Team Smith

Today was a marathon kind of day. These days are rare and can pack a punch. 4:15am- Wake Up Call 5am- Leela arrives. Debriefing happens. Lunches, hair, and clothes have al been made, done, and laid out. Car seat swap accomplished. Dog is fed, watered and taken out. 6:40am- Flight takes off. Hot chocolate is served. Witty banter by friendly Southwest agents ensues. 8am- Flight lands. Picked up by childhood best friend Chelyn. 8:30am- Stop for Panera! Y’all know I can’t be in a city that has a Panera and not stop in. Love it when a day starts with girl time, coffee, and pastries. 9:15- Leave for Nevada State College. Get lost. Why is there so much construction in Las Vegas and roads with two names that lead nowhere? 9:30- Make it! Check in. Let the engagement begin! 2pm- I am full. Overwhelmed by the work ahead. Inspired by students’ stories. Emboldened and armed with more policy, more stats, more creative infographics. This community of people who care,

Our final stop on a whirlwind tour through eastern Europe! Budapest, Hungary. I learned very recently from my friend Susan that Budapest is two cities separated by the Danube. Buda is one side, Pest is on the other. I had no clue! So glad she dropped that tidbit of knowledge a few weeks before we left. We learned so much more about their history in a 4 hour walking tour that left Matt begging for aspirin and a bench ;-)  Even my feet hurt! But it was well worth it. Food highlights: While we did not eat at McDonalds, I was always fascinated by how there was one in each of the bigger cities we visited and how their fare represented the region. For instance, this one had nutella desserts, all of them had croissants, and a few you could get a cup of mulled wine with that burger. The historic coffee shop here was richly done. A palace from years ago (like so many), the charm was preserved in the renovation and I am certain most of the fabrics and lighting was original. Maybe the wall