#Celebrat : Home of Celebration

[arcaneyouth]

rapidly approaching my 21st birthday is hard and weird but not for any normal reasons thats for sure

#not a vent post im just rambling in the tags #theres 4 main factors at play here. #firstly theres Society n all that telling me 21 is a Special Biethday!!! you'll be old enough to legally do adult things!!! #secondly theres the fact that i love being alive and celebrating it this shit rules like fuck yes i get to keep living hell yes #thirdly theres the fact that i kinda dont actually care. like its chill. ive reached the point where a birthday is a cute lil tradition #i dont gotta go wild with it and dont feel the need to treat it differently than any other day #but also the 4th thing which is 21 is yet another age my doctors told me id never get to see so like this is A Big One #so this is actually hard as hell because fundamentally i dont care that much n dont have strong emotions BUT FUCK DUDE WHAT IF BIG CELEBRAT #constantly sitting here going hehe yayy its my birthday soon cant wait to hang out with my friends and then go back to normal life #while also going I NEED BIG PLANS I NEED HUGE PLANS I NEED A CELEBRATION OFF THE WALLS OH FUCK OH GOD #it doesnt stop being funny. i dont even know what kind of big thing id do anyways #mom said i couldnt go to moterey bay aquarium too much money and that was my only idea #ive been thinking about this for weeks and have come up with 0 other plans #'we gotta do a huge party' ok then come up with one then dumbass #oh noooo guess ill have a nice time at home just like any other day oh nooooo #guess my 21st birthday will be unspecial. darn. anyways

[97linelover]

Birthday of 2024. - Kim Mingyu

18+ / mdi

summary: it´s your boyfriends birthday, you decide to suprise him. Well the night gets pretty steamy.

content: Mingyu x female reader, smut, doggy, mention of nudes, party,alcohol, voyerisum, outdoor sex.

wc: 2.1 k

a/n: I had this in my drafts for a while, I know I am a little late but, better late than never. Happy birthday to my lovely Gyu.

"I know Baby, I'm so sad not to be there," you answered through the phone while grabbing your bag, trying your best not to sound so stressed. "But I'll call you later; I need to go " You needed this call to end; your train will come soon.

"I love you, Baby" his deep voice rang through your ear "I love you too Gyu, enjoy your night out with the Boys, and have a little fun for me." With that, you ended the call.

You hurried towards the train station, taking the train to Seoul. You were on the way home to celebrate your boyfriend's birthday, his day, but he thinks you're still on the work trip.

But luckily for you, you could come back home earlier. Normally, your boss would not want you to drive home after work on a Friday because you were tired after starting work so early; it's a rule in your company, but the thought of your Boyfriend made you wide awake, and you tried your best to explain it to your boss.

Luckily for you, he directly agreed; he knew Mingyu and they often went out for some drinks and to watch football.

Mingyu will be out tonight with all his friends, drinking and having fun, and you will join later.

The time frame was strict but you will make it.

Not even two hours later, you were dressed in your newly bought red tight dress wearing some jimmy choo heels. Your hair was in curls and falling over your shoulder. After applying your lipstick, you smacked your lips and smiled happily.

Red, Mingyus favorite color.

The cab was already waiting and you grabbed your clutch with the key cards for the hotel.

"To the Hybe building please" you told the driver and he nodded "it will take about 30 minutes" he then told you with a smile. "Perfect thank you"

You grabbed your phone and looked at the stories some of the members had posted, Mingyu was clearly drunk by now and you giggled, drunk Mingyu was always clingy and full of love,Seoks storys were full of Mingyu clinging onto Han or Chan.

You put your phone away and looked out of the window, watching the skyline of Seoul with curious eyes; you would never grow tired of it.

It's been 4 years since you've come here and 3 years since you started dating Mingyu. You were directly smitten by him when you met him at your workplace. You were helping at a bakery at that time, and he was there with his best friend Wonwoo. You noticed his gaze on you until they left.

Not only that, but you noticed him coming back for days, and then he asked you out for dinner at his favorite Italian place. Quickly after that, you were officially dating, and you met his family and friends.  For your luck, you were happily accepted by them all.

Kim Mingyu was your happy place, and you were thankful for him.

"We're here," the taxi driver announced, and you grabbed some cash with a tip. "Thank you so much; have a nice evening," you said while getting out and closing the door. You could already hear the music blasting from inside so you quickly walked up to security "on the list?" the tall man asked "Y/N Y/L/N" you answered, and he quickly nodded "go straight in" you thanked him and walked inside.

You looked at the time and there was only 1 minute left, you looked around for your boyfriend and it was not that hard.

Kim Mingyu would always own the spotlight for you; he lights up the room for you and you smiled seeing his friends count down until it was midnight; they all jumped onto him, and he laughed out in joy.

This was the first time in two years he actually celebrated his birthday. It was a rough time for him seeing his best friend unhappy on his birthday. But this year Wonwoo decided that Mingyu deserved to be celebrated. And seeing Wonwoo smiling so bright was just the cherry on top.

You waited for a small moment standing at the bar when Seok whispered something in his ear, and his eyes widened, and his gaze fell on you. His eyes sparkled, and his smile was on full display. Before you could react he walked towards you with long strides.

Let me tell you one thing; Kim Mingyu is majestic with each step he takes.

„You came" he whispered, taking your face in his hand, kind of like he couldn't believe you're actually there. „Happy birthday, my love" you smiled brightly at him, and he kissed you.

His one hand still on your shoulder the other on your lower back pulling you close, his scent hitting your nose, and you grabbed his shirt trying to pull him even closer.

„God I'm so happy you're here" he said, leaning his forehead against yours, and you blushed „I would never miss your birthday, love; you're too important for that” he grinned and pecked your lips again, you could kiss him for hours.

„Let's meet the others” he took your hand and guided you towards his friends „Y/N" Jeonghan said smiling and giving you a tight hug, it's been a few months since you last saw them so you felt incredibly happy about seeing them. 

But shortly after Mingyu twirled you around that your hands landed on his chest "let's dance baby" He slurred, and you felt his drunk cheery aura "Whatever the birthday kid wants" you grinned, and he guided you towards the dance floor "You look so good in red baby... you know that red lingerie set I bought you? It's my favoriteeeee" he said into your ear while kissing it afterward, "I know Gyu" you giggled. 

The song changed and Mingyu was now behind you his one hand wrapped around your stomach while the other was holding his whiskey glass "to my fucking beautiful girlfriend" he said while lifting his glass and the people around him cheered "it's your day stupid" you said laughing "to my fucking handsome boyfriend" you cheered, and the people joined. 

You were never the biggest party animal, but with the 13 guys it was surely a lot of fun, the all jumped around and danced around, and Mingyu felt alive with them, and when your boyfriend was happy, you were happy. 

Before you could even think deeper about this, you felt his soft lips on your neck, your weakness, and he knows it.  Combines with the alcohol this was not good, you turned around just to see his darkened eyes "Let's go home baby" he pleaded, and you bit your lip "already? You don't wanna party anymore?" 

"The only thing I want to do right now is, fucking you until you're crying out my name" he rasped into your ear, and you felt the heat rising to your cheek "I know you missed my dick like I missed your tight little pussy" his hands were grabbing your ass and a whimper escaped you "then let's say goodbye" he smirked at your horniness and you both said goodbye. 

You called for a Kakao while leaning against the prick wall "god damn my cock is hurting" he groaned and you giggled "I mean you basically caged it in those thight jeans" your hands was caressing his thighs "fucking skinny jeans Gyu? You know that your thighs are my fucking turn on" he grinned "all yours baby" his hand was slowly getting around your neck "but I know your favorite body part is my dick" Your eyes looked into his "It's beautiful" you agreed and palmed it over his jeans. 

"Can I fuck you here? Please" he was drunk and desperate, it was insane thinking about fucking in an alley waiting for your taxi.  But Mingyu and you were never normal when you were horny, Mingyu introduced you to his outdoor kink at the beginning of your relationship, and you tried it with him. 

You always made sure it was decent, that there was nobody around, but right now as he was pounding in to you while holding you up the wall, all of those concerns were gone. 

You moaned into his ear, and he let out some groans, you felt the alcohol because both of you were sloppy while doing it, Mingyus thrusts were irregular, and he was furrowing his eyebrows, you were not caring about anything but Mingyu stretching you completely. 

As you looked to the left you saw the taxi coming closer "Gyu we need to get the taxi" you giggled, and he nodded softly, pulling out. You both pulled your clothes to the right places, and you walked towards the car.  The entire right you both were just dozing off, and you both became a little more sober. "I can't believe we did that" you whispered, and he grinned "that was hot baby!" he admitted, and you blushed like a little kid. 

He parked in front of the Plaza Hotel, and Mingyu looked at you, confused "What? It's your birthday; let me spoil you" He raised his eyebrows at that, and you paid the taxi. 

The check in was already finished so you both went straight to the elevator "we could've slept at home love, this is too much" another Mingyu habit, he never wants anything, but he will spoil everyone around him. 

"Baby you spoil me all the time so I want us to enjoy this, Wonwoo wanted to leave but I told him that I really want to be in an Hotel" You sheepishly said "my boss paid for the room because I helped him so much, so dont worry" he smirked "I adore you" The door opened and you walked towards the penthouse room "Let's get the night started". 

Mingyu was laying on the bed completely naked waiting for you to come out of the bathroom, but being slightly tipsy made everything harder. 

You bought a new lingerie set, Red and Lacey. You opened the door, and his gaze landed on you. "Holy fucking shit," he said while sitting up now. "Fuck," he licked his lips. "You're unreal." You giggled at his comments and walked towards him. "Do you like it?" The innocence in your voice made him lose his mind. 

"I want to engrave this in my brain; you're beautiful." His dick was by now standing tall and bright between his legs. You crawled onto his lap "Will you let me ride you Gyu?" Your red nails softly scratched along his trained chest, and he nodded "Please, baby". He helped you to guide it inside you, and when he completely stretched you out you threw your head back "You always make me feel so full Gyu" A whimper escaped your lips when you began to circle your hips. Even after all this time, he was still too big for you. 

"Taking me so well babygirl" his hands roamed your body and you let out another moan "got the prettiest woman out there" he praised you and whimpered when you began to bounce "god this pussy is so good" you felt your legs getting weaker "let me take over baby" he said lovingly and you got off him, you knew what he loves the most so you got on your fours with a little surprise waiting, the set had his name with custom rhinestone letters on it on your ass "going to tattoo this in my brain" he groaned while sinking his cock into your pussy. 

"Going to take a picture of this, even better, a video" he groaned while grabbing his phone "mhm Gyu don't stop" you whined and he chuckled you saw the light against your back "Taking me so well babygirl" He filmed your juicy ass while he was pounding into you, his name on your slip making it so special, and your desperate whimpers making him lose his mind. 

"going to come Gyu" your legs began to shake "me too baby, fuck" he felt his balls harden and he fastened his pace.  His hot spurts of cum dripped into you while you clenched him empty. 

He pulled out, and you looked at him "this was mind blowing" you said in trance and he agreed "lets take a quick shower and then sleep baby, mhm? How does that sound?" you yawned "carry me please?" he chuckled at you and lifted you up. 

He took the lingerie set off your body and turned the shower on. 

When you both laid under the white sheets entangled with each other he kissed your forehead fondly and smiled "thank you for this my love" 

"You deserve the world, Mingyu, so please let me give it to you , Happy Birthday." 

#mingyu imagines #mingyu #seventeen #svt #kpop #smut #gyu #kim mingyu

[gentil-minou]

once upon a time, 很久很久以前

Once upon a time, there lived a magical boy who was lost far, far away from home… Wei Wuxian is perfectly ready to celebrate another mediocre birthday alone when a ten-year-old shows up on his doorstep claiming to be his son. This kid is convinced everyone in his town has been dragged away from their xianxia world and cursed to live as ordinary citizens in a mundane small town, and he's certain that Wei Wuxian is the key to saving them, his other dad, and their entire world. He sounds insane, but, well, Wei Wuxian likes him. Besides, what else can he do but follow him back home? (A Wangxian AU based on the show Once Upon a Time, no prior knowledge of said show necessary)

Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Transmigration, of the townwide variety, Amnesia, of the nearly everyone variety, Mystery, of the shenanigans variety, Somebody Lives/Not Everyone Dies, Wèi Yīng | Wèi Wúxiàn Has Self-Esteem Issues, wwx is sad and down bad, Single Parent Lán Zhàn | Lán Wàngjī, except a-yuan runs away to find his other dad, Fluff and Angst, Slow Burn, Mutual Pining, Minor Character Death, Angst with a Happy Ending

Wangxian + A-Yuan + Minor Characters | WIP 4/? | 52K | Rated M

Preview under the cut

Once upon a time, there was a boy who believed he loved the world more than it could ever love him.

He would be proven very wrong.

~

Everyone loves the birthday boy.

They especially love him several shots in on Halloween night, wearing an outfit that’s little more than a couple scraps of fabric hastily sewn together in some approximation of a “Sexy Whatever”. Privately, Wei Wuxian calls it Dealer’s Choice, letting whoever he’s currently flirting with decide what it is.

It doesn’t matter; that’s never been the point of the night. Sure a birthday is meant to be spent celebrating, but that’s a bit harder to do when he doesn’t have anyone to celebrate with. It would be fine, as long as he could have as many free drinks as he could score and at least a passably decent fuck, he’d consider it a good night.

Really, when it comes down to it, it’s just another day. Halloween, yes, which makes it a moderately better one. But beyond that bit of fun that comes with picking up a pretty stranger at a bar, there really isn’t much else to look forward to. This is how Wei Wuxian expects to celebrate his birthday:

He’d saunter into how ever many establishments it takes until he finds a pretty enough stranger he can stand being around. The pretty stranger would look him up and down, dragging their eyes over his toned long legs and resting far too long at the slope between his narrow waist and wide hips. And for that one moment, he’d be the most important boy in the world.

He’d get a few free cheap drinks and eventually, they’d find their way to some back alley with its familiar stench of overripe garbage and piss. He’d let himself be pressed up against the brick wall, rough against his back; the perfect distraction from everything else. Then the pretty stranger would stick their tongue far enough down his throat so that he could pretend this day is just like any other.  

In between sloppy kisses and sub-par groping attempts, they’d get his name wrong while he’d have already forgotten theirs. They’d mutter a “Happy Halloween, Birthday Boy” like so many one-night stands before them, and he’d giggle and laugh like it’s the very first time. It’s never difficult to plaster a patented smile and play pretend. Then he’d drop to his knees and let the world fall away.

Finally, after however many drinks and strangers it would take to make him forget, he’d stumble back to his basement studio with just enough awareness to take off his shoes before passing out on his secondhand stained mattress. His dreams would be fast and incomprehensible, a mosaic of imaginary maybes and a dream of a life he’d never had.

This is how he’s celebrated the last several years, and it’s how he expects to celebrate this year as well. 

Because it’s not just Halloween and it’s not just his birthday. It’s the anniversary of his parents leaving their son behind in a dingy alley, wedged between a dumpster and a pile of soggy cardboard. Not even the barest hint of an afterthought, like maybe we shouldn’t leave this small defenseless child asleep and at the mercy of sewer rats?

But if the liquor is strong enough and the haze is just right he wouldn’t remember that until the next morning. That’s what the night is really for. Not a celebration or anything like that, but a desperate attempt at some peace away from this life of his.

Tonight will be his twenty-fifth birthday, and it might as well not be at all.

And then it will end, and November 1st will come around, and the world will keep turning like it always does.

But somehow, not one of those things goes according to plan. In fact, the universe has a completely different plan for him this year, it seems. 

Read more on Ao3

#mdzs #mo dao zu shi #the untamed #chen qing ling #wangxian #mdzs fanfiction #the untamed fanfic #wei wuxian #wei ying #lan wangji #lan sizhui #a-yuan #wen yuan #mxtxnet #mdzs ouat au #bushy writing #who else can i tag for shameless self promo fdhds #its been so long since i posted a fic i forgot how i used to format these #basically if i think anymore about this chapter i will explode but also i am really excited about this au im having so much fun ahhhh #once upon a time #ouat

[dreamcatchers-husband]

Holiday Season

Male reader X Billlie Tsuki

Length: 6600 Words

Tags: Creampie, Breeding

A/n- Happy thanksgiving. Not my best work but i hope you don't mind it. Tsuki is beautiful and should get more love. Gonna try to put out another fic next week so wish me luck.

Holidays. Some are recognized throughout the entire world while others are specific to just certain countries. Thanksgiving was a time for family and being grateful for what you have but you honestly didn’t have anything. 

The death of your mother and father was sudden but it affected you deeply. They were the only source of comfort you had in life. Once they were gone, you honestly didn’t feel like you belonged anywhere. A few months went by as you made a giant change in your life. You decided to move to your parent's home country of South Korea to get back in touch with your heritage.

One of the few things left for you was the old home your father grew up in. With a little bit of work, it soon became the place of your dreams, the place to start all over again. That brings you back to today, thanksgiving day. 

South Korea didn’t celebrate thanksgiving but they had their version called Chuseok. Sure it wasn’t the same but people understood that they could be seen as a bit similar. With the company you worked at knowing you’re American, they decided to let you have the day off to celebrate the day. 

Taking advantage of the day off, you decided to catch up on some sleep. You weren’t sure what time it was but the sudden sound of a lawnmower woke you up from your deep slumber. Stretching your limbs, you reached out for your phone and picked it up. 

Looking at the time, you saw it was already 2 in the afternoon. Getting up from bed, your legs brought you over to the bathroom. In a matter of seconds, your clothes are off and you are in the shower. Turning the nozzle, the water begins to shoot out from the shower head. The sudden rush of cold water quickly woke you up as you began your shower. 

A few minutes passed as your daily routine came to an end. Walking out of your bathroom you made your way over to your dresser and pulled out some clothes for the day. Once your shirt and sweatpants were on, you threw yourself back on top of your bed and turned on the tv. 

The latest drama trending in the country happened to be doing a rerun. Guess it’s your chance to catch up on what you have been missing. Hours seem to go by as you begin to feel a growl come from your stomach. Knowing it was time to eat, you jumped off your bed and began to walk to your kitchen. 

The walk to your fridge was quick but you were hit with a sense of disappointment looking at the empty refrigerator. The sadness you felt was gone as you heard a sudden squeak from your backyard. Recognizing it as your backdoor gate, you went to your sliding door and looked into your backyard. 

Just like your empty fridge, you were met with a surprise except this was a big one. In your backyard stood some of the members of Billie, dressed in hanbok taking pictures. That’s right, the rookie K-pop group Billie is in your backyard. You never did specify what your job was. Every day you woke up early to be one of the managers of the group. 

As you open your sliding door, your eyes couldn’t pry away from a certain girl twirling around in her hanbok. Despite it being one of her few times wearing one, Tsuki just amazed you with how beautiful she was in the hanbok. As the girls continued to spin around, one of them finally saw you and waved at you. 

“Oppa. Happy Thanksgiving.”

“Well thank you Suhyeon. Not that it’s bad to see you guys but what are you doing at my house? Better yet, how did you even know where I live?” 

“You pointed at the house once before Oppa. And we may have asked a few people to just look it up on the company computers.” 

“Well, that’s a bit of a security concern. Either way, I’m still wondering what you are doing here?”

“Well, it’s Thanksgiving! We figured you probably were just gonna stay home all day so we came to celebrate with you.” 

“Don’t you girls have schedules?” I could have sworn you guys had things to do.” 

All the girls then giggled a bit as they got closer, Sua stood in front of you and began to speak. 

“Yeah, we actually didn’t have anything to do today. We just made it look like we had things scheduled today to surprise you.” 

Hearing that made your whole body fill with joy. You honestly didn’t expect them to be here but your friends were here. Before you could get another word out you felt a pair of arms wrap around your body. Your nostrils were filled with the smell of flowers suddenly, letting you know who just hugged you.

“Happy thanksgiving Oppa. I hope today is a great day for you.” 

“Thank you, Tsuki. Should we head inside guys? It’s a little cold out here right now.” 

With a nod, all the girls followed you inside as the group sat down in your living room. 

“So where is the maknae line?” 

“They are at school. It’s not a holiday in this country so they couldn’t get the day off sadly. They send their best.” 

“Well, I’m glad they are at school. This really shouldn’t be a big thing.” 

Saying those words seemed to anger the girls a bit as Sheon spoke up. 

“Well too bad. All you need to do is shit here while we prepare everything.” 

“Prepare what?” 

You didn’t get a response as all the girls stood up from their seats and went to the front door. Following behind, you saw the girls getting handed containers from a delivery driver. As their hands got full, you ran over to take a few of the remaining things and said thank you to the driver. With a kick, the door closed as you ran to the kitchen with the hot aluminum containers. 

Once in your basic kitchen, you set down the full containers on your table and looked around. The familiar sight of your girls joking around blessed your eyes. As they opened the containers massive amounts of steam poured out of them. All around, you could see platters of typical thanksgiving food sitting in your kitchen. 

The aroma of the Mac and cheese, the stuffing, and the green bean casserole hit your nose. Despite all those great foods, the strongest smell came from the remaining container that was covered. Once the aluminum lid was removed, your entire kitchen was filled with the scent of oven-roasted Turkey. Your mouth began to water as your eyes sparkled at the golden brown skin of the bird. 

“We honestly weren’t sure what classified as thanksgiving food so we checked on Naver. Once we saw what types of food were needed, we managed to find a local company in Seoul that prepares dinners for Americans here in South Korea.” 

Hearing from Haram the efforts they went to get you this food made you tear up. As a few small tears fell down your cheek, the sudden warm feeling of an embrace caught your attention. Looking down, you saw all of the girls hugging you. The small tears in their own eyes were apparent as the sound of sniffling filled the room. 

You aren’t quite sure how much time passed as the giant group hug finally ends. Cleansing the tears from your eyes you smile at the girls and finally speak up. 

“Ok Suhyeon, you can grab the plates. Sheon, grab the ladles for the mashed potatoes and such. Sua, make sure to get plenty of utensils for everyone. Tsuki and I will cut up some of the turkey.” 

Once the Game plan was told, everyone went to do what they were told to do. Pulling out the biggest knife at your disposal, you made your way over to the turkey. As the rest of the girls began to put small portions of the various sides on their plates, Tsuki took hold of a pair of Tongs and held the piece of turkey you needed to cut. 

One by one, each of the ladies came up to take a piece of the bird and sat down at the dining room table. All that was left was Tsuki as well as your plate. 

“What do you want on your plate, Oppa?” 

“Well, I’m a big guy so I want a little of everything. But you have already done enough. Let me serve both you and myself.” 

Before Tsuki could argue, your hands went towards each of the spoons and ladles. First, the mashed potatoes were put on each plate and topped off with some gravy. Many of the dishes you mentioned earlier begin to fill up your plate. The sight was similar to an avalanche as the food moved all around your plate. 

Finally arriving at the turkey, you stretched out your hand to grab the knife but felt a sudden slap on it, stopping you. 

“I will serve you this at least. You are the guest at this dinner.” 

“But it’s my house?” 

“Sush Oppa. Now what piece of the turkey do you want?” 

The glare that came from the girl’s eyes let you know she was serious. 

“I’ll take a turkey leg then.” 

With a nod, Tsuki took the knife and cut the turkey leg off the bird. As Tsuki put it at the top of your plate, you found yourself playing a balancing game with all the things on your plate. Once Tsuki cut a small piece of the turkey Breast off, you both ran to the dining room table. 

Laugher could be heard from the rest of the girls as they saw Tsuki as well as you juggling the mountain of food. Placing down your plate, the two of you took your seats and looked around the table. Seeing a few glasses of soda on the table, you knew everything was all set to start eating. 

“Well. I am starving so let’s all dig in!” 

With cheers, everyone grabbed a fork and started to eat. Some of these foods were things they had never tried before but the new flavors seemed to be great as their eyes got wide as saucers. 

“This casserole is delicious.”

“Oh god, the stuffing is amazing. I could eat a whole plate of just this.” 

“Well, I’m glad you guys enjoy this meal. I guess I should say welcome to your first thanksgiving. I wish you would have brought a change of clothes though.” 

“Oh don’t worry we did. Plus We have worked in hanbok plenty of times where it’s not uncomfortable.”

“Oh well, I’m glad you are ok with the Hanbok, Sheon. I’ll assume it's the same for the other girls as well.” 

“Well I’m still getting used to this but it’s not a pain.” 

“Well, I thank you for wearing it, Tsuki.” 

As the rest of dinner continued, you began to notice Tsuki would keep taking glances at you and smiling. You couldn’t help but smile back at the girl. Despite you all eating, you saw Tsuki was also a bit more quiet than usual. 

Once everyone’s plates were empty you clapped your hands to get everyone’s attention.

“Now for a thanksgiving tradition, we are going to go around the table and share things we are thankful for. Who would like to go first?” 

With much enthusiasm, Sheon brought her hand up to start things off. With a quick nod, Sheon began to talk. 

“Now we all have things we are thankful for but what I am the most thankful for are my mom and dad. They have given me support at times when I needed it.”

“I’m glad your parents have helped. I’m sure we all have that one person and people who helped us when we needed it. Who else would like to go?” 

Suhyeon at that time raised her hand and spoke up. 

“I am thankful for our dear Belllie’ve. No matter what, they are always there ready to cheer us up. The support we get from them always helps me to keep going in this industry.” 

“That's great Suhyeon. Your fans are amazing. Haram? Would you like to go next?” 

“Well it might sound a little dumb but I’m thankful for the company for taking a chance on us debuting.” 

“The company would have been stupid for not taking a chance on any of you. The talent you guys have shown this past year just helps cement you all as the rookies to keep an eye on. Now, who is next then?” 

Sua raised her hand and spoke up. 

“I am thankful for my brother. With the advice, he gives me I am certain I will be able to make a bigger impact in the K-pop industry.” 

“I’m glad he gives you advice. You have already established yourself as one of the best K-pop rappers of the fourth generation. I’m sure your impact will be massive for years to come. I guess this leaves Tsuki last. What are you thankful for, bunny princess?” 

A slight blush appeared on Tsuki’s cheeks as she picked up her fork and ate a bit more of her food. Assuming she wanted a bit more time to think, you decided to speak up yourself. 

“Well, I am thankful for all of you girls. All of you welcomed me with open arms when I became your manager. I honestly wasn’t expecting you to all be so kind to me and it was what I needed after such a big change in my life.”

“You are family Oppa. At times when the schedules can get crazy, you are always there with snacks and water and such. Other managers, we had as trainees didn’t care as much as you do. I’m sure I speak for everyone here that we are thankful for you as well.” 

Hearing those words from Haram made you happy.

Smiles were all around as you all looked at each other. Finally, it was Tsuki’s turn as you all faced her to listen to her response. You couldn’t help but notice the blush still on her face. 

“I-I’m thankful for……”

The red shade on her cheeks began to spread to her entire face. Tsuki continued to repeat those three words, not being able to get to the next. Just as you were about to say something you heard a cough from the right side of the table. Looking in that direction, you saw it was Sua getting everyone’s attention. 

“Um, let's just get some dessert. There is an apple pie already cut up. Everyone can go sit down in the living room and set up a movie to watch. Tsuki and I will get the pieces of pie for everyone!.” 

Everyone around the table suddenly stood up and began to move around. Following their example, you followed the other girls to the living room and sat down on the couch. You didn’t even get to choose the movie as Suhyeon grabbed the remote and decided on watching home alone. You wanted to argue why this movie was even on some platforms already but the thought of it being thanksgiving only for a few people in the country came to your mind.

As the sound of footsteps brought you out of your mind. Looking in that direction you saw Tsuki as well as Moon Sua walking over in normal clothes as well as having several plates in hand. Handing out plates to each person, you were the last person waiting for his dessert. Tsuki at that time came over and handed you your plate of pie. 

As soon as the plate was on your hand, Tsuki took a seat right next to you. 

“Oppa we are gonna go change. Feel free to start the movie and eat your pie.” 

Soon the living room was occupied by only you as well as the other two girls. Taking a bite of your pie, you could almost cry at how delicious it was. Sua shrieked at how tasty the Apple pie was. Somehow the rest of the Billlie came out in their change of clothes already and got comfortable. 

As the movie played, everyone continued to enjoy this thanksgiving. As you got another bite of pie on your fork, you raised it to take a bite but felt a tap on your shoulder. Looking for the source, you saw it was Tsuki as she kept her mouth wide open for a bite of the food. As you fed her the bite of pie, her wife shot open as she jumped up and down. Seeing how happy Tsuki was from just a bite of sweets made you happy. 

As you all continued to watch the movie, Tsuki seemed to get closer and closer to your arm. Eventually, you felt a head lie down on your shoulder. Small giggles filled your living room as you saw all the other girls looking at you and Tsuki. 

Rolling your eyes, you just look forward to the tv screen and continue to watch the movie. As you fed Tsuki some more of your pie, the girls continued to make whistling sounds towards the two of you. As more time passed, the more comfortable Tsuki got laying on you. The small glances you took at her continued to fill your face with a smile. 

The constant motion from your face must have had some effect on you as your throat began to feel parched. You didn’t want to move but that familiar feeling of thirst was getting to you. Reluctantly, you tapped on Tsuki’s forehead which helped remove her head from your arm. 

“I’m gonna go get a drink. Does anyone want anything?” 

Everyone but Tsuki shook their heads no. 

“Can I get a hot chocolate!?” 

The hyper girl nearly jumped out of her seat as she mentioned the drink. She's really girlfri-. No, you shouldn’t think something like that. 

“Yeah Tsuki. I’ll make us both one.” 

As your feet carried you to your kitchen, your ears picked up giggles and whispers coming from the girl's direction. They did seem to talk to themselves a lot tonight. As you walked around your dirty kitchen, your hand managed to reach the fridge door and open it. 

As your eyes wandered around the barren fridge, you finally saw the thing you were looking for. Pulling out the heavy plastic container, you placed it on the side and looked for some mugs. Thankfully next to your mugs were the hot chocolate packets so you didn’t need to search for them. Placing the items on the counter, reaching back up you got a large glass and placed it down on the counter as well.

Raising the milk jug, you emptied some of its contents and filled the large clear glass. Once filled, the glass returns to your hold as you click to open the microwave. Once open, you placed the glass in the device and closed its door. The repeated beeps and whirl sounds hit your ears as the cup began to spin in the machine. 

While that was going, you found yourself pouring the cocoa mix into the mugs as well as placing the milk gallon back in the fridge. With a bit of spare time, you took the moment to think back on girls. You were really glad they came but you kept wondering why they were all giggling so much today. As you continued to think about the girls, your mind went back to one specific lady. Tsuki was full of smiles and wanted to spend more time with you. 

The bunny was the girl you felt the closest to out of all the girls, but today she was a bit more touchy and feely than normal. You couldn’t complain though, you always had a crush on the young girl. The more time you spent with her, the more you fell for her. Your thoughts were interrupted by the beep of the microwave. 

Pushing the button, the steam coming from the microwave hits your face. Flinching a bit, you waited a few seconds until the glass cooled down. Wrapping your hand around it, you felt the heat from the glass hit your hand but it didn’t burn you. Pulling it out of the machine, you brought the cup above your mugs and began to pour. 

Each mug got filled to the top with warm milk. Using a spoon you had ready, you combined the contents in both mugs until they were perfectly mixed. Once hot chocolate was ready, you grabbed each handle of the mugs and made your way back to the girls.

As you entered the living room, your eyes immediately picked up on the lack of people in it. The only two people here were Tsuki and yourself.

“Wait, where is everyone?”  

“They actually had something to do so they had to head out but I was free so I decided to stay to keep you company for a bit more.” 

“Oh, you didn’t have to do that. All of you already did so much today. I don't want to be a bother to you.” 

“YOU AREN’T A BOTHER!” 

You jumped a bit at how aggressively Tsuki yelled that but you just put it as her being hyper like normal. Taking a seat next to Tsuki, you smiled at her and spoke again. 

“Well, I’m very thankful for you staying. Here is your hot chocolate also.” 

Handing the glass to the young girl, Tsuki began to drink the beverage at a rapid speed. It was surprising as the hot chocolate was still hot, yet she didn’t seem to burn herself. 

“Wow, you must have been thirsty. I’m glad I didn’t make any drinks for the rest of the girls also. It would have been a waste. Also, I’m kinda sad Sua and the rest of the girls didn’t say bye to me.” 

“O-Oh. Don’t worry you will see them again tomorrow.” 

Looking at Tsuki, you saw a small twitch come from her eyebrow. Despite the smile on her face, you could tell Tsuki was hiding a bit of annoyance.

“Tsuki what’s wrong?” 

“What do you mean?” 

“I’m not stupid. I can pick up on the hint of annoyance on your face.” 

The smile that was on the energetic girl’s face disappeared at that moment. 

“Oh, you can pick up on that but not anything else?” 

“What does that mean?” 

“WHY ARE YOU SO DENSE OPPA? CAN’T YOU TELL I LOVE YOU?” 

Those words shocked you at the moment. Was it really what you just heard?

“W-What?” 

“Oppa. I love you. Why haven’t you picked up on this?” 

“I just thought you were touchy with everyone. I mean look at how you act with the members.” 

“I mean yes, I’m very touchy with my members but how many men am I kissing on the cheek and hugging constantly?” 

Taking a look back, you finally noticed it really was only you Tsuki who did those things with. It’s been a while of her doing all those actions with you. 

“Tsuki. I have feelings for you too. How long have you been feeling like this?”

“M-Months. Do you really l-like me too?” 

“Yeah Tsuki. I just thought it was me crushing on you. I guess I really was oblivious.” 

“Yeah, you were. Even the girls could tell. That’s why they even left a bit ago. They wanted me to finally confess to you.” 

“And I’m guessing bringing up other girls would be annoying. I’m sorry Tsuki.” 

You didn’t even get a response as Tsuki wrapped her arms around you. Her tiny frame somehow packed a lot of love. Each second that passed, The more you were taking in small things about her. Her long hair, the scent of roses that came from her body, the softness of the skin on her arms. Despite enjoying the embrace you received from Tsuki, the young girl began to pull away from the hug a bit. 

As Tsuki’s face appeared in front of your face, the smile from earlier filled her face. At that moment your eyes met with Tsuki’s. Those large brown irises of hers mesmerized you with each second that passed. As you continued to look at Tsuki’s eyes, you noticed they seemed to be getting closer and closer until you felt a sensation on your lips. 

Recognizing it as a kiss, you closed your eyes and put your hands on her cheeks. The small kiss quickly became more as your tongue tried to push its way into Tsuki’s mouth. At first, your tongue was met with the bunny’s teeth but as Tsuki felt you trying to get access to her mouth she opened a bit to let you in. 

Once in, your tongue began to fight with Tsuki’s as you fought for dominance. The young girl quickly surrendered as your tongue moved around in her mouth as you wanted. Picking up the subtle taste of chocolate from her mouth somehow made you hungry for more of her. 

Laying Tsuki down on her back, your tongue continued to move around her mouth until you needed to surface for air. Looking down at Tsuki, you could see a smirk appear on the girl's face as she yanked you back down. The sudden aggressiveness from your friend surprised you but you weren’t against it at all. 

With your lips reattached to Tsuki’s, your hand began to move up and touch her leg. At that moment you could feel the soft skin of her thick thighs. As much fun as Kissing Tsuki was, your lips moved to her neck as you began to pepper it with kisses. As much as you wanted to mark the young Idol; you knew she had a photoshoot the next day and couldn’t risk it. 

Tsuki seemed to know this as you reached up and put your face into her hands. 

“Sorry, Oppa. No Marks on my neck but take this shirt off and you can mark up my breast.” 

That offer was one you couldn’t refuse as your hands reached down to her shirt. The light blue from the collar of her shirt went by in a flash as you removed it from her body. The sight of a white bra On Tsuki made your cock twitch from inside your pants. Raising her upper body, Tsuki unclipped her bra and took it off in a rush. 

“I felt that cock move. Hurry up and mark me so we can sleep together.” 

Lowering your face, you put your lips onto her erect nipple. Starting slowly, your mouth began to give the pink nipple small suck's as Tsuki’s mouth released small moans. Despite it being only a short time of you sucking her nipple, you had a different job to do on her breast. Releasing her pink nub from your mouth, you began to give her mound small kisses and licks. 

Soon you began to give her tit small sucks and bites to mark the young girl. Not much effort was needed as her pale skin quickly turned red from all of your sucks and bites. Usually, you were the type of person to savor your sexual experiences but this was just rushed, lust taking over the actions of the two of you. 

Moving to her left breast, you gave it many kisses as well as marked it as its twin. Moving down from her tit, you made your way down her stomach giving it kisses and small licks. Reaching the hem of her shorts, your hands went up and grabbed them from each corner. Pulling down the fabric, you see that you pulled down her panties with the shorts. The blessing of Tsuki’s wet folds was exposed to you, making you feel thirsty. 

Spread open her legs a bit more, you could see the juices leaking out of her snatch. Your body just reacted on its own as your digits spread her lips. A small gasp left her mouth as she looked at you. Impatience got the best of you as your index finger pushed its way into her pussy. The resistance you met was quickly gone as you pulled it back and pushed your finger back in. 

The movements were still a bit slow but once you pushed another finger in, your speed picked up. The sound of her wet pussy got you harder and your body craved her even more. The fluids that leaked from Tsuki went down your arm a bit. Finally giving in to your thirst, your head went down to her folds and began to lick it. 

The moans from before continued as you began to give Tsuki stimulus from both your fingers and mouth. The movement from your fingers helped expose a small but that was down in her private parts. Recognizing what you were seeing, your tongue quickly began to flick her clit, causing her to jump all around. You weren’t doing much but the young girl was squirming all around from your tongue and mouth. 

The smell of lavender filled your nose as you continued to eat her pussy. Soon the girl's movements became errant as she began to pant more and more from your actions. 

“Oppa, fuck that’s so good. Keep eating my pussy, please. Quench your thirst with my juices.” 

Those words were music to your ears as you improved your efforts to make her cum. Your speed increased with each second that passed, indulging in her tastes. As you reached the best of your efforts, Tsuki finally started to yell profanities all around. A sudden rush of fluids hit your face as you drank as much of her juices as possible. You nearly drowned from how much of her fluids shot out of her pussy. 

Pulling your face back a bit, you began to lick the remaining liquid off of her thick thighs until there was nothing left. Pulling back from her legs, you finally get a chance to breathe and see your handy work. The Japanese idol was panting for air after that orgasm. The smile that was all over Tsuki’s face made you happy. Despite seeing the innocent expression on her face, your dick just continued to twitch in your pants. 

The smile on Tsuki’s face turned into a smirk as you began to grind yourself on her leg. 

“Thank you for that. Now stop your teasing and pull that cock out.” 

You didn’t need to be told twice as your hands undid your belt and pulled your pants down. Standing back up, you removed the pants from around your legs and pulled your shirt off. The sudden wet sensation was felt on your chest as Tsuki began to kiss you there. Moving down, the young idol began to reach closer and closer till you felt a small kiss on your tip. 

Goosebumps went all over your body as you felt a small warm hand wrap around your shaft. Nothing needed to be said as Tsuki began to stroke your dick. Such a basic action from Tsuki felt amazing. Maybe it was the thought that an adorable girl was doing such a nasty thing with you but it didn’t matter. After a few more strokes from the idol, you heard a little gasp leave her mouth. 

“Wow, Oppa. You’re already leaking. Is this for me?”

Starting from your balls, Tsuki began to give them a few small sucks to get as much of your Precum out. From your balls, Tsuki brought her tongue to your shaft, moving up and down, teasing you. Just as you were about to say something, a tight sensation surrounded the head of your length. As your tongue did earlier, Tsuki’s began to move all around your cock head. 

With a few small slurps, the girl began to savor as much of your precum as she could. With no warning, Tsuki shoved your length down her throat. You nearly exploded down her tunnel as Tsuki pulled her head back gasping for air. The young girl was always such a sweet girl, but right now she was acting like your common street whore. 

Bobbing her head, Tsuki continued to fill her mouth with your cock, not giving you a chance to breathe. Your hands seem to have moved on their own as you grabbed two handfuls of her hair and began to move more aggressively in her tunnel. With these handles, you moved your hips faster and faster till small tears came out of Tsuki’s eyes. 

Slowly your peak began to arrive as you tried to move as fast as possible. The keyword was tried as Tsuki pulled her head off of your length. You were disappointed but the brown-eyed girl had other plans. 

Getting on all fours, Tsuki looked back at you and shook her ass at you. 

“The only place your load gets to go is my pussy. So hurry and shove that thing in me.” 

Following the Girl’s instructions, you lined your length up with her folds and pushed your way into her cavern. Despite all you felt from Tsuki earlier, this restricting feeling from her walls was the best of all. Moving slowly, your length filled Tsuki to the brim as she gasped. 

Hitting the end of her walls, the small girl looked back at you and just smirked. 

“Stop being gentle and fuck my brains out.” 

You weren’t going to say no to that. Pulling back, your length began to enter and exit her pussy. The speed at which you fucked her continued to pick up as the girl began to copy your movements. When you pulled back, Tsuki pulled her hips as well. Once you pushed your length back in, the girl threw her ass down on top of your shaft. 

Putting your hands on her hips, you continued to fuck the young idol nonstop. Raising her upper body, Tsuki then got closer to your face. Puckering her lips, you reattached your lips to her giving her the affection she wanted. 

Despite the nasty activities you were doing with Tsuki, the small kisses you gave her made your heart flutter. You knew you weren’t gonna let this girl go anywhere but for now, you had to reach your own peak. Despite knowing you shouldn’t, your lips moved to Tsuki’s neck and began to kiss and suck on it. 

The young Idol seemed to want to stop you but the sensation was too much for her as she began to pant harder and harder with each kiss. The speed at which Tsuki matched your movements got messed up as the girl moved erratically. With your hands still on her hips, you stop her and fucked her at your pace. 

The rapid pace seemed to be enough as the girl began to yell. 

“O-Oppa I’m gonna cu-“ 

Her sentence didn’t even finish as the young woman shook all over. A rush of fluids hit your couch as well as your legs. The young girl nearly dropped dead from her orgasm. Holding her up with your strength, you let the young girl rest. Peppering her neck with more kisses you began to leave more marks, showing she is now yours. 

A minute passes as Tsuki comes back to her senses, moving her hips again. 

“Sorry, Oppa. It’s your turn to cum now.” 

“Hey, we can just stop here Tsuki. I can tell you're tired.” 

The warm feeling around your cock left as Tsuki pulled her pussy off your length. Expecting Tsuki to just rest, you get ready to clean up. Laying her back on the couch, Tsuki looks back at you and smirks once more. 

“I want the load in me. I just want you to look into my eyes as you shoot it in me. I’m a bunny, right? Come fuck me like one.” 

Lining your rod back up with her folds, you began to slowly enter her pussy. A sudden slap to your ass made you fill Tsuki instantly. You were already close all this time. In your mind, you knew you wouldn't last much longer but you were still gonna have fun.

Your thrusts continued as they did earlier, fucking the bunny. Raising her upper body once more, Tsuki wrapped her arms around your body and put her lips next to your ear. 

“I said fuck me like a bunny Oppa. What, can't you do that properly?” 

A fire grew in you as you began to strengthen your thrusts into her. The small pants from Tsuki were music to your ears as the idol continued to encourage you. 

“Oppa. I’m such a sweet-looking girl but with you, I’m just a bunny in heat. I want the load in my pussy so fucking hurry and d-drop it in me.” 

The filth that left Tsuki’s mouth was amazing as you used all your remaining strength to fuck her tunnel. 

“Y-You really are like a bunny in heat. Asking me to cum in you. Well, get r-ready then.” 

A few more seconds passed as the gut feeling in your stomach rose to its peak. The throbbing from your length made the bunny gasp. With one final thrust, you shoved your length into her. The sudden shots of your load began to fill Tsuki to the brim with your semen. Your neck began to get small kisses and bites from Tsuki as she marked you as her own as well. 

It honestly could have been seven shots of semen that caked from your cock. Despite being inside of the bunny still, your load began to leak out of her cavern. Finally, your peak ended as you dropped down on the couch, and on top of Tsuki. 

A minute passed as you lifted your upper body off Tsuki. Her face was full with a smile as she began to laugh. Your own laughter as well as hers filled the room. Pulling your length out of Tsuki, your load began to leak even more out of the bunny’s cavern. 

Once the two of you relaxed a bit more, you pulled Tsuki closer and kissed her on the lips. 

“God. I never expected you to really act like a bunny in heat.” 

“Oh, that was just the beginning Oppa. Your little bunny girlfriend will have all the time in the world to show you how wild she can get.” 

Picking up Tsuki, you ran to your bedroom to continue the rest of your night with the idol. 

The next day came as you heard your alarm go off. Next to you, Tsuki slowly began to wake up as well and hug you. 

“Back to work Oppa. Let’s get ready.” 

The rest of your morning goes by quickly as you get ready and eat breakfast. And you may have also had a quickie in the shower. 

Walking up to the door, you unlocked the door and entered with Tsuki. Making your way to the sound of laughter, you saw all of the girls eating breakfast in the kitchen. Looking over, they saw your hand holding Tsuki’s and began to yell. 

“Finally! Our plan worked! Thank you ladies for leaving early with me to get them to talk.” 

“Yeah yeah Sua. Now finish up your breakfast and let's go to work.” 

“Got it Oppa! I hope your thanksgiving was great then!.” 

Looking over at Tsuki all you could do is laugh and nod your head. 

“Yeah, Sheon. That was a great holiday.” 

#kpopsmut #billliesmut #tsukismut

[the-rewatch-rewind]

Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn make their first appearances!

Script below the break

Hello and welcome back to the Rewatch Rewind, the podcast where I count down my top 40 most rewatched movies. My name is Jane and today I will be talking about number 33 on my list: Columbia Pictures’ 1938 romantic comedy Holiday, directed by George Cukor, written by Donald Ogden Stewart and Sidney Buchman adapted from the play by Philip Barry, and starring Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn.

Johnny Case (Cary Grant) has just returned home to New York City from a trip to Lake Placid where he met, fell in love with, and got engaged to Julia Seton (Doris Nolan). When he shows up at the address she gave him, he is surprised to find that it’s a giant mansion, and that she lives there with her family, whom she previously neglected to mention is extremely wealthy. Both her lively sister Linda (Katharine Hepburn) and her depressed alcoholic brother Ned (Lew Ayers) immediately approve of Johnny. Her father, banker Edward Seton (Henry Kolker), is initially shocked that his daughter is engaged to someone he’s never heard of, but he is ultimately won over by Johnny’s impressive work history. However, when Johnny reveals his plans to quit working for a while to seek the meaning of life, both Edward and Julia are appalled, while Linda enthusiastically approves, and it becomes apparent that Johnny is engaged to the wrong sister.

There are many things I love about this movie, but the main reason it’s on this list is because of who stars in it. If you’ve listened to the Mary Poppins episode, you may recall me saying that Julie Andrews is one of four actors to appear in at least four of my top 40 movies. Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn are two of the others. Katharine Hepburn will be making a total of five appearances, and Cary Grant will be making ten, so if you really hate him, you’re probably not going to like much of the rest of this podcast. I don’t exactly remember why or how he became my number one fave, and it’s kind of a chicken-or-egg situation – do I love so many of his films because he’s in them, or do I love him because he’s in so many of my favorite films? I have no idea, and at this point it doesn’t really matter. I just know that I love watching him on screen, somehow both suave and goofy simultaneously, and listening to that unique voice that truly mastered the fake transatlantic accent like none other. And I also know that he was a very convenient explanation for why I had no interest in dating anyone in my teens or 20s. “There just aren’t any men out there like Cary Grant,” I’d lament, which was true, but the implication that I wanted there to be was misleading, though even I didn’t understand that for a very long time. There were a few other Old Hollywood actors I would sometimes also claim to find attractive, using the same excuse that nobody in real life was like them. I was aware that it was weird to only have “crushes” on movie stars who were old enough to be my great-grandparents, but that still felt less weird than admitting the truth – I didn’t understand what a crush was and I was too scared to ask, since everyone else seemed to instinctively know. It wasn’t until I was around 30 that I finally asked myself, if I met a Cary Grant clone who was my age, with his exact appearance and mannerisms and voice, without his traumatic childhood, would I want to date him? Or sleep with him? And I had to admit that the answer was no. What I feel for Cary Grant is appreciation for his work, and perhaps some aesthetic attraction, but nothing romantic or sexual. He’s still my number one fave, and I still celebrate his birthday every year with a multi-day marathon of his work, which explains why so many of his movies made it into my top 40. Since Katharine Hepburn is another actor whose birthday I celebrate every year (although not quite as enthusiastically), and Holiday is also a perfect New Year’s Eve movie, I have many occasions to revisit this one. I can’t remember if I’d seen it before I started keeping track, but I watched it once in 2003, once in 2006, once in 2008, once in 2009, once in 2011, twice in 2012, once in 2014, once in 2016, twice in 2018, twice in 2019, and once in each year since.

One viewing in particular stands out to me. It was January of 2012. I was in college and I had a lot of intense family stuff going on, and then a snowstorm hit on a Tuesday night, which happened to be the night before Cary Grant’s birthday. Classes ended up getting cancelled for the rest of the week, and I used that time almost exclusively to consume Cary Grant movies. On his actual birthday, I managed to convince some friends to watch one with me, so I went to one of their dorm rooms and we ended up watching Holiday. I want to say that overall it was a good time and most of them really enjoyed it, but I honestly don’t remember for sure. What I do remember is that there was one person in that group of friends who didn’t want to join us, declaring that she refused to watch any movie made before 1990, but then kept coming into the room after we started the movie to make comments like, “Ugh, I can’t believe you’re watching this!” “Ew, it’s in black and white!” and such. I should have just let it go – after all, it was her loss to miss out on great movies due to some arbitrary date cutoff – but I got very upset about it. The disrespect! On Cary Grant’s birthday of all days! I didn’t really know that person very well, and we haven’t kept in touch, but I hope she has forgiven and long forgotten any angry comments I may have directed toward her that day.

To a certain extent, I understand her attitude. Old movies portray outdated ideas and ways of living that can feel strange and even offensive to watch. But they also tell us a lot about the history of our society. Holiday in particular still feels extremely relevant. It’s set during the Great Depression, a time when there were a few very rich people and many very poor people, which sounds a lot like today. It’s about a wealthy family with one child who takes their privilege for granted, one child who is dissatisfied and abuses substances to cope, and one child who actively tries to rebel against the idea that money makes their family inherently superior. And when the entitled head of the family and the child who is most like him hear about a working-class person who has saved up enough money to spend some time enjoying himself instead of working, they scoff at that idea. Doesn’t that sound like it could take place right now?

Modern audiences might find the lack of action in this movie a bit tedious – it’s very apparent that it was based on a play, as it’s dialogue-heavy and almost the entire movie takes place in a few areas of the Seton house. But the wittiness of the lines and the punch of their delivery more than make up for the lack of action, at least in my opinion. I do wish the movie started a little earlier in the story, so that we got to see Johnny and Julia at Lake Placid. Apparently scenes were actually filmed for this, but George Cukor, the director, didn’t like the footage and decided to cut it all. Julia just seems so completely wrong for Johnny in every way that I really want to see how she behaved when they first met to convince him otherwise. From the very first scene when Johnny goes to their house, it is clear that Julia neither shares nor appreciates Johnny’s sense of humor, while Linda is swapping jokes with him as soon as they meet. I don’t necessarily think that means Johnny and Linda need to get together (although of course they will, because it’s a rom com and they’re the stars), but I do feel like it demonstrates that Johnny and Julia would not have had a functional marriage. I’ve never been able to understand what he saw in her, although a possible explanation is vaguely addressed by her brother Ned’s perceptive line, spoken to their sister Linda: “You know, most people, including Johnny and yourself, make a big mistake about Julia. They're taken in by her looks. At bottom, she's a very dull girl and the life she pictures for herself is the life she belongs in.” In other words, Johnny saw a beautiful woman and imposed his ideals onto her. When he finally learns that the woman he’s attracted to – and believes he’s in love with – neither shares nor supports his point of view on life, he has to decide how much of himself he’s willing to compromise.

It would have been so easy to let this story deteriorate into a two-sisters-fighting-over-the-same-man love triangle scenario, but it doesn’t. Linda has no desire to interfere with Johnny and Julia’s relationship, even when she is finally able to admit to herself and Ned that she’s fallen for Johnny. Linda actively tries to repair the rift that forms between Johnny and Julia when they discover they have different values. It’s only after Julia tells her that she doesn’t care about Johnny and is relieved that he’s decided to leave on his holiday without her that Linda decides to go with him. As Ned observed, Linda, like Johnny, has always imposed her own values on Julia, so it takes her just as long as it takes Johnny to realize that he and Julia are completely unsuited for each other. And I love the way that’s portrayed. Too often, sacrificing other relationships for the sake of romantic love is glorified. But Linda is willing to sacrifice romance when she thinks pursuing it would hurt her sister, which I appreciate. There is a part of me that would like to see a version where Linda and Johnny realize that their love is actually platonic and decide to go on an adventure as friends – and who knows? That could happen. The movie ends with them kissing, but afterwards they might decide they don’t feel those kind of feelings for each other and it was just amatonormativity convincing them they did. But that feels like a major stretch. It does seem clear that if they do get married, theirs would not be a particularly conventional marriage, especially for the time, so they’re definitely still rebelling against some societal norms.

That’s really what this movie is about: questioning the things that society tells you should be important. American capitalist society says pile up as much money as you can, and if it’s not much, you’re doing something wrong. Johnny Case says, “Wait a minute. That can’t be all there is” and decides to find different goals for himself. But the movie also portrays how difficult it is to break away from the norms. Ned desperately wants to get away, but his father has a very tight hold on him and won’t let him out of the banking business that Ned despises, so he drinks excessively because he sees no other way out. Linda finds it a little easier to question and rebel against things, but is rarely taken seriously by her father and sister, who patronizingly dismiss her ideas as silly little trifles and assume that she, along with everyone else who is being “difficult” in their eyes, will come around eventually. We get the impression that this is a frequent source of tension in the household, but the main example in the movie is when Linda desperately wants to throw a fun, intimate little New Year’s Eve party to celebrate Johnny and Julia’s engagement, but Mr. Seton insists on throwing an enormous fancy gala instead. Linda protests by staying in the small playroom, where she is joined by Ned along with Johnny’s friends, Nick and Susan Potter, played by the wonderful character actors Edward Everett Horton and Jean Dixon, who feel incredibly out of place at the main party. It’s a delightful scene that contrasts the coziness and warmth of the playroom with the stiffness and formality of the rest of the house. At this point, Johnny has started to conform to the “proper” life Julia wants for him, and he initially enters the playroom to convince Linda to be reasonable and join the big party to keep from embarrassing the family. But he soon realizes that the smaller party is much more his style. And it’s soon after that when he learns that an important deal has come through which has made him enough money to quit his job (why an important business deal would be going through at 11:45 pm on New Year’s Eve has never made sense to me, but oh well), and that’s when he tells Julia and Mr. Seton about his holiday plans and they flip out because he’s challenging the status quo. Eventually, after taking some time to clear his head, Johnny tells them he’s willing to compromise and try the life Julia wants, agreeing to work for Mr. Seton’s company for a year or so and then go on holiday if he still wants to. Julia and Mr. Seton are delighted, making it clear that they believe that once he starts this life, he’ll change his mind completely and give up on what they view as his foolish fancy. But traveling to find the meaning of life is even more important to Johnny than the party was to Linda, and he decides he can’t compromise. He has to live his life the way he chooses, even if most people think it’s foolish. And that message still feels incredibly profound and necessary today.

I think that’s the main reason this movie has resonated with me so much. As someone who has always felt like the things I find important are often dismissed as trivial by mainstream society, while the things mainstream society deems important have never made much sense to me, it feels incredibly validating and encouraging for a Cary Grant character to confidently declare that he doesn’t want the life he’s “supposed” to want, and ultimately decide not to back down even when people he cares about just as confidently scoff and tell him he’s wrong. Not that I would ever have the courage or self-assurance to just drop everything and leave on a trip with no plan other than “find the meaning of life” – that sounds terrifying. But when you’re aroace – and I imagine this is similar for other queer identities as well – you’re constantly bombarded with the message that the “correct” life path is something that doesn’t feel right, and that the life you do want is not only incorrect, but shameful. Of course, a movie made in 1938 would never have dreamed of addressing LGBTQIA+ issues directly, but somehow, even with its straight romances, Holiday almost feels queer. That might be taking things too far, but the film is certainly about living as your true and authentic self and not letting anyone convince you to be someone you’re not for the sake of “respectability,” which feels like basically the same thing as saying “queer rights,” at least to me.

Much as I love the message of the story, I do want to emphasize that ultimately this is a comedy, and a big part of its appeal is just getting to see Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn being silly together. The way their characters meet and instantly establish an easy rapport feels so natural and authentic. Whether they’re disagreeing about the difference between goat and sheep noises, trying to invent a fancy pedigree for Johnny, or actually being real with each other, they are such a delight to watch. Nick and Susan Potter are also very fun characters, and their friendship with Johnny – and later Linda – is beautifully portrayed. I would love to see a sequel of the four of them traveling the world together. However, that was not to be, partly because despite receiving critical acclaim, this movie was a box office failure. It’s been speculated that perhaps Great Depression audiences who would have done anything to find jobs did not sympathize with Johnny’s plans to quit his. At the time, Katharine Hepburn was deemed “box office poison” because audiences thought she was past her prime, so that didn’t help either. After this movie, Hepburn left Hollywood for Broadway, where she starred in a new play that Philip Barry – who also wrote the play this movie was based on – had written specifically for her, which she then took back to Hollywood and used to turn her career around…but more on that in a future episode.

A few more fun facts about Holiday that I need to share: in the original Broadway production of the play, Katharine Hepburn understudied the role of Linda, and she performed a scene from the play in her first screen test, which led to her first film. The role of Nick Potter was originally played on Broadway by Donald Ogden Stewart, who co-wrote this screenplay, and then was played by Edward Everett Horton in both a 1930 film adaptation and this 1938 remake. This was the final feature film appearance of Jean Dixon, who played Susan Potter, although she continued to act on stage and television, and she will be making another appearance on this podcast for an earlier film. And finally, this movie provided Cary Grant an opportunity to show off the tumbling skills he learned while touring with an acrobatic troupe as a teenager, as Johnny likes to use acrobatics to calm himself when he’s nervous. It kind of looks to me like at one point they may have used a stunt double, but for most of the flips you can clearly see his face, and I think it's so cool that he was able to do at least most of his own stunts. What a performer.

Thank you for listening to me chat about another of my most-rewatched movies. Be sure to subscribe or follow for more, and leave a rating or review to let me know how you’re enjoying this project. Next week I will be joined by another guest, and as always, I will leave you with a quote from the movie we’ll be discussing then: “Yeah, he was here, but he put an egg in his shoe and beat it.”

#holiday #the rewatch rewind #cary grant #katharine hepburn

[charaznablescanontoyota]

🍪 + 🧀 + 🍾 forrrr camio and/or eligos?

🍪 [BISCUIT/COOKIE] Does your OC prefer things simple or extravagant?

camio - simple. so simple that he literally did not decorate his own home. ornias came in and did it without asking

eligos - likes extravagance but it can't come off as being too extravagant it has to seem like he isn't a tryhard

🧀 [CHEESE WEDGE] How often does your OC get into situations that rely on pure luck/miracles happening?

camio - the answer should be never but he sometimes puts himself into bad positions without thinking if he's more concerned with the wellbeing of someone he cares about. see: how his leg got fucked up

eligos - he likes to be aware and in control of his surroundings so i guess never? type of guy who would never be put in a situation

🍾 [POPPING CORK] How does your OC celebrate special occasions? With whom?

camio - not a celebrater. if he HAS to it's at home with umara/duma or alone with ornias or MAYBE with the extended tea group (eligos and murmur)

eligos - any excuse to throw a dinner party and invite his friends plus also any rivals who he wants to see him thriving. literally any excuse

#marn ocs #hearts goetia #THANK U ATTI...my demon guys

[marine-indie-gal]

The Pagan Goddess of Fertility, Humans, Crops, Spring, and The Dawn. Her Name is the Origin closet to the Holiday "Easter". Eostre's name was a namesake of a festival of Easter in some languages. In the Medieval Times of Germany, People would often celebrate the Pagan Festival of The German West Spring Goddess which in honour in the Spring Equinox, Folks would often have a form of Feasting and even Fertitality Rituals (As stated by Saint Bede). The Colors of Her own Festivial were often Green, Yellow, and Purple as She represented Fertility while Rabbits and Eggs represented New Life. Eostre was then Co-opted by Christians as the Said Festival was rebranded as a Celebration of Jesus Christ's rebirth. Eostre was often accosisted with Rabbits and Hares since they represented fertitlity considering that Does (Female Rabbits) would often give birth to a litter of their own Kittens every Spring Year which lead into the idea of Rabbits being a Mascot to Easter. Scholars often linked the Goddess' Name to a Variety of Germanic Personal Names as a series of Location Names. In 1958, it was discovered that over 150 inscriptions from the 2th Century refering to the Female Deities (known as the "Matronae") that the Said Goddess was connected with names venerated on the European continent. One of the Brothers Grimm (Jacob Grimm), He notes that in the Same Month of Eostre Manoth in German is "Eosturmonath Ostarmonath" that Eostre may have been worshiped by the Germans under the name "Ostara" (A similar name to the Norse Dwarf "Austri" from Norse Mythology) but Jacob notes that a Feminine version of that name would most likely be "Austra" which matches for "Eostre" and "Ostara". It's unknown about her own Origins behind her own Myth as Many People tend to interpet her own Story. One version says however that She found a Frozen Bird and healed the Poor Bird as it was turned into a Rabbit which gain the ability to lay Eggs and that a Bird (who was now a Rabbit) who laid beautiful eggs was so proud that Eostre was irked but she was so moved by the rabbit’s despair that she allowed it to lay beautiful eggs once a year. Another version about her Origins was that she was translated to Another Goddess by the name of "Ishtar" (The Goddess of Love and War) and that Ishtar was an Akkadian Fertility Goddess accositated with Eggs and Hares whose cult would endure and evolve, thus, inspiring Eostre/Ostara. SBSP Universe Eostre is The Pagan German Goddess of Fertility, Spring, and the Dawn as well as the Main Goddess of Easter. She is also the Master to her own Bunny, The Easter Bunny (who's real name is "Florian Cottontail" who is the Son of the First Easter Bunny, Petrus Cottontail). Eostre is Devoted, Kind-Hearted, Spirtiual, Loving, Motherly, and even Nurturing. As The Goddess of Easter, she often celebrats the Same Easter Sunday on the Same Month as April where she allows her own Mentor (Florian Cottontail) to give out Candy to all of the Girls and Boys (both in Land and Sea). She also mainly does her Job taking Good Care of Spring and the Dawn very well as a lot of Spring Animals worship as their own Goddess (similar as to how Bikini Bottomites worship Neptune) as her own Servants were mostly Rabbits and Hares. In fact, similar to King Neptune, her own Name is often used in the Place of God's with phrases such as "Dear Eostre!", "Thank Eostre", and "Oh My Eostre". Her Origins date way back in Ancient Times where She was a Small Goddess raised and taken care of by a Fairy King and Queen, lots of Animals would often play and even look after her. When she was Grown, she traveled through Germany to find a Place where she could have her own Temple in the Forests. Unfortunately, however, there was No Ancient Temple so she decided to create her own House as her own New Home. Soon enough, all German Animals became fascinated with her because of her Spring Powers for the Animals began to see her as their own Goddess as Eostre felt proud to have her own residents. Fortunately enough, German Folks have discovered the Goddess' Magicial Flowers for they began to sense a Goddess somewhere in the Woods, so the Germans created a festival to celebrate the Goddess as they called it "Eostre Day". Before Easter, whenever Spring game on April, Folks would often tend to feast under the Goddess' Worship as Rabbits were often a symbol to the Goddess as a Scared Animal to represent Fertility. Sadly, that was all changed until when Christianity started to become a Thing when Jesus Christ died and was started to gain Rebirth as Eostre's Holiday was changed as a rebranded to Jesus' Rebirth. Eostre felt heartbroken that the Germans lost faith into celebrating her own Festival that they gave to her but she couldn't help but feel bad for the Son of Yahweh (God). Because on how Jesus' death was harsh and that he would be reborn, Eostre sent out one of the Animals to save the Rebirth of Jesus, One Faithful Bunny stood up to the Goddess. His name was "Petrus" (sometimes known as "Peter"). Eostre sent out Petrus to find where Jesus is, but soon enough, Petrus discovered Colorful Eggs underground which sparkled the Rabbit as He and his Rabbit Colonly brought the Eggs up. When the Rabbits found Jesus on Heaven after when Petrus and his Herd of Bunnies built a ladder to Heaven, they gave Jesus a special Gift (which was the First Magical Egg known as "The Egg of Heaven"). God made Jesus be reborn as both a Lord and a Christ and even gave the Egg of Heaven a Special Grand Power of Good which eventually gave birth to the Easter Holiday. After when Petrus and the Rabbits found Jesus Christ (and after when God's Son was Reborn to watch people over), the Rabbits showed Eostre the Colorful Eggs which gave Eostre an idea as a New Holiday was Born, now known as "Easter" for whenever the Easter Bunny came, he would give Eggs and Gifts (including Chocolate) to everyone (especially for those who had been Good). But as time went on, Petrus started to become Old as he sadly passed away. Luckily, a New Easter Bunny was Born (Petrus' Son, Florian) as it was then that the Spring Goddess would raise Petrus' Son as Florian became the New Easter Bunny in the Modern Times. Eostre is pretty much in terms Neutral with King Poseidon but she does happened to like King Neptune, though she doesn't honestly really like how they sometimes would treat their own residents of the Sea. She's also a very Good Friend towards Santa Claus. She pretty much would like SpongeBob and Patrick because of their kindness and how that they would make her laugh. Eostre (c) Norse Mythology SpongeBob SquarePants (c) Stephen Hillenburg

#spongebob squarepants #eostre #german mythology #norse mythology #gods in spongebob

[fishnets-fingers]

BEEP BEEP! MAKE ROOM FOR ME AND THIS BIG ASS FEEDBACK HAHAH! ENJOYYYY GOING THROUGH THIS MESS! <333

[Layla: this could be us but you’re just being difficult]. Dayum man, I’m just waiting for it to be done

[Layla: what intrigue, you rat bastard! you literally pulled out your dick and peed in front of me. all intrigue is out the window!] Help-

[Harry: Your face was quite hilarious! You just stood there staring at me, frozen in place, with floss between your teeth lmao 😜 ] LMFAO

[Layla: you’re right. but as a subscriber, i have seen  all the pictures and videos 😈] AYEEE!!

[Harry: I told you that all you had to do was ask and I’d show you everything! Don’t waste your money, Lails. You have it all.]  Awww. Well we wanted to be an honest fan sooo

[Harry: You already support me in more ways than one.] Not me smiling like some mad human

[She had a hair in a topknot, half up half down; hair ever so straight and long, bangs tucked away behind her ear.] She looks cute!

[Harry: Don’t you look cute.] Copycat -_-

[Harry: Alright. Have fun! I love you!] My heart does summersaults every time he tells her he loves her.

[It looked very soft, especially with one of Layla’s skin coloured stockings stretched over the lens - ethereal.] He knows tricks eh

[He hits shuffle - his playlist ranged from Doja Cat, Weeknd, Cigarettes After Sex to his old dirty 80s rock - and moves over to strip himself of his shorts.] I really like his taste in music

[He was wearing his fishnets and his black briefs, shirtless on top, except for the black leather collar fastened around his neck.] Hot hot hot

[With the remote in his hand, he goes to kneel on the white mattress, sitting back on his calves, leaning forward a little - palms flat on the mattress, biceps flexed.] I’m sweating-

[He took over a hundred pictures in the next two hours. Several clicks of him laying on his side - hand splayed out on his inner thigh.] nods

[He then takes a few more of him after he folds his body and drapes his tattooed arm on his knee - his you booze you lose tattoo on display, head resting on his arm.] This man-

[For the final couple of shots, he gets up and gets closer to the camera, only his chin, neck and collarbones on display and uses his narrow black belt to thread into the metal hoop at the front of his collar, winding it around his palm and holding it taunt and takes a couple of pictures.] Is this too hot or is it just the hot weather in my area?

[the corner of his mouth drops, when he looks at the caller ID.-“Yeah?” He says in a terse manner, after he presses the green button.-“Harry!” The voice chips, a familiar voice of a now unfamiliar person. “How are you, dear boy?”-“Alright.”-“What, I only get one word answers now?” He chuckles.-“What do you want, dad?” He sighs.-“Is it a crime to call up my son to check in?”-“No.”-“What are you doing right now?”-“Oh um,” his cheek flushes with colour as he looks around the room. It’s not like he could tell him he was taking pictures for his OnlyFans. “Just tidying up around the house.”-“Always the one to help your mum around the house. Guess some things don’t change.” Harry could hear him smiling on the other end of the line.-“You know me,” he manages to get out, rolling his eyes.-“Aren’t you gonna ask me what I’m up to?”-“What are you up to?”-“I’m in Manchester. Have been here for a few days for a few meetings with the mergers and acquisition team. Walked across the milkshake place you love - Shakeaway, the one at Chorlton. You remember those giant-”-“Yeah. The butterscotch and white maltesers ones.” He smiles, wistfully.-“And the brainfreeze we’d get drinking them,” he chuckles.-“Yeah.” Harry sighs.-The line goes silent, neither not knowing what to say next.-“H, what are you doing Christmas time? Do you wanna watch a game and grab a pint at a bar?”-“I won’t be in London, Dad.”-“Oh, you and mum off on a holiday?”-“We’re staying here in the States and celebrating.”-“That’s odd. Very unlike the two of you to not come home and celebrate with mum’s family.”-“Well, we’ve made a family for ourselves here. We might pop over to granddad and grandmum’s sometime after,” he says, although he doesn’t understand why he did add the last bit in.-“Oh. Thought I could see you. I picked up a Titanic record at the market the other day. Seems like an original. Pretty rare too; you can’t get the One Night in Eagle Rock anymore. Thought I could make it your Christmas present. It’s been two years since we’ve-”-“I know. Listen, I’ve got to go. Need to head to the post office soon. Told my gir - (HE SAID MY GIRL I'M GONNA FUCKING SOB) um… my friend that I’d ship some stuff of hers.” He wasn’t fully lying, he really did need to go ship Layla’s paintings of those kittens in babushkas, but he wasn’t gonna do it right now.-“Alright. You seem to be pretty busy. Hope you’ve applied to schools.”-“Yup. If everything goes well, might head to UCSD next autumn.”-“I’m positive it’ll all go smoothly, H.”-“Fingers crossed. Hey, thanks for picking up the vinyl, you didn’t have to.”-“Of course I had to, H. That’s our thing. I’m gonna let you go now.”-“Yeah. Bye.” He clicks the red button and collapses on the couch, letting out a big breath that he wasn’t aware of holding.] The saddest song of an album is playing, my periods are around the corner, I'm reading this, and I’m tearing up.

////

[holding up a small skull of a tortoise from the glass cabinet.-“It’s only six dollars. It’s the coolest thing in this room. Doesn’t this look like a dinosaur?”] how the fuck does a tortoise skull look like a dinosaur to her lmfao

[“It's not coming into my house. Nothing belonging to dead animals.”] she forgot to add it in the end, so I'll: Periodt.

[She prattles on, poorly mimicking a cackling voice of a stereotypical witch. ] help-

[“Do birds even produce saliva?” Vasanth asks. ] now THAT is a question

[“That’s right! Democracy baby,” Vasanth exclaims, high fiving his niece.] not surprised this came out of Layla's mouth

[“That’s right! Democracy baby,” Vasanth exclaims, high fiving his niece.] Lmaoo poor Abi

[Harry sighs for the umpteenth time] I'm continuously learning new words while reading your fics xD

[He looks at the ceramic ring dish, Layla made for him, on his night stand. It was such a thoughtful gesture from her to make him a dish to keep all his rings in place. ] smiles

[which is insane considering she has only been in his life for three months now.] I understand you man, I missed her (and you too) when your author was in a writer's block

[Layla: mcr just released a new song out of the blue] HAHAH! LOVE THE FANGIRL SIDE

[Layla: have i pavloved you so much that my insults are sending all the blood rushing to your dick lmao] LMFAOO

Love him fanning over her thighs bro

[The power she has over me, he thinks, smiling as he’s coming down from his high.] and the power you two motherfuckers have over me-

////

[“You’ll find out with the rest of the family in a few days at the function.”] AHH TORTUROUS PEOPLE

[“I won’t but you’re welcome to rub my feet,” Abi giggles.] Eye-

[Can’t tell that that's an alligator,” Abi says. ] NAUR SHE'S NOT EATING A GODDAMN ALLIGATOR WTF

////

[“Alright, I’m gonna pop over to Harry’s,” she says, hands going into the pockets of her sweats.-“We just got in,” Vasanth raises his brow.-“So?”-“Don’t you wanna shower first?”-“I’ll do it later.”] grins

[He got sucked into the game the minute he got to know that he could name his animals and his character.] lmaooo

[“Give me a minute I just need to collect one more Goddess Gem, so I can marry the Harvest Goddess.”] Seriously- I will throw fucking hands.

[“Wait?!? Why am I helping you?”] THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I'M WONDERING BYOTCH

[“Fine.” She huffs. “Guess, sex is off the table then. I’m gonna take a shower.” She unzips her lilac puffer jacket and shuffles it on his floor.-“Whoa, hold on now.” He flips the device close and puts it on the desk and walks towards her.] I'm honestly gonna throw this man off the 12th floor of a apartment.

[“Hi, baby.” He whispers, bending down to nuzzle his nose against hers. “I missed you so fucking much.”] *smiles* *realizes that i'm smiling* yeah well whatever.

[“Nice try but never.”] didn't expect anything else.

[“My sweet girl  wants to be touched, huh?”-She nods. “Cut it out with the teasing,” she demands. -And he does.] lmao the power she has over him

[“Can I not use a condom? Just wanna feel all of you.”-“Okay. Pull out, alright.”] just telling you that I hate pregnancy trope, yanno, just in case...

[She was indescribable, almost like his antidote.] hmmm, nice.

[He notices her hands - one gripping onto the shower handle, the other clawing onto the cold tile and he can’t help but feel jealous.] I fucking knew it.

I cannot express in words how good you write a smut. Like I need to bow down to you

[“Hurts,” she gasps, tightening around him.-“Motherfuck,” he moans loudly. “Don’t. Or I’ll come,” he warns and she relaxes around his throbbing prick.] Harry seems a little weird in this part, idk why..

[“Fuck fuck fucking hell,” he curses, eyes screwed shut, pulling out of her hurriedly - just in time -  as he comes all over her stomach – warmth spreading in his body. ] thank fuck oh my god

[He hooks her leg onto his shoulder, palms laying flat against her belly - holding her squirmy body still - as he dives into her folds, intending to take full advantage of what his scruff can do. ] this sentence was alone HOT enough.

////

[She’s threatened to bite him if he ever woke her up early during the weekends for his runs.] das my girl

[They’d both start with a cuddle but would eventually need their own space, because they were both predominantly stomach sleepers. ] THANK YOU FOR NORMALIZING THIS!! Majority of the writers make it seem like their characters be cuddeling all night like Koalas clung to some tree

[Until you. I like cuddling with you because it makes me feel like that. Like safe and comfortable enough to let my guard down to accept your care. So no, I’m not putting up with it just because you’re a touch person. I look forward to it actually.” It knocked the soul out of him. He went home that night and cried himself to sleep knowing that he was able to provide a haven for his sweet girl. ] WAIT. I know I have read this para before. By you obviously. But I've read this before.

[They are also creatures of habit, quite like you.] heheh

[“They are- wait am I waffling about and boring you?” He stops.] That honestly hurts. When someone is talking about something and in the middle they cut themselves off and go: 'am i boring you' or something. Like it just hurts.

[“Harry, don't sell yourself short. No one just gets to go on an all expense paid year long research expedition in the Arctic Circle, especially when they are right out of school.” ] self appreciation is real important, but who am i to say

[She always gave and gave, sometimes it resulted in back and forths just to get her to accept care from him. Care in the form of appreciation. Gratitude. Helping her with whatever she was doing. Helping her unwind with a massage or a movie.  Paying for things. Wanting to spoil her. But it was hard sometimes. She was far too stubborn. He’d also notice the way her eyes flit around any room they walk into, assessing the situation, like she’s gauging the temperature of the water by dipping her toe in before taking the plunge. Taking care of people was her default mode, she’d find time to squeeze the act in even if she was slammed that day. His fingers drift to the exposed honey like skin under her collarbone, she was wearing his white ribbed tank and one of the sleeves had slid down her shoulder. He presses his lips to her sleep warm cheek, sighing in response to her scent crescendoing. ] I don't think I'll be able to let go of Layla after how attached I've become to her and how much similarities we share.

////

[“You’re full of surprises, little girl.”] oh tell me about it

[“Not really. Her recipes are always elaborate and time intensive. Everyone came over to relax, so spending over two hours on a recipe wasn’t at the top of their list.”] mate cooking together for 2 hours would be rather fun than 'relaxing'

[and she always goes ‘why don’t you ask me to die already,’”] lmfaoo

[He drops his white tote on the ram recliner] I absolutely love tote bags, like I've been obsessed with them since I was 12-13

[“Lovely afternoon, is it not?” Harry takes Earl’s hand and presses his lips to his knuckles, cracking them all up.] lmao this trio is the best

[He was wearing a pair of hot pink and neon green checkered shorts - it looked like it was stitched from a curtain.] that fact that I know what shorts you're talking about and + the description made me cackle

[“Wait, snail poison?!?” Layla exclaims.-“Yeah. There’s an infestation of them in my cabbage patches.”-“So you’re planning to kill them?”-Earl nods. “They’ve chowed down on almost all of my cabbages, those fat slimy bastards.”] just pick them up and leave them in mud it's not that hard??

[“Fat chance. I’m not touching those slimy things. You’re on your own, baby.”] help- lmao I wish I was there

[The next few minutes go by in silence as Layla gets to slicing up the tomatoes and lettuce. She keeps giving the two dirty looks every now and then as she arranges the thinly sliced tomatoes on a bed of lettuce.] such a Layla thing to do xD

[“He'd rather die than tell you what’s in there Earl. Don’t even try, you’d only be wasting your time,” Layla informs, as she picks up a spoon to transfer the shrimp on top of the tomatoes. ] I get Harry very well in this one. I love journaling too and have like a whole stack of journals which are full

[“Umm… just things. Things that I see, emotions I experience, things that I like, things that pop up in my head.” He slides the book closer to him. ] Do you need scissors? To like, cut the tension? Cause man it's thick.

[“Let’s head to the dining room. The boy’s uncomfortable. His ears are to his shoulders. Well, Harry, we get that it’s personal. But I would be happy to read whatever you write, if you are comfortable sharing.” Earl slips out of the barstool. “I’m gonna head to the restroom and wash up.”-“Thanks, Earl.” He nods and Earl squeezes his shoulders before he disappears into the hallway. ] Yeah, thanks Earl :)

[A slight drizzle for Harry and Earl, and two generous tablespoons -with all the sliced chillies -for her. ] we love chilly/spicy food

“I’m old these things happen more often now. It’s not the first time. I’ll be fine.”

[“Sure. Almost forgot to tell you this.” He gets closer to her, lips close to her ear like he’s gonna share a secret. “You look beautiful today,” he says, trailing his fingertips down her cheek. His feathery stroke tickles when he gets to the column of her neck, making her squirm. “Your shirt is just marvellous,” he cockily smirks, fingers coming to clasp her gold elephant pendant that rested on the centre of her collarbones.] Smirks

I loved the exchange they had after this <333

[“I’m old these things happen more often now. It’s not the first time. I’ll be fine.”] that's straight up more worrying.

[Earl can’t help but notice the little things between the two of them and how much they were in sync with each other. When Layla looks around the table for something, midbite, Harry wordlessly heads to the kitchen and brings her the bottle of sriracha. She smiles and says a muffled thank you to him, mouthful of food, and sheepishly smiles at the two of them as she proceeds to paint the inside of her sandwich with the fiery red condiment. When Harry knocks Layla’s phone off the table with his elbows, as he takes a sip of water, he watches Layla cover the edge of the wooden table with her  palm while he’s bending down to pick her phone and on cue, Harry being klutzy as ever bumps into the same spot but comes in contact with her hand and not the sharp edge.] Sighs in hopeless romantic. You got the last one from insta, didnt you eh?

[“Dance with me,” he murmurs, lips brushing against her neck, making her shiver.-“Can’t,” she smirks against his jaw. He pulls back to look at her face and frowns. “I’m on a step stool. Very restricting movement wise, I’m afraid,” she teases him.-“Dickhead,” he whispers, rolling his eyes. God, was she a menace. “Sway with me then?”-“I’d like that very much.”] I'm sure these two will give me cavity in my heart.

[They both sway together, smiling at each other, both lovestruck fools - but one unable to recognise that. The added height for Layla changed things for them, instead of burrowing her face into his chest, this time they were almost on par with each other. Harry resting his nose on top of hers, their breaths igniting warmth against their skin, chests indescribably close, lips a hairline away from one and another - brushing every now and then as they moved. Smiles stretching across their faces, dimples fully making an appearance on their cheeks.  Green eyes locked with her hickory hued orbs. Harrys mutters many ‘I love you’s in between the verses. They both felt so incredibly cocooned with each others’ endearment. It’s not a common occurrence, you see, seeing a stranger through your window and having them tight in your arms - a few months later, as you are baring your soul to them.] I think my soul just left my body.

[“Does it bother you that I haven’t said I love you back?” She asks him, lips gnawing on her bottom lip, eyes focusing  - on her painting that Earl had hung up - behind his ear.-“Why would it bother me? I told you this last time, remember… I don’t want you to rush in any way or feel like you need to tell me that you love me. I can wait. I just need you to know that I do.” He kisses her temple.-“It’s just…” Her lower lip trembles and Harry can’t help but rub this thumb over it. “J-Ju-Just,” she stumbles with her words, chest heaving a sob threatening to breach the levee. -“Hey,” he coos. His hands come to tightly grip the back of her thighs, right where her bum ends, and plops her on the counter, nudging her knees and wiggling himself in between. His hands come to cup her face, lifting her head to read her eyes. “What is it? You can tell me anything,” he prods.-A bead slips down one of her eyes and he’s quick to wipe it away with his thumb. “It’s just that I feel so guilty when you say it and I don’t. Initially when you said it, it was all tingly but now I just feel bad that I can’t. You don’t deserve this. You’re so nice to me all the time and I feel like you should be with someone who deserves you, you know.” Her heavy wet eyelashes blink up at him.-“Lails, it is not your place to tell me what I deserve. I need to - no, I want to be with you. You don’t get to tell me otherwise. You’re the one I want - on purpose. I choose you on purpose. I’m sorry you’re feeling guilty. But you should have told me about this sooner, baby. Should I stop saying it? Would that help?” He tucks a loose lock of her hair behind her ear. -

Layla thinks about it, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth, eyes flitting down to his shirt she’s wearing; she inspects the way the fabric is bunched around the tops thighs. She smooths out the creases with her fingers, feeling the seam of her jeans digging into the side of her thighs - protesting against her movement.-“No,” she says, timidly. “I don’t know,” she huffs out frustratedly. “Maybe, I’m not explaining this properly.” She uses the back of her hand to wipe her nose. “I’m scared.”-“Scared?” He asks, eyebrows arching up as he caresses her cheeks, hoping to provide her some comfort.-“It’s just that I am not very comfortable or good at expressing affection towards others. Especially, verbally. Like it’s much more valuable in a way. Especially if I bring myself to tell someone that I love them and it will just make it that much harder to lose them.” She sniffles. “What I’m blabbering… I can’t umm..” she tries, but tears spring to her eyes, and she screws them shut, trying to even out her breathing - hunkering that memory deep down.

-Layla was ten, she was busy hiding in the kitchen, using her new craft punches that her father dropped off at school when he came to visit. She only saw him at school now. Sometimes her grandparents would come with him. Her mother didn’t want her talking to them, so she’d kept it a secret. She kept the fact that her father, and sometimes her grandparents would come visit her in school grounds, after school hours for forty minutes. Her mother didn’t know about it because she had basketball practice till four thirty, and her mother came to pick her up after practice. He’d bought her a set of those paper punches which cut paper into different shapes. The same punchers, she used to make confetti with her colourful origami papers - she cut out many flowers, stars, hearts, butterflies, and fishes. Her mother had been sad when she came to pick her up. She had been sad all through that evening, so after Layla made dinner for them, her mother’s favourite - a simple vermicelli upma, she’d gone to execute her plan in motion. She went up to her mother, who was at the dining table, looking at a stack of papers wistfully and threw the confetti in her direction shouting a very loud ‘I love you, Amma’ - hoping it would cheer her up. But it went horribly wrong, her mother was startled, causing her to tip the opened water bottle all over the papers on the table. Her mother shouted profanities at her as Layla begged for forgiveness, she got up and grabbed a fistful of Layla’s hair and slammed it right on to the closest brick wall. ‘லூசுநாயே (stupid bitch)’ she yelled. Her jaw came into contact with cement first but Layla had managed to block the rest of her face from the wall by putting her palms in between her face and the wall. She couldn’t feel the pain but noticed blood on her shirt before she realised that blood was spouting from her mouth; she'd lost her first ever baby tooth from the impact - she’d found it two days later under the fridge, she’d later buried it in her backyard hoping she would grow a plant that would have teeth as flowers. Her mother quickly apologises telling her she didn’t mean to and she did this because she loves her, as she ushered Layla to the bathroom to help her rinse out the blood in her mouth. That was the last time she’d ever said I love you.-

“I’m sorry,” she mumbles shakily to Harry, after she’d shoved down that memory, blinking back the film in her eyes that made her vision hazy.

“It’s alright. You’re alright,” he tells her, he could tell she was struggling with something. -“It’s just that, it makes it more real, you know. And if something were to happen, it would make losing you so much harder. And I selfishly don’t want that.” She finishes. “I’m being stupid. Sorry.” -“Sweet girl,” he utters, resting his forehead against hers.-A snort escapes her lips and her hands immediately come to cover her mouth. “Sorry.” She giggles.-“Shut up. I don’t call you that only during sex,” he whines. Finding himself giggling with her even through his denial. -“Do you want me to start counting again?” She laughs.-“Don’t be a dickhead.” He presses his lips against her forehead.-“Can’t help it you know,” she shrugs.-“Thank you for sharing this with me,” he says, coming back to cup her face, feeling how warm her cheeks have gotten against his palms.-“Just know this, you mean the world to me, Har.”]

MAYA. YOU NEED TO STOP MAKING ME CRY DO YOU HEAR ME?? I TEARED UP TWICE WHILE READING THIS PART AND NOW I'M CRYING. I LOVE YOU THIS IS AMAZING.

////

Most people with the name Dhruv have a buzzcut idk why..

Also, you should listen to Buzzcut Season by Lorde! It's an absolute gold song.

[“Sweeeet!” He exclaims. “Loose fries!” He picks three up and pops it into his mouth. “I swear they’re laced with cocaine or some shit. Tastes so fucking better than normal fries,” he declared with his mouth full of fried potato. ] Grins

////

KILLED IT MAYA!! LOVED THIS, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE I CRIED LMAO LOVE YOUUU

How dare you think of me in such a way!!! No pregnancies for these two! They aren’t even done with college. Not full time adults yet. Why would they raise another human?? Nope. Nope. Nope.

Also you did read that paragraph. I sent it to you hehehe

Sorry for making you cry. Also I love that Ashwin isn’t mentioned here *cackles maniacally*

Eating alligators is something Layla would deffo do.

Plus, what did you think about her conversation with Harry and her flashback? (Is that the place you stopped and made you wanna rant?)

Also, thank you thank you thank you for this. I look forward to this more that I look forward to writing!! *muwah*

#book club #aprajita #six months #part nineteen

[amodato]

Willing to visit El Salvador? a country awash in vibrant colors and joyous sounds, where the festive spirit of Christmas extends far beyond a single day, enveloping the entire month of December in a warm, celebratory embrace. Welcome to El Salvador, a land where Christmas is not merely a holiday, but a deep-rooted cultural phenomenon, interwoven with the nation’s heart and soul, always ready to celebrate. This small yet spirited country transforms into a canvas of festive cheer, with streets lined with sparkling lights and homes echoing with laughter, people dancing, and of course, music. Here, Christmas is a day of fireworks for most families and their children, reflecting a rich tapestry of traditions that have evolved over centuries.

#spanish #learn #language

[sandhyahealthmenia]

[basicsspanish]

Willing to visit El Salvador? a country awash in vibrant colors and joyous sounds, where the festive spirit of Christmas extends far beyond a single day, enveloping the entire month of December in a warm, celebratory embrace. Welcome to El Salvador, a land where Christmas is not merely a holiday, but a deep-rooted cultural phenomenon, interwoven with the nation’s heart and soul, always ready to celebrate. This small yet spirited country transforms into a canvas of festive cheer, with streets lined with sparkling lights and homes echoing with laughter, people dancing, and of course, music. Here, Christmas is a day of fireworks for most families and their children, reflecting a rich tapestry of traditions that have evolved over centuries.

#learn spanish #spanish #spanish lessons #spanish for beginners #spanish language

[remodelingheroesberkeley]

 The Heart Of Berkeley: A Journey Through Live Oak Park

Nestled in the bustling city of Berkeley, like a pearl within an oyster, resides Live Oak Park.

A sanctuary of tranquility and verdant beauty, this urban park holds its roots deep in the rich tapestry of the city's history.

Established in 1916, it has stood as a silent witness to the morphing landscape and evolving narratives of Berkeley.

The park's past is a vibrant mosaic interweaving tales of indigenous Ohlone tribes who once called these lands home with stories from waves of immigrants who sought solace under its towering coastal live oaks.

Its enduring presence reflects Berkeley's resilient spirit and commitment to preserving spaces for community engagement.

Live Oak Park is not just another green space; it is indeed a living testament to Berkeley's dynamic culture and heritage.

Sprawling across 5.5 acres, this idyllic retreat offers visitors immersive experiences inspired by its unique blend of natural beauty, public art installations, and recreational facilities.

From wandering through art exhibitions held at its historic Arts Center to participating in communal gatherings at various festivals celebrated here throughout the year – every visit unfolds new layers about the city's vibrancy and diversity that silently reverberates through Live Oak Park's peaceful pathways.

History of Live Oak Park

Established in the early 20th century, Live Oak Park stands as a historical emblem of Berkeley's cultural evolution, its verdant landscape bearing silent witness to the shifting tides of history.

Sprawling over seven acres, this public park has offered an idyllic backdrop for countless community events and personal tales, contributing significantly to the city's narrative tapestry.

Initially developed as a neighborhood park with recreational amenities such as tennis courts and an indoor clubhouse, it quickly became popular among residents for picnics and leisure activities.

The park was eventually expanded with additional facilities in response to community demands - a testament to Berkeley's commitment to building inclusive spaces that catered to its diverse residents.

As the decades passed, Live Oak Park evolved alongside Berkeley itself, reflecting societal changes within its quiet confines.

The city's increasing environmental consciousness is evident in the various conservation initiatives undertaken at the park; these include creek restoration projects aimed at preserving Codornices Creek which runs through the heart of the area.

Additionally, since 1974, Live Oak Park has played host to one of Berkeley's most beloved annual traditions: The Live Oak Park Fair.

This event showcases local artists' works attracting thousands each year and reinforcing Berkeley's reputation as a haven for creative expression.

The story of Live Oak Park is not just about its physical transformation or role as a communal space but also about how it embodies Berkeley's enduring spirit – one characterized by inclusivity, environmental stewardship, and artistic flourish.

Today, visitors can experience this spirit firsthand amidst ancient coast live oak trees that give the park its name or while walking along paths studded with art installations from local artisans inspired by their surroundings' natural beauty.

No visit would be complete without pausing on one of several bridges crossing Codornices Creek; here lie serene moments that provide respite from urban clamor while offering glimpses into nature's resilience - much like Berkeley itself.

Features and Experiences at Live Oak Park

Live Oak Park, a jewel in the heart of Berkeley, offers an array of experiences for visitors ranging from nature appreciation to cultural immersion.

The park is not only a sanctuary for diverse wildlife and a showcase of natural highlights but also serves as a vibrant hub that celebrates local art and culture through various community events and activities.

As an integral part of the Berkeley community, it plays an instrumental role in promoting social interaction, fostering community spirit, and reflecting the city's rich history and culture.

Natural Highlights and Wildlife

Nestled within this urban oasis, a diverse array of flora and fauna thrive, offering visitors a chance to witness the remarkable natural highlights and wildlife that call Live Oak Park home. The park's unique location in the heart of Berkeley allows it to serve as an ecological haven for various species of birds, insects, mammals, and trees which collectively contribute to its rich biodiversity. Amidst verdant lawns and ancient oak trees that have stood the test of time, one can observe playful squirrels scampering in search of acorns while songbirds fill the air with their melodious tunes—a testament to nature's symphony at work.

1. **Coast live oaks**: Majestic coast live oaks dominate the landscape with their spreading branches draped in ferns and moss, providing a protective canopy for other plants as well as nesting spots for bird species.

2. **Creek**: Codornices Creek meanders through the park creating serene water sounds that add rhythm to this natural sanctuary while housing aquatic life including frogs and occasional salamanders.

3. **Birdlife**: A wide variety of bird species such as hummingbirds, robins, blue jays among others grace the park with their vibrant colors and enchanting songs.

4. **Flora**: An abundance of native Californian vegetation like California buckeye trees dotting the landscape infuses color into every corner during spring bloom.

This medley of nature not only offers an immersive sensory experience but also serves as a gentle reminder about the importance of urban parks in preserving local ecosystems amidst urbanization pressures. Thus by journeying through Live Oak Park's natural environment—its age-old trees whispering tales from times long past or its wildlife carrying out daily routines unaffected by human presence—one experiences an intrinsic connection with nature fostering feelings associated with belongingness towards these priceless spaces within our cityscapes.

Art and Culture at the Park

In addition to its natural splendor, the locale plays host to a vibrant tapestry of art and culture, serving as an important community hub for artistic expression and cultural events.

Live Oak Park in Berkeley is renowned for its annual arts festival that showcases local artists' crafts, paintings, ceramics, photography, and jewelry. This popular event draws crowds from across the city who come not only to admire the unique creations but also participate in various workshops designed for all age groups.

Glimpses of Berkeley's rich history are reflected in the park's art installations and sculptures that speak volumes about the socio-cultural evolution of this region.

Moreover, Live Oak Park serves as an open-air theater during summer months where theatrical performances are staged under the starlit sky. The blend of nature's grandeur with human creativity provides a mesmerizing experience that fosters a sense of belonging among attendees. Notably, many performances are adaptations of classical works which highlight Berkeley's strong historical connection with literature and philosophy.

Thus, through these diverse artistic endeavors at Live Oak Park - be it visual arts or performing arts - residents and visitors alike get a chance to engage with Berkeley's vibrant culture while fostering connections within their communities.

Community Events and Activities

Diverse community gatherings and activities further enrich the cultural landscape of this popular locale.

Live Oak Park, nestled in the heart of Berkeley, serves as a platform for various events that foster community engagement and connectivity. The park's lush greenery is frequently imbued with vibrant colors - from farmers' markets showcasing fresh local produce to charity events promoting societal wellbeing, to music festivals echoing melodies of diverse genres.

Each event is a reflection of Berkeley's rich cultural mosaic, drawing people from all walks of life who share common interests. This communal spirit transcends generational boundaries and acts as a testament to the city's inclusivity.

The annual 'Berkeley Kite Festival', held at Live Oak Park, stands out as an iconic event that symbolizes unity amidst diversity. With brightly colored kites dotting the sky against the backdrop of verdant tree canopies, it offers a visual spectacle that intertwines aesthetics with leisurely fun.

Similarly noteworthy is the 'Chocolate and Chalk Art Festival', where artists transform sidewalks into canvases using colorful chalks while chocolate enthusiasts indulge in their sweet passion. These seemingly disparate interests harmonize within this shared space, embodying Berkeley's distinct charm and character.

Engaging in these activities not only provides entertainment but also fosters a sense of belonging among participants – an intrinsic aspect of being part of the vibrant Berkeley community.

The Role of the Park in the Berkeley Community

Serving as a pivotal hub for communal activities, the park significantly contributes to the cultural vitality and social cohesion of this dynamic city. Live Oak Park, nestled in the heart of Berkeley, plays a crucial role in fostering community engagement and enhancing interpersonal relationships among residents.

As an emblem of shared space, it serves as a canvas that reflects the diverse demographics and vibrant lifestyle inherent to Berkeley. The park's significance is further underscored by its rich history which has been entwined with the city's evolution over decades; from hosting political rallies during Berkeley's activist era to now providing spaces for communal celebrations and peaceful escapes.

The role of Live Oak Park extends beyond recreation; it acts as a symbol of unity within diversity, mirroring Berkeley's multicultural ethos. Its various sections offer something for everyone - be it children playing on swings, students engrossed in their books beneath towering oaks or elderly citizens partaking in Tai Chi exercises at dawn.

Furthermore, cultural events such as art fairs and music festivals held at the park not only enliven the atmosphere but also provide opportunities for interaction among different sections of society. Thus, through its versatile offerings and inclusive ambiance, Live Oak Park provides residents with a sense of belonging – subtly reinforcing their bond with both nature and their fellow citizens.

#berkeley #california #ca #professional services

[ippworld]

Locals Tell All: Popular Festivals Across Asia, From Vietnam To Malaysia

Travelling during festival season can be an incredibly enlightening experience for tourists.

In-depth cultural norms and traditions come to the forefront when travellers get to intermingle with locals, and cultural tourism can flourish.

To share more about local festivals that takes place in Vietnam, The Philippines, Indonesia, Korea and Malaysia, some of which are under the radar for tourists, we’ve asked members of our global transcreation (creative translation) and localisation team of linguists and editors to share more about festivals they love in their home countries.

Festivals in Vietnam (Contribution by GTE Localize)

Huong Pagoda Festival

Huong pagoda is a collection of pagodas, caves, mountains and woods. Huong Pagoda Festival is one of Vietnam’s festivals celebrated in Hanoi, and tells the story of a journey to the Buddhist land in February. According to the myth, one of the Buddhas attained enlightenment there, and so Buddhists celebrate her birthday in the lunar calendar by taking a pilgrimage to Huong Pagoda in the Spring every year. It is believed that the pilgrimage will bring health, prosperity, good luck and happiness.

Hung King Temple Festival

This festival is held annually from the 8th to the 11th day of the third Lunar month. This event is in commemoration of Vietnam’s first Hung King – Kinh Duong Vuong. The purpose is to remember and pay tribute to the Hung Kings in general. On the eve of the event, one hundred lanterns are launched into the sky, and a procession travels to the High Temple to offer prayers and incense. Tourists can witness many interesting cultural activities during the festival.

Lim Festival

The festival falls on the 13th to the 15th day of the first lunar month. It’s the festival of “Quan Ho” singing, which has been named one of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2009. During this celebration at Lim Village near Hanoi, you can enjoy local games like bamboo swings, cockfighting, tug-of-war, wresting, etc, and listen to the highlight of the festival – Quan Ho folk singing performances. Locals will perform in traditional costumes on several stages built within the village.

Festivals in The Philippines (Contribution by Shiela Salcedo)

Sinulog Festival (Santo Nino)

One of the most popular festivals in the Philippines, Cebu’s Sinulog Festival is an important religious and cultural celebration for the country’s predominantly Catholic population. It is held on every third Sunday of January and features a grand parade and colourful performances that include fireworks and music.

The Christmas Seasons

Did you know that Philippines has the longest Christmas celebration in the world? Christmas songs are heard and decorations are displayed starting from September to Epiphany on the 6th of January. The iconic parol, a Christmas ornament that resembles a lantern with a five-pointed star, adorn buildings and Filipino homes. Children singing Christmas carols and shops selling Christmas rice cakes like bibingka and puto bumbong are just some of the common occurrences during the festive season.

Festivals in Malaysia (Contribution by Aniza Borhan)

Langkawi Water Festival

Organised as a 3-day festival held every year in April, the Langkawi Water Festival celebrates water sports and activities. A series of challenges and competitions, from sandcastle building to kayak races and beach netball, makes it exciting for locals and tourists alike. Started in 2002, it managed to set a Malaysian Record for holding a record-breaking 115 activities in a single event in 2008.

Harvest Festival (Kaamatan)

An ancient pagan celebration to honour a successful harvest and celebrated by the Kadazan-Dsun ethnic group in Sabah, Kaamatan lasts for the month of May, ending with a public holiday. It includes a beauty pageant to crown a harvest queen, and also showcases a dance performance (the Sumazau) and a singing contest (Sugandoi), as well as other arts and crafts performances. A similar festival called Gawai is celebrated by the Iban, Bidayuh, Murut and Kayan tribe in Sarawak.

Festivals in Korea (Contribution by Jay Kwak)

Boryeong Mud Festival

A popular festival with foreigners living in Korea, the Mud Festival in Boryeong takes place during each Summer. Originally conceived in 1998 to promote cosmetics made with Boryeong mud (considered rich in minerals), the festival lasts for 2 weeks.

Jinju Lantern Festival

Meant to commemorate the Jinjuseong Battle of 1592, the Jinju Lantern Festival occurs in October each year. It includes a beautiful light display that celebrates lanterns with workshops and exhibitions.

Festivals in Indonesia (Contribution by Sugeng Hariyanto)

Yadnya Kasada (Kasodo)

Celebrated in Bromo (more specifically, Mount Bromo) in East Java by the indigenous Tenggerese community, Yadnya Kasada is held during the full moon of Kasada Month in the traditional Hindu Tengger calendar (18 July 2021 for this year). Meant to honour Sang Hyang Widhi, God Almighty, the day of Yadnya Kasada starts long before daybreak for devotees. There are prayers on Mount Bromo and then the throwing of a series of offerings into the crater itself. Although it is only for one day, but a series of ceremonies start a week before the Yadnya Kasada day.

Sekaten

Sekaten is a festival in Yogyakarta that lasts for a week and commemorates the birthday of prophet Muhammad. Usually celebrated from the 5th to the 12th day of Mulud month (in 2021 it will be in October) in the Javanese calendar, a mountain of sweets and foods is protected by royal guards and then carried with a procession to the Grand Mosque. A ceremonial gamelan (musical ensemble) will take place, only played once a year during this festival.

#transcreation #business translations

[celebrat-world]

What does mean in text? https://celebrat.net/celebrations/what-does-mean-in-text/

#Celebrat : Home of Celebration #Events to Celebrate #Wishes #Gifts ideas and more !

[writing-good-vibes]

i want blood, guts and chocolate cake

in honour of brad's birthday, i am thirsting over charles lee ray. set pre-child's play in the human!chucky x f!reader universe i am working on for a longer fic. WARNING for smut.

You had no idea what time Chucky would get home, you never did, but you felt him get up that morning. Out of bed, creeping around to get dressed (bumping into your dresser and swearing under his breath), the sound of his heavy footsteps on the stairs and then finally the slam of the back door closing. You jumped up, hurriedly, putting your pyjamas on.

Heading downstairs and into the kitchen, you pulled out the carefully stashed baking supplies from the back of the cupboard.

It was Chuck’s birthday, the least you could do was bake a cake.

You never claimed to be a chef, but you were somewhat proud in the fact you’d basically perfected baking a simple cake. Just mix the ingredients and bake.

Once the cake was successfully in the oven, you started on the frosting. This could be an issue. You were not a fan of chocolate frosting, but Chucky loved it. And it was his birthday.

You sighed, turning to one of your housemates who was sat at the table eating breakfast. “You reckon I should do vanilla or chocolate frosting?”

“What flavour is the cake?”

“Chocolate.”

“I’d go with chocolate frosting then.”

You sighed again. Fine, chocolate it was.

You got to work, mixing a huge batch of frosting to smother the cake. You’d even bought coloured icing to write a message on the top.

Your brow furrowed as you tried to think of something witty to write. Anticipation was building in you already as you pictured his reaction.

***

It was late that afternoon that Chucky returned, you heard him barge in past the poor housemate who’d opened the front door for him and then his harsh knocking on your bedroom door. You jumped from your desk and unlocked the door.

Chuck shouldered past you and threw himself face first on the bed, rolling onto his back and trying to shimmy out of his coat without getting back up.

“Hey, Chuck.”

“Afternoon, babe,” he replied, offhandedly. If someone had particularly pissed him off or things hadn’t gone his way, he was distant and moody until either you had sex to cheer him up, or he seethed for long enough and perked up by himself.

“Have you forgotten what day it is?” you asked. You knew he wasn’t the biggest celebrater of birthdays, happy to simply ignore them altogether, but you wanted to celebrate, make the day special – or at least enjoyable – it kind of upset you that he’d gone AWOL for most of the day, so you couldn’t spend it with him.

“I have not,” he replied.

You frowned and sighed, but went over the bed and lay beside him, “Happy birthday, Chuck.”

His movements stilled.

Sensing his unease, you added, “I got you a present.”

His smirk returned, “Oh yeah?” His hand snaked around your waist, “Am I gonna enjoy it?” he said, suggestively.

“You will, later,” you promised, knowing exactly what he was talking about, “But I have another present for you first.”

You stood back up, putting Chuck’s hands over his eyes. “Stay there, I’ll be 2 minutes!”

He sighed with annoyance but did as you said, lay on the bed with his hands where you placed them.

You hurried down to the kitchen again, retrieving the cake from the counter, along with two smaller plates and a knife, and juggling the whole lot back upstairs to your room. When you got back, Chucky was sat on the edge of the bed, his shoes kicked off and his jacket slung over the chair in the corner but, surprisingly, his hands were still over his eyes.

“Hurry up, I'm not waiting around all day like this,” he complained.

 You set the cake down on your desk and removed the tinfoil covering it. Picking it up on its plate, you held it out to Chucky, low enough that he could read the message on the top. “Open your eyes!”

He moved his hands, blue eyes first going to your face and then dropping to the cake in your hands, scanning the icing quickly. He burst out laughing, throwing his head back and grabbing his side.

A grin stretched across your face.

“Baby, this is,” he tried to speak between laughs, “this is a work of art!”

The cake was covered in chocolate frosting, and the wonky lettering on top spelled out “Happy birthday Chuck!” and in much smaller and, honestly barely legible, writing you had written, “Thanks for screwing me for a whole year of your life.”

He bit his lip as his laughs subsided, looking into your eyes wickedly. You placed the cake back on the desk, cutting you each a slice.

Chucky was not a polite eater, picking the slice up with his fingers and taking a huge bite.

“Wow, maybe I’ll make a housewife of you yet,” he comments slyly.

“You wish,” you replied, sitting beside him on the bed and poking through all the frosting with a fork to get to the cake inside.

He wolfed down the cake, licking the frosting from his fingers and sighing impatiently when it took you longer to finish eating. Despite this impatience, you just knew he’d be angling for another slice later, and probably another. His sweet tooth was something to be reckoned with when he was in a good mood.

No sooner had you taken the last bite, was the plate out of your hands and practically thrown on the desk. He grabbed your chin, so you had to look into his eyes, “Do I get my other present now?”

You shrugged, pretending like it was inconsequential to you, “I don’t know, maybe.”

“Don't get smart with the birthday boy,” he snarled, pulling your face towards his and kissing you roughly. He still tasted like chocolate.

You smirked, taking his face in your hands, and kissing him deeper. “Only because it’s your birthday,” you muttered between kisses.

He pushed you back on the bed, climbing on top of you, hands working fervently to get your clothes off while maintaining the kiss.

Deciding to help him out, you pulled your tank top over your head, while he did the same with his shirt.

He ripped your pyjama pants and panties off in one go, and you kicked them away before they got tangled around your feet.

His fingers were warm against you and, pushing one inside, you keened against his hand.

“Chucky, please!”

Chucky usually had no patience, but it was his birthday after all, and he was allowed to have some fun with you, “Please what?” he pushed another finger in, thrusting them slowly.

Why was he playing hard to get when this was his birthday fuck? “Please,” you begged again, “I need it.”

“You do, do you?” he removed his fingers, slick with your wetness, and unbuttoned his trouser. Pulling his dick out, he continued, “You’re all mine, aren’t you?”

“Yes,” you whined, wrapping your legs around his waist to draw him closer.

His hand brushed your cheek, before he planted it firmly next to your head, to give him leverage as he thrust into you.

Your gasp elongated into a moan as he filled you, your mouth hot by his ear.

***

Afterwards, when you lay panting, his face pressed against your neck, you mumbled, “You’re not going out again tonight are you?” You didn’t want him to leave you again, and you didn’t put it past him going out on whatever expeditions he undertook late at night, even on his own birthday.

“Nah, babe, I’m not,” he dotted a few kisses on your neck, working from just under your ear to the dip of your collarbone.

“So, I’ve got you all to myself tonight?”

“I’m all yours.”

#charles lee ray #chucky #charles lee ray x reader #child's play #chucky x reader #brad dourif #i subscribe to the head canon that chucky is a sucker for a girl that willl cook for him #you care more about chucky's birthday than he does #human!charles lee ray #human!chucky #this is gonna be a whole thing.. im working on it i swear #brad would no doubt hate this.. bit this is my way of celebrating his birthday #smut #can't stand to see him walk out the door

[pilipit]

A Day of Celebration by Fanny Brate

The artist Fanny Brate depicts her daughters, Astrid and Torun, in the Brate family home in Bergslagen in central Sweden. The image combines the fin-de-siècle dream of a happy childhood with manor-house romanticism and the meadow flowers of Swedish summer.

The light interior design ideals of today derive in part from this tradition, which in turn drew inspiration from Swedish vernacular objects, domestic crafts, and the English Arts and Crafts movement. A charming scene, isn't it?

Early Life:

Fanny Ingeborg Matilda Brate, née Ekbom was a Swedish painter born on February 26, 1861 in Arvfurstens palats, a palace that was previously the private residence of Princess Sophia Albertina of Sweden.She was born and raised in there because her father was a clerk in the household of King Oscar II.

Arist in The Making:

While studying at an all-girls school she was taking part-time painting classes at the Arts and Crafts School. In 1885, she received recognition when she was awarded a Royal Medal for her painting Art Friend.

Art Style:

During her time in Paris, she visited many Impressionist exhibitions. Her later paintings show a direct influence of her time spent abroad. She painted many scenes featuring children in everyday life over the 19th and 20th centuries.

Legacy:

Although she painted many scenes featuring children in daily, outdoor activities, Fanny Brate became best known for her domestic interiors. The Day of Celebration, also known as Namnsdag is her most popular work, it is currently displayed in the National Museum in Stockholm.

#art #art academia #paintings #fanny brate #1902 #museum #sweden #swedish painter #art of the day #art facts #facts #artist of the day #stockholm #museum aesthetic #art aesthetic