How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?

Finals make you do crazy things. I don't dress up for Halloween, but for whatever reason I dressed up on Saturday. Crazy things, I tell you.

Katie and Rachel invited me to a Sound of Music sing-along last Saturday night.

Sound of Music. I'm so there.
Sing-along. Done.

And then they told me how they were going to wear costumes - there was going to be a contest. They were going as girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes. I immediately wrote off the costume idea, but I was excited about the evening. Then Saturday afternoon while I was running I kept thinking about it. (Another crazy thing. Apparently I shouldn't workout and let my mind relax.) Shockingly, I don't have a white dress. And I already put my summer clothes away and couldn't think where I would find a white skirt. Plus I would have had to stop and buy some blue ribbon for a sash, and I didn't have time for that. But I kept thinking, running and thinking. What do I have a lot of? Black dresses. Oh my. I could be Sister Maria . . . a nun. With a white shirt, a white headband and a scarf, it all kind of just came together. :)



It's a good thing I couldn't see myself, because I don't think I would have been able to stop laughing all night. Oh, and I got some crazy looks in the car on the way to the theatre. Good times.

And the sing-along was hysterical. We had props and assignments. Do-Re-Mi cards where you stood up and sang your part during the song. The whole theatre was up and down, up and down; it was so comical. Hissing when Baroness Schräderwas on screen. Bells to ring for "doorbells and sleigh bells." Party poppers for when Maria and The Captain kissed. There was quite a list. It was so entertaining.


I can't believe I dressed up, but it was a blast.

(And Platts, I thought about you the whole night.)

I'd like to say a word in her behalf . . . Maria makes me laugh.

Online Window Shopping

I'm in love with these beautiful Dori Csengeri earrings.


I should really stop online window shopping and study, but why? This is so much more fun.

12 Days of Christmas

It's a winter wonderland outside right now, and . . . I love it. I know. Me. Loving snow. Today it is just making me happy. I just stood there enjoying it while my car warmed up. It's beautiful. And Christmas. It finally feels like Christmas to me.


Since it finally feels like Christmas, here is my version of the 12 Days of Christmas:

12 Days Til Georgia!!!!!
11 Page Paper (that I haven't started)
10 Christmas Cards to Send
9 Hours of Exams
8 Cases to Grade
7 Articles to Read
6 Classes left this Semester
5 Golden Girls . . . or Sisters
4 Papers to Write
3 In-Class Finals
2 Reading Days
1 Excited Kristan

12 Days. 12 Days. 12 Days. I can do it.

* And Dad. Thank you. Thank you for letting me get "Sam's Car." Thank you for deciding that buying a 4WD car was a good decision so it could maybe stay in Utah for Sam. It may only be a few days a year, but I really like not worrying when I drive. Thank you.

The Rest of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays - you can't go wrong with food, family and more food. Plus it marks the beginning of the Christmas season!

This Thanksgiving break I was thankful for:

Family: I'm so thankful I have so much family in Georgia. The usual Sunday dinner includes both grandparents, an aunt and uncle and a cousin and her family = 16. Plus this Thanksgiving two more aunts, uncles and cousins came to visit! Daphne and Roger came from Reno. Craig, Beth and their four boys came from San Francisco. I honestly can't imagine a small dinner table.






Pumpkin Pie: Really I just can't get enough.

The NapTab Reunion Tour: Beatles Rock Band is oh so fun. (And it's fun teasing Sam that she only knows the songs that were on Across the Universe.) I even impressed myself and now play on Expert. (That's right Karen, Bryndee, Mel and Michele . . . I know you can't believe it. And well that means I probably should be embarrassed by how many hours I played over the summer.) The first time the NapTab sisters played my 12, 10 and 7 yeas old little cousins we all beat them . . . and they were ticked. They "practiced" the rest of the day. We're not a competitive family at all. My 7 year old cousin was thrilled to beat me by the end of the weekend. :)

Zac's new friends: Boyfriends, compliments of Auntie Beth. Yes, Lauren. My family does have an unhealthy relationship with cutouts :) It's just so funny walking into Sam's room now.



The Turkey Trot: It's amazing how much better shape I am in this year.

The Annual Brooks' Christmas Tree Shopping Event: And, yes, it is an event. One day we'll convince Dad to buy the biggest tree ever.




And as much as I loved Thanksgiving this year - which trust me I did - more than ever before I felt like Thanksgiving was a big tease. It's a short little weekend that gives you just a taste of sleep, fun, family and food, and then you are thrown back into real life for three weeks before Winter break. It's just rude. I mean really. Who has any desire to deal with little things like reports, projects and finals when you've just had a taste of vacation? Not me. But if Thanksgiving really was a taste of things to come, I can't wait for Christmas!

The Turkey Trot

Remember last year how Mom and the sisters ran a 10K/5K on Thanksgiving morning? Well, in the Brooks family if we do something once and like it, it becomes a tradition. So of course this Thanksgiving we ran the Turkey Trot again!

I did have two stipulations for participation this year. 1) Kelli couldn’t conveniently “forget” her shoes at home. She had to participate. And 2) Sam had to wear tights and a foreheadband again. :) Kelli ran and Sam wore leggings, but she claimed she didn't have any (see through) tights.

Mom and Shannan ran the 10K, and then Shannan decided to join Aunt Daphne, Kelli, Caisa, Sam and me for the 5K.





While we couldn't laugh at Sam too much this year, we were lucky enough to have Kelli with us and we could make fun of her inability to park in a parking space. The teasing started back in the summer in Hilton Head, but she proved that she hasn't changed at the Turkey Trot.


And don’t worry, in keeping with tradition - and like all great athletes - we stopped at QT on the way home. Nothing quite like 32 ouncers after running 3 miles.

Midnight Moon Madness

Did I forget to mention my completely embarrassing evening a few weeks ago? Weird. So I’ll admit it. I kinda love Twilight. I kinda love Edward. I kinda love Rob Pattinson. I know. I know. I can’t believe it either. And I can’t believe I admitted it . . . out loud . . . on my very public blog. Oh well. This is me. Doing things you wouldn’t expect this year.

This is a story about shame.

I read the first book as part of my NYC ladies book club. Most of us continued reading the rest of the series. I admit it. The books are less plot than endless yearning. I know. It’s bad. It’s stupid. And then the first Twilight movie. I refused to see it when it first came out. I refused to see it in the Utah madness. Then I saw it. And I laughed through the whole thing. It was ridiculous. The dialogue was stupid. It was just plain bad. But Rob Pattinson grew on me. I was kind of horrified with myself, but over the summer I found myself eating Red Vines and watching the movie – or really just select scenes – in the theatre with Shannan and Sam over and over again. One minute I’m a functioning member of society, and the next I’m succumbing to the dark side. I have an unhealthy obsession with fictional characters.

I don’t want to hear how you read a chapter of Twilight and it was awful. I don’t want to hear how illogical the story is. I don’t want to hear how you think RPatz is not attractive. I don’t want to hear that Edward and Jacob aren’t real. I don’t want to hear that my brain is rotting and my sense of reality is distorted. I know. I know. I know. It’s embarrassing to love something you wish you hated. But I don’t. And I’m embracing it. Here on my public blog. There I said it. So if you care to hear about my New Moon craziness, read on . . .

I went to a 12:43am showing on opening day. Which I had no business doing since I’d been up since 6am and was on-campus until 10pm, oh and I had 8am class the next morning. But boy did I get “the experience” by going to the midnight showing. Complete with standing outside the movie theater in lines with hundreds of little girls – freezing, since you know it was Midnight in Utah in November. Complete with completely turning my head and dodging the new cameras from shame. But one of the guys in my program rented out a theatre for his wife and the other MBA wives and the women, so I had to show my support. I mean I didn’t go because I wanted to see the movie the minute it was released. I went because my friend rented out a theatre. Right? :)

A few highlights:

- Having to stop for Red Vines and Milk Duds on the way to the theatre.


- Going with Shannan. It was so great blaming my attendance on “my little sister.” Plus, her comments, ohhhs and ahhs, gasps and laughs were hysterical.


- Reminding myself that Taylor Lautner is 17. Rob is 23 . . . that’s so much more acceptable, right :)
- When Jacob walked out towards the end of the movie with a shirt on (something that he usually hadn’t been sporting) and Shannan said (rather loudly), “Why’d he put his shirt back on?” I – and everyone around us – couldn’t stop laughing.

Oh and don’t think the New Moon fun stopped in Utah. Thanksgiving break was Twilight filled too.

- First, my Aunt bought us “boyfriends” for Thanksgiving dinner. She didn’t want the single sisters to feel left out. We were thankful.


- And then we went to New Moon (yes, again) with my Aunt, Uncle, 14 and 11 year-old male cousins (oh, so great), Grandma, Mom and the sisters.

And on what I feel like is a non-Twilight, yet Twilight comment. I'm kind of in love with the New Moon soundtrack. Even you haters would enjoy it.

Back to Life, Back to Reality

I really don't want to be back. Last week was filled with sleep, eating, movies, Rock Band and shopping. I really don't want to be back.

There are only 9 more days of classes, but there is oh so much to do. I hate this time of year . . . finals season, not the more fun and exciting holiday season - which I'd rather be celebrating!

Is it Winter Break yet?

Go Cougars

I attended my last BYU football game as a student. We froze, but had a blast.


Caisa, the hard-core fan in the family, flew back early from Thanksgiving break for the Utah game. The rest of the family watched from the heated house on the big screen. 26-23 win in overtime. (As usual you couldn't just finish the game early, but at least you pulled it off.) Nice work Cougars! Nice work.

Turkey Bowl

So I can continue to surprise you . . .

1. I played in a Turkey Bowl. The MBA women played the Law School women in a Turkey Bowl before Thanksgiving break. Since it was our last game, we started referring to it as the Super Bowl.
2. I woke up at 7:30am on a Saturday to play football.
3. It was snowing. That's right. I looked out the window, saw the snow and immediately texted our "captain": "There is white stuff on the ground." But we still played. I couldn't feel my toes, and I definitely don't have cleats (and neither did most of our team) so I slid all over the place, but I played . . . in the snow.

And Shannan is a rockstar for coming, watching, laughing, freezing and letting me drink her hot chocolate.

Fries, Waffles and Coco

To celebrate the end of a long week on Friday my friend Chloe and I spent the evening in Salt Lake.

We went to this wonderful Belgian waffles and frites restaurant: Bruges. The fries were divine and the waffle was delicious.



And then we went and saw Coco Before Chanel. (I miss seeing indie films at Lincoln Center!) It was one of the most honest films on the subject of modern feminism I’ve seen. Coco's struggle and determination to become a self-made woman in an era when women were not supposed to make anything was inspiring. And Audrey Tautou was perfect.


It was fun to have an evening like this right here in Utah.

Reason 1,568,998 I Love My Sister

"I feel like he doesn't treat me like I'm as awesome as I am."
- Sister, specific identity withheld to protect the innocent because we are all . . . wait for it . . . awesome

My Special Guest Blogger "Friend"

Kelli's friend Michelle loves me, well, for obvious reasons. Kelli and Michelle met in Provo - when I was also living in Provo. They moved to DC together (ish) and now are roommates - and I visited often when I lived in NYC. I like to call Michelle "friend," since she has become my friend too. There are a few things you need to know about Michelle.
1) She wishes she was a Brooks sister (who doesn't)
2) She feels the need to try to out-do me (good luck)
So without further ado, I'd like to introduce a very special guest blogger, Michelle.

Find Kelli a Husband Trip by Michelle

Our story begins over two years ago on Kelli’s 26th birthday, and since it is being told by the best friend, I’ve taken the liberty to . . . we’ll call it embellish, for dramatic effect.

Dave Brooks was beginning to feel his age when his oldest daughter Kelli celebrated yet another birthday as a single, unattached young woman. Despite his pride at all she accomplished so far in her life, what he really wanted were the two things that his daughters seemed intent on not giving him: a son and grandchildren.

As he pondered how and when this would one day happen, he thought there might be a way to help it along. Afterall, he had raised 5 daughters on the incentive program and they’d all responded just as he’d counted on them to. Why not apply the same concept to getting them married? It was only fair to start with his oldest daughter Kelli and work his way down from there.

So, he had a conversation with Kelli that went something like this:

Dave: Alright Kelli, it’s time for you to start looking for a husband.
Kelli: Haha, very funny Dad.
Dave: I’m serious. Here’s the deal I’ll make with you. You have 2 years to find him all by yourself. If you can’t make anything happen within that time, I’ll come to DC myself to observe and evaluate the guys in your ward and find someone for you.
Kelli: Well, do I have to be married 2 years from now?
Dave: No, but a ring, or a relationship heading towards a ring will be required.
Kelli: Okay Dad, sure, whatever you say (she says sarcastically).

Over the next two years Kelli makes no progress whatsoever, despite Dave consistently reminding her that he is coming if she doesn’t take care of it herself. Kelli is sure that these are empty threats and barely gives it a second thought, but as the deadline approaches and her Dad is still talking about the impending visit, she starts to get a bit concerned. Will he come? Will he actually do anything when he gets here? Kelli assures herself that it’s all just empty threats, and yet . . .

The deadline comes and goes and still no guy, so a week after Kelli’s 28th birthday Dave and Darla make a trip up to DC for the weekend, as promised. When Sunday rolls around Dave heads off to Elders Quorum with a mission: find at least 5 potential men for Kelli. Dave shares his top picks with Kelli after church and finds that a few are real possibilities and gives her a mission to begin her due diligence. He tells her he will be back in a month to continue the job and Dave and Darla head back home to Atlanta, feeling better about their chances of becoming grandparents some day.

While all these events are *true* and did take place, I’m pretty sure that Dave and Darla’s real reason for coming to DC was just to visit Kelli. The problem was though, that Dave and Darla wished the whole family could be with them and decided not to let a stupid thing like geography get in the way. So, the heads of the 4 missing Brooks sisters were printed up, mounted to sticks, and they all joined us on a few activities in and around DC.

First stop: A Segway Tour of our Nations Capital . . . get your helmets on girls, cause we’re about to get started:


Oh look, it’s the whole family!


And here are just the girls on the Segways; don’t they look like they’re having fun!



Of course no tour of DC would be complete without a stop at The White House.


And since we didn’t want to leave you out of the rest of the days activities, we brought the girls along with us to dinner.


to TangySweet


and of course, to the movies!


And then, as a reminder of where the whole “heads on a stick” phenomenon began.


I’d say you were missed, but in reality we felt you with us every step of the way and immensely enjoyed your company. Glad you could all join us for a great weekend in DC, can’t wait to do it again soon!

Shannan: The Food Service Worker

Shannan is studying dietetics here at BYU, and as part of her program this semester she has to work in a student run restaurant on-campus: The Pendulum Court. I've actually left the Tanner Building a few times to have lunch with her. Seeing Shannan in a hairnet always makes me smile.

KC and J Dawgs

The wonderful KC was deported (which isn't entirely true but way more fun to say), and on her way back to Canada stopped in Provo for a day! It was so great seeing and chatting with her, and she helped me with my Things Kristan has Never Done List. We went to J Dawgs.

Those of you outside of the Provo world probably have no idea what J Dawgs is. It's a little hut south of campus that sells hot dogs, and it has quite the cult student following. For those of you familiar with the Provo world, you probably can't believe I've never had a J Dawg. It's true. (even though my childhood summertime lunch memories usually include of a hot dog and ketchup)

I ordered a polish dog with special sauce and a pickle. Properly named: The Lady. It was delicious.

#7 Channeling Matty Saracen

Add this to the list of things you never thought I would do: Play Flag Football. That’s right, this year I decided to play on the MBA women’s intramural flag football team. And guess what else, I had a blast.

Before September had I ever really thrown, caught or really even touched a football – no. Luckily I wasn’t the only one. Put a bunch of type-A personalities who don’t like to lose and usually are pretty good at everything they do and ask them to play flag football – against a bunch of girls 5 to 10 years younger than them. Hilarity ensues. And a bunch of penalties. Caisa and Shannan said they loved coming to my games because they were so entertaining. It was a great season.


Here are some of my favorite moments:

1. Practice. Yes, we had practices. It was pretty funny watching two guys in the program try to teach us football. Some favorite moments:
Coach: “Okay, I want you to be the slot.”
Girl: “You want me to be what?”
Coach: “The slot.”
Girl: “Slot. So not what I thought you said.”
Girl: “Wait. I don’t know what that is.”

Coach: “Here are our routes. In, Slant in, Out, Slant out, and Streak.”
Girl: “Oh so now I’m a streaking slut.”

2. About five minutes into our first game it started to rain. I looked at my teammates and asked why we were still playing. I’d never played football before and there I was playing – and freezing – in the rain. Another thing I thought I’d never do.

3. Game 1: 0-0 We didn’t lose!
Game 2: 0-something high
Game 3: 0-something high
New Goal: JUST SCORE
Game 4: 6-something!!! (WE SCORED!!)
New Goal: WIN!
Game 5: 7-6 WE ACTUALLY WON A GAME!!!

4. Captain Erin: "If we can’t win, get ejected."

5. Coach Rett: "Go for the knees and you shall prevail!"

6. Shannan screaming from the sidelines: "MAKE RIGGINS PROUD!" (Always made me smile)

7. After an illegal defensive tackle or some crap penalty like that. Erin, “But ref, wouldn’t you just call that good defense?”

8. Always laughing hysterically - at and with ourselves.

9. 1 tie. 2 loses. 1 win by forfeit. 1 legit win.

And #10. I. Caught. The. Ball. This deserves the story. I played defense. I’m not the fastest, and I can’t catch. But as Caisa puts it, I’m really good at getting in the way. I had quite a few sacks. Which let me tell you is fun. In Game 5, the other team was going for their extra point. I went to rush the quarterback and noticed she was going the other direction, so I decided to pop back. The next thing I know the ball is coming toward me. I throw my hands up thinking there is no way I’ll reach the ball, but I should at least pretend. And then miracle of all miracles the ball is in my hands. It felt like I was literally standing there just looking at the ball in my hands for forever thinking, did I really just caught the ball?! I really just intercepted the ball! Wait. Now what? I’m in the end zone. Doesn’t that mean this is a touchback or a safety or some football term I have no idea what it is or means? So I’m just standing there. The ref isn’t blowing the whistle. No one is grabbing my flag. No one is really doing anything. I’m just staring at the ball in my hands. The next thing I know I hear everyone on the sidelines telling me to run. So I start running. (The story from everyone in the sidelines is that I look at the sidelines, smile and then while still looking smiling I start to kind of running while still so excited I’m smiling and looking at everyone in disbelief.) So, I caught the ball. I had an interception. And that interception helped us win the game by not allowing the other team to score the extra point. And I also learned an important lesson: when you catch the ball, run. :)

It was a great season. I'm so glad I decided to play.

Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream for Breakfast

I went on a bit of a pumpkin baking spree last week, and I found a new favorite recipe - Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream. The recipe is from Closet Cooking and it is divine. It tastes just like pumpkin pie filling. Add some graham cracker crumbs, chocolate chips and caramel. Last night Caisa, Melanie, Shannan and I couldn't stop. And then I had some for breakfast this morning. Dare I say it may just be better than pumpkin pie for breakfast. I'm having the Monday blues and all I want to do is go home and eat the leftovers. ("leftovers" sounds so much more exciting when I'm talking about dessert!)

Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream
(makes 4 servings)

Ingredients:
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup milk
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
4 egg yolks
1 cup pumpkin puree

Directions:
1. Heat the cream, milk, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves in a sauce pan until it almost boils, about 5 minutes.
2. Reduce the heat to low.
3. Add one tablespoon of the cream mixture to the egg to temper it.
4. Add the egg to the sauce pan.
5. Cook at low heat without boiling, until it is slightly thickened and coats the back of a spoon.
6. Add pumpkin puree and stir.
7. Chill the mixture in the fridge.
8. Freeze according to the instructions for your ice cream machine.

Adventures in Grading

This year I am the Teaching Assistant for a professor who is teaching two Marketing Strategy undergrad classes. Initially I thought it would be a great opportunity to work with a professor as well as earn a little cash. No one told me how much fun it could be :)

When the semester started I felt a little weird grading. Was I really qualified to be doing this? Am I being to harsh? To lenient? I've never graded before; who am I to determine what grade a student gets? Are my comments appropriate? Helpful? As time went on I started feeling more comfortable. I was getting feedback from the professor. None of the students had revolted and complained about me. I felt like I had a good grasp on the class assignments.

Last week was a really busy week with an assignment, a case and a midterm to grade. After hours of grading I started to realize . . . I was having fun. Some of the comments were down right hysterical. I was having a little bit too much fun with my red pen.

So you can join in on the fun, here are two of my favorite comments from a case on BMW (from different people):

The basic competitors of BMW are the competitors in their market.
and
Another competitor would be companies that produce trucks, especially Fords.

It took everything in me not to write "No duh" on the first one and "Seriously, trucks?" on the second.

Winners High

It was a fabulous night. Pictures and details to come . . .

Coach Boone: Put your hand down.
Coach Boone: You're smiling.
Petey: Yes.
Coach Boone: Yes, sir. Why are you smiling?
Petey: 'Cause I love football. Football is fun.
Coach Boone: Fun, sir? It's fun?
Petey: Yes.
Coach Boone: You sure?
Petey: I think...
Coach Boone: Now you're thinkin'. First you smile, then you thinkin'. You think football is still fun?
Petey: Uh, yes.
Coach Boone: Sir.
Petey: Yes- no, sir.
Coach Boone: No?
Petey: Um, it was fun.
Coach Boone: Not anymore though, is it? Is it?
Petey: Not right now, no.
Coach Boone: No, it's not fun anymore. Not even a little bit.
Petey: Uh... no.
Coach Boone: Make up your mind. Think since you're thinking. Go on, think. Is it fun?
Petey: No, sir.
Coach Boone: No? Absolutely not?
Petey: Zero fun, sir.
Coach Boone: All right, listen up! I'm Coach Boone. I'm gonna tell you about how much... fun you're gonna have this season.

Miss Samantha Visits Provo

I've already mentioned numerous times how completely awesome my sisters are; you're probably tired of hearing it, but I don't care, they're the best. And little Samantha, well three years at home with just Mom and Dad has made her, well . . . hysterical. For example, my parents take off for the weekend and leave their 17-year old, Senior in high school child home alone. Any normal child would go a little crazy, have a party, at the very least stay out past curfew because well there is no one to check on you. Not Sam. I'm having this conversation with Sam and her response to my encouraging her bad behavior is: "Well, I have to come home at a reasonable hour because I have to take care of the dog. I mean he can't be stuck in his room all day." Seriously! The dog. That girl probably loves the dog more than she loves a quadruple stuffed Oreo. (and if you know Sam, that is saying something)

Since my parents ditched Sam, the Utah sisters were thrilled to let Sam ditch the parents and come out for a "college visit" weekend. Shannan thought she'd be funny by emailing out an itinerary before Sam arrived. It was a great weekend!

Sam’s October Provo Trip Itinerary

Thursday, October 1
11:44 pm Arrive in Salt Lake City- Shannan to pick you up
1:33 am Arrive in Provo
2:00 am Pillowtalk (but without Kristan it won’t be as fun – plus the bed is hard)
2:20 am Sleep

Friday, October 2
10:00 am Tour of campus with Shannan
Highlights to include: where Shannan cooks and where to buy chocolate covered cinnamon bears
11:00 am Run into Kristan’s arms in excitement. Continue Tour.
Highlights include where Kristan spends all of her time and Caisa’s favorite stairs.
Sam couldn't handle the stairs.


12:00 pm Meet Caisa for lunch at Legends Grille
12:15 pm Gawk at all the pretty athletes (Shannan to keep drooling to a minimum)
2:00 pm Spend afternoon with Caisa
5:00 pm Dinner at Café Rio
7:00 pm BYU vs. Utah State game


9:00 pm Bennett/Justin time - Haunted House

Saturday, October 3
8:00 am Leave for Salt Lake
10:00 am Conference with Bennett, Justin, Tolson, and sisters


1:00 pm Lunch in Salt Lake
3:00 pm Alpine slide and coaster in Park City (after screaming our heads off, maybe just maybe a stop at the outlets – depending on the swipey swipey budget)
I've wanted to do this forever, and I'm so glad we did. It was a blast.










5:00 pm Dinner
8:00 pm Sundance Moonlight Lift
This time I dressed appropriately. Three shirts, a sweatshirt, a jacket, three pair of pants and two blankets. Just right.


Sunday, October 4
9:00 am Conference crepes with friends at Shannan’s apartment
10:00 am Conference
12:00 pm Nap
1:00 pm Lunch with sisters
3:00 pm Leave for the airport. Shed tears.

Sam come visit again!