#Y13 would NEVER have done that

[tomialtooth]

One of the faults I have with 7 is that they seemed to really want us to sympathize with Mihaly as like some noble but misguided guy but I don't think they really made him sympathetic or respectable enough for it to work

[onlinesikhstore]

Stainless Steel Kara Sikh Bangle Singh Kaur Lines Kada Punjabi Bracelet Y13 New

Stainless Steel Kara Sikh Bangle Singh Kaur Thin Lines Punjabi Bracelet

This is thin version of same Lines Kara design worn by Aamir Khan in his latest Movie Lal Singh Chadha and this Kara is also worn by Sikh Family in Eastenders programme.

Design Ref: Y13

SIKH KARA (stainless steel, 5 Lines Kara) - BRAND NEW

Thickness/width approx. 4.5 mm

Weight approx. 8-36g (Variable due to size)

Features:

* Non Allergic to skin - smooth design

* Guaranteed for shine for life

* Colour will not fade and stay stunning.

* It will never rust. Weatherproof kara.

This KARA has lines (Edges - as shown in photos) - Popular design in market as worn by Aamir Khan in his latest bollywood movie LAL SINGH CHADDHA - very famous in youngsters and we are the only seller who has this exclusive design for sale in UK

Please read below more Information about Sikh Kara: Kara Size shown in Variations is the inner diameter of Kara/Bangle in cm. A kara ਕੜਾ کڑا कड़ा KADA, is a steel or iron (sarb loh) Bracelet, worn by all initiated Sikhs. It is one of the five kakars or 5Ks — external articles of faith — that identify a Sikh as dedicated to their religious order. The kara was instituted by the tenth Sikh Guru Gobind singh at the Baisakhi Amrit Sanskarn in 1699. Guru Gobind Singh Ji explained: He does not recognise anyone else except me, not even the bestowal of charities, performance of merciful acts, austerities and restraint on pilgrim-stations; the perfect light of the Lord illuminates his heart, then consider him as the immaculate Khalsa. The kara is to constantly remind the Sikh disciple to do God's work, a constant reminder of the Sikh's mission on this earth and that he or she must carry out righteous and true deeds and actions, keeping with the advice given by the Guru. The Kara is a symbol of unbreakable attachment and commitment to God. It is in the shape of a circle which has no beginning and no end, like the eternal nature of God. It is also a symbol of the Sikh brotherhood. As the Sikhs' holy text, the Guru Granth Sahib Ji says, "In the tenth month, you were made into a human being, O my merchant friend, and you were given your allotted time to perform good deeds." Similarly, Bhagat Kabir reminds the Sikh to always keep one's consciousness with God: "With your hands and feet, do all your work, but let your consciousness remain with the Immaculate Lord." The basic kara is a simple unadorned steel bracelet, but other forms exist. It was historically used like a Knuckle-duster for hand-to-hand combat. Battlefield variations include kara with spikes or sharp edges. Sikh soldiers of the British Indian army would settle disputes by competing in a form of boxing known as loh-musti (lit. iron fist) with a kara on one hand.

Brilliant finish and very decorative. Ideal gift item for loved ones for all occasions.

Postage discounts for multi-buys. Any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

P.S. Colour of item may slightly vary due to camera flash and light condition. Some kara may have negligible small black grinding mark on the kara joint. This is always seen on all kara as most of the Kara making/shaping work is done by hands. However, this do not affect the quality/look of kara.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stainless-Steel-Kara-Sikh-Bangle-Singh-Kaur-Lines-Kada-Punjabi-Bracelet-Y13-New-/275949459800

[theghostofblackbunnymask]

A11 into Y13 for Schlatt? This fits his drunken episodes too well kdkfkrkskdjdj or maybe if you don’t accept 2 prompts at the same time then Y6?

Author's note- I almost deleted this one on accident-

Warnings- Abuse, alcohol, cursing, blood, crying, fear, drunken outbursts.

Yandere Schlatt x reader

Schlatt and Quackity were arguing again, because Schlatt doesn't respect Quackity. Y/N was sitting on a chair as the two fought. Quackity slammed the door as he left.

"Fucking bitch... He expects me to respect when he has a flat ass, never had pussy in his entire life, and when his ideas are stupid as hell," Schlatt said as he grabbed a bottle of alcohol and sat next to Y/N, wrapping his arm over their waist and sitting them on his lap.

Schlatt popped open the bottle and began chugging. Y/N tried pushing Schlatt away so they can get off his lap, but his grip only tightened.

"Ugh... Get me another bottle..."

Schlatt pushed Y/N off his lap and threw the bottle at them, making them flinch.

"Pathetic... And get me a pack of cigarettes," Schlatt said.

"Ok..." Y/N said.

"Did I say you could talk?" Schlatt asked with anger in his eyes.

Y/N shook their head as they got up. Schlatt smirked and threw his head back in laughter.

"You get scared so easily. You're pathetic."

Y/N walked out of the room and towards one of Schlatt's alcohol cabinets. Quackity walked by and stopped Y/N.

"Don't bother... Everytime he gets drunk he ends up hurting you and becomes a massive dick," Quackity said, taking the bottle of alcohol that was in Y/N's hand.

Y/N just looked down at the ground as Quackity looked at the bottle, waiting a response.

"Schlatt isn't here you know. You can talk."

"I know...But if I don't he just hurts me, a lot..."

Quackity looked at Y/N with sympathy in his eyes.

"Here, just, be careful, ok? If anything happens come to me, ok?"

Y/N nodded as they took back the bottle of alcohol and grabbed a pack of cigarettes. When Y/N got back Schlatt was lying down on the couch.

"Took you long enough bitch. Give me my shit," Schlatt said, sticking his hand out.

Y/N gave him the bottle and cigarettes. Schlatt popped open the bottle and began go drink it.

2 hours later...

Y/N was glued to Schlatt as he finished his 20th bottle, he was drunk drunk. Schlatt was lying down which made Y/N lie down on his chest.

"Schlatt..." Y/N whispered.

"Ugh... What do you want whore?" Schlatt asked, throwing the bottle in his hands towards the wall, making it break with a loud crash.

Y/N flinched due to the noise, it reminded them at all the times Schlatt would yell at them.

"I-I... Can I leave? I don't want to be here anymore and I'm tired..." Y/N whispered.

Schlatt sat up and looked at Y/N with a poker face. Schlatt looked at you dead in the eyes in silence.

"You think you can leave?" Schlatt asked, pinning you down on the couch.

Y/N just turned their head to the side trying to hold back tears. Schlatt's breath smelled like alcohol as he looked down at them.

"You said that you love me... Why do you do this..." Y/N said, tears beginning to fall from their face.

Schlatt smirked darkly before laughing hysterically. Schlatt kicked Y/N off the couch and onto the floor, he walked towards them and bent down to grab their face. Schlatt digged his nails into their skin as they cried.

"I never loved you! You're just my toy, a muse, something I use to entertain myself whenever I'm bored, and if you think even for a second your something more or less than that, I'll fucking beat you, got it brat?"

Y/N grabbed Schlatt's wrist and tried to push him away. Y/N began to shake at the thought of getting hurt again.

"I'm not a brat, I'm not a brat, I'm not a brat," Y/N whispered over and over again as the gripped their head.

Schlatt stood up and looked down at Y/N, his hair making a shadow go over his eyes. His mouth turned into sinister smirk and he pulled out a knife.

"I warned you..."

"Schlatt wait... No... NO SCHLATT STOP!"

4 hours later...

Quackity was walk towards Schlatt's office holding a stack of paperwork that he had to fill out. As Quackity got closer to Schlatt's office, he could hear the sound of glass breaking.

"Hm?" Quackity said as he opened the door.

Quackity dropped the paperwork in horror, Y/N was in a pool of their own blood as Schlatt stood over them. Schlatt stood there with a broken bottle in his hands.

"No no no no no no..." Quackity said as he ran toward Y/N and went on his knees.

"Y/N please..." Quackity asked as tears went down his face, Quackity looked at Y/N's arms and back since they were covered in the most blood, and lazily carved into there skin was 'Property Of Schlatt.' Quackity clenched his fist in anger as he stood up and looked at Schlatt dead in the eyes.

"Schlatt... WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?!"

Schlatt lazily looked at Quackity with no emotion.

"Whores need to learn their place, and if they think they're above their owners, they get punished," Schlatt said, sitting at his desk as he opened another bottle of alcohol.

Quackity looked at him with disgust before picking up Y/N.

"Schlatt... You don't fucking deserve this country, and you especially don't deserve Y/N," And then he slammed the door shut as he left.

The next day...

"Ugh... Y/N?" Schlatt said, looking around the room.

Schlatt was on his couch with his suit shirt in shambles. Standing up, Schlatt left the room and into the hallway.

"Big Q! Where's Y/N?" Schlatt asked, getting Quackity's attention.

"Why would I tell you after you nearly beat them go death!"

"What?"

"When you got drunk last night you had one of your outburst, and you took it out on Y/N, you're lucky they are still fuckimg alive! They almost died from blood loss. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"

Quackity stood there waiting for an answer. Schlatt was processing what Quackity just said.

"You fucking disgust me..."

Quackity walked off, leaving Schlatt alone. Schlatt looked around the White House until he heard the sound of crying.

"Y/N?" Schlatt asked as he entered.

Y/N was on a bed with their arms, legs, neck and chest all covered bandages. Y/N looked up in horror before covering their head with their arms and pushing themselves against the head of bed.

"Please no more, I'll be a good doll, I won't be a brat, I'll be good, I promise," Y/N begged as they curled up into a ball.

Schlatt stood there in shock, he's done this multiple times in the past, but he never felt bad. But this time he felt so much regret. Schlatt looked at his hands and only saw blood, Y/N's blood. Schlatt slowly walked towards the bed and sat next to Y/N. Y/N cried even harder and tried to be as far away from Schlatt as possible. Schlatt began to realize what he did and began to tear up in regret. Schlatt pulled Y/N into a hug ashe cried into their shoulder. Due to fear and instinct, Y/N began to push him away, trying to get him away just incase he was going to hurt them.

"I'M SORRY I'M SORRY! Please forgive me, I won't do it again, I promise..." Schlatt said, pulling back from the hug to look at Y/N.

Y/N sat there in shock, their drooping down to their tear streaked eyes.

"Do you... Mean it?" Y/N whispered, look at him with bloodshot eyes.

Schlatt nodded his head and picked Y/N up bridal style, and walked out of the room.

"I won't hurt you again, I promise..."

Another one of his many lies, but you were desperate for comfort, so you didn't care.

[theworkofartplacement]

First visit - 4/11/19

After my initial meeting with Ruth Robinson (Lead Teacher and Leader of Learning: Arts, English & Business) in which we had discussed the logistical details of the placement, we decided on establishing my first two or three visits as an introductory period to the school. Ruth felt as though this would enable me to get a real sense of the different departments and courses on offer as well as allowing me to think more about which elements interested me the most.

Upon arriving at the school and getting signed in, I was met by Ruth who took me to the whole staff briefing led by the Headteacher Ellen Beveridge. I was surprised (and slightly embarrassed…) to be introduced and welcomed to the entire school faculty but it was a really nice gesture and made me feel as though my presence was slightly more validated…! As it was the first day back from their October half-term both the staff and the students were getting back into the swing of things again and so it was understandably fairly hectic. Despite this, Ruth and Hannah went out of their way to make me feel welcome and checked back with me throughout the day to make sure everything was going alright. 

The message Ruth sent round to the relevant teachers: 

Ruth had created a detailed schedule for me which she had also circulated to the relevant teachers so that they knew I would be coming in and watching part of their lessons. The schedule was really helpful as it meant that every minute of my time was accounted for and I wasn’t just left to my own devices…! Although it was definitely the best way of finding out about all of the different courses on offer, attending 3 lessons in an hour was quite intense and at times I did feel a little bit uncomfortable just barging in and out of lessons. Most of the teachers were really helpful and took the time to introduce me to their classes (therefore explaining my presence and why I was peering at their work!) and explain what the students were doing, however, there were a couple of teachers who didn’t and I found it harder to chat to the students when I hadn’t been introduced. I do need to remember that it is a very busy and stressful part of the term and so it may have been difficult for some teachers to give me much attention which is completely understandable.

The schedule Ruth made for me: 

One of the most interesting aspects of attending the different classes was being able to talk to students about their work and how they were finding their courses. I really enjoyed chatting to a couple of girls in the Graphics class who showed me their digital research presentations including a variety of photoshoots they’d done for the different strands of their projects. I also enjoyed looking through the work books of the Y13 Fine Art class and talking to those students about the rationale behind their chosen ideas. Each student had such different ideas and approaches that encompassed a really wide variety of mediums and techniques. It definitely made me want to go home and start an art project…! The Art Foundation students were also a really nice bunch who I got on well with and I hope I can work with them more closely – maybe helping them with the more academic side of the course such as helping them to reflect on their practice and process?

I also had the opportunity to chat to a couple of students who are wanting to apply to university for similar courses to mine and chatted to them a bit about their personal statements which seemed to be useful to them. I felt as though this would definitely be an area I would be able to help with but as UCAS applications are pretty much all finished I’m not sure how useful I’d actually be able to be anymore.

In terms of which classes I was drawn to from an academic perspective I would say the Foundation class, Fine Art and Film studies although I think I would enjoy helping out in any of the classes!! Just not sure how useful I’d be in graphics or TV & Film as I don’t have many practical skills in those areas… I’m still not quite sure how I might be able to get involved with the academic side of things but I think chatting to Ruth and looking over the syllabuses would enable me to get a better sense of where my knowledge could be employed. Ultimately, I’d be happy helping out where and when they need me but I’m sure I’ll be able to develop a more structured program with Ruth.

Another class that I sat in on was the Arts Award Gold class. The Arts Award program is designed specifically to be done alongside A Levels and as it carries UCAS points it can be a very helpful for students who need more UCAS points or for high achieving students who want to explore the arts further and boost their personal statements. It was really interesting to learn about how an arts program (which has to include 5 days of work experience and the development of a new skill) is being used to supplement A Levels and education more generally as it highlights how seriously the arts are taken by the school. It also gives students the opportunity to continue with art even if they’re not doing it for a level by encouraging them to develop their skills but also learn new ones. Having never heard about the Arts Award before it gave me more hope about the place of the arts in the English education system.

As part of the work experience section of the award, a few of the students were involved with the Big Draw event hosted by the school and the North East Art Teacher Educator Network. The event took place on the 26th of October and was a huge success with over 300 people of all ages in attendance. I enjoyed chatting to Hannah about the event as she underlined the school’s involvement with the wider community in Durham. It became clear that DSFC and the art department more specifically, are always thinking about ways they can make the arts more accessible to everyone in Durham. By placing an emphasis on the family friendly and wheel-chair accessible nature of the event, the school is trying to get as involved as possible with the Durham community and really put the school on the map of Durham as a cultural hub. The event also gave an art student the opportunity to curate and organise a visiting exhibition of ceramics from all over the world.

A poster for the Big Draw event: 

Another part of the work that the department and Hannah Scully more specifically does is the Arts development program. This is a program that the school has developed in order to further establish the school as a cultural and artistic hub in Durham. Learning about this side of things really excited me as there are elements that need to be developed further and so working on it would therefore be useful experience for me as well as being genuinely helpful to the program. Hannah outlined the different elements such as the Artist in Residence program which has been running successfully for a couple of years now. The next artist they have coming in starts next week and is an illustrator who is an ex pupil of the school. The AiR works with the students as well as being given workshop space, access to the facilities and the opportunity to put on a final exhibition which the school promotes and creates resources for. When I next go into the school Lizzie (the AiR) should have arrived so I hope I can chat to her and get a better sense of what I could help her with / be involved in as it would be a very exciting thing to be a part of.

Within the Arts development program, Ruth and Hannah are also hoping to set up a permanent exhibition space within the school. They’ve been looking at different institutions to see how they might be able to design their own. This has also involved thinking about the ways in which they could fund this project such as opening a small shop similar to a gallery giftshop. This is definitely an element of the development program that I’m interested in as I feel I could give the project the attention it needs as both Ruth and Hannah are very busy with teaching. I also feel as though it would give me practical skills that would be useful for working in a gallery in later life (something I am definitely keen to do). The main problem faced by the development program is a lack of funding so research into grants and potential funders is a really important task that needs a lot more attention and is something I would be interested in helping with.

Before going into the school I had been thinking about ways in which I could combine my dissertation research with my placement. I had initially thought this would be through a presentation, lecture or workshop with the students that would be tied to aspects of their curriculum. However, upon chatting to Martin (the games development teacher) who is himself really interested in my diss topic (and comics / graphic novels / animation more widely), it became clear that none of the curriculums really explore graphic novels/ films or comics at all. Despite this he said that if I made a case for it then I would be able to try and organise something for the students. Even though there may not be many opportunities to explore my ideas with the students, Martin seemed interested and encouraged me to come chat to him if I ever needed help / advice or just someone to talk to about it. 

He also recommended me the book: Understanding Comics the invisible art by Scott McCloud, which looks really helpful.

Overall, I had a very busy but enjoyable day and I am looking forward to my next visit on the 13th of November! 

[salsa-cas-blog]

Activity: Bollywood & International Day Dance (01/11/17)

This year is full of me counting my "last ____", International Day being one of them. Although not as big of an event as Peace Week, there was some organising my council had to do - regarding the lunchtime performances. It just happened to be that I'd been taking up a few Bollywood classes, where we learned a full choreography, and so we saw this lunchtime as an opportunity to showcase our dance!

I still recall the day I had decided to sign up for Bollywood - I was scrolling through the CCAs list one night, filtering activities that failed to attract me, that did not work with my time schedule, and so on… until I arrived at one that I had never seen before: "Indian Kathak Classical and Bollywood Dance CCA". Without knowing whether any of my peers and friends would be joining as well, I signed up for it almost immediately, fuelled by my own interest as well as my passion for dance. I'd never done any kind of cultural dancing before either, so this was certainly new space for me to explore - and explore with zest!

It turns out that I was the only Y13 that signed up for the CCA, but that didn't discourage me. Classes turned out to be more intriguing and exciting than I thought - we learnt a mixture of classical dance moves (Kathak) and Bollywood dance moves, in which we had routines for both. It was definitely different to any previous dance experience I had - I soon realised that each dance style has their own story to tell within the movements (whether intentional or not), as well as their own way of telling it. While ballet is majorly characterised by grace and poise, ballroom by the flow of your actions, Bollywood dance is distinct in its expression and vividness. There is a confidence that is required, along with a specific degree of femininity. And to be able to achieve that - well, I'm still working on it…

There was one thing for sure though: I always left the room feeling much more lighthearted and free inside, having danced away the stresses of the day. The dance possessed an energy to it that I had not encountered before, but was accepting fully in each of our sessions.

Back to International Day. After spending the few weeks before rigorously running through our dance routine and perfecting each move, we were prepared (but jittery on the inside) to perform. I had come in wearing my turquoise national Chinese dress, only to change out of it and into a fiery and striking Bollywood outfit. When we took the stage, it was undoubtedly a surprise to everyone, myself included. Although I made a few slip-ups, the rest of the girls really carried the group and our image, and it was overall an extremely enjoyable and lively performance that left us all feeling a new sense of accomplishment afterwards.

Taking Bollywood did two things for me:

1. It improved my confidence and how I expressed myself. Many of the dance moves always have a purpose behind it - fixing your 'jewellery', unveiling yourself, sassing your opponent - and to constantly have to mold myself into different forms and emotions not only showed me the wonderful outcome of stepping out of my comfort zone, but it also provided me with a new sense of flair and confidence.

2. As a leader of the school, I firmly believe in leading by example. We often reinforce in many of our assemblies the importance of celebrating the integration that exists within our school, as well as the impact on yourself when you step out of your comfort zone. While this was an unexpected action of mine, I hoped to show people that it can be extremely liberating and beneficial if one simply makes that step forward and out.

I’m certainly going to continue with this CCA next term, and hopefully we’ll even be able to perform again - but on a bigger platform!

[haddietix]

An Unsent Letter

Hey,

Sorry about the weirdness of the message to come. I thought of it a lot, and eventually decided to write because I’ve gotten two of these apology/thank you letters and they’re some of my prouder (pun unintended) moments.

Though we weren’t friends in school, I was watching for you since the Japan trip. When the rumour that you were gay spread, I was terrified for both of us, but in my selfish teenager state, mostly for myself. I didn’t want that to happen to me.

I don’t know what you went through following that, but either way I’m sorry for not reaching out. If anything, I probably backed away as far as I possibly could. I was scared that if I was suddenly seen with you, people would be able to tell that I was, too. I remember a few particular incidents when I somehow ended up next to you and I just stood there, wanting to scream at you and hug you and being unable to do any of that all at the same time.

Instead, I just kept an eye out, making sure you were OK, at least outwardly, and had friends. I’d like to think that if I saw that you didn’t, I would have done something. Alas, you seemed fine, you had your friends. Once the rumour phase of things died down, everything looked like it was back to normal for you.

No denial was issued. I was in awe.

You stormed the gate, and that is what I want to thank you for. Because two years later, when it was my turn to come out, I was thinking of you. I was thinking that this is old news by now, that these people have already seen this and wouldn’t care. I was thinking about how you ended up fine. It seemed stupid, but you were huge for me.

And I was right. I told people, never in secrecy, and I don’t even know if it became a thing people talked about. It just wasn’t interesting enough any more. I don’t even know if you know, because despite all the making out with girls I did out in public when going out in Y13, no one seemed to talk of it.

Anyway, now you know. We still don’t talk, but I do enjoy like’ing your FB updates, especially if they have anything to do with your relationship. You seem happy, and it makes me really happy.

So thanks.

[harleybird-dress-2017]

While the rough transcript can be found below, here’s some interesting summary points from before we hit record. 

She likes embroidery. The first thing she showed me was an interest in elegant garments and embroidered flowers, as well as bralettes and sheer fabrics. She loves Op-shopping. 

Fragmentation - Her family isn’t arts orientated, she’s attending art school, and there’s a strain between her and them because of it.

Mirrors - Her dad is also a glassblower, her house is filled with mirrors. 

Chaos - Doesn’t like to sit still. 

Earrings - Her Dad rarely gives her things, but she has a pair of silver cat earrings that he gave her when she was 4, and she wears them every day. 

My current, vague ideas/areas for further research are 

- Division/Fragmentation. In terms of her and her family, her personal story to this point, and her travelling between New Zealand and South East Asia. 

- Minimalism vs Chaos. The comparison between lifestyles here and overseas. 

- South East Asian culture in general - particularly in Thailand, Bali, and Indonesia. I need to research into this. 

- The Christchurch earthquakes.

- Some element of uniforms? Her mother was a nurse, and Mia’s worked as both a Barista and a Deli worker before. 

TRANSCRIPT

H: Okay, so you mentioned travelling a lot, what was your favourite country to visit?

M: So, Asia - We’d go to Thailand mainly, Bali, Indonesia - I really liked South East Asia, and it’s just for a holiday, but it started when I was quite young, so it’s always quite interesting, just the culture, and the different way of life, and the different values.

H: Is there anything from there that stands out to you, any visual motifs?

M:  Not exactly, I think I’m just inspired by - everyone’s just so happy and content, and they have so much less than what any of us have here, you know what I mean? Pretty good to see from quite a young age, so you can see how good you have it. I think a lot of my friends never left New Zealand, they have no idea about poverty, and third world countries.

H: Yeah, there’s definitely a really big divide between the materialism of New Zealand and the happiness but simplicity there.

M: Even coming here, in Christchurch we don’t have beggars anymore - They don’t have a city to roam, so even coming here and seeing the occasional beggar - it’s pretty emotional.

H: Yeah, for sure! Okay - so what inspires your personal journey, as a designer, or as an artist? Or as a person?

M: In Year 12, I took very serious subjects - Chemistry, Maths - I did all of those things and I hated them, and I just didn’t do very well in school in that one year. And I just noticed it so dramatically that I’ve always wanted to do well, and I just knew that it was because I wasn’t doing something that I was literally like, passionate about. So In Y13, I just took all my own subjects - French, Design, Art History, Painting, English - I got excellences, and I enjoyed myself. I realised that there’s no point going into a career/academic that I wasn’t going to enjoy/do well, cause that’s gonna have a worse impact than if I become an artist.

H: Do you have any personal philosophy that you try and stick to?

M:”Not exactly, honestly. Just work hard, work when everyone’s sleeping. Just work.  I worked in a deli all three years, all through high school - that’s how I could afford to come here. I had a boss, he was a crazy person, but he was very fun to work with and he just had interesting philosophies about doing what you love. He owns his own business,. And that’s how my interest in having my own came into it - I definitely want to own my own little business while I’m young. Sometime soon, ya know? Not like, wait around. H: Has there ever been a particular moment that you’ve felt tied to the land? (Not necessarily this country, although it could be, but something like the land, or the elements, something like that?)

M: I don’t know - I think it’d take for me to like, leave a place, to realise how sentimental I am about it.  Me and my friends who’ve moved here with me talked all the time - Christchurch is shit,. Christchurch is crap. Moving here, I appreciate Wellington - it’s a vibrant city, it’s a beautiful city, but I feel very emotional when I think about going back home. You don’t think about how much that change would impact you, but it’s such a big move.

H: Was it the same when you were travelling overseas for a month.?

M: Yeah! It’s great to be there - but like, missing home, then coming home and missing there, and it’s funny - you feel like you can’t win. It’s a funny feeling. It’s like that with people too - you’re away from them for a bit, and then you realise how much you miss them.

H: Yeah, absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?

M: Yeah, exactly.

H: Okay - Do you have any unique talents?

M: Not exactly.

H: But you speak French, right?

M: I do speak French. Um - I don’t know - I love cooking and baking, I’ve always done that. I can make Barista coffee. I was a barista for three years, so that’s quite cool. I did swimming lessons for like, my entire life as well. I do competitive swimming.

H: Okay - what would you want to change in the world?

M: Mm. I don't know how much I can change, as one person, but uh, I just want to put more out there, I want to add to the world in a positive way. I think everyone has a thing that they need to do, and you can't shoot down someone’s dream. I just want to own a small business, and I think that’s a small change, but it’s not shallow? To want to do something pretty - the arts can be beautiful. I don’t know.

H: Mm. I can respect that. Do you have any particular colours you feel an affinity with?

M: Always the colour pink. Ever since I was little, it was just - what’s your favourite colour? Pink! Didn’t even have to think about it. All shades as well. It’s kinda stuck by me too. What about you?

H: Me? I’m a fan of purple. Or green. Or black or red. Or gold. I like a lot of colours! Do you have any tattoos?

M: No I don’t-

H: Do you want any tattoos?

M: I love tattoos, but I would get disowned! My mother’s a little bit strict, but I’d be so keen to get like, a little flower (points at ribs). What about you? H: Yeah, yeah - later this year, I want to get like, two little bees, one on each side of my knees so I can have - the bees knees. I want to pun. So badly. It’d be great. So, are there any colours you associate with the countries you’ve been, anything you like there?

M: Just the food. I love the food - a lot of healthy, natural food. It’s like, the healthier I eat, which is why I like flatting now, I’ve only been buying healthy, I’ve only been eating well, and I just feel so much more alive. It’s funny. Just constantly, feed yourself good stuff.

H: Okay, do you have a favourite place in Wellington yet?

M: Not really - I’ve only been to a couple of cute little cafes and bars. Just walking around the city is so nice. In Christchurch it’s just malls - you can’t walk down the street and go to all different shops, open, which is something I love.

H: Is there anywhere you like in Christchurch?

M: There is a little like, a big kind of flower garden, the botanical kind of garden. Just really pleasant - lilypads and stuff. It was nice.

H: Are there any flowers there that you absolutely adore?

M”: Not really. I love daisies and that’s kind of it. I love flowers - I have flowers in my room always - I have a weird thing with flowers, I just need them around me.

H: No that’s cool, flowers are good. I think we’re done?

M: Yeah this is good, I think we got a lo-

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