#chinese listening progress

[rigelmejo]

So many thoughts on using audiobooks lol. Going through the HP audiobooks, if I relisten to an audiobook it becomes Obvious how much improvement is happening. I hear so many new details, very specific details, on a relisten.

But also I know the "listening difficulty" is increasing each book, because I do not notice the improvement as much when just going from one book to the next. Increasing difficulty is good though, if it's anything like how reading skill improves, then pushing up the difficulty of material I can handle ends up lifting the floor of "what feels easy" over time to higher level reading material.

I see very gradual improvement in comprehension from one audiobook to the next. For example HP1 I could follow the main plot on the first listen, HP2 I got lost sometimes about which scenes I was listening to - probably due to the increase in vocabulary/material complexity. I relistened to HP2 and understood both the main plot and a decent chunk of details, which was more than I understood HP1 (which was only the main idea and occassionally details). I get to HP3 and I understood both the main plot and a decent chunk of details on the first listen. So the first listen of HP3 felt as easy as the 2nd listen to HP2. I'm relistening to HP3 now, and understanding another decent chunk of details... so if before I was understanding 50% of the details, now I'm understanding 80% of the details or something. It feels like significantly more.

I am clearly getting benefit from the initial listen to an audiobook, even if my comprehension only feels like "all of main plot" (HP1) or "most of the main plot but not all" (first listen to HP2). Once I can understand "all of main plot and some details" it causes improvement to later be able to grasp More details of something at the same difficulty level. Interesting. So if I already know some context in advance, such as the plot from reading it in english, then just understanding "the main plot" of the audiobook eventually will result in improvement in understanding a lot more. That's the floor of what materials are useful.

I imagine, once I start using audiobooks I have no familiarity with, the floor of wha's useful will be things where I can follow at least "some of the main plot but not all." And ideally, where I can follow "all of the main plot" but not necessarily details.

For anyone emulating what I'm doing: I already had decent reading skills (someone who could read webnovels with Readibu or Pleco word-translation tools, and some simpler written webnovels extensively with no tools), and I am partially listening. As in, I listen while browsing the internet, working on spreadsheets and emails, doing grinding in video games, walking, doing chores, driving. I am not 100% focusing. I find, frustratingly, that 100% focusing I understand more individual words but I am translating in my head and I end up missing what's said right after any word/phrase I have to inner translate - which results in it feeling more exhausting and harder to grasp sentences as whole units of meaning. When I partially listen, what I manage to understand feels just as easy as listening to an english audiobook - I am not thinking super hard, I'm understanding quickly and not mentally slowing down, I can picture the scenes I hear. So on the one hand: if you did a lot of reading and translating words, listening at natural speed with partial focus could let you practice improving listening as a skill and not inner translate so much. On the other hand, my progress is proof partial focusing on audio can work for some people to improve listening skills.*

*Provided they have some knowledge of vocabulary like I did, from reading or anki or textbooks etc, even if it's not listening recognition of that vocabulary. I have no idea how well partial listening would work if you truly had no mental familiarity with a few thousand vocabulary already. Provided they could listen to something in their native language while doing other things - if you can't follow an audiobook or youtube essay in your native language when playing video games, doing chores, doing spreadsheets? Then it won't be doable in a language you're learning either. I often listen to some audio when driving, walking, doing chores, gaming, so I know how much I normally understand if I do it in my native language. I know when, in my native language, I'd tune out what I'm listening to and need to relisten - if I'm composing emails at work or spreadsheets with math, or trying to rewrite something then I can't focus on what I'm listening to, and don't try to listen at those times (or pause what I'm listening to).

Note: I do think similar activities, partial listening during activities when you know you could follow the main idea, with materials you can understand most/all of the main ideas (but not necessarily details) of, would work if you only knew 1000 words. Or even only 500 words, again provided you are listening to things you understand the main idea of (so perhaps learner podcasts or textbook audios). I think this activity has been helping a TON with listening skills, and I wish I'd done it sooner and more often.

Another note: if a listening material is too hard to understand the main idea of, you can look up words you hear that sound important to meaning. This will allow you to understand the main idea, if you look up enough words. Just like with reading, if you encounter a few key words a page that seem critical to understanding the main idea of what's going on. For myself, I try to limit myself to 5-10 word lookups or less per chapter or 4k words, per 20 minutes of listening. Just because if I start looking up more than 1 word every few minutes, I get burned out easily and no longer find it fun. Looking some words up though, if you don't quite understand enough of the main idea to learn from it, will give you enough information you need TO follow the main idea and then learn some stuff from the context of that main idea.

Relistening: I watched a video ages ago by a person learning korean about the value of relistening, of a LOT of relistening. They were right, honestly. I did not listen, let alone relisten, as much as the person. Any time I do relisten, I am reminded how absolutely useful it is. The more you relisten, the more prior context you have (from the last listen) of what's going on, so the more new details you understand and the more words you practice hearing. And practice hearing words is a skill that must be practiced! A lot! Relistening is one of the easiest ways to practice hearing and recognizing words faster. Since it's the same words, relistening to something you can predict more and more of, each relisten the words getting clearer and it getting easier to parse and recognize. I think the polymathy channel's video on using the nature method books first got me considering the use of relistening, but it was a different youtuber that really insisted on relistening 5-20 times to things.

(I wonder how much rewatching stuff as children helped some of us, I remember watching some movies 100-300 times, rewatching again daily, until the tape broke and I needed a new one. I must've practically had those movies memorized, even with my awful memory that ultimately forgot again lol, but I can imagine even at age 4-6 once I watched the movie SO much I understood most of every line. I rewatched movies every night as a little kid, just rewatching the same movie for months straight while I was into it).

All this said... if you do not know enough words to understand most of the main idea, and refuse to look up enough key words to understand most of the main idea, use audio-visual materials to practice listening. Especially audio-visual materials where you can follow the main idea based on the visuals. Like with comprehensible input lessons, cartoons for young children, some* shows you've seen before and know the story well enough that you can follow the main idea with the combo of visuals/prior knowledge/words you do know. For learning brand new words, I am finding audio-visual materials are much faster for learning words I didn't know before, and it's much more obvious what the words mean because I see visuals. Compared to when listening to audio only, and I can kind of guess the meaning of some new words... but if you read or listen to say "monsoon" for the first time you may guess it means something related to rain based on the surrounding sentences, if you see a monsoon visually while someone says "monsoon" then you have a clear meaning visually to attach to the word.

[coquelicoq]

watching cdramas with french subtitles is the best idea i ever had. if the show is in a language i don't speak i'm already going to have to be closely reading the subtitles, so why not also use it as language practice? the subs go by so fast i don't have time to translate them internally into english, i just have to absorb the meaning without doing that (which is how it's supposed to work but i've never been fully able to do that before). AND the best part is that when i'm going about my day i'm finding that some of my internal monologue is just in french now?? i think it's because subs are almost entirely dialogue...i'm getting hours of dialogue practice without actually having to converse. it's also fun with cdramas specifically because i have by now picked up some chinese vocabulary from watching tv and i get to see how that vocabulary is translated into french. idk man i'm just having a great time.

[princealberich]

HOW DO I COMPLAIN TO HOYOVERSE?

It's easy, and there are MULTIPLE things you can do! I recommend doing each item on this list.

1. SIGN & SHARE THE PETITION

The petition will be delivered to the appropriate cultural reps, in order to complain to the CCP about the negative impression this is leaving on Chinese companies. Genshin Impact is highly favoured by the government for the positive press it gives the country, and putting pressure on the 'big daddy' is FAR more likely to make Hoyoverse buckle.

As of right now, the petition has nearly 38k signatures.

2. EMAIL HOYOVERSE

Email them directly at genshin_cs@hoyoverse.com to state how this has affected your desire to continue playing their games.

3. USE THE IN-GAME SURVEY OR FEEDBACK

Genshin Impact has frequent update surveys, and there is a permanent option to give feedback at any time. You can find it in the Paimon Menu.

4. REVIEW BOMB

Rate Hoyoverse's games, particularly Genshin, with one star on the app store. This has already proven in the past to have an effect, when this caused the team to review the anniversary rewards.

Here is a guide on how to do this!

5. POST IN OFFICIAL HOYOVERSE ACCOUNTS' COMMENTS

Do not be silent! Speak up about your displeasure. It's important that these comments outweigh the rest! Show that we are the MAJORITY.

6. SPEAK UP

Use the tags!

#BoycottHYV #WhyAreTheyWhiteHoyo #GenshinImpact #FixNatlan

Be relentless.

FURTHER DETAILS UNDER THE CUT!

WHAT SHOULD I NOT DO?

The following actions should NOT be taken:

DO NOT spend money on Hoyoverse games.

DO NOT sent threats, to voice actors OR customer service staff.

DO NOT engage with trolls or racists. Block and report.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

It's easy to dismiss this in the face of 'more important' issues in the world at the moment, but Genshin Impact (And by extension, Hoyoverse) is a very influential game and company. It is extremely popular, and directly influences MANY other games and players through this popularity.

This isn't an issue of 'just stop playing'- This is not anger for a game's decisions, it's anger for a precedent. It's a demand that not only should Hoyoverse care about representation, but other, smaller, companies too. If Hoyoverse can get away with it, so can others- But if Hoyoverse is held accountable for their exploitation of culture, then it sets the precedent that other companies have no chance of doing the same.

Like it or not, Hoyoverse has a lot of influence, and the CCP itself values the company for giving China a positive image in other countries. This is bigger than just being mad at character design.

EDIT: It was also pointed out to me that if POC were to simply stop engaging with hostile content, they would have nothing left. 'Just stop playing' isn't fair, plain and simple. POC deserve to play the things that they enjoy WITHOUT being ostracized.

DOES HOYOVERSE LISTEN?

They listen if there's no money lining their pockets, they listen if their reputation is damaged, and they listen if the CCP gets involved. We have direct evidence of this.

Review bombing alone caused Hoyoverse to reconsider the first anniversary rewards.

The CCP forced Hoyoverse to reskin various characters to comply with their laws, which HYV did. (This isn't necessarily a good thing, however, it is still evidence that CCP has influence over them.)

This is by far the largest outcry the company has seen so far, and MANY of HYV's voice actors have spoken out in support for the movement as well. This is not just playerbase complaints, but staff, too.

I recommend following AvenOfStrats on X/Twitter for further updates on the petition's progress, and on other ways to contribute. They also share plenty of resources on why this is important, and guides on how to complain.

[softtdaisy]

congrats again on 2k!!! you deserve it so much <33 ur events so cool too :DD how abouttttt... kaleidoscope by chappell roan + reid maybe :P

summary. you always knew spencer was your best friend, your soulmate. but one day you realized that your feelings might be bigger than that.

words count. 2 232

song. kaleidoscope by chappell roan

a/n. oh robin thank you for being such a sweetheart and a great supporter all the time, ily so much I swear!! and this song is so pretty I wanted to write so many different stories, I hope you will love this one 🫶

PARTICIPATE IN MY 2K CELEBRATION

criminal minds masterlist | F1 masterlist | general masterlist | request

Spencer Reid had been your best friend ever since you could remember. 

It was like the life before him didn’t exist. Like your days could only make sense with him in it.

And lucky for you, Spencer loved to remind you he was a part of your life every single day.

You moved into his building, the apartment right in front of his, on a random Tuesday.

“Do you need help?” he finally asked you after holding the corridor’s door open for you for the second time in a row. Spencer noticed that you were the only one running back and forth with boxes. 

You stopped in your movement to consider his offer. And had a little laugh looking at him. “Listen, beautiful, I would love to, but you look like you’re going somewhere.” You replied, pointing to his book bag and his clearly going-out outfit. “But I appreciate your offer. And you can make up for it later.” 

You saw Spencer blush before walking to your apartment to put the box down. If you were convinced he would be gone when you returned, you were kindly surprised to see he was still here holding the door. 

“Can I offer you your first dinner here?” he proposed, this time following you outside. You accepted, with the feeling that it might just be a nice offer and he didn’t really mean it.

But when he came back from the BAU that night, Spencer directly went to your place and landed down with bags from the Chinese restaurant in the street.

That was how your friendship started. With a Chinese dinner on your rug because your sofa hadn’t arrived yet. But a night full of laughs and good talks. You learned about the boy from Vegas working for the FBI. He learned about you, your home, and your family.

It gave you the feeling that you had met your soulmate.

“You’re my favorite person, Spencer Reid,” you told him the night he accepted to sleep at your place. The storm outside caused a blackout in town, and you didn’t feel safe being alone. This was childish, maybe, in a way. And you knew people that would have laughed at you for this. 

But not Spencer. He stayed and spent hours telling you about his favorite subjects. And he didn’t hesitate to accept your offer to let him sleep in your bed with you. Feeling comfortable enough to do it.

The smile he gave to you when he heard you was so precious you wished you could picture it and frame it to keep it forever with you. “I think you’re mine too,” he replied, surprised himself by how true this was.

From all the people he had met and the friends he had made in the team, you ended up being his favorite person. Because everything was easy.

And things stayed easy for a long time. 

You couldn’t actually point out the moment things had changed. Was it so progressive that you couldn’t notice the evolution until it had settled permanently in your life? Or was it so sudden that you couldn’t see it coming and just accepted the consequences? You had no idea. Not then, not now.

All you knew was that one day, Spencer’s hand on your thigh didn’t feel the same. Sure, you still felt the security of his long fingers on your skin, giving you the impression that nothing bad could happen as long as he was here. But it was accompanied by new thoughts, a voice in your head telling you how good it felt to be touched by him. Or how easily his fingers could slip inside your tights. 

Soon his hugs started to last longer. Just like the phone calls he would give you when he was away. Or like the brief moments spent in the corridor, a few minutes stolen in each other’s days when you couldn’t do more than that. Maybe it was your imagination, but you got the feeling that Spencer wanted to stay. Or maybe it was really just your imagination, and you were the only one begging every day for another minute with him.

And some of your moments together became more intimate, something you didn’t notice until after they happened.

The weekly date that started to look like a real date. 

The way Spencer would start to talk about you with others, on the phone or in front of you if you met someone he knew on the street.

Or, the weirdest of them all, how you and Spencer shared a bed more and more occasionally. Everything was a good excuse to stay together. Like you didn’t have a few steps to cross to go back home.

And then, the evening happened. 

After being away for days because of a case, Spencer went directly to your place to make up for the missing time. A habit that grew over the past years and that you both cherished. There was something so precious in the way he didn’t even go to his place, to the place on the other side of the corridor, to put down his bag and jacket. He went to you first.

You couldn’t ignore the feeling when you saw him at your front door. Looking exhausted, sure, but so delighted to be here too. And the way his arms immediately went up to greet you and hug you tightly made you feel so loved. But was it the love you wanted?

“You know I have met like three people with your name this week?” he told you once he let you go. 

Of course this was the type of information Spencer needed to share first and foremost. “I hope I’m still your favorite.”

Spencer turned around to face you, looking amused and falsely confused. “The opposite wasn’t an option.” To add to it, he walked to kiss your forehead. And this felt good. So good.

And the rest of the evening was a glimpse of what a couple was supposed to have. Something you already had, somehow. Without being a thing. You weren’t a thing. 

Eating en tête-à-tête, sharing about your day. Watching a movie on your sofa, with one of Spencer's arms lying around your shoulder. Every now and then, he would caress your skin slowly, almost unconsciously, like it was the most natural thing to do.

Maybe it didn’t help that you ended up watching a romcom.

Or maybe it did, eventually. You weren’t so sure how to feel about it.

You stayed a few seconds looking at Spencer’s face. How his pupils were following the images on the screen. How he was biting his lip, probably without noticing it. How one strand of hair was falling on his forehead, some hair even caressing his eyelashes. How his nose was adding the cutest shadow on his face. 

“I think I love you,” you whispered. 

You watched as his brow furrowed almost in slow motion. And how his head started moving before his eyes. And then his eyes landed on you. “I…I love you too, you know.” This wasn’t a simple thing to say for him. The word love had become a synonym of leave for him.

And so he didn’t tell you much. But you didn’t need to hear it, most of the time. Because you knew he did. Of course Spencer loved you. He proved it to you multiple times in the past already. You weren’t going to contradict him on it. And you didn’t.

You just waited until the weight of your words hit him. And when it did, the surprise grew on his face. “Oh,” he simply said.

Oh.

Oh.

That was all you got from Spencer. No answer. Not even a word. A letter, at best.

He turned his head away and focused on the screen again. His arm and hand stayed on you, but the touch was like a feather now. He stayed silent until the end of the movie. Something unusual for him. But you didn’t question it. 

Too focused on collecting the pieces of your broken heart. 

“I should go.” Spencer said the moment the credits started rolling. But he said it in a low voice, so low that you wondered if he wasn’t talking to himself. Consider the best solution to get out of here, out of this situation. And well, leaving was indeed the best one. And avoiding what happened seemed like a good addition.

One thing that was always permanent between you was the kiss Spencer would leave on your forehead before leaving you. He would never miss it. Even when he left while you were asleep, you could feel it in your dream. And tonight was another proof.

Right when you thought he would go straight to your door, Spencer leaned to put his lips on your forehead. You closed your eyes to appreciate it. Fearing this might be the last time you experienced it. You got the feeling it lasted longer. Maybe this was something else you imagined to interpret it as you wished. Or maybe it was Spencer’s way to say goodbye.

It haunted you the whole night. It was your first thought when you woke up, wondering if last night was the last time. 

And so you were quite surprised to see Spencer in the middle of your living room. Two coffees in hand. Ones that he bought at your favorite place, you recognized the packaging immediately. 

Both because he knew you loved this one particularly, for the taste and the memory of having it with Spencer. He also bought it because he knew he wasn’t great at making coffee perfectly. 

You opened your mouth to speak, to ask him… too many things. But you were cut off. “You meant it?” he asked.

You recognized that tone in his voice. The one he used when he talked about things that hadn’t been said about him and he didn’t know how to deal with them. Bad ones, like his dad criticizing him, being interrupted by a mean officer, or different reasons why someone decided to end things with him. But also the nice ones, those he had a hard time believing. 

There was something about the way Spencer had a hard time believing he was someone outside of his own world, someone people had thoughts and opinions on and how to deal with them.

“Do you…do you truly love me? Like, love me?” 

Spencer had been thinking about this all night too. About how this made total sense but was absolute nonsense at the same time. 

You’ve been his anchor. You were there; you’ve always been there. And it was reassuring to him to know that no matter what happened in his life, you would always be next door. 

But he never considered that this might be the logical next step in your relationship.

You took a step towards him. You feared he might run away, but he didn’t move. Not a single movement. “I do. I’m sorry,” you grimaced. “I couldn’t keep it to myself; it wouldn’t have been fair to hide it.”

You kept moving. And Spencer never stopped watching you. When you were close enough to put a hand on his arm, you felt like you entered his bubble. He wasn’t pushing you away. Not yet, at least.

“You don’t have to say it back; you don’t have to feel it back, Spence, ok? I’ll respect your choice and your feelings.” You grabbed your coffee, the one in his right hand, only to put it on the closest piece of furniture. You wanted to hold hishand. To have contact, you both needed to feel each other.

You took a breath, trying to sound more confident than you truly were. Because deep down, you were scared. Scared of losing him. Scared of losing what you had because your heart chose to see him as more than a friend.

“And if you see me just as a friend, I'll accept it.” You whispered, like it was a secret between the two of you. A promise. “Because I'd rather have you as my best friend than not have you at all.” 

You could read on his face all the emotions he was going through. Trying to accept, to come to terms with all you said. And what hit him was that you loved him so much that you were ready to put away your feelings, to fight back against them, only to keep him.  And what hit him was that he was ready to do the same for you.

“Ok,” he replied with a short smile. “I think I need some time, but…ok,” and you nodded at his answer.

Your eyes followed him as he went to sit on your sofa with his coffee in hands. And soon, he started to talk about a book he wanted to buy.

And for a second, you just appreciated it. The view of Spencer Reid, in your place, the sun making his hair look brighter, shining on him like the angel he was in your life. No matter your feelings or his, the ending was the same. Spencer was the most important person in your life and the one you loved the most.

Being each other's soulmate could have a lot of different meanings. And as long as Spencer was here, you were happy about it.

Tag List: @kiwriteswords @monzabee @raysmayhem-72 (if you want to be in it, ask me and I'll be happy to add you x)

[bee-the-loser-recs]

.✩✮✩ My Junhui One-shot Fic Recs ✩✮✩.

★ Lucky By @leewonkyeom SMAU, college au, meet cutes, fluff, trying to find a guy again, romance

★ What's my age again? By @milfgyuu 8.9k, co-workers au, friends to lovers, dorky Jun, bisexual reader, crack, fluff, smut, humour, so adorable

★ And then some By @sluttynetwork 2.2k, best friends to lovers, jealousy, interrupting a date, fluff, smut, mutual feelings, pining

★ Despite everything, it's still you By @viastro 3.8k, best friends to lovers, long term pining, watching the one you love with others, slight angst, fluff

★ Jealous!Jun By @hannieehaee 1.9k, best friends to lovers, pining, can't hold back feelings no longer, fluff, smut, little bit of possessiveness

★ Setting the record By @suhnshinehaos SMAU, Idol Jun x actor reader, dating allegations with other Svt members, jealous Jun, revealing relationships, so fluffy and adorable

★ When we're not acting By @heartsfromia 4.1k, university au, acting majors, enemies to lovers, leading costars, brother's best friend trope, Minghao is reader's brother, fluff

★ Charcoal stained hands By @rubyreduji 3.1k, college au, artist reader, dancer Jun, falling in love at first site, cute, using Jun as a muse, fluffy

★ Late night talking By @hazz-a-bear Idol au, established relationship, fluff, talking before bed, sharing gossip, cute relationship

★ Neighbourly love By @emocheol Neighbours au, cat mother reader, cute family dynamics, cat plays cupid basically, fluff, cute

★ Read you like a book By @berriesandjunnie 4.8k, Chinese teacher Jun, assistant teacher reader, fluff, students ship them together, Svt as teachers, cute

★ Ballet in the city By @bro-atz 2k, ballet dancer Jun, talent agent scouting, reader falls in love at first site, meet cutes, setting up a date, fluff

★ Sounds of the seasoned & Match of the season By @junkissed 1.7k & 7.3k, college au, radio host Jun, listener reader, charity match event, crushing, fluff, meet cutes, relationship progress, smut

★ Werewolf Jun au By @sluttywoozi Werewolf au, werewolf Jun, florist reader, meet-cutes, dating, fluff, smut, figuring out new experiences

★ Wen Junhui's guide to taking breaks By @cheolism 4.5k, established relationship, cute pet names, reader trying to work, fluff, smut, trying to gain attention

★ Swept off his feet By @seungkwansphd 3.8k, non-idol au, bouncer Jun, friends to lovers, fluff, slight angst (cheating ex), smut, established feelings

★ Edward Scissorhands By @seungkwansphd 3.6k, non-idol au, assumed college au, best friends to lovers, fluff, pining, everyone sees it, smut

★ Kinkuary 14 By @kwanisms 3.8k, idol au, established relationship, valentines day, stressed reader, pampering, cute relationship, smut, some fluff

★ Love has no language By @renaiswriting Platonic Jun x reader x Minghao, college au, exchange student reader, learning Korean, exam stress, supportive behaviour

★ Airplane + Wen Junhui By @uriurijihoonie 2.1k, non-idol au, flight attendant reader, pilot Jun, fluff, proposal, cheesy pick-up lines, adorable relationship, literally so cute

★ Let me have a bite By @bootyful-seventeen Supernatural au, vampire Jun, mentions of werewolf Mingyu, smut, flirty relationship, some fluff

★ Hello By @horangboosadan SMAU, crack au, reader is terrified of ducks, strangers to lovers, Jun is her "knight in shining armour", fluff

★ Shut up By @onlymingyus 35.9k, mob boss au, boss Jun, assistant reader, second hand Minghao, smut, angst, some fluff, dark themes, trauma, sexual assault, drugs

★ A little too much By @hazz-a-bear Non-idol au, fwb!Jun, strangers to friends, unwanted pregnancy, home abortions, mentions of blood, angst

[bloomzone]

how did you get into studying chinese?? also any tips for beginners?

How I Got Into Studying Chinese + A Beginner's Guide!

So, a lot of you have asked me about how I started studying Chinese and tips for beginners. I thought I’d share my story and a little guide for anyone wanting to dive into this (Piàoliang ! 漂亮 - beautiful ) language! +++ I will put a link of a PDF document and free webs that will help uuu at the end !

First things first, why Chinese? For me, it’s because I’ve always been drawn to the culture—everything from the festivals, history, and even Chinese dramas. But most importantly, my dream is to get into a good college in China! 🏫Just thinking about living there, speaking the language fluently, and experiencing everything firsthand keeps me motivated.

Starting Out:

When I first started, I was overwhelmed (it’s Chinese, after all!). But once I broke it into smaller steps, things became manageable and even fun! Here’s what helped me:

Step 1: Master the Basics

Learn Pinyin: Pinyin is the Romanized system for pronouncing Chinese words. It’s like the training wheels for speaking Chinese. Apps like HelloChinese, or Duolingo (for pinyin .. it HELP TRUST ME) !

Practice Tones Daily: Chinese is a tonal language, meaning the tone you use changes the meaning of the word. Start with the four basic tones and practice them with simple words like 妈 (mā - mom), 马 (mǎ - horse), or 吗 (ma - question particle). Don’t stress if it feels awkward at first—it gets easier!

Step 2: Build Vocabulary Slowly

Focus on high-frequency words like numbers, greetings, or common verbs. Think of words you’d use every day.

Try flashcards! Apps like Anki or Quizlet are amazing for memorizing characters and words.

Step 3: Start Learning Characters

Characters might seem scary at first, but they’re not impossible! I recommend starting with basic ones like 人 (rén, person) or 好 (hǎo, good).

Practice writing them—it helps you remember better. Plus, it’s oddly relaxing!

Step 4: Immerse Yourself

Watch Chinese shows or movies (C-dramas are SO good). Even if you don’t understand, you’ll start picking up tones and common phrases.

Listen to Chinese music or podcasts. [My playlist here!] while reading lyrics to learn new words.

Step 5: Practice Speaking

Speak out loud as much as possible, even if you’re just talking to yourself.

My Top Tips for Beginners:

1. Set small goals. Start with something achievable, like learning 5 words a day.

2. Be consistent. Even just 15 minutes a day is better than cramming once a week.

3. Get a notebook. Writing down characters and vocab feels more fun

4. Celebrate your wins. Did you recognize a word while watching a show? Did you finally pronounce something right? That’s progress!

5. Don’t compare yourself to others. Everyone learns at their own pace.

PDF DOCUMENTS + SITE WEB (FOR MANDARIN LEARNING)

document n¹ if the link didn't work write down on Google ( nihao textbook 1 pdf)

document n² if the link didn't work write down on Google ( Chinese text a pdf )

site num ¹

site num²

Why You Should Keep Going:

I know learning Chinese can feel overwhelming, but trust me, every step you take gets you closer to your goal. For me, imagining myself walking around a college campus in China, speaking fluently, and making friends there keeps me inspired. If you have a big dream like mine, hold onto it—it’ll carry you through the tough days!

Remember: 加油 (jiā yóu - "keep going"). You've got this!

@bloomzone ✒️

[smogfromkortalmombat1]

Lin Kuei trio (Childhood fanfic drabble)

Kuai Liang and Bi-Han attempt to build a birdhouse (because why not), Tomas is there too just being himself. The three having a little bonding session, basically.

Mostly just straight up humour/brotherly bonding. Might end up as something more (aka in my AO3 childhood Lin Kuei series), might not- enjoy regardless! Tons of fun to write.

//

“You’re doing that wrong.”

Bi-Han huffed, rolling his eyes. “Shut up.”

“I’m just saying,” Kuai Liang shrugged, the instructions held close to his face as he squinted at the fine print. His finger dragged dramatically along each word, “You skipped step six.” He tapped the paper for exaggeration, “Very important step, you know.”

“I don’t care,”

Kuai scoffed. “Rude.”

Wispy, grey curls appeared in Bi-Han’s peripheral vision, a small, pale face peering around his shoulder, curiously gauging the mess around him. “What doing?”

“Hey Tomas. We’re making a birdhouse,” Kuai Liang chuckled, glancing up from the paper, “Or at least, we’re trying to.”

“I’m trying to.” Bi-Han corrected, “You’re just holding the instructions.”

“That’s a form of helping, if you weren’t aware.”

Tomas tilted his head, listening to his brothers bicker intently. He was still getting used to Chinese, and every word seemed to take extra effort as his little mind worked to translate them to and from Czech, his native tongue. “Can I… uhm…” His brows knitted in concentration, his little face scrunching up as he searched for the right words. “Can I watch?”

Kuai Liang’s face softened with a warm smile, and he patted the spot next to him on the floor. “Very good, Tomas.” He encouraged, “Yes, you can watch.”

Tomas beamed at the praise, his small chest puffing up with obvious pride. His socked feet shuffled quickly over as he plopped down next to Kuai, his big eyes fixed on the project. The birdhouse pieces were scattered across the floor in various stages of assembly- some nailed together, while others still lay semi assembled or straight up abandoned, still waiting for their turn to even be looked at. It was utter chaos.

“Hand me the hammer, someone,” Bi-Han said, his gaze entirely focused on choosing the right nail from a small box resting on his thigh. His free hand reached out blindly, waiting. “Please.”

“Ham-mer,” Tomas repeated, testing the new word on his tongue. “Hammer. What hammer?”

Kuai Liang nudged him gently with his elbow, nodding toward the tool resting near Tomas’ side. “That’s a hammer.”

“Oh.” Tomas reached for the tool, the hammer looking comically oversized in his small hands as he heaved it up by the handle. “Kladivo,” he said, handing it over to Bi-Han with both hands. “Here you go,” he added, each word carefully pronounced.

“Kleu-deevo.” Kuai Liang repeated, furrowing his brow in concentration as he tried to mimic the word. “Kle-Kleu.. Kla…? Devo. Divou?”

“Thank you, Tomas,” Bi-Han said, taking the hammer from the boy with ease. A faint, rare smile tugged at his lips. “Your Chinese is coming along very well,” he added, curling an amused brow at Kuai Liang, who was still struggling with the pronunciation of the fairly simple (in his mind, at least) Czech word. “Unlike Kuai Liang’s Czech, apparently.”

Tomas giggled at the comment, patting Kuai Liang’s knee in sympathy, offering an encouraging smile up at his big brother. “Really close! You can do it!”

Bi-Han snorted, amused by the scene, which only made Kuai shoot him a glare that, if it could, would definitely burn holes right through him. His brother’s chocolate-brown eyes narrowed, then suddenly dropped to Bi-Han’s lap, attention back to the birdhouse in progress. Then, a slow, smug grin spread across his face as he noticed something. 

“You put that piece upside-down,” Kuai pointed out with a triumphant grin, turning the instructions around so Bi-Han could clearly see how the pieces were supposed to fit together, the little images massive and painfully obvious. “It’s supposed to be the other way around. See?”

“Dammit-” Bi-Han muttered under his breath, reaching for the hammer once more- this time, the clawed side. He’d already nailed the damn pieces together- Kuai just had to wait until the end to tell him, didn’t he? Sly bastard.

Tomas, still watching the whole exchange, broke into another fit of high-pitched giggles. “Hloupý Bi.” He drummed his fingers on his leg in quick thought, “Silly.” He translated for them, “Silly Bi.”

Kuai chuckled, ruffling Tomas’ hair, “Ha-loopy indeed.”

Bi-Han just found himself rolling his eyes yet again.

[alatismeni-theitsa]

https://x.com/CorenLaVolpe/status/1787971755027612092

As much as a Greek enjoyed the Hades game having people literally taking for granted the designs of the gods as legit is problematic.

No Hermes isn't Asian coded. He's Greek like every God. Literally what does the word Greek next to Greek gods mean to them? An accessory? Give me a break

I got a few asks like this, so I will try to answer them here. This is the post the asks are referring to, and this is the post that started the whole discussion afaik:

This is a whole phenomenon that has lasted for decades in the US, first with USians presenting the gods as North Europeans and now as "everything but" North Europeans to combat the previous racist trend. However, they are still completely tone-deaf, self-absorbed, and privileged because while they do this "correction" they're ignoring actual Greeks, and Greek depictions (and depictions of Greek gods in various areas in the past). Westerners might not be aware of this, because they don't know how badly the Greeks have been treated by powerful countries in the past (including their US, thank you for the Junta and our recent fighters' deaths, honey) but the protests about the gods' design are anti-colonialist.

I want you to imagine this trend with whatever pantheon you want from Africa, Asia, South America etc. Imagine that for centuries they are presented as super White North Europeans by certain powerful nations. Now the same nation who did this racist shit in the past comes around and does more racist shit, by NOT presenting these ancient gods as their people view/viewed them but they present them as everything BUT the appearance they had in all their depictions by the locals. All the while NEVER listening to what the people of this culture tell them, all the while comparing the locals to these gods and finding them uglier and savage. Why would this be acceptable? And why are people so comfortable to forget their cultural sensitivities when it comes to Greece?

(I am aware the US racism also expanded to other pantheons but it didn't happen in this exact way so all I'm asking is to walk in our shoes for a bit, to experience a different flavour of colonialism)

This blog stands for absolute equality and it's heavily anti-racist and anti-fascist, with various resources and support links for minorities in Greece. Everyone is welcome here. This blog believes that if you are of Chinese, Pakistani, Nigerian, Roma descent in Greece you must have the same rights as everybody else and the way you look is not "lesser" than anybody else. I just ask people to consider - especially if you are an immigrant - how you, your parents, your grandparents would feel when seeing your important cultural figures treated like this by the US.

As you have understood by now, changing the depiction is not suddenly okay when the Greek gods now have the palest skin with blue eyes and blond hair. No, that's still racist, and Greeks have been repeatedly told that they are lesser for not looking like the beauty ideals these northern countries projected onto our gods.

Asking for accurate god depictions is a matter of wanting your culture to be treated like.... not a prop, for once. Everyone is free to interact and relate with the Greek culture but when you take the Greek culture and its depictions out of the equation, then the whole thing becomes "playing with dolls", and a fandom (as is the case already for the US).

The Greek gods have been used by Westerners in the past to promote White supremacy, and today they are used by Westerners to combat it; but it still happens in the most divorced sense from the Greek culture. USians are still sooo hesitant to REALLY look at another culture that they'd rather lose common sense (aka, depict gods as the locals see them for millennia) than not white-knight for their fellow Westerners. It's actually infuriating that progressives in the US still miss the mark when it comes to combating US neo-colonialism, and whatever elements left in their culture from colonizing European countries.

And how can we tell the Greek gods are used as props in this US political climate? Simple. They themselves will tell you "It's okay to depict those gods however you like because 1. They can transform 2. They have been worshipped by people of different appearances 3. Greeks can have more than one appearance 4. They are not real. " Then, you tell them "Then why don't you depict Chinese, Indian, Nigerian pantheons whoever you like today? These pantheons all have the above four conditions apply. (No. 4 depending on your beliefs)" And when you strip those first layers, they tell you the actual root cause: "But Chinese, Indian and Nigerian people are still oppressed. Plus, non-white people need to see themselves in media, so here is the chance!"

So, they admit that their only guide for how disrespectful they will be to one's heritage figures is actually the oppression status of that minority (just!) in the US. (Which shows they still don't give a shit about Greeks, cause otherwise they'd still know that Greeks still face bigotry in the US for how they look, how their names are, their customs) . To POC in the US: The moment your oppressors believe your oppression is gone, expect your pop culture to forget (again) all respect for your ancient gods and treat them like cool "new" products for their capitalist game.

And the above discussion paints the Greek culture and Greek figures as a culture-less empty slate, that can be made to represent every person in the whole world. It's US culture, even! But Greek culture is hideous actually, and the Greeks are racist brutes who get in our hair the whole time. Fuck the Greek people and their ancestors' depictions. Greek mythology is a product of no culture, actually, and we can treat the gods like self-inserts in our favorite fanfic. And this is totally not a colonialist mindset! Greeks are not robbed and genocided anymore, and we gave them "white" status in our country a few decades ago (but these ethnic hairy people are still not the same as us, obviously!), and the strings we pull to control Greece are not visible anymore to our own people, so we're good 😊

And, just to be clear: Greek gods are ethnically Greek, as every other [insert cultural descriptor] gods are from that certain culture. The Greek people consider themselves literal progeny of those gods. The first Greeks were born of the gods. Even today we call ourselves Hellenes because one of the first Greeks, the man Hellen, who was born of the gods. If the Greek gods don't express Greek cultural norms, and POVs, and ways of thinking about the world, and are not part of Greek history, what the hell are part of?? Cantonese culture? Do they represent Scandinavian ancient values perhaps....? Do they follow the philosophy of a First Nations tribe?? (This is more a matter of culture, not appearance since various people can be part of a culture. However, it needs to be said, because Westerners are willfully blind to common sense at this point.)

See this video from a Greek Canadian on Greek gods being ethnically Greek

To address one last thing: One person said "why didn't you say anything about how the gods were designed in the first game?" Well, I had made a post about it but some told me "noo they didn't change their race, they just have different colors like green, blue, pink, dark brown, and grey for an artistic touch". I was like "whatever, nobody knows, I have a life to live" so I deleted that post and didn't dwell too much on it. But the anti-colonialist message was the same as in this post, so that's another chance to highlight it.

[l0verei]

CLEAN START AU

“ Perhaps things can be better this time . Right ? “

clean start updates(?) here

I’m honestly not to positive on the AU name but it was a work on progress, I was listening to HONGRYEON by Ahn Ye Eun and the music inspired me to finally start drawing!!

And as for the outfit I got ideas ( not FULLY inspired obv I changed it ) from Chinese opera attires! If I need to fix or correct anything please inform me! I would be happy to learn and understand if there’s any mistakes or errors since this isn’t an officially defined of an AU, something I just worked up together.

If anyone wants to send any fanart just @ me or you can add it in my asks, and go ahead and ask any questions !! ^^

[ Fun fact this is my first au I’m ever sharing… So I hope it goes well.. ]

[benkyoutobentou]

2025 First Quarter Goals

This year, I'm switching up the way I make my goals for one very large reason: I'm moving to Japan! Instead of thinking about time in terms of 2024 moving over to 2025, I've been thinking about it more in terms of pre-Japan and in-Japan. However, this works out great since I'll be moving a quarter of the way into the year. Therefore, instead of making goals for the entire year, I have some goals that I want to accomplish before I move to Japan, or first quarter goals for 2025.

Read three Japanese novels. I had a goal last ear to read a Japanese novel each month which I completely bombed. I especially fell off when I started working towards moving abroad, because I wanted to get my physical tbr down fast, which meant I was neglecting my Japanese books even more than usual. I really want to make sure my Japanese is in tip top shape for moving there, which means buckling down and actually reading a novel a month this time.

Complete three TV series in Japanese. This is essentially the same goal as before, but with listening as my focus. Listening has always been my weakest skill and, although it's certainly improved recently, I'd really like to have to expend less effort on listening when I get to Japan. This is also one of the main reasons why I'm attending a language school instead of jumping directly into the senmongakkou that I want to go to afterwards. I also want to focus on series set in the Kansai region, since that's where I'll be.

Complete three levels on my kanji app. No I don't use WaniKani, yes it's because I'm too cheap. Right now, this is the easiest way for me to practice vocabulary and I don't want to let that go to the wayside.

Keep going to my local Japanese language meetup. I think this will be an easy goal to keep, as I haven't been able to go with the holidays recently and I'm missing speaking Japanese! These meetups will be my main way to practice speaking before I get to Japan, and as a mini goal, I'd like to speak more Japanese in these meetings instead of falling back on English.

Keep up with my Chinese. Although this is a significantly less tangible goal than my others, one thing that I found online was that there are a lot of Chinese language/culture meetups in the area of where I'll be in Japan and I'd really like to go to one while I'm there! So, I want to keep chugging away, even if it's a little more slow going than my Japanese progress.

And just because our lives can't revolve around one thing all the time, Finish three crochet projects. It's important to keep up other hobbies and I've been loving crochet recently! Next year, just to make sure I'm still crocheting, I'd like to finish at least one project each month, regardless of how big or small it is. One white whale crochet project I have an idea for is a shogi board blanket. I probably will not get to it this year.

皆さん、明けましておめでとうございます！As we all think about what we accomplished this year and what we want to accomplish next year, remember not to overextend yourself. Humans need variety, so don't beat yourself up if you find yourself attracted to other hobbies and interests- lean into it! Interests ebb and flow and it will come back if it is meant to be.

[srbachchan]

DAY 5919

StWork, Mumbai May 2, 2024 Thu 12:49 PM

Birthday - EF - Elena Iankova Friday, 3 May .. and all our wishes for a happy birthday

🌹

Yo !

here before time for a very big change .. haha ..

but at work and got a bit of time and BOOM !

got to say the travel from Juhu home to work Marine Drive in 30 mins .. amazing Coastal Road and the Tunnel emerging on Marine Drive , just before its flyover and simply amazing .. !

Super constructed roads, tunnel, neat clean construct .. no traffic jams .. and done ..

Ok just to change the topic .. here is something to know :

Know what is a "mondegreen?'

MONDEGREENS

If you’ve been listening to rock music, you know it’s often hard to make out the lyrics. They sing it their way and we hear it our way.

Jimi Hendrix famously sang the phrase “While I kiss the sky” which was heard by thousands as “While I kissed this guy.”

CCR’s popular song originally said, “There���s a bad moon on the rise.” Many heard it as “There’s a bathroom on the right.”

Deep Purple’s still-popular chorus (known for its timeless guitar riff) “Smoke on the water/Fire in the sky” was misheard as “Smoke on the water/Fire engine guy.”

Nirvana’s anthem “Smells like Teen Spirit” had the lines, “Here we are now/Entertain us.” They were misheard as, “Here we are now/In containers.”

When Elvis Presley sang, “Everybody in the whole cell block”, many heard it as” Everybody in a wholesale frock”

There’s actually a word for misheard lyrics like these.

Mondegreen.

Some mondegreens became so famous that even artistes like Hendrix and CCR sang the misheard versions in their live concerts in a spirit of fun and tease.

It’s not just in pop songs that mondegreens occur. The US national anthem begins with the lofty words, “Oh say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light.’ Some heard them as “José, can you see…”

Occasionally, mondegreens had an interesting side-effect. Joe Cocker sang of a ‘lovely planet’ which was misheard as ‘lonely planet.’ The latter became the name of a well-known travel guide series of books.

No one knows why we hear the wrong thing although there are theories. It’s akin to the game of Chinese Whispers where the original line gets progressively distorted into some hilarious garbage by the time it reaches the last guy.

Mondegreens are not restricted to English alone. South Indians, with limited knowledge of Hindi, were taught patriotic songs in Hindi by zealous teachers. A popular one had the repeating phrase, “Bara tamata.” School students sang it with great gusto. Years later, some of them realized the actual words were “Bharat Mata.”

A popular line from Qurbani song, “Aap jaisa koi meri/zindagee mein aaye/ toh baat bun jaaye” was understood as “Aap jaisa koi…toh baap bun jaaye.” The defective version made sense to many who saw Zeenat Aman gyrating on those lyrics while gaping at Feroz Khan.

Many who weren’t familiar with the hill station between Bombay and Pune heard the Gulaami song as “Haathi ka andaa la” until they realized it was “Aati kya Khandala”.

I have a friend, her name is Geeta. Her family called her Gitu. Throughout her childhood and youth, she thought Rajesh Khanna was singing for her, when he said, ”Mere sapnon ki raani kab aaye Gitu”.

'Mondegreen' sounds French but isn't. In 1954, a writer at Harper’s Magazine remembered how as a little girl she misheard an old English ballad. The actual words, saluting a dead war hero, were:

𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘢𝘳𝘭 𝘰' 𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘯.

She heard them as:

𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘢𝘳𝘭 𝘰' 𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘓𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘯.

And thus was born the word ‘mondegreen’ to signify all misheard lyrics from that moment on.

Turns out, mondegreen itself started life as a mondegreen.

sent to me by a friend .. 🤣🤣

More perhaps later .. or perhaps not ..

Amitabh Bachchan

and some more .. a very pertinent article in TOI ..

[rigelmejo]

Comprehensible Input Listening Experiment: Update 37 Hours

Colors meaning: pink is idea for how to study in future, blue is conclusions and results so far, red is question for others.

In the interest of figuring out exactly how 'comprehensible' the audiobook I am listening to, I took a random page out of my print book copy of MoDu volume 1, counted 400 words out, then counted how many I didn't understand to find the numbers I understood (378), then found the percent of words understood when reading: 94.5%. The words I did not understand per each 100 words were 6, 4, 4, 8 respectively. I counted each word I did not understand, counted it by hanzi (so a 2 hanzi single word I didn't understand counted as 2), and counted all the hanzi making up the word even if I knew some of the individual hanzi. I suspect a couple of the words were place or person names, because I jumped in randomly, but we'll just for the sake of simplicity treat all the words like regular words. So I guess my true estimate of understanding MoDu is estimated to be about 95% for some parts, unknown for others (but probably on average around that amount - for simplicity's sake lets assume this). I did count any word as known that I both recognized and could make a guess at pronunciation - so my pronunciation-known words is likely a bit lower than 94.5%, but it should be close enough that I will be able to eventually hear the words and recognize them if I hear them enough. That's the theory I'm hoping this experiment will prove or not prove - if I can pick up words known from reading (enough to guess at pinyin to look up) but that I don't currently recognize when listening.

I should have done a percent understood words check before starting this experiment, but oh well.

Somehow my reading skill has improved a bit since I checked last year with Guardian Zhenhun, as my comprehension was around 95% for that and I know MoDu has more words so I had guessed at the time it was 90-93% understandable and not quite easy enough to extensively read yet. Now, I could extensively read MoDu in print. That's a shock to me! Also a fun little note: I clearly learned a LOT of my words from priest novels, I went to read a Zhoudu fanfic on ao3 yesterday and only could follow the main idea - I totally misunderstood some details, caught other details, but overall the descriptive sentences threw me off and I misunderstood what half of them meant. I could enjoy the fanfic, but I struggled to read that person's writing style and word choice more than I do with a priest novel. That's how big a difference writer makes. I also tried to listen to a DMBJ novel on Ximalaya yesterday - I was excited Ximalaya seems to have added captions to MOST audio now, so I was reading along. It was HARD to follow, I managed to follow the opening was talking about narrators grandpa and dad, a curse, it might have been about the Mystic Nine or something? I was expecting the opening to DMBJ 1 which I've read before and jumps right into a tomb dig, instead this audiobook/captions was descriptions of people's life situations for 2 minutes and I gave up (more abstract compared to people DOING an action). I know I can read the Rain Village story, and dmbj 1 and 2, and it was definitely harder than that. Despite being familiar with dmbj, I found the audiobook/captions hard to follow anything beyond the main idea being communicated. I also found Fuermosi (Sherlock) for children on Ximalaya - perfect for learners, at least my level lol. Around 1 unknown word a paragraph, and I know the setup of Sherlock so they're easy to guess. Also the audiobook had captions so I could follow along reading (which is easier for me - without captions I don't think I could've followed the audio just because it's yet again a new writing/sentence Style I'm not listening to normally).

Side note: does anyone know how to make a Ximalaya account in the US? I have the app, but no account, so I can't bookmark/favorite anything to find again later, and can't make purchases.

The 2 things I want to test with the Chinese Listening to Comprehensible Input experiment are:

Can my instant recognition of words in listening improve, and get closer to the level of words I can recognize when reading? Answer seems to be yes, based on results so far.

Can I listen to audiobooks for comprehensible input, at this point in my learning, and learn new words/phrases?

Attached to this is: how comprehensible does the audio have to be to me, in order to use it to learn new words/phrases. Currently, because I'm mostly developing 'instant recognition' when listening to words I can already read, I can't really judge what audio is truly X known/unknown to me yet. That will probably come up in later hours of listening, once I can understand in listening mostly everything I can read. Much later in this process, using audiobooks for I can read less well because I don't know as many words in them like MDZS, wuxia and xianxia novels, would be a good material to use to test if I can learn new words from audio input only, or if I need say a visual like a show or manhua to learn that many new words.

How am I listening: partly focused, listening to audio while playing video games, working on busy work, chores, walking, driving. For stuff I have to look at the visuals for, I have to pay full attention, and that is harder to fit into my schedule (but easier for learning new words since you have visuals to use for context).

Note about my current improvements/descriptions of what I could comprehend so far: Another interesting thing I find about discovering I can read an estimated 94.5% of words in MoDu: that means when I described initially that listening felt like "I can figure out the scene I'm listening to, and on relistening can figure out some details like dialogue and key actions" that is the understanding level of someone who can read most of the words! Who has sucky listening skills! And that my current description of "I can figure out what scene I'm listening to, and some details like time/action/position/expression descriptions are easy to understand quickly" is the improvement caused by listening to things I could already read to around 95% (capable of reading extensively for pleasure). So all this 'improvement' in comprehending the meaning of stuff is purely, right now, from me being able to comprehend in listening better, the words I already knew from reading. So my conclusion of lessons learned is that if the issue is that you know a lot of words from reading and from TL subtitles, but struggle with listening skills: LISTEN to stuff you can read. Listen without reading is the personal takeaway from this, as I did listen a lot WHILE reading and it did not help as much.

So the materials I'm using to listen: Peppa Pig - understand everything if I'm looking at the screen and the main idea/most details if I'm not looking (I haven't heard any brand new words to me). Lazy Chinese - understand everything if I'm looking at the screen, main idea and some details if I'm not looking (when Lazy Chinese uses lists of vocabulary on the screen and doesn't actually explain their meaning in sentences they say, I can miss a lot if I'm not looking, like when she says regional food/drinks and just shows pictures). I recommend both of those resources if you're doing comprehensible input study too, and need to learn new words those videos contain - the visuals in those videos make learning new words doable from visual context. I would recommend those, then after you run out of content for learners, move to re-watch cdramas in chinese only that you've watched before in a language you know. Peppa Pig and Lazy Chinese only make up a small percentage of my listening, because they bore me and I struggle to follow some Lazy Chinese videos if I'm only listening.

Majority of my listening: MoDu by priest audiobook. I listen to chapters, then relisten 3-6 times to each 5 chapter section, since I'm listening while doing other things and want to hear enough to figure out the plot/scenes/key details before moving on. I apparently can read 94.5% of the words in MoDu, so I should be able (in theory) to keep listening and re-listening until I understand 94.5% of the words when listening only. After that, I can test if I can pick up brand new words from audiobooks only, and how much I need to already understand in an audiobook to use it to learn new words.

Other things I've listened to:

I'm watching Go Ahead on youtube with Chinese audio and Chinese subtitles - subtitles are fairly easy to read, first new word I hit was a teenagers 'period' starting. The speaking in this show is quite natural (versus dubbed with clear pronunciation), and reminds me of Qi Hun Hikaru No Go (which I also may use to practice since with that drama I can turn the Chinese subs off and rely entirely on hearing and visuals but no text). I figured since it's about everyday life, and I have watched it before and liked it, it would be a good show to relax and practice with. I am going to try to watch more episodes of Go Ahead ignoring the chinese subtitles, only looking at them to figure out a word, but it's an effort to make myself not look at the subs. I think Word of Honor in Chinese would be a much bigger challenge, both with chinese subs and me absolutely drowning without. Word of Honor could be a good test of understanding? But I just wanted to relax right now. I also wanted to check out the new gl drama Lies Never Lie (Xin Ling Mi Wu) but I expect it will take more effort to follow the plot and I'll rely on chinese subtitles, which won't really count as testing my listening skills/working on them. I listened to 5 hours of HP1 in chinese, which I've listened to the first few chapters of, before in Fall 2024. It is way easier to listen to now, which I'm attributing to the many hours listening to mostly MoDu which is a higher number of unique vocabulary/complexity.

I listened to a few chapters of SaYe, noticed it's easier to pick out individual phrases but still a challenge to place which scene I'm listening to/the main things happening. I know the reading level of SaYe is easier than MoDu, but I have not read SaYe before except chapter 1-2, so I am relying purely on listening to the audiobook to figure out the plot (versus MoDu where I have read it before in english and know roughly where the story should be as I listen). I've listened to chapter 1 of SVSSS and was surprised I could kind of figure out what was going on - figure out the scene main idea I'm listening to, so maybe understanding of the audiobook would improve with more listening to that genre of book (like MoDu did). It was still very hard to grasp most details, I could just pick out isolated phrases and words and guess what's going on from that.

Next update will probably be around 50 hours.

[the-falconer]

So because language learning is an eternal struggle, here's some of my progress from this month and the things I've learned during the past 8 months

1. 70% listening, 30% vocab/grammar/writing

Studying a language is 70% listening practice and the other 30% is memorization. I picked up my Japanese studies this year after having watched anime for years, and I noticed that it's so much easier to make progress. I've internalized around 500-1 000 words and some basic grammar, so getting through N5/N4 was a breeze - in 2 weeks I achieved the same level that took me 3 months in Chinese. I can watch anime without subtitles and easily understand what they're saying (when did this happen? No idea!) because I understand the expressions and slang, all which would not be possible if I hadn't spent so much time with media.

I often have a hard time focusing on watching shows etc. because of how much of a critic I am, but it's the most important thing. Immerse yourself.

2. Reset your learning schedule if it gets too overwhelming

This is something I only learned this week, as I'd been stubbornly holding onto those 900+ word reviews waiting for me back in Ninchanese.

I've been at a standstill for the past 2-3 months after studying the radicals because of some personal responsibilities, and I never got around to learning any new vocab, I was just too busy trying to keep up with what I had learned previously.

But now I've reset my schedule, and I FINALLY feel like I'm making progress again. Sure, my memory might be hazy for the latter parts of HSK 4, but you know what to do about that? You immerse yourself with listening practice so that they will stick with you when you hear them be used IRL :)

[satoshi-mochida]

Natsume’s Book of Friends: Hazuki no Shirushi launches June 5, 2025 in Japan for Switch, PC - Gematsu

Adventure game Natsume’s Book of Friends: Hazuki no Shirushi will launch for Switch and PC via Steam on June 5, 2025 in Japan, publisher Bushiroad Games and developer Toydium announced. It will support Japanese, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese language options.

The Switch version will be priced at 7,480 yen for the standard physical or digital edition, and 12,980 yen for the first-print limited edition. The latter includes a special box, an A3-size original clear poster, a Nyanko-Sensei original pencil case, four Nyanko-Sensei original badges, a Natsume‘s Book of Friends postcard book, a Shuuichi Natori bromide, and a promotional card.

Here is an overview of the game, via its official website:

About

Spend your summer vacation in the world of Natsume’s Book of Friends in this new adventure game! As Takashi Natsume, you can hang out with your classmates, help out your family, listen to the troubles of youkai, and freely enjoy your summer vacation.

Spend Your Summer Vacation in the World of Natsume’s Book of Friends

Become Takashi Natsume and move freely through the world of Natsume’s Book of Friends. The season is summer, and school is already out for vacation. Hang out with Nishimura, Kitamoto, and Tanuma, help out Touko, give advice to the youkai of The Dog’s Circle… and of course, do not forget your summer assignments. Enjoy summer to your heart’s content with Nyanko-Sensei and your friends.

Beautiful and Nostalgic Scenery

The background art is handled by Ishigaki Production, which also worked on the anime. In addition to memorable scenes from the anime, there is plenty of background art that you will only see in the game. Players can freely explore a lovely town and interact with the characters from Natsume’s Book of Friends.

An Original Story that Weaves Various Characters

A story of family, a story of friends, a story of youkai… In this game, you can enjoy a story that weaves together the various characters from Natsume’s Book of Friends. Who will you spend your time with in your limited span of one month…? That choice is yours to make. Please enjoy a wonderful summer vacation all your own.

Fond and Nostalgic Memories

Each episode of Natsume’s Book of Friends tells a story that touches someone’s heart. As you progress through the scenario, events from seasons one to seven of the anime may be recalled. Look back on the journey so far through the lens of Takashi Natsume.

Watch the announcement teaser trailer and commercial below. View the first screenshots at the gallery.

Announce Teaser Trailer

Announce Commercial

[2456788sworld]

DAILY CHECK-IN: Thu , 9 January 🫧🎀

Today's Priorities: Let's get it done ~

Learn Chinese for 10 mins

complete at least 30% more progress on the project model

Practice writing 20 times hanzi characters

Study remaining 2 experiment theory

Revise 5 experiment theories , review process

Practice sign language for 10 mins

Clean make up brush & blender

Late evening exercise

Shoot 1 or 2 scenes for yt & edit

Take a refreshing shower

Take my Snoo on a walk around 5 something

Today's Wins ~

Completed learning chinese for 10 mins

Completed 40 % of the project model

Finished studying theory of the remaining 2 experiment

Done revising 4 experiment theories, reviewed 2 process

Took a refreshing shower

Took my Snoo for walk around 5 something

Swept every room flawlessly while listening to my favourite playlist

Missed Priorities/Partial completion

Sign language

20 times hanzi characters

Clean make up brush+blender

Late evening exercise

[joelsmochi]

closer

rating: E 18+ pairing: tortured artist!Joel x black!girly!f!reader summary: Joel hits a creative block with a mural, leading him down a road of discovery and intimacy in ways he's never felt before. warnings: au/no outbreak, unspecified drug use + marijuana use, unprotected piv, sex while under the influence, consenting adults!!! age is not specified but we can assume joel is mid 40s, brief mentions of death + abusive relationships, ooc!Joel (he is not the same person he was 1/2 pill ago…), third person pov but most of it is from joel’s perspective, very fluffy sex they may have said i love you wc: 5.3k a/n: Happy New Year everybody! This was inspired by Closer by Goapele and Prisoner by The Weeknd & Lana Del Rey plus I was thinking too hard about the time I ate an edible that had too much THC for me to handle and I produced whatever this is. Hopefully tortured artist!Joel hasn’t happened yet because I felt creative with this one…

masterlist

ᝰ

The frayed paintbrush relentlessly slapped against the concrete wall, coating the discolored brick in thick layers of different browns, reds, and whites. Opaque smoke blurred his vision, yet he only let it inspire the strokes of his hand, creating a beautiful image that wasn’t clear to him yet.

Before he knew it, the sun had set; he sat on his hard leather sofa, massaging the twinge that had settled into his wrist while his face wore a disappointed scowl. He was displeased with his progress, the blob that was already half dry on the wall of his loft.

A rumble snuck into his stomach, forcing him to stand up and absentmindedly walk into the kitchen area. However, his disappointment grew when he opened the fridge to find nothing suitable for a proper meal. As he glared at the half-eaten yogurt and scarce 24-pack of beer, he decided to go and get Chinese food.

He lit up a cigarillo to accompany his walk around the block and across the street, tossing whatever was left into a sewer drain just in time for him to open the door to the restaurant.

“Miller,” a worker greeted with a smile, “your usual?”

Unknown to him, the smell of his cigar caught the attention of a waiting customer. She waited until he was done chatting with the employee to ask, “Cream?”

He did a double take, unsure if she was talking to him at first. She was tall, maybe five foot nine or five foot ten, with big hair and brown skin, and dressed in something far too lovely for her to be eating Chinese for dinner.

“I’m sorry?”

“You smell like cream-flavored cigars,” she said, sounding amused.

He felt unsure of how to respond, not wanting to seem rude, watching her diamond earrings gleam from the low yellow lighting. He paid for his food and answered. “Yeah, just had one.”

“Black and mild or swisher?”

“Blacks,” he answered, growing a little uneasy from the stranger questioning him despite the mundane topic. 

“My favorite,” she boasted, earning another look from him after he put his change in the tip jar. “They’re much smoother.”

The man didn’t respond, only offering a tight smile in return. The pair stood a few feet apart silently, listening to people chattering and utensils clanking behind the counter as they waited.

She smelled like expensive brown sugar perfume and cocoa butter, a sickly sweet combination that tickled his sense of smell. Her scent was reminiscent of a freshly baked cookie a kid couldn’t wait to dive into. She was dressed in a lovely skirt and a prissy top paired with a mix of gold and silver rings and necklaces and bracelets — two colors he usually hated paired together, but somehow, she made it blend beautifully.

Her makeup was soft, or so it seemed. It wasn’t too heavy, but her eyebrows were bold, as was the line drawn around her vermilion border. He noticed she blinked slowly but held her eyes wide as if she anticipated something to happen.

The employee’s voice brought the two adults out of their daydreams.

“Beef and broccoli and chow mein?” They asked.

The artist waited kindly for the woman to grab her bagged styrofoam container before reaching for his own; he walked a few feet behind her, suddenly feeling bad for his cold demeanor earlier once they were outside.

“You want one?” He called after her before she got too far away; she turned around with a frown, confused at his offering.

He reached into his pocket and held up a couple of fresh cigars. She grinned, secretly desperate for a smoke. Her heels clicked against the pavement as she strutted back towards him. She strutted like a cat, one leg crossing the other.

She allowed the man with the messy hair the privilege of placing the stick between her plump lips, keeping her eyes on his as he watched where he was lighting.

She took a long drag, waiting for him to get his cigarette lit before asking, “What’s your name?”

His eyebrow cocked up, and if she didn’t know any better, she’d say he was amused. But he answered anyway.

“Joel.” He sharply inhaled; she responded with her name and a smile, thick smoke spilling out from the spaces between her teeth as she gently exhaled. “You from around here?”

“No,” she said, “I like to travel. See new places. Find new things… Right now, I’m fixated on museums—art museums precisely.”

That piqued his interest. “Art? What kind of art d'you like?”

“Any art that speaks to me.”

Joel smirked at her answer as if it were funny. “Oh yeah? What speaks to you?”

Instead of her usual quick response, she pondered momentarily, trying to locate proper words to avoid rambling. “Suffering or excitement.”

He could only narrow his eyes at the vague response, but she spoke again before he could ask for an elaboration.

“You must like art,” she guessed correctly.

“I’m uh…” And there’s a long pause; the rhetorical shame of confessing what his job was had risen, but for what purpose? After a short internal debate, he finally admitted, “I’m an artist myself.”

Her eyes widened with excitement, which Joel found adorable. She asked him various questions: what kind of art he created, how long he’d been painting, his favorite creations…

He admired her interest in the subject and how she listened carefully and intently, clearly trying to understand as much as possible about him.

“How do you stay inspired all the time?”

Shit.

Joel’s mind ran blank for a few seconds, and he watched the woman’s face contort into confusion. She worried she’d brought up an unhealed wound and persisted that he didn’t need to answer.

“No, it’s nothing like that,” Joel assured, “I’ve honestly been at a block lately…”

“Oh.” She sounded relieved. “Do you do anything to help get over that?”

He sucked on his teeth as he thought of an appropriate answer, yet nothing came to mind. He couldn’t lie even if he wanted to. “Just wait for it to pass.”

“…Could... Could I see your art?”

For the first time, she seemed to be shy. Her teeth grimaced, and eyebrows crooked out of fear of rejection, but Joel was sure he was far more nervous than she was.

"Uh, sure..." He said hesitantly. "What I have at home is nothing special, but-"

"I'm sure it's beautiful," she interrupted. "I'm free right now if that works."

ᝰ

This was unlike him: inviting a girl he'd just met into his home. She had something that enamored him. What was it, he wondered with each passing minute, was it her beauty or curiosity? Was it the way she smiled or how sweet her voice sounded? He couldn't ponder for much longer as she had already begun complimenting his home.

"A loft," she said while taking in the brick walls of his home that were littered with several paintings that all seemed to be works in progress. "It's cozy." Joel watched as her painted nails gently trailed over the armrest of his stiff couch just before she reached up to feel a painting of what seemed to be a little girl.

His staring made the woman laugh, and while he could admit he was being a bit precarious, he just wanted to ensure she wouldn't mishandle that particular piece. She didn't. She just reached to stroke the texture meant to resemble the girl's curly hair; she touched it for only a moment before pulling away and turning around.

After realizing the painting was sacred to him, she asked, "Is that someone you know?"

His shoulders and chest rose as he sucked in a melancholic breath, and she couldn't ignore the sadness that swarmed his eyes.

The woman was satisfied with no answer and moved on quickly. "May I eat with you?"

Joel gave her a stiff nod, his thoughts still filled with the traumatic memories of the girl in the photo.

They sat quietly and slowly ate their food, the lack of heat from their containers making the meal invaluable. The silence comforted him as it felt much different than the cold silence he was used to. No. Her silence was warm and comforting... Like a mother caring for a sick or sad or sleeping child. She didn't offer any awkward glances or stiff smiles. She didn't hide her joy or her optimism despite his distant demeanor.

Her eyes weren't as big as they were just an hour ago. Perhaps the food made her sleepy, he thought.

"Where ya from?" He figured he should at least be a good host.

"Rockport. It's a small town in Massachusetts. You?"

"Born and raised here," he answered.

"Really?" She squinted at him while poking at broccoli with a fork. "Never wanted to leave?"

Shrugging, he said, "Thought about leaving, never needed to."

"Is that painting supposed to be the same girl?"

She pointed to the spontaneous mural partly done on the big red wall opposite to them. He looked at it, forming different opinions and thoughts on his work.

"No. Not entirely sure what that one is yet," he grunted. "Needed to paint something, but I can't quite figure it out yet."

"You should do a self-portrait," she suggested with a wide grin. "I'd love to see how you see yourself."

"Nah, if I did that, it'd just be a college-ruled notebook with a bunch'a scribbles in it."

She chuckled at his pessimism, gaining a confused look from him. "So? Maybe someone would see something between the scribbles."

"I don't like painting myself," he said firmly.

She couldn't care less about his seriousness; she saw his need for perfection and keeping busy with work. Seeing the distress on the average person's face wasn't unfamiliar to her; all she wanted to do was take it away.

"Your art is lovely, Joel," she spoke truthfully, "For what it's worth, I think you'd paint yourself beautifully."

He chewed on his bottom lip for a few seconds, taking in her warm smile and gentle words.

"You're very kind," he admitted, "thank you."

The temptress walked and stood in front of the mural to admire the thick blobs of paint that were still tacky. She saw the vision but just as quickly saw the block.

"You seriously do nothing to help the creative blocks?"

With a slight frown, he shook his head to confirm. "Just try working on something else until I find my rhythm again."

"Why not? Why not music or movies or going outside for more than Chinese on a Thursday evening?"

Feeling a bit antagonized, Joel scowled at her. "I paint what's in my head, not around me."

"Maybe that's the problem." She sat close to him on the floor and nudged his shoulder with hers. "Maybe you've painted all you know, and you're stuck right now because there's nothing new inside that pretty little head a'yours."

"Flattery only gets you so far, sweetheart."

"It got me in your apartment, did it not?"

His scowl grew, and he felt no need to hide his annoyance from her.

"Just tryna help," she smirked.

"I don't need your help."

"Clearly not," she simpered; she pulled a bag of ground weed from her purse and held it up for him to see. "Maybe you need Mary's help."

"You're fucking joking."

"It helps me," she said softly. "When I don't smoke, I'm a very anxious and shy person."

Joel's eyes fell to her hands, which were beginning to work the weed into a paper very carefully, watching her roll it precisely. "Really?" He asked incredulously.

"Mock me all you want, Joel, but I must say that even a couple of hits can make you feel ten times better."

"Not interested," he quipped.

"Well... If weed isn't your speed, then maybe..." She licked the paper shut and placed it on the table, then reached in her purse again for a bag containing different colored pills. "...ecstasy would be more fitting."

"You expect me to take drugs from a stranger?" He asked.

She leaned her chin on his shoulder and whispered, "I'm no stranger, Joel. I'm your inspiration."

He found himself laughing at her choice of words, not paying her any mind as she climbed into his lap. She placed a pill between the rows of her teeth and bit down to break it in half, offering him whichever half was smaller.

"You don't have to if you really don't want to... But it will help."

Her voice was so enticing that Joel was sure he was already high from the affection she persisted in giving him.

"Help me paint?" He asked, still not entirely convinced.

"Help you create."

Joel thought about it: he had nothing left in his life to live for other than his talent for painting, and he even felt that it was being wasted on unproductive days and constant disappointments.

For months, all he wanted was to create one last masterpiece and to feel proud of it. If all it took was to give in to some strange form of peer pressure, then that's just what needed to be done.

Almost an hour later, however, his worries about art were set aside.

With his head lying in the pretty woman's lap, he tried remembering why he had been so angry before. He let her stroke the curly hairs on his head and trace his lips over and over again.

"You're doing good," she cooed gently.

"You're very, um," he swallowed between his heavy breaths, "nurturing."

He noticed the woman's eyebrow shift upwards, and an amused hum left her mouth. "Hm. No one's ever said that before."

"Really?" Joel began to realize how dry his throat became. "Well, it's a compliment."

"Thank you," she giggled. "Thirsty?"

"Mmhm," he moaned.

Reaching over to grab the water bottle on the floor, she took a long sip as she felt parched before holding his head up to help him drink some. He felt her sticky lip gloss around the rim and found himself latching even harder onto the plastic container.

She let him drink as much as he needed before closing the bottle and helping him stand up, urging him to paint something.

He felt a wave of heat envelope his body, the hairs along his arms and neck dancing along his skin. He wanted to laugh, but nothing was funny, so he tried to hold it in. He followed her around the room and watched the ends of her hair bend and curl around her arms. She opened a few paint bottles, squeezing some onto his stained palette and holding the brush out for him. She couldn't help but laugh at the elation in his wide eyes; he was definitely in a much better mood than before.

He grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer, not bothering with the meaningless utterance of words and just giving into his need to kiss her. She wasn't surprised by the gesture, inviting his tongue into her mouth for more. She tasted the cigar on his breath and lips, ignoring how bitter it seemed.

The paintbrush smeared itself against Joel's elbow, causing him to jolt back in shock, only to laugh when he realized the purple-coated paintbrush was bending on its own. He took it from her hand and approached the wall, immediately getting to work.

While he worked and ranted about how the piece was "basically painting itself," she undressed slowly while prancing around the room and humming to some tune that found its way into her head. Joel saw the colors blend and separate, waiting for the wall to respond with where his next brush stroke should be.

The woman found herself looking at that painting of the little girl again. She was unable to quiet her curiosity.

"Is she your daughter?"

Her voice broke the string tying him to his work, and he stumbled around a bit before turning around and facing her with an asking face. He let his tools go and followed the sound of the siren, looking deeply into her wide eyes.

"She was my daughter," he admitted freely, something he refused to do as often as possible.

"Where is she?"

He noted how concerned she seemed and took it as an invitation to confide in her.

“She uh… She died ‘bout ten years ago.”

Joel felt her fuzzy arms weave around him, encompassing him with a sense of comfort. It was the first time he could talk about the tragedy without bursting into tears. Her lips pressed warm kisses into his forehead and temples as she attempted to bathe him in consolation.

He removed his head from the crook of her neck to look at her face. Her eyes, although appearing a bit lopsided, were still wide and curious, like she was still waiting for something. He tried to focus on just her, but all he wanted was to paint wanted was to paint wanted was to paint wanted was to pai-

A shriek broke him out of his trance: the woman seemed surprised about the splatter of paint that got on her bare chest and arms. Joel blinked rapidly and tried to decipher what had happened between talking about his daughter and... Now.

Had time managed to escape him? Was he too out of it to realize that? And who put on the jazz music?

The brown liquid dripped down her body and hid her nipples; he found the motion fascinating. How happy she seemed to be coated in the cold dispense helped him feel more at ease and join in laughing with her. Her hair, frizzier than before, somehow gave the illusion that she was underwater. It just flowed so freely.

"You are a mermaid in the most beautiful depths of the sea," Joel shouted dramatically.

"Wh-what?" She giggled before smearing a finger-lengths of paint onto his forehead.

His hand absentmindedly poked the paintbrush into her collarbone, tickling her in the process. "You are free... And kind... Did you turn the music on?"

And she's giggling again. God, he couldn't get enough of that sound. She was a siren, manipulating him with her songs of joy and laughter.

"You told me to," she answered; only Joel took a few minutes to process it. She covered her hand in yellow paint, cradled his cheek, and let the print of her hand stick to his face as if she were marking her territory. "I'm glad I met you tonight, Joel," she said quietly.

Instinctively, he beckoned for her to close the space between them. "Oh, yeah? Why's that?"

Her arms snaked around his neck as she looked at his aura and vented. "I was supposed to go on a date tonight with my ex-boyfriend. He wasn't the greatest guy. Abusive. Angry. But my parents love him, and they say he's changed, so... I wanted to try again."

Joel's drug-induced nosiness got the better of him. "Why didn't you?"

She sighed, a smirk daring to grow on her face. "I wanted to make him feel stupid."

He wrapped his arms around her waist at her wise words, holding her close as if she would blow away had he exhaled too hard.

"M'glad I met you too," he admitted. "Did I spill paint on you?"

"Just a bit, but it was my fault. You were in a daze," she admitted bashfully.

The pair took a few minutes to look at each other, feel their spirits, and soak up the serenity between the small gap in their lips.

"Do you wanna fuck?"

Those words would have left Joel speechless in any other scenario at any other time on any other day. But he was high out of his fucking mind, and once his brain had fully processed her question, he answered with a short and sweet "Yes."

He waited patiently as the vixen undressed him, and she took her precious time; her knuckles grazing the wiry hair along his pelvis sent hot shivers across his abdomen before his jeans pooled around his ankles. Lifting his arms to aid in the removal of his shirt, he flinched and giggled childishly when she placed a kiss or two along his collarbone.

She gasped at the nails digging into her sides, his hands begging for more because his voice was too weak to. The desperation grew in his eyes, and he wanted to feel close to her. To feel all of her depths and shallows and curves and grooves. Her essence rendered him helpless. The smell of her perfume was even more sickly than he recalled, but all the much more sweet.

Their bodies danced onto the floor, bending and curling around each other like snakes.

"I was always afraid of this," he spoke as she worked her hand around him, not that he needed it. "Feeling close with someone. After my last... You know."

She smiled at his words, telling him with her eyes: I know.

"I was so scared to feel close to someone..." She admitted. "After him, I wanted to be left alone. Untouched."

"What changed that- oh, fuck," Joel moaned, feeling her wetness encapsulate him.

"Someone found me, ha-ah, hmm... And took care a'me, just like I'm doing for you."

Joel clawed at her back, reaching for her hair, but his arms were too heavy, with the quick rushes of euphoria soaring through his veins. Her moans and pretty little sounds coaxing him into blindness. He couldn't see her face, covered in the universe of her bangs littered with stars and planets, until she leveled her happy face with his. The shimmer in her glossy eyes let him know she enjoyed this just as much as him.

"You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met, ever s-seen," he moaned.

Finally able to lift his arms, he used them to hold her face gently. He admired her refreshing beauty. She moaned something about how sweet he was, though it went unregistered to him.

All he could feel was her thighs flexing against his hips every time she rode down, and he felt his cock brush that sensitive sponge deep inside of her. Her hands pressed painfully into his ribcage, but he didn't mind. He loved that she needed him so much that it hurt.

She laid her body down on his chest, bringing her lips to his chin; he whimpered at the softness of her lips, his warm breath hitting her nose and making her body shudder. His mouth parted to stick his tongue out for her to lick and suck, which she did graciously.

He never knew his tongue could feel so ticklish or that having it licked would feel so damn good. It made his cock throb against her walls, forcing a moan out of the both of them. Her nails scratched his scalp tenderly, hips rocking back and forth, creating the perfect rhythm.

Her breasts dragged against the hairs on his chest, making some of the dried brown paint flake onto him; her nippled peaked, vulnerable from the friction.

Joel wrapped his forearms around the base of her spine and rolled over as carefully as his intoxicated body would allow. With hair splayed out, she looked so ethereal, like a walking painting herself.

Then, he noticed a bucket of paint sitting nearby and dipped two of his long fingers inside, dragging the white liquid down the valley of her breasts until he reached the peak of her belly. He noticed how her body reacted: all of the little shakes and shudders signs of appreciation made his heart swell.

His hand reached around her hip to grip her ass as he rested his body weight on her and enveloped her in more kisses. His hips rocked gently and slowly, careful not to hurt her. He wanted to feel her cum and hear her beg him to keep going.

To her, it felt like he pushed deeper with each thrust, begging her body to swallow him whole and allow him the grace of becoming one with her. Her eyes were so low, yet she was seeing more clearly than ever. Seeing his aura radiate off of his broad shoulders and tousled hair - it was a haze of blue and purple. But hers were shades of reds and oranges in his eyes, a fiery tyrant that bullied him with praise and adoration.

His nose tickled her chin while his lips made their way up to plant another kiss on her sweet, sweet mouth. The alcohol in her perfume singed the hairs along his face and nostrils, pilling the hairs on his arms.

"Harder, ngh- please," she murmured.

He saw her blown pupils roll gently beneath her eyelids as beads of sweat formed along her hairline. Her breathing was shallow and short. She was close.

Licking his reddened lips, he pushed her knees back until they were flush with her jawline and shifted his body weight from his knees to his toes, then changed the force of his hips without changing the rhythm.

She loved that he listened to her: harder did not mean faster, and he fucking perfected it. Almost like he knew just how hard to go.

Joel drove into her deep enough to make her cunt squelch and clench around his thick cock. He felt clumsy inside of her like he was tripping up over his own orgasm. He felt all of her ridges and curves, the smooth and the rough; everything intensified in a way that could only be described by the God he didn't believe in.

But she had him questioning that in the back of his mind. He would have believed that she was God herself if he wasn't aware of how high he was. She looked celestial, her mouth forming an 'o', and her hair sprawled around her shimmering face. Even with her mascara flaking and running slightly, she seemed so content, so pleased.

Joel's desperation to come inside of her was almost primal, instinctive... If her nails weren't digging so sharply into his forearms, he wasn't sure whether or not he would have been able to hold back.

He didn't ease up on her throughout her orgasm. Honestly, he didn't think too much about it. He never wanted right now to end. With a sense of ecstasy coursing through his veins, he managed to turn into something he tried so hard not to be. He craved her body, her kisses.

He pulled her into his lap before resting his cheek on her breast. He inhaled the musk of her sweat deeply, cherishing the divine woman she was. She felt as beautiful as she looked. She fucked just as sweet as she smelled.

His clammy hand ran over her flexed calve as she bounced on him. Her movements were sloppy from his tight grip, not that either of them cared. She was sure not to go too high or come down too hard, allowing her pussy to drip white remnants of her orgasm onto his balls. He licked and kissed and bit her tits as a submissive thank you.

She kissed the top of his hair, strumming her fingers along his scalp. "Joel," she moaned, "I love you."

"I love you, too, baby," he grunted almost instantly.

Raising his head to look back at her blissed out face, he pulled her even closer. His chin dug into her clavicle, but his neediness only made her laugh softly.

Joel's face twitched as his body proposed its orgasm, his dick throbbed roughly against her sensitive walls. She gasped, taking it as a sign to fuck him faster despite the burning in her legs. He winced at her arms weighing heavier into his collarbones but just clawed at her ass to power through the pain.

She placed a hand over his heart and pushed gently, forcing him to feel the thumping against his chest. He felt so much of his anger and pain dissipate beneath her touch, instilling love and peace in place of it.

"You're so precious," he whispered. A lovely smile rose onto her face, one that drove him crazy. He looked at her with big puppy eyes that threatened to fill with tears. She licked along her teeth and bit her bottom lip. "I love y-you..." He knew he didn't mean it and that she didn't either, but he missed being able to say those words. "Tell m- oh, fuck. Oh, fuck. Tell me you love me," he pleaded. "Tell me you love me 'til I cum, baby."

"I love you, Joel.”

His eyes screwed shut, face falling into the curve of her neck.

“I love you, baby. I want you to cum for me,” she moaned, breathless from exhaustion.

His nails dug deeper into her flesh, he was clinging onto his climax as much as possible, wanting to wait long enough for it to destroy him.

“Oh, Joel, fuck!” She yelped. “I love you, I love you!”

And he broke.

His nails scratched lines up her back whilst he screamed into her chest. Her pussy throbbed against his sensitive cock from the arrival of her second orgasm, heightening his sensitivity.

A few tears shed his eyes at the closeness; Joel felt like he was falling into the Earth. He was so dizzy and confused, cornered by the affection clouding his judgment.

“I love you,” she whispered into his scalp, placing one last kiss before climbing off of his lap.

He hissed at the last stroke of her cunt but helped her lay down, using his t-shirt to prop her head up.

“I love you,” he said before kissing her head.

“You should drink some water.”

As soon as she said that, he felt the itchiness in his dry throat. He grabbed water from the table a few feet away and chugged as much as his stomach could handle.

“Will you bring me the joint and a lighter?”

Joel fulfilled her request and sat the water next to her, immediately looking back at his work in progress while she got herself situated.

A few moments passed before she spoke again. “Are you coming down?”

Confused, he looked down at her but saw that the colors weren’t so loud anymore. “Think so…”

“Take a few hits. It’ll help.”

He hesitated but sat down and did as she told him. 

“Thank you,” he said after briefly coughing and handing the joint back to her. “I think whatever that… Pill was actually helped.”

“If it wasn't the pill, it must’ve been the sex,” she teased, earning a laugh from him. She tapped his shoulder and pointed her head towards his mural.

ᝰ

A rough pounding woke Joel up from his slumber. He groaned, pressing the meat of his palm to his forehead and slowly sitting up before remembering the girl was still next to him.

He watched her sleep soundly, mouth slightly parted and a gentle snore creaking from her throat. The memories of last night flooded his mind, and while they were somewhat fuzzy, he remembered clear as day how it felt.

He felt most of his questions had been answered by something more complex than communication. It was frightening yet calming at the same time.

Her body stirring regained his focus, and he knew she must have been feeling the same tension headache as he was when she groaned before her eyes fluttered open. She squirmed from the cold air and looked up at the hungover man, smiling as she remembered the night before.

“Morning, Joel,” she said with a playful tilt.

“Morning, sunshine,” he said. “Your head hurtin’?”

“Yep,” she grunted while sitting up. “Ever been to that café on thirty-fourth street?”

He shook his head.

“I’ll take you there for some coffee and breakfast. My treat,” she told him.

Her eyes landed on the big, dull wall that had been taunting Joel for weeks, only to find it was a brightened, complete piece of art.

She admired the woman's beauty and asked him without looking away, “S’that me?”

Joel smirked and reached for his boxers, standing to put them on.

“She’s beautiful, ain’t she?” Joel kissed her head and walked away, leaving the woman alone to admire his masterpiece…

Her.