Sam Thomas: Senior Year

Welcome back to Desiderata's Sim State Uni.

Only three of the original playables are left here at the large dorm with 14 rooms: Sam Thomas, Jack Kim and Ty Bubbler, Sam's boyfriend. The others have either graduated or moved to one of the two Greek Houses on campus. 

To make things a little easier for the three remaining students (all Seniors), I move them to a smaller dorm of only 8 rooms.

We last saw Sam Thomas at her dorm last year in August, when I was playing Jimmy Phoenix through his Junior Year.

After their arrival, they need to do some skilling. When Sam has finished, she rings some of her friends to let them know about their move, and is then off to class. 

Ty may not come across as the most academically accomplished of students, but this semester he is the first one to complete his Term Paper and will now be left pretty much to his own devices. 

The proud shoulder pat says it all: Sam has just finished her Term Paper, not long after Jack Kim on the other side of the wall behind her bed has handed in his. She is majoring in Psychology and one day wants to be The Law.

According to her Maxis-written bio, she "makes friends with boys far more easily than she does with girls: she just doesn't understand why girls are so 'weird'. She enjoys baseball and Chinese food."

The next day, Sam wants to throw a party, and because she has also been wishing to join the Greek House (she was a Pledge as far as I remember, last time I played the Sorority), what better way to do that by inviting her "sisters" over. 

Heather Huffington and Tiffany Sampson are here, as are Brittany Upsnott and Alegra Gorey; only they are still outside on the porch and therefore not in the picture. The party is a success, and for the remainder of her time at college, Sam has all the privilege that comes with being part of a Greek House.

Although Sam and Ty have been an item almost from the very start of their Freshman Year, they have showed precious little interest in each other. Now, though, Sam surprises me by hugging her boyfriend romantically on her own initiative. The dorm cook has seen it all before, of course, and just continues to do her job. 

The next day, I catch Jack talking animatedly to NPC dorm mate Vamsi Simpson. If I remember correctly, she is a relationship with Kevin Beare and his 3-bolt-love. Turns out that Jack has 3 bolts for her, too! 

I don't know how this happened, but somehow I wasn't aware of Sam needing another creativity point. With only 15 hours before the end of term, I quickly send her to the easel on the balcony, and since it is autumn, it doesn't take her long to get that point. 

The next day, Ty can congratulate his girlfriend for having passed her end-of-term exam with an A+ just like himself and Jack. All three have their names on the Dean's List once again, something I didn't really expect for Sam after her very late completion of the required skills. 

Ty has to go to class right away, but Sam and Jack have time to reward themselves with a pile of pancakes and talk about what's going to be required of them now, during their very last semester. 

Sam needs a cleaning point, and can make herself useful at the same time - NOT by throwing the leaves about, but by raking them into neat heaps, of course.

And while Ty has beaten her to it once again and handed in his Term Paper before anyone else, she is not far behind.

Brittany Upsnott, one of her best friends and co-founder of the sorority where Sam is now a member as well, comes visiting on her own accord the next day.

Now that Ty can mostly do as he pleases, I worry about him: He is almost always at the computer in Sam's room, neglecting all his needs and going only to the bathroom or having a meal when it becomes really urgent. He does not miss classes, though.

Sam feels ready to tackle her final exam after a good night's sleep.

In the cafeteria, Jack waits for Vamsi to finish her breakfast. Having someone hovering over me like this would definitely creep me out!

Ty and a fellow student complain about how cold it is in the cafeteria, both of them wearing their winter coats for their meal. Jack doesn't seem to feel the cold - he is only in slippers and his bathrobe.

To calm any pre-exam nerves they may have, Sam and Ty engage in a game of darts.

Jack and Vamsi prefer dancing.

"We'll always remain best friends, won't we, Ty?" Ty wonders what Sam is trying to tell him.

All three of them have passed their final exam with flying colours!

Sam has graduated Magna Cum Laude in Psychology, Jack Summa Cum Laude in Literature, and Ty Summa Cum Laude in Philosophy.

Sam's sorority sisters are all invited for her graduation party.

A pensive Sam checks whether her taxi has already pulled up.

It arrives at nightfall, and Sam is waved good-bye only by Jack - Ty was so exhausted he went to bed already.

Sam has now moved to her own place in Desiderata Valley, where we are sure to see her again.

Ty's turn will come in the next round, when I will be at "B" on my alphabetical list.

Jack and Vamsi are just friends - so far. We all know what can happen when spring comes round, especially with three bolts...!

Stella Terrano: Senior Year

After the quiet week with Erik Swain at his Single Sim household, it's back to being really busy: Canyon Commons Dorms at Strangetown's La Fiesta Tech is home to 9 Sims, seven of which are playable and will need good managing at least until they have all their required skills and completed their term papers. 

The reason we're here is Stella Terrano, easily recognisable for her light green skintone. 

She is a her Senior, as are most of the others (William Williamson, Klara Vonderstein and the Davis brothers, Aldric and Almeric), while the Grunt brothers Tank and Buck are in their Junior and Sophomore Year respectively. 

About Stella, Maxis have written that she "... has definitely come a long way from home. Will a diverse campus like this one offer enough opportunity for even her to fit in?" Well, so far she has had no problems fitting in. Last time I played at this dorm, she even fell in love with Aldric Davis autonomously. 

As we all know, exams make hungry, and the first thing Stella does upon her return to the dorm is have breakfast with the Grunt brothers.

She already has the skills she needs this semester and is - again! - the first student here to complete her term paper. Her Major is Physics, which suits her Knowledge Aspiration, but not so much her lifetime want of becoming Media Magnate.

Left to her own devices, she walks over to where her boyfriend and Buck Grunt play chess. But who does she throw pink hearts for? Not her boyfriend, who is as oblivious to this happening as Buck.

Outdoors, I catch Klara and Almeric cuddling unter the stars; another couple who found each other without me doing anything.

Before going to bed, Stella spends some time at the arcade game and does a triumphant little dance when she wins. 

When they return from class, Aldric and Stella don't go inside immediately but enjoy the sunshine for a while. 

They then have a meal together at the cafeteria.

Later, I observe Stella observing Buck and his 3-bolt-girlfriend, NPC student Kay "Spikey" Kosmokos. 

It is so nice to see the Grunt brothers together! They didn't have the easiest of childhoods and weren't close when they were younger, but their family life has improved beyond expectations, and now that they are young adults and life at the same dorm, they often seek each other's company and nearly always eat together.

Almeric is in his girlfriend's room, looking up the footie results while Klara sleeps. 

Aldric's paunch doesn't come from thin air! He can't even wait for the dorm cook to serve the earliest round of breakfast but has to eat straight from the fridge.

Since he has already eaten by the time Stella gets up and has breakfast, he patiently waits for her to finish (he could at least sit down, though, couldn't he).

After class, Stella joins the Llama mascot in the cafeteria, and they talk about how they are making friends for life here at college.

One of the things Stella loves best is playing chess. William is nearly as much of a chess lover as she, and they have a good game together. 

A big wish of hers comes true when she is handed her special plaque for Games enthusiasm.

The first term of this year is already over, and everybody has done really well academically, although they weren't always taking great care of their personal needs such as hunger or hygiene. The autumn semester begins, and for everyone but the Grunt brothers, it is their very last term! 

The term is off to a firey start when the dorm cook burns the food. Fortunately, the sprinklers work well, but SOMEONE has to clean up afterwards, and it is not the cook! (Actually, Tank took it upon himself, which was very nice of him.) 

This time, Stella isn't the first to hand in her term paper; she needs to brush up on her mechanical skill before it makes sense to start writing.

To accomodate the need for creativity skill all around, and grant a wish of Tank's, a drum kit is set up in the hallway. Almeric gets to use it before anyone else. 

It seems that Stella still has the hots for Buck, who by the way was first to hand in his paper this term. 

This must have exhausted him so much that he can't even drag himself off to bed, but falls asleep in the common room. 

Stella has nothing better to do than to switch on the TV - which of course wakes Buck. 

The next morning, Stella visits Klara in her room for a chat.

William was hiding in the men's shower room but to no use - the campus coach finds him, and makes him work out until he needs another shower. 

Stella keeps following Buck around, and even though he likes her as a friend, his heart is set on Kay - 3 bolts are 3 bolts. 

Come on, Stella, give them some privacy and don't look so downcast - you have a boyfriend anyway, and as has been said often enough, three bolts are three bolts...! 

The Grunt brothers engage in a mock boxing fight, all smiles and laughs.

Aldric jumps into his girlfriend's arms, and Stella just about manages to catch him - not only is he a bit on the heavy side, he is also very smelly! 

The drum kit is a huge magnet, and there is nearly always someone practising at it.

A mascot fight breaks out in the common room, and guess what - this time the cow wins, not the llama! 

It's the very last, truly FINAL exam for Stella and the other Seniors here, and the end of Buck's Sophomore and Tank's Junior Year. All seven end up with best grades, their names on the Dean's List and the full grant.

For her graduation party, Stella invites Blossom Moonbeam, Danielle Smith, Sarah Love and Jessie Pilferson (not pictured). The dorm is already quite full and I fear the game will crash, but it doesn't. 

Instead, everybody has a good time, especially once Stella starts the smustle, so loved by all. 

One last look back at the dorm and her friends, and it is good-bye to uni for good! 

We will of course see Stella again, but it'll be a while until it is her turn on my alphabetical list again. Hopefully, she'll quit pursuing Buck Grant! Maybe she's one of those Sims who find love late in life; one of her turn-ons is grey hair, and of course she did not find that among her fellow students.