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[liaromancewriter]

Stand By Me

Premise: Cassie experiences the downside of having Ethan Ramsey as a mentor.

Book: Open Heart (post series) Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Cassie Valentine) Rating/Category: Teen. Angsty Fluff Format: Prose + Text and Pic Fic Words: 2,610

A/N: Submission for @choicesaprilchallenge24 prompt, two-word sentence starter: "you're wrong"

Part 1: The Calm

Cassie Valentine had never traveled quite like this. The cargo plane’s interior was cavernous and dimly lit, a stark contrast to the tightly packed but bright commercial jet that had flown her and Ethan Ramsey from Boston to Miami for the first leg of their trek to assist humanitarian efforts after an earthquake in Haiti.

Cassie thought idly that the jet had been more comfortable with its plush seating. She sat cross-legged on the cold, metal floor, a duffle bag shoved behind her, cushioning her lower back from the unyielding steel, and scanned her surroundings.

The sparse interior was devoid of the usual comforts of commercial flights. There were no overhead bins, seatback trays or in-flight entertainment to pass the time. Just an expansive, unadorned metal hull echoing with the sound of the engines, a constant, deafening roar that made any attempt at conversation futile.

“Hope you’re strapped in tight, folks,” Hank, the team leader, shouted above the noise.

Standing in the center of the plane, his legs spread for balance, he stretched his long arms to grip one of the loops hanging from the ceiling.

“It’s going to be a bumpy ride, but at least there’s no middle seat to fight over,” Hank continued matter-of-factly as the plane gained speed on the runway, its sides rattling in response. A few people chuckled.

He finished his safety instructions a minute or two before the wheels lifted off the tarmac, and quickly strapped himself into a jump seat on the far side. He caught her watching him, and winked flirtatiously.

Back on the ground, Ethan had greeted Hank with an easy familiarity borne out of their shared experience during the Amazon mission years earlier. The casual insults had rolled off their tongues as they needled each other jokingly.

Cassie suspected this trip would be eye-opening in more ways than one as she spied on Ethan’s relaxed profile out of the corner of her eye. As if sensing her scrutiny, he glanced askance at her and she gave him a thumbs up signal.

She huddled inside the leather jacket, shivering from the chill that permeated the aircraft as it began its ascent. Leaning her head on Ethan’s shoulder, she smiled ruefully at Libby, the petite red-haired fifth-year surgical resident strapped in across from her.

They’d gotten to chatting in the hangar as they waited for the plane to be loaded with boxes filled with medical and food supplies and humanitarian aid packages. Libby, on her third trip to a disaster zone, had been a fount of information on what to expect and advice on how to manage in crude living conditions.

Cassie felt a sense of adventure mingled with apprehension. The headlines coming out of Port-au-Prince had painted a bleak picture of destruction, death and despair.

When Ethan’s contact in the WHO reached out asking for medical volunteers, Cassie knew she wasn’t going to be left behind this time. She might not have experience in field hospitals, but it was time she got it.

Ethan hadn’t argued or tried to talk her out of it. They were doctors; this is what they did.

As the plane reached cruising altitude, Cassie peered out of a small window near the floor. The view was obscured by a thick mesh covering the outside, but it did little to diminish the sense of wonder at the vast blue sea below, the calm surface broken only by the white crests of waves.

The flight was long, longer still, with nothing to do to pass the time. Cassie found herself drifting off to sleep, lulled by the monotony of the engine’s roar and the comforting feel of Ethan’s arm around her.

The next thing she knew, he was nudging her awake. The plane’s vibration beneath her had changed, gradually descending as they approached their destination. The atmosphere inside was abuzz with anticipation. Shortly after, the plane touched down on the tarmac, the landing rougher than the take-off.

“Ready?” Ethan asked as they unstrapped themselves once the plane had come to a halt.

Cassie nodded, stretching her arms and legs to shake off the stiffness. “Next time, remind me to grab a sleeping bag and some snacks.”

He chuckled, but his smile was soft as he stared into her green eyes. He ran his index finger down the side of her face, tucked back a lock of blonde hair that had escaped her ponytail, and tilted her face up.

The kiss was a mere brush of the lips, whisper soft, barely there before it was gone. It was the last moment of normality. Once they disembarked, everything would change.

Part 2: The Storm

The oppressive heat and humidity were unlike anything Cassie had experienced before, although she’d certainly been to the tropics. Her brother’s island home on St. Thomas was a few hundred miles east, but its luxurious, air-conditioned environs were worlds apart from the rows of beige-colored tents spread out in every direction.

The back of her short-sleeved cotton scrub top was damp from perspiration, so she lifted the hem to air it out. Exiting the stuffy interior of a medical tent housing non-urgent cases, Cassie took a deep breath. The pungent smells of human waste and unwashed bodies hit her nostrils immediately, and she started gagging.

Sweat dripped down her face, and she wiped it away with the back of her hand. In the last few days, she’d lost her weight in fluids as they dug latrines, carried supplies from one end of the field hospital to another and spent hours in airless spaces treating patients whose eyes were inconsolable with loss.

It had taken her more than a minute to get her bearings, but Ethan had been in his element. She knew he’d volunteered with Partners in Health when he was a resident and fellow. But she’d had a hard time picturing the sophisticated, opera-loving Dr. Ramsey in such crude surroundings, digging ditches, boots covered in mud, grime staining his clothes.

They had both been busy in their respective areas, retreating every night, bone tired, muscles aching, to their assigned bedroom in staff housing near the hospital. All they did was sleep before waking up early to do it all over again.

Suddenly missing him and desperate to feel his arms around her, Cassie marched down the dirt path between tents, her green eyes searching for him or someone familiar who could tell her if they’d seen him.

Her ears pricked when she heard his deep voice and distinctive laugh close by. Changing directions, she followed her instincts and turned left, slowing down when she saw him standing in the middle of a clearing, his back to her.

Ethan was with an older man she hadn’t met before. His gray hair was long from the back, brushing past his collar, with deep-set eyes and a hooked nose. He spoke English with a heavy accent, gesticulating with his hands for emphasis.

The other man caught her spying on them, and his voice boomed, chiding. “Ah, another acolyte for my young friend. It’s always the same story, eh, Ramsey?”

Cassie flushed when she realized he was referring to her.

Surprised, Ethan spun on his heels and relaxed when he spotted her. “Cassie.”

Her earlier euphoria faded, replaced by a gnawing feeling in the pit of her stomach as she joined them.

“You know each other?” The other man asked, glancing between her and Ethan.

“Klaus, meet Dr. Valentine.” Ethan made the introductions. “Cassie, this is Dr. van Rijn, special missions head at the WHO. We go way back.”

“Valentine, Valentine. Why do I know that name?” Dr. van Rijn tapped one finger against his lips before his eyes cleared in recognition. “Ah, yes, of course.”

Cassie felt a momentary high at being recognized by someone of his stature, but his next words had her deflating like a balloon popped with a pin.

“You’re the intern!”

“That was six years ago,” Ethan shook his head in amusement. “She’s hardly an intern anymore, Klaus. Dr. Valentine is—”

“Your mentee, or rather, your protege,” he interrupted. “Yes, yes, Ethan, I remember. My hair is more gray than when we last saw each other, but my memory is sharper than ever.”

“But your hearing could use some work,” Ethan retorted, shoving his hands in his pant pockets. “As I was saying….”

Cassie saw herself standing in a long tunnel, the dismissive words spoken by the other man echoing around her. Intern. Mentee. Ramsey’s protege. Reduced to nothing more than that.

“Cassie, are you alright?”

Ethan’s concerned voice broke through her reverie, and she looked up, startled. They were both staring at her, one in disquiet and the other with curiosity.

“Sorry, I was miles away,” Cassie said. “What were you talking about?”

“Ethan was just telling me you’re now leading his former team,” van Rijn said. “That’s quite an accomplishment for one so young. You made a smart decision when you chose to train under Dr. Ramsey. He’s one of the best and most astute physicians I’ve ever met. You’ll go far if you keep following in your mentor’s footsteps.”

Incensed at the implication that her success was not of her own making, Cassie opened her mouth to deliver a cutting retort or at least defend her record. But Ethan stepped in front of her, figuratively, and beat her to it.

“That’s unfair, Klaus,” Ethan said sternly. “Dr. Valentine is brilliant. She diagnosed and found a cure for Naveen when he and I had both given up. She’s the keynote speaker at this year’s AADM conference, just like I was all those years ago, and is a special advisor to a Congressional national committee on healthcare affordability.”

He paused, frowning slightly before continuing. “And before you shove your foot even further down your mouth, you’ve apparently forgotten that she’s also my wife.”

Cassie stared in shock at Ethan, her ears ringing. His wife?!? That’s how he chose to end this? She thought they were partners and equals first, but clearly, she’d been mistaken.

“I heard you’d gotten married,” van Rijn said, flustered, “but I didn’t realize it was to…”

His words trailed off, and his cheeks turned red with embarrassment as he glanced at Cassie.

Ethan, too, watched her warily as she continued to stand there in stony silence, arms folded tightly across her front.

As she grappled with her emotions, feeling the old imposter syndrome return, Cassie knew she would blow her top if she didn’t walk away now. Preferably with her dignity intact.

“It was a pleasure,” she almost tripped over the word, “to meet you, Dr. van Rijn. I have to get back to work.”

She nodded rigidly at Ethan. “I’ll see you later.”

She was practically running once she was out of sight, unable to slow down despite the heat making her lightheaded.

Cassie often counted her blessings that she’d gotten a chance to work with Ethan, the compassionate and caring doctor who’d captured her heart. But for the first time in her life, she wished she’d never met Dr. Ramsey.

Part 3: The Aftermath

Part 4: The Closure

Ethan poured Malbec into a long-stemmed wine glass for Cassie the moment he heard her keys rattle in the apartment door. He’d had his ears cocked for the last half-hour, the trepidation building with every passing minute.

He heard the swoosh of the hallway closet door as she likely hung up her coat and the clatter of her shoes hitting the hardwood floor. Just as she walked into the living room, he took a large swallow of his wine and promptly started coughing when it went down the wrong pipe.

“Are you okay?” Cassie asked, her brow furrowed in concern as she approached him and brushed her hand up and down his back.

Ethan nodded, wheezing as the cough tickled his throat. He set the glass on the counter before he spilled the drink all over the kitchen floor. Finally, he managed to get himself under control.

Cassie lifted the glass of wine he’d poured for her and sipped slowly, her eyes closing as she savored the taste.

“You always know just what I need,” she said with a deep sigh. “M&M was particularly long and exhausting. Tell me, why did I choose to stay in academic medicine?”

“You’re wrong,” Ethan said quietly, causing her eyes to drift open and stare at him in surprise. “I don’t always know what you need. Something’s gone wrong between us. Things haven’t been the same since Haiti.”

Cassie pursed her lips and watched him above the rim of her glass, not reacting to his statement in any other way. Then she finished her wine and set the glass down on the counter.

“We already discussed this back then and today on text,” Cassie reminded him. “What else is there to say?”

She shrugged, and then her eyes turned hard like steel. “I need to stand on my own, but who you are, what you are…well, it casts a long shadow. I didn’t like how you and Klaus reduced me to someone who exists only because of what you saw in me. And not because I worked hard for it.”

“I didn’t mean—”

“I know,” Cassie cut him off. “You might not have meant to, but you defending me without giving me a chance to do it myself, you might as well have.”

“Why can’t I stand up for you?” Ethan said, frustration leaking through as he stabbed his fingers into his hair.

“I need you to stand by me, not for me,” Cassie said, her tone measured in response to his heated one. “I will always be measured by your reputation, just like you have to contend with Naveen’s legacy. We can’t control what others say or do. I’ve accepted it.”

“Then why are you angry with me?” Ethan shot back.

“I’m not angry.”

Cassie closed the distance between them, her smile throwing him off. When she took his hand and laced her fingers through his, he felt as if the tight band around his heart loosened.

“I’m not angry,” she repeated, squeezing his fingers. “But I resent that, despite what we talked about in Haiti, your natural inclination on seeing that Pictagram post was to respond defending my honor.”

“Don’t deny it,” she cautioned when he started to do just that. “If I wanted to shoot down small-minded individuals, I’m more than capable of doing it myself.”

Ethan took a deep breath in and then exhaled. “I did want to do that,” he admitted. “I saw red because what they said was so far from reality.”

“If you thought that was bad, it’s good you’re not on Reddit,” Cassie said, twisting her lips in a wry smile.

“You know, if someone attacked your reputation, I’d be upset too.” She nestled against him, and he wrapped his arms around her waist.

“But we both know the truth. I respect you enough to let you tear into shreds anyone that came at you. Give me the same courtesy, at least professionally,” Cassie added, angling her lips to kiss the underside of his jaw.

“If it was a personal attack, you have my permission to destroy them with that deathly Dr. Ramsey glare.”

Ethan snorted with laughter when she perfectly mimicked his angry expression.

“You’ve got yourself a deal,” he said, framing her face between his hands. His lips hovered above hers, waiting, prolonging the anticipation.

“You may kis—”

But she didn’t need to finish for he was already kissing her, and she was kissing him back. Everything was finally right in their world.

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

All Fics & Edits: @bluebelle08 @coffeeheartaddict2 @crazy-loca-blog @jerzwriter @lady-calypso @mainstreetreader @peonierose @potionsprefect @queencarb @quixoticdreamer16 @justyourusualash @tessa-liam @trappedinfanfiction

Submissions: @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

Ethan & Cassie only: @cariantha @custaroonie @youlookappropriate

[pcttymcrlecu]

dreams of someone ✒︎ m.barzal

summary: all lina’s dreams seemingly had come true – and then she met mat in a time where they both needed ... someone

featuring: mat barzal, lina thorne (oc), sydney esiason martin, and the rest of the martin family in mention

word count: 3.8k

warnings: none -- there is a ton of food mention though especially of the baked variety

dedication: this little one shot was written for bre (@fallinallincurls) for demi's winter fic exchange!

the last time ii wrote about mat was two or so years ago so please give me some grace. but writing this was the exact challenge that i needed so i really did enjoy writing it for you and adjusting it to suit your desires. so, i hope it meets your expectations and that you enjoy it!

and a little dedication as per always to demi (@wyattjohnston) for hosting and understanding that life sometimes happens.

It was a typical opening morning for Lina Thorne. She’d woken up at 4:30am, showered and got herself ready for her shift. It was a quick morning stroll to her place when the city that never sleeps was a lot quieter than and the sun was still well below the horizon and wouldn’t be painting the skies until the first batch of cookies was in the oven. The woman couldn’t hide the yawn that left her mouth as her key slid into the lock and the front door to the store opened.

Lina never imagined that she be living the dream in New York City, especially since her dreams of staying out in the big city upon finishing her internship with her mentor never came true. Instead, she found herself dreaming of what life in the big city could be for her, working in a bakery out in Boston honing her skills and surprisingly making herself seemingly at home. She had been referred for the position by her mentor despite his own wants to let the young chef go. Working her way into management and securing respect and acknowledgement in the pastry world. All an up-and-coming pastry chef could ask for. It wasn’t until during a prep day that her boss mentioned a position that she was put into consideration for that would lead her back to the city of her dreams and training not only as a baker but rather the head baker of the newest branch of the bakery she’d happily called home for the last three years.

However, as stood in the commercial kitchen under bright cool lights, being able to say she ran the little bakery on the island, she couldn’t help but pat herself on the back. The nerves had initially consumed her and although her boss and the owner of the bakery had been around for training of staff, prepping for the opening and the grand opening itself. Almost as soon as the store was open and running within the week, she was then solely in charge. It was days like this, however, that she loved the most. Mornings where she was able to get back into the very reason why she got into baking in the first place. It was a time when she could take a moment to herself and just breathe. Especially on a day like today when she had a big order to fill out, for none other than one of her newest friends in the neighbourhood.

Lina’s eyes flitted towards the clock, keenly aware that it was fast approaching time to slip the decorated sign on the door and let customers know that they were open. She had since been joined by two baristas and two of the bakers who were due to take over from her once the store opened up whilst she got her deliveries done before working through paperwork. The shout from one of the aforementioned baristas shook her out of her haze as she iced the cookies in front of her. Calling out for a moment, she finished up the cookie she was decorating before placing the pining bag down and reaching for the dishtowel. 

Walking out into the front, she sent a smile to the two college students who were pulling down chairs and wiping tables before her eyes landed on a familiar head of hair tapping their fingers against her counter. Pulling a face of confusion, she moved towards him dropping the dishtowel.

“We’re not open yet.” She spoke before crossing her arms as he turned towards her. A smile that she could only describe as cheeky sat on his lips as he gave her a little shrug before leaning towards her.

“I was told to pick up a cookie deliver. Sydney’s orders,” He spoke with amusement filling his words, “There’s no saying no to that woman.”

“Mat, Syd’s order is set for delivery.” She wasn’t quite sure if she believed in what he was saying but it wasn’t in her nature to be unkind.

Lina had met Mat by chance and obviously all thanks to the woman currently in question. Sydney and a couple of the other wives and girlfriends of the Islanders had dropped by for a coffee date from which Sydney had made it her newest spot and was happily welcomed by the bakery’s staff as a regular. The more time Sydney spent in the establishment, the more opportunities she got to speak with young women and truly it was hard to say no to that woman. Before she knew it, she was being invited to dinners, and girls’ nights – she had even frequented hockey games which was something she hadn’t done since she was in culinary school. The late nights of the games just didn’t align with the early morning that was required of her at the store. It was one of the rare late nights she had free when she was invited by Sydney to a dinner party at the Martin residence and she had run into Mat. The story according to Syd was that Mat was only invited because of a recent break-up and them wanting him to be around people who loved him and wanted nothing but happiness for him. It, and Lina will quote, “is not a matchmaking setup” like other introductions to Sydney’s male friends of the same age as the baker had been.

The two had been seated next to one another and Mat’s glum mood had caught her attention. But not knowing anything of his current situation and maybe having had a little too much fun doing unplanned pres with the hostess with the mostess gifting her looser lips than normal, she had made a remark about his apparent brooding. A thought she assumed was just that but upon hearing the chatter quieten down a little, she realised her words most definitely left her mouth. Slowly lowering her glass to the table, she turned to apologise to the male beside her when the snort that he let out left her sorry and confused. It was all quickly replaced with intrigue when he shot back with a retort of his own, prompting the two adults into a comfortable and playful argument. It was that moment where instead of anticipating the presence of a certain blonde every day, she noticed a certain brunet make a place for himself at the table closest to the counter by the display case.

The baker had been warned against Matt’s teammates but none other than Matt himself. She’d gotten the idea that Matt was keenly aware of his wife’s ability to befriend people and more importantly take them under her wing, if how quickly she was welcomed into the family dynamic of Martins was anything to go by. Regarding dating, who was she to question a man who spent most of his time with said teammates, she doubted she’d ever even meet and if she ever did, so many faces pass through her doors, she wouldn’t even remember them. Which is why the hockey player who had chosen to make himself a fixture had initially garnered a little apprehension from her but without fail, he always came in and grabbed a coffee (and a cake on those days he chose to treat himself), his a seat and left when he was all done, never without a generous tip. He was kind enough to her staff and even kinder to the other regulars who were in at the same time as him, so she let him be. All business is good business, even though she knew for a fact there were coffee shops much closer to his apartment, the arena and even the practice facility. But who was she to complain.

She couldn’t remember when it started but she eventually started joining him when he’d visit in the mornings. Their chats were surprisingly something familiar, and comfortable, like talking to an old friend. They joked and teased but most of the time they just let go. It had been a couple weeks since they first met, and it wasn’t until the second week of them sharing a drink that he’d actually opened up about why he was looking so glum the night they had met and why he was hanging around her café. How he got her store details from Sydney and how he was drawn to the fact that she didn’t handle him as though he was fragile. How all he had wanted when it felt like someone he cared about deeply had uprooted him from his very foundation was normalcy. And that’s what Lina gave him. He was just another friend of a friend to her; he was just Mat to her. Not heartbroken Mat, not healing Mat, not even NHL superstar – Just Mat.

“Well, you’re not all that Mathew.” She had stated to which he could only respond with a soft ‘Exactly’. Ever since that moment, they had shared ample time with one another both in and outside of his coffee trips. And despite the time Mat has been spending within their four brick walls, it was still a surprise to see him at the store before opening.

“Can’t be, she sent me a frantic message at 7 telling me she needed a favour and who am I to fulfil my favourite uncle duties,” He explained before sending a wink her way, “Anything for Winnie.”

“Yeah, she lied to you,” She answered, giving him a double pat on the shoulder and a short cackle before moving over and opening the gate for the man, “One time only, might as well put you to work.”

The two of them made their way to the kitchen and while Mat went to wash his hands (not before Lina pointed a firm finger towards the sink to gently direct him to do so), Lina grabbed him a free apron and tossed it over his shoulder. Moving back to the station where the last of the cookies were waiting to be decorated and then packed away for delivery. 

“So, what can I do?” Mat slipped the apron over his head as he leaned over to observe the spread of baked goods before glancing back over at her. His confident smile slowly slipped off his face as she grabbed a piping bag and handed it over to him.

“I line, you flood.”

“Didn’t you train like three years for this?” Giving the bag a gentle squish and frowning when no icing flowed out.

“It’s basically impossible to mess it up, it’s like colour by numbers,” She explained softly as she grabbed a pair of scissors and snipped the end of the piping bag while adjusting his hand to make sure no icing was wasted. Pulling the cookies, she was previously working on in front of him all lined and ready to fill in front of him, before gesturing towards the piping bag and gesturing back to the cookies. “Match the flood colour to the line colour. Winnie does it all the time.”

“While I know that’s not really true, the dig hurts.” His free hand flew up to his chest in mock hurt before laughing and finally putting icing to cookie with an almost amusing amount of concentration.

“Get filling pretty boy, I will not have my little princess disappointed.”

The two of them worked almost like a well-oiled machine. It almost felt like she was back in culinary school, helping out with the younger years. They weren’t always perfect, but their hearts were always in the right place and if there was one thing she had learnt about Mat was that his heart was always in the right place. Almost to a fault. The whole bravado he put on was more like a mask. At least in front of her. He never had any walls up with her, but he definitely had worn the walls she constructed when she moved down. She always knew that those walls had to come down eventually, but she definitely didn’t expect it would come from a chance encounter with a random stranger. The girls and her staff had done their fair share and warming her up and making her feel at home but the first time she ever truly let herself be with no pretences and no fears of being judged and not fitting in was sitting in the store over a cup of coffee with Mat.

Before long, all the cookies, cupcakes, and the grand finale cake of it all were packed into the refrigerated bakery van ready for transportation to the Martins' house, where preparations, if the texts and calls she had received from Sydney were anything to go by, were well underway.  Despite Mat’s pleas to drive, Lina kept a firm hold of the keys until they were safely parked in their friends’ driveway. Grabbing her garment bag from its place hanging in the backseat, she walked up to the front door. Mat’s knuckles were knocking against the wooden door as Lina reached him up on the front step. His eyes were drawn to the bag in her hand, and he couldn’t help but bring up his curiosity.

“What’s with the change of attire?” 

“As if I’m going to spend the rest of the day in clothing that’s covered in powdered sugar, flour and dried batter and dough. Plus, if I’m going to be around kids with surprisingly sticky hands, I’m going to start with a fresh slate.” Her words were light and humorous and before Mat could even attempt a response, the door opened and a hand was wrapped around Lina’s wrist, pulling her into the house quickly.

“Thank goodness you’re here, I need your help.” The blonde in front of her pulled her to the side before aggressively motioning to Mat who was still pulling his shoes off. He almost comically pointed to himself before looking behind him only to be physically pulled into their little huddle a second later, “There’s so much left to sort out and both Alice and Winnie want pancakes. Help Matty and I out?”

“Don’t think I’m your guy, I’mma just –“ 

“Of course we can help, go do what you need to do,” Lina responded, grabbing onto Mat’s arm before he walked away. Sydney gave her a smile and with a blown kiss, she was gone. Once her friend was out of view, Lina’s hand swung up to Mat’s shoulder, “Really?”

“What?” He was greeted simply with a shaken head as she slipped her own shoes off along with her jacket before she walked into the kitchen. Pouting at the lack of an answer, he followed her quickly “What?”

Mat watched as she made quick work of pulling out the necessary ingredients and equipment for the pancakes. Pulling up one of the bar stools, he settled into a routine that was very much a typical evening for them. Since he frequented the store so much, Lina had decided that for all the real estate he was taking away from her other customers, he had to give something back and that was how he became her official taste tester. Once, every other month they’d get together and along with a constantly refilled glass of wine (courtesy of Mat), she’d bake all her experimental recipes and flavour pairings on him. It was one of the things that she loved about him. She loved simply baking with no pressure of it being commercially viable and nothing is better than baking for someone who is more than happy to consume. Even if it means she has to put up with the constant whining about how her goods are going to make a certain someone work harder at the gym.

The two worked in a comfortable quiet, Mat had put music on the Alexa quiet enough not to disturb anything happening in the other parts of the house. Mat was picking at the tester pancake before he hopped off the stool and made his way over to the cupboard and pulled out the Nutella and a spoon, before settling himself beside the baker who was humming along to the music.

“What happened to all that ‘I’m a disciplined athlete’ talk?”

“I’m just a man and you’re out here teasing me with all those amazing treats you made me decorate and now you expect me to not have at least one spoonful of chocolatey goodness?” Forcefully scooping up a spoonful of said spread, her pointed it in her direction for a moment before shoving it in his mouth, “You have too much faith in me.”

“Oh, now that is pushing it,” She said flipping one of the pastries onto a plate before turning to face him as she poured more batter on the hot plate, “Would you please just cut some strawberries and stuff?”

Although it wasn’t without complaints, sure enough, they were working side by side. Lina flipping pancakes and Matt cutting strawberries into quarters as they quietly spoke about their weeks, catching each other up on their respective TV shows. 

“You know this is what I miss the most.” Lina hummed in question at his statement, only slightly inclining her head in his direction, “I miss just having someone to talk to. To exist with. To be with.”

Silence flooded through the pair as her head turned towards him as he continued chopping the fruit, a bittersweet smile on his face. She took a deep breath as she felt a wave of emotion flood through her as his words processed in her head. Her hand was on the dial, turning the heat off and placing the spatula down. Her words came out as an unsteady breath as she turned fully towards him.  “Oh Mat…” 

“I know I’ve already talked you to death about … that situation but –“ Mat lowered the knife but still made no effort to look in her direction and shook his head slightly before huffing out a quiet laugh,  “It’s not just that you didn’t treat me like I could break but the time we spent together, the conversations we had. It almost felt like having someone again. Except this time, it was in the shape of friend – someone I can’t lose. Until I kept getting to know how wonderful you are.”

The words to comfort the man in front of her were proving difficult to come by so Lina simply stepped towards him and did the only thing she could think of, wrapped her arms around him. With one arm around his back and the other holding onto his arm, she laid her head on his arm and gave him a gentle squeeze.

“I’ve done the whole break up thing before I don’t know why this time it was difficult. I guess I got too comfortable with the wrong person, I don’t know but I know it was wrong now. I knew it was wrong the moment I had coffee with you for the first time because you made me feel more heard and all you were doing was entertaining a customer who wouldn’t leave your store.” She couldn’t help the laugh that left her, giving him a whole-body nudge and shaking her head as it pressed against his bicep muttering a soft ‘not true’.

Lina felt Mat’s head move to look towards her, moving her own to look up at him but keeping him in her soft hug. She would never admit it to him, considering the subconscious promise she made to herself upon finding out he was still working through his breakup. Their eyes met and he couldn’t help the smile that floated onto his lips until a little embarrassment covered his face,  “Sydney didn’t tell me to come and collect Win’s treats, I just hoped if I turned up, I wouldn’t have to share your attention with your customers.” 

“I’ve told you before Mathew you never have to be jealous of customers taking me away from you. I’ll always be there for you,” She muttered, pulling away before turning him until they were chest to chest, “I know we joke but I truly will always be there for you. Maybe covered in icing but always there.”

“And I you,” At his words, she wrapped her arms around his neck giving him a proper hug.

Inhaling deeply, she felt him do the same as his arms wrapped firmly around her trapping her between them, not that she was complaining. Her mind rushed through the past couple weeks of her life since meeting the man and she couldn’t believe just how close and open she had got with him. There were people she’d met during culinary school and knew for 4 years and worked with in Boston for 3 years who didn’t know as much about who she was outside of the kitchen as Mat did, and she’d barely known him for a couple months.

He had an interest in getting to know her and just wanted to sit and speak with her, whether or not he had his own ulterior motives for appreciating her company, they bonded. They spent a lot of time together doing nothing more than talking in their own little world. Lina would go as far as to say that she knew him and not just superficially but at a much deeper level and she could entirely feel what he was saying about how being with her feels because she felt the exact same way. Releasing him from her hold, she was suspended on her toes as Mat took a little longer to pull his arms away. She laughed softly, keeping her hands perched on his shoulders as she looked up at him with a soft and gentle smile.

“You bring me peace too,” She whispered, letting out a breath as she steeled herself to admit her truth to him, something that she’d become very comfortable with so what did she have to lose this time, “I love being your someone, because you’re my someone.”

If Mat was smiling before, the smile that took over her face at her words was rivalling the sun. A deep sigh left his mouth, and it was almost like all the tension that had filled his body since he started speaking had been loosened instantly. His shoulder dropped as the tension fell away and his hands found hers up on his shoulders, holding them tight between them. He went to speak but a shout of ‘LiLi’ filled both of their ears from the living room. Touching his forehead against hers, they both laughed gently as the shouts got closer and more frequently. Pushing back up on her toes, Lina pressed a firm kiss to his cheek before pulling away. Giving him one last peck on the cheek before she properly pulled away.

“Later?” He simply smiled at her question as the sound of small footfalls got closer.

“Later.”

[mybeingthere]

Maya Hanisch was born in Santiago de Chile in 1981. She studied graphic design at the Diego Portales University in Santiago de Chile and illustration and painting at the SMFA (School of the Museum of Fine Arts) in Boston.

Since 2008, she has published several children's books as an author, with publishers in various countries. In addition to writing books and illustrating children, she also works in advertising and press; she has taught illustration classes at the Catholic University of Chile and at the National Library of her country.

https://www.instagram.com/maya_hanisch/

[whencyclopedia]

John Hancock

John Hancock (1737-1793) was a merchant, politician, and Founding Father of the United States, who helped lead the Patriot movement during the American Revolution (1765-1789). He served as president of the Second Continental Congress from 1775-1777, and as Governor of Massachusetts from 1780-1785 and again from 1787-1793. He is best remembered for his flamboyant signature on the Declaration of Independence.

Early Life

John Hancock was born on 23 January 1737 in Braintree, Massachusetts (modern-day Quincy). He was the second of three children born to Reverend John Hancock and Mary Hawke Hancock; he had an elder sister, Mary (b. 1735) and a younger brother, Ebenezer (b. 1741). John Hancock's childhood was a solitary one. His father was often preoccupied with the spiritual needs of the community while his mother preferred doting on his elder sister, leaving John to his own devices. He took to following around the older boys of Braintree, which included John Adams and Samuel Quincy; although the older lads tolerated Hancock's presence, they did not like the younger boy, whom Adams later described as possessing "a peevishness that sometimes disgusted and afflicted his friends" (Unger, 15).

In 1744, Reverend Hancock died after a brief illness at the age of 41. Faced with the impending horrors of poverty, Mary Hawke Hancock appealed to her late husband's brother, Thomas, for help. From humble beginnings as a bookseller's apprentice, Thomas Hancock had become one of the most successful merchants in Boston, having founded a world-famous firm called the House of Hancock. There was, however, a small problem threatening Thomas' commercial empire: he had no heir. He and his wife Lydia had been unable to have children. So, when his brother's widow reached out for help, Thomas decided to cut a deal. He agreed to financially support Mary and her children, on the condition that John be sent to live with him in Boston, to be groomed to one day inherit the Hancock family business.

Mary agreed, and John was sent to live in his uncle's lavish house atop Beacon Hill. The Hancock home was a three-story, Georgian-style mansion, made of square-cut granite blocks, with a superb view of Boston Harbor. The reverend's son would have marveled at the delicately imported mahogany furniture, beautiful oil paintings, and apricot trees imported from Spain. He was carefully tutored to fit the part of an elegant Boston gentleman, was taught etiquette and introduced to members of Boston's high society. He was dressed by his doting aunt in velvet breeches and silk coats, sparking a lifelong love affair with expensive clothing. In 1750, he was enrolled in Harvard at the age of 13, the second youngest in his class. During his college days, he regularly got into trouble; he drank frequently and, at one point, got the enslaved servant of the Harvard president dangerously drunk. Still, he managed to graduate in July 1754 (albeit without academic honors). Now 17, Hancock was tall, slender, and sophisticated, always dressed in the most fashionable clothes. It was time for him to learn the family business.

Continue reading...

[vodkaandsnakes]

On this day, March 9, in Type O Negative history:

Type O Negative play the Agora with Life of Agony in Cleveland, OH (1994)

Type O Negative play Metropol with Pantera in Pittsburgh, PA (1995) (shenanigans and hijinx ensue)

Type O Negative play Avalon in Boston, MA (2000)

If today is your birthday, you share your special day with muscle car enthusiast and ex-mail carrier Johnny Kelly. Since banging tools on cars only seems to scratch the paint and ruin the sticker package, Johnny soon discovered joy and satisfaction by banging on the shop's empty 55-gallon drums instead. With the timing of a Swiss clock, a very un-drab sunny smile, and luxurious locks worthy of a 1980s shampoo commercial, today Johnny finds himself a much in-demand drummer. Happy birthday to you and to Johnny Kelly!

[jacensolodjo]

Jacen Recs Fallout 4 PC Mods

Found on either Nexus Mods or Bethesda's Mod Page. Many mods can be found on both sites but I'm only linking to the place I got mine from. One important caveat, kiddies: some mods require you to have Nuka World and Far Harbor installed at the very least.

Locations

(All should be relatively compatible with each other. May need to download compatibility patches.)

The Beantown Interiors Project Adds numerous locations throughout the Commonwealth where you previously could not enter. Also adds places in Nuka World and Far Harbor.

South of the Sea and Its Optimization+Compatibility Mod Adds a bunch more locations and such to a relatively empty area of the map. The description says 65+ locations of varying sizes so a relatively large mod

Lexington Interiors What it says on the tin, more locations in Lexington (approximately 28)

Crowded Commonwealth Adds ~11 new locations to the game

Inside Jobs Adds locations throughout the Commonwealth, Far Harbor, and Nuka World. Also requires Automatron. (Be aware of a small conflict with Tales from the Commonwealth for the Malden Medical Office. You can still access it with both mods installed it just takes finicky clicking.)

Atomic World Adds a good number of locations throughout the Commonwealth including whole cities. Note that the navmeshing is kinda weird so companions may have trouble following you in these mod-added locations

Plenty o' Exploration ~18 new locations, interiors and full buildings, throughout the Commonwealth

Salem Expanded What it says on the tin, adds locations (~28) from the road leading into Salem and Salem itself.

Locations + Gameplay

(See above caveat)

Tales from the Commonwealth A large mod that adds locations, quests, and numerous NPCs. Some of those NPCs are romanceable such as my favorite, Birdie, an anxiety ridden Asian sniper. His comments on various locations and quests are some of my favorites

Tales from the Commonwealth's DLC Patch Needed for mod companions to comment on the DLC's locations and quests. Birdie's personal quest requires the DLCs for using DLC assets.

America Rising: A Tale of the Enclave A fully voiced mod on the level of a DLC. Locations, characters, quests. Includes new companions as well as a new player home. Be aware it will make you choose between the Enclave and the Brotherhood of Steel as canon-wise they aren't friends at all.

Barrenwood A whole new island world space with numerous locations and quests connected to it, with fully voiced NPCs. It has two settlement locations that you can connect to the base, vanilla game.

Radio

(All either add stations or songs)

Old World Radio Boston compatible with the other mods below. Also adds settlement items such as flags and radios. Not just music but also radio shows like the game's Silver Shroud station.

Elvani's Track Pack best used with the below. Adds 36 lore-friendly songs to Diamond City Radio. See page for list.

More Where That Came From Diamond City Radio see above. Adds 111 lore-friendly songs to DCR.

Atomic Radio Pairs well with Tales from the Commonwealth and there is even a combo mod. Like Old World Radio, it adds its own standalone station that includes lore-friendly ads for lore items such as Sugar Bombs. Contains radio shows similar to the Silver Shroud and PSAs in the vein of after school specials (such as puberty), and commercials for things like Grognak the Barbarian.

Armor

Armorsmith Extended What it says on the tin. Works best when combined with the below but not needed. In fact some versions will leave concealed armor unneeded.

Concealed Armor what it says on the tin, hide armor so you can see the clothes underneath such as in the below mod Eli's Armour Compendium

Armor and Weapons Keywords Community Resource (must be used in conjunction with above)

Strength of a Nation puts Ukraine colors on power armor (T45, 51, 60, and X-01) which gives a perk when all pieces are painted, as well as the quote "I need ammunition not a ride" as said by President Voldymyr Zelenskyy on the chest piece of your chosen PA, and adds the Ukr national anthem to the radio (classical music station so may take a while to actually hear it).

Eli's Armour Compendium customizable clothes and armor as well as a location in-game near Diamond City

Old World Camouflage what it says on the tin

Sadly only for Xbone, but I might as well mention Clone Armory.

Weapons

(All should be relatively compatible w/ each other. YMMV. Yes I do like having a good pool of weapons to choose from so this is my biggest category next to the locations mods. Some have unique variants you can find. Others can only be found at vendors instead of in enemy loot lists. I tried to list how to find them/where to buy the modded weapons. Many are moddable/customizable with things such as scopes and the like.)

Mosin Nagant and a couple Unique Variants mod (requires the base Mosin Nagant mod and match scripted vs. non-scripted). Says it starts to spawn at lvl 25 but I found one before level 10 (likely a 'bug'). BUT, if you get the unique variants add-on mod, you can pick them up as soon as you leave your starting area of choice.

SVT-40 WW2-era weapon used in famous battles like Stalingrad. A renowned Nazi killing weapon along with the Mosin Nagant (see above). Spawns on Gunners/vendors at lvl 16, the bayonet alone at lvl 10. Or find the 2 variants. See page for locations.

Service Rifle Based on the weapon from Fallout New Vegas which is based on the M16. Loot list at lvl 10, vendors, or find unique variants with a quest beginning at lvl 25.

Modern Firearms Tactical Edition What it says on the tin, adds modern day weapons from SMGs to Sniper Rifles. For a list of all available weapons, click here. You can find them on enemies as soon as you leave the vault (or equivalent starting location if you use a start-up mod)

M1 Garand Loot list Gunners and/or vendors at lvl 17, the bayonet by itself lvl 13, or find the legendary variants as soon as you leave your starting location. Can also spawn in using the console. See the page for instructions.

See Through Scopes what it says on the tin. See thru those damn scopes. Customize the magnification and scope reticle.

Star Wars Mandalorian Amban Rifle OP as hell but that's okay because the Amban Rifle is OP as hell in the show. Can only be crafted in the chem lab, which you can find in Sanctuary and thus have an OP weapon relatively quickly.

Aquila Laser Rifle slightly OP totally customizable laser rifle. Find east of Boston Mayoral Shelter (beware of strong enemies). Or spawn in using the console. See page for details.

Spetsnaz Rifle based on AS VAL and VSS Vintorez. Found on Gunners, sold by vendors with no level requirement, or use the console. See the page for details on the last option.

Sturmgewehr STG-44 WW2-era weapon used in many an FPS. Find one at the Museum of Witchcraft near Major Jefferies' body in Salem or at Gunner Plaza on Captain Wes. Also found in loot lists and vendors rarely. Can spawn in using console. See page for details.

HK G11 "Kraut Space Magic" this gun is directly from Fallout lore. It's a gun that can be found in Fallout 2. The name refers to how it fires, which is considered a clockwork kinda bizarre thing. Starting at lvl 15 you can start quests to gain the weapon. Requires skill check 6str, 7per, 8char.

M1928A1 Tommy Gun aka the gun made famous by gangsters throughout Hollywood and a weapon held by one of the Vault Boy bobbleheads yet mysteriously not in the games since FO2. Found on Triggermen starting lvl 12, other enemies such as Gunners at lvl 20. Or find uniques as soon as you leave your starting location. See page for locations.

Character Creation

Lots More Male Hairstyles/Lots More Beards and Moustaches what it says on the tin

Fast Start New Game skip past the pre-war part

WX Hair Colors makes the hair colors look more natural especially the browner ones

LooksMenu better Chargen

Misc

Weightless Junk and Other Items no, really, verbatim title. And does what it says: weightless junk and other items (such as meds)

Unofficial Fallout 4 Patch What it says on the tin

Everyone's Best Friend Allows for Dogmeat+Another Companion

K-9 Harness gives armor and extra carrying capacity to Dogmeat

Rich Merchants stop going from merchant to merchant to offload your loot

Improved Map with Visible Roads What it says on the tin. Cleans up the Pip-Boy map to look a lot better. Works on Far Harbor's map, as well. Corrects placement for some locations as well.

Settlement Things

Mandalorian Flag A black and red mythosaur skull flag. Only one version: wall hang

Looks Mirror adds a mirror to be crafted that will bring up the looks menu for free

Ukraine Flag adds multiple versions of the Ukr flag. One that hangs on a wall, one that is in a flag stand, one on a pole that sits still, and one on a pole that is animated to look like it's blowing in the wind. Besides the wall flag, the others are invisible in the workshop list but just keep scrolling to see previews I promise the mod isn't broken or whatever lol

[lboogie1906]

Howardena Pindell (born April 4, 1943) is a painter and mixed media artist. Her work explores texture, color, structures, and the process of making art; it is often political, addressing the intersecting issues of racism, feminism, violence, slavery, and exploitation. She is known for the wide variety of techniques and materials used in her artwork; she has created abstract paintings, collages, “video drawings,” and “process art.”

She demonstrated promise in figurative art classes at the Philadelphia College of Art, the Fleisher Art Memorial, and the Tyler School of Art. She received her BFA from Boston University and her MFA from Yale University. She holds honorary doctorates from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design and Parsons The New School for Design.

She co-founded the A.I.R. Gallery, which was the first artist-directed gallery for women artists in the US. There were twenty artist cofounders. She suggested naming the gallery the “Eyre Gallery” after the novel Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. The artists decided to name the gallery “A.I.R. Gallery” instead, which stands for “Artists in Residence.” The gallery allowed women artists to curate their exhibitions, allowing them the freedom to take risks with their work in ways that commercial galleries would not. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[prusikpainting]

Best Commercial Painters in Boston

[jwgbuilding]

How Building Restoration Services Can Enhance Your Boston Property

Boston is home to a rich blend of historic and modern architecture, with properties that represent the city’s cultural and architectural heritage. Over time, however, buildings can suffer from wear and tear, weathering, and structural issues that require professional attention. That's where building restoration services come in, offering essential repairs, renovations, and aesthetic improvements to restore and enhance your property.

The Importance of Building Restoration

Building restoration is the process of returning a structure to its original condition or enhancing its current state while preserving its historic character and architectural integrity. In a city like Boston, where many properties are of historical significance, it is essential to hire experienced professionals to maintain the beauty and safety of these buildings.

Professional building restoration services go beyond basic repairs; they involve careful evaluation, planning, and execution to ensure the project respects the building’s history and enhances its longevity. Whether it’s an old brownstone or a commercial space, restoration services can breathe new life into your property while preserving its charm.

What Does Building Restoration Include?

Building restoration encompasses various tasks that help return a property to its original or improved state. These services may include:

Exterior Restoration The exterior of a building is the first line of defense against weather and environmental conditions. Over time, elements like rain, snow, and sunlight can cause damage to the building's facade. Restoration services address issues such as cracked masonry, peeling paint, and deteriorating stonework, ensuring the building remains structurally sound and visually appealing.

Structural Repairs Structural issues such as foundation cracks, sagging beams, and compromised load-bearing walls can jeopardize the safety and stability of the building. A building restoration service specializes in repairing these structural elements to restore the building’s safety and functionality.

Interior Restoration Just as important as the exterior, the interior of a building may require restoration to improve its functionality and appearance. This can include updating electrical systems, repairing flooring, restoring woodwork, and modernizing plumbing, all while retaining the original aesthetic.

Historical Preservation Boston is known for its historic buildings, which often require special attention to preserve original materials like brick, stone, or wood. A building restoration service with experience in historical preservation will carefully repair and restore original elements, respecting the integrity of the structure while ensuring it meets modern standards.

Masonry and Stonework Restoration Over time, masonry can deteriorate, leading to weakened walls, crumbling mortar, and even safety risks. Building restoration services often include masonry and stonework restoration to ensure the building’s longevity and protect it from the elements.

Benefits of Building Restoration Services

Investing in building restoration services can offer a multitude of benefits for your Boston property. Here are a few reasons why restoration is so important:

Preserving Property Value Restoring a property ensures its value is maintained or even increased. A well-maintained building is more attractive to potential buyers or tenants, which can improve your property’s market value. For historic properties, restoration can significantly increase their worth by preserving their original character.

Improving Aesthetics A property’s appearance plays a critical role in how it is perceived. Restoration services can revitalize a building, giving it a fresh look without losing its historic charm. A properly restored property can enhance curb appeal and attract more attention, whether for business or residential purposes.

Enhancing Safety Over time, buildings may experience structural damage that can compromise their safety. Foundation cracks, weakened walls, and other structural issues can lead to hazardous conditions. By investing in building restoration services, you can prevent future accidents and ensure the safety of the building’s occupants.

Increasing Energy Efficiency Old buildings often suffer from drafts, poor insulation, and outdated systems that reduce energy efficiency. A restoration service can address these issues, making the building more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. This can reduce energy costs and improve the comfort of the building.

Adhering to Modern Codes Historic buildings may not meet modern building codes, which can cause issues with insurance or occupancy. Building restoration services can update the property to meet current building codes while maintaining its original look and feel.

Choosing the Right Building Restoration Service in Boston

When selecting a building restoration service in Boston, it’s essential to choose a company with experience in handling both modern and historic properties. Look for professionals who have a strong reputation, skilled technicians, and a track record of successful projects. A good restoration company will be familiar with the local architectural styles and building codes and will use high-quality materials to ensure lasting results.

Enhance Your Property with Expert Building Restoration Services in Boston

Building restoration plays a crucial role in preserving the character, safety, and value of properties. In Boston, building restoration services help to revitalize historic and modern structures alike, ensuring they remain functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing. By choosing a trusted restoration company, you can protect your investment, improve your building’s energy efficiency, and maintain its architectural integrity for years to come. Take action today to breathe new life into your space while honoring its original beauty.

[olympicpaintingpros]

The value of a freshly painted exterior is recognised by both information specialists and professional painters. The exterior of a building is the first impression that visitors and tenants have of the interior, therefore it should reflect the owner's sense of style and elegance. However, there is more to painting a building's exterior than merely making it look better. It's also about keeping the building safe from the weather and making it last as long as possible.

Building’s current conditions

Painting contractors specializing in Exterior House Painting Services MA need to think about the building's current condition, the paint they plan to use, and the weather forecast in order to complete an external painting project successfully.

Getting the surface ready

It's crucial to get the surface ready for painting before starting. This includes sanding down the surface to achieve a uniform smoothness, washing away any dirt or debris, and removing any loose or flaking paint. It's also important to let the surface dry thoroughly before delivering Boston Commercial Painting services.

[londribrasilassessoria]

Sandro – Ágape Painting Company Services

All types of painting services and general small construction inside or outside ( siding , roofing and framing / addition ) , commercial or residential at fair rates ( Boston and cincinatti area ) , Experienced up to 27 years of professionals and reliable teamsImprovement Sandro general managers,-everett 617 3881090 857 2248227 Agape home everett boston estados unidos Ágape Cleaning And Painting - Rapidfy - Brazil/Sandro Magno Agape home improvement/BOSTON EVERETT-R

PARA CONTATO NO BRASIL Fone 55 43 98421 0795 Email : londribrasil2024outlook.com

https://agape-house.webnode.page

[cattutorialsblogs]

IMPORTANCE OF CAT EXAM

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of the maximum essential checks for college students intending to pursue a profession in control. The exam is extensively diagnosed in India and is time-honored by means of greater than 1,200 enterprise faculties throughout the country. Let’s start your CAT Exam preparation with Best Online CAT Coaching.  In this text, we will speak the significance of the CAT examination :

Gateway to Top Business Schools 

The CAT examination is the gateway to a number of the top enterprise faculties in India. The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) are a number of the maximum sought-after business colleges inside the u . S ., and the CAT exam is the simplest manner to benefit admission into those prestigious institutes. Other top enterprise colleges such as XLRI, SPJIMR, FMS, and MDI also be given CAT ratings for admission into their control packages.

High Salary Packages 

Candidates who clean the CAT examination and at ease admission into pinnacle commercial enterprise colleges are supplied high income packages by means of leading companies. Companies which include Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, Bain, and Company, Boston Consulting Group, and lots of others recruit college students from pinnacle business schools with high salaries and attractive perks.

Improved Career Prospects 

The CAT examination opens up a wide range of profession possibilities for college kids. Management graduates can paintings in numerous sectors together with finance, consulting, advertising and marketing, operations, human sources, and more. Candidates with a management diploma are tremendously well known by way of organizations for his or her trouble-fixing skills, strategic wondering, and leadership features.

Enhances Skills and Knowledge 

Preparing for the CAT exam calls for candidates to have a strong conceptual information of diverse subjects together with quantitative capacity, verbal capability, logical reasoning, and information interpretation. You can learn all these things with Online CAT Coaching. The guidance system complements a candidate’s competencies and information and facilitates them develop a broader angle on various issues associated with enterprise and economics.

Global Recognition 

The CAT exam is recognized globally, and applicants with a control diploma from pinnacle business schools in India are surprisingly valued in the worldwide task market. The management training furnished with the aid of top business faculties in India is on par with a number of the leading control institutes in the international.

Improved Problem-Solving Skills 

The CAT examination tests a candidate’s hassle-fixing skills and their ability to assume seriously. Candidates who clean the examination have demonstrated their talent in solving complex problems the usage of a systematic approach.

Personal Growth and Development 

Preparing for the CAT examination requires candidates to be disciplined, targeted, and continual. The technique of preparing for the exam complements a candidate’s private growth and improvement and facilitates them develop a more potent work ethic, time management skills, and the capacity to address stress.

Networking Opportunities 

Candidates who at ease admission into pinnacle business faculties have access to a wide variety of networking possibilities. They get to engage with leading industry professionals, successful entrepreneurs, and alumni who’re already installed in the enterprise global. This networking facilitates them build strong relationships and benefit insights into various industries.

Widens Career Options 

The CAT examination widens a candidate’s profession options and presents them with the ability to pursue diverse career paths. Candidates can choose to work within the corporate area, start their personal business, or pursue further training.

Establishes Credibility 

A management diploma from a top business college is highly valued by employers and establishes a candidate’s credibility. Candidates who have cleared the CAT examination and have a management degree from a pinnacle business faculty are considered as capable leaders with the capacity to force the increase of the business enterprise.

In conclusion, the CAT examination is of extreme importance for students desiring to pursue a profession in control. The examination is the gateway to top business colleges, gives high profits packages, widens profession options, and affords networking possibilities. The practise technique complements a candidate’s abilties and understanding and helps them develop a broader perspective on numerous troubles associated with commercial enterprise and economics. Candidates who clean the exam are viewed as capable leaders with the capacity.

[whencyclopedia]

John Hancock

John Hancock (1737-1793) was a merchant, politician, and Founding Father of the United States, who helped lead the Patriot movement during the American Revolution (1765-1789). He served as president of the Second Continental Congress from 1775-1777, and as Governor of Massachusetts from 1780-1785 and again from 1787-1793. He is best remembered for his flamboyant signature on the Declaration of Independence.

Early Life

John Hancock was born on 23 January 1737 in Braintree, Massachusetts (modern-day Quincy). He was the second of three children born to Reverend John Hancock and Mary Hawke Hancock; he had an elder sister, Mary (b. 1735) and a younger brother, Ebenezer (b. 1741). John Hancock's childhood was a solitary one. His father was often preoccupied with the spiritual needs of the community while his mother preferred doting on his elder sister, leaving John to his own devices. He took to following around the older boys of Braintree, which included John Adams and Samuel Quincy; although the older lads tolerated Hancock's presence, they did not like the younger boy, whom Adams later described as possessing "a peevishness that sometimes disgusted and afflicted his friends" (Unger, 15).

In 1744, Reverend Hancock died after a brief illness at the age of 41. Faced with the impending horrors of poverty, Mary Hawke Hancock appealed to her late husband's brother, Thomas, for help. From humble beginnings as a bookseller's apprentice, Thomas Hancock had become one of the most successful merchants in Boston, having founded a world-famous firm called the House of Hancock. There was, however, a small problem threatening Thomas' commercial empire: he had no heir. He and his wife Lydia had been unable to have children. So, when his brother's widow reached out for help, Thomas decided to cut a deal. He agreed to financially support Mary and her children, on the condition that John be sent to live with him in Boston, to be groomed to one day inherit the Hancock family business.

Mary agreed, and John was sent to live in his uncle's lavish house atop Beacon Hill. The Hancock home was a three-story, Georgian-style mansion, made of square-cut granite blocks, with a superb view of Boston Harbor. The reverend's son would have marveled at the delicately imported mahogany furniture, beautiful oil paintings, and apricot trees imported from Spain. He was carefully tutored to fit the part of an elegant Boston gentleman, was taught etiquette and introduced to members of Boston's high society. He was dressed by his doting aunt in velvet breeches and silk coats, sparking a lifelong love affair with expensive clothing. In 1750, he was enrolled in Harvard at the age of 13, the second youngest in his class. During his college days, he regularly got into trouble; he drank frequently and, at one point, got the enslaved servant of the Harvard president dangerously drunk. Still, he managed to graduate in July 1754 (albeit without academic honors). Now 17, Hancock was tall, slender, and sophisticated, always dressed in the most fashionable clothes. It was time for him to learn the family business.

Continue reading...