#that contrast stitching is putting in some WORK y'all

[saphyrenights]

August 2022 marks the 30th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew making it's historic impact on the Bahamas, southern Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and other parts of the south and east in 1992. It was the first category 5 hurricane to make landfall in the United States since Hurricane Camille in 1969. Since Andrew, only one other category five hurricane has made a US landfall: Hurricane Michael in 2018.

Adjusted for inflation, Hurricane Andrew caused almost $50 billion in damage, leading to the collapse of Florida's homeowner insurance system. In the years since, building codes were vastly improved in south Florida to withstand powerful hurricanes.

65 people died as a result of the storm, with most fatalities occurring during the recovery phase due to accidents and medical emergencies. Given the enormous amount of damage Hurricane Andrew caused, the shockingly low death toll (especially in Florida) has sometimes been partially credited to meteorologist Bryan Norcross and his 23-hour-long broadcast before, during, and after Andrew made its first US landfall. As the hurricane battered the television studio in downtown Miami, Norcross kept up a calm, steady flow of information and encouragement to everyone listening/watching, even as the storm forced him and his fellow anchors into a small concrete "bunker" for safety.

A humanitarian crisis grew in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew. Neither President George H. W. Bush nor Florida Governor Lawton Chiles wanted to take responsibility for the government's delayed response to Kate Hale (Miami's deputy emergency management coordinator) and her requests for help in south Florida. With few structures remaining operable, people were becoming dehydrated from lack of water, starving from a lack of food, and desperation grew more prevalent among the survivors. Even with private citizens from all over the country attempting to help the people in south Florida, it wasn't enough. Society broke down into lawlessness and fear. Government reinforcements finally arrived almost a week after Andrew ravaged southern Florida and the northern Gulf coast. 1992 was an election year, and many people cited Bush's delayed disaster response as the reason they voted for his rival, Bill Clinton.

Hurricane Andrew had lasting ripple effects on everything from the insurance industry, to the local ecology (displaced pet pythons formed a breeding population in the Everglades, for example), to national politics. Though its legacy has been eclipsed by arguably more catastrophic hurricanes like Katrina, Maria, and Michael, Andrew marked the beginning of a new era of devastating hurricanes to ravage a more connected United States. In 1992, cell phones, live satellite feeds, cable TV, rudimentary internet, and improved computer modeling kept Americans all over the country informed about Hurricane Andrew in a way that didn't happen just a few years earlier with Hurricane Hugo. Hurricane Andrew marks a milestone in modern disaster messaging and communications.

As we progress through yet another hurricane season, let's not forget the lessons that Hurricane Andrew taught us 30 years ago. 1) Be prepared BEFORE disaster strikes. 2) Working together for the greater good can literally save lives. 3) If authorities tell you to evacuate, LEAVE. 4) A battery powered radio is a lifeline when the electricity goes out. 5) Studying history can prepare us for the future.

Thanks for reading, and stay safe.

***

edit: This was in my drafts. I forgot to post it back in August. I didn't want to delete it, so I'll just post it now, a day late and a dollar short. IDK if anyone following me will get anything out of it, but I like writing essays, so...here ya go.

[yukinojou]

Hamilton West End: delayed impressions of December 15

*eyedart* It's been 3 weeks, high time to write my impressions of Hamilton in London...

I saw the December 15 show, 1 week before official opening night, from the first row of the upper circle, with the full first cast. I was last at the Victoria Palace Theatre for Billy Elliot in 2012, so the renovation was quite stunning. The Upper Circle is still dizzyingly steep, but there are actual handrails making the descent comfortable enough, and the renovation team actually put in enough ladies' restrooms for once. Props to the staff lady doing traffic control in the loo, making sure people didn't miss an empty cubicle :) The extra hard ticket control was also done very smoothly, though the pre-show mailings scared us a bit too much - we got there 90 minutes before the show and ended up camping in the upper bar for almost an hour.

Anticipation was high, but I admit to a moment of trepidation as well. I've been blasting the cast album for over two years, I've inhaled the Hamiltome and I admit I got my paws on some video visuals of dubious legality, so I was very attached to the original Broadway cast, especially since all of them were so absolutely stunning. I've had this reaction before - after so many viewings of the Warsaw Tanz der Vampire production it's so carved into my brain that I'm immensely critical of other performers tackling the same songs...

That lasted about 5 bars into the opening song, mind you.

Photos and clips don't do the set and choreography justice. There's always something going on everywhere on both levels and every freaking finger-twitch from the most in-the-background person in the shadows means something. There's actually quite a lot of props, and the bare set means that all of them have to be carried on by the cast. And every time it's freaking meaningful who carries the quill / jacket / desk / whatever. I could watch this show 15 times and still notice new things.

The choreography and direction is about both symbolism and shapes. So many times it's a living sculpture onstage. And the same in the soundscape of the songs and the lyrics and the acting. Yeah, it's the one freaking show that's not overhyped.

Cast, in bullet points and mostly random order:

Rachelle Ann Go - I intentionally avoided reading too much info about the cast, and the moment she opened her mouth I went "wait, she's Filipina, isn't she?" She's got that pure nightingale voice and steam-train charisma that must be in the water there. Same stunning mold as Lea Salonga and Leah Delos Santos. And on top of that, she was absolute steel underneath in the second act. This was an Eliza who is very much in charge, someone that Alexander is chasing to keep up with. She didn't steal the show, she owned it from Schuyler Sisters onwards.

Obioma Ugoala - Washington was the role I was most worried about, mostly because Christopher Jackson was so good and commanding and three-dimensional. Um. Yeah. I may actually have a new favourite Washington, both with the fatherly vibe towards Hamilton and with the sheer gravitas. This man yells "attack", you freaking attack. Best. Casting. Ever. Also had me in sniffles during One Last Time.

Jason Pennycooke - Lafayette/Jefferson was second on the worry list, seeing as readers of this tumblr have had to suffer many many pictures of Daveed Diggs. Guess who did his best to steal the show. Tiny adorable floofy-haired dynamo of a man, bouncy as all get out, absolutely different from Daveed and so very very good at playing a totally self-centered but very intelligent man. The moment we left the theatre, we all went "JEFFERSON!"

Rachel John - the saddest, most mature Angelica I've heard yet. Virtuoso, but with an undercurrent of melancholy that made the role her own. After Schuyler Sisters, she seemed slightly apart from the show, always watching, always the observer.

Cleve September - adorable is a good word. He was an absolute sweetheart in his own songs, and when he wasn't singing, he was doing his best to make everyone else shine too, putting telling the story ahead of his own applause. If he was a Takarazuka actress he'd be in Yukigumi, and y'all know I'm a forever-Yuki girl.

Christine Allado - she still seemed to be finding her Peggy (though the shyness worked for the character), but her Maria was an absolute tour de force. Someone get this woman to sing tango. And dance tango. She's got an opera background, and the combination of those deep tones with a deeper version of that pure Filipino sound is killer.

Tarinn Callender - Numero Tres I was worried about needlessly. His Mulligan was powerful and joyful, while his Madison was just hilarious, especially the contrast between his nerd-dom and Jefferson’s look-I’m-so-cool. I just about choked when they couldn’t work out the mic drop :D

Giles Terera - I think he may have had a bit of a cold or something distracted him in Act One, because I wasn't quite feeling it. I thought it was the combination of not entirely clear diction (as a non-native speaker I take a while to get used to unfamiliar accents) and a distant aspect that didn't connect with me. Whatever it was, it cleared up by Act Two. His Room brought the house down, and by the time he was falling apart in The World Was Wide Enough, my heart was breaking.

Michael Jibson - MWAHAHA. Someone give this guy an Olivier for sheer comedic timing. No slouch on the voice and movement, but it's the freaking timing that had me in stitches.

Jamael Westman - giant giraffe of a junior Machiavelli who needs a hug :D He had a great concept for Act Two and Hamilton's entire emotional journey. Great voice, good acting, arms and legs all over the place, and possibly my Hamilton from now on.

Ensemble - so energetic and precise. I loved the Bullet, Leah Hill, especially - she's got a magnetic quality. Not quite sure who was our James Reynolds, but he oozed evil.

In conclusion: very tempted to hunt for cheap flights and cancellation tickets.

[tdrcharmschool4]

Charm School Test #1: An Unconventional Mug - Critiques

For this week's test, we asked the students of TDR Charm School 4 to take pictures of a shoulders-up makeup look that included some sort of unconventional element. Outside of that, it was up to the girls to get creative and show us not only their growing makeup skills, but also their ability to think outside of the box. Let's see how they did!

Erica Strada

So my look is inspired by something that I truly love. SNACK TIME! I ended up using Cheetos Crunchy snacks for the powder used on my cheeks as an orange blush that was also achieved with a bit of matte lipstick to allow it to stick better. I used some matte lipstick around my eyelids as well and added a bit of blue Powerade mix for added color and texture. I took the empty snack size bags from the Cheetos Crunchy snacks and shrunk them in the microwave for my fashion forward earrings. I took a few of the Cheetos Crunchy snacks as well as a bunch of Cheetos Puff snacks to create my One-Of-A-Kind edible couture necklace. I took the slightly rectangular Doritos and made them into a delicious pair of eyebrows, fit for a #SnackPrincess like myself! All in all, this is a look for when you wanna come thru, when you're not close to a drive thru!  Analyse: Hey, Erica! Right of the bat, you can tell that you have such a whimsical personality that just shines through in your submissions! It's also very clear that even though the focus here is on the unconventional element of the makeup, you've still taken your homework critiques into account. I can't imagine that Cheetos dust was blending too well, so I'll leave that alone. Really the only ~big~ thing that I would change would be to add a liner and lashes to the eyes. Other than that, I think you took the challenge and ran with it very well, even going so far as to make accessories out of the unconventional materials. That shows just the type of Extra™ that you can be, and I'm excited to see how you bring that to future assignments! Letha: Erica, I can't help but smiling every time I look at your photos. They're so happy and fun and I can tell you really enjoyed this challenge. You used the unconventional materials in unconventional ways such as the blush, as well as going so far to make accessories. I think the the makeup goes well too, and the contrasting blue garage door really serves the color story. I would say that the look needs some lashes, which you then could have jazzed up with some more cheeto dust or dorito shards, as the lid is a bit plain at the moment and dying the some contrast that a black liner and some lashes would bring.  I think the brows are a really fun shape but maybe you could have made them more dimensional with either drawing hairs with the cheeto dust or layering different flavors/colors of Doritos. The wig isn't the most expensive/tasteful looking, but hey neither are cheetos so it really does go. All in all there are some technical things you can take away from this paint and apply for next time, but overall great job with this test!

Kushboo

So here's what I did. I blocked the eyebrows and then painted half my face with BB Cream because I remember Letha saying it was light. I wanted this part of my face to look ashen and spooky. I then applied talcum powder ( im obsessed) to that side of the face as a setting powder. I contoured this side of the face with pepper. It doesnt stick very well but I used a tad of water and it gave me the grey jaw and cheekbone I wanted. I finished off the cheekbone with a touch of black eyeshadow. Then I dabbed on tons of blue and purple eyeshadow to give a bruised bloodless dead cheekbone look. After that I drew my exaggerated torn bleeding stitched lip with black, maroon and red paints. 

Then I started on the other side, this time with regular matte pan stick foundation. I set it with this translucent-ish foundation powder i regularly use. For contouring however, I used dark brown coffee. I drink coffee regularly by making a paste and the pouring hot water. I made the same paste, a heap of coffee with enough water, and then whip it till it becomes of the consistency of the contour pallete - adding water or coffee as required to get it right. If its too watery it runs all over your foundation. 

Next I used regular highlight cream on both sides. After this was done, I blended the stuff together - the foundation kind of overpowers the coffee when blending so it needs to be done carefully. Next I pounded on blush above the contour line and modified the color to look multi-hued. This meant reds, purples, blues. Finally I started on my eyebrows. 

These are my special new invention - chai-brows. Otherwise known as 'eyebrows made of tea'. They are drawn and cut out of white greeting card material cardboard, after which I put bonding glue and stuck small grain tea leaves to them. The result is a nice 3 dimensional thickish eyebrow. These I glued on to my forehead. 

Next, I drew my angry zombie eyes with white paint, kajal and red for blood. I shaped the two eyes differently. The eyes on the normal face are shadowed with turmeric powder. This product, locally available as 'haldi', is popular in most indian meals. It also has really useful properties for the skin and provides a deep yellow tinge which makes it an obvious choice. 

I hope you enjoy my look!

Analyse: YASS, Kushboo! I love all this creative energy right out of the gate! I'm getting a story that I can see right away when I look at the picture, and that one of the more important parts of a concept is making sure it reads right away. Like I said with Erica, a part of the problem with the blending in this look is that the food products used as makeup aren't designed to blend like makeup, so when you're back to actual cosmetic products for this upcoming week, just make sure you work on that nice even blend where applicable. The ways that you've done the special effects on the ooky spooky side with the blood works well, and I like the little spider friend up on the forehead! On the daytime side, I would just make sure that you bring some black onto the waterline of the eye. This was such a creative submission though, and I can't wait to see what you do in the coming weeks!

Letha: Kushboo, this is such an interesting paint! You really challenged yourself with this paint, not only by doing a half and half paint with wildly different looks, but by using unconventional materials and trying to make them look real. So my hat is off to you for that, for sure! Are the techniques perfect? No, which I'm sure is part of the materials working against you, but some things, like the lips which didn't use an unconventional material, could have been better/more defined, so make sure to blend your overdrawn lips more (liner to lipstick) so the real lips aren't as clockable. The Pepper and black eyeshadow wasn't your friend on the zombie side as much as coffee was on your other side, which actually looks quite nice. The black pepper side needed a bit more of a gradual blend, because it's a bit of a stripe/bruise situation at the moment. The tumeric eyeshadow is GENIUS, that shade of yellow is gorgeous, just work on the blend as it looks a bit stark on the lower lash line. And on to possibly my favorite part of this paint. The EYEBROWS. That shape and texture you achieved with the chai is really cool and might be an experiment worth repeating in the future for a fun look! All in all, though the products didn't lend themselves to an easy application, you were really innovative with this challenge, good job Kushboo!

Luna

After a long night of hookin...trade didn't like the session so he had gutted me, and set me on fiyah. But you know, I didn't die. I had CRYSTALIZED, and now I'm a Glamazon bitch, ready for the runway. 

So the unconventional element to my make up look today are cut up pieces of dvds used to shape the face. I used them as a nose contour, as cheeck/cheekbone contour, and as fragmented pieces of eyebrows, carrying with the broken theme. I also used a holo foil from packaging I found as lashes to give them the holo shine. I've never done this type of make up or even anything that hasn't been trying to just look like a girl, so this was certainly out of my box. I hope y'all enjoy this look and thank you for the opportunity to do something different!

Analyse: Hey, Luna! I really enjoy the concept of this mug, and I wish we could post a video of it, because from the videos you sent me, it looks even cooler in motion when it catches the light. I think the choice to use something so shiny is a lot of fun, and I'm not mad at the face that the actual makeup parts are pretty plain, because it's a nice contrast. I like the foil lashes a lot, and it helps to brighten up the eye. I wish the eyes were a little lighter and had more interest going on, but I know in PM you said you wanted them to have that sunken masked kind of vibe; I just don't know how successful it reads for the look. I like the lips and the kind of "reflective" effect they get with the white on them. Make sure the lip color goes back further though, especially when using a color that dark, because it makes the point where the color stops and natural lip starts really pop (in a not great way)! I think this was a very creative look, and I hope that you'll try some more like this in the future. Stepping outside of your comfort zone can be scary, but sometimes (and this is one of them), it can turn out pretty well!

Letha: Luna, this is a fierce paint! There's a lot of color/shine going on, and the way the light hits the pieces is really cool. The lashes are great and add great contrast to what otherwise would be a very dark socket. I will say the shape on the middle part of the face looks a bit more 'masky' than Makeup, simply because the shape is so solid and the rest of the face in between is a bit plain. I think perhaps had the pieces of DVD tapered/faded out from the middle of the face it would be more gradual and more face like. The harsh line does work on the cheeks though, those are cut severely and it really worksz The lips are also really cool,  but some of the shiny foil from the lashes could  have helped tie the matte lips in with the rest of the look. As for the brows, in this state they don't really read as brows for me, just more of the dvd mask. Maybe if they had been one piece, or multiple pieces that came together to resemble a brow then I might get it more. Overall I think there were some shaping choices that could have been made better, but I'm still really please with your work this week, good job Luna!

Marina Lumiere

Here is my test submission! I really wanted to make a flower centric goddess kind of look as I usually excel at that. I used glitter glue as highlighter and the glitter tears. The pearls on my eyes are from an old pearl necklace. I used black pieces of plastic as the eyelashes. For the whites on my eyes I used NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk mixed with baby powder. I hope you enjoy my look and I hope you can excuse the lateness!

Analyse: Hi, Marina! This is such a cute look, and right off the bat, it's giving me an ~æsthetic~, so I really do appreciate that. My major complaint here is that some parts of the execution look a little rushed, but we already know that's the case, so there we go. I think the eyes are beautiful, and you do a great job at picking out a color story for your mug. These brows are also beautiful and fit the makeup so so well! With the second picture, I know we all love being an Art Heaux™ from time to time, but it makes it hard for us to critique the makeup when half of your face is hidden by the prop, so just be mindful of that in the future. This was a beautiful look from you, and I definitely think could be even more stunning given enough time and some more fun with the unconventional elements!

Letha: Marina, I like the direction you were taking with this look but due to your circumstances it just didn't have the time it needed to really get there. For the makeup, I enjoy your eye shape as with your previous submission. The bottom lashes look like real fake ones, if that makes sense, so good job on those being unconventional! The blush could use a better blend up, as the line is a it harsh. The pearls are a nice touch, but besides those and the flower in your mouth/covering your face, there isn't a whole lot else that's unconventional. Still, what you do have is a cute look that I could see you doing again. I'm glad you still submitted even though you were late, it shows dedication and for that I'm proud of you, so keep it up!

Nikita Nox

Hello judges! For this week's mug, I decided I wanted to use cloth as my unconventional element.  Immediately I latched onto the image of a ragdoll; I love how they're simultaneously nostalgic and creepy. From there I decided to include the unconventional elements of thread,  stuffing, and buttons. Along with higher contour, I also tried to curve it up at the ends and make the blush front-heavy to give me school-girl appled cheeks. I used scraps of old shirts as patches, to show that this doll had been loved perhaps a little too hard, and used the thread to expose one of the eyes while the other stayed behind a button.

Analyse: Hey, Nikita! This is a cute mug, and I think you've used the unconventional elements to really tell a story, so congrats on that! Most of my comments just stem from this mug being rushed, and I know you ran into problems with having to move this weekend and all that, so I hope that future weeks will run smoother. I can already see some of the things from your last round of crits being improved on, so that's great to see. I think if you plan on revisiting this look, take some time to figure out how the cloth lays best and how to make it look like it *is* a part of the skin. For the eye that still has button on it, I would recommend not having a lash there so that you can just have the button on top of the eye without that getting in the way. I think this is definitely a look to play some more with and see where you can take it so that the execution of the concept matches the creative vision!

Letha: Nikita! This look is pretty simple, I have to admit, but also oddly haunting? I LOVE the drooping button eye, it's very well applied. The other button was a harder fit, I think, and just sort of sits there. The patches are a nice touch, but I think could have been blended more, maybe with some cotton and spirit gum/glue? Because at the moment they look a bit random/tacked on. I think for this you could have added more elements to sell the doll fantasy, like some pipe cleaner brows, some pink velvet blush on the cheeks, just some more to really add to the look. The Lip could also use some cleaning up, as I think the shape got away from you, both in symmetry and in having clean edges, so be sure to take your time and to check in the mirror while you do them. Overall I'm pretty pleased with your work this week, and I'm happy you submitted late rather than not at all. It reflects better on you and your work ethic, as well as giving you more practice to get better, so kudos to that!

Ophelia Waters

When I heard that the makeup test would be based around unconventional makeup and materials, I was excited because I love unconventional makeup looks! The concept for this is look was to do something candy-themed with Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, David Bowie, and Club Kid inspiration and influence. Candy couture, if you will!    

For the overall look, I wanted to take the critiques given for my regular makeup during the makeup homework and apply them for this look! One of the major critiques that I was given was on the application of liquid foundation and powder with the liquid foundation being applied too heavily and the setting of the foundation being too heavy to the point of cakeyness. To counter this, with the advice of SallyTM on the use of Clown White face, I applied Clown White foundation by Ben Nye with a small triangular makeup sponge by dabbing and patting it on for the lighter application than last time and set it with baby powder both more lightly and gently than before to reduce any cakeyness! On a recommendation, I also tried to make sure that my workspace for doing makeup was as cool as possible for better adhesion and no issues with sweating and trying to get as close of a shave as possible this time!    

After the Clown White base, from there, I wanted to create a gradient of candy "dripping" down the side of my face, starting with bigger candies (Starbursts and Sweet Tarts) and moving to smaller candies (Nerds and the tiny dot candy sprinkles). On the advice of both Toni and Letha, I used spirit gum to apply most of the bigger candies and eyelash glue and a small brush to apply the smaller candies, especially on and around the eyelid and the lips! From there, I used a bit of pink tulle to create a headpiece/finisher to simulate a bit of cotton candy! I had so much fun coming up with and bringing this look to life and I hope you enjoy it!

Analyse: C'mon, Candy Queen! Before I even looked at your text description, the two influences I thought of were club kid looks and Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, so you hit the nail on the head with those! Is there a lot going on makeup-wise here? No, but I'm not mad at that. I think you took the critiques from the homework and applied them where applicable, but then made sure that the unconventional challenge and your creative vision still really shined through in the submission. I wish there maybe wasn't as much white space along the jaw line and on the nose, but I appreciate how meticulously you've played with the balance of the candies and negative space. Great submission, and I hope you keep this up, because I've definitely got a sweet tooth!

Letha: Ophelia, this is honestly such a cool look. First let me say your base has really improved from your homework, so whatever you did it seems to be working. Now as for this club kid candy Ziggy Pixiedust fantasy, I'm really feeling it. It's cool, it's colorful yet stark with the white makeup, and it's fun. I wish certain areas, mainly the lips and the eye with the rainbow sprinkles, had a more defined shape, as they're a bit blobby at the moment. The lashes could also be trained up more. That means getting the base/band of the lash close to your real lashes, then tilting/leaning the lashes up so they don't droop down. It makes the eyes look more awake and makes your lashes really pop! I also think maybe a stripe of candy contour/blush on the cheek that's bare could have been cool to add some interest, but that's just my personal opinion. Also I see the glasses divots in your nose makeup, so be sure to touch those up with powder before photos! All in all I can see a LOT of improvement from your first paints, so keep up this momentum, you're doing great!

Shillelagh

So I know this look isn't very good. My initial plan ended up being overwhelming and I got scared and I cried and I almost quit, and this isn't the first time this has happened with drag. And this isn't me begging for a good grade because, while I appreciate everything you all give me, I take critiques and I use them to grow. I'm trying new things, and I tried some paper and some paint. Did it go well? Absolutely not. I look a hot booboo mess. But I'm okay with that. This is the most fun I have ever had putting together a look, and for that, I thank you, judges. I am going to work my ass off to improve in the coming weeks, because makeup week was the week I was most afraid of, and it got the best of me. It won't next time.

Analyse: Hi, Shillelagh! There isn't really anything makeup-wise to critique here, so instead, welcome to Analyse's Tip and Tricks for Success in Charm School: Shillelagh's Critiques Edition! I know it can be so hard to bounce back when something doesn't go as planned. A huge way to prevent falling into the realm of "oh, shit. what now?" is to have backup plans. I mean, almost every assignment in Charm School and challenge in Cycle Nine, the panel would get multiple ideas from me and I'd say "hey, I have these three ideas, I really like these two, and I'm leaning this way. Thoughts?" Do that. Talk to your panel. I promise you're not bugging any of us by asking for advice or help in the planning process. The fact that I didn't know there was a problem with your Plan A until you submitted worries me a little bit, because I don't know that you're using all of the resources we're offering you. All that being said, I'm super glad you got *something* in, because picking yourself up and dusting yourself off speaks a lot to your character as a queen. I want to see you go all out in these coming weeks. We saw a lot of potential in you when we cast you, and I just want to make sure you see that same potential.

Letha: Well, Shillelagh, there isn't too much to say that you didn't say in your description, but I'm proud of you for submitting this week and getting over your fears. I hope you take that energy and apply it to the following weeks to better improve. As for this look, there isn't a whole lot to critique as there isn't so much makeup as it is a mask. The colors are fun but the shapes are sloppy and ill defined, and would not be practical for a look to go out in, as you have to have both eyes closed. That being said, I'm glad you are still here and still want to improve, and know that all your deans/sisters are here for you should you need anything.