Summer Internship, Pt. 3 - August 2008

Part 1 - Summer Internship - June 2008

Part 2 - Summer Internship - July 2008

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Sabien Cunningham, Sr. is 52, Tomika Cunningham is 52, Trinity Dalton is 52, Cameron Masters is 52, Nick Michels is 52, Honey Michels is 52, Sergio Spencer is 52, Emerita Valdes is 45, and AV guest, S'Ahmisa Warwick, is 18.

Life at the Cunningham home has been somewhat of a routine this summer.  To say "routine" and "Cunningham" in the same sentence, is unusual in itself.  There's usually always something that occurs to knock their plans right out the window!  If one was to sit still for a moment, they could sense an element of underlying sadness and tension in the air, but to look at the family on the surface, you couldn't tell it. 

Tomika's been so engrossed in her time with S'Ahmisa, the 'daughter' she never had, and with sewing.  Her renovated sewing room was hardly ever entered when the boys were home.  Now it's sort of become her sanctuary, well that is...when she's not spending girl time with S'Ahmisa; they clip coupons and make out shopping lists for the Butler, Vasyl, to pick up ingredients for new recipes the Culinary Group is trying out, or they go and buy the latest doo-dads for braiding and fastening S'Ahmisa's hair with, or they just sit in front of the huge TV upstairs vegging out while watching the SimLifetime movie channel.

Tomika, surprisingly, hasn't had time to really feel sad over her absent boys because she's been so pleasantly occupied, outside of work.  If she could only spend some alone time with her husband, that would be the icing on the cake.

SSU - July 2008

Rashid Cunningham and Elmer Valdes are both 19. 

Not much has changed at Sims State University since the Founders were here many years ago. That goes for the Landgraab Dorms, as well.  It's still the same old boring place.

The only difference is there's new paint and wallpaper, new carpets, and it looks like the furniture's been reupholstered...oh, and somebody planted some flower beds outside.

Coming of Age...Celebrate Life! - June 2008

All age transitions, births, and upcoming births will be posted under the new Coming of Age - Celebrate Life! threads.


In this update, I'm excluding Sims that should be here...ie. Keva Michels (12), Kendra Bachelor (12), Kent Bachelor (4), and Ashanti Raphael (4).  Keva Michels and Ashanti Raphael transitioned too early (my mistake), and the others moved into town already at a transitional age. 

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Viv Everett was surprised when Chuck called her into the nursery to show her a big blue fish rug he'd bought for the baby.  They didn't have much money to spend on a nursery, but they made the most of what they could buy.

"It's perfect, honey!"  She exclaimed.  Happily surprised that he'd bought anything at all for the baby - for one...and then thinking to herself, the rug barely matches anything in the room, but how much choice do you have when you're buying from thrift stores?  

"The baby's gonna love it!  Hopefully, he or she will one day run Everett Home Fishery, just like Daddy does."  Viv said enthusiastically.

Commencement Ceremony - June 2008

Rashid Cunningham is 18, Elmer Valdes is 18, and Erline Valdes is 18.  (S'Ahmisa Warwick is visiting from Apple Valley.)

**Marchon Cunningham, Valedictorian of The Class of 2008, is 17 and currently attending the University of Riverdale.  He elected to graduate high school early.**

It was a gorgeous Saturday morning!  The birds graced the surroundings with their melodious songs.  The rays of sun warmed the souls of everyone and brightened the day with more sunshine.  

As the guests filed into the quaint auditorium, ushers passed out programs at the door.

Are You My Daddy? - May 2008

Edward Valdes is 45, Emerita Valdes is 45, Elmer Valdes is 18, Erline Valdes is 18, Mayor Sabien Cunningham, Sr. is 52 , Lt. Tomika Cunningham is 52, Rashid Cunningham is 18, Ray Wilsonoff is 33, Lydia Wilsonoff is 33, Dr. Trinity Dalton is 52.

Last month during lunch in the cafeteria, Rashid Cunningham had slipped Erline Valdes a small note asking her to call him.  She never did.

Surprised?

He was too, when he never heard from her.  It was her moment to find out where he stood with her.  And Rashid was ready to put his heart and his future on the line to step up and be a man...in his way; on his own terms.  He would've told her that he was ready to step up.  But, by the time Erline got home, exhausted from her first full day back in school...the fantasy had died and reality had set in.  What if?  She asked herself.  What if he's not the father?  Why mess with his head?  She'd done enough of that already.

Mommies To Be - March 2008

I wanted to post the beautiful, glowing pictures of these Moms to Be to show you how they are doing, pregnancy-wise.  After a look at my calendar, I realized we won't see but one of these ladies in a journal update for the birth, and the others not until well after their babies are born.  (I will probably do mini-updates on the births, though.)

Erline Valdes, 3rd Trimester

Kimberly Spencer, 2nd Trimester

Lydia Wilsonoff, 2nd Trimester

Stacy Masters, 2nd Trimester

Viv Everett, 2nd Trimester

EEValdes - November 2007

Edward Valdes is 44, Emerita ('Rita) Valdes is 44, Elmer is 18, Erline is 18.

Since you last saw the Valdes', they've moved out of Cedar Two Flat Apartments and into a house at 79 W. Cedar, across the street from CPS School.

Emerita loved the wrap-around decks and the different levels. She's always thinking about the entertainment factor. Edward loved that it had a basement and a garage. Elmer loved his new loft-style bedroom; he quickly converted it into an art studio.  And Erline?...Well, she just wished she could've taken Ray Wilsonoff with her.

CPS - October 2007

Steve VanHouten is 24, Elmer Valdes is 18, Erline Valdes is 18, Rashid Cunningham is 18, Marchon Cunningham is 16, Sierra Spencer is 14, Christina Wise is 14, Tyisha Masters is 13, Keva Michels is 11*(I aged Keva too early, just think of her as a 'gifted' child. :P) 

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Edward Valdes - Simday 20

40 simyears old

I don't know what's wrong with me. I love my wife, but I'm feeling like she doesn't appreciate me and the lifestyle I'm affording her. Rita's always spending money like it's going out of style. Parties every month, new clothes, gifts...the list goes on! I work so hard and no one cares. My own children don't care about the legacy I'm trying to leave them. All they want to know is where we're moving to.

I've saved up enough money for us to buy a real nice house once our lease expires next period. That money didn't come easy, either. I work my ass off! I'm always stressing that hard work should be rewarded, so where are my rewards?!

I decided to talk to Orlando Centowski about the great job he's doing at BBV Motors. He's always on time, and he does the work of 2 people everyday! He likes my daughter too, which is a plus, maybe I will be able to keep BBV Motors in the family?

Do you know how hard it is to sell cars in the snow? It's damn near impossible! I practically have to scream and get up in my customer's faces to make them buy a car. But, we won another Best of the Best Award. Sure did. Our 2nd.

I came home one day after working outside in the snow for 12 hours straight. I was blue from frostbite and Rita just looked at me like I should've known better. Mouth all sucked up so tight...No hug, no - "How was your day, honey?" She does everything for everyone else, but I'm left out of the circle. She could've fixed me something hot to drink, but NO...I had to do it myself.

I did think of another more fun way to get warmed up...but forget about that...a quick glance at the television showed me that Rita was watching her soap. I learned real fast, don't mess with her while her soap is on or you'll get your neck snapped off.

Confession: No one was happier than I was when the sun came out and started melting some of that snow. A sure sign of spring. Or when Tomika Cunningham showed up on my lot. A sure sign of "Oh my goodness, what am I getting myself into?"

At our Halloween Party, I had flirtaciously suggested that she could stop by the lot and arrest me anytime she wanted to. But, I'm always flirting with Tomika like that. I think she's hot. With respect to the Mayor and my wife...but, I never in a million years would think she'd do it. But, she did and now I'm crushing on the Mayor's wife.

Emerita Valdes - Simday 20

40 simyears old

I'm having a ball watching my kids grow up and turn into handsome and beautiful, confident teenagers. They have completely turned their grades around from last time, and they make sure to study and do their homework on time. And I'm blessed that they get along so well. Great kids.

But, where is my life going? I need to do some soul-searching to figure out what I want to do. Pretty soon they'll be gone and it'll just be me left all alone with no one to talk to. Maybe I could help Ed down at the car lot.

I'm always throwing parties. Ed says I need to slow down and stop trying to be the center of attention.

I asked him how can I ever slow down and steal a moment for myself? He and the kids are always bothering me and asking me to do something that they could very well do for themselves!

I happily go shopping and cook for the entire apartment, including the new guy downstairs, Ray.

He says he misses his momma's home cooking, and mine reminds him of hers. So I cook him breakfast and take it down there. Only, on one particular morning, my daughter had beat me to it. She looked as surprised to see me as I was to see her. I asked her what she was doing there and she told me Ray helps her with her homework. I'm so glad to know that a genuine FENSA Society member lives in the building! How wonderful is that?!

A trip to City Hall got me thinking about the fact that I do-do-do for my family and everybody else and I hardly ever get anything in return.

I stay at City Hall's Gift Shop so much, Sabien stopped me one day and asked me if I worked there! LOL! I buy up gifts all the time because I never know when I might need one. He asked me what I planned on doing once my kids left the nest, they're growing so fast. That's when it hit me that I hadn't thought about it.

I had nothing to say, so turning an awkward situation into something positive, I invited Sabien over for some of my award-winning chili. You all may remember I won 2nd place in the Chili Cook-Off at last year's Food Expo event. They gave me a silver trophy and everything!

Well, Sabien loves it! He says it's, "Not too rich, and not too spicy...it's just right!" Ed says it gives him gas.

I say all that to say this...I've got a lot of talents, I just have to figure out which one I want to focus on.

Erline Valdes - Simday 20

15 simyears old

Me and my brother's birthday party turned out to be total crap. My mom forgot to make enough enchiladas and people started leaving 'cuz they were hungry. She's always throwing parties, but she never makes enough food. I wonder why she never makes her award-winning chili. She's got a silver trophy for it. She said it didn't have anything to do with the food, the blizzard outside made the party go south, but I just disagree. It's been snowing all winter long, and people still go where they wanna go.

I guess I should stop riding her back, 'cuz she's a good mom. She got me some really cool clothes and showed me how to do my hair so that it looks good against my face. I got some real chubby cheeks. And they don't look right. My Dad says it's an inherited trait from his father...but, how would he know? I thought he never knew his father. Plus, mom's got fat cheeks too. I'm double-cursed.

She also re-did my room. Purplepaws had designed me a beautiful kid's room, but my mom made it more teen-like with my favorite color, teal.

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I'm just feeling bad 'cuz this guy I really like, acts like he don't like me as much anymore and like he wants me to leave him alone. We talk all the time on the phone, and now he doesn't even answer my calls.

Yeah, you know him...it's Orlando Centowski. He works for my dad. He invited Orlando over here to talk to him about the business, and to make me and my brother jealous, I guess. Orlando's been working for my father since the beginning. And, he's really good at his job. I've liked 'O' since I was a kid.

But, I figure if he's never home and not answering his phone...neither will I. So I started hanging out downstairs with Ray. Ray is way-smart. He knows so much. And he's great to hang out with. I've started liking him, too. He makes me feel important.

So, now I'm torn between two guys that I like a lot. Ray, I think about him all the time 'cuz our relationship has become even closer. Orlando, I think I'd like to date him 'cuz he's my age and he's got goals already for his future.

Elmer Valdes - Simday 20

15 simyears old

...Can't believe that my sister and I are finally teenagers. Now I'm torn between what I want to do with my life versus what my father wants me to do with my life.

My dad works hard. Sometimes too hard. He's made a stone success out of BBV Motors. But, he wants me to continue that legacy so he can retire. I understand we're all he's got, but I've never shown him an interest in selling cars. I've always shown my parents that I love art. Painting and photography is where my heart is.

My mom's a little more understanding. Although, she worries about the future of BBV, she always encourages me behind closed doors, to fulfil my dreams. I can talk to her about anything and she always has an answer. But, she can't help but feel for dad, who complains to her that everything he's worked for is gonna go down the toilet if me or my sister doesn't step up to the plate. My dad wants her to take his side, but she tries to be there for us more than him....umm, well, that's whenever we can get her attention. We have to wait between 1pm and 2pm, then we get our mom back. Nobody can pry her away from Pahala Shore. She loves that sappy soap opera.

My sister and me will be playin' and laughin'...and she'll yell, "I'll deal with y'all after my soap. Now take all that noise to your room."

We love to get her riled up, but she's a great mom. For the holidays, she bought all of us gifts. I don't think any of us got her anything. She's always thinking of us.

She got me a basket of fake fruits. Now, you might not see the beauty of this gift, but it speaks volumes to me. She asked me to paint it for her. Like an art class would do. She was literally giving me her blessing right in front of dad, that she wants me to pursue my art!

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My sister's been acting weird lately. She stays cooped up in her room. (Well that's not really weird, she's been doin' that since that decorator lady, purple-something, gave her new room. Purplepaws. Yeah.) But, she's always playing her music and singing with the door closed. Like she's in concert or something.

Sometimes I don't know how she does it, but she'll sneak out and leave her music on and my parents'll think she's still in there, when I know she's not.

She don't have a car...so where's she going? I think - she's going downstairs to hang out with Ray. He's a pretty cool guy. I can see why she likes him. He knows a lot of stuff about alot of stuff. But, he and I have more in common than they do. We talk guy stuff alot of times.

I asked her what's up with her and Ray and she threw a pillow at me. She told me he's helping her with her homework. Hmpff! She gets this goofy look on her face whenever I mention his name. She came walking in the house with that goofy expression on her face the other night. It was after 10pm!! I pretended to read my book, but I was watching her.

I'm looking forward to getting out of Simmington Hills for awhile to attend Sims State. I need to meet some new kids...especially girls. There ain't no decent girls around here to talk to, and no decent places to go either. They need to get a community center or something.