#american studies lesson plan

[nerdladydraws]

Transcendentalist Day

The change of seasons from summer to fall always makes me think of one of my absolute favorite lessons for American Studies. Full disclosure: This is a lesson idea I took from our AmStud district lead. But it’s such a good one that I have to share! I love taking an inquiry-based approach to learning. One of my favorite strategies is launching with an experience that students can apply to an…

[notjanine]

i am so beyond tired beyond burnout, i went out for coffee this morning and when i placed my order, the barista so gently asked “would you like an extra shot of espresso in that? it’s on the house” and i almost cried. people good sometimes

[the-joy-of-knowledge]

Becoming an Intelligent Woman

My Dears,

There is no greater goal than being a fine woman who is intelligent, kind, and elegant. As much as we all want to be described with these adjectives, it takes a great amount of discipline to get there. It is very doable only if you are ready to put in the work.

Here are steps you can add to your routine in the next 4 weeks that will make you 1% more intelligent than you were before. This is a process that should become a habit not a goal. It is long term, however, I want you to devote just 4 weeks into doing these steps first and recognize the changes that follow.

Watch documentaries: This is the easiest step, we all have access to Youtube. Youtube has a great number of content on art, history, technology, food, science etc that will increase your knowledge and pique your curiosity. I really did not know much about world history especially from the perspective of World war 1 & 2, the roaring 20s, Age of Enlightenment, Jazz era, monarchies etc but with several channels dedicated to breaking down history into easily digestible forms. I have in the last 4 weeks immersed myself into these documentaries. Here are a few I watched:

The fall of monarchies

The Entire History of United Kingdom

The Eight Ages of Greece

World War 1

World War 2

The Roaring '20s

The Cuisine of the Enlightenment

2. Read Classics: I recommend starting with short classics so that you do not get easily discouraged. Try to make reading easy and interesting especially if you struggle with finishing a book. Why classics? You see, if you never went to an exclusive private school in Europe or America with well crafted syllabus that emphasized philosophy, history, art, and literary classics, you might want to know what is felt like and for me this was a strong reason. Asides that, there is so much wisdom and knowledge available in these books. In these books, you gain insights to the authors mind, the historical context of the era, the ingenuity of the author, the hidden messages, and the cultural impact of these books. Most importantly, you develop your personal philosophy from the stories and lessons you have accumulated from the lives of the characters in the books you read. Here are classics to get you started:

Animal Farm by George Orwell

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald

Candide by Voltaire

Paradise lost by John Milton

3. Study the lives of people who inspire you: I dedicate one month to each person that fascinates me. I read their biography (date of birth, background, death, influences, work, style, education, personal life) For this month, I decided to study Frank Lloyd Wright because I was fascinated by the Guggenheim Museum in New York. I began to read about his influence in American Architecture (Organic architecture, Prairie School, Usonian style), his tumultuous personal life, his difficult relationship with his mentor (Louis Sullivan), his most iconic works etc. By the end of the year I would have learned the ins and outs of people I am inspired by through books and documentaries. Here are other people I plan to learn more about:

Winston Churchill

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Ada Lovelace

Benjamin Franklin

Helen Keller

John Nash

Isabella Stewart Gardner

Caroline Herrera

Ernest Hemingway

Catherine the Great

Ann Lowe

My dears, I hope you enjoyed this read. I cannot wait to write more on my journey to becoming a fine woman. I urge you to do this for four weeks and see what changes you notice. Make sure to write as well, it is important to document your progress.

Cheers to a very prosperous 2024!

[study-with-aura]

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

I know you all were probably wondering why I didn't post the last three days. No? I plan to tell you anyway. 😊

My brother leaves at the end of the week to go back to university, so I have been spending as much time with him as possible, even if that means we are simply in the same room doing two different things. I can't believe I will have to say goodbye to him again. I know it is for a short time if we compare it to forever, but I love having him at home with me. He and Dad have been doing a lot together as well, which I know Julien looks forward to.

This is a fast update as we must head out so I can get to ballet on time. I hope everyone has a wonderful week! 💛

Tasks Completed:

Algebra 2 - Completed worksheet on applications of linear equations and inequalities

American Literature - copied vocabulary terms + read chapters 10-11 of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne + learned about The Bay Psalm Book + read over reflective essay assignment (due 9/20)

Spanish 3 - Reviewed stem-changing verbs in the present tense + completed three graded quizzes (all 10/10)

Bible 2 - Read 2 Samuel 12-13

Early American History - Read about French explorers + looked at maps showing the routes of exploration of NA by the Spanish and the French + answered question on study guide + read "Resisting the European Onslaught" from Civilizations under Siege: The European Conquest of the Americas

Earth Science with Lab - Answered questions about yesterday's reading on the Big Bang utilizing details about the scientific theories and where they fall short

Music Appreciation - Watched a listening guide to Felix Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto + listened to Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64 (soloist Ray Chen with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra and Maestro Kent Nagano)

Khan Academy - Completed US History Unit 2: Lesson 1 (parts 1-3)

Duolingo - Studied for approximately 30 minutes (Spanish + French + Chinese) + completed daily quests

Piano - 60-minute piano lesson + practiced for two hours in one hour split sessions

Reading - Read pages 205-241 of Stateless by Elizabeth Wein

Chores -  Laundry

Activities of the Day:

Personal Bible Study (Numbers 30)

Ballet

Pointe

Journal/Mindfulness

[male-meat-suit]

Hermes

I was at college on my first week moving here, I was the type of guy who fitted into any group during lessons. This college was known to have exceptional sport teams as they heavily fund the sports department.

This was perfect for me as I had a lot of guys to try out and find that perfect body for the years ahead of myself. I wanted to stick around in college for a few more years to learn more before progressing onto starting my own business up. The perk I have that I don't age at all while being in someone else's body.

As I was exploring the college campus I saw this guy who was a handsome southern American. He had that charm to his face, a toned body and popularity as it seems. All those sport guys and girls around him, I'm sure he loves a good night with any of them.

I found out his name was Hermes who has recently became captain of the local football team. Hermes was indeed my future body for maybe the whole semester ahead.

A few days later:

I studied his routine for a while now and luckily enough he likes to gym late into the night especially before the next game as he wants to look as pumped as he can to show off. I was secretly waiting patiently in the toilet cubicle for hours as I heard the door go

I slowly opened the cubicle door and managed to inject him on his neck, Hermes freaked out and pinned me against the wall with nothing but anger and rage. I laughed at him as he was becoming weaker as he body stood still. I could smell the sweat from his gym session and you could see the glistering shine on his tanned skin.

I walked around him a few times and stripped him down so I can have a real viewing of his body. He was basically perfect for me as I stripped down also.

My hands went in first as I felt my fingers took his over and they felt stronger and sore as I felt this in my new arms, I felt a new tightness on my chest as now my abs were pumped from the session.

Let's not talk about the instant hard-on below as I knew now that I packed a good 8-10 incher! It felt pretty good as I felt the power in my thighs and feet.

The memories rushed to my head as I took control of the final part of Hermes, I was now Hermes and this was my body for the years ahead. I was a filthy rich guy who clearly had no intention of making any future plans.

I laughed as I was checking my amazing body out, doing poses, talking exactly like him. I gave my new cock a few tugs and knew that would be dealt with by a member of my team. It turns out there's three guys who was caught out checking me out and the agreement was they serve me in secret to save embarrassment anywhere.

I grabbed my phone and called 'Daniel' up as I knew he would come running for me as he fancied me so much, it's his lucky night as I am about to fuck him in bed for the first time and break his virginity.

As I got home, I couldn't resist posing again in my nation supported team, my only fans went crazy and that was one easy earning in a night.

I will definitely enjoy this new body for a few months as Daniel might be the next person to possess.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Amanda Marcotte at Salon:

CHICAGO — Vice President Kamala Harris only entered the presidential race a month ago, so it's unsurprising to see trace evidence all over the Democratic National Convention of the original plans of when President Joe Biden was the nominee. The order of the states for the ceremonial roll call, the choice speaking slots for folks like Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware, and even a party platform that was so hastily rewritten it mentions Biden's "second term": all ghosts of the convention that would have been if Biden hadn't stepped down. Unsurprising, the most prominent relic of the alt-history convention was Biden's Monday night speech, which focused on the theme of his now-deceased campaign: "clear and present threats to our very democracy" from Donald Trump.  "Democracy has prevailed, democracy has delivered, and now democracy must be preserved," Biden declared. In contrast, the Harris campaign has downplayed the "democracy" talk in favor of another word: freedom. 

"In this election, many other fundamental freedoms are at stake," Harris said in her convention speech Thursday night, listing everything from reproductive rights to the right to vote. But she connected it into a larger, more aspirational vision. "Here in this country, everything is possible. Nothing is out of reach." Citing a lesson from her mother, Harris told the nation, "Never let anyone tell you who you are. You show them who you are." Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, Harris' running mate, struck a similar tone in his 16-minute speech Wednesday night. "When Republicans use the word freedom," he said, they mean freedom "to invade your doctor’s office," "to pollute your air and water," and "to take advantage of customers." Democrats, in contrast, "mean the freedom to make a better life for yourself and the people that you love."

Harris even uses "Freedom" by Beyoncé as her walk-on music. The watchword of the defunct Biden campaign — "democracy" — has faded into the background as this "freedom" messaging takes over. And some political observers are worried about this change. "Harris should not abandon democracy as a campaign issue, but rather double down on it," Vox's Zack Beauchamp wrote, citing studies suggesting that "democracy" messaging works well on "moderate Trump-skeptical Republicans." He argued that such a message could be folded into the "freedom" message by "highlighting attacks on democratic freedoms," such as the "freedom to vote."

It's overstated to say Harris' campaign has abandoned the "democracy" language. The week's program, for instance, featured speakers and segments on the January 6 insurrection. In her convention speech, Harris reminded the crowd of Trump's coup, arguing he "fanned the flames" of the riot. Multiple speakers at the convention highlighted how the vote was hard-won for certain Americans. But the campaign does seem to feel that "democracy" is too abstract. Americans support democracy in theory, but in practice, it can be confusing or opaque. Many voters can't say who their governor or senator is, much less their local representatives. "Democracy" is a word that may sound soaring to political junkies, but feels bureaucratic and frankly bloodless to many others.  "Freedom," in contrast, is an idea more people can wrap their hands around, especially with MAGA Republicans openly gunning to take away freedoms that protect the most intimate parts of people's lives, like who they marry or when they have children. The path between your vote and the end goal of policies can seem byzantine. But losing the right to abortion is immediately visceral. Most everyone knows how life-derailing an unwanted pregnancy or medical emergency can be.

When Salon asked delegates and other attendees at the DNC what they think makes MAGA "weird," few of them mentioned the Capitol riot or Trump's attempted coup, though both are abnormal in American history. Instead, most folks cited the obsessive way that MAGA leaders like Trump or his running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, want to control the daily lives of everyday Americans. They cited book bans, abortion bans, the rejection of gay rights, the bans on trans health care, and the attacks on women who choose not to have children. One attendee flagged Trump's hostility towards interracial couples like Harris' parents. Multiple people brought up Project 2025's voluminous suggestions for policies meant to dictate everything from what you're allowed to read to who you're allowed to marry. 

Amanda Marcotte wrote an excellent perspective in Salon that Kamala Harris's nomination acceptance speech at the DNC, along with various other speakers, honed in on a freedom-centric message focusing on defeating Donald Trump. Kamala Harris

[piedpiperslists]

JJK: Athlete / Sports AU

List of all Jungkook fics under 'Athlete / Sports' AU:

* ² - two shots s - contains smut

* Last updated: 18/02/2024

D R A B B L E S

[drabble] | [drabble] | [drabble] by 1kook s football player!Jungkook, college au

Arabesque by gukyi ballet dancer!Jungkook, friends to lovers, college au

Daft Pretty Boys by jeonqkooks basketball captain!Jungkook, college au Summary: Jungkook swears he doesn't usually do crushes. That is, until you.

Dense Ice by breadoffoxy hockey player!Jungkook, bookworm!reader Summary: You’re at the rink waiting for Namjoon to finish practice, but two Players won’t let you study in peace.

Dry Dry Desert by bangtanstanst established relationship, amateur racing au Summary: The infamous Dakar Rally – a gruelling two-week, 9,000-kilometer rally through the South-American desert. Anyone would call you absolutely insane for participating as an amateur racer and those people would be entirely correct. But you’re doing it anyway.

Head Over Skates by mercurygguk ice hockey player!Jungkook, college au Summary: Jungkook doesn’t get jealous but here you are, bringing out new sides of him.

Hotshot by jungxk hockey player!Jungkook

Ice Me Out by taeshobipop ice hockey player!Jungkook, childhood friends to lovers, college au Summary: The last way you expected this night to end was to have Jeon Jungkook, captain of the ice hockey team and number one hindrance in your oh-so-great life, trail after you as you leave his Christmas party.

In which he’s a sore loser… by minstrivia s volleyball player!Jungkook, established relationship

Kiss Me More by gimmethatagustd boxer!Jungkook, friends to lovers Summary: It’s not just Jungkook’s rigorous boxing lesson that’s making your heart beat fast.

* Knee Pads by kooshours s volleyball player!Jungkook, established relationship Summary: In which you couldn't resist your boyfriend's delicious thighs in those knee pads of his... And he realized just how much you loved them.

Knockout by jvngkook97 boxer!Jungkook, established relationship Summary: In which Jungkook feels your baby kick for the first time and nearly gets KO’ed in the process.

Letting Off Steam by wnderkoo F1 driver!Jungkook, established relationship Summary: A bad day on track has Jungkook storming off and disappearing. Where else would you find him but in the comforting arms of his loving girlfriend?

Peaches by dawnagustd s boxer!Jungkook, FWB, secret relationship Summary: Jungkook can’t keep his hands to himself, or his mouth.

* Silver and Gold by sugaurora angst, athlete!Jungkook, exes au Summary: Jungkook promised he wouldn’t be there when you came to collect your things from his apartment. Jungkook was never very good at keeping promises.

Stay Focused by btsgotjams27 s boxer!Jungkook, established relationship Summary: Jungkook has a big match coming up and you love teasing him.

O N E S H O T S

A Cinderella Story [AO3] by suhdays wc~21.2k / rugby player!Jungkook college au Summary: You are forced to work multiple jobs as you live under your stepmothers roof. Unable to move out and strive for complete independence, you do what you can in order save enough. Turns out, as a college student that is harder than you thought. So, you distract yourself by joining online chat groups in which you meet a boy that goes to your school. That boy? None other than the rugby star himself, Jeon Jeongguk. It doesn’t prove to be an issue until he asks to meet you at an upcoming Halloween party. He’s never noticed you before so why not hide yourself in order to live your dreams, if only for a moment?

A Holiday Snowdown by kpopfanfictrash s wc~36.3k / snowboarder!Jungkook, enemies to lovers, ski resort au Summary: The Inn on the Hill is in trouble. Or that’s what your boss, Namjoon, says during the last-minute All Staff holiday meeting he calls. You need money, and you need money fast, or his parents are planning to sell the resort. When no one can think of an easy solution, Namjoon proposes his parents’ idea: a weeklong social media blitz with a celebrity guest. The celebrity? None other than Jeon Jungkook himself: two-time Olympic gold medalist, world-class snowboarder and the nation’s sweetheart. What’s the problem? You happen to have met Jeon Jungkook before, and sincerely hoped you’d never see him again.

As I Told You by eleventoes wc~9.7k / football player!Jungkook, enemies to lovers, roommates au Summary: Jeon Jungkook: junior, rising star quarterback, no.1 on the list of People You Cannot Stand. Also, your new roommate.

At the End of the Day by starshapedkookie s wc~13.3k / ex-baseball player!Jungkook, friends to lovers Summary: You and Jungkook have been best friends for 8 years, going through absolute hell and back together. After senior year of high school, you and Jungkook began a tradition of taking annual vacations together during the summer months. This summer is no different, with you and Jungkook celebrating graduating college just a couple months prior. You're set to move to NYC after the summer, with you and Jungkook soaking in the sun and as many moments as you can together. You'd think nothing could ever tear your friendship apart with him, but when you've sat on the beach for too many days in a row watching him surf, you can't help but wonder - when did your best friend get so hot?

Blink And You’ll Miss It by satnin-darling s wc~13.3k / lawyer!Jungkook, street racer!reader Summary: Jungkook is just trying to do his job by bailing you out (on top of being a busy attorney in the city) but you seem to be hell-bent on making that ten-times harder for him. Street racers aren’t known to be slow, in fact, you have the reputation of ‘blink and you’ll miss her,’ so what’s the deal?

I Can Do This All Night (If You Wanted To) by satnin-darling s wc~6.2k / lawyer!Jungkook, street racer!reader, established relationship Summary: Jungkook is working late at the office. Usually, he stays until all remaining tasks are completed but with you perched on his desk as a welcomed distraction from the glare of the monitors and its repetitive work, he might just get off early.

By the Pool by bluewhale52 s wc~2.9k / ft KSJ, boyfriend!Seokjin, swimmer!Jungkook, university au, PWP Summary: Jungkook has to stay back after practice, thanks to you. But perhaps, staying back isn’t so bad after all.

Can't Be Without You by ahundredtimesover s wc~30.2k / underground fighter!Jungkook, friends to lovers Summary: One night you’re gushing over rom-coms and Jungkook’s cooking; a few nights later you’re tending to his beat-up face. But while it’s his stubbornness that’s saved you countless times before, it’s that same quality that constantly puts him in danger. OR your best friend just can’t let go of underground fighting and so, drama ensues

Chasing Butterflies by ddaenggtan s wc~12.8k / otaku!Jungkook, jock!reader, college au Summary: You never meant to be a jock in school. The volleyball team had just needed people and you were there and then you had a knack for it. You just happened to be good at it and went with it. Similar to how you saw Jeon Jungkook in your friend’s orientation group and thought he was absolutely radiant and just went with it. For two years. You’ve spent the entire time pining from afar, mostly because you always seem to make a fool of yourself when he’s around, but also because Jungkook is part of that exclusive crowd, the ones that you never can seem to penetrate: the weebs. That is, until your friends get sick of your hopeless pining and decide to do something about it.

Cold as Ice by ughseoks wc~8.5k / enemies to lovers, ice hockey au Summary: Although you and Jungkook are teammates, you’re also sworn enemies, both on and off the ice. But when you’re seriously injured during one of your matches, Jungkook realizes that maybe the emotion he feels for you isn’t hate– it’s love.

Concrete King by bratkook s wc~16.7k / skaterboy!Jungkook, strangers to lovers Summary: When a cute boy in a tacky Hawaiian shirt lands a trick in your honor there's no way you could ever say no to him.

Daddy's 95 by bambikisss s wc~3k / street racers au Summary: You were a successful underground street racer with an annoying past. He was an up-and-comer who wanted to prove himself and get the hot girl’s number.

DNA (None of This is a Coincidence) by xotoosweet s wc~11.4k / soccer player!Jungkook, art history major!reader, college au Summary: It’s the first party of your junior year when you spot Tae’s new hot friend. And though you usually avoid hooking up with your best friend’s unfairly attractive frat bros, Jungkook is SO fucking cute and sexy all at once. It’s all going great…until you realize he’s just a freshman. Cue the internal crisis.

Down and Down [AO3] by koorara wc~12k / MMA fighter!Jungkook, teacher!reader, exes to lovers Summary: “Do you wanna look for her again?” Jungkook raised his head to look at Jimin. He gave him a look that Jimin knows so well, his losing hope kind of look. “I would kill to see her again, but I would die if that ever happened because I broke her, Jimin. How could I see her when I’m the last person she would ever want to see?”

Ego Season by sparklingchim s wc~6.3k / hockey player!Jungkook, brother's best friend, college au Summary: POV: You make ur secret fuck buddy jealous.

Number 7 by sparklingchim s wc~3k / hockey player!Jungkook, brother's best friend, college au Summary: POV: Your jealous fuck buddy pounds you in his jersey.

Feed Me, Fight Me by yeojaa s wc~3.5k / boxer!Jungkook, established relationship Summary: What do you get when you mix a pissed off girlfriend with a neglectful boyfriend? (Aside from trouble, that is.)

Fifth Wish by jiminrings wc~18k / rich kid!Jungkook, bodyguard!reader, fighter!reader, fake dating Summary: Jeon Jungkook, world-class socialite and nepotism baby, should be out every night to celebrate while he’s at his prime. Why should he fake-date his bodyguard instead? Alternatively, Jungkook regularly throws coins to wishing wells with only one desire in mind — to get rid of you.

Go to Hell by bangtanficsforyou s wc~5.3k / football player!Jungkook, enemies to lovers, college au Summary: You hate Jungkook, he's the bane of your existence. But what happens when you willingly land yourself in a situation you never thought you'd be in.

Heart Taping by aquagustd wc~3.3k / soccer player!Jungkook, enemies to lovers Summary: The problematic goalie of the soccer team just needed some TLC.

I Don't Like a Gold Rush by candlewaxandp0lar0ids wc~17.3k / football player!Jungkook, college au Summary: Jungkook is the golden boy, an excellent student, the star of you college’s football team. Rumor has it, there’s simply nothing he can’t do. The same cannot be said about you, but you’ve never had an issue with that. You’re happy with your small group of friends and your lack of talent in sports. And then, Jin befriends Jungkook, and you find yourself spending a lot of time with him. Before you know it, you’ve taken an interest in him — and you’re sure you shouldn’t. There’s no way this can end well for you… right?

Kiss It Better by jincherie s wc~11.7k / cheerleader!Jungkook, college au Summary: When one goes to Kim Seokjin for advice, it’s almost guaranteed to never end well. This is something Jungkook learns quickly when he mistakenly follows treasured advice to ‘be smart’ and ‘use his assets’. He just did what he was told! Of course, the execution was a bit poor… and embarrassing. But hey, if rocking up to cheer practice in a skirt doesn’t woo your crush, what will?

Little Library Girl by kooksgalaxy wc~5k / football player!Jungkook college au Summary: Jungkook is the star quarterback of his college, but he has to keep his grades up in order to continue to play. With calculus being his hardest subject, he is tutored by Y/n, someone who is the complete opposite of him. With stress rising with the upcoming championship, his feelings for Y/n are making things much more complicated. Take the glory of football, a little library girls, and throw in a malicious opponent… you’ve got a whole lot of trouble.

Little Surfer Girl by ppersonna s wc~9.8k / surfer!Jungkook, lifeguard!reader, strangers to lovers Summary: Every summer you watched Jeon Jungkook turn into a perfect, professional surfer. Every summer, you wanted him more. This summer, you were determined to make him yours.

* [LOVE - 40]/[40 - LOVE] by satnin-darling s wc~11.5k / tennis player!Jungkook, journalist!reader Summary: At the end of August, Jungkook had to pull out of one of the biggest tennis tournaments of his career. His injuries were inhibiting him and he felt like he was back to square one. He returns to Busan for rehab and he gets interviewed by you for an article. But your twin brother had just died and you were shocked with grief. So you spend a couple of days talking about tennis but underneath the surface, you cover so much more.

Mind in the Gutter by kpopfanfictrash s wc~18k / bowling au, workplace au Summary: Starting over is never fun. Especially not when you decide to take the phrase fully to heart; new job, new city, new coworkers and new relationships. When you are dragged to a happy hour by your new co-worker, Taehyung, you end up sitting beside a (very) cute, (very) shy IT worker named Jungkook. Several drinks later, he mentions he is in a professional bowling league with his friends and you rather enthusiastically invite yourself along. As time passes and you begin to grow closer, you still find it impossible to read Jungkook. Working in the same company and seeing each other so often, it is only so long before one of you snaps. But who?

Never (K)not You by jiminrings wc~5k / jock!Jungkook, established relationship, college au Summary: Established relationship ft. jock!JK and shy art major!Y/N, Y/N gets an unexpected pep talk and Jungkook doubts himself, and either so much tears or so much dust according to Kook.

One on One by thatmultifandomhoe wc~3.1k / boxer!Jungkook, college au Summary: He was a boxer, and you were a student. Two separate lives and yet, you were the one putting him back together.

Pas de Deux by jiminrings wc~7k / dancer au Summary: Y/N’s a hopeless romantic who’s been pining over dance partner!Jungkook for the past two years, the overwhelming feeling of reality, and an appearance of a certain champion that wakes up Koo the dummy.

Play Pretend by seokoloqy s wc~8.6k / soccer player!Jungkook, friends to lovers, fake dating Summary: Walking under ladders, splitting the pole, breaking mirrors, going near black cats—just to name a few things Jeon Jungkook doesn’t do before his soccer games.

Ruin the Friendship by kpopfanfictrash s wc~8k / hockey player!Jungkook, friends to lovers, college au Summary: Your drunk ass best friend keeps calling you to take care of him and it wouldn’t be so awful, if it weren’t for the feelings.

Over the Edge by kpopfanfictrash s wc~9.1k / hockey player!Jungkook, established relationship, college au Summary: So, you’re dating. Everything is dandy, the sex is knocking your socks off, but what happens when you get in the first real fight?

Set on You by bymoonchild s wc~18.1k / setter!Jungkook, manager!reader, college au Summary: Sports has never been your thing, so when you find yourself in a sports hall that reeks of perspiration and cologne and in front of a group of volleyball players whom you’re supposed to be managing (heck, you can’t even manage your own life), you know that you’re in Deep Shit™. Especially when Jeon Jungkook, the golden setter of the team aka the boy who holds stars in his eyes, starts to occupy your reveries, slowly becoming both the quiet and pandemonium of your heart.

Skies of Blue by seokstrivia wc~6k / football captain!Jungkook, college au Summary: He was captain of the football team, whereas, you were the typical quiet girl who minded her own business. Or, Jungkook is softer than one would think.

Southpaw by starshapedkookie s wc~30k / boxer!Jungkook, childhood friends to lovers, college au Summary: Knowing Jeon Jungkook for the better part of your life, you thought you knew everything about him. Well, that was before you two disappeared from each other’s lives at least. When Jungkook suddenly finds himself buying you a coffee to rekindle your friendship, it leads to much more than you bargained for.

Stay in Your Lane by luxekook s wc~5.8k / swimmer!Jungkook, swim captain!reader, enemies to lovers, college au Summary: In which the reader is the captain of the women’s swim team and Jungkook is the “golden freshman” of the men’s swim team… or in which Jungkook is overtly whipped for the reader and acts out in any way possible to gain her love and attention - no matter the consequence.

Still With Me? by magicalmarauder wc~4k / boxer!Jungkook, established relationship Summary: Dating the world’s fastest growing boxer meant several things – kissing his wounds at the end of every fight, watching countless boxing matches to study new techniques with him, and worrying like crazy as different men every night tried to bash his face in. But what happens when tensions run high after a match and Jungkook throws your support back in your face? Angst/fluff. Inspired by Jungkook’s Instagram post earlier today!

The Silver Lining + Falling in Love With Your Best Friend by whoreternal s wc~5.6k / football player!Jungkook, friends to lovers, college au

Thirteen Rounds by moni-logues s wc~13.2k / boxer!Jungkook, established relationship Summary: JK's boxing coach tells him he can't come for four weeks before his title fight. Ah, four weeks isn't that long, right? ... Right?

To the Victor by hwanghyunjinenthusiast s wc~2.8k / boxer!Jungkook, established relationship Summary: Jungkook lives to box. The ring is practically his home. However, watching him become all bruised and bloodied isn't exactly easy for his girlfriend, no matter how much he wins.

White Lies by noteguk s wc~13.3k / athlete!Jungkook, friends to lovers, fake dating, college au Summary: In which Jungkook lies his way out of and into trouble. But he can’t tell white lies when it comes to you.

Yes Coach by taleasnewastime s wc~7.5k / coach!Jungkook, netball player!reader, PWP Summary: You play in a local netball team and as a new season starts you have a new coach. Enter Jungkook, he may look soft, but he turns out to be a hard taskmaster, one who ruffles your feathers when he makes some changes to the team. Tensions grow between you through the weeks, until they finally reach breaking point.

T W O S H O T S / S E R I E S

Bad Boy Good Thing by yoonpobs s football player!Jungkook, fuckboy!Jungkook, friends to lovers, FWB Summary: A series of drabbles where you're confused and Jungkook's confusing.

Boy in Luv by ggukiepie s athlete!Jungkook, friends to lovers, college au Summary: Just two idiot best friends in l*ve.

Chess of Ice by jimlingss ex-hockey player!Jungkook, curling player!reader Summary: Jeon Jungkook is a rising star, aka. hockey captain of a team heading for the Olympics. The last thing he expects is to begin a whole ‘nother sport, holding a broomstick in his hand, sweeping the ice and throwing dumb stones towards a target. As if that wasn’t bad enough, his love life is about to turn into a game of chess as well….and you’re his opponent.

Fools Rush In by btsqualityy s photographer!Jungkook, tennis player!reader, strangers to lovers, age gap au Summary: You are a world-renowned tennis player at the top of your game, while Jungkook is freshly graduated from university and figuring out what the hell he wants to do with his life. A chance meeting and instant chemistry between the two of you leads to you falling into bed with each other, and the course of your lives changing as you know it. When you end up pregnant, you and Jungkook are left to figure out not only how to make room in your lives for this sudden change but also how to make room for each other. As you both navigate a pregnancy while getting to know each other, you begin to learn that maybe the best things in life are unexpected.

How to Get a Guy ² by taeshobipop s basketball player!Jungkook, fuckboy!Jungkook, college au, roommates au Summary: Star basketball player Jeon Jungkook has a reputation as the ultimate fuckboi. He’s loved by everyone. Everyone. And you would have followed suit if he had not broken all your strict Roommate Rules™ within the first week of his stay. Jungkook, on the other hand, thinks you’re absolutely bizarre. But there’s a silver lining — Mr. Fuckboi here knows basketball captain Min Yoongi, your dreadfully clueless crush. He strikes up a deal with you: he’ll teach you the ways of flirting if you lessen your load of rules (so Jungkook can continue perusing his way through the ladies on campus). Yet the longer Jungkook spends with you, the more he realizes that maybe he doesn’t want to be the campus fuckboi anymore. The problem is, how does he prove that to you?

Inevitable by ahundredtimesover s baseball player!Jungkook, exes to lovers, parents au Summary: You convinced Jungkook to break up years ago so he could pursue his lifelong baseball dream. Now he’s back home, staring at you, and the little boy next to you who looks unmistakably like him.

Instant Gratification by dovechim s football player!Jungkook, fuckboy!Jungkook, cheerleader!reader, FWB, college au

Pretty Boy by angelguk s jock!Jungkook, friends to lovers, college au Summary: A drabble series dedicated to young love, jock!JK, yearning and the pet name bunny.

[writings-by-fairy]

Loved

Fandom: American Housewife

Pairing(s): Katie-centric story

Words: 984

Rating: E

Warnings: none

Summary: a reflection on Katie Otto's love

Requested by: @americanhousewifeottofamily

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Katie Otto was a lot of things: a mom, wife, party planner, chief, chauffeur, and so much more but most importantly she was a lover.

Taylor was in her rebellious teen years where she wanted to hide away from the world because no one understood her but that was far from the truth; Katie understood her. Katie understood why Taylor pushed her away, why Taylor cried randomly over seemingly nothing, why Taylor NEEDED the newest shirt from some popular store that she would wear for a week then end up on the floor, why Taylor was joining every club, sport, activity, Katie understood. No matter how hard Taylor pushed Katie away, Katie would always be there. So when Taylor came home hiding tears while running to her room, Katie opened up the cabinet and grabbed the secret stash full of Taylor’s favorite candy. She knocked on the door and slid the candy underneath the door with a little sticky note that said, ‘I am here for you, I love you’ and Taylor felt loved.

Oliver thought he was some emotionless boy who was too tough for the world, but Katie knew what was hiding underneath the tough boy persona, fear. She saw the fear of failure when Oliver would stay up all night studying mumbling how he has to get an A. She saw the fear of the future when he would create plan followed by backup plan after backup plan after backup plan. She saw the fear of not being good enough when he would join every after-school club and student government, volunteer, job and Katie would be there for everyone. Too many times has she could Oliver passed out at the dinner table late at night while everyone slept surrounded by bake sale flyers. So Katie would gently wake an exhausted Oliver and help him to bed then get to work on dozens and dozens of cookies. Oliver would wake up in a panic and start to plan how he would run to the market and buy cookies, but he would soon realize that he wouldn’t have to. On the counter was a huge tray of cookies with a note that says, ‘get some sleep, I love you.” And Oliver felt loved.

Cooper was put on this earth to teach Katie something, she didn’t know what it was yet, but she was sure it was patience. When Cooper would come over, Katie would notice he would intently watch her cook and prepare food. Katie started to notice pretty early but didn’t say anything, instead she would act like she needed help with cutting the onions or sautéing the mushrooms. Soon enough, she was giving him cooking lessons almost every other night. Katie found a free cooking course at the local culinary school and surprised Cooper with them, he asked her if she would go with him to the first couple. When she agreed, Cooper gave her a rib-crushing hug and let out a heavy sigh he didn’t know he was holding in. She hugged back and said a ‘love you kiddo’ and Cooper felt loved.  

Anna-Kat was an open book for Katie, sometimes too open. When Katie asked how her day went, Anna-kat would tell Katie how the teacher talked like a robot then how Jeremy put glue on his lips then Celia threw up on her desk then how she was on the swing all recess and she was SO close to swinging the whole way around then what pizza she ate for lunch. And this would go on until Anna-Kat had told Katie every single second of her day and Katie would just listen. When Anna-Kat came up with a new game or new pretend world and assigned Katie her role, Katie would play along with great theatrics. The way Anna-Kat’s face would light up as Katie got into her role made wearing a fake mustache worth it. Katie would play pretend until Anna-Kat started to yawn, and her eyes grew heavy then Katie would pick her up and carry her to her room. They would pick out the perfect pajamas for whatever character Anna-Kat was still playing and tuck her in. Katie would lean down and give a gentle kiss to her forehead and whisper, ‘had so much fun today, Officer Sprinkles, we will catch the guy tomorrow, I love you’ and Anna-Kat would fall asleep with a smile on her face because she felt loved.

As she changed and cleaned the room up for bed, Greg would go on and on about what piece of history he got inspiration from to write a new book and what chapter 15 would be called and who would be a special feature in the book and Katie was starting to realize who Anna-Kat got her rambling from. He would tell Katie everything and Katie would just listen till he wore both down and they would share a kiss and a ‘good night’. Katie would be the one to say ‘I love you’ first and Greg would feel loved as he drifted asleep.

Katie’s friends would tell her that she does too much for her family and they give nothing in return. Katie doesn’t blame them for thinking that because she does tell them how Taylor will slowly open her door after the candy is slipped under the door and tell Katie everything and ask for her advice. How Oliver will race home and excitably tell Katie how he is the first SGA president to raise over $1,000 and how much he loves her. How Cooper will notice when she is tired and would offer to cook what new recipe he learned. How Anna-Kat would let Katie win at the games that were originally rigged for Anna-Kat. Or how Greg would ask about her day and be the first one to say ‘I love you’ in the morning. Katie Otto is loved.

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I am on AO3 as the same username if you want to check out my other works. This is on there :P Requests are open so please message me

XOXO Fairy

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from Inside Climate News:

In the U.S. and around the world, the impact of climate change on primary education is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore, both inside and outside the classroom. As heat and flooding threaten the physical environment, pedagogical—and political—debates rage over how and what to teach students about their rapidly warming planet.

Often a reflection of the political majority in a state, climate curriculums vary across public schools in the U.S., and now students themselves are advocating for more climate change education. However, these efforts have been met with mixed responses from school boards and state legislatures. 

Today, I am diving into the student-led push to expand climate change instruction across classrooms as schools struggle against the most severe climate impacts. 

In the U.S., students are speaking out to learn more about the source of the climate impacts hitting their schools. But their efforts haven’t always been met with support. 

In February, dozens of high school and college students attended a hearing in the Minnesota Capitol in St. Paul to advance a bill that would require schools to integrate climate change into their curriculums, the Associated Press reports. However, the bill was not moved forward, similar to one that New Hampshire high schoolers were advocating for in March that is now indefinitely stalled.

Oftentimes, classroom materials do not reflect current climate science. In August, Republican Gov. Ron Desantis approved a move which allows classrooms to show videos that reject the reality of climate change. Several recent studies show that while science textbooks discuss climate change, they have not kept pace with the body of new research on the subject, a trend that my colleague Kiley Bense reported on last year. 

In a recent investigation, Rolling Stone magazine and Drilled revealed that the oil and gas industry has given funding to push forward corporate goals into lesson plans produced by Discovery Education, a textbook and multimedia education provider used by half the classrooms in the U.S. In one of their lessons, which includes a logo from oil and gas lobbying organization the American Petroleum Institute, the plan advises teachers to “tell the class that in 2020, petroleum powered 90 percent of the country’s transportation.” It does not include any mention of renewable energy or climate impacts from oil-related emissions, the news outlets found.

However, other states have embraced climate change curriculums across public schools. In 2020, New Jersey became the first state to require teaching climate change at all grade levels in all subjects, from art class to physical education. Since the program began, many teachers have focused on helping kids connect with nature and brainstorm climate solutions, reports The New York Times. 

[yanphobia]

Cleithrophobia - Chapter 2

Cleithrophobia: The fear of being trapped.

Pairing: Yandere Male Drider OC x Reader

Warnings (for the entire story): Yandere, Horror, Graphic Discriptions of Injury and Death, Spiders, NonCon Touching, Possible NonCon (depending on reader's interpretation), Implied Female Reader (although it doesn't really factor too heavily into the plot), Extreme Dead Dove Do Not Eat

Chapter 1 Index Chapter 3

Author's Note: Wooow it's so nice to meet all of you! I was in the process of moving to a new city last week and didn't have the time to check on this account. But seeing how much support I've recieved in that time has been a great surprise ❤️ I'm going to be posting one chapter every weekend and this story has about ten chapters planned for it. Don't ever hesitate to say hi (or give me reading recommendations because I always love a new story!) Thank you so much for reading, and I hope that you'll enjoy this next installment!

This story was inspired by cobalt-sphinx's Drider x Reader from Quotev.

You were startled awake by Stan’s frantic pounding at the door. You bolted up and immediately regret it as pain floods through your shoulders and back. After last night’s encounter, you had immediately hidden yourself, terrified that that thing would break into your meager little cabin and attack you. You were on high alert, jumping at every sound outside of your window. As the sun began to rise, you must’ve passed out, still wearing your clothes from the night before. 

And now you’ve overslept, judging by Stan’s knocking. You open the door and step outside. 

“Stan, I am so, so sorry! I didn’t mean to oversleep.” You figured he’d be angry, but instead he looked worried. He took in your disheveled state but didn’t comment on it, most likely out of politeness. 

“...It’s fine, no worries. But I need your help. The new rabbit hutch we just built was torn into last night and something got to ‘em. Think it was a coyote. Anyway, today I’m gonna teach you how to reinforce fences so it don’t happen again.” You felt your stomach turn as he spoke. You knew. You knew exactly what had happened last night. 

You remain silent while he shows you exactly what to do. After a brief lesson, the two of you get to work. 

“’S a damn shame, too. Those where some premium New Zealand Whites. Now, granted, there were only the two, but I was looking forward to breeding ‘em. Great meat, ya know? Delicious.” 

“...Stan, exactly what type of animals live around here?” 

“Oh, tons. You mean the bad ones, though, right? Bears, wolves, mountain lions, coyotes, wolverines even. They can be nasty when they want. Thankfully they don’t attack often, just so long as you respect their space.” 

“...And... anything else? Are there any, I don’t know, myths or urban legends or anything about something really crazy living in the woods?” 

“I’m sure! These lands are old, ma’am, and have been home to some very strange folk over the years. Native Americans, you know, and then settlers, all with their own superstitions,” Stan laughed lightheartedly. “But none I ever heard, not even a Bigfoot sighting. Guess that’s natural, though. The way stories and things just get lost over time.” 

As Stan left to reinforce the turkey fences, and you finish up work on the chicken’s, you thought about what he had said. Things really do get lost over time, you thought to yourself. You certainly had. Once, you had dreamed of a happy life for yourself, with a career that you were passionate about and a family that you cherished. You had wanted to begin your life as soon as possible and quickly began creating it without a second thought. But as you matured a bit, and as each goal came closer to fruition, the doubt began to creep in. You fell out of love with your chosen field of study and stayed up at night worrying that you would spend your life working a job that you despised. When your partner, Alex, began describing your future together, excited at the prospect of marriage and starting a family, you only felt smothered. You were being forced, you quickly realized, dragged into an existence that you did not want and could not escape from. 

Thinking about this made you uncomfortable, and so you forced it out of your mind. 

The day passed without any further incidents, the next one as well. Well, it did until night fell. You had been walking towards your cabin, eager for a hot shower and a bit of relaxation, when you heard the panicked squawking of the chickens. They were out, everywhere, and hysterical. A quick look told you that the gate enclosing the designated area for them and one of the coups had been unlatched, allowing their escape. You quickly rushed back to the house, throwing open the door and calling for Shadow. 

“What’s wrong?!” Laura asked, startled by your sudden appearance. She had nearly dropped the dish she was washing. 

“Chickens got out. Don’t worry, I can handle it!” you responded quickly, although you knew that Laura would never miss the opportunity to help out. The two of you and your herding dog were quick to start gathering the chickens when you noticed that a few had been scratched up. Immediately, you knew who the culprit was. He had tricked you at first, admittedly, by simply opening the gates instead of tearing into them, but when Laura noted that two of the chickens were missing, you felt your fury grow stronger inside of you. 

It was a game, you realized, just a sick game that monster was playing until he decided to kill you. To kill Laura and Stan. Maybe even more. It wouldn’t happen, not to such lovely people. You had brought this farm to his attention, and you wouldn’t allow him to hurt anyone because of it.  

You found yourself slamming your cabin door open, grabbing a flashlight and a bowie knife, and charging into the forest. You didn’t even hear Laura’s desperate calls for you to come back. 

[ndbookstudy]

i am that, nisargardatta maharaj, ch. 96.

Questioner: I am an American by birth and for the last one year I was staying in an Ashram in Madhya Pradesh, studying Yoga in its many aspects. We had a teacher, whose Guru, a disciple of the great Sivananda Saraswati, stays in Monghyr. I stayed at Ramanashram also. While in Bombay I went through an intensive course of Burmese meditation managed by one Goenka. Yet I have not found peace. There is an improvement in self-control and day-to-day discipline, but that is all. I cannot say exactly what caused what. I visited many holy places. How each acted on me, I cannot say.

Maharaj: Good results will come, sooner or later. At Sri Ramanashram did you get some instructions?

Q: Yes, some English people were teaching me and also an Indian follower of jnana yoga, residing there permanently, was giving me lessons.

M: What are your plans?

Q: I have to return to the States because of visa difficulties. I intend to complete my B.Sc., study Nature Cure and make it my profession.

M: A good profession, no doubt.

Q: Is there any danger in pursuing the path of Yoga at all cost?

M: Is a match-stick dangerous when the house is on fire? The search for reality is the most dangerous of all undertakings for it will destroy the world in which you live. But if your motive is love of truth and life, you need not be afraid.

Q: I am afraid of my own mind. It is so unsteady!

M: In the mirror of your mind images appear and disappear. The mirror remains. Learn to distinguish the immovable in the movable, the unchanging in the changing, till you realise that all differences are in appearance only and oneness is a fact. This basic identity -- you may call God, or Brahman, or the matrix (Prakriti), the words matters little -- is only the realisation that all is one. Once you can say with confidence born from direct experience: 'I am the world, the world is myself', you are free from desire and fear on one hand and become totally responsible for the world on the other. The senseless sorrow of mankind becomes your sole concern.

Q: So even a jnani has his problems!

M: Yes, but they are no longer of his own creation. His suffering is not poisoned by a sense of guilt. There is nothing wrong with suffering for the sins of others. Your Christianity is based on this.

Q: Is not all suffering self-created?

M: Yes, as long as there is a separate self to create it. In the end you know that there is no sin, no guilt, no retribution, only life in its endless transformations. With the dissolution of the personal 'I' personal suffering disappears. What remains is the great sadness of compassion, the horror of the unnecessary pain.

Q: Is there anything unnecessary in the scheme of things?

M: Nothing is necessary, nothing is inevitable. Habit and passion blind and mislead. Compassionate awareness heals and redeems. There is nothing we can do, we can only let things happen according to their nature.

Q: Do you advocate complete passivity?

M: Clarity and charity is action. Love is not lazy and clarity directs. You need not worry about action, look after your mind and heart. Stupidity and selfishness are the only evil.

Q: What is better -- repetition of God's name, or meditation?

M: Repetition will stabilise your breath. With deep and quiet breathing vitality will improve, which will influence the brain and help the mind to grow pure and stable and fit for meditation. Without vitality little can be done, hence the importance of its protection and increase. Posture and breathing are a part of Yoga, for the body must be healthy and well under control, but too much concentration on the body defeats its own purpose, for it is the mind that is primary in the beginning. When the mind has been put to rest and disturbs no longer the inner space (chidakash), the body acquires a new meaning and its transformation becomes both necessary and possible.

Q: I have been wandering all over India, meeting many Gurus and learning in driblets several Yogas. Is it all right to have a taste of everything?

M: No, this is but an introduction. You will meet a man who will help you find your own way.

Q: I feel that the Guru of my own choice can not be my real Guru. To be real he must come unexpected and be irresistible.

M: Not to anticipate is best. The way you respond is decisive.

Q: Am I the master of my responses?

M: Discrimination and dispassion practised now will yield their fruits at the proper time. If the roots are healthy and well-watered, the fruits are sure to be sweet. Be pure, be alert, keep ready.

Q: Are austerities and penances of any use?

M: To meet all the vicissitudes of life is penance enough! You need not invent trouble. To meet cheerfully whatever life brings is all the austerity you need.

Q: What about sacrifice?

M: Share willingly and gladly all you have with whoever needs -- don't invent self-inflicted cruelties.

Q: What is self-surrender?

M: Accept what comes.

Q: I feel I am too weak to stand on my own legs. I need the holy company of a Guru and of good people. Equanimity is beyond me. To accept what comes as it comes, frightens me. I think of my returning to the States with horror.

M: Go back and make the best use of your opportunities. Get your B.Sc. degree first. You can always return to India for your Nature Cure studies.

Q: I am quite aware of the opportunities in the States. It is the loneliness that frightens me.

M: You have always the company of your own self -- you need not feel alone. Estranged from it even in India you will feel lonely. All happiness comes from pleasing the self. Please it, after return to the States, do nothing that may be unworthy of the glorious reality within your heart and you shall be happy and remain happy. But you must seek the self and, having found it, stay with it.

Q: Will compete solitude be of any benefit?

M: It depends on your temperament. You may work with others and for others, alert and friendly, and grow more fully than in solitude, which may make you dull or leave you at the mercy of your mind's endless chatter. Do not imagine that you can change through effort. Violence, even turned against yourself, as in austerities and penance, will remain fruitless.

Q: Is there no way of making out who is realised and who is not?

M: Your only proof is in yourself. If you find that you turn to gold, it will be a sign that you have touched the philosopher's stone. Stay with the person and watch what happens to you. Don't ask others. Their man may not be your Guru. A Guru may be universal in his essence, but not in his expressions. He may appear to be angry or greedy or over-anxious about his Ashram or his family, and you may be misled by appearances, while others are not.

Q: Have I not the right to expect all-round perfection, both inner and outer?

M: Inner --- yes. But outer perfection depends on circumstances, on the state of the body, personal and social, and other innumerable factors.

Q: I was told to find a jnani so that I may learn from him the art of achieving jnana and now I am told that the entire approach is false, that I cannot make out a jnani, nor can jnana be conquered by appropriate means. It is all so confusing!

M: It is all due to your complete misunderstanding of reality. Your mind is steeped in the habits of evaluation and acquisition and will not admit that the incomparable and unobtainable are waiting timelessly within your own heart for recognition. All you have to do is to abandon all memories and expectations. Just keep yourself ready in utter nakedness and nothingness.

Q: Who is to do the abandoning?

M: God will do it. Just see the need of being abandoned. Don't resist, don't hold on to the person you take yourself to be. Because you imagine yourself to be a person you take the jnani to be a person too, only somewhat different, better informed and more powerful. You may say that he is eternally conscious and happy, but it is far from expressing the whole truth. Don't trust definitions and descriptions -- they are grossly misleading.

Q: Unless I am told what to do and how to do it, I feel lost.

M: By all means do feel lost! As long as you feel competent and confident, reality is beyond your reach. Unless you accept inner adventure as a way of life, discovery will not come to you.

Q: Discovery of what?

M: Of the centre of your being, which is free of all directions, all means and ends.

Q: Be all, know all, have all?

M: Be nothing, know nothing, have nothing. This is the only life worth living, the only happiness worth having.

Q: I may admit that the goal is beyond my comprehension. Let me know the way at least.

M: You must find your own way. Unless you find it yourself it will not be your own way and will take you nowhere. Earnestly live your truth as you have found it -- act on the little you have understood. It is earnestness that will take you through, not cleverness -- your own or another's.

Q: I am afraid of mistakes. So many things I tried -- nothing came out of them.

M: You gave too little of yourself, you were merely curious, not earnest.

Q: I don't know any better.

M: At least that much you know. Knowing them to be superficial, give no value to your experiences, forget them as soon as they are over. Live a clean, selfless life, that is all.

Q: Is morality so important?

M: Don't cheat, don't hurt -- is it not important? Above all you need inner peace -- which demands harmony between the inner and the outer. Do what you believe in and believe in what you do. All else is a waste of energy and time.

[plethoraworldatlas]

A beef industry group is running a campaign to influence science teachers and other educators in the US. Over the past eight years, the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture (AFBFA) has produced industry-backed lesson plans, learning resources, in-person events, and webinars as part of a program to boost the cattle industry’s reputation.

Beef has one of the highest carbon footprints of any food, but AFBFA funding documents reveal that the industry fears that science teachers are exposed to “misinformation,” “propaganda,” and “one-sided or inaccurate” information. The campaign from the AFBFA—a farming-industry-backed group that "educates" Americans about agriculture—is an attempt to fight back and leave school teachers with a “more positive perception” of the beef industry, the funding documents reveal.

According to survey data included in these documents, educators who attended at least one of the AFBFA’s programs were 8 percent more likely to trust positive statements about the beef industry. Some 82 percent of educators who participated in a program had a positive perception of how cattle are raised, and 85 percent believed that the beef industry is “very important” to society.

The beef industry “knows it has a trust issue,” says Jennifer Jacquet, a professor of environmental science and policy at the University of Miami. The industry is attempting to influence public opinion by starting with children, says Jan Dutkiewicz at the Pratt Institute’s Department of Social Science and Cultural Studies. Dutkiewicz points out that one of the AFBFA’s objectives outlined in its most recent funding document is to run events that “engage educators and students … to increase their understanding and positive perceptions of the beef industry.”

...

The AFBFA is a contractor to Beef Checkoff, a US-wide program in which beef producers and importers pay a per-animal fee that funds programs to boost beef demand in the US and abroad. In 2024, Beef Checkoff has approximately $42 million to disperse across its initiatives, and a funding request reveals that the AFBFA’s campaign for 2024 is projected to cost $800,000. The allocation of Beef Checkoff funding to programs like this is approved by members of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and the Federation of State Beef Councils, two groups that represent the cattle industry in the US.

One lesson plan provided as part of the program directs students to beef industry resources to help devise a school menu. In another lesson plan students are directed to create a presentation for a conservation agency regarding the introduction of cattle into their ecological preserve. A worksheet aimed at younger students has them practice their sums by adding up the acreage of cow pastures. Another worksheet based around a bingo game aimed at 8- to 11-year-olds asks teachers to “remind students that lean beef is a nutritions source of protein that can be incorporated in daily meals.”

Science teachers in many states are currently updating their lessons to incorporate the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)—a set of teaching guidelines that encourage educators to place more emphasis on how science is used in the real world. AFBFA funding documents show that the foundation intends to use the adoption of the NGSS as an opportunity to provide teachers with learning materials that relate to the beef industry.

“Furthermore, NGSS requires teachers to approach challenging topics such as climate change and sustainability,” reads an AFBFA funding authorization request for its education program. It continues: “Teachers and students are receiving information from educationally trusted sources that do not represent agriculture accurately or in a balanced way, and beef production is often the target of "misinformation". To achieve balance and to ensure the accuracy of information, a concerted effort must be made to engage teachers in the conversation around these topics.”

Dutkiewicz says that food production should be taught in US schools but that industry-funded material is unlikely to provide objective information about the impact of beef production. “I worry that clearly partial resources that are strategically designed to achieve a corporate messaging are being provided by a Checkoff program,” he says.

[cvt2dvm]

Introduction!

TLDR Summary: CVT2DVM is run by me, Elizabeth, a 23-year-old pre-vet student who shares my small on-call apartment with 2 dogs and 2 cats. I work full-time in veterinary medicine while also taking night classes. My Tag: #CVT2DVM

Hi Everyone! My name is Elizabeth, I'm a 2nd generation veterinary professional currently in phase 2 of 3 in my journey to a DVM pursuing my associate's of veterinary technology. I have 4 critters of my own, 2 cats (Olive 10, and Hannibal 6 months) and 2 dogs (Chewbacca 7, and Phobos 2). My Blog is best viewed on a desktop via cvt2dvm.tumblr.com

About Me:

Name: Elizabeth

Age: 23

Meyers-Briggs: ENTJ

Enneagram: 8

Astrology Big Three: Scorpio Sun, Cancer Moon, Libra Rising

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Religion: Episcopalian

Nationality: American

Ethnic Background: Polish & Irish

Languages: English, Polish, Gaeilge, Greek, Latin

Job: Live In, On-Call Veterinary Assistant

Interests:

Bite Sports (PSA, KNPV Trials, French Ring)

Epidemiology

Theriogenetics

Sports Medicine, Canine & Equine Fitness, and Rehabilitation

Hikes

Women's Fitness and Nutrition

Comparative Theology both within the Christian faith and with world religions

Volunteering as an escort for both my local Women's DV Shelter and Planned Parenthood

Feminist Theory

Being on a breakfast team at Church

Line Dancing

Ice Breaker:

Guilty Pleasure: Contemporary Cowboy Romance Novels

Drink of Choice: Coffee with cinnamon and honey during the day,

Cardio or Weights?: Weights, but I love going line dancing as a form of Cardio

Favorite Indulgence: A glass of merlot, a baguette, and warmed brie by a fire

Favorite Show to Binge: ER or American Horror Story

Ocean, Lake, or River?: River

Usually Craving: Soy-Free Teriyaki Flank Steak

Celeb I'd Love to Meet: Anna Wintour or Reese Witherspoon

Alternate Job: Singer-Songwriter or Cabinetmaker

Current Goals

Gain more muscle mass

Maintain a minimum 3.8 GPA

Achieve PSA 1 by Fall 2025 with Phobos, and continue pursuing PSA 2 and PSA 3

Be an advocate for my patients with both their medical team and their owners.

Graduate on Schedule as Class of 2027, and earn my CVT License while continuing to pursue my pre-requisites for Vet School while being realistic about my financial situation and responsibilities

Further deepen my relationship with Christ

Get back into the saddle in a lesson program

Expect

Case Studies

Revised Notes

Studyspreads

Accountability posts

Dog Training & Sports Content

Cats Adventuring

Lakeside views

[study-with-aura]

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

I missed posting yesterday, but I had a lot to get done. I volunteered at the library for two hours yesterday, so that took up my usual extra afternoon time. I'll be starting to volunteer for two hours every Monday since they started this particular volunteer program back up now. I enjoy doing it.The planning meeting on Sunday for Girl Scouts went wonderfully! We officially figured out the badges we would like to earn for the year:

Outdoor Art Expert

Democracy for Seniors (it's election year here)

Behind the Ballot

Adventure Camper

Outdoor Journey Project completion

Business Startup

My Cookie Network

Mission: Sisterhood Journey

Traveler

Voice for Animals

Social lnnovator

Business Etiquette

Savvy Saver

Digital Leadership

Game Visionary

Think Like an Engineer Journey

Sky

Outdoor Trail Adventure

Badges I will work on solo or with my friends in seniors on our own time:

Coding for Good (1-3)

Cybersecurity (1-3)

We have already determined that at some point, we will probably need to meet more than once a week, which if our schedules allow, my mom agreed to (she's one of the troop leaders). In all fairness, it gives us a chance to hang out and earn badges at the same time, so it's a win-win if we can make it happen. We'll still be missing a few badges before moving to Ambassador, but that's okay.

Then Saturday, the trip was incredible! It was a bit hot, but overall, we had an amazing time exploring the park! I even went fishing. I don't even fish with my dad and brother! Dad thought that was funny. It isn't my thing for sure, but I understand how it could be relaxing. Don't worry, all the fish we caught, we threw back into the lake. We also got to hike some beautiful yet quite steep at times trails. I was so tired when I got home that I didn't go in game at all. I finished up what I needed to with reading and language practice, showered, had dinner, and went to sleep (not all in that order).

Now that I have caught you all up with my weekend, I hope everyone has a wonderful week. It's almost autumn! My mom got me two new squishmallows! One is in a Halloween costume. She looks like a devil, but she's really dressed up like a vampire. You can see her little fangs. And the other is a squirrel! Aren't they adorable?

Tasks Completed:

Algebra 2 - Learned about special products of polynomials + practice

American Literature - Copied vocabulary terms + read about Herman Melville + read about Moby Dick + read about Moby Dick as a great American novel + read an analysis of the major characters + read about the themes, motifs, and symbols

Spanish 3 - Vocabulary test (20/20)

Bible 2 - Read 1 Kings 12

Early American History - Finished reading "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" sermon by Johnathan Edwards + read about the Enlightenment + read "The Enlightenment in America" + answered discussion question + answered study guide question

Earth Science with Lab - Read about the rock cycle + completed rock cycle activity (15/15)

Music Appreciation - Listened to Beethoven's 5th Symphony + wrote a description of music using music terminology

Khan Academy - Completed US History Unit 2: Lesson 3.8

Duolingo - Studied for approximately 30 minutes (Spanish + French + Chinese) + completed daily quests

Piano - 60-minute piano lesson + practiced for two hours

Reading - Read pages 133-174 of Dark Room Etiquette by Robin Roe

Chores - Laundry + took trash and recycling out

Activities of the Day:

September Study (John 15: 1-2, Matthew 3:10, Galatians 5:22-23, Romans 5:5)

Personal Bible Study (1 Corinthians 2)

Ballet

Pointe

Journal/Mindfulness

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

Eclipses create atmospheric gravity waves, student teams confirm

Student teams from three U.S. universities became the first to measure what scientists have long predicted: eclipses can generate ripples in Earth's atmosphere called atmospheric gravity waves. The waves' telltale signature emerged in data captured during the North American annular solar eclipse on Oct. 14, 2023, as part of the Nationwide Eclipse Ballooning Project (NEBP) sponsored by NASA.

Through NEBP, high school and university student teams were stationed along the eclipse path through multiple U.S. states, where they released weather balloons carrying instrument packages designed to conduct engineering studies or atmospheric science experiments. A cluster of science teams located in New Mexico collected the data definitively linking the eclipse to the formation of atmospheric gravity waves, a finding that could lead to improved weather forecasting.

"Understanding how the atmosphere reacts in the special case of eclipses helps us better understand the atmosphere, which in turn helps us make more accurate weather predictions and, ultimately, better understand climate change."

Catching waves in New Mexico

Previous ballooning teams also had hunted atmospheric gravity waves during earlier eclipses, research that was supported by NASA and the National Science Foundation. In 2019, an NEBP team stationed in Chile collected promising data, but hourly balloon releases didn't provide quite enough detail. Attempts to repeat the experiment in 2020 were foiled by COVID-19 travel restrictions in Argentina and a heavy rainstorm that impeded data collection in Chile.

Project leaders factored in these lessons learned when planning for 2023, scheduling balloon releases every 15 minutes and carefully weighing locations with the best potential for success.

"New Mexico looked especially promising," said Jie Gong, a researcher in the NASA Climate and Radiation Lab at the agency's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and co-investigator of the research on atmospheric gravity waves. "The majority of atmospheric gravity sources are convection, weather systems, and mountains. We wanted to eliminate all those possible sources."

The project created a New Mexico "supersite" in the town of Moriarty where four atmospheric science teams were clustered: two from Plymouth State University in Plymouth, New Hampshire, and one each from the State University of New York (SUNY) Albany and SUNY Oswego.

Students began launching balloons at 10 a.m. the day before the eclipse.

"They worked in shifts through the day and night, and then everyone was on site for the eclipse," said Eric Kelsey, research associate professor at Plymouth State and the NEBP northeast regional lead.

Each balloon released by the science teams carried a radiosonde, an instrument package that measured temperature, location, humidity, wind direction, and wind speed during every second of its climb through the atmosphere. Radiosondes transmitted this stream of raw data to the team on the ground. Students uploaded the data to a shared server, where Gong and two graduate students spent months processing and analyzing it.

Confirmation that the eclipse had generated atmospheric gravity waves in the skies above New Mexico came in spring 2024.

"We put all the data together according to time, and when we plotted that time series, I could already see the stripes in the signal," Gong said. "I bombarded everybody's email. We were quite excited."

For students, learning curves bring opportunity

The program offered many students their first experience in collecting data. But the benefits go beyond technical and scientific skill.

"The students learned a ton through practicing launching weather balloons," Kelsey said. "It was a huge learning curve. They had to work together to figure out all the logistics and troubleshoot. It's good practice of teamwork skills."

"All of this is technically complicated," Des Jardins said. "While the focus now is on the science result, the most important part is that it was students who made this happen."

IMAGE: Plymouth State University students Sarah Brigandi, left, and Sammantha Boulay release a weather balloon from Moriarty, New Mexico, to collect atmospheric data on Oct. 14, 2023. Credit: NASA

[187days]

Day Five

It's the first day of school!!!!!

It was a really good one, too.

I had a feeling it would be because I was excited last night- like, can't sleep because Santa is coming excited- and I hadn't felt that way since before Covid. I never stopped loving teaching, but it's been really hard these past couple years. It still is, in some ways (like the teacher shortage), but a lot of the pandemic trauma has faded. And I know I'm not the only one who feels that way. A lot of my colleagues said it, too, and so did The Principal. There's a real upbeat vibe.

This is what my schedule looks like:

Prep, 80 minutes

Advisory/Flex, 10 students, 45 minutes

Global Studies, 19 students, 54 minutes

Global Studies, 17 students, 54 minutes

Global Studies, 16 students, 54 minutes

Lunch, 25 minutes

APGOV, 18 students, 80 minutes

Because it was the first day, we swapped Advisory and Block One so it functioned as a homeroom. My advisees are sophomores now- it's the same students I had last year, plus one who moved here from out of state- so we didn't have a ton of stuff to go over. I gave them the basic back-to-school paperwork, their schedules, and their chromebooks. Then we played a little trivia game (questions about the school) for the remainder of the time. The teams ended up tying, so everyone got a little prize, which was fun.

After that, I had time to do seating charts for my Global Studies sections, make photocopies for the students who were added to my APGOV roster, chat with The Principal, exchange "good luck" emails with Mrs. T, and take a walk through the halls.

Then it was rapid-fire Global Studies time! I always start by asking my students to introduce themselves and tell me something they're interested in so that I can have a quick conversation. Like, if they say they like music, I'll ask who their favorite band or singer is, or if they mention playing a sport I'll ask what position they play. Then I say "nice to meet you," and sometimes they say it back. It's a positive way to begin.

After introductions, I had them look around the room and find the useful stuff- trash can, spare pencils, art supplies- and went over the course guide. Once I outlined my expectations for them, I had them write me a note or an email (that I responded to after classes ended this afternoon) to tell me about their expectations for me as their teacher. And we wrapped up class with a little brainstorm about aspects of culture to get them ready for the first unit.

In APGOV, we chatted about why they chose to take the course, the benefits and challenges of an AP course, what my goals in teaching this specific course are, and so on. Then I had them take Pew's Political Typology Quiz and email me their results- tells me what my class looks like, ideologically- and I shared mine, as well. We discussed the various things that shaped our views (for them: the pandemic, inflation, social media, parents and peers, NHPR, rapid changes in this part of the state, the 2016 and 2020 elections...). It's a good way to start, and longtime readers will know it's one I use year after year.

We had enough time afterwards to start talking about history, and about the things that shaped our founders' views. They did a great job recalling what they learned in APUSH and American Studies, so that was cool. That's good prep for next class when we'll dive into the Declaration of Independence.

After the bell, I got a bunch of stuff set for tomorrow, answered emails, and went down to see how Ms. B's first day had gone (I saw Mr. X throughout the day since he's right across the hall). We chatted for a bit, I gave her some advice on a lesson she's planning in the future, and then I headed home. Actually, I headed to the grocery store because teaching is hungry work, but you get the idea.

That's my twentieth first day with students, all done!