#kame valley

[unfriendlyamazon]

kame valley (stardew au)

currently obsessed with stardew valley again and yes i can make everything about ygo so here's an au i started actually a long time ago

Title: Kame Valley

Characters: All of them, mainly Seto Kaiba

Summary:

When Seto Kaiba is sent to secure Kaiba Corp's foothold in the small farming community that is Kokoro Town. His corporate goal get waylaid again and again, forcing him to get to know the local villagers, and maybe even engage with them once in a while. Rather than changing the valley, Kaiba finds himself being changed.

Spring, Day 1

Seto Kaiba nearly dropped his bags when he saw where he was staying for the next three weeks. Behind him, Mayor Pegasus seemed oblivious to his growing concern.

Seto’s voice strained when he said, “This is it?”

This was it. The old cabin had seen better days, the wood planks that made up its walls old and peeling. The red shingles of the roof threatened to slide right off. One morose window gazed out onto the small porch, and a lantern was hung over the wind beaten door. It had already been a hike from the one entrance into town, blocked partially by the broken down bus, down a dirt road, and now onto what looked to be a fair sized plot of land. Seto’s gaze swept over the rock ridden dirt. Trees rose up like their own little forest, and stumps were left at attempts to keep them at bay.

Seto breathed out through his teeth. It’d been a day of good omens.

“Unfortunately,” Mayor Pegasus said, singing every other syllable, “accommodations are somewhat limited in Kokoro Town. But the farm’s been unused for years, and everything still works. You’ll be very comfortable here.”

Seto looked at the mayor, whose attitude and style would kindly be described as “eccentric”. Silver hair fanned around his face, covering his left eye, and he wore a clean pink shirt and slacks. Seto had not spoken to him directly until he greeted him ten minutes ago, and already he was desperate to remove himself from his company. He was desperate to remove himself from this town. But Kokoro Town was the foot in the door to the entirety of Kame Valley that Kaiba Corp needed, especially if they were going to keep expanding out. The PR boost would help too. One small town transformed into a thriving marketplace thanks to Kaiba Corp. Noah had visited his office and told Seto that he was the one he needed to rely on to get this done. Seto had been suspicious, but now he knew for sure. Noah was torturing him.

Three weeks, he told himself. Then it’s back to Domino City, where they have hotels and paved streets and electricity.

“It’s fine,” he said, mostly to himself. “I’ll be spending most of my time at the Kaiba Mart anyway, which is…”

The mayor rifled through his pockets before providing a small printed map. “On the other side of town, I’m afraid. You’re lucky you’re here in the spring. It’ll be a brisk walk in the morning.”

“Walk?” he repeated and unfolded the map. Ra, they weren’t even large enough to justify driving. He wasn’t far from town center, but the mart was on the other side of even that, crossing a river to the furthest east it could be from where he was now. Seto didn’t consider himself an inactive person, but every day? Everywhere? He’d packed nothing but his clean business loafers and work clothes. His black shoes were already coated in a fine layer of dust.

“You’ll get used to it in time,” Pegasus said.

Seto hoped he wouldn’t have to. His fear that the inside of the cabin was worse than the outside was only mollified some by the presence of the nicely crafted furniture and small television set. The fireplace was warmed, suggesting someone had bothered to inspect the place before his arrival. He let his bags drop on the ground and side eyed the sheets on the bed that was pushed against the wall. At least it wasn’t a twin. The single room didn’t offer much by way of amenities, not even a kitchen, which wasn’t so much of a loss. It wasn’t as if he cooked.

“It’s homey,” he said, in a way that was not a compliment.

“I’ll give Mr. Muto your regards,” the mayor said. “It’s his property. He’s too old to tend it now, and his grandson tries. He’s quite the fan of yours.”

His ridiculous drawl made it hard to tell if that was sarcasm or not, but Seto banked on caution. Kaiba Corp didn’t make many friends, and the nicely detailed report spelled out Kokoro Town’s resistance to any expansion here. It would worry him, if it mattered.

“And any adjustments that need to be made,” Pegasus continued, “the Ishtars are happy to provide. I should organize a meeting with all the business leaders for you.”

“I’m sure it won’t be necessary,” Seto said. He didn’t want to know what passed for a ‘business leader’ in this town. “I should check in with Kaiba Mart.”

“Of course,” the mayor sang. “And allow me to take you on a wonderful tour of our town as we go.”

Seto held in his groan as he followed him from the dirt path of the farm into town proper. Kokoro’s town center, at least, was paved with businesses huddled around the square. The buildings were unpatterned in their placement, with a medical clinic and general store sloped against each other, and a short ways away a spot whose sign read “Mr. Clown’s Saloon”. The rest were homes, including the mayor’s house, a little larger than the others with a full garden decorating the front. Pegasus pointed out a short path that led to the mountains, and a stone bridge that crossed to the beach. Two rivers crossed here, and the smooth current was alive with fish who snapped at the surface.

Seto didn’t bother to listen as Pegasus pointed out whose home belonged to who or go into a detailed history of every building. He didn’t bother to acknowledge the people that the mayor said good morning to. He removed his phone instead and went to message his brother and frowned when he noticed his inbox was empty. Mokuba usually sent him twenty texts before nine, but there was nothing since last night. He swiped over to his email, which only boasted a handful of unread emails. A sense of dread crept over him as he tried to refresh, only to get a spinning icon that rang with false promise.

With dawning horror, Seto said, “There’s no signal out here.”

Pegasus trailed off mid-sentence as he turned around to look at him. He noted the very expensive brick in Seto’s hands.

“Oh, no,” he said, as an afterthought. “There’s no towers for miles. I’m told in the mountains there’s more luck, but we still use the landlines around here.”

Seto stared at him. “You can’t be serious.”

“I’m afraid so.” He let out a sigh. “Your office must have some work around, I’m sure. For now you’ll have to enjoy our rustic hospitality.”

He kept walking, crossing the short bridge over the river to where the Kaiba Mart sat, and Seto had no choice but to follow after. He clutched his phone in his hand like an injured baby bird in hopes that it would come alive again.

The Kaiba Mart sat in stark contrast to the picturesque nature around them. It’s white and blue walls were modern and clean, and its windowless exterior made it seem like an alien obelisk left behind. They crossed through the sliding doors, and at once the natural sounds of wind rustling through trees and the babbling of the brook and tweeting of birds were replaced with tinny elevator music and the hum of AC. Rows of shelving sat neatly with the fluorescent lights buzzing overhead. A bored looking girl sat at the register while a handful of employees restocked. It was practically busy compared to the rest of town, with people shopping up and down the aisles. Across from the registers was a customer service desk where a man stood to attention, making their way to them.

“I believe you’re in your world now, Kaiba-boy,” Pegasus said. “If there’s anything else I can do for you, I’m never hard to find.”

He ambled away before Seto could protest the sudden familiar nickname, and he was quickly accosted by the manager, who offered a thorough handshake he was forced to escape from. His suit and clean cut hair was closer to the Kaiba Corp goons he was used to dealing with. Seto tried to remember his name from the file and was saved the hassle.

“My name is Roland, sir,” he said. “I’m grateful for the chance to assist you.”

“Right.” Seto didn’t bother introducing himself. He glanced around the grocers and didn’t miss the interest a few employees were paying him. “I assume there’s an office I can set up in.”

“Of course. Right away.”

The back of the Kaiba Mart was roomier than expected, which Seto was grateful for. The employee area was clean and empty, a small TV next to a table playing the weather report. Roland’s office had a single window to look out at any slackers and free of any personal items except for a single kitschy palm tree from the Kuriboh Desert. The rest was storage, and then a room that had been cleaned out and outfitted with a desk and the usual Kaiba Mart motivational posters and metal shelves with binders and blueprints. A stark white light illuminated the space. It smelled faintly of bleach. Seto left the door open for fear it was not as well ventilated as it appeared.

Seto knew going in that there was a plan in place. A small version of KC’s headquarters would be built on land in Kokoro Town, which would open up all of the valley to expansion. Apparently finding the land to build on was the first roadblock. The woods were protected, the mountains deemed unsafe, and there was a full envelope of angry letters from one Solomon Muto in which he expressed with certainty that his farm was not for sale. The only viable property was an abandoned community center, which had a lot of legal red tape around it. Still, Kaiba Corp’s lawyers were fastidious and their pockets bottomless. Roland explained in excruciating detail the issues they’d faced in securing even a construction site, and Seto only stopped him when he got to the biggest sticking point.

“What the hell do you mean by ‘community leadership support’?” he asked.

Roland pointed to the legal papers amid the many files. “Because it’s the property of the town, Kaiba Corp can’t just purchase it. There are five community leaders that need to vote in order for them to give the property over to us. And right now only the mayor is giving us his support.”

Seto narrowed his eyes a the papers in front of him as though they were hiding their secrets. “So in order to get this entire project started, we need to convince four other people that letting Kaiba Corp into their town is a good idea. How do we do that?”

“I think,” he said nervously, “that’s why you’re here.”

Seto continued to focus his gaze on the items in front of him, even as weight pressed down on his chest. This hadn’t been in that nicely detailed file, which meant Noah wanted it to be a surprise. He sent him here, this remote town with no contact to the outside world, in order to play nice with a bunch of country hicks who managed to own enough property to be a thorn in his side. Seto prided himself on a lot of things--his work ethic, his bullheadedness, his ability to get things done--but his people skills had never been his strong suit. His usual methods of brute force and intimidation might not be the appropriate move here.

He sunk his head into his hands. “There has to be some loophole.”

“I’m afraid not,” Roland said.

“Then there has to be another town,” Seto groaned. “One with bribable officials.”

“This is the only foot in the door Kaiba Corp has ever managed.”

“Fantastic.”

Of course, Noah had chosen him for this job. All he had to do was make some friends.

[writer-by-the-sea]

Dear Elliott,

A long time ago, before I came to Stardew Valley, I discovered I was polyamorous. That means to be able to intimately love more than one person at a time. But I wasn't able to be very open about it when I lived in the city.

When I moved here, I vowed to become my realest self, and to seek only the company of people who liked my realest self. Though lately, it seems like my friends don't quite understand it, even after I've tried to explain it to them. Like Harvey keeps flirting with me (and pretending he's not), and I got in an argument with Haley the other day over whether my love for you is real.

She said, "Oh, you just wanna sleep with a bunch of people at once without commitment! More power to you if that's what you want, but you don't need to dress it up to be any deeper than that."

That hurt.

Now I don't know. Over and over again, people have been telling me things like that. I'm starting to wonder if they're right. What if there is something wrong with me? What if I can't feel true love if it ain't for one person only?

All I know for sure is it hurts me to imagine losing you, or you reckoning I don't truly love you back.

For the record, I am not interested in everybody in town. Like I'm not interested in Haley or Harvey (though I feel awful knowing he might have feelings for me I can't return to him).

Love,

Kame 💚🐢💚

Kame,

I understand your frustration.

Some will never be able to understand the depths of love that you feel for me, and the potential love that you may feel for another.

What matters is how you feel in your relationships and how you can safely navigate sharing that love between all of us.

Personally, I love seeing you happy. I want you to continue falling in love with me while also finding love in other places. You deserve every first tingle of want as it seeps into your heart; every first kiss with a new partner, every shared night filled with passion as you make love for the first time.

Haley may never understand, and I believe Harvey is too innocent to understand; but don't take their words to heart.

Once they see you, happily in love with me and others; they will understand. They will see how prefect we all blend together.

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

War in Lebanon Empties 'Brazilian Belt' in Beqaa Valley

Cities where Portuguese was once heard in the streets have become targets of bombings and are now deserted; at least 300 Brazilians have already left, while others await repatriation flights from the Brazilian Air Force

The city hall of Sultan Yacoub, a Lebanese village where Portuguese could be heard everywhere, is deserted. Ten days ago, the mayor emigrated to Qatar, Brazilian and African staff returned to their homes, and the administration practically ceased to function — it only opens for a few hours on Mondays. On Wednesday morning (16th), there was no one there.

"Almost everyone who had a Brazilian passport has left," Ali Jaroush, manager of the gas station and cousin of the mayor, tells Folha. "My business has dropped by half."

Sultan Yacoub, Ghazze, and Kamed El Laouz make up the so-called Brazilian Belt of the Beqaa Valley in eastern Lebanon, a few kilometers from the Syrian border. It is estimated that 8,000 Brazilians lived in the region. With the war between Lebanon and Israel, most have left.

Continue reading.

[purplealmonds]

Analyzing the literal meanings of the ooku women's names

It yields rather fascinating insights on the women's relationships with one another! My thoughts are below the cut:

🏔️Senior Leadership:

🗻Utayama (歌山) = Singing Mountain

I wrote an entire post talking about how her name may foreshadow her fate in the ooku.

🏝️Awashima (淡島) = Pale Island

As Utayama's subordinate, it makes sense that her name is also earth-aligned. However, islands are surrounded by and perpetually eroded by water. This could symbolize her influence in the ooku disappearing as Asa rises in power.

🌾Mugiya (麦谷) = Wheat Valley

A plot of sheltered land that is made to grow annually harvested crops. Valleys exist in between mountains, which symbolizes her secure position in the ooku (as opposed to Awashima), but also signifies her lowly status in the upper rankings. She has a connection with wheat, a crop, which is a nod to her job as the senior maid in charge of "nurturing" Kame and Asa's training.

---

🌸Ladies-In-Waiting (Tenshi's Favored Women)

From the looks of it, Tenshi seems to have a taste for "exotic" women.

🌺Otomo Botan (大友ボタン) = Big Friend Peony

I think she is very loyal and protective to whoever she considers her friends, hence "big friend." I suspect since she shares similar color palettes of purple and black, Utayama is her close friend. Peony is considered the "King of Flowers", symbolizing nobility and wealth. This makes sense given her being a daughter of a senior councilor. A flower is considered a luxury rather than a crop, which contrasts strongly against the next person...

Getting some mean girl vibes with Fuki - she always seems to be escorted by two other ladies in waiting.

🍀Tokita Fuki (時田フキ) = Old Countryside Butterbur

"Countryside" reflects her status as a commoner. Butterbur is a plant, which in preparation for consummation (and I use that word in every sense of the meaning) is often soaked in water to remove its harshness/astringency, which I believe symbolizes distancing herself from her humble origins. Hmm, that sounds similar to a certain omizu-sama ritual....

---

🌱Maid Servants:

Not really beating those fetish-for-exotic-women allegations, Tenshi. Or maybe the ooku's just an equal opportunity employer.

I see that Asa's also an appreciator of pretty hands!

🌻Asa (アサ) = Cannabis....?! Morning Glory

(Wait – is this where all the weed and marijuana mistranslations are coming from?!?!?!) Based on her color palette, I think the would be a nod to morning glory (朝顔) - asagao - which bloom with the rising sun symbolizing her rise in power. She also shares the same flower symbolism as Botan, which makes me think she may come from a somewhat privileged background. Her plant namesake makes her a individual under Mugiya's care Unironically, maybe the weed/cannabis thing might be deliberate. Asa seems like a very level-headed woman who is calm (from imbibing in narcotics???) even in the face of danger (the mononoke). This may also give her some some sort of connection with Kusuriuri, who we saw interact with her in the trailers - or at the very least be in the same space as her.

🐢Kame (カメ) = Turtle

Turtles are associated with the ocean which thrive in open and wild waters. But turtles must first hatch on the beach (ooku) and make a mad dash from the sandy shores to the water(freedom). I think that Kame, living in the ooku, is essentially an awkward sea turtle trying her best to thrive in a freshwater koi fish pond. She's the only maid servant with an animal-aligned name amongst the plant-aligned names, so she sticks out like a sore thumb. And hmm, don't turtles actively eat plant life too...?

🌊Kitagawa (北川) = North River

Hokuto Mizorogi (the water priest) is associated with the Big Dipper constellation, the "ladle" of which is often used to point to the North Star. I believe she and Mizorogi have some unspoken history together. I theorized in this post that she may have birthed his twin daughters, Mikadzuki (三日月) and Futsukazuki (二日月). I'll write up analysis on these girls in a separate post - this one's getting a too long. Kitagawa's name is interesting in that like the senior leadership, it represents an element: the embodiment of water. It gives her an illusion of power in the ooku, but at the price of washing away the important parts of herself. I wonder if she was once in Asa's position, and had to discard a Kame-like friend as the steep price to reach her position of power...

[chujitsuna-rabenda]

🎸- Ya know, I've toyed with the idea of a Stardew Valley au at some point in the past. It's one of my favorite games, so why not? I just never got around to working on it.

@super-kame-love has inspired me to get the ball rolling and work on fleshing out the idea.

[stellarexoxo]

Chapter 1: The City of Pines

Baguio, kilala rin bilang “City of Pines” ay isa sa mga pinaka popular na lugar at tourist spot sa Pilipinas. Dinadayuhan ito ng marami dahil sa iba’t ibang pagkain, parke, at iba pa. Kilala ito sa malamig nitong klima, at kung bakit tinawag ito ng karamihan na “Summer Capital of The Philippines” dahil bumibisita rito ang mga tao tuwing tag init ang panahon. 

Ilang taon na rin ang nakalipas noong dumayo kami ng aking pamilya sa Baguio. Naaalala ko kung gaano kami ka excited dahil marami na akong kaklase na nakapunta na ng Baguio na may masasaya at magagandang karanasan noon, kaya naman nilolook forward talaga namin ito ng aking pamilya.

Noong malapit na kami makapunta ng Baguio, nadaan kami sa kauna unahang tourist spot sa aming paglalakbay. Nakita namin ang kilalang Lion’s Head sa isang highway. Nakakita rin kami roon ng napaka cute na aso. Sobrang excited na kami roon dahil simula pa lang ito ng iba’t iba pang magagandang spots na aming bibisitahin. 

Pagcheck in namin sa aming hotel, kumain muna kami ng tanghalian at pumunta agad sa pangalawang tourist spot, sa Botanical Garden. Napamangha kami dito sapagkat napakaraming magagandang halaman at mga bulaklak dito. Mayroon din kaming nakitang mga istatuwa at structures na maganda ang pagkakagawa. Napaka payapa rin ng kapaligiran rito dahil ito ang pinaka “underrated” na lugar na nabisita namin doon kung kaya’t konti lang ang mga turista na pumunta roon kumpara sa iba pa na aming nabisita.

Ang ika tatlo namang tourist spot na pinuntahan namin ay ang Burnham Park. Sa lugar na ito, kahit napaka raming mga turista, na enjoy pa rin namin ang paglalakad doon dahil sa maaliwalas parin ang atmosphere dito. Nasubukan din namin sumakay sa isa sa mga bikes dito at nasubukan din namin sumakay sa “Swan Boat”. Naaalala ko kung gaano ka exciting at nakakatakot ng kaunti sapagkat unang beses ko lang din sumakay sa isang boat. Ngunit, na enjoy pa rin namin ito at dahil rin sa kabutihang palad, hindi nagkatotoo ang takot ko na baka mahulog kami sa bangka.

Mayroon ding isang part ng aming paglalakbay na habang papunta kami sa susunod na lugar habang nasa aming van, nadaanan namin ang isang lugar na kilala bilang Valley of Colors. Napamangha ako sa lugar na ito sapagkat napakaganda ng mga bahay na mayroong iba’t ibang kulay at kung titingnan mo siya sa kanyang kabuuan, maaari mo siyang maalintulad sa isang rainbow. Nagkaroon din ako ng kaunting inggit dahil gustong gusto ko tumira sa lugar na iyon.

(picture from Tripadvisor ph)

Ang huling tourist spot na napuntahan namin ay para sa akin, ang isa sa pinaka paborito kong lugar sa Baguio. Ito ay ang Strawberry Farm sa La Trinidad. Isa itong malaking farm na mayroong napakaraming strawberries (paborito kong prutas). Dito, maaari kang pumitas ng sarili mong strawberries, fresh from Baguio. Nakatikim rin kami dito ng strawberry ice cream at strawberry taho na napakasarap talaga.

Kahit ilang araw lang kami nasa Baguio, at matagal na panahon na ito, malinaw ko pa rin naaalala ang masasaya at magagandang mga alaala namin ng aking pamilya rito. Tila napakaganda naman talaga sa lugar na ito, maaliwalas ang hangin, masasarap ang pagkain, at mababait rin ang mga tao rito. Kung magkakaroon ulit ako ng pagkakataon makapunta ng Baguio, oo, gagawin ko ito. At kung mayroon pang iba sa inyo na hindi pa nakakabisita rito, ito na ang SIGN para magbook kaagad ng hotel at pumunta na sa “The City of Pines”! Isa ring rekomendasyon, bumisita kasama ang iyong mga mahal sa buhay at habang Abril o Marso sapagkat ito ang strawberry harvest season!

[libidomechanica]

Of smoke

From friends; I haue had struck with fresh is understander they throb like a

kind come a sweet good-night, her looking here Vanity strange tales, or dales,

to win! But O, my hope, in pity Nature bliss, dear joy, Adieu. Sang

a little dart, his stead you give me. Surely thy groves their exit await,

from a star—when will kame my hearts had forces. This the valley, the

bliss. They pleasaunt layes that shines in my wandring section to peer her to

the red-handed, catch her tender churl, makes your eyes, for you that climbing

to be envied of it, love, an’ she hurricane all flesh! After part

shall the flower, where I’ll take; she put away, oh! By those bosom with

the bank of kisses, when all the tomb fair maid, thou art insensible

might be in oil of beauty, and press’d even thou rove, the oscillating

home the one I cannot dispraise and as any reverberates

because thou were and gazed upon his pockets but in a snare: so wild,

so deep in one self-substantial petrol in sunshine beneath that art

can tears more secure, though I long we try in her enough; will sit upon

the head, like callow Polish river. As to reform and quell? To

me, feele, and she nippit her beauty’s summer and his charm—she smile;

and if I could buy, that the beastes in my bones to and blows now. Bent

to follow that he did not need him in vain and break. Him in a knot.

[unfriendlyamazon]

saw @alectoperdita did the WIP game and while i don’t have a specific wip folder i do have about 50 fics i’m juggling at any given time so here’s some fun ones for you to guess over

Rules: Post the names of the files of your WIP folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. Let people send you ask with the title that most intrigued them, and then post a little snippet or tell them something about it. If you want, tag as many people as you have WIPS.

Pirates

Heist

Space Outlaw

Kickwolves

Hot for Teacher

Beauty and the Beast

Cinderella

Haunted House

BF Adventure

Battle of the Bands

Dangerous Charms

Sour Watermelon

Shut Up and Dance With Me

Draped in Gold

Actor AU

They Still Bloom

Kame Valley

Black Tapes

Sunsets on Daydreams

Date Night

8th Grade Date

Bad Boy Tristan

Dinner With the Boss

some of these are au folders with pretty obvious names. if you have wips you want out in the world, share your own!

[ultraheydudemestuff]

Carl Potter Mound

State Route 56

Mechanicsburg, OH

The Carl Potter Mound (also known as "Hodge Mound II” ) is a heavily eroded historic Adena Native American mound in southern Champaign County, Ohio. Located near Mechanicsburg, it lies on a small ridge in a pasture field in southeastern Union Township.  The valleys of the Scioto and Miami rivers were rich with prehistoric earthworks when whites settled Ohio. Champaign County lies midway between these rivers, and accordingly its earthworks are fewer than those of the counties located along those two rivers. A 1914 study observed only six mounds and a total of eighteen archaeological sites countywide, in contrast to thirty-three mounds and a total of fifty-nine sites in Logan County to the north,  and twenty-two mounds and a total of ninety-six sites in Miami County to the west. Unknown to this survey was the Carl Potter Mound: although it is one of several mounds and many burial sites that have been recorded on a single farm in Union Township, the only sites observed by the survey were located in the western part of the township.

In the late nineteenth century, a kame in the farm's barnyard was excavated for gravel and found to contain multiple burials and artifacts, which have since been assessed as dating from the Cole period. Also located on the Potter farm is the site of a smaller mound, known as "Hodge Mound I." Intensive cultivation over the mound has reduced it to ground level; its location can only be observed when the site is plowed, at which time remnants of charcoal can be seen in the newly cultivated soil. In contrast, the Potter Mound is not plowed; although it has been reduced in height by cultivation in the past, the site is no longer being so used.

During the 1930s, a group of young boys decided to dig into the Potter Mound; their primitive investigation yielded a group of bones and a grooved stone axe. No other excavations, whether crude or rigorous, have been conducted since that time: accordingly, it is believed that the mound still contains burials and other artifacts. This axe alone is insufficient to identify the builders of the mound: grooved axes have been discovered both at early Adena sites and at the sites of the earlier Late Archaic period. Nevertheless, it is believed that the mound was built by the Adena, due to its location: like the Potter mound, many confirmed Adena sites are located on small ridges near brooks. If the mound were built by an Adena group, it is likely the work of a clan that was isolated from the main Adena regions in the Scioto River valley to the east.

In 1970, Ohio State University archaeologist Stephen C. Koleszar carried out a survey of archaeological sites in southwestern Ohio. Although six mounds had been recorded in Champaign County in 1914 — not including the Potter mound — only three mounds, including the Potter mound, were still in existence by 1970.   Four years later, on August 13, 1974, the Potter mound was added to the National Register of Historic Places as part of a preservation effort. As part of its nomination to the Register, it was designated the "Carl Potter Mound" for its owner, Carl Potter; its previous name of "Hodge Mound" is a reference to a former owner, James A. Hodge. The mound was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a potential archaeological site, primarily because of its use as a burial mound.

[daily-hyosatsu]

Turtle name turtle name turtle name! And what's more, it's a FANCY turtle name. 龜谷 can be read Kametani, Kameya, Kamegai, Kamedani, or Kamegaya.

龜 (kame, ki, kyū, or kin) is an archaic variant of the standard 亀, meaning turtle or tortoise. It looks so cool! And 谷 (tani, koku, or kiwa.maru) generally means valley.

[lapidmira]

Destinasyong Sinisiyasat: Sa Baguio Mahahanap!

Tanaw ang pagbagsak ng pira-pirasong dahon mula sa isang punong nakatirik. Pawang matagal na itong nagmamanman sa bawat dayuhang matagal na ring nagmamasid sa kanya.

Habang umiiral ang modernisasyon sa iba’t ibang dako ng bansang Pilipinas, mayroong natatanging lugar na kinagigiliwan ng nakararami; hindi lamang dahil sa taglay nitong malamig na klima, sa pinagmamalaki nitong strawberry jam o sa kakaiba nitong mga tanim gaya ng mirasol na hindi karaniwang matatagpuan sa ibang lalawigan, kun'di dahil na rin sa taglay nitong mayamang kultura.

Hindi ko man ganap na sabihin ang pangalan ng tinutukoy kong lalawigan, alam kong natitiyak mo na ang nais kong bigyang pakahulugan: ang lungsod ng Baguio. Ang lugar na punong-puno ng pinausbong na kultura, mga tanawing makukulay sa mata, mga magigiliw na taong handang magbahagi ng kanilang pag-aari: ang lugar na puno ng kapayapaan, pagbibigayan at pagmamahalan. Ang lugar na parati kong nanais-naising balikan.

Ang Baguio sa Madilim na Kahapon

Kuha ang larawan mula sa Esquire Philippines.

Taong 1846 nang pamunuan ng mga Kastila ang probinsya ng Benguet na kung saan pinaghiwa-hiwalay nila ang bawat lugar sa karatig nito upang bigyan ng kaniya-kaniyang kabansagan. Dala ng kolonisasyon, naipasa sa kilalang tribong Ibaloi ang isang kakaibang kultura. Ito ang labis na pagpapahalaga sa kanilang namayapang mahal sa buhay. Sa ibang tradisyon, ang mga yumao ay inililibing at humahantong sa mga pampublikong sementeryo: malayo sa piling ng kanilang pamilya at dinadalaw lamang tuwing may pagkakataon o pagdiriwang. Sa tribong Ibaloi, nakagawian na nilang ilibing ang mga bangkay ng mga patay sa loob ng bahay at bakuran dahilan ang paniniwalang kasama pa rin nila ito hanggang sa kasalukuyan.

Kuha ang larawan mula sa I-Witness: ‘Our Baguio’, dokumentaryo ni Sandra Aguinaldo

Taong 1900 naman nang dumating ang mga Amerikano sa Benguet. Sa kanilang pananakop, nagpatayo sila ng mga gusali at istrakturang may kaparehong katangian at hulma sa mga kayariang mula sa Amerika. Kung sasaliksikin ang ilang mga lumang larawan na kuha sa nasabing lugar, hindi maitatangging naroon pa rin ang dati nitong kasiglahan at diwa: ang nagsilbing ugat sa pagpapayaman ng mga tanawin at mga kagawian na atin na ngayong tinatamasa.

Kuha ang larawan mula sa website na WordPress.

Taong 1908, kinilala ang lungsod ng Baguio bilang Summer Capital of the Philippines sa kadahilanang ito ang nagsisilbing takbuhan at destinasyon ng mga tao mula sa mababang lugar. Mula sa una nitong pangalan na Bagiw na nangangahulugang lumot, kasalukuyan na itong kinikilala sa pangalang Baguio, isang maunlad na sentro ng negosyo, komersyo at edukasyon.

Sa Likod ng Malinamnam na Lasa

Kuha ang larawan mula sa Escape Manila.

Para sa mga suki ng malinamnam na ube at strawberry jam mula sa Baguio, ang mga pasalubong na ito ay may tinatago ring mga istorya na ugat ng gayong pagkakakilanlan. Pangunahing layunin ng pamunuan ng Good Shepherd Convent – ang pinakasikat na pamilihan ng mga subenir sa itinatampok na siyudad, ang pagbibigay ng edukasyong pang-kolehiyo sa mga kabataang mag-aaral. Bagamat marami ang nagbibigay paanyaya sa kanilang negosyo na sumangguni sa ibang korporasyon, hindi nila ito tinatanggap sapagkat nakasasapat na ang inilalaan nilang pagsisikap upang makapagtapos ang kanilang mga iskolar. Sinabi ng isang namumunong madre na kung kanila itong tatanggapin, mawawala lamang sa pokus at magagambala ang pag-aaral ng mga estudyanteng naghahanapbuhay.  

Ikalawa nilang adhikain sa pagbebenta ng subenir ang pagpapatayo ng mga organisadong grupo ng mga magsasaka, hindi lamang sa Benguet ngunit maging sa Ilocos at La Union. Sa pamamaraang ito, nabibigyang sapat na tugon ang agrikultura sa Baguio at sabay na napapanatili ang pangkabuhayang pinansyal ng mga manggagawa.

Kuha ang larawan mula sa I-Witness: ‘Our Baguio’, dokumentaryo ni Sandra Aguinaldo

Isa ring sikreto ng linamnam nito ang pagdarasal ng rosaryo habang ito ay pinoproseso ng mga trabahador. Ayon sa kanila, isang banal na pananim ang ube na hindi maaaring masugatan o mabagsak sa tuwing inaani, ‘di gaya ng ibang halaman. Kaya nga’t nang malaman ko ang impormasyong ito, bumili ako ng limang piraso upang maibahagi sa mga espesyal na tao sa aking buhay at upang makatulong na rin sa mga nagsusumikap nilang mag-aaral.

Mga Kaakit-akit na Kalye | Lugar ng Malikhaing Kamay

Mula sa mga kuwadro na gawa sa mga eskultura, sa mga totoong kwento sa likod ng mga gawang sining, talaga namang sinasalamin ng mga malikhaing kulay sa pader ang kaluluwa ng isang malayang paglalakbay.

Para sa ilang mga tao, ang street art o graffiti ay itinuturing bilang isang gawa ng paninira o bandalismo: kakila-kilabot na tanawin na dapat patungan ng payak na kulay. Sa pananaw ng iba, kinikilala nila ito bilang isang likhang-sining, isang kasakdalan na nagpapahayag ng kanilang pagkakaiba-iba at kumakatawan sa kanilang talento na naiimpluwensyahan ng kultura, politika, musika, at relihiyon.

Tampok sa mga lansangan sa Baguio ang mga dinisenyuhang pader. Pinapayaman nila ang ganitong uri ng sining at kasanayan dahil natatangi itong demokratikong pamamaraan ng paghahatid ng opinyon sa publiko. Dagdag pa riyan, ang pagkakakilanlan ng mga sinaunang kultura ng tribong Ibaloi ay higit ding napapanatili sa pamamagitan ng street murals.

Ang Burnham Park

Kuha ang larawan mula sa website na WordPress.

Natagpuan ko na lamang ang aking sarili na nakatanaw sa matayog na puno sa Burnham Park, isa sa pinakakilalang pasyalan ng mga turista sa Baguio. Isang espiritwal na repleksyon ang sumagi sa isip ko habang nakatingala sa matataas na sanga ng puno: ganito pala kayabong ang isang tanim na inalagaan, ang tanim na dumaraan sa unti-unting proseso ng pag-usbong, ang tanim na nagkamit ng kanyang kasaganahan ayon sa nakatakda nitong panahon.

Kuha ang larawan mula sa WIkimedia Commons.

Tampok sa parkeng ito ang isang lawa, kilala sa bansag na Burnham Lagoon. Ayon sa kasaysayan, pinangalanan ito ng isang Amerikanong arkitekto at taga-plano ng lungsod na si Daniel Hudson Burnham.

Kuha ang larawan mula sa website ng Detourista.

Tanaw mula rito ang pinakamataas na bundok sa rehiyon, ang Mount Cabuyao. Dagdag pa riyan, ang mga turista ay maaaring sumakay sa mga maliliit na bangka habang nililibot ang munting lawa.

Habang nakasakay at pumapadyak sa ‘di pangkaraniwang bisekleta na matatagpuan sa parehong parke, naramdaman ko ang pagiging malaya dala ng pag-iisa. Hindi kalungkutan ang nangingibabaw sa aking dibdib kun’di nag-uumapaw na kasiyahan at pagtatanto. Sa bawat padyak ko nang hindi nalalaman kung saan ako patungo, pinili ko pa ring magpatuloy at ‘wag magambala sa maraming pangamba. Ang pangambang baka ubos na ang oras ng pagrenta ko sa bisekleta o kaya naman ang pag-aalinlangan na maiwan ako ng aking mga kasama. Kung isasabuhay, para lamang itong pagbagtas ng aking mga pangarap: wala akong dapat isipin kun’di ang aking layunin at mga naisin, dapat akong magpatuloy na kumayod sa kabila man ng mga balakid at mga negatibong pangyayaring magdaraan.

Sa ganitong matamis na karanasan, 'paalam' ang pinakamahirap na bitawan. Kahit sa isang larawan ko na lamang ito madalas na mababalikan, alam kong nag-iwan ito sa puso ko ng isang reyalisasyon: unang parte pa lamang ito ng aking paglalakbay, kailangan kong magpatuloy dahil hindi pa ito ang nag-aabang na huling destinasyon na aking kalalagyan.

Hindi lamang sulit ang pagpasyal sa Burnham Park dahil sa mga tanawing taglay nito. Sa pagsampa sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng nasabing lugar, gaya ng Japanese Peace Tower at hardin ng mga rosas, malalasap mo rin ang mga nakamamanghang kasaysayan.

Ang Mines View Park

Hindi ba't ang sarap huminga sa paligid na puno ng kapayapaan, sa humuhuning hangin na humahaplos sa ating mga balat?

Ang isang sulyap sa Amburayan Valley ay maaaring masaksihan sa view deck ng Mines View. Dahil sa kaakit-akit na tanawin ng mga bundok mula sa itaas, ang parke ay isa ring magandang lugar para sa pagkuha ng mga larawan.

Sa parke, marami rin iba't ibang mga subenir tulad ng mga larawang inukit sa kahoy, mga tinitindang pilak, mga produktong habi mula sa Sagada, at iba pang mga gawang katutubo. Pinapayagan din ang mga turista na kumuha ng kanilang larawan kasama ang magagandang kabayo. Maaari mo ring maramdaman na ikaw ay isang Igorot sa pamamagitan ng pagrenta ng isang buong damit ng mga taga Cordillera. Para sa mga lalaki, kasama sa kasuotan ang bahag, kalasag, headdress at sibat. Para naman sa kababaihan, mayroon itong tapis, vest, at madisenyong headdress. Dagdag pa riyan, maaari rin matikman dito ang matamis na inihaw na mais at pusit.

Sa malawak na tanawin mula sa itaas, gusto ko na lamang ibulalas lahat ng problemang aking nararanasan: mula sa pamilya, kaibigan at pag-aaral, maging sa pagdududa sa sarili kong kakayahan. Hindi ko ito naisakatuparan, nakakapit kasi sa aking kamay ang isang kaibigan. Katulad ko, marami rin siyang katanungan na gustong bigyang tugon. Sa oras na iyon, kailangan niya ng isang sandigan na magbibigay sa kanya ng katatagan. Hindi niya marahil gustong makarinig pa ng hinagpis ng kalungkutan.

Sa oras na iyon, naunawaan kong hindi ako kailanman nag-iisa. Naunawaan kong hindi lamang ako ang biktima ng magulong tadhana o ng mapanghusgang lipunan. Sa kinatatayuan ko, pinili kong magpakatotoo laban sa aking kahinaan. Ganito pala ang pakiramdam ng pag-aalinlangan na baka hindi ko kayanin at malagpasan ang lahat: na baka sa isang iglap, mauwi sa wala ang lahat ng aking pinagpaguran.

Dahan-dahan kaming humakbang pababa ng hagdan. Sa huling sulyap ko sa pawang malalim na bangin, isang pagtatanto na naman ang sumagi sa'king isip: Ang katayugan ng bundok ay nakasalalay sa nais na marating ng kanyang mambabagtas. Muli, kung pipiliin kong mas manaig ang aking kahinaan, baka hanggang dito na lamang ang aking patutunguhan.

St. Scholastica Retreat House

At sinabi niya sa kanila, Magsiparito kayo ng bukod sa isang dakong ilang, at mangagpahinga kayo ng kaunti. Sapagka't marami ang nangagpaparoo't parito, at sila'y hindi man lamang mangagkapanahon na magsikain. (Mark 6:31)

Matatagpuan sa 108 Wagner Road, Military Cut-off, Baguio City, lugar ito para sa pribadong pagninilay at pagdarasal, para sa isang espiritwal na pag-uusap upang makinig sa abot-sigaw ng puso.

Kuha ang larawan mula kay Gian De Leon.

Maliban sa mga kwentong nakatataas ng balahibo, isa rin sa kinasabikan ko sa lugar na ito ang mga pagpupulong na pinangunahan ng propesyonal na ispiker. Palagi niya kasing itinatampok ang kahalagahan ng pamilya sa tuwing siya ay nagbibigay paalala.

Bago ako lumisan sa aming tahanan upang mamasyal sa Baguio, nakabibinging bangayan muna ng aking magulang ang sumalubong sa paggising ko. Wika ko pa noon sa sariling diwa, matutuwa ako sa pansamantala kong pagkawala dahil walang gagambala sa payapa kong pag-iisip.

Sa dalawang gabing hindi ko nakasabay ang pamilya sa hapag-kainan, hinanap-hanap ko na agad ang halakhak ng nakababata kong kapatid sa tuwing kami ay nagtatalo tungkol sa isang paksa. Hinanap-hanap ko ang pangungumusta ng ina sa aking mga grado, na kahit madalas ay nagbibigay sa akin ng presyur, nagsisilbi pa ring inspirasyon ko upang lalong pagbutihan ang pag-aaral. Maging ang paghalik ng aking ama sa mga pisngi habang sinasabi na kami raw ang natatanging magkamukha sa pamilya.

Sa aking pagtulog, ninais kong maramdaman ang yakap ng ina. Nangako ako sa sarili: pag-uwi ko, agad ko siyang pagsasabihan ng lahat ng aking natutunan sa paglalakbay.

Mula noon, mas lalong guminhawa ang aming ugnayan. Nalaman ko rin na ang kapayapaan ay nag-uugat sa matibay na pundasyon ng pagmamahalan. Hindi sa pagtakas, hindi sa paglilibang.

Sa huling paglalarawan sa lugar ng St. Scholastica, sigurado akong mararanasan mo rito ang malalim na pagninilay-nilay na magbibigay ng panibagong pananaw tungo sa mga maling pang-unawa na akala mo dati ay nararapat at tama.

The Mansion House

Kuha ang larawan mula sa website na TrekEarth.

Matatagpuan ito sa silangang bahagi ng lungsod sa kahabaan ng C.P. Romulo Drive (dating bahagi ng Leonard Wood Road): tapat mismo ng Wright Park. Mas matanda ito kaysa sa lungsod at itinuturing na pinakasikat na pasyalan sa Baguio. Sa taglay nitong magagandang hardin at dinisenyuhang damuhan, ito ay isang paboritong pook para sa pamamasyal at pagkuha ng larawan.

Napadpad ako sa harap ng ipinagmamalaking Malacañang. Mula sa itsura nito sa labas, mapapansin agad na ang mga nakasasampa sa palasyong ito ay tanging mga makapangyarihan lamang. Ang pasyalang ito ang pinakamaluwag sa paningin ngunit pinakamasikip sa pakiramdam. May limitasyon lamang ang pagkuha ng larawan, maging ang hangganan na maaaring hakbangan ng mga turista.

Ang lugar na ito ay patunay sa nanatiling puwang sa pagitan ng mga nakaluklok at mga ordinaryong mamamayan. Ang upuan sa palasyo ay alay sa may kalamangan habang ang semento sa labas ay iniluluklok sa walang kapangyarihan.

Maliit na pagtatanto lamang ngunit nakakaalarma dahil nakasalalay sa kanila ang ating kinabukasan.

Muli kaming sumakay sa bus, pasulong mula sa lugar na puno ng pagmamataas.

Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag

Kuha ang larawan mula sa website na Luke Inspired.

Mula sa kataasan ng Baguio, napadpad akong nagdarasal sa isang simbahan sa Pangasinan. Huling destinasyon na kaya ito o panibagong simula na naman ng pagbabagtas?

Kahit hindi na ito kabilang sa mga kilalang pasyalan sa Baguio, karaniwang nagagawi ang mga turista sa Manaoag Church dahil ito raw ay makasaysayan at tunay na kagiliw-giliw. Libu-libong mga tao ang pumupunta sa lalawigan taun-taon upang maranasan ang kalikasang espiritwal ng lugar at kumuha ng iba't ibang mga atraksyon na may kinalaman sa relihiyon.

Sa loob ng isang oras na misa, nagbigay pasasalamat ako sa lahat ng biyayang aking natanggap: sa mga bagong kaalaman na aking natutunan, sa mga kaibigan na lagi kong nasasandalan, sa kaligayahang bigay ng aking pamilya at sa marami pang iba.

Huling Destinasyon: Ang Sarili

Sa tatlong araw kong paghahanap ng huling patutunguhan, naunawaan kong hindi isang partikular na lugar ang aking uuwian.

Tulad ng Baguio na nagpapayabong ng kanyang nakagawiang kultura, marapat ko rin sigurong pagyamanin ang aking sariling paniniwala at kaugalian upang makamit nito ang lahat ng kanyang inaasam.

Sarili, ang huling destinasyon na nilaan sa akin ng mahabang paglalakbay.

Salamat Baguio! Hanggang sa muli!

Ikaw, ano pang hinihintay mo?

[rei-and-family]

My COVID-19 Story

The continuation (part 3 😂)

11/01-11/05 - Nag- Home Quarantine muna kaming mag asawa since wala naman kaming nararamdaman. Pero nagsabi na kami sa family & close friends na wala na munang pupunta sa bahay. Pag nagpapabili kami iniiwan lang nila sa labas ng bahay. Hindi pa agad kami nagpa swab test dahil walang malapit na swabtest facility dito sa amin kaya need ko pa magpagaling ng tahi. DOH and WHO have guidelines for breastfeeding moms who tested positive and I follow those because I really wanted to pure breastfeed my son.

11/06- We finally had our swab test sa Marikina Valley. Ang mahal beshies! 7500/each. TYL talaga kasi naapprove same health cards naming mag-asawa.

That's me. Hehe. Ang sakit sa ilong beshies, yung asawa ko naiyak hahaha

The nurse explained to us that everyone who got tested and waiting for the result is considered "Covid suspect" and should do a home quarantine (he gave us guidelines for our quarantine) and will be lifted only if tested Negative.

11/08 - My husband woke me up and told me to check my email because there's bad news. I checked it and there's no email yet so I thought he was just joking and I went back to sleep. When I woke up again, I check my messenger and he sent me the ss of his result and it's POSITIVE. I was like "positive ka?!!" Sabi nya bakit ikaw ba? Kala nya meron na din sakin when he handed my phone to me. But it was late afternoon already when I received mine, and as expected, it's Positive, too.

We reported it already to our Employers. 'Though he's wfh, I told him to report it and ask for leave. He's working at night and need nya magpahinga dahil baka bumagsak ang immune system nya. And so he did.

11/09 - Their HR called him and asked us to report it to our Brgy within the day as it should be reported within 24hrs. So we did right away.

11/10 - The CityHealth started calling ua for daily monitoring. Yes, they monitor us daily. They also gave us food packed.

According to City Health, we can do Home Quarantine since we're asymptomatic and advised us to always have our vitamins. We should also wear facemask as we have kids who have no symptoms as well. To these cases, according to WHO & DOH, we just need to complete 14days of quarantine and doesn't need to get tested again as long as no symptom was occured within the quarantine period. Because there's a big possibility daw na we tested positive again (which I guess, they avoid to decrease the numbers) pero hindi na nakakahawa after the incubation period which is 14 days nga. Kaya they can give us na the med cert & fit to work after that incubation and we're considered recovered.

Our quarantine will be done on Nov 20, and TYL as so far, we're all feeling okay. ❤️

[alfonsohan]

Tanawing Kay Ganda

#LakbayQuirino

By: Johanna Marie Alfonso

Ito ay aming pinuntahan noong taong 2017, sapagkat kami ay dumalo sa kasal ng aking tita at kami ay mga abay sa kasalang iyon. Magagandang mga tanawin ang aming nakikita sa aming pabisita sa Cabarroguis. Mga magagandang lugaw na pupweding pagkunan ng mga litratong pwedeng i-upload sa mga social media sites, tulad ng Facebook, Instagram, at pati na rin dito sa Tumblr upang maging content sa gagawing Blog na kung saan tumutukoy sa mga lugar na napuntahan. Ang Cabarroguis ay capital ng Cagayan Valley na nasa Region II. Dito ay maraming mapupuntahan na mayroong magagandang tanawin na tiyak na magugustuhan ng mga turistang mapupunta dito. Tiyak na maraming gustong makakita ang natatagong ganda ng Cabarroguis at ito'y babalik balikan kung sa uulitin.

Isa dyan sa litratong andyan ay kung saan doon kinuhaan ang litratong gagamitin sa kasal ng aking tita. Maraming mga lugar ang pwedeng makita sa paglalalad palamanh dito, maraming magagandang tanawin na makakapukaw atensyon ng ating mga mata. Tulad na lamang doon sa lugar na mayroong malalaking kubo na pwedeng pagpahingaan o 'di kaya'y pagtambayan ng mga turistang napagod sa mga lugar na malalapit sa Capitol. Magandang mamahinga roon sapagkat kay lamig ng simoy ng hangin na dumadampi sa ating balat.

Nang kami'y pauwi na ay kami naman ay kumain ng lomi na masarap at sobrang dami ng sahog. Nang kaming pauwi na rito sa Laguna, napagtanto ng aking mga tita ns bumisita muna sa Palacian, Aglapay Qurino. Na kung saan may mga naglalakihang cactus ang aming nakita sa aming pagbisita dito.

So what are you waiting for? Let's go and visit Quirino Province if the pandemic ends, to see the beautiful sceneries that can make our eyes sparkling.

Let's go visit the places that have a beautiful sceneries like this.

- johanna marie alfonso

[putschki1969]

Wakana Matataki Q&A

This year in one kanji? 始 (shi, haji) - beginning

A word you learned this year? Eh? What could it be?? I guess “handy-fan”...?

Something that has changed with the new Reiwa-era? My approach to music. The amount of music that I want to try singing has increased immensely. My singing style has also changed a lot this year.

The first thing that comes to mind when you think of Akasaka? BLITZ

The first thing that comes to mind when you think of Osaka? Takoyaki

What sort of Tokyo Souvenir do you recommend? Pickled vegetables from Ginza Wakana (https://www.ginzawakana.com/html/page38.html)

What sort of Osaka Souvenir do you recommend? I would like to know some recommendations!!

What challenge do you want to take on in 2020? I would like to see sharks in the sea. Actually, I would love to swim together with them.

What kind of sport will you be doing in 2020? Rhythmic gymnastics. 

What will be trending in 2020? Gyōzame-chan!!

Morning or night person? Morning!

Dogs or cats? I love both doggies and kitties!!

Rice or bread? RICE!!

Indoor or outdoor? Both

Northern or Southern country? If I had to choose I guess I would prefer it to be a little colder so I will go for a Northern country. Then again, I love travelling to warm countries when it’s cold. 

Cash or cards? I use both equally I would say.

Sneakers or heels? When it comes to sneakers, I really love my Converse, I haven’t really worn heels recently. These days I only wear my boots.

Ramen or udon? Both are great.

What’s the first thing you do in the morning? I gargle, brush my teeth, use my eye-wash solution and put in my contact-lenses. After that, I will boil water, prepare my coffee and check on my plants.

What prefecture would you like to visit? Kagawa and Kōchi prefecture. I would like to go and eat udon in Kagawa prefecture. And I would like to go to Aoi Valley in Kōchi prefecture.

What country would you like to visit? Canada: I want to view the aurora borealis in Yellowknife. Italy: I would like to go to Civita di Bagnoregio - the castle in the sky. UK: I want to see the castles in Wales. Greece: I want to see the sea on the island of Zakynthos 

What do you want to eat right now? I always want to eat gyōza! 

Aside from being a singer, what profession would you have liked to choose? A clothing designer!

Favourite time? All year round: 10:00 => The time I can best concentrate Summer: 18:00 => The time for incredibly amazing sunsets Winter: 23:00 => The time when the stars are most beautiful

Your top 3 favourite sushi toppings? #1: Toro Taku! #2: Toro Taku! #3: Toro Taku!

How do you spend your off-days? I take care of my plants and give them lots of love, I clean the house, I buy some food and then I usually stroll around and get some other shopping done.

Top 3 favourite sauces to put on your hamburger patty? #1: Japanese style soy sauce and fried egg #2: Cheese, grilled tomatoes and fresh onions #3: Garlic sauce

What’s your preferred curry style from your favourite curry place? CoCo Ichinbanya’s mild curry + scrambled eggs + tomato/asparagus. On top of that + cheese hamburger patty! (How I came across the cheese hamburger patty => one day I brought my curry home and when I opened my package there was suddenly a cheese hamburger patty even though I hadn’t ordered it. I fell in love with it and from then onwards I always had to get it. It’s really delicious!!)

What do you use for frying? Soy sauce and olive oil.

What would you bring to a deserted island? A pillow, a sleeping bag and my contact lenses. 

What’s your favourite smell? The lovely smell my plants give off when I water them.

Wakana’s top 3 favourite oden ingredients? #1: Burdock roll and Mochi Kinchaku #2: Radish #3: Ito Konnyaku and egg

Your top 3 favourite onigiri fillings? #1: Mentaiko & cheese #2: Kelp #3: Salmon roe

A song you remember from your childhood? ねむの木の子守歌 (Lullaby Of Nemunoki) It’s the song I sang at my first competetion. 

Your first CD? Kōmi Hirose’s “Romance no Kamisama”

A memory from your school meals? The ramen was always gone when I got there so I could never ate it. Phantom ramen. 

Must-have item? My Wa-kame!! 

A recent fun anecdote! I had come across someone from the record company in the studio, on his way out he said his goodbyes, “well, I am off to the dentist [haisha] now!” In response I said, “please take care and get well soon!” He looked at me in surprise and wonder like I had said something weird. When I asked him about it I found out that I had misheard him, he hadn’t said “dentist” [haisha], he had actually said “company” [kaisha]. 

Something that made you laugh out loud recently? A few days later that same person from the record company was late for one of our meetings. He had forgotten the schedule. His excuse: “Sorry, I was at the dentist!” (this time it seems like he was ACTUALLY at the dentist!)

A recommended meal you have recently made? Stew! In winter you really crave warm things. Recently I have been putting a lot of cheese in my stew, makes it so much more delicious!

Something you would like to do together with the fans? A Ghibli Appreciation Party. And an After-Talk Meet-Up.

[tamachan221]

Name- Sanura Gender- Female Age- appears 26 but is around 5000 years ( or 3000 in the original version / I grew up with the English Dub/)

Ethnicity- Nordic-Egyptian

Occupation- Guardian / Duelist

Favorite Food- Kalops

Least Favorite food- Dates

Deck- Gravekeeper's

Signature Card/ Ka - Gravekeeper's Spiritualist

Theme- Creeping in My Soul

Sanura is a quiet and mysterious being who likes to keep her distance. She is very skilled in arcane arts, able to manipulate ones mind, become invisible, or create a barrier against attacks. She awaits patiently at the Millennium Gate (not part of the seven, but they're ancient items from around the same time period, which is why it's called that) until the time comes.

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Sanura comes from the small Kingdom of Vanir (in a Northwestern area of Egypt ), she is the personal guard to Nanu, sworn to protect her until her death. However, the Kingdom was lost to the Dark Overlord, Mirage and his Dark Assailants. (writing a story arc that explains Mirage and the Dark Assailants) Sanura, fled with the young Nanu  using her magic to flee from the kingdom. Sometime later, Nanu and Sanura arrive in the Valley of Kings, where Sanura manipulates the mind of an old nobleman, making him believe that Nanu was his, then wipes Nanu's mind of everything that had happened before disappearing to prepare for when Mirage makes another appearance.

As she wandered the desert, Sanura, who was weak and weary, found herself in Kul Elna, where she meets and befriends a young Bakura. After a few months of living there, becoming friends to others and even developing a bit of a crush for Bakura, the village is attacked by Akhenaden and his group of mages. There wasn't very much she could do as her magic was still weakened, Sanura hid by becoming invisible, just long enough until Akhenaden had left.

Sanura remained with Bakura for a long time after the incident, growing hatred toward the Pharaoh. But her relationship with Bakura had deepened. Although he did become somewhat manipulative, however, it didn't take long for Sanura to take notice. Sanura unable to get around the grief of losing her home once again, and with Mirage also on her mind, she slowly began to grow insane with paranoia. Through time, her magic became stronger, but started using darker magic as well.

Eventually, she had grown apart from Bakura, and had gone into hiding, but also preparing for whenever Mirage would draw near again.

Five years later, Sanura, who was residing in the Ruins of Vanir, would use her magic to create the Millennium Gate. This gate would allow one to go through time. Sanura first uses this gate to send her daughter (one of the main reasons for leaving Bakura as she didn't want him manipulating her either), Kissa, 5000/3000 years into the future, hoping for a safer world. Then after Pharaoh Atem and Zorc are sealed away, Sanura seeks out Nanu as Mirage and the Dark Assailants were close. After retrieving the Millennium Wings to keep safe before she then pushes Nanu through the gate, sending her far into the future. This however, came at a price. Using the gate demands a large sum of magic. Sanura was already weakened from sending Kissa the first time. So, Sanura prays to the Gods to lend her magic in order to use the Millennium Gate a second time, to send Nanu 5000/3000 years. After granted the ability to do so, Sanura's spirit becomes bound to the gate, where she remains its Guardian. If any other person were to discover this gate, in order to go through, they must first defeat the Guardian in a duel. If the challenger loses, the Guardian will erase their mind and send them far away.

And so she waited for a millennia, where she would find Nanu again, who in the present time, became Tamaki Mutou, who had taken part in the Duelist Kingdom. At that point Sanura, who met with Ishizu and was able to learn of what happened with the Millennium Necklace, sends one of the Millennium Wings to the Kame Game store, as she hopes to sort of test Tamaki's abilities. Sanura takes part in the Battle City tournament to test her even further only to learn that the light magic Tamaki once held lied dormant within her, as well as her knowledge of who she once was. Before gaining the ability to speak with her more, Yami Marik takes control of Sanura with the Millennium Rod before their duel in the Finals before Tamaki defeats her. (During the tournament, she briefly runs into Yami Bakura, but does her best to avoid him)

After Battle City, Sanura meets with Tamaki in the Egyptian Exhibit in the museum to once again test her in a duel, she loses but gives up the other half of the Millennium Wings. It is then Sanura informs Tamaki of who she is, which leads Tama on a quest to obtain five hidden cards that Pegasus had created before Mirage and his Dark Assailants are able to shroud the world in darkness (if anyone is caught in this darkness will become trapped as a spirit / this is a fanmade arc I am working on).

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I just love her new design~ x3 She's probably the favorite of my Yu-Gi-Oh! OCs.

That's what she used to look like~ She started as a Yami for Tamaki (EVERYONE's OC had a Yami at one point), who was sister to Atem, who was later changed to a rebellious princess (no longer a Yami) with a hatred for her kingdom, to her own character (personally having one or two Sibling OCs to canon characters per series is enough imo) c:

Speedpaint- https://youtu.be/JBCW4Tj1aPM

Art- TamaChan221

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[simplymiles]

So . . . kanina after lunch, I was playing my ukelele and decided to jam out some of my favorite gospel music. Wala naman intention for anything, I just wanted to practice and jam out. So pili lang ako ng kahit ano sa chords list ko tapos tumugtog na. I was singing “To Worship You I Live” by Israel Houghton. Paulit-ulit lang yung song . . . pinili ko lang just to warm up. Pero, di ko namamalayan tumutulo na pala yung luha ko . . . without any intention na mag-worship talaga, gusto ko lang mag-jam, pero naramdaman ko yung Holy Spirit today. Ang bigat and He was speaking to me, comforting me. This past week kasi, mejo mabigat yung sitwasyon namin ng dad ko dito sa mindoro. As per usual kami lang yung nagsasaluhan. I’m trying to be strong for him and letting him know that I support him in everything he does . . . he’s going through a lot lately and nararamdaman ko yung bigat ng kalooban niya. Last Thursday, a possession of his with great sentimental value was taken . . . just because of some stupid papers saying that it belonged to someone else. I felt his spirit crashed. He wasn’t talking much and he was trying to smile and shrug it all off in front of me pero ramdam ko yung pain and yung pagiging devastated niya sa nangyari. I kept checking up on him. Tapos around 1 in the morning, I went inside his room to use the bathroom, and also just to check up on him . . . ayun, gising na gising pa siya. Wide awake, lights are all turned on and he was reading . . . so after ko mag-cr sabi ko sa kanya .. “Matulog ka na daddy, wag ka na masyado magisip at baka tumaas pa bp mo!” Then went to my room. He called right after, tapos nagusap kami. Nag-oopen lang talaga siya ng nararamdaman niya, I felt pain in every word he’s saying. Di ko na idi-detail yung pinag-usapan namin, basta ang summary lang nun is that he’d just let go of it and we won’t worry about it anymore and let the other people worry and talk about this legality stuff. Sabi niya wala naman daw siya magagawa . . . so basically he’s telling me that he’s at peace with it and we just had to let it go para hindi na kami ma-bother. Ang sabi niya, mahihirapan lang tayo, napaka-incovenient para sa atin. I assured him na walang problema sa akin. Sabi ko I’ve been through harder times. Kayang-kaya ko naman, wag niya ako alalahanin. Pero, syempre, bilang ama, hindi mo maiaalis sa kanya na mag-alala sa anak at sa mga apo niya, because that’s how he is, he is a good dad. He is a good granddad. He wants to provide us with everything and hindi siya mapakali kapag hindi niya maibigay yung kailangan namin. Kung yung sa ibang tao nga, he would move the mountains and valleys to help them, paano pa kaya kaming mga anak at apo niya? He’s such a great person, and it’s so hard for me to see him like this. I admire him so much because he is so quick to forgive, kahit na yung mga tao na nakakasakit sa kanya, kahit kelan hindi niya siniraan sa akin. Kahit na pwedeng-pwede niya naman gawin kasi ako lang naman nakikinig, pero he’s not like that. He’s a man who speaks life and blessings to others! Wala na akong hihingin pa sa pagiging dad and mentor niya. 

So kanina, it was a special moment between me and the Holy Spirit, dahil sobrang bigat nga ng nararamdaman ko . . . naiyak na lang ako. Through out the whole song umiiyak na ako and I ended up just worshiping God. I wasn’t uttering a single word, I was just playing my ukelele and I was crying but I know and I feel the Spirit was moving. Then I remembered this verse:

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” - Romans 8:26-27 (NIV)

It was an indescribable moment. Mabigat yung pakiramdam ko, pero patuloy ko lang nare-release yung nararamdaman ko without uttering a word. Hindi ko kinailangan magsalita, hindi ko kailangan sabihin yung nararamdaman ko out loud . . . God knows, the Holy Spirit knows and I just had to LISTEN. It was like the Holy Spirit was comforting me, and assuring me that everything is going to be alright, that brighter days are ahead, that there is a blessing in and after the storm. Parang ang sinasabi Niya is, ilang beses mo na napatunayan na God is in control over everything. Again and again, you have overcome, ngayon ka pa ba magda-doubt? And I just kept playing and worshiping and then after a while, I stopped and there was complete silence. All I can hear was the fan and myself sobbing, and I just felt it. Hindi ko maipaliwanag, pero through that silence, I heard it. It was loud and clear! I heard it, God is in control. God is in control. GOD IS IN CONTROL. Paulit-ulit! I felt the assurance that everything is going to be just fine. That I just had to continue and keep fighting and keep trusting God through everything that’s happening. After that silence, I felt peace. 

I found peace that passes all understanding. Thank You, Abba. 

I know You got us.