On His Own
California Girl and I went to visit The Boy over the long weekend. He’s only been gone for a couple of weeks; but it was still good to see him. He seems to be adjusting well to life on his own. He seemed a lot older and a lot more confident than he was when we left him. Except for the huge pile of laundry in the corner he was adjusting well to college life. (Or perhaps that is the way of college students.) While we were on campus, I was struck by how different this year is from years gone by. It was warm enough to get into the pool; but, instead of relaxing in the back yard, we were walking around on a college campus. Except for the size, the campus is very similar to the one where I went to school. Although we think he’s more like his mother; perhaps he’s more like me than we think.
Except for the fact that the hotel which we had reservations was overbooked and we had to spend the night after we arrived at a dump until rooms became available at our preferred location, I really enjoyed our visit. With all of the restaurants and shops that cater to students so close by, college life is so convenient. Where we live, you have to get in a car to go anywhere. The closest bus stop is miles away. So, everything being in walking distance was a nice change.
I don’t know when we’ll get back to see him. He is adapting very well. Unfortunately, his mom, his sister, and I, are still getting used to him being gone.
Tags: College, Life, Reflections
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:04 pm
How interesting that you’ve gone to visit so soon. But soon it will be Homecoming or Parents Weekend and you can go back. Laundry, there was always laundry. It takes time to adjust, especially when you have been so close.
September 3rd, 2008 at 9:15 am
When someone leaves for college, it is always so hard to let that person go because they have been there for so long. But only remember, and I know this from experience, he is missing you guys just as much. He may not be saying anything but it is hard when you first go off to college. You have to adjust to living on your own and preparing everything for yourself. The laundry will be there for a while till he figures out how to do it on his own. Gulity of that too. But overall, no worries, he is missing you guys too, he is just a “grown college student” and wont show that emotion.
Good luck with everything!
September 3rd, 2008 at 6:46 pm
The laundry is the way of the college student. So is asking for monies, getting a piercing in a discreet location, and eating ramen noodles three meals a day.
September 3rd, 2008 at 10:56 pm
you don’t have time for laundry in college. barely have enough time to eat and study and that’s about it.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:40 am
My first semester of college was so great–new friends, new boyfriend, some independence, etc. As much fun as I was having, I still remember the little thrill I got when my parents came for Parents’
Weekend a mere 2 months later.
September 6th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Rosie: We wanted to go back after a couple of weeks to see take him some stuff that was forgotten and see how he was doing. We can talk on the telephone; but it’s not quite the same. We don’t make a big deal of visiting or leaving; but we’re all still happy to get together. And he said on the phone the other day that he finally did his laundry for the first time.
Sanja: We do worry that he will forget about something important. And, he’s done his own laundry for the past 10 years or so, so it is a bit strange hat he’s neglecting it so much now that he’s away and doesn’t have us to remind him. It makes us wonder a bit what else he’s forgetting/ignoring. WE don’t say much either; but we long for the day when it was the four of us sitting around the diner table in the evening.
Sarah: They’ve got a huge laundry room on the first floor of his dorm complete with wireless so that can still be online. I can’t see him getting a piecing. But we’ll see what he’s like in a couple of months. We bought him a good meal plan, but it’s not like a well stocked refrigerator being a few feet away.
Kate: Hopefully he’ find the time to have some fun. Working for the next 40-50 years or so is a big drag when you think about it.
Mountain Girl: There are way more boys than girls where he’s going, so I don’t think that he’ll find a girlfriend anytime soon. Parent’s weekend is in late October. We definitely plan on being there.