that, plus a scholarship (possibly athletic, possibly academic - fingers crossed for both) will make the whole funding college thing not too painful.

BUT, things have changed a lot since I applied to college eons ago.  The term "common app" wasn't even on my radar.  I think it existed, but since computers weren't a widespread "thing" yet, no one really used it?  Maybe?

I do remember the application process was pretty painful and that the essay writing in particular was pretty tough.  Picking a college wasn't that hard because I knew I wanted somewhere close-ish to home with a nice campus/semi-urban setting. I did end up going to Duquesne in Pittsburgh on academic scholarship, so that was good.

I moved to Waltham for grad school 11 years ago this month!  One of the reasons I've stayed is that if my kids choose to, they don't have to go far for amazing schools.  Now, reality is hitting home though.  How to choose a school?  Where to start?  I really don't think it's too early to start planning all this stuff.

A friend and colleague is signing her child up for this college application boot camp in Boston this summer.  It looks kind of amazing.  After less than a week, her high school junior (next year) will basically be ready to roll for applying to college.  What do you think?  Do I need to rally outside forces?

Waltham Public Library

Another Waltham gem - The Waltham Public Library. Did you know that you can reserve Boston area museum passes (either in person or online) for these places? (note: some places are free with these passes, others have a nominal fee)

Boston Children's Museum
Davis' Farmland
DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park
Discovery Museum
Drumlin Farm
Garden in the Woods
Ecotarium
Museum of Fine Arts
ICA
Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum
New England Aquarium

and more!

2010 Waltham Farmers Market - Open Now on Saturdays!

Yay! One of the best things about Waltham (and there are lots) is the Farmer's Market. It's right behind Sovereign Bank on Main Street. Fresh produce, meats, cheese, eggs, etc. and a musical performance almost weekly. Go there!

http://www.waltham-community.org/FarmersMarket.html

Guinea Pigs!

My beautiful, wonderful friend and colleague just launched her etsy shop...she is an amazing artist with a huge affection for painting guinea pig pictures.

Gah! Holidays Again!

This has been such a super busy, crazy, kinda bad year for me and a lot of my loved ones. I feel sorta fortunate for living on the street in Waltham with the craziest Christmas display. There is a caravan of minivans that go up my street from sunset til 10. And, all I have to do is step out on my porch and see the beauty!

My 11 year old's son's best friend's dad calls it "beastly." It is a tad garish, but so's my tree.

I do not approve of pure white lights and matching decorations for the sake of making your house look like a magazine. Ok, I do. It's fine and beautiful, but my house is bursting at the seams with two boys who prefer colors over neutrality :)

I am quite looking forward to the holidays this year. I'm co-director of a UU pageant at my church which is so wonderfully chaotic......I can't wait to see how it turns out. I can't wait to see my folks in WV the day after Christmas. I can't wait for 2010.

Student Philanthropy in Waltham

A philanthropy class at Brandeis lets students choose worthy nonprofits to give money to.

Waltham Tour Guide

This new tour guide feature coming out of google labs is so awesome. You can enter any city (In this case, I entered Waltham, of course) and it will be your tour guide. This tour guide even tells you what to do ON EACH DAY!!! Will virtual tour guides supplant actual ones? Well, since I don't really know of any Waltham tour guides (except that boat tour outfit at the Moody Street dock) other than this lovely blog, this is a good place to start. If you use this Waltham tour guide tool will you give me some feedback? Is it too much for one day? Thanks!