Tumgik
#Public Speaking for Beginners
jozistyle · 1 month
Text
Business or Pleasure: Traveling for Work
The Pleasure of Traveling for Work: I must confess that I love travelling, and when I can combine it with work, it’s even more enjoyable. I’ve had the opportunity to travel to various destinations, including Durban and Cape Town, to conduct training workshops. These experiences have not only allowed me to share my knowledge but also to connect with people from different backgrounds and…
Tumblr media
View On WordPress
0 notes
sparklymentalitypanda · 7 months
Text
youtube
Welcome to Episode 2 of our empowering series on "The Art of Public Speaking". In this episode, we'll delve into the essential aspects of building confidence and conquering shyness to become a more effective communicator. 👉 Subscribe to my channel to stay tuned:   
In this episode, we're going to share valuable insights, practical tips, and inspiring stories that will boost your self-assurance and help you conquer your shyness. If you're a seasoned speaker looking to refine your skills or a beginner striving to overcome your shyness, this episode is packed with practical tips and techniques to help you succeed.
Here Lamide Diji shares his personal experiences and insights into how anyone, even introverts, can transform themselves into fantastic speakers in public. He delves into the importance of habitually taking uncomfortable actions and pushing their boundaries to build confidence. Lamid emphasizes the significance of positive visualization, embracing curiosity, and maintaining a positive environment to reduce self-doubt and anxiety when approaching strangers.
The conversation covers the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, with Lamid sharing his perspective on emotional control and the balance between stoicism and embracing emotions. He believes that entrepreneurship is not just about growth but also about enjoying the journey and having fun in the process.
Lamide Diji, a master in helping individuals find their voice and speak with confidence, shares his inspiring transformation from a shy introvert to a dynamic public speaker. His approach to habitual uncomfortable action is a key element, along with personal development and the joy of embracing life's adventures.
Our expert speakers will share their personal experiences, insights, and actionable advice to help you develop the confidence you need to shine in any public speaking situation.
Whether you're preparing for a job interview, delivering a presentation at work, or just want to become a more engaging communicator in social settings, this episode has something for everyone. Join us on this journey of personal growth and self-discovery, and unlock your true potential as a public speaker.
Towards the end of the video, Lamid and the host take on a pull-up challenge to demonstrate the importance of small steps and persistence in personal growth.
If you found this video helpful, please give it a thumbs up, subscribe to our channel, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with our upcoming episodes. Feel free to share your thoughts, questions, and personal experiences in the comments section. Let's learn and grow together on this exciting journey toward mastering the art of public speaking!
1 note · View note
Text
Public speaking is important for several reasons
Tumblr media
Public speaking helps build confidence, which is essential for career advancement. It enhances self-assurance and can lead to increased success in various professional settings.
Good public speaking skills can set you apart in the workplace, making you more effective in sales, leadership, and communication.
Effective Communication and Persuasion:
Public speaking is crucial for conveying messages effectively, whether it is to inform, persuade, or entertain an audience.
It helps to build trust with colleagues and clients, which is vital for professional relationships.
Improves Listening Skills:
Public speaking also enhances listening skills, as speakers must be prepared to receive feedback and adapt to different situations.
Enhances Leadership and Team Management:
Public speaking skills are essential for effective team management. They help to showcase leadership abilities and can lead to greater success in various roles.
Increases Self-Assurance and Social Connection:
Public speaking can increase self-assurance, which is valuable in both personal and professional settings. It also provides opportunities to connect with others who share similar interests.
Historical Significance and Impact:
Public speaking has played a significant role in shaping history, with speeches often marking important events and influencing people's actions.
0 notes
spinasourswriting · 10 months
Text
Glossophobia
(The fear of public speaking)
Hello.
My name is Jason and I have an interview for a new school coming up.
I'm not looking forward to it though. I have major stage fright.
When I have to speak infront of a crowd or even just a singular interviewer, I freeze up.
Awhile back, I had to give a presentation for my English speaking exam.
We got the option to either present it to the whole class or just to the teacher.
Obviously I chose to do it infront of just the teacher.
When it was my turn to present, I stepped up onto the little stage. My whole body was shaking and I felt like I was going to pass out, but I didn't say anything because I was embarrassed.
I started my presentation, reading off the notes in my book. Every so often I would look up and try to acknowledge my teachers existence, but when I would look up, I just saw the whole room moving and spinning, my teacher was so distorted I could barely see his facial features.
I really felt like I was going to pass out, but I was desperately trying to keep it together.
I was stuttering so much and I could feel tears forming in my eyes.
I finished my presentation and my teacher gave me a good grade (to my surprise). I think he could tell I was really struggling but I had put a lot of effort into researching the topic I chose, so I guess he thought I did well on the part.
I never spoke to anyone in my English class. I was just terrified of saying something wrong and people making fun of me so I didn't even try talking.
(Had to write a short story about a random phobia, I got glossophobia which is kinda funny cuz I'm absolutely terrified of speaking infront of people, so it wasn't too difficult coming up with a story. The character narrating is not me btw but it is somewhat based on my experiences.)
1 note · View note
neworkimprov · 1 year
Text
Level 1 Improv Comedy Class Saturdays 12pm Times Square NYC
Join us for eight weeks of fun playing improv comedy games, while developing life long friends and valuable life skills. Register on Eventbrite Level 1 Improv Comedy Class Saturdays 12pm Times Square NYC Spread much needed laughter while developing performing and valuable life skills: Creative writing Critical / out of the box thinking Public Speaking Listening,…
Tumblr media
View On WordPress
0 notes
clairenatural · 7 months
Text
Dean doesn't like the word "boyfriend." He decides this the second time Cas says it–the first time it was new, shiny, exciting. The second time, he fights the urge to cringe.
It's not the "boy" part. It's not. It would have been, for a long time, but he's dug all that shit up and unpacked all the suitcases. They hold hands in public. They kiss goodbye in front of his coworkers at the garage.
It's just–not enough. Not nearly. Jack comes home from hanging out with his friends and fills Dean on the gossip and his boyfriend and her girlfriend and–that's not them. "Boyfriend" feels like a cheap mockery. Like how demons used to tease.
He's heard "partner." He's heard it from Sam, to Eileen, but he doesn't know how he can stomach it. He's said that word too many times. I'm Agent Tyler and this is my partner, Agent Perry. This is my partner, Agent Page. My partner, Agent Stills. All lies. Sam says he likes it, that he's making it mean something real. Besides, Eileen loves it.
Good for them, Dean thinks. It makes his skin crawl.
So he sticks with “boyfriend” and he shrugs off the funny urge to protest every time Cas says it. It makes him happy, and honestly, it’s not like he has an alternative.
It’s a Sunday when he realizes that somehow, Cas does. They’re at the farmer’s market, like Cas is every weekend, but Dean had picked up weekend shifts and missed the past few. Cas is excited the whole way there, telling Dean about how he’d manage to befriend the local honey vendor in his absence, how she’d invited him to a beginner’s apiarist group she helps run. They beeline (heh) to the honey booth as soon as they get there, and the woman--Judith? Janice?--smiles up at them both, hands Cas a jar of honey like she’d been expecting him, and says “Oh, this must be the husband! I’ve heard so much about you.”
Dean stares at Cas. Cas stares at the honey. Judith/Janice stares at both of them, smile fading as the silence goes on a beat too long. 
Dean clears his throat. “Uh, yeah. The husband, that’s me! Ha ha.” Beside him, Cas relaxes, just barely. In front of him, the woman breathes an audible sigh of relief. “Sorry,” Dean shifts. “Just didn’t, um. Realize I was such a hot topic.” 
The smile he gets is almost sympathetic. “Oh, only good things. Here,” she hands him a business card. “You should also come out to our meeting on Wednesday. Lots of people bring their partners.” She leans in, almost conspiratorial. “Beekeeping can be wonderful for couples.”
It’s at this point that Cas clears his throat and finally looks up from the honey in his hand, evidently giving up hope on escaping this conversation. “Thank you, Janet.” (oh. Janet.) “Dean works late on Wednesdays, but I’m very excited to see you all.” He’s pulling out money as he says this, apparently deciding to just go ahead and end the entire interaction. He hands her the bills, grabs Dean’s hand, and is already moving away from the booth by the time Janet calls “See you Wednesday!” after them.
Cas drags him all the way back to the car without stopping for tomatoes, or Sam's carrots, or the free-range eggs that are way too expensive but Cas buys anyway because you can taste when the hen is well cared-for, Dean (whatever that means). They slide into the car, still not talking, and sit in silence for several long seconds. Dean stares at Cas, who stares out the windshield at the parking lot.
"I can explain," Cas speaks, finally, right as Dean was about to open his mouth and say anything to break the silence.
Dean pauses. Can you? Cause I feel like I missed a few chapters, he thinks.
"I don't work late on Wednesdays," he says instead.
"Oh." Now it's Cas staring at Dean, and Dean staring out at the asphalt.
He turns the keys. He drives them home.
Later, making dinner, Dean rolls the word around in his head. Husband. He's making his husband pasta (It's missing the tomatoes. He's made more with less).
Husband doesn't feel like a costume, like an ill-fitting suit and scratchy tie. It doesn't feel like high school gossip, or a monster trying to hit him where it hurts. It settles in warm in his chest.
It's just the two of them that night, and they're eating in the comfortable silence of the bunker until Dean clears his throat and brings it up. "Why does Janet at the farmer's market think we're married?"
Cas pauses, fork of pasta halfway to his mouth. He puts the fork down and takes a deep breath. "I'm sorry."
"I'm not mad," Dean hurries to clarify. "It's just that there's usually, uh. Steps, you know. Like a whole....thing."
"I'm aware." Cas sighs. "She assumed, seeing us around - the first time I spoke to her without you, she asked where my husband was. And I..."
"You didn't correct her?"
"...No. I, um." Cas is looking down at his plate again. He picks up the fork, still half-full of pasta, then puts it back down again. "I didn't want to?" He says the end of the sentence like a question but looks back up at Dean and squints just a bit, and Dean knows he's watching for a reaction.
"Uh huh."
"It felt trivial."
"To tell her we're not married?"
"To call you my boyfriend." For the first time, he stumbles over the word.
Dean blinks. "You--" he stops, brain processing too much information to finish that sentence. "Okay." He leans back in his chair. Sighs. Rubs a hand across his eyes and lets it drag down his face. "Okay, listen. I don't like boyfriend either, but we gotta...talk about it."
"We are talking about it. You don't like it either?" Cas leans forward as Dean slumps back, following him across the table.
Dean snorts. "No, man." He shakes his head. "It's been a decade. I've seen you die." Six times. But who's counting.
"I agree." Cas pauses, and then, as if it's the most natural conclusion in the world, "Will you marry me?"
Dean actually laughs at this. "You're asking me that now?"
Cas quirks an eyebrow at him. "I've grown quite fond of calling you my husband at the farmer's market. I'd like to continue."
Dean stares at him in disbelief. It's not how he'd pictured it going, but he also can't think of it going any other way. Slowly, he nods. "Yeah, okay. Let's be husbands."
Across the table, Cas grins at him.
"But we're getting rings," Dean points a finger at him, because something about this is going to be normal.
"If you'd like. Although I already told Janet that you can't wear a ring because of your work at the garage, and I don't wear mine in solidarity."
"Rings," Dean insists, and decides to overlook the rest of that sentence. For now. He stabs his fork into a pile of the pasta. "And let me stop for the damn tomatoes next time."
They get rings and wear them on chains around their necks. Cas puts a beehive on the hill, and there's a small ceremony in the summer - a "vow renewal" to Cas' beekeeping group, who all receive invites attached to little jars of honey. Janet gets the nicest one.
3K notes · View notes
yumeka-sxf · 3 months
Text
Japanese Linguistic Observations in Spy x Family - part 1
This is a post series I've been planning for a while and I've finally had the time to complete part 1! 😃 I may have mentioned here before that I got my B.A. in Japanese/East Asian Studies, and even though I'm not fluent, I know the linguistics of the language fairly well. So I thought it would be fun to examine the interesting aspects of the Japanese version of the SxF manga that aren't reflected in the English translation. It might also be an informative experience for those who don't know any Japanese to learn a bit about the language through SxF! I'll try not to get too technical with the linguistics and keep my explanations at a beginner's level.
-----
Part 1 - Twilight's "honne and tatemae"
One of the main themes in SxF is how many of the characters have secrets they want to hide, so they act a certain way in front of others in order to mask their true selves. Japanese has a word for this phenomena called 本音と建前 ("honne and tatemae").
Tumblr media
I remember learning about the concept of "honne and tatemae" during my Japanese college studies – a quick google search will yield a lot of publications on the topic and its relation to Japanese culture in particular. While the idea of hiding one's true intentions behind a fake facade can exist anywhere and is not something unique to Japan, it is enough of an occurrence in Japanese culture that there are specific words for it. The Wiki article has a basic but good definition of honne and tatemae, to quote:
A person's honne may be contrary to what is expected by society or what is required according to one's position and circumstances, and they are often kept hidden, except with one's closest friends. Tatemae is what is expected by society and required according to one's position and circumstances, and these may or may not match one's honne. In many cases, tatemae leads to outright telling of lies in order to avoid exposing the true inward feelings.
Sounds very much like the characters in SxF, doesn't it? Twilight especially, because unlike other characters like Yor and Anya, who simply have secrets they need to keep but don't create fake personas for themselves, Twilight does – the cheerful, friendly Loid Forger is a different person from the cold, calculating Twilight after all. Also unlike Yor and Anya, who speak the same way consistently no matter who they're talking to, Twilight uses different speech levels depending on which persona he's using and who he's talking to.
Tumblr media
There are many different levels of speech in Japanese, ranging from super formal to totally crude. These speech levels are distinguished mostly by the pronouns the speaker chooses to use for themselves and who they're speaking to, as well as how they choose to conjugate the words they use. For example, 座ってください (suwatte kudasai), 座って (suwatte,) and 座れ (suware) all mean "sit," as in, telling someone to sit down. But the tone being conveyed is different: the first one is polite, the second one is casual, and the last one could be seen as rude if you're not using it with a close friend/family member.
As Twilight, he uses casual speech with the masculine and less polite pronoun 俺 or オレ (ore). This is the speech he uses when talking to a fellow spy like Fiona, and for his own inner thoughts.
Tumblr media Tumblr media
As Loid Forger, he uses the polite 敬語 (keigo) speech, which is basically comprised of using the -ます (-masu) conjugation for verbs and the "to be" verb です (desu). He also uses the pronoun ボク or 僕 (boku), which is the standard male pronoun and more polite than "ore." He uses keigo to address pretty much everyone who doesn't know his true identity. When talking to a higher-up like Sylvia, he'll still use "ore" but will use polite speech instead of casual speech.
Tumblr media
Anya is an exception to this: with her, he uses his most casual speech, the same as he uses with Franky.
Tumblr media
I discussed a bit about this in part 24 of my Twiyor analysis posts, but this could be because Anya is a little kid, so he doesn't feel the need to put on any airs with her (same with Bond, whom he also uses casual speech with).
An interesting side note is that, as a child, Twilight used the pronoun "boku" but then changed to "ore" as soon as he became an adult/soldier.
Tumblr media Tumblr media
Another aspect of keigo, besides using the more polite forms of pronouns and verb conjugations, is putting the honorific さん (san) after people's names. Twilight does this all the time with Yor, as she does with him. However, he switches to casual speech and drops the "san" part in her name when addressing her in front of people who (supposedly) believe they're a real married couple, such as Yuri and Fiona – because it would be weird for a real couple who have been married for a year to address each other in such a formal way, especially the husband. In the below panel when Fiona visits them, he's calling her "Yor" instead of "Yor-san" and using casual speech instead of keigo.
Tumblr media
Oddly in these situations, while he uses just "Yor" when addressing her directly, he still calls her "Yor-san" when talking about her. During Yuri's first visit for example, he calls her "Yor-san" when telling Yuri how much Anya loves her (talking to someone about her) but then calls her just "Yor" a few moments later when telling her that he'll clean up the spill (talking to her directly). It's strange to me that he wouldn't just consistently use "Yor" whether he's talking to her or about her in these situations...I'm honestly not sure if he does this intentionally or if he just slips up since he's so used to using "Yor-san" in her presence.
*UPDATE* Thank you to @dentedintheworld-blog for enlightening me with the below reply about this!
"In Japanese, when speaking to your spouse's family about your spouse, you address her/him by attaching "san" her/his name out of respect for her/his family. This is also to show her/his family that you respect your spouse. That's why Loid calls Yor with san when he talks about how much he loves Yor to Yuri."
That definitely makes sense for why Twilight switches between "Yor" and "Yor-san" in these situations.
Tumblr media Tumblr media
Regardless, this is why the scene in chapter 86 is so significant – when Yor isn't present, there's no reason for him to refer to her as "Yor-san," especially in front of a fellow spy like Fiona who knows he (supposedly) shouldn't have any feelings for her. Yet, even after he just called Yuri by his full name "Yuri Briar" a moment before, he doesn't do the same for Yor and continues to call her "Yor-san" here, much to Fiona's dismay.
Tumblr media
In the same chapter, it's also significant that he uses "ore" when addressing Yor directly in his thoughts. Even though he's not speaking out loud, I believe this is the first time he's speaking directly "to" her as Twilight and/or his true self and not as Loid Forger.
Tumblr media
But despite all this, I think that both Loid Forger and Twilight are tatemae…they're both masks to hide the person he truly is. The person who fondly talked about his mother to Yor on the park bench, the person who genuinely expressed gratitude for her sacrifice when leaving the resort island, the person who refused to kill Yuri in a life-or-death struggle because he knew it would hurt her…that's his actual honne. But of course, the ongoing conflict of the series is that he has yet to realize this. He won't even show his honne to his closest friend, Franky. Seems like it mostly comes out in dribs and drabs during his interactions with Yor...no surprise there, lol. The man is certainly a work in progress. When he finally starts letting his "honne" show, I'm curious what form of speech he'll adopt.
-----
Continue to Part 2 ->
607 notes · View notes
csuitebitches · 1 year
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media
On Being Well Spoken
I recently received a request about posting something regarding being well spoken.
Something you need to realise is that you’re not going to become well-spoken overnight. You need to practice on people. You need to SPEAK.
I used to stutter so badly that I could barely speak a whole sentence.
Flash forward a few years. I pitched my start up in front of a crowd, I joined Model United Nations in high school and college, I’ve been invited to speak on my entrepreneurial experience by some top universities in my country. It’s taken a lot to get here. And I’m still not where I want to be.
1. Apps to track progress and help you get better at public speaking
An app that you can use: “Speeko.”
I used to use this, it is beginner friendly and you can improve your public speaking skills as well.
2. Use topic generators
Go online and look up a topic generator. Generate a random topic, video yourself speaking on that topic. Don’t give yourself time to prepare anything - read the topic and start speaking. Set a time limit - you’ll realise that speaking for even 2 minutes can be quite difficult at times.
Not only does this make you realise that you may have limited language skills, but it will also make you realise exactly where you’re falling behind. Note down things in a journal.
- is grammar the issue?
- Lack of vocabulary?
- Too many filler sounds?
- Knowledge gap?
This is also a great idea if you’re at an intermediate level of learning a language/ polishing a language. Do this everyday and maintain a diary on your improvement.
3. Reading out loud
Select a news article or any article. Read out loud, slowly and steadily. Pronounce every syllable calmly.
A two minute read should take 5 minutes to read out loud. That’s how slow you should go. Not more than 4-5 words per breath.
Your tongue needs to get used to different syllables and sounds. Practice will help.
4. Talk in real life
Talk to anyone and everyone whenever you can.
Ask your barista how their day is going.
Ask your work or university security if they’ve had a good day and if they ate today.
Chat with your taxi driver about their life. I always start with asking them if they are from the city we’re travelling in. Even if you’re from that city, act like a tourist. Where are the best eateries? The conversation eventually goes to personal questions. How many children do they have, and what do they do? What do they like about the city?
You’ll learn the art of small talk only through practice. No book or guide can actually prepare you. You have to practice, practice and practice.
5. Diaphragm breathing
Diaphragm breathing is very important. Look up some YouTube videos for reference. You essentially breathe from your tummy (stomach goes in and out; not chest going up and down). This is a great calming exercise too.
6. Stuttering tongue/ jaw exercise videos
These are great because they really do prep your jaw and tongue well. The videos could include tongue stretches, placing your tongue on your palette correctly, etc. Search on YouTube.
7. Body posture
You really need to work on your posture too. Sit up straight. Back, STRAIGHT. Chin up, shoulders relaxed. Something as simple as posture can change your level of confidence.
8. Pranayama
A yoga exercise for breathing. You can find a guided video on YouTube for sure.
9. Vocabulary
Invest your time in expanding your vocabulary. There’s enough apps and games that can help you with that, if you aren’t fond of reading. A sign of being well spoken is having great vocabulary.
Start by looking up the synonyms of everyday words.
“I’m upset”
- how many different words can you find for upset?
“I had a crazy day today”
- one can easily use “hectic”, “chaotic” “lively” instead
10. Idioms
Idioms, phrases, sayings - look up common idioms in your language of choice. Aim to use at least 3 new idioms on 3 separate occasions in a week while you speak. You need to understand when and where you can use the idioms in your vocabulary.
11. Knowing when to switch
You can’t talk like a 50 year old heiress to a 10 year old child; you need to get down to their level.
If someone is clearly not a native speaker and is struggling to put words together, don’t use difficult words around them.
If you’re meeting with someone high profile, refrain from using slang.
The best speakers know when to switch their level of language.
You can’t use one singular type of speaking with everyone. You need to understand that there is a time and place for everything - and you’ll be able to switch like a pro only when you actually speak and start gaining experience.
5K notes · View notes
Text
Secret Sorrows || 3 -B.Barnes
Tumblr media
Summary: Former special ops, Bucky, seeks solace in a cold refuge to escape his past. However, his haunted history catches up, unraveling mysteries that persist relentlessly.
Series Masterlist
Thank you to anyone who gave a like, reblog, and left a comment. It motivated me to write more. 
Main Masterlist || support: Ko-fi
Tumblr media
It had been several days since the elder of the Astons had visited Van Alen's residence. Bucky found himself continuing his duty as a bodyguard for Ethan Van Alen, the sole heir of both conglomerate families.
If someone had said that Bucky would protect his ex-girlfriend's son, he would have laughed. But life worked in impossible ways. Here, he was doing just that.
While Bucky was on duty, he couldn't shake the need for answers about Y/N Aston. Despite learning that Iris and Y/N were identical twins, he still found it hard to believe. It was Iris, who had been with him back when they were young.
Yet, why did Y/N's actions mirror Iris's so closely?
If Y/N were more approachable, perhaps Bucky could find the answers. She might even tell him he was crazy. But with her busy schedule, stepping in for Ethan's father and managing both family businesses, she seemed almost impossible to talk to.
Y/N didn’t have time to comfort her only nephew. Since Bucky had to guard Ethan 24/7, he knew the kid wanted to talk to his relative. Both aunt and nephew lived in the same house, yet they rarely spent time together.
Bucky remembered Ethan's words, "My aunt is married to her job."
He thought it was a shame. Y/N was beautiful. With her status, she could have any man.
Wait, was she still single?
He shook his head, realizing how absurd it was to even entertain such thoughts considering Y/N was his employer.
Clearing his throat, Bucky walked towards Ethan's room, glancing at the kid's schedule. There were so many classes: foreign language, investment, fencing, public speaking, IT, swimming, and more.
Ethan was only 7 years old; he didn’t have time to play, especially since it was only a week after his parents' funeral.
Bucky knocked on Ethan’s door.
“Come in,” Ethan called out.
Bucky entered to find Ethan practicing the violin. Though classical music wasn't his preference, Ethan's skill didn't sound like that of a beginner.
Ethan stopped playing and placed the violin back in its case. “What class do I have next?”
“Swimming class,” Bucky replied.
Ethan sighed. “Can you teach me instead?”
Bucky hesitated. “If you want, but you know everything has to go through protocol.”
Ethan pouted. “At least, today, you have to accompany me.”
Bucky's instincts told him something didn't seem right. “Alright.”
Ethan went to his wardrobe; even at his young age, he had already been taught to pack his things. Bucky still found himself in awe of the kid's wardrobe room; it was bigger than his own bedroom in Antarctica.
While Ethan searched for his swimming goggles, he asked, “Has my aunt already left?”
Bucky replied, “Yes,” noticing Ethan's shoulders slump at the confirmation. He asked gently, “Do you want to talk to her?”
Ethan shook his head. “No, she’s busy. I don’t want to bother her.” Having prepared everything, he added, “Let’s go.”
Tumblr media
When Bucky arrived at the swimming pool, he saw an athletic man. From the first impression, Bucky could already read him: overly proud and cocky.
“Bucky, right? I’ve been informed you’ll be the new guard. I’m alright if you want to join us,” the coach said.
Bucky gave a slight nod, glancing at Ethan. “Ethan, I’ll be standing here, okay?”
For a brief moment, Ethan's face brightened. Bucky wondered what made Ethan seem to not enjoy the class.
Ethan and the teacher did warm-ups before getting into the pool.
The coach instructed, “We will start with the freestyle and work on improving your lap times.”
When the teacher blew the whistle, Ethan began swimming to the other side. Bucky was impressed; for a kid his age, he was quite fast.
The coach checked his stopwatch. “1:50. You could do better than that.”
Bucky couldn't understand why the coach expected the little kid to go faster in a 100m freestyle.
"Again," the coach commanded.
"Again."
"You're getting slower."
Bucky held back his emotions when he noticed Ethan looking drained.
The coach looked down at Ethan and shook his head. "Your father would be disappointed with the result, Ethan."
Seeing Ethan sniffle and wipe his eyes, Bucky couldn't take it anymore.
He kicked the coach back and pushed him into the pool. The coach wasn't prepared and struggled to resurface before gasping for breath. Bucky held him under the water again.
“Can’t you see the boy is already breathless and exhausted?” Bucky questioned sharply.
The coach sputtered, "Wait… wait…"
"Do it again. I want to see how long you can hold your breath."
"Ugh."
Peter couldn’t believe what he saw. He rushed over from watching the CCTV to stop Bucky. "Bucky, what happened—"
Bucky shot Peter a warning look. "Get Ethan out of here. I need to talk to this guy."
Peter hurriedly escorted Ethan away, wondering why Bucky was so furious with the swimming coach.
Once they were gone, Bucky removed his black suit and throw it.
He pulled the coach from the pool like a fish. The coach coughed and caught his breath. "Are you trying to kill me?"
"A moment ago? Yes," Bucky admitted bluntly.
The coach's eyes widened. Never in his life had someone admitted to wanting to kill him straight to his face.
"I have a question: will Ethan enter the Olympics?" Bucky asked.
The coach shook his head. "No."
"Then why do you have to make him suffer like that? If that boy could talk, he would ask you to stop. But he can’t. As a teacher, you should know your students' capabilities."
"I only do what my employer asks me," the coach defended himself.
"Who? Miss Y/N Aston?" Bucky questioned.
"No! The Van Alen family," the coach confessed.
Bucky's grip on him loosened. This information was shocking. Why did the Van Alen family treat Ethan like this?
"Get up, gather your things, and never set foot in this place again," Bucky commanded.
The coach protested, "You have no—"
"Miss Aston hired me to protect her nephew. It’s better if you resign before you lose your teaching license. You know what I’m capable of," Bucky warned.
The coach ran away, leaving Bucky to ponder the situation.
Tumblr media
On the other side, Y/N had just returned from the company. Spotting Peter and Ethan, her nephew walking with a towel draped around him, she observed Ethan's eagerness as he ran toward her, wrapping her in a tight hug.
Y/N asked Peter for an explanation, her expression remaining stoic as she listened to the summarized account.
Her heart ached hearing about her nephew's ordeal. Despite her typically reserved demeanor, a flicker of concern flashed in her eyes. She instructed Peter, "Tell Mr. Barnes to meet me at my office," her voice firm yet tinged with an underlying worry, before walking away.
Concerned, Ethan tugged at Peter's clothes. "Is Bucky in trouble because of me?" His voice carried a hint of apprehension.
Peter patted Ethan's back reassuringly, his tone gentle. "I'm sure he'll be alright. Don't worry." He tried to offer comfort to the young boy, knowing the weight of responsibility could be heavy on his small shoulders.
In Y/N's office, she was signing documents while Bucky stood before her, his presence commanding attention. She remained so engrossed in her work that she didn’t even lift her head when she spoke, "You want to explain why a half-naked man in a speedo ran away screaming from my house?"
Bucky answered casually, "Well, yeah, since I threatened him." His tone was nonchalant, but there was a hint of underlying tension in his voice.
Y/N looked up, her expression unreadable, a mix of surprise and curiosity flickering in her eyes.
Bucky still wasn’t accustomed to looking directly into her eyes; there was something pulling at him that he couldn’t quite describe. "The way I do my job may be different from anyone here, but I can't let the person I'm protecting feel unsafe. Do you know Ethan's swimming coach did it on purpose, and it was ordered by the Van Alen family?" His voice carried a note of frustration, a rare glimpse of emotion from the typically stoic man.
Y/N didn't respond immediately; it seemed like she already knew.
Gritting his teeth, Bucky wondered what was wrong with wealthy people. She had everything, so why didn’t she want to mend her relationship with Ethan? His frustration simmered beneath the surface, evident in the tenseness of his jaw.
Bucky said firmly, his voice tinged with determination, "If you have at least 5 minutes, I suggest you talk to Ethan." With that, he left the room, his footsteps echoing with purpose.
Y/N's secretary clicked her tongue, then turned to her boss, her expression reflecting concern. "Do you want to fire him?" There was a note of uncertainty in her voice, wary of the potential repercussions.
Y/N's gaze remained fixed on the closed door, "No, just fire the swimming coach." Her tone was decisive, yet there was a hint of resignation in her voice. She looked at her secretary, her gaze unwavering. "Cancel the rest of my schedule today."
“But, ma’am, you have an important call this evening." The secretary's voice held a hint of concern, recognizing the significance of the upcoming call.
"I will call them tomorrow. Send a formal apology letter," Y/N ordered, her tone final, a sense of determination underlying her words.
*********
Y/N went to Ethan's bedroom, her footsteps echoing softly in the hallway.
Ethan, who was playing blocks with Bucky, was surprised to see his aunt, his expression a mix of curiosity and anticipation. As she entered the room, there was a subtle shift in the atmosphere, a sense of tension dissipating.
“Auntie,” Ethan greeted her, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Looking nervous, he turned to Bucky, who gave him a reassuring nod, his silent support evident in his expression.
Approaching Y/N, Ethan said, “Aunt, can I change my swimming coach?” His words were hesitant, a mixture of hope and apprehension lacing his tone.
Y/N replied, her voice calm yet distant, “Sure, I’ll call the Olympic coach.”
Ethan hesitated, his gaze flickering between Y/N and Bucky. “No, can Bucky teach me?” His voice held a note of pleading, a silent plea for connection.
Y/N responded, her tone neutral, “I don’t mind. You should ask him.” Her words were measured, a reflection of her reserved nature.
Ethan turned to Bucky, his eyes wide with anticipation. “Bro Bucky already agreed, I just wanted to ask for your permission first.” There was a hint of excitement in his voice, a spark of hope igniting within him.
Bucky felt relieved that they were finally communicating, his expression softening with understanding.
Ethan continued, his words tumbling out in a rush of excitement. “And can I ask you another favor?” His voice was eager, his eyes shining with anticipation.
Y/N encouraged him to speak, her expression remaining impassive, yet there was a flicker of something in her eyes, a hint of warmth beneath the surface.
“For foreign language class, can I just study German and Korean? German engineering is great, and South Korea has good products, it's good for my future. For investment class, can I learn how to trade with real money? And can I study martial arts with Bucky instead of fencing?” Ethan's words poured out in a rush, his enthusiasm palpable.
Bucky couldn’t believe what he was hearing, his surprise evident in his expression. These weren’t typical requests from a 7-year-old, yet there was a sense of determination in Ethan's voice, a silent plea for understanding.
Glancing at Y/N, who didn’t seem surprised, he realized both aunt and nephew shared the same traits, a sense of resilience amidst adversity.
Y/N asked, her tone measured, “Anything else?” Her words were neutral, yet there was a hint of something in her voice, a subtle shift in her demeanor.
Ethan shook his head, his excitement palpable. “That’s everything.”
Y/N assured him, her voice distant yet tinged with a hint of warmth, “I’ll instruct my secretary to change your teachers, and give you the money for you to invest.” before leaving the room, her footsteps echoing softly in the hallway.
Bucky couldn’t shake off the feeling of Y/N being distant from her nephew, his concern is evident in his expression. He thought Ethan felt abandoned again, but it seemed he was mistaken.
Ethan ran to him, his eyes excitedly shining, exclaiming, “Bucky, did you see that? My aunt smiled today.” There was a sense of joy in his voice, a silent celebration of a small victory.
Confused, Bucky probably needed to get his eyes checked, as he hadn’t seen her smile at all. But as long as Ethan was happy, he would agree to anything.
Tumblr media
Join the taglist? ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
@thezombieprostitute
@ozwriterchick
@honeywiththemoney
@scott-loki-barnes
@10ava01
@abbyyourlocalmilf
@identity2212
@ordelixx
@differenttyphoonwerewolf
@ylva-syverson
@winterslove1917
@kandis-mom
@sapphirebarnes
@almosttoopizza
@namoreno
Tumblr media
@mostlymarvelgirl
@identity2212
Author Note :Hey friends,If you've been enjoying the content, I've set up a Ko-fi account. Your support through tips would mean the world and help me keep creating. Only if you feel like it!Here's the link: Ko-fiThanks a bunch for being fabulous followers!
Tumblr media
114 notes · View notes
chut-je-dors · 1 year
Note
Hello! Do you happen to know any good resources for learning Finnish? As basic as possible, I literally started on Duolingo half an hour ago:) I know, I know, I'm a poser for learning Finnish *after* Käärijä, but the language sounds soooo interesting (although I've heard the grammar is quite difficult...). Thank you in advance and also love your blog:)))))
Hi!! So very very ecstatic that you've decided to learn Finnish! No reason to feel ashamed that you'd only start after Käärijä... believe me, in Finland people are just altogether very taken if a foreigner wants to learn Finnish, no matter the reason. (And all reasons for learning a language are good!) (And we're SO SO PROUD of Käärijä, he's done a monumental job of bringing our language to the public eye more than ANYONE ELSE BEFORE so, yup! He's a VERY good reason to start learning Finnish!!)
I'm not sure if I'm the right person to point you towards any resources... But I tried finding some for you! I've checked out the Duolingo course and it's a good place to begin! Here's also a drive folder that has some Finnish language books as PDFs.
Also here's a page for beginner's Finnish from our national news media Yle (it's like our version of BBC).
Here is a "picture book" kind of a page for learning names for objects, good to start with!
Here's an online course for beginners! This has grammar too, and links for further reading and studying.
Finnish is also notorious for having it's written language differ drastically from how people actually speak. We don't have accents per se, but dialects instead, which don't just affect the way we pronounce words (=accents, as in English) but the way we form them. So for example, the written Finnish "I am" is "minä olen", but in spoken Finnish it can become e.g. "mä oon", "mää oon", "mie oon", depending on where you live (and there might be some more variations as well but these are the most common ones.) Many foreigners find themselves in a spot where they can read and understand written Finnish pretty well, then the moment a Finnish person opens their mouth it's a bloodbath. But don't let it deter you! And Finnish people are more than happy to switch to written Finnish if you don't understand them. I found this website for learning the basics for spoken Finnish!
A good place is also good ole Youtube! Just type in "Finnish for beginners" and you're set to go!
Finnish is a difficult language to learn because of the grammar and lack of prepositions if your language has them... but look at it this way, I struggle with them in any language that uses them cos I haven't grown up using them. I still occasionally mess up with in/on or for/to (it's even worse with French and Swedish). Doesn't stop me from writing 100k fics in English apparently!
Welcome to learning Finnish! Remember that the most important thing is to learn the swear words, you'll go far with those. Just drop in a perkele and it's always the right thing to say haha.
Jokes aside, I'm very happy to hear this! Finnish is a very beautiful language and a very inventive one as well, which allows for more word play and creativity with the language than, say, English for example. And while Finnish is difficult, you'll find that once you've learnt the rules, there are no exceptions to them or the kind of hassle with the grammar as there is to English or French. I've known exchange students who've learnt near perfect Finnish in less than a year!
If anyone knows and wants to add more good resources here, go ahead!
503 notes · View notes
femmefatalevibe · 10 months
Note
Hi! I love your blog. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your tips and advice! 🥰 I want to change my persona into a more bold and passionate lady instead of they shy timid girl. Do you have any recommendations on resources that I can start with? I would also love to learn how to flirt seductively to attract men but also to flirt with friends just for fun. Can you pls point me to the right direction? Thank you so much!! ❤️💓💗
Hi love! Thank you so much for your kind words and support. These words mean a lot to me <3
Yes, gladly. Sharing some resources below:
How To Validate Yourself & Stop People Pleasing
How To Master Your Shadow Self & Embrace Your Dark Feminine Energy (Advice)
How To Reduce Social Anxiety To Boost Your Confidence, Make Friends, & Become Magnetic
How To Master Public Speaking Anxiety & Communicate Like A Boss
How To Master The Written Word & Communicate Like A Queen
How Flirt With Men, Hold Your Own, & Embrace The Art of Seduction
How To Rediscover Yourself, Set Boundaries, & Master Interpersonal Conflict
How To Build Unshakeable Self-Confidence
Ways To Appear More Mature & Embrace Your Sensual Side
How To Handle Rude People & Insulting Comments With Class
Questions To Ask When Evaluating Your Relationships
A Beginner's Guide To Embracing Your Sexuality
Simple Tips & Tricks To Seduce A Prospective Lover
How To Build Steamy Sexual Tension With Any (Potential) Lover
Femme Fatale Booklist: Decentering Men, Feminist Dating, & Childfree Living
Essential Feminist Texts Booklist
Empowering Affirmations To Unleash Your Dark Feminine Energy
Hope these help xx
191 notes · View notes
jozistyle · 1 month
Text
The Power of Posture to Improve Your Public Speaking
The Power of Posture: How to Improve Your Public Speaking Skills As a passionate public speaker, I’m excited to share my thoughts on how to improve your public speaking skills, even if you don’t have the time, money, or inclination to attend a workshop. One crucial aspect of public speaking is posture, which can make or break your confidence and credibility on stage. The Importance of…
Tumblr media
View On WordPress
0 notes
flowersforfrancis · 1 year
Text
Becoming a character in a dark academia novel - A beginners guide:
Show off your love for literature, fine art or mythology. Make sure everyone knows you’ve read Plato. And Shakespeare. And Homer. Basically, Quote an old white dude who’s probably dead at least once a day.
Make sure to be seen running through your school. Develop an aesthetic run. Maybe do this with a group of equally experienced friends.
Please don’t own anything plastic or overly bright. (this is definitely for the environment). 
Have a set of fucked up morals. But make sure to prepare yourself with some smart sounding excuse that essentially intimidates people and deters them from asking questions.
Murder someone or be murdered. Either one. (I’d say it’s your choice, but if you’re being murdered, well, it’s probably not).
Develop an addiction- I’d recommend something like red wine, or cigarettes. Or both. (But you didn’t hear it from me).
Embrace the angst, the insanity, the insomnia and the general dislike for others.
Don’t worry about being friendly; coldness is encouraged.
Learn several old languages that most people don’t actually speak. If this truly isn’t possible: resort to French.  
Please, for the love of [insert old white dude here], be dramatic.
If you aren’t rich then either embrace it as an aesthetic. Or just lie.
Either get a small, cluttered apartment, or a giant fucking mansion.
Be smart.
Listen to classical music.
In terms of love you have a few choices: fall In love with someone but then kill them. Be queer and deny it. Be queer and fall for heterosexuals (or at least people who think they are). - basically please never get a happy ending with someone you actually love.
Exist only during winter and autumn. I suppose you may spend some time in spring. But only make brief appearances in summer. If you’re seen during summer, make sure you’re at a lake, or on a lawn, or in a sunlit library, maybe a sailboat?
Read.
Get some collared shirts.
If you get glasses they better be obscure.
Make sure people see you drunk. Maybe knock on a classmates door whilst drunk.
If you aren’t six feet under, remember to be mature and regretful years after your time at your elitist school.
Oh yeah, receive an elite education. (Or hang out in public libraries a lot?? Idk).
Avoid healthy relationships. Or maybe form an inseparable bond with someone. Honestly this can still be unhealthy. Probably will be.
Never have a good relationship with your family. They must be either dead, uninterested in you, far away, or just plain shitty.
274 notes · View notes
Text
Tumblr media
Tips related public speaking
0 notes
bettsfic · 1 year
Note
When should a beginner writer give up on writing and just find another dream?
the answer is both now and never.
don't dream of being a writer. to dream of being a writer is to dream of eating dinner in a michelin star restaurant every night of your life because you love gourmet food. you can't do that, almost no one can do that, but you can try to cook a good meal for yourself each night. you can get better at it over time by learning the recipes you love and trying new techniques. you may fail, but you always get hungry again the next day, so you try again. maybe you love it so much you decide to go to school to become a chef, and maybe you open your own michelin star restaurant. even then, you still haven't reached your dream; you've just found yourself in the kitchen instead of at a table, doing a different sort of work. or maybe you just cook for yourself and the people you love forever. either way, it's good food and you get better at making it. you're eating, you're feeding people, you're making yourself and others happy.
the first thing any MFA will tell you is, "you'll never make a living writing." that is true for 99% of writers. there are 1% of writers who get huge book deals and sell film rights and whatever, but i wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy, the same way i wouldn't wish a viral post on a tumblr mutual. once something breaks containment, so to speak, it becomes a nightmare.
i've quit being a writer a thousand times and i'll quit a thousand more. i reach the point where i say, i don't want to do this anymore, it's not worth it, i quit. and then i'm free to do whatever i want. and that's when i write my best work.
throw yourself a retirement party. however old you are, however long you've been writing, tell yourself, "i'm a retired writer." then go do something else for a day or a week or a year or ten years. eventually an idea will come to you that you'll want to write, and your old self will say, "that's a bad idea, that's stupid, don't write that." but no, you're retired, you can write whatever you want. you were once a commercial fisherman who spent a lifetime at sea and you decided you miss the water so you're taking out a little rowboat, you've got your little fishing pole. you won't be pulling in thousands of fish, but you might get one, and it's just for you, so you don't need more than that. you're allowed to keep it simple nowadays. you're allowed to fish for yourself.
to be a writer, all you have to do is write. write anything, write everything. write when you feel like it, stop writing when you don't. and one day you may accidentally create a book-shaped thing. or maybe you won't. the product doesn't matter. publication doesn't matter. all that matters is the process, finding joy and meaning and belonging in the thing you create.
210 notes · View notes
izicodes · 4 months
Note
Hello! Do you have any advice on getting into freelance coding or remote jobs in the field? I'm having trouble with my current endeavors of applications and my current customer service job isn't doing me well enough to want to stay, so I'm hoping for progress sooner rather than later. Anything helps, thank you!!
Hiya 🖤
Thanks for reaching out with your question about getting into freelance coding or remote jobs. Making a transition can be challenging, but with dedication and strategic steps, you can definitely progress in your career.
Firstly, consider specializing in a specific field of computer science rather than trying to learn everything. This will help you become an expert in a niche, making you more attractive to potential clients or employers.
The big thing to look at is (1) what specific job do you want? Don't know yet? That's the first thing you need to find out. (2) Found the job you want? Go to this website "roadmap.sh" and click the job title you want and look at the roadmap to become it. (3) Have an idea of what you need to learn? Now study :)
Here are some extra key pieces of advice:
Tumblr media
Public Code Repositories
Showcase your coding skills by contributing to public repositories on platforms like GitHub, GitLab, or others. This allows potential employers to see your projects and assess your coding abilities.
Online Certifications
Earn certifications from reputable online courses like Freecodecamp, Codecademy, or SheCodes (if you're a woman). Displaying these certifications on your LinkedIn profile adds credibility for remote work or even freelance work because then clients will trust your skills more if it's back up with evidence (projects and/or certificates).
Links: "Massive List of Thousands of Free Certificates" / "The Udemy courses I use" / "FreeCodeCamp" / "Codecedemy" / "SheCodes" / "Udacity" / "Coursera" / "Google"
LinkedIn Profile
Revamp your LinkedIn profile to reflect your job title. Use a title that aligns with your dream job, and highlight your skills, certifications, and projects. You don't even need work experience OR do what a lot of my developer mates do have no work experience and set your "job" as a self-employed freelance developer... little cheat there~!
Links: "LinkedIn Career Explorer" / "Tips for speaking to/reaching out to Recruiter" / "Tips for Landing Your First Entry-Level Developer Job" / "Career Services for Web Development" / "The Talent Cloud Community: Careers Workshop"
Volunteering
Help someone out with a project for their business or whatever. For example, I helped a guy I met in a programming discord server build his portfolio page for free, but I care more about the experience. Search online for volunteer jobs with your dream job title e.g. Volunteer App Develope, but in your country would be better. The experience you can you can add to your LinkedIn. the project you work on you can add to your resume/experience.
Link: "SkilledUp Life"
Networking
Connect with professionals in your field on LinkedIn, even if you don't know them personally. Growing your network can open up opportunities and expose you to valuable insights. Events in person or online, servers (I found volunteer opportunities here), forums, Twitter (I found some mates on there), Instagram (another place I found developer friends). Networking can even help with building group projects~!
Link: "Tips for speaking to/reaching out to Recruiter"
Project Building
Work on both small and big projects to demonstrate your capabilities. Highlight these projects on your resume and portfolio.
Links: "Building projects after learning a new concept advice" / "Tips from learning using multiple resources" / "Tips on learning programming with ChatGPT" / "Harvard University Free IT Courses" / "The Udemy courses I use" / "Free Programming Books" / "Coding Advice for beginners" / "800 free Computer Science classes"
Online Presence
Share your learning progress and projects on various platforms like Tumblr, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube. Employers often appreciate candidates who actively showcase their work and commitment to learning. I made a post for Tumblr coding blogs:
Link: "Codeblr Blog Advice: 8 Blog Coding Post Ideas"
Good luck!!
42 notes · View notes