Nola experience!

<p>Just got an actual phone call from my son. He said he’s having a great time and the kids are really nice. Of course, I also got - “I have already lost . . .” and "When you come down, I need . . . " His only minor complaint is that the dorms are kind of empty and there is only one other kid on his floor. It’s nice that they could move into their actual rooms, but maybe would have been better if they clustered the kids together for this week.</p>

<p>My daughter is also in 21st century…no phone call…only some VERY short texts…I hope “no news is good news”.</p>

<p>

Understandable, but then they would have to move their stuff all over again in a few days, and some kids probably already brought fairly major items, so moving them again would be a pain. Besides, it isn’t like they really have to be in their dorm room other than to sleep.</p>

<p>Calmom - I would definitely think that is a good sign. My inclination would be that it means she is busy, mixing, and adjusting well. It is WAYYYY harder on the parents where the sense of time that has elapsed is highly relative. Einstein didn’t put college life into his theory, but maybe he should have.</p>

<p>Aquamom - you did something right! So impressed that you got a phone call already! Empty dorm rooms totally make sense - I agree that it is not ideal but maybe better than moving at the end of the week. How would they clean those rooms in time for the regular move in? I guess logistically what they do makes sense. Luckily I will get some answers on Friday - after that , who knows…:)</p>

<p>Bloomy - I think the reason I did get a phone call was because he was briefly in his room and there was no one else to talk to!! I guess the upside to the quiet dorms is that the kids can sleep. My son, who is a night owl, said he was so tired last night that he was asleep by 11.</p>

<p>Ahh Bloomy, don’t you LOVE the “you didn’t pack me” stuff? My response is always, well, you should have packed yourself! :-)</p>

<p>lol GWM - I hear you and am on the same page…</p>

<p>S will be quite surprised when he comes in Nov to a much less cluttered room:) He thinks it should stay a shrine - I have other plans!</p>

<p>Got a pic of the dorm room. Check #TUNola13 on twitter. Full creeper mom-mode. There are pic of some of the track groups. I called this am, but he didn’t answer. Hopefully he’s fulfilling one of my two rules, eating breakfast. The other is “go to class”.</p>

<p>Bloomy. Lol my youngest already demo’ed their room. No more bed where my DS1 used to sleep. Guitar stand and captain’s chair. I burst into tears when he finally let me come in. Four garbage bags later.</p>

<p>Glad to hear I am not the only one falling into the trap of doing the packing! S2 seems to think we can just throw everything in a suitcase on Thursday and head down! There would be no end to what didn’t make it down there if left entirely to his own devices, but a little help would be nice. He is suddenly desperate to see everyone he has ever known one last time, which I get but I am putting my foot down - tonight is MY night - and we are going to spend part of it going over everything I have packed! </p>

<p>And I hear you Bloomy! I am redoing my entire upstairs when I get back! There will be several trips to Goodwill in the process!</p>

<p>Damn skier! Now I have to figure out twitter?</p>

<p>Heading down to NOLA this afternoon. Bags are packed, dog is at the doggy babysitter, FedEx says that my boxes were delivered. Plan is Target Thursday, BBB Friday morning, Rum House at 5:00 (anyone else’s family giving them a hard time about tihis? They think it’s weird. I said “We are going! I have to meet all my friends!”).</p>

<p>Safe travels jozuko! If your students/spouses don’t want to come, then pls feel free to come without them. It’s just drinks with a toast to FC!</p>

<p>I will see Jozuko, Vitrac and whoever else Friday. I am making my dd go. (Well that’s my plan anyway.) </p>

<p>I always feel so much better after reading CC. Not that I should pack my dd, but it’s nice to know I’m not the only one. She also can not get enough of her friends and people in her life but she does want our immediate family only for dinner tonight since we leave tomorrow which I am thankful for. </p>

<p>For all of you whose kids are doing NOLA and are realizing items they need, can you give any last minute suggestions?</p>

<p>Thanks for the tip about the Twitter hashtag! There’s also @TU<em>NOLA</em>Exp which you can follow. I haven’t seen any pics from 21st Century Citizenship yet but I’ll keep checking.</p>

<p>I’m leaving in the morning and will be at the Park View at around 11am (I hope…driving for the first time). Which reminds me… have to call and ask for the GPS…</p>

<p>The only thing my son has asked for is some replacement toiletries because his bag ‘exploded’ and he had to throw stuff out. He also asked for an Ethernet cable but I told him to wait to be connected to WiFi on Saturday.</p>

<p>I’m not sure if he’s asking because the WiFi is bad, but I don’t want him playing on the computer this week anyway. :P</p>

<p>I cracked up about Bloomy’s “shrine” comment because my son basically said the same thing! I told him I’m turning his room into a guest room and I thought he would pass out. My longer term plan is to move into a one-bedroom with a sleep sofa. HA.</p>

<p>Ahh yes, the tour of farewells to everyone he has ever known. This happened for my son on Friday/Saturday. Too funny! He did a really great job at making sure family was included in the farewells, so I have to give him credit!</p>

<p>I will say that for the two boxes we shipped down, he did help by saying yes or no as I held things up. :-)</p>

<p>I already have a HUGE Yard Sale scheduled for 8/31. Other than his “winter” clothes, anything else left behind is going! Goodwill will get what is left from the sale. NOTHING comes back into the house!</p>

<p>I ordered all of my son’s toiletries on soap.com. There was a 20% off and free shipping coupon online! I priced things out and they were comparable to Target, so I went for it.</p>

<p>I wish I could have a yard sale… I live in a condo and they don’t let us do it. I could put a bunch of stuff on Freecycle or Craigslist but then I have to worry about having a serial killer coming into my house. </p>

<p>I guess I can do Ebay but that’s a pain for bigger stuff like the electronic drum set that he had to have and never touched. I’m not bitter. :)</p>

<p>Also follow tu<em>nola</em>exp on Instagram. I’m just sayin’.</p>

<p>Mavitale, would your Condo Association allow you to organize a condo-wide yard sale? That is what I am doing for mine. I’ve only got a few other units participating but as long as I open it up to everyone, it’s allowed.</p>

<p>I hear you on the Craigslist thing!</p>