<p>D’s facebook status “Survived the first day of classes…besides being soaking wet from the downpour…” I did not want to be embarrassing and ask if she used the rain cover integrated into her backpack. Hopefully I’ll have a chance to call talk to her tonight and see how the classes went.</p>
<p>I’ll +1 the hustler suggestion</p>
<p>ohiobassmom, I watched and now I’m in tears. :(</p>
<p>Whose right of passage is this? :)</p>
<p>Mommy, Mommy–I’m right there with you re: wanting to know! I want to ask about classes but I’ve been bugging her all day about the hurricane…so I’m holding back texting to ask…waahhhh.</p>
<p>Late addition to the UR launch list! I took my D’s netbook with me on the trip and couldn’t remember how to log myself in to CC, so could only read along! Move in went smoothly, roommate and S are getting along great. S is communicating (though couldn’t find time to Skype yesterday.), we’ve exchanged 15 texts today. He got the schedule he wanted and has applied for four jobs. Whew!</p>
<p>I’m sorry I missed PN and eyemama and other Wackaloons at Orientation, but I was enjoying just hanging out at my alma mater so much I skipped most of the info sessions (bad mom!). I did actually get ‘called on’ by a Bio prof in the one session I went to because I happened to talk to him in the bookstore earlier that day. I was sort of horrified–had that ‘unprepared for class’ flashback–but he played it for laughs so it was ok I guess. </p>
<p>Nice to be home, I think S’s absence hasn’t really hit me yet (I’m avoiding his room). Worst moment was when I mentioned his launch to a clerk at Office Depot and she asked me very sincerely how I was doing. I almost broke down right there! I’ll have to be wary of the kindness of strangers for awhile!</p>
<p>ohiobassmom - that was awesome! Made me cry though.</p>
<p>PNWedwonk - I’ve been wondering where you are! Glad move in was smooth. </p>
<p>Yes - S likes chess. :)</p>
<p>Oh ohiobassmom…I don’t have a kid who goes there and I teared up at the end of that video…</p>
<p>@eyemamom Yay!!! So glad advising/registration went well. I can’t wait until S gets all his courses at the end of the week.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reminder, PN. S just added his chess set to the pile of stuff! He’s not a fantastic player, but did enjoy chess club throughout high school.</p>
<p>PinotNoir, at one point you posted what you were wearing. I’m guessing that several women who wore maroon t shirts that day wondered why I was staring at them! Did you end up going to the ‘research’ info session? Both sessions filled up before I could get in the door.</p>
<p>I’m still waiting on word from my U of R son regarding jobs and applications. I hate to text or call but may have to do so in order to know.</p>
<p>I am not off to a good start with BINGO-but have the good roommates (3) (so far). Not such a bad thing though.</p>
<p>On the communication: I am trying to patiently wait for S to contact me. He moved in on sunday (19th), we had contact monday due to the retainer issue, I brought the retainer tuesday, and we had a lot of contact (texts) wednesday-initiated by him. Then on thursday I started to get sad. That was when I realized he had no more immediate needs and I probably wouldn’t hear from him. </p>
<p>I did text him friday, and I sent him an email yesterday. In the email I had a lot of questions and figured he would appreciate them in that manner than through his ear! He did answer all of them and sounded great.</p>
<p>It is just very hard when they are your focus for 18+ years and so dependent on you. Of course you raise them to be independent and suceed away from you, but damn them-they go and do just that!! :-)</p>
<p>So now I have to try to hold back and remember-he is awfully busy, getting to know roommates, meeting new people, required things for scholars dorm he is in and something else. What??? Oh yes-classes and studying!! But he does need to throw out a “hey Mom-I’m doing great” email, text or phone call periodically!</p>
<p>I did send some coupons we had for free pepsi & mt. dew that expire on friday. If he doesn’t want to use them, I am sure he will be popular with a few people until he runs out. :-)</p>
<p>I just wish I would have prepared myself better for this life change. I would have thought getting him ready would prepare me as well. NOPE!</p>
<p>@ohiobassmom-can’t even open the link. You said it would make us cry and my eyes started welling up already. And they are doing it again…maybe another day.</p>
<p>So I watched the video…and teared up before I even got to the end. Loved it.</p>
<p>D isn’t even fully launched yet! Dorm mountain in the dining room and bedroom has piles everywhere. Not sure how she will get it all packed in a day next week. I fear she has way too many clothes that she thinks are going. D16 can’t wait for her to go and “shop” older sis’s closet.</p>
<p>Wonder how much stuff I will bring home. I did pick up some doorstops, thanks to CC.</p>
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<p>They had played online before on chess.com so I’ve had some insight rather than just good guessing. ;)</p>
<p>Oldest keeps us on a need to know basis. That is/was frustrating. So far, middle has enjoyed sharing things. I came home from school to find not only an update, but also his schedule - AND a wish that I had a good day at school.</p>
<p>Someone is going to get a great husband someday… I wish I could take credit, but he’s always been that considerate. It’s made me a firm believer in nature over nurture.</p>
<p>Youngest will be like oldest with the need-to-know. He already is. For years we’ve considered them twins just 3 1/2 years apart.</p>
<p>NervousNellie–I feel like your twin. I just came out of S room for the first time since I got home (last night) and am shocked by how overcome with emotion I am. I didn’t think it would hit me like this.</p>
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<p>Awesome on the turnaround for your guy. Middle son told me he also played another freshman in chess and beat him soundly… now I’m wondering, but I thought he said that guy was in Sue B… My guy was our state champ last year in his school division. He hasn’t ever played non-school tournaments as there aren’t any of decent size around us when we’ve been available. He’s been itching to get some competition, so I’m glad PN’s son is there. FWIW, he also thinks the leaders of the chess club will be competitive.</p>
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<p>Well, then we met (sort of)! We were sitting in front of you to your left… that is, as long as you were asked about books… ;)</p>
<p>We did get into the first research session. It was one of my favorites actually (the students telling what they were doing), but yes, one had to be there early as it filled quickly. I’m really surprised they didn’t hold it in a larger venue seeing how UR is a RESEARCH U and parents are likely to be interested in opportunities.</p>
<p>I got a candy bar at school for being one of the teachers who had sent a freshman to college this summer… Some, of course, got candy bars for having a baby. It felt weird to be in the “old” group.</p>
<p>What? Another UR mom? Hi Mamaof1! <wave, wave,="" wave…=""> Hope your son gets a good campus job!</wave,></p>
<p>PNWedwonk - Yes, we went to the research info session. It was the only one we went to! It was interesting but not earth shattering. It was given by Dr. Manly (Physics Dept), who is the director of undergraduate research. I liked his demeanor - I think he would be very approachable for a student to go ask questions about getting involved in research. Basically, he said that they encourage students to wait until at least January of their freshmen year at the earliest before approaching profs, but after that, send emails, stop by profs’ offices, etc., and just tell them you’re interested in getting involved. Don’t wait and read the postings, because a lot of opportunities get filled before getting posted. And students can get involved in any area of study - not just sciences, and not just in their major. </p>
<p>Creekland - you raised a nice boy there! I’m sure my S is hoping I had a good day too, he’s just relying more on mental telepathy than on telephones to let me know. ;)</p>
<p>(Waving backatcha!!!) I broke down and contacted him and he updated me very-very briefly stating he is still applying for jobs online, and that there are tons of them. So, stay tuned…</p>
<p>Could not get myself to open the link to the video…if I spring a leak there is no stopping me! Still no word from DS. DD1 (24 yr. old) says no news is good news. If I don’t hear anything by tomorrow evening I will text him a photo of our youngest dog. That will get his attention. He had tried to pack the dog in his suitcase but I intervened. </p>
<p>Woody - your D’s roommate’s mom is a wow. I would have been very insulted by a weight watcher bag…and I am a lifetime member!!!</p>
<p>I am really happy that DS’s roommate and family seemed like really good people. They were warm, friendly, non-intrusive and seemed quite sane (very high in my books after some parents I have met lately). DS really likes his roommate so far and that is a good way to start. </p>
<p>TS Isaac backhanded us today. Yesterday’s storm was a rainy day but today we had some winds that blew our trees on angle and got about 5 inches of rain. House seems to have held up (no obvious leaks) but ground is very soggy outside and the pool water is level with the patio (overflowing). I kept trying to time the dog walks between the squalls but got caught a few times. It was a bad hair day for all.</p>
<p>PNWedwonk, I wondered whether your launch had gone okay since you had not posted. Hi to Mamaof1, my son is at UR too. </p>
<p>I went to the first undergrad research session but could only stand at the door due to the crowd. I asked about undergrads participating in grad student research since it seemed an easy way for an undergrad to get started but I got the impression that research is really driven by the professor and the professor would ask a grad student under them to take the undergrad their wing.</p>
<p>To me, it seems like it is really asking a lot for a freshman to know what they want to do research in. Heck some of them don’t even know what major they are going to end up in.</p>
<p>Two care packages sent and received so far. D has no shortage of “favorite things”. The cookies arrived somewhat crumbled, but ok. </p>
<p>Two additions for bingo:
lofted and unlofted beds within 2 days.
lost cell phone battery but found cell phone back piece.</p>
<p>oh, and I will forever add to the packing for college list in the future - pack an extra cell phone battery!</p>
<p>D has been all over her campus town trying to find a replacement and her cell phone battery doesn’t exist there. She was told to order one online and have it delivered to her.</p>
<p>I was also pregnant during the Northridge earthquake of 1994. We lived almost at the epicenter – right where the gas main exploded and took out houses.</p>