Letters from Dr. Gose

  1995

REUNION: APRIL 19--21,1996. BE THERE, BE SQUARE.

READTHISFIRST!!! You must act by December 3lst for this potentially sweet travel deal! Bank of America is offering a special flight coupon that includes European Travel. If you sign up for a Bank of America checking account, or if you are already with Bank of America, get someone else to sign up, you can get a coupon for 50% off a companion fare. I suspect this is a deal that will be hard to beat. Even if you were planning to come to the reunion alone, you might get another Heidelbergcr to go with you and split the value of the coupon. The phone number to call is (800) 678-BOFA. If you need a "referral" contact me and I can do the first five from my account, THE KEY IS THAT YOU MUST ACT BY DEC. 3 I st TO HAVE THE OPTION COME APRIL. Think about it ...

If you have e-mail, write me at mgose@pepperdine.edu and I will send you my directory of e-mail addresses I have for other Heidelbergers ...

Pre-Christmas, bah humbug, kind of remarks before I try to get into my happy holiday--be of good cheer mood to write my yearly Christmas letter to you: Ever since we were in Heidelberg together I have, I must admit it, thought of any other group of Heidelbergcrs as pseudo-heidelbergers. What can I say? I hear others talk about what a great experience they had in Heidelberg, and I feel really, really glad for them, but I also sort of shake my head, somewhat unwillingly, and think if they'd only been with the real group ... And we are the first group to plan a ten year reunion! Of course we'd be. But I want to alert you that there are copycats starting to show up. The group before us had a ten year reunion, but it was in California. The group two years after us is apparently planning a reunion in Heidelberg. Fine, they won't be the first, and they'll still be pseudo. But it is raising my competitive juices a little. Surely we will have more of us show up in Germany than some other group could muster in California. Surely the groups that follow us, as always, will have to live up to your example. Think about it....

So, finally, the Christmas letter:

DEAR HEIDELBERGERS,

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! Ho, ho, ho! Can you believe how fast ten years has eclipsed? The Reunion is upon us. Tentative plans for our weekend together include a Friday night dinner either in the house or at the restaurant currently used by the HD program and Saturday night dinner at the Zum Ritter. Probably Friday night we will watch at least part of the video Steve did for us. Saturday night perhaps a reprisal of our talent show? Word has it Steve and Brett have a suite reserved in the Zum Ritter for a certain amount of post dinner celebration as well. Herr Daugherty, director of the HD Program now, has indicated he'd like a modest fee of $30 a person for the weekend to cover utilities, linens, cleaning. I think that seems most reasonable.

Just over twenty have already said they plan to go (not including spouses). Eric thinks there will be thirty from our original group. Kristy says everyone who counts will be there. This is probably an appropriate time in this epistle to say--WHEN WE GET THERE BE NICE TO THE SPOUSES AND KIDS! I know I don't really need to mention this to you, the true Heidelbergers, but I was amused, whether I should have been or not, by what Herbert Luft recently told me. He went to the reunion mentioned above that was held in California and ended up sitting on the sidelines with the spouses. Herbert reported that the spouses all described it as "disgusting," how the pseudo (my word) Heidelbergers got together all the time and ignored everyone else. My take on this is that the best way of truly catching up with you old friends is finding out about their new significant others. Think about it...

And the Lord said, go forth and multiply. Well you took your time about that command, but it is starting to happen. My count was that Midori's wedding pushed the percentage to more married than single. This Christmas letter I intend to recognize our kids. Janet is the proud mom of a little girl this year, Annie. Shannon delivered Brady Tate September 13th. Jonathan had a little girl, Madeline Rose, May 29th, 1995. Midori welcomed Matthew Christopher into the world August 3rd. Zoila's Matthew Gerald is now a year and a half. Becky and Russ' Kaley turns one this month. Caroline now has a girl and boy, Cole and Jordan. Debbie's Alexa is now two and a half. If I remember correctly, and I apologize if I've forgotten, but I think Janille's little girl is named Nancy, and I look forward to Janille's update as well as Dena's about Carina. Danielle's daughter Camille now has a brother, Timothy Gerald, born June 11, 1995. Stephanie's Connor is over two years of age now. Kim Lambert graced us with a little girl, Micah Lynne, on June 14th, who I trust will join Luke as a great co-ed double play combination. Michaelann is ahead of the pack with Brock, Thomas, Augustine. and a fourth due any time. And she will be at the reunion with our newest family member. Kowanda is expecting a little girl to join brothers Derrick and Douglas. Don and Kimberly are expecting a double bonus in January, twins, to join Jordan. Is it true Brad already has Hannah playing basketball? Despite rumors to the contrary, Paul named his son Zachary not Ito. Carrie's Jenna expects to be joined by a sister about the time we are reuniting in HD. David's Alyssa and Christopher will have the unbelievable advantage of being fluent in Chinese. But will Todd's Emily and Daniel be fluent in Southern?

There's also been a few more marriages. Kim Cabe married Kevin (and the Goses were delighted to attend a reception that included the best music we've ever heard at a reception). Tanja married a well known television and screen star best known for his work on Star Trek ... just kidding ... Think about it ... Jeff Gillett married Shelley Meyer this past January 7th. Mark's getting married to Michelle this January, and we hope to go to the northern California wedding. Paige married Steve Shull. Cara married Michael Saldajeno (and Janice and Creedance give thumbs up to the Santa Barbara Mission as an ideal wedding site). And, this is for real, although having just tried to fool you about Tanja, you may be skeptical, but I am telling the truth here, Nicole married Tim Young this fall.

Sundry other notes in this abbreviated Christmas letter (come to Heidelberg if you want the real scoops): Carlos is having fabulous success with his film endeavors. Kim Austin-Ellis is teaching 5th grade in Bremerton, Washington, where I went to eighth grade. Instead of going back to work with my long time friend, Michael McDerniit, Janet elected to stay home with Annie, can you imagine? I am surprised that we still have crime given Shannon's work as an investigator, but if she retires as planned, and Shannon and Sheldon get their wish and take an overseas assignment, we will all have to tread our streets more carefully. Jonathan and Camille have moved back to southern California, but we still don't see nearly enough of them. (And I still think Jon should be a college teacher.) Kathy Bristol continues to work in Russia (and wrote a very nice and fairly long letter to us recently, hint, hint, hint) in which she mentioned all that Tim Young had done for her in D.C. to head her in that direction. Midori and Bill have moved to Texas with Midori working for Sicola Martin, which is apparently an enlightened company because Midori can do much of her work at home via computer. Kim Cabe is planning to go to Claremont to get her teaching credential, which obviously warms my heart. Tanja is finishing at UCSB and teaching Business courses at Pepperdine. Char has gone to Boston to work on an advanced nursing degree (and, unfortunately has some horrific stories about the evil in the world that shows up in trauma wards). Debbie has moved from sixth grade to first grade and earned her Master's in early childhood. Monica and Jesus are now teaching in the same district. Carolyn is pursuing her Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering at the University of Colorado. Brett's, among other things, importing that inexpensive apple drink that was otherwise contraban in HD. Danielle writes a sweet note about the birth of Timothy, but that the new responsibility may prevent her from coming to the reunion?? Kevin and Michelle continue to thrive in their work in Austria. Mark does such a good impression of the guy in the beer commercial who says "I love you man..." that it was all I could do to contain myself when the priest at Carla's wedding asked us to greet each other with the love of God and Mark greeted me with that impression. (I don't think you had to be there to picture this one.) Stephanie's moved to Connecticut (where is that on a map?) but promises it is not forever. Erin is now working with the University of Chicago in the office of International Education. Cindy is working on her Ph.D. in Special Education. Brian is still working on an advanced degree in nursing (and my understanding is that he plans to bring Rhonda with him to the reunion). I believe that Connie and Rick have started a new Church, but contrary to what you may have heard, it is not called The Church of What's Happening Now. Kim continues to work with Let's Start Talking. Patrick is a legend in Pasadena and is diligently looking into doctoral programs (including at my alma mater). I understand Michaelann plans to visit the pope before coming on over to see us in HD. I think which will be the greater thrill is an easy call on this one ... Think about it ... Steve Nicks continues to direct Pepperdine's European NMA (and be of great assistance in planning the reunion). I believe Diana (Frig) is working now with Pacific Computer Systems. Scriv continues to be Scriv. Maz continues to be Maz. It is not true that they starred together in Dumb and Dumber, that was two other guys who stole their act from Scriv and Maz. Did Jan Strand finish Law School? It's a delight to work with Karin on a daily basis in Humanities. Our prayers are with Don and Kim as Kim has had to be in the hospital during the latter stages of her pregnancy. Brad's parents tell me Brad loves the coaching and teaching in Colorado. Julie continues to DA in Arizona. I repeat Paul is not, not responsible for the OJ verdict. Carrie's parents live two doors from us, so we are blessed to see her semi-regularly. The older I get the more incredulous I am at the commitment of the Wilsons to China. (When I get their letters, for example, I immediately go visit my refrigerator and thank God for luxury ... Think about it.) Jennifer and Eric thought about going to San Francisco, but ended up staying in New Jersey where Jennifer teaches 3rd grade and Eric continues to reach out trying to touch someone ... for AT&T. Eric tells me it is hard to get ahold of Tim because he's buying more houses, not because he's in a witness protection plan? Dane got left off the mailing list and he claims to share my amazement that Pepperdine lost track of him, but I continue to suspect that our favorite computer hacker took himself out of the alumni computer file to stave off the flow of financial requests following him the Germany. I have tried to include everyone in one of the listings above but continue to wonder whether Jon Rankin was really with us in HD, or it was a hologram that could sing. A Christine Butler keeps showing up in the Pepperdine print out as one of us, but I am fairly confident that I have not gone so ga-ga as to have forgotten the existence of such a person. I haven't heard anything about Audrey, or Shayne, or Tom, or Cristina, or Jeanne this year. I always worry I've overlooked someone and if I have, my apologies. Our thinking has been that after the holiday season will be the time we are all more intent about the plans for the reunion. We will work out more details after the first of the year. But the dates are set: April 19-2 1. And if the travel coupon mentioned at the top of this letter is something that will help you with the travel expense, do act before December 31st for that benefit from Bank of American and United Airlines. Wishing you the very best for the holiday season, or as the Chambers Brothers said in their album of the same title, "Love, Peace, and Happiness, and you can have it all" (but only if you come to the reunion-think about it).

THE GOSES


Dear Heidelbergers:

Our Reunion is now less than a year away! April 19-21st, 1996! You gotta/must/have to come! Why?

1. It'll give you an uncanny sense of how long ten years is.

2. You will remember this reunion forever.

3. It's a relatively affordable life time grand experience.

4. You'll see me.

5. It will be one of the rare 'planned' great moments in life.

6. You will reaffirm your youth as well as your connection to others.

7. It's a time of year in Heidelberg you've previously missed.

8. Gose has been working for nine year to get the Moorehaus.

9. You want to meet the "mates in law" of your HD siblings.

10. You'd always regret not having gone.

11. One more walk on the Hauptstrasse.

12. One more trip to the Castle.

13. You can see for yourself whether Mark shows up on time.

14. You can see whether they are still serving Winterkillers.

15. It's a chance in a lifetime.

16. You can see how tall Creedance is. (She will have graduated from high school before the reunion--think about that as a time marker...

17. You can buy Lindt chocolates (and Cuban cigars).

18. You can wonder how you used to get by on so little sleep.

19. You can see if Tim Maz can remember his lines from the Heidelberg shuffle.

20. We can count how many kids we have all had to date.

21. Gose will haunt you after he dies if you don't go.

22. It's be beyond fun.

23. You may discover the meaning of life.

24. You can travel at the excellent Spring travel rates.

25. You will never be that age (or this age) again.

26. Why not?

27. See how everyone has aged.

28. Plan for your kids to return with the Goses in 2016.

29. Climb the killer stairs.

30. See if the Burgfreiheit is still serving peas in their spaghetti.

31. Walk up Philosopher's Way.

32. Drink cafe creme at Cafe Seven.

33. Reunite with friends.

34. See who gets their clothes washed AND dried first.

35. See if Patrick has figured out where the wind goes.

36. see if Carlos will make you a film star.

37. See who has retained the most basketball talent.

38. Keep Cara out of a car for a week.

39. See if Tanja brings her Teddy Bear.

40. See what Jeff does about the shoe store now that he is an attorney.

41. Eat brochen and nutella.

42. Drink as much orange juice as you want.

43. Revisit scenes of the crimes.

44. Gose has predicted one more HD wedding--make it happen?

45. Try to find John Rankin.

46. See if Kathy Bristow's still a commie.

47. Stay in your old room--first semester sleeps with second semester?

48. Watch our video from Video Steve.

49. Participate in a reprisal "talent" show.

50. Shop at Horton's.

51. Spaghetti at Fritz'?

52. Relive one of your classic experiences?

53. See you old profs. (Did you know Bruno recently married?)

54. sleep under a dekke (sp?).

55. See what Shannon's wearing these days.

56. Catch up on everyone.

57. See if Sting's in town.

58. One more chance to go to the opera.

59. Overnighter to Munich?

60. Ride in a Mercedes taxi.

61. Boat on the Nekar?

62. Take a picture on the Old Bridge.

63. Relive your past; plan your future.

64. See Dane, but my advice is don't let him drive you anywhere

65. Be with the truly "in" group.

66. Some part of you nine years ago hoped to do this next year.

67. Be featured in "Pepperdine People".

68. It will not be the same without you.

With what wisdom I may have acquired in my forty-eight years I want, finally, to emphasize that this is a reasonably rational irrational thing to do. The March 10, 1995, USA Today featured a Bonus Section "Destination Travel" that featured an article, "Whirlwind to Europe--Bargain Weekends". The authc- concluded that such a trip was most appropriate for the "return visitor, who can explore an aspect of the city in more depth,." The grand total of the author's trip was $833.65 including meals. The Pepperdine travel agent told me that she expects she could put a week's package together including air and five nights hotel (and two in the Moorehaus) for around $1000. Many of you are at a place in your careers where $1000 seems like a lot of money, but if you borrowed it on one of the credit card offers you receive weekly in the mail, you could pay the trip off at $50 a month in about 24 months. Yes,'this is an extravagance, but one that virtually all of us can manage. (And remember most of us will receive yearly raises that will make this seem like a very small amount of money for the emotional payoff when you get to be my age.) Just say "Yes" and do it! Other rules that apply: 1) My rule of "least regret". You are much more likely to regret not going than going. 2) In your twenties you should still be paying more for experiences than possessions. 3) When confronted with two good choices, take the more adventurous one. 4) Support the people who have supported you. Eric predicts we will have 33 of us there. I guarantee we will have over twenty and if we can get a snowball effect, we might even beat Eric's prediction. Finally finally I have the strongest sense that we can achieve what they have referred to often on The Star Trek Enterprise as the "slingshot effect." I truly believe that this time together will create a new momentum for each of us in facing the next phases of our lives. And in conclusion to my finally finally I add a clipping from Pepperdine People about an earlier reunion that I hope pertains. Meanwhile, plan to be there April 19-21, 1996!

Best regards,

Gose

P.S. I will follow up this letter with a new directory of names, addresses, phone numbers to make it easier to contact each other to make all of this hugely successful.


Clipping from Pepperdine People:

Many students, faculty, staff, and friends have climbed the stairs to Moore Haus over the past 30 years, and all have special memories that will last a lifetime. On the 25th anniversayr of the Heidelberg program, Dr. White and several people from that first group had a reunion. Read at that gathering was an article written by Frank wiswell in which he put into words the feelings of many students who share the heidelberg experience.

He wrote:

I know I would not be where I am, what I am, or who I am had it not been for Heidelberg...my Heidelberg experience made a difference, a life-wrenching difference.

First, there was the bonding. Heidelberg introduced me to that phenomenon before it became an everyday word. The psychological bonding I underwent...still makes a difference today in the company that I keep, the friends I have, the loving I do-or don't do. I am still bound to those classmates and professors, separated as we are by time and distance. When I am with any of them today (and I do not find it strange how often or how many of them appear again and again in my life, in such diverse places as Saigon, Bremen, Abilene, Washington, D.C., and Heidelberg itself, despite that time and distance), it is as if nothing has intervened; we continue conversations begun years ago in Golden Rose study sessions or Saturday bus trips...The bond has softened with time, but it is not broken.

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