Gratuitous Hottiness!

Thanks Frances. That's very much the way I visualized it from the book. The old architecture of Italy is so unique and beautiful. Wish I could go visit, but it will be awhile before I can afford a long trip.

What a beautiful web site,Frances! So enjoyed looking at it. My dreams will be full of Italy tonight!

Oh, Oh!! Frances has 2 beds available. :idea: I wonder if the airlines will let me pay for my ticket in buttons. But just in case, I will start buying lottery tickets. The first 2 weeks in May is my birthday. Much rather be in Italy than putting up with all the "Oh, so you're 50" jokes!! ;angry:

An idea is that you can let your friends know that you decided that this year your birthday should be different from any other birthday and you decided that any present that they would have given you for your birthday should be replaced by contributions towards a trip to Europe that they can pay at a travel agency. If you have many friends or your friends are generous, you could find out that a trip to Italy is cheaper than you thought. :wink: I've seen this done for weddings, but why not start a new tradition for birthdays.

In actual fact, this is what I've done for my 50th this year - all contributions to my US trip gratefully received! :wink: Friends and family think its a great idea. I have said for years I want to be in New York on my 50th birthday and now we just have to find somewhere swanky to eat out on that day. We're thinking of the revolving restaurant The View - anyone been there? Hey, Marian! Fellow fifties! What a fortunate year 1959 was! :cool:

Actually, there are people who don't like the idea of giving a trip as a wedding or birthday gift because they prefer to give something tangible that remains for a long time, but I think a trip is an excellent gift, if that's what those receiving it really wish and there is nothing tangible that they need around when they got married or have birthday.

I think contributing to a desired trip is a wonderful idea as a gift. My sibs and I paid for the gas on my parents' trip down to Southern California as a Christmas gift. Previous to that, they considered not going. At this stage in their lives, they don't need or want decorative items or sporty things, etc. So, it was the perfect solution. That sounds like a great spot, Stevie. I haven't been to New York in twenty-five years so I wouldn't know where to go there. Back then, I ate at a German restaurant called Luchow's because my Mom had a cookbook from there. Evidently, at one time it was a hangout for the Theater crowd including Marlene Dietrich and Judy Garland. Most important is to find someplace fun and memorable.

Hey, Marian! Fellow fifties! What a fortunate year 1959 was! :cool: It was :clap: I was born May 11th. My Uncle Bill (Dad's brother) bought me a record to celebrate my birth month as the record had been released in the same month I was born. It is by Johnny Cymbal and is a double A side - Sacred Lover's Vow/ Mr Bass Man. He said I needed something 'modern' to listen to as my Dad was a musician in the Army and loves classical stuff. :lol: As for family & friends giving donations to a holiday trip instead of presents - won't work! The current economic situation has nothing to do with it. Apparently, I'm not supposed to have dreams and expectations that are different than thiers and this includes tertiary study :blink: Sorry, not happy. Just learnt, I failed Statistics - again :no no but it's not all bad. The lecturer is teaching last years lectures AND I found $7.00 in my back jeans pocket. How the $2 coin is still their I don't know. i dont even remember putting money in that pocket :applaud:

I'm sorry to hear you failed statistics, Marian, but I'm positive you will succeed next time you take that exam. Though the chance to see New Moon filming made a trip to Italy more attractive, Tuscany will still be there when you complete tertiary education, so you can try to have your family and friends giving donations to a holiday trip as a present for your graduation next year and perhaps the end of the economic crisis will be in sight by then.

Sorry to hear about your Statistics class, Marian. I wish you luck on completing it the next time. Can you get a tutor to help you with the areas you are having trouble with?

I think the idea of giving a birthday trip is fabulous. And the MEMORIES,aren't they a form of tangible-ness??!! You betcha'-----Some of the very best memories I've got come from places I've visited while making memories on a vacation! ------------------------------Marian, Statistics has got to be one of the HARDEST subjects in the world! Don't give up on it,okay? The end-goal in sight will be worth it all one day-------and NOBODY can take it away from you! You gooooo,Girl!! :thumbs up :happydance:

I was just grateful that my degree did not require Statistics or I don't know what I would have done. Hang in there, Marian.

I was just grateful that my degree did not require Statistics or I don't know what I would have done. I'm grateful, too, that my degree did not require statistics (or any other subject were numbers have a place :wink: ). I prefer not to imagine how many time I would have had to take Statics before passing it.

I'm sorry to hear you failed statistics, Marian, but I'm positive you will succeed next time you take that exam. Though the chance to see New Moon filming made a trip to Italy more attractive, Tuscany will still be there when you complete tertiary education, so you can try to have your family and friends giving donations to a holiday trip as a present for your graduation next year and perhaps the end of the economic crisis will be in sight by then. Yes, you are right. At least all my academic advisors are lamenting with me!! :blink: 9 points. I failed by 9 points. Edit: Yes, I am having a tutor this semester, and the lecturer is making himself available, esp when trying to input data into SPSS in order to get the information needed to complete my assignments. This is where I tripped up last year as I didnt know how to work SPSS and the tutors were mildly overworked. Thanks for all your warm wishes. I am going to post a joke in the joke thread. When I can find the joke thread. :blink:

Commiserations, Marian, but you have the right attitude to succeed next time :hug What kind of job are you hoping for when you're qualified?

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