#wanted to do updated designs for junior year!!!

[s0ftpining]

𝔱𝔞𝔨𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯, 𝔱𝔢𝔢𝔫𝔞𝔤𝔢 𝔯𝔢𝔟𝔢𝔩𝔩𝔦𝔬𝔫! 🎸⚡

[hiveworks]

Interview with Mad Rupert, author of Sakana

September 2023

Sakana, the story of life and love in a fish market, is coming back from its hiatus soon! The strip comic style webcomic began in 2010 and follows Jiro, Taisei, Yuudai, and Chie as they navigate their relationships and learn to face their feelings. We asked creator Mad Rupert, author of Robber Robert and artist of Bunt!, for an interview to celebrate the series return.

Read Sakana | Shop books & merch | Read more Hiveworks comics

Sakana has been your baby for 13 years. What has the webcomic journey been like for you over the past decade?

It really has been over a decade, hasn’t it! There have certainly been ups and downs, periods where I was updating as much as I could, and also long hiatuses. I feel like webcomics have always been an amazing space to practice my craft and stretch my writing and drawing skills alike. You can kind of do anything you like with webcomics, and oftentimes people come up with wackier, and imho more interesting concepts than if they were beholden to a large publisher. Not that I haven’t made my fair share of traditionally-published comics and graphic novels… but there’s just something so gratifying about coming up with your own wild story and working towards its end on your own time. Webcomics are incredibly tough and time consuming, but also the ultimate form of self expression. 

What is the origin of Sakana? What made you want to tell this story?

Sakana actually started as a class project when I was a junior at the Savannah College of Art and Design. I had been accepted into the Sequential Art department’s yearly Japan trip to study comics and cartooning in Tokyo for a few weeks, and our final project was to create 11 comic strips based off of something that made a strong impact on us during the trip. We had visited the old inner market (now demolished) of the Tsukiji Fish Market at 4am one morning, and it was the most incredible place I’d ever been, so I decided to craft a short story that took place in the market. Beyond the first 11 strips, I decided to continue the story for as long as I could as a way to practice the comic techniques I was learning in class. That was over a decade and 600 strips ago! It really has become the most ambitious project I’ve ever undertaken.

Do you have the ending already written? Do you see a conclusion in sight?

Yes! I’ve always had something at least resembling an end in mind throughout most of the comic’s lifespan. For a long-format comic like SAKANA, I think it’s very important to have a rough ending planned out as early as possible, otherwise it becomes difficult to keep the narrative moving in a satisfying direction, drop little tidbits of plot that will pay off later, or even maintain your enthusiasm for the project. To be clear, the details of Sakana's “end” have changed many times, which is only natural with a very long project like this. But I’ve always kept crucial details the same: basically certain characters in a certain place at a certain time doing certain things (to keep from getting too spoilery haha.) HOW they get there, WHY they’re there, and WHAT exactly they’re doing will ebb and flow as the years go by and I myself get older and older. But having a general sense of the end in mind has kept things moving all this time. The story’s got one more volume to go, and then I’ll be done!

Your hiatus is a result of working on a traditionally published graphic novel, coming in 2024. Is there anything you can tell us about your book?

My new graphic novel is called Bunt! and it’s a collaborative effort between myself and my dear pal, Ngozi Ukazu (author of popular webcomic Check, Please!) Ngozi wrote the book and I drew it, and we’re both really proud of what we’ve made! It’s already available for preorder all over the place and it will officially be out in stores in February 2024. We’re really looking forward to getting out there this fall and winter and spreading the word about it!

You recently successfully completed a Kickstarter for an 18+ comic, Robber Robert, as well. What is it like balancing these different narratives, genres, and mediums of publishing comics?

It’s definitely been a struggle at times to balance everything, and I definitely don’t recommend working on 3 giant projects at the same time! I finally had to admit that I couldn’t do it all at once, which led to me putting Sakana and RR on hiatus to finish Bunt!, and then keeping Sakana on hiatus while I finished up RR. I really burned myself out on comics for a while, and it’s been a huge struggle to get myself back to a good place with my work. Finishing Bunt! and RR Chapter 1 has really helped reenergize me, but I can always feel myself trying to overload my work schedule again and again. It’s my greatest weakness as a professional artist.

What keeps you inspired?

Making something for myself, practicing my craft, and putting my own stories out there are all huge driving forces in my life. Learning to stop overwhelming myself with work has also helped a lot. Looking back on all the art I’ve made and all the different things I’ve tried makes me feel like I can do anything I put my mind to, so long as I give myself the time and space to enjoy the process.

Do you have any webcomic or graphic novel recommendations?

I’m a big fan of anything fantasy or sci-fi, especially if the narrative approaches the fantastical elements in a weird, unique, and kind of gay way haha. My favorite manga is currently Delicious in Dungeon, but I’m also a fan of historical series like Golden Kamuy and Bride’s Story. For webcomics, I love anything by Evan Dahm, like his long-format series Rice Boy and Vattu. As for Hiveworks comics, there’s too many to list individually but my current favorites are Fairmeadow by KP, and Tiger, Tiger by Petra Nordlund. 

Any advice for new readers of Sakana?

I would say…despite its high page count, it’s not that long of a read! The strip format keeps it moving at a pretty quick clip when read all at once (but it certainly didn’t feel like that over the last 13 years updating one page at a time!) I know that the format and the black and white rendering might feel a little dated in the current era of Webtoons and full-color stories, but I’m too stubborn to change now, and I really appreciate anybody giving it a shot! Also, no matter who you are, or how much you dislike him in the beginning, Yuudai will probably be your favorite character.

You can read Sakana for free at sakana-comic.com and print books are available at hivemill.com

[apollosgiftofprophecy]

The Copollogism Essays - Part 1: The Tent Scene

SO. Here we are. I have absolutely ascended to insane over two fictional characters' relationship by this point, and this will merely cement that into place.

I do not know how often I will update this, but rest assured I have it all figured out! I'll update with links below for easy access to the other posts as I analyze our favorite dumpsterfire ship >:3

Believe me when I say I have Thoughts™️

These essays will detail the scenes Apollo & Commodus have shared, as well as a look into how it affected them and we'll also take a look into where it stands in the toxic relationship territory (The answer may surprise you. Or not. I am not quite sure myself at this point in time LMAO).

Additionally, I will be giving my own thoughts on a few things I've noticed within the series. I will refrain from talking about my own personal headcanons and focus on what we're given in the books, as well as any and all historical facts from Commodus's life that relate to their lives/relationship.

From The Book: Part 1 (The Tent) ~ Part 2 (The Assassination) ~ Part 3 (Lester's Reaction) ~ Part 4 (Leo's Questions/Seeing Commodus Again) ~ Part 5 (The Arena) ~ Part 6 (The Waystation) ~ Part 7 (The Yacht) ~ Part 8 (The Final Moment)

Analysis: Part 1 (Apollo and Commodus as Individuals) ~ Part 2 (Toxic Relationship?) ~ Part 3 (Codependent - Or Is It?) ~ Part 4 (Other Thoughts)

Let us kick off with the infamous: Tent Scene.

The Tent Scene

All quotations from The Dark Prophecy

Let's break it down.

I could certainly sympathize with his feelings. Marcus Aurelius was the sternest, most powerful father in the world aside from my own father, Zeus. Both loved to lecture. Both loved to remind their offspring how lucky they were, how privileged, how far short they fell of their fathers’ expectations. And of course, both had gorgeous, talented, tragically underappreciated sons.

How their fathers treat them is certainly a focal point of their relationship, with Apollo knowing enough about Commodus's feelings on Marcus Aurelius to be willing to compare it to his own relationship with Zeus (which is...honestly worse than Commodus & Marcus's).

“My father made me his junior co-emperor when I was fifteen, Apollo. It’s stifling. All duty, all the time. Then he married me off to that horrid girl Bruttia Crispina. Who names their child Bruttia?”

We're told that Commodus has been co-emperor since he was 15 - certainly a young age by modern standards, but rather par for the course in Roman times. However, that does not mean the pressure of being co-emperor wouldn't be a lot on 15-18 year old Commodus.

He is a teenager, after all. And he is a teenager that is rather abhorred to responsibility.

I didn’t mean to laugh at the expense of his distant wife…but part of me was pleased when he talked badly about her. I wanted all his attention for myself.

Oh, Apollo sweetie...you have issues too XD

Wanting to keep your lover's attention to yourself? Yeah, sorry Apollo, but that's not a good sign. This just goes to show that they are both toxic influences, and they brought out the worst in each other.

“I’ll make peace with the barbarians,” he said immediately. “Then we’ll go home and celebrate with games. The best games, all the time. I’ll gather the most exotic animals in the world. I’ll fight them personally in the Colosseum—tigers, elephants, ostriches.” I laughed at that. “Ostriches? Have you ever even seen an ostrich?” “Oh, yes.” He got a wistful look in his eyes. “Amazing creatures. If you trained them to fight, perhaps designed some sort of armor for them, they would be incredible.” “You’re a handsome idiot.” I threw another grape, which bounced off his forehead. A brief flash of anger washed over his face.

Leaving this here for future reference but we WILL be coming back to it!!!! In a future post!!!!

I knew my sweet Commodus could have an ugly temper. He was a little too fond of slaughter. But what did I care? I was a god. I could speak to him in ways no one else dared.

Apollo is the ONE PERSON who is able to challenge Commodus. And from the previous passage, we can infer Commodus is not used to it, even though he is well aware Apollo is the one with all the power in this relationship - although, he sure does like forgetting about that detail a lot lmao

Commodus looked at me, panic in his eyes. “Go,” I said, as calmly as I could, forcing down my misgivings. “You will always have my blessings. You will do fine.”

A sweet thing I find in this section is; 1) Commodus looks to Apollo for comfort, for some sort of it will be fine; and 2) that Apollo is encouraging despite his misgivings. Apollo is aware what kind of leader Commodus could be. He knows there is a high chance of his lover becoming a worse version of himself.

In fact, he even admits it;

But I already suspected what would happen: the young man I knew and loved was about to be consumed by the emperor he would become.

But he tries to go the you have my support, you have my love route. Romantic, but ultimately, it's not enough to keep Commodus from the path he goes down.

into the mouth of the wolf, Apollo says. Because this is the last time he truly sees the man he loved.

The next time they meet? It will be a crazed, paranoid tyrant he has to end - and in doing so, breaks the promise he once made.

He rose and kissed me one last time. His breath smelled of grapes. Then he left the tent—walking, as the Romans would say, into the mouth of the wolf.

This whole, entire scene? It's drenched in a tragic aura. It starts out light and teasing, but it ends with this.

This is their final kiss. This is the final time they get to see each other without the barrier of betrayal between them.

And that, is truly heartbreaking.

[justaturtleindisguise]

It's been almost a year but-

THIS ARTIST IS WORKING ON HIS TMNT AU AGAIN AND HAS CONCEPTS TO SHOW !!

Hello people, I know it's been a century but sadly having a full time job as a high schooler makes one burn out asf !!! Happily for me, and for the like 2 people who still remember my sillies, my poor little beaten up brain started thinking about my silly turtles again !!

SOME MUTANT KIDS !!!

Raphael for size comparison <3

Slash's design was alread finished in my last post, and honestly he's my favorite. I love his colors n the general vibe he gives and I think I peaked. He's a aligator snapper turtle, and was previously an animal.

Mona and Wade were a little harder for me, the colors still looking a little wrong in my eyes, so I'll maybe try new ones when I can !! But they will be suficient for now-

Mona Lisa is a marine iguana, and was previously human.

Wade is a green sea-turtle and was previously an animal.

Also have an extra doodle of the world's biggest emotionally unavailable teenager asshole /aff

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOW SOME HUMANS !!! FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THIS AU-

Our dearly April O'neil and one of the Caseys <3

Still clothe-less for anatomy reasons (and cuz i suck at designing clothes-)

April is 17 and Casey is 14 !!

My AU will have two Caseys for reasons of-

I love sapphic Capril to death, but I love Casey from 2012 and Junior too much to let them go, so why not have TWO CASEYS??? It's my silly au, I make the rules !!

For humans, besides April n the Two Caseys, I have Sunita, Timothy, Karai, Shinigami and Irma with designs swimming in my silly ol' mind.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note: I do want to use my entire brain in the au now, but I have to be realistic.

The full time job and end of high school really do make me too mentaly and physically tired to work on it as much as i want.

I'll be working on everything at my own pace, will probably be able to do updates on my silly arts twice or so per month, if I manage to wrestle my want to sleep the whole weekend-

I think that's all !!!

I'll try my best to not abandon my turtles and their world for so long again,, <333333

Now I shall sleep, cuz it's almost 1 AM and i have school in the morning ooops-

[venic-bxtch]

·˚ ◌༘͙ Off to the Races! ˊ

•Chapter 1•

WC: 2862

TW: age gap(Rafe is in his 40s, reader is in their early twenties but is 19 or twenty in this chapter), cussing, L-bomb, death, and underage drinking

Some people are more equal than others.

This was just the case for you. You were the average girl from The Cut, impoverished and frugal. But you had it all, good grades, a pretty face that even the Kook girls were jealous of, an amazing singing voice which you displayed at country club talent shows you’d snuck into with Lottie, and you had the best friends ever —Nora and Lottie, Mr. Thorton’s daughters— and on occasion when he chooses to be nice, Kayden Thorton. The Thorton’s were the only Kook family that even let you near their children. You’d met them after you got a scholarship to Outer Banks Academy, a private high school. The academy required any students applying there to take an exam and write an essay on why they wanted to go there. That policy was for non-Kooks only, Kooks got in for free as long as their parents were rich enough. Another thing that boosted your chances was the fact your mother had been a house-keeper around Figure 8; even though she was from the Cut, everyone seemed to love her. You didn’t understand it. The first day at the Academy you were by yourself, but by the second day, the Thorton girls were buzzing around you. Next thing you know, you’re at sleepovers and parties with them, they let you borrow their clothes and they’re taking you on vacations with them. They never seemed to care that you weren’t like them. They’d been with you for the most tragic parts of your life, like when you were in your Junior year of High School and your parents were lost in a tropical storm. They’d gone for one of their monthly boat picnics, then the storm hit. The girls didn’t leave your side as you asked for updates from the Coat Guards. The Thorton’s let you stay for a few weeks after the event.Ever since OBX Academy, you were like their sister. Tonight, you were getting ready for the Outer Banks Annual Gala hosted by Mr. Cameron —who happened to be Mr. Thorton’s best friend— and whatever woman he paraded on his arm that year. Lottie and Nora were already ready since they wanted to get you all ready so you could make “an unforgettable, beautiful imprint on Kook society” as Lottie put it.

She was throwing out a plethora of her designer dresses from her walk-in closet. “Okay, Y/N, this is the night!” she huffed, picking them up from the floor and laying them out on her bed. “I need you to choose what dress you’d like, then we’ll do your makeup and hair!”

Nora interjected, “Don’t forget about shoes!”

“Yes! Shoes!” Lottie ran back into the closet.

You sighed, starstruck. “There’s so many options.” You ran your finger over each dress, studying them. You took a full stop on a pink dress with a floral design on it. You held it up and showed Nora, who was planning your makeup look. “What do you think?”

She looked up, her mouth agape. “Yes! Yes! Yes!” She scurried up to you. “This is perfect!! I need to get you my Vivienne Westwood jewelry set to match!!” She hurried out of the room, then peaked back in. “I’ll be right back!” Then she walked back out. You couldn’t help but giggle at her reaction. You went behind Lottie’s changing screen and changed into the dress. You the. admired yourself in the mirror. The only person who you wanted to impress was Mr. Cameron, knowing him meant connections. Connections for you to become a successful popstar. Plus, He liked his women in pink.Lottie walked in with the heels and squealed after seeing how you looked in the dress. “Perfect! Yes!” She handed you the shoes and you sat on her vanity chair to put them on. “I assumed right,” she said, smiling big.

You giggled. “Y’all are the best, seriously.” Nora ran back in with the jewelry, which she helped you put on, and then they got started on your hair and makeup. After about 40 minutes, Kayden, who was your “date”, was banging on Lottie’s door.

“Hurry it up! We’ve got 20 minutes to get there! The beer’s probably out!” he yelled.

“Shut up!” you all said in unison.

You walked into Tannyhill with such confidence. You felt all eyes on you with every step you took.

Kayden whispered in your ear, “Oh wow, I never thought anyone’d look at you like this.” He subtly pointed at a few guys who licked their lips and scanned your body over. Kayden chuckled. “I don’t blame ‘em, you look good.” You gasped. “Kayden Tyler Thorton, giving a compliment? Unheard of!” You giggle.

He walked you guys through the house and to the backyard, to a table where the sisters and their dates were.

He smiled. “But seriously, you look really pretty.” He discreetly pulled out a flask from his suit jacket and handed it to you. “It’s the good stuff.”

You raised an eyebrow. “You’re 21, you don’t need to be sneaking around liquor.”

He nodded. “But you aren’t.”

“So?”

“This is Kook land, Y/N. Particularly a gala-” He was interrupted.

“Well, Well, Well! If it isn’t the little singer!” A deep voice boomed throughout the yard. Everyone around the table looked in the direction of the noise.

Rafe Cameron. Just who you wanted to see tonight. You fixed your hair a bit, and smoothed you dress out, making sure you looked your best for him. Then you paused. Why did you care so much what he thought?

He continued, “Y/N, right?”

You nodded swiftly.

He chuckled. “You and Lottie used to sneak into the talent shows at the country club during y’alls senior year. Y/N, your voice was phenomenal.”

Hearing your name come out of his mouth made you shiver. You found yourself studying him for a few seconds before responding again.

You smiled shyly. “Thank you, Mr. Cameron.” Kayden put his arm around your shoulder, as if to clarify who you were to him.

Rafe sighed and took a sip of his Hennessy. “Y’know, I was hoping the girls would drag you here. The singer we booked got a bad cold.” He paused and took another sip. “I was thinking maybe you could sing.” He smiled. “What’d you say to that?”

Suddenly, everyone at the table trained their eyes on you, waiting for your answer. This it it. An entrance into your big break. Connections. Fame. Money.

“I’ll do it!” You nodded quickly, sneaking the flask back into Kayden’s lap.

Rafe took your hand and walked you to the gazebo. He tapped on the microphone, still holding your hand. “Welcome Everyone to The Annual Outer Banks Charity Gala!” He paused for the loud applause that followed after.

“Thank you to all the sponsors. All that’s donated goes to bettering the community.” He paused again for applause. “As every year, we always have a special entertainer. But unfortunately, our planned entertainer got sick. But thank goodness for the wonderful talent right here!” He motioned his free hand to you. “Introducing, Miss Y/N L/N!”

He leaned in and spoke into your ear, “Come find me after, I wanna talk to you.” He smirked, and stepped off the stage and the applause began.

All you could think of was what Rafe wanted to talk to you about. You looked into the crowd and saw Rafe spectating from the second floor balcony.

The instrumental of ‘Be my Baby’ by the Ronettes began. Luckily, you knew all the words by heart. Your angelic voice floated through the crisp night air.

You ended the song and smiled before walking off the stage, not even taking the time to bask in the applause. You walked into the house and hurried upstairs, confused. You didn’t know what room he was in. You closed your eyes, sighing.

“Right here, Darlin’.” You felt a familiar hand on your back. You whipped your head around to face Rafe.

“You were looking f’me right?” He’d taken his suit jacket off. His dress shirt hugged his body perfectly, outlining his biceps.

You nodded. “You told me to come find you.”

He smirked. “I like people who listen, good girl.” You felt a shiver run down your spine at that. He took your hand. “I wanna talk to you in my office.” You nodded, not saying a word, and followed behind him.

He closed his office door behind you. The room had dark wood shelves filled with books, a drink cart, a few maps on the walls, pictures, and a table with a computer. Rafe pulled out a chair for you before walking to the drink cart.

“What do you drink, Darlin’?” He rolled his sleeves up and grabbed a glass.

“Oh, I don’t drink, still twenty!”

He chuckled. “Don’t lie to me Darlin’. I remember that party. You didn’t care about underage drinking then, huh?”

You looked in your lap, your face burning. “Oh, you remember?”

He poured you a simple Rosé. He handed you the drink before squatting down next to you. He put his hand on your chin, bringing up your face. “There’s nothin’ to be shy about. It’s happened to me before, sweet thing.”

He got back up. “Well, I brought you here cause I wanted to discuss a potential Career. You’ve considered being a singer, right?”

You nodded. “Yeah, but I don’t know where to start.”

“That’s where I come in. I’ve got connections in the industry. Before the blink of an eye you’d be with the big shots.”

You finally took a sip of the wine, savoring the taste you had missed.

“Y’know, you’re also marketable. Pretty, a real talent, and kind. A real people’s princess.” It sounded like he was daydreaming.

The offer was painfully tempting. You’d be where you’d wanted to be with no struggle. Like Rafe said, you were pretty and had talent. What was stopping you from accepting?

“What’s going on up in that pretty head of yours?” He poured more wine in your cup. You looked down to see that your cup was empty. You had absentmindedly been drinking it while you were thinking.

“I’d hate to be an inconvenience. You’ve got so much going on, Mr. Cameron. You’re a Businessman.”

He shook his head. “I have all the time for you.” He beckoned you to stand up, putting your cup down. “I’ll be by your side the whole time.”

“You promise?” You absentmindedly gave him puppy eyes that made him melt, not even realizing it.

“I promise.” He held your hands in his, making you gulp in shock and excitement, freezing for a second. “Anywhere you need to be, I’ll be there. Anything you need, I’ll get it. Anything you want, I’ll give it to you.”

You nodded. “Fine. I’ll do it!”

He hugged you and spun you around. “You’re not gonna regret this, I’ll make you go far.” He kissed you cheek and put you back down. You gave him a shy smile.

He patted your shoulder. “Let’s get back to the party, I’ll find ya soon to sign paperwork.”

You nodded. “Okay.” He opened the door, letting you go first and following after you. You skipped down the stairs, feeling elated about the offer. You parted ways as you walked back out to the yard and Kayden was the first to greet you.

“Y/N, you did amazing!” He hugged you.

You smiled. “Thank you, I was kinda nervous since I was put on the spot.”

“Well, you kept your cool.”

You both stood in silence for a while.

“Hey, uhm. Do you wanna get outta here? I mean, my sisters are occupied with their boyfriends. We can go to the yacht now.” He ran his fingers through his hair.

“Shouldn’t we let them know?”

“You can text ‘em later.” He put his hand on your lower back. “It’ll be our own party.” He smiled.

You smiled back. “Finee.”

He drove back to the Thorton Residence and parked on the driveway. He opened the door for you and led you through the back gate to the little dock.

He got onto the yacht and held out a hand for you. “Watch your step, Princess.”

You rolled your eyes and took his hand, stepping into the boat. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You look like one.” He winked.

You pushed him playfully. “Alright, quit it.”

You sat down on one of the couches in the yacht’s living room. “What’d you wanna say to me?”

He got two Budlights from the fridge, tossed one to you, and opened his own. “I’m just gonna be straight up, Y/N.”

You nodded. “I’m listening…” You took a sip of your beer.

“I know what Mr. Cameron wants.”

Your heart raced. “What?”

“Y/N, I heard the conversation. I just wanna keep you safe. Regardless of Mr. Cameron being my dad’s best friend, he’s bad news. He’s in bad business.” He sat next to you.

“Kayden. I’m responsible for myself.” You scoffed. “And you shouldn’t eavesdrop on people.” You stood up walking towards the door, slamming your beer on the coffee table.

“Y/N! Come on! I’m just trying to keep you safe! People don’t respect Mr. Cameron-“ He sighed. “They’re afraid of what he’ll do to them. He’s not afraid to get blood on his hands. You remember the Officer Peterkin case?”

You nodded. “What does he have to do with it?” You crossed your arms.

“Rafe did it.” He deadpanned.

“How would you know that’s true?” You shook you head, refusing to believe it.

“My Dad’s ex saw it with her own eyes. Sarah Cameron, she saw it.” He walked up to you, putting his hands on your shoulders. “Y/N. Just believe me.”

You bit the inside of your cheek. “I don’t wanna talk about this.”

“Fine.” He closed his eyes. “Y/N, I fucking love you.”

“I-“ you shrugged his hands off your shoulders. “Kay, what the hell?”

Kayden opened his eyes. “Anytime I think of you. I-,” he paced the room, frantically running his fingers through his hair. “-I can’t think straight anymore. Anytime I hear you voice, whether you’re singing or not, I can’t get you out of my head,” his voice became more erratic. “I see you, and you’re all I can think about. You’re nice. You’re beautiful. You’re everything a guy could ask for.” He stopped, his back facing you.

“Why now?”

“I’ve been fighting this off for years, Y/N! Fuck! Even Lottie and Nora know!” He turned back to you, rolling up his sleeve and pointing at a bracelet on his hand. You’d made it for him during Junior Year when he didn’t have a Valentine that year. He inched closer to you. “You remember this?”

“Yeah…,” you looked at the ground. Of course you remembered. That was the same year you considered having feelings for him, but he was different. He wasn’t as nice as now. He never looked your way then, so you gave it up.

“That’s when it started. I could never look at you the same. You kept me awake at night.”

You shook your head. “No, Kay. No.”

“What?” He paused, looking at you.

“Don’t ruin what we have…” Your throat began tightening and your eyes were burning.

He sighed. “That’s impossible for me!”

“Just stop!” The tears started. “Not now! Why now? I have aspirations! I don’t need love right now!” You huffed, balling your hands into fists at your sides. “You wanna go to Law School. I wanna be a singer. You’ve been a Kook all your life. I’m just a girl from The Cut whose parents died.”

“So? I still love you!”

“I’d be a fucking social climber! I’d be a fucking gold digger!”

“No, you wouldn’t!”

“That’s what they’d all say! Even your own parents!” You opened the door and slammed it behind you, hurrying off the boat. You took your heels off and ran out of the yard.

You collided into what felt like a firm wall, bumping into Rafe.

“Whoa, Y/N. What’s wrong, Darlin’?” Rafe wrapped you in his arms. It was as if he knew what you needed, not even asking you for permission just as if you two were close already.

“Nothing” you sobbed out into his shirt, wrapping your arms around his torso.

“Sh, Sh, Sh. ‘S okay. Whatever it is, ‘S okay.” He kissed the top of your head. “You wanna come back to my house?” You nodded into his chest.

“The party’s over. Your friends are on their way home. You sure you don’t wanna stay there?” he asked.

“I can’t go back. I’ll text them tomorrow. I can’t see him.” You wiped your eyes.

“Alright, I understand. Dinners waitin’ for ya”. He picked you up and you wrapped your legs around his torso. He lifted you like you weighed as much as a swan’s feather. He opened the passenger seat door of his Cadillac. You buckled your seat belt and he began driving back to Tannyhill.

A/N: TYSMMM TO @strawberries-and-lots-of-kisses FOR EDITING THISSS

Taglist: @blackynsupremacy @rcameronsprincess @vogueprincess @rafestify

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[theygotlost]

ohhhhhh my god guys I gotta give you an update but i need to explain my entire job history for the past year first cause its a little confusing uh.

so feb-may I did this internship at this real estate digital marketing firm and I was just making social media graphics there. just instagram stories and shit. and it was boring as hell but I needed to find a job cause I was graduating, and I was hoping they would hire me but they didnt have the space for a new full time employee at the time so... that was a bust.

in june and july I was applying to jobs foreverrrrr and getting nowhere so I said fuck it i need SOMETHING to hold me over, so I started working in the print department at staples as you are all well aware. at least it would be relevant enough to put on my resume cause I do want to make print graphics right? so its something.

then like 6 weeks ago my manager from the internship reached out to me and said she wanted to take me back part time after all. so for the past month and a half I've been working 2 part time jobs, one at staples and one at this marketing office doing the exact same fuckass ig stories as before. i wont lie its been exhausting and unsustainable so I was still applying for other full time design jobs cause I had no idea how long I could keep this up.

about 3 weeks ago I got an interview for one of those jobs I applied for and they explained that they were actually looking for a senior designer which obviously im not qualified for, but they liked my portfolio enough that they wanted to consider CREATING a junior designer role for me which was CRAZYYY to hear... it's a hawaiian bbq restaurant chain and I'm definitely wayyy more interested in designing for food and beverage stuff than real estate, plus a few other aspects about the job sounded really appealing to me and the interview went great so I was really hoping to get that job. but then I didn't hear back and Im so desensitized to getting ghosted after interviews i stopped getting my hopes up a long time ago.

a week and a half ago management at my real estate job told me that they were finally ready to bring me on full time, and since it didnt seem like I had any other prospects I wasnt really in a position to turn it down, so I immediately accepted and put in my 2 weeks at staples. this saturday will hopefully be the last day i ever have to work retail forever. I didnt make any announcement here when I found out because its honestly been making me depressed thinking about doing nothing but making fuckass instagram stories for ugly real estate companies 40 hours a week and people congratulating me on it would just make me more depressed. I wasn't supposed to start full time there until the monday after thanksgiving so ive still been doing my double part time grind.

but then......

whats that....???

THE HAWAIIAN BBQ RESTAURANT ENTERS WITH THE STEEL CHAIR!!!!

after weeks of no response the hr guy finally gave me a call just now to tell me I GOT THE JOB?!??! i genuinely honestly did not think they were gonna give me an offer and was just gonna move on with my life 😭 so now im gonna have to walk into my office tomorrow morning and say SIKE!!! and theyre all gonna be so mad at meeeee but this is genuinely such a better position for me I didnt think this was gonna happen for another year at least....

tldr I thought i was gonna be stuck with a job i dont like but I ended up getting the job I want!!!!!!!!

[suzdotranslation]

[Interview TL] 4Gamer’s Weekly VTuber Files #29 - Minase Rio

Source

Name: Minase Rio Company: Holostars (UPROAR!!) Streaming platform: YouTube SNS: X (Twitter) Hashtags: Live #燐央顕現中 / Fanart #燐央絵 / Clips #お試し燐央 Character/Model designer: KEKI Debut Date: March 30th, 2022 Birthday Date: July 26th Height: 170cm Introduction: "You can see me too? This place is quite lively and fun, it's where I truly belong." A ghost who previously died carrying his determination to be an idol. Since then, he has spent the days lingering around, but Fuma's invitation made him walk toward the path of an idol once more. He doesn't like scary things and ghosts beside himself.

10 QUESTIONS FOR VTUBERS

Q01. Tell us your main (streaming) content! I mainly do singing and gaming streams! For singing, a lot of the songs I picked are pretty uncommon for male singers because they often use high-pitched tones! As for gaming stream, when I was still alive I grew up in a household that rarely gives me the opportunity to play games, so now I'm using all the time I have now to experience different kinds of games! I especially like those that focus on the storyline.

Q02. What was the cue that kickstarted your streaming activity? When I became a ghost out of nowhere, I received an audition invitation from my then-genmate Yatogami Fuma!

Q03. Please recommend us your “newcomer’s friendly” videos or stream archive! If you like singing streams then I recommend you to check out my recent 3D live from February this year "Live Without Limits", and my 3D debut live as well! But if you prefer gaming streams, my short horror-game streams and the currently ongoing (as of the writing of this article) streams for Persona 3 Reload are my recommendation! I like to challenge a lot of things like collabs and stuff I've never tried before for this year, so please look forward to any cover uploads too! There are so many things I want to show to everyone…! (lol)

Q04. Tell us things that you like or something you’re good at! Related to streaming, I love story-focused games a lot! I started my activity with no prior experience in playing games, so I've been enjoying my time starting all these popular titles for the first time. It's easy for me to feel empathetic towards the stories so oftentimes my knowledgeable viewers (who have played the game) have been kindly watching me through with a smile. Outside of streaming activity, I'm good at cooking! Although rather than making a fancy-looking meal, I'm good at cooking something tasty with whatever ingredients I have! (lol)

Q05. Tell us a hobby or content that has piqued your interest lately! Both of these are manga but I just really wanted to introduce these titles to everyone…! The first one is "Kemonokuni/Beast Country"! It's a gut-wrenching series about a human who becomes a slave to a beast, every character is really charming, and it's a really interesting series that makes you ponder about the feelings of both humans and beasts alike. It's updated biweekly every Wednesday so I've been reading it diligently! The second one is "Omae, Tanuki ni Naranee ka?/Would you like to be a Tanuki?"! I first started reading it because I find the Tanuki cute!! But more than that, the characters who appeared in the series are also as lovely, and the stories are mostly very heartwarming. Some stories are pretty light-hearted and short, but other times you'll find some chapters that allude to the next one with apt foreshadowing which makes you interested in the continuation!

Q06. Is there any VTuber around that has caught your attention? Let us know! If I started talking about all of the seniors and juniors from the same company I'm in, I wouldn't have enough time to introduce them all. So I'd like to introduce someone outside of it or rather, someone that I'm not personally involved with yet… To be honest, recently I've been paying attention to Kannagi Tenri-san. I always like watching streams of people with good singing skills, be it from my seniors/juniors, other companies', or even indies. Among that, I found out about Kannagi-san– not only she is an overwhelmingly skillful singer, but she's also capable of conveying the emotion of the songs in such graceful ways in my opinion.

Q07. What are other things you’re paying attention to other than VTubers? Within the music industry it's Yuuri-san, while in voice acting it's Chiba Shouya-san! I've been a fan of Yuuri-san's songs from the start, and I've probably sung his songs a lot in most of my singing streams already. Even after he became a successful artist, there are various projects done over at YouTube including discovering new-gen talents, as a performer there are many things I could learn from him. I've known Chiba-san after knowing he was cast as the protagonist of a certain game. This opinion comes from my amateur self but, I thought of him as someone who’s capable of bringing the character’s emotion alive, making his performance a marvelous one. It’s also thanks to his wonderful performance that I’m able to find many amazing works!

Q08. Is there a recent thing that left a deep impression on you, and is there anything else you’d like to try out? Since I worked mainly while utilizing my voice, I'd like to challenge myself with other things besides singing! Also, I really like tea so I'd like to have a job where I could introduce various tea variants as well as make my own flavored tea.

Q09. What sort of content you’d like to challenge yourself for now? Maybe performing on a live stage outside of my own company, I'd like to sing in various places! For that reason, I also want to make more original songs!

Q10. Tell us your message to the readers! Thank you to everyone who has been reading up on this part!! If anyone here holds an interest in me after reading this article, feel free to drop by my stream! Besides me, there are also many other Hololive Production talents you can see almost everyday! It makes me happy if you were able to find “someone” who could bring out the colors of your life. Even more if that “someone” happens to be me! (lol)

[atomiciva]

Hi hi!! Just so say in advance but for some reason i cant write questionmarks so ive just put them in brackets of where they go lmao. I wanted to shoot you a message and so I hope you dont mind but I was wondering what sort of portfolio you submitted to be able to work on Unicorn Warriors Eternal, I currently am an animator who has been struggling on getting a 2d animation job for a few years now and I was wondering if you would have any advice for someone who feels like they are struggling to get into the industry (Questionmark) Your animation for the show is amazing and I love the little bit of fanart that you made of melinda and edred too!! Once again, sorry if this is a bother but I figured that I would atleast try to ask :)

Heya! No worries at all!

I still feel super lucky honestly and I've only ever been at this one studio so far, so I don't know how helpful this is gonna be but I'll give it my best shot haha

This was my old showreel straight from the end of university which I had on my portfolio site when I applied:

https://youtu.be/42ubnrPGx2Y

I was lucky in the fact that the main thing I enjoyed doing during uni was animation clean-up in TVPaint, aaaand then I saw the job listing looking for... animation clean-up in TVPaint! I'm still not the best at rough animation, but as you can see my reel had lots and lots of clean-up examples, and that was exactly what Studio Zmei was looking for.

So, first tip: Focus your showreel on what you want to get a job for! If you're applying for rough traditional animation, show your roughs vs the final thing, or a clean-up heavy reel like mine if you wanna do clean-up, or a reel just for ToonBoom rigged animation if that's what you're applying for.

Second? Tip? Look for more obscure studios, or ask around your local studios (if you have any) if they offer internships or even junior level jobs? Studios are often really biased towards local people, and I was lucky that Zmei just happened to be situated in my home city. We often get interns not from any listings but just from people showing interest in an email. But I also know that's a bit unusual and a lot of studios are more closed off?? And going back to the more obscure studios part: The more well known a studio is, the more insane the competition to get a spot is, hence why usually it's not so much your portfolio's fault rather than the huge influx of candidates. This is where looking at general animation job listings sites can help a lot, and I even found Zmei's listing here in the first place:

https://animatedjobs.com/

aaand there's one for games too: https://gamejobs.work/

Lots of studios use these and they also have twitter/instagram pages to keep you updated as well. If a job is listed as remote, go for it! A lot of smaller studios that handle outsource animation are often starved for animators. (a lot of those do 2D rigged animation in ToonBoom or Adobe too, so it's def worth making a fresh reel for that if it's up your alley) Following a lot of studios on social media and especially LinkedIn helps too, as some of them post listings there exclusively.

And, third tip - there's no shame in starting small. I constantly get spammed by studios looking for mobile game animators or educational video animators on LinkedIn. Sure not all of those are gonna be worth looking into, but a lot of my friends started off like that. Every little bit of experience counts and builds up your CV. It's really hard to jump straight into being a rough animator, or a designer, or a storyboarder. Even my role of doing clean-up is considered more junior, and we had lots of people who did only coloring and shading too. And the more entry level version of a storyboard artist would be a storyboard revisionist. Everyone starts somewhere!

Other things like putting a direct link or linktree to your portfolio site or showreel easily accessible on all of your social medias could also help, as recruiters often have no time to dig for that stuff. (altho I'll be honest I've only ever been approached once (1) by a local studio on just instagram, so that's a really rare occurrence. still helps to be prepared though!)

I hope this was somewhat helpful haha. Good luck!!!

[pinyeti]

dear tumblr

today I start my first day of junior year of college pt2

not really an insane first but it feels pretty important for some reason let me give you a rundown

I have an art thing due today so I spent all of last night on that THEN AT 4AM I SAW A MUKBANG ON NOODLES and don't ever do this I feel sick I ate noodles very early and I put frozen corn in it except it was very last minute so I doubt it had time to cook properly which is probably why I feel this sick anyway then I DONT FINISH MY ART THING cuz I've never worked with neutral tones before and have no idea how to design it for a wall in 3 hours so I just.... watch Carol and the end of the world for a bit and slowly fall asleep at 4.30am

I have a 9.30 TODAY [CURRENTLY WRITING THIS IN MY TAXI ITS 9:14] SO OBVIOUSLY I wake up at 8:30 unprovoked thank god I had the forethought of having my shirt ironed cuz clothing decisions would have killed me, I contemplate making breakfast for my family [my moms not in the country rn] BUT I REALIZE THE MEALS IVE PREPPED FOR THE WHOLE DAY HAVE BEEN EATEN BY PIG BROTHER so I decide im gonna order them something at lunch time then (ok tmi [actually what part of this ISNT tmi]) I try shaving my girl stache cuz I've had issues in the past but MY STUPIF PINK GIRL RAZOR WONT WORK I DOUBT I CAN DO ANYTHING WITU IT AND ITS SO OVERPRICED FOR NO REASON so I pull out my dads razor (A NEW ONE DW) AND IT WORKS WONDERS WTF AND IM WILLING TO BET MY NEW SQUEAKY CLEAN BABY FACE ON IT BEINF LESS EXPENSIVE anyway then I go keep all my dishes in the kitchen cuz I have a billion in my room you'd think my depressive episodes give birth to them but really it's just me always (woah my taxi guy just dodged a food biker and I felt it in my bones) I steal my little sisters makeup cuz her makeup is pretty cute she's pretty cute i wish I started makeup when I was younger so I'd be a pro now but no I had to be not like other girls UGH. THEn I take my club banner im president just president things and run to a taxi and start updating everyone on tumblr and it kills time till my first class of the day isa301 introduction to database management systems surprise I do information systems and business analytics and I have no idea why

I think some of it is me being extremely insecure about my skills, I love art but a career in it? after seeing my dad struggle following his dreams? yeah no I'd take a cushy job and financial freedom any day

the world wants dreamers to dream when everythings working against them you're sick for that world I hate you but I adore my dad for being a dreamer and I think he's the coolest and he's so supportive my moms so supportive too ofc there are the absolute horrible moments but today I feel like seeing tje world in a good light (I'm expecting pictures of the messy room I left behin)

whys it taking me this long to get to class it's 9.27 and I have the banner to keep in my office so I need to do it quick hmmmm should I be late to nash's class or walk in with a banner snd a sob story I really need this professor to be on my team cuz he grades you based on how much he likes you seriously I didn't realise people like this actually existed okag I might have time to quickly go place the banner it's 9.28 I'm so dumb I didn't check where my class is

[bonetrousled]

VILLAINMOTEL BACKSTORY MASTERPOST idk if i’ll update this if i change anything but here’s everyone’s bullshit. spoilers i guess if it ever becomes anything

the city of NEW NEW JERSEY is the hottest superhero and tech hub in the entire country! housed in the state of the same, most heroes (and villains) who travel here want to make it big, and for the state’s original residents, that’s no exception, either.

one group of self-proclaimed supervillains lives together in the formerly-bustling verbena motel, a bed and breakfast that scrapes by using the New New Jersey Supervillain Education Clause which states that a villain cannot be arrested in an educational building (which the motel technically counts as since it houses a library).

MOTEL RESIDENTS

nurse hurtem: medschool drop out who became an underground boxer. originally started boxing to make money for student loans, but found out she liked it more than becoming a doctor. grew up with absent business-minded parents who tossed her into various schools for troubled youth since she would act out for attention. unofficial leader of the verbena motel villain team! sarcastic, snarky, and quick to anger, but sisterly at heart

trajothaddeus “traj” captio: nepobaby alien crashing here to hide from intergalactic authorities on fraud charges. heir to the throne of a vast scrapping empire (but unwilling to get his hands dirty), he was taught from a young age to let others do the work for him. talks big game about receiving checks from his father, but refuses to reveal that he’s been excommunicated. surprisingly good inventor and engineer! currently running influencer scams despite having three followers. stuck-up, dramatic, and organized

misery: psychic delinquent teen child of famous abstract fashion designer parents. sent to a school for troubled youth after an incident where they exploded a salad bar with their mind at school. has the ability to speak to spirits and manipulate shadows, along with telekinesis. weirdgirl supreme. always staring at people. usually has bugs in pocket. doesn’t talk often or emote outwardly, but their intentions are in the right place. offputting, genuine, and quiet

KEVIN LASTNAME: amnesiac deity of ultimate destruction. during an incident roughly a year ago where a group of teens summoned him on accident and he was attacked out of fear in his fragile, freshly-formed state, he was injured severely and staggered in the night until he came across the motel. knocking on the door and seeking refuge, he was then concussed a second time at the door because hurtem saw a twelve foot tall skeleton thing and was scared. on coming to, he had no idea of any aspect of his past or where he came from. scared of modern technology. too strong for his own good, resulting in being the muscle of the team. incredibly loud, blunt, and frankly stupid as rocks, but he tries his best. powers include whatever i think is funny

the lobotomizer: co-founder of the motel with her mafioso wife, betty bundtcake. used to date big tech mogul franka richter, but was murdered by her after seeing something she shouldn’t have. she qaunlived out of sheer spite, piecing herself together until she was whole again- at the price of her sanity. she and her wife made the motel out of necessity for those needing a little help hiding from the law (or anyone really) or just a place to stay. means well and cares for those she loves, but can be (always is) unethical in her studies and experiments. good-natured, humorous, and slightly off-kilter. has a zombie wiener-ish dog named frankie.

NNJ JUNOR HERO LEAGUE

secret admirer: a programming and engineering whiz, along with having healing powers and enhanced speed, she's a shoe in for the NNJ junior hero league. cares deeply about her teammates and hopes they're able to stick together once they all graduate into the big league. caring, passionate, but tends to be too modest for her own good

high roller: has the power of supernaturally high luck. originally put this to use at the big casino in the city, but was caught and recruited to the junior league as an alternative to legal punishment. found out she likes the attention from hero work more than the pay (which is still rather decent) and has been on the right side of the law ever since. a little bit of a show off, good-spirited, and witty

screwloose: former quantum physicist permanently altered after an experiment gone wrong. now abides by toon logic and physics and has gone completely insane. loose cannon of the group, forcibly entered into the league by the hero council of the city due to the potential danger they could put the city in with their powers. they only stay because it's entertaining. unpredictable, snarky, and irresponsible

phenomenon: also entered the league willingly. general generic superstrength type hero, though he's got a huge heart, for better or for worse. along with this he's not the sharpest tool in the shed, but he always lifts all of his teammates up and to victory! kind, sensitive, loyal, and a little oblivious

adam "the intern" subtract: who is this guy?? whatever. he can make more or less of certain objects. kind of sucks ngl

MISC. CHARACTERS

wilbur "riff" captio: older brother to traj. got the short end of the stick nepotism-wise and received poor treatment on the job and all through life in general. his father tested a workplace-boosting energy drink on him that left him permanently scarred and prone to transforming into a giant beast, so he packed his shit and left. was hunted by traj for years on a mission from their father to drag him back to work, but has managed to evade capture since traj was exiled. currently working as a con-man selling bullshit outside of casinos and in those little kiosks in the middle of mall aisles

megabyte: vampire computer virus supervillain, and 1/6 of the NNJ Official Villain Council (which is not legally recognized by the government). feeds by draining electricity and data from machinery, and can infect other mechanical beings or devices to sap energy for her for limited periods of time. has a little lightbulb themed cronie named wattson. incredibly cheesy, snooty, and not actually that evil

franka richter: born without powers, she had to scrape to the top through will alone, all while battling the unexpected heart failure of her young adult love, laura albrecht. current founder and CEO of PHYSM, a company that makes basically everything in the area and sponsors the hero league- though they're most famous for smartphones and home assistants a la google. known publicly as a major philanthropist and community pillar, though that couldn't be farther from the truth. retired heroes keep going missing or being found dead. nobody is investigating. everything is fine.

[neyomiyi]

Say Yes

After 3 years of being broken-hearted, Necia hasn't moved on to what happened about their relationship. She has been begging her ex to come back to her life as she cannot live without him. 

She did everything to forget him. Literally everything. 

If you would ask her if she did;

Actions? Lectures? Books? Self-helps? Therapy? Done. 

Exercising? Advocating? Volunterring? Charities? Excelled. 

Off-roading? Mountaineering? Skydiving? Cavediving? Accomplished. 

Prayers? Scientific Potions? Rituals? Witch and Crafts? Finished. 

She did everything. But still… nothing. 

No progress, no changes. She is still stuck in that state. 

But there is a day where the heavens are so tired of you asking and whining about the shit you wanted that they gave you a chance to change what you did in the past. 

No potions, no scientific NASA shit, no prayers, just really the fucking universe giving you the upperhand to control and fix your decisions in life. 

“Do you really want to change your fate?” Necia’s voice echoes in her own mind. 

She nodded. “Yes.” 

So she slept with her soul departing from her body. And light flashes in her eyes as vague memories of her suffering in the past three years pass through her mind. 

As she opened her eyes, she saw the designs of her wall three years ago, she saw her books that are placed in chaos, with her old junior high school uniform, the calendar she has a schedule, the walls that had her and his ex’s pictures, and the diary she updates everyday as her life progresses. 

She looked at the calendar, it says 2019. She looked for her phone, and it was her old phone, it says 2019. The baby in her neighborhood is still in the mother’s belly, it is 2019! 

“I’m fifteen again!” she shouted. 

Ah, yes. She felt it again. 

The high school love. The young love. Her first love. 

A little context on what happened and why they broke up. 

Her ex boyfriend felt that he was never her top priority in life. She admits that she is busy with her academics and she always has a tight schedule for everything in her life but she thinks she managed to give all the attention and love her ex needed. 

But the action of her ex says otherwise, he left. 

It was not enough. All that she gave to him wasn’t enough. 

So, she looked at the date and it was the day that they broke up. 

And she is not dumb enough to remember what happened that time, until now she remembers it all too well. 

Today, he decided to break up with her and she just accepted it but three years after that she is regretting her decision. 

The thing is they weren’t even in a relationship, they were in a “situantionship.” Her ex was courting her but she also likes his ex, they were reciprocating love. 

She considered him as a boyfriend already because the courtship was just a formality they were showing to her family. 

On the 9th day of December 2019, they broke up in the busy streets near their school. She asks why and all the questions she can think of to hinder them being torn apart but they end up just breaking up. She didn’t cry while walking home but she did cry in her bedroom. 

She did everything to stop it aside from one. 

And it’s saying “yes” to him.

Say “yes” to be in a relationship with him so he won’t leave.  

And so, she led the fate of what she wanted to happen. That day, where they were supposed to break up, she said “yes” to him. 

And everything changed. 

He is not mad at her and they dated to celebrate their official relationship. 

Everything in her memory has now changed as she got what she wanted. Everything that made her suffer is not happening anytime soon as she changed her fate, she changed her story. 

She still remembers the life that awaits for her if they broke up today but she is now looking forward to what will happen to her path that changed. 

She slept happy and peaceful that night. 

Little did she know that her boyfriend is moody.

He called out something she shared on Facebook. It is about something she just feels at that moment. He wanted it to be deleted as his name might be tainted by Necia’s social media audience. 

She was dumb but not in these ways. She resisted to take it down and now they fought again. 

He says that she never really liked or loved him. Because she can't do anything he asks. 

She wanted to communicate so they met. In his village, of course, because her parents were too strict to the two of them. 

Two of them talked. She said sorry and she deleted it just for peace. 

He decided to eat and went out to play billiards with her. 

She was happy because he taught her how to play. And she aced it. 

She was so happy that she thought saying “yes” was the best. 

As they walked to the village, he decided to go home to rest. They went straight to his room. 

They were just sitting when Necia saw something different in his eyes. It was talking and aimed to point out something that should happen. 

He stood up and kissed her. 

She thinks they are doing love. 

The fabrics are gone one by one. The heat of two different bodies is one. Every eye contact has a meaning to unfold. Every touch is to look forward to. 

“Can we do it?” Giosue asked Necia.

Necia is not dumb not to know what he is talking about. She shook her head as a form of rejecting it. 

“No. Ayoko.” Necia replied to his question. 

He sadly frowned and begged. “Please.” 

Necia shook her head again and avoided his eyes from meeting hers. 

“Stop. No. Ayoko.” She shook her head again. 

“I thought you loved me?” Giosue asked her while he turned his back against her. 

And she felt the feeling she experienced on the 9th of December. That she is losing the person she really wanted. 

And to make him stay, she thought of saying… 

“Yes.” 

Giosue looked at her again with eyes that had excitement. It’s like he had life again. 

Before doing it, she wanted to have a promise. 

“Promise me that no matter what happens we will always fix our problems and will never leave each other.” she says with fear as she had her pinky finger hanging in the air for him to cling his pinky finge on. 

“Promise.” he said and pinky swore with Necia.

And then he kissed her again. 

It was foreign in her mind, body, and soul.

She didn’t like it. Just to ease him, she did it. So that he will stay, that she will never lose him. 

She left their house relieved not because of what happened but thinking forever will be hers. 

The odds will be in her favor. 

But just 5 days after that, she didn’t know what happened but he was cold and distant. 

He said he had a family problem so he needed space. 

Necia gladly gave it to him but is also anxious about what she did wrong that he acted like that. 

And so, chaos began. 

He hasn't talked to her for days and is bringing up things that've been settled before. 

And just three weeks after that incident, they broke up. He didn’t want her anymore. 

And that shattered her whole being. 

She felt many things. 

Used. Unwanted. Worthless. 

She was called names. 

Naive. Stupid. Slut. 

She was too broken to function or to feel. She was numb about what happened as she was in shock. 

She was on her way home and it’s been 2 weeks since they broke up. 

She saw a new Twitter account of her ex and he is heartbroken about some other girl. 

After asking and identifying who the girl is, she discovered that he is dating his ex.

The girl before her. The girl he used to badmouth to Necia. The girl that hurted him as he said. 

It was hell for her. She couldn’t handle it anymore. She couldn’t contain it. 

She begged. To make it stop. To wake her up from that nightmare. To turn back the time. 

She broke everything she threw, she tore her wall, she burned her calendar, she drank alcohol, and she hurt herself. 

She cried as she slept. She sobbed as she held her chest as she felt the physical pain it inflcits in her body. 

She woke up and had no energy to get up. Her room is a mess and she has no energy to face her feelings again. 

She had a glimpse of the mess she made and she was surprised not seeing the things she threw.

“Maybe Mom cleaned it.” she said to herself. 

She decided to stay in bed again but saw some familiar things in her room. 

Things she bought years after 2019. 

She got up and found her cellphone. Her cellphone changed. 

“That is all a dream?” she asked the wind loudly. 

“No.” someone answered. 

She was shocked to hear some voices. She shook her head and disregarded that. 

“Have you made your choice?” someone but cannot be seen asked Necia again.

“What the hell? Who is that?” she asked while being terrified. 

“You don’t need to know who I am. You just disappeared for a day in this world, you don’t need to worry. What I need is for you to decide what fate you want.” the voice said. 

“I just went through shit! What fate are you fucking talking about?” Necia outbursted. 

“There are only 2 fates you witness, what will you take?” the voice asked Necia again. 

“Take me back! Just take me back! I want my old life back!” Necia begged. 

“I just want this to stop! Stop making me feel this way, please! I just wanted to be my old self. Please.” She stood up and sobbed. 

Lights started to flashed in her eyes again and it all blackout. 

“Am I back?” she asked herself.

She looked at her surroundings and saw a calendar. 

It’s 2023. 

She let out a sigh. 

But then… her memories of those days weren’t gone. 

She remembers. 

“Why do I remember?” she hits her head.  

“No! No! No! Why do I remember?” She pulled her hair. 

She fell down and cried again. 

“Why did this happen to me?” she asked the wind. 

“You said “yes,” remember?” the voice echoed in her mind. 

At first she was stunned, but then… 

She stopped crying and just stared at the empty wall. 

The voice is in her head. She cannot turn back time. 

Two different fates mixed together. 

Because she said “yes” remember? 

[dennyslesters]

Discover the Best Kids Dress Shop Near Me – Denny’s Clothing

When you’re searching for the best kids dress shop near me, you want a store that offers quality, style, and comfort for your little ones. You don’t have to look any further—Denny’s Clothing is the go-to destination for all your children’s fashion needs. Whether you’re shopping for an occasion, updating your child’s wardrobe, or looking for comfortable everyday wear, Denny’s Clothing has it all.

Why Choose Denny’s Clothing?

Denny’s Clothing is more than just a kids’ dress shop. It’s a trusted destination that has been serving families for decades. With a wide array of fashionable outfits for infants, toddlers, and teens, Denny’s Clothing is dedicated to providing high-quality clothing that both parents and kids will love.

Here’s why you should choose Denny’s Clothing as your kids dress shop near me:

Extensive Collection: From trendy dresses for little girls to smart outfits for young boys, Denny’s Clothing offers a collection that covers all styles, seasons, and occasions.

Superior Quality: Denny’s Clothing is known for using high-quality fabrics that are soft, durable, and comfortable. You can trust the craftsmanship behind each piece.

Exclusive Brands: At Denny’s, you can find exclusive collections from top brands like PJ Salvage, Global Love, Flying Monkey, Malibu Sugar, and more.

To explore the full collection, visit our website here.

Trendy Kids’ Dresses for Every Occasion

At Denny’s Clothing, we understand that every occasion calls for a unique look. That’s why our dress collection includes everything from casual wear to elegant outfits for special events.

1. Casual Dresses for Playdates and Outings

If you’re looking for everyday dresses that your child can wear to playdates, outings, or family gatherings, Denny’s offers a variety of casual dresses. We provide stylish options like floral prints, playful stripes, and charming designs that make everyday dressing fun and comfortable for kids.

2. Party Dresses for Special Events

For those memorable moments like birthday parties, school events, or family celebrations, Denny’s Clothing offers a beautiful collection of party dresses. Choose from twirl-worthy tulle dresses, elegant lace options, or shimmering outfits that add a magical touch to your child’s wardrobe.

3. Holiday and Seasonal Dresses

As the seasons change, so do the styles at Denny’s Clothing. From cozy winter dresses to breezy summer frocks, our seasonal collection ensures your child looks their best throughout the year. Get ready for the holidays with themed dresses that make every celebration even more special.

Shop by Age Group – Easy and Convenient

One of the things that sets Denny’s Clothing apart as the best kids dress shop near me is the ease of shopping by age group. Whether you’re looking for an adorable outfit for a newborn, stylish clothes for a toddler, or trendy pieces for teens, Denny’s makes it easy to find the perfect fit.

1. Infant Clothing: Our infant clothing section offers soft, breathable outfits that keep your little one cozy and cute. From rompers to onesies, each piece is designed with the comfort of your baby in mind.

2. Toddler Clothing: This stage is all about exploring and having fun! Our toddler collection includes comfy joggers, playful dresses, and sturdy jeans that can keep up with your active little one.

3. Junior and Teen Clothing: For the older kids, Denny’s Clothing offers trendy pieces that keep them looking cool and feeling confident. From casual loungewear to stylish jeans, there’s something for every preteen and teen at Denny’s.

The Denny’s Difference – Style, Comfort, and Value

When you’re on the hunt for a kids dress shop near me, you want to make sure you’re choosing a store that values quality and affordability. At Denny’s Clothing, we believe that fashion should be accessible and comfortable for all kids. Here’s what sets us apart:

Affordable Prices: We understand that kids grow quickly, so we keep our prices reasonable without compromising on quality. At Denny’s, you get great value for every purchase.

Exceptional Customer Service: We pride ourselves on offering a seamless shopping experience, whether you’re visiting us in-store or browsing our website. Our team is always ready to help you find the perfect outfit for your child.

Unique Styles: Denny’s Clothing carries exclusive collections that you won’t find elsewhere, ensuring your child stands out with unique and stylish pieces.

Shop Online or Visit Our Store

Can’t make it to a physical store? No problem! You can explore and shop our entire collection online at Denny’s Clothing. Our website is designed to make your shopping experience convenient and enjoyable, with easy navigation and a variety of categories to help you find exactly what you need.

Conclusion

When you’re looking for the best kids dress shop near me, Denny’s Clothing stands out as a top choice. From casual dresses to special occasion wear, our extensive collection is designed to cater to the needs of every child and every occasion. With a commitment to quality, comfort, and affordability, Denny’s Clothing is here to make sure your child’s wardrobe is always on point.

Don’t wait—discover the perfect outfit for your little one at Denny’s Clothing. Visit our website and explore our full collection here.

[jcmarchi]

Designing better delivery for medical therapies

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/designing-better-delivery-for-medical-therapies/

Designing better delivery for medical therapies

Early in his undergraduate studies in bioengineering, Sayo Eweje was thinking of a career in medicine. He was inspired by the idea of harnessing medical knowledge to improve patients’ lives, having grown up seeing his father do so as a gastroenterologist. However, his research experiences in college made him appreciate how scientific advancement can lead to paradigm-shifting innovations. What if he could contribute to breakthroughs that improved lives on a much larger scale?

“That idea really captured me, and I realized that we’re only enabled to do that by really delving into the frontiers of science,” he says. In his junior year of college, he decided to aim for a career as a physician-scientist, splitting his time between caring for patients and conducting research. After graduating, he entered the Harvard-MIT MD/PhD program, which is affiliated with both Harvard Medical School and MIT’s Institute for Medical Engineering and Sciences.

Now, Eweje is entering his sixth year in the program, and the fourth year of his PhD studies in medical engineering through the Harvard-MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology. Throughout his PhD, he has worked in the lab of Elliot Chaikof at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, where his research has focused on the development of protein-based nanoparticle systems for delivering nucleic acid and protein therapies directly to cells inside the body.

Eweje intends to continue encouraging young people to explore STEM. “Everyone should have the right to explore their fullest potential,” he says.

Photo: Jake Belcher

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Eweje’s interest in this area was sparked shortly after he entered the program: Initial reports describing a promising new gene editing-based treatment for inherited blood disorders were released, highlighting the curative potential of this approach. However, administering this therapy involves removing blood-forming stem cells from patients, editing them, then putting them back in. In order to accommodate the edited cells, recipients undergo heavy chemotherapy, which led to questions surrounding toxicity and scalability.

“The thought that I had, and that many others in the field had, is that if we could deliver these gene-editing therapies inside of the body without having to remove cells, without having to do this chemotherapy, his could be a much more effective and accessible therapy,” Eweje says.

“After thinking about problems like that and understanding that a lot of this ultimately comes down to drug delivery and engineering nanoparticles and delivery vehicles, I realized that’s where I want to spend my time,” he says. “There are so many challenges in treating disease where the bottleneck ultimately comes down to effective delivery.”

Striking disease at the source

A number of diseases are caused by mutations in hematopoietic (blood-forming) stem cells, and Eweje chose Chaikof’s lab in part because the team was looking for ways to deliver RNA and protein therapies directly to those cells in patients. The work has spun off in many interesting directions since then.

“It started there, but it has become a much broader platform-focused project,” Eweje explains. “We’re looking at things ranging from gene editing in the lungs to immunotherapy and thinking about new cancer treatments.”

This January, he published an article in Biomaterials that gave a progress update on the state of research using protein-based nanoparticles to deliver nucleic acid therapies to cells. Historically, scientists have found success with viral vectors for delivering gene-based therapies, but because of those viral origins, there remains the possibility of triggering a patient’s immune system.

“Protein materials, particularly human-derived protein materials, are far less likely to trigger that immune response, which is one major advantage,” he says. “The other thing that we’re actively working towards in the lab is this idea of leveraging programmability and precise structure in recombinant proteins.”

While much work remains to determine whether nonviral, protein-based nanoparticles can used as effectively as those that are virus-derived, or lipid nanoparticles, he’s grateful to have learned valuable lessons during this process.

“I really appreciate the fact that I’ve had an opportunity to learn about what’s out there, better understand the challenges, and carry that knowledge forward,” he says.

Building opportunity for others

Outside the lab and the hospital, Eweje is engaged in education and outreach projects as close as Cambridge and as far as Nigeria, where his family traces their roots. He is a co-founder of the Program of Ragon and IMES in Science and Medicine (PRISM), which hosts weekly programs for high school students in the greater Boston area to learn directly from scientists and clinicians about various topics in STEM.

“I see kids as stem cells,” he says. “They have so much potential to differentiate into so many different things, but you have to put them in a proper environment and give them the exposure required to understand where they can go.”

He’s also a co-managing director of the Critical Healthcare Information Integration Network (CHIIN), a nonprofit that provides medical information to community health workers in rural and underdeveloped areas of Africa. It operates via a chatbot that can respond to queries over SMS text messaging and is therefore able to reach communities without internet access, indirectly assisting thousands of patients.

“Part of it was developing confidence in the users by giving them something to have in their back pocket as a reference tool,” he says.

As his time in the HST program draws to a close, Eweje aims to defend his PhD next year and return to full-time clinical work at Harvard Medical School. Ultimately, he envisions a career at the intersection of clinical medicine and biotech innovation.

He also intends to continue encouraging young people to explore STEM. “Everyone should have the right to explore their fullest potential,” he says.

“I find a lot of gratification in the impact that we can have on someone’s life just by giving them the opportunity to learn about something, which could change the trajectory of what they do,” he adds. “We have not only the pleasure of doing that, but also a little bit of an obligation.”

[mobile-app-experts-india]

What is the Cost of Developing an App in India: get affordable rates at mobile app experts

So, you've got this brilliant idea for an app, and you're dreaming of seeing it on every smartphone in the world. But before you dive headfirst into the world of app development, you need to know one crucial thing: _How much is this going to cost?_ Especially if you're considering mobile app development in India, where the tech talent is top-notch and the prices are relatively friendly. Let's break it down, and hopefully, by the end of this article, you'll have a clear picture (and a lighter wallet).

The Basics of App Development Costs

App development cost can vary like the prices of snacks at a movie theater – from reasonable to _you've-got-to-be-kidding-me_. Several factors play a role in determining how much you'll end up spending. Here's a quick rundown of what influences these costs:

1. Complex structure of the App: Is your app as simple as a to-do list or as complicated as a social media platform? The more features, the higher the cost.

2. Platform Specific: Do you want your app on iOS, Android, or both? Developing for multiple platforms will add to the cost.

3. UI UX Design and User Experience: Fancy designs and user-friendly interfaces aren't cheap.

4. Location of Your Development Team: Developers in India charge differently based on their experience and region.

5. Maintenance and Updates: Once your app is live, you’ll need to keep it updated and fix bugs, which means ongoing costs.

Breaking Down the Costs

Let’s dive into each of these factors to see how they contribute to the overall cost.

1. Complexity of the App

Imagine your app is a pizza. A plain cheese pizza (simple app) will cost less than a deluxe pizza with all the toppings (complex app). Here's a rough estimate:

- Simple Apps: These are like cheese pizzas. Basic functions, straightforward, no backend. Examples include a basic calculator or a simple to-do list. Cost: ₹50,000 - ₹2,00,000.

- Moderately Complex Apps: These are like your pepperoni pizzas. They have custom UI, backend server, user authentication, maybe some social features. Think of a fitness tracking app. Cost: ₹2,00,000 - ₹7,00,000.

- Highly Complex Apps: These are your deluxe pizzas with everything on it. Advanced features like AI, AR, real-time processing, high security, and maybe a sprinkle of rocket science. Examples include e-commerce platforms or social media apps. Cost: ₹7,00,000 - ₹20,00,000+.

2. iOS app development or Android app development Platform

Deciding whether to develop for iOS, Android, or Hybrid app development is like choosing between Bollywood and Tollywood. Each has its unique charm and audience.

- iOS Only: Slightly less expensive due to fewer device variations.

- Android Only: Can be pricier due to the variety of devices.

- Both: Developing for both platforms will cost more but reaches a wider audience. Cross-platform development using frameworks like React Native or Flutter can save some money.

 3. Design and User Experience

A good design is like a good outfit – it makes a great first impression. But just like fashion, good design isn’t cheap.

- Basic Design: Clean, simple, functional. Cost: ₹20,000 - ₹1,00,000.

- Custom Design: Unique, eye-catching, user-friendly. Cost: ₹1,00,000 - ₹3,00,000.

4. Location of Your Development Team

India is a land of diversity, and this extends to the cost of hiring developers too. Here’s a rough idea:

- Junior Developers: Fresh out of college, eager to prove themselves. Cost: ₹400 - ₹800 per hour.

- Mid-Level Developers: A few years of experience under their belt. Cost: ₹800 - ₹1,500 per hour.

- Senior Developers: They’ve seen it all, done it all. Cost: ₹1,500 - ₹2,500 per hour.

5. Maintenance and Updates

Launching your app is just the beginning. Think of it as buying a car – you still need to pay for gas and maintenance.

- Bug Fixes and Updates: Regularly needed to keep your app running smoothly. Cost: ₹20,000 - ₹1,00,000 per year.

Additional Costs to Consider

Just like there’s more to a wedding than just the dress, there are other costs involved in app development too.

1. Marketing and Launch: Getting your app noticed is as important as developing it. Cost: ₹50,000 - ₹2,00,000+

2. Server and Hosting: For apps with backend requirements. Cost: ₹500 - ₹10,000 per month.

3. Third-Party Services: Integration with payment gateways, analytics, etc. Cost: Variable.

Case Studies

To give you a clearer picture, let’s look at a couple of hypothetical case studies.

Case Study 1: The Simple App

Ramesh wants to develop a basic to-do list app. Here’s how the costs break down:

- Design: ₹50,000

- Development: ₹1,00,000

- Testing: ₹20,000

- Total: ₹1,70,000

 Case Study 2: The Moderately Complex App

Priya is developing a fitness tracking app with user profiles and social sharing features.

- Design: ₹1,00,000

- Development: ₹4,00,000

- Testing: ₹50,000

- Total: ₹5,50,000

 Case Study 3: The Highly Complex App

Rahul is creating an e-commerce platform with payment integration, real-time chat, and advanced security features.

- Design: ₹2,00,000

- Development: ₹10,00,000

- Testing: ₹1,00,000

- Total: ₹13,00,000

Conclusion

Developing an app in India can be a cost-effective way to bring your ideas to life, but it’s important to plan and budget carefully. From the complexity of the app to the design, platform, and the development team’s location, many factors influence the overall cost. So, whether you’re dreaming of creating the next big social media platform or just a simple productivity tool, understanding these costs will help you navigate the exciting journey of app development without breaking the bank or you can hire an outsource software development company in India who offers affordable app development cost in India which suits your pocket and delivers top notch app and experience to its user.

Remember, just like with anything in life, you get what you pay for. Investing in good design and development is crucial for the success of your app. So, save up, plan well, and get ready to see your app idea come to life! Happy app developing!

If you like this article you can give us an upvote and can visit our website for best app development Company in Delhi-India.

[crystal-in-nagasaki]

another year of english boards

Last year around this time I made this post about the various English boards I had put up in my junior high school throughout my first year in Japan. Since another year has gone by and I update my board monthly, I wanted to make another post showing off this past year's boards as well. So without further ado, here are the boards from April 2023 to April 2024!

In April of 2023, we (my co-ALT from Jamaica and I) focused on two themes: spring and outer space. We had one section telling about various spring festivals in countries around the world. Since it was the beginning of a new school year, we did a flower garden themed free write where students could write what kind of school life things they wanted to enjoy this school year, like making friends, joining a club, going on a school trip, etc.

For the outer space portion, we talked about space flight, had students try to name the different planets, a space-themed word search, and a poll asking if students believed in aliens.

Next, for the May 2023 board, we used the themes of Earth Day, sign language, and Children's Day. For Earth day, we wrote about ways to help the earth, connecting it to Japan's Greenery Day, and had a poll asking if students would rather enjoy nature by climbing a mountain or swimming in the sea. We also included a word search with nature-related terms.

For the sign language section, we talked a bit about sign language, and showed some of the differences between American Sign Language and Japanese Sign Language. Then we had an activity where students could guess which hand signs represented which English letters.

Lastly, the Children's Day section talks about the various holidays around the world that celebrate children. This section had the free write, which was designed to look like the carp streamers that Japanese people put out for Children's Day. They look like this:

The prompt for the free write was "what's your favorite childhood memory?" I wrote an example which said "watching Spongebob Squarepants," because I enjoyed that as a kid.

For June 2023, we used the themes of the ocean, Pride month (for the second year in a row), and healthy eating. For the ocean section, we had students learn and match the names of various endangered ocean species like sharks, whales, and turtles. The poll was "would you rather fly in the sky or breathe underwater?" It was a bit close to our last prompt, but I was having trouble coming up with something else, haha.

For the Pride month theme, I wrote an informational section showing the different flags and what they represent, and recommended a manga that teaches about LGBT people.

Lastly, for the healthy eating section, we wrote a little bit about the US food pyramid and connected the free write by prompting "how do you be healthy?" and gave example answers like "I play soccer," "I sleep 8 hours every day," and "I drink water every day." One student wrote that she's vegan, which surprised me because it's very hard to find food without meat or animal products in Japan, and also because all students have to eat school lunch (which always has meat) unless they have serious allergies. It was really interesting to learn, and I wish them luck in navigating Japanese food as a vegan.

For the July 2023 board, the themes were constellations, peace, texting, and the Japanese holiday Obon. We talked about constellations since July is Tanabata, the Star Festival, so we had a section where students could match constellations to what they're meant to be the shape of, like the Big Dipper.

Since Nagasaki holds memorial events every year in August to remember the atomic bombing, we also did a peace section where I tried very hard to explain concisely and in a child-friendly way about the peace movement in the US in the 1960s and 1970s. Many Japanese people love using the peace sign, but don't know where it came from, so I thought it might be interesting to them. We connected the prompt of the free write to this by asking "how do you create a peaceful world?" with examples like "I'm kind to everyone" and "I help people." We connected the design of the free write to the texting theme by making it look like a message screen with speech bubbles. We also connected the texting theme to the poll, in which we asked which social media students use the most.

The texting section had information about the history of texting and had texting lingo like "btw," "idk," and "asap" for the kids to try to guess the meaning of.

The last section talked about various festivals around the world similar to Japan's Obon which celebrate and honor one's ancestors who have died.

Because of summer vacation, which lasts for almost all of August, we skipped making an August board again, and the next board was in September of 2023.

Because of the coming of new ALTs, some school assignments were shifted around, and my Jamaican co-ALT switched to a different junior high school. So for this board, there was a goodbye section for the leaving ALT in which students could write her thank you messages, as well as a welcome section for the new ALT from New Zealand, with information about him. The other two themes were reading month and moon viewing.

For reading month, we recommended various English books and asked students to share their favorite book genre in the poll. We also asked them to match the names of famous book characters to pictures, like Sherlock Holmes, Harry Potter, and Alice in Wonderland.

For the moon viewing section, I wrote about moon viewing in Japan and how people used to write haiku poems about the beauty of the moon. So for another free write, I asked students to try to write English haiku, but obviously that was very difficult, so barely any students interacted. I knew it was a stretch, but I really like haiku, so I wanted to try it anyway, haha.

In October, we focused on the themes of Halloween, pumpkins, witches, and Maori people, since my new co-ALT is from New Zealand. I tasked him with writing the text sections and they ended up being very, very long this month, so the board was a bit text heavy, with not so many activities.

The poll section asked if students think they would survive a zombie apocalypse. And the huge section on the left was a big haunted house choice story game that I created. You start with a choice to enter a haunted house or run away, then you continue making choices that lead you down various paths to an end result. There were encounters with various monsters like witches, ghosts, vampires, and zombies. Based on your choices, you either end up losing (usually by getting caught by a monster) or winning (by getting away.) It was ambitious, but I think the kids liked it.

The November board was also pretty text heavy as my new co-ALT and I continued to try to work out a new board routine together. If you haven't noticed, I tend to ramble on a bit too much and my old co-ALT usually edited down a lot of my information when she wrote the text sections. So the fault was mostly mine when my new co-ALT came to my school, because I wrote too much and he just copied down what I wrote without editing it down like my old co-ALT did. So I had to learn to edit myself a bit better, and the boards started to improve again.

The themes for this month were Thanksgiving, No Shave November, Black Friday, and Diwali. We kept Thankgiving as short as we could since we had repeated it before, and used the theme as the prompt for the free write, which was "what are you thankful for?" The design of the free write was a man's bald head, in which you wrote your response on a lock of hair and taped it to his head, to coincide with No Shave November. It was a really fun idea, but ultimately the pieces of paper were too big and the students covered his entire face with the paper, so it looked really crazy by the end.

I think there was supposed to be a matching activity for Diwali, but I got the board up late (I had been moved to one day a week at this school and didn't have nearly as much time), so I had to forego it. Instead the only other activity on the board was the poll, which was linked to the Black Friday theme, asking if students preferred to shop online or in a store. I was surprised to see that many of them preferred a store, since I personally prefer online shopping, haha.

For December 2023, we focused of course on Christmas again, as well as the pagan holiday of Yule, and Krampus. Again, as you can see, it's pretty text heavy. We get better, I promise!

For Yule, I printed out tiny slips with QR codes on them leading to a Japanese recipe of a Yule log cake for students to take home and try. I ended up getting an email from the QR code service later saying that my code expired, which sucked, so I don't think any students were able to access the recipe. :( But at least they got to learn the history of Yule logs lol.

It's a Christmas tradition to eat Christmas cake and Kentucky Fried Chicken on Christmas in Japan, so for the poll, we asked students which one they like better.

For the free write, I made a bunch of tiny snowmen in a snowglobe, on which students could write what they wanted for Christmas.

The last thing which I was really excited to make was Christmas omikuji. Omikuji are fortunes that Japanese people pull at shrines each New Year that tell them what kind of luck they'll have. I made maybe 50 or more individual fortunes shaped like little Christmas presents, which had varying levels of luck written on them, and fortunes like "you'll meet someone new," "you'll pass an important test," "you'll lose a sports game," and stuff like that. According to my Japanese coworker, it was a huge hit and the kids took them all, which made me really happy.

January 2024 was a bit less polished than usual because I didn't have a lot of time and made the whole thing in one day (which I'm proud of actually because I was able to make a lot despite the time constraints!) The themes were New Years, braille, and exercise. And finally we got the text heaviness a bit under control!

For the New Years section, my co-ALT and I each put up a section about our winter holiday and what we did. I went to Singapore and Thailand (which I plan to share about in future posts, so stay tuned for that.) Keeping with a Chinese New Year theme, I used a lot of reds in the overall design and used a fire-breathing dragon motif for the free write since it's the year of the dragon. The prompt was New Years Resolutions!

For the braille section, I gave some information and put a coded message in braille for students to try to decode (which said Happy New Year). I really wanted to spend some time creating some kind of real, raised braille letters using a laminator, but I didn't have enough time, so I'm a bit disappointed that I had to rely on a visual for something that was supposed to teach about something hearing impaired people use to read.

Lastly, since many people make New Years resolutions to exercise, I included an exercise section, with a diagram of muscles in the body and the English names for them, including some simple exercises you could do to work each muscle. Following this theme, the poll asked students which kind of exercise they prefer out of biking, swimming, and running.

For Februrary 2024, we again did Valentine's Day with a new spin, the Super Bowl, and Carnival.

My first Valentine's Day board in 2022 was pretty basic and based around standard romantic love. Then for 2023 I focused on Galentine's Day and love between friends and family (and how people show love in different love languages). So for 2024, I decided to focus on self-love! I gave tips on how to care for yourself, and the free write asked students to give themselves a compliment, which is of course very hard for people to do. But I was surprised to see many students participating, which made me really happy. For the poll, I pandered a little and gave the kids what they really wanted, asking if they prefer a cool and smart type partner or a cute and nice type.

For Carnival, I talked a bit about Carnival in Brazil, including the popular samba dance, so I did a corresponding activity where the students could match the English names of various dances to pictures. I learned some interesting tips about interactive boards from a support teacher at my new small school (who makes some really cool informative boards). She taught me that I can use magnets for sections of the board with moving parts, which was a huge game changer. So this is the first board where I used magnets to create the matching activity, and it made the whole thing SO much easier and neater.

Lastly, I did a section about American football and the Super Bowl. I included a section on the various positions and explanations of them (which was very hard because I don't understand football at all LOL). But I hope my sporty kids enjoyed it!

For March 2024, we used the themes of the Iditarod dog sled race in Alaska, the North Dakota Winter Show (aka talking about rodeos and cowboys), and veganism.

The dog sled section was mostly just a text section, but we tied it into the poll with the rodeo theme by asking "would you rather ride a dog sled through a blizzard or ride a bucking bronco?"

For the rodeo section, I made a cowboy who you could dress with cowboy attire, with little text sections about each piece of clothing and its use. I made this using my newfound obsession with magnets and it was really fun, so I hope the kids liked it!

For the vegan section, I made an interactive activity where students can put various non-animal-product foods in order by how much protein they have in them. This was to get students thinking about meat and animal product alternatives, since it's helpful for the environment and animals.

Lastly, we had a free write section in which I made a cherry blossom tree and students could write their spring break plans on little cherry blossoms. I wish I could've made the tree a bit bigger, but I was running low on time, so I'm just happy I got it up at all!

Finally, in April of this year, we used the themes of World Art Day, Earth Day, Passover, and money.

We had an activity involving matching famous paintings to their English names for World Art Day. The poll asked students which art form they like best, between choices of paintings, books, movies, music, buildings, and food. The free write tied in with the money theme, with students writing their answers to the prompt "what would you buy with 100 million yen?" on papers that looked like coins dropping into a piggy bank.

I found myself with some extra time and ambition this month, so for the passover section I created a big laminated scene of Moses splitting the Red Sea when he led the Jews out of slavery in Egypt. I set it up so that you can pull the two pieces of sea apart to open up a pathway that the little laminated people can slide through. I've been having a lot of fun making interactable things for the board like this and the cowboy section from the previous board!

Okay, we should be all caught up on English boards now for the school year of 2023-2024. I hope you enjoyed my most recent year of boards. It's really cool to look back over each board and see the ways that I've improved in the design and materials (but let's not talk about the Text Wall Fiasco of 2023...). I'm really proud of my boards, and how much more fun they've gotten since I first started. It's a nice way to engage my kids outside of class, and a nice creative outlet for me when I'm not teaching. I hope you enjoyed them too! Thanks for reading :)

[starryillustration]

NEW START [JANUARY UPDATE]

Beginning of 2023:

Hello! This is STAR. I am a 20 year old junior in college who does art as a hobby. Hoping in the future (maybe this year) to make money from my art. I use various social media sites such as Instagram and Tiktok and also share accounts with my twin sister, like on Youtube. My sis, GEN and i share an art channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKWWUa4tL4MCZfpNcV5hJbg  and a commentary/review channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTIus_Mb6fYgOxaCLK0tMvQ All my socials can be found here: https://starillustration.carrd.co/ 

Last month i challenge myself to post everyday on a social media account of mine and i epically failed! :( I didn't prepare well and finals left me no time to even try. So i want to give it a try again with a little more thought and prepared time. 

What can you expect from me [TBD]:

- Character Design

- Redesigns

- Sketchbook work

- Tutorials + Guide

2023 REFLECTION

2023 work flow has to be my favorite in recent years. Not only because all my prior experience helped me better my practice but also because i took so many breaks this year that i didn't end up feeling overwhelmed. This was definitely partly from art block but it effected me positively, given me time to do other hobbies, like writing, personal content creation, and just enjoying much needed rest. I explain more in this video here: https://youtu.be/Scpj7LXC1l8?si=g_C40A_fu1rZ6EtO 

End of 2023: