Craziest thing you've done to manage 'The Waiting Game?'

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USANavy

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Feb 24, 2015
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Reading through just about every post on every Forum, I am amused to read the ways that we are all dealing with 'The Waiting Game'. From stalking the mailman, to calling MOC offices, and shredding junk mail. And I love to read the scoldings from the Members and Moderators about how nobody really has the answers regarding how long we have to wait, so we should stop making assumptions. But...to pass some more time, please share the craziest thing that you've done to pass the time. Me? I have printed out a colored map of PA with all of the Congressional Districts marked off and every time somebody from PA posts on the 2019 Appointment Thread, I put a tic in their District. Oh, I'm not proud. And I am quite certain that this serves no purpose, and yes I do realize that more DS/DD from one District can get a BFE. But it humors me, it makes me feel like I am doing something while I wait, and somehow it gives me a sense of control. What are you doing??
 
USANavy said:
Reading through just about every post on every Forum, I am amused to read the ways that we are all dealing with 'The Waiting Game'. From stalking the mailman, to calling MOC offices, and shredding junk mail. And I love to read the scoldings from the Members and Moderators about how nobody really has the answers regarding how long we have to wait, so we should stop making assumptions. But...to pass some more time, please share the craziest thing that you've done to pass the time. Me? I have printed out a colored map of PA with all of the Congressional Districts marked off and every time somebody from PA posts on the 2019 Appointment Thread, I put a tic in their District. Oh, I'm not proud. And I am quite certain that this serves no purpose, and yes I do realize that more DS/DD from one District can get a BFE. But it humors me, it makes me feel like I am doing something while I wait, and somehow it gives me a sense of control. What are you doing??
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I know this wont be the most popular thing to do but I'm trying to get DS focused on Plan B! We talk about dorm assignments, roommates, ROTC programs, athletic events (He will be cheering for FSU if a TWE comes) and thinking about cheering for a division one team is very exciting for all of us! Truth is, if he gets a BFE, he will have a path that he has completely embraced dissolve right before his eyes. IMO, that is the safest place he could be, mentally. As excited as he about the possibility of becoming a USNA midshipmen, FSU has accepted him with open arms. He said last night that he feels like FSU has said, "we want you, please, come to our school!" Where as USNA is saying, "We are measuring you and will eventually let you know if you have been found wanting." There's something to be said about those Plan B schools standing there with open arms, welcoming you in. Don't take them for granted. They reviewed you and said, "YES" first! :angel:
 
93Sir said:
There's something to be said about those Plan B schools standing there with open arms, welcoming you in. Don't take them for granted. They reviewed you and said, "YES" first! :angel:
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Definitely. While of course it is awesome to get accepted to a SA, plan B schools really do feel more welcoming. At least that's how I feel at my private school.
 
I love this post! I am glad I am not the only parent going crazy waiting! I haven't seen very many posts yet from Ohio so just keep checking the forums and driving my family and coworkers nuts!
 
USANavy said:
and every time somebody from PA posts on the 2019 Appointment Thread, I put a tic in their District
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USANavy, may I ask what PA district you're in? I'm in 8th. Hey, maybe we're neighbors! haha :)

To answer your question, though, the craziest thing I have done is, well, maybe not so crazy compared to what others have done: I call home at lunchtime every day (our mail comes at 11:40 sharp and I'm too anxious to wait until after school) and ask my grandparents if I received any mail. So far, their response has always been a heavy sigh, followed by "Not today. Maybe tomorrow." On Saturday mornings, I do my homework at the dining room table so I can see the mailbox, and when the mailman comes to deliver our mail, I run outside, grab it from him, smile, and say "Thanks!" But still, no BFE yet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
 
I was one of the fortunate ones. I got my USNA BFE early. :) But I am still waiting to hear from the USAFA before I make my decision, so I'm on pins and needles right now. My favorite "waiting coping mechanism" is cuing up the USAFA portal on my phone and typing in my login info so all I have to do to check my status each morning is press "submit". :D
 
Angie9715 said:
USANavy said:
and every time somebody from PA posts on the 2019 Appointment Thread, I put a tic in their District
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USANavy, may I ask what PA district you're in? I'm in 8th. Hey, maybe we're neighbors! haha :)

To answer your question, though, the craziest thing I have done is, well, maybe not so crazy compared to what others have done: I call home at lunchtime every day (our mail comes at 11:40 sharp and I'm too anxious to wait until after school) and ask my grandparents if I received any mail. So far, their response has always been a heavy sigh, followed by "Not today. Maybe tomorrow." On Saturday mornings, I do my homework at the dining room table so I can see the mailbox, and when the mailman comes to deliver our mail, I run outside, grab it from him, smile, and say "Thanks!" But still, no BFE yet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
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We are in District 4. I'll keep an eye out for your BFE announcement! I look forward to checking off District 8 for you! (I feel like this is the Hunger Games!) And I like your daily routine! I haven't taken to stalking the mailman yet, as I keep thinking that my DS will get a call from his MOC before anything is mailed. But...maybe not? I have read about 101 ways to stalk the mailman/mailbox on these Forums, so maybe I'll have to add some to my repertoire!
 
I'm at the New Mexico Military Institute and our mail room lady knows me by face and name. She has photographic memory but has also been keeping an eye out for me and if I walk down and see her, she'll tell me if anythings come for me. I know it's pointless, but I do that about 5 times a day... It's just perfectly located at the center of everything, I feel like anything could have changed at a moments notice!
 
I also keep my phone on my desk during class and jump anytime I get a phone call! I got a wrong number from the right area code last night that had me pacing till they answered and apologized..
 
Hopeful_midshipman said:
I also keep my phone on my desk during class and jump anytime I get a phone call! I got a wrong number from the right area code last night that had me pacing till they answered and apologized..
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I know what you mean. A while ago I got a phone call from the 202 area (Washington DC) and I was excited when I saw the area code. I forget what it was for but it wasn't anything exciting
 
DawnRain said:
I scour this forum!!! Which both convinces me all is well, and that all hope is lost simultaneously!!!
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I second DawnRain's coping strategy. I have been a forum stalker for 4 years. When outsiders say they understand how the wait this Sr. year has been hard, they don't understand that it has been four year wait! Thanks everybody for being a support/friend and "getting it!"
 
It's March 1st and I'm beginning to freak, realizing that April is right around the corner! :eek3: I'm not highly religious but I've taken to praying for good news every night. Also, in a last ditch effort, I even threw a heads up penny into a wishing fountain last night. Yikes! I'll be diligently stalking that mailbox in the coming weeks, as I'm sure you guys will be doing too. Good luck to everyone!
 
usnahopeful19, I think we're in the same boat! (haha, no pun intended) The fact that it's March 1st and I haven't heard anything from USNA yet is scaring me. I contacted my MOC's office and the person there who deals with the Academies said she'd contact me if/when she hears anything. Just keeping my fingers crossed until then!!!
 
Wellll...last year I got the TWE on March 22nd. Haven't heard anything back yet, but I do know that another applicant from my area got the BFE recently. Imagine how nervous that makes me, knowing that someone else already heard back. :rolleyes:
 
I received my nomination in late December but I am still waiting for my BFE. Years ago my sister received her BFE to USAFA the first week of March so I'm still hopeful but if it doesn't come this week I might just lose it. There are only 2 posters of the Appointment forum from Illinois so hopefully I'm still in the fight.
 
Just learned my mid year grades were sent wrong and I haven't even been looked at for these past few boards! Ugh!!!
 
It's maddening, isn't it? I play all nonchalant and can manage a couple days with the attitude, "well, if it happens, that would be awesome, if not, my DS has a solid Plan B. It's all good". And then, from nowhere, a weak moment hits me with this insane thought process: "Well it's March, that's not good. People get the TWE's in March. But they also get their BFE's. What do those stand for anyway? So he should have had a call from his MOC by now. But since he hasn't, then he must be going into the National pool. So then we won't get a call from the MOC if he goes to the national pool. So I should switch teams from those that jump at a phone call to the Mailbox Stalking Group. Those Mailbox Stalkers are crazy. I'm crazy now too. But apparently a BFE won't fit in the mailbox. So I need to become a Porch Checker. Ugh...the Appointment thread is slowly growing. Is there a pattern? Are they getting calls on a certain day of the week? Do the BFEs arrive on a certain day of the week? Is that more snow on the way, will the mailman be delayed?" And on and on. And god help the person who casually asks what my son is doing after graduation. How would I even answer that right now? Hang in there everybody...time to head out for a ski weekend..away from the ills of the mailbox!
 
USANavy said:
It's maddening, isn't it? I play all nonchalant and can manage a couple days with the attitude, "well, if it happens, that would be awesome, if not, my DS has a solid Plan B. It's all good". And then, from nowhere, a weak moment hits me with this insane thought process: "Well it's March, that's not good. People get the TWE's in March. But they also get their BFE's. What do those stand for anyway? So he should have had a call from his MOC by now. But since he hasn't, then he must be going into the National pool. So then we won't get a call from the MOC if he goes to the national pool. So I should switch teams from those that jump at a phone call to the Mailbox Stalking Group. Those Mailbox Stalkers are crazy. I'm crazy now too. But apparently a BFE won't fit in the mailbox. So I need to become a Porch Checker. Ugh...the Appointment thread is slowly growing. Is there a pattern? Are they getting calls on a certain day of the week? Do the BFEs arrive on a certain day of the week? Is that more snow on the way, will the mailman be delayed?" And on and on. And god help the person who casually asks what my son is doing after graduation. How would I even answer that right now? Hang in there everybody...time to head out for a ski weekend..away from the ills of the mailbox!
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I am cracking up. Thank you for posting my thoughts exactly! Good luck. Maybe I should join you skiing!
 
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