#and global demand for this dynamic IT career.

[colisty]

etwork Administrator Career Guide | CoListy Discover the role of a Network Administrator, including responsibilities, skills, certifications, salary insights, and global demand for this dynamic IT career.

[the-cosmic-cauldron]

♡︎𝓟𝓲𝓬𝓴 𝓐 𝓟𝓲𝓵𝓮: 𝓨𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓛𝓲𝓯𝓮 𝓘𝓷 2025♡︎

Disclaimer: 2025 is going to be an intense year. When you open your reading, please don’t expect it to be entirely positive. We will be entering a nine-year cycle, which brings a significant focus on endings and resolution. Many past issues from the last four, five, six, or even ten years will resurface. This includes personal, social, and global concerns that have remained unresolved.Expect to see a resurgence of social and activist issues, challenges with the law, and government-related problems. Long-standing societal struggles will come back into focus. On a personal level, there will be a notable increase in breakups and divorces as people confront unresolved dynamics in their relationships. Situations that have been unclear for years will finally come full circle, and hidden truths may come to light, offering long-awaited clarity. This will not be an easy year for many of us. It’s important to understand that this isn’t just about negativity; it’s about depth and transformation. For many, this will be a time of purging old patterns, renewing perspectives, and creating space for new growth. The energy of 2025 demands that we face these challenges head-on so we can reach a more evolved state. Globally, it will be a year of heightened awareness around major issues, as events and revelations push humanity to reassess and adapt. This year will be wild, chaotic, and full of change, but it will also offer opportunities for meaningful renewal and progress if we’re willing to engage with its lessons.

𝐏𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝟏

In 2025, the year will be centered on sociability, relationships, and social movement. It will be a time of connection, celebration, and bonding with others. You’ll find yourself rejoicing with friends, meeting new ones, or spending more time with those you already have. You’ll be in many social situations, not just surrounded by people but genuinely having fun and enjoying yourself.

This year, you’ll be engaging in outings, spending time outdoors in nature, and celebrating milestones such as baby showers, weddings, and birthday parties. Family will play a significant role, both your family of origin and, if you’re a parent, the family you’ve created. You’ll likely focus on strengthening your home life, bringing your family together, or even creating a family. For some, this could mean planning for pregnancy or expanding your family.

Parents will find themselves doing more with their children, creating meaningful experiences together. If you’re not in a relationship, 2025 holds the potential for new romantic connections. You may meet someone through friends or while socializing, and these relationships could progress quickly. Engagements or serious commitments may happen within months of meeting someone.

Relationships this year will have depth and emotional richness. This could lead to moving in with a partner, getting engaged, or even getting married. Relationships are placed on a pedestal, and they’ll be a major focus for you in 2025.

Interestingly, for some, an ex may return, offering an opportunity to deepen your bond. Past conflicts or ego battles could give way to peace and emotional reconnection. Similarly, family members or friends with whom you’ve had disagreements may also return, bringing a sense of togetherness and reconciliation. It will be a time of healing old wounds, letting go of ego, and fostering an agape love—a love that seeks connection and peace.

While your relationships flourish, other areas of your life—such as career, school, or daily routines—may face challenges. You might encounter delays in completing projects, missed deadlines, or setbacks in work or academic goals. Progress in these areas could feel slow or stagnant, which may leave you feeling frustrated or out of balance.

Physical energy may also be a challenge, and health struggles could arise, impacting your ability to stay motivated and productive. Financial issues may surface as well, whether through overspending or a lack of sufficient income. You may find it difficult to budget effectively, leading to stress around money matters.

Legal matters could also pose challenges, with potential delays or unfavorable rulings. This could leave you feeling as though life is unfair or that obstacles are constantly in your path. Fear and overthinking may also hold you back from taking decisive action, further contributing to a sense of stagnation.

There’s a possibility that you might need to take a break from work, school, or other responsibilities due to circumstances beyond your control, such as health or financial struggles. Some may find themselves unemployed for a time, taking a pause in their studies, or unable to afford a semester in school.

While 2025 will be a year of blossoming relationships and emotional growth, it will also be marked by delays, setbacks, and stagnation in practical aspects of your life. Your relationships will bring joy, connection, and healing, but challenges in career, finances, and personal progress may require patience and resilience.

Pile 2

This year will be one of immense growth for you. It’s a year where you will step outside your comfort zone, abandon your usual routines, and embrace significant changes. This will be a period of substantial spiritual growth, as well as development in how you take action in the world and choose to live your life. Your creativity will flourish, and you’ll grow in how you pursue your passions and ambitions. Resilience will become your strong suit as you continually push forward, regaining energy and momentum despite challenges.

By the end of 2025, you’ll likely feel like you’ve grown more in this single year than most people grow in five. It will be a busy, monumental year filled with new beginnings. You might travel, relocate, or completely pivot from your current plans. It’s a year of major transformation and self-discovery.

However, the year won’t be without its difficulties. You’ll face challenges in a romantic relationship that feels toxic and unfulfilling. This connection seems to lack healthy communication, and there’s a pervasive sense of tension between you and this person. Conversations may feel surface-level, with neither of you truly understanding or hearing the other. Problems—both obvious and underlying—will strain the relationship.

Despite the difficulties, it appears that neither of you can let go. The relationship feels heavy and burdensome, yet there’s a persistent attachment. Throughout the year, there will be periods where you or the other person decides to walk away to focus on self-love and personal growth. However, even during these breaks, the connection remains intact, pulling you both back into the cycle.

This on-again, off-again dynamic will grow predictable. You might break up for a few weeks or months, only to find yourselves back together. The relationship may feel stagnant, but there’s an underlying divine connection that makes it difficult to fully sever ties. Both of you might hope that time apart will lead to healing and a healthier reunion, but the lack of true reflection and balance in your lives prevents lasting progress.

When you step away from the relationship, your life may become overwhelming. You’ll be “booked and busy,” with little time to truly focus on yourself. Responsibilities will pile up, whether they’re work-related, financial, or personal. You may find yourself working overtime, juggling multiple projects, or taking on extra hours to make ends meet. If you have children, they will demand much of your time and energy.

There’s also a possibility of financial struggles. Overspending, perhaps as a form of retail therapy to cope with emotional stress, could lead to debt. This financial pressure may further add to your stress, leaving you feeling ungrounded and out of balance. The lack of time for self-care, such as journaling, meditating, or healing, could lead you back to the relationship, seeking comfort in the familiar—even if it’s unhealthy.

The year may also involve struggles with maintaining your home or possessions. You might experience issues such as car troubles, broken appliances, or unexpected repair costs. Burnout is a significant possibility, especially if you’re juggling multiple responsibilities like work, school, and family. This lack of balance could prevent you from enjoying life’s simple pleasures or making steady progress toward your goals.

For some of you, this challenging relationship might not even be with a committed partner but someone whose energy heavily impacts your emotional state. Regardless of the nature of the connection, the relationship will weigh on you, making it hard to fully move forward.

Ultimately, 2025 will be a year of profound growth and learning. While you’ll face challenges in relationships, finances, and personal stability, these experiences will teach you resilience and push you toward deeper self-awareness. Despite the struggles, the growth you achieve this year will set the foundation for a stronger, more grounded version of yourself in the future.

Pile 3

This year, I see significant growth in terms of your personal projects. If you’ve been working on hobbies or creative endeavors, they are going to take off and pivot into something meaningful. Many of you will discover a new hobby that becomes a big focus this year.

I also see you spending a lot of time outdoors during the warmer months, truly enjoying yourself in nature. Leisure and relaxation will be key themes for you.

For some of you, this year marks a major milestone in motherhood. You may become pregnant or give birth, stepping into a new phase of life. Congratulations to those of you welcoming this beautiful change!

Some of you will also be buying a home, renovating your space, or completely transforming the style of your home or room. I also sense fashion and aesthetic changes—many of you will explore new styles and embrace a fresh look.

Mothers may find themselves adapting to new approaches to parenthood. For example, some of you will experience the transition of sending your kids to school for the first time, bringing a new dynamic to your life.

There’s also a strong focus on personal appearance and beauty. Some of you will delve into makeup and beauty, perhaps even starting a YouTube channel or creating content related to these interests. Many of you will experience a glow-up—those wanting to gain weight will achieve a curvier figure, while those aiming to lose weight will see progress through consistent effort.

This year will be action-oriented and filled with opportunities to pursue dreams you’ve always envisioned.

I sense that some of you will face health challenges this year, possibly related to burnout or hormonal imbalances, such as PCOS or endometriosis. Others might deal with recurring illnesses or mental health struggles, including depression and feelings of isolation.

This year will call for deep introspection. Many of you will seek out spiritual guidance or take steps toward mental health care, such as attending therapy or pursuing mindfulness practices like meditation. Some of you may explore religion more deeply or attend spiritual retreats to reconnect with yourselves.

Periods of burnout and exhaustion will push you to take breaks for emotional and mental wellness. You may feel overwhelmed and drained by life’s demands, which will require you to prioritize rest and self-care.

For some, this year will involve leaving behind a job, school, a church, or an organization that no longer serves your well-being. Lingering issues from last year may continue to resurface, urging you to seek independence and emotional balance.

There will be periods where life feels repetitive or stagnant, with a focus on routines that lack variety. Some of you may retreat into isolation to heal old traumas and confront unresolved pain. This isolation could be self-imposed or a result of being physically unwell, such as being hospitalized.

For mothers, the demands of pregnancy or parenting may lead to emotional and physical exhaustion. You may find yourself protecting your energy by setting boundaries and withdrawing from others.

Issues with a father figure or baby father may also arise. There could be tension, control issues, or a lack of growth in the relationship, leading to feelings of frustration or stagnancy.

The beginning of the year may feel energetic and action-packed as you tackle projects and new endeavors. However, by mid-year, there’s a shift toward stillness and introspection. You’ll find yourself needing to slow down, rest, and focus on internal healing.

There’s a strong emphasis on catching up on sleep, meditating, and clearing your mind. While this may feel like a pause, it’s actually a necessary phase for rejuvenation.

This year holds both challenges and opportunities for growth. While you may face obstacles, the introspection and spiritual healing you embark on will help you regain balance and prepare for a brighter future.

Pile 4:

For pile number four, let’s start with the positives of 2025 and then move on to some of the more challenging aspects of your year.

In 2025, I see you traveling and exploring new places. You’ll be switching things up, experiencing versatility, and embracing a sense of adventure and zest for life. This year brings expansion, with opportunities related to work, school, or hobbies—allowing you to focus on your craft or interests. Growth is a key theme for you, as you’ll be learning a lot and accumulating wisdom.

You won’t be idle; instead, you’ll take charge of your life, making decisive choices and taking intentional action toward your goals. There will be bursts of high, intense energy, driving your ambition to seize the opportunities that come your way. You’ll act swiftly and won’t let anyone stop you from achieving what you want.

Importantly, you’ll balance this high-energy drive with moments of self-reflection and rest. You’ll know when to rein it in, focus inward, and reassess your plans. This balance between action and introspection will help you make more calculated moves and ensure that your progress is sustainable.

There will be times when you feel stuck, as if nothing is moving forward. You might feel like the past is lingering, with unresolved issues carrying over into the present. You could experience moments where you feel like you’re getting the short end of the stick, encountering obstacles and challenges that slow down your progress.

One significant theme is the need to let go of something that no longer serves you. For some, this could be a job you know you’ve outgrown but are hesitant to leave. For others, it may involve unhealthy habits or lingering situations from the past.

Some of you might struggle with burnout due to overworking or not addressing physical or mental health issues until they reach a critical point. This could lead to forced downtime, such as needing medical care or being unable to work. There’s a risk of neglecting self-care and overindulging as a coping mechanism, which could result in weight gain or financial stress.

Financial challenges may arise, with late bills, debt, or difficulty managing responsibilities. Some of you might find yourself in situations where, despite trying your hardest, you fall into difficult circumstances. Job seekers might face delays or ghosting from potential employers, while those hoping for financial windfalls, like lottery winnings, are unlikely to find success.

Relationships, whether romantic or platonic, may also be strained. Past dramas could resurface, creating tension. In new relationships, misunderstandings or conflicts may emerge, leading to frustration. Some friendships or romantic connections might end unexpectedly, leaving you feeling isolated or unsure about whom to trust.

In terms of mental health, some of you may feel moody, reclusive, or overwhelmed, preferring to isolate yourselves rather than engage with others. You might find it hard to reach out or maintain consistency in your relationships, leading to moments of ghosting or pulling back from people.

This inconsistency may also manifest in your work and personal goals. Progress might feel slow at times, with a lack of forward movement. If you’re trying to pivot in your career, success will take time and perseverance. You may face periods of stress, questioning how to make ends meet, or feeling stuck in a rut.

Despite these challenges, there’s a silver lining. These obstacles will ultimately push you to take action and make changes in your life. You’ll grow tired of stagnation and decide to take the reins, reclaiming control over your circumstances. Through determination and effort, you’ll break out of this rut and embrace opportunities for growth, travel, and self-improvement.

By the end of the year, you may look back and recognize the growth and resilience you’ve gained through these experiences. While 2025 will have its ups and downs, the lessons and wisdom you accumulate will set the stage for future success.

♈︎♉︎♊︎♋︎♌︎♍︎♎︎♏︎♐︎♑︎♒︎♓︎ ♈︎♉︎♊︎♋︎♌︎♍︎♎︎♏︎♐︎♑︎♒︎♓︎ ♈︎♉︎♊︎♋︎♌︎♍︎♎︎♏︎♐︎♑︎♒︎♓︎

[kwisatzworld]

MUGELLO 1999: Valentino embraced the spirit of the ‘60s counterculture with a striking hippie-inspired helmet and bike livery. The words “Valentipeace & Love” were boldly lettered in red on both sides of his bike’s fairing, turning the racetrack into a rolling message of harmony. On the back of his helmet, a cartoon version of Valentino is seen firing not bullets, but flowers, a powerful homage to Bernie Boston’s iconic photograph “Flower Power”.

Flower Power is a photograph by American photographer Bernie Boston, taken on October 21, 1967, during the March on the Pentagon against the Vietnam War. It captures protester George Harris placing a carnation into the barrel of an M14 rifle held by a soldier from the 503rd Military Police Battalion.

CATALUNYA TEST 2003: Valentino debuted one of his boldest and most politically charged helmet designs. In the very week that the Iraq War began, he appeared on track wearing a rainbow-colored helmet—a universal symbol of peace. The word PACE (“peace” in Italian) stood out in all caps on the back, accompanied by the iconic phrase “Fate l’amore, non fate la guerra” (“Make love, not war”).

The phrase “Make love, not war” became a defining slogan of the 1960s counterculture and anti-Vietnam War movement. It called for peace and compassion instead of violence and conflict, capturing the spirit of a generation that challenged traditional values through protests, music, and art. Over time, it evolved into a timeless message advocating harmony and understanding worldwide.

MISANO 2020: Franky’s 2020 Misano helmet paid tribute to Spike Lee’s iconic film Do the Right Thing, a powerful exploration of racial tension and social justice. Amid a year marked by global protests and urgent calls for equality, Franky’s design stood as a bold statement against injustice. On the back, the word “Equality” appeared in multiple languages, underscoring a universal demand for fairness and unity across cultures.

Do the Right Thing, directed by Spike Lee in 1989, is a landmark film that explores racial tension, systemic inequality, and community dynamics during a sweltering day in Brooklyn. Known for its vibrant style and unflinching social commentary, the film remains profoundly relevant decades later. After winning the 2020 Misano race wearing the tribute helmet, Franky received a phone call from Spike Lee himself.

VALENCIA 2021: In 2021, as Valentino prepared to retire from full-time racing, each member of the VR46 Riders Academy chose one of his iconic helmet designs to recreate as a tribute. Franky selected the 1999 Mugello Peace & Love helmet. With its colorful design and cartoon Rossi firing flowers instead of bullets, the helmet became a bridge across generations, celebrating not just a racing legend, but a philosophy rooted in joy, rebellion, and peace.

Because each academy member chose their tribute helmet independently, their selections offered a glimpse into their personal taste and values. The designs they picked weren’t just fan favorites, they reflected what each rider connected with most deeply in Valentino’s long and expressive career. Whether it was humor, protest, nostalgia, or creativity, each helmet told a story, not just about Valentino, but about the rider who chose to wear it.

2022: As the Russo-Ukrainian War unfolded, Franky added a powerful message to the back of his regular-season helmet, a sticker that read “Give Peace a Chance.” Quoting John Lennon’s famous anti-war anthem, the gesture was Franky’s way of taking a stand against violence and calling for peace.

MUGELLO 2025: At its center is a massive peace symbol, filled with psychedelic flowers—daisies, sunflowers, wild blooms—reminiscent of the Flower Power era. The helmet’s back features a bright green parrot, Franky’s longtime personal emblem, perched on a pair of throttle handles and flashing a peace sign with its wing, replacing Woodstock’s dove and guitar with symbols of racing. Below it reads, “Mugello… 3 days of Peace and full Throttle.”—A direct nod to the 1969 Woodstock Festival’s call for “3 Days of Peace & Music.” But in 2025, this isn’t just nostalgia. Against the backdrop of global conflict, especially the war in Gaza, the message lands differently, racing becomes a canvas for resistance.

The official poster for the 1969 Woodstock Music & Art Fair has become one of the most iconic images of the counterculture era. Designed by Arnold Skolnick, it features a simple yet powerful graphic: a white dove perched on the neck of a bright red guitar, set against a calm blue background. The dove—a universal symbol of peace—resting on a musical instrument captured the essence of the festival’s message: “3 Days of Peace & Music.” Held during a time of political unrest and deep division over the Vietnam War, Woodstock stood as a symbol of unity, nonviolence, and collective hope.

[delicateperspective]

Hi, if Simon Jones is bad at his job, then why did Louis keep working with him after leaving Sony? The only reason I can think of is BBG.

And speaking of Sony, I used to think they retained Louis because it was a way to control Harry, but now that he's no longer with them, do you think that was the reason he was sabotaged? He is even banned from radio stations by Sony CEO's brother. Don't you think Harry could do something to prevent it if he's their golden goose?

i have... theories. but let me try to stick to the facts first.

we don’t know exactly what L signed when he re-signed with syco/sony after the band’s hiatus. but it’s very possible that while he was eventually released from that label in 2020, he signed a separate PR deal with simon jones around that time. simon’s company isn’t sony—he’s PR. and that kind of deal can exist independently of whatever label he’s signed to.

also: it makes a twisted kind of sense that the man who helped build the closet would be the one “trusted” to navigate it now. simon jones invented the het-louis narrative. he knows exactly how to play that role in public because he wrote the script. and while i loathe that, i also think it’s why he’s still around—because he’s familiar, and because he keeps L’s public image contained.

as for actual music PR? that does not appear to be simon. matt and chris seem to be the ones handling L’s music rollouts and strategy. simon’s job is broader image management.

now onto sony: most major labels have “right of first refusal” clauses—meaning that when the band went on hiatus, sony had first dibs on any solo contracts the boys might sign. unless another label came in with a significantly better offer, they basically had to say yes to sony. so it’s not just about choice—it’s about leverage.

this is where i veer a bit into speculation:

i do think rob stringer (sony’s global CEO) wanted both H and L—H as the frontman, L behind the scenes writing songs for other people. and i think L might’ve been okay with that because he loved writing in 1D... at first. but in AOTV he talks about how conversations with his mom helped shift his focus. he decided he wanted to make his music.

so instead of sticking to rob’s plan, he went back to simon cowell and started crafting his solo career. and i think that pissed rob off.

(reminder: simon cowell’s syco was a branch under sony. rob stringer is sony’s top exec. there’s some weird power dynamics here that aren’t easy to unravel, but they absolutely impact what happens to artists under their umbrella.)

as for the idea that H could’ve stopped the sabotage? honestly, no. in 2016–2017, H wasn’t the global powerhouse he is now. he was just a boyband member trying to go solo—a gamble, not a guarantee. labels drop solo acts all the time. the idea that he could’ve waltzed into sony’s top floor and made demands about how L was treated? that’s not how this works. that’s not how any of this works.

and even now, i doubt he’d have that kind of pull. sony’s top brass doesn’t answer to their artists. they answer to shareholders.

plus... we don’t know what H said or did behind the scenes. maybe he tried. maybe he couldn’t. maybe he wasn’t allowed to speak on it. we simply don’t know.

but suggesting that he should’ve stepped in assumes that L would’ve wanted him to. and that’s where i personally draw the line. L has fought tooth and nail to stand on his own as an artist. the idea that H should’ve swooped in to save him reduces him to “harry styles’ partner” rather than a full artist in his own right.

[cybergracie]

the white lotus ⋆ ˚｡⋆ chapter one

✧ the art of being invisible ✧

wc: 7.5k

pairing: personal assistant!oc x family reunion attendee!hyunjin

synopsis: Gemma Parker has spent years keeping things under control -- her career, her emotions, her impossible boss. But when a work trip takes her to a luxury resort in Italy, she finds herself slipping into a world of salty air, stolen moments, and lingering glances with a boy who sees right through her carefully built walls. Hyunjin is charming, frustrating, and absolutely not a part of her plan -- but as the trip stretches on and their paths keep crossing, Gemma starts to wonder if she's been chasing the wrong dream all along. Because sometimes, the best stories aren't the ones you plan -- they're the ones you never see coming.

masterlist | dividers by @strangergraphics

There are two kinds of writers in the world. 

The ones whose names are printed in bold on the spines of bestsellers, who get flown to Italy for exclusive literary retreats at five-star beach resorts, who sip Aperol Spritzes at golden hour while talking about ‘the craft’ as if they weren’t just regurgitating half-baked ideas in expensive clothing. 

And then there are the ones like me. The ones who pick up the scraps, who scramble for a piece of the pie by making the reservations, by handling the tantrums, by sending polite decline emails with just the right amount of fake regret. The ones who run on caffeine and damage control, who sit in the back of luxury cars, juggling schedules and power dynamics like some kind of uncredited assistant to the universe itself. 

The ones who are invisible. 

It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I was always supposed to be the first kind of writer. The kind people read. The kind whose words mattered.

Instead, I was here. At a flashy beachfront resort in Southern Italy, watching my boss – world-famous novelist and professional narcissist Celeste Laurent – flirt with the valet, even though she had spent the entire flight complaining about how ‘the service industry was dead to her’ after a slight inconvenience involving a missing bottle of imported sparkling water. 

Celeste was the kind of woman who made a scene wherever she went. That was the power of being her. She demanded attention, and even worse, she got it.

I, on the other hand, was twenty-six, exhausted, and still trying to convince myself that working for her was a step toward my dream rather than a slow, calculated erasure of it.

“You should be grateful,” my best friend had told me when I landed this job. “Celeste Laurent is a library legend. Think of the connections! The industry knowledge!”

Yeah. The knowledge that no one takes you seriously when you’re the person fetching dry cleaning and fixing wifi connections.

That’s how I ended up here – at one of the most exclusive resort chains in the world, surrounded by ridiculous wealth, ridiculous egos, and ridiculous men who wore linen suits unironically – with no manuscript, no articles, no actual work of my own to show for the last two years of my life. 

Celeste’s nasally voice snapped me out of my spiraling thoughts. 

“Gemma, stop standing around. We have a suite to get to. And I’m going to need a Negroni before I unpack – why does check-in always take so long? Is it a global conspiracy against successful people?”

I sighed, adjusting the strap of my bag. This was going to be a long trip.

The check-in desk at the Villa Fiorella Resort & Spa was a pristine marble monstrosity, its sleek Italian design almost mocking me for how out of place I felt. The air smelled expensive – some kind of citrus-and-bergamot scent pumped through hidden vents, designed to lull you into thinking life was effortless when, in reality, some underpaid assistant had probably spent three hours this morning ensuring that the ambience of wealth and success remained undisturbed.

“Welcome to Villa Fiorella,” the concierge purred in a silky Italian accent, flashing a smile so polished it belonged in an ad for luxury travel. “Checking in?”

Before I could open my mouth, Celeste swept forward, oversized designer sunglasses still perched on her face despite being indoors. She had perfected the aura of don’t waste my time years ago, and she wielded it now like a weapon. 

“Celeste Laurent. Presidential suite.” She didn’t bother with pleasantries. Celeste didn’t ask for things – she expected them to materialize in front of her.

The concierge’s smile faltered. Here we go…

“Ah, yes, Ms. Laurent. However, there was a slight adjustment to the suite allocation –”

I winced preemptively. 

Celeste’s head tilted slightly, her lips pursing in the way they did when she sensed incompetence. “An adjustment?” she repeated, the temperature in the lobby seeming to drop.

I was already pulling out my phone, opening my email, bracing for impact. 

“There was an unexpected extension of a VIP guest’s stay in the suite you originally booked,” the concierge explained, shifting his weight. “But we have upgraded you to a penthouse villa with a private infinity pool, which I can assure you is –”

“Upgraded?” Celeste scoffed. “I booked the presidential suite six months ago. You expect me to believe it’s no longer available? For who?”

“I’m afraid we can’t disclose –”

“Let me guess. Some man who threw money at you last minute? A footballer? A tech billionaire? Someone who collects yachts instead of books?”

This was Celeste’s favorite game – intellectual elitism mixed with barely disguised disdain for anyone who had more money than her. 

The concierge’s composure wavered. “I can assure you, Ms. Laurent, the penthouse villa is actually more spacious and offers –”

“Gemma.”

Oh no.

“Fix this.”

There it was. My cue.

I swallowed my sigh and stepped forward with my best ‘I apologize for my employer’ smile.

“I do understand the… misunderstanding,” I said smoothly, as if Celeste weren’t radiating do you know who I am energy beside me. “We appreciate your help, and I’m sure we can find a solution that works for everyone.”

The concierge visibly relaxed, as most people did when I stepped in. I was the soft buffer between Celeste’s unfiltered chaos and the real world. The translator for her literary-goddess-turned-tyrant persona. 

“I will personally make sure everything is to her satisfaction,” I added. “And perhaps… some complimentary drinks while we get settled?”

The concierge jumped at the peace offering, glancing between me and Celeste. “Of course, signorina! The bar is at your disposal.”

Celeste sniffed, clearly still irritated, but accepted the free drinks as a temporary truce. 

Crisis averted. For now. 

I took a steadying breath, signaling for the bellhop to grab our luggage. Maybe if I got Celeste drunk enough, she’d forget to make me rewrite and send all her email drafts before dinner. I turned back to the check-in desk – only to catch a dark pair of eyes watching me from across the room. 

A man. No – a boy, no older than me. Tall, lean, with black hair that fell a little too perfectly over his forehead. He was casually elegant, draped in a linen shirt that looked effortlessly wrinkled in a way only rich people could pull off. He was standing beside a group of other guests – family, from the looks of it. They were talking, laughing, radiating the kind of relaxed ease that people like me never had. 

But he wasn’t paying attention to them. He was looking at me.

And I knew this because the moment our eyes met, he smirked. Like he had just witnessed that whole interaction and found it entertaining. 

I felt annoyingly warm. My pulse did a weird thing I refused to acknowledge. I quickly looked away, forcing myself to focus on the check-in process, on getting Celeste upstairs before she started a literary revolution in the lobby. 

But I could still feel his gaze lingering. 

And as I signed off on our room details, I heard his cousin – brother? – loudly say something in broken Italian that I didn’t understand, but I absolutely understood the tone. The universal tone of flirtation. I glanced up, just in time to see the boy roll his eyes before grabbing his leering relative by the collar and physically dragging him away. 

“Apologies for him,” he called over his shoulder, giving me one last look, the ghost of a smile playing on his lips. 

Then he was gone. 

And I absolutely, definitely did not watch him walk away. 

The penthouse villa was obnoxiously extravagant – floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the bluest stretch of ocean I’d ever seen, crisp white linens, marble floors that my salary could never even laugh at, and a private infinity pool shimmering under the late afternoon sun. 

And yet, I knew before even stepping inside that it wouldn’t be good enough for Celeste. 

“Too modern,” she would say. “Too sterile. No character.” As if she weren’t the living embodiment of a New York Times op-ed about modernism’s death.

Still, I did my job. I unpacked her suitcases, lined up her vitamins, laid out her beauty products. I took a lap through the villa, checking every ridiculous detail – pillows fluffed, minibar stocked, god forbid the staff forgot her handwritten welcome note. 

Everything was perfect. Which meant Celeste would find something to complain about within the first five minutes. 

But that was future me’s problem. Present me had one singular goal: station Celeste at the bar and ensure that she was well on her way to being too drunk to micromanage me.

I made my way back to the lobby bar, where Celeste was already holding court on one of the plush velvet stools, sipping a Negroni and pretending to enjoy the company of men who were, I assumed, ‘important’ in some vague publishing-adjacent way.

I sat my bag down and leaned in. “Everything is ready for you in the villa. The staff is on standby for whatever you need.”

Celeste didn’t even glance at me. “Gemma, darling, don’t hover. Have a drink. Relax.”

That was Celeste’s favorite brand of condescension – telling me to relax while making it physically impossible to do so.

“You’re right. You should enjoy yourself. Call me if you need anything,” I replied smoothly, already backing away. The best way to handle Celeste sometimes was to leave her to her own devices. By my estimation, she’d be three drinks deep in twenty minutes, possibly on the verge of drunkenly calling an ex-husband or just fully passing out on her ultra-king size mattress.

Which meant I had exactly one small window of freedom. And I took my chance.

The resort’s outdoor terrace was quiet, the sun dipping lower, casting gold across the rolling waves. I settled into a lounge chair, pulled out my phone, and started going over the itinerary for the next week. Celeste was notoriously unpredictable, but I had planned this trip down to the minute, balancing appearances, workshops, and just enough leisure to keep her from snapping. 

Tomorrow, Celeste would attend the welcome dinner hosted by the resort, a mix of media personalities and publishing execs that she would either love or emotionally eviscerate. That left the majority of the daytime free, which I assumed she would fill with spa treatments or day drinking. Tuesday she would attend a Q&A event at a historic Italian library, Wednesday a boat tour, and Thursday through Sunday would be the literary retreat – the entire reason she was here. An elite event filled with authors, critics, and self-proclaimed visionaries who would spend hours discussing narrative structure while sipping wine that cost more than my rent. 

I scrolled through my notes, mentally adjusting for potential crises, making sure I was ten steps ahead of whatever bullshit Celeste would inevitably throw my way. I had built my entire career around managing chaos. I knew how to stay in control. 

And yet…

Something pulled my focus. Movement just beyond the terrace – a small group of men passing through the courtyard, speaking in low, easy laughter.

And there he was. Linen shirt. Messy dark hair. That same amused, sharp gaze. 

I froze, watching as he strode past with his relatives, all of them radiating the kind of effortless confidence that came with being both rich and stupidly good-looking. 

And he was looking at me, again. He hesitated, just for a second, just long enough for me to notice, like he wanted to stop, like he wanted to say something. But before he could, one of his cousins grabbed his arm, pulling him into the conversation, dragging him forward. He glanced back one last time before disappearing around the corner. 

I felt my lips quirk. It was the smallest reaction – barely there – but undeniable.

A spark. Of what, I wasn’t sure. Excitement? Curiosity? Something else entirely? 

I exhaled, shaking it off, forcing myself back into my itinerary. I had more important things to focus on.

But still… I caught myself tapping my fingers against my phone screen, barely absorbing the words in front of me. Because now, in the back of my mind, there was a boy with dark eyes and a smile that felt like a secret. And I wanted to know what it was. 

By the time I made it back to Celeste’s villa, the sun had fully dipped below the horizon, casting the resort in a hazy glow of dimly lit lanterns and distant laughter. I braced myself before stepping inside, mentally preparing for whatever state she’d be in – throwing a tantrum, complaining about the air conditioning, or, worst-case scenario, bored and looking for someone to torment. 

But when I walked in, I found her in a rare form of calm. She was curled up on the sprawling white sofa, robe loosely tied around her waist, hair piled on top of her head in a messy bun that almost made her look approachable. A half-empty tumbler of something expensive rested on the glass coffee table beside an open leather notebook, where she had been actually writing.

Celeste barely looked up as I walked in, lazily flipping a page. “Oh, there you are. Thought maybe you finally ran away.”

“I wish,” I muttered, setting my bag down. 

She smirked. “If you were going to quit, you would’ve done it ages ago. You love me too much.”

“Love is a strong word.”

“Fine. You tolerate me. But don’t pretend you won’t miss the chaos when you finally leave.”

I scoffed but didn’t argue. Celeste had an annoyingly sharp way of reading people – when she wasn’t busy being insufferable. For a moment, there was just silence. The sounds of the waves outside, the soft flick of a page turning. It was weird. Unsettling, even. Celeste being quiet meant she was either deeply focused or on the brink of passing out.

“You’re actually writing?” I asked, crossing my arms. 

“Obviously,” she drawled, taking another slow sip of her drink. 

“Wow. A whole paragraph? That’s impressive.”

“Watch it, Parker.” She arched a brow but didn’t seem annoyed – which was always a good sign.

I sighed, toeing off my shoes as I sat on the opposite end of the couch. “So, you’re in a good mood. Should I be concerned?”

Celeste smirked. “I’m relaxed. This place isn’t so bad. The villa has a certain… minimalist charm.”

I nearly laughed. Minimalist charm. This was the closest she’d ever come to admitting she liked something. “And let me guess,” I teased. “This mood has nothing to do with the alcohol?”

“Oh, darling, it has everything to do with the alcohol.”

This time I laughed. I rolled my eyes, but she wasn’t wrong. Celeste could be an absolute nightmare, but when she was tipsy – just the right level of drunk – she softened. The sharp edges dulled. The version of her that had once been young and idealistic and actually excited about writing peeked through.

“I want to go on the tour tomorrow. The one the resort hosts,” she announced suddenly. “Move anything important to later so I can soak up the history of this place. Oh, and get me another bottle of this before you go.”

I nodded, glad I had reviewed her itinerary to know she didn’t have anything planned until tomorrow evening, which left her day wide open to join whatever tour she was referencing. “Anything else, Your Highness?”

“Maybe a breakfast spread.”

“Of course. Only the best for you.”

She clinked her glass against the air in a mock cheers, already shifting back to her notebook. 

I stood, stretching. “Try not to die in your sleep or anything.”

“Don’t be so dramatic, Parker. Besides, you’d miss me.”

I rolled my eyes but said nothing, heading for the door. It was one of those rare moments where I remembered why I hadn’t quit yet. Because Celeste, for all her flaws, was still one of the most brilliant minds in publishing. She had clawed her way up, built an empire of words, and somehow, someway, I had ended up in her orbit. 

Maybe, if I stuck around long enough, I’d figure out how to do the same. 

By the time I had finished settling everything for Celeste – confirming her addition to the tour hosted by the resort, ensuring her breakfast would be delivered right when she woke up, and bribing the concierge with my most charming smile to keep a running tab on her preferences – I was exhausted. 

I made my way to my own suite, smaller, tucked away, and far less extravagant, but mercifully quiet. It was one of the few perks of my job – Celeste traveled like royalty, and her staff, though severely underpaid, at least got decent accommodations.

I kicked off my shoes, rolled my stiff shoulders, and exhaled slowly. Then, I did something I hadn’t done in a long time. 

I pulled out my laptop, opened a blank document, and stared at it. 

The cursor blinked. I tried to write. But nothing came. 

My fingers hovered over the keyboard, waiting for the words, for something to hit me, for the feeling I used to get – when stories lived in my head, begging to be let out. But all I could think about was itineraries. Reservations. Celeste’s fucking coffee order. 

I had spent so long managing someone else’s life that I had lost my own voice. 

After an hour of getting exactly nowhere, I sighed, slamming the laptop shut. 

I needed air. 

The resort had its fair share of late-night drinkers and wealthy couples meandering about, but the beach itself was nearly deserted. It stretched wide and empty under the glow of the moon, the sand still warm beneath my feet. The waves rolled lazily onto the shore, a soothing hum against the otherwise quiet night. 

I walked, letting the weight of the day slip off my shoulders. Celeste. My job. The gnawing frustration of feeling stuck, uninspired, unseen. How had I gotten here? This wasn’t the dream.

The dream had been bylines, published articles, stories that mattered. The dream had been words flowing freely, not gathering dust at the back of my mind while I booked spa appointments for a woman who could barely even send an email. 

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. Maybe I was the problem. Maybe I had let myself disappear. I sank onto the sand, pulling my knees to my chest, watching the waves as if they might have answers. 

And then – a flicker of red. 

A tiny, moving speck of light in the distance. 

At first, I thought I was imagining it – some reflection of the moon, a trick of my tired mind. But no, it was real. A little red flashlight, weaving slowly along the shoreline. I frowned, watching it drift closer. 

Then, I saw him. The boy from earlier. Linen shirt, knowing smirk, stolen glances. He was alone, moving at a slow, unhurried pace, the red light swaying lazily with each step. And before I could scramble away, he saw me, too. 

I froze as he approached me, watching as he hesitated for a moment. Then, in a voice lower, softer than I expected, he asked, “Would you like some company?”

I sized him up, letting the moment stretch between us. Up close, he was even more unfairly pretty than I had initially realized. The kind of good looks that felt unintentional – sharp jawline softened by the dim glow of the moon, dark hair tousled like he’d been running his fingers through it absentmindedly. His linen shirt was unbuttoned just enough to make me suspect he had absolutely no concept of the word effort, of trying too hard. He didn’t need to.

But what caught me off guard wasn’t any of that. It was the way he looked at me – like he was curious. Like he wasn’t just offering polite conversation to be nice. Like he actually wanted to be here.

I considered saying no. I didn’t do vacation flings. I didn’t do getting to know beautiful strangers on the beach in the middle of the night. 

But then I thought about how exhausted I was with being practical. About how I had spent the last two years watching Celeste live her life while mine shrank into a series of itineraries and coffee runs.

And then I thought – fuck it.

“Sure,” I said, patting the sand beside me. 

His eyes lit up, and I watched as the corner of his mouth quirked, amused, like he knew I had just fought some internal battle before making my decision. Smug. I should’ve been annoyed, but instead, I found myself biting back a smile. 

He lowered himself onto the sand, stretching his legs out in front of him, leaning back onto his palms like he belonged anywhere he sat. “So,” he said, tilting his head toward me. “Do I get a name?”

“That depends,” I said, glancing at him from the corner of my eye. “Do I?”

His grin widened. “Hyunjin.”

Hyunjin. That name suited him. I let it settle in my mind before offering mine. “Gemma.”

“Gemma,” he repeated, slow and thoughtful, as if testing how it felt on his tongue. Something about the way he said it made my stomach do a weird, annoying flip.

I cleared my throat, gesturing to the flashlight in his hand. “And what’s with the red light, exactly? You planning some kind of secret heist?”

Hyunjin chuckled, holding it up between us. “Nothing that exciting. I heard red light is best to use during turtle hatching season. It doesn’t confuse them like regular flashlights.”

I blinked, caught off guard again. “Wait. You’re telling me you’re out here… searching for baby turtles?”

“Obviously,” he said, like it was the most natural thing in the world. 

I studied him for a long moment. The soft glow of the red light cast shadows across his face, highlighting the sharp curve of his cheekbones, the line of his jaw. I could make out a tiny mole right beneath his eye. “Huh,” I murmured. 

“Huh?” he echoed, arching a brow. 

“I just wouldn’t have guessed ‘turtle enthusiast’ when I first saw you.”

He smirked. “And what would you have guessed?”

“I don’t know,” I mused, pretending to think. “Maybe ‘trust fund kid who collects expensive sneakers and doesn’t know how to do laundry.’”

Hyunjin barked out a laugh, throwing his head back. “You wound me, Gemma,” he said dramatically, hand over his chest. 

“I’m just saying, you’ve got a bit of a look.”

“A look?”

“Yeah. This whole ‘I-woke-up-like-this-and-have-never-worked-a-day-in-my-life’ aesthetic.”

Hyunjin snorted. “Maybe I just have good genetics.”

“Right,” I muttered, shaking my head.

He grinned, studying me in return, as if he was also trying to figure me out. “And you?” he asked, his voice softer now. “What’s your ‘look?’”

I shrugged. “‘Overworked personal assistant in a constant state of existential crisis.’”

He chuckled. “Sounds exhausting.”

“You have no idea.”

For a while, we just sat there, the ocean stretching endlessly before us, waves rolling in and out, the space between us shrinking without either of us moving. 

I should’ve been back in my room. I should’ve been asleep, resting up for another day of playing Celeste’s shadow. But instead, I was on a beach with a boy I didn’t know, watching his red flashlight flicker across the sand. He had this way of looking at me – not quite intense, not quite teasing, but something in between. Something that made me feel like he saw more than I wanted him to.

“So,” I said, tilting my head at him, trying to get my bearings. “What’s a turtle enthusiast like yourself doing here in Italy?”

“Family reunion,” he answered easily, dragging his fingers through the sand. “My grandfather’s Italian. My grandmother’s Korean. They met in Milan, moved to Seoul, had my dad, et cetera et cetera, and now here we are – visiting my dad’s roots.” 

I blinked, surprised. “So you’re like, a quarter Italian?”

“That would be the math, yeah.”

“Huh.” I took a good look at him. The sharp cheekbones, the full lips, the dark features – it all made sense now. “That explains a lot.”

He smirked. “Like what?”

“Like why you look like a Renaissance painting but also like you could headline a K-pop group.”

Hyunjin laughed, loud and unrestrained, and I had the distinct, annoying thought that I might get addicted to the sound.

“Well,” he mused, watching me now with interest, “that would be fitting, considering I’m an artist.”

That made me pause. Artist?

“Oh?” I asked, trying to sound casual. “Like… you paint?”

“Sometimes. But mostly dance.”

Of course he dances. Of course he does.

“Seriously?” I tried to picture it, but the image was way too appealing, so I immediately shut it down. “Like, ballet? Ballroom? Hip-hop?”

“A little bit of everything,” he admitted, running his fingers through his hair, making it even messier than before. “I’m still figuring it out.”

I scoffed before I could stop myself. 

“What?” He turned toward me, amused. 

“Nothing,” I said, a little too fast. 

His eyes narrowed slightly, reading me too easily. “No, tell me.”

I exhaled, giving him a pointed look. “It must be nice.”

“What must be nice?”

“Having the luxury of ‘figuring it out.’”

His expression shifted – just a flicker, a small twitch of his lips, before he smirked like he knew exactly where my mind had gone. “Ah,” he said, nodding slowly. “So that’s what this is about.”

I stiffened. “What what is about?”

“You think I’m some cushy rich kid who gets to float through life with no consequences.”

I opened my mouth to deny it, but… well.

I wasn’t not thinking that.

“Am I wrong?” he teased, tilting his head.

“I just…” I exhaled, fighting the irritation creeping up my spine. “It’s hard not to be jealous of someone who gets to pursue their passions without worrying about, you know… survival.”

Hyunjin hummed, considering this. “So, what’s your passion, then?”

“Writing,” I admitted before I could overthink it. “I want to be a journalist.”

“And instead, you work for…?”

“Celeste Laurent.”

His eyebrows lifted. “The Celeste Laurent?”

“The one and only.”

“Damn.” He let out a low whistle. “That’s intense. No wonder you look like you need a vacation.”

I huffed a laugh. “I wish this was a vacation.”

“I take it your boss is a nightmare?”

“On a scale of one to Satan? She’s at least a solid eight and a half.”

Hyunjin chuckled, but there was something thoughtful in his gaze now. 

“And you think if you grind hard enough, you’ll get your shot?” he asked. 

“That’s the plan,” I said, even though it didn’t sound as convincing out loud as it used to in my head. 

There was a beat of silence. His gaze flickered over to my face, lingering a little longer than necessary. “You should let yourself breathe a little, you know.”

“And do what? Walk the beach with a stranger at midnight?”

“Exactly.” His smirk was entirely too self-satisfied, and before I could think better of it, I reached over and snatched the red flashlight out of his hand. 

“Hey!” he protested, laughing. 

“If you’re going to lecture me, the least you can do is let me use the fun toy,” I said, clicking it on and waving the little red beam across the sand. 

“Fun toy?” he repeated, offended. “This is top-tier turtle conservation technology!”

“Oh, of course. My mistake. I’m honored to be in the presence of such an elite environmentalist.”

“Damn right,” he muttered, but he was grinning. 

His gaze softened then, something fonder, heavier behind it. “You know,” he said, voice a little lower now. “You’re kind of cute when you’re not scowling at me.”

I stiffened, pulse skipping for just a second. “I do not scowl,” I shot back, choosing to focus on that instead of the heat creeping up my neck.

“Mmm.” He tipped his head to the side, considering. “I don’t know, Gemma. I’ve seen a lot of scowling.”

“Well, maybe that says more about you than me.”

“Maybe,” he said easily. “Or maybe I just like seeing you try to hide that you’re enjoying this.”

I turned toward him fully, meeting his gaze head-on. Big mistake.

Because up close, with the moonlight in his eyes and the lazy tilt of his smirk, he was unbelievably handsome.

And he knew it. 

I huffed, handing back his flashlight before I did something stupid, like let myself actually flirt back. “Go find your turtles, Romeo,” I muttered, shaking my head. 

He just grinned, clicking the flashlight on and off and waving it over the sand. “If I find one, you’re naming it.”

Hyunjin suddenly stood up, brushing sand off his pants, then turned to me and offered his hand. “Come on,” he said, palm open, fingers waiting. “Walk with me.”

I raised a skeptical brow. “Why?”

“Because,” he smirked, tilting his head toward the shore, “I know where the turtle nests are. If we’re lucky, we might see some hatching.”

I glanced at the flashlight now clutched in his other hand, the red glow softly illuminating the sand. “You’re really committed to this, huh?”

“Someone’s gotta care about the great turtle births of the Italian coast,” he quipped. “Maybe you can write an article about it. ‘An Exclusive Look at Nature’s Most Underrated Spectacle.’”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help the way my lips twitched upward. “That’s a terrible headline.”

“You’re right. Should probably workshop it.” His grin widened. “Walk with me anyway.”

I hesitated, looking at his outstretched hand. 

It would be easy for me to say no. To tell him I was tired, that I had to work tomorrow. That I didn’t have time to go gallivanting through the sand at midnight with a boy who smiled like he was used to getting exactly what he wanted. 

But then I thought about the blank page of my laptop, the way my chest had felt too tight all day, how much I needed something – anything – to remind me why I even wanted to write in the first place. 

And maybe – just maybe – this was it. 

I exhaled, placing my hand in his. 

His fingers curled around mine, warm, steady. 

“Fine,” I muttered. “But if I trip in the dark and die, I’m haunting you forever.”

“I’d expect nothing less,” he said, smirking as he pulled me up. 

We strolled along the beach, the quiet hum of waves filling the spaces between us. Hyunjin kept the red flashlight low, sweeping it gently over the sand, scanning for signs of movement. “So,” he said, glancing at me. “Where’s home for you?”

I hesitated, tucking my hands into the sleeves of my cardigan. “New York. Born and raised.”

“That tracks.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, side-eyeing him. 

“Just that you’ve got that whole no-nonsense city girl thing going for you.”

“And you’ve got the rich boy on vacation trying to ‘find himself’ thing.”

He let out a sharp laugh, head tipping back. “Okay, fair. But for the record, I didn’t come here to find myself. I came because my family basically forced me.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “You know how it is – big family, overbearing relatives, everyone wanting you to be something you’re not.”

I huffed. “Oh, I wouldn’t know anything about that.”

He cast me a knowing look. “Right. Your whole life is obviously completely put together.”

“Exactly,” I deadpanned.

Hyunjin chuckled, then kicked at the sand, thoughtful. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “I guess I always thought being an artist would be enough for me, but my family… they don’t really get it.”

“You mean they don’t think art is a real job?”

“Bingo.”

I frowned. Somehow, I had expected his family to be fully supportive – cushy rich kid, endless opportunities. But now, I wasn’t so sure. “I think that’s a universal experience,” I muttered, watching the waves. “Parents being… disappointed in your career choices.”

“Yeah?” he nudged me lightly. “What did yours want you to be?”

“Something stable.” I shrugged. “Doctor, lawyer, something that actually makes money.”

“But you chose journalism.”

“I chose writing,” I corrected. “I just figured journalism was the most practical way to do it.”

He hummed in response, like he understood exactly what I meant. And somehow, that made me feel lighter.

“So what kind of stuff do you want to write?” he asked.

I hesitated. When was the last time someone had actually asked me that?

“I used to want to do investigative pieces,” I admitted. “The kind that actually matter. Exposing corruption, bringing stories to light, making a difference.”

Hyunjin tilted his head. Something about his gaze made me feel… seen. “And now?” he asked, voice softer.

I sighed. “Now I write very professional emails all day and manage the emotional instability of a literary icon.”

“Well, that sounds thrilling.”

“Oh, it’s a dream come true.”

His grin returned, teasing, but his eyes stayed thoughtful. “You should write something,” he said, flipping a shell in the sand with his foot. “Not for work. Just for you.”

“Easier said than done.”

“Maybe,” he said, glancing at me again, “but you don’t seem like someone who gives up that easily.”

The words hit deeper than I wanted them to. I swallowed. Looked away. “Well,” I said, clearing my throat, deflecting, “if I’m ever desperate, at least I know I can write about turtle conservation.”

He chuckled. “Hey, don’t knock it. These guys deserve their time in the spotlight.”

“Right. What would the world do without ‘the great turtle births of the Italian coast?’”

“That’s what I’m saying!”

I laughed, genuinely, fully, for the first time in what felt like forever. 

“Wait –” Hyunjin froze, grabbing my arm gently, stopping me in my tracks. I stilled, heart skipping, but not because of him this time. Because just ahead of us, in the sand, something small was moving.

He crouched down, flicking the red flashlight toward it, his smile slow and spreading. “Looks like you might actually get to name one.”

The movement stopped for a second, then scuttled forward again – but instead of tiny turtle flippers, a pair of long, spindly legs stretched toward the moonlight. A crab.

Hyunjin let out a dramatic sigh, running a hand through his hair. “False alarm.”

“What, are you disappointed?” I teased, nudging his side lightly. 

“I mean, a baby turtle hatching would’ve been a moment, you know?” he said, folding his arms. “This guy’s just… vibing.”

I ignored him, already crouching down, watching as the tiny crab hustled sideways across the sand with impressive determination. “I like him,” I said, smiling despite myself. “He’s got places to be.”

Hyunjin chuckled. “Should we name him, then?”

I thought for a second. “Hmm… he kinda looks like a Bernard.”

“Bernard?”

“Yeah, like… sophisticated. Business crab. Family man.”

Hyunjin grinned. “So you think he’s got a whole life out there?”

“Absolutely.” I nodded. “Wife, kids, a nine-to-five in the seaweed industry. This guy is booked and busy.”

“Damn.” He let out a low whistle. “Respect to Bernard.”

We watched as Bernard scurried toward the waves, disappearing into the foam like a tiny little soldier returning home.

For some reason, it made something in my chest ache.

I cleared my throat and stood, brushing the sand from my hands. When I turned, Hyunjin was already looking at me. Not just looking – watching. The kind of quiet admiration that made my stomach do something stupid. “What?” I asked, raising a brow.

He shook his head, a lazy smile spreading across his face. “Nothing. Just didn’t take you for a crab enthusiast.”

“I contain multitudes.”

“Clearly.”

We stood there for a beat too long – both of us still, the space between us small enough that I could feel the warmth radiating from his skin. He was close enough that I could see the moonlight reflecting in the slight sheen of humidity on his collarbone, the way the night breeze shifted his hair just slightly. Close enough that my gaze drifted to his lips, unbidden, unintentional.

I wondered – for less than a second – what it might be like to kiss him. If he’d be slow about it, teasing, letting it build just to see if I’d get impatient. If he’d take his time, deliberate and confident, the same way he moved, like he already knew the outcome.

The thought startled me, caught me off guard for the third time that night. 

And yet… I didn’t step back. 

Instead, Hyunjin did something worse – he stepped closer.

Not enough to touch, but enough that the air between us felt heavier, charged with something unspoken. 

“I was gonna ask if you wanted to come back for a drink or something,” he murmured, voice smooth, easy, almost teasing. “But now I’m worried that Bernard set the bar too high.”

I barely had time to smirk before my phone rang. 

Loud. Abrasive. Reality slamming between us like a wall.

I jolted, startled by the sound, by how instantly the moment shattered. 

Hyunjin leaned back just slightly, exhaling through his nose, shaking his head with a half-smile like he should’ve expected it. 

I barely glanced at the screen before muttering, “It’s Celeste. I have to go.”

Hyunjin watched me for a second, something unreadable flickering across his face. Then, with a slow nod, he stepped back. “Duty calls,” he said lightly, but the warmth from before had dimmed just slightly. 

I hesitated, phone still buzzing in my hand. Some part of me wanted to stay. 

But instead, I forced a smile, turned on my heel, and started walking back towards the resort – leaving behind the ocean, the moonlight, and the boy with the red flashlight who had almost convinced me to forget everything else.

I power-walked back to my room, cheeks still burning from Hyunjin and his stupid, stupid smirk. The way he looked at me. The way he stepped closer, like he was about to say something that would’ve unraveled me completely. The way I had actually wondered, even for just a second, what kissing him would be like. 

I exhaled sharply, shoving the thought away as I slipped into my suite, pressing my cool fingers to my too-warm face. “Get it together, Parker,” I muttered under my breath.

I crossed the room in three strides, heading straight for the mini bar. I yanked it open, wincing at the overpriced selection before grabbing the first tiny bottle of vodka I could find. 

One sip. Two. I winced again, swallowing hard. Great. Now my face was burning for an entirely different reason.

I collapsed on the edge of the bed, phone still clutched in my hand. I wasn’t sure why I lied to Hyunjin, why I said Celeste was calling when in fact, it was my mother. The missed call sat on my screen, glaring up at me. 

With a sigh, I redialed. It barely rang once before she picked up. 

“Gemmy!” my mom’s voice greeted me, warm and familiar, like home. “I was just about to light a candle for you!”

I smiled, shaking my head. “Hi, Mom. You don’t have to light a candle every time I go on a trip, you know.”

“Excuse me,” she said, feigning offense. “Cleansing your energy is very important, missy. You’re surrounded by wealthy people and entitled egos – you don’t want that energy leeching onto you.”

“Too late for that,” I muttered, rubbing my temple.

“How’s Italy?” she asked, genuinely excited. “Did you see anything amazing yet? How’s Celeste? Any existential breakdowns yet?”

I huffed a small laugh. “So far, she’s only at one minor tantrum and two unnecessarily dramatic monologues, so we’re pacing ourselves.”

“That’s actually impressive restraint for her.”

“Right? I think the Negronis are helping.”

Mom laughed, and for a moment, I felt the tension in my shoulders ease. 

“Tell me everything,” she said. “What’s the resort like?”

I leaned back against the pillows, closing my eyes. “It’s… surreal. It’s exactly the kind of place people like Celeste thrive in – stupidly luxurious, way too polished, the kind of resort where they manufacture the atmosphere to make you feel like your life is perfect.”

“And is it working?”

I hesitated. Because honestly? I hadn’t let myself enjoy it. Not really.

But then I thought about Hyunjin and the way the moon reflected in his eyes, the sound of his laugh against the ocean, the way he looked at me like he was actually interested in what I had to say. 

And okay, maybe for a second, I had let myself enjoy it.

“It’s… nice,” I admitted, “in a fantasy sort of way.”

“Mmm, I hear something in your voice.” 

Her sing-song tone made me roll my eyes. “Here we go.”

“Gemmy,” Mom said knowingly, “are you getting into trouble?”

“Not yet,” I said, but I didn’t sound convincing.

“You met someone.”

I groaned. “How do you know that?”

“I’m your mother, that’s how. And also, my tarot reading this morning said something about unexpected romantic entanglements, so spill.”

I sighed, knowing she wouldn’t let it go. “It’s not a thing, okay? I met a guy. He’s… interesting.”

“Interesting how?”

“Korean-Italian. Stupidly good-looking. Too charming for his own good.”

“Oooooh, Gemma!”

“Don’t ‘ooooh, Gemma’ me.”

“Sweetheart, I have never heard you call a man ‘stupidly good-looking’ before. This is a milestone.”

“Oh my god.” I pressed a palm to my forehead. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“Too late!” She sing-songed again. “So, what’s his deal?”

“Aspiring artist. Dancer. Rich family. They’re here for some big reunion, reconnecting with their Italian roots or whatever.”

“A rich artist? Oh, honey, that’s a dangerous combination.”

“Tell me about it,” I muttered. 

“But?”

I hesitated again. 

Because despite every single reason I should keep my distance, I really liked talking to him. 

More than that – I related to him. Sure, he had the luxury of financial freedom, but he still had pressure. Expectations. The fear of not being good enough. And that wasn’t something I could talk to a lot of people about.

“But…” I exhaled. “I don’t know. It’s nothing. Just a conversation on the beach.”

“Mmm. Still, I wouldn’t ignore it.”

“You think this is fate or something?”

“I think this trip is going to be big for you,” Mom said, suddenly serious. “I feel it.”

“You always say that.”

“And I’m never wrong.”

I sighed, but I couldn’t help but smile. Because as much as my mom drove me crazy sometimes, she was always reliably my mom.

She had been through so much – losing Dad when I was thirteen, struggling through her own mental health crisis after that, working jobs she hated just to make sure I never went without. 

And now, she was stronger, softer in a way she never used to be. She had her spirituality, her tarot cards, her sage-burning rituals, and full-moon intentions. 

And she had me.

“Well,” I said, pulling the blankets up around me, “we’ll see what happens.”

“Just don’t get too distracted,” Mom warned, but not unkindly. “Celeste still needs your attention.”

“Trust me, that’s never in danger.”

“Good. Now get some rest. You have a big week ahead of you.”

I nodded, letting my eyes droop. “Love you, Mom.”

“Love you more, sweet girl.”

I hung up, exhaling slowly, my mind still racing. Maybe Mom was right. Maybe something was coming. 

I just didn’t know if I was ready for it. 

I stared at the ceiling, begging my mind to quiet down. Because no matter how much I tried to push it away, I kept thinking about him. Hyunjin. His smirk, his smile, the way he watched me like I was something worth paying attention to. The way he had stepped closer, the space between us narrowing like something inevitable.

And, of course, his damn red flashlight. 

I sighed, tossing my phone onto the bed, then stood and shuffled toward the bathroom, rubbing my face to cool the warmth still lingering on my cheeks. A quick, half-hearted skincare routine. A long sip of water. Then I brushed my teeth and slipped into the softest, most unremarkable sleep shirt I owned. By the time I climbed into bed, I did what any rational person would do. 

I grabbed my phone and googled: ‘Sea turtles in the Mediterranean.’

Great. Now I was committed to this, too.

I tapped the first article that popped up. Something about nesting habits, hatching seasons, conservation efforts. 

‘Sea turtles have an extraordinary ability to return to the beaches where they were born, guided by the Earth’s magnetic field – a phenomenon known as natal homing.’

I frowned, rereading that line. Returning to where they were born. Following some invisible pull in the sand, like they already knew where they were meant to go. 

Lucky them.

My eyes flicked to the red light of my charging cable, and for some reason, I imagined it flickering across the beach. Imagined Hyunjin, walking alone in the dark, scanning the sand, completely content in his own little world. 

I sighed. Ridiculous.

And yet, as I curled into my pillow, letting the words on my screen blur, I couldn’t shake the feeling that maybe I’d met him for a reason. Maybe Mom was right, maybe something was coming. 

But that was tomorrow’s problem. 

Tonight, I let my phone slip from my fingers, my eyelids heavy, the glow of the screen fading as sleep pulled me under.

[zxxyue]

Timeskip 学秀 | Why a Tech CEO?

Gakushu's choice to pursue an MBA at MIT and become the CEO of a tech company in Silicon Valley at 23 made too much sense. With HIS ambition, he would excel in a field where intellect and innovation are highly valued. Silicon Valley would provide him with the platform to showcase his abilities and give him the opportunity to exercise his influence on a much grander scale compared to his timeskip reign in high school.

Choosing MIT for his MBA was definitely a deliberate decision to associate himself with one of the world's top institutions for technology and business education. Not only would it enhance his knowledge but also establish valuable connections within the tech community, which is something we already know he would prioritize because he puts a lot of importance in networking.

Gakushu thrives in the tech industry because of the dynamic and innovative nature of the field. His intellect would find resonance in an industry where constant learning and adaptation are paramount. The fast-paced evolution of technology demands individuals who can quickly grasp new concepts and lead teams through rapid advancements, just like how we've seen him throughout the progression of Assassination Classroom.

Such an industry involves strategic maneuvering, negotiations, and complex interpersonal dynamics, areas where his manipulative prowess becomes a valuable asset. His inclination to control and dominate complements with the high-stakes nature of tech business, where companies strive to outperform rivals and establish market dominance.

The global and interconnected nature of the tech sector also caters to Gakushu as evidenced by his recruitment of overseas friends during the pole-topping tournament. His choice of career, with its collaborative and diverse environment, allows him to leverage these connections and resources.

Gakushu's moral compass, which consistently clashed with his father's extreme methods, might have found solace in technology's potential for positive impact. Many tech companies focus on innovation for social good, which could provide an avenue for him to contribute positively to society while maintaining that competitive edge that drives him forward.

[paralleljulieverse]

FROM THE ARCHIVES: STRIKE A POSE Julie Andrews photographed by Henry Clarke for 'Vogue France', December 1958

By 1958, the world was firmly in the grip of "My Fair Lady-mania". The smash-hit Broadway musical had become a global cultural phenomenon, influencing not only theatre and music, but also travel, lifestyle — and, most notably, fashion

As explored in previous PJV posts, My Fair Lady helped define late-1950s style, inspiring designers, shaping seasonal collections, and generating a flood of editorial spreads, lifestyle features, and advertising campaigns. Its cultural impact was so pronounced that the international press dubbed it “The Show That Changed America’s Fashions” (Garland, pp. 10–11), while others hailed a full-blown “fashion revolution” that had “influenced designers in Italy, Paris, New York and London” (New Fair Ladies, p. 101).

Amid this wave of sartorial enthusiasm, Julie Andrews quickly became a sought-after subject for fashion magazines eager to leverage her rising star power. One striking example is this editorial from the December 1958 issue of Vogue France — arguably the era’s definitive "fashion bible" (Sweet, 2023). While Andrews had already graced the pages of American Vogue, this shoot marked her debut in the French edition.

The star appeared as part of a six-page celebrity fashion feature titled Chez Elles: une histoire en six pages qui va de Versailles à Paris en passant par Londres (“At Home with Her: A Story in Six Pages from Versailles to Paris via London”). Alongside Julie were other notables of the day — including Princess Maria-Pia of Yugoslavia and dancers Claude Bessy and Noëlle Adam — each modelling the latest haute couture in the intimacy of her own home.

In Julie's case, she was photographed in the front sitting room of her London flat in Eaton Square. Bedecked in designer finery as she lounges on a chintz-covered settee, the image distils the article’s central theme: the interplay between public glamour and private domesticity. The accompanying copy reads:

Cinderella-Princess of legend, come to enchant Pygmalion, Julie Andrews performs every evening in London in My Fair Lady, the musical comedy adapted from Bernard Shaw’s famous play. In it, she takes on the role of Eliza, a part she had already made a triumph during a long and celebrated run in New York. Like all actresses mindful of maintaining their form, the demands of this hectic professional life must be balanced by periods of calm—long hours of restorative time at home. These moments of repose are so essential that they shape the rhythm of an actress’s life—which is, in truth, much calmer than those outside the theatre world often imagine. That is why, in private, elegant stage costumes give way to refined, comfortable loungewear. At home, Julie Andrews wears a luxurious Lanvin Castillo robe in pale blue silk taffeta by Guillemin, with an Empire waist and wide puffed sleeves. This delicate shade harmonises particularly well with the freshness of her face and the blue of her eyes (Charles-Roux, 1958, p. 56, trans.).

The editorial images are by Henry Clarke, an influential force in postwar fashion photography. The celebrated photographer launched his career in 1940s New York, bringing the spontaneity of photojournalism into the artificial conventions of studio fashion shoots. Favouring compact, adaptable cameras like the twin-lens Rolleiflex, Clarke developed a signature style that was both dynamic and meticulously crafted — balancing elegance with a sense of immediacy (Join-Diéterle, 2002).

Relocating to France in 1949, Clarke quickly secured work with leading publications such as Femina, L’Album de Figaro, and Harper’s Bazaar. By the mid-1950s, he was working exclusively for Vogue, creating many of the magazine’s most iconic and lavish editorials. His lens chronicled the postwar renaissance of French fashion, from Dior’s “New Look” to the mod passions of the 1960s (Schönauer, 2003, p. 52).

Within this orbit, Clarke photographed not only fashion models but also many of the era’s most celebrated women, including Coco Chanel, Maria Callas, the Duchess of Windsor, and the Queen of Thailand. In December 1958, that illustrious company was joined by the Fair Lady herself: Julie Andrews.

Though others may exist, this remains the only published image from Clarke’s shoot with Julie — and it bears all the hallmarks of the photographer's late-1950s style. In full-page splendour, the photograph stages Julie in a moment of poised repose — half-prepared for society, half-surrendered to private ease. Reclining gently, she casually toys with a pearl-crested bijou between her fingers, her gaze softly direct. The sheen of the silk robe, draped in generous folds, catches the light with theatrical elegance, while the plush cushions behind envelop her in a tableau of domestic comfort.

Yet the scene is steeped in intentional artifice: not a candid glimpse of domestic life, but a carefully composed fantasy of modern femininity. Paired with the smaller inset image of Julie as Eliza the flower seller, the composition underscores the Cinderella arc at the heart of My Fair Lady — and, indeed, of fashion itself — a transformation not merely of costume, but of social identity. Clarke’s lens captures both illusion and paradox: a performance of self at once intimate and staged, presenting Julie Andrews as star and subject, actress and icon.

Sources:

Charles-Roux, E. (Ed.). (1958, December). Chez elles: Une histoire en six pages qui va de Versailles à Paris en passant par Londres. Vogue français, 52-58.

Garland, A. (1956, October 6). The show that changed America’s fashions. Daily Mirror, pp. 10–11.

Join-Diéterle, C. (2002). Henry Clarke: Photographe de mode. Somogy & Paris Musées.

The New Fair ladies. (1958, May 11). The Sun-Herald, p. 101.

Schönauer, D. (2003, November–December). Henry Clarke. American Photo, 14(6), 50–52.

Sweet, H. (2023, September 27). “The fashion bible”: A history of Vogue magazine. Bbys Magazine. https://www.barnebys.com/blog/the-fashion-bible-a-history-of-vogue-magazine

© 2025, Brett Farmer. All Rights Reserved.

[edumatrixs]

Unlock Your Creative Potential with a Diploma in Digital Content Creation in Dubai

In today’s rapidly evolving digital world, content is more than just king—it’s the entire kingdom. Whether it’s engaging videos, compelling social media campaigns, or immersive storytelling, the demand for skilled digital content creators has never been higher. That’s where edumatrix steps in with its cutting-edge Diploma in Digital Content Creation in Dubai—a program designed to equip future creators with the skills, tools, and vision needed to thrive in the digital age.

Why Choose a Diploma in Digital Content Creation in Dubai?

Dubai is not only a global hub for business and innovation but also a hotspot for media, marketing, and creative industries. By enrolling in a Diploma in Digital Content Creation in Dubai, you’ll gain access to a vibrant creative economy, hands-on training, and exposure to real-world projects that mirror the demands of the industry.

At edumatrix, our curriculum is curated by experts in media, marketing, and design. From video editing and graphic design to digital storytelling and social media strategy, we cover all facets of content creation. Students will also gain exposure to the latest tools and platforms used by professionals globally.

A Holistic Approach to Learning

Our diploma program goes beyond just technical skills. We emphasize creativity, communication, and strategy, ensuring our graduates can not only create content but also understand the psychology of audiences and the dynamics of digital marketing.

Students benefit from:

Expert-led workshops

Hands-on projects and real-time feedback

Industry-standard software training

Portfolio development for job readiness

Whether you’re a recent high school graduate, a career switcher, or a working professional looking to upskill, this diploma offers a flexible and future-proof path to success.

Expand Your Horizons with edumatrix

While our Diploma in Digital Content Creation in Dubai is one of our flagship programs, edumatrix is also proud to offer a diverse range of professional courses, including:

Hospitality Management Courses UAE Perfect for those looking to build a career in one of the UAE’s most dynamic and customer-focused industries. Our hospitality courses combine theoretical knowledge with real-world internships in leading hotels and resorts.

Artificial Intelligence Courses in Dubai AI is reshaping industries across the globe. Our AI programs are ideal for tech enthusiasts and professionals aiming to lead in automation, machine learning, and data-driven decision-making.

Why edumatrix?

As a trusted name in education and professional training in the UAE, edumatrix stands for quality, innovation, and student success. Our mission is to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world application, empowering learners with relevant skills for today’s job market.

With expert faculty, modern facilities, and strong industry connections, edumatrix is your gateway to a future-proof career—whether in content creation, hospitality, or AI.

Ready to Take the Leap?

Step into the world of creativity and innovation with edumatrix’s Diploma in Digital Content Creation in Dubai. Explore your passions, master in-demand skills, and turn your ideas into powerful content that connects, influences, and inspires.

Visit edumatrix to learn more and enroll today.

[heippeople]

What Are the Best Courses to Choose After 12th Arts for a Successful Career?

The Arts stream has evolved significantly over the past few years, breaking the stereotype that it offers limited career opportunities. In fact, today’s dynamic world has opened up countless doors for Arts students in creative industries, law, media, education, public service, design, and more.

Choosing the right course after completing 12th grade in the Arts stream can shape your career in meaningful ways. The key is to identify your interest, passion, and long-term goals before making a decision.

Whether you are interested in a traditional subject like Political Science or Sociology, or you want to explore modern fields like Digital Marketing and Graphic Design, the Arts stream offers a rich landscape of opportunities.

Now let’s answer the commonly asked question: after 12 arts best course—which one should you choose?

Traditional Degree Programs After 12th Arts

If you want to pursue a stable and structured academic path, consider these degree courses:

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) A B.A. degree allows you to specialize in subjects like English, History, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, and more. It’s a great choice for those planning to enter education, public administration, or civil services.

B.A. in Psychology or Sociology These subjects open doors to careers in mental health, counseling, social work, and research. Psychology is especially in demand due to rising awareness around mental health.

B.A. in Economics Ideal for students interested in finance, policy-making, or economic analysis. It can also lead to careers in banks, think tanks, and financial firms.

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) If you have a creative mindset and love painting, sketching, or visual design, BFA is a great career choice. It can lead to roles in advertising, media, or freelance artistry.

B.A. LLB (Law) One of the most respected professional courses for Arts students. After completing this 5-year integrated course, you can become a lawyer, legal advisor, or even a judge (after clearing competitive exams).

Creative and Professional Courses

If you’re looking for something beyond traditional degrees, the Arts stream offers several career-specific programs:

Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication (BJMC) For students interested in media, news reporting, content creation, and public relations. The rise of digital media has expanded job opportunities in this field.

Bachelor of Design (B.Des) A professional course that opens doors to fashion design, interior design, UX/UI design, and graphic design. Creativity, presentation, and technical skills are essential here.

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) A noble profession for those who want to make a social impact. You can work in NGOs, government agencies, and welfare departments.

Bachelor of Hotel Management (BHM) Ideal for those who are passionate about hospitality, travel, and customer service. Career options include hotel management, event planning, and tourism.

Foreign Language Courses Learning a language like Spanish, French, German, or Mandarin can open up international career paths in translation, interpretation, diplomacy, and global marketing.

Short-Term & Skill-Based Courses

In today’s digital-first world, even short-term professional courses can offer quick job placements and freelancing opportunities:

Digital Marketing

Graphic Design

Animation & Multimedia

Photography & Videography

Public Speaking & Communication

Content Writing & Copywriting

These skills are high in demand and can be monetized through freelancing, remote jobs, or by starting your own online business.

Government and Competitive Exams

If your goal is job security and public service, you can start preparing for exams like:

UPSC Civil Services (IAS, IPS, IFS)

SSC Exams

Banking Exams (IBPS, SBI PO/Clerk)

State-level PSC Exams

Railway Recruitment Board (RRB)

A B.A. degree in Political Science, History, or Public Administration complements your preparation for these exams.

Final Thoughts

So, when asking after 12 arts best course, remember—there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The “best” course depends on your interests, your strengths, and the kind of life you want to build. Arts students are no longer limited—they are now creators, leaders, communicators, and change-makers.

Whether you want to become a journalist, lawyer, teacher, designer, social worker, or entrepreneur, the Arts stream gives you the foundation and flexibility to succeed. Choose wisely, invest in your skills, and don’t be afraid to follow your passion.

[77deepak]

Production and Operation Management

In today’s highly competitive business landscape, Production and Operations Management (POM) plays a crucial role in the success and efficiency of any organization. From streamlining manufacturing processes to optimizing service delivery, POM professionals are in high demand across industries. If you’re aspiring to build a career in this dynamic field, choosing the right college is the first and most important step.

What is Production and Operations Management?

Production and Operations Management is the process of planning, organizing, directing, and controlling the activities that transform raw materials into finished goods and services. It encompasses both manufacturing and service operations, aiming for maximum efficiency, cost reduction, and customer satisfaction.

Top Private MBA Colleges in India

XLRI — Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur

Specialization: Offers a robust curriculum in Operations Management, focusing on supply chain, logistics, and process optimization.

Highlights: Renowned for its academic excellence and strong industry connections, XLRI provides students with opportunities to engage in real-world projects and internships.

2.International Institute of Business Studies (IIBS)

Specialization: has been known to be as world–class training campus for MBA program with high morals, principled and dedicated management.

Highlights:Strong corporate engagement and modern campus facilities

3.Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM), Pune

Specialization: Provides a well-structured Operations Management curriculum with a focus on lean management and quality control.

Highlights: SIBM’s strong alumni network and industry partnerships facilitate excellent placement opportunities in the operations domain.

4.SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai

Specialization: Offers an innovative Operations Management program integrating technology and analytics.

Highlights: SPJIMR emphasizes experiential learning, allowing students to work on live projects and gain hands-on experience in operations.

5.Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), Mumbai

Specialization: Features a dynamic Operations Management course focusing on global supply chain and logistics.

Highlights: NMIMS’s strategic location in Mumbai provides students with access to a plethora of industries and real-time operational challenges.

Conclusion: Build a Future-Proof Career in POM

Production and Operations Management is more than just managing processes — it’s about transforming efficiency into a competitive edge. With the right blend of education, skills, and industry exposure, you can lead operations in top companies and drive innovation across global supply chains.

Your career in operations starts with the right college. Choose wisely, build purposefully, and lead effectively.

[digitalabhishekgupta]

Reliance Animation Academy Andheri – Why the BSc Degree in Animation Is Redefining Creative Education in 2025

1. Introduction: Why Reliance Animation Academy Andheri Is the First Choice for Creatives

As the demand for skilled creators in film, games, and digital media continues to grow, Reliance Animation Academy Andheri is shaping the future of animation education with its specialized BSc Degree in Animation.

Unlike traditional degrees, this program offers a dynamic and immersive learning environment where students develop real-world skills that directly translate into jobs. With the rise of OTT platforms, AR/VR tech, and digital storytelling, creative professionals are now more essential than ever.

If you’re a student looking to build a future in visual media, this course is designed for you.

2. The Shift from Traditional Degrees to Skill-Driven Learning

Conventional courses like B.A., B.Com, or B.Sc. offer a theoretical foundation, but they often leave students underprepared for modern industry demands. The limitations include:

Outdated syllabi

Minimal practical training

Lack of exposure to professional software

Weak placement outcomes

In contrast, animation courses in Andheri now offer a smarter choice—built around practical experience, cutting-edge tools, and portfolio development.

3. Inside the BSc Degree in Animation: Learn Like a Professional

The BSc Degree in Animation isn’t just about drawing or editing—it’s a complete professional training experience that covers:

Concept art and character design

2D/3D animation production

Digital filmmaking and cinematography

Game environment creation

AR/VR and immersive storytelling

Motion graphics and VFX fundamentals

Students use industry-standard software like Maya, Blender, Photoshop, After Effects, and Unreal Engine, placing this course among the most advanced animation classes in Andheri.

4. Career Outcomes: Where Can a BSc Degree in Animation Take You?

Graduates of this program are equipped for roles in diverse creative industries including:

3D Animator

VFX Artist

Motion Graphics Designer

Game Designer

AR/VR Content Developer

Storyboard Artist

Digital Illustrator

Graphic Designer

The curriculum is aligned with hiring needs in entertainment, marketing, gaming, education, and tech—placing students on a fast track to career success.

5. Studio Training and Internships: Experience That Sets You Apart

One of the biggest advantages at Reliance Animation Academy Andheri is its studio-based internship program. Students work on real projects, follow professional timelines, and receive feedback from industry mentors.

This type of experience is rare in academic institutions and offers a huge edge in competitive job markets—especially for those exploring vfx courses in Andheri or multimedia design careers.

6. A Global Career with Local Roots

The skills learned in this program go beyond borders. With the explosion of digital media and freelancing platforms, students can:

Work remotely for international studios

Launch careers in gaming, OTT, and mobile content

Build global portfolios from right here in Mumbai

This global reach, paired with hands-on studio experience, makes this course ideal for aspiring creators who want flexible, location-independent careers.

7. Why Students Are Choosing Reliance Animation Academy Andheri

Here’s what sets this academy apart:

Located in the media heart of Mumbai

Mentorship from working professionals

Real-time software training in animation and design

Access to multiple career tracks including graphic courses in Andheri, animation courses in Andheri, and vfx courses in Andheri

Dedicated support for internships and placements

Project-based learning and professional portfolio development

It’s not just education—it’s a launchpad to a successful creative career.

8. Ready to Begin Your Creative Journey?

Reliance Animation Academy AndheriCenter Unit No. 14, 2nd Floor, Shri Alankar CHS Ltd, Nadco Shopping Centre, SV Road, Near Andheri Railway Station, Mumbai – 400058 Phone: +91 9326591557 / +91 7400400795 / +91 9920678816 Email: andheri@ravaglobal.in Website: relianceacademyandheri.com Google Maps: Click to Navigate

Apply today for the BSc Degree in Animation and take the first step toward a creative career with global potential.

[fakerobotrealblog]

### Psychology of Learning a New Language:

1. **Cognitive Benefits:**

- Learning a new language engages various cognitive functions, enhancing memory, problem-solving, and creativity. The brain's plasticity allows for the development of new neural connections, improving overall cognitive abilities.

2. **Cultural and Social Connections:**

- Language learning fosters an understanding of different cultures, as language and culture are interconnected. The process involves not just linguistic aspects but also social nuances, promoting cultural empathy and connection.

3. **Motivation and Positive Emotions:**

- Motivation plays a crucial role in language acquisition. Positive emotions, curiosity, and the desire to communicate with others contribute to a more effective learning experience. A positive mindset enhances language retention.

### Hardships of Learning Multiple Languages:

1. **Interference and Confusion:**

- When learning multiple languages simultaneously, interference can occur. Similarities between languages may lead to confusion, affecting vocabulary recall and grammatical structures.

2. **Time and Commitment:**

- Learning one language is a significant commitment, and adding more languages requires even more time and effort. Juggling multiple languages demands effective time management and sustained dedication.

3. **Language Dominance:**

- A challenge arises when one language becomes more dominant than others. It may lead to uneven proficiency levels, impacting effective communication in each language.

### Strategies to Learning New Languages:

1. **Immersive Learning:**

- Immersing oneself in the language, through conversations, media, and cultural experiences, accelerates learning. This approach enhances both linguistic and cultural understanding.

2. **Use of Technology:**

- Language learning apps, online courses, and multimedia resources provide interactive and dynamic learning experiences. Technology aids in improving listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.

3. **Regular Practice:**

- Consistent and regular practice is crucial. Daily exposure to the language through reading, writing, speaking, and listening helps reinforce learning and build fluency.

### Benefits of Learning Another Language:

1. **Career Opportunities:**

- Multilingual individuals often have a competitive edge in the global job market. Many international businesses and organizations value employees who can communicate in multiple languages.

2. **Cognitive Flexibility:**

- Learning different languages enhances cognitive flexibility, the ability to switch between tasks and adapt to new information. This mental agility has benefits beyond language acquisition.

3. **Cultural Understanding:**

- Language is a gateway to understanding different cultures. Knowing a language allows individuals to engage with diverse communities, fostering cross-cultural communication and appreciation.

### Examples in Languages Other Than English:

1. **Spanish (Learning Multiple Languages):**

- Learning Spanish and Italian simultaneously might pose challenges due to their similarities, leading to lexical and grammatical interference. However, with focused practice and exposure to both languages, proficiency can be achieved.

2. **Mandarin Chinese (Immersion):**

- Immersing oneself in Mandarin Chinese involves engaging with native speakers, watching Chinese movies, and reading Chinese literature. This immersive approach deepens understanding and fluency.

3. **French (Career Opportunities):**

- Knowing French opens doors to career opportunities, especially in international organizations like the United Nations or multinational corporations. Proficiency in French is highly valued in diplomatic and business contexts.

4. **German (Cognitive Flexibility):**

- Learning German, known for its compound words and complex grammar, enhances cognitive flexibility. The ability to navigate intricate language structures contributes to improved problem-solving skills.

In summary, the psychology of learning a new language involves cognitive benefits and cultural connections. While the hardships of learning multiple languages exist, strategies such as immersive learning, technology use, and regular practice can mitigate challenges. The benefits of learning another language extend to career opportunities, cognitive flexibility, and a deeper understanding of diverse cultures. Examples in languages like Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, French, and German illustrate these principles in practice.

[dailyanarchistposts]

The limits of activism

What we have so far is a vision of total liberation. As of yet, however, it can only be admitted that this vision remains by and large a fantasy. Throughout The Politics of Total Liberation, Best speaks of the need for “radical, systemic, and comprehensive social changes, of a formidable revolutionary movement against oppressive global capitalism and hierarchical domination of all kinds.” This clearly describes the struggle that resonates so deeply amongst many of those committed to animal and earth liberation. It confirms that total liberation must be revolutionary in order to gain substance at all. But, then again, we seriously have to ask: does the current trajectory of total liberation activism – contained as it is primarily within the terrain of activist campaigning – justify speaking in such terms? The answer to this question is surprisingly obvious, given how rarely it’s admitted: we are not a revolutionary movement. For such ambitious rhetoric, our strategy leaves a lot to be desired; the state and capital aren’t going to fall any time soon, least of all from our efforts.

It’s not as if total liberation has no revolutionary content – what was said in the previous chapter contends that it certainly does. Yet this component refers mainly to something abstract and intangible, rather than anything significantly manifest in reality. Writing from behind bars rather than the comfort of academia, ALF prisoner of war Walter Bond offers an honest assessment:

In my estimation Total Liberation should be making steps to unite various struggles in the real world against the common leviathan of government and towards the reality of free communities. Unfortunately, I don’t see much grassroots organization around Total Lib. It remains, thus far, in the world of ideas, of salutations of solidarity. (Interview with Profane Existence, 2013)

Addressing this shortcoming is essential for moving forward. But it can also be an uncomfortable point, given that it means questioning the very basis of total liberation as it currently exists, namely, the method of activism itself. In the notorious pamphlet Give up Activism (1999), Andrew X argued that various direct action movements are held back by the widespread assumption of an activist mentality, where “people think of themselves primarily as activists and as belonging to some wider community of activists.” We often look at activism as the defining feature of our lives, as if it were a job or a career. Yet such strong assumptions of political identity often hold us back, not merely because they obscure the important differences between us, but especially because they distance ourselves unnecessarily from the rest of the population. Rather than being members of the oppressed along with everyone else – ordinary people who just happen to be fighting back in our own way – we see ourselves instead as specialists in social change, somehow uniquely privileged in our ability and willingness to intervene.

This mentality immediately undermines the possibility of revolution: by implication, the rest of society is, in virtue of lacking activist specialisation, written off as an inherently passive mass. Outsiders, in return, typically see us as weird cliques or inaccessible subcultures, often justifiably so. And what a strange outcome that offers: we’ve ended up doing the work of the mainstream media for them, isolating ourselves from society at large, paving the way for our repression to be met without broader resistance.

Such a dynamic is further solidified by the amount of practical specialisation often required for getting involved in activism. To paint a crude picture, the model activist is a highly trained, ideologically advanced being that utilizes a repertoire of skills, contacts, and equipment to effect social change. Those outsiders who see our struggle as relevant to their lives risk being excluded by such demanding requirements, particularly unrealistic if your life is already sufficiently burdened by everyday survival under capitalism. Even those with a chance of getting involved will need us to show them the way, which always encourages a hierarchical dynamic. Either we’ll end up being the accidental vanguards of the revolution, or, more likely, our involvement will prove irrelevant to the sudden moments of upheaval that revolutionary change is defined by. The activist subculture has thus been relegated to a kind of bubble, floating around the edges of society, and winning victories here and there, yet remaining forever impossible for outsiders to get a firm grip on. Some would say this status even strengthens the liberal paradigm, given that we perfectly play the role of the annoying, fringe radicals the centre ground so gracefully tolerates, but only because we pose no real threat to its stability overall.

This introduction to the activist mentality can be refined in light of a second key limitation of activism: the focus on issue-based campaigning. The tendency with activism is to engage with power gradually, attempting to transform society one issue at a time. Normally a campaign will centre on a particular aspect of the economy – say, this specific slaughterhouse, or that form of energy extraction – rather than targetting the structure as a whole. This fine-grain approach certainly has its uses, allowing something as broad and abstract as social hierarchy to be confronted in its individual, concrete manifestations. Not to mention, halting the expansion of the capitalist machine (even just in one place) is always an important victory. The basic problem, however, is that issue-campaigning remains focused on achieving essentially reformist goals, intended merely to make the system more bearable. A multitude of different concerns – potentially revolutionary if taken as a whole – are condensed into a narrow range of issues, exactly the kind promoted by capitalist organisations such Greenpeace, PETA, or the Green Party. What makes a campaign radical might be that it employs militant tactics, or else opens up a space – usually a protest camp – in which to live out a holistic critique of power. Such endeavours are always bound to ruffle feathers. Yet the primary goal of a campaign – its basic target, which determines whether we “win” or “lose” – almost never stands to bring us any closer to dismantling capitalism. After all, preventing a forest from being turned into a coal mine is the kind of thing that sounds good to most liberals, even if the means we’re willing to employ set us a world apart.

Even in the event of a victory, issue-campaigns often fail to improve the overall situation, with the devastation merely being shifted elsewhere. In Germany, for example, nuclear energy had been fought against already since the ‘70s, and in 2011 the campaign finally won, with the government announcing it would close down all nuclear power stations by 2022. However, the bigger-picture outcome was merely the economy shifting towards a greater reliance on brown coal, a form of resource extraction at least as ecocidal as nuclear power, especially with respect to climate change. A gradual phase out of coal mining seems increasingly likely in Germany; in particular, the ongoing Hambacher Forest occupation has played a vital role here. But a victory would only mean the economy shifting once again, only this time to fracking, or biomass, or tar sands, or hydroelectricty, or industrial wind. Either that, or simply importing more coal from Russia – no problem. Such outcomes merely offer an inconvenience, maybe even an economic boost, leaving the deep structure of the highly flexible modern economy wholly in tact. Meanwhile, any anti-capitalist discourse contained within issue-campaigning is normally just empty rhetoric, failing to map onto tangible realities.

Some would respond, of course, that this critique is unfair. After all, total liberation activism was previously defined as rejecting single-issue campaigning in favour of a much broader revolutionary focus. This is exactly what Best, for example, offers in his proposal for an alliance politics that builds links between different liberation struggles, drawing them into a resolutely anti-capitalist trajectory. But this isn’t a new idea, and it doesn’t overcome the problems inherent in activism. Already two decades ago, we saw exactly that being attempted by the anti-globalisation “movement of movements,” which rarely seemed to gain an honest grasp of what the destruction of capitalism might look like. In the aforementioned pamphlet, Andrew X clarified that such engagement merely amounts to making links between activist groups, not beyond them. The shift remains quantitative rather than qualitative, a matter of strengthening different campaigns, but not of exceeding a framework based around campaigning on issues in the first place. The challenge is that, besides simply increasing the personnel of the struggle, we need to find ways of deepening our engagement. Otherwise, total liberation cannot help but remain a kind of paradox, the revolutionary scope of its vision scraping hard against the reformism of its strategy.

That isn’t to say, on the other hand, that we should give up on activism altogether. Any critiques here should be careful not to get carried away: activism has proven indispensable over the last decades, be it with keeping the global elite in check, opening up vital autonomous spaces, liberating millions of animals, or defending countless ecosystems. All of which continues to make a very real difference to an untold number of lives, revolution or no revolution. Not only is such activity valuable in itself, moreover, it’s often kept the spirit of revolutionary struggle alive, incubating a libertarian, anti-capitalist consciousness within various direct action movements over the years. However, the basic problem is that activism remains tailored for an era in which the overall stability of the system was taken as a given. If we no longer consider ourselves to live in such a context – if we’re honestly ready to experience what lies beyond it – then we need to exceed the current formula.

Despite offering a theory that questions everything, total liberation remains hampered by a practice that changes a great deal less. How do we bridge this gap between vision and strategy? That is, how do we make total liberation a revolutionary movement? At last, and in the middle of this piece, no less, we’ve arrived at our central problem.

[mind-cypress]

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Resource: https://mindcypress.com/blogs/project-management/why-pmp-certification-training-is-essential-for-project-managers-in-2025

[aitmsgroup]

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[palmconstructionsl]

The Gateway to Hayward: Hayward Executive Airport in Hayward, CA

Hayward Executive Airport in Hayward, CA, is a key center for private aviation and local economic development. Designed to serve smaller aircraft, corporate flights, and general aviation, this airport benefits both travelers and the Hayward community. With its facilities, professional services, and commitment to safety and efficiency, Hayward Executive Airport strengthens connectivity across the Bay Area and supports a dynamic aviation scene.

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