#English Independent School accolades

[isbi-2014-may-20]

Languages Accolades for Oakham Pupils

published Tuesday 20th of May 2014 03.03:23 PM

Two of Oakham School's talented pupils, Gwyneth Cook (Fourth Form) and Tiephaine Thomason (Fifth Form), are celebrating after winning accolades in their French and German studies.

Gwyneth Cook, who has been educated entirely at Oakham School, has been commended for her performance in the Oxford University French Film Essay Competition. A number of pupils took part in the competition, which tasks students to write an alternative ending to a French film. Given the high number of entrants from across the country, it is particularly impressive that Gwyneth was commended for her performance. The judges wrote to Gwyneth to say 'We thought yours was a very strong entry within a competitive field, deserving of special mention. Congratulations on this achievement; the standard of entries was very high.'

Gwyneth was 'really pleased' to have been acknowledged. She added, 'Taking part was an enjoyable way of developing my engagement with French culture. It has also further stimulated my interest in modern language studies and has encouraged me to continue with creative writing in the future.' 'It is good to enter competitions such as this, and it is even better to get recognition; said Edward Milner, Head of French at Oakham School. 'We have a high number of pupils taking a range of foreign languages, and Gwyneth is a very deserving winner.'

Meanwhile, Tiephaine Thomason, who has been educated at Oakham School and previously the Lycée Français Marie Curie de Zurich, has won a prestigious national German Studies prize. Tiephaine was selected as 'Winner' in the category 'Years 10-11' of this year's Oxford German Olympiad, which is awarded by the Oxford German Network, an initiative by the German department at Oxford University.

Tiephaine, who is a French-English bilingual, worked hard on her entry with the help of German Language Assistant Michael Hill, who came to Oakham School from Heidelberg University. The theme for entries was '1914', and Tiephaine impressed the judging panel with a short story recounting the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand from the perspective of the Austro-Hungarian officer Oskar Potiorek, who was responsible for planning the Archduke's fateful visit.

—

Oakham School is a co-educational boarding and day school for pupils from Year 6 through to Year 13 located in the heart of rural England. It offers education through to the IB Diploma or A-Levels.

Read more on: https://www.isbi.com/school-news/

[isbi-2014-05-20]

[isbischoolnewsbot]

Languages Accolades for Oakham Pupils

published Tuesday 20th of May 2014 03.03:23 PM

Two of Oakham School's talented pupils, Gwyneth Cook (Fourth Form) and Tiephaine Thomason (Fifth Form), are celebrating after winning accolades in their French and German studies.

Gwyneth Cook has been commended for her performance in the Oxford University French Film Essay Competition. A number of pupils took part in the competition, which tasks students to write an alternative ending to a French film. Given the high number of entrants from across the country, it is particularly impressive that Gwyneth was commended for her performance. The judges wrote to Gwyneth to say 'We thought yours was a very strong entry within a competitive field, deserving of special mention. Congratulations on this achievement; the standard of entries was very high.'

Gwyneth was 'really pleased' to have been acknowledged. She added, 'Taking part was an enjoyable way of developing my engagement with French culture. It has also further stimulated my interest in modern language studies and has encouraged me to continue with creative writing in the future.'

'It is good to enter competitions such as this, and it is even better to get recognition; said Edward Milner, Head of French at Oakham School. 'We have a high number of pupils taking a range of foreign languages, and Gwyneth is a very deserving winner.'

Meanwhile, Tiéphaine Thomason has won a prestigious national German Studies prize. Tiephaine was selected as 'Winner' in the category 'Years 10-11' of this year's Oxford German Olympiad, which is awarded by the Oxford German Network, an initiative by the German department at Oxford University.

Tiéphaine, who is a French-English bilingual, worked hard on her entry with the help of German Language Assistant Michael Hill, who came to Oakham School from Heidelberg University.

The theme for entries was '1914', and Tiéphaine impressed the judging panel with a short story recounting the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand from the perspective of the Austro-Hungarian officer Oskar Potiorek, who was responsible for planning the Archduke's fateful visit.

—

Oakham School is a co-educational boarding and day school for pupils from Year 6 (lower First Form) through to Year 13 (upper Sixth Form/Seventh Form) located in the heart of rural England. It offers education through to the IB Diploma or A-Levels.

Read more on: https://www.isbi.com/school-news/

[sailorgoon13]

Mattheo Riddle

Basics:

Full Name: Mattheo Riddle

Nickname: Matt, Matty

Gender: Male

Date of Birth: 31 December, 1979

Heritage: English

Blood Status: Half- Blood

Wand: Yew, Dragon Heartstring, 13", Flexible

Appearance:

Hair Color: Black

Eye Color: Dark brown, almost black in some lighting

Skin Tone: Fair. Porcelain like

Height: 6'2"

Body Type: Lean, Athletic

Style: Mix of sophisticated and modern comfort. Tailored joggers, designer hoodies, and sleek leather jackets for a look that's both stylish and comfortable. His wardrobe is filled with premium basics like fitted T-shirts, cashmere sweaters, and designer sneakers.

Features: Intense gaze, Chiseled Jawline, Athletic build, Confident demeanor, Dark Aura, Magnetic Charm, Style, Always smoking a cigarette

Personality:

Traits: Ambitious, Intelligence, Charisma, Protective, Independant

Likes: Reading, Hanging out with friends, Causing Mischief,

Dislikes: Incompetence, Weakness, Conformity, Modesty

Hobbies: Quidditch, Dueling, Learning thing outside of the school curriculum, drawing

Fears: His father, Failure, Loss of control, Betrayal

Family and Friends:

Father: Tom Riddle Jr.

Known as Voldemort/ Dark Lord

Imprisoned on maximum security in Azkaban

Mother: Unknown

Was a follower of the Dark Lords

Died in childbirth

Friends: Draco Malfoy, Theodore Nott, Blaise Zabini, Enzo Berkshire

Magic:

Special Abilities: Natural aptitude to the Dark Arts, Parseltongue

Boggart: A dark version of himself

Patronus: Raven

Polyjuice: It might appear as a deep shade of burgundy or midnight blue. It would have a complex taste of rich spices like cinnamon and clove with a bitterness of black coffee

Amortentia: Old books, fresh pine and smoke

Backstory:

Mattheo Riddle was born on a cold winter's night in December 1979, the only child of Tom Riddle Jr., better known as the infamous Dark Lord Voldemort, and an unnamed witch who was a devoted follower of the Dark Arts. Mattheo's mother died in childbirth, leaving him orphaned from the moment he drew his first breath. Raised by other followers of his father, Mattheo grew up surrounded by darkness and secrecy, his childhood steeped in the shadows of his family's dark legacy.

From a young age, Mattheo exhibited a keen intellect and a thirst for knowledge that surpassed his years. Despite his upbringing among dark wizards and witches, he was drawn to the complexities of magic and the mysteries of the wizarding world. He devoured books on ancient spells, studied the intricacies of potion-making, and honed his magical skills with a diligence and determination that belied his tender age.

As Mattheo grew older, he began to chafe against the constraints of his family's legacy, yearning to carve out his own path in the world beyond the shadows of his father's name. When he received his letter to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry at the age of eleven, it was both a moment of triumph and trepidation. He knew that Hogwarts would be his chance to escape the dark influences that had surrounded him since birth, but he also feared the expectations that would follow him wherever he went.

At Hogwarts, Mattheo quickly distinguished himself as a student of exceptional talent and ambition. He excelled in his studies, earning top marks in every subject and mastering spells that left even his professors in awe. He became known for his sharp wit, his confident demeanor, and his ability to effortlessly navigate the complexities of wizarding society. Despite his aloof exterior, he formed close bonds with a select group of friends, including Draco Malfoy, Theodore Nott, Blaise Zabini, and Enzo Berkshire, forming a tight-knit circle that would become the envy of the school.

Outside of the classroom, Mattheo's reputation as a Quidditch prodigy preceded him. He was a natural on the broomstick, with a skill and agility that made him a formidable opponent on the Quidditch pitch. He led the Slytherin Quidditch team to victory after victory, earning accolades and admiration from his peers and cementing his status as one of Hogwarts' most celebrated athletes.

Despite his success and popularity, Mattheo struggled with the weight of his family's legacy and the expectations that came with bearing the name of Voldemort. He grappled with questions of identity and morality, torn between the darkness of his heritage and the light that flickered within him. He yearned to break free from the shadows that had haunted him since birth, but he knew that the legacy of his father would always loom large over his life.

As he approached his final year at Hogwarts, Mattheo stood at a crossroads, torn between the past that defined him and the future that beckoned with promise. With graduation looming on the horizon, he knew that he would soon have to make a choice that would shape the course of his destiny. But for now, he would continue to walk the fine line between light and darkness, navigating the complexities of his heritage with courage and conviction, determined to forge his own path in a world that sought to define him by the sins of his father.

Academics:

Best Subject: DADA

Favorite Subject: Potions

Favorite Professor: Snape

Worst Subject: Muggle Studies

Least Favorite Subject: History of Magic

Least Favorite Professor: Binns

Student Life:

A mix of academic excellence, social prominence, and a constant struggle to define his own identity in the shadow of his father

Stood out as one of the brightest students, excelling and mastering more than just the curriculum

Popular, despite his challenges.

Is at every Slytherin event

Slytherin beater on the Quidditch team

Walks a fine line of light and dark, wrestling with his demons from his past

Is really just a puppy-eyed boy behind his tough exterior

Template: @hazyange1s

[southeastasianists]

Singapore’s prosperity has long set it apart from many other former British colonies. There is another difference, too: Singapore has clung to honouring its former colonial ruler — and it wants to keep doing so.

Special accolade has gone to Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, who is considered to have founded modern Singapore in the early 1800s. For decades, Singapore’s textbooks credited Raffles with transforming the island from a “sleepy fishing village” into a thriving seaport. He has been the central character in a larger official narrative that says imperial Britain had set up Singapore for success as an independent nation.

Dedications to Raffles dot the landscape of Singapore. A business district, schools and dozens of other buildings bear his name. Two 2.5-metre likenesses of the man loom large in downtown Singapore.

But a new statue of Raffles, installed in a park in May, has revived a debate about the legacy of colonialism in Singapore. On one side is the broader establishment, which has held up British colonial rule positively. On the other are those who want a closer inspection of the empire that Raffles represented and the racial inequity he left behind, even as Singapore became wealthy.

This divide has surfaced before, perhaps most prominently a few years ago when Singapore celebrated the bicentennial of Raffles’ arrival on the island. Now, the new statue has set off a fresh debate, with critics pointing out that other countries have for years been taking down monuments to historical figures associated with slavery or imperialism, or both.

“The thing about Raffles is that, unfortunately I think, it has been delivered as a hagiography rather than just history,” said Alfian Sa’at, a playwright who wants to see the Raffles statues destroyed. “It’s so strange — the idea that one would defend colonial practice. It goes against the grain on what’s happening in many parts of the world.”

The new statue of Raffles stands next to one of his friend Nathaniel Wallich, a Danish botanist, at Fort Canning Park. Tan Kee Wee, an economist who pooled $330,000 with his siblings to commission the statues, said he wanted to commemorate the pair’s role in founding Singapore’s first botanic gardens, which were his frequent childhood haunt. He donated the sculptures in his parents’ name to the National Parks Board.

Opponents have also criticised the government for allowing the statue to go up at the park because it was the site of the tomb of precolonial Malay kings. The parks board said it considered historical relevance in the installation of the sculptures.

Questions about the statue have even been raised in Singapore’s parliament. In June, Desmond Lee, the minister for national development, responded to one by saying that Singapore did not glorify its colonial history. At the same time, Lee added, “We need not be afraid of the past.”

The plaque for the Raffles statue explains how Singapore’s first botanic gardens “cultivated plants of economic importance, particularly spices”. That, critics said, was a euphemism for their actual purpose: cash crops for the British Empire.

Tan defended the legacy of British colonialists in Singapore, saying they “didn’t come and kill Singaporeans”.

He added: “Singapore was treated well by the British. So why all this bitterness?”

Far from benign

But colonial Britain was far from benign. For instance, it treated nonwhite residents of Singapore as second-class citizens. Raffles created a town plan for Singapore that segregated people into different racial enclaves. And he did not interact with the locals, said Kwa Chong Guan, a historian.

“He was very much a corporate company man, just concerned with what he assumed to be the English East India Co’s interests,” Kwa said.

Raffles landed in Singapore in 1819 as Britain was looking to compete with the Dutch in the Malacca Strait, a crucial waterway to China. At the time, Singapore was under the sway of the kingdom of Johor in present-day Malaysia. Raffles exploited a succession dispute in Johor to secure a treaty that allowed the East India Company to set up a trading post in Singapore.

Within a handful of years, Singapore was officially a British territory. Convict labour, largely from the Indian subcontinent, was crucial to its economic development. So, too, were Chinese immigrants, which included wealthy traders and poor labourers.

Singapore achieved self-governance in 1959, then briefly joined Malaysia before becoming an independent republic in 1965. It has since built one of the world’s most open economies and among its busiest ports, as well as a bustling regional financial hub.

In recent years, the government has acknowledged, in small ways, the need to expand the narrative of Singapore’s founding beyond Raffles. Its textbooks now reflect that the island was a thriving centre of regional trade for hundreds of years before Raffles arrived.

In 2019, officials cast the commemoration of Raffles’ arrival as also a celebration of others who built Singapore. A Raffles statue was painted over as if to disappear into the backdrop. Placed next to it, though only for the duration of the event, were four other sculptures of early settlers, including that of Sang Nila Utama, a Malay prince who founded what was called Singapura in 1299.

To some historians and intellectuals, such gestures are merely symbolic and ignore the reckoning Singapore needs to have with its colonial past. British rule introduced racist stereotypes about nonwhites, such as that of the “lazy” Malay, an Indigenous group in Singapore, that has had a lasting effect on public attitudes. Colonialism led to racial divisions that, in many ways, persist to this day in the city-state that is now dominated by ethnic Chinese.

“If you only focus on one man and the so-called benevolent aspect of colonialism, and you don’t try to associate or think about the negative part too much, isn’t that a kind of blindness, or deliberate amnesia?” said Sai Siew Min, an independent historian. (Story continues below)

Role of race

Race relations played a role in Raffles’ ascension in Singaporean lore. Soon after Singapore became independent, the governing People’s Action Party — which remains in power decades later — decided to officially declare Raffles the founder of Singapore. Years later, S Rajaratnam, who was then the foreign minister, said that anointing a Malay, Chinese or Indian as its founder would have been fraught.

“So we put up an Englishman — a neutral, so there will be no dissension,” Rajaratnam said.

The decision was also meant to indicate that Singapore remained open to the West and free markets.

In a 1983 speech, Rajaratnam acknowledged that Raffles’ attitude toward the “nonwhite races was that without British overlordship the natives would not amount to much”.

Critics of the Raffles statues also argue that his legacy should reflect his time on the island of Java. Although Raffles outlawed slavery in Singapore, he allowed trading of slaves in Java, including children as young as 13, according to Tim Hannigan, who wrote a book about Raffles.

The new statues of Raffles and Wallich were created by Andrew Lacey, a British artist. The sculptures evoke the two men as apparitions — symbolism that Lacey said represented the world’s evolution away from the West.

Lacey said he had “wrangled” with the public reaction toward his sculptures and he had no qualms if Singaporeans wanted to take them down, destroy them or replace their heads with the Malay gardeners who were instrumental in creating the botanic gardens.

“I was cognisant of the complexities of making any dead white male,” he said of Raffles. “I wasn’t cognisant of the degree of complexity around him.”

[changingplumbob]

York Household: Chapter 9, Part 11

In this final part my evil one is now Artemisia, Deanna suffers through a bug and we get some new family photos!

The Yorks are Italian so if you see them using words that don't look like English it's Italian, or what google assures me is Italian. Caro/Cara: Dear Buongiorno: Good morning Piccolo: Little one Tesoro: Treasure Nonno: Grandfather Nonna: Grandmother Si: Yes Grazie: Thank you Per Favore: Please Buon Compleanno: Happy Birthday

Of course if Kelly needed a wardrobe refresh there was only one sim who would do, older sister Devin! As well as being obsessed with her image she’s also getting pretty wealthy. Free shopping spree anyone? Back in Tartosa Kelly and Devin get a commemorative selfie.

Kelly: Grazie for the shop Devin and... grazie for finding the breastforms as well

Devin: Nessun problema, my director Norah knows where all the trans friendly stuff is. I’m just glad one of my sisters may like shopping. I know we may have gone overboard on the make up…. But the grey highlights your eyes

Kelly: It’s nice. When I go to school or wherever I want sims to know I’m a girl you know?

Devin: I can only imagine cara

Kelly: Well as an actress your imagination must be pretty good

Devin: *mock shock* A compliment? For little old me?

Kelly: Shut up. It’s never happening again

Devin: Forget the Starlight Accolade, I have now reached the pinnacle of my career. Come, let’s go find pa and he can tell you his next plan

Aaron: I didn’t see it coming. She never was interested in dresses or skirts or whatever. But I suppose Deanna wasn’t either. How you reacted to Onyx made me think a lot about how I’d react so I suppose I have you to thank for not having a bad reaction

Bob who is much younger than Aaron can’t quite believe that he’s had a positive effect on someone so he just smiles and nods.

Kelly: I’m here

Devin: She means… *sing song voice* we’re here!

Kelly: Do you have to announce yourself everywhere

Devin: It’s called main character energy sis. Besides, everytime I enter a room my theme music plays

Kelly: In your head and your head only

Devin: Oh my gosh can you not be a toad face for five seconds

Aaron: *sighs* As you can see Bob the change has not resulted in less bickering

Devin: Pa, we’re Italians. If we don’t be passionate about something daily, somewhere out there our Italian cred pass gets revoked

Kelly: So why is Fergus’ dad here?

Aaron: Because he’s not just Fergus’ dad. He’s Onyx’s dad to

Devin: And I’m here because I’m brilliant at everything, but also baby names

Kelly: You called your kid Rilian Villareal. Had you written that down in full and seen how weird it looks before you chose it

(the watcher chose "Rilian" independently. She did not think about the pairing with "Villareal" and how the whole thing just looks like a bunch of l's and i's with a couple of r's for good measure)

Devin: *scoffs* Let’s just get the brainstorm underway

Kelly: Brainstorm?

Aaron: I thought Fergus and Onyx could come over after school and help us think of names to shortlist. Unless you’ve already picked one?

Kelly: No I hadn’t… grazie pa. But I still get to choose right?

Aaron: 100%. Just not a swear word

Onyx: I don’t know, I was just thinking of names that were genderless and Onyx came to me like the watcher put it in my head or something

Devin: We should pick something Italian!

Bob: There are lots of food choices. Someone’s kid is called Apple

Fergus: Pick a voidcritter name, they’re cool

With lots of phone googling, laughing, and discussion the group arrive at a small list of names Kelly is happy to choose from. She goes into her room to ponder and settles on her favourite, Artemisia!

Deanna didn’t go to classes today; she was sick all day and chose to finish her coursework between naps.

Artemisia: This seat taken

Deanna: Aren’t you worried I’ll infect you with my germs

Artemisia: Suits me. Let me be the carrier of contagion and those kids I only slightly hurt can suffer without it getting blamed on me

Deanna: Kelly I’m trying to work here

Artemisia: It’s Artemisia

Deanna: Ahto -who – what?

Deanna: Sorry goblin, you’ll have to write that down for me to follow- no, not on my textbook!

Kelly: Too late

Deanna: So do you want to be called the whole mouthful? Artemisia

Artemisia: If you're too dumb to say the whole thing then say Emi or Emisia. But why not make other people suffer trying to say my name

Deanna: Well that’s on brand for you

In the kitchen Aaron has filled Calista in on the days progress and they’re doing their best to practice the new name.

Calista: Artemisia… My daughter is Artemisia… My youngest girl is Artemisia… Have you seen Atemisia…

Aaron: Bob suggested apple

Calista: Of course he did, man loves his food. Thank you for taking the day to be with her. Ti amo

Aaron: The dyslexia is something we need to support her- Artemisia with as well

Calista: *sighs* We would have bought our dream house right before all these expenses came up. I hope we can afford all she needs

Aaron: We can tap into the retirement fund

Calista: And what about when they make you retire

Aaron: I’m a hard worker, I think I’d be allowed to stay on past 65 if I wanted to. We’ve still got 7 or 8 years of work to save up with

Artemisia: Look at that, I did my homework faster than you, Artemisia for the win!

Deanna: You also had less of it

Artemisia: Do you know what anemia is?

Deanna: Why?

Artemisia: You do science

Deanna: Physics is not the same as biology dummy

Artemisia: I got an email that my blood tests came back saying I have it, whatever it is. I better tell ma and pa

Deanna enjoys the silence as Artemisia leaves for the main house. It’s hard enough focusing normally but when sick it’s even more difficult. She’s just gotten back into the rhythm of the work when-

Artemisia: Means low iron apparently

Deanna: Ke- Artemisia! Can’t you go eat your food elsewhere? I’m trying to focus

Artemisia: Oh, am I a distraction for you? So sad. I think I might have to cry about that

Eventually Artemisia finishes and leaves, also leaving her plate for anyone else to take care of.

In the middle of the night Artemisia gets woken up by terrible news, puberty is arriving via facial hair!

Artemisia: Don’t look at me mantis, it’s awful

Mantis: *sits silently*

Artemisia: Oh I’ve just got to get rid of it

She leaps from her bed and heads to the spare bathroom where she knows Aaron leaves some razors in case of guests needs. After watching a few youtube videos she does her best to remove the offending hair. The whole time she’s telling herself, three more years. Just three more years then we can take stuff to make this stop. Three more, I can survive that.

While this is happening Deanna is also having an awful night. With her term paper submitted she naps until she can take more painkillers. Unfortunately they seem to be making her woozy so she decides to skip a dose at her 2am dinner time. She manages to get back to sleep but in the morning she’s still feeling lightheaded. Another nap after breakfast clears up her illness and she’s awake for her exams. She averages a B+ this term, pretty good considering all the stress she’s been through.

Before work Calista and Aaron fit in some nectar creation, two more normal bottles of grape nectar tucked away to age. Artemisia may have flunked her exams today but she’s still riding high from the confidence of changing her name to suit her, so she’s unbothered. When everyone is home the family is invited around so we can get some photos of Artemisia looking like herself with her family. Joey is of course trying to show off despite being skinny… Zio Joey’s got this!

Alfred and Rilian eat in their high chairs. Surprising nobody, picky eater Rilian decides he doesn’t want to finish his meal actually. Instead he babbles with his twin. The others happily chat until it gets past the twins bedtime. Nonno Aaron is only to happy to usher the toddlers home before they start throwing tantrums.

Tamika: You haven’t seen me all rotation

Deanna: I’m sorry Mika, I got overwhelmed with everything

Tamika: Are you better now

Deanna: I think so. I mean I miss having Paris around but... I'm past the sad longing phase

Tamika: Good! Then we can start visiting the university nightclubs looking for guys and gals

Deanna: I don’t know if nightclubs are my thing

Tamika: That’s okay. We’ll check out the campus’ social pages, there’s bound to be some singles events, we’ll be each other’s wing woman

Deanna: Deal. Just… maybe keep the cute blondes to yourself for a while

And we finish this York chapter! Deanna may be single but she’s not falling apart, with my sim days to years maths it has been a year since she broke up with Paris. Artemisia is dreaming about making everyone at school embarrassed trying to say her name. Aaron and Calista haven’t gotten any promotions but are chipping away at the charisma skill. They do have years left to reach the top yet.

Previous ... Next (Chopra)

[knifeoverheart]

𝐤𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 / penned by 𝘩𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑦 ( 28, bst, she/her )

walking through the picturesque streets of cardinal hill, you find zhang 'phoenix' feng (dong sicheng), the 25 year old late night dj at soundwaves originally from seattle, washington. living alongside them in such a small town, you know that they're empathetic and timid, but what you might not know is that they are a witch, and that they’re hiding something…

name: zhang feng / phoenix zhang age: 25 gender & preferred pronouns: male, he/him faceclaim: dong sicheng three positive traits: empathetic, gentle, hardworking three negative traits: naive, timid, repressed

quick intro !

he doesn’t officially have an english name, but his chinese name means ‘phoenix’, so that’s what he goes by (feel free to call him nix as well tbh!!)

his parents emigrated from beijing to seattle in search of a better life and the illusive american dream, but struggled to make ends meet

nix's mother was a promising ballet dancer from a wealthy family back in china, but she gave up her career and lifestyle to move to the us with nix's father, who was from a humble background but determined to make it big

she stayed with him even after a string of failed businesses — until she found out that he was cheating on her

around the same time, she also found out that she was pregnant with phoenix, deciding to keep the baby as a last ditch effort to hold onto her husband

her husband eventually left her, leaving her to raise a child that she never even truly wanted on her own

she was very hard on nix growing up, enrolling him in ballet classes almost as soon as he could walk in an attempt to regain what she'd given up through him

for his part, nix did inherit his mother's talent and won quite a number of accolades as a child, but he felt suffocated by the weight of his mother's expectations

eventually, they had a falling out when nix decided not to pursue ballet professionally after high school; and because he'd never been given the opportunity to have a life outside of ballet, he ended up not going to college at all

he got in his car and just drove — eventually ended up in cardinal hill, where he's lived for the past 6 years

now, he's a late night dj at soundwaves while he tries to figure out who he is outside of his mother's ambition, although sometimes you might find him at the stream studio outside opening hours, retracing his steps from the past and trying to reclaim something he once thought he loved

wanted connections !

someone who first took him in / helped him out when he first arrived at cardinal hill, completely lost and barely able to function independently — [0/1]

owner of the stream studio? while there is a fair bit of trauma attached to it, there is also a part of him that genuinely loves and misses dancing, so he asks to use the dance studio outside of opening hours — can be an arrangement between the two of them, we can plot more about what your muse gets from nix in return — [0/1]

maybe someone who regularly listens to / is a fan of his late night radio segment — [1/?]

someone who gets him out of his comfort zone — maybe they have a tendency to call him out in the middle of the night to explore the woods, or enjoy watching his reaction as he tries new foods — [1/1]

first male crush — he spent most of his childhood and teen years hyper focused on ballet and never really got to do normal things, which is why it'd come as a surprise when he found himself getting nervous and flustered around another man. did anything ever come out of his crush? or did it eventually fizzle out? — [1/1]

cooking buddy — he's taught himself how to cook since moving to cardinal hill, but everything's more fun with a friend. either your muse is terrible at cooking and phoenix teaches them, or they could also be really good at cooking and teach phoenix new dishes — [0/1]

[lunacassidy]

The bruises you can't explain; a leather jacket worn through at the cuffs; the smell of cheap whisky and vapor; dirty dishes in the sink and no plans to wash them; the first leaf to fall in autumn; a skyscraper abandoned and left to rot; eyes full of barely contained rage and tight smiles

basic info

full name: luna cassidy nickname: loon, cassidy name meaning: moon affiliation: none age: thirty-seven date of birth: july 31 star sign: leo place of birth: cali, colombia current location: city of london gender: demi-femme pronouns: she/they sexual orientation: pansexual, demiromantic religion: reluctant and/or recovering catholic occupation: head coach of the arsenal wfc / underground fighter family: unknown father, marísa cortez (mother, deceased), john cassidy (adoptive father), gloria cassidy (adoptive mother), unnamed (adoptive sister), unnamed (adoptive brother) education level: a-levels finished barely, went to university on an athletic scholarship but no degree earned living arrangements: a small flat in bexley with a potential roommate financial status: middle-class spoken languages: english, spanish personality: (-) competitive, hedonistic, aggressive (+) athletic, independent, protean

inspiration

melinda may (agents of s.h.i.e.l.d.), aeryn sun (farscape), jessica jones (jessica jones/alias), helena bertinelli (batman), alex munday (charlie's angels), rosa diaz (brooklyn 99)

trigger warnings for beneath the cut: cults, cptsd, parental death, car accident, xenophobia, racism, depression, anxiety, violence, alcohol use

bio

luna's mom was a member of a commune in colombia that was a cult.

she has no idea how long she was there, if she was born there, or anything about it because her first few years are fuzzy, as they should be.

she had never really been allowed to leave the area and was often forced to fight others for entertainment purposes, even at such a young age of four. there was something incredibly wrong with her mother and the man in the cult she'd allowed to take them.

there was a sense of entrapment outside of the abuse that forged in luna some neuroses and doubts that have hung with her her entire life. her formative years were not great.

luna was only eight when her mom died in a car accident, finally having decided to leave the cult as if she'd woken up from a dream and taking her daughter with her. luna survived the crash but had nowhere to go. she'd never known her father and he didn't show up when the news broke and she ended up in the system in colombia.

it wasn't a fun time for her and she had to fight tooth and nail to keep her head above water. it's one of the places she originally learned to fight after her childish fights in the cult but she was so young.

her only escape was football in the yard when she could and that meant that she got really good at it. like really good... but also really keen on hurting others if they crossed her on the field and ended up in more than her share of fights.

it wasn't until she was ten that a nice couple was visiting down in cali and found her. they adopted her, taking her back to england with them and worked in teaching her english fully (as she only spoke spanish at the time)

entering school was rough as they weren't necessarily rich or well-off and so they had no clout to throw around to get her protected in any institution.

a lot of kids in her classes (from nine until she finished her a-levels) were extremely xenophobic, critical of her accent and, especially when she was younger and still learning english, extremely racist about her accent.

her english is fluent now but she still speaks spanish as often as she can to stick it to the (probably not even real) man.

she found some relief when she began to play football at her school, racking up accolades even though she would (again) get into fights. she managed to listen to her advisor and calmed down enough to get through school and attend university on a scholarship.

while playing football in university she found herself more prone to outbursts because of a sudden influx of drinking and partying. it meant that she went on suspension more than once but always (generally) managed to shape up.

during a game in which she was to be (likely) recruited to a national team she was reminded of her xenophobic and racist classmates from childhood when someone used a derogatory term after she clipped their ankle and luna went apeshit and beat them so badly that she was not only kicked off the team, she lost her scholarship and had to retreat from university.

it took her a while to get control of her alcoholism and even more time for her to even be able to think of what she'd lost that day (she really did love football) and devolved into a habit of frequenting london's underground fight clubs to get out her aggression.

after she felt that she could handle people being people, she started to put herself out again for a position with the arsenal wfc. her 'better behavior' was taken into consideration, and though she would never play for them given her previous attitude, she ended up making head coach and lives fairly comfortably because of this.

when she's working now luna takes her job very seriously and does the work, so much so that she's intent on continuing to lead her women to victory even if she spends her nights in the fight clubs or in a bottle.

she has never let go of that chip on her shoulder that the treatment she received as a child and teenager in school instilled and starts fights with people at the drop of a hat off the job.

she gets paid well enough to be comfortable within her means, the sort of middle-class life she grew up in where they weren't poor but she isn't throwing money around frivolously.

to that, her apartment is very nice and spacious but she (might have a roommate and) keeps most of the amenities sort of short. there's a doorman and an attendant for safety, but it's on the cheaper side for a reason.

headcanons

luna vapes. she'd do marijuana if it weren't for her job but right now it's just minor nicotine with weird flavors and scents. (it's gross to me glsndlgsd but hey)

luna is what one would consider 'hot tempered' and will honestly fuck someone up over the littlest thing.

luna has a chihuahua named nugget

luna has cptsd and shows very obvious signs of it.

luna has very bad coping mechanisms but a ton of ways to hide and excuse herself when it gets out of hand.

luna's gone down the alcohol route but she has never broached hard drugs. she doooesssss smoke weed tho.

luna will sleep with any person if she feels they're attractive and though she leans more heteroromantic she is demiromantic so if she forms a connection with someone there is the possibility that she'll fall for them romantically. it's rare that she falls for anyone because of the walls she's put up but y'all...

luna is completely doting in a relationship. she'll get awkward when it gets pointed out and double down on being a little shit but she absolutely goes moon eyed.

luna absolutely gets the irony of telling her players they'll be put on suspension for the very things she does/did/is doing and everything but she's learned to compartmentalize and so should they (lmao)

luna's adoptive parents were v good to her but they can't control racism and xenophobia or her past so she still got messed up unfortunately. she still keeps in contact with them.

she cannot be fixed by love but love can make her feel whole if it happens in her life. this isn't your life time movie trauma that will get absolutely obliterated with good love or friendship, but it's the real life interpretation of your demons being quieter when those people are in your life. just don't try to 'fix her'.

her emergency contact, right now, is the lobby of her building where the doorman and attendant have been informed to respond positively then let her handle her own shit. this can change down the line.

connections

former school bully — luna has a ton of bad memories from her school days, chief among them being bullied a lot by people because of her language barrier (at first) and the fact that she wasn't like her parents and wasn't from the country. kids can be cruel sometimes and this character was no exception. we're talking the head bully who used to make luna's life a living hell. whether they're still like this or not every time luna sees them it all comes RUSHING back and she feels immense rage and awkwardness and it'll be messy af.

bad influence — everyone has that friend that cares about you but sure as fuck will encourage the wrong thing. whether it's because they're messy too or they just honestly want to have a good time or they can't stand to see someone else get better is up to you but in general they love watching luna stumble through her life with them stumbling right along side her and encourage every bender she's ever been on. when photographed doing bad things your character is the blurry image right next to our drunken luna. luna loves and hates them in the same way that they do her because when you're that fucked up you don't like seeing your face reflected back in another's but you also feel for them.

good influence — they just want luna to get better. they love her in some capacity or another and encourage her to do the right thing. they plan outings that have nothing to do with drinking or partying or anything of the like to show luna that things can be fun without being destructive and it works... most of the time. luna's own love for them is probably the same level but she's a messy bench so she has a hard time showing it.

the one — love conquers all, right? well, it tries, anyway. luna and your character have dated more than once and it always ends poorly, generally because of luna. the last time your character said they couldn't keep watching her destroy herself and she had a fit about it, but in the end she's head over heels and will love your character forever. this can turn into something that eventually gets worked out (whether luna gets better or not we can discuss it) and they DO end up together because as far as the story goes, your character is the one.

the NOT one — then there's this asshole. the one she gets together with once every couple of months and goes on an absolute tear with, leaving a wake of destruction and bad decisions in her wake. the relationship itself is toxic as fuck, but the sex is good so they keep falling back in bed together. it might turn violent sometimes, given luna's penchant for fighting (and potentially your character's) but there is no denying there's a spark of chemistry, even if it is like absolute loathing and good sex.

that one awkward tinder hook-up — it doesn't matter how it happened or when it happened but it turns out that neither of you should have really been there. your character and luna are just... it was fine, sexually, but in the end it felt so awkward that neither of you knew how to approach it. that means that these can be awkward meetings until they figure out how to be friends or become enemies.

exes — just some exes that she tried with but didn't work. these can vary from ending on good terms, to bad, to being friends now, or being enemies, or anywhere in between. the world is your oyster.

friends — she makes them sometimes, honestly, but a lot of them can't handle her bullshit for long. she's a very good friend if someone sticks around long enough and even though she'll always butt heads with people sometimes, she's devoted and loyal as a friend, no doubt.

co-fighters — not sure how else to frame this but people she meets in the arena a lot when she goes to the underground fight clubs and fight rings to get messy. she doesn't always win but she never goes down without fucking people up. she will give anyone a run for their money and this can have gone to the point of them being rivals, being friendsly, frenemies, or anything!

roommate — toying with the idea of her having a nice place but also having a roommate to help pay for that. it'd have to be someone she at least gets on well enough to share a space with and trusts to not report her at some point when she shows up drunk and messy to try and get her fired or anything like that and be discreet. this does however open your character up to living in a nicer area for whatever that's worth if it means something to your character. they can 100% be friends if you want too or just slightly friendly.

[mixdgrlproblems]

Robyn #Rihanna Fenty (born February 20, 1988) is a #mixed #Bajan singer, actress & businesswoman. Shes the richest female musician w/ a $1.4 billion fortune, mostly thanks to her #FentyBeauty brand. Shes from Saint Michael, #Barbados. Her moms #AfroGuyanese, her dad is Bajan of #African #Irish #English & #Scottish descent. Her light skin caused her grief at school, where she was harassed by students. ”People hated me because Im fair in complexion. I had to develop a thick skin because they would call me 'White'." Today, she is interested in learning more about her #Celtic roots. Her dads ancestors were indentured servants transported to Barbados to work on sugar plantations in the 17th century. They were part of the Caribbean’s poor white community known as #Redlegs. With over 250 million copies sold worldwide, Rihannas the 2nd best-selling female musician of all time. Earning 14 #1's, 31 top 10 US singles & 30 top 10 UK entries. Her accolades include: 9 Grammy's 13 American Music Awards (including the Icon Award) 12 Billboard Music Awards 6 Guinness World Records 1 NAACP's President's Award & 1 Academy Award nomination Shes known for her humanitarian causes, entrepreneurial ventures & fashion. She founded the nonprofit, Clara Lionel Foundation. Fenty Beauty started the "Fenty Effect", revolutionizing the way cosmetic brands approached diversity. Now beauty houses extend their shade ranges to accommodate all skin tones. 40 shades is the new standard. “Diversity is about so much more than colour. As women, we are different shapes, different sizes & inclusivity is so important, we don’t want anybody feeling left out." Her lingerie brand #SavageXFenty is also inclusive of plus sizes & models with different looks & abilities. Shes the first woman to create a fashion house, Fenty for #LVMH & the first #WOC to lead an LVMH brand. Now shes the first to headline a Super Bowl halftime show while pregnant. She was appointed as an ambassador of education, tourism & investment by the Government of Barbados in 2018 & declared a National Hero of Barbados on the country's independence day in 2021, entitling her "The Right Excellent" for life. 🇧🇧🇬🇧🇮🇪🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 (at Barbados, Caribbean) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cos1Rt6uqca/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[maharajaagrasenmodelschool]

Best Schools in South Delhi for Quality Education: Maharaja Agrasen Model School

When it comes to providing a well-rounded education with a strong focus on academics, extracurricular activities, and personal growth, South Delhi boasts several reputable schools. Among them, Maharaja Agrasen Model School stands tall as a beacon of quality education and a nurturing environment for young minds.

A Legacy of Excellence

Maharaja Agrasen Model School (MAMS) has established itself as a leading institution in South Delhi, known for its commitment to fostering intellectual, emotional, and social development in students. Founded with the vision to provide holistic education, the school has consistently maintained high academic standards while embracing a modern approach to learning.

With over decades of educational experience, MAMS has cultivated a rich tradition of producing well-rounded individuals who excel not only in academics but also in various co-curricular arenas. Its motto, "Service Before Self," resonates in the school's emphasis on building character, leadership skills, and a sense of responsibility among students.

Academic Excellence

One of the primary reasons MAMS is considered among the best schools in South Delhi is its outstanding academic record. The school follows the curriculum set by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), ensuring that students receive a nationally recognized and high-quality education.

MAMS is known for its excellent board examination results, with students consistently performing well in both secondary and senior secondary levels. The school places great emphasis on core subjects like Mathematics, Science, and English, while also encouraging students to explore and excel in the humanities, commerce, and arts streams.

Experienced and Dedicated Faculty

The success of MAMS can largely be attributed to its experienced and dedicated teaching faculty. The teachers at MAMS are not only highly qualified in their respective fields but are also passionate about imparting knowledge. They are committed to nurturing the intellectual curiosity of their students, using innovative teaching methods that make learning engaging and effective.

The student-teacher relationship is built on mutual respect, and teachers serve as mentors, guiding students through both academic challenges and personal development.

State-of-the-Art Facilities

Maharaja Agrasen Model School is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities that cater to the educational needs of 21st-century learners. From smart classrooms to well-equipped science and computer labs, the school ensures that students have access to the best tools and resources to facilitate learning.

The school's library houses an extensive collection of books, magazines, and digital resources, encouraging students to cultivate a habit of reading and independent research. Additionally, the school provides specialized rooms for music, dance, and art, allowing students to explore and nurture their creative talents.

Focus on Co-Curricular Activities

Recognizing the importance of an all-rounded education, MAMS places significant emphasis on co-curricular activities. The school offers a wide range of extracurricular programs, including sports, drama, debates, and cultural events, ensuring that students have ample opportunities to discover and develop their interests outside the classroom.

MAMS has a strong reputation for excellence in sports, with its students participating and winning accolades at various inter-school and national-level competitions. The school’s sports infrastructure includes facilities for basketball, cricket, badminton, and athletics, allowing students to hone their physical fitness and sportsmanship.

Holistic Development and Values

At MAMS, education is not limited to academic achievement. The school places a strong emphasis on the holistic development of each student. Through various programs and activities, the school instills values such as discipline, empathy, and social responsibility.

Maharaja Agrasen Model School actively engages students in community service programs, encouraging them to give back to society and understand the value of compassion. Additionally, leadership opportunities such as student councils and house captains help build confidence and teamwork skills among students.

Parental Involvement and Communication

MAMS values the role of parents in a child’s education and ensures that there is strong communication between the school and the parent community. Regular parent-teacher meetings, workshops, and open houses are organized to keep parents informed about their child’s progress and involvement in school activities.

This partnership between the school and parents helps create a supportive environment for students, allowing them to thrive academically and personally.

Conclusion

Maharaja Agrasen Model School stands out as one of the best schools in South Delhi for quality education. Its focus on academic excellence, dedicated faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and emphasis on holistic development make it an ideal choice for parents seeking a well-rounded and enriching education for their children.

If you're looking for a school in South Delhi that combines tradition with modernity and fosters the overall development of your child, Maharaja Agrasen Model School is certainly worth considering. With its commitment to excellence and its nurturing environment, MAMS continues to shape the leaders and thinkers of tomorrow.

[shortfeedshq]

From Aladdin to Philanthropy: The Inspiring Journey of Naomi Scott

Naomi Scott is a British actress and singer who gained international recognition for her role as Princess Jasmine in Disney's live-action adaptation of "Aladdin" (2019). Born on May 6, 1993, in London, England, Naomi has established herself as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry with her talent and hard work. In this SEO-friendly autobiography, we will delve into Naomi Scott's life, career, and achievements, highlighting her personal and professional milestones. Table of Contents: - Early Life and Education - Career Beginnings - Rise to Fame with "Aladdin" - Other Acting Projects - Music Career - Personal Life - Awards and Achievements - Frequently Asked Questions Early Life and Education Naomi Scott was born in London to her British father, Christopher Scott, and her mother, Usha Joshi, who is of Indian descent. She grew up in a multicultural household and was exposed to both British and Indian culture. Naomi attended Davenant Foundation School in Loughton, Essex, and later went to University College London to study English literature and language. During her college years, she also pursued her passion for music and began writing songs. Career Beginnings Naomi Scott's acting career began in 2008 when she appeared in the Disney Channel UK series "Life Bites" as the character Megan. She then went on to play minor roles in TV series such as "Terra Nova" and "By Any Means" before landing a leading role in the British sci-fi drama "The Martian Chronicles" in 2015. Rise to Fame with "Aladdin" In 2019, Naomi Scott was cast as Princess Jasmine in Disney's live-action adaptation of "Aladdin," which became a box office success, grossing over $1 billion worldwide. Her performance was highly praised, and she was praised for her portrayal of a strong and independent female character. The film's soundtrack also featured a new song, "Speechless," performed by Naomi, which became a hit. Other Acting Projects: After "Aladdin," Naomi Scott landed a leading role in the action-thriller film "Charlie's Angels" (2019), alongside Kristen Stewart and Ella Balinska. She also appeared in the Netflix science fiction film "The Sleepover" (2020) and starred in the Apple TV+ series "Physical" (2021). Music Career Aside from her acting career, Naomi Scott is also a singer-songwriter. She released her first EP, "Invisible Division," in 2014, and has since released several singles. In 2019, she contributed to the soundtrack of "Aladdin" with her rendition of "Speechless," which reached the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Personal Life Naomi Scott married English footballer Jordan Spence in June 2014. The couple has kept their relationship private, but they have been spotted together at various events. Naomi is also known for her philanthropic work and has supported various charities such as the Teenage Cancer Trust, the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, and the United Nations Foundation's Girl Up campaign. Awards and Achievements Naomi Scott has received several accolades throughout her career. In 2019, she was named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world. She also won the Teen Choice Award for Choice Sci-Fi/Fantasy Movie Actress for her role in "Aladdin" and was nominated for the MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance. FAQs: Q: What is Naomi Scott's most famous role? A: Naomi Scott's most famous role is that of Princess Jasmine in Disney's live-action adaptation of "Aladdin" (2019). Q: What other movies has Naomi Scott starred in? A: Naomi Scott has also starred in "Charlie's Angels" (2019), "The Sleepover" (2020), and the Apple TV+ series "Physical" (2021). Q: Does Naomi Scott have a music career? A: Yes, Naomi Scott is also a singer-songwriter and has released several singles. She contributed to the soundtrack of "Aladdin" with her hit song "Speechless." Q: Who is Naomi Scott married to? A: Naomi Scott is married to English footballer Jordan Spence. Q: What charities does Naomi Scott support? A: Naomi Scott has supported various charities such as the Teenage Cancer Trust, the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, and the United Nations Foundation's Girl Up campaign. In conclusion, Naomi Scott's talent, hard work, and dedication have made her a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. From her multicultural upbringing to her rise to fame with "Aladdin" and her successful music career, Naomi has achieved numerous milestones in both her personal and professional life. With her philanthropic work and influential presence, Naomi Scott continues to inspire and make a positive impact in the world. Read the full article

[selimamir98]

@emmawatson Emma Charlotte Duerre Watson is an English actress and activist. Known for her roles in both blockbusters and independent films, as well as for her women's rights work, she has received a selection of accolades, including a Young Artist Award and three MTV Movie Awards. Watson has been ranked among the world's highest-paid actresses by Forbes and Vanity Fair, and was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2015.

Watson attended the Dragon School and trained in acting at the Oxford branch of Stagecoach Theatre Arts. As a child, she rose to stardom after landing her first professional acting role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series, having previously acted only in school plays. Watson also starred in the 2007 television adaptation of the novel Ballet Shoes and lent her voice to The Tale of Despereaux (2008). After the final Harry Potter film, she took on a supporting role in My Week with Marilyn (2011), before starring as Sam, a flirtatious, free-spirited student in The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) to critical success. Further acclaim came from portraying Alexis Neiers in Sofia Coppola's The Bling Ring (2013) and the titular character's adoptive daughter in Darren Aronofsky's biblical epic Noah. That same year, Watson was honoured by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, winning British Artist of the Year. She also starred as Belle in the live-action adaptation of the musical romantic fantasy Beauty and the Beast (2017), which ranks among the highest-grossing films of all time, and Meg March in Greta Gerwig's coming-of-age drama Little Women (2019).

From 2011 to 2014, Watson split her time between working on films and continuing her education, graduating from Brown University with a bachelor's degree in English literature in May 2014. That year, she was appointed a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador and helped launch the UN Women campaign HeForShe, which advocates for gender equality. In 2018, she helped launch Time's Up UK as a founding member. Watson was appointed to a G7 advisory body for women's rights in 2019, consulting with leaders on foreign policy. Her modelling work has included campaigns for Burberry and Lancôme. She also lent her name to a clothing line for the sustainable brand People Tree. In 2020, she joined the board of directors of Kering, a luxury brand group, in her capacity as an advocate for sustainable fashion.

https://instagram.com/emmawatson?igshid=OGQ2MjdiOTE=

[ivyonna10]

Kate McKinnon

Kathryn McKinnon Berthold is notable as an American entertainer, comic, and essayist who is known for her character work and big name impressions. 

Individual Life 

Kate McKinnon Berthold was brought into the world on January 6, 1984, in Sea Cliff, New York as an offspring of Laura Campbell and Michael Berthold. McKinnon's mom, Laura, was a parent teacher, and her dad, Thomas Berthold, was a designer. As a kin, she has a delightful more youthful sister Emily Lynne, a Comedian who went through their adolescence with so much fun and love. She had likewise worked with her sister in the Podcast arrangement "Heads Will Roll" and the advanced arrangement "Legal official Publix." 

At the point when she was 18 years of age, her dad was kicked the bucket, which turned into the most exceedingly terrible day of their life. Afterward, she uncovered that she is a lesbian. She likewise got the feline Nino Positano, which is the pizza station's name where she had found. She used to call her feline her child, where her affection for feline makes her discover more ideas to her working profession. 

Identity and Physical Stats 

Kate McKinnon holds the American ethnicity, where she has a German and Scottish plunge. She is presently 36 years of age as a fruitful lady. She is 5 feet 4 inches (1.61m) tall, and her weight is 50 kg. Her body estimation is 34-26-35 inches and had a light hair tone with blue eye tone. She was brought into the world on January sixth, so her zodiac sign is Capricorn. 

Relationship 

Kate McKinnon expressed that she was a lesbian, and previously, she was involved with a picture taker and known as an entertainer Jackie Abbott. She had likewise communicated her sentiments about being a person, and she additionally expressed gratitude toward Ellen DeGeneres for her help, which made her simple to acknowledge reality and her sexual direction at the 77th Golden Globe Award, which was in 2020. Being a lesbian isn't simple, she needed to support her sentiments to her folks and society, however she could do that. Afterward, she was involved with Bari Weiss, and now she was involved with Jackie Abbott. 

Early Life and Education 

Kate McKinnon used to play the instruments in her youth, and she likewise began to play the piano when she just five years of age. At the point when it transformed into 12 years, he played the cello and figured out how to play the guitar when she was 15 years of age. At the point when she was in her fifth grade, she took an interest in the tryout to turn into the perusing week's sovereign, where she utilized English pronunciations. Afterward, she talked with "Drifter," where she expressed that she began her existence with a grin, which is consistently a direct result of doing the British articulations. 

In 2002, Kate McKinnon moved on from the North Shore High School. Afterward, in 2006, she moved on from Columbia University with a degree in the theater. She had likewise helped to establish the Tea Party parody gathering, which centers around the melodic comedy satire. She had additionally found the opportunity to participate in three Varsity shows like "V109 Dial D for Deadline", "V110 Off-Broadway", "V111 The sound of Muses". Around then, she was likewise used to be important for Prangstgrup, a parody gathering. 

Profession 

Kate McKinnon was cast to Logo TV's in 2007 to "The Big Gay Sketch Show" where she worked for three seasons. Afterward, she routinely played out the live sketch satire in the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in New York City. From that point onward, she was likewise considered attempting to be a voice-over entertainer where she gave her voice in the arrangement like The Venture Bros, Lobotomy, and Ugly Americans. 

She was additionally found in the Kennedy Center Honors to be the piece of an accolade for Lily Tomlin in 2014, who is an entertainer, artist, humorist, essayist, and maker. At that point, she was found in the reboot "Ghostbusters "in 2016, and in 2017 she was seen in Amblin Entertainment's Lunch Witch, a novel variation of youthful grown-up illustrations by Deb Lucke. 

From that point onward, Kate McKinnon gave her voice in the few arrangement which incorporates "The Simpsons" as a Hettie, "Family Guy" as Karen or Heavy stream, and furthermore in the films like "Discovering Dory" in the part of Stan's fish spouse, "The Angry Birds Movie," in the function of Stella or Eva the Birthday Mom and the film "Ferdinand" as a Lupe. She additionally gave her voice to Mrs. Frizzle's function in the energized youngsters arrangement "Wizardry School Bus" and in PBS Kids TV arrangement Nature Cat as a Squeeks. 

Kate McKinnon was broadly notable for her character work and turned into the VIP impressions of the pop artist Justin Bieber, Ellen DeGeneres, Hillary Clinton, Rudy Ginsburg, and some more. 

Saturday Night Live 

On April 7, 2012, Kate McKinnon went to the cast of Saturday Night Live, and on March 28, 2012, she was employed then elevated to the repertory status in season 39 of every 2013. She got loads of grants for her remarkable execution and contemplations, which were her best minutes for her profession. Moreover, she had been found in the arrangement "2016 official political decision" as a Hillary Clinton, where she had assumed the lead job. 

At the point when the genuine Clinton was found in the show's season 41 debut, McKinnon communicated about Hillary Clinton, where she portrayed that Clinton has a profound reverence. There is no uncertainty that she needed to win the political decision. In any case, on November 12, 2016, Clinton couldn't win. Afterward, she rehashed her function to begin the show just wilt an independent presentation, which was known as "Glory be." 

Work as Creator 

McKinnon has additionally functioned as co-made and co-stars with her sister in the web arrangement "Legal official Publix." They have likewise made the dream parody Audible sound arrangement "Head Will Roll" and debuted in May 2019. 

Other Work 

She has additionally found in a few ads for the Ford Focus in 2015 and co-facilitated the 31st Independent Spirit Awards with Kumail Nanjiani in 2016, where she was likewise found in the supporting part in the film "Yesterday" in 2019. 

Accomplishment 

Kate McKinnon was assigned for seven Primetime Emmy Awards, which additionally comprises of six for the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, and one was for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics, which was won by her in 2016 and 2017. Likewise, in the time of 2013, she was named for an Emmy Award, which is for the best-supporting entertainer, Comedy and she had the option to win the American Comedy Award for best-supporting Actress in 2014 where she was additionally named for the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. In the exact year, she was likewise assigned for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics. 

What's more, for the subsequent time, Kate McKinnon was selected for the Emmy, which for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2015. She was likewise ready to turn into the principal entertainer to win the honor since it was in 1993 Dana Carvey was granted. 

Total assets 

The assessed total assets of Kate McKinnon is $8 million.

[404fmdtaejin]

au headcanon: kim tae hee, female fashion icon

summary: taejin is a female, and his name is now kim tae hee (no relation to the kim tae hee goddess of korea). she’s a fashion icon - the definition of a boss bitch, owning a luxury speciality store in seoul. it’s one of the highly coveted, picking up on the newest fashion trends each season. 

wc: 660

Her family owns one of the biggest department stores in Seoul, making her born into a life of luxury and wealth. Despite this golden spoon, she knew that she wanted to make a name for herself - apart from any strings that her family name had held.

From a young age, she hid her identity, never exposing who her family was in fear that it would discredit any of her accolades she achieved on her own.

She would excel in school and her extra curriculars, studying abroad in London at a boarding school, learning the English language as well as the habits of the locals. She found an appreciation for British posh fashion, admiring how primed and put together these people looked while just going by doing daily errands.

From there, she got accepted into Central Saint Martins (CSM), one of the highest rated fashion schools in the world. This school would provide insight, seeing as how the greatest names such as Alexander McQueen, Phoebe Philo and Riccardo Tisci graduated from there.

She developed a love for fashion, but not the designing aspect - the marketing of it. She found a niche for it in Seoul, seeing as how nobody had the special eye or experience that she had while she was abroad in London.

Finding new inspiration, Tae Hee took out a loan, albeit with her family’s name, and started a small shop, snuggled inside the streets of Chungdam. She’d hand pick pieces, and look for designers that weren’t well known of, or sold at her parents’ department store. In a way, her parents were her competition, and she wanted to prove them wrong.

Her efforts paid off as people and well known celebrities started noticing how she would find newer designers and the trends that were not yet in Seoul. These would call for names such as G-Dragon, Ryu Seung Beum, Yoo Ah-In as well as big idols such as Origin, Knight, WISH, etc. to stop by and talk about the store, raving about how it was ahead of its time.

When her parents got ahold of how well their daughter’s small store was doing, they immediately wanted to marry her off - finding the money more precious than their daughter’s success. By marrying her off, they would take charge of her store and add it to their list of holdings.

Being one step ahead of the game, Tae hee got hold of her new suitor. When he tried to seduce her with force, she kicked him with her foot, finding use of her black belt in taekwondo. She made that night, a night to remember - putting on a boss woman bitch attitude, emphasizing that she was not a force to be reckoned with. She told him he was worth nothing and that he’d be better off scrubbing her floors.

This would show her parents her strength and her resilience, but in the end it would cause her to cut ties with her parents. It was okay, though, she didn’t need any of their support - after all, she made it all the way here without their help.

After realizing that she didn’t need a man or anyone by her side because she was an independent strong woman, she decided to adopt a pug. The pug’s name is piggy, and she coddles it every moment she gets, considering the dog to be her closest ally.

Now-a-days, Tae Hee goes off to Europe for a week each month. You’ll find her in Paris, Milan, London, Budapest, and Prague. She goes to people watch, finding their little quirks and habits as well as how they style things. When she’s in fashion mecca, she looks around at the stores, hoping to find something that has never been seen before.

When the stores close, she just sits at an alleyway bar, sipping on her expensive red wine admiring how far she’s come. She doesn’t plan on getting married or having kids, finding her own happiness worth more than anything anybody could provide.

[watcher-defender-sea-shepherd]

Paul Watson

Sidney Holt Obituary (The Guardian)

Fisheries scientist who fought for nearly 60 years to save great whales from extinction

Sidney Holt, who has died aged 93, aimed to live long enough to save the great whale species from extinction – something he had been fighting for since being appointed to the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in 1961 to give scientific advice on annual catch limits for each hunted species.

He managed to curtail the slaughter but did not succeed in halting it until 26 December 2018, when the Japanese left the International Whaling Commission and announced they would no longer kill whales in Antarctica, at last guaranteeing the great whale species a sanctuary where their seriously depleted numbers might continue to recover.

Holt’s battle to save the whales began after he had established himself as a world-renowned scientist in the field of fisheries, having co-written a book published in 1957 on how to calculate fish stocks and therefore work out sustainable catches. The book, On the Dynamics of Exploited Fish Populations, was a collaboration with a fellow UK Ministry of Fisheries and Food (Maff) scientist Ray JH Beverton. It became the must-have textbook for fisheries scientists.

Holt had worked out the equations that formed the core of the book while camping on Rannoch Moor in Scotland, waiting for wood ants to return to their nests. He had been sent out on a motorbike to scout for areas of Scotland that could be turned into nature reserves, and out of curiosity began weighing the ants when they set off to forage in the morning. He marked them with tiny spots of green paint so he could identify individuals when they returned and weigh them again.

He posted off the fishery equations to his co-author and four years later the ministry published the results, establishing both men’s international reputation.

Holt, who had an intense curiosity, believed in spreading his knowledge and had already represented the UK at various international conferences on fishing. Four years before the book was published he was asked by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FOA) of the UN to run a training course in Istanbul, after which he was recruited to work full time. Holt and his wife, Nan, known as Judy (nee Meadmore), whom he married in 1947, went to live in Rome, and he spent the following 25 years working for UN organisations. His reputation continued to grow as he produced more than 400 scientific papers and articles. He served as director of the fisheries resources and operations division of the FOA in Rome, secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and director of Unesco’s marine sciences division in Paris.

In 1961, as a part-time additional job, he became one of the so-called “three wise men” – independent scientists advising the IWC, which was intent on devising sustainable limits to catches of great whales. Although he officially retired from the UN in 1979, he continued work to limit the slaughter of whales, first for the IWC until 2002, and then as a scientific adviser to various anti-whaling countries, including the Seychelles and France, as well as environment groups. After he retired from the UN he became first director of the International Ocean Institute in Malta and helped draft the Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982).

He won many accolades for his work on protecting marine mammals, animal welfare and fisheries science, including the Global 500 Award of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Blue Planet Award of International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).

Sidney was born in the East End of London. His father, also Sidney Holt, was a briar pipe maker, and his mother, Ethel (nee Fryatt), had worked in a confectionery factory. They moved to Colindale and Sidney won a scholarship to Haberdashers’ Aske’s boys’ school before going to Reading University, where he got a first-class degree in biology. He wanted to continue studying but his parents could not afford to support him and he joined Maff, working in its Lowestoft laboratory.

Although he began his research life at sea, sewing buttons on plaice and releasing them to determine where they had migrated when they were caught again by fishermen, he was soon in demand elsewhere. He was keen to accept a job in the US at five times his Maff salary, but was refused a visa. He later discovered he had been labelled a communist for helping two visiting Russian scientists to translate their scientific paper into English.

Instead of America he worked at the Nature Conservancy in Scotland before joining the UN in Rome.

Although he was proud to have worked for the UN, it was saving the great whale species that became his passion. He used his scientific, communication and diplomatic skills to turn the IWC from pro-hunting to a conservation body, a process that took decades of dedication.

The first great milestone in saving the whales came when a moratorium was introduced in 1984. However, Japan immediately invented “scientific” whaling – killing whales to check their age and the state of the stock – a loophole that allowed them to continue to slaughter the mammals for meat, also exploited by Norway and Iceland.

The annual meetings of the IWC were a political battleground in which Holt was ever present, patiently explaining the science and revealing to journalists the “bribes”, of fish plants and cash sums, used by Japan to get small nations to vote alongside them.

As he got older he grew more radical and became a Greenpeace representative, helping to found Greenpeace Italy, advising the IFAW, and finally endorsing the work of the Sea Shepherd organisation, directly confronting the Japanese whaling fleet as they hunted in the designated Antarctic Sanctuary.

When the Japanese announced they had stopped “scientific” whaling in the Antarctic the news was hardly reported, but last September, when Holt was physically ailing, a group of prominent whale campaigners from around the world made a pilgrimage to his home in Umbria to celebrate and thank him for his immense contribution to their cause.

He is survived by his partner, Leslie Busby, and his son, George, from his marriage to Judy, from whom he separated in the late 1970s.

• Sidney John Holt, marine scientist and campaigner, born 28 February 1926; died 22 December 2019

[bbclesmis]

Josh O’Connor: Every actor should just turn up on time, be nice and learn the lines

The actor has charmed as Larry in The Durrells and next up he plays Marius in Les Miserables and Prince Charles in The Crown

Unremittingly grim is how I would describe the BBC’s Les Misérables. Andrew Davies’s song-free adaptation of Victor Hugo’s novel is a litany of grinding poverty, injustice, corruption and exploitation occasionally leavened, if that’s the right word, by short bursts of extreme peril. It’s also completely gripping.

This weekend’s episode introduces a new face. Until now Marius Pontmercy has appeared only as an angelic moppet, parroting royalist slogans fed to him by his overbearing grandfather, Monsieur Gillenormand. Now time moves on and we see him as a young law student, played by Josh O’Connor. It’s an episode full of upheaval for young Pontmercy: without giving too much away, there’s a girl, a family bombshell and a political awakening.

When we meet in a central London café, O’Connor, 28, whom viewers might recognise as Larry from ITV’s The Durrells, is considerably jollier than his earnest student. Dressed in jeans and a well-loved chunky sweater, his very dark, very curly hair constantly threatening insubordination, he is excellent company — all smiles and unfailingly polite. As we talk, it’s clear that, although he’s having a delightful time at the moment (the cast and crew on Les Misérables were “lovely”; working on it and The Crown — he will play the young Prince Charles in the third season, of which more later — had him “wide-eyed and pinching yourself”), he’s very serious about work. He has even read Hugo’s novel, which in unabridged English translation tends towards 1,500 pages.

“I know, that’s mad, isn’t it?” he says. “And I’m a terrible reader. I’m very dyslexic and I find it incredibly hard. It was a struggle, but the themes of it — it’s all about redemption essentially. I was obsessed with that idea, which I’ve stolen from my dad, who is an English teacher. He’s always been really interested in forgiveness and redemption and hope, and it’s very present in that book.”

Although the story is set in Paris between 1815 and 1832, O’Connor thinks it retains its relevance. “There were different translations for the title, like ‘The Wretched’, ‘The Wretched Poor’, ‘The Dispossessed’. I think they’re more accurate. It’s all about class, and the forgotten and the sidelined, which is obviously relevant to now. Marius has an important role in that he is like the audience looking in — he exists as part of a higher social class, but he has this social conscience.

“Obviously we’re in different times, but I would say that we’re experiencing politics in the extreme on both sides at the moment. And while we’re not building barricades, we are setting up camp outside parliament, and how that has manifested itself in recent news has been pretty nasty. To me it seems that there are lines to be drawn from that.”

So upright is Pontmercy — even when languishing in a filthy garret — that you might not immediately make the link between the young lawyer and the role that made O’Connor’s name, the taciturn Yorkshire farmer Johnny Saxby in Francis Lee’s extraordinary 2017 film God’s Own Country. The similarities are almost non-existent — apart from anything else, it took O’Connor’s Saxby about half the film before he cracked a smile. O’Connor’s committed performance as the emotionally inarticulate youth being painfully and beautifully taught how to love and be loved by the tenderness of another man was universally praised and earned him a Bafta rising star nomination and a best actor win at the British Independent Film Awards, among other accolades. Not that he had much choice about commitment: Lee made him spend nearly four weeks working full-time on the farm where the film was shot before they started.

“John, the farmer, he’s an incredible man. He hadn’t had a holiday I don’t think for 25 years. We’d get up at 6am and we’d go and feed the sheep, then we’d come back and have these sandwiches [he uses his hands to indicate something about the size of an entire standard loaf] — plain white bread, greasy bacon, ketchup, more bacon, bread. I turned into an animal, but it was the best energy source. His lifestyle is non-stop. Of course he can’t have a holiday. Sheep don’t rest.” The physicality of O’Connor’s performance is one thing that gives it authenticity — all from John, he says.

“He was hunched over. There are practical reasons — the rain in Yorkshire even somehow rains up, so you’ve got your hood up, and the sheep are down here.” It helped his casting that O’Connor has huge hands. “They’re like spades.” You don’t see much of them in Les Mis — apparently his “city hands” had such terrible eczema when he started filming the series he could hardly open them, which he puts down to subjecting them to farm work on God’s Own Country, although he concedes that the diet may also have been a factor.

If you think Pontmercy and Saxby are different, his next TV role, as Prince Charles, is an even bigger leap. He’s filming at the moment and says it’s “probably the most enjoyable job I’ve done”, perhaps because, instead of a freezing Yorkshire hillside, the locations are “every nice stately home in England, seemingly. We’ve been in Grantham, Buckinghamshire — we rock up and are, like, ‘Who lives in this house?’ I feel like I’m on Antiques Roadshow a lot of the time.”

It’s odd, he says, playing someone so present in the public consciousness, but for him, finding that performance “starts with the voice, and then they’ve got teams of researchers and professionals who work on dialect and movement. If you watch footage of the young Charles, there’s this thing — when he turns, he doesn’t turn with his body, he turns with his neck first, in a weird sort of Justin Timberlake-esque dance move. I find it helpful to have an animal to imagine, because it gives a certain pace to someone.”

Er, OK, I wonder, fearing treason, what animal is the Prince of Wales? O’Connor laughs. “I like to think of Charles at the moment as a sort of tortoise, because he puts his neck out. It’s not even that he’s particularly slow, it’s more this idea of inquisitive head first.” This time it wasn’t the hands that helped O’Connor get the role, but the ears — they’re not, in fact, particularly large, but they are sort of swivelled forwards, as if anticipating something of great interest.

O’Connor was more or less ambivalent about the royal family before — although his grandmother takes a keen interest, he says — but since taking over the role he has developed a fascination with and, he admits, an affection for Charles.

“Essentially you have someone whose whole life only comes into focus when his mother dies. That keeps hitting me — he only has meaning when his mum dies. Where does that put a young man? And then you’ve got his relationships — you can’t just get married or be with someone, they have to meet a set of [outside] criteria. That is a lot to get your head around. I’m discovering something every day about him and the world he exists in.” He tells me about a scene he has just done with Derek Jacobi, who plays the Duke of Windsor, formerly Edward VIII. “You’re playing that interaction, and you think, ‘Who does Prince Charles have, at that stage, as a guide?’ ”

Of course, there’s always his mother, played in the new cast by Hollywood’s queen of the moment, Olivia Colman. O’Connor is predictably adoring of the star of The Favourite, which he thinks is “the film of the year”.

“She’s everything that’s said about her. She’s a proper actress and a proper person. Turns up on time, does her job professionally — she’s wicked. It’s great that the world is loving her because we should.”

He is equally gushy about his co-star Emerald Fennell, who will play the young Camilla Shand, later Parker Bowles, and whom he describes as “such a laugh” (series three and four take us up to 1976, so we’ll have to wait a while for the appearance of Lady Diana Spencer — her casting has not been revealed).

He seems to take immense joy in things, which he puts down to “a pretty perfect upbringing” in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, as the middle son of three to John, an English teacher, and Emily, a midwife, both now retired. “I’ve got two lovely brothers and I’ve got cracking parents.” He recalls a phrase improbably culled from the American TV crime drama Ozark — “I’m rephrasing it, but if I were to have kids, and they’re half as proud of me as I am of my parents, then I’m sorted. They’re decent and kind and considerate, and as I’m getting older I’m learning that those qualities are the most important things.”

Inspired by his parents, last year he came up with a manifesto for his career: “Turn up on time, be nice and learn your lines. If everyone just did that in the acting world, everything would be just great.” His younger brother, Seb, is an ecological economist and is doing a PhD; the eldest, Barney, is an artist.

O’Connor lives in east London with his girlfriend, whom he politely declines to name, but hopes that they’ll be able to live predominantly outside London in future. “Drama schools say you have to be in London because that’s where the work is and that’s where the auditions are, but more and more the auditions seem to be tapes, for film and television, so maybe we’ll all move up to Yorkshire.” I’m sure Yorkshire would be delighted, I say. “Yeah, who are all these people with scarves? They’re all wearing scarves!”

Soon, although the release date is uncertain, we’ll see him in another film, Hope Gap, in which he plays the son to parents divorcing later in life (Annette Bening and Bill Nighy). It’s a “tiny little film” written and directed by William Nicholson, who is better known for such epics as Gladiator, Tom Hooper’s Les Misérables and Elizabeth: The Golden Age. It won’t surprise you to learn that O’Connor is unfailingly enthusiastic about it and his co-stars. There’s another film, with a much bigger cast, coming up, he says, but it hasn’t been announced, so he can’t tell me what it is, except that it isn’t Star Wars. He is, of course, very apologetic.

As I’m leaving, something occurs to me — is it indeed him shoving his arm inside a cow in an early scene in God’s Own Country? “Yeah!” he says, with startling enthusiasm. “And that was actually really nice. As you know, it’s incredibly cold in Yorkshire, and it’s incredibly warm in there. You go in through the bum, because there’s a thin membrane between the bum and the womb, and you’re checking to see where the head is. And it’s really comforting to the cow. It’s just really pleasurable because you know you’re caring for this animal, but also you’re, like, at least this arm is warm.”

I think we could all learn something from Josh O’Connor’s outlook on life. Les Misérables continues on Sunday at 9pm on BBC One. The third season of The Crown will be on Netflix this year

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/josh-oconnor-every-actor-should-just-turn-up-on-time-be-nice-and-learn-the-lines-r8bqkcpcb