Friday, September 4, 2015

And Away She Goes...

Guess what we were doing yesterday?



Yup. We were in Ottawa helping my daughter, Alex, move into her university residence.

Despite the fact that she took along everything but the kitchen sink, it only took two trips in and out of the building to get all her things inside. One of the major incentives was that each family had 15 minutes to unload and move the car out of the designated area reserved for kids moving in!



The building she moved into used to be a retirement residence up until last year when the university leased it. It's a beautiful place with so many areas for the students to hang out in. This is one of them.



When we got up to her room, we were pleasantly surprised to find that each door in the residence had vinyl records attached with the names of the students written on them.



My daughter was the first to arrive in her residence (her other roommates are moving in this weekend), so we had the place to ourselves. We helped her unpack the boxes and settle some of her stuff, and kept commenting about what an adorable place it is.



This will be her bedroom for the next few months that she'll be sharing with another student. It's a small space but I don't see her spending much time in it. My daughter is quite the social butterfly.



And, of course, we can't leave home without some cherished stuffies.



After we got her settled, we took her to dinner and then to the market to pick up some refrigerated items like eggs, milk and juice. Then it was time to say good-bye...



It was a very long and exhausting day but it was also very exciting. We are going to miss my daughter's daily presence but we are thrilled about this journey she is on. The next four years will be quite memorable for her. Let the fun times begin!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone.

37 comments:

  1. Congratulations to your daughter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Gail! I hope you are having a lovely weekend.

      Delete
  2. Love the picture of the three of you! Charming room she is in! I'd love it myself :) Wishing her much success, fun, happiness and so much more during her college years!

    betty

    ReplyDelete
  3. Martha you did better than me, I was an emotional wreck, well at least until we drove off, and it helped that my younger son was in the car with us. My daughter was perfectly fine and happy. I remember she even went off with her new roommates to the Mac's milk across the street to get their milk as we drove off.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sounds like my daughter. When we left, she met up with some friends...that she had just met! They move on fairly quickly, although I'm sure they are homesick a lot more than they'll admit. I was actually great that day. Not emotional at all. Just very happy for her. This is an exciting thing she's doing and I'm thrilled that she's adventurous enough to want to go somewhere else to study.

      Delete
  4. Martha, what a beautiful set of pictures you have shared.
    The one with the three of you is so lovely. You must be so proud of Alex as she starts on the next part of her life.

    Sending best wishes to you all as you adjust ...

    I'm raising a glass - have a good weekend - cheers!

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your lovely wishes. Yes, I am very proud of her. And I know she'll really enjoy this period in her life.

      Delete
  5. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Woops! sorry - deleted my comment - here goes again! How exciting! My 12 year old daughter is very jealous of the Central Perk cafe and your daughter's room. I think she'll be asking to go to uni in Ottowa next. I love the loo rolls in the boot of the car - much better prepared than I was when I went to uni! My best wishes to your daughter.

      Delete
    2. She actually didn't need to bring rolls because they supply them but I gave her some anyway. Just in case! You don't want to be without that :)

      Delete
  6. I love the idea of the vinyl records! Did you cry?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not a tear! I was a little anxious about her having everything she needs there but other than that, I was very excited. I miss her being here but I love that she's experiencing this incredible adventure.

      Delete
  7. Yeah, I also wondered if you cried :)

    I can see more excitement in it more than exhaustion. You are right-the place indeedis adorable, I can see it from these pictures.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, definitely more excitement than anything else. This is a wonderful time in her life.

      Delete
  8. Love the last photo. What a great thing. Here's to new adventures.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I still have fresh in my memory the first time I drove my daughter to her University... it was not even in the same time zone. Very emotional time, I also wonder how you are coping?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am actually coping a lot better than I expected. She's not that far away, so that certainly helps!

      Delete
  10. Congrats to your daughter, and to you proud mom!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I can see she's a fan of The Legend of Zelda

    ReplyDelete
  12. Yes, I remember this routine a time or two. Once my daughter was in a shared room and then shared apt with 4 and the shared apt with two. So she spent four years and later went back for another two. So the first day may be exciting but it's only one of many more.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No doubt about that! She will definitely be changing where she resides many times in the next four years. And who knows where she'll settle for good once she's done!

      Delete
  13. she looks so excited to be on her next journey in life ... hope it is a smooth transition for you too mom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She is very happy about this. And I'm very happy for her!

      Delete
  14. New adventures in life for her and you now . They grow up soo fast ! Thanks for sharing , Have a good weekend !

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wow, that is a beautiful residence hall! She is going to have a great time and will learn so much school-wise and people-wise!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You got it, Nancy! It'll be a wonderful growing experience for her. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  16. =] how very special, congrats !!

    ReplyDelete
  17. How wonderful for her, and for you, and what a lovely place good she's not introverted like we are, i would never share a room.....oh but I'm so happy for her, for you, for him, for everyone xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Lorraine! I was thinking along the same lines. I would prefer to have my own room! LOL...

      Delete
  18. Happy that you all look happy! I'd be a mess!! lol Phew! Spared from that one!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We are all feeling good about this. Her daily presence is missed but the adventure she's on is very exciting!

      Delete