Saturday, August 26, 2017

SVC

Sunflowers at the rest stop in Allegany
Sonnenblumen bei der Rasthaltestelle in Allegany

There was not much time to take many pictures, but we managed to get Jonathan down to St. Vincent College.  Thursday, and especially Friday, was scheduled down to the minute for students, parents, and siblings.  We left Thursday in order to be there for early drop-off some of Jonathan's belongings at the dorm.  We were only allowed to carry things inside, but not to unpack.  

Seneca land
Land der Senecas

Ich habe kaum Zeit gehabt zu fotografieren, aber wir haben Jonathan wohlbehalten bei St. Vincent College abgegeben.  Donnerstag und besonders Freitag waren bis auf die Minute für Studenten, Eltern und Geschwister geplant.  Wir sind schon Donnerstag gefahren, damit wir am Abend noch  ein paar von Jonathans Habseligkeiten im Studentenwohnheim abgeben konnte.  Man durfte sie nur abgeben, aber nicht auspacken.  

Entering Pennsylvania
Grenze nach Pennsylvania

Lunch in Ridgway
Mittagessen in Ridgway

 Flora thought this house must be haunted.
Flora hat gedacht, daß es in diesem Haus spukt.  



 Indiana, PA
Indiana in Pennsylvania

 Looking for a Viennese cafe
Wir suchen ein Wiener Kaffeehaus.

Here we are.
Da ist es. 



Parking lot in front of Jonathan's dorm
Parkplatz vor Jonathans Wohnheim

On Friday, we first went to a car place to have Jonathan's car checked out because a warning light (check engine) had been on while driving through the mountains.  They think he needs a new break switch.  Jonathan made an appointment to have his car looked at in more detail on Tuesday morning.  He will drop his car off at the shop and somebody will drive him back to campus so he won't miss classes.  

A foggy morning
Ein nebliger Morgen

Am Freitag sind wir erst zu einem Autoservice gefahren, weil während der Fahrt in den Bergen in Jonathans Auto ein Warnlicht angegangen ist.  Es scheint irgendetwas mit einem Bremslichtschalter falsch zu sein.  Am Dienstag hat er einen Termin bei einer Werkstatt.  Die Mechaniker werden ihn zum Campus fahren, während sie sein Auto angucken, damit er keinen Unterricht verpaßt.  
  
 View from the hill on which Jonathan's dorm is located
Blick von dem Hügel, wo Jonathans Wohnheim ist.

Another view
Noch ein Blick 

And another one
Und noch einer


Jonathan's dorm
Jonathans Wohnheim

At 11.30 a. m. all students from Jonathan's pod, St. Vincent has the freshmen in pods or neighborhoods, each having about 16 or up to 24 students (men and women separated) living together in a part of the building, were to drive into a designated parking lot on campus.  Jonathan received a welcome bag, his key, I.D., and seven meal tickets for a picnic later that day.  We then had to wait with other cars in a line before we were allowed to drive to the dorm parking lot where students helped to unload whatever still needed to be unloaded.  After that, we had to drive to a third parking lot where we could park.  Then we walked to dorm and met his roommate.  He is from PA and is a nice young man.  We also met his parents and a few of his siblings.  Jonathan and his roomate decided that they wanted their beds bunked because otherwise the room was too small.  To do that, you had to send an e-mail to the orientation committee and wait until they came round with a hammer and several people to bunk the beds.  That was a bit inconvenient because without bunking the beds, there was no way to rearrange the room.  So we waited and chatted until the beds were finally bunked.  Then everybody helped to rearrange the desks, wardrobes, and chest of drawers.  After that, we left for lunch so that Jonathan's roomate and his family could unpack.  After lunch, it was our turn to unpack, but we did not quite finish because at 3:00 p.m. we had to be at the welcome Mass in the basilica.  It was a beautiful Mass and it was nice to see the church full with parents, students, and other family members.  The archabbot and the president of the college were there also, leading the Mass.      


  Video, das den Einzug auf dem zweiten Parkplatz zeigt.  Wir sind aber nicht im Video. 

Each freshman at SVC has a "Big," a senior student that helps the freshman to get used to life at St. Vincent.  Jonathan has a young woman and she made this sign for him. 

Jeder Studienanfänger hier hat einen "Großen", einen Studenten oder eine Studentin im letzten Studienjahr, die dem neuen Studenten helfen, sich bei St. Vincent College zurechtzufinden.  Jonathan hat eine junge Frau, die ihm dieses Schild gemalt hat.  

Um 11.30 Uhr mußten alle Studenten, die mit Jonathan in einer Wohngemeinschaft im Studentenwohnheim wohnen, sich auf einem bestimmten Parkplatz treffen.  St. Vincent College hat innerhalb der Wohnheime für die Erstsemester Gemeinschaften, damit sich die Studenten besser kennenlernen.  Sie sind immer entweder für Männer oder Frauen und umfassen 16 bis 24 Studenten.  Jeder Student teilt sich dann ein Zimmer mit einem anderen Studenten.  Auf dem Parkplatz bekam Jonathan dann seinen Studentenausweis und Zimmerschlüssel, eine Willkommenstasche und sieben Eintrittskarten für ein Picknick später.  Danach mußten wir mit den anderen Eltern in einer Autoschlage stehen, bis wir zu einem Parkplatz näher an dem Wohnheim fahren durften.  Dort haben dann Studenten alle Autos ausgeladen.  Wir hatten nicht mehr so viel, weil wir ja schon am Abend davor vieles ausgeladen hatten.  Anschließend fuhren wir zu einem dritten Parkplatz, wo wir dann parken durften.  Danach sind wir ins Wohnheim gegangen, wo inzwischen auch Jonathans Mitbewohner mit seiner Familie angekommen war:  ein netter junger Mann aus Pennsylvania.  Es stellte sich heraus, daß das Zimmer so klein war, daß man die Betten übereinander stellen mußte (also Etagenbetten).  Um das zu tun, mußte man aber eine Email an das Organisationsteam schicken, das nach einiger Zeit dann mit mehreren Studenten und einem Hammer die beiden Betten übereinander gestellt haben. Danach haben dann beide Famlien geholfen, die Schreibtische, Kommoden und Schränke so hinszustellen, daß das Zimmer wohnlich war.  Wir sind dann zum Mittagessen gegagen, damit der Mitbewohner mit seiner Familie auspacken konnte.  Nach dem Mittagessen waren wir dann an der Reihe, unsere Kisten zu leeren.  Wir haben es aber nicht ganz geschafft, weil wir um 15.00 Uhr bei einer Messe sein sollten.  Diese Messe war für die neuen Studenten mit Eltern und Geschwistern.  Sie war sehr schön und feierlich, und die Basilika war ganz voll.  Der Erzabt (Douglas Nowicki) und der Präsident des Colleges (Brother Norman Hipps) haben die Messe geleitet.    

After Mass, we unpacked some more, but had to leave later again to join the picnic.  Jonathan also picked up his textbooks, we bought a binder for his math book, which is loose-leaf, and he got his mail box key.  Between 6:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. the families had to say good-bye.  The parents of Jonathan's roomate gave us their e-mail address in case there was an emergency.  They told us that they would help Jonathan if he needed help because they only live an hour away.  For us it is over five hours.  That was very thoughtful of them!

Mary Mother of Wisdom Chapel, seen through a glass window
Blick in die Kapelle "Maria, Mutter der Weisheit" durch ein Glasfenster

Nach der Messe haben wir noch mehr ausgepackt, aber dann mußten wir zum Picknick.  Jonathan hat auch seine Bücher für die Seminare abgeholt und eine Mappe für sein Matthebuch gekauft, weil es nur lose Blätter sind.  Danach hat er sich seinen Postfachschlüssel besorgt.  Zwischen 18.00 Uhr und 18.30 Uhr mußten sich die Familien verabschieden.  Die Eltern von Jonathans Mitbewohner haben uns ihre Email gegeben, damit wir sie kontaktieren können, falls Jonathan in einem Notfall Hilfe braucht.  Sie wohnen nur eine Stunde entfernt, wir aber fünf.  Das war von ihnen sehr nett!    

Miriam and Veronika are putting together a bookshelf for Jonathan.
Miriam und Veronika bauen für Jonathan ein Bücherregal zusammen.

And then we drove all the way back and made it home just before midnight.  Jonathan had several meetings that night and also a bonfire.  Today, he also had a schedule for meetings all day long.  Tomorrow, he will have a few meetings, church, and also some free time.  On Monday, he will start early with his ballet class.  

Dann sind wir bis nach Hause wieder gefahren und waren sogar noch vor Mitternacht da.  Jonathan hatte an dem Abend noch mehrere Termine und ein Lagerfeuer.  Heute hatte er den ganzen Tag Veranstaltungen, morgen nur ein paar, Kirche und auch ein bißchen Freizeit.  Am Montag fängt er dann mit der ersten Klasse, Ballett, an.    



A video about the college.  The president talks about the college.  
Und hier noch ein Video über das College, wo auch der Präsident redet.  



10 comments:

  1. Liebe Eva, wie aufregend sich das alles liest! - wie das erste Kapitel in einem Buch. Da fängt ja wirklich ein ganz neuer Lebensabschnitt für Jonathan an und abgesehen vom kleinen Zimmer klingt alles sehr gut. Fein, dass er einen so netten Zimmernachbarn hat. Die besten Glückwünsche für dieses neue Abenteuer!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ja, so etwas ganz Neues, nicht wahr? Er scheint sich inzwischen gut eingelebt zu haben. Ich hoffe, es werden vier glückliche und erfolgreiche Jahre!

      Delete
  2. How wonderful to be greeted with such enthusiasm and care! Also his room mate's family seem really nice and having a caring family close by will be a comfort to you all. Hope and pray that his first week goes well. San xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, they do try to involve the families and practice Benedictine hospitality. And Jonathan's roomate's parents seemed to be good, practical people. They also homeschool :).

      Delete
    2. Ah, you cannot beat Benedictine hospitality :-) xx

      Delete
  3. Congrats on a successful move-in! I hope he's enjoying his ballet class this morning. I really like the warm welcome upperclassmen give. I think it must make a difference. I remember feeling a bit lost when I first started college. Having a "Big" would have been nice :)

    Love to all of you with this first one leaving the nest! (Of course there will be lots of visits both ways . . )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He did enjoy his class. He said that it was the right level for him. They have a very modern studio there. He also hopes to dance with the Laurel Youth Ballet in Greensburg, but has to see if his classes leave time for that.

      I do think they try to connect the youngest with the oldest students there. He had two scheduled meetings with his "big." She showed him where his classrooms were (just for his courses) and ate with him in the cafeteria. She also told him about some other people at SVC that like to dance. That was nice of her. I think she has one more "Little."

      Thanks so much for sending you love. There was so much going on that weekend that I had no time to "feel" about his leaving. But on Sunday in church, when he was not serving, it hit me: He is gone! That was hard! We have been e-mailing daily, mostly questions about laundry (they have different washing-machines there), the car, some class questions, etc. He also skyped once, but was very tired that day. Peter will drive down on Saturday because we ordered some bedding from Ikea, but they sent picture frames instead. It took them two weeks to correct the mistake and so it was too late for Jonathan to take along his bedding. He took some of ours here, but we do not have enough now. Today the new order came and Peter will take it down on Saturday and bring back all the things Jonathan has right now. That is kind of complicated, but the best option. It will mean a lot of driving for Peter, over ten hours!

      Delete
    2. Golly what a drive for Peter! Glad that J has managed to Skype you, thank goodness for modern technology! Big hugs about all the feelings, I remember crying when Emma left all those years ago and found it hard leaving Sara when she tested life as a university student at Sheffield. Time however does fly by and before you know it, he'll be back home again xx

      Delete
    3. He will leave at 7:00 a.m. so he can meet Jonathan and his roommate for lunch.

      Thanks for the hugs, I know he is not out of the world and comes back for a visit in October. We also e-mail daily, there are little things he asks or tells me, but his overall presence is gone. I know that is the way it goes and I am happy he is able to find his own path in this life.

      Delete

Welcome and leave a comment, if you like. I look forward to reading your lines.

Willkommen auf meinem Blog. Über einen Kommentar würde ich mich sehr freuen.