It all started off rather innocently enough in early March. Even though I had applications out to several UCs, I was looking a stark period of depression right in the face. The job hunt was fruitless. 4 or 5 resumes sent out a day, scattered interviews. Then I finally landed one, and they paid me a good deal more than I asked for. Yippee! Two years of full time housekeeping over.
A few weeks ago, on the way home from work, I got into a car wreck. I mean, I flipped the damn car. It’s totaled. It was at a low speed (damn 1920s Style “Death Roads”) but the window was open and my hand flopped out onto the pavement. Casualties: one broken pinky (the only thing even approaching a serious injury), a small fracture where my wedding set smashed into the base of my finger (the set is mangled and had to be cut off, but a new setting for the diamond and a little reshaping and it’ll be fine), oodles of vascular damage and the clasp of my Seiko. Oh, and the car, which had 200k miles on it. It was also a gift. Happily, I’ve written it off without too much care.
I had to go see an ortho, and I was a little worried about the hand. He ordered more XRays, took one look at them and said “no surgery, no cast, no splint, no bandages and no sling”. I’m two weeks out and while a little stiff and sore, it’s getting better every day. Plus, I’ve got a really neat bruise in the center of my palm. I call it my lazy stigmata. I still can’t make a fist but I’m getting closer every day.
The same day I found out that my hand would be OK without surgery, I got something I’ve worked really hard for: an acceptance letter to UCLA. Finally! I’ll be getting my BA when I’m 27, but it’s better late than never. A few days after UCLA wrote me, Berkeley accepted me also. I’m going to go to UCLA - I just don’t fancy only seeing The Highwayman once a month. Still, I’m pretty stoked. I dropped out of high school in the ninth grade, so this is a huge accomplishment for me. I can’t believe I’m in a position in my life to tell Berkeley “no”! I mean, it’s Berkeley!
Truly mundane and pointless, but I needed to share. I’ve had a weird (but very happy) two months.
Wow, congratulations, Sausage Creature. Talk about a left-handed gift from the gods.
Your name makes me smile.
The ER doc told me I should play the Lotto. I told him I’d rather sell rubs on my head for five smackers!
Linty Fresh, thanks 
Your name cracks me up, too. Although now my hand actually resembles my username now (stupid road rash).
Oh, it’s time to do the happy dance, the happy dance, the happy dance,
It’s time to do the happy dance for The Sausage Creature, beloved of the Ogs.
All Dopers!
Follow with Happy Dancing!
She was also accepted at UC Santa Barbara and UC Irvine. She’s a little too modest to share that, but since I’m her mom, I’m sure not! 
Yay!
My God, it’s a whole family of Dopers. We’re breeding!!
Well done with the university acceptances!
Yeah, I’m so modest that I’ll add that the director of the Classics department at UCI wrote me personally to encourage me to attend. 
Quartz, thanks much. They were a long time coming.
How cool is that?
Starting a few years later than most will be easier for you, because you’re a bit older, wiser, and know what you want. (I did the same thing.)
Congrats!
[sub]But are you sure you want UCLA over Berkeley?[/sub]
Marge, my husband goes to law school in downtown LA, and while going to the #2 Classics department in the country is tempting, having sex less than once a month really isn’t. We’re a joined at the hip sort of couple, so while I think we could manage, I wouldn’t really want to try unless it were the only option. I actually applied to Cal as a backup to UCLA (I know, I know) since I had a past history with UCLA (I got in and couldn’t go, and was afraid they’d hold it against me). But I got in anyhow, even though I got a scary call from the undergrad admissions office grilling me about 2004. Besides, I was born in LA county. I’m too intense for those folks up north. 
I’m framing the letter from Cal, though. I’m immensely proud of myself.
I agree with your sentiments about being older and wiser. While I feel like I missed out on some things, I know that going to UCLA isn’t something I’m going to take for granted. I actually can’t wait for summer to be over.
Congratulations!
That’s wonderful news about your acceptance to the UC Schools, Sausage Creature, especuially after the HS-dropping-out step. Very inspiring! Am I right in thinking you’ve been attending Community College, and are just going to UC to finish up? If so, chalk up another success story for the California CC system. I’ve been very impressed by how that works to allow students with an “alternative career path” (or just insufficient funds for four years at a UC) to end up with a top-flight degree. I think it’s a good model for other public education systems to follow – particularly if it were to be funded adequately!
[Good news on the hand situation, too. I suppose it would have been better still if the wreck hadn’t happened at all, but it’s nice to know that you won’t need surgery.]
Antonius Block, yep, did the CC thing. The Highwayman, my husband, has much the same story to tell, except he took the intermediate step of finishing his diploma at adult school (he dropped out in his junior year of HS). He was also accepted to Cal, but attended UCLA on a full ride. He finished his BA in '04 at age 32 and is now at a top tier law school. To say that I admire my husband greatly is an understatement.
I have only the highest praise for the California junior college system. And a lot of the professors that helped us along the way, particularly one outstanding history prof (I’ve mentioned him on the boards before) who has really been a great help to the both of us. A very supportive and knowledgeable bunch at our particular CC. Yeah, that’s right, I’m plugging a junior college system!
I also share an eerie coincedence with none other than James Dean, another UCLA transfer student. His date of birth was Feb 8th, 1931. I was born 50 years exactly later :eek: Fortunately when I did a road trip through Paso Robles on the motorcycle over last New Year’s, I didn’t die. Pretty neat though, no?
Looks to me as though that admiration should go both ways, SC. That’s an impressive pair of stories: you’re the Poster Couple for the California Community College system! I’m sure that the mutual sacrifice and support has contributed greatly to the success of you both.
[complete hijack]
I know that the SDMB has several members who are couples, plus parent/child and sibling pairs. Is there any “SDMB family” with three members, other than Cheez _Whia, The Sausage Creature, and The Highwayman?
I know there’s Bomb Bay Doors, born to Doper parents, but he’s a special case since he was only allowed to make that one post until he reaches SDMB-legal age.
[/complete hijack]
There’s also No Screen Name For Now, who happens to be my very best friend (practically my sister) in Colorado. I don’t think she’s posted for a while, but she had a very amusing thread on Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Pit quite a while back.
Oh I totally missed the whole point of the question! Sorry I’ve had a few G & Ts. I’m sure there’s a few more Doper Families of 3+ about.
Yay for Sausage Creature! You should have a sausage party or something.
You are both lucky and talented, it looks like. Congratulations, Sausage Creature.
It just got better. Better?
Berkeley just offered her a full ride,and she’s turning it down! :eek: :eek:
Just because The Highwayman goes to Loyola Law. (I can’t blame her for not wanting to be away from her hubby, really.)
'Scuse me, I have to lie down before my head asplodes.