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msbigredmachine · 6 years ago

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The Roman and Jaida Series, Part 2 - We Are Closer

As Roman and Jaida deal with the aftermath of their passionate encounter the night of Blizzard Raw, a new challenge arrives in the shape of a face from one person's past. The sequel to "We Are Fire".

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"So..." Summer Rae started as she picked on her chicken salad in the hotel restaurant, "You hear Roman tapped Dana Brooke last night?"

Alicia raised an eyebrow. "The Kaitlyn clone from NXT? Really?" When Summer nodded, Alicia chewed her breakfast and then sighed. "Well, you can add another name to the list," she smiled, raising a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice to her lips.

"Not surprised," Summer said with a shrug. "You shoulda seen her last night. You left the bar early. She was all over him."

"And now she's been under him too," Alicia concluded. "I hope she's not expecting more 'cause that's how far she's gonna get with him."

Sitting between the two women, Jaida took her time sipping her orange juice, refusing to partake in the discussion. Inwardly she wished they didn't talk so much about the man in question. It was common knowledge that both ladies had given in to the charms of the Samoan powerhouse, but neither knew that the seamstress, only a week ago, had also done the same. And if she had her way, they would never know about it. She had no interest in being dragged into lewd conversations and comparing sexual notes about him all the time. "So…what are y'all doing for Valentine's Day next week?" she asked, hoping to change the subject.

"Nothing," Alicia said grumpily, still smarting from her recent break-up with Wade Barrett. Jaida winced at her own insensitivity.

"We could room together," suggested Summer, "Watch shitty chick flicks and eat Ben and Jerry's Cookie Dough ice cream."

Alicia laughed. "Sounds utterly pathetic, but I'm down for that." She then looked over at Jaida texting on her phone. "What about you Jay? What are you up to next week?"

Summer said, "Probably hooking up with that hunky guy she's been talking to all week. Your ex, right Jaida?"

And then there was that.

Alicia sat up straighter, looking back forth between the two women eagerly for the fresh gossip. "Ex? What ex?"

Summer faced Alicia to fill her in. "His name's Lincoln, and he's coming over today to pick her up and take her out on a date. That's why she's not eating anything."

Jaida shook her head, glancing out the massive glass window of the restaurant. "You need to quit bein' so damn nosy." She looked back inside to see Roman walking in, accompanied by former Funkadactyl Cameron, and her train of thought was temporarily derailed. "And it's not a date. We haven't seen each other in a long time. He's in town so we decided we're gonna catch up, that's all."

"Can I see a picture?" Alicia asked, and Jaida passed her phone to her. "Holy shit, he's hot! Why do you keep all this juicy shit from us, Jay? I thought we were friends," she whined. "What else are you hiding, huh?"

Oh, you don't wanna know. Taking another glance at her phone, Jaida rose to her feet and picked up her bag. "I gotta go, guys. I'll be back in an hour, two tops. Y'all don't need me, right?"

"He's here already? Aren't you gonna introduce us?" asked Alicia.

Jaida scrunched up her nose. "Hell no. I'm not bringing him near any of you," she said, pointing an orange fingernail at both of them.

Alicia shook her head. "Fine, be selfish. Get one in for us though."

"Ain't nothin' to get in. We're friends."

"For now you are," said Summer, hugging her goodbye. "Don't be too long, we've got Main Event and SmackDown tonight."

Jaida made her way out of the restaurant, walking past Roman and Cameron's table like they weren't there. Ever since their little tryst, the seamstress was doing everything in her power to keep away from Roman. It was easy to pass it off as her continued hatred for him since most of the roster already knew the two were constantly at loggerheads. But if the sexual tension was meant to dissipate after their night together, it hadn't gotten the memo yet because if anything it seemed to get even worse for Jaida. She had her game face down pat in public, but behind closed doors was a different scenario. She couldn't get him or the amazing sex they had out of her mind or her dreams; sometimes she would wake up in the middle of the night sweating and, to her horror, her hand between her legs. The man himself wasn't making things any easier. The backbiting hadn't stopped, but his remarks were more innuendo-laden and the look in his grey eyes was more loaded than usual. She hadn't forgotten about him wanting her to stay the night. To her knowledge, none of the girls he fucked slept over. Jaida could only chalk it down to his vulnerable state of mind at the time. If she hadn't been the one to show up at his door, it would have been someone else and he would have told her the same thing. He'd probably said that to Cameron and now there she was by his side. He'd moved on to the next one so it was time she moved on too.

Outside the restaurant she looked for an approaching vehicle, as was said in the text message, and rolled her eyes with a huge smile when a black stretch limousine pulled up in front of her. Only one person she ever knew was capable of such a thing. The back door opened for her and she shook her head with a grin.

"Some things never change," she muttered. She climbed into the limo, unaware of the narrowed pair of grey eyes that had watched everything from inside the restaurant.

------------------

"You look different," Jaida observed as she ate her chicken salad. The handsome man across the table from her did look different. His head was shaven and he had this five o'clock shadow thing going on that looked really good. He'd put on a bit of lean muscle, filling the black business suit he was wearing very well and further accentuating his good looks.

Lincoln flashed her a familiar thousand-watt smile as he sipped from his water glass. "In a good way, I hope?"

"Yeah," she nodded. "Still stylin' and profilin' I see, with the limo and everything."

"What can I say? Life's been good. And you are still as beautiful as the last time I saw you," said Lincoln.

Jaida smiled at her ex-boyfriend. "You're too kind. It's been a while." She'd missed him and had thought about calling him a number of times. When she saw the email he sent her a couple of days ago, they got to chatting again like they'd never been apart. It turned out he was in town this week, so they agreed to meet today.

"It's been too long, actually. I've missed you constantly badgering me about the horrible sneakers I used to wear to work," Lincoln laughed, though Jaida didn't miss the tinge of longing in his voice as he spoke. He continued before she could make a comment. "And speaking of work, how's it going? WWE, huh? Never imagined you being there."

"I know, right?" Jaida went on to chronicle her interesting several months working for the biggest wrestling promotion in the world, designing and making ring gear for the WWE ladies. It wasn't the glitzy catwalks of Milan and Paris that she always dreamed of, but the squared circle of the WWE was just as huge a global platform to show off her talents. Lincoln listened attentively, as she expected him to. He always was a good listener.

"Wow, that sounds amazing," he said, nodding approvingly. "You're obviously having a blast."

"I am. And what about you, Mr. Chief Marketing Officer? How's it going over at our favorite magazine?

Picking up his cutlery, he focused on a piece of his steak. "No idea. I left."

Jaida's eyes grew wide. "What? When?"

"About three months after you did. I felt terrible about the way the company treated you before you left. It takes two to tango, and it wasn't like any of those hypocrites weren't doing the exact same thing we were doing."

Jaida remembered it like it was yesterday. Only eighteen months ago they were colleagues. She was his secretary at her last job at a world-renowned fashion magazine, and it was the reason her poker face was as foolproof as it was today. About six months into her job they became romantically involved and it went on in secret for over a year, until a jealous ex-girlfriend of Lincoln's exposed their relationship. The fallout was so humiliating that it prompted Jaida to sever all ties with Lincoln, uproot herself from L.A. and migrate to the East Coast. She needed space and time to regroup and rebound, and it eventually came in the form of the job offer from the WWE.

"So, I handed in my resignation letter and was gone by the summer," Lincoln went on. "I couldn't take it anymore. Plus I got tired of being the son of the owner of the company. It was a crutch I didn't need and it ended up wrecking my chances with the woman I loved," he said, staring intently at Jaida as her eyes softened. "So yeah, I seized that opportunity to move on and do something else with my life. So I got my own business now. It's not a Fortune 500 company, but it's doing great."

"You're your own man now. The ladies must be falling over their feet to get to you, more so now than ever," said Jaida.

Smiling, Lincoln shrugged. "Maybe. But I'm not interested in any of ‘em."

"Hmm."

Their eyes locked together in an intimate stare. Leaning forwards, Lincoln rested his elbows on the table. "So…who's the lucky guy I have to contend with now? Or maybe not, seeing how gargantuan they all are," he added, chuckling at his little joke.

A certain Samoan flitted through her mind that very moment, and she immediately chastised herself, horrified. "There's no one. Free as a bird," she answered.

"I guess that's good for me, right?" He looked right into her eyes, and Jaida knew that look anywhere. Swallowing, she shook her head. "Linc-"

Reaching across the table, he took her hand in his own. "I've missed you, Jay-Jay. I think about you every day, and I wish things didn't end the way they did," he said. "I want to start over with you as friends. I know it's too soon for anything more, but I'd really like to have you back in my life." He kissed the back of her hand. "So what do you say? Is that okay?"

Jaida still cared about Lincoln. In their time together they had developed a strong connection, physically and emotionally. Having not heard from him since leaving her old job and being so busy with the WWE slowly diminished that connection. A lot had changed between them, but starting again as friends didn't sound like a bad idea. Maybe eventually, they could grow to become something more again.

"Okay."

More importantly, maybe it could help her forget about him.

-----------------

Looking around the vast Catering area, Roman's gaze fell upon the entryway, where a young dark-skinned woman strolled in arm-in-arm with Natalya. "Who's the girl? Been seein' her around lately," he asked Seth next to him.

Seth looked up, and then looked back down at his phone. "Jaida. Sandra's new assistant," he answered, "Heard she came in from one of those chick magazines. The girls have been raving about her sewing skills or something."

So she was a seamstress. It didn't really surprise the Pensacola native. One could tell she was fashion-forward with the way she dressed, though there was an effortlessness about her style that he liked. She wore a baggy monochrome chiffon blouse with a short black pencil skirt and ankle strap heels, a maroon bowler hat perched on her head. He could tell that she had a cute little body; perfect for twisting into various raunchy positions...

"She's a cool chick," Dean spoke up, biting into a chicken leg. "Seems a little high-maintenance though. Like, buy her fake designer shit and she'll call you out."

"Sounds like every other broad in this joint. She'll fit right in," Seth laughed, saw the look on Roman's face, and groaned. "Oh God…dude."

Roman was still looking at the woman, but an eyebrow was raised for his Shield brother's benefit. "What?"

"I see that fuckin' look in your eye, man. You're makin' a play for her already."

"And?"

"Do you always have to nail every woman that passes through this company?"

"Hey, they come to me. Who am I to deny them?"

"One of these days one of 'em will kick you in the balls, or break your finger when you grope them. I guarantee it."

The trio finished up their breakfast and then went their separate ways. With nothing to do for another hour, Roman decided to search for the newbie, wanting an up-close look for himself. Who knew? Perhaps it could be the start of a beautiful…friendship…between them.

He found her backstage outside the women's locker room reading a magazine. A cocky smile tugged his lips. "Hi."

She looked up, and Roman was instantly drawn to her eyes; wide and almond-shaped with a mix of green and grey that he had never seen before. Her pretty face was contorted into a frown.

He extended his hand. "I don't think we've met. I'm Roman."

She glanced down at the outstretched hand. A second or two passed before she put her hand in his for a quick handshake. "Jaida," she said coolly before returning to her reading.

Roman quietly blew out a breath. They always tried to put up a front, only for their resolve to crumble soon afterwards. She would be no different. "Jaida. Beautiful name." He leaned against the table next to her. "So how you doin'?"

"Good," she replied uninterestedly.

"May I ask why a pretty lady like yourself is sitting all alone?"

Jaida shrugged. "I don't know," she said, refusing to look at him. "Definitely not to listen to the cheesy one-liners you're about to throw my way."

"Cheesy one-liners? Come on."

"Yeah. The other day I saw you chatting up one of the girls while she dreamily twirled her hair in her finger," said Jaida. "If you expect the same from me, sorry to disappoint. I'm not very good at playing the dumb floozy."

Roman had an amused look on his face. "I think we're starting off on the wrong foot."

"No, I'm perfectly fine where we've started. Shouldn't you be off somewhere keeping your little girlfriends in check or something?"

"I don't have a girlfriend, sweet pea. I'm free as a bird."

"It's Jaida, not sweet pea," she snapped.

"I kinda like sweet pea. Suits you. So if that's what I want to call you, that's what I'ma call you."

"Because you always get what you want, don't you?" Finally, she turned to face him, a look of annoyance on her face.

Roman stared at this mouthy little woman, growing annoyed himself. No woman had ever talked to him this way before. Ever. "Hey, I'm trying to be nice here. There's a lot of ladies, and I mean a lot," he bit back, "that are dying to be in your place right now, getting all this attention I'm giving you."

"Then go find them and leave me alone."

"Why all this hostility, sweet pea?" Roman said, unwilling to give up just yet. "I mean, we're going to be working together; we might as well take this time to get to know each other, ya know?"

Jaida rolled her eyes. "I think I know you just fine, Reigns. But thanks for the offer."

"So you do know my name."

"I don't have a choice. You and your buddies seem to be the shit around here. Though I don't see why," she said, giving him a disapproving look up and down.

"You got quite the mouth on you, sweet pea," Roman said, moving closer. Raising his hand to touch her cheek, his voice dropped an octave. "How 'bout you show me what else that pretty little mouth can do later tonight?"

Her eyes widened in disbelief. Then, she did something he never in a million years expected her to do. She twisted her face and sank her teeth into his index finger. Hard, causing him to yelp in pain.

"Oww! What the fuck!" he cried, shocked. Did this bitch just bite him?

"My name is Jaida. I don't want your so-called attention, so unless you got problems with your ring gear I suggest you stay the hell away from me," she warned. With that she stormed away, her high heels clicking angrily on the concrete.

Rubbing his finger gingerly, Roman narrowed his eyes at her retreating form. "Crazy bitch," he murmured angrily. She had another thing coming if she thought he was going to leave her alone. She hadn't seen the last of him, not by a long shot.

As pissed off as she had made him, he was also very much aware of how much this little altercation had aroused him.

Roman was used to having Jaida Leonard on the brain most of the time; thinking up new ways in which to get on her nerves and generally make her life miserable. Fucking her was also somewhere on his to-do list, and he figured that once he did that, she would lose her appeal. But he had fucked her, more than a week ago, and since then all he could fucking think about was her.

Her poker face impressed the hell out of him though. She was damn smooth about it too. Other girls would have acted out, hunting him down demanding answers or openly casting pathetic, lovesick glances from a distance. Nothing from her. Even when he stoked the fire by dropping obvious hints or parading another girl on his arm, she completely ignored him, and it was starting to aggravate him. He preferred it when they were constantly fighting. He knew something was very wrong with him when he saw her drive away in that limo with that guy in the back seat earlier this morning and his chest felt clogged. A tingling sensation settled in his stomach every time he thought about her or looked at her, as opposed to his groin. That wasn't a good thing. Tingling sensations belonged in his dick, not in his stomach or his chest or anywhere else.

This was all her fault. Why did she have to be so goddamn irresistible?

Turning a corner, he came to an abrupt stop and rolled his eyes. Speak of the damn she-devil.

At the end of the hallway, Jaida stood by her sewing station, engaged in friendly conversation with Lana. Keeping himself hidden from their view, he took the chance to observe the seamstress. Dressed in a sleeveless yellow crop top, a high-waist A-line skirt and black wedges, her curled hair framing her face and shoulders, she looked like a doll. Lana then waved and continued down the other end of the hallway while Jaida disappeared round a corner. Looking around to ensure he wasn't being watched, Roman followed her.

This was crazy. He'd banged her. He'd gotten what he wanted; he had no clue why he still craved her attention but here he was, scurrying after her like a big-ass rat.

He found the seamstress searching for something in a closet, that backside he fantasized about in his downtime poking out, causing his tongue to dart out over his lips. Quietly, he came up behind her and placed both hands on her hips.

She jumped with a shriek, spinning around. "Jesus, Reigns! You fuckin' scared me!"

"Sorry." The stupid little grin on his face indicated that he was anything but.

Rolling her eyes, Jaida subtly stepped back from him. "Did you want something?"

"You know the answer to that, sweet pea," he replied. "I was wondering earlier; do you get fancy limos to come pick you up in every town we're in? You gotta hook me up with that shit."

Laughing, she placed a bunch of folded clothes on top of the equipment crate. "And here I thought you couldn't detach your face from some trick's pussy long enough to see what's goin' on around you," she said.

"Funny. So who was he?"

Jaida met his eyes with a smirk. "Why do you care? Is someone jealous?" She threw the word out there to see what his reaction would be.

Roman snorted derisively. "You wish."

Pursing her lips thoughtfully, Jaida leaned against the equipment crate and crossed her arms. "He and I used to work together."

"And let me guess, y'all hooked up." Her prolonged silence and averted gaze told him much more than he expected. "Oh, you dated. Interesting," he sang. "You gotta thing for your co-workers huh?"

Jaida scoffed. "I do not have a thing for my co-workers. And just 'cause you and I fucked one time doesn't automatically mean I have a thing for you," she said, unable to keep the agitation out of her voice. "And who are you to talk about co-workers when you're the one fucking half the girls on the damn roster? I see Cameron's the latest victim. Go find your new girlfriend why don't you?"

"She's not my girlfriend. And if I wanted to see her I'd be where she is right now." Taking her by the hand, he maneuvered her out of public view and into a darkened area where more equipment crates were stationed. He then backed her up against the one furthest in. Jaida's eyes were wide the entire time. "Reigns, what are you doing?" she demanded, watching him place his hands back on her hips.

"What's it look like I'm doing?"

"You can't! And someone could see us!" she hissed, glancing over her shoulder cautiously.

"No one will see us, look where we are. And even if so, what's wrong with that?"

The seamstress glared at him. "The whole world don't need to know you've sank your claws into me."

"Ain't the only thing I've sank into you, is it sweet pea?" he whispered with a devious smirk. He loomed over her, his big body surrounding her and invading her space. Being so close to him was both making her uncomfortable and turning her on, and she wasn't sure which emotion too choose. She wanted to push him away, and at the same time she wanted him so badly she could taste it. Avoiding his eyes, she said, "You've already fucked me, Reigns. What more could you possibly want from me?"

Roman caught her chin, gently tilting it up so that their eyes met again. "I told you I'd have you again, and I always make good on my promises. You gonna pretend you don't want that too? Huh? You wanna act like you don't think about the night we shared? Because I know you do."

Without warning, he lifted her up and sat her on top of the equipment crate, wedging his body between her legs. He pressed himself against her, and his nose dipped into her hair, inhaling its appealing scent. Reflexively Jaida put her hands on his chest, but not to push him away. She felt the firmness of muscle, the heat exuding from his olive skin. "Reigns…" she drawled.

"I remember everything clearly, baby girl," Roman said in her ear. "Your hot breath on my neck, your tongue in my mouth; the way you moaned my name over and over as your tight-as-fuck pussy clenched my dick…I get fuckin' hard every time I think about it." He ran a hand up her bare thigh, a small smile forming when she shivered in response. "Wonder if that man of yours makes you feel like this," he mused, his gruff voice even huskier, his teeth nibbling her earlobe. "If his touch makes you shiver the way mine does."

Jaida had forgotten how to breathe. Visions of their night of passion sparked wildly in her mind, which was now hazy from the kisses Roman was trailing up the left side of her neck. His hand boldly made its way into her crop top, leaving goose bumps on her skin in its wake. As he placed his palm over her right breast and squeezed, a moan she couldn't control escaped her lips. She wrapped her legs around his waist and used her leg strength to draw him closer, weaving her fingers through his hair. He continued to suckle her neck, the spiky hairs of his goatee tickling her skin. His hand slipped inside her skirt to cup her mound, rubbing her through her dampened panties. "Wow, sweet pea. All this wet pussy for me?" he asked.

Before she could conjure up any coherent words to respond, he slipped two fingers inside her and stroked her wet core. She rewarded him with a long moan and eyes that fluttered shut. He plunged his fingers deeper, brushing the pad of his thumb over her clit, and she squirmed in a very satisfying way. He kept at it, relishing the sounds of her heavy breathing, then pulled his fingers out, pleased at the way she whimpered in protest. With a smirk, he pushed back in, curling his fingers inside her.

"Fuck, Roman…" It was pleasure overload for Jaida. Her forehead rested on his shoulder, clutching his massive biceps to support her weakening frame. Her entire body was on fire and tingling from head to toe. His mouth found hers the instant she lifted her head. They kissed fervently, the sound of their lips meeting and parting filling the heated silence. He drew her tongue into his mouth, sucking hard on it. His fingers plunged deeper, thrusting faster until she was moaning and rocking her hips against his hand. His arousal pressed insistently against her inner thigh. She was helpless, only cognizant of her raging need for him. She let herself luxuriate in his touch, enjoying the boldness of it, the intimacy, the sensuality of him confidently exploring her body.

The shrill, off-putting sound of her cell phone ringing permeated through the thick haze of passion. They were both more than willing to ignore it, but a few more insistent rings forced Jaida to break the kiss. On the equipment crate, Lincoln's name lit up her phone screen. Shifting so that Roman’s fingers slipped out of her, she pushed off the crate, landing on her feet, and picked up the device. "Gotta take this," she muttered dazedly, a hint of an apology in her green eyes.

Roman cleared his throat. "Whatever." He took a step back from her, hating how disappointed he felt at that very moment. But as he turned to leave, he felt her grab his arm. With her phone at her ear, she pulled his hand up to her mouth and sucked the fingers that had been inside her. He swore under his breath as he watched her taste herself, her tongue rolling around his fingers, and the erotic contact lit a fire within the Pensacola native like never before.

Jaida forced herself to let go of him, and with a wink, she walked away, more turned on than she already was. As she refocused on talking to Lincoln, one thought ran through her mind.

Boy, am I in big trouble.

---------------------

Valentine's Day

"Jaida! Presents for you!"

At the sound of Sasha Banks’ chirpy voice, Jaida turned around, her perfectly manicured eyebrows coming together in confusion, and it took her a few seconds to register the items in Sasha's toned arms; a sizable bouquet of red roses wrapped in green paper, and a large box of chocolates. "For me?" she said. She wasn't expecting any gifts.

"Yeah, and guess who sent them. Starts with an L, ends with an N," the Boss said, wiggling her eyebrows at the seamstress.

Unable to suppress a smile, Jaida reached for the bouquet, scooping it out of Sasha's hands and bringing it close to her face to inhale their scent. "Oh wow. They're beautiful," she said.

"I know right?" Sasha agreed, reading the card that came with it. "My darling Jaida, so happy to have you back in my life. Thinking of you now and always. Love, Linc." She sighed dramatically. "Honey, you are so lucky I'm with my man. I'da found a way to steal that hunk from right under your nose."

"I don't doubt that for a second," Jaida chuckled, touching one of the roses, feeling its velvety softness beneath her fingertips. At the thought of Lincoln, she felt a pleasurable tingle within her. Things were going well between them. They weren't officially dating, but it was heading in that direction. Recently they kissed for the first time in over a year, and while it was as nice as she last remembered, it didn't quite compare to that of a certain long-haired, tattooed individual.

Yeah. Him. She still couldn't get him out of her head, and it was starting to get on her nerves.

The hairs on her arm suddenly stood on end, and she felt the sensation of being watched. Glancing up, she found Roman's gaze on her. Of course. He was a number of feet away but she could still see his face clearly. His expression was unreadable, making her wonder what was going through his head at that moment. They were back to ignoring each other, right after their make-out session the night of the tapings. She thought she had him figured out but she found him more befuddling than ever.

Jaida remembered the first time she laid eyes on him, all those months ago. She'd gotten lost in the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit and stumbled upon him in a deserted hallway, making out with some girl, who she now knew was Eva Marie. The two were clearly on the way towards more explicit activity so she'd quietly gone the other way unseen. In retrospect, she wasn't very pleased that she was now lumped together with the redhead as one of his probably many backstage frolics. Only hours later he was flirting with Summer, the woman twirling her finger in her hair as she stared adoringly at him. Jaida knew what he was all about from then on. He was a guy that evidently got what, or who he wanted whenever he wanted, and she wanted no part of it. She'd lashed out at him when he hit on her, but deep down she knew that sooner or later they would cross paths in more ways than one, and she was right. She finally understood the hype though, and she was coming to terms with the fact that she may like him a little more than the boundaries of mere physical attraction permitted. But she knew better than to let her feelings cloud her judgment and dive into something she could not get out of. She knew what she was like. If she slept with him again she would fall, just like she'd fallen for Lincoln. And unlike Lincoln, there was no certainty that the feeling would be mutual with Roman. After all, what made her so special that she was the one, of all the women he'd been with, he would change his habits for?

This was not a fairytale. Life did not work that way and she didn't feel like waiting around crossing her fingers and hoping that it did. So yeah, distancing themselves from each other was for the best. Now she had to figure out how to distance herself from him mentally.

---------------

After a long evening, Jaida was relaxing on her bed in the hotel room she shared with Summer, biting into a piece of Lincoln's truffles and listening to her R&B playlist on Pandora when there was a knock on the door. A hotel employee stood outside, holding a long rectangular box sealed with a thin red bow. "I have a delivery for Miss Leonard?"

Jaida was pleasantly surprised as she took it from him. "Thanks."

"No problem, ma'am. Happy Valentine's."

She said the same to him and shut the door. She scanned the box for a moment, a smile on her face as she pulled off the ribbon and opened the box. Nestled inside was a long, single-stem red rose. She took it out and inhaled it. Aw, he was so sweet. Taking her phone, she dialed up his number, grinning giddily.

"Hey. Was just thinking about you," Lincoln greeted.

"As I you," Jaida said, making her voice as seductive as possible. "Someone's been generous today."

"Oh, really?"

"Uh huh. Flowers and candy in the morning, a single rose this evening…you're spoiling me, Linc."

Lincoln chuckled. "Trust me darling, I'd like nothing more than to take credit for something that's made you so happy," he said, "but not this time. The rose didn't come from me."

It was like a record had scratched in her head, bringing everything to a screeching halt. "Wait, you didn't send this?"

"No babe. Looks like you got a secret admirer. I'm not surprised, beautiful girl like you…"

Lincoln was still talking, but Jaida could no longer hear him. Her heart was pounding wildly, slamming against her ribs. Lincoln hadn't sent her the rose. And if it wasn't Lincoln…

And then she saw it. A small white card inside the box. Jaida picked it up and flipped it open, her eyes growing wide when she read the words written inside.

Happy Valentine's Day, Sweet Pea.

An unpleasant foreign sensation began to envelope her, making her lightheaded, but Jaida fought it off so she could refocus on Lincoln, hoping, praying, that her voice didn't betray her true sentiments. "Oh, uh, guess what? I just found the little note that came with the box. Turns out the rose is for Summer. I found it on my bed so I assumed...My bad." She forced a giggle, trying to sound embarrassed. "I better put this back then."

"You sound disappointed," said Lincoln. "If you want I could send you another bouquet."

Jaida forced a smile into her voice. "Oh no, that's okay. You've done more than enough for me." She feigned a loud yawn, desperate to get out of this awkward situation. "I should go to bed. I have an important meeting tomorrow."

"I'll let you go. I got some work to finish up myself." He paused. "I miss you."

She could tell there was something else he wanted to say. "Miss you too. Goodnight."

As soon as she hung up, she lunged for the hotel room phone on her nightstand and with trembling hands dialed a room number. A familiar deep timbre resounded from the other end of the line.

"Hello?"

"What the hell do you think you're doing sending me flowers, Reigns?" Jaida hissed into the phone. "Are you fuckin’ kidding me?"

Roman's voice danced with amusement. "Is that your version of a thank you, sweet pea?"

"No jackass! What are you playing at? If this is your idea of a joke it's not funny."

"You are one ungrateful broad, you know that?"

Jaida frowned. "And you are an ass. Anyone ever tell you that?"

"Every day, baby. Now where's my thank you? I'm waiting."

Rolling her eyes with a heavy sigh, she relented, forcing herself to calm down. "Thank you for the rose. It's beautiful," she said. "Happy?"

"Very."

Silence fell between the two of them for a long moment. "What'cha doin' right now?" Roman finally said, his voice softer.

A warm smile crossed her features. "Nothing. I'm in my room. Summer went off with Fandango I think, so I'm all alone tonight."

"Yeah, I saw them. You sound like you're having fun."

"Come over," she blurted out.

Again, it went quiet, and Jaida immediately regretted opening her mouth.

"Boyfriend ain't around to tuck you in?" Roman taunted, and the teasing rumble of his baritone voice sent embarrassment through her. "You know what, forget I said anything," she mumbled.

"Make up your mind, woman," Roman chuckled. "You want me to come over or not?"

Jaida chewed her bottom lip. This was wrong. So wrong. And yet it was all she wanted. "Yeah."

"Fine. I'll be there in ten minutes. Wear something pretty so I can take it off of you." And he hung up without another word. Jaida stared at the phone before slowly replacing it on the receiver. Oh boy. There was no turning back now. She might as well get dressed. Or rather, undressed.

When the door opened, Roman walked in, holding up a bottle of Rosé and two glass flutes. "I brought champagne. Hotel provided a complimentary bottle to all the Superstars." He smiled as he looked Jaida over. She was dressed in a thigh-length satin red robe, concealing her curvy frame, and her wavy hair cascaded down over her shoulders. She had on a pair of sinful-looking heels that pumped lust and desire through the Samoan's blood. He noticed her hardened nipples through the thin material of the robe, and he suspected it was all she was wearing. "You look smokin', doll."

So did he, even in a simple black tank top and grey sweatpants. The visible dick print, along with his smoldering gaze, brought a blush to her cheeks. Fuck, he was sexy. "Thanks. So do you," she said. "So who else did you send roses to today? Must've spent a lot of money trying to cater to all of your women."

"I sent roses to two people today, one of them being my mother. You can figure out for yourself who the other person is." Setting the champagne and the glasses on a nearby table, Roman turned and saw Jaida standing right in front of him, her hands slowly tugging at the belt around her waist.

“I’m flattered,” she said, her voice low as she pulled her robe open, “But we ain’t here to talk.”

She eased the robe off her shoulders, and as it slid to the floor, Roman felt his mouth go dry. She was completely naked, wearing nothing but those devilish heels and an even more devilish smile. He thought a lot of women were hot, but Jaida was a thing of beauty all to herself. “Jaida,” he whispered, casting his gaze hungrily over her body.

Jaida shivered when he grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her flush against him. With his deep, husky tone and that 'I'ma sex you so good' expression on his gorgeous face, the only thing she wanted to feel right now was that big dick of his inside her. As Roman's lips met hers in a string of small, fleeting kisses, desire and something else she couldn't place shot through her veins. Throwing caution to the wind, she pushed her mouth against his, exploring him with her tongue. She reached down to stroke his dick through his sweatpants, smiling when he groaned in response. His hands snaked around her butt and thighs to lift her up into his arms. She thought it was so hot how easily he did that. Wrapping her arms and legs around him, Jaida returned every one of his heady kisses. She held onto him as he blindly staggered over to her bed without breaking their kiss. He sat on the bed and raised his arms to allow her pull off his tank top. Her fingers then raked through his ponytail, setting his hair loose while he fondled her breasts. His touch sent heat instantly flooding through her body. She began to grind her ass into his crotch slowly, feeling him harden against her. With another lustful growl Roman took her hair in one large fist and tugged back, exposing the tender skin of her throat. She inhaled sharply as he attacked the sensitive spot, his mouth hot and delicious on her flesh. His fingers traced the blue rose tattoo on her breast. "Your tattoo's so hot," he observed.

Before she could respond, he scooped her breast into his mouth and sucked, squeezing the other with his free hand. Jaida swore softly and tipped her head back, welcoming the sensations he invoked within her. As he pulled back, she caught sight of the open box of chocolates on the nightstand. She glanced at Roman and then back at the box, smiling as a delicious idea popped up in her head. "Lay back," she instructed.

Casting her a questioning look, Roman did as she asked, and Jaida relieved him of the rest of his clothes and mounted him. Picking out a few pieces of chocolate, she squished them together between her hands and then offered her index finger to him. Roman took the digit in his mouth and sucked slowly, never taking his eyes off her face, and his darkened gaze sent shivers down her spine. Her palms smoothed over his upper body, spreading chocolate over him like paint on a canvas, and she swirled her tongue over his heart, while Roman looked on hungrily. "Nice. I like where your head's at, baby girl," he grunted, rubbing her back lazily.

"I knew you would." She licked along his body, placing wet kisses on his stomach, accompanied by slow, deliberate strokes of her tongue. She heard his hiss of pleasure when she dipped it into his navel. "Mm babe, you taste so good," she said, tracing his abs with the chocolate and licking it off.

Roman was fixated on her every move, his lips parted and his breathing labored as she made her way further down, her seductive tongue causing goosebumps to break out all over his skin. Jaida paused at the scar from his surgery a few years ago. Looking at him, she placed a gentle kiss on the scar, and the unexpected gesture sparked a ripple of affection through him. She moved down to his dick, which stood proudly at attention. Her tongue swished briefly over her lips as she stared at it, then squeezing some more chocolate onto her hand, she closed her fist around him, slowly stroking up and down, smearing chocolate from the base up to the plum-shaped tip. Roman moaned his approval at her touch. He watched his dick disappear into her mouth, her sigh vibrating against his most sensitive skin. He caressed her hair, pushing it back from her face. "How does my dick taste, sweet pea?" he asked.

"It tastes great baby," she answered before engulfing him again, his girth stretching her mouth.

"Mmm. That's right beautiful, suck my dick." His voice was a gasping whisper as she ate the chocolate off his penis, sparing no inch of him. The flat of her hot tongue gave long strokes along his shaft and balls, her lips sliding and pulling along his coated erection. "Fuck, so good," he groaned, his grip on her hair tightening.

Jaida continued her ministrations for several seconds, sucking, tonguing and stroking him. Then, without warning, she took him all the way in the back of her throat. The sensation that surged through him caused his hips to buck off the bed instinctively. "Jesus, Jay…wow." His head fell back, mouth open and panting with pleasure. Damn, she was good. The way the tip of his length kept hitting the back of her throat, the way her hands massaged his balls nearly tipped him over the edge. She started to suck him harder and faster, and he knew if she carried on he was going to explode. He grabbed her shoulders roughly, and with one twist of his body, she was the one on her back while he loomed over her.

"My turn," he announced, smirking at the challenging expression on her green eyes as she was aware of how worked up she had made him. He would wipe away that smug look soon enough. Taking a piece of chocolate of his own, he surveyed her thoughtfully. "Now, where do I start?" he mused.

She gathered her hair up and pointed at her neck. "Here."

Smiling, Roman rubbed the chocolate over the spot and sucked on the sensitive skin. He expected her satisfied sigh and got it. He cupped her bare breasts and lathered both with chocolate, paying particular attention to her tattoo. Jaida bit back a moan as he leaned down to slowly lick the treat off her twin mounds. He liked her tits; they were soft and supple and fit into his hands very nicely. He took his time, smiling at the way her breath hitched each time his teeth pulled her hardened nipples. He licked down her stomach, her thighs, her legs, slurping and sucking the chocolate off her skin. He returned to the juncture between her legs and smirked at how wet she already was. He slipped a clean finger inside her before withdrawing it and putting it in his mouth. "Best taste of the bunch," he remarked, then he dipped his face between her thighs, his tongue swiping greedily at her pussy.

With her chocolate-covered hands caressing her breasts, her heavy breathing intensified as his mouth pressed further into her. She reflexively lifted her hips to grind against his face, but he abruptly shoved her hips back down to the bed. Holding her legs wide apart, he thrust his tongue deep inside her. A loud, guttural groan escaped Jaida as hot pleasure surged through her system. The feeling of his tongue relentlessly stroking her was driving her insane.

Having his fill of her feminine essence for now, Roman crawled over her body and met her face to face once more. Jaida promptly pulled him down and crashed her lips to his. There was something extremely erotic about the way their nude bodies were streaked with confectionery and writhing against each other. Their tongues tangled together hungrily, and Jaida couldn't get enough of the chocolate flavor mixed with his natural taste. She wanted…no, needed, more of it, more of him.

Roman himself had reached his breaking point. Reaching for the condom he'd brought along, he sheathed himself in record time. Laying Jaida on her side, he sidled up behind her in a spooning position, then slid his knee between her legs. They both moaned as he pushed his dick through her entrance, sliding slowly inside her. She was so hot, so wet and ready for him.

"Take me," she gasped, rolling her ass back against him. The wait was becoming unbearable. "I need you, Roman. Fuck me."

He didn't need telling twice. He snapped his hips once, driving his dick hard into her, and reveled in her scream, which quickly became a groan of pleasure as he started moving in and out of her. He twisted her face towards his and muffled her moans with hot, wet kisses, as she reached up to tangle her fingers in his long locks. Her breasts were at his hand's mercy, molding and massaging, plucking the hardened nubs of her nipples. His thrusts were deep and commanding; her moans were throaty and orgasm-inducing. Then, as she was nearing her release, he slowed down, going in and out of her in a tortuously measured tempo, savoring her heat and moist warmth. Jaida moaned loudly, overwhelmed by the dizzying sensations. "Fuck, Roman…yes, just like that, oh fuck…"

Roman watched the pleasure contort her beautiful features, memorized the euphoric look in her breathtaking green eyes, the way her hair clung to her face, the way she groaned his name. The Samoan found himself proud to be the one to bring her to this state of bliss. "Such a tight little pussy, sweet pea. So wet for me," he breathed heavily in her ear, accentuating the statement with another single hard, deep thrust that caused her to cry out. Rolling her onto her belly, he adjusted himself on top of her and increased his pace as he fucked her from behind, pistoning deep into her inviting heat.

"Oh god!" Jaida moaned noisily into the sheets, her toes curling as she crept closer and closer to her climax. Roman was hitting every spot she owned with amazing precision. She was vaguely cognizant of his warm mouth suckling her neck, his pelvis smacking against her ass as he long-stroked her pussy. His fingers snuck back between her legs, probing her clitoris, and gripping the sheets tightly, Jaida screamed as she came hard, trembling uncontrollably in Roman’s arms. Groaning, he pressed her down into the mattress and hammered into her, desperate for his own release.

“Fuck, Jaida, I’m comin’...fuck!...” He moaned out loud as the orgasm seized every muscle in his body, leaving him temporarily without the ability of speech or thought. Relaxing against her, he gave her breast a feeble squeeze then let go, flopping onto his back to catch his breath.

On the nightstand, Jaida's message alert beeped. Finding the strength to move, the seamstress picked the phone up, finding a text from Lincoln, bidding her goodnight and that he would dream of her.

From where he lay, Roman could see every word in the message, the little smile on her face. "You like this dude." It was more of a statement than a question, his hand wiping away stray chocolate on the curve of her hip.

Jaida turned towards him, searching his face as she tried to gauge the casual tone of his voice. A few seconds passed, and biting her lip, she nodded.

He brushed his thumb across her cheek. "Fair enough. It got nothin' to do with what we're doing, right?" he asked, a meaningful look in his eyes. He didn't give a shit about Jaida getting together with this Lincoln guy, as long as he got his own special piece of her.

Jaida's eyes narrowed curiously at him. So he wanted this to be a thing now? As much as she should have questioned the wisdom of this decision, she found herself not wanting to, not when this was as incredible as it was. Switching off her phone and putting it away, she took his face in her hands and wrapped his lips with hers, over and over. "No," she murmured against his mouth.

“You sure?”

“Mm-hmm.” She swung a leg over him and straddled his sweet, sweat-ridden body. "Don't worry about it."

Roman stared up at her, a mix of amusement and lust in his grey eyes. "You want more, baby? Can't get enough of this good dick?" he smirked.

"Not quite," Jaida stated, a challenging glint in her eyes. "Now let's see what you're really made of."

Roman's smile mirrored her own as he braced his hands on her hips. "Careful what you wish for, sweet pea," he murmured, right before her mouth covered his once again.

Jaida wasn't sure where she and Lincoln were going, but she knew exactly where she and Roman were at. They would indulge in each other, and when the next day rolled around they could pretend like nothing happened. She'd done it before, with Lincoln and in more treacherous circumstances. This wouldn't be a problem for her. She would find a way to make it work.

And with a dick game as stellar as Roman Reigns', she definitely wanted to make it work.

-------------------

Kindly review!

#roman reigns #roman reigns fanfiction #roman reigns smut #roman and jaida #the we are series #tribal chief #wwe

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womenofcolor15 · 5 years ago

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#BLACKGIRLMAGIC: Olympic Sprinter Allyson Felix’s Post-Pregnancy Return Breaks World Record Held By Usain Bolt

Talk about a comeback! Allyson Felix gave birth to a baby girl less than a year ago and she came back snatching world records. Deets inside…

Who said you can’t have kids and come back better than ever?

Olympic sprinter Allyson Felix took time off to make her family and then came back with a vengeance, proving women can be both moms and all-star athletes. Nike tried to throw salt in the game, penalizing her and other female track stars who were pregnant. Now, they’re eating her dust.

The 33-year-old sprinter snatched up a world record held by a MAN - and not just any man. The world’s fastest man. And she did it just 10-months after giving birth. #BlackGirlMagic!

Allyson competed in Team USA’s mixed-gender 4x400m relay team that won the gold at the IAAF World Championships in Doha, Qatar.

View this post on Instagram

Humbled

A post shared by Allyson Felix (@af85) on Oct 1, 2019 at 7:09am PDT

The win secured Allyson’s 12th gold medal at the world championships, which pushed her past Usain Bolt’s record for the most gold medals of any athlete at the track and field world championships. Yasssss!

Allyson’s return comes after a difficult pregnancy. She had to undergo a C-section at 32 weeks because she suffered from severe pre-eclampsia, which threatened the lives of her and her baby. Thankfully, everything went OK. She and her husband, Kenneth Ferguson, welcomed their daughter, Camryn, in November.

Allyson officially returned to competing back in July – eight months after welcoming her baby girl.

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#9 Life looks different. Cammy is 10 months old today. Figuring out this mom life. I’ve had to fight a lot this year- for my health, for my daughter, for women & mothers, for what I deserve and for my fitness. I’m really proud to be at my 9th world championships and this one is extra special because my baby girl is in the stadium to watch it all. #WorldAthleticsChamps

A post shared by Allyson Felix (@af85) on Sep 28, 2019 at 11:38am PDT

Back in May, Allyson wrote an op-ed piece in the New York Times, where she shared what her pregnancy journey was like as a professional athlete. She blasted Nike for trying to get rid of her after she became pregnant.

In part, she wrote:

I felt pressure to return to form as soon as possible after the birth of my daughter in November 2018, even though I ultimately had to undergo an emergency C-section at 32 weeks because of severe pre-eclampsia that threatened the lives of me and my baby.

Meanwhile, negotiations were not going well. Despite all my victories, Nike wanted to pay me 70 percent less than before. If that’s what they think I’m worth now, I accept that.

What I’m not willing to accept is the enduring status quo around maternity. I asked Nike to contractually guarantee that I wouldn’t be punished if I didn’t perform at my best in the months surrounding childbirth. I wanted to set a new standard. If I, one of Nike’s most widely marketed athletes, couldn’t secure these protections, who could?

Nike declined. We’ve been at a standstill ever since.

Ironically, one of the deciding factors for me in signing with Nike nearly a decade ago was what I thought were Nike’s core principles. I could have signed elsewhere for more money.

After Allyson and the other female track stars spoke out, Nike said they would do more to protect female athletes’ during and after pregnancy.

“Last year we standardized our approach across all sports to support our female athletes during pregnancy, but we recognize we can go even further,” the company said in a statement. “Moving forward, our contracts for female athletes will include written terms that reinforce our policy.”

The track mom wasn’t the only mom to cop a win at the world championships. Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce celebrated her win in the 100-meter race with her 2-year-old son. She called it a "victory for motherhood.” Sweet!

Following their victories, Allyson and Shelly-Ann snapped a girl power photo together:

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Our journey to motherhood and back is bigger than us and bigger than sport. I believe it’s about overcoming and that is something we all have to do. I have seen the power of the collective. The need to speak your truth. It’s a pivotal time for women in sport. We can create change. Women, let’s support each other. Uplift and encourage. Open doors for one another. Celebrate and elevate each other. We can all win. This is sisterhood. Zyon & Camryn’s Mom #embracethejourney #momstrong #WorldAthleticsChampionships

A post shared by Allyson Felix (@af85) on Oct 2, 2019 at 6:39am PDT

Congrats ladies!

So yeah, having a baby isn’t the “kiss of death” for all athletes. It made Allyson Felix better.

Photo: Andrew Makedonski / Shutterstock.com

[Read More ...] source http://theybf.com/2019/10/03/blackgirlmagic-olympic-sprinter-allyson-felix%E2%80%99s-post-pregnancy-return-breaks-world-record

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lindoig4 · 5 years ago

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The Big Apple! 17-19 July

17 July

New York, New York! Just love it. Been here a couple of times before and three days now and leaving early tomorrow, but would love to have an extended stay here - 6 to 12 months! There is so much to see, so many places to visit, so much to do. It is full of in-your-face energy and I love it. Definitely want to come back again. We said that about Paris too, but after our visit there last year, the lustre had gone, but not from the Big Apple! As shiny as ever.

We started with a New York Greeter: a great concept where they provide a free ‘guide’ to introduce you to the city and we had booked one from home. Our greeting was a bit truncated because we had also booked a Food Cart tour for late morning, but our guide took us to the Union Square Market where they had fresh food from farm gate to the Square, every imaginable type of produce, maybe a hundred stalls or more and every one of them busy with customers.

We then went to a village area a bit further east and talked about the historical and architectural factors that resulted in several dramatic population shifts over the years. I love the explanations about how and why things happened and why they are as they are. They are very thought-provoking and often quite surprising. Maybe the first time I really thought about this was on our first visit to the sewers in Paris in 1995 where we learned how the availability of potable water and adequate sanitation literally governed the growth and development of the city over the past 2500 years. This trip, we learned how fire and earthquakes dictated many regulations in San Francisco and Chicago- and now, how the lessons learned there have influenced developments in New York too. I found the discussion fascinating.

Our guide then took us to Soho (South of Houston) and thence down to Wall Street where we linked up with our Food Cart tour guide. The greeter took us on three subway trips along the way and we found that public transport is not cheap here. No matter who you are, child, adult or senior, disabled or not, travelling one stop or 50 miles upstate, the fare is $2.75 each. If you change from train to bus or otherwise, a new fare is payable - so just our basic movements getting around for the past 3 days have cost well over $50 US or about $80 Oz!

Our greeter was fine, if not mind-blastingly inspiring: on the other hand, our Food Card tour was a real hit.

Our guide, Brian is a full-time food guide and part-time actor and food blogger and we seemed to hit it off with him a bit. We had another 11 young women (Aussies, Kiwis, a Pom and a Yank) who joined the tour as part of a Kontiki tour they have been on and we visited 6 Food carts and sampled street food and drinks at each, all part of the tour. Brian was a great raconteur and got us thinking and talking about the issues of conflicting laws and public opinions about street vendors and how their operations provided a valuable service, but perhaps some unfair competition for local cafes and restaurants. The food and drink was excellent and Brian found places out of the extreme heat for us to sit at most stops – so we had food for thought as well as food for our over-extended bellies.

The last food stop was quite close to the East River so we wandered around a couple of piers looking for a place to sit over a coldie, but found only one place just as it was closing for the day. Too bad.

(Note specifically for one potential reader who will recognise my post. Right on the edge of the pier, pretty much in plain view, we spied a svelte young Asian nymph sunbathing starkers – but I elected not to exercise my camera.)

It was really too hot to do much walking so we took the subway to Times Square and it was at its flashiest best with gigantic HD electronic billboards glaring down at us, in fact surrounding us on all sides. The crowd was rally dense – and it was interesting to see a number of ‘Flow Zones’: designated areas where you weren’t allowed to stop or stand to take photos – you had to keep moving or risk a substantial fine. We were only a few blocks from our hotel at that point so after fighting the crowd for half an hour, we retreated homeward to find a Walmart to buy some food and drinks to take back with us – and we enjoyed them much more in the cool of our room! I reckon we walked at least 10 km on the day.

We channel-surfed for a while, having not turned a TV on since we left home, but gave up after 10 minutes and 50 channels – US TV seems just as inspired as Aussie rubbish. At least that provided another opportunity to sort more photos and white a few more paragraphs while a big thunder- and rain-storm lit up the sky outside the window.

18 July

We ate some of last night’s leftovers for breakfast and finished them for lunch and spent the morning on our photos and blogs.

We then took the subway and a bus to the Chelsea Piers in the West Side to the Hudson River to circumnavigate Manhattan on an architectural cruise. (The bus ride was a freebie! They have just changed the arrangements for bus travel where you have to buy a paper ticket at a machine using your electronic pass – but we didn’t know and there was no machine where we boarded anyway so when I tried to use my electronic pass on the bus, the driver just smiled and waved us through!) We seem to have been on an architectural and historical binge since arriving in the US, but it has been very stimulation - surprisingly so! We arrived a bit early for the cruise so I cruised the nearby gardens looking for birds. Didn’t see a lot, but added two to our US list anyway.

The cruise was great. The guide was an architect and he was brilliant. He was loaded with information and eager to impart it to us all. There was a group (a workmate excursion I think) with us who had no interest in the commentary and laughed and chatted raucously between themselves throughout, spoiling it a bit for everyone else. I really don’t know why people do this. We have encountered it quite often lately at home as well as here. Ignorant people who think their own empty chatter is more important to everyone than the person or event that we all paid to enjoy.

Anyway, our guide made a few partially successful attempts to quieten them and focussed more on those in the front of the boat where we were. We heard stories about hundreds of different buildings we passed and many of the dozens of bridges we cruised under, including a lot of historical context and I thought it was really interesting and educational. It was a pleasant air-conditioned 3 hours with a drink and nibbles – when it was well into the mid-30s outside.

The Highline was nearby so we went there and walked a kilometre or two along it. The Highline was originally an elevated railway that is now disused and they recently developed it into a wonderful linear park. It is probably 6 or 7 metres wide on average and at least 2-3 km long, planted on both sides of a meandering walkway with colourful flowers and shrubs. Only trouble is that 8 million people walked the Highline last year and most of them seemed to be doing it again with their families and friends when we were there. Maybe not quite that bad, but a lot of people in what would otherwise be a wonderfully tranquil retreat from the bustle of the city downstairs.

We found our way home on the subway, changing routes a couple of times and then found our way home again – definitely need a compass and GPS to find your way around in New York, despite the grid system. We decided to go to a pub on the corner for dinner, but hardly got through the door before the noise blasted us back into the street – it was happy hour and the place was hopping with hundreds of young goers trying to out-shout each other. I am so glad I am not young!

We went to a quiet Italian restaurant diagonally opposite and sat outside, getting a few very welcome spots of cooling rain blowing in from time to time – but very little. Would have been nice to get a bit more actually because it was still over 30 at 8 o’clock.

19 July

Unfortunately, our last day in the Big Apple – already yearning to return.

We had a tour booked of the Flatiron District so subway-ed down to Union Square where once again, we were a little early so were entertained by the playful antics of at least 11 squirrels. They are such fun, chasing each other, climbing and jumping from ground to tree and vice versa, rolling over and doing somersaults, just having VERY exuberant and energetic fun. I love watching them even if a lot of people reckon they are pests.

The tour again had a food and architectural flavour with stops at 4 very different food places, mostly buy your own, but a couple of them had inclusions. My favourite was a 90 year old traditional diner where we were given a Rueben – very tasty it was too! We visited an Eatily (really fascinating up-market international food chain that has just opened or is about to open an outlet in Melbourne) and a Beecher’s Cheese factory and restaurant and a few other places with stops en route to discuss the architecture and history of the Flatiron District – the only district where the entire precinct is designated of heritage value rather than individual buildings. I love the Flatiron Building and we had a very moody print of it on the wall at home for quite a few years. It is a really narrow triangular building and has an interesting aetiology and subsequent history.

There are so many things to see and do in New York and it is impossible to incorporate 7 or 8 hours cruising the city and listening to the stories in a blog. You have to be here to really get a feel for the place – and I need a lot more time to get a lot more feel of the place.

I needed a new watch battery – my watch died as we were leaving San Fran and I got tired of asking Heather the time as we went along – but Heather’s feet were giving her grief so I parked her where she could sit and wait and went off to where our guide had told me the closest place was – about 8 blocks away. When I got there, the so-called jewellers was a café and nobody could help me. I called in at several places asking for suggestions and a bank teller finally said the best bet was a further 8 blocks away. I set off on my quest, but came across a locksmith and they often do watch batteries so called in there. Can’t help but there is a barber-shop just around the corner who does them – immediately across the road from the bank and two doors from the café!!! All set, I went back and collected Heather and we walked the few blocks to the Rockefeller Centre/Center. Definitely worth a visit – an amazingly expensive series of shopping colonnades with brilliant huge murals on all the walls and ceiling. Just outside is a sunken restaurant with a big gold artwork surrounded by flags of all nations – except we couldn’t fin an Australian one. We went back in to enquire and the concierge eventually discovered that there was one one, but it was over the road and not that obvious – but at least it was there.

We than walked down to the Public Library – a truly magnificent edifice with collections to match. Monumental to say the least. We watched a 25 minute video about their collections and they really are incredible. Amazing place!

We were looking at our map to figure out where we had to go to catch the subway when an old guy stopped to help. Turns out he is also a greeter and we had a great yarn. He had lots of questions about Australia – had been to New Zealand but never made it to Oz – a pity!

Anyway we got home safely and cooled off before going around the corner to the only BYO pace I have seen here. We took a bottle and went to this Thai place and had a really good meal for under $50 Oz. Eating out here is about twice as expensive as in Australia (we were told about one place yesterday where the booking fee for a table several months out is $US300!) so it is hard to get a meal under $A100 here – so our Thai place was a clear exception.

Back in our room we did our final packing before leaving for Canada tomorrow. Very much looking forward to the rest of the trip, but it is a little bittersweet to be leaving New York.

Photos to come when I have a better internet connection!

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metagento-blog1 · 6 years ago

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The Ultimate Un-Biased Review Of The Truth About Abs Program

Now with this review I'm going to break it down to three distinct sections.

First, I'm going to start off with what the product is, a few behind-the-scenes looks in the product, and the background of the founder behind the entire scheme of things. Generally this is where I provide you quality information so you don't have to go through all the muggy research yourself.

Second, I'll talk about how this product will help you, the unwanted things behind it (if any), and if there's anything comparable to it in existence.

Thirdly, I'd like to give you my absolute honest opinion supporting this product, and pour my honest thoughts about it, and that means you've got a strong opinion supporting this to base your decision off. I don't want to give false information regarding a product, but instead I need to be entirely open for you guys and help you out any way I can by recommending it or not.

I want you succeeding with your Fitness Program and truly obtaining your goals, so if that means telling you that a product really isn't worth your time, I'll do that.

So, if you don't enjoy reading millions of words (I frequently write too much), let me divide my four sections for review posts into a little list.

1. The basics of the product, what it does, the background, and how it work

2. How the merchandise helps you, the unwanted feedback, and anything similar to

3. My completely honest opinion on the product and also a run down of why I believe this way

The Truth About Abs Program

You might or might not have heard of this program but my guess is that you have heard of it some way or another. Now there are two types of audiences in regards to this application: those who drift from anything that has to do for this, and those who back up this 100% because they have personally observed success with this.

Now I'm neither among these groups of individuals because honestly, I've never tried it and I do not intend to. I'll get into exactly why in a moment here. This program has a reputation around the world wide web, and it is not just bad or good. It's just well-known because there are an infinite number of review of this program throughout the world wide web, and whenever you type in anything associated with"six pack abs" this app will pop-up right in your face.

Nine out of ten instances, it will not be the real product sales page, but will usually be an overview of the merchandise intending to induce you to want to buy it from a link they have in their personal review page. This is sort of a"spammy" strategy you see come together with this app a good deal, and that is why it has a reputation throughout the world wide web.

What Is This Thing?

This product is an entire fat-blasting, abdominals-developing program meant to help you attain toned, six pack abs, or for women, only a flat stomach. It includes some fantastic videos, dietary guides, and weight loss tips which are almost unknown by most every person.

The Author Behind The Program: Mike Geary

Mike Geary is the creator of this program and is well-known for his expertise in nutrition and fitness. I will be fair, I have not personally tried the app, but I've read a bunch of testimonials and success stories from this program.

Mike Geary has a BS degree from Susquehanna University and can be frankly, a Certified Nutrition Specialist and Personal Trainer. I say"honestly" because you'll hear of numerous imitation personal trainers and nutrition pros around who simply use those two qualifications as a means of gaining more attention to them. These sort of people are fake and need to get kicked from the world wide web, permanently.

However, with Mike Geary it is a different story. Out of all of the reviews I've read and testimonials I've hear about, there has been something that's been consistent with this app. This is the simple fact that Mike Geary is what he says that he is, and that he does have the knowledge to back this up program's success.

Now I'm not saying this app is amazing (we will get into that shortly ) but I am saying that the creator behind the app does have a true passion for helping individuals and also knows what he is talking about, because he went through this"fat stage" of his life.

And, if there is 1 thing I've learned, it is that you can look past a program's"testimonials" and the hype about it and reach the true core of the program when you determine the sort of person who created the product him/herself.

Fun Facts About The Author Mike Geary

He's been a certified personal trainer and nutrition specialist for over ten years and has helped millions of people get weight from their waistline. Being a Nutrition Specialist or Personal Trainer, or at Mike's case BOTH, is an extremely commendable achievement and ought to state something about him.

He always is improving and developing his schedule according to the comments he receives from customers and he's put his schedule via multiple favorable changes so as to develop a program that actually works in getting rid of that belly fat. Always enhancing a product to assist others more and more is something that you do not see nowadays, so when I notice a writer constantly updates his program or makes little tweaks here and there, it truly gives me confidence in that individual and their product.

Again, I'm not saying that the merchandise itself will reevaluate your life and you HAVE to purchase it now, but I'm stating solid facts that affect many customers' decisions when they purchase products. This is my way of helping you decide if this program really is for you or if it isn't. I don't base my success on how many programs I can get people to buy, but I base my success on whether I helped someone make the right decision to benefit them and ultimately help them get to where they want with their health and physique.

Fun Facts About This Program

Now these aren't by any means my way of trying to sell you the product, but it is my way of giving you some fun facts that you probably wouldn't have found out about the product unless you went through me (all pride aside).

The first fun fact is that the Refund Rates for this program is less than 3 percent. Do you have any idea what this means? Let me put it into a good perspective for you. Only 3 out of every 100 people that buy this program end up returning it for the full refund. My point in sharing that with you is to show you that this really does satisfy customer's wants and desires by helping them achieve their goals, since people are rarely unsatisfied with this program.

Secondly, this program is NOT, let me say that again, is NOT for undetermined, lazy people who don't want to work hard. If you're lazy and don't want to work hard in getting fit, then I hope that one hit home for you, just being honest. I say this because the whole point of any Fitness Program to ever come into existence since the dawn of creation, was to make you work extremely hard to get results. No one said you can get toned, six pack abs by lying on your couch watching Disney Channel all day, although I love Disney.

You have to work hard to get anything you want out of life whether it be making money, getting healthy and fit, or even becoming an actor for Disney. This program is meant to make you work hard, because you won't burn any fat or build any muscle at all if you don't first realize that you have to work really hard. This isn't just for this specific program but is for any other Fitness Program you'll find on the market.

The last fun fact is that this program is completely proven by scientific analysis, trial-and-error methods and shows the success behind this program isn't"assumed" but rather"proven." Regardless of my personal opinion on this product (which I WILL get to) there definitely are commendable qualities to this product when you put it in the perspective of whether it will help you get real fat off your belly.

Now, we're almost at the fun part where I spill my personal thoughts on this product and if it really is worth your money, so just hang on.

Overview Of Truth About Abs: The Meaty Content

Now that we've gotten through all of the fun parts, it's time to dive right in and find out exactly what this program contains. I'm not going to hold back anything in this section because what I know is what you'll know. What I mean is that everything I possibly know about this program (which isn't much) I'm willing to throw out on the table for you, so you don't have to purchase the product yourself to find out if it really works or not.

Many people out there will tell you that they can't reveal too much because. . .No. I don't believe in any of that because I see it like this. I should give you my full thoughts and knowledge about this product and give you any and all information that benefits you because I'm here to help you.

I'm not here to give you information that causes you to want more and end up purchasing the product, but I want to be as honest and transparent as I possibly can with my writing.

Now Mike Geary explains to you that you don't have to perform thousands of sit-ups a day but instead introduces powerful exercises that target belly fat naturally. I don't know exactly what these exercises really are, but I do know that if they're Mike Geary's exercises, then you better be prepared to work hard and get success.

Another thing with this program is that it gets straight to the simple point of fast weight loss (especially in abdominals area), which is that you don't need fancy workouts that other people"encounter" but rather you need full-body workouts that incorporate high-intensity intervals.

I know this is very true as I've posted about high-interval exercising before and the connection between working hard and weight loss is definitely 100%. So, when Mike Geary states that you need full body workouts incorporated with high-interval cardio, he knows what works fast in terms of fast fat burning techniques.

The other main element to this program is that it doesn't focus on unnecessary"crap" but instead tells you the"facts about abs," literally. You get what you need in order to start trimming your waistline and Mike shows you exactly how to get this done by focusing your efforts on certain elements the lower your overall body fat percentage. Many programs cut out the most important element to permanent fat loss, which is lowering overall body fat percentage, but luckily Mike swoops in to save the day.

Positive Feedback For This Program

First of all, you can trust that this program really is reliable because it didn't just pop-up overnight like many other programs out there. Instead Truth About abs has been reliable for several years now in helping people honestly get rid of their belly fat permanently.

One thing I always look for in possible purchases is the reliability of the product. I measure this reliability by seeing how long it's been around, how many people return it for their money back, and the creator behind the product. Reviews have stated that you're guaranteed to learn surprising techniques about destroying fat permanently and naturally through some surprising techniques that Mike doesn't reveal in his intro video. Dang it I wish he would.

There are some elements that cause your stomach to be soft and flabby, when you could easily be avoiding these things on a daily basis, and this program focuses around that key concept and really drills certain elements into your head for future success with complete fat loss. The cool thing is that He doesn't just get into the physical, tangible aspects of this program but he also gets into mentality and how it affects one's ability to obtain success.

Unlike many programs, Mike truly aims to change your mentality to one that encourages success in order to help you be rid of that unwanted belly fat. Mentality is huge with anything, and it's really cool that he goes past tangible aspects and also focuses on helpful mental preparation ideas and checklists.

One example of this mental strategy (which I somehow got hold of) talks about how many of us blame our work, schedules, and genetics for our fat belly, when in fact there are surprising factors that we don't know of which increase fat build up. I really wish I knew exactly what those secrets were because I can guarantee you I'd pour them out onto this page for you, but unfortunately Mike keeps that confidential until you actually purchase the program.

The last thing about this program is that you have the option of paying $4 for the product instead of the full $35. You only pay $4 for a full 3 weeks to try it out and see if it really works, and the cool thing is there's absolutely no risk with it. Yes, that may sound a little sketchy, but this is a legitimate offer with no catches.

So, if you're deciding on maybe purchasing this product, just keep in mind that there's no risk as you get your full money back guaranteed and you get a trial period for only $4.

Negative Feedback

While there are some commendable things regarding this program, I've also gotten some negative feedback regarding this product. Again, I want to be completely honest and open with you and share with you my thoughts about this product. Though at times it may seem like this, I really don't have any intention of making you buy this program, but rather I give you insightful information to help you decide if this will benefit you.

Now the first thing about this program is that it is $35 (at the time I'm writing this). Regardless, that may change later down the road, but right now it is $35 which to many people is a lot of money. Now I will let you know you only end up paying $4 for a three week trial, so you don't even have to pay that full $35 if you decide you don't like the program.

Another negative thing about this program is that very little information is given out to the reader, even with the little introduction video on Mike's sales page. I'd love to get more information on it, but the truth is that this program doesn't reveal too much until you buy it. So we, as consumers, are left puzzled and confused as to whether we should buy the program based off of what little information was given out in the introduction video.

My Honest Opinion

The last thing regarding Truth About Abs is that you don't need it. Yup, I said it, you don't really need it.

Now you may be thinking,"Wow Jason you hyped me up with all of those cool features simply to drop a bomb on me saying not to buy it?"

Well I told you I was going to offer you my honest opinion.

My aim in this entire article was to supply you with every little bit of advice I could gather concerning the Truth About Abs app and give you my honest opinion based off of what I know.

Now just because I say that you don't need this app does not mean you should toss yourself off a cliff and overlook the whole program. Actually, if you really believe this program will allow you to trim your waistline and lose excess weight permanently, then by all means go right ahead and purchase it, but I wish to clarify why I say to not purchase it.

Based from everything I know, everything that Mike comprises within his program, is information which you can easily find on other blogs around the net.

The honest fact is ANY program available on the marketplace will work for you, and I mean some of these, even the crappy ones. It will not count on the program, it is dependent upon how hard you work and how committed you're reaching your objectives. Fitness Programs are only tiny tools to use to achieve your goals, and thus don't get it all twisted and believe that Fitness Programs such as Truth About Abs are your sole means of attaining permanent weight loss.

So, my honest opinion is to research the real techniques to lose weight, put your wallet away, and pull out the one thing you will need to find a flat tummy, hard work.

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emailhostinindia7434-blog · 6 years ago

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withabackpackandcamera · 6 years ago

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November 6th, 2018

Day 4: Racing Through Bagan One Last Time

So. Early. It’s. So. Dark. I thought to myself as I got up around 4:45am to get ready for my first sunrise from the ground in Bagan. The sunrise was pretty epic from above yesterday but I knew it’d be just as cool from below with the balloons in the air. After asking different people I met about good viewing spots and checking out spots myself, I narrowed it down to two options, mostly because every temple I found online was closed to climbing. So last night, after looking at two different sets of photos, I decided to hit the spot called Secret Pagoda Bagan (21.1767499, 94.8816955), located right next to Htilominlo Pagoda just south of my hotel (the other option was a more lonely pagoda (better, less crowded, located at (21.1865560, 94.8827670)) that didn’t have a great foreground from what I could see from my friend’s photos.

By the time I got my eBike and drove through the cool morning air to the temple, there were already about 5-7 people there and one person who already scouted out my location I spent time to find yesterday. But I found a spot next to him that wasn’t too bad. So I sat there and patiently waited with my camera in position until the sky started to light up and the sun started to come up, which seemed like a long time. The sunrise this morning wasn’t nearly as picturesque as the one I saw from the skies yesterday but it was pretty enough to get some decent photos. But overall, the positioning of the pagoda and the trees around it made for a difficult situation for photographing the sunrise and balloon rise. Sometimes you just gotta make do.

Once I had taken a million photos and the sun was high in the sky and the balloons had passed by and landed in a field far away, it was time to make moves. Because it was still only 7am, I decided that this was the perfect time to go and check out the big temples that I missed yesterday. The sun was still low and temperatures were still cool, so it was a better idea to keep going around rather than going home too early, especially since it was my last day in Bagan. As I began my drive out to the temples of Dhammayangyi and Shwesandaw, I saw an opportunity to sit at the roadside and make an attempt at capturing photos of locals driving by. But after waiting for a while without much traffic through the area, I gave up and just went to the temples as originally planned. Epic fail.

After looking around the temple grounds, yada yada, I drove back to the hotel and along the way, I saw another temple I hadn’t explored yet and stopped by to see it. It was called Thatbyinnyu. With so many temples already seen by my eyes, the stop was a quick in and out. Once I was back on my bike, I decided to drive down a different road back to the hotel that would take me through Old Bagan. This road was much smaller, more rural, and there were more little stupas and pagodas lining the road compared to the big main road on the other side. At this point, as I was driving in, I started to see daily Myanmar life unravel in front of me.... because it was the first real morning that I had an opportunity to see in Myanmar. And it was really neat to see local life just go on like that. I got excited for the photo opps the early morning would provide me but before doing any more photography, I made sure to make it back in time for the delicious breakfast at the hotel.

I was the last one for breakfast today because I came towards the end of breakfast time. Today, there was a nice Burmese girl who worked there who helped me with the food spread. And who I felt kept looking at me and smiling as I ate.. hm lol. I got her name, but forgot it since I don’t think I heard it clearly lol. Because she looked bored and she was just standing there near the food doing nothing, I invited her to come and chat (since it was an exciting chance to chat with a local) but she politely declined. Oh well. I just ate my food (noodles (like mi xao), omelette, chicken sausage, fried samosa, yogurt again, croissant, milk tea I made, OJ, and water). Then, I just chilled around the hotel to get a little rest and pack up before going out for one last push through Bagan with the short morning and afternoon I still had left.

After a brief 30 minute break, I was back out in the heat. Because I had a little more than an hour before checkout, I decided to hit the local market called Mani Sithu Market located just up the street from the hotel. And what a great idea it was! Because it was a blast! A typical southeast Asian market, full of raw meats you hope you’d never consume (due to the very poor hygienic practices in open rural markets), full of color, with fruits and veggies and colorful people everywhere, and full of life. Mothers and wives were walking around doing their daily grocery shopping, monks and nuns and kid monks were walking around collecting alms of food and money for their daily needs, tourists were walking around bargaining for souvenir deals, and everything else. People were open and didn’t blink an eye when I would hide around corners hoping to catch the shots I imagined in my head. And the people of Myanmar are so great because they were so open to waving, nodding, or saying hello and so willing to get their photos taken after being politely asked, something I don’t always do during my trips (sometimes you have to get a feel of which countries’ people are genuinely ok with their photos being taken and which countries have people who are just trying to make money off of you). I took so many photos too! Even got some kids in photos with their parents’ permissions and I rewarded their modeling with candy I had in my bag (Trolli Sour Brite Crawlers, Starbursts). And every time I did that, other locals around the area would smile. That warm fuzzy feeling you don’t always get when you travel into a foreign place.

I made so many rounds and made so many random turns through the market that I have no idea how many times I walked by the same stall. I walked by the produce and meats people, the household stuff people, the seamstresses, the souvenir sellers, the painting sellers, and others. And before I knew it it was time to go back to the hotel to check out.

After doing the official checkout, I left the cool comforts of the hotel and drove over to Shwezigon Pagoda to check out the well-known golden pagoda. When I got to the area, I found a hallway/pathway that led to Shwezigon. I walked through with my bare feet not knowing whether I could wear sandals or not but eventually reached the golden Shwezigon Pagoda without problem. And it was really golden in appearance. I walked around the grounds briefly (because it was really hot) and walked through the pagoda grounds to the Lion’s Gate on the back side where I saw the Irrawaddy River for the first time. It was a short visit to Shwezigon before I left once more and drove down toward Old Bagan and made random stops to see different temples and pagodas. They never stop popping up!

Once I finally drove into Old Bagan, I made a pit stop at Bu Paya Pagoda right on the beach and walked down to see the riverbank briefly. With time ticking down, I decided to finish the day on a joyride to make the most of my remaining time with a bike and ended up driving around the rectangle that takes you from Nyaung U to Old Bagan to New Bagan back to Nyaung U. And it was nice to just fly by, not stop, and just keep going with the nice breeze in your face as you watch the landscape zoom by. Additionally, the experience of interacting with locals while driving on a bike was fun as well. In one instance, I was driving right behind a tuk tuk full of young Burmese women, and like I usually do when I drive behind other people, I just wave hello to them. This time, it started with a few girls waving and smiling back at me. Then after a short period, the whole tuk tuk full of girls were waving and giggling at me for what seemed like a whole 1-2 kms! Basically until they were out of view. So funny!

After driving for a while, I made a random stop right in front of the turn to get to Dhammayazika Pagoda to relieve myself of the horrendous unnecessary warmth that came with me wearing my long pants (I had to wear them earlier because I stopped at multiple temples and pagodas). By chance, I read that there was a primary school right around the corner: Basic Education Primary School No. 115 in Thahtaykan Village in Nyaung U Township. Because I had read of people just randomly walking into schools and schools being relatively open to the outside world, I decided to give it a try. So I drove up to the fence at the school and just stopped there. At that moment, a ton of little kids just came running from what looked like recess. As a whole flock. They were so curious! They came by and I just said hi to everyone, made random faces at them, and gave them high fives. After a short bit, they started to ask for candy and I remembered I still had gummy worms left in my bad. As I went to dig the gummy worms out of my bag, their demands changed and their chants started to sound like “money!” Nope, I’m not rich, I thought to myself as I shook my head at the kids. Once I had the gummy worms in hand though… Man, you should have seen the hysteria that pursued and how many more kids came running out to the fence with their hands out and wide open, ready to snatch one worm, like hungry baby birds from a nest lol. I ended up just randomly giving gummy worms to random kids, every now and then targeting the younger, shyer ones. And they just kept coming and screaming! I made them quiet down a couple of times with some nice shhhh’s but the hysteria from Pandora’s box was untamable and uncontrollable lol. Oh well, it was a fun experience and a great opportunity to get photos of and interact with the local kids. Though during some points, when some kids saw me point the camera at them, they immediately turned their heads away and hid while others just kept smiling with hands wide open. Before long, I completely ran out of gummy worms and waved to them goodbye as they yelled it back! I fistbumped them all with a thumbs-up hybrid version of it until I was ready to move on with my joy ride, at which point they waved bye as I drove off. What an experience! Oh yeah. And the teacher? She was around somewhere. And as I was walking out, I think I caught a glimpse of her and waved at her as she responded with a big smile and waved back. Hahaha. What a stop!

I sped along and drove back without anymore stops so I could make it back in time. I eventually made it back to Nyaung U but before heading to my hotel, I went back to the market for postcards. I saw them selling a ton of things like lacquerware, longyis, cloths for other things but nothing that seemed reasonable to buy as souvenirs for everyone. I thought about some paintings but the difficulty in transporting them back home turned me away from the idea at this point. With postcards purchased without much of an attempt at bargaining, I wandered around for just a tad, gave away my last pieces of candy, and returned to the hotel with some time to spare. I was actually hoping to catch Viet Anh and Mai Ca again for a drink before heading out but ended up not having enough time. Instead, I rested and surfed the web while waiting for my taxi, which came early. Once I was at the airport, I learned that my flight would be slightly delayed so I used that time to write my postcards and chill with my headphones and music.

Once we were settled on the flight and the flight took off, it was yet another really short flight, taking around 30 minutes to get to Heho Airport. At Heho Airport, I met two nice Germans, Jorg and Anna, who were, by chance, also headed in the same direction towards Nyaungshwe. We luckily had the same idea and ended up asking each other to join in for one taxi ride out to Nyaungshwe. The ride was shorter than I expected it would be because Jorg and I just passed the time by with a nice long conversation about work, life, travel, and basketball. Shortly after arriving at their hotel (and being treated with free bottled water and tamarind flakes because the staff there thought I was their guest haha), I said see ya later and walked off to my hostel, Song of Travel Hostel, a few blocks away.

When I arrived, I was immediately helped and checked in by the wonderful staff there. Once done, I went up to my room and briefly unpacked, at which time I had met a nice Swiss girl named Marion who was sleeping in the cubby next to me. Without having too much time to talk, I bid her goodbye and left to meet up with the Germans at Live Dim Sum House, a place that they picked for dinner that was located halfway between our two places. I was kind of bummed that we couldn’t get more unique food for dinner but oh well, it was late and options were limited. The food was pretty good though! I got chicken and egg fried rice with salted fish and a good ol’ Sunkist. At dinner, we chatted a bit more about travel and work before parting ways, after which I ran into one of the most awkward situations I have been in in quite some time. Briefly, a Burmese guy who was driving by offered to drive me to my hostel, and being as trusting as I am, I agreed, thinking nothing of it and only thinking, wow, Burmese people are the best! But the situation quickly became awkward as the guy made stranger and stranger statements. I’ll spare you the details but essentially, it was borderline sexual assault. So very awkward. But glad I made it back safely and without physical harm. Whew.

Once back at the hostel, it was time to clean up and get ready for bed. What a jammed packed day today was. Wonder what will be in store for tomorrow?

5 Things I Learned Today:

1. In Myanmar, passengers on motorcycles or bikes tend to sit with their legs swung over to the left side of the bike.

2. Photo Tip: Always bring candy on your trips. Why? Because foreign kids LOVE candy. They’ll do anything for it. Run up to you. Interact with foreign strangers. And even pose for pictures lol!

3. The local market is probably one of the more authentic places to experience local life and vitality in a country such as Myanmar. It provides an amazing opportunity to know what daily life is like for these rural people. Even though Bagan and Nyaung U are relatively well-known destinations amongst travelers to Myanmar and southeast Asia, these towns are still rural communities where you can still appreciate all the little things you love about small, countryside places.

4. Shwe means gold! I finally figured it out!

5. Bagan used to be the capital of Pagan Empire. During a very prosperous period, they built around 10,000 temples/pagodas/stupas as religious monuments. Over hundreds of years, earthquakes and time ravaged most of them, leaving only 2200 structures still remaining today. A few decades ago, when the military government tried to restore these damaged structures, they did a really shoddy job of it, not sticking to the original designs and styles. As a result, they caused a big uproar, big enough that UNESCO is still trying to determine whether Bagan and its archeological area deserve a World Heritage Site designation. I think the vote is later this year or next. I hope that present-day Myanmar is doing the right thing and fixing what was damaged and that they end up getting rewarded for their efforts.

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BEST 1920s Dresses for women '' NEW ''

TOP 1920s Dresses for women

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1920s Fashion Is Not What You Think It Is

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1920's - Fashion Trends Through The Decades!

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Tips to Dress Like Women in the 1920s

The ladies of the 1920s had critical effect on American culture, thoroughly changing the American lady and design itself. The feeling of freedom and autonomy created in the 1920s and wound up mainstream in the US. It's the time called "The Roaring Twenties." that individuals experienced more change in the style of ladies' dresses yet it had significant and profound impacts on later ages.

A point is obvious to the point that you may find that individuals today are as yet attempting to mimic its appearance. Truth be told, style of Cheap Dresses in 1920s isn't hard to imitate, paying little heed to going to a 1920s subject gathering, taking on the appearance of a flapper for Halloween, or performing in the part of a play. Here you will get onto the abilities as long as you continue perusing the article.

1. It's shrewd to choose your outfit, as indicated by your own necessities. In the event that you need to go up against multi day wear look, choosing bloomed prints or ones with geometric examples can be your best decisions. Here are a few things to see when you pick the skirts: Attempt to pick skirts that fall just beneath the knee, have creases and be flouncy, while tops should be free silks or sweaters with level stripes. Another choice is to put on beaded dresses or dresses with periphery, diving neck areas or back lines, and dropped waistlines to show up a 1920s night look. You may likewise see that the 1920s dresses available to be purchased typified the straight lines of Summer dresses amid this time.

2. With regards to embellish, you may have more inspired by it. Be that as it may, ladies of the 1920s were no imperative. That is, individuals frequently add fitted gloves to their outfit, the best one comes as high as your shoulder. Or on the other hand you can likewise complete the book with a couple of long strands of pearls and a headpiece, for example, a feathered headband or a cloche cap. Anyway, it very well may be blended and coordinated in a huge number of ways. The imaginative dress totally allowed to blend hues, the different arrangement of works, the more you camouflaged mold, and you can stroll at the cutting edge of form!

3. Styling your hair comes straightaway. For all intents and purposes, you can't mimic the presence of the 1920s totally without the haircut. The hairdo is a standout amongst the most trademark highlights to have a major effect from the other book. Endeavor to wear your hair short and edited near the head in a styled weave trim. You may need to bounce your hair to be in style. Tradition currently allows wearing the hair in a sway for ladies, yet it used to be thought eccentric before that time.

4. Utilizing overwhelming cosmetics can assume a critical part of your entire look. Remember that ladies in the 1920s did not go light on their cosmetics. A few people significantly consider that applying substantial cosmetics to the face, wide and radical lighting would shroud the still delightful highlights. You will see that specific hues have just been doled out to the entire appearance.

1920s Fancy Dress - 3 Great Outfit Suggestion Tips to Wear to a Twenties Costume Party

These days, 1920s extravagant dress outfits are extremely well known at Halloween and different kinds of ensemble parties consistently. The style from that time is by all accounts great, immortal and, most importantly, glamourous.

Contingent upon whether you are male or female, there are various 1920s extravagant dress choices accessible to you. The following are 3 hints on what I accept are the specific best outfit composes to wear to twenties ensemble parties, as indicated by whether you are a lady, man or a couple heading off to the gathering.

Tip 1 for ladies: 1920's flapper outfits

Without question, the best case of 1920s extravagant dress for ladies is the flapper dress. Made well known in the move lobbies of twenties America, the flapper young lady was the exemplification of a cutting edge lady disappointing her hair. Thought about outrageous in their day, the flapper typifies the greater part of the fun, allure and style of the 1920's.

In the event that you choose to go to the gathering as a flapper, recollect that your character goes past your outfit. These were the primary radicals, who wore excessively make-up, wore their hair diversely and smoked out in the open, with their notorious cigarette holders. Along these lines, and additionally getting your ensemble, ensure you spend some additional on those embellishments that will make your outfit that tad more bona fide.

Tip 2 for men: 1920's coats and boaters

Another look from the period is the University researcher look; the striped coat and boater cap that would have been worn at Wimbledon, Lords or at the Oxford/Cambridge pontoon race. This truly is a brilliant, trendy sort of outfit that will unquestionably include a dash of complexity at the gathering.

Normally comprising of a red and white striped coat and a straw boater cap, this is perfect 1920s extravagant dress for men. Keep in mind your striped necktie and phony plastic smoking funnel for the completing contacts.

Tip 3 for couples: Gangster and Molls

The undeniable decision for 1920s extravagant dress for couples is to go as a hoodlum and his moll. Regardless of whether that be as unmistakable criminal couples, for example, Bonnie and Clyde, singular characters, for example, Al Capone and Ma Baker, or simply non specific hoodlum composes, this truly functions admirably as couples extravagant dress.

Again legitimate looking criminal and moll outfits are all in the points of interest. Extras, for example, 1920's spats, fedora caps and high contrast patent shoes will have a significant effect to how persuading your outfits will look.

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At 1920s Fancy Dress [https://ift.tt/2PpavLA], you can look over an extensive variety of incredible esteem twenties ensembles, including hoodlum, moll and flapper outfits.

How to Make Your Own Flapper 1920's Dress

Checking out today, you would see heaps of lovely looking ladies of changed ages wearing distinctive sorts of adornments, shoes, shoes and frill. With the creation a significant number of excellence improvement items accessible in the market like beautifiers, magnificence cleansers, body salves and others, it turns out to be simple for them accomplish the look they have dependably longed for. In any case, one thing that truly influences a lady to look excellent is her dress.

There are a wide range of kinds of dresses she can wear - easygoing, energetic, girly, advanced, and that's only the tip of the iceberg. On the off chance that you investigate what's being worn by numerous ladies thought to be design symbols today, you'll discover the flapper dress.

Flapper dresses are an entire kind of ladies' design which was presented amid the 1920's. Right now, the dress spoke to the introduction of another type of ladies in view of the manner in which they spruced up. In the wake of persevering long periods of painful undergarments and long manes which were winding up excessively awkward, they began, making it impossible to wear skirts and trim their hair into bounces.

Flapper dresses are generally straight in configuration, free around the abdomen which dropped to the hips and sleeveless. They were likewise worn with leggings which were held up with supporters. Constantly 1927, the flapper dress was worn just beneath the knee.

Here are a few stages on the best way to make your own special flapper dress:

1. Choose a flapper dress example.

2. Have somebody take the correct estimations of your body-the midsection, bust, hip, back midriff length, front abdomen length, bear to-bust, medium length, back width length, a safe distance, upper arm and shoulder-to-elbow. When you have wrapped up the correct estimations, you should now decide the example estimate that best suits your estimations.

3. Make alterations. Make a test form first. While on the way toward sewing the test adaptation, you can put the dress on and make appropriate alterations so it accommodates your body flawlessly.

4. Finalize your example. On the off chance that everything is done and great, you would now be able to partake in the test form and afterward utilize the areas instead of the first pieces. Before completing, you should fit the dress first and check whether it needs any alterations. Furthermore, when everything is great, you would now be able to complete the stitches and include points of interest.

A Great Time From The Past - 1920s Fashion

It can suitably be proclaimed the 1920s introduced the time of present day form. Women design for example, moved from the unbending styles and to the time of short skirts and jeans. Guys design moved from the simple formal style towards the donning of game garments. In all actuality, even in the formal domain, contemporary suits are as yet in light of those wore in the late 20s. With 2 particular styles showing up, the first running from 1920-25 and the other style, as often as possible identified with the thundering 20's working from 1925-32, 1920s mold had taken a defining moment that could always characterize form directly down to our minute.

In Europe the decade is once in a while named as the Golden Twenties basically in view of the monetary blast following World War I. The ensemble foundation impression inside our contemplations of a lady of the 'Thundering Twenties' is in reality liable to be the picture of a flapper. Flappers didn't really turn out until 1926. Flapper mold grasped things and plans current. A popular flapper had short smooth bolts, a shorter than normal unclear move dress, a chest as level like a board, wore make up and connected it openly puts, smoked having a long cigarette holder, uncovered her arms and legs and embodied the soul of an ordinary reckless radical who moved the evenings away in the Jazz Age.

1920s form, as today, characterized precisely people's identity and where they had a place in the public eye. Garments in that time were presented to substantial evaluate and feedback particularly originating from the women's activists of the 20s who felt that noteworthy dress styles wasn't fitting. Consider likewise another aspect of 1920s design. Form has a political territory at its focal. The 20's form had a political-like wave. The way that pieces of clothing inside the 1920s had been promptly available to any 'general' individual was caused by the monetary Age computerization obviously. Since machines could make equips speedier and less expensive, this introduced the prepared to-wear upset which was never there.

The 1920s design of the world class in Paris, London and New York were delivering ease clothing and making them possible in country homesteads and stations of the Midwest. A 'high-class' lady and a 'Midwestern' lady from off the manor could never again be known by their outfits. The political attestation that this 1920s form made the world consuming and has kept on impacting present day mold directly down to our day. This can be found in the 'Thundering Twenties' styles that form creators have re-developed to their contemporary manifestations. The point that this time of form gave even the everyday citizens 'style' which was irregular during a time motivated by the Victorian business as usual is one motivation behind why the 1920s design is truly inspiring. It could along these lines be said that the 1920s form set up the bar of traditional style that individuals still live by.

The idea that a lady had a feeling of style and distinction had risen and was appeared in the magnificence and tastefulness of 20s apparel. The Roaring Twenties form is wherever today. Comprehending what you truly are attempting to discover, you will most likely start to see the impact of the 1920s form the following time frame celebrity central is rolled and any semblance of Nicole Kidman go strolling past it.

1920s Ladies Summer Fashions - Dressing For the Great Gatsby Festival

The Tahoe Heritage Foundation's yearly Great Gatsby Festival is an extremely fun occasion for any individual who cherishes history. It is particularly fun in the event that you can dress like an in vogue 1920s woman and walk around the delightful grounds of Valhalla in style.

To begin you will require a dress. The 1920s were know for their straight cut long dresses (stitch underneath the knee) that influenced ladies to show up "boyishly" level chested and without hips. Summer day dresses were made of lightweight, chiffon, georgette or silk materials. Strong hues and geometrical, Egyptian and Asian examples were extremely popular. Numerous advanced long summer dresses can be effectively adjusted to look "'20s." One fast approach to make a straightforward straight line dress look craftsmanship deco is to tie a thin texture belt or free band a couple of crawls underneath your hip bone. This makes the unnaturally low midriff line that is extremely normal for the ahead of schedule to mid '20s. Another choice is to wear a long skirt and white shirt. Skirts could be plain and straight or creased and somewhat more full. Stay away from decreased "pencil" style skirts. These are representative of the 1940s.

Once your dress is selected you should include the crowing grandness of the trendy lady: the cap. A cloche cap is a tight fitting, low overflowed, headpiece that each '20s lady wore. They were frequently made of fleece, felt or stitch yarn which was perfect for winter yet too warm for summer months. Rather women embellished themselves with wide overflowed straw caps that were wrapped with a lace and highlighted with a bloom and plumes on one side. A-symmetrical shapes were similarly basic with one side of the straw cap stuck up and designed with a beautiful blossom. On the off chance that you don't do anything else to dress for the Gatsby Festival you should in any event wear a suitable summer cap.

The subsequent stage is to walk around in an agreeable combine of shoes. T-ties and Mary Jane's with 1-3 inch thick rear areas were perfect footwear for day or night. On the off chance that you don't have a couple of these as of now attempt you nearby move supply search for a couple of dark "Character" shoes. Maintain a strategic distance from artful dance pads, thin obeyed pumps, shoes and socks. Ladies wore tights in dim strong hues or crazy geometrical examples (for the young women.)

At last don't hesitate to decorate your outfit with frill like mid length bind gloves, a shawl, beaded grip handbag and even a parasol. For adornments pick geometrical shapes propelled by the disclosure King Tut's tomb in 1922.

Trendy hairdos were short weaves and finger woven hair. In the event that you have short hair your cloche or straw cap will do well to cover your hair fittingly. In the event that you have long hair you can assemble it back to fit under your cap or put it in a level bun at the scruff of your neck.

It's not extremely hard to pull together your outfit from things in your wardrobe or neighborhood vintage and thrift stores. Notwithstanding on the off chance that you have a couple of hours and some sewing aptitudes I exceptionally suggest you sew your own particular 1920s One Hour dress. It's genuinely simple, lovely, and valid to the time.

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