itt Lit‘ret The separation is bittersweet. 5570 Monroe Street • Sylvania, OH • 419-824-2514 Stephanie Steinberg T2T Intern Sheldon Stern JeSSiea Stern SIP Mani lby to the bronze winning Detroit Slue! to a super player and a star coach. We love You Marla, tsitoni, Erica, Sett Oanny e - 1 Sus TUESDAYS `'-••excludes sweet sivttepS.-- fatly tuna and d . „.sec urchin j ~ VS E—i1 Your new Japanese/Korean Restaurant right in the neighborhood. 1 5% off Total Food Bill Dine-in or Carry-Out (with this ad) Expires 9.4.09 A re you excited for college? That's the question of the month. Relatives, friends and random people I meet who find out I am about to start my first year at the University of Michigan all want to know if I am ready and excited to fly the coop. So am I? You bet! I have been wait- ing 18 years for this day to come. I don't have a class earlier than 10 a.m. I can eat whatever I want — no one can say no to ice cream for breakfast. And having no classes on Friday is a dream come true. But as move-in day approaches, the thought of actually living on my own is starting to sink in. Dad will not be there to remake my bed when I have a restless night of sleep and my bedspread, pillows and sheets end up on the floor the next morning. Mom will not be there to replenish the fridge when it's empty or to take me on random shopping sprees — with her paying. My 9-year-old sister will not be there slipping notes and colorful drawings of the two of us under my bedroom door. There will be no grandfather clock sounding every hour and bonging every 15 minutes announcing the time, no Picasso — my pet parrot that imitates my laugh — and no dogs greeting me when I come back to my dorm room. There will be no privacy nor the luxury of having my own room. Now I will be forced to share my space and be conscientious of where I throw my clothes as my roommate will most likely not appreciate my T-shirts and jeans strewn over her chair or bed. Thoughts nagged at my mind as the Best Buy salesman sold me my micro- wave, as I picked out my pink-striped sheets at Target and as my football tickets arrived first class in the mail. Therefore, when the cashier at Target saw my new dorm supplies and asked if I'm excited for college, I couldn't help but hesitate before responding. People keep telling me college will be the "best time of my life' And I'm sure it will be. But that doesn't mean I won't miss my family, pets and friends going to different schools. So, for all of you who keep asking that pestering question, here's my answer: No, I am not excited to kiss my family and friends goodbye, but I am looking forward to the new free- doms, experiences and opportunities I am about to encounter. ❑ Stephanie Steinberg, 18, is a freshman at the University of Michigan. Not valid with any other otters Including $1 Sushi Tuesday. Lunc and Daily Specials • Catering • Gift Certificates Available 33214 W. 14 Mile Rd. at Farmington Rd., West Bloomfield (next to Sposita's Restaurant) Phone 248-737-4188 • Fax: 248-737-7844 HOURS: Mon.-Sat:11am - lOpm Closed Sundays Tackling Friendship Worries. Suzi Epstein Special to the Jewish News Full Bar Open Daily team-9pm • Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner Children's Menu Available Q Dine-In Carry-out Catering for your every occasion 10-500 people -Free Delivery omemade Cooking Award-winning Chef Large selection of Vegetarian Cuisine Maher Shakarna Owner-former Chef Anita's Kitchen Farmington Hills only r — I Buy I Lunch 'Get 2nd 60% OFF1 I Luncheon Menu II am-4 pm • Dine-In Only Expires 10/11/08 Special P es for Pharmaceutical Reps. Buy 1 'Get 2nd 1Dinner 60% 0 OFF ,Dinner Menu 4 pm-Close • Dine-1n Only Expires 10/11/08 IN NMI l ■ IMM 27847 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington Hills • 248-553-8100 ion. B2 August 28 • 2008 : I will be starting third grade. My two best friends went to a different camp than I did, so we did not get to spend very much time together. Now I am worried that when school starts, they will still be best friends, and there will be no room for me. What should I do? A: Ask mom to help you set up separate play dates with each of your friends before school starts. Spend some time sharing camp experiences and enjoying each other's company. Talk with your friend about what it will be like when school starts. How will this year be different? What expe- riences can you look forward to? Make plans to spend time together during lunch and recess. Talk about clubs or extracurricular activities you can join. Do this with both of girls individu- ally, then set up a play date for the three of you. Friendship between three is often more difficult, so remember that any friendship worth having is worth the effort. ❑ Suzi Epstein of West Bloomfield Is a longtime elementary counselor In the Birmingham Schools. She also has a private practice. Send questions to SuzlEpstein@gmall.com .