Wolfgang's box has been sitting here for a few days, no one having time to thoroughly go through it. I decided it would be a good task for this morning.
Omigosh, it was like the freaking clown car of school supply boxes!
This is what my usually pristine home office looks like right now.
Part of it is busy work to take my mind off how quiet it is around here. I mentioned Meego went back to school on Tuesday, Chaco moved to his dorm late last week. Yesterday, Wolfgang moved into his dorm. *sniff*
It was an easy check-in this year since Chaco cut the trail for us last year. Last year, we headed over about an hour after check-in started, stood in a long line to make it to the check-in building, got to the check-in building to stand in another long snaking line, before finally getting into the dorm.
So this year, Wolfgang and I decided we'd head over about noonish. He spent the morning packing, then we played off-to-college tetris with his stuff in the Element. That Ellie Mae is an awesome friend to have for such activities! So easy!
We arrived on campus, got a pick of the litter parking space, walked right into the check-in building where there was NO line. Check-in people were sitting around eating and gabbing, and when we walked in, they literally started fighting over who got to check Wolfgang in.
We let the victor go through the whole spiel about parking and unloading and all the FAQs. Wolfgang signed what he needed to and got his keys while I quietly sat there in full Tank Girl mode.
Maybe we should have asked some pretend questions or something, because when he was done, our guy said, "You seem tired. Been driving all morning? Where are you from?"
Finally, I spoke, "Uhm.... Briargate?", as in six or seven miles up the road.
Wolfgang is in a 4-bedroom suite, same as Chaco had last year. Private rooms with a shared bathroom and living space. We arrived, and one of his suite mates was also there unpacking. He seems like a nice kid, studious yet friendly. I met his mother too who seemed a bit doting, but not in a pushy sort of way, a nice way. So good first impression. I wondered their impression of us as I caught a few furtive glances at my upper right arm in all its tattooed glory. "Really, I'm just a boring engineer-turned-mom/teacher", I tried to exude.
Chaco had called me at 7:45am to see when we'd be there so he could help out. Since when is he up at 7:45?? Well, he is enjoying college life, and I think he likes his big brother role, in this event anyway.
Soon, it seemed like there was no need for me to hang around, yet I was reluctant to leave. Chaco helped by asking for a ride to a friend's house for one of their rip-roaring LAN parties.
Okay, fine. It was time to go.
I hugged Wolfgang, told him to keep his phone charged, and to call his mother.
I miss him already.
.
20 comments:
You are now the fifth wheel, odd man out, etc. But it looks like a goat exploded in that room.
Aww...I'm gearing up, in every sense of the word, to deliver our second son to his dorm on Sept. 1st. I'm praying for good roomates for him (I'd be that doting, but not annoyingly so, mother you met, I'm sure). His dorm is like the one you described, single bedroom in a suite of four or five and a shared kitchen, bath, and living room.
What is he studying? I would guess sciences since it runs in the family...
I bet you do miss him.
That photo of your office is how my studio looks all the time!
With your minimalist tendencies, I'm wondering if the office is starting to get to you. Anyway, in the last post, I asked what you were doing today, and now I see.
Are you missing Meego? Going to have some milk and cookies for him when he gets home? Try to contain yourself as you hover all over your remaining child border. :)
I'm still trying to get used to my kids not being here. It's so weird to see their rooms empty. (Mario has already called dibs on Link's room - she NEEDS two rooms, she claims.)
Hooray for Ellie Mae getting you there in one trip. She's been a great addition to your family. Wonder if she'll start to feel lonely too, without a bunch of people to haul around.
You should be starting soon too, right? Got your backpack and lunch box ready?
I was hoping I might find a winning lottery ticket or something in all that pile. No such luck.
Of the different housing options, I like the suite layout best. I never lived in a dorm, myself.
He's wavering between mechanical engineering and game development and design. They're both in the same department with the same advisor, and much of his first semester classes overlap, so he'll see what he thinks after getting settled. Chaco's lucky in that I think he knew he wanted to study computer science since he was about twelve!
Nah, I bet your studio has way more bling!
My minimalist tendencies are what made me open that clown car box in the first place! It's all tidied up and sorted now, thanks.
I know Meego misses his brothers, but he's also onto the fact that I'm practically putty in his hands now.
Yep, empty rooms, empty towel racks, empty toothbrush cups...
Being the youngest and only girl - Yeah, she NEEDS two rooms.
I was just thinking how the cars are going to be lonely now too. I won't miss the gas station though.
I think I need a good back to school shopping spree!
You may come to enjoy the quiet...which won't last long ;)
I find it amazing that your kids are living on campus when you live so close - our daughter travels further than that each day to go to college. I guess it is a cultural thing :-)
Ah, LAN parties. My older son just built himself a small PC so he can take it to places with him - his main PC is just a monster and he says his laptop is too lame for good games...
I'm starting to enjoy it already.
I'm not sure what the percentage is, but a good portion of full-time freshmen who live locally choose to live in the dorms. We never ran the numbers of commuting costs (gas, parking pass, etc.) vs. room and board costs, but it's not a particularly commuter friendly university. Good luck finding parking after 8am. And it seems a good baby step to independence.
I think Chaco would refuse to be seen with a laptop...
Wow. Another one out of the nest. I am impressed. You are definitely avoiding the helicopter mom personal. Good to know he is off to a good start but still close by. I like how Chaco is stepping into the older sibling role for Wolfgang without you asking. I am sure that both will do well on their own, even though you are but a few miles down the road. Two down.
And after reading your last post, I was thinking how lucky you were to have a couple of kids out of the house, yet still close to home. I guess it doesn't matter how close they are. If they aren't under your roof, it just doesn't feel right.
And even as I say that, I've always wanted my kids to go to college and live there, not commute from home. I think it's an important experience to get out on their own and learn some independence.
Aw geez. Now I miss my kids. And they're not even gone yet!
It does take some adjustment, but it's weird that they don't live here anymmore. I think it's good for them to live on campus, get their independence and the responsibility that goes with it - as long as they visit sometimes on weekends!
Yes, it is the natural order of things. It really is nice having them so close by, but sort of on their own.
I'm looking on the bright side. They're getting some independence and education. The house is clean?
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