#btw she turns 25 on thursday!

[gryz]

whoever wrote souliotis' wikipedia page has their priorities straight

[locria-writes]

untitled pt. 2/?

general notes -- i’m not happy with how this section kind of ended, but i’ve been staring and going over it for a couple weeks now, and can’t think of anything better lol

last edit -- 06/07/22

II.

16 February, 2X52

Mornings were probably her second least favourite time of day.

Or, more specifically, school mornings were evil incarnate, which she figured most of her peers would agree with that statement. Symphora wasn’t necessarily a late-riser naturally, rather, she actually quite enjoyed rising at a fairly decent hour, but 05:55 was most definitely indecent, especially considering she went to bed around 01:30 (to be honest, she didn’t really remember when she fell asleep, just that she did so at her desk after repeatedly cursing the existence of organic chemistry).

Like every morning, it was a calculated show of misery to get ready – she would stare at the ceiling or wall and mull over her chances of feigning sick and staying home (it was always nil, she could never fool her father) until no later than 06:05, be tidied up and presentable to leave the house by 06:35, finish breakfast by 06:50, and be in the car by 06:55, never a minute later, but sometimes a minute sooner.

The ride to school was usually the first time she got a good look at her phone, and like every Friday morning, the dozens of unread messages filled her with a mix of horror, dread, and mild resentment. Thursday nights were always the wildest, as everyone collectively lost their mind in anticipation for the weekend, and in the sheer chaos of turning the group chat into a live watch party for whatever shows aired that day (every year, it seemed that Thursdays always had the craziest shows). Her head against the car window, she inhaled deeply, mentally preparing herself for the deluge of the previous night’s. She had muted her phone after 23:00, having grown rather annoyed at the incessant ping of messages, and left her phone on the chat while she ignored it all.

She kept trying to scroll to the top, but gave up after a couple of seconds. Whatever she missed yesterday would probably find its way back to her, whether she wanted it to or not.

[T-43 weeks (class 9-5)]

[Rules: no swearing unless it’s the Berkobitch and name changes will be voted on]

[01:24] Janny Berkobitch: i can’t sleep under these conditions i’m still so pissed from that bs

[01:24] Donut: Has anyone done q5 for chem?

[01:25] Icki Vicki: You don’t sleep anyway

[01:26] Angelic Can: Where did that secret twin come from???

[01:27] Icki Vicky: I wish they’d just commit to him being evil and just sweet to his bf. HOW DID THAT IDIOT NOT REALIZE HE WAS BANGING TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE

[01:27] Toni: yeah but they’re kinda cute together

[01:29] Janny Berkobitch: he’s a predator

[01:30] Pita Breadtel: toni, he’s a statutory ra*ist

[01:30] Icki Vicki: He’s like 40

[01:30] Donut: Anyone please help me I can’t do this chem hw

[01:31] Angelic Can: I’m pretty sure Syma’s dad is younger than that ceo guy and twin

[01:31] Janny Berkobitch: they’re both so gross like they knew caesar from when he was a toddler

[01:32] Toni: his actor’s hot

[01:33] Janny Berkobitch: we all know you like predatory old men toni

[01:34] Janny Berkobitch: anyway the writers are using rng to write this bs

[01:35] Icki Vicki: Too fancy. They’re just rolling dice

[01:35] Othomatic: Can you guys shut up I’m trying to sleep

[01:36] Angelic Can: Whatever they’re smoking, I want in

[01:36] Icki Vicki: You have asthma

[01:36] Icki Vicki: Just turn your damn phone off

[01:36] Janny Berkobitch: just throw your phone away duh

[01:37] Marius Jim: imagine sleeping this early

[01:37] Angelic Can: What about it

[01:37] Angelic Can: Just mute the chat

[01:38] Marius Jim: btw did we have hw?

[01:38] Angelic Can: Do we ever not have hw?

[01:40] Elli <3: Bio reading, chem pack, geometry hw 1-5, 7, 9-12, stats reading J

[01:42] Marius Jim: thanks

[01:44] Clawdia: what pages to read for bio? and stats is ch 4.12?

[01:50] Elli <3: 324-340 and yes J

[01:53] Clawdia: thanks elli <3

[02:56] Donut: Who made chemistry I wanna fight

[04:21] Donut: Karimi hates me L

[04:22] Othomatic: I’m begging you please shut up it’s 4

[04:24] Donut: Then why are you still awake?

[06:47] Toni: schedule?

[06:49] Toni: please L

[06:50] Icki Vicki: Do you really not have it set on your phone?

[06:52] Elli <3: Stats J

[06:53] Toni: ty elli <3 not you vicky

[New messages]

[06:59] Donut: Did anyone actually finish that chem pack?

[06:59] Icki Vicki: Half before I tried to stab my brains out

[07:00] Elli <3: I have 18 and 19 left

[07:00] Janny Berkobitch: quit after 13

[07:00] Gallbladder: we had chem hw??

[07:01] Pita Breadtel: only to 14 this is a hatecrime

[07:01] Pita Breadtel: haha janny’s a quitter

[07:01] Olly Olly Oxenfree: didn’t do 11, 18, 19, and 21

[07:01] Gallbladder: pls let me copy during break karimi is gonna kill me

[07:02] Regular: Finished it.

[07:02] Hilarias Lazer: Fell asleep after 16 L

[07:03] Donut: Why would you do that? Please share it with us please I’m begging you

[07:03] Donut: Not you lari

[07:04] Donut: We’ve had that pack for a week now how did you forget?

[07:05] Janny Berkobitch: he’s a lizard person that’s why

[07:05] Birdbrain: I’m in liberal arts why do I have to take chem

[07:06] Donut: Why does school start at 7:30 I hate it thanks

[07:06] Donut: Are we still on for dinner tonight? After mc or sh?

[7:07] Janny Berkobitch: yeah after sh we’re gonna eat good to celebrate surviving chem

[07:07] Janny Berkobitch: oh yeah happy friday everyone!!! it’s the weekend tomorrow!!!

Having caught up to the messages, she turned her attention to outside the window, idly glancing down at the weather widget before looking back at the still-dark sky.

Weather in the colonies was always accurate, not surprising since it was completely controlled – from the temperature outside, to the humidity, sunrise and sundown, the wind, and so on. On Caelus, it was all carefully calculated to mimic a continental climate in the northern hemisphere of Earth – so today, the temperature sat at -5.2 Celsius, with 60% humidity, a 6 km westerly wind, and no precipitation. The ground was already covered in a light layer of snow, all to give the impression of a genuine and idealized late winter day.

The climate of the colonies was always an interesting bit of trivia that caught her attention. Caelus, Aeternitas, Providentia, Libertas – colonies directly founded and controlled by the state (or closely associated corporations and families, like Nova Futura Holdings or the Concord-BINDRAS Group) preferred humid continental climates (though it was never very humid due to technical concerns) and were insistent on maintaining four clear seasons; the agricultural colonies of Abundantia and Pomona maintained subtropical climates year-round to maximize crop production, and the other colonies all reflected the ideals of their sponsors. Lemures, for example, had a cold desert climate for the protection of the delicate machinery and equipment that were kept and tested there.

“We’re here, so get out.”

Symphora glanced up from her phone. “Hey, I thought you were going to be professional today, Abraham.”

“Never said I’d commit to it. Now, get outta my car, squirt.”

“This isn’t even your car.”

“Yeah, well I’m the one with the license here.”

“I have the auto-drive permit.”

“Don’t you have school to go to?”

“It’s only ten past seven.”

Cato Abraham adjusted the rear-view mirror before dramatically rolling his eyes. Symphora often struggled to put a word to what he was in her life, something between her father’s protégé, his adjutant, a bodyguard, and something halfway between a babysitter and older brother figure. She met him first during her last year on Lemures – she was just on the cusp of turning seven, and he had graduated from the Concordian State Military Academy a year earlier than usual, and at the top of his class at just age nineteen. She always thought it a bit strange that someone like Abraham would accept something as boring as being a liaison officer for the military and S-V Industries, but he usually replied with something along the lines of, “Why should I work harder for less pay?”. On the surface, sure, it wasn’t a shabby position at all, but in reality, he acted more like her playmate than anything, and he never even seemed to mind, not when she was a child, and not now as a young adolescent.

“I’m not gonna have your dad on my ass about you being late.” The car door clicked open. “Go on, scurry out to meet your friends, kiddo.”

“Fine, old man.” She stuck her tongue out petulantly, grabbing her bag, only to almost immediately get accosted by Januaria, who dramatically flung an arm around her.

“Syma, why’d you turn off your phone last night? I can’t believe you missed our watch party!”

“Janny, I’m never at the watch party.”

“Ugh, you and Regulus are both the same. We even had Elli there, Syma! It was so much fun and so wild, I can’t believe you chose to study instead it.”

“You bribed him with dinner.”

“I didn’t force him to accept it.” She rolled her eyes, tucking a stray blonde curl behind her ear. “Whatever, you just better watch it tonight, okay?”

“Not okay.”

“Oh, shut up.” Januaria fell silent for a moment, and then asked, “Hey, did you finish this week’s econ assignment?”

“Yeah…” Symphora pulled out her phone, ignoring the several messages from her father’s latest paramour. Dinners with her father and whomever he was dating at the moment were undoubtedly the worst part of the day, so naturally, she avoided them when possible. Besides, it was Friday, and her classmates had been planning a dinner for the day, so there was no way she was willing to forego that fun for some stuffy and awkward dinner. Slipping it back into her skirt’s pocket, she smiled at her friend, and shrugged, though she replied affirmatively with, “Don’t worry, I’ll save your ass.”

“That’s why you’re my bestie!” Januaria linked their arms together, and more or less dragged her toward school, but that was just how on pair for how their friendship worked. Januaria Berkovich-Sobol was the kind of girl who commanded everyone’s attention. She was tall for their age for one, standing at 171 cm already, with a freckled face, curly dark blonde hair, and sharp grey eyes, all emphasized even more so by her love of fashion and cosmetics.

They became friends by chance, having both been left out as children for having only moved to Caelus One at age eight, and not knowing any of the other children. Symphora was content to be by herself, but Januaria wasn’t, and decided their shared isolation was a good enough cause to be friends, and as she put it, “We can just be friends until we find better friends.”

Seven years later, and neither had found better friends.

“Syma, are you still going away for spring break?”

She shrugged. “My dad wants to go to Lemures for the two weeks. Something about testing out some new machines.”

“Ugh, that’s all he ever does.” Januaria rolled her eyes. “I used to think he was so cool. All you ever do is study and work. What’s so great about that? You’re gonna be working for the next fifty years of your life!”

“Eh, he doesn’t like leaving me alone, I guess.”

“It’s not like you’re really alone, anyway. He can just have that hot babysitter of yours stay behind, or better yet, you can stay at my place. Mom would totally love to have you; she thinks you’re a good influence.”

“Maybe she can convince him.” Even though she personally found Madam Berkovich-Sobol to be one of the most awe-inspiring women she ever met, Symphora doubted that her father would even bat an eyelash at whatever sharp verbal thrashing the woman sent his way.

“Maybe I’ll ask her.” Januaria pushed open their class’s door. “Would love to have her yell at someone not me.”

The classroom had maybe a few students present – Elliot Zaal (as always, he was early for class and helping others out), Donatus Okonkwo (who was always struggling to keep up with the workload), and Oliver Xie and Hilaria Salazar (usual suspects in the early morning collaborative learning).

“Morning, Syma. Did you finish 18 and 19 for chem?” Elliot waved them over with a smile, though even his usual cheery smile looked rather haggard.

“Hey, where’s my greeting?” Januaria mock-glared at him, to which he merely deflected with an even cheerier smile.

“Yeah, yeah, of course I did, who do you think I am?”

“Oh thank god.” Donatus, leant back against his chair, hands clasped in front like a prayer. “Organic chem is gonna give me an ulcer.”

“Donut, we’re only halfway through this unit. We’re absolutely getting ulcers.” Hilaria buried her head in her arms. “Ugh, ‘go to Harmonia Institute’, they said. ‘It’ll be good for you,’ they said.”

“It’s good for wanting to die young.” Oliver nodded sagely, letting out a groan as he stretched his arms. “Ugh, this is brutal, man! We’re in school for like fifteen hours a day, and then we still have like three hours of homework a day? And it’s not even midterm season yet?”

“Don’t remind me,” Hilaria groaned, “After midterms we get our final projects. How the hell are we supposed to manage that on top of everything?”

“How is this legal, and how is this not child labour, and when will this brutality change?”

“When one of us dies?” Symphora offered as she took out her laptop, quickly unlocking it and pulling out her chemistry answers.

“Thank you for your sacrifice, Donut.” Hilaria patted Donatus sympathetically. “I’m sure Janny will give a very touching eulogy.”

“Why do I have to die?”

“Why do I have to write the eulogy? Elliot, you do it.”

“Wow, okay, Janny, I see where we stand.”

“Yeah, well maybe you should’ve said good morning earlier.”

“Wait, Elliot, why don’t you wanna eulogize for me?”

“Nah, I nominate Burakgazi,” Symphora chimed in, well-aware that said boy had just entered. “It’s not good for the colonies to have so much hot air, Donut can live, and Janny won’t have to eulogize.”

Regulus Burakgazi glared at her, not that that’s anything new, and really, in a way, it was quite a shame he was always scowling and glaring, because even in her most biased and scathing opinion, he was quite pleasant to look at. “Oh, fuck off.”

“Well, don’t go giving yourself wrinkles like that. You’re gonna ruin your one good trait.” She was quite honest in that – he was objectively and undeniably good-looking, even in the throes of the awkward lankiness of puberty. Of course, that didn’t stop her from nitpicking his appearance. He had light olive-brown skin (which while she had relatively clear skin for their age, she was still envious of how nice his skin was), unruly hair halfway between blond and brown, a colour she identified as being the same as dirty greasy dishwater, and eyes that reminded her of blue cheese. He seldom wore his uniform properly, but since he was a Burakgazi, most teachers turned a blind eye, deciding it wasn’t worth it to argue with someone with a family like his, and who caused relatively few problems otherwise.

He looked baffled for a moment, animosity disappearing before being replaced with annoyance once again. “If we’re picking people to kill, I nominate the dwarf.”

“Wow, so original, asshole.”

“At least I’m not vertically-challenged.”

“Go choke on your own ego.”

“Ooh, I’m quaking in my loafers.”

Like always, everyone else ignored their arguing, and returned to furiously finishing their chemistry homework. Well, everyone except Elliot, poor sweet Elliot, who just wanted everyone to get along, and mustered his best friendly smile at Regulus. “Hey, wanna join us, Regulus? We’re just going over the chemistry pack, and – “

“Nah, you guys are on your own,” he sneered, and almost like an afterthought, directed one last jab at her and added, “Have fun getting the wrong answers from that though.”

“Do us all a favour and kill yourself.”

Elliot sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as Regulus stormed to his seat. “Why can’t you guys just act normal for once? Don’t you get tired of fighting all the time?”

“Oh, Elli, sweetie, they’ve been fighting since they first met.” Januaria didn’t even look up from typing on her laptop. “It’s just the natural order of things, y’know? Like water is wet, the sun is hot, Syma and Regulus will always be at each other’s throats, just a natural law of the universe.”

Rather than be satisfied with that, Elliot continued to look confused. “Can’t you guys just ignore each other?”

Symphora shrugged, picking at her skirt. “Sorry, but it’s a primal instinct to try to kill each other. It’s like a lizard brain instinct.”

“Ah, I knew it!” Januaria laughed loudly, ignoring the glare Regulus sent her way. “I knew he was a lizard person!”

Symphora followed and laughed too, with Oliver, Hilaria, and Donatus all snickering, and even Elliot cracking a smile. It was always a good time when making fun of that insufferable twit.

The root of their mutual dislike was nothing grand, or at least, not as far as she could remember. It was her fifth birthday, and since their parents frequently worked together (not friends, her father had scoffed at the idea when she mentioned it once), they had brought Regulus all the way out to Lemures to celebrate it. Of course, it wasn’t just some nice gesture either – birds of a feather should flock together, so it was more for the sake of keeping close family connections, so how disappointed the Burakgazis must have been when instead of finding their oldest son making nice, they found him yanking on her braids with his grubby hands. She wasn’t exactly the perfect victim either, not since she unintentionally provoked him by declaring loudly he had cooties, but nobody needed to know that.

Suffice to say, they never got along after that, and from what she could reason, neither of them had any intention of ever getting along. So it was only natural she spent the rest of the morning thinking of how exactly she could crush and humiliate him later in the afternoon when they had practical lessons.

[guylty]

Today’s post comes as a mixed bag of inconsequentialities, both RA-related and OT, just because I have – oh wonder – a renewed urge to write a blog post. It proves a point I made in an earlier post that I am more likely to blog when I need some hobby writing in order to balance out work writing. I have just spent a few hours (!) dealing with the CMS of my new copy writing client, hence I am keen on writing for fun now. Let’s start off with a bit of Armitage.

Spooks 7

Over on Twitter we have been doing a Spooks 7 re-watch over the last few weeks. On Saturday we finished episode 4 with a handful of us live-tweeting while we watched the show simultaneously. It has been a while since I watched Spooks, and it is actually quite fun to revisit Lucas North after a long time. There is, obviously, the fact that RA looks so skinny and young in the role – which is no wonder, as we all know that he starved himself to look like a very gaunt ex-prisoner at the start of the season. Also, the show was made 12 to 13 years ago *omg* – time has passed since then although RA could very easily still play an MI5 agent. In fact, he’d make a very convincing “Sir” Lucas as the head of the counter-terrorism department. Yeah, yeah, I know, that option was taken away from us when they killed off the character – literally and figuratively – in season 9. But just sayin’. In any case, I was watching from my box set of season 7, and it just occurred to me that Lucas is actually front and centre (figuratively speaking) on the cover. At least in terms of size, he is the biggest head 🤭 on the cover. And he gets quite a smoulder on for Disc 4 (see above) 😁. BTW – isn’t that the worst tagline you have ever seen on a spy thriller??? “MI5 not 9 to 5” – jeepers, I suppose that is meant to be funny, but boy does it feel like a flat pun 😂…

Among other things that we delved into with the meagre 140 characters at our disposal, was Lucas ex-wife Elizabeta. It has always struck me as somewhat strange how she was written. So, she is his ex-wife. Lucas is quite clearly still in love with her when he finally returns after 8 years in prison. She, however, having been told he was dead, has divorced (?) and moved on. Fair enough. However, given that she divorced him not knowing why he had actually vanished, it feels a bit strange to me that she has so little feeling for him. Ok, she seems to have a new relationship (and a child), and it would be extremely confusing to find oneself faced with the beloved husband that had been declared dead. Nevertheless I found her a bit too cold. (Or am I in APM-by-proxy?)

Anyway, it was a fun hour spent together on Twitter. Don’t expect any in-depth discussions about characters or scenes, it’s mainly pithy remarks. But if you want to join in, I am sure our organiser mujertropical would be happy to have you. We’re on again next Saturday at 8pm BST.

Couple of OT Updates

No word from the recruiter re. my job application/interviews last week. It’s Tuesday now; the interview was on Thursday. Ok, I get the message 😁. I guess the job is not on. And tbh with you, I am relieved. Don’t get me wrong, it was great to get some validation through this expedited application process. But I wasn’t altogether sure whether I wanted to work full-time for the small amount of money they were offering… This way I won’t have to engage in unpleasant salary negotiations…

For those of you curious about my latest upcycling project: The tray table has been transformed and is now in situ.

Tray table as picked up at the dump

After cleaning and repainting

The final object, distressed, decoupaged and now in situ on the landing:

A Score

I can’t tell you exactly what made me look into online auctions last week, but somehow I looked at an Irish auction site and I spotted a small porcelain figurine whose style looked familiar to me.

I am neither a collector of porcelain, nor do I actually find these particular figurines particularly cute, but I immediately recognised them as “Hummel figurines”. They are quite well-known in Germany and have been collectibles for the past 70 years. The older they are, the more valuable. They are not my cup of tea at all, but my mum has a couple of those figurines and apparently really loves them, so I placed a bid on the auction, hoping that no one in Ireland is aware of what these figurines can be worth. Bingo. I won the figurine for 25 Euro – my maximum bid because the auction did not provide any details about the age of the figurine. Today I picked it up, and it turns out to be from the 1950s (judging by the trademark underneath), which makes it a bit more valuable than my bidding price. I saw the number 150 pop up a few times… Suffice to say I am chuffed. My mum’s birthday present is sorted ✔️

Revisiting the past

I can’t even tell you why and how, but somehow I came across a really old article about RA this week. Many of you have read it before, so it is not new at all. But I thought it was fun to revisit it and have a look at what RA was on a about *ten years ago*. This is an interview with The Mirror on the release of Strike Back.

I didn’t pick this out for the purpose of snide comments or in order to negate what has recently become more obvious, but I thought his answers to the more personal questions here were interesting, as the interview shows RA at 39 – and here we are, RA now (almost) 49. Newspaper articles (especially from tabloid sources) always have to be taken with a grain of salt, but I’d say that RA has come a long way since then. Apart from his private life, I am also struck by his honesty re. the fears that keep him up all night. Does he still believe that? (With some major hits and starring roles under his belt, one would hope not.) In any case, fun to re-read.

  A Bit A’ This ‘N’ That Today's post comes as a mixed bag of inconsequentialities, both RA-related and OT, just because I have - oh wonder - a renewed urge to write a blog post.

[lockdownuk]

Lockdown Diary Part 9

A personal account during the lockdown in the UK due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

23/03/2020 8:30pm Boris Johnson, UK Prime Minister, gives a live address to the nation to, effectively, put the country on lockdown to stem the spread of the deadly coronavirus strain, Covid-19.

Many of us have been self-isolating for days but this latest development within the UK in reaction to the pandemic feels very serious and very scary. I decided to keep a simple diary and where better but online.

Day 241: Shit day at work. To cut a long story short, I could complete a task Sueanne gave to me and then I got it in the ear, including a snotty email ay 5:40pm. Pissed off.

Day 242: Had a meeting with Sueanne (our weekly 1-2-1 actually) and she was alright. I feel much better tonight. Last night I didn’t even have an appetitie - unheard of! Going to make up for that tonight, pie and loads of veg! A much better day. Ridiculously, I believe yesterday was all my own fault - I take work for granted sometimes and I let myself down by ignoring the urgency of a task just because it was Sueanne asking me to do it and she was a peer. She is now my boss, and I should respect that.

Day 243: So-so day at work. It’s strange how used to work I am after over six months on furlough. It’s been less than two months back but all the highs and lows amd frustrations are commonplace. Most importantly, it being Thursday, I cannot wait for tomorrow eveninga dn to kick back, drink and smoke. Spoke to dad this morning, he’s same as...that’s always good to know. Sugar levels have been a fucking roller coaster today, and it has really fucked me off! No salad at lunch due to them being so fucking high when I got back from my walk. It ended up being my tea. Sarted watching The Undoing...it’s OK. 

Day 244: Glad it is Friday. Just cooking a (very hot) chicken madras, cracked open my first beer. Gonna eat, drink, smoke and watch a good film.

Day 245: Gold was the film I watched last night, with Matthew McConaughey and it was a good choice. I then watch a Kevin Hart stand up show on Netflix...very Eddie Murphy, very funny. I did a 12 km walk today...fucking felt it in my legs. Walked the footpath from Stoke Doyle road to Benefield road for the first time. I liked it and it comes out between Lytham Park and Wakerley Close....I posted on FB about the fact that when I move to Oundle, Clifton Drive was the last street heading out of town. Saw Becks on the walk down Benefield road, She mentioned she’s tired of lockdown. I replied that I’m tired of the virus!

Day 246: Up at 1pm, nice long walk, ordered new slippers and waterproof jacket (my Craghopper is bust again).

Day 247: I screwed up at work today, went for a (ridiculously) late lunch right when I was meant to be at an online meeting that Sueanne had reminded me about in the morning. There’s mitigation but, when push comes to shove, I fucked up and now Sueanne’s on the warpath - one more slip up and it’ll be an offical disciplinary matter. 

Day 248: Suzanne wants me to troubleshoot a ticket she has in her queue, some database request for a Cork guy. It’s a test and it’s fucking me off.

I did testing for a network change tonight...8 till 11:15pm.

Elliot and Aaron cleaned the windows today. It was nice to see them.

Rita sent a couple of emails recently. Dad’s ear is all clear but Paul has got testicular cancer.

Day 249: New waterproof jacket arrived today. It’s very nice, bargain for ��25 odd. Also picked up slippers from M&S food hall in Corby so, while over their, did a shop at Tesco’s...£109 mainly booze.

By the time I was back, I ended up doing my evening walk at 9.30pm!

Day 250: Leigh from Oundle Chronicle has got back to me. She (he?) has selected the photos that are going to be in the article and wants me to write a sentence on each - where they were taken and what inspited me to do so. Whether that means the stuff I wrote before is not going to be used, or not, I dunno! New slippers are OK and the new jacket is still impressing me.

Day 251: Typing on Day 252. Usual Friday, beers, meatballs, pizza, long chat with Fog. I should mention that, as we approach the end of Lockdown2 in England, Boris and his government have laid out a three tier structure for how the second lockdown will be eased. It’s caused confusion and consternation across the board. None of it affects me, still isolating like I was on day 1. Day 252: Totally forgot about my diary entry yesterday! Up at 1pm, nice long walk, nipped rong Elliots to pay for my windows, had a chat with him, Artron and Camilla - it’s so nice to socialise! Gonna make fish pie and supp a few ales. Day 253: The weekend is over way too quickly. It’s 7.30pm on Sunday as I type and I wish it wasn’t. I wish it was 7.30pm on Friday. Day 254: In a meeting, a working Zoom, with Andy Ashler in the US re: qfiniti, which Sueanne pissed me off about earlier in te day (RCI diary updated), but the meeting went well. I am desparately trying to buy an iPad on Black Monday. As usual with tech, I cannot make my mind up which to buy! Day 255: I haven’t bought an iPad....I’ll wait for the 10.2″ iPad to come down in price. I had more involvement with Andy Ashler and in the US with the Qfiniti project at work. I’m really enjoying it, it’s very technical...although I didn’t finish ‘til 6pm because of it. The Oundle Chronicle is out and an article about me and my pics is on the back page. Leigh, the editor, sent it to me electronically. It’s good. I am chuffed!  Day 256: I booked some holidays today, making sure that I didn’t include any days off in the week December 14-18 (SB’s off). So, this coming Friday (4th Dec), Next Weds-Fri and Monday 21st. I know I have only been back from Furlough a couple of months but I am more than ready for some kick-back time.  1-2-1 with SB today, it was a relaxed affair, most espcially becaus eof my success thus far with the Qfiniti project - that being said, I got pretty much nowhere with it today.  Ordered a couple of long sleeved Ts and a fleeced hoody from a shop called Doubletwo today, well cheap in the sale. I saw half a dozen joggers on the Milton Road blind bend tonight, oblivious to any other potential path user. I posted about it (in my own, sarcastic way) on the Oundle Chatter FB group. It was met how I’d expected plus some direct digs so I deleted it. Cowardly but, I figure, I don’t get my point across, the vast majority of joggers really don’t think they are doing anything wrong by bulldozing there way around town and, lastly, I couldn’t be bothered with the flak, and its tennis like back-and-forth!

Day 257: Got tomorrow off so worked late tying up loose ends, including the qfiniti project - fucking nuts really, making sure no one asks any questions of SB or the team, in terms of my work load, for just one day off! Still, just had tea, cracked open a beer and am watching Shaun of the Dead. Nice.

Day 258: The main thing I did today is walk. It was about 12km but felt much longer ‘cos it was wintry, pissing down, windy and slippery as fuck. And I really enjoyed it! Badge messaged me today to ask how I am and, in replying, I mentioned that I think I am becoming addicted to walking...it wasn’t a throwaway comment. Just cooked up a chilli (which I think I have ruined with a Knorr beef stock pot), and will tuck in with beers, smokes and telly. While it’s been a day off, this Friday evening will be as all others are at the moment, late, drunken and solitary fun - no doubt.

Day 259: Typing on day 260. That chilli last night was actually OK. Plus I ‘invented’ a meatball wrap - moving on from the TikTok ham and cheese wrap you fold into the toaster, I tried the same with meatballs but no fucking way could I fold it into the toaster slot (pissed up kitchen shenanigans), so I wrapped it in tin foil and heated it in the oven, Fucking delicious. I watched Shaun of the Dead. I think it’s the first time since its release and I couldn’t help thinking “zombies just aren’t like that [in real life]” Wtf?

Day 260: I was quite sensible (for a Saturday) last night, in bed by 2am, up at my alarm this morning, 10:30am. Nice long walk, taking in a new path up by Biggin Grange and took plenty of pics that turned out really good. Btw, posh lost yesterday at Portsmouth (with 2000 fans there) and they lost midweek and last weekend in the FA Cup to Chorley, at home. 

Day 261: It’s freezing today...actually 0 degrees. This house is so fucking cold, even with the heating on.

Day 262: Typing on day 263. Last day of work for 5 days. Beers are in order. And a sausage casserole. Day 263: I completely forgot to do a diary entry yesterday....concentrating on starting my work break off on the right foot, which I did. As a result, I didn’t get up until 1pm. So, to stop that sort of day wasting, no beers tonight. Just got back from a shop (£90 in Tesco’s), trying to sort out Romiley’s Christmas present, then something to eat (more sausage casserole) and a early, sober night.

Day 264: So, after abstinence last night, I was up before 11am and did a walk that included the track from Benefield Road to Monson Way past Park Wood. It was fucking hard work due to mud. I have lost coumd the amount of times I nearly slipped right over. Throw into that a hypo, the 12-13km walk was tough. Sorted out Romiley’s present (guitar stand, music stand and guitar exercises book). Took soime nice photos today as well which I’ve prepared and shared. No booze today/tonight either. Some break, a younger me would say!

Day 265: Friday, and I am typing with a beer, balti on the hob and I am just gonna choose a film and roll a single skinner. I am knackered. Up at 10am, cleaned the hall and stairs after a 10km walk. Also, I spoke with dad who is, as always, fine.

Time to make up for the last two sober nights.

Day 266: I am typing this on day 267. So drunk last night I left nearll a full can of beer and went to bed in my jogging bottoms and t-shirt. I have had a day off from any exercise at all which felt very odd. A few beers and watched Snatch. Day 267: While I was nowhere near drunk last night, due to sleeping in late (2pm) I was up ‘til 3am watching TikTok so today I struggled out of bed at just before 1pm. Watch the start of the season’s final GP (Verstappen won from pole and it was boring af), back on the exercising including a 9km walk. Back to work tomorrow which I feel totally conflicted about! Posh won yesterday at home to Rochdale (with the allowed 2000 fans) 4-1 including a 17 minute first half hatrick from Jonson Clarke-Harris.

Day 268: Back to work - Sueanne’s off and it’s the first day I’ve been at work with Jon in charge which involves a daily ‘SUMO’ (whatever that acronym stands for?) at 9.30am every day. I am still involved with te qfiniti upgrade project which seems to have taken a step backwards in the 3 days I had off, so I was working until gone 9.30pm! I have decided to do a quiz, hopefully for Christmas, whereby I don’t want the actual answers (to 25 particular questions, all with a common theme in the answer), merely an omitted question!  

Day 269: Stand Up Meeting Online. SUMO. Ian Bird told me. I might struggle with double Y for my quiz. Work was OK, more Qfiniti stuff. Posh drew away to MK 1-1. Posh were 0-1 up but Lincs lost at home. I can’t undertsand why that pleases me so....oh, yeah I can Steve Dee.

Day 270: Struggling to order Dad and Rita booze for Christmas without it being a Morrison’s delivery that I can do through Amazon Prime. That would be OK but it’s just a bit clinical! Meanwhile, now I am paying for Prime, and they are showing some Premiership games (for example, tonight I watched Liverpool v. Spurs (2-1), I really have to contact Sky - I am paying £71pm atm! Sam posted pic of her Christmas tree but mentioned how she’s finding it hard to get in the spirit - Paul has testicular cancer and the outlook is bleak - fuck know’s what she’s going through with all that, trying to shield Romiley from the worst without lying!

[myivfjourney]

Naps? Yes please!!

9/3/20

Ok, so it's been a few days since I've written - alot has happened!

Quick update to my last few lines in my prior post.

I got the "go ahead" from the doctor to begin stims..the TSH of 3.5 doesn't seem to be a current concern.

My husband got the job and signed his offer today ! Yay!

My meds didn't come on the Thursday like expected inspite being in the phone for 2 hours dealing with it. They came Friday after further investment of time.

Anyways...

Backtracking to last week of August...

I finished the last birth control pill August 24 and was so ready to move to the next step. I had so much back and forth phone calls with the specialty pharmacy that my meds came the Friday. I day before I needed to start them although my doctor and I confirmed the orders weeks prior. I was so upset. Had I not called to verify a few days prior it would have not made it in time. Always very people.

Anyways we begun stims on Saturday August 29th. My husband and I rewatched the videos to be sure we were "doing it right" ...we made it out the first night alive. Menopur stings ladies! But the good news is it does go away after like 1 minute.

I'm on day 6 of Stims right now and all I want to do these past few days is nap.

The stims have gifted me a small lingering headache and complete tiredness. YAY!..u really shouldn't have.

On the same day we begun stims I started spotting and by Sunday I had a heavy flow. Monday morning I couldn't wait to call and find out ...apparently its "withdrawal bleeding" from the birth control and also my uterus is shedding its lining. Since it measured 8" last time, I had lot to lose thus bleeding for 2 more days. I'm spotting today..still pink..but hoping it stops soon.

Last night I had to get 3 injections because the re-inject pen for Gonal would only give me a dose of 100IU since we've used 200 IUs each night thus far as my dosage (it comes as 900) ..but..the night before somehow when my hubby injected me, only 175 IUs discharged so I needed another shot of 25 to even out the 200. So needless to say two nights in a row I've had 3 stabs to the belly...how lovely! I've gotten use to it so its fine.

I visited the doctors office on Wednesday (yesterday) and looks like we're pacing well. They want to see me tomorrow again for further monitoring.

Can I just tell you about my left overies for a quick sec? I mean..I've already covered my periods so why not.

My left girl seems to be hiding out behind my uterus down under. So finding her is always a bitch. The nurse looked for a good few minutes before giving up. She then called in the doctor to look around for her. I waited about 5-8mins on the bed (on my period) after being poked around with the probe for several minutes. When the doctor came, in order to find her, I was asked to literally turn and lie on my right butt cheek while the probe was inside ...only then Ms. Lefty graced us with her presence....they got the picture they needed.. ( when he saw her I heard him count out to 10 but I didn't ask what it was..follicles? ) Gosh I hate this process. It's so gross. I wonder if it will be this hard when I'm going in for egg retrieval? I can't go on my right butt cheek under sedation...oh my God. The cramps that will follow...

I am hopeful for tomorrow's visit. I'm starting to feel very "lumpy" in the sides of my belly. Something is happening ...aka...growing!

The doctor didn't say anything about follicles yesterday so you bet your ass I'm asking tomorrow. I need to know what we're working with here. I was instructed to stay on my current dosage of meds until next visit.

Cheers to good news tomorrow. God knows I need it.

On a different note outside of IVF -

I lost my Job on Tuesday Sept. 1, 2020! My position was eliminated and I'm now a statistic of the wrath of Covid. I dont want to get emotional but sometimes I can't help but feel defeated. I need to find a sense of worth and value. I haven't spoken to my best friend or anyone about this process, my career downturn and how I'm feeling. Partly because I don't want to be pitied and treated "special" like a delicate lamb or something. You are my only outlet of expressing how I feel. The anonymity helps for transparency.

With my body not able to conceive naturally I've had to turn to science for my miracle....and thank heavens for science... while its a challenging process I was ..and still am..going to be strong and positive through it. But, things like losing the job you loved so much and the amazing benefits that it provides is a big hit. I had an amazing position with an amazing company...amazing compensation and worked with amazing people...and now its all gone. Officially on September 18 my coverage ends. Luckily my egg retrieval should be well before then.

My doctor will most likely opt for a frozen transfer (higher success rates) so that puts me into October and I feel like I'm in limbo. Do I still apply for jobs now knowing I have so many doctors visits still upcoming and when I get pregnant will I face any discrimination and not be hired?

I never heard back anything from the job interview last week btw. I must have applied to about 50 job postings at this point. No interviews and a few rejections but mostly crickets.

Am I worrying too much? 😕

Well you try going through Stims...tell me how you feel.

My hubby's position was also eliminated and so he was technically out of a job for a week. But his boss ( same company) before he got promoted reached out with an opportunity. He interviewed and got the job. So he's back reinstated with his company after 1 week and starts this new role (promotion with more pay) on Tuesday after the holiday. Crazy times I tell you.

Anyways...as usual I chirp away...more to come after my visit tomorrow.

Off to take another nap.....yawns!!!

[littleharpethcrossfit]

Sunday, 16 August         Partner   Jump Rope/Push Press Game ......”Hope”.....Med-Ball Run.

Yes, it was as nice as mid-August gets in Tennessee.  There were storms nearby, but Tom said they would stay away, and they did.

Big Shane led us in a very fine mobility/flexibility session to get us moving.

Warmup #2:     Partner Game.   One partner does 25 Double (50 Single) Unders while the other partner does VERY LIGHT Push-Presses.   They switch roles when the Jump Ropes are finished, keeping track of the total Push Presses.  Partners post the total Push Presses.  This is meant to warmup our shoulders in preparation for the Snatch’s and Thrusters to come.

Total Partner Push-Presses:

Larry/Robert=229     Lew/Tom=196     Bethany/Rowena=173     Mason/Andrew=162     Leigh Ann/Ruth Ann=159     Scott/Scotty=153     Elisa/Dana=140     Zac/Dyer=139     Katherine/Ashley=100     Whole bunch’s failed to post.

 WOD:   “HOPE”   This WOD takes more time to explain than it does to do it.     

This WOD is a variation of the CrossFit benchmark “Fight Gone Bad”.  It was first done 7 years ago as a fund raising benefit for our very own Memphis St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. 

The design is the same as FGB, but the exercises are all different.  There are 5 exercises done for 1 minute AMRAP’s with no pause between them.  The 5 exercises constitute 1 Round.    A 1 minute rest period follows the round.  The rounds are repeated for 3 total rounds.  Your score is the Grand Total reps for the 3 rounds of 15 AMRAPs.

“Fight Gone Bad” was originally designed as a WOD to simulate a Martial Arts Fight, with 3 rounds of 5 minutes each,  continuous action, with 1 minute rests in between. 

Following what we have learned from past experience, the class will be divided and partnered.  “HOPE” will be done in 2 heats.  One partner will do the WOD, while the other keeps score/strategizes/coach’s/encourages/etc.  We have learned that doing it this way decreases confusion and increases your scores.  

There will be stations set up so that athletes move in a clockwise pattern for the rounds.  Ample equipment will be pre-positioned at each station.  Individual score cards, sharp pencils and calculators await you.  LHCF ROCKS !!   

Hopefully, there will not be an excessive turn-over time between heats.

The Exercises:

Burpee’s

Power Snatch’s     (75/55)

Box Jumps     (20″)

Thrusters     (75/55)

Kettle Bell Swings     (35/25)

RX-ers:

Dana=330     Larry=300     Brendan=299     David S=283     Shane=279     Hunter=276         Elisa=261     Robert=249     Warren G=248

Scaled:

Rowena=325     Coach=297     Luke=291     Ruth Anne=286     Katherine=284     Linda=283     “Sloppy”=283     Warren A=282     Leigh Ann=281     “H-Bomb”=276    Ashley=273     Bethany=270     Lew=254     Sc ott A=235     Tom=234     Lew/Lee=231     Zac=229     Cheri=224     Scotty=206     Dyer=180     Timmy=did it.  No Post.          

Cool-Down:     Run/Jog/Walk 800m with your favorite Med-Ball.

Notes:

I am somewhat regretful that I yelled at a 1/2 dozen of you for your efforts to personalize the stations and generally screw up all my 6 hours of work planning and setting up this WOD.  Somewhat regretful.  

On the other hand, in the girls area, everything is always cooperative and highly appreciative of the Coach and the WODs are run smoothly.   Why is that ??

The new guys were Tim and Ashley.  They recently moved into the house on the other side of Robert.  It is curious that someone moved into that house only 2 months ago, and they have already bailed and left the house to Tim and Ashley.  It remains to be seen if  T & A  (his suggestion) are  allowed to walk past 6224 to arrive at 6226 to workout.  BTW, I already know Ashley’s political leanings.  I hope she keeps coming.

The Buck’s are rapidly approaching the date of their 50th anniversary.   They are planning a weekend away, beginning this Thursday.  The WODs are programmed, and you will have an excellent and real-live college trained coach.  Please don’t take the weekend off, just because the Buck’s are gone.  

Search Black Berry farm.  That’s where we will be.  We will be cashing in 1/2 of our 401-K’s to afford this weekend.  Blackberry’s wine cellar has about 200,000 high priced bottles, believed to be the best cellar in North America.  We will dine with Emmy-Lou Harris 2 nights and listen to her sing up close and personal.  We don’t know anything about her or her music, but the setting is at the glorious Yallarhammer Pavilion.  I intend to stay sober enough to have some recall.   

Tuesday at 4 PM.   

[codetrainwreck]

Code Geass R1 does not refer to season one

I’m gonna try my best to explain this lol.  Due to the various movies, retellings, AUs, etc, there are multiple continuities for Code Geass.

R1 / Route 1: Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion S1 + Okouchi’s Episode 26

R2 / Route 2: Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion S1 + Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 + Akito the Exiled

Movieverse: Code Geass Recap Movie 1 + Code Geass Recap Movie 2 +  Code Geass Recap Movie 3 + Code Geass Lelouch of the Re;surrection

This exists as an extremely dumb image btw.

It seems to be a common trend in the English Geass fandom to retroactively refer to the first season of Code Geass as “R1″. It happens in Japanese too but is way less common, and mostly seems to be years ago. Afaik, the Japanese staff has never referred to it the first season as “R1″ either.

I say retroactively because the S1 = R1 idea seemed to have come along after season 2 was titled “Code Geass R2″. When Code Geass R2 first aired, the staff spread some ideas about how the “R” in “R2″ stood for multiple things. It seems like Koshimizu and Celiss Galvea’s old interview translations are long gone, but I kinda distantly recall them.

In any case, more recently, it was revealed by the staff that “R1″ does not refer to the first season of Code Geass, it refers to writer Okouchi’s original plan for a continuation to Code Geass, and it stands for “Route 1″. Because Okouchi dropped that plan, and R stands for Route, the R2 in Code Geass R2 thus stands for “Route 2″. And this second route refers to Okouchi’s rewrite to re-introduce Code Geass to a new audience. You can read about this on Mononoke’s blog under the “2nd Lelouch Birthday Event”.

I understand that this is going to be considered nitpicking or something, but I think it’s important to understand the lingo that the creators use as well since “R1″ might come up again in future interviews from the staff in reference to the dropped script.

Check the read more for some additional backstory about Okouchi’s dropped script and other Geass AU nonsense rambling.

Additional backstory:

When Code Geass S1 was in production, the creators made a bid for the 6pm Saturday night anime timeslot. However, they lost to Ayakashi Ayashi. So when Code Geass aired, it aired around 2am on Thursday night.

While animation was underway on S1 25, Okouchi penned “episode 26″, which you can read in translation here from rainfall. It depicted a resolution to Lelouch and Suzaku’s stand off with Suzaku being left for dead but his corpse mysteriously vanishing after, leaving it ambiguous and a mystery for the viewer as to whether he survived or not. Additionally, we see Lelouch go to confront the Emperor.

Due to their DVD sales (Geass vol 1 sold 50k copies while Ayakashi Ayashi sold 1500 copies), Geass was greenlit for a continuation. But Okouchi’s first draft here was written assuming they were still going to be airing at 2am on Thursday night. Instead, they got upgraded to 6pm Saturday that they had originally gone after.

Geass AU Nonsense:

Tbh, Geass AUs are a bit of headache, so I simplified this...

For example: Oz the Reflection retcons stuff like Marika’s death. She appears early on in Oz, references her brother’s death, then is saved from death herself whereas she died in the TV show when Kallen gets the SEITEN. In the recap movies, they change it so that Kewell doesn’t die in Narita, which kinda changes Marika’s story in Oz. In fact, they retcon it so that Kewell dies in the place where Marika died in the TV show.

So... Oz is a retcon of the TV series, but the recap movies are a retcon of Oz...?

Additionally, there’s the light novels. I know a lot of people have opinions about this. Some consider the light novels to be able to fill in whatever the TV series didn’t, and just ignore the parts where it contradicts canon. Honestly, I’m not sure that really makes sense as it’s still assuming that the author of the light novels knew things ahead of time to be able to craft these characterizations and for them to be able to fill in for canon.

But if you read the LNs, it’s clear they were not informed ahead of time when the ending of the s1 light novels doesn’t support Okouchi’s episode 26, nor does it support the beginning of R2 we got. Another example is that I think the author was extremely into the idea of “Dark Nunnally” and it was essentially his head canon for her. But nothing in the anime, especially R2 where she gets more agency, really supports the idea of Nunnally being like this.

Then there are manga works like Re;, which a lot of people enjoy, but the artist tweeted that it would be following the movie universe, yet the beginning of the manga showed Shirley’s death, when she didn’t even die in the movie verse. And stuff like Tutor Lelouch is.. well, pretty blatantly an AU.

In any case, I think with all of these AUs like the 2000 mangas and such, it’s just like how media gets multiple adaptations... E.g. some have a web novel, light novel, manga, anime adaptation, tv drama, etc and all of these versions have differences between them.

Cutting this rambling off short before it turns into 20 pages. ‘_>’

[xserpentlife]

Just Dance with Me

Request: @avenging-fandoms heyo! can I requests something with prompts 2 and 25 from prompt 3? thank you! :)

A/N: sorry this is so late I've been super busy with school work

Summary: Sometimes you just gotta to dance in the rain.

Warnings: None its just realllly fluffy

Word Count: 2017

You and Sweet Pea have been dating for about 4 months, and it was safe to say you fell head over heels for the guy. He was cheesy as hell always doing cute little funny things. Sweet Pea was quite literally the sweetest guy you had ever met. There were also parts of him though that really made him a big baby. Like when he would get upset when you guys couldn’t do something together or when you'd be cuddling and someone would interrupt. Here is a little backstory. You guys have known each other for a while because you were friends with Toni. One night after being at the Wyrm Toni’s bike broke down which led to you and her not having a ride home. Sweet Pea and Fangs offered and you both gladly accepted. Sweets took a wrong turn on the way home “by accident” which led to you getting “lost”. But let’s be honest it wasn’t an accident to get lost in a field of flowers with a blanket laid out. You had to admit though it was clever and super cute. After that night you guys made a tradition that once every other week you would drive to the field, and just spend some time together. 

This week was the week you were supposed to go to the field but you haven’t really been feeling up to it, and you’ve been busy the entire week. On Monday you were sick with a stomach bug from eating out someplace fangs found on his way home from a job in Greendale. Tuesday you had to help Toni with a photo series she was doing for Cheryl’s birthday. Wednesday you had to work at the Wyrm. Thursday you had to do a job with FP, and Pea was out doing a different job with fangs. Friday you all planned to go see a movie at the drive in, but it got crashed when you all got a call because the Ghoulies decided to try to trash pops. And Saturday was the day you planned on going with Pea but then got interrupted by fangs bike breaking down and needing a ride to go see his boy in Greendale. An entire week went by of you not being able to go to the field and Sunday was the day that you guys slept in and cuddled at home. You figured you’d go to the field next week and it would be fine. But there was no way in hell Pea was letting that happen.

Sunday came and Pea kissed your cheek waking you up. 

“Hey babe get dressed and let’s go to the field since we have been interrupted literally this entire week” you covered your head with the blanket mumbling no “what do you mean no Y/N we have been going every week for the past 4 months” you stood up to go to the bathroom and while walking out said “I know Pea but id rather just stay here and cuddle you like we do every Sunday” with that you shut the bathroom door assuming he would have gone into the kitchen to make breakfast like he always does but no. you open the bathroom door and there he is “but pleaseeeeeee I wanna goooooooo” you shook your head walking past him “Pea why does it matter when we go we can just go tomorrow” he walked in behind me in the kitchen snaking his hands around my waist as I was stood at the fridge “well if we can go tomorrow why can't we just go today Y/N” you shook your head at how childish he was being. I mean he was annoying you but he was also super cute when he was needy like this. “I just don’t feel like it okay Pea... we have been out literally this entire week and I just want to chill at home with you is that so bad” he turned me around towards him “no it’s not that it's bad but I still want to go. But since you don’t I'll drop it... for now” ughh you knew exactly what that meant and within the next 2 hours you knew he would be asking you again. We were watching a movie and he surprisingly only asked again once throughout the entire thing so that was a plus. “Hey Pea I’m gonna go take a shower” he held onto me tighter “Pea let me go I need to go shower I stink” he let me go but shook his head “Baby you don’t stink but alright go ahead. Oh, and are you hungry? While your in the shower I can run to pop’s and get us some food” you shook your head yes stating how hungry you were but before you could close the bathroom door he said, “oh and btw can we go to the wyrm later?” you thought it was weird because you usually don’t go to the Wyrm on Sundays “I mean yeah I guess but why?” he stood up putting his jacket on “Toni needs the homework from Friday that she missed cause she wasn’t at school remember” he was acting really weird but you just ignored it. You were still in the shower when Pea came back because you had decided to take a bath. “Y/N are you okay in there?” you chuckled to yourself surprised he hadn’t tried to open the door. I mean there was a reason you didn’t lock it “yeah, yeah I'm good I’m getting out now” you got out of the bath walking into your guys’ bedroom and got dressed. You walked out smelling the Pop’s Pea had brought home “Pea that smells so good I am starving” you sat on the couch next to him as he was placing the food on the coffee table. “why were you in the shower so long? are you feeling alright?” as you took a bite of the burger you chuckled to yourself. “Yeah haha I was fine I decided to take a bath” You were in a mood so you decided to be a tease. almost finished with your burger you looked at him laughing. “Why are you laughing at me? do I have something on my face? he was wiping his face all over “no haha I’m laughing because I’m confused why you didn’t try to open the bathroom door” he looked at me confused “I was going to but when I said your name you answered back instantly... why?” I looked at him again chuckling “well you should have... I left it open for a reason” he looked at you wide-eyed “well I mean you can go back in and I can open it” you laughed again standing up grabbing your jacket “Can’t baby we gotta go visit Toni... right?” he cursed under his breath standing up with a “yeah... yeah, we do” 

We got on Pea's bike and started driving towards the Wyrm but instead of going straight at the intersection the asshole made a damn left. You tapped him on the shoulder but he just kept driving. You knew exactly where he was going and you were pissed. You didn’t want to go to the field because it was a 20 min drive and you just didn’t feel like it. He pulled to a stop getting off the bike as you punched him in the arm. “OW Y/N what was that for” you looked at him sternly “Oh shut up that did not hurt, and I hit you because you lied to me. You said we were going to the Wyrm for Toni. This is not the Wyrm and Toni is not here” he looked at the ground kicking the dirt and went to grab my hand but I backed away “look, baby, I'm sorry but I didn’t want to break out tradition... its important to me” You looked up into his eyes and could see the plea. You knew he was sorry you were just a little annoyed. “You know Pea you're lucky your cute or else I would be super pissed right about now” he laughed lowly taking my hand to walk down to the field. You stayed at the field for a while just talking and having a good time. You had to admit it was nice being with him like this. This was your place you were the only two who knew about it and it was special. Whenever you were here with him it felt like nothing else mattered, and you had to admit holding onto him while riding a bike was a good feeling too. It was a few hours later and you both wanted to get home. He handed you your helmet as you guys got onto the bike. 

The drive home was good at first until you heard the rumble of thunder. It wasn’t supposed to rain today so you thought you would be okay but 5 mins into the ride home Pea had to pull over under a bridge because it was downpouring and hard to see. You were both soaked from head to toe. You stood there leaned against the bike pulling out your phone to look at the weather. You were pissed. “SEE PEA I TOLD YOU WE SHOULDN’T HAVE GONE OUT. ITS GONNA BE RAINING LIKE THIS FOR ANOTHER HOUR... LOOK” as you put your phone to his face. “His eyed looked sad you knew he didn’t mean it he just wanted to spend time with you, but you had wished he just waited one day just one day. You stood there for another few mins before he even said anything. “Look Y/N I i’m sorry I just... We haven’t seen each other all week really aside from sleeping and I know how it is we can get caught up in the flow of the week with work, and school and on top of that the gang. I just... I wanted to spend time with you away from the trailer no distractions” you could see how sorry he was so you stood off the bike and went over to hug him grabbing his face in your hand “I know you are I just wish you would have waited till tomorrow cause we're going to be stuck here for a while” He laughed grabbing your hand dragging you to the end of the bridge about to pull you into the rain. You yanked back and he looked down at you. “come on we’re already wet, and if we are going to be here for a while we mine as well have fun. Come dance with me” Is he insane you thought to yourself who in their right mind would willingly go dance in the rain. “You are actually insane Pea if you think I am going to...” he didn't even let me finish he literally pulled me into the downpouring rain. “come on baby dance with me pleaseeeee” you shook your head while snaking your arms around his neck you danced around for a few minutes having a great time and went back under the bridge out of the rain. You two stood next to his bike, and he looked at you and frowned “I... I hope you're not mad. I’m sorry I ruined our Sunday I just I...” you stopped him and kissed him not letting him finish his sentence “i”m not mad at you pea I could never be You’re my one and only.” He hugged you tight “good. I'm glad baby. I don’t want to lose you. Now as for opening the bathroom door... is that still on the table?” you laughed smacking him in the chest “Your lucky its still raining and I'm gonna be cold when we get home... I think I'm gonna have to take a warm bath” The rain started to die down and he hopped on the bike handing you your helmet. “well then we should get home” you climbed on the bike and he sped off towards your trailer.

[kingofmyfancyheart]

“Don’t you dream impossible things?”

On Friday August 2, 2019 one of my biggest dreams came true. I met my favourite musician, role model and best friend: TAYLOR ALISON SWIFT. Here’s my story:

So it was on a Tuesday evening when I received the message of messages on twitter. The Direct Message from Taylor Nation. I was just casually looking at my phone since it had been around 6 PM. I also got a message from Tayswiftdotcom about the ME! Vinyl, which I won… But of course I read the message from TN first and I was SHOOK. I don’t know my exact reaction, but I must have been in shock. I was even wondering if this really would be for secret sessions??? I first told my best friend – the one I trust with my heart – as fast as I can. It went like ‘OMG E’ ‘OMG KSJOD OMG’ and she knew what it was. She actually didn’t know more info. SHE JUST KNEW.

I told about the message to my parents, sister and another best friend too. My sister knew a bit about secret sessions and stuff already, but my parents didn’t. My mom was even a bit scared that I would get kidnapped or something jsfkdjsfldjs but I comforted her. This was all real and TN is real. Verified. Legit. It was real 100% SURE. The message was real. As soon as I read the message, I answered with my information and then the waiting began. And the wait seemed to be SO long!!! Although it wasn’t THAT long, but feeling wise… I kept checking my DM’s. Did they read my reply already? Fortunately I had things to do in the meantime. This helped me to distract myself from social media.

     I got the call on Thursday, July 18, around 10 PM. It was after my mom’s birthday. I received a call waiting as I was calling with my sister already. It took me a few seconds to realize though. So I said “wait, I got a call” and checked the screen… and then I saw a US phone number. I immediately got back to my sister: “THEY’RE CALLING!!! I NEED TO HANG UP NOW.” So I hung up, but TN also did. So… I immediately called them back, while I ran upstairs with a notebook and pen. I didn’t even think about how much this call was going to cost me… I just didn’t realize, HAHAHA. I sat down behind my desk without even turning on the lights and waited. Then I heard “do I speak with Mrs. Jennifer?” and my nerves went SKY HIGH. It was Michael from Taylor Nation. The conversation remained 16 minutes and 23 seconds. I know, quite long, but that’s because of my lack of English… haha. During the call they invited me officially to go to the UK for… an event.

After the call it was time to rearrange things. Luckily enough I still had two weeks left. My sister helped me much with searching for flights and an accommodation. I’ve not much personal travel experience… I just really needed a little help. I wasn’t going to travel on my own, but with my mom who still had days off. We booked our accommodation in a lovely place near London. Of course I would have LOVED to sleep in the big city, but well… I’m definitely going back once. It was a nice and calm introduction to the UK for me.

     On July 25 I had a lunch with my best friend E. We also had a little shopping spree. Of course I wanted to have a new outfit for this special day. AND I WASN’T THE PERSON WHO FOUND THE DRESS. No, my best friend spotted the dress and I immediately was like ‘YES!!! That’s it!’ It looked so romantic, lovely and it was screaming Lover at me.

     In the two weeks before my flight I’ve been so excited. It’s been such a weird time, like… When I scrolled through my timeline and saw tweets about secret sessions (stuff like ‘which pose would you choose?’), I was giggling and thinking ‘wait, so I’m going to be THERE??? LIKE REALLY THERE – IN HER HOUSE?????’ It felt so insane and surreal. I couldn’t believe it.

We arrived in the UK on Thursday August 1 and took it slowly. We didn’t have much time and both my mom and me needed some time to acclimatize. We decided to stay just in the countryside of London, which was really okay to me. Actually I loved it very much. I love nature and more local places and especially the place where we stayed. On the other hand, our place still had this big shopping mall with shops like New Look, H&M and Top Shop. It was a small town, but not that boring haha.

     Around 4 PM we were arriving at our accommodation, where we met the guest lady (Arie). She was so kind and friendly!!! And the house looked beautiful and lovely just like the town. My mom and me had room 5 which was one of the attic rooms. Normally we would have shared a bathroom with room 6, but that day we had a private one since room 6 hadn’t been booked yet.

     So, when the guest lady was introducing herself, she also complimented my t-shirt. I wore my Meredith shirt from Taylor’s collection, so that was really nice! She even told me she was going to search for the shirt online! She needed it hahaha!!! That conversation made me like this lady even more.

But well… the day went by and suddenly it was Friday. August 2. THE DAY OF THE EVENT. And NOW I really felt the nerves and excitement. Yes, this morning I finally felt the nerves. Although it came even more later on the day, but I’ll talk about that soon. First things first, people. I’m the princess of details. (Taylor is the queen!)

     We didn’t plan anything specific this day except for the event. I think I woke up around 7 AM first, but then I was going back to sleep. And then I woke up again around… ehm, 8:45 AM perhaps? I don’t know, but I woke up before my alarm set. (I set my alarm for 10 AM.) I ate my oats breakfast while staying in bed. Like, it was still a holiday, so let’s serve myself some breakfast in bed. My mom was also awake and had the same breakfast. After breakfast I watched one episode of Gilmore Girls and then afterwards it was time to get ready, I guess.

     I was wearing the new bought dress and a flower headband, which seemed a really good idea. But I’ll come back at you about that later. We booked my taxi for 1:30 PM. I asked mom if she would walk with me to the gate. In this way she could see by herself who was going to bring me to the meeting point. It would made me feel a bit more safely. Also, it was a bit unclear whether the return taxi was included in the same booking as the afternoon one or not. This all ended well though. :) I arrived on the exact time as Google Maps told me I was going to be. This meant I was waaaaay too early, but well… Better early than too late, right? That’s why I brought a book with me (can you see me? – by Libby Scott & Rebecca Westcott). During the taxi ride the driver asked me where I was going. “Do you have to work?” he asked and so, I was like “no… I got invited for some event…” that’s it. Of course. I didn’t dare to tell ANYONE about this except the five people, who I trust with my whole heart. That was quite hard for me btw, since I’ve always been so honest to everyone. So, when I was arriving at the meeting point, I went into the lobby to sit down somewhere. I thought: no way that there’ll be someone already this early. But then there was this girl… she was on the phone, though, but I thought immediately: could she be invited too??? We were looking at each other a few times and then she hang up. She decided to sit near me and then… she (@yntcdtyler) asked. “Are you her for…?” And we were both like ‘YES!! FINALLY I CAN TALK WITH SOMEONE ABOUT IT.’ Apparently, I didn’t need to bring a book with me.

Later on more Swifties were arriving and for some reason we recognized each other immediately. Even though we didn’t really know each other. Or well… Sometimes WE DID KNOW each other. Like, that one time I met one of my fellow DUTCH SWIFTIES (@danique99xkiss) for the FIRST TIME AT THE MEETING POINT FOR A SECRET SESSION. Like… HOW??? APPARENTLY TAYLOR DECIDED TO INVITE US BOTH!! FOR! A! SECRET! SESSION! And we weren’t the only two Dutch Swifties. There were like six or seven people, who had Dutch as a native language. And there were so many different internationalities!!! People from Belgium, Spain, Croatia, Germany, Canada, even Singapore!!! But I was so glad with my fellow Dutchies. It made me feel a bit more comfortable. It was nice to meet everyone out there right before the evening of our lives was going to start.

     Around 4 PM someone from TN walked over to us. She greeted us and took us with her, while everyone was thinking ‘IT’S STARTING!!!’ But unfortunately when we were inside, we still had to wait for like an hour. Hahaha, but well, we were together and again: it was so nice seeing everyone there! I just knew everyone was going to be sweet. We all had one big common interest. We were all here for the same reason. I sat next to my fellow Dutchies Danique, Britt (@alltoowonderland13) and Mila (@taylaaahhh-13) and also behind Laurens (@gotthatwhitetshirt) and a few other people. While everyone was mingling, walking around and talking with each other, I just sat there… Although I tried to talk too, but socializing isn’t my best treat. @ London Sessioners: Sorry if I was a bit quiet… I’ve always been the shy, introvert person… Please don’t think that I didn’t like you all, CAUSE I DID!!!

We had to leave all of our stuff in this room and couldn’t take a bag with us. And then, around 5 PM, we were about to leave… NOW IT WAS STARTING. FOR REAL. So everyone walked over to the door, where we were waiting to get on the buses. I stood next to Mila and realized that I hadn’t drunk water, yet. But in that moment I started to feel a bit dizzy or something… Maybe because of the nerves? So I decided to take a glass of water anyway. I didn’t want to faint omg. Mila and I got on the first bus and… I just kept thinking: THIS IS REAL!!!!

When our bus was arriving at THE HOUSE, someone from TN told us that that we had to pretend we’re excited, hahaha. They were going to film us, when we ran of the bus. Well, of course we didn’t need to PRETEND everything. Our feelings were ALL REAL. Duh. Oh btw, my first reaction to her house was like ‘omg this is really the house of a queen! It looks so royal!’ Like, it was so big!!!! I actually don’t know what I was thinking, when I walked through her front door… I guess I was just very impressed. And in shock. Oh and when we were all standing in the bus ready for our run, I said to no one in particular ‘I hope I won’t fall during my run’. I really felt my legs shaking jkdsfjksjf but fortunately it went well. I think I looked SUPER happy and enthusiastic.

    Taylor’s house smelled so good. So, I don’t know exactly what I was thinking on my way through the hallway, but I know that for a moment I really thought (OKAY THIS IS GONNA SOUND REALLY WEIRD)… I really thought for a second that one of the security said ‘goedemorgen’ to me. I mean ‘good morning’, but in Dutch. I DON’T KNOW WHY I THOUGHT SO OMG, I’M JUST CRAZY HAHAHAHA. I think I was dreaming. But I really heard him saying ‘good morning’ in my own language, BUT THAT’S SO IMPOSSIBLE HAHAHAHA! @taylornation please confirm so I could decide if I’m really crazy or not

    Anyway. I tried to take everything in so carefully. I just wanted to remember this experience very well, so I was paying attention to the most small details. She had so many perfumed candles around her house!!! And there was a cupboard in the dining room with many boardgames. The dining room was a very light and bright room because of all the windows and glass doors, which were all open widely. We were allowed to walk onto the porch too, where we could find cold drinks. Inside there was a table with pizza and burgers and also one with vegetables, fruit and Lover M&Ms (those were SO cute!!!) I remember how at first everyone was just walking around and looking at everything. No one dared to touch something lol, but soon enough people took food and drinks. And later people were sitting on the chairs. It was very surreal and bizarre to be walking around her house as casual like that. In the garden there was a trampoline too and two soccer goals. We thought those soccer goals were Joe’s idea, but that’s actually bsh*t. I mean, we all know Taylor can play soccer. Riiight.

Inside the house I was still a bit quiet and shy, but I really had the time of my life. I promise. I was just enjoying the smell of her house and the people surrounding me in silent. Besides, actually I just really couldn’t wait to hear her album!! But it was really amazing to spend time with the group of sessioners in London. At some point You Need To Calm Down was playing and everyone in the dining room started to sing SO loud. Like, really, REALLY loud!!! I was in shock!! And of course I just sang out loud with them! Some lyrics we even sang out LOUDER, like for example the sentence ‘AND SHADE NEVER MADE ANYBODY LESS GAY!!!!!’ That was SO awesome. I was standing next to the girl in the red dress (@taylorisglowinginthedark) and we immediately looked at each other after that sentence with this big smile <3 I really think Taylor heard us. She MUST HAVE. @taylorswift YOU MUST HAVE. 

    Not much later after this moment the listening session was going to start, but just before we go to that I still want you to tell about something. At another point there was a butterfly flying through the dining room and THAT WAS SUCH A MAGICAL MOMENT. For me it felt like Taylor was inside the room, but like, undercover. Hahaha. I know, surreal, but this whole day was surreal. So. But it was really one of my favourite moments. I mean, everyone was looking at the butterfly. It connected us just like Taylor and her music connects us <3 

So, time to go into her living room. WHAT. YES. I SAT IN HER FREAKING LIVING ROOM!!!!! I SPEND A WHOLE EVENING WITH TAYLOR AND 70+ SWIFTIES. I sat somewhere in the back, because the room was full already when I walked in. But I found the perfect place. Inside a fire place btw hahahahaha, which wasn’t on fire of course hahahahfdhsfosjfosjf why did I say that? Of course it wasn’t on fire, sigh. My mind. Anyway, I sat half in the fire place and next to the air-conditioning AND a tissue box. So, perfect place. I shared the tissue box with Zita and Danique immediately, because I just KNEW we were going to need that. The parents from some Swifties were also sitting in the back on couches, and Tree of course, while we sat on those light pink blankets laying across the floor. Taylor put multiple cushions as well on the floor, so it looked all cosy. I loved the atmosphere. Up in the front there was a big chair with a side table, where obviously Taylor was going to sit with her iPod. THE IPOD. WITH THE MOST PRECIOUS THING. LOVER. We’d been surrounded by candles again and much wood. It was just a really cosy and warm place. Just as warm as her heart.

    And then. . . . . . .Taylor walked in. AND WE SCREAMED. AND CRIED. AND SCREAMED. AND YELLED. She walked in from a door somewhere in the front, which lead to the kitchen, I guess. But I’m not sure. She was wearing a very soft and sweet outfit: pastel green shirt with stripes, white shorts and sneakers with stars pattern. I remember how I was just staring at her. I guess all I thought was ‘THIS IS REAL. SHE IS REAL.’ Her voice was so friendly and soft as well. It was truly amazing to hear all the backstories straight from her mouth. I could have listened to her FOR HOURS. I really wouldn’t mind. I was smiling really big the WHOLE time. I’m truly honest when I’m saying that I liked each song on the album. Also, Lover gave me many 1989 vibes, but more grown up.

During the listening session Taylor held a short break, so we could stretch legs and taste her SELFMADE PASTEL COLOURED RICE CRISPIES. AND THEY WERE DELICIOUS!!! Very sticky, but still very delicious. It was the perfect snack after hearing the most emotional song EVER.

    Taylor took us outside while holding the plate with snacks. Although I was just realizing this in the dining room. Then I realized it was TAYLOR HERSELF who was walking in the front hahahaha. I really was on cloud nine. There were some Swifties who were allowed to jump on the trampoline. I didn’t hear this by myself at the moment, but apparently at that moment Taylor was saying ‘THOSE ARE MY KIDS’. After this she walked over to the parents – with a glass of white wine – to introduce herself, which is SO Taylor. And of course the parents took their children with them. It was all so amazing. The fact that she was just standing in the middle and talked to us in this casual way. Surreal. Taylor asked if people didn’t need to go to the toilet, but yeah, of course not. We all wanted to stay there with her. Duh. Hahaha!

After a while we were walking back inside for the second half of the listening part. First I was thinking of going to the toilet, but then I saw everyone going inside the living room and I thought ‘oh whatever’. Hahaha, I still had a place somewhere in the back though. But again not a bad place. Maybe it was even a better place. I had a bit more space now. I was still sitting next to Zita and Danique, and also to a girl with very cute cat shoes and @taylorisglowinginthedark. She had been sitting IN FRONT OF TAYLOR during the first half, which must have been a whole experience by itself!!! That’s also a reason why she wanted to sit more in the back now. I could understand. She wanted to give other persons the chance to have this kind of view also.

    I tried to listen very carefully during the session. I couldn’t take my eyes off Taylor, but just because I didn’t want to miss a single thing!! I loved it so much how she was singing along with each song and doing those little dances. SHE’S SO CUTE, FUNNY AND SUCH A DORK!!! <3 When I was listening to the songs, I tried to let my body and feelings speak. I wanted it to experience as calm as possible, so I would let the songs sink in deeply. I thought that would possibly help me to NOT forget anything about this evening. If I’ll be listening to her album again on August 23 (or later), I hope I can remember everything again so clearly like I’m back again in her living room. This was such a special night. Once in a lifetime experience.

    So, I said it already that I liked each song and that’s really TRUE. I’m not lying to you and also, this is just MY opinion. Personally I didn’t think during any song ‘meh…’ I also have some favourites… Track 7, 8 and 10… Not saying anything more. Just that.

After the listening session we were allowed to look into the DELUXE JOURNALS, which was such an honour. Unfortunately I didn’t hold one in my own hands, but well, I saw them and they looked really beautiful. And I was going to buy them (all) anyway. Hahahaha. Ever since we’ve heard about the content, I decided that I just want them ALL. GOTTA CATCH ‘EM ALL. My feeling between the listening session and the individual meet & greet was… weird. The evening was almost over, but the best part had to come now. And I just felt… I don’t know. But I know that I was walking from inside to the porch and back a few times. Mostly I stood with fellow Dutchies Mila and Danique, but sometimes it became a bit hot inside and so, I walked over to the porch. OH by the way, right after the listening part we got selfmade baking stuff again!! This time Taylor made VERY CUTE HEART-SHAPED PINK LOVER COOKIES. And since I’ve been a cookie monster, I ate them immediately of course. Although they were actually too beautiful to eat, but yeah… Wouldn’t it be rude if we did NOT eat them directly?

    During the wait before the meet & greet I just couldn’t catch up with my mind anymore. I had so much stuff to process. It was TOO MUCH for my brain. But well, I survived anyway. But yeah, this evening was very surreal and a whole new fan experience.

    Luckily I didn’t black out during my meet & greet with (THE ONE AND ONLY) Taylor Alison Swift. Since it all took a little longer than expected, some Swifties were given priority. For example, when people had to catch the train or booked a taxi. Something which I did indeed. Around 9:30 PM I told TN about this, but they were letting me wait anyway. Maybe it wasn’t necessary to give me priority, but apparently later on it was.

And then. . . . . . . I was in line for THE MEET & GREET. When I was standing there, I looked over my shoulder for a moment to check at my Dutch friends and was like ‘eeeek I’M ALMOST THERE’. I was standing behind the sweet girl from Singapore and we were both so nervous. Also, my eye decided to irritate JUST at that exact moment. Like, WHY???? Fortunately, I had everything under control before my moment with Tay. And I was so happy with the huge mirror in the hallway.

    I don’t know the exact time of when I was walking into the living room. I didn’t wear a watch jksjdlfdsj, but I know what was happening at first. When I just entered the room, Taylor said to me, very enthusiastic, “THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING OVER!” followed by the BEST. HUG. EVER. It was a really big, warm and REAL hug. She didn’t let go until I was deciding to (unfortunately). After her “THANK YOU” I was like “YOU’RE WELCOME” and told her how I would have come anyway. How I’ve done anything to come, because I just had to be there. Something like that.

    Then I told her that I came with my mom. So she responded “Oh, she’s here?!”, but I was like “no, she’s still in the bed & breakfast”. Then Taylor said “oh, could you thank your mom for me for taking you here, please?” which was SO SWEET OF HER. How she thought about my mom <3 During our conversation she had this very sweet and friendly face the whole time. SHE’S JUST SWEET, PERIOD.

    At some point Taylor also called me Jenni, probably because of my necklace. So I was like “it’s Jennifer actually, but…” and then she was a bit confused. She responded: “Oh, I always thought it was Jenni! But I’ll call you Jennifer then.” And just how she said my name and nickname… such a moment. It felt so personal. Hearing your full name said by one of the biggest musicians. I just--

     When I told her that I liked each song on the album, she was like “REALLY??” when she held up her hand for a HIGH FIVE. LOVE HER. Oh, and also, HOW COULD I FORGET THIS???? Taylor also said “I like the flowers in your hair!!!” which was such a sweet comment!!!!! I’m so happy that I wore the headband. I just thought ‘this is very Lover era, so I should wear it’, but didn’t think of THIS.

    Then it was time for our picture.Taylor asked me if I was thinking about a pose already. I answered “maybe we can hug and ehm… hold hands??” So she asked me “oh, and do you want it like this…” – she took my hand and hold it in a ~normal~ way and then she intertwined our fingers – “or this?” And immediately I was like ‘YES!!!’ Then she hold me even closer to her and SNAP! PICTURE TAKEN! Afterwards I thought ‘I hope this picture turned out well??? Did I smile?? How did I look?’, but I didn’t ask about the picture anyway. Right before I walked out, Taylor was saying to me “SEE YOU ONLINE!” and so I responded “see you at a concert!!” and that’s that. Wow.

Outside the room the sweet, blonde girl with the camera – from TN – was waiting for me. She asked how it was and I was like “good”??? I didn’t really know what to answer, I was just in awe. I also got a customized bag with merchandise. And then I was walking into the bus, where everyone asked how it was and again I was like “GOOD”. Nothing more. I was really on cloud nine now and so much in shock.

    When we were all waiting inside the bus to go back to the hotel, I felt really dreamy and sleepy. I also really felt the urge to call MY SISTER!! Or just someone, but I wanted to call my sister first <3 But yeah, we didn’t have our phones yet. So I talked a bit with my neighbour, which was the sweet girl from Singapore! Although she was talking more than me, but well :) I loved her energy. Then after some time the bus was going to leave. It was … ehm, around 11 PM? When the bus was driving away slowly, it came past the meeting room. And. . . YES, the curtains were open. So we had a little sneak peek inside and saw TAYLOR!!! Which made us scream of course haha. Unfortunately someone from TN decided to close the curtains then, which she did slowly though… And she was waving, haha. She looked sweet and friendly. A sweet goodbye :( <3

Back at the meeting point I was waiting outside with Britt. It felt weird to be back at that place, while having a Lover Secret Sessions tote bag with me. Like, SOMETHING VERY BIG HAPPENED TONIGHT. WE MET ONE OF THE BIGGEST POPSTARS. TAYLOR. SWIFT. TAYLOR SWIFT. WE WERE AT HER HOUSE!!! Britt was also panicking a bit, because she didn’t really know how to go back to her hostel. But luckily we fixed that together (and with a local AND Stephanie from TN!! SWEET!) and she booked a taxi, so she was safe apparently :) And then my taxi arrived at 11:30 PM. . . . . . .

I’m posting the story on August 18, which is more than two weeks later. I had some time to let it all sink in, which was quite hard. Like, it was just SO surreal. I keep using this word, but it’s just the only thing I could come up with. My feelings during this evening cannot really be described actually. I enjoyed EVERY. SINGLE. MINUTE. I wouldn’t have wanted to miss this experience!! I’m very grateful for the chance. Thank you @taylornation SO much for inviting me to @taylorswift‘s house. And thank you Taylor for letting me in your house! <3 I didn't tell you everything I wanted, since I had this whole list of things. But well... I had the time of my life with you and all the other Swifties. And that's what matters. This has been one of the happiest days of my life. 

[elleiam]

Fulbright Korea ETA: Fall Daily Schedule

I’ve been wanting to type this up for a while now, as I saw one on another Gakri blog from way back when that calmed a lot of nerves when I was looking forward to what life might be like past the bubble of Orientation. 

But, of course, if you are reading this right now either as a prospective applicant or someone who just found out you’ll be at Gakri (welcome to the chaos), keep in mind the mantra of Fulbright: it depends. My schedule is just one of 115 for this current year, and what my life is like at my placement has differences from everyone else’s, as theirs is different from mine. Regardless, this is what a weekday generally looks like for me!

7:40: Eyes open - it used to be 6:50 in September, 7:20 in October, 7:30 in November, and here we are in December. I still leave the house at the same time though. I no longer wake up to an alarm, just my host mom saying “지후! 일어나 일어나!” (Jihoo! Wake up! Wake up!) followed a minute later by a louder “지후!!!! 일어났어?? 일어나!!” (Jihoo! Did you wake up? Wake up!) She then blasts the news from the kitchen, which thank goodness for because that’s usually what’ll finally convince my brain that it’s time to start the day.

7:50: Eat breakfast - my host mom comes up with different menus every day. It ranges from manduguk (dumpling soup), to egg and spam sandwiches, to udon, to kimchi fried rice. 

8:00 or 8:15: Leave for school - I try to leave at 8 when it’s the start of a new lesson and I have to set up the computer for my first period class. The computer in my classroom is ancient and runs so slowly that it generally takes me 20 to 25 minutes to do the following four actions: 1) turn on the computer 2) open chrome 3) get to google drive 4) open my ppt. That’s crazy, right? My co-teacher and I both mourned together when her application to get a new computer was rejected. If I don’t have a first period, I’ll leave at 8:15.

8:15-8:29: Get to school - I’m supposed to be at school before 8:30 and I’ve yet to get to my office after the bell rang (go me!). Since I don’t have homeroom, which is from 8:30-8:40, it really doesn’t matter if I’m late, but it’s the principle of it! If it’s a set-up-a-new-lesson day, I dash to my classroom as soon as I drop my stuff off in the office praying the computer will cooperate.

8:50-12:20: The first four classes of the day. Each class is 45 minutes with a 10 minute passing period. Sometimes 45 minute goes on forever, and sometimes it’s like where did the time go?? I always have a co-teacher with me in the classroom but usually they just glare at loud students and help translate when I look at them pleadingly. They let me have full control of the classroom, which I really appreciate! I always feel like they’ve got my back but never feel like they’re crowding. #dreamteam

I generally teach 3-4 classes a day of 30-33 students each (that’s 500+ students total and no I haven’t memorized names), which means I have a lot of time at my desk. Up until November, I pretty much spent all my time lesson planning. I didn’t understand the concept of desk warming because I was always busy. As the semester comes to a close though, I definitely have a lot less stress and therefore a lot more free time at my desk. Usually I’ll do Infusion stuff (now that gmail consistently works woot woot) or read ~

12:00-1:35: Lunch officially starts at 12:20, but if I don’t have a 4th period, we get to go grab lunch 20 minutes earlier. It’s nice because then you can eat and hear your thoughts at the same time. Gakri is giant with over 1,000 students, so they have to make lunch 75 minutes in order to make sure every student eats. It’s such a long time, but so nice when you just ain’t ready to teach those afternoon classes just yet.

1:35-3:15: The next two classes of the day

3:15-3:35: Cleaning time! Gakri is a really dirty school. There’s just too many kids and they’re at that age where dirt just doesn’t bother them. They drag their shoes along the walls and roll around in the hallways even though it’s covered in dust and hair. shivers. Some lovely girls from class 9 are in charge of cleaning my classroom, and we usually have a good time. I’ll sneak them some candy, play music from the speakers, and complain about how gross the boys are... I love when one of them comes in and just goes “Uh, Lauren. What happened today? The classroom is so.... messy...”

3:35-4:20: The final class of the day. Thank goodness I only teach this period once a week because no student is ever thinking about school during this time.

Here is video evidence of that crazy. (I love this class btw). Things to note: the volume of the students and the fact that these two girls were straight up jumping like frogs back there before I threatened (and then obviously followed through) to film them.

4:30: Time to go home! Sometimes I’ll meet up with Louise, who teaches at a high school nearby, for tea. If not, I go home and just chill out in my bed for an hour... or two ~oops not productive~

Anytime between 5:30 and 8:00: Dinner time - because of hagwons and my mom’s job running her own class, our dinner times vary every day, but I think after four months I’ve finally figured out when we eat each day. Mondays 6:30, Tuesdays 8, Wednesdays 7, Thursdays 5:30/6, Friday 8. Boom. The dad eats at his company and comes home late often, so it’s just the four of us, but it’s nice to get this family time! 

After dinner: I often help with the dishes and then go back to my room to do any of the following: study Korean, watch youtube, do some stuff for Infusion, write a blog post, read. Sometimes you can catch me playing games or just talking with Jaehee, my host sister.

9:00: Four times a week I teach my host siblings English and Chinese, twice each. English is fun because it’s an excuse for me to dig into my host brother’s life and actually get him to tell me things about his life, sneaky huh. Chinese is a little more stressful because they knew nothing before we started, and I’ve never taught fundamental Chinese grammar before, what even is that! I worry that I often make it harder than it needs to be because I’m trying to figure it out myself still... 

11:00: Time for bed - Just kidding! Fooled ya. Actually in September and October I actually slept at this time, but now I’ll just tell my host fam that I’m off to bed and then stay up for another hour or two reading.

And that’s my day! Weekends are a whole different story, but generally from Monday to Friday you can find me following this pretty much to the tee. Gotta love that routine, amiright? And somehow because I’m in a different country not a single day feels quite like the one before.

[if-music-be-the-food-of-love]

25 - a book by your favorite author. 32 - favorite nonfiction book

Heyyyy! Thanks! I already answered 32 elsewhere, so I'll give two answers for 25. I have 2 favorite authors, one modern, one classic, so it works out perfectly.

Jane Austen

Everyone knows Pride and Prejudice (it's my favorite book of all time), but her least known novel is actually my second favorite: Northanger Abbey. She wrote it when she was 18, and it was published posthumously. Young Austen was a lot more acerbic and harsh in her criticism of society, and I find the novel hilarious. It's a parody of a gothic novel. It's written like one, with all the tropes, but then she goes and subverts everyone's expectations every time. The novel opens with a description of why Catherine is not a typical heroine--bc her life is so normal--and then she gets swept up into what she thinks is a gothic romance (oh and btw she reads too many gothic novels), only to be consistently disappointed when everything turns out to be totally ordinary. I LOVE this book.

Jasper Fforde

Let me preface this by saying I LOVE this author, and I recommend everything he's ever written. He's one of those people I'd love to sit down with bc the level of creativity he has in his brain is astounding. The imagination he must have to come up with his books...wow. There's a level of absurdism I love about them--they're out there, but in a fun, nerdy, wild ride kind of way.

I'm going to write about his Thursday Next series in another ask (I think), so I want to talk about Shades of Grey. No, not that one! Grey with an E and no 50, 🙃. Shades of Grey is my favorite book by him. It's about a post-apocalyptic alternative Britain that is stratified by how people see colors. For instance, the most powerful people can see purple (the most pigments), and the lowliest can only see shades of grey (hence the title...). The colors you can see determine your status, and like all dystopian novels we get to see the unraveling of this society as the book unfolds. It's fascinating.

Ask me about books plz

[seungmin-mp3]

92 Truths

92 85 truths??? tag

RULES: Once you’ve been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 92 truths about you; at the end choose people to be tagged

tagged by @wonderlings ashlyn is really out here being the only one who tags me in things anymore lmao I love you

last

1. drink - water 2. phone call - gendy!! we had a jazz show on friday 3. text message - my brother 4. song you listened to - outro:wings 5. time you cried - thursday

ever

6. dated someone twice - not even once 7. kissed someone and regretted it - nope 8. been cheated on - here’s to it never happening to me 9. lost someone special - yes :’( 10. been depressed - I don’t know??? 11. gotten drunk and thrown up - unless you count drinking milk then no lol

fave colours

12. periwinkle blue 13. scarlet (one of my phase colors) 14. beige (another phase color)

in the last year have you…

15. made new friends - yes!!! shoutout to my newbies and the newest additions to the marimba line ;) 16. fallen out of love - ?? I dunno 17. laughed until you cried - yes and Iove it 18. found out someone was talking about you - probably 19. met someone who changed you - 100% yes 20. found out who your friends are - sure did 21. kissed someone on your facebook friends list - don’t have a fb

general

22. how many of your facebook friends do you know irl - I literally only made it to have a business account on insta (which is @julievstudies btw) 23. do you have any pets - no :/ 24. do you want to change your name - I wouldn’t know what to change it to

25. what did you do for your last birthday - I cried and watched beauty and the beast

26. what time did you wake up today -  like at 8??? 27. what were you doing at midnight last night - knocked out bc I’ve been out all day for two days in a row 28. what is something you cant wait for - graduation!!! and college!! 30. what are you listening to right now - jenn im (I love her so much) 31. have you ever talked to a person named tom - yup

32. something that’s getting on your nerves - people who don’t accept their responsibilites 33. most visited website - youtube all the way 34. hair colour - dark brown with natural gold highlights but also darker on the underside?? I’m  not sure how to explain it 35. long or short hair - long, about halfway down my back 36. do you have a crush on someone - no 37. what do you like about yourself - I’m committed to the things I love 38. want any piercings? - a second ear piercing? 39. blood type - I really don’t know which sucks bc I really want to know 40. nicknames - Julie is my primary 41. relationship status - single as hell 42. zodiac -pisces 43. pronouns - she/her 44. fave tv shows - avatar the last airbender, stranger things, asoue 45. tattoos - none 46. right or left handed - right 47. ever had surgery - for my tonsils 48. piercings - ear piercings 49. sport - none like the band kid I am 50. vacation - haven’t been out of cali but I’d love to see the world 51. trainers - my white adidas :)

more general

52. eating - i had dennys today 53. drinking - water as always 54. i’m about to watch - the mc jin bangtan bomb 55. waiting for - my calc test grades 56. want - I want to have more good days 57. get married - yes!! 58. career - research in biology

which is better

59. hugs or kisses - hugs but that’s a pretty biased answer 60. lips or eyes - eyes 61. shorter or taller - both 62. older or younger - older people make me feel safe but younger people make me happy so?? 63. nice arms or stomach - asldkfgs (arms) 64. hookup or relationship - relationship 65. troublemaker or hesitant - troublemaker

have you ever

66. kissed a stranger - no 67. drank hard liquor - a hard no 68. lost glasses - thank god no I’ve only had them for less then a year 69. turned someone down - yes 70. sex on first date - first date who? 71. broken someone’s heart - probs not 72. had your heart broken - yeahhhh 73. been arrested - no 74. cried when someone died - yep 75. fallen for a friend - no

do you believe in

76. yourself - hardly 77. miracles - definitely 78. love at first sight - in a sense?? 79. santa claus - no lmaoo 80. kiss on a first date - depends 81. angels - yes, have you met Dazzle?

other

82. best friend’s name - my gf Erika!!! @mist-lightning-snap 83. eye colour - brown with flecks of green 84. fave movie - as of now, ladybird 85. fave actor - my queen my love my life Emma Watson

tagging with much love @sentimentalschadenfreude (and Erika if you want!)

[littleharpethcrossfit]

Tuesday, 20 July     Squats & Back Raises.....Back Squats.....Partner Row.....Dips.

Hazy/Hot/Humid at the Barn.  

Warmup:

     50 Squats          50 Back Raises         Partition Any Way You Want

Strength WOD:

Back Squats          3/3/3/3/3/3          E2MOM         85% 1 RM ?

Armando=300     Chase/Ed=285     Robert=235     Chip=215     Tom/Nathan/Darin=195     Coach=190     Chad=175      Andrew=135     Shannon=75     Larry=??     Scott=??    Average Dave=???     Others=????

The WOD:

Partner Row:          Males:     500m              Females:     400m

Partners take turns rowing / resting for 3 rounds each.   Easy-peasy

                 Score:     TOTAL TIME FOR THE 6 ROWS.

SPECIAL NOTICE:     Several Volunteers will be needed to do this early, before the Back Squats or there won’t be enough rowers.  Maybe.   No problem, because several rowed early.  THX !! 

Armando/CHASE=10:26     Ed/Average Dave=10:28     Larry/Robert=10:31    Nathan/Darin=10:39      Andrew/Luke=10:40     Shannon/Chad=11:30     Chip/Scott=12:09     Tom/Coach=13:25

Cool-Down:

Anyhow Dips     5/5/5/5/5

Notes:

Please note how competitive this proved to be.  Ten guys were within 14 seconds for their total score.  This little WOD was a gut-busting-puker.  I had to restrain Robert.  He drank an energy drink (C-4) and wanted Larry to go again.

Only one girl came today.  Shannon is dependable.  One of the most important traits of a successful fitness athlete is CONSISTENCY.  That means showing up.  Shannon does that.

Luke returned.  Luke has been in-consistent.  Even though I nagged and nagged, Luke has various responsibilities with the boys and the pretty wife that keep him on the wrong side of our back fence.  Any day we get to see Luke is a BLESSING, as Robert would say.

Tomorrow Miss Linda will under-go an arthroscopic repair of her knee.  You needn’t concern yourselves with any meal preparations for me because she has been preparing and freezing my meals for lo’ these several days.  Also, the house is spick n’ span and the laundry is totally caught up.  I have told her so many stories about patients having accidental explosive bowel movements while asleep in the OR, she has refrained from eating solid food since Sunday.      

Thursday is wine tasting.  July 22 is also Coach Glassman’s 65th birthday.  I understand than one or two of you are jealous of his coaching abilities and subsequent success with CROSSFIT, and those people will be looking all spider-mouthed if I insert some small recognition of the REAL COACH’S birthday, so I have planned a WOD that perhaps will go un-noticed.  

Never-The-Less (I love multiple hyphenations), we will have a massive wine tasting afterwards.  BTW, where the hell are the Schwartz’s??

Thursday at 4 PM.       

[imagining-supernatural]

92 Truths

Rules: Once you have been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 92 truths about you. At the end choose 25 people to be tagged.

I was tagged by @notnaturalanahi (Girl, B99 is my FAV show!)

LAST:

Drink: Gatorade

Phone call: My best friend on Thursday

Text message: My best friend again

Song you listened to: Whole Lotta Woman by Kelly Clarkson (but, like, I was at an ice cream place and there was music playing there so... something besides that? IDK) (Oh, wait, no. It was something from FOB’s MANIA album because that was playing in the car on the way home

Time you cried: This morning. Watching emotional performances on Youtube (Cough cough, the green light workshop for This Is Me and Kelly Clarkson’s last performance on Idol of Piece by Piece)

HAVE YOU EVER:

Dated someone twice: Nope

Been cheated on: Nah

Kissed someone and regretted it: Again, no

Lost someone special: Unfortunately

Been depressed: Again, unfortunately

Been drunk and thrown up: Psh. No. Not at all. I would NEVER (Blue colored alcohol makes your puke blue, btw)

IN THE PAST YEAR HAVE YOU

Made a new friend: Yeah!

Fallen out of love: With someone? No. With certain things? Yeah

Laughed until you cried: Yuppers

Met someone who changed you: Not really in the last year, no

Found out who your true friends are: Nah. I’ve always been a good judge of character from the get-go

Found out someone was talking about you: Just good stuff!

GENERAL

How many people in Tumblr do you know in real life?: Like 3? 

Do you have any pets?: My roommates do, does that count?

Do you want to change your name?: Dude I have so many puns stored up with my last name. That sucker ain’t ever leaving my social security card.

What time did you wake up this morning?: 7:00??

What were you doing last night?: That is a good question. I have no idea. Probably something useless

Name something you cannot wait for: The Greatest Showman to come out on DVD. I already preordered it

Have you ever talked to a person named tom?: Pretty sure, yeah

What’s getting on your nerves right now?: I’m actually doing really good right now. Pretty chill, actually. It’s weird.

Blood type: You know, I’ve asked my mom at least 4 times in the last year but I can never remember? I’m gonna die one day because I can’t remember what blood I need and I’ll be bleeding out

Nickname: Bop, Aubs

Relationship status: Single

Zodiac sign: Virgo

Pronouns: She/Her

Favourite show: I LOVE BROOKLYN 99 TOO!!! Hands down, that is my favorite show

College: I’m trudging through. Almost done. So close... so close

Hair colour: Light brown natural, but I dyed it darker brown/auburn/red/it changes on the day and my mood

Do you have a crush on someone?: Bitch have you seen Demi Lovato? And Katie McGrath? Don’t even get me started on Gal Gadot. Fucking Brendon Urie? Y’all know Jensen Ackles, I’m sure. Oh god then there’s Priyanka Chopra. And I can’t forget about Zac Efron

What do you like about yourself?: Oh boy. What a question... what a question.

FIRSTS

First surgery: Oral surgery because my jaw is fucked up

First piercing: None

First sport you joined: I was on a soccer team when I was really young. Like, the kind that played in the gym at the local rec center. First real sport was tennis though

First vacation: I have absolutely no idea. My family did a lot of things.

First pair of sneakers: I’m sure I had some, yes.

RIGHT NOW

Eating: Nothing

Drinking: Nothing

I’m about to: Force myself to come up with a summary for a fic then maybe post it before I go to sleep

Listening to: Nothing

Want kids: I really don’t think so

Get married: It would have to take a hell of a person to get me to agree to even date them, much less marry them.

Career: Accountant. Eventually a CFP. One day I’ll become a secret CIA agent who spies on aliens though

WHICH IS BETTER

Lips or eyes: Eyes

Hugs or kisses: Hugs

Shorter or taller: I love people who are taller than me. I’m already tall, and I love feeling short

Older or younger: Older. (Though really it’s all about maturity)

Romantic or spontaneous: Spontaneous!!

Sensitive or loud: Somewhere in the middle

Hookup or relationship: Neither? But if I had to pick, I’d say hookup

Troublemaker or hesitant: Closer to troublemaker, but still with a hint of cautiousness

HAVE YOU EVER

Kissed a stranger: Nope

Drank hard liquor: Yep

Lost contacts/glasses: Yeah

Sex on first date: Nah

Broken someone’s heart: Not that I’m aware of

Been arrested: Not yet

Turned someone down: Yes

Fallen for a friend: No?

DO YOU BELIEVE

In yourself: Every once in a while

Miracles: Nope

Love at first sight: Nah

I’m gonna tag... no one. Cause I’m so lazy.

[laviedecetteblink-blackpink-blog]

JENNIE X READER

I’ve written this first chapter almost a month ago. I’ve published it on differents facfictions’ websites. I hope you’ll like it. BTW, I accept requests! Feel free. This is the first of 11 chapters. This is kind of a novel and I’m already working on the second part of it. I’m not a native English speaker, I apologize if there are some mistakes.

Summary: You’re a college student. Jennie is your English professor, the woman about who you’ve been fantasizing the most during your senior college. Sometimes dreams really come true. (BTW, it’s pretty explicit).

Being alone is such a weird experience. You can think of millions of things and, in a certain way, they will make you happy or cry, for no reason because all of you’ve been thinking of were things that has never and will never happen. College is one of the periods in your life in which you think the most about unrealistic things, alone or not, and college’s classes are the best ones to do it. When you’re used to study at home and before every single class it doesn’t really matter if you participate in class or just fall asleep on your cold and rigid textbook.

Yet, there’s one subject that actually you do enjoy: English literature. But you don’t really like it because you love reading, even though you love doing it, the reason behind why you do fancy that 2 hours class it’s because of the teacher, Professor Kim.

Her petite height, pale and soft skin, amazing hair that today is in a ponytail… yup it’s easy to be a creep when it comes to that incredible woman. Right now she’s talking about some writers from New Zealand that you need to read for your next exam… You think that she also mentioned the fact that you need to write an essay about New Zealand writers, but you don’t really know… You’re really not paying attention, you’re just looking the way she articulates words by looking at her lips, imagining how her tongue sometimes slips out between her lips. They must be soft for sure and must taste incredibly well… and then there here is, a smile. Today her outfit it’s pretty provocative. A light blues dress, with some details on and a nice pair of black heels.

Now, you look at the digital clock that is right above the whiteboard “5:25 pm, Thursday” almost time to go home, some people might think. But not you, you’ll go to the library to study as much as you can, go to the college residence in which you’ve been living for the past 3 years, change, go for a run, and then comeback “home” and sleep. You’ve been doing this for the past 3 years, you’re used to it. Friends? Let’s say that classmates is a better word to associate them. But you’re happy, you can do whatever you want to do… Even thought, some company wouldn’t be bad.

5 minutes left of class and yet, everyone is starting to close their books, open their backpacks… While you’re still on your chair with your arms crossed, back  on the back of the chair, paying attention to the class, or that’s what you think you’re doing… You know that Professor Kim might be the only reason that you don’t actually skip class, or leave early. So, that’s why you never get up of your chair until Professor Kim says “Class over guys…” and then add things like “don’t do drugs” or “don’t drink too much unless is water”…  You hate and love to hear that, hate it because it’s going to be another week until you’ll be able to stare at her without being considered a creep, and love it because DAMN! That weird English accent of hers it’s sexy af.

Someone is calling you from behind but you don’t turn your face, Professor Kim is more interesting to look at. That someone starts to kick your seat… After 10 seconds you finally decides to turn around and here it is… Chicken, real name? Jisoo. That girl though… She’s nice and extremely funny but sometimes can be very obnoxious too, like in this case. She whispers “… Y/N take this”, and you as a fool grab the little piece of paper that she throws at you. She starts giggling. You look up to see if Professor Kim is looking at you, but she started to write things on the whiteboard. So, you proceed to open the secret piece of paper… You’re not surprise by what you see.

Of course that you’re not the only one who has that type of thoughts towards Mrs. Kim. You watch your classmates, or some of them, biting their lips while looking at her… Or writing on pieces of papers the things that they would do to her, like in this case… Some of these papers actually appears sometimes on your desk and the only thing that you do is reading them or looking at the drawing that the most “artistic people” in your class can actually do, things that you would actually would do to her but you don’t need to tell anyone, so you just put these pieces of paper inside a page of your book or throw it after the class is over.

This time you find just some words like “bang her”, “kiss her”, “hard”, “taste”, “bite her lips”, “and slap her” and “thongs or nothing?”  Surrounding Professor Kim name written right in the middle. You’re surprise that your classmates can’t even do a graphic but in this case everything is so clear, some have used some kind of colors to highlight the word “bang her” several times, if only they would put more effort on their studies as they do with every “gossip” paper you’ve come through... You’re going to throw this paper for sure.  

You look up again at the clock “5:32 pm”, Professor Kim is looking at her students and she seems to realize that almost no one has their books on their desks… She look at the clock and says the words that are so obnoxious for you to hear “Ok guys, CLASS IS OVER. Go home and don’t forget to give water to your plants at night because if you do it in the morning they’ll burn because of the sun”… Ok, that was the longest “senseless” thing that she has ever add. You think that she’s running out of short ideas or it’s just because she’s an English literature professor and she would say things twice as long for her own pleasure. 

Anyway, you grab your books put them inside you bag the same goes as well for pen, pencils, your phone… don’t even caring about the mess that you’re making inside your own backpack, and you’re ready to leave the classroom. While you’re walking through the row of desk that are on both sides, you’re being part of the queue that you need to respect in order to get out of that class, yet you still keep an eye on Professor Kim. 

She waved at few students and then started to clean the whiteboard, took some markers and put them inside her black Gucci purse. She even let her hair free and gosh, God only knows how gorgeous that woman can be by simply letting her hair laying on her back, shoulder…. and breasts. When you’re passing by Professor Kim desk in which she’s sitting on, you throw the paper inside the little trash can, and you just say “Goodbye Professor Kim” and she with a bright smile says “Goodbye Mrs. L/N” and wink… Yes a wink, you think you’ve never seen her winking…She might have not even winked at you, stupid imagination.

Out of class, it’s time to do some homework. At least the university library is inside the campus, so you just need to walk through the college park that is surrounded by the 5 buildings that form the university and that’s it. At least today didn’t rain and even though it’s almost 6 there’s still light. Walking through that park is an awesome experience, flowers almost everywhere, every kind of tree with flowers or fruits on. Even though the path is cement, it doesn’t ruin the beauty and quality of it.

 Finally you made it into the library, and you sit as far as you can from other students, you always chose the European literature section. The best thing about it is that this area in particular looks like a labyrinth made of old books, probably first editions, and cherry wood. If you didn’t know that well that space, you would probably get lost. You sit on a two seat desk, take your computer out from your backpack and some pens fall from your sack, you try to collect them, it seems that there’s nothing on the floor now, put your computer in front of you, you turn it on and you start doing your research about New Zealand writers. You plug your headphones on your laptop and start that R&B playlist that you keep updating. Listening to music is an activity that you really enjoy doing while studying.

 One hour has passed by. Your essay is almost finished, just the introduction and conclusion are missing… You lay back on your seat, move your head a little bit and close your eyes, letting the song that is right now playing try to heal your heart, your soul. Again, being alone sometimes gives you the right amount of peacefulness that every human being should have. You start thinking about life, homework, parents and how much you love cereal. You don’t know how your thoughts go from serious stuff to how much you love eating cereal.

 Your left shoulder is getting pretty warm now, “they must have turn off the air conditioner” you think. Your eyes still close and now that warm feeling is gone and has been substituted by a gentle tipping. “Okay, that cannot be the air conditioner… You must be sick or yesterday run started to hit you right now… Life” you think, but when you open your eyes and turn your gaze to your shoulder you look at this finger that is actually tipping the area… You get your gaze a little bit higher and a familiar face is the owner of that hand. It’s your classmate Rosé. In three years you don’t know how and why she got so pretty, those eyes that always are expressing happiness, her smile that is really bright and full of sincerity, her cute laugh that in inappropriate moments starts (like during tests) but the best thing is her voice, sweet. Seriously, you think that she might be the only person in this word whose beauty is right. Beautiful inside and outside.

 “Hey Y/N?” she takes off your left earphone, “… that’s why you wouldn’t answer me” she said with a smile. You’re still kind of shocked by how she knew you would have been there, what the heck? -  “Oh.. Yes, sure… Tell me, do you need any help Rosé?”. “Well, actually yes but I’m not sure..” she says. “So you think you need my help? Just tell me and I’ll see if I can help you…”. This conversation is awkward, Rosé has never asked you before to help her with anything. She’s one of the top students in your class. “Okay, Y/N in today class I just fell asleep, being part of the cheerleading team lately has been exhausting! We have a competition next week and sleeping is not involved! I didn’t even had the time to read something before class, well I actually have read something but was about this new Nintendo console and gosh! You have to see it!” and she kept talking and talking…

So you just stop her from saying another word. “Ok, forgetting about cheerleading and that toy for grown up kids…” she immediately interrupts you “A toy for grown up kids?! IT’S A NINTENDO IT NEVER GETS OLD, you just don’t understand, troll”. She just called you troll? What the f... 

“Ok, whatever, you need help with what?”. She takes your backpack that was on the seat next to you, puts it on the floor, sits and looks at you. “I need you to help me with English literature. I don’t like that subject and I don’t even like Professor Kim… I’ve been extremely busy as I’ve just told you and I was wondering if we can study together because reading has never being my thing, I prefer talking you know? Conversing about the subject itself, for me it would be easier to write my essays and study in general.. I don’t know? Would you help me?.” Now she’s holding her hands together like praying but in this case begging for your help… That she love talking is pretty obvious, at least she’s not asking you to do her “homework” and she’s nice to look at “here it comes again the pervert inside you Y/N” you say to yourself laughing a little bit. “Why are you laughing?! Are you laughing at me?!” she said while slapping your arm. “No, I was just thinking... Don’t worry, you can count on me.”

“I knew that you were nice! Also a little company won’t hurt you. Right? You’re always alone” she says with a comforting smile. “I guess so...” you reply. “…Uh. Ok, now I should go, you know cheerleading stuff, bye!” she jumps from the seat and disappears. That was weird how she got here without even getting lost, how she knew you would be there, the things she said. Life. 

You look at your computer clock “7:23pm” “it’s time to go!” you think. You put everything inside you backpack, disorganized as always, go outside the building, come back to your residence, get change and here you are running outside the campus. The city is wonderful at night, and running next to the river is a plus. It has a really movie feeling. The river that acts like a mirror and reflects every single light of the night. After one hour and a half, it’s time to come back home, you buy some instant ramen in a supermarket that is close to the university, run to your residence, get a shower while the water boils, and then it’s time to eat, watch some television and sleep.

To be continued...

[blukkisbioloqy]

Questions

Thank you @ampersand-study for tagging me!

LAST:

1. Drink: homemade iced coffee

2. Phone call: one of my friends

3. Text message: my boyfriend asking me to open the door :')

4. Song you listened to: B.A.P. Young, Wild & Free

5. Time you cried: ehh can't remember

HAVE YOU:

6. Dated someone twice: no

7. Kissed someone and regretted it: no

8. Been cheated on: yup

9. Lost someone special: yes

10. Been depressed: yes and it sucks

11. Gotten drunk and thrown up: no

LIST 3 FAVORITE COLORS:

12. burgundy 

13. grey

14. black   not a color i know

IN THE LAST YEAR HAVE YOU:

15. Made new friends: yes !

16. Fallen out of love: no but I might be denying it

17. Laughed until you cried: probably

18. Found out someone was talking about you: not that I can think of

19. Met someone who changed you: not really

20. Found out who your friends are: not really

21. Kissed someone on your Facebook list: well I have my boyfriend on Facebook so that counts right...?

GENERAL:

22. How many of your Facebook friends do you know in real life: all of them except one I actually met on Tumblr

23. Do you have any pets: I wishhh

24. Do you want to change your name: not really, I don't particularly like it but it's a part of my identity I guess...?

25. What did you do for your last Birthday: celebrated with my family

26. What time did you wake up: 9:00am

27. What were you doing at midnight last night: watching a movie

28. Name something you can’t wait for: spending a weekend at the dressage riding school I occasionally go to with a friend

29. When was the last time you saw your mom: Thursday

30. What is one thing you wish you could change in your life: my mental state/overall perspective on life...

31. What are you listening to right now: nothing

32. Have you ever talked to a person named Tom: most likely 

33. Something that is getting on your nerves: people current issues in some of my relationships

34. Most visited websites: YouTube, Tumblr, Pinterest and some horse related stuff.

LOST QUESTIONS. I JUST PUT IN RANDOM INFO ABOUT ME.

35. Mole/s: only one and a sh*t ton of beauty marks

36. Mark/s: birthmark on my ribs

37. Childhood dream: getting into Hogwarts and btw my letter is 9 years late

38. Hair colour: light brown/ashy dark blond...? Currently dyed

39. Long or short hair: lonnng

40. Do you have a crush on someone: no

41. What do you like about yourself: I'm quite tall

42. Piercings: 3 lobes 

43. Blood type: A negative

44. Nickname: none ?

45. Relationship status: taken

46. Zodiac: confused ! I always thought I was an Aries, but according to the sky on the day I was born blablabla I'm a Pisces ? Identity crisis

47. Pronouns: she/her

48. Favorite TV show: Supernatural, Doctor Who, Sherlock... 

49. Tattoos: not yet hehe

50. Right or left hand: right

51. Surgery: no

52. Hair dyed in different colour: yes

53. Sport: horse riding is the only thing I have committed to on the long-term. I enjoy running though and I'm trying to incorporate yoga into my daily routine.

54. no question ?

55. Vacation: not this summer

56. Pair of trainers: DC Shoes and I have a pair of Asics buried in my stuff

MORE GENERAL:

57. Eating: not yet

58. Drinking: water

59. I’m about to: go get dinner

61. Waiting for: uni to start so I can get my sh*t together

62. Want:  to fix my sleeping schedule (and trick myself into becoming a morning person ?)

63. Get married: no

64. Career: something biology related that I will enjoy, maybe in bioinformatics ?

65. Hugs or kisses: hugs

66. Lips or eyes: eyes

67. Shorter or taller: taller but it doesn't really matter

68. Older or younger: older

70. Nice arms or nice stomach: nice arms

71. Sensitive or loud: sensitive

72. Hook up or relationship: relationship

73. Troublemaker or hesitant: hesitant

HAVE YOU EVER:

74. Kissed a Stranger: no

75. Drank hard liquor: yes

76. Lost glasses/contact lenses: I don't wear any

77. Turned someone down: yes

78. Sex on the first date: no 

79. Broken someone’s heart: don’t think so

80. Had your heart broken: yes

81. Been arrested: no

82. Cried when someone died: only for my pets

83. Fallen for a friend: kinda

DO YOU BELIEVE IN:

84. Yourself: not enough

85. Miracles: eh I would probably try to find a rational explication

86. Love at first sight: not really

87. Santa Claus: imagine 3yo me trying to explain that Santa can't logically be real.

88. Kiss on the first date: maybe

OTHER:

90. Current best friend name: I don't really have one tbh...?

91. Eye color: brown

92. Favorite movie: asfgkj I don't know I'm really into animated movies but I also like thrillers...?

NOW, TAG 20 PEOPLE (or in my case 10):  @kenkyuu @humanestudies @textsandbooks @helixstudies @stdymtivation @pyxell @study--peacefully @martiestudies @littlelavendeer @kittenscholar