A Few Moments a Day, 2005

Patar, summer, 2005
mini-update
Fiona walked aimlessly around the small cabin that had been her home for the last few simdays. It was quite different from the beach house and relaxing by the shore, but Fiona didn't feel like getting sand stuck up her butt. Sometimes are just not tolerable when you're pregnant and sand up your butt crack was one of them.

She stuffed a few logs into the fireplace and tossed a match inside with ease. She coaxed the fire to life with steady determination. After the fire roared to life, she took a chair by the window as she often did after lunch and prepared for her thinking time.

She still hadn't heard from her brother, Fredic, and to make matters worse, the news media had picked up the story. It was in the tabloids and on the television. The house phone was ringing for comments on the story, but Jesse stopped them all. His firm and direct answer of "Hell no!" was enough for the so called journalists.

Fiona hadn't know for Jesse to use such language, especially around her, but she was glad that he was playing the role of her protector. Not that she needed protecting, she could hold her own, but it was nice to have a husband keep the wolves at bay. She felt the baby move a bit inside her belly. Fiona wasn't that far along and wasn't showing as much, but her prior pregnancies schooled her on the talent of distinguishing a baby movements from gas bubbles. So far the ultrasound showed one healthy baby, but Fiona was still fearful. Being a twin herself and giving birth to twins and having a mother who was a twin was plenty to make Fiona especially cautious about the possibility of having another set of twins. She tried not to think about the fact that the Kents had been having twins since the start of the new dimension.

A quick glance at the clock showed that she didn't have much time left for her thinking time. Pastor Humphrey said that she would benefit if she allowed herself only a few moments a day to worry and then move on. So far it was working, she found that thoughts of Fredic's mistakes were losing their sting. Thankfully most of the hoods were wise enough to know that she wasn't the same as her twin brother. Her thoughts drifted to her cousin, Ray Wilsonoff. Thank goodness he was her cousin and not her brother, otherwise she could strangle him. Impregnating a teenager! What an idiot!

Another glance at the clock showed that her time was up so she didn't have the liberty to dwell on her cousin's situation.

Fiona rose slowly from her seat, careful not to stand too quickly and get light headed. She grabbed a book off the bookcase and started reading where she left off. She made a mental note to contact Pennelson Publishing about re-releasing her mother's book "Behind the Council: Tales of a Hood Council President".

The snow started to fall on her last evening in the mountains. Something about the chilled air coaxed her outside and to a small patch of trees.

She started rolling and molding the snow, watching it take form.

Her thoughts roamed freely in her head, thoughts of a new home with plenty of yard space, thoughts of the new baby even a few thoughts of her frustration with the whole Fredic ordeal.

"There, you don't look so bad. In fact you're kind of cute." Fiona said admiring her handiwork.

"Don't frown so, it'll give you wrinkles." She tossed the piece of advice to the scowling snowman before making her way to the dining hall for dinner. The baby had her craving a thick slice of steak medium rare with mashed beets and salted cod covered with chocolate. Yum.

Meant to Be, 2005

Lovar, spring, 2005
mini-update
Grex stopped at the bedroom door watching his wife move slowly about the room. Her hands pulled the blanket into place with slow determination and her eyes looked dull. He knew housework wasn't the most exciting thing to do, but Ginger's behavior was a bit odd.

"Are you ok?"

"Yea," she replied.

"Are you sure? Are you feeling sick?"

"No... in fact I'm not feeling sick and I'm concerned."

Grex cocked an eyebrow.

"I haven't thrown up yet and it's almost noon."

"Oh..." Grex knew enough about pregnancies to know that most women didn't suddenly stop having morning sickness just a few weeks into their pregnancy.

"You should go to the doctor."

"For what? I haven't vomited? Isn't that a good thing?"

"You should go," he urged her.

Thankfully, Ginger took his advice and visited the doctor while Grex stayed home with the toddlers. Breckin was walking and starting to run, while Lara was working on her words. He heard the door shut and knew that the twins were still in school.

He didn't have to ask, he could tell, but he asked anyway to go through the motions.

"How did it go?"

Ginger's face crumbled.

"They couldn't find a heartbeat."

Grex's own heart stopped beating.

Grex could barely hear the words that spilled from his wife's lips.

"It was horrible! They looked and looked and then...then she said...[hiccup] no heartbeat...take this medicine...[hic] come back in three days...[hic] no reason...don't know why..."

Grex felt powerless. All he could do was hold his wife as she cried her tears. Watching her endure the pain and the grief felt like his spleen was being pulled slowly from his body. He wanted to do something, to erase the pain. Then the guilt hit him. Maybe if he had gone to the doctor with her, the results would have been different. He could have held her hand and consoled her as the doctor spoke. Instead he was at home enjoying his younger children and having tickle fights while she was bared on the table, examined and prodded.

Finally she stopped crying and pulled out of his embrace. He slapped on a reassuring grin.

"Do you need me to do anything?"

Ginger sighed. "Would you mind taking the children to the park after school and maybe making dinner?"

"Of course, anything."

"I just need a bit of time..."

Grex nodded. He knew where she was going. She would go talk to her parents and their other baby, Gregory. He turned to leave the room, when her voice stopped him.

"Do you think we're cursed? Why must there be so many deaths in our family?" She mumbled, her limbs quivering. She thought of her older brothers, dead before their time. Her mind drifted to her nieces and nephews and sister-in-law, snatched from this world by the rising flood waters.

Grex took her in his arms again, "I don't know, sweetie. I don't know."

He tried not to think of his own siblings or the bus wrapped around the tree that fateful day.

"Is it meant to be? Why would death be meant to be? I don't understand!"

"I don't know, sweetie." Grex repeated, "I don't know."

Sterile, 2005

Lovar, spring, 2005
mini-update

"The nursery set arrived today," Rebecca said, trying to make conversation. Anything to distract them from the beeping of the machines surrounding them. They went through the same motions each night. After feeding the twins and leaving them under the care of their uncle and aunt, the couple set off to see their youngest daughter, Ana Rayne.

Each night they washed their hands using the strong soap and crowded around their baby. At the moment, all they could do was stroke her with one finger for a limited amount of time since touch was still stressful to the young infant. Rebecca would then unpack the breast milk that she carefully pumped during the day and insert it into the feeding tube. The extra milk was labeled and placed in the freezer for Ana Rayne's other feedings.

Occasionally, they would take a photo or two to show the twins their little sister. Abel and Amanda were not allowed in the unit due to their age, so the photographs were the only way the twins were able to see Ana Rayne.

"That's great," Julio distractedly replied. His mind drifting to the little girl next to him. It was only yesterday that the doctor reduced the amount of support from the ventilator. It wasn't by a lot, but any reduction was a milestone since for the last few simweeks little Ana Rayne had to be supported with various breathing tubes, feeding tubes and other types of tubes that even as a doctor, mystified Julio.

"Good evening," Dr. Suzanna McMillian said entering the tiny room.


"Good evening."

Suzanna looked at the tense faces of her friends. When she started this position, she never imagined that she would have to care for such a sickly baby, much less the baby of her colleague and friend. Since Julio was also a doctor, Suzanna knew that he could tell when she was trying to present Ana Rayne's prognosis in a favorable light. It also meant that Julio knew exactly all the complications of the various medicines and procedures.

"The x-rays are back for Ana Rayne and we have a few options." Suzanna began.

"She will need surgery, that much is a known fact. However, the timing of the surgeries is up for discussion."

Julio's ears perked at the plural nature of the noun.

"Surgeries? As in, more than one?" Rebecca whispered, stealing a glance at her tiny daughter. "I thought she was getting better. She doesn't need as much support from the ventilator anymore, that's good right?"

Suzanna nodded and glanced at Julio for support. His face was expressionless, the muscles had turned to steel in order to brace himself for the rest of the news. He needed to remain neutral and not upset his wife, but he also knew that if Suzanna thought multiple surgeries were needed, then things were not as well as they appeared.

"Yes, Ana Rayne will need to have surgery on both of her kidneys. You are aware that it's not functioning to it's fullest capability and we have had to drain it on numerous occasions."

Rebecca and Julio nodded.

"Her x-rays also indicate that her heart and lungs are of some concern as well. Even after the medicine therapy, the vessel connecting the two is still causing Ana Rayne some difficulties. surgery is now required to solve this issue."

Julio's muscles tensed even more as he stole a glance at his daughter. In spite of his efforts to mask his emotions, Rebecca could tell the difference. After more than 10 simyears of marriage, she could tell that when his upper lip twitched and his breathing slowed that he was trying to process some difficult information.

Julio stood up, "thank you, Suzanna."

"I'm not done, Julio." She whispered.

"Ana Rayne will also need to have the fluid on her brain drained."

Rebecca choked back a sob. Julio couldn't bear to look at his wife as she wept, the tears and cries rocking her body, instead he diverted his eyes once again to his baby girl. He didn't want this for her, no parent would want their baby to need so much support.

He tried to push away the feelings of guilt. If only he had been content with the twins and not pushed Rebecca to have just one more child. If only he had left well enough alone and then Ana Rayne wouldn't be suffering. The weight of the invisible burden pushed him back to his seat. His body numb with the unexpressed pain and grief.

Rebecca knew that it was her turn to be strong for the family. Julio's limbs had begun to shake and she could see the unshed tears behind his lashed. She bravely wiped her tears away and stood up.

"When will these surgeries start?"

"As soon as we determine which surgery to do first. Ana Rayne will need recovery time between surgeries, however her conditions are a delicate balancing act. "

Rebecca wiped the tears that threatened to fall. "I'm assuming that these surgeries are not optional."

"Everything is optional," Suzanna began. "However, I would not advise you to forgo any of the surgeries if you want Ana Rayne to..."

She faltered as she tried to find the right words. However the silence was enough. The weight of that unspoken four letter word shifted the air in the room.

"How long will Ana Rayne be here?"

"At least until her due date. I don't foresee her leaving before then, especially considering the complications that Ana is experiencing."

"It will be ok," Julio said rising from his chair and kissing his wife.

He didn't want to discuss discharge dates. The doctor in him knew that Ana Rayne had a long road of recovery ahead of her. Three surgeries that her tiny body had to undergo and recover from, not to mention the fact that she still needed her feeding tube and the occasional oxygen. He sincerely hoped that his little girl would in fact, make it home. His training had exposed him to that much. Babies in NICU didn't always make it, healthy babies at home didn't always make it.

"Thank you so much, Suzanna." Rebecca said hugging the woman. The pressure of Suzanna's large belly caused Rebecca to stiffen a bit. It reminded her that Ana Rayne was supposed to be still inside her, growing and getting stronger. Instead, she was covered with tubes fighting for her life."She'll be ok," Julio reassured his wife.

"We'll be ok."

Rebecca nodded, she knew that he said those words as much as to encourage her as to encourage him.

"Yes...everything will be alright."

---

Not sure if you needed a tissue, so I didn't give a tissue warning. Ana Rayne was born three simmonths early, which would make her about four months premature if she were born in real life.

How do you deal with sickly sims in your hood?

After All This Time, 2005

Lovar, spring, 2005
Antonio is 54, Carmela is 45, Verde is 18, Rojo is 13, Serendipity is 10

Antonio still tried to be romantic. Sometimes he wondered if he was trying to make up for lost time. He didn't hide the fact that he resented his father choosing Carmela as his wife. Antonio was content to live the bachelor lifestyle, however his inheritance was tied to obtaining a wife and producing heirs. One thing Antonio liked more than his art was his money so he obliged his father and married.

He didn't expect to fall in love with his wife all these years later. He couldn't deny that she was a good wife. She always had dinner ready and waiting, she served on the hood council bringing so much honor to the Herendez name and she silently put up with his artistic moods. Carmela bore his children and without compliant or resistance put her own child up for adoption. He knew that she tried to hide the pain of her past, of how her child came to be. Sometimes Antonio wanted to find the group of men and slowly torture them for the years of abuse they put her through. Sometimes he wondered if he should be the one being tortured for agreeing with his father and putting Carmela's child up for adoption.

For now all he could do was try to spoil his wife, to wipe away the years of pain that she suffered. She didn't ask for it, she merely smiled and allowed him to indulge her. Her past was hidden behind a well crafted face of high society and sophistication. It wasn't that she didn't think about it, but she only allowed the thoughts to flow freely when she was alone. She wondered about her little girl. She would be a young woman now, a year older than Verde. Was she ever adopted? Was she attending university? Was she showered with the love that Carmela's other children had? Was she married? Was she even alive?

Carmela tried not to think of her often, since she couldn't control the tears that often came with thoughts of her tiny baby girl. Her marriage wasn't that much different from her situation before...at least in the beginning, but then...then something stirred in her. Was it love? She wasn't sure if she could call it that. She respected her husband and valued him as the father of her children, but...love him? Perhaps playing the role of the dutiful wife was confusing her. Carmela was attracted to Antonio, he was a very generous lover, but that's it. They enjoyed a shared attraction, but never love. Love was never uttered between the couple.

"Do I get my trust fund after graduation?" Verde asked.

Antonio groaned. Verde had been anxious to get his hands on his trust fund for several simlonic months.

"We discussed this before, the trust fund isn't released until you turn 25."

Verde groaned in defeat.

*****

Verde wished that he had access to his trust fund now. S'Ahmisa had access to her account, why couldn't he.

"I still don't understand. S'Ahmisa and I are the same age and she can spend her trust fund."

"She's not spending her trust fund, she's investing it. Do you know how much profit she made when she sold Warwick Hall to the county council? Almost 45% profit. She's wisely taking her simoleans and doubling them with her investments. What do you plan to do with your trust fund if you had access? Spend it?"

"Umm...no, I'd invest it too." Verde lied.

Antonio sighed. He wished that S'Ahmisa's ambition would rub off on his son, but so far nothing.

"Fine. I'll allow you access to $5000 so you can invest that."

Verde grinned. "Really, that's great! Thanks, you won't be disappointed."

*****

Verde shifted his feet as he waited for the principal to come into the office. His mother had given him the message that Mr. Shazad had needed to see him immediately. Verde didn't understand why he had to return to school. Were they going to take away his diploma?

"Thanks for waiting," Johan said entering the room. "It's been really busy trying to wrap up the end of the school year."

Verde gave a nervous smile.

"How did your meeting go with Commander Peterson?"

"It went very well. I was admitted to the ROTC program and the program even pays for a tutor to help me with my dyslexia. I can't wait to go off to summer training and get started."

"That's great, you will have to return to the school and share your experiences with the other teens."

"That would be fun," Verde agreed.

*****

Antonio studied the pieces with a keen eye. He still couldn't believe that they were crafted by a child and that child was improving by leaps and bounds each day. The paintings that he now stood in front of in awe caused his young pupil disgust.

"They're not good."

"They're great, look at the composition, how you framed the picture, how you chose the colors."

Veronika regarded the paintings in question. "I could do better. This isn't my best work."

Antonio knew debating with the young girl was out of the question, she had inherited her mother's gift with words.

He had learned his lesson the hard way one day as she tried to convince him to allow her to skip school and paint all day.

"But it's still education."

"No," Antonio said firmly. "I don't think your mother would be too happy about that. Besides, wouldn't your father know that you were not at school."

"Not really, he works with the big kids, he wouldn't know."

Instead of allowing her to skip school, he arranged for her to have her own exhibit later that simyear through the Herendez Foundation for the Arts.

"Perhaps I could try my hand at pottery?" She asked before arranging her easel for her daily lesson.

Antonio shook his head. It was hard enough to get the child to focus on one style or subject matter for the exhibit, at least he could try and have her focus on one medium.

"But I could shape the clay like you do," Veronika pleaded. "Please."

"Maybe later, not today. Today you need to focus."

Veronika grumbled for a few moments before gathering her paints. Antonio watched as the girl regarded the blank canvas, her face contorted with concentration. He enjoyed watching her paint, her tiny fingers expertly choosing the colors and bringing the canvas to life.

"What are you painting?"

"My dream."

"What was your dream about?" He asked, his focus intent on sculpting.

"I had a dream about a girl. She was looking for her mommy."

"So a little girl was looking for her mommy?"

"No, she was a big girl. Like Verde. She said that she was coming to Apple County to find her mommy."

Antonio's breath caught in his throat as he jerked his head up and peered at Veronika's painting. Deep dark blue eyes stared back at him along with porcelain pale skin.

"Blancita." He murmured as his heart skipped a beat. He could see the infant's tiny face before him.

"I like that name," Veronika said. "Blancita."

----

Ok, a lot. If Antonio and Carmela confused you, simply click on their names in the sidebar to see their earlier relationship.

I didn't realize that the painting Veronika was doing looked like Blancita until I was typing the update. I wonder what happened to Blancita ;)

A Moment in Time-2005

Lovar, spring, 2005
mini-update
Jorge couldn't call this an interview, nor could he call it a job offer, after all Brandon had already accepted the job. So maybe it was a welcome- to- the -neighborhood-do- you- have -any- last -minute -questions -before -being- thrown- head- first- into- a- major- project lunch.

The two men settled into the newly renovated resturaunt.

"This used to be an italian place," Jorge mentioned as they looked over the menu.

"Really?"

"Yea, too many italian places in the hood, so they made this into some sort of french bistro type place. My wife helped with the menu."

"Then I expect nothing but the best. I've heard of Ms.Dawson, my wife is a huge fan of her cookbooks. Your wife is like an idol to her."

"Really? We'll have to have you two come to the house so they can meet each other."

"Ilila would love that, anything that has to do with food, she's all over it. She can't cook much, but she knows good food."

"Your wife sounds like me, I love to eat."

Brandon laughed. "To Ilila, food is like music, a symphony. She can talk about it all day long, about the melody of flavors clashing together in her mouth, the fireworks exploding in her head."

"So she really loves her food."

"And her wine. Did I mention she loves a good wine as well."

"Your wife sounds like she would be a good hostess. Is she prepared for that?"

Brandon nodded. "Yes, sir. Ilila knows what's expected of a military wife, especially the wife of a high ranking officer. She knows that she is to be present at the wive's club, being alone during deployments and relocations where ever the service takes us."

Jorge nodded. "That's great. I don't foresee you being relocated anytime soon. You're going to need time to build up the base and ranks here in Apple Valley. Besides, the hood needs you as the new military advisor and your wife as the new elementary school teacher. "

"We're both excited about the new opportunities here in Apple Valley, sir." Brandon continued in his military tone.

"I'm sending my nephew, Verde, to the base this afternoon. He thinks he wants a career in the military and has a desire to join the ROTC during university. Don't go easy on him."

Brandon considered Jorge's words as he watched the young man scramble through the obstacle course.

"Hurry up, you're wasting time!" Brandon shouted after the young man.

Verde grunted as he pulled himself up.

Physically, Verde was cut out for the military life. Brandon could tell as much by the way Verde pushed his body and how much he controlled every little movement in his muscles.

Brandon wondered if the young man would follow orders. He knew that he came from money, mostly old money that wasn't really there, but his family still had the reputation of having money and thus the boy was spoiled. He didn't put forth an effort, doing just enough to get by. Brandon could tell this from his files, his grades were lack luster and he participated in very few extracurricular activities.

"Hustle, hustle!"

Brandon knew that he couldn't discount the young man, he would give him a spot in the ROTC program and the full scholarship that came along with it. He would give this boy becoming a man a chance, the same way he was given a chance when he was that age.

"I do have a few concerns," Brandon started. "Do you know what they might be?"

Verde nodded. "My grades. Most sims look at my grades and turn the other way."

"Why is it that your grades are so low?" He asked.

Verde shrugged. "I'm not sure. I try my best, I really do. Most of my teachers thought that I was slacking, but I wasn't, honest."

"I believe you," Brandon replied. He had no choice, the results were in front of him in black in white. According to the testing, Verde wasn't a slacker, he suffered from an undiagnosed case of dyslexia.

"Let me review the terms of the enlistment again," Brandon started. "We will cover your tuition and fees for Pierce University for the entire term of your enrollment, provided that you take no more than 5 simyears to complete your degree."

Verde nodded.

"During your university term, you will be required to report to physical training, or PT, twice a simweek; pass all your military coursework; and attend summer field training. Upon graduation, we expect a service committment of six simyears. Do you think you can handle this?"

Verde nodded, "Yes, sir!"

---

So Verde's in the ROTC now. He has a doofus trait, but instead of all my sims being just a "doofus", I need explanations. Myra has learning disabilities and Verde has dyslexia.

You've met Brandon Peterson very briefly and you'll be formally introduced to this family in their future update.

It's been an action packed spring, so tell me what do you think? Too many updates? To many mini-updates? What would you like to see?

Education Note: Post-Secondary Career

Johan Shazad

Met with Rebecca Wilsonoff to go over the hood's education and career needs. We propose the following changes.

Post-Secondary Careers

After reviewing the list of available employment and surveying business owners and CEOs, we've come to the following conclusion. Many of the careers and jobs now require advanced education and we must meet that need.

A detailed survey of jobs and salaries was made. We then evaluated what level of education and skills companies required and created a chart.

Light green indicates high school diploma.
Medium green indicates associate's degree.
Dark green indicates bachelor's degree.
Deep Dark green indicates an advanced (master or PhD) degree.

Since companies are now requiring advanced educational skills, we must provide residents with these opportunities. Opportunities for a high school diploma and bachelor's degree are available, however we must offer associate's degree as well as advanced degrees. Please note that these skill levels are different from technical training skills.

The goal of the public education is that every student graduate with at least a skill score of 1 in all 7 core skills and a skill score of 3 in at least three core skills. This is the bare minimum standard simnationally. This means that a student will graduate with at least a 13 on the Core Skills Evaluation.

Associate Degree (thanks to Sullivan for piloting this program)

Any resident of Apple Valley without a degree may undertake a correspondence course with Pierce University at any time. Tuition is $5,000 for the entire degree program and students must have at least a score of 15 on their entrance exam (Score on Core Skills Evaluation + #simyears work experience)

Advanced Degree

Any resident of Apple Valley with a bachelor's degree may undertake an advanced degree with Pierce University at any time. Tuition is $20,000 for the entire degree program and students must have at least a score of 35 on their entrance exam (Score on Core Skills Evaluation + #simyears work experience)

Further Restrictions

Some industries reserved the right to limit the type of degrees required before entering the field. They are listed below.

Medicine: Biology, Physics, Psychology

Natural Science/Science/Oceanography: Biology, Physics, Mathematics

Architecture: Art, Physics, Mathematics

----

A more in depth look at this program will be available in the BTS Blog in a few days.

School's Out for Summer! 2005

Lovar, spring, 2005
mini-update
The younger students are anxious about summer vacation. Many of them have big plans of watching cartoons all day or eating popcorn for breakfast. A few of them are signed up for a summer camp at Yellow Lake Isle.

Johan struggles to teach the elementary class. He's not a fan of the younger students, he much perfers teaching older students, but with the new changes that he and Rebecca are discussing, it will be increasingly harder to qualify to teach college level students. He honestly thinks that if he could concentrate on only being principal of the academy and managing the education for the hood, then he would be content. Thankfully, he received a promising application from a young teacher, Illia Peterson.

Two lengthly phone interviews later and he had offered her the job of elementary teacher. She had to think about it and discuss it with her husband, but Johan knew that her answer would be yes. It had to be, her husband, Brandon Peterson, had recently accepted an offer to move to Apple Valley as the new military advisor.

He was right, she did accept the position and she would start that fall. Johan could hardly wait, soon he would never have to have recess duty again.

Not that the screaming voices of hyperactive children were annoying, but Johan preferred the quieter aspects of his educational job. He longed to spend hours in his office tweaking the curriculm and leading the hood to become a premir place to educate young minds.

Thankfully, the county council gave Johan a fair amount of simoleans to manage this simyear. There were some notable changes, such as the small vegetable garden that the students tended. The profits from selling the produce would go to the school and provide a small bit of income.

Some of the produce would be used in the new cafeteria. All students now recieved free lunch at school thanks to the increase of taxes.

Most of the students loved picking out their own lunch, be it mac-n-cheese, or syrup covered pankcakes.

The junior high and high school students were now combined in one secondary class. Jesse didn't mind being in charge of the 12-18 year olds, as long as he could keep them focused.

Johan had enough funding to hire Susie MacAstral, an university student majoring in dance, to teach a few classes each week. The plan was that after the initial introduction to dance, parents would then have the option to pay for their child to attend dance class during their elective period. Right now, Susie was coming in once a week as she was still recovering from an illness.

Johan could tell that music class had started, the sound of a student's screaches,

accompanied with the scratches on the brand new violin

and the slow plucks from the piano.

"Very good," Nicole encouraged the young group as they struggled through "Over the Double Moons"

Johan could tell that she was still under the weather, her voice was a bit hoarse and her energy level seemed low. Thankfully, this week was the last week for elective classes as the next few weeks would be skill exams for all grades.

*****

A few days later, Johan stood in front of the small crowd. It was graduation time again.

Today, young Verde Herendez, would be leaving the academy and joining the ranks at Pierce University.

As a surprise, S'Ahmisa flew in from Kimikura to attend the ceremony, her own graduation ceremony wasn't until early summer.

Verde was excited, now school was an option, no longer a requirement. His parents were just thankful that he passed the skill exams and that his entrance scores were enough to gain his admission into Pierce University.

"Congratulations, Verde." Johan said as the young man stepped to the podium to receive his coveted diploma.

"Congratulations," S'Ahmisa said giving him a quick kiss before his family swept him away for photo ops.

She was proud of him, even though he barely made it through, he did make it. He was so different from her. She was prepared for years for this day. She had studied intently for her entrance exams and passed them with a score that few sims would laugh at. Her acceptance letter from Pierce University had arrived simweeks ago and with it several scholarship offers. S'Ahmisa had even scored an interhood internship in Simmington Hills, working underneath Mayor Cunningham.

Meanwhile, Verde had a meeting with Johan the following week to discuss his future plans. Yes, he had his acceptance letter to Pierce University, but he lacked the scholarship offers that S'Ahmisa had. At the moment, he also lacked an internship, though he perferred to spend his last summer before university enjoying the sun and working out.

His family, on the other hand, had plans for him to work in the art gallery if he didn't get an internship.

Congratulations, Verde Herendez. Verde graduated with a C (barely) and will be attending Pierce University. At the moment, he has no idea what he will major in.

---

Here's a shot of S'Ahmisa at the graduation. You'll see a brief update of her kimikurian graduation ceremony soon.