#newborn baby care in ITO

[vkvipinkumar]

Nursing Bureau Services in ITO | No #1 Male and Female Nurses

Aarti Nursing Bureau Services in ITO is the best Male & Female Nurses, Patient Care, Homecare, Patient attendant, Old age care, New Born Baby care services provider

[lxverrings]

Quick tips for Non Spanish speakers:

Hi, so, Reina here with a super epic guide on Spanish writing for non native speakers because google translate is ass when you give it one word!!!! (try word reference too!)

Yippie!!!!

First of all; Everything might as well be a verb tense, don’t question it.

Like in French, Portuguese, Romanian and Italian, things are gendered in the Spanish language, but it isn’t a pain in the ass like French and Italian (In Italian, you use all vowels as endings and each fucking one of them either means plural feminine, or plural masculine, etc.)

Fortunately!!! Usually words use an A if they are feminine, or an O if masculine.

S for plural words too, and there’s 4 different ways to say ‘the’, being La (Sing. Fem.), El (Sing. Masc.) Los (Plural. Masc. ) & Las (Plural.Fem.) When correcting yourself in Spanish, pay attention to noun gender (masculine/feminine) and agreement in number (singular/plural).

You can also make words bigger or smaller with a suffix, -ito or -ita for small, (see above notes for gender) or -illa and -illo (double L pronounced as a Y, and for big it’s -ote or -ota ; Ex. ¡Clara creció bién mucho! ¡Estába bién chiquita, y ahora pestañe y esta bién grandota! (translation: Clara grew a lot! She was so little and I blinked and she’s so big now!)

For direct objects, ensure they match the gender and number of the noun they refer to. Practice and exposure to the language will improve your accuracy over time. ¡Buena suerte, amores!

And for my native Spanish speakers who DON’T know the slang/properness in Mex. Spanish, here’s a few you should know!

Girl (as in talking to a child or demeaning to a woman) — Niña, Chiquita/Chiquilla (usually affectionate or for baby girls! ) morra, chamaca, mocosa (derogatory).

Boy (as in talking to a child or demeaning to a man) — Niño, Chiquito/Chiquillo (Usually affectionate and FOR BABIES AS IN NEWBORNS AS IN CHILDREN) mocoso, chamaco, esquinkle (my uncle used to call me and my cousins this and I wanted to fight him each time...)

Straw — Popote, Pajilla

Eraser — Borrador

KEEP IN MIND!!!

I’m from Jalisco, and the slang varies from state to state, BUT PLEASE!!! send requests if you need HELP! You can be anonymous and I won’t mind! Send questions in the comments, I’M HERE TO HELP YOU! I WANT TO HELP YOU! I’m not your Spanish teacher teaching you verbs, I’m just going to tell you what you want to say!

And as a reminder: Spanish depends a lot on context, LOTS OF WORDS MEAN DICK. OR VAGINA. OR BOOBS. PLEASE BE CAREFUL.

[countrymusiclover]

14 - The Golden Newborns

Princess Red Thief

Part 15

Tag list - just ask to be added @mystrey101 @melvia-ito @kmc1989 @tallrock35

I wasn't sure when we had gotten to the hospital or how they had managed to get me settled down into a bed by how much the pain was taking over every thought that was running through my mind.  Laying my head against the pillows I gasped feeling harsh pain flashing through my abdomen. "God! What is happening to me?"

"Ms. Royal, I'm sorry we're rather swamped today.  The mayor's son was brought after he ate an apple turnover." The hospital room door opened and I felt a wave of relief come over me seeing the familiar sight of my mother.

"Mom!" I sharply changed my words remembering she was still under the evil queen's curse. "Nurse Nolan, what is wrong with me?"

She sat down her chart taking her stethoscope off from around her neck placing it on my swollen stomach listening to the two heartbeats. "I'm not entirely sure just yet.  We'll have to run some tests to see if you're truly ready to deliver your babies.  Is there anyone you'd like us to call?"

"Mr. Gold.  He's my emergency contact." I instantly answered her question knowing he'd probably be able to figure this out sooner than they could.

She nodded leaving the room. "I'll be right back."

"Everly! I'm so sorry I wasn't here when they brought you in.  I shouldn't have let you go to Ms. Swan's place by yourself." Rumple ran into the room an hour later taking my right hand the second he had made his way to my bedside, balancing his other hand on his cane.

Squeezing his hand in mine I knew he felt guilty but it wouldn't help whatever situation we were in at the moment.  Henry and I were both in this hospital for completely different reasons. "Rumple, you couldn't have known.  We're here now.  Let's just hope the babies will come out easily."

"You better be nice to your mother, little ones -" He gasped, barely placing his hand over my round belly.

"Rumple?"

His brown eyes didn't move away from my belly. "I've never felt anything like that before.  It shouldn't be possible, not here especially."

"What are you talking about?" I questioned him so confused until he lifted up my shirt, revealing my stomach that was covered in small black veins. "Rumple, what are those?"

"I never thought it was possible for a witch or witches to be born without their own access to magic.  Yet I think that's what is happening to you, Eve.  I think our babies can only draw magic from other magical people."

"You mean like when Caroline gave birth to Lizzie and Josie in the Vampire Diaries?"

Rumple gave me the most confused look of his entire life. "What are you talking about, lass?"

"Have you never watched the show in the 28 years we've been cursed here?" He gave me no verbal response in return so I began explaining to him what had occurred with the tv show. "Anyway the twins were born without their own magic so they were called siphons."

He looked at me feeling like he had control of the situation anymore and he certainly didn't care to feel this way. "How were these kids successfully born then?"

"They created more magic somewhere else for the babies to want to go after.  So we have to do the same thing with the magic golden egg you put inside Maleficent. Otherwise they will keep feeding off my trapped magic running through my veins until I'm-"

"Don't say it or dare even think that happening to you.  I refuse to let that happen.  I will not let that happen!"

Grasping his hand in mine he finally met my gaze, calming down for a few seconds. "Just for one second we should agree on the babies names if they're born when you're not by my side."

"You can name them whatever you want.  I just need the three of you to be safe. I have to go right now, Everly." Rumple kissed my head running a hand through my hair quickly leaving the room now on a mission to save his family not caring about anyone else. "I'll bring it back to protect you.  I swear it, my princess."

"Hey, are you okay?" I heard Emma's voice outside the hallway, waking me up from the short nap the babies inside me allowed me to have. "What is that?"

I groaned doing what I could to hold myself up enough to see out the window seeing some smoke rolling in our direction that I slumped my shoulders in relief knowing what was really coming at us.  He had successfully brought magic to a land without it. "Kathryn!"

"Are you okay, Ms. Royal?" She rushed inside my room.

I began to speak but cut myself off grabbing my stomach in pain. "Ahh! Get out of me, please.  Help me - before they kill me."

"We need a doctor now!" She hollered into the hallway causing a few other medical workers running into my room trying to ignore the purple fog slowly coming towards the hospital.

I was told I had to sit up with my legs open and then start pushing. The contractions started coming closer together when I gave my first few pushes. My heart started banging against my chest and I already felt tired. "It's starting to come out. Just a few more big pushes."

My hands were almost turning white while I gripped the handle of the dagger. Sweat was sticking to my forehead with the white hair falling over my shoulders appearing to be a mess. "Errr!"

Nodding my head slowly I bared my teeth doing one final push that took the last of my energy that I had left.  An infant's cry filled the room where I threw my head back onto the pillows. Gulping a lump down my throat I slowly controlled my breathing while the other nurse wrapped the baby in a blanket. "Congratulations, you have a baby girl."

"And the other is a boy." Baring my teeth I clutched my eyes tightly closed using the last bit of energy and strength that was left inside my body till suddenly another infant cry filled the room.

Kathryn came over, handing me the baby girl first and holding my son in her arms since I couldn't hold two babies very good at the moment. "Did you have names already picked out?"

"Valerie for the girl and Robin for the boy.  Valerie and Robin Gold."

Suddenly before my eyes a cloud of dark red smoke appeared inside the hospital room and once it cleared away I saw Rumple standing before me and my still cursed mother holding his son in her arms. "How did you get in here like that? Wha - wait a second why am I starting to recognize you from somewhere else?" She muttered, eyeing him up and down with curiosity.

Rumple didn't pick up on what she had said, too worried about me and our newborns. "Everly, I'm relieved it worked.  How are you, how are our twins?"

"Rumple, We're all fine.  Come meet your son and daughter." I gestured for him to come over with the moving of my head where he sat down on the edge of the bed looking at his daughter who had his dark brown eyes and appeared to have small locks of my blonde hair.

Kathryn slowly handed him his son still trying to figure out how she knew the man before him and then it donned on her. "She called you Rumple - as in Rumplestilskin."

"I think you have the wrong man, Ms. Nolan." He attempted to lie, not sure if the curse had been broken even with magic now flowing throughout Storybrooke.

Her next words caused me to take my attention away from my newborn daughter, wanting for this day to come from the moment I had remembered who I truly was in this town. "Rumple.  You're Rumplestiltskin the man my daughter loves - Everly!" She covered her mouth with her hands instantly sobbing happily.

"Mother." I squealed out like a child crying happy tears finally having her and everyone else know who they truly were back in the Enchanted Forest.  "The curse is finally broken."

She grinned, wiping away some more tears that had slipped down her face, eyeing my lover holding our newborn son in his arms. "Oh my sweet girl we have so much to talk about."

"Princess Abigail, glad to see you've returned." Rumple spoke towards her.

My mother waved her index finger in his face with her warning tone. "First things first Rumplestilskin.  I demand to know two things: why didn't I know she was pregnant and are you married to my daughter or not?"I knew she wouldn't want to hurt him but I wasn't sure the same would be said of my father Fredrick. This was definitely going to be an interesting family reunion for all of us.

Comments really appreciated ❤️

[dokifluffs]

Babysitting | Kageyama Tobio

Pairing: Kageyama X Reader (gender neutral)

Genre: fluff

Request: “Can i request kageyama x reader (imagine) You and kageyama are visiting kiyoko and tanaka’s house and babysitting their child thankss” - anonnie

Author’s Note: i freaking deleted this by accident akjsdadsadsb so i had to repost and rewrite the end again akjdhksdh but thank you for requesting (req was made while my inbox was opened. it’s now closedd) 

He thought nothing of it when you told him that you promised the Tanaka’s that you would be babysitting their son for the night

getting there, you and shining hugged, her perfume sweet in your nose

“Ah, thank you, Y/N, Kageyama. I hope we didn’t ruin any plans or anything,” she stood politely at the entrance as the two of you slipped off your shoes

“It’s nothing, really. Plus you two deserve a break, have a nice night out.”

With that being said, Shimizu and Ryu were off to their date night

“He keeps staring at me.” Kageyama stared back, his brows creased as he stared back to the child, his small eyes looking up to the bigger man sitting cross legged before him

“I guess he likes you, kags,” you laughed peeking your head around his to see S/N staring, not even paying you any attention

Shimizu had told you that S/N was already fed so really the most you would have to do would be to take care of him, change diapers, and put him to bed in just a few hours

S/N sat in his little chair that helped him walk but he stood still where he was, just staring into kageyama’s eyes soul

“But how? We’ve never met before.” Kageyama said this yet didn’t even dare to break his eyes away from the little boy

But then he began to reach his hands out, making little grabby hands towards kageyama, bumping his little cart with his little toys jingling until the cart bumped Ito kags’ legs

“W-what’s he doing?” the awkward man was suddenly flustered, leaning back into his other hand as the baby began to babble

“He wants to be held,” you laughed as you stood from your seat, walking around Kageyama to the little one. “Isn’t that right, S/N?” You cooed but as you tried to scoop him up into your arms, he whined loudly, rejecting you

“Wow, he really wants you.” You felt the tiniest bit of betrayal since he had never done that to you before

The little one with his dark fuzzy hair reached out and pouted with his chubby cheeks puffed out, looking to Kageyama

“What should I do?” He looked awkwardly as this was his first time babysitting

Kids usually didn’t really click with him

They often found him quite intimidating with his stoic features on his face, his eyes unreadable

“Pick him up.” You knelt down and took his hands into yours. “Put your hand here and here and just carefully lift him up.”

He slowly lifted the baby boy in his hold, the distress on the little one’s face disappearing now that the one he wanted was holding him

You smiled seeing a child Kageyama was all to hold without them crying their eyes out

When you first met and took care of S/N, he was pretty quiet as you assumed most newborns were, taking in all the new information and sights into their little minds

Shimizu had told you S/N was surprisingly quiet, not really too fussy. He watched intently and stared as people talked as if he knew what they were saying

The little boy’s feet dangled as kageyama held him at an arm’s distance, staring like a doll, creeping out kageyama just the slightest

“You should lower him so he can stand on your leg, kags, or hold him to your body instead of just holding him like that,” you suggested, sneaking a picture of kageyama holding a baby for the first time

“O-oh.” He lowered the child, his tiny feet taking tiny steps as S/N did his best to stand but kageyama ultimately sat him down on his thigh

“Alright how about some TV?” You stood from your seat and switched on the tv, surfing the channels to find the children’s channel

Kageyama sat with his back straight, one hand resting on S/N’s back, the other resting on his other leg as he watched you look through the shows

Glancing down, he was met with S/N sitting there, staring up with his big eyes up to the setter

He was frozen in a staring match with the young one, not sure what else to do - everything about tonight was unexplored territory for kageyama

Blinking first, S/N, looked away, looking around the room to find you

He lost his balance and slid off Kageyama’s leg and right into the little opening in his crossed legs

“Oops.” Kageyama began to lift the little boy out from where he sat only for him to begin pouting, his minuscule hands, compared to the setter’s, pushing him away

“Okay then,” he gave in and rested his hands back on his own legs, peering down to the little boy who sat so still

“Alright, here we- pffhahaha awwww,” you burst into laughter, your heart swelling twice the size seeing kageyama and S/N sitting together

“I have to send a picture to Shimizu, hold on,” you disappeared to the kitchen and dug for your phone through your jacket pockets

Meanwhile

The two boys’ attentions were locked on the tv

They watched the rainbow character as they stood between a fork in the path

“Which way should we go?” The character asked, staring into the tv as if staring into the eyes of watchers

“Pff, this is so childish,” He scoffed to himself. “The red path, go right.” He mumbled to himself

Answering this himself, he felt a wave of pride wash over him hearing the character compliment on how smart he was by correcting the right path to go down

Returning, you knelt down beside the tv but your heart nearly exploded again

S/N leaned his head onto Kageyama’s thigh, his cheek squishing his face as he groggily watched the television, comfortable with his spot

You gathered yourself the best you could and steadied your phone, capturing the sweet moment

For the rest of the night, the three of you sat in the living room and watched tv until your phone timer went off

It was time to tuck S/N in for the night

You peeked down from where you sat on the plush leathery couch

“Kags,” you caught his attention, taking his eyes off the screen for the first time since you turned it on

“Hm?”

“We have to put him to bed. Look,” you pointed

He slowly leaned forward and peered down to find the little one dozed off against his leg

He didn’t even realize he had fallen asleep ever since he rest his head on his leg

“Pick him up carefully,” your voice quiet as you guided him 

he cradled the baby carefully, his small hands holding into the setter’s shirt as the two of you went upstairs 

he followed you to his bedroom, setting him down in his crib 

you couldn’t help but feel the bubbles in your chest seeing the kageyama with a child

it even made you wonder what he would be like as a parent himself one day

~~~~~ Thanks for reading! Masterlist for more! Please do not repost anywhere else!

Tags (let me know if you wanna be tagged for all my haikyuu posts): @yams046  @mazey-chan  @sunboikyo00  @kara-grayson04​  @fortheloveofbakugo​ @tsumtsumsemi​ @osamuonigiri @sam-ate-giorno​​​ @1-800-wholesome​ @realityisoftendisapointing@plantisnotplant @k-eijiakaashi​ @pink-panda-pancakes​ @differentballooncollection​ @osamusamusamu@therainroguefanfiction​ @euphorihan @turquoiselace​

[hatterstan-shameblog]

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Scenes From A Japanese Costco: What's For Dinner?

Rating: PG-13 (for one very minor sexual reference that doesn't even count but ehhhhh I'm being safe)

Pairing: Takeru and Aguni (although technically it's Takeru/Aguni because they might as well be married lol)

Tags: fluff, humor, the drama of being in a Costco with your significant other, bickering (obviously)

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Everyone has a weakness.

For Achilles, it was his ill-fated heel, shot through with a poison arrow. For Superman, Kryptonite.

Aguni Morizono prides himself on being a reasonable man. He does not drink to excess, nor does he spend his money recklessly. He allows himself rest, but does not spend the entire day lounging about on the couch watching TV and neglecting his chores.

But all of that self-control, all of that careful discipline, goes flying out the window the second he steps foot in the Costco pre-prepared meal aisle. A gentleman in the streets (and in the sheets, he'd like to think), but an absolute, bona-fide, grade-A freak when it comes to already-crafted dishes promising to be piping hot and delicious in thirty minutes or less.

"How many do you think I can eat in one sitting," he asks dreamily, staring wide-eyed at the cold case in front of him. A selection of pre-packaged chicken wings lay beneath his gaze, glistening and sauced in their plastic containers, just begging to be plucked off the shelf and taken home.

Every time they venture out to do their shopping, Takeru gets the unique opportunity to play the straight man—to be the voice of reason instead of the instigator, to steer his friend away from trouble as opposed to into it, as he is so usually inclined.

It's a nice change of pace, for both of them.

"Thirty-five, tops. Twenty-eight if they're the spicy kind. Remember last time?"

Takeru pats his friend on the shoulder good-naturedly. Aguni sighs.

"I know, but..."

"Hey," Takeru interrupts before Aguni can get into too much of a sour mood, "you see the sushi yet? They've got a new assortment in, and I think it has extra fatty tuna."

Aguni gasps.

"I love fatty tuna."

All dreams of chicken wings go out the window at the thought of wholesale fish, abandoning the cart to observe the rainbow of delicacies in the next case. As if handling a newborn baby, Aguni carefully scoops up a large plastic box and holds it in his large hands with a gentleness usually reserved for trimming his basil plants.

"We wouldn't even have to cook it," Aguni half-whispers, the cogs in his brain grinding out a dreamy vision of a sumptupus seafood feast that only needs to be transferred to his dinner plate to be enjoyed. Takeru stands on his tiptoes behind him and peers over his shoulder.

"You seein' those scallops, Mori?"

"Oh, I'm seein' 'em?"

"And that salmon," Takeru hums, "Hand to God, Mori, if I had a woman who looked at me the way you're looking at that salmon..."

Aguni snatches the box of sushi away and places it safely in the cart.

"You don't need to be mean," he snips, taking the cart and pushing it further down the aisle.

"Oh, dont be like that," Takeru replies, skipping into a half-run to catch up with his friend, "I think it's nice to see you get excited about something. You're usually so emotionally closed-off—"

"I'm not emotionally closed-off," Aguni grumbles. They pass and end cap of cheese plates, Aguni forcing his eyes forward to avoid being distracted, "just because I'm not frothing at the mouth to tell the clerk at the 7-11 about the latest drama in the millinery community doesn't make me closed-off. It makes me normal."

Takeru scurries his way around the cart and stands directly in front of it, the edge bumping into his stomach as he grips the edges with his hands.

"The fact that Misaki's switched to a different wholesaler instead of supporting the Ito family, who has been supplying ribbon to the greater Tokyo area for over seventy-five years, just because the son married that sewing supply heiress from Wisconsin is a very big deal," Takeru throws his hands up, "The people should be outraged!"

Takeru's dramatic outburst has drawn the attention of a few of their fellow shoppers—a little girl holding a very large soft pretzel stares Aguni directly in the eye. He winces when she takes a bite.

"See, this is what I'm talking about," Aguni says, swerving the cart around his loud companion and continuing his way through the store to escape the eyes of eavesdropping shoppers, "You dont have any boundaries. It's weird."

Takeru picks up an assortment of olives and frowns, eyes squinting to read the tiny print on the label.

"You make it sound like a crime," Takeru says incredulously, putting the olives back and picking up a jar of fire-roasted peppers, "Am I a criminal to you, Mori? Do you think I should be jailed for being too friendly a person?"

Takeru puts the jar of peppers in their cart. Aguni takes it out and puts it back on the shelf.

"No."

He pats Takeru on the shoulder.

"I'd insist on a trial, first."

Aguni smirks to himself as Takeru barks out a disbelieving laugh. He wheels the cart around the corner and begins scouring for the perfect bag of onions.

"How benevolent of you," Takeru says, "giving me the benefit of due process for my high crimes of being a fun and charming man."

Takeru jerks a hand in and, seemingly without looking, grabs the perfect bag of onions and drops them into the cart with a paper-crunchy thud. The man has an uncanny ability to pick out the freshest of produce with minimal effort, something that always confounded Aguni.

"Didn't say anything about a fair trial—"

"Aguni Morizono, you dog!"

Aguni watches his friend laugh—yet another thing that comes easily to him, as all things seemingly do—and it's like they're both twelve-year-olds cutting class to snack on candy bars behind the convenience store. A sunspot of a memory, replicated here in unforgiving fluorescents, but still just as bright.

"Hey," Aguni says, a conspiational smile tugging at the corners of his lips, "Bakery's just around the corner."

Takeru inclines his head.

"It is."

"They have a cheesecake sampler there," Aguni says. His eyes meet Takeru's.

"They do."

"We also have a lot of sushi," Takeru points out, and Aguni deflates a little, "enough to feed a family of four, at least."

"But sushi keeps, right? I mean," Aguni suggests carefully, "we could eat some of it tonight and then have leftovers. It'd be..."

"Economical," Takeru finishes, "which is..."

"Responsible," Aguni concludes, "Like we're meal-planning. It would be bad if we didn't do it, honestly."

Takeru peeks around the corner. The bakery peeks back, tables piled high with assorted delicacies.

"Mori," he says, "you've sold me. I should hire you at the hat shop—"

"Unless it's about cheesecake, I don't wanna hear it," Aguni interrupts. He steers the cart from around Takeru and starts making a beeline towards the end of the aisle.

"And besides," he tosses over his shoulder, "you couldn't afford me."

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I know these are two 40-ish year old men but they absolutely sit at the table eating cheesecake and gossiping like the Golden Girls. And they do it in the Borderlands too.

(And btw the sushi assortment is real at Japanese Costco, check out rionishida on YouTube if you wanna see what I'm talking about (and also he's a fun guy))

[atthetable]

Introduction

Womenomics is actually one of the three growth strategies of Shinzho Abe in order to revitalize Japan’s economy. The term was actually coined not by Abe but by a woman named, Kathy Matsui, a senior Goldman Sachs analyst. She claimed in a report in 1999 that Japan could see a 13% increase in its employment in economic growth if they were to include more women in the workforce. And this is something Japan really needs, why? Because for more than 20 years, Japan has been experiencing slow growth due to the challenge of not having enough workers. The solution to this, according to Abe, is to tap on the most underutilized human resource of Japan and that is women. The targets of this policy is to “enable women to realize their full potential” and for “overcoming the declining birth rate.” The famous catchphrase for this policy is “Japan in which women shine.”

But despite the promising targets and catchphrases, we are here to discuss the reason behind “Why Womenomics Failed Women?” There are a lot of political and cultural constraints as to why womenomics had not been as successful as expected to be. What’s quite surprising is that, in 2013, the year that Abenomics was implemented, the ranking of Japan according to the Global Gender Gap Report was at 105th out of 133 countries. And 7 years after that, in 2019, Japan’s rank had even lowered to a ranking of 121st.

Context

To provide context, one of the reasons behind Japan’s stagnant economic growth is Japan’s aging population wherein there is an increase in the proportion of the elderly population and a declining fertility rate. Japan has the highest proportion of its elderly population where 20% of Japanese people are over 65 years old. This is a huge problem because there are not enough younger workers to replace them and to support the aging population’s healthcare and pension. 

This is why they saw the importance of women in the improvement of Japan’s economy, both as a child bearer and as a worker.  His administration has taken certain steps in order to encourage more women to have children and to find jobs. With some of these steps being: making preschool education free, increasing the number of daycare centers in Japan, expanding child care leave benefits, recruiting and promoting women and government and encouraging the private sector to employ more women.  

One of Abe’s goals is to increase the fertility rate back to 1.8% percent by 2025 but by looking at the numbers you would see that Japan’s fertility rate has not been going through the exact opposite. The fertility rate has been decreasing ever since the year after Womenomics was established. From an average growth rate of 1% in the years 2011 to 2013, the growth rate had lowered to -0-0.5% for the years after. 

The reasons behind this disconnect between policy and its effects on Japanese women in society will be explored. Women in Japan believe that there is “ingrained sexism” in Japan’s politics and culture and these informal constraints make it difficult for these policies and programs to truly change the perception of women in Japanese society. 

Matahara

The discrimination against women, particularly pregnant women, manifest in what the Japanese people call matahara or maternity harassment. This concept refers to a phenomenon in which pregnant women are being bullied into resigning. Most Japanese employers view women as a liability because once they bear children, they would need more time for childcare, which means that there is less time for mothers to work. About 60 percent of Japanese women resign after the birth of their first child, and of that number, about 30 percent of Japanese women have experienced matahara, according to the Japan Trade Union Confederation (Rengo). Then, once they resign, they have no job to come back to once they’re ready because they would have been replaced by someone else. 

This mistreatment of women is demeaning. It’s in their culture to assume that mothers (or would-be mothers) have no place in the workplace, just because they cannot devote as much hours to the company as they used to. Even more, what’s shameful about this practice is that there are laws that protect women against it. The Labor Standards Act, for example, requires employers to adjust a pregnant woman’s working hours. But then, to quote the article from the Diplomatic Courier, “existence and enforcement are two different things.” 

Daycare Issue

Building upon this issue, the exact same quote and problem also pervades the daycare system of Japan. Daycares are an important part of Japanese culture as it allows working parents to focus on their jobs, knowing that their children are safe and taken care of. It’s so important that in most cases, it is an unspoken requirement for Japanese women to have their children enrolled in a daycare system before being accepted into employment. Despite the glaring need for daycares, however, Japan’s daycare system is lacking in many aspects, which all negatively affect (perhaps even impede) the working conditions of women. 

For one, the applications for public daycare in Japan are based on a point system to judge the “worthiness” of being assigned one of the rare spots in daycare. The more points you have, the more chances you have of your child being enrolled or waitlisted. The points may vary according to the location, but these usually revolve around the type of employment, health issues of the parents, and marital status. Having family members under the age of 60, for example, loses you points regardless of whether or not they are actually capable of helping you. Applying for a daycare in your place of employment but where you don’t reside makes you lose points as well, and so does starting a job within the past three months. This is a particular issue because, as we will discuss in the next few sections, you’ll see that women are usually employed as irregular workers or as part-timers--both of which can easily be terminated. With these obstacles, some couples find it difficult to get a total of 40 points, the usual requirement of being accepted, but in places like Tokyo’s Shinagawa district, having both parents working full time would allot you 40 points. In places like these, 40 points function as the starting point instead. But the point system is only the tip of the iceberg, daycare systems also require an insane amount of paperwork from the parents, and enrollment happens only once a year in April.

Aside from limited spots for children, daycare staff and daycares themselves are lacking. The problem with staffing stems from incredibly low salaries, forcing many to quit within a few years only. In fact, compared to the average professional salary in Japan (around ¥325,000 per month), daycare staff are paid with only an average of ¥214,000. Daycare staff are also pressured--even forced--to quit once they have children of their own; in this sense, matahara invades even the daycare system, despite the common knowledge that daycares are typically understaffed. 

Because childcare is in shortage and because daycares usually close at 5pm, those employed in night shifts find it even more difficult to secure this service. The demand led to the rise of “baby hotels”, unregulated and non-certified 24-hour daycare facilities which are extremely expensive and usually staffed by inadequate employees. Lack of regulation within these facilities led to fatal cases caused by inadequate care and violence, just like the death of a 4-month old baby in Hiratsuka near Tokyo. 

It is clear that the daycare system’s outdated design was made with the expectation that one of the child’s parents would not be working. However, times have changed and if Japan wants to increase birth rate and economic productivity through female employment, Japan needs to step up their game should implement change, starting with their daycare system. 

Reasons Why Womenomics Failed

Lack of Representation

The targets of Womenomics have been constantly pushed back by the Japanese government. From a goal to increase the percentage of women in managerial positions by 10-30% in 2020, it had decreased to 5-15% in 2015 and as of 2020, these goals had been pushed back to the year 2030. It was ONLY in 2015 that large companies were given a quota to increase women in management and disclose this to the public, but then there were no penalties if this was not followed. This shows that there had been a lack of conviction and action on the part of Abe’s administration to promote gender equality. The reason behind that is that there is a lack of representation for women in politics.

 The majority of Japan’s politicians are men. In Abe’s cabinet, only 2 out of 21 cabinet ministers were women and that is far from the 30% quota that they set on female representation in politics. Based on the G20 Leaders Summit, only 47 out of 463 Japanese lawmakers or 10.2%, were women. And there are numerous cases of women, being discriminated against in politics. 

One of the most famous cases would be regarding the Japanese assembly member Yuka Ogata. She wanted to make a statement about the challenges of what working women face in Japan so she brought her seven month old baby in her arms on the first day of going back to work after giving birth. She was kicked out of this assembly meeting because she showed up with a newborn baby in her arms and video clips had shown that the baby was not even making any noise and was calmly sitting on his mother’s lap. Before this, she had requested permission to breastfeed her child in the chamber and for a daycare to be constructed for assembly members, but these requests were rejected.

And such discrimination is not only perpetrated by men but by women themselves as well. The Japanese lawmaker Mio Sugita has made controversial statements by denying the existence of “comfort women” and even victim blamed the journalist and icon of the Japanese #MeToo movement, Shiori Ito for her alleged rape case saying that it was due to “clear errors on her part as a woman.”

With these cases, it’s quite obvious that Japan is not only lacking representation of women in politics in terms of number, but it is lacking representation for women. This representation refers to a specific mindset that pursues women’s empowerment in politics. It’s important to see women not just as a quota that needs to be fulfilled but actual people who want to be empowered in work and in motherhood.

Lack of Employment Opportunities

One of Japan’s primary problems with regard to gender discrimation is that their society sees women as economic units rather than individuals that deserve to be empowered. What do I mean by this? According to the 2016 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) figures, Japan’s overall female employment rate is at 66.1%. The Japanese government prided themselves on this “achievement,” however, does it truly accomplish the goals of Womenomics? 

In Japan, the quality of employment opportunities for women is questionable. Atsuko Muraki, visiting professor at Tsuda University and a former vice-minister for Health, Labour and Welfare, says female employment in Japan has increased in quantity but not in quality. According to the data, 

3.7% of executives of listed Japanese companies are women

73% of JP companies have no women at management level

57.7% of JP working women are engaged in non-regular employment

This means that, despite their strong educational background, working mothers in the workforce are mostly employed part-time and in low-paying jobs. Japanese women who choose not to work become full-time housewives instead, letting the men of the household deal with providing for their needs. In other parts of the world, working mothers are becoming the norm, but in Japan, nearly half of the women believe that women should stay at home and care for the household and their children. This is according to the 2013 statistics by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan. The Japanese mindset regarding women is intergenerational, meaning the younger generations seem to hold the same beliefs. There are young Japanese girls that dream of being the perfect housewife -- and nothing else. 

This, in my opinion, is against the true goals of Womenomics because it was created for women to enjoy the same career opportunities that men do. Women need to feel that their children’s care is not being compromised if they choose to go to work. Women need to feel that they are allowed to pursue careers and family at the same time, and they should not feel guilty about that. 

In 2015, the government, headed by Abe Shinzo, enacted a law that requires companies to increase the number of women in management positions and to publish the results. And yet, because of the absence of penalties and disincentives, companies fail to comply. Nothing changes, and change will remain to be a far-off dream until Japanese society tackles the problems that arise from their culture.  

Gender discrimination

Gender-specific role divisions between men and women play a crucial role in the decline of female participation in the workforce. Though women’s advancement has progressed since the second world war, the informal institutions of Japan have endured, applying similar constraints upon its citizens. Japan’s Confucian roots permeate through nearly every aspect of Japanese life, especially with familial values. As the building blocks of society, familial expectations greatly influence the youth’s perspectives and notions that eventually guide their participation in society through their adult life. In particular, the difference between the expectations placed upon males and females can be gleaned from an early age when boys are immediately taught the value of professional success, higher education and providing for the family while women are expected to focus on being respectful, addressing their house chores, and taking care of their children. With these, Japanese family dynamics were historically divided between a female housewife and a male financial provider. This has been successful, with women actually saying that their greatest dream is to be a housewife and society views giving birth and raising children as the main contribution of women to Japanese society. Despite this, however, Japan’s birth rate continues to decline and the gendered expectations have caused decreasing economic productivity as a result of a shortage in employed workers. Women, being half of the population, are systemically barred from participating in quality employment opportunities but are expected to share the burden of earning income within the household. 

Still, earning income for women is limited by the gender-specific stereotypes as well, with Japanese women expected to choose jobs that are seen as “female occupations” like customer services or sales. At an administrative level, companies assign women to mere generic clerical work or other jobs with low levels of specialty to prepare for the “eventual” matahara. 

As we have seen with this podcast, it is glaringly obvious that simply changing the laws and implementing formal incentives for more women participation in the labor market cannot sufficiently address Japan’s problems in employment, birth rate, and childcare. When informal institutions, such as norms and culture, are at play, formal efforts can easily be undermined and overturned in favor of what society deems to be “right.” If Japan continues to neglect this area, then womenomics and any other form of legal solution will undoubtedly fail every time. 

Conclusion

To sum up, we talked about the “hows” and “whys” of the failure of Womenomics. We discussed some of the prevailing problems that women, especially mothers, experience in Japan. And all of that is due to the government’s weak political will, and the discriminating perspectives that arise from their culture. 

Hence, with all of our research and observations of gender discrimination in Japan, we notice how women consider this to be the SOP in workplaces; women have grown accustomed to this culture and young girls seem to grow up in a world where their greatest dream is to be a housewife. Since young girls lack role models of women in power positions, motherhood is all they’ve ever known. And while being a mother is a noble and worthy cause, it should not be the only choice for women’s fulfillment as a result of limited options. Bearing in mind that nearly half of the Japanese women prefer staying at home, this mindset begs the question: do Japanese women want things to change? 

[theclosetpoet7]

Akai Ito

Summary: He supposes that nothing will ever change the red string of fate no matter how many times he is reincarnated. He’ll always have a monster inside him. Itachi dies a hero. And Sasuke and Sakura are always meant to be together.

Rating: T

“An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break.” - Chinese Proverb

Chapter One

In Tokyo

The first time it happens, it takes him five years to realize that he isn’t in some alternate dimension that Uchiha Sasuke can gain access to. Or perhaps it was, but not one the Rinnegan wielder can open. Besides, his best friend had died five years before this happened.

When he opens his eyes, he realizes that they are too weak, and everything he sees is all blurry. And it doesn’t take him one second to discover that he has somehow soiled his pants. When he shouts in exclamation, it astonishes him even more when no words come out of his mouth. Instead, quiet whimpers and then a full blown burst of tears comes out. It is then when he realizes that he is wailing like a newborn babe.

“Shhh, Naruto-chan, let Mama take care of you.”

Somehow, his anxiety is alleviated when a woman, with long straight red locks takes him into her arms and cuddles him until his cries subside into quiet hiccups.

‘Kaa-san.’

He knows this person.

Had given her one last hug before she disappeared into bright streams of fairy lights. But not without tell him.

“I love you.”

He coos.

“My sweet, sweet baby boy.”

And his consciousness fades into nothingness.

It isn’t until his seventh birthday when he finally understands that he is in another life. Another life where ninjas were somehow a thing of centuries past. A life where he isn’t hokage. A life where all he needs to worry about was getting wet from the rain as he kicks a ball to reach a goal, a life where he gets scolded for eating too much ramen or candy during something called “Valentines Day”. A life where his parents are alive, and even though he is grateful for that, everything seems mundane and boring because for some reason, he can’t form a single kage bunshin.

.

.

.

It turns around when he meets Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura for the first time.

______________

He can’t find Hinata.

He can’t find his wife.

That’s something he worries about all the time. Because in his mind, this world is too big. Sure Konoha had trains when he was hokage. And when Uchiha Sarada had taken over after Konohamaru’s reign, he had read about a research on building a ship that can sail beyond the skies. Nothing surprised him anymore, when he was eighteen, he had gone to a place similar to what his successor had described: endless black, the lack of what they had called gravity, and billions of possibilities.

Sasuke had become a pioneer of doing more research on it, with Sakura by his side, until she passed, exactly a year before his bestfriend’s death.

He shakes his head to forget about the painful memories.

About his other life.

He takes a deep breath.

“Whoa, that seemed serious, is something bothering you?”

The young blonde slumps in his seat.

“Dobe.”

“Dobe.”

A soft knuckle makes contact with the top of his head.

“Is everything okay Naruto?”

Her green eyes look worried, and the fact that the emotion she shows is so genuine and so lovely that it makes his heart flutter a little. Sakura-chan will always be beautiful in his opinion, though still brawny, and aggressive when it came down to it. He shyly notes the tiny preview of her cleavage as she leans over his table, and the shiny pink of her lips as she chews on it while she waits for his reply.

He had apparently been staring at his window for too long when the school bell signaled dismissal time.

His two bestfriends are gathered around his table with concern in their eyes.

Sasuke is wearing a blue sweater over his uniform today, with a dark red scarf wrapped around his neck. Naruto briefly notes the fact that it doesn’t look professionally made and that his best friend has been using it for over three years already.

Sakura, who is also wearing a blue sweater shivers when a cool breeze comes in from the window. Sweeping her hair onto one side, and a hand holding over her checkered skirt down from the wind, the pinkette tilts her head to regard him again.

“It’s so cold. Why are you sitting by the window?”

“I was thinking.”

“I don’t believe that.”

He glares at his bestfriend who had a teasing smirk on. A sight he is still thankful for after all his best friend had gone through.

Uchiha Itachi had passed ten months ago. One dark night, he had come home from University College, only to encounter a woman who was being harassed by a gang. One thing led to another, and the next thing he knew, Naruto was driving fast to the hospital with Sakura crying on the passengers seat as they made their way towards the hospital where Itachi was in surgery from multiple gun shot wounds.

He didn’t make it.

And a little part of his bestfriend had died that night as well.

It took some time.

There was anger.

A lot of it.

And even the desire to move to another town but somehow, Sasuke had stayed.

Naruto has no idea exactly what went on between his two friends.

Maybe it had something to do with Sakura suddenly disappearing one night, only to return the following morning with Sasuke in tow, a pretty blush adorning her cheeks and a firm hand holding her long time crush’s pale one.

“I miss Hinata.”

“Eh? who’s that?”

He berates himself for letting it slip.

For some reason, it seems that his teammates have no recollection of their former life, though this life is somewhat similar to it. They had been assigned to a permanent group for class projects. Kakashi was their homeroom teacher, still with the nasty habit of coming in late and reading porn under the guise of a book on dogs. The rest of his former classmates were here, but Hinata wasn’t. It tugs his heart a little when he thinks about how much he misses her and their kids, though he knows he won’t be seeing Boruto and Himawari until he meets with her in this world.

He lives in what is called Japan and is therefore Japanese. He knows that the world is super big than what he formerly thought, people needed planes to go to other countries, you cannot travel to other villages on foot anymore unless you want to exhaust your body. And he is eighteen years old.

“Ne, Naruto, who is Hinata?”

He pulls himself out of this funk, he feels like there is always something that turns his day sour without him intending it. It was a constant loneliness he had before, but it is different this time because although he is happy and bubbly on the outside, there is something he knows is still missing.

It eats away at him everyday.

“It’s nobody.”

The other two look at each other with confusion on their faces.

“Let’s go get ramen today.”

His mood swiftly turns up.

“Eeeeeh, you mean that teme?”

“Aa.”

“Great! let’s go!”

He gathers his things in his arms and messily shrugs his jacket on and wraps his arms around both his friends.

It is something he should be grateful for. The fact that they are here.

He jogs the rest of the way to his favorite ramen stand, briefly noting the fact that his companions are a few paces behind him with fingers laced.

A big grin graces his lips.

He supposes that nothing will ever change the red string of fate even in this life.

He’ll always have a monster inside him.

Itachi dies a hero.

And Sasuke and Sakura are always meant to be together.

.

.

.

“Hey Naruto, I heard from Kakashi sensei that we’re getting a transfer student tomorrow.”

-fin

______________

Author’s Note: Okay, so this is a series of one shots that will feature a take on the gang in various lifetimes. Point of view will mostly be from Naruto and his side of Sasuke and Sakura’s relationship in each life. Maybe there will be some of Sasuke and Sakura POVs. I already have so many scenarios in my head!

R&R!

[bubblesthemonsterartist]

Touch

“Young Lady, go see your father right this instant!”

Kiki stands up, dusting the smears of dirt off her skirts angrily. “He started it!”

The lines on her governess’s face grow deeper. “I care not one whit!” she says, fists to hips. “You go to your father right now and explain why Lord Ito’s son likely has a broken nose or I will!”

Kiki’s cheeks puff out, looking at the boy sobbing in the arms of his aide. She sneers, satisfied, when she notices a bright red spot blooming against the virgin white tissue being pressed to his face. 

He’s such a baby. She saw more blood two weeks ago during her monthly visitations.

“Fine,” she spits, whirling on her heel and storming inside.

~ ~ ~

It was easy to be brave outside when all she had to do was prove herself with her fists and gusto, but every step under the withering gazes of her deceased forebearers, glaring down at her from their places high on the wall, makes her doubt.

Maybe she was too boorish, too unladylike for her station. Maybe it was wrong of her to insist on so much from those who were raised to give so little.

She snorts. Maybe Zen, and his declarations that he would marry for love and love alone, were beginning to rub off on her.

Foolish.

She pauses outside her father’s study, the large mahogany doors looming above her, and swallows.

“Kiki?” her father calls faintly from the other side. “Is that you?”

She flinches. How did he always know?

“Yes, Papa.”

He sighs so heavily she can feel it through the cracks of the door.

“Come inside, child.”

~ ~ ~

He is still as a statue, staring out the large windows overlooking the gardens, and she sits carefully facing his desk, hands folded delicately in her lap. Kiki licks her lips inelegantly, looking down, and blanches when she sees the blood smeared across her knuckles. Quickly, she hides them in the folds of her dress.

“Well?”

Her head snaps up, caught, but he is still gazing patiently towards the mountains in the distance.

Her mouth opens but no sound comes out.

“I’m waiting, young lady.”

“He is an arrogant and dastardly prat!” she defends. “He speaks lowly of his servants and the serfs who work his father’s land, he’s a poor swordsman, and he can’t even take a punch without babbling like a snot nosed toddler.”

Lord Seiran tilts his head towards her, eyebrows raised.

She sinks back into her chair. “You couldn’t possibly ask me to marry someone who would weaken our bloodline like that,” she pouts.

His lips twitch.

“My dearest daughter,” he sighs, rubbing his mouth and turning on his heel. “You have rejected nearly half of the suitable bachelors of your age. Should I begin looking amongst the widowers and newborns of Clarines nobility?”

She crosses her arms. “No.”

“Then what are you looking for?”

“I don’t know!” she huffs. “Just someone who’s not a dumb boy.”

He laughs softly, coming to sit on the edge of the desk nearest to her. “And how many boys out there are not dumb, do you wager?”

“Well, Obi’s not dumb!” she declares. “…Usually. But I can forgive him being dumb on occasion. It is the plight of his sex.”

Lord Seiran snorts.

“So there has to be more than just him!” she continues.

He reaches out, brushing what must be dirt off of her cheek. “You know,” he begins, thoughtful. “It is a rare blessing to find a spouse that you can tolerate, let alone one that you actually like.”

She presses her lips together. “I know that,” she interrupts. 

“Hush, girl,” he scolds. “What I am trying to say is, even though he is currently cast out of home, your friend is of noble birth. It wouldn’t be the most ideal of circumstances, but it is something to consider if you were to find it… tolerable.”

Her eyes go round. “Wait. What?”

~ ~ ~

She’s in a daze as she walks back to her rooms, staring blankly at the carpet beneath her feet. Surely, her father wasn’t serious.

But, the more practical side of her mind argues, he is right. And while Obi is a bastard, he is still a member of the Goto family. It would be a reasonably good match…

“Hey! Hey Kiki!”

Her eyes close. Out of all the times–

“Hey Kiki, wait up!

She stops.

Obi arrives at her side, breathless and grinning. “I heard what happened with Lord Ito’s son. Wish I was there to see it! Did your father punish you?”

She smiles wanly. “Not as much.”

“That’s good!” he nods, nudging her shoulder as they continue walking down the halls. “So what did he say? Is he going to take a break or does he have another potential husband waiting in the wings?”

The lines of her shoulders feel tense and she hedges. “In a way…”

His eyes widen. “Wow. That was fast. So who is our new target? Do you know him?”

She nods, haltingly.

“No way!” he breathes. “What do you think about him?”

She glances up at him out of the corner of her eye, considering. She supposes Obi is what certain girls would call handsome with his sharp cheekbones and strange eyes. The maids certainly seemed to think so. And he was tall. A good fighter, too.

“He’s… tolerable,” she concedes.

He whistles lowly, impressed. “Tolerable? Now I want to meet this guy.”

She stops walking again, glancing down the empty hallways, and - her heart pounds in her chest - it might be the only one way to actually find out if this was the right path to take. “Obi?”

He skitters to a halt, looking back at her. “Hmm?”

She sucks her lips between her teeth. “Come here.”

He frowns, twirling on his heel, and comes back to her. Her neck cranes up and she purses her lips. Why must he be so tall and she so short? This would never do.

“Lean down,” she commands.

His face widens, confused. “Do you really need to whisper it in my ear?” he jokes, bending at the waist for her. “Of course, Miss Kiki. You’re wish is my– mmpph!”

It’s over before it starts really, just the slimey slide of lips just beginning to touch before they throw themselves to opposite walls, each others faces painted with complete horror.

“What?” Obi pants, lips tilting downward comically. “Why would you do that?”

Her whole face screws up, wiping her mouth against the back of her hand. “I don’t even know!” she wails, disgusted. “My dad just said–”

“Wait!” Obi demands, holding up one hand. “Me? Your dad was talking about me?”

She nods, her face hot and he starts laughing, long and loud. It pierces the air. “Oh my,” he gasps, rubbing the tears from the corner of his eyes. “And you were taking him seriously?”

She pouts. “I just wanted to check!”

He’s still laughing and now her pride is starting to feel the toll. He pushes himself off the wall. “And what did you think, Miss Kiki?” he grins, teeth sharp. “Was it everything you ever hoped?”

She wrinkles up her nose, thinking. “It was weird,” she finally declares.

Obi’s face falls. “Weird?”

She nods. “Your lips are too soft. It was like kissing my baby cousin.”

He looks absolutely scandalized. “I’ll have you know!” he begins. “That plenty of girls like my soft lips!”

She’s skeptical of that. “You moisturize them too much, I think.”

He huffs, folding his arms over one another. “Well you need to go eat some mint out of the garden!” he shoots back. “I’m going to need to raid your dad’s liquor cabinet to get the taste out.”

She flushes, angry, and holds her hand to her mouth, exhaling and smelling the cupped air. “My breath doesn’t smell!” she yells.

He snorts, turning back to walk towards the gardens. “Yea, keep telling yourself that.”

“Wait,” she says, her voice smaller than she meant. He pauses, his face shifting from insult to worry. “Was it- was it really that bad?”

He hesitates. “Well- I mean- yeah-” he begins.

She deflates.

“What does it even matter what I think?” he grins, his face a worried sort of playful.

She looks away.

“Wait,” he breathes. “Kiki. Was that your first kiss?”

Her neck sinks into her shoulders. “Who else do you think I would kiss!”

“You have a million suitors!” he replies, his voice cracking. “They’re here practically every day. I would have thought you would have tried with at least one of them!”

“I hate them,” she pouts. “Why would I kiss someone I hate?”

“Well, you just kissed me!”

“I don’t hate you!” she spats, looking him dead in the eye. His face draws blank. “You’re- you’re my friend.”

His face softens. “Well,” he says, mouth tilting to the side. “Even though I thought that was gross-”

She whines, hiding her face in her hands.

“Hey- stop,” he says, pulling her hands away so he can look her in the eyes. “Even though I thought it was gross, I can definitely see another boy liking it.”

She glares up at him. “Really?”

Obi nods once, sharp and confident. “Really.”

[phgq]

Bulacan hospital's OB ward locked down due to Covid-19

#PHnews: Bulacan hospital's OB ward locked down due to Covid-19

CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan – The obstetrics (OB) ward of the Bulacan Medical Center (BMC) is on lockdown after 20 patients and watchers acquired coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

BMC director Dr. Hjordis Marushka Celis, however, assured the public that there is no cause for alarm as they are strictly implementing health protocols.

Celis said on Tuesday the lockdown was imposed after some patients were found positive for Covid-19 during a routine swab test to pregnant and high-risk patients last September 11.

She said they immediately stopped admitting patients and locked down the OB and newborn intensive care unit to prevent the spread of the virus.

“We observed 352 individuals. Ito ay mga pasyente, babies, kasama ang mga bantay at pina-swab then inilipat ang iba sa Bulacan Infection Control Center, 'yung iba dinala sa mga treatment facility ng kani-kanilang local government units (LGUs). Lahat ng nag-negative, nai-coordinate na rin sa mga LGU para iku-quarantine. Pwedeng sa facility o sa bahay, ang mahalaga, monitored (These were patients, babies, along with their watchers. They were swabbed then transferred to the Bulacan Infection Control Center. The others were brought to the treatment facilities of their respective LGUs. All those who got negative results were already coordinated with LGUs for quarantine that can be at the facility or at home. What is important is they are being monitored),” Celis said.

She said because of congestion in the OB ward, there is a high probability of virus contagion.

“The ideal capacity of the OB, including the gynecology (GYNE), and isolation is 82 only, but we have 180 mothers there, imagine three to four patients sharing one bed,” she said.

To date, there are still 63 remaining patients, watchers and babies who are waiting for their LGUs to fetch them.

“Hopefully, in two to three days, masundo na silang lahat para makapagsimula na kaming mag-disinfect and after noon, makapagbukas na ulet at makapagserbisyo sa mga Bulakenyo (they would all be fetched so that we could start disinfecting and after that, we can open again and serve the Bulakenyos),” Celis said.

She also said the BMC is open for real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing.

Fees for patients with PhilHealth is PHP3,800 and PHP4,800 for non-PhilHealth members.

The Bulacan Provincial Health Office (PHO) reported that as of Monday afternoon, there is a total of 4,389 confirmed Covid-19 cases, 2,618 total recoveries and 90 deaths in the province. (PNA)

  ***

References:

* Philippine News Agency. "Bulacan hospital's OB ward locked down due to Covid-19." Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1116236 (accessed September 23, 2020 at 02:23AM UTC+14).

* Philippine News Agency. "Bulacan hospital's OB ward locked down due to Covid-19." Archive Today. https://archive.ph/?run=1&url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1116236 (archived).

[mynglklls-blog]

Tipid tips for new moms

Hi, I just want to share how I saved a lot sa pagbili ng stuff ni baby while I'm still preggy. Nung time na nagbubuntis ako I was still studying and I bought stuff from my own allowance. 'Di naman malaki allowance ko but I still managed to buy my baby's stuff. 

Hooded blanket 

Brand: Bloom  Yung white lang, hindi siya mage-exceed ng 200 unlike other hooded blankets sa mall. May bundle din siya for 3 nasa around 400 pesos only. Good for newborns kasi sobrang ganda ng tela niya malambot and super ganda ng quality. Mabibili siya sa Baby Company and SM Dept. Store.

Clothing 

Brand: Lucky CJ Eto naman sa moms na walang time mag Baclaran or Divisoria pero gusto parin makatipid. I bought this for bundle for 599 only Inclusions: 3 pairs booties, mittens and, hats 3 long sleeves, sleeves, sleeveless 3 pajamas and shorts 1 pranela So kung babyahe ka pa to divisoria or baclaran and same pieces lang din bibilhin mo, you can save more of your time, energy and money if you just buy from stores in Shopee. 

Not sponsored but I bought these from this shop in Shopee (JBabyShop)

Diapers and Baby skin care essentials Brand: Huggies Always look out for sale in shopee and lazada. I bought these 2 packs of diapers for 390 only 80 pcs na. I recommed huggies for at least first month ng baby kasi pinakamaganda siyang diaper sa lahat dahil sobrang smooth niya and hindi siya malambot kapag may weewee unlike pampers na parang wet feeling.

Brand: Johnson&Johnson Look out for sale din madalas mag sale ito sa shopee and lazada kung gusto talaga makatipid. Not necessary pala yung powder for babies I just bought it kasi I thought kailangan. Top-to-toe wash is a must kasi hindi mo na kailangan ng separate shampoo and soap para panligo. Baby oil before siya paliguan, for massage and kapag may kabag (don't use manzanilla kung ayaw niyo mapagalitan ng pedia dahil matapag siya sa balat for newborns), I choose the green one from this brand kasi may aloe vera siya. Bottlewash and Laundry detergent Brand: Tiny buds Well ito naman medyo pricey siya pero inaantay ko talaga sale nila kasi since I tried it already sobrang worth it naman ng quality niya for its price. Mabango yung laundry detergent niya at nakakalinis ganun din bottle wash niya sobrang bango at sobrang nakakalinis. I highly recommend these products.

[hookhumor67-blog]

Landscaper spends a DECADE transforming rundown 1960s home

Landscaper spends more than a DECADE transforming his rundown 1970s home into an incredible Balinese-inspired paradise

Landscape gardener John Couch purchased a nondescript property in Cheltenham, Melbourne, in 2006

He spent ten years transforming the suburban home into a Balinese-style resort inspired by his holidays there

Initially paying just $315,000 for the lot, it's now on the market with an asking price of $1.1 - $1.2 million

While the exterior looks like high maintenance Mr Couch purposefully chose easy-to-care-for greenery 

By Matilda Rudd For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 02:24 GMT, 13 November 2018 | Updated: 04:36 GMT, 14 November 2018

When John Couch made the decision to sell his home in southeast Melbourne, he cried.

They could have been mistaken for tears of joy as he pondered a potentially huge profit for flipping a home he'd bought only 12 years ago, but they were really tears of pride at how he'd transformed a humdrum corner of suburbia into something akin to a lavish Balinese resort.

 'I have put my heart and soul into it... I cried walking around and thinking about selling,' Mr Couch told realestate.com.au.

A vendor and landscape gardener, Mr Couch purchased the property in Cheltenham in 2006 for $315,000 and has spent the past 12 years transforming a rundown 1970s house into a tropical oasis inspired by his trips to Bali and Miami.

Scroll down for video 

Vendor and landscape gardener John Couch, purchased a property in Cheltenham in 2006 for $315,000 and has spent the past 12 years transforming the rundown 1970s home into a tropical oasis inspired by his trips to Bali and Miami 

'Once that door is shut it doesn't matter what suburb you're living in, you're in paradise. Whoever gets this house will be living the dream.'

He hired a Bobcat and began transforming his 600-square-metre property into something out of a holiday brochure.

The result was a haven of foliage, complete with a three-tiered pond and water feature with a Buddha statue, chicken coop and an entertainment deck with a built-in fireside bathtub. 

He hired a Bobcat and began transforming his 600-square-metre property into the home of his dreams 

The result was a haven of foliage, complete with a three-tiered pond and water feature with a Buddha statue, chicken coop and an entertainment deck with a built-in fireside bathtub (pictured is the kitchen before)

It has just been put on the market with an asking price of between $1.1 and $1.2 million (pictured is the kitchen transformed)

It has just been put on the market with an asking price of between $1.1 and $1.2 million, with Hocking Stuart Mentone agent Robert Pullia saying its one of the best gardens he has ever seen in the heart of suburbia.

But for those potential buyers worried about maintaining the beautiful garden, Mr Couch said it was deceptively low-maintenance.

He decided not to plant any tropical trees, instead choosing ones that suit the relatively dry climate of Melbourne's summers and winters.

He decided not to plant any tropical trees, instead choosing ones that suit the hot and dry climate of Melbourne, with the potential for lower temperatures in winter

The home has the potential to fit 200 guests in the garden, making it an entertainer's delight, or it would suit a young couple, Mr Couch explained

The bedroom opens out onto an incredible outdoor oasis and a huge wooden deck (pictured)

All it requires is general weeding, mulching and a few 'big garden days a year' to cut back the palms.

The home has the potential to fit 200 guests in the garden, making it an entertainer's delight, or it would suit a young couple, Mr Couch explained.

It's also close to the Direct Factory Outlets, train station and local shops. 

Melbourne or Bali? Mr Couch altered the exterior and interior of his 1960s home

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Girl, three, is tortured and raped before being...

Furious cyclist’s face contorts in rage as he smashes his...

Hilarious moment Angela Merkel is forced to explain to...

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Girl, 14, is left unable to ever have children after...

ESPN's Jason Witten slammed for mentioning convicted...

'Wife can feel like a loaded word': Michelle Obama...

Rabbi warns that Gaza clashes could mark the start of a...

Woman, 62, is found dead at £1.3million south London home...

Pensioner, 74, wins £600,000 legal battle with 'reckless...

Shocking moment wife of defeated boxer Tony Bellew...

Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-6382161/Landscaper-spends-DECADE-transforming-rundown-1960s-home.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490

[hookfrance6-blog]

Landscaper spends a DECADE transforming rundown 1960s home

Landscaper spends more than a DECADE transforming his rundown 1970s home into an incredible Balinese-inspired paradise

Landscape gardener John Couch purchased a nondescript property in Cheltenham, Melbourne, in 2006

He spent ten years transforming the suburban home into a Balinese-style resort inspired by his holidays there

Initially paying just $315,000 for the lot, it's now on the market with an asking price of $1.1 - $1.2 million

While the exterior looks like high maintenance Mr Couch purposefully chose easy-to-care-for greenery 

By Matilda Rudd For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 02:24 GMT, 13 November 2018 | Updated: 04:36 GMT, 14 November 2018

When John Couch made the decision to sell his home in southeast Melbourne, he cried.

They could have been mistaken for tears of joy as he pondered a potentially huge profit for flipping a home he'd bought only 12 years ago, but they were really tears of pride at how he'd transformed a humdrum corner of suburbia into something akin to a lavish Balinese resort.

 'I have put my heart and soul into it... I cried walking around and thinking about selling,' Mr Couch told realestate.com.au.

A vendor and landscape gardener, Mr Couch purchased the property in Cheltenham in 2006 for $315,000 and has spent the past 12 years transforming a rundown 1970s house into a tropical oasis inspired by his trips to Bali and Miami.

Scroll down for video 

Vendor and landscape gardener John Couch, purchased a property in Cheltenham in 2006 for $315,000 and has spent the past 12 years transforming the rundown 1970s home into a tropical oasis inspired by his trips to Bali and Miami 

'Once that door is shut it doesn't matter what suburb you're living in, you're in paradise. Whoever gets this house will be living the dream.'

He hired a Bobcat and began transforming his 600-square-metre property into something out of a holiday brochure.

The result was a haven of foliage, complete with a three-tiered pond and water feature with a Buddha statue, chicken coop and an entertainment deck with a built-in fireside bathtub. 

He hired a Bobcat and began transforming his 600-square-metre property into the home of his dreams 

The result was a haven of foliage, complete with a three-tiered pond and water feature with a Buddha statue, chicken coop and an entertainment deck with a built-in fireside bathtub (pictured is the kitchen before)

It has just been put on the market with an asking price of between $1.1 and $1.2 million (pictured is the kitchen transformed)

It has just been put on the market with an asking price of between $1.1 and $1.2 million, with Hocking Stuart Mentone agent Robert Pullia saying its one of the best gardens he has ever seen in the heart of suburbia.

But for those potential buyers worried about maintaining the beautiful garden, Mr Couch said it was deceptively low-maintenance.

He decided not to plant any tropical trees, instead choosing ones that suit the relatively dry climate of Melbourne's summers and winters.

He decided not to plant any tropical trees, instead choosing ones that suit the hot and dry climate of Melbourne, with the potential for lower temperatures in winter

The home has the potential to fit 200 guests in the garden, making it an entertainer's delight, or it would suit a young couple, Mr Couch explained

The bedroom opens out onto an incredible outdoor oasis and a huge wooden deck (pictured)

All it requires is general weeding, mulching and a few 'big garden days a year' to cut back the palms.

The home has the potential to fit 200 guests in the garden, making it an entertainer's delight, or it would suit a young couple, Mr Couch explained.

It's also close to the Direct Factory Outlets, train station and local shops. 

Melbourne or Bali? Mr Couch altered the exterior and interior of his 1960s home

Delta flight from Shanghai to Detroit is forced to abort...

Woman was warned by power company that crews needed to...

Four BICYCLE speed cameras costing £12,000 are put up on...

Church shooting miracle: Preacher survives gunman's...

Grandmother, 70, died hours after being found 'frozen' in...

Newborn baby is killed by a MONKEY after being snatched...

Newly-elected House Democrat apologizes for saying...

Girl, three, is tortured and raped before being...

Furious cyclist’s face contorts in rage as he smashes his...

Hilarious moment Angela Merkel is forced to explain to...

Terrifying moment gang corner their victim and slash him...

Girl, 14, is left unable to ever have children after...

ESPN's Jason Witten slammed for mentioning convicted...

'Wife can feel like a loaded word': Michelle Obama...

Rabbi warns that Gaza clashes could mark the start of a...

Woman, 62, is found dead at £1.3million south London home...

Pensioner, 74, wins £600,000 legal battle with 'reckless...

Shocking moment wife of defeated boxer Tony Bellew...

Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-6382161/Landscaper-spends-DECADE-transforming-rundown-1960s-home.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490

[countrymusiclover]

15 - True Rumplestilskin Fashion

Princess Red Thief

Part 16

Tag list - just ask to be added @mystrey101 @melvia-ito @kmc1989 @tallrock35

Once I had been discharged from the hospital with everyone awake now and being concerned with reuniting with their loved ones.  My mother had run off to find my father Fredrick so we agreed that we would meet up with them later in the day.  Rumple and I had gotten everything settled back at the house and I was currently watching the twins sleep inside their crib. "You know for all the trouble they put me through they are the best thing I could have asked for."

"And here I was thinking that us finally being together would make you the most happy." Rumple commented standing in the doorway of the bedroom.

Glancing over my shoulder at him I flashed him a half smile. "You know I love you and our babies."

"I do and I'm sorry you nearly had to die because of our very special little ones growing inside your belly." His brown eyes lowered his gaze sadly to the floor.

Crossing the room to meet him I placed my hands on his shoulders seeing how much it had hurt him. "Rumple, it's not your fault."

"It was though.  I should have had you place your magic into my dagger so that they never wanted to feed off the magic running through your veins."

Moving one hand up to his face he leaned into my palm. "You didn't make my body react the way that it did.  You didn't freak Henry out with Emma leaving so he ate the poison apple."

"Everly, what are you trying to tell me here?" He asked me not sure what direction I was going in.

Focusing my gaze on his eyes I responded. "It was Regina.  She put me and the babies in danger."

"I suppose she did.  But what are you suggesting?"

I know I didn't want her dead since Henry cared about her for some reason I wouldn't understand.  Yet she had tried to unintentionally destroy my family until Emma had broken the curse and we had brought magic to this town. "I want you to know what it feels like to be hurt."

"You mean you want me to kill her. Eve, this isn't like you-"

Shaking my head, I changed my words. "Don't kill her.  Just send her a message so she knows we're in charge now and she can't hurt our family."

"Are you absolutely sure that's what you want?" He questioned me.

Nodding my head yes I replied. "Down the road she could come after our children.  I don't want her to think that she runs this town now that the curse has been broken."

"I'll take care of it.  Meet me back at the shop a little later.  I have something for our little ones." Rumple kissed my forehead gently.

"You didn't have to get them anything.  They're only newborn infants right now."

He squeezed my hand in his slipping into the hallway going to do something to Regina. "I already lost one son.  Now I have two children with you and I want to do better. Be a better father than I was in the enchanted forest."

It was around five o'clock when I heard the doorbell ring a few times meaning it was my parents outside on our front doorstep.  Rushing down the stairs I fling the door open and barely got it open before my father scooped me up in his arms twirling me around in circles of laughter and happy tears. "Dad-"

"Ohhh.  There's my girl." He mumbled into my ear lowering me down onto my feet, with us holding onto the other by their forearms seeing tears welling in his eyes. "Eve, I'm - I'm so so sorry.  I never would've laid a hand on you the way I did at the hunting cabin.  I don't know what had gotten into me-"

Bringing a hand up to his shoulder I sniffed through some tears remembering the night that Rumple had been arrested. "Dad, it wasn't the real you.  We all acted differently under the curse."

"So you forgive me?" My father asked with a nervous tone in his voice.

Wrapping my arms around him in a tight hug I buried my face into his neck and he wrapped his arms around my body holding me until I broke it giving him a verbal answer. "Of course I forgive you."

"So can we meet our granddaughter and grandson now.  Is Rumple here I thought he would be here with you?" My mother Abigail asked me with excitement.

"He's back at his shop.  Had to take care of some things." Waving them around the corner we walked inside the nursery of the twins who were laying in the crib now awake after hearing people talking in the living room. "So our little girl is Valerie and the boy is named Robin."

"They're beautiful." My mother wiped away some happy tears.

My father heard something vibrating on the side table handing my phone over to me seeing Gold's name appear on the screen. "It's Gold, dear."

"Thanks. Hey Rumple, what's going on?" Putting the phone to my ear.

He responded through the device. "I took care of the thing you asked of me.  Would you mind coming here for a bit?"

"Sure, just one second." Eyeing my parents I sent them a soft smile on my face hoping they'd help us out the first day we had reunited. "Could you watch the twins for an hour?  Rumple, needs my help with something."

Mom smiles at me. "Of course."

Waving my hand a cloud of smoke moved around me before I stumbly appeared standing on the wooden floor inside the pawnshop.  "Yes, yes, yes!" I cheered to myself not sure how good my magic would work here as it did in the enchanted forest.  Throwing my hands up in the air I was on cloud 9.

"You sound really happy, lass." The back room curtain got pushed open revealing Rumple watching me.

Dropping my hands I grinned ear to ear. "I have missed my magic dearly."

"So have I." He snapped his fingers creating a red rose that he tucked in my hair and behind my ear. "Now I can spoil you and our kids rotten. What can I do for you?"

Rumple and I turned our heads hearing the bell ring revealing the Charming family all in toe.  Emma stomped up to the glass countertop we were standing behind. "What you can do, is tell us what you did."

"I'm sorry. You're going to have to be more specific." Rumple replied.

Charming raised his tone. "You know damn well what we're talking about."

"You double-crossed Emma, you, uh, took your...potion, from her." Snow waves her hand in the air.

Charming bared his teeth at him. "And did who knows what to this town."

Emma snapped back. "And, worst of all, you risked Henry's life."

"Well, that is quite a litany of grievances now, isn't it?" Rumple chuckled looking in my direction while I leaned my elbows on the counter.

Emma threatened the dark one. "Maybe I don't need answers. Maybe, I just need to punch you in the face."

"Really, dearie? Allow me to answer your questions with some of my own, alright? Did your dear boy Henry survive?" Rumple lowered his head briefly using his former Dark One voice.

"Yeah." Emma replied.

Rumple points his index finger at the blonde. "Is the curse broken? And let's see. Uh, Miss Swan. How long have you been searching for your parents? Looks like you're reunited. Seems like, rather a punch in the face, I deserve a thank you."

She rolled her eyes. "Twist my words all you want. What was the purple haze that you brought?'

Rumple waved his index finger around in the air. "You know... Magic."

"Why?" Snow asked him.

"Not telling." He wickedly smirked at her.

Clasping my hands together I had no shame in telling why he brought it here at least for me anywhere. "I'll gladly tell them.  He had to bring magic so my siphoning magic babies didn't kill me."

A loud explosion rocks the whole pawn shop causing me to lay flat on the glass countertop. ""What the hell was that?" Emma asked, holding onto the counter until her father ran over to the door.

Snow rushed over to the window to find that all of the transformers are blowing up outside. "That... Is my gift to you. That... Is going to take care of Regina."  We hadn't talked about what exactly he had sent after the evil queen for me nearly dying to birth my children.

Snow gave her daughter a nervous look on her face. "Emma, come on."

"We need to go take care of this." Her father explained worried about the safety of the small town.

Emma growls at him. "We're not done."

"Oh, I know. You still owe me a favor." Rumple smirked at Emma before she stormed out slamming the shop door behind her leaving me and him finally alone like we were a few minutes ago.

I let some silence fill the room before my nervous curiosity got the better of me so I had to know what he had done to her.  "Now that it's just us I need to know something. What exactly did you send after the Evil Queen?"

"I summoned it with the dagger."

Raising a brow I caught his simple sentence response. "And what? Come on, I know there's always more with you.  It's going to try and kill her isn't it?"

"I kept my word.  I will not kill her." He responded to me always having a thing for any loophole he could get through that still benefited him in the long run of any deal.

Glaring a little at him I went into the back room to call my mother and see how the kids were leaving him alone for a few seconds. "When you do meet my parents you better not toy with words around them otherwise you and I are going to have problems." Stepping inside the back room I laid down on the old cot recalling just the type of man he would be now that the curse was finally broken.

Comments really appreciated ❤️

[electronicdragonsong]

Winners and Honorable Mentions of the 2018 National Geographic Photography Competition

Grand Prize & 1st Place (Places). Photograph and caption by Jassen Todorov / 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest. Thousands of Volkswagen and Audi cars sit idle in the middle of California’s Mojave Desert. Models manufactured from 2009 to 2015 were designed to cheat emissions tests mandated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Following the scandal, Volkswagen recalled millions of cars. By capturing scenes like this one, I hope we will all become more conscious of and more caring toward our beautiful planet.

A panel of National Geographic photo editors have chosen the winners of the 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest from a pool of over 10,000 entries. The grand prize winner, and top pick for the “Places” group is an aerial shot (above) by Jassen Todorov of a Volkswagen and Audi graveyard at the Southern California Logistics Airport in the Mojave Desert. The striking image shows a fraction of the 11 million cars that Volkswagen fitted with devices that could alter performance during emissions tests by the EPA. Todorov’s image uses a plane for scale to visually demonstrate a story of environmental issues. As the winner, Todorov earned $5000 and a feature on National Geographic’s Instagram.

Submitted across three categories (People, Places, and Wildlife), the other winning images and honorable mentions span the globe in terms of content and photographers. To read more about each image, check out their respective captions below, and head over to the 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest website.

1st Place (People). Photograph and caption by Mia Collis / 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest. I was looking to do a series of portraits showing people wearing their Sunday best when I made this photo of David Muyochokera. It was taken on his last Sunday working as a photographer at Weekend Studio, in Kibera—a large shantytown in Nairobi, Kenya. My friend Peter, a local resident, had pointed me to the photo studio just as I was about to leave the area. It was a stunning space, with whimsical backdrops and natural light coming through the doorway. David had worked there for 37 years, but Weekend Studio was about to close permanently. Phone cameras were so common now, he said, and fewer people wanted studio portraits. David planned to retire and return home to the countryside. I was troubled by the studio’s imminent closure, so I eventually took over the rent. A portrait of David now hangs at Weekend Studio in his memory.

2nd Place (People). Photograph and caption by Todd Kennedy / 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest. On a family holiday driving from Sydney to Uluru, we stopped at a roadside motel in the small rural township of Nyngan, on the edge of Australia’s outback. The area is in the wheat belt, and it was unusually hot for that time of year—over a hundred degrees Fahrenheit and very dusty. Our daughter, Genie, is seen here enjoying a refreshing bath in a rubber ducky perched on the sink.

3rd Place (People). Photograph and caption by Avishek Das / 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest. A Hindu devotee kisses his newborn baby during the Charak Puja festival in West Bengal, India. Traditional practice calls for the devotee to be pierced with a hook and sometimes swung from a rope. This painful sacrifice is enacted to save their children from anxiety. While covering the festival, I was able to view the religious practice from the perspective of Hindu devotees. I tried to capture the moment of love and bonding between a father and his child—and show a father’s concern for his little son.

2nd Place (Places). Photograph and caption by Nicholas Moir / 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest. A rusting Ford Thunderbird is blanketed by red dust from a supercell thunderstorm in Ralls, Texas. The dry, plowed fields of the Texas Panhandle made easy prey for the storm, which had winds over 90 miles an hour ripping up the topsoil and depositing it farther south. I was forecasting and positioning a team of videographers and photographers on a storm chase in Tornado Alley—this was our last day of a very successful chase, having witnessed 16 tornadoes over 10 days. The target area for a storm initiation was just south of Amarillo, Texas. Once the storm became a supercell, it moved southbound with outflow winds that were easily strong enough to tear up the topsoil and send it into the air.

3rd Place (Places). Photograph and caption by Christian Werner / 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest. While on assignment for Der Spiegel, we made a road trip through Syria to document the current situation in major cities. When I first entered the Khalidiya district in Homs, I was shocked. I hadn’t seen such large-scale destruction before, and I had been to many destroyed cities. The area around the Khalidiya district was extremely quiet. No city sounds, cars—nothing. Only the chirping of swallows and the wind. We walked down the streets of Khalidiya, but the destruction was so large scale that you couldn’t have the big picture from the point of view on the street—you could only manage it with a view from above. To make this image, I asked a Syrian soldier in charge of the area if I could climb onto a ruin. The soldier agreed, allowing me to climb at my own risk. I climbed up the ruins of a former house—which was full of improvised explosive devices—and took the picture. I was very lucky to take the picture when I was on the rooftop. Without any sign of life, it would have been a dead picture. I can recall the memory vividly.

Honorable mention (Places). Photograph and caption by Rucca Y Ito / 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest. Japan’s Blue Pond in Biei-cho, Hokkaido, has become very famous for attracting tourists from around the world. It is surrounded by beautiful mountains and trees. This pond, frozen during winter, was artificially made to prevent river contamination from the nearby active volcano, Mount Tokachi. The accumulated pond water contains high levels of minerals, such as those containing aluminum. The alluring view of the blue pond can take one’s breath away. To make this image, I made the exposure longer to capture the way the snow was falling. At the same time, I lit up the strobe for a moment to capture the snowflakes that are reflecting in the foreground. I took as many photos as I could and chose the one I thought had the best balance of the falling snow and the unfocused snowflakes. I wanted to express how time is created in just one moment and, by tying together these moments, history is made.

1st Place (Wildlife). Photograph and caption by Pim Volkers / 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest. It was early morning when I saw the wildebeests crossing Tanzania’s Mara River. The layering of dust, shade, and sun over the chaos of wildebeests kicking up water gives this picture a sense of mystique and allure. It’s almost like an old painting—I’m still compelled to search the detail of the image to absorb the unreal scene.

2nd Place (Wildlife). Photograph and caption by Jonas Beyer / 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest. A few miles from Qaanaaq (Thule), Greenland, I was on a hike in search of musk oxen when I came upon a group of them. This ox was running on a hillside in deep snow, which exploded underneath it—an amazing sight. The photo came together in a few seconds. I was lucky enough to be at the right spot to observe them frolicking, and then I had the incredible experience of watching them closely for about an hour. I love photographing musk oxen against the wintry landscape: They’re extremely tough Arctic survivors. This photo shows their beauty and their power—and the snow they deal with for about eight months of the year.

3rd Place (Wildlife). Photograph and caption by Alison Langevad / 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest. As the late-night hours ticked by and my eyelids grew heavy, two southern white rhinoceroses appeared silently from the shadows to drink from a watering hole in South Africa’s Zimanga Game Reserve. On alert, they stood back to back, observing their surroundings before lowering their heads. I felt privileged to share this moment with these endangered animals. While I was well prepared technically, with my camera set correctly on a tripod, I underestimated the emotional impact the magnificent beasts would have on me. I had photographed them months earlier, and now both rhinos sported a new look: They had been dehorned to deter poachers. I had heard about this development but had not yet seen them. I was full of emotion—and horror—that poaching had such a devastating effect. It must have been a hard decision to dehorn their rhinos, and I am grateful for the reserve’s efforts.

from Colossal https://ift.tt/2QrVywU via IFTTT

[ultralifehackerguru-blog]

New Post has been published on http://www.lifehacker.guru/spectacular-winning-photos-of-the-national-geographic-2018-photo-contest/

Spectacular Winning Photos Of The National Geographic 2018 Photo Contest

“Thousands of Volkswagen and Audi cars sit idle in the middle of California’s Mojave Desert. Models manufactured from 2009 to 2015 were designed to cheat emissions tests mandated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Following the scandal, Volkswagenrecalled millions of cars. By capturing scenes like this one, I hope we will all become more conscious of and more caring toward our beautiful planet.” (Photograph and caption by Jassen Todorov / 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest)

More: National Geographic, Instagram

“I was looking to do a series of portraits showing people wearing their Sunday best when I made this photo of David Muyochokera. It was taken on his last Sunday working as a photographer at Weekend Studio, in Kibera—a large shantytown in Nairobi, Kenya. Myfriend Peter, a local resident, had pointed me to the photo studio just as I was about to leave the area. It was a stunning space, with whimsical backdrops and natural light coming through the doorway. David had worked there for 37 years, but Weekend Studio was about to close permanently. Phone cameras were so common now, he said, and fewer people wanted studio portraits. David planned to retire andreturn home to the countryside. I was troubled by the studio’s imminent closure, so I eventually took over the rent. A portrait of David now hangs at Weekend Studio in his memory.” (Photograph and caption by Mia Collis / 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest)

“On a family holiday driving from Sydney to Uluru, we stopped at a roadside motel in the small rural township of Nyngan, on the edge of Australia’s outback. The area is in the wheat belt, and it was unusually hot for that time of year—over a hundred degrees Fahrenheit and very dusty. Our daughter, Genie, is seen here enjoying a refreshing bath in a rubber ducky perched on the sink.” (Photograph and caption by Todd Kennedy / 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest)

“A Hindu devotee kisses his newborn baby during the Charak Puja festival in West Bengal, India. Traditional practice calls for the devotee to be pierced with a hook and sometimes swung from a rope. This painful sacrifice is enacted to save their children from anxiety. While covering the festival, I was able to view the religious practice from the perspective of Hindu devotees. I tried to capture the moment of love and bonding between a father and his child—and show a father’s concern for his little son.” (Photograph and caption by Avishek Das / 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest)

“A rusting Ford Thunderbird is blanketed by red dust from a supercell thunderstorm in Ralls, Texas. The dry, plowed fields of the Texas Panhandle made easy prey for the storm, which had winds over 90 miles an hour ripping up the topsoil and depositing it farther south. I was forecasting and positioning a team of videographers and photographers on a storm chase in Tornado Alley—this was our last day of a very successful chase, having witnessed 16tornadoes over 10 days. The target area for a storm initiation was just south of Amarillo, Texas. Once the storm became a supercell, it moved southbound with outflow winds that were easily strong enough to tear up the topsoil and send it into the air.” (Photograph and caption by Nicholas Moir / 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest)

“While on assignment for Der Spiegel, we made a road trip through Syria to document the current situation in major cities. When I firstentered the Khalidiya district in Homs, I was shocked. I hadn’t seen such large-scale destruction before, and I had been to many destroyed cities. The area around the Khalidiya district was extremely quiet. No city sounds, cars—nothing. Only the chirping of swallows and the wind.We walked down the streets of Khalidiya, but the destruction was so large scale that you couldn’t have the big picture from the point of view on the street—you could only manage it with a view from above. To make this image, I asked a Syrian soldier in charge of the area if I could climb onto a ruin. The soldier agreed, allowing me to climb at my own risk. I climbed up the ruins of a former house—which was full of improvised explosive devices—and took the picture. I was very lucky to take the picture when I was on the rooftop. Without any sign of life, it would havebeen a dead picture. I can recall the memory vividly.” (Photograph and caption by Christian Werner / 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest)

“Japan’s Blue Pond in Biei-cho, Hokkaido, has become very famous for attracting tourists from around the world. It is surrounded by beautiful mountains and trees. This pond, frozen during winter, was artificially made to prevent river contamination from the nearby active volcano, Mount Tokachi. The accumulated pond water contains high levels of minerals, such as those containing aluminum. The alluring view ofthe blue pond can take one’s breath away.To make this image, I made the exposure longer to capture the way the snow was falling. At the same time, I lit up the strobe for a moment to capture the snowflakes that are reflecting in the foreground. I took as many photos as I could and chose the one I thought had the best balance of the falling snow and the unfocused snowflakes. I wanted to express how time is created in just one moment and, by tying together these moments, history is made.” (Photograph and caption by Rucca Y Ito / 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest)

“It was early morning when I saw the wildebeests crossing Tanzania’s Mara River. The layering of dust, shade, and sun over the chaos of wildebeests kicking up water gives this picture a sense of mystique and allure. It’s almost like an old painting—I’m still compelled to search the detail of the image to absorb the unreal scene.” (Photograph and caption by Pim Volkers/ 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest)

“A few miles from Qaanaaq (Thule), Greenland, I was on a hike in search of musk oxen when I came upon a group of them. This ox was running on a hillside in deep snow, which exploded underneath it—an amazing sight. The photo came together in a few seconds. I was lucky enough to be at the right spot to observe them frolicking, and then I had the incredible experience of watching them closely for about an hour. Ilove photographing musk oxen against the wintry landscape: They’re extremely tough Arctic survivors. This photo shows their beauty and their power—and the snow they deal with for about eight months of the year.” (Photograph and caption by Jonas Beyer/ 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest)

“As the late-night hours ticked by and my eyelids grew heavy, two southern white rhinoceroses appeared silently from the shadows to drink from a watering hole in South Africa’sZimanga Game Reserve. On alert, they stood back to back, observing their surroundings before lowering their heads. I felt privileged to share this moment with these endangered animals. While I was well prepared technically, with my camera set correctlyon a tripod, I underestimated the emotional impact the magnificent beasts would have on me. I had photographed them months earlier, and now both rhinos sported a new look: They had been dehorned to deter poachers. I had heard about this development but had not yet seen them. I was full of emotion—and horror—that poaching had such a devastating effect. It must have been a hard decision to dehorn their rhinos, and I am grateful for the reserve’s efforts.” (Photograph and caption by Alison Langevad/ 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest)

(C)

[sailorrrvenus]

The Winning Photos of the 2018 Nat Geo Photo Contest

National Geographic just announced the winners of the prestigious 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest. Photographer Jassen Todorov stood out from nearly 10,000 entries and was honored with the top prize for his photo “Unreal,” which shows thousands of recalled cars sitting in a desert.

The photograph was also the 1st place winner in the Places category, and its caption reads:

Thousands of Volkswagen and Audi cars sit idle in the middle of California’s Mojave Desert. Models manufactured from 2009 to 2015 were designed to cheat emissions tests mandated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Following the scandal, Volkswagen recalled millions of cars. By capturing scenes like this one, I hope we will all become more conscious of and more caring toward our beautiful planet.

As part of his win, the US-based Todorov will receive $5,000 and have his photo featured on the @NatGeo Instagram account.

Originally a concert violinist, Todorov started flying in the early 2000s before becoming a flight instructor and aerial photographer.

“When I fly long distances, I listen to a lot of music. I’m able to combine music, flying, and photography. Music has a lot to do with structure and composition, colors and patterns, moods and characters—when I am looking at a photo, I am thinking about the same things,” Todorov tells Nat Geo. “By capturing scenes like this one, I hope we will all become more conscious and more caring for our beautiful planet.”

Here are the other top winners from this year’s contest:

1st Place in People

Photograph and caption by Mia Collis / 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest

I was looking to do a series of portraits showing people wearing their Sunday best when I made this photo of David Muyochokera. It was taken on his last Sunday working as a photographer at Weekend Studio, in Kibera—a large shantytown in Nairobi, Kenya.

My friend Peter, a local resident, had pointed me to the photo studio just as I was about to leave the area. It was a stunning space, with whimsical backdrops and natural light coming through the doorway. David had worked there for 37 years, but Weekend Studio was about to close permanently. Phone cameras were so common now, he said, and fewer people wanted studio portraits. David planned to retire and return home to the countryside. I was troubled by the studio’s imminent closure, so I eventually took over the rent. A portrait of David now hangs at Weekend Studio in his memory.

2nd Place in People

Photograph and caption by Todd Kennedy / 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest

On a family holiday driving from Sydney to Uluru, we stopped at a roadside motel in the small rural township of Nyngan, on the edge of Australia’s outback. The area is in the wheat belt, and it was unusually hot for that time of year—over a hundred degrees Fahrenheit and very dusty. Our daughter, Genie, is seen here enjoying a refreshing bath in a rubber ducky perched on the sink.

3rd Place in People

Photograph and caption by Avishek Das / 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest

A Hindu devotee kisses his newborn baby during the Charak Puja festival in West Bengal, India. Traditional practice calls for the devotee to be pierced with a hook and sometimes swung from a rope. This painful sacrifice is enacted to save their children from anxiety. While covering the festival, I was able to view the religious practice from the perspective of Hindu devotees. I tried to capture the moment of love and bonding between a father and his child—and show a father’s concern for his little son.

2nd Place in Places

Photograph and caption by Nicholas Moir / 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest

A rusting Ford Thunderbird is blanketed by red dust from a supercell thunderstorm in Ralls, Texas. The dry, plowed fields of the Texas Panhandle made easy prey for the storm, which had winds over 90 miles an hour ripping up the topsoil and depositing it farther south. I was forecasting and positioning a team of videographers and photographers on a storm chase in Tornado Alley—this was our last day of a very successful chase, having witnessed 16 tornadoes over 10 days. The target area for a storm initiation was just south of Amarillo, Texas. Once the storm became a supercell, it moved southbound with outflow winds that were easily strong enough to tear up the topsoil and send it into the air.

3rd Place in Places

Photograph and caption by Christian Werner / 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest

While on assignment for Der Spiegel, we made a road trip through Syria to document the current situation in major cities. When I first entered the Khalidiya district in Homs, I was shocked. I hadn’t seen such large-scale destruction before, and I had been to many destroyed cities. The area around the Khalidiya district was extremely quiet. No city sounds, cars—nothing. Only the chirping of swallows and the wind.

We walked down the streets of Khalidiya, but the destruction was so large scale that you couldn’t have the big picture from the point of view on the street—you could only manage it with a view from above. To make this image, I asked a Syrian soldier in charge of the area if I could climb onto a ruin. The soldier agreed, allowing me to climb at my own risk. I climbed up the ruins of a former house—which was full of improvised explosive devices—and took the picture. I was very lucky to take the picture when I was on the rooftop. Without any sign of life, it would have been a dead picture. I can recall the memory vividly.

Honorable Mention in Places

Photograph and caption by Rucca Y Ito / 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest

Japan’s Blue Pond in Biei-cho, Hokkaido, has become very famous for attracting tourists from around the world. It is surrounded by beautiful mountains and trees. This pond, frozen during winter, was artificially made to prevent river contamination from the nearby active volcano, Mount Tokachi. The accumulated pond water contains high levels of minerals, such as those containing aluminum. The alluring view of the blue pond can take one’s breath away.

To make this image, I made the exposure longer to capture the way the snow was falling. At the same time, I lit up the strobe for a moment to capture the snowflakes that are reflecting in the foreground. I took as many photos as I could and chose the one I thought had the best balance of the falling snow and the unfocused snowflakes. I wanted to express how time is created in just one moment and, by tying together these moments, history is made.

1st Place in Wildlife

Photograph and caption by Pim Volkers / 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest

It was early morning when I saw the wildebeests crossing Tanzania’s Mara River. The layering of dust, shade, and sun over the chaos of wildebeests kicking up water gives this picture a sense of mystique and allure. It’s almost like an old painting—I’m still compelled to search the detail of the image to absorb the unreal scene.

2nd Place in Wildlife

Photograph and caption by Jonas Beyer / 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest

A few miles from Qaanaaq (Thule), Greenland, I was on a hike in search of musk oxen when I came upon a group of them. This ox was running on a hillside in deep snow, which exploded underneath it—an amazing sight. The photo came together in a few seconds. I was lucky enough to be at the right spot to observe them frolicking, and then I had the incredible experience of watching them closely for about an hour. I love photographing musk oxen against the wintry landscape: They’re extremely tough Arctic survivors. This photo shows their beauty and their power—and the snow they deal with for about eight months of the year.

3rd Place in Wildlife

Photograph and caption by Alison Langevad / 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest

As the late-night hours ticked by and my eyelids grew heavy, two southern white rhinoceroses appeared silently from the shadows to drink from a watering hole in South Africa’s Zimanga Game Reserve. On alert, they stood back to back, observing their surroundings before lowering their heads. I felt privileged to share this moment with these endangered animals.

While I was well prepared technically, with my camera set correctly on a tripod, I underestimated the emotional impact the magnificent beasts would have on me. I had photographed them months earlier, and now both rhinos sported a new look: They had been dehorned to deter poachers. I had heard about this development but had not yet seen them. I was full of emotion—and horror—that poaching had such a devastating effect. It must have been a hard decision to dehorn their rhinos, and I am grateful for the reserve’s efforts.

Image credits: Header photograph and caption by Jassen Todorov / 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest

source https://petapixel.com/2018/12/06/the-winning-photos-of-the-2018-nat-geo-photo-contest/