kidsmoke Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 So my 20-yr-old, Tom, has been working like a dog at both a job and a grueling academic schedule, with a neuroscience major. His classes this quarter were psychology, statistics, Biology, and Organic Chemistry. The Bio has a separate 3-hr. lab each week, and the Chem has a separate 4-hr. lab each week. Between these classes and his job, Tom has spent the quarter (UC's are on the quarter system....moves fast! ) pretty stressed and always somewhat sleep deprived. Poor kiddo. Anyway, finals were this week, and although he had pulled some very respectable midterm grades, he was still really worried and didn't feel he'd studied enough, and spent last week cramming and falling asleep, exhausted, over his books and notes. Organic Chemistry was the class he was most concerned about, as well as the Biology. He studied until he needed to prop his eyelids open with toothpicks. He couldn't sit down without falling asleep! Thank God, his last final was today. I'm sure he'll sleep like the dead tonight. He feels ok about his finals....the Bio and Psych haven't posted grades yet, but he got an A in Statistics. Yesterday he got the excellent news that he had done well on his Chem final, and had an A in that class also. But it took tonight's news to bring him to his current state of giddy, still sleep-deprived, happy stunned-ness. He was bored and poking around on the computer, and noticed a message in his webmail he hadn't expected, from his Chem professor. Here's what it said: Tom You did extremely well and ended up with one the very best score of the class. Every year I offer to 2 or 3 of the best students to join my research group to do undergraduate research, and so far most of them have been highly successful. If you wish to do so, just contact me. Good luck for your future Best ok that's enough outta me. Tom hasn't stopped glowing and grinning all night. I should add that this was a class of over 400 students, so he really outdid himself. The prof is no slouch, either....he's a very highly regarded Frenchman whose credentials read: "Membre de l'Institut de FranceUCR-CNRS Joint Research Chemistry Laboratory (UMR 2957)Department of ChemistryUniversity of California" All around, very, very cool. Tom's worried that he may not be able to fit research in, around next quarter's classes and work, but he's definitely going to pursue this if at all possible. And what an ego boost, to even be asked! Did I mention that studies show that male children get their brains from their mothers? This at least accounts for where some of mine have gone. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Queen Amaranthine Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 Wow, way to go, Tom! Did I mention that studies show that male children get their brains from their mothers? This at least accounts for where some of mine have gone. Oh my, that explains so much around my house, especially the part about my brain being partially gone these days. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gogo Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 Yay Tom! That's definitely brag-worthy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Twisted Acres Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 attaboy Tom! Your extended VC family is very very proud of you! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
froggie Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 congrats! > Organic Chemistry ouch... always never understood that so i moved into analytical Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bjorn_skurj Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 Werd. Nicely done. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mountain bed Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 Congratulations Tom! VC salutes you man. I don't want to put the fear of God into you, but can adulthood be far off? I have a feeling though that your future will be a bright one! All the best. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yermom Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 WTG!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
socbret Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 That sounds pretty incredible. To tell you the truth reading that was kind of a kick in the rear for me, I turned 20 a few days ago and I have been a bit stagnating in transfer-land for the past 2 years. Thanks for sharing, you should be very very proud Quote Link to post Share on other sites
baab Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 All are making the joy jumps for you! It is in your power! Believe! Remember brain boost from the raw herring! It has fierce effect! For final extra vitality boost of the special blood rush (if stomach button flash of the Lady Agnetha does not have sufficiency), Lady Agnetha make the little wink to you. My friends, we all know effect of this, no? Much strength and vigourous nature! All in your village will notice! Maybe better if you wear the loose fit trousers for next day or two. It is the Swedish way! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
M. (hristine Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 ^ What baab said! Congrats to Tom and the kidsmoke family! The hard work that Tom does is the tip of the iceburg of how the kidsmoke family works together. Tom: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 Good to know there's a Tom out there who isn't a shiftless layabout. Nicely done! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
j4lackey Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 Wow, that is fantastic! Big congrats to you and Tom, Donna! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pocahontas Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 I would say this is brag worthy, wow congrats to Tom and you too Mom. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
awatt Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 Organic Chemistry usually kills the premed students here. Great news, Tom. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wendy Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 There should be some celebrating in the Kidsmoke household tonight! Congrats Tom! (and mom !!! ) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Edie Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 Wow Donna -- I'm so happy for him, and for YOU! I am sure that you had a lot to do with it!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Basil II Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 Bravo!! And well deserved ! -Robert. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
OOO Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 I have a ton of pals who are Bio majors who had to go through Organic Chemistry (Or Orgo, as the cool people called it), and it pretty much kicked all of their asses. To do extremely well in it is really something special! Congrats! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
virtualreason Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 Coming from a 20 year old who has taken O Chem, and escaped with a B, I know how he feels. Good for him, and as a mom you should be incredibly proud. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Calexico Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 Congrats all around! When Tom is making the big bucks he can hire Wilco to play for his Ma in the backyard! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tongue-tied lightning Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 that's some GREAT news Tom. Hard work pays off sometimes in dis life. hey mom, yer one smart cookie ! hugs all round Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Clouds of Fluff Posted March 24, 2007 Share Posted March 24, 2007 Aww, congrats Tom!! Well done. Donna, you know how to grow 'em...hope you guys enjoy a little well-deserved family celebration (and hope Tom gets some well-deserved sleep to help replenish all those big brain cells in time for next quarter). (Donna, I'm always quick to point out that mom to son smartness link when the boy does something intelligent...and then...well other times I keep that information to myself Just kidding. Mostly. I always 'fess up to the mom to son love link though. [/mushy stuff] ) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pillowy star Posted March 25, 2007 Share Posted March 25, 2007 Wow Tom!! That's truly awesome, you're doing your best to make your Mom proud! Congratulations Donna and Tom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HotelArizona Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 Thank you so much, all of you.....I am, of course, still astounded myself. Chem wasn't one of my better subjects for at least the first couple quarters of g-chem (don't tell my o-chem professor!), and to be doing well in it is really a wonderful feeling. And to be doing that good, well, I find myself wondering if they sent it to the wrong guy. I sent him an email back discussing my fears of not being able to do it this coming quarter (since I just got done giving away all my remaining time to my new job), and he told me to just come in and we'll discuss things. So cool. And of course, mom gets credit for being the one who pushed me so hard all the times I thought I might want to give up. Thank you. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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