#shoutout to beach house they fuel me

[kaiminluu]

happy one year (and 5 days) to the van scene and jonathan's driving prowess

[umichenginabroad]

The Finale (Week 18)

The end of our last international trip marked the start of many lasts as the days left in Coogee started to dwindle. I challenged myself to find a good balance between studying for finals and spending time in my favorite spots around the city. I also made sure to embark on my final coastal runs before the ultimate challenge — a half marathon just days before my departure from Sydney. When I first learned about the half-marathon, I strongly deliberated whether it was the right choice to sign up and add the additional training stress on top of finals. Ultimately, I, alongside Caroline, decided that running 13.1 miles through downtown Sydney would be the perfect way to wrap up our time abroad. Despite the stretch of relatively poor weather for the past two weeks (60° and rainy), we woke up bright and early at 5:30am on the Sunday after finals to start making our way into the city. We had spent months training for this moment which marked the end of our time abroad, so the fact that it was here so soon almost took us by surprise. Nevertheless, we went in eager and confident with the simple goal of making it through all 13.1 miles without stopping. The running route perfectly passed a variety of places I had visited and hotspots for memories of my time in Sydney. From Hurricane’s Grill and Star casino where I celebrated my birthday with all my hostel-mates, to Darling Harbour and the Opera House, the sites we passed fueled my run and kept my mind off the miles ahead. Friends and families of runners riddled the route with motivational posters and chants of support. Just as I was losing steam at mile 12, I looked up to see my own friends cheering me on. Shoutout to Lauren, Rachael, Anthony, Charlotte, Shaunak, and Evan for waking up early and making their way into the city for Caroline and I. The energy and love witnessed at a race like that is truly unmatched and something I’ll never forget.

^ Caroline and I after the race with a poster made by Lauren!

Other adventures that weekend included a visit to Luna Park, a small amusement park across the river from Sydney. Despite having very few rides and attractions, we had a lot of fun hopping from the Ferris wheel to the roller coaster to the carpet slides.

^ Luna Park!

We were also able to squeeze in two trips to Sydney suburbs including Newtown and Watson’s bay. Newtown’s King St is full of diverse restaurants and wellness shops that could keep you entertained for hours. Watson’s Bay is located at the northernmost point south of the river. Taking the ferry there was also something I was adamant about given how much I loved the ferry to Manly beach. I can’t believe we hadn’t made it out there sooner given the incredible views:

^ the view from the ferry (you can clearly see the rain falling over the north part of the city)

^ spectacular view from Watson’s Bay

This spot quickly became one of my favorites in all of Sydney and I look forward to returning one day.

The last few evenings in the hostel were definitely somber ones as we said our goodbyes and played our last games together. Rachael made a great short video encapsulating some of the moments we’ve shared and scheduled a time for us all to gather and watch it. Alex brought down his electric guitar and we sang our hearts out into the night. Everyone recognized how much our time together meant to one another and that a reunion for 18 people is next to impossible especially given our poor trip planning skills. This was the last time we’d all be together in that hostel living room.

Just like that, my time in Sydney has come to an end. My next and final post will contain my reflection of my time abroad. Cheers!

David Bayer

Biomedical Engineering

University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia

[grungepoetica]

grungepo plays minecraft at 1am for tumblr clout

i promised that i would do this MONTHS ago. surprise! i didn't forget; i just suck at multi-tasking. so here it is now! my helter-skelter mess of a recap!

(shoutout to @allthesarcasm who has been waiting patiently for me to do this lol)

the first few days:

so i spawned on the edge of a plains biome, with some flowers scattered nearby, animals wandering around me, and acacia trees in the distance (you can't see them here because i had a really low render distance at first). acacia is my favorite minecraft wood, so the distant savanna was a nice surprise ^_^

and then, as i continued to wander around my little spawn hill, i saw some rocky cliffs, a nearby jungle island, and... A RUINED NETHER PORTAL!

after i looted the chest (and used the objects inside it to make a flint & steel - which i SHOULD NOT HAVE MADE SO QUICKLY) i spent some time making a hidey-hole in the cliffside, and preparing to hunker down for the night. but i took some time to enjoy the sunset & sunrise too.

my plans for the next morning were:

find iron, make shears, & get wool - i didn't want to kill any sheep right away

find a suitable house location - i knew that i wanted to recreate this underground base design by Zaypixel, but i also wanted enough flat open space to create gardens & stables around it, and spawn did not have that kind of space

make a boat & explore the jungle island, get some jungle wood in the process

i didn't find enough iron to make shears, but as soon as i passed by the jungle island...

A MESA!!!! BADLANDS CLIFFS!!!!! (and no i had not fixed my render distance yet, shut up lol)

the place i ended up choosing for my house was on the other side of the river, just beyond a beach. it's a MASSIVE open field, with plenty of room for farms, and lots of animals hanging around already. i would've taken pictures of everything, but... let's just say there's a reason i titled this post "playing minecraft at 1am."

i was legitimately playing this game until 1am. i'm writing this at 2am. also, the house build is not finished.

welcome to Grungepo Being Hyperfocused; you're stuck with me :P

pictures from the house build:

(and remember, this is what i'm trying to create)

the hardest part of making the base so far has been clearing everything out. like fuck, that was the true meaning of grunt work. but then i finished digging it out...

...and then i realized that my dimensions were off and i had to re-do the pattern. and then i realized that i had accidentally made the whole pit one block too small on every side, and i went fuck it, it's fine as it is. also, i decided to dye my bed blue.

have some blue lol

i had to make a few pit stops at the mesa, the jungle, and the savanna biome near spawn to gather up all the blocks i needed for the base structure, as well as gathering extra wood & charcoal to fuel my furnaces. after that, it was a long and arduous game of placing blocks and waiting for other blocks to finish cooking.

(also, i didn't light up one section of the field well enough, so i ended up getting ambushed by a spider and a baby zombie as i was trying to go to sleep. they killed me, repeatedly, because i kept respawning with both of them next to me. i screamed multiple versions of FUCK YOU BABY, GODDAMN, DO I LOOK LIKE PHILZA TO YOU? before i managed to kill all the monsters and sleep successfully. this is not important to the story of me building my house. it's just an important look into my mental state while doing it.)

by the time i finished (meaning i got tired irl) there was a wandering trader sitting on my roof because why not

so i moved my bed into the bunker and called it a day! hopefully the next time i boot this world up, i'll be able to actually finish the interior and make it look nice!

ok that's all for now - play your games more responsibly than i do lol

[moonshineholland]

Never Let Me Go / T.H. x reader

R E Q U E S T: Hi! Saw that you’re taking requests and i was thinking maybe i could get some imagine? One where tom took his stress out on his girlfriend causing them to have this huge fight the night before they have to spend time with both of their families and of course, the whole family knows something’s wrong because both of them are not in the mood and the two mothers of both sides decides to talk to them separately and then making them make up? Thank youuuu in advance! Hope you can see this! 🥰

A/N: It’s been so long since I've actually sat down to right something so I hope this is half decent! Shoutout to @cumholland​ for reading through this and helping me out💖

W A R N I N G S: Kinda angsty, I guess you could interpret the ending as being a little suggestive *wiggles eyebrows*😂

W O R D • C O U N T: 2.8k

The silence in the car was killing you and you were 99.9% sure it was killing Tom too. The atmosphere was tense, even as you pretended to be busy counting the trees, but neither of you were planning on being the first to apologise, you’d gone all morning hardly uttering a word to each other and you weren’t about to give in and be nice to him, especially with the way he had treated you this morning. 

You’d both woken up when Tom’s alarm went off at 7:30. Usually, he’d wrap his arms around you and rest his chin on your shoulder, yet today there wasn’t even a “good morning darling” which, of course, stung. Tom rolled out of bed and you just pulled the covers up further, staring at the wardrobe as he got ready, you thought about turning over whilst he was picking his clothes out but then you realised just how petty that would be so you averted your gaze, the wall suddenly becoming much more interesting. 

“We’re leaving in an hour.” And with that, Tom had left the room, shutting the bedroom door behind him. You could feel the tears prickling your waterline, the first thing he’d said to you in over twelve hours and it couldn’t have sounded more bitter, like he didn’t want to go, especially not with you. You sighed, throwing back the covers and trudging into the bathroom, coming to stand in front of the mirror, staring at your reflection. Normally you'd be stood with a smile on your face, having just shared some loving moments with him before forcing yourselves to get up, you’d brush your teeth in a comfortable silence, sneaking side-eye glances at him that he would always, always catch, wiggling his eyes brows at you before turning to rest his back against the counter. This morning you brushed your teeth alone, sadness hanging in the air. 

You made the bed, picking up the stray cushions that were strewn across the floor, they’d usually get stacked neatly to one side before the two of you got into bed but not last night, last night you’d thrown them angrily, not caring where they landed just so long as you could curl up in bed and fall asleep before Tom came up. The sun was shining when you opened the curtains, a pleasant change from the gloom of yesterday, it gave you hope that you would still have a good weekend at the beach house, with both of your families, regardless of whether you and Tom were on speaking terms or not. 

Sifting through your side of the wardrobe you decided on your favourite red sundress, decorated with tiny daisies and frills underneath the bust, one of Tom’s favourite dresses, not that you were dressing for his pleasure. You grabbed your denim jacket from the back of the door and your small suitcase, taking one final glance at the picture of the two of you that sat on the desk, it was taken on a double date, you’d scooped some whipped cream from your milkshake onto the tip of his nose, his mouth hanging open and feigning shock, whilst you were caught mid laugh, you never laughed as hard as you did when you were with him.

You made your way downstairs, lingering on the middle steps. You still had twenty minutes left, did you really want to sit in an uncomfortable silence with your boyfriend? But you definitely needed a drink so you continued your decent, breezing right past Tom, who was watching the football highlights and into the kitchen. Coffee brewed, you sat at the kitchen table scrolling through instagram, pretty much losing track of time as you came to the end of your drink. You hadn’t had any breakfast and you knew that if you rushed to make something it would only piss Tom off even more, so you picked up a banana, you’d eat it in the car.

“You’re not eating that in my car.” He’d noticed the banana in your hand straight away, almost as if he was waiting to find something to start an argument about. You didn't even know whether to respond, at first you thought he was joking but when he walked out of the house, not even offering to take your bags, you knew you wouldn’t even be getting the chance to retaliate. That was enough to turn your sombre mood into that of a sour one and without even thinking twice you threw the banana through the kitchen door, straight at the unsuspecting washing machine.

And now here you were, driving to Cornwall, hungry and slightly angry, hangry. Tom had never really cared too much about you eating in his car just so long as you were careful and, considering you weren’t a child anymore, you generally did a really good job of keeping your food in your mouth and not anywhere else. Yes, Tom had gotten his car cleaned a couple of days ago but that had never meant you couldn’t eat a measly banana in there, he was doing it just to spite you and you hated it. When did the two of you ever get like this? Yeah you’d ‘bicker’ here and there but it never lasted more than ten minutes and always ended in an apology. 

About an hour into the trip you’d popped your headphones on. The quietness of the car was getting to be too much, so you’d decided that listening to some of your favourite songs would put you in a better mood, hopefully. It certainly helped to pass the time because before you knew it you’d pulled up to the row of beach houses and before you even had time to register that you were here, Tom was out of the car and already making his way inside with his bags, having tossed the car keys onto your lap, he obviously didn’t feel like waiting for you to struggle stuffing your headphones into your backpack. Your head fell back against the headrest, eyes closing so as to stop those pesky tears yet again, thinking about the time the two of you spent here last year. 

Last year was your first time at the beach houses, having only been with Tom for four months, he’d invited you so that he could spend his time off with both you and his family, it had been the most amazing three days. You spent the evenings cuddled up next time him on an outdoor daybed, drinking wine and combing your fingers through his hair, having known just how jam-packed his schedule had been, it was nice to see him relax, enjoying the company of his family and even though he knew he’d be back to work soon he never dwelled on those thoughts. On your last evening in Cornwall you'd stayed awake until everyone else had gone to bed, staring up at the stars and finishing off the last of your rosé, he’d buried his face in your hair and whispered, “I love you.” 

You sighed, grabbing your bag from the footwell and opening the car door, you thought about getting your bags from the boot, but ultimately decided that you really couldn’t be bothered, all you wanted was to go and lie down, the bags could wait until later. With the car locked you made your way inside, your mum quick to pull you into a hug, seeing her face provided you with a sense of relief and you let out a sigh, feeling as though a weight had been lifted off of your shoulders. It was Nikki’s idea to have your family come down to Cornwall this year, she knew how much you were missing everyone since moving in with Tom, it was such a sweet gesture that you had cried when she told you she’d arranged everything with your mum. 

“What’s wrong?” your mum was sure to keep her voice down, making sure only you heard as she still held you in her arms.

“Nothing.” You mumbled.

“Come on, a mother can always tell when there’s something wrong with her child.” She wasn’t letting up but you really didn't have the energy to talk about it.

“Why don’t you ask him.” 

“Trouble in paradise?” She pulled away slightly but still kept one arm around your shoulder, both of you watching on as your dad was busy chatting with Tom and Dom.

“I guess you could say that.” You sighed, a deep sigh that came from the bottom of your lungs. You wanted to be stood with Tom, resting your head on his shoulder. You wished it was like last year, full of love, excitement and lust. Looks like the honeymoon period is over, huh?

Nikki’s voice cut through everyone's chatting as she stood with the keys to the houses, explaining who would be staying where along the row of beach houses. Harry, Sam and Paddy had their own place, next to them Nikki and Dom and your parents had decided to share a house and yours and Tom’s house was just a little walk away. No-one had really noticed that anything was wrong with either of you until Nikki had handed Tom the key to your place, watching as you approached him without a word, without even a smile and took the key out of his hands. You picked up his bags and headed for the front door, as much as you loved spending time with his family and as much as you missed yours, it was all a bit overwhelming and kind of painful, the majority of the people in the room were related to Tom, you really just needed to get out of there and catch your breath.

“Where are you going?” Tom’s voice followed you outside, closing the wooden door behind him as he stepped onto the path. 

“To our place.” There was more you wanted to say but kept it to yourself, you didn’t want to add more fuel to the fire. 

“Do you want me to come with you?” You did want him to, deep down but you couldn’t let him think everything had blown over just because you were in your little paradise. 

“No,” you weren’t looking at him, your eyes were focused on the beach, the soft waves that lapped against the shore, but you could practically see the frown on his face. It made you feel bad instantly. “I’m gonna go for a lie down, so there wouldn’t be much conversation anyway.” You looked back at him over your shoulder, forcing a half smile onto your face before heading to the house.  

•••

Tom had been trying to distract himself since you’d left, fiddling with his phone in his hands whilst he tried his best to pay attention to his brothers’ conversation about their game of golf last week, something he’d usually be very interested in but all he could think about is whether he should text you, make sure you’re ok. He looked up at the sunset, thinking back to last year when the two of you had no worries. You’d sit outside for hours and hours laughing and chatting and then he’d watch your face light up in awe at the pretty colours that spread across the sky, lifting your phone to capture a picture.

“Tom?” His mothers’ voice eventually caught his attention as she peered her head through the sliding glass doors, “can I borrow you for a second?” He stood up, sliding his phone into the pocket of his dark wash jeans, grabbing his beer from the table as he made his way inside, following his mum into the living room. He sat across from his mum and yours and he was pretty sure he knew where this was going. 

“What’s going on?” 

He sighed, sinking down further into his chair and pinching the bridge of his nose. “I-, I’ve been a dick,” he said with an even bigger sigh. “We had an argument last night, it’s my fault, I’d had a really shitty day at work and I took it out on her, which I know is no excuse and I don’t know, we were pretty horrible to each other.”

“And have you apologised?”

He shook his head, looking down, almost as if he was ashamed. His mum had always told him that no matter what, he should never go to bed on a argument and last night he did. Not only did he feel like he’d let you down but his mum as well and yours. “I guess I was just being too stubborn,” he scoffed, taking a swig of his beer, his eyes diverting to the kitchen.

“Tom,” your mum started, “if there’s anything I can tell you about her, it’s that she loves you more than anything, she never bloody shuts up about you!” that made him smile as he looked down, a compliment that filled his heart with warmth. “She’s told me a million times that all she ever wants is for you to hold her and never let go, she’s never said that about anyone,” your mum had tears in her eyes, “so please don’t let go, especially over something so trivial.” 

She was right, in the grand scheme of things it was trivial, sure both of you might’ve said some mean things but Tom knew it was definitely in the heat of the moment, he’d come in and taken his stress out on you, which wound you up, it was only fair you’d be angry but he missed you. Not talking to you all day or holding your hand or kissing you had really taken it’s toll on him, he felt ten times more stressed than he did yesterday. 

“Thank you,” he said quietly, to both mums, he truly appreciated their intervention. He had worried about whether he’d let his stubbornness take over, he’d wondered just how long it’d go on for, would he be sleeping next to you tonight? Or on the couch?

He pulled out his phone, he wanted you to come over here, spend time with everyone but he knew what he had to do first. He started typing out the message:

Please come over, we need to talk, miss you xx

•••

You’d been sitting at the kitchen table doing absolutely nothing but drinking a cup of tea when Tom’s text flashed up on your phone and you’d be lying if you said that you didn't smile at it. It was finally going to be over, you hoped. Surely you couldn’t argue anymore, right? You finished off the rest of your cup before slipping on your shoes and rummaging through Tom’s bag that you’d discarded on the couch earlier, pulling his pale blue hoodie out and shoving it on.

When you entered the house you were met with complete silence, you assumed everyone was in the garden but when you entered the kitchen you saw him sat there with his head in his hands. At the sound of your footsteps and your hand on his back he bolted up. “H-hey.” His voice was soft, you could tell he’d been crying. You let your hand trail from his back, down his arm and to his hand, letting him pull you gently into his lap, wrapping your arm around his neck as you perched. He looked up at you, his eyes red and puppy-like. “I’m so sorry darlin,” his voice broke slightly as he pulled at the strings of his hoodie, the smallest of smiles making it’s way onto his face as he noticed you were wearing his Suspicious Antwerp hoodie. 

“No I'm sorry, I should’ve just understood that you’d had a hard day and let it go.” You apologised.

“But how were you to know? I shouldn’t have had such an attitude on me,” he brushed some hair out of your face and kissed your cheek delicately “I love you and I don’t ever want to let go of you.” He mumbled, looking intently into your eyes. “Well, we’ve missed the sunset, so how about, we take this bottle of wine,” he leant forward and picked it up off the table, it was your favourite, “and have a bath? And I'll make it up to you, let you know just how sorry I really am.” His lips were pressed delicately against the skin under your ear, the hand that wasn’t holding the bottle of wine was rubbing soft circles on your skin under his hoodie.

“I love you more than you’ll ever know, please never let me go.”

[measuringlife]

Measuring Mondays: Gold’s Gym

I’m a few weeks out from being fully certified to be a Body Pump Group Fitness Instructor. How crazy is that? The beginning of my Body Pump journey actually started 3 years ago this month. But let’s back things up, to the start of my relationship with Gold’s Gym. I first joined a Gold’s Gym I moved to Auburn in 2008. It was a new gym and I was joining mainly to use the cardio equipment. However, I also took advantage of a “special” and got some personal training sessions too. Despite going to the gym 2-3 times a week with some personal training mixed in I wouldn’t say I saw many changes. I didn’t really even know what I was doing.

In January 2010 I started training for a 5k, on the treadmill since it was winter. I still didn’t really know what I was doing, but I was working out 3-4 times a week and made some adjustments to my diet. That’s when I started to lose weight. Sometime in 2010 I also started going to yoga classes at Golds. I was first introduced to yoga in college - by Michael Bolton’s ex-wife believe it or not. Anyway, it was nice to get back to yoga. In fall 2011 when I was beginning my preparation for marathon training I began taking RPM spin classes as a way to cross train. RPM was my first Les Mills class. Les Mills is a person, but also a branded umbrella of fitness classes often associated with Beach Body. Les Mills offers countless fitness class formats from yoga, to spin, to kickboxing, dance, weight training and more. The common thread with all Les Mills classes is that the music drives the workout and I love that! The RPM instructors at had at the Auburn Golds were also amazing and made me look forward to class - shoutout to Mitch and Ria!

At some point in 2011-2012 I remember I decided to try a Body Pump class, but I was too overwhelmed with all the changing in and out of plates and recommended plate sizes that I only went once and decided to stick with what I knew. I left Auburn to move to the DC area in March 2012 and I remember being really sad about my last day at the gym. This gym became a home, it gave me confidence and helped me lose weight and get stronger.

When I moved to the DC area I looked up the Golds Gyms and was glad to see there were some, but none “super convenient” - I was naive about what convenient really meant in Northern Virginia. I checked out a Golds near work and really liked it, however, there was not one as close to home. Before joining Golds I explored option area options, especially the spin classes because I knew how much I liked RPM, but was open to other formats. After a few brief free trial memberships at a few placed I decided to join Golds. I was at work 5 days a week and could use the weekends for non-gym fitness. When I joined this Golds I also took advantage of a personal training "special” and worked with my beloved Trainer Dan. After some 1/1 personal training, I joined a small personal training group where’d work out in pairs and do a circuit for an hour. I really liked the full body workout from the circuit training - swinging kettlebells and slamming medicine balls were some favorites. I was intermittently going to RPM, but I really missed the energy of my previous instructors Mitch & Ria. I also was running a lot from in 2012-2014, mainly outside.

In late spring of 2014 I registered for my first ever sprint triathlon which meant I needed to swim, bike, and run. Through this training cycle, I rarely went to the gym, I was biking and running on trails and swimming in the pool in my apartment complex. I learned to actually really like swimming and at some point in 2014, I canceled my Golds membership in favor of getting a gym membership at the aquatics and fitness center at the University I worked at. I didn’t immediately regret my decision, but I did. The campus aquatics and fitness center wasn’t a good fit for me. I didn’t like their treadmills, they didn’t have many class offerings, and the pool was always busy with little kids. I actually never used the pool since apparently 5 am was the only good time for a free swim and that wasn’t happening.  I stuck with outdoor running and bought the insanity DVDs to supplement. I also bought the Beach Body T25 DVDs and at some point, I swapped DVDs with my friend Evan who had Body Pump DVDs and equipment so I could do an Insanity/Body Pump hybrid program. I’d say this was 2014ish. I started getting more comfortable with Body Pump, but since I didn’t have a Golds membership I couldn’t go.

In 2015 I threw myself into my final round of marathon training and by the time the race happened at the end of October 2015 I knew I needed to find a new fitness plan. I had moved that summer and there was a Golds Gym a mile from my new place. In December 2015 I joined and finally worked up the nerve to start going to Body Pump classes. I was always a back of the room participant, but I went 2-3x a week and really liked it. Around this time was when my sister was getting her Body Pump instructor certification, so that only fueled my interest. I was only at that Golds for 6 month before we bought our house, but that will always be a special Golds for me - especially their group fitness room.

Thankfully there’s a Golds about an 8 minute drive from our house. There also used to be a Golds halfway between work and home that I would go to for Body Pump on Mondays at 5:30pm when I could. It was, in fact, a Monday night after Body Pump when my fiance proposed to me. I always thought of that night when I’d go to this location, but sadly that location was sold last year. At my local Golds I walk on the treadmills sometimes, but I come to this gym for the group fitness classes. I’ve been thankful to have a few great instructors of Body Pump and Body Combat. Husband and wife instructors John and Rhonda have really been amazing in supporting my Body Pump instructor journey. I have really found a home at this gym. My plan is to work for Gold’s Gym as a fitness instructor. It’s the right type of gym for me and one that has always made me feel comfortable. It wasn’t until I went to write this that I realized I’ve had a had such a long-term relationship with Gold’s Gym.

[sincerelysirena-blog]

Electric Island Festival Beach Clean up

The following is a true story:

On June 9, My friend hit me up and we made plans to kick it, since it felt like it had been ages from the last time we saw each other. We knew we had a lot to catch up on.  We met on the beach with her bunny and we started talking about upcoming events and our endeavors.

Her: Are you going to Electric Island Festival‎?

Me: No, I went a couple years ago. (June 26, 2015, Check out the third pic in my profile:)

Where Dj Koo, indeed was cool and let me dance on his stage for the last set. Thanks to my big sister who bought me the tickets just like she bought my ticket to Guam. That night was epic for me. I don’t need another one. They’re not like Electric Daisy Carnivals, like the one I worked and partied at my hardest in Las Vegas. Also, Thanks to my middle sister who got me inside all three days for free.

Her: Bish, GO I got shrooms and wearing a giant bunny costume and going to be dazed in Lala land!

Me: GOING! OMG!

On June 11 at 08:02am, Allan Cadawas, Guam’s party central photographer of Hit Da Spot Hot Shots, posted on Facebook that at Pacific Star, there will be a Beach Cleanup Today at 5:30pm. Meet at Pacific Star Lobby, FREE EIF tickets and Merch will be handed to all participants who show up ON TIME!  Only three people liked his post including myself and his self.

"I will see you there buddy ol pal!!! Lets make our island BEAUTIFUL!!! ♡”, - Jacqueline Garay

Las Vegas taught me that not only is punctuality, crucial, it is still not adequate enough under professional standards. Rather than most people who would show up on time; I showed up two hours early with my associate, Karl Hype on purpose. This allows us time to meet the crew, hype their spirits up, network and promote each other’s work. I walked away with ample free merchandise as opposed to everyone else. The public would be informed; one item due to limited supply. Instead, my gifts were handed to me with respect from Jia, the Festival Founder. I also purchased a mask from Karl Hype and promoted those with style as well. We both as professionals understood that people need to realize in order to jump start your day, bright and early and work towards finishing your day, strong!  Do not sleep on it. I don’t care if your from Guam and your on “Guam time”, which is just an excuse to be late to everything with no intention of working with haste. Simply, because you have lived on a beach your entire life so you are used to the setting of staying relaxed and taking things slow. Las Vegas, is nothing like that and neither are true hard workers.  

Gym fanatics can all agree with this topic as well. The best time to hit the gym is four in the morning. If you want to get a full workout then you have to get into the habit of waking up to an early start! You wanna rock a hard ass body, well then face the music… the gym never closes and the work never stops… it only gets harder! You have to trust the long ass process. To my dismay, my post did not receive any shares at all, which is a method for EIF organizers to spread the good word while promoting one of their best projects. Ultimately, my friends chose not to get involved on this sweet deal. Emily Paulson, if your reading this; your baby is cute and your are allowed to be absent from this rigorous beach clean up. Although, your support was appreciated, because I know you fell in love with this island as I did.

Later on that day, Jia holds a competition to whoever’s team picks up the most trash, will win something cool!

If you look at the EIF forum you will find the group pic of us standing next to the garbage we compiled together. This is how hard we all worked, separately.. but as one. Members of different parties all found a piece to a scattered portable charcoal grill and I was one of the last teams to arrive to home base… so as I walked up confidently, because I was holding onto two bags of trash; one bag was mine and the other was a friend that I had made that day whose bag had ripped. Solely, offered to carry it, because I love putting my muscles to work and mainly, because I had found the ash pan and drawer to the grill, so I had found something that could carry my load. Work smarter, not harder. That means after groups had already passed and picked up all the relic they could, our group still found some.. we could have only done that by going deeper into the jungle. Where no one sees the trash.  We also found a blanket and a used condom. If it wasn’t for my small stature, standing tall at 4’11, we may have never been able to reach all that trash that we found, even though the other teams did admirable work. As I arrived, instead of being sad that we didn’t win the VIP tickets.. I didn’t even care, because I could see the entire grill right there in my face. We had successfully retrieved every single component to the grill and we’re finally going to throw away the relic for good! Here, I was cheesing and walking up to my pack, already believing, I had the biggest piece and was feeling like the muthafucking champion. Now, imagine my bliss when we took our group pic of all our hard work and look at my smile. Together, we had collected over 2200 pounds of trash. Amazing turnout for a local beach clean up along with EIF’s, non profit partners. I would love to share a special shoutout to everyone that participated and everyone that continues to support our mission to save the fishes! My island and my actual man who was at work were so proud!

On Saturday, June 16 from 7:00pm to 4:00am, the island of Guam was ready to rage. Guam’s international raceway is right behind my house. Big difference in comparison to Las Vegas and driving a 4 hour commute in traffic on a freeway, while in the dry heat of summer in a desert. Thank you, Angelic, my sweet angel and sister who drove me back and fourth three days in a row and I didn’t even have to beg or ask her to. She is just a good person at heart. Always has been. In 2008, she was Vice President of Alumnae Affairs for Kappa Delta Chi Sorority, Inc. She had volunteered for her sorority and does not even like Electric Dance Music. Held no interest in watching TIesto or Avicii, when they played in Las Vegas. Her motive was to join a sorority that helped mankind, because it would help propel her career as a doctor and give her real life experience of helping men, women, children, and animals by any means necessary.

KDChi's official motto is Leading With Integrity, United Through Service - Kappa Delta Chi

That night, everything most ravers would have normally needed to plan out six months in advance, because they treat this festival as important as a wedding; worked out heavenly for another one of my spontaneous adventures.

I arrived at dusk and was dressed to impress.

I wanted to go weird this year for EIF and show off my buns! I'm talking about HAMBROS guys!! I'm proud to represent free publicity to a great establishment even if I'm no longer working with them. I have mad respect for the Founders, Steve Baek, Jason Na and Derrick Kim. As well as my other boss and General Manager, Brian Hayes, a local celebrity who never sleeps and understands, that dedicated drive fuels happiness! I held a close reletionship with my team and do believe with all my heart, that the Explosion in your mouth and their other trademarked hamburgers hold a bright future!

So I put my apron and cap on one last time and I wore a bunny head, because I’m a beach bunny. Just as fast as a rabbit, I ran up and down the raceway like a child at a carnival and left my friends to catch up. Eventually, we all sat down and conversed about our lives. After, we decided to part ways and get weird. My friends were in a dance craze and I loved them for it! Good buds surrounding me and alcoholic beverages was flowing in their system so that their inhibitions could go running wild and free. If anyone knows me, you also well know that my ass had been turnt, still hadn’t stopped and was just plain happy to be in the company of like minded friends all without having to be as drunk as Guam’s Club USA, mama-sans on a good Saturday.

POOF! I did my magic and left them in the crowd of the center stage to feel the love of coming as one in a large crowd that will soon become their friends too. Just elbow and mosh each other long enough. As for myself, I can’t stay put in one spot for too long. A social butterfly needs to spread their wings in order to have a good time. The next move I made was so out of character, I could never have fathomed it. I ran to the food vendors and politely introduced myself and asked permission to use their gloves and a trash bag. I advised them we are all a team and if we want to earn and keep our A grade in the Food and Beverage industry, then we need to keep our area clean. I urged them to not help me pick up the trash, we can not afford our chef’s and waitresses hands getting dirty. Leave it to me and I will be running back here periodically to scour the floor. I did it, because I passed a trash can and saw plastic inside it when it was clearly labeled, Aluminum. This island was going to get clean and I was empowered by the beach clean up to do it all by myself. I had volunteered for clean ups in Las Vegas during my high school years when I had joined community services such as Student Organization of Latinos (SOL) and Key club which taught me a dynamic group with educated and driven individuals can make anything fun, especially cleaning up their community and feeling good about making a great change amongst new and like minded friends. Like a bunny, i hopped from food vendor to the next, then the alcoholic beverage vendors, soon after, the sound crew in the middle where people think its safe to leave unattended drinks near electrical maintenance. Three big trash bags later, I felt the need for a break and headed toward the main stage.  Right away, I see one of Guam’s finest videographers, and proud to call my friend, Michael Mazzei, who was just enjoying another day in the office.

I don’t ever fuck with security, because they hate girls like me. We slither and find our way backstage and eventually they may find us, but we continue to ignore them and still run amuck since I know they can not catch me. The DJ’s posse by then is already feeling my vivacious energy and he is always the one who gives me permission to perform my magic in from of his audience.

I stayed on stage till dawn under the Electric Sky. I came, I saw, I danced, I cleaned and felt conquered all in one night. If one little brown girl could do so damn much in one night. Just imagine what your footprint could do if you helped to do your part and keep your island clean. This is a powerful message to all Civilians, Militants and Locals alike… I’m a visitor… a tourist from LAS VEGAS. I have seen each and every one of you commit this sin to your island, whom I call my boyfriend. Your lucky my heart is kind. Normally, Latina’s do not take too kindly to anyone disrespecting their King and kin.  

“I love your energy! When you visit Tokyo, come see me so that I may show you around!” - Marimo Kusaka, Miss Universe Japan 2014

If you exude nothing, but positive energy and believe in pronoia with all of your heart, God will protect you and life will guide you into fearful scenarios, but the other side of the wall is so blissful and bright. You will not see it until you hop over that wall. Exactly, why immigrants travel with little to no money at all so that they may experience bliss when they haven’t even seen a glimpse of it yet. Walk by faith, not by sight!

I understand that my sister and boyfriend may hate that I live my life in the moment and spontaneously never have a plan. As opposed to my girlfriends who love me for it, because they are too shy to let their own inhibitions shine. So, I let them live it out through me and my happiness spreads just like roaches do when you light up the room.

Moral of the story: Icing on the cake was I got to earn my ticket to EIF and I didn’t have to pay for it, instead I got to do something I would have done over and over for F R E E which is clean up the beach, all day any day! #GUAMISMYBOYFRIEND. I do not preach it for no reason, I believe God put me here to make a difference, because his island sure as hell left a lasting impression on me. Shit does not happen by coincidence. Use every direction and obstacle thrown at you to surpass them and reach the center stage and dance your ass off! Do not let the big buff security or deep meek insecurities hold you back!

We don't just TURN UP we CLEAN UP; KEEPin the GUD Clean & Green EIF style! - Allan Cadawas

[yasmeenadele-blog]

2016 reflection

typing that title felt difficult. i am only twenty two, but this year was old in my bones. it dragged me to the end, where i lay with a gasp and a quivering hope. still, the hope is there… and that is what i will cling to.

last year, i did a month by month recap of 2015 (unpublished). i found it extremely helpful in creating meaning from what can so easily become lost memories if we do not take the time to reflect. i think we don’t reflect more because it is painful- the past always is, a little bit, whether the memories are good or bad, because its the past. but i will step into the well of nostalgia and see what i can learn, what i can heal.

january: i rang the year in with my best friend in missouri, then left for passion conference. there, i felt doubt. i felt the zest of my christian faith curling around the edges. & i burrowed inward that cold month, writing and reading and wondering.

february: 3 significant things: attending my first true poetry reading, creating a marvelous sweet potato dish for my food writing class, and going to new orleans for a relaxed, adventurous weekend with my roommates. these three things woke me up, creatively- i felt inspired and imaginatively active.

march: i told my roommate i had doubts about christianity. i was horrified, after my semester of vivid, ardent faith, to be questioning. my question was not if christianity was “right,” it was if every other religion was truly wrong… spring broke in alabama and my winter ponderings took their fruits to the outdoors. the yellowhammer festival at the end of the month was awash in youthful creativity, and was one of the highlights of my last semester as an undergraduate.

april: i felt the nearness of graduation. the “lasts.” but i think i mostly ignored that, until i had to not. i read my essay at the sassafras food festival, fighting against my fear of public speaking (and ended up on local news!) & then it was over. my three years as a student at ua ended. i stuffed my car past its stuffing point, and headed north.

may: i went to greece with my best friend. this was truly my trip of a lifetime. it was an amazing experience planning the entire thing, and then seeing the plans come to life in completely unexpected ways- beautiful, beautiful island sunset ways :) greece would be impossible to encapsulate without its own post… suffice to say that i am STILL processing the fairy tale story that trip was. i am eternally grateful that dad made that happen for me.

june: i was home for a brief, nostalgic moment before i jetsetted(?) to two major adventures- canada, to visit my aunt, and induction/institute. montreal is STUNNING- my most vivid memory is the waterfall deana took me to. my first time laying eyes on a true waterfall: i stood under it and gaped. all of it astounding. water and mountains and wildlife everywhere. the food was wonderful. & deana talked me through my recent discovery that in november, my dad and his wife would give birth to a son… then, back on a plane and onto tfa induction and jacksonville and a ridiculous bus ride to tulsa for the summer. teaching summer school was a memory i alternately enjoy and detest. my students were lovebugs, and i made the best friends with the best people i have ever met (shoutout jax family). tulsa, however, i plan to never step foot in again.

july: institute, continued. life fell into a routine of waking up before satan to load up on buses and teach, come home, work out, lesson plan, repeat- until the weekends, where i discovered that teachers are the craziest they come. then i turned 22 (brought in auspiciously by me missing my flight home because i went out the night before and overslept…)

august: the big move. indiana to alabama to jacksonville. changechangechange. this month is another that could have its own post- a huge transition geographically and more importantly, the start of teaching. teaching is… singularly unique. it is so challenging. not just mentally- physically, emotionally, spiritually. i met my students, originally all 6th graders until i got switched to reading, and then met those 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. high hopes came up against the high stakes of reality, and i began to learn to juggle.

september: settling in. teaching brought my depression back, coupled with all the changes (including the changing season), and i began to focus on self care. i redefined myself as “spiritual” instead of just religious. i will take each step as it comes. my roommates & i roadtripped to miami, for a weekend of wild excess and bonding. and. i met jack. in the dark noise of the beach bars, i met this boy who, little did i know, would come to be so important.

october: i experienced my first real hurricane! we boarded up the house and stayed home instead of leaving, and matthew gave us multiple days off school. teaching was still really, really hard this month. the stress unbearable. but somehow, we prevailed. alice kept us so happy at night. jack and i experienced so many firsts- first date, first kiss, first meeting family. i started letting him in, in a way i have not let any man in for the last 2.5 years. there was not enough writing/creative time- my days at school sapped it. the students nominated me favorite female teacher… i felt so loved. appreciated. humbled & renewed in my cause to serve them. this months most beautiful moment: for the first time, i saw a storm over the ocean.

november: teaching was still a rollercoaster, but with less extreme ups and downs. thanksgiving break came like the answer to prayer, with a condition: we had to get rid of alice per our landlord. it’s okay, though- she is at home with my biggest blessing: adam! the baby was born. laila and i went to california the second half of break, stayed on a docked cruise ship (thanks dad) and met him. i loved him immediately.

december: we had a wonderful christmas party. i held adam for hours on end. i saw mom, and grandma, my aunts, had the best time i’ve ever had with my sister. read entire books. i got into a gym routine that works for me. things are slowing, temporarily, and i have time to appreciate. time to realize.

this year has converged to this moment. i thought everything was hazy, that not enough was done (what is enough?) but, as always, the words bring clarity. and i see: life is so much. and so fast. but, i am grateful… more every day, i realize what that means.

may 2017 be a year of adventure. a year of light and purpose. in a space where i could say so much, i rest on those three words to fuel me and guide me. i know so little, but into the unknown i will walk, tripping freely as i go, embracing every fall as just another way of moving forward.

[sagereidxx]

THIS IS SO GOOD AND SO ADORABLE I LOVE LOVE LOVE ITTT 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

happy one year (and 5 days) to the van scene and jonathan's driving prowess