Home, Sweet Home

On Friday morning Mr. Fix-it, Social Butterfly and I set out for Flagstaff to visit one of SB's college choices--Northern Arizona University.

This would be the same NAU that I suggested she apply to many times over the summer. The same NAU in which she wouldn't ever be interested.  The same NAU that she said about, one day this fall, "Hey, what do you think about me applying to NAU?" In a bizarre turn of events, I thought that was the fine idea.

We spent Friday evening cruising through the town and campus and then Saturday morning got a tour and the inside scoop from the neighbor kid who is a sophomore at NAU. Oy! The dorm room of a quartet of frat boys is something to behold (and smell).

The campus itself was lovely. Brick buildings surrounded by Ponderosa pines and bordered by snow-capped mountains. The college has done a good job of integrating the newer construction with the older buildings. And the new construction? The most amazing recreational center I have ever seen--with an indoor track, rock-climbing wall and rooms for P.E. credit yoga classes. Oh, and the labs are good, too. The "cafeteria" was impressive with lots of healthy choices for those who don't want to eat Chick-Fil-A or Pizza Hut.

SB is thinking she might want to be a nurse, but is not positive, so right now we're thinking of a Public Health major and then she can do a fifth year to get a nursing degree if that proves to be her interest.

Flagstaff is a nine-hour, very easy drive from San Diego; after we had lunch on Saturday--at Brandy's Restaurant and Bakery, a Diners, Drive-ins and Dives pick--we looked at each other and said, "This was great! Let's go home, now!"

So, we went back to the hotel, asked for a late check-out, grabbed our bags and hit the road. I might have felt bad for cancelling the second night except the beds were horrible. As SB said Saturday morning "When a 17-year old wakes up with a sore back you know it's a bad bed."

We were home by 8 p.m. and it was, as it always is, wonderful to be back at home. It's also pretty wonderful to have seen a school that has so many of the things SB wants in a college--her major, a very different environment than Southern California, an outdoor activity-oriented student body and the perfect distance from home (not too close, not too far).

I must admit that the "Arizona" part of the school's name was a little worrisome to our liberal family. Governor Jan Brewer didn't make us feel any better by wagging her finger in our President's face. The school and the surrounding city had enough people in dreadlocks, as well as Democratic Student Club members trying to register voters, to help convince us that, like most college towns, Flagstaff embraces a wide variety of socio-political viewpoints.

I think it's entirely possible that my daughter might become a Lumberjack!

 

 

Comments

[Jocelyn]

This is awesome. You left me wanting to go back to college, just so it could be in the glorious Southwest. Also, I was completely inactive in college; what would it be like to rock climb and go to yoga instead of the bar? Hmmm.

[gary rith]

I have heard that is one of the prettiest places in the US! And really, kinda distant from the teabag nuts in the southern part of the state, maybe....

[suburbancorrespondent]

I'm still trying to figure out that "nine-hour, very easy drive" thing you said. What?

[magpie]

i think it's adorable that you suggested it over and over and one day she came up with it on her own!!

[Brightside-Susan]

I loved visiting colleges with my kids - so inspiring and exciting. Hope she is happy with whatever choice she makes!

[Suzy]

My junior year college roommate in D.C. was the daughter of one of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Hardcore Republicans. We're still friends and she's still a hardcore Republican.

It's important to learn to get along with everyone and that's what opposite thinkers make you do. NOT argue. Discuss like civilized human beings. We did that more in college than as adults!

[Little Miss Sunshine State]

We always read that you shouldn't let a nice Rec center influence your college choice,but Sorority Girl was already impressed by UCF and the amazing facility was icing on the cake. She had been an active girl all her life and the Rec center was the perfect way for her to work off stress.

As a Mom in the health care field I also needed her to go to a school with a really good health care facility. It has been a lifesaver (and a money saver) or her to have had free medical care at an outstanding clinic for the past 5 years.

[Cassi Renee]

Um . . . how is 9 hours of driving anywhere easy?!

[Karen (formerly kcinnova)]

Ah, but Arizona is also the state that produced Gabby Giffords. I find most colleges to have plenty of thinkers on both sides of the spectrum. That said, the west coast is called the left coast for a reason. ;)

Both of my college kids went sight-unseen to the university. I thought it terribly odd but they have been happy. And I'm happy that this year we are only 2 hours away. (I can't see 9 hours as an easy drive.) With luck, the next kid will let us take him to visit colleges next year.

We plan on driving through and staying in Flagstaff in a couple of months. Where would you recommend a family of 4 staying (or NOT staying)?

[Busy Bee Suz]

I love all things Arizona! I was hoping one of my girls would go into nursing. (lord knows it would be great to have a health professional in the family, and it is a great field!)
Glad your weekend was a success!!!!

[lanes]

Glad it was such a good trip, and that you all liked what you saw.

I have a soft spot for that part of Arizona. When my dad and I drove across country, we had so much fun there.

[The Zadge]

Jan Brewer is an embarrassment. Arizona needs more libs so glad your daughter will contribute!

[Deborah J]

Lovely, and a little uncanny.
My seventeen year old started her nursing studies yesterday.(Academic year is calendar year)
Here in Australia there is not so much focus on "going away" to college so she's staying at home with a 50 minute commute(train ride) to classes.She may move closer later.
Soooo finance was approved, student cards obtained, vaccinations updated and off she went...
She's doing a Diploma of Nursing which qualifies her as an enrolled nurse here, and then she upgrades to a Batchelor of Nursing which qualifies her as a Registered Nurse. (3 1/2 years total)
I'll be interested to see the differences and similarities.

[Green Girl In Wisconsin]

All of our family lives out of town, so my kids know how to hunker down and deal with a 5+ hour car ride.
I hate to be the car, though, for the daily stuff. Once in awhile a good road trip is fun. I think nine hours could be okay with the right driving partner and books on tape!

[shrink on the couch]

I hear that part of AZ is amazingly beautiful. I want to go there someday soon. As for the politics of AZ, just remember little ole liberal me in the heart of a giant red state. University towns are usually loaded with liberalism. Yay.