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patriotsnet · 3 years ago

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Why Are Republicans Scared Of Trump

New Post has been published on https://www.patriotsnet.com/why-are-republicans-scared-of-trump/

Why Are Republicans Scared Of Trump

Donald Trump Hasn’t Cowed Republicans He’s Freed Them To Pursue Their Long

Why Are Republicans Still So Afraid Of Trump? | The 11th Hour | MSNBC

Donald Trump getting the “O-K” from Joseph McCarthy and Mitch McConnell

On the eve of the impeachment vote in the House of Representatives , things are looking mighty bleak for anyone who hoped Republicans might turn over a new leaf. For the last several months, there has been plaintive hope that GOP lawmakers might be moved by the overwhelming evidence that Donald Trump is guilty of running an extortion scheme against Ukraine’s leaders to help him win re-election in 2020.

Right now, it looks like there’s no chance of any Republican defections in the House away from the GOP line that Trump did nothing wrong. The one Republican, Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan, who admitted out loud that Trump deserved to be impeached, was duly ejected from the party. In the Senate, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has been openly bragging that he intends to rig the Senate trial in Trump’s favor. Even supposedly Trump-skeptical Republican senators, such as Utah’s Mitt Romney or Maine’s Susan Collins, have been avoiding questions about whether the Senate should call witnesses for the trial.

“But this presidents actions are possible only with the craven acquiescence of congressional Republicans,” they write. “They have done no less than abdicate their Article I responsibilities.”

No, Republicans clearly feel empowered by Trump. He frees them to reveal their darkest desire which is to end democracy as we know it, and to cut any corners or break any laws necessary to get the job done.

Why Republicans Are Afraid To Challenge Trump

Juan Williams

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Republicans Now Bragging About Being Trump Big Lie Pushers

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In taking a shot at CNNs Jake Tapper, Republicans are openly boasting that theyre responsible for spreading democracy-defying conspiracy theories about the 2020 presidential election.

The CNN anchor recently took a stand against inviting election deniers on his programs, saying last week that lawmakers who support former President Donald Trumps Big Liereferring to the false claim that the election was stolenare not welcome on his weekday and weekend shows. Its not a policy but a philosophy, Tapper said, noting he hasnt booked such Republicans since the election. Pro-Trump Republicans have since come forward with emails from CNN bookers requesting their presence on Tappers shows. Rep. Elise Stefanik of New Yorkwhom the GOP last month voted to replace Liz Cheney as the partys conference chairtweeted screenshots, telling Tapper to read and weep:

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Responding to these apparent gotcha attempts, Tapper said he cant account for every email from my excellent bookers whose job it is to present me with as many options as possible. He also pointed to the absurdity of Republicans rushing to prove they are, in fact, election deniers. Kind of stunning to see her proudly identify as a conspiracy theorist, he said of Stefanik.

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Read Also: What Is Trump’s Approval Rating Among Republicans

Republicans Still Scared To Death Of Trump

Which is pretty much the equivalent of “I support Trump, but I really don’t like the tweeting” that we heard from so many of them over the last five or six years.

The Actual Reason Why Republicans And Their Media Are Discouraging People From Getting Vaccinated

Dr. Anthony Fauci told Jake Tapper on CNN last Sunday, “I don’t have a really good reason why this is happening.”

But even if he can’t think of a reason why Republicans would trash talk vaccination and people would believe them, it’s definitely there.

Which is why it’s important to ask a couple of simple questions that all point to the actual reason why Republicans and their media are discouraging people from getting vaccinated:

1. Why did Trump get vaccinated in secret after Joe Biden won the election and his January 6th coup attempt failed?

2. Why are Fox “News” personalities discouraging people from getting vaccinated while refusing to say if they and the people they work with have been protected by vaccination?

4. Why are Republican legislators in states around the country pushing laws that would “ban” private businesses from asking to see proof of vaccination status ?

Death is their electoral strategy.

Is there any other possible explanation?

So, what’s left?

Also Check: When Did The Republicans And Democrats Switch Platforms

Top Republicans Are Running Scared And Relinquishing The Gop To The Monster They Helped Create

“In Washington, normally chatty senators scramble to skirt the question,” writes TheWashington Post.

Republicans Fear Trump Will Lead To A Lost Generation Of Talent

The 45th president has brought new voices and voters to the party, but hes driven them out too. Insiders fear the repercussions.

06/01/2021 04:30 AM EDT

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As Donald Trump ponders another presidential bid, top Republicans have grown fearful about what theyre calling the partys lost generation.

Filed Under:

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Mcfeely: Why Are Republicans Afraid Of Everything

FARGO Republicans are afraid.

Afraid of Black people. Afraid of brown people. Afraid of red people. Afraid of yellow people. Afraid of women. Afraid of young people.

Afraid of young people voting. Afraid of people of color voting. Afraid of voting rights. Afraid of democracy.

Afraid of science. Afraid of medicine. Afraid of knowledge. Afraid of public education. Afraid of universities. Afraid of professors. Afraid of teachers.

Afraid of experts. Afraid of doctors. Afraid of Anthony Fauci. Afraid of masks. Afraid of vaccines. Afraid of vaccine passports. Afraid of vaccine chips. Afraid of things that don’t exist.

Afraid of history. Afraid of the truth. Afraid of those who tell the truth.

Afraid of books. Afraid of newspapers. Afraid of objectivity. Afraid of facts.

Afraid of wind towers. Afraid of solar power. Afraid of environmentalists. Afraid of the Green New Deal. Afraid of Greta Thunberg. Afraid of change.

Afraid of the media. Afraid of The New York Times. Afraid of The Washington Post. Afraid of MSNBC. Afraid of CNN.

Afraid of Twitter. Afraid of Facebook. Afraid of Google. Afraid of big tech. Afraid of the government. Afraid of the establishment.

Afraid of Democrats. Afraid of Black Lives Matter. Afraid of antifa. Afraid of Democratic Socialists.

Opinion: Stop Saying Republicans Are Cowards Who Fear Trump The Truth Is Far Worse

âRepublicans Are Afraid Of Donald Trumpâ Despite Election Loss, Kasie Hunt Says | TODAY

As a broad description of our current moment, this is profoundly insufficient. It risks misleading people about the true nature of the threat posed by the GOPs ongoing radicalization.

Meanwhile, now that House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has endorsed Rep. Elise Stefanik to replace Cheney in the House GOP leadership, Democrats are pounding McCarthy for cowardice.

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How Long Can Trumps Gop Stranglehold Last

Olivia: I feel like Im taking a multiple-choice test Im gonna have to go with B on this one.

Ben: I was taught that C was the most common correct answer. Not sure this holds true anymore.

Voxs German Lopez is here to guide you through the Biden administrations burst of policymaking. .

Don’t Miss: Are There More Registered Democrats Or Republicans

Donald Trump And The Politics Of Fear

Trumps candidacy relies on the power of fear. It could be the only way for him to win.

People are scared, Donald Trump said recently, and he was not wrong.

Senior Republicans Should Recoil In Horror At Trump But Too Many Still Fear Him

The fate of the United States now rests on the stark choice the divided party faces: Trumps way or democracy

Jonathan Freedland is a Guardian columnist

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John Kasich Says Republicans Are ‘afraid’ Of Trump

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Former Ohio Gov. John Kasich speaks with NPR’s Leila Fadel about the GOP’s unwillingness to stand up to President Trump, who still refuses to accept the results of the presidential election.

LEILA FADEL, HOST:

Governor Kasich, welcome.

JOHN KASICH: Thanks, Leila. Glad to be with you.

FADEL: So you endorsed President-elect Joe Biden. He won this election. What do you make of President Trump’s attempts to overturn the results?

FADEL: That was the former Republican governor of Ohio, John Kasich.

Governor Kasich, thanks for speaking with us.

This Next Presidential Nomination Could Improve Things Or Make Them Even Worse

Also Check: Are There Any Republicans Running For President Other Than Trump

What Are Republicans So Afraid Of

Instead of conspiracy-mongering about an election they did well in, they could try to win real majorities.

By Jamelle Bouie

Opinion Columnist

There was a time, in recent memory, when the Republican Party both believed it could win a national majority and actively worked to build one.

Why Dont Republicans Stand Up To Trump Heres The Answer

Why Are Republicans So Afraid Of Lev Parnas? | Velshi & Ruhle | MSNBC

Rep. Mark Sanford

I stand by every word.

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source https://www.patriotsnet.com/why-are-republicans-scared-of-trump/

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chelsea-beleren-vess · 7 years ago

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So I know I have been making this post a lot recently...but I apologize for my lack of activity

I’ve started my senior year of college two weeks ago. But it’s been a stressful roller coaster,

About a month or so ago I was trying to register for classes but I still had a tuition hold on my account that my family couldn’t afford to pay off. I tried to explain to work my situation and asked them to take me off the weekday parts of my schedule starting August 21st, until I could enroll in classes....they did not not do that and they make their schedules three weeks in advance.

Not to mention the class I need for my minor is only offered once a semester, only in the fall and it’s 1 PM to 4 PM on Fridays. And it was full. If I couldn’t get in this class by forcing myself in I couldn’t graduate on time. I checked every day hoping someone would drop and they did not. The graduate version of the class is also the undergrad version, as in, both classes meet together as one class and there was one graduate spot left. I could apply for a graduate class for undergrad credit but I needed to get signatures from some higher ups...

Anyway I got my schedule (except that one class finalized) to Tues/Thurs all day and I told work a few days before and I got it approved by the store manager but I wasn’t taken off the schedule and I was told I didn’t need to find people to cover those hours, but my supervisor is saying that it was my responsibility to find people to cover my shifts, but I was already stressing and freaking out to get into my last class and trying to get meetings to get into the graduate version of the class and meet with my advisor and work was adding and piling on to my stress for not being available and kept acting like I haven’t been asking to be taken off weeks before to prevent this. I was told I didn’t need to find people, so i didn’t, then everyone is freaking out that there isn’t coverage because they thought I could work and didn’t remember I had class and they kept saying “The schedules were done three weeks ago Chelsea...” Like I know but I have school during these times and I tried to fix this two weeks ago...) I had to call out the day that Friday class was meeting (the professor said to attend anyway and we could get me into the class later) but I got marked absent for those three hours I couldn’t be there...

I did eventually get into the class (someone dropped last week so i got into the class by enrolling normally) and this week was the second week and like everyone forgot I had class, my supervisor is saying she didn’t even know I had a friday class and no one was covered my Tuesday shift for when I was in class and it wasn’t fixed like I thought and it’s been so stressful and confusing lately.....And my supervisor is all “We have to find people to cover your shifts..and we’ve just been so busy lately...” and I know that but I CANT HELP WITH THAT I HAVE SCHOOL....I’ve been on the verge of tears lately and having anxiety attacks and yesterday and today I was on the verge of some mental breakdowns...I haven’t really had the energy to put in effort to post MTG stuff on my blog lately cause of all the confusion and stress...I apologize...but I think we finally got my schedules sorted out...

#long post #not mtg #school #work #stress #personal issues #apologies #somewhat of a rant #anxiety #mental breakdowns #college

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mybodyliberation · 5 years ago

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David's Bridal Review

The feedback from my last bridal store review was so overwhelmingly awesome. I was so grateful that not only did so many of you read it but actually got in touch to tell me how much you loved it or how helpful you found it.

Boo, you know this sis has got your back and if I can help or assist in anyway never falter to holla at me. I want you to have an incredible experience filled with love and laughter and magic!

So with that said let's jump into the final bridal store review. I actually talked in my article for Scottish wedding directory about whether I should have visited a few boutiques seeing as I had done so much research and booked so many appointments, but I realieed that actually listening to my gut was more important than experiencing something just for the experience.

So spoiler I found my dress at David's Bridal, said yes to it and knew in my gut and in my heart that I would not find anything that made me as special as my dress did.

Not only did I say YES TO THE DRESS, but I screamed at the top of my lungs while ringing a bell and making a wish that I hope carried straight up into the heavens and is being made to order for delivery right now.

Now as I said I had done A LOT of research and I had read a lot of reviews . This isnt sponsored or gifted or anything else so I have no problem telling the tea. And the tea is overall the company has a pretty terrible name in the states and in the London stores. There was review after review of disgruntled brides, talking about terrible customer service, lack of communication, messed up orders and the list went on.

It didnt leave much to the imagination and it certainly didn't bode well, but imagine my surprise when I looked at all of the reviews for the Glasgow store. They shone bright. It was 99.9% positive feedback for everything and for the staff.

Thruthfully that's what I experienced too. Glasgow David's Bridal is a testament to the entire company. It was really wonderful to see so many smiling faces when you walked in, so many designer options and prices and just I felt confident.

So important information to know.

• David's Bridal works on appointments. You can book in online or over the phone and it takes about 5 minutes total. You can also specify that you are attending for a Bridal appointment.

• As said in the previous review, bridal samples run small, so expect to be sized up but one of the wonderful things is that my measurements were taken and I wasnt even told what size I would be wearing. This was a confidence boost for me because I automatically knew it was about the dress not about my size or weight.

• Make sure you read the store policies online before attending but also ask on arrival if the store has any because for example we were not allowed to take any pictures or video.

• You're appointed a stylist on arrival

• You are given time to browse before your measurements are taken and then you are left to browse again so that you can pick the dresses youd like to try on

• Make sure you wear the right underwear. At Wed2B I ended up not wearing my bra but at David's bridal I absolutely did.

• They carry designers like Vera Wang and Oleg Cassini but at amazing prices. I personally never imagined being able to fit into or afford a designer gown and so it's really encouraging that there are options like this for plus size budget brides.

• There is no limit to how many dresses you can try on. This can be wonderful but also overwhelming so discuss with your stylist before hand how many dresses you feel you can handle.

• Take water and snacks for yourself and your guests. We didnt but I regret it as it's a time consuming and tiring process and keeping yourself watered and fed will help with stamina.

• Something I forgot to mention in the last review is that you try each dresses on with under skirts to add a fuller effect.

So I went to this appointment again during the week, during hours that would be more low key than a busy evening weekday or weekend time. I went with my mum, dad, sisters and a friend. That's a pretty large enterouge but all of them made the experience priceless. They brought so much joy to the day but as an aside always make sure the wedding dress shopping party is made up of people who will support you and make the day what it should be: ABOUT YOU and FUN!

Chloe (also who ended being my stylist for the appointment) greeted us with so much joy and kindness I was instantly excited for the appointment. She was incredible from start to finish I feel so grateful that my experience was with her. We giggled, we cuddled and more importantly she listened. As soon as we started she wanted to know what I liked and what I didn't, if I already knew what I'd like to try on, the whole shebang.

Chloe was funny, approachable, joyful, patient and kind. Sue explained the process perfectly and helped us feel at ease and excited. I was able to show her all the pictures I had and all the images I had pinned from the instagram page and it really helped us find the right direction.

Chloe took my measurements and never asked my size or told me my measurements so I didn't feel the need to ask. I cant help but be in love with that process of things and applaud her and David's Bridal for such a body positive approach to things because at the end of the day who cares what the size of the sample size is and who cares what your weight is.

What is important is that you feel great in whatever dresses you're trying on!

As I browsed and picked dresses she would be pulling the samples in the appropriate sizes for me and that's all the information you really need.

I know plus size brides fear being made to feel different because of their weight but it never even came into the conversation and I know it can be intimidating but if you feel like that's not the kind of care you're getting as a bride in any bridal store, please speak up and dictate the kind of treatment you want and deserve as you drop all of that coin.

I'm a pretty confident plus size woman and so this was great but I know for other plus women who might not quite be as confident yet, this kind of experience is the making of a positive journey from them as brides. So dont be afraid to message me and I'll call them on your behalf if I need to.

Since I had tried on every style previously in Wed2B, I used this as an opportunity to zero in on the styles that I really loved and dresses that I knew for sure I loved the look of. I had researched anout 4 of these dresses by looking through the Davids Bridal cookbook which you can find online.

I'll link that here: https://catalog.davidsbridal.co.uk/bridalstyle

It was a helpful tool to see what they had and I wrote down the product codes and took screenshots.

Combined with the dresses I had researched and the ones I saw in store and a few I had pinned on insta, I ended up trying on 7 dresses which is actually quite a lot in comparison to the last time I had tried on dresses. It took way more time and was genuinely quite tiring. Bate in mind that even when you have fun it will be tiring and emotionally quite taxing so be gentle with yourself. If you get a bit cranky or overwhelmed or upset don't feel bad for asking for a few seconds to yourself.

That being said at no point did I feel rushed or pushed, in fact Chloe encouraged me to take my time and be as vocal as possible while also taking on the feedback from my family and friends present at the appointment, while also making sure I felt in control.

It can be a tricky balance and thankful all my family and friends are very encouraging and patient and respectful but I know for other families there may be a more complicated dynamic at play.

Now although I had fun, each dress I tried on, even though it was within the style I wanted, felt like it was taking me further from what I could picture in my head.

You'll remember I left Wed2B with a solid option and really everything else was just competing against that dress.

As we got closer to the end of the appointment I wasn't exactly sure if I would find anything and I was right about to make peace with that but then I final dress I tried on, which coincidentally was the one I had saved three times on instagram.

Before Chloe had even pulled the dress against my body I knew...it was the one.

As stood there knowing this dress ticked every single box the other dress didn't quite manage to do, I knew the competition and the search was over.

My heart was pounding in my chest and I had one of the biggest smiles I had probably ever had stretching my face within an inch of itself.

I didn't just step out, I floated out and there was a moment of silence from what had previously been loud and laughing family.

It felt like this dreamy haze was filtering my vision, and I remember hearing a wow as Chloe completed the look with a gorgeous cathedral length embodied veil, a tiara and the bouquet.

I truly felt like a bride.

I turned first to my dad see his reaction. He sat smiling and nodding and then I turned to my mum (who had loved the Wed2B dress and had really not liked any of the other dresses I had tried on).

She smiled and I knew...right this is it.

I squealed and kept twirling and giggling and prancing. I felt like the princess and I instantly wanted to show Bae so badly because whenever theres something I love of course I want to share it with m5 best friend.

The search was finky over. I said YES a thousand times that day and yes everyday since. I cannot wait to walk down the aisle in a dreamy dress to my dream man.

Eeeek so yes now that I have gushed back to some logistics.

Once I had said Yes, rung the bell, sobbed my heart out while simultaneously laying, and finally being allowed to take photos it was time to get down to brass tax.

Once I reluctantly took the dress off, I then had my measurements taken again because when you buy the dress from David's Bridal:

• It will be ordered and made specifically for you.

• This will be done by the designer or DB itself if your purchase one of their dresses and it will then be sent to whatever store you tried your dress on in.

• You will then have alterations done 6 weeks before the wedding. This can be done with DB or at an alterations company of your choice but if you do it with DB your dress will remain insured under any accidents.

• They sometimes have deposits and installment plans but this depends on the dress so do make sure to ask.

• They also have discounts and deals running regularly so check in advance if there are any available that you would qualify for.

• Some dresses must be paid in full if you want to purchase the dress so have the money ready if this is something you want to do.

• I purchased my under skirt from them but of course you dont have to.

• Before you purchase your stylist will go over any changes you might want to make for example I ordered the dress in pure white instead of ivory.

• You will have to sign a form which will act as a contractually agreement to say you have listened to all the terms and conditions and you agree to them.

• Once ordered and made for you, you will not be able to refund the dress or get money back for the dress.

It is a huge commitment to make and there are always things you should make sure you are super clear on, in terms of policies and terms conditions, before verbally agreeing or signing any legal documentation. That's why its important to have a solid group with you full of people who will be there to act as witness or even help you understand any jargon that might be going over your wedding blissed out head.

It's such an incredible privilege that I was able to purchase my dress then and there and I truly don't take it for granted.

It was such a perfect experience for myself and my family and friends, but and I hate that there is any because what could be worth mentioning that would leave this is on a slightly tinged note.

The only negative experience unfortunately came from the store manager, which while she seemed lovely enough, was extremely overbearing. At first I thought I was being paranoid but checking in with my group after that made confirmed that I wasnt the only person that felt a little uncomfortable.

You sed she was very intense and actually quite standoffish explaining that we weren't allowed to film or take pictures of me in the dresses I tried on despite the fact I had done this in other stores, but of course not every store can be the same. They have this policy in place because in the past other brides have complained about being in the shots of other brides photos. This makes perfect sense.

We instantly understood the stores policy and respected it, but then for the rest of my appointment she hovered almost as if she felt her presence needed to be there to enforce the rule. It probably wasnt her intention but it made us feel as if us, as the only large group of black people in the store, couldn't be trusted to not break the rule.

Though we were not bred new appointment in the store, there were no other brides around me so it felt unnecessary because the reason the policy was there was because a bride had complained about being in another brides picture.

There were other appointments behind us though and she never even went over to check on them.

She lingered around our appointment the entire time and quite frankly as the only people of colour in the store it did make me feel uncomfortable because it sent a message that the black family needed to be "watched". It would have been different if she was paying me special attention and trying to make the experience better but I didnt feel that from anyone but Chloe who truly went above and beyond.

It was disappointing and I know it wouldn't have been the intention of the manager to make a black bride feel singled out or like there was an issue but nonetheless every time I stepped out of the dressing room that's how it felt because there she was looking stern.

It really wasnt until I found my dress and was prancing around that she began to relax and to smile and announced, once I said this is it, with much authority and vim that I was allowed to take pictures.

Blessedly I was able to have the strength to ignore her and just focus on the reason I was there because honestly with all the time and effort we had all collectively put into the experience it wasnt worth ruining it thinking of things like that but I do hope that other people of colour that visit the store do not end up having any experience like that.

All said and done it was still perfect because I was with people who love me, had a stellar stylist and I found the dress of my dreams.

So am I hyped to be a bride?

Sis. Yes.

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irastayshome · 5 years ago

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Ibrahim's birth

Ibrahim arrived in this world on 21st January 2017. Back then, we were lucky to afford a doula because I was hella nervous about the whole birthing process and tbh my head wasnt in the game because of all the stress at work. After the 'hard part' was over, and as I held my son, I vividly remember my doula saying that the easy part was over and the hard part of being a parent has just begun. I thought it was a joke at the time because, well, what could be harder than pushing a 3 kg baby out of your vagina? 2 yrs and 6mths on, I have mentally kicked myself in the head for taking my doula's words lightly. These days, I consider it a win when I do not raise my voice or completely lose my sh** and raise my hands at my son. I keep needing reminders of what it took to get him into this world and the many moments we failed him along the way so that I do not be complacent and mistreat him.

So I thought I might write his birth story down after all. Didn't really wanna remember all the details of something that feels rather insignificant now, but some days at home are just rough and a good reminder is useful.

19 January 2017. I had been on maternity leave for a week, but only just completed my case transfers from home. My mamamia had been insisting that I sleep over her place once a week for the last trimester on Hasyali's night shifts. I didnt mind at all, because my r/s with my parents have improved significantly after moving out. Distance is truly necessary sometimes.

It finally dawned upon me that I was due in a week. Being last minute as I always am, I tried to 'catch up' on the squats that my doula/birth educator had been reminding us to do at 9 pm. But really, i was just doing it for fun cause like it would make any difference at 39 weeks, esp since ive been treating my body like crap while handing over my work the last few weeks. Planned to youtube more exercises to speed up labour etc etc but fell into the rabbit hole of "natural birth positions" and "painfree birth vlogs" and before I knew it, I was hooked on the Midwives yt tv series till i fell asleep at 5 am. Damn youtube.

20th January 2017. 7 am. Felt like I ate something so bad and had to do a big one. And so I did, groggily, and went back to sleep. Feeling so smug that I could finally sleep in on a weekday. 9 am. What is going on with my bowels??? Tried to recall what I ate last night, but dont care just sleep after the business. 10.30 am. Sat up and mentally admitted that those horrid pains at the bottom of my tummy could actually be contractions! Trying to keep cool, I ate breakfast quickly, trying to mask my ronyok face each time the tightenings came by because nyayi was there and I just did not wanna tell my family. pretty sure they would have shipped me off to the hospital immediately.

Took cab back at 12.30pm and smsed hubs about the contractions, saying it could potentially be the real thing. But not sure, so I timed them in the cab. 10 mins apart. regular. oh crap its happening. Got home, discovered the bloody show. So yup i got my confirmation. Smsed hubs a photo of it but told him to just take it easy, go solat Jumaat and just slowly pack his bag aftee. He just got off his night shift so he probably hasnt slept at all. Told doula Kak Hajjar about whats going on, and was advised to just relax and walk2 until i cant talk anymore from the pain. Hubs came back, and i took off on a birth walk alone around the estate. Every few mins, I just stopped and breathed deeply, sorely regretting not pestering my hubs to come along bcoz adoi sakit and nothing to squeeze or hold on to. and in the 3 pm sun no less.

Came back, started panicking when i realised hubs belum pack!! what is it with men and last minute packing?? feeling annoyyed bcoz im about to do some serious work but he cant even get started on packing. but ok takpe, got in the shower to cool down and to relieve the pain while he packed. Contractions were now 4 mins apart, but I could still talk. NUH told me to come in now. Doula told me to wait till i cant talk. The kancong me decided to go anyway, worried about the rush hour jam on the start of a weekend.

Arrived at NUH at 6 pm, realising that id skipped lunch. I was hungry, and oh no so damn sleepy bcoz i barely slept the night before! Damn youtube. Ate mr bean pancake with hubs. Met doula who told.me i dont look like its time bcoz i could talk and joke about. I admit i secretly thought that it was because i had a high tolerance for pain hahahaha joke. Entered the delivery ward at 7 pm, was 4 cm dilated. Yay! but wait what, all that pain and only 4 cm? oh no.

So began the longest night of my life. Doulla massaged my back and did hip squeezes through contractions, and I occasionally swayed while standing with hubs. These two were just incredible birth partners. My labour pains were rough at the front, but damn the back labour pains were friggin insane! Felt like maybe I had tentacles trying to burst out of my spine and turn into Doc Ock.

At some point, i remember just saying random supplications and feeling so regretful that i had not rehearsed what selawats I wanted to read in those moments bcoz my head was really jammed up trying to manage the pain. By 3 am my body felt like it had gone through a marathon and i really did fall asleep between contractions out of sheer exhaustion. It was exhausting to just tahan the pain.

By 4 ish am (hazy on the details by now), a VE confirmed I was 9 cm dilated. At this point I was already vomitting and my head hurt so much from tahaning the pain. I remembered thinking, or maybe even saying out loud, that I wanted them to cut the baby out. Im pretty sure I was transitioning at that point but I didnt know bcoz my mind was too panicky. They told me the head was still too high to push, so they offered to burst my waterbag, but said theres no assurance it would bring the head down but wld certainly intensify the contractions. I was pretty sure I would pass out if they intensified, out of exhaustion. and never mind that I was barely able to wake up btwn contractions due to my flu and fever (yes ARGH hate flu during labour). So I refused and waited for news that im fully dilated.

6 am. Still at 9 cm. My head was thinking "how long did Kak Hajjar say transitions lasted again?? takkan lama gini??" This time, my mental strength just gave way. I screamed for an epidural. I remember feeling so terrified that my baby would be stuck while im pushing, because I had zero energy left. Fatigued from the pain and the fever, I pleaded for an epidural again n again. I rmbr my doula, my husband, the nurses all giving me such kind words of support, saying ive gone si far and am at the last lap, and encouraged me to stick to my birth plan of going without medication. But I was too defeated by exhaustion and just wanted to sleep. Hahahaha. Like i literally said "yang, i nak tido" and started to cry.

So they called in the anesthesiologist (dunno the spelling). While he prepped the long-ass needle, I felt a huge gush of warm water down there. My waters broke. At this point I could have just waited for the head to descend, but I was too tired and looking forward to a promised 2 hour rest before pushing. So I kept quiet about it. I was in tears, out of disappointment at myself for not being able to ride out the exhaustion. But my doula was so kind and reminded me that God is the best of planners, and perhaps this was the way for me to achieve a natural birth still and avoid any emergency csection if I could not push. The nurses too were angels, and kept assuring me I had tried really hard for a long time and shouldn't beat myself up. And so I slept. That was the best 2 hour sleep of my life. pretty sure I snored and drooled, in the presence of my doula. Nak kata paiseh but nah I was too tired to care, and all modesty had left the room hours ago.

8 am. Woken up by cheerful nurses who told me it was time to start pushing. I just wanted to sleep in longer, but then I remembered oh ya baby is still inside. That epidural was gooooood. So began pushing. It felt so weird pushing when I cant feel anything moving down there. They had to tell me when to push i.e. when contractions came, and kept telling me I was pushing wrong and i had to do it as how i would when pooping. I suddenly didnt know how pooping felt like anymore. Kept pushing for an hour plus, but apparently the head keeps going back in. My husb and I had affectionately named our foetus "jubjub", just to avoid calling it the baby during the pregnancy. and my doula joked that perhaps the baby keeps going back in bcoz we named him jubjub like the muppet from Hi-5 that likes to peekaboo around. haha that was a good one.

My gynae finally came in around 9.30 am ish. She told me that I had to do an episiotomy to help push the baby out. My husband stopped her and told her to let me continue trying. But eventually she kept persisting and my husband apparently could not tahan seeing me push so hard anymore (he said the veins on my face look like they were gonna burst). So he agreed. The moment she cut, I pushed and felt the head empty out of me. I thought that was weird cause I was on epidural, but apparently they reduced the dose while pushing. A few more pushes later, I heard it. Ibrahim's first cries. The nurses and my doula congratulating me. My husband telling me I did it and he was proud of me. But mainly, Ibrahim's cries. 21st January 2017, at 10.03am.

They placed him on my chest. I cried. and cried. And i thought he was the most perfect thing I could ever hold in this world.

Dearest Ibrahim, a mother can love her husband out of choice, but theres simply no choice in this love I have for you. It is so raw and intense and relentless, that Im so consumed by it from the moment I held you. There are days, now, when I feel your anger towards me because I am so hard on you, especially since im not very good at coping with the two of you. But I hope you never feel that I love you any less when I get angry. and I hope you truly forgive me when you give me a hug after I apologise each time for beating you. You deserve so much better, and i'll keep striving to be a better mother to you and adik.

Ok bye. Am gonna cry my eyes out now. Damn birth stories.

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yepjugotdatright · 7 years ago

Text

Chapter 1

“Jisuk-ah, put the drinks into the fridge after you are finished with the cigarettes” the manager called out through the half opened door while she was busy sorting in the different sorts of cigarettes into the displayer behind the counter. “Yep, will do!” she replied simply and pushed the last pack of Marlboros into their row. This was the life she was living: part timing the hell out of it. At that moment she was even willing to sell her soul for money. Money was the key to a comfortable life – something Jisuk was not necessarily lacking but what she wanted to have nonetheless. She moved the empty boxes to the small stock room and got out another few with the labels of famous soft and beer drinks companies. A TV was running in the back; as always MBC was turned on and as the current music show came to an end the news started. “Good evening. My name is Bae Hyun Jin and here are the news from today” Jisuk listened only with half of her ear as she cut open the box and got out a few drinks to refill the cooler. “Titanic IT reaches a much higher share value with its new program ruling the market of intelligent technology…” The door opened and two customers walked in. “Good evening”, Jisuk said as she moved behind the counter and waited for them to check their things out. They came back with a few things and placed them in front of her. They turned away from her and watched the news. “No wonder… Titanic is everywhere.” “I heard their son is so stupid they had to pay a huge sum so he could graduate from Jeguk High.” “Oh really? I thought he was one of the best to graduate” “Just shows how much money Titanic’s Chairman has” he shrugged and snorted as the pictures of the family were shown as they happily boarded a plane. “They are treated like royalty here – I guess that’s why they are leaving Thailand…” Jisuk didn’t really listen to them as she scanned their things – she caught a few phrases but most of the time she didn’t really care for gossip. However, she was all ears for any kind of drama her costumers talk about. It was better than any television series she had ever watched. “24,600 Won, please”, Jisuk said and got their attention. “What do you think about those Kumatis or whatever their name was…?” one of them asked as his friend got out his wallet. Jisuk just shrugged receiving the money and got the change together in the blink of an eye. They were just about to pull an answer out of her as luckily her cell phone started ringing. She slightly lowered her head saying her quiet goodbyes before answering the phone. The number wasn’t saved – but she knew it all so well. “Hello? Bak Jisuk speaking”, she turned around until the two exited the store and listened to the other side of the call. “Yes, I am. Yes… No, I’ll be right there. Yes, thank you for the call… Ye- Goodbye”, she hung up again and sighed. “Jo-Manager, something urgent came up. I have to leave” she came into his office and took of the apron she was wearing. “What is going on? Then who is going to do your work?” “I am sorry. But there is a situation…” He was hesitating, “F- fine. But you’ll have to come earlier next weekend.” “Of course. Thank you” she bowed quickly and hurried outside throwing on her jacket over the store’s uniform. Her motorbike was standing just outside and after wearing her helmet she was on riding her bike on the street.

Jisuk arrived at the police station, hurried through the corridor and arrived at the huge office room where quite a lot of desks were lined next to each other. She saw some officers interviewing middle aged men in terrible patterned shirts, a few drunkards lying in some cells in the back and a few high scholars sat at a desk on the end of the room. She recognized the terrible brown school uniform and walked towards them determined. “Hello, are you Bak Jisuk-ssi?” the officer stood up and looked a little surprised seeing that Jisuk was not much older than Hyun Woo. “Yes, what happened?” she asked and looked at the three high scholars next to her. Her gaze wandered to Hyunwoo, saw his right black eye and him having a nosebleed while the other two were completely unharmed. “Noona!” Hyun Woo whined as he saw her and the other two chuckled spiteful. “These three were fighting near the school. Son Hyunwoo claims being attacked while these two are claiming to have been unnecessarily provoked which resulted in a fight.” The officer explained the situation and handed Jisuk a piece of paper which was a form for a written apology. “Officer, this can’t be. My brother is clearly the one who suffered from the attack! Why does he need to apologize?” Jisuk pleaded. “Didn’t you listen, Noona? Your whiny brother provoked us!” one of the attackers said brazenly and Jisuk glared at him. “Call me Noona one more time... Wait till I get my hands on you, you ****” Jisuk hissed back and the boys eyes widened in shock. “Miss Bak, please watch your language. You are still at the police station…” the officer reminded her but had to suppress his chuckle seeing the boy being shocked from that curse word. “All three have to fill out this form. This is just to avoid this matter getting bigger than it already is. It is just a simple boys fight”, the officer explained, “Except you want to sue for physical injury”. In Jisuk heads the sums of the lawyers wage and the legal costs were aggregated and put into the relation with the most likely compensation sum… She shook her head and pushed the piece of paper together with a pen into Hyunwoo’s hands and urged him to write the apology. At first his face looked betrayed and hurt, but then it eased up again as Jisuk squeezed his shoulder and motioned him that it was okay. The two left the police station and two women rushed past them into the building mumbling something about their poor sons. Jisuk guided Hyunwoo to the motorbike and made him lean against it so she could examine his eye. “Oh, Father will kill you…” she smiled in malicious glee and proceeded to wear her helmet again which she had just left at the bike in her hurry. “Please, Noona! Save me!” Hyunwoo rubbed his hands together begging for mercy. She halted as she was about to answer and pulled out her vibrating phone. After reading the message she sighed; “Seems like we have to stop somewhere on our way back…” She mounted the bike and turned the key into the ignition. “What about me?” “I think I still have one in the trunk” she offers and watched amused as Hyunwoo opened it to find a pink helmet. Jisuk snickered as Hyunwoo wore the –for his taste too feminine – helmet. They arrived at a Soju tent, moved the curtain out of the way and stepped inside. Hot, humid air hit him straight into the face and the smell of alcohol and grilled fish filled every inch of this closed tent. It was raining like hell outside and while Jisuk patted the remaining drops from her coat she spotted a woman sitting alone at a table. “Yah~ I am still underage. You know that, right?” Hyunwoo hissed towards the older girl and only got a smirk in return. “Don’t worry – you look like a delinquent anyway” She motioned around her own eye and walked to her acquaintance. Hyunwoo sighed and followed her, hiding his black eye with his one hand. “Aren’t you busy?” Jisuk sat down stealing one of the shrimp snacks the woman was eating. “Speak for yourself” she raised her eyebrow as she looked at the young boy following Jisuk and poured herself one glass just to gulp it down in one shot. “I’m unemployed…” Jisuk shot back unimpressed and continued: “You shouldn’t drink during the weekdays”. Hyunwoo sat down as well and looked awkwardly from the one to the other woman. “What did you call me here for?” Jisuk moved the plate with the snacks in Hyunwoo’s reach. The woman flipped her long dark hair over her shoulders and after side eying Hyunwoo once again she said: “Drinking solo makes me sad… and people started looking weirdly at me.” She waved her hand around unnoticeably pointing at the other people in the tent. She offered Jisuk a spare glass, but she shook her head: “Still need to drive”. “And your friend here?” She moved the glass to the boy sitting there, his head resting on his hand to cover the dark shadow around his eye. “He’s a high schooler” Jisuk stated. “Didn’t stop you, though”, the woman chuckled. Hyunwoo gaped at the two raising his head. “You did what?” he stifled his laugh, “Does mum know?” Jisuk regretted even getting him out of the police station. “Don’t forget that you aren’t that innocent either”. Hyunwoo’s grin disappeared and he rested his head on his hand again. “By the way… it seems like I’ll be accompanying you to Daegu. Let me share the room with you”, she said casually emptying the bottle. “What? No – get your own room” Jisuk complained, shoving another shrimp snack into her mouth. “Ah, come on~ I even got you a present” she grabbed a black plastic bag from the ground and raised it to their eye level. “What’s that? Did you empty a convenience store?” She took the bag and dared to peek inside. “What’s this?” she grabbed a few of the samples and read: “Tony Moly? Changing Magic Foot?” “I collected a lot of free samples. There are even two or three luxury brands as well. I really had to lower my pride for this. You better appreciate this” Jisuk looked from all the concealer, perfume and lipstick samples back to her and huffed. “Yeah, thanks. I’ll try them”, she said dryly and placed the bag on her lap. The woman looked at her empty bottle and shrugged. “I’ve finished my drink. I’m gonna go now. See you at the weekend”, she took her handbag, left an adequate high bill on the table and walked away after patting Jisuk’s shoulder. “Well, that was worthwhile…” Jisuk sighed and grabbed the plastic bag on her lap signing the bored Hyunwoo to leave as well. “Noona~” he whined as they had reached her bike. “Mum will kill me if she sees me like this”, he realized as he examined his black eye in one of the motorbike’s rear mirror. It looked worse than it hurt. Jisuk chuckled. “And why would that concern me?” she raised an eyebrow at him and snickered at his suffering grimace. However, shortly after his eyes lit up in hope and a mischievous smile spread over his lips. “Because maybe Mum would interest your underage activities very much”. He stared him dead in the eye only the sound of the passing cars resonating between them. “Okay, fine. Get over here” Jisuk got the plastic bag out of her bag and searched through the samples. Hyunwoo looked at the collection astonished. “Who was she?” He grabbed a random sample and ended up looking at a mud-facemask in his hand. “She’s Jinah - a good friend of mine”, Jisuk smiled. Hyunwoo looked at her strangely: “You don’t have any friends”. Jisuk sighed and looked at her brother with a dry expression. “You want my help now, or not?” “Do you even know how to apply makeup?” She raised her fist and threatened to hit him. “How hard can it be…” she found a sample of concealer and applied it on his black eye. He flinched in pain as she started spreading the beige-colored paste. She finished the cover up and looked at her achievement. “Not bad!” Hyunwoo took his phone and looked at himself through the face-cam. He sighed at the bad work and started to fix it. “I should have done it myself from the start…” “Then why ask for help?” Jisuk snapped back donning the helmet on her head.

Some time later they reached home. Jisuk parked the bike in the garage and walked the few steps to the door. Hyunwoo unlocked the door into their house – a two story building with a little wooden sign next to the door swinging in the wind saying: Shincheon Boarding House.

As Hyunwoo entered through the door Jisuk expected him to hold the door until she also passed through – however, Hyunwoo let the door slip through his fingers and cascade towards Jisuk. She growled annoyed as she caught the door right before it thudded closed and chased after him.

“How can you be such a brat at home and such a weakling at school at the same time?” she threw one of the slippers lying around in the small foyer after him and it hit his face as he turned around to laugh at her face.

“I was not beaten up because I am weak”, he defended himself. “You are a weakling… crying for Noona at the station”, she teased him.

“Yah!” he threw the slipper back at her but she caught it easily. “Then I want to see you fight against two martial arts experienced people while being unsporty yourself”, he pouted. “Martial arts experienced? You make it sound as if they have the black belt or something”.

“I don’t know about their belts but they are in the Taekwondo – Club”.

“Why were they beating you up anyways?” she asked while the two slowly make their way into the living room. Hyunwoo hesitated telling her. “I will find it out anyways”, she shrugged.

“Fine, it was because of Chaerin”.

“Chaerin?”

Jisuk wiggled her eyebrows and halted in her steps to look at him excitedly.

“Yes, Ahn Chaerin, the class president. She is very popular at my school” Hyunwoo explained and walked past Jisuk to end the conversation.

Jisuk’s smile grew wider as she realized the situation. “Aww, my dongsaeng is in love!” she teased him and ruffled through his hair as she passed him.

“Ah, Jisuk. Where have you been the whole afternoon?”

Aejin appeared in the doorframe, spatula in hand and an apron wrapped around her body spelling in pink, crooked letters: BeST MoM.

It was no secret that this was the bad work of Hyunwoo who in Elementary School had took part in the handcraft lessons instead of choosing the soccer team – as all the other boys in his class had done back then. Jisuk still teased him with that – though he had a lot of female friends back then because of that; probably more than he might ever have again.

“I was out working… fetching up Hyunwoo on my way back”, Jisuk casually nudged towards the younger boy who shuffled through the dining room into the living room.

Aejin crossed her arms and looked after her son shaking her head. “This boy… did he ask you again? Too lazy to take the bus home.”

Jisuk chuckled and scratched the back of her head before heading up the stairs into her room to change into something comfortable.

The stairs ended in another room, empty except for a few flowerpots and a carpet spread generously on the parquet. She walked straight to her room and closed the door behind her.

She fetched her most beloved sweat pants and a random shirt and changed.

Downstairs Aejin was stirring the stew one last time before moving to the stairs and yelling: “Dinner is ready! Get down before it gets cold!” She heard something moving upstairs and walked back into the kitchen to finish setting the table. Her feet moved over the stone floor through the opened wooden door and stopped at the cook top to take the pot with two embroidered pot holder from the heat. With hasty steps she brought the stew into the dining room next door on the long table.

Six plates and sets of cutlery were set at every chair and a tablet with enough glasses and a water bottle was put right next to the pot.

“Hyunwoo-ya, come and eat!” she said to the teenager who was watching the end of a music show. He reluctantly got up and was about to turn off the TV, but Aejin stopped him upon hearing the announcement of the beginning of the news.

“Aigoo, what a sight”, Aejin commented spiteful at the sight of the Chairman of Titanic IT appearing on an official event with his younger wife and son. “

Chairman Khunchati Bhuwakul announced the relocation of the Titanic Headquarters to Seoul confirming the enrollment of his son Kunpimook Bhuwakul into Yonsei University. His Wife Deok Seo Hwa showed herself delightful and looked forward to being back in her hometown”.

“Tch, Deok Seo Hwa knows how to lie in public”, Aejin turned away from the TV back to the dinner table. “What do you mean by that? She isn’t from Seoul…?” Hyunwoo said and sat down at his usual seat. Aejin looked like she wanted to deepen this topic, however, on second thought she just nodded. “No... I just thought she looked like a Daegu – person.”

“Who looks like a Daegu – person?” Jisuk came into the room and looked from Aejin over Hyunwoo to the TV playing in the back.

“You do!” Hyunwoo said teasingly.

“Screw this accent…” Jisuk groaned and sank into the chair next to him. “Does it still show?”

“Yes – most of the time I can’t understand you…” he gestured around his ear.

“You don’t listen anyway” Jisuk shot back and Aejin sighed.

With confident steps the next inhabitant of the boarding house came into the room and sat down in front of Hyunwoo. Her short hair was hold back by a black headband and a bandage covered her nasal bridge. She wore an oversize and visibly often worn baseball tricot of the Doosan Bears with a huge 50 on the back.

She yawned extensive and glanced into the pot pulling her eyebrows together skeptical.

“What’s that?” she pointed at the yellow, thick soup with a few meat and vegetable pieces swimming in it.

“That is Creamy Stew – a Japanese recipe” Aejin explained and nodded satisfied with her work. Hyunwoo pulled his mouth to a flat line and glanced not really happy at Jisuk next to him who dared a short look into the small kettle.

Even though Aejin was an average good cook she was too fixated on trying out new exotic recipes she found on the internet – and without exception she always fails these. She seemed to be only made for simple Korean cuisine.

“Ahhh, what is this delightful scent?” a man in his beginning fifties entered the room. His black adidas-pants were rolled up to three quarters of its length revealing his white tennis socks in his slippers. He, too, risked a glance into the pot and furrowed his forehead.

“Honey, I thought you’d make Kimchi Stew today” he sat down at the head of the table and looked shortly over his shoulder at the TV still broadcasting the news.

“Did the young Mister Choi still not come out of his cave?”

The short-haired girl snickered.

“Yunhee, you aren’t one to talk” Aejin noticed making Yunhee shrug.

“It’s semester break. Training starts not until next week…” she defended herself.

They heard upstairs a door being opened and closed again followed by heavy footsteps shuffling down the stairs ending with the appearance of a young man in the doorframe. He wore his sleeping shirt and sweat pants; dark circles underlined his brown eyes and his light brown, nearly blonde dyed hair strands pointed wildly into different directions. He ran his hand through the mess on his head and blinked tired into the round before sitting down on the last empty chair.

Ignoring the half-asleep addition to the table Aejin took the ladle and started sharing the stew with everyone. She was visibly exited to taste her new creation and gave everyone a generous portion.

With round eyes she signed them to dig in and took her own spoon to start eating. A little unsure of the situation the younger generation looked at each other and then glanced hardly seeable at the man of the house who had already took one spoonful of the questionable dish. His frown was answer enough.

“So?” Aejin was impatiently waiting for their reaction. “You… cooked something very extraordinary, Honey”, Hyunshik raised his eyes to meet hers and sugar coated his words with a wink. Yunhee nodded supportive and offered a cramped smile.

“Youngjae, do you like it?” Aejin asked the half-sleeping half-awake boy who stared at the food with a blank expression and slowly moves the spoon to his mouth not realizing what he was even eating. “Mmh?” he raised his gaze and let the spoon sink back to the plate. Yunhee stepped on his foot to make him look at her and carefully shook her head.

“Is it bad?”

Youngjae’s reaction was delayed because of his fatigue. Then he suddenly raised his hand and waved it denying synchronal to his head shaking while laughing awkwardly.

“That’s called Creamy Stew”, Hyunwoo mentioned to save his Hyung from saying something stupid, making Aejin grin satisfied. “If you all seem to like it I can cook this more often”.

Their faces froze and turned slowly to her.

“Again?” Hyunshik laughed sweating nervously. She normally would cast them aside because the normal rice dishes were easier to make and not as complicated as the ones she was always trying out.

“Yes, because Creamy Stew is the favorite dish of our new boarder” she announced proudly.

“I never got my favorite dish cooked” Yunhee pouted and Jisuk nodded supportive. “That’s because you aren’t our first international student” Aejin raised her chin and saw her husband with mixed expressions.

“Really? From where? America? France?” Hyunwoo laid his spoon out of his hand excitedly.

“Or… Africa?” Jisuk chimed in the country quiz but their excitement was soon cut off by Aejin who said: “She is from Japan”.

“Oh…” Jisuk sighed.

“Why so disappointed?”

“An Englishman could have helped with his poor English grades” she ruffled through his hair. “Look who is talking!” he shot back.

“But you said she… so we get another girl. Is she pretty?” Hyunwoo looked at his mother excited, “Since the other females here are not that much…” he waved in front of his face.

“Yah!” Yunhee and Jisuk yelled simultaneously.

Hyunshik gave his son a dismissing look and turned his attention back to his wife: “Honey, maybe we should discuss this later…”.

“What is there to discuss? It’s all set and ready.” She shot him her brightest smile she had to offer, which she knew was his weakness. At the time he had confessed to her he already said he wasn’t in love with her – but with her smile.

He averted his gaze and coughed – he saw the other four people at the table watching the married couple with raised eyebrows. They didn’t dare to move during their very short controversy; Yunhee’s spoon was still hovering over her portion of Stew and Hyunwoo furrowed his brows grossed out by his parents’ romantic moment.

“By the way, how was school today?” Hyunshik looked at him and noticed the weird shadow around his right eye. “What is with your eye?” he tried to touch his son’s face but he backed away quickly and Jisuk coughed seeking Hyunshik’s attention.

“It is probably just the bad lightning in this room”, Jisuk explains with a hoarse voice after drinking some water. “You think so? Maybe I should exchange the light bulbs in this room”, he thought out aloud. “You don’t need to do that” Hyunwoo said quickly, “They still work – so I guess it’s okay”.

They continued eating with only the TV talking in the background. They all listened to it from time to time and Aejin could not refrain from commenting on the newest gossip.

“Hallyu Star Ji Areum is confirmed to play the leading role in tvn’s new time-travel drama. The male lead is still unknown but her fans are already anticipating the drama coming out this year’s winter. Ji Areum said: …”

The gossip show broadcasted a short clip of a young woman in her early twenties talking about the role. She had hazelnut brown hair and beautiful shining caramel eyes. She was on an official event – thus wearing heavy makeup and a beautiful long red dress.

“This poor girl – they should let her rest. She is still a child” Aejin said and moved her glass to her lips.

“Have you seen her last drama? She was amazing in it!” Hyunwoo fanboyed and waved about with his spoon making Jisuk evade his sweeping gestures.

“She is indeed very talented… but it is like the media only talks about her the whole day. Isn’t she tired?”

Yunhee leaned back and rocked her chair backwards to glance at the smiling white face of the young actress.

While women in their thirties aspired to look like Kim Taehee the younger generation all set Ji Areum as the standard for beauty. Her face was printed on nearly everything – from Make-Up advertisements to big billboards in Myeongdeong.

And she was one of the actresses who played a few of her favorite dramas. Between Korea’s Nation’s little Sisters IU and Suzy, Areum was the Nation’s cute girl next door kind of celebrity.

“So, have you packed your things already?” Aejin asked Jisuk who just shrugged. “I am about to”.

“You are going the day after tomorrow…”

“Where are you going?” Yunhee asked. “She is going back to where she came from – leaving us in our misery and living her life as though she was never part of ours” Hyunwoo closed his eyes looking as sorrowful as possible.

Jisuk eyed him up with scrutinized brows and explained: “I am visiting family”.

“You are taking your bike with you?”

Jisuk shook her head and shot a sharp glare at Aejin. “I was forbidden to drive the bike on the fast ways.”

“I can’t blame Ahjumma”, Yunhee snickered. “With your racing skills you are going to get yourself killed in an accident”. Jisuk nodded absentmindedly.

Aejin and Hyunshik exchanged glances and coughed; “Yeah, but we don’t want to call that upon ourselves… so let’s not talk about that” Hyunshik called out.

“Oh, you are going to miss the welcoming party for her”, Aejin said regretful.

“Ugh… another party”, Yunhee said exhausted. “I don’t think my liver will survive this”.

“I don’t think you have any liver left to worry about”, Hyunwoo chuckled. “I remember Hyung’s whole stock of liquor being emptied by you”.

Youngjae looked up upon hearing him being mentioned – but was too tired to engage into the conversation.

“Youngjae, if you have finished eating you can go back into your room and rest. You look terribly tired”, Hyunshik nudged his head to the stairs and the bright haired man nodded thankful as he pushed the chair back shuffled out of the room after wishing everyone a good night.

“The youth of today and their video games. I wonder how he got accepted at Yonsei when all he does is playing games” Aejin sighed and side eyed Jisuk. “While others at this table don’t seem to even think about trying it out”.

Jisuk sighed and emptied her glass of water; however, didn’t give any reaction except for a simple nod.

Hyunshik coughed and Hyunwoo leaned back glancing at his noona - there was this topic again... Jisuk glanced at her watch - trying to act oblivious to the needle-dropping-atmosphere - and got up lazily running a hand through her hair. “Where you going?” “From the wind starts any minute - and i won’t miss the intro again” she moved to the TV next room and lazed about on the huge couch changing the chanel - that had always proved to be the best way to escape any unnecessary talk about future plans.

#ch1 #roaring 20s #got7

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morganbelarus · 8 years ago

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Chicago Judge Orders Access To Free Lawyers At Police Stations

CHICAGO In a city where fewer than 1 percent of people in police custody are visited by an attorney,a judges order will help the poor access a free lawyer while at the police station.

Chief Judge Timothy Evans of the Circuit Court of Cook County signed an order Tuesday that would make a county public defender or a designated private attorney available to anyone who is in custody at one of the Chicago Police Departments 22 stations with lockup facilities.

People watching TV think thats what happens: You ask for a lawyer, and they just come in, said Alan Mills, director of the Uptown Peoples Law Center, a nonprofit civil rights organization.

In the eyes of the law, everybody is innocent until proven guilty. Everybody deserves access to justice. Cook County Circuit Chief Judge Timothy Evans

It does work that way if you can afford your own attorney, but few can in Cook County: 89 percent of defendants chargedin criminal cases relied on a public defender, according to 2015 county data.

Until a judge appoints a lawyer [to an indigent defendant], you dont see one, Mills said. You cant get a lawyer until your first court appearance.And that dramatically changes the outcome of your case.

The inability of people in police custody to access a lawyer before their first court appearance is what Mills and others said has contributed to Chicagos reputation as The False Confession Capital of the U.S.

Heres the scuttlebutt: No one has ever talked themselves out of charge, but lots and lots of people have talked themselves into one, Mills said.

Having access to a lawyer before a bond hearing could also mean significant savings for taxpayers. Mills points to the obvious savings from decreasing the number of wrongful convictions.

The city has paid roughly $50 million a year in the past decade or so, Mills said of Chicagos wrongful conviction settlements and related court costs. Its much better to keep people out of prison than to pay them for being wrongfully put there in the first place.

Eliza Solowiej, executive director of the 24-hour First Defense Legal Aid group, said majorsavings would come from eliminating unnecessary jail stays.

To highlight the cost to taxpayers, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart puts out an annual report of dead time, or time served by people whose sentences are less than the time already served or whose charges are dropped. In 2015, about 8,700 people spent time locked up at about $143 per person per day whose charges were eventually dropped.

I want to ensure that constitutional rights are protected from the earliest point of contact with the criminal justice system,Judge Evans said in a statement Tuesday. The concept of justice demands that we take this step to strengthen an individuals rights and the publics confidence in the system.

In the eyes of the law, everybody is innocent until proven guilty. Everybody deserves access to justice, he added.

Solowiejsaid talks with Evans regarding the need for pre-hearing indigent counsel started a little more than a year ago.

She described Evans as surprised but really interested in the statistic that fewer than 1 percent of people were receiving counsel in police custody.

Under Evans order, arrestees will now have access to legal aid during normal weekday business hours.Solowiejs group of volunteer attorneys will be on call after hours, on weekends and on holidays.

Its a moral and ethical imperative for us, said Solowiej, who is already planning training for new volunteers. I know the Chicago legal community is going to step up.

Solowiej noted that the Cook County prosecutors already have a 24-hour unit, so it only makes sense that the Cook County public defenders have one, too.

Cook County Public Defender Amy Campanelli noted in a statement that Evans order comes the week of the 54th anniversary ofGideon v. Wainright,the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision which established that all defendants must be provided with counsel if theyre too poor to afford their own.

As then-Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy said, because Mr. Gideon filed his own crude, handwritten petition asking for the right to counsel, The whole course of American legal history has been changed, Campanelli said in a statement. Today, the course of legal history in Cook County has changed thanks to the vision and action of Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans.