<p>Just returned today from (1) dropping D off at Pomona on the 21st and (2) continuing on to visit family in the Philippines (our first vacation sans kids). Relative to the weather in Boston, the temp in Claremont was a lot hotter (90s) but less humid. On the other hand, nothing can prepare you for the heat, humidity, and poor air quality in Manila. It’s good to be home.</p>
<p>Move-in day at Pomona was chaotic. There were two lines–one for ID/room key and another for check-in for orientation adventure. Thanks to the suggestions posted on CC, H stood in the ID line (much slower) while D went through the other line and then moved to the ID line. I stayed with bags outside the dorm and read a book until we could get into the room. After moving in the luggage (thankfully a first-floor room), H and I picked up the five boxes we had shipped out earlier (H thoughtfully parked the rented minivan next to the building housing boxes), but we ran into some roadblocks–parking lot was on the opposite side of the building from the room where the boxes were stored, there were stairs and no elevator available, and dollies were scarce. Parent orientation in the afternoon (while first-years did their own orientation) was informative and well laid-out including a map that showed where all the buildings were located, but there were little lapses, e.g., parents were assigned to Q&A sessions based on the color of their schedules, but no one had mentioned that. From 5 to 5:30, we re-joined our D in her room, set up her computer, and said good-bye. After spending the night at a Pomona hotel, we departed for the Philippines the next day (out of LAX).</p>
<p>What was most welcome when we returned home was a voicemail message from D wanting to let us know how happy she was and what she was doing. That definitely has to be one of the best feelings–having a child who’s enjoying his/her college experience! For H and me, it’s noticeably quieter in our empty nest, but e-mails from S (who’s working in England for two months) and D keep us involved in what they’re doing.</p>
The day before classes started, we got a text message from him telling us how excited he was to be there and how much he appreciates all we do so that we can go there. Made us feel good!</p>