So many great things have been going on in Alyssa's life and I really owe her a mega-long post! This past weekend Alyssa, myself and her college roomate- to- be Riley and Riley's mom Jackie motored up to Flagstaff, Arizona for Freshman orientation at Northern Arizona University were Alyssa will be attending college starting this August. It was amazing. Love this photo of Alyssa and Riley with the school mascot Louie the Lumberjack... I had to beg them to take the photo... but they were both glad I did!
Freshman orientation takes the students through lots what is may be like when they move on to campus,they got their schedules,toured the campus, interacted with students to find out the ups and downs of being a new student, and ate lots of campus food! 
They love the location of their dorm, Allen Hall it is located right in the heart of central campus near the Student Union, the advising center and the other freshman dorms. I am so impressed with NAU, I love that the average class size is only 28 students, and that the advising and faculty group there are really present for the students. The campus itself is incredible as well, it is 1 1/2 miles long and about a 1/2 mile wide, and filled with a combination of historic campus buildings, lush mountain scenery and a feeling of community that is just amazing.
Jackie and I were thinking it might be totally fun to go back to college in this town! Alyssa is majoring in education, she wants to be a special education teacher, we had a chance to tour her college and meet with some of the advisors to get an overview of all the education programs and their degree progression plans. NAU has a great education program and we are so excited that ALyssa will now be a part of it, she will even have a couple of her educaton core classes in her freshman year. 
Of course before leaving campus we had to make a couple NAU apparel purchases at the bookstore for Mike and Michael as well as ALyssa so she can start sporting her school colors and feeling like a true Lumberjack! 
I am so glad this is the college she chose. Now I have to get used to the idea that I can't just see her whenever I want.. fortunately we only have a 3 hour drive to get to Flagstaff and Alyssa got an, Apple Macbook computer for graduation so we can video chat with each other. Alyssa amazes me, we are so proud of her and excited for her as she starts out on her next journey. This post barely covers everything that has been going on for her so be prepared for more posts on Graduation and her final show with her dance company before college.
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How exciting! I graduated from NAU in spring 2001. I still remember moving in day. I loved NAU-it was such a wonderful time in my life (and it's where I met my wonderful husband)! I hope she has a wonderful time there.
Posted by: Kathryn Johnson | June 26, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Oh, and I'm an Arizona girl (I live out in the west valley) and went to NAU all four years (college of fine art), live on campus (at Campbell-women's honor dorm), and worked at the office of student life, so if Alyssa has any questions about NAU, feel free to email me! katiejohnson2002@gmail.com. I'm happy to give any advice that I can. Go Lumberjacks!
Posted by: Kathryn Johnson | June 26, 2008 at 01:01 PM
Best wishes. It's a great school!
Posted by: LenaS | June 27, 2008 at 02:13 PM
ohhhhhhhhhh look! She's all grown up! :) Yeah! What fun adventures she's going to have. :) So happy for her. And don't worry mom- three hours is a nice trip. Far enough that you're "away" and close enough to come home for dinner if you really wanted to.
Posted by: kelly | June 30, 2008 at 08:32 AM
My daughter went off to college last year. It is a little bit of an adjustment to the quiet. And to know when to be step back and to just let her live her own life. Also, I knew that she had really left when I walked past her room and it remained like a shrine - so impeccably clean. She will have the time of her life!
I still have a high schooler at home so I'm not quite empty nest yet. In the end you will be very excited for her to begin to spread her wings! Then they come home for summer break and there is the activity and messes all over again. But you love every bit of it!
Posted by: ellief | July 02, 2008 at 05:40 PM
Yeah Alyssia!!! Yeah Mom for putting on such a brave face!!! Yeah summmer to sneak in all those extra hugs/reading & lazin' around (HA!) Only wishing happy thoughts for you Tena!!!
Posted by: Paulette Sarsfield | July 03, 2008 at 08:42 AM
Six years ago my first child went off to college and I thought I would never manage because she was the only one who ever talked to me at home. BUT the younger brother really stepped up to the plate and I was so grateful to develop a good relationship with him over the next four years. Now she has graduated and moved back home, he has gone off to the same college she attended so they have lots to talk about-----I continue to be amazed how life works it all out.
Posted by: Karen Greenfield | July 05, 2008 at 05:39 PM