#finally posting pics from my study abroad trip

[sparvverius]

caravaggio paintings, st. peter's and the pantheon, and the view from my kitchen and bedroom windows

[umichenginabroad]

WEEK 8: LAST HURRAH

Hi everyone! If this is your first time coming across my blog, my name is Jules, and I’ve been studying abroad in Prague for 8 weeks now. I can’t believe I’m sitting here documenting my final week in this amazing city. This international experience has truly been one of the best decisions I have ever made and has gifted me with one unforgettable summer. Now let me jump into a quick recap of my week. (Side note: sorry this blog post is delayed; I will get into the treacherous reason why in my next blog.)

After coming home from Amsterdam, I immediately locked in to study for my Linear Algebra final. It ended up going super smoothly, and I am very satisfied with my overall grade and performance in this course. All the math classes in my program collectively took a field trip to Prague’s Technical Museum on Tuesday. It was interesting to see the impact of engineering on this country’s technology and industry through the development of automobiles, aircrafts, bicycles, and ships. I am so grateful to have taken this course in such a dynamic environment with equally amazing professors and classmates!

Before leaving our host country, my friends and I had to squeeze in our last family dinners. On Tuesday night, a huge group of us grabbed dinner at a traditional Czech restaurant that was actually recommended to us by Petra (our professor from Art & Architecture in the Golden City), which I thought was a very fitting last meal. One of the things that I loved most about this study abroad experience was the friendships I have built. Thinking about going back to school and seeing them around campus makes me so excited. The following night on Wednesday, my apartment had our last dinner together at a pizza restaurant right down the street. I’m going to miss living with them so much!! And after dinner, we of course had to end things off the Prague way by going out together one last time. Shoutout to my absolute favorite, Dog Bar, for giving me and my friends some of the most unforgettable nights here. 

Last dinners. && Final group pics.

On Thursday night after a full day of packing up, my mom and my sister arrived!! I spent the next few days showing them around my beautiful host country and giving them a taste of my life here for the past 8 weeks. Now, we’re headed to Paris, London, and Genoa to end off my unbelievably long summer traveling and living from suitcase to suitcase!!

Fam's arrival! && Last views of Prague.

To reminisce a little, here are some top things I’m going to miss about Prague (the little details):

The sun rising at 4:30 AM and setting at 9:30 PM.

The dogs running around politely leashless next to their owners.

The $3 high quality cups of coffees. 

The public transportation speakers announcing the stop “I.P. Pavlova”.

The Thai red curry and pad thai at the restaurant below our apartment (shoutout to Madame Lyn Restaurant).

The zig zagged walk from my apartment to the CEA CAPA center. 

The feeling of coming back “home” after a weekend away in a different country. 

I want to leave you guys with a couple recommendations I have for anyone who is looking into studying abroad in Prague or just traveling here. Feel free to reach out for a more extensive list!

Restaurants:

Venue (brunch)

Sweet and Pepper Days (brunch)

Pod Vysehradem (Czech)

U Tri Jelinku (Czech)

Bricks (Italian)

Trattoria Cicala (Italian)

Madame Lyn (Thai/Vietnamese)

Hanoi Square Restaurant (Vietnamese)

Masala Vodickova (Indian)

Big Smokers (barbecue)

Manifesto Market (food market)

Angelato Ujezd (gelato)

Cafe Du (great study spot)

Going out:

Karlovy Lazne, Epic, Duplex (three biggest clubs here)

Riegrovy Sady, Zahradni Letensky (beer gardens)

Dog Bar!!!!

Anonymous Shrinks Office (speakeasy vibe)

I’m feeling so bittersweet leaving my summer home, but every good thing must always come to an end. Prague and this entire experience will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you guys for following my study abroad journey and travel adventures!! I have loved being able to document my weeks in Europe. My last and final blog will be up next week covering a reflection of my study abroad experience and a recap of my time in Paris, London, and Genoa!

Jules Hwang

Industrial and Operations Engineering

Engineering in Prague

[tofufactorynightschool]

天涯海角; Worlds Away

This summer, I'm going to Taiwan for 10 weeks (or just over that) to learn Chinese. It's the first time in my life I'm studying abroad, and so I'm going to keep a blog (another first!)

I want to remember how I felt during the trip, good and bad--hopefully mostly good! To be honest, I'm nervous; ten weeks is a long time, especially when my language skills are only a few lessons past "hello, how are you, the weather in California is better than in New York." But I guess that's why I'm going anyways. There were all these concerns I had before (and after) I decided to do it. (One: I'm not really doing any professional development. What if this ruins my career? Two: What if one week in I totally hate it? Three: What if one week in everyone else hates me? etc. etc. ad infinitum) But I have to remember: this is going to be fun. No matter what it will be an amazing experience. And even if it's miserable, what I always say: one day, this will make for a great chapter in the memoir.

(Or now: a great post on the blog. Doesn't have the same feeling to it though, does it?)

I'm also going to bring my 35mm camera along with me (it's just a little Kodak M35, but I do love that little guy). I hope I can take some great pics! There's already so many things I want to see and do. I have to get more rolls of film, though, and it's pretty pricy. Oh well--I'm trying to get over my hang-ups on spending any amount of money on my hobby.

There's still a lot of work left before I take off--I still have to write all of my final papers. :') Those warrant their own anxious breakdowns, but I'll spare you (aka future me) from reading them. Remember: just have to finish it, and then I should clear my head of everything but bubble tea and beef noodle soup (oh, and learning the language, I guess). And who knows, looking back maybe I'll really learn something cool, do something I'm proud of. Or even if I don't that's okay. I should be a little more tender, a little more gentle with myself.

(Because I know: this intensive Chinese class will be ego-obliterating enough as it is.)

Alright, enough for now--it's still more than a month before my (long, long, long) flight. I'll end with a 成語 (chéngyǔ) -- a four character idiom. (Maybe this would be a cool way to end all the posts? Hm.) Here's one that seems apropo, considering:

天涯海角 (tiān yá hǎi jiǎo) - the ends of the earth, worlds away

See you on the other end of the earth, future me.

[silverkoushi]

haikyuu!! headcanons

⇢ scenario: how you’d spend the holidays with them!! pt.2 | read pt. 1 here! ⇢ feat. : tsukki (karasuno), bokuto (fukurodani) & kuroo (nekoma) x gn!reader ⇢  wc & warnings:  3.3k, slightly suggestive for kuroo

ʕ·ᴥ·ʔ not @ me having the phattest crush on kuroo as you can probably tell here... dear god that man is something edit: omo for some reason the paragraphs got messed up n i just checked it after hours of posting... i fixed it now so hopefully it makes more sense ahh my apologies!! ><

tsukishima kei

୨୧ ˻˳˯ₑ*॰¨̮  idk about you but i think tsukki secretly enjoys the holidays? like he’d think the music is overbearing, the movies are disgustingly cliche, and the amount of people gathering in places is one of his worst nightmares— those aren’t the things that he looks forward to. i think tsukki loves winter, maybe because i see him as a softie who collects sweaters, hoodies, and sweatpants that keep him comfy and cozy during cold nights and chilly mornings! WITH THAT BEING SAID, tsukki dies inside when he sees you wearing any of those following outfits of his. he might get annoyed at first that you don’t ask because he was planning on wearing them that day, but when you show up at his dorm clad in his night blue sweater with a little moon stitched on the side, there are no words coming out of his mouth. he will try to look menacing, eyes in a deadpan expression but you know he’s lying, and just stare at him with a doe-like face and put his hands in yours, swinging it back and forth as you drag him out of his room and into the snowy field. you don’t even think twice about getting matching sweaters because the boy will hate you for the rest of his life, but at least you got him to wear a reindeer headband for 2 seconds in the photobooth!! most of the time, you basically just bring him to anywhere you want to go. you guys look at the humongous christmas tree they placed in the center of the plaza, and you ask someone walking by if you can get a picture of the two of you in front of him. this way, tsukki can’t complain and will be semi-forced to pose with you hehe. you thought he’d just be standing there, arms to his side with a nonchalant expression but you actually feel him put his arm around your waist and lean his head down on top of yours. 

you can’t help the cheeky smile show on your face as you tiptoe just enough to reach his cheek, and once the guy said, “ok one more!” you steal a kiss on the side of tsukki’s small smile. “hey, what was—” “thanks, mister!! happy holidays!!” you avoid his stare, and get your phone back from the guy as you scroll through the pics he took (thank god only a few were blurry). tsukki keeps glaring at you, and you understand he’s not big into pda but uh, he started it with holding you close to him like that >:( “what?? you look so cute here, though!!” you whine to him, hoping he doesn’t ask that you delete it :( tsukki gives it a once over, a warm feeling creeping on his cheeks as he studies the picture: damn, is he whipped for you. he dismisses the overreaction on his part (for once), and takes your hand in his once more, asking where it is you wanted to go next. you’re surprised he left it like that, but you’re taking advantage of this situation and drag him to more festive stuff around the plaza <3

with your parents spending the holidays abroad and working overtime, tsukki’s mom invited you to their place instead and you’re!! more than happy and oh so grateful!! tsukki doesn’t show it but he’s actually extremely nervous,, what if you don’t like his family?? what if his brother is too annoying for you, what if this isn’t the kind of in-laws you were expecting— wait, he’s thinking too far ahead and you’re looking at him with raised eyebrows. quick! he turns away from your gaze, biting his lip at getting caught with his overthinking. “tsukki, you okay?” you ask gently, looping your arm around his as you guys near his house. “yeah…” he responds lamely, and you’re not sure if he wanted you at his house for the holidays or what… but you shake the negativity away and tell yourself that this is an opportunity to show your own personality to his family!! you’re greeted by a boisterous even taller guy at the door, and his also really tall mom waving at you from the kitchen, finishing up the grand dinner. “mom and i thought you were just pretending about your relationship, tsukki~” akiteru nudges him, and you chuckle at your boyfriend’s helpless look on his face, as if telling you this is what i dealt with during my childhood. but the holiday celebration with his family went super smooth!! his mom cooked amazing homemade dishes, and tsukki was actually smiling and laughing along the poor jokes akiteru made, it was so endearing to watch. you asked to help with the clean up as tsukki and his brother play volleyball outside in the cold. 

“i’m so glad he has you,” his mom comforts you, and you nod your head in thanks while you wipe the plates clean. “i’ve never seen him so… cheerful like this, you know?” what a heartwarming thing to say :(( and yet you thought he was just finally letting loose because he’s at home!! his mom turns in early that eve of christmas, and his brother goes out to have a nightly beer sesh with his hometown friends before christmas morning tomorrow. you and tsukki are left alone in his room as you marvel at the many dinosaur related merch, posters, and even stuffies he has in his childhood room!! “don’t say it,” he threatens you lightly, even though you’ve been well-aware of his fascination for the species. a little tired from the trip earlier and ngl you’re both full from the food, you lay down on the floor, pillows supporting your sleepy heads as tsukki shares the other side of his earphones. you listen to calming, lofi music for the night and at some point, he finds your fingers in his again. “thank you for having me, tsukki,” you whisper with a yawn, remembering the night days ago where you cried into his shoulder about missing your own family during this season. tsukki doesn’t respond as he hears your light snoring, and instead turns his body towards you as he caresses the side of your face, smiling at the beauty before him. “you’re always welcome here, dummy. you’ll always have me.”

bokuto koutarou

୨୧ ˻˳˯ₑ*॰¨̮  oof!! so many holiday parties!! gift giving exchanges!! dancing and singing, drinking and having the time of your lives! of course, bokuto asks first and foremost if you’re okay going to all of these celebrations with him as he has gathered a lot of friends from different majors, clubs, and such. you didn’t expect to come with him to all of them, tbh, but since he seems so excited to bring you along you found yourself nodding along! OOPS, what a wild ride it was to meet friends you didn’t even know he had. first, bokuto asked you to help him find some gifts for the exchange parties and you comply— you love thinking up presents for diff kinds of people! “would akaashi want this?” he points at a set of compression socks for sports “you’d want that more, bo” “oh oh!! how about this for kuroo?!” he leads you to the beauty section, hairspray littering the aisle “i think that’s more of an insult than a gift…” he’ll pout at his failure to think of the best gifts for his friends, but you cling to him with your linked arms and tell him not to worry— you kinda figured the kind of people his best friends are, so you suggest things off the bat: film roll for akaashi the photography minor, a mug with a pun-ny chem joke for kuroo, and a new case for kenma’s switch lite!! “wah! you know them better than i do,” he exclaims, eyes shining in excitement as you bring the gifts and other extra stuff to his apartment to help him wrap them. with this, bokuto came up with an idea to wrap the presents in the most creative way possible, and you just stare at him in awe as he tries to disguise the mug as.. a gingerbread man?? you don’t even know how he did it! as you tape up the finishing touches with the others, you eye a small gift wrapped box on the island counter along with a card next to it, all glittery and a name scribbled on top that you can’t make out where you were seated. 

“hey, bo, who’s that for?” you point at the suspecting box, and almost immediately bokuto body slams you on the ground, obstructing your view of the gift. “bokuto i can’t breathe—” you wheeze, laughing at the way he scrambles to get up from the position but his feet slips against the unused wrapping paper on the floor. “sorry, sorry i just— STOP LOOKING” he pleads, caging you with his arms either side your figure. the both of you pause, realizing the predicament you’re in until bokuto unleashes a sly smirk, eyes pointed at you with a mischievous glint. you know that look, so you start wiggling out of his way until he plops down on you again (mind you, he’s MANY inches taller than you and his built...whew, but that’s part of the problem right now!!) and blows raspberries on your neck, the audacity!! “tell me,” he whispers against your ear after a while, voice suddenly low in tone and your senses perk up. “have you been naughty or nice recently?” he continues hoarsely, and it doesn’t take long until you burst out laughing at his attempt of being flirty right now. he finally releases you, feigns hurt from your reaction but he knows what a goofball he is.

anyway, you put all the gifts in the car and head to the many parties he was invited to!! and honestly, you enjoyed yourself albeit it got really tiring to show up with much enthusiasm compared to the last. but bokuto on the other hand never runs out of energy for some reason!! he’s still winning the games, singing his heart out with his friends, and trying all the foods in the potluck, even shamelessly!! feeding you too! it’s embarrassing >< but in a way your heart swells with the thought of bokuto being very openly proud of his relationship with you, and how his friends seem to like you as well! pictures were taken, holiday spirits and gifts were exchanged and finally, he’s free for the night <3 you’ve been waiting for the right moment to give him your personal gift to your boyf (it’s an edited picture of the two of you at one of his winning games!! you can’t draw for sht but you are the best at adding lil stickers and cute petnames all around the photo hehe) you had it inserted in a picture frame too so the gift was relatively medium sized and rectangular. when you crash at his place, you ready yourself to give it to him, having second thoughts with how corny it must seem like… as you psych yourself up on the couch, you feel his arms suddenly wrap themselves around you as he starts peppering your neck with lazy kisses. your chest tightens, eyes closed at the warmth of his lips on your skin but— you can’t get distracted!! “bo, i have something for you—” “i saved the best gift for last—” o, you say it at the same time and so you look at each other with blank stares, and then laugh at your awkwardness!! 

he lets you go first, your nerves slowly dissipating at the excited gleam in his irises, he’s so cute!! as he unwraps it, he hitches a breath, looks at you then the picture and you again and— let’s say your face was just full on bokuto territory only ;-) as much as you were enjoying his attention all on you, his gift wasn’t opened yet!! bokuto went from confident to shy mode again, hiding his face with only one eye peeking out to watch you…. for some reason, since it was a tiny box you blurted out, “don’t tell me it’s a ring, bo.” as a joke but bokuto suddenly freezes at your words. and you had to stop unboxing to make sure he doesn’t go all pale on you, but also??? was he really???? GOING TO???-- “DID YOU WANT ME TO GET YOU A RING?? I CAN RETURN THE EARRINGS TODAY, I THINK I STILL HAVE THE RECEIPT—” “bo, it’s okay!!! omg no T_T” you take his hands off his face to look at him lovingly, a kiss on his pouty lips as you reassure him his presence is all that you can ever want, but whatever it was he gave you, you’ll cherish just the same!! so finally, once you take the lid off the box you see an adorable pair of owl earrings!! it’s so cute and it reminds you of him and thats probably why he got that for you :’)))) “i also wrote you a letter but please read it when i’m asleep or something…” aww shy bokuto!! >< you never thought you’d see the day :’)

kuroo tetsurou

୨୧ ˻˳˯ₑ*॰¨̮  man.. i just know this guy wouldn’t want to let leave… the bed… with him… on christmas day. imagine something like having to stay until he can for his duties at work which ended up til late christmas eve :( you were looking forward to spending time with him back at his hometown since you don’t necessarily celebrate the specific holiday, but being with tetsurou for almost a year now and knowing he does— you wanted it to be special and memorable for him! he felt really bad making you stay at his apartment until he finishes up work, really zooming through all the documents and stuff he needed to complete just so he can spend at least a few hours of christmas eve with you. when he got home, his heart dropped to his stomach at the sight of you falling asleep on the couch, right next to the lit up christmas tree you two decorated a week ago (thats how busy he has been! you opted to fix the tree yourself, but tetsu insisted on doing it together since it’s your first holiday with him!). your favorite blanket was wrapped around you but your feet were dangling midway with no socks on and he just >:( had to carry you to bed and tuck you in— all of you!! 

he changes to a sweater and pjs before readying himself to carry you against his chest. his own body is exhausted from working non-stop, but he doesn’t let it get to him as he passes by the hallway and plops you gently on your side of the bed. you stir groggily, eyes refusing to open but you notice your surroundings are different. the room is dimly lit but the figure walking around the place isn’t amiss; with his hair sticking up and his wide shoulders, you know it’s your tired boyfriend finally home for the holidays. you smile, still sleep-induced but you try to reach over for him. “tetsu… come to bed, please,” you mumble but he hears you, and his back is against you but he smiles at your half-awake tone. “i’ll be right there,” he lets you know softly, and true to his word you feel the dip in the mattress with his warmth slowly exuding onto your own body, his hands easily finding themselves over you. you wiggle into his grasp, head against his chest and hands holding onto his waist. he feels warm, he feels like home, and you press a kiss where his neck meets his collarbones. “mm, merry christm…” you mutter, losing consciousness but he doesn’t mind. he lets you snore your way into dreamland, watching your eyelashes tickle the surface of your skin, lips partly open as you breathe in and out. suddenly, his tense muscles relax with your presence oh so close to you, and he sleeps soundly after a few minutes of admiring your face.

as the sunlight filters thru the windows, kuroo wakes up first but knowing it’s his day off (finally), he relaxes into the bed and just observes the tiny details of your face, same as the night before but with some of the brightly shining rays of the sun hitting the right spots— you’re breathtaking to him. he feels you stir in his embrace so he pretends to snore because he knows you like to get up as soon as you feel awake. “tetsu…” you mumble, popping out your head from his grasp to peer your eyes at him pretending to not hear you. “you’re a lousy liar, i know you’re up,” you tell him, rubbing your nose against him as a form of an eskimo kiss. it takes so much out of his restraint to bite his lip in pure love for you, so he gives in and kisses you on the lips. 

you are taken aback for a split second until you comply to his request, and you spend your first christmas morning with him in bed just like that <3 he still asks if you guys can spend the whole day just tangled into each other’s embrace but you lecture him playfully, knowing that he had a christmas party to attend to in the afternoon with his closest friends (bokuto, akaashi, kenma, and others) and you have a lovely dinner planned in the evening. he wiggles his eyebrows, fingertips tracing the exposed skin on your chest, “what if we skip all of that and i just have you for dinner instead?” “KUROO TETSUROU IT IS TOO EARLY FOR YOU TO SAY THAT RIGHT NOW—” you swear to god, it is his teasing and malicious intent that will kill you one day. but the blush on your face doesn’t go unnoticed, and yet kuroo complies with your light nagging, getting up and getting ready for the day. you’re happy that he finally has the day off, and being with his friends during the party truly lightened up his mood. afterwards, he then asks where you got a reservation during the busiest time of the year, and you just winked at him and zipped your mouth. 

since you ate a bit at the party, you knew you had some time to finish prepping the food you had prepared the night before, it all just needed to bake or be cooked on the pan. and bec of his exhaustion last night, he didn’t even open the fridge at all so there were zero suspicious at your surprise dinner. urging him to take a long, hot bath, he drags you with him. “you seriously want me to take a bath by myself?” he says in shock horror, and normally you would join him hah but you tell him that your parents are calling, just wanting to say hello. a little sad, kuroo nods in understanding and so he goes about his way while you cook the food with haste. he likes to take his time in there but you know you won’t finish beforehand, so once he’s out of the bathroom, you immediately go right in front of him to hide the view of the kitchen. you played yourself, seeing kuroo only in his bathrobe with his chest exposed, you slap him right at the center to ignore the sensation in the pit of your stomach. “what?? what’d i do???” “existing right in front of me like that!!” kuroo laughs at your embarrassment, but kisses you on the forehead nonetheless. he ignores the obvious smell of pasta and chicken in the apartment, ignores the messy apron you forgot to take off because he thinks you really wanted to surprise him. so he goes to the room to change, thinking about how lucky he is to have you in his life. the rest of the night ends up with the both of you having a romantic dinner in the dining room, talking about everything you already know about each other—but it never feels repetitive. he always feels so renewed with you, falling in love every day. 

[cloveroctobers]

(A/n: this might be a little biased since I’m in love with this man & I’m basing the relationship parts of this on my mc/myself so hope y’all don’t mind 😬)

IG info/bio: @/lucas.koh | 93.1k followers | for business inquires please visit: kohptr.com

LUCAS KOH —

27 (28) years old

From Oxford, England

Father is Korean & a car salesman at a Nissan dealership, he’s a strict/serious man who has high morals but beyond that he can actually be a softie in rare moments (+ that’s who Lucas gets his height from 🤤)

Mother is actually Chinese but lived in Korea studying abroad and eventually became a successful chiropractor (s/o to doctor mondragon on YouTube who I watch to help me sleep some nights and wish I could see! Lol) with her own practice. She’s a firecracker, intelligent, and quick to say what’s on her mind and doesn’t care if you like what she’s got to say. Most patients like that about her, she’s honest and her family is used to her ways but in the same way it’s more loving than offensive? (Smol woman but will remind you when she’s cracking your body she’s got enough power in her)

Either he’s a only child or he comes from a family of all boys with two younger brothers (they’re all in their 20’s) or he has one younger brother and one younger sister idk you decide

I’m feeling like he’s a Sagittarius? Carefree in the terms of he wasn’t viewing finally getting with MC when she’s dating someone else as cheating. Mans was READY to risk it all for me okay and I was down for it but ofc I had to react realistically and NOT “cheat.” *sigh* one part of me was debating ‘are we really dating tho bobby? We’re on reality tv. We’re not gonna die without each other if we hang out in seperate rooms’ *cough* Nope. but I’m a woman about her loyalty

He’s definitely adventurous. I don’t see him as the type to want to stay home all the time even tho his work definitely keeps him busy/exhausted. He’s down for road trips 💯

Occupation? Physicotherapist. His mother inspired him to get into the field and watching sports + the way players got their injuries always intrigued him? So to provide the best plan to have someone heal was something he loved to do plus being hands on while teaching/helping was a passion for him + I feel like he would also use a massaging technique instead of the usual exercise part of it

Now as someone who suffered a ACL & Mensicus tear & is STILL dealing with this BS pain years later, I would be so thankful to have him around! I feel like he’d have a optimistic attitude towards his patients and that’s what people need not someone that’s insensitive (like my surgeon/PT’s I had)

He models from time to time, when he was first approached about it he was upfront about not wanting to do it. It was much different than getting your picture taken for the office. That’s usually quick, the whole modeling process felt longer but somehow he was talked into it by his brother who’s a photographer and his mother. “Do you think you’re ugly? ‘Cause I’m not and you’re a part of me, so therefore there’s no such thing. Just look at your cheekbones, your jawline! I gave you those. The only good thing your father gave you was height.” Which filled the house with snickers while Lucas’ father just rolled his eyes and continued reading his newspaper for breakfast

Has a motorcycle and some luxurious car—not a Tesla those are basic now 🤷🏽‍♀️

Loves his motorcycle so much he’s got a tat of it on his right bicep

He has two available parking spaces in his parking garage at his penthouse but keeps his bike away in a storage unit due to a neighbor scratching it after his girlfriend broke up with him? Saying she was off to date Lucas? But that wasn’t true at all. He barely knew the girl, they didn’t live on the same floor. People were crazy but if you push him his temper might come out

Owns a leather jacket that he paid a lot for

Believes in “treat yo self” if it means in quality when shopping and has no issue being a big spender but he knows how to manage it well (his father told him all about how his own father dealt with bankruptcy)

Since he’s often at the office the whole day, he’s usually a night owl. He loves night drives and night dining. That’s usually when he finds the best places to eat

There’s this one pho spot that he loves and it’s his go to spot when he wants something quick on the way home

Cannot sleep with his entire body covered in covers, either his arms/shoulders have to be out or his legs, which would be a issue for me/mc since I sleep with the covers over my entire body...yes even in hot weather with the AC cranked up😂

He also makes great kimchi fried rice & loves Italian food

Will wine and dine. I believe it. I envision it! He loves going out on dates with his significant other (If he’s single and not with me, I think he’d try out speed dating)

Will dress to impress, will buy you a new fit he wants to see you/us/mc in especially if it’s your anniversary

Loves taking bubble bath’s with infused oils or flower petals with significant other

He’s the type that takes long showers & it brings him a true sense of freedom. He’s never able to take a quick shower, he gets lost in his ideas of what to do next in this world & it’s limitless

If he’s in for the day, which usually doesn’t last long—he’s either in sweats or in a robe all day

Only drives his bike on the weekend or if he’s going out of town but if he’s going on a trip for a couple of days with MC & if she’s got a bit of anxiety like me? He’ll stick to his car to make them comfortable

I feel like he enjoys the winter season. Maybe if it’s a slushy rainy winter more than a blizzards/snowy season. He loves bundling up, much to people’s surprise. He’s more than just his good looks and body love island fans!!!

Doesn’t post much on his socials. If you need to see what he’s about then you should do so in person or already know who he is. The internet can’t tell you much, in his opinion

Keeps himself in good health, I mean duh what kind of PT would he be 😉 goes on night jogs with reflector clothes on & occasionally morning jogs & at home workouts

Probably will date someone younger than him. Not by much, I don’t think he can take immaturity well. (That maybe how he views it) The most is 4 years younger than him

Henrik is his best bud from the show. They hang out all the time, crash at each other’s places, and vacation together all the time. They will be each other’s future best men forsure

Doesn’t go out of his way to talk to the rest of the guys from the show but if he happens to browse his feed and sees something he wants to comment on then he’ll carry a conversation of course

Far as the girls? He talks to Hannah & Priya from time to time. He also follows Hope and they like each other’s posts but not much communication is there either?

Either has a mint or black phone case, probably a Samsung galaxy user

Likes pistachio frozen yogurt but he’s lactose & doesn’t want to believe it :(

Smokes cigars when he’s out with his boys

Has a tight knit group of friends, majority of them are from the medical field since they all went to uni together + most of them are also married so the pressure is so on

*He’s the oldest out of his sibs so according to his parents he’s expected to be married first yet his baby sis is engaged and she’s 23*

wants a family...eventually. Probably will happen in his early thirties? The max for children is 2 for him. He knows they can be a HANDFUL due to his own friends who have kids + he’s a godfather and he’s babysat before so he knows how it goes!

enjoys his freedom as stated which further proves he’s a sag lol

Enjoys going to saunas to cleanse his pores/ get rid of toxins. It’s the easiest way for him to do so even tho his brother clowns him for it

His love language is deff physical touch. He loves hugs and resting his chin on top of your head, forehead to forehead, his nose pressed in between the space of your neck and shoulder, gentle squeezes, sitting next to each other with your legs touching, cuddling, sleeping on top of you or you on him, etc

He loves kissing. It’s automatic for him and it can also easily rile him up

Has strong opinions & will show them but will feel like he’s being attacked if it brings on a confrontation/argument

Will forgive and forget

Plays strategy board games

Makes his own natural healing creams & gives samples to his patients depending on their needs

His fav colors are: blue, white, & grey

Will grow a bit of facial hair in the cooler months if it’ll make mc happy (I’m a sucker for facial hair but hate it on myself lmao) but if he dislikes the feeling on his face he will shave and finds he likes a shaven face better, the facial hair makes him look a bit older—which is okay but that’s just his preference

When he stops putting gel in his hair/styling his hair in a quiff hairstyle it shocks fans with mc commenting on one of his pics, “you’re welcome x”

Likes going to the Hard Rock Cafe on causal weekends

also likes getting freaky in public, down for whatever 🤪

He’s a traveler so if he leaves the UK, I’m seeing him land in Toronto, Canada first and falling in love with it. I feel he would vibe well with the culture there, might even consider getting a vacation home in that location

Celeb crushes? Anne Hathaway, Beyoncé, Lupita Nyong'o, Anna Diop, Imaan Hammam, Jodie Comer, Megan Fox, Shay Mitchell, & Cassie Ventura Fine

Oh Lucas. I feel like we have similar tastes? Somewhat. He probably listens to more rock than I do? Maybe 80s rock moreso? & He listens to: WALK THE MOON, Allen Stone (his fav) , Emily king, Gavin Turek, Melanie Fiona, THEY., DPR live, & Sik-k

Anthem = Young the Giant, “Something to believe in”

[kiarcheo]

Because I keep thinking how stupid it is that they are finally making face coverings mandatory in shops but for some reasons only from 24 July. And because my brain is half coronavirus half six at the moment, this came to me:

Queens and Masks

Between Catalina, Anne and Anna paying attention to foreign news and what was happening abroad and a general apprehension towards illnesses and infection, especially since they all remembered the sweating sickness, among other diseases and epidemics, that plagued their times, the queens decide early on the pandemic that they would always wear masks when outside.

As they couldn’t find masks in shops (nor they wanted to go around looking for them) and didn’t want to take any resource from healthcare staff, they decided to make their own using a sheet. Jane offered to make them as she had taken up again needlework as a hobby and Kat came up with the idea to personalise them instead of having a plain white mask. Also so they wouldn’t risk mixing them up with each other’s (even if, given that they live together, if one gets it the others are likely to get it too, Cathy points out). But it was a way to pass time like any other, so they set down to each ‘design’ their mask…only to find out it’s not that easy. Catalina and Anna discover a knack for it so they end up designing them all on the others’ instructions and Jane makes them.

To keep fans engaged the queens keep sharing posts and when they go out they post pics of themselves wearing the masks. Groceries for six people is not a one-person job. And with the shortage is not even a one-shop trip. So they go out in pairs, on different days to different supermarkets, trying to cross-out things from their list.

With fans asking where they can get those masks, they get the idea to make more of them. It has multiple advantages. It will keep everyone busy. It will make some money since the theatres are shut down (and again, they are six). It will help flattening the curve. With six women all with skills in needlework and embroidery it’s not that hard. Jane and Anne do the bulk of the embroidery, recruiting the others as need requires. Catalina and Anna do all the design part, taking ideas and putting them in patterns (sometimes on customers’ request too). Cathy doesn’t really enjoy needlework, so she mostly takes care of the business side. At first they sell via email but then as demand increases Cathy, Anne and Kat study how to set up proper online shop pages. Kat likes to vary tasks so she flits between making the masks with Jane and Anne, and helping Cathy sorting orders, taking pictures of the masks uploading them, as well preparing the packages to be sent.

[humanemotionssuck]

Hello 2021

January 2, 2021

I should’ve put these thoughts into words on the first day of the year but then again, I felt so lazy given this bed weather we are currently having. By far, I think I experienced the coldest temperature here in my hometown (21 degrees baby) and I’m sure not liking it as I prefer warm days.

I actually do not know how to start. I feel it’s necessary to check on how I am doing lately. Write the things I experienced last year and reflect on the lessons it taught me.

I could probably kick things off by remembering how 2020 started for me. I have a bad memory but I’ll try my best to recall them.

January

Broke up with J (yes this is probably one of the major and heartbreaking events happened to me). To sum it up, I realized that the relationship does not have growth anymore, and I am slowly drifting to follow my own path, which is to focus on the plans I want. I haven’t thought deeply the lessons I learned in my past relationship yet but one thing is for sure, I changed and I want to explore more of what I can do or what I’m missing out in life. Which brings me to attend seminars on how to work/study abroad. I attended a couple (e.g Fortrust Makati) and I also realized how costly it will be and I’m probably not yet ready esp. on the financial aspect.

February – March

Highlight on these months was I got back to dating apps again. I know it was a complete dick move. I haven’t moved on yet and here I am in the pool again. I met 2 guys from this app, Coffee Meets Bagel (which btw I uninstalled few months after). The first guy was the introvert but funny type and also VERY sexual. I got along with it, tried to do the deed but failed cause the guy hasn’t moved on from the ex yet. (Sucks right). And so I met this second guy and he is decent but we really had completely different personality. I believe this guy is also rich (he came from a Chinese family and I went to his house and saw the maid and his stuff). Can you also believe he already introduced me to his mom (no dad cause broken family), uncle and grandma. Pressured si ate gurl syempre cause it was really too early to do that step since we’re just dating but March was the most difficult month because…

START OF LOCKDOWN. PH was in state of panic after the government announced a nationwide lockdown due to increased COVID-19 transmission. I immediately went on a bus to the province fearing to get stuck in Manila.

April

Nah this was just a typical month. Summer vibes all over but since we cannot go to the beach we just setup an inflatable pool in the house to get soaked. I finally posted a pic wearing a swimsuit again. My stagnant IG feed came to life lmao

May

Oh boy. This month sucks so much. I got typhoid fever. Which I thought was COVID already cause my fever just won’t stop. My mom didn’t want me to get admitted in the hospital in the fear of being infected so I was hooked in the IV here in the house. I felt I was dying. I was in huge pain both physically and mentally. Which forced me to end any communication means with the second guy. He was not there when I was sick. I didn’t feel his concern even if we’re miles apart and I felt I was begging for his attention. It just won’t work. He blocked me in his socials (which is a first for me, usually I am the one who blocks lol) but given the current state I have now, I learned to accept it and chose to move forward.

June

Explored options on work/study program abroad. We got a new car (Xpander) which my father was able to purchase after borrowing money from us. That money could’ve been used for my Japan trip on December (plot twist it was cancelled due to fucking corona) but it’s okay I guess I’ll save another again.

I also got my student permit (yes I learned how to drive months after hehe)

July

THIS WAS MY BIGGEST DOWNFALL FOR THIS YEAR. There were some modifications in the quarantine and so my employer required and FORCED us to report on site in Makati despite of high number of positive cases. All I can say is SCREW THEM and I hope karma will do its thing on their business. The management.. the bosses.. they are all inconsiderate fucks for not allowing me to work at home instead. The situation forced me to resign but they chose to terminate me instead. The unemployment took its toll on my mental health, it caused me great depression and anxiety which forced me to look for distractions.. anything that will ease my mind.

Oh and btw, I bought my first laptop from hard earned money. Oh boy, it was satisfying to give myself the things my parents couldn’t afford that time I was still in school. It’s a gaming laptop and the one I’m using to type now. I absolutely love it and I used it to find online jobs later on..

I read Looking for Alaska by John Green again after watching the TV series on Hulu. Geez, this has to be my favorite book so far. The seeking of great perhaps.. which was very timely on my mood while having nothing else to do.

Lastly, TAYLOR SWIFT RELEASED A NEW ALBUM CALLED FOLKLORE. In the middle pandemic? Awesome right and this album kept me sane during this crazy and miserable month. Oh and on December, she released folklore’s sister album.. Evermore. Miss Swift saved me again with her music. This will definitely be one of the albums I will play when I’m old and gray knitting sweaters and wearing cardigan.

August

I started and finished my driving lesson in manual. JFC, I realized driving gives me a huge anxiety. One thing is for sure, I will prefer to drive automatic. Not driving that shit again.

I was still hooked with Looking for Alaska. Also purchased Subtle Art of not Giving a F*ck on the time I bought LFA.

On the other hand, I was also actively looking for new jobs this time.

September

ON SEPT. 30 I GOT HIRED! I was super happy to start on a new job. It gave me hope once again to continue on this journey called life. After almost 3 months, we are def back to business!

I also got the chance to get this Thyroid issue checked. Unfortunately, there was no major stuff going on with my thyroid. Basically, I’m perfectly healthy. What sucks is that the doctor invalidated my previous condition and said I only have ~anxiety which is the cause of my symptoms (excessive sweating and palpitations). I will seek professional help on this anxiety stuff anytime in the future.

Lastly, I played Grand Chase again and met someone in the game. Well technically we haven’t met yet but since then, I got used to talking with this guy and he is part of my daily routine now. I won’t spoil much details but as soon as this is all over, I can’t wait to meet this person :)

*cue Grand Chase soundtrack*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoK0bAjsHoo

October

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MEEE! It was a typical birthday. I don’t have much realizations. If I had one, I need to think thoroughly again lol.

Busy with training on the new job and this has been the most challenging training I ever had since I started working.

NOVEMBER

WORK WORK WORK. Super stressed and my anxiety was on the roof. I thought of giving up already but then again it was too early to quit. I haven’t seen my full potential on this job yet and so I chose to keep on fighting.

I also finally got braces. Let’s get these smiles fixed.

December

WORK WORK WORK AGAIN. My work caused me a huge anxiety cause I was given high priority cases -.-But overall, I can say the holidays went great. I finally got to spend time with the family outside. Don’t worry cause we still practiced precautions and I guess it wouldn’t hurt to go out once in a while to have some fresh air. We went to the beach and pretty much that’s the highlight of this month.

Things are getting serious with this guy I’m talking about.. Seriously, he makes me happy every single day.

I also won in Christmas raffle. Oppo phone. (I have the odds in my favor when it comes to raffles lol)

Feels weird to celebrate this holiday too thinking a lot of hardships were experienced in the last few months of quarantine. I was thinking about all the lives lost by covid and hoping they are in the peaceful place now..

JANUARY (NOW)

After everything that happened, oddly the start of the year gives me a sense of hope. Sure I am still carrying the trauma 2020 gave me but I am slowly leaving all of them behind. I want a fresh start and I want to let go of the things that gave me pain. I don’t have solid resolutions just like in my teenage years. Guess I’m too old for that. Not saying it’s okay to not have plans for the future and just go with the flow but I promise to not be too hard on myself and to not pressure myself on the goals I haven’t achieved yet. It’s really a struggle to plan things ahead given the situation but as always, I will do my best. I will stop comparing my progress to somebody else’s cause everyone has their own timeline.

I will listen to my heart and my mind to determine the things I really want. I promise to reevaluate the decisions I am making each day. I will not be afraid of making mistakes because that’s how I learn.

I am embracing my anxiety of uncertainty. It’s okay to feel afraid because I am always trying on how to overcome my fear. I strive each day because I am more than just a ball of anxiety. The palpitations.. the sweating.. they don’t define me. I have the power to control them and they won’t stop me from being the better version of myself.

[shasta627]

Merry Christmas Rose! @c-rose2081 

How funny that you were my Secret Santa and I was yours ahah! (I’m still in love with the pic you gave me btw 😍)  Sorry I’m posting this pretty late but I hope you enjoy reading this fluffy little Gababel fic as much as I enjoyed writing it~!  I hope you have a wonderful holiday and get to spend it with everyone you love! ❤️

xx Amelia 

...

Isabel Castillo Flores drummed her fingers against the top of her giant suitcase, trying not to count the passing seconds as the time grew later and later. The carriage should’ve arrived to pick her up hours ago, yet she was still standing there, waiting on the steps of a coach station miles away from Avalor, wondering if she’d ever arrive home in time for Navidad.  

In hindsight she knew it was probably her own fault for her current dilemma; she had wanted to stay at the university and finish writing her dissertation before making the long trip home to Avalor, but the closer to the holidays it grew the harder it was to find transportation, which is why she was practically stranded in the middle of nowhere on Nochebuena.

A sigh escaped Isabel’s lips as she glanced at the darkening sky above her. She loved studying abroad in the kingdom of Satu, but in times like these, she wished she had decided to take on an internship in Avalor rather than continue her schooling on the other side of the world. 

“Still no coach, señorita?”

Isabel turned around to see the elderly station master hobbling toward her, looking about as troubled as she felt.

“Unfortunately not,” Isabel replied, her fingers still anxiously tapping the sides of her suitcase. “Are you sure there aren’t any other carriages in this town I can take? I’d pay extra,” she offered hopefully.

“I’m sorry, señorita, but we only have a few coaches that come through here, and the rest are all out at the moment. Your ride to Avalor should’ve been here, but perhaps the driver got the schedule mixed up,” the man said, rubbing his chin. “Or did I give him the wrong schedule?” he mumbled under his breath, his eyes squinted in concentration. 

Isabel felt like facepalming. On all the days of the year for this to happen... 

“Well, if the carriage never arrives you're  welcome to stay at one of the Inns here, free of charge,” the man offered, flashing her a friendly smile.

It was all Isabel could do to not grimace in return. She appreciated the man’s generosity, but all she wanted was to be in Avalor, not staying at an Inn in some little off-the-map town that she couldn’t even remember the name of. 

After a wave goodbye the man hobbled off again, and Isabel was left in the same predicament as before. She studied the road before her carefully, and then looked down to consider her luggage. If she used some of her shirts and attached them to her large suitcase in just the right way, she could create a makeshift backpack of sorts and walk all the way to Avalor. Her bones ached just thinking of the journey, but if she went on foot she would most likely arrive early morning of the next day, whereas if she waited here there was no telling when a coach would ever arrive, meaning she could be stranded for days before someone came to look for her. 

“Backpacking it is,” Isabel mumbled aloud in disappointment, laying her suitcase on it’s side so she could begin remodeling it. She had barely touched the clasp when a faint trotting sound reached her ears, followed by the unmistakable whiny of a horse. 

Isabel shot up and looked eagerly down the darkened street, her eyes straining to make out the source of the sound. Did the carriage arrive after all?  Yet it only took a few seconds for her to see that it was just a single horse and it’s rider passing through town—not someone who would be willing to take her to Avalor.

Or would they? 

She hated to ask, especially if it was going to be a burden to the rider, but she was desperate enough to step out of her comfort zone and practically beg for a favor. Plus, she would never know unless she tried. 

“Hey! Hey, you! Excuse me, but can you help me?” Isabel called loudly, stepping down from the steps of the coach station and into the street. She waved her arms and prayed that the rider would see her and not run her over.

Thankfully it was still light enough that the rider saw her, and Isabel let out a breath of relief as they slowed down and stopped right in front of her. 

“Thank you,” she said gratefully. “I hate to ask, but I was wondering if…” The words died on her lips as she suddenly recognized the person on the horse before her. 

“Gabe?!” she cried in disbelief. There was no way anyone could ever forget the familiar, handsome appearance of Avalor’s Captain of the Guard, Gabe Nuñez. 

Gabe seemed to recognize her at the exact same moment. “Isa!” he responded happily, a brilliant smile growing on his face as his eyes shone with joy.

“What’re you doing here?”

“What’re you doing here?”

The question was asked simultaneously by them both. Isabel laughed and looked down, trying to distract herself from his deep brown eyes and the way he kept gazing at her, giving her his utmost attention. But instead it only reminded her of how old and frayed her dress was and that she probably looked half dead after traveling all day. Her cheeks grew warm in embarrassment and she quickly tried to straighten out the folds of her skirt before attempting to look him in the eye again. “You go first,” she said with what she hoped was a friendly, casual smile.  

“I was meeting with some troops from some other kingdoms regarding a possible military alliance, but our conference went long and I’m just now returning to Avalor.” He gave a weary sigh, and Isabel could tell he hated missing Nochebuena as much as she did. “And you?”

Isabel took a breath and then relayed her entire tale to him, starting from the moment she left Satu all the way up to her waiting for nearly three hours for a seemingly non-existent carriage to arrive. “And so I’m stranded,” she finally finished, casting a glare at the coach station behind her as if the building itself was the one at fault. 

“Well, not anymore,” Gabe said determinedly, finally dismounting his horse Fuego and coming to stand beside her. Isabel surreptitiously noted he was even more muscular than she remembered. “How heavy is your luggage?” 

Isabel picked it up from the ground with a grunt. “It’s kinda heavy,” she warned, but then he picked it up with one hand and swung it over his head, moving to attach it to the back of Fuego’s saddle. “...Or not,” Isabel mumbled, both impressed and disgruntled.

“It may take an additional hour with the extra weight, but I think we can make it back to Avalor by midnight,” said Gabe, finishing up with the suitcase and turning back to her. “I forgot to say this by the way, but welcome back. It’s good to see you again.”

Isabel fought the furious blush working its way to her cheeks. “It’s good to see you too,” she replied with a genuine smile as her stomach began to flutter. She felt like she was fifteen all over again, when she first discovered she had a crush on him. She thought it would just fade over time, but the older she grew and the more she got to know him, it only became stronger and stronger. Even in the past three years she’d been at Satu, the absence did nothing to deter her feelings, and she was starting to become concerned at just how fast and far she was falling for Avalor’s Captain of the Guard. 

“Alright, if you want to climb up first I’ll hop on behind you,” Gabe instructed, completely oblivious to Isabel’s internal struggle, which only grew worse once she realized how close they would be sitting. How was she supposed to handle being in his arms for almost five hours when she could barely keep herself from blushing every time he so much as looked at her?

It’s going to be a long ride, Isabel thought wearily, yet couldn’t help the anticipation that built up inside of her at the thought. 

She put her foot in the stirrup and settled herself atop Fuego, trying not to stiffen too much as Gabe climbed on from behind and wrapped his arms around her waist to grab the reins. He let out a sharp whistle and Fuego immediately began to move at a brisk trot, and Isabel found herself being involuntarily jostled further back into his arms.  

They were silent at first, and then Isabel finally spoke and said, “Thank you again for giving me a lift back. I don’t know what I would’ve done had you not come along.”

She could feel Gabe’s warm laugh ruffle her hair. “Believe me, I’m glad I ran into you too. It wouldn’t be Navidad if you weren’t there.”

The comment warmed her heart more than she thought possible, and gave her the courage to lean her head back against his shoulder. Gabe didn’t react at first, and then he tightened her arms around her and held her closer—at least she thought he did, but it was hard to tell due to the constant jostling of riding a horse. 

“How’s university going by the way? We haven’t talked since last summer and I need to get caught up,” Gabe asked, and Isabel could picture the smile on his face as he said it. He was always so intrigued by the drama and everyday happenings of school life, it had almost become an inside joke between the two of them for Isa to update him on all the Satu gossip. 

And just like that, despite the nervousness she constantly felt whenever they were together, Isabel lapsed back into the easy friendship they had built up with each other over the years. 

They talked about everything and nothing, ranging from every topic imaginable that most often ending with hearty laughs or conspiratory giggles between the two of them. Isabel recognized that it might seem strange that they would get along so well, seeing as they were so different, but she found that their differences only gave them more to discuss and furthered their understanding of each other. 

Despite the journey being so long, the hours seemed to fly by and they arrived in what felt like no time at all. The palace soon became visible in the distance, and in just a matter of minutes they were riding over the bridge and through the main entrance gates before Fuego finally stopped at the palace steps.

"We made it!" said Isabel happily. 

Gabe slipped off the horse and then helped her dismount. "And with two minutes until midnight. Now you can technically say you were home for Nochebuena."

"All thanks to you," Isabel reminded, squeezing his arm gratefully. Gabe smiled in return before turning to retrieve her luggage. Isabel thanked him again as he unstrapped the suitcase and handed it to her. 

They stood in silence for a moment, simply smiling at each other before Isabel finally broke the moment with a sigh. “I should go find my family, but I’ll see you tomorrow, right?”

“Of course,” Gabe quickly affirmed. “And how long are you here for?”

“Only two weeks,” Isabel admitted almost regrettably. It seemed like such a short amount of time now that she thought about it. She really wished she had come home sooner. 

“Oh,” Gabe said, and Isabel could clearly see the disappointment on his face. “I wish you could stay longer.”

Isabel was about to reply with a standard ‘me too’ response, but suddenly held her tongue. Just in the last few hours she’d begun to have a sneaking suspicion, one that she’d never let herself consider lest she get her hopes up, but now the evidence was too prominent to ignore. Given everything that had just transpired in the last few hours, she couldn't help but wonder...

What if Gabe liked her back? 

It certainly seemed like he did. He was attentive to her needs, he listened to everything she said whether he understood it or not, and he genuinely seemed interested in her and wanted to talk to her. She was no expert in the field of love, but the signs were there, and she wanted to believe it was true…

“Why?” she said instead in response to his question, her heartbeat quickening. Was she really about to do this, on the palace steps at midnight on Nochebuena?

Gabe blinked. “Why?” he repeated.

Isabel nodded. “I’ll be back again in a few months and you’ll see me then. Why don’t you want me to go?” It seemed like a silly question, but Isabel was clearly giving him an opening and wanted to see if he'd take it to confess his feelings.  

Gabe’s eyes focused on hers, and all of a sudden the confusion in his expression vanished and he seemed to understand what she was getting at. He let out a deep breath and took a step closer. “You want me to be honest?” he asked, his voice low.

Isabel swallowed, a rush of both anticipation and excitement coursing through her at the realisation that her spontaneous plan might actually be working. She finally managed a single nod in response. 

Gabe let out another breath and nodded himself, running a hand through his dark hair. “Alright. Isa, I just...I really hate seeing you leave,” he admitted, so quietly it was almost as though he was talking to himself rather than her. “I love when you come home. The palace feels alive and complete again, and when you’re around I...I find myself smiling more. You make me happier.”

It was a simple confession but it still rendered Isabel speechless. She felt like she could hardly breathe due to the sudden rush of emotions flooding her brain.

But he kept talking.

“I know we’ve been friends for a long time. I mean, I’ve been around for what seems like forever and you’ve been around for even longer—quite literally.” He chuckled at his own joke regarding her true age, but then his smile quickly faded and he looked down, as though suddenly nervous. “Isa, I’m not good with big speeches. I like to think I can be romantic and smooth when in reality I’m...not. I'm by no means an expert on this stuff.”

“That makes two of us then,” Isabel heard herself saying, and was surprised to find that her voice still worked despite everything going on around her. 

Gabe looked up at her and smiled so brightly, Isabel was liable to melt right on the spot. He could say nothing but gibberish and she would still be completely enamored. 

“Glad I’m not alone,” he said softly, and then took her hand in his. “Isa...you’re an incredible person. You’re smart, beautiful, funny, and you impress me with your kindness and generosity everyday. And I know I’m not perfect. I can be uptight, overbearing, and I don’t know a thing about science or math or inventions and whatnot, but...I promise I would try to be better at all those things, and would spend everyday trying to make you happy, if you will let me.” He squeezed her hand tightly and then met her gaze, his eyes searching for a response. 

Isabel was afraid she’d either start laughing giddily or ugly crying with happiness if she opened her mouth, because her hypothesis was right—he liked her too! She was so elated yet all she could do was stand there and stare at him in awe.

"Isa?" He prompted a few seconds later. He looked nervous. "Please say something."

Isabel didn't know how words could convey the happiness she was experiencing, and so she decided to do the next best thing she could think of doing, and leaned forward and kissed him.

It was a soft, featherlight kiss, seeing as she was still far too overwhelmed and nervous to try anything more, but when they pulled back and she saw the hope gleaming in Gabe’s face—his sweet, beautiful face—she finally found the words she needed to say.

“Your imperfections only make you more perfect to me,” she whispered, still so close their foreheads were nearly touching. “And the fact that you still care for me despite all of mine only makes me want you more.” She was sure her face was flushing brightly but she couldn’t bring herself to care. After waiting for so many years, all of her dreams were finally coming true.

“I’m willing to take this chance if you are,” she then said, and was met with an enthusiastic smile from Gabe followed by a long, tender kiss. And then another one. And another. 

After what felt like an entirely too short amount of time Gabe pulled away. He gently cupped her face and smiled. “As much as I’d like to stand here all night and kiss you, I know you wanted to see your family and you should probably find them before it gets too much later. Don't worry about your suitcase either, I'll have it delivered to your room so you don't have to lug it up the stairs.”

It took Isabel several seconds to comprehend what he was saying, she was still so dazed by everything that had just transpired. “Oh. Oh! You’re right, I completely forgot about them! I'm a horrible person,” she moaned, turning to dash up the palace steps to go inside. She then paused and turned around to look at Gabe.

“I’ll see you in the morning?” she asked eagerly.

“I’m already counting down the hours,” he replied with a smile, and Isabel raced down the steps to give him one last kiss before she dashed inside again, feeling happier than she’d ever been in a long, long time. 

Navidad had just begun, but already she knew it would be her best one yet. 

[alyghea]

Week 2

First week of my maybe classes is done and over. I found out Tuesday night that a class (which has been preapproved by the university) I wanted to take I couldn’t because we don’t allow pass/fail classes (I checked and this class has only been offered as a pass/fail, but like whatever I guess). So I had to pick a different class which only meets later on Mondays (1400-1700), which is okay because I can come back from weekend trips early Monday and I’ll be fine. So Monday I’ll have to go to that class and get added to the SULIS page so that it officially becomes part of my class list. Other than that, my classes seem real chill. Most of them have an essay/group project and a final exam and that’s it. No quizzes/tests in between really (expect the small possibility in my Major Author class). My major author class, we are studying (drumroll) Marilynne Robinson. The prof thought it would be a cool person to read since she’s American... nice. It’s not too bad, we got a week to read the first book (it’s a little less than 250 pages, so it’s not long at all). LIO (Limerick Inside Out) is a volunteer module I get credit for and it’s all about doing community service projects around Limerick and downtown Limerick. It seems really cool and a lot of fun, so I’m excited. My psych class I’m super excited for and then my Celtic and Civ class seems okay. It’s a mix of learning about the kings and other history stuff and the other half of the 2-hour lecture is all about folklores and oral traditions, which interests me much more. On another note, I did the Ring of Kerry today. There was some really cool water-type pictures and we stopped at the ocean again, which is always one of my favourites. There were a lot of cool little stops, my favourite being either Waterville or Sneem. It was a good, cute little day trip. Next week (early Friday morning) I will be on my way to Germany to visit a real good friend of mine who is studying in Marburg for the semester. I will be spending the weekend with him (I’m going to the Frankfurt Zoo while I’m there, which is def something I’m really looking forward to) and I think he said he wanted to do some hiking on Saturday and we aren’t sure what we’re going to do on Sunday yet. I will eventually have to go back or stop in Heidelberg one weekend when I’m near Germany to meet my other friend, who I met at WHS when I was a senior since he studied abroad during his HS years. Anyways, I’m excited to see my friend and visit him for the weekend. Plane ticket was really cheap (€9.99 each way!) So it’s not too bad to go visit him for the long weekend and it saves me more money since I don’t need to pay for a hostel. I’ve also started planning my spring break trip with some of my friends I’ve met here for Italy. It is packed, but it is also going to be so much fun, I cannot wait. Hoping tomorrow I figure out when my friend Madi wants to do Paris (+ Disney) and London (HP mostly) so that my travel companion and I can figure out the rest of our trips. Once everything is planned, I’ll probably post dates where I’m expected to be so that everyone can keep up. Not planning on bringing my laptop with me on weekend excursions, only for Italy so that I can update daily on what I did and what’s to come and all that fun stuff. I will post pics of today later tonight!

[colossal-guest-2011]

My experience with Todd Haberkorn

I first met Todd at Anime Central 2010, if you can call it a meeting. I got his autograph and a picture, and I attended a few of his panels. He mentioned he was going to Japan in a week or so for work, and I joked with friends that it would be funny if I saw him during my own study abroad trip to Japan that was in just over a week. Lo and behold, at my connecting flight in San Francisco, I saw him waiting at my gate, waiting to board the same plane as me. Internally freaking out, I snapped a sneaky photo and texted my friends. They shared the news on Facebook, and many hours and a long flight later, he saw it. I posted the pic and tagged him, and despite the photo accidentally having cut off his head, he admitted it was him and joked that the next time we shared an international flight, I should say hi.

Flash forward to Colossalcon 2011. Todd was one of the guests, along with a few other VAs we adored, so my best friend and I decided to take a road trip out to Ohio for the weekend, rooming with a few people she knew from the internet at a hotel up the street. We finally got the chance to be in Todd’s autograph line. When it was my turn, I said, “Remember last year when a girl snuck a creeper photo of you at the airport and said you guys were on the same flight to Japan? And that she should have said hi? Yeah, that was me.” We laughed about the whole absurd situation, and as he signed my item, he asked if I played soccer. Confused, I said no, I hated soccer, but I was a newly-christened marathon finisher, since running was basically free and I was a broke college student. He smiled and said something like, “Ah, I knew it had to be something like that. I could tell by the legs.” I was confused and (admittedly) a little flattered — I had always been a scrawny kid, but my muscles had developed well through high school volleball and my marathon training, and it did feel nice to have that appreciated. I was (and am) a socially awkward mess, though, so I attributed my flash of discomfort at my inability to accept a compliment. I asked for a pic, he agreed, and we went on our way.

Later that evening he had a panel, I believe about his fanclub that he had just started up. My best friend and I weren’t the ones who started it, and I can’t recall how we got involved (maybe via Twitter?), but we were in contact with the group’s founder, and we were essentially some of the first volunteers. After the panel, he hung around a bit to take pics and chat. When my friend and I approached, he said, “Hey! There’s my runner!” We got a pic, and then my friend mentioned that we were working with his fan club. He lit up, asked us to hang around while he did a few more pics with other attendees, and then asked if we wanted to go somewhere and chat. My friend and I, being young, weeb-tastic fangirls, excitedly agreed. He asked us to meet in the resort’s lobby.

When we met up, it was just the two of us and him. For a while, we just talked about his fan club, Team Haberkorn.It was still not really a big thing, brand new, and he animatedly talked about what sort of things he wanted to do with it, how he wanted to connect with his fans. For roughly 20-30 minutes, that’s all we discussed. Then he started some small talk, asking how our weekend had been going. I told him it was fun, going to a con at a big resort and far from my home, but since my birthday was on Monday, we were treating it like a pseudo birthday vacation. He asked how old I was turning, and I said 20. He excused himself for a moment, and when he came back, he had a clear glass from the bar. “For the birthday girl,” he said, handing me the glass full of pink liquid and ice cubes.

As a woman, you’re taught never to leave a drink unattended, and never to take a drink if you didn’t see it made. Not wanting to be rude, though, I carefully took a sip. I asked him what it was. He never said, just smiling and saying, “Something good.” In my head, I was thinking, “There’s no way he would have put something in this. Your friend didn’t get one, and if he tries anything, she’s right here, watching. It’s fine.” So I kept the drink. I don’t really remember details of what else we talked about, but I distinctly remember him telling us about how he had a long-distance girlfriend in college and how he would drive to see her every weekend to “read books” as he put it, complete with a knowing smirk.

Eventually we said we needed to go, since we had to get back to our own hotel. He asked us if we weren’t staying at the resort? And we admitted that we’d made our plans to come far too late for any resort rooms to still be available, so we had 7 people crammed in a small hotel room a mile up the road. Then he said, “Hey, if you guys want, I have plenty of space in my room. You’re free to sleep there if you want.” A combination of social awkwardness and weird vibes had us quickly and graciously declining. We said our goodbyes and went our separate ways. We didn’t talk the rest of the con, but I know he saw us at one of his panels the next day, and he smiled and waved.

At this point, despite my clearly-remembered unease, I wasn’t able to pinpoint what exactly had weirded me out so badly. It was a long time, years, that I was able to fully come to terms with the fact that a 28-year-old convention guest had said I had nice legs, bought me alcohol knowing I was 19, and invited me and my friend to sleep in his hotel room. I look back sometimes and shudder to think about what might have happened if we had said yes.

We saw him again at Colossalcon 2012, though his busy schedule and other things (unrelated to anything serious) kept us from interacting one-on-one outside of his autograph session. Online, he and I would occasionally bicker on Twitter or Facebook, egging the other on. In time, though, college kept me a lot busier, and I had no time for anime or cons or banter. I graduated, got a job, and did other things. Todd seemed to get more and more argumentative online, often taking big news stories and playing devil’s advocate. His fan club had gotten wildly popular, though my friend and I had only stayed on for a few months. He seemed to be more hostile, less open-minded, and much quicker to mock people in a way that didn’t seem like friendly banter. In October 2016, he and I butted heads for the final time. I’ll let the screenshots tell the story.

After that, he deleted me from his Facebook. What’s hilarious is that he then proceded to send me an Instagram DM, which meant me had to look me up. He definitely had my e-mail address from my brief stint as fanclub volunteer, but he chose this.

He and I have not spoken since, and I have no desire to ever speak to him again. In the years following the 2011 incident, I grew so much and learned just how skeezy he had been. He denies malicious intent, but I know for a fact that he has slept with two other convention attendees in the past, one of whom I know. Regardless of their age, that’s still scummy. I don’t want to think about if there have been other young women like me, maybe teenagers, excited at being singled out by their favorite anime voice actor, showered with compliments, given a drink or two, invited to a hotel room.

[clearvenus]

hiatus announcement.

so as a few of yall may know, ya girls going to study abroad in japan! ill be gone for four weeks, im returning june 24th. so i moooost likely wont be posting any sims (like its unlikely but. well see). ill still be active tho, and keeping up with whats going on with simblr. when i return i plan on starting triquetra, the second and final story of roxana hayward. ill also be starting neon ether, that scifi shit ive been teasing for forever. so yeah look forward to that! i do plan on posting some pics from my trip so just tag #japan trip if u dont wanna see em. thats it!

[kimsvoyage]

Update!

I know I’ve been horrible with updating this blog (I honestly hate writing) I'm going to try and update as much as possible this year. 

Starting from where I left off in 2016

Fall semester in Seoul:

Overall it was an amazing experience and I would definitely recommend Ewha Womans University to anyone wanting to study abroad in Korea. Recap post

2017

February:

I went to Chicago for B1A4′s ‘4 Nights in the US’ concert which was amazing and did a little sight-seeing.

July:

Went to Jamaica for a cousin’s wedding. I won’t post too many pics from that trip since I don’t feel comfortable posting pictures of my family on here.

August:

Went back to Seoul for a week but unfortunately got really sick so I didn’t do much. I still tried to make the most of my trip though.

After Korea I took a small trip to San Francisco with my twin. That was basically a vegan food-cation.

2018:

May:

Finally graduated with a bachelors in Chinese language!! Went to Maryland to visit friends.

June/July:

Visited my twin in Portland. This was an interesting experience since she had me help out at the farm she was interning at and I also helped her move.

Finally now August and my plans for the rest of the year:

I applied for the working holiday program in Korea and got approved so I’ll be leaving for Korea on Sep. 20! Before that I’ll be spending 2 weeks in Jamaica and a week in Maryland to hangout with family/friends. I’m hoping to visit at least 3 cities outside of Seoul.

This November I’ll also be travelling to Ivory Coast and Ghana with my sisters. (Thank you error fares🙌🙌)

I have a lot of plans for 2019 but since they aren’t set in stone yet I won’t share them right now

TLDR: I’ve done a lot of travelling in the last 2 years but failed at documenting them here but I’ll try to do better

PS: If you’re 21 and older and live in Korea and want to hangout with someone or need a concert/clubbing/travel buddy feel free to message me. I’m always looking for new friends!

PPS: Anyone going to Off Route Fest or Seoul Fashion Festival in October?👀 Let me know!

[umichenginabroad]

Week 7: Kayaking (gone awry), Hiking, and Pompeii

Ciao! Apologies for the late post, this past week was busy and one of the more stressful ones I’ve had (ironically, perfectly highlighting my point from last time). My solo adventure in Florence was a blast, and I would highly recommend everyone doing a solo adventure to two when traveling. While I have so much fun traveling with friends, it was freeing just being able to meander around at my own pace, stop into various shops, and go to around 10 museums (I love museums) without worrying about anyone else. 

(Top left picture of a painted cathedral ceiling found in one of the many museums visited, top right is a view of the Duomo down a narrow street, bottom picture of the Florentine skyline with mountains in the background at sunset)

The hostel I stayed at was quiet, felt very safe, and was in a great location. I took the bus back to Naples as it was cheaper than the train (5 euros total!) and I didn’t mind the longer travel time on Sunday as I had my last physics midterm the next day to study for. We were a bit delayed coming back into Naples, but other than that it was a surprising, but welcome smooth trip! Monday morning I took my exam in the morning and had a slow day, working a bit on a job application for the fall and typing up some emails I had been putting off (who wants to write emails when the Mediterranean Sea is out your window??). 

Tuesday started off with more of the same until I had class in the afternoon and an excursion that evening. CIS Abroad took us on a paddleboarding tour along the coast of Sorrento to a hidden beach to watch the sunset. Sounds great right? Definitely something you’d want pictures of. Fortunately, the tour guides provided us with sealable, clear bags for our phones so they wouldn’t get wet but we could still capture the moment. Unfortunately for me, my bag had a hole in it which I failed to realize until halfway through, when I went to take a pic of the town and all I got was the apple logo flashing on and off. 

(Pictures from kayaking, the left one is of me kayaking, taken by a friend who didn't have a hole in her bag. The right picture is a sunset view from the cove we paddled into)

(Last picture on my phone before it went into a coma, at least is was a decent one :)

Once I got back to my apartment, I dutifully put my phone in rice and hoped for the best. The next day, I had class in the morning then hiked Mount Vesuvius with two of my friends (luckily the tickets were on their phones, not mine) in the afternoon. The hike ended up being easier than I thought and the view from the top was phenomenal. We hiked around the crater as far as we could go, as part of it is closed to everyone except geologists. It was strange knowing the volcano is overdue to erupt as the top is closed and just looks rocky, not like the dramatic videos of boiling, spewing lava. As I learned the next day in my archeology class, the closed top actually makes it much more explosive (think shaking a coke bottle with the lid on). Fun fact about me, I used to be utterly convinced I was going to be a paleontologist when I grow up and went through a hard core geology phase alongside the paleontology, so the little kid in me was ecstatic to be on a volcano and be surrounded by the volcanic rocks and minerals (yes, I can still identify more than I’d care to admit). 

(My and a friend at the crater of Vesuvius)

Once I got back from the hike, I worked up the courage to try turning my phone on. Nothing happened. I tried for several hours and eventually got it to connect to my computer to put it in “recovery” mode, but still had no luck getting it to actually work, even after trying to factory reset it. After fighting it for a while and getting nowhere, I called it a night as I had 6 hours of back to back classes the next day. Friday morning I finally had time to take it into an electronics store where they took it to the back and simply told me to come back in a few hours. Without much other choice, I left it there and trusted them as, thanks to dual authentication of practically everything nowadays, I had no way of signing into any of my accounts without a phone number. If I couldn’t get it fixed, I was going to have to buy a burner phone until I could get back to the states. Thankfully the shop was able to repair it and my phone is now good to go (minus a functioning FaceID or phone speaker but I’ll gladly take the loss). I knew it would work out one way or another, but it was still very stressful not having a working phone, especially when I couldn’t even access my bank account or wolverine access without the verification code texted to me. 

Relieved to have a working phone, I rushed to the train station as I had a field to get to in Pompeii! Though it was scorching hot, it was fascinating to see some of the highlights and learn some of the nuances. My Archeology professor is very knowledgeable as she used to work at one of the excavations sites in Pompeii! Walking around the city was so surreal because I had realized just how well-preserved it truly is. Reading about it and seeing pictures pales in comparison to seeing it with your own eyes. Some of the wall murals still had vivid color, intricate mosaics were still intact, and signs still hung outside of businesses. It blew my mind that everything I was seeing was over 2000 years old, yet many aspects were very similar to our cities now. 

(Pictures from Pompeii, top left showing the gladiators old training center, top right showing some (original!) paintings inside a home, and the bottom picture showing Mount Vesuvius in the background with part of what's been excavated next to high ground with building still to be uncovered)

Overall, it was a decent week. Florence was captivating, I had a blast kayaking (despite my phone issues), and I got to explore both Pompeii and the volcano that destroyed the city. Time is truly racing by, but I still have a lot left to experience!

Arrivederci!

Marika Ruppart

Mechanical Engineering

Engineering in Sorrento, Italy

[thebluexorcist]

HIATUS COMING UP

(( 

Hi all! I know I haven’t been on a lot because of finals, but I just wanted to let you all know that I’m going to be on official hiatus from May 14th to June 5th.

Why, you may ask? I’m going to Japan for a study abroad trip! Our internet access is going to be pretty sporadic, and I’m going to be spending a lot of time doing classwork and trying to find AnE merch sightseeing, so I don’t expect to be on here very much (if at all). I’ll probably be posting travel updates and pics on @ari-no-exorcist and my FB, for those of you that have the latter. ))

[victakestaipei]

WEEK 3 RECAP: 9 min mile, SZA, and The Red Poop Scare

This week was not very eventful. Sorry to say folks, but it’s not going to be exciting all the time right? You have to have boring/uneventful days to balance out the exciting ones. I guess it makes you appreciate them more... But regardless of this fact, I still am going to write about the week due to the fact that I’m trying to stay consistent and make blogging feel like a habit/hobby, rather than a chore (at times). If you keep reading and get to the end of this post, you the GOAT!

Monday: 

I was super exhausted this morning from the long weekend (visiting Longdong and Fulong)... I didn’t want to get out of bed and it took all of my strength to get up and climb down the ladder from my bunk bed. I also was still recovering from the first real sunburn I’d had in years, so pulling on my sports bra and t-shirt this morning was definitely a wake up call. In class we had our third test of the course. It was definitely harder than the previous two, but I still think I did well. Class dragged on harder and slower than ever before... I found myself counting down the minutes until 1:10pm.. and it seems like I wasn’t the only one hehe

At the gym it was floor day/abs. So I did mostly floor work with a matt. The weight lifting area of the gym is pretty small so usually when I use a matt I take it outside of the weight lifting room and do my sets in the hallway/foyer. But, there is no air conditioning out here so I find myself dripping sweat onto the matt and it’s just a mess.  ALSO!! I actually ran a mile today, in 9 minutes! That was my goal cut off time and I made it by the skin of my teeth. So I ran the 1.6 kilometers in 9 minutes... Not too shabby from last week ;)

For lunch Bunny and I grabbed potstickers to go (I got the curry flavor) and hopped on the bus to head home. We didn't feel like sitting and having lunch because we are still recovering from the weekend and were super tired. After I got home I hopped on FaceTime and caught up with Karis and some other loved ones. I wanted to take a nap, but I figured it might be better to just stay up so that I can sleep real good when I finally hit the hay. For dinner Bunny made rice, scrambled eggs, and we picked up some fried chicken from the food stand place by our dorm. I had bought a dozen eggs the weekend before in the grocery store, and they were going to go bad soon so we had to figure out what we were going to do with them. It turned out to be a really good dinner. I finished my blog post about Fulong today, and also did some personal journaling of my own before starting my homework. Today was a bit of a moody/emotional day, and I'm not sure why. But it feels good to write. It always feels good to write...

Tuesday: 

So as it turns out, I got a 97% on my test from yesterday!!! Feelin’ good. Feelin’ like a smarty pants. We also had a written quiz today too on the dialogue. I got a 94% on that. I’m really starting to get the hang of writing traditional, and I’m actually glad I chose Taiwan as my study abroad destination, so that I could learn both forms of written Mandarin. I know it’ll pay off in the long run when I’m making dem big bucks! Hehe (kidding)... ((kindof)).

In the gym I ran another 9 min mile. It was also leg day (my favorite)!!... When I got home I bought my SZA ticket. I AM SO EXCITED YOU ALL HAVE NO IDEA. I have been listening to this woman for years now and she’s finally getting the recognition she deserves and I’m so happy for her :-’) I’ll be seeing her with Poirshea in Sacramento in September. Can't wait. Gonna die of excitement!!! P and I really bond over SZA and love her to death and I’m so glad we’re going to experience her music live together. Twin bonding at it’s finest. 

I miss you Twin!!! 

Sza is so adorable I just can’t!!!! Ugh. 

Anways, for lunch the three of us went back to the soy sauce braised place, and filled up on udon noodles, veggies and tofu. I got it a bit spicier than last time.. and it was really really good. WAYY better than last time! For dinner I was still pretty full off of lunch, so Bunny and I went to the street market around 10:30pm to get some fruit and egg scallion pancakes. I NEED to learn how to make these pancakes at home because they're so dang good. I will make them everyday for every meal. BOMB.COM. Egg scallion pancakes are basically green onions, eggs, and dough in pancake form... sounds odd, but man is it tasty!

Wednesday: 

Today I jumped up out the bed at 9:52am like I was just ressurected from the dead. And for those of you who don’t know, my class starts at 10:20am. Bunny was still knocked out when I was startled out of bed.. so we found ourselves throwing on clothes and rushing out the door. We ran to the bus stop, and was only about 10 min late to our class. Thankfully our teacher wasn't upset or anything... But right after we arrived we had a quiz waiting on us at the do’

I’m not sure about my grade yet, but I don’t think I did so well. I was drawing a lot of blanks because I was still frazzled from rushing this morning. After class we got something small to eat before the gym because at this point it's 1:30pm and I'm starVING!!! At the gym I did a really really quick back day, because there’s a class that meets in the gym at 2:20 on Mon/Wed/Fri so usually I have to do short workouts on those days. 

After the gym we headed to a fruit stand to get mango smoothies and dragon fruit... *REMEMBER THIS* 

I wasn't super hungry because of the food I had before the gym. And then we went home, did homework, took a nap, and watched netflix. At around 9 Bunny and I went to get potstickers at the place by our dorm. That place is the best ever. 

Thursday: 

This morning we actually woke up on time. We were even able to gnab some bread at the local bakery before class. I usually pair my morning bread with a tea of sorts... I’ve been drinking alot of green tea lately, and I really really love the green tea infused with passionfruit. So so good. But, I’ve come to find out on days that I don’t have any tea or milk tea, I get massive massive caffeine headaches. I used to get them alot when I would stop drinking coffee after a few days... But I didn’t think this would still happen to me because the caffeine amount in green tea is so much smaller... who knows. But nonetheless, the tea is worth it!!! 

We had a quiz in class today, and before the end of the three hour period, she sprang a test on us right there at the end. She did this because alot of us (4 out of the 9) will be absent tomorrow due to travel. There’s another student in our class (the Swiss guy) who’s going to Seoul, South Korea this weekend, and he left midway through our class. And then the three of us (Bunny, Nick, and I) leave for the Philippines tonight at like 2am.

Also in class I got called Beyoncé more than I wanted to... Our teacher first brought up Shakira, and asked us if we all have heard of her before (which obviously we have), but she just learned of this Columbian singer’s existence and was tickled/excited to share the news. She then brought up Beyonce and drew the conclusion that I look strikingly similar to the superstar mother of three. I can admit it is quite the compliment, but Lord knows she only thinks this because we are both lightskin, tall women. Hooray for racial insensitivity!!!

At the gym it was leg day once again (it’s Thursday, duh!). I ended up running a 8:40 mile! I definitely shaved off some seconds. SO Proud. Drenched in sweat!

For lunch we went back to that Malaysian place with the sweet lady who showed us pictures of her 8month old grandson. I love her. I ordered the hot/sour Chicken with potato wedges... so incredibly bomb. 

Bunny and I went home after lunch and packed for our trip to the Philippines this weekend, as well as napped. I went to the bathroom and had the fright of a LIFETIME. Which brings me to the “Red Poop Scare” segment of this blog post.... 

I have had problems pooping regularly since I’ve gotten here, I think partly due to my change in diet and stress levels... but nonethless it has only just started to get more regular/consistent. So just IMAGINE my shock when I went to handle my business and my poop was RED!!! I’m talking BRIGHT RED/MAGENTA!!! I thought I was dying!!! Blood in my stool??? Can you IMAGINE!!! I would have had to find a doctor here in Taiwan and omg the HORROR. But when I was handling my business there was no pain or strain or anything... so it was also pretty confusing. After I went back into the room and talked to my roommate I realized that I had DRAGONFRUIT YESTERDAY!!! Which is conveniently the same exact color as my poop. So that was exciting and a relief to realize. It was only that color because of the fruit I had the previous day. THANK YOU JESUS I AM ALIVE AND HEALTHY AND IT WAS NOT BLOOD. 

....I’ve come to realize that maybe this segment of the blog is a bit TMI... but I also told myself that if I’m going to blog, It’s going to be as open and honest and transparent as possible.. everyone has poop probs am I right??? 

Anyway,

We also did a quick run to the night market before taking the MRT to the airport. At the night market we got some more food to eat because we knew the journey to get to Philippines would be long. We were to land at 4am. And we left to the airport around 10:15pm. It takes about 45-hour to get to the airport, plus we wanted to allow enough time to check in, go through security, etc before our plane departed at 1:45am.

Here’s some pics of the wanton/noodles I bought and the really really good burger I had at the Night Market.. THE BURGER MIGHT BE BETTER THAN IN-N-OUT DONT @ ME

I’ll come back with another post about the Philippines!

until then, xoxo

[rawk-chikk]

It's that time again.

Just over a week til Bro and I are off to Wales with Chris and family for the ol’ sci-fi conventiorooney.

It’s probably gonna be our last one for a bit coz we’re planning on going somewhere else next year. The money we spend for a weekend at the con could get us an entire week somewhere else, so we’re taking that into consideration, much as we enjoy the con.

Then it’s only a couple of weeks til Bro, Mum, and I are off on our usual trip up north. We’re doing a solid 2 weeks this time. First week is up in Fife, then we’re at our usual haunt in Northumberland for week 2. Daytrips to Edinburgh and Dundee are on the itinerary. I’ve been promised Edinburgh for the last 2 years, and it’s finally getting cashed in 😊. And Dundee is my old stomping grounds so we wanna see how life’s treated it since I was last there (16 years ago 😮).

Bro’s off to go be a mature student at Bangor University this autumn (lucky bastard!) so it might be our last proper holiday for a while. Tho he is keeping his ear to the ground for cruises in Scandi-wegia that we could fit around his academic obligations. Dude's going all out. He's giving up his job and his company car and everything. He got his accounts technician qualification taking evening classes, and now he's gonna study Business and Marketing. Lots of opportunities for work/study placements abroad too. Bugger's gonna get his degree before me (utter bastard 😛) but I hope he has a blast.

Reminds me, all this travel talk, I still need to post the pics from Florence and Barcelona.