Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be.....Walk-ins!

Anyone who has been my friend for any length of time, either on Facebook or "for real", is well aware of the term "walk-ins" and what it means in my world. For the few souls who have escaped my kvetching - I work as an undergraduate advisor for a major university and, while I usually see students on an appointment basis, ocassionally we have "walk-in days" to accommodate "emergencies" and/or the chronically underprepared. That Latter part of that sentence is largely redundant. And, as a wise woman once said, there are no EMERGENCIES in higher education. But I digress.

As we are fast approaching the start of the semester, our five-day walk-in period started today bright and early at 8:30am. (Actually I am guessing more like 7:45am for some, as we had a line all the way through the computer lab from our front door when we came in)

Now, I distinctly recall only a few years ago being adamantly required to register my son for soccer by August 1st or risk him missing the entire Fall season, NO EXCEPTIONS. So it makes me CRAZY when my students wait until late August to register for classes. This is your EDUCATION, people!!! Registration for Fall opens in mid-March! With a few tiny exceptions, everyone should be able to register. Tuition is not due until August. Save your spots!!

But no, every year we have a parade of students who sit forlornly for hours in our lobby. Some bring parents, some have small children in tow, many have the nerve to have attitude about the length of their wait. Today was no exception.

Some of my favorite examples:

*My very first student of the day, returning to school after a few years. She was a talker. Talk talk talk. Told me her story endlessly, talked through my questions to her for clarification. Talked through my answers to HER questions. Told me all about her need to pursue Psychology because she has been told she is "an excellent listener who really helps people." Did I mention she was a CLOSE talker? When looking at her registration on the computer, she leaned so far over her nose was less than a foot from my cleavage. Honey, you're going to have to by me dinner first next time.

*Sisters who argued with each other throughout 95% of their time in my office. One sister was already a Junior while the other was an incoming Freshman. The Frosh did not attend Orientation because Sis told her she didn't need to and she would help her register. The problem? Junior sister is a Business major and Frosh sister is Pre-Med. Only one of the courses she scheduled could be salvaged. Their 5% moment of total unity? When I dared suggest that, in the future, the girls seek advice from actual advisors. Apparently I was unappreciative of Junior's obvious um, talents and knowledge. "She was just trying to help and she has done just fine and she's only seen an advisor once." I sneaked a peek - I couldn't help it. The "talented" one is carrying a 2.17 gpa.

*The incoming transfer student who was admitted in April and has met with an advisor not once, but twice and is STILL NOT REGISTERED! Allegedly that is a lot of pressure to commit.

*Numerous, NUMEROUS students who applied and were admitted since August 20th. It frustrates me to no end that we allow it in the first place. But really people? Take a little responsibility here. You want full college services in ten days or less? Oh yes, and classes that work for YOUR schedule. Um, did I mention? Soccer - August 1st - for ten year olds!!!!

I could go on and on. As a matter of fact, I just might. But it will have to continue another time. I have to rest up for Day 2. It only gets more desperate from here.....

The Cake was the Boss

Soooooo......the next time you hear me say bake without "ry" at the end of it - QUICK - distract me! Break out the wine, bring up some good gossip, just gently lead me away from the kitchen. It is definitely time for an intervention.

I'm not a bad cook. I'm not inspired and effortless like my mom and sister, but I can churn out a decent family meal and occasionally the "PTO cookbook worthy" appetizer or salad.

Baking is a different story. Why oh why did I not listen to my mother last night when she responded to my enthusiasm for baking a cake from scratch with the observation that Costco makes excellent red velvet cakes??? Not only does this woman know all things food, she has a pretty good beat on me, having known me for some 42 years!

How bad is it, you might ask. Really Kim, what could possibly go so wrong? Well, it started with red velvet cake. And I mean so red I felt like I was channeling my inner Twilight. Truly, it looked a little scary.

Then against all of my self-knowledge, I started "multitasking" - finishing up the cake while making cookie dough and prepping the cream cheese frosting all the while putting away staples like flour and sugar. Which explains why I emptied the flour bag into the sugar bin. ARGH!

I also should have paid attention to the multiple times my 15 year old dropped into the kitchen and then walked back out shaking her head and giggling.

Thankfully I was nearing the end of what I planned to accomplish when my finger got caught in the mixer. And it's probably testament to my baking induced insanity that my first thought was "I'll be pissed if I'm bleeding in the white cream cheese frosting - why couldn't it be the cake batter.". (FYI - I wasn't bleeding). My remedy was to brew a cup of tea and lick the icing bowl and spatula until my finger stopped throbbing.

Surprisingly, I think the results may actually be more than just edible. In the meantime, that's an entire Monday evening I can never get back.