Roger Williams University Freshman/Family Orientation

I don't know where to start with this post because it's very emotional for me to see my first born go off to college. And for those who know me well, a very bittersweet time. I may be all over the place for this posting, so be patient. And for those who are also sending their child off, you will so get what I am going through.

Kinsey was born August 28th, 1991 in San Jose, California. She came into the world screaming, pink and weighing a whopping 8lbs, 10oz. She was so beautiful, little cleft and all. Her blue eyes piercing our hearts and her personality so strong yet delicate. She is our first born and our first "project" I guess. Through the years she has challenged us, charmed us, surprised us, angered us, frustrated us, amazed us, awed us, and most important captured our hearts. In these years she has had to face many obstacles from her family life, to her cleft palate, all her little and big surgeries, having braces on since 5th grade. All of these being none of her choices, but cards that were dealt to her anyway. What I see now and at the orientation is a beautiful young woman that has dealt with all these obstacles with an inner strength that I cannot put into words. Yes, she can be difficult. Who isn't? Yes, she is very opinionated. You always know where you stand with this child, and I must say most of the time it is well deserved. However with all this said, she will always have your back if you are a true friend. She is loyal. She is strong. She is fragile. She is quick to smile, as she is very quick to growl like an injured animal when cornered. She is Kinsey Lorraine Janke. My child. My first born. My first true love. And after getting her back after so many years of confusion, I must let go of her little hand once again for her to begin this very exciting and wonderful journey into adulthood. Kinsey, I may be letting go of that hand physically, but I will always be guarding that hand with my life and love. I will never let it go.

So, with that said here are a few shots from our 2 day orientation at Roger Willams University. What a beautiful campus. I really enjoyed the time there meeting other parents and RW's staff. The campus is located in Bristol, Rhode Island right on the bay, and smells so good with the ocean breeze. Anyway, the first thing they do after the orientation's beginning is separate your "student" from you. They went off in their groups and we never saw them again that first day until after dinner where you then got to briefly say good night to them before they spent the night in the dorms. The beginning of the separation. They no longer call your child "your child". They are now referred to as students. I enjoyed the fact the Dean and all the staff members made it diplomatically clear that they are now students and are solely responsible for their choices from this point on, regardless of who is paying the private school tuition. I swear I heard groans in the crowd. They let us know it was time to let go and allow them to make their own decisions, and to allow those decisions to define their first year and then eventually their futures. These people were honest, sincere and really drove home how important it is that we let our "students" grow up and learn to deal on their own with whatever situations may arise. And that we as parents must always be there to simply listen when they call us with any fears, concerns, home sickness and so forth. Also, to not expect a daily phone call from your "student". You may not hear from them for a week or so, and that's okay. In fact, it's normal! Honestly, wasn't it like this when we went to college???? I rarely called home. However, my punishment was that my mother would tell her visiting French friends they were more than welcome to stay at my little studio in Santa Barbara and show up unannounced. They would knock at the door and say, "Allo, Laure. Your mothzer said we could stay weez you while weez visited Santa Barbara." My roommate was always just thrilled. Sort cramped our style.

Now, the first day was filled with sessions about campus life and so forth. I didn't get back to the hotel until about 9:30 that night. Day 2 wasn't that bad. Some more sessions and then I had a 3 hour break where I went into Bristol and walked around, had lunch and a little glass of wine before going back to the campus for another session starting at 1pm. I had brought my camera in hopes of capturing the whole time we were there, but it was cold, gray and rainy all day. Also, I NEVER saw the "student", so I left the camera alone the first day. Day 2 was a little better. Even though it was overcast and the light was flat as a pancake, it wasn't raining. I grabbed the camera and walked the campus and took some shots. Luck happens that I was in a place where I spotted my elusive "student" and grabbed a shot from afar. Like a little cheetah, she was gone again. My version of a safari. The day ended around 4pm where they checked out of the dorms and we headed home to New York. Lots of chatting and comparing notes for the first hour or so and then just quiet thoughtful time the rest of the way until about Albany where we got antsy and played the music loud and giggled.

Enjoy some of the shots. I still have to learn the meaning behind some of them. This building is the brand new one where Kinsey will be taking most of her classes for Communications. It's due open in August. Sweet, isn't it? I love the architecture on this campus.

This is a statue of Roger Williams. Apparently, all the students shake his hand before exams for good luck. The bottom photo is just a walkway along the library leading to The Commons and the Recreational Center.

A view from the Recreational Center and a beautiful bench.

The Commons is where the cafeteria is located and let me tell you, it is beautiful and the food is amazing and healthy! The bookstore is also inside as well as a hanging out spot for the students.

Elusive "student" sighting! I was sitting on the steps of the Recreational Center actually talking with a client when out of nowhere she appeared! Quick shot.

This is a walkway by the Library with bricks that have many names. I'm not sure what they are but will find out in August when we go to drop off Kinsey.

At the end of Day 2 with Kinsey looking for shorts to put on before we drive home.

Mom, enough already! Let's go home!!


Give me that hand to hold ever so tightly while I can. You are still my child until August 21st.

I love you McGrew.

mom