#Anyway it's about time we get a new hub area and new teachers going into arc 5

[edwardsparkleblood]

Wizard101 really said we're going to put all the best designed characters in the Arcanum and we're not going to do anything with them as individuals.

#Anyway it's about time we get a new hub area and new teachers going into arc 5 #I hope whoever they are they get more depth all around #Qismah Shasa #Velma Von Venkman #tarrak hadfield #Jaki Whisperwind #w101 arcanum #w101 #wizard101

[surveys-at-your-service]

Survey #435

from yesterday, don’t feel like updating the answers. :^)

When you get married what do you think you’ll put most of your focus and money into? Uhhh. I really don't know... I mean maybe doing all I can do avoid debt? That's what my parents mostly argued about, and I know financial strain can really affect a couple. I never want that burden. Who in your life causes you the most stress or negative feelings? My damn self. Have you ever had a teacher that also taught your parents? No; my parents didn't grow up here. Wait! I THINK Mom had one of my college professors? I don't recall for sure, and I definitely don't remember who it was. Are you the type of person who seeks out revenge? Nah. Are there any songs that inspire you? Certainly, such as "Life Won't Wait" by Ozzy Osbourne, "Get Up" by Shinedown, and more. How do you feel about celebrities getting involved in politics? Do you think that the celebrity world and the political world should be kept apart? Not at all; everyone has the right to share their opinion and should not feel like it's necessary to censor it. Let them be people with morals and beliefs, too. I'm totally fine with them CHOOSING to be quiet about controversial subjects, but they're more than welcome to share their thoughts on any topic. What is one pro of living where you do, and what is one con? What is a pro and a con of living where you wished you lived? I guess the only real pro (and this is horrible to be the first thought) is that we're under the radar; like, not really a target for terrorism or anything, lol. I'd get kinda nervous if I lived in, like, Washington D.C. or something. We have A LOT of cons: there is NOTHING to do, we're essentially a hub for crime, the scenery is boring and bland as fuck... I could go on for a long time. I'd love to live in many areas in North America, but I'll go with Alaska, since that would absolute RULE. A strong pro would definitely be the cold climate and the sights, but it would definitely be a con to me when that relentless dark era lasts for months on end. I need the sun (from inside anyway, ha ha) sometimes, because it being dark for what, half a year?, would really damage my happiness. What is your favorite episode of your favorite TV show? Referring to Meerkat Manor, it's actually the one where Mozart dies, I think, even though it destroyed my heart. I just think the writer portrayed it as so beautifully tragic, and the clips shown were so pretty. Does having others watch you do things make you uncomfortable? What sorts of things make you extremely uncomfortable if you are watched while doing them? Are there any things that give you confidence to do if you have an audience? ABSOFUCKINGLUTELY. Do NOT watch me on the computer (especially when writing), I literally will not draw if someone's watching (inevitably besides in Art classes, I think Sara is legit the only person who's watched me draw a bit), I really don't like people watching me edit photography, I'm nooot a fan of others seeing me exercise (though I kinda have to suck that up with having a personal trainer), etc. etc. Just don't watch me do anything, lol. I don't know what actually boosts my confidence if I'm being observed. Does someone in your house speak a different language on a regular basis? No. Do you follow or care about any big sports events? Not at all. Are there any activities people normally do together that you prefer doing alone? Hm. I dunno. If you are going somewhere where you’ll have to wait for a while (i.e. a doctor’s office), do you bring something to occupy yourself? My phone, yeah. How long is your favorite song? I checked, and it's almost six minutes. Do you think you’d ever want to be “internet famous”? I'll admit I've somewhat thought about it, only because my career choices are running so dry, and I'd be able to do it alone. However, I've got noooo idea what I'd actually do, and I also don't think I could handle ridicule or anything like that for any reason. Having a spotlight on me would stress me out. Who was the main cook of your Thanksgiving meal last year? My older sister. What moment in your life have you been most scared? Probably this one occasion where Dad had to pick my sister and me up from school one day and make the 30-minute drive home. Well. He was clearly in a hellish mood because he was flying. He ran stop signs and red lights, passed people illegally... I was in the passenger's seat and absolutely convinced we were going to crash. I can barely believe we didn't. Who was the last person you slow danced with? -_- Do you prefer headphones or earbuds? Earbuds. I like how they block out external sound better, and they don't hurt my ears like headphones do. What person/people do you trust the most? My mom. Who in your life do you care about more than yourself? My parents, sisters, my nieces and nephew, Sara... A lot of people, if I'm being honest. I don't value my life as much as I should. Which wild animal would you most like to have as a pet? I am DESPERATE to rescue an opossum one day. :''''( What teacher did all the high school boys/girls have a crush on? I have no idea. Have you ever felt seriously violated? No. Do you watch American Horror Story? I adore(d) the first season; it was mine and Jason's "show." We watched most of season two as well, but I lost interest in the later half of it. I haven't really watched it since, save for the pilot episode of some season I forgot. Does your hometown have any urban legends/scary stories? Not to my knowledge. What’s the scariest nightmare you remember having? Something involving my dad that I won't speak about. Pancakes or French toast? Oh my god, French toast. That sounds delicious rn. Are there any apps you’re addicted to? Not addicted, nah. Did you have a favorite stuffed animal as a child? Yes; it was a bunny holding a multicolor polka-dotted blanket. Do you still collect stuffed animals? Hell yeah. Have you ever had eggs cooked over a campfire? No. What colors of mascara have you worn on your lashes? Just black. What font do you usually use? I mean, it depends on what I'm doing. Is it supposed to appear professional? Aesthetically pleasing? It varies too much to answer this with one font. What about font colors? Usually just black, but again, it depends on what I'm writing. Are you good at making graphics or designing layouts? Ha, no. Do you put gel or mousse in your hair? No. Sleep with just one pillow? No, I use two. I am VERY uncomfortable with just one. Ever woke up crying? Yeah, from nightmares. Do you like big dogs or small dogs better? It depends on the breed and their energy level. I don't really prefer one over the other as a general judgment. Are you going to graduate high school on time? I did. Been to the zoo lately? No, but I'd love to go. :/ Now that I'd consider myself at least a pretty decent photographer, I'd love to see what shots I could take. I LOVE photographing animals with how unpredictable they are. It's like playing the lottery; you really don't know what you're going to get, but you have the chance for seriously priceless moments. Even if we could afford the trip, though, I know I wouldn't last long whatsoever with my legs being as weak as gelatine. I know especially that there's a notable incline in the path, and I'd never make it up it. I really, really look forward to the day where I can really start feeling a difference in my body thanks to the gym. Have you ever been to Mississippi? No. What did you do for your last birthday? We went to The Cheesecake Factory. Do you like to cook? No. What is the worst thing that has happened to you in your entire life? If I'm looking at the big picture and what truly damaged my pleasure in life the most, it'd be developing depression and such intense anxiety. I've given up so much and changed so negatively because of it. Do you know when your next family reunion will be? We've never had one. My family is too spread out. What is your favorite thing to do with your significant other? I'm single, but even in a relationship, I love playing video games together. I've got multiple memories of just having a great time doing that. Where is “home” for you? Wherever Mom is. Is there an animal that creeps you out? Whale sharks, maggots and other bug larvae, centipedes, many beetles, and some other bugs. What is the name of the last band you discovered? Uhhh.. good question. I admittedly don't listen to new music a lot. I tend to stick to the stuff I know. Do you prefer group projects, or would you prefer to work alone? I would rather kick my ankle against a Razer scooter than do a group project. Have you ever been to Hooters? No. Do you have a brother? What’s his name? Yeah, Robert, but everyone calls him "Bobby." Have you ever thought that your life was so bad you wanted to give up? About a billion times. I still do sometimes. Do you have a ceiling fan located in your bedroom? Yes. Have you ever been in a lighthouse? No, but I was supposed to visit one in the fourth grade. The water was way too aggressive that day, though, so we had a change of plans and went to a closer island. Hell, it might have been the better option, because it had horses. I remember collecting seashells, too, and just watching the power of the ocean hammer at the shores. It was really pretty. Have you ever been bitten by an animal? Only playfully, like by a cat. Well wait, I think my old baby iguana may have bitten me once (he sure tried to, ha ha), but I don't remember for sure. Did it rain today? Yes. It rains pretty much every afternoon here in the late summer. What was the name of the last dog you pet? Zeke, my sister's German shepherd. He's adorable. Has your luggage ever been lost at the airport? Did you get it back? No. Do you have certain friends that you hug every time you see them? I pretty much always hug my friends when I see them. I'm a big hugger. Have you ever witnessed a tornado? No, thank the fucking Lord. Who is your favorite person to talk to when you’re down? Sara. What are you listening to right now? "Blood For Blood" by Powerwolf. Can you get over people easy? Hell no. I do NOT handle loss well AT ALL. And not just romantically. What was the last thing you carried to your room? A drink. Do you drink water that comes from your sink? Only once it's been filtered. Have you ever prank called the police? That is fucking awful. No. What’s your LEAST favorite smiley? XD looks so stupid to me I'm sorry lmao xD reigns supreme. Do you like Italian food? Yeah, more than I used to. Have you ever put red lipstick on just to make lip marks on something? No. Do you watch Shane Dawson on YouTube? Isn't his career pretty much toast now? I DID used to love his videos, though. I still occasionally watch his fiance, though, and he pops up sometimes. Regardless of everything, I still think he's funny as fuck. Would you ever spend a day to see what it’s like to be homeless? NOOOOOOO NO NO NO NO. I am TERRIFIED of living on the streets someday. I want NO idea what it's like. Is the house you’re currently living in over 50 years old? I highly doubt that. Have you ever had a yard sale? Many. What is your favorite color? Baby pink. Did you have a good day or a bad day? Today was extreeeemely dull and felt like it lasted eons. Do you know anyone that has/had cancer? I sadly know maaaaany. Have you ever read somebody else’s diary? No, that is incredibly rude. Do you enjoy going to school? I hated it from start to end. Like I have good memories, but overall, I hated school. Were you a big jump roper back in the day? OHHHH YES. I almost learned how to double-dutch, even. I could jump with two ropes, but not jump in with two. Are you a local celebrity? Definitely not. Do you eat candy daily? No. I'm already fat dude, I don't need candy. I avoid candy as best as I can. Do you get nervous with public speaking? Like you would not believe. How old were you when you got your driver's license (if you have it)? I'm 25 and still don't have it. Has someone of the opposite sex ever told you they loved you? Yes. What memory are you most afraid of losing? Meh, I don't know. A lot of what I consider my "favorite" memories I'd honestly be better off losing, probably. Who accompanied you to your first concert? My mom, younger sister, and Jason. Would you rather have tickets to see your favorite band in concert, or $100 to go shopping? TAKE ME TO THE OZZY CONCERT. What do you usually eat for breakfast? It really varies. I'd say cereal most often, probably? Do you wish you were more outgoing? Yeah. Do you know anyone who wears a hearing aid? I don't think so?

#survey #surveys #random questions

[roo-the-fox]

WELCOME TO CHAPTER 2!!!! I am sleep-deprived and loopy lol!

I think I’m gonna add in some songs for you to listen to while you read, so here you go 😊😊

Roo’s Playlist:

Your Dog Loves You- Colde (feat. Crush) // Wi Ing Wi Ing- Hyukoh // When You Fall- Sam Kim, Chai // Photograph- offonoff // 247 - Junggigo

Anyways, Enjoy!!! 💜💜💜

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GIRL’S TRIP- Ch. 2

“Yeah, we’ll be there soon, Unni! Thanks for renting out the space to us, I really appreciate it! Yeah.... Yeah.... Okay, see you in about 15 minutes. Mmhmm... Okay, bye!” Savannah hung up her phone and turned to Annie and Jilly. “That was Ivy. She said that she’ll meet us outside the apartment when we arrive in Apgujeong. It’s the cutest shopping and fashion area! And it’s within Gangnam so we’ll get to be in that general area.”

“How exciting! But you didn’t have to take care of our housing arrangements, we could’ve helped!” Annie said from the front seat of the taxi car, Happy excitedly looking between the window and the driver.

“Yeah, we could’ve helped pick out a place. You wouldn’t even let us see the pictures of the place.” Jilly said, pouting. Savannah knew it drove her friends crazy to not know about the apartment, but she really wanted it to be a surprise for them after all they had done for her over the years.

“Don’t worry about it, guys! I wanted do this and you can always pay me back with food.” Savannah said, grinning widely at the thought of food. Annie and Jilly just rolled their eyes and sat back in their seats, looking out the window at the beautiful city. The mix of modern and traditional living harmoniously throughout the buildings. Beautiful architecture, extraordinary sculptures, and exquisite temples flooded the city with culture and life. Annie and Jilly forgot their anxieties and immersed themselves in the sights of the structures and the sounds of the bustling people.

“Ahjusshi, it’s my friends’ first times in Korea. What should we eat first?” Savannah asked, leaning to the side so the taxi driver could see her in the rear view mirror.

“Hmmmm,” The driver rubbed his face, thinking about the different types of decadent dishes that the country had to offer. “You had a long flight, yes?” He said, looking over at Annie, who nodded. “Then, I would suggest something hearty. They never serve enough food on those planes. Either budaejjigae or jjajangmyun.” All three girls were almost drooling at the thought of the dishes. He was right, they really had only eaten snacks on the flight, partly due to the nerves of traveling, partly because of nerves from a certain group of guys.

“Thank you, ahjusshi.” Savannah said, smiling gratefully at the driver. It was mid-afternoon now. By the time that they were settled, it would be dinner time and they could go grab something delicious.

The girls kept up the conversation with their driver, who had reached over to pet the puppy who wouldn’t stop staring at him until he gave her the proper attention. After a few more minutes, they finally arrived at the apartment. Savannah called Ivy to tell her that they had arrived. Savannah was pulling the suitcases out of the trunk when a very excited Ivy ran up behind her and embraced her. Savannah turned around, shocked, then squealed at her friend, excitedly hugging her back.

“I missed you so much! Oh my gosh, how are you? Are these your friends? Hi, I’m Ivy! Savannah and I were co-teachers before!” Ivy rambled off, shaking Annie and Jilly’s hands. “Oh! A puppy! She reminds me so much of Pie! Can I hold her?” Ivy asked, hopefully. Annie just nodded and handed over the shih tzu.

“Yeah, she’s the one who gave me my Korean name.” Savannah laughed before pulling out the rest of the bags.

“Yeah, some of our kids would always ask her about it so I gave her one. But come on, I’ll take you up to the apartment.” Jilly paid the taxi driver for the ride and they followed Ivy into the building. In the elevator, she told them about her family buying the plot of land a while ago and that it was full of luxury apartments. She added that the interior was made with an industrial yet clean feel to it.

Reaching the right floor, they walked to one of the doors and Ivy balanced Happy in one arm while she pushed in the key code. The door chimed it’s little welcome ring when Ivy opened the door to a beautiful open apartment.

Annie and Jilly’s jaws dropped as their entered the gorgeous French-modern home. Savannah just smiled and turned to Ivy, taking her shoes off before entering the space. Ivy put Happy down, letting the dog finally roam free. Annie and Jilly basically jumped out of their shoes to look around the living and dining areas. They squealed and awed over the details and view.

“Thanks again for letting us have this one.” Savannah said, leaning against the wall with Ivy.

“What’s so special about this apartment, in particular?” Annie inquired, turning around with an eyebrow raised

“It’s got four rooms. Savannah told me that there would be four of you and I just so happened to have this one open up recently.” Ivy smiled. Annie and Jilly turned to Savannah, daggers basically shooting at their friend. They had been told that there would only be two rooms for the girls to pair up in. Savannah just shrugged and smiled.

“Anyways, let’s get dinner sometime this week. Okay? Also, I left my number, the gate code, and the door code on the counter in the kitchen. Oh, and trash day is on Thursday. Call me if you need me!” Ivy explained, putting her jacket and shoes back on.

“Sounds good, I’ll message you on Kakao once we get SIM cards.” Savannah said, walking her back to the door. “I appreciate everything you’ve done. Say hi to your hubs and baby for me.” Savannah gave Ivy another hug before she left. Once the door closed, Savannah turned to see her two best friends stalking towards her with stern faces. Savannah just sighed, shoved her hands in her pockets, and prepared for the worst.

“Why didn’t you tell us?!” Annie barked. “This place must have cost a fortune.”

“Yeah, especially because we’re going to be getting our own rooms! Dude, please let us help you with this!” Jilly pleaded.

“No guys, its fine! I’ve wanted to do this since we started thinking about it. I saved up money from my last series and I got a huge signing bonus for my current series. I specifically wanted to do this for you guys. Please don’t take that away from me.” Annie and Jilly pouted at her, knowing that they couldn’t convince her otherwise.

“Fine,” Annie sighed. “Let’s go take a look at the rooms. I want to get settled before we head to dinner.”

“We need to get our phone cards before the shops close too. We can do that on our way out.” Jilly said, grabbing her suitcase and hoisting it up the stairs.

After looking around the upstairs areas and heavy deliberation, the girls decided on their rooms.

Annie’s room:

Jilly’s room:

Savannah’s room:

The girl’s moved their stuff to their rooms before taking turns in the shower. They were all greasy and gross from the flight and they wanted to clean up for dinner. The weather outside was still chilly, especially as the sun started to set so the girls decided to dress a little warmer before setting out.

Jilly’s outfit:

Annie’s Outfit:

Savannah’s outfit:

Leaving Happy with some food and water, the girls set off to find food. Annie and Jilly told Savannah to pick the restaurant since she surprised them with the apartment. They walked down the busy street until they passed a phone shop.

“Hey, let’s get our SIM cards while we’re out!” Jilly said, pulling the other two into the SK shop. After 30 minutes of working with the staff, they finally got their cards implanted in their phones, new phone numbers set, and paid for the next month of service. With that taken care of, they set off for dinner once again.

Looking around the surrounding streets, Savannah finally spotted a budaejjigae shop and she pointed it out to the others.

“This is perfect for a cool night like this! Let’s go!” The other two followed her into the shop and they sat down next to the window. Their mouths watered as they looked over the menu. Finally deciding on their order, they called the shop owner over and pointed out the stew they wanted along with a few sodas to help cut some of the stew’s greasiness. A few minutes later, their food came out and the owner watched as the girls’ eyes nearly flew out of their sockets at the beauty before them.

Once the budaejjigae had fully cooked, the girls started digging in. They all moaned out at the array of flavors hitting their tongues, only to receive weird looks from the patrons around them. Ignoring them, they fully dug into the delicious meal, savoring every bite and element within the spicy broth. They talked about what they wanted to do the next day, seeing as they were all exhausted and they wanted to be up and recharged once morning came around. Upon reaching the bottom of the pot, they slowed down on their eating and relaxed into the seats, looking out at the people walking by.

“So have you guys thought about reaching out to the boys?” Savannah asked, quietly, causing the other two to blush. They had been so focused on the apartment and food that the incidents from earlier in the day had somehow slipped their minds.

“Not yet. I wouldn’t even know what to say to him.” Annie said, looking down at her phone.

“Me too. How do you even talk to them?” Jilly said, taking a sip of her soda.

“Talk to them like you did on the plane. Like their ‘normal people’,” Savannah said, putting air quotes around the last part.

“Says the girl who could barely look Tae in the eyes. You didn’t even look at Namjoon.” Annie said, looking at her with a raised brow. Savannah just slouched.

“I dunno, dude. But from what you guys said, you told them that you’d message them once you guys got your SIM cards.” Savannah countered, grinning mischievously. Annie and Jilly just looked at each other, flushed.

“Okay, but should we plan out what we say first?” Jilly asked, looking between the other two.

“What about just ‘Hi, it’s Jilly/Annie from the plane.’ It’s just letting them know that you didn’t forget about them.” Savannah threw out, taking the last bite of stew.

“What if they forgot about us?” Annie whined. She fiddled with her phone, looking at Yoongi’s contact.

“I HIGHLY doubt they did. Especially with how Yoongi was looking at you. Besides, it doesn’t hurt to try though.”

“Easy for you to say, you didn’t get any of their numbers. You’d be freaking out like us if you had.” Jilly pouted.

“Very true, but maybe there’s a reason I didn’t get it. We don’t all need to be freaking out here.” Savannah just smiled. Annie and Jilly just stared down at their phones.

“Jilly, did you get a chance to put Kookie’s number in your phone before we left the apartment?” Annie asked, whispering so no one could overhear. The last thing they needed was someone attacking them over talking about BTS.

“I did in the taxi when we were leaving the airport.” Jilly said, sipping on her soda. Annie nodded and they both looked back at their phones. Savannah looked over at Annie’s phone and smirked.

“I’m surprised you didn’t put him down as ‘Yoongles Bear’.” Savannah chided, earning a light shove from Annie.

“Shut up! I wouldn’t do that... yet.” Annie whispered the last part, causing the other two to smirk.

“Okay, I wrote something out. Can you guys look over it first?” Jilly said, causing the other two to look at her. She handed her phone over to Annie and her and Savannah read it: ‘Hey, it’s Jilly, from the flight. I got my SIM card 😊’.

“That looks good, Jilly!” Annie smiled.

“Yeah, but I’m nervous to send it.”

“Wait, you didn’t want us to push send for you?” Savannah asked, wide-eyed and biting her lip.

“You didn’t. Please tell me you didn’t.” Jilly said, grabbing her phone from them. The message was still in the typing box. Jilly glared at Savannah, who just stuck her tongue out at her, jokingly.

“But for real, do you want us to send it for you?” Annie asked, pulling Jilly’s attention from Savannah.

“Ummm, I don’t know. How about this; You type out your message and we’ll send the messages from each other’s phones.”

“Ugh, but I don’t know what to say.” Annie said, frustrated.

“Babe, just say something along the lines that Jilly said. It’s just an introductory text. You don’t need to worry too much about it.” Savannah said, her face finally serious. Annie just nodded and typed something out. She handed the phone over to Jilly and she read it: ‘Hey, it’s Annie. I’m glad that Happy could keep you company on the flight.’ Savannah looked over and read the message as well and nodded.

“Looks good to me.” Jilly said, handing her phone over to Annie. “Okay, let’s send them on the count of 3... 1... 2... 3.” And, with that, the texts were sent.

A few minutes of anxiety-induced silence filled the space. Savannah was looking in between the two girls who were trying not to look at their phones. She knew they were both riddled with anxious thoughts so she stood up, making both of them jump out of their own minds.

“Come on, let’s go walk around. You two need some crisp fresh air.” Savannah said, grabbing her bag and walking over to the cashier, paying for their dinner while they gathered their stuff.

“Will you stop paying for stuff?!” Jilly groaned once they were outside the restaurant.

“Nope.” Savannah said, winking at Jilly. They walked down a shopping street, looking in some of the windows of the cute shops and seeing the trends and pastel colors that comes with the spring season.

“It’s supposed to warm up a little later this week. We can hopefully wear some of the cuter outfits that we brought and get some good pictures with the cherry blossoms.” Jilly said, looking at the array of blossoming trees that lined the street. One of the shop’s doors were open and playing beautiful classical music, adding to the romantic atmosphere of the street.

“That would be really nice.” Annie agreed, still looking at the cute clothes and accessories in the shops. She was excited to find some cute outfits at the shops. The styles in Korea was very different to American styles and she was happy for the change. She turned to find only Jilly looking at the trees and people walking around in cute outfits.

“Where’s Savannah?” She asked, looking through the small masses of people that bustled through the street. Jilly looked down the line of trees until she spotted a familiar head.

“There she is.” She said, walking over to where the girl stood. They found Savannah taking pictures of a lamppost’s light filtering through the cherry blossom leaves and petals.

“Savannah, I swear. Why didn’t you tell us you were stopping?!” Annie scolded her.

“I would’ve caught up eventually. I just wanted to take this picture.” Savannah said, not taking her eyes off of her camera.

“Ah,” Jilly started, “We should probably get back to take care of Happy. We’ve been gone for a few hours.” The girls looked over at Jilly, then their watches. 9:38 PM. The girls nodded and started heading back to the apartment.

The walk back was chilly but, with their bellies full of warm food, they were able to talk and enjoy the nice crisp air. They laughed and talked the whole way home. They were almost to the apartment when they stopped at a convenience store for drinks and snacks. Once they finally got back into the apartment, Happy came running up to them, excitedly.

“Hey guys, I’m gonna take her out to go potty. I’ll be right back.” Annie said, clipping Happy’s leash onto her harness and taking her outside.

While out on the apartment walking trail, a ding went off in Annie’s pocket. She pulled out her phone and squealed when she saw the name pop up on her lock screen. Nearly dropping her phone, she stuffed her phone back in her pocket. Quickly, she cleaned up after happy, threw the waste back into the bin, and hurried Happy back to the building.

Savannah and Jillian were just finishing up with putting the snacks away when Annie barreled through the door, shih tzu in tow behind her. The other two looked behind them, startled at the sudden outburst.

“Yoongi text me back!” Annie panted. Savannah and Jilly’s eyes went wide and they ran over to her.

“Really?? What did he say?” They spoke in unison.

“I don’t know, I haven’t looked yet. I freaked out too much.” Annie said, sliding out of her shoes and taking the leash off of Happy, who just trotted away.

“Well look! Let’s see what he said!” Jilly squealed. Annie pulled the phone out of her pocket and opened the message.

Savannah cupped her hands under the phone, afraid that Annie would drop it. Annie just stared at the phone, reading and rereading the message. She couldn’t believe what he was said. Jilly and Savannah couldn’t tell if she was breathing, so Jilly slipped the phone from Annie’s hands and set it on the dining room table.

“Why don’t you go get changed and wash your face, then you can respond. Okay? Give yourself time to think of something to say.” Jilly pushed Annie towards the stairs where her and Savannah followed, wanting to change into their own PJ’s, as well.

Once everyone was washed up and changed into their pajamas, Savannah heated up some hot water for tea and cocoa. Annie grabbed her phone and the girls proceeded over to the couch, curling up under blankets and sipping their drinks.

“Have you thought about what your gonna say?” Savannah asked.

“Kinda. I’m still in a state of shock.” Annie said, processing the fact that Yoongi actually text back.

“Well, why don’t you start by replying to his question?” Jilly offered. Annie just nodded her head and started typing it out... then erasing... then typing again.... and erasing again.

“Babe..” Savannah started.

“I know, but I don’t want to come off too technical, you know? Sometimes, I can’t control how I come off. I don’t want to be short or anything.” Annie ran her fingers through her hair, thinking about how to strategically text the rapper back. She started texting back and hit send before projecting the phone at Savannah, smacking into her stomach.

“Oof, what the hell!”

“I’m sorry, I’m just nervous!” Savannah rubbed her stomach while looking down at the screen and reading out the message.

“Yeah we arrived safely, haha. Savannah surprised us with a really pretty apartment in Apgujeong. Did you get home safely? 😊”

“Babe, that’s perfect. You don’t need to stress about it more.” Savannah said, placing the phone on the table. Jilly just ‘awed’ at Annie and giggled as Annie lightly smacked her arm.

“By the way, Jilly, did Jungkook text you back?” Savannah asked, leaning back against the cozy couch.

“Oh right, my phone is on silent. Let me check!” She said, reaching into her jacket pocket. She pulled out her phone and looked down at the screen.

“Not yet.” She said, a tone of sadness in her voice.

“Let’s be honest, he’s probably at the gym.” Annie shrugged, a light playfulness in her voice.

“or scarfing his face with Jin... or wine drunk again.,” Savannah chimed in, smirking. “Anyways, don’t worry about it right now. We have a full day to seize tomorrow and we should get some sleep.” Annie and Jilly nodded, draining the last of their drinks before cleaning up the mugs and heading upstairs.

Once in her room, Jilly stretched out on her bed and started watching videos when a familiar name popped up on the screen. Jilly’s eyes went wide and her phone slipped from her grip, falling right onto her face.

“Ow, shit!” She cursed, rubbing on the bridge of her nose. Sitting up, she opened the message and squealed.

“Why is he so cute???!! I can’t handle it!” Jilly moaned, flailing her legs on the bed in overwhelming excitement. She rolled around the blankets before sitting up and typing out her message: ‘Yeah, we ate Budaejjigae because it was chilly outside. It was so yummy 😋 Did you get home safely?’

With that, Jilly plugged in her phone and fell asleep after a few long minutes of thinking about the events of the last 24 hours.

—————————————————————————————————————————

This story belongs to roo-the-fox. Do not repost, please.

[sky-casino]

Ink-tainted Hands

Genre: Fluff

Pairing: Jaehyun x Reader

Word Count: 4,200+

a/n: I’ve been into brush pen calligraphy lately and this plot about having Jaehyun as your only classmate in a calligraphy workshop suddenly came into mind lol. Hope you enjoy!

  It was a breezy and sunny summer day when you arrived for the first time at your new dorm near the university campus. You unpacked your luggage for a couple of hours till lunchtime and as famished as you were, you quickly ran down the stairs and headed out to find a place to eat. You spotted an America-style diner on a corner a few blocks away and to your happiness almost ran to the place. After a few minutes, the waitress on roller skates delivered chicken and waffles and a tall glass of milkshake to your table. After a quick prayer, you munched down on the meal.

You took a few minutes after finishing the food to just look around the diner and outside its windows. This would be your surroundings for the next three years and you couldn't say that you weren't pleased. Everything looked so bright, lively, and fun. Your mom wanted you to stay at home longer but you convinced her to let you move to the dorm two weeks before your freshman classes begin as you wanted to get accustomed to the place as early as you can. Also, you were pretty much thrilled to start living on your own and feel the independence.

As you observed your surroundings, you noticed the cork board that served as the diner's bulletin board. It piqued your interest so you stood up and walked to it. Pinned to it were announcements and event invitations of various kinds. There was something about a charity concert, a flea market, and list and schedules of different 2-week workshops offered by the city's public library that are on a discount for students. The last one caught your attention. In the list, there were workshops for calligraphy, sketching, painting, creative writing, and baking. You instantly clasped your hands together as a physical expression of your excitement upon reading the word 'calligraphy'. Calligraphy has been a rising trend in your area recently so you told yourself to learn it as soon as an opportunity arises, and it just popped up in your face like this.

"Schedule is MWF at 10am to 12 noon, 2 o'clock to 4pm, and 6pm to 8pm. Today is a Sunday and it.. already starts tomorrow?! Shit. I need to sign up today!" You exclaimed right before running out of the diner, but then you realized you had no idea where the library was and how to get there, so you went back to the diner to ask one of the waitresses.

You learned that it was just walking distance from the diner and so you ran and ran until you reached the entrance.

"Hello, may I know where I can sign up for a workshop?" You asked the security guard after you caught your breath.

"Good afternoon. Just proceed to the reception area."

"Alright, thanks."

You entered but almost quickly stopped in your tracks because you were surprised to see how beautiful and modern the library was. It wasn't the typical library, it's a learning hub.

"Good afternoon and welcome! How may I help you?" The receptionist greeted you.

"Oh, hi. I'm here to sign up for the calligraphy  work shop?"

"Let me check if there are any slots left first."

You silently prayed in your mind that there is a single slot left.

"Hmm, we only have slots left for the 6PM time slot."

You didn't know whether to be happy or sad. You were glad that there was still a slot for you, of course. But you didn't exactly like to attend the latest time slot. You were hoping for either the 10AM or 2PM class. Nevertheless, you gratefully accepted and paid for your slot before leaving.

The next evening, you found yourself running down the stairs of your dorm and on the brink of being late to the workshop. You decided to take a 1-hour nap before you had to leave to make sure you won't feel sleepy during the late-night workshop.

You ended up being five minutes late and were pretty nervous of the possibility that your classmates will look at you and worse, the teacher will reprimand you. 

"Whatever." You muttered before slowly opening the door. 

First of all, the teacher wasn't there yet. Second, you only had one classmate. Yes, one. And he was looking at you as you entered the room. He was a bit far and you could only see his side profile, but damn you already knew was fine as hell. 

You made your way the chair beside him on the first row.

"Hi." He said with a shy smile as you sat down.

 "Hello." 

"My name is Jaehyun." He said as he reluctantly offered his hand for a handshake. This time you realized he had dimples that made him ten times more attractive.

"Y/N. Nice to meet you."

"Looks like we're the only ones in this class. Maybe no one else signed up for this schedule?"

"Well, I didn't actually join this time slot. But I was told that this was the only time left that had available slots." You replied.

"Really? Same! When did you sign up?" Jaehyun asked excitedly, finding it amusing that you were in the same situation.

"Yesterday after lunch. You?" You asked with a laugh.

"Yesterday at around 5PM."

"We were probably the last two people who registered.  So here we are." You said with a dramatic sigh, earning you a laughter from Jaehyun. His dimples now more prominent than ever and you were just staring at them, even long after his laughter died down and turned into a smile. You didn't know that he was staring at your face at the same time, resulting to a moment of awkward silence. He was about to laugh out of amusement again but the door opened, revealing a lady in her mid thirties, your teacher.

"Good evening and I'm very sorry for my tardiness." She quickly greeted.

"No worries, it's fine." You quietly replied, uncertain if you even had to respond to her apology.

"Hmm.. there are more students than I expected." Your teacher stated as she prepared the materials. You and Jaehyun looked at each other, confused.

"To be honest with you, I didn't expect someone will be in this time slot. But anyway, let's start. Come and get your materials: a nib, a straight nib holder, a small bottle of black ink, and practice sheets. For this week, you will be learning pointed pen calligraphy and for next week, we will use brush pens. These two tools result to two different styles of modern calligraphy, which what this workshop is about." 

Holding the materials and listening to your teacher's words ignited your enthusiasm once more.

During your first night of workshop, you learned the fundamentals of pointed pen calligraphy: you should fully dip the nib into the ink until it reaches the base, light strokes are usually done upwards, and heavy strokes are normally done downwards. Before you know it, the two hours were already up.

"That's all for tonight. See you the day after tomorrow. Kindly clean up before you leave. The library closes in thirty minutes so move quickly. Good night." The teacher advised.

"Noted, ma'am. Thank you." You replied.

"Damn, I didn't think calligraphy was easy at all but I didn't expect it to be this hard. Look at my strokes! So messy!" Jaehyun sulked. You only knew each other for a couple of hours but you instantly feel comfortable with each other like close friends.

"Well, as what she told earlier. Practice makes-"

"Perfect." Jaehyun interrupted you.

"No. Progress. It's progress, Jaehyun. Because no one is perfect." 

"Oh.. yup. You're correct." His embarrassed expression caused you to burst into laughter, and you had no idea how red his ears were at that moment.

"Alright, miss. We need to clean up our desks and our tainted hands. So I'd gladly appreciate if you could.. you know, stop laughing at me?" He was even more sulky by now and you decided to stop pissing off your new friend whom you discovered to be quite sensitive.

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry, mister." You raised both your hands to show you surrender while taking off the scratch newspapers on your desks that served as a protection from the ink.

"I'm starving. Would you like to go get dinner? Only if it's.. fine, of course. You might have somewhere else to go or someth-"

"Sure. I'd love to. I'm starving as well and I got zero plans after this." You were clueless as to why you felt some butterflies in your stomach to the prospect of having dinner with this guy, but you were sure you're suppressing a smile.   

"It's up to you where we'll eat. You know a place?" Jaehyun asked you as both of you stepped out of the library.

"Hmm, there's a diner around that block. Wanna try?"

"Absolutely. I want some burgers and fries right now. You seem to be familiar with the place. You live here?"

"Oh, not at all. Just moved to my dorm yesterday morning. I had my lunch at the diner yesterday and it's actually the only restaurant I've seen so far."

"You got to be kidding me. I'm the same! Moved here yesterday after lunch." Jaehyun said as the two of you entered the diner. 

"I'll have bacon, eggs, hashbrown, and chocolate milk shake." You told the waitress.

"I'll get the triple decker burger, fries, and iced coffee." Jaehyun ordered.

"Wait, okay. So, are we gonna go to the same university? Seoul National University?" You clarified with a hidden thrill in your voice.

"That's right. But I'm taking up Architecture. You?"

"Multimedia Arts. Wow, this is good, right? We already have each other as a friend even before classes start two weeks from now."

"Yup. At least we already know someone in school. Also, I was thinking, maybe we can practice what we learned from the workshop earlier? Maybe in the afternoon before the Wednesday session?" Jaehyun suggested as the waitress placed your orders on the table.

"That'd be great. I was planning to practice anyway."

Half an hour later, Jaehyun offered to walk you to your dorm.

"Thank you for accompanying me here, even though there was absolutely no need. I appreciate it."

"No problem. It's late already and I had to make sure you get back here safely." Jaehyun flashed you a shy smile.

"Well, see you on Wednesday afternoon at 3PM?"

"Yup. I'll text you where it will be. Which reminds me.. I don't have your number yet?"

"Oh, right." You said before proceeding to dictate your number.

"Thanks, will text you. Good night and it was really nice to meet you. You're cool." 

"Wow, this is the first time someone, let alone a guy, has told me that I'm cool. Thank you very much, Jaehyun." You dramatically placed your hands on your chest.

"It's true, though. See you!" He saluted at you playfully before walking off.

You jogged up the stairs to finally take a shower and a good night's sleep, but most importantly, to get on the phone to call your best friend and tell her about this dashing young man who's also into calligraphy.

After doing your nightly beauty routine, you jumped into your bed as you excitedly waited for your best friend to pick up the call. 

"Hey Seulgi! Sorry, did I wake you up?"

"Hi! Nope! I'm just binge-watching on Netflix. What's up?"

"Oh my god, I need to tell you something urgently." You said, emphasizing the last word.

"Spill!"

"I honestly can't believe that today is just my second day in this city but it's already going so great? It's surreal."

"Did you meet a cute guy?" Seulgi squealed.

"Yes, and he's not just cute. He's super cute. Jaehyun is his name." You said dreamily.

"How did you meet?"

"He's my only classmate in the calligraphy workshop I told you about yesterday. We had dinner tonight after the session and he invited me to practice calligraphy on Wednesday afternoon. He asked for my number too. Oh and, it turns out he's a dormer here too and we're both going to SNU. We clicked so well right away. God, this is too good to be true." 

"It sounds perfect! I just hope that he's single. Please, God." 

"I know we're going too fast but I agree. I really hope he is.”

“You need to find out soon if he's single and ready to mingle."

"But how will I ask that? I don't want him to find me weird."

"Just say something like 'Will your girlfriend attend SNU too?'. Assume innocently then watch out for his response. That's how we'll know." 

"Great advice. Alright, I'll talk to you again soon. Good night."

"Night and sweet dreams!"

"Sweet dreams." You hung up and stared at the stars outside your window, thinking about dimple boy.

 Wednesday afternoon arrived and you were on your way to the cafe that Jaehyun texted you the name of the night before. "He's so considerate." You thought to yourself as you read his text again to follow the directions from your dorm to the said cafe. "He could've just sent me the name and leave it to me to find how to get there but he gave clear directions. Sweet."

When you entered the cafe, you easily spotted him as his tall figure was standing and moving around his chosen table. You wondered for a second what kept him busy and you realized that he was covering the entire desk with newspaper as a safety measure. Neither of you wants to stain the cafe's table or you might end up cleaning or paying for the damage.

"Hey, sorry I'm late." You greeted as you put your bag down on one of the chairs.

"No problem. Have you ordered?"

"Not yet."

"You can place your order first, I already placed mine."

"Alrighty."

When you came back with your chicken-pesto sandwich and iced macchiato, he was already sitting and settled down, ready to start. Then you suddenly remembered what Seulgi said the other day, “You need to find out soon if he’s single and ready to mingle.”

You cleared your throat while you felt your cheeks burn before asking, “So, do you have anyone else attending SNU too? Like friends and.. a girlfriend? You could hear your heartbeats thumping, scared of what his reaction might be.

“I have some high school batch mates, but they’re not taking up Architecture and we’re not really close. I don’t have a girlfriend. But I’m flattered that you think I have. Thank you.”  The last part made him laugh and you laughed with him as a sign of relief.

You spent the next couple of hours bent down as you repeatedly practiced writing the entire English alphabet, both the capital and small versions of each letter.

"My back and neck are in pain." You whined.

"Same here. I didn't know calligraphy could be so physically taxing." Jaehyun said in an almost defeated tone."Let's stretch it out." He continued, the two of you standing up and doing every stretching exercise for the upper body that you know.

When you sat back down, Jaehyun absentmindedly rubbed his right knuckle on his nose, leaving a medium-sized black stain.

"Why are you laughing?" 

You couldn't even answer him as you continued to laugh hysterically. 

"What's wrong?" 

"Your nose-" Your laugh interrupted your own words. 

Jaehyun quickly used the front camera of his phone to check his face and you actually saw the moment he got embarrassed.

"Shit." He muttered, frantically looking for a clean napkin on the table but you used it up already. 

"Here, lucky for you I have wet wipes." You handed the item to him, feeling sorry for laughing so much at your embarrassed friend.

"Thank you."

"Sorry, should've told you sooner instead of laughing my ass off."

Jaehyun looked at you, surprised. "No worries. I'm not mad or anything." He assured you with his dimples. 

You were about to pick up your pen when Jaehyun suddenly told you that it was already 5:30. The two of you cleaned up and packed your bags quickly and walked briskly to the library for your second calligraphy session.

The second week of the sessions just began and you found yourself more excited for this than the last one, all because of the new tool you will be using: colorful brush pens. Oh, and of course your cute classmate is also a reason to look forward to the new week.

"Thank God, this is easier and more fun to use." Jaehyun said after the teacher went to the restroom.

"I know right! I've always had a good feeling about brush pens." You whispered as you tirelessly practiced using your pink brush pen, struggling to contain your vigor which made Jaehyun chuckle and gaze at you longer than usual.

On Wednesday that week, your teacher gave you a final assignment: write a word or a short phrase using your choice of method: pointed pen or brush pen. "Submission on Friday. Got it?"

"Yes, ma'am." 

"It's exciting but I don't know what to write." You said after the teacher made her exit.

"Hmm, yeah. Same. But I don't wanna think about it yet. Dinner?"

"Let's go."

Thursday morning, you texted Jaehyun if he wanted to meet with you at the cafe to work on the assignment.

"Sorry, I can't. I have other errands to attend to and can only work on it late tonight. But see you tomorrow! Really sorry!"

You were dismayed and it made getting up from bed a bit harder.

"It's totally fine. Yup, see you! :)" You sent.

You washed your face and made yourself a cup of coffee before sitting down by your desk. Pens and papers were laid out and you just stared at them for five minutes, contemplating what word or phrase you wanted to write. Which colors to be used will follow later.

The next day arrived and it was also the last day of your calligraphy workshop. You were a bit somber as you walked to the room, clutching your assignment to your chest. You texted Jaehyun earlier if he wanted to meet up before the session so you could go together but he said that he had to fix something in his dorm room and that you should go ahead. And you did, that's why you're now alone in the room, ten minutes early.

You looked at your work and slowly smiled at it as a physical manifestation of your high level of  satisfaction. A few minutes later, the door opened again and you expected to see Jaehyun, but it was the teacher instead. 

"Good evening." She greeted.

"Good evening, ma'am." You replied, but at the back of your head you actually wanted to say a sarcastic remark about the fact that this is the only time she was punctual, and it's the last session.

"Where's he?"

"P-probably on his way already. Just had to fix something in his dorm." 

She replied with a nod. It was awkward for you to be alone with her and you repeated in your mind for Jaehyun to arrive already. After a few seconds, he busted into the door, panting. 

"Sorry I'm late." He huffed as he sat down beside you.

"No worries. We'll end this session early as I just need you to present your works. Explain why you wrote what you wrote and why you used the method you used. Then before you go, I'll give you your certificates. Y/N, you first." Your no-nonsense teacher instructed, taking a seat in the same row as you and Jaehyun.

"Okay." You said as you stood up and went to the front.

"Hi. This is what I wrote: Let New Adventures Begin. I decided to write this phrase because I'm... about to start college next week. I also moved here from another city so it's my first time to be independent. I'm excited but also very nervous and clueless about things so I wrote this to encourage and motivate myself. I used brush pens and blended orange and pink colors because I wanted it to look bright. I decided to use this method because brush pen calligraphy is not that strict when it comes to rules, unlike the pointed-pen method. I can be as creative as I can be and show my personality with this method and tools. Yeah, I think that's all. Thank you." You finished with a nervous but relieved smile.

"Very good, Y/N. Both your work and presentation is excellent. Jaehyun, your turn."

"Thank you so much, ma'am." You said as Jaehyun slowly rose up from his seat.

Once in front, he took a deep breath and exhaled loudly. "Sorry, I'm just a bit nervous."

You giggled and offered him an encouraging smile.

"Okay so, this is what I wrote."

You were surprised to see your name. "My name?"

"Yup. Your name, because I want to give this to you as a gift." Jaehyun said with a nervous chuckle before biting his lip.

"What?"

"Jaehyun, please make your presentation cohesive." Your teacher said as both of you were clueless about what Jaehyun was saying.

"Sorry. But.. yes. I wrote your name because I was planning to give this to you as a gift. You've been a very cool friend and you always patiently help me improve my calligraphy skills and we really get along well and fortunately, we will be studying in the same university and I don't know but... I just like you so much. I enjoy our time together a lot and I hope that even if this workshop ends we will remain close friends because..." Jaehyun interrupted his own ramblings as he looked at you with a serious gaze. You felt yourself sweating a bit and holding your breath.

"....because I want to see if we can be more than that." He finally said. "Oh and before I forget, I used brush pens because you love brush pens. Also, I was late not because I was fixing something in my room but because I had to buy a frame in the bookstore so I could frame this. I just didn't want to give you a paper, I wanted it to be more presentable. This is also why I rejected your invitations to work together for this assignment, because it’s a surprise. And yes, I know this is not the best calligraphy work but I really did my best." He chuckled.

"Alright, I didn't expect such a presentation. But well done, anyway. Just avoid rambling on and on. Here are your certificates proving that you finished and did well on this workshop." Your teacher shared as you and Jaehyun locked eyes with unreadable expressions.

"Guys?" Your teacher called out.

"Sorry, ma'am!" You said as you rushed to her to get your certificate, not knowing that Jaehyun's gaze still lingered on you.

"Thank you for participating." She said as she held out her hand for a handshake.

"We should be the ones to thank you, ma'am. We really enjoyed and learned a lot." You shook her hand.

"Y/N's right, ma'am. Thanks a lot." Jaehyun said during his turn for the handshake.

"You're very welcome. Alright, I'll be leaving now. Seems like... the two of you have a lot to talk about." She smirked.

"Yes we do, ma'am." Jaehyun answered and you were scared of the looming conversation you two will be having.

"Okay, goodbye." Your teacher said.

"Goodbye, ma'am." You and Jaehyun said in unison.

You went and packed your things right after she left, the room now filled with silence.

"H-here. This is for you." Jaehyun stuttered as he handed his framed work to you.

"Thank you so much, Jaehyun. It's beautiful." You graciously took the work from his hands, glancing up at him as many times as you could, which was twice because you still felt shy about everything he said earlier.

"I'm sorry for doing that earlier. I know I should've talked to you in private. I put you in an uncomfortable situation, I'm sorr-"

"It's fine. Don't worry. I was surprised but it's okay, I'm okay." You assured him with a smile, patting his shoulder.

"I hope this doesn't... affect our friendship." Jaehyun said with furrowed brows, obviously still worrying despite your assurance.

"It doesn't. It won't. You know..." You guessed it was your turn to confess.

"Hm?"

"I.. I like you too. You're cute and dorky and full of energy all the time, always curious and enthusiastic. And I can't stop looking at your dimples!" Confessing lightens the heart indeed, you thought to yourself.

The two of you were giggling in the atmosphere of first love until Jaehyun put on his serious face.

"I just want you to know that I don't want you to feel any pressure, I can definitely wait." Jaehyun said and you swore to the gods  you felt your heart swelling with love and admiration.

"I know. It's better if we take things slow, right?" 

"Of course! Friends to best friends to girlfriend and boyfriend." He teased, causing you to smack his arm. "By the way, I found a cute coffee shop some blocks away from here. Wanna try?"

"Is that even a question?" You sassed, rolling your eyes.

"Well then, shall we go now, my lady?" He said as he dramatically offered his bent right arm for you to link your left. You accepted his arm and found your way out of the library. 

#ivy writes #jaehyun #jung jaehyun #jeong jaehyun #nct jaehyun #nct 127 #nct #nct 127 jaehyun #jaehyun x reader #jaehyun fic #jaehyun fluff #jaehyun scenario #jaehyun fluff scenario #nct fluff #nct 127 fluff #jaehyun fluff fic #fluff #fluff scenario #fluff fic #nct scenario #nct fic #jaehyun angst #jaehyun smut

[surveysonfleek]

1211.

Do you want your last ex to be happy, even if it means not being with you? sure. If you have a smartphone, what’s the last app you downloaded? What about the last app you uninstalled?   the last app i downloaded was that simpsons tapped out. i need to kill time lol. the last app i deleted was a business one. If you were a straight member of the opposite sex, who are some celebrities you think you’d have a thing for?   rihanna, beyonce, rita ora. not sure who else. Have you ever dyed your own hair? How did it turn out?   yes. it was fine, not a huge change. Right-handed or left-handed? right-handed.

What is the wallpaper on your cellphone?   just a boring iphone one. Does your first, middle, and last spell something?   huh? Favorite TV channel? i don’t have one.  What is your least favorite breed of dog?   i don’t have one tbh. it all depends on the dog’s personality. In your opinion, are leggings appropriate to wear as pants?   yes, i think they’re fine as long as they’re not see through. Have you ever had a teacher that also taught your parents?   nope. Is there any alcohol in the fridge?   yes, wine.

Do you hate it when people smoke around you?   i don’t really care. What do you want for your birthday?   a watch. Who is the most inappropriate person you know?   i know a couple but only when they’re intoxicated. Who in your phone has a heart after their name?   my boyfriend. After breaking up, what’s the worst?   learning how to move on by yourself. Do you have a second mom? nope. When was the hardest time in your life? What made it so hard & how did you overcome it? when my parents separated. it was just a shitty time in my life, i dreaded going home just coz they ignored each other. How do you relieve stress? sleeping, watching movies/tv shows. When you die do you want to have a funeral service? Why or why not?   yeah, i would. it would bring a lot of people together i guess. What illegal drugs have you tried? Describe how you feel when you take each. If you haven’t tried any, would you ever want to? weed, coke, mdma. are shrooms illegal? if so, then yeah i’ve done that too. What is your opinion on capital punishment?   eh. What period of history was your favorite to learn about? If you don’t like history, what is your favorite thing to learn about? modern history. Where is your favorite fast food restaurant & what do you order when you go there? burger king. a whopper. i haven’t had one in ages. What do you think about smoking in public places?   it’s fine. What’s your favorite cheese? camembert. What’s your favorite type of chocolate?   milk. How do you like your steak? medium rare. What’s the last time you ate something you’d picked in the wild? i feel like i’ve never done that. Arrange the following in order of preference: Pineapple, Orange, Apple, Strawberry, Cherry, Watermelon, Banana.   banana, watermelon, pineapple, orange, apple, strawberry, cherry. What is your opinion on “God?”   i believe in them. i’m just not religious whatsoever. What is your favorite Christmas movie?   elf. Who are the three most important people in your life?   i’d have to choose four. my immediate family and boyfriend. Why did you go to the doctor the last time you went?   i had food poisoning. What is your favorite boy band?   boyz ii men. What is your favorite Beatles song?   i don’t have one tbh. What is your favorite type of bird? toucans are cool. What is something you hate, but wish you loved? olives. If you could profoundly release anxiety’s grip on one area of your life what would it be? everything. i have the weirdest irrational anxiety. it’s frustrating. What’s the cutest thing your SO does, but denies it’s cute in any way? his mannerisms. Are you smiling in your Facebook profile picture?   yeah, i’m in mid laughter haha. Does it irritate you when people go on and on about how amazing their boyfriend/girlfriend is? only if it’s the only thing they talk about. If you wear eye shadow, do you put on a dark color or a light?   i like neutral shades, browns, pinks, nudes. What do you believe in the most?   idk. What do you avoid like the plague?   driving haha. i do it anyway. What is your main goal of the year?   finding a new job. Do you listen to music while you drive? always. Waffle cone or bowl?   cone. Do you like video games? Why?   it really depends, i’m picky with them. they’re fun to kill time with. Do you take selfies with those animal filters? when they first came out on snapchat they were cute but now i just think they took tacky. What book will you NOT read?   many. What YouTube channel can you not stand to watch? stupid ones. pewdiepie, those logan brother, ricegum etc. they’re terrible, i don’t get the appeal. Do you like big, normal or small glasses?   normal. How do you feel about colored contacts? it’s whatever. to each their own. Is pregnancy beautiful?   sure. Do you dance at weddings/parties or are you shy?   sometimes. when i’m in the mood. Are you kind to animals at all times?   i don’t really take notice of them tbh. Have you ever been bitten by an animal really hard? yes. Do you trust dogs? only my dog. Do you trust cats?   nope. What stereotype do you fall into the best?   slacker. Do you have to take stairs or an elevator to get to your house? stairs. Have you ever seen a pelican in real life? yes. all the damn time at the beaches. Do you carry pepper spray with you?   nope. Name three sites you have been bullied on. none tbh. i keep a pretty low profile. Has there ever been a fire inside your house? Tell me the story. nope. not one out of control. Have you ever had a scary encounter with a wild animal?   no. Have you ever had a emergency surgery?   no. Do you think your hair looks better natural or dyed?   natural. What’s one thing that makes your stomach hurt? anxiety lol. and food. i have a weak stomach. If you had kids, would you take them to Disney World?   of course! What unnatural hair color looks best on you? really dark purple. What is your least favorite pizza place?   i don’t know tbh. What is the name of your first pet?   dopey. he was a bird lol. What is your favorite fairytale?   hmmm. rumpelstiltskin. Have you ever suffered a fracture?   yes. in my pinky from basketball. What countries would you like to visit?   japan and the bahamas. Had a serious surgery?   the most serious would be a dog bite when i was 2. i only remember bits and pieces of it though. Gotten stitches?   yes. Bitten someone?   not seriously. Would you ever cosplay?   probably not. How slowly or quickly would you say you eat? pretty quickly. Have you ever drank from a real coconut?   yes! not as sweet as i thought it’d be. Do you have bird feeders hanging up outside? What about any hanging plants? nope. If you were poor, living on the streets, & had no family to aid you, would you take up a job offer to work in a slaughterhouse? if that was the only job i could get, then yeah. it would suck but unfortunately we need money to live. Have you ever had a grandparent come live with you?   yeah. Do you keep your fortunes from fortune cookies?   i did for awhile, kept it in my phone case.  When you walk into your bedroom, is the light switch on the right side or the left side of the door? right. Who makes the majority of the food for Thanksgiving in your family? we don’t celebrate thanksgiving here. Does your house have a real chimney? nope. If you had to endure one natural disaster (i.e. hurricane, tornado, etc), what would you pick and why?   no idea just because i’ve never been through one. probably a hurricane though? i think my house could withstand that. How did you learn to ride a bicycle?   pretty sure my dad taught me. i relied on training wheels even though i knew how to ride without them and finally just got rid of them when i was about 8 lol. If you want any tattoos or piercings, what’s next on your list? don’t want either. Are you good at understanding baby talk?   nope. What was the last movie that you saw in the theaters?   it’s been forever. i think it was deadpool 2 or ocean’s eight. Can you do a hand stand?   nope. If you could, you would go to the moon?   probably not.  Do you like candy canes?   no. Have you ever gotten in trouble at school for wearing revealing clothes?   no. we had uniforms. Have you ever seriously thought about getting plastic surgery?   no. Do you prefer your jeans normal or ripped?   normal. i like acid wash and that distressed look though. Have you ever actually woken up screaming because of a nightmare?   no. Have you watched Breaking Bad?   i’ve seen about half of it. Have you ever been skating?   yes. Do you feel comfortable singing in front of others?   hell no. Name four favorite fast food restaurants & what you usually order at each one. burger king: whopper meal. mcdonalds: cheeseburger or applie pie. kfc: twista meal. sushi hub: i always get sushi and avocado, crispy chicken and avocado and prawn katsu rolls. Name four favorite sit down restaurants & what you usually order at each one.   hurricanes: ribs. hooters: wings in either spicy garlic or teriyaki sauce. idk where else tbh. Would you say you’re more close-minded or open-minded? Is there anyone in your family or group of friends you’d consider close-minded? If so, does it ever bother you? definitely open minded. i think my family and friends are quite open minded. i’m not really close to anyone who i really disagree with when it comes to my views. What is the most fucked up movie you’ve seen? Why?   i honestly forgot what it was called but it was on netflix and there’s just a room of people in this weird room and only one could survive. When it’s time to dress up for a special occasion, are you more likely to wear a dress, a skirt, or dress pants? a dress. If you eat oatmeal, do you add water or milk to it? What is your favorite flavor?   i never ear oatmeal. Have you ever been brave enough to cut your hair in a very different way? If you have, did you regret your decision after?   nah. How attractive is a girl is a suit? How attractive is a guy in a dress?   it all depends on how the clothes fit the person tbh. What does your dad do?   he works in a factory. Are your fingers long, or short? they’re pretty stubby. Are you allergic to any dogs? nope. Have you ever used an epi pen?   no. What is the meaning of your first name? goddess of wine. funnily enough i’m not a fan of wine. Did you toss your hat in the air at graduation?   i don’t think i did actually lol. Does it usually take you awhile to recover from illnesses? sometimes. it depends. i’ll either get over a sickness in a couple of days or it’ll take weeks. Would you rather get married outside or inside?   inside only because knowing my luck it’ll be raining. Do you put your elbows on the table when you eat? Do you think it’s rude? i don’t think i do but i don’t really consider it rude. Is you hair color the same as it was when you were a baby?   yes. What are your thoughts on mini-skirts or mini-dresses?   not a fan of them on myself. Have you ever died in one of your dreams?   yes haha. then i woke up. Which is tastier: fruity gum or minty gum?   fruity tbh. Be honest, have you ever bullied anybody? Who was it?   not seriously. i’ve been teased but i haven’t been a constant target. What was the mascot at your elementary school?   we didn’t have one. What is one romantic movie that you enjoy enough to watch more than once?   the proposal. Have you ever had a significant other NOT believe you when you said “i love you” to them? Why was that? How did you react? nope. Is there a band logo you would get tattooed on yourself?   no. If you had a baby, would you want to have it at home or in a hospital?   hospital. wouldn’t want to jeopardise anything. What was the last thing you ordered online?   invitations to be printed. What’s your favorite planet?   earth. What are three things that fascinate you? travelling, space and culture. Have you ever suffered from an eating disorder? no. Do you enjoy doing yoga? not really. Have you ever had to do a class in summer school?   nope. Have you ever had fondue?   yes. only a chocolate one though. i’d love to try a cheese one. Have you ever taken photos in a photobooth?   yes. If you have a dog, do you walk it regularly? not really. he’s turning 15 this year and is super old. we have a huge backyard so he still runs around when he wants. Do porcelain dolls scare you?   they don’t scare me but i definitely wouldn’t want to start a collection. Which is worse, Teletubbies or Boohbas? boohbas were weird af. Would you ever consider getting a tattoo on the inside of your bottom lip? nope. Do you like to play air hockey? yes. Have you ever been in a castle?   technically yes. it’s just not my definition of a castle. Are you a lightweight when it comes to alcohol?   i’m okay. Do you like tacos?   only soft tacos.

#survey #surveys #quiz #bored #questions

[wildflower8281]

Welcome to Miami

You’ve seen more in 5 days in Miami than Pete & I have seen in one year!

Coconut Grove: My Sister’s Place

I recently had the opportunity to visit my sister, Erin and her boyfriend, Pete in their amazing place in Miami. This was the first time I’d visited them since they lived down there. The 3 of us had the weekend together and then I had Monday-Wednesday to explore the city on my own, while they went to work. (They are currently in Hawaii now, so don’t feel too bad!)

During our weekend together, we did all things #relax: pool time, patio time (they have an amazing view), and of course amazing eats, most of them waterfront:

1 Hotel Miami Beach, Planthouse: brunch with a view of the ocean

Rusty Pelican: dinner on Key Biscayne, waterfront, view of Miami skyline

Lulu’s: Coconut Grove’s lovely downtown spot for brunch and people watching

Berries in the Grove: walkable local joint where we watched the Kentucky Derby!

Havana Harry's: authentic Cuban cuisine!

Doc B’s: downtown Coral Gables, fantastic all around, amazing guac

Coconut Grove is a sweet section of town, mostly with a residential feel, but also right next to the train and Route 1, both of which get you anywhere. Erin & Pete lived car-free in Phila and they remain car-free in Miami. It’s pretty awesome and very doable! Our trio had a blast together eating, relaxing and reconnecting - I can’t wait to return! 

(This was a quick post, so I’m bunching the pics together, #sorrynotsorry)

Monday: Little Havana

I had rented a car for my explorations from Monday through Wednesday. I’m not afraid to drive in new places or cities, thanks to being thrown into NY City as a nun and learning it on my own with a GPS! Nothing really scares me after that: If you can cruise in NYC, then you can cruise anywhere! (I’ve also driven a 12 passenger van on the left side of the road in Guyana, so there’s that. #ssvm #nunlife #missionaryadventures)

Anyway, of course my first desire when thinking of exploring Miami would be to 

visit Little Havana! It was only a 15 minute drive from Coconut Grove! The neighborhood is actually 3 square miles, most of it residential, so I just parked on a side street and made my way up to Calle Ocho, which is the main street of Little Havana.

The only part of Cuban culture I’ve ever been close to was Maria Cruz. She was a teacher at the church I worked for in Spanish Harlem, San Pablo. She had grown up in Cuba and lived there during the terrible times of Fidel Castro. She taught religion secretly and remembered what it was like to not have access to sugar. She lived there during the scarce and scary times & always had stories to tell. Then, she came to New York. I remember she would occasionally bring us (the nuns who worked in the CCD office) Cuban coffee, in those tiny NY cups and it was the richest, yummiest coffee I’d ever had! That was the closest to Cuban culture I ever got, until now.

My first goal was to find a cuban bakery or coffee shop and score some coffee & sweet breads or cookies to go along, then to sit and just people watch. Luckily, as I rounded the corner of Calle 8, I stumbled upon just that and ordered un cafe cubano and some I-don’t-know-what-they-are-called yummy cuban cookies. I took my treats down the street, seeking a bench to chill on, which I promptly found at Domino Park. Domino Park is just what it sounds like - a dozen or so tables, filled with locals (mostly men) playing dominos, laughing, drinking their cafes and chatting. It was a hub of bustle and I sat right down and enjoyed the scene! One of my favorite things to do while traveling is to find the local hubs, sit and just watch the people. I like to blend in (if possible), remain unnoticed and just observe humanity. It’s fascinating. I made eye contact with various of the players (old enough to be my grandparents,) smiled and I think they appreciated that I just quietly came in and sat down. There were loads of other tourists who came in charging with their cameras, hovering around the tables snapping photos, as if these folks were statues or something. It felt weird to me and I appreciated just being on the sidelines, enjoying my cafe & cookies, just watching.

From the park, I just wandered up and down Calle 8, snapping pictures of everything colorful, vibrant and interesting - which is basically everything in Little Havana. From the trash cans with Cuban art on them, to the wall tiles, street murals and picturesque cafes and walkways. I’m not really a shopper, so I skipped all the souvenir stores (although many looked like they had fun stuff!) and always consider my photos the best captures of my experience that I get to take with me for free. I love shooting new places, capturing scenes, art, and interesting corners or angles that people may not notice. So I spend the next 2 hours doing just that and it made me very happy. I also scored a second cafe cubano, because why not?

I’m not one to educate on history or culture, but Cuba does have an interesting, terrible and unique history behind all the colorful culture and rich coffees. I’ve read about it and learned first hand from Maria Cruz. It’s worth a look-up, whether or not you ever visit Little Havana or Cuba. (Same goes for any culture/country - who were the native peoples, what is their true history, whose land am I on, etc. )

Tuesday: Miami Beach Botanical Garden; South Miami Beach; Matheson Hammock Park

There are at least 5 amazing gardens one can visit in the Miami area, but the Miami Beach Botanical Garden is free! I drove the interesting highways over to Miami Beach and parked in the lot for a whopping $2/hour.

I was expecting the Gardens to be the size of the one here in Phoenix, which could easily take 2 hours to wander through. The Miami Beach Botanical Garden was probably only about ⅓ the size, but reconciled the lack of acreage with rich, lush, tropical radiance! They had a pond with fish, turtles and frogs! A Japanese style garden, a labyrinth you can walk through, various fountains peacefully cascading water and everything in bloom, green and refreshing. Just walking around was like breathing healing air.

I spent about an hour there and still had time on my car to spare, so I was like, “OK, what am I near right now? Where can I explore?” Turned out I was a 15 minute walk from South Beach, aka: the Ocean, so I headed east! Walking towards the beach, I heard dozens of languages, most of them totally unfamiliar to me, like from Eastern Europe and Asia for sure. Pretty neat.

The beach was calm, free (take notes, NJ) and very blue!! I walked to the water, sat in the sand and enjoyed the moment. I didn’t have a bathing suit on, so I just walked in to my ankles, but the water was refreshing. I would have jumped in, but I still had things to do that day and didn’t want #wetbuttcarseat.

I made my way home just in time for the afternoon shower to land. Afternoon showers are a thing in Miami during the rainy season. They usually pass in 1-2 hours, which this one did. Enough time for me to eat lunch and read a bit.

My next stop was the Old Cutler Trail, which I had read was great for biking or walking along. It was 13 miles in total, but one could start wherever and just meander. Well, I found the start of the trail in a gorgeous, historic neighborhood, but it seemed much more ideal for biking. I didn’t just want to walk in a neighborhood, so I kept driving along Old Culter just to see what I might find. This is just how I roll.

Shortly, I saw a sign for Matheson Hammock Park, aiming toward the bay, so I followed that sign. For $5, I could drive in and explore the bay area, swim and relax. It was shortly after the storm, so the place was pretty empty except for me, some lifeguards wandering around and the sunshine. Palm trees, calm beaches, a view of the Miami skyline. I explored the beach pretty intensely and witnessed all kinds of crab life happening right at the waters edge, and quite literally under my feet! It was a very lively shoreline! I watched the crab and critter bustle for quite some time! I relaxed on the picnic tables and watched the water, felt the breezes, just took in this secluded place I happened to find. I felt lucky!

Wednesday: Ancient Spanish Monastery

On my last day in Miami, I ventured to North Miami where the Ancient Spanish Monastery was situated. I guess, Dear Reader, you’ve figured by now that I’m not one to just lay on the beach for 3 days straight! Don’t get me wrong, I love the ocean, but if I have the opportunity to explore a new city, I dive in! I love any reason to wander, take pictures, see something new. So, prior to my trip, I of course researched and selected a few main sites to visit, one of them being this Monastery that just looked gorgeous. I love old buildings, things that feel European and old, and of course there is my ever-affinity to anything related to #monasticlife! Well, this monastery would prove much more interesting than I anticipated!

History from Spanish Monastery:

“Construction of the Monastery of St. Bernard de Clairvaux was begun in the year 1133 AD near Segovia, Spain. Cistercian monks occupied the Monastery for nearly 700 years. After a social revolution in the 1830's, the Monastery’s Cloisters were seized, sold, and converted into a granary and stable.

In 1925, William Randolph Hearst purchased the Cloisters and the Monastery's outbuildings. The structures were dismantled stone by stone, bound with protective hay, packed in more than 11,000 wooden crates, numbered for identification and shipped to the United States. Soon after the shipment arrived, Hearst's financial problems forced most of his collection to be sold at auction. The massive crates remained in a warehouse in Brooklyn, New York, for 26 years. One year after Hearst’s' death in 1952, they were purchased by two entrepreneurs for use as a tourist attraction. It took 19 months to put the Monastery back together. In 1953 Time magazine called it ‘the biggest jigsaw puzzle in history.’                                                           

In 1964, Colonel Robert Pentland, Jr, who was a multimillionaire banker, philanthropist and benefactor of many Episcopal churches, purchased the Cloisters and presented them to the Bishop of Florida. Today the parish Church of St. Bernard de Clairvaux is an active and growing congregation in the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida.”

The photos show how beautifully restored this place is, in addition to it being basically another botanical gardens. There was a labyrinth on the grounds one could wander through and rows of perfectly planted, vibrant flowers. Moving through the Monastery was like being in a different epoch. Knowing that generations of monks silently moved through the corridors, ate in the refrectory and lived religious life within those stones was pretty amazing. Worth the visit, if you geek-out on this stuff like I do. Plus, a gorgeous place to take pictures!

En Fin

My adventure in Miami was fabulous and now I want to move there. Seriously, the green and the water, the tropical vibe got me. While I love the desert and all Phoenix has been to me, Miami felt like my next move. Next move, like give me a year or so to get my biz going, then tropics here I come! Not to mention, my brilliant sister & her fab partner Pete live there. Miami felt real good.

Te veo, Miami, te veo. Ya pronto.

#miami #tropical #littlehavana #coconutgrove #tropics #miamivibe #adventuresinmiami #explorer #girlswhotravel #missionaryadventure #nunlife #sisters #ponderings

[terrusw-blog]

Adam Brown hears it all the time: get over it

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[dorothydelgadillo]

7 Essential Content Marketing Apps & Tools I Can't Live Without for 2019

Who has two thumbs, speaks limited French, and struggled to get out of bed for this first post-holiday morning back at work?

Don't get me wrong -- it's only been in recent years that I wake up each day feeling hashtag blessed about the fact that I get to do what I'm passionate about for a living alongside some of the smartest people I have ever known.

Still, I'm dragging this morning.

And my to do list is a mile long. 

Because, fun fact, pillar pages don't write themselves. Nor do whitepapers, blog articles, or case studies.

This surprises me, given how every other article I read recently has to do with the rise of Skynet as a reality; you'd think they'd have figured out how to do all of that by now, right?

Just kidding, I love robots -- from a distance. 

Plus, hyperbolic posturing about the robot apocalypse aside, there are a lot of ways technology and automation have already transformed the way I map out, write, and produce the content for a lot of our strategies. 

(And I'm not even counting HubSpot Marketing Hub.) 

Since neither content (or pimpin') is easy, I'm going to share the apps and tools I use every single day -- and consider indispensable -- to produce a good portion content you interact with on this website. 

App #1: GatherContent

If you've ever worked with me on a project, you know I live and die by GatherContent, a centralized content creation, production, and collaboration platform I can only assume was created by Zeus from on-high -- it is that magical.

I was first introduced to GatherContent years ago by Jessie-Lee Nichols (now IMPACT's Design Supervisor) when we were working on a website project together. 

I'm resistant to change -- especially when it comes to someone trying to "evolve" or "improve" my processes, but Jessie-Lee was persistent. 

"You'll spend less time chasing down approvals, trying to find drafts in Google Docs, and digging through your emails," she said, zeroing in on my biggest challenges. "Everything is one place, with real-time visibility into the status of every single piece of content in a project."

Lo and behold, she was right. Flash forward to now, there is no project I work on that doesn't leverage GatherContent.  

From within GatherContent, I can work with multiple collaborators, give access to my higher-ups so they can see the status of a project or single piece of content at any time -- whether it's 3 a.m. or 3 p.m., they don't need to email, call, or smoke signal me to find out the status or deadline of a piece of content.

For writers, I can leave comments and assign out changes. Additionally, either the writer or I can overwrite whatever content is there. There is a rollback feature that allows someone to see what changes have been made without whoever made the changes having to highlight them or call them out.

Finally, GatherContent keeps me sane. It isn't free -- although the pricing is very reasonable, especially if your a small business. (If you're an agency dealing with lots of clients or content production, you'll need to be smart about how many projects you set up.) 

But what it saves me in time, content project administration, and sanity makes it worth it to me. I'm infinitely more productive with it, and I would consider it the most important tool I use. 

I also can't even imagine managing all of the different projects I oversee without it. It's life-changing. 

Of course, if you're one of those folks who loves searching through endless Google Docs and emails, and spending more time calling and emailing about content projects instead of actually doing the work, you probably won't need it.

As I mentioned, GatherContent isn't free. It starts at $83 per month, with lots of options for organizations.

  App #2: Bear

I have a confession to make: I absolutely hated writing when I was younger.

In fact, one time when I was eighth grade, I turned in an essay where the last paragraph was the same sentence copied and pasted over and over again, just so I could meet the minimum word count requirement without having to put more effort into it. (My teacher didn’t appreciate my sense of humor.)

Obviously, I've come around since then.

But my change of heart only came about because eventually I realized that (a) I was good at writing, and (b) it wasn’t the act of writing I despised so much, but rather I hated the cluttered and distracting writing experience of Microsoft Word.

Enter stage left, Bear. 

Bear (available only for iPhone, iPad, and Mac) is an app that's all about empowering users to "write beautifully." And it does that so very well.

It's gotten to the point where everything I write -- IMPACT blogs, content projects for clients, freelance projects, etc. -- always passes through an initial rough drafting stage within Bear.  

In addition to comprehensive and lengthy content creation, Bear can also be used as an Evernote-esque notes application, making it quite versatile. 

Bear is free, but if you splurge on the paid version ($1.49 per month or $14.99 per year), you can enjoy custom themes, syncing across multiple devices, and exporting capabilities. 

App #2: Hemingway

Whether you’re a seasoned content creator or you’re a new kid on the inbound block, you undoubtedly know how hard it is to write and edit your own work -- and not just because you are too close to your writing to gauge its quality.

Thankfully, someone created Hemingway.

In addition to being one of my favorite authors -- as well as one of the best characters in Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris -- Hemingway forces you to evaluate the readability of your work.

It tells you what grade level your work reads at, and it scans your work for sentence complexity, passive voice, and overuse of adverbs. 

While you have the option to write directly in the Hemingway app itself, I find these kinds of mark-ups to be very distracting while I am trying to form my ideas for the first time.

Instead, I usually type of my first draft in Bear and then copy it over to Hemingway, when I'm ready to switch my brain over to editing mode. (But how you choose to use this app is entirely up to you!)

You can use Hemingway for free through your web browser at www.hemingwayapp.com, or you can download the desktop version for $9.99.

App #3: Grammarly for Google Docs

OK, Grammarly isn't new, but you know what is? Grammarly for Google Docs. 

It's not a separate tool from standard Grammarly. It's just a new feature that is so freaking valuable, I have to call it out separately, on the off chance that those of you who are familiar with the product haven't heard about this.

For those unfamiliar with Grammarly, however, it is a standalone desktop and web app that also has a Google Chrome extension that scans your writing in various places across the web -- or as input by you -- and provides editorial suggestions.

It's not perfect, but it has saved my patootie more times than I care to admit; especially when I'm rushing through emails early in the morning. 

Unfortunately, as with any technology, there were a few blind spots for the tool -- places online where Grammarly could not go. The most annoying of which was Google Docs, one of the most widely-used content collaboration word processing apps out there.

Even though I spent the early part of this article swearing off Google Docs for GatherContent or Bear, I still use it a lot. 

For example, sometimes I want a word processing application where I can also fiddle around with images and more visual formatting that GatherContent and Bear purposefully avoid in their feature set. 

Finally, Grammarly made the announcement we've all been waiting for -- Grammarly for Google Docs was now in beta for those using the Google Chrome extension.

Please remember that no automated editorial assistant is infallible. Review every suggested edit; never blindly accept them all.

Grammarly is free, although I highly recommend the premium version, as it scans for more nuanced grammar issues that can substantively elevate the quality of your writing.

App #4: WordCountTools.com

One of the most game-changing editing lessons I have ever learned is not to edit for everything all at once. Rather, you should edit for style, grammar, and narrative progression separately, in individual editing phases.

That’s why after I put my work through the readability test of Hemingway, I drop my work into the text box on www.wordcounttools.com. 

Not only does this website tell you how many words your composition has overall, it also targets one of my biggest writing “quirks” -- redundancy.

(Seriously, I don’t know what my problem is, but I am incapable of going a single column, essay, or blog post without repeating certain words or phrases.)

Below the area where you paste copy, you’ll see a keyword density box, which counts how many times non-“grammar words” appear in your work.

I know, it seems almost stupidly simple.

But as someone who spends a good portion of my day editing the work of others, trust me when I say it’s likely that more than a few of you reading this post should also be using this tool.

App #5: Noisli

I used to spend so much time at work trying to find the perfect work playlist on Spotify to keep me on track. Music is supposed to help spark productivity and creativity, right?

Wrong. Well, for me, anyway.

I don’t know whether I’m defective or something, but most of the time I find myself distracted by music.

Either I get wrapped up in the song itself -- even if it’s only instrumental -- or, when one song ends, I don’t like what comes up next, so I break from my work to spend 20 minutes trying to curate a new ideal soundtrack.

Noisli is a stunning, minimalist (and free!) background noise generator. Or, as they like to say, Noisli is “your productivity companion.”

Even though there are multiple studies showing the positive effects of ambient noise on productivity, Noisli confused me when I took it for a test drive a couple years ago, during a particularly challenging copywriting project.

At first, listening to noise while working seemed… strange. Not to mention completely boring. Now? I’m a total convert, and it’s pretty much all I listen to when I’m trying to get sh*t done. 

With my free Noisli account, I’ve created and saved custom blends of sounds -- which you control using the soundboard shown on the left -- that can set the tone for my entire working day.

Sound options include rain, thunderstorm, wind, forest, leaves, water stream, seaside, water, bonfire, summer night, fan, train, coffee shop, white noise, pink noise, and brown noise.

As my Creator's Block co-host (and long-time work pal) Jessie-Lee knows, my favorite Noisli blend is one I call "rainy trainy." It’s a personalized symphony of thunder, rain, train, and fan sounds. There's also a splash of coffee shop, for good measure.

I created this soothing blend because I love traveling by train and have been doing so for years -- in my 20s, when I would travel home to Washington, D.C., while living in Boston, and now, when I travel to and from my home in Annapolis, Maryland, to IMPACT's home office in Connecticut. 

Fun fact: You can also share blends of sounds with other people.  

Noisli is available for free through the website. There is also a free Chrome extension and iOS app available for $1.99.

App #6: SEMrush Content Template

I learned about this gem when I was working with Franco Valentino of Narrative SEO on a comprehensive SEO analysis we published last year. Now, I don't leave home without it, so to speak -- especially when I'm crafting individual pillar strategies.

If you have SEMRush, simply click on “SEO Content Template” in the menu on the left near the bottom and enter the keyword you want to base a piece of content around. It will spit out recommendations on everything -- target length of your content, links and semantic keywords you should include, and much, much more.

It also has a rich-text editor, where you can test the content you're creating that targets a particular keyword string against the recommendations it provided:

SEMrush costs money, but it's worth the money. They also have a lot of different pricing plans, depending on the needs of your organization.

App #7: Evernote

Given how ubiquitous Evernote is, it almost feels like a copout to include this in my list. That said, I spent years not understanding how or why millions of people and scores of businesses trust the elephant-branded app, before it finally clicked for me last fall. 

Now, I'm an Evernote freak, too.

For the three of you who haven't heard of Evernote, it's a note-taking application you can download or use through the web. You can clip things from the web, create templates, scan and attach documents, and sync your notes across multiple devices (if you pay for the premium version).

I also love how I can easily share notes in my Evernote -- for example, a table of contents developed during a pillar strategy brainstorm. By clicking one or two buttons, I can share an accessible URL that stays updated if I make any changes to the document, instead of having to copy and paste the information into an email or a Google Doc.

But for me, it's application is simple.

I've created notebooks for my podcast, my pillar strategies, and general notes for content I'm working on. It's where I store all of the preparation notes for pillar strategy sessions, the questions I'm going to ask a Content Lab guest, and where I outline longform pieces. 

There isn't much to say about Evernote that hasn't already been said by somebody else. But what I will say is that so much of what I have gotten out of it only came about once I understood it was all about how I organized and setup my Evernote. 

If you're looking for a virtual notebook to help you make sense of all of the back and forth that shouldn't live in disparate emails or Google Docs, but also has no business living in something like GatherContent, I can't recommend Evernote more.

Evernote is free with premium and business options available.

The Best Writing Hack Is Honesty

Even though all four of these apps have revolutionized the way I think about and approach my work, the best piece of advice I can give you about how to boost your content creation capabilities is this:

Have an open and brutally honest discussion with yourself about what specifically you don’t like about the writing process.

No app or program can tell you what your problem is or fix a writing roadblock you can't identify; they can only help you once you have some idea of what pain point you’re trying to address.

The answers will vary drastically from person to person, as they should. For instance, while my struggles were rooted in distraction and focus, yours may be founded in writer’s block, which is an entirely different beast.

So, while I think each of you will like at least one of these apps, I hope you’ll also do yourselves a favor and figure out what part of your own personal writing process really needs improving.

from Web Developers World https://www.impactbnd.com/blog/content-marketing-apps-tools

[surveys-at-your-service]

Survey #208

"if you want to soar with vultures, you'll have to swallow crow."

What may we call you? Brittany/Britt or Ozz/Ozzy. When can we send you a birthday card? (Figuratively, of course.): February 5th. And, where are you calling from? (Again, figuratively.): Please free me of the sweltering grip of North Carolina. What is your favorite Hostess/Little Debbie snack? BIIIIIIHHHHH that's too hard. I love that shit. I love the honeybuns, Twinkies, those little chocolate cupcakes... and really just most things lkdjalksdjwoe. Do you/your family buy loaf from the bakery or bagged on the shelf? Bagged. White, wheat or other? Mom usually buys whitewheat, but sometimes just wheat because she knows I prefer it. Have you ever fixed something without knowing just how you did it? I'm sure I have at some point. When was the last time you were on a plane? Last December. Where were you going and why? To Sara's for her birthday. What’s the best news you’ve gotten lately? Mom found a serious deal for a brand new Canon camera with more focal length range than my previous one and she bought it right in time for the wedding I shot yesterday. :') ^And, the worst? My niece may already be developing schizophrenia. If you could invent something, what would it be? Uhhhh... just one is hard. I literally just thought about this for like 5+ minutes and can't think of one singular invention that would actually be important. Well, maybe some sort of totally natural, long-lasting preservative for food? That'd help so many people and would greatly decrease the amount of fruits and such we waste, and it would also save money with probably slightly decreasing the frequency of grocery shopping. Tell me about your favorite pair of pants. I literally just have black yoga/dance pants lmao. Do you like getting dressed up? NO. Is your technology up to date? Depends on how "up-to-date" you mean. My stuff definitely isn't totally current. Ever been stuck next to someone really annoying on a LONG plane/train ride? Nah. Would you be embarrassed to find out you snored loudly in public? Yeah. Are you afraid of heights? Yes, to a degree. What is a compliment you get most often? "I like your hair"/stuff like that. Tell me about the last frightening/weird dream you had. This is hard, I like, never remember my dreams. Now, about the last pleasant dream you had. AHA I actually do remember this one: I got the rare-as-all-fuck and beautiful as all hell heavenly onyx cloud serpent in WoW, which I've tried getting every week for years. @_@ My eyes like popped open and I nearly gasped. Do you feel guilty about killing bugs? Sometimes. If there is a spider in your room, will you be up all night knowing that? YUP. How do you feel about coconut? I hate it. ^ Ever cracked one open? No. If you like someone, what do you do? Generally get shy and smile a lot when interacting with them. If you DON’T like someone, what do you do? Try to avoid being around them, keep talking to them to a minimum. What do you feel most insecure about? What DON'T I feel insecure about? Do you do your part to save the earth? I do what I can as not an independent adult (ex., I don't have my own car, so we don't drive to the dump). I turn the water off when brushing my teeth, I don't linger in the shower, I absolutely will not litter, things like that. Does it ROYALLY piss you off when your intended username is already taken? Yeesh, it doesn't even make me mad, it's just annoying. Describe your sunglasses. I don't have any. What’s the most you’ve spent on a pair of sunglasses? N/A ^Or, ladies, what about a purse? No clue, but definitely not a lot. Actually, what’s the most expensive clothing item/accessory you own? Again, I don't know. What is your favorite spoken language to listen to? Latin. Is there a TV switched on in the room you’re in? There is no TV. If so, what’s on? N/A What room of the house are you in anyway? My bedroom. Do you own anything that is special edition? I think some games, maybe? Maybe other things? Do you have any funky bookmarks? I have one of those moving 3D ones of meerkats. Do you know anyone with a British accent? Not personally. Are you reading any books at the moment? No. If so, tell me the plot briefly. N/A. When did you last get delivery pizza? A few weeks back. Drake Bell or Josh Peck? Back when the show was current, I preferred Drake. I know nothing about him now; Josh is cool, though. When was the last time you had a tick on you? EW idk I don't even wanna think about it. Do you watch Adult Swim? No, I hate it. It's crawling with immature humor. Have you been to the Grand Canyon? No. What is your favorite type of donut? Glazed or plain. Who usually makes dinner in your household? Mom. Name ALL the colors you’re wearing. Oh jeez, I have on a really colorful Day of the Dead-style skull tank top. Literally like every possible color. Are there more females or males in your family? Females. Have you submitted anything to Urban Dictionary? No. Did you have a Gameboy? If so, do you still have it? Yes to both. Is there a playground anywhere near your house? Define "near." Not very. Does anyone in your family snore loudly? Mom. What’s your favorite cereal? Probably Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Or Crunch Berries, the all berries kind. Do you read reddit? If so, how often and what subreddits do you like? No. Do you know anyone who’s had a baby recently? An old best friend from high school. When was the last time you ate marshmallows? Not since Sara was here and we had s'mores last summer. Do you listen to any podcasts? How do you listen to them? No. What brand of toilet paper do you usually buy? I don't pay attention to whatever Mom gets. Why did you leave your last job? The stress was giving me panic attacks. Have you ever eaten at a restaurant and left without paying? No. What was the last thing that made you laugh out loud? Probably Mark or GameGrumps. How old were you when you first became sexually active? 16. What’s your opinion on The Simpsons? I don't have one. Do you know anyone who has been through a divorce? Plenty of people. Do you have to pay for parking in most places in the town/city you live in? No. Can you hear lots of traffic from your house? Does it bother you? A moderate amount. We live on a busy road. Would someone being either a cat or dog person effect you dating them? No. What is the smallest thing you lose your temper over instantly? Hm, idk. Talk to me like I'm an idiot will definitely get me, actually. What’s a job that doesn’t get enough respect? Mfckn teachers. They are WAY WAY WAY underpaid. What did you take for granted until you visited another country? Never left the country. What is the worst first date you’ve been on? Tyler had a flat tire, and we had to walk to the gas station for something I don't remember and back to the sketchy tire place, and it was SO cold and windy. It didn't actually bother me, like he felt godawful and it wasn't like it was in his power, but from a date standpoint, yeah, that was an event. Who is your favorite scientist and why? I'm not educated enough on various scientists for this. Do you prefer emoticons or emoji? Emoticons. What’s the hardest task you’ve ever had to do? Open my mind in partial hospitalization to let Jason go and recover. How did you meet your pet? Teddy was from a friend of a family friend who knew we were looking for a dog. He was a present for me, so I didn't actually pick him, but rather Ashley chose the last remaining puppy with brown on him, and boy did she make the best decision. Roman was one of the shitload of kittens Ash's mother-in-law had; I was immediately drawn to him with his beautiful blue eyes. <3 Venus was from an online hub of ball python breeders, and I just absolutely fell in love with her colors. Kaiju and Mitsu were both from Craigslist. Do you look like any of your grand- or great-grandparents? I don't have a clue. Did/Do you have any PEZ dispensers? Oh yeah. Do you like grapes or raisins better? I only like grapes. What is the most extreme weather your area has ever experienced? I looked it up; the coldest in history is -9*, highest is 105*. Is there anything you plan on watching on TV today? No. Are there any broken appliances in your house? Maybe. Mom may still have my old Sager in hopes of fixing it one day or something, but I feel like we finally got rid of it. What color is the lampshade in the room you’re in? I don't have a lamp in here. At school, what is/was your worst area in math? I don't remember. Have Jehovah's Witnesses ever called to your door? Yes. Do you ever throw money in those ‘wishing’ wells? No. Waste of coins. Ever take money out of them? No. Are you well known by people in your area? No. What is the picture on the desktop on the computer you’re using? A meerkat. Have you ever had your future told? No. Do you 'spit on it’, to seal a deal? No no no ew. Have you ever experienced sleep paralysis? No, thank god. If so, have you had any scary hallucinations? N/A Do you believe in ghosts? Totally. Would you ever stay overnight in a haunted house? Sure thing. When was the last time you had an injection? What for? Months ago when I was getting a cavity filled at the dentist. For some reason, I would NOT go totally numb until they gave me like 5+ doses. Is there anything you cannot wait to be over? This eternally-looping groundhog's day bullshit. I want a job, to be in school, friends, just a damn purpose. Do you have any enemies? "Enemies," no. People I don't like that also don't like me, yes. What was the last thing you had done at the dentist? Speak of the dentist, lol. Said cavity filling. Do you scrunch your face up when eating sour things? No, I'm not very affected by sour things. As a child, did you ever get the chance to go to Disney World/Disneyland? World, yes. <3 Are you someone who is really committed to politics in your area/country? No. When was the last time you were on a boat? Where did you travel on it? Two summers ago when I was fishing with Colleen, her husband, and dad. Does your family ever have any kind of weird traditions in your house? No. What would you consider your favorite movie from a different decade? The Lion King. Do you ever take bubble baths only to relax yourself in some way? I never take any kind of bath. When was the last time you were sick? What were you sick with and why? I don't remember. Have you ever wanted your significant other to get rid of a friend? Yes, though I had serious reason, but I wasn't in any way demanding about it/nothing was actually affected by them remaining friends. If you have siblings, have they moved out or do they still live with you? They've both moved out. Do you know anyone who has or has had any kind of mental illness/disorder? I'd love to meet someone who can possibly say "no" to this. Do you ever go to Blockbuster? How frequently would you say you go? *stares off into the distance wistfully* Is your mother a stay-at-home mother or does she work somewhere? She never stops working. What food would you just want to disappear off the face of the earth? Nothing? I'm not going to take away the diet of people depending on some source I just happen to hate. Do movies with super heroes intrigue you in any way? Why is this? Yeah, I just like fantasy stuff, and I enjoy the majority of the plots. I also just enjoy the idea of superheroes existing. Do you watch those late-night talk shows? What’s the best part about them? No. Do you ever listen to music so you can actually change your emotion? I try to sometimes. Do you like shopping alone? I've never really shopped alone. Does your best girlfriend have any talents that you don’t? Yeah, like she can animate pretty well! Have you ever written a song? I wrote a fucking song to the Nintendogs theme as a kid lmfao. Does anybody send you money in the mail for your birthday? My grampa always did, but he's sadly passed away, so now, no. Do you own any shirts that have a year on it? Ha ha, I have a Back to the Future shirt stored somewhere with the date on it, and it says "I was there." What do you think about mullets? I absolutely hate them. Would you rather date an actor or an athlete? I find actors more talented. I'd be afraid of an athlete s/o getting hurt, too. Do you have any scratches on your cell phone? No. Somehow. When was the last time you blushed? I don't remember, it's definitely been a while. Who is one person you met and automatically didn’t like? A doctor for my tremors. She was a BITCH with just such an unlikable, dull personality. Never went back to her. Do you have any video game systems in your room? Which one(s)? I have a Nintendo DS Lite somewhere... and then my laptop is actually a gaming laptop. What movie coming out do you really want to see? The. Live action. TLK. First day? I'm fuckin' THERE son. Is your skin tone lighter or darker than your mom’s? We're about the same. What is the best thing about the beach? All I care about is if the water's warm. Have you ever done another person’s make-up? I gave Jason a makeover once lmao. Have you ever spied on your neighbor? No. Do you think they’ve ever spied on you? No. What color eyes does the last person you kissed have? Brown. Honestly, do you double dip? No, I break chips apart. I will if I'm eating by myself, though. What color is your birthstone? Purple. What is one thing you don’t like sharing? Hmmm. Oh, probably candy, lmao. Where on your body would you NEVER get a piercing? Downstairs. Which Adam Sandler movie do you like the most? He's been in so many, I don't have a clue. I like him, though. Who was one of your first celebrity crushes? Jesse McCartney was my husband. Did your parents ever read stories to you before bed? Mom did. What are you listening to? "Queen For Queen" by Motionless In White. Do you like hickeys? If they're not in an obvious spot. Do you hate the person you fell the hardest for? No. When was the last time you talked to one of your best friends? I don't have a best friend besides Sara, and I talk to her everyday. Is there someone that makes you happy every time you see them? Sara. Do you believe what goes around comes around? Not always. Do you have any summer plans yet? No. I'd like to go up and visit Sara, but I have no clue if that'll happen, especially with me trying so hard to get a job. Do you have any good friends of the opposite sex? One. Do you have a secret that you’ve never told anyone? Yes. Have you ever regretted kissing someone? Yes. Do you think age matters in relationships? To an extent when a minor is involved. Even huge gaps in adult relationships creep me out, but there's nothing morally wrong with it. How many people have you had real, strong feelings for since high school ended? Two. Do you believe exes can be friends? It depends on the intensity of the relationship, I think. Plus what went wrong. Did you ever lose a best friend? Yeah. Has the last person you kissed ever seen you cry? Lol poor thing's seen me sob. Are most of your friend guys or girls? Girls. When was the last time you took a long drive? A few days ago to my psychiatrist. About an hour drive. Have you ever played Spin the Bottle? No. Have you ever TP'd someone’s house? Well, considering I've never been that damn immature, no. Who do you text the most? Sara. What was the last movie you saw? Detective Pikachu. It was cute, although I was expecting it to be more targeted towards an older audience with Ryan Reynolds playing Pikachu. (I knew nothing about it going into it.) Are you a monogamous person or do you believe in open-ended relationships? I'm monogamous. What do you most like about making out? The touching/caressing. Have you ever casually made out with someone who you weren’t seriously involved with? No. Would you get involved with someone if they had a child already? No. Do you miss your last sweetie? Not romantically. It'd be nice to hang out again, though. Have you ever gotten back in touch with an old flame after a time of more than 3 months of no communication? No. If you could kiss anyone who would it be? Y'all been known. What’s your favorite flavor of soda, pop or whatever else you call it? Blue raspberry. Have you ever attended a religious or private school? Yes; I went to Sunday school. How many cars does your household own? One. What time do you usually have dinner? 4:00 for fasting reasons. What’s your favorite meat? Probably chicken. Do you need glasses to read or drive or need them all the time? I always need them. Are you a very forgetful person? I'm so forgetful that I literally sometimes have borderline anxiety attacks that I'm developing dementia or something at age 23 lmao. What is the best gift anyone has ever gotten for you? My dog. Do you look anything like you did 3 years ago? I guess somewhat, though I was way bigger and my hair was much longer. Have you done something dramatic to your looks in the past year? No. Make up or no make up? I think everyone inevitably looks better with make-up as it enhances features and dulls imperfections, but I personally couldn't care less if you wear it or not. I almost never do, so I can't talk. What’s your favorite thing to watch on the TV? IF I was to watch TV now, probably things like animal documentaries. Would you rather be anorexic or obese? Actually go fuck yourself. Do you upload videos to YouTube? Definitely not regularly. I don't know the next time I'll make one. Do you own any albums by Michael Jackson? No. Do you like your phone on silent or vibrate? Vibrate. Do you like Beavis and Butthead? I don't watch it, but it honestly seems pretty damn stupid. What do you believe happens after we die? Who even knows, really. I believe there's something after we die, but we'll have to wait to find out what. Does the concept of eternity scare you? It kinda... does, actually? Like, wouldn't it get boring eventually? Are you happy that you were born and raised where you were? I suppose. Are your parents still together? No. Do you know anyone who is pregnant right now? Yes, and I want to see their fckng son he's gonna be so cute. She's due soon and I pray I get to take pictures of him. Is there a band you like but don’t like the people in it? Blood On The Dance Floor and Otep. Well, Otep is respectable in some areas, but all things considered, she is a bitch. What tabs do you have open right now? Fucking five YouTube tabs, dA, and Tumblr. Who was the last person to write on your wall on Facebook? No clue, and I don't feel like looking. Have you ever seen a tornado in person? Thank Christ in Heaven no. Are you between the ages of 30 & 40? No. How much was a gallon of gasoline when you first started driving? I have no clue, when I got my permit. What was your first car? N/A Who taught you how to drive? My driver's ed teacher and my mom. What was your high school mascot? A firebird. Did you go to your senior prom? Yes. What did you do after graduation? Honestly? I don't even remember, almost at all, lmao. I either went to Jason's or went home/Jason came with me. Any posters on your bedroom walls growing up? When Nicole and I shared a room, she literally covered the fucking walls in Jonas Brothers shit while I was at a friend's house, and I was. Very. Very. Unhappy. Do you remember the first time you drank a beer? I've never had beer, don't want to. Did you ever try cigarettes? No. How did you spend your summers growing up? Swimming, hanging out with friends, playing outside, riding bikes, playing softball with Dad, playing video games... If you could change anything from your teenage years, would you? Hey, could I have been like, a happy teenager??? Do you remember your first time? No considering at that time I didn't realize it essentially was sex, so it wasn't something that stood out at the time. After high school - straight to college or straight to work? I went straight to college. Favorite home-cooked meal growing up? Spaghetti. Favorite place to eat out growing up? It was probably McDonald's. How many stuffed animals do you own? I literally have multiple huge bags in the attic of childhood stuffed animals I couldn't get rid of, lmao. Are you good at comebacks? WOW no. When’s the last time you watched the news? I don't have the slightest idea. Do you love Christmas time? Of course. Do you really think that the number 13 is unlucky? No. What’s your favorite flavor of cough drops? Omggg I love those strawberry ones. Do you have a fan in your room? Yes. I wouldn't survive without it. Do you think Cookie Monster is cute? I don't really feel either way. Do you like candy canes? Yes. Have you ever had a dream where you killed someone? Yes. Which is worse: stuffy nose or runny nose? Probably stuffy? I don't have a runny nose much, but I've got pleeeenty of experience with stuffy noses. Which is worse: Sick to your stomach or sore throat? THE FORMER. What’s your favorite smiley face? c: Do you think your last relationship was a disaster? No. How many concerts have you been to? One. :/ Would you ever join a band? If I was actually talented with the guitar, maybe, but as things are now, nope. Which internet browser do you use? Chrome. Do you know anyone who is a firefighter? No. What was the last wedding you went to? Just a few days ago for a lady who contacted me about shooting hers. It was a great one, and honestly wonderful to see an interracial wedding here in the South. You do nooot see that everyday. What’s your favorite alcoholic beverage? Margaritas. When was the last time you saw a photo of your ex? Probably the last time I was uploading pictures from my old phone; it's the one I take the once-a-year selfie because the Samsung camera is ACTUAL trash. Do you “binge-watch” TV shows? No. Well actually, on the occasions Sara and I have, I can only handle a handful at a time before I completely lose focus on it or, at that time anyway, interest. What is your opinion of clowns? I don't have one. Do you play any games on your phone? Only Pokemon GO if I'm somewhere I can actually play it. Do you plan ahead when it comes to your outfits? No. Have you ever shaved your face? We have this tiny automatic razor thing for your upper lip, and I use that like once a month or less because yay having dark body hair. What color is your front door? White. What was the last vaccination you got? Whatever those mandatory ones are when you become a teenager. Idr. Would you ever try herbal medicine as opposed to conventional medicine? No. If I need medicine for something, I'm using something I know works. Have you ever been to a petting zoo? I think as a kid? Do/did you have a curfew set by your parents? It wasn't heavily enforced, but Mom preferred I be home by 10 if I went somewhere. How many times have you consumed alcohol? *shrugs* When was the last time you wore a hat? What kind? I have noooo clue. When was the last time you sang an ENTIRE song? Good question. I rarely sing an entire song, rather just parts. Do you consider yourself to be attractive? I don't mind my face, but I do NOT like my body, so overall, no. Are you addicted to anything? Technology. What are you craving right now? I've had an insane craving for hot dogs on the grill for like a week now lmao. Mom's doing that and buying some drinks today for the two of us. I wanted my sisters to come for some family time, but my younger sister has homework, and then Ash and kids like... never come here. "Because of the dogs," according to her husband, but I don't believe that. Are you a forgiving person? I'm way too forgiving. Do you have a brother? Yes. Have you ever had a dream of stabbing someone? WHOA actually I think I semi-recently had a nightmare of me going ham stabbing someone for some reason I don't remember. What would you want your last words to be if you could choose them? "I love you" or then "see you on the other side" is cute to me and also indicates we'll be together again. So probably the latter. What band can’t you stand listening to? I reeeaaally dislike Mumford and Sons. His voice is awful. What is your favorite mystery/crime/FBI related show? Does Sherlock count as a mystery show? Would you ever have a bird as a pet? Nah. How’s your relationship between you and your grandparents? Not wonderful. I don't like her very much, and evidence says I'm not her favorite person, either. Do you have a photographic memory? No. Have you ever had to speak at a funeral? No. Do you know someone who’s been cremated? Hm, don't think so. Have you ever talked to someone when they were high? Yes. Your ex is on the side of the road, on fire. What do you do? Uh, call 911??? Dunk water on him if at all possible? I'm not just gonna drive past anyone who's on fucking fire. It’s 2 in the morning and you get a text message, who is it most likely? Sara. I only ever text her and Mom, and Mom would be right outside my door asleep, so. Ever cried while you were on the phone with someone? Is there anyone who hasn't? When was the last time you saw your father? Not since his birthday last month. Do you like any of Justin Bieber’s songs? No. Any time when you need to search something on the Internet, which search engine do you use? Google. Do you believe saving your virginity for marriage or no? I don't care. I believe in saving it for someone you truly, deeply love. When you were a kid, did you ever like Barney? Yes. Omfg I just remembered something with my older sister; when she was little, Barney was her "boyfriend." She was "talking on the phone" with him once, and when Mom interrupted her, she scoffed and said, "I'm talking to Barney." And then Ash and Barney had an ACTUAL "ceremony" for a divorce. That's a thing that happened. What’s the capital of state, country, or providence you live in? Raleigh. When you open your web browser, what is your home page set to? Why did you select this? Google. I think it was automatically set. Would you allow a camera crew to follow you around and make a reality series out of your life (no matter how boring it is) if you got paid well? Why? No. I'd get so fucking annoyed, I'd feel under constant scrutiny, and I don't want fame. If your car broke down would you call a friend or family member to pick you up or would you call AAA (or something like it)? I'd call my mom and listen to her on what to do from there. Do you put a lot of thought into the gifts you buy for people? YEAH. It's rare I actually have my own money to buy gifts for anyone, so when I can, I think hard. On an average day do your thoughts tend to be more positive or negative? Negative, I think. Do you ever trust anyone else to drive your car? If you don’t have a car, do your friends and family ever allow you to drive their vehicles? I don't have my own, but Mom lets me drive hers. Name at least one thing you like about each season. Winter: SNOW. Spring: Flowers!! Summer: swimming. Autumn: visuals. What amount of time do you think is perfect for a vacation? I guess a week?

#survey #quiz #questions #random #bored

[rebeccahpedersen]

Has Toronto “Met It’s Waterloo?”

TorontoRealtyBlog

Do you ever look back at a particular teacher, class, or year of schooling, and identify that as where you learned the most in all your formative years?

For me, that had to be Grade 7, and the teacher had to be Mr. Montgomery.

Mrs. Withers is probably 1A here, since I had her for home-room in both Grade-5 and Grade-8, so let’s not sell her short!

But Mr. Montgomery was the first male teacher I ever had for home-room, and for an impressionable 12-year-old child, that was enough to make a difference on its own.

Mr. Montgomery was unorthodox, and truly an “outside the box” teacher, as his methods were different, but he also encouraged us to think in different ways.  In math class, he put us in different “teams” of five students, and every lesson for a month was essentially a quiz-show format, with points, winners – and trades.  Yes, we could trade players to different teams, and it kept us on our toes, got our competitive juices flowing, and made us want to learn, and thus absorb the material.

He also had students grade each other’s work.  For each project and presentation during a particular course, there would be a panel of three students, which he called, “adjudicators,” who would be responsible for voting on a grade, which would, along with his grade, combine to provide that student’s work with an overall mark.

The biggest project I worked on in 1992 was in history class, when I put together a project on Napoleon.  I had no idea what, or who, I would study for this project, and I was sitting in the corner of the room, sulking, as every other student had picked his or her subject, when Mr. Montgomery passed by and thew a National Geographic at me and said, “Fleming – check this guy out.  You might like him.  You have a few things in common; you both know how to move armies, and you’re the same height.”

On the cover of the glossy, yellow magazine was Napoleon Bonaparte.

I don’t know if I ever worked so hard on a project in public school.

I took a 4 x 6 sheet of plywood and with a lot of plasticine (do schools even have this anymore?) made a scaled reproduction of Napoleon’s Europe at the height of his power, using little flags for each battle (that I got at a Mexican food restaurant – it’s all coming back to me now…), and the colour red for the major movement of his armies.

After my presentation, Mr. Montgomery regaled me with praise, and told me his mark was a 98.  The three “adjudicators” came along and told me they had voted for an 81.  I’ll never forget Mr. Montgomery jump out of his chair and say, “No Bueno!  I’m going with my own on this one!”

Bueno.  That was his line.  One of them, anyways.

And what do I remember of Napoleon, from 26-years-ago?  As with many things you “learn” in school, I have essentially two take-aways: 1) The Napoleon complex 2) The phrase, “You’ve met your Waterloo.”

That’s about it.

But that’s not bad, considering I have no idea what a parabola is, or how to take a derivative, or even how to multiply a binomial  First, Outer, Inner, Last.  “FOIL,” as I recall.  So I know the acronym, but not how to do it…

Well, thanks for allowing me to take you down (my) memory lane.

Every time I’ve heard the word “Waterloo” since 1992, I’ve thought of Napoleon.

And yes, I thought my title of today’s blog post was witty, even if I do not think Toronto has met its Waterloo.

There was an article in Wednesday’s Financial Post that doesn’t look like it got much readership; as I write this at 11:58pm on Wednesday night, the article has exactly one comment.  That’s rather telling.  An article about a hair in a mole on Kyle Jenner’s ankle will get tens of thousands of comments, but perhaps I’m just boring and out of touch with reality.

The article: “Buyers of New Condos Get Twice The Space In Waterloo As In Toronto”

Now just to get the cynicism out of the way early, I should note here that the title could have read, “Buyers get twice the amount of granite counters for the same price as marble,” or just about anything else that compares two different products or services.  “You get twice as drunk drinking 28% alcohol peach schnapps as you do drinking the same amount of 14% red wine.”

No kidding.

But I guess what interests me here, aside from the basic mathematical equation, is the notion of condo buyers in Waterloo.

Even more interesting is the notion of pre-construction condo buyers in Waterloo, which tells me it’s not just residents of the city that are buying, but rather investors as well.  And on that note, and at the risk of sounding ignorant here, I can tell you that the names on the listings for most of the condo assignment sales on MLS…………sound like foreign investors.  So take me to task on that, if you want.  But there’s no other way of saying it.

So what do you get in Waterloo for your money?

It’s funny, because looking at these listings, I basically see Toronto ten years ago.

How about this one:

That’s a 527 square foot, 1-bed, 1-bath, for $272,000.

I haven’t sold a condo in Toronto for $272,000 or less since August of 2009.  And yes, I looked it up.

Also worth noting is that the maintenance fees are $0.26 per square foot, which is also half of what you’d expect to pay in Toronto.

But if you know the campus around Waterloo, and you know Spruce Street, then you know this area has turned into a student ghetto.

I chatted with a friend today who went to Laurier University, and who has been back to Waterloo many times over the years, who told me that condos like this are “basically like owning a single-occupant dorm room in student housing, albeit much larger, with a kitchen, and not as many people peeing in the hallways.”

I used to frequent this area circa 2002, and I personally witnessed (and wrote about on my blog years and years ago too) the massive development that was going on in the student ghettos.  The house in which I used to stay at 18 Ezra Avenue still stands today, but the other side of the street, which used to be small (and highly illegal) student residences are now long gone, and massive 5-storey, 20-unit (each 4-bedrooms) buildings stand in their place.

It seems as though the trend to build multiplexes in place of bungalows has fallen by the wayside, and replaced with a new trend toward building much larger condominiums.

If you’re not a fan of the “student dorm condo” idea, here’s something that will likely still be primarily inhabited by students, but isn’t actually referred to as student housing:

At 543 square feet, this is a cool $552 per square foot, again with very low fees.

No parking, no locker, but a 25th floor view, and steps to Laurier.

These rent for $1,200 – $1,300 per month, so the yield is higher than what you’d find in Toronto.

Now do you want to see something crazy?

Check this out:

That’s a five-bedroom, five-bathroom condo.

Who ever heard of such a thing?

Over 2,500 square feet, and currently rented for $3,850/month.  The maintenance fees are $0.25/sqft.

You know, I don’t want to sound like a hindsight-thinker, but I remember looking at houses up in the Waterloo student ghetto in 2005.  I looked at a 5-bedroom house on Ezra Avenue, up the street from where I used to stay, that was probably on something like a 50 x 200 foot lot, for $330,000.

Now we’re seeing 5-bedroom condos almost double the price of that house.

But the same could be said of just about anything we see in Toronto.

That’s the real estate market in the Golden Horseshoe, whether it’s Toronto, or Waterloo.

I would argue it’s a misconception that people could actually commute from Waterloo to Toronto every day for work, and thus I’d be inclined to argue that the Waterloo real estate market is not taking off because of new residents, who can’t afford to live in Toronto, but rather because of investors, not in full, but by and large.

Yes, there is a Go Train that leaves the University of Waterloo in the morning and runs to Union Station, but it takes over 2 1/2 hours.  That’s not commuting.

And yes, Metrolinx has a $43 Billion expansion planned, as the Financial Post article details above, but can that actually make Kitchener-Waterloo a viable place of residence for those working in Toronto?

Waterloo is a major hub in the Information Technology field, and from what I understand, the Artificial Intelligence companies aren’t coming to Toronto – they’re in Waterloo.  The city used to be known as the Blackberry capital of the world, but those days are gone.  Are IT and AI large enough players to have a significant impact on the number of jobs, number of residents, and thus number of new condominiums built?

The post Has Toronto “Met It’s Waterloo?” appeared first on Toronto Realty Blog.

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[treeyo]

Transition, the word that defines 2017 for me probably most accurately.  After having a great start to the year in Spain and Portugal doing positive work at reforestation, teaching and consulting/design, it ends in the states focused on a familiar project: Treasure Lake.  Each year over the last 12 years of the travel Permaculture lifestyle I spend a certain amount of months there at the lake, my families property for the last 34 years.  Having passed from my grandparents to the next generation I still infuse lots of energy into the place, help run the business, design its future, and implement its necessary changes. I plug into the Cincinnati Permaculture scene while I am there as well as the yoga scene. Now I am focused on dealing with the constant desire to travel and instead stay put there at the lake as that was my intention when I made the decision in June to start to disconnect my life from Europe, my main stay over the last eight years. So I work on those things that pull me away in this time of reflection and remember also my core.  I love to teach, I love to live in community, I love to work hard and creatively in the field.  With that, I recall all I and others have done since July, the last time I wrote about my journey at this place.

(photos below from the PDC in Slovakia in Aug 2017)

Fire time, photo by Fergus Padel

Doug Crouch teaching his beloved Mollisonian principles, photo by Leigh Vukov

Doug looking at southern and western sun to create shade strucutre for young paw paw, photo by Leigh Vukov

Events

At the end of July just before my epic trip to Europe and Slovakia to teach a PDC once more there, myself and long time friend Alex Ryberg were able to successfully pull of a Yoga Retreat Weekend, camping and roots style, but a great event nonetheless. We had about 20 people all in all with the

Aerial Photo, 2017

crew and participants and despite my stress from not being totally prepared for the endeavour, it went really well.  I even got to give an ecology/ permaculture tour, which I really love to do at the lake.  I know so many of the trees and spots there really personally so its great to have that space to communicate my passion for biodiversity.  Additionally, Annie and Chris of Dark Wood Farm, the resident farmers at the lake, were also quite successful in pulling off several events.  First was their fair share potluck for their CSA members.  That got people’s appetite wet to the place, Annie and Chris’s great hosting, and their mate Dave’s culinary prowess of transforming their farm produce along with other local ingredients into fine cuisine.  It was all farm to table style, each unique, the CSA picnic first, then a numerous course sit down dinner, and then a pre thanksgiving brunch/ market stand.  I helped in the ways I could here and there but mainly enjoyed the crowds that congregated out there.

  Promptly after my return from Europe, I did get another chance to teach fairly straight away.  This time it was again just a tour, only with a small amount of people but the connections from it are what counts.  It was at Treasure Fest, our annual Fest at the lake since 2015.  Back again was Leon

On a sustainable forestry tour at Treasure Fest, 2017, Treasure Lake

Elam, a Northern Kentucky native who plays in the band Canyon Collected.  This time he was there with just one more band member and guests, making their performance under the name The Pickin’ Pear.  He used to play with my mate Brian here in town, Petersburg, before he left for the mountains out west and with Brian being my closest neighbour who is one the same vibe, it was great to work with him once again on this festival production.  At the festival was also Positive Reaction as my community at the lake of people who stop through quite often on the weekends also includes that reggae bands front man, Emmanuel. He is actually in the back playing drums and singing, a very difficult thing to do musically.  They played another night later in the season and we hope to continue to host the band since I love reggae music and Emmanuel has been a customer since the beginning of my grandparents owning the place. We also had a DJ set with another group of friends making the places offerings of music and camping even more diverse. 

Just this past week I was also able to give a free talk at Fab Ferments tap-room on the TreeYo Permaculture Holistic Development Model.  I have had a chance to present it in a few different forms but it grew from its infancy into a new presentation since I announced it a couple of weeks ago.  Putting the presentation together also gave me a bit more of a framework for my chapter 14 writings of my TreeYo EDU site.  The talk went well I felt, I mean it’s a free talk so I guess people got their value and I did receive nice feedback.  But they did support Fab Ferments with their komboucha purchases and other ferments purchases for some holiday gifts.  The crowd of around 20 seemed engaged and sparked some good conversation afterward.  It was nice to get the permaculture crowd together and with it being the holiday time, people from out-of-town were there as well making it even more of a dynamic and diverse crowd.  I love to teach so anything helps and thankful everyone came.

  Tree planting

This fall I got the great pleasure of enacting my hashtag, #letsplantsometreesyo!  It truly is great to get some friends together and just crack on with planting.  I had already done the clearing and terracing that I teach and a couple of past students came out to help do the planting, guilding, and mulching with compost.  It’s the start to a diverse hedgerow along the northern edge of Dark Wood Farm.  I had to clear some edge brush but was able to put in a block of blueberries, each in its own nuclei,  as you have to do Blueberries in a block format so you can cover for birds.  That was in the middle but on the eastern edge was a food forest style planting with smaller shrubs and bushes in the front, the south side, and bigger trees on the northern side.  We got some pears, plums, and korean dogwood in the back and chokeberry, serviceberry, honey berry, and Siberian pea shrub in the front.  I protected them best I could for now but something I will make more robust over the winter as the deer have done damage to other plantings. I bought the trees and shrubs from the Cincinnati Permaculture Institute nursery, which I was happy to give back to as it helps fund our non profit (CPI).  I am working more and more with them anyway so why not.

Meanwhile around the property I keep going with general clean up and the never-ending process of increasing biodiversity through forestry chop and drop. This builds on the work i have been doing for 16 years of this exact technique and the feedback loops are great. In one such area I managed to get some help again, this time with chopping non native bush honeysuckle in a valley where I had seen a few small paw paw sprouts just a few weeks before.  I have been noticing on the south face that the paw paw’s like these lakeside valleys and produce well there. So I wandered into this valley with this pattern recognition in mind and voila, they were small yet waiting to emerge from a canopy break.  The honeysuckle had been cut a tiny bit in this valley before, just a very beginning of a thinning and maybe that little bit of light is even what helped spur the germination of these few paw paw.  And after the honeysuckle was cut and stacked appropriately in brush piles, some in random spots, some in valley floors to slow water, there was planting of even more Paw Paws.  I got these trees from my mate Ande Schewe of Wake the Farm Up and big contributor to CPI.  They were a mix of seeds from wild and selected varieties so I am curious what comes to be.  It was really easy to dig in this valley because all the good soil was there, helped out by a few big downed trees of the past being silt traps and the sandy and silty nature of the soil there.  Plus with the rampant bush honeysuckle growth nothing was growing below.  It’s nice to continue on this mission of paw paw paradise through chop and drop and this time planting, which I have never done before. I have always just let the paw paw and spicebush come in naturally but I am pushing the principle of accelerating succession and evolution through this pattern recognition.

young paw paw going in

the paw paws in transport from Ande in my truck

The valley before clearing, all the green in the shrub layer is bush honeysuckle

honeysuckle neatly being arranged in brush pile after a cutting, chop and drop style

mid clearing

Emily clearing

clearing reveals the lake and planting spots

Conclusion

The market garden at the lake, Dark Wood Farm, had a stellar year and it was fun to plug-in from time to time. I even got some frozen hands and toes moments of harvesting just before the first frost and the first big freeze especially.  A big hats off to Annie and Chris as a team and their larger and inner network to really make it a community effort.  It’s the start of community, which I really hope to expand upon next year.  Calling my network from all around the world, please come join us for a while next year.  A few have already been asking.  And along the way I have been teaming back up with Braden, Chris and Ande to jumpstart more and more in the Cincinnati Permaculture Institute, with Ryan, Lucas, Jacob, Tobias and others in the general Cincy tristate Permaculture scene, cooking things up with Courtney and Zev for things down at Earthhaven, networking for involvement with Permaculture Action Network with my friends in Berea, Kentucky that I actually know from Portugal (Michael and Joanna Beck) and in general with the SE PINA hub, with yoga teachers, builders for redoing the bar, and on and on.  It doesn’t stop.  And sometimes I just want to travel but for now I stay put.  I look forward to teaching again, Weekend PDC and Plant Walkers are the next big ones with some more talks and maybe even braving the winter cold for some outdoor winter forestry permablitz.

Upcoming Events:

Weekend Winter PDC: Feb/Mar 2018: Cincinnati Tri-state Area

Plant walkers Spring Gathering 2018: March 31st: Treasure Lake

Treasure Lake Drone shot, one of our hosts

Dark Wood Farm, Fall 2017

Michael Beck, a partner in the SE Network down in Berea

Harvest at Dark Wood Farm, Fall 2017

Harvest at Dark Wood Farm, Fall 2017

Harvest at Dark Wood Farm, Fall 2017

TreeYo & Treasure Lake Project Update: End of the 2017 year Transition, the word that defines 2017 for me probably most accurately.  After having a great start to the year in Spain and Portugal doing positive work at reforestation, teaching and consulting/design, it ends in the states focused on a familiar project: …

[attackedbymidgets]

30 October 2017

As Thanksgiving season is almost upon us, I mention this:

Usually our family 'adopts' a family or child/children at Christmas to help. We have always abided by the "We have enough while others have little, so we can do without some things" and "Build a longer table, not a higher fence" philosophies. Our kids know that toys and clothes and food are not always for them. That we are helping... we ARE helpers.

After hearing from our sweet Kindergartener this morning that sometimes they don't have that days class snack (it's our snack day, so it was on his mind) and that some kids don't have coats or boots at outside time, and he was sad about this, I contacted the glorious Kindergarten teacher and wonderful school counsellor. Both confirmed that some families cannot afford these things. With that, I made up my mind (a dangerous thing) that this year our family is adopting our school.

I have been secretly and quietly tucking away funds over the last little bit for a new-to-us SUV that could carry our crazy life, and since the Hub's car is on it's last legs. It's a very small fund I have stashed. The odd $5 found in a coat, the laundry change jar transferred into dollars at the bank, the extra $10 from a person I helped with no expectation, etc. That went out the window today. We can wait. These kids cannot.

I am going to try and make sure that these children have access to food, to coats/boots, and to do whatever we can to help. We are giving it earlier than Christmas so that this need is met before colder weather hits.

I encourage YOU to help these families in your area, to get involved, and consider that your school, your teachers, and the staff can use every bit they can get. They "see a need, fill a need". Fullfill that need. Buy the extra tissues package on a whim because cold season is here. Get that box of granola bars just because. Give gently used hand-me-downs to your FRO at school. Donate.

I promise it is needed, wanted, and more precious than you know. I didn't think about it until a small 5 year old voice spoke up and opened my eyes to the need right in front of us.

*edit: As I was shopping anyway today, I picked up extra granola bars and dropped them off to our teacher to keep in her cupboard at school for those days where there would be no snack. I also told her I'm right up the road from the school and to call if they are without a snack. I'll bring something so that no one goes without. She almost cried. So did I.

[alienation2016-blog]

New Post has been published on Alienation

New Post has been published on https://alienation.biz/tucked-in-biggest-reshuffle-yogi-adityanaths-solution/

Tucked In Biggest Reshuffle, Yogi Adityanath's Solution

Sporting out his biggest bureaucratic reshuffle over the past five weeks, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday ordered transfers of nearly one hundred forty officers bringing in new faces to take rate as collectors and police chiefs in over two dozen of the kingdom’s seventy-five districts.biggest loser

Certainly one of them became Love Kumar, the Senior Superintendent of Police of Saharanpur district, who stood his floor and dispersed a procession sponsored via BJP lawmaker Raghav Lakhanpal that caused violence. At an impromptu protest at Mr. Kumar’s residence, Mr. Lakhanpal – who changed into later named in two police instances for rioting – known as Mr. Kumar “naa la yak” (nugatory) and placed his prestige at stake whilst he declared that the SSP could be eliminated.

An assault on the SSP’s house, his scared kids, and wife at home,

Which preceded the Lok Sabha member’s speech had drawn criticism from the Valuable IPS Association in Delhi that referred to as the incident “unfortunate”. “It demoralizes officer, traumatizes circle of relatives. Desire authorities uphold morale of police,” the Affiliation had tweeted.

But the lawmaker told NDTV that there has been no need for him to apologize. The BJP leader’s only remorse, he stated, changed into that “we have any such bad neighborhood district administration”. Much less than every week later, the Yogi Adityanath government regarded to have acted on his assessment. It is a choice this is bound to ship its own message to the bureaucracy.yogi musician

The authorities transferred no longer best Mr. Kumar, however also Saharanpur’s District Magistrate Shaukat Kamal who turned into seen to have long past along with the police officer’s evaluation. Even as Mr. Kamal has been appointed as a unique secretary in the nation’s rural development branch, Mr. Kumar has been appointed because the police Chief of Gautam Budh Nagar that accommodates Greater Noida, one of the nation’s key business hub.

Planes, Cruises, And Hotels: Busting The Biggest Travel Myths

We’ve all heard myths and urban legends about Large Foot, examined illogical home remedies like using warm water to make ice cubes faster and feature made conservative picks on Friday the thirteenth, but how many of us have overlooked out on a travel journey due to the worry resulting from a few tour rumors? Here are some of the most important city legends in travel and the statistics that debunk them.

Fantasy 1: People Are The Worst Tourists

Are Individuals definitely the world’s worst Travelers?

American’s rank 9th great out of 27 nationalities, in line with an annual survey of motel managers. The truth is Individuals had been ranked the loudest however also the largest tippers.

Myth 2: Once you Step Onboard Your Money Isn’t any ExactThe reality is that your soda, food, waters within the dining corridor and buffets are paid for, everything else costs along with alcohol, opportunity eating, the internet gets admission to and greater. The fact is an average cruise traveler spend 50% greater than the bottom face on extra facilities.

Myth three: Rule 240 = Money Returned

If your flight is behind schedule, the city legend states that Rule 240 requires the airline to compensate you. This is not precisely true, the rule of thumb 240 did at one time exist. It became created by way of the Civil Aeronautics Board. With deregulation though, Rule 240 has been expunged.

Myth four: Bottled Water Is Your New BFF

As a minimum 25% of bottles water is without a doubt tap water. So in case you are weary of Montezuma’s Revenge even as overseas, realize that there is a 25% threat the brand you buy will clearly be local tap water anyway.

Myth 5: Your inn Key Card Knows greater approximately You Than You!

This again is likewise no longer authentic, you’re in the key card would not recognize everything about you. This rumor changed into began by way of Detective Sergeant Kathryn Jorge of the Pasadena Police. She saw a presentation about fraud techniques indicating this as a possibility and despatched an alarming e-mail in reaction. The police branch had to retract the statements of DS Jorge to quell fears.

Fable 6: there’s Cash In That Bible

This is any other Fantasy which people want to be true, the myth is that humans consider that there is a crisp $a hundred tucked into their inn Bible. however, till date, there aren’t any reviews of such generosity.

Possibly, all of these myths relies upon at the mode of your tour, like many cruise traces do not include soda in their inclusive meal price so that you want to pay on your soda whenever you purchase it or you may want to go for a soda card plan. Other than that I desire I found that money within the Bible or anywhere in my lodge room, however my awful luck.

Kerala, Love Affair of a Balmy Destination and Gypsy Yogi

The motherland of Ayurveda and an area where the soul meets the mind whilst the frame is idolized as a temple of fitness, Kerala is a balmy, breezy gem of Southern India. This fishermen’s land of India is a blessing for yogis and yoga practitioners. The place flickers with the footprints of remarkable yogis and Ayurveda experts. Yoga teacher education unearths actual which means in Kerala’s lap as the region is a first-rate mastering center. The environment and the surroundings act as a catalyst to examine the art of yoga, meditation, and pranayama in a couple of minutes. Here are a few tips, why Kerala, the city of Ayurveda and yoga, is the suitable vacation spot to exercise yoga instructor education program.yogi owls a

True Yoga Teachers

The kids are positioned into the arena of yoga and Ayurveda given that they begin going to high school. Witnessing the ecosystem of yoga and Ayurveda flourishing within the circle of relatives, they study the art in the womb itself. Their popularity of the concern, their understanding, and know-how acquired over time comes across in their lessons in each elegance they teach. That is the motive humans flock from all over the international to India. Kerala lets in a yoga practitioner to study the art from Actual Instructors, that’s but every other privilege now not to be had to many.

Wonderful View

The peaks of the southern hills and the crystalline water of the beaches, the blue sky and the outstanding view, the entirety provide as much as a high-quality yogic experience. The surroundings inspire and ignite the passion for reaching new heights and additionally provides to the whole studying enjoying. Yoga trainer education requires a practitioner to contain the mindset of gratitude of their lives, which they analyze inside the training. When they see the same taking place inside the local, regular environment of Kerala, they absorb the teachings all the greater.yogi name meaning.mc yogi songs

The Climate

Kerala has a comparable Climate all year round, with an exception of monsoon. It is hit by way of monsoons twice a 12 months, which provides to the splendor of the environment in Kerala. The roads are soaked in water, and the timber is blessed with the coloration of happiness, carrying deep green. the whole thing while visible from through the cool breeze and a calm mind offers a facet to the region above different destinations.

History of India

India’s USP lies in its rawness. The untamed lands of Kerala, which can be far away from the touches of materialism, breathes the natural air of simplicity and cultural Historical past. This makes Kerala tick as a vacation spot for yoga teacher training guides. The gods and their mythological legends informed within the class can be seen in temples and museums. And actual level getting to know can be experienced.

Green Coffee Bean Extract, Your Ultimate Fitness Solution

In case you have been wondering, and additionally fearing the truth that they might get you in a health club so as to eliminate the extra amount of fats from your body, then think something else. The humans that in reality had plenty of fulfillment in eliminating excessive movement of the body and in reality vouch for using an extract of green espresso. The majority to know more approximately this particular thing, because of the fact that they’re not conscious that coffee can really a very adverse impact on the cell phone. In all instances, one is to understand that project the help of search in of green coffee extracts, would, in reality, have the ability to attend to your excessively within the frame. Most of the people insist at the situations sense that losing file quantity of weight is a very popular method, and you locate that you can definitely have a whole lot of antioxidants located within this precise essence of a component.

Take care of this problem, and also you do not need to worry approximately stepping into shape ever again.

There are not any poor outcomes which can be to be supplied with the aid of inexperienced espresso, and also you find that it is extraordinarily easy in relation to providing first-rate aid to the humans which can be in need of it. This way, human beings can truly get an excellent idea about the distinct styles of functions which might be to be supplied with the assist of espresso bean extract, and you possibly can effortlessly get a superb concept approximately the specific sports that can be finished with the assist of this particular aspect. For this reason, If you’re seeking out scientific outcomes, then there are a whole lot of scientists which can vouch for the fact that the inexperienced espresso has extraordinary results of immoderate weight.

Each time you study yourself within the replicate, you spot an overweight photograph

Which for actual, you do now not like. You aren’t on my own. A bigger percent of the complete international populace is seeking out approaches to transform from fat to in shape. it is common, however, that healthful weight loss plan software and regular workout won’t paintings for some human beings. In truth, many who strive these options always turn out to be pissed off due to the fact they do no longer take a look at any outcomes.