Shachefski

I really love using PTO especially to go visit some of my favorite people. Last Thursday I flew to Durham, NC to visit Doug, Melissa, Dallin, and the Cramers.

I also love everything about airports. The stress and anticipation. The reunions and goodbyes. Great opportunity for people watching, which is one of my favorite pastimes.

As I was boarding the plane, there was an older woman wearing a long fur coat who turned to the man behind her, who she had never met, and said, "Can you believe how much they charge to carry my small dog on board with me?" He responded with, "Umm...how much does it cost." Lady: "Well, my ticket cost $215 and they charged $200 for my pooch to sit in this duffel bag tucked under the seat in front of me. But he loves to travel. Every time I pull out this bag he hops right in, just so excited to travel. But can you BELIEVE it costs that much? That's what I call ripping off the public." Man: "I guess so."

Just after take off, as the plane made the sharp turn to circle over the Great Salt Lake before heading east a little boy in the back of the plane let out the best Tarzan yell I've heard since Carol Burnett.

Now for the good stuff. On Friday morning I went shopping with Melissa and Dallin at the Southpoint Mall (like unto the Gateway only better). I got myself a couple of sweaters to ease the pain of returning to an inevitable snowstorm. One of my BFFs from BYU, Elizabeth, also lives in NC and she was kind enough to meet up with me to go out to lunch and catch up (aka talk about you). We had the most delicious pizza from the Mellow Mushroom.



I also got to see their beautiful apartment and sit on their comfy custom couch. Steven got off work early so I was able to see him for a few minutes too. It was absolutely ideal.

Side note: I really hope this post is coherent. I know it won't flow well, but I hope it at least makes sense. I'm watching the Duke vs UNC game right now and I'm having a hard time concentrating...and keeping my heart rate under control.

I babysat baby Dallin. I guess he is a toddler now. But toddler Dallin doesn't sound as good as baby Dallin does. We had some din din and then watched one of his favorite movies, CARS. He got to stay up extra late because Aunt Amanda was in town. Party time!!



Saturday. Game day. Douglas was kind enough to get me a ticket to the Duke vs Miami game, which was the excuse for the trip. Experiencing a game at Cameron Indoor was life changing. I get it now. I know what it means to be a Cameron Crazy.



Here are a few of my favorite things:
Before the game this old guy tosses candy to the Cameron Crazies.
When they are announcing the starting lineup of the opposing team they are welcomed to the court by the Crazies. It goes like this: announcer says, "Number 14, John Doe." Fans wave and say, "Hi John!"
At some point in the game, everyone yells, "Crazy towel guy," until an older gentleman up in the bleachers stands up and waves his towel above his head.

It was a little exhausting, but it was amazing to feel like you were a part of the team. Just after the start of the second half, they were down by 16. They came back within five minutes and the sound was deafening. The game went into overtime and Duke won! Thanks for taking me to the game, brother.

Side note: My nephew is obsessed with basketball. He has a little hoop in his bedroom and he follows through when he shoots, uses the furniture as defense, and says, "Thank you for basketball," when he prays. Precious.

On Sunday afternoon, we went up to the campus to set up Doug's tent in Krzyewskiville. When you turn onto the Duke campus, you are literally in a forest. There are no big signs or anyway to really know that you are on campus, but my two year old nephew sat up straight in his car seat and started saying, "Duke! Duke!" The graduate students set up camp a few days before the game. They already have tickets so they are lining up to get a good seat. The undergrad students start camping out after finals...in DECEMBER! They are lining up to get tickets. That's dedication. They camp out just outside of the stadium and it's pretty nasty. After setting up the tent and teaching Dallin about the wonderful world of Krzyewskiville we headed to the Sarah P. Duke Gardens to enjoy the 70 degree weather.



Thanks for showing me such a great time in NC!

CRAP those dang Tarheels just took the lead again.