Justin is Off to College!!

My oldest son Justin, decided at the end of high school, that he wanted to go to college and become a heavy equipment mechanic. We researched two colleges in our area, Centennial College in Toronto, and Sir Sandford Fleming College in Lindsay. Justin decided that he wanted to attend Fleming, as their program looked better, and was designed by Tormont Caterpillar. Caroline and I talked him in applying at both, thus increasing his chances of being accepted. A short time later, Justin received a call from Centennial, asking him to attend an interview. My wife and son made the 1.5 hour drive for the interview that only lasted 10 minutes. A few months later, a letter from Centennial arrived. The letter explained that the Heavy Equipment course was full, but they would be pleased to offer him a position in the Heavy Equipment Operators course. This was not what Justin wanted, so he declined the offer. A few weeks later, another letter from Centennial arrived, this time they were offering him the course he wanted. As he had five or six weeks before he had to confirm, he decided to wait to see if he would hear from Fleming. A few weeks later, a letter from Fleming arrived. Carline checked on line, and confirmed that he had been accepted. We then went out and bought a cake and some small toy construction vehicles to place on top. When Justin arrived home from work, we surprised him with a pizza dinner, the cake, and the acceptance letter. Justin is off to college!

The program at Sir Sandford Fleming starts in January 2008, and runs until December 2008. The program includes a paid summer co-op period as well. After graduation from the program, Justin will be ready to assume an apprenticeship with an employer.

We just returned from a visit t the college in Lindsay where we met with some of the instructors. We also had the chance to talk to a former student. He told Justin about the many prospects that await him.

The Accident (Number 2)

Well, it happened again -It was mid-August and I had just started my new job. I was at work when I got the call from my wife. My eldest son was it by a car while at work! For those who have not read the post "A Parent's Worse Nightmare", this is the second time in a few months that he has been involved in an accident involving a car. Justin works at a local oil change franchise, and on this day, was working upstairs. They had just finished working on a Jeep, and Justin was standing in front of the vehicle, waiting for the driver to start it up so he could guide him out of the shop. The driver, an older man, jumped in, started the Jeep, and revved the engine. Unfortunately, the Jeep was a standard, and when he revved it up, it jumped forward, hitting Justin and knocking him down. The bumper caught him on the knee, and it started swelling right away. Justin was unable to walk or put weight on it, so his boss called 911. While in the ambulance, Justin called Caroline to let her know what happened, and to have her meet him at the hospital. Before she left, Caroline called me to let me know. Justin was sent for x-rays, and fortunately his injuries were limited to a sprained knee. Three days later, he saw the doctor and was cleared to return to work. The whole family is hoping that this ends his run in with cars!