<p>DS called to let me know, just so I don’t freak out, that a hurricane will hit his school on Monday. How sweet of him. I know he will be fine, just hope he listened to me and buys a flashlight with extra batteries and some bottled water. What are the chances he will listen? None???</p>
<p>We have already gassed up the cars, loaded up on the water and non perishable food and have been “tracking Isaac” here in South Florida. I am relieved that I should be able to get home on Sunday BEFORE the really high winds hit so we can “shutter” the house. That said, it probably will not impact East Florida much. Current projections have it moving a bit more westerly…watch out New Orleans and our Tulane freshman!!!</p>
<p>S off to Boston today, Amherst on Sunday
Wow, I’m feeling pretty ill…am I alone?</p>
<p>Lillypod I have been ill since Tuesday. I really thought it was due to launch…but the fever is making me rethink. Might actually be ill.</p>
<p>Feel better Mom2M…I believe I am heartsick
I was told so many times that when the time came, I would be so tired of him that we would both be ready to separate…but “sadly” he never got on my nerves
His brother and his pillowmate kitty are going to be heartsick also:(</p>
<p>Thanks. I think it’s part illness and part heartsick.</p>
<p>D is happy, she’s at a micro-seminar being taught by the university president…I am so happpy for her and so proud of her. My house is just too quiet…</p>
<p>Arrived here this afternoon with D. She didn’t cry the day before when we left home, but when we left my parents home this morning she bawled for her dog (who’s spending a week with grandma, while we launch everyone). We won’t tell Dad about that one. D woke up with a cold yesterday morning, but we’re hoping she will be better by tomorrow morning. She cheered up slightly upon finding out that other kids were vomiting on their way to school (so sorry), her perspective has been adjusted.</p>
<p>We walked around her campus this afternoon and picked up her books from the bookstore, and had to add the oddest thing, a “disposable” lab coat for chemistry class, that cost way more that it should have. Considering it’s a piece of plastic, I hope it lasts the semester.</p>
<p>We are chilling at my brother’s house as launch is 8AM tomorrow morning. </p>
<p>H is home with S1 & S2. I think they are packing the car w/ S2’s stuff as he is launching at UNH in the morning as well. It doesn’t sound like it will be choreographed very well, so they are planning on getting there an hour early and waiting in “line” </p>
<p>Will update tomorrow after its over. I hope all the sick kids are feeling better by the morning!</p>
<p>We had a great day here. We just got back from the big convocation on the quad where the president and deans speak to the incoming class. As we were exiting, I turned around, and lo and behold - there was eyemamom! I knew our paths would cross! Our son has settled in well (at least, that’s my interpretation in his absolute disinterest in hanging out with us at all. ;))</p>
<p>Creekland - I thought about your son and teared up when the Dean of Admissions was talking about Emmanual. I hope the new roommate is working out well.</p>
<p>I hope our other UR moms (and all wackaloons) are having good launches! </p>
<p>Now we’re heading out to find a restaurant where sick S can find something palatable on the menu.</p>
<p>I just get goosebumps reading all of these launch stories.</p>
<p>Thinking about all of the sad parents and so excited for these kids already making new friends and settling into their new lives.</p>
<p>I thought of all you U of R folks today! We live in the Rochester suburbs, and the media kept showing move-in scenes. They said it’s the largest and most diverse freshman class. Love the fact the band was playing and the Yellowjackets singing. I got my masters at U of R, and it’ll always hold a special place in my heart. D was accepted there with great merit aid, but decided it was too close to home. The entire launch journey last week she kept saying “I wish I’d gone to U of R!” Thankfully, she now seems to have settled in, and she’s doing a lot with her teammates when they aren’t practicing. H and I are heading back tomorrow for orientation and convocation, and I’ve made her favorite cupcakes for the team. She’s looking forward to meeting her roommate Saturday. Probably this weekend she’ll be pushing us out the door!</p>
<p>Fully launched at Case this past Sunday–made it home to the NW on Tuesday. Trying to recover…she is very happy which makes the empty nest easier. Have to launch older D’13 into apartment in a week. Then I’ll be falling apart…Hope everyone is starting to feel better.</p>
<p>D’s big audition for Symphony Orchestra is this evening! I have my fingers firmly crossed for her. It’s possible I’m more nervous than she is. She said she’d skype afterward and tell us how it went. (Although she may not know the results for a few days.)</p>
<p>"His two suitcases and carryon bag are now packed (whew) and by the front door and the boarding passes are printed. "</p>
<p>Boarding passes . . . I knew I forgot something! Thanks Seiclan!</p>
<p>Oh, so great to hear from you silversas! I was hoping for an update! Also so glad to hear from the Rochester crew making it through! </p>
<p>Now that DS has started class today (though his job fell through) things are starting to settle down. Now is when it is hitting me that he is truly gone. </p>
<p>What is it with weather and launches! Last year it was East Coast, now the South. Makes me appreciative of my landlocked home right now. Of course, we get no warning with tornadoes.</p>
<p>Good luck to your D, Mihcal
PN…hope your S is better soon.</p>
<p>I too am enjoying everyone’s launch stories. The move in to Chapman was well organized. I am so glad he got into the one dorm that houses doubles and not triples, even though it is a funky old building. Haven’t heard a peep from him, so I’m going with the “no news is good news” attitude.
Also, thanks to you guys, I don’t think we forgot a single thing! :D</p>
<p>So it was move-in day for us, and everything seemed okay, we got there easily and in good time, the process was very smooth, I cried a little bit at goodbye, and me and husband left. Roommate was there already, but we didn’t get to meet (This comes up later). </p>
<p>So imagine my surprise when I start receiving texts at like 8PM. My son is not the type to get homesick immediately, or even call right away. Met roommate hours after he was dropped off (met his two suitemates before that, perfectly fine). According to him they didn’t really get along, apparently the roommate was very outgoing and couldn’t stop talking about all the parties and stuff they would do. Now my son is very shy and not really one to party, but doesn’t care about other people. (I learned this in an email he sent me around 1AM).</p>
<p>So the texts. He started texting me because his roommate was dragging him to the other side of the floor to hang out with some other freshmen who had gotten in earlier in the week. According to him, they were first sitting on a bed in one of these freshman’s rooms, and it was a very uncomfortable experience, pretty much all of them were making racist comments (not towards him) and pretty much talking about drugs and alcohol, and whether or not they should party. Finally they all decide to go to a school-related activity, but there is apparently a long line, so they give up on it. This again leads to the question of whether or not to party. He is saved when one of the others suggests they go to a hooka bar and party the next night (It should be noted that they have a string of importent meetings on Sat morning). So they went back to the dorm and hung out again, and my son only managed to slip away when an obviously drunk girl came in and everyone decided to asses just how wasted she was. This was at 12:30 or so. </p>
<p>All throughout this, the roommate made it known that my son had to continue. According to S, roommate literally told him that he had to “Learn to party” and “To be social”, and dragged him along, whether he liked it or not. My son is a follower, as bad as it is, and doesn’t really have the bravery to stand up for himself, especially in new situations. It is clear, according to S, that the trip to the hookah bar is far from voluntary, and that he is expected to follow the roommate’s lead in everything.</p>
<p>I sent back many texts, and replied to the email, trying to convince him that he has to stand up for himself and to report this to his RA/RD, but I am up late worrying about this. Should I call the University? I jsut don’t know what to do, it seems like college is everything he dreaded it would be.</p>
<p>Re: Bed Bugs- Do we really need to by a special "bed bug " mattress cover. We’ve ordered a really nice mattress pad /protector but not a six-sided cover. We have been obsessing about this for about 40 minutes - just to avoid doing any of the real work we have- laundry, packing etc.
Advice appreciated. ;)</p>
<p>Hawkeye, as much as I would be really stressed in your shoes I think your job is to support your son as he learns to stand up for himself. If he needs help encourage him to go see his ra. I wouldn’t intervene.</p>
<p>Drop off w ent well here, though we waited in line in the car for an hour. I had only ever seen the school on the tour so I found it challenging to figure out where I was and where to go.</p>
<p>How funny in a group of thousands that PN would recognize me! And once again she saved the day when she helped me figure out where to go. She’s everybit as nice irk as you’d think.</p>
<p>It’s been an emotional send off for me. I made it two steps out the dorm before crying. He does seem happy and excited and there seems to be a ton of support for the engineers. We still have today here though he is busy with meetings and advising. I’m waiting for that call when i recognize he’s comfortable and making friends. Roomie is nice but I don’t see them being besties. It just seems so big and challenging and grown up. Driving away will not be pretty tonight.</p>
<p>hawkeyes55: I think it’s testament to your relationship that your son texted you. He was looking for support, which means he’s strong enough to weather the situation. Is there a “dry” housing option to investigate?</p>
<p>Today is our launch day. I woke up early and excited…like Christmas. I cried so much yesterday, I hope the tears are out of my system. It’s a 3 1/2 hour drive to UVM from our house. Country roads and a bright blue sky day ahead.</p>
<p>Dropoff went well here, but we got the car waiting part for one hour and twenty minutes (at least, we didn’t start counting from the beginning…). Everything else was great and I got this e-mail in this morning from my guy:</p>
<p>"all is well here and I had fun/know this IS the place for me 
</p>