#like objectively i know it's not. i go to a good school on a good scholarship and i have a 4.0 gpa. but my resume is just laughable

[flamnhotlemon]

Pearls In The Essence '25

Episode 1: Growing in the Essence, An Introduction

1.1: The Meaning and The Inspiration

"Pearl in the essence (expression): A metaphorical expression signifying the pursuit of inner beauty, wisdom and intelligence. Refers to the desire to embody and grow the most valuable and refined qualities of oneself, like to the formation of a pearl, which grows into something precious from within a shell."

That's what a pearl in the essence means to me. I found it during a tough time while reading the lyrics of 'Girls Never Die' by TripleS:

‎‎‎‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎‎‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎‎ ‎ "Don't need all those excuses ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎‎‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎‎‎‎Wanna be the pearls in the essence ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎‎‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎‎Let me dream even bigger now ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎‎‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎‎‎These pains and trials make a better me"

That's when I decided I wanted to become the pearl in my own essence, to become better, more refined, more polished, well-spoken. No longer letting anything get to me, no longer holding on to the bitterness of the years past or the easy path of procrastinating. I decided it's time to grow out of the confinements of my shell and move on to a bigger ocean.

And so can you.

1.2: The Objectives

To preface this section, I want to say that although we may all have the same common goal, there will be little variations in ideals and goals here and there, which is perfectly normal! This will ensure that we're all aiming for something that applies to each of us individually and our own personal journeys. There will be times when I document my progress and what I'm doing, but that is not intended to force you to do the same, it's just a simple encouragement.

The general goals are to become a more refined, polished, intelligent, productive and well-spoken versions of ourselves. These ideas will vary from person to person, but the main goals and tips shared in the posts will typically be universal.

Each goal has been put into a category starting with the letter P in order to make it a lot more memorable and fun.

So, what does each main goal entail? (The P's)

Polished and Proper - How we are at home and around others

Practicing good manners and social behavior (speaking properly, saying 'please' and 'thank you') and keeping a gratitude journal (being thankful of all progress, big or small), talking slower and choosing kinder language over harsh words.

Perceptive - What we know about topics

Weekly reading (articles, books, blogs etc.), finding a topic to that piques interest and journalling on it. Taking mini courses (if possible) or watching YouTube videos on new topics.

Presentation - How we look and feel

Maintaining (or creating) a skincare routine, taking care of health and wellbeing (mental and physical), good sleep and actually setting resting time aside.

Productivity - How we are in work, school and the things we do

Daily morning journalling to plan out the day, time blocking or scheduling and weekly and monthly evaluation/'stock taking'.

1.3: Closing Notes

That's all that you need to know for now! Hopefully, the posts will be coming out every week or every two weeks (based on how busy my schedule gets), but I will try my best to make sure that the posts are on time.

In addition, in the upcoming posts, there will be a PDF version/workbook + some journalling prompts, so watch out for those!

X's and O's, Elle.

(Disclaimer: This challenge has no time limit because each person has their own situations and schedules. Posts are weekly or bi-weekly to ensure that everyone can see the general direction, but it is not a guide on how fast to go through each stage.)

[chvndlr]

"I don't want to look at the glass half empty, I just feel like me fucking everything up is inevitable." Chandler took another drink out of his cocktail, than shook his head to say that she should just ignore that comment. "But explain to me how this good energy thing works. Like...not to get super fucking nerdy at a party, but how an object in motion continues on that path until something stops it?" He had tried to come up with a way of thinking about it that wasn't from his high school physics class, but all he could think was roller coaster and he didn't know how to articulate that as well. He laughed at the idea of his friends in the Mall of America. "I mean, it'd be entertaining. But I was talking more about how that's only twenty minutes away from where I grew up and going back home would be....well, not terrible. But definitely not a highlight of my year either."

"If you want to look at the glass half empty, sure," Stelly lifted one shoulder, looking over at Chandler. "Or you can look at it as the more good things that happen, the more good energy that you continue to invite into your life… the more space you make for even more good things." It wasn't as though Stelly was the world's biggest optimist, but they could admit that they had tried to adapt a more positive outlook since finding themselves steadier in their career, happier at the bar, a tad bit in love with a great partner. IT changed things for you. "No?" they let out a snorting laugh, "I don't know, this group of people," they gestured all around them, "could probably make that fun."

[starbuck]

how to live a happy and fulfilling life when everyone around you is obsessed with shame and guilt and suffering

[wellijustfinnihedoneofthebooks]

Tbh the real reason i need to get on t is to find out how good i can really sound singing ghost songs

[comfortcomes]

i’m depressed☹️

[dykeofmisfortune]

feeling worthless on this fine sunday night

[bearscones]

In case if I don't drop this big ass character analysis on Kallen Kozuki and Aki Izayoi, then here's why I don't think they're the same person:

Kallen is a spring knight.

Aki is a summer witch.

That is all.

[obstinaterixatrix]

mom was saying how she wasn’t good at getting gifts and was like “I don’t even know what to get you :(” and I was like. no mom. I’m the problem here.

[salsflore]

[britcision]

The trick is making those words and their meanings accessible for everyone

Young kids learn all the words for snow in their cultures

Most adults in the western world never learn exactly what quantum physics describes, or the names of half the tools in a standard toolbox

Good scientists build a glossary appropriate to the understanding of their audiences

(They use words you’ll understand when speaking to you)

The takeaway is: scientists are not doing it on purpose, the government is by making it hard for you to learn what those words mean without spending a lot of money

If someone can persuade you that people who use technical terms look down on you for not knowing them, you’re less likely to believe those people if they say something that someone doesn’t want you to know

Like that climate change is real

It is intentional, deliberate anti-intellectualism to make you trust anyone but the experts

We combat this by learning what those specific terms mean, and by teaching our scientists communication tools and not denigrating the humanities

The whole “scientists use big words on purpose to be exclusive” is such a bunch of anti-intellectual bullshit. Specific and concise language exists for a reason; you need the right words to convey the right meaning, and explaining stuff right is a hugely important part of science. Cultures that live around loads of snow have loads of words to describe different types of snow; cultures that live in deserts have loads of words to describe different types of sand. Complex language is needed for complex meaning.

[burningcomputerpersona]

hm.

[softgrungeprophet]

i have to say i really do agree in general with posts on the need to educate oneself and that you are responsible to some extent for continued learning and growth but i do think dismissing the issues with the US public school system is unhelpful especially because frankly, positioning education in the context of what is functionally, as foucault noted, Prison Lite (especially for the black and brown and particularly poor kids) does not encourage curiosity and often takes kids who like to learn and teaches them to hate it

i mean even just college, how many people get burnt out by college and like... stop reading? and that's a comparatively privileged (and extremely pressured) form of paid education, not like underfunded public elementary schools or whatever where for example kids in special ed are simply not taught and IEPs are in constant violation (college has a lot of the same structural issues though, especially for disabled students and students of color)

there is a powerful inequality in the US school system and i don't think it's particularly useful to simply pretend that every flaw in ignorance is some kind of ingrained aspect of "stupid bad people who don't pay attention" like i'm sorry that most 14 year olds don't respond well to being trapped inside a building without air conditioning for 6 hours a day, sitting in hard chairs, using textbooks that are 20 years out of date, and if you have a learning disability or adhd or anything like that you basically get abandoned.

i don't say this as some kind of like, free excuse for people to not ever try to learn anything but it is very much a part of the larger explanation and I don't think you can really talk about self education if you are completely unwilling to acknowledge that there is more to it than people just being lazy lol especially considering the socially charged implications of productivity, "laziness," education and poverty as they entangle

also just like... if you refuse to acknowledge a problem and make it a wholly personal issue then you are also refusing to correct the very real inequalities and issues that do exist.

[cass-cc]

.

[kianamaiart]

"Pretty Pretty Please I Don't Want to be a Magical Girl" Bios!

NAME: Aika (she/her) AGE: 15 Main Protagonist CV: Anairis Quiñones

BIO:

Aika is an easily excitable and energetic girl. She's generally optimistic and very friendly. She's always eager to try new things as long as it's not her fulltime job of being a magical girl.

As soon as her magical girl duties are brought into the picture, her demeanor changes. She checks out, and often looks for the quickest solution to solve the issue. No flashy transformations and special moves here. She's good with a metal baseball bat or a rocket launcher.

All Aika wants is to live a normal life, make friends and go to school. Unfortunately, like every main protagonist, trouble manages to follow her wherever she goes.

___________________________________

NAME: Zira (she/they) AGE: 16 Love Interest Best Friend CV: Bennett Abara

BIO:

Zira is everything Aika wants to be. Painfully average, under the radar and a self proclaimed loser.

She's a smart girl but has a hard time applying herself. Instead of paying attention in school, and doing extracurriculars, Zira would much rather be reading her favorite magical girl manga "Moon Sailor".

After Aika forces her friendship upon them, Zira now has to tag along on all of Aika's escapades and experiences new things. Ew. However, they admire Aika deeply and admire her even more after Aika's magical secret comes to light.

___________________________________

NAME: Hoshi (any/they/them) AGE: unknown Magical Sidekick CV: Christine Marie Cabanos

BIO:

Hoshi is a magical star being sent to Earth to find the chosen one. They made a great choice with Aika, as she's amazing at her job. The only issue is she hates it and is often trying to dodge responsibilities (and Hoshi).

When Aika first started, and still had her heart in it, Hoshi was definitely more neurotic and acted as your typical mentor/magical sidekick. But over time, they gave up on trying to tell Aika what to do and also became a little more apathetic. Aika was getting the job done at least, so what's the problem?

Hoshi still has to make sure Aika doesn't completely give up on being the Star Guardian: Guardian of the Stars, which Aika finds annoying.

___________________________________

NAME: Eclipse (he/him) AGE: 15 Minor Antagonist CV: Aleks Le

BIO:Eclipse is a flamboyant and theatrical individual whose showmanship is out of this world. He refers to himself as

"Eclipse: Servant of Darkness".

He was a D-list antagonist that Aika and her team would fight on occasion. Mostly just saving citizens from him being a nuisance. Eclipse has deluded himself into thinking that he's Aika's rival, main antagonist and love interest. Their love is simply forbidden as he's chosen the path of darkness and her, the light.

After Aika ran away, he managed to find her again. However this time he actually has powers??? Where did those come from? It's as if he's made a deal with darkness itself.

___________________________________

NAME: Lady DeVoid (she/her) AGE: Old Main Antagonist/Big Bad CV: Shara Kirby

BIO: Lady DeVoid is darkness itself. She's a mysterious being with an incomprehensible amount of power. Power that is currently weakened and that she actually has no idea how to use. She can't seem to remember for some reason...

All she knows is that a long time ago she was defeated and banished by a Star Guardian and that she now wants revenge. The only power she has at her disposal is creating particles of darkness that she can use to possess animate or inanimate objects to create monsters. She prefers others do her dirty work.

She enlists the help of Eclipse to spread these particles with the hopes that it'll eventually destroy the Star Guardian.

___________________________________

NAME: Miss (she/her) AGE: 39 Side Character CV: Michele Knotz

BIO:

Miss is Aika and Zira's very tired teacher. Looking at her, you might assume she hates her job, but it's quite the opposite. She pours everything into her work and into her students, leaving very little time for her personal life.

She's recently started trying to get it together (after her ex-wife left her) but is still struggling to find that work-life balance.

Prior to Aika enrolling, Miss was Zira's only friend at school and, though she'd never admit it, Zira's probably the closest thing she has to a friend also (oof). She's subsequently become a secret Moon Sailor fan too.

[skid-the-mighty-poet]

[ame-to-ame]

Ackk