#Affordable college tuition rates

[contentkahuna]

10 Solutions Needed for College Students

Need help navigating the complex process What are 10 main solutions needed for college students? 1. More affordable tuition rates – One way to help college students is to make tuition more affordable. This can be done by increasing the availability of financial aid, scholarships, and grants. 2. Better access to financial aid – Another way to make college more affordable is to provide better…

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

the elitism in magic education

HELLO 🤡 I have come to you today with an analysis of Fellow Honest's motives and what they imply about the mages and non-mages in the world of Twisted Wonderland, as well as the state of magic education as it relates to one's social status. It's a doozy, so let's get right into it! ***WARNING: Spoilers for Stage in Playful Land!!***

Fellow's resentment of the elite harkens back to something I've always suspected but also something that Twisted Wonderland has seldom gone out of its way to shine a harsh spotlight on. That "something" is the discrepancy between the "haves" and the "have-nots" in terms of magic. With the main setting of TWST being a private magic school, of course the lens through which we view many events will be from this perspective as well... and that limits what we see and hear. Most of the NPCs we encounter (even the annoying ones, such as the Magicam Monsters from the first Halloween event) endlessly praise the NRC students just for attending a famous magic school. If we look closely though, we’ll start to see cracks in the shiny rose-colored lenses (which, coincidentally, is how Fellow’s UM name is written).

To begin with, we are told that only 10% of the human population (for the sake of argument, let's assume that most other races also have low magic rates) is even capable of magic to begin with. Of this 10%, the majority of people with the aptitude for magic only have enough to barely be able to lift a cup. In order to qualify for a prestigious magic school like Night Raven College or Royal Sword Academy, you'd literally have to be the cream of the crop and get lucky in terms of genetics. Magic cannot be learned by someone that was not born with the innate ability for it, and not everyone who is the child of a mage will be capable of magic themselves. This is already one HUGE barrier for entry. We now have more to consider.

Night Raven College is notably a private boarding school. This potentially means that students may need to pay a tuition fee for classes, room, and board. Perhaps this tuition doesn't exist, since NRC doesn't take applications but rather hand-selects its students. Additionally, NRC is based on a British school, and most European schools cost little to nothing to attend. However, it's hard to believe a school as fancy as NRC is a private institution that runs solely on the charity and goodwill of donors (though we do see Crowley happily accepting donations as well, specifically from the local town and from Kalim’s family). Realistically speaking, Stuff Costs Money, and if you Want Stuff, you also Need Money. NRC is not raising these mages of the future out of the goodness of their hearts, NRC is raising these mages because there is profit and prestige to be gained from the endeavor. What if there are students who are picked to go but end up having to leave because they can’t afford it?? This point is just speculative though; I won’t count it as actual evidence since there is no in-game lore which confirms tuition. We do know, however, that students do at least have to pay for their dorm uniforms, as Ruggie has mentioned he could not afford one—hence why he wears a hand-me-down from Leona. We also know students are on their own when it comes to paying for their food, as both Ruggie and Deuce mention being low on cash in reference to buying meals/snacks. Buuuuut even if we discount that money is a factor that gatekeeps some selected students from attending or having the cash to just get by on a daily basis, what we cannot ignore is that money inherently puts some people ahead of others before magic schools even recruit them.

Because the majority of those in Twisted Wonderland are incapable of using magic, magic is not typically included in general education. This means that if your kid manifests magic and you want them to be "ahead of the curve", you'd need to seek out resources for magic training and education. Now, this could mean reading materials, private tutoring, or reaching out to mages you know of. The problem with all of these things is that they tend to require money and/or connections, which are things not everyone has access to. Idia even says in book 6 that Riddle has an “artificially large” pool of magic due to how young Riddle started his magic training, meaning that the wealthy has the resources to just produce “better” mages. The rich also have more money to throw into items to help with magical training, such as bigger and better magestones (which must sell for substantial amount in the first place since Ruggie tries to save some to pawn off later in Vargas Camp) to keep mages healthier for longer (since magestones help absorb blot). This keeps power concentrated in an already elevated class. (Note: research has shown that money opens up and expands one's connections, which still puts the rich in an advantageous position compared to the less fortunate. There are also studies that show impoverished people who happen to have rich friends have a better chance of raising their own social standing just because of the doors and connections that rich friend can open for them.) Look at who in the main cast remarks on having formal magic training: literal royalty like Leona and the upper middle class like Riddle. Again, one could say that because schools like NRC appear to hand-pick students regardless of how much formal magic training they had prior to enrollment. However, the fact remains that it simply looks better to potential recruiters (using this blanket term because we don't know how magic schools besides NRC gets its students) and better prepares the child for magic school curriculum to get an early start on it.

Looking back at the 22 boys that make up the main cast, close to three-quarters or ~75% of them come from at least upper middle-class backgrounds and quite a few could classify as wealthy:

Riddle's parents are both doctors, with Riddle's mom in particular being well-known and well-regarded in their home community.

Cater's dad is a banker; his position is high enough up that he needs to relocate every so often (presumably to service their largest or most important firms).

Leona is a literal prince. Even if he isn't destined to be king, he still has access to the resources and wealth avaliable to a royal.

Azul's mom owns the most popular restaurant in the entire Coral Sea (have you seen how large the Coral Sea is on the world map???), and his stepdad is a lawyer.

The twins' family is said to be well-off; they are able to afford luxuries like fancy clothes and Mr. Leech stresses the importance of manners and presentation. He is implied to have business associates who are also well-off and would like to get in his good graces. (Popular fan speculation is that the Leeches are a crime family.)

Kalim is the heir to a massive family fortune and trading business. He also has relatives (by marriage, I believe) who are royals.

Jamil, as Kalim's attendant, is also from a reasonably well-off family; they receive benefits unique to being closely tied with the Asims, such as exposure to elite society and lessons to acquire various skills, albeit these benefits comes with being in the lower social position of a servant.

Vil's father is an A-list celebrity, and Vil is also one himself.

We don't know the specifics of what Rook's family does, but it must be well-paying, as we learn in book 5 that the Hunts have villas all over Twisted Wonderland, as well as permissions for international travel via warp pads.

Idia and Ortho's family run a secret organization that researches blot. S.T.Y.X. is so secretive that basically only those in super high positions like Crowley and Leona would know about them. Let's also not forget that the Shrouds have ties to the Jupiter Conglomerate and the Olympus Corp, which is a tech giant in the world of TWST.

Malleus is prince AND the heir to his kingdom’s throne. He is also one of the top 5 most powerful mages in the entire WORLD.

Lilia is a renown war general and a close friend of royalty. He raised a young Malleus as well.

Silver is Lilia's adopted son and is actually a prince himself.

Sebek's parents are dentists. They must make mad money. His grandfather is also a respected knight that served alongside Lilia.

Notice how all the dorm leaders are upper middle class or higher; the vice dorm leaders have ONE normal person (Trey); in Playful Land, Trey confesses to living a comfortable life so we know he must be at least middle class.

We can try to argue all we like that NRC doesn't discriminate based on social status for their selections, but if that's the case then why are so few of the main cast from impoverished or low-income families? Only Ace, Trey, and Jack count as squarely middle class. Ruggie is the only example we have of someone from a very low socioeconomic status rising up to be among "elites". The other example is Deuce, who comes from a single parent household and has implied they don't have a lot of money (for example: how the VDC/SDC earnings will help out his family). (Epel is kind of a ??? case because depending on where in the story you are, his family could be in financial trouble or not; in book 5, they imply his entire village is having difficulties selling product until Vil promotes Harveston apples on his Magicam.) Maybe it's unfair to say that 22 students out of 800ish is representative of the makeup of the entire NRC student population (or represents the composition of all magic schools), but Ruggie confirms in his Birthday Boy vignettes that a majority of the students at NRC are decently well-off. This single digit representation of low-income students is also true of real-life elite schools. They are private schools for a reason; it naturally gatekeeps who is and isn't "allowed" to attend, leading to the majority of its students being members of the elite.

Another thing to consider is legacy students. This term refers to the increased likelihood of people being accepted into a school if they had a relative that also attended that school. We know of two instances of this happening: Ace's brother and Sebek's brother also went to and graduated from Night Raven College. Ace even makes a remark during his sorting ceremony that he ended up in the same dorm as his older brother "as expected". If magic aptitude is genetic, then perhaps it makes sense to recruit from the same families--but again, this is inherently restrictive, as you would continuously be culling from the same pools generation after generation.

Back on the topic of bloodlines and family, what about Kalim, who has an extensive family? There will be no shortage of Asim mages going to NRC just because of legacy (Jamil even alludes to the fact that the previous Scarabia dorm leader was an Asim relative, and his recommendation is what got Kalim the dorm leader seat). And speaking of Kalim, consider instances where rich families are able to bribe faculty (lookin' at YOU, Crowley) or donate a large sum to get their kid ahead or to be given priority over others that may be more qualified than them (RIP Jamil). To continue off that point, NRC itself is structured as a "dog eat dog" world. Those with inherently more magical ability have the right to trump over others. You can duel and lose your dorm seat to a more powerful mage, even if you trump them in terms of merit or leadership qualities. Students feel a sense of duty to obey those who have bested them in battle (ie Epel's servitude to Vil). Everyone fears Malleus. Your magical power is respected above all else.

Attitudes surrounding magic have notably shifted from fear of it several hundreds of years ago (around the human-fae war, back when “witch” and “wizard” were used in a derogatory sense) to recognizing it for its strengths and actively seeking it or granting some favoritism to those who have it. There is, in fact, now class discrimination in based on whether or not you can use magic. We got an early instance of this as early as book 1 of the main story, when Riddle insults Yuu for their "pitiful" education and states that they were clearly "born to parents with no great magical capability". It’s something that clearly rubs Ace, who has a magicless father, the wrong way, and he stands up for Yuu. There are other subtle hints about this divide sprinkled throughout the lore. For example, Ruggie has a voice line which he indicates that the slums where he comes from doesn’t produce many magic users. Again, recall that magic runs in bloodlines. This could potentially allude to a past where those without magic were forced into lower income neighborhoods, which results in pockets like Ruggie’s hometown with a high population of magicless individuals living in poverty. This doesn’t appear to be a large scale issue (perhaps its only an isolated case?), but this is worth paying attention to.

This could all translate into the professional world too. Some jobs are entirely locked behind magic (ie you just cannot do them or pursue them if you don't have the magical ability for it). Some jobs DO require magic (ie medical mages like Riddle's parents, magic police force officers, technomantic inventors, etc) and probably additional training that goes with it. As a result, I'd imagine that these magic-intensive jobs pay quite a bit more. There may also be overall more job opportunities for those capable of magic, since magic is so much more efficient than doing things by hand. The magic police force in particular are described as “elite” and members are REQUIRED to be mages or else you don’t qualify. It means more retention of wealth and/or more upward mobility for the few impoverished that are able to enter magic schools. (This is, of course, not including the few and far between cases of regular people who get rich in select industries, such as Kalim’s father.) Recall too that NRC requires its students to take internships during their 4th years, many placements being with very prestigious groups and organizations such as pro-sports teams, labs, tech giants, etc. Being able to attend a prestigious school with connections grants those elite students even more opportunities than the average person.

Then think about what this means for people who fall short of these standards that these magic schools set. We actually have examples of them in book 5 of the main story: when Deuce and Epel are reconciling on the beach, a bunch of delinquents from another school come along and start checking out Deuce’s borrowed magical wheel. Through the NPCs’ exchange, we learn that one of them has enough magic to power a magical wheel, but not enough to do much else. This NPC also couldn’t keep up in class and dropped out of a magic school. He then becomes insulted when Deuce implies he is “a beginner”, so this is obviously a very sore spot for him. Riddle also has dialogue that implies students dropped out of NRC prior to his reign (and since then, no Heartslabyul students have left). Additionally, consider how magic can be used to oppress and lord power over others. Deuce himself is guilty for summoning cauldrons to crush rival delinquents in fights back in Clock Town—even if those delinquents lacked magic themselves. Similarly, Epel is implied to use magic to gain an upper hand against those that bullied him back home. This all implies a social divide between those with magic and those without, and begs of bigger questions.

What happens to the ones that don’t make it? The ones that get left behind? The ones without the magic to make it “big”? This is the root of Fellow’s anger; he’s mad at a system that cast people like him (someone with very little magic) and Gidel (a non-mage) aside. They don’t get the opportunity to make better futures for themselves. They’re looked down on by high-up institutions that basically tell them they’re not good enough.

Knowing all of this, the deck appears to be stacked against the poor and non-mages. It’s no wonder why Fellow is so mad.

THIS ACTUALLY RELATES BACK TO WHAT ROLLO SAID IN 5-2 OF GLORIOUS MASQUERADE… "When you have too little [magic], you're resentful. And when you have plenty [of magic], you're arrogant. You can never content yourselves." The NRC boys are arrogant (this is the side of the story we’ve always known due to seeing the world mainly from their perspective). They are the “haves”, and we see them constantly misusing their power by fighting each other over very petty things (even if it’s against the rules to do so). But everyone else??? They’re scrounging for the scraps. Fellow falls into that former category; he IS the guy that’s resentful because of his lack of magic and how something he cannot control has already determined where he and Gidel will stand in life no matter how hard they work. They can never hope to rise out of poverty, and there’s nothing they can do about it. That must be soul-crushing.

When Fellow praises the NRC boys in that overly exaggerated way, he’s obviously being shady and facetious—however, there is also a kernel of truth behind this behavior. Most other NPCs we’ve met have spoken about the NRC boys favorably just because of their affiliation with a prestigious school. It’s the same way people might be impressed if you walked around in an Ivy League branded hoodie or something. People automatically associate you with the school’s shiny and exclusive reputation, and thus assume you are also intelligent, talented, etc. Then, in the same way being constantly put on a pedestal like this might result in the students getting swelled heads, this only further feeds into the NRC kids’ egos. They so privileged they don’t even recognize it. And that makes Fellow fucking FUME.

Look back at Fellow's dialogue. He is constantly mentioning the prestige of the school the boys go to, or adding on extra compliments about their status and skills. He's ass-kissing to his boss, who is also wealthy or part of the upper class, then insults the boss once he hangs up. Fellow is always in a position where he HAS to be subservient to the upper class in order to make his money and get by, and he finds that entirely unfair. Imagine having to simper and placate people you absolutely despise and blame for your problems every day, people who are gorging themselves on luxuries, coasting by in life, taking everything they have for granted while you get by on pennies—that has to get frustrating.

I want to briefly mention here that, in addition to praising the NRC students to high heaven, Fellow also talks down his own skills. He cheerfully calls himself a loser and says that no matter how much he trains, he could never reach their caliber of magic. Yes, Fellow is exaggerating to get the kids to think they’ve won, but I also have to wonder if he’s parroting the same phrases he was told long ago, from people who doubted him and never thought he’d make it. If that’s the case, then I get the sense that Fellow is in a way “reclaiming” his autonomy and power by adopting those same cruel words and using them as a strength. He admits to being “weak” but is also proud of the fact that he can utilize his magic along with his natural charisma to get a leg up over others. It further fuels his new belief that going to an elite school doesn’t matter, it’s practical skills that will serve you well.

Okay, back to talking about his shitty work situation! Fellow’s employer clearly doesn’t treat him with decency. They berate him, make unreasonable demands, act impatient, etc. They are a typical depiction of a toxic workplace and boss. This can also be read as shorthand for the relation between the rich and the poor, and how that may have shaped (or worsened) Fellow’s views on others of the privileged class. He makes many assumptions about the NRC students without really getting to know them, calling them entitled brats. Why? Because these descriptors likely apply to the higher-ups Fellow has always slaved away for. This, in combination with his own experiences in being rejected from magic academia, has created a person who feels trodden on by society and by the upper echelons who run it and benefit off the system.

Fellow himself is the perfect example of someone who was failed by said system. He has dialogue stating that he was never given the chance to learn because his magic was not considered strong enough. Still, he tried to make an effort to earn that chance among to elites and to study among them. Fellow was rejected, ridiculed, and told he had “forgotten his place”, what he had been born into. There were expectations he couldn’t meet, and so Fellow was thrown away like a broken toy. He has failed not because he didn’t try, but because he was denied the opportunity to begin with. This is where is rage stems from. Fellow despises the students of those same kinds of institutions who kicked him down, students who don’t realize how fortunate they are for their educations and will likely continue to perpetuate the system.

What, then, does that means for his signature spell, which is closely tied to one’s identity? Let’s take a magnifying glass to it. As previously mentioned, the name for Fellow’s spell is written as “Rose-Tinted Dream”, but it is said out loud as “Life is Fun”. The chant for it is, “Come on to the theater” (notably said in English rather than in Japanese). Both the spell and the incantation are references to the song Honest John sings in Pinocchio, Hi- Diddle-Dee-Dee. And… well, the whole UM in of itself is one big cruel joke given his circumstances now.

I think this spell is representative of a young Fellow still full of hopes and dreams, looking forward to studying at a magic school. But then those dreams are shattered and he has to commit terrible crimes to survive day-to-day, and he seems to have given up on his dreams. He even goes so far as to protect Gidel from having the same hopes he once did, telling Yuu to not put silly ideas in his head when Gidel expressed curiosity about school. At the same time, he delights in crushing the hopes of those he deems his enemies (stating that he wanted to betray Kalim to “teach him a lesson” about how cruel the world is). Fellow knows the truth: that life isn’t fun, that it will disappoint you and will put you down. His actions are very cowardly as well—he uses tricks and deception, he runs away from his problems instead of properly addressing them, the NRC students remark on his lack of pride. Fellow has had to throw away so much to scrape by. Yet his UM symbolizes someone brimming with hope—so perhaps it’s a UM he manifested when Fellow still thought he had a chance?? And then people made fun of him for it being so weak?? Alternatively, maybe he didn’t get his UM until after his dreams were crushed so he’s looking back on those nostalgic days of blissful ignorance with rose-colored lenses (which is, again, maybe why his UM magic name is written as “Rose Tinted Dream”). A UM that is a reflection of one’s true self, yet that same identity is one that has been forced to be discarded. That’s the reason why, despite all the swindling and scamming, I don’t think Fellow’s enthusiasm for fun is a lie. That’s the one “real” part of him, but even that’s been repurposed to help him live on scraps, something innocent twisted 😭 and that’s really sad to think about…

But also??? You could argue that Fellow still has a little bit of that lost inner child and hope left in him. He tries to defend Gidel’s understanding of the world and has goals of starting his own school despite how poorly he originally spoke about these institutions. (So Fellow does appear to care about children and their futures.) He also has a childish streak despite being an adult, demonstrated by his use of cowardly tactics, taunting kids, and abruptly quitting his job to then destroy his workplace. Fellow himself states that he “just tries to live a free and fun life”, thus his pursuit of money and pleasure. This could all play into being what defines Fellow and thus his UM. It embodies a spirit of playfulness even when he has been crushed under the weight of an unglamorous life.

I’ve heard people saying that while Rollo is Idia’s dark mirror and Fellow is Ruggie’s. They have similar backstories but ultimately their fates are different and left the former two down far more sinister paths. Just as Rollo is an Idia that turned his anger outward instead of inward, Fellow is Ruggie had he not been given a chance to receive an education to elevate his social status and job prospects. Fellow and Ruggie both cling to rich, powerful benefactors/bosses and do their dirty work to get on by—a big difference is that Leona, while he does also work Ruggie to the bone, also has some conscience. Something else to consider is that while Ruggie prioritizes making a life for himself by studying and securing a stable, well-paying job, Fellow is focused moreso on the accumulation of wealth itself (as he suggests to Kalim he’ll take a bribe to let him go free and quits when there is no longer money to be gained from his boss). Both don’t really care how they get their money (even if it is by dirty means), but ultimately Ruggie’s way of making cash is more sustainable in the long run. Yet Fellow ultimately realizes the importance of school deep down despite constantly denying it when the NRC students tell him of it. Fellow is in denial because that’s the only way he can cope and justify his lifestyle. He’s confused when finally confronted with students who are his ideal of “happy and free”, even when they’re in an educational system that he views as shackling people into strict roles. The way he laments about not being able to go to school is also very reminiscent of an adult mourning a lost or unfulfilling childhood, which is quite a depressing scenario…

Fellow is the one that got the short end of the stick in life. Ruggie met Leona, and Leona technically uplifted him in his endeavors, tutored him into getting decent grades and giving him hand-me-downs and money in exchange for his services. Fellow never had that kind of support system, he was just insulted and bullied into giving up and had to find an alternative way to keep himself going 😔

Personally, I think Fellow could also be a dark mirror to Kalim, no?? They exist on opposite ends of a social spectrum. Kalim has everything and Fellow had nothing. What’s more, Kalim is still wide-eyed and trusting. He is the only one willing to try words instead of fighting him and instantly labeling him as the enemy. Meanwhile, Fellow has become bitter because of how the world has betrayed him. He wants to take that trust Kalim has and show him how cruel everything truly is. Why is he fixated on that? Why even offer in the first place if he never intended on going through with it? Why does he want to rub it in Kalim’s face in particular? Maybe it’s because Kalim seems rich and dumb, as Fellow claims, but maybe it’s because there is envy there. Sure, Fellow is upset about Kalim being a sheltered brat that faces no challenges in life, but I also feel like he’s jealous that Kalim can still afford to think this way. That he can still afford to be cheerful, that he can still be a dreamer. Fellow was alluded to be like that once—but he can’t be like that anymore, not when he has to look out for himself and Gidel.

Side note, another comparison! Recall that Kalim’s Oasis Maker is also a UM that uses a little bit of magic. However, Kalim does not know of many creative ways to use his spell, as there is no real reason to since his home country has lots of canals and irrigation. He therefore deems his UM as pretty useless. Fellow meanwhile has what most consider a weak UM but he fully utilizes it to his advantage and pairs it well with his natural charm to maximize its effects. He had to develop these skills because he was in pressing circumstances in which they would benefit him. This contributes to the “mirror” theme between the two.

Fellow and Kalim have a notable similarity as well, and this is where I feel they can connect. They are both older brothers to a child or children who are magicless. Fellow only has one, and Kalim has many—but the number here isn’t what is important. What is important is that Fellow and Kalim think the world of their siblings and want to support them. To that end, Fellow is willing to be cruel and step on others, and Kalim is all sunshine to keep their spirits up. Fellow has suffered through great poverty and insults and Kalim has survived so many attempts on his life, yet they’ve developed distinctly different approaches to the worlds that have embraced them. Kalim’s wealth could afford him protection and luxuries, so he’s able to live carefree with others tending to his needs. The same isn’t true for Fellow, and so he came out far more spiteful and resentful.

Thinking about it, it’s ultimately Kalim’s words that convince Fellow to turn on his employer. (The other boys certainly wore Fellow down and planted the seeds of doubt, but it’s Kalim that I believe fully resonates with Fellow.) He can so happily talk about why he loves school, even though he doesn’t do well at it (something I presume is also true of Fellow, since he is lacking in tons of magic). It’s not said in a particularly articulate manner, but it’s so candid in its presentation. Kalim is relating to him based on similar skillset (or lack thereof) and sharing fond memories of his time at school, reviving the hopeful “lost child” in Fellow. Kalim is probably the first wealthy person in a long time that was friendly, kind, and supportive to him. And here he is, reassuring Fellow his dreams are still possible, to not give up. That’s the final nail that allows Fellow to be “honest” with himself and his inner child. It’s what leads to that slew of irresponsible actions at the end of the event (letting people free, blasting the amusement park, driving a sinking ship, etc.).

At the end of Stage in Playful Land, we see that Fellow never really let that childlike side of him fully die. (It seems to have been concealed under a desire for money and appeasing his boss.) He shares his dream of creating his own great school to give educational opportunities to non-mages and mages with low magical reserves like Gidel and himself, a school that teaches practical life lessons. He wants to promote his own ideals and to change the system he hates from the inside out. This was never communicated to us before most likely because Fellow had renounced those ideas in favor of blind hatred and a lack of faith in the world and those that dominate it.

Fellow also acknowledges that life may be even more difficult for him and Gidel going forward, as now they lack the money for even food and no longer have jobs. Furthermore, they need to worry about their ex-employers coming after them for what they’ve done. Even so, Fellow faces it all with a smile and reassures everyone that they can transfer or visit to play… “on this shining stage called life”. He and Gidel are able to walk away with their whimsy preserved, and can still be that which they’ve always wanted to be: dreamers.

All of this is to say that Rollo was right all along about magic, he never misses—

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

August 6, 2024

Heather Cox Richardson

Aug 07, 2024

Today Vice President Kamala Harris named her choice for her vice presidential running mate: Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota. Walz grew up in rural Nebraska. He enlisted in the Army National Guard when he was 17 and served for 24 years, retiring in 2005 as a command sergeant major, making him the highest-ranking enlisted soldier ever to serve in Congress, according to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.  

He went to college with the educational benefits afforded him by the Army, and graduated from Chadron (Nebraska) State College. From 1989 to 1990, he taught at a high school in China, then became a social studies teacher in Alliance, Nebraska, where he met fellow teacher Gwen Whipple, who became his wife. They moved to Minnesota, where they both continued teaching and had two children, Hope and Gus, through IVF. 

Walz became the faculty advisor for the school’s gay-straight alliance organization at the same time that he coached the high-school football team from a 0–27 record to a state championship. The advisor “really needed to be the football coach, who was the soldier and was straight and was married," Walz said in 2018. 

Walz ran for Congress in 2005 after some of his students were asked to leave a rally for George W. Bush because one of them had a sticker for Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry. Walz won and served in Congress for twelve years, sitting on the House Agriculture Committee, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

Voters elected Walz to the Minnesota state house in 2018, and in his second term they gave him a slim majority in the state legislature. With that support, Walz signed into law protections for abortion rights, supported gender-affirming care, and legalized the recreational use of marijuana. He signed into law gun safety legislation and protections for voting rights, and pushed for action to combat climate change and to promote renewable energy. 

Strong tax revenues and spending cuts gave the state a $17.6 billion surplus, and the Democrats under Walz used the money not to cut taxes, as Republicans wanted, but to invest in education, fund free breakfast and lunch for schoolchildren, make tuition free at the state’s public colleges for students whose families earned less than $80,000 a year, and invest in paid family and medical leave and health insurance coverage regardless of immigration status. 

While MAGA Republicans are already trying to define Walz as “far left,” his votes in Congress put him pretty squarely in the middle.  His work with Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan to expand technology production and infrastructure funding in the state was rewarded in 2023, when Minnesota knocked Texas out of the top five states for business. The CNBC rating looked at 86 indicators in 10 categories, including the workforce, infrastructure, health, and business friendliness. 

Walz checks a number of boxes for the 2024 election, most notably that he hails from near the battleground states of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania and comes across as a normal, nice guy. He favors unions, workers’ rights, and a $15 minimum wage. He is also the person who coined the phrase that took away the dangerous overtones of today’s MAGA Republicans by dubbing them “weird.” As a student of his said: “In politics he’s good at calling out B.S. without getting nasty or too down in the dirt…. It’s the kind of common sense he showed as a coach: practical and kinda goofy.”

Walz is also a symbol of an important resetting of the Democratic Party. He has been unapologetic about his popular programs. On Sunday, July 28, when CNN’s Jake Tapper listed some of Walz’s policies and asked if they made Walz vulnerable to Trump calling him a “big government liberal.” Walz joked that he was, indeed, a “monster.” 

“Kids are eating and having full bellies so they can go learn, and women are making their own health care decisions, and we’re a top five business state, and we also rank in the top three of happiness…. The fact of the matter is,” where Democratic policies are implemented, “quality of life is higher, the economies are better…educational attainment is better. So yeah, my kids are going to eat here, and you’re going to have a chance to go to college, and you’re going to have an opportunity to live where we're working on reducing carbon emissions. Oh, and by the way, you’re going to have personal incomes that are higher, and you’re going to have health insurance. So if that’s where they want to label me, I’m more than happy to take the label.” 

Right-wing reactionary politicians have claimed to represent ordinary Americans since the time of the passage of the Voting Rights Act—on August 6, 1965, exactly 59 years ago today—by insisting that a government that works for communities is a “socialist” plan to elevate undeserving women and racial, ethnic, and gender minorities at the expense of hardworking white men. 

Historically, though, rural America has quite often been the heart of the country’s progressive politics, and the Midwest has had a central place in that progressivism. Walz reintegrates that history with today’s Democratic Party. 

That reintegration has left the Republicans flatfooted. Trump and J.D. Vance expected to continue their posturing as champions of the common man, but on that front the credentials of a New York real estate developer who inherited millions of dollars and of a Yale-educated venture capitalist pale next to a Nebraska-born schoolteacher. Bryan Metzger, politics reporter at Business Insider, pointed out that J.D. Vance tried to hit Walz as a “San Francisco-style liberal,” but while Vance lived in San Francisco as a venture capitalist between 2013 and 2017, Walz went to San Francisco for the first time just last month. 

Head writer and producer of A Closer Look at Late Night with Seth Meyers Sal Gentile summed up Walz’s progressive politics and community vibe when he wrote on social media: “Tim Walz will expand free school lunches, raise the minimum wage, make it easier to unionize, fix your [carburetor], replace the old wiring in your basement, spray that wasp’s nest under the deck, install a new spring for your garage door and put a new chain on your lawnmower.” 

Vice President Harris had a very deep bench from which to choose a running mate, but her choice of Walz seems to have been widely popular. Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who are usually on opposite sides of the party, both praised the choice, prompting Ocasio-Cortez to post: “Dems in disconcerting levels of array.” 

Harris and Walz held their first rally together tonight in Philadelphia, where Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro, who had been a top contender for the vice presidential slot, fired up the crowd. “Each of us has a responsibility to get off the sidelines, to get in the game, and to do our part,” he said. “Are you ready to do your part? Are you ready to form a more perfect union? Are you ready to build an America where no matter what you look like, where you come from, who you love, or who you pray to, that this will be a place for you? And are you ready to look the next president of the United States in the eye and say, ‘Hello, Madam President?’ I am too, so let’s get to work!”

Pennsylvania is a crucial state, and Shapiro issued a statement offering his “enthusiastic support” to the ticket. He pledged to work to unite Pennsylvanians behind my friends Kamala Harris and Tim Walz and defeat Donald Trump.”

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

[jasonscaramel]

i guess only the stars would know the truth - chapter one - jason todd x reader

series summary: there's something going on in gotham. you transfer into gotham university's journalism program. simultaneously, people are going missing in gotham at record rates. it's only a matter of time before your curiosity gets the best of you.

words: 1.8k

cross-posted on ao3 | series masterlist

Gotham is a welcome change in scenery from your small town in the south.

Sure, it rains nearly every day, and there’s the fact that there are supervillains that terrorize the city like clockwork. But having never lived in a big city before, it has a certain charm you don’t see yourself getting over any time soon. Everything is open late, the streets never seem to quiet down… it’s been eye-opening, to say the least.

You moved here more for the convenience, so it’s only a plus that you enjoy city life too. Gotham University is home to one of the best journalism professors—and in turn, programs—in the country. With affordable tuition, and the cost of living in Gotham being nearly pennies on the dollar, it was a no-brainer to transfer here.

So here you are. Making your way through the winding, labyrinthian halls, you wonder if you’re ever going to get used to how large this place is compared to your old… everything. A small community college on the outskirts of an even smaller town has nothing on the pure expansiveness of Gotham University, and in turn, Gotham City.

The first class to start off the semester is Marketing. You have a hard time putting together how it’ll help you in journalism, but maybe it will be more helpful than you think. By the time you arrive, the class is already sparsely populated, so you find a spot with the most amount of empty chairs and begin to unpack your things.

As you’re logging into your computer, a bag slams on the table beside you, making you jump.

“Sorry! I forgot how heavy those books are.” You look up to see a man, probably about your age, smiling down at you in an apology. “I’m Tim. Mind if I sit here?”

You shake your head with a smile, “Of course not. It’s about time to make friends.” You give him your name as he sits down, and he gives you a smile of his own.

“Oh, are you new here?”

“Yeah, I just transferred. The journalism program is incredible.”

Tim smiles in agreement, but it seems a bit facetious. “Sorry, it’s just—I’m not used to people moving to Gotham. You are… aware of everything, right?”

You snort. “The pros outweighed the cons. Can’t exactly do much journalism work when all there is to report on is cattle.” You flash him a smile that he returns easily.

“You know, that would make sense—”

Tim was cut off by the professor beginning his lecture. The first day is always a bunch of syllabus talk, so you only half pay attention while looking through the Gotham Gazette website. You bookmark a couple of the articles you find, especially the ones that say MISSING PERSONS. Why is there so many?

The professor is kind enough to release the class 15 minutes early. It feels like the universe blessing you because you have no idea where to go for your next class, and you’re sure with the small amount of time in between the classes, you’d get lost and be late. Your old college was barely half the size of this place—you wonder if you’ll ever be confident in navigating it.

“You have any other classes after this?” Tim asks as you both pack up your belongings, and you nod. “I don’t, so if you need help navigating…?”

“Oh, Tim, you’re my hero. Thank you.” You throw your bag over your shoulder and follow him out of the classroom, having to walk a bit quicker to keep up with his strides. “I was honestly worried even with the extra time that I’d be late.”

He gives you that same kind, tired smile. “Don’t worry about it. Where are we headed?”

After you tell him the room number, Tim leads you up a few flights of stairs before leading you to a classroom door. You go to thank him, but you’re cut off by someone yelling his name. It’s a man, Tim’s age, running up to him and encircling him in a hug.

“Hi, babe. New friend?” You smile back at the man, finding it adorable how Tim’s hands immediately cover the other man’s. Tim introduces you and tells you that this is his boyfriend, Bernard.

“It’s their first day, they transferred here.”

“Oh, that’s awesome! We’re happy to have you.” Bernard finally unwraps himself from around Tim to stand at his full height. “If you ever need anything, just let us know.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it. See you Wednesday, Tim!”

“See you then!”

Your next class was more of the same, though you could already tell you wouldn’t have the same ease of social interaction here. Everyone seems to already know everyone else, groups of women in twos and threes with the occasional bro sprinkled in here and there. It’s a surprisingly small class, and thankfully your lack of bravery is also met with no one sitting beside you, so you don’t have to try and make conversation.

It doesn’t help that you can tell that you’re a few years older than everyone else in this classroom. Normally, it doesn’t bother you, but you’re not so sure this group will be as easy to crack as Tim was.

By the time both of your classes are over, you’re exhausted. It’s only 6 p.m., but with the constant rain and gloomy skies, combined with the hours of lecture you just sat through, you could probably go to bed and sleep through the night.

Before sleep, though, you need food. And instead of trekking through the pouring rain, you opt for the dining hall. You’re not expecting anything gourmet, but you do have some free dining dollars to spend, so it all evens out. As you make your way to the dining hall you keep your eyes out for Tim and Bernard, but you don’t see them anywhere. Just another endless sea of faces you don’t recognize.

It’s fine, really. You’ve got headphones and YouTube, so you’ll just have to be an iPad kid for today. Totally fine, and really not anything you aren’t used to. You set up shop in the corner, nibbling on an over-priced, over-greased piece of pizza you had to wait nearly thirty minutes on while you watch another reaction to another Cut video.

The walk home to your apartment isn’t the romanticized walk through the city that you’re used to seeing in the movies. It’s wet, despite the umbrella and the waterproof boots, and it’s really dark for the time of day. Regardless, it gives you time to think. First about taking the subway next time, and then about Tim and Bernard. You wonder if they were just being nice, pitying the new kid on their first day—or if you could actually be their friend. You hope for the latter. Making friends had never been an easy feat for you, and while you didn’t know much about either of them, you had a good feeling.

Which was immediately eclipsed by a very, very bad feeling as you watched a shadowed figure run across the rooftops of the buildings next to you.

Sure, you were fully aware that the shadowed figure you see is probably running toward the danger instead of going to cause it, but the threat of danger at all gives you pause. You knew what you were getting into coming here. The Joker, TwoFace… Gotham is nothing like where you’re from, and despite knowing that, it doesn’t make the reality any easier to digest.

Especially when you see what you’re pretty sure is Batman and Robin following not too far behind the first shadowed figure. Headed in the direction of your apartment.

Cool. Well, you had to have your vigilante v-card punched at some point, right? Might as well be your first night here.

You pick up your pace a bit since your building is within sight. It sure doesn’t sound like the fight is anywhere near your apartment, so you feel a bit safer as you scan your key and enter the building. The hallways are more reminiscent of a doctor’s office than an apartment building—sterile in places that should be homey, clinical in only a way someone so detached from living this way could create. You wonder if it's Bruce Wayne’s fault or Lex Luthor’s.

It’s not like your actual apartment is much better. There are the beginnings of a warm, inviting space here, but without the proper time and funds, it’s more sparse than anything else. The living room consists of a TV on an old side table and a couch sitting across from it, but you’re more than happy to plop onto the lumpy thing and click on the TV.

The gorgeous news anchor speaks, her voice melodic despite the situation at hand. “This is the fourth disappearance in Gotham in the past two weeks.” You sit up straighter at that, turning the volume up a few notches. The screen changes from the news anchor’s face to a graphic of the four missing people.

MISSING:

CRYSTAL JORDAN - 25

JAMES HEATH - 64

HOPE LEIGH - 32

HARLAN MAXTON - 43

IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT GCPD.

Huh. Four people have gone missing, and they don’t seem to have anything in common. You skim each missing poster: grad student, grandfather, stay-at-home mom, businessman. You’re no criminal justice major, but that’s not typical… is it? It’s not like that many people went missing back home, but you’re sure this is odd.

“We have been told to urge the public to be cautious. Each of the missing persons was taken from a different area of Gotham, so there isn’t one place to look out for. If you see anything suspicious—”

You turn off the TV, but your mind just won’t follow suit. Four people in two weeks. That must be high, even for Gotham’s standards. You pull your laptop from your bag, determined to find more information. Google doesn’t give you much other than the locations these people were taken from, and statements from their families, but you save them into a folder on your desktop regardless.

You keep scrolling, desperate to find something. A way to keep yourself safe, or a way to dig deeper into this, you weren’t sure. You land on a photo of Crystal, gazing perfectly into the lens of the camera—only a little older than you, wearing a Gotham University hoodie. You can’t help but see yourself in her; you can’t help but see everyone you saw today in her.

As you slam your laptop closed, you pray to whatever god is out there that those four people come home safe. That it’s some stupid Joker stunt to catch Batman’s attention, and they’ll be returned to their families.

Deep down, though, as you settle into your bed, nesting into your covers, you feel a sickening feeling in your bones that only feels like dread.

[collegestory]

MBBS and MD/MS Admissions in India: Your Pathway to a Medical Career

India is one of the most sought-after destinations for medical education, particularly MBBS and postgraduate medical studies like MD/MS. With a vast array of medical colleges, advanced infrastructure, and affordable tuition fees, India attracts students from across the globe, especially through NRI and management quota admissions. This guide provides an overview of the MBBS and postgraduate medical study opportunities in India, focusing on MD/MS admission, NEET PG, NRI quota, and management quota admissions.

1. MD/MS Admission in India

MD (Doctor of Medicine) and MS (Master of Surgery) are postgraduate degrees that allow MBBS graduates to specialize in their chosen medical fields. Admission to these programs in India is primarily based on NEET PG scores, a national-level examination that all aspiring postgraduate medical students must take.

Eligibility for MD/MS Admission

Completion of an MBBS degree from a recognized medical college.

Completion of a 12-month rotating internship.

A valid NEET PG score, which determines eligibility for admission into top medical colleges.

India has several prestigious medical colleges like AIIMS, JIPMER, and private institutions where students can apply for MD/MS courses. The quality of education, research facilities, and clinical exposure offered by these institutions makes them highly desirable.

2. NEET PG Admission in India

The NEET PG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Postgraduate) is the gateway for students looking to pursue MD/MS in India. Conducted annually by the National Board of Examinations (NBE), NEET PG is essential for admission to both government and private medical colleges.

NEET PG Admission Process

Register: Candidates must register for NEET PG through the official NBE website.

Appear for the Exam: The exam tests candidates on various medical subjects studied during the MBBS program.

Counseling: Based on the scores obtained, students participate in counseling sessions where seats are allotted in different medical colleges.

Allotment of Seats: After counseling, candidates are granted admission into MD/MS programs in their preferred colleges based on their rank and availability of seats.

NEET PG opens doors to a wide array of specialties in medicine, offering students the opportunity to specialize in their fields of interest.

3. NRI Quota Admission in India

For foreign students or Indian nationals residing abroad, India offers NRI quota admissions in various medical colleges. NRI quota seats are reserved for students who meet specific criteria, such as holding an NRI status or sponsorship by a relative who is an NRI.

Benefits of NRI Quota Admission

Increased chance of securing admission in reputed medical colleges without intense competition.

The option to study at top institutions without having to participate in the general merit list.

Access to world-class medical education in India at affordable rates compared to other countries.

NRI quota admissions are particularly beneficial for those looking to bypass the fiercely competitive general admission process in India.

4. NRI Quota Admission in MBBS

MBBS is one of the most sought-after undergraduate medical programs in India, and NRI quota admissions offer an excellent pathway for overseas students to enroll in Indian medical colleges. Every year, a certain number of MBBS seats are allocated for NRI students in both government and private medical colleges.

Application Process for NRI Quota Admission in MBBS

Eligibility: Applicants must have completed 12 years of schooling, preferably with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as core subjects.

NEET UG Scores: NRI candidates are required to appear for NEET UG and score a minimum qualifying percentile to be eligible for admission.

Seat Allocation: NRI seats are allotted through a centralized counseling process conducted by the Medical Council of India (MCI) and respective state bodies.

The NRI quota significantly eases the admission process for foreign nationals, offering them access to India’s top medical education institutions.

5. Management Quota Admission in MD/MS

Medical colleges in India also offer management quota admissions for postgraduate courses like MD and MS. Management quota seats are usually available in private medical colleges, and the selection process is relatively more flexible compared to government institutions.

Eligibility for Management Quota Admission in MD/MS

A valid MBBS degree from a recognized university.

Completion of the mandatory internship.

NEET PG qualification is typically required, but the cutoff is often lower for management quota seats.

Management quota admission offers students an alternative route to secure their seats in top medical colleges, especially if their NEET PG rank does not meet the general or state quota criteria.

[scholarship-for-all]

Benefits of UP Government Scholarships for Higher Education

Education is a transformative tool that paves the way for economic and social progress. In Uttar Pradesh, a state with a burgeoning young population, the pursuit of higher education is often hindered by financial constraints. Recognizing this, the UP Government has implemented various scholarship schemes to support students in their academic endeavors. These scholarships not only alleviate financial burdens but also foster a more educated and skilled workforce, contributing significantly to the state's development.

Empowering Economically Disadvantaged Students

One of the primary benefits of UP Government scholarships is the financial support they provide to economically disadvantaged students. Many families in Uttar Pradesh struggle to afford the costs associated with higher education, such as tuition fees, books, and living expenses. Scholarships like the Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC, SC, ST Students and the Dr. Ambedkar National Merit Scholarship help bridge this gap, enabling students from low-income families to pursue their academic goals without the burden of financial stress.

Promoting Educational Equity

The UP Government scholarships are designed to promote educational equity by ensuring that students from marginalized communities have access to higher education. Programs like the Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarships specifically target students from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). By providing these students with the necessary financial resources, the government helps level the playing field, ensuring that all students, regardless of their socio-economic background, have an equal opportunity to succeed.

Enhancing Academic Performance

Financial constraints often force students to work part-time jobs, which can detract from their academic performance. By alleviating these financial burdens, scholarships allow students to focus more on their studies. Research has shown that students who receive financial aid tend to have better academic outcomes compared to their peers who do not. With the support of UP Government scholarships, students can dedicate more time and energy to their coursework, leading to higher grades and better overall academic performance.

Encouraging Female Education

Another significant benefit of UP Government scholarships is their role in promoting female education. Initiatives like the Kanya Vidya Dhan Yojana are specifically aimed at encouraging girls to pursue higher education. By providing financial incentives, these scholarships help break down the barriers that often prevent girls from continuing their education beyond secondary school. As more women receive higher education, the state benefits from a more diverse and inclusive workforce, driving social and economic progress.

Reducing Dropout Rates

High dropout rates are a major challenge in Uttar Pradesh's education system. Financial difficulties are one of the leading causes of students dropping out of school and college. Scholarships play a crucial role in reducing these dropout rates by providing the necessary financial support to keep students in school. The Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarships have been particularly effective in this regard, helping thousands of students complete their education and pursue successful careers.

Boosting Employment Opportunities

Higher education significantly enhances employability, and scholarships make it possible for more students to attain advanced degrees. The UP Government's focus on providing scholarships for higher education has a direct impact on the state's employment rates. By equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed for the workforce, these scholarships help create a more qualified and competitive labor market. Graduates who benefit from these programs are better positioned to secure well-paying jobs, contributing to the overall economic development of the state.

Fostering Innovation and Research

Scholarships also play a vital role in fostering innovation and research within the state. By supporting students in their pursuit of higher education, the UP Government is investing in the next generation of researchers and innovators. Scholarships like the Chief Minister's Fellowship Scheme provide funding for students to undertake advanced research projects, contributing to the state's academic and technological advancements. This not only enhances the state's reputation as a center for education and innovation but also attracts further investment and development.

Supporting Specialized Education

The UP Government scholarships also support students pursuing specialized fields of study. Scholarships for courses in engineering, medicine, and other professional degrees ensure that students have the resources they need to succeed in these demanding programs. By investing in specialized education, the government is helping to create a workforce that is skilled in critical areas, driving the state's economic and social progress.

Strengthening Community Development

The benefits of scholarships extend beyond individual students to their communities. Educated individuals are more likely to contribute positively to their communities, whether through improved health outcomes, higher levels of civic engagement, or increased economic stability. Scholarships help create a ripple effect, where the benefits of higher education spread throughout communities, fostering development and improving quality of life for all residents.

Encouraging Lifelong Learning

Scholarships also encourage a culture of lifelong learning. By making higher education more accessible, the UP Government is promoting the idea that learning is a continuous process that extends beyond traditional schooling. This culture of lifelong learning helps create a more adaptable and resilient workforce, capable of meeting the challenges of a rapidly changing global economy.

Strengthening Public Trust in Government

Effective scholarship programs can also strengthen public trust in the government. When students and their families see the tangible benefits of these programs, they are more likely to have confidence in the government's commitment to education and social welfare. This trust is crucial for the successful implementation of future policies and programs aimed at improving the state's education system.

Encouraging Diversity and Inclusion

UP Government scholarships promote diversity and inclusion within higher education institutions. By providing financial support to students from various socio-economic backgrounds, these scholarships help create a more diverse student body. This diversity enriches the educational experience for all students, fostering an environment of mutual respect and understanding.

The UP Scholarship 2024 empowers students in Uttar Pradesh by providing financial aid to pursue their educational dreams. Open to various categories including SC/ST, OBC, and minorities, this scholarship promotes equal access to education. Simplified application processes and timely disbursements make it a crucial initiative for nurturing academic talent and reducing financial barriers in the state.

Conclusion

The UP Government scholarships for higher education offer a multitude of benefits that extend beyond the individual recipients. By providing financial support, promoting educational equity, enhancing academic performance, and encouraging female education, these scholarships play a crucial role in the state's development. They help reduce dropout rates, boost employment opportunities, foster innovation, and support specialized education. Moreover, they strengthen community development, encourage lifelong learning, and build public trust in the government. Ultimately, these scholarships are an investment in the future of Uttar Pradesh, creating a more educated, skilled, and prosperous society.

[classicquid]

Loans for Short Term Cash: Assistance without a Debit Card

Do you live in a city in the United Kingdom and are in dire need of an advance to meet your basic needs? Because of your bad credit narrative, are you unable to obtain one? Are you always looking for funding where you may get flexible return options? In the event that this is what you're looking for, don't worry; short term cash loans are here to assist you in resolving any issues you've been having. These advances enable you to quickly and affordably obtain cash to immediately resolve all of your pressing financial difficulties.

Financial assistance is provided by short term cash loans to cover unexpected expenses. The principal characteristics of these loans are their fast approval and lack of a debit card need. Because these loans are unsecured, no collateral pledge is necessary. For a period of 14 to 31 days, you can obtain cash advances in the range of £100 to £1,500. Because these loans have a short term and rapid approval, the interest rate charged is rather higher.

You must follow simple eligibility requirements, such as the borrower having to be a citizen of the United Kingdom and older than 18, in order to be eligible for short term loans. The borrower needs to be actively involved in earning up to £750 per month from a claimed corporation and have an active inspection account in their own name. Short term loans direct lenders primary drawback is their exorbitant interest rates, but thorough market research can help you obtain fleet funds at reasonable rates. Renters and homeowners can also take advantage of this financial assistance. If you file an appeal, the lenders may occasionally additionally grant an extension of the repayment schedule.

One can pay for all of their short-term, inescapable expenses—such as tuition for college or school, hospital or medical bills, grocery bills, auto or shop repairs, etc.—with short term loans UK direct lender. Payday loans demand a few presses requirements to be fulfilled in order to be approved. The lender will quickly lend the short term loans UK direct lender without requiring a debit card after the aforementioned terms are proven. The cash amount will be electronically deposited into the borrower's account by the lender, who will not require usage of the funds.

We at Classic Quid are committed to responsible lending practices. As a result, we will only make loans to borrowers who can repay them. When you need emergency credit, we're here to assist you get it fast and at reasonable prices. Subject to completing our credit and affordability checks, new clients can borrow between £100 and £1000, while current customers can borrow up to £2,500. A Classic Quid short term loans UK has a minimum repayment period of two installments, with a maximum repayment length of six months. Depending on when you get paid, these installments could be weekly or monthly. This implies that you are not required to pay back the whole amount of the loan on your subsequent payment.

https://classicquid.co.uk/

[unilifeabroadcareersolution]

Benefits of Paid Education in Lithuania

Benefits of paid Education in Lithuania

A small European country, Lithuania is home to nearly 50 higher education institutions. Higher education institutions have many faculties including Engineering, Medical, Humanities, Economics, Management and Many more. University degrees are offered in three cycles. The first cycle is undergraduate ( Bachelor degree )  The second cycle is graduate ( Master and specialized professional studies  ). The Third cycle is Postgraduate ( Doctoral).

There are two types of higher education institutions in Lithuania, colleges and universities. Collegesare focused on practical training for particular professions. Bachelor degrees and professional qualifications are offered at universities. There are 23 universities and 24 colleges in Lithuania. In comparison to other European countries, it is a quite big number. 

Low Tuition Fee

The tuition fee is quite affordable for international students. The tuition fee is refundable if you cannot attend university due to any reason. Tuition fee varies between 2000 EUR to 5000 EUR per year. .As compared to many EU countries, International students pay very low tuition fee for bachelor’s and master’s degree courses.

100% success rate for Visa

What about the chance to get a visa for Lithuania? In recent time, Lithuania has a 100% success rate for visa applications. So, you can apply for a study visa in Lithuanian Embassy in your country due to its high acceptance rate of international students.

High-quality education

 

Lithuanian universities are renowned for providing top-notch education. They consistently rank among the best universities in Europe, and employers highly value their graduates. Many universities in Lithuania offer English-taught programs, making it an excellent choice for non-Lithuanian-speaking international students

High quality of life

What’s great is that the low costs translate to a comfortable standard of living in Lithuania. It’s easy to get around as public transportation is inexpensive and widely available. There are numerous leisure and sports activities, as well as accessible public parks and amenities. The country is famed for its clear lakes and verdant pine forests, but also for developing a wide range of green products. On top of that, you will be able to keep safe and healthy thanks to world-class health infrastructure and expertise.

Travel around Europe while studying in Lithuania

Given its location, studying in Lithuania can be your gateway to the rest of Europe. Lithuania is bordered by Latvia, Belarus, and Poland, and isn’t too far away from Germany and Denmark. You can find flights to major European destinations at the Vilnius and Kaunas airports, or take advantage of the well-connected railway network. This way, you can get pop over to Paris one weekend and Amsterdam the next.

Contact us : 8428440444 , 8428999090 , 8608777070

Mail ID : anagha@unilifeabrod.com , diya@unilifeabroad.com

[muzdiir]

i transferred 4 times when i was working on my bachelor's (bc of crippling anxiety). it took me a total of 7 years to finally get the fucker. things i would recommend to others in the college realm:

FILL OUT YOUR FAFSA. even if u think u won't qualify for any financial aid, do it anyway! i forget what age u can do it as an independent but it helps A TON. (i'm sure fafsa may be well-known to most college-age ppl but it sure wasn't to me. if i knew fafsa was a thing, i woulda gone to college right outta high school but i didnt & i thought i could never afford it)

if u qualify for federal loans, ALWAYS choose them over private. theyve got better interest rates & terms. ur loans will come outta their grace period 6 months after u graduate; if u don't have a job/enough income to pay the monthly balance, LET YOUR LOAN SERVICER KNOW. you can put them into deferment and/or forbearance (i dont remember the exact difference rn) until you're able to afford it. even then, federal loans can (usually) be adjusted for your salary.

start off with community college, esp if you have anxiety/financial concerns. the tuition is usually dirt cheap (for US college), the admissions process is infinitely easier, you can get all your basic degree requirements done, it is completely fine & normal to only do it part time, (most) instructors are super chill, & (probably my favorite aspect) it is full of non-traditional students (ie older folks ranging from "just past ''''normal''''' college age" to "retiree just here for a good time). nontrad students are the best bc 1) they have so much real world experience that they bring to the classroom 2) they easily keep class discussions going 3) they are frequently very helpful/encouraging towards younger students 4) they genuinely give a fuck about their education & don't waste anyone's time

make sure to have fun with your electives. pick what you like but also try new things. you never know what will suddenly spark your interest & perhaps become your major.

keep your mind open irt majors. it's okay to change your mind!!! just keep pluggin' along & sticking to classes you enjoy. if it sucks, drop them! talk to department advisors about changing ur major. (i would recommend you do this BEFORE you graduate--fafsa/federal finaid only really works for ur 1st bachelor's but you can milk it if you're careful & paying attention to tuition/fees/room&board)

make sure you're aware of what help the school offers irt mental/physical/financial well-being. if ur struggling w certain academics-related stuff, u can usually find help to make it easier on yourself. (the uni in the UK i went to had this whole thing where u could get specific accommodations if u had physical/mental limitations which was Neat)

im sure i have more but i'm tired & its almost 4am as i type this lmao

[theshiaxartistwrites]

Stardrop Valley

Fandom: Five Nights At Freddy's: Security Breach X Stardew Valley Rating: Mature Tw: 1st person, Lots of dead characters, Child Death, Missing Children, Graphic Violence, Stockholm Syndrome, Alternate Universe, Magic is Real, Monsters are Real, Not Canon Compliant, Different situations mean different behaviours, characters in distress, Kidnapping, Torture, thalassophobia AO3 Link

Chapter One: Day One, Spring

When you were 12 your mother died in a car accident, coming to pick you up from the airport after visiting your father in Gotoro. It takes three weeks in child protective services before you're sent to live with your father across the sea. When you're 13, your father sends you to live with your grandfather on his farm. You don't remember much about that summer, the fun overshadowed by the trauma that filled the rest of your life. It's when you're getting back on the bus, on its way to the airport to head back to your father's house, that your grandfather stops you. You remember looking up at his soft smile and big white santa claus beard, a letter held out to you in his work-weathered hands.

He hands you a crisp white envelope with a blue and gold wax seal in the shape of a crescent moon with a sun peeking out from behind it. It was a thick, weighty thing in your tiny hands, your grandfather placing a hand on your head as he spoke.

"Some day, when you're older, when the weight of the world feels cold and cruel and you need a new start, I want you to open this. My precious gift to you."

Being so young it felt less like a gift and more like a forbidden thing to tuck into a binder with your birth certificate and keep safe, but forgotten. Your grandfather passes not long after you leave his farm. Your childhood isn't easy and your father isn't exactly loving, but you survive. High school is the same. College, however, is hell.

You moved back to Ferngill before the war, hoping to avoid the fighting. You spend two years trying your hardest, estranged from the rest of your family after your father passes away, considered a traitor for leaving him alone. You have to get a job to pay for your tuition and your super healthy daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner of ramen. Working whenever you're not at school, you barely sleep and have no one you can actually call a friend. Year three you can no longer keep up and drop out, taking on your job at Joja Corp full time to afford a barren single bedroom apartment in the city, close enough that you can walk instead of drive. Not that you had a car anyway.

You spend too many years working. It starts to blend together into a mass of grey walls and computer screens. The dull faces and white button up shirts start to blur together. It's a hard, boring life, but it doesn't feel like it could get any worse.

How wrong you were.

In the span of a week, you're laid off with 90% of your coworkers, due to the company being bought out and downsized by another company called 'Fazbear Entertainment'. What an entertainment company wants with a corporation like Joja, you're not high enough up the food chain to know. What you do know is that Fazbear Entertainment is also responsible for your apartment complex being bought up and the 30 day eviction notice that is posted on your door.

No job. No savings. And soon to be homeless.

You're sobbing into your couch cushions when you remember the envelope. You can't put too much faith into something given to a child by a grandparent you barely knew, but…what else did you have?

You drag yourself from the damp spot on your old couch and to the small box of important papers you keep under your bed. A little digging and you spot the blue and gold wax among the aged documents. It feels heavy in your hand, the weight of all your hopes for the future rest with this 'gift'.

You slide a finger under the wax seal and it pops away almost too cleanly. Lifting the flap up, you spot several different papers folded up inside. The first is a simple letter from your grandfather, written in glittery blue ink. It's almost word for word what he told you back then, a wish to depart this 'precious gift' upon you, at the bottom the handwriting turns shaky.

'If you are reading this, you must be in dire need of a change. I've enclosed the deed to my pride and joy, Sunnyday Farm. A quaint place on the southern coast, in Stardrop Valley. I've left you my most precious gift of all, I know you'll cherish them. Good luck. Love, Grandpa.

I hope they help you as much as they helped me.'

Your hands shake as you pull out the rest.

A check, for approximately 100,000g, from a savings account your grandfather put aside for you.

And the deed.

You spend all night crying, clutching the gifts to your chest and thanking whatever gods will carry your gratitude to your grandfather.

The next morning you pack up whatever you can take with you; clothes, your documents, and some sentimental things, and leave the rest behind. You stop by the bank and, while they won't give you the cash outright, they help you move the money into a checking account in your name and give you a credit card. You still stop at the atm outside to grab some cash just to be safe. With a backpack and two suitcases stuffed a little too full, you climb aboard the bus to Stardrop Valley.

Well.

Not really.

As it turns out, the bus doesn't actually go to the Valley anymore.

You sit and talk with the bus driver, a middle aged woman with curly red hair and a mountain of purple eyeshadow, for a while and learn that the Valley is practically a ghost town. It's a bit personal, but she explains that several people died, her own daughter included, and the rest of the folks up and left. She doesn't suggest staying, but when you explain your own situation, she suggests trying to sell the property. Your expression is enough to get her to change the subject. She's kind enough to drop you off at a gas station a little further than her route calls for, wishing you luck on your journey and asking you to please stay safe. She gives you a little folded piece of paper with her number on it.

"If you ever need help, call me." She gives you a sad, motherly smile and you feel your heart ache as you wave goodbye.

You wave until the bus disappears around a corner and pick up your bags, checking the gps on your phone as it recalculates for being on foot. Four miles and an hour long walk. That's not too bad. Though the sun starting to dip behind the mountains is a bit unsettling. It's only 6 pm, plenty of sunlight left, surely.

You pick up your feet and begin your march, your old leather jacket zipped up against the wind. That hour turns into an hour and a half, your feet sore from walking uphill in boots and your arms are tired from lugging your belongings. Why'd you have to bring so much shit anyway?

Up ahead you spot a tunnel, dark and foreboding in the already dimming light. Whatever. No big deal. You have places to be. You step up to the tunnel and freeze.

What was that?

You could have sworn you heard something up ahead. An echo of something scraping against the concrete. Claws? A knife? Was it a bear? A killer clown?!

No. No no. Stop. You were not going to be scared away by your own imagination. The bus lady's stories just got you a little anxious, that's all. You were smarter than that. Or at least you knew how to check if something was waiting to kill you in the dark. Digging out your phone, you turned on the flashlight and aimed it down the tunnel. A glint of something in the dark caught your eye, but when you turned the light toward it, there was nothing there. Maybe it was just a racoon or a squirrel, a sneaky critter that was hard to catch in the act. You do spot what looks like a lockbox on the side of the tunnel, but there's no one around it. It's not even a very long tunnel, you can make it. Maybe if you ran?

No. Running before you were actually in danger was a great way to tire yourself out even more and make yourself an easy target. So instead, you tuck your phone into your breast pocket with the flashlight poking out so you can still see ahead of you and step hesitantly inside.

You were not scared.

You were going to be fine.

You were not going to die.

Nothing here could possibly hurt you-

SKRITCH

You wheel around with wide eyes, knuckles white as you gripped your luggage, and are greeted with the sight of a horrible monstrosity, staring at you from the ground with bared teeth and a multitude of wide inhuman eyes.

An opossum.

A mama opossum with her three little babies clinging to her back.

She hisses at you and slowly moves around you, carrying on her way through the tunnel. You are so very glad there's no one here to see how stupid you look, poised and ready to fight a huffy mama opossum with a bag of luggage. You let her pass and then quietly follow her out, looking up at the pink bloom that covers the darkening sky.

The other side of the tunnel is not much less intimidating, a dead end road with a dense forest to your left and a tree-lined path to your right. A sign at the end of the road has big blue letters that read 'WELCOME TO DAYSTAR! HOME OF-', the last word has been painted over with black paint, red graffiti over the black reads 'MONSTERS! TURN BACK!'

How goofy.

You've seen monsters before, the odd slime in a sink, a giant bug outside your window, but regular monsters were underground dwellers. A seaside town, no matter how abandoned, should still be perfectly safe. Well. Maybe not ‘safe’, not after what the bus driver told you, but this still seems extreme. You check your gps real quick, you're so close to your new home! A ten minute walk and you'll be standing on your new porch!

The path there is a little overgrown, you see plenty of weeds and unpicked berry bushes along the path, but nothing prepares you for the absolute jungle that is Sunnyday Farm. The light has faded fast, leaving your flashlight to illuminate the 20 feet or so of forest ahead of you. The arch that leads into the fenced property is absolutely entangled with moss and vines that you have to push aside to get past. Just inside the gate on your right you catch a glimpse of an old shed with a rusty roll-up door, a large wooden bin sat to the left of it that is topped with years of mossy growth. The stone pathways are so overgrown with grass and weeds that you have to lift up your bags to get to the house.

A lump of kudzu to the left of the wooden bin you realize is your mailbox, if only because you spot the little red flag stuck up underneath it all.

You can't even see the property properly in the darkness, but what light your phone's flashlight can give promises a dense green forest of work ahead of you.

Perfect.

You drag your bags up the mossy wooden stairs and stare up at the beautiful house before you. A two story wooden home with a reddish wooden trim. You step up to the door, brushing aside spider webs and kudzu, and wipe away the layer of dust to peek inside. It's pitch black and, when you test it, the handle is locked.

You are painfully aware that you were not left a key to go along with your new home. Maybe it was hidden somewhere-?

A rustling sound catches your attention and you freeze. Another animal? The rustling doesn't freeze with you, slowly getting closer, coming towards you through the tall grass behind you. It sounds a lot like footsteps.

You turn quickly and feel your blood run cold.

Trudging through the grass and weeds is a lumbering humanoid made of moss and weeds, all tangled together into a face with hollow sockets and a gaping, toothless maw. Jagged branches stick out of the ends of its arms like makeshift claws, the tips a lighter color from obvious sharpening.

As it steps out of the grass and onto the bottom step, you are suddenly very aware of how helpless you are. Backed against a locked door, burdened with luggage, unarmed, and in the dark on a moonless night in a place you don't know.

The golem takes a step up the stairs and you watch it bring its claws up towards you. You drop one bag and grab the other with both hands, swinging it hard at the creature. Your hardside suitcase makes full contact with the monster's head and shoulder, a loud clang like you've struck metal. You don't wait to see how much damage you actually did, ditching your suitcases as you dart to the right, jumping off the porch and dropping into the thick grass. You can already hear the golem lumbering after you, but it's slow.

You dart around the backside of the cottage, trying your damnedest not to trip as you go. Your plan is to try and make it back to the road, maybe it won't follow you that far. You nearly fall over with how fast you skid to a stop, spotting a window on the backside of the house, the glass is completely missing. It's on the second floor, but a white lattice heavy with kudzu leads right up beside it. You're climbing up it before you can assess how dumb it is. You hear the creaks of the wood and vines popping apart, but you’re more focused on the crunch of sticks and grass as the golem comes around the side of the house. You grab the window sill and drag yourself inside, gasping as your backpack nearly snags.

You end up on top of some wooden piece of furniture and carefully slide the ground as quietly as you can manage, hands clasped over your mouth as you take deep slow breaths to try and get your panting under control. You can hear it walking, stepping slowly closer to the lattice. For a moment you think it has stopped at the bottom and you quickly slap a hand over your phone, cutting out the light just in case it can look up at the window. Heartbeats pass and you stop breathing. Finally you hear a crunch, the monster slowly moving back around to the front of the house.

You lay there, feeling your heart thump painfully in your chest, feeling the burning in your hands and arms from the short burst of athletics, and straining to listen to the world outside. You’re not entirely sure how long you lay there, but it’s long enough that you’re sure it’s not coming back. Getting to your feet, you carefully uncover your phone, taking a look at the room you’ve climbed into. It’s a plain, if well-made, wooden room with eight chests of different colors against the wall with the two windows. You’re well aware that the window you came in through is completely missing its glass, while the other appears boarded shut from the inside.

Sat against the same wall, between the windows and chests is a dusty old workbench, tools neatly placed, but rusty with lack of use and care. Above the workbench, hung on the wall, is a shield. You actually try to take it down and find it’s well bolted to the wall.

Damn.

Maybe you’ll try and take it down later, when you’ve made sure the house is actually safe.

You turn around and spot an old lamp in the corner between two doors, a stool with a radio sat beside it. In the opposite corner is what looks like a large table with several books stacked on it. You don’t waste your time with any of it, instead moving to the door on your left.

You carefully turn the handle and feel relief as it turns, unlocked.

You point your flashlight inside and spot stairs leading downstairs to the ground floor. Perfect!

But…you should check the other door too.

You close the door softly, trying to make as little noise as possible, and open the other door the same way. This time you’re greeted with deep blue carpet and dark blue walls dotted with light blue swirl-like stars.

This was…

This was your room.

You remember it.

Stepping inside you see your bed sat in the middle of the back wall, sat between two more boarded up windows draped over with long blue and purple banners decorated with glowing jellyfish. The glow-in-the-dark moon and star decals above your old bed cling to some of the light. You sweep your light around the room, spotting your old glass butterfly hutch and minifridge in opposing corners. The two things that catch your attention are the pot of yellow flowers on the nightstand by the bed and the little bonsai tree on your old moon table in the far corner.

You step around the bed and caress the little yellow flowers. They’re real and thriving. A finger poked into their dirt, you find the soil is damp. Someone watered these recently. Is that why the door was locked? You feel a cold chill wash over your shoulders. While this is technically your house, you don’t know who or what is living here and they may consider you the trespasser.

You have three choices.

Leave the way you came in and risk trying to get back to the road with god knows what out there to chase you.

Search the house in the dark and hope you don’t get shot by some squatter or eaten by a goblin.

Or, lock the doors and sleep here for the night and try to find the squatter in the morning when you can run away in the daylight without the threat of monsters.

You lock the door you came through and then walk across to the door opposite and lock it too. You kick off your shoes and drop your backpack by the minifridge. A gentle hum catches your attention and you press an ear into the fridge. It’s on and running. You open it and the light inside floods out into your room. There’s actually snacks in there too! A bottle of apple juice, a maple bar, a bag of roasted hazelnuts, a bag of chocolate chip cookies, a breakfast bar, and a rainbow rock candy stick wrapped in plastic. All of the items look unopened, even the juice.

You can pay whoever bought them back later, right now, you’re in need of whatever you can get. You grab the apple juice and crack it open, taking a few very large gulps straight from the bottle before putting it back and grabbing the hazelnuts and breakfast bar.

You decide to try your luck and dig out your phone charger, plugging it into the same plug as the fridge and nearly doing a little dance when it works. Setting your phone on the nightstand, you keep your jacket on as you climb onto the bed. It’s a little too short for you, but just as cozy and warm as you remember. Your chest aches as you think about this room, crunching quietly on your snacks. You’re not sure why you don’t remember more about this place, but just laying in this cozy little room is enough to remember why you came back.

You turn off your flashlight when you finish your snacks and look up at the glowing moon and stars on your ceiling as you drift off to sleep.

[selamat-linting]

the worst part of being an indonesian student is when youre enrolling highschool and you choose vocational tradeschool instead of normal school, if it doesnt work out, or you decide to find other passions, or if you find out you're not good at it, you cant change majors. if you want to go to college to pick something else, restart your educational path so to speak, there's a good chance the three years you spend doesn't count for shit since it doesn't teach you all the fundamentals to be ready for college apparently. so you have to redo that entire three years in catch-up school. and unlike vocational highschool or normal public ones, you have to pay a tuition.

its unrealistic to demand a bunch of 15 year olds to be sure a spesific trade is what they want to do forever, but i guess thats the system here. cant afford college? okay, here's an education program so you could go to work in an industry straight away! but there's a catch, your actual education will be sacrificed for precious industry knowledge and experience, so this is the only kind of job you can be qualified for regardless of your actual skill level or interests or whether you change your mind later. if the economy or technological requirements surrounding that line of work changed drastically then youre fucked. have fun working menial "low skilled" work that a middleschool graduate can do as well (but is barred to do it because of crapitalism) for the rest of your short life. and if you want to change like join medical school or academia or law school for example, then get ready paying not only money but so much time and energy to redo the entire three years of highschool while also working for a living.

and yknow why our education is like this? its because its centered on profit and creating ready-made low wage workers meant to serve the national bourgeoisie and foreign imperialist bastards. our future is nothing but a money making machine to be squeezed dry to the government. if they really want affordable education and job security for the people, they'd drastically lower the tuition and requirements to get into higher education, eradicate workplace discrimination, give accessibility for disabled people, nationalize the industries and have it run for the workers instead of the bosses, and most of all, gave people their right for stable housing and food.

but nooo, thats not what happened. what happened is that capitalists turn a fucking problem into a chance to make money while fascists shoots everyone who tried to stop it and brand their victims as a fucking heretic. fuck the SMK program istg, the promise of landing you a job is a LIE! not just because of the reasons i say here but also because for a lot of majors and school, the curriculum is outdated for industry standards. so while you might be technically qualified, you will not survive the interview process.

also again, the framing if paket C (our ged program) as a way for poor people to catch up on their education is so disingenous like, thats not free at all. you actually have to pay a tuition every semester and its 2 million rupiahs. do you know how some of the monthly minimum wage rates in our country doesnt even reach that number? ALSO if theyre too poor to go to public school then how do you expect them to get a job that pays minimum wage? with their discontinued education huh? in this economy even college graduate kids get paid below minimum wage sometimes.

i hope every indonesian politician and military generals die tomorrow ngl

[mischiefmanifold]

trying to find colleges with reasonable tuition rates is a nightmare

if it’s “affordable” it’s actually $70,000 😑

[cavernsofdarkness]

OMG I WAS THINKING! Ghost sims would make really good holograms …that sound creepy… but anyways especially the blue one. Also what do you think cyberpunk school would look like… sorry I’ve been searching on Pinterest and can’t find anything. Im at a tie with college like sermon with holograms, some where they’re hooked into vr headsets or computers, and just… there is no school. Idk what your thoughts?

(Sending Love … 98% Complete)

I love when people come to my inbox and posit things like this! I have a lot to say, lol.

As a baseline definition, cyberpunk as a genre is a near-future dystopia, defined by the domination of megacorporations, technology and the escalation of class stratification and its ramifications. So, I think there definitely is school and higher education.

Everything below is based heavily on the workings of US school systems.

There is general education through the high school level provided by the district/city but, much like in our own world, the quality of this education is dependent on the wealth of the district. The schools in poorer districts have less funding, and thus less access to technology and different specialties and extracurriculars for study. I imagine that, if you're lucky, there might have been a wealthy benefactor that decided to be generous and fund the operation of the cyberpunk equivalent of a charter school in your district.

The best schools are going to be corporation-owned or private institutions. These are private schools with all of the best amenities and access to the latest technology. Even amongst these schools there's a hierarchy, with the tuition costs reflecting the level of prestige. In Cyberpunk 2077, corporate workers get access to the corporation's healthcare plan; I imagine that getting discounted tuition for your child to the corporation's school is also one of the benefits, thus incentivizing people to join the megacorp machine (like in the US, how a lot of people join the military because they promise to cover the cost of your schooling).

On to higher education. College/university is astronomically expensive (and that's saying a lot considering how expensive it already is *cries in American with student loan debt*). Only the ultra rich, or those with connections can afford it. If you're not in one of the aforementioned categories, the amount of debt you would incur trying to finance education is a life sentence. For reference, there's an ad in Cyberpunk 2077 offering a loan with a 31.1% interest rate (can you imagine!?) and obviously, poorer people with bad or no credit are going to be subjected to the higher rates.

Now, about your ideas on the different manifestations of school, my answer is 'all of the above'! Dictated by funding, a school/business probably employs a mix of all of those methods. Imagine a guest lecturer joining via holo (in-person/physical classes probably cost more), or a netrunning class where they get to experience the net without the risk via a VR simulation. This applies not only to traditional academia, but other skill classes as well (martial arts, pottery, aerial silks, you name it!); just like in our reality, you can take singular classes in whatever you want, for a price.

As a result of everything previously mentioned, I think the majority of people in a cyberpunk reality make it through basic schooling and then engage in nontraditional/nonstandard methods of education. I imagine that some people may find someone who can train them in their desired trade/skill, and a lot of the hackers/netrunners, techies etc. are self-taught. In this vein, just like currently in our world we have access to lots of tutorials via youtube and websites like skillshare etc., the popularity of this has probably only grown and I imagine that training braindances/simulations are commonplace, both in and out of the workplace.

The one time I did a hologram (of a person) I just used a regular sim and edited them in post to get that holo effect. I haven't messed around much with ghost sims; I'm curious about how the ghost sim form would interact with lighting and such. Maybe next time I do a hologram I'll try it and see if I like it. It might save some time if all I have to add are the scanlines, lol.

[marshmallowprotection]

Hi Kait.

It’s been a little while. I hope you’re doing well. <3

I’m always rooting for your success and happiness lol.

I feel bad and sheepish because I never wanna be that person who only ever pops by to like,,, dump a vent when I’m struggling.

I wish I had more fun or creative stuff I could share with you more often.

I think about trying to make you a gift of some sort a lot but I always chicken out. 😔

But tbh I think the reason I feel inclined to come here when I’m feeling bad is because when I am struggling,, that’s when I turn to thoughts of Saeyoung as a source of comfort. And your blog is the best outlet I’ve found to be able to express those feelings haha.

At any rate…

I wonder if you can relate to this experience…?

When I was really sick, my mental health issues actually kinda felt better…?

It’s not like they actually went away or anything.

It’s just that,,, I literally didn’t have the mental capacity to fixate on those things like I normally would. I was deadass too exhausted to indulge my anxious or depressed thoughts and let myself spiral lmao

But now that I’m slowly staring to feel better physically, those old patterns and thoughts and feelings have been creeping back in little by little too :))

(Super unfair if you ask me 🙄 bc I *am* still sick and in pain. Just slightly less so. And now I gotta deal with the mental illness on top of it all? Now my bones hurt AND my tummy hurts AND my silly little pathetic heart hurts. Homophobia at its finest, truly.)

And like… I’m trying really hard to claw my way out of this cute little pit of self-loathing I’ve found myself in.

Especially since I know now, better than ever, that it’s completely pointless…

The world’s gonna keep turning whether I hate myself or not. It’s just a matter of whether or not I’m choosing to make myself miserable in the process.

But,,, you know. It’s never that simple.

And. It’s kinda the “trying hard” that’s been making it hurt tbh.

I can’t stop thinking about the ~injustice~ of how hard Ive tried my whole life to build a future for myself where I could finally feel ~stable and happy and loved~ like I’ve been craving my whole life or whatever. But the universe just keeps saying Sike! Over and over :’)

I had to work so hard just to fuckin survive and keep myself alive my whole childhood.

I never thought I’d be able to go to college,, I didn’t even think it was on the table for me.

But I got lucky and got support and encouragement from my friends,, and somehow I managed to make it. And it meant so much to me. I felt so overjoyed and lucky to be able to be in a place where I didn’t have to worry about my safety all the time, or where I was going to sleep or get my next meal. And better yet,, somewhere where I could pursue my dreams and passions and get a little closer every day to a future I never thought I’d have. :’D

Buuuut then Covid hit, my mental health tanked, and I stopped being able to afford my tuition. And even though I was doing everything I could and DESPERATELY trying to figure things out,, it wasn’t enough. Bc nobody at the school would fuckin help me. And it was so frustrating and upsetting to know that, no matter how good of a student I was (I was a 4.0 student in STEM smh)

And no matter how genuine and passionate I was,,,

It didn’t make a difference. Because all they cared about was my money.

Like. Not to be dramatic. But that shit legit shattered my heart and crushed my soul. :’)

Even so! I told myself,,, hey. It’s okay. You can turn this around. You just have to work harder! Push yourself even further! You’re good at that. You’ve done it before. You just need to get a job and save up so you can go back.

So I got my silly lil minimum wage pet store job.

And goddammit, I was great at that too.

I was the best damn employee at my store, if not the whole company 🙄 bc I’m SMART AND PASSIONATE ABOUT LEARNING AND HELPING ANIMALS AND CREATING BETTER LIVES FOR THEM. UGH. 😤

Worked my tits off for a year and a half. Saved up as much as I could. Got over halfway to my goal that would allow me to finally move away from my home state that I’ve always hated. Go back to school. And really and truly get a shiny new ~fresh start~

But then the universe was like, HA bitch you thought!

You actually worked *too* hard this time and now your body is broken.

So… all that money you just saved up…?

POOF! That’s all going to your medical bills now.

Or at least. A tiny fraction of your medical bills :)

And now you can’t keep working to pay those bills off, or save up more money to go back to school. Because you’re too sick!

So like… good luck I guess??

And now I’m here having to deal with the fact that my friends who started school at the same time as me are graduating this semester.

And I’m just. Spending all my days alone in my room helpless and lonely and rotting :)))

It just really stinks that even though I’ve been trying so hard my whole life and putting SO MUCH of myself into literally everything I do,,, it’s never seemed to pay off.

In fact it feels like if anything, all it’s done is come back to bite me in the ass and make the failure hurt worse in the end.

🙄🙄 big “please please please let me get what I want by the smiths” moment

But anyways *ahem*

Like I said,,,,,

Whenever I get to feeling like this. I definitely always end up thinking about and coming back to Saeyoung.

Because… different life situations, obviously.

I’m glad at least I haven’t had to check “lost twin” or “being a secret agent” off my trauma bingo card yet.

But then again. I never thought I’d check off medical trauma either and look how that turned out, so who knows what the future has in store for me? 💀

At any rate,,, I know he’d be able to empathize, and understand those feelings.

More so than anyone I’ve ever met in real life, probably.

That’s definitely a huge part of why he came to mean so much to me in the first place. And why he’s the character I come back to time and time again when things start feeling really unfair.

And,, knowing just how and why he’d be able to understand and relate to those feelings is a big part of why I love him so much…

I just get so overwhelmed any time I get caught up thinking about that man’s endless capacity for goodness and love. Even through all the shit he’s been through. And how,, no matter how hurt he was, how hopeless he felt, or how much he *wanted* to give up. He never ever could. Because that’s just who he is,, if there’s even the slimmest margin of a chance that he could do something to make the world better for his loved ones, he’d drag himself there to the point of physically falling apart and not even think twice about it.

And like,,, yeah,,, it’s an issue in its own right and breaks my heart to think of how far he’d go for others while having so little regard for himself.

But also,,,,, it’s so admirable 😭 I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Saeyoung Choi is made of love.

And like,,, more than just Ye Olde “self-destruction in the name of helping his loved ones” thing,, I also get so worked up just thinkin about him being his silly dorky self,,

And again just… through everything,, even when he tried to convince himself that it was a front and he wasn’t actually like that,,, he never stopped being bright and curious and passionate,,, because that IS who he is,,, he’s a NERD and he genuinely loves learning and trying new things and having fun,,, and spreading that joy to the people around him. 🥹❤️

It just makes me wanna fuckin SMOTHER him with all of the affection and appreciation I could ever possibly muster up. And tell him over and over and over again how incredible and kind and brave and strong and special he is, and how much I love and adore him, and how lucky and proud I feel to even exist in the same universe as someone so earnestly and relentlessly Good. 🥺🥺

I would simply like to love him to death dhdjdjd

And like. I guess it’s cathartic to me to imagine being able to do that and say those things to him.

And to really just,,, bask in those overwhelming feelings of affection.

Bc I guess that’s how I wish someone would see and feel about me 😅 and that I could have someone in my life who would see how hard I try,, and be proud of me, and make me feel like I have value outside of my achievements in life (or,,, lack thereof). And like,,,, love me for all the times I kept going even when it hurt. That would be cool,,,,

Me out here since 2016 trying to fix myself by fixing Saeyoung 💀💀

Literally even now I feel better than I did when I started typing this message having thought about him and how much I love him fjfjfjf

Kuz,,, there’s the catharsis in thinking about being able to say those things that i wish I could hear myself to someone else.

But then there’s the added layer of self-indulgent catharsis of being able to be like,,,

I mean, hey, Saeyoung probably *would* see you in a similar light,,, if anyone would be able to understand and appreciate those things in me, it would be him. :’D

We are,,, the pointing Spider-Man meme,,, but make it gay dhdhdj

And that shit is,,, overwhelming to think about.

Ahh the euphoria of loving Saeyoung Choi shdhjd

And,, imagining a world where he loves me back just as much,,,

That’s nice,,, :’D

Anyways. I don’t know where I intended on going with this. I feel like I’m just awkwardly talking in circles and not making sense.

And I didn’t mean to get as vent-y as I did there.

I guess I just was all tangled up in my thoughts about all this shit and wanted to try and articulate that side of why Saeyoung means so much to me.

And to have an excuse to gush about my precious little meow meow. 🤡

As usual,,, if you’ve actually taken the time to read through this mess. Thank you haha.

Wishing you the best, always. ❤️❤️❤️

Don't worry, I get where you're coming from.

I had the same experience, similar, anyway. I thought college was the way out and went like I was "supposed" to. I suffered for a long time as a child in an abusive, impoverished environment, and there was no way out but a single door that everyone sold me. Well, as soon as the door closed on high school, my body started to give up. I dealt with a single diagnosis at first, and then, by the next time Spring Break was around, I had two more issues that would nearly cause me to lose my life.

Being on death's door after you've fought so hard to escape is a sick joke, and it's hard to put that grief into words. I'm sure you know what I mean, though. You think you're getting out and then it feels like God is laughing in your face. As if to say, "You thought you were allowed to be happy and free? Ha! Sike!" Hitting rock bottom with those types of emotions is not fun in the slightest. I still feel grief in that way when a bad day comes along. Even if you're working through your feelings, a bad flare will make you struggle.

Being Disabled and Chronically Ill means you're in a perpetual loop of "I'm okay with this" > "I hate this" > "This is okay sometimes" > "Why is it that I'm being punished" > "I can't take it anymore" > "This is... okay. I am okay".

You cycle through acceptance, anger, grief, begging, and everything that comes with loss. We don't have to be okay with our struggles, you know? It's not something people can understand unless it's their experience. Sure, if someone close to you is that sick, you might be able to understand, but not all of it. It's something that can't be put into words. Sometimes, the hardest part is trying to get someone to understand that you won't get better. You will only get worse. It's not like a broken arm.

I want you to know that I've been there. Stuck in a bedroom for years and it hurt. I lost out on experiences because I didn't have support in the way I needed. I had to become my own doctor and advocate the second I realized the healthcare system latched onto my anxiety to blame for all my problems. I haven't had health care in years because America is a piece of shit, but I don't think anyone should be forced to become more intelligent than their doctor to save their life. Then, you have to act like you know nothing because if you know too much, they think you doom scroll health conditions online.

But, that's another thing. You get used to it. You shrug. Your pain is a 7 to an average person but to you, it's a 2. You get used to it. You just learn how to adapt. You forget what not being in pain feels like. I can't remember what it felt like to not have something hurt!

Mental health and physical health are other things. When you've got to deal with both of them, it's weird. You might have a bad day with a flare but your mental health is just fine, vice versa, or the opposite of that. If you're in too much physical pain to think, you're not going to think about your depression. You just sleep. God, one thing that did happen to me was that my compulsive hand-washing started to be something I did less because I physically couldn't get out of bed at one point and I just said, "Fuck it. I can't do it. It's fine."

Still have that issue but it's not what it was. It's hard to explain how these issues clash with each other.

Haha. Anyway, I get it. I know what you mean about Saeyoung 'cause I feel the same way about Saeran. I met the RFA in 2016. I was on the door of death, not knowing what was coming next, and they saved a life that day. I don't know where I'd be without this game. Everyone in the group helped me see a chance to live.

Saeyoung was one of the first, too. I love him like a brother because I saw my sacrifices in him. I'm like him in that sense. I would throw my life on the line to see someone else happy. That's not always a good trait because you need to protect yourself, too.

You can't always give to others. Sometimes, you need to be selfish. But, having him by your side to empathize with is cathartic, you're right. He gets it. He knows what you mean and he doesn't judge.

You love him because you see yourself in him. You know he's capable of love, just like you are, and you know that he's safe. He'd know that you're safe, too. He knows you better than you know yourself, and I'd dare say it's the same way the other way around. That's why it's easy to love him. You know he'll never let go of you. You know he'll always fight for you. You want to be fought for, you want to be loved, and you want a chance to be validated the way you validate Saeyoung.

I'd say there's nothing wrong with that.

I look to Saeran because he'd get me. He's been just as sick as I've been and I wouldn't have to tell him what's wrong in detail. I could just look at him with pain in my soul, and he'd know. He'd get it and I wouldn't have to explain it. He'd just hold me... like I'd just hold him at his lowest moment. I feel like loving him makes me a better person. It reminds me that I have to try to treat myself the way I'd treat him... and the way he'd treat me. He'd want me to see something good even at the worst, and that helps me more than a lot of things.

So, I'd say, if you feel low... think about how Saeyoung would fight for you and help that inspire you to fight for yourself. Because he loves you and he always will, even if the galaxy keeps the two of you apart from one another. If you feel a flutter in your chest, it's him, calling out to your heart with a prayer you'll smile again.

And just remember, talking about your grief helps. Don't ball it up. If you have to write something down to let it out, do it. Never hesitate.

[indiaacademy]

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[daylightanakin]

okay. picture this.

mcu spiderman trilogy 2. peter is studying for his GED. applying for jobs. applying for colleges. fighting crime on the side. having issues applying to places because of his social security number. all of that stuff.

finally, he gets accepted to empire state university, and on his train ride there he meets a guy named harry osborn. peter wants to be his friend but is reluctant at first because he recognizes the name. eventually the two become friends and decide to be roommates. harry’s dad norman (why does that sound familiar?) is friends with the head of mathematics and peter is selected to tutor students in math for an hourly rate and some extra tuition assistance. his fellow tutor? gwen stacy.

he’s reluctant to befriend her, because he still loves mj and he remembers what happened with peter 3. but mj doesn’t remember him anyway, & it’ll be different this time, right?

MEANWHILE…

magic can trick just about anyone except for michelle jones, who is fiddling with pendant around her neck and can’t figure out where it came from. she’s working non-stop so she can afford to commit to MIT. finally the day comes where she’s packing all her things when she finds a box under her bed full of pictures. it’s of her and another person, a guy, but when she goes to grab them, she only catches a glimpse of his face before the pictures turn to gold and slip through her fingers. she’s freaked out. ned comes in like “hey mj, i was looking for OH—“ and his mind also hits a wall—he’s been saying goodbye to his legos, but doesn’t remember making half of them. soon they’re living across the hall from each other at MIT, sneaking after class to access university records and images to find this missing guy…

— i need this to happen, but if it doesn’t, it’s canon in my head.