#which means *The* netherlands in the t's lol | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

deluxinn · 2 years ago

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I posted 5,209 times in 2022

31 posts created (1%)

5,178 posts reblogged (99%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@sawnik

@pabs-art

@wehavecometoanend--maybe

@iinsectaa

@peachienicolasa

I tagged 124 of my posts in 2022

#gintama - 13 posts

#stream - 7 posts

#elden ring - 7 posts

#lgbtq - 6 posts

#birthday - 5 posts

#my art - 5 posts

#twitch - 5 posts

#art - 5 posts

#video games - 4 posts

#q - 3 posts

Longest Tag: 128 characters

#the first shirt is a very lazy recreation. i bought the actual shirt for 3 euros at a dr martens outlet store in the netherlands

My Top Posts in 2022:

[people i want to get to know better]

Thank you for tagging me @iinsectaa

Last song: Dear Maria Count Me In (Japanese Version) (Lmao)

Last show: I watched Moon Knight/Spy X Family

Currently watching: Spy X Family, and I think that’s it. I wanna start that one anime with that chiki chiki bang bang or something song. I also been watching Reggie Vs Dark Souls

Currently reading: It’s been a hot minute since I gave myself time to read ;(

I tag @cptn-handsome @crinoid @rivka-nikola @tokyomauve @your-1up-girl

5 notes - Posted May 7, 2022

Rules: make a new post and spell out your URL with song titles, then tag as many people as there are letters in your URL.

@bizzyfish tagged me! Thank youu, good thing I made a shorter url name lmao

Y our Soul - Forrest. and Biskwiq

U pside Down - Vita from MXM

R ivers In The Desert - Lyn

E arth Angel - Death Cab For Cutie

I t’s The Right Time - Daichi Miura

S ick Like Me - In This Moment

H appy Ending - Mika

A ntidote - Faith Marie

Haha the mood goes from lightest to darkest, I feel BUT

I shall tag @crinoid @cptn-handsome @lnszhl @newtypetokyo @fabujasu @navyblueprince @sungilaska @idontmindbeingonlyyours

6 notes - Posted March 26, 2022

I got tagged to do 10 fandoms, 10 characters, 10 tags!

Thank you @iinsectaa for the tag!

1. Gintama - Tsukuyo

2. Dead By Daylight - Jake Park

3. Jojo - Josuke 4

4. Dark Souls - Siegward of Catarina

5. Resident Evil - Ethan Winters

6. Persona - Haru Okumura

7. Night Comes For Us - The Operator

8. Final Fantasy - Garnet

9. Yakuza - Ichiban Kasuga

10. Gekkan Shoujo - Kashima

<It's like I always forget what I like during these things LOL>

I tag @crinoid @your-1up-girl @ruvikdraws @navyblueprincegaming @floresilustradas @lnszhl @kumamilen @rivka-nikola @sassytabris @seraphicheartx

7 notes - Posted October 5, 2022

Story under cut!

Made with short prompt suggestions from @fenharael @mintythesweettooth @omelevate and @iinsectaa

��Fi, are you sure this is the way to Pumpkin Con? We’re in the middle of the woods and I don’t even see the festival grounds anymore.” said Dime.

“Uhh, yeah. There was a sign like 20 mins back that pointed at a building saying that was where Pumpkin Con was but that doesn’t make sense like what kinda Pumpkin Con takes place indoors? Plus it’s an escape room so obviously it was trying to mislead us.”

“…Fi.”

“Dime.”

“We already beat the escape room like an hour ago!”

Fi paused and was seemingly trying to hide something behind her back.

“Mmmm. I wish you told me that earlier. I sorta searched some dude’s carriage cuz I thought it’d have some clues or something on how to escape this maze. In hindsight I’m seeing that I got us lost and also this thing is way too fancy to be a prop.”

She held up a thick book made up leather that radiated a faint purple glimmer.

“Holy shit. Yeah that’s fancy alright.” Dime said.

“I opened it to see if it’d have any clues or directions to the con but none of them really make sense. Like what does mooaloomoo even mean?” Fi asked.

As she spoke the words, the aura around the book grew and briefly extended as far as they could see before returning back to its small glow.

They paused and looked at each other.

“Okay that didn’t look like directions to me.” said Fi.

“So. Shall we run?” asked Dime.

“Ya.”

The two dashed toward the direction they came from, hoping to not have forgotten any steps but it was a bit difficult to recall which way they headed in the woods.

Fi tried to check her phone but her battery was already at 1% and what if she needed it for more important things like keeping a Snapchat streak?

Dime was also the owner of a dead phone, with their only hope being able to remember the way back.

But neither of them could remember. They were beginning to lose hope and accept that they will miss that day’s Pumpkin Con. At the height of their despair, that’s when they heard a voice.

“Moo?”

It was a cow. Then another. Ten cows?

Fi and Dime were surrounded by cows and the herd seems to be attached to them. One walked up to Fi and rubbed its head on her.

Another started sniffing Dime’s hand and licking them.

“The book did this? Pretty cool but I can’t imagine what magician would need this spell.” said Dine.

“Okay but like.. I love this and I might do this too all the time.” Fi replied.

“That’s true it is kind of lovely. Be better if we weren’t lost though.”

The cows seemed to look at the two of them with concern. They understood the sentiments of the two!

“Hey Dime, you know what Pumpkin Con has a lot of? Cows of course! Maybe these guys can lead us back there! And also maybe love us enough to hide the fact that I stole this book from someone!”

See the full post

9 notes - Posted September 17, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Art by @sammilimyy

My partner is having a birthday stream on April 21st at twitch.tv/bigenderly !

Join us if youd like and hang out !

We’ll be playing lots of online party games

13 notes - Posted March 31, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

#tumblr2022 #year in review #my 2022 tumblr year in review #your tumblr year in review

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mirai-desu · 5 years ago

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Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2019 - Share the Joy!

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hetaliashitpostingftw · 4 years ago

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HETALIA OFFICE MASTERPOST

Lol you know The Office? Its good but what if it was like,,, H e t a l i a?

ALLIES

America: Baaaaasically Michael from The Office. He likes leading and cares about the team, but can be a little... out of hand... sometimes. Canada: He sits in the corner and no one knows he’s there, but he’s always pulling his weight in projects. China: Always calling for tech support. Always. It annoys the heck out of whomever’s sitting next to him. France: Is the one who “accidentally” sends an email around to the people at the office which has “inappropriate” content. England: Getting up in arms because either America’s being incompetent or he’s fed up with France’s nonsense. Russia: “It’d be a shame if something were to happen, da?” (he doesn’t work well with other people, too many HR complaints).

AXIS

Germany: He isn’t the boss but he is the annoying backseat driver who isn’t even second in command. Italy: “Lets go to a ✨𝒌𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒐𝒌𝒆 𝒃𝒂𝒓✨ after all this guys and someone else can pay!!!11!!” Japan: Forgets about the work and is watching anime with his screens turned away from everyone else.

BALTICS

Estonia: Guess who’s 𝓣𝓮𝓬𝓱 𝓢𝓾𝓹𝓹𝓸𝓻𝓽 👁️ 👄 👁️ Lithuania: "Okay you want me to do that? I’ll do it just dont fire me pls dont” Latvia:"Hey boss what about the fact that you’re doing it wrong?”

EASTERN EUROPE

Romania: Actually does the work but doesn’t tell anyone when he’s done so he can sneak off and do whatever Bulgaria: Microsoft paint obsessed Ukraine: Cares for everyone like the epic mom friend she is Belarus: She doesn’t work there. She’s just there. And so far no one’s had balls enough to tell her to go.

MEDITERRANEAN EUROPE

Spain: "Hey guys I know you didn’t ask but ill make you all lunch! It’s going to be pasta! For the fifteenth day in a row!” Romano: RAGEWORKRAGEWORKRAGEWORKRAGEWORK- Greece: That one person with the “hang in there bby” poster as well as countless cat photos in frames. He also does his work but he’s real quiet about it. Turkey: Likes to hang out by the water cooler and gossip. Cyprus: Best friends with Greece but works surprisingly well with Bulgaria (or, he does, after an incident of him stealing his yogurt). Vatican City: Keeps a bible with him but follows most things he’s told to do. Monaco: She’s a seceratary but only because she’s able to get out of more work that way.

NORDIC EUROPE

Denmark: Keeps a little box of “creativity legos” on his desk which he plays with. He works in Human Resources and loves it. Sweden: Takes orders for the company’s product and is very organized. Keeps a little picture of his family on his desk which he’ll talk to anyone about. Finland: Has his headphones on all the time and sCrEams at anyone who dare interrupt his work. He also coordinates all of the holidays around the office, as well as parties. Norway: He has a thing for the cute guy in HR and keeps trying to meet him “causally” over by the water cooler. Has a plasma ball on his desk because it looks cool. Iceland: His brother got him an unpaid internship (which he hates) and so he spends a lot of time complaining and texting Norway angry gifs while he goes and hangs out with others his age in the breakroom.

LOW COUNTRIES

Belgium: Brings in cookies for everyone every Monday. Netherlands: Works with Sweden and the two of them have desks next to each other. He helps Sweden when he’s having a prank war with Denmark. Luxembourg: Some higher-up executive who comes down every once in a while to flaunt his awesome-ness and dole out orders.

CENTRAL EUROPE

Austria: Plays classical music off his computer but without earbuds b/c he doesn’t know how. He’s low-key annoying but doesn’t know it. Slovakia: Has the coolest mousepad ever. He also contributes a substantial amount to most meetings. Czechia: Set her space up to be the neatest in the office. She’s one of the more successful members. Hungary: Made a pinterest board of house ideas in her spare time which she makes Austria look at. She doesn’t really care about the work, she’s just there. Switzerland: Financials. He also calls home at 12pm every day to check in on his sister and make sure everything’s okay. Poland: Decorated the fuck out of his cubicle. Prussia: Has a whole collection of weird-ass ties which he switches. Some say he’s never worn the same one twice!

ASIA

Hong Kong: Also interning, but he doesn’t hate it and takes it instead as an opportunity to take photos of people and make them either cursed or into memes. Macau: Is the second-in-command in the office and basically controls everything since america isn’t great at it. South Korea: Water cooler? He likes to hang out with Turkey. Thailand: Keeps a cool and ornate whiteboard which he likes to take notes on. Vietnam: “What do you mean I have to work with someone else?!?!?!” Taiwan: She works under Denmark in human resources and often has to resolve conflicts. India: Sometimes invites Vietnam to play chess with him online on their monitors.

AFRICA

Egypt: Stole some of Denmark’s legos without his knowledge so he could build too. He’s pretty bored even though he does everything. Seychelles: Sits by the window and doesn’t get her work done since she’s distracted. Cameroon: Playing pranks on Australia when he gets bored, mostly after he’s finished his work.

OCEANIA + CARIBBEAN

Australia: “OY MATE SO YA WANT TO FOIGHT??!!” (he’s on for that prank war) New Zealand: Sits next to Cyprus and sometimes falls asleep, but Cyprus thinks he’s *kinda* cute and doesn’t wake him. Other than that, he’s really good at running meetings. Cuba: Brings fancy chocolates or other things which he takes out to share with special people on special occasions. He’s pretty nonchalant but comes off as intimidating for some.

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sole-cuore-amore-e-droga · 4 years ago

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Bulgaria brings a mentally reassuring anthem to Rotterdam 2021

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I’ve said so that VICTORIA herself sort of agreed to have done “Tears Getting Sober” if she was allowed to, but for one I have to thank that EBU said that the artists can’t have their 2020 songs back? You’ll see why when I get to the review after two boring paragraphs of text with technical info, for the country that is Bulgaria!

ARTIST & ENTRY INFO

Victoria Georgieva (or VICTORIA, but I can’t be arsed to continuously capitalize her name so I’ll just say Victoria from now on) was born a singer, for she started to sing at the age 11, went to a specific school of angel voices (no really that’s what it was called), and tried to go to the X Factor while a liiiiiittle too young until realizing that she needed to wait for a few years, and wait a few years she did, and went on to the X Factor again.

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She didn’t win, but she still got to sign a contract and sing some stuff in Bulgarian before she decided to rebrand, started singing in English, and completely decided that ballads is her style. She cannot really do upbeat most of the time. So you can’t really have a bop from her in the future. (Well except that there’s a couple of songs in her discography that I personally classify as “bops” but they’re more like... idek sad bops?? but they can be danced to, but I get her, she doesn’t do anything that’s more loud and upbeat and clubby and summery kind of - in short, nothing you can go “YAAASSSS QUEEEEEN” over to.)

The entry she ended up singing, “Growing Up Is Getting Old”, is what I can describe to be about overcoming the emotional twists and turns inside of you as you grow older, because as it turns out, it ain’t what you thought it would be - but if you push just a little further, you realize that if you’re growing up, maybe the life isn’t so bad, afterall - you are able to get up. Somehow. It was written as part of Boris-Milanov-led songwriting camp held during summer, and a lot of people seemed to be a part of it because multiple different folk have songwriting credits on the potential Bulgarian entries this year.

REVIEW

Let’s get this out of the way immediately. I prefer “Growing Up Is Getting Old” to “Tears Getting Sober”. The former sounds a lot less irritatingly underwhelming and a lot more positively overwhelming you with warm emotions and sunglow. “Tears Getting Sober” was a song I could never really connect with - maaaaybe the last chorus is much better on there, but it doesn’t do much for me either, I guess.

Their 2021 forray however is a much different kind of thing - once again, going for lyrical non-cliches, Victoria tells a tale about her inner turmoils and continuing in life, in a way that’s personal to her and also kind of relatable to all of us. We all have these moments of fear and anxiety and nervous systems aching. If only there was someone who’d tell us that we’re worth saving... thanks a lot Victoria, you’re the MVP. Filling in the void that Netherlands from last year had brought us but not anymore - another personal song about getting old and having those kind of feelings inside - and doing a great job at taking the baton in the right way (even with featuring the word “grow” in both of the titles, neat coincidence).

Not only the lyrics feel like a hug, the song just emulates ray of sunshine and golden glitter coming down from the sky, Molly Sanden style. The violins in the G major key playing so precisely, building up momentum throughout the entire song, slowly but surely - starting with the ticking clock in the first verse that may have subtle violin in there; and the first chorus is just so simple piano, and then the second chorus has a tinge of electronic something, and the last chorus goes full in with the backing vocals boosting the song, after Victoria performs the quite magnificent bridge... now I don’t have synesthesia but I associate music keys with colors, and to me G major would always come across as something yellow or orange - “Growing Up Is Getting Old” is a perfect example of why’s that for me. And obviously, Victoria’s love for harmony-humming (even if there’s just one instance of it after she sings “star crossed soul”) complements the song to a T.

And it turned out to be a much better choice than last year’s. Maybe finally a female ballad I am getting behind.

Now I wanna know why the bookies don’t appreciate THIS entry as much as last year?

Granted, now it’s 2021 and the environment is so much different, and the songs have changed, and the dynamics have changed, and now there’s suddenly more competition at stake. And for Bulgaria it fares quite much more underwhelmingly - well, at this moment they’re like 6th, which isn’t bad, but there’s a lack of sung praises coming its way, not quite a feat that “Tears Getting Sober” actually achieved, being the bookies fave right before the cancellation of last year. In general the year has been pretty dry for the previous winner picks like Iceland, Lithuania and this, but I can’t say that the previous winner bets from 2020 are all that dead either? Though I gotta say that Bulgaria wasn’t gonna win 2020 anyway, so it’s a lose-lose in this case.

Also I just can’t at that music video being a little dramatic at the beginning, with the cancellation of Eurovision being presented as if it were a worldwide disaster during which we all shall lock ourselves into bunkers and wait until the better days, eventhough the panini is not war and war supplies kit is not just enough to survive it. But it seems like that the world is quite literally falling apart, as evidenced by Victoria going through all kinds of pathways away from her living room, meeting a (presumably) mini version of her somewhere in between, and literally surrounded by the shaking environment by the last moments of the song

before we realize it was just reality recursing from the TV’s point of view that Victoria was watching all along, and then she leaves the living room again, but in her world, everything is normal and she could just go wherever she wants by car. Even I can’t come up with a storyline ending that’s somewhat intertwined and all plot-twisty and more confusing than that. But props to her team I guess

Approval factor: Let’s say I somewhat approve this message. Follow-up factor: For the sake of argument let me just say that Bulgaria is moving on a great path, eventhough the former entry leaves me cold, at least the current entry keeps me warm at all times, like a cup of cocoa and a good blanket. Please Bulgaria, never run out of sponsors. Qualification factor: I’ve seen one or two people throw around the “surprise NQ” tag for this song and I don’t get why??? There’s no way that the tense atmosphere of semifinal 2 would sure-fire-ly kill Bulgaria, even if they have a lot less chances to win this year than they had the last one. There can be some shock NQs indeed though, and if there are, I am paging... uhhhhh Finland? Idk why but you might see what I mean if I ever get around to reviewing “Dark Side”. Bulgaria? Never. It may not win the semi but it will cradle around the top 7 somehow.

INTERNAL NF CORNER

That’s right, Bulgaria managed to do both.

At the time when one other of Bulgaria’s songs got released, within the *Special* Eurovision September 1st-onwards range, people naturally succumbed to their primal instinct of asking whether that’s her Eurovision song... only for Vic to probably announce this early on that no, it’s just *one* of potential ESC entries she’s harbouring. And the remaining potential ones were all on her debut EP. Who actually got a more well-orchestrated schedule for everyone to follow, and yet, people were much more keen to cling on the first EP song out of the gate, “Imaginary Friend”. Now I get that the fans of that song were super upset at the revelation that IF is not going, but it is a technically strong song for the sake of being a technically strong song, and I don’t want to think that Victoria is only forced to choose the songs that can win for her, so she’s such a sweetheart for gravitating towards a song she could dearly care about. So props to her team saving the initial winner for last to be revealed, lol.

Though wasn’t her personal favourite a Billie-Eilish-lite-upbeat-kinda-track Phantom Pain?

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Which was also my personal favourite?

Look, I know that favouring the only non-ballad in the whole lineup (well “Ugly Cry” is also not quite a ballad but its beat is kinda so-so, so I tend to ignore it) is kinda sus, also, y’all are sick to death to Billie Eilish comparisons, but I do believe that Billie would never be able to do an “Imaginary Friend” while Victoria could do a “Lovely”. This makes me remember the cover art of Billie’s debut album where she sits on her bed, dressed in white, and so is Victoria on this very MV, with strange shit going on behind her in the mirror. To the mirror, her reflection acts creepy, back again.

The other 2 I don’t feel like caring about enough, sure they got their cred, sure there’s one entry properly crediting Milanov (who seems to not have an actual entry this year that’s purely attributed to *him*, as opposed to 3 last year, 2 of which were performed by acts that returned this year????), sure there’s the funny thing about having a funeral song where out of this and Finland only Austria managed to send a quote unquote “funeral” song, but I think the funeral song would’ve sounded better if the pre-section of it on the “Phantom Pain” video was THE “funeral” song itself, and not whatever was that other funeral song.

In between there was a public sort of survey where people could submit feedback and positive words to Vic’s choices to help her decide - I didn’t get to vote but I feel fine with the winner eitherway, and that counts for something! And the end result was revealed at the very end of Victoria’s very own rooftop concert.

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The colors on the circle thingy of this, they were meant to symbolize all Bulgarian entries up to Victoria’s 2nd one, in pictograms that kind of reminded me of Coldplay attributing every song on ‘Mylo Xyloto’ its own little symbol.

The concert was not only full of music and also adverts for the inaugural sponsor iCard (that also included some element of foreshadow in between the suspense, you’ll see why), but also the Bulgarian folk talking before each song, saying all the positive nice words they can for Vic; that she’s talented, and that they were so excited that Bulgaria was doing well in the odds last year prior to cancellation, bla bla bla... also some people were proud of voting for Bulgaria outside Bulgaia, and they made puns about the forthcoming songs on the concert that they were introducing, and so on, and there was also someone called Dara, whom I really want to be sent by Bulgaria one day to show off that they’re not afraid of doing trashy-esque bops that don’t necessarily win

Also they reminded me that Lucy from No Angels (aka the sole reason Bulgaria 12′d Germany in 2008) still exists.

Also Azis.

There was also an intermission where Eurovision 2021 acts could say all the nice words to Victoria on their own part. And several artists chose to... how shall I put it... use up their several seconds rather interestingly. Like how The Roop would say something real quick only to delve into more of their usual “let’s dance, let’s discoteque! *hand scissors* ;P” self-promo, and Senhit carelessly being allowed to say whatever she wants in Italian without subtitles <3 Sorry sis, they’re only given to people from another white-green-red flag-color country.

About the iCard foreshadow... so there’s their advert about Victoria waiting in the line to get something in the Soft Vocals Store, and people ahead of her giving her money the standard oldfashioned way, and the old lady at the counter is... slow, to say the least. After a good amount of time spent waffling around, Victoria finally pulls out the iCard application and pays for the imaginary items she wants, then narrates some stuff about said application, and a Eurovision entry of hers plays when the old lady is at home, spending time in front of TV enjoying the music. Before the concert, the song that played was “Tears Getting Sober”. The advert played once more before Victoria’s big entry decision and entry MV reveal, and in place of the 2020 entry, “Growing Up Is Getting Old” was the one that sounded out loud... Now you may think that there were attempts at some sort of spoilage here, but after that ad before the concert EP NF result, there was this other advert starring Victoria that played “Imaginary Friend” at the end, a last-ditch effort to trick viewers into going “see? just because that ad played the chosen song doesn’t mean it’s the chosen song!! this song could as well be a chosen song as well!!” yeah no shut up GUIGO IS the chosen song kthxbyebye.

ANY LAST WORDS?

Having said all that praise, I actually have “Growing Up Is Getting Old” fairly low on my ranking. It’s just because the year is so damn good and I have a lot more songs to care about more than this, but I appreciate the gesture that this singer is sending very much. Good luck on your road to conquer Europe, Victory-ia, I’m sure you get the best of the experience and all, because you would deserve it.

#eurovision #eurovision 2021 #rotterdam 2021 reviews #bulgaria #victoria georgieva #victoria #growing up is getting old #i was planning to publish this review on the same day as borisbubbles dropped his review of bulgaria #but my timing is lazier than his i gotta admit #so yeah #gif

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uhforfuckssake · 4 years ago

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Holbeck: A Case Study of Hell — FiLiA

By Dr Em

Holbeck is a case study of hell. It is misogyny and objectification in the legal system, a triumph of men’s rights activists. Alan Caton, the detective who led the investigation into the murders of five prostituted women in Ipswich in 2006 and subsequently led the strategy to put an end to street prostitution in Ipswich is highly critical of the Leeds ‘managed approach’. Canton is clear that ‘I totally disagree with it’ he is of the opinion that ‘it plays right into the hands of pimps and abusers of women, and turns a blind eye to the most vulnerable people in our society. It allows men to carry on in their misogynistic ways, to abuse and exploit women who are out on the street selling sex’.1 Canton added that ‘The demand is there in this country because men are allowed unfettered to buy sex from women, to do what they want to them’.2 ‘Because that demand is never quelled, people will use all sorts of criminal avenues to traffic and exploit women. It's all about tackling that demand, telling men it's not acceptable to buy women and abuse them in that way’.3 In Holbeck human trafficking is rebranded as ‘migration for sex work’, paedophilia and child molestation becomes ‘under-age sex work’, rape becomes ‘a disputed sale’.

If one wants to know how unempowering the situation is for prostituted women and girls, one needs only read the punter reviews. Yes – reviews – like one would review a restaurant or hotel. Men describe their experiences to each other using degrading language and slang. For example, women likely trafficked from Romania are known as ‘Roms’, from Poland, ‘EE’, while men bemoan their lack of English or desire to participate, and the presence of pimps. Other men get a sexual kick out of the fact that the women and girls are disengaged. ‘Howaboutit’ related how:

‘i've had a few girls from down Holbeck - usually pass through at about 5am on a saturday morning. Always at least 1 or 2 around, as mentioned above, some are horrors!… total lack of interest while i had her in missionary.. but that kind of turns me on. Bored and checking her texts while i unload bare inside her!!’.4

One particular poster uses the moniker ‘Yorkshireripper’, referencing the serial killer Peter Sutcliffe who murdered prostituted women in Leeds during the 1970s. ‘Many of his attacks came after he had cruised the streets looking for victims, and the area’s reputation as a red light district meant that it was easier for him to persuade women to get into his car while soliciting’.5 ‘Yorkshireripper’ described one prostituted woman thus:

‘she looks a shit fuck based on that video [an uploaded porn film taken during street ‘sex work’] but I just think there's something about her being a really lowlife desperate dirty prostitute with such a shit background who's cunt has had many hundreds of hard cocks up her … that makes me want to empty my filth in her, just for the thrill of it’.6

‘Yorkshireripper’ had actually gone in search of potentially underage girls that night, he informed the other men that ‘I was seeking teenagers or under 25s’.7 ‘Yorkshireripper’ likes to negotiate the already low prices down further, he particularly likes bad weather as a means of creating more desperation in the women. He outlined how he:

‘went for a little scouting mission myself last night, first time in a few months due to reports of increased surveillance by anti whore brigade. Was a cold, wet and rainy night which is my favourite time as it seems gives you that extra cover of visibility and offers a quick respite from the cold as an incentive to the girls when your knocking down the price’.8

The women are looked upon as objects which the men can use, abuse, consume and collect. One ‘Richard1982’ described how ‘Of all the girls I've picked up she's the only one I haven't bb'd [had sex without a condom] so I want to collect the full set lol’.9 And the ‘sex work is work’ champions claim it is empowering for women. Do you feel empowered after reading that? Alan Caton, the detective who led the investigation into Stephen Wright who murdered five prostituted women in Ipswich in 2006 has related that “When I asked the [men] about it, they said: ‘I am paying for it, I can do what I want.’ That helped me form the view over time that this is not right. Men should not be able to exploit and abuse women in that way”.

DESPERATION & DRUGS

Holbeck creates a desperate cycle which we see trapping prostituted women across the world. Drugs and prostitution become a ‘chicken and egg’ problem. Women enter the trade to fund their, or their partner’s, drug addiction and then require more drugs to cope with what they are experiencing. Drugs become a means to endure male violence. While talking about Holbeck, Jenni described how she ‘gave up drugs to get out of the ‘managed’ red light zone – it was too dangerous’.11 Julie Bindel stated that in the opinion of one exited survivor of Holbeck ‘Her biggest criticism of the managed zone is the failure to offer women a route out of a world where drugs are rife’.12 Jenni discussed how “All the girls are down there because they’re dependent on drugs. I don’t believe it’s their choice to do it,” she says. “The key is to stop the drug use and it will stop the girls having to work for drugs”.13 Charles Hymas and Corinne Redfern reported how in Holbeck, it ‘was the sight of a prostitute injecting drugs into her groin on the backseat of a car in full view of residents in the neat terraced street in Beeston, Leeds, that convinced artist Claire Bentley-Smith it was time to act’.14 In 2019 'A woodland of suffering' was discovered by a mum-of-two dropping her children off at school which revealed a ‘sex worker's’ 'home' next to a Leeds primary school.15The drug litter is a constant in the area and a sharp reminder that allowing men to buy women on the street is ineffective at tackling the women’s drug addiction. In one clean-up of one small wooded area it took more than 20 vans to remove mounds of waste from a 'needle and condom hotspot' in Holbeck.16

Then men purchasing the women know they are desperate and many are addicts. One ‘Munterhunter’ said of the prostituted women in Holbeck that:

‘in most cases it's to feed a drug addiction or because some pimp is telling them "go and earn me 200 quid tonight".

I know that a large number of street prostitutes have serious drug habits my mate's wife works with a project which operates all over the UK working with street prostitutes and the biggest challenge they face is drugs. My mate is a support worker working with people on drug rehab and community punishment orders from the courts his wife works for a national organisation working with street prostitutes’.17

Yet he was undeterred from buying women. Mark Edmonds has outlined how in Holbeck, ‘there are no sanctions and no risk of conviction. Widespread drug-taking — sadly an integral part of the lives of many of these women, who have often been abused as teenagers and are subsequently used by pimps who see them as no more than a commodity — is also tolerated, under a scheme that costs local taxpayers £200,000 per year to run’.18 A BBC documentary highlighted the link between drug addiction and prostitution. In the documentary Sammie-Jo described how she ‘has been forced to work as a prostitute in the red-light district of Holbeck in Leeds to fund her addiction’.19 Yet still the ‘sex work is work’ lobby talk about women choosing this.

Safety and Violence

The ‘sex work is work’ pimp lobby and men’s sexual rights activists argue that prostitution should be decriminalised to make it safer for those being sold. Holbeck, and other examples such as in the Netherlands, shows this is false.20 It makes it more dangerous for the women being sold and other women in the area. In 2015, within months of the ‘managed approach’ zone in Holbeck becoming operational Daria Pionko was murdered by a punter.21 Julie Bindel spoke to one Holbeck prostitute who told her: ‘Because [the men] can’t get arrested, they think they can do anything they like. I’ve been raped, and one man urinated on me once and then took a photo’.22 With the first year of the ‘managed approach’ figures released by police show complaints of rape almost trebled … and have remained significantly higher than before’.23Alongside this, rapes are under-reported as the police and courts do not take it seriously, particularly if the woman is prostituted. On the 7th September 2018 Holbeck residents, David and Calum, reported stopping a rape of a prostituted woman. They stated that while walking home through Holbeck after they had finished work at a club they heard a woman’s voice calling for help. They ‘saw a man trying to strangle a woman. He released her as soon as we approached and she ran towards us… she’s a sex worker and he’s a punter. The fight was about condoms. He wanted her to have sex without a condom… but she refused’.24 The fetish killer, Donald Sheridan, who the council and probation service decided to house in the managed zone in Holbeck while he was on parole, told police in an interview regarding his abduction and attempted rape of a woman in Holbeck in 2019 that ‘he still experiences urges to rape and murder women, especially strangling them, and he had recently felt the urge to strangle an older sex worker after using her services’.25

The frequency of sex attacks on women in the small area of Holbeck was highlighted in 2019 when there were three sex attacks within 36 hours. Samantha Gildea and Kristian Johnson reported that ‘A female sex worker was assaulted by a male client in Shafton Lane on Sunday afternoon, then in the evening, a woman was grabbed on a footpath near Kenneth Street in an attempted rape at around 5.30pm. A third incident was reported to officer after a woman was physically assaulted in Holbeck Moor Park at around 10.15pm last night’.26 Julie Bindel interviewed ‘Sammy, who was pimped on her 17th birthday straight into the zone by her “boyfriend”, who told her that the police “don’t give a fuck about the women”. Sammy said that “One night I was screaming my head off when a nasty punter got really rough with me, but these two coppers just walked past’.27 Another prostituted woman, Jenni, told Chris Hymas and Bindel of ‘the constant threat of robbery, sex tourism, exploitation by traffickers, and women so desperate for drugs they sold sex for just £10’.28 Hymas and Bindel reported that ‘the zone, designed to crack down on pimping, was in reality a magnet for men seeking to exploit the women by charging them for protection’.29 Jenni described how “There were loads of young lads who were basically glorified pimps.. There were more and more attacks before I left, of people coming into the area to rob the girls, knowing they were on their own with money’30. Rather than improve relations between the prostituted woman and the police, the managed approach has caused them to deteriorate and the prostituted women feel even less protected.31 Nevertheless, ‘the council says the increase in crime is due to improved reporting and includes Beeston which is not part of the zone. Others disagree. “It was a disaster from day one,” a senior police officer told The Telegraph on condition of anonymity. “Other criminals came into the area quick as a flash. Drug dealers, pimps, even traffickers that brought the women from Romania’.32

Male violence and rape, and police inaction over these crimes, is also a problem for women and children not in prostitution who live near or enter the Holbeck zone. In 2015, ‘Sally – a young woman with learning disabilities, then aged 17 – was approached at a bus stop in Beeston on a weekday afternoon, bundled into a car, and raped in a nearby home. With DNA evidence, the attacker was quickly arrested and prosecuted in court. However, during a gruelling court case which saw Sally forced into a cross-examination, the defence lawyer argued that his client had simply mistaken Sally for a sex worker, and he walked free’.33 In 2017, Ian Staines, managing director of the Fresco Group, a local business, told the Daily Mail regarding the increase in rapes and sexual assaults that ‘these figures do not surprise me. Female members of our staff feel threatened. The police aren’t interested’.34 In 2018, a Holbeck woman was raped on her way home from work by a group of men who assumed she was a prostitute’.35 In another case of rape in the small Holbeck zone, Ed Carlisle reported of the rape of Alice, a previous victim of domestic abuse, that she had moved into a hostel in Holbeck, where she was repeatedly approached by kerb crawlers. Then in May 2018 ‘a gang of men manhandled her into a car, refused to believe she wasn’t a sex worker, and took her to a nearby house, where one of the men raped her. With DNA evidence, the attacker was quickly arrested, but again (supported by the testimonies of his friends) argued for mistaken identity, and was not even prosecuted’.36 At 4pm Saturday 8th September 2018 a resident reported that ‘my 12 year old daughter walking home from school rang me to tell me she’s just seen a lady being raped! 2 men had her pinned against the wall… one was pulling her knickers off as she screamed. My daughter ran home and I’ve called 999’.37 In November 2018 it was reported to the police and the press that a man tried to buy a baby for an hour in Holbeck. ‘The 47-year-old [woman] was carrying her four-month old grandchild in a pram in the area before the man reportedly said 'Give me an hour with it and I will bring it back'.38 In 2019 a woman claimed that while simply out walking she 'was raped in the street in Holbeck'.39 She did not report this as she thought the police would just say her rapist thought she was a ‘sex worker’ and he would thus walk free. Also in 2019 Donald Sheridan, a convicted fetish murderer, was housed in Holbeck while on parole, and later went on to abduct and strangle a woman until a passer-by intervened.40 The housing of Sheridan in Holbeck highlights how the judiciary and police view the women of Holbeck as dispensable. Susie Beever reported in 2019 how ‘many of the area's female residents feel at risk, preyed upon and "constantly scrutinised". Holbeck has one of the highest recorded crime rates in the entire Leeds South policing ward. There were 161 crimes reported in the area in September alone, of which 51 were classed as violent or sexual offences’.41/sup>

The Save Our Eyes community campaign group set up by residents of Holbeck records their experiences. One resident recorded how ‘My granddaughter was approached at 3.15pm in the afternoon in her school uniform by a punter looking for sex’.42 Another resident shared her experience of how ‘My daughter was followed home from school by a man making rude comments and trying to touch her’.43 13 year old Katy tells the story of how while waiting at a bus stop in a residential street adjoining the Holbeck managed zone on a Saturday morning with her mum ‘A man came up to us and said “Are you working?” My mum was confused and asked what he meant. He replied ��Not you! I mean her. Is she working?” and pointed at me. My mum… shouted at him “She’s only 13, she’s a child!” but he wasn’t even bothered. He carried on, “It doesn’t matter about her age. She looks like one (meaning a prostitute)… It’s acceptable on Holbeck to ask”.44 Helen, Katie’s mum, described how ‘the man who wanted to buy her on Saturday argued with me. He felt he had a right to ask any woman in the area for sex’.45

Conclusion

Yet despite all of this evidence and Holbeck conforming to the pattern of other decriminalised areas of prostitution around the world in terms of an increase in crime and danger to women Chief Super Intendent Steve Cotter, of West Yorkshire Police, ‘said the force "remain convinced" the system was working’.46 One wonders how Mr Cotter defines success. Mr Cotter elaborated, that the managed approach in Holbeck ‘provides the best opportunity to safeguard the vulnerable women involved in street sex work, to limit the issues that impact on residents and businesses and to reduce the level of street sex work in Leeds," he said’.47 This is contradicted by reality. Still, a controversial report published in 2020 has claimed that the managed approach in Holbeck has had a positive result. This report’s statements are not supported by the data and the report itself ‘failed to comply with the legal obligations of public bodies to consider the equality impact of their policies and did not properly investigate how the scheme affects local women and children’.48 As Nordic Model Now asserts, ‘Prostitution has been recognized by the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women to be a form of gender-based violence – meaning that not only is prostitution inherently violent, but it is also an intrinsic part of the systemic oppression of women and girls’.49 Why would this be different in Holbeck?

#radical feminism #feminism #sex work is not work #sex work hurts women #sex workers are women too #anti sex industry #link #ref #anti prostitution

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hangryandlazy · 3 years ago

Text

africa jul 19

wow lol it’s taken me 2 years to actually put this post together. a LOT has changed since then and it makes me immensely happy to recognize how lucky we were that we’d had 2 insane years of travelling right before the pandemic hit. but this post is not to dwell on that, so let’s get on with it!!

this was our amazing 2019 africa trip~

jun 30, 19 ••• we make our way from hong kong to the netherlands on klm airlines. i distinctly remember how impressed i was with the quality of service and the comfort of the 12ish hour flight. after around 16 hours of commute, we just want to stay in and chill, so we order room service and call it a night early. i recall wearing a fun t-shirt that read, “not to be rude, but shut the fuck up” which i personally find hilarious and endearing, but which made the guy at the front desk quite uncomfortable. lollll oops!

vimeo

jul 1, 19 ••• yay! we had a full day alone in amsterdam. we (i) decided to walk from the hotel to the town center, because it’s fun experience new cities by exploring them on foot!! why not? you come across many things that you just couldn’t have planned to find.

look how beautiful the canals in amsterdam are! anywhere you turn, it’s picturesque.

we had lunch at wagamama because i saw that the avant garde vegan, gaz oakley, had done a collaboration with them at some point, so there are some guaranteed vegan options. we then walk around the bloemenmarkt and find our way to the cannabis college, which had 2 verdampers for rent! yesssss! i was so happy.

we explored and walked around more, then stopped by a coffee shop to smoke a bit more. there was a lovely vegan cafe right next door, which i’d been eyeing when we went in to smoke, so we had a top up on coffee and matcha there. we saw a cute frenchie across the road and missed the dogs so...

vimeo

we had dinner at this place called cafe frijdag (which means Friday!) which was delicious! so happy that amsterdam had vegan options for me

jul 2, 19 ••• we got up bright and early to meet my parents for breakfast and we go to the airport to catch our flight to kigali. about 10 hours later, we were buying sim cards at the kigali airport. we then checked in to the radisson for the night, and it was feeling very surreal to be in africa. i remember feeling anxious.

jul 3, 19 ••• today started on a somber note. we went to the kigali genocide memorial. i cried a lot, especially at the exhibit with the photographs of only a fraction of the victims during that time.

then we drove at turtle speed to our next hotel, which was a loooong long way away. we arrived at the lake kivu serena hotel in time for a very late lunch. the cuisine here consists of rice, tortilla-like wraps and papadum-esque crispy rolls.

this fruit tastes disgusting... it looks like a tomato but isn’t sweet at all. i only remember spitting it out, trying another piece from another plate, and still hating it.

vimeo

thankfully everyone wanted to relax and take it easy, so we ordered in for dinner and spent the rest of the night chilling.

jul 4, 19 ••• we drove out to see the border between rwanda and the democratic republic of congo. we were told to be very careful about taking photos of the police officers there, so we were. it felt strange to take photos of the border, i’m clearly very ignorant of the relations and history. it was a very busy juncture, with a sea of people crossing this way and that, lots of cars bumbling about and a lot of fruit, as i recall. hahah.

we then drove out to see a makeshift hot spring. we were asked if we wanted to take a dip, but none of us wanted to..... felt bad saying no, but really not worth it, sorry.

vimeo

https://vimeo.com/568059672 (okay, i’m unable to embed more videos so links will have to do until i figure out something better...)

we took a boat ride along the lake, but there wasn’t that much to see around there, it was pretty dirty and murky... reminded me of the hong kong harbor, with trash floating around. it was also freezing, so i wasn’t having any fun at all.

we went to the gym and worked out a little bit because there was a lot of time to kill in between returning to hotel and our private pre-planned bbq dinner on the beach. we were lucky enough to enjoy traditional rwandan dancing which was absolutely gorgeous.

jul 5, 19 ••• we spent most of our morning in the car, having crossed the border to the republic of uganda. we stopped by a cute cafe along the way for lunch, but it was a grueling 4-5 hour car ride to mahogany springs, which was our hotel for the gorilla trekking. we managed to arrive around 715pm, by which time it was pretty dark and scary outside. the other car had broken down twice, once in the dark as well, so spirits were low and there was a lot of muttering and grumbling done under people’s breath. everyone was ravenous by the time dinner was served, but despite how late it was, it was absolutely delicious and i was happy! (also grateful for our car not having broken down)

jul 6, 19 ••• we woke up VERY early in anticipation of gorilla trekking. we waited around the hotel lobby after some coffee and biscuits for breakfast. it was an awful lot of waiting, but i didn’t sense anything wrong until i saw how pissed off our tour guide looked. it turns out our permits had gotten stolen! probably bribes.

here we were mucking around, still anticipating gorilla trekking.

we didn’t let it slow us down though. i actually am grateful for how things turned out because we wouldn’t have gotten to experience uganda like that without this turn of events. we joined a community tour that showed us how tea is harvested, how coffee is grown, harvested and round, as well as how bananas may be used to make juice, beer and gin! very cool

african tea leaves

jackfruit??

these are flowers from the coffee tree

the different stages of the coffee plant

this is henry, he owns this coffee plantation. here, henry shows us how to the use this contraption, the purpose of which is to grind coffee beans into powder

here henry is, sifting the coffee powder

here are my parents, having the time of their life (lol at my dad)

fresh bananas

these are the different stages of a banana’s life: from raw to ripe to fermenting. it can be made into juice and liquor.

we then visited a local school, where we were entertained by kids from kindergarten to 6th grade. we learned about their mission and goals to educate the younger generations by providing classrooms and a dining hall and even dorms for boarding. the singing and dancing was BRILLIANT. loved every single second of it. wish i’d joined in and not cared about what anyone thought.

we stopped by a women’s community center and saw a lot of cool crafts and art. that was on the way to the batwa pgymy tribe. we learned how they integrated with the batwa community. they showed us some dances they have dedicated to the gorillas, for which they are very grateful because it brings tourists in and therefore gives them an income. they showed us how to use a bow and arrow to hunt, and how they weave baskets and make handicrafts.

alan with the leader of the pgymy tribe

one of our guides spotted 2 chameleons, which was super impressive. he even brought the chameleon down close to us so that we could see it. i won’t ever understand how he was able to spot it in the wild, and from so far away as well.

we returned to the lodge and had lunch. the veggie stir fry was pretty dang good. it was served with posho, which is a maize bread, beans, and also matate (???) which reminded me a lot of plantain. back at the hotel, we chilled (without tv or wifi) until dinner. alan fell asleep, and i kept myself busy sorting out photos. dinner was early, and our night was early because we were promised gorilla trekking in the morning!

delicious!

jul 7, 19 ••• we were up and ready to leave by 7am. we were in the clear! we drove a little bit to the bwindi impenetrable national park for some entertainment (dancing and singing) from local students and a hilarious briefing on what to expect and do’s and don’ts of the trek.

we then had separate meetings within our trekking groups. ours was quite big, with 10 tourists, because michael and our guides had spent HOURS the day before handling our stolen permits. an exception was made to accommodate us all, so our group consisted of the starke’s, alan, kerstin, a couple from oregon, and an english family. we had to get in another car and drive a bit to the mountain, where we met our porters and then began our trek!

the hike up was difficult, and at times i legit feared for my life because the mud/rocks were loose and one wrong step would have had us tumbling down the edge of the mountain... and that was me at age 28!! cannot imagine how my parents were feeling...

alan with meddie

as we made our way to the gorilla family, we encountered a solo young male who was soooo friendly, he cut across our group, like right down the middle, and he even reached out and touched my mom on her jacket! it was wild that a gorilla was that close to us, and then he left as quickly as he had joined.

this is the photo my mom managed to take when the young gorilla male was right next to her

we kept on hiking and found a large. our guide, meddie, told us that we were lucky to have found such a large family doing a whole bunch of different activities: we saw mothers nursing their babies, babies swinging from the trees and playing with one another, sub adult males beating their chests and other members of the family eating and feeding. we even got to watch as a silverback gorilla pulled a very healthy poop out of its butt, and we ran into him snacking again later on.

on the way down, it started raining a little bit. we all slipped at one point or another, but it was especially dangerous for my dad so we all had to slow down our pace a little bit to match his speed. thank god he had a porter there to help him out and save him.

we returned to the same place as where we had started our morning for a debriefing, and we each received a certificate to show that we had been on this trek. we waited around a little bit for the other group to arrive, and were once again very grateful that our experience was much more pleasant. one lady in the other group had to leave the trek on a stretcher, and the others were caught in the rain on their way to the gorillas, so it must have been a cold and awful experience on their end.

us after the successful completion of our gorilla trek!!

we headed to a local inn nearby where we had a late lunch and could change into dry clothes. we then drove a bumpy 4 hours to mweya safari lodge, located inside queen elizabeth national park. we made a couple of stops along the way (one of which was in the middle of nowhere so that people could go pee out in the open where animals are potentially roaming around?!?!?) and when we finally arrived, it was already 830/9ish pm.... we insisted to order room service because we were pooped, and we got showered and hit the hay.

this cute sign was outside the lodge!

this super old school cash register was at the lodge too

jul 8, 19 ••• today started off with a game drive, early in the morning!

we drove around the gorgeous park and saw elephants, warthogs, antelope, eagles, all sorts of bird and butterflies, buffalo and weird-looking lemur or ferret creatures. we thought it was great, but some other members of the group were underwhelmed.

this is the view from the car we sat in for the safari

this gorgeous tree houses sooo many bird’s nests! do you see them?

cute antelope we saw on the tour

after lunch at the hotel, we went on a boat tour around the kazinga channel. i think it was called lake edward? we saw many animals again, including crocodile, elephants, buffalo, all sorts of birds, and hippos.

favorite photo of my parents ¨̮

we followed a few elephant cuties along the bank. it drizzled for a little bit in between.

dinner was delicious. it was a great buffet, although i was severely grossed out by the ants that joined us on the dining table.

there were so many animals on the grounds of the lodge. don’t be fooled by how cute these guys look, we saw them fight over raw meat at some point! we also saw a warthog stroll around.

jul 9, 19 ••• we were up bright and early today for a quick breakfast before heading right on out. on the way to entebbe, we stopped by a local motel for lunch. the service was SUPER slow (maybe because we had such a huge group together!) but it was delicious and worth the wait! i ordered a coleslaw and avocado vinaigrette (this was THE HUGEST AVOCADO i’ve ever seen in my life?!?!?), a veggie biryani and some of paul’s aloo matar. we then filed back into our cars for several more hours of “african massage” to the next destination. had an early night, i think we ordered room service to the hotel room and tried to get our butts to bed as early as possible because it was another EARLY day the morning after.

we stopped at the equator in uganda to take some photos, of course!

i was sooo happy to be able to order room service! we felt like we were finally back to civilization... 🥺 we had wifi and tv and hot water... ugh it was amazing

jul 10, 19 ••• my alarm was set for 4am this morning.... 🥲😅 we left the hotel at 5am for the airport and obviously i was tired and grumpy and just in a crappy mood overall hahahah. our first flight was barely 45 minutes.... to mbarara i’m guessing?? i was assigned a middle seat on my own originally but no one was in the aisle seat so i moved over woohoo! our first layover was 2-3 hours, not too bad. we hung around at the lounge area.

our second flight was to harare. alan and i managed to snag 2 joined seats towards the back end of the plane so that we could watch conan’s traevel shows on his ipad. there was a pretty scary drop when we were descending imto harare. i think we just stayed on the plane for about half an hour so some people could get on the plane and join.

we flew about 3 hours more to cape town, and we were EXCITED to arrive. it was a hell of a time checking in, and it was a nicer hotel in a nice area so we decided to just stay in and order room service again. we had a slow night and it was SOOOO needed. cape town felt a lot closer to the first world and we were enjoying and appreciating it to the max. we even started playing pokemon go and its harry potter-themed equivalent (oops forgot the name), but to be fair, we didn’t get cell phone service everywhere we went, so it would cut on and off.

jul 11, 19 ••• eek, cape town was COOOOLD! luckily i brought a jacket along, we really really needed to cover up and stay warm! got to sleep in a bit, we left by 830am to drive to the pebble beach by the water to take some gorgeous photos. we stopped by chapman’s peak for another photo op, then drove to boulders beach in simon’s town to see the penguins!! it was such a dream, loved every second of it.

i believe this was chapman’s peak??

what a model

this was at the pebble beach at the cape of good hope.

saw a cute ostrich on the way somewhere

next we went to cape point. we took the funicular to the top, then hiked up to the lighthouse. we took pots of great pics but omg it was EVEN MORE freezing there. we had lunch at the two oceans restaurant. fancy and delicious! the calamari was bomb, the arancini was alright, but the main of chickpea and mushrooms was delish. after lunch we headed right on back to the hotel.

when i said it was cold, i wasn’t joking... it was FREEZING at the top. i had a horrible time because i don’t do that well in the cold

alan and i walked over to woolworths to get water and makeup remover and snacks. on the way back we stopped by PLANT for dinner. i was sooo excited to try out their vegan fast food, so i ordered a lot of the menu. we got the quinoa salad, mac and cheez, seitan lasagna, schawarma, pot stickers, siu mai, spag bolognese, tiramisu, milk tart and a bunch of other random vegan snacks. i was in HEAVEN. even though some of the stuff was cold by the time we got back to the hotel and ate, it still tasted DELICIOUS. i was soooo impressed.

this was the lasagna. omfg i need an encore of this restaurant one day!!! wish i knew how to cook like this

jul 12, 19 ••• today we went to a wine blending workshop at grande provence winery. the first step was to blend 3 different mixtures. after tasting them all, we decided the last blend was the winner, with 40% zinfandel, 10% shiraz and 50% cabernet. so then we blended up a big bottle of it, corked it, thew on a hand-signed label, and then walked around the beautiful indoor and outdoor art galleries.

this was our group!

wine blending is literally mixing different wines together in different proportions and figuring out which you like the taste of the best

there was a lot of cute art at the winery! i loved all the dogs and greyhounds around the property. these 3 dancing pigs came a close second

we drove a little way for lunch at another beautiful vineyard. i had a charcoal ciabatta, tomato quinoa salad, root veggie risotto and steamed veggies on the side. we skipped the wine tasting because our lunch overran a bit and our bus driver buford said that the traffic would be pretty heavy on a friday afternoon and it wouldn’t be worth it to be stuck on the bus. so we just walked around the cute little town we were at, franschhoek (??)

there was a lot of cute art and small local shops around this town! we strolled around and got some souvenirs ¨̮

love this

we had a dinner booked way ahead at fyn restaurant. it was stunningly delicious. i loved every single course and was thoroughly impressed.

UGHHHHH just soooo good.

jul 13, 19 ••• FINALLY we had a day to sleep in!!!! we let our group know the night before that we didn’t want to join the walking tour around the city. we woke up and made our way to the company’s garden, which was directly next to our hotel. we played harry potter wizards unite and ran into the tour group. my mom told me later on it was a good decision of ours not to join haha.

we walked to addis in cape for an authentic ethiopian meal experience. we washed our hands at the table, ate the whole meal with our hands, and finally i was able to taste injera. it was 100% teff injera and it did not disappoint. i ordered a vegan platter while alan got a combo. the amount of food was PERFECT for us, we finished every single thing.

we ordered dessert but the hot berries never showed up and the ice cream was interestingly very gummy and very very sweet. the coffee was strong and served with a beautiful platter.

after that, we needed to walk our full tummies off. we headed to the waterfront, where there were many shops and stalls in indoor and outdoor malls. it was just a really good time walking around there and we saw soooo many things. there was bubble tea in south africa, a yogurt bar that made me sooo happy, dogs were up for adoption, and a bootleg jabbawockeez performance at the city square. we walked back to the hotel after that and got ready for bed.

jul 14, 19 ••• we woke up at 430am to head to the airport by 530am. we caught our first flight from cape town to johannesburg, then transferred to a direct flight back to hong kong. it was a TIRING trip but wow, the memories!! really want to go to back soon

#tanjastravels #tansworld #travel #wanderlust #tanja travels #tanjalan #cape town #uganda #gorilla #gorilla trekking #africa #south africa #safari #memories #travel memories #do you even travel

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laceymorganwrites · 4 years ago

Note

Hi honey 1 2 4 6 7 9 10 13 18 24 I know it's long but that prompt interest me since I'm also a non native English speaker 😋 -Sarah

ofc, love!!! don´t worry about the length, it doesn´t bother me <3 (in fact I prefer it hehe)

also where are you from?

1. Favorite place in your country?

I haven´t been everywhere yet but the black forest is beautiful

2. do you prefer to spend your holidays in your country or travel abroad?

Depends. But overall I´d have to say in my country since I want to see more of it and we have beautiful scenery and nature (also I prefer traveling per train and/or bus since I have a fear of flying and also no boats/ships for me since I´m scared of drowning/water overall)

4. favorite dish specific for your country?

honestly idk. There many that I like, but I haven´t explored all of German culinary yet. I like Knödel though (tho it originates from Austria I think) and Reibekuchen is pretty great.

6. most hated song in your native language?

That one Fanta4 song for the last World Cup. Or anything that´s currently on the radio. I despise Schlager too. All of it.

7. 3 words from your language that you like the most?

Schabernack (jest, joking around, something silly), Wanderlust/Fernweh (they mean the same thing: craving adventure and new places) and Schlaumeier (somebody that is really annoying and in your face about their knowledge)

9. which of your neighboring countries would you like to visit most/know most?

Well, I want to go to Belgium again, we were there when I was like 10. And I want to visit France since I´ve never been there. And I think I know the Netherlands best since I´ve been there the most (3 times isn´t much but still...)

10. most enjoyable swearword in your native language?

hrghhh I can´t choose....I mean there are a lot of funny ones that aren´t really insults like Frechdachs, Hornochse or Taugenichts. The youth currently uses Hurensohn in every sentence which kind of numbs the effect of the word. I say Arschloch the most though, always does the deed.

13. does your country/your family have any traditions that may seem strange to outsiders?

It really depends where you go. My family doesn´t really have any tbh, we´re not rlly about that. We have Bleigießen on New Year´s though which is quite nice. Raclette is also a traditional food to New Year´s or christmas. Um, in Cologne where I live we have Karneval which nowadays is just an excuse to get away with sexual harrassment rather than the actual tradition it used to be.

18. do you speak with a dialect of your native language?

No. I speak Hochdeutsch with a mix of English words and expressions.

24. what other nation is joked about most in your country?

France. We kinda don´t get along lol

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thetrial · 5 years ago

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Quarantine Routine

Usually i’m not into tag game stuff but this one seems like something enjoyable (not to mention a way to vent). thank you for tagging me @bilaqua 🧡🧡🧡

Are you staying home from work/school?

Yes. we were almost halfway through the semester when we moved to online learning and it sucks so bad i hate it (i understand why it’s necessary and of course the public safety and the wellbeing of the staff and students is the most importnat thing but i’m still allowed to have a bad time). two of my profs are uploading lecture videos, the rest is either self-study (bleh) or video conference calls (i disabled my camera & microphone when i got my laptop and i can’t figure out how to turn them back on and maybe that’s for the best), and every professor has his (lol academic inequality) own preferred software so now i have four different programs on my computer to communicate with my peers and professors instead of emailing like normal people. currently, most of my exams have been cancelled and replaced with assignments which normally i would be ecstatic about (fuck exams) but! normally i would go to the library to work on them and i can’t. and on top of all that every other day we’re getting a useless corona update from the university telling us not to panic and nothing else and it clogs my inbox. hate it hate it hate it.

If you are staying home, who is with you?

i’m with my sister!

Are you a homebody?

i guess so but in moderation? i don’t like going out-out (clubbing etc) but my favourite passtime is finding a nice piece of grass and soak in the sun and listen to the birds and just be. or in general just not be in the house. i don’t know. what IS a home even, what does it mean [”i would like there to exist spaces that are stable, unmoving, intangible, untouched and almost untouchable, unchanging, deep-rooted; places that might be points of reference, of departure, of origi-”]

An event you were looking forward to that got cancelled?

ohoho. academic opportunities (conferences, networking etc). fieldwork for my thesis. a trip to the north of the netherlands (waddenzee) in the easter holiday. seeing my friends in class, tentative friend dates with new people, apprenticeship this summer, getting a job, visiting my family in the countryside, spring as a concept.

What movies have you watched recently?

princess mononoke. umm. that’s it. i’m not hugely into films because the emotional stakes feel so disconnected from my reality and generally it feels all very hollow in a way i can’t really express [”it says nothing to me about my life”]. also i spent every day in the last three weeks sitting down working away on my laptop getting a headache i’m not going to sit down and watch a screen for an additional two hours for fun.

What shows are you watching?

absolutely not. whatever goes for films goes doubly for series. i am not investing time and emotion i do not have to spare in these stories (i’m very irritable right now sometimes i’m more open to series. it’s just something about how they’re so fucking long, and how we’re encouraged to watch them all in one go, i don’t like it). also as i said i have a massive headache from my computer at all times and would rather not. that being said i finished rewatching avatar a couple of days before the lockdown started and i had a nice time.

What music are you listening to?

lots of folk (calms me down), whatever talking heads is, mitski, the mountain goats, soundtracks of films i like, i’ve also been going through my record collection again and reliving those albums and teh memories they carry with them. sadly i decided not to make monthly mixtapes for 2020 so i don’t have a nifty link reflecting my mood.

What are you reading?

a lot because i refuse to consume visual media. this is how you lose the time war by amal el-mohtar and max gladstone. the raven and the reindeer by t kingfisher. carry on by rainbow rowell. someone to run with by david grossman. the conservation revolution by bram büscher and robert fletcher (nonfiction). the fellowship of the ring (inspired by paula @bilaqua, thank you so much i’m having a blast so far). also supposedly la belle dauvage by philip pullman and the master and the margrita by mikhail bulgakov but i haven’t seen them since the quarantine started. and of course university-related books papers theses etc.

next on my list are on earth we’re briefly gorgeous by ocean vuong, the poppy war by rf kuang and reread the earthsea novels because it has been too long

What are you doing for self care?

haha. hahahaha. i started running again after stopping for a couple of years as a way to release tensions. like every person in this city i also started a sourdough starter and i’m baking bread and stuff. i cook a lot and i’m constantly trying out new recipes and cuisines but i did that before as well. as i said laying on the floor, listening to records and trying to find that person inside myself again. reading. going to the store once a week and taking the scenic route. i’m toying with the idea of teaching myself to play an instrument, and i set a goal of drawing every day a bit and spenidng less time on the computer but that isn’t happening with my current workload. i’m sleeping like shit etc and i think that’s the opposite of self-care [”the wind is in from africa and last night i couldn’t sleep”]. i think that generally i’m holding up but i’m not doing very well.

thank you again for tagging me and letting me get this all out

i’m very tired and can’t think of anyone to tag so if you’re iterested you are most welcome to say i tagged you, i would love to read your response

#*roald dahl voice* tv bad #Bee quiet #i feel like i have more to say but honestly i don't care anymore #i'm sorry it's so long #also that stable spaces quote is from spaces despaces by georges perec go read it #i have an english pdf somewhere if wnyone's interesten #also re:reading it's mostly theorethical because again insane university workload + i'm perpetaully tired from shitty sleep so i read three

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mariellawinters · 6 years ago

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HOLA ! i’m frankie , 22 years old , residing in the central time zone , and go by the female pronouns . i’m SO thrilled to be a part of this group ! i don’t know what else to say except for the fact that i haven’t roleplayed in about 4 months , so i apologize in advance for being rather slow in the process . however , i’ll try my very best to share as many details with you about my girl , MARIËLLA , as possible . ( i would’ve had a statistics page ready but didn’t expect the rp to open suddenly , so i tried my best to give as much info & perhaps a bit too much lol but please plot with me/mariëlla ; also , thanks for reading ! ) . ♡

･:*:･ﾟ☆ ( jessica chastain. forty two. cisfemale. she/her. ) ↷ ( mariëlla t. winters ) has been spotted by the paparazzi in los angeles. they are an ( a ) list celebrity known for their career as an ( actress ). they’re known by their fans to be ( easygoing, meticulous & zealous ) but the tabloids frequently portray them to be ( anxious, enigmatic, & introverted ). i wish them every success in the entertainment industry. ･:*:･ﾟ☆

full name: mariëlla tatiana winters

nickname(s): mari, maya, ella

age: forty-two ( 42 ) .

birthdate: november 25th, 1975 .

sexual orientation: bisexual .

occupation: actress / film producer / writer .

mariëlla was born to dutch-american parents, and raised, in washington, d.c. winters didn’t come from a privileged, wealthy family. her parents, constantin & thea, traveled and practically chose to live their new life in america and to start a family. in the years to come, her older brother, mariëlla, and their younger sister/daughter were born and they couldn't have been more delighted with their family of five.

she grew to have become very family-oriented because of her family, and extended family in the netherlands / holland. which included traveling to visit them during the holidays, or every chance they could possibly get to do so if and whenever they had the money. her parents were hard-working, hence rarely having the chance to travel to europe and could only send 1, or two, of their children to stay with their relatives. but they wouldn't have changed it for anything else as long as they knew their dutch heritage, and they worked hard for almost just that.

although having hard-working parents, they both dedicated one hundred % of their time for family whenever they weren’t working. they raised / taught their children by acknowledging humility, recognizing their own weaknesses, & that it was okay to be the best that they can be — as well as having the FREEDOM of deciding who they wanted to be, the path they wanted to take; old enough to make their own decisions as a legal adult, basically. * which is how mariëlla chose to raise her kids and thanks her parents for setting an example when she was growing up; passing it on as a mom herself, hoping that it works out smoothly and parenting as best she can.

when she was in middle & high school, she gained a keen interest in acting because of the plays, musicals, and whatnot. the more she got herself involved in them and at a local theater, the reason she instantly made her decision of becoming an ACTRESS became clearer. she set her mind to it, looking forward to the day she’d graduate and study film & drama at the univeristy of south california in los angeles. if anyone asked personally, it was the best decision she ever made; she would completely agree and tell you herself with pride and joy.

she always tried her best, and somehow, did explicitly well in school because she forced herself. even if she wasn’t too bad of a student, mariëlla struggled/stressed out easily, as she tends to be somewhat of a perfectionist still & almost everything had to be organized and in order. fast forward to 4 years later & as a ucla graduate; ëlla has graduated as a student that was given opportunities to act onscreen when she was in school studying. as weirdly as it might sound, taking into consideration mariëlla’s chosen profession, is incredibly meticulous when it comes to auditioning for a role and be given the job for said character.

she spends a lot of her time and energy by supporting a lot of what she believes in and whatnot. she is quite often a zealous worker for charity and brings attention to causes, et cetera. i find it better to describe as a passionate artist/actress but most importantly: a human being with a lot of compassion towards the less fortunate and will likely pay for something rather expensive— i.e. an engagement ring for a couple, anonymously ( what paul w*lker did for a couple without revealing his identity; true story ) . mariëlla does show a very unselfish concern for the well-being of others & it’s obvious; altruistic; even if people don’t like it or might think it’s invasive. that is never her intention; will know when to back off though. but does genuinely care a lot about others; is someone that puts the needs of another person before her own without questioning it. all in all, an easygoing humanitarian and philanthropist.

people might think it’s a bit concerning, but she can be quite stubborn as well when it comes to certain things. she means well though. don’t mind her sometimes. unless it’s for her own good or regarding anything job-wise. over the years, she has become very anxious. she believes it’s because of all the stress and the overwhelming, hectic schedule of tour promotions and whatnot. she’s committed to them but by popping a little pill called xanax. she can control her anxiety but there are days when she cannot and it’s not pretty. hence why she is her - introverted - self at times, but in the public eye is seen as an enigmatic soul. she has her reasons.

the only reason why she is hard to interpret in the public eye, especially the media, is because she only wants her close family and friends to know who she truly is behind closed doors. she could care less about the rumors that are being said about her, but it won’t mean that her anxiety won’t get to the best of her. it’ll eat ëlla up alive but will not make that obvious, of course, as she perseveres through her struggle with anxiety. it’s a bitch.

genuinely believes in “money doesn’t buy happiness.” as an a-list celebrity, she has a difficult time understanding it and ends up contemplating if it’s all really worth it ..... if she deserves the success she’s had throughout her career ? don’t get mariëlla wrong but is sometimes self-critical of herself and will not allow any special treatment. she’s an odd one but grateful at the same time. this messy business can be quite fickle and doesn’t want to disappoint anyone with her performances.

ever since she became a mom, mari grew to being quite nurturing. growing up she’d be the type of person to lean away when being hugged and avoid friendly kisses but as time passed on, she grew out of that. the love she has for her kids, she has a big heart and loves the heck out of anybody that would show her any affection, because she will definitely give it in return to anyone that needs it.

she won’t consider taking anyone’s “ side ” whenever it gets to that chance/point in time— neutral— like, she is on the fence about/doesn’t know a lot about politics and religion. she will sometimes avoid conversing of such but is open to talking. she is not that close-minded and hopes to not seem that way. either way, she isn’t very judgy and will only give out advice; straightforward and honest opinions if asked.

prefers to give rather than receive, although she’s grateful for such intentions and will gladly keep whatever present is given. she is NOT materialistic but loves doing some shopping often; controls herself by setting a budget on how much she could possibly spend and save. yes, that’s how organized she is. her inner monica geller but not to the extent, of course. she thinks she gives the best whatever gift she finds and won’t brag about having the money either. enjoys the holidays ….. — - this was supposed be an attempt at writing a couple of headcanons, but i’ve obviously failed ? yikes ! i’m just babbling at this point because i wanna get this posted. and it’s posted now.

this turned out to be a HUGE mess but i hope this introduction helps to plot. please like this post, or hmu if you’d be interested in plotting something out or anything. again, thanks for reading ! i know it’s a bit rambly but i’ve tried. i do have a lot of muse, don’t get me wrong. its been too long, honestly. i’ll message and read all of your intros. pretty much catch up with the ones that have been posted since i’ve been gone.

#fames.intro #𝙃𝙀𝙇𝙇𝙊 !!!#—— ; why tf did this take me SO LONG though ?!#*𝖼𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗌* 𝗂 𝖽𝗂𝖽𝗇'𝗍 𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗇 𝗀𝖾𝗍 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾 𝗍𝗈 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗇𝗀𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗎𝗋𝗅 𝗐𝗁𝖾𝗇 𝗂 𝗁𝖺𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾 #anxiety tw #I DID IT !! i did the thing in time !!#phew !!#and it turned out long ....

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chestnutisland · 7 years ago

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A-Z Tag

Rules: Answer the questions in a new post and tag 10 blogs you would like to get to know better.

I was tagged by @doodle-empress66 Thank you dear! I usually don’t do these on the fandom blog but sometimes it’s fun so people can get to know me better.

A - Age: 35

B - Birthplace: Steenwijk, The Netherlands.

C - Current time: 3:57 PM

D - Drink you last had: Sparkling water.

E - Easiest person to talk to: My mum.

F - Favorite song: *shuffles favourites playlist.....* The song that came up is All the things she said by t.A.T.u.

G - Grossest memory: Any time I got puked on by my dear nephews while babysitting...joy. @_@

H - Horror yes or horror no: YES, but to a degree. I’m more a fan of suspense than the ultra gorey stuff.

I - In love?: Nah.

J - Jealous of people?:Not really...maybe sometimes?

L - Love at first sight or should I walk by again?: None? I mean it does not interest me all that much if I have to be totally honest? I’m happy by myself ^_^.

M - Middle name: Yea no, I hate my middle name with a passion, I ain’t telling.

N - Number of siblings: I’m the oldest of 5, I have three younger sisters and a ‘baby’ brother. I say baby cuz there is like a 21 yr age gap between me and him. Compared to me and my youngest sis where it’s ‘just’ 10 years. Also he and two youngest sisters live in The Netherlands while my sister just a year and half under me lives in the States as well.

O - One wish: To get healthy again! *Working on it!!!!!*

P - Person you called last: My Mum.

Q - Question you are always asked: When will you settle down/have kids? Which the answer is always a shrug on the first and a NEVER on the second. Or I’ll tell them I already have my nephews and nieces and that is more than enough for me:P Another is, “You’re how old???? No way?” LOL I guess I do look kind of young for my age, it used to bother me so much, not anymore though.

R - Reason to smile: My doofus cat, Chance. My family, Music, K18!!:P

S - Song you sang last: Lol prolly singing along to the radio in my car tbh.

T - Time you woke up: 3:50 AM because dumbass me had forgotten to shut my alarm off for today since I am off work today and tomorrow UGHHHHH!!!

U - Underwear color: Black.

V - Vacation destination: The Netherlands to see friends and family, Japan, Australia. ( @deadlybeautydbz , I’d so visit you if I could, FR! ) and travel to more States.

W - Worst habit: Nail biting when stressed, fidgeting a LOT with my hands.

X - X-rays: Chest/Stomach. Ankle. Back. Wrist.

Y - Your favorite food: Veggies, Fruit and Chicken. Also chocolate and licorice, the latter I can’t eat anymore, or at least not as I used too T_T.

Z - Zodiac sign: Aquarius.

This was fun, I won’t tag but feel free to fill this out lovelies and show me!

#about jen #questionaire #fun stuff

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punai · 7 years ago

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A to Z meme tag

Rules: Answer the questions in a new post and tag 10 blogs you would like to get to know better

@wispelturigheid thanks for tagging me !!!!!!

A - Age: 19

B - Birthplace: rotterdam!

C - Current time: 12.00 exactly

D - Drink you last had: water

E - Easiest person to talk to: most of my friends and also my parents i guess?

F - Favorite song: god ehm idk i have a million???? i mean always close to my heart is Atrophy - The Antlers but also the entirety of Moby’s “Play”?? and lately i have been listening to Fuck The Government I Love You nonstop which is solely julia’s fault

G - Grossest memory: honestly wouldn't know? i stepped into a slug once? not particularly traumatizing

H - Horror yes or horror no: nope

I - In love?: with the world? more and more everyday

J - Jealous of people?: def should be something i should be working on and yet

L - Love at first sight or should I walk by again?: love no, crushing yeah, especially crush at first conversation

M - Middle name: sara

N - Number of siblings: one little sister

O - One wish: honestly to stop dragging myself thru the dirt every day

P - Person you called last: the last person who called me was a friend to complain about her life atm which was v relatable, last person I called was my friend when i was having a panic attack and needed support lol

Q - Question you are always asked: you cannot smell??????? how does that work??????

R - Reasons to smile: my tutor is looking for a job for me? and sent the cutest email to some contacts of him boasting about me and honestly thats everhitng i need. also gonna have a very very nice weekend??? also cute messages???????

S - Song you sang last: honestly just the line “i dont wanna do this anymore” from Unfaithful by Rihanna, if that isn't the biggest mood of them all

T - Time you woke up: like 8?

U - Underwear color: black

V - Vacation destination: this year ? hopefully some netherlands, new york!!! and places around new york i guess

W - Worst habit: dragging myself down, imposter syndrome, overthinking, overanalyzing, do u want me to stop

X - X-rays: i broke my ankle once and had to be operated? also had an MRI scan but that isn't x rays i think

Y - Your favorite food: sushi!! also bulgur salads i can eat them forever and ever. also roze koeken? huMUS?????

Z - Zodiac sign: the biggest capricorn of them all

tag 10 people: yeah not 10 but @margaeray @gra-ntaires @ambereliza @hozieer @saintcelia

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velvetchen · 7 years ago

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Anonymous | pt. vi [final]

[ back to masterlist ]

Scenario: Tumblr AU Pairing: Chanyeol/Reader Word Count: 3804 Rating: T

Summary: Can you fall in love with someone you’ve never met? You just shot to tumblr fame when the latest chapter of your webtoon went viral. Messages start flooding in – hundreds of people saying things good and bad alike. One anon catches your eye, and you find you just have to reply to them…

<< previous part

[6:44 PM] Jia: so have you replied yet? [6:51 PM] You: no [6:53 PM] Jia: it’s been three days the poor guy’s probably a shell of a man by now [6:54 PM] You: jIA [6:54 PM] You: HE’S AN IDOL [6:54 PM] Jia: oh yeah i forgot that means he doesn’t have a heart [6:55 PM] You: ugh stop [6:55 PM] You: okay maybe i should [6:56 PM] Jia: you should [6:56 PM] Jia: you will [7:09 PM] You: fine, i will

EXO’s Chanyeol meets with fan?

Last night, photos of a certain idol meeting with a woman at night were posted on a blog. Since then, the photos have been removed from that site, but you can see them here. Chanyeol is wearing a black hoodie in an attempt to avoid being recognized but his face is clearly visible in the photo.

But, the photo is taken from opposite Chanyeol, so we can’t see who the woman is.

cr. to anonymous

[10:04 PM] You: hey [10:04 PM] You: i’m sorry i kept you waiting so long [10:05 PM] You: i honestly didn’t know how to respond to that? [10:06 PM] You: even looking at the message is making me freak out >.<

C is typing…

[10:07 PM] C: it’s okay :) [10:08 PM] C: i wasn’t expecting anything don’t worry [10:08 PM] C: i just wanted to get it out [10:09 PM] C: i hope it’s not too weird now [10:11 PM] You: it’s a little weird but i think i’ll manage [10:11 PM] You: thank you for being honest [10:12 PM] You: you understand if i need some space, right?

[11:22 PM] C: yeah no problem

Anonymous asked: You aren’t safe from us. Stay away from him

Anonymous asked: We know it’s you

Anonymous asked: Bitch leave Chanyeol alone

ssih943

You aren’t following this user. Do you want to report spam?

ssih943: It’s me again!

ssih943: Your biggest fan :)

ssih943: If you haven’t guessed already, I was the one who took those photos

ssih943: You’re welcome

Posted on 3 December with 203 notes

strawberryshortcakecomic:

Hi everyone! So I’m sure all of you know about the issue with me and a couple of anons that were giving me a hard time. I don’t want to confirm or deny anything in particular because it might trigger more hate, whatever I say, so I’m going to make this my last post on the topic. I’m also not going to answer any asks about this issue, the photos that were uploaded, or C. I hope you all can understand and help me sort this out on my own. Thank you!

[9:33 AM] You: hey you there, can i talk to you? [9:49 AM] You: chanyeol?? [10:14 AM] You: are you there?

Posted 4 December with 66 notes

justanothershortcake:

Firstly, I swear I’ll get back to the theories as soon as this gets cleared up. I want to say I’m really worried about S (I’m sure you all are too). So I thought let’s get together and do our thing and find out who this anon is. And get them to back off once and for all.

Meanwhile, let’s send her supportive messages! Fighting! ~

justanothershortcake:

A lot of you have been sending in messages about the reblogs on her posts. So far we have a bunch of users that have reblogged her posts with mean comments, but there’s only one anon that’s been uploading the photos/doxxing, and so far all of them just seem like regular blogs, half of them don’t even post SS. Keep looking guys!

sshortcakess:

Okay so I tried this thing

The blog that posted the photos? I traced it to a dead facebook account that had a few leftover posts. Aaaaand in the photos section, there’s a screenshot (unrelated) where in the corner you can see this icon

[img]

Which is for HideMe VPN. I cracked up, HideMe is The Worst VPN ever, this person must WANT us to find them.

So HideMe is specific to Korea, I know that much. And it offers five countries to hide your IP: the USA, the UK, Netherlands, Romania and Japan.

Coming to the next part of my plan: the SS blog has a pageview counter! So we can see who’s logged on and when. I’m going to monitor the pageview counter and see if there are any visitors from the HideMe countries. There are actual legit visitors from these countries I know, but I'm going to see if any of them correspond to the hate comments. I’ll update with progress as I go!

If any of you want to help me stakeout, you’re welcome to join! Shoot me a message on here or on my twitter.

justanothershortcake:

^^ This is an excellent idea! Shortcakes, please help El @sshortcakess out, I really think this might work!

sshortcakess:

It’s been a couple of hours and a lot of you have messaged me wanting to help, so thank you, guys! So far we have 130 hits from Japan (lol good luck with that), 30 or so from the USA, and 12 from the UK. I’m trying to see if I can message S and ask if anyone has sent anything recently.

Since this is a stalker anon I’m guessing they’ll be obsessively checking S’s blog, and since they’re from Korea obviously and S is also from Korea, they’ll most probably be checking from about 9am to 12am KST (UTC +9), because that’s when S is online. Sorry, my psych major is showing, hehe. I’ll try this and then update.

sshortcakess:

Update: S replied to me! She said the blogs oo3043j and ssih943 have both been messaging her pretending to be the ‘stalker’. They’re both empty bot-like blogs but I’m looking around for something I can use to track them.

I’ve created a fake tumblr to follow both of those blogs, because they like every single one of S’s posts and I can try to get a read on where they are.

More updates to come!

[1:12 AM] C: sorry, i was on a flight! [1:13 AM] C: going to be a bit busy for the next few weeks, comeback promotions [1:14 AM] C: hey now that you know who i am, you can listen to our music!

[1:55 AM] You: oh don’t worry, i understand :) [1:55 AM] You: take care of yourself please ~

[3:23 AM] C: i will!

[12:15 PM] You: hey! [12:15 PM] You: we haven’t talked in a few days, is everything good?

[3:35 PM] C: oh sorry, S [3:35 PM] C: i’ve been really busy! promotions are tiring me out a lot [3:35 PM] C: i hope you can find it in your loving, generous heart to forgive me T_T

[3:59 PM] You: lol don’t worry! [4:00 PM] You: i hope you’re taking care of yourself

[5:19 PM] You: hey, chanyeol?

[5:26 PM] You: jia, do you think he’s avoiding me? [5:27 PM] You: sent a photo [5:27 PM] You: i mean he did say he was busy but it’s been three days [5:28 PM] You: and he wanted me to text him

[5:46 PM] Jia: okay Y/N to be honest [5:46 PM] Jia: you’re as thick as a wall sometimes [5:47 PM] Jia: firstly you stomped all over his love confession [5:47 PM] Jia: then you asked him to “give you space”, which he did, like some kind of unearthly gentleman [5:48 PM] Jia: now you’re bothering him during comeback promotions and expecting him to reply as usual??? [5:48 PM] Jia: don’t you think you’re being sort of selfish? [5:48 PM] You: well when you put it that way… [5:49 PM] Jia: and he’s STILL being nice to you [5:50 PM] Jia: damn you have it good [5:50 PM] You: i guess i am being kind of selfish ;-; [5:51 PM] You: but i don’t know what to do [5:52 PM] You: i just want things to go back to how they were when we started talking [5:52 PM] You: everything’s just happening too quickly [5:53 PM] You: the stalker, the hate, his confession? [5:53 PM] You: i don’t think i want this [5:55 PM] Jia: okay let’s take this one step at a time [5:56 PM] Jia: the stalker and the hate? you can’t do anything about that right now [5:56 PM] You: you’re right [5:56 PM] Jia: but with chanyeol? you can! [5:57 PM] Jia: do you want him or not? [5:58 PM] Jia: really think about it, because i don’t think you guys will be able to keep in contact if you reject him

[6:06 PM] You: i don’t know, jia [6:07 PM] You: i think i might like him too

Posted on 7 December with 166 notes

strawberryshortcakecomic:

Hey guys! I’ve been invited to a WEBTOON special fanmeet in Seoul this Saturday! If you’re there, I’d really love to meet you! You’ll also get to see your other favorite authors, like mika-chan, essstar, and quimchi! The event will begin at 9 am (KST, of course) and if you’re lucky you’ll get to have lunch with us! I look forward to meeting you all!

[6:17 PM] Jia: are you sure?

[6:21 PM] You: i don’t know ;-; [6:22 PM] Jia: okay now the relationship queen (me) is going to ask you three questions [6:23 PM] You: go for it [6:25 PM] Jia: how often do you smile during your conversations? [6:26 PM] You: pretty often actually [6:26 PM] You: more than i thought i did [6:26 PM] You: does this mean i like him? oh no [6:27 PM] Jia: shhh i’m not done yet [6:27 PM] Jia: did you think he was attractive? [6:28 PM] You: what kind of question is that hahaha [6:28 PM] You: of course i did [6:30 PM] Jia: okay last question [6:30 PM] Jia: if you didn’t know each other at all, and you met on the street [6:31 PM] Jia: pretend he’s not an idol just for this [6:32 PM] Jia: if he asked you out just like that without you knowing him, would you say yes?

Anonymous asked: you’re already having your second fan meet! I’m so happy for you! I can’t wait to see you there -hand anon xx

Ahaha I can’t wait to see you too, hand anon! I hope you’ve washed my autograph off so I can sign it again!

Anonymous asked: is C coming to your fansign lol 6v6

I’m not discussing him sorry

jinhosgf asked: i printed out the entire first episode for you to sign this time! - hand anon xx

Ahhh why the first episode (it’s my least favorite) I’ll sign it for you, though! <3

[7:14 PM] You: you know, i think i would [7:15 PM] You: i would

[7:19 PM] Jia: you have your answer then. go get him! [7:19 PM] Jia: ;)

[7:45 PM] You: hey, chanyeol [7:46 PM] You: i really hate bothering you like this [7:46 PM] You: but it’s kind of important, can we talk?

[9:12 PM] You: chanyeol?

[10:55 PM] You: hey, you okay?

[1:06 AM] You: are you avoiding me? :(

Posted on 8 December with 29 notes

sshortcakess:

Okay! Update, finally. I’ve narrowed it down to three IP addresses that have been the most frequent visitors from the mentioned countries. A little bit of hacking (shhh, I learnt it in my White-Hat course, I’m a licensed ethical hacker FYI) and I’ve confirmed that one of the three users is from Seoul! It has to be them, otherwise they wouldn’t have been able to stalk S irl - she lives in Seoul. Thank you guys for all your help! I couldn’t have done it without you!

tags: #i’d tag all of you but some of you wanted to stay anonymous #i’ve told S that i found the stalker #we’ll see if she replies #if she’s okay with it #i’ll investigate the identity of the stalker #hopefully stalker doesn’t try to go to the fan meet #my post #strawberryshortcakecomic #strawberrystalkerscandal

[5:25 AM] C: i’m not avoiding you [5:25 AM] C: i told you i’m really busy, i’m not available to talk [5:26 AM] C: honestly, you’re being a little insensitive [5:27 AM] C: also, you rejected me and now you still want to be friends like nothing happened? [5:27 AM] C: i’m sorry but i can’t do that [5:28 AM] C: either you want me or you don’t [5:28 AM] C: don’t do this to me. i’m stressed enough already

[8:13 AM] You: chanyeol i’m sorry i was sort of drunk and it was the middle of the night [8:13 AM] You: i didn’t think you would take it like this

C is typing…

[8:14 AM] C: that’s no excuse [8:14 AM] C: if you were drunk, then you really meant what you said [8:15 AM] C: and you didn’t think i’d take it like this? [8:15 AM] C: what’s that supposed to mean? [8:16 AM] C: of course i’d take it like this [8:16 AM] C: you can’t take advantage of me [8:18 AM] You: i’m really sorry please talk to me [8:18 AM] You: like i said, i have something important to tell you

[8:34 AM] C: i don’t want to hear it right now [8:34 AM] C: i’d like it if you left me alone

Calling C…

The person you have dialed has rejected your call.

Calling C…

The person you have dialed has rejected your call.

Calling C…

“Chanyeol, are you there?”

Call ended 0:08

Calling C…

This number is switched off.

Posted on 10 December with 12 notes

strawberryshortcakecomic:

I’m at the venue! It’s not time for the doors to open yet, but I see a lot of you here! I wanted to express my thanks to you all for coming and supporting me, despite the events of the past month. I feel a connection to all of you, and I’m grateful I have you in my life.

tags: #s liveblogs #seoulwebtoonfanmeet

Posted on 10 December with 34 notes

sshortcakess:

On S’s request, I’ve investigated the stalker’s profile and identity. StrawberryStalker is 19-year-old Lee Da-eun from Seoul, and on top of harassing S, she’s had three warnings for public misconduct and another two for underage drinking. She’s a sasaeng fan of EXO’s and has been seen at several of their showcases with “hate” signs. She stalked EXO’s Sehun for a month when she was sixteen and spied on their dorms with a camera, which she was given disciplinary action for. You might have also seen k-articles about her leaking the dorm photos on her twitter.

tags: #we’re dealing with a pro here guys #she’s not on the guestlist for the fanmeet according to webtoons #but you never know #S be careful! #strawberryshortcakecomic #strawberrystalkerscandal

[2:07 PM] You: just finished the fan meet + lunch :) [2:08 PM] You: it went so well [2:11 PM] Jia: i’m glad! [2:11 PM] Jia: sorry i couldn’t make it [2:12 PM] You: no worries, you’re here in my heart <3 [2:13 PM] Jia: too cheesy [2:13 PM] You: i know [2:13 PM] You: so cheesy my stomach hurts [2:14 PM] Jia: lol [2:16 PM] You: hold on [2:16 PM] You: my stomach actually hurts? [2:17 PM] You: shit jia it hurts really bad [2:18 PM] Jia: oh my god, what did you eat? [2:19 PM] Jia: Y/N??? [2:21 PM] You: i didn’t eat anything spoilt or bad if that’s what you’re asking [2:22 PM] You: it was super spicy [2:22 PM] You: but nobody complained and they’re all fine now [2:23 PM] Jia: hold on, i’ll call you and talk you through it

Jia is calling…

“Hello?”

“Shit, Y/N, you do not sound okay.”

“I feel...really nauseous. And - ugh -”

“Did you just throw up? Y/N? Shit!”

“Oh my god, oh my god-”

“What is it?”

“Jia, it’s blood, oh my god, I just threw up blood, what do I do?”

“Okay, calm down! Do you have any other symptoms?”

“I feel really lightheaded, and...and…It’s hard to breathe...”

“Oh god. Y/N, hold on, I’m calling an ambulance.”

“No! I’m fine!”

“You are not fine, you’re throwing up blood!”

“I…”

“Y/N? Are you there?”

“Y/N?”

“Hang on, Y/N, the ambulance is on its way-”

You opened your eyes and immediately shut them. The light was too blinding. Groaning, you braced yourself and tried again.

The first thing you noticed was the cannula in your peripheral vision. Then, the steady beeping of something in the background. A pinch in the crook of your left elbow, which was held straight by a strap at your wrist.

“She’s awake.” You tried to lift your head to find the source of the voice, but the movement was too hard. “Her face looks fine. Blood is clean. Blood pressure slightly below normal, but within the limits, so she should be fine. You don’t need to worry.”

“Oh, thank god.” That was Jia. “Can I go in?”

Something else was murmured, and then you heard two pairs of footsteps walk in and stop by your bed. An unfamiliar face leaned over you and pulled down your eyelids to examine your eyes.

“Jia?” You croaked after the doctor had leaned away.

You felt her hand slip into yours. “Y/N. Hey. You’re okay now.”

“What happened?” Your throat felt ripped open and dry. You coughed. “Can I have some water?”

The doctor muttered something to Jia, then walked away. Her fingers rubbed soothing circles into your palm. “Cyanide poisoning, Y/N. You were extremely lucky you survived.”

Your world stopped. “Poisoning? Cyanide?”

“Yes. Someone messed with your food at the fanmeet.”

You couldn’t wrap your head around it. “...Fanmeet.”

“Yesterday. You’ve been in the hospital for a day and a half. You were in a coma by the time they got to you. It was still soon enough that they could find out it was cyanide poisoning. If they hadn’t got to you in time, you would have died.”

“Died?”

“Mhmm. They couldn’t find out initially because I told them you had been throwing up blood. Turns out the blood and the stomachache were because you also swallowed glass powder in your food.”

Your blood ran cold; you felt dizzy. “It was the stalker?”

Jia shifted closer. “Lee Da-eun, right? She was at the fanmeet. It was her. I’m sorry, Y/N.” She sighed. “In a way, she also saved your life. If she hadn’t put in the glass powder, you wouldn’t have noticed something was wrong in time.”

You groaned again. “Jia, that’s not a good thing.”

“I know! I didn’t say it was. Hey, are you sure you want to-” She winced as you shifted, moving stiffly, avoiding the IV sticking out of your arm.

With great effort, you sat up, leaning on your pillow. “I’m okay.” Then you looked to your right and froze. Slumped in a hospital chair, fast asleep, was Chanyeol, his hoodie pulled up over his bright red hair and his gangly limbs hanging off the seat. “What’s...what’s he doing here?”

Jia gave you a soft smile. “He came to see you,” she said. “He’s been here all night.” You glanced at the clock - it was three in the early morning. Despite your fight, despite his busy life, had he really come here to see you?

“Tell me I’m dreaming.” At that, Chanyeol stirred. You watched as he blinked his eyes open and nearly fell out of his chair, scrambling back up at the last second.

He met your eyes. “You’re awake.” His voice, deep and raspy from sleep, gave you an involuntary shiver. He looked at Jia. “She’s awake.”

Jia smiled knowingly. “I’ll leave you alone.” She stepped out quietly, shutting the door behind her. Now it was just you, Chanyeol, and an awkward silence.

You cleared your throat and started to speak at the same time as he did.

“Thank you-”

“I’m sorry-”

You both burst into laughter, him into a nervous chuckle, you into a tiny giggle that ended with a cough. “You first,” he said, eyes gentle, smile gentler, as he looked at you.

You blushed. “Thank you for coming to see me. It means a lot. I know we weren’t in a good spot, and you’re busy, but you still came. So thank you.”

“I would have come even if I was halfway around the world. I mean it.” He meant it. “I’m sorry I was rude to you earlier.”

You snorted. “You? Rude? Yeah, and I’m part of EXO.”

Chanyeol grinned, eyes twinkling. “So I’m forgiven?”

“There’s nothing to forgive.” You smiled back.

A moment passed. “So, are you going to tell me that important thing?”

Again, you felt heat rush to your face. “I, uh. I was thinking a lot. And…”

“And…?”

“Ilikeyouback,” you said quickly, the words slurring. “As in. I like you, the same way you like me.”

You hadn’t seen anything more wonderful than the happiness that dawned on his face like the sun. His grin grew impossibly wider, his eyes turning into little half-moons. “You do?”

“I do.” You bit your lip.

“Well, now I really hate myself for not listening to you earlier.”

You laughed, patting the side of the bed. “Come here.” He obliged, moving his chair closer until he was at the edge. You held out your hand, and he took it.

“I think we should start over,” you said slowly, and he nodded. “Hi, I’m Y/N, and I’m your biggest fan.”

“Hi, Y/N. I’m Chanyeol. What a coincidence, I’m your biggest fan too.”

Posted on 15 December with 559 notes

strawberryshortcakecomic:

I really hate to announce this, but in the light of what’s happened, I have to. I will be leaving tumblr to focus on real life and making SS better. However, I’ll still be posting on WEBTOON. After today, this blog will be deactivated.

To answer the hundreds of questions piled up in my inbox, here’s a small FAQ:

What happened? Long story short, I was poisoned by the EXO sasaeng who’d been stalking me and C for the past month. She’s in jail now. I’m not in any more danger from her.

Am I okay? Yes! If it weren’t for some incredible doctors, I would be dead right now. I was in the hospital for a few days, but now I’m much better and I’m back at home, ready to crank out the next few chapters of SS!

What about C? Let me just say that YoonJin isn’t the only ship that’s sailed. C is, in fact, Chanyeol from EXO, and here is an interview where he officially announces our relationship! I’m excited to see where it goes, and for the next episode of my life.

What now? Well, the next update of SS, of course! It’s up on WEBTOON!

I love you all so much and I’ll see you soon! <3

~ S

a/n: ahhhhhhh it’s OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

poll about possible sequel/spinoff: pls vote!

206 notes · View notes

heyitstesagain · 7 years ago

Text

Meeting G Malkmus

30th December, 2017. Saturday, I received an anonymous like on this app, which I re- downloaded on my phone, that same night I did say hi, however didn’t hear back, so I went sleeping, after speaking to couple of those other gross people, oh and one of those bunch of peeps asked me if I’m on it to have some warmth during the winter, “warmth,” Seriously??, who talks like that, that man is a manager at a Chelsea Pizzaria, an Italian male, (eww, Italians who are into family and all, you know, guhh) who apparently was or still is in attempt to provide winter warmth to bunch of those desperate females in their 30s I guess, anywho, let’s not drag it along too much, let’s get back to focusing on G, let me refresh your memory who that is, it is that man who just liked me randomly thinking I’m a cutie, even though I revealed I’m 4’11″, and do not want children, men, huh?! And creatures that they like?!

So then the next morning, December 31, a sunny funny cozy Sunday, I was sleeping just fine and around 10.30 in the morning he said “Hey Tes, are ya originally from New York?! Hmm?! I wonder why would he ask me that?

I just said: Hi?! I evaluated these two possibilities or three, well I’m a non- white woman and from New York, so that’s usually the first question you’d get from out of towners and that’s to generate an answer to find out when did you actually immigrated to the United States? That was case one, then second was the fact, that some of those pictures that I’ve put up on that app was my recent visit to the Netherlands, he might have seen those and wanted to know if I live here or visiting, because men apparently can control their emotions based on the fact whether the female is a visitor or a locale?! Men, huh, in general?! In their entirety?!

Thirdly, which was apparently the reason he fell for me was if I indeed was born and raised in New York, because growing up at a suburban mid western town this kid has imagined himself of being born and raised in New York City?! Did he? You know how that goes with the indie/ alternative lovers, people that listened to the Velvet Underground growing up, would wanna troll Lou Reed, and at this point I’m pretty sure he legit tried to think about coming up with another soup container like Campbell like Warhol, since he’s by trade into mechanical or technical drawing?! Based on this third hypothesis: I’d say he wanted to know if I am indeed a New York breed, body and soul, full- fleshed, rigid walking and talking?! Or may be because he felt that I like him for being him? As he sensed that, or may be its familiar pain? Would I ever know? Or may be he felt that, I’m way too artistic for a non artist? And that’s his thing?

And the exact idea of me, all of a sudden will start seeming too good be true?! As if: a non white, 30yo, NewYork woman from Queens would know Baumbach and religiously watch everything that Wes Anderson has ever done and also think of you legit resemble Mike Mills (creatively & in congruity) now that’s an anomaly?!

Well now getting back to how I responded to his asking if I’m from here, “originally?”

“Yeah!” Short and simple, honestly I didn’t know he will write me back, came unexpected?! Why did he?!

Was that because he has devalued himself with time for the past 18 months, otherwise why would someone this talented, who makes these paintings⬇️⬇️

full of ethics and integrity and apparently intensely good-looking without even knowing have dared to write a low- life like this female, which is me, why?!

We will get back to that shortly, but then I thought, it’s Sunday morning, why did I have to go say “hi” in the first place on a Saturday night, that would generate a response kind of obvious and now I’ve to keep talking to him, so I prohibited myself from saying anything after that “yeah,” as in I’m originally from New York, for some reason later around the mid afternoon, I asked:

T: You?

G: I’m from Fort Wayne, Indiana, came to New York to make films and paint, and not be bored, Indiana is boring!

T: Okay

G: What do you do?

T: I just work

G: No I mean like for fun? Movies, or bars, or sports, or weed, or whatever?

T: I watch a lot of movies, I get paranoid with weed, and I’m an awful drinker, I sleep for fun?! Being lazy is kind of fun?!

(Wasn’t really liking him as much, and was wondering why he kept talking? On a Sunday, December 31, when guys are busy making plans for the eve), however; he responded with something which piqued my interest a little further… which goes:

G: Lol, yeah I agree with that. I’ve watched 5 movies this weekend already (inside my head, I was like, omg, I do that by the time it’s Sunday, did I meet my soul mate? ) I don’t usually watch THIS (now he does that, text in all caps to emphasize the expression/ or moment) much, but it’s fucking cold out (like oh my god, does he think that it’s civilized, and not un- hip to stay home and watch movies and not talking to people and not do activities, i. e. gym, laundry, ice- fucking- skating, rock- climbing, upstate- hiking, might have really met my souls mate, a home-body? The rarest breed in men to find, I haven’t met one before)

T: Yep, so are you not doing anything tonight?

G: I’ve a big freelance job I’ve to do tonight, you?

T: I’m not doing anything, which I don’t usually majority of the time? What kind of freelancing?

G:Video editing, I also sometimes do writing and graphic design.

What kind of thing are you looking here on KosherAllegory (I mythicized the name of the app in here, “cliched” much?!)

T: I don’t know yet, what about ya? ( I might have come off standoff- ish and non- chalant, but was not on purpose, I promise, never honestly didn’t or still don’t believe in app, however, I met my soul mate in here, him?!)

G: Hopefully a girlfriend, but not forcing it, sometimes it’s just fun to meet new people (okay so he isn’t going anywhere with me, it’s just fun to meet new people, just passing time, chatting by?!!)

T: okay, has anything ever turned serious off of here?

G: yes, I had a serious thing with a girl I’ve met on here a few years ago, when that ended I eventually used it again and met some cool people but nothings gotten too serious. Are you new to KosherAllegory?

T: Well I have it on my phone, but honestly I never use it, not finding anyone worth chatting that’s all?!

G: Oh cool, well I feel lucky then, would it be easier to just text message?

T: yeah

He then left his number and I started texted him, should of just shut it right there, right then, but I didn’t and we kept talking for three weeks before meeting on January 18th, it was a Thursday, and was extremely cold out, we both felt that our souls just connected and physically we were like those two missing pieces of a Jigsaw puzzle?!

Ironically, both our mothers had left us at a time when they were not supposed to, at a point when we would struggle forever and keep looking for a shelter, and would keep looking for them and mess up our entirety to just find that soul thats never tired of being unsatisfied?! And also we both are or have been estranged from our fathers, it’s like we have found each other!!! He’s that ugly feet twin of mine?!

& then we lost each other again, I’m on this train on my way home, it’s March 23rd, 2018, another Friday, 6.54 PM, I’m on an F train, super uncertain that I’ll ever get to see G again?!

As I’m typing away, he’s just a week away from packing up his life of last 6/7 years that’s spent in here and moving back home, near Fort Wayne, Indiana?!!!

True, he never was around, but in a way he was, in my soul, around me, beneath me, above me, all over me and in my thoughts and in my existence, people say true longing always comes back, I’d never know now of how much of that’ll ever be true but I’ll rather just have to see it through… ???!!!

Until the end of this universe?! Haha, joke?! That even a bad one, but you’ll laugh at it, only ya (paraphrased from “here,”<PAVEMENT>my only fav song from your indie man)

Caution & Trigger Warning:

I’ve exclusively used materials and pictures without permission, might get sued for violating privacy and also violation of someone’s copyright of 2017!

#LG #GL #TSH #stephen malkmus #closing on a note from michael stipe #Always had a smile and a reason to pretend #But their world has flat backgrounds #And little need to sleep but to dream #The sidewinder sleeps on his back #analyzing G

2 notes · View notes

sillavie · 7 years ago

Text

92 Truths Tag

Rules: Once you have been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 92 truths about you. At the end choose 25 people to be tagged.

I wasn’t tagged but I saw @lovingchenhun post this so I wanted to do it as well because I love oversharing.

LAST:

Drink: Strawberry squash

Phone call: I think my mom.

Text message: To my boyfriend

Song you listened to: Can’t remember

Time you cried: This morning when I got back home from dropping my boyfriend off at the trainstation :((( He visited me this weekend and now I feel lonely again, being in a different country by myself and all that

HAVE YOU EVER

Dated someone twice: No

Been cheated on: Nope

Kissed someone and regretted it: No ragrets

Lost someone special: Yeh..

Been depressed: Yup

Been drunk and thrown up: Hah yikes yep no more Limoncello for me

IN THE PAST YEAR HAVE YOU

Made a new friend: Sort of

Fallen out of love: No

Laughed until you cried: Yes

Met someone who changed you: Yes

Found out who your true friends are: Nah

Found out someone was talking about you: Uh no?

GENERAL

Do you have any pets?: Yeaaaaah my doggo Pepper. I haven’t seen her in so long though :(((( I miss her

Do you want to change your name?: Not really. Sometimes I do though. Just because it feels like a childish and weird name sometimes but you know fuck it.

What time did you wake up this morning?: 7:30?

What were you doing last night?: Cuddling with my boyfriend while watching Youtube videos

Name something you cannot wait for: To adopt a kittycat

Have you ever talked to a person named tom?: Yep

What’s getting on your nerves right now?: Hearing my flatmate burp and just all the little sounds I can hear

Blood type: Dunno

Nickname: It used to be Tes but nobody really calls me that. I don’t really like it. Like, my name is Tessie. Call me that or call me something ridiculous that starts with a T, nothing inbetween.

Relationship status: In a relationship

Zodiac sign: Cancer

Pronouns: she/her

Favourite show: Right now? Dunno actually

College: I study at an art academy

Hair colour: Brown.

Do you have a crush on someone?: Yes, me boyfrend

What do you like about yourself?: My freckles and creativity

FIRSTS

First surgery: Haven’t had one

First piercing: Ears

First sport you joined: Gymnastics. I was awful.

First vacation: Camping with my family somewhere in the Netherlands I suppose?

First pair of sneakers: I have no ideaaa

RIGHT NOW

Eating: Just had some tomato soup

Drinking: Strawberry squash

I’m about to: Either play a game or read

Listening to: The sound of my clock and my flatmates

Want kids: Nah

Get married: Ehhhh

Career: None. studying.

WHICH IS BETTER

Lips or eyes: Both

Hugs or kisses: Hugs (and kisses like idk)

Shorter or taller: In a guy? Don’t care

Older or younger: Older

Romantic or spontaneous: Both lol cause I am neither

Sensitive or loud: Sensitive

Hookup or relationship: Relationship

Troublemaker or hesitant: Hesitant

HAVE YOU EVER

Kissed a stranger: No

Drank hard liquor: Yes

Lost contacts/glasses: Don’t have contacts/glasses

Sex on first date: No

Broken someone’s heart: I don’t think so?

Been arrested: No

Turned someone down: No

Fallen for a friend: No? I mean my boyfriend is my friend but we started dating pretty quickly after meeting each other

DO YOU BELIEVE

In yourself: Sometimes

Miracles: MMMMhhhhhnn

Love at first sight: No

Okay that is all

#tagged #like not really but thats my tag tag

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bregjetokorea · 5 years ago

Text

4. Final Preparations

Visa Application

January 13th, 2020

Bo-Jenna and I went to the Korean embassy in The Hague today, to apply for the D2-6 visa; a super tiring experience but that’s mostly due to NS and our stupid selves. I wonder if we can actually manage to survive in Seoul, we are such a great duo. Anyways, we left really early in the morning (still dark outside) and we eventually arrived at the embassy at 14:30!!! It was suuuuper busy. Mainly fellow students who were there for the same purpose. We had to wait really long. The consulate building was a tiny shoebox, Korean news was playing on the telly and a big picture of President Moon Jae-In was being displayed on the wall. The waiting wasn’t bad at all as we met a couple of girls traveling to Seoul as well. All of them are going to different universities. Hanyang, Sunkyunkwan, Dankook, Konkuk. No surprise, because our home uni is the only Dutch school that Myongji partners with.

Bo-Jenna and I both were stressed out the entire way to the consulate because we “might have forgotten to bring something”. Everything was fine, though. Imagine what it’s gonna be like when we’re actually packing our suitcases.

Anyways, some practical info; documents we needed to bring were:

The acceptance packet issued by Myongji;

Filled-in visa application form + passport picture;

Passport + copy;

Home university enrollment (< 3 months issuance);

Proof of financial stability (enough to cover personal funds on the certificate of admission).

They told us to come back January 21st (in 8 days).

Flight = booked

January 18th, 2020

Bo-Jenna and I booked our flights today. Actually, I think we should have done this earlier, and I would definitely advise you to buy your tickets much earlier than we did. But honestly, we were recommended to buy our tickets after the university acceptance and visa application. We don’t have our visa yet, but tickets were getting more and more expensive really fast (especially if you keep track of it via skyscanner alerts) and seats are running out (only 3 left on our flight waaaa). If we booked flexible tickets much earlier we would probably have saved a lot of money. Anyways, we did buy return tickets with limited flexibility to save money, especially because we are going home in the summer season so one-way tickets would SO expensive. We added 1.5 weeks of leisure time (lol) after our classes are over to leave some room for traveling if we won’t be able to do so during the semester. We are arriving on February 26th with one transfer in Helsinki. There is no way back anymore now.

Sum minor preps

January 20th, 2020

I got back my signed learning agreement from Myongji today, but courses are still subject to change, so I won’t share my courses yet until they are definitive. I also applied for a grant for public transportation as I won’t be using my public transportation card in the Netherlands. And I’m assuming I probably will be using my T-Money card (티머니카드) extensively so the extra money is very much welcomed. Yes. Planning on getting a card with a cute Kakao character design. Or maybe print a custom one at Hongdae station. I’m so excited for that lmao. Next to that, my dad and I contacted our assurance brokerage asking for a tender for the new insurances I need (travel, third party liability etc.).

Visa pick-up

January 24th, 2020

Today Bo-Jenna and I went to Scheveningen again to pick up our visa. This time everything went pretty effortlessly and we were only inside for like 5 minutes. On our way to the Hague, Bo-Jenna gave me a cute ass gift: a bullet journal to document our Korea journey, with a cute ass note on the first page!! She got herself one as well, so cute. It’s funny too because in my first post on here I wrote that I will just keep this blog without having something physical to document in, but now that she got me a notebook I am suddenly motivated to write in it and especially to document together!! I feel like it’s less of a ‘must’ thing to do now that I am keeping this blog, and I think I am going to use to journal she gave me more as a personal thoughts / scrapbooky thingy. We’ll see. I’m going to put it to good use.

After we were done at the embassy, Bo-Jenna and I went to Scheveningen beach and had a drink. Right after, my sister joined us and we went for Korean Barbecue in the city. It was a first time for me. And it was good. Only it wasn’t that good when I came home, because I :) threw :) up :) a :) lot :). A LOT. Sorry if it’s a bit TMI but honestly I’m glad I found this out while still at home. I’m pretty sure it was the seafood. I now know what type of foods to avoid in Seoul.

Finances and epidemics

January 25th, 2020

Today I got some practical things done. First, I ordered an insurance packet which includes insurance for a longer stay abroad: travel, emergencies, health care, liability etc. Then, and I found this out by chance, I ordered a new debit card because mine expires in June. Normally in the Netherlands, you get a new card sent to your home, but I will be away when it expires so I’m glad I found out about this now. Then, I ordered a credit card. Which a friend of mine told me is necessary to have. To at least have a MasterCard available in case I won’t be able to pay with my regular card. And it’s good to have sorted this out early on as well because it’s hard to get one if you’re a student with limited incomes.

And the last, but really important and somewhat scary thing: the new coronavirus stemming from Wuhan, China. It’s some scary shit because it’s a new strain corona that has not been previously identified in humans and it’s spreading SO fast according to the WHO. I’m not sure to what extent I should worry about it. I’m trying to do some readings about it and see if there’s any measures I should take in terms of safety. I do know that many of the incoming exchange students are actually from China, so I am wondering how this might affect our program.

Corona virus: a pain in the ass?

January 29th, 2020

Just now, we received an alarming email regarding the recent outbreak of the new coronavirus. Myongji officials are monitoring it closely as the health and safety of their students (obviously) is their first priority. They told us to book flights which do not include transit in and out of mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau. So, about this, we don’t have to worry (but unfortunately, many others in the exchange program do).

BUT. What is stressing me out is, they also told us that, as more is being learned about the virus every day, we MAY be faced with a situation where they have to cancel the entire study abroad program for us. Of course, I do understand this as it is a global epidemic to which they should respond seriously, but it doesn’t alter the fact that this is the most stressful situation for me as we are supposed to leave in less than a month. We have done so much preparations... pls.... And the thing is, there are hardly any options for us left if we won’t be able to go anymore. I can’t transfer to a different foreign university anymore because most programs have started or will start soon. Also, by the time we hear from Myongji the programs in the Netherlands have started as well. I’ll really have to check with my university and insurance company as soon as possible.

Kpop took me

January 30th, 2020

No it’s not that dramatic (yet). What happened is, my credit card came in today and I got so excited I entered the raffle for BTS MAP OF THE SOUL TOUR in Seoul. I had to buy a frickkking army memership kit for it so I better got those tixxx. I also heard today BTS is coming to Rotterdam in July right after we come back, so that’s my backup plan. But going in Seoul is so much more fun and a unique experience. The only bummer is that you can only enter the raffle for just yourself and yourself only, so if Bo-Jenna wants to go we won’t be going together, as we can’t choose seats and not even the date. If anyone’s interested, my raffle choices are:

April 11th (Sat.) P seat 18:30 (KST)

April 18th (Sat.) P seat 18:30 (KST)

April 11th (Sat.) R seat 18:30 (KST)

Watch me winning tickets but not being able to go because of corona.

Preparing for a Plan B

January 31th, 2020

I checked with my insurance brokerage about a possible cancellation insurance and they will get back to me asap. What I found out is that the travel insurance I got covers cancellation when travel advise changes, so I’m not sure if that includes when it’s just my university that decides whether it is not safe to travel. So annoying. Furthermore, I was on the phone with at least 3 people from my university department about a plan B. Bo-Jenna has been busy with it as well, so my home uni already knew about the problem we’re facing. Anyways, apparently, my Year 3 coordinator told me she can enrol me in an ‘acceleration program’ as an alternative minor. I’m not entirely sure what it entails, but what I do know is that this is a minor in the Netherlands that would still allow me to travel abroad for a couple of weeks, so I would still be able to get that ‘abroad experience’, just not the one I want. But honestly, I don’t want to think about this option at all. I just want to go to Korea :( But my hopes haven’t faded. Myongji asked us to send them our flight information, so that means they are still really concerned with all the planning.

Radio Silence

February 3rd, 2020

I’m getting so nervous honestly. I have been talking with so many people going to do exchange programs at different unis in Seoul and, from what I heard; Yonsei is cancelling orientation and field trips, SNU is cancelling orientation, Sogang even pushes back their academic schedules. Korean gov apparently advises schools to not organize any large group events. No university has made a final decision on whether to cancel the entire program yet, but at least they are quite transparent about it. Myongji isn’t. It’s freaking me out. We are supposed to leave in 3 weeks!!

Certificate of Admission

February 4th, 2020

I received an email that our certificates of admission had finally arrived at our faculty’s office and that we could come and pick them up. So I decided to go to my home university really early in the morning. I honestly took so long for them to arrive, I don’t really understand why because Myongji said they would ship them using the fastest shipping method possible. The documents really were the same as the copies they send us, plus they included some practical information on dates and regulations. At school I met with my international officer and she told me that Myongji isn’t sending her emails and information regarding this situation at all. She asked me to keep her updated. It’s super weird.

Self-Quarantine

February 6th, 2020

Brace yourselves for a lot of shitty news. First of all, I wasn’t selected as a winner for the BTS concert raffle. So sad. Then the more shitty news; we got informed that Myongji will continue the exchange program. However, for everyone’s safety, they want us to sign an agreement with a coronavirus prevention guideline, and if we don't agree, they are not able to accept our admission. The agreement basically says we have to SELF-QUARANTINE for a period of 14 days. Those who applied for on-campus dorms must be able to prove that, at the time of our move-in, a minimum of 14 days has elapsed since our arrival in Korea. Also, only those who can prove that the minimum 14 days have elapsed since their arrival in Korea can take classes. We have to visit a local district office to be issued an official travel history document to prove such.

So, what this means for us is that we must isolate ourselves for 14 days since the date of our arrival in Korea, and minimize going out of our alternative place of residence (that we still have to find).

So what we did is, Bo-Jenna and I immediately contacted our home university. I have been busy with it all day. At last, I spoke to my Year 3 coordinator on the phone and she is trying to get Myongji to be a little more lenient towards us non-risk students. There are literally zero cases in the Netherlands so far.

At the doctor’s AGAIN

February 10th, 2020

Yes. Again. But this time to get a health statement. My Year 3 coordinator asked me to get one so that they can send it as proof to Myongji to show to we show no signs over fever or coughing or whatever the symptoms of the novel corona virus may be. Even my doc thinks it’s all a bit dramatic, but we gotta do what we gotta do. He also told me he ordered face masks because the are running out EVERYWHERE, so I can go pick them up right before I leave.

Also, today I created a group chat with Bo-Jenna and the two other girls from the Netherlands who also need to look for a place to stay during those 14 days. We decide to get an Airbnb together to cut down the costs. Because my home university told me that they are not being able to give us any financial support.

Different starting date

February 12th, 2020

So I just saw, totally by chance, that Myongji is pushing back their starting date by two weeks. I already assumed this would be happening as literally all the universities in Seoul do this. But it’s so weird, because I find out while casually browsing instagram and saw a post about it only written in Korean. There are no statements in English about it and we didn’t hear anything (yet) from the international officer at Myongji. I’m guessing they will inform us, but it’s so weeeeird. I’m honestly fine with it as it means that we won’t be missing classes during our quarantine period, but I’m REALLY hoping they aren’t pushing back the ending date as well. That either means we won’t have any time left to explore the city right before we leave or we even might have to change our flights. Please pray with me.

Quarantine in Hongdae

February 14th, 2020

Today we booked our Airbnb. We found some decent place in the middle of Hongdae, super close to Hongik Univ station. Myongji recommended us to stay in either Hongdae or Sinchon, which I think is a bit weird because these areas are the most crowded areas of Seoul. But we were looking at places in Hongdae regardless as this is the student hot-spot of Seoul and really easy to travel from/to. Our place is a space with 2 bedrooms, a common room and a bathroom. It will do for those 2 weeks. Also, the host seems really nice. I’m guessing Myongji will send someone to check on us a couple of times during those 2 weeks. That’s probably why they recommended Hongdae and Sinchon to us, it’s quite close. But it sucks balls. We are not allowed to go out, only for getting absolute necessities. It’s so sad because we are in Hongdae, there’s so much to do. I guess it will be 14 days full of watching Netflix and playing Stardew Valley.

New game new name

February 15th, 2020

So, this is something I have been thinking of for quite some time now. My name, Bregje, really won’t do in Korea. It’s just unpronounceable. Quite some time ago, my Korean friend Jiwon really encouraged me to get a Korean name. I always thought it was considered not done or weird as hell for foreigners to do that and it might be really, I don’t trust him sometimes (만약 오빠 이 글을 읽고, 미안해 ㅋㅋㅋ). I even used to think my name somehow works when I transcribe it to sound somewhat the same, but I guess it doesn’t. Anyways, we discussed it some more and he suggested I go for 나현 (na-hyun) but I think that just doesn’t sound…. right. 현정 (hyun-jung) was another option but ???? feels too Kboo if I do that so I figured I have to just go by an easy international name. I took it super seriously. Yesterday I did some consulting on Reddit and decided the name ‘Becky’ (베키) works best and meets all my personal criteria. I am still debating whether I am actually going to introduce myself like this, as it feels super odd for me to do that, but it will definitely cause less confusion and frustration on my part.

Saying goodbye

February 22nd

I feel totally weirded out for some reason. The past few days I have been so stressed out. Maybe because I only finished my internship yesterday. But honestly, this corona thing is spreading like wildfire and it's scaring the shit out of me especially since a weird ass cult has been involved including a so called super spreader. Luckily, the infected area is mostly around Daegu so our program hasn't been cancelled (but the Yeungnam program has, I'm so sorry guys). I am not scared of the virus but about a sudden cancellation of the semester AFTER our arrival. But I should stop stressing.

But in better news, today I had my "goodbye party". Most of my friends were there and we had a chill afternoon of talking and they got me cute gifts and I feel so sad for leaving them. Thank you guys if you're reading this!! <3

Packing my bags

February 24th

Honestly I think packing my bags wasn't that stressful (my mom might think differently). Everything barely fit in my checked bag and my carry on exceeds the weight limit but let's just pray they aren't actually weighing our bags.

I'm so excited to go but also I feel a bit divided because we can't undertake any activity for the next two weeks. I'm sure me and the girls will have a great time regardless but this is not how I was picturing my study abroad to start off. Tomorrow I have to wake up early (5am) to go to Amsterdam airport!!

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