Some recent photos

In the last week I:

Was told "that's how it's done" by TSA staff. I'm flattered.

Left my kindle in its awesome case on the following airplane and will probably never see it again.

Watched a DVD of a U2 concert in Ireland and talked about how we wished we could go to the U2 concert on Sunday.

Ended up at the U2 concert at Spartan Stadium with free tickets.

Spilled hot coffee in my lap (special thanks to Red Cross first aid training, I will never underestimate the importance of putting cold water on burns immediately for 15 minutes)

Played lazer tag with high schoolers.

Did not get home until 2am on a Wednesday (thanks Ryan and Callie!)

Ate an amazing pickle from the corner deli by work and promptly fell in love with New York corner delis.



It's been an interesting week.
I am really looking forward to a 3 day weekend and the month of August aka the month that I hope to not get on a plane.

24 things to do while 24

On June 5th I turned 24. While my birthday this year was unfortunately not much of a celebration, I've been warned that 25 is a big one. There are many things I would like to accomplish this year or many things I have avoided doing but need to accomplish this year. However you want to look at it, here's a list to get me started on a great year of being 24.

1. Take an actual yoga class
2. Get my passport updated so I can actually use it
3. Spend a week without my cell phone and laptop, preferably on a vacation in another country.
4. Buy and cook fish by myself--no help!
5. Bake more pies. Preferably cherry.
6. Use the food processor for more than just hummus
7. Continue watching True Blood even though we don't have cable or obviously HBO.
8. Take advantage of touristy things in NYC
9. Go to see at least 2 Broadway plays, one hopefully being the Book of Mormon
10. Print wedding photos and put them into albums
11. Frame large wedding photos
12. Start other photo albums instead of keeping them all on the computer
13. Spend a full day in Brooklyn
14. Host more friends and family in New York (Ahem, family get on that)
15. Beat Sean at Yahtzee
16. Visit a country I have never been to
17. Read books I own that I've been avoiding reading cause they're non-fiction and/or depressing
18. Locate the battery charger for my digital camera somewhere in this apartment
19. Stop giving my curly hair such a hard time
20. Conserve water by not taking my sweet time in the shower every morning
21. Have more plants and fresh flowers at home
22. Get tested for allergies
23. Upgrade some pieces of furniture, such as the dresser that's falling apart.
24. Eat a whole wheat everything bagel at least once a week.


Obviously this is not a full list and there are other important things to do such as have a fulfilling real job, keep in touch with good friends, and maintain a loving marriage. But I'm sure I'll be more capable of doing those things if I also accomplish some of the items on the list (#14 and 22 come to mind).

In other life news, I finished reading the Twilight series. Have to admit I read them while specifically looking for something mindless and entertaining. The writing was bad but I thought it got better with each book. Sean said I was just invested in the story and characters. No way. That is NOT why I immediately went and added all the movies to our Netflix queue.

I forgot how much New York smells. In both good, and bad ways.

Monica Susan Sullivan

June 10, 1957-June 5, 2011

Monica Susan Sullivan passed away peacefully in the care of her loving family on Sunday, June 5, 2011. She was 53 years old.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Monica was the middle of five children raised by Paul and Evelyn Clement in Garden City, Michigan. As the middle child, Monica was often the “peacemaker” of the family, looking after the well-being of her siblings. This fundamental caring for others led her to pursue a nursing degree from Michigan State University. After college, Monica married John Sullivan and the two lived in North Carolina and Wisconsin before settling in their native Michigan to raise a family.

Monica and John had two sons, Ryan and Sean, who together with their Dad were Monica’s “boys”. The family lived in Canton in their early years before moving to the Brighton area. As a family, they shared many great memories, especially trips to places such as the Canadian Rockies, Ireland and the American West. Monica became a mother-in-law twice over, welcoming Callie (Ryan) and Ruth (Sean) into her family. In her last year of life Monica was thrilled to become a Grandmother to John “Jack” Sullivan.

While family always came first for Monica, she also enjoyed a long career in the service of others as a nurse and later as an educational administrator at Schoolcraft College. Reflecting her tremendous work ethic, Monica received a Masters degree in Nursing Administration from the University of Michigan later in life and went on to hold various leadership positions at Schoolcraft. As a leader, Monica studied and practiced servant leadership, applying the same fundamental principles from her nursing days in her leadership roles.

She is survived by her beloved husband, John; loving sons, Ryan (Callie) and Sean (Ruth); father, Paul Clement; grandson, Jack; sisters, Mary Clement and Kathy (Kevin) Carroll; brother, Brian (Stacey) Clement; nephews, Aaron (Miriam), Zachary, Dylan, Wyatt, and Samuel; nieces, Lou (Tyler), and Amanda; many loving extended family members and dear friends.

Monica was preceded in death by her mother, Evelyn Clement and brother, Paul Clement.

A loving wife, devoted mother, doting grandmother, sweet daughter, caring sister and dear friend, Monica will be missed by all.