Where It All Began- Part 1

Hi! Confession time- I have never written a blog, nor have I been one to read others. I do love storytelling, so I am not sure why I haven't attempted this sooner! I am a Gen-Xer, so you WILL see a space after most commas. I can't help it- just let it be.

I often get asked why or how Mama Bear College Mom began. In conversation it usually involves a very abbreviated version of the events that took place, but the full story began way before I ever knew it was being written. I think I will do this in small chunks so I don't lose you on my first post ever :)

Some bullet point context about me, Becky- I was born and raised in NJ to immigrant parents from Brasil (and no it is not a typo- that is how we spell it in Portuguese). Lived there my whole life up until the age of 32. This season included a stint at Rutgers University, followed by FIT in NY, and a job in Fashion Retail at Nordstrom. It was there that I met Ted, a migrant from Seattle, WA (you will soon start to pick up my very dry sense of humor). In the most unpredictable turn of events, we got engaged, married and had 3 beautiful children - all in the span of 1999-2001.  So much for bullet points. Throw in a career change for me in 1998, where I became an air hostess (aka flight attendant) for Continental Airlines for 10 glorious years.

We had a good start in life, but we soon learned God wasn't going to let us sit for too long before throwing some serious curveballs our way. We moved to California in 2006-2020, living in the not-so-sleepy community of Los Alamitos and Seal Beach. Throw in another career change in 2008, where I went to work as a Children's Ministry Director at Saddleback Church at a new satellite campus. 

Our kids attended school in the Los Alamitos Unified School District all the way through 12th grade - shoutout Huskies, Eagles and Griffins- leading to our oldest daughter applying to Baylor University to enter classes Fall of 2017. 

Are you with me? Good, because this is anything but the short version. In fact, I will give you a break from the story. It was right about this point that we were trying to figure out the whole "how to send your prized oldest kid halfway across the country to a foreign land for college?" thing. We were excited and sad all at the same time. And I'll be honest, there were moments of sheer exasperation thrown in there. Madness, I tell you! That's for another post. Let's do this in stages. And for each one, I will give you a college tip as a gift,matching the setting of the story. For today, I will share a Dorm Shopping Checklist! 

Top 10 Items for Every Room in 2025: ( in no particular order)

1. Bedding (because they all have to sleep!)- 2 sets of sheets and pillowcases: https://mavely.app.link/e/gpwww8koIUb
2. Duvet with Insert or a Comforter (I like the duvet for easy laundering of the cover) : Duvet: https://mavely.app.link/e/BSdHxFtoIUb   Insert: https://mavely.app.link/e/KxEcJmEoIUb
3. Some GOOD pillows- 2 (1 minimum) https://mavely.app.link/e/jNwrkAFVITb
4. Extra storage- pick your favorite. I like the items from Container Store- best quality for the price and they will use it all 4 years. Here are some more links: 

          Elfa cart stand with drawers for micro-fridge combo:                https://mavely.app.link/e/nBmdN57SETb

          IRIS 3 drawer rolling storage: https://mavely.app.link/e/jOjBX4GVnUb

         Tint Stackable Drawers: https://mavely.app.link/e/jOjBX4GVnUb

      5. Mattress topper: https://mavely.app.link/e/4HuQHRSEHTb

      6. WooZoo fan: https://mavely.app.link/e/FQ2ouf4oIUb

      7. Shower Shoes: https://mavely.app.link/e/G1zA91bpIUb or https://mavely.app.link/e/nPSvVYfpIUb

      8. Surge Protector Power Cords: https://mavely.app.link/e/PeUjICrpIUb

     9. Laundry Hamper (keep it simple): https://mavely.app.link/e/DsZ2EXCpIUb

    10. Shower Caddy: https://mavely.app.link/e/omG1363pIUb

Bonus Item: Fast drying and absorbent Turkish Cotton Towels: https://mavely.app.link/e/39dzSzdqIUb

See you next time for Part 2!