Ready! Set! Go! (From the Archives)

Today marks the 8 month anniversary of my “freedom”. I moved my niece into her dorm room in August. Having the house back to myself after 2 years seems almost surreal at times. Now that she’s safely tucked away in college, I can have a little “mommy moment” and reflect on some of our best times. This is one of them…
~from the april 2008 archives~

At the time, my niece had no idea about attending college. Neither of her parents had attended and no one had ever discussed the topic with her. So during Spring Break of her junior year, I decided to take her and two of her friends down to my alma mater (FAMU) for a brief college tour. I’d already arranged things w/ her friends and their parents. But the trip was a complete surprise for her.

I created a website for her (since she was always on online…apple doesn’t fall far from the tree…lol) and gave her the web address. When she logged in, she saw a huge RATTLER symbol and it told her to pack a bag because she was going on a trip. Then it directed her to the next link. This is what she saw.

Dear Lil’ Bit,

You didn’t think that we would let you take a trip without finding out a little bit about where you were going did you? Before we leave, here are some tasks that you need to complete:

1. What does the acronym FAMU stand for?
2. Find the weather report for Tuesday/Wednesday in Tallahassee.
3. Find the number of miles and approximate travel time of our trip
4. Find the web address for FAMU.
5. What is the physical address to the admissions office at FAMU?

6. How many colleges and schools does FAMU have?
7. Name 4 types of scholarships that FAMU offers.
8. Name 3 places to find scholarships outside of FAMU.
9. What is the general telephone number?
10. Who is the president of the university?

11. Names 5 sports that are offered.
12. When was FAMU founded? What was it first called?
13. What are hours of operation for the bookstore?
14. Name 6 student organizations on campus?
15. What is the location and the phone number for the financial aid office?

Then, we were on our way. I must say that we had an absolute BLAST. We checked into the hotel suite, ate dinner and relaxed. I had the girls go to bed early because we were getting up bright and early to take a campus tour. When they woke up, I took out my laptop and had my niece to log in to her site. And she found….

Good morning, ladies!


Before we hit the road this evening, here are some items that you have to obtain before we leave:

• A map
• An application
• Total yearly cost to attend (include out of state fees, meal plan, room/board, tuition, etc.)
• 2 business cards (one admissions officer/one financial aid representative)
• Signature of 2 people from the Atlanta area
• Identify on the map the location/name of a school/college of study that interests you
• Price of new and used College Algebra book
• Name of the transit (bus) system
• Take a picture at the Student/Career Center
• Take a picture of the hangout spot (The Set)
• Ad for someone looking for a roommate

The girls were excited and enlisted the help of their very cute and extremely popular tour guide (who happened to be an ATLien) to help them with some of their scavenger hunt items. After the tour was over, I took them to visit my old dorm room. Some of the young ladies graciously allowed them to view their rooms and ‘adopted’ them, introducing them to other people on their floor. The girls’ eyes were filled with awe. After exchanging MySpace pages and phone numbers, we were ready to hit the road. But not before Lil’ Bit and one of her friends took a picture in front of the Bruhs’ wall throwing up hooks as a shout out to her Uncle Creasy (lol).

It was an absolutely perfect trip. One that I think back on and smile during the times evenings like this, when I miss my Lil’ Bit.