PROVIDA SUPPORT COMMUNITY

Dear Prospective Students:

It is my honor to inform you that you have been accepted to New Body University. We are delighted to find so many qualified applicants. As a student at NBU, you will find fine living accommodations, experienced advisors, and friends from around the world. But more importantly you’ll be receiving a first rate education. Regardless of your degree track (6WBMO or SMART), you’ll learn all you need to know to make this life style change a permanent one.

We have high academic standards and we expect all our students to attend class (post often), participate in classroom projects and assignments (challenges), and most importantly maintain excellent grade point averages (earn your credits). We also require that our staff attend continuing education classes (stay on plan too) to ensure that we always have the best and the brightest. Each student should have their textbooks (6WBMO black book or SMART workbook) and study it regularly. We want all our students to do their best and set a goal to be listed on the Honor Roll each week.

Your Resident Advisors, dgvalley31 and wheresthecoffee will be here shortly. RUSH week begins May 26th and you will begin earning your credits on that day. On behalf of the faculty and staff of NBU, I welcome you. Please note that an official copy of the Student Handbook is enclosed (see below). 

Student Handbook

As a new student at New Body University, there are a number of rules and guidelines of which you need to be very familiar.

1. Everyone following the 6WBMO, SMART plan, or who is Living Lean is accepted for admission into this University game. If you have any medical modifications (doctor suggested changes to either the food or exercise portion) please report them to your RA via PM.

2. This semester’s schedule begins with enrollment starting May 23rd followed by Move In starting May27th. Students begin to earn credits during RUSH Week which kicks off on June1st. Enrollments will go through the end of Week 4 (June28th). Credits will be earned through July 12th and Final credits are to be reported by students ON July 13th.

3. Conference assignments are made on a regional basis.

4. You will be earning academic credits for following the 6WBMO or SMART plan guidelines (food—7, water—7, accelerated fat loss—5, and body sculpting—2). You will report your credits each week (Sunday through Saturday) by Midnight Central time Monday evenings. Each student should have their textbooks (6WBMO black book or SMART workbook) and study it regularly. We want all our students to do their best and set a goal to be listed on the Honor Roll each week. Those students who earn 100% of possible individual credits (21) each week will be listed on the Provost’s List. Those students who earn 90% (19-20) of individual credits each week will be listed on the Dean’s List. Those students who earn 80% (17-18) of individual credits each week will be listed on the Honorable Mention List. All students who are on the honor roll will add the appropriate icon to their signature. Students who fail to achieve a minimum of 60% (13) of possible individual credits in a week will be sent to Study Hall. Students in Study Hall will be assigned a tutor (someone who has had some success to buddy with) during their study hall period. If they are able to bring their grades back up the following week they will no longer be required to attend Study Hall. If a student is in Study Hall for two consecutive weeks, additional support will be offered.

5. You’ll also be tracking your inch losses as described in your plan. You will report this information with beginning stats, with week 3 stats, and with final stats. Your Resident Advisor will have more information for your regarding this.

6. There will be one thread for each dorm. You are allowed to visit all threads, but attend class (post) only in your own dorm’s thread. You may post all the motivation, encouragement, support, etc. Anything you would like to post that is from any other thread should be done so with full credit to the author via quotes, etc.

7. You are allowed to have excused absences from class but you need to clear it with your Resident Advisor prior to the absence. Your Resident Advisor will go over the details with you in your dorm.

8. In an effort to ensure that all recipes posted are on-plan and that we are providing our students with only the best advice and information we are no longer going to allow students to post recipes in the dorms that have not yet been approved by Provida. Having your recipe approved is a simple process. You can submit it via email it directly to recipes@provida.com. This should be done only by the person who created or discovered the recipe and not forwarded by a dorm chef, RA, or anyone else. Once you’ve had your recipe approved, then you’re welcome to share it with your dorm mates, etc. As always, students are allowed to post recipes they discover in the Recipe Exchange (or post the link to the recipe) but those found in the Makeover America Cookbook are not to be shared online. If you are sharing a recipe from an outside source, please include that source so that proper credit can be given. Even if you have made some minor tweaks to the original recipe, we still need to cite the source. We hope these guidelines will help you and your fellow students get the most from this experience.

to the 
NorthEast Conference
for
Intersession 2009!

What a great time of year to meet new folks. Spring is finally arrived in the Midwest and summer is fast approaching, so let’s put a little spring into our step and start losing this weight.

I am Deb, one of your Resident Advisors. Shirley (wheresthecoffee) will be my Co-Ra. Together we hope to bring you knowledge, excitement and fun over the next 6 weeks. We will provide many opportunities to learn new things about program and yourself through activities or challenges.

Those who are familiar with NBU know the rules. But, for those who need a refresher or are new, please make sure you review the first post in our dorm by the Provost.

Intersession works a bit differently than a regular semester. The main differences are that the posting every 3 days rule is banished, although it is my opinion that you will get more out of the semester if you put more effort in. However, we know that this is a time for vacations and lots of outdoor activities and we don’t want to come between you and those things.

The other is that we will be keeping stats, but there will be no standings from the Student Records Office.

Lastly, it is ICONMANIA in the dorms…we will have lots of icons to give out for lots of things. So get ready!

Now that the official business is taken care of, I guess I should let you all know a little bit more about me, huh? LOL!

I am a stay-at-home mom for two boys, ages 10 and 12 and have been married 141/2 years. We moved to Illinois (Rockford area) in June 2007. We are originally from New Jersey. Yup, a good ‘ole fashioned Joisey Girl is in the house. LOL!

I began on program January 2004 and lost over 40 lbs. We had a few little life-changing events and I went spiraling downwards. I’ve been struggling ever since to get my footing 100% on program.

I am happy to report that my head is finally screwed on correctly and I am into Onederland (again) So, my goal this semester is to keep the rhythm going and , get to be Fit & Fine in 2009!

Now that you’ve gotten to meet Shirley and me, let’s get to meet you all. There will be a welcome survey in the next post that will help us achieve that goal.

If you have any questions along the way, please don’t hesitate to ask. Our PM boxes are always open and you may post them in the dorm as well.

Welcome to the NorthEast News!
(commonly referred to in NBU as "Cheat Sheet")

This is a place that you will find EVERYTHING you need to know during your stay.  Examples are: assignments, icons, stats templates, helpful articles, etc.

This page IS NOW linked to mine and Shirley's signatures.

Please get in the habit of using this page and checking it frequently for updates.

~Dorm Roster~

AmberT~ Crista GTKY
6weekstolife~ Lisa GTKY **MIA**
40lessofme~ Karen GTKY **MIA**
boundtolose~ Rhonda GTKY **MIA**
Bren1970~ Brenda GTKY
Cannottakeitanymore~ Teresa GTKY  **MIA**
Chrissysue~ Chris GTKY **MIA**
Cressida122~ Cress GTKY **MIA**
Crosstovictory~ Kim GTKY
dianalgay~ Diana GTKY   **MIA**
dgvalley31~ Deb (RA) GTKY
dying2Bhealthy~ Tammie GTKY **MIA**
GOH1221~ Shanta GTKY **MIA**
Grandma Ernie~ Ernie GTKY **LOA**
guskers~ Terri GTKY **MIA**
Happycricket~ Vanessa GTKY 
Heidilove~ Kathy M. GTKY
imaaguaholic~ Jamie GTKY
jazzcan~ Chrissy GTKY
jedipulse~ Teresa K. GTKY
Julie0616~ (assigned 6/5)  **No Show**
kabblnd~ Kelly GTKY **MIA**
Laura7495~ Laura GTKY
lilkat~ Kathy GTKY **withdrew** :~(
Lindala~ Lindala GTKY
lmp1165~ LeeAnn GTKY **MIA**
Marg 29~ Linda GTKY
Nicoleness~ Nicole GTKY **withdrew** :~(
nomoreperpetualdieter~ Robyn GTKY
nunda~ Catherine GTKY  **withdrew** :~(
refus2 **No Show**
Rochelle12~ Roshelle GTKY
rym465~ **No Show**
Steam2954~ Fatima GTKY
successfulthistime~ Sam GTKY
Sugarfree Cookie **No Show**
toms bride~ Tiff GTKY
wheresthecoffee~ Shirley (RA) GTKY
wickedowitch~ Maggs GTKY **MIA**
writer4life~ Tracy GTKY **MIA**
wtbh~ Linda GTKY  **withdrew** :~(
xxDianaxx~ Diane GTKY  **MIA**

~Job Assignments~ CLICK HERE for listing

~Stats Templates~

Weekly Stats Information

Beginning Template (due 6/1)~ CLICK HERE

Week One Template (due 6/8)~ CLICK HERE

Week Two Template (due 6/14)~CLICK HERE

Week Three Template (due 6/22)~CLICK HERE

Week Four Template (due 6/29)~ CLICK HERE

Week Five Template (Due 7/6)~CLICK HERE

~Weekly Schedules~

Week One~ June 1st ~ June 7th....CLICK HERE

Week Two~June 8th ~ June 14th...CLICK HERE

Week Three~ June 15th ~ June 21st...CLICK HERE

Week Four~ June 22nd ~ June 28th....CLICK HERE

Week Five~ June 29th ~ July 5th....CLICK HERE

Week Six~ July 6th ~ July 12th....CLICK HERE

~Dorm Assignments~

Get To Know You Survey~ CLICK HERE for Blank Copy 

Weight Loss 101~ CLICK HERE for Details

Wage the War on Water Challenge (June 3rd)~ CLICK HERE for Details

WeekEnd Warrior Challenge (June 5 ~ June 7th)~ CLICK HERE for Details

TAG Assignment~ CLICK HERE for Details
TAG List of Tagged people~CLICK HERE FOR LIST!

Water Bucket Fight (Wed., June 10th)~ CLICK HERE for details

PotLuck & BBQ Assignment (Fri., June 12th)~ CLICK HERE for Details

Cardio Challenge~ Week of June 15th~CLICK HERE for Details

Beach Memory Assignment~ (Tues., June 6th)~CLICK HERE For Details

Word Search Assignment~ (Wed., June 17th)~CLICK HERE for Puzzle

Great American Vacation (Tues., June 23rd)~ CLICK HERE for Details

All Day Hike Challenge (Wed., June 24th)~CLICK HERE for Details

Sandcastle Challenge (Thurs. June 25th~ CLICK HERE for Details

Pool Party Challenge~ (Week of June 29th)~ CLICK HERE for Details

July 4th W/end Warrior Challenge (July 3rd ~July 5th)~ CLICK HERE for Details

~Icons~

HOW TO EARN ICONS

 ~ Get To Know You

~ Weight Loss 101 Plan

~ Beginning Stats On Time

~ Water Wars

 ~ POP 1 Day Summer School W/end Challenge

 ~ POP 2 Days Summer School W/end Challenge

 ~ POP 3 Days Summer School W/end Challenge

~ Perfect Attendance

 ~ Water Bucket Fight

 ~ PotLuck & BBQ

~ Beach Memory Assignment

 ~ NBU Word Search

 ~ Perfect 21

~ Cardio Challenge

 ~ Great American Vacation Challenge

~ All Day Hiking Challenge

~Sand Castle Challenge

Pool Party~

4th of July...3 days POP~

4th of July...2 days POP~

4th of July...1 day POP~

~ Provost List

 ~ Dean's List

 ~ Honorable Mention

 251+ Minutes of Cardio

 201 ~ 250 Minutes of Cardio

 150 ~ 200 Minutes of Cardio

 2 Days of Toning

 1 Day of Toning

~Weekly Awards Ceremonies~

WEEK ONE~ CLICK HERE 

WEEK TWO~ CLICK HERE

WEEK THREE~ CLICK HERE

WEEK FOUR~ CLICK HERE

~Articles~

NBU101~ CLICK HERE!
Measuring AND Measurement Song

~Recipe Links~

CookBook...recipes posted by Tiff.... CLICK HERE

Motivational Moments~CLICK HERE for the posts by Ernie and Chris 

Personal Trainer Tips & Articles~CLICK  HERE for all the posts by Robyn 

Getting to Know You ...ABC style!!

First things first -- What is your Provida Name & what name would you prefer to be called...

A is for your current avitar:
B is for your birthday:
C is for your favorite form of Cardio:
D is for your dears (DHusband, DDaughter, DSon, DSignificantOther, DCat):
E is for an essential item you use each day:
F is for your favorite television show:
G is for your goal for Spring09:
H is for hometown or home state:

I is for instruments played:
J is for your favorite job you've ever had:
K is for the habit you'd like to kick:
L is for how much you'd like to LOSE this semester:
M is for your biggest motivator for losing weight:
N is for number of times you've been in NBU:
O is for your occupation :
P is for people you were with today:
Q is for what you do in quiet times:
R is for the ways you relax:

S is for your state of mind:
T is for your time zone:
U is for what you consider unique:
V is for favorite vegetable:
W is for your worst habit:
X is for x-rays you have had:
Y is for yummy food you ate today:
Z is for zodiac sign:

If you complete this assignment and you can claim this icon...

Come on in !!! Welcome to the Northeast Conference of the Summer Intersession of 2009.

Getting to Know You ...ABC style!!

First things first -- What is your Provida Name & what name would you prefer to be called... wheresthecoffee - preferred to be called Shirley

A is for your current avitar: 45
B is for your birthday: April 1 - that's right, April Fool's Day. lol
C is for your favorite form of Cardio:
D is for your dears (DHusband, DDaughter, DSon, DSignificantOther, DCat): DH. 3 stepchildren, 7 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren
E is for an essential item you use each day: crockpot
F is for your favorite television show: any CSI and NCIS, also like comedies
G is for your goal for Spring09: Stay POP and lose those pounds I gained during break
H is for hometown or home state: Ontario Canada

I is for instruments played: piano, years ago
J is for your favorite job you've ever had: Grandmother
K is for the habit you'd like to kick: Proud that I quit smoking 2 years ago.
L is for how much you'd like to LOSE this semester: about 10 pounds
M is for your biggest motivator for losing weight: DH and my friends at Provida
N is for number of times you've been in NBU: this is # 5
O is for your occupation : stay at home domestic engineer and DH's secretary
P is for people you were with today: Dh and friends at Provida
Q is for what you do in quiet times: music, computer
R is for the ways you relax: computer, read

Northeast Conference Icon Page # 1530

Getting to Know You ...ABC style!!

First things first -- What is your Provida Name & what name would you prefer to be called...

Grandma Ernie / Ernie

A is for your current avitar: 50
B is for your birthday: November 3, 1947
C is for your favorite form of Cardio:Eliptical
D is for your dears (DHusband, DDaughter, DSon, DSignificantOther, DCat): D Husband Paul and 3 D Sons Paul Jr. Tim and James 4 D Grandchildren Josh, Ally. Kelsey and Jenna... 3 Cocker Spaniels Phoebe, Barney and 5 months old Emma and Bob the Cocatiel
E is for an essential item you use each day: My Bible
F is for your favorite television show: Ghost Hunters
G is for your goal for Spring09: My goal is to find a way to stay on a losing way and not flip flop weight wise.
H is for hometown or home state:Millersville, Maryland

I is for instruments played: chopsticks on the piano
J is for your favorite job you've ever had:Manager / Chef for a small restaurant. 
K is for the habit you'd like to kick: bingeing when anxiety hits
L is for how much you'd like to LOSE this semester:20 pounds 
M is for your biggest motivator for losing weight: My health 
N is for number of times you've been in NBU: This is my 4th time
O is for your occupation : Homemaker
P is for people you were with today: My husband
Q is for what you do in quiet times: Read by the fireplace...meditate or pray
R is for the ways you relax:Getting my huband to massage my back or a nice hot bubblebath

S is for your state of mind: not too good right now Family problem with one of my sons. 
T is for your time zone: EST
U is for what you consider unique: my husband and I being married almost 45 years.
V is for favorite vegetable: Spinich
W is for your worst habit: cursing
X is for x-rays you have had: several cat scans
Y is for yummy food you ate today:meatloaf, potato and spinich with vinegar
Z is for zodiac sign:Scorpio

Hi Ernie

It is great to have you in this dorm. Hope you enjoyed the break and are ready to get down to business but also have lots of fun too.

We won't tell Deb that you were in my dorm last semester and we got ourselves in a little bit of trouble with the top brass on more than one occassion. lol

Looking forward to catching up with you on what you have been up to.

Don't forget to find a room, unpack and explore the dorm. I am sure the other dormies will be checking in, in the morning. By the looks of the dorm assignments, we are going to have quite a huge dorm.

Take care.

 Just a quick good morning everyone.  I will check back later today to introduce myself.  Right now I have to get ready for a fairly busy day at work.  Tootles for now, Diana

Getting to Know You ...ABC style!!

First things first -- What is your Provida Name & what name would you prefer to be called...Rochelle12 Call me Roshelle

A is for your current avitar:80 lbs 
B is for your birthday:December 9th
C is for your favorite form of Cardio: Treadmill
D is for your dears (DHusband, DDaughter, DSon,) DSignificantOther, DCat): 2 sons, Zaccheaus and Quinton, 16 and 17
E is for an essential item you use each day:Water
F is for your favorite television show: The Golden Girls
G is for your goal for Spring09: To reach my goals
H is for hometown or home state:Pennsylvania

I is for instruments played: Piano
J is for your favorite job you've ever had: Child Advocate
K is for the habit you'd like to kick:Emotional Eating 
L is for how much you'd like to LOSE this semester: 25 lbs
M is for your biggest motivator for losing weight: My Son's
N is for number of times you've been in NBU:Not Sure
O is for your occupation : Being my own boss
P is for people you were with today: my son's
Q is for what you do in quiet times: relax
R is for the ways you relax:long baths, reading, go for a long walk

S is for your state of mind: Determined
T is for your time zone:EST
U is for what you consider unique: Me
V is for favorite vegetable: Broccoli
W is for your worst habit: Bitting my nails
X is for x-rays you have had: head,neck,breast,back
Y is for yummy food you ate today:flounder
Z is for zodiac sign:Don't believe in signs

If you complete this assignment and you can claim this icon...

Getting to Know You ...ABC style!!

First things first -- What is your Provida Name & what name would you prefer to be called... Successfulthistime1  Call me SAM

A is for your current avitar: 50
B is for your birthday: Dec 29
C is for your favorite form of Cardio: Walking (staying within HR to keep monitor from beeping)
D is for your dears (DHusband, DDaughter, DSon, DSignificantOther, DCat): DH, DDog 
E is for an essential item you use each day: Magic Bullet
F is for your favorite television show: NCIS, Big Bang Theory, Two & Half Men
G is for your goal for Spring09: Onederland
H is for hometown or home state: Pasadena, Maryland

I is for instruments played: I-Pod
J is for your favorite job you've ever had: Substitute Teacher
K is for the habit you'd like to kick: Emotional Eating
L is for how much you'd like to LOSE this semester: 15lbs
M is for your biggest motivator for losing weight: DH
N is for number of times you've been in NBU: First time
O is for your occupation : Communication Design Specialist
P is for people you were with today: DH, Nephew & Phat Chicks
Q is for what you do in quiet times: Art
R is for the ways you relax: Camping

S is for your state of mind: Frustrated
T is for your time zone: Eastern Standard
U is for what you consider unique: Survived a motorcycle accident Oct 19, 2008
V is for favorite vegetable: Nice Fresh Salad
W is for your worst habit: Worrying  about things beyond my control                          X is for x-rays you have had: chest & hand ( I think my hand is going to start glowing from so many x-rays
Y is for yummy food you ate today: Pineapple Upside Down Cake Inside
Z is for zodiac sign: Capricorn

Good morning NorthEasteners!  I'm gonna have to try to think of something catchy....that name is a little long!  LOL!

Anyway, I'm going to get right to work and read up on posts from last night.  You'll find that I am an "early to bed, early to rise" kinda gal.  I will be checking in frequently during the day, so no worries there!

From the roster I can see some familiar faces and some new ones.  Shirley and I love to meet new people!  Those of you who have arrived, WELCOME ABOARD!!  Those of you who are on their way, CAN'T WAIT TO MEET YOU!!

Settle on in and tour the campus.  Let me know if you have any questions.

dgvalley31:

Getting to Know You ...ABC style!!

First things first -- What is your Provida Name & what name would you prefer to be called...  dgvalley31, call me Deb, please.

A is for your current avitar: 20~lbs.
B is for your birthday: April 28th
C is for your favorite form of Cardio: swimming
D is for your dears (DHusband, DDaughter, DSon, DSignificantOther, DCat): Dhubby, Dsons (Stephen will be 12 tomorrow and Adam is 10), DCat (Pepper) and DDog (Rosie)
E is for an essential item you use each day: coffee pot
F is for your favorite television show: Biggest Loser
G is for your goal for Intersession09: Keeping my head on straight and losing more weight.
H is for hometown or home state: I'm a NJ transplanted in Illinois

I is for instruments played:  flute as a kid
J is for your favorite job you've ever had: working in greenhouses
K is for the habit you'd like to kick: food addiction
L is for how much you'd like to LOSE this semester: 10 pounds
M is for your biggest motivator for losing weight: Being healthier for my "men"
N is for number of times you've been in NBU: too many to count.  LOL! 
O is for your occupation : Domestic Diva
P is for people you were with today: Sons and hubby
Q is for what you do in quiet times: crossword puzzles, gardening, relaxing
R is for the ways you relax: see above

S is for your state of mind: determined
T is for your time zone: Central
U is for what you consider unique:
V is for favorite vegetable: mushrooms
W is for your worst habit: sweets
X is for x-rays you have had: elbows (broke both), knee (dislocated twice)
Y is for yummy food you ate today: coffee so far
Z is for zodiac sign: Taurus

If you complete this assignment and you can claim this icon...

 

Getting to Know You ...ABC style!!

What is your Provida Name:  AmberT

What name would you prefer to be called:  Cris

A is for your current avitar: On My Way
B is for your birthday: April 21

C is for your favorite form of Cardio: Elliptical Machine, Walking
D is for your dears (DHusband, DDaughter, DSon, DSignificantOther, DCat): DH, 2 Wonderful Dogs- 1 Yorkie (Chewbacca) and 1 Lhasa Apso (Kenobi)
E is for an essential item you use each day: My Espresso Machine
F is for your favorite television show: Lost, Grey's Anatomy, True Blood, Dexter (Batterstar Galactica used to be one but it's all over now )
G is for your goal for Spring09: Get some structure back into my diet, actually start working out again and lose some weight- any amount would be great!
H is for hometown or home state: Connecticut

I is for instruments played: flute, when I was a kid
J is for your favorite job you've ever had: Jewelry Designer- so much fun!!!
K is for the habit you'd like to kick: Um, don't know I have any, unless eating too much counts
L is for how much you'd like to LOSE this semester: Any amount will make me happy, but 10 pounds would be great
M is for your biggest motivator for losing weight: Hopefully all of you
N is for number of times you've been in NBU: 495   LOL- I have no idea but I've been back so many times since I first joined in 2003
O is for your occupation : Jewelry Designer by night and weekends and Project Manager by day
P is for people you were with today: DH, Kenobi & Chewy
Q is for what you do in quiet times: Quiet times?  What are those?  I make jewelry every second that I am not at work, plus I take pics of jewelry, list it on Etsy, update my store facebook page and blog- it's all about the jewelry
R is for the ways you relax: see answer above - occasionally I watch TV while making jewelry

Cris

Ernie~ Welcome to the NorthEast conference!  UH~OH, I'm a little worried that Shirley was your mentor last time.  LOL!  She's quite the troublemaker with the Provost.  HEHEHEHE!  I seem to remember some poolboys from the last Intersession.  Whatever you did, it seems to be working...look at that 50~lb. avatar!  Awesome!   

Looks like you are all settled into your room already.  WOW, great hottub. 

We'll certainly help you reach that goal of 20 lbs. this semester.  You're gonna have to do the hard work and we'll cheer you on!  Okay?

Roshelle~ Welcome!  I haven't seen you in a while, but looks like you are doing great....80 lb. avatar!  Wonderful!  I know I've had you in a group before, but not sure if it was NBU or an off~campus thread.  Regardless, it's good to "see" you again!

Which part of Pennsylvaina are you from?  I lived in Lititz for about 5 years.  Beautiful country out there.

25 lbs. is an ambitious goal, but with your determined attitude and your successes already, I am sure you will reach it.  With your hard work and our motivation, you'll be fine!

I used to watch Golden Girls all the time.  Now I catch re~runs every once in a while.  Sophia was my fave.  LOL!

Come on in and get settled.  If you have any questions, let us know!

Sam~ Welcome to NBU and NorthEast Conference!  Being a newbie can get overwhelming, but rest assured Shirley and I are here to help you through the next 6 weeks.  If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Onederland and 15lbs. is a great goal!  You're doing well so far with 55 lbs. gone for good!

I watch Two and a Half men as well.  My hubby and I love it.  We like Big Bang Theory too.  Funny stuff.  LOL! 

WOW, a motorcycle accident is quite the thing to survive.  Do you still ride?  Just curious.  My hubby took up riding a few years back.  Scares me to death when he goes out.  Personally, I'm a big chicken and won't go.  

Here's to a great first semester for you!  Shirley and I will make sure it's a memorable one.