2009-09 Mariah Starts College

We left Labor Day weekend to bring Mariah out to the University of Denver for her to start college. We left Eagan early on Saturday morning after saying goodbye to Kara and Hailey and Grandma Bloom (who stayed with the girls while we were gone since they had to start school too). We stopped in Graettinger, IA on the way down to see Mariah's Grandma Olesen. We arrived in Denver on Sunday afternoon. After some last minute dorm room shopping, we headed out to meet Mariah's roommate Emily and her family in Littleton and spend a nice evening getting to know each other with a barbecue dinner.

Monday morning was move in time, and we headed over with a van full of stuff. As we pulled up, we were greeted by lots of current students and athletes who were there to help. As we unloaded the van, Mariah went and got her room keys, and then the helpers brought everything directly to Mariah's room. It was fast and efficient.

Once inside, we unpacked and arranged and rearranged everything. She is on the first floor so trips back and forth to the van did not require climbing steps. We met up with Jordyn (a friend from Eagan) and met lots of new students. Emily arrived and brought her stuff in and soon what had been an empty room a few hours agon had come to life. She had some placement tests to take for the business school in math.

The school had scheduled plenty of events during the orientation week, so Mariah was busy from the get-go. The dorm floor had a get-together, then her first year seminar students got together, and the evening activities included a giant pep fest. We went to dinner with Jordyn's parents at a very comfortable tavern and grill on Pearl Street a few miles form campus. There are many independent restaurants and shops to choose from up and down Pearl Street.

Tuesday was full of orientation sessions for both parents and students. The entire freshman class was presented and welcomed to the University. Parents were offered sessions on the registration process, safety, activities and everything in between. Mariah had more informatoin sessions and more placement tests for Spanish. We had a quick dinner with Mariah on Tuesday evening.

Mariah met with her adviser on Wednesday to start final preparation for registration. Ray and LeAnn went to play golf at Broken Tee golf course. It is true about the ball carrying farther in the high altitude, making us feel like a little bigger hitters than normal.

We went back to the dorm on Wednesday afternoon during a rare unscheduled time for Mariah and were able to say goodbye and wish her well for the upcoming year. Of course a few tears were shed with some long hugs, but seeing how happy she was the first few days and meeting some wonderful kids along the way, we too were very excited for this next chapter in her life to begin.

Thursday her first year seminar group did some more registration prep and then they all headed out to downtown Denver for trip to the museum and some sightseeing, along with a chance to ride the light rail system. Ray and LeAnn packed up and headed back to MN. We stopped in Worthington in order to get up on Friday and golf at Dakotah Ridge in Morton, MN

Mariah had her final registration on Friday and ended up with a full load of credits. Since the kids register in slots over 2 days, only portion of the classes are opened up during each registration class, giving everyone a fair chance of getting into each class. The first day of classes was on Monday Sept 14.

Ray and LeAnn made it back to home on Friday evening with a much lighter load than they had left with, but with a lot of great memories, some new friends, and a lot of excitement for Mariah.