#teenage jobs sydney

[wileys-russo]

can you write smt for kyra with that photo of her with flowers as inspo?

airport flowers II k.cooney-cross

the plan was simple.

you'd told your girlfriend there was a last minute work emergency and you'd need to fly out to melbourne for the few days she was back in australia for national duty in perth.

but really you'd be landing the same day as kyras first match back in australia and would be going from the airport right to the game to surprise her. then you'd also not yet told her with some other tillies help you'd be taking the same flight home back to england with her, when she thought you'd need to be based back in australia for another month.

you'd not seen her in person for almost five weeks now due to your job and with the footballer normally the one to create surprises for you and organise cute little gestures, you decided it was your turn.

to kyras credit when you told her initially you'd be unable to make it to her games or see her while she was here she put on a brave face and as per usual was as supportive as could be.

you worked as the sole social media and marketing manager for a clothing brand started and ran by one of your childhood best friends, having been there on board to watch and help the brand grow since it was just a seemingly silly little idea floated on a drunken night out when you were teenagers.

with kyra starting her pro career off in australia in the a-leagues the two of you had met during her time playing for victory. you'd reached out to her agency about a potential sponsorship deal with the brand and met up with kyra and her team a few days later.

the young midfielder was quite smitten with you and nothing but charming as she'd asked you out for a coffee with the request you show her where the best could be found.

a few coffees and kisses later and you were very happily coupled up, much to your best friends teasings that you were using his company as a means of picking up girls.

then fast forward a little with kyras move over to sweden you split your time between there and back home, able to do the majority of your obligations and meetings remotely not having a 'base' you needed to be stationed at.

now with her setting down roots in england you split your time between there and australia. you now had a small team underneath you and it meant it was rare you were really needed in australia all too often.

like you said the plan was simple, but it seemed the universe had other ideas.

it started when your flight was delayed three and a half hours, leaving you with a very narrow gap to get from the airport to the game before kick off, not for warm ups like you'd planned.

sending kyras sister a message informing her of the above she assured kyra was still in the dark about everything and seemingly in good spirits for the game.

the next hurdle came when your bag never appeared on the luggage carousel, and after following it up with management it became apparent it was left on the tarmac back in sydney where you'd flown in from.

doing your very best to keep a cool head you were informed it would be sent with the next available flight and asked to wait around for that to land...in another four and a half hours.

your patience wafer thin at that point you'd organised for the airport to hold it overnight and you'd come collect it tomorrow morning, a quick check of the time confirming you'd be lucky to make it by the second half.

the third barrier came in the realization that you'd been logged out of your uber account and unable to remember the password you were tearing your hair out as with one wrong attempt too many your account was locked.

so with time fading fast and your mental stability unraveling even faster you hurried to the nearest atm and grabbed out a wad of cash, darting into the small gift shop and grabbing the very last bunch of flowers they had.

these were of course all unopened bar two or three flowers and looked more like weeds, but in your case beggars couldn't be choosers and hailing down a taxi you could finally breath knowing you'd finally left the prison that the airport was beginning to feel like.

watching the game on your phone as the taxi sped toward the stadium, the price growing higher and higher with every minute, you couldn't help but allow your chest to swell with pride seeing just how good your girlfriend was playing.

you hadn't even realised you'd arrived until the driver cleared his throat and you glanced up, the second half having just kicked off you could hear the cheers of the crowd as you opened your door, dropping a wad of notes into the drivers hand and sprinting toward the entrance.

you breathed a sigh of relief seeing kyras mum waiting for you with one of the security guards clearly explaining the situation as the man nodded, scanning your ticket as you were given a lanyard and ushered inside.

there was a cheer from kyras friends and family all of whom you'd met before as you finally arrived, all of you in the matildas family section right above the subs bench.

you gave a wave to charli who stood on the sideline as her eyes widened and a grin grew on her face and she eagerly waved back before turning her focus to the game.

her number called she was subbed in for ellie who tapped her hand as charli raced onto the pitch to screams and cheers. settling back in your seat you fended off the teasing remarks made your way for your very poorly timed arrival and the measly bunch of flowers in hand.

you wiggled into your cooney-cross jersey you'd had in your carry on, finally breathing properly and allowing yourself to wind down and enjoy the game going on.

the matildas were up 2-0 and with sam scoring a screamer from well outside the box and steph delivering a beautiful corner right to alanas head it ended 4-0 to australia with a thunderous roar from the crowd.

you waited patiently as kyra did her lap of the pitch, shaking your head furiously at her teammates who made gestures clearly asking if you wanted them to grab her for you, not wanting to ruin the surprise that the universe had done everything to try and spoil for you.

finally she started to head back towards the family and friends section with charli and remy hanging off either of her sides you waited by the barrier with a smile, both blondes seeing you well before kyra did.

"hey space cadet, can i get your autograph?" you called out, her head whipping around and jaw almost hitting the floor as she tripped over her own feet in her haste to get to you, making the girls around her roar with laughter as her cheeks flushed pink.

"what the fuck! i thought you were in..." kyra shook her head in disbelief as she reached you, your hands moving to cup her face as you shook your head. "surprise?" you grinned, a beaming smile of her own curling onto her lips as she tugged you into a hug.

"i love you." you mumbled into her shoulder, rubbing her back, the midfielder pressing a kiss to your cheek as she pulled away. "you played alright i guess." you sighed sarcastically, grabbing the flowers from your feet and handing them to her.

"yeah thanks!" the girl shoved your head as a small blush coated her cheeks and she spun around to pose for charli with her flowers. "but i didn't see you at half time?" your girlfriend asked, free hand interlocking with yours as she sweetly kissed your knuckles now causing you to blush.

"its a very long story babe."

#woso x reader #woso #woso fanfics #kyra cooney cross x reader #kyra cooney cross #woso imagine #woso blurbs #woso community

[yannaryartside]

Parallels between Marcus and Claire

I am not about to compare Claire’s ass (which had, in my opinion, people pleasing tendencies more than other things, but that is in clear view a manic pixie dream girl) to my sweet angel Marcus. Marcus is a whole character to begin with.

But in their relationships with Carmy and Sydney respectively, there are some parallels:

1. Both Claire and Marcus did all the pursuing of the relationship

2. The pursuing lasted the whole season, with both Claire and Marcus trying to take the relationship to the next level on opening night. Claire by saying I love you, and Marcus by asking Sydney out. Funny enough, both attempts ended up in the culmination of the romantic relationship /eliminating the potential for one. Both Carmy and Syd said no.

3. Both Claire and Marcus could be considered “out of their league” to Carmy and Syd (if they were in hight school). Claire was a popular girl in hight school, and Marcus played football in college so I am assuming he also did it in hight school. Don’t come for me I am getting these data from America teenage movies. Both conventionally attractive. They are an aspirational partner.

4. Both are caregivers to sick people. Claire as a doctor, so it is her job. Marcus as a “nurse” to his mom and making sure there is others to care for her.

#marcus the bear #claire bear #sydney adamu #sydcarmy #carmy berzatto #the bear #the bear meta #the bear fx #carmen berzatto #carmy x sydney #carmy the bear #sydney x carmy

[kommandonuovidiavoli]

How are the gang’s relationship with their parents(and extended family)

OH BOI this took a lot especially because I had to think and RETHINK relationships and stuff, but here we go!

Abby's Family

Abby lives with her parents since she's still studying (and a minor too). They're still in a good relationship, as close as ever, and with new people around the house! Her older brother Jacob and his son Simon are living at her home since Jacob got a new job at Mr. Boss' company (his other kid and wife are living at their house in the next city, but they see each other in the weekends and often visit them at Abby's home!). Only problem is with Cree: since she got married in secret, she's seen less and less at the house, also because she moved with her new husband. Her and Abby don't talk anymore after a huge fight they had some years before. Jacob too doesn't talk to her too much, for some reason.

Also, they all love Hoagie, he's always welcome in the house! Sometimes they force Abby to invite him over...

-

Wally's Family

Wally too still lived with his parents and Joy at their house, but things are not too good. Wally doesn't have a good relationship with his mother anymore, they mostly scream at each other and argue a lot. His father keeps out of their arguments, doesn't even try to mitigate them anymore at this point; if they start, he just takes Joey to the living room to watch TV or something. Sydney has a better relationship with him, even if Wally never wants to talk about his problems with him. Teenagers...

At least things calm down when Kuki's over; they all love the girl!

He's incredibly close to Joey. The two spend a lot of time together, Wally allows him in his room whenever he wants, plays with him sometimes and also lets him sleep in his bed!

Also, since Lou and Syd reconnected, sometimes he hangs around the house too, if they need a babysitter for Joey. Wally... tolerates him. He's good at videogames, at least.

-

Kuki's Family

Kuki too lives with his family: her parents and Mushi. Her parents are still strict and serious, maybe a bit demanding now that she's in high school, but she handles it pretty good most of the times. But things are not good. Her parents barely talk to each other without arguing, and it is starting to take a tool on her. Also, they don't like Wally at all, considering him a "no good imbecile punk".

She isn't allowed to have him at home, Kani also doesn't want him to get NEAR the house, so sometimes Kuki has to get out without them knowing. But they ALWAYS get to know what she does, and it's because Mushi always tells on her.

The little girl somehow managed to get out of her lifelong grounding, and is now her dad's favorite girl. She's like one of those Delightfuls: a spoiled educated kid who always does what adults say.

-

Hoagie's Family

Hoagie still lives with his mom, his grandmother (when she wants to hang around) and his brother Tommy. Everything's fine on this side, luckly! His mom still works at Mr. Boss' company, but managed to become Head of Marketing, so she has a lot to do and not too much time to spend home. Hoagie makes sure everything is always ready and clean, cooks for everyone (and he's even GOOD at it!), takes care of laundry and makes sure Tommy showers AT LEAST once at week. He's the man of the house! Especially since no one knows or cares where his father is, at this point.

Abby's always welcome to their house, but Betty always asks to invite her when she's home too, so they can talk! She loves the girl!

His grandma usually hisses at her. Tommy too.

AND FINALLY I CAN ADD Nigel's Family

After getting his house back when he turned 18, Nigel lived alone in a house that slowly started looking like a messy prison: dirty dishes, clothes everywhere, dust and cracks. The only rooms that were intact were his parent's bedroom (which he started to sleep in) and his old bedroom, that he never entered since he went back. Penny arrived at the right time, as he needed something to get himself together and remember why he was still there and fighting in the TND: for the sake of kids all around the world. The same kids his parents protected as long as they could. Penny claimed the bedroom and is thinking of adding mermaid touches EVERYWHERE. The house still needs cleaning tho.

#teen au #kids next door #knd #do I have to tag everyone? #HERE WE GO #abigail lincoln #simon lincoln #cree lincoln #jacob lincoln #mr lincoln #ms lincoln #wallabee beetles #joey beetles #sydney beetles #charlotte beetles #yes that's my name for wally's mom #lou beetles #kuki sanban #genki sanban #kani sanban #mushi sanban #hoagie gilligan #betty gilligan #tommy gilligan #lydia gilligan #I know it's not her surname but I'll find her more easily like this #nigel uno #penelope doe

[citrlet]

meet sydney wilder, gen 1 of my new gameplay~

i'm kicking off a new playthrough of the whimsy legacy expanded by @lysiablr , starting at gen 3 just to spice things up!

very long overview and premise of this gens details under the cut if you wanna know what's goin on

premise

Sometimes life brings you a little bundle of joy in the shape of an accident. As soon as you're of age - after whirlwind teenage years of partying, skipping classes, and turning in homework late - you become a mixologist at the local bar.  You are a clumsy Sim who fears the sound of commitment, but loves to have a good time. You enjoy dating new and exciting Sims, but you never, ever commit to anything too serious.  You love your job, and you love that you don’t have to show up for anyone. Period. If you don’t have to show up for anyone, then you can’t disappoint them, right? One morning, after a rough night of partying and a whole lot of bubble blowing and juice, you wake up feeling... off. There's something that just isn't right, and you just can't shake it. You’re tired, you’re feeling ill, and food sounds absolutely revolting.  ... It can't be. But it is. One pregnancy test later, and sure enough, the lines clearly fade into view. You're about to be a parent. After the initial wave of fear, you regain your senses, heart filling with warmth at the idea of no longer being alone. While having children was hardly the first thing on your mind, you can’t say you'd totally ruled out having a few later in life. Turns out later is right now.  But... who is the parent? All at once, you recall the night before, and realize that there are three different possibilities. The catch is, you won’t know the answer for sure until the baby is here. Is that too late? Will you confront your partner when you find out, jump in with them and co-parent, lie and tell a different partner the child is theirs, or will you go it alone?

starting info

Aspiration(s): Serial Romantic [Base Game] Traits:  Clumsy [Base Game] Party Animal [High School Years] Non-Committal [Base Game] Bonus Traits / Lifestyles: Compassionate (For Richer) [Parenthood] Incredibly Friendly (For Richer) [Outdoor Retreat] Uncontrolled Emotions (Or for Poorer) [Parenthood] Beguiling (Or for Poorer) [Base Game] Focused Skills:  Dancing [Get Together] Mixology [Base Game] Juice Fizzing [Eco Lifestyle]

events

Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) Have your Sim romance at least three different Sims at once, enough to be able to woohoo / try for baby with each. Be careful of jealousy! No getting married or entering into any kind of committed relationships.

Voulez-Vous During the first half of your young adulthood, complete the 'try for baby' interaction with three different Sims in one night. Do not test for pregnancy at all; wait until the next couple of days and see if your Sim experiences any symptoms of pregnancy. If not, do it all over again. If your Sim cannot get pregnant, first check all three partners for pregnancy; if none are pregnant, try again OR randomly select one of your partners to have a science baby with three to seven days after the one-night stand, as if a baby was dropped off at their doorstep by an unknown partner.

When All is Said and Done Choose whether to parent the child alone, confront the correct partner, or approach a different partner to claim that the child was theirs. In the event you choose to confront or approach a partner (regardless of whether they are the correct one), start an argument with them and then play out the scenario from there.

goals

Always have a bright / fun hair color. Change it up frequently!

Have a hobby making juice / nectar.

Name the child after an alcoholic beverage.

Start a fight with who you think is the co-parent or who you have chosen to be the co-parent, then decide to make up or split up based on the reactions.

Obtain as many milestones as possible for your infant.

Live life normally from there, with or without a partner - new or old.

Master the Dancing / Mixology / Juice Fizzing skills.

Complete the Serial Romantic aspiration.

Complete the Mixologist career.

#ts4 #ts4 gameplay #sims 4 #sims 4 gameplay #*wl: gen 1 #*sim: sydney #i say this so much but i'm really excited! #i reaaally want to stick with this legacy #i'll probably make a char page and/or family tree eventually just because those are fun haha #sorry the info is so long! i just know i can be too lazy to click a link to read stuff so this might be easier for some people #and as tradition: home pics are coming up next and then real gameplay starts >:)

[ducktoonsfanart]

Donald, Daisy, Huey, Dewey and Louie Duck in Australia in Sydney - Australia Day - Quack Pack and Duckverse - My first OC

Yes, I am late, because Australia Day is celebrated on the 26th of January, but for some reason I didn’t get to finish it until now. However, since I’m currently in the spirit of Australia, I’m going to publish some drawings of our heroes related to that country.

By the way, Australia Day is celebrated because on that day, in 1788, the first fleet made landfall and raised the British flag under the command of Arthur Phillip and founded Sydney there. Admittedly, the first settlers were prisoners.

I drew another drawing related to Australia Day and related to Quack Pack, primarily my version of Quack Pack (Quack Pack AU). I drew Donald and Daisy Duck, as well as Huey, Dewey and Louie Duck went to Sydney, Australia, of course as a tourist and reporter job (Daisy is a reporter and Donald is a cameraman). They went to visit a famous wildlife conservationist, explorer and adventurer called Steve Kangaroo (named after the famous Steve Irwin, also a wildlife conservationist, television personality, and educator who unfortunately ended tragically) and that is my first OC (original character) related to the Duckverse in general, and certainly for Quack Pack. Daisy interviews Steve Kangaroo for What In World (that's the name of the show Daisy hosts), while Steve hugs Donald, like his old friend, and Huey, Dewey and Louie hang out with Steve's son Jack Kangaroo (also my first OC and he is a teenager and is the same age as HDL), and Jack shows them a boomerang, as a well-known Australian tool, "weapon" and toy. And then there's Kent Powers, who hosts the What In World show, but he's unhappy that Daisy has taken over the image for him. There is also Steve's dog Dingo (a dingo dog based on the Ducktales 1987 episode "Back Out in the Outback"). And behind them you can see the famous Sydney Opera House.

I know that Quack Pack had problems with the writing in certain episodes, but the series itself turned out to be good, and I have one dissatisfaction with that series, that they did not introduce more anthropomorphic animals, so I did it my way, by introducing kangaroos (as inhabitants who live in Australia). XD Yes, Steve and Jack wear the famous Australian outfit and Wally Jr. outfit wildlife adventurer (if that's the right word) and I also found inspiration in Backwater Jack (also an Australian adventurer) from the Quack Pack episode "Hit the Road, Backwater Jack". Only Steve and Jack are not so timid and they are brave adventurers, and Jack would be one of the best friends of Donald's nephews, and especially he would hang out with Louie, since they have similar personalities, and he would be one of the regular visitors to Duckburg. And so they all go on a trip to Australia together. My only apologies are that the camera and certain things in bolding with the marker turned out badly. Also, Steve and Jack love this music, and it's also a symbol of current Australia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfR9iY5y94s

I hope you like this drawing of mine and my first original characters for the Quack Pack and for the Duckverse and feel free to like and reblog this. Just don't use my ideas and my characters without mentioning me and without my permission. Thank you! I hope you like it and once again Happy Australia Day!

#my fanart #artists on tumblr #quack pack #australia #australia day #duckverse #ducktales #donald duck #daisy duck #huey dewey and louie #huey dewey and louie duck #disney ducks #oc #my oc #ducktales 2017 #huey duck #dewey duck #louie duck #steve kangaroo #kent powers #disney kangaroos #jack kangaroo #disney duckverse #quackpack #sydney #disney afternoon #cartoons #fanart #duckverse oc #original character

[bitchinbarzal]

ivy and the “i’m sixteen i’m basically an adult” argument where she “runs away” for a brief period and mat and her mom are just calling every single person on the island they know until the phone rings and it’s like beau or anders saying that ivy is asleep on their couch

You all got into a big back and forth and Ivy walked out of the house.

You assumed she’d just gone to school in a mood. She usually walked to school so it wasn’t a big deal.

You’d gone to work in Jersey while Mat had to travel to Philadelphia for a game.

You had a game against Vancouver at Prudential that night so your nanny, Jessie was supposed to watch the kids until you got home.

She’d picked Bailey and Wyatt up from school, Ryder got the bus and usually Ivy would make her way home after studying at a friends so it wasn’t until a little after six when Ivy hadn’t come home that she began worrying.

It then wasn’t until seven, a few phone calls to Ivy and her friends without answer that Jessie called you.

The game had already started, you were stressed and texting Ivy

call me right now.

ivy im not joking around CALL ME!

ives if this is about this morning, we can talk about it. we’re not going to be angry please just call someone — me, jessie, dad anyone

ivy I love you but I am at work right now and so is dad I’m actually begging you not to do this right now.

All the texts were not responded to. It wasn’t until the second period break you began crying, pacing down the corridor and calling everyone you could.

“Hey, y/n what’s up? Why are you crying?” Beau’s voice carried down the corridor and you looked up at him with a tear stained face “Ivy’s ran away ”

“Ok, just calm we’ll go find her after the game ok?”

You left then, telling everyone you had to go look for her. Mat had called you after hearing all of your voicemails, rushing his way home.

After hours of calling everyone you could, physically going to all of her friends houses and a visit to the police station you received a call from Sydney to let you know ivy had let herself in using her key and was asleep on her spare bed.

You’d agreed to leave her there for the night and pick her up in the morning. You were up awake all night waiting for Mat to come home.

When he did, he lay next to you on the couch while you sobbed.

“She’s just a teenager babe, she’s going through something”

“Mat, she can’t do this! I was worried sick all day, you weren’t here and I couldn’t do my job properly. I love her, i do but i can’t live my life like this”

Mat could only hug her tighter “We’ll work it all out, I know it”

#ivy barzal

[tooneys-russo]

BOOTS AND BROKEN HEARTS

Previous Parts: Chapter 1

Summary: Alessia and her UNC coach Willa have a bit too much chemistry. Only downside is that Willa has a girlfriend.

Chapter 2

As Willa walked towards her car, she saw a black BMW with its lights on a little bit away from her car. He knew that car belonged to Jennifer. As she got into the car she noticed that her girlfriend appeared to be extremely pissed off. “You seem to be loving the college girls still.” Willa sighed, he knew exactly what was coming. “I am a coach, she wanted to know about forward movements and I have to make them better.” Jennifer turned towards Willa. “Yeah make them better players, you don’t need to flirt with them and try to fuck them.” Willa felt some anger rise in her chest. “My god I can have a fucking conversation with a girl without wanting to fuck her.” Jennifer gripped onto her steering wheel as she pulled out of the car park. “So you don’t think that blonde is hot?” Willa rested her head against the headrest and sighed. “She can be pretty without me wanting to fuck her.” She was exhausted, Jennifer was always picking these pointless fights. They had a similar fight every few weeks, they would make up and she would be standing next to her at some event the next day. As they arrived at Willa's apartment Jennifer did a once over, checking that there was no sign that there had been another female in the room. Willa’s apartment was on the fourth level, where you could see the North Carolina Soccer Stadium. It was a two bedroom, with the second bedroom being utilised as her collectors room, there was a collection of Batman figurines, costumes and comics, Newcastle United memorabilia as well as her UCLA memorabilia. Willa also had her gaming consoles, gaming collection, tv and desk filling the room. It was perfectly organised how she liked it, alphabetically and separated based on collection. Jennifer hated the room, she used to call her a teenage boy who needed to grow out of the kid shit. It ate away at Willa each time. Jennifer finally sat down on the couch that she had picked out, and turned on the tv. Willa went to sit down, “Gross no, go shower.” Willa sighed and went to shower. She let the water fall onto her body, releasing the tension from her muscles. It was her break from Jennifer for the night, she took every single second at her disposal. After she was done he put on some old UCLA shorts and sat next to Jennifer who had put on the newest season of Real Housewives of Beverley Hills, Willa had a little laugh along with the drama that was unfolding. Jennifer went on about how important the game was this weekend to her, having Orlando Pride pick her up was huge for her, and Willa knew that. But Jennifer wanted Willa to give up everything. After she listened to Willa’s analysis of her team and what she was thinking for the season's opening game they went to bed, they had sex as they always did when they were together. It seemed for both of them now that they were just going through the motions and there was a lack of love and intimacy there. 

The following morning Willa made Jennifer her favourite breakfast, avocado on toast, with two poached eggs and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. She took it into the bedroom so her girlfriend could eat it in bed. Willa had to head off in an hour and Jennifer had to head back to Orlando Pride for training that afternoon. They both knew that it would just be a night together every couple weeks but they agreed to do it because it was the best for both their jobs. Willa had a shower and got into the North Carolina uniform ready for another session before the scrimmage the following day. She kissed Jennifer and told her she loved her. Part of Willa still loved Jennifer, but perhaps she just loved the idea of her, the safety of the relationship. 

When Willa got to her office he noticed that Sydney, one of the players on the soccer team was waiting for her. “Hey Sydney, everything okay?” She nodded. “I just need some help. I don’t want to talk to Dorrance because I don’t want him to think I am an idiot.” Sydney explained that she didn’t understand some of their set plays, she was getting confused with the signals. Willa smiled and nodded, this was an easy fix. For the next hour she and Sydney went through each play on her office whiteboard, a couple of other players ended up joining in, apparently the signals and the movements of each player were being confused. After two hours she had most of the team in her small office watching her closely. It made her feel really good to be asked to help players understand more about their plays. She did notice that Alessia wasn’t there, she must have been in class or still in the gym. Once the impromptu coaching session was done Willa made her way to the gym, Alessia was doing some lower body work on the leg press. Willa jumped up onto the pull up station and easily lifted her body. “How are you feeling?” The blonde was startled by the northern accent. “You scared that shit out of me.” She turned to the older girl. “Sorry.” Willa dropped off the pull up bar and walked over. “Just had most of the team in my office asking about the set plays and the signals.”Alessia got off the leg press and moved to the hamstring machine, “Oh the one arm, two arm, movement to back post, offside trap and the false press?” Alessia replied with ease. “Guess I know why you didn’t need to show up then.” Alessia smiled. “I know how to deal with signals, I just struggle with movements sometimes.” Willa nodded. “Don’t go too hard today in the gym, the scrimmage tomorrow will be big. Season starts next month and I want the team in prime condition.”Alessia stood up in front of Willa, their eyes locking, nothing being said for what felt like an eternity. “Don’t worry I will be ready.” The blonde finally said, then walked past the now nervous brunette. But it was fine, Willa didn’t think about that little bit of tension at all. Not for a single second. Not even when she watched Alessia walk out of the gym, focusing on the smaller shorts that the blonde was wearing. Willa loved Jennifer, Alessia is just a pretty girl who isn’t at all judgemental or using her. Just a pretty girl.

For the scrimmage Willa was coaching the light blue team, Anson was coaching the white team. Alessia was put on the light blue team and Willa laid out the game plan, she wanted Alessia to play as a holding forward, moving into the midfield to lay the pass off to a winger then sneak inside. She was unsure of how to feel about the other Brit’s plan considering she had always played as a strong attacking player, dribbling into the box. Willa went around to each player giving them three goals to work on during the game, she didn’t focus on particular plays, only individual game performance. Willa handed the Captain’s armband to Lotte Wuben-Moy, another Brit who had gone through the Arsenal academy and similarly to Alessia had turned down a pro contract to develop their football. The teams took to the field, it was a strong start by the white North Carolina team who were playing their regular style of football. Willa’s light blue team were focusing on their new plan, Alessia had finally gotten the ball to her feet. She passed it out wide and snuck in behind the defenders who were too focused on the other players getting into the box. Lois ran down the edge of the box towards the goal line and crossed in the ball. Willa watched as Alessia rose above the other players to get her head on the ball, it was an almost perfectly aimed ball, only going over the crossbar by inches. Alessia threw her head back and groaned. She ran towards the halfway line for the goal kick. The half continued to be hotly contested with light blue getting so close to scoring and white trying to counter. At half time, Willa and the light blue team went into the changerooms, she stood by the whiteboard. 

“Hey, take a seat. How are you feeling with the setup?” Willa looked around at the players. “Lois I can see you are getting free down that wing. We can do a quick one, two with Alessia. That will open her up to loop around the back and free up the box. Lotte, your delivery from the backline and your command is perfect, it is exactly what we need. Right now they will be looking at how we set up in that half and try to adjust, I want us to change it up slightly. We keep our formation, but hit Alessia, she’s got the height and can get away from those defenders.” Alessia watched Willa closely, she was so expressive and was captivating to watch. Alessia could feel some butterflies in her stomach, she put it down to just admiring the older girl. The second half went exactly as Willa had predicted, Anson and his team shifted their tactics, but so did Willa and her team. Alessia did exactly what Willa had said, she lost her player going around the back of the pack as the cross came in. She rose above other players and headed the ball into the back of the net. Her team cheered and Willa clapped the blonde. It was a heavily contested second half with Willa and Anson’s tactics being put to the test. By the final whistle of this inter club game, Willa had won 2-1 against Anson. He shook her hand and she smiled wide, she felt so proud of herself and how her studying of the players paid off. The girls hugged her one by one as they went into the changeroom to shower and get ready to leave. Alessia was the last player to hug Willa, purposely waiting to the side. “Guess you were right coach.” Alessia stepped forward. “There are a few things I know. Football happens to be one of them.” Alessia and Willa stood looking at each other, there was a little bit of tension in the air, Alessia broke the stand off and hugged Willa. The blonde’s arms going around Willa’s neck and the brunettes arms wrapping around Alessia’s waist. Their bodies were pressed against each other, they didn’t want to let go it felt right to hold each other. Willa came to her senses and pulled away. “Um great game again, you did phenomenally.” Willa grabbed her clipboard and walked down the left hallway, a few seconds later she walked past Alessia again. “Wrong way.” She mumbled to herself, her face red. Alessia watched Willa walk into her office, biting her lip as her coach closed the door behind her. They were both in a bit of trouble.

The weekend finally came with Willa avoiding being alone with Alessia the whole time. Willa had Lotte, Sydney and a couple of the other players one on one to discuss tactics and movements. Alessia tried to get the coach alone, maybe getting just one more hug or a sneaky hand touch, just something, but nothing worked. Alessia asked for a quick chat but Willa was on her way out, heading to the airport after their film session. “Sorry Alessia, look text me if you need me or anything happens. I am heading to Orlando Pride, Jennifer has her first game and I promised that I wouldn’t miss it. I will see you when I get back.” Willa handed Alessia a post it note with her number, Alessia immediately put it in her phone and texted her coach. ‘Hi Willa, it’s Alessia from UNC.’ In her Uber Willa smiled at the text. ‘Hello Alessia from UNC. Sorry about not being able to chat for long, we can chat when I am back.’ Willa would have loved to have been sitting with Alessia chatting about football and everything that they could think of, but she had to go to her girlfriend. Willa put her phone away not looking at it when it pinged, knowing that it was a text from Alessia. 

Once she got off the plane in Orlando she saw the girlfriend she should have been missing. Jennifer jumped into Willa’s arms and the coach wrapped her arms around her girlfriend’s waist. There were a few paparazzi taking pictures with hype surrounding the number 1 draft pick and the UNC coach. Their bodies didn’t fit as well as Willa and Alessia’s, but Willa pushed that from her mind. On the way to Jennifer’s apartment Willa barely got a word out while Jennifer continued to talk about how awesome the new girls were and the facilities. Willa zoned out a little while Jennifer spoke, she was proud of her girlfriend but she was so tired from everything she struggled to pay attention. Jennifer’s apartment looked like it was from an interior design magazine, Willa followed her girlfriend and sat down on her couch. Not once did Jennifer ask how Willa was going, while they watched a movie Willa finally checked her phone and there was a text from Alessia from a few hours before. ‘I would love that, I will see if I can see you on the tv tomorrow.’ Willa smiled at the girl’s text and put her phone away. The media had started posting the pictures from the airport, Alessia saw the pictures and rolled her eyes. Jennifer and Willa’s fans were reposting the pictures and commenting how cute they were together. Alessia tried her best to not continue scrolling on the comments, but she couldn't help herself. Everyone kept saying how cute the pair were together, that they were the perfect couple. She knew she could make Willa smile wider than the polite smile that graced the coach’s lips in the photos. 

In the morning Jennifer and Willa went for a walk to a local cafe, the barista knew Jennifer’s order, a soy double shot with a little bit of hazelnut syrup, Willa got a soy hot chocolate apparently she was lactose intolerant but she didn't bother getting a doctor check she thought the stomach pain after a milkshake was explanation enough. “It means so much that you’re here baby.” Jennifer held Willa’s hand as they walked. “I will always support you.” Willa kissed Jennifer’s hand. “I’m sorry I was a bitch when I came and saw you. I just get jealous when I know you are alone with those girls, to be honest you’re very hot and if you were my coach I would do everything that I could to get you.” Willa smiled at her girlfriend. “Yeah no I get it. I’m sorry that I have been distant and so focused on UNC.” Willa and Jennifer stopped by a bench in a park and sat together. Willa looked at her girlfriend as she drank her hot chocolate, there were moments where she looked just like the freshman she fell in love with, she didn’t know what happened to that girl and where this self centred attention seeking woman came from. Willa leant in and kissed her girlfriend’s cheek, Jennifer pulled out her phone, “Babe do it again.” Willa kissed her again and Jennifer took a picture. It was quickly posted and suddenly their moment of connectedness had disappeared as Jennifer worked out the best caption, Willa moved her arm from behind Jennifer and looked around at the other people in the park trying to avoid thinking about the captivating blonde UNC striker.

Chapter 3

#alessia russo #woso #woso fanfiction #woso community #woso fanfics

[ofwishfulthinking]

if you’re hearing SUMMER CHILD by CONAN GRAY playing, you have to know CASSIDY SYDNEY (she/they; enby) is near by! the 26 year old STUDENT/PIANO TEACHER has been in denver for, like, 10 YEARS. they’re known to be quite TIMID, but being EMPATHETIC seems to balance that out. or maybe it’s the fact that they resemble JESSIE MEI LI. personally, i’d love to know more about them seeing as how they’ve got those FINGERS FLYING ACROSS PIANA KEYS, FLOWERS WOVEN INTO BRAIDS, SUMMER DRESSES AND COMBAT BOOTS vibes. and maybe i’ll get my chance if i hang out around the LAKERIDGE DISTRICT long enough!

details (tw suicide):

Cassidy never really knew her father. He was more a stranger than anything, a character in their story. Growing up, Cass had always heard that her father was a real estate tycoon or something of the sort who owned properties in various states. Truth be told, Cass didn't really know much about her mom either. She knew her of course, but she didn't know about her. All they knew was that their mother had been married before, that the marriage had ended, and she'd moved to the United States.

When Cass was young, her mother remarried. That was how Ryder Sydney entered her life. Between Ryder and Cass's older sibling, Cass felt safe -- something that was necessary as Ryder's dad was not a nice guy.

About ten years ago, Cass's mom secreted them away to Denver in the dead of night. They bought a small house and never looked back.

For a while, life seemed perfect, or as perfect as it had ever been, but then things fell apart. tw start Cass's mom had been dealing with more than the teenager could've imagined and one day, those demons won. tw end

To keep her from becoming another child lost in the system, their older sibling became their legal guardian. After all, Cass was only a few years away from being an adult themselves.

Cass currently resides in Lakeridge District, in an old broken down house they inherited from their mother and works as a piano tutor and picking up odd jobs where ever she can while attending college.

potential connections:

older sibling (will be a wc on the main)

best friend/friends (she’s lived in denver for over a decade now for their entire life)

flirtationships

enemies

clients (both for piano and babysitting)

any and everything

#cassidy. #chq;intro #cassidy (intro.)

[nerdyqueerandjewish]

My friends Holly and Katie, are now the guardians of two teenagers after their mom died in a car accident. Katie was hired as an in-home assistant for X a month before their mom died. After her death, Holly and Katie learned that the kids have no family who can take them and that they would be separated if put into foster care. They have gotten uncontested legal guardianship for one year and plan to file for permanent guardianship. They are good, compassionate people. I feel grateful that Katie happened to take that job - these kids will have caring, compassionate, and trauma-informed adults who understand disability in their lives (not only was Katie X’s support worker, Holly is a teacher of Deaf children and teens with disabilities, and they both have their own experiences with disability as well)

Now, Katie is no longer eligible to be paid for taking care of X due to federal regulations of the position, and since they are not going through the foster care system, they are not eligible to receive a stipend to help offset costs. They went from a family of 3 (they already had one son who is 12) to a family of 5, and they only have one income. Any amount would help and please share widely! 💜

#signal boost #tzedakah #giving

[dysaniadisorder]

in terms of camp here & there characters being real people in their own fictional world i agree with Salem wholeheartedly that Sydney is irresponsible & unprofessional at his own job even if she does misunderstand both Sydney as a person and to the degree this is true. but in terms of the fact that camp here & there is an entirely fictional story and im freakishly obsessed with Sydney i disagree with Salem on any and every level i wish he traumadumped to teenagers MORE

#chnt

[comedi-anne]

Teenage Sirris wanted to be like Steve Irwin. But instead, Sirris is the science teacher for some disturbed city in the UK.

Teenage Sirris's dreams got derailed by their teen pregnancy (Sydney), so they had to take a more stable job teaching biology in the hell town. UwU

You think the teachers would have to make a pretty good salary if it's worth living in Rapeville.

#sirris the science teacher #dol sirris

[youngharridan]

Let me preface this by saying I adore Annie Autumn. Its one of those great one-sided/parasocial kind of relationships of my online life. I’ve been following her for awhile now after seeing her tagged in another friend of a friend’s posts. I bought a baby blanket from her for a friend of mine when she was doing a fundraiser, and I have one of her hook rugs on my wall as well. It’s devastating watching her go through cancer treatment and now settling into end of life care - but I also really value what she is willing to share with everyone. Radical queer community grieving at its finest. That is all to say – this is a funny kind of review. Not that I ever strive for objectivity or anything like that. But this little zine really hit a spot in me and its really interesting to give a bit of a longer reflection.

I bought this on a total whim – Annie made merch for her living wake and asked Instagram if people would buy it. Which hell yeah of course we wanted it! Let everyone wear this beautiful stuff while giving you some money for your family. And she included this zine with the totes and shirts. I knew she had built her home with her family and community and jumped at the prospect of hearing more of the story. It’s a short zine – maybe less than 10 pages, colour printed on cardboard. It’s structured around two weather events that woke Annie up in the middle of the night and threatened her home. In-between these stories of fire and flood is a bit about the actual building of the house. The thing that initially struck me is that this is a climate crisis story, displaying the real cost of our collective failure to address climate change meaningfully and sharing the material effects of this crisis. This is a story that is both political and personal in all the best ways.

Annie talks about how building her own house was a dream of her’s from when she was a teenager. I feel like it is such a strong trope in the queer community that we all dream of running away from society to start a commune where we can live freely and build things together. I have personally harboured this dream, but during the covid-19 pandemic lockdowns I was confronted with just how interconnected we all are and thought that this kind of running away fantasy was really cruel. I don’t want to turn away from the world, I want to find a way to live in it while also being in community. This also led to me to looking at houses instead of property when it came to buying a house. I did kind of abandon the city in the end and run away a bit, but just up the hill to the mountains where we could afford to buy a house just outside of the insane Sydney property bubble.

There is something that I struggle with that comes in later in the zine that I want to dig into a bit, towards the end. Annie reflects on how the house is far from perfect but that:

“I love that she’s still a bit of a work in progress, that I’ve shown my kids that you can build a life using your hands, and that life can resist dominant paradigms that dictate that you ‘cant’t’ or ‘shouldn’t’ make things for yourself. That tells you not to try in case the things you make are ‘bad’. That its better to work in a soulless job so that you can pay others to use their hands to make things for you – your clothes, your home, your garden”.

This kind of sentiment is something that greatly irritates me while also being something that I agree with to a certain extent. I live in a house that someone else built – and we paid someone to renovate the kitchen in the first year we lived here, and I don’t regret either of these decisions. I also really want to learn how to paint the walls myself and take on other repairs eventually as well because learning skills rules. The garden is going to be a lifelong project for me. At the moment it’s a fussy cottage garden that the retirees that lived here before us obviously poured so much love and care into, but is full of plants I want to slowly replace with natives and productive fruits and vegetables. I don’t think it’s fair to blanket say that all work is soulless, and that paying professionals to do things for you is wrong. But I do think we could all stand to learn the true cost of things like food and clothes on the planet, people, and animals. So call me a fake radical but I am happy to give some jobs over to the tradies in my house.

I kind of can’t believe how long this went – hoping to review more zines this year but don’t expect >500 words very often.

#zines #zine reviews #yes we're bringing back reviews in a big way for 2024 🙏 #image described

[yellowhollyhock]

Donnie and April

Computer science buddies let’s goooo

Donnie gets so attached to April so immediately. Throughout the series Donatello gets along well with humans (the Professor, Cody, even the way he is less than thrilled about fighting the mutants during Bishop’s outbreak), girls (Sydney, J’Hanna, Angel, Renet), and scientists (Leatherhead, Fugitoid). April is checking all of his boxes. She’s hired on the spot.

Seriously though, as soon as April gets over the initial shock, these two are like they’ve always known each other. Immediate friends. I mean, they’re kindred spirits. April shuts down the mousers but overloading them and causing an explosion. That had to be such a “look it me” moment for Donatello.

Also let’s talk about April’s confidence. When we meet her she is just thrilled to be working for the famous Dr. Stockman, and implies people close to her might not really believe she could land a job like that? And then her boss, probably her first boss, the first professional scientist since Uncle Auggie disappeared to see her and at least see potential, tries to kill her. Next thing, she meets a group of talking animals (she’s a scientist she’s supposed to know what’s biologically possible) and they’re all trained ninjas (she is not a trained ninja). Not to mention just being in her twenties. Like what could’ve been harder on her belief in herself?

I could do a whole separate post about how phenomenally April handles all this. But what I wanna talk about here is that she doesn’t handle it alone. All of her new friends, turtles and Casey, do what they can to help her. But it’s mostly Donnie who we see addressing her confidence. It’s little moments all the time. When she’s helping them break into TCRI he’s in her ear with a microphone saying “You can definitely do this, April.” Also, it was exactly what April needed to become friends with someone who didn’t have Stockman’s acclaim, or even a college education, who is still able to talk intelligently about and actually build, pretty much whatever they can come up with. This lays the groundwork for her to eventually say Yeah, I can start my own tech company, it doesn’t matter that my first job went badly and I haven’t been in that field (professionally) since. I can definitely do this.

As much as April needed a confidence boost, Donnie really needed someone to talk to. Not just about tech stuff but about family stuff. He’s very sensitive to conflict, especially between his brothers. And he has close bonds all around him, but do you think a fifteen year old is going to share his worries about his brothers emotional needs with his dad? Or his brothers? When him and Leo are older they probably have conversations like that, but both of them learned how from April first. (Ha, April 1st).

And speaking of Donnie needing someone to talk to, just thinking about to Return of Savanti part 1 when they go to a dinosaur museum to admire the robotics. Raph and Mikey are rolling their eyes so hard, and Leo’s being nice but it’s obvious he doesn’t get it. April is into robotics, too, in fact it seems like the museum was her idea. Possibly (headcanon) a plot to cheer her up after Stockman’s vengeful rampage the episode before. But she picked something Don is Way more excited about than her, because she is the best big sister.

I think sometimes, out of all of them, April forgets that Donnie is a teenager. Like not literally but she thinks he’ll be more mature than he necessarily is. She probably thinks the same of Leo, but Leo is always going to manage to be More Serious than she can possibly expect (showboat). Donnie can be very mature in some ways and then surprise her with like. Secretly ordering food and blaming it on Mikey. He’s the first one she admits her crush on Casey to, probably expecting he’d show the sensitivity he’s always shown when she shares her feelings… and he laughs at her and calls him a bonehead. He’s also the one she calls when she finds Uncle Auggie. (btw they just go to another dimension? Unclear if they left a note?) By then she knows him better to be aware that he might do something crazy. She reminds him to be careful, and he says, “I’m the sensible turtle, remember? :3” Which is important because where did he get the idea that he’s the sensible turtle? They all praise his tech abilities, but if someone has told him he seems calm and mature, it probably wasn’t the people who have lived with him since the first time he took apart their toaster or built a self-driving car in their living room. He’s reminding April that he’s the sensible turtle because she’s the one he got the idea from. And in this episode he lives up to it.

Summary, they show the most of any duo on the show that people will live up to your expectations. Donnie sees in April an experienced scientist, even a mentor, and he actively helps her step into that role until one day she literally becomes his boss. April sees in Donnie a gentle approachable guy who anyone would be lucky to have as a friend. And you know, being a mutant turtle that’s not something a lot of people have seen in him.

Again, I’ve given most of my favorite moments already so have some headcanons:

-Donnie absolutely goes to her for relationship advice

-not a headcanon but I have a lot of feelings about Donnie, Casey, and April starting a business together

-April learns chess specifically to play with Donnie. He has everyone else convinced she’s great at it (she isn’t)

#tmnt #tmnt 2003 #2003 donnie #2003 april #2003 tmnt family dynamics

[backmaskcd]

(Sydney Sweeney) [THE DOLL]. Please welcome [JOVI DICAMILLO (SHE/HER)] to Huntsville, WV. They are an [27]-year-old [VISITOR] who lives in [TOWN]. You may see them around working as an [EVENT COORDINATOR AT MINNIE'S DANCE HALL]. Poor unfortunate soul. We’ll see if they survive.

Full Name: Jovi April DiCamillo Birthday: April 22 Age: 27 Hunter or Gatherer: Gatherer Sexuality: Straight Height: 5'3 Relationship Status: single

Jovi is the youngest of three, all girls, and while she’s always tended to be her father’s favorite, something about that title makes her mother detest her.  Born to a Southern gentleman father and a French model mother, she was extremely spoiled growing up, her father caving and giving her just about anything and everything she wanted, earning grumbles and glares from her mother, resulting in hushed, harsh conversations behind closed doors.  She was a lazy child, never really learning the meaning of a dollar, but was perfectly poised in public.

She didn’t like school, but she wasn’t bad at it.  As long as she got decent grades, her father would reward her.  On her sixteenth birthday, her father bought her a car that caused a huge fight between her parents and meant that they spent a few days apart, Jovi’s mother going to spend a couple nights at a hotel while her father stayed home with the girls, insisting to Jovi that her mother was just overreacting and everything was fine.  This wasn’t the first time Jovi felt like she hated her mother, but it was one of the most memorable.

As a teenager, Jovi often got in trouble for sneaking out to meet up with boys or going to parties with her friends, having many different boyfriends, and rarely showing remorse if she set her sights on someone who was already spoken for.  Growing up spoiled gave her a complex, and she felt entitled to whatever attention and affection she could get.  Jovi knew she was pretty, and knew exactly how to act, dress and what to say to get her way.  Other than her close group of friends, most of the girls at school didn’t really like her, and looking back, she couldn’t even blame them.

The only thing it seemed like Jovi and her mother could agree on was ballet.  Since Jovi was five, she’d been taking lessons, and it was something she’d grown to love very much.  Where she lacked in school and drive to get a job, she made up for in how hard she worked at dance, quickly making her way from ensemble to secondary and even main roles.  It was the only time her mother ever showed her favor, or even praise, and it wasn’t the only reason Jovi continued to work hard at it, but it didn’t hurt, either.

The DiCamillo family lived comfortably, her father inheriting a lot of money, and Jovi often opted to hang out with friends or go on shopping sprees on her father’s dime.  He never complained once, all but encouraging her to go do what made her happy, all while receiving scolds and glares from her mother who didn’t think Jovi had earned any of it - and she wasn’t exactly wrong, but Jovi didn’t appreciate it being pointed out.  At the gentle behest of her father, she started taking some side classes to learn how to do something ‘useful’ with her time, and while it wasn't exactly what Jovi would call enjoyable, it got her higher spending limits.

Balancing school and ballet wasn’t Jovi’s strong suit, often putting more stock in dancing than anything else, though she did actually complete her degree.  Shortly after her twenty second birthday, she got an opportunity to join a ballet company, and even though she jumped at the opportunity, she knew she’d miss her father terribly.  Saying goodbye to her dogs and her sisters, she made the trip alone, hoping to make friends soon - and not with any of her fellow dancers.

She could have sworn she was taking the right way - she had been following the GPS to a tee. However, the fork in the road threw her off, and that's how she wound up in Huntsville. It was a devastating few days when she realized she'd never be able to make it out of the town, but managed to start to piece some semblance of a life together, spending a lot of time with Minnie at the dance hall, becoming something of an assistant to her.

Jovi still takes every opportunity she can to dance and stretch her muscles, but misses her old life terribly still. It's not so much that she had real friends to miss - they were pretty flakey and fair weather - but she missed her dad and her dogs and horse terribly. She hates the weather in West Virginia, missing the warm Texas air, but after five years, she has no choice but to make the best of her situation for as long as she can. She still finds herself having days where all she can do is sob in bed, but they're fewer and further between than when she first came to town.

#huntsvilleintro

[jamsofdeath0]

Au where Sydney Poindexter really likes superheroes but like 1950s superheroes because that's when he was alive so when all the ghost starts appearing he decides to become a cheesy 1950s superhero. He does this surprisingly well and because Danny doesn't need to protect people he gets into significantly less ghost fights and just becomes a kid with superpowers who isn't a hero. Sydney's of (living?) the dream while Danny gets to be a teenager. Danny sometimes helps if the foes really stronger and will defend himself in those accounts if a ghost shows up but he leaves it to Sydney most of the time.

Sydney looks and acts like a parody of 1950's Superman and Batman but none of the Town wanted to tell him cuz he's some dead kid protecting them they arent going to ruin his fun. He really enjoys protecting people and he really likes being popular.

Vlad and skulker specifically still fix it on Danny for his halfa status but Poindexter does his best to protect him.

Danny is definitely stronger than Poindexter (and most ghosts) but he steadfastly refuses to get sucked into heroing. Tucker doesn't get this ands always pestering him about "his cool powers"

Sam and Sydney have some friction over his outdated ideas. See at the start Sydney's well at best a little sexist. He's actually progressive for the time he came from but he's still a white teenager from the 1950s. He's really excited about a lot of rights but really confused about a few others. Like everyone being able to live by there own means (women and black people having the freedom to get any job they want) is super exciting but he still thinks women are weaker than men and need extra protection. He's fine with gay ppl but he doesn't get it. And transitioning goes right over his head. Alot of his biases are subconscious and over time he actually becomes more open-minded.

#danny phantom #sydney Poindexter #danny phantom au #heropoindexter #danny fenton #dp prompt

[umichenginabroad]

Beyond Coogee (Week 2)

After a week of exploring Coogee and the surrounding area, my housemates and I felt prepared to embark on a voyage inland. In Surry Hills, a suburb of Sydney known for its stylish cultural and cafe scene, we embraced our duties as college students and went thrifting. I couldn’t name each shop we walked into or every hat I tried on, but I could, with much gusto and enthusiasm, show you exactly where I got the Nutella Latte that changed my life (I just wish it lasted me more than two minutes). Apparently, Australia has a very strong coffee culture which was well established before coffee chains even tried to enter the market - there are less than 70 Starbucks shops in Australia compared to over 17,000 spread across the 50 United States. The coffee tastes even better after converting the cost of the coffee to USD and seeing that it cost me half the price of its counterpart in America.

With our appetites built up, we made our way towards Chinatown where we enjoyed some authentic Chinese dishes followed by my favorite Oolong Tea Boba.

A habitual Coogee Beach swim and coastal walk followed later that day joined by Lauren and Shaunak, a student from Georgia Tech. The three of us grew to appreciate each other’s company as we contemplate the philosophical on our walks - everything from how our relationships with our friends and families shape us to commentary on the realities of tourism.

Before we knew it, the NCAA championship was upon us! Luckily, Lauren and I had prepared a watch party at the same local bar where we’d watched the semi-finals. This time, determined to draw a larger crowd, we created a flyer that could be easily passed around amongst students in the area. Though not all UM fans, students crowded the bar and seats ran out after the first hour to watch us take the trophy. Go blue!

Later in the week, a trip to Bondi Beach went south when an incident occurred in the water. I had just gotten out of the water when I noticed a large crowd forming in the northern end of the beach. After some inspection, it turned out that somebody had been rescued from the water and was getting medical attention on the shore. Film crews surrounded the area. Bondi Rescue is a TV show filmed at Bondi Beech that follows lifeguards as they locate drownings, carry out rescues, and handle other conflicts in and around the water of the busiest beach in Australia. The sight reminded me of just how dangerous the ocean can be with waves reaching 5ft above the water. Lifeguarding is often regarded as a common summer job for teenagers in the US, but in Australia it’s taken quite seriously. Just a few minutes at Bondi Beach is enough to see a lifeguard tell someone to swim to a designated area, leave the water if it’s declared unsafe, or even make a rescue. Having been a lifeguard myself, safety is always at the top of my mind when I swim, but let me tell you - these waves are not to be messed with.

With week 3 approaching, I’m excited to take my first trip out of Sydney to the Gold Coast! Cheers!

David Bayer

Biomedical Engineering

University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia

#umichenginabroad #ipeunsw #australia #DavidBayer #IPEWinter24