the sound of the genuine

Prior to Last Week:

* finishing a CPE summer
* saying farewell while planning my return
* sunny days
* swings!
* packing a lunch
* Braves game with my CPE boys
* tying up some loose ends

Going Home (MN):
* delayed flights and chats with strangers
* Ben and Marie's smiling faces at baggage claim
* wandering The Mall
* flattened penny souveniers
* a Twins game at the Dome
* Nordic Landscapes
* turtle races
* high O's (dOncha knOw?)
* watching Ben deal with Marie's pre-teen brother
* a lively dinner with Ben's family
* lakes and lakes and lakes
* childhood friends
* knocking on the Olsons' door, like usual every few years
* Andrew doesn't listen to music
* hugs from Uncle Mark
* Aunt Harriet's intentional conservationism
* Uncle Dave and Andrew trying out the knorks
* Em & Ryan's cookout
* meeting baby Cole
* Phil and Greg being Phil and Greg
* the way Rita's face squishes up when she laughs
* Lunds & Byerlys
* Aunt Kack's hospitality
* enjoying Bob's grilled salmon?
* Bert's unabashed love of parodies and classical music
* Jana's anticipation
* finally getting a device to transmit the ipod in the car
* arriving back in the ATL