Fran is attending the opera and wants a violin...

I know I just posted, but I couldn't resist this new development!
Fran is going through a pretty profound change of life, a turning point born of disillusionment and several "aHA" moments piled on top of each other. You know how that goes, right?

By the time I confided in her my opinion (today) that college education provides no more than 30% of a total education, she already understood. Despairing of the limited horizons and interests of her younger college friends (she is almost 24, most of them are about 19), she has suddenly got up the courage / is desperate enough to foray out into the world solo to attend events that interest her. As I write this, she is at a live, 3-hour OPERA for the second evening in a row!

She also announced (not for the first time) that she wants a violin! She's mentioned a violin about 12 times, and a guitar about twice. It is a skill she wants to develop, and I think it would lead to good places in her life.  She is very disciplined, and goes a bit nuts when there is nothing to do...

So if you happen to have a used violin in the attic...

No more Braces!

Fran's braces are gone!  Here is the beautiful result!

Dear Reader,

The marvelous changes in Fran's life continue to unfold! After a little after two years, her friend Luis, the dentist, finally said it was time to remove her braces and replace them with clear plastic molds to keep her teeth in place for about a year.  Otherwise, he says, they will migrate.

She is now wrapping up a summer school class in Micro Botanic biology, and after a 2-week break will begin her 3rd year!  Her term of study will take more than 4 years because, as you will remember, she changed her major from Computer Science to Agronomy at the beginning of last year.

She told me recently that she will have no health coverage when she reaches her 24th birthday (coming up!) and that concerned me.  For the short period of time that she was eligible, she has taken full advantage, getting up to date on her vaccinations, blood tests, and the limited physical examinations they provide here.  But if something should happen. an accident or serious illness, I have no reserves to pay for her hospital bills or medicine.

I wanted to consult with you about the best way to provide for Fran in this way -- possibly a separate health savings account, or an expression of willingness to help should such a situation arise.

Fran is young and changing! Because of the garrulity of her "boss," the dentist Luis, and the totality of her observations and experience, she is really blossoming into an enthusiastic, socially competent and engaging personality.  Some of you have already seen this, but it continues to develop.  For instance I have been sick with Montezuma's revenge for at least a week (I think the antibiotics finally knocked it out today) and so when our new roomer arrived from Japan, Fran completely stepped in as minister of information.  She gave her the tour, explaining every detail of what she (her name is Kyoko) needed to know to be comfortable here, took her to the market the next day, and continues to answer her questions.

You are not here to witness this continuing miracle, and I should do better to inform you.  I think I say that every blog entry!  I wish I had the power to give Fran everything she needs for her future, but the fact is I don't.  And that is why I am so grateful that you are out there, faithfully supporting this deserving young woman.

All my love and kind regards,

Lorena