#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…

[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!

[zyafics]

hi guys! i wanna hear ur thoughts about what series i should write next. nothing is planned, but i wanna hear my readers' opinions so i can prioritize better <3

note: all of these descriptions i made up on the whim, and may not be the official summary, but it is the gist of the series

BROTHER’S RIVAL | About 12 Parts

Pogue-born Kooks, you and your brother aren't welcome to Figure Eight. Mainly because of Rafe. When your brother is determined to steal the 'King of Kook' title from Rafe, he's going to return the favor by messing with you.

tropes brother's rival, secret relationship, rafe using reader to get back at her brother, porn with a plot

DEAD MAN WALKING | Undetermined Parts

Injured in a shootout, you saved Rafe's life as a medical student. But when he returns, and the wound turns deadlier than initially anticipated, you might be the only person in the world who can save him. But when working together, it reveals more about your—and Rafe's—history, and how exactly it might be intertwined.

tropes mafia boss x doctor, secret identities, reluctant allies, plot twists, high stakes, slowburn

KILLER INSTINCT | Undetermined Parts

There are murders around the city. An unknown assailant goes around killing people without a definitive motive. However, when you and the new boy in town start working together and uncover the patterns of the case, you're starting to piece together that Rafe might be the murderer. Not only that, he also can't seem to remember that he is.

tropes murderer!rafe x psychology student!reader, sheriff's daughter!reader, boy obsessed, plot twists, slowburn

ALL AMERICAN SINNERS | Undetermined Parts

A pact shared between two people, Rafe and you have always relied on each other as lifelines, using each other to hide each other's dirty habits. But when something threatens the stability of this unhealthy dynamic, the extreme length Rafe and you would go to keep it together. And how it might destroy your relationship once and for all.

tropes coke addict!rafe x sex addict!reader, codependent relationship, toxic dynamic, us against the world mentality, porn with a plot

GOOD GIRL GONE WILD | ~ Roughly 8-10 Parts

You're rushing a sorority by deciding to ditch the good girl image in college. But when Rafe needs help in a class, and you need to secure your pledge, Rafe offers his status to help you get into your sorority of choice, for some lessons. Which may or may not turn into something else.

tropes frat!rafe x sorority!reader, good girl turned bad, tutor lessons, sex lessons, jealousy, porn with a plot

FALL FROM GRACE | ~ Roughly 8 Parts

Rafe has always struggled to maintain his father's favor. When his latest antic caused him to be kicked out of the house, Rafe turned to you for safety. However, when an opportunity arises to win back his father's trust, but by hurting you, Rafe has to choose whether he's willing to lose the only person who always accepted him for who he is.

tropes childhood best friends to lovers, i-hate-everyone-but-you rafe, rafe has to hurt reader to make up to his father, slowburn

here's a little poll! you can also send in asks, or ask in the comments, for more clarification if i'm not explaining myself properly (i'm studying rn and deciding to do this on a whim! <3)

[study-with-aura]

Old photo Fall 2024 Goals Breakdown

Academics:

Score 90% or higher in all coursework - All As!

Read for 30 minutes each day outside of “class time” (American Literature) - finished 14 non-school related books (Stateless, We Are All So Good at Smiling, The Do-Over, Dark Room Etiquette, The Davenports, Midnight at the Houdini, Only This Beautiful Moment, Stars and Smoke, Ab(solutely) Normal: Short Stories That Smash Mental Health Stereotypes, Five Survive, She's Gone, Remind Me to Hate You Later, The Love Match, A Heavy Dose of Allison Tandy)

Study vocabulary daily (Spanish 3)

Be on track to complete the first half of Khan Academy US History by end of year (Honors US History I) - at 40%

Be on track to complete Khan Academy Algebra 2 course by end of year (Algebra 2) - at 47%

Complete one Spanish, French, and Chinese lesson on Duolingo each day

Practice piano for 2-3 hours a day, 7 days a week

Complete and pass RCM History 9 exam in December (Music Appreciation)- I'll know results soon, but I am confident enough to say that I did at least pass because I felt really good after finishing it

Character/Spiritual:

Earn Senior My Promise, My Faith Y2 Pin

Complete one Senior Journey and earn the Award Pin - Senior Outdoor Journey

Earn at least nine Senior badges - Earned 11 (Outdoor Art Expert, Coding Basics, Democracy for Seniors, Digital Game Design, App Development, Behind the Ballot, Adventure Camper, Outdoor Journey Take Action, Cybersecurity Basics, Cybersecurity Safeguards, Cybersecurity Investigator)

Earn Senior Gold/Silver Torch award (Teen Leadership Program + Senior Outdoor Journey)

Earn VIT pin - mentored our Juniors through their Agent of Change National Leadership Journey by planning activities and facilitating them + planned activities for several of their badges

Volunteer a minimum of 30 hours in the community - volunteered 168.75 hours (this includes the library, the mission + holiday hours, and the leadership program, but does not include mentoring hours and planning)

Meditate for 10 minutes each day

Complete daily Bible study each day

Other:

Post studyblr updates at least 2 times per week - I fell off near the middle of the semester

Limit video gaming to 6 hours Friday-Sunday, 3 hours max per day - I stopped playing at all at the same time I fell off from posting (but I am playing again now over break)

[cbrownjc]

The sad thing is? I predicted this.

Yeah, so I've been gone from Tumblr for a while, I know. I had my major surgery back in the second week of October and have been home recuperating for two weeks now.

But I wanted to come on here tonight to vent a little about the presidential election.

Because even though there was a part of me that dared to hope even just a little, I KNEW this was going to happen. And I called it the minute Joe Biden was forced to drop out of the race, back in July.

This is the text message exchange I had with my sister the day he announced he was dropping out:

And let me make this clear: I'm a born and raised California native. I voted for Kamala Harris for both DA and Senate. I voted for her and very much wanted her to win.

But I know this damn country. I saw how Obama was treated and the freakout and build-up of white supremacy after he won twice. That's why 45 got in in the first place.

And as I said in the text to my sister? Never in the 4 other times that Democrats have replaced a candidate this late in the process has that candidate won. Ever. Only those who've never studied political history thought doing such a thing would actually work.

Anyone who called for Biden to drop out? Congrats, you fell for the most obvious Chaos OP EVER.

I don't usually talk politics on Tumblr. I save that for Twitter. But now that Apartied Clyde has taken it over and this mess has happened, I plan to delete my Twitter account by the end of the week. The only reason I'm not doing it sooner is so that those who only follow me there can catch me before I delete it.

Anyway, I can't even cry or be sad about this. I already went through that stuff when Biden dropped out. I'm just kinda numb. And tired. And disgusted. But, at least thanks to my dad, I feel like I very much saw this coming thanks to his lessons on this country and race/racism. He and my mother both lived through Jim Crow and so yeah, they knew.

"This is not who we are" some are saying.

Yes, it damn well IS who we are. And it's who we've always been. I can give you a history lesson, and I'm not just talking about slavery, civil rights, and the 19th Amendment. I'm talking about Lee Atwater, Nixon, and the Southern Strategy. All that has happened between 2016 and now is a full culmination of that.

A majority of white Americans would rather destroy the American Republic than share equal power with black people. (With misogyny and misogyny thrown in there as well.) I wish I could be surprised by that, but I sadly am not.

And this tweet pretty much sums up my feelings regarding what's next:

I'm still healing from my surgery. Once that's done and I am 100%, it's about me and my loved ones now, protecting the few remaining ones I have left. (I am SO thankful that none of my close family or still-close friends voted for that man . . . but then, the majority of them are black women too, so . . .)

Because this country has pretty much shown black people that we are hated -- and always will be on our own.

Everything my parents and grandparents fought for regarding Civil Rights will be gone now. The only thing I can be thankful for is that none of them are alive anymore to see this.

I NEVER thought I'd live to see the end of the republic but here we are. And done by people willfully voting to give it up because, as I said back in July, a majority of white people in this country would rather destroy the country than share power with black people.

[topazadine]

So this feels like a good time for a Pronunciation Lesson

Orrinir is based on an old Irish name, and both Uileac and Bannain are straight Irish names.

Orrinir ("orr-in-err") comes from the Irish name "Orrin," which means "dun-colored." Yes, I planned his horse color in advance. They're bonded. They're meant for each other.

Relickim is just "relic" and "kim."

Uileac ("oui-lac") is the Irish form of the name William and means "resolute protector."

Korviridi may be a bit trickier, but it also has a meaning; it's a portmanteau of "corvid" and "virid," because both Uileac and his sister Cerie have green hair. And then I added an "i" so it's bouncy!

Lastly, Bannain ("bah-neigh-n," see what I did there) is a Irish name meaning "little blond one." He is just a little guy.

So anyway, when you see "jargony" names, it's entirely likely that you are just seeing a name from a culture you don't recognize. Many of the names in my book series are old Gaelic names, with a few modifications, and they were all chosen with care.

I'm sorry that they're not plain American English names. That's not what I wanted for my fantasy series. I wanted to pay homage to my love of Gaelic culture, having studied abroad in Scotland and spent some magical time in Ireland while I was there.

This may not be to everyone's taste, and that's completely fine. No book has a 100% Adoration Rate. People are more than welcome to judge a book by its cover; or, in this case, the names. I am sure my book series will find the right people, who will embrace the fantasy vibe and welcome the chance to engage with a culture unlike their own.

[erikacousland]

Americans Crying at Letters to Li Hua on Chinese App RedNote - YouTube

Carl Zha talks about how Americans discovered that Chinese people have been writing moving penpal letters to them for decades, so Americans decided to write back to their "long lost" Chinese friends on Chinese social media app RedNote. Amazing Sino-American cultural exchange flourishing as digital Berlin Wall comes down around two people long separated by Cold War Propaganda

*

@davidhart9007 I teach a Chinese student who has been studying English with me since 2016--his English name is Jack, and he lives in Xiamen. We have a 2-3 hour lesson every Saturday--morning for me, and evening for him, and we were talking about the Red Note phenomenon today, and how it is opening communication between the Chinese people and Americans. I forgot to tell him the Li Hua story, so I sent him a message about it on WeChat--that is how we have our lessons. He sent back a voice message saying that he has been sending letters as Li Hua to imaginary friends since elementary school. He is now in his Junior year of High School, and in the message he said that in his English mid-term test this past week, he had to write a letter as Li Hua explaining Chinese caligraphy to an imaginary friend. I had several students who I taught for many years, from all over China, as far west as Xinjiang Province in the west. I am planning to go to China this coming summer so I can visit Jack in Xiamen and possibly some of my other previous students, and then head to the Qingdao Beer Festival!

[sundusbhattiportfolio]

Urban Renewal vs. Public Housing: Lessons from Baltimore and Pruitt-Igoe

Urban renewal and public housing have played a central role in shaping American cities, often with conflicting results. While urban renewal aims to modernize and revitalize decaying cityscapes, it frequently displaces long-standing communities, exacerbating socioeconomic inequalities. Conversely, public housing has been used to provide affordable homes for low-income populations, yet poor planning and neglect have led to segregation, poverty concentration, and failure.

This article explores these urban planning challenges through two significant case studies: Baltimore’s Inner Harbor renewal project and the Pruitt-Igoe public housing complex in St. Louis. These examples reveal the successes and failures of 20th-century urban planning, offering critical lessons for the future of equitable city development.

The Case for Urban Renewal: Baltimore’s Inner Harbor

In the mid-to-late 20th century, Baltimore launched one of the most ambitious urban renewal projects in the U.S., aimed at revitalizing its deteriorating downtown and waterfront areas. The redevelopment of Charles Center and the Inner Harbor sought to attract businesses, tourists, and high-income residents back into the urban core.

✅ Economic Growth & Tourism Boost:

The Inner Harbor was transformed into a vibrant commercial and cultural hub, with attractions like the National Aquarium and Maryland Science Center.

New retail, office spaces, and residential developments increased property values and business investments.

✅ Mixed-Use Development & Walkability:

The project embraced modern urban design principles, making the Inner Harbor a 24-hour activity zone instead of a purely business district.

The redevelopment created public spaces, waterfront promenades, and green areas, making the area more livable and attractive.

However, despite these successes, Baltimore’s renewal came with a price—one paid disproportionately by lower-income residents.

📉 Displacement & Gentrification:

The rising cost of living forced many working-class and minority residents out of the area.

Long-standing communities were pushed to the city's margins, leading to increased inequality and social tensions.

📉 Who Really Benefited?

Many of the jobs created by urban renewal did not go to local residents but rather to suburban commuters and outside investors.

The benefits were concentrated in wealthier, predominantly White areas, deepening racial and economic disparities.

Lesson: Urban renewal can drive economic growth, but without equitable policies, it risks displacing the very communities it aims to uplift. Sustainable urban planning should incorporate affordable housing, job creation, and community input to ensure benefits reach all residents.

The Failure of Public Housing: St. Louis’ Pruitt-Igoe Disaster

While Baltimore’s renewal focused on economic revitalization, St. Louis’ Pruitt-Igoe public housing complex is a cautionary tale of poorly executed housing policies. Built in the 1950s, Pruitt-Igoe was meant to be a modern, affordable housing solution for low-income residents. However, within two decades, it became one of the most infamous failures of public housing in America.

📉 Economic & Social Isolation:

As St. Louis lost manufacturing jobs and white flight accelerated suburbanization, Pruitt-Igoe’s predominantly Black residents faced growing unemployment and poverty.

Many residents struggled to afford rent, leading to funding shortages for maintenance and services.

📉 Poor Urban Design & Maintenance Neglect:

The "towers in the park" design created isolated, unsafe spaces that became hotspots for crime.

Elevator breakdowns, vandalism, and lack of maintenance made the complex nearly uninhabitable.

📉 Demolition: The End of an Era

By the late 1960s, Pruitt-Igoe had become a symbol of public housing failure.

In 1972, just two decades after its construction, the federal government demolished the entire complex—a moment often regarded as the death of high-rise public housing projects in the U.S.

Lesson: Public housing cannot succeed without long-term economic investment, proper maintenance, and integration into the broader urban fabric. Instead of isolating low-income populations in concentrated developments, policies should prioritize mixed-income housing, economic support, and community services.

Urban Planning Lessons for the Future

The contrasting stories of Baltimore and Pruitt-Igoe illustrate the complex challenges of urban development. Both cases emphasize the need for urban planning approaches that balance economic development with social equity.

✅ Urban Renewal Should Include Community-Driven Growth

Economic development should not come at the cost of displacing vulnerable communities.

Cities must include affordable housing policies, local hiring initiatives, and resident engagement in renewal projects.

✅ Public Housing Must Be Integrated, Not Isolated

Instead of large, isolated housing blocks, urban planners should invest in mixed-income, mixed-use developments that connect residents to jobs and services.

Public housing policies should prioritize maintenance and long-term sustainability rather than quick-fix solutions.

✅ Equitable Urban Planning Requires Thoughtful Policy

Planners and policymakers must address historical inequities in housing and economic access.

Transit, education, and workforce development programs should accompany any large-scale urban redevelopment effort.

Conclusion: Rethinking Urban Development for the 21st Century

Urban renewal and public housing remain central to urban development debates today. Baltimore’s Inner Harbor shows the power of economic revitalization—but also its risks of gentrification and exclusion. Pruitt-Igoe, on the other hand, serves as a lesson in the failure of isolated, underfunded public housing projects.

For cities to create sustainable, inclusive growth, planners must move beyond outdated models and embrace community-centered, equitable policies that ensure all residents benefit from urban progress.

[astudyingpunk]

study planning : 29/12/2024

-research project-

do one hour of researches

-philosophy-

summarize chapter on state

2 short blurting sessions on that chapter

-history & geography-

review American Civil War with self made assessment (shortly)

update said self made assessment with the rest of the lesson

summarize geography chapter

-physics-

one exam-like exercise on optics & Newtonian mechanics

-chemistry-

one exam-like exercise on titrations

[cyarsk52-20]

“Slave music” “Harriet Tubman music” and now unc music??? Our culture is getting disrespected with racist shit and niggas is cool with it, we are cooked. 2025 better be the year you don’t allow any more yt people into black culture. Be a keeper of the gate.

Unc music, slavery music, Harriet tubman music and more ???? This whole week has been very insulting and I’m heated

HEWS Just say you don’t like black people respectfully… coz it’s getting so weird

WHITE MEN ruin nations & cultures bc the love power & hate consequences

*they… I’m so serious & it’s exhausting to live w The internal colonizer is always bubbling to the surface thru their decision making, their actions & their tantrums If Wm are sad the world suffers

If Wm are lonely, women suffer They take & abuse w impunity And we SUFFER

BlkAmericans, they hate Us cos they ain’t Us We’ve had to build ourselves up from nothing,

OurCulture dominates & feeds the world Be wary of ANYONE & ANYTHING that attempts to make you feel ashamed or inferior

WE ARE THE FUKIN BLUEPRINT OF THE WORLD & THEY HATE US FOR IT

They can't break us. And for that reason they will never stop hating us.

It’s the perpetual attempt at BREAKING us

BLKAMERICANS GATEKEEP EVERYTHING you hold dear. I mean everything. Don’t even trust a white friend the keys to your language.

BlkPpl you are Special

BlkPpl you are Deserving

BlkPpl you are LOVED

Your Culture, Style, Ambition, Magic… YOU ARE SKYDUST, Shining Bright Even in the darkest times,

you SHINE Never forget WHO & WHAT you are

B4 you were hated you were ENVIED, STUDIED & COPIED Remember You

Remember your power

Remember your duty to yourself

Your LIFE is as valuable as anyone’s

Your POWER is innate & infinite

Your LIGHT leads nations

Don’t be mislead by the narrative they try to feed you

I wish I could show you how valued & revered you are around the WORLD, cause you deserve to be valued and revered and loved

Like black ppl especially bw including me are EEEEEVVVRRRRRYTHIIIINNNGG!

Ima tell yall every fukin day until I can’t no more BLKAMERICANS YOU ARE THEM !!!!

They can’t make an argument or point w o including BlkPpl are a benchmark or alternative

You see it everyday… somebody using BlkPpl to exalt themselves, their respective womEn or lives BlkPpl minding our business

and here yall come w noise

you can’t stand the fact that WE’RE EVERRYYYTHIIINNNGGG

BlkPpl of 🇺🇸 secure your passports !!!

There isn’t a country on the planet w internet that don’t have somebody “rapping” in their native tongue

There isn’t a culture on the planet w internet that isn’t borrowing from TheCulture of BlkAmericans

They dress like us

Try to talk like us

Try to dance like us

WE ARE

There isn’t another Culture on the PLANET more copied, bastardized, commodified, studied or denied

If you’re not PROUD you’re LACKING

Stand up

Stay up

Show up

Step up

These next four (?) years,

spend it building from within

Block out the noise

RESIST the bait

DENY them access to your power

REFUSE to take the bait or teach a lesson

Your time & work are VALUABLE

NO MORE FREE LABOR to ANYONE

Unc Music, He is a valued member of TheCulture, he grilling & DJ’ing

SlaveryMusic, protest music a BUILDING BLOCK of any AMERICAN MUSIC

Harriet Tubman Music, pls be so ffr I’m not finna be me embarrassed to be associated w THE GENERAL

Y’all can be triggered Ima stand w TheAncestors

WHITENESS IS A LIE and a CRUTCH. It’s no different than Satanism. The color white does not necessarily mean purity, and the color black does not necessarily mean evil.

I am a living, breathing MIRACLE Thank you, Ancestors for your sacrifice, strength, foresight, wisdom & bravery I accomplished things that you have dreamed about and planning on things that you would be proud of seeing me doing

I don’t care what yall decide to do w the Party You’ve been plotting for years

WHITENESS on both sides hates BlkPpl & ESPECIALLY BlkWomn

so yall got it

I canceled all donations & all volunteer commitments

I’ll be using those funds & energy for BlkPpl & I’m so excited about it.

I don’t trust any other race unless they earn it. There’s no such thing as free support anymore. Respect must be earned as much as it is given.

GATEKEEP BLK🇺🇸CULTURE

GATE KEEP BLK🇺🇸DANCE

GATEKEEP AAVE

DO NOT ARGUE OR EXPLAIN with them nigpenes or hews especially HEWS

IGNORE & BLOCK

GATEKEEP EVERYBITOFBLKNESS from your head to your toes

New Year’s resolution for 2025 and onwards : NO MORE COOKOUT INVITES FOR EVERYONE. ESPECIALLY FOR YT PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO RESPECT FOR BLACK PPL AND THE CULTURE.

ALL PASSES CANCELLED FOR LIFE

ALL PERMISSIONS REVOKED FOR LIFE.

GATE-KEEP THE CULTURE 4 SURVIVAL

Blk🇺🇸ns, how are you GATEKEEPING TheCulture today?

[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.

[caffieneaddictt18]

The Teacher at Forks High School

My heels click on the linoleum floor as I walk through the halls, lesson plans in hand.

"Ms. Duskbloom!" An off-pitch voice rang off the lockers lining the walls, the sound of rubber squeaking on wet floor.

"I have no idea how you are walking around in those shoes! With the rain and the wet floors! How do you do it?!" The choir teacher, Mrs. de la Rouche, wraps her cardigan tighter around her midsection. She looks almost expectant for an answer.

"Well... lots of practice." I let my old UK accent slip a little.

"Oh! I almost forgot! You sound so... American!" She gives a small shrug with a smile still plastered on her wrinkled face. "Well!" Her smile drops, "I do have to go prepare the classroom for the students. Talk to you later!" The older woman in her not-so-sneaky sneakers squeaked back to her classroom, shutting the door behind her.

A sigh of relief leaves me. It is almost suffocating to talk to her. She never seems to have anything nice to say... anything actually nice that has no underlying tone of condescension. I approach my classroom and swing the door open. The lingering scent of incense permeates the air, mixing with the petrichor in a dance.

I swing open the windows, and light some incense in the windowsill of the room. I sit at my desk and check the time. 7:13am. 47 minutes until class. I brush up on my lesson plans for religious studies. Periods 1 and 3 are studying post-theistic and naturalistic religion, periods 2 and 4 are studying ancient religions, and periods 5-6 are doing a creative writing piece based on the song In The Flood by Oleska Lozowchuk and Ariana Gillis. No worries about 7th period. Maybe I'll bring out some Fleetwood Mac or Stevie Nicks... I did love Practical Magic. Oh, but lo-fi is very popular... maybe I will find a playlist of lo-fi.

Now, to put together the final bits. Just need to edit the final posts for the online chats and post them, get the homework printed off, and finish the slides...

I sigh and leave my seat at the front of the class. I need a coffee... or a tea. Tea sounds nice. I grab the mug I leave in the classroom and heat up the kettle. I grab my sugar and milk from the mini fridge that's hidden under the counter. I grab my favorite tea from the cupboard and add the leaves to the mug before pouring the steaming water over them. I add the milk and sugar when the water seems to be an acceptable height and stir it while I mosey over back to my desk, tea materials put away. I sit and take a sip of my drink before I set it down, the spoon still stirring it, almost as if it remembers my movements.

First step, send the homework to be printed off. It's going to take a while. May as well get started on putting on the finishing touches of the slides. Remember the slides describing the classes... the slide describing the grading system... slide for classroom rules. Fantastic. I check on the homework printing process and it seems almost done, so I get up and grab my tea for the walk to the copy room. I stir my tea while I walk to the copy room, manila folder tight under my arm.

I take a sip as I walk in, lowering the cup and looking at the number of copies. I neatly shuffle the stack to fit into the folder and grab the folder & cup with my now still spoon. My heels click as I hurry back to the classroom, 2 of the 3 tasks done. I set the homework down on my desk and check the time. 7:48. 12 minutes till class. Twelve minutes until the first class of the year. I only need to edit the online post... I quickly get to work finishing the last edits of the online post. I finish the edits and quickly post it to the classroom board. I sit back in my chair, and take the last sip of my tea.

Right as the bell rings.

And about a dozen kids come flooding in.

"I know my seating chart is unorthodox, but I prefer to learn when I am comfortable. Take a seat wherever you like, but I will change you on a need-by-need basis so sit next to people you will actually work with." I gesture to the loveseats, couches, and chairs surrounding little coffee tables, about 5 to every table.

The teens filter in and find their seats.

"We are going to wait a few minutes before class starts, just for the few remaining stragglers to walk in." I go through the students and set my mug down in the sink.

I go to the incense holder and light a stick of lavender incense. "You are welcome to do whatever you like in this time, but no leaving unless you need to use the restroom. Then please grab a pass on the way out." I gesture to the passes dangling by the door.

I check the time, about 8:06. "Okay, class!" I get off my chair and sit on the stool in the presenting space, crossing my legs. "My name is Ms. Duskbloom or Twyla. I live on the outskirts of town, but I will answer emails efficiently because I have nothing else to do." A few students laugh as I click a button on the remote that triggers the projector in the room and start the slideshow.

"Now, we have a few universal rules for whatever class of mine you take. I don't like rules so there are not many," I click to the next slide. "1. If you have to go to the bathroom, feel free. Just take a hall pass. We have a few teachers that are a little... stringent on that. I personally don't care." I look at everyone just to make sure they understood. "2. Do not distract your peers. You can listen to music, do things for different classes, take a nap, I don't particularly care. Just don't distract your peers. 3. We will be having hot drinks available around the winter months. If you want to have a drink, leave a mug or cup you are okay with leaving at school. Any questions?"

I glance out at the class and wait. One student slowly raises their hand. "Yes, Mr...?"

"Eric. Eric Yorkie. Why do we not have to ask to go to the bathroom?" He leans forward, elbows on his knees. The notebook in front of him already has notes. These are only the rules...

"Mr. Yorkie, it's disruptive to the environment of the classroom if every time someone had to go to the restroom, they asked. You are all in high school. I trust you enough to know yourselves best. If this rule is abused, I will have you ask. This also applies to another topic that I did not include in the rules. If you have a family emergency, or you need to take a call for whatever reason, feel free to step out and take the call or deal with your business. You determine your learning in my class." I look out at all of the students. "Also, this is the one day I take attendance. After that, I will mark everyone as here unless you give me notice before leaving and then it will be an excused absence, and therefore not affect your record. There are no unexcused absences or tardies in my class. You either are here, marked as here, or excused to be absent."

Another boy shot his hand up. As I made eye contact with the young man, he took his hand down. "So you said we could do anything as long as we don't disturb our peers..." I raise my eyebrow. Bold... didn't even get acknowledged before speaking... "And that we get hot cocoa and hot drinks during winter..." He had a sheepish smile.

"I did." My eyebrow rises on my face, as the tension seems to grow.

"Does this mean we can eat in class?" He finishes, shrugging. He looks at Mike Newton, looking for support. Mr. Newton seemed to agree with his friend's sentiment and tried to get all of the students to agree.

"What is your name?"

"Tyler."

"Last name... Crowley?" I check the attendance sheet, "I know another man by the name of Crowley. A chivalrous fellow... Mr. Crowley-"

"Tyler."

"Mr. Crowley." I subtly cast a spell to show him I am the dominant in the classroom. "As long as you have enough to share, or you are good at hiding your food, you may eat. If you leave a mess, you clean it up. If you don't clean it, you don't eat in here. Understood?"

He nods his head and sits back in the chair. "Good. Last question. Can't stay on this slide all day."

A girl's hand rises into the air.

"Yes, Ms...?"

"Weber, ma'am. Angela Weber."

"Not old enough to be a ma'am yet, Ms. Weber. What is your question?"

"What does homework look like?"

"What a perfect segway into the next topic. Now this is also universal for all of my classes." I click to the next slide. "Homework. It is literally impossible to fail this class. We have 3 different methods. In-class participation. Pretty self-explanatory. Homework, also self-explanatory. Online discussions. Now, I understand that most of the teachers here do not use online platforms, but I do. If that bothers you, that is okay. You don't have to do them. Grading is based off of what you choose to do for homework. In-class participation counts for 50 percent of your grade. As does homework. And the online discussions, should you choose to participate, is also 50 percent of your grade." A few students jaws dropped. This is a foreign concept, it seems. To have a teacher who wants you succeed.

I drop the gentle smile that has been lingering on my face and stand up, "Every test you take is extra credit. Every bit of homework over the amount to reach an A in this class is extra credit. I am here to make sure that you are able to graduate without experiencing severe burnout or having to scramble to finish the class. I am your teacher. I am here to help. Also, I have a study period for seventh period. It is a free-range deal. If you need to attend the study hall to catch up with a class, I can write you a note, but you do have to tell me. If you don't have anything to do for 7th period and you want to hang out here, you are free to." I scan the group of children that seem as though I have dropped the world at their feet, and they are scrambling to make sense of it.

This is what I am supposed to do. Help them excel. Help them with their world.

"Any questions?" I sit back on the stool, crossing my ankles this time.

A few students shook their heads, just grateful to have this grading system.

2 hands raised, one after the other. "First hand up, what is your name?"

"Edward Cullen."

"Mr. Cullen, what is your question?"

"No other teacher grades like this. Why do you?"

"I find that this system allows for multiple paths to success, and as my entire job is to facilitate your successes and strengthen all of you, this is the most effective way to help. People eventually lose motivation when they stay at the bottom for so long. I don't want anyone left to be a bottom-feeder. Every single person has potential. Sometimes, we just need help with it. Second hand up, what is your name?" I turn to face the woman on the chair next to the table that held Edward but did hold Angela and their group of friends.

"Bella Swan."

"Ms. Swan, what is your question?"

"All tests are standard for school curriculum to judge where we are at in the class. Why do they count as extra credit?"

"Because I hate tests. Third hand!" I stare at the blonde woman in class, sitting with Edward Cullen.

"Rosalie Cullen."

"Ms. Cullen, what is your question?"

"Based on what you said, it is possible for us to get more than 150% in this class. Why make it so easy?"

I smile softly, "I didn't like talking when I went to class, and I got lots of failing grades because I didn't communicate during class discussions. Also, life happens, and it can hold you back or feel like it is. My job is to help you, not put more weight on your shoulders. Should you choose to go for more than 100%, good for you. Personally, I do not care. It is up to you."

"No more questions. This is class-specific stuff now. You are my post-theistic and naturalistic religions. Does anyone know any religions of the like?"

Angela's hand raises. "Ms. Weber?"

"Native American religion?"

"Like our own Quiluette tribe here in Forks, well done. That is ancestral veneration and respect for the natural environment around them. That is a form of naturalistic religion. Are there any others?" My gaze flits across the room, skimming over the students.

"Christianity?" Tylers hand rose, but answered without me calling on him.

"Mr. Crowley, you have begun one of the most interesting conversations of my entire teaching career. Do you know what a monotheistic religion is?" I lean forward, my tea in my hands. I had gotten up and made a new one, the old one cold.

"No..."

"Ms. Weber! What is a monotheistic religion?"

"A religion that celebrates one god as that religions one and only god. Christianity refers to God with a capital and as the 'one and only true god'."

"Thank you, Ms. Weber. Mr. Crowley, come find me after class." I press the button for us to go to the next slide.

"Post-theistic religions are religions thought to be the end to monotheistic religions or religions with no higher being. Islam is an example of a post-theistic religion that is thought to become greater than Christianity. Buddhism is a post-theistic religion that does not have a higher power but believes in spiritual enlightment to become a better person. We will touch on this for about a third of the year.

Naturalistic religions! Examples?"

Bella raises her hand shyly, as if she's hoping to hide.

"Native American?"

"That is not a religion. That is a culture and a race, but good guess. Their religion is called Ancestral Veneration! Anyone else?"

Another childs hand rose, "What is your name?"

"Charlie. Charlie Smith."

"Ms. Smith. What is your answer?"

"Paganism?"

"Yes! We have naturalist pagans! Paganism is a broad umbrella term that is frequently used to describe a religion as one that does not uphold the Abrahamic, Judeo-Christian God. Under that umbrella are naturalist pagans, or druids. Typically people who venerate nature instead of the Abrahamic God.” And they are saved by the bell.

“We have a reading on different religions and how they compare to others! Please grab it on the way out!” I turn to Tyler as he is about to leave, “And Mr. Crowley, your attempts at sneaking out of this class are abysmal. Sit, please and thank you.”

He sits, looking nervous, “Now, you aren’t in trouble. I would just like to know if you understand the differences between ‘monotheism’ and ‘polytheism’?”

“Not really…”

I smile, “That’s what I’m here for. If you don’t understand something, can you please write it down, and then talk to me after class or during study period so we can get it figured out. Your classmates love the energy you bring to class. You seem like a good kid. But I can only help if you let me.”

“Ok… Thanks, Twyla.”

“Anytime, Tyler. Now get out of here. You have another class, yes?” I start writing up a note excusing his late arrival, stating that I had held him back for some help.

“Yes.”

“Amazing. Here is a note excusing your tardiness to the other class. I shall see you next time.” I hand him the note.

“Yeah. See you next time.”

More children start flooding in for second period as Tyler Crowley leaves my classroom.

Well… they never said it would be easy.

Author’s Cup of Tea:

TWO POSTS IN ONE DAY? HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? I tell you how! I…. Prepared…. IN ADVANCE! I had some extra time and a want to finish at least this WIP so I did! Also, I got to talking about how Twilight is basically a horror movie in Charlie’s perspective and that gave me the reminder of this aha..haha…. I am so sorry.

[midwest-spidey]

[November 11, 2024] - 17/100 Days

studied for Literature of the Americas

worked on my American Presidency essay

practiced poem for Literature of the Americas

journaled (x2)

studied for the LSAT

responded to my inbox

finished my Fiction Writing draft

completed my Korean reading

completed my fiction reading

sent nomination email to my frat

reached out to my group for Politics in the Two Koreas

french lesson

spanish lesson

portuguese lesson

cleaned my desk

prepped by queues

attended Literature of the Americas

attended initiate event

planned day for tomorrow

[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

[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

[athena5898]

On this occasion, the Political Bureau of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine reaffirms the following:

1 - The Al-Aqsa Flood Battle marked a strategic turning point in the history of Palestinian resistance, and its lessons will continue to be studied in military academies, both in planning and execution. 2 - The enemy failed to achieve its stated objectives, most notably eradicating the resistance and retrieving hostages, and continues to flounder in defeat in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon. 3 - The resistance demonstrated its ability to endure, compensate for leadership losses, and enhance its defensive and offensive capabilities. 4 - The resistance remains committed to its basic demands: full withdrawal from Gaza, an end to aggression, the return of displaced people, reconstruction, and a complete lifting of the siege. 5 - There is a pressing need to restore Palestinian national unity and develop a comprehensive resistance strategy to confront the significant challenges posed by the occupation. 6 - The rise of armed resistance in the West Bank is a strategic choice for resistance factions and a crucial element in the conflict. 7 - The Arab masses are called upon to take the initiative in confronting the policies of reactionary regimes, halting normalization, and taking to the streets in support of Palestine and the resistance. 8 - The escalation of global mass movements must continue with greater force to expose the crimes of the occupation and to condemn Western and American support for “israeli” aggression. In conclusion, on behalf of the factions and the Axis of Resistance, we reaffirm our pledge to our people, our nation, and the free people of the world that the flame of resistance will remain alight and will not be extinguished until the aggression is defeated and Palestine is liberated. Victory is inevitable as long as our people's will remains steadfast and their determination unyielding. Glory to the martyrs, freedom for the prisoners, and with certainty victory is coming.