<p>[caption id="attachment_970" align="alignleft" width="221" caption="&quot;Sparky&quot; aka Creepiest College Mascot in the Nation "]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu.gif"><img class="size-medium wp-image-970" title="asu" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/asu-221x300.gif" alt="" width="221" height="300" /></a>[/caption]</p>
<p>It seems like just yesterday when I moved to The Dating Desert for my first lead teaching position in a Montessori classroom.  I welcomed 30 3-6 year-olds to the world of education, and now those same 3 year-olds are freshmen in college. </p>
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<p>Eeeekkkk!!! </p>
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<p>This revelation propels me into mid-life angst faster than you can sing "Itsy Bitsy Spider".  Where has the time gone???</p>
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<p>To continue with this weird time haze theme, I thought it would be a kick to visit one of these 3-now-18 year-olds in college.  I was invited by Kim (aka Kimeee) and not by the 3-now-18 year-old who, now that I think of it, must have been absolutely mortified by the thought of her mom and former preschool teacher crashing her new digs but was too sweet to say anything. </p>
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<p>Kimeee and I arrived for dinner at Arizona State University, home of the Sun Devils and a reputation as one of the largest party schools in the nation. </p>
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<p>Let me establish right away that Kimeee and I were here for the organic dinner catered by Singh Farms at the Honors College cafeteria, not a frat party.  You might remember from my old blog that <strong><a href="http://latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com/2009/09/cougar-mania-makes-me-want-to-yak_20.html">the whole cougar craze makes me want to yak</a></strong>.  In fact, when Kimeee pointed out the shirtless volleyball players directly outside Lauren's dorm room window, it felt creepy to even look.  They looked soooo young and soooo scrawny!!!  Granted, these were smart boys who spend more time lifting books then weights, but still.  It's refreshing to realize that I am only attracted to men 35 and up. </p>
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<p><strong>Important and shameless sidenote:</strong>  Yes, we are all very proud of Lauren's acceptance into the Honors College at ASU, and it is common knowledge that her brilliance stems from her most formative preschool years and the woman who taught her how to read.  This combined with her stellar maternal gene pool shoots her into the stratosphere of braniac-ness. </p>
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<p>As we walked through campus, memories of my college days flooded back to me.  I remembered what it was like to be immersed in that stage of life, where everything is filled with hope, possibility and promise.  I experienced a strange mixture of sadness and elation. </p>
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<p>It seems that with each passing decade, life tries to stomp that wide-eyed enthusiasm out of us.  Loss, failure, betrayal, and a host of other ugly life events create obstacles for happiness.  The wide-eyed enthusiasm in no longer a given.  It's a choice.  Some days the choice is easy, and some days we have to trick ourselves into believing it.  The darkest and scariest days are when we completely forget about the choice.  But the choice is always there. </p>
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<p>Bunough with the waxing philosophical crapola.  The choice on Day 20 was crystal clear.  The buzz and excitement of college and a fresh new start was contagious. </p>
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<p>Forget about my concerns for Lauren's feelings, I was mortified for her when I realized that Kimeee and I were the ONLY adults over the age of 22 in sight.  I'm not sure why I never anticipated that.  We were in a college cafeteria on a Monday night.   Helloooooo???</p>
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<p>I tried to look as unobtrusive as possible, but I couldn't help feeling like a big dork.  I quietly pulled Lauren aside and apologized profusely for destroying her campus mojo.  How embarrassing!  Lauren was typically gracious.  Kimeee was completely unfazed, as any empty nester would be.    </p>
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<p>The food was surprisingly good.  I ordered the pizza because I wanted this experience to be as authentic as possible.  I applaud their vast menu, including the organic vegetarian gluten-free stir fry, but I was in college, and I needed college food, dammit! </p>
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<p>The veggie pizza was non-greasy, healthy and delish.  I am telling you -- this is not your typical college cafeteria experience.  These brainchildren need optimal brain food! </p>
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<p>To cleanse my palate after the meal, I ordered cappuccino gelato. </p>
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<p>Luckily, there is no need to worry about the freshman 15 this time around. </p>
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