#coach up ias

[investoptionwin]

Mastering Time Management: A Crucial Skill for UPSC Aspirants

Introduction: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination is often regarded as one of the toughest competitive exams in India, requiring meticulous preparation, strategic planning, and effective time management. With a vast syllabus to cover and multiple stages of the examination to clear, UPSC aspirants must optimize their study schedule and allocate their time wisely to maximize productivity and achieve success. In this blog, we’ll explore the importance of time management for UPSC aspirants and provide valuable tips and strategies to help them make the most of their study hours, while also shedding light on the significance of choosing the best IAS coaching in Kolkata to aid in their journey.

Understanding the Importance of Time Management: Effective time management is essential for UPSC aspirants to cover the vast syllabus comprehensively, revise multiple times, and practice mock tests regularly. With a disciplined approach to time management, aspirants can prioritize their study tasks, allocate sufficient time to each subject, and maintain a balance between conceptual understanding and factual memorization. Moreover, efficient time management enables aspirants to maintain a healthy work-life balance, reducing stress and burnout during the rigorous preparation phase.

Tips for Effective Time Management:

Create a Study Schedule: Develop a detailed study schedule outlining your daily, weekly, and monthly study goals. Allocate specific time slots for each subject, revision, practice tests, and breaks, ensuring a balanced and structured approach to your study routine.

Prioritize Your Tasks: Identify the most important and high-priority tasks, such as covering core subjects like History, Geography, Polity, and Current Affairs, and allocate more time to them in your study schedule. Focus on mastering fundamental concepts and building a strong foundation in key areas.

Practice Time-Bound Mock Tests: Regularly practice time-bound mock tests and previous years’ question papers to improve your speed, accuracy, and time management skills. Simulating exam conditions will help you develop strategies for effectively managing your time during the actual UPSC examination.

Break Down Study Sessions: Break down your study sessions into smaller, manageable chunks to maintain focus and prevent burnout. Take short breaks between study sessions to recharge your mind and body, staying refreshed and alert throughout the day.

Utilize Technology Tools: Leverage technology tools and apps like Pomodoro Technique, Trello, or Google Calendar to organize your study schedule, set reminders, and track your progress. These tools can help you stay accountable and motivated, ensuring consistent adherence to your study plan.

Choosing the Best IAS Coaching in Kolkata: While self-study is crucial for UPSC preparation, enrolling in a reputable IAS coaching institute can provide aspirants with expert guidance, personalized mentorship, and structured study material to enhance their preparation. In Kolkata, several IAS coaching institutes, including the best IAS coaching in Kolkata, offer comprehensive courses, experienced faculty, and proven track records of success. By choosing the top IAS coaching in Kolkata, aspirants can complement their self-study efforts with strategic guidance and support, maximizing their chances of cracking the UPSC examination with flying colors.

Conclusion: Time management is a critical skill that can make or break the success of UPSC aspirants. By adopting a disciplined approach to time management, prioritizing study tasks, and leveraging effective study strategies, aspirants can optimize their preparation and achieve their UPSC goals. Additionally, enrolling in the best IAS coaching in Kolkata can provide aspirants with the necessary guidance and support to navigate the complexities of the UPSC examination with confidence and clarity, paving the way for a successful career in the civil services.

[upscwithnikhil]

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[fadingdaggerr]

one hundred and seventeen

pairing: larissa weems x gn!reader

summary: from the second she left, your world stopped spinning on its axis

warnings: grief/loss, angst, more angst, a little more angst, discussion of death, mentions of suicidal thoughts (nothing explicit, a single statement), long-winded but on purpose, little bit of wenclair to breakup the noise, happy ending bc im NICE

note: this one was a bit personal but i hope you enjoy it. sorry for being ia i’m not doing to sexy funky fresh mentally :)

day 1.

broken. everywhere. glass across the floor, picture frames and cups shattered. dents in the wall from your fists, another from the door handle. you held your hand in pain in the bathroom as you tweezed glass and cleared dust from your lacerations. all you could bring yourself to do was throw a few bandaids on and wrap your bruising wrist before you melted into the bed and let tears fall for the first time since you’d heard.

day 16.

an unusually warm day in december slowly melts the snow around nevermore. puddles scattered the grounds, still and undisturbed. the water dripping from the eaves reminded you of the tears that had fallen for the first fourteen days. now, only a heavy feeling in your chest and a pain behind your eyes lingered. the last two days had been spent in the same position on her side of the bed, curled into a ball. how you don’t suffocate in your sleep is a mystery to me, sweetheart. your face stayed shoved in her pillow, your back to the mess of broken items across the floor from your blinding rage from the first day. you’d been telling yourself you’d clean it, that you’d do a lot of things, but not once did you leave the four walls of the bedroom. most your days were spent in bed, staring at her vanity until you fell asleep.

day 34.

a doubled-trash bag and a lot of sweeping later, the only remaining evidence of your rampage left was dents in various walls. pictures were put into new frames, but only the ones of her alone were hung back up. the happy person beside her in those pictures is gone, gone the second she was.

a shower. the first in two weeks, if you’re being honest. moving from your bed to even grab some water was all you could afford for first month, leaving her side of the bed was a physical challenge. the cold water was nearly unbearable, but you didn’t change it. it was nice to feel something other than pain for once.

day 56.

move-in day, her second favorite day of the year, her most favorite has been and always will be the poe cup. you watch from afar on a balcony as the students greet each other, holding each other tighter than they ever had before. you almost smile, almost. you’d always stood here together, watching everyone say their hellos and settle before making her rounds. you’d always make your way back to her office and prepare the space for some dinner and wine, talk about everything and nothing. now the balcony just felt cold. the plan to stay and watch from your safe distance is ruined when coach vlad approaches.

“i wondered if we’d see you,” is all he says, not prying.

“they appointed me interim principal. i have to be here,” you say through a heavy sigh. there’s never been a point in hiding anything from vlad, he could read you like a book.

he clears his throat, “well that’s not right. you’re a teacher, not a principal. you have classes to teach.”

a bitter laugh leaves you, “according to the board, being the spouse of the ‘late, and dearly missed, principal gives me the qualifications’ to be two people at once for a while.” you hardly felt like even one person, but you didn’t say this to him.

vlad’s hand rests on your shoulder, “well, principal, i think you should greet your students. i know there’s a few that would like to see you,” he watches you frown a bit, “only for a little while, then you can disappear. we can all help you together, we’ve got your back.”

you shake him off, “i hate when you’re right.”

walking to the courtyard, parents and students alike hide their stares, some wave, most give a sad, tightlipped smile. it wasn’t until you kept walking that a blur of blonde and stripes collided with a solid thud into your body. your arms instinctively wrap around them, knowing it’s one of your students. the fierce grip they have on you tells you all you need to know.

“hi, enid,” you whisper into her hair. she squeezes you tighter before you push her back a bit to see her. the marks on her cheek from fighting the hyde were healed, just three pink line resting across her face. she was still the same enid you met on her first ever day at nevermore, just stronger.

“hi, professor,” she says timidly.

“where’s your girl?” you ask softly, smoothing enid’s hair down from her collision into your chest.

her cheeks heat up, “she’s saying goodbye to her parents and pugsley,” she toys in her colorful nails, “and- don’t be mad please- missus addams wants to talk to you.”

you close your eyes for a moment to ground yourself, “and if i asked you to say you didn’t find me?”

she giggles, “then i didn’t find you because wow! it’s so crazy busy, and like there’s so many people i couldn’t possibly find you that easily.”

“thank you,” you caress her cheek, “now, go unpack and decorate your room. i’ll check in later, okay?” enid only nods as she jogs away to presumably find wednesday.

day 60.

a knock on the door of your personal quarters draws you from deep thought. looking at the clock on the wall, it’s 11:56 at night. you’d be mad if you’d been sleeping, or watching tv even, but you’d been staring at the same spot since 8:30, so maybe this was a sign to get off your ass. you wrap her white robe around yourself, not bothering to try and look presentable. there was already a ninety percent chance it was vlad anyways.

it was definitely not vlad when you opened the door. but instead, wednesday addams in black flannel pyjama pants and a black long sleeve. she stared at you until you moved out of the way, inviting her in.

“it’s past curfew, wednesday.”

“same could be said to you. looks like you’ve been up past several curfews.”

you sigh, “touché, miss addams. why have you graced me with your presence at nearly midnight?”

she glances down to her feet, then back to your eyes, “i wanted to say i’m sorry i failed.”

your head cocks to the side, “failed what, wednesday?”

she blinks a couple times, “it was all my idea, to fool laurel. she didn’t want to, but i made her and she died for it,” she takes a deep breath, “she was asking for you.”

you held back the choked sound that fought to escape you and closed your eyes, steadying yourself. you pictured her hands holding your face, the touch itself was enough to bring you down from any great stress. but now you only had that memory, but it would have to do for now. wednesday’s pain was more important than yours at this moment.

you take a deep breath and open your eyes, “wednesday, i’m going to put my hands on your shoulders. is that okay?” she nods, barely perceptible, but enough that you know it’s okay. your hands rest on her shoulders, willing her to keep looking at you, “none of this is your fault. you wanted to stop someone from hurting everyone, larissa wanted that too. maril- laurel’s actions were her own. you’re still a child, wednesday, brilliant and very capable, but still a child. i will never blame you, wednesday.”

her hand moves up to pat the the top of one of yours, a silent thank you. you drop your hands, and lead her out, back to ophelia hall. wednesday silently unlocked and opened her door, the sound of enid’s light snores enters the hallway. you turn away and pretend not to notice the loving smile on the addams girl’s face when she sees her girlfriend.

day 72. the spring formal was something larissa had been planning since she finished planning the rave’n. the theme, decorations, food, drinks, everything was carefully curated and tucked into a binder sitting on the shelves to the right of her desk. you knew the plans were in there, in her office, in her handwriting. you psyched yourself up for the walk in, you hadn’t been in there yet. you’d avoided this hallway the entirety of the semester thus far, but with the formal a month away, it was necessary.

her office was the same it stood that morning, just with a thin layer of dust across the surface. slowly, you step in, shutting and locking the door behind you. you rounded the desk, just staring at everything. raven still perched behind cracked glass, reading glasses folded neatly off the side next to her favorite pen. it writes so well! darling, look at this. my penmanship has never been better! to the left of her lamp, a photo of the two of you stared back. wide smiles and crinkled eyes, her lipstick on your cheek, your hand gently cradling her face. there was so much love in one picture.

bitter tears welled in your eyes. eight years wasn’t enough time. eight decades, centuries, millennia, none of it would’ve been enough. nothing would ever fill this gap left behind by her. she’d taken your heart with her and left your soul in this wasteland that you called life. but this wasn’t a life, not without her.

it wasn’t until a droplet landed on her desk that you noticed your tears. your shaking hands angrily wiped away your tears, only making your face more red in the process. you moved to find the binder, you’d spent many nights watching her work on this formal, giving your opinion when asked, dragging her to bed when you were too tired and too stubborn to sleep without her. i’m just in the other room, sweetheart. it’s cold without you, my angel. how you wished you could pull her back now, bring her to your room and never leave. just you and her, no one and nothing else.

hastily, you grab the binder and leave the office. you wipe the last of your tears before heading back to your own office. your quick steps raise the attention of a couple staff members in the hall. when they saw where you can from, their eyes darted down as they pretended to be busy with whatever was in front of them. pity the widow, everyone’s new favorite game, you thought with deep resentment.

day 93.

it’d been six years since she proposed. you don’t leave your room. vlad left breakfast, lunch, and dinner outside your door with a knock. each time he came to collect the plates, they were in the same place, untouched. he felt defeated but he wouldn’t push, not today. tomorrow he will. he’s not watching his best friend dissolve into dust in front of his eyes.

day 100.

spring formal was a welcome distraction. you’d spent days preparing decorations, gluing, taping, stapling until your hands ached. every single minute detail larissa noted, even ones she decorated with question marks in red ink. you’d become quite good at lugging the ladder around to hang the floral decorations. you’re only change was swapping jasmines for pink lace azaleas, they were her favorite. were, were, were.

this dance had a darker color theme than the last. the tables had black cloths, the only source of color were the flowers draping across every beam, table, column. the lights matched the colors of the purple wisterias and lisianthuses, blue bom dendrobiums, gently placed forget-me-nots, and larissa’s azaleas.

the students were happy, smiling and dancing and chatting. they’re happy. they’re safe. the gates are locked, entrances are being watched. nothing, not even a normie, is ruining this for them, for you. you look to vlad an hour in, he knows you’re already in need of a break. he gestures to the door, silently allowing you to disappear.

your long black coat keeps the light chill of the spring night off your skin, but allows enough in to feel something. the docks call your name, and you sit with your legs dangling over the water, laying on the dock and staring into the stars to find constellations larissa had taught you. syphilis? that’s a dreadful name for some stars. you could still hear her hearty laughter. you know damn well i said cepheus, you menace!

sometimes you wonder if she’s watching you from the stars, watching you miss her. could she see how your face had hollowed and your eyes had sunken in? you hoped she couldn’t, you hope she missed every night you lay awake staring into the darkness until the sun peaks through cracks of the drawn shades.

“i love you,” you speak into the night, letting your words rise to wherever she is. “every night i wish to fly to you, but i can’t find the strength,” you’re ashamed of your own words, but you continue, “gods, larissa. why did you have to leave me here? i don’t want to be, not without you, it’s not fair. ” your hands cover your face, willing yourself not to cry. you had to return eventually, and you didn’t need more attention than you already got.

after some time, your tears settle and all that’s left behind is the pain in your head and the lead in your heart. your sit up and stare along the water, following a leaf flow across with assistance from the wind. a boat for fairies? she had giggled. i’m sure they enjoy taking the scenic route time-to-time! you’d defended. i guess that could make sense… to a child. she was playing to win, and she did. fuck, you missed her. she haunted your every thought and memory, like your mind was trying to convince you she was right there.

you finally stand and turn back to nevermore. you hadn’t been gone too long thankfully, but you’re sure vlad would’ve let you irish goodbye this without any problem. you start to think you should, because you just feel like someone’s staring at you. but they always are, maybe it’s just your mind again.

day 109.

tonight’s inability to sleep brought you back to the docks, lantern in hand and book tucked under your arm. you had to introduce this book to the class soon and a refresher would be nice, at least that was your excuse your reading instead of trying to sleep. you sat with one leg dangling over the dock, the other tucked under you. the lantern was carefully arranged to provide as much light as possible to the pages. opening the book, you skip the preamble and head straight to chapter one, reading aloud to yourself.

by chapter four, your eyes were beginning to grow tired. in the middle of chapter seven, the hair on the back of your neck stood on end. your eyes scanned the lake, pine trees, water lilies, not out of the ordinary. the persistent feeling of being watched only grew more intent, closer even. you picked a leaf off the ground and placed it as your bookmark, grabbed the lantern, and rode to your feet.

even with the ‘don’t be a horror movie first girl and look around’ feeling ringing through your mind, you felt as though you had to. you mindlessly trailed around the lake, finding no signs of anyone else, not even an animal. i’m finally going mad, you thought to yourself. with a heavy sigh, you walk back towards nevermore with your eyes on the ground.

halfway back to the dock, your eyes catch a glimpse of indents in the soil. two rounded triangle with a dot a few inches below each. you stared for a bit, eyes squinting and turning your head for new angles. as you put your own foot next to it, it dawned on you. high heel marks, facing the dock you’d been sitting at.

day 110.

tonight you went to the docks earlier, only a lantern this time around. you’re determined now, no matter how crazy you think you’re going. you find where the heel prints had been last night. nothing was there now.

how this was your final straw, you don’t know. a guttural scream leaves your throat, echoing across the black water. “you said you wouldn’t! leave me! you said forever at that altar, you lied to me,” your words come out hoarse, thick with tears. taking deep breaths, your fingers unconsciously played with your wedding band. “i’ll forgive you for leaving if you just come back,” your tears fell to the ground where the footsteps once were.

for the next hour, you sat against the tree behind you, staring into the lake and following its ripples. the feeling of being watched returned, your ears were warming from the attention. this time, you confronted the feeling.

“i know you’re there,” you spoke loudly, “i don’t like this game anymore. show yourself,” your tone was nearly a growl from the anger and sadness boiling within your heart.

nothing.

day 117.

six hours and thirteen essays later, the school day was done. as you stretched your arms about your head, you caught a glimpse of red ink dyed your finger tips. packing your bag, fast clicking in the hall caught your attention.

your door swung open and the cause of the clicking was revealed. the front desk assistant, clea, was heaving in her place. you quickly ran to her, hands gently on her shoulders.

“clea… clea! breathe, deep breaths. what’s wrong?” you hoped the stroking of your thumb on her shoulder would help her focus her breathing.

“the office door was open… i was checking to see if you’d gone in,” her voice shakes, “most definitely not you.”

your eyes are hard, “clea. if you are not straightforward with me within five seconds, i won’t fire you, but i’ll think of something.”

her eyes widen with fear, “she’s in the office.”

and you’re running. you’re pushing yourself off the walls to turn, not risking slowing down for even a second. the north hall was just within reach. the administrative hall, her office, seconds away. you slammed into the wall near the door, scrambling for the handle. a deep breath in, and you open the door.

staring out the window in all white, she was right there. silvery dress and overcoat. her hair down, she was facing away but it was still her. you’d know she was there if your eyes were closed.

“mon ange?”

when she turns, her eyes find yours. big, blue crystal eyes staring back, tears flowing over her lashes and down her cheeks. you both slowly step toward each other, your hands finding her face, smoothing over her jaw and cheekbones. she was here, in tact. larissa evangeline weems, your wife, the one you’ve mourned for 117 days, is alive. rage. red rage.

“what sort of sick, twisted joke do you think your playing?” you push her away from you, “you’ve been here the whole time, haven’t you? watching me? you’ve seen everything and didn’t come back? let me think you’re dead?” you’re screaming at this point, something larissa never saw from you in eight years.

her hands reached out, you wearily allowed her hands to hold your face, “i- baby… i couldn’t move for so long, i was shifting beyond my control for weeks. by the time i could move again, so much time had passed.”

your hands wrapped around her wrists, “so much time you thought i’d not want to see you? that i wasn’t waiting for you for all three months, three weeks, and five days? i’ve watched that door every day, every single night i’ve sat there waiting,” you hands move to her face, “waiting for you.”

she’d never been more beautiful then she was in this moment. right here, with you. her hands grip your cheeks, pulling you into her kiss. one hundred and seventeen days you’d waited for her, waited for her lips and hands on you. you pushed her back until the back of her thighs hit the desk, biting her lip in the process, making her gasp lightly.

pulling away from her lips, you keep your eyes shut as you speak to her, “if you ever put me through that again, i will kill you for real. then bring you back to kill you again,” you nose nudges against her cheek, “understood?”

her lips press to the skin under your eye, “i understand,” she says with a chuckle, “i won’t put up a fight.”

you allow your eyes to open slowly as your fingers trace her face. she’s real, she’s alive. she smells the same, tastes the same, touches and feels the same. she’s your wife, your larissa. fingers trace down from her face, down her neck, shoulders then down her arms, grabbing her hands.

“can we go home?” her voice is so soft, the way it had been the first time she kissed you.

“i’d like nothing more. we can talk more in the morning,” you kissed her knuckles.

this had a very different ending originally but i decided to be nice. this time :D

tags: @gwendolinechristieiscute

[grantmentis]

2024 IIHF Women’s World Championships Season Wrap Up

All of our women’s worlds tournaments have finished, so here is a short summary of each tournament, who got promoted/relegated, and top performers.

As a quick disclaimer: how they do best players of each tournament tends to be a little different for each one, some have MVPs and some don’t, idk why

Championship / Top Division

Final standings

Canada (Gold)

USA (silver)

Finland (Bronze)

Czechia

Switzerland

Germany

Sweden

Japan

China (relegated)

Denmark (relegated)

Tournament MVP: Laila Edwards (USA)

Top goaltender: Sandra Abstreiter (Germany)

Top defender: Renata Fast (Canada)

All star team: Sanni Ahola (Finland), Renata fast (Canada), Caroline Harvey (USA), Laila Edwards (USA), Natalie Mlynkova (Czechia), Alex carpenter (USA)

Tournament summary: this is gonna be my longest short summary as this is the tournament I have the most coverage of.

We finally have USA and Canada at the best versions of themselves again, solid coaching for both, a mix of youth and vets, for the most part all healthy, making for a great gold medal game.

Germany is the biggest positive surprise this tournament. They went from ninth in 2022 to eighth in 2021 to sixth this year, that’s pretty big gains, abstreiter had a phenomenal tournament with the best save percentage despite one of the heaviest workloads, but I was also really impressed by the team defense. Both Welcke twins, Jobst-Smith, Franziska Feldmeier were huge this tournament.

China may have gotten relegated but I think this tournament was still a success for them, considering the significant roster changes they experienced, they were still able to hang with most of the group B teams. Jiahui Zhan was phenomenal in goal and kept them in games, which is such a big part of these tournaments. They don’t have the star power on offense yet, but what they do have is a program that is committed to funding the national team and providing a lot of centralization time to create a cohesive team, and that environment will start creating elite scorers in time.

Finland bounced back after being hammered with injuries last year, Ahola firmly has won the crease, and Nelli Laitinen solidified her capabilities as a top pair defender. Czechia saw a breakout tournament from Natalie Mlynkova that carried them to a fourth place finish even when the rest of their offense was struggling. Switzerland has been able to fill a Phoebe Stänz shaped hole in their lineup with Ivana Wey. Denmark struggled hard without Jakobsen, and shows clear signs of a federation neglecting their program and losing their players - they barely responded to Jakobsen’s retirement, and were the only national team not to secure some kind of way to watch for those in Denmark. Japan disappointed this tournament, and will need to find an elite goaltender if they hope to be in the top division again. Sweden didn’t have a lot of things go their way this tournament, but youth talent in goal scoring was a bright spot for them. They are an undeniably deep team if they can get it all clicking at the same time.

Division IA

Norway - promoted

Hungary - promoted

France

Austria

Netherlands

South Korea - relegated

Best goaltender: Ena Nystrøm (Norway)

Best defender: Annika Fazokas (Austria)

Best forward: Estelle Duvin (France)

Summary; For the first time since 1997, Norway has been promoted to the top division! Despite not having the offense other teams had, they only conceded six goals all tournament and only one was at even strength. They relied heavily on their young core like Emma Bergesen and Millie Rose Sirium to lead the way. Hungary was able to earn promotion despite missing Fanni Garát-Gasparics, and only scoring nine goals all tournament. They played near flawless defense, only allowing 91 shots against in 5 games (averaging around 18 against per game) and being perfect on the PK. France had arguably the best first line in this tournament, Estelle duvin - Chloe aurard - Clara rozier can hang with anyone, but was shut down by Hungary in the final game to lose the chance at promotion.

Austria had a WILD tournament, no one scored more than them, but they also had uncharacteristically struggling goaltending performance from the Luggin sisters who have been pretty consistently solid in international tournaments. Not much to worry about long term there, it happens in short samples, but tough break when offense was so good. More of the same for the Netherlands, who are looking for their next wave of young players to help propel this team, but Kayleigh Hammers continues to prove herself as a special talent. Lastly, South Korea was in the IA tournament for the first time, has a lot of work to do before they can be a mainstay here but this is the first step and is valuable experience

Division IB

Final rankings

Slovakia

Latvia

Italy

Great Britain

Slovenia

Poland

MVP: Karina Silajane (Latvia)

Top forward: Janka Hlinka (Slovakia)

Top defender: Laura Lobis (Italy)

Top goaltender: Pia Dukaric (Slovenia)

Short summary: Slovakia returns to division IA after slipping for a few years and being relegated last year. They were a clear step above most of the other competition in this tournament, especially defensively, but we are seeing the gap shrink. Pia Dukaric for Slovenia may be the most underrated goaltender in the world; she faced 308 shots this tournament in 5 games (about 61 per game) and only conceded 15 goals in that span. Slovenia would 100% be relegated without her. Latvia is playing in division IB for the first time since 2019 and had a funny tournament - they weren’t at the top of anything in team stats, but they were good enough at everything to be a very complete team and Karina Silajane was phenomenal in big moments.

Italy also impressed, though some frustration is probably there that they’ve finished in the same spot for the third year straight, they’re undoubtedly a better team than they were three years ago. Italy is the only team to beat Slovakia in this tournament, and were one of the best teams in terms of limiting shots against. Laura Lobis and Natalie Mattivi are a very legit first pair, and Martina Fedel is an elite goaltender. They don’t have a top goal scorer right now, but that may be coming in Matilde Fantin, who was not able to play this tournament due to injury. Poland fell hard this tournament going from second place last year to being relegated. Part of this is an shaky performance in net from Martyna Sass, who was great at the club level and usually solid in goal, but she played way more games than she normally does this year and may have been overtaxed at the end. She was not bad but Poland heavily relies on goaltenders to steal games. The other, bigger part is the offense completely disappearing - they only scored six goals, which will not get it done in any tournament. Finally, Great Britain was a confusing team this tournament, but despite offensive woes avoided relegation by keeping games close and pulling out wins versus Italy and Slovenia. They only scored six goals in the tournament and two were against the best goaltender in the tournament, which is how hockey is sometimes.

Division IIA

Final rankings

Kazakhstan - promoted

Spain

Mexico

Taiwan

Iceland

Belgium - relegated

Top goalkeeper: Arina Chshyokolova (Kazakhstan)

Top defender: Bridget O’Hare (Spain)

Top forward: Alexandra Shegay (Kazakhstan)

Summary: Kazakhstan was relegated last year and not looking to stay in this division for long. A solid u25 core has continued to show promise for them. Spain has really created a nice core for themselves with Vega Munoz, Bridget O’Hare, Alba Gonzalo, Claudia Castellanos, and Sofia Scilipoti - they dominated most teams but came up just short against Kazakhstan in the final game. That said, I’d wager a promotion is in their near future. Mexico continues to finish in third in this tournament as they have for a few years, with a lot of players born 2000 or later making up the roster, but we have to give 39 year old Claudia Tellez her flowers - it’s been a decade since she started playing at Worlds and still is putting up over a points game while also coaching the u18 team. Just a total legend. Mexican Goaltender Monica Renteria also had the best save percentage of the tournament at age 36, having also been on the initial women’s worlds team Mexico with Claudia a decade ago.

Taiwan could not score, but they did have an elite goalie tandem of Ai Chung and Tzu-Ting Hsu (Beauts fans, you may remember her from the 2019-2020 season, also goes by Tiffany Hsu) that kept them in games. Yun-Chu Huang was responsible for 5 of the teams 8 goals. Iceland continues to stagnate, but 19 year old defender Katrín Björnsdóttir was extremely impressive this tournament. Belgium was outmatched in their first chance at this division and was relegated, but has a few promising young players that may incident they’ll be back soon

Division IIB

Final standings

North Korea - Promoted

Australia

Hong Kong

New Zealand

Turkey

South Africa - relegated

Top goalkeeper: Erva Kanat (Turkey)

Top defender; Matilda Pethrick (Australia)

Top forward: Jong Su-hyon (North Korea)

Summary: we haven’t seen North Korea at the international stage since before the pandemic and didn’t really know what to expect in their return and then they came back and just dominated this tournament. North Korea and Australia were a clear step above the rest of the competitors, and North Korea ultimately got the promotion in a shootout goal by Hyang Jang. Keira Mok of Hong Kong was another goaltender with a stellar performance, and Nikki Sharp was great for Australia in terms of forwards. South Africa’s relegation comes as no surprise, as they’d been trending down for a few years.

Division IIIA

Final rankings

Ukraine - promotion

Romania

Lithuania

Serbia

Croatia

Bulgaria - relegation

Top Goaltender: Vilte Belicenkaite (Lithuania)

Top Defender: Diana Stolar (Croatia)

Top forward: Valeria Manchak (Ukraine)

Summary: a lot of these programs are very new to the women’s worlds circuit, with teams like Lithuania only competing in this capacity since 2019, Ukraine in 2019, or Serbia since 2021 (though they may have competed in other tournaments / formats). There’s a significant number of U18 players playing in this tournament because of that. Romania and Serbia were the most improved team from last year, Romania going from fourth to second and Serbia going from division B to finishing fourth.

Division IIIB

As Israel should not have been allowed to participate in this tournament due to the genocide they are carrying out, and I will not be acknowledging their participation or any of their players as a result.

Final rankings:

1. Thailand

2. Estonia

4. Singapore

5. Bosnia and Herzegovina

Top goaltender: Sofia Salamatina (Estonia)

Top forward: Apichaya Kosanunt

Summary; Thailand wins gold in its debut! What a fantastic start to women’s worlds for them, as they won every game and scored 20 goals while only ever giving up one. Strong defense meant they only saw 59 shots all tournament. Singapore also made their Women’s Worlds debut and got their first tournament win and saw Tiffany Ong score three goals.

[starseneyes]

Chenford - Lucy Chen / Tim Bradford - The Rookie - Season 5 - Ep 21

"Going Under" AKA "Going Down in the Laundry Room"

We made it home just in time for the episode, but I was too worn from the events of the day to finish last night. So, here it is, your Meta.

SPOILER ALERT: Look, I don't spoil those who want to remain unspoiled, which is why there's a cute "Read More" button. But as soon as you click that, you're on your own. You will be spoiled. Sorry, not sorry.

All squared away? It's time to dive in!

Lucy and Tim Brief the Team

There's something very powerful about seeing Lucy and Tim standing up there to tell everyone about the Op.

It throws me back to Lucy's first Under Cover assignment when an angry Tim perched outside the door, arms crossed, while Lucy sat as a member of the briefing.

Now, Sergeant Second Class Bradford and... what the hell!?

Where's Lucy's promotion, dagnabbit?!

Look, I'm really not trying to complain after the feast we got in this episode. But, it really does strike hard when you're thinking about earlier seasons and how far Tim has come professionally.

I really hope the "Lucy wants to make Detective" story line continues this season or beginning of next.

"Which is where Officer Chen comes in. She'll be going undercover..."

It's good that Tim's the one who's introducing this, and we're continuing our thread of, "Tim is trying to be okay with this."

Also, again, a long way from Tim being pissed about Lucy going UC. The growth has been massive. I think it's important to acknowledge that even as we spend this episode highlighting how much further these two have to go.

The need for continued growth does not cancel out the growth already achieved. Work is work, and when you put it in, it matters.

"Until further notice, if you see Officer Chen out in the world, don't acknowledge her."

And, I'm thrown back to Lucy's Op at the end of Season 3, when Tim and Jackson came across her with the traffic stop. I remember Jackson asking Tim how to play it, and Tim coaching him through.

"I called Hard Luck." "Really? He's such an unreliable CI."

Gosh, I love how these two talk to one another. Again, we've come so fucking far.

And I know I'm waxing nostalgic, a bit, but I think that's natural for an episode of this magnitude. Lucy hasn't done more than a short stint undercover op in many seasons.

And this is the first time we get to see these two handle it as a couple.

Every other time they've done this, Tim was a TO or a coworker. Now, he's Lucy's Shower Sex Sweetie and Quality Quickie with a dash of Down-And-Dirty-All-Night-Long-Hottie.

It's bound to change the dynamic. But one thing that I love about this scene is how equal they are.

Sure, Lucy doesn't have the rank, but she's no longer "sir"ing Tim (unless he asks for it in the bedroom... or shower... or wherever role playing activities might transpire).

"He knows it's important to me." "Aw... undercover love." *giggle*

Y'all, I'm giddy. Like, legit was grinning like a fool. And after the day I've had, that's no small miracle.

Also, it feels like Eric Winter almost broke, and like Melissa O'Neil did. I have no intel on this, and I might be completely off-base, but there was something about his little quirk of the lip and double-take that would definitely have set me off if I was working opposite him in that scene.

"Jamie Hall." "You all set up Jamie?" "Yeah, all good."

So. Fucking. Cute.

I just love that Tim's the one outside keeping an eye on her (even if my subconscious is trying to connect the dots between IA paperwork, possible liabilities of Tim overreacting or losing his cool, and what happens if he uses the wrong name by accident, etc).

He is the protector. And being involved in the Op is easier for him to handle than not being involved.

Think about it... we know that Isabel would go away for months at a time and Tim felt like he couldn't breathe the whole time. He didn't know about the people she met. He didn't know anything.

He told Isabel that Lucy was different, and I think we all can see that Chenford can be different. But without communication, they're doomed.

Golly, that sounds dramatic. Like that old shipping commercial where everyone is doomed. Yeah, like twelve of you reading understand that reference, and I'm leaving it anyway.

But, I truly believe communication is the foundation to a strong relationship. And I'm not just saying that because I happen to hold two degrees in communications.

Tim and Lucy have the benefit of an established relationship based on trust and respect. But learning to effectively communicate your needs, wants, fears, aversions, and desires as a couple is completely different.

"Are you good? .... "Are you good?" "Do you mean do I miss you already? Nah, I'm fine." "You are such a jerk."

This is so me and Matt coded. And, yes, I'm Lucy in this scenario. Can't tell you how many times I've affectionately called Matthew a jerk and he's shared that same satisfactory smirk on Tim's face afterwards.

"Hey, will you keep an eye on Tamara for me? You know, just check in on her every once in a while." "Of course. Yeah, don't worry about her. I'll keep an eye on her. You just focus on the job."

Tim is really trying to be amazingly supportive for her. And I love this little reminder that Tim does have his own place.

Yes, for production purposes we're spending a lot of time at Lucy's (that I head-canon is because she lives closer to the station).

Also, Tim doesn't hesitate to watch out for Tamara. There was a time he only referred to Tamara as "Lucy's Puppy", but now they're family.

"How long do you think this will take?"

Excuse me, we're getting a montage!?! Like, a montage with voice over provided by our intrepid duo? Be still my beating heart!

Y'all don't understand. I was a Voice Over artist for two decades. So, when I see actors who can also do voice over well, I get super hyped.

Melissa O'Neil and Eric Winter decided to make me gawk at their talent even more tonight. Gee wiz! Like, it's possible they recorded their audio together, but more likely they were each in comfy clothes in the booth solo on completely different days.

And the chemistry. still. freakin. works. That's talent, my friends.

Look, some people crush VO and some people don't. Just watch (or don't watch... maybe with shrooms nearby) the Star Wars Holiday Special animated section to see what I mean.

I'm not gonna name names, but it was really easy to call which Star Wars actor was going to go into voice work later and which one really shouldn't have been asked to do that long VO for Blade Runner.

"Oh, do not finish this season of Top Chef without me." "I can't make any promises."

Y'all, this is so me and Matt coded! Now, Top Chef is my show and not Matthew's. I even keep it on in the background when I'm working or writing a screenplay.

Yes, I know most people don't work that way. I'm weird. I've come to terms with it, and I like me—weird and all.

But we totally have our shows where we say, "You better not watch this without me!" And, usually, I'm the one to screw it up. Mostly by accident!

Matthew always reminds me of Mean Girls. He wanted to see it in theaters. I said to hold off. Then we were in the video store (yes, we're old) and he offered to rent it, but I said to hold off. The third time was a year later when he remembered we hadn't seen it.

Except I accidentally caught it on TV totally forgetting we said we'd watch it together. Eep!

Also, after Lucy complaining about her ex watching too many cooking shows after his wrists were slit, I find it interesting she actively watched them with Tim.

Just goes to show cooking shows were never the problem. *cough* dead weight puffed chicken *cough*

"You ever wish you has a normal job?" "One where people don't shoot at you? Not once." "Yeah, me, either."

I love how easy their conversation is. These are the little things that add up to big things when you're building a relationship. And some mastermind in the Writer's Room thought, "What if we advance their relationship while advancing the episode's story via VO?"

As much flack as VO sometimes takes (and I'm actually a VO fan), I adore this choice.

We don't need to meet all the people in the office and establish relationships with them. It doesn't service the story or our core characters. So, we're letting Tim and Lucy—two characters we adore—carry us through via the VO. It's bloody beautiful.

Also, I love the pacing of this episode. Love it. There's an effortlessness to the timing of the edits and the passage of time via wardrobe change is so beautifully done.

I know we have the Super giving us time stamps via dates, but those are almost superfluous because we can visualize the journey via other cues. It's stuff like this that makes me bloody giddy.

"Making any friends?"

This. Is. So. Cute. Tim is actually keeping Lucy sane, here, I'm convinced! Remember her last UC assignment where she had to check in via phone? She was bored out of her mind.

"Is the monotony getting to you?" "I don't mind it... I just don't want it to all be for nothing."

This is so interesting to me. The word choice, I mean. This is how I felt about the infertility drugs... it couldn't all be for nothing.

I'm not going to get into the whole thing, here. But, I dealt with multiple years of infertility for my kids. For a while, I had to be on this medication—letrazole. Most people have minor reactions on it. I had almost all the weird/severe reactions.

But it got my follicles to optimum size for ovulation. It wasn't all for nothing.

There are things we put ourselves through willingly, sometimes, that to an outsider might seem strange. But we have a reason for what we're doing—and a hope that it's the right thing to do.

"Why don't we go for a walk?"

It's not Chenford, but I gotta call out my on-screen bestie for using her brains on this one to prevent Frank from taking her to a second location. Well done.

Tim Pretending to Be On the Phone

Fierce protector is there. Now, I'm turning off my subconscious brain on this one, and I'll explain why at the end. But, I did think it was a nice touch to have Tim on the phone, here.

There's something about this episode that felt like a dash of Alias was sprinkled onto the souffle. It's already an abundant hour that could feel bloated, but instead is rich and decadent. But that added spice is palpable in the shooting and editing, especially.

That over-the-shoulder shot of the landscape when Tim's watching them feels hand-held, giving us that sense of something being off-kilter and unstable.

When Tim hangs up, it's a shot of his torso, out-of-focus, with the real action behind him. There are layers to how this is shot, and it's so reminiscent of a spy movie in the best ways.

The whole episode is already elevated by Michael Rooker. But the script and pacing and directing and editing all feel like they've risen to the occasion, too.

"I was bored to early onset rigor mortis."

But this is a part of UC life. It's the "hurry up and wait" that is strangely a huge part of life in the film/television industry, as well. Like, a huge part.

It could be waiting for the sun to set so you have the perfect lighting, waiting for an actor on set, waiting for notes, or even a Writer's Strike if it comes to that.

UC often means embedding for months at a time before getting what you're going after. It's something for which Tim and Lucy must prepare. And I feel like this episode is the perfect vehicle to get us there.

"Like a date?" ... "odds are he's hoping for a little something-something."

Tim is having a hard time, and Grey knows it. I love how he casts a glance Tim's way on this line, sensing his unease.

Let's be real—Grey saw Chenford coming before they did. And he's the one really tuned into Tim, here.

Tim can't help walking her to the door, holding it open for her, even if he knows he can't touch her. He's concerned.

"You okay?" "Five by five." "You gotta treat this like any other op and treat Lucy like any other UC." "I know."

I'll be honest, when I first watched this scene, this is what I wrote: UGH. I don't like what's being set up. Please don't let Tim fuck this up. Please don't let Tim fuck this up.

I have never been so happy to be wrong about my read on a scene. I seriously worried we were setting it up for Tim to be the liability in all this, and I'm grateful that's not the direction it went.

This show has a history of showing couples working through bad times, tough situations, close calls. The core couples suffer as much as any Austen heroine—and they come out alright in the end. I'm grateful to see that tradition continue with Chenford.

"Okay."

First off, I have to admit that I giggled when Lucy's head popped up. I know it's a completely inappropriate response, but all I could picture was one of those Whack-A-Mole's at the Chuck-E-Cheese growing up. She was like a little prairie dog, and I haven't been able to watch the scene since.

Anyway, back to what I wrote when this first aired: Tim sees Lucy and he can breathe, again. She knew. She knew he'd be looking for her.

And Tim knew he couldn't breach. If he went in, that'd give away everything, and someone needed to go after that car.

He's doing everything right. But it hurts like hell.

"Gun was empty. I got lucky. Otherwise..."

And you can see it hurts. Look, Tim has faced a lot worse in his time in the military and working Patrol. But everything is raw right now.

The woman he loves it in danger. She was nearly killed by that same weapon. Both of them had close calls with the same gun and lived to tell the tale.

"Hey, you okay?" "Yeah. I am now.... meet me at the laundry room in your building." "Yes. See you in 30."

I love the touch that Lucy's hand is on the phone before Frank even pulls away. She needs to touch base with Tim. She needs to hear his voice.

And I love the emphasis Melissa O'Neil places on "Yes". It's a heart cry for its soulmate. There is no question that they need to see one another.

Tim has always had this need to protect Lucy, even before romance was on the table. And Lucy has always had a need to protect Tim, too, in her own way.

Lucy watching out for Tim with Isabel. Tim doing whatever it took to save Lucy from a serial killer. Over and over, these two have a need to know the other is okay.

I remember not so long ago Tim was asking Nolan, Nyla, Angela... asking if Lucy was okay. He needed to know. Then, he finally had the direct line as a friend. He could text her to get the details.

Now, they need to see each other. It's that same need, but it's grown along with their relationship.

*hug* "That was really scary." "Yeah, I almost had a heart attack."

Lucy launches herself up into his arms and he nestles into her shoulder. Tim's right hand is splayed across her back, as though he wants to hold as much of her at one time as he can.

It's another one of those "Eric Winter act all the way through his fingers" moments. Tim's whole body is reacting to holding her, safe in his arms, down to those fingertips.

These poor babies. This is the first time they've had to do this deep since Lucy's S3 arc. And they've never done it in love, before. Not with each other.

Tim knows what he lost with Isabel. But this love is different, deeper, developed from the gradual building of trust. Layers upon layers of caring. Lucy is the love of his life—and he's run raw from witnessing the shootout, and skirting death moments apart.

"If you need to tap out-" "No."

Tim is trying to give her an out, and there's a mix here of professional and personal. She's shaken. So is he. But this is the job.

And he knows that. He does. But we've already established he can't be objective where she is concerned.

"Has he tried anything?"

This is a scenario that's run through my mind a million times—what would Tim do if someone violated Lucy... and what would he do to that person?

The way Eric Winter plays this moment is so heartbreaking, too. There's a vulnerability in Tim's eyes that is completely personal, void of professional. He's a man worried about the love of his life.

He knows she can handle herself. It's not a cognitive issue. It's that part of him that cries out Fierce Protector whenever she is in danger.

Lucy gets that, and she grabs onto his jacket with one hand, almost pulling him closer to her.

"Alright, now is not the time to talk about this-"

It's easier for him to change the subject on her than to acknowledge how much they both need to have this conversation at some point. They've been talking around it and avoiding it.

It has to be addressed at some point. There is no way forward without it.

"If you're good, I'm good." "I'm good." "Good."

I'm having a bit of a Court Jester moment, here, and it's cracking me up. "Get it?" "Got it." "Good."

But also, "Good" is kind of their word. Tim used it post-DOD with her in the workout room, and again when he was happy she didn't change her mind about dating him.

I don't know who made the choice—whether it was a writing thing, first, or an actor choice in the moment, but it somehow makes it more personal and lived-in. And I love that.

"Lock the door first."

Did they just.... have sex in there? Oh my GOSH they pulled a Java!

But what I really love about this is how it feels like a callback to 5x01 and the airplane bathroom. Not only is it a small space where they are covertly meeting to discuss the mission, but it's also a parallel to Lucy needing grounding and Tim being the one to do it.

In 5x01, Lucy was shaken by the Rosalind news. She made an excuse to kiss Tim, to wrap herself in a moment that was a release. Remember Isabel talking about how great it was to unwind in that hotel room and not be on guard for a bit?

Lucy needs this. She needs to be with Tim and wrap herself in the life they are building. Even if it's only a little while, it's going to sustain her while she's pretending while thinking on three levels to not get killed.

He grounds her when she's flailing. And she envelopes him when he's crumbling. Tim and Lucy have built a relationship of mutual respect, love, and protection. And, damn, is it great to get to see it on-screen.

"Miss you." "Getting coffee. 1 Minute." "911."

Shit. Of course this is the one moment when something goes down.

But I love the fact that Lucy was having Laundry Room Sex less than 12 hours earlier and she's already texting her boyfriend because she misses him. No wonder he practically lives at her place, already.

Also, now we know she finally has him listed as "Tim" in her phone. Now, he was "Tim" at the end of S4E1, but I think that was an oversight. So, officially we've graduated to first names.

"Hey. Why are you here?"

Oh, GPS tracking, how I hate thee in real life and love thee on TV.

"You got ten seconds to convince me you're not a cop."

Annnnd, there it is. This guy's not a moron. This isn't his first rodeo. And now he has a gun trained on our girl.

"I'm not a cop I... " "Then how the hell did you know they were coming." "A police scanner app. I can show you."

Well. Done. There are folks in my area who have scanner apps and are constantly posting things online.

I sometimes forget about it because when I worked in a newsroom, we had a guy whose whole job was to listen to the scanner. Still boggles my mind anyone can do it these days!

And Lucy. Gets. Him. Monologuing. And it's beautiful. Lessor actors would have bungled it, but Michael Rooker is a bloody master of the craft, and Melissa O'Neil holds her own opposite him, which adds such richness.

Before we move on, I have to pause and just fawn over Michael Rooker a bit. He's just such a gem of an actor, and that whole interaction there between Lucy and Frank is elevated by his presence.

He pours so much life into a character we've barely known five minutes.

I met him once upon a time. My mother was the Key Makeup Artist on a movie called Deceiver. While I was visiting Mom on-set, I had the opportunity to run lines with him.

He treated me like a working actor, which was crazy to a kid like me.

I remember him running me through this one line over and over. It was a three-word line (which of course I can't remember), but he was trying to teach me how inflection and intention can completely change the meaning of a line.

I carried that with me, and applied it to my acting, writing, and VO work the rest of my life.

My mom said he told her that I acted like a pro. And that's just so bloody special to me. I never had the body or the face for the big time, ya know? But, an actor I admire thought I had the chops. And that's super cool.

"Where are you?" "I'm outside the cover apartment. Frank just dropped me off."

One thing that is a minor thing, but really cracks me up about their dialogue is when they see each other in person, there's almost always a "hey" breathed under their breathe. On the phone, they just get to the point. It's so minor, but it makes me smile.

"I think this op is done." "You sure? " "Yeah. I mean, he's got no crew, no product. It's over." "That's too bad." "Why?" "I was looking forward to another laundry room hookup."

You. Idiots. And I say that with all love! It's so nice to see these two really enjoying their relationship, dagnabbit.

"I need a big meal, a hot bath, and some quality sexy time and then I'm gonna sleep for 24 hours."

Lucy runs her hands down his stomach, but Tim's quick to grab her hands. He rubs her arm, as though reminding himself that she's real.

"What what is that? What? " I just... Isabel used to always crash after a long term assignment. It took her months to come back to life."

I have three children. The first two are twins. And they were born just a few months after my best friend had her first. Her second child was born about six months before my third child.

Yes, I have a point. Gimme a second.

I have dealt with two very different children from day one. I don't know what it is to be the mother of a single child. That was never my reality.

But my bestie was shocked by how different her second child was compared to her first. She'd only known one thing for three years, so she assumed that's how all babies would be.

It was simply lack of experience that led her to lean into her previous understanding thinking it was all she needed. That's Tim, here.

He knows that Lucy is different... but they've never done this before. He's never been the one she came home to after a UC assignment.

He's not equating everything to Isabel because he thinks Lucy is Isabel, but because he has no comparisons. Tim and Lucy are going to build that together, yes, but he honestly doesn't know how to do that.

We know that Isabel shut him out. Tim is terrified Lucy will do the same, even though he hasn't verbalized it... yet.

"You know what, I do have to come clean about something, though. I know I made you a promise to not watch Top Chef without me but I couldn't wait. I'm sorry." "Bad girlfriend." "No! No. I'm sorry." "Horrible!"

I'm sheepishly hiding my face because I'm so Lucy in this moment. My on-screen bestie and I have way too much in common.

Also, we needed that bit of levity to break up the scene. Because it's about to get heavy.

"So... Why didn't you tell me you almost died chasing down the shooter at the restaurant?" "Because I didn't. Who told you?"

It's shocking Lucy thought she would ever be able to keep the Five Player Trade quiet considering how quickly gossip moves through that station. Gee wiz!

"The gun was empty, right? So this is much ado about nothing."

A Shakespeare reference? Now I know our girl's been rubbing off on her man.

"Besides I know for a fact you don't tell me everything that happens when you're undercover." "No. you know for a fact that Isabel didn't. If this is gonna between us I need to know you can see the difference."

Here we go. They are finally having the conversation they need to have. Tim told Isabel that Lucy was different. We know he knows it. But he has to believe it, too.

"... listen, I need you to take it seriously if I ever sound the alarm about something. Otherwise the pain of what I went through would have been for nothing. And I can't lose you the way I lost her.

That "for nothing" is coming back around. It can't be for nothing.

And he can't lose her. He survived losing Isabel. Yes, it broke him. It broke him for a long time. But I don't know if he'd ever recover from losing Lucy. True love can have that effect.

"You won't. I'll walk away before it gets close to anything like that. Okay? I promise."

There we go. This was the piece Lucy was missing last week when she tried to broach the subject. She approached it as though it was something he needed to deal with. But relationships only work when we get through together.

This conversation doesn't make everything all better. They are still going to face obstacles and issues. But they are finally being open and honest in both directions about Lucy doing UC.

Tim and Lucy embrace, but this is different than any of their other hugs, and I wonder if it's intentional. Tim has always nestled into her right shoulder. Lucy usually has one arm up and one down.

This time, she almost scoops in underneath as he wraps both arms around her. She's nestled in his wings as he's held up by her strength.

"We can build a house away from here," the song says. And they could. They could both walk away. But we've established that this is the life they love, dangerous as it is.

And the more they fall in love, the more they both have something worst living for. And that's terrifying.

Have you ever been in love? The kind of love that reciprocates and grows? It's amazing. I've only experienced it once, with the love of my life. It's difficult, at times, but it's also rewarding.

And it amplifies the big stuff. Because you're now a part of something so much bigger than the individual. And for Tim and Lucy, putting their lives on the line means there's someone who will be destroyed if they die.

There's all the more reason to live, but that can't get into the decision-making process in the moment. "You have to keep your head in the game," Tim has said often.

Love conquers all, right? Sometimes, it merely complicates.

I'm grateful for this episode. The pacing and directing were so on-point all around, and I felt like all the on-screen characters had moments to shine without it feeling over-bloated. Just beautifully done all-around.

Thank you for reading, loves. This week has been a hard one in my life as I drove back to Wilmington to say what may be my last goodbyes to one of my best friends who I've known since we were 11. Cancer is the B-word.

Cherish the ones you love. Tell them often that you care. Make memories. Build dreams. Chase hope. Live this life, dagnabbit. I believe in you.

[fruitbasketball]

& just adding to my previous post. Some people want Paige to go to LA based on a business standpoint. However, LA facilities are trash, and the coach is terrible. They would need to change that whole program around. I think Paige will do fine from a business standpoint anywhere because she is Paige Bueckers and has an amazing management team.

I just want her on a team where she can develop as a professional basketball player and be part of a team that has the potential to grow with support from the coaches & owners.

obv it’s a lottery so like all this discourse is ultimately pointless

but idk who y’all think eric thibault is 😭😭😭 washington coaching is ALSO ASS

obv practice facilities in washington are better, but if la gets paige - i think they’re gonna HAVE to step it up. and they’ve moved their practice site so fuckin much like i don’t think it’s ludicrous to think they might take it back to ucla health

like you’re looking at growth all across the league - seattle with a new practice facility, the wings moving to american airlines. if (iA) la has the ability to follow that same path, i can see it being really good for paige

i think the place where she gets to develop the most as a professional player is the city and state that lowk MADE HOOPS

cali hoops deserves paige and paige deserves cali hoops

that’s just what i think!!

[naveenkumarchandra]

A Message from a Senior.

Recently I got a chance to revisit and relive all the wonderful memories, of the years spent at easily the single most important place of my life, our beloved institution, IIT Roorkee.

This also gave me a chance to meet some wonderful juniors, very enthusiastic, very energetic and very optimistic, something which we seniors lack. It was very refreshing indeed.

Yet, amidst all the optimism, I also witnessed a line of stress and anxiety running through most conversations, it was perhaps natural for them to be, and perhaps we too used to be the same and like it so happens all the time, looking at things retrospectively brings in a bias and we tend to be more forgiving of our own times. Yet, I felt this and so this message.

All of you are very young, very energetic, very talented and indeed very responsible and thus the stress too must be coming from the reality of your times. The issue though remains this, being at IIT Roorkee, one need not focus on anything else but one thing, to become the best version of themselves and to instil leadership abilities in them, because remember, you would be expected to lead no matter where you go, public or private sector, you would be required to take the lead and guide others.

I would not lie and say that we weren’t stressed in our college days and didn’t bother about things that bother you but experience teaches us and thus I am trying to pass on my experience. One thing which served me really well was trying a variety of things first hand, things which really piqued my interest and things which were appealing to me and were not just in fashion or were being taken up by everyone else. I tried start-ups, working for seniors and then building a couple of my own, probably the best decision I ever took as they taught me more than any book. I tried coding, because it’s very empowering and makes you future ready. I tried research in my core subject as well. All of these activities, not only showed me various directions to take but also various dimensions of myself. Finally when I did decide to go for civil services, it was a sound decision taken by conscious knowledge gathering about all things which appealed to me.

Apart from this, what did bother me was how first years and second years were under a lot of stress regarding their career and jobs. While some amount of stress helps, undue stress and anxiety and that too at a stage where you are supposed to enjoy yourself the most and experiment as much as possible, makes me a little worried. You are at a place where you have in front of you the best of the best, facilities, people, environment, utilise this experience and experiment, fail as much as you can and learn.

It’s not exaggeration when I say that the guy with one of the lowest CGPAs (he had exactly 5.0) in our entire batch is more successful and yes happier than almost everyone in the entire batch, a guy who was written off by most and had his degree extended by one year is now in Foreign Service, a person who decided to skip placements and prepare for Civil services without any coaching or help, a decision for which he was mocked, is happily serving in the IAS (having cleared the exam in 1st attempt), a person who decided to go into his core in his first year itself is still working there and is now one of the foremost young stars in the field.

No one has the right or the authority to tell you that if you don’t do this or that you’ll be left behind. It’s you who decide. No need to participate in any rat race, no need to pursue programming if computers don’t appeal to you, no need to look for random internships if you don’t like the field or the sector, no need for you to leave your core subject if that’s what you wish to do and just because you’ve been told that your core subject is not the future. The only thing you need to do is learn as much as possible about different things, enjoy life & live each and every moment. Trust me, you’d do well in life, in time, career, money, comfort, will all fall in place but this time, in the institute would remain a missed opportunity and a huge regret.

Wishing all of you the best. Rock it!!

Naveen- 2015 batch

[krishna-sangini]

**Warning** Long Rant

The one thing I absolutely hate about my family is the way they always, every single day, ramble me to become an IAS officer.

It may seem like a sob story, but it is what it is. From my very childhood, I was always told, "My granddaughter will be an IAS officer!" Or "My niece will be an IAS officer!" Or "My daughter will fulfil my dream!"

Nobody asked that daughter, that niece, or that granddaughter what she dreamt of becoming...

And when they did ask, it was only to mock, to belittle her dream. Every single day they tell me, "If you become an IAS officer, think of how proud we will be. Think of how we will have a respectable position in society. Think of the power you will exercise."

I know it's a child's duty to fulfil their parents' dreams, but at what cost? What if I say that I don't want that power to begin with? Yes, I do want to serve my nation. But what if I just wanna do it in a different way.

I am, fortunately or unfortunately, a star student. Like, a straight-A student. And on top of that, I took Humanities. So my family is like, "We never stopped you from studying as you liked; can't you do this much for us?"

Like, excuse me? I will serve you and do every part of mine to keep up your honour in society, but I have a life of my own where, at the end of the day, I'll have to face myself. And sorry if I'm asking too much, but I don't wanna face a broken and self-hating self.

I feel tired. I'm honestly too tired. Tired of the hypocrisy of my family. On one hand they will endlessly pester me to take up IAS coaching when I get to Delhi, and on the other hand, they'll say, "We're not pressuring you, love. Do what you like. It's your take."

How can I do what I like when I hear the exact opposite every single day?

I wanna be a professor who can shape her students into better versions of themselves, but seemingly, it is too low of a job for someone of my 'talent'.

I'm so sick and tired of this. I feel like I may break completely.

Honestly speaking, now I sometimes think it would have been better if I was dumb academically.

But I'm sure all this is happening for a reason...

My Keshav is just making me stronger each day. To take on the pressure of the real world ahead.

Thank you for reading this shitpost, honestly. It's a big deal~

[mchiti]

i think they'll be okay tbh. walid's problem is less coaching and more man management, he's great at inspiring people but he's too reliant on that emotional connection to some of the players and is very resistant to using his bench for some reason. i think if he's more flexible with letting the players grow on the pitch then things will slowly improve iA!

his sis sorry for the late reply 😭 yeah I think we're going through a transition and we will be okay in the end inchallah. Still think he should've called sabiri up instead of letting him rot in saudi making perfumes and shit 😭

[beloved-not-broken]

Tips for "family-centered" churches, from someone who fell through the cracks.

I attended megachurches for most of my life, and I went to one for a few years as a single adult. As soon as people there figured out I didn’t want to assimilate into their family-first culture, they let me disappear.

Even before I figured out I was queer, I knew I didn’t fit the mold.

I didn’t want to get married, or have kids. The singles ministry was little more than a setup for Christian men and women* to meet, and eventually pair up.

I stopped going after a while, choosing to attend the just worship service and, on certain Sundays, play in the orchestra. Being among adults of all ages in the music ministry, where there was no expectation to marry one of the members, was more comfortable than being with my peers in the singles ministry.

(*This church was also implicitly non-affirming; male and female were the only recognized genders, and same-sex marriage was never mentioned, indicating that it was a taboo topic.)

It’s been years since I’ve attended a megachurch. I’ve since deconstructed my faith and rebuilt it, embraced my queerness, and discovered my call to ministry.

Now that I’m in a place where I can safely reexamine my old beliefs, I realize that the church at large idolizes the nuclear family.

I’m not the only one who’s made this realization. Many Christian leaders are talking about it, and even Focus on the Family—notorious for its emphasis on fostering healthy, godly families—even stated that family has become an idol.

These are just a few people who’ve written or talked about this phenomenon:

Kevin DeYoung—senior pastor of Christ Covenant Church in Matthews, NC

Kate Shellnutt—writer for Christianity Today

Francis Chan—former pastor of Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley, CA

Tamela Davis—life coach and creator of The F Word

Peter W. Marty—senior pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Davenport, IA

Bringing idolatry to light is a good thing. But I don’t think it’s enough.

If we want to eradicate this form of idolatry, we need to change our hearts, minds, and church programs.

I have a few suggestions.

Emphasize and foster spiritual families, not just the nuclear family.

In Matthew 12:50, Jesus says, “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother" (NIV 2011). As Christians, we share an identity in Christ. As a result, we should be thinking of the entire church as our family, not just those who are related to us by blood or marriage.

Create programs that promote integration, not segregation.

Age and marital status aren’t the only ways to sort people into Sunday school classes. What about faith level? Bible study topic? Theological interests? Young adults, elders and those in between should be given ample opportunity to interact so they can benefit from each other’s perspectives.

The churches I attended don’t recognize the diversity of their members, and instead force them to assimilate to prescribed gender roles. For example, not all women want to get married and have kids. Having women’s Bible studies focus exclusively on biblical marriage and household management excludes them. Where can they go to learn about God or grow in their faith? There’s not a place for them in these churches!

Encourage members to create support systems in their community, not just within their families.

Although the church does its best to promote healthy, godly families, the sad reality is that not all families are tightly knit and self-reliant. Divorcees and widows cannot rely on spouses for support; orphans, foster children, and queer folks who’ve been disowned by their families cannot rely on biological parents for support; and anyone who has strained relationships with their relatives cannot rely on family for support.

In the early days of Christianity, the church was the primary support system for those living in the Roman Empire:

“They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

Acts 2:45-47 (NIV 2011)

The church exists, in part, to be a community for those who otherwise wouldn’t have one. But unfortunately, many churches today exclude those who need the most support. I wonder what Jesus would have to say about that.

Final thoughts

In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul compared the church to the human body. Although he was speaking primarily about the purpose of spiritual gifts, we could apply his analogy to the insight that each member of a church brings to the whole congregation. Churches that have placed the family on a pedestal might not realize that they’ve fallen into idolatry unless single adults, widows, orphans, and others without strong family ties call it out.

We need everyone to contribute to this spiritual community. To call out idolatry. To carry each other's burdens in difficult times and rejoice with them in the good times. To support each other when our families cannot.

We need each other, period.

[upscwithnikhil]

China is considering establishing a naval station in Pakistan, India may once again be concerned about the much-discussed Chinese philosophy of "String of Pearls," which aims to confine both lands and India's maritime footprint in the region. A geopolitical idea about the network of Chinese aims in the region of the Indian Ocean is known as the "String of Pearls" (IOR).

Read More About String of Pearls Click on The Link... https://bit.ly/3W1kGZ8

[ankitjain22]

IAS Institute in Jaipur: A Guide to Finding the Best Coaching center

Are you preparing for the Indian Administrative Services (IAS) exam and looking for the best coaching center in Jaipur? Look no further! Jaipur, the pink city of India, is home to many renowned institutes that offer comprehensive coaching for the IAS exam. However, with so many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming to find the right one for you. In this blog post, we will provide a guide to help you find the best IAS institute in Jaipur.

Research: Before making a decision, it's important to do your research. Look for institutes that have a good reputation and have produced successful candidates in the past. You can also ask for recommendations from friends or family who have taken coaching for the IAS exam.

Faculty: The quality of teaching is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing an IAS institute. Look for institutes that have experienced and qualified faculty members. They should have knowledge of the latest exam patterns and be able to provide guidance on how to crack the exam.

Study Material: The institute should provide comprehensive study material that covers all the important topics of the IAS exam. The material should be up-to-date and include previous year question papers, practice tests, and mock exams.

Infrastructure: The institute should have a good infrastructure, including well-equipped classrooms, a library, and computer lab. The classrooms should be spacious and well-ventilated, and the library should have a wide collection of books and journals.

Location: The location of the institute is another important factor to consider. It should be easily accessible and located in a convenient location.

Fee structure: The fee structure of the institute is also an important consideration. It should be affordable and within your budget.

At KSG India, we understand the importance of finding the right Institute for IAS coaching. We provide comprehensive coaching and guidance to students who are preparing for the IAS exam. Our faculty members are experienced and qualified, and we provide up-to-date study material that covers all the important topics of the exam. Our institute is located in a convenient location and is easily accessible. Contact us for more information about our IAS coaching program in Jaipur.

[hyphenscs]

It was an absolute honor for Arun Pandit ® Co-founder of Hyphen SCS to give the vote of thanks to respected Arun Goyal Sir at a special session organized by the Young Leaders Council AIMA on the topic “Indian Economy and Role of Youth in the 20th Century”. His distinguished academic record i.e. clearing three of the toughest exams in the country i.e. IIT, IIM, and IAS without coaching or taking any leave is simply awe-inspiring. His focus on integrity, hunger for learning, continuous development, building expertise in a niche, life being a marathon, not a sprint, the indispensable role of hard work, and the need of staying humble and grounded as an essential ingredient for success were some of the key takeaways. He is currently a Member of the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission and also the former Secretary to Govt. of India. He is a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer with more than 34 years of wide-ranging experience, particularly in the areas of power, finance, infrastructure, trade, and industry. He has been a part of some of the most historic reforms in India - Transition from GATT to WTO regime; Carrying forward Delhi's power reforms involving unbundling & privatization of distribution; Setting up India's Financial Intelligence Unit and establishing Anti- Money Laundering regime and Rolling out of GST in time bound manner. This session was moderated by the ever-so-lively and dynamic Dr. Himanshu Talwar, Chairman, Delhi and NCR Chapter for Young Leaders Council AIMA by All India Management Association (AIMA), and also an International TEDx speaker. Arun Goyal Sir also found time to understand what we are building at Hyphen SCS and shared his valuable suggestions and priceless blessings for our success. Visit hyphenscs.com to know more! #experience #india #management #learning #finance #development #coaching #leaders #economy #power #infrastructure #intelligence #success #electricity #building #aima #ylc #arungoyal #arunpandit #hyphenscs #himanshutalwar #diplomat #ias #iim #iit #hyphenscs #voteofthanks #events #seminars #leadership

[siddhipunjab]

PCS Coaching in Chandigarh

Chandigarh has become a hub for civil services aspirants, especially for those aiming to crack the Punjab Civil Services (PCS) exams. With numerous coaching centers offering guidance, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Among the many options, Siddhi IAS stands out as a premier institute for PCS coaching in Chandigarh. With its experienced faculty, structured study programs, and high success rate, Siddhi IAS has become a preferred choice for PCS aspirants. In this microblog, we’ll delve into what makes Siddhi IAS the best PCS coaching institute in Chandigarh and how it can help you achieve your dream of becoming a civil servant.

Why Choose Siddhi IAS for PCS Coaching in Chandigarh?

1. Experienced Faculty

Siddhi IAS boasts a team of highly experienced and qualified faculty members who have a deep understanding of the PCS exam pattern and syllabus. Their expertise, combined with a passion for teaching, helps students grasp complex concepts with ease. The faculty at Siddhi IAS not only teaches the subjects but also motivates and mentors students, guiding them through their preparation journey.

2. Comprehensive Study Material

One of the key advantages of enrolling at Siddhi IAS is access to well-researched and up-to-date study material. The institute provides comprehensive notes, books, and practice papers that cover the entire PCS syllabus. This material is designed to be concise yet thorough, helping students prepare effectively without feeling overwhelmed.

3. Regular Mock Tests and Evaluation

Mock tests are an essential part of PCS preparation as they help students assess their knowledge and exam readiness. Siddhi IAS conducts regular mock tests that simulate the actual exam environment, allowing students to get comfortable with the pressure and timing. These tests are followed by detailed evaluations and feedback sessions, helping students identify their strengths and areas for improvement.

4. Personalized Mentorship and Guidance

Every student has unique learning needs, and Siddhi IAS recognizes this. The institute offers personalized mentorship and one-on-one guidance to help students develop a tailored study plan. This personalized approach ensures that each student can maximize their potential and focus on their weak areas, ultimately improving their overall performance.

5. Focused Preparation for Prelims, Mains, and Interviews

Siddhi IAS provides comprehensive coaching that covers all three stages of the PCS exam: Prelims, Mains, and Interviews. Each stage requires a different approach, and Siddhi IAS has designed its programs accordingly. From objective-type questions for Prelims to in-depth answer writing practice for Mains, and mock interviews for the final stage, the institute ensures that students are well-prepared for every aspect of the exam.

6. Convenient Location and Flexible Batch Timings

Located in the heart of Chandigarh, Siddhi IAS is easily accessible for students from all parts of the city. The institute offers flexible batch timings, including weekday and weekend classes, making it convenient for working professionals and college students to attend.

7. Proven Track Record of Success

One of the most compelling reasons to choose Siddhi IAS for PCS coaching in Chandigarh is its proven track record of success. The institute has consistently produced top-rankers in the PCS exams, and many of its alumni are now serving as successful officers in various departments of the Punjab government. This success rate is a testament to the quality of coaching and dedication of the faculty at Siddhi IAS.

Additional Support for Holistic Development

Apart from academic support, Siddhi IAS also focuses on the holistic development of its students. The institute conducts regular sessions on personality development, stress management, and effective communication skills, all of which are crucial for the interview stage and a successful career in civil services.

How to Enroll at Siddhi IAS?

Enrolling at Siddhi IAS is a straightforward process. Interested candidates can visit the Siddhi IAS to learn more about the courses offered and fill out the online registration form. The institute also provides counseling sessions to help students understand their strengths and choose the right course.

Conclusion

Cracking the PCS exam requires more than just hard work; it requires the right guidance and a strategic approach. With its experienced faculty, comprehensive study material, personalized mentorship, and a proven track record of success, Siddhi IAS is undoubtedly the best choice for PCS coaching in Chandigarh. If you’re serious about your PCS preparation and want to join a coaching institute that genuinely cares about your success, look no further than Siddhi IAS.

[upscblogs-101]

EDEN IAS is one of the best IAS coaching institutes in Delhi. EDEN IAS has a great deal of experience in this area and has developed the LAKSHYA. This 3-year foundation course is working incredibly hard to provide the best training possible for the students.

This can be demonstrated by citing the detailed sessions on NCERT materials and other up-to-date study materials, expert panel supervision, and academic scholars as examples.

[vajiraoandreddyiasinstitute52]

Top 5 Resources for Current Affairs for UPSC Preparation

Preparation to take exam UPSC Civil Services Examination is an extensive process that requires a thorough knowledge of the current events. These events are a crucial component of the UPSC syllabus, comprising the majority of both the Mains and Preliminary tests. In order to help applicants to navigate through this maze of information Here are the most reliable five sources to stay informed about current events to help with UPSC exam preparation.

1. Newspapers

Newspapers are an old yet effective method for UPSC hopefuls. These reputable newspapers offer extensive coverage of events across the globe along with editorials and expert opinion. They are essential to understand the background of various topics, which is essential to understanding the nature of UPSC tests. Regular reading can help build an enduring foundation for the current events, and improves the comprehension of students and making them more receptive to.

2. Government Publications

A variety of Government publications are invaluable sources. Yojana Magazine, in particular is highly recommended due to its in-depth articles about government policies, schemes as well as socio-economic concerns. It offers a balanced overview of the current situation from the viewpoint of the decision-makers, which makes it an essential read for those aspiring to the UPSC. Furthermore, certain documents are crucial to comprehend the economics that are part of this UPSC syllabus.

3. Mobile Portals Online and Apps

In this digital age web-based portals as well as mobile apps have become more popular with UPSC hopefuls. Many websites provide regularly updated and reliable information on the latest government initiatives, parliamentary debates as well as policy analysis. A variety of Mobile apps offer daily news summaries, tests and analysis of editorials designed to meet the requirements of UPSC applicants. These platforms are particularly beneficial for those who want to take a short quick learning on the go.

4. Monthly Current and Current Affairs Magazines

Monthly Current Affairs are specifically created for examinations that require competitive skills. They include important news events as well as analyses and models of questions that are vital to UPSC preparation. These magazines aid applicants to revise their current news in a systematic manner and offer exercises that replicate the exam format. The concise summaries as well as the experts' opinions are useful to quickly revise and final-minute exam preparations.

5. Video Lectures and online courses

Online courses and video lectures are gaining popularity because of their engaging and interactive nature. Many video streaming sites offer extensive videos on current events taught by knowledgeable educators. These videos break down complicated topics into digestible segments which makes it simpler for learners to understand and retain knowledge. Courses online often have questions as well as notes and interactive sessions that enrich the learning experience overall. They are especially helpful for people who have trouble seeing and prefer structured instruction.

Conclusion

Staying informed on the latest news is essential to succeed during taking the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Combining these sources will ensure a comprehensive and complete preparation. While government and newspaper publications are great for gaining a basic understanding and information, online portals, monthly videos, and magazines provide up-to-date information and different perspectives. Incorporating these resources in your studying routine to improve your knowledge of current events and improve your overall performance on the test.

We at Vajirao and Reddy IAS coaching in Delhi, we are aware of that the significance of keeping up-to date with current events in UPSC preparation. Our comprehensive courses and expert instructions are designed to help applicants navigate the overwhelming UPSC syllabus efficiently. Utilizing the best sources for the latest news, you'll be able to keep ahead of the preparation process and meet your dream of becoming an official in the civil service.