An Aftermath of New Opportunities!!!

Well, the GRE has come and gone.

Sadly, I didn't do as well as I had hoped.

But just like life, whenever one door closes another will open.

Inspiring, no? ;-)

Now, I am happy to announce that my new and improved Big Seven list is ready to be revealed!!!

And the winners are......

Ol' SHC! I could be a Paralegal!

UCMH! Great hands-on training!

Crazy Go Nuts University of Free Country, USA.

C,G,N....U! (Me?)

Mighty UP!

I could do it all from home!

Fightin' EGC! (Hey, it's close to the TRAX Station.)

Big DU-du.

Admissions process? Just open the door!

And the final bottom of the barrel potential grad school to I can apply to...

Brigham Young University!!!

(Yeah, I was pretty surprised too...;-)

In all seriousness....

While my GRE wasn't the best, I'll still be applying to my aforementioned grad programs and hoping that my academic record, letters of rec, personal statements and diverse background can highlight my potential.

Either way, here goes nothing.

GRE Day...

Dead...

Man...

Walking...

Three days and Counting...

Things are getting down to the wire.
I can't wait for this bloody test to be over with!


Actually, I could use the extra study time...

GRE Anxiety....

Man, I hate standardized tests.

The Big Seven...

OK. It's taken a while, but Lisa and I have finally whittled down the massive list of potential grad schools into seven prime candidates for application.

It's was quite the selection process, one that had two separate types of criteria.

On one hand, the hopeful grad schools had to have a great program that suited my study focus (International Relations or Political Geography).

And on the other hand, the places we moved to had to have dynamite autism resources for Vincent. Specifically, dynamite resources that didn't cost a mint. (I'm talking to you, CA and NY.)

Well, the list is in and the applications are going out.
(And yes, Eddie. They've all got great football teams. ;-)

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Big Seven:


The University of Utah: Salt Lake City, UT






The University of North Carolina: Chapel Hill, NC







Texas A&M University: College Station, TX








Ohio State University: Columbus, OH






The University of Georgia: Athens, GA




Princeton University: Princeton, NJ







Georgetown University: Washington, D.C.

Halloween 2008

Halloween 2008 was a lot of fun for our family.
Along with the usual coolness of free candy and fun, Lis and I had the pleasure of getting Amy her first costume.

Sorry. We couldn't resist getting her something cute.

Anyhow, onto the pics!


Our first halloween event was the Shoreline Ridge neighborhood party.
Vince got a chance to show off his new costume and I dressed up just for the stares.

Potter and the Space Man. Sounds like a morning radio show.









Later that week, the whole family went to Vince's school for the annual Halloween Costume Parade.

That was where we showed off our little Amy-bug.









Vince absolutely loved this costume. He'd call her "Butterfly" every time he saw her before giving her a big hug.

We were so proud.











Vincent took this holiday event in his usual style; he grimaced the whole way before falling apart when he couldn't sit with Grandma..
Oh, well.







It all worked out though. Once we got to his classroom, there were plenty of games and snacks to reward the kids. There was even a smoke bubble maker!








Our Amy-bug was the real star.
She made sure everyone got to see her in her ladybug costume.
She was too cute.











As for Vince, I thought he made a great and handsome Harry Potter.
Sure, the gist of his outfit was a little over his head. But his wand made cool "whoosh" sounds when he waved it around. He thought that was neat!










By the end of the party, everybody was tapped out on sugar and fun. We were ready to go home.









We had a great time this Halloween.
Next year, who knows what our costumes will be? ;-)










And just for your viewing pleasure, here's Amy tearing around the school gym...