Thanks @sseamom I’m doing better! Nights are harder than days I think. We just finished our community service project of picking up trash around Troy. Now I’m chilling in front of the fan before taking a writing assessment. The math I have to take is for education majors only
@dbjs70 - S has 2 u-locks. H bought him a more expensive bike than he should have. The wheels are quick release so he has to lock everything. I’m thinking of switching out the second u-lock for one of the really thick cables that can go through the other u-lock. I’m paranoid his bike will get stolen so I want him to keep the big thick u-lock at least. I hear you on the research - most secure and ease of use don’t go hand in hand.
Glad you are feeling better today, @readingclaygirl! Each day will be a little better than the last. I think the first two weeks of college are a real adjustment period.
Father God I want to thank you for:
- Allowing my sweet girl to check in a day early to avoid having 6 young ladies and twelve parents in the room at the same time,
- Bed, Bath and Beyond selling me 20 of the large bags which allowed us to double bag all of her things…evidently when you move in early you can not use one of the 300 carts I can see locked behind the glass door,
- For the security guard who took pity on us and unlocked the door in secret to allow us to use a cart,
- For our daughter being in the TWO section of her Thurston six because…the original understanding of the room setup was a 3-2-1 meaning the young lady who thought she would have a “1” all by herself will have to sleep standing up (just kidding…the room is more of a 4-2),
- For finding a parking space right in from of the dorm to unload and leave the car there (GW blocked off all of the parking meters around the dorms for the weekend),
- Everyone was up and Adam at 5:30am this morning with no complaints,
- The GWorld Card office was Jonny on the spot and handled a lot of people (we were #5 in line and
- I haven’t cried yet but the day is long…
@sseamom I recommend cake decorating as a PT job. 
Glad everything is going well! I’m making some friends including a girl from Afghanistan
@HappyFace2018 For future reference I highly advise using the Waze App on your phone for driving around the DC area. The cool thing about WAZE is that it redirects you based on traffic conditions which is invaluable in this area. I’m glad the move in went well and I know your daughter is going to love it.
Wow! Saw Air Force One helicopters landing on the White House lawn!!
DS just received an email he got another $1600 scholarship! Yay! <:-P
@bookmom7 nice! Didn’t school already start?
Yes- a little late but, the excess he will use for housing + next year!
@mugglemom, check your state government website, too. When I searched I found that our state had a really good one that covered all the major items, and some we decided to skip for now. We would have medical POA and HIPPAA(is that the one that gives the doctors permission to share medical information in emergency if DS is not able too? that’s what the form included). The form was free, recognized by the state, and we just had to have 2 witnesses sign it so I called a neighbor and she and her husband signed it along with DS. I sent one copy in DS’s medical kit and kept one version scanned on our computer and in my email account for emergencies - I hope never to access it again!
DS16 moved in yesterday morning at 7:30…the school system for moving everyone in definitely is efficient, and we had a swarm of older students carry all of DS’s crates, boxes, backpacks, and sports gear up to his room while he checked in for his orientation tag. By the time I got back from parking in the other lot, he and DH had started opening the crates/boxes and his roommate arrived soon after. They seemed to hit it off well, and he and his family are very friendly. We had to make an emergency run to his new bank because his ATM card wasn’t working - he didn’t seem phased but I was panicked if he needed cash at some point since we’re not close by. DS ran into an old camp friend while we were shopping at the nearby Walmart, and they made plans to meet up that evening. Then he suggested that DH and I grab lunch while he met up with his orientation group. A quick regroup for a few minutes with his roommate after the Opening events and Class of 2020 photo, and he was ready for us to leave :).
I managed to not cry in front of him, in part because I got it out of my system watching another family with several younger siblings say a very tearful goodbye to their oldest DD. It was so sweet, but the younger sib was so sad to see her big sister leaving that she couldn’t let go, so of course her mom started crying and then I’m crying from far away :(. I think our DS knew it would be easier to say goodbye if we were out in the main square with all the students, including his roommate, and he was right. DH and I were all smiles, and we got a great last photo taken by his roommate. I think part of the reason I wasn’t too sad is that every time we visit the campus, I realize more and more how perfect a fit it is for our DS, and so far he seems really happy.
I sent him a few texts, and finally got back a ‘thanks’ about 24 hours later. Then 2 hours later got the message 'where’s my shaver?" which of course he figured out by the time I responded. I knew his first text would be asking me where some of his stuff was in his room, so I got a good chuckle because he was sure that he wouldn’t need to text me for that reason.
@HappyFace2018 unfortunately there is no good way to avoid the Capital Beltway madness, or to go from MD to DC to VA…I work in Georgetown and worked by GW before that, and just about any trip in town is crazy :). Is the hotel near a metro stop? If so, that should work really well since Foggy Bottom is so close to campus. What an exciting place to go to school, though - so many things to see and do within walking distance.
Good luck to others still moving in - it certainly is a whirlwind of activity but very interesting to see as a parent!
@bookmom7 Comgrats! I just got news I was awarded an endowned scholarship- not sure how much. I have to write the thank you note first.
The eagle has landed. We’re back home after an early arrival at the school, where we wrapped up about 2 p.m. The platform cart came in very handy (plus, yea for elevator & AC). We helped D16 unpack, and I swear that I did not mention (much) that I knew she’d need and use the 2nd underbed plastic drawer chest, which she unsuccessfully wheedled to leave at home. (See, sometimes a mom just knows.)
The leave-taking at the dorm was completely unremarkable and unemotional. We were going to visit her room once more after the stop at the bookstore. But, in the dorm lobby, we all realized there was no need to go up, and we just kinda said bye, see you for welcome day tomorrow, and split.
Come to think of it, the quick goodbye was likely the dénouement to the fact that just prior to that moment I almost choked to death (and I am not kidding – complete absence of breath due to obstruction) after a cracker from the hospitality table went down the wrong way. So, I think when I was saying bye to D16, my body and brain was still in some primitive recovery mode, blue skin and all. Maybe that’s why I kept falling asleep at the wheel on the drive back to home. Bizarre.
Note to self: Teach family first aid for choking. (No, DH, “go for a walk” is not first aid for choking.) Ironic, because last night I required my D16 to download the Red Cross first aid app to her phone ICOE.
But, all that aside, the careful planning and D16’s great attitude about move-in (she packed the rental van herself while we parents were still getting breakfast and showers) made this a smooth and lovely operation. By this morning, D16 reported that her “excited/nervous meter” had recalibrated to 60/40 respectively.
I think meeting her roommate in person was also very calming to her. I’ll let her know that the CC wisdom is that it’ll take about two weeks for her to get her sea-legs. I think my adjustment to her absence at home is going to take longer. ;).
I’m glad it went well @dyiu13
I agree that those last minute emergencies can make the goodbyes much easier @dyiu13
I know, right!? @carolinamom2boys
Congrats on your award @readingclaygirl
Glad it wasn’t more serious @dyiu13 (the choking) & move-in went well. The adjustment is something.
So now my DD who always opposed it decided to participate in sorority rush because all of her new friends do it. I am not sure how I feel about it. I understand that sororities at her school are completely different, but still why suddenly change of heart? Is she giving into peer pressure? It can’t be a good thing.
Thank you @bookmom7 I would definitely have a heart to heart with her and discuss why the change and also the financial aspect- how much does it cost? How will it be paid? But I think that you learn a lot about yourself these first few days and perhaps she realized she had wrongly stereotyped sororities @Ballerina016